The Archers

David gets fired up and Neil makes his case.

The Archers eavesdrops at the gate into Marneys at Brookfield on a quiet afternoon

Neil and Hannah are shocked to discover that there have been a number of incidents of tail-biting amongst the Berrow Farm pigs. As they round up the injured pigs for treatment, Hannah becomes defensive. She doesn't like Neil’s insinuation that it started at the weekend, when she was on duty. Over a pint, Neil admits to Rex that he’s gutted. It’s an awful welfare problem, and of course he had to tell Justin. Neil is also worried about his reputation as a pigman. Rex thinks that Justin is reasonable, and values Neil’s opinion. Neil just needs to get Justin to listen. David’s unimpressed when Kenton implies that he’s temperamentally unsuited to hosting weddings at Brookfield. David points out that he’s only providing a venue, but Kenton thinks it’s inevitable that he’ll be dragged into the drama of any wedding. And David doesn’t have the right people skills. David is offended. At Lower Loxley Robert isn’t enjoying rehearsals of Jim’s ghost story readings. Jim insists on sitting in the dark, and Russ has found a creepy dummy to serve as part of the set. That evening, Robert complains to Lynda that it’s a disaster. Lynda can’t believe that he’s scared of a dummy. She’s keen to go to sleep, but Robert is unnerved by an owl hooting outside.

Lynda is unimpressed that Grey Gables seems to be receiving prank calls from Roman. She’s even less impressed when Tracy hangs up the reception phone without answering. Tracy insists that it’s just Roman again. She recognises the number, and she doesn’t need to hear more of Roman’s terrible Sean Connery impersonation. Later, Oliver reports that a regular guest, Mr McLeod, has complained about being unable to make his usual booking. Oliver’s very unimpressed when Tracy realises that she mistook the call for one of Roman’s pranks. Lynda argues that Tracy’s work has generally been exemplary. Oliver agrees, but this is one of a number of costly recent mistakes. Tracy is left in no doubt that she is on a final warning. At Brookfield, Pip starts to tell David about Rewilding Ambridge’s deal with Borchester land. But they are interrupted by a text from Josh. He’s at the airport. Pip and David are jealous of his holiday. A Christmas card has arrived from Lilian and Justin. David refuses to display it – he hasn’t forgiven Justin for his duplicitous behaviour regarding the abattoir. Later, Pip checks the sheep, and David admits he’s feeling pessimistic about the future, given the current uncertainty in the world. Pip finally tells him about the deal with Justin and Borchester Land. David is stunned. He congratulates Pip, but it’s a shock.

Join Jill in the kitchen at Brookfield as she makes a batch of her much loved mince pies