The Archers

Elizabeth and Vince are getting ready for Vince’s birthday party. Lily is yet to appear and Elizabeth worries over her relationship with Harrison. With most of Ambridge, and the Casey clan, invited, Elizabeth hopes she did the right thing by encouraging Lily to invite Harrison, knowing how much the village loves gossip. Vince tries to comfort her and jokes that he works in the perfect line of work for body disposal should the relationship go sour. At Woodbine Cottage, Harrison tells Fallon he’s going to Vince’s party with Lily. Fallon says he guessed from his aftershave and doesn’t want to hear updates of his new relationship. After he leaves, Fallon reaches out to Grant, one of the prospective ‘Dross’ band members from last year, and invites him to meet up for dinner. Lily and Harrison chat away with Vince and Elizabeth, and Lily shares that people have clearly been bad mouthing her and Harrison behind their backs – even Steph Casey made a comment. Vince assures the couple they’ve done the hard part in showing up together. Harrison appreciates being so welcomed. Elizabeth and Vince are giving him the benefit of the doubt, but tease Harrison he’d better not hurt her. Harrison brings Lily back to the cottage, assuming Fallon has gone out. But Fallon and Grant have stayed at the cottage, too late for the pub. Grant drove, but after some flirting agreed to stay. Fallon’s not awkward as she makes drinks and introductions for all four of them.

Indignantly, Brian visits Ian at work. Brian reports that Kirsty was very effusive when thanking him for his donation of a child’s gardening station to Rewilding Ambridge. Brian wants an answer on why Xander’s gift has been passed on. Ian answers that Adam didn’t want to accept the gift. Upset, Brian points out that Xander will be thinking his grandfather has abandoned him, and asks just how long is Adam going to keep him away? Lynda attends a business lunch alone with Martyn Gibson at Grey Gables. She gives him her dog field enterprise plans and he asks her to keep it from Brian. An unsettled Brian approaches and briefly joins them. He questions their meeting and Lynda covers by saying Martyn’s volunteering to help at the Harvest Supper. Brian quips about Lynda’s ridiculous dog field proposals.

Elizabeth wonders if Lily would like to invite Harrison to Lower Loxley for Vince’s party. Lily thinks it might be too complicated with Jolene and Kenton attending. She’s tired of the local gossip. Later, whilst waiting for Harrison with a mojito on the Grey Gables terrace, Lily thanks Ian for defending her against the staff teasing. When Harrison arrives, Lily says she’s no longer bothered about being spotted with him. How would he like to come to Vince’s party? She’d understand if he didn’t want to, but Harrison doesn’t want to miss seeing her, nor the chance to see her in a party dress, so the answer is yes.

Admiring Clarrie’s knitted blanket on the baby, Susan hears from Amber that her son is still being called ‘baby’. Amber’s had some great products from sponsors and feels it’s nearly time to do some baby content before she loses followers. Susan inadvertently tells Amber about Eddie’s betting book. Later, at Grange Farm, Susan prompts Eddie to apologise to Amber. He defends the action, saying it was just to get George and Amber some name ideas, plus he’d hoped but failed to get them some money on the side. Amber says she was upset not to be told, but is now keen to see the ideas. It’s inspired her to use it for her socials – introduce the baby to her followers with an interactive appeal for names. Amber reminds a sceptical Susan how hard she’s worked to get this far as an influencer. Besides, her online community helps her feel less isolated and will keep her engaged during the long night feeds.

Lynda visits Brookfield where Pip assures her there is no animosity towards her and Robert. Lynda says she’d like to create something positive from the situation and outlines the dog exercise field plan, highlighting the safety features. Pip can see the benefits for dog owners such as Stella, but as a local farmer has some concerns. Lynda addresses all questions and adds that the enterprise would make the whole village safer. Pip is reassured and in principle doesn’t have any objections, nor does she think her parents would. Pip thinks the idea is commendable after everything that’s happened. If anyone can handle the challenges of it, it’s Lynda.

Freddie and Elizabeth are up early delivering clothes options for Vince’s party to The Stables. They catch Lily having breakfast with Harrison and it’s uncomfortable. Later, planning the wedding, Pip and Elizabeth look through crates of games to occupy the young wedding guests. Freddie will teach the macarena and start the night with family friendly tunes, before moving on to Motown classics and noughties indie to please both of the brides. Discussing Lily, Pip defends the issue of age gap relationships, with her and Stella as an example. Elizabeth doesn’t sound convinced. However later, visiting Lily, she is appalled to hear that Kenton approached Lily at work to warn her off Harrison, leaving her feeling attacked and angry. Responding, Elizabeth tells Lily that she should go for it with Harrison, and other people should keep their noses out. Elizabeth vows to confront her brother Kenton.

