The Archers

David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Susan Carter … Charlotte Martin
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Clarrie Grundy … Heather Bell
Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Akram Malik … Asif Khan
Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde
Khalil Malik … Krish Bassi
Esme Mulligan … Ellie Pawsey
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Diane … Hayley Doherty

George is back at Meadow Farm watching his grandpa work. Eddie’s surprised George missed the opportunity to criticise at early morning milking. George shows Eddie a picture of a supercar he’s been reading about online and laments that he’ll never own one. Amber arrives to drop off George’s forgotten house keys. Eddie suggests that George could work for Amber’s dad at the car showroom for a few weeks while his wrist heals. Amber reckons George would hate it, but George disagrees and see the advantages of the idea. Amber’s not sure, but with a little more persuasion she’s won round and agrees to give her dad a call.
On a busy morning for breakfasts Lynda and Robert deal patiently with a particularly demanding couple, who complain the breakfast is too hot and the coffee tastes odd. Lynda admits she’s tired, but they have guests to please before she can rest. Robert agrees and they knuckle down. However Robert’s limits are tested when one of the tricky guests raises the subject of Monty, branding him a dangerous dog and taking the situation out of context. Robert protests but to no avail, and the guest ploughs on regardless. Robert worries that Lynda will overhear the upsetting claims, and asks the guest to keep her voice down. However Lynda’s calm when she approaches, despatching Robert back to the kitchen. Diane the guest accuses Lynda of being in denial, and unable to control a fully-grown Dobermann. Lynda closes the conversation down before asking Diane and her husband to leave the premises immediately.

Azra sympathises with Lynda’s plight over Monty – she must have had a horrible couple of weeks. Lynda hopes Monty will be rehomed rather than the unthinkable alternative. They agree they’re both worried about Khalil, and Azra probes as to what really happened at Brookfield last week. Lynda states she wasn’t there for long and didn’t see anything herself, but she recalls David did mention something about photos. Azra’s grateful Lynda followed Khalil there, and resolves to talk to him.
Later having spoken to Khalil, Azra goes with Akram to see David and Ruth. Ruth admits she showed Khalil the photos. Azra acknowledges Khalil was rude to barge into Brookfield, but Ruth’s actions have only worsened his distress. He’s not coping. Ruth’s mortified and apologises; she really regrets what she did. When they’ve gone Ruth admits to David that she can completely see their point of view. She fears Azra will never forgive her.
Amber and George note their antenatal class is getting smaller; babies are starting to arrive. They speculate on when it will be their turn. George takes Lynda some flowers from Clarrie. Lynda’s touched, admitting she’s not sure what other villagers think of her. George asserts his grandma’s not the judgy type. After the antenatal class George tells Amber he feels inadequate compared to the other dads – he can’t provide for his family while he’s off sick. Amber’s having none of it, and gets him to focus on the positives. They have a roof over their heads and a loving family.

Eddie’s covering George’s work at Meadow Farm, and grumbles when George comes to check up on him: George is lucky he’s covered the work at all. George concedes he’s grateful. Eddie suggests he makes the most of the break while his wrist’s injured. George protests he’s restless staying in all the time and feels bad that Amber’s having to work right up until the baby’s born. He’s worried he won’t be fit in time to help out when the time comes. Eddie counsels that bad things happen and you just have to get on with it. He manages to persuade grateful Esme to pay him in cash, plus a little extra. Esme frets a little about having to fork out sick pay as well. Eddie asserts that her dad would be proud of the fine job she’s doing with the farm.
Keira helps Susan cleaning shelves at the shop, noting her Great Grandad Bert’s absence. Susan explains he’s playing dominoes at the pub. She admits to hoping she’d have her house back by now, but Brad’s still redecorating at No.6 The Green. Susan raises the topic of Monty, and Keira admits she doesn’t know what to do to help Khalil, who’s not sleeping. Azra comes in and Keira panics as Susan quizzes her on Khalil’s state of mind. With the two of them now leaning on Keira for answers she divulges Khalil saw pictures of the dead sheep on someone’s phone. She’s mortified to have betrayed this confidence. Susan assures her it was for the greater good.

Fallon and Harrison receive a card from Harrison’s nan on their wedding anniversary. Fallon points out Harrison should tell her they’ve split up, sooner rather than later. Meanwhile he has a tricky day ahead of him with Lynda and Robert. Fallon wishes him well.
Jolene goes with Fallon to see the Cruck Barn. However the door key sticks and Fallon needs to call Lily for help. Lily’s excited for Fallon’s new job at Lower Loxley. Jolene’s impressed with the Cruck Barn and wonders whether Fallon would consider her for teaching at the singing workshops. Fallon explains awkwardly that her teachers will need to be experienced; the courses are expensive and she needs them to do well. There’s a moment as Jolene realises she’s lost Fallon to this new role, before she admits that whilst missing her at the pub, she’ll work it out. Fallon feels Lower Loxley is where she needs to be right now.
Lily impresses Harrison by pinpointing some CCTV evidence on a shady character seen near Grey Gables. Harrison reckons she has the golden touch. Lily sympathises over his split with Fallon.
Lynda signs the paperwork to relinquish Monty. Harrison takes her fingerprints as she accepts a conditional caution. Harrison admires her dignity. Afterwards exhausted Lynda and Robert agree kind Harrison is a good friend to them. They speculate regarding Monty’s future. Not wanting to revisit the unthinkable, they turn their attention to their busy guest list. They resolve to get through their ordeal by focusing on hard work, together.