A Change in the Weather 1988-07-24 Part 2 of 5 - Pursuit

Summary

Podcast Summary: "A Change in the Weather" (1988-07-24) Part 2 of 5 – Pursuit

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
An atmospheric crime drama set in the aftermath of a bank heist gone wrong. The story follows Jiffy Perkins and Burko Madrid, two down-on-their-luck East Enders, as they are pursued across the English countryside by police and the criminal underworld. Meanwhile, two adventurous ladies seek their own escape in the Lake District, unknowingly drawing closer to the fugitives and the danger surrounding them.

---

Episode Overview

This episode plunges further into the cat-and-mouse chase between small-time thieves Jiffy and Burko and the various forces closing in on them: the menacing criminal boss BB, the ruthless contract killer Nigel, and the grudge-bearing local police. Parallel to this, Henrietta and Louise, the giddy Church Stretton ladies, pursue a whimsical holiday adventure in the fells—innocently brushing close to the fugitives’ world. The episode intertwines suspense, dark comedy, and thoughtful commentary on class, loneliness, and the yearning for escape.

---

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Set-Up and Summary of Previous Events ([00:05])

• The narrator recaps: Jiffy and Burko, trivial crooks, find themselves out of their depth after robbing a bank, losing a friend (Billy), and trying to evade both the police and BB, the crime boss they double-crossed.

---

2. BB and Nigel: The Underworld Responds ([01:07]–[07:44])

• BB (the criminal boss) and Nigel (his cold-blooded hitman) meet in London to discuss retribution:

  • BB's Philosophy: “It’s what life’s all about. Taking part.” (BB, [03:07])
  • Nigel’s Cold Professionalism: “Pest control. What would untarnished underworld barons like you do without specialist exterminators like me?” (Nigel, [06:28])
  • BB’s Warning: Jiffy and Burko “are going to live only a short life.” ([02:59])

• Character Exposition: BB and Nigel discuss the backgrounds and weaknesses of Jiffy and Burko, underlining their vulnerability:

  • Jiffy has a family he doesn't care for; Burko is physically strong but mentally pliable and unlucky.
  • BB delegates the murder contract to Nigel, who gleefully accepts, provided he gets the stolen money first.

---

3. Henrietta & Louise: Comic Relief & Parallel Journey ([08:06]–[11:24])

• High on freedom, Henrietta and Louise revel in the Lake District:
  • “God, I feel so free up here. All this space and air. No husbands, no children. No responsibilities or cooking, washing and iron, sewing, dusting… This is no place to be serious, darling. I don’t want to go back… Ever.” (Henrietta, [09:06])
  • Plan to rent a rowing boat named “Free Bird,” foreshadowing intertwining fates with the fugitives.

---

4. Near Encounters on the Lake ([11:24]–[15:34])

• Henrietta and Louise interact with the downcast “boatman” (Burko incognito). Light banter and human warmth contrast with the grim world Jiffy and Burko inhabit.
• Over the radio, the scale of the heist is revealed: “a million pounds” ([13:38]), astonishing both the criminals and the “innocents.”

---

5. Jiffy & Burko's Dilemma ([15:04]–[18:53])

• Jiffy and Burko meet furtively in the woods:

  • Tension about laying low versus yearning for belonging and respect.
  • “We have to pretend we don’t know each other…Only in a crisis…It’s lonely.” (Burko, [15:35])
  • Jiffy’s ambition: “I’m gonna be respected, and that’s what the money’s for.” ([17:11])

• The loneliness and unease build as Jiffy notes birdsong and running water: “You hear them birds?...There’s water everywhere. Sometimes you can’t see it, but you hear it running in the dark with our lonely s.” (Jiffy, [16:32])

• Guilt about leaving Billy behind: “He was just a man what died. Well, as long as they was gentle with our Billy was ours, wasn’t he?” (Burko, [18:28])

---

6. The Police Investigation: Sergeant Digley & Inspector ([18:58]–[22:37])

• Introduction of Detective Sergeant Digley, characterized by dourness and local resentment:

  • “You personally resemble one of your Lakeland fells. You’re rough, craggy, slippy, sour and wet and stationary. You have a dour look. And on top of that, you bear a grudge against the world.” (Inspector, [19:55])
  • Digley, motivated by a personal vendetta (his wife ran off with a Londoner), is tasked with scouring the local area for the fugitives.