Harrison arrives at Grange Farm to find Ed and Eddie inspecting the vandalised dry stone walls. It’s thought that people are stealing the stones. He suggests installing some hidden trail cameras in the trees with signage to deter damage. Eddie’s progressing with his betting book for the Grundy baby name. Harrison has suggested Dan, but refused to pay the £5 Eddie is asking to take part.

Privately, Harrison assures Ed that he was not with Lily when he was still with Fallon. Ed admits he was shocked that he’s moved on, but Harrison is insistent – seeing Lily doesn’t mean he’s moved on.

Brian and Martyn are watching the stags rutting when Lynda approaches to ask Brian about having the dog field at Home Farm. His outlay would be the installation of secure deer fencing and a water supply. Brian thinks the idea of letting dogs roam wild on his land after the attack is absurd. Even if secure, how could he look David in the eye if he backed it? In The Bull, Martyn tells Lynda that Brian had been harsh and the idea has potential. He’d be confident that he could get a positive majority board decision if she and Robert wanted to use BL Land. A win-win. There’d be support for gaining a profit from land not best suited to agriculture. Martyn suggests that Lynda speaks to the Brookfield Archers for their thoughts.

Amber goes through unusual baby name choices with Emma, who has popped round with Ed. Eddie has set up a book for people to bet on the baby’s name. Ed says he’ll hold the baby to keep him quiet so that Amber can go and eat. However, Ed puts him in his Moses basket to take a call from Martyn. The baby starts to howl, and Amber comes to comfort him. On their way home, Emma is reflecting on their simple life without complications, and instructs Ed to tell Martyn he won’t spy on Brian. On the phone, Ed stands up to Martyn, who winds him up, suggesting Ed is Brian’s yes-man. After the call, Emma helps Ed put it in perspective. They’ve got their own business and grandchild to focus on now.

Eddie and Emma are impressed at Little Grange when George straps the baby to his chest in his sling, calming him. It’s a little crowded at home, and Eddie says they’re always welcome to come up to Grange Farm for some space. She promises to bring round some Victoria sponge which she’s made as Ed’s birthday cake. When Eddie arrives at The Green bearing a supply of Clarrie’s home-baked food, George sensitively tells him that Amber’s not sure about Joe as a first name for the baby. She wants something more unusual. To George’s relief, Eddie isn’t upset. Later, George shares that he doesn’t think he’s doing a great job as a parent but Emma boosts him, also reminding him of all the support he has. Brian asks Adam how Xander’s birthday went. He has a large present to bring over, but Adam says not to, saying Xander has already had an overwhelming amount of gifts. Ignoring this, Brian drops the present round to Ian, who is impressed to see it’s a child-sized gardening station, compete with mini greenhouse. Although enthusiastic about the gift, Ian’s less so about an insistent Brian wanting to come in and assemble the set. Later, when Adam sees the gardening set, he loves it, but is then astonished to hear it’s from Brian, and that he defied his wishes. Although Ian tries to defend Brian and suggests Adam builds bridges now, Adam is resolute. They can’t let Xander see the gift. He doesn’t want Brian in their son’s life.

As Amber breastfeeds, she wonders to George whether the baby suits the name Joe. George hovers around wanting to help, but being not much use to Amber, goes out with a shopping list and to walk Holly.

Susan has just served Harrison in the shop and gossips to George, wondering if he and Fallon have got back together now that he’s moved back into Woodbine. Susan remarks that George’s list will need a supermarket, and she promises to fetch the items after her shift.

George visits Eddie and helps him load troughs into a van. A pub in Darrington has bought them as planters. Delivering the planters, Eddie spots Harrison, who is taking drinks to a table. He is obviously on a date with Lily, and Eddie comments that he’s traded Fallon in for a younger model. George is reluctant to engage in gossip and wants to get home to Amber.

Susan delivers the shopping to a grateful Amber, who is exhausted and sore from her stitches. Susan holds the baby, allowing Amber to take a rest. Afterwards, Amber shares how overwhelmed she’s feeling by the birth and just how much the baby needs her. She’s also feeling bad about being annoyed by George. Susan reassures her – these feelings are completely normal. In a few months, they’ll adjust and everything will be fine. Later, Amber and George are open with each other about their raw and confused emotions but know they’re so lucky to have the baby and each other.

