The Archers

Writer: Liz John Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy HoweJolene Archer…. Buffy Davies Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Tom Archer…. William Troughton Tony Archer…. David Troughton Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Ian Craig…. Stephen Kennedy Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen

Emma bumps into Ian at Bridge Farm shop, gets flustered, and leaves before he can make conversation. When Tony asks about the PTA meeting Ian mentioned Ian admits he’s become a bit too involved. But he feels duty bound now, having submitted a lot of the ideas himself. He just needs to break the news to Adam… Pat offers Susan a friendly ear, having heard from Clarrie about Eddie’s outburst, but Susan plays it down. There’s an emergency meeting planned at Bridge Farm, but Pat’s thrown when Tom gives her zero notice of a booking Natasha has taken from Felpersham Local Produce Society. Susan has all the details though and steps up to lead the cheese-making demonstration. However, after a confident start, Susan falters and Pat has to take over. Afterwards, Susan admits how things have got to her, not least Eddie’s outburst. Pat sends her home, reassuring Susan that doesn’t have to deal with this on her own. At the emergency meeting, Tony, Tom and Pat try to fix the Bridge Farm staffing puzzle, but something has to give. They agree they can’t compromise on milking, so Pat decides they’ll hire in a contract milker and the others agree. Later, Pat checks on stressed Susan, who opens up on her fallout with Eddie, having played it down to Neil. George is not doing well and won’t speak to Emma. Emma arrives, surprised to see Pat. She gets upset and apologises. Pat is supportive though, telling Emma to stay strong, before she leaves. Whereupon Emma breaks down in Susan’s arms.

Proud Jolene takes her hoped for prize-winning apple and cheese pie out of the oven, only for Kenton to tease about his pie taking the honours at the Flower and Produce Show instead. They are both suspicious about getting baking tips from other people, before agreeing not to involve anyone else. Kenton is still convinced he’s going to win, though.Jolene goes to check on Fallon, who’s overwhelmed at the Tearoom. As they clear the backlog Fallon admits she no longer cares about the Tearoom, now that she’s pitching for the Charging Station café. And she doesn’t care if Bridge Farm find out. However, Fallon admits, if Harrison stays part-time at work, there’s no point in pitching. As Tracy and Kenton coo over the Bull’s new kitten, Tracy delicately asks if Emma could do some shifts at the pub. But it’s a clear “no”. They also talk Flower and Produce entries, but when Tracy mentions Jazzer’s enormous sunflower she’s perturbed by Kenton talking about the one Pip has found at Brookfield. Kenton also tries to get some baking tips from Ian. Tracy then watches over Xander for Ian. Grateful Ian reports back about contacting Xander’s teacher, admitting he still doesn’t really know how Xander feels about school. Tracy’s encouraging though, calling Ian brave for taking on a party for Xander’s birthday and inviting the whole class. She then mentions Jazzer fuming about the sunflower. He’ll have to give it up and let Rosie win. Tracy wishes Ian luck for the PTA meeting tomorrow, but she still thinks he’s bonkers for taking it on.

Eddie complains to Will about getting dirty looks at the market. Will speculates about going to prison and asks Eddie to make sure Poppy will be looked after. Eddie’s disparaging about Neil and Susan’s role in calling the police on George. Later, Susan suggests to Eddie they should make plans in case Will and Emma are prosecuted, prompting Eddie to have a go at her. Susan stands firm – she and Neil did the right thing. Angry Eddie defends William, who wasn’t involved in the decision to call the police. Ed intervenes to calm Eddie down, but he refuses to have anything to do with Neil and a shaken Susan. Ed’s sceptical as Emma prepares for her meeting with Tom and Fallon. He’s still hurt by Emma’s role in covering for George, and wonders whether starting the tree surgery business was a good idea. Emma tries to defend it, positing how well they work together, but Ed stays quiet. At the meeting Tom tries keeping things positive between Fallon and Emma. Fallon talks about her anger and how George’s actions have affected people. Tom wonders how to move things forward at the Tearoom, but Fallon knows Emma would act the same way again, if it came to it. And when Emma doesn’t deny it they are no closer to finding a solution. Fallon and Emma talk about the strain on both their marriages. Fallon then presses Emma on George’s behaviour. When Tom again steers the conversation back to the Tearoom Emma offers a solution: she’s quitting. Fallon says thank you, as Emma leaves.

