WRITER: Nick Warburton DIRECTOR: Kim Greengrass & Marina Caldarone EDITOR: Jeremy Howe

Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries Tom Archer…. William Troughton Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler Megan Miller…. Susan Twist Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen Sarah Byron…. Michelle Greenidge

Kirsty tells Helen she’s sorry to see her mum go. And the surprising thing is that Megan’s purse and phone turned up in her bag, which she’d already searched. They agree that’s weird. Talks turns to Kirsty’s private sale of her house to Helen, who mentions she’d like a survey. She’d also like to keep the curtains if that’s possible. Later after some thought, Kirsty asks to keep them. With the sale of Willow Farm looming, it’s one less thing to worry about. Helen’s understanding.

Emma and Will visit George in prison and are unnerved when George points out an inmate called Baseball, who looks scary. George explains that if he’s on your side, you’re laughing. When Will mentions that they’re trying to get George moved to a Young Offenders Institute, George thanks them but says he’s fine where he is. George adds that his cellmate is alright when you get to know him, and he’s making a few friends; people who’ll look out for you and watch your back. So he’s not going anywhere.

Later Emma tells Susan that George was like his old self, full of confidence and mouthy. Susan thinks that’s good news, but Emma isn’t so sure. When Susan asks whether Emma sent her love, she guesses George didn’t say anything, and Emma confirms that he just looked away. Susan presumes it’s because George still blames her for putting him inside. Emma reckons he’ll come round, but then suddenly admits she hates George being in prison. He’s changing and making friends with some terrifying people. It feels worse than if George was being bullied.

Kirsty’s with Megan at Rewilding Ambridge where they chat about Fallon’s leaving do last night. Megan thinks Tom and Natasha were a bit on edge, but Kirsty reckons Megan’s imagining things. Rex tells them he’s just been running a trial of their website’s virtual tour. It’s running in a beta version at the moment before it’s finalised and goes live.

Megan cautions Kirsty to be careful selling her Beechwood house to Helen without an agent. Kirsty berates her for being interfering like she was when she grilled Rex earlier about having a girlfriend. Kirsty and Rex have a business relationship and she can manage her own life.

Justin tries out the virtual tour, mis-hits a key and a computerised version of Rex’s voice tells him that he’ll be the guide for the tour. Justin asks to be shown what’s happening with the rewilding this morning. ‘Rex’ explains that brambles are being cleared and Justin muses out loud that Kirsty’s working even though rewilding’s days are numbered. When ‘Rex’ repeats that Kirsty’s working when it all seems a bit pointless, Justin wonders what’s going on. ‘Rex’ invites Justin to visit the ‘Future of Ambridge Room’. There Justin sees a vision where wildlife and vegetation flourish. Then ‘Rex’ outlines the alternative; fields of mono-crops, a lack of wildlife and insects and a dead River Am. When Justin asks what would happen to the people if the rewilding stopped, ‘Rex’ states that Kirsty will lose her job and may give up hope and move away. She may disappear.

At the fireworks at Jubilee Field, Kirsty and Megan wonder if they’ll bump into Megan’s mystery rescuer. Megan describes him as charming and quiet, although interested in the rewilding. Kirsty thinks Rewilding Ambridge’s days are numbered and isn’t really in the mood for Fallon’s farewell do at the Tearoom.

Later, Fallon tells the gathered throng that she had no idea about her surprise send off. Natasha and Helen make a speech singing Fallon’s praises, although afterwards Natasha admits to Fallon that she was disappointed by the way Fallon left. Fallon tells Harrison later that she’s feeling nervous about being her own boss.

Megan’s frosty when she and Kirsty bump into Tom and Natasha. They quickly head off to circulate, whispering that Megan’s obviously not a woman to bear a grudge! Kirsty admonishes Megan afterwards saying she made her peace with Tom ages ago. Megan broaches the subject of Kirsty both moving on from her work and from being single, but Kirsty makes it clear she’s fine as she is.

Harrison gets a police call out and has to leave early. Helen catches him on his way out asking him how he’s finding working full-time. Harrison’s cautious in his response saying it’s full on sometimes, but he’s not complaining.

Tom thinks Natasha’s been too generous with Fallon, considering she hasn’t made things easy for them and will have a business to rival the Tearoom. And Fallon’s not going to be easy to replace. Natasha says she has someone in mind – her! Tom’s not convinced, especially when Natasha says she’s considering selling Summer Orchard to do it.

