Shula’s hopes for a family meal are dashed while for Kenton there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Radio Times: Kenton feels sorry for himself, and Shula awaits her guests.

Characters: Dan, David, Elizabeth, Jill, Jolene, Kenton, Pip, Shula

• Kenton’s suffering a hangover following his Birthday celebrations. Jolene reminds him they are expected at Shula’s for lunch, which Kenton would rather cancel. He’s not only nursing a hangover, but also his shock over the bad news they’ve received from the insurer and the last thing he feels up to is keeping company with David, who he perceives as smug. Jolene oscillates between sympathy for him and exasperation that he seems to be giving up on all they’ve worked for. Despite her cajoling, Kenton does not think he can see a way back, unlike Jolene who tries to see the best in every situation.
• David updates Jill over the phone, as he’s still with Ruth in Prudhoe. With Heather now back at Marvin House, she’s in a place of safety, but Ruth feels no less guilty. David has done some practical jobs, but otherwise feels useless under the circumstances, with all there is to be done back at Brookfield. Jill reassures him that Pip has everything under control and she is a credit to them both. David is disappointed that Pip’s celebration meal is postponed and also that the opportunity for he and Kenton to mend some fences at Shula’s meal today, has been lost.
• Shula’s busy with meal preparations and sends Dan for a shower following his run. Jolene calls to say neither she nor Kenton will be coming due to Kenton having come down with a stomach bug; then Jill arrives with apologies from Pip and also Josh, whose hens have escaped. With so much to do today and still being behind with yesterday’s jobs, Pip is unable to spare time for the meal. Ben is there though and is paying great attention to one of the new horses at Shula’s stables, or is it the female owner he is more interested in?
• The meal goes well in spite of Shula’s disappointment over the cancellations and scepticism over Kenton’s tummy bug. Shula sends food back to Brookfield and she and Elizabeth muse over this latest spat between their brothers, which does appear to have gone on for longer than usual, this time.