The Archers

Fallon has something on her mind, and Jolene makes a generous offer.

The fete committee is forging ahead with arrangements. All the usual attractions are organised, Carol’s been enthusiastically searching for clues for her scavenger hunt, and Chelsea’s horsebox is ready to launch. Lynda’s not entirely happy though; holding the fete on the Jubilee Field isn’t in keeping with tradition. Carol points out that neither is charging people for entry. Alan defends this decision. He doesn’t like charging either, but the fee’s modest and this year the money raised will help towards the church repairs. Later he confesses some concern over the decision to Carol, who tells him he needs to back himself. He supposes she’s right, and thanks her for her support. Carol confides Alan reminds Carol of her son Richard at times. Alan wonders if Carol’s considered a blessing for Richard, to give him a proper send off. Carol’s offended and closes off, telling Alan to leave.
Susan has her hands full giving Bert his induction at the shop. He cajoles her into letting him handle a transaction, and successfully uses some sales tricks to persuade Lynda into an impulse purchase. He’s confident he can double Susan’s takings in time. He draws Susan into village gossip, admitting he missed that at Clive’s. Susan probes further but Bert clams up. He’s sick of being harangued. Later Susan admits to Chris that Bert’s been good company at the shop. Chris reckons Bert doesn’t like him – Brad’s his favourite, then Chelsea. Susan protests their granddad loves them all equally, he just struggles to express how he feels.

Rex is reluctant to tell Kate that moving Spiritual Home to the rewilding site is a no. Alice is equally unwilling – she doesn’t want to get involved. They talk about holiday ideas. Alice explains Fallon and Harrison can’t join them as Fallon reckons Harrison won’t get the time off. They agree to chat further, and Alice suggests they stay at hers tonight rather than on the boat.
After the cricket Chris asks Harrison if something’s bothering him – he seemed to be off his game. Harrison assures him he’s fine, inviting Chris and Rex to watch the football at Woodbine later. Alice is welcome too, but she passes. She’s fine with Rex going, but she’s shattered and will stay home. Rex and Chris discuss Harrison. They resolve to hang in until he’s ready to talk.
Fallon admires the revamped Cruck Barn at Lower Loxley. Elizabeth wonders whether she’s still up for running it. Fallon’s surprised by this. She points out that whilst they’d talked about it a few months ago, it’s happening sooner than she imagined and she needs to get her head round it. She’s thrilled at the prospect though – it could be brilliant. She asks Elizabeth for a few days to think about it. When she mentions the job to Harrison, he’s wrongfooted and initially lukewarm about the idea. Later he apologises. Of course Fallon should go for it. Likewise Fallon encourages Harrison to attend an upcoming awards ceremony for his team in Yorkshire. He wants her to go too, though understands if she doesn’t fancy it. But Fallon’s keen – count her in.

Outside The Bull, Jolene invites Fallon to drop in if she’s free for a coffee. Fallon and Harrison step on each other’s toes as they make breakfast. Harrison becomes distracted when a lead on Home Farm’s sheep attack comes in and rushes off.
Over breakfast with Kirsty, Kate brings up her proposal for moving Spiritual Home to Rewilding Ambridge. A message from Tom asking to talk interrupts Kate’s pitch. Kirsty is still uncertain of the baby moving, but Kate promises soon they’ll be kicking her in the ribs. At Rewilding, Kirsty tries to persuade Rex to be the one to reject Kate’s plan. Tom turns up and apologies. He is really pleased for Kirsty and thinks she’ll be a wonderful mother. Kirsty says she’s living on hope with this baby. Kate turns up and Rex is left to tell her the bad news for Kirsty.
Lynda is on Village Fete duty, and Jolene agrees to run the beer tent again. Fallon swings by for that coffee, and Lynda asks when Fallon is free for fete matters. Fallon suggests this afternoon which delights Lynda. Jolene states she must be bored without Harrison to be spending a Friday afternoon on the village fete. Lynda asks how Harrison is settling back in, stating from experience that it’s not always a smooth process. Harrison arrives to speak to Lynda on official business. The DNA from the sheep attack has come back and reveals it was a Doberman. Lynda’s Monty is the only Doberman in the village. Lynda insists there’s no way it could be Monty.

Anne Marie finds Susan in the shop, and as Susan nervously rambles, Anne Marie stops her to apologise – she treated Susan awfully at the Theatre. Susan understands and admits she simply hadn’t thought her plan through regarding the cot. Anne Marie admits that Amber feels distant and she was jealous when she saw the two of them laughing together. Susan says it’s difficult, but Amber will come round. Susan offers to make them both a nice cup of tea. Anne Marie apologises for her emotional outburst. As a child, Amber was close with Anne Marie, and she drew Amber storybooks every year. She states that Amber started drifting away long before meeting George. Susan tells Anne Marie she can’t stop trying.
Tom goes through his pitch for Bridge Farm with Helen, who says she can see why their Mum and Dad chose it. Helen asks how Harrison’s welcome back drinks went - Tom confesses he didn’t go because Natasha was out. Helen points out that someone could have watched the twins before realising Tom is avoiding Kirsty. Tom has spoken to Kirsty, and it went really badly. He admits that hearing about the pregnancy brought up feelings about Wren. He couldn’t explain this well to Kirsty, and Helen suggests he finds someone else to talk about his feelings with. Tom says he will always carry Wren with him - Helen points out it’s the same for Kirsty. Tom confesses he was so happy when he first heard Kirsty was pregnant, and wishes he had just told her that.