The Archers

Brian’s feelings are hurt, and Amber is on tenterhooks.

Brian is disturbed to find Kate working at Grey Gables, but Kate assures Brian she isn’t trying to humiliate him. She simply needs a secure income to enable her to keep Spiritual Home going. For Brian the bigger issue is Kate taking a job from smug Oliver. Kate says she’s more worried than ever about Brian, after recent events. Brian wants her to ask Adam about the letter he presented to him. Brian then corners Oliver, who doubts Miranda will ask after Brian any time soon.
At the cricket Alice tells Kirsty she’s not sure what to do on Father’s Day next week – stick with Martha and Chris or spend it with Brian, who’s practically disowned Adam and Debbie. She envies Kirsty’s uncomplicated life with Erik. Later, Alice tells Kirsty she’s making a Father’s Day kit for Martha to give Chris, while Brian will just have to endure the hell of enforced fun with his own children. Back home, Kate’s keen to hear about Kirsty’s scan. Kirsty compares it to Wren’s scan and how that was all she ever got to know of him. Kate hugs Kirsty before Alice arrives and they talk about babysitting arrangements for tomorrow, now Brian’s persona non grata with Adam. Kate wonders if Alice knows what Brian was hinting at about Adam. Alice doesn’t, but Kirsty’s sure they’ll get it out of Adam tomorrow night.

Alistair greets Jakob with news that the minibus taking them to the World Cup cricket match is stuck with a flat tyre, but thanks to a suggestion by Jakob they manage to fix it. Later, at Edgbaston cricket ground, Tracy is thrilled just to be there, while Alistair’s determined nothing will stop Jim having a wonderful day with his friends. Tracy is delighted that Jakob is relaxing and enjoying himself, before Alistair tells them this is Jim’s unofficial leaving do as he’s catching the Eurostar in the morning then following an extensively researched itinerary known only to him.
Adam phones Brian, chasing up some budget forecasts that need updating. Brian tells him the forecasts are none of his concern now and Adam gives up trying to persuade him otherwise. However, Adam turns up later wanting to check some other figures and Brian again does his best to put him off, before telling Adam he’s going to train Ed to use their system. Adam is astonished, suggesting it makes no sense. Brian reckons Adam no longer has a say in running Home Farm, to which Adam retorts that no-one trusts Brian after a series of embarrassing errors. Adam produces a solicitor’s letter starting legal proceedings to remove Brian from the business, as he’s displaying signs of dementia. But Brian trumps this with a letter of his own, proving that his mental capacity is just fine. If Adam challenges it, he’ll fight him to the bitter end. Brian then tells Adam triumphantly to get off his land!

Stella tells Pip her genomic test kit has arrived and suggests doing it straight away. Pip demurs, asking whether Stella will still want to marry her if it’s bad news. Upset Stella wonders how Pip can even ask that, before walking out. Pip then reveals to Ruth that she ordered the test. Ruth assumed they’d at least talk it over first, but Pip explains both her and Stella couldn’t cope with the stress of waiting, while acknowledging the result will have implications for all the family. Ruth admits she’s a little hurt but not cross, then apologises for not being as supportive as she might have been. Pip reasons that she won’t do the test until after the wedding, explaining to Stella that she doesn’t want anything to spoil their big day. Stella was too worked up earlier to understand, but she does now, before inviting Pip and Rosie to move into the bungalow.
Tracy and Susan discuss Bert settling in well at Clive’s flat, though neither of them really believes the glowing reports they’re getting. Susan encourages Tracy to take the full-time job in the Dairy, but Tracy’s worried she’ll end up looking after Bert once more. Susan offers to share the care if it comes to that, before Tracy talks to Helen and explains her dilemma. She’s realised that caring for Bert over the years stopped her being there more for Chelsea and Brad. Helen’s sympathetic, managing to talk Tracy into accepting her offer. Later, proud Susan insists on buying Tracy’s lunch to celebrate her new job.

At Home Farm David tackles Brian about the wisdom of going it alone, but Brian’s determined it’s the only course to follow, after the way Adam and Debbie ambushed him. David argues Adam’s case as a great farmer, also citing Brian’s U-turn over the inheritance. Brian firmly rebuts David’s intercession on Adam’s behalf, before Ed approaches, having overheard some of this. Ed then tells David how difficult it is being caught between Adam and Brian. Later, David informs Amber that the Borchester Show wi-fi has been upgraded but admits there are two big gaps among the trade stands, including the car dealership one. Amber tells David she might be able to help with that… Amber then drops in at Little Grange, seeking Ed’s advice about whether she should ask her dad to take the car dealership stand, when things are still fraught between her and her parents. Ed reckons it should work as a straightforward business proposition.
Martyn calls Adam to check this afternoon’s meeting is still on and to express concern over Brian’s recent behaviour. Adam then phones irritable Brian, wanting to make sure they’re singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to the Estate contract. The meeting itself is tricky, with Martyn seeking reassurance the contract will be fulfilled. However, Brian makes a mistake over a detail in the schedule and when Martyn pulls him up on this Brian storms out, leaving Adam to cover. But for Martyn this is the last chance for Home Farm.