Helen and Rob have the perfect night out. Tom finds the perfect solution to his money problems.

Radio Times: Tom makes his pitch, and Peggy receives the silent treatment.

Characters: Helen, Pat, Peggy, Rob, Tom, Tony

• Tom has lunch with Peggy and afterwards broaches the subject of a loan. He explains that he and Kirsty want to be independent and to invest in a house, even if they do eventually build at Bridge Farm. The trouble is finding a deposit. He needs 17 or 18 thousand, though it could be either a loan or a drawing-down of his legacy. Peggy says she is not going to commit herself yet, but when he and Kirsty find a house, Tom is to come back and she will help him.
• Girly Helen rings Rob to say how excited she is about her Valentine’s treat. Rob refuses to say where they are going, but she must be ready at seven looking gorgeous.
• Grumpy Tony is busy fixing a down pipe when Pat comes to find him. Jennifer has been trying to ring him because she has had a disaster; her hair colour has gone wrong and will have to be re-done. Poor Jennifer – she will doubtless be quite exhausted and too late to take Peggy to a doctor’s appointment, so Tony will have to go. Tony has no desire whatsoever to be closeted in a car with his mother, but Pat insists. Tony drives Peggy in sullen silence. On the way home she tells him that if he has something to say, he should do so. She realises her will is at the bottom of all this, and tells him she thought he would be glad that she was not leaving anything to Jennifer or Lilian’s children. Tony tells her plainly that he feels she has leapfrogged him and Pat because she doesn’t trust him. Grandly Peggy informs him that it is her decision and she has done what she thinks best. Then she tells him about Tom’s visit and what a good case he made. Did he indeed? splutters Tony. Well done, Tom. You can rule out a parental contribution to the nuptials.
• There is some awkwardness in the air when Helen drops Henry at Bridge Farm, though Henry seems delighted to be there. By seven Helen is ready and presumably looking gorgeous, though controller Rob seems to want some alteration made to her appearance before they climb into the limousine en route for a Michelin star restaurant in Birmingham.
• After the meal Rob gives Helen a present. Not, thank goodness, a ring, but a watch. He wants her to wear it every day. Does she like it? It’s perfect, breathes Helen, and he is the perfect man…