Adam’s outraged to learn about Will and Emma covering for George. He’s glad they were arrested, but can’t trust himself to be around Will, so Pat will have to work something out at Bridge Farm. Susan warns Will that Adam’s not happy and doesn’t want to work with either of them. But Susan’s glad Will’s told Poppy and Keira everything. Susan suggests a family day at the Flower and Produce show, but Will can’t face it. And when he starts worrying about how George would cope in prison, Susan does her best to reassure him. There’s a staffing crisis at Bridge Farm, with Tom concerned by Emma calling in sick again at the Tearoom. Having seen Emma out working yesterday he wonders just how ill she can be. And now Clarrie’s been called away as well, to look after her sister Rosie in Great Yarmouth. Pat’s grateful to Susan for stepping up and cuts through the small talk to try and see how Susan’s really doing. Pat’s heard about Emma and Will via Lilian. Susan is apologetic, but just wants to focus on work to distract her from thinking about George and how everything has gone so badly wrong. Tom goes to see Emma and talks about Fallon. Emma says she can’t face Fallon, plus there’s the stress of worrying about George and what will happen to the kids if she gets sent to prison. Tom understands her concern, then encourages her to meet up with him and Fallon – he has an idea. If Fallon’s willing to meet, says Emma, then so is she.

Angry at George, Kenton throws his hero glass in the bin. They worry about Fallon, who’s stepped back from the Flower and Produce show this year and is still worried about Harrison. Fallon’s mentioned entries for the show are down this year, so between them they come up with the idea of entering an Apple Pie with a twist, using apples from Brookfield and cheese from Bridge Farm. And if they both enter it’ll double their chances of winning. But in the meantime, they really need to come up with a name for their new pub kitten.Emma and Will discuss their harrowing police interviews, before Ed arrives, having walked Keira to The Stables. He’ll pick her up too, as he doesn’t want anyone approaching her about George. Ed then points out that they have to tell Poppy and Keira what’s going on, with George appearing at the Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. The girls need to understand there’s a chance of Emma and Will going to prison. Later it transpires Keira knew all about it already, after Will told Clarrie outside Keira’s window. Emma remembers how scared she was when Susan went to prison and now she’s doing it to her own daughter. Ed reassures her that the family will be there to support Keira. Upset Emma points out Chris still won’t have anything to do with her. Will reports that Poppy didn’t take the news well. But she’s not angry with George, unlike Keira, so they’ve agreed not to talk about him. Will’s biggest fear though is losing Poppy if he goes to prison.

At the Bull, Will apologises to Chris and tells him George is desperate to tell Alice how sorry he is, but he isn’t allowed to speak to her. Chris is furious when he realises Will, like Emma, knew about George’s crime. Brian and Alice are in London for Ruairi’s graduation ceremony, but Brian’s flustered as they realise they had the wrong time and need to hurry. However, they make it in time and enjoy the ceremony, before Ruairi apologises for mixing up the times – he’s been to too many parties and job interviews recently. Brian’s delighted Ruairi has a place on a City graduate scheme and agrees to a group hug, against his natural instincts. He’s proud as punch of his son!Over a pint, Chris and Harrison share their feelings. Chris cares about George but he’s so frustrated, while Harrison regrets his recent actions, plus, of course, his hatred for Alice. Harrison is shocked to learn that Ema and Will concealed the truth about George – when did they find out what he’d done?Will goes to see Emma, saying George is less hostile now, but still hiding away. Will then mentions Chris being off with him and Emma admits Ed is avoiding her. She can’t face anyone in the village. Emma despairs that George won’t speak to her, just when he needs his Mum most. Will goes with her to speak to Fallon, but it’s Harrison who opens the door. They try saying how sorry they are, but Harrison informs them coldly, a police colleague will be speaking to them about their role in assisting an offender.

