Nina’s father celebrates Nina and Jimmy’s engagement with an open bar at the Compasses, and the party quickly becomes a lively village gathering. Beth enjoys seeing Nina adored by everyone and notes how well loved Frank is too, with the community responding warmly when he announces that the wedding will be held at Blakely Farm. The villagers immediately offer practical help, from a marquee and food to flowers and a dress, showing how fully Nina and Jimmy are being folded into local custom.

As the party continues, Beth watches Jimmy beam with pride over Nina, even while joking about the modern clothes Nina has pushed him into wearing. Helen joins them and offers to make Jimmy’s suit, and Beth briefly feels that she and Frank are genuinely all right. That calm is fragile, though, because whisky is flowing freely and Jimmy keeps drinking more, even taking Beth’s refused drink for himself.

Jimmy’s drunkenness becomes impossible to ignore when Andy Morris has to steady him. Beth and Frank both recognize the danger, but Frank lets the celebration continue because it is Jimmy’s night. The mood changes abruptly when Gabriel walks into the pub for the first time since his return, asking for drinks and explaining that Leo is waiting in the car. Gabriel’s presence instantly makes Beth feel exposed, as if private tensions have suddenly become public.

Jimmy reacts with open hostility, telling Gabriel he is not welcome and ordering him to leave. Frank intervenes, insisting that the pub is for everyone, but the quiet understanding between Frank and Gabriel only angers Jimmy more. When Jimmy prepares to throw a punch, Andy stops him and leads him outside. Nina is hurt and confused by Jimmy’s sudden collapse from happiness into aggression, while Gabriel blames himself for coming. Watching him leave, Beth feels Frank’s scrutiny and realizes that the strain among her, Frank, and Gabriel cannot continue much longer without something disastrous happening.