The Archers

With Justin failing to turn up for his shift at the Village Shop, Susan is struggling. Joy clocks this and toys with Susan’s need for more support. When Susan asks her politely if she will volunteer Joy heartily agrees and starts her trial shift immediately. Susan tells Joy off for holding up David but David puts her straight saying he’d asked Joy for advice on buying a new suit for Jennifer’s funeral. Susan acknowledges with Joy that she was too quick to judge. Joy’s thrilled that she’s passed her trial shift and will be added to the rota. Freddie catches up with David in The Bull sharing his woes about the Lower Loxley tour guides. Freddie lines up to David to have dinner with Elizabeth on Thursday. She’s missing him and Freddie wants it to be a surprise for her. By chance Kate discovers Stella’s in need of help with tree planting because Ed’s going to be late. Kate volunteers to help out, but Stella’s keen to wait for Ed. Kate’s insistent and Stella reluctantly accepts her offer. After getting stuck in Kate voices the strong connection she feels with the Home Farm land. Later, Kate enthuses to Jacob about helping Stella at Home Farm. She felt really at peace there, more so than with Spiritual Home. Jakob repeats his warning of rushing into big decisions but Kate thinks she can see the truth of things and going back to where she started appeals to her.

Elizabeth is keen to clear the air with David but he’s proving hard to pin down. Freddie understands that Elizabeth wants to make amends, but when he suggests that Elizabeth might need to give David more time, Elizabeth says it’s been going on for too long. She’s missing him. Freddie asks for some proper management experience and after a tricky meeting with the volunteer guides, Elizabeth asks him to speak to Cliff who is causing problems. Freddie’s attempt to rein in Cliff isn’t successful and he asks Elizabeth to have a try but she reminds him that he agreed to take this on. She has every faith that he will manage it. Ruairi’s sleeping on the sofa at The Nest. As he talks about his relationship with Julianne, Alice tries to piece it all together. Ruairi comes clean about their arrangement and how he and Julianne first met. Alice is stunned and then horrified when she learns the transaction between Ruairi and Julianne included sex. Ruairi continues to point out the benefits it brought him. Upset Alice leaves the house and heads to the garden to clear her head and sort out some Stables’ work. When Ruairi joins her there, Alice wants Ruairi to understand that he is being exploited. She suggests the changes he could make to have a more affordable lifestyle and Ruairi admits to no longer having any student friends. Alice reminds him that so many people love him. She asserts she’s there for him, just like Jennifer was.

On a walk through the rewilding site, Jakob notices Kate is more upbeat. Kate is inspired by the photograph of her when she was at a protest in her eco-warrior days. It was a photo that Jennifer had particularly liked and had framed. Kate wants to get back to being that fearless person and wonders when she lost it. When Jakob commends building her own business saying that it took guts, Kate’s dismissive. Later, when Kirsty mentions growing interest in Kate’s cold weather yoga classes, she’s surprised to find that Kate believes it should all be cancelled. Kirsty relays her conversation with Kate to Alice, saying Kate sounded pretty definite. Alice says she’ll have a word. Meanwhile, Jackob tries to understand why Kate’s thinking of turning away from yoga at the rewilding. Kate explains she has to make some big changes in her life if she’s going to achieve as much as she did when she was younger. Jennifer’s death has been a monumental wake up call for her. Ruairi tries to butter up Julianne in the hope she will take him along to an important business meal. He’s wrong-footed when she says she’s booked someone else to accompany her. Later, Julianne is kind to him but when Ruairi admits he cares for her, Julianne coldly says that he leaves her no choice but to end their arrangement. She orders Ruairi to leave. Upset, Ruairi calls Alice unable to decide what to do now Julianne has turned him away. Concerned, Alice implores him to come home.