• Inspector warns: “There’s a contract on these two for trotting off with their masters’ takings. There’s a hunter about. Watch out for him.” ([22:18])

---

7. Nigel’s Update and the Cryptic Underworld ([23:01]–[24:09])

• Nigel checks in with BB after an unproductive search in Manchester, using cryptic, sardonic language:
  • “Put in a nutshell, there has been not a dicky bird in Manchester. Neither feathers nor flight nor song. A dicky situation, you might say.” (Nigel, [23:01])
  • Hints at following a new lead after hearing rumors at a concert.

---

8. Tension on the Lake ([24:28]–[26:55])

• Jiffy and Burko’s paranoia mounts as they spot Henrietta and Louise:
  • “Those women, Jiffy. They mustn’t see us together.” ([24:33])
• Jiffy worries about BB: “What do we actually know about BB? … He’s powerful and mean and spiteful. He never forgives a wrong…He puts out contracts.” ([25:24])
• The threat gathers: “The contract out on us right now. He’ll be hitman right now. And we don’t know what he looks like either…Hunter prowling after his quarry. He could be anywhere. He could be here.” (Jiffy, [25:54])
• The episode climaxes with all threads converging on the lake, physical and emotional danger mounting.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• BB, on the nature of crime and involvement:
  “I don’t soil my hands, mind. You know that. I leave the soiling to intellectual artistes. But I like to take part, you understand? It’s what life’s all about. Taking part.” ([03:07])

• Nigel on his line of work:
  “Pest control. What would untarnished underworld barons like you do without specialist exterminators like me?” ([06:28])

• Henrietta on her newfound freedom:
  “God, I feel so free up here. All this space and air. No husbands, no children. No responsibilities or cooking, washing and iron, sewing, dusting… This is no place to be serious, darling. I don’t want to go back… Ever.” ([09:06])

• Inspector to Sergeant Digley:
  “You personally resemble one of your Lakeland fells. You’re rough, craggy, slippy, sour and wet and stationary… you bear a grudge against the world.” ([19:55])

• BB, chilling toast:
  “And to the short, short life of Jiffy Perkins and Perco Madrid.” ([07:47])

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:05 – Episode set-up and recap
• 01:07–07:44 – BB and Nigel plotting revenge in London
• 08:06–11:24 – Henrietta & Louise’s Lake District idyll
• 13:38 – Heist’s value: “A million pounds” revealed
• 15:04–18:53 – Jiffy & Burko’s tense woodland meeting
• 18:58–22:37 – Sergeant Digley’s police briefing and personal stake
• 23:01–24:09 – Nigel’s cryptic status update
• 24:28–26:55 – Pursuers and pursued converge on the lake

---

Episode Mood & Style

The tone combines pulp noir, British farce, and melancholic social commentary. Dark humor, earthy banter, and atmospheric details draw listeners into both the internal lives of the criminals and the charming, oblivious parallel track of Henrietta and Louise. Tension escalates, the circle tightens, and each character is left teetering between hope and doom.

---

Conclusion

This installment ratchets up suspense and character depth, framing the fates of Jiffy and Burko against the backdrop of both literal and metaphorical “change in the weather.” Forces gather, alliances and betrayals are cast, and both danger and escape remain tantalizingly out of reach as the boats rock on Derwent Water.

