Elizabeth and David are reconciled.

Radio Times: David comes bearing gifts, and Neil offers advice.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Freddie, Jim, Lynda, Mike, Neil

• Learning that nothing has moved on since his talk with Mike, Neil suggests another chat over a drink; Mike prefers somewhere quiet, so they arrange to meet later in the church grounds, where Neil will be working.
• With an armful of comics, David heads for Lower Loxley. He also brings one of Josh’s games and a tale of the early visit he and Josh made to watch badgers being vaccinated. Freddie would like to see that!
• Lynda and Jim are back from the Heart of England in Bloom awards with a bronze certificate. It is destined for a prominent place in the Village Hall and Lynda is already thinking of the next time. But first Jim reveals to her the secrets of the clandestine activities in his shed – a Roman bread oven; his entry in the bread-making competition will certainly be unique. Meanwhile Scruff is barking at something. Goodness, not again! They agree it was larger than a squirrel and best kept to themselves this time.
• The game is a bit one sided: Freddie is beating David one-handed when Elizabeth returns early. David prepares to beat a hasty retreat but Elizabeth makes him welcome and prepares tea. They reminisce about games played on Boxing Day in their childhood. Elizabeth thanks David for coming and they agree that they have missed one another.
• Mike pours out his worries about how they are going to manage the baby; indeed whether it is fair to bring it into the world. Vicky can’t even think about a termination. Neil counsels him to remember how happy Vicky has made him; if he insists on a termination he might lose her. If she wants the baby, nothing is going to stop her.