The Archers BBC Radio 4

Alice fears she has gone too far, and Henry learns a trick or two.

Alistair’s grateful when Denise comes in for a work emergency, but things are tense between them. They agree they’d like to try to go back to being ‘normal’ with each other. Alistair invites Denise to his cricket match later, but Denise has to be at home, as John’s back – and they need to talk. At the cricket, Fallon thanks Alice for getting Harry to testify on Harrison’s behalf. Fallon is sorry it hasn’t worked out with Harry, but Alice knows it’s best for everyone, and she needs to just move on.
At the cricket Harrison asks Ed how the tree surgery enterprise is going. Ed admits he’s done some research and now realises what a dangerous profession it is. Harrison reassures Ed and suggests he tells Emma how he feels. But Ed says there’s no backing out now.
Ed’s a nervous stand-in for Will at the match but makes a good catch against Little Croxley. Their captain Laura protests that the ball came off her pad, and Alistair backs her up. Laura offers Alistair a drink as thanks, but he politely declines, so she gives him her phone number for another time. Denise arrives to surprise Alistair and can see he looks worried. He asks about John. Denise explains that their important talk was short-lived, and she suspects he is being evasive. Denise did express her unhappiness but can’t tell whether her husband knows what’s going on with their marriage. And he refuses to talk about it. She’s exhausted and just wants someone to tell her everything’s going to be alright.

Mick helps Kirsty as a volunteer at the Rewilding for Primrose Day, and happily informs Kirsty he got the security job at Grey Gables. There’s loads to sort today with school workshops, and they’re joined by Lord Mayor Ruby Cosse. Sadly, there aren’t many primroses left in their desired spot so Mick sets to work on a new path and signage. Kirsty becomes fraught as a series of issues crop up, including the Mayor’s dietary requirements - the gift cake Kirsty prepared won’t be suitable. Mick hot-foots it to Bridge Farm to find something gluten-free, and mucks in to save the day. Kirsty’s so grateful she gives him the cake, which he looks forward to sharing with Joy – and Mick asks Kirsty to not let on to Joy the good news about his new job. It’ll be a surprise.
Lilian admits to Alice she’s treading on eggshells since she and Kate interfered in their concern about Alice. Alice knows that Lilian and Kate just care. But when Alice phones Harry to check in on him, as promised, she’s dismayed to discover he’s been drinking. Heading straight over to help him, Alice asks Lilian to fetch Martha, lying about having a meeting with Stables’ clients. Lilian can’t help, so Alice eventually asks Kate. As Alice deals with Harry, Lilian phones to say she’s free after all. As Harry makes noises in the background, Alice makes excuses and ends the call. Afterwards, unaware Harry thanks Alice for being his lifeline, but she feels she’s being dragged into a pit and can’t do this anymore.

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.

It’s the night of Fallon and Harrison’s luxury stay at Grey Gables and Fallon packs a little extra something for later - Harrison’s intrigued.
The Lord Mayor of Felpersham and her husband are checking in as well. Lily bamboozles Brad with instructions, but the Lord Mayor's impressed by Brad’s enthusiasm. However, Brad mixes up the two couples’ suitcases, and mortified Fallon confesses to Harrison that she packed costumes for them – Maid Marian and the Sheriff of Nottingham!
Lily becomes aware from Fallon that her case contains ‘personal’ items, so Lily and Brad go to the Lord Mayor's room with their case ready to return it. Having checked the room's empty, Brad goes inside. Lily gets Brad to retrieve Fallon’s case, but before they swap them the Lord Mayor and her husband approach. Lily invents a story about security to cover what they’re doing, and she and Brad don’t have a chance to check which case to give them. Brad takes pot luck, and afterwards Lily’s relieved as she checks the one they are left with is Fallon’s.
Fallon realises that whilst they got their case back, not everything was as it should be. The Lord Mayor comes over and chats with them, mentioning the Rewilding Ambridge scheme she’s looking in on tomorrow. As she goes, she leans in to Fallon and mentions Maid Marian – such an inspiring idea! Fallon’s left to ponder that the Lord Mayor did open their case – how cheeky! Harrison flirtily insists that Maid Marian needs to be interviewed under caution back in their room – where the Sheriff of Nottingham will be waiting for her.

Chelsea is doing Fallon’s hair before her stay at Grey Gables tomorrow, and has pictures to show her for inspiration. Chelsea spots a notice on the tea room door and Fallon explains they’re looking for cover for Emma while she does her tree surgery course, and then potentially a permanent job. Chelsea’s interested, so Fallon offers to speak with Natasha. Later, Jazzer also spots a job going at the Bull, and they’re keen to speak to Chelsea. Chelsea has an interview on Thursday at the Tea room, though – but has a cunning plan to go for both jobs and expects two offers.
Alice has forgotten about Harry’s meeting tonight so rearranges childcare to go with him. Alice makes something up and asks Chris, but he’s busy tonight. He eventually misses his drink with Hannah to help as a last resort, leaving Hannah to chat with Fallon at the pub and mention she was meeting him – just as mates.
Alice phones Chris to check in, keeping up the pretence about work as she waits in her car for Harry after the meeting. Harry gets in the car and explains he hung back to find out about the next meeting. Harry’s so grateful and offers to come to Alice’s meeting later this week, but as she has been to his she doesn’t need another one. Harry vows to support himself from now on, as he doesn’t want to complicate Alice’s life. Alice would just like to stay in touch occasionally to check in. Harry agrees and says not to worry – he is on the right track.