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.

The Grey Gables job shadowing scheme is underway, and Brad tries to persuade dismissive Ian how crucial and interesting the porter’s job is. Ian asserts he’s never been good at sticking on a false smile. However when he notices a restaurant reviewer’s booked in, he hastily offers to look after her. He reports later that she was very impressed with the shadowing idea. He apologises to Brad for his earlier sniffy attitude – it’s been good for him to see the front of house stuff. Brad admits ruefully he’s not looking forward to his billet on Security, shadowing Mick.

Kirsty tackles Justin about his intention to sell his Borchester Land shares. She’s concerned about the implications, and for the future of Rewilding Ambridge. Justin insists it will make no difference, but Kirsty protests they’ll have a much harder time of it with the Board. Justin assures her he’s keeping his own personal stake in the scheme, and will always be on hand to offer advice on how to handle the Board.

George is still in suspense over the date of his hearing. He’s keen to put his case, but again the officer tells him he can have his say when the time comes. Relenting slightly, the officer admits she believes George’s side of the story. George gets an update from Amber about Bartleby. Covering his worries about the upcoming hearing, he lets Amber believe his subdued mood is due to the pony. Later when he finds out he could get an additional six weeks on his sentence, George is distraught.

Pip offers to take Cleo on the school run until her gran and Leonard are up and about. Stella enthuses about her job. She feels like she’s in at the beginning of something really exciting. Pip’s distracted when she finds Paul’s lost trainer. Stella reckons she’s going to have to bite the bullet and ask if she can start taking Cleo with her to work. Later she reports her boss was fine about it – he loves dogs.

Paul calls Ruairi while Ruairi’s checking on the rutting stags. He notices one of the stags is bleeding down its face. Paul warns him off approaching it but Ruairi ends the call. Paul rushes to Home Farm, and his fears are confirmed as Ruairi’s nursing an arm injury. Paul helps him tend to it, and they check on the stag – this time through binoculars. Ruairi takes the opportunity to broach dating. Paul’s up for it so they agree to meet on Saturday. Just as they’re about to kiss a roar from a stag breaks the moment, and they part.

Later Ruairi catches up with Paul outside the Bull, and they share their postponed tender moment.

Ed tells Adam and Ruairi about Bartleby and the difficulty for George, and there’s an awkward moment. Meanwhile Brian’s wondering about the maize harvest. Adam assures him everything’s on schedule. Brian probes Ruairi’s knowledge of the situation, and Ruairi passes the test with flying colours. Brian capitulates; it looks like he has time on his hands. He obediently heads off to read a book. Later they put the idea of a holiday to Brian. The Scottish castle won’t be available until 2027 so is off the table. Brian gets the hint that they want him out of the way. Ruairi suggests gently that everyone needs to get used to the new situation, and when Brian gets back he’ll have proof that the farm’s been managed well. Brian can see the sense in this. Some sunshine will do him good. .

It's time to say goodbye to Bartleby. Amber cuts some of his mane to make a bracelet for George. As reality hits Amber’s distress becomes clear. She’s promised she’ll be here for George but she doesn’t know if she can do it. Brad suggests they move to a distance, but she still can’t look. Tearfully she exclaims she’s let George down. Brad assures her she’s been brave, and hugs her until she feels better. Everyone agrees it’s time for a drink.

Later Ed tells Adam he doesn’t want their working relationship tainted by bad feeling over George. They agree not to mention his name. But Adam promises that if George ever upsets Alice, prison will seem like a Sunday picnic.

Justin asks Brian for a chat. Brian thinks there’s no point – Justin’s abandoning Borchester Land, end of story. Justin’s disappointed; he was expecting more fight from Brian. Brian counters he longer cares about Justin’s antics. Justin’s sorry – he doesn’t mind losing touch with the rest of the Board, but he and Brian are family. He proceeds with the reason for the chat: he thinks Brian should have the opportunity to buy Damara’s stake in BL. Brian points out he doesn’t have the money, but Justin suggests a consortium of investors, meaning Brian would gain effective control of the Board. When Brian questions Justin’s motives he responds that he still has the future of the planet in mind, and Brian’s a first class farmer. Brian scoffs.

Brad fills upbeat George in on the latest goings-on in Ambridge, before giving him the news about Bartleby. He’ll be put down tomorrow. George does his best to rationalise this. He knows it’s the right decision. Sensitive Brad offers to represent George as they say their goodbyes, and Amber will go along too. George is grateful. Brad promises to take Bartleby’s favourite treats and get photos. George acknowledges he’ll have to find his own way of saying goodbye, and becomes tearful as his call is ended. The officer announces a cell search to rattled George, and soon discovers a shank made out of a sharpened toothbrush. Horrified George denies all knowledge but is told to save it for the hearing. George protests he’s being released next week, but the officer remains unmoved.

Ed wonders whether Adam and Ruairi are managing Home Farm permanently now. Adam checks Ruairi’s affirmative response, and Ruairi acknowledges it’s something they’ll have to discuss. When Ed’s gone, Ruairi asserts Brian’s starting to get the message that retirement would be good for him. If Ruairi keeps learning the ropes, Brian might be persuaded to step back. Adam and Ruairi agree they’d be happy to work together. They’ll go for this plan. Alice arrives and they explain the idea; they’ll be speaking to their dad about it this afternoon. However before they can begin Alice interrupts them, arriving early for her birthday lunch with her dad. Awkwardly, Adam and Ruairi set out their plan, confirming they’ve spoken to Debbie and Kate. To their surprise, Brian declares it an excellent idea, and suggests they all celebrate together. Brian checks Alice is happy with the farm plan. Alice agrees it makes sense – Adam’s such an experienced farmer. Brian adds that Ruairi’s keen as mustard.

Emma’s bought all George’s favourite foods to welcome him when he’s home. She’s also got nibbles for his party on Friday. Amber assures her she needn’t have bothered with that, or the new duvet set Emma’s bought – she’s happy to organise everything herself. She’s already given George’s bedroom a makeover. She hopes Emma isn’t offended. Emma acknowledges the room looks really classy. She reckons George will love it. Ed takes a call from Meg Mellor. It’s bad news. Bartleby’s not looking good; a decision will need to be made this week. Emma exclaims it will break George’s heart.