Robert lectures Joy and Jazzer about excess packaging on items bought at the shop and the action needed to curb it. He’s confident he can win today’s litter-picking competition, although Joy points out that young Jack Archer is also determined to win. Later, Robert hears Jazzer rustling in the bushes on Brookfield land, just before David shows up. When Robert spots the sunflower, Jazzer distracts David and tries to dissuade Robert from letting on that David has a prize specimen on his hands. Nevertheless, Jazzer realises he’ll need to hide the sunflower somewhere else. Robert wins the prize for collecting most bags of rubbish and immediately donates it as a raffle prize. Jazzer points out Robert has cheated, albeit unwittingly, by collecting one of his bags before the pick started. Jazzer says he’ll keep quiet, but only if Robert agrees not to say anything about the sunflower, so Jazzer can take the prize at the Flower and Produce Show.Alice is pleased Brian has the all-clear from Dr Malik, and admits to feeling positive. Brian, however, is upset by a visit from Jean Harvey, who told Brian that Jennifer would be ashamed of him after yesterday’s outburst. Alice reminds Brian of his similar words to her. Contrite, Brian insists Jennifer would be proud of Alice. He offers to miss Ruairi’s graduation tomorrow to be here, but Alice says no and arranges to go to the ceremony with Brian. Tired but happy Alice had Martha in her bed all night, and before dropping off Martha said how nice it was to see her mummy happy.

Will fusses around George who refuses to leave the house for any reason. Charged with perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving, George hopes the judge will go easy as he’s pleading guilty to everything. Brian charges round and bangs on the door, demanding that George come out and face him. Terrified George hides inside until Will tells him Brian has gone. Outside the village shop Neil and Tony attempt to calm furious Brian, who’s anger brings on an angina attack. Tony stays with Brian, having informed Neil that George is sacked and banned from Bridge Farm. Later as they look at the Anguses, Tony implores Brian not to let what’s happened make him ill – remembering how his own fury at Rob Titchener affected him. Neil tells Will what happened with Brian and that George has lost his job. Angry, Neil questions whether George would ever have turned himself in, pointing out how damaging his actions were for Alice. George becomes defensive and upset, revealing how much guilt has weighed on him. He wishes Harrison had finished what he came round to do on Monday. Neil and Will are shocked to learn Harrison attacked him. Neil sits talking to George, and dissuades him from telling the police about what Harrison did. George regrets how he’s blown everything and starts to cry. Neil comforts George and assures him he will rebuild things, step by step, like Freddie has. His Grandad assures him he’s strong enough and that he will always love him very much.

Brad’s decided to go to his Freshers’ Ball and Jazzer and Alistair encourage him to make friends at Uni. Brad has told Alistair about Jazzer’s giant sunflower and Alistair teases Jazzer that his precious bloom may get damaged or eaten before the Flower & Produce Show. They discuss George - they’re all baffled by what happened and Jazzer warns Brad to steer clear of him. Jazzer and Brad help Alistair redecorate Greenacres for him and Denise. With Jim away they feel they have free rein. But as they go to move some significant items, Robert turns up – in the nick of time, and with a list from Jim of things not to be moved. This ruins the painted ‘feature wall’ plan. But as Robert is distracted, going to deal with some litterers, Alistair locks the door behind him and puts into action their intended plan for him and Denise – regardless of Jim’s instructions. Fallon is furious with Harrison for confronting George, risking his job, their future and her career dreams by losing his temper and not stopping to think. They meet Alice, and Harrison is full of apologies - for everything - including seeing red with George yesterday. Harrison admits he lost control, and Fallon fears he now wants to quit the Police. Fallon and Alice discuss how he and Chris are all over the place right now. Fallon confides that she wants the old Harrison back, and Alice admits how much she regrets losing Chris. They agree that they need to be patient, and they will get there – together.