---

Transcript

[Narrator]

We present part two of A Change in the Weather, an unlikely adventure for radio by Eric Pringle. Jiffy Perkins and Burko Madrid, two previously petty thieves from London's East End, have robbed a bank, lost a friend, gained a fortune and traveled to the northwest of England seeking sanctuary. They're on the run from the police and also from the avenging arm of BB the underworld big boss who had organized the bank's plundering for his own benefit, not theirs. The big problem about BB Is that they don't know him from Adam. If Jiffy and Berko have had adventure thrust upon them, the Church Stretton ladies glee duo in the eager persons of Henrietta and Louise are still hunting theirs. We left them girding their loins and wellies and setting out in search of a Lake District rainbow. We left Jiffy and Berko in the hooting darkness of a lakeside wood deep, burying their treasure.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Forget that southern sun. We're in the English Lake District. It feels like a foreign land.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, on a busy street in London.

[Nigel]

Come on, come on. Change these lights. Give me the green. I think London traffic lights are lodged on red. Especially to thwart motorcyclists. We receive the thin end of the wedge. I could compose an opera on the subject. Death at the Lights. A tragedy of modern times. Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner, but.

[BB]

I love London, so maybe it's because I this city. Nigel. John up ahead at the lights on his motorbike. Pull alongside. Nigel. City. Nigel. Nigel.

[Nigel]

Hello, bb, is it?

[BB]

Of course it's me. Take your goggles off. I want to talk. Nigel.

[Nigel]

She's a very strange place.

[BB]

I'm not shouting over a bleeding motorbike. You heard about my loss.

[Nigel]

I didn't think those two had it in them.

[BB]

You think it's funny? Nobody does that to me, Nigel. Not even you.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I wouldn't.

[BB]

Of course you wouldn't. You got sense. You're an intellectual, a thinking man, an artist. I respect that. It's rare. But Jiffy Perkins and Berco Madrid are going to live only a short life.

[Nigel]

The lights have changed, Bibi.

[BB]

That's where you come in.

[Nigel]

There was no need to come personally. You could have sent your boys.

[BB]

I like to involve myself. I don't soil my hands, mind. You know that. I leave the soiling to intellectual artistes. But I like to take part, you understand? It's what life's all about. Taking part.

[Nigel]

You're a philosopher, bb. We're blocking the road. There's the fuzz coming Over.

[BB]

Don't run him down till we're clear. I know what you're like and I don't want to get that involved. Be at the club, 3:30 sharp. Right, John. Off we go.

[Jiffy Perkins]

What the hell do you think you're playing at, mister?

[Nigel]

A Concerto For Motorcycle Good afternoon, Officer.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Good night.

[Nigel]

You've gone up Marky since I was here last, bb. Subdued lighting, velvet curtains, discreet tables.

[BB]

Changing class, John? Raising the tone.

[Nigel]

It's Nigel, actually. Remember, Nigel? You really ought to recall people's names, bb.

[BB]

If you want class, I'll recall yours now, sir.

[Nigel]

All right, don't get excited. Just tell me about these two cock robins. I like to know who I'm killing.

[BB]

Gives it an edge, does it?

[Nigel]

Added interest and security. It's one of the reasons I'm so reliable. I know exactly what I'm doing and who I'm doing it to.

[BB]

Another Gene. John.

[Nigel]

Nigel. Thanks. So Billy recruited them himself.

[BB]

He recruited Jiffy. Jiffy's a Barasha who wants to be important. Wants people to respect him. Don't we all?

[Nigel]

Could you get at him through his family?

[BB]

Not a chance. His wife Jean puts it about all over the East End. And his son's a toffee nose computer freak, learning how to com with silicon chips. Jiffy would be glad to get away from them. I would.

[Nigel]

What about Madrid, though?

[BB]

You seen him? Built like a tree, but thicker. Soft wood, Nigel. Just what Perkins tells him. They're like Abbott and Costello. Burko used to work at the docks and cos he was soft and strong as a donkey, they gave him all the lousy humping jobs until they wrecked his back. Now what can a worn out docker.

[Nigel]

Do sing for his supper?

[BB]

He was fired. His wife left him. He was high and dry and stranded like a whale. On his last day he got drunk and on the way home he got drunk. And on the way home he got mugged and lost his last wage packet. Not a lot of luck, has he? Jiffy found him, picked him up off the street, introduced him to Billy and they've been together ever since. Doing jobs for me. They done all right too.

