The Archers

It’s half term and Khalil is bored at Ambridge Hall. Robert’s plan to get him to reorganise the library books isn’t going down well with Khalil, so Robert suggests he helps feed the llamas instead, (which cheers him up). Khalil notices a graze on Constanza’s leg, so Alistair is alerted and Khalil watches with interest as the injury is treated. Zainab joins them and is unimpressed as Constanza spits in indignation. Robert observes Khalil has an affinity with animals. He’s grateful to Khalil for spotting the cut leg, and suggests he might have something in mind as a thank you treat.

Helen and Joy survey the damage to their homes, where heavy machinery has been pumping out the drains all night. Helen is also worried about delayed production at the dairy and their reputation– even loyal customers will be put off by sewage. Joy and Mick spent the night in their car, not wanting to spend money on accommodation until the insurance assessor’s visit. Helen insists that they take up Tony and Pat’s offer to stay at Bridge Farm, which Joy accepts. Helen and Joy are frustrated with Borsetshire Water, saying they are not investing enough in their infrastructure, knowing winters are getting wetter, and blame them for the damage to homes and businesses.

The Maliks are staying with Lynda at Ambridge Hall, and a heartbroken Zainab confides in Lynda that she’s upset that the boxes she moved, containing precious family photos of her parents’ wedding and her late grandparents are ruined.

Fallon is unpacking a food delivery at The Bull and stops in her tracks – her dad Wayne has a regular delivery of frozen pastry for his pies! Harrison teases her about false advertising when Fallon points out their menus show ‘Homemade Pies’. She is exasperated with her dad – where else is he cutting corners? Later, Harrison suggests that they just take the word ‘Homemade’ off, but Fallon dismisses the idea, saying it will lead to questions from customers. She admits that she’s discovered this is not Wayne’s only deception - the Cod & Chips on the menu actually uses a cheaper fish: whiting. She’s going to have to tell Jolene.

The exhausting task of cleaning Bridge Farm and the Dairy is in operation. Tom disposes of the morning’s milk. The dairy machinery clean up will take days, even before swabs can be sent off for the lab to show them clear of contamination and so all production is on hold. Tom and Helen hope there will not be further pollution after another wet night.

As Mick and Joy enjoy breakfast, a gurgling noise and terrible smell stops them. As untreated sewage spills from the plugholes, shower and toilet, they try to stop the flow from the utility and shower room through the house.

Meanwhile at their neighbours, The Maliks are horrified to find themselves in the same situation. Azra warns Zainab and Khalil to stay clear, leave the house and not to touch anything, it’s moving fast and could be full of disease.

The affected Beechwood neighbours gather in the street. Zainab and Khalil remember they have left their tablets and laptops in the lounge but Azra forbids them to re-enter. Joy is distraught – her beautiful house and so many contents are destroyed. Zainab feels terrible - she’d moved her dad’s boxes of precious books and photos to the utility room, which will now be unsalvageable.

Joy calls Tom and Helen with the bad news from Beechwood – their home’s ground floor has been filled with sewage and has also ruined Henry and Jack’s boxes, packed for moving. Joy confirms that none of them will be able to live in their houses as they are, and they’ll all need to move out.

Susan and Helen have a nice chat at Bridge Farm about Neil’s recent trip to meet Nelly and Helen’s house plans. Then a shocking incident stops everything, as a tide of raw sewage comes spilling out of the brook. Pat, Tony and Tom are desperate to stop it from reaching the house and dairy. Pat goes to warn Helen and Tom says he’ll call David – they need Brookfield’s yard scraper - while Tony fetches the power hose. Meanwhile, Pat tells Helen to save what she can in the dairy with Susan, before the sewage reaches the storage room.

Ben arrives with the scraper while Tom explains there’s been a discharge from the treatment station into their brook and it’s overtopped the banks. Tom takes the driver’s seat in the scraper as Ben goes to help Helen at the Dairy. Susan and Helen work frantically to load cheeses onto trolleys and shift them out of the danger area, while Clarrie is sent to check on the Tearoom and Shop. Despite their best efforts many cheeses have already been ruined by the time Ben joins the fight to save as many of the rest as they can.

