Shula and Alistair are the targets of a vicious rumour-monger and Matt tries to convince Lilian to run away with him.

Radio Times: Lilian receives a shocking proposition

Characters: Alistair, Justin, Lilian, Matt, Shula

• Justin calls Shula about the rumour of the boarded horse being mistreated. The rumour started on an online horse discussion site. Someone calling herself Roberta has been blaming Shula all over the internet. Roberta was a stable girl who was fired by Shula for mistreating the lame horse. Lilian is grateful that Justin has helped Shula by tracking down the source of the rumour. Lilian asks about a wedding detail, and Justin repeats his mantra: our wedding will be perfect.
• Shula reads all of Roberta’s posts and now she is lambasting Alistair’s practice as well. None of it is true and all is vindictive. Alistair tries to console Shula by noting that it is good Roberta was sacked. Alistair further advises that Shula not try to answer these charges; just ignore them and things will gradually calm down.
• Lilian meets Matt in a lay-by to report on her conversation with the friend over the horse sale. Lilian did ask about the proposed deal. It turns out Lilian’s friend had doubts about the suitability of the horse in question but Lilian managed to change her mind. Matt insists on treating Lilian to lunch at a near-by gastro pub as thanks.
• Shula is pleased to hear that Graham is giving up his sister’s party to cover the night of the hunt ball instead of Alistair. But worse news is that Latif doesn’t want to use Alistair’s practice anymore. The excuse is that Anisha is unavailable but Alistair and Shula realize that they are losing clients because of the rumour mill.
• Matt is determined to bring up old times during lunch but Lilian is panicked to see Roy come into the pub. Matt makes it clear that he doesn’t care if things get back to Justin. There is nothing innocent about their meetings, claims Matt. They are having an affair. Lilian protests this isn’t true but Matt claims he knows she feels the same. Matt wants Lilian to go away with him. Does Lilian want a sham marriage like her sister? Does she want to be stuck here in the middle of nowhere with Justin and never be truly happy? Lilian waveringly declares that Justin is the man she loves. Matt declares he is wealthy now and he is the man who excites Lilian. Grab your last chance while you have it, urges Matt. I am not going anywhere with you, hisses Lilian.