The Archers BBC Radio 4

Lynda proves a friend indeed, and Justin makes the most of his situation.

WRITER: Keri Davies
DIRECTOR: Pip Swallow
Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Natasha Archer …. Mali Harries
Tom Archer …. William Troughton
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy …. Sunny Ormonde
Justin Elliott …. Simon Williams
Clarrie Grundy …. Heather Bell
Eddie Grundy …. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy …. Emerald O’Hanrahan
Will Grundy …. Philip Molloy
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Kate Madikane …. Perdita Avery
Oliver Sterling …. Michael Cochrane
Graham …. Malcolm McKee

Tony and Tom discuss how to cover Bridge Farm work without Johnny. They agree to ask George to cover Johnny’s work. Tony asks whether Tom and Natasha bidding for the Grange Farm land is a good idea, as they are both looking exhausted and barely able to cover the work they already have. Tony also mentions that he is going to help Peggy with an Estate Agent who is coming to value The Lodge, musing that he was hoping that his children would have got the benefits of that. Later Tom confides to Tony that he’s worried about the idea of building a house on the land but doesn’t know how to tell Natasha. Tony suggests just being honest. Later Natasha and Tom agree that now isn’t the right time for the land project.
Clarrie and Eddie clear out the old barn. Clarrie finds her old pram and becomes emotional telling Eddie all of her memories are at Grange Farm. She wonders what they’ll do when Oliver eventually sells. Eddie tells her about the Almshouses he’s been researching and asks her to keep an open mind until she has read more. Later after reading the information Clarrie and Eddie feel much more hopeful about the future and Clarrie congratulates Eddie on finding something official rather than one of his half-baked schemes. Later on they both wonder who will buy the land and hope its Brian who at least is a farmer and with whom they already have a good relationship.

Kate chats to Jakob about Peggy’s wish to live at The Laurels. She thinks that if The Lodge could be made more accessible, and they re-employed Emma as a cleaner, it would mean Peggy could stay there. When Jakob suggests that Peggy may want to be cared for by professionals, Kate thinks Peggy would regret moving to The Laurels. Later when Jakob questions Kate’s response to Peggy’s move, Kate explains that she’s not worried about where she’ll live - but since her mum Jennifer died, Peggy has become even more important to her. Jakob tells her Peggy’s happiness is paramount and that Kate needs to let go.
Lilian explains to Justin that she thinks they shouldn’t buy the Grange Farm land at all. She says he had put the points so well and she is capable of weighing up all options. Justin is happy and tells her he can’t wait for Christmas and to relax.
Later on Justin arrives home to see that Lilian has packed his bags. Lilian is angry that Justin told Shula about her plans for the stables. Justin feels he was only having a conversation with a business associate. Lilian counters, that business associate is now thinking about pulling out of the arrangement. She tells Justin she feels betrayed and tells him to leave. When Justin reminds her that he owns the Dower House, Lilian refuses to leave. Justin says that he will voluntarily absent himself for a short while and will come back when Lilian is ready to apologise.

Eddie confides in Oliver about his and Clarrie’s worries over their future, even though Eddie knows it doesn’t excuse their behaviour. Oliver says he’s a farmer at heart and no farmer likes to sell land. When Eddie wants to know if Oliver will have to sell any more land, Oliver explains he hasn’t any plans, but he can’t predict the future. Later Oliver tells Eddie he’s been thinking about their situation. He knows rents are prohibitive and suggests looking into Almshouses as a future option for Clarrie and Eddie.
Shula arrives at The Stables. Lilian’s surprised to see her, but Shula tells her she had to change her plans when she found out that Lilian had been deliberately misleading her. Shula could just about countenance investing in a Horse Spa, but an international outdoor arena is madness. Lilian says she would have discussed the plans with Shula next week when she came back. Shula responds that would only be after the land had been bought and it was a done deal. Shula’s lost trust in Lilian and is vetoing the plans for the arena and the purchase of the land. Shula also wonders if she should pull out of her arrangement with Lilian and Justin at The Stables, as they clearly have different ideas about the business. Later Alice seeks out Lilian who accuses her of telling Shula. Alice says the only people who knew were Lilian and Justin. She would never talk to anyone outside of the business. Lilian says that Justin has gone too far this time.

Will and George’s plan to sabotage the land sale upsets Clarrie. Later Eddie finds her crying about how tired she is and how sick she is of always living hand to mouth. Clarrie feels it’s like living on a cliff edge all the time, and you never know when the sea’s going to wash it away. Eddie is shocked to see her so upset. He tells Clarrie that she is their rock. Clarrie says not anymore; this rock is beginning to crumble. After strong words from Eddie, both boys apologise to Clarrie and agree to drop any plans of sabotage.
Alice talks to Lillian about Harry, explaining that she’s happy but doesn’t want anyone to know yet as it is still early days. Lillian envies the heady thrill of early romance that Alice is experiencing. Justin appears and they all discuss Peggy’s decision to move to The Laurels.
Whilst rubbing down Aziz, Alice accidentally lets slip to Justin about Lilian’s idea, that if the bid’s successful, she wants to use the land for an outdoor international arena. Alice tells Justin that she was on board when it was a Horse Spa because it felt like an extension of what they were already doing. She’s not sure about Lilian’s new plan, but tells Justin that it’s not her call. Justin says her opinion is most valuable. Sometime later, Justin rings Shula and asks if she had any idea about Lilian’s plans for The Stables. Shula tells Justin it’s the first she’s heard about it.