Phoebe confides in her only reliable parent.

Radio Times: Phoebe receives motherly comfort, while Lilian faces the future.

Characters: Hayley, Jennifer, Jolene, Kate, Kenton, Lilian, Phoebe

• Flattery will get you everywhere. That’s Kenton’s idea as he butters up Jennifer with compliments about her SAVE blog. It’s as well because she is clearly put out by the discovery that they know of Matt’s disappearance. They wonder whether they are hypocrites, supporting SAVE when they will do so well out of the road.
• On the way to Birmingham the atmosphere in the car is frosty. Kate would like to explain but Phoebe doesn’t want to hear it – and threatens to get out and hitch if Kate persists.
• Phoebe is pleased to be able to unburden herself on Hayley, who characteristically tries to put Kate in the best light, though she concedes that Kate is not good mother material. They have missed each other. They both agree that Kate would not succeed in taking Phoebe away from Hayley, if she were to try. Why has all this happened?
• Kenton has news for Lilian. He has got a date from Dave for the sale of Brookfield – the end of March – so that’s when the money should become available. Meanwhile they invite Lilian to stay at The Bull; no, she must get used to life without Matt.
• Phoebe and Hayley snuggle up and share a box of chocolates. Does Hayley want to cut dad out of her life? She couldn’t do that. Phoebe relates the incident in the pub; dad was there but it was only awkward because of mum. Otherwise she has not seen him; Mike and Vicky have asked him round for his birthday but he isn’t going. She has got him a card – Mike and Vicky’s idea. Hayley suggests that Phoebe might consider dropping it round herself.