The Archers

Oliver and Ian await the arrival at Grey Gables of the new temporary manager, who’s late. Oliver lists his credentials and Ian admits he does sound very good. Ian reckons he’ll run a tight ship; Oliver thinks that’s just what they’re looking for/need. Dane arrives and proves to be chatty and quirky. Both Ian and Oliver are slightly stunned. Dane’s a breath of fresh air, but not quite what either of them was expecting.

Henry informs his granddad that he and Khalil have a place on the cricket team. He wonders if Tony’s upset, but Tony’s genuinely pleased for them. Henry’s apprehensive about the match but Tony reassures him – they’ll all support him all the way.

Rex calls on Rochelle. He’s sorry, but he can’t stop thinking about her and suspects she feels the same about him. Rochelle shuts him down. They can’t be together. Rex leaves and Rochelle calls her mum. She admits to Joy that she’s heartbroken. She still really likes Rex.

Joy spots a small burn on Lilian’s hand. Lilian admits she’s clumsy at the moment. Joy observes that grief is distracting and exhausting. Lilian sighs she’s got so much to organise but she’d rather be dealing with one of Peggy’s weekly lists. She shows Joy one she’s kept. Joy thinks the lists are a beautiful memory. Lilian thanks her for being a good friend and shoulder to cry on.

Tom confronts Helen over her comments to Natasha. Helen maintains she was simply reminding Natasha of the truth – that Tom had received handouts from Peggy more than once over the years. When Tom points out that Natasha wasn’t even around at that time, Helen calms down. Helen admits that rightly or wrongly, she was hoping for more from her gran’s will. Later Lilian gives them the news that Peggy’s wish was for everyone to go on a family holiday together. Lilian’s quite excited. She hopes the small legacies Peggy left doesn’t cause issues for the family. The last thing she and Tony want is in-fighting and arguments. Tom and Helen agree. But Tom thinks this still doesn’t make sense. He wants to be sure Peggy wasn’t cheated of her money. Something doesn’t add up; where has all the money gone?

Usha’s impressed by the topic Alan’s chosen for his sermon, that of peace, observing that he’s never one to take the easy route. Later Helen breaks it to Alan that amongst Peggy’s comprehensive instructions for her funeral she stipulated a different vicar to officiate. Alan frets to Usha that Crispin can’t possibly know the family as well as he does. He wonder’s whether Peggy’s decision was to do with his involvement in Rob’s baptism. Whatever the reason, he resolves to ensure the church will look its best for the funeral.

Lynda’s interested when Helen lets slip that Henry’s really started liking cricket at school. Later she tells Rex she’s disappointed in him, having had him down as a man of integrity.

Brian informs Rex that Peggy set aside some money for a natural artwork at the Rewilding site. Rex thinks Peggy took an impressive gamble with the rewilding, commenting ruefully that he’s always been the sensible one in his family. Brian reckons there’s nothing wrong with being level-headed. Rex wonders how you know when it’s time to settle down. Brian observes if it’s with the right person he’ll know, counselling Rex to think carefully before taking any risks.

Helen sympathises with Natasha over how tight finances are. Natasha comments it was unfair of Peggy not to warn them there was so little money to go round. Helen thinks they shouldn’t have counted their chickens. And besides, Tom has already had plenty from Peggy, so not everyone in the family has the same right to feel aggrieved.

A mystery deepens one for one family, and there’s a rare night out for some villagers.

Lilian’s finding lots of poignant reminders of Peggy while sorting through a box of her things. Tony doesn’t understand how old shopping lists can evoke fond memories, but Lilian sees each of them as telling a story. Lilian points out that Tony’s surrounded by his children and grandchildren, whereas hers are not only far away, but don’t need her like Peggy did. She feels lost without her mum. When Henry arrives he’s intrigued by a glass dolphin. Lilian declares he can keep it. Henry’s in charge of the goats for Open Farm Sunday – he’s planning on buying some leather halters for them when he gets his money. Tony asks what money he’s expecting and Henry thinks it’s from Peggy. Tony thinks Henry shouldn’t be talking about inheritance money, but Lilian disagrees. It’s only natural Henry should speculate. Besides, he’s missing his great grandma as much as she is. Tony apologises for snapping at Henry; he thinks they would all benefit from a family outing.

