The Archers

Helen puts her foot in it, and Keira has a trick up her sleeve.

Anne Marie calls at No.1 The Green, hoping to catch Amber. George suggests she waits for her to return from work. However Amber messages to say she’s eating out with a mate. Anne Marie’s philosophical, and George acknowledges it’s good they’ve chatted so things can be less awkward between them all now. It’s hard for Amber being caught in the middle. George persuades Anne Marie to consider an upgrade to a platinum sponsorship package at the Borchester Show, which would include Amber as their dedicated host for the day. Later Anne Marie calls at the Bull and meets Tracy. Anne Marie expresses her gratitude at how warmly Amber’s been accepted into the family fold.
Tracy suggests Adam might be up for some shifts at the Bull when Fallon’s off with Harrison. Lilian’s unsure – Adam might be good in the bar but she can’t see him in the kitchen.
Lilian spots Keira and wants to chat about her upcoming work experience, but Keira ducks away. Bumping into George, Keira confesses she’d rather avoid Lilian for now. However Lilian catches up with her and starts to set out her exciting plans for Keira at Amside. George joins in with the enthusiasm and Keira walks off. Later Keira apologises to Lilian for being rude. She just doesn’t want to work in an office and would rather be somewhere like the Stables. Lilian understands. She resolves to make the work as interesting as she can. Keira asks whether Lilian would be upset if she found another placement. Lilian smiles that she’d get over it – eventually.

David and Ruth have heard nothing from Josh recently other than a fleeting thumbs up. They acknowledge they should be grateful that means he’s doing ok.
Over lunch with Kate, Brian asserts he had a smashing day out yesterday with Martha, Chris and Neil – it’s just a shame Xander wasn’t with them. Brian wants to celebrate the official dissolution of the family partnership, but Kate doesn’t approve. Brian’s also pleased his caravan storage plans look likely to go ahead. He hopes Kate won’t object, but Kate promises nothing.
Tony’s keen for information about his livestock liaison role at the Borchester Show. David assures him just being there on the day will be enough. Tony asks if he might be allowed in on the secret of the mystery guest at the Show, but David’s lips are sealed.
Adam calls Ruth requesting a chat. David admits he’s worried about Adam after Brian’s volte face over the inheritance. Ruth agrees Adam must be feeling like the rug’s been pulled from under him. When Adam moots the idea of Ruth acting as mediator between him and Brian, Ruth’s unsure about getting involved. She wants to know what Adam’s hoping to achieve from the meeting, declaring she’d need to be impartial if she took it on. Later she tells David she’ll give it a go. She hates seeing the Aldridges divided. Brian’s harder to persuade however. He doesn’t want to speak to Adam, still less negotiate with him. Ruth suggests that agreeing to meet Adam and show willing might benefit Brian in the long run. Brian agrees to think about it.

Keira’s not keen on her upcoming work experience placement at Amside – Henry’s sounds much more fun. She invites Henry to her Father’s Day tea with Ed – she could do with someone to chat with George so that she doesn’t have to. The atmosphere gets awkward in the busy Tearoom as Keira accuses George of rudeness when he takes a phone call in the middle of proceedings. Later Keira does her best to blank George, but he tries to engage, giving her advice about how to charm Lilian when she takes on her planned work experience. Keira’s scathing, pointing out that George is hardly in a position to give advice on how to handle Lilian, given he’s been barred from her pub for the past six months.
Anne Marie rings George on the pretext of having questions about the Borchester Show, but it becomes clear she’s fishing for information about elusive Amber.
Ian and Adam discuss the solicitor’s letter that’s been sent to Brian, and his subsequent lack of response. Ian’s keen that Brian’s held to account; Adam needs to fight for what he’s owed. Adam just wants to enjoy Father’s Day. Even if he gets a pay-off from Brian, he’ll never own a farm now. Ian reckons that with his talent, Adam could build something amazing to hand on to Xander. Adam agrees to do some research. Ian suggests that in the meantime they present Brian with a settlement figure. Adam’s sceptical, but Ian reckons a meeting might succeed if they have a mediator. How about Ruth Archer?

Bill and Anne Marie drop in unexpectedly at 1 The Green, while George and Amber are out. Anne Marie’s keen to see if the house meets her expectations for when the baby arrives, before Will gives a guided tour, glossing over how tight a squeeze it will be fitting the cot and baby clothes storage in the bedroom. Will implies that he expects them to stay through the baby’s childhood, before proudly showing Amber’s parents George’s cot in the shed. Anne Marie expresses concern over safety standards, before Amber arrives with George, wishing they’d warned her they were coming. George assures them he used baby-safe paint and Will then tells them how Nic died. Anne Marie assures Amber and George they’ll support them financially as they bring up their child, before Bill and Anne Marie take their leave. Outside, Amber chastises them for turning up without warning and trying to find fault with George. They repeat their offer to help financially. Amber agrees to accept the odd gift, then suggests they meet up at Borchester Show but not before.
Amber admits to feeling wrung out by her parents’ visit. George felt they were judgmental, looking down their noses at the small house. When Amber talks about wanting a space of their own one day, George accuses her of planning her escape and thinking his family aren’t good enough for her. Irritated Amber is tired of trying not to upset both George and her parents, before declaring she’s going for a walk.