Tom reveals to Tony that Bellingham’s have ended the promotional offer.

Radio Times: Ruth is distracted and Helen needs a favour.

Characters: Helen, Neil, Rob, Ruth, Shula, Tom, Tony

• Between deliveries of lorry-loads of cows, another few snatched moments are arranged for Rob and Helen, moments they will make the most of. Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
• It’s Ben’s first day at secondary school and Ruth is anxious. Shula advises not to give him anything resembling a hug when he comes back on the bus.
• Shula has left the concert programmes in the vestry for Neil. He is impressed. But she has a concern to share with him – Darrell. He has not been staying at The Elms since the weekend. So where is he? Neil doesn’t know and Shula advises against asking Rosa – they are not speaking, apparently.
• Tony is facing a mammoth bout of earthing up leeks, until after dark, so that rules him out for babysitting and Pat has gone down with something, so she is out of action. What is a girl to do to meet her lover? Tom pleads much too much work. When he and Tony take a break he tells his dad about Bellingham’s ending the promotional offer, triggering a massive dose of “We told you so”. Is this the right moment to ask for a loan? Perhaps not.
• Helen has taken Henry to Arkwright Hall; when Rob turns up he is disappointed not to have Helen to himself but takes it on the chin. He promises to make it up to her next time.