15/11/2024

Writer: Katie Hims Director: Mel Ward Editor: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Tom Archer…. William Troughton Tony Archer…. David Troughton Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan George Grundy …. Angus Stobie Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen

On their way to Handale Prison Neil and Susan are both feeling nervous, but pleased George has agreed to see them. When they get there though George is bitter and distant, seemingly more concerned about what other prisoners will think if he’s too friendly with his grandparents. Neil and Susan struggle finding a subject George doesn’t twist into an angry response. When Neil raises how worried they are about bad influences on him, George makes it clear he only invited them out of pity and wants them to go. Neil then has a go at George about how much it has cost Susan in particular coming on this visit, but George responds by guilt tripping them over what could happen to him in prison - and it will be all their fault. On their way home Neil and Susan admit the visit was awful and George was horrible. They wonder what they’re going to tell Emma, who texts, then rings. They consider glossing over the whole experience, but in the end it might be better to just tell Emma the truth.At Bridge Farm Pat and Tony are pleased with the handsome new buck that’s arrived, hopeful that serious Henry won’t turn out anything like George. When Pat expresses her frustration that Helen hasn’t just gone ahead and bought Kirsty’s Beechwood house Tony tells her about his idea of building an eco-house. He admits they’d have to okay everything with Helen, Tom and Natasha, but Pat thinks they’re too old to make such a big change. However, Tony isn’t giving up on his dream just yet.

At Bridge Farm, Tom and Tony talk about Neil and Susan visiting George tomorrow, plus the imminent arrival of the buck goat and how expensive it must be. Pat joins them, worrying about her promise to bake the cake for Peggy’s 100th birthday today. Pat then confesses the goat cost £750, which is why she didn’t want to tell Tony, who’s suitably appalled. Once Pat’s gone Tony tells Tom about his dream of building an eco-house, which leads onto the idea of Helen potentially moving into the farmhouse. How would Tom and Natasha feel about that? Tony worries about Tom feeling it would be unfair. Tom admits it’s not something he’s thought about, but finds it amusing Tony hasn’t even mentioned the eco-house idea to Pat yet. Tony makes the excuse that there have been so many other things to think about. Chatting to Helen at Beechwood Kirsty bemoans her poor choice of men in her life. Her mum, Megan, keeps pushing her towards Rex, but Kirsty has never been interested in him. However it has made her look at him in a slightly different light. The conversation turns to Helen buying Kirsty’s house, but Helen says it will only be possible if Kirsty drops the price. Kirsty can’t though, as the pressure is now on for her to buy Willow Farm before Brenda sells it to someone else. Helen’s uneasy with rushing into such an important decision affecting Henry and Jack’s future happiness. But Kirsty won’t let her off the hook. The boys love the house and she desperately needs to sell, so what’s Helen waiting for?

Rex calls Kirsty to the Rewilding site to discuss their future, following Justin’s volte face over funding. What will they do now the land and money has been guaranteed for five years? Rex’s left-field idea is beavers, to encourage biodiversity and provide a natural defence against flooding. Kirsty suggests talking to Tony, their farming consultant. Later, when Rex puts the case for introducing beavers to the local environment, Tony reckons they’d need to convince the whole of Ambridge about the benefits, particularly farmers suffering poor crop yields as a result of standing water over the last year. Rex admits there would be considerable costs involved, but argues the benefits would outweigh these in the longer term. Tony is basically for it, but wants another meeting once Rex has done more research to build his case. Kirsty’s already convinced, though. Rex could sell her anything with his passion. At Ambridge View Emma tells Susan how bad she feels about Fallon, after taking her job - and about George, especially now she’s seen him in prison. Emma’s scared about the influence other prisoners could have on George, but Susan thinks George still has a good heart. Later, they both talk to Neil about how upsetting it is that George doesn’t want to see his grandparents and what they can do to protect him from bad influences while he’s inside. Neil then puts in another request to visit George, reports back later that he got a holding message in reply, but at least it wasn’t a flat refusal like last time. They’re both desperate to see him, whatever it takes.

