The Archers

Zainab moans to Akram that she wouldn’t have brought Khalil tickets to the T20 if she’d known how much he’d keep talking about cricket. They discuss work – Zainab’s finding Ian easier to work for than Dane, but Akram feels Bridge Farm rather dismissed his idea for a care farm.

Helen tells Tom the farmer accepted their offer for the Monteys: all ten of them. Tom can’t believe Helen went back on her word, but Helen’s convinced it will be good for the farm and asks Tom to be pleased for her. Helen asks Akram to help in the dairy. Akram’s willing to help, but only as a one-off – working in the dairy isn’t the reason why he came to Bridge Farm. Helen then explains why Akram’s care farm idea wouldn’t have worked. Later, Akram talks to Tom about Bridge Farm’s increased focus on dairy, which Helen’s just told him about. Annoyed by Helen seemingly taking control of the farm’s direction Tom starts arguing with her, but Helen walks away. Akram then suggests to Tom that the reason Tracy hasn’t agreed to more hours may be down to how it feels working at Bridge Farm.

At the end of their long days Akram and Zainab decompress, with Zainab wondering whether work should be fun. Akram confesses he’s happiest working with the land, but maybe he should return to plumbing. Zainab reminds him of his own advice to follow his dream, and stick to the path, even when it’s crooked. Akram is grateful for a daughter like her.

Natasha helps Helen pack clothes ahead of moving to 5 The Green. Henry’s become very organised, labelling all his boxes, whilst Jack is less helpful. They talk about the dairy and Helen’s excitement over expanding her herd. Natasha confesses she’s almost jealous of Helen’s enthusiasm.

When Alice bumps into Ed in the village shop, she inquires if Ed would be available for extra hours at Home Farm. Ed says he’ll let her know after talking to Emma. As Will and Eddie admire Ed’s Texels, Will warns Ed to stay out of the Aldridge family drama, but Eddie reckons Ed should just keep his head down and take the money. Ed says he’d only go back if the hours were flexible enough to allow him to continue with the tree surgery. George then convinces Ed to be in a social media video on selecting a sheep for Borchester Show. Will and Eddie then heckle awkward Ed, before George banishes them until the filming’s done.

At Berrow farm, Ian nervously rambles to Martyn Gibson before apologising for yelling at him yesterday. Martyn accepts and agrees to not escalate his complaint further, as his brunch date wasn’t going well anyway. Seeing the pressure of his role on Ian, Martyn offers his advice on working in management over coffee. As they talk about managerial techniques and goals for Ian, Martyn plays bingo with cliché phrases.

Tom is admiring climate-controlled greenhouses online and planning to futureproof Bridge Farm. Natasha encourages him to talk to Helen, but Tom doesn’t want to pitch his ideas until Helen has moved house this weekend. Natasha raises Loxley Barratt School’s negative Ofsted report and how Helen wants Tom and Natasha involved in the PTA when Seren and Nova start in September. As they start to mention considering sending them elsewhere, Pat turns up with the twin’s missing water bottles.

Alice is waiting for Rex to take her on a date whilst Adam tells her how he was sacked by email by Brian. Alice is horrified, but Adam states as the Partnership employs him, not Brian, he will continue to work. Rex arrives and encourages Adam to drop by The Bull later, as rumours of the Aldridge family’s falling out have spread through the village. Later, Alice is ordering lunch at the Bull, when Martyn Gibson comes in complaining about Ian’s service at Grey Gables. When Adam turns up for a drink, Alice tries to warn him before Martyn Gibson asks Adam for a word. Martyn praises Ian’s talent as a chef but questions his management skills, before asking about the rumours of Home Farm.

When passing by Home Farm, Stella sees Brian struggling with a drench backpack. She offers to assist with the yearlings as it’s a lovely day and she’s concerned for him. Brian insists he’s fine and feels better reclaiming the farm as solely his. Brian and Stella work well as team, when Brian asks if Stella would ever consider coming back to Home Farm? Stella quickly shuts that down, but Brian notes that Stella will have her own farm once she’s married Pip.

On the way home, Stella bumps into Alice and asks what is Brian thinking? Alice decides to find someone to help him on the farm. Rex tries to invite Alice back to the boat, but they start to fight as she insists she’s not good company right now.

Lilian admits to Adam in The Bull that her conversation with Brian had been frustrating. In a parallel universe, Brian and Jennifer would be celebrating their Golden Wedding and things would be better. Lilian had checked on Ruairi yesterday and he’s doing better away from Ambridge. Adam discretely confides that he knows about Ruairi, George and the cover-up. Lilian assures Adam that Brian really does love him and Debbie but Adam refutes this.

Ian’s being hounded, because of being on the PTA, by parents worried about the OFSTED report. But he can’t help them, he’s not a governor. He confirms that Kate’s taking some shifts at Grey Gables – she’ll either be brilliant or a nightmare. Adam receives an email from Brian– he’s been sacked! He’s not to set foot on Home Farm. He reassures Ian that he has a plan; with the backing of a lawyer he’s going to invoke the mental incapacity clause in the partnership agreement.

At Glebe Cottage, Carol tells Anna over dinner that she doesn’t want her to put her life on hold – she knows she has no room for a private life. Hopefully the impressive care assessor will be able to suggest more support. Carol confesses that she feels useless, but that she’s still capable, curious and interested. Conversation turns to Richard but Carol doesn’t see the point of talking about her son. Anna suggests they do something in his memory. Carol softens and, unusually, praises Anna. Although she resists losing autonomy, she appreciates how much her daughter does for her – she’s grateful.

