The Archers

Mick struggles with recent events, while Vince makes a connection.

Clarrie frets over having to compile a CV for her job application to The Bull. Emma is supportive, though Eddie suggests Clarrie deserves to put her feet up for a while. Clarrie insists they can’t afford for her not to work, so she’ll just have to get on with it. Later though, despite Eddie’s attempts to gloss things up, Clarrie’s finding it hard to muster any enthusiasm. She can’t big herself up on a CV just to impress Fallon and Jolene – they’ll laugh at her! When Emma returns to Grange Farm, she finds Eddie has taken over, using all sorts of flowery language to embellish Clarrie’s credentials. Emma quickly produces an alternative CV, which sounds far more credible. Clarrie’s impressed and even Eddie has to admit it’s better than his version.

Robert calls Emma to cut away a branch overhanging the llama paddock at Ambridge Hall. While Emma does the job Khalil comforts nervous Salieri. Robert shows Khalil a digitally edited image of him and Lynda next to the Statue of Liberty, despite never having been there. Robert then suggests he could show Khalil how to recreate the images of Khalil’s parents’ wedding to replace the photos lost in the sewage spill. Over at Beechwood Khalil shows Robert some old photos of his parents on the computer and mentions his parents’ honeymoon in Dubai. Robert suggests taking new photos and superimposing their younger faces, before Khalil takes him up to the loft where Akram and Azra’s wedding suits are stored. When Robert sees the suits he thinks they can definitely put something together.

Freddie sacks Jolene from the cricket team for missing Thursday’s nets practice. If you miss two then you’re out. Lilian overhears and when Freddie’s gone mentions to Jolene that Tracy will also have missed two, so he’ll have to sack her too. Jolene thinks she can have fun with that. Later Jolene tells Lilian and Fallon she’ll reschedule the staff meeting, but she’ll make Freddie squirm for a few days first!

When Freddie tells Rex that Jolene’s missing nets practice because of a staff meeting clash, Rex realises Freddie’s made a terrible mistake. Tracy will have to be sacked too! Freddie wonders then if Rochelle’s any good at cricket. Rex admits that he doesn’t know; they went on a date but then she disappeared and ignored his texts. He tried to clear the air with her last night, but she pretty much blanked him. Freddie suggests trying to talk to her again.

Emma and Eddie both worry about Clarrie losing her job at The Dairy. When Eddie says Clarrie’s thinking of working at the Chicken Factory, Emma says she has an idea. Later she catches up with Fallon and suggests that Clarrie might be a perfect fit for The Bull’s Kitchen Assistant job. Fallon agrees to consider it, though it’s not just down to her. And when Fallon mentions the possibility of Clarrie working at The Bull, Lilian’s not keen. Jolene and Fallon accuse her of being ageist even though Clarrie’s younger than Lilian! Jolene suggests asking Clarrie to send in her CV, that way they can make a fair decision.

On his way into the Shop, while chatting to Freddie on the phone, Rex worries about being paid to play cricket; if anyone on the team finds out, it’s all on Freddie. Intrigued Jolene overhears the end of this, but when she asks Rex he is evasive. Once inside the Shop though Rex sees Rochelle working there and leaves hastily. Susan then asks Rochelle to restock the chiller cabinet, but when Vince pops in later, he’s shocked to find that everything in the cabinet is out of date. Rochelle takes the blame and wins Vince round. After he’s gone Susan admits it was her fault and thanks Rochelle for handling it so well. Later they go to The Bull, where Rochelle asks Susan about village life and Vince sponsoring the cricket. And when Vince appears, Rochelle asks if she can try out for the team.

At Casey Meats Freddie admits to Vince that he hasn’t had a chance to sack Jolene yet. Vince reckons he needs to do it before team drinks tonight. But when Freddie confronts Jolene at The Bull she wrong-foots him and Freddie bottles out. Freddie comes clean to Rex, adding that Jolene won’t be going to nets on Thursday either. Rex reckons that’s Freddie’s solution: Jolene’s already missed one practice and the new rule is that if you miss two, you’re out. Rex then spots Rochelle and suggests it might be awkward if she joins the cricket team, given their history. Rochelle tells Rex she’s sorry, but she doesn’t want to talk about it now.

