The Archers - 23/01/2009

After some serious thinking, Shula calls Alan and tells him she can't do the services at Loxley Barrett after all. She just so busy now at the weekends. She wouldn't want to do the work of a reader badly. When Usha finds out she's uncompromising in her criticism of Shula. It's all got to be about her, she thinks. Alan is very sad. Brian and Jennifer go round to Pat and Tony's to celebrate their successful purchase of Bridge Farm. Brian's not really keen to go and spends his time avoiding Pat's homemade food. But at least it gives him a chance to talk to Tom about the supermarket deal. Tom is clear that he hasn't changed his mind - he wants nothing to do with it. A pity, says Brian, because I've told them we'll go ahead. They have a full scale row, with Brian giving Tom some hard facts and Tom standing up for himself and his business ethos. Brian is not going to win this one. He can go ahead and deal with the supermarket, but he'll be on his own. He'll get no support from Tom. Episode written by Joanna Toye.