The Archers

At Lower Loxley, Chelsea’s wrestling with the right formula for her chocolate cauldron. Vince isn’t happy when people seem to be cutting corners by finding nine hats instead of the requisite ten. Chelsea asserts it’s not important – the point is to make happy memories for the kids so the parents will come back again. Vince persists with his argument, sending families back for the last hat. Freddie lets them know one hat’s gone missing, and agrees with Chelsea that it’s all just a bit of fun. He heads off to sort out disgruntled children. Vince reckons all this makes managing the abattoir seem like a walk in the park. It’s been mayhem. He’s impressed with the smart way Chelsea’s handled her side of it.Esme’s been looking forward to the Lower Loxley Halloween event; it’s a break from poring over her dad’s finances. They linger in the nursery as Rosie falls prey to the missing witch hat issue. As Pip and Esme chat Freddie informs them Rosie’s donated her hat, so they’re back on track with the trail. Pip points o

Having seen the size of the Brookfield herd yesterday, it’s dawned on Esme that she’s asking too much of the family. It’s clear Ruth can’t be at Meadow Farm every day. Esme promises that after her dad’s funeral she’ll sort it out. She admits to feeling hopelessly underskilled to deal with the urgent problem of the livestock. Pip counters that the way Esme pitched in to help with the errant heifer was impressive. Clocking Pip’s predicament over a lack of a witch costume for Rosie, Esme offers to lend her one. She has all her old dressing up stuff in the attic at Meadow Farm. There’s a poignant moment as Esme reflects on her childhood with her dad. Later she furnishes Pip with the perfect outfit for Rosie. Pip asks Esme if she’s considered staying on and continuing the farm. Esme’s not sure she loves it enough. Pip invites her along to the Lower Loxley Halloween event.Freddie updates Vince on the costume he’ll be wearing for the event. He agrees to help solve a problem with the chocolate cauldron for Elizabeth.

Freddie chats to a disgruntled Pip, whose plans have again been disrupted due to the ongoing needs of Meadow Farm. She hasn’t yet met Esme but admits she’s certainly making her life difficult. Freddie suggests a night at the Lower Loxley Halloween witch hat hunt might be just the break Pip needs. Pip assures him she already has her tickets. Josh reports a cow with mastitis at Meadow Farm, and Pip reckons Esme’s going to have to face the fact the cows need to be sold. Josh offers to take Rosie to choose a Halloween outfit to ease the pressure on stressed Pip. However he has to cut the trip short when Pip alerts him there’s a rogue heifer in with their cows. As they try to wrangle the heifer, Esme arrives and offers to help. Between them they soon have the heifer sorted and Josh returns her to her rightful farm. Pip thanks Esme, who had been coming in peace with wine by way of apology for her demands on Brookfield. Pip acknowledges it’s nice to finally meet her.Freddie calls in on George suggesting they go for

George is helping with a tree surgery job at the rewilding. Emma’s enjoying the chance for a chat with her son. She suggests she’d like to expose Lilian’s bad attitude to the press. George points out that won’t help his cause, which Emma accepts. Will arrives with refreshments, buoying up George with praise for his efforts. George reckons until he can drive again and get proper work he’s not going to feel great – though he does admit he feels much better being outdoors. However Justin takes a dim view – he wants George off the job. Emma’s irate but George agrees to leave. Will tries to reassure him. People will forgive in time. George is starting to hate the expression ‘give it time’. He’s struggling to re-establish himself and feels Amber must be sick of having a useless fiancé that no-one likes.Miranda wants to clarify things with Lilian regarding her offer on the house at Home Farm. Justin speculates on her motives. He observes wryly she’s probably using the proceeds from their divorce. Lilian reminds him

Pip’s downhearted to learn she’s on her own with the milking again, with Ruth at Meadow Farm. Pip’s trying to juggle this busier working pattern with Rosie’s half term. With Josh doing what he can with his own business to run, and suddenly finding themselves managing two farms, it’s a tricky ask. Pip wants Rosie to feel like she’s the most important thing in her life. Josh promises to talk to their parents. Pip’s grateful; Esme has to realise this can’t go on.There’s an awkward moment for Tracy at the Bull as Kenton’s eager to see their award trophy. She offers to display it on a high shelf out of harm’s way. Kenton would like a better look at it, but Tracy’s adamant it’s in the perfect place.Eddie’s on a mission to sell his turkeys. He persuades Joy to order one before approaching the Bull with his flyers. Tracy wonders if people will want to buy from a Grundy. Kenton points out that George’s imprisonment didn’t affect sales last year, but Tracy reckons it could be different now George is out and visible aga

With George in bed most of the day, Emma worries to Will about his state of mind. They agree he needs a purpose – low mood is common after leaving prison. Will remarks that Amber perks him up, though George is unhappy she’s paying for everything. Emma thinks being barred from the Bull hasn’t helped. She heads off to appeal to Lilian as one mother to another, but finds little sympathy there. Lilian maintains that George has been rude and unpleasant. Emma accuses her of being a hypocrite, taking pleasure in making George an outcast. Lilian insists the Bull isn’t responsible for George’s rehabilitation. Tracy tries to soothe upset Emma, stating Lilian’s only trying to protect Alice. But Emma remains worried about George’s future. She begs Tracy to try and persuade Lilian to think again, but Tracy insists she can’t. Emma snaps that she thought family meant as much to Tracy as it does to her. Emma reports back to Will. Will reckons if George’s support worker can’t be of more help, they need to do it themselves. He