The Archers

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy Howe

Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Ian Craig…. Stephen Kennedy Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Mia Grundy…. Molly Pipe Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott Lottie Summers…. Bonnie Baddoo

Emma makes George dinner and has planned to get him alone to talk, which he soon realises. George doesn’t think Clive will say anything incriminating, but Emma worries, pointing out that Ed knows something’s up. They are running out of time. Susan and Neil turn up, with Susan eager to speak to George and be there for Emma if it turns out George had any involvement with the accident in the Am.

Susan and Neil cover - they just need to run something by Emma, about the accident. Susan mentions a few things that have caused her to wonder, including the cider - was George in the car with Alice perhaps? Emma can’t hold it in and tells all, but defends George who was terrified, panicked and not thinking straight. Reality hits Susan and she learns that Will also knows. And so does Clive - it was George who brought Clive to Ambridge. Susan wants Emma to ring the police herself – it will look a lot better later on if she’s implicated for covering up. Neil is sorry but he can’t see George turning himself in. Neil wonders why Emma hasn’t told Ed, angry that George has been calling the shots. They agree George should be there when the police come, so Susan phones him, citing an emergency. Then Emma makes the hardest call of her life.

George dashes home, worried, and Susan tells him that time is up. They know everything and the police are coming. As the door goes, horrified George asks why, and begs Emma not to let them take him away.

Mia and Brad set off for their picnic and day together, and she’s impressed he’s bought vegan pains au chocolat from Fallon at the Tearoom. They enjoy the view from the top of Lakey Hill, discussing her career options around climate change and their general futures. Mia notices something’s up. Brad admits he’s not sure it’s going to work out. He doesn’t want to break up, but is certain that Mia’s new life in Newcastle means they’ll have to. He doesn’t want her to feel pulled back by him or only half-able to enjoy things. They both make clear how much they love each other, but Brad has thought it all out – his overthinking is something Mia loves about him. Maybe they will end up together in the future, but for now breaking up seems to be for the best. Mia is stunned but agrees.

It's Ian’s birthday and Adam does some low-key spoiling. Adam admits it’s been stressful at work in the dairy, as Susan seems all over the place - Clive’s presence has clearly left its mark. Another stress Adam’s keen to avoid is being in Ian’s parent’s group phone chat, but Ian insists on adding him. Later in the garden, Ian bonds with fellow parent Lottie who he invited back with her daughter Maddie. Adam is a bit thrown, but adapts his dinner plans to include them. But he somewhat plays gooseberry as Ian and Lottie talk about school activities, and Ian’s encouraged to join the PTA. Adam’s doubtful, but Ian insists it’s important to be part of the community and Xander’s education.

Ian and Adam are proud parents as they drop Xander off for his very first day at school. They’re surprised but relieved by how unphased he is. Pip’s friend Lottie spots them and says hi, dropping off Maddie. Later they collect Xander and chat with Lottie about the teachers and parents – the class group chat drives Lottie mad, but it is useful. Ian wastes no time in wanting to sign up, and Lottie warns Ian the PTA will snap him up! Later at home, Ian’s pleased to see lots of people joining the group he’s set up. Adam warns him about all the extra admin, and he’s not as keen as Ian starts to make social plans for them and Xander. Adam admits he was much more anxious than Ian earlier in their new situation. However, Adam agrees that it’s all about Xander. Susan agrees to help Joy and hopes Joy hasn’t taken on too much – she let Jack take charge, but he needs supervision. They’re glad Clive seems to have gone now and they discuss estranged family members. Joy regrets selling Alice the vodka on the night of the car accident. But Susan explains that Alice would have bought that – and the cheap cider – anywhere. Joy points out that she definitely didn’t sell Alice cider. The only person she sold that to that day was George. Later at home, worried Susan brings up the mystery around the cider bottle with Neil, remembering Chris’s concerns. Susan points out that George bought cider for a party. Something feels very, very wrong.

