Rob’s fresh tactics maintain the pressure on Helen to distance herself from work. Heather is set for home and Tony’s rehabilitation is moving in the right direction.

Radio Times: Heather is heading home, and Helen is in trouble.

Characters: Heather, Helen, Henry, Rob, Ruth, Tom, Tony

• The temporary shop is doing well, with Helen’s local produce proving popular. Not so popular with Rob though, is Helen’s role in it all and he interrupts her day several times with phone calls to complain of a lack of cooked meals at home due to her continued absence. It seems he is unable to simultaneously put together a meal and look after Henry. Helen returns to a mushroom stroganoff which neither she nor Henry can stomach. Rob agrees the meal tastes disgusting, but then what can Helen expect if she is never there?
• Heather is packing for home and enquires after Richard, about whom everyone is talking. Ruth explains his instrumental role as Shula’s GP, in her IVF treatment and Daniel’s subsequent birth. Ruth’s worried about how Heather will cope when she gets home. Heather tells her not to fuss, but Ruth insists on sending her home with a food parcel. Heather urges Ruth not to feel guilty about being so far away; after all, she’s decided to stay where she is and accepts that Ruth’s life is at Brookfield. Together, they will look at some brochures for sheltered accommodation and give it some consideration.
• The news about Ed’s new tractor is spreading, as is the news of Roy’s temporary pet ferrets!
• Tony has a hospital appointment for an x-ray and returns with good news – he can increase his weight-bearing on his legs. Tom presses him for a decision about a new bull. Tony initially seems less keen, but when Tom offers to make a purchase on his behalf, Tony is quick to make clear to Tom that he will take ownership of the decision.