The Archers

At Lower Loxley, the staff prepare for the two-minute silence as Lily says everyone is really excited about the reopening. When Elizabeth says she’s not visiting Vince today, Lily becomes concerned. Freddie swings by the office to ask if there’s anything he could do to help. Lily starts talking about all the insurance paperwork, losing Freddie. He moves onto his ideas for the abattoir and how he wants to show Vince the business is in safe hands. Lily says she’s noticed something’s changed with Elizabeth and Vince. She’s worried Elizabeth is spiralling.
After Alan leads the wreath-laying at the war memorial, Lynda comes to say it was a very moving service. She says more could learn from Alan’s words including those making comments about Alan. Alan starts pointing out who was absent to Usha who tries to calm his nerves by saying they must have had ordinary reasons for not attending. Lynda bumps into Alan on a stroll, she lets slip about the additional comments online.
Later, Usha visits Elizabeth. When asked about Alan, she can’t hide her distress and tells Elizabeth that Alan has been accused of stealing £6,000 from Carol Tregorran, and now he’s not allowed to work unchaperoned. They start to talk about Vince, and how helpless he is. Elizabeth knows you lash out at those closest, but she doesn’t want to be a punchbag. Hearing a noise, she finds the twins eavesdropping. They volunteer to visit Vince, but Elizabeth says he just needs time.

Elizabeth is visiting her dad’s grave when she bumps into Alan, who asks after Vince. In the hospital, Vince won’t stop messaging Freddie, but Elizabeth says he can’t run the abattoir from his hospital bed. She asks if he’s heard more about the rehabilitation centre. Vince is tired and asks her about Lower Loxley. When Vince shifts uncomfortably, he snaps at her questions asking for her to get a nurse. After they’ve changed the bed and Vince’s gown, Elizabeth says they’ve got to be honest with each other. Vince confesses he wants to scream and smash things, instead he’s got strangers wiping his backside. He yells at Elizabeth to get out.
Susan and Neil are bickering when Neil says that she shouldn’t be angry at Jazzer. Neil says maybe redundancy wouldn’t be a bad thing. He’s nearly seventy and the mortgage is paid off. Alan arrives to be chaperoned on a visit to Pauline. In the car, Alan apologises for making Neil miss bonfire night, but the conversation shifts to Neil’s report to the Archdeacon. Alan is grateful to have Neil on his side. After praying with a parishioner at the hospital, Alan and Neil run into Elizabeth. She’s been debating whether to go back upstairs to Vince. She asks if Alan would go to speak to him, he agrees but when he tries to go, Neil stops him. Elizabeth didn’t realise Alan needed a chaperone and says not to bother. Elizabeth returns to Vince who tells her to go home. He gives her the silent treatment until she leaves before crying alone.

The celebration at the Orchard is getting into the swing as Alistair helps clear space for Susan’s Malvern pudding. He asks where Neil and Alan are and Denise says she doesn’t blame Alan staying away. They start to question Susan until she’s saved by Esme who wants to thank the vets for their kindness. Later, Josh is telling anecdotes from Patagonia and watching the World Cup. Esme is disappointed when Josh says he’s got his return ticket booked. She confesses to him about the state of Meadow Farm and the fall out with George. Josh says she’s just got to hang on, but Esme says for how long for when everything is a trainwreck.
Jazzer is delighted when the housing association confirms the fence is shared ownership between them and Helen. He says he’s going to tell Helen at the Orchard tonight. Tracy says no way as this evening is about bringing everyone together. Jazzer is watching the pennies and says whilst we can afford half now, they need to save. Tracy smells a rat and demands Jazzer spill. At the orchard, Tracy asks why Jazzer is worried if he’s been told either Neil or Helen will get the chop. Tracy tries to get Jazzer to spill the beans to Susan who thinks it’s him who’s spread the Alan gossip. Tracy says it was Bert who started the gossip, and then says Jazzer’s keeping Martyn Gibson’s secrets. As the fireworks start, Jazzer crumbles and says Neil might be out of a job.

Anna is meeting Helen at the Tearoom. The auction valuer came round to Glebe cottage and her Dad’s Georgian furniture isn’t worth much as no one wants brown furniture. They move onto the complaint against Alan. Anna says there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute so the complaint was all she could do. Fallon interrupts the conversation saying she doesn’t believe Alan is taking advantage of anyone vulnerable. Anna becomes annoyed because why was this confidential investigation the topic of conversation in the pub?
At Lower Loxley, Lily is checking on the pop-up café in the gallery when Fallon apologies for yesterday. She really wants to work with Lily to make the workshop programme work but of course Lily has a lot on her plate. Lily becomes teary. She can’t help but open up about everything she has to do to keep Lower Loxley going. When Fallon asks if there’s anyone to help Lily, Lily says there’s only so much family can do. She’s worried her mum’s depression will come back. Fallon offers to help with Deck-the-Hall to take some of the stress.
Alan and Neil are planning Alan’s visits to parishioners. He’s sorry Neil has the hassle of having to chaperone him. Anna bursts into the church calling for Alan. Anna states the Clergy’s code of practice says any attempt to put pressure on the complainant is improper, so why is Alan going around currying favour in Ambridge. Alan tries to explain but Neil interrupts saying the two of them shouldn’t even be talking. Alan asks Neil to tell the Archdeacon what happened

Alistair and Denise are inspecting a wounded cow. Esme says they got injured in the storm. She confesses the cost of a call out put her off but the cow started lying down a lot. Alistair calmly explains unfortunately it’s too late, the kindest option is to put her down. Esme apologies for not staying till the end. Alistair says the cow felt nothing. Esme laments about the costs, she should have called them out when it first happened. Alistair takes pity on her and says he won’t invoice for the visit. Denise says head office won’t be happy. Alistair says they don’t need to know.
Alan asks Lily about Vince, before waving Fallon over. Fallon says she needs to talk to Lily about the workshop programme. Lily says to find her in the office and heads off. Alan apologises, forgetting things might be awkward between them. Fallon tries to ask Alan about something she heard in The Bull, but he rushes off. Lily’s on the phone to Harrison, she quickly ends the call when Fallon arrives. Lily’s not sure how much help she’ll be, but Elizabeth won’t be back for a while. The storm means all the plans must change. Fallon says they can’t just fire her. Lily must go meet the fire inspector, saying she’ll think about it.
In the Bull, Alistair is shocked to hear that Alan is coming to the Orchard on Thursday. Alan wonders why and Fallon says there’s a rumour going around. Alan complains about the insinuation of his motives for visiting lonely people when it’s a vicar’s job!