Podcast The Archers

Neil’s conflicted. Part of him feels he doesn’t need to know anything about his birth parents; his foster family were great and gave him everything. But he does acknowledge the genetic connection with his birth family. He’s torn between nature and nurture. Hearing this prompts Susan to ask Adam about finding his half-sister, Erin. Susan explains Neil’s vacillating mindset, and Adam confirms he’d be happy to chat with him. Later Adam’s story illustrating the pros and cons of reconnecting doesn’t put Neil off. He feels he’s got nothing to lose by pursuing this, and he and Susan agree they’ll start the search.Rex reckons he’s too busy for Rochelle’s picnic – they’ve got the green light for the beaver scheme and he has lots to do. Even more reason to share her hamper, asserts Rochelle. Rex folds, and they enjoy their time together. But when Rochelle suggests they do it again sometime Rex obfuscates. Rochelle can’t understand it – they’re both feeling something aren’t they? Rex agrees they are. With difficulty he admits that Joy has warned him Rochelle is vulnerable. Shocked Rochelle confronts her mum, accusing her of humiliating her and effectively labelling her to Rex as damaged goods. Joy insists she can see Rochelle’s vulnerability, away from her children with no job or proper home. She needs to stop being distracted and focus on Harper and Noah. Rochelle retorts that Joy was a useless mother, and now she only cares about her grandkids. She accuses distraught Joy of letting her down, and orders her out.

Miranda humours grumpy Brian as they get ready to go to her bridge club open session. She guesses his mood is to do with her lack of support over his opposition to the beaver scheme. He protests at her description of him as old fashioned, and confesses he didn’t like her disagreeing with her in public. She bats back that she enjoys a bit of lively open debate. However after the game Brian has his revenge when Miranda quizzes him on his erratic and unpredictable play. She has to admit when it comes to brass neck he’s in a category of his own. Though she concedes that with some proper lessons he might make a bridge player yet.At the rewilding office Ruth continues her case against releasing beavers while Kirsty and Rex do their best to assuage her doubts. Justin looks on, suggesting they view the planned release area. Even when she sees where they plan to put the protection in, Ruth’s still not entirely convinced. When she leaves Kirsty comments that at least she seemed to listen, if not agree. Justin suggests they reconvene after lunch for his decision. Rex and Kirsty brace themselves for a rebuttal, but to their surprise and delight, Justin agrees to putting things in motion for the scheme. He admires their tenacity and commitment. They all acknowledge there’s a long way to go but for now they’re overjoyed – they’re really doing it!

GP Azra confirms Neil’s blood pressure’s back to normal. Neil’s relieved. Susan’s taken it particularly seriously as they don’t know his family medical history. Azra asks if Neil’s curious about his birth family. Neil asserts it was a long time ago and his foster family couldn’t have been better; they’ve perhaps made him who he is today. He admits he does sometimes wonder about his mum – but at least he can stop worrying about his blood pressure.Susan arranges for Joy to cover her at the post office so she can take Neil out for lunch. He’s a bit out of sorts and needs cheering up. She tells Joy about Neil’s family history and Joy feels sorry for his birth mum. Thinking about her own family, Susan assert she follows the ‘keep calm and carry on’ motto. Joy agrees heartily. Later Neil says he’s going to stop worrying and be grateful for what he’s got. Rochelle has tracked down busy Rex to Lower Loxley, where he’s installing a heat lamp for some piglets. She offers to help him with the lamp. He hesitates, but she makes him laugh and he gives in. They chat about her wellbeing event, and the rewilding. Rochelle remarks that Rex’s face glows when he talks about it. She invites him for a picnic on Thursday so he can show her the longhorns. Rex reluctantly agrees. Later Rex calls Joy, explaining he’s had to accept lunch with Rochelle. Joy quietly despairs.

