Luister naar The Archers

Freddie struggles with recent events, and Clarrie considers her options.

Elizabeth tells David at Brookfield about a nightmare in which she was desperately trying to stop David wreaking bloody vengeance with a broken bottle while trapped on a cruise ship. David admits he’s had nightmares about the abattoir protest too, wondering if he should have done more. They discuss Lower Loxley’s plans for VE Day and Ruth’s attempts to contact Reginald Dodge, wartime hero. Talk turns to Jill’s memories of the war, David suspecting Phil had a crush on Wanda, the Brookfield Land Girl. They also discuss the slideshow Pat’s putting together with Peggy. Later, David surprises Elizabeth with news that they’ve tracked down ‘Dodgy’ (Reginald) through his granddaughter, who’s emailed Ruth a potted life history. David suggests printing it out and putting it on display at Lower Loxley. At the Magistrate’s Court, Rochelle’s grateful to be given bail – and she won’t be tagged, as long as she sticks to her bail conditions. Mick and Joy are grateful to Usha too, before Joy hands over a bag of clothes and other essentials. Apologetic Rochelle gives Joy a heartfelt hug, then leaves with Mick for the bail address he’s arranged with a friend. On the way, Rochelle is relieved to hear Joy isn’t angry with her and tells Mick she loves Joy, despite everything. Back at Beechwood, Joy confesses she blames herself for damaging Rochelle. Usha admires Rochelle’s passion and determination, and thinks she never really intended to harm anyone. Usha then encourages Joy to stay and help with VE Day, despite the temptation to run away. Joy agrees, because running away never works.

At the Tearoom downbeat Emma tells Natasha she heard some of the Roserran crowd made disparaging remarks about yesterday’s cricket tea, knowing it came from Bridge Farm, home of the sewage leak. But Emma’s bad mood is more to do with it being the anniversary of George crashing Alice’s car. Natasha is very sympathetic, but later tells Emma they need to up their game with the cricket teas. Phoning from the police station Usha gives Joy details of Rochelle’s arrest, explaining that potentially the charges could be very serious. Despite the mention of terrorism Mick tries playing down Joy’s fears, suggesting they go for breakfast at the Tearoom. Without her mobile Joy insists on staying home in case Usha rings back. At the Tearoom Mick compares Emma’s situation with George to Joy’s with Rochelle, both standing by their errant child. He understands it now, where he didn’t before. At the police station Usha cautions Rochelle against a “no comment” approach. Rochelle is fully committed to the cause, having been told the charges probably won’t stick. She accuses Usha of bleeding heart vegetarianism, quoting Saskia, who’s dismissive of people who don’t take action. Usha spells out the risk of Rochelle ending up in prison and the effect it could have on her children. Rochelle agrees to at least think about a defence based on non-violent action and trying to minimise harm on the day. Later, Usha tells Joy that Rochelle will be in court tomorrow. They agree Rochelle’s stubborn and impassioned, but at least Rochelle’s now working with Usha, not against her.

The police turn up at Beechwood looking for Rochelle or anything that could help locate her. While officers search the house Joy tells DC Tanners that Rochelle has been staying with Rex, then left a message about going away. Joy had no idea what Rochelle was planning though. DC Tanners then explains about taking away all their internet enabled devices, including mobile phones. After the police have gone Mick helps Joy tidy up. Joy still believes Rochelle’s a good person with strong beliefs, but she’s never been good at knowing when to stop. Later, Rochelle rings Joy on the landline. She’s handed herself in to the police but doesn’t want a solicitor. Nevertheless Joy tells Mick she’s calling Usha. At the cricket, against Roserran-in-the-Vale, Lawrence quizzes reluctant Lynda and Freddie about what’s been going on with Rochelle, then makes a cutting remark about supermarket sandwiches. After he’s gone Lynda commends Freddie for his bravery, both on Thursday at the abattoir and following the explosion at Grey Gables. Freddie admits he’s not sleeping well, constantly thinking how things could have gone worse. Vince has given Freddie a list of things to work through, to take his mind off it. To Lynda they are both heroes, setting a fine example for the team to follow. The match itself is hotly contested with Ambridge just managing their first victory of the season, thanks to Rex. Lawrence is gracious in defeat, but Lynda isn’t convinced by his sentiments, a feeling that is confirmed by Lawrence’s patronising comments about Ambridge’s tea offering.

When Freddie goes into work Vince updates him on the police and Food Standards Agency investigations. They’re shutting the abattoir for four days to conduct a deep clean, while their products are being recalled from when Rochelle started. At least the live-stream conked out halfway through, but the Academy contract has probably gone. Rochelle turns up at Rex’s boat, saying she owes him the truth. Rex is furious and doesn’t believe her claim that she didn’t know what they were planning to do. He accuses her of abusing Joy’s good reputation and betraying the community. Rochelle is sorry for what she’s put Joy through, but still believes their cause is right. When she bangs her elbow Rex reluctantly gives her painkillers, before Rochelle admits Saskia became a mother-figure to her. But the group kicked her out before Christmas and this was her way of getting back in with them. Rex feels completely betrayed, even though Rochelle insists she fell in love with him. When Rex tells her to hand herself in to the police Rochelle promises she will, after the weekend. While discussing the protest Chelsea reckons they went about it the wrong way and Pat becomes defensive about animal welfare standards. Pat feels patience is the key to a good protest, like with Borsetshire Water. Chelsea wants Pat to ask Peggy about war hero, Reginald D. Later, Pat reports another Laurels resident told her Reginald saved two children from drowning in the Am. Pat and Chelsea then look at more wartime photos – all the people in them were unsung heroes, Pat reckons.