Henry and Vera are staying the night at Ginny and Lionel's because they are doing a broadcast on the BBC about the need for honesty in a modern marriage. Henry hopes the role of marriage guru will help to repair Vera's reputation as a Sapphic seducer and might show Mr and Mrs Gosling the way to a happier future.

The Goslings have effected a reconciliation of sorts after Mr Gosling tells Mrs Gosling about a dream he's had in which Jesus told him that Mrs Gosling should forgive his dalliances. And to quash Mrs Gosling's doubts and prove the authenticity of his visitation, he shows his wife the stigmata on the palms of his hands.

Meanwhile at the Fox's, Henry is sick not just with nerves but with the pickled herring that Lionel has fed him for breakfast. This results in Henry being sick in the middle of the broadcast - leaving Vera and Hilda alone by the microphone. But an open microphone reveals more than their scripted conversation ever could.

A Little Brother production for BBC Radio 4.

GOSLING THE GARDENER........................NIGEL PLANER
MRS GOSLING..............................................ALISON STEADMAN
VERA SACKCLOTH-VEST.........................MIRIAM MARGOLYES
GINNY FOX..................................................ALIS0N STEADMAN
LIONEL FOX................................................NIGEL PLANER
HENRY MICKLETON..................................JONATHAN COY
NESTA BELL................................................MORWENNA BANKS
DUNCAN GRUNT………………………….NIGEL PLANER
BARRINGTON……………………………..MORWENNA BANKS
LYTTON SCRATCHY……………………..NIGEL PLANER
HILDA MATTHEWSON…………………..MORWENNA BANKS
ANNOUNCER………………………………NIGEL PLANER Show less