At Joy's house Rochelle tells Mick that he’s unlikely to hear back from Joy anytime soon. Susan appears, fuming at Joy not turning up for her shift at the Shop - and there’s no-one to cover. Despite it being unpaid Rochelle offers to work Joy’s shifts. Susan reluctantly agrees – but Rochelle has to start straight away. Later on, despite the tension between Susan and Rochelle, who hates Susan’s finicky shelf-stacking instructions, they come to a compromise that seems to work. Back at home though Rochelle moans to Mick about bossy Susan driving her to distraction. Mick implores Rochelle not to mess things up for Joy, who needs the job to come back to.

Over at the Maliks Akram is getting everything ready for tonight’s Eid celebrations, including lots of fireworks. When Khalil realises Lynda and Robert will be joining them he tells Akram to ditch the fireworks : they will traumatise Lynda after the explosion at Grey Gables. Akram agrees to do the celebrations without them. When Robert and Lynda arrive, Lynda tells Akram they were expecting a great firework display after Zainab told her what usually happens. Lynda soon realises it must have been Khalil who warned Akram off and is touched by Khalil and Akram’s thoughtfulness.

The Eid party goes well, with Akram complimenting Lynda on her dancing. Robert tells Akram how grateful he is for the way they handled the potential issue with fireworks. Akram sees Robert and Lynda as good friends to the family and admits they will almost certainly stay in Ambridge now.

Helen tells Clarrie that Susan’s got the job. Clarrie’s pleased for Susan, and entreats Helen not to get upset as it doesn’t help. Helen goes through the process for Clarrie, telling her she doesn’t have to work her notice. But Clarrie insists; she just wants to get back to work, while she can. She tells Susan she just wants an ordinary day, and Susan’s happy to oblige. Clarrie admits to feeling a bit sorry for Helen, but Susan retorts that’s for Helen to deal with.

Mick intimates to Rochelle that Joy has filled him in on their troubled past. It becomes clear to Rochelle that Joy hasn’t told him the whole story. Rochelle tells shocked Mick that the ‘couple of days’ Joy referred to when she said she’d gone away was actually more like a couple of months. Rochelle also discloses she had to deal with their dog dying that summer, assisted by a lad she barely knew. When Joy arrives home and tells them about Constanza, Rochelle makes a barbed comment about disposing of a dead llama. Catching up with the conversation, Joy insists a lot of what Rochelle’s said isn’t true. Rochelle sticks to her guns and Joy defends herself, pointing out she was in a bad way. Rochelle accuses her of blocking out everything that happened. She conveniently forgets and it’s exhausting. Distraught Joy leaves the room, returning with an overnight bag. She needs some time away and will be back soon. Mick protests but Joy’s adamant. Neither Mick nor Rochelle have a clue what to do.

Eddie approaches Neil in the Bull. The awkward atmosphere between them dissipates as they share fellow feeling over the predicament of their wives regarding tomorrow’s decision about the remaining job in the dairy. Both women are trying not to think about it and remain philosophical. Eddie’s heard a rumour Martyn Gibson’s on the board of Borsetshire Water, but when he realises it’s news to Neil he thinks maybe it’s not true. Neil speculates that it would make sense though, given Martyn’s reaction to the campaign. They could check the website. They go on to chat about George. Eddie acknowledges how painful it must have been for Neil and Susan to report him to the police. The pair agree it’s been good to chat, and that they care about one another. Emma and Robert make tea before the parish council meeting. Emma’s made the decision to resign – she has no fight for it left in her, and she’s had enough of people talking about her in meetings. Robert’s dismayed. They’re interrupted by Mick, who announces his intention to speak at the meeting. He makes a heartfelt plea to the assembled councillors, extolling Emma’s virtues; he’d like to withdraw his complaint. Afterwards in the Bull Emma declares Mick’s speech brilliant. She appreciates it. Mick doesn’t know about that, but Robert’s words the other day helped him see the error of his ways. Robert reckons they should now let the matter rest. They join Eddie and Neil, and a toast is proposed to Susan and Clarrie: the best of women.

