It was a close thing but Jennifer engineers a ‘proper’ caterer for the party rather than Gourmet Grills.

Radio Times: Vicky and Susan have plenty to talk about, and Jennifer tries to head off a social disaster.

Characters: Brian, Helen, Jennifer, Susan

• In the shop, Helen has to wait for Susan’s phone call to Jennifer about organising the party; she tries congratulating Susan about “the baby” but is soon put right about that: Alice isn’t pregnant. She properly takes the wind out of Susan’s sails by announcing that she is; and no, she doesn’t have a steady boyfriend.
• Brian receives the news about the Carters paying for the barbecue with pleasure mixed with incredulity. The Aldridges think that Gourmet Grills, for example, would be quite inappropriate; perhaps Jennifer ought to check that the Carters think the same.
• Vicky takes over in the shop to finish serving Helen, who is sure that Vicky has guessed Helen’s little secret – but she hadn’t. Gosh! Vicky had once thought about that solution for herself.
• Brian was right; Jennifer reports that Tom has indeed been approached by Susan. Jennifer needs a word with Susan.
• Susan and Vicky chew over the day’s hot news; Susan is a bit doubtful about Helen’s story. When Jennifer turns up, she too has the wind taken out of her sails. But it doesn’t divert her from her purpose – gently to decline Susan’s rather sweet offer to pay for the barbecue on the grounds that the caterers she has in mind are very expensive and she and Brian are the bride’s parents – it’s tradition.