Episode summary from IMDB:
"It is time for the annual match for the quoits championship between Aidensfield and Holinsby. Jack Abbott is playing for the Holinsby team and at the same time having an affair with his team captain's wife Annie. When his own pregnant wife Jean finds out by accident, she drives off in their car, and Jack has to go home on the team bus. Donald Smethwick loses control of the bus, which runs off the road and down a slope. Ruby has managed to patch up the relationship between Nick and Jo, and Jo has decided it is time to introduce him to her parents. Jo's mother is not pleased to learn that Nick is a village bobby and a widower with a daughter."
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In the middle of dessert with Nick and her parents, the phone rang. Jo went to answer it, while the others picked awkwardly at their food.
A moment later, Jo came back, an anxious look on her face. "The coach was in an accident. It's ok, Katie and Eileen went by car."
Nick was already starting to stand. "No, they were on the bus."
Jo's stomach dropped and her heart filled with fear. In that moment, she realised how much she had come to care for Katie, and for Eileen. She could only imagine how terrible Nick must be feeling. With very few words to her parents, they gathered their coats and headed for Nick's car.
Soon they were speeding down the dark country roads. Nick was focused on driving, his mouth set in a tight line. Jo looked at his hand on the gear lever and tentatively placed her hand on top of his. He didn't move and she wondered if she should take her hand away. She didn't know how to comfort him now, when his little girl was in unknown danger. Should she even have come, or should she have stayed with her parents? No, she was part of this now. Part of the village if not part of his family, and she needed to help.
After a moment, Nick moved his hand to stroke hers. He glanced at her, and she felt the desperation in his gaze. There were no words, but none were needed. They neared a corner and Nick turned his hand back to change gears, slowing the car just enough to take the corner safely before speeding up again. Jo left her hand in its place on top of his, silently praying as they drove through the night.
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More to come for this episode...
