The twins reach eighteen and receive family heirlooms to celebrate the occasion; Pip has to work hard on her pretence about Friday; If Jill’s not suspicious by now… well, let’s see.

Radio Times: There’s a surprise in store for Elizabeth and the deception takes its toll on Pip.

Characters: David, Elizabeth, Freddie, Jill, Lily, Pip

• It’s breakfast at Brookfield and David tells Jill last night’s gossip from The Bull. Most of the panto cast were there telling tales of how Alan went into meltdown. Jill hopes that Pip is feeling better. David says that she’s calling in at Lower Loxley to wish the twins happy birthday. Apparently she won’t be at tonight’s tea party.
• At The Hall, Pip tells Elizabeth that Ruth keeps suggesting that she should take things easy. Pip’s ‘bug’ excuse is wearing a bit thin and she believes that Jill has her suspicions. Elizabeth offers her services again for Friday’s trip to the clinic and again Pip declines. Elizabeth warns her that Jill reacted badly to news of her abortion in distant times, but she’s sure that Ruth will be supportive.
• It’s present unwrapping time. The twins are joined by Pip and their mother and Pip hands over her gifts. She dashes off leaving Elizabeth to give her presents. They are items that she’s had to take from the bank vault; an emerald and diamond art deco ring for him and a Gwen John piece for her. Nigel had reserved them for their 18th birthday and Elizabeth was simply carrying out his wishes. They all movingly agree that they wished he had been able to give them himself.
• At Brookfield, Pip finds David battling to do cattle condition scores on his own. Her offer of help is gratefully accepted. He wonders if she would like to go and look at some recently upgraded milking parlours; perhaps one in Darrington on Friday. She fabricates a lunch appointment with an old university friend, but next week may be a possibility.
• Later at the tea party, Elizabeth confides in Jill that she’s still worried about the progress of Freddie’s A2 exams. Jill suggests that she looks back into her own history before worrying further; she takes her point. As the party gets underway, Jill decides to take a piece of birthday cake over to Pip. She enquires after her health. Pip reckons that the bug is hanging on. Jill’s offer of chicken soup is refused and Pip says that she’s planning an early night. Jill takes the hint, calling out “Good night darling” as she leaves.”Oh Lord” is Pip’s sotto voce reply.
• The twins have managed to get their mother outside, away from the party. They take a moment to express their thanks to the woman who has singlehandedly brought them up and looked after Lower Loxley. They just want her to know how proud they are of her. In her turn, she expresses her pride in them. They’ve not turned out too badly. It all ends with a group hug.