Lynda’s concerned for Khalil after the loss of Constanza yesterday. Khalil assures her he’s okay. They take Salieri for a walk, the start of a regular thing and Khalil loves it. He admits he sometimes feels stupid and his mother has low expectations of him. Lynda assures him this isn’t true. He tells Lynda about a boy whose funeral he attended. Seeing the boy’s mum’s face put him in mind of his own mum and how she might feel if he died. He knows his cancer could return. He apologises for the dark conversation and Lynda comforts him. She knows his mum’s just thrilled he’s alive and thriving, and has complete faith in him. Joy checks in with Mick, making sure he’s still happy for Rochelle to stay with them. Mick confirms it’s all good; he’s pleased for Joy that Rochelle’s around. Joy declares him a good man. Mick raises the delicate topic of what’s really going on between the two women. He needs Joy to be straight with him. Joy gradually opens up, disclosing the extent of her ex husband’s betrayal as he conducted a string of affairs. She thinks Rochelle might blame her for her father leaving. Joy worries she leaned on Rochelle a bit too much at that time. She confesses she left for a few days, acknowledging Rochelle was probably too young for this. It was a dark time in their lives; they’ve never really got over it. Mick understands, relieved Joy’s been honest with him. He promises things will be better from now on.

Lynda wonders to Robert whether she should pay Khalil to feed and walk the llamas. She wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t become a vet. As they approach the paddock they notice Constanza is lying down. To their horror they realised she’s died. They call Alistair to her, and he explains she had bloat. It would have happened very quickly. Lynda’s sad but tries hard to be philosophical; Constanza had a lovely life. At that moment Khalil arrives and is devastated. He’s convinced he must have fed Constanza something she couldn’t eat. Alistair reassures him, but he struggles. He asks what will happen to her and whether there’ll be a funeral. Alistair’s explanations do little to console Khalil and he leaves, distraught. Lynda’s concerned for him. Joy and Mick are finishing off the cleaning at Home Farm as they prepare to leave the house. Joy can see that it must have been a wrench for Brian and Jennifer to relinquish the the farmhouse, but much as she’s enjoyed her stay she wouldn’t swap it for her Beechwood home. When they get to Joy’s house they’re relieved and delighted to find it’s been refurbished beautifully. However they soon discover Rochelle’s back; she’s used the spare key. Joy asks why she left so suddenly. Rochelle obfuscates. They catch her up on village events, and she wonders whether she might stay with them at Beechwood for a bit. She’s had to move out of her house share. Of course, effuses Joy. It’s lovely to have her back.

Emma’s relieved to report that there’s been no negative activity around her media exposure for the water company campaign. Nevertheless she announces she’s decided to resign from the parish council. Robert’s dismayed, and urges her not to be too hasty. Mick praises Emma tentatively for her work with the campaign – he was impressed. Emma snaps that she didn’t do it to impress, rather that it was the right thing to do. Later Robert urges Mick to think again about his complaint to the parish council; Emma’s a good person who’s already suffered enough. Chastened Mick promises he will give it some thought. Helen and Pat face the challenging task of interviewing Susan and Clarrie. Pat reckons due process will at least take the emotion out of it but Helen doesn’t agree – it’s like being asked to choose between two diamonds. As the time draws near flustered Clarrie needs help from Emma to clean her mud splashed skirt. Susan’s somewhat calmer, but in the interests of fairness Emma offers to make them both a soothing coffee. The interviews surprise all four women. Susan struggles to be coherent, while Clarrie finds her flow and speaks with passion. Afterwards Helen and Pat agree this wasn’t what they were expecting. Helen needs a few days to think. Does she give the job to Susan, who is more senior, or to Clarrie, who did the better interview? Despite Pat’s protestations that it’s too long to wait, Helen declares she’ll make the decision on Friday.

