The Archers

Susan attempts to offer a solution, and celebrations begin at Brookfield.

Kirsty senses Brad has something on his mind, and she gets him to help her with putting up boxes for dormice. He talks about having seen Mia on Sunday and admits he’s apprehensive about visiting George in prison tomorrow. He’s the only person George will let visit him and Brad isn’t keen to be a go-between. Kirsty points out that no-one’s beyond redemption and it’s good Brad is visiting George, although George is not his responsibility. Brenda catches up with Helen, full of compliments about what Helen has achieved. They gossip about the locals and Brenda’s love life. Brenda mentions Tom and Natasha wanting to buy the house Helen’s in, which leaves Helen confused. Buoyant Natasha gives Tom the news from the mortgage advisor. They can get a large loan, but it’s because Natasha offered a bigger deposit of £50,000. Tom’s shocked, but Natasha has an idea. They can use the safety net money from her business. Helen confronts them about buying Kirsty’s house, and Natasha tries to justify their actions. When Helen presses them on how soon they’ll want her out, Natasha suggests a swap – Helen could rent April Cottage. Helen is offended, and berates selfish Tom.Brenda apologises to Kirsty for putting a possible spanner in the works regarding the house. She hadn’t realised that Helen didn’t already know. Natasha’s still keen to press ahead, but they get a message from Kirsty. She’s had a better offer, and given the situation with Helen, to avoid bad blood, Kirsty is accepting it. Tom and Natasha have been gazumped.

Injured Leonard’s settling in well at Brookfield. With Jill out of the way today, he takes the initiative to cook a casserole for everyone. He struggles but soldiers on, chatting to Ruth about buying some tickets for the Christmas Eve concert at St Stephen’s. Ruth has to step in and help as Leonard strains himself and goes off for a rest. David’s horrified by the state of the kitchen, and as Ruth stops to tidy up, David’s left to tidy the barn alone. Brenda arrives at Willow Farm, looking well-to-do in a cashmere coat and driving a nice car. She’s keen that the sale of Willow Farm to Kirsty goes through, but Kirsty just needs to get her house sold first. Brenda talks about her work abroad and her plans for Christmas in Birmingham. They catch up about Rewilding Ambridge, and how well Kirsty’s doing since discovering Philip’s role in modern slavery and the Grey Gables explosion. Getting on to the business of selling Willow Farm, Brenda presses the point that Roy and Hayley want to get the sale completed asap. Kirsty senses that it’s not the done deal for her that she’d assumed. Natasha comes over to chat to Kirsty and meets Brenda, who’s delighted to meet Tom’s wife. She jokingly points out that they have all been engaged to Tom! Brenda inadvertently makes a comparison between herself and Natasha. When Natasha goes, Brenda reminds Kirsty that if she sells her Beechwood house to Tom and Natasha, she’ll definitely be able to buy Willow Farm.

Emma’s tired from gutting turkeys and presses Ed to get off the sofa, as there’s loads to do for Christmas. They discuss doing something nice with Keira on Friday, how much effort Clarrie puts in to Christmas dinner, and where everyone will be this year. Emma knows that it’s all a distraction for Clarrie, to help them not worry about George. Emma can’t bear the thought of not seeing George over Christmas, but George won’t let them visit. She hopes Brad will persuade him. Helen swears Natasha to secrecy as she reveals Joy’s planning to propose to Mick on Christmas Day. Helen admits to Tom and Natasha she may have to move in with Pat and Tony. Tom wonders what Helen’s heard about the house sale. Helen just hopes the couple interested don’t snap it up too quickly, so she can find somewhere else to live. Tom’s anxious to withdraw their offer to Kirsty, but Natasha says they don’t actually know how Helen would feel about it until they talk to her. Kirsty realises they haven’t told Helen and senses Tom and Natasha aren’t in agreement about the house. They start to backtrack on the offer, asking for more time to get things in order. When Helen walks in, Natasha changes the subject to the panto trip Joy’s organising for the village. Kirsty’s interrupted by a phone call from Brenda. Natasha learns a few details about Brenda from Tom, before Kirsty returns to tell Helen that Brenda’s coming to Ambridge to oversee the sale of Willow Farm. She’s arriving tomorrow.