The Archers

Brian hears Josh’s Brookfield inheritance woes. He encourages Josh to be relieved to not be saddled with debt, and to build on his egg enterprise. Josh is put out that Pip will receive a farm worth millions – maybe he should look beyond Brookfield for his future?

Ruairi is planning to visit a large farm to learn about their diversity strategy. With extremes of weather, farming is volatile and grain prices are trending down. Disparaging Brian reminds him of his five decades of farming experience, which counts for a lot in planning. Later, the two discuss Josh’s situation – Brian thinks a mid-size operation such as Brookfield is a poisoned chalice. Ruairi is not afraid of taking on a farm and presses Brian on his succession plan. Brian retorts that Ruairi’s a long way, if at all, from filling his shoes.

Although Amber compliments Fallon on her coat in the shop, she is not sweetened and gives a barbed suggestion that Amber could help with Speedwatch, to make a stand for the victims of reckless drivers.

Fallon has a plan for Ruth’s Valentine surprise. David is to come to The Bull on Friday to help behind the bar, saying they are short staffed. The secret booking is back on!

Preparing for Ben’s graduation celebration lunch, Ruth approaches a resistant David about a date at The Bull on Friday night for Valentine’s. He gives excuses that it’s an artificial, commercial occasion. He suggests an eat in meal-for-two from Underwoods. Ruth confides in Stella that she knows David’s trying to surprise her with a booking at The Bull on Saturday, but she wants to surprise him with a better table there on Friday.

Susan comes to see Clarrie with some early birthday treats and a proposition. Accompanying her on the school pick-up run, Susan asks whether she might be interested in taking back her old job at the dairy. They’re rushed off their feet at Bridge Farm and they need help. Clarrie admits she misses the place and working with Susan, but she enjoys her work at Underwoods Local and in the school. The people are lovely, both jobs are easier on her body, and she gets to pick up Poppy. Susan’s disappointed but glad to see Clarrie so content.

There’s a crisis at Meadow Farm. The cows are out and Esme’s struggling. George lends a capable hand and the animals are soon under control. Later George reassures Esme. He’s located the cause of the escape – there’s a broken gate on the winter housing. Esme’s grateful. When Josh finds George fixing the gate, he admits he must have knocked it yesterday when he was scraping the yard. He feels awful but George tells him to stop worrying, it’s all fine. Josh apologises to Esme, who thinks the work at Meadow Farm might be too much for him. He has his own business to keep running. She needs to stand on her own feet, and besides she has George helping now. When Josh declares he doesn’t trust George, Esme doesn’t share his scepticism. She believes George is genuine and that the job means a lot to him. She offers George the afternoon milking, and Josh has to reluctantly let go of the reins.

At the Bull Ruth takes Kenton aside to ask if there are any tables left for Valentine’s. Knowing that David’s already booked one, Kenton tells her they’re all fully booked. Later he relents and offers her a table for the Friday, explaining David’s secretly booked for the Saturday. Ruth’s table would be a proper one rather than cramped at the bar, so she instructs Kenton to cancel David’s reservation and confirms hers. Later she asks casually if David would like to do something on Friday night. David responds that bearing in mind how busy they are on Saturday, it might be best just to stay in.

Amber and George agree that whatever happens at the dinner with Amber’s parents, they have each other’s backs. Anne Marie and Bill politely cover their mild surprise at seeing George before settling in to chat about the ‘situation’, and the plan. When it becomes clear this means questioning whether or not Amber’s pregnancy will go ahead, Amber’s firm that this is not an accident; she’s having her baby and will live with George. Anne Marie persists with her view that they have options. Appalled Amber tries to close the conversation down, but her mother insists she doesn’t want Amber to be trapped. Gutted not to have her parents support, Amber chooses George, and the family who’ll love her just as she is. Amber worries to George she might turn out like her mum, but George reassures her. They have everything they need, together.

Pip and Stella visit Ruth and David. When they’re cagey Ruth wants to know what they have to say. Pip blurts out that they’re getting married, and they recount the story of the engagement ring to her astounded parents. They make a toast, and Ruth offers the events barn as a venue for their party. Ruth reports later that Jill has insisted they all go to the Bull tomorrow night to celebrate. Ruth and David agree it’s lovely news but it gives you a bit of a jolt when your children move on to their next life stage. David observes they’ll need to consider the future of the farm at some point.

Amber picks up George from Meadow Farm after work. George reckons the work’s going fine. He admits Josh is posing a problem but it’s no big deal. Amber’s disappointed George didn’t confide in her sooner. George is touched when Amber takes them to his favourite chippy, something he’d been looking forward to since his release from prison. They enjoy a moment eating fish and chips from the paper, before Amber admits she’s going to see her parents tomorrow night, and not going out for a friend’s birthday as she’d originally told George. George is shocked to hear Anne Marie knows about the baby. Amber feels her mum might genuinely want to help, and could even be ready to accept them as a couple. George offers to go with Amber tomorrow. He hopes she’s right about her parents, but whatever happens, he’ll be there for her.

Susan’s working over her hours in order to cope with a large new order. She and Pat agree the order’s good news, they just weren’t ready for it. Pat explains that instead of receiving presents for his 75th birthday, Tony wants to give everyone in the village a packet of organic seeds. Susan thinks it’s a lovely idea. By the end of her shift she’s looking forward to home and a hot bath. She and Pat agree there’s enough work for another person to be in the dairy at least part time. Pat says Helen has someone in mind. Susan says she’ll keep her eyes peeled too.

