Fresh Fields

- Season 4

(1986)

After being kept awake by William's snoring for several nights Hester doesn't need to look after a dog called Randy while his owner is in hospital, but Sonia insists. William isn't amused when Randy eats his dinner and a trip to obedience class ends disastrously. After Sonia reclaims Randy the Fields settle down for the night, but now Hester is so used to William's snoring that she can't get to sleep without it.

As chair of the residents' association Hester opposes the demolition of an empty building to make way for flats, proposing that it become an retirement home instead. To prove the need for one, she persuades Guy, Nancy, and Nancy's sister Winnie to pose as helpless, deluded old folk when Mr. Gardner, head of the council. visits. Not only is he so convinced that Hester's plan goes ahead, but he's so concerned about the old folk that he arranges for them to be moved to a care home ASAP.

Hester takes up judo, and proves better at it than at Trivial Pursuit. She also takes her Chinese vase to TV's 'Antiques Road Show', where it is valued at £6,000. Concerned about having such a valuable item in the house, the Fields surprise a burglar and Hester's judo skills overpower him. They engage the burglar in playing Trivial Pursuit until the police arrive.

William and Hester go to Boulogne to buy cheap food and wine. After a choppy crossing they reach the hypermarket where Hester's school-girl French baffles the salesman. but rough seas cancel the return crossing. The couple book into a hotel whose name translates to "Hotel of the Bells," and they soon discover why.

After Sonia suspects husband John of infidelity with his secretary, Hester has her own suspicions about William when he comes home reeking of perfume - after having a business meeting with perfume saleswoman Miss Henshaw who was merely trying out some samples on him. After this is cleared up, the Fields go to a dinner-dance and draw deserved admiration for their energetic Charleston.

William's efforts to mend a leaking tap only make things worse, requiring a visit from the plumber. Even worse, Peter's parents, Margaret and Henry Richardson, arrive unannounced and want to stay overnight. The Fields invent a planned visit to Bournemouth and hide at Sonia's, but then the Richardsons call on Sonia and the Fields flee to Nancy's flat - where they're mistaken for burglars. They explain that they had to return early when Nancy caught the flu, but then Henry actually catches it, so the Fields are stuck with the Richardsons for a few days.

Hester is preparing for a charity cycle ride to Brighton to raise funds for the RSPCA but William can do without her practising five miles a night on her exercise bike when he wants to sleep. Hester takes part in the race but gets caught short and chased by a cow in a field, coming into Brighton in last position. That night, feeling less charitable toward the animals she helped, she throws a bucket of water over two noisy cats outside her bedroom window, soaking Sonia in the process.

The Fields return from Italy to England in time for William to treat Hester for her 45th birthday. Despite his back giving out, requiring a doctor's visit, the evening is on again until Hester is called in for an emergency at her restaurant. But it's a ruse: it's the venue for the surprise party William has been planning for her. An even bigger surprise: Nancy and Guy have gotten remarried.