Amber is craving ice cream so drives over to the shop where she meets Keira and Brad. She shares that she’s been up since 6am with backache and Keira points out that it sounds like she’s definitely in labour. Amber agrees and they ask Robert, who’s arrived to shop, to take Amber to the birthing centre.

Initially uncertain of going with him, Robert re-introduces himself to Amber, puts a picnic rug down on his back seat and asks Brad to accompany her, all the while keeping them distracted with birth tales from his first marriage. As Brad fills in George, also en-route, on the phone, he helps Amber with her breathing and holds her hand. When George reminds Brad to record it, Amber dismisses the plan of filmed socials content completely.

At the birthing centre, Amber rejects the planned water birth and requests an epidural. But the baby is on the way and so the midwife, with encouragement from George, helps her through. Amber’s scared and feels out of control. Nothing is as she planned. Phoning Brad, George shares how scared he is for the baby and for Amber. He’s seen so many animals being born but it’s awful seeing Amber in pain. Perhaps its karma for the bad things he’s done. Brad tells him to be strong for Amber.

Back in the birthing suite the baby is starting to crown and Amber gives it everything to deliver a baby boy. Amber and George are overcome. She’s not bothered that it wasn’t livestreamed, though vows she’s never doing it again. It’s the best day of her life!

Starting a batch of Sterling Gold, Helen shares with Tracy that Slavko is coping well with milking the increased herd. Helen has paid extra for fast-track tickets for the family to go to a theme park at half term. Jazzer endures giving a struggling Brad another driving lesson. Jazzer shares that working in the pig industry at the moment is hard. However there’s been good news from Jim, visiting the ruins of ancient Carthage – he’s happy for the Riley to be sold. As they finish the lesson, Brad’s attempt at reverse parking ends in disaster for Helen’s gate, which now resembles a piece of modern sculpture. Brad visits Helen at the dairy with his apology and she’s understanding, accepting his offer of paying for a replacement gate. Tracy comments at home that Helen could afford to replace it herself but Brad’s keen to pay and Jazzer offers to fit it. Brad ignores Tracy and Jazzer’s hints to take a break from driving lessons, and says the collision has made him even more determined. Robert asks Kirsty if Rewilding Ambridge would consider hosting their proposed Dog Walking Field. As these field requirements are the antithesis of rewilding she has to turn him down. Kate approaches and reproaches Kirsty for discussing work. When Kirsty asks her to stop fussing, Kate agrees to pull back and find a happy medium. Later Robert asks Kate for a Spiritual Home voucher to treat Lynda. Kate’s intrigued by the dog walking idea and she promises to look into it.

Anna visits Willow Farm, where Kirsty is trying to relax by reading one of Kate’s fantasy books. Anna wonders if Rewilding Ambridge would host her mother’s funeral. Not the interment, which will be at the green burial ground, but the celebration of her life. It will be pagan in nature and quite unconventional, and Kirsty is happy with the ideas. She tells Anna that she’s actually off sick with high blood pressure, but that Rex will be able to help. Despite needing to rest, Kirsty decides to do some research into pagan ceremonies. Kate arrives and tells her off for working, but Kirsty needs distraction from her worries about the baby. Kate agrees to help and visits Anna with ideas.

Anna is trying to take more time out, inspired by Kirsty, and she and Kate enjoy some wine, discussing rituals such as a glow worm release or timing the ceremony for a natural firework display – a meteor shower!

Amber feels like a whale washed up in the desert. Bringing a bag of baby grows gifted from his Uncle Stu via Tracy, Brad tries to entertain Amber with stories of Stu, and his unknown number of children, and the new swear words Brad’s learning from Jazzer as he teaches Brad to drive. Amber’s having twinges of pain when Keira arrives, who rings George to come home, as Amber is in labour. Amber is soaking her feet when George arrives, but it’s been a false alarm as the twinges have eased. Brad makes his excuses to leave when George starts a welcome foot massage.

Pip hasn’t slept well worrying about the child-free wedding policy. Deciding to invite Seren and Nova, Stella passes on the news to a delighted Natasha. However when Pip tells Rosie, she’s stroppy as Rosie finds them annoying – can’t they invite her best friend Maddie, Lottie’s daughter? Stella and Pip think this would be ok, but then what about Xander? And Stella’s family’s children? They jokingly suggest eloping.