Emma’s not at all happy to find she’s become the poster girl for the water company campaign; her picture has made the local paper. Robert reckons it’s a positive – it’s all good publicity. But Emma’s worried about the prominence attracting negative comments about George on social media. Her place on the parish council may also be in question, but she’s not worried about that. If they don’t want her, that’s fine with her. Robert reminds Lynda the decision on Emma’s future on the parish council is this Thursday, but Lynda’s distracted. The Malik family have gone back to Beechwood and the house is quiet. Robert reminds her what good news this is that the Maliks’ house is habitable again. Azra has left them with profuse thanks and some delicious chocolates. Lynda’s happy for the family, but still laments their own house feels empty. She’s cheered by the prospect of Khalil returning from time to time to feed the llamas. Clarrie feels no matter how much she prepares for her interview tomorrow, she won’t get the job. She’ll have to look for something else. Eddie suggests she might retire, but Clarrie declares they can’t afford for her to do that. Later Emma tells Eddie that Susan’s hating the process too. They agree it’s a rotten situation all round. Emma promises Clarrie any financial help she can, and they’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. Clarrie acknowledges she can only do her best.

Rex is still uncomfortable with the idea of being paid to play cricket, and even more so when Lily confirms there’ll be another player getting money too. He thinks it’s all very dodgy; if it’s not, why are they having to keep quiet about it? Tom interrupts them and Lily covers, expressing her optimism for the season ahead. Tom agrees; if nets is anything to go by everyone’s sharp and focused on improving. Martyn Gibson arrives and accuses Rex of being involved in the imminent bellringing protest against the water company. Bemused Rex denies any involvement. Lily gets back to business. She runs her intended team talk past Rex and Tom. She’ll announce a change to Harrison’s previous ‘playing for fun’ approach, and make clear that nets will be compulsory – miss two sessions and you’re off the team. Later Tom and Rex agree this is all a bit strong. Lily clearly doesn’t understand people’s commitments and motives for playing. As they prepare for the ringing Neil shares with Alan his ongoing sadness that George still refuses to see him or Susan. Alan sympathises. They look forward to the arrival of the bellringing teams, but Emma surprises them by bringing people for a ring-along. They have assorted small bells they’ll ring in support. It was Akram’s suggestion, and Emma’s happy to be involved. If she loses her place on the parish council, so be it. Angry Martyn interrupts proceedings, and issues a veiled threat to Neil’s job. Defiant Emma challenges his attitude, galvanising the crowd, and the rousing ring continues.

Tony’s been dropped from the cricket team and feels an injustice has been done. He blames ageism. Pat’s sympathetic but points out Freddie’s probably just trying to put the best team together. Tony implies he’s the better player of the two of them and asks Tom for his opinion – but Tom’s not getting involved. Later the boot’s on the other foot when Pat gets the call. Raging that she’s been dropped too, she admonishes amused Tony for gloating. After her bellringing meeting Pat’s concerned that this method of protest might not be as effective as they’d hoped. She worries that Neil’s right – ten hours of bells risks alienating the people they want onside. Tony apologises for teasing her earlier, and Pat acknowledges her own lack of sympathy towards him too. They reminisce about the good times they’ve had at the cricket, consoling themselves with the thin comfort that they can still go and watch. Tony asks Tom to have a word with Freddie, but Tom refuses. He agrees with Freddie, admiring him for getting on and making difficult decisions. Meanwhile Kirsty’s given Tom an ultimatum: she needs a decision on the Beechwood house by midday or the deal’s off. Tom can’t get hold of Natasha and is in despair, but when he meets Kirsty at the allotted time she tells him Natasha has already given her their decision – the sale is going ahead. Tom’s surprised Natasha didn’t ask him first, but Pat reminds him of his own words – sometimes you have to get on and make difficult decisions.

Neil approaches Alan about the ring of bells for the sewage leak protest, and to his surprise Alan is enthusiastic. He thinks they should aim for a marathon ring of ten hours. It will call people to arms and encourage questions in people’s minds about climate change. Before Neil knows it they’re delivering flyers. Alan’s secured the support of most of the PCC in advance of their meeting tomorrow. Not yet official then, cautions Neil. Akram joins them and Neil explains they’re less anti-Borsetshire Water and more hoping to open a dialogue. Akram helps with the leaflet delivery; he’s right behind them on this.

