Susan and Neil receive offers; so does Nic. Things are certainly looking up on the employment front.

Radio Times: Justin makes an unexpected offer

Characters: Fallon, Helen, Justin, Neil, Nic, Susan

• Susan explains to Neil that he must get his own lunch today; she’s left him some quiche. He’s not particularly keen on the idea. Helen drops by and offers Susan a lift to Bridge Farm. As she accepts, Neil takes a call from Justin. He asks if Neil will join him at Berrow Farm this afternoon for a chat about the proposed pig unit.
• Nic and Fallon are at Darrington Vintage Fair. Their stall has got off to a slow start, probably due to The Echo printing the wrong start time. As they look through the pages, Fallon spots a most unflattering picture of someone they both know. In Helen’s car, Susan admits that she’s worried about Neil’s health. He’s getting no younger but the prospect of his retirement is receding, especially as her hours at Bridge Farm have been reduced. Well, Helen and Tom have some news which may just brighten her day.
• Justin reveals the subject of their meeting to Neil. The pig unit at Berrow Farm is beginning to receive CV’s from interested parties for the post of stockman/woman. Justin wants to pick Neil’s brain about what attributes they should be looking for. At Bridge Farm, Susan is delighted to have been given the role of managing the kefir production and marketing. Tom has told her that she deserves the boost. Susan is totally surprised by the opportunity but is already looking forward to making changes.
• Nic has managed to sell a “difficult” jug and Fallon is impressed. So much so that she offers her the chance to attend a few more sales; she’d be grateful for her help. Meanwhile, she tells Nic to look round the fair before it closes. She accepts the offer as she’s on a mission, looking for something for Joe.
• Justin is deep in conversation with Neil about the type of person he needs to look for to run the pig unit. Neil is certain that degrees in agricultural subjects are useful but less so than the candidate being a dyed in the wool pig man, born and bred. Justin is certain that Neil is just that person and offers him the post and a starting salary of £55k per annum. Neil is dumbfounded. Justin tells him to sleep on it.