Vince hatches a plan, and alliances are tested for Stella.

Susan secures seats from Joy on the panto coach for herself and Neil. Fallon and Susan exchange views on mother daughter relationships and Joy moves the topic on, confirming Rochelle’s not around this weekend.

Vince is interested to hear that Harrison won’t be captaining the cricket team next season. He was a hell of a cricketer himself back in the day. He’d love to do it. Joy suggests he puts himself forward. Vince shares his notion of running a panto works outing for his staff. Joy agrees everyone loves a panto.

Neil tells Emma he’s thinking of searching for his biological parents. Emma’s relieved – she’d thought his preoccupation lately might have been because he was ill. Neil admits his visit to the doctor was sort of what triggered this plan. Susan’s put a message online and now they’re waiting for responses. He hopes Emma’s ok with it. Emma reassures Neil – she and Chris just want whatever he wants. She thinks it’s brilliant he finally feels ready. Neil admits that until now he’s been happy he’s had such good foster parents and never felt the need to look elsewhere. Also that he’s a bit afraid to find out who his dad might be, and how he was conceived. Who would that make him? Emma declares warmly that Neil’s the kindest man on the planet, and they all love him dearly. Later Neil worries to Susan they may have left it too late. His birth parents must be in their eighties at least. However Susan receives a notification – they’ve had a reply.

Helen thanks Tom for helping Henry with his homework. Bewildered Tom says he didn’t, but Helen’s gone. Later Tom finds Henry abrupt with him for seemingly ignoring his email, and when he tries to explain Henry cuts him short. Kirsty helped him with his homework; he’s handed it in now. If Tom didn’t know enough about it he should have said. Henry goes to check on the goats, leaving Tom wondering what’s going on. He catches up with Henry but Helen arrives before he can speak to him. Helen senses the atmosphere and finally Henry admits he didn’t like the way Tom bought the Beechwood house over Helen’s head. It’s not okay to do that to family. Chastened Tom offers apologies, which Henry accepts.

Mick tries to comfort Joy and get to the bottom of the issues with Rochelle. Meanwhile Rochelle announces she’s leaving. She came here for comfort and instead feels judged. Mick pleads with her to give her mum a chance, but Rochelle asserts she has nothing left. Refusing Joy’s help, she accepts a lift to the bus station with Mick. On the journey Rochelle insists Joy isn’t the person everyone thinks she is. Their life stopped when her dad left. Her mum’s toxic and Mick needs to get out while he can. Later Mick hears Joy’s side of the story. Rochelle’s a drifter, easily distracted and leaves the minute things get tricky. Mick ventures that Joy might have made things worse by interfering. Joy counters that Mick wouldn’t understand; he doesn’t have children. Offended, Mick leaves.

Neil’s conflicted. Part of him feels he doesn’t need to know anything about his birth parents; his foster family were great and gave him everything. But he does acknowledge the genetic connection with his birth family. He’s torn between nature and nurture. Hearing this prompts Susan to ask Adam about finding his half-sister, Erin. Susan explains Neil’s vacillating mindset, and Adam confirms he’d be happy to chat with him. Later Adam’s story illustrating the pros and cons of reconnecting doesn’t put Neil off. He feels he’s got nothing to lose by pursuing this, and he and Susan agree they’ll start the search.

Rex reckons he’s too busy for Rochelle’s picnic – they’ve got the green light for the beaver scheme and he has lots to do. Even more reason to share her hamper, asserts Rochelle. Rex folds, and they enjoy their time together. But when Rochelle suggests they do it again sometime Rex obfuscates. Rochelle can’t understand it – they’re both feeling something aren’t they? Rex agrees they are. With difficulty he admits that Joy has warned him Rochelle is vulnerable. Shocked Rochelle confronts her mum, accusing her of humiliating her and effectively labelling her to Rex as damaged goods. Joy insists she can see Rochelle’s vulnerability, away from her children with no job or proper home. She needs to stop being distracted and focus on Harper and Noah. Rochelle retorts that Joy was a useless mother, and now she only cares about her grandkids. She accuses distraught Joy of letting her down, and orders her out.

