The Archers

Mick is shocked when Joy turns up without warning at her Beechwood house. She pours out the story of her marriage: how she met Peter when she was very young, only realising later that his abusive behaviour wasn’t normal. Things improved for a while when Rochelle came along, before Peter turned abusive again, had numerous affairs and finally left. That’s when Joy broke down, barely acting as a parent to Rochelle at all. So, what Rochelle said about Joy neglecting her is all true. It was only after a neighbour intervened that Joy started therapy, but Rochelle had long since left home by the time Joy recovered. Joy admits she didn’t really understand the damage she’d done until Rochelle spoke out a couple of weeks ago. She’ll understand if Mick wants to bail out of their relationship, but he tells her he’s not going anywhere.

At the Shop Ed and Eddie are looking for cowboy hats for the safety video they’re making for George. Rochelle’s surprised when they tell her they’ve seen Joy. Later, at Grange Farm, Ed and Eddie show Clarrie the finished video, but it’s terrible. What are they going to tell George?

Rochelle is cool with Joy when she returns from her shift. Despite Joy’s ‘mea culpa’ Rochelle can’t forgive her. Trying to think positively Mick mentions Rochelle’s new job at Casey Meats. But Joy is stunned – Rochelle’s a vegan. Rochelle retorts angrily that she’s got a job, isn’t that enough? When Mick asks how they’re getting on Joy tells him they’ve made a start and that’s the main thing.

Clarrie can’t settle and tells Ed she’s going to the veg garden to plant some carrots and potatoes. Later, Ed finds Clarrie clearing junk Eddie’s left in one of the pig-sties. Ed persuades her to take a break, then finds her doing some knitting. But distracted Clarrie keeps dropping stitches and tells Ed that Helen was right to get rid of her, she’s good for nothing. After calming down Clarrie apologises to Ed for being out of sorts, but she feels lost with all this time on her hands. She needs to work and the Dairy was perfect for her, but now that’s all gone.

At Bridge Farm Helen’s still adjusting to Clarrie not being around. She tells Pat she hopes there were no hard feelings on Clarrie’s part. Brian approaches Pat, presuming she knows something about the hose-pipe attack on Martyn’s house. Helen takes umbrage at this, while Pat can’t believe anyone connected with the protest would do such a thing. Brian won’t let it go however and Helen accuses him of threatening Pat, before saying she can understand why somebody might take such action. Brian storms off, but when he goes to the Tearoom later he apologises to Pat, who doesn’t want to fall out with him. Pat explains how upset they all are after what happened with the sewage spill, but does feel sorry for Martyn. While Brian accepts Pat’s word that none of the protesters attacked Martyn’s house someone clearly did - and Martyn’s determined to catch whoever it was, although Pat doesn’t fancy his chances.

At Joy's house Rochelle tells Mick that he’s unlikely to hear back from Joy anytime soon. Susan appears, fuming at Joy not turning up for her shift at the Shop - and there’s no-one to cover. Despite it being unpaid Rochelle offers to work Joy’s shifts. Susan reluctantly agrees – but Rochelle has to start straight away. Later on, despite the tension between Susan and Rochelle, who hates Susan’s finicky shelf-stacking instructions, they come to a compromise that seems to work. Back at home though Rochelle moans to Mick about bossy Susan driving her to distraction. Mick implores Rochelle not to mess things up for Joy, who needs the job to come back to.

Over at the Maliks Akram is getting everything ready for tonight’s Eid celebrations, including lots of fireworks. When Khalil realises Lynda and Robert will be joining them he tells Akram to ditch the fireworks : they will traumatise Lynda after the explosion at Grey Gables. Akram agrees to do the celebrations without them. When Robert and Lynda arrive, Lynda tells Akram they were expecting a great firework display after Zainab told her what usually happens. Lynda soon realises it must have been Khalil who warned Akram off and is touched by Khalil and Akram’s thoughtfulness.

The Eid party goes well, with Akram complimenting Lynda on her dancing. Robert tells Akram how grateful he is for the way they handled the potential issue with fireworks. Akram sees Robert and Lynda as good friends to the family and admits they will almost certainly stay in Ambridge now.

Helen tells Clarrie that Susan’s got the job. Clarrie’s pleased for Susan, and entreats Helen not to get upset as it doesn’t help. Helen goes through the process for Clarrie, telling her she doesn’t have to work her notice. But Clarrie insists; she just wants to get back to work, while she can. She tells Susan she just wants an ordinary day, and Susan’s happy to oblige. Clarrie admits to feeling a bit sorry for Helen, but Susan retorts that’s for Helen to deal with.

