The Archers

At Berrow, Jazzer and Neil talk about Tracy’s fiftieth birthday party. Jazzer wonders whether Neil and Susan might want to join them. Neil equivocates, suggesting instead that they have Bert at Ambridge View for the evening. Jazzer’s grateful. Too late, he warns against mentioning the party to Martyn. Martyn overhears and invites himself – it’s a while since he’s been to a party. Neil predicts to mortified Jazzer that Martyn will back out, claiming a double booking. He’s proved right when to Jazzer’s immense relief Martyn bows out, saying his brother’s coming over. Jazzer feigns disappointment, declaring Martyn will be very welcome if things change. George meets with the prison chaplain to discuss his plans to marry Amber. He insists on a ceremony inside the prison, unwilling to wait until his release. The chaplain questions his urgency; he can’t pull the strings George thinks he can to get things moving. George eventually admits he fears Amber will leave him. He worries she’ll realise he’s not good enough. Her mum and dad think that and he feels they’ve got a point. George opens up further. He feels misunderstood by his family and worries that he’s basically bad, and doesn’t belong. The chaplain disagrees. Amber clearly loves him and has chosen him. He’s not ‘basically bad’ but potentially good, same as everyone else. He urges George to find a way to show the world he loves Amber. George promises to give it some thought. He’ll think of something.

Susan is still reeling from Amber’s harsh words about Neil. She’s frustrated Neil didn’t tell her sooner. He declares he didn’t want her hurt, but she counters she’d rather have known and not had to depend on Clarrie to tell her. She wants to talk about it, and if Neil won’t talk, she’ll go and see Emma. Neil admits he hasn’t told Emma either. He feels he needs to put it out of his head or it won’t end in peace. He fears telling Emma could damage her fragile relationship with George. He would rather let things blow over. Susan disagrees. Emma has a right to know, and from them rather than anyone else. Neil reluctantly accepts her decision. He wonders if they’re the ones who need forgiving. Susan confesses she worries about things getting worse when George is released, feeling selfish and unkind for having such thoughts. Lynda tries to recruit Azra to help run the village fete. Azra’s adamant she doesn’t want to do it, and resists despite Lynda’s persistence. Lynda runs into Akram, who to her surprise offers his help without being asked. He feels he owes her for her previous kindness in housing his family in their time of need. Azra is stunned when she learns Akram’s become Lynda’s “trusty lieutenant.” She warns him he’s in for a demanding ride as her unpaid servant – his every waking hour will be filled with a great list of jobs. Akram’s optimism begins to waver; what has he done?

Kenton and Tracy are shaken after the poisoning of the pub cat, Tortoise. Though the police can’t act without concrete evidence, Kenton suspects Markie or one of his crew. Tracy urges him to tell Joy so she’s got the full picture. He does so, and Joy’s relieved her titbits weren’t responsible for Tortoise getting ill. Kenton recommends she and Tracy take time away from work in case things turn nasty, but Joy’s determined not to be intimidated. Both she and Tracy refuse to be driven out of The Bull, standing firm behind Kenton’s decision to report the gang. Justin and Martyn take to the golf course to discuss Justin’s plans for BL. Martyn is sceptical, calling them ludicrous, impractical and expensive. Justin’s curious to know if there’s anything going on between Martyn and Annabelle. He’s heard they’re meeting frequently. Martyn assures him there’s nothing to report, agreeing that she’s a difficult woman and he’ll be steering well clear in future. When Justin reveals new ideas – vertical farming, eco-tourism, eco-offices – Martyn warms to the concept. He confirms Borsetshire Water has released money from their community fund for the beaver enclosure. Justin’s impressed; there’s obviously common ground between the two of them. Martyn suggests adding food storage to the plan. Justin agrees it has potential, and after some persuasion Martyn promises his backing. They agree it’s wiser not to mention this to anyone else yet, especially Annabelle Schrivener.

Clarrie tells Susan and Neil that Henry’s advice to disregard all the challenging comments at school is working – she simply reports trouble makers for a detention. Susan switches the topic to Amber, who she hasn’t met yet. She wants to know everything. Clarrie reports how hard Amber worked at the haymaking. Susan doesn’t know what to make of Amber in light of all she’s heard – Emma and Ed think she’s always putting her foot in it and doesn’t seem to care. Does Clarrie like her? Clarrie carefully admits that she does. Susan’s keen to meet her, but Clarrie thinks this might not be a good idea after Amber and Neil’s encounter last week. Mystified Susan gets the truth out of Neil. How dare Amber have a go at him! Now they have to face George getting more angry with them instead of less. It’s unfair; never a good deed goes unpunished. Alistair congratulates Jolene and Kenton on their award nomination. Kenton observes Tortoise isn’t eating her food, hoping she’s not full of leftovers. Alistair acknowledges overfeeding pets is a big problem. Jolene admits Kenton loves spoiling Tortoise. However they soon spot she’s really not well, and from the symptoms Alistair suspects she’s been poisoned. It’s hard to know what’s caused it, but his treatment should mean she’ll be fine. Later Kenton finds tablets on the floor. Alistair confirms they could have caused Tortoise’s symptoms. Jolene wonders if they could have been embedded in a treat. It dawns on horrified Kenton that one of Markie’s gang could have done this.

Eddie puts the finishing touches to his nomination of the Bull for an award. Amber comes downstairs all ready for a day’s haymaking. Eddie questions her clothes choice; it can get grubby helping with the hay. Amber assures him she sees farmers all the time at work. When he realises she works at Farm Supplies he cheekily hopes for a discount. Clarrie scolds him fondly, but Amber’s preoccupied with her socials. When Clarrie arrives at the hay field she’s surprised to find Amber driving the tractor. Will asks how long she’ll be staying at Grange Farm. Clarrie isn’t sure – though she feels things aren’t right between Amber and her parents. Amber comments that George misses all this, and the farm. She remembers his posts from last year and how cute and tanned he looked. That’s probably when she fell for him. Eddie recalls George’s last night of freedom at the farm, and is touched to hear that George recounted an anecdote to Amber about the escaped turkeys last year. Eddie can’t wait for George to get home. Amber assures him that George cares about him and Clarrie a lot. As rain threatens Amber steps up, letting Eddie drive while she and Will lug the bales. Will praises Amber’s work ethic. Clarrie thinks there’s more to her than she lets on. Amber’s delighted Oliver’s said she can stay on at Grange Farm. Eddie reminds her about her apology to Neil – Clarrie won’t forget the condition. Amber wonders if she can duck it, but Eddie’s not sure it’s a risk worth taking.