Mia and Brad relax on the Green and she shows him a virtual tour of her Uni halls in Newcastle. She leaves on Saturday and it all suddenly feels very real. Brad is starting at Felpersham and they need to do something special before they go – agreeing a walk and a picnic up Lakey Hill on Wednesday. Ruth’s impressed as one-woman community litter campaigner Joy gets to work outside the shop. As they recall what happened to Ruth’s heifer, and the threat to livestock from choking on litter, they know that official action will be slow. So Ruth joins Joy to make it a two woman litter campaign! They agree to brainstorm ideas and discuss who else to recruit, including Brad and Mia – keen to get all their ideas before they both set off to their respective Unis. Robert, Helen and young Jack all come along to Joy’s and Mia takes notes, reading out the various ideas they’ve come up with. Joy hoped Lynda would be there – maybe Robert will coordinate things. Jack’s going to get his school involved, and Joy agrees to let him take charge. Joy and Ruth reflect on the big changes ahead for Brad and Mia, remembering their own formative years. The young couple are left to compare what each has coming up – with Joy and Ruth having raved about all the fun of the North East, Brad’s jealous – but Mia says it wouldn’t compare to litter picking with him in Ambridge. How romantic, he jokes.

It’s a big day for the Ambridge cricket team, but George is off his game. Emma’s heart sinks as she spots Clive Horrobin, and Will fears Clive will reveal all about George. Emma tells Clive to disappear, but Clive needs to see his daughter Kylie. In return for Kylie’s number from Susan, Clive will persuade George to do the right thing and turn himself in. Susan asks Emma if George is ok – is the court case worrying him? As Susan talks disparagingly about Clive, Emma subtly sympathises with him in her aim to extract Kylie’s number from Susan. But Susan works it out and insists Clive is bad news. Emma refuses to help Clive, ready to call his bluff about going to the police. She plays on Clive’s insecurity and warns him he’s bound to destroy his own future and chances with family if he sticks around. And Will is cancelling the B&B, so Clive needs to find somewhere else to live. There’s encouraging news from another critical cricket match, which means Ambridge are still in with a chance of league glory. George is in to bat and has three balls to secure the win - delighting everyone with a four and then a six. Ambridge have won the league and are set for promotion! Susan’s pleased to hear that it seems Clive will be clearing off, but she can see something else is bothering Emma, but Emma brushes it off. Will catches Emma and, while they hope they’ve got rid of Clive, Will thinks things are a long way from sorted.

Neil bumps into Kate on her way to The Stables to see Alice and apologises to her for the shock of bumping into Clive – his unwelcome return has rattled everyone. Neil, on his way to supervise Clive’s latest visit with Bert, wishes he would just go away. Alice lays on a spread of Greek treats for Kate as she reflects on how her experience of panic as a teenager during Clive’s robbery might have inspired her to set up Spiritual Home. She tells Alice she has been feeling bad about something for some time. She sticks to her view that Brian treats her as the favourite. But she never meant to hurt Alice – especially not at the moment when she was feeling so low. Kate misses her mum so much and needs her. Alice says they’ve got each other. She’s sorry she’s been a nightmare. Clive asks why he can’t be left alone with Bert but Neil is adamant - no-one trusts him. He’s proved right when he catches Clive snooping around Tracy and Jazzer’s bedroom. Neil demands to know what Clive wants. He says he’ll explain, if Neil promises not to tell anyone. Neil threatens to throw him out but Clive warns that he’s younger and fitter. Clive confesses he was looking for his daughter Kylie’s address – he’s never even seen his grandchildren. Neil says you reap what you sow and he doesn’t want Clive near any grandchildren, including his own, George. But Clive snaps back: he’ll soon see. Pride comes before a fall and Neil has a big shock coming.

