The Archers

Robert tidies up the garden at Ambridge Hall in preparation for some tricky regular guests. When Lynda surveys the garden later she thinks they should rewild it, upsetting Robert. He’s spent all morning getting it into shape and thinks if Lynda wants to rewild it, she can do it herself. Later when Lynda apologises for being thoughtless, Robert just wishes she’d had her rewilding epiphany earlier!Emma nervously asks Fallon whether she or Harrison made a complaint about her to the Parish Council. Shocked Fallon confirms they didn’t, but is interrupted by Mick piping up to say that he was the one who complained. Emma’s son caused the car crash and she covered it up. Joy and Fallon could’ve died in it. Emma points out that she handed her own son in to the police, and hopes Mick never finds himself in an impossible situation, damned whichever way he turns. Because Mick might be surprised by what he finds himself doing.Later Mick tells Fallon that he feels terrible about upsetting Emma. He wonders if he was wrong to complain about her, but just wanted to do something. He’s felt useless since the crash. Fallon says it’s complicated and Emma only did what she did because she was desperate. They both admit they still have nightmares about the crash and Fallon suggests telling Joy how he feels. Joy’s sympathetic when Mick opens up later, but says that in order to truly come to terms with the crash, he’s got to find forgiveness, otherwise how will any of them move on?

Ben’s working at the GP surgery where he bumps into Azra, who’s concerned about Zainab. Azra thinks Zainab thinks should be putting in applications for university. Otherwise her gap year could end up being permanent. Zainab arrives and Azra seizes her opportunity to turn the conversation back to university, encouraging Ben to say he’s enjoying his course. In fact she’ll pay for Ben and Azra to discuss it over a hot chocolate. Zainab’s not keen until Azra throws in a take-away later. Zainab explains to Ben that she’s not sure she wants to go to university, but her mum shouldn’t worry - she just needs a bit of time to work things out.Lynda notices that Mick’s looking a bit below par. He explains that ticket sales for the Christmas Brunch at The Bull are very slow. He talked Jolene and Kenton into doing it, because he was really keen to be Father Christmas. But it’s back-fired on him now. Meanwhile Jolene tells Kenton that she bumped into Helen in the shop. Apparently Jack’s really excited about ‘Creepy Christmas’. When Kenton’s incredulous that Helen actually think’s it’s on, Jolene confirms that Helen was hoping to buy some tickets. And there’s some other parents who want to book too. Kenton wonders if Creepy Christmas has got legs after all. Later he tells Lynda and Mick that it’s actually a really good idea. The Bull will do it as well as the Santa Brunch. Kenton’s happy that Lynda and Mick are going to rehearse, but less so when Lynda wants to sort the financial terms first.

As Ruth and David mend a fence someone whizzes past them in the lane. David reckons it was Leonard on his electric bike, as the person was wearing the same high viz gear. The roads are icy and David worries that Leonard might come off his bike, so he jumps into his car to catch up with him. But when David returns, he sheepishly admits that he mistakenly followed a scooter. Then Zainab appears demanding to know what David was doing. When David explains why, she calms down. Zainab reckons that she saw Leonard driving erratically near the village. Later Leonard’s upset when David and Ruth have a word with him. He wonders if they think he’s past it and likely to wobble off his bike into a ditch. Leonard may be less mobile than he was, but there’s plenty of adventure left in him yet.Ed visits Emma at the Tearoom on his way to sort a tree job with Brian. Emma admits that every time a customer comes in, she wonders if they’re the one who complained about her being on the Parish Council. Ed suggests that she resigns as it might not be worth the the hassle. But Emma’s defensive; she’s good at it and she enjoys it. Later Emma wonders if it was Brian who made the complaint and Ed reluctantly agrees to see what he can find out. Later Brian explains that he can’t countenance the way Emma covered up a crime. And that does call into question her judgement justifying a complaint to the Parish Council. But it wasn’t him.

Ruth and David comment on the massive parcel that’s arrived at Brookfield for Leonard, which they discover contains an electric bike. Leonard thinks it will make a real difference to his life and the planet. After charging it, he heads off for a spin around the village.Later Lynda turns up at Brookfield explaining to Ruth and David that she’s just seen Leonard in the village, travelling at excessive speed. They agree to have a word with him about his dangerous driving. But Ben thinks Leonard’s an experienced cyclist and Lynda was probably exaggerating. Nonetheless David points out that Leonard’s no spring chicken and so more at risk from injury. Later Leonard returns from his ride, excited for his next one. When David mentions that Lynda was concerned about his speed, Leonard’s unrepentant saying that if Lynda comes around telling tales again, he’ll speak to her himself. Kenton catches up with Mick about next Sunday’s Santa brunch. Kenton wonders if there’s perhaps another direction that Mick’s Santa delivery could go in, suggesting that Mick might use a different voice. But when Mick does, his delivery is flat and emotionless. Later Lynda gets a call from Kenton who explains his dilemma; Mick either sounds wooden and robotic or absolutely terrifying. Kenton wonders if Lynda could give Mick a few pointers. However, later she explains how impressed she was with Mick’s performance. It’s highly original and conjures up ‘Christmas darkness’. Lynda suggests having a Creepy Christmas with festive tales instead. But Kenton’s adamant – all he wants is a traditional, non-terrifying Santa with a boring old brunch and grotto.