At Kirsty’s first appointment, the midwife advises that based on her previous history and being an older mum, her care will be consultant led. Anything that’s not right should be picked up early. Upset, Kirsty just wants to know that this time the pregnancy will go well. Back at Willow Farm she decides to excitedly confide in Kate that she’s 10 weeks pregnant with Erik’s baby. She wishes she was at 40 weeks already. Although Kate offers cautious optimism, Kirsty repeats her worry – why did her last pregnancy go wrong and what can she do to stop this happening again?

Natasha spots some of Tony’s unused tools in the packing shed and wonders if she could sell them online and split the proceeds. She’s stopped in her tracks by the pre-school group chat – Loxley Barrett has received a negative OFSTED report. Tom advises her not to panic – after all Martha, Rosie, Xander and Jack are all doing well there. Natasha feels Nova would be fine anywhere, but Seren lacks confidence and they can’t afford for her to be overlooked in a stretched school. On calling the school, Natasha’s appalled to hear that the head is on long – term sick leave and the deputy did not defend the report. They need to start researching other options, even if they have to travel. She brings up the question of private schools – but how would they afford that, especially for twins? Tom suggests taking one step at a time – and to avoid telling Pat, who has strong opinions on private education.

Having grudgingly acknowledged that her handrails are useful, Carol accepts an invitation to join Anna in The Bull for a meal. As Anna orders, she shares with Tracy how much she’s feeling the pressure of caring for her mum from a distance. Tracy empathises with Anna - although Bert is currently staying with Clive, she does feel that normally the burden of caring for him is all on her. Anna finds it a relief talking to someone in the same boat. When you feel that you’re going to burn out, you need support.

Outside, Carol confides in Lynda about the strain that caring puts on her relationship with Anna. To Carol it feels that Anna is determined to make her a burden, and she really doesn’t want the fuss.

When Brian arrives, Lilian gives him an earful about breaking up the partnership. She reminds him that his Golden Wedding anniversary would have been soon – Jenny would have been devastated by the family upset. Brian responds that Adam started the fire and Debbie threw petrol on it. Although he knows he’s not innocent of all wrongdoing, Brian insists this reality has to be accepted. Later, Alice asks Brian if he’s perhaps overreacted, but he feels it’s fair for a betrayal such as this. Alice suggests the decision to withdraw the land is wildly illogical and feels like a punishment. But for Brian, it’s a bid for freedom. He proposes that the family get on with the rest of their lives - and let him get on with his.

Catching up with Kate, Alice confirms that Debbie and Adam went off script at the partnership meeting, derailing the plan to get Brian to step back. It’s a disaster for Kate, who relies on her partnership income. Kate hopes Brian could still change his mind where Alice, her and Ruairi are concerned. When Adam arrives, his sisters accuse him of being selfish and duplicitous. Adam blames Debbie for the failure of the plan, before revealing Brian promised him the land but wouldn’t let Adam tell anyone. Then, when Brian suddenly withdrew the offer, Adam couldn’t help thinking he’d lost his mind. They’re interrupted by Ian calling to offer Kate work at Grey Gables. Later, Ian approaches Alice to give his backing to Adam. He confides that Adam was devastated by Brian disowning him and fears losing his siblings as well as his father. Could Alice talk to Brian and see if she can fix it?

At Bridge Farm, Susan voices her concerns about Bert and admonishes Tracy for letting him move out. Tracy argues that Bert is a grown man with capacity. Susan is dubious about his ability to make good choices, though. That’s why she stepped in and gave him a health plan. Susan later apologises, Tracy was right, she just made things harder by interfering. Susan’s just visited Bert at Clive’s and was impressed by how Clive’s looking after him. She still doesn’t trust Clive but urges Tracy to enjoy the break for now – she’s earned it.

Anna’s frustrated with Carol as they’re meant to be ready to have grab rails fitted tomorrow, but there’s clutter and chaos everywhere, which Carol resists clearing up. Anna reminds her the Care Assessor’s coming on Thursday, to see how Carol’s managing and whether she’s eligible for extra support. Anna wants Carol to be honest with them, or there’s no point. Alan then arrives for a fundraising meeting, as Carol’s offered to help raise money for the damaged church bell with a scavenger hunt. Carol remarks that Alan reminds her of her late son Richard. Anna can’t see the likeness though before Carol suggests they never agree on anything.

Adam visits harassed Ian at Grey Gables, fuming that Brian has tipped him over the edge, after announcing that Adam’s been eliminated from all decision making at Home Farm. Adam reckons that Brian will run the business into the ground. Kate and Alice still aren’t speaking to Adam, and he blames Debbie for the way the meeting went on Friday – what claim does she have on the land when she isn’t even there to farm it? Wondering how Kate will manage for money without the Partnership, Ian suggests offering her work at Grey Gables, doing housekeeping plus the occasional yoga class. Adam decides he’s going back to work, to prove he’s the one who should be steering the proverbial ship. He can’t just ditch his job, hoping Brian might still see sense. But he needs to win Alice and Kate over to his side, Ian reckons, by telling them all about Brian’s duplicity.