Helen can’t believe Justin appears to be dictating the future of the rewilding. Kirsty reckons Justin’s mellowed, but she’s still very wary. She reports all is proceeding with the Willow Farm purchase. Helen’s pleased for her. She’s fine about living with Tom and Natasha for a while. She’s no longer annoyed at them for not keeping her in the picture about wanting the house. It’s how they operate. She doesn’t want to move back to the farmhouse with her parents. She needs to be living her life on her own terms before she can move on. Kirsty understands.Tom wants Helen’s house key to do some measuring up. She suggests he gets the spare from Joy. She asks Tom if he can look at some homework Henry’s struggling with. That’s fine, says Tom. Mick’s preparing to get in the hot tub and surprises Tom by appearing in just a towel. Mick gives him the key and Joy offers their assistance if he needs anything; they’re looking forward to his family moving in. Tom asks that they don’t make any noise after 7pm. Affronted Mick assures him they’re not loud people. Later Mick and Joy have been disturbed by Tom’s squealing girls in Helen’s garden, and they acknowledge it’ll be different having little ones next door. Later Tom’s reluctant to return the key but Joy insists. Mick admires her tenacity. He can’t see Rochelle getting on with Tom. He mentions the chemistry between Rochelle and Rex, but Joy brusquely brushes this off. Mick asserts everyone deserves a bit of happiness.

Brian’s not impressed to find Justin at Grey Gables with Miranda. He corners Justin about the beaver release on the rewilding land, the prospect of which he heartily disapproves. He threatens to take it to the BL board; there’s no way any of them will allow beavers in Ambridge. Miranda pronounces this a shame, and points out the benefits. Brian undermines her views and she declares she’ll make up her own mind. Justin departs, not before asking innocently whether Brian dabbles in bridge. Miranda’s looking for a new partner due to her existing one moving away. Brian blusters that he’s not bad. After Justin’s left Miranda suggests Brian joins her at a Bridge club open session to see what he’s made of.Kirsty’s on edge awaiting Justin’s decision regarding the beavers. Rex says he’ll ring him to request a meeting. Ruth arrives, unhappy not to have heard from the rewilding team that the plan’s not going ahead. Kirsty assures her there’ll be no wild release now, but Ruth’s aghast to hear a licenced scheme is still a possibility. Rochelle joins them having walked on Lakey Hill. She’s keen to think about ways to help improve peoples’ wellbeing. She’s in search of Rex, and Kirsty suggests she asks him about his running. However Rochelle struggles to track Rex down. Later Rochelle tells Ruth she wants to organise a wellbeing event in the village. Impressed, Ruth offers the Events Barn as a venue. Later Rex and Kirsty’s wait continues as Justin tells them the beaver scheme is very much in the balance.

Khalil and Henry seek elusive panto tickets, interrupted by Justin, who Khalil is keen to avoid. He’s worried after divulging Rex and Kirsty’s wild beaver release plans to David. But Justin is grateful for Khalil’s honesty, as it’s worked out for the best for the rewilding project – but Khalil had better avoid Kirsty! Later, as Justin snags the last Panto tickets, Khalil tries to persuade Justin to gift him two as a reward for his earlier work, but Justin’s wise to it. Henry tells Khalil about Lee moving to San Francisco. Khalil comments his dad’s always away, and he sees it as an opportunity to guilt his dad into giving him really good presents. But Henry knows that whilst Lee will stay in touch, he can’t rely on him and has to make his own plans. Fallon finds Harrison up early. He explains yesterday’s conversation with Norris, who he admits is right about him. Fallon understands how he feels, and if he wants to leave the force, they’ll manage. Harrison reveals he’s been offered a secondment in Yorkshire. It’s a special confidential case and he’d have to go and live alone in the training accommodation. Shocked Fallon discusses it further. They agree that time apart might do them good. Harrison wants to phone every day, but Fallon suggests only doing that if he wants to, the important thing is for Harrison to focus on what he needs to do. He still loves her, and they wouldn’t be splitting up. Fallon acknowledges how adult they’re being. They persuade themselves it’s right and reaffirm their love for one another.

