Rob and Helen will job-share.

Radio Times: Helen and Rob have a proposition, while there is a welcome face at Lower Loxley.

Characters: Elizabeth, Helen, Pat, Richard, Rob, Tom

• The manipulation of Helen continues as Rob molly-coddles her again. He is critical too of the present Pat and Tony gave their grandson. Pat bemoans not seeing Henry opening his presents. She encourages Tom to go and see Calendar Girls; he is reluctant because Kirsty is in it.
• Rob’s latest wheeze, which Helen is deputed to announce, is a 50/50 job share between her and Rob. Pat is surprised because working at the farm shop is less demanding than Ambridge Organics was. Helen admits to feeling tired – not surprising with Rob telling her so at every hands turn. Maybe Tom is not convinced about the arrangement because he suggests a part-time assistant; Helen wonders if Anja is available but Rob is very scathing about her.
• Richard has brought daughter Sasha to enjoy the Lower Loxley ice rink but is having trouble standing up himself. He readily yields to Elizabeth’s tempting offer of a hot chocolate and a chat and is full of praise for her performance in Calendar Girls. She fails to lure him to the New Year Ball: he has no partner; he will go to The Bull instead.
• When Rob dashes off to change the dress he bought Helen for Christmas – for a bigger size – Pat tells her she looks peaky. No, apart from being tired she is alright. She is looking forward to being pampered at Grey Gables and catching up with Kirsty, though she doesn’t think Rob approves of Kirsty. (That’s mutual!) Perhaps she should also catch up with Ian as she is still worrying about not hearing from him.