The Archers

Visiting the vicarage, Pat reiterates Henry and Khalil’s apology to Alan and recommends a glazier, but says she’s mainly come to say how upset Henry is. Defensively, Alan retorts that he shouted at them because the lads didn’t use their brains. Also he’s run off his feet, without this trouble on top. He reminds Pat of the time Henry vandalised the church door, and suggests Pat has never forgiven him about Rob’s baptism. As Chelsea cuts Justin’s hair dramatically short to his instruction, he says he’s not worried about a complete restyle, and can grow it back if he doesn’t like it. He’s delighted with the result and wonders aloud about a return to the brown colour of his youth. Chelsea steers him away from this, complimenting his grey hair. Justin then focuses on his skin worries – can she recommend someone who can treat his aging skin? Her friend Keisha does treatments such at fillers but Chelsea suggests starting with skin care products. Justin feels great, and once over her shock, Lilian says she likes his hair. When Justin shares his worries about his face collapsing at an alarming rate, Lilian at first gently teases him, but seeing his despair says she understands – she’s been trying to reverse the signs of aging since her 30s. She thinks it’s exhausting, expensive and not such a worry for men as women. Justin feels the reality of aging has just hit him – he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life tweaking his appearance, nor does he want to feel the way he does now.

Justin is horrified to hear that a highly unflattering photo of him has appeared on the village website. Khalil has caught him walking Ruby off lead in his distinctive purple velour tracksuit and has posted it. Justin angrily demands that Khalil removes it. Although Khalil is disappointed that people are commenting negatively on Justin’s appearance, his intention was to educate about dog walking rules, and name and shame those who break them. He argues that Justin was trespassing on Grange Farm land, and had a dog off lead close to livestock. Also, people are upset about Monty and want to express how they feel. Justin calls his solicitor, threatening legal action against Khalil if he doesn’t remove the photo. But Lilian twigs the truth – Justin is upset about the comments describing him as a hunched old man. Justin admits it’s made him see himself in a different light – he’s looked in the mirror and he’s old!Harrison’s police force friend, Leon, arrives from Yorkshire, and Fallon says she’ll work in her room out of the way. Over some beers, Leon gets the truth out of Harrison about Lily. Leon’s surprised and he’s not sure that getting off with a much younger woman, who lives in the same village, when you’re still house-sharing with your ex, is a great idea. Harrison and Leon are enjoying cocktails and burritos when Fallon comes down with her overnight bag. The situation is weird for her and although Harrison protests, she’s going to stay the night at The Bull.

Fallon is going through her event plans for Lower Loxley with an impressed Elizabeth. They talk about plans for a Winter Fayre and Fallon admits she’s been grateful to have something to focus on. Over in the gallery, Fallon talks about the music programme they could run, when Lily comes in bearing goodies from Grey Gables. Elizabeth suggests that Fallon goes through her pitch with Lily, both of them a little embarrassed by their own actions this week. Fallon confesses to Lily that her failed match making was because Conrad liked her. Lily asks if Fallon was tempted, but Fallon insists it’s far too soon. She questions if she needs to tell Harrison to an awkward Lily.Keira turns up at the Maliks’ house to make up with Khalil. She says Henry is going to the cinema and more importantly wants them talking. Keira says she’s brought homemade brownies but Khalil confesses he’s now vegan. Khalil updates Keira on how Lynda and Robert are doing without Monty, Keira asks how Khalil is doing. She doubts his new vegan diet will last long as he’d have to work hard at it. Khalil caves quickly and tucks into the brownie peace offering. They disagree over Khalil’s poor view of high intensity farming as a profession. Keira reminds him that she’s from a caring farming family and that it’s possible to care about the planet and still enjoy meat. He wants to support the Snells, who have been getting a lot of online criticism. Keira asks if they’re still mates, Khalil confirms they definitely are.

