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BBC Radio 4

The Archers

A mystery deepens one for one family, and there’s a rare night out for some villagers.

14/05/2025

Usha’s impressed by the topic Alan’s chosen for his sermon, that of peace, observing that he’s never one to take the easy route. Later Helen breaks it to Alan that amongst Peggy’s comprehensive instructions for her funeral she stipulated a different vicar to officiate. Alan frets to Usha that Crispin can’t possibly know the family as well as he does. He wonder’s whether Peggy’s decision was to do with his involvement in Rob’s baptism. Whatever the reason, he resolves to ensure the church will look its best for the funeral.

Lynda’s interested when Helen lets slip that Henry’s really started liking cricket at school. Later she tells Rex she’s disappointed in him, having had him down as a man of integrity.

Brian informs Rex that Peggy set aside some money for a natural artwork at the Rewilding site. Rex thinks Peggy took an impressive gamble with the rewilding, commenting ruefully that he’s always been the sensible one in his family. Brian reckons there’s nothing wrong with being level-headed. Rex wonders how you know when it’s time to settle down. Brian observes if it’s with the right person he’ll know, counselling Rex to think carefully before taking any risks.

Helen sympathises with Natasha over how tight finances are. Natasha comments it was unfair of Peggy not to warn them there was so little money to go round. Helen thinks they shouldn’t have counted their chickens. And besides, Tom has already had plenty from Peggy, so not everyone in the family has the same right to feel aggrieved.

15/05/2025

Rex calls on Rochelle. He’s sorry, but he can’t stop thinking about her and suspects she feels the same about him. Rochelle shuts him down. They can’t be together. Rex leaves and Rochelle calls her mum. She admits to Joy that she’s heartbroken. She still really likes Rex.

Joy spots a small burn on Lilian’s hand. Lilian admits she’s clumsy at the moment. Joy observes that grief is distracting and exhausting. Lilian sighs she’s got so much to organise but she’d rather be dealing with one of Peggy’s weekly lists. She shows Joy one she’s kept. Joy thinks the lists are a beautiful memory. Lilian thanks her for being a good friend and shoulder to cry on.

Tom confronts Helen over her comments to Natasha. Helen maintains she was simply reminding Natasha of the truth – that Tom had received handouts from Peggy more than once over the years. When Tom points out that Natasha wasn’t even around at that time, Helen calms down. Helen admits that rightly or wrongly, she was hoping for more from her gran’s will. Later Lilian gives them the news that Peggy’s wish was for everyone to go on a family holiday together. Lilian’s quite excited. She hopes the small legacies Peggy left doesn’t cause issues for the family. The last thing she and Tony want is in-fighting and arguments. Tom and Helen agree. But Tom thinks this still doesn’t make sense. He wants to be sure Peggy wasn’t cheated of her money. Something doesn’t add up; where has all the money gone?

16/05/2025

Henry informs his granddad that he and Khalil have a place on the cricket team. He wonders if Tony’s upset, but Tony’s genuinely pleased for them. Henry’s apprehensive about the match but Tony reassures him – they’ll all support him all the way. 
Tom and Natasha speculate on the proposed extended family holiday. Natasha thinks it might be fun, though they agree it wouldn’t be something they’d choose to do. Tom wonders again where Peggy’s money’s gone. Natasha dismisses this – maybe it just ran out. Natasha looks forward to sampling Fallon’s cricket tea pies. She goes to collect Henry, who’s engrossed in his phone. He hurriedly puts it away saying he was looking at the weather.
The match is disappointing despite Henry and Khalil’s efforts in the field. Tony remarks that Ambridge seem to have given up. Zainab wonders when it’ll be over – at least Fallon’s pies were delicious. Natasha sympathises with Tom over the loss. Henry isn’t impressed with his play. He can barely hit the ball. He doesn’t think he’ll go in for the T20 next week. Encouraging Tony offers to give him some tips. 
Natasha’s concerned over Henry hiding his phone earlier. Tom thinks it’s normal for teenagers to conceal what’s on their phones but Natasha persists. Tom offers to have a word with him. Tom begins the conversation awkwardly and Henry soon works out Natasha’s spoken to him. He assures Tom he wasn’t looking at anything inappropriate, repeating that he was just checking the weather.

