The Archers

Fallon is left shaken, and Ruairi has a Christmas conundrum.

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy Howe14th - 19th Dec Ben Archer.... Ben Norris David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer.... Louiza Patikas Pat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore Tony Archer.... David Troughton Tom Archer.... William Troughton Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Martyn Gibson.... Jon Glover Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan Tracy Horrobin.... Susie Riddell Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey

As Susan and Joy prepare for tonight’s big celebration of the shop re-opening, Joy hopes plenty of customers turn up. The marquee provided by Justin looks magical. Martyn comes in to help carry provisions and admires the newly refurbished shop. Ed and Emma arrive with Susan’s surprise celebration cake, and Joy declares it perfect. Emma receives a text from Keira wondering when they’ll be home. She tells Ed she’ll call Keira; she and George had another row this afternoon. She’s worried about both of them. When there’s no reply Ed nips home. He reports that Keira was tearful but won’t talk about it. They observe wryly that with two kids, things will never feel easy. Martyn’s enjoying being at the heart of a village event – it can get lonely living on your own. He offers Chris a listening ear. He’s pleased Chris is moving back in with his parents – it’ll give him time to get over Carly. Chris assures him there isn’t much to get over. It was finished before it really began. Martyn advises getting right back out there – no negative self-talk! Chris escapes but not before Martyn insists on a drink tomorrow, so that he can impart more of the excellent life-coaching advice he’s had from Chelsea and Zainab. Full of generosity he asserts he’ll be making a donation at the tractor run, declaring to Joy that giving to a worthy cause puts one’s own troubles into perspective. Delighted with her cake, Susan makes a rousing speech giving thanks for village life, community and their wonderful new shop.

David has concerns for a loved one, and Jazzer finds himself the subject of ridicule.

Whilst packing vegetables Tom gives disgruntled Tony the bad news that he can’t drive Tony’s vintage Fordson in the tractor run as he’ll be setting off for Wales with Natasha and the twins early on Christmas Eve. When Helen arrives Tom wonders who’s in the worse mood, Pat or Tony. Then Tony takes Tom to task for letting him down at such short notice, backed up by Helen. Tom gets very defensive, blaming anyone but himself. When Pat walks in she too can’t believe Tom didn’t realise he wouldn’t be available, but offers to drive the Fordson instead. Tony gets upset about people not being there on Christmas Eve to decorate the Christmas tree, declaring that maybe they shouldn’t bother with it at all this year. Discussing the tractor run with Tony, Joy praises Tony and Pat’s resilience at a difficult time, and they end up swapping notes about family Christmases. But Tony resents the suggestion that he’s locking himself away with his tractor. Esme comes to Bridge Farm for some farming advice from Pat. On a tour she admires the sustainability of the planting, before asking about Helen’s dairy operation and how they dealt with the sewage leak. Pat suggests Esme comes back again tomorrow. Esme can’t because she’s driving to South Wales in pursuit of silage. So Pat takes her to see the Montbeliardes, where Esme opens up about the problems she’s facing just to keep going. Pat offers sisterly support – women farmers need to look out for each other whenever they can.