The Archers

Natasha hatches a plan, and Harrison is touched by a surprising notion.

Visiting the vicarage, Pat reiterates Henry and Khalil’s apology to Alan and recommends a glazier, but says she’s mainly come to say how upset Henry is. Defensively, Alan retorts that he shouted at them because the lads didn’t use their brains. Also he’s run off his feet, without this trouble on top. He reminds Pat of the time Henry vandalised the church door, and suggests Pat has never forgiven him about Rob’s baptism.
As Chelsea cuts Justin’s hair dramatically short to his instruction, he says he’s not worried about a complete restyle, and can grow it back if he doesn’t like it. He’s delighted with the result and wonders aloud about a return to the brown colour of his youth. Chelsea steers him away from this, complimenting his grey hair. Justin then focuses on his skin worries – can she recommend someone who can treat his aging skin? Her friend Keisha does treatments such at fillers but Chelsea suggests starting with skin care products.
Justin feels great, and once over her shock, Lilian says she likes his hair. When Justin shares his worries about his face collapsing at an alarming rate, Lilian at first gently teases him, but seeing his despair says she understands – she’s been trying to reverse the signs of aging since her 30s. She thinks it’s exhausting, expensive and not such a worry for men as women. Justin feels the reality of aging has just hit him – he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life tweaking his appearance, nor does he want to feel the way he does now.

Fallon admits to Jolene that she slept better at The Bull last night than she has for ages. House sharing with Harrison since the split has been ok, but now it’s making her sad. She doesn’t want to stay married, but it’s difficult to transition to being mates. Jolene questions what would happen if Fallon wanted to date, but Fallon says it’s far too early for that. Jolene asks Fallon to consider moving in with her and Kenton, but Fallon says no. She’s put so much work into creating her home, and she’d feel vulnerable if she ran away to The Bull.
On the last day of holidays before they start their final school year, Khalil and Henry play cricket by the river. They discuss what they’ll do after GCSEs. Henry wishes he could miss college and start at Bridge Farm. Khalil would like to work outside eventually, and will probably also go to college.
Alan is at home leaving a message for Carol on the phone when his window is smashed by a cricket ball. He’s furious and not calmed by Khalil and Henry’s apologies. In their defence, they didn’t realise Henry could hit the ball that far. They offer to pay but Alan’s also angry about the inconvenience of a broken window. They have no idea of the pressure he’s under and tell them to get lost.
Back at Bridge Farm, Pat is angered to hear of Alan’s response to what was clearly an accident and an apology. To her it sounds like Alan was completely out of order.

Justin is horrified to hear that a highly unflattering photo of him has appeared on the village website. Khalil has caught him walking Ruby off lead in his distinctive purple velour tracksuit and has posted it. Justin angrily demands that Khalil removes it. Although Khalil is disappointed that people are commenting negatively on Justin’s appearance, his intention was to educate about dog walking rules, and name and shame those who break them. He argues that Justin was trespassing on Grange Farm land, and had a dog off lead close to livestock. Also, people are upset about Monty and want to express how they feel. Justin calls his solicitor, threatening legal action against Khalil if he doesn’t remove the photo. But Lilian twigs the truth – Justin is upset about the comments describing him as a hunched old man. Justin admits it’s made him see himself in a different light – he’s looked in the mirror and he’s old!
Harrison’s police force friend, Leon, arrives from Yorkshire, and Fallon says she’ll work in her room out of the way. Over some beers, Leon gets the truth out of Harrison about Lily. Leon’s surprised and he’s not sure that getting off with a much younger woman, who lives in the same village, when you’re still house-sharing with your ex, is a great idea. Harrison and Leon are enjoying cocktails and burritos when Fallon comes down with her overnight bag. The situation is weird for her and although Harrison protests, she’s going to stay the night at The Bull.

Amber and George are tucking into a chippy dinner as Amber states they’re celebrating George’s first week at Gordons. George managed to make a sale, Amber argues she would count the sale to Martyn Gibson bringing him up to two sales. George questions why he’s so determined to work in farming when there are easier careers. Horrified Amber says farming is part of George and she doesn’t want him to lose that. George insists it was just a thought and that Bartleby would haunt him if really gave it up.
Khalil spooks Keira by following her as she walks Holly. Khalil says she’s trespassing and shouldn’t be walking Holly there; Keira corrects him that this land is Oliver’s and she has permission. Khalil says he’s trying to protect the sheep at Grange Farm. Keira asks if he wants to talk about the attack. She points out the signs warning dog walkers and says it’s not Khalil’s job to protect the sheep. They spot someone walking their dog where they shouldn’t be and realise it’s Justin. Khalil takes a picture and posts it online to publicly shame Justin.
Robert and Lynda are now doubting their do-nothing response to their horrible guest’s online comments. Robert finds an old tennis ball with a date written on it. Lynda realises it is the first ball she ever threw Monty but presumed the ball was destroyed. Lynda’s phone rings and it’s Harrison saying they’ve found a nice home for Monty, much to the bittersweet relief of the Snells.