Natasha has called Emma in to the Tearoom and offers Emma the position of part-time manager, as Natasha’s other commitments mean she can’t manage it on her own. Emma barely hesitates before accepting the offer and thanks Natasha for trusting her. Fallon tells Harrison she’s just informed Cell Charge that she’s not going ahead with the café at the Charging Station. Harrison thinks Justin should feel bad about what’s happened, but Fallon is already making other plans. Fallon then goes to see Natasha and asks for her old job back. It’s awkward and embarrassing, coming just days after her leaving do. Natasha is sympathetic when she hears Fallon’s reasons, but she’s just given the job to Emma. As she leaves, Fallon bumps into Emma but doesn’t say anything. Natasha though tells Emma and Tony what Fallon asked, but wants them to keep it to themselves. Natasha then phones Fallon to offer her shift work at the Tearoom, but Harrison doesn’t want Fallon to go back. And then guilty Emma comes round and begs Fallon to take back her old job, but Fallon is adamant - she can’t do it to Emma. Meanwhile, Tony tells distracted Natasha about his dream of building an eco house at Bridge Farm, but admits he’d more or less given up on the idea until Helen mentioned she may not buy the house on Beechwood. Natasha jokes that she and Tom could buy it instead. Tony leaps on this - if they buy Beechwood then Helen could move into the farmhouse, and he and Pat could live in the new eco house. Perfect!

At Bridge Farm, Helen’s impressed when Tony shows her what a good job Henry’s done trimming the goat’s hooves. They talk about the new buck arriving on Thursday and how committed Henry is to looking after it. Henry’s told Tony they’ll be having roast goat for dinner within eighteen months – he’s clearly growing up to be a farmer and planning ahead. Later, Tony asks Helen about the Beechwood house. Helen’s had the surveyor in and may need to negotiate a lower price with Kirsty, but her real problem is her ambivalence about living somewhere that’s like suburbia. She might start looking at other options. Tonys says they’d be welcome to move back in with him and Pat. Tony’s dream is to one day build and move into an eco-house at Bridge Farm, but admits it’s probably pie in the sky. At Woodbine Fallon tells Harrison she doesn’t want to go ahead with her new café, now she’s being offered an inferior unit. When Jolene drops in she offers help financially, admitting it’s a change of heart after turning Fallon down months ago. That was because of Markie though, and the dog attack on Kenton. Jolene asks Fallon and Harrison to at least think about her offer. Harrison then suggests he could talk to his parents about a loan and put in for regular overtime. But Fallon insists he’s completely stressed by work already. They’re not going to try and make it happen at all costs. She’s turning down the unit and that’s that.

As Kirsty and Rex sadly discuss plans for winding down Rewilding Ambridge, Justin barges in brandishing a contract which needs their signature. When Rex says he’s not jumping to Justin’s command, Kirsty stops him - she can’t believe what she’s reading. Justin confirms that it’s a contract for the lease of BL land at a peppercorn rent. They just need to sign it. Justin’s there to save the day! Rex and Kirsty celebrate later at The Bull but can’t get over Justin’s about-turn. As they raise a toast, Lilian says they should spread the word that Justin has a heart as warm as anyone in Ambridge. Justin’s frustrated when he can no longer get into the rewilding website. Lilian’s delighted by his rewilding decision, but says that everyone else thinks Justin must have an ulterior motive. Justin confirms he simply did it to help Kirsty and Rex – it’s a cause that he now sees is important. Fallon heads off to sign her EV Charging Station contract. Emma appears explaining that she needed to see Fallon to wish her well, producing a gift of a miniature bonsai tree. The one a Tearoom customer gave to Emma when she started up the tree surgery business. Fallon confesses she’s feeling nervous about it all, but Emma reckons the new café is the perfect thing for Fallon to do. But later Fallon tells Harrison she hasn’t signed the contract – they offered her an even smaller space and she’s not sure it’s going to work. She has a few days to make the decision. What is she going to do?

