Elizabeth and Shula hear some startling news. Mike hears some shocking news.

Radio Times: Elizabeth is emotional.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Mike, Phoebe, Roy, Shula

• A puzzled Elizabeth and Shula await David at Lower Loxley, having been summoned to an urgent meeting. They discuss the Come and Sing Messiah at St Stephen’s, which seems to be popular. They decide to go along and ask Jill and Chris to come.
• Because Roy has not been into work since Friday, Mike calls round to check on him, and is appalled at both the state of the house and Roy’s appearance. Mike manages to persuade a distressed Roy to shower and dress while he makes inroads on the mess. Phoebe then calls round, so tactful Mike makes a hasty exit.
• David’s news stuns his sisters at first, but both manage to say how glad they are that he and his family are staying in Ambridge. Shula thinks David should tell Kenton as soon as possible, before he spends any more money. Asked how Ruth has taken the news, David can only say that they are working through some issues.
• Phoebe asks Roy if he wants a divorce, as Hayley does, and he tells her that the situation is very complicated. In floods of tears, Phoebe says that if they love each other they should get back together, and begs Roy to try. Poor Roy can only say that he has hurt Hayley deeply, something he never thought he would do, and now there seems no way out.
• Phoebe goes to Mike for comfort. When he hears about Hayley’s intention to divorce Roy, he is shocked; he never thought it would come to that. Phoebe, hugely distressed, asks why everything has gone wrong. She just can’t bear it.