The Archers

Lily and Josh discuss Paul’s boyfriend Etienne, who’s asked for an open relationship. Paul’s really down about it. Josh thinks Paul would be better off without dull Etienne and they wonder what they can do to help. They decide that it’s best to keep their distance - Paul only has to ask if he needs any support.

Lilian visits Paul at the Vets to discuss Oliver’s horse Duke, who’s not showing any signs of improvement from his Strangles infection. Lilian notices Paul’s not himself and asks Josh what’s wrong. When Josh says it’s boyfriend trouble, Lilian points out that Paul’s lucky to have Lily and Josh as housemates to shore him up. Later Lily agrees with Josh that it would be better if they reached out to Paul.

George tells Emma that someone called Meg Mellor really took to Bartleby at the County Show on Sunday. He’s invited her over to see Bartleby in his home environment – there might be a commercial opportunity in it, like sponsorship for Bartleby or buying online advertising around George’s posts. She might even make a charitable donation which would help with vets fees. Emma’s surprised when she discovers Meg’s visiting today. When she arrives early, Emma learns that Meg wants to buy Bartleby. She runs a sanctuary for veteran horses, and she’d really like Bartleby to be a companion pony. Ed thinks they should tell Meg to sling her hook but is stopped in his tracks when he hears how much she’s willing to pay for Bartleby.

Lilian and Paul look over Oliver’s horse Duke, who’s struggling with Strangles. Lilian confides to Paul that she feels she hasn’t managed the situation at The Stables very well – she wouldn’t blame Oliver if he held her entirely responsible for this whole disaster. There’s no guarantee that Duke will survive this. Later when she visits Oliver, he’s understanding and apologises for being snappy last week. Lilian opens up saying she thinks she’s losing her grip by failing to control the spread of Strangles. Oliver knows exactly how she feels – he’s felt like that in the past with Grey Gables, but it turned out alright. With Roy away, Oliver feels that chaos could be one step away again. But we cope, he says! Lilian’s comforted and admits she thought Oliver would shout at her about Duke. She’s not a flimsy woman, but Oliver’s sympathy has made her feel tearful.

Lily and Josh sunbathe in the garden and chat about Paul’s messages from Denise who’s having a great time on holiday. Lily muses that now she’s finished her course for the summer and her placement at Grey Gables is coming to an end, it’s going to be the start of her hot girl summer. She’s going to a spin class at Grey Gables as part of her summer plans to get tanned, then toned. Paul turns up saying he’ll join her at the class as he needs a distraction. They have fun but afterwards Paul receives a text from boyfriend Etienne, wanting to open up their relationship. Paul worries that it might signal the end for him.

When Alan catches up with Harrison, he admits that although things are now good with Fallon, he can’t get away from a nagging feeling about the miscarriage. Alan advises talking to Fallon, but Harrison doesn’t want to rock the boat. When Alan suggests doing something practical, Harrison says he’s already applied for a baby loss certificate, to acknowledge it happened. Alan wonders whether he would also consider a Church of England service for the loss of unborn babies, but if so Harrison would need to share it with Fallon. Later Harrison tells Alan he’d like to do the service and Alan suggests calling round later in the week to talk to both Harrison and Fallon. Harrison’s not sure about putting Fallon in the picture, but he’ll definitely let Alan know if Fallon’s not going to be there.

Ed and Emma are at the Borsetshire County Show where Bartleby’s the star attraction in his VIP enclosure. George looks miserable though, but they agree that the recent hero worship may’ve affected him. Will arrives with the ‘Little Grange Tree Surgery’ flyers and business cards to distribute, and Ed gets a phone call. It’s a local tree surgeon needing emergency help to clear a tree from a road. Ed and Emma accept the job, leaving Will and George to do publicity work. Afterwards Ed and Emma are delighted - their business is up and running! Will’s less delighted at being left leafletting, but mentions a woman who was keen on Bartleby. But despite being a celebrity, Bartleby is costing them more that he’ll ever make.

Fallon and Harrison wake up together feeling close again, but she checks he was ok that they just cuddled? Of course. Harrison looks for Jolene at the Bull and shares good news with Kenton – Markie has been arrested for receiving stolen goods and should be facing jail. Kenton asks about Fallon and Harrison admits that recently has been the worst time they’ve faced together. Kenton and Jolene really care about Harrison - Fallon is like a daughter to Kenton, and Harrison is like a son.

Fallon feels that things are on the up, and Harrison comments about the importance of finding justice for hurt loved ones. Fallon knows what he really means and asks that they don’t go there.

Jakob instructs Lilian on dealing with Strangles, and she feels like crying. Lilian is critical of Justin over his assumptions that Alice’s drinking is connected to problems at the Stables and Jakob thinks Justin’s being unfair.

