Susan scores a victory for the Bridge Farm workers and Henry finds a new playmate

Radio Times: Helen puts her foot down

Characters: Adam, Clarrie, Helen, Henry, Susan, Tom

• Over the kefir manufacturing, Susan manages to boast to Clarrie about Emma ‘entering politics.’ A mildly annoyed Clarrie suggests that Emma might be taking on too much. Then Tom appears, and Susan immediately launches into loud chatter about how busy she and Clarrie are, what with work in the poly-tunnels, yoghurt, ice cream and now Kefir. Clarrie quickly spots what Susan is up to and joins in
• Tom tells Helen that Grey Gables have managed to replace the errant Joey. commenting that texting Lexi is all that is keeping Roy sane. Adam then comes to pick Henry up. As Adam and Henry leave for the playground, Tom speculates on Adam’s motives; is the need for experience with a young child necessary in view of the surrogacy plan? It’s usually Ian who looks after Henry. Helen airily says Henry will be fine
• Helen comes into the dairy and bossily reminds Susan and Clarrie that they are behind with the yoghurt production. Susan continues to talk about how busy they are, but how it will all work out in the end. She then makes great play of straining the kefir and discussing loudly with Clarrie the fermentation tests they are carrying out and the resultant graphs. Helen actually gives up on throwing her weight around, since she is unable to get a word in.
• After a moan from Henry about the playground not being his favourite one, Adam produces a cricket set. Henry is worried about getting hurt, but is reassured when Adam shows him a soft ball and a plastic bat. Both proceed to enjoy the game immensely. When he returns home, Henry demands to play with Adam again.
• Susan subjects Tom to the verbal onslaught, and quickly Helen demands a ‘word’ with her brother. She haughtily points out that he is not pulling his weight, and since Pat can’t be expected to do extra, Helen herself is having to add to her already hugely heavy workload (since when, Helen?) because Tom is swanning off on his Nuffield travels.
• In the dairy, Susan and Clarrie giggle at the overheard tirade, but quieten down when Tom demands their attention. Pompously he informs them that, mindful of the extra burden they are bearing, he will increase their hourly rate while they are also making kefir. Afterwards, Clarrie takes her hat off to Susan, who has come up trumps. The first rule of management, declares Susan sagely, is to manage upwards.