18/05/2025

Oliver and Ian await the arrival at Grey Gables of the new temporary manager, who’s late. Oliver lists his credentials and Ian admits he does sound very good. Ian reckons he’ll run a tight ship; Oliver thinks that’s just what they’re looking for/need. Dane arrives and proves to be chatty and quirky. Both Ian and Oliver are slightly stunned. Dane’s a breath of fresh air, but not quite what either of them was expecting. 
Natasha prompts Tom to tell Helen about Henry hiding his phone from her. He does so and Helen tackles Henry in a quiet moment as he makes a birthday card for Jack. He’s defensive at first, worrying that Helen will be mad at him. Eventually he admits he was checking up on some of the names in a dating app Helen’s joined. Helen’s shocked Henry’s been looking at her phone, but understands when it becomes clear he’s fearful for her safety. She reassures him, reminding him that it’s her job to look after him, not the other way round. She puts Natasha and Tom in the picture. Natasha’s excited that Helen’s online dating, though equally shocked at Henry’s actions. Tom thinks it's quite sweet – Henry’s obviously looking out for Helen. Helen points out Henry’s clearly worried about the possibility of another Rob. Tom doesn’t think so. But Helen reckons she’ll delete the dating app. Natasha persuades her to give it a chance. It’s great Helen’s being proactive about finding someone. Natasha’s happy to be her wingwoman; it’s very exciting.

19/05/2025

Oliver asks Lily to help with interviews for a new receptionist at Grey Gables. Dane will be on the panel as well; Oliver comments that his style is very informal. Sure enough, Dane and Lily are soon giggling together and try to compose themselves as Oliver brings in the first candidate, Zainab Malik. As Dane excitedly engages her in conversation about her scooter, Oliver attempts to get back to the job in hand. Zainab answers some unconventional questions competently, and declares she’s enjoyed herself. Dane and Lily are impressed and convince Oliver to give her a try out despite his concerns that she didn’t have many relevant questions to answer. Lily reckons Zainab will have no problem getting her head around the hotel’s systems. 

Natasha’s disappointed to hear Helen’s not keeping on top of her dating app. Helen shares her latest status and they laugh about some of the profiles that have come up. Natasha spots one of them is Martyn Gibson. She jokes she might swipe right on Helen’s behalf. They fill Ian in on the dating site, Helen insisting it’s not a big deal, she just wants to see how she feels about dating. Then she notices she’s a match with Martyn, and realises to her horror that Natasha must have swiped the wrong way earlier. She can’t ignore him, but doesn’t know how to reply to his message of condolence about Peggy. Ian suggests telling Martyn the truth but Natasha thinks this will break his heart. Helen’s at a loss. She wishes she’d never downloaded the app!

20/05/2025

Kenton’s surprised David’s now going ahead with Open Farm Sunday. David explains he doesn’t feel he should cancel so he’s putting increased security in place. Lilian’s late for a pub shift and Kenton’s reluctant to push it as her mood’s so low at the moment. David volunteers to jump behind the bar to help out. Lilian arrives but soon needs a break to regroup. With Justin out at a function, she insists she’d still rather be working than sitting alone at home.

A customer approaches the bar and asks for Angela, but David misunderstands the signal and the woman goes and sits down again. Lilian spots the man she’s sitting with is behaving aggressively towards her. It becomes clear David’s made a mistake and missed the woman’s coded request for help. Lilian’s appalled at the error, and finds a subtle way of extricating the woman from the situation. Safely upstairs, the woman, Naomi, explains she’d been set up with this man by a friend, and whilst initially charming, her date became angry when she declined a second meet-up with him. Naomi’s very grateful for Lilian swooping in like a fairy godmother to rescue her. After Naomi’s gone, Lilian suggests refresher training for everyone who might be working in the bar. The incident has shaken her. She’s frustrated too that the man got away with his bad behaviour and may well just carry on with it in the future. Kenton’s worried about Lilian and checks in again with her; is she alright? Lilian admits she’s not really, but there’s nothing anyone can do.

21/05/2025

Emma and Ed are irritable after a long day working on trees at Grey Gables. It’s their anniversary but Emma can’t be bothered to do anything special. However Oliver surprises them with the offer of an overnight stay at the hotel with spa passes and dinner, as an anniversary gift. They accept graciously, but over dinner they continue to bicker as Emma can’t let Ed’s attitude to her work go. His constant instructions to her from the ground today weren’t welcome or helpful. Oliver checks in to make sure they’re having a great evening. They assure him they are. They realise they shouldn’t be arguing – it’s the tiredness talking. Emma suggests they skip dinner and have an early night.
Helen wonders to Ian how Adam’s doing. Ian thinks he’s ok but sad. Helen reports much the same from her side of the family, particularly Lilian. They speculate on possible explanations as to where Peggy’s money’s gone; Ian jokes she probably invested in a donkey sanctuary. He’s looking forward to the big family holiday though. He’s impressed with Helen’s adept brushing off of Martyn Gibson’s advances. Helen admits someone else has caught her eye. Ian’s flabbergasted to learn it’s Dane from Grey Gables. He comments Dane’s nice enough but always ‘on’ and cracking jokes. Helen ventures that this could be a good thing. Ian agrees; he’s sure they’ll have a great time. Helen admits she’s nervous, putting herself back out there. Ian assures her everyone feels this way. He stays positive for her, and Helen thanks him for the chat.

