Rick is upset he has not received a reply from Clare to his proposal and is concerned when he sees her greet a mystery man at her home. Later, tempers become heated at The Chase as Deborah fires Clare while Rick stands helplessly by. With mounting financial and romantic pressures he is reluctant to deal with Deborah. Claudie insists on a mediation with Anna and Sarah session to finalise the arrangements over George's estate, but the bad-tempered discussion ends with a shocking revelation leaves Claudie holding all the cards. Tom, desperate to escape Fiona's mind games...