The Archers

George cycles up to Bridge Farm, asking Pat if they’ve got any work going. She puts him off, saying she’ll let him know if they need someone. Tony then joins Pat, ready to take some winter bedding over to Meadow Farm. On his way back George has a barbed exchange with Hannah, swapping insults over who has the sadder life, before Hannah gets upset and goes. Later at The Bull, Hannah talks through with Fallon what just happened. Hannah knows she shouldn’t have risen to George’s bait, but Fallon reckons it’s like George is on a mission to rile everyone. They agree someone should talk to George – but not Harrison. Fallon then knocks at George’s door, telling him forcefully he needs to leave them all alone, including Hannah. George tries brazening it out, but underneath it’s clear Fallon has rattled him. Pat and Tony find Esme in the yard at Meadow Farm, in the middle of clearing out a storage barn. She’s stunned when they tell her they’ve been collecting spare bales of winter bedding for her, from local farmers. When she offers them money they refuse, telling her it’s a gift from the farming community. Esme then lays out a thank you tea for them. She’s so grateful for all the help she’s had from everyone. Pat and Tony encourage Esme to contact the land agent about the tenancy, now the likes of Josh are showing interest, before sharing thoughts on coping with bereavement and how time is the best healer.

Jolene and Kenton start early on some cleaning jobs before Fallon arrives and gives them the present of Christmas Day off while Harrison and her take over for the day. Later, Harrison broaches the subject of George, but Fallon warns him off. Harrison though is grateful to Kenton for trying to protect him from hearing about what happened, even at the cost of being traumatised again. Fallon insists, no more George, not on Christmas Day. Trying a different tack later, Harrison tells Fallon he’s been working on his anger management – and it paid off when Kenton got scared by George and Holly. Dealing with what George said to Fallon will be harder, but Harrison suggests dealing with it together in whatever way Fallon prefers. Fallon repeats that she just wants a lovely Christmas together and not to think about George, which Harrison accepts. Alan catches Hannah going nowhere in particular. She explains about her mum’s dementia and how her planned visit today has been postponed. As she doesn’t have any other plans, Alan invites Hannah for a drink at the pub. Where Fallon catches Kenton and Jolene raiding the kitchen for snacks, while the hired-in chef is serving in the restaurant. They confess that rather than heading to Lower Loxley they’d prefer to stay in, slobbing about in pyjamas. Fallon offers to pass on their excuses, before she joins Hannah for Christmas dinner. It’s clear Hannah would have eaten alone otherwise, as she usually does. Joined by tipsy Jolene, they pull crackers together and drink in the Christmas spirit.

Hannah and Jazzer are driving their tractor to the start of the Run when Tony calls saying there’s a problem with his Fordson. He offers Hannah his place at the head of the line. Hannah thinks it’s a ploy for Tony to nab her position at the back, but Jazzer believes Tony and persuades her to agree. Hannah makes it clear how serious she is about winning the race to collect most money. Everyone then loves it as Hannah and turkey Jazzer lead the Run with angelic Eddie not far behind. Fresh from his motorbike stint, wise man Alan joins Joy to count the donations, with firm instructions to count Hannah and Tony’s buckets separately. Meanwhile, Lynda and Ruairi are marshals making sure everything runs smoothly. Ruairi wants to know if buying Paul a watch to apologise for upsetting him is a good idea and Lynda delivers a little sermon about not conflating a gift with an apology when the sincerity of the apology is what really matters. Then Tony’s Fordson passes with sleigh bells, a snow machine and Pat dressed as an elf, before Ruairi runs over to apologise to Paul sans gift. Alan confesses he inadvertently mixed all the collected money together, but Joy is happy to deal with Hannah and Tony if they kick up a fuss. Joy then announces they’ve raised over £1200 for charity, while Hannah and Tony are mutually complimentary about their entries, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas!

Joy has called a final meeting of the Tractor Run entrants, with Tony and Hannah amongst them, bickering over the running order: Tony is in first place, Hannah, representing Berrow Farm, is fourteenth. Hannah proposes swapping places, throwing Tony’s justifications back at him, but to no avail. Joy then goes through some housekeeping rules, before Tony and Hannah approach to argue over the running order. Joy nips their complaints in the bud by justifying her decision and making clear it’s final. As everyone disperses Hannah asks Joy to change her position to last, before heading off with Jazzer, followed by curious Tony. Hannah’s planning on having Jazzer in his terrible turkey costume as part of her decorations, though she’ll have to do some work on it. She then assures Tony that last place in the run is the best place to be… With Amber having come back last night, cocky George gives Kenton short shrift when he tells George to never say anything again like he said to Fallon the other day. George brings up the risk he took getting Markie rearrested, putting his life on the line, then defiantly tells Kenton to stop taking their nonsense out on him. Later, Kenton’s on the Green with Harrison when George’s dog, Holly, jumps up at him. This triggers Kenton, who hides behind Harrison, while George saunters up casually. George is completely unapologetic, despite Kenton’s obvious distress, before leading Holly away. Shaken, Kenton goes back to Woodbine Cottage with Harrison, where he reluctantly starts telling Harrison what George said to Fallon.

Jolene’s looking forward to Christmas dinner at Lower Loxley, but Joy’s stressed about the Tractor Run. Jolene doesn’t understand why Joy isn’t more relaxed, but Joy outlines the struggle she’s had just getting all the farmers on the same page about the rules, plus there’s the health and safety. She dreads thinking what would happen if anything goes wrong and she has to sort it out. They both laugh at the thought of Eddie dressed as an angel in a bedsheet and thermals, though. With Alan and Akram riding motorbikes, plus Zainab on her moped, Joy happily takes up Jolene’s suggestion they could be the three wise men. But she’s still short of marshals and as for the running order - how on earth can she navigate that without offending anyone?Harrison senses something’s different as he snuggles up with Fallon, before there’s a ring at the door. It’s Kenton delivering a basket of goodies, but when Fallon overreacts to an upstairs door banging Kenton senses something’s amiss and Fallon tells him about George yesterday. Fallon’s really angry, hating that George can make her feel like that. She begs Kenton not to tell Harrison, fearing his reaction. But after Fallon goes out of the room Harrison puzzles over why Fallon’s so sad, worrying it could be him. Without admitting what Fallon’s just told him Kenton assures Harrison that whatever’s bothering Fallon he can pretty much guarantee it’s not him.

Fallon tells Joy she’s just taken Martha to an uplifting advent service at St Stephens, before Alan headed off to a multi-faith prayer for peace at Felpersham Cathedral. George then comes into the shop, buying crisps and a big bottle of vodka, telling them pointedly he’s not going to New Year’s Eve at The Bull, seeing as he’s barred. Fallon follows George to the playground, where he’s demolishing the vodka, and mentions a job she’s seen that he could go for. George is negative and self-pitying, telling Fallon that Amber’s left and isn’t coming back, before implying Fallon’s been sleeping with Chris. He grabs Fallon’s arm, propositioning her himself. Fallon pulls away, accusing George of trying to provoke her. He needs to move on and stop blaming everyone else for his problems. George tells Fallon that instead of saving her that night he should have let her drown.At Home Farm, Ruairi is attaching a lotus flower made by Kate to their tractor for the upcoming Tractor Run, while grumbling light-heartedly to Adam about decorating the tractor without much help from the rest of the family. But what’s really bothering Ruairi is falling out with Paul after an off-road driving lesson yesterday which ended badly. Ruairi hopes that giving Paul an amazing Christmas gift will repair any rift between them – but first he’s got to work out what it could be. Later, Joy compliments Ruairi on his efforts with the tractor and asks if any of the family might want to be marshals on the day.

Emma and Susan share the hope that Chris might meet someone he can settle down with soon. Emma reports Keira’s mood swings. Susan reckons it’s normal for a teenager. Emma wonders if her mum will have time to come up to Grange Farm on Christmas Day when they have Martha. Susan observes they’ve come a long way as a family since last year. Emma wonders which is worse, Christmas without your mum, or your son. Susan observes the tough ones make the good ones even more precious. Emma agrees, but George is struggling so much without Amber, she feels like nothing she can do will make him want to celebrate. Tony’s hunting for some fairy lights for the Fordson. He starts to explain the intricacies, but Pat isn’t really listening. She’s had an idea sparked by something Esme said but wants to look into it before sharing. She wonders what’s going on between Helen and Dane but doesn’t want to pry. Meanwhile, Tony finds a tin angel John made at school, and they reminisce. They start to decorate the tree, and Tom and Helen join them. The four of them enjoy memories of childhood and John. Pat comments on what a strange Christmas this is, with John gone so long and now Peggy. They all agree it’s been lovely to talk about both of them so freely. Wondering how to mark John’s fiftieth birthday, they settle on a bonfire disco party and a homemade pig cake. They turn on the tree lights and wish each other an early Merry Christmas.

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.

Eddie drops in on Jazzer and Tracy to flog one of his turkeys, but they tell him they can’t afford it, even with a family discount. Eddie then details how he’s cobbling together a turkey outfit for the Christmas market, but what he really needs is an assistant to help drum up sales. So, in return for a Grundy turkey, Tracy nominates Jazzer to give up his day off on Wednesday to be Eddie’s assistant. When Susan and Chris step inside the Village Shop for the first time since the repairs have been completed they can’t believe how perfect everything is. Susan reckons they should be ready for a party there on Thursday, then re-open on Friday. However, when they go upstairs the flat is a complete mess with most of the work unfinished. Chris despairs of the flat being ready for him to move back in before Christmas, ruining all his plans with Carly. With Harrison returning next week, he can’t stay on with Fallon either. Later, Chris tells Susan that Hazel was furious when he told her, but she did fall out with the builders, so that’s probably why they left it unfinished. Then to cap it all, when Chris phoned Carly, she told him she’s been invited on holiday with her ex and their kids, plus they’re going to try couples counselling again. So, it’s all over between Chris and Carly. Susan’s sympathetic, though at least she’ll be able to spoil Chris over Christmas. But that’s not really what Chris is looking for at his age…

David catches up with Esme at Meadow Farm, pleased to hear she’s settling into Ambridge life, having watched the Christmas lights switch-on and been introduced to half the village by Akram. Esme’s getting to grips with looking after her cows too, but with finances still tight she’s keen to get David’s advice on sourcing extra silage. Later, Ben and David look forward to Shula joining the family for Christmas, before Esme phones and David has an idea to help raise money for the silage: getting Josh to sell some old farm machinery that’s lying in one of Esme’s barns. But when they look at what’s there they’re not hopeful it will raise much, though Ben takes some pictures anyway. The farmer Esme is talking to is based in South Wales and she thinks her best bet of getting a good deal on the silage is to go and see him. Ben suggests Josh could go with her and catch his girlfriend Nina, who’s playing a gig in Cardiff, at the same time. Grateful Clarrie and Eddie have brought Pat some treats after she helped with last week’s turkey plucking. They compare notes on what a hard year it’s been, but look forward to a new farming year, and the Christmas tractor run. Later though, Clarrie wonders to Eddie if Pat’s okay, as she seemed a bit off-colour. Eddie’s more interested in getting Clarrie to make him a turkey costume he can wear at the Christmas market on Wednesday, but Clarrie tells him there’s no chance.

Josh and Lily nurse a recovering Paul, updating him that Josh’s girlfriend Nina did not turn up on Thursday. Josh admits that he finds her captivating on stage, but that he deserves more than he’s getting in the relationship. Lily reveals that she’s not going to travel with Mason in Australia but is just going to spend a short time in Perth. They no longer need to look for a new housemate. Lily will speak to Dane about the wedding planner job. Now that she’s staying around, she’s motivated to get the house clean before Shula arrives tomorrow, despite them feeling ill. Leonard arrives and suggests a refreshing walk ahead of cleaning. Toasting Lily’s birthday in The Bull with lemonade, Paul shares that he is booking a driving instructor who specialises in nervous students. Returning home to The Stables, the grateful flatmates find that Leonard and Joy have completely cleaned the house. Akram has been reflecting on the proposed move to Pakistan. Over the week he’s really noticed the impact Azra makes in the community. His family’s happiness is the most important - the children have made good friends and Azra is so at home in Ambridge. He has found it humbling. Azra admits that her earlier wishes to move had been her reaction to a bad week. Akram suggests that they take a family walk down to the Green for the Christmas lights switch on, as they all belong in this village now, him included.

Josh and Lily attempt to eat plain rice as their first meal after their illness, now confirmed as norovirus. They do not feel up to tidying the house ahead of Shula’s inspection. Instead of looking forward to Australia, Lily admits that she’s rethinking her trip plans. She’d still like to see her university friend in Perth, but doesn’t want to travel for a year. She wonders if her plans had been motivated by feelings of rejection at Lower Loxley. She is also not sure about her co-traveller Mason as she doesn’t know him very well. Josh’s girlfriend Nina is due to visit but as the day wears on it’s evident that she’s not coming. Zainab chats to a distracted Azra and suggests a family trip to Deck the Hall at Lower Loxley. Azra confides that her difficult week has included the partners suggesting extended patient hours. Lottie calls from the surgery to say that the locum has called in ill. They are an hour behind schedule when Lawrence Harrington comes for his appointment with Dr Laing. He refuses to see his replacement, Dr Malik, and is rudely offensive to Lottie. His anger rising, Lawrence struggles to breathe and collapses. Azra performs emergency care, despite Lawrence’s protests. She reports later to Zainab that Lawrence has been taken to intensive care. Realising he was the same person who’d been racist to the Malik children, Azra was not sure he’d be grateful for her medical help today. She wonders if Akram was right - would the family be better off in Pakistan?

Receptionist Lottie and Azra are relieved to have heating again at the doctors’ surgery. However, their prescription delivery man is ill and they need an appropriate replacement. Azra wonders if Akram could step in. Alan has an appointment to discuss his low energy levels. He notes Lawrence Harrington’s inappropriate manner towards Lottie. She confirms to Alan that she suspects his attitude is racially motivated. During his appointment, Alan and Azra discuss Felpersham mosque’s structural issues. Until it is re-roofed, the Maliks will have to travel to Birmingham for Jummah. Alan suggests a temporary move to Ambridge for Friday prayers, and that he’d ask the Village Hal committee. Touched, Azra says that Akram will be amazed by the offer. Josh and Lily are weakly attempting one of Joy’s jigsaws when Paul joins them from his sickbed. Paul has been blindsided by his appraisal with Alistair. He’s been warned that he has to pass his driving test to continue working at the vets’, as he’d agreed to get his licence on accepting the job. He confides that he’s terrified about attempting another test as he’s failed 7 times. Lily offers to teach Paul, but he reminds her that she’ll be in Australia for the next year. Josh texts to wish his girlfriend Nina luck for tonight’s big hometown gig. He’s evasive when she doesn’t reply. Paul and Lily are shocked that he is still thinking of funding her next album, when she is obviously not invested in their relationship. How could he not see it?

Akram is working hard to try and finish the repairs today. He broaches the idea of moving to Pakistan again. Akram thinks Khalil would do great there. While Zainab is adaptable, and student loans are cheaper if she changes her mind about university. Azra points out that visiting family is not the same as uprooting. Akram wants to be a farmer, not a plumber, and he’s not getting any younger. Ed and Leonard chat in the crowded waiting room. During Ed’s appointment about his wrist, he asks what counselling is available for George’s temper, but Azra says as he’s an adult she’s got to speak to George herself.Paul has succumbed to whatever is going around the Stables. It clearly isn’t food poisoning. Josh slowly makes some toast. Lily’s stomach doesn’t agree with it. Josh and Lily discuss the job at Grey Gables. Leonard turns up masked and gloved to help the plagued household. He starts on cleaning up the kitchen. The discussion moves onto Lower Loxley and Lily’s lack of inheritance. Leonard suggests to Lily that Josh may feel similar with farm inheritance. Josh states it’s obvious that Pip is the golden girl. Josh confesses he thought it might be his own fault for starting his business. Luckily, Nina is going to pop in on Thursday to give him some TLC.Azra tells Akram he doesn’t have to go back to Pakistan to be a farmer. Akram explains that land is expensive, besides, Pakistan is their true home, would he really be accepted in farming here?

At the Stables, Paul is smug whilst Lily and Josh feel delicate. Lily blames Josh’s roast. Josh blames Lily’s cauliflower cheese. Paul thinks it’s the third jug of cocktail. Paul’s full fry up is not appreciated by the pair. Josh calls in sick, whilst Lily drags herself to work. Zainab questions Lily over room rates, whilst Lily goes pale and faints. Zainab helps Lily back home and they find Josh in a similar condition. They both think it’s more than the alcohol. Zainab calls her mum Azra to ask for advice on what to do with food poisoning. Azra advises Josh and Lily to stick to plain foods and just water or squash. Paul has forgotten his yearly appraisal with Alistair is today. Alistair’s glad that Paul is still at the vets after the difficult personal events of the last year. Paul is exemplary with patient care, but his lack of a driving licence is causing problems. Paul promises to get on to passing his test. Ben drops stool sample kits to Lily and Josh who aren’t feeling any better. Paul is then forced into the role of nurse.Ben and Azra set up space heaters from Brookfield in the surgery waiting room. Ben recalls Akram’s copper pipe rant, whilst the portable hand washing stations arrive. Azra and Zainab discuss Akram’s work at the surgery and how Akram wants the family to relocate to Pakistan. Zainab thinks it would be a pretty huge change for them all.

The flat at the Stables is a complete mess whilst Josh, Paul, and Lily try to pin the blame on each other. The boys question Lily’s Australian tour, as she searches for her passport amongst the rubbish. Lily is determined to go and miss the UK winter despite their ribbing and finds her passport under a broken games console. Paul brokers peace with the bickering over plans for the Sunday roast. Everyone is pitching in with a Brookfield beef roast, cauliflower cheese, sponge pudding and cocktails. Stuffed and slumped, they plan a Christmas dinner to make up for Lily being away. Josh receives a text from Shula: she is coming on Saturday to Ambridge and plans to call in for a visit. The Stables need a deep clean and tidy, but that can wait until tomorrow.Zainab and Azra discuss their plans for the day. Azra is heading into work to check the IT system records against her manual notes as she’s not convinced the system is recording the data for tests properly. Zainab is looking forward to getting her scooter back. The repairs should have her back on deliveries soon. When Azra arrives at the surgery, she has to quickly call for help. When Zainab picks up, Azra needs Akram urgently as the waiting room is flooded. A shivering Azra arrives home later; the pipes have pinholes and until they’re replaced the surgery will have to go without heating. Azra is left to plan out the week without running water or heat.

Susan’s convinced there’ll be bad news about the shop; what if Hazel wants to sell? Neil reckons there’s no point panicking at this stage; there are other options. Susan’s not convinced about Ian’s pizza van double act plan. When Ian comes round later full of ideas Susan begins to employ her strategy of letting him down gently. However she takes a call from Hazel, and just as Neil’s struggling to hold off Ian’s enthusiasm she returns with the fantastic news that the building work’s finished. The shop can re-open next week. Delighted Neil and Susan declare it’s a shame Ian’s collaboration scheme won’t work out. Ian’s philosophical – no creative thinking is ever wasted and it’s opened up his mind to new possibilities.Ed passes off the bruise on his face as the result of a branch hitting him. Emma’s sympathetic. George calls in and Emma heads off to pick up Keira from the cinema, leaving Ed and George alone. George is shocked at the state of Ed’s eye. He thinks Ed shouldn’t make excuses for him – he’s a monster. The anger took over. Ed understands George couldn’t control it. George thinks he should be back in prison before he does something else. Ed suggests instead that he gets help in the form of counselling. George agrees to make a GP appointment. He doesn’t want his mum to know the reason so they agree they’ll just tell her he’s struggling. George admits he’s been a nightmare. Ed assures him they love him and nothing’s ever going to change that.

Joy wants a catch-up with Tony and Hannah about the tractor run. She lists other participants’ plans, majoring on their festive themes. She doesn’t want Hannah and Tony to feel uncomfortable with their space and sea creature tractors. Hannah and Tony laugh when they realise they’ve both been fibbing to Joy in order to keep their real concepts under wraps. They each claim their entries will be special and will require a prime slot in the order as the main attraction. They agree to be judged on whose tractor collects the most money for charity. Ed confesses to Brad that he’s never seen George this low. He remarks it’s understandable given the situation with Amber. Brad agrees uneasily. Ed suggests they all go bowling tonight to distract George a bit. Awkward Brad accepts, but later calls George and makes an excuse not to go.Working with George on some trees at Berrow, Ed struggles with his wrist. Alistair spots his predicament and comes to his aid, helping him put a support brace on and recommending he gets it properly checked out. Miserable George reckons Brad doesn’t want to spend time with him. His life’s a disaster. Ed points out George’s family love him but George is inconsolable, declaring it would be better if he was still in prison. Ed counsels that he needs to stop pushing people away or he’ll end up on his own. It’s all too much for George and he hits Ed. Immediately appalled, he apologises to Ed before breaking down in tears. Ed holds him reassuringly.