Joe seems set to continue for many years to come; are Tom and Kirsty really destined to remain as “best friends”?

Radio Times: Joe celebrates his 95th birthday, and Kirsty has words of advice for Tom.

Characters: Caroline, Clarrie, Eddie, Joe, Kirsty, Susan, Tom

• Clarrie and Susan are preparing food for Joe’s party. The rest of the family are outside, putting up bunting and generally making the place look cheery. Joe comes in, complaining that his mobile phone has given up the ghost. Clarrie reckons that it couldn’t cope with the number of party invitation calls Joe was making. He seeks their advice about his choice of neckwear, ordinary tie, bootlace or cravat? Decisions, decisions!
• Tom and Kirsty discuss “recent events”. Kirsty insists that the fact that they slept together was an understandable release of emotional tension. He should not see it as a return to their former relationship. They both agree that it was a one-off and that they are somewhere completely different now. They both agree that one night shouldn’t be allowed to spoil their friendship. Perhaps Tom’s agreement could have been a little more convincing, though.
• At Grange Farm, the Grundy’s party is well underway. Caroline and Oliver turn up. Caroline seems somewhat underwhelmed with the state of the place but manages a smile when she presents Joe with a bottle of 12-year-old whisky. At that moment, Eddie reels into view and announces to Caroline that the line dancing is about to start. She’s beside herself but despite prolonged protest, Eddie eventually manages to whisk her away.
• Tom shares his concerns about his scholarship interview with Kirsty. She pours loads of common sense on his worries. He knows what he’s talking about, he’s doing it for himself and Helen so he has to do it for her sake. She feels that if he needs to talk things over, the best person to approach would be Helen. She suggests that it may stop her dwelling on what’s happened and give her another aim in life. She finishes by offering him a no strings attached lift to Joe’s party.
• Caroline is just about to gather up Oliver and leave, when Eddie ensures that she stays for his speech. In it, he says that Joe could be a bit of an old “misery guts” at times but because of the Sterling’s generosity, Joe will be able to remain in his old home. They raise their glasses to Joe … 95 not out. In reply, a tearful Joe thanks the Sterlings again for their kindness. Their generosity has made him feel that he could happily continue at Grange Farm for many years. Amidst thunderous applause, Susan manages to say that his response was really nice. Through the sound of well-gritted teeth, Caroline only manages a one-word reply: “Lovely”.