28/05/2025

When Helen turns up for her date with Dane, the new manager at Grey Gables, Ian waylays her with an escape plan, which includes Adam keeping an eye on them. Adam assures Helen he’ll intervene as soon as Helen gives a prearranged signal. Then Alice arrives, suggesting Helen could hide in the Ladies, but Helen insists a dropped napkin will suffice. When Dane appears though, both women think he looks gorgeous, before Helen goes to greet him. Dane compliments Helen, before adding a touch of self-deprecation, and they soon hit it off.

Meanwhile, awkward Adam and Alice watch from a nearby table. Ian may think Dane’s a massive phony, but Adam finds him attractive. They talk about Open Farm Sunday, before Adam mentions the nursery and Alice says they’re seeing the manager on Friday, about Martha becoming “school ready”. Despite Adam’s attempts to reassure her Alice is worried that none of the other parents have been called in, so what it’s about? Then they move on to talk about the disappointingly small inheritance Peggy has left each of them and what they would do with a more generous legacy.

Dane fills Helen in on his personal history, before asking Helen about hers, which she edits quite severely. When Ian notices Helen’s dropped her napkin he sends Adam to interrupt. But Helen insists it was an accident and Dane immediately susses what’s been going on. Helen is mortified, but Dane treats it as a great joke. Relieved Helen then suggests another date, at Harrison’s fortieth birthday party next week.