Freddie thinks paying Rex will split the cricket team. Lily assures him they won’t know, but Freddie still thinks it’s against the spirit of the game. He asks her if she’s run the plan past Lynda, and Lily says she intends to. Later Freddie’s dismayed to hear that Vince has approved the payment, and more so that he wants not one but two players to be paid. Lily assures Freddie that this makes it a policy rather than favouritism, but Freddie’s still worried. Two members being paid doubles the chances of the news getting out. Lily sweeps on, announcing she’s found a new team member. She’s played for Felpersham uni and she’s brilliant. Freddie points out that for every new member, someone else will have to be dropped. Lily agrees this will be a difficult conversation, but a team has to evolve. The difficult conversation falls to Freddie himself, and he makes a call.

Clarrie and Emma visit George and find to their surprise that he’s very worried about Eddie. George believes they’re keeping information from him about an illness. He’s had a letter from Keira and Poppy, suggesting he speaks to the family to find out more details. With Emma and Clarrie nonplussed, George realises he’s been duped by his sisters. Clarrie thinks it’s sweet that they’ve concocted this plan to get George to see her and Emma, but George thinks they shouldn’t have used his grandpa this way. However he does admit it was kind of a Grundy thing to do. Emma’s really happy to see George smile. He admits he misses them all. Emma suggests tentatively that they might visit again, and George agrees. Susan admits to Pat that whilst she’s glad Clarrie’s got to see George, it does still hurt that that he won’t have anything to do with her – and there’s no sign of him coming back from that. Talk turns to the looming fight for their jobs. When Helen ventures that it’s nobody’s fault, Pat’s riled. She puts the blame squarely with the sewage leak incident. They need a more effective way to make their voices heard. Susan suggests a ring of the church bells, to rouse people to the cause. But Neil isn’t happy with the idea. He believes the leak could be as much down to climate change as mismanagement. Pat points out Susan could lose her job – the bells would be for her and Clarrie. Might Neil reconsider and ask Alan’s opinion, for Susan’s sake?

Lily has some proposals for Kirsty to begin forging a relationship between Grey Gables and Rewilding Ambridge. They’d start by including the rewilding in their tour offer to guests. But Kirsty’s only half listening, preoccupied with the lack of progress on her Beechwood house sale. Lily reckons she’s being too patient with Tom and Natasha – she should give them a cut-off time. Changing the subject, Lily wonders whether Kirsty might consider being on the cricket team. She can play a bit and has the right positive attitude. Kirsty’s unsure. Lily seeks Rex’s opinion, but he announces he probably can’t play this season himself. He’s busy with the taxi at weekends and needs the money. Lily offers to consider paying him to play. Rex is uncertain about this private agreement, but Lily insists she’ll talk to Vince as their sponsor.

Helen gives Susan and Clarrie the difficult news that, with the dairy struggling, one of them will have to go. She offers the option of voluntary redundancy. The two women have a heart-to-heart, speaking fondly of their thirty years together at the dairy and all they like about it. Susan thinks she might hang up her hat. Clarrie suspects Susan’s saying this for her sake; she thanks her but couldn’t bear it on her conscience if this is the case. When pressed Susan admits she wants to stay on. It will be in Helen’s hands to decide. Helen announces she’ll hold interviews. She’ll do her best to make it a straightforward process, but it won’t be easy.

Lynda and Freddie watch their newly promoted cricket team at nets, wondering how they’ll fare in the higher division. Freddie reckons enjoyment is the key to success, whereas Lynda maintains that setting high standards is key. She can see dead wood that needs clearing out, via a razor sharp selection policy. Anyone who doesn’t make the grade will have to be told. Later Lynda laments Freddie’s lack of discipline during practice, and declares his proposed list of top eleven players ridiculous. Lily assures her he’s joking – there are no women on the list for a start. But Lynda feels this is no arena for larking around. Freddie’s answer is they can look for another captain. Lily doesn’t think it’s a bad idea for her to be involved, and they settle on a role for her as director of cricket, in charge of selection. Helen’s asked Clarrie and Susan to the Tearoom for drinks and cakes. When pressed she admits she has something to tell them, but is interrupted by the untimely arrival of a lorry delivering a mountain of gravel to the wrong spot. The cavalry arrives in the form of Azra’s husband Akram, who expertly spreads the gravel, solving the problem. Helen’s grateful. She shares that she has a difficult conversation ahead of her with Susan and Clarrie. Akram’s sure they’ll be right behind her. They look like they all make a wonderful team.