Miranda humours grumpy Brian as they get ready to go to her bridge club open session. She guesses his mood is to do with her lack of support over his opposition to the beaver scheme. He protests at her description of him as old fashioned, and confesses he didn’t like her disagreeing with her in public. She bats back that she enjoys a bit of lively open debate. However after the game Brian has his revenge when Miranda quizzes him on his erratic and unpredictable play. She has to admit when it comes to brass neck he’s in a category of his own. Though she concedes that with some proper lessons he might make a bridge player yet.

At the rewilding office Ruth continues her case against releasing beavers while Kirsty and Rex do their best to assuage her doubts. Justin looks on, suggesting they view the planned release area. Even when she sees where they plan to put the protection in, Ruth’s still not entirely convinced. When she leaves Kirsty comments that at least she seemed to listen, if not agree. Justin suggests they reconvene after lunch for his decision. Rex and Kirsty brace themselves for a rebuttal, but to their surprise and delight, Justin agrees to putting things in motion for the scheme. He admires their tenacity and commitment. They all acknowledge there’s a long way to go but for now they’re overjoyed – they’re really doing it!

GP Azra confirms Neil’s blood pressure’s back to normal. Neil’s relieved. Susan’s taken it particularly seriously as they don’t know his family medical history. Azra asks if Neil’s curious about his birth family. Neil asserts it was a long time ago and his foster family couldn’t have been better; they’ve perhaps made him who he is today. He admits he does sometimes wonder about his mum – but at least he can stop worrying about his blood pressure.

Susan arranges for Joy to cover her at the post office so she can take Neil out for lunch. He’s a bit out of sorts and needs cheering up. She tells Joy about Neil’s family history and Joy feels sorry for his birth mum. Thinking about her own family, Susan assert she follows the ‘keep calm and carry on’ motto. Joy agrees heartily. Later Neil says he’s going to stop worrying and be grateful for what he’s got.

Rochelle has tracked down busy Rex to Lower Loxley, where he’s installing a heat lamp for some piglets. She offers to help him with the lamp. He hesitates, but she makes him laugh and he gives in. They chat about her wellbeing event, and the rewilding. Rochelle remarks that Rex’s face glows when he talks about it. She invites him for a picnic on Thursday so he can show her the longhorns. Rex reluctantly agrees. Later Rex calls Joy, explaining he’s had to accept lunch with Rochelle. Joy quietly despairs.

Helen can’t believe Justin appears to be dictating the future of the rewilding. Kirsty reckons Justin’s mellowed, but she’s still very wary. She reports all is proceeding with the Willow Farm purchase. Helen’s pleased for her. She’s fine about living with Tom and Natasha for a while. She’s no longer annoyed at them for not keeping her in the picture about wanting the house. It’s how they operate. She doesn’t want to move back to the farmhouse with her parents. She needs to be living her life on her own terms before she can move on. Kirsty understands.

Tom wants Helen’s house key to do some measuring up. She suggests he gets the spare from Joy. She asks Tom if he can look at some homework Henry’s struggling with. That’s fine, says Tom. Mick’s preparing to get in the hot tub and surprises Tom by appearing in just a towel. Mick gives him the key and Joy offers their assistance if he needs anything; they’re looking forward to his family moving in. Tom asks that they don’t make any noise after 7pm. Affronted Mick assures him they’re not loud people. Later Mick and Joy have been disturbed by Tom’s squealing girls in Helen’s garden, and they acknowledge it’ll be different having little ones next door. Later Tom’s reluctant to return the key but Joy insists. Mick admires her tenacity. He can’t see Rochelle getting on with Tom. He mentions the chemistry between Rochelle and Rex, but Joy brusquely brushes this off. Mick asserts everyone deserves a bit of happiness.

