Johnny lends a hand and Lilian is off the hook.

Radio Times: There is a crisis at Brookfield, and Helen brings a ray of hope.

Characters: Alistair, David, Helen, Jill, Johnny, Lilian, Lynda, Tom

• David is up early after an unsettled night, to find Jill has also had a disturbed night and has been up for hours, making a start on the sausage rolls. Jill remains distinctly frosty towards David, following the recent revelations about Justin Elliott’s plans for Brookfield.
• An urgent knock at the door at Brookfield reveals Johnny, with news that one of David and Ruth’s heifers has fallen into a ditch. Alistair is at the scene and thinks the heifer’s been in the brook for a while. Eddie or Adam may be needed for back up but Johnny offers, and despite David’s initial concern about his involvement, the three successfully rescue the heifer between them.
• Helen is feeling guilty about stepping down from her role in Lynda’s production, leaving Lilian to pick up where she left off. Tom encourages Helen that it wouldn’t be too late to step in again. Tony is stable, on intravenous antibiotics and physiotherapy and there is nothing to be gained by everyone putting their lives on hold. After a rethink, Helen will ask Lynda if she may resume her role. She finds Lynda and Lilian together, following Lynda calling an urgent meeting with Lilian to ‘mould her performance’. Lynda is delighted with Helen’s offer and Lilian doesn’t need much persuasion to step down.
• David and Ruth are off to Prudhoe on Boxing Day and David is still trying to track down a car for Josh. Shula wants to upgrade the riding school, but Alistair also has plans for the practice – maybe an equine veterinary centre.
• Johnny is worried about a recent setback in his exams and confides in Tom that he doesn’t think he is academically up to the job. Tom reassures him that Tony has seen Johnny’s farming potential. It’s not exclusively about college and exams and he’s proved himself again today with the heifer.