Emma tells Susan that she’s had a letter from George wanting her to visit him again. Susan’s thrilled for Emma, who can barely contain her excitement. Emma could take on the world if she had to! At the shop Jim asks Brad about being his apprentice scorer for the cricket. Brad quickly accepts and they arrange to go through the basics after Brad’s finished at Uni for the day. When Emma comes in Brad worries she’ll be angry with him for letting George down, but instead she tells him about George’s letter. She wants to know how George was when Brad saw him on Wednesday. Emma meets up with Pat and they discuss the next stage for their protest, agreeing that they need to look at successful campaigns elsewhere and get more people involved. At Greenacres later, Jim explains the arcane principles of cricket scoring to Brad. He tells Brad that it’ll be an honour to have him at his side. While potting yoghurt in the Dairy Helen and Susan discuss a report in The Echo detailing dividends and bonuses given to Borsetshire Water shareholders and bosses. Emma’s sure they printed it because of the protest. They also discuss the pros and cons of prison visits, before Helen waxes lyrical about seeing Henry driving a tractor. Helen’s good mood is punctured later though, when she tells Pat the deli she was hoping sign a new contract with has turned them down. With the accounts in such a terrible state Helen has no choice. She’s got to lose either Susan or Clarrie from the Dairy!

While Akram starts preparing their evening meal in Lynda’s kitchen, Khalil is still off with him after events on Tuesday. When Khalil stops doing his homework, Akram tries boosting Khalil by telling him how brave he’s been. But for Khalil the point is that his cancer could still come back. And if it does, he doesn’t want to have spent his whole life being careful, following every rule. They end up having a big hug, admitting how much they’ve missed each other.

Brad struggles at nets, but it’s soon apparent he doesn’t have any talent for cricket. Brad’s envious of Chris and Tom, who make everything look so easy. It’s the same for Tracy. Despite Jim’s reassurances, Brad reckons he doesn’t take after his mum at all. Then Eddie calls Brad, heaping pressure on him to do more work for George. After nets, Jim and Freddie discuss how standards on the cricket team have slipped following the winter break – and Brad clearly isn’t the answer to their prayers. Then Freddie thinks of something else Brad can help with, persuading Jim to take on Brad as his apprentice scorer.

Later, Eddie expresses his disappointment in Brad in no uncertain terms, despite Brad telling him George doesn’t mind him quitting. Eddie perks up though when he hears George has some new business ideas. Eddie then sings Brad an unfinished rap song he’s composed about tractors and hi-vis vests. When unimpressed Brad doesn’t respond in the right way Eddie reckons George is probably better off without him.

At Bridge Farm Helen’s hoping to generate some new business to start offsetting their recent losses. She’s keeping an eye on Henry too, after yesterday’s misadventure at the demonstration. Tony and Pat admit to being impressed by Henry and Khalil’s commitment to the cause, so long as it doesn’t become a habit. Pat is still up for the fight and Tony reluctantly says he won’t stop her. Henry is suitably contrite with Helen for going AWOL yesterday, thankful that she’s not too angry with him. He also mentions talking to Tony about driving the tractor.

Later, whilst planting seedlings in the polytunnel, Tony and Pat are pleasantly surprised when Helen tells them she’s spoken to the insurance company. They should get enough compensation to at least pay for a marketing campaign and potentially drum up some new business. To Pat’s delight Tony starts to feel more positive. She pushes him to have another think about Henry and the tractor. Pat and Helen then watch with bated breath, while Tony gives Henry final instructions before letting him start the tractor engine for his first test drive.

Visiting George in prison Brad notices his battle scars after a fight. George reckons he came out on top and that’s all that matters. Brad mentions the sewage spill, and fills George in on how the family are doing, before he confesses that he can’t run George’s business anymore. George is surprisingly chilled, mentioning plans for a new business venture. George then reaffirms his respect for Brad, but won’t divulge his plans just yet.