22/05/2025

With things still frosty between Ed and Emma, they’re horrified when they get stuck in the Grey Gables lift. They manage to alert Zainab, but it’s her first day and she’s still feeling her way. Emma suggests she calls an engineer, and Zainab assures them she’s on it. Akram arrives and sees Zainab’s predicament. He also points out she’s done everything right so far and doesn’t need to stress. Meanwhile the atmosphere in the lift thaws and Emma and Ed apologise to one another. They admit it can be hard working together but it’s mostly brilliant. They pledge to move their anniversary celebration to tonight, staying in at Little Grange. When they’re finally free, relieved Zainab tells them Dane’s offered another night at Grey Gables by way of compensation. Ed reckons they’ll stay home tonight and save the offer for another time.

Naomi brings some flowers as a thankyou for Lilian, who’s tearful and caught unawares. She shares that she’s having a difficult time, and the two chat. Naomi’s kicking herself about her date, but Lilian assures her it’s not her fault. They laugh about the objectionable Darren. Naomi hopes things get brighter for Lilian. Later worried Kenton calls in on Lilian. Lilian comments it was nice to chat with Naomi, but nothing’s making her feel better. She guesses you just have to go with grief, but it’s exhausting. Her heart is broken at the loss, and she has nothing to tether her any more. Ambridge doesn’t feel like home without Peggy. Perhaps it’s time to leave.

23/05/2025

Fallon chats to Susan and Joy in the Shop about the EV Charging Station opening today. Fallon wants to go over there and Joy says she’ll go too. They’re both very impressed by how modern and smart the station looks, before heading inside the posh Underwoods Local store. Clarrie greets them, also having a nosey, while Fallon contemplates getting balloons for Harrison’s fortieth birthday next week. Back in Ambridge they discuss tomorrow’s T20 Cricket match between teams led by Hannah and Jolene, before Susan joins them. Despite hearing how impressive the Charging Station looks, Susan’s confident the Shop can cope with the competition. She does though accept Joy’s suggestion of a customer survey, to see what they can improve on.

At the Stables Lilian saddles up Amir for a ride, confessing to Alice she’ll avoid going near The Laurels. Her normal coping mechanism would be to busy herself with the funeral arrangements, but Peggy has already done all that. Alice rides with her, on Aziz, reminiscing about Peggy as they go, whilst also speculating about her will and not choosing Alan to conduct the funeral service. Lilian then indulges herself with thoughts of Canada, where her first husband, “Nick”, came from. She shocks Alice with the idea that she might leave Ambridge to go and live there, before admitting she hasn’t mentioned the idea to Justin. Alice implores Lilian not to go – they’d never manage without her. All Lilian will promise though is that she won’t make any decisions until after Peggy’s funeral.

25/05/2025

Susan summons Jim and Joy to the Shop, telling them its future is at stake due to the threat from Underwoods Local. Jim proposes calling a village meeting. And making sure to emphasise the benefits of a village shop, Joy adds, such as lower prices. But Susan’s heard the introductory discounts at Underwoods Local could go on all summer. Susan then tells them to look for common threads in the few surveys that have been completed, so they can root out any issues. Reporting back later it appears unfriendliness is the big one. Susan then dismisses the comments as biased, but Joy insists they act on it by working on their customer service skills. Both Jim and Susan are highly sceptical though, leading Joy in despair to suggest they try at least to be more positive with all their customers. Jim and Susan agree, but remain unconvinced that they’re really doing anything wrong.

On the phone Helen worries to Ian about Dane not getting back to her after she suggested another date. He’s always responded so quickly before online. Ian still has his doubts, but Helen insists Ian find out what Dane thinks about her. However, when Ian tackles Dane about the meal last night and his companion, Dane cleverly avoids giving his opinion of Helen. Ian tries again later, but is embarrassed when Dane reveals he knows Ian is trying to find out what Dane thinks about Ian’s best friend, Helen. Dane thinks she’s amazing, then realises his message to Helen about the date never got sent. When he sends it again Helen excitedly tells Ian – he said yes!

29/05/2025

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