The Archers

Adam thinks about the future, and Helen has a decision to make.

At The Bull Chelsea updates Alice and Lilian on her horsebox and looks forward to styling a bride’s hair on Wednesday. Alice confides in Lilian that she’s spoken to Ruairi about Brian. Flustered Lilian’s relieved to hear Ruairi thinks Brian’s fine, then ushers Alice back to rejoin Rex. Chris and Rex are casting a critical eye over entries for the cricket team logo competition when Alice insists they carry on and leaves them to it. Chris encourages Rex to drink more than he would normally, while apologising for any awkwardness last week at Fallon’s. Rex promises, as Alice’s boyfriend, he won’t cause any issues with Martha, and won’t drink around Alice – suggesting Chris must regret helping to enable Alice’s drinking. Later, Rex is drunk and Chris brooding on what Rex said, before Rex stumbles off to check Alice is okay. Unimpressed Alice lets him into The Nest, but insists he sleep it off on the sofa.
Lilian tells Brian they can’t blame Alice for worrying about Ruairi. Brian says he’ll lie to the police, if necessary, should George tell them and they decide to reinvestigate. He won’t allow Ruairi’s future to be destroyed, claiming Ruairi’s his last chance of leaving a legacy. Lilian rubbishes the idea, but over a whisky Brian reflects on his children not being up to running Home Farm. Lilian speaks up for Adam and Brian reluctantly concedes he’s the best bet. If only Ruairi wasn’t so fragile, Brian thinks, then wonders if changing tack and giving Ruairi more responsibility would be the making of him.

Alice admits to Lilian her ongoing concern about Brian’s wellbeing. She’s scared, remembering how things went with Jack Woolley. Lilian plays down the comparison, but Alice is genuinely fearful. She wants the family to talk about the issue openly, including Ruairi. Lilian suggests there’s no need to burden Ruairi, before telling Brian what Alice has said. Brian fears Ruairi would crumble and reveal everything that happened with George. Lilian suggests they could ensure it stayed within the family. Brian admits George knows some of the truth, but thinks Brian attacked him - because that’s what Brian told him. All Brian cares about is protecting Ruairi. Brian then confesses to investing in George’s drones, but fears he might still go to the police. Lilian understands this is behind Brian’s odd behaviour, even at the cost of letting his family think he has dementia. Brian insists he won’t let Ruairi down.
At the Rewilding Pip shows Lottie round. Lottie tells Pip off for not mentioning her lump before, even if it turned out to be a cyst. Pip admits her fears about not being there for Rosie’s future and how stressful it’s been with Stella. However, it’s a huge relief now the cyst has gone and the tension has been lifted. Pip then wants to know how Lottie’s date night went…
Kirsty and Rex chat about Erik, with Rex suggesting they go out as a foursome sometime. He can’t help feeling Alice is out of his league though, but Kirsty tells Rex he’s a catch and needs to believe it.

Ruth takes Pip and Stella to the Breast Screening Clinic, where Stella frets at having to wait beyond their appointment time. Ruth remembers how stressed she used to get while waiting, before a woman explained the concept of hospital time to her. You just have to settle in and chill. Stella goes to fetch her phone from the car and will pick up coffee and hot chocolate on the way back. Pip confesses Stella’s fretting is driving her up the wall. Pip wants to be as brave as Ruth was, but Ruth reckons it wasn’t bravery – she had no choice in the matter. She wants Pip to stop worrying about “what ifs” and wait until they know for sure. When Pip returns from her mammogram Ruth talks about Jill and Carol, but Pip knows she’s trying to distract her.
In the hospital car park Tracy tells Stella she’s just had her first mammogram since passing fifty, before they head to the coffee shop together. Stella then cracks, telling Tracy about Pip finding a lump and how scared she is. Tracy’s sympathetic, as Stella worries about irritating Pip.
By the time Stella gets back the drinks have gone cold. The consultant, Dr Shah, tells Pip her lump is a cyst - there’s nothing to worry about. Dr Shah checks whether Ruth had genetic testing for her cancer, suggesting she might want to consider it. Ruth agrees to think about it. Back home Ruth, Pip and Stella celebrate the good news with cake, raising a toast to being there for each other.

Lilian tells Alice she’s spoken to Brian about breaking up with Miranda, but he wants more time to process his feelings. Alice says she’s spoken to Azra about dementia, without mentioning Brian. Lilian thinks Kate’s concerns are exaggerated, but Alice is still worried. Lilian suggests they should see how things go for now.
Talking to Bert, Chelsea mentions bumping into her dad at New Year and having a nice chat. Bert warns her against trusting Den, before inviting Chelsea for a drink at The Bull. While there Chelsea irritates Bert by texting Den. Bert concedes it’s her decision if she wants to stay in touch with Den. Lilian wonders why Bert’s wearing a neck brace, but Chelsea warns him off claiming it’s to do with the church roof collapsing. Then Den texts Chelsea back, telling her he’s got some news.
Chris is surprised when Rex and Alice turn up together on Fallon’s doorstep, as he’s leaving. Chris admits he’s going on a date. Rex tries covering any awkwardness by asking about the cricket logo competition and the Borchester Show, before Alice blunders in with a crass remark. After Chris goes the awkwardness continues as it becomes clear Fallon wasn’t expecting Rex. She insists there’s enough food for three, while Alice wonders why Rex was being weird with Chris. After a nice meal they plan an evening out with Fallon and Harrison, before Chris reappears as Alice and Rex are leaving. Chris won’t give any details about his date, before admitting to Fallon he thinks they’ll meet up again.