Akram has some difficult news to impart, and a decision is reached at The Bull.

At Grey Gables Zainab is shadowing Oliver, who thinks it will be good for her to see the frustrating realities of his job. Zainab thanks Oliver for his support over her complaint about Lawrence and the golf club. Zainab gets on with one of Oliver’s more mundane tasks, before spotting on a personnel file he’s shared that his eightieth birthday is coming up. He’d rather forget all about it, but Zainab thinks Oliver should celebrate such a momentous event. Later, Zainab reports an error she’s spotted and how she corrected it. Oliver suggests she’d make a good manager, but Zainab is more interested in organising a party for Oliver’s birthday. Once again Oliver demurs.

Eddie, Clarrie and George arrive for lunch at The Bull, taking a table in the corner. Jolene assures them everything’s fine, but after some ill-advised comments by George the atmosphere becomes awkward. Clarrie apologises and Jolene reassures her there’ll be no trouble, so long as George doesn’t go looking for it. Fallon then tells Jolene she won’t hide and will be completely professional with them, before serving their meal. George makes a point of apologising for what happened to Fallon after the crash, while Fallon thanks him for helping Jolene and Kenton with Markie, then goes. Despite the awkwardness Clarrie and Eddie reassure George that it went well. But after they’ve gone Fallon confesses how hard it was seeing George again and Jolene reckons the Grundys are being optimistic if they think the village is ready to kiss and make up.

Akram has walked to Brookfield to collect a birthday cake that Leonard’s made for Khalil. When the rain starts David offers to drive Akram home, with a detour to drop off a machine part to a neighbouring farmer, Mulligan. But when they get to Meadow Farm they hear the distressed sound of unmilked cows and discover Mulligan lying dead in the milking parlour, before calling the emergency services. Later, David is grateful for Akram’s company while milking the cows. They discuss what happened when the paramedics got there, waxing philosophical about the meaning of life and death. David worries that he could have prevented Mulligan’s death if he’d called earlier, lamenting he doesn’t even know the name of Mulligan’s next of kin, his daughter, to let her know what’s happened. The least David can do is keep milking the cows, until another solution presents itself. Akram offers to help and both hope Mulligan’s at peace.

At the Maliks, Zainab and Khalil banter about his 'surprise' birthday party and presents. Zainab jokes that she’s bought him socks and underpants. Khalil is suitably unimpressed. Later, Khalil complains about being kept waiting for his cake before Zainab gives him her real present: tickets to a match in the Women’s T20 cricket World Cup. Delighted Khalil answers his phone and Akram explains what’s happened to Mulligan. He’s going to help David milk and settle the cows, which means he’ll be late back. Akram apologises for the delay, but Khalil is more concerned that the cows will be looked after.

After enjoying a Sunday roast with Clarrie and Eddie, George goes to help with the turkeys. George quickly shows he hasn’t lost his touch and Eddie’s delighted to have him back. But then one of the turkeys, Houdini, flies onto the Pole Barn roof and George climbs up to bring it back down. George and the bird come crashing down, but they manage to shut Houdini in with the others. In the process George splits his trousers, which they both find hilarious. But then George is downbeat about his reception back into the village, after his poorly attended party last week. Later, Clarrie promises to mend George’s trousers. George offers to take them out for lunch at The Bull on Tuesday, grateful that they took in Amber. Eddie admires George’s confidence, thinking he’ll be fine and things will get easier, but Clarrie’s not so sure.

At The Bull Lilian and Jolene look over the details of the upcoming Pub Awards event. Lilian thinks it’ll be a great opportunity for networking with important sponsors, but they’ve only been given two tickets. Jolene tells Lilian to take one of the other staff members. Jolene then approaches Tracy and Fallon, explaining there’s only one spare ticket and they think Fallon should have it. Fallon’s uncomfortable with the idea, while Tracy’s clearly disappointed not to go. They confront Lilian about the decision being unfair and Fallon says she won’t go under these circumstances. Lilian then suggests they draw a name from a hat instead.

Amber and George have been enjoying some quality time together before the party in honour of George’s return. Amber can’t wait to see him back with his mates. As everyone starts to get things ready for the evening, George decides to go for a bike ride. Brad and Amber fill in time gaming. Amber wonders if she’s upset George but Brad reckons he’ll just be enjoying time out in the countryside after being stuck inside a cell.

Meanwhile Ed finds George at Bartleby’s field. George admits to not feeling as good as he thought he would. He had to shut his mind down in prison so as not to miss the sights and smells of home. And his romantic reunion with Amber at Grange Farm didn’t happen. It wasn’t the same doing it outside the prison. Ed takes him to get a big bunch of flowers for Amber. He suggests if George works hard now, he’ll show his sisters how you can make a bad thing good.

Amber wants to get changed. Emma assures her she looks lovely as she is but Amber wants to make a good impression on George’s friends. As Emma and Ed leave them to party Brad ramps up the music. Later it becomes clear that no-one’s coming. Amber’s furious on George’s behalf, but George reckons he’s not bothered. He’s got his two best friends here, what more does he need? He thanks Amber and Brad for keeping him going; he doesn’t know if he’d have survived without them. They share a group hug.

