The Archers

Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer … Ben Norris
David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Josh Archer … Angus Imrie
Pip Archer … Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch
Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Ruairi Donovan … Arthur Hughes
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Emma Grundy … Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Will Grundy … Philip Molloy
Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin … Susie Riddell
Jazzer McCreary … Ryan Kelly
Stella Pryor … Lucy Speed
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen

Lilian can’t stop George pushing through the door, frantically searching for Brian. Brian appeases Lilian and she reluctantly leaves. Brian hears that George has started to remember things about his attack, particularly the smell of Brian’s aftershave. George accuses Brian – he knew George was too drunk to defend himself. Brian’s motive was that he couldn’t forgive him for what happened to Alice, even though he was only trying to help her… Brian fires back that George tried to ruin his daughter's life and cannot be forgiven. Brian finally admits that he took a wine bottle, followed George and hit him. He didn’t want him dead, so called an ambulance from George’s phone.
George retorts that Brian still abandoned him – at least with the car crash George stayed around to rescue Fallon from drowning. Brian notes George hasn’t gone to the police; does he have a plan? George thinks some sort of compensation is in order. It might stop Brian going to jail for attempted murder.
Brian scoffs that the smell of aftershave is not reliable evidence, especially from one with a grudge and a recent brain injury. George may even be sent back to prison for perverting the course of justice again. Brian suggests they instead call it quits, both forgetting what they did to each other. They agree and both apologise.
As George leaves, Lilian returns to the house to quiz Brian, who covers by saying George had heard Brian had been badmouthing him to other farmers, and that maybe it was time to move on.
Back home, George replays his recording of Brian’s confession on his phone.

Chelsea persuades Jazzer to test drive the horse box to work out what repairs would be needed. As it judders through Ambridge, Chelsea explains her wedding plan – the horse box would get the wedding party out of the house for their beauty in the ‘Glam Van’, and she’d park up at the venue for the day for people to get refreshed. She’ll also drive to clients’ homes and the painted van will act as her billboard! Jazzer outlines the van’s problems – most likely the clutch, and part of the suspension is shot – enough to haggle the price down to her budget. Tracy catches them on the test drive and can’t believe Jazzer is helping with this mad scheme. He defends Chelsea’s idea and says he’ll help with the repairs and renovations. She’s worked so hard and he wants to help make her dreams true. Tracy is still sceptical – even if Chelsea can haggle the price down, how will she pay for the conversion and repairs?
George is retracing his steps on the bridle path where he was attacked, when Amber finds him to remind him about his counselling session. He is distracted as his memory has been jolted and more details about the attack have started to come back to him. Amber thinks he’s avoiding counselling and accuses him of spiralling in his intentions, but he promises he’ll be back from his walk in time – he just needs to get his head in order. Later, George knocks at a door, where Lilian answers his urgent request to open up.

Intrigued Tracy takes excited Chelsea to the Stables, where Alice is waiting to show them something. It’s a motorised horsebox: filthy, with stiff handles and a terrible odour. Chelsea deems it perfect for her new mobile hairdressing salon. Stunned, Tracy asks what’s wrong with a car, but Chelsea has a plan: cleaned and painted, with a styling chair and faux flowers across the ceiling, this would make her really stand out from the crowd. The only hitch is that it’s over Chelsea’s budget. She wonders if her mum could help her out with the shortfall. She’s saved a lot from working hard at the Tearoom and the Orangery, and from her hairdressing clients. Tracy flatly refuses – top marks for ambition, but even if she had the money, there’s no way she’d help fund something so ridiculous, especially as Chelsea can afford a decent second-hand car.
George updates Emma on Amber’s mum’s distressing reaction to the pregnancy. Seeing the atmosphere Amber grew up in, it’s made George reflect on the Grundy family, and he realises how lucky he’s been. He asks Emma to think back to when he woke up in hospital as it’s hazy – was it George who first suggested Markie’s gang, or Emma or Amber? He’s becoming increasingly doubtful that the accused men are guilty. Later, when helping to babysit Martha at Little Grange, flustered George insists on leaving. He has remembered something important.

Brian hears Josh’s Brookfield inheritance woes. He encourages Josh to be relieved to not be saddled with debt, and to build on his egg enterprise. Josh is put out that Pip will receive a farm worth millions – maybe he should look beyond Brookfield for his future?
Ruairi is planning to visit a large farm to learn about their diversity strategy. With extremes of weather, farming is volatile and grain prices are trending down. Disparaging Brian reminds him of his five decades of farming experience, which counts for a lot in planning. Later, the two discuss Josh’s situation – Brian thinks a mid-size operation such as Brookfield is a poisoned chalice. Ruairi is not afraid of taking on a farm and presses Brian on his succession plan. Brian retorts that Ruairi’s a long way, if at all, from filling his shoes.
Although Amber compliments Fallon on her coat in the shop, she is not sweetened and gives a barbed suggestion that Amber could help with Speedwatch, to make a stand for the victims of reckless drivers.
Fallon has a plan for Ruth’s Valentine surprise. David is to come to The Bull on Friday to help behind the bar, saying they are short staffed. The secret booking is back on!
George has heard that his accused attacker has pleaded not guilty, so the case will go to court. It raises doubt in his mind about their identity. Amber reassures him that he should not have to worry about it, the court will deal with it.