Will Rex take the panto offer after all? Has Alistair done enough to persuade Anisha that she really does want a partner?

Radio Times: There is a visitor at the Stables, and Alice is clutching at straws.

Characters: Alan, Alice, Alistair, Anisha, Rex, Shula

• As Shula updates Alan about the news that Alistair is considering taking a partner, Rob drives by at high speed. Alan admits to being worried about him. He feels duty bound to care for him and to try to heal his relationships with the village. Shula is having none of it. He got what he deserved. Rex turns up and is told by Alan that the village shop has run out of Upper Class Eggs. Alan has a favour to ask.
• Alistair welcomes his potential partner Anisha to The Stables yard. She’s clearly impressed with the yard and its possibilities. Shula turns up and the conversation turns to Anisha’s own horse, a bay mare, with which she’s won two point to point events and some lesser events. It seems that the prospect of a partnership with Alistair ticks many boxes. They go inside for lunch.
• As Rex manages to sell Alan some eggs, Alice turns up. She greets them effusively, laying the compliments on with a trowel. It becomes clear that she’s recruiting for the Christmas show. Alan claims that the pressure of work at Christmas prevents his involvement. Having been excused by Alice, he escapes by car. Rex isn’t so lucky. Alice tries to convince him that a part in Mother Goose would be a wonderful opportunity for Ambridge’s foremost poultry producer.
• Anisha undergoes the food version of “trial by sherry”. Shula discovers some of her background, a Scottish vet with Sri Lankan roots and a medically qualified mother who can be a little overbearing for a young woman making her way. Alistair returns full of apologies. He needs to head off and see Joe Grundy’s horse. As he leaves, Shula explains the special relationship that they have with Joe and his family. Anisha doesn’t seem too impressed, how does Alistair make any money?
• Alice is over the moon that she has found a goose costume from many years ago. Rex on the other hand, seems somewhat underwhelmed. It has no head! Alice continues on enthusiastically that Rex and Toby will be wonderful in the pantomime. Rex points out that he can’t speak for his brother; he’s a free agent. As he leaves, Alice calls after him, to confirm if he’ll be in the show. There was no reply.
• Anisha heads home amidst much waving and with thanks for lunch. She promises to be in touch soon. Shula likes her, she seems enthusiastic and committed, but Shula sensed her doubts regarding Alistair’s partial pro-bono work for Joe. Perhaps she’s less vocationally driven than they had hoped. In the light of this revelation, Alistair wonders if she will want to come after all.