Tony stands up to Rob – somebody had to!

Radio Times: Tony puts his foot down, while Helen might be hiding something.

Characters: Helen, Rob, Ruth, Tony, Usha

• A speeding ticket! How did that happen? Helen has to admit that it was when she was rushing back from a long lunch with Ian. She has the baby to think about and shouldn’t be speeding round the countryside. Helen actually thanks Rob for not getting angry.
• Usha calls on Ruth, conscious that she is in a bad place, and lets slip that Carol will be joining the family for Christmas lunch at Brookfield. Ruth didn’t know that. Of course, it’s great having Jill back but Ruth feels the loss of her own mum all the more. Usha tries to lift her spirits by emphasising the positives but with Pip taking on more jobs, Ruth feels there is nothing left for her. Usha tries to reassure her that David loves and values her. Then why is he not talking to her? Why does she find out things by accident? She feels she has lost David’s trust. The insemination was a big part of her job; what will be next?
• Tony has made a purchase and is very pleased about it: he has found some old-fashioned country-style tables; just the thing for displaying the fruit and veg in the shop. Rob cannot believe his eyes: they are totally wrong for the modern look that he, Helen and Tom have decided upon – well he has decided upon and the others have been brow-beaten into agreeing. But Tony is not going to be brow-beaten: their chosen look is too clinical and sterile; people appreciate a safe and reassuring environment and the tables are just right, so they are going into the shop and they are not going to be painted gloss white and there’s an end to it.
• When Rob gets home Helen is on the phone to her dad and he assumes Tony was telling her how he had over-ruled Rob; in fact that had not been mentioned. He is still seething about Tony “meddling”. Helen is pleased to report that Greenbury Farm Services want Rob to go for interview and she is sure they will snap him up. He sounds under-whelmed.