When Lilian and Justin are left in charge of Mungo, Justin takes up the responsibility of entertaining him. Lilian doesn’t fancy his chances. Later, Lilian walks in on a breathless Justin and a dishevelled room. Lilian’s impressed by Justin’s ability to keep Mungo occupied. She admits she’s glad her family are there, even though the prospect was daunting. Pat and Tony discuss the twins’ modelling venture. For Tony it feels exploitative while Pat wonders if they are being old-fashioned. Adam joins them and the conversation turns to the almost completed edible forest garden. They ask after Brian and Adam reassures them that he’s okay. They remind Adam to give space to his own grief too. Later, Tony wonders what will happen first; the new garden bearing fruit or Lilian forgiving him. Pat comforts him. They realise they’ve agreed to babysit both Henry and Jack and Nova and Seren on Valentine’s Day. When Pat remarks on how their children keep them busy, Tony says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Julianne’s cross with Ruairi for running late but adds she’s not unsympathetic to his situation. Ruairi says he’s better off with her than his so-called family. Later, after trying to contain a tipsy Ruairi, Julianne orders him to get a taxi home. He’s upset when Julianne tells him that their arrangement is no longer working and has to end. Ruairi begs her to reconsider and Julianne agrees to give him one more chance but insists he takes a break until after Jennifer’s funeral to get his head straight.

Tom and Natasha mull over how hard Jennifer’s death must be for Brian. Meanwhile, Natasha’s been doing more research into child modelling. She shares what she’s learned with Tom who comments she’s looked into it a lot for someone who isn’t keen on the idea. Natasha tentatively suggests they pay for the portfolio shots on a credit card. Tom’s cautious, there’s no guarantee their daughters will make the money back with bookings. They’re unable to reach a decision before Pat joins them. She’s sent them an adorable photo she’s taken of Nova and Seren much to Natasha’s delight. Now on the same page, Natasha and Tom tell Pat that Nova and Seren have been head hunted by a modelling agency. Pat tries to sound a note of warning, but Natasha and Tom are too enthralled by the money Nova and Seren could earn for their futures to listen. Lilian lets off steam to Lynda about Justin trying to make her feel better and the imminent arrival of James, Leonie and Mungo. She then realises she’s walked in on Lynda’s hair appointment with Chelsea. Pleased, as ever, with Chelsea’s cut, Lynda suggests Lilian also has her hair done. Lilian reluctantly agrees and ends up recounting a funny moment with Jennifer at Fabrice’s salon. Her laughter turns to tears. She apologises but both Chelsea and Lynda understand. Lynda reminds Lilian of how supportive she was when Lynda was recovering from her injuries. With news that James and Leonie will arrive earlier than expected, Lynda reassures Lilian that everything will be fine.

Tom asks Tony if he and Pat will babysit on Valentine’s Day. Tony quickly agrees while distracted by a phone call Adam is taking. Adam explains Brian has been reported to the police, but the details aren’t clear and heads off to see what’s going on. In Adam’s absence, Tom makes a silly error in planting the new edible forest garden beds. Tony and Tom laugh at the error which can be easily fixed. Natasha joins them and out of earshot of Tony shows Tom the approach from a modelling agency. Natasha is cautious but Tom persuades her to at least find out more from the agency. She stops Tom from telling Tony about the prospect. At the Home Farm house Harrison explains to Adam that Brian is sitting in the front garden staring at the house. Adam gently talks to Brian who isn’t pleased about being talked down to. Adam reminds him it's no longer his property, but Brian is adamant he will stay until he is ready to leave. With Adam by his side, Brian reminisces about significant moments at the Home Farm house. This leads him to his argument with Ruairi. Adam mollifies Brian. He says Ruairi is grieving and lashing out and he thanks Brian for the generosity he’s shown him as a stepfather. They move on to happy summertime memories and Harrison approaches. Now he’s explained the situation to the Gills they don’t mind Brian taking his time. But Brian says it’s time to go – it’s all just memories and Jenny’s not here.

Alice interrupts Ruairi on the phone. He’s returning to London tomorrow. Alice tries to get him to stay until the weekend but he’s insistent he gets on with his life and will be back for the funeral. Over lunch Alice is desperate to engage Brian and Ruairi in an activity and suggests a boardgame. To Ruairi’s surprise, Brian opts for Cluedo. As Ruairi sets up the game, Brian talks to Ruairi about Jennifer raising him. Ruairi stops in his tracks when Brian mentions gratitude. Ruairi won’t buy Brian’s view that Jennifer loved bringing him up and angrily tells Brian that neither of them deserved Jennifer. For him they should both be ashamed rather than grateful. Ruairi storms off. Alice finds Ruairi about to leave Willow Cottage. Brian apologises but it’s not enough to make Ruairi stay. He feels like he’s always been the family’s dirty secret and in London he doesn’t have to pretend to be something he’s not. Freddie tries to help out at The Orangery but only gets in Chelsea’s way and crockery ends up smashed. Freddie admits to feeling like a spare part. He feels he’s learned everything he can at The Orangery. Chelsea tells him to do something else, he’s a Pargetter – what’s stopping him? Freddie thinks his mum won’t trust him but Chelsea eggs him on. One day he’ll be running Lower Loxley and he’s done more than enough to prove himself. Freddie remains unsure but Chelsea tells him to go for it.

