'Equally Cursed and Blessed'

Daniel arrives with some cream buns for Simon who wonders what he is up to, and then asks Simon out for drink later and insists it just be the two of them. At the Icon Daniel asks Simon to help generate business for his Botox clinic with the pink pound. Simon is appalled at his gall.

Cherry arrives and she and Simon make plans for their Christmas together, when Daniel has a dig at Simon about having no chance of meeting someone if he spends all his time with Cherry. Lily is excited about the fostering evening and Heston agrees to meet her there.

The meeting starts and Lily is fuming that Heston hasn't arrived. Heston arrives and explains why he is late. He's relieved to hear Lily is still keeping an open mind to the idea of fostering but to his astonishment she suddenly gets up and starts talking about her experience of being in the care system.

Heston is surprised by her openness but seeing how she is now converted to the idea of fostering he struggles to hide his growing doubts.

Meanwhile, Heston sees Dr Clare Franks (49) who has a sore wrist. He knows her and her husband of old, and they have recently fostered a young girl Megan McGann (14), who looks nervously around reception as she waits for Clare.

Recognising a kindred spirit Ruth goes to talk to her and catches a glimpse of some bruises on Megan's arm. When Ruth mentions the bruising to Heston, he's aghast that Ruth is implying Megan is being abused.

Back home, Megan locks herself in her room and Clare is nearly driven to tears. Megan calls Ruth and asks to meet her in the park as she has no one else to talk to. It looks like Megan is going to open up to Ruth when Clare arrives and warns Ruth to stop interfering in their lives.

Clare's husband Peter Franks (47) arrives home and Clare hides her injured wrist. He is delighted the two seem to be getting on. While out posting the mail Ruth sees Clare handing over lots of cash to Megan. Ruth goes back to speak to Heston and he agrees to go to the Franks with her.

Megan shows Peter and Heston her bruises and accuses Clare. Claire denies hurting her, and breaks down, unable to understand why Megan is trying to hurt her. Megan runs off and Ruth tells them that by loving Megan it hurt her to find out what she had been missing all her life.

Peter and Clare find Megan back at the children's home and convince Megan to give them another chance. Clare and Peter arrive to give a speech at the fostering evening which Lily is attending. Despite the troubles with Megan they are still convinced it is one of the most satisfying things they have ever done.