Tony and Pat accept Helen’s news with fortitude; Ruth is unsure about Heather’s future.

Radio Times: Helen has some big news, and Ruth feels homesick.

Characters: David, Pat, Peggy, Pip, Ruth, Tom, Tony

• Tom and Peggy catch up with Tony and Pat at Bridge Farm on their return from holiday, and swap family and village news. Helen arrives with refreshments and has news of an improved offer for the shop. Arrangements are made for a grand holiday photo “view-in” with Helen and Rob. Helen then announces her piece of domestic news.
• At Brookfield, David and Pip agree the need to get farm finances back on track. David suggests that a day at the Livestock Event may throw up some ideas. They are interrupted by a call from a despondent Ruth. Heather is not viewing the prospect of long-term care with unalloyed joy.
• Helen’s news is greeted at Bridge Farm with much outward protestations of happiness but when guests have left, Tony and Pat are a little less sanguine. Helen’s obviously happy, but as Pat says, “in a perfect world…”. They both agree though that it’s really not up to them.
• Helen has a quiet word with Tom, wondering why he didn’t mention the architect’s plans for the shop to their parents. He replies that he’s just being cautious and doesn’t want Tony to feel railroaded into anything after all he’s been through this year.
• David tells Pip that the Livestock Event is booked and they may go with a minibus group being organised by Tom. She reminds David that she will be out with friends for the evening tomorrow. At Bridge Farm, Tony has been on a walkabout and tells Tom that likes what he sees. It’s good to be back.
• Ruth and David discuss matters domestic on the telephone. Ruth is feeling rather down. She had a bit of a run-in with Heather’s neighbour about a wheelie bin, of all things. In addition, Heather has had her own run-in with a nurse in hospital about a simple misunderstanding. Ruth doesn’t know what more she can do and is quite looking forward to coming home.