Later, Pat, Helen and Ben survey the damage. The shop and Tea room seem ok, although the stench has driven customers away. Henry’s planned carpark event is ruined, but Helen says he’ll have to deal with it. Helen tries to calm catastrophising Pat, who remembers the e-coli disaster. Pat reckons the water company has a lot to answer for - but how are they going to get through this?

Fallon has been experimenting with Wayne’s recipes in The Bull but is finding that the customers are not too keen on her new lighter pie crusts, preferring Wayne’s more stodgy and filling pies. Jolene, trying to be subtle, suggests that she concentrates on Harrison before he leaves for his secondment. Fallon is keen to focus on getting on with things, such as new recipes for the pub. Jolene has to be more blunt and reminds her that Wayne’s menu is really popular, and that the customers won’t want change. When Jolene later hears that there are plans for Southern Barbecue Brisket and Korean Style Chicken to be offered to customers, she puts her foot down – the menu is not up for discussion. It would not be fair on Wayne to return from his cruise to new dishes.

Ben helps Zainab move some of her Dad’s unpacked boxes to the Maliks’ utility room, as they were cluttering her room. She explains to Ben that her Dad has been in Pakistan since her Grandad became very ill and then passed away. Putting his complicated affairs in order has taken some time. She hopes that he’ll be back soon - she misses him and his cooking - but admits she doesn’t let her Dad know this. Ben jokes with her about ‘treating mean and keeping keen’ and follows this with an invitation to go for some food with him sometime. She politely declines. When Ben leaves, Azra makes it clear she thinks it’s great that he is focussed and good to have around. She thinks he’ll make an excellent nurse.

Tracy heads off to Rochelle’s Well-being event. Chris didn’t know anything about it until Chelsea suggested bringing Martha to her movement workshop. Tracy’s running a mindfulness colouring workshop because Brad’s dropped out.

When Zainab and Chelsea arrive at the barn the lights aren’t on and the door’s locked. Ben arrives with a key, but none of them have heard from Rochelle for weeks. Chelsea tries to ring her but the phone’s switched off. They decide to go ahead with the event anyway.

Chelsea apologises to Zainab about her behaviour around Brad and Zainab’s sorry too. Chelsea explains people often assume she’s thick because of her accent and doesn’t go to university. Zainab counters she doesn’t go to uni either and that her job is delivering take-aways. When Chelsea asks why Zainab doesn’t date, she explains it’s because she’s a Muslim and that’s important to her. Chelsea checks that Zainab definitely doesn’t fancy Ben, before putting away her Cupid’s Bow.

Later Chelsea reports to Tracy that Rochelle left Ambridge without sorting anything out. Joy was really embarrassed when Ben spoke to her. But it’s not a total flop and Martha’s had the time of her life!

As Chris and Tracy head home, Tracy wonders if Chris will stay single. He reckons he’s pretty happy as he is and is enjoying being friends with Alice.

After they’ve cleared up Ben suggests heading off for a pizza to Zainab. He’s disappointed when Chelsea says she’ll come too. Zainab quietly thanks her, and Chelsea comments that’s what friends are for.

Fallon catches up with Alice at The Stables and Alice mentions that Hannah was on the quiz team with her and Chris. Fallon wonders how Alice feels about that, but Alice doesn’t want to talk about it. Hannah unexpectedly arrives for a riding lesson, and Alice offers to do the lesson. When talk turns to Chris, Alice tentatively asks how it’s going with him and Hannah. Hannah’s surprised by the question and confirms that they’re not dating, though they might’ve come close once.

Lynda’s at Grey Gables for a meeting with Lawrence, chair of Roserran-in the-Vale’s cricket club. She promotes why it would be such a bonus to include the Ambridge cricket team in the ‘Wicket and Stumps’ article. Lawrence is impressed by Lynda’s vision and is certain the journalist will go for the change of focus. Fallon arrives for her Spa date with Harrison, and as she hurries off, leaves one of The Bull’s Valentine’s Day flyers for guests. Lynda points out that she and Robert wont’ be dining out that night as Robert’s having some dental work and will be on a liquid diet. When Fallon jokes that Lynda could come with a friend instead, Lawrence says he'd be happy to step in and have a romantic meal with Lynda. She’s a very attractive woman.

Later, Lynda reveals to Robert that Lawrence asked her out on a date, so she’s having second thoughts about their collaboration. Robert’s shocked but doesn’t think that it should stop her. However, he’s not surprised by Lawrence’s proposition – Lynda’s the most beautiful and spirited woman in the world.

