Episode 3 (7th September 2022)

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Episode 3 | 7th September 2022 (Wednesday, 20:00-20:30)

 * REAL-TIME PUBLICATION: 1st October 2021 (Friday)
 * SYNOPSIS: Hari's advice backfires badly. Steve is mystified by Graham's apology. Rosy realises Keeley has lied through her teeth

Plot
This episode introduces five new regular characters to the audience, although the characters themselves are already established members of the local community. Couple Hari Kapoor and Jason Warren discuss their plans to adopt with Jason's son, Declan Warren. During the conversation, Jason mentions that he has discussed the adoption with best friend Lisa, which Hari is annoyed about as he had no idea. Jason apologises, but Hari plays down his annoyance. After Jason has gone to work, Hari cackhandedly tries to advise Declan about the implications of the adoption, and how Declan will no longer be the centre of Jason's world. However, he words it badly and it secretly plays on Declan's mind. These frustrations ultimately culminate in an offscreen fight at school between Declan and Reuben Archer, who are normally friends. As a result, Declan is suspended for the rest of the school day, much to Jason's shock. Later, Jason chides Declan for his unusual behaviour, especially as Jason has had to cancel clients to accomodate the situation. But he softens in order to try and get Declan to open up more. Jason asks Declan where this is coming from, and if he feels he and/or Hari do not give him enough attention. Declan reassures Jason that he is a good dad, but something Hari said earlier bothered him. With this revelation, Jason realises Hari has said something to Declan to make him feel insecure about the adoption, and he wonders why. When Hari later returns home, Jason is cool with him and asks if he can shed any light on Declan's outburst. Hari denies all though, before offering to shout Jason dinner tomorrow night. Jason agrees, telling Hari he is sure they will have plenty to talk about - as if secretly suggesting he will use the occasion as an opportunity to probe Hari. Elsewhere, Helen Archer makes her first appearance in the present, having appeared in flashback in Episode 1. She too probes son Reuben about how the fight with Declan happened. Reuben says he cannot wait to see Declan in the morning so he can knock him out, though he claims to an unimpressed Helen that he is joking. Helen tells him that a little bird told her he wanted to be captain of the football team, but that his PE teacher is not convinced he is mature enough. She advises him that accepting Declan's apology for the fight and letting it go would demonstrate that maturity, providing the long-term benefit of leading the team rather than the short-term kick of revenge on Declan. At home, chef Woody] discusses housemate [[Lindsay Hardacre's unemployment woes with her. She tells him she went for a job interview at Sanco, but it did not work out. He then tells her his boss, Steve is advertising a vacancy for bar staff at his barstaurant, Indigo, and she ought to apply. He also advises her that she needs to let her estranged brother Liam know that she is back in Middlehampton, as he does not yet know. Lindsay says she will get round to it, but it is not that easy. Graham pops into Indigo for a drink after work, and asks manager Steve if he can book a table for two. Steve tells there is no need to book, as Wednesday is usually quiet. Martin then apologises for what happened between him and Martin at the hospital, and that neither enjoyed it given they are old friends, but it was nothing personal. Steve however has no idea what he is talking about. Graham advises Steve to discuss it with his father, as it is best coming from him. Keeley and daughter Saffron move into the sharehouse, though Saffron's residency there is a secret only Keeley and Saffron know about. Saffron says she is missing her old school and friends, which makes Keeley realise the effect all the upheaval of her break-up with former partner Mariusz is having on her daughter. Meanwhile Keeley's best friend Rosy has called round to the Archer family home. She tells Keeley's parents, Helen and Graham that she just called round because Keeley left one of her credit cards in the ladies toilets at the pub when they met yesterday, and she has not been able to get hold of Keeley, who told her that she was staying at the family home. However, Graham and Helen have no idea what Rosy is talking about. As Graham heads off to work, Helen invites Rosy in for a hot drink, and to try and find out what Keeley is playing it. As the conversation continues, it is clear Helen has no idea what has been happening with Keeley, and Rosy begins to answer Helen's questions more vaguely - not revealing that Keeley has in fact moved in to the sharehouse, which Helen clearly knows nothing about. Helen is worried Keely may get spooked if she tries to contact Keeley about what is going on, and asks Rosy to do it. Rosy is more than happy to - she wants to know why Keeley has lied so much! Later, an angry Rosy confronts Keeley at the sharehouse. Keeley claims she took Saffron round to the family home earlier and she is now staying there; all of this is again untrue, but Rosy believes her. Keeley asks Rosy not to hate her. Rosy says of course she doesn't, however this is not over by a long shot.

Regular Cast

 * Graham Archer (Martyn Spendlove)
 * Hari Kapoor (James Floyd)
 * Helen Archer (Susan Cookson)
 * Jason Warren (John Partridge)
 * Keeley Archer (Alice Barlow)
 * Lindsay Hardacre (Anna Shaffer)
 * Rob Warren (Stephen Harakis)
 * Rosy Lyons (Emma Rigby)
 * Steve Rogers (Dean Fagan)
 * Woody (Thomas Casson)

Recurring Cast

 * Declan Warren (Will Mailou)
 * Reuben Archer (Hadley Taylor)
 * Saffron Archer (Eva Marriott)

Guest Cast
none

Locations (in order of appearance)

 * Warrens (younger) household, interior - living room, hallway
 * Archers household, interior - living room, hallway; exterior - front door area
 * Sharehouse, interior - hallway, living room, kitchen
 * Indigo, interior - bar

Notes & Trivia

 * First appearance of Declan Warren, Hari Kapoor, Lindsay Hardacre, Reuben Archer and Woody. Also the first appearance of Helen Archer in the present, having appeared in flashback in Episode 1
 * Declan mentions walking to school with an offscreen friend, Alex

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