Neil is caught between two determined women

Radio Times: Neil finds himself in trouble and Elizabeth offers her support

Characters: Elizabeth, Freddie, Hannah, Lilian, Neil, Susan

• Susan’s pretensions rise another notch as she comments on the necessity of buying Underwood’s prime marmalade for her managerial spouse. He chats about helping Chris with his Best Man speech, but Susan changes the subject – when is Neil going to tackle Justin Elliott about an affordable home for Emma? Neil does his best to prevaricate, but Susan’s persistence wins the day.
• Elizabeth is surprised to see Freddie at Lower Loxley; she thought he was fruit picking. Freddie is sad about Topper so ‘not feeling productive.’ Elizabeth suggests going to the stables to say goodbye, and Freddie readily agrees, though tells his mother that Lily will be working late.
• Ever the hands-on pig-man. Neil surprises Hannah by helping to move piglets. He thanks her for looking over the figures, and Hannah in turn praises his husbandry skills. She calls him a Zen Master and they share a laugh.
• Elizabeth and Freddie look at Topper’s corpse, and agree that he had lost condition. Freddie wants him buried at Lower Loxley, which Elizabeth feels would be too difficult. Luckily Lilian arrives, and suggests cremation, with Topper’s ashes interred or scattered at Lower Loxley, and this cheers Freddie up. They all go off to The Bull to drink a toast to Topper
• Neil and Hannah are also at The Bull, laughing about the pets talent show, but the joke takes a darker turn when Lilian assails Neil to complain about his judging. Doubtless keen to get Susan off his back, Neil mentions the affordable homes in a general and roundabout sort of way, though Lilian is not deceived. Later, Hannah, refusing a drink from Lilian, rounds on Neil in fury, accusing him of cosying up to Justin in order to snaffle a house for his daughter. Hannah calls it corruption, and threatens to make an official complaint about unprofessional conduct.
• A weary Neil returns to Ambridge View where Susan is wittering on about candlesticks. Did Neil manage to see Justin? Neil is forced to admit that he only managed to speak to Lilian. Susan is delighted – the best way to a powerful man is through his wife. Neil replies that he has done his bit, and now, he thinks, they should leave well alone.