Rob grudgingly faces his DNA test and Shula’s plans are ambushed from all corners.

Radio Times: It is a difficult day for Rob, but Shula has got high hopes.

Characters: Helen, Jim, Rob, Shula, Tom, Tony

• Rob whines that he ate his sandwich at 11 but is hungry again. When Helen offers sympathy and another sandwich, he complains that he wasn’t sure Helen would be home to take care of him. She ignores his tone and talks cheerily about accompanying him to the DNA test to determine parentage of Jess’s baby. Rob makes it clear that he doesn’t want her along and asserts that he may have to cancel because he is working late. Helen gently points out (must be all that practice with Henry) that putting it off would not be helpful and that she that she will be going with him to offer support.
• Outside the village shop Jim runs into Tom and asks if he will cook sausages at the shop to attract punters. Helen’s cheese samples worked a treat and Jim is anxious to repeat the success. Tony interrupts in an excited manner: news of the bulls on offer has just come through and he wishes to discuss the details with Tom right away. Shula is pleased to find fresh dill at the village shop for the special meal she is preparing for Alistair. Something in the air indicates that this romantic evening is doomed.
• Rob and Helen are delayed in traffic going to the surgery for the DNA test. Rob’s growing ill temper causes him to shout abuse at other drivers. He maligns Jess for putting him through this humiliating procedure but then Rob hesitantly and carefully places a doubt as to whether the test will be negative. Helen blithely assures him that he and Jess had been separated for one and a half years before the baby; he couldn’t possibly be the father.
• Tom discusses the pedigrees and other qualities of the bulls with his father. Tony knows which one he wants but he needs to see the beast in the flesh before buying; the only problem is that the bull is in Buckinghamshire. Tony will ask Pat to drive him but Tom volunteers. He wants to go through this important experience with his father.
• Rob must sign paperwork and he makes it clear that he is doing the test under protest. The health worker is very patient and explains the procedure. Rob is particularly anxious to know who gets to see the results. He relaxes when he finds that it is only Jess and the CMS who are privy to the findings.
• Shula is carefully watching her soufflés for the ill-fated dinner when she is interrupted by Jim who has lost his wallet. He and Christine were in the bar at Grey Gables when the wallet was found missing. Shula is surprised to hear Jim say that he saw Alistair driving on the road to Penny Hassett instead of toward home. Just to thicken the mix, Richard calls to ask Shula to meet for coffee and a catch-up. When Richard offers to call another day, Shula hurriedly replies that she will phone him after checking her diary. As Shula hangs up, Jim asks if that were Alistair. “No,” replies a flustered Shula, “just a business call.” Alistair then texts Shula to inform her of his emergency call in Penny Hassett. Jim sniffs and asks, “Is something burning?”