[Nigel]

Until now.

[BB]

Them and Billy was like the Three Musketeers.

[Nigel]

Down to two now, bb and soon to be none.

[BB]

You're cow blooded, Nigel.

[Nigel]

Good at my job.

[BB]

Some job.

[Nigel]

Pest control. What would untarnished underworld barons like you do without specialist exterminators like me?

[BB]

What makes you tick, son?

[Nigel]

Clockwork?

[BB]

Seems like it. You kill people like a machine. You wear a pinstripe suit and polished shoes. And then you ride a chun up motorbike. It don't add up.

[Nigel]

It does from where I'm sitting. I'm cultured. A pearl inside an oyster. I like speed and I'm proud of my talent. For extinction you require the dispatch of Jiffy Perkins and Berco Madrid. My pleasure, B.B.

[BB]

I'M sure it will be. But get the loot before you indulge yourself.

[Nigel]

Naturally. Priorities in order.

[BB]

No wonder you ain't got friends, Nigel. No wonder you work on your own. You're aggressive and cold as your own knife. You can give me the shivers.

[Nigel]

Is that all?

[BB]

Yeah. We know they got as far as Manchester. After that, the world's your oyster. Find those other two pearls.

[Nigel]

I always do.

[BB]

Yeah, I'll give you that. You do. You've never failed.

[Nigel]

Your health, BB and yours.

[BB]

And to the short, short life of Jiffy Perkins and Perco Madrid.

[Henrietta]

And the be too. I like to sip the honey sweet from those red lips you see. Oh, let's take a breather. Oh, my goodness. That little stream has become a waterfall. Look. And that hill has turned into a mountain. Henry, up here they're Beck's forces and fells. Darling. They call this one Cat Bells, which is a funny name for a hill. It's sweet for a fell. Oh, mind you don't slip. A lot of these stones are loose. We could rest here. There's a flat green place between these rocks. Oh, come over and see the view. Oh, are we lucky, Lou Derwent. Water blue as the sky. Keswick is toy town and at the.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Head of the lake gate.

[Henrietta]

The jaws of Borrowdale. The jaws of. Hello. Elemental hostile. I should think they are in bad weather, but today they are soft and toothless. Like a shaggy old dog. Let's drink to old dogs. Open the pop bottle. God, I feel so free up here. All this space and air. No husbands, no children. No responsibilities or cooking, washing and iron, sewing, dusting. Going to bed with him. This is no place to be serious, darling. I don't want to go back. We've only been here three days. I don't want to go back. Ever. Here. There you are. We'll get tipsy on Tyza. Cheers to us. Oh, don't ever let us quarrel, Lou. Families can fight. Friends mustn't. We won't.

[Nigel]

Ever.

[Henrietta]

To us then. To this place. To never going back. Never. We're poor little lambs who are going astray to that scarlet nail varnish on your toes. On a rock. On Cat Bells. Dior Wellies. Viva la Difference. I'd like to take a rowing boat on the lake. Oh, it does look inviting. Come on then, let's go down. Oh, yes, we can tease that cockney boatman. The one who hates the Lake District. There's better places in Spain, lady. That's good. I think he's nice. Could we have that boat over there, do you think?

[Jiffy Perkins]

What's different about that one?

[Henrietta]

Oh, nothing really. I like its name. Free Bird.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Oh, yeah, it's a nice name. Right.

[Henrietta]

Your feet squelch, darling.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Put a hole in me boot, don't they?

[Henrietta]

Supply you with Wellingtons. Pay you wages.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Was a church matter. Gonna fool laces even, bless him.

[Henrietta]

He's hardly your average Italian out of dream boatman, is he? He's more like a web footed bat, sir.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Right, get in.

[Henrietta]

What's your name, boatman?

[BB]

What?

[Henrietta]

What are you called?

[BB]

Why?