Susan gently plies Lee with questions about the circumstances around Jennifer’s death. When Justin joins her, he ignores her mention of Jennifer and focuses on the shop’s stock layout. Susan isn’t sure about the changes but Justin convinces her to give it a go, promising to put it all back to how it was if there’s an uproar. Justin admits he’s trying to lift Lilian’s spirits but is struggling with knowing what to do for the best. When Susan says it’s your nearest and dearest that pull you through, Justin has an idea. Pat agrees to babysit Henry and Jack on Valentine’s night and asks Lee about his daughters. The move to America is still planned unless Mabel and Evie have other ideas. Lee sees their half term visit as a trial run of what it would be like if they moved in. Lee reassures a nervous Pat that if they were to live with him it would have to work for Helen, Henry and Jack too. He wouldn’t be able to do it without Helen by his side. Lynda calls on Lilian to approve her tribute to Jennifer for the village website. Lynda’s words reduce Lilian to tears. When Lilian wonders why Jennifer didn’t tell her about her heart condition, Lynda points out it can be hard to be honest with those we’re closest to. Justin returns home and announces that James, Leonie and Mungo are visiting this weekend. Lilian is appalled, she’s in no fit state to host. Justin is at a loss – he’s invited them and can’t tell them not to come.

Alice thinks Ruairi will benefit from reading Jennifer’s journal but he doesn’t want to know. However later she happens on him reading it. When Alice tries to connect with Ruairi over it, he rushes off. Alice reads the page Ruairi was looking at to Adam. It’s about Ruairi joining the family. Later she comforts Ruairi who softens towards her only to push her away again when she suggests inviting Julianne to Ambridge. Adam’s pleased to be keeping busy with work at Bridge Farm. He tells Tony and Pat the logistics for Jennifer’s funeral are complicated. Lilian is sorry to see him head off as she arrives with things still awkward between her and Tony and Pat. Pat implores Tony to clear the air with Lilian but Tony isn’t sure what else to say. Tony and Pat try to explain why he didn’t tell Lilian about Jennifer’s heart condition but they only rile Lilian who reminds them that she was with Jennifer when she collapsed. Tony points out that he is grieving too but Lilian only sees how unfair it was that he knew about Jennifer’s situation for months whereas her last memory is clutching Jennifer’s hand in an ambulance. Lilian seeks out Adam keen to talk to someone who feels the same as her about not knowing about Jennifer’s heart condition. Adam surprises her when he says he’s now come to see that it was Jennifer’s decision, and it shows her bravery. Lilian sees she’s the only one who won’t accept this and states she’ll be fine on her own.

Sorrowful Alice can’t face washing her mum’s clothes. They smell of her perfume. Kate tries to scoop her up, but Alice won’t be comforted. She feels it’s all of their faults that Jennifer kept her condition secret. Their mum knew that it would be hard for her children, so she took the burden, as usual. And now it’s too late for them to put things right. Adam’s tense, and he and Kate bicker over crossed wires about some paperwork for the funeral director. Adam’s anxious to get things underway, and they need to be on the same page. Alice interrupts them. She’s found her mum’s journal. They read about Jennifer’s love for Brian, and what life has taught her. They realise she kept her secret not because she was always putting herself last, but because she was putting the good things first. They need to remember that, instead of bickering. David, Neil and Jolene discuss broken Brian. David wonders whether he did any good yesterday. Jolene assures him he did – Brian knows there are people outside of his grief bubble who care. Neil has an idea. He goes to Willow Cottage, where he finds Brian talking to Tony, and gives Brian a hug, assuring him of the support of his friends. He persuades Brian to come to The Bull. Cautiously Brian agrees to one drink, and enjoys seeing a picture of Jennifer as a child that Kenton found. As Brian makes to leave, Jolene suggests raising a glass to Jennifer. Despite his initial reluctance, Brian joins in the toast.