It’s the Battling Bulls social and Lily is on the stronger drinks tonight over the stress of the Flower and Produce show. Lynda was meant to be a judge but is devastated over Monty and Lily doesn’t want to add to her stress. Conrad arrives and asks Fallon about the beers on tap. He offers to buy her and Lily a drink, but as she’s working Fallon says she’ll only have a lime and soda. Later, Fallon asks Rex what he thinks of Lily and Conrad as a possible couple. Rex asks if Fallon is alright but also doesn’t know if Lily wants a new relationship. Lily is flirting with Conrad on Fallon’s advice until he turns her down. Rex finds Lily hiding as she sneaks off from rejection. Conrad finds Fallon at the bar, and to her surprise admits it was Fallon who caught his eye.George is out walking a naughty Holly when she runs into Lynda. Lynda can’t help but fuss over Holly saying she’s made her feel a little better. George invites Lynda to join them for the rest of the walk. They walk to Heydon Rise, and Lynda admires how it looks in the sunset. She talks about Monty and becomes emotional at the idea that he could be put down. George comforts her by recounting how he felt about Bartleby dying whilst he was still inside. George tells Lynda that she’s doing the right thing.

Robert and Lynda receive a bad review from their disgruntled B&B guest after last week’s events. When the invoice from the Brookfield sheep attack arrives, they are forced to relook at their finances. Robert becomes frustrated at the coldness of Brookfield’s email and Lynda has to soothe him. Robert points out they’ve accepted responsibility and lost Monty but the use of “sincerely” make him question everything they’ve done for the village. After spending the day sitting in Ambridge Hall lounge, they discuss how Ambridge has changed them both when their day gets worse when the bad review is posted to six more sites.At Lower Loxley, Rex and Lily are missing the cricket. Lily is trying to make sure her mum isn’t working during Vince’s Sunday lunch whilst Rex is checking on his pigs. Rex lets slip that Fallon is starting her new job at Lower Loxley tomorrow which puts Lily at unease. Lily gets flagged down by Fallon who was admiring the grounds but would love a cheeky lift back to her car. Lily agrees reluctantly. Fallon rambles on about her plans for Lower Loxley including the Cruck Barn workshops. Fallon offers to take them all to the tearoom but Lily uses the Flower and Produce show as an excuse. Rex notices and questions Lily who confesses she kissed Harrison.

George is back at Meadow Farm watching his grandpa work. Eddie’s surprised George missed the opportunity to criticise at early morning milking. George shows Eddie a picture of a supercar he’s been reading about online and laments that he’ll never own one. Amber arrives to drop off George’s forgotten house keys. Eddie suggests that George could work for Amber’s dad at the car showroom for a few weeks while his wrist heals. Amber reckons George would hate it, but George disagrees and see the advantages of the idea. Amber’s not sure, but with a little more persuasion she’s won round and agrees to give her dad a call. On a busy morning for breakfasts Lynda and Robert deal patiently with a particularly demanding couple, who complain the breakfast is too hot and the coffee tastes odd. Lynda admits she’s tired, but they have guests to please before she can rest. Robert agrees and they knuckle down. However Robert’s limits are tested when one of the tricky guests raises the subject of Monty, branding him a dangerous dog and taking the situation out of context. Robert protests but to no avail, and the guest ploughs on regardless. Robert worries that Lynda will overhear the upsetting claims, and asks the guest to keep her voice down. However Lynda’s calm when she approaches, despatching Robert back to the kitchen. Diane the guest accuses Lynda of being in denial, and unable to control a fully-grown Dobermann. Lynda closes the conversation down before asking Diane and her husband to leave the premises immediately.

Eddie’s covering George’s work at Meadow Farm, and grumbles when George comes to check up on him: George is lucky he’s covered the work at all. George concedes he’s grateful. Eddie suggests he makes the most of the break while his wrist’s injured. George protests he’s restless staying in all the time and feels bad that Amber’s having to work right up until the baby’s born. He’s worried he won’t be fit in time to help out when the time comes. Eddie counsels that bad things happen and you just have to get on with it. He manages to persuade grateful Esme to pay him in cash, plus a little extra. Esme frets a little about having to fork out sick pay as well. Eddie asserts that her dad would be proud of the fine job she’s doing with the farm. Keira helps Susan cleaning shelves at the shop, noting her Great Grandad Bert’s absence. Susan explains he’s playing dominoes at the pub. She admits to hoping she’d have her house back by now, but Brad’s still redecorating at No.6 The Green. Susan raises the topic of Monty, and Keira admits she doesn’t know what to do to help Khalil, who’s not sleeping. Azra comes in and Keira panics as Susan quizzes her on Khalil’s state of mind. With the two of them now leaning on Keira for answers she divulges Khalil saw pictures of the dead sheep on someone’s phone. She’s mortified to have betrayed this confidence. Susan assures her it was for the greater good.

