Sell Brookfield? Really?

Radio Times: Ruth makes a suggestion, and Phoebe has a talk with Hayley.

Characters: David, Hayley, Jill, Kenton, Phoebe, Ruth

• At Brookfield, Jill receives a new pair of beekeeping gloves from David and Ruth ahead of the family party being catered by Fallon. At Willow Farm, Phoebe arrives home and tries to escape to her room without seeing her father. Hayley calls her back explaining that Roy isn’t there and they really should talk about whatever is causing Phoebe so much unhappiness.
• Jill’s party is underway at Brookfield. As Kenton and David set about moving furniture, talk between Ruth and Jill turns to Heather’s difficulties. Jill admits to feeling very sorry for her and thinks that any sort of move would be difficult for Heather to cope with. More guests arrive.
• In her room, Phoebe finally admits to knowing about Roy’s relationship with Elizabeth. She has been told everything by Freddy. And as far as it being a one off affair at Greenbury Fields as Hayley says, well that’s not true. Freddy says it’s been going on for months. The colour draining from Hayley’s face is almost audible. “They’ve been having an affair” are Phoebe’s final words.
• At Brookfield, David really wishes that Kenton would stop his singing hat from singing as it’s getting on his pip. Kenton replied that even Charlie Thomas thought it was amusing at the pub the other day. In fact, he thought that he was unusually happy, perhaps that was it? He goes in, leaving David with Ruth. She speaks candidly to him, with all of the uncertainty surrounding the farm, why don’t they sell up and buy a bigger farm in Northumberland? Just like that. David is blown away by the whole preposterous idea.
• As Jill makes a wish and blows out her candles to cheers of happy birthday, David quietly asks Ruth if she would really want to do this to Jill? Ruth can see no other way! Further cries of happy birthday hang very heavy.