Joe worryingly feels that he is back on Grange Farm for good, Rob enlists Pat’s help in restricting Helen’s movements and David is facing difficult decisions about the dairy herd.

Radio Times: David feels vulnerable, and Helen needs a good rest.

Characters: Clarrie, David, Helen, Jill, Joe, Pat, Peggy, Rob

• Helen has a bad cough and Rob smugly implies that he was correct when he advised her to stay home yesterday instead of finishing her Christmas shopping. Man of parts Rob will look after the shop and manage Henry’s care. Helen worries again that she hasn’t heard from Ian and she asks Rob to find Ian and ask him to call.
• David tells Jill that he managed to get a loan from the bank but mentions again that it may be time now to get out of dairy. Jill wants to know what would make up the lost income without milk. Pip may have to go. David hasn’t let her know yet but Jill urges him to do so as soon as possible.
• Clarrie is fussing about the new range with its fancy controls but her baking seems to be about right. Joe is talking as if they will never leave Grange Farm despite Clarrie’s warning that their stay is temporary. Joe ascribes his new found digs to the wheel of fortune which is on the upturn. Joe, Peggy, Jill and Clarrie discuss the party at the Grundys’ old home. Clarrie feels funny going back there. Joe complains again about helping the Fairbrothers with their goose dressing. Peggy talks about cows from the past and changes in dairy. Joe declares that he is back where he started and no more changes.
• Rob tells Pat that the calendars have been selling very well but the customers will be surprised come October when they see Susan’s star! Rob asks Pat to back up his imposed rest regime for Helen and he brings up the subject of cancelling Christmas Eve festivities with Pat and Tony.
• In addition to supporting Rob’s constriction of Helen’s movements, Pat brings up Rob’s idea of staying at home on Christmas Eve and presses Helen to agree. Now that Helen and Rob have their own family, they should be starting their own traditions. No one seems to think of asking Helen’s opinion on this. After Pat leaves, Helen bleats at Rob that she still hasn’t heard from Ian despite her many calls to him.
• David angrily reads out to Jill the few lines from Ruth that he has received. Ruth may come home next week if she can get a flight. Jill replies that this is good news but David retorts that the farm is facing disaster and Ruth doesn’t seem to mind being away and has left David to face everything alone. [Did David tell Ruth about the crisis with the cows? Didn’t Ruth object to selling them in the past?]