Ruth and David worry over Leonard’s revelation yesterday that he’s considering moving to his son’s home in Singapore. Leonard seems animated when he talks about it, but Ruth detects doubt in his voice. Ruth comments Jill will be devastated. Leonard ends the speculation by announcing that Jill thinks he should go if he wants to; she won’t stand in the way of such a golden opportunity. Nothing more to say then, shrugs David. Ruth presses Leonard and they agree to wait a couple of days before taking any action, and Leonard goes to think things through. David and Ruth agree this could be a disaster, wondering how to keep Leonard and Jill together. When Leonard returns he has news; he’s spoken to Jill again, and instead of moving to Singapore she’s asked him to move into Brookfield. He’s staying. David and Ruth are overjoyed, and Leonard says he’ll help out at Brookfield. And as it’s Fallon’s first evening doing food at The Bull, Leonard insists on taking them for dinner.Harrison wonders to Inspector Norris if there’s been any follow up on the case of the young girl they attended on Tuesday. Norris confirms it’s in the system. Later she questions whether Harrison's heart’s in his work and has concerns over his objectivity, particularly in cases regarding children. He seems to be struggling. Is he sure he still wants to be a police officer? Harrison can’t imagine being anything else, but admits he sometimes feels like he’s drowning. He’s not happy. Norris wonders whether a change might be worth considering. She has a suggestion for him.

Ben and David accompany Leonard to his old friend Frank’s funeral. As Leonard reminisces, telling them it was Frank who got him into ballooning, Ben declares him a dark horse. Just an old horse, replies Leonard. People see grey hair and don’t look any further.They learn the funeral is delayed due to the family being held up, and David and Leonard retire to a café to wait. When Ben joins them he has news that the family won’t make it, and rather than reschedule they’d like Leonard to step in. He’s apprehensive. He’s not much good at this sort of thing; what should he say? David and Ben tell him he doesn’t have to do it, but he galvanises and prepares to make some notes. Later at the funeral Leonard speaks well of his friend, talking about their shared adventures and what he learned on their journey. Frank made Leonard brave, and even encouraged him to court his future wife. Afterwards Leonard reports Frank’s niece Gaynor was thrilled by it all all after Ben had set up a live stream for her family. Gaynor told Leonard that Frank had lain undiscovered for three weeks after he died. This gives Leonard pause for thought. You lose people as you get older and it’s sometimes hard to keep on, knowing you could be forgotten about. He’s reluctant to elaborate, but later reports he’s spoken to his son Simon, telling him how he’s been feeling – discombobulated, and sometimes lonely. Simon has suggested that Leonard should go and live with him in Singapore. And Leonard thinks he might go.

Fallon thanks Tracy as she sets to work in The Bull kitchen. Tracy chats with Lily about Brad and realises that all’s not well. Later at home, Brad admits he’s struggling and he's finding Tracy’s constant praise a pressure. Tracy promises to calm down, but Brad says he wants to quit University. Tracy comes up with all sorts of ideas, like a private tutor – they can raise the money. But he says no. She asks Brad to wait until he’s absolutely certain before quitting. Lily calls Brad, who realises she has spoken to Tracy. Lily has some useful details to help Brad, and he relents. He doesn’t want to quit. He’ll just have to make it work. Harrison and his boss Inspector Norris attend a domestic disturbance. Norris asks Harrison to speak to the young girl who’s alone outside the house, while she talks to the man and woman inside. The girl, Scarlett, is quiet and reticent, but opens up a little as they discuss her outfit and the Christmas gifts she received. Norris returns to tell Scarlett she can go back to her Mum now. Frustrated Harrison shares his feelings at how they have to let Scarlett return to a dangerous home environment. Norris points out that professionally they have done what they can, outlining standard next steps. Emotional Harrison walks away as Norris calls after him. Later Fallon’s buzzing about her new opportunity at The Bull, but Harrison seems quiet. When Fallon wonders what’s wrong and asks how his day's been, Harrison replies it was fine and nothing out of the ordinary.