Fallon and Tracy chat about The Bull’s Valentine’s offerings when Harrison will be heading off to his secondment. Fallon will really miss him and worries about how they’ll manage while he’s away. Later she and Harrison agree to make a ‘rules of engagement’ list, which they continue discussing on a romantic moonlit walk.

Zainab wonders how Brad is after she turned down his cinema date – even though she hadn’t ever said that she fancied him. Chelsea disagrees pointing out Zainab was constantly flirting with him. And now she’s turned her attention to Ben. Zainab was all over him at badminton on Monday. Incensed Zainab says that not everyone sleeps with the first person who’s nice to them – but that must be how Chelsea operates.

Later Zainab tries to apologise but points out that if Brad or Ben misread her friendship as a come on then that’s their problem, not hers. And anyway, she doesn’t date, but Chelsea probably wouldn’t understand why. Chelsea storms off saying she’s probably too thick to understand! Later Tracy checks in on Chelsea who worries that she’s not a good person. She apologises for running away; it was such a selfish thing to do. Supportive Tracy points out that Chelsea was in survival mode; all Tracy cared about was getting Chelsea safely back home. Chelsea talks about her argument with Zainab, worrying that everyone thinks she sleeps around. Tracy counters she’s not defined by who she does or doesn’t sleep with. When Tracy suggests making up with Zainab, Chelsea despairs that she’s messed up with her only good friend in Ambridge.

Robert’s at the dentist while Lynda and Lawrence chat cricket in a Borchester coffee shop. Lynda steers the conversation to Roserran’s ‘Wicket and Stumps’ feature, suggesting that it would benefit from having another team in the article. But as she’s about to outline her proposal, Robert appears from his dental visit wanting to head home. Intrigued by Lynda’s proposal Lawrence suggests that they set another date to chat. Later Lynda tells Robert that she’s meeting Lawrence again on Thursday when she’s sure he’ll jump at the chance to include the Ambridge cricket team in the feature.

Tracy asks Alice to join her quiz team at The Bull later. When Alice agrees saying she’ll ask Chris to have Martha, Tracy points out that he’s the only other team member. Tracy suggests that Susan could babysit and Alice muses that it might be nice to do something with Chris as adults, rather than as parents.

Chris arrives at the quiz with Hannah, having convinced her earlier to join the team. When Tracy mentions Alice is coming too, Chris says that it will be nice to see her socially. Tracy points out that’s exactly what Alice said too. After the quiz Hannah and Chris head to the bar and Tracy checks if subdued Alice is alright. Tracy wonders if there’s something going on between Hannah and Chris. Alice isn’t sure but says it would be great if they did get together because Chris deserves to move on. When Tracy says it is hard though, Alice admits it is really hard.

Fallon, Jolene and Harrison discuss his secondment being brought forward. Harrison’s going to confirm it with Inspector Norris later. When Fallon heads off Jolene asks Harrison if she’s alright. He admits he was tempted not to agree to it, but it was always going to be hard saying goodbye to Fallon whenever it was. Jolene counsels makings the most of their time left. Later Harrison surprises Fallon by booking a meal at their favourite restaurant and Fallon says she’s done the same thing!

Tracy and Chelsea enjoy the Steam Room at Grey Gables using Oliver’s free spa passes. Chelsea reveals to Tracy that she thinks Brad fancies Zainab. Especially because he agreed to play badminton as soon as he heard Zainab was joining them. Chelsea’s going to suggest that Brad invites Zainab to the cinema on Valentine’s Day. Tracy’s not sure that’s a good idea, but Chelsea disagrees.

Later, while waiting for Brad and Ben to arrive, Zainab tells Chelsea that Brad asked her to go to the cinema, but she said no as it was clearly a date. When Chelsea says it’s obvious they like each other, Zainab points out that it doesn’t mean she wants to go out with Brad. Later Chelsea’s disgruntled at having had Derek Fletcher as her doubles partner after Brad pulled out. She unloads to Tracy, who reminds her that she’d advised Chelsea not to interfere with Brad’s love life. Chelsea can’t believe Zainab’s not bothered about hurting Brad. And to boot she was flirting with Ben right in front of Chelsea’s eyes!