Helen proves a sympathetic listener. Joe proves an embarrassment. Eddie proves his worth.

Radio Times: The future looks brighter at Keeper’s Cottage.

Characters: Clarrie, Eddie, Helen, Ian, Joe

• It’s the day of Eddie’s interview at the cattle market, and the stress is starting to show. Joe wants a lift to the vicarage to offer Alan their field for his Lent camping venture – it could be a money-making opportunity. While Eddie’s van is being sprayed, he’s borrowed Ed’s car. Clarrie, unaware of Eddie’s design, just hopes there won’t be anything embarrassing on the van. One ferret is quite enough.
• Ian calls at the dairy to see how Helen is now that Annette has gone. She tells him she’s had a card, and that Annette’s gran is spoiling her. Ian senses there’s more to it than this, and soon Helen is telling him the full story. It brings back painful memories for Ian, of Madds’ plans for a baby and Adam’s reaction. He tells Helen he often wonders what life would be like if he had fathered a child, but he knows that he couldn’t have lost Adam. Children just weren’t for them. Helen puts aside her own troubles and listens sympathetically.
• Eddie has to wait for his interview, and is not helped by the fact that Joe has decided to tag along. When he’s called, Joe forces the boss to listen to a long-winded tale of Eddie’s amazing skills with livestock. Poor Eddie is covered in embarrassment.
• When Eddie gets home, he’s really down in the dumps. He accuses Joe of having sabotaged his chances. Clarrie’s upset for him, and suggests starting their meal. Eddie cheers up; he hopes the sausages are prime ones, and he wants to open some of their best cider. He got the job after all! He’ll start on Tuesday, and has 2 days work a week at £100 a day. There might be tips, and he’ll certainly make some useful contacts. Clarrie is hugely proud of him. They drink a toast to the Grundys and good times ahead for them all.