Ruth is finding David’s continuing pre-occupation with matters Lower Loxley just too much.

Radio Times: Family comes first for Ruth and Elizabeth is filled with trepidation.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Freddie, Kenton, Lily, Pip, Ruth

• Ruth has had enough: David has still not researched a car for Pip’s birthday and she insists that he does it now, not this evening, NOW! It’s time his own family had some priority. Pip has shown real commitment to the farm but it has to work both ways.
• Though she wants the Trustees’ meeting, Elizabeth wishes it were not tomorrow. Freddy demonstrates that his knowledge of birds is rather better than Kenton’s – but then, Uncle Kenton doesn’t get out much. Elizabeth is anxious that Freddy is getting too near to the bull, Custard, and she is not much reassured by the knowledge that his daddy used to allow him to ride on its back.
• At Brookfield, Ruth and Pip are preparing for lambing. David has promised to get the necessary veterinary supplies but Ruth is worried about covering the night shifts. She will ask Eddie. Maybe after the Trustees’ meeting David will have more time for the farm.
• Over lunch at Lower Loxley, Kenton agrees to look over the cars that David has short-listed. David admits that Ruth is having difficulty coping on her own but he cannot walk out on Elizabeth; that’s quite a conscience he has got!
• Eddie has agreed to do some night shifts. That’s a relief. David returns early but with an armful of ledgers, so Ruth is resigned to getting no help again today. She confides in Pip that she is not sure how much longer she can go on working like this.