Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes

David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck

Emma and Ed are irritable after a long day working on trees at Grey Gables. It’s their anniversary but Emma can’t be bothered to do anything special. However Oliver surprises them with the offer of an overnight stay at the hotel with spa passes and dinner, as an anniversary gift. They accept graciously, but over dinner they continue to bicker as Emma can’t let Ed’s attitude to her work go. His constant instructions to her from the ground today weren’t welcome or helpful. Oliver checks in to make sure they’re having a great evening. They assure him they are. They realise they shouldn’t be arguing – it’s the tiredness talking. Emma suggests they skip dinner and have an early night.

Kenton’s surprised David’s now going ahead with Open Farm Sunday. David explains he doesn’t feel he should cancel so he’s putting increased security in place. Lilian’s late for a pub shift and Kenton’s reluctant to push it as her mood’s so low at the moment. David volunteers to jump behind the bar to help out. Lilian arrives but soon needs a break to regroup. With Justin out at a function, she insists she’d still rather be working than sitting alone at home.

A customer approaches the bar and asks for Angela, but David misunderstands the signal and the woman goes and sits down again. Lilian spots the man she’s sitting with is behaving aggressively towards her. It becomes clear David’s made a mistake and missed the woman’s coded request for help. Lilian’s appalled at the error, and finds a subtle way of extricating the woman from the situation. Safely upstairs, the woman, Naomi, explains she’d been set up with this man by a friend, and whilst initially charming, her date became angry when she declined a second meet-up with him. Naomi’s very grateful for Lilian swooping in like a fairy godmother to rescue her. After Naomi’s gone, Lilian suggests refresher training for everyone who might be working in the bar. The incident has shaken her. She’s frustrated too that the man got away with his bad behaviour and may well just carry on with it in the future. Kenton’s worried about Lilian and checks in again with her; is she alright? Lilian admits she’s not really, but there’s nothing anyone can do.

Oliver asks Lily to help with interviews for a new receptionist at Grey Gables. Dane will be on the panel as well; Oliver comments that his style is very informal. Sure enough, Dane and Lily are soon giggling together and try to compose themselves as Oliver brings in the first candidate, Zainab Malik. As Dane excitedly engages her in conversation about her scooter, Oliver attempts to get back to the job in hand. Zainab answers some unconventional questions competently, and declares she’s enjoyed herself. Dane and Lily are impressed and convince Oliver to give her a try out despite his concerns that she didn’t have many relevant questions to answer. Lily reckons Zainab will have no problem getting her head around the hotel’s systems.

Natasha’s disappointed to hear Helen’s not keeping on top of her dating app. Helen shares her latest status and they laugh about some of the profiles that have come up. Natasha spots one of them is Martyn Gibson. She jokes she might swipe right on Helen’s behalf. They fill Ian in on the dating site, Helen insisting it’s not a big deal, she just wants to see how she feels about dating. Then she notices she’s a match with Martyn, and realises to her horror that Natasha must have swiped the wrong way earlier. She can’t ignore him, but doesn’t know how to reply to his message of condolence about Peggy. Ian suggests telling Martyn the truth but Natasha thinks this will break his heart. Helen’s at a loss. She wishes she’d never downloaded the app!

Oliver and Ian await the arrival at Grey Gables of the new temporary manager, who’s late. Oliver lists his credentials and Ian admits he does sound very good. Ian reckons he’ll run a tight ship; Oliver thinks that’s just what they’re looking for/need. Dane arrives and proves to be chatty and quirky. Both Ian and Oliver are slightly stunned. Dane’s a breath of fresh air, but not quite what either of them was expecting.

Henry informs his granddad that he and Khalil have a place on the cricket team. He wonders if Tony’s upset, but Tony’s genuinely pleased for them. Henry’s apprehensive about the match but Tony reassures him – they’ll all support him all the way.

Rex calls on Rochelle. He’s sorry, but he can’t stop thinking about her and suspects she feels the same about him. Rochelle shuts him down. They can’t be together. Rex leaves and Rochelle calls her mum. She admits to Joy that she’s heartbroken. She still really likes Rex.

Joy spots a small burn on Lilian’s hand. Lilian admits she’s clumsy at the moment. Joy observes that grief is distracting and exhausting. Lilian sighs she’s got so much to organise but she’d rather be dealing with one of Peggy’s weekly lists. She shows Joy one she’s kept. Joy thinks the lists are a beautiful memory. Lilian thanks her for being a good friend and shoulder to cry on.

Tom confronts Helen over her comments to Natasha. Helen maintains she was simply reminding Natasha of the truth – that Tom had received handouts from Peggy more than once over the years. When Tom points out that Natasha wasn’t even around at that time, Helen calms down. Helen admits that rightly or wrongly, she was hoping for more from her gran’s will. Later Lilian gives them the news that Peggy’s wish was for everyone to go on a family holiday together. Lilian’s quite excited. She hopes the small legacies Peggy left doesn’t cause issues for the family. The last thing she and Tony want is in-fighting and arguments. Tom and Helen agree. But Tom thinks this still doesn’t make sense. He wants to be sure Peggy wasn’t cheated of her money. Something doesn’t add up; where has all the money gone?

Usha’s impressed by the topic Alan’s chosen for his sermon, that of peace, observing that he’s never one to take the easy route. Later Helen breaks it to Alan that amongst Peggy’s comprehensive instructions for her funeral she stipulated a different vicar to officiate. Alan frets to Usha that Crispin can’t possibly know the family as well as he does. He wonder’s whether Peggy’s decision was to do with his involvement in Rob’s baptism. Whatever the reason, he resolves to ensure the church will look its best for the funeral.

Lynda’s interested when Helen lets slip that Henry’s really started liking cricket at school. Later she tells Rex she’s disappointed in him, having had him down as a man of integrity.

Brian informs Rex that Peggy set aside some money for a natural artwork at the Rewilding site. Rex thinks Peggy took an impressive gamble with the rewilding, commenting ruefully that he’s always been the sensible one in his family. Brian reckons there’s nothing wrong with being level-headed. Rex wonders how you know when it’s time to settle down. Brian observes if it’s with the right person he’ll know, counselling Rex to think carefully before taking any risks.

Helen sympathises with Natasha over how tight finances are. Natasha comments it was unfair of Peggy not to warn them there was so little money to go round. Helen thinks they shouldn’t have counted their chickens. And besides, Tom has already had plenty from Peggy, so not everyone in the family has the same right to feel aggrieved.

A mystery deepens one for one family, and there’s a rare night out for some villagers.

Lilian’s finding lots of poignant reminders of Peggy while sorting through a box of her things. Tony doesn’t understand how old shopping lists can evoke fond memories, but Lilian sees each of them as telling a story. Lilian points out that Tony’s surrounded by his children and grandchildren, whereas hers are not only far away, but don’t need her like Peggy did. She feels lost without her mum. When Henry arrives he’s intrigued by a glass dolphin. Lilian declares he can keep it. Henry’s in charge of the goats for Open Farm Sunday – he’s planning on buying some leather halters for them when he gets his money. Tony asks what money he’s expecting and Henry thinks it’s from Peggy. Tony thinks Henry shouldn’t be talking about inheritance money, but Lilian disagrees. It’s only natural Henry should speculate. Besides, he’s missing his great grandma as much as she is. Tony apologises for snapping at Henry; he thinks they would all benefit from a family outing.