Thanks to Miranda, Lilian’s relationship with Justin seems to have come to a shuddering end.

Radio Times: Miranda makes herself clear, and Toby arrives just in time.

Characters: Harrison, Lilian, Miranda, Pip, Ruth, Shula, Toby

• At The Stables, Shula helps Lilian prepare her horse for a ride. To their surprise, Miranda turns up and imperiously gives instructions for her horse to be tacked up too. She will join Lilian. Later, as they head towards Brian’s land, the real reason for Miranda’s appearance becomes crystal clear. She tells her that Justin’s “diversions” are usually younger than her and appear less “well worn”. She tells Lilian that the relationship stops right now and that she will not disturb her marriage any longer. With that, she says goodbye and gallops off.
• At Brookfield, Harrison grabs a moment to persuade Pip to join the team. They’re joined by Ruth. She manages to overcome most of Pip’s objections about having no spare time. Much to Harrison’s delight Pip eventually agrees. However, he asks them to keep quiet about the arrangement until he squares it with the club’s committee.
• Back at The Stables, Lilian confides in Shula. She knew it couldn’t last forever, but didn’t expect it to end like this. Miranda was truly scary. She’s sure that Borsetshire will see less of Justin and that she’ll lose a tenant at the Dower House. She suspects that Shula will lose a Stables client. When Shula asks “Why Justin”, she admits that he was “forbidden fruit” although companionship and the “physical side” had a lot to do with it.
• At The Bull, Pip and Toby are joined by Harrison who’s on a cricket club recruitment drive. A somewhat squiffy Lilian turns up and manages to get a G & T out of Harrison. Much to Toby’s annoyance, Pip returns to Brookfield to check on a tricky calving with Toby in tow. When they get there, they find Ruth with the cow. There’s been little progress. Pip offers to take over from her mother and a grumpy Toby decides to return to the pub.
• The Bull is full to the rafters and a very well-oiled Lilian is engaging Harrison in a slurred conversation about “vulnerability” and “broken hearts”. Toby returns and accepts a drink from her; she too has another. She insists on giving Harrison some advice. He mustn’t break Fallon’s heart. They are a wonderful couple and should stay that way.
• Sometime later, Toby returns to Brookfield only to find out that he has to help Pip deliver the reluctant calf by heaving on a rope tied to its back legs. Pip performs artificial respiration aided by Toby throwing a bucket of water on it. It survives and Toby tells Pip that he thought she was awesome. Apparently, Harrison had to put Lilian in a taxi to get home. Pip comments that Lilian always did enjoy life. On this occasion however, Toby thought that she was far from enjoying herself.