Emma and Chris talk over their different lives and smooth over their previous argument but Alice acts in a dangerous manner which has Emma fuming all over again.

Radio Times: Tracy wants to party and Chris makes amends

Characters: Alice, Christopher, Ed, Emma, Susan, Tracy

• Alice and Christopher are doing the last minute preparations for their party. Chris expresses a worry about Tracy’s attendance but Alice claims to like Tracy; she is a party girl after Alice’s own heart. And besides with Tracy at the party, no one can accuse them of snobbery.
• As the party gets underway, Tracy complains to Susan that the party is boring and filled with old people. Peggy is there, for goodness sake. Emma and Ed did turn up but according to Tracy it looks as if they are at a funeral. Tracy won’t let Susan leave her side because Jennifer may come up and try to talk about books or something! Tracy asks about kefir but it soon becomes clear that she thought it was alcoholic. Tracy is dismissive upon finding that it is milk based. Susan wants to leave but Alice and Chris’s friends arrive and Tracy sees a real party starting.
• Emma tries to leave as well but Alice claims that she wants to introduce Ed to people who can give him work. Chris comes up and asks Emma to stay. Alice leads Ed away and Chris is left with Emma. Chris apologises for his words the other day and Emma drives it home that Alice gives Chris choices because she has money. Her life is very different.
• Ed tries to ask Alice about the contacts but she puts him off. They laugh at Tracy’s antics. She is dancing with a man 20 years older but she doesn’t seem to mind his age. Emma is pleased to see Ed enjoying himself. Later Tracy is cooling her feet in the fish pond (and disturbing the fish) while her aged dance partner is lying down. Alice decides she wants to climb a tree and Tracy agrees but Ed tries to stop them. It is too dangerous and both women have been drinking heavily. Alice won’t listen and Tracy is a willing follower.
• Emma and Chris discuss how money makes such a difference in their lives. Chris talks about how he envies Emma her children. He looks forward to the day when he and Alice will have a family and he’d like to move into a larger home in preparation. Emma asks if Alice is on board with this and Chris airily asserts of course she is-once her career is firmly launched. Emma seems thoughtful and then hugs Chris with an apology for her share of the ill feelings between them.
• Raucous noise comes from the tree area. Tracy is too fearful to climb down but she agrees to jump if Ed catches her. This is too tame for Alice who declares she is Superwoman who can fly; she decides to jump without looking. She thinks it is great fun but Emma is very angry because Alice jumped onto Ed and Chris without worrying how she might land on them. Emma is furious that Ed or Chris could have been badly injured because of Alice’s thoughtlessness. The night is over as far as she is concerned. Tracy jeers at Emma playing the damp squib, Ed bids a hasty farewell and Chris expresses mild worry to Alice. Alice, however, ignores any concerns and calls for more drink and new adventures.