Mike worries about his business. Ruth worries about Heather. Helen worries about gossip.

Radio Times: Helen feels bruised and Mike is not happy.

Characters: Hayley, Helen, Josh, Mike, Rob, Ruth

• A furious Mike tells Hayley that his milk van has been stolen. It is, of course, entirely Jazzer’s fault. Hayley is sympathetic, but has troubles of her own. She asks Mike if he knows what is wrong with Roy, but Mike barely listens as he continues to sound off about his van.
• Ruth returns from Prudhoe to find Josh busy with the hives. He fills her in about David’s problem with the sheep trailer, and is concerned when Ruth tells him how worried she is about Heather. Meanwhile Josh is looking forward to his first driving lesson on Saturday.
• Rob brushes his hunting jacket and asks Helen why she is so quiet. It looks as though Rob’s version of events has convinced Helen of his total innocence. Helen agrees that Jess is clearly totally unstable; there is certainly no need for a paternity test. Rob claims he can’t even stand being in the same room as Jess, let alone encounters of the closer kind. He thinks they should go to lunch at The Bull. Helen has already prepared roast beef for their evening meal, but this is brushed aside because Rob has already told Henry they are going out. Meekly Helen does as she is told once more.
• Mike’s mood is not improved by having to drive some distance to identify the burnt-out remains of his van. The pasteuriser trouble was bad enough, but this is even worse. Realising she will get nowhere talking to Mike, Hayley agrees that trouble attracts trouble.
• At The Bull, Mike tells Rob and Helen his troubles, commenting that there are some strange people about. Helen interprets this as meaning Jess, and when she sees Ruth looking in their direction, she is sure they are gossiping about Jess’s visit. The news will spread like wildfire; whatever will Pat and Tony think when they hear?