<description>&lt;p&gt;Denise hatches a plan and Alice attempts to prove herself&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Denise hatches a plan

Denise hatches a plan and Alice attempts to prove herself

01/05/2024

<description>&lt;p&gt;Alistair is clipping Monty’s claws as he and Robert agree what an asset Denise is to the vet’s practice. They chat about Sunday’s cricket win over Darrington and Linda’s worry that she might not get enough volunteers to prepare the teas for the T20 match during May Bank Holiday weekend. Jim arrives with Alistair’s forgotten packed lunch. They agree to meet for a drink later at The Bull. Robert remarks how happy Alistair seems these days and says he might adopt a similar approach to working with Lynda. Instead of getting annoyed, he’s going to focus on him and Lynda being a team. Later at The Bull, Jim offers to help Robert with his ancient mystery puzzle and they agree to make a night of it. Alistair joins them and, while Robert is at the bar, Jim says he will be spending the night at Ambridge Hall and Alistair should take the opportunity to spend some time alone with Denise. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;George is not happy about Eddie’s sign advertising Bartleby The Talking Horse. Eddie thinks they’re on to a financial winner if they charge people to visit and take pictures with the pony. Linda arrives for a chat - with Bartleby (the cause celebre) – prompting an indignant protest from George that Bartleby talks about people, not to them. They risk damaging his brand. Eddie sharply points to George that were it not for his idea there would be no brand. George sulkily posts Bartleby and Linda’s gossipy video about a dancing vet but soon changes his tune when it starts racking up thousands of views.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jim makes a surprising offer.

Alistair is clipping Monty’s claws as he and Robert agree what an asset Denise is to the vet’s practice. They chat about Sunday’s cricket win over Darrington and Linda’s worry that she might not get enough volunteers to prepare the teas for the T20 match during May Bank Holiday weekend. Jim arrives with Alistair’s forgotten packed lunch. They agree to meet for a drink later at The Bull. Robert remarks how happy Alistair seems these days and says he might adopt a similar approach to working with Lynda. Instead of getting annoyed, he’s going to focus on him and Lynda being a team. Later at The Bull, Jim offers to help Robert with his ancient mystery puzzle and they agree to make a night of it. Alistair joins them and, while Robert is at the bar, Jim says he will be spending the night at Ambridge Hall and Alistair should take the opportunity to spend some time alone with Denise. George is not happy about Eddie’s sign advertising Bartleby The Talking Horse. Eddie thinks they’re on to a financial winner if they charge people to visit and take pictures with the pony. Linda arrives for a chat - with Bartleby (the cause celebre) – prompting an indignant protest from George that Bartleby talks about people, not to them. They risk damaging his brand. Eddie sharply points to George that were it not for his idea there would be no brand. George sulkily posts Bartleby and Linda’s gossipy video about a dancing vet but soon changes his tune when it starts racking up thousands of views.

30/04/2024

<description>&lt;p&gt;Alice is groggy when Jakob - hammering on the door - finally manages to rouse her. She needs to call the nursery as she forgot to tell them Kate would be picking Martha up. Alice is defensive when Jakob tells her Kate thought something terrible had happened when she didn’t answer her phone after calling in sick. Jakob’s suspicions grow when he notices Alice’s phone is under the coffee table, where its ringing should have woken her – then, as he’s about to leave, he notices a poorly-hidden empty wine bottle. Alice tries to talk her way out of it but he says he’ll have to tell Kate. Alice promises it’s a one-off and says she’ll call her sponsor, Lisa, if he’ll keep her secret. She says she can’t risk Martha being taken away from her. Reluctantly, Jakob agrees.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chelsea is being trained by Emma at the Tea Room, although her experience at The Orangery has Chelsea overflowing with confidence. Robert comes in for a cup of tea and she is soon trying to persuade him to buy cake as well – her overselling of the various teas is overwhelming and he buys a cappuccino instead. Almost as soon as he has finished his drink she is fussing around him and urging him to buy another. He’s engrossed in a mystery game Lynda bought him for Christmas but Chelsea won’t relent and pretty soon drives him out of the Tearoom. She starts boasting about what she has done, but far from being impressed, Emma is horrified, saying Robert is a loyal customer.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jakob makes a shocking discovery.

Alice is groggy when Jakob - hammering on the door - finally manages to rouse her. She needs to call the nursery as she forgot to tell them Kate would be picking Martha up. Alice is defensive when Jakob tells her Kate thought something terrible had happened when she didn’t answer her phone after calling in sick. Jakob’s suspicions grow when he notices Alice’s phone is under the coffee table, where its ringing should have woken her – then, as he’s about to leave, he notices a poorly-hidden empty wine bottle. Alice tries to talk her way out of it but he says he’ll have to tell Kate. Alice promises it’s a one-off and says she’ll call her sponsor, Lisa, if he’ll keep her secret. She says she can’t risk Martha being taken away from her. Reluctantly, Jakob agrees.Chelsea is being trained by Emma at the Tea Room, although her experience at The Orangery has Chelsea overflowing with confidence. Robert comes in for a cup of tea and she is soon trying to persuade him to buy cake as well – her overselling of the various teas is overwhelming and he buys a cappuccino instead. Almost as soon as he has finished his drink she is fussing around him and urging him to buy another. He’s engrossed in a mystery game Lynda bought him for Christmas but Chelsea won’t relent and pretty soon drives him out of the Tearoom. She starts boasting about what she has done, but far from being impressed, Emma is horrified, saying Robert is a loyal customer.