Oliver hopes his horse, Duke, will survive, and acknowledges that the Stables have just been incredibly unlucky. But Lilian confesses that she can’t find the essential paperwork about Cinnamon, the original horse with Strangles – which means she could be seen to be personally at fault for trusting Alice. However, Lilian phones Oliver again, relieved to have found it, and to reassure him. Oliver is cool with Lilian and suggests she get to the bottom of what happened so that it doesn’t happen again.

Jakob looks over Duke again and tells Lilian he’s sorry, but he can’t make any promises about whether the horse will survive.

Chelsea and Ben prepare for their D-Day performance, dressed in authentic costume. Ben carefully asks Chelsea if she’s ok about doing this play with him, and she agrees. Ben also fills Chelsea in on Freddie and Vince’s discovery last night.

Lynda can’t stop thinking about the piece of writing by Fallon’s Great Aunt, about the soldier who died. Lynda wants to write something herself for the D-Day event. A short drama perhaps? She comes up with three characters and considers Chelsea and Ben to feature. She’ll ask Fallon to play her own Great Aunt but worries about Fallon. Robert tells Lynda to just ask Fallon what she thinks about the idea, but Lynda wants to just get something written and then check.

Writer: Sarah Hehir

Ben Archer… Ben Norris

Azra reveals she is going to be moving in to Beechwood and, delighted, Joy quickly shares all her intel on the local residents, before inviting her new neighbour to join her later at Denise’s Dance Fit class at the Church.

Alistair has a pub date with Laura from the Little Croxley cricket team. The conversation quickly becomes stilted, and Laura politely asks what’s going on. Alistair is sorry for messing Laura about and makes excuses. The actual issue is someone else, but it’s complicated. Laura’s not offended but knows that it’s time to leave Alistair and re-join her friends who are sitting at another table. She wishes him well, and good luck with his “situationship”.

Alistair goes to find Denise at the church and explains that he liked Laura – but his mind was elsewhere. Denise laughs as Alistair recalls how he embarrassed himself, but gets upsets when she realises no-one’s there for her fitness class, apart from Alistair who’s volunteered to take part. Denise heads to the vestry to pack up her equipment. She admits everything is upsetting her – not least their work situation and fear of Paul noticing and wondering what’s going on. Trying to act normal is impossible, and then at home she knows that John knows something’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk. Alistair comforts Denise and they have a passionate embrace, but stop as they hear Joy and Azra arriving in the church, leaving flustered Denise to re-focus on the class. Denise and Alistair wonder what they’re playing at.

Brad dwells on his mistake with the cases yesterday, and Lily tells him to apply some zip and bounce to give people a warm welcome, also briefing him to up-sell welcome tea and pastries. Brad spots Mick and, not realising he isn’t a guest, offers him charm and a pastry – but Mick explains he’s come to see Roy to be interviewed for a security job. As Lily tells Brad to up his game, Mick reappears feeling hopeful about the job and moving to Ambridge, which he hasn’t told Joy about – it’s a surprise. Mick’s so grateful for Brad’s help earlier – Lily should look after such a good employee. Lily admits to Brad she’s been too hard on him. Brad stuns Lily by totally misreading what she’s saying, and pointing out that he realises that’s how girls are – giving someone a hard time who they actually fancy. He’s flattered, but in love with Mia.

Chelsea smashes her job interview with Natasha, and then soon after does the same with Kenton at the Bull. But when Kenton calls with a job offer, Chelsea says she’ll call him back. Gleeful Chelsea explains to Brad that she’ll wait and see what Natasha offers and then see about taking the better deal. Kenton serves Natasha and tells her about his call to Chelsea, who has replied to say she’s had a higher offer elsewhere. Natasha points out that Chelsea told her the same story, so she’s playing them both! Neither Kenton nor Natasha is going to up their offer – and they’ll make Chelsea wait to let her know.

Harry calls Alice in the middle of the night, telling her he wants to drink. He apologises - he has been staring at a bottle of whisky he bought at the all-night garage. She talks him through pouring it away. He couldn’t have done it without her, he says. He hasn’t been able to sleep, he doesn’t think he can do it. But Alice reassures him he’s not alone. He needs to get to an AA meeting and cultivate healthy habits that might distract him from drinking. She suggests they do a crossword together. Later when they speak on the phone, Harry is euphoric – he hasn’t wanted a drink all day and he has Alice to thank for that. But it’s clear Alice is hiding something: she hasn’t told her sobriety buddy Lisa about Harry. It’s obvious he’s still hoping they’ll get back together.

Kate is up early to run her inner child retreat so she’ll be out all day. Brian confirms Miranda is coming over and Kate wants to meet her properly. Later Miranda has some suggestions after riding the cross-country course. She heads off for lunch with Brian. Over lunch Miranda jokes about Susan’s mission to collect video testimonials for the shop. She has no interest in that but is a good deal keener to meet Kate. The discovery of Miranda’s hairbrush sets Kate off - Brian is whisking her away before she has the chance to meet her. Brian says Miranda also wants to meet, suggesting Tuesday evening, but he doesn’t want Miranda grilled. Kate promises to be charm personified.