Nic doesn’t know where to turn. Alan and Jim enjoy a lively debate.

Radio Times: Nic gets an offer she can’t refuse.

Characters: Alan, Jim, Nic, Shula, Will

• Will turns up unexpectedly to pick Nic up, and is suspicious when she won’t let him in. He thinks Andrew is there, and forces his way in. But it’s not Andrew; the debt collectors have been and seized Nic’s furniture.
• Alan comes to the stables for tea, and gets a predictably frosty reception from Jim. Shula, as ever, rises to Jim’s bait, but Alan quickly discovers that he and Jim have a common historical interest.
• Nic is desperately upset, and feels she has failed the children by accumulating credit card debt. Will tries to calm her down, but she is worried that he’ll think, like Clarrie, that she’s only after his money.
• Alan and Jim go at it hammer and tongs, and both enjoy the afternoon immensely. Jim wants Alan to come again, leaving Shula mystified. Alan leaves, telling Shula not to worry about Daniel; he’ll give him some ammunition against Jim.
• Nic continues to insist that she doesn’t want Will to bail her out. There’s no need, he says; just come and live with me.