Clive chats affably with Joy in the shop – he’s all charm as he ponders whether to buy chocolate or ciggies. He reveals he used to be local but doesn’t give details. Clive decides to try some real ale and lager. As he’s selecting crisps, Kate comes into the shop. She recognises Clive. He doesn't recognise her, but she tells Joy about Clive robbing the shop, holding a gun to her face and calling her a bitch. A man can change, says Clive. He tells her he does yoga and a visit to Spiritual Home might be healing. Joy tells him to leave, she won’t serve him. A furious Clive shouts at them as he leaves the shop. Kate is shaken, but they agree they were both amazing for standing up to him.

Harrison is cooking chilli tofu for Fallon and they chat about her plans for a meat and dairy free café at the EV charging station. They relax with wine and chat about the day. Fallon tells Harrison he’s handsome and they need a romantic, passionate holiday. Harrison is momentarily taken aback. But Fallon doesn’t want to carry on the way they have been. Later, they discuss where they will go for their romantic trip and agree to give it some thought. Harrison makes her laugh and says they might just make it. Fallon says she never, ever thought they might split up, but Harrison confesses it crossed his mind. But, he says, he never wanted to.

George is waiting for Brad outside the cinema and speaking on the phone to Clive who thanks him for persuading Susan and Tracy to allow him to see Bert. George is keen to get off the phone – until Clive offers to pay for the popcorn.

Tracy is laying down the law to Clive when he gets ‘mystical’, telling her to let go of her hostility. He tells her he wants to reconnect not only with Bert, but her and Susan too. Tracy doesn’t believe a word of it. Later Susan arrives and both are aghast to see that Bert is delighted by Clive’s return – Bert cried when Clive walked into the garden. Susan doesn’t believe anything Clive has to say and wants to know what he’s after. When Clive comes in and suggests a family day out to the seaside or the races, they give him short shrift. He goads them, saying Bert loved seeing him and accuses them of being selfish.

On the way home from the cinema George thanks Brad for sitting through a blockbuster when he prefers art films. He tells Brad how he wishes he could be him – with a bright, interesting future ahead.

George is putting the bins out when Clive strolls by. He says his reunion with Bert had been emotional but Susan and Tracy were cold and heartless: He’s changed for the better – they for the worse. George reminds him Susan went to jail for him but he won’t hear it. From now on he’ll go wherever - and talk to whoever - he likes: he’s done apologising.

Justin moans that his flat white is lukewarm but Emma has no time for his complaints. He’s been chatting and let it go cold, she says. If he wants a hot one he’ll have to buy another. Fallon intervenes and gives Justin a fresh coffee and complimentary croissant. Fallon asks Emma what’s going on – she’s been stressed out for days. Emma apologises but avoids telling the truth about George, saying ‘he’s just not right at the moment’ and ‘very nervous about going to court’. Fallon tells her to try not to worry and to reassure George: he did a wonderful thing. George rings and tells Emma Clive’s upset after bumping into Susan who he says was awful to him.

Later, Justin quizzes Fallon about her plans for opening a café at the charging station. She reveals her ideas for a meat and dairy free eaterie.

A shocked Susan is telling Tracy about being ambushed by Clive while shopping. Why couldn’t he have stayed out of Ambridge? The two discuss how they can keep Clive away from their dad. They wonder whether they could bribe Clive to go away. But where would that end? They ask Brad’s advice who reckons his Great Granddad has the right to see his son. George arrives to ask Brad what he’s doing tonight and if he fancies seeing a film. Brad is seeing Mia so he suggests going tomorrow. George keeps Clive’s role in his return a secret. But he and Brad agree that Great Granddad should have the choice to see his own son.

George declines Clive’s offer to join him in morning yoga and listens to him moaning about his B&B. Later as they have a beer in the garden, George reveals Will is still pressing him to go to the police. Clive says he should tell Will and Emma to back off and hold his nerve. George worries about prison, for him or Alice. But Clive says wealthy people like Alice don’t go to prison. Impatient, he tells George the crash was an accident: stop going on and enjoy your beer.

