Rob makes child care arrangements and Pat makes progress with Maggie.

Radio Times: Emma is put in a difficult position, and it is a special day for Johnny.

Characters: Emma, Henry, Johnny, Maggie, Pat, Rob, Susan

• After a weekend with Sharon and Eamonn, Johnny is grateful for lie-in and a cooked breakfast at Bridge Farm on his eighteenth birthday. Maggie is coming to interview Pat, and then Tony, to make sure they present a good case at the next custody hearing. Pat is worried that Rob will try to keep the children even if Helen is released. Johnny wants to help, and Pat fondly tells him he is already doing a lot to help them.
• A bored Henry is banging, and fails to stop when Rob orders him to. Henry wants to go and see Pat and Tony; they don’t want you there replies Rob nastily. As Henry goes to find a board game to play, Rob rings Emma. He needs her to babysit for him.
• Maggie is pleased with what Pat has told her and lists all the positives; a long marriage and a close relationship with Helen. She wants Pat to give her evidence for Rob not having custody so that they can build the best possible case.
• Emma discusses the demise of Scruff with her mother, then asks what Susan thinks of Rob’s offer. Susan, of course, thinks Emma should agree to the ‘hero’s request. It would be extra money. Emma is not sure; she thinks it could be a betrayal of her friendship with Helen and what would Pat and Tony think? Emma is only too well aware of what Rob thinks of her.
• As Maggie leaves, she says hello to Johnny, and is accosted by Susan, who appears eager to know what is going on and not at all eager to go home
• Emma calls to see Rob, and is somewhat taken aback to discover that far from being grateful for some extra help with Henry, Rob arrogantly starts laying down the rules. Her employment (strictly cash-in-hand so untraceable by the court) will be reviewed subject to performance. She is not to take Henry near Bridge Farm or the tearoom, or to give him sweets. Emma will be working for him and he does not want her going behind his back.