Helen narrowly avoids meeting Rob with his wife, Jess.

Radio Times: It is the night of the village bonfire, and Helen makes a sharp exit.

Characters: Darrell, David, Helen, Jess, Kirsty, Meriel, Rob, Shula

• If Darrell is ever to get on his feet again, he needs to put in a benefit claim and Shula has offered to help. He is extremely timid and apologetic but Shula will not let him put it off. When it is done, he can come to the village bonfire with her.
• Among the throng at the bonfire are Rob and Jess, meeting lots of people whose names she will struggle to remember. When Shula arrives with Darrell in tow, David is keen to give his sister a night off from her social work so he tasks Darrell with getting him a drink, and one for himself. That allows Shula to explain the situation to Jess who, being a social worker, offers to talk things over if Shula feels out of her depth.
• When they meet Lynda, Jess thoughtfully volunteers Rob for the Christmas play. So if he does well in his audition, he might get the part of Robin Hood – opposite Kirsty’s Maid Marian. That should generate a few sparks. More immediately a little boy is waving at Rob; it’s Henry with his Uncle Tom. Rob is evasive when Jess urges him to talk to Henry.
• Firework-meister David needs his assistant; Meriel is only too pleased to go and find Jamie. Is it love? When David let’s slip to Kirsty and Helen that Rob is at the bonfire with Jess, that’s too much for Helen; she cannot stay. Kirsty will explain to Tom and she assures Helen that they will look after Henry. Helen must go now; she is not ready to meet Jess.