Thu, Oct 16, 1986
Hester is preparing for a charity cycle ride to Brighton to raise funds for the RSPCA but William can do without her practising five miles a night on her exercise bike when he wants to sleep. Hester takes part in the race but gets caught short and chased by a cow in a field, coming into Brighton in last position. That night, feeling less charitable toward the animals she helped, she throws a bucket of water over two noisy cats outside her bedroom window, soaking Sonia in the process.
Wed, Sep 4, 1985
Determined to give their bedroom a modern makeover, Hester brings in local builder and decorator Mr. Pringle, to William's dismay. Catching Hester wearing a mudpack gives Mr. Pringle such a fright that he falls downstairs and is indisposed. As Hester and William carry on with the redecorating, Emma rings to announce that they are now the grandparents of a boy named Guy.
Wed, Oct 9, 1985
Sonia tells Hester's fortune and two of her three predictions come true: that she will travel, as William has booked them a weekend in Paris; and that she'll come into money, since she wins £500 on her Premium Bonds. The third prophecy, that she will have a secret admirer, almost seems to come true when Sonia's husband forgets her birthday and Hester helps him out, leading to confusion in a dress shop.
Wed, Oct 2, 1985
Hester is standing for chairperson of the residents' association and is not pleased to learn that the other candidate, Miss Henshaw, is a glamorous young woman whom William hopes to attract as a client. At Sonia's cheese and wine party Hester meets her rival, who may be younger and prettier but has a truly irritating laugh. Fortunately Hester has the last laugh when she wins the election.
Wed, Sep 18, 1985
Hester looks forward to babysitting Guy while Emma and Peter attend a function in London; meanwhile she delivers Meals on Wheels to one of Sonia's old ladies. She gets lost and causes a traffic jam, and policeman she collides with escorts her home, mistakenly believing that she's the expectant one. The next day when Guy is there, the policeman stops by to check on Hester and is amazed to see her holding such a large baby - for her supposed newborn.
Thu, Sep 4, 1986
After being kept awake by William's snoring for several nights Hester doesn't need to look after a dog called Randy while his owner is in hospital, but Sonia insists. William isn't amused when Randy eats his dinner and a trip to obedience class ends disastrously. After Sonia reclaims Randy the Fields settle down for the night, but now Hester is so used to William's snoring that she can't get to sleep without it.
Thu, Sep 25, 1986
William and Hester go to Boulogne to buy cheap food and wine. After a choppy crossing they reach the hypermarket where Hester's school-girl French baffles the salesman. but rough seas cancel the return crossing. The couple book into a hotel whose name translates to "Hotel of the Bells," and they soon discover why.