Rob’s plans for his new family may well put the cat among the pigeons.

Radio Times: Ambridge’s women celebrate a familiar Institution, and Jennifer is reminded of an old friend.

Characters: Clarrie, Helen, Jennifer, Jill, Lilian, Rob

• Clarrie and Jill discuss arrangements for the upcoming WI do. Clarrie is touched by Caroline’s invitation to host Joe’s birthday party at Grey Gables. Bearing contributions of food, Jenny is utterly intrigued to hear that Carol Tregorran may be bringing a guest, Hester, who knew John well from his days in Bristol.
• While waiting for Henry at the school gate, Rob lets Helen know of his disappointment at the outcome of the family meeting at Bridge Farm regarding the shop. Helen feels she’s let him down; he rather unconvincingly insists she hasn’t. Rob crows that keeping Henry at home was in his best interests, he was much more chirpy this morning. Helen gave no reply.
• Lilian discovers Jenny in the Home Farm kitchen, positively bursting with the news of Carol’s guest. Lilian urges her to let John’s “paranoid delusions” wither on the vine, advice which falls on deaf ears. Jenny just has to speak to Hester if she possibly can. At Blossom Hill Cottage, Helen leaves for the WI event. Rob is distinctly unimpressed. Her “goodbyes” elicit a sulky silence.
• At the WI event, Lilian, Clarrie, Jill and Jenny reminisce over old photographs, before food is served and the meeting is called to order. Later, Helen receives a call from Rob. Would you believe it? Henry has hurt his knee and ripped his trousers, an emergency with which only his mother can cope. She leaves immediately. Jill’s speech is well received by almost everyone but a slightly bored Lilian heckles a little!
• Having put Henry to bed, Helen and Rob discuss the incident in the country park. Perhaps he wasn’t too upset after all and that as he loves Rob as a father, Helen suggests he could have coped on his own. After a barbed comment about ruining Helen’s night out with the girls, Rob notes that as Helen carries his name, logic surely dictates that Henry should too? In order to complete the family unit, Rob wishes to legally adopt him!