The Archers

Both Jolene and Kenton appear evasive to Fallon, who wants to discuss arrangements for her replacement when she leaves The Bull. Eventually cornering her mum, Fallon pushes that her replacement needs sorting, and that the Cruck Barn job at Lower Loxley is an amazing opportunity. Jolene can’t see why she wants to leave an award-winning pub where she’s been central to its success. Fallon disagrees – this is a chance for her to re-boot and create something new.

Confiding in Joy, Jolene shares that she finds Fallon’s move hasty and a bit selfish, being from a pub family where they all work together. Joy points out that Jolene’s always taken opportunities in her career and Fallon’s no different – she needs to let Fallon find her own way.

Jazzer and Ed are discussing the Fallon and Harrison split and propose a night out to Fallon who says she’s too tired. When Kenton cautions drinking ahead of work on a Monday, Fallon rebuffs him by agreeing to go. Returning later, a tipsy Fallon wants a night cap, but Kenton pushes coffee for all three of them, who’ve been to a few pubs. Unimpressed, Kenton is protective and suggests to Ed that a night out with two blokes so soon after her marriage break-up was not a good move. Jazzer reminds Kenton that the three of them have been mates for decades and it’s exactly what she needed. Kenton disagrees – Fallon is vulnerable and she’s family and even old friends aren’t going to stop him looking out for her.

Chris is already back in his flat and Neil wonders why Susan isn’t angry with her Dad. As Susan continues looking after Bert, Neil apologises and Susan explains that it’s the least she can do. Susan also notes how awful Bert’s own father was, explaining some of Bert’s behaviour and attitudes. Susan knew Bert loved his children because he wasn’t like his dad. Neil suggests that Susan explains this to Chris.

Susan mildly berates Bert for opening an early beer in the garden. Alice pops over and is friendly with Bert, who mutters to Neil about hiding his beer. Neil teases Chris over Lottie, and Chris bats away his comment about marriage. Chris is defensive when Bert jokes about all Martha’s parent figures.

With Alan and the fete starting to get a bad name, Lynda’s shocked that Susan has introduced some ticket concessions. But some people will be prevented from attending – and some who will just boycott.

Lynda is convinced that Monty is innocent, as she and Robert await the DNA results from the sheep attack. She’s more concerned about the fete – they need to find a must-see attraction. They’re distracted by an argument in the road, between Ed on his combine and an angry speeding driver. As affectionate Monty cheers up Ed, Robert makes a comment that gives Lynda an idea.

Chris admits to Alice that he suggested he and Lottie move in together, and is worried by Lottie’s reaction. Alice says to speak to Lottie, and reassure her he’s happy and not trying to pressure her.

Chris heads home and is shocked to see Bert giving Martha a sip of his beer. Bert’s nasty comments about Alice, and mollycoddling, make Chris explode. Later, he informs Susan and Neil that he’ll contact Hazel to see about moving back into his flat. Susan tries to defend Bert’s actions, but when Chris doubles down on his criticism Susan loses her cool and says maybe he should move out.

Jolene presses Fallon to try and talk to Harrison and stop hiding at Lynda and Robert’s. She thinks Fallon and Harrison have rushed into their decision. Later, Fallon shocks Jolene by giving her notice to quit the Bull for a new job at Lower Loxley. Jolene worries it’s too much upheaval given her break up, but Fallon has decided.

Brad admires Bert’s view from his room at Ambridge View, but Bert’s still unhappy about Susan’s rules on smoking and riding his mobility scooter into the village. He also takes the opportunity to share his other gripes with Brad – Neil is quiet and under the thumb, and Chris is too soft on Martha, who’ll grow up to be as spoilt as Alice!

Bert winds Chris up as Chris explains that Martha is staying over at Lottie’s, with her daughter Maddie, for the first time tonight. Bert says to watch his back with single mum Lottie. Chris turns the tables on Bert, who defends Ivy, Chris’s grandmother, as a saint. Brad makes to leave, and Bert tells him not to open his birthday card until tomorrow – it may have a little something inside. Chris complains to Brad about Bert and their shared living arrangement. But he’ll be back in his own place in a week.

At Lottie’s, the two girls play together well. Chris seems resolved about Alice being with Rex, and Chris feels it’s the start of a new era, for him and Lottie too. Perhaps they should move in together sometime? Lottie is a bit taken aback, and Chris backtracks.

Alice remarks on how little stuff Rex needs to move in with her. He brandishes an old poultry ledger of his grandfather George Fairbrother, with some entries possibly from his aunt Grace. Alice advises Rex on decorating his boat, ready to rent out to holidaymakers. She’s grateful that he’s giving up his beloved boat to be with her. But a sudden request from Fallon to come over to Alice’s scuppers tonight’s romantic evening.

Supportive Alice is firmly on Fallon’s side when they talk about a pivotal moment - Fallon’s miscarriage, and Harrison’s erratic reaction. Harrison just wasn’t the support that her friends were, including Alice. Having got past her own demons, Alice encourages Fallon, who’s excited about her new job at Lower Loxley, but nervous about breaking it to Jolene and Kenton.

Chris visits Harrison and can’t believe it’s over with Fallon. Harrison confesses that he could have returned home to Fallon six months sooner, and she didn’t even get angry when he told her. Perhaps they shouldn’t have married, given their different views about having children? Chris comforts Harrison, who feels he ran away when they hit problems, in contrast to Chris who was there for Alice.

