02/09/2018

At Greenacres Jim and Joe drink cider and "supervise" Alistair's marathon training. After Alistair leaves for his run Jim admits that he's struggling to think of a way to mark Alistair's birthday. Jim wants to use the occasion to lift Alistair's spirits, but Joe advises against throwing a party. With none of the Archers likely to attend it might have the opposite effect. But Jim's determined to think of something. He and Alistair haven't always been as close as he'd like, and Jim wants to take this opportunity to make a fuss of his son.

Russ finally delivers the news that Lily's been waiting for - he's told his wife about their relationship. Noticing Lily's shocked reaction, Elizabeth tries to gently introduce the idea that perhaps Lily doesn't entirely trust him. But Lily insists she never doubted for a moment that he would leave his wife. Elizabeth has to face the fact that they are definitely going to Manchester together. Worse, Russ has decided to give his wife some space, and moves in to Lower Loxley. When Elizabeth tries to object, Lily offers to move to a hotel with Russ. Elizabeth feels she has no choice but to let Russ stay, and Lily brightly reassures her that she'll barely notice that he's here.