Kirsty and Philip become friends but Jennifer and Brian receive a terrible blow when Brian is disinvited from receiving the award.

Radio Times: Jennifer is left disappointed and Kirsty receives an unexpected request

Characters: Alistair, Brian, Jennifer, Kirsty, Philip the builder, Shula

• Jennifer finds Brian outside checking on feed for the deer and wants to begin tidying shed. He is trying to divert his worries and avoid Peggy and Auntie Chris. Jennifer tries to cheer Brian up by reminding him that the Borsetshire Businessperson of the Year Award dinner is tomorrow.
• Shula and Alistair show up at The Bull for quiz night but Anisha and Rex beg off at the last moment, scuppering their team. Against Shula’s inclinations, Alistair invites Philip over. They all agree on the arrogance of youth. Alistair then invites Philip to join their team and won’t accept a no. They are shocked to see that Lily and Josh have joined up with Jim to form a team. Alistair declares this is war!
• Jennifer is dismayed to find Kirsty putting a flyer through Christine and Peggy’s mail slot. It is for an exercise class in the pool and there are also coupons attached. Jennifer is very haughty and can’t imagine why Kirsty would think the elderly ladies might be interested in such a thing. In addition, Jennifer points to a ‘No Junk Mail’ sign and asks why Kirsty wants to add to the paper filling the recycle bin. When Kirsty can get a word in, she mentions that Christine asked her to bring one of the informational pages over; she desires information about the class since Jill goes and loves it. Kirsty asks nastily if Brian is keeping a low profile; Jennifer rants on about how wonderful Brian is. They part on icy terms.
• At The Bull, Alistair is voluble and, against Shula’s wishes, calls Kirsty over and invites her to join their quiz team. Kirsty and Philip seem affable and joke about their conflict at the town meeting. Everyone laughs except the mopey Shula who does her best to throw a damper on the enjoyment. A bit later, our quiz team seems a bit worse for wear due to drink and Shula is disapproving since they are talking and laughing over the answers. Shula insists that she and Alistair leave, even though Alistair is having a grand time. When alone, Philip asks Kirsty to lunch in a moment of seriousness and she accepts. More than a truce between these two?
• Brian discusses the speech he will give with Jennifer. He will say as a businessman, he is well used to unforeseen challenges. He has learned to be resilient and is used to putting things right and making sure they don’t happen again. Jennifer cheers him on but she is deeply disturbed about Kirsty’s comments. Jennifer is affronted by the impertinence of these young women (Kirsty and Emma, apparently) who have the nerve to speak to their elders and betters in this outspoken manner. (Does Jennifer know this is the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage?) Tomorrow will be an evening of glory, according to Jennifer. Brian receives a phone call and has been disinvited from the dinner. Someone else is getting the award because the recent events have brought controversy and suspicion over Brian Aldridge’s name. As Jennifer gasps, Brian notes there is not a damned thing he can do about it.