The Archers

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes
Director: Jessica Bunch
Editor: Jeremy Howe
David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck
Josh Archer.... Angus Imrie
Kenton Archer.... Richard Attlee
Pat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore
Pip Archer.... Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer.... Felicity Finch
Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin
Amber Gordon.... Olivia Bernstone
Anne Marie Gordon.... Kate Ashfield
Bill Gordon.... Matthew Gravelle
Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell
George Grundy.... Angus Stobie
Will Grundy.... Philip Molloy
Paul Mack.... Joshua Riley
Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey
Stella Pryor.... Lucy Speed
Hannah Riley.... Helen Longworth

At the Bull Ruth takes Kenton aside to ask if there are any tables left for Valentine’s. Knowing that David’s already booked one, Kenton tells her they’re all fully booked. Later he relents and offers her a table for the Friday, explaining David’s secretly booked for the Saturday. Ruth’s table would be a proper one rather than cramped at the bar, so she instructs Kenton to cancel David’s reservation and confirms hers. Later she asks casually if David would like to do something on Friday night. David responds that bearing in mind how busy they are on Saturday, it might be best just to stay in.
Amber and George agree that whatever happens at the dinner with Amber’s parents, they have each other’s backs. Anne Marie and Bill politely cover their mild surprise at seeing George before settling in to chat about the ‘situation’, and the plan. When it becomes clear this means questioning whether or not Amber’s pregnancy will go ahead, Amber’s firm that this is not an accident; she’s having her baby and will live with George. Anne Marie persists with her view that they have options. Appalled Amber tries to close the conversation down, but her mother insists she doesn’t want Amber to be trapped. Gutted not to have her parents support, Amber chooses George, and the family who’ll love her just as she is. Amber worries to George she might turn out like her mum, but George reassures her. They have everything they need, together.

Pip and Stella visit Ruth and David. When they’re cagey Ruth wants to know what they have to say. Pip blurts out that they’re getting married, and they recount the story of the engagement ring to her astounded parents. They make a toast, and Ruth offers the events barn as a venue for their party. Ruth reports later that Jill has insisted they all go to the Bull tomorrow night to celebrate. Ruth and David agree it’s lovely news but it gives you a bit of a jolt when your children move on to their next life stage. David observes they’ll need to consider the future of the farm at some point.
Amber picks up George from Meadow Farm after work. George reckons the work’s going fine. He admits Josh is posing a problem but it’s no big deal. Amber’s disappointed George didn’t confide in her sooner. George is touched when Amber takes them to his favourite chippy, something he’d been looking forward to since his release from prison. They enjoy a moment eating fish and chips from the paper, before Amber admits she’s going to see her parents tomorrow night, and not going out for a friend’s birthday as she’d originally told George. George is shocked to hear Anne Marie knows about the baby. Amber feels her mum might genuinely want to help, and could even be ready to accept them as a couple. George offers to go with Amber tomorrow. He hopes she’s right about her parents, but whatever happens, he’ll be there for her.

Susan’s working over her hours in order to cope with a large new order. She and Pat agree the order’s good news, they just weren’t ready for it. Pat explains that instead of receiving presents for his 75th birthday, Tony wants to give everyone in the village a packet of organic seeds. Susan thinks it’s a lovely idea. By the end of her shift she’s looking forward to home and a hot bath. She and Pat agree there’s enough work for another person to be in the dairy at least part time. Pat says Helen has someone in mind. Susan says she’ll keep her eyes peeled too.
Over a delicious meal cooked by Stella, Pip tries again to raise her worries over her birthday treat, but they’re interrupted by a noise from the kitchen. Cleo the dog’s stolen some of the cheesecake Stella’s prepared as dessert. Stella worries Cleo may have swallowed something dangerous. Slightly bewildered Pip agrees they should get her checked over. Paul shows Stella the scan he’s done of Cleo – she’s swallowed a small object. It won’t do her any damage but Paul reckons Stella should show Pip the scan. As Pip peers at the picture she’s confused to see a ring. Stella explains she’d put it on top of Pip’s portion of cheesecake, as a proposal. Pip’s bowled over and encourages Stella to propose properly, which she does. Delighted Paul appears and suggests an engagement party. They all agree that this ridiculous chaotic proposal suits the couple down to the ground.

Will prepares George an early hot breakfast for his first shift at Meadow Farm. Amber wakes up too and both of them wish George luck as he sets off, before admitting to one another they’re both anxious for him to do well. Esme’s grateful as enthusiastic George offers to fix a blocked gutter once he’s done the milking. Josh arrives and is thrown to find George up a ladder – he was intending to do the repair himself. Esme declares that George has been great, adding that she can manage at the farm now if Josh wants to take a step back and focus on his own business. Josh warns her to be careful that George doesn’t take advantage and expect to be paid extra. Esme counters there’s been no hint of this so far, but Josh isn’t convinced. He’s happy to carry on helping, so why pay George to do the jobs? Later George realises Josh has told Esme his suspicions. George insists he’s just doing his job, before telling Josh he’s off his head.
Amber’s shocked when her mum Anne Marie turns up unexpectedly. Anne Marie’s found out about Amber’s pregnancy, and expresses her concern for her welfare. Amber assures her she’s fine and all’s well, but Anne Marie wants to talk further and invites Amber to dinner on Thursday. She misses Amber and just wants to be there for her. Later as Amber, George and Will celebrate George’s successful first day, Amber doesn’t want to break the mood and says nothing about her encounter, insisting all is good.