Tom is not happy with his parents. Lynda is not happy with decisions at Grey Gables.

Radio Times: Oliver seeks to reassure, and Tom sticks his neck out.

Characters: Caroline, Helen, Lynda, Oliver, Pat, Tom, Tony

• Ray’s reference has arrived, and Caroline is disconcerted by how little it says. Oliver tries to brush her concerns aside, when they are interrupted by Lynda, asking who will be managing Grey Gables while Oliver and Caroline are away. Wrong-footed, Caroline is forced to let Oliver tell Lynda about Ray, and then to grovel to a very sniffy and annoyed Lynda.
• Tom is pleased that Bellinghams have reported a small increase in sale. He is sure they will want to increase their order. Helen remarks that he did right to accept Rob’s advice; he is, after all, so experienced. Tom is somewhat taken aback at the suggestion that this was not all his doing.
• Tom tells Pat and Tony about increasing his production, and meets with considerable hostility from his parents. Helen’s phone rings at this point – it is, of course, her friend from the ante-natal class again, and she is able to leave the room unnoticed to speak to the said friend under cover of a nasty spat between Tom, Pat and Tony.
• The atmosphere at Grey Gables is so dreadful that Caroline has to seek Lynda out and assure her that she is greatly valued; she will have a bonus to reflect this in her next wage packet. Ray will need plenty of guidance, and who better than Lynda to offer it. Somewhat mollified, but still sniffing, Lynda accepts with minimal good grace, informing Caroline that it would have been nice to be considered for the post. Oh but you were, says Caroline, with a certain lack of tact.
• Tired and angry, Tom slams out, leaving Pat and Tony to make further derogatory remarks about Rob and his influence over Tom. They are overheard by Helen, who comes to Rob’s defence. Pat asks who was on the phone. It was a friend, replies Helen, and after further questioning, says her name is Ruby, and she is having a difficult time, so Helen needs to get over there as quickly as possible. Will Pat look after Henry again? Of course, replies Pat, if your friend needs you. He certainly does…