Pip’s doing some gardening, and Henry’s goats are going off to Market.

Brian feels awful about how they left things and Miranda believes there is more going on with Ruairi than Brian has told her. If they want to stay together, she wants the truth: what is it that Brian isn’t telling her? Miranda makes to phone Ruairi, and Brian angrily stops her. As Miranda continues to challenge Brian on what he’s hiding, he can’t reveal the truth and tries to cover, leaving Miranda wondering what their relationship is. She concludes that without trust they have nothing.

At Grey Gables, Tom and Natasha reflect on what it’ll be like when Helen and the boys move out. They’ve had help with childcare and earned a decent nest-egg from the rent. Lynda chats about Palm Sunday and a new Easter scheme at St Stephen’s – the Easter Promises Tree, a sort of volunteering matchmaking service. As Tom challenges Lynda about Ambridge cricket, Natasha feels beholden to her with the Easter scheme and offers something at the Tearoom.

Checking their finances, Natasha realises that they aren’t doing as well as she thought. As they discuss Tony’s sale of the Anguses, Robert approaches and tries to clarify Tom’s earlier comments to Lynda, about the cricket, field access and Ed’s Texels. Tom admits he’s confused about it. Robert offers to help, asking Tom not to say anything to Lynda. Robert grills Lynda, encouraging her to support the new pub cricket team. Lynda feels that Oliver will need persuading to let them use the Country Park – and no one will be able to persuade him

Writers: Sarah Hehir, Katie Hims & Sarah McDonald Hughes

Brian Aldridge… Charles Collingwood

Ruth susses something’s up with Ben, who’s been asked by Lily about moving into Josh’s room at the Stables. He’s decided to say no, having seen how upset David and Ruth are about Josh leaving. They admit they are a bit sad, especially with the bad feelings involved. But they’ll try to put things right and hope Josh comes round. As for Ben though, he doesn’t want to abandon them after they’ve been so supportive through his darker moments. They saved his life. Ruth gets a funny message from Josh, then she and David tell Ben he should take the room if he wants to. Later, David and Ruth agree their kids are brilliant.

George asks Brian for the money he promised him and wants to tell Brian his business plan, which no longer involves drones. George persuades Brian to go for a walk, explaining he wants to invest in five rare breed ewes. A farmer has offered to put them to his ram for breeding. George will ask Esme to keep them at Meadow Farm, but one day George plans on having his own farm. Brian’s response is crushing: it’s not going to happen. They agreed the money would be for George’s drone business, not this. It’s far too risky. Brian can only see George coming back to him for more money and he’s not having it. Angry George accuses Brian of lying about the offer to pay him and threatens to expose Brian, who walks off.

George promises Esme he’ll be back after his dentist appointment to help with the Lady Day celebration of her tenancy – unless she’s changed her mind about wanting him there. Esme insists they’re a team, before George tells her the truth about going to his tag fitting. He then wonders to Amber if he’s done the right thing.

Pat tells Esme it’s the forty-eighth anniversary of their tenancy at Bridge Farm, so they can celebrate that too. Walking back with Amber, George admits he’s dreading seeing Esme after rushing off before. Ed and Eddie arrive with the cider, helped by Amber, while George goes ahead. Ed then realises why his clients are ghosting him: because Eddie left them in the lurch, selling his regular supply of hay to the highest bidder instead.

When George offers Esme his notice she turns it down, telling him she couldn’t manage without him. She offers to write a support letter to Reg, his probation officer, countering Derek Fletcher’s complaint. George then introduces Esme before she makes a speech, thanking people including Pat and Tony for all their help and generosity. Esme finishes by thanking George, her righthand man. She declares he’s such a hard grafter, she’s really fallen on her feet. George turns down the offer of a cider from Eddie, then whispers to Amber that Esme’s offered him a year’s contract. He hopes he can finally put the last year behind him.

David and Tony exchange thoughts on Esme’s Lady Day gathering and Josh’s sudden departure. David then confides his and Ruth’s doubts over their handling of the Brookfield inheritance. Tony sympathises, telling David about the Anguses and how he thinks Tom and Helen might see the future of Bridge Farm. Having your children tell you what to do is so hard, they agree. It’ll be the same with Pip before long, David thinks, before hoping he and Tony get more time for more chats like this.

Brian confesses to Alice that he’s nervous about moving back into Home Farm, before Alice suggests he’s been acting out of character lately. Even Lynda thinks something’s up. Brian dismisses their concerns, assuring Alice he’s fine, before conceding he occasionally fears he’s failed his children. Alice disagrees, even if Ruairi has had a wobble recently. More cheerfully Brian then claims full credit for bringing Rex and Alice together. Later, Miranda joins Brian and Alice for supper. Alice tells Miranda she’s happy about them moving into Home Farm, reassuring Miranda that Brian is happy too. If he's been stressed recently it’s nothing to do with the move or her. After the meal Brian admits he hears Jennifer’s voice in his ear when he’s cooking, before Alice leaves. Miranda then pulls Brian up on an earlier comment that the Home Farm house will be hers, not his. She wants it to feel like his home too, but queries whether it’s what he wants. Brian promises her he does, with all his heart.