Kirsty tells Helen she’s sorry to see her mum go. And the surprising thing is that Megan’s purse and phone turned up in her bag, which she’d already searched. They agree that’s weird. Talks turns to Kirsty’s private sale of her house to Helen, who mentions she’d like a survey. She’d also like to keep the curtains if that’s possible. Later after some thought, Kirsty asks to keep them. With the sale of Willow Farm looming, it’s one less thing to worry about. Helen’s understanding.Emma and Will visit George in prison and are unnerved when George points out an inmate called Baseball, who looks scary. George explains that if he’s on your side, you’re laughing. When Will mentions that they’re trying to get George moved to a Young Offenders Institute, George thanks them but says he’s fine where he is. George adds that his cellmate is alright when you get to know him, and he’s making a few friends; people who’ll look out for you and watch your back. So he’s not going anywhere.Later Emma tells Susan that George was like his old self, full of confidence and mouthy. Susan thinks that’s good news, but Emma isn’t so sure. When Susan asks whether Emma sent her love, she guesses George didn’t say anything, and Emma confirms that he just looked away. Susan presumes it’s because George still blames her for putting him inside. Emma reckons he’ll come round, but then suddenly admits she hates George being in prison. He’s changing and making friends with some terrifying people. It feels worse than if George was being bullied.

Kirsty’s with Megan at Rewilding Ambridge where they chat about Fallon’s leaving do last night. Megan thinks Tom and Natasha were a bit on edge, but Kirsty reckons Megan’s imagining things. Rex tells them he’s just been running a trial of their website’s virtual tour. It’s running in a beta version at the moment before it’s finalised and goes live.Megan cautions Kirsty to be careful selling her Beechwood house to Helen without an agent. Kirsty berates her for being interfering like she was when she grilled Rex earlier about having a girlfriend. Kirsty and Rex have a business relationship and she can manage her own life.Justin tries out the virtual tour, mis-hits a key and a computerised version of Rex’s voice tells him that he’ll be the guide for the tour. Justin asks to be shown what’s happening with the rewilding this morning. ‘Rex’ explains that brambles are being cleared and Justin muses out loud that Kirsty’s working even though rewilding’s days are numbered. When ‘Rex’ repeats that Kirsty’s working when it all seems a bit pointless, Justin wonders what’s going on. ‘Rex’ invites Justin to visit the ‘Future of Ambridge Room’. There Justin sees a vision where wildlife and vegetation flourish. Then ‘Rex’ outlines the alternative; fields of mono-crops, a lack of wildlife and insects and a dead River Am. When Justin asks what would happen to the people if the rewilding stopped, ‘Rex’ states that Kirsty will lose her job and may give up hope and move away. She may disappear.

At the fireworks at Jubilee Field, Kirsty and Megan wonder if they’ll bump into Megan’s mystery rescuer. Megan describes him as charming and quiet, although interested in the rewilding. Kirsty thinks Rewilding Ambridge’s days are numbered and isn’t really in the mood for Fallon’s farewell do at the Tearoom.Later, Fallon tells the gathered throng that she had no idea about her surprise send off. Natasha and Helen make a speech singing Fallon’s praises, although afterwards Natasha admits to Fallon that she was disappointed by the way Fallon left. Fallon tells Harrison later that she’s feeling nervous about being her own boss.Megan’s frosty when she and Kirsty bump into Tom and Natasha. They quickly head off to circulate, whispering that Megan’s obviously not a woman to bear a grudge! Kirsty admonishes Megan afterwards saying she made her peace with Tom ages ago. Megan broaches the subject of Kirsty both moving on from her work and from being single, but Kirsty makes it clear she’s fine as she is.Harrison gets a police call out and has to leave early. Helen catches him on his way out asking him how he’s finding working full-time. Harrison’s cautious in his response saying it’s full on sometimes, but he’s not complaining.Tom thinks Natasha’s been too generous with Fallon, considering she hasn’t made things easy for them and will have a business to rival the Tearoom. And Fallon’s not going to be easy to replace. Natasha says she has someone in mind – her! Tom’s not convinced, especially when Natasha says she’s considering selling Summer Orchard to do it.