Akram’s excited for what he might enter in the Flower & Produce Show, and invites Khalil to come to the allotment to help him choose. Khalil declines; he and Keira will be gaming instead. Azra and Akram agree Khalil isn’t himself, probably still affected by the situation with Lynda’s dog, Monty. They speculate that he might be feeling guilty about his rant at Brookfield last week. Azra resolves to go over there and apologise on Khalil’s behalf. Later she and Ruth chat about Pip and Stella’s wedding before Azra gently broaches the subject of the attack offers her apology for Khalil’s actions. Ruth tells her not to worry, brushing the incident with Khalil aside. She admits she’s still feeling shocked over the attack on the sheep. Azra sympathises, and they agree it’s a horrible situation for everyone. Meanwhile Khalil complains to Keira that his family is breathing down his neck, whilst admitting he’s having flashbacks to the images of the sheep. He loved Monty like a friend and can’t get his head round what he did. Keira suggests Azra might be able to help, but Khalil’s adamant his family mustn’t know he’s seen the pictures. They already worry too much about him. Later Azra and Akram agree it’s a relief how understanding Ruth and David were about Khalil. There’s an awkward moment for Keira when they quiz her about what might be bothering Khalil, but she successfully diverts them. They hope they’re worrying about nothing.

Harrison pops home for lunch and finds Fallon in the middle of domestic chores. She starts to point out to Harrison his share of the jobs, but before an argument can start Harrison receives an email from a Darrington letting agent with property rental options. They’re all small and expensive. Harrison declares they will just have to be pragmatic as he quotes the advice Alistair gave him. Freddie calls to question Fallon about her new job. He asks about the recruitment process and Fallon’s experience, making Fallon feel uneasy. Later at Lower Loxley, Fallon asks Elizabeth if Freddie is okay with Fallon working there. Elizabeth promises to have a word with him. Fallon vents to Elizabeth about the difficulties of her separation. Elizabeth catches Freddie in between online training and asks why he’s been quizzing Fallon. Freddie reckons Elizabeth could have employed him instead. He confesses he’s worried that he won’t inherit Lower Loxley until he’s 100 if he can’t prove himself capable. Anna is at Brookfield, venting about Richard’s memorial service to sympathetic David. She needs somewhere to catch up on her cases but is avoiding the Tearoom after yesterday. David suggests The Orangery to Anna, who’s grateful for his suggestion. Harrison arrives at Brookfield to give an update on the sheep attack. David can’t quite wrap his head around Monty being responsible. Harrison explains one option is that Monty could go home if David and Ruth are prepared to accept a community resolution order.

In the village shop, Alistair and Harrison are looking for biscuits to improve their bad days. Alistair tells Harrison he’s sorry to hear of his and Fallon’s separation and offers advice and a chat if Harrison would like one. At the Tearoom, Alistair recounts his and Shula’s separation. He says there is life after divorce and that even he and Shula are friends again. Lynda and Robert recount yesterday’s events to Lilian who’s shocked. Lynda makes some barbed comments to Robert, saying he did nothing to stop them taking Monty. Robert goes to answer the phone and Lilian asks Lynda to be fair to Robert. They are both missing Monty. Lynda thinks Robert’s didn’t defend Monty, who must be innocent. Lynda asks Alistair for a character reference as proof the police have made a mistake with Monty. Alistair explains he was there after the sheep attack and had to euthanise some of the injured. Lynda pushes him to vouch for Monty, but Alistair argues that there’s not a single dog he could vouch for as all dogs are capable of attacking livestock. Lynda returns to Ambridge Hall and Robert asks her to sit down. He’s got through to the B&B guests from that day, and the children saw Monty coming in through the back gate with blood on him. They cleaned him to avoid getting him in trouble. Robert believes it might have been Monty behind the attack, and calls Harrison to tell him the news. They ask about what happens next so that they can have Monty back home.

