Winter has Great Paxford in its icy grip.
Steph has excelled at all of the new farming protocols and proudly signs her name to the required paperwork. Meanwhile, her devoted teacher receives the devastating news that German U-boats sunk the ship carrying her lover to America.
Alison realises that Teresa’s grief is akin to what she felt when she lost George. She inquires gently about Teresa’s secret and, after the initial shock wears off, comforts her.
“It can never be a sin to love another person. We all have secrets,” confiding that she and George were never married.
Miriam spends every spare moment writing letters to friendless soldiers on behalf of the WI, leaving Bryn alone to cope with his fears about David. Frances stops by to drop off gloves she’s collected for the troops and reads the letters Miriam is writing. She’s dismayed that they exhort the soldiers to stay safe and return home to their mothers.
“We’re writing to men whose job, whether we like it or not, is to face and embrace danger, not hide from it,” she admonishes Miriam.
The other shoe drops regarding the “tonic” that Pat has been giving Bob. Turns out Erica mixed up a dilute batch of Lithium salts, which almost kills Bob when Pat inadvertently gives him a double dose.
Both the good doctor and Pat are furious with Erica. Pat denies that Bob has been abusing her, but decides to leave him when the old Bob soon resurfaces. She almost makes it out the door.
Sarah narrowly escapes a romantic dinner for two with the dashing RAF officer billeted in their home. Temptation is averted as Adam surprises her when a sudden 36 hour pass puts him at the dinner table just as the chops are being served.
The randy Wing Commander continues to sniff around Laura and proposes lunch at a nearby hotel. Stan confronts her with his knowledge but she rebuffs him. Some people have to learn the hard way.
Three scenes provide us with deeper insight into Joyce’s character. And we like her better through each one of them. The villagers have tarred and feathered Spencer’s bicycle and a crowd lays in wait to hurl insults at him. Joyce happens upon the scene and takes charge, reproaching them for being a mob that bays at a man behind his back.
Kate visits Jack’s grave every day and Joyce approaches her to advise, “You’ll never forget your husband, Kate. But life will seek you out and seep through once more and when it does, let it.” Beautifully said.
Finally, Joyce accepts Frances’ invitation to attend the grand opening of the air raid shelter in Frances’ cellar, recognizing that her stature in the community will encourage people to use the shelter.
When the grand opening suddenly turns into a live air raid, Joyce freezes in terror. Isobel, the blind evacuee from Liverpool who has just come to stay with Frances, takes Joyce’s arm and leads her to safety.
The episode ends with the good people we’ve come to know and love huddled together to survive the first of many such terrifying confinements.
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 7 June 2015 on ITV.
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