01/01/2026

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Read, watch and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling. It all starts with a subscription to BBC.com. Find out more at bbc.com slash unlimited. You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

Ed, why aren't you picking up? I thought you were coming back to the house. I've left your mum at Little Grange and I'm on the lane down to the village. I've managed to get through to Kira's friend Eva and she doesn't know where she is but she's going to message the rest of their group and see if she's with one of them. Please call me back and let me know where you are.

Emma. Oh, Will. I was checking the churchyard. No sign of her then? No, nothing. I don't know where Ed is, neither. Him and Eddie went off to see if Keira's hiding somewhere around the farm, but that was a while ago, and he's not answering his phone. Well, maybe he ain't got a signal.

You know what it's like, especially around by the pole barn. Well, you're lucky if you get a single barn. No, I know. I'm just so scared something terrible's happened. Hey, come on. Kira's a sensible kid. I'm sure she's safe wherever she is. I hope so. I keep thinking about that promise I made George. What promise? When he told me it was him driving Alice's car. He made me swear on Keira's life. I wouldn't tell anyone and I did.

Em, that's ridiculous. Kira hasn't run away because you broke your promise. No, I know that really, but it doesn't stop it going round and round in my head. Look, everyone's out looking for her. We'll find her. Or she'll realise she's made a silly mistake and come home. Either way, Keira's going to be fine. Yeah, OK. Now, come on. Why don't we check round by night in Gelfarm? Fallon! Oh, hi, Ian.

I didn't realise anyone was inside. Were you watching the fireworks? No, I missed them. Were they good? They were marvellous. Oh, have you cut yourself? Yeah. I thought I'd clear away a few empties while the pub was quiet and one of the glasses smashed in my hand. Oh, it's not too bad, is it? Oh, no. It just needs a plaster. Are Mum and Kenton back on the bar?

I'm not sure. I haven't seen them. I assume Kenton was helping David with the fireworks. Oh, if everyone's coming back in, I'd better get a move on. Oh, well, there's no rush, darling. It'll be a good few minutes before they come in and we start serving again. Do you need help with that plaster? Oh, thanks. It's a bit fiddly with one hand. Is Brian all right, by the way? I saw him leaving earlier. He looked a bit pale.

I think he was just a little shaken by his confrontation with George Grundy. Well, why aren't we all... How are you? Me? Well, it can't be easy having him round the village, let alone barging into the pub. Well... No, but he knows I'm not going to let him get to me. Thanks.

I only saw the end of it anyhow. You got the brunt of his nonsense. Hardly. It was Tracy who persuaded him to leave. I didn't have much to do with it. Harrison was so hacked off he's taken himself home. What? Because of George? He's doing his best not to let himself get wound up, but when George pulls a stunt like that... Oh, yeah, I know. Still, George isn't going anywhere. Unfortunately.

Now, dear sweet Keira's gone missing. You know, it never rains for the Grundies, but it falls. Sorry, what do you mean Keira's gone missing? Well, hadn't you heard? She's run away. Any sign, Neil? No, Tracy, no. You? Nothing. Are we even sure Keira's somewhere around the village? I don't know.

I mean, she could have got a friend to pick her up or call for a taxi. Yeah, yeah, I know. Christopher's driving around in case she's decided to try and hitchhike. Oh, she wouldn't do something that stupid, would she? Well, who knows? She thought it was a good idea to run away. That's true.

Who knows what she's thinking, eh? Where's Susan? Oh, back at home. I told her if Keira was heading for hours, she'd have turned up by now. She insisted on staying, though. Jazzer, is that you? Tracy, there you are. Where have we been? I could ask you the same thing. I've just been back to the house. Chelsea said she hadn't seen you. Chelsea? Has she known it the night? She decided to come home early. Don't ask me why. You still haven't answered my question. I've been long for care, haven't I?

I had fun to say she was missing. What were you? What do you think? I've been looking too. Alright, alright, alright. We've all been searching for Keira. Now... Where have you just come from, Jazza? Me, I was checking Runby Arcright Hall. And Tracey, where have you checked? Before I nipped home again, I looked around the cricket ground. The pavilion's all locked up and she's not in the scoring box. Hang on a minute. Me as Will and Emma. Have you found her? No.

We've just been along the river. Are you all right, love? Oh, Dad, I don't understand why she hasn't at least sent a message. She must realise how worried we'd be. Why wouldn't she let me know she's OK? I know, I know. I'm sure she is, though, Em. Aye. We're just working out where we've searched so far. Now, you've checked the river. Yeah. Where else? Nightingale Farm and the stables. And I checked the church. What about the woods behind the graveyard? Er, no.

Well, maybe we should. After all, the bridle path that runs through them leads directly from Grange Farm. Chatter, let's go and look, eh? Together? Doesn't need two ears, does it? Why don't I go? No, those woods are pretty thick. Between us, we'll cover more ground. All right, but... Jazzo, just go with Neil. Okay, fine. Come on, then. I'm coming. Oh, and Emma, try not to worry, love.

Keira's got to be somewhere. I know. Thanks, Dad. Have you got any idea where she might be? Not a clue. And nothing that made you think she was planning to run away? No. I mean... Obviously, things have been awful with George, but I thought we had a nice Christmas. She seemed OK. I can't have been paying her enough attention. Hey, don't start blaming yourself. Have you spoken to him? George, I mean.