Chris visits Alice to return a comfort toy for Martha, and it appears Rex has already got Martha off to sleep. Chris and Alice reflect on Harrison and Fallon. They’ve made things work, though, and will be there for the ex-couple. Chris heads off, with Rex surprising Chris with a few old bits and pieces of Chris’s found in a wardrobe, from his time with Alice.

Susan insists Bert smokes outside while at Ambridge View, and for him to see it as a chance to cut down. Chris arrives to look after Bert while Susan heads to work at the shop, warning Bert not to ride his scooter into the village.

As Martha forages in the garden, Chris asks Bert not to smoke in front of her. Bert teases Chris about Brad saving his bacon at cricket yesterday. He also quizzes Chris about Lottie and notes he was never a fan of Alice. Offended, Chris prepares to leave with Martha, but Bert asks for a lift into the village.

At the shop, Chris complains about Bert to Susan and buys fete tickets for himself and Lottie, noting under-12s go free. Bert grumbles about not getting a concession until Susan relents and offers him one.

Lynda is impressed by Robert’s progress painting the shepherd’s hut, and they discuss finishing it with decorative lantern hooks made by Chris. They reflect on their decades in Ambridge and talk about fete preparations, including Alan dealing with complaints about having to pay for entry.

Fallon is grateful to be staying with Lynda and Robert and checks that it’s still alright. They reassure her and offer her privacy, though Lynda also invites her to help with fete planning. Fallon contributes an idea to support Alan’s bell-naming initiative but admits she doesn’t have the headspace to join the fete committee. Lynda understands.

When Chris asks after Harrison, Fallon realises he doesn’t know they’ve split up. He is shocked by the news, and Fallon asks him to reach out to Harrison because she’s worried about him.

Chris is stressing at being several players down, including Harrison, against the Not Outs today. He persuades Brad to come back to play for the Battling Bulls. Chris is also anxious about his living arrangements, now that he, Martha and his Grandad Bert will be staying with Susan and Neil.

Fallon is late for work at the Bull, and has a shock for Kenton and Jolene – she and Harrison have split up. Kenton and Jolene try to understand what happened, but Fallon admits that they just realised they can’t get back what they had.

Kenton goes to see Harrison, presuming Harrison was up to something when he was away, or knowing that he didn’t love Fallon, and berates Harrison for stringing her along. But Harrison denies that and shows how down and sorry he feels. He feels a real disappointment to Kenton. Kenton implores Harrison to try and make things work, but it’s too late – Harrison doesn’t want to lose Kenton and Jolene as family, but at least Harrison won’t be going far, for the time being, with his new job role.

At the busy Bull, catering for the post-match cricketers, Kenton reports back to Jolene – Harrison seems broken. Jolene asks Fallon to come and stay with them, but she doesn’t need taking care of and focuses on keeping busy in the pub. Jolene reflects to Kenton that Harrison and Fallon will change their minds in time, when it sinks in just how much they’re losing.

Susan and Tracy rouse stubborn Bert, who joins them in the garden for a drink. Bert insists he isn’t sulking and points out that Tracy said some hurtful things at the pub. Whilst they agree not to discuss Clive, Susan has an idea for a proper shake-up – Bert will come and live with Susan, for a few weeks at least, to give Tracy some respite. Susan feels it’s time she did her bit.

In Leeds for Harrison’s big night, he’s delighted that Fallon is with him, complimenting her on her dress. Harrison points out various colleagues and Fallon makes a comment about one in particular who clearly had a thing for him. He assures Fallon nothing happened, acknowledging that as a team they were close and had to look out for one another. Harrison steps up to make a speech as his team receives an award. Emotional Harrison gives a shout out to Fallon, who calls out “I love you!”

It’s Tracy’s 51st birthday dinner at the Bull, and Bert makes the most of her staff discount, with Susan insisting on paying. They can’t help but mention absent Clive, who Bert defends. Apparently Clive is busy with a new venture and needs some investment. Tracy is quick to point out how Clive stole from Bert’s pension. Embarrassed Bert makes to get up, and Susan sighs at Tracy’s outburst.

At the Bull, Elizabeth chases Fallon up about her new job offer at Lower Loxley. Fallon shares with Lynda her misgivings about people having to pay to attend the fete. Tracy snaps at Lynda about it, but mainly due to the situation with Bert. Fallon buys Lynda a drink and offers sympathy, with Lynda reciprocating as she asks about Fallon and Harrison. After a pep talk about deciding what you want, Fallon confirms to Elizabeth that she wants the job.

From her garden, Carol sees Bert passing and wonders why he won’t stop to make a typically snarky comment about her gardening. As they chat, Carol comments on Clive and Bert wonders why everyone has it in for him. Carol doesn’t soft-soap Clive’s criminal past, but encourages Bert to stay in touch with him. She talks about her late son Richard, and Bert supports Carol’s idea of a memorial service to him.

Later, with the party cut short, Tracy regrets her outburst. Bert clearly has a blind spot when it comes to Clive. Tracy knows that whatever she does for her dad, he’ll always choose Clive over her, and it hurts.

Carol seeks Alan’s forgiveness over her sensitivity about Richard the other day. Alan tells her there’s nothing to forgive – it was he who overstepped the mark. Carol explains that Alan had been right about the issues between her and Richard before he died. Richard didn’t approve of some of her decisions and didn’t attend his stepfather’s funeral. Carol’s never really spoken about it to anyone. She thinks she’d like to do something to commemorate Richard’s passing after all. Alan suggests she has a think about what she’d like.