The Archers

Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Vince Casey … Tony Turner
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Usha Franks … Souad Faress
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Clarrie Grundy … Heather Bell
Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Alistair Lloyd … Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack … Joshua Riley
Elizabeth Pargetter … Alison Dowling
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton
Anne Marie Gordon … Kate Ashfield
Health Vistor … Elexi Walker
Celebrant … Ian Brooker
Grant … Samuel Valentine

Helen complains to Alistair about Lovell James’ price hikes and the impact on her and other farmers. At Alistair’s lack of conviction, Helen vows to take the fight on herself, by writing a letter to the company for others to sign. She’s cheered on by Paul, to Alistair’s annoyance. Later Alistair admits that while he supports Helen, he’s worried about how it looks for them. Paul states that Alistair needs to decide – either he agrees with Lovell James and backs them, or fights alongside his clients.
Usha is moved by Alan’s eulogy for Carol, and noting how tired Alan is, and that they both need a holiday, she’ll look in on Anna. Usha comments that Alan is a great Parish priest – marrying his own beliefs with those of others is why they work so well together.
Over tea with Helen, Anna is shocked and sickened to open Carol’s bank statement and see a £6000 payment made to Reverend Alan Franks on the day before Carol died. Helen suggests taking a moment, before joining Anna to confront Alan. Alan protests he had no idea about the payment, and promises to get to the bottom of it. Left stunned, Alan goes to check his computer and even write a cheque to pay it back. But Usha says to leave it until the banks open on Monday – after the ceremony. Alan fears that Anna thinks he’s a criminal, though. But Usha suggests dinner and an early night. Do justice to the eulogy tomorrow, then they’ll find out how to return the money as soon as possible.

At the cider party for Amber and George’s baby, Eddie remarks on how the baby heralds the new generation of Grundys. Clarrie basks in how different things feel from a year ago, when George was still in prison. Clarrie notes how good Keira is with the baby, and how nice it is to see Keira and Amber getting on.
Driving, Anne Marie is sober as Bill gets drunk on strong cider. Anne Marie tells Amber it was important to her to be here, but Amber comments that it was to stake her claim. Amber feels tired and irritable, and gets her mum to drive her and baby home, apologising to Keira after snapping.
Anne Marie reassures stressed and tired Amber, taking a load of washing to do for her. When Amber comments on how a baby so tiny and beautiful can make so much mess, Anne Marie says she should post that on her socials!
Clarrie and Eddie lament Lovell James’ price hike and how it will affect Ed with his texels. Clarrie wonders whether Alistair can complain – if he bleeds farmers dry, he may not have a business at all!
Anne Marie returns to the party and, meeting Keira, drops her and Eddie in it by mentioning seeing Keira on Monday afternoon. Eddie should have dropped Keira back at school after the dentist. Eddie plays it down to Clarrie, but Clarrie is serious – and stings Eddie with her comment that with GCSEs coming up, and being such a bright spark, Keira can do better than them.

Anna feels she should have been more present for Carol, and Alan reassures Anna, praising her ideas for Carol’s Celebration of Life. They discuss the lovely Green Burial site, service plans, and Alan’s role. Harrison shares his condolences, and Anna’s full of praise for Alan’s way with Carol. Harrison’s invited with Fallon to the ceremony at Rewilding for Carol, and he explains that he and Fallon are no longer together.
As they discuss the glow worm release that’s happening, Anna regrets that Carol won’t be around to see them mature enough to glow. Anna feels bereft that she wasn’t back before Carol died. Sympathetic Alan insists that Anna didn’t let Carol down.
Harrison drops in on Lily at home. Lily wonders what Harrison was upset about on Sunday, and mentions Fallon with Grant. Harrison admits that he’s fallen for Lily, however suddenly. Later Lily admits to Paul that maybe Harrison has moved on too fast, but Paul says ignore the haters.
At the vet surgery, Paul attends to the cat ‘Catto’ for Lily. Lily’s more taken by Amber and George’s baby. Paul warns Lily not to gush too much about George’s offspring, in front of her new beau Harrison!
Alistair’s frustrated by Lovell James’ latest initiative to hike up prices, and admits he regrets selling the Vet practice to them. Rising prices could cause local complaints – but Alistair reassures himself, he’s not worried – they run an outstanding practice to be proud of.

Keira has a horrible toothache, and Clarrie manages to get her an emergency appointment. Eddie takes Keira, after a brief stop to see the baby.
The health visitor confirms all’s ok - Amber’s so relieved, having had concerns about feeding, and lets Keira have a hold of the baby. Amber feels silly for being so emotional but is reassured, as the health visitor offers support with pain and comfort – and points out that Keira is a great helper.
Amber avoids Anne Marie coming over, convinced her own place is a tip. She takes the baby to the showroom, where Anne Marie’s working, and her mum checks in on her wellbeing. Amber says she had a wobble, but she’s fine now – she’s loving it.
Eddie and Clarrie gossip about Harrison and Lily – Eddie thinks it’s official, according to Ed. Clarrie thinks Fallon will be livid.
Keira’s embarrassed by Eddie chatting with everyone in the dentist waiting room, arguing about turkeys! It appears there was nothing wrong, so Keira now worries she’ll be seen as making her toothache up. Eddie comes up with a way to avoid that, and agrees to let Keira stay off school the rest of today . Keira’s grateful to Eddie and they pay a visit to George who’s working at Bill Gordon’s showroom. Eddie starts asking car questions to Anne Marie, each not realising who the other is, before Amber introduces them. Eddie invites Anne Marie and Bill to the ‘cider wetting of the baby’s head’ on Wednesday night. Amber says there’s no need, but Anne Marie is delighted to accept.