Sam is cornered into helping David have a romantic evening with Ruth.

Radio Times: Sam has to do a friendly favour.

Characters: David, Joe, Lynda, Ruth, Sam, William

• William has a problem: something has disturbed his birds – just before the big shoot. Joe drops by to see if he needs any help; he is at a loose end because Ed has everything in hand at Grange Farm.
• Sam has a problem too: a cow in labour with a posterior presentation. (I hope that isn’t too much information!) No need for the vet; let nature take its course. David insists on helping, although Sam would rather he didn’t.
• After a long day Will is not best pleased to find Lynda on his doorstep. She had a sleepless night and saw lights in the Estate woods; that would be deer poachers and the cause of his problem with the birds. He drops a hint that his grandad thinks he is not wanted in the Christmas production and will need to be talked round.
• Ruth visits the cowshed to see how things are going but is despatched to rustle up some food. David confides in Sam that he is worried about Ruth; she is looking tired and needs a break – just the two of them. Before he knows what has hit him, Sam has agreed to baby-sit while David takes Ruth for a romantic meal. Great!
• Lynda makes her peace with Joe. The part of chief dwarf, Doc, is already allocated (to David) but she would like Joe to audition for the next most important dwarf, Grumpy. An acting challenge for Joe but one she is sure he is up to!
• The calf is born, a nice little heifer, just as Ruth brings the coffee. With David cleaning up, she cannot believe that Sam offered to baby-sit. It was out of the blue and he couldn’t get out of it. They were working so closely, like they used to, and now Sam is helping David to have a romantic evening with his beloved Ruth.