There is fall-out from the marital disharmony at Lynda’s party and continuing fall-out from Freddie’s trip to the Isle of Wight

Radio Times: Lilian chooses her side, and Elizabeth sees history repeating itself

Characters: Elizabeth, Freddie, Lilian, Lily, Lynda, Ruth

• As Lily dresses Freddie’s septic eyebrow piercing he tells her that he would repeat the whole festival experience all over again, especially Bonnie. Lily quickly latches on to this and teases her brother, who is awaiting his mother’s wrath once again.
• As Lilian makes coffee for James, it quickly becomes clear that he intends staying for some time. He is annoyed when Lilian discovers she does not have the ingredients of the cooked breakfast he wants, and claims that he needs it to cope with the stress of selfish Leonie’s behaviour. When Lilian suggests he should make do with the in finished bathroom, James’ mood does not improve.
• Meeting Ruth, Elizabeth expresses admiration for the way Pip is trying to make amends. Ruth is worried that she will burn out, and wants her to return to Brookfield, but Elizabeth says she will keep an eye on Pip. They return to Brookfield for lunch, but Elizabeth has little appetite. She admits that she can see Freddie replicating all her youthful mistakes. Pip can only recall the days of Pip and Jude. Elizabeth just misses Nigel, who would have coped so much better than she did.
• As Lilian shops to feed her son she runs into Lynda, who is in chilly mood. She is deeply embarrassed by the behaviour of James and Leonie, but gets little sympathy from Lilian, who can see only good in her son, and calls Leonie an emotionally incontinent harpy. Lynda retaliates with a jibe about Lilian’s poor parenting revealing itself. That, declares Lilian, is a subject on which Lynda is unqualified to comment, and sweeps off home with her sausages.
• Lilian’s sausages fail to meet with filial approval. James is not a road mender, apparently. He is also not a lavatory handle mender nor a car mender, since both need attention. James would prefer devilled kidneys. And while he is at it, he will need some new clothes. This cuckoo will not be leaving the maternal nest in a hurry.
• Elizabeth tries again to make Freddie see the value of education, but makes little progress. He just wants to see the world. he had an epiphany at the festival and now sees his life differently. Poor Elizabeth fails yet again to keep her cool. She won’t let him throw away his education and that is final.