It’s the day of the village fete. Chelsea’s upset over the cancelled launch of the horsebox salon. Whilst Amber donated styling tools, she has nothing to cut hair. Lilian arrives and promises to play fairy godmother. Keira says they need to wait for Khalil so they can hide in the horsebox to avoid the entrance fee. Lilian later arrives with a loan from Fabrice of everything Chelsea needs; Chelsea’s put too much effort into the horsebox for it to fall at the first hurdle. The big launch is back on! Keira asks Lilian how she persuaded Fabrice, and Lilian admits she’s agreed to be the face of his next promotional campaign. Lynda accosts Alan over his entrance fee, trying to persuade him to drop it. Alan insists it’s not ‘his’ entrance fee and is raising funds for the Church bell. They agree to drop the price. A soaked Alan is suffering from the queue at ‘Dunk the Vicar’, as Lynda brings him a strong coffee and an update. Carol’s scavenger hunt clues are too obscure, leading people to abandon it in favour of the beer tent. Monty refuses to leave the car, so Robert takes him home. When Khalil comes to enter him into the Pets Ring, Robert persuades Khalil to enter Ruby instead to help Lilian. When Alan tries to hide in the horsebox Khalil insists he must have a haircut to stay. As Chelsea is grabbing lunch, Khalil starts to have a go before Keira can stop him. Chelsea arrives back to save the haircut, giving Alan a new look.

With 6 weeks to go until her due date, Amber is feeling huge and is surrounded by boxes of baby products to promote on her socials. She asks Keira why Poppy seems off with her. Keira seems unconcerned and says it will blow over but says she’ll ask her sister. After finishing a pre-natal yoga class at Grey Gables, Amber bumps into Brad on his way to work and there’s an awkward tension between them. Amber wants to help replenish Chelsea’s stolen beauty products. Brad asks about the baby and Amber realises, with a jolt, that she hasn’t felt it move all day. With rising panic she’s determined to drive to the hospital and, unable to reach George, Brad goes with her. Meanwhile, alone at Meadow Farm, George slips from the tractor onto his wrist. In pain, with a very swollen wrist, he calls Eddie to take him to hospital, ignoring several calls from Brad… Relieved that the midwife has given the all-clear, Brad tells Amber that he thinks she’s amazing. Meanwhile in A&E, George is frustrated with the waiting time and the lack of phone signal. Deciding to go home and take painkillers instead, his phone comes back to life, and he realises that Amber’s in hospital too. After an emotional reunion in the car park, it becomes clear to Brad that George and Amber truly care about each other. Alone, George and Amber tenderly reassure each other. They are just keen for this baby to get here safely.

As Keira helps Eddie prepare cider bottles, they discuss the forthcoming ‘fete worse than death.’ Eddie is put out by the cost of putting the ferrets into the pet competition, on top of the £5 entry fee. Keira loves being part of the process of cider making and adores traditions. Perhaps they could wassail in January and sing to the apple trees? Eddie entertains her with stories of the kissing boughs he made in his youth and his first kiss. Although it’s too late now to grow something for the Flower and Produce Show, perhaps Keira could make a Cider Cake and fly the Grundy flag? These craft skills are passed down through the generations and soon they’ll be celebrating the next Grundy.Bert grumpily thanks Neil for making him lunch, saying he’s only bad-tempered because his toenails are too long – Jazzer would normally cut them - could Neil? Calling on Jazzer, Neil is advised to watch more telly with Bert and bond over war films. Speaking of the foot care, reading aloud and special purchases for Bert, Jazzer is amazed. He’s never done them, Neil’s been had! Returning home, Neil makes Bert uncomfortable by suggesting a vulnerable heart to heart chat. Neil also welcomes Jazzer for a toe-clipping session, with the kitchen scissors. Bert’s been rumbled and apologises. Neil and Jazzer insist they’ll take Bert to The Bull, but the drinks are on him.