Anna shares with Alan that she feels responsible for her mother’s death. If she hadn’t put the bat outside, Carol wouldn’t have gone to look for it and fallen. Plus she pushed too hard to make Carol consider The Laurels. Anna’s feeling alone but accepts Alan’s help as a sounding board for planning the funeral. She knows her mum had strong feelings about some funerals so knows what she wouldn’t want. She thinks a nature based ceremony, with perhaps a Wiccan celebrant would fit. She’d love Alan to speak at the funeral, not in a religious capacity, but as a friend to Carol. Anna doesn’t know what they’d have done without him.

Lynda and Robert are viewing a beautiful cottage with an eye to downsizing. Although it’s perfect in many ways, and they’ll put in an offer tomorrow, their hearts aren’t in it. At home, Robert can’t stop thinking of ways around moving, and returns to the idea of a dog exercise field. He thinks if they find the right one, plus one or two extra income streams, they can stay at Ambridge Hall. Lynda is ecstatic.

Ruth calls in at Glebe Cottage, waking Anna, who realises she’s late for court in Bristol. Ruth suggests that Anna should perhaps call in sick, or ask for compassionate leave. Anna says there’s no time to instruct alternative counsel, even if she wanted to. She accuses Ruth of interference when she tells Anna that her stress could affect the case and her career. When Anna returns home, Ruth is at Glebe. Ruth shares that she lost her mother very suddenly. Anna replies that Ruth’s mother was much younger and her death unexpected. Carol was 95 and in hospital. It’s very different circumstances and Anna is absolutely fine.

Brad is frustrated that the bus timetable has changed, meaning he’ll be late every day for his final Uni year. Brad wonders if Tracy would teach him to drive, like she did with Chelsea. Then he could use Tracy’s car, and Tracy could use the Riley, which is currently off the road in need of repair. Tracy feels she has to agree and Brad offers to update the insurance. Later she confides in Jazzer – Brad is wonderful but doesn’t have Chelsea’s co-ordination. Jazzer says that the Riley’s repair has defeated him and, with Jim’s blessing, should be sold. Brad announces that he’s updated the insurance and is ready for his first lesson. Jazzer steps in and offers to take him out. Brad returns from the lesson upbeat and confident, and goes to check out test applications, whereas Jazzer is shellshocked. He tells Tracy that Brad’s going to need a lot of practice.

George and Eddie collect apples in the community orchard for cider-making. George reports that Amber is overdue and uncomfortable, but that he can’t wait for his cast to come off on Tuesday. Eddie is quiet and thoughtful and shares that he’s thinking about his dad, Joe, who would have been 105 years old. They reflect on his life and Eddie feels he doesn’t have the same legacy to pass on. George disagrees and says he’ll be able to talk about him to his own children in the orchard in the future. George tells his Grandpa that they’re thinking about calling the baby Joe – or Josephine.

Ruth chats to Natasha as she pays for shopping at Grange Farm. Natasha, to Ruth’s puzzlement, mentions that Seren and Nova are excited for Pip and Stella’s wedding, as it will be the first one they’ve ever attended.

Later Ruth asks Stella if the invitations had been clear, that the wedding is adults only. Stella says yes, it clearly invited Tom and Natasha. But Ruth suggests that the instructions weren’t explicit enough. Stella visits Natasha and starts with small talk about the botanical skin care before bringing up the invitation misunderstanding. Natasha is defensive – surely, as they’re relatives, the no children policy doesn’t apply to Seren and Nova. Besides, the girls are counting down the days and have special outfits. She adds that surely Rosie will be going – and won’t she want little ones to play with? Stumped for a reply, Stella promises to talk it through with Pip.

Lily cautiously approaches Fallon at the Cruck Barn and asks if she should avoid Lower Loxley. She doesn’t want to make things awkward for Fallon. Fallon doesn’t need her to, and Lily stresses that she wasn’t having an affair with Harrison, no matter what Kenton thinks. Fallon doesn’t think they were, and doesn’t want Lily and Harrison to hide away on her account. They agree that they needn’t avoid each other, they will be civilised but not over-friendly.

Anna and Usha are excitedly visiting The Laurels ahead of Carol’s proposed respite stay. Anna’s so impressed with Alan’s powers of persuasion and calls him a saint. Alan visits Carol, who is visibly weakened. She sleepily reveals that the nurses couldn’t get her up today and have tried to contact Anna. Alarmed, Alan messages Usha. Carol is very quiet and happy for Alan to just sit with her. She says she’s not frightened now, and keeps drifting off. She agrees to him saying some prayers as her breathing slows.

