Sam won’t take no for an answer. Usha comes to Ruth’s rescue.

Radio Times: Ruth faces the consequences.

Characters: David, Kathy, Lynda, Pat, Ruth, Sam, Usha

• Ruth spends a sleepless night at Usha’s. She tells Usha that it’s all over with Sam, but her life is a mess. She’s been selfish and has hurt Sam terribly. How will she be able to face him on the farm? Usha is gentle and consoling, and tells Ruth to stay as long as she wants.
• Pat enjoys a rare day off at Kathy’s. As they discuss the Grundy anniversary party, Lynda arrives, trying to cast the wicked stepmother for her show. Both Pat and Kathy decline the offer. But Lynda’s visit isn’t entirely fruitless; Kathy has several odd jobs that need doing, and Lynda offers Robert’s services. Kathy will be only too pleased to pay him.
• Ruth goes home, where David is concerned to see how tired she looks. Ruth evades David’s questions, and says she needs fresh air, so while David goes to the cash and carry, she’ll do some jobs on the farm. David mentions a mystery surrounding Sam. Far from being away overnight, as he’d said, Sam came back last night. David’s theory is that he tried to renew his liaison with Fliss, but it didn’t work out. Poor Ruth is lost for words.
• Sam finds Ruth, and says they have to talk. Ruth tells him bluntly that it’s over. She might have said she loved Sam, but she loves David too, and she can’t continue to deceive him. An increasingly upset and angry Sam refuses to accept what she says. Nothing has changed for him, and all Ruth has to do is say the word. But, says Ruth, that word will never come, and Sam just has to accept it.