Lilian proves her worth as an interior decorator. David finds being a house-husband hard work.

Radio Times: Lilian unleashes her artistic vision.

Characters: Adam, David, Ian, Jennifer, Lilian, Neil, Ruth

• After Adam’s brush with Brian about having time off to see in the new furniture, Lilian rises to the occasion and oversees it for him. Adam’s pleasantly surprised by her understated, minimalist approach.
• David is not happy with Josh’s school assembly. The chairs are too small, it goes on far too long, Bert keeps ringing him and David can’t get to his mobile to switch it off. When he does escape, Bert’s in a foul mood because he’s had to do the fencing on his own, it’s time to pick Ben up from playgroup, and then he has to be watched. Ruth, fresh from a day’s silaging, is unsympathetic. That’s how it is, she says.
• Neil has agreed to mark out Adam’s magimaze, but is unimpressed with the spaceship design he’s chosen. Adam pays him cash, and asks him not to tell Brian he’s done it.
• Jennifer asks Neil how things are at home. He’s worried about Emma, who’s on her own with George all day, fretting over Ed, and Neil knows that his attitude to Ed doesn’t help. Jennifer tells him she knows what it’s like when a child goes missing; she feels for Clarrie.
• Adam isn’t pleased when he finds that Ian has hung a picture in the sitting room without consulting him. He calls it a ‘daub’, but is persuaded to have a proper look at it, and agrees that it is right for their new decor. They collapse in a mock fight on the new sofa.