Helen finds Tony with his Anguses, but he’s unwilling to talk about them. Later though Helen ambushes Tony in the kitchen, before launching into the farm audit’s conclusion that the Anguses are a drain on Bridge Farm’s finances. Tony argues strongly that the cattle represent years of tradition. Helen has no idea how much they mean to him. Helen takes refuge in the Farm Shop with Tracy, telling her she’s clashed with Tony. It sounds terrible, but she’s sure she’s in the right. Helen then discovers her offer has been accepted for the house on the Green. Helen’s suggestion to celebrate becoming new neighbours proves awkward though, with Helen not appreciating the contrast between her and Tracy’s circumstances.

Miranda tells Lilian that Brian really doesn’t seem himself. She’s been worried about some of Brian’s strange behaviours for a while now. Lilian wonders if it’s the thought of moving back into Home Farm, but Miranda doesn’t think so. When Justin joins them, Miranda suspects he knows what’s wrong with Brian. Justin suggests Brian’s worried about his children, especially the ones who can’t stand on their own two feet. Miranda singles out Ruairi as particularly fragile, though Lilian reckons Brian’s always worried about Alice and Kate too. However, both Justin and Lilian feel Miranda shouldn’t worry too much about Brian. Miranda and Lilian then mock Justin for admitting his relief he's never had children to worry about.

Ruth and David are discussing a going-away present for Josh when Ben tells them Josh is leaving tomorrow. He’s decided to go early to explore Patagonia before starting work, but is worried how David and Ruth will react. Ben also reckons Josh wants as little fuss as possible, so no farewell dinner or gift – though he might agree to a meal at The Bull. Ruth’s determined Josh won’t go without at least saying goodbye. Later, after the meal, David, Ruth and Ben reflect on getting through the evening without too much ill feeling or awkwardness. David and Ruth then agree that nevertheless, it feels like Josh is leaving to get away from them, after the inheritance decision. Ruth hates the though of Josh leaving under a cloud and just hopes he comes back in one piece.

Helen tells Alan about Carol’s fall, suggesting more people should call in on her. Alan offers to go round later, before Helen apologises for adding to Alan’s burden. When Alan visits, spiky Carol tells him he looks dreadful. Alan mentions her fall and Carol thinks Anna and Helen are as bad as each other, fussing over her. Alan then hands her a list of various services offering help and friendship, but Carol rebuffs his overtures. However, after he leaves, Alan reports to Helen that he could barely get away as Carol was so clearly desperate for company – and notes how frail she looks. Helen suggests he could ask Carol to help with a church activity and Alan says he’ll have a think about something she could do over Easter.

Brian asks George for a word about Ruairi, then tells him to leave Ruairi alone. George defends himself, suggesting Ruairi needs more help than Brian can give him. Brian accuses George of winding Ruairi up, but George reckons Brian is manipulative and has made plenty of mistakes of his own. Later, at The Bull, Tracy expresses surprise that Brian even gives George the time of day, after what he did to Alice. Brian thinks it’s better for everyone to move on, but does wonder how George will cope financially, with a baby on the way. Brian then tells George to stay away from Ruairi, offering him a one-off payment to do so. George wants to know how much. Brian suggests helping help with his drone business, but insists George must cut off all contact with Ruairi.

When Neil pops to Meadow Farm with George’s lunch, nervous George admits he thought Neil could be bringing bad news. Neil sympathises, before getting a guided tour of the farm. Esme’s delighted when her landlord messages offering a reduced rental and better terms on their environmental commitment. She’ll take over the tenancy next Wednesday, Lady Day, and plans a gathering to celebrate. George excuses himself, but Esme insists he’s coming too. Neil’s annoyed when Ruairi texts to say he’s sick, but George has a feeling Ruairi isn’t right at the moment.

While Tracy’s working on Chelsea’s horsebox at the Dower House niggly Justin says he only agreed to it being there because Lilian forced him. Tracy stands her ground before a solicitor, Olivia, arrives for a meeting. Justin tells Olivia he’s disappointed with the offer for his BL shares by the consortium she represents. She calls his bluff, suggesting he can’t find another buyer, before Tracy interrupts, wanting to heat up her lunch. Justin tells her to wait outside, but Olivia’s happy for Tracy to stay. When asked, Tracy explains what the horsebox is for and Olivia pushes Justin into agreeing he’ll act as Chelsea’s business mentor. The two women bond over having daughters of the same age and laugh at the idea of Justin as Ambridge’s sweetheart. Later, Justin thanks Tracy for breaking the ice with Olivia, who ended up making a more acceptable offer. Tracy clarifies that Justin really will mentor Chelsea, then pushes her luck over keeping the horsebox at the Dower House longterm. Justin agrees to think about it.