The Archers

Faith enjoys her tour of Brookfield, telling Chuck what farming royalty the Brookfield Archers were when she was little. Meanwhile, Clarrie’s anxious to make a good impression, as Eddie dumps a flagon of cider on the table. She’s aghast at Eddie’s lie about them being landowners with an antiques business. Over dinner they all reminisce about the Grundys, the Larkins and Faith’s childhood exploits, and Chuck generally warms to his Ambridge experience. When Eddie’s unhappy customer berates him for the junk he sold him, the bubble is burst for Eddie – but Faith and Chuck see the funny side. Chuck even shows some interest in an old spokeshave of Eddie’s, which is a genuine antique. Ellie’s taken with country life and bonds with generous Kate. Ellie senses Kate’s mood and Kate admits she and Jakob have fallen out. Kate’s touched when Ellie invites her to stay and join her at the Brookfield bonfire. Kate explains how obsessed Jakob has become playing detective with the holiday fraudsters. Ellie helps Kate to see things from Jakob’s point of view, allowing for their different ways of dealing with things. As Kate works out what to do, she’s invited to sleep over with the others at Brookfield. But she persuades Ellie not to promote Brookfield too much as a retreat – she already runs one of those! Staying at the barn also allows Faith and Chuck to talk about some of their problems and even realise they have new things to discover about each other. This makes Kate think.

Faith bumps into Jazzer as he takes Jim’s old airbed over to Brookfield to help with their ‘big barn sleepover’. Faith is so grateful for the community support, and Jazzer makes no secret of how relieved Jakob will be to have his home back. Eddie’s visiting Joe’s grave, and chats to his old Dad. Visiting the churchyard also is Faith. They bump into one another and Faith remembers him from her childhood. She jokingly reminds Eddie of when they got “married” when they were five or six years old. It has been more than sixty years, but Eddie hasn’t changed at all. Over a drink at the Bull, they catch up and share their life stories. Eddie lies, making himself out to be in the antiques business with Clarrie. Faith’s delighted to accept his invitation to come over with Chuck tomorrow and try some home-made cider. A stranger arrives at Greenacres, and startled Jim takes immediate action to make a citizen’s arrest. The stranger had let himself in thinking he’d booked into Jim’s bungalow. Jazzer arrives and points out that this guy isn’t a scammer but rather has himself been scammed. With this clarified, apologetic Jim shares a drink and gets to know Joel. Having been contained by Jim in the living room, Joel admits he enjoyed looking at Jim’s impressive library. Joel is an archaeologist and connects with Jim over his Classical literature. Joel resigns himself to going home, but Jazzer has another idea, mentioning the Brookfield Barn. Joel’s happy; he feels he’s found a kindred spirit in Jim.

It’s action stations for Ruth, while the Grundys spot an opportunity.

After an uncomfortable night in the yurt, Jakob wonders why a more rested Kate is being so helpful, as she sets about helping Faith and Chuck find somewhere to stay. Faith and Chuck still can’t get any answer from the booking company. Grey Gables and Ambridge Hall are all booked up or out of action, but there’s somewhere available in Felpersham. Faith is disappointed, revealing to Kate that Ambridge has special memories for her. Faith grew up here before emigrating to Phoenix, Arizona, as a ten year old. The trip back with Chuck was for their 40th anniversary, although Chuck wanted a beach! Sympathetic Kate promises to let the couple stay. Jakob complains to Jazzer and explains what’s happened, and they talk about scams. Jazzer mentions a room going spare for him at Jim’s, and worries Jakob with the suggestion that more people could arrive on Jakob’s doorstep after he’s got rid of Faith and Chuck. Jakob realises he needs to do something – but what? In the Bull, Faith and Chuck meet Jazzer, and Chuck ponders ditching their holiday. But Faith is going nowhere. At Brookfield, another stranger arrives – Ellie, along with her two teenage daughters – and gets short shrift from Ruth as she asks to check in. Ellie has booked via the same website, and Jakob realises that this is another victim of a fake listing. Ruth shares his worry about more people turning up. Jakob has been trying all day to get to the bottom of his rogue listing. They need to take matters into their own hands.