29/04/2024

<description>&lt;p&gt;Lynda greets Azra as she takes a guided tour of Lower Loxley with Joy and Mick. Azra tells Lynda that her family will be renting a house on Beechwood. She adds that she and Joy went to the dance class at St Stephen’s and they were the only ones there, apart from Alistair. Lynda suggests Azra visit the herb garden and waxes lyrical about life in the countryside. But Azra has no desire to get involved in community events, particularly not Maypole dancing or the Ambridge Christmas play. Lynda points out tartly there’s something for everyone – the annual Flower and Produce, harvest suppers, summer fetes and even Bartleby the talking horse. What Azra prefers the clear air of the countryside and relaxing at home with a box set. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chelsea can’t decide between a job at The Bull or the Tearoom but Emma has no time to chat – she’s busy with tree surgery business. Emma’s exasperated but realises Chelsea won’t stop until she gives her some advice. Chelsea really wants to be able to use her new job to find customers for her hairdressing business but Emma says that wouldn’t be appropriate. If it’s just about making extra cash, why doesn’t she choose the one that uses skills she already has, asks Emma. Chelsea notices a package delivered by Will earlier – it’s branded fleeces and t-shirts for the tree surgery business. The pair laugh at Will’s suggested name – Ultimate Arboriculture. Emma decides to save the gift until they are away on the course, so Ed isn’t tempted to thump Will.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

There’s a surprise for Emma.

Lynda greets Azra as she takes a guided tour of Lower Loxley with Joy and Mick. Azra tells Lynda that her family will be renting a house on Beechwood. She adds that she and Joy went to the dance class at St Stephen’s and they were the only ones there, apart from Alistair. Lynda suggests Azra visit the herb garden and waxes lyrical about life in the countryside. But Azra has no desire to get involved in community events, particularly not Maypole dancing or the Ambridge Christmas play. Lynda points out tartly there’s something for everyone – the annual Flower and Produce, harvest suppers, summer fetes and even Bartleby the talking horse. What Azra prefers the clear air of the countryside and relaxing at home with a box set. Chelsea can’t decide between a job at The Bull or the Tearoom but Emma has no time to chat – she’s busy with tree surgery business. Emma’s exasperated but realises Chelsea won’t stop until she gives her some advice. Chelsea really wants to be able to use her new job to find customers for her hairdressing business but Emma says that wouldn’t be appropriate. If it’s just about making extra cash, why doesn’t she choose the one that uses skills she already has, asks Emma. Chelsea notices a package delivered by Will earlier – it’s branded fleeces and t-shirts for the tree surgery business. The pair laugh at Will’s suggested name – Ultimate Arboriculture. Emma decides to save the gift until they are away on the course, so Ed isn’t tempted to thump Will.

28/04/2024

<description>&lt;p&gt;Azra reveals she is going to be moving in to Beechwood and, delighted, Joy quickly shares all her intel on the local residents, before inviting her new neighbour to join her later at Denise’s Dance Fit class at the Church.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alistair has a pub date with Laura from the Little Croxley cricket team. The conversation quickly becomes stilted, and Laura politely asks what’s going on. Alistair is sorry for messing Laura about and makes excuses. The actual issue is someone else, but it’s complicated. Laura’s not offended but knows that it’s time to leave Alistair and re-join her friends who are sitting at another table. She wishes him well, and good luck with his “situationship”.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alistair goes to find Denise at the church and explains that he liked Laura – but his mind was elsewhere. Denise laughs as Alistair recalls how he embarrassed himself, but gets upsets when she realises no-one’s there for her fitness class, apart from Alistair who’s volunteered to take part. Denise heads to the vestry to pack up her equipment. She admits everything is upsetting her – not least their work situation and fear of Paul noticing and wondering what’s going on. Trying to act normal is impossible, and then at home she knows that John knows something’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk. Alistair comforts Denise and they have a passionate embrace, but stop as they hear Joy and Azra arriving in the church, leaving flustered Denise to re-focus on the class. Denise and Alistair wonder what they’re playing at.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Alistair takes the plunge.

Azra reveals she is going to be moving in to Beechwood and, delighted, Joy quickly shares all her intel on the local residents, before inviting her new neighbour to join her later at Denise’s Dance Fit class at the Church.Alistair has a pub date with Laura from the Little Croxley cricket team. The conversation quickly becomes stilted, and Laura politely asks what’s going on. Alistair is sorry for messing Laura about and makes excuses. The actual issue is someone else, but it’s complicated. Laura’s not offended but knows that it’s time to leave Alistair and re-join her friends who are sitting at another table. She wishes him well, and good luck with his “situationship”.Alistair goes to find Denise at the church and explains that he liked Laura – but his mind was elsewhere. Denise laughs as Alistair recalls how he embarrassed himself, but gets upsets when she realises no-one’s there for her fitness class, apart from Alistair who’s volunteered to take part. Denise heads to the vestry to pack up her equipment. She admits everything is upsetting her – not least their work situation and fear of Paul noticing and wondering what’s going on. Trying to act normal is impossible, and then at home she knows that John knows something’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk. Alistair comforts Denise and they have a passionate embrace, but stop as they hear Joy and Azra arriving in the church, leaving flustered Denise to re-focus on the class. Denise and Alistair wonder what they’re playing at.

26/04/2024

An intense and gripping week of events unfolds in Ambridge. Listen to all the drama here.

The Archers

Details

Recent Episodes