Sophie flatters. David falls for it. Ruth fumes.

Radio Times: Ruth endures the night from hell.

Characters: Clarrie, David, Eddie, Jolene, Kirsty, Ruth, Sophie

• At Brookfield tempers are frayed: David and Ruth are running late for Sophie’s plaque unveiling ceremony.
• At Keeper’s Cottage, Clarrie is busy baking again for the church window fund. She is dying to know how Eddie’s horse had fared. It was a little smasher, led nearly all the way but faded in the home straight; it didn’t win; it wasn’t even placed; it came seventh out of eight. Now, Clarrie insists, Eddie must repay the fiver. No way!
• David is relieved that they are not too late for the unveiling. Ruth is aghast that the occasion is so formal – black tie. Sophie quickly parks Ruth with her mum whose best friend came from somewhere vaguely near Prudhoe.
• With Ruth occupied, Sophie can spend time with David, whom she has always regarded as someone special, someone to rely on, a lovely guy. Before he knows it David has agreed to the initial clearing work for the planned sensory garden and to go on the sub-committee. Ruth joins them to report that mum is in a flap over her glasses, only to be despatched back again – with the glasses.
• The journey home was frosty. Ruth was embarrassed by being dressed informally and was patronised by Sophie; Ruth could have slapped Sophie when she gave her the glasses. Now she learns that Sophie has twisted David round her little finger again. David thinks Ruth is being unfair and cannot understand why she has such a down on Sophie. Ruth thinks it was the night out from hell.