Leaving The Laurels, Anna and Usha realise their silent phones have meant they’ve missed many calls and messages. Usha rushes Anna to the hospital where Alan is still saying prayers – he confirms that Carol has just slipped away. Anna can’t believe this when she seemed to be on the mend. She begs Alan to tell her how she died and he confirms it was peaceful, without apparent pain. Giving Anna some privacy, she holds Carol’s hand and, distraught, asks Carol why she couldn’t hang on for her to be with her at the end.

Tony and Leonard celebrate their latest repairs with muffins. When Leonard tentatively suggests that Joy and Mick deserve some too, Tony puts his cards on the table – he never wanted others involved. However, Tony is overcome when he receives a special delivery from Dom at the actual Repair Shop – it’s Tony’s late son John’s repaired tractor toy. Leonard gently suggests that this is the point of the repairs, to bring joy to others. Tony accepts that they could expand their little team. They can also manage expectations by limiting drop-offs to their new set sessions at the Tea Room.

George reminds Esme what a great worker his Grandpa is, and that Eddie’d be a better choice of worker at Meadow Farm than lazy Larry she’s hired. Angry Esme reminds him that she doesn’t work with liars, and that includes Eddie.

Lynda visits Esme and proposes a joint venture of a secure dog field on her unused land. Esme rejects this – she hasn’t the time to get involved and doesn’t think Lynda and Robert would be a good advert for such an enterprise.

When Amber calls George to say that her waters have broken on her due date, Lynda offers to drive them to the hospital, where Amber’s keen to film content. Later they call Lynda to say they’re on their way home – it turns out the baby had been pressing on Amber’s bladder and she’d wet herself – making her think the baby was coming – an easy mistake for a first-time mum!

Alan is delighted to see Carol much improved and sitting out of bed. He updates her on the lack of progress in fundraising for the church bell repair and she tells him she’s managed a few steps with the physio. Carol agrees that she was a little hard on Anna, so Alan suggests sending a bouquet of flowers, which he orders on his phone. Carol is pleased to get the chance to practice her online banking, and with Alan’s help initially, she manages a transfer to his account. Feeling more optimistic about a stay at The Laurels, Carol teases Alan for smirking at her change of heart.

Kenton surprises Lily who is relaxing in her car on a break at Grey Gables. He believes Harrison and she were having an affair which ended his marriage to Fallon, and that Lily will get hurt. Offended, Lily says he’s wrong. She questions what right Kenton has to interfere. Saying he didn’t mean to upset her, Kenton leaves. Harrison calls in unannounced at Woodbine, to Fallon’s frustration. He’s surprised to find his belongings packed in the hallway, to which Fallon responds that he can put them in the car to take to the Stables to be with Lily. Harrison has no intention of moving in with Lily. He’s been staying, uncomfortably, on Chris’s airbed. He doesn’t want to stay with friends and can’t afford to rent on top of the Woodbine costs. He realises that the only option is to stay in the house he owns, and he’s moving back in – today.

Joy and Mick are enjoying doing some repairs in their ‘Repair Grotto’ garage with items Tony has reluctantly given them to work on. Mick thinks this attitude is because Tony wants all the limelight. Joy thinks it’s probably just worry about losing items if more people get involved. Lynda calls in and is delighted with Mick’s repair to her hairdryer. She reveals over tea that she and Robert have decided to close the B&B business due to their bad review being widely shared. They will downsize and find something else to do together. Mick suggests a dog field like his friend runs – an enclosed field for hire to dog owners for off-lead exercise. Lynda is intrigued.

At the hospital, Anna and Tony visit Carol, who is feeling worse. She’s tired and also sick of the other patients and changes on the ward. Patients are disruptive at night and she never gets enough rest. She feels hospital is the worst place to be ill. Carol doesn’t think she’ll walk again, although Tony reassures her that many people he’s known at The Laurels have recovered well from broken hips. She brings up the million-dollar question – what’s her next step? Carol wants to return to Glebe, where she could have a bed and equipment installed, and carers four times a day. Although Anna protests, Carol doesn’t think she’ll be offered rehab and wants to talk to the Discharge team about getting her back home. The sooner Carol’s out of here, the better.

Jolene helps Fallon with her cleaning and sorting at Woodbine cottage and angrily adds Harrison’s clothes to a bag. If she had her way, Jolene would throw his stuff out the window. Fallon wants to keep things civil - after all, Harrison pays most of the bills and it will be a while until she’s earning more at Lower Loxley.

