Lynda spends her birthday trying to keep the peace. Kirsty persuades Jill to enjoy the peace at Home Farm

Radio Times: Lynda has troublesome guests, and Kirsty is keen to recruit

Characters: James, Jill, Kirsty, Leonie, Lynda

• As the final preparations for Lynda’s birthday are in train, James and Leonie arrive, but quickly resort to bickering. As the evening wears on, this becomes arguing, and culminates in a blazing row.
• In the somewhat calmer atmosphere of Brookfield, Kirsty calls on Jill. She noticed how engaged Jill was by Patrick’s talk to the WI, and wants Jill to come with her to see Adam’s herbal leys. Since everyone else has gone out, Jill agrees, and is overwhelmed by what she sees, with wild flowers in all their glory on Adam’s grazing land. Kirsty points out the profitability of the scheme and the well-being of the cattle. Jill is won over, but defends David and Ruth’s methods out of loyalty.
• Jill and Kirsty return to an empty Brookfield. Kenton has left some Scruff gin for David, as a token offering to replace debt repayment, which Kenton is unable to make at present. Jill is surprised to hear that the brothers’ difference of opinion over Kenton’s failure to repay the loan is common knowledge. Kirsty wonders if Jill would like to come and man a Wildlife Trust stall in Borchester, but Jill insists she has too much to do. Kirsty senses Jill’s sadness at finding a note to say that David and Ruth have gone for a drink with Alan and Usha before going to Lynda’s party, and realising that none of the children will be there to eat the casserole she has cooked, so presses Jill to consider her offer.
• Lynda attempts to calm the situation between James and Leonie by taking Leonie into another room. She is shocked to hear that blazing rows are an everyday occurrence, and that after James stormed out, Leonie had the locks changed. James finds them and announces that he is going to stay at the Dower House. Desperately, Lynda begs them to think of Mungo, but Leonie declares that everything between them is over.