Helen hears some life changing news; Anisha shows off her skills.

Radio Times: Susan has a lot to live up to, and Anisha needs to act fast.

Characters: Alistair, Anisha, Helen, Neil, Shula, Susan, Tracy

• Neil manages to escape Susan’s wrath without serious injury when he accuses her of taking an overly long time with her make-up. She explains that he just wouldn’t understand the finer points of female grooming. As he dodges off to work, Susan takes a call from Tracy. She has something to ask Susan, and it sounds urgent.
• Alistair offers to swap rotas with Anisha so that she may attend Burns Night festivities at The Bull. As the conversation turns to other Scottish Ambridge residents, Shula appears with unwelcome news about Lazarus, the horse that fell on Sunday. Anisha admits to being concerned and Alistair offers to help to investigate the animal’s swollen knee. On examination, both vets agree that the joint is probably infected and needs aspirating. Anisha goes to phone the owner to keep her abreast of events.
• Tracy explains to Susan that even though Roy has her new number, he still hasn’t answered her texts. She’s convinced that Kirsty is at the root of the problem. She notices that Susan has had some highlights in her hair and that she looks very trim. Susan says that she has to try and live up to how she looked in her photograph and that it’s not easy!
• There’s general agreement that Lazarus has a thorn in his knee and it’s now infected. Anisha feels that they should refer on to the veterinary hospital but costs may be significant, in the order of £2000 – £3000. If the owner is reluctant to stump up those sort of fees, Anisha offers to do the procedure herself. She’s done it before, successfully. Alistair is obviously concerned about outcomes, but Anisha isn’t; she knows what she’s doing. Alistair goes off to phone the owner.
• Neil arrives home and is quizzed by Susan. Does her photograph have more of Hepburn or Christie about it? He hesitates; Hepburn… probably! She agrees but goes on to wonder how she can constantly live up to that image. He insists that she doesn’t need to and that he’s the luckiest man in the world. He’s so proud of her, especially in her photograph wearing her red dress. They hug… she has made a decision. Her solo photo must be moved and be replaced by the family image. From now on, the rule is… family first.
• Anisha manages to remove the thorn from Lazarus in one piece, assisted only by Shula. Alistair has been called away to an urgent calving. She flushes the joint. So far, so good. If there’s one thing she hates, she tells Shula, it’s losing a horse. Meanwhile, at the shop, Susan and Tracy discuss Rob’s disappearance just as Helen walks in. It’s quite clear that she has no inkling of what has happened and is caught completely off guard. She buys a book of stamps and makes a hurried exit. Susan is agog… “Fancy Helen not knowing.” Indeed, fancy.