The mystery of the wandering ferret is solved. Ed’s new tractor may prove to be a new problem and Alistair and Shula are not communicating.

Radio Times: Ed is out shopping, and Joe has a problem.

Characters: Alistair, Ed, Eddie, Joe, Roy, Shula

• Eddie and Ed are inspecting a starter tractor for Ed but Eddie is distracted by a newer, shinier model beyond Ed’s budget, and also whether or not Daphne the ferret has a homing instinct. A panicked phone call from Joe interrupts them, as Pest Control have arrived at Grey Gables and Joe’s worried for Daphne’s fate.
• Alistair has the opportunity for a short term tenancy in Penny Hassett, to set up his surgery. Shula attempts to open a conversation about having seen Richard at the concert, but Alistair is in a hurry to view the property.
• Roy is increasingly suspicious of Joe’s furtive behaviour as he roams the corridors at the hotel. Joe spots Daphne asleep on a bed, but isn’t quick enough to retrieve her as the maid strips the bed and puts the sheets in her trolley. Joe then has a long wait for her to leave the trolley unattended, during which time Eddie arrives. When they get their opportunity, there is no sign of her the trolley. They turn the laundry room upside down and Roy not only catches them in the act, but also catches Daphne, to everyone’s relief. Roy won’t tell Caroline, but nor can Daphne reside at the hotel. Joe’s worried that if she returns to the cottage without him, she will pine. Roy offers to take her in at his place and everyone seems happy with this solution.
• Alistair is home now and distracted by his father’s bird watching book and the potential sighting of a sparrow hawk through the window. He does remember though, that Shula was trying to tell him something earlier, but she brushes it off and wants his opinion on the dress she plans to wear for Dan’s passing out parade. Alistair is not particularly attentive to the dress; Dan will be glad to have them there, regardless of what they wear.
• Eddie persuades Ed to buy the higher spec. model as a long term investment and hopefully guard against fewer inevitable repair bills with an older tractor. Ed’s had to part-finance it with credit which he’s uneasy about. He and Emma had an agreement to not get into debt again.