Mick intimates to Rochelle that Joy has filled him in on their troubled past. It becomes clear to Rochelle that Joy hasn’t told him the whole story. Rochelle tells shocked Mick that the ‘couple of days’ Joy referred to when she said she’d gone away was actually more like a couple of months. Rochelle also discloses she had to deal with their dog dying that summer, assisted by a lad she barely knew. When Joy arrives home and tells them about Constanza, Rochelle makes a barbed comment about disposing of a dead llama. Catching up with the conversation, Joy insists a lot of what Rochelle’s said isn’t true. Rochelle sticks to her guns and Joy defends herself, pointing out she was in a bad way. Rochelle accuses her of blocking out everything that happened. She conveniently forgets and it’s exhausting. Distraught Joy leaves the room, returning with an overnight bag. She needs some time away and will be back soon. Mick protests but Joy’s adamant. Neither Mick nor Rochelle have a clue what to do.

Eddie approaches Neil in the Bull. The awkward atmosphere between them dissipates as they share fellow feeling over the predicament of their wives regarding tomorrow’s decision about the remaining job in the dairy. Both women are trying not to think about it and remain philosophical. Eddie’s heard a rumour Martyn Gibson’s on the board of Borsetshire Water, but when he realises it’s news to Neil he thinks maybe it’s not true. Neil speculates that it would make sense though, given Martyn’s reaction to the campaign. They could check the website. They go on to chat about George. Eddie acknowledges how painful it must have been for Neil and Susan to report him to the police. The pair agree it’s been good to chat, and that they care about one another.

Lynda’s concerned for Khalil after the loss of Constanza yesterday. Khalil assures her he’s okay. They take Salieri for a walk, the start of a regular thing and Khalil loves it. He admits he sometimes feels stupid and his mother has low expectations of him. Lynda assures him this isn’t true. He tells Lynda about a boy whose funeral he attended. Seeing the boy’s mum’s face put him in mind of his own mum and how she might feel if he died. He knows his cancer could return. He apologises for the dark conversation and Lynda comforts him. She knows his mum’s just thrilled he’s alive and thriving, and has complete faith in him.

Lynda wonders to Robert whether she should pay Khalil to feed and walk the llamas. She wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t become a vet. As they approach the paddock they notice Constanza is lying down. To their horror they realised she’s died. They call Alistair to her, and he explains she had bloat. It would have happened very quickly. Lynda’s sad but tries hard to be philosophical; Constanza had a lovely life. At that moment Khalil arrives and is devastated. He’s convinced he must have fed Constanza something she couldn’t eat. Alistair reassures him, but he struggles. He asks what will happen to her and whether there’ll be a funeral. Alistair’s explanations do little to console Khalil and he leaves, distraught. Lynda’s concerned for him.

Emma’s relieved to report that there’s been no negative activity around her media exposure for the water company campaign. Nevertheless she announces she’s decided to resign from the parish council. Robert’s dismayed, and urges her not to be too hasty. Mick praises Emma tentatively for her work with the campaign – he was impressed. Emma snaps that she didn’t do it to impress, rather that it was the right thing to do. Later Robert urges Mick to think again about his complaint to the parish council; Emma’s a good person who’s already suffered enough. Chastened Mick promises he will give it some thought.

Emma’s not at all happy to find she’s become the poster girl for the water company campaign; her picture has made the local paper. Robert reckons it’s a positive – it’s all good publicity. But Emma’s worried about the prominence attracting negative comments about George on social media. Her place on the parish council may also be in question, but she’s not worried about that. If they don’t want her, that’s fine with her.

Rex is still uncomfortable with the idea of being paid to play cricket, and even more so when Lily confirms there’ll be another player getting money too. He thinks it’s all very dodgy; if it’s not, why are they having to keep quiet about it? Tom interrupts them and Lily covers, expressing her optimism for the season ahead. Tom agrees; if nets is anything to go by everyone’s sharp and focused on improving. Martyn Gibson arrives and accuses Rex of being involved in the imminent bellringing protest against the water company. Bemused Rex denies any involvement. Lily gets back to business. She runs her intended team talk past Rex and Tom. She’ll announce a change to Harrison’s previous ‘playing for fun’ approach, and make clear that nets will be compulsory – miss two sessions and you’re off the team. Later Tom and Rex agree this is all a bit strong. Lily clearly doesn’t understand people’s commitments and motives for playing.