Justin has no idea about Kirsty’s recent meeting to discuss a wild – and illegal - release of beavers, until enraged David explains what he wheedled out of Khalil. Kirsty explains diplomatically that there was a meeting to discuss every option. Justin soothes and thanks David, before berating Kirsty. He’ll have to rethink the whole idea regarding the beaver scheme. Later a calmer David helps Jolene with a plan to put off Tracy and install Fallon in the Bull kitchen instead. Tracy works out what’s going on and tells relieved Jolene she completely understands – Tracy did just barge in and put Jolene and Kenton on the spot. Of course, it should be Fallon.Tracy expected Brad to be around to taste-test her chips, but he’s gone to the library – and Tracy’s full of praise as ever. At the library Lily gets him to join her for a coffee and catch up. She hasn’t seen Brad at Grey Gables recently. Lily’s concerned as Brad admits that helping George means he’s not taking on work shifts and has missed some lectures. His course is so hard, and Tracy keeps saying how brilliant he is, when he feels he’s not. When Brad says he wants to drop out of University, Lily suggests giving it another term before deciding and reminds him that there are people at University he can speak to. There’s also his mum and Jazzer. Brad asserts that he needs to get through this on his own. He tells Lily he’ll give it until week five; he’ll be fine.

Tracy’s overheard some praise about Wayne’s food at the Bull and suggests a few promotions. But they discover Wayne’s leaving for a six-week cruise on Thursday. It’s a band gig. Disappointed Tracy offers to cover in the kitchen, and Kenton keen to solve the problem agrees. Tracy heads off before Jolene has had time to think it through. She then realises they should have asked Fallon first. When Fallon offers to step in Jolene admits her mistake. Fallon insists it’s fine. As Jill prepares to leave for Sunderland to visit Shula, Leonard feels it’s time he went home. Later concerned Ruth and David discuss it and agree they’d like Leonard to stay with them permanently, for Jill’s sake. When Ruth mentions it to Jill later, she’s shocked to discover that Jill isn’t keen on Leonard moving in. She thinks Jill’s scared, and that she and Leonard are both hiding their feelings. Khalil needs to research an essay he’s writing about farms from a predator’s point of view. When he goes to Brookfield to research the Asian hornets, David invites Khalil to tag along to the winter housing with him. They get chatting about beavers and David’s really scathing about them. Khalil mentions Neo, who he Kirsty and Rex met last week, then clams up. David knows Khalil’s hiding something and persuades him to divulge the information. David returns home in a rage. But Leonard has some news – an old friend’s died and the funeral’s on Wednesday. He’s cut up and David and Ruth sympathise, before David declares he’s ready to read Justin Elliott the riot act.

Hannah catches up with Chris at the playground with Martha. Chris realises they never went for that drink they agreed to. They arrange to meet up this evening for cocktails. Over drinks, they talk about parenting and their own childhoods. Chris apologies for talking so much about Martha. But Hannah’s fine. When Chris leans in for a kiss, surprised Hannah backs away. She’s not feeling it and suspects that what Chris really wants is a family – is he really over Alice? Chris guesses given their history there will always be some feelings there. Hannah encourages Chris to work out what he really wants. Rex finds Kirsty on the phone to Neo, a contact who’s set to help them with the potential beaver ‘wild release’. They’ll meet later. It feels very covert to nervous Rex, who knows as well as Kirsty that the release would be illegal. At the meeting point they spot Khalil, who’s there to check the dormice Henry told him about yesterday. He’s overheard their plans and finds out more. Kirsty’s impressed at Khalil’s knowledge about climate change, and while she’d like to get rid of him, realises they’ll need to let him stay when Neo arrives, as long as he doesn’t say anything. They meet and the upshot is that they can ‘press go’ any time. Super-excited Khalil wants to know when they’ll get hold of the beavers to release. Cautious Kirsty tells him not breathe a word about any of this to anyone.