Over a delicious meal cooked by Stella, Pip tries again to raise her worries over her birthday treat, but they’re interrupted by a noise from the kitchen. Cleo the dog’s stolen some of the cheesecake Stella’s prepared as dessert. Stella worries Cleo may have swallowed something dangerous. Slightly bewildered Pip agrees they should get her checked over. Paul shows Stella the scan he’s done of Cleo – she’s swallowed a small object. It won’t do her any damage but Paul reckons Stella should show Pip the scan. As Pip peers at the picture she’s confused to see a ring. Stella explains she’d put it on top of Pip’s portion of cheesecake, as a proposal. Pip’s bowled over and encourages Stella to propose properly, which she does. Delighted Paul appears and suggests an engagement party. They all agree that this ridiculous chaotic proposal suits the couple down to the ground.

Will prepares George an early hot breakfast for his first shift at Meadow Farm. Amber wakes up too and both of them wish George luck as he sets off, before admitting to one another they’re both anxious for him to do well. Esme’s grateful as enthusiastic George offers to fix a blocked gutter once he’s done the milking. Josh arrives and is thrown to find George up a ladder – he was intending to do the repair himself. Esme declares that George has been great, adding that she can manage at the farm now if Josh wants to take a step back and focus on his own business. Josh warns her to be careful that George doesn’t take advantage and expect to be paid extra. Esme counters there’s been no hint of this so far, but Josh isn’t convinced. He’s happy to carry on helping, so why pay George to do the jobs? Later George realises Josh has told Esme his suspicions. George insists he’s just doing his job, before telling Josh he’s off his head.

Amber’s shocked when her mum Anne Marie turns up unexpectedly. Anne Marie’s found out about Amber’s pregnancy, and expresses her concern for her welfare. Amber assures her she’s fine and all’s well, but Anne Marie wants to talk further and invites Amber to dinner on Thursday. She misses Amber and just wants to be there for her. Later as Amber, George and Will celebrate George’s successful first day, Amber doesn’t want to break the mood and says nothing about her encounter, insisting all is good.

David and Ruth realise they’ve committed to an event in the barn on Valentine’s Day. Ruth was hoping to offer to babysit for Pip and Stella. David’s affronted – maybe they might want to go out themselves. Ruth comments it looks like they’ll be behind the bar in the barn now anyhow. They can always go out another night. Later David’s disappointed when Kenton tells him the Bull’s Valentine’s event is all booked up. Kenton eventually finds a small space to squeeze them in, if David doesn’t mind sitting at the bar. David’s happy with this. Ruth arrives and suggests Pip and Stella could come to the Bull for Valentine’s if she and David babysit. David hurriedly covers, saying they should probably stick with doing the bar in the barn, to save money.

Pip and Hannah admire the art installation at the rewilding site: stained glass set in wood from a fallen oak. Pip admits ruefully that she and Stella don’t get much time together at the moment, though it’s good she’s enjoying her job. Pip wonders whether Stella’s mentioned a cruise for her birthday – she’s being secretive and Pip can’t work it out. She doesn’t fancy being cooped up at sea so she hopes not. Hannah confirms she’s heard nothing, but suggests Pip just asks Stella. Pip duly tackles the topic later but realises Stella had fallen asleep and hadn’t heard a word she’d said. Recounting this to Hannah, Pip asserts there’s definitely something on Stella’s mind. One way or another she intends to find out what it is.

After working a night shift Ben’s late getting up for his graduation ceremony and has to be chivvied along by David and Ruth. Before the ceremony starts David spots that Ben has fallen asleep. For alphabetical reasons Ben will be first up to collect his degree, so Ruth calls his phone, assuming the vibration will wake Ben. It rings loudly instead, immediately waking Ben, who apologises before going on stage to be greeted by the amused Chancellor. Afterwards Ben and David tease Ruth about the phone call and having a cry, but they are all very proud of what Ben’s achieved.

Amber encourages George to stay positive about getting a job, before Esme calls, asking him over to Meadow Farm at lunchtime. George assumes it’s a “maybe”, which Amber tells him he needs to turn into a “yes”. He’d be perfect for the job and Esme would be lucky to have him. When George gets there, he advises Esme on replacing some rotting fence posts. Esme knows about his criminal past, spelling out that she’s looking for someone trustworthy and reliable. George assures her he won’t let her down, emphasising how much he cares for livestock and how he needs to step up for Amber, now she’s pregnant. Esme reveals she has worked previously with ex-offenders, before offering George a two months’ trial of part-time work milking, looking after cows and doing general farm work, starting on Monday. George is dead chuffed, going to meet Amber after work. She’s thrilled and they both vow to work hard for their future as a family.

Rex asks Joy about New Year’s Eve and Mick’s story about taking Joy to a real-ale pub after midnight. Joy tells him she met Rochelle instead, and they talked about her new partner. It’s bittersweet for Rex, who says it’s great that she’s met someone.

Lilian tells Joy that Justin was bordering on triumphant when he came home last night. This is news to Rex, but he really hopes it means Justin has sorted everything for Peggy’s artwork unveiling at Rewilding Ambridge. When David tells Kirsty about the family members who are coming, he picks up that the artwork hasn’t been sorted yet. But when Justin arrives he tells Kirsty he thinks he’s solved their problem, but they need all the muscle power they can muster to make it happen before two-thirty.

Later, Lilian gives a speech before the stained-glass installation is unveiled to appreciative gasps and applause. Lilian then tells Justin the artwork is awesome and Peggy would have loved it. She can hardly thank Justin enough.