With Nova, Seren and the boys out with Helen, Tom brings Natasha breakfast outside. They speculate on plans for the garden. They might be able to use some of the money from Peggy’s will. And if Helen uses hers for a house deposit, she could be in her own place by autumn. Tom wants to laze around gaming this morning; Natasha suggests they go back to bed. Later at the cricket they admire the play of Kalathma and Rex, who look like a killer pairing. Natasha praises Tom for his brilliant fielding before heading off with the girls.

The cricket sees a small celebration at tea as Ambridge has put on a great performance in the field. Lynda’s not impressed by the showy spread offered by the Borchester Fourths side and looks forward to Fallon’s little local pies at the next home game. There’s more joy later as Ambridge celebrates a win. Rex admits it beats driving his taxi on a Sunday afternoon. Lily incautiously lets slip Vince’s secret sponsorship deal, and Lynda detects subterfuge. Rex tries to take responsibility but Lily comes clean, admitting she and Vince were the ones who arranged for Rex and Kalathma to be paid. She points out how well it’s all working and begs Lynda not to tell Tom. But Lynda’s disappointed. It’s against the whole spirit of village cricket and the antithesis of what’s needed to build a solid, trusting team. Lynda tells Lily she needs an evening to digest this information and then she’ll let her know what she plans to do.

Joy and Leonard enjoy their walk up Lakey Hill inspecting the footpaths and reminiscing about street parties gone by. Suddenly Joy spots one of David’s very graphic notices about the dangers of neospora. She’s shocked. Leonard starts to dismantle the sign just as David approaches. Leonard explains to annoyed David that he feels the notices are inappropriate, but David counters that the reality of the image is exactly what farmers can face if people don’t heed the signs. They start to argue, and Joy intervenes. She agrees with David on this as it happens. It’s an important message. She persuades the men to apologise to one another, and David agrees to put the sign somewhere more unobtrusive.

Rex needs an explanation from Rochelle as to why she cancelled on him. She assures him she likes him and isn’t playing games. He’s not the problem. Before she can expand on this Rex moves in to kiss her. He can’t get her out of his head, and wonders if this could be a thing. Later Rex admits his heart rules his head in romance – when he’s in he’s all in. Rochelle rows back on their earlier moment, saying she just wants some fun. She can’t commit to more; she might have to leave Ambridge soon. Rex isn’t up for a casual arrangement, and he doesn’t want to start something that doesn’t mean anything. He finds her tricky to read – perhaps it’s good they’re being honest with each other now. They agree to park things as just friends.

Ben gives David a hand on the yard, appreciating the screen break. David jokes that Ben’s NHS work is to give him a break from the family farm. Ben observes his Dad can’t resist another dig over his views on inheritance tax. Joy asks if anyone from Brookfield’s available to help to check out the routes up Lakey Hill ready for the VE Day beacon lighting. Unsuspecting Leonard appears in the nick of time. He’s happy to help. He and Joy agree to meet tomorrow. David and Ben agree something needs to be done about dog walkers not picking up after their pets, risking neospora affecting livestock. David tells Ben he’s having some signs made to put up around Brookfield. Ben remarks on the hard hitting nature of the image but David maintains it needs to be impactful to get the message across.

There’s a thaw between Joy and Rochelle as they make the baked cauliflower postponed from last night. Joy suggests tentatively that she has some money set aside to help Rochelle get her own place. Wrongfooted Rochelle’s unsure. Joy presses on. It would be somewhere to bring the kids and have friends – like the one she met in the café the other day. Rochelle won’t be drawn. Instead she accuses her mum of wanting to reinvent her from head to toe. Rochelle feels judged. Joy insists she’s just trying to improve Rochelle’s lot – she’s not always thinking the worst of her. She knows Rochelle likes Ambridge, and just wants to help her stay around. Rochelle insists that’s not going to happen any time soon. She knows Joy and Mick want their space, and besides she’ll soon be back with her own family.