Alistair and Harrison discuss the fete, where Harrison bought a brilliant book about cricket coaching. Alistair grumbles about one of the girls at the cricket camp – Cassie, who is decidedly sassy. Little Croxley cricket captain Laura asks Alistair how the camp has gone. Alistair is forced to reveal that Cassie – who it turns out is Laura’s daughter – has been a bit of a handful. He adds that she could really be a decent cricketer, if she put her mind to it. Laura asks how things are going with his ‘situationship’. He says it’s going well and has to put up with Harrison pulling his leg about being the ‘Valentino of the village’.

Clive bumps into a shocked Susan as she is shopping. It’s been too long, he says. ‘No,’ she replies. ‘It hasn’t been long enough.’ He follows her, suggesting they go for a coffee. She wants nothing to do with him. He claims he’s different now; enlightened after a near-death experience. But Susan says they don’t want him anywhere near them.

It’s the day of the Ambridge fete and Joy is full of praise for Azra’s book stall, despite her misgivings about having the fete on the same day as the grand re-opening of the Stables. She shocks Azra with talk of an open surgery and a free consultation for everyone who buys a book. But Azra turns it to her advantage, guilt-tripping anyone who asks about their health into buying a book.

George isn’t happy about being dragged to the fete by Emma. And he can’t understand why his family and everyone has such a downer on his uncle Clive. Emma doesn’t want Clive anywhere near George or Poppy. Later, as Emma tells Joy she is enjoying the fete her mood takes a downturn when George announces he has had enough and he’s leaving.

Meanwhile the Stables has its own Cantering On celebration and Justin is resplendent in his ringmaster’s garb, which Lilian loves. She is less happy about Justin’s plan to keep Alice hidden behind the scenes. Alice has a key part in the day, says Lilian. Later Justin has great news. Horse owner Rani Pershore is at the event. He wants to keep Alice away from her until Alice reveals they have a personal connection – Alice sold her horse Banjo to Rani. She quickly persuades Rani that The Stables is the right choice for her.

Joy praises Azra who sold out of books and says she’s a shoo-in for next year’s fete. No way, says Azra, aghast. But Joy is confident: that’s what they all say.

Lilian and Paul celebrate National Plum Day with themed cakes and a chat. Lilian is thrilled that Alice is throwing herself into The Stables’ event, producing wonderful work on branding. To Paul’s delight, he receives a large bag of branded medals from Alice, meaning he can give out numerous prizes to the riders in the fancy dress competition, from ‘Best Hat’ to ‘Best Embellished Horse’. No one will be disappointed!

Emma and Will greet George, who arrives at Number One The Green with his unwelcome guest. Clive Horrobin says that he was happy to help George, and that he was a chip off the old block. Furiously, Emma berates George for believing the lies of his criminal uncle. To avoid George leaving again, she thanks Clive through gritted teeth for bringing him home. Clive claims that a near-death experience has changed him. Emma is unconvinced. In George’s room, Emma updates her son and urges George not to mention Clive to anyone. George tells her that Clive has advised him to stay quiet as Alice may get off anyway – why throw himself under the bus for nothing? Appalled, Emma pleads for him to think of human decency and Alice – that she and Will are in a much better position to advise him than his vile uncle. It is time to face the truth. Downstairs, Clive has settled in and means to stay and assures Emma and Will that he is now a peaceful person. But this soon turns to a threat – let him stay or he’ll tell the whole of Ambridge what George has done.

Lilian is disappointed that Kirsty has arranged to litter-pick at the fete – there is a potential donor at The Stables’ rival event who may help the Rewilding Project so she needs to switch allegiance. At The Bull, Denise is happy to take on the litter-picking role. She and Kirsty agree to house-share and toast their future: cups of tea amongst the hollyhocks and late night gossip on the landing. Roy puts paid to their plans when he calls with disappointing news. He needs to quickly put Willow Farm on the market.

