The Archers

Brian finds himself on the spot, and Lilian makes an unexpected bond.

Jakob admits to Kate he was thrown by the idea of being a grandparent. It was the list of things Kate had planned for them to do with the baby that overwhelmed him – but it’s all good now thanks to a nice chat with Brian. They agree Brian’s a star. Jakob tells Kate he’s set up a bank account to show his commitment to their grandchild. Kate’s touched – until Jakob declares he won’t be coming on the family holiday. Later Kate tells Lilian how disappointed she is. She reminds her aunt about Friday’s holiday meeting and encourages her to read all the messages in the group chat. Chaos reigns at the Bull and Lilian pitches in, offering to run to the shop to fill a gap in a missing wholesale order. Joy scoops up the list of items and she and Lilian set to work. Jim comes and can’t believe how much new stock there is on the shelves. How can they afford it? Joy explains Susan was worried about losing customers, assuring Jim the gamble’s paying off so far. After the lunch rush Jolene and Kenton are relieved to have got through it all, and normal service is resumed. They’re thankful for the village shop. Sceptical Jim is won over as Lilian insists lunches at the Bull would have been cancelled today if it hadn’t been for the well stocked shop. When there’s a late request for a cricket tea on Sunday, Joy steps up and offers to lend a hand. Lilian declares she’s saved the Bull yet again.

Pip and Stella plan a picnic. Preoccupied Stella starts to disclose what’s on her mind, but Pip’s distracted by a call from Rosie’s school – Rosie’s sworn at a child and upset her. Pip can’t believe it. Stella reckons Rosie could have picked up the word anywhere but Pip’s not convinced she said it at all. She calls Toby, who has Rosie this week. She reports Toby’s equally shocked and will talk to Rosie. Pip frets; she feels freaked out and sorry for Rosie. Stella suggests that it’s possible Rosie did do it, but Pip maintains she’s not a mean kid. Unsettled, she declares she’ll drive to Toby’s and speak to Rosie herself. The picnic will have to be another time. Kate’s cooking Brian a belated Father’s Day meal. Talk turns to the topic of the big family holiday. Kate’s very excited at Phoebe’s baby news but someone needs to take the lead on the holiday coordination. She thinks if they get it right it could be the holiday of a lifetime. Brian doesn’t share her enthusiasm. Pinning Friday as a good meeting date Kate resolves to set up a family group chat to pool ideas. Jakob arrives and they all drink to the baby. Kate wonders what she might be known by when she becomes a grandmother. She suggests Jakob could be Mofar, a Swedish term for grandpa. Jakob doesn’t like it. Later, he tells Brian he’s not ready to be a grandfather. Brian allays his concerns with some wise words of experience. Jakob still hates the prospect of ‘Mofar.’

Fallon feels bad to be leaving the busy Bull to spend time with Harrison. Jolene assures her they’ll be fine. She hints at knowledge of the birthday surprise Harrison has in store for Fallon. Later Jolene’s shocked to learn their new staff member can’t work while Fallon’s away. Kenton suggests asking Fallon to stay but Jolene won’t hear of it. Fallon and Harrison need the time together; absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder and she doesn’t want their relationship to go the wrong way. Brian’s enjoys a pub lunch date with Miranda. As they get their drinks Miranda’s surprised to hear from Kenton that Brian was in the pub last night too. Brian hurriedly moves the conversation on. As he declares brightly that he’d love Miranda to join them on their family holiday, she wrongfoots him by announcing their relationship might have run its course. Brian’s shocked – he thought things were going marvellously. Miranda counters that unlike Jennifer she won’t put up with his shenanigans – he’d told her he was at home with a book last night and clearly he wasn’t. And Jolene saw him with a woman. Cornered, Brian confesses he’s been having secret bridge lessons with Martyn Gibson. When Miranda doesn’t believe him, he suggests she call Martyn. She does so immediately and Brian’s story checks out. Miranda apologises, but wants them to enter a bridge tournament. If they win, all will be well, but if there’s no improvement in Brian’s game, well… Brian quakes, and Miranda says he’d better hope Lady Luck’s on his side.

Helen asks Tom if he can look after the boys next Friday – Dane’s asked her to go to a comedy club with him. Tom promises to ask Natasha. Helen says she’ll ask their parents instead – it’s a perfect opportunity for her to tell them about Dane. Later she comments to Tom that her parents didn’t seem to want to know about Dane. Tom reckons this might be down to him. He’d made a comment to their mum and dad about helicopter parenting and they’re obviously trying not to overstep the mark. Helen says lightly there might be a middle way. Kirsty updates Phoebe on progress with the beavers, which are due to arrive in the autumn. Justin joins them as Kirsty explains that they’ll no longer need an enclosure for the release. Justin hopes the installation of one will keep local farmers onside. He goes on to extoll the benefits of the scheme before realising he’s doing what Lilian calls ‘Justinsplaining’. Admiring the call of a yellowhammer, he declares he owes a lot to inspirational Peggy. Phoebe’s speechless. Amused Kirsty acknowledges the sea change in Justin’s attitude. She admits to feeling a lot more settled these days, both at Willow Farm and with her job. Justin’s brought a real entrepreneurial spirit to the rewilding project. Phoebe could never have imagined he’d become so hands on, and also speak in praise of Peggy, who was always a bit suspicious of him. Kirsty agrees it’s quite a turnaround; she can’t help wondering what he’s going to pull out of the bag next.