There’s trouble at the kennels. Tom returns with fresh ideas and Justin resolves to make the first move.

Radio Times: Alistair deals with an emergency, and Tom returns revitalised.

Characters: Alistair, Brian, Justin, Pat, Shula, Tom

• There is an emergency at the hounds’ kennels which Alistair is called to. Part of the roof has caved in and there are casualties. Alistair does his best to suture wounds with the failing light. Shula feels it’s not a good start for her joint mastership. There is wet rot in one of the main beams and the owner has skimped on repairs. A further worry for Alistair is the imminent open day. With Anisha still away with her poorly parents, Alistair is unsure it will go ahead.
• Tom is back from his conference and is glad he changed his mind at the last minute. Another delegate has highlighted some pitfalls with the baby food idea. Tom has a new idea along the lines of fermented foods. Pat fills Tom in on the news from home, including Justin’s proposal and IBR in the Brookfield herd. He fishes for information about Kirsty, but Pat thinks he will be better off asking Helen.
• Brian offers Justin a way out of their evening meeting, but Justin is keen to press on. He is vexed that Brian seems to be dragging his heels with galvanising BL board support for the broiler unit offer, casting aspersions on Brian’s ability to do his job effectively. His underlying frustrations about Lilian’s proposal refusal come tumbling out and he seeks Brian’s views. Initially reticent to express an opinion, when Justin presses him, Brian diplomatically speculates that the speed and public nature of Justin’s proposal took Lilian by surprise. The penny drops and Justin sees he has been hasty and thanks Brian. What to do now? A phone call to clear the air? What if they are both wrong and Lilian hangs up or humiliates him? Brian may be no expert in such matters, but from the little he does know, he suggests to Justin that this is a risk he will have to take.