The Archers

David is full of the joys of spring, and Lynda takes her problems to Azra.

David notes Adam’s happy mood and prises from him the good news about the Home Farm succession, agreeing to keep the news to himself. This gets them talking about inscrutable Josh, who seems to be enjoying life in Patagonia.
While inspecting the rubble at St Stephens with Usha, having been inspired by the Promises Tree initiative, Oliver offers his services to Alan as liaison between Church officials and the builders, to help sort everything out. Usha then has a worrying call from Alan, which she shares with Oliver. One of the congregation has complained anonymously to the Archdeacon, claiming compensation for injury from the fallen ceiling, even though Alan was sure no-one was in that part of the church.
Emma teases George about his birthday, before he makes an excuse about why he wasn’t at Keira’s party yesterday. Emma and Amber have both baked cakes, and George jokes that he wouldn’t dare say which is better. He’s delighted by Emma and Ed’s gift – a mini-break for George and Amber in the Forest of Dean. As Emma praises Amber, George notes Emma’s change of heart over the pregnancy. She admits she still worries, but credits Will for offering to swap bedrooms to give the couple more room. George wants to know if Emma thinks he’ll be a good dad, then gets angry when she doesn’t give him a straight answer. When pushed, Emma admits she worries about George’s temper. He’ll need a lot of patience as a dad, but his tendency to lash out scares Emma. He has to control that.

Robert finds Lynda following the guidelines by chatting to the budgie, then admits he cannot reconcile himself to keeping a caged bird. They’ll have to re-home it, but without hurting Khalil’s feelings. They agree to name the budgie Elgar and concoct a barely plausible story for Khalil, before quickly realising the only solution is to tell Khalil honestly that they don’t want the bird. But when Khalil calls, Robert scuppers their plan, to Lynda’s despair. Flustered by Khalil’s delight at his budgie idea, Robert changed his tune and even renamed the bird Fletcher, after the TV sitcom, ‘Porridge’.
George appreciates the new Meadow Farm garden gate Chris has made, out of horseshoes sourced by George, as a ‘welcome to Ambridge’ gift for Esme. George dodges having a beer with Chris and says he won’t be joining the pub cricket team. Although tomorrow is George’s birthday, he just wants to get through it. Chris then notices something on George’s ankle and George explains the alcohol tag. Chris feels guilty as he was one of the people who reported George for drunken behaviour, and promises not to say anything about the tag. George knows it’s good for him, but it’s embarrassing. Chris is off to Grange Farm for Keira’s birthday, but George doesn’t feel welcome. Chris persuades George to go with him and wait outside, while he speaks to Keira. When Chris then reports that Keira doesn’t want George there he offers to take George somewhere else instead. But George cycles off, urging Chris to go back to the party.

Alan tells Usha he found the dawn service on Lakey Hill very moving, before she updates him on what people have offered for the Easter Promises tree. Later, while Alan’s delivering his sermon at St Stephens, part of the ceiling crashes down. The church wardens evacuate everyone and no-one is hurt. Relieved Usha then helps Alan to reconvene the service – al fresco in the churchyard.
When Adam mentions word is getting around about Brian and Miranda, Brian tells Adam to mind his own business. But Adam’s invested in Home Farm and gets Brian’s attention when he asks about Ruairi: with Ruairi busy at Berrow, what’s the plan for Home Farm? Brian explains that Berrow is a test and he’s discovering that Ruairi isn’t ready to be a farmer. Brian then wrongfoots Adam, proposing that Adam should take over managing Home Farm and inherit the land. Brian’s happy to change his will to give Adam a majority share of the vote in the family partnership, but suggests not telling the others yet. Stunned Adam agrees.
Robert has an unexpected birthday gift when Lynda finds a parcel on the doorstep: an empty bird cage with a note from Khalil, explaining that a budgie will be delivered later today. Robert isn’t keen, but Lynda thinks it’s wonderful. Once the budgie’s been delivered, with instructions, Robert insists on giving it back to Khalil. But Lynda knows how upset Khalil will be, having more or less rescued the bird. It can have a much better little life with them than where it was before.

Robert’s weary with Easter Promises volunteering, while Lynda complains about criticism of her over the pub cricket team. Robert confesses he has spoken with Oliver and sorted access for them to the cricket ground. Lynda accuses Robert of being part of the ‘mutiny’ against her, but softens when he flatters her. She concludes that she’s happy to pass the baton onto Robert, while he insists that he will still need her help.
Miranda joins Oliver for lunch at The Bull, where Lilian gets drawn in to their discussion about Brian and defends his actions. Brian then arrives and makes things awkward, pushing to have a private moment with Miranda, but she resists. Oliver criticises Brian, revealing he knows about his recent actions towards Miranda. Brian becomes petulant before agreeing to leave, with Miranda’s assurance that she’ll contact him when she’s ready to talk.
Lilian asks Brian why he got cold feet over the move, wondering why his concern over Ruairi is enough to end a relationship. Brian admits he doesn’t want to lose Miranda and Lilian urges him to tell Miranda the truth. They’re interrupted by Lynda and Robert, with Lynda surprising Lilian by talking about the need to sort out the new logo and kit for the cricket team. Lilian wonders where Lynda’s change of heart has come from.
Brian catches Miranda outside the pub and pleads with her – he wants them to be together. But when Miranda presses him on moving in with her, Brian maintains it’s complicated. Miranda then declares she’s heard enough – it’s over.