The Archers

Fallon calls in reinforcements, and George offers his opinion.

There’s an awkward encounter for Hannah, and George makes his presence felt.

Chris demands answers, and Miranda faces a challenge.

Susan puts her foot down, and Harrison makes a generous offer.

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.

Writer: Daniel Thurman Director: Peter Leslie Wild

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Kenton Archer …. Richard Attlee Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Alice Carter …. Hollie Chapman Eve Chilcott …. Juliet Aubrey Harry Chilcott …. Jack Ashton Justin Elliott …. Simon Williams Miranda Elliott …. Lucy Fleming Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Dr Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw Odette Callander…. Christine Kavanagh Mrs Cromwell…. Karen Bryson Mr Murray …. Ian Dunnett Jr

Alice attempts to do the right thing, while Justin finds himself on the defence.

Kenton is rattled about Jolene’s revelation of Markey’s threats. But he’s relieved that she had Harrison to confide in and that he took her to give a statement to the police. Jolene worries the stress of knowing might impede Kenton’s recovery from the dog attack. He’s just relieved that there’s a reason behind Jolene’s behaviour in recent weeks. That’s until she reveals that Markey followed her into the supermarket. A furious Kenton wants to confront Markey, only calming down when he's told that both them and the pub are on a police priority list. Jolene just wants to get back to normal and Kenton proposes they man the pub together, sending Lilian home.

Harry’s picking up his dropped keys when Alice checks to see if he’s okay. He seems unwell/complaining of nausea telling Alice he has an appointment with Dr Malik. Suspecting he has been drinking, she insists on driving him to the appointment. She feels uncomfortable when he begs her to stay in the room during the appointment. It’s bad news: his blood tests show his health hasn’t improved. He’s forced to be honest about his drinking. Azra refers him to the liver clinic for further tests. They need to establish whether he has or is heading towards cirrhosis. He's in denial, but Alice insists he faces the music. He is adamant he can stop/ he saw it coming. Since they broke up he’s been drinking more, but this time he can stay on the wagon and he’ll go to the hospital. Foolishly, Alice agrees to make sure he does.

A nervous Harrison thanks Alice for coming to his hearing as his barrister greets him. Alice and Fallon follow him into Police Headquarters. The inquiry panel begins questioning Harrison, laying out gross misconduct allegations against him. And there’s no sign of Harry until he is called as a witness against Harrison. Despite his efforts to speak up for Harrison, the initial questioning is pretty damning. Fallon is not impressed – from where she’s sitting it looks like Harry threw Harrison under the bus. Later however, Harrison’s barrister recalls Harry. He says he has more to add. He wants to take the blame for the entire situation. None of the panel should blame Harrison, he says. He was only trying to protect Alice and Martha. Harry also confesses that he threatened to report Harrison and he fully understands his decision to tell Alice about him.

Harrison is pessimistic about his chances, despite Fallon’s optimism. Alice is relieved that Harry spoke up but Harrison says being a good colleague or a good person makes little difference. The panel finds he breached standards by disclosing confidential information but accepts he did so because he was concerned about a vulnerable friend. Although he’s guilty of misconduct, he should keep his job, with a written final warning that will stay on his file for two years. Hugely relieved, Harrison hugs Fallon and thanks his barrister. But none of them have any time to spare for Harry, who waits nearby. Alice stays just long enough to thank Harry but says she, too, has to go.

Brian and Miranda are enjoying a lazy morning in bed, laughing at how delicious it was causing a stir at their age. Brian tells her he enjoyed watching Lilian award her a raffle prize. Miranda hopes that Justin doesn’t put Brian off her. He tells her there’s not much chance of that and he’s looking forward to them spending more time together. Later, Justin comes to Blossom Hill to try to persuade Brian to play golf. He notices Miranda’s perfume in the air and tries to warn Brian off, telling him that she might be sweetness and light but that it hides a malevolent soul. Brian loses patience and snaps that it is none of his business. Agitated, Justin arrives at Miranda’s door. He tells her he won’t allow her to use Brian as a pawn against him. She sends Justin away with a flea in his ear.

Jolene pleads with Emma to reconsider leaving The Bull but Emma is determined to put all her efforts into the new tree surgery business. Then Robert arrives to say so far there has been no luck with doorbell camera footage he’ll continue the hunt. Agitated, Jolene tells him she doesn’t want him to until, eventually she breaks down. She tells them both about Markey and tries to swear them to secrecy. But they persuade her the only way to cope is to go to the police. She says that if she’s going to tell anyone it must be Harrison. But it must wait until after his hearing. In the meantime, she insists, Kenton can’t know.