‘Messiah’ is judged a success. David and Kenton’s fractious relationship rumbles on and Richard’s arrival causes surprise.

Radio Times: Music fills St Stephens, and someone of interest is sitting in the audience.

Characters: Brian, David, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Kenton, Richard, Shula

• Jennifer and Brian catch up with Shula and Elizabeth on the ‘Messiah’ rehearsal break. The sisters are enjoying some much needed time away and bemoan the attitude of a soprano who is ruffling a few feathers among the choir members. Lilian is in London for the whole week visiting Leonie, James and Mungo which is welcomed by Brian as it means one less female in the house. He is still recovering from Kate’s vegan meal yesterday. Things remain tense between Kate and Phoebe, compounded by the fact that Phoebe’s relationship with Roy appears to be improving.
• Fallon’s homemade hot cross buns are going down well at The Green. Kenton and David share a few words but due to several interruptions from others, Kenton doesn’t quite manage to convey that he won’t be on bar duty at the barn dance. Tilly Button has won the Easter bonnet competition (again). Brian is caught out by Jennifer when it emerges that after Kate’s meal yesterday, he came to The Green, as he was still hungry.
• It’s the night of ‘Messiah’ and Shula and Elizabeth chat while waiting for it to start. Dan is due to pass out at Sandhurst and Shula has bought her dress online. David shows up and sits, uninvited, next to Kenton. He tries to make polite conversation which Kenton rebuffs and is saved by Brian and Jennifer’s arrivals and conversation about Lynda’s insurance claim and underfloor heating in her conservatory. In the same vein, surely Kenton is also planning some changes at The Bull?
• Shula and Elizabeth wryly acknowledge Brian’s complimentary comments about the soprano soloist. The surprise of the night is that Richard Locke is in the audience and he speaks to Shula following the show. He has moved to Felpersham and would like to meet her sometime to catch up on all the news. A time and a date is not set, but there is an implicit loose arrangement.