At the Bull, over their award-winning smoothies, Jolene says Harrison must be on the rebound to have got together with someone so much younger than himself. Fallon thinks people will say it’s because Lily is at an age where she might want children. Fallon doesn’t want to be the subject of gossip at Lower Loxley. They wonder if Elizabeth knows about Lily and Harrison.

As Leonard buys chocolates for Carol at the shop, he mentions to Joy that he’s been struggling with a silver brooch repair for Sabrina Thwaite. Joy is keen to help – she once worked for a jeweller and would often help with repairs. Ex-roadie Mick could also help with items Leonard and Tony couldn’t manage. Later, Leonard reports that Tony is not too keen to have more people join the repair workshop team.

Tony and Leonard can’t keep up with demand for their repair service and are thinking of restricting Jean Harvey’s items. Tony comments that the greenhouse at Bridge Farm is really allowing them to expand their offering. Anna arrives from the hospital and reports that Carol is alternating between being in a lot of pain, or away with the fairies on morphine. Perhaps however it’s a good sign that she is back to complaining about things. Anna wonders if her mum will ever be able to return to Glebe Cottage. Leonard and Tony offer to visit Carol to give Anna some respite and promise to give Carol encouraging stories about The Laurels.

Lily is still stunned that Harrison told Fallon about them and is not ready to navigate the coming backlash. Harrison is very open and declares his feelings – for him, this could be a long-term relationship. Lily, more cautious, says she needs to think.

At The Bull, Jolene enthuses about the new chef Mags, who also gets on well with Joy. Fallon has a quiet word with Harrison – he must tell Jolene about Lily, or she will. On the phone to Lily, he warns her that their relationship may not been under the radar for much longer. Lily backtracks on her earlier restraint and reassures Harrison that she’s not giving him the brush off. When Harrison warily tells Jolene about Lily, she hits the roof. She can’t believe she and Kenton have been so hospitable and gives Harrison five minutes to pack his bag and get out of her pub!

At Woodbine Cottage, Harrison is grabbing his stuff for his move to The Bull. He takes the alarm clock but says he doesn’t have space for his winter clothes. Fallon agrees he doesn’t need to take everything as they don’t know what they’re doing long term. Harrison says Fallon’s cooking smells fantastic, and she says he should stay and have some. She always cooks too much these days. Harrison says he can’t tonight.

Fallon starts to question Harrison’s evening plans before he admits he’s meeting someone, and it’s not platonic. Fallon becomes hurt by the speed at which he’s moved on. She asks if it’s something that started when they were married. Harrison is hurt by the accusation and insists he would have never cheated on Fallon. They start fighting when a tea towel sets on fire. Harrison goes to put it out with a fire extinguisher before Fallon grabs it and puts it in the sink. Harrison becomes worried over how Fallon could have hurt herself. Fallon asks if they’re making a mistake. Harrison asks if she wants to try again. He says they could work it out. Fallon gently tells him to go on his date.

As Harrison is about to leave, he admits that he’s meeting Lily Pargetter. Fallon asks why he even told her that. Lily is a lot younger than him and Kenton’s niece. She throws a mug at him which shatters. Harrison goes to clean it up as Fallon shouts that she wants him out. Harrison says he’s sorry about tonight.

Khalil calls in at Ambridge Hall to see how Lynda and Robert are doing. Robert says that they were about to play Scrabble and invites Khalil to join them. Lynda says that’s the last thing a young person would want to do on an afternoon. Khalil says he actually would like to play. Scrabble shark Robert gets a triple word score. Khalil becomes nervous over a word, but Robert and Lynda say to play it. Lynda becomes emotional when seeing the word MONTY and Khalil tries to apologise. Lynda insists it’s fine, she just misses him. Robert says he’ll allow a proper name just this once. As Khalil leaves, Robert and Lynda admit that he’s made them feel better.

Anna is sitting by Carol’s bedside in hospital as she comes round. When Carol asks to go home, Anna reminds her that she must have an operation for her broken hip. Carol says she wants to speak to the consultant again. When asked why she was in the graveyard, Carol admits she went out to look for the baby bat. Later, Anna asks Carol about whether she filled in the medical forms right and whether Carol would want resuscitating. Alan arrives to check how Carol is doing and is heavily praised by Carol. Carol asks Alan to pray with her but harshly insists Anna must leave. Carol asks Alan to help her feel less afraid of death. She can’t say that in front of Anna. She doesn’t want Anna to know she’s a coward.

