Ruth begins to imagine the unimaginable with regard to the new road; Shula notices the newly reinvigorated Elizabeth, David receives a setback.

Radio Times: Elizabeth and Shula have a heart-to-heart, and so do Rob and Helen.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Rob, Ruth, Shula

• David and Ruth are on a mission to see everything that they can at the Livestock and Dairy Exhibition at the NEC, when they bump into Rob, who recommends that they see the robotic milking demonstration. David is horrified by the very thought but Rob makes a number of thought provoking points.
• Lizzy and Shula are lunching at The Orangery. The conversation turns to the Loxfest and the contribution Roy is making to its organisation. Shula declined her sister’s offer to play guitar at the event.
• Ruth and David have seen the robotic display. Ruth is secretly impressed with the idea and has picked up a stack of brochures. David insists on tracking lunch down.
• Shula leaves Lower Loxley with a promise to see what the riding stables could contribute towards the festival. She congratulates Elizabeth on getting so far with the festival arrangements with only Roy’s help. Shula feels that of late, Elizabeth is enjoying herself once more, that she is back to being her old self, having regained her youthful energy. “Does that make sense” wonders Shula.
• Rob returns home from the NEC. While Henry waters plants, Rob turns to describing his relationship with his father and elder brother, Miles. It was never easy. Helen raises the subject of her meeting his family. Rob clearly does not agree but offers to think about it.
• Ruth is driving back from Birmingham. David rehearses another mini-rant about preserving the country side against the actions of planners, governments, land investors and bureaucrats. He receives a text from Lynda with, he assumes, a link to Jenny’s article in The Echo. He is utterly mortified by what he finds there.