Will comes to congratulate Emma on her Grade 8 result in GCSE English Literature. He admits to Ed that he performed so badly at Bridge Farm’s harvest that they have declined further help. At the celebration, Emma is snappy and distant with her guests and cuts short the congratulations. Ed and Susan show concern for her but Emma says she is just overwhelmed after the build up. She leaves the party to help Lilian, having forgotten her promise to cover George’s video work for The Stables. Ed confides his worries about Emma to Susan. She’s bottling something up and always seems on the verge of tears. Susan reassures him, suggesting she’s just overdoing it and not looking after herself.

Although Emma enjoyed the filming, she tells Will how bad she feels about lying to Ed, especially when he made such a lovely celebration for her. A message arrives from George. He is coming home tomorrow, but he’s bringing someone with him and it’s not good news.

Picking damsons for Jim’s jellies, Alistair and Jazzer discuss Alistair’s living arrangements. Jim has been bending over backwards to make Denise welcome and comfortable, but it’s not ideal for them. Yet Alistair feels moving in with her now wouldn’t be right with his Dad getting older. Kirsty greets them as she passes to put a poster up in the shop. She is advertising for a house-mate now that Roy has left, as she can’t afford Willow Farm on her own. Denise visits Kirsty to view the property. Kirsty misses Roy’s company and enjoys sharing. Denise wonders what it will be like to have her own space again after so many years of marriage. Over at Greenacres, Jim, Jazzer and Alistair reminisce about their own house share. Jim suggests Alistair redecorates to put his own stamp on Greenacres. Denise joins them to tell them the news: if Roy agrees, she would love to move in with Kirsty. With rain approaching, Will and Ed are apprehensive about getting their work done before the storm and arrange to meet for a drink later. Ed hopes George’s break at the seaside cheers him up but Will is cagey about the trip details. Later in The Bull, Will confesses that he felt like an amateur at Bridge Farm, making mistakes and causing stress at the harvest. His mind is on other things. Ed reminds Will that Emma’s GCSE results come out tomorrow and that he should join them for a drink and cake, they should be celebrating not worrying.

It’s all hands on deck at Bridge Farm ahead of the barley and wheat harvest, with the threat of rain making plans more difficult. With Adam about to leave for a holiday, and George’s day off yesterday, the staff are working extra hard and late. Natasha is taking time out from Summer Orchard to help Pat. As they sort the veg boxes, they fantasise about a week or two off work. Natasha longs for more quality family time, they are exhausted with the businesses and the twins, and Tom is working all hours in the fields. Pat suggests she and Tom book an autumn break to look forward to. George has not appeared for work again and they note his recent flakiness and time off. Emma and Will are keen to speak to George, who is still away and out of regular contact. They decide to tell Bridge Farm that they’ve encouraged him to take a short caravan break on the coast with friends as he’s anxious about the looming court case. It’s not ideal for Pat, but she understands. Will offers to cover some shifts and Pat makes a plan: Will can help Tom with the harvesting, Susan and Clarrie can pick beans, whilst Helen takes over at the dairy, and this will help boost the team. Natasha will take over deliveries with her daughters listening to nursery rhymes in the car – they will manage! Will and Emma are reassured when they receive a text from George. He is looking after himself and just wants to get everything straight before he returns home.

Don James, Alistair’s boss, is annoyed to have to be dealing with a complaint about the Ambridge practice. Alistair apologises, explaining that Denise’s marriage was almost over when they started a relationship. Don does not want to know the details but reminds him that Head Office should have been made aware. He discloses that the complainant reported that Denise and Alistair were distracted by each other when treating a dog. To Alistair’s relief, Don confirms that he would not be disciplining them. Both he and co-owner Doug Lovell highly value them and know they would always give their full attention to an animal. He reminds Alistair that he and Doug are also life partners and that it works well for them. Later, Jim and Alistair decide to celebrate by inviting Denise for steak and a game of chess, and Jim hints that perhaps they might want to have more of their own space. George appears to be resigned to handing himself in to the police, as Will tells Emma he is up and showered. Emma shares that she hates lying to Ed, and is scared of everyone’s reaction once the truth is public. Back to collect George at Number 1 The Green, they discover him missing, along with his bag and some clothes. Terrified, they spend the day contacting taxi companies and George’s friends, as he is not answering his phone or responding to messages. Finally they receive a message from their son: George is safe with somewhere to stay, and will call them tomorrow.