On the school bus, Keira says she’s jealous of Henry’s sickness bug to an amused Khalil. He says he enjoys learning and Keira can’t believe they’re even friends. Keira becomes self-conscious after a girl at the school gives her a look. Khalil tries to cheer her up but doesn’t get why Keira would worry over someone she doesn’t know. He jokes that he expects everyone just to like him. Later Khalil finds Keira, who’s worries she’s got Henry’s bug. Khalil says he always goes to school even if he’s ill, so his mum doesn’t worry. When Keira questions why, Khalil reveals he had cancer twice as a child but is in remission now. Keira says she’s really glad he’s okay now.

Alan is enjoying a rare leisurely breakfast with Usha. He praises her winning Flower and Produce tableau. Usha thinks Alan will be forgiven for the fete and thinks there’s too much pressure on him. When Anna rings, worried about Carol who is ignoring her calls, Alan volunteers to go over to check. Finding Glebe Cottage empty, Alan calls Anna to ask where else Carol might be. Usha goes to look further afield. Anna is panicking when Usha rushes back. She’s found Carol, she’s lying unconscious in the graveyard. Alan and Usha try to make her comfortable with blankets, but she won’t wake up. They hear the ambulance approaching.

In hospital, Alan and Usha are waiting for news when Anna rushes in. Usha offers to get a pale Anna something to eat. All Anna wants is to see her mum.

Lily’s alarm goes off waking up her and Harrison. They debate whether he needs to hide from Ben and Paul. Harrison tells her he's not ashamed of what they've done. Neither is Lily. Harrison worries about how Fallon might find out, though. Lily confesses she’s always fancied Harrison. Harrison puts his foot in it whilst worrying about being like Russ. Harrison sneaks back into The Bull claiming he was out for an early morning walk. Jolene says she’ll join him one morning and offers him a bacon sandwich. Fallon then arrives to collect some of her things from The Bull’s kitchen. Harrison starts acting nervously when Jolene tells Fallon he’s been out walking, before Lily calls saying she’d like to see him again.

Early morning, Carol calls Anna concerned over an injured baby bat. Anna’s confusion is met by Carol’s focus on getting a shoe box to take the bat to the vets. Anna says she’ll drive over straight away. Arriving at Glebe cottage, Anna finds Carol talking to the swaddled bat. She offers to take the bat so Carol can call Alistair for advice. When Anna releases the baby bat outside, enraged Carol says that she might have broken the law. Anna points out how the bat just flew away. The pair descend into an argument as Carol asks if Anna’s behaving this way because of Richard’s memorial. Anna just says she’s tired. Carol tells Anna to leave. She doesn’t need her caring for her anymore.

Cancellations are coming through for Robert and Lynda. With fallout from the online comments continuing, they debate whether they should ask their regular guests why they are now cancelling. Lynda questions if she wants to run the B&B anymore. All the cooked breakfasts and the sheer constant presentation involved are tiring, plus dealing with the tricky guests they sometimes get. She feels jealous of people who can go on long holidays, like Jim has. Robert reminds her they need the B&B money to supplement their income, before wondering how much Lynda’s funk or malaise has to do with the loss of Monty.

David swings by The Bull to return Jolene’s lost rosette for her winning smoothie entry. They chat about the Flower and Produce show, plus how Harrison has moved in. Later, Lily arrives to meet Paul and decides to grab a drink. Whilst she’s waiting, Harrison gets back from work. Lily complains that Paul is supposed to be deciding if they want to have a couple of chairs The Bull is throwing out, but he’s not replying to her messages. Harrison points out Paul being unreliable previously, when he didn’t turn up to the tango dance class. Harrison then volunteers to help carry the chairs back to The Stables in Paul’s absence.

Back in the kitchen at The Stables, Lily asks Harrison what he thinks of the chairs in their new home. It becomes clear that Paul forgot. Lily rants a little about her housemates before offering Harrison a cocktail. Lily says she would like him to stay.

It’s the Flower and Produce show, and Clarrie and Usha are discussing the new category ‘fruit and veg tableau’. Usha made a scene from the film 'Conclave' using radishes for clergymen, while Clarrie worries about Keira, who was up baking until after midnight. What if the judges don’t like her apple and cider cake? Lily arrives to say the judging is about to start, so the refreshment table may become busy. Harrison comes over for a cuppa when Usha congratulates him and Lily, who start to panic before Usha mentions the cricket match.