Emma surveys a tree for Sarah Byron who explains she’s an MP and had heard about their tree business from Ed at the Fun Run yesterday. Later wrong-footed Emma confronts Ed who explains why he met up with Sarah. It was because he didn’t want Emma to know about George being bullied in prison and wanted to fix it first. So Ed and Will were asking for Sarah’s help to get George moved. Ed suggests that Emma outlines what they’re doing when she visits George.

Justin gives Lilian a lift en route to a BL meeting about the future of the rewilding land. Lilian wishes Justin wasn’t pursuing it. They’re interrupted by the sight of a woman by the roadside. Lilian thinks she looks upset but Justin speeds past. However on his way back, Justin agrees to give the woman a lift. She explains she’d discovered she’d lost her phone and purse on her way to Ambridge and the taxi driver had abandoned her. She introduces herself as Megan, explaining that she’s visiting her daughter whose business is hanging in the balance. Justin counsels being ruthless if her daughter wants to turn a profit. But Megan says her daughter’s not like that. Justin’s quietly shocked when Megan reveals that her daughter works in rewilding and is called Kirsty. As Justin drops Megan off she’s sorry she’s made Justin miss his meeting. He says that’s ok before driving briskly off so that he doesn’t have to reveal his name. Later Justin won’t talk to Lilian about the BL meeting, enigmatically stating that the matter remains undecided.

Ed and Will discuss the news from Brad that George is being bullied in prison. Ed wants to sort it before telling Emma. He’s been researching how to get George moved from an adult prison and as a result has sent a message to MP Sarah Byron. Sarah’s at a family fun run in Borchester today and Ed thinks he and Will should try to bump into her there. Later they jog up to Sarah and explain George’s situation. Sarah agrees to see what she can do, but cautions not overestimating what’s achievable. As she departs Ed hands her a business card with his contact details on and Sarah muses that she may need some tree surgery. She might give him a call.

At Grey Gables, Brad tells Justin he’s been working on some videos for the EV Charging Station, using George’s drone. He also mentions that Rewilding Ambridge are upgrading their website with a virtual tour, so that Justin can see the point of all of the rewilding. It’s going to use a sample of Rex’s voice using AI. But Justin’s distracted by the table he’d booked for one, turning out to be a table for two. And the other diner is Miranda. They fight over whose table it is but as neither will budge, end up eating together. Miranda berates Justin for the way he’s dealing with Kirsty and Rex, saying he's heartless and has always put business first. He’s Like some skinflint Scrooge now. When Miranda first met Justin it was his kindness that she fell for. Miranda leaves wondering where that’s all gone.

Justin drives Martyn home from a business event where Martyn overdid the fizz. Justin discusses the Rewilding Ambridge project and his meeting with Kirsty and Rex. He has serious reservations and might suggest BL knock the partnership on the head. When Justin mentions how much he enjoyed tearing a strip off Kirsty and Rex, Martyn’s critical; he no longer relishes stories like that. Justin’s car suddenly breaks down, and while they wait for help, Justin wonders what Martyn meant. Martyn explains he no longer takes pleasure in the misfortunes of others. In fact his acquisition of wealth has become a burden. He warns Justin not to make the same mistakes as him and to be alert to the signs; Justin will recognise them when he sees them. Justin’s surprised when he tries the car and it starts up again.

Ed bumps into Brad and thanks him for visiting George in prison. When Ed wonders why George hasn’t asked the family to visit, Brad makes his excuses and leaves. Brad then tentatively broaches the subject of prison with Helen, wondering what to do about George being bullied there. Helen suggests Brad talks to George’s parents, but Brad’s reluctant because George doesn’t want to panic them. Helen convinces Brad that he needs to do something, he’d never forgive himself if anything happened to George. Later Brad visits Ed admitting that he didn’t tell Emma the truth about George and that George is being bullied. Ed says they need to get George out of that prison. He doesn’t know how but there must be someone who can help.

Harrison bumps into Helen on the way to the Tearoom to see Fallon. They discuss George and how he won’t let the Grundys or Carters visit him in prison. Helen then outlines the Tearoom’s plans for Fallon’s big send-off to her new café. They want Fallon to realise how irreplaceable she is. When Helen mentions having it on Bonfire Night at Jubilee Field, Harrison wonders if somewhere more private might be better. Helen’s left mulling about an after-party at The Tearoom.

Khalil meets up with Henry at Bridge Farm for a nosey round. Azra’s agreed to a visit from Hilda the cat for a couple of days, on the basis that she’s a brilliant mouser. The fact that she can be vicious to humans is perfect for Khalil’s plans! When Henry wonders what these are, Khalil explains that Azra is only considering a cat as a pet, but after having Hilda she might decide chickens are a safer option.

