Meg asks Richard Lord why he has given in his resignation, and Richard says that David can't stand the sight of him.  "What date are you putting on your formal notice?" asks Meg.  "Would Friday do?" asks Richard.  "No, leave it a little later," sats Meg. 

 

Doctor Butterworth goes to Stonebank Farm and finds Alison Cotterill alone.  He tells her that he is going to make an appointment for her to see a specialist.  Reg Cotterill comes downstairs and asks Alison what the doctor is doing here.  "I asked him to come.  I want to have the operation," says Alison.  "This is no longer your home girl," says Reg Cotterill.  "You don't mean that.  You wouldn't turn her out," sats Doctor Butterworth.  "I won't turn you out as long as your bear the mark of my brothers shame," says Reg .  Alison runs upstairs.        

 

Doctor Butterworth tells Reg Cotterill that something can be done about Alison's scar but the waiting time for the operation on the NHS is about five years.  He says she could get it done a lot quicker privately but it would cost a lot more.

 

Benny comes into Stonebank Farm and Reg calls Alison back downstairs as the doctor has something to say to her.  Doctor Butterworth tells Alison that she could have the operation done privately but it will cost a lot of money. 

 

Richard Lord shows David a letter from a job he applied for and says he needs a reference.  David tells him that Meg would give him a better reference than he would, but Richard says he doesn't want to bother Meg.  David says he will dictate a reference to Joanne.

 

Later, David asks Joanne Dobie to take a dictation for Richard Lord's reference.  "Dear Sir.  In the time that Richard Lord has been in this Motels employment I can say that he has given complete satisfaction to Mrs Mortimer who employed him as a book-keeper.  For myself I can say that I found him to be intelligent, efficient and enterprising," says David. 

 

Benny tells Reg Cotterill that he has something to show him.  He tips out a bundle of money from a bag.  "Take it back," Reg Cotterill tells him.

 

Richard Lord finds Joanne alone in the office typing up his reference.  He reads it.  "Very generous of David Hunter, considering he can't stand the sight of me," says Richard.  "I thought it was generous too," says Joanne.  "Shall I show you what I really think of this?" asks Richard, taking the letter from Joanne's typewriter.  He tears up the letter.  "You're mad!" exclaims Joanne.  "There is method in my madness," says Richard. 

 

Jill see's David in reception and says she has thought about his offer of a job at the motel and she doesn't reallt want it.

 

Diane Hunter returns from her holday in America and David welcomes her back.

 

Richard Lord asks Joanne Dobie if she filed a copy of the reference David gave him.  Joanne says he tore up all the copies.  Richard asks her for the shorthand notes she made.  Joanne looks through her notepad.  "Is this what you're looking for?" she asks him and gives him the notepad.  Richard tears up the page with the shorthand on.  "I want you to take another dictation," he says.  "Dear Sir. In all my experience I have never employed a more deceitful, inefficient and vindictive....am I going too fast?" Richard asks Joanne.  Richard tells Joanne that he won't forge David's signature so she will have to give David the letter to sign along with the other letters.

 

Jill tells Meg that she is going on holiday, to stay at Michael Hislop's mothers cottage in Wales.

 

Doctor Butterworth tells Alison Cotterill that he has made an appointment for her to see the specialist on Monday.

 

Richard Lord goes into the office and shows David Hunter the letter of reference he gave him.  "I know what it says," says David as Richard waves the letter in front of him.  "It says that you have never employed such an unpleasant, deceitful, vindictive person as Richard Lord and you had the  pleasure of sacking me," says Richard.  David looks at him.  Richard Lord hands the letter to David, who reads it.  "With the money I get from you I should be able to pay a very good lwayer," says Richard and walks out of the office. 

 

Meg comes into the office and David tells her that he dictated a letter of reference for Richard Lord.  He hands Meg the letter Richard has just given him.  Meg reads it.  "I'm sure you realise that I would never dictate such a reference," says David.  "I'm sorry David.  You were right.  He isn't to be trusted," says Meg.  "Thank you.  I could do with your understanding just now," says David.  "And it looks as if you'll be needing a good lawyer," says Meg. 

 

Reg Cotterill talks with Benny and says that since he has been here Alison has been getting all sorts of ideas into her head.  He asks Benny if he loves Alison.  "You really think that?" asks Benny.  Benny says perhaps it would be better if he left, and Reg says it would probably be for the best. 

 

Richard Lord goes to Joanne Dobie's flat.  He opens a bottle of champagne and pours a glass for himself and for Joanne.  "Let's have a toast, to our future," he says, and drinks.  Joanne Dobie says he was going to sue David Hunter for libel or blackmail him into letting him stay at the motel.  "Just sit down," says Richard.  Joanne tells him that she won't drink to their future, but to the end of their relationship.  "I didn't do as you asked me," she says.  Richard slaps her across the face.