Lilian is looking forward to the Cantering On event at The Stables and tells Paul about the promotional video they’ve made, featuring Justin as a ringmaster. Paul will be representing the vets practice at the event and Lilian would like him to judge the fancy dress competition. Justin is keen to give medals out but Paul would prefer to take out the competitive element to avoid disappointing the young riders. He agrees to come up with a plan they’ll all be happy with.

George, claiming illness, is holed up in his bedroom, with Will and Emma unable to coax him out. They try to convince George to go to the police, reminding him of the life-long consequences for Alice and Martha if she continues to take the blame. They remind him that he is a good person, they’d be so proud of him if he admitted what has happened, and this action might help him avoid prison. Reluctantly, George agrees to go with them to the police the next morning. But alone on his way to The Bull, he makes a call asking someone for help.

Hearing from Jazzer that Alistair is filled with trepidation over a visit from one of the Lovell James owners, Paul approaches Alistair in The Bull’s beer garden. Paul reassures Alistair that he hadn’t been the one to report his and his mum’s relationship to Head Office. Even though it had been a shock to him, he wouldn’t ever want them to get into trouble. Alistair continues to worry about his meeting with Don James.

As George gets ready to head off to Bridge Farm, Will reminds him that they’re celebrating Mia’s A level results later. She’s got into her first choice of Newcastle University. George says Mia’s results are nothing compared to Brad, who got four A-stars! Emma arrives to give George a lift, telling them that Alice’s hypnotherapy appointment is this morning. Panicked George worries that Alice will remember what really happened on the night of the accident. They’ve got to stop her! He discovers the probable location of the appointment and demands to have Will’s car. Emma’s incredulous when Will offers to drive him. But Will stops in a lay-by en route, explaining that George will only make things worse by going there. He might even trigger Alice’s memory. Whatever George did, it came from a good place and he was trying to help Alice. But tearful George can’t face prison. Will counsels that George will feel better if he admits to everything now. George can’t run away forever. At her hypnotherapy session Alice tells the therapist that she has a blank after a certain point on the night of the accident. But she’s worried she may discover that she was driving and is guilty. Afterwards Alice recalls that she definitely put her keys in the glove compartment before drinking and has no memory of taking them out. Emma rings to find out how it went, but is really fishing to discover if Alice remembered anything. Alice says she recalled hearing the crash but nothing else. Next time she might just get to the bottom of what happened that night.

David and Ruth spruce up Hereford heifer ‘High Heels’ ready for a wedding photo at the Brookfield Events Barn. Afterwards they sip some champagne given to them by the bride’s father and toast another successful Brookfield wedding. They agree that ‘High Heels’ would make a great show Hereford and David admits he’d like to do more showing as he gets nearer retirement. Ruth’s shocked he’s mentioned the ‘R’ word!

At the Vets Surgery Paul makes an effort with Alistair and surprises him by offering an apology. Although he’s been struggling it’s no excuse for the way he’s been behaving and deliberately getting under Alistair’s skin. Later, on a stroll through nearby fields, Alistair admits he hates that he’s been instrumental in Paul’s parents’ break-up and causing him pain. Both Alistair and Denise hated keeping their relationship secret from Paul. Paul’s appreciative, although it all still really hurts. They’re interrupted by the sight of Justin in fancy dress on a horse. They can’t wait to see George’s videos! Alistair takes a call from Ruth saying there’s something wrong with one of their star heifers. Alistair and Paul then head over to Brookfield, where they discover that ‘High Heels’ has a bunched up crisp packet in her cheek, which she could have choked on. Sadly it’s a problem Alistair sees all too often. She must have eaten some discarded litter. Afterwards Ruth comments that Paul and Alistair make a fine team, as Alistair takes a call from his boss Don James. Don’s heard about Alistair and Denise and wants to see Alistair in his office next week.