[Henrietta]

You're not very friendly, are you?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Oh, yeah. Well, my name's Bert Ryan. Muffy.

[Henrietta]

I'm Henry. This is Lou.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Oh, you gotta get in.

[Henrietta]

Well, if you help us, Brian. Oh, sweep us off our feet and carry us away in your pirate ship.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I'm not touching you.

[Henrietta]

Very well. I will risk life and limb. Oh, oh, oh.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Push it off.

[Henrietta]

Goodbye, Brian. I thought you said you could row. You're soaking me.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I ate this job. Hate this place. Wet feet. We toast, swim all day. I've got to see Jiffy.

[Narrator]

Giving rise to speculation about a renewed.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Peace initiative in the Middle East.

[Narrator]

Finally, further details of the Watson bank robbery in Brixton have been released by Scotland Yard.

[Henrietta]

Hold on, hold on.

[Narrator]

Detailed descriptions of the thieves are not yet available. A number of leads are being followed up and the police will make an announcement soon. Revised estimates show that the cash and security stolen now total in excess of a million pounds.

[BB]

A million?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Oh my God.

[Narrator]

A depression over Iceland will move very slowly southeast. And bringing a change in the weather.

[Jiffy Perkins]

A million. Oh, God.

[BB]

Jimmy.

[Henrietta]

A million.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Jimmy. Jimmy.

[Henrietta]

Hey. Hey.

[Narrator]

Upload.

[Henrietta]

Oops.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Dripping all over the floor.

[Henrietta]

Oh, another London alo. The Lake District is full of cockneys.

[Nigel]

What's that?

[Henrietta]

Well, at the lake there's a boatman straight out of East End. Lou took a fancy to him. But you're my type. I like the cut of your waiter's uniform.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I have to go, madam.

[Henrietta]

I bet he could show us a good time in the mountains.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I couldn't show anybody anything. I'm flat broke, Madam.

[Nigel]

Me. I'm here.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Who is it? Jiffy. Jiffy, where are ya?

[Henrietta]

Shut up.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Oh, there you are. I couldn't see you for trees. Why do we have to meet in a wood. Why do we have to meet at all? Why did you ring me? A million quid. What? What we took. They said on the radio. It's a trick. We couldn't have cost so much. Well, we never counted it. Why'd they lie? Because I don't trust them, that's why. A million. Is that why you wanted to see me?

[BB]

Yeah.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Well, partly. I was lonely. Lonely? Look, can't you get into your head that we have to pretend we don't know each other? We talk by telephone. We meet only in a crisis and then it's like it's by accident. In shadows and corners and holes. Well, that's like criminals. It's lonely. Jiffy, I don't know anybody here. You know me. But Yuki away. You look all different. You got a moustache. Because we have to disguise ourselves. Yeah, I know. It looks all right, your moustache. My beard don't well grow.

[Narrator]

I noticed.

[Jiffy Perkins]

It's just dirty stubble. You look like a Russian navvy. How long till that million's safe, Jiffy? Oh, I wish I knew. We've been here two weeks. Money doesn't call in two weeks. It doesn't get safe in two weeks. But the birds, Jiffy.

[Sergeant Digley]

Birds?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Yeah. You hear them birds? You hear that?

[BB]

Water.

[Jiffy Perkins]

There's water everywhere. Sometimes you can't see it, but you hear it running in the dark with our lonely s. Jiffy, I don't like the loneliness. It ain't half as lonely as solitary. But we're not digging up the loot yet. Not by a long chalk. We're not going to rush and blow it when we got this far. Now, listen, Berco, I'll tell you something about me. I've always had people ordering me about. People look down on me in a bar. Even Gene and Ronnie. Especially them. Well, I'm beginning. They get a dream like you. I'm gonna show them what I really am. Rub their noses in it. And I need money to do that, because money's all they respect. I'm gonna be respected, and that's what the money's for. I understand.

[Nigel]

No, you don't.