It’s the day of George’s release, and nervous Emma sets off with Amber to collect him. Amber’s excited for all the plans she has for them both for the next few weeks. Emma reminds her it might not all be roses. Not everyone feels as they do about George. Amber counters that George has done his time and should be allowed to have some fun. Emma concedes the point and they carry on chatting happily.

Eddie can’t wait to have their boy back in the fold. There’s something really special about George. As they gather to welcome him home, Will feels a bit sorry for Susan and Neil. He resolves to send them a photo.

Meanwhile George is upset to find there’s no sign of the clothes Amber sent him for his release. The officer apologises, but George will have to wear a prison issue discharge kit. George eventually rallies and looks forward to his journey home. He’s going to treat his mum to a fry up on the way, and stop off for flowers for Amber. They’ll share their first proper kiss when she greets him at the door.

Finally George is out. He’s wrongfooted to see Amber despite the emotional reunion. He’s ashamed of his outift and let down that he can’t now give her the flowers. But he resets and assures them it’s a great surprise. There’s more joy as he arrives at Grange Farm to effusive hugs from Eddie, Clarrie and Will. His dad declares he’s missed him so much.

Chris shares news of how Martha’s doing at school with Susan and Neil. When Susan mentions the rat situation at church, Neil reckons Susan’s handling everything brilliantly. The last few months have been so tricky for the shop. Talk turns to George’s release tomorrow. Susan reckons it would mean a lot to Emma if Chris could show his face at the party on Friday, but Chris is adamant he won’t go. He’s happy for Emma that she’ll have George back, but he’ll never be family to him. Susan and Neil understand.

Susan has the idea to offer deliveries while the shop’s closed. Neil’s not keen initially, but soon gets on board with it and helps her load up with essentials. While they’re at the church they share a quiet moment of contemplation. They feel thankful and count their blessings, admitting they’ll never stop loving George no matter what.

Jolene admits to Chris and Fallon she feels relieved George is being released on time, having felt dreadful about getting him involved in their troubles. Fallon agrees it wasn’t fair to ask George for help; he made a brave choice. Chris can still only feel contempt. He hopes George has changed but he’s not holding his breath. Later Chris opens up to Fallon about his feelings towards Alice. There’s still the nagging worry that she might drink again. He admits when they were going through those times he questioned himself and knew that deep down Alice’s drinking was becoming a problem. He’ll never love anyone the way he loved Alice – but he can never be with her again.

Brad sees things from another perspective, and Neil attempts to stay positive.

Susan wants to make worried Emma a drink but she has to get to a tree job. Mick’s surprised to see Emma so preoccupied; he thought George was being released this week. Susan comments that nothing’s ever plain sailing with George. As they’re talking horrified Susan spots a rat. She brandishes a candlestick but amused Mick isn’t sure that’s the solution. When they flush it out of hiding Susan’s convinced it’s not the same rat. What if there’s an infestation? Susan heads off to break the news to Alan.

Amber’s topping up her social posts in between preparing the house for George’s arrival home on Thursday. Will offers to help but Amber’s keen to get the bedroom ready herself. She can’t believe George will soon be here with her at No.1 The Green. Will reminds her things might not go their way today at the hearing; they have no control over the situation. Amber’s trying to think positively. Will confesses he hasn’t told Poppy yet. Amber acknowledges she’ll be gutted. Will loves that Poppy gets on so well with Amber. Amber comments that Poppy’s lucky to be a Grundy girl. Her own parents shut her out, and still haven’t accepted George. They’ve never been interested in anything she’s done. Will assures her she’s part of their family now. Will seeks support from Emma as they await news, and she offers it unreservedly. They all wait together until the call comes – George is not guilty. Everyone’s overjoyed, and Amber tells George she can’t wait to be with him. They declare their love for one another.

Ruairi observes it feels good to be walking beside a field they’ve planted. He’s never felt so fired up about going to work. Adam’s surprised to learn Ruairi was with Paul last night. He agrees to have a drink with them both later. However Paul and Adam find themselves alone in the bar as Ruairi’s called away, and conversation doesn’t flow easily. Paul admits to Jolene that he doesn’t know what to talk to Adam about. Jolene enlists the pair as guinea pigs for testing out her ‘box of chatter’. Adam thinks it sounds like hell but joins in anyway. He admits afterwards to having fun, as does Paul. Jolene exclaims that’s what makes the Bull award winning.

Emma tells Jolene that Clarrie’s perfecting George’s favourite treacle tart in readiness for his homecoming on Thursday. Jolene reiterates how much she and Kenton appreciate what George did for them. Emma still wishes they hadn’t involved him, but she can’t wait to finally hug her son again. Later George explains to her about the shank found in his bed, and that it might mean extra time in prison. Appalled Emma counsels that there’s no point thinking beyond the hearing tomorrow. George doesn’t know if he can take any more. His mum offers him her strength – they’ll get through this. She heads to the Bull and fills Jolene in. She feels like George is even more vulnerable now. Jolene goes to hug Emma but is rebuffed. Emma just wants her to pray that the hearing goes George’s way.