Brian’s not impressed to find Justin at Grey Gables with Miranda. He corners Justin about the beaver release on the rewilding land, the prospect of which he heartily disapproves. He threatens to take it to the BL board; there’s no way any of them will allow beavers in Ambridge. Miranda pronounces this a shame, and points out the benefits. Brian undermines her views and she declares she’ll make up her own mind. Justin departs, not before asking innocently whether Brian dabbles in bridge. Miranda’s looking for a new partner due to her existing one moving away. Brian blusters that he’s not bad. After Justin’s left Miranda suggests Brian joins her at a Bridge club open session to see what he’s made of.

Kirsty’s on edge awaiting Justin’s decision regarding the beavers. Rex says he’ll ring him to request a meeting. Ruth arrives, unhappy not to have heard from the rewilding team that the plan’s not going ahead. Kirsty assures her there’ll be no wild release now, but Ruth’s aghast to hear a licenced scheme is still a possibility. Rochelle joins them having walked on Lakey Hill. She’s keen to think about ways to help improve peoples’ wellbeing. She’s in search of Rex, and Kirsty suggests she asks him about his running. However Rochelle struggles to track Rex down. Later Rochelle tells Ruth she wants to organise a wellbeing event in the village. Impressed, Ruth offers the Events Barn as a venue. Later Rex and Kirsty’s wait continues as Justin tells them the beaver scheme is very much in the balance.

Khalil and Henry seek elusive panto tickets, interrupted by Justin, who Khalil is keen to avoid. He’s worried after divulging Rex and Kirsty’s wild beaver release plans to David. But Justin is grateful for Khalil’s honesty, as it’s worked out for the best for the rewilding project – but Khalil had better avoid Kirsty! Later, as Justin snags the last Panto tickets, Khalil tries to persuade Justin to gift him two as a reward for his earlier work, but Justin’s wise to it.

Henry tells Khalil about Lee moving to San Francisco. Khalil comments his dad’s always away, and he sees it as an opportunity to guilt his dad into giving him really good presents. But Henry knows that whilst Lee will stay in touch, he can’t rely on him and has to make his own plans.

Fallon finds Harrison up early. He explains yesterday’s conversation with Norris, who he admits is right about him. Fallon understands how he feels, and if he wants to leave the force, they’ll manage. Harrison reveals he’s been offered a secondment in Yorkshire. It’s a special confidential case and he’d have to go and live alone in the training accommodation. Shocked Fallon discusses it further. They agree that time apart might do them good. Harrison wants to phone every day, but Fallon suggests only doing that if he wants to, the important thing is for Harrison to focus on what he needs to do. He still loves her, and they wouldn’t be splitting up. Fallon acknowledges how adult they’re being. They persuade themselves it’s right and reaffirm their love for one another.

Ruth and David worry over Leonard’s revelation yesterday that he’s considering moving to his son’s home in Singapore. Leonard seems animated when he talks about it, but Ruth detects doubt in his voice. Ruth comments Jill will be devastated. Leonard ends the speculation by announcing that Jill thinks he should go if he wants to; she won’t stand in the way of such a golden opportunity. Nothing more to say then, shrugs David. Ruth presses Leonard and they agree to wait a couple of days before taking any action, and Leonard goes to think things through. David and Ruth agree this could be a disaster, wondering how to keep Leonard and Jill together. When Leonard returns he has news; he’s spoken to Jill again, and instead of moving to Singapore she’s asked him to move into Brookfield. He’s staying. David and Ruth are overjoyed, and Leonard says he’ll help out at Brookfield. And as it’s Fallon’s first evening doing food at The Bull, Leonard insists on taking them for dinner.

Harrison wonders to Inspector Norris if there’s been any follow up on the case of the young girl they attended on Tuesday. Norris confirms it’s in the system. Later she questions whether Harrison's heart’s in his work and has concerns over his objectivity, particularly in cases regarding children. He seems to be struggling. Is he sure he still wants to be a police officer? Harrison can’t imagine being anything else, but admits he sometimes feels like he’s drowning. He’s not happy. Norris wonders whether a change might be worth considering. She has a suggestion for him.