Lower Loxley steals more of David’s time.

Radio Times: David is in demand and Phoebe is having sleepless nights.

Characters: Alistair, David, Hayley, Pat, Phoebe, Ruth, Tony

• David’s early stint in the lambing shed is interrupted by a call from Alistair: due to a cancellation he has some spare time and could visit Lower Loxley but he needs David to be there; it will only take an hour.
• Phoebe is also awake early; she admits to Hayley that she had a bad dream which woke her. From her description, Hayley deduces that she has been thinking about, and perhaps worrying about, flying back from South Africa alone. Hayley suggests talking to Kate about it but Phoebe begs her to say nothing to Kate, who has told her she will feel really grown up, flying alone.
• After giving Topper an injection, Alistair confirms that he is losing condition. Shula is trying to find a new home for him. Alistair is a bit miffed that Kenton, who had invited him to a wine-tasting, now wants to take someone else, ‘someone in the trade’. Suddenly Elizabeth has an emergency: she has to rush off to collect Freddy who has come straight out of his exam and is very upset. So David is obliged to hold the fort and his one hour will turn into several!
• Pat has called on Helen, who of course still will not admit that she is struggling. Her parents want her to move back to Bridge Farm, if only for a break. They just need to put some spin on the idea – that she would be doing them a favour.
• Ruth has rounded up the ewes that David had planned to take to market. The same conversation gets replayed: this shouldn’t keep happening; Elizabeth is so fragile; she needs professional help. David promises to speak to her about reducing his input, though he is anxious that she understands this is not because he doesn’t care.