Tom is disappointed by a last-minute change of plans, and Lilian puts her foot down.

Writer: Jessica Mitic Directors: Pip Swallow and Dave Payne Ruth Archer….. Felicity Finch Pip Archer….. Daisy Badger Phoebe Aldridge…. Lucy Morris Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Susan Carter….. Charlotte Martin Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Alan Franks….. John Telfer Amber Gordon…. Olivia Bernstone Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery Leonard Berry….. Paul Copley Bill…. Matthew Gravelle

Amber gets an unexpected visitor, and Rex is mysterious.

Pip’s happy to hear that Ruth and Leonard have made up. Despite her denials though, it’s clear Ruth’s still suspicious Leonard’s up to something behind Jill’s back. Ruth then tells Joy and Susan she liked how convenient it was when they were doing deliveries. Alan has asked to speak to Susan however, which sounds a bit ominous. Later, Susan reports back that Alan told her the shop needs to move on from St Stephens, after the spate of recent incidents. Susan is in despair, but Joy suggests going properly mobile, after what Ruth said, only they’d need something bigger than Susan’s car to do it. George asks Will for a lift to the car dealership owned by Amber’s dad. He hasn’t told Amber, but George is going to try and heal the rift with her parents. Will cautions him to be on his best behaviour and not expect too much. George reckons it has to be sorted before she’ll agree to marry him. At the showroom with Amber’s dad George pretends to be a customer before admitting he’s come to ask for approval of his relationship with Amber. Mr Gordon tells George they don’t approve, but if Amber wants to talk to them, they’re happy to listen. George however thinks they should make the first move and gives Mr Gordon their address, with an open invitation to come over. Ruth phones Pip, telling her she’s spotted Leonard at the Farm Supplies café with a woman, looking very cosy. Despite Ruth’s suspicions Pip still thinks there’s an innocent explanation.

Joy tries to change Susan’s mind, and Amber needs time to think.

Kate drags Jakob out shopping for esoteric items to help Phoebe in the final stages of her pregnancy, then defends Jakob’s slow driving to impatient Lilian on the way home. Moving on to how stressful the situation at Home Farm is for Brian, Kate gets irritated with Jakob for suggesting Spiritual Home could go down the pan as well. Both Lilian and Brian have bought expensive, bulky presents for the new baby to take up to Scotland, but Kate insists they’ll all be travelling together in the people carriers, even if space is tight. George mithers to Will about not having enough to do, apart from cooking and housework, before Amber arrives, clearly unimpressed he’s not made any progress getting a job. George admits to Will he’s worried that he’s not living up to Amber’s expectations. Amber thinks George should be braving things at the Village Shop, showing people he’s not ashamed. George wants paid work though, outside Ambridge, so he can make a fresh start and provide for her. Will can see how flat George really is, when he’s not putting on a brave face for Amber. George admits he’s finding life even harder than expected, with no money, car or job, plus having to sponge off Amber. If things don’t change George reckons she’ll leave him. Will tries reassuring George and offers to lend him five hundred pounds, to be repaid when George gets a job. George is touched, vowing to use the money to show Amber how much he loves her.

Ruth is suspicious, and Alan has bad news for the Village Shop.

Writer: Shaun McKenna Director: Pip Swallow and David Payne Editor: Jeremy Howe

David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch Tom Archer…. William Troughton Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass Alan Franks…. John Telfer George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Esme Mulligan…. Ellie Pawsey Carly…. Louise Brealey Driver…. Django Bevan

It’s an emotional day for one resident, and David is forced to intervene.

Disaster strikes for Chris, and Mick tries something different.

Alan offers salvation, and Alice is put on the spot.

Susan makes a decision she may regret, and Henry has a controversial suggestion.

Helen goes further than she meant to, and Jolene plays matchmaker.

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Helen Aitken Editor: Jeremy Howe

Josh Archer…. Angus Imrie Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Vince Casey…. Tony Turner Justin Elliott….. Simon Williams Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming Amber Gordon…. Olivia Bernstone Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Ridell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Esme Mulligan…. Ellie Pawsey Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Lawrence

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. He broaches the subject of George with Vince, but Vince is reluctant to give George any hours at the abattoir. Since Rochelle’s involvement in the siege he’s felt less trusting of those needing a second chance. Freddie breaks the news to downcast George, while Amber and Will do their best to raise his spirits. George overhears Will thanking Freddie for helping him, and declares he’s not a charity case. Freddie needn’t bother putting himself out again.

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 a drink, outside the village. George accepts, and Will quietly thanks Freddie before announcing it will be his treat. Slightly embarrassed George thanks his dad. Freddie and George exchange views on prison life. Freddie offers George encouragement; his crime won’t always define him. Later Freddie calls with an offer to try and get George work at the abattoir. Amber’s delighted for George, and together they race happily down Lakey Hill.

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 that if anyone has a right to be upset about Miranda’s potential purchase, it’s her. Over lunch Miranda assures Lilian the house will be a good investment and a beautiful home – no ulterior motive. She understands the complicated feelings it’s thrown up however. Lilian appreciates Miranda talking to her about it. She reports Miranda’s warmth back to Justin, who sneers. Brian needs to be on his guard. Irritated Lilian retorts she wishes Justin would show her a fraction of the compassion Miranda’s displayed today.

Josh has a brainwave, and Eddie is on a mission.

Will hatches a plan, and Tracy suffers a mishap.

Writer: Katie Hims Director: Andy Partington Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck Josh Archer.... Angus Imrie Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davies Ruth Archer.... Felicity Finch Lilian Bellamy.... Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman Ruairi Donavan.... Arthur Hughes Amber Gordon.... Charlotte Jordan George Grundy.... Angus Stobie Tracy Horrorbin.... Susie Riddell Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott Kate Madikane.... Perdita Avery Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane Carly…. Louise Brearley