David is nervous over his and Martyn Gibson’s judging choices. Martyn thinks they’ve made a pair of excellent judges, but not everyone can be winner. Keira comes to Clarrie asking if she’s seen Khalil or Henry around. David asks if Keira’s had a look at the rosettes. Clarrie says they should go look together but Keira says she only entered for fun. Martyn decides to say a few final words at the presentation, and Keira made the favourite cake. Leonard and Tony are at their repair stall when Robert brings Ambridge Hall’s broken toaster. They promise to have it fixed in a jiffy. When Robert returns, Leonard confesses they haven’t fixed it yet, but a gentleman called Dom offered to have a look. Robert recognises Dom from ‘The Repair Shop’ on TV. Leonard confesses he doesn’t know who Dom is, before Tony arrives, recognising Dom immediately. They thank Dom for all his help and Dom promises to help fix John’s old toy tractor for Tony.

A slightly awkward Harrison and Lily have arrived too early for nets practice in Felpersham, but they decide to small talk in the café. Lily eventually addresses the elephant in the room – Tango Night. They agree they both enjoyed themselves but it’s not a good idea to continue. Lily sees Fallon all the time, besides Lily’s promised herself no messy relationships for her own self esteem. Although Harrison reassures her that he and Fallon are truly over and he’s moved out, he doesn’t want to rush into a relationship either. So they’ll leave it there. Lily decides to join Paul at the cinema. She’ll see Harrison around.

At Meadow Farm, George wants Esme to hear him out. He wasn’t trying to rip her off. He panicked as he knew he and Amber would need the extra money ahead of her maternity leave. Esme angrily asks him not to spin the truth. Esme is working another job to pay for George’s sick pay, and Eddie’s cover, can George not grasp how wrong all this is? He disagrees – financially he’s barely keeping his head above water. Esme won’t sack him, but with some conditions. George will receive no further sick pay, and when he returns it will be basic milking hours, he’ll start from the bottom. The farm isn’t doing well and George should be grateful she’s supporting him. George responds that he doesn’t need her charity, and she can stick her job. He’ll take the permanent car sales job and won’t come to a job which feels like a favour.

Alan apologies to Henry and says he’s been under pressure. Pat admits there has been a distance between her and Alan, and Alan is sorry that he’s not made an effort to reconcile things. Later, as Natasha shares how well Seren and Nova have settled into school, Pat says that she’s worried about Alan.

Overwhelmed with late pregnancy symptoms, Amber meets Esme in the Tea Room. Esme mentions that she needs a copy of George’s sick note, but Amber’s obvious discomfort around the subject arouses Esme’s suspicions. At Bill’s car showroom, George tells Anne Marie how grateful he is to have been offered a permanent job with them. Over a hot drink, she senses that his heart is in farming despite the better pay and benefits they could offer. She asks him how he’d feel about losing his farming dream if he were to get stuck in car sales. To George’s horror, Esme enters the showroom and angrily reads him the riot act. She feels betrayed by him working there without her knowledge. Later, George works out it was Poppy who let slip his secret to Esme, and tells Amber that Esme feels cheated out of the sick pay she’s been giving him. He will need to take the car job. But Amber is determined - he’d be miserable if he was out of farming for long and he shouldn’t be tied long term to her parents. He needs to go and convince Esme not to give up on him. Surely with a baby on the way, she’ll give him another chance?

Natasha’s new skincare product samples have arrived from a small batch organic white label company. The next steps are to tweak the formulas to perfection and add their own ingredients to create Bridge Farm Botanicals. At the horsebox salon, Chelsea shares Natasha’s enthusiasm for the project and offers to stock a haircare range in the salon. Lilian calls in and shares that Justin is feeling his age. A plan is hatched – Natasha will demo her range to Lilian at The Dower House and Lilian will be ‘called away’. Although suspicious, the plan works and Justin agrees to sample the products. After a face mask, serum and moisturiser, he looks radiant. He sees the business sense in targeting older people with a more disposable income who are losing their confidence in their appearance. He asks Natasha to send a business plan – he’s a potential investor!

Jolene calls in on Fallon at The Cruck Barn. She understands why Fallon doesn’t want to move out of Woodbine, but she has another idea, and with Fallon’s blessing it could be a solution. Jolene goes with her proposal to Harrison. They’ve always got on well, so why doesn’t he move in with her and Kenton at the pub? He’d have complete freedom and it would surely make life easier for them? Seeing the sense in this, Harrison packs his essentials. He and Fallon recognise that the past weeks have not been easy, but once upon a time it had been great. Acknowledging what they’d had, they hug before he leaves for The Bull.

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.