Do you reckon he might know where she's gone? I wouldn't have thought so. It's not like they're close these days. He's the reason she left. Would he even care? She is still his sister. You never know. She might have shared something. Even if it's only a hunch.

Maybe you should try giving him a call. Jazza, where are you going? This way. Maybe we should double take the tuts again. Will and Emma have already searched round there. I know, but if she's hiding... Jazza, come on! We're supposed to be checking the bridal path. Alright. Keira! It's Grandad! Shout if you can hear me!

I don't reckon we'll see it anyway. Huh? There's nothing doing here. Well, we still need to check. We're running out of places to look. Trace, you told me about the fight at your place yesterday. All right. Sounds like it was lucky you walked in when you did. How's Brad? George didn't actually hurt him, did he? Nah, scarpered pretty much as soon as he saw me. Oh, honestly. I wish I knew what was going to become of that lad.

He seems determined to burn all his bridges. Aye, well, you reap what you sow. I cannae seek you anywhere. Let's go and check somewhere else. Wait, wait. Can you hear that? That's coming from up ahead. Jazz quick. Point your torch that way. What's that? What's that? It looks like a... Oh, Lord. It is. It's a body.

Is George still not answering? No, it's just going to voicemail. I'm not surprised after the way we left things. Yeah, let me try on my phone. I don't expect he'll pick up, but you never know. Emma! Will! Oh, hiya, Fallon. Lillian's just told me. Is there anything I can do? Do you need more people to search? Yeah, thanks. Okay. Have you contacted the police yet? No, not yet. I suppose I was just hoping we'd...

Find her? It's only been a few hours. You know what 14-year-old girls are like. She's probably at a house party with her mates. Yes, do you think? Oh, hang on. It's Ed. Oh, finally. Has he found her? No. He's over by morning, so he's going to go and check the EV charging station. Oh, tell him he didn't need to. Eddie's already checked there. Eddie has, but he was with Ed. Not when I saw him, he weren't. I ran into him on my way to the cricket ground. I guess they must have split up.

i'm gonna bring it I don't understand why he's not been answering my calls. Like I thought. George not picking up for you neither. No. What? No, no, no. Emma, what's the matter? My phone's died. What am I meant to do now? What if Kira tries to call? How's she going to get through? Hey, hey, come on. I can't...

believe this is happening. All right, why don't we go back to mine? We can charge your phone there. That's a good idea. Yeah, we'll talk to Harrison too. He'll know what to do. Yeah, all right. Thank you, Fallon. I just need to know she's okay. Of course you do. Come on. I will never forgive myself if something's happened to her.

She's my precious girl. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Yeah. His name's George. He's my grandson. Please hurry. I can't find a pulse. Say that again. Already an ambulance on the way? No. No, no, no. I tried to shake him awake, but... Well, I think maybe someone's clouted him with a bottle. There's blood all in his hair and there are shards of glass everywhere. Sorry? Sorry? What? Yeah. Yeah. All right. Jazza. Jazza!

Look, put your coat over him, will you? Keep him warm. Wait. I think I can hear an ambulance. Yes, yes, it's coming now. No, no, of course I understand. Yes, thank you for your help. Jasper, what are you doing? I told you, put your coat over him. Sorry, hi. Never mind, go on. Go back to the road and wait for the ambulance, will you? Ambulance, right. Well, go on. Aye, aye, okay. Aye. There you go, George. This will keep you warm. George.

George, come on, lad, come on. Open your eyes. Look at me. George. Fallon. Hang on, is that an ambulance? Oh, my God, it is. Emma, Emma, don't jump to conclusions. It could be going anywhere. Now come inside. Hopefully Harrison's still awake. No, but what if it's for Kira? It won't be. How do you know? I have to find out where it's going. Emma, wait! Don't you... I don't want to charge your phone! Em? Where are you going? Em? Hold on!

Where's Emma going? She's gone after the ambulance. Have you any idea who it's for? Me? Not a clue. She's worried it's for Ciara. But that's what me and Will were coming to tell her. Panic over. Ciara's been found. What's happening? Emma. Where are the paramedics going? Is it Keira? No, don't panic. It is, isn't it? Emma, can you listen? Just tell me what's happened. It's not Keira.

It's not. No. That's what I've been trying to tell you. Chris has found her. She's safe. What? Really? Yeah. Oh, thank God. So, who's the ambulance for then? Dad! I don't know how to tell you this. Jazza and I found him just lying on the ground. I'm so sorry, both of you. It's George. What do you mean it's George? What's happened to him? I'm not sure. It looked like he'd been attacked. Attacked? How badly? No. No, no, he can't have been. Dad, I asked you a question. How badly is he hurt?

Emma. Why won't you answer me? Emma, no. No, stay here. Dad, you let go. You get out of my way. Let the paramedics do their job. I have to see for myself. But love. I have to be with George. At the BBC, we go further so you see clearer. With a subscription to BBC.com, you get unlimited articles and videos.

Ad-free podcasts. The BBC News Channel streaming live 24-7 plus hundreds of acclaimed documentaries. From less than a dollar a week for your first year, read, watch and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling. It all starts with a subscription to BBC.com. Find out more at bbc.com slash unlimited.