[Jiffy Perkins]

No, I don't. But it doesn't matter. We better be going back. Looks like rain. And they say once it starts raining here, it forgets to stop. Yeah. Look, I understand how you feel about this place. This open air, this wildness. It's hostile. Give me a bank vault. Anytime.

[Henrietta]

Million Queen.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Yeah. They thought we were nobodies. Come on, friend.

[Sergeant Digley]

Yeah.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Mind you, this makes it worse for us. The fuzz will be more determined. BB will be furious. There's no way he's going to let all that just get up and walk away. Well, that's why I want a run, Chip. No, no, no, no. No use. They'll follow us wherever. We might as well stay here. They might go right past us. Jiffy. It's Joseph, remember? Oh, yeah. Joseph, what is it? Well, I miss Billy. I didn't like leaving him there all by himself in that cold street. Would they be gentle with him? Well, they'd better. Yeah. They'd have buried him now, but there was nothing to connect him with us or the robbery. He was just a man what died. Well, as long as they was gentle with our Billy was ours, wasn't he? Of course.

[Sergeant Digley]

We were partners.

[Henrietta]

We was friends.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Look, we've got to put ourselves together. We go on like this, we'll crack. We'll give the game away to the first local copper with eyes in his head.

[Sergeant Digley]

Will somebody answer that money phone?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Yes, sir. Digley.

[Henrietta]

Digley.

[Sergeant Digley]

Where's Sergeant Digley?

[Narrator]

Keswick Police Station.

[BB]

Hello.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Observe. Detective Sergeant Digley. Observation is the secret. Keep your eyes wide open. Notice everything, take notes. That's the way to success in this man's police force. You keep your nose working too. You sniff things out all over the road, are they? It's a dog's life. What does that idiot want now, sir?

[Narrator]

I don't think he likes me.

[Sergeant Digley]

Am I the inspector here is an inspector superior to a sergeant. Are my instructions therefore to be obeyed? Don't gawp. Close the door, man.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

Sergeant Digley, do you ever wonder why you haven't progressed beyond Sergeant?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

Come to any conclusions?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Lack of opportunity, sir. This area is full of shape, of.

[Sergeant Digley]

Which you are one. But you're wrong. It's because you personally resemble one of your Lakeland fells. Your rough, craggy, slippy, sour and wet and stationary. You have a dour look. And on top of that, you bear a grudge against the world.

[Jiffy Perkins]

You bear grudges too. If you had my look, sir. If you never succeeded at anything. If you'll ever been depressed by an ugly fizz.

[Narrator]

If your wife had run off with.

[Jiffy Perkins]

A Tottenham tourist and left you stranded. Hell, I hate Londoners. Hey, what are you saying?

[Sergeant Digley]

Cockneys in Cumbria. At any rate, our London colleagues believe the thieves may head our way. A Pope has the file. Memorise it. There are photographs.

[Jiffy Perkins]

The Brixton bank job.

[Sergeant Digley]

You have been listening, haven't you, Digley? While I give you the opportunity, you Seek your chance to show these London lads what we're made of in Cumbria. Listen to me, Sergeant. I don't believe any of it. If I know London villains, this lot will be cowering in their own back alleys, rabbits in the warren. This is just the Yard getting desperate. But if there's one chance in a million, we're not going to let it slip. We're not going to look like fools in Keswick. You may not mind having your face covered in manure, but I do.

[Jiffy Perkins]

If they're here, I'll find them, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

That's better. Sniff around. Try the hotels, shops, caravan sites. Get among the tourists, yes, and the sheep. You know the drill. But this time, Sergeant, move.

[BB]

I will, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

Let's be honest. This is a responsibility which I lay upon you unwillingly. I can't spare anybody worthwhile to go rampaging off on a cock and bull errand at the whim of a city's slickers. Even if it might just lead to glory shortages, cutbacks, sickness. We're decimated, Sergeant. So it's down to you.

[Nigel]

Don't be afraid, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

I am afraid, Sergeant. Oh, well. Pope will give you backup.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I won't need it, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

You can't be a loner forever. Still, perhaps for once, that grudge of yