The Archers

Tom discovers a surprising truth and Pip has reservations

Elizabeth is looking forward to Freddie coming home at the end of the week but Lily warns her that he’ll be under a lot of constraints while he’s out on licence. As Russ and Elizabeth clean Freddie’s room, Elizabeth talks about Nigel. Russ allays her fears that Nigel’s death led to Freddie going off the rails. His experience as a teacher has shown him that you can’t predict what will send teenagers down the wrong path. Pip doesn’t like the sound of Lily’s new job but Lily insists it’s fun. Meanwhile, Russ and Elizabeth are getting on well. Pip mentions that Fallon is looking for Tearoom staff but Lily can’t see Russ ever doing that. Looking ahead to Freddie’s return, Lily worries about Elizabeth’s expectations. Lily’s sure that prison has changed Freddie. Shula doesn’t feel as liberated as she expected by ending her marriage with Alistair but she doesn’t regret leaving him. She’s commissioned Leonard to paint a watercolour for her in aid of the Lent appeal. Jill would like all her family together on Mothering Sunday but Shula and Pip warn against it after how Christmas Day went. Toby arrives for Sunday lunch and lets slip about the christening. Jill is thrilled but Pip tries to down play it, saying she would feel like a hypocrite. It just doesn’t feel right to her.

Contemporary drama in a rural setting. Writer ….. Naylah Ahmed Director ….. Rosemary Watts Editor ….. Jeremy Howe Jill Archer .... Patricia Greene David Archer ..... Timothy Bentinck Ruth Archer ..... Felicity Finch Pip Archer ..... Daisy Badger Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis Pat Archer .... Patricia Gallimore Helen Archer.... Louiza Patikas Tom Archer ….. William Troughton Alice Carter ..... Hollie Chapman Toby Fairbrother .... Rhys Bevan Alan Franks .... John Telfer Eddie Grundy .... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy .... Emerald O'Hanrahan Alistair Lloyd ..... Michael Lumsden Kate Madikane .... Perdita Avery Elizabeth Pargetter .... Alison Dowling Lily Pargetter .... Katie Redford Johnny Philips .... Tom Gibbons Peggy Wooley .... June Spencer Natasha .... Mali Harries Russ ..... Andonis James Anthony Leonard Berry .... Paul Copley

Pip, David and Ruth are pleased with Brookfield’s new milking parlour. They discuss how beautiful Jill looked after her makeover. Kenton is avoiding David over the loan. Meanwhile none of them have had chance to see how Elizabeth is doing. Pip reports that Lily has a new job in Felpersham. David collars Kenton while he’s behind the bar at The Bull. Kenton promises to restart the standing order once he’s in a better position – right now he’s got to pay for cover for Jolene while she’s on tour and he’s spending a lot of time at Lower Loxley. David accepts it can’t be easy. Kenton wants David to help persuade Elizabeth to reapply for an alcohol licence. Henry is angry at Helen for lying that karate was cancelled. Emma enquires with Helen about why she’s avoiding Lee. She’s sorry to hear it didn’t work out between them. Helen says she’s just not built for relationships. Emma encourages her to think again but Helen’s certain it’s over with Lee. Helen takes up Emma’s offer to take Henry to karate along with Keira. Later, Emma reports back that Lee is off for a few weeks and Bryn is taking the class. Helen reassures Henry that whilst she’s too busy to attend karate classes, she loves him; he and Jack are enough for her.

Tom and Natasha look round the flat above the shop and weigh up its pros and cons. Natasha’s not heard great things about the landlady Hazel Woolley’s reputation and there’s the close proximity of Susan when she’s working in the shop. Natasha shows Tom another flat in Penny Hassett which she prefers but is a lot more expensive and Tom agrees to a viewing. Alice shares her worries about being successful in her work with Peggy. Kate returns and makes snide comments as Alice tells Peggy about Chris becoming vice-captain of the cricket team. Peggy makes Alice stay and cook dinner with Kate. The sisters squabble and when Kate won’t apologise, Alice leaves. Jolene finds Kenton hiding from David who wants to talk about their unpaid loan. Jolene, who is trying something different with her hair, gets an email from Seaton, blast from her musical past. He wants her to be a backing singer on a tour. It would mean 3 weeks away from The Bull but Kenton says she should go for it.