Rob seems destined to stay in Ambridge; Helen begins to take back control; Adam agrees to get help with his marriage.

Radio Times: Rob faces a problem, and Jennifer is apologetic.

Characters: Adam, Helen, Henry, Jennifer, Justin, Pat, Rob

• Pat and Helen share some quiet time with Jack while he has his breakfast feed. Helen remarks how wonderful it is to see such a busy and marvellously cluttered room compared to the bleakness of the Mother and Baby Unit. Pat adds that there’s going to be a lot for the whole family to take in. Henry is getting ready for school and wonders if his mother and Gideon will be there when he returns. Helen gently corrects Jack’s name and promises faithfully never to go away again, ever.
• Justin meets Rob to discuss the job offer. Rob is relieved to find that it’s still extant even though Justin thought that Rob might wish to move away. He makes it clear that he has no intention of leaving his son. He would prefer an immediate start; Justin would welcome a short delay … say the 10 October. Rob clearly has a problem with the delay in general and the proposed date in particular.
• Adam and his mother survey some upholstery damage caused by the pickers. He admits to having had a very quiet weekend with Ian spending most of his free time at Grey Gables. Adam regrets his previous behaviour and the way in which it became common knowledge. Jennifer says that everyone makes mistakes and that no one has the right to judge him. Adam disagrees … he has that right, absolutely.
• Rob explains to Justin that he has further surgery planned for 5 October, with an expected convalescence period of one month. Justin is shocked, having wished to appoint to the post quickly in order to get the estates management on to an even keel. Rob insists that he will be able to work from home during the month and get up to speed with the issues. Additionally, he assures Justin that he offers permanence and continuity. He’s committed to life in Ambridge because of his son. Despite Justin’s obvious misgivings, the deal is finally done.
• Henry brings home a sticker from school. Amongst the congratulations, Helen manages to contain her tears until Henry is sent off to help his grandfather. She feels that she has missed so much but is determined to get some normality into his life. She has decided to drive him to school every day. Pat has severe misgivings but Helen has planned it out, a few practice runs and by the end of the week, there will be one less thing for which she is reliant on others. Pat, unconvinced, lets it go … she is his mother after all.
• Jenny finds Adam at home having been out with Phoebe on a shopping spree, before dropping her at Willow Farm. Jenny has cancelled her visit to Bridge Farm as Alan is calling in to see Helen and the family. In a thinly veiled attempt to avoid Ian, Adam suggests that he might call in to see Phoebe. His mother spots his subterfuge and insists that he must not give up on Ian. She admits to having had an idea. Has Adam considered the possibility of he and Ian consulting a counsellor? No, he hadn’t, but the idea appeals to him. He can but suggest it to Ian.