Lilian confronts Justin about leaving Kirsty hanging over Rewilding Ambridge’s future, especially as it’s something that’s dear to Peggy’s heart. Justin counters that Kirsty just needs to put together a new water-tight business plan – it is a business arrangement after all. When Lilian points out it’s sometimes good to put others before yourself, Justin wants to be spared the moral lecture. But Lilian’s tired of serving as Justin’s conscience and reminds Justin about how close she came to ending things with him last year. She advises that he thinks long and hard about dismissing other people’s feelings – especially hers.

Justin’s at Rewilding Ambridge for a meeting about its future. Rex explains their hopes for renewing the existing agreement and some strategies for increasing footfall. They’re also upgrading their website; Brad’s got Robert’s help with the interactive side. But all Justin’s interested in is a solid five-year business plan. He tells them to get their house in order before they meet again. Kirsty and Rex are left feeling that Rewilding Ambridge is hanging in the balance.

Harrison has a meeting with his boss, Inspector Norris. He’s concerned that due to lack of staffing Harrison’s doing more admin rather than actual police work. When he asks if it’s because Norris thinks he can’t handle the job, she’s reassuring. Later Harrison apologises to Norris who wonders whether returning to full-time work might be contributing to the pressure. But Harrison says his priority is Fallon’s happiness and he’s doing his best to support her in every way he can.

Khalil bumps into Henry at The Bull where the results of the kitten naming competition are being announced. Khalil reckons ‘Tortoise’ is a bit basic, and Henry agrees even though it was Jack’s winning entry. Khalil tells Henry how he really wants some pets - chickens in particular, but Azra’s said no to any pets. Khalil wonders if Henry’s up for helping with that. Later Henry pushes the benefits of pets to Azra who sees through it. However, she might consider trialling a cat. Khalil isn’t that pleased because he’d rather have chickens. But when Henry talks about how evil Hilda the cat is, Khalil formulates a plan.

Kirsty and Rex take up Brad’s offer to revamp the rewilding website. Rex thinks it should be interactive and if they incorporate AI then a test website could be made really quickly. Kirsty comes across their lease agreement with Borchester Land, admitting she’s forgotten it expires soon. She’s been distracted by the private sale of her Beechwood house to Helen. They decide to flag the lease to BL as soon as possible and renegotiate the terms. They’ll reach out to Stella first as she’s looking after the BL’s environmental side. Later Stella agrees to meet up with them, but cautions talking to Justin directly as she can only offer guidance to BL. But Kirsty’s still worried – if BL were to pull out the whole rewilding project falls apart.

At The bull, Jolene struggles with not saying “my darling” and forfeits a pound with each mention. She visits Fallon’s EV Charging station unit, but when Jolene mentions it’s a bit smaller than the original plan, Fallon admits there’s been a mix-up. Jolene also wonders whether Fallon’s meat and dairy free brief is a bit niche. Fallon’s irritated; she invited Jolene there to share the excitement of her new venture, not to pick holes in it. Later Jolene gets fed up with trying not to say, “my darling” and she and Kenton agree to put an end to the challenge. They catch up with Fallon to tentatively check about the impact of the new café on Fallon and Harrison’s relationship. But Fallon shuts them down saying things have never been better between them.

Collector Wesley Hutchinson arrives at The Bull to look at the collection of Shires memorabilia. Lilian and Jolene show him into the cellar where Wesley says he’d be willing to take the entire collection off their hands. But when Jolene wants to talk money, Wesley would rather finalise the deal with Kenton. It’s either that or the deal is off. When Wesley goes, Kenton tells Jolene they made a tidy sum but explains that Wesley felt that all of the ‘darlings’ from Jolene and Lilian were patronising. When Jolene’s hurt by it, Kenton’s reassuring and then comes up with the idea of making The Bull a ‘darling free zone’.

Justin meets Brad At the EV Charging Station, explaining he’s had a word with the Cellcharge team. They’d like Brad to make a promotional video prior to the station’s opening next year. Brad starts to outline the cost of George’s packages, but Justin’s not interested. Instead he explains that he would rather they negotiated something between them. When Brad says he’d have to run it by George, Justin reckons it looks like more trouble than he’d realised. Back-tracking, Brad asks Justin what he’d suggest. Brad’s flustered when Justin comes up with a low rate, explaining that Brad would also have the added benefit of being recommended to Justin’s business associates. But Justin’s shifty when Lilian arrives unexpectedly and suggests they catch up about it all later. Lilian’s furious with Justin for doing a deal with George’s business and warns him that if he’s not careful, he can forget Christmas in the Caribbean!