Rob impresses the midwife with his charm and concern. Toby fails to impress Rex with his plans for expansion.

Radio Times: Rob is right by Helen’s side, and the Fairbrothers are off to Norfolk.

Characters: Helen, Peggy, Rex, Rob, Toby

• Peggy calls on Helen and snobbishly expresses surprise that Phoebe should be applying to Oxford with such a plodder for a father and a mother like Kate. Jennifer, of course, has the brains. As she enquires how work at the dairy is progressing they are interrupted by Rob, who says they have something important to do; he had no idea Helen had a visitor. Peggy takes the hint and leaves.
• The Fairbrothers go to Norfolk to sus out the goose market. Toby is very tired, but rallies when he sees how big some enterprises are. They really should consider share farming on a big scale. Rex, as ever, advises caution, but Toby is not listening. He is convinced they need to focus on PR. Helping at the village hall would be a start. His brother fails to share his enthusiasm.
• David and Ruth leave Prudhoe for the journey home. Ruth barely listens to David’s chatter and can manage only monosyllables in her little voice. Putting both feet in it, David suggests stopping at a service station. Ruth would rather get home.
• Rob’s important engagement is a visit from the midwife, Ellie, who sounds remarkably like Jess. He seems determined not to leave Helen alone with her, but has to when his mobile rings. Ellie seizes the opportunity to ask if Helen has any concerns about abuse. She seems startled, but even so, fails to sound entirely shocked at the very suggestion. Helen admits to an eating disorder, but fails to tell Ellie that it returned when she was pregnant with Henry. Rob reappears with coffee, and Ellie seems entirely won over by his charm, which he heaps on in spadefuls.
• Peggy rings; she thought Helen looked ‘peaky’. Rob is forced to share their news. Peggy is delighted. Helen could not be in better hands…
• Heather’s bed has been removed, as Ruth demanded, because it upset her. Now the empty space upsets her.