Lilian learns that Matt is back in the country. Oliver plans to get away from it.

Radio Times: Oliver comes up with a solution, and Brenda finally makes contact.

Characters: Anthea, Lilian, Mike, Oliver

• It seems a rash thing to say but Oliver admits to enjoying doing the milking while Ed is vaccinating badgers; maybe not too often though. Mike gives little away about Brenda’s movements, save that she is in London. Oliver reports the difficulty finding a suitable temporary manager for their holiday. Mike suggests begging a favour from Elizabeth to borrow Roy. Good luck with that. Doesn’t Oliver have any contacts?
• Lilian has taken Anthea on a site visit to Gilbert’s Cross; she seems to be making herself very useful. Lilian stops for cigarettes but is diverted by bumping into Mike; she asks about Brenda and Mike lets slip that she is in London but overtly refuses to say more.
• Oliver has had a brainwave: a couple they met recently at the Hunt Ball, Harriet and Ray, used to run an hotel in Scotland. Worth asking? By the time Caroline gets home Oliver has already sounded Ray out, with a positive result. Caroline is doubtful; she wants to interview him and have references.
• Lilian leaves a message for Brenda. When Anthea runs through the diary, Lilian warns her that she might have to ask her to clear Lilian’s diary for a few days. When she eventually gets through, Brenda explains that she returned last Wednesday but Matt only today; she hasn’t seen him yet but he is in one piece. Brenda promises to get the address of his hotel for Lilian but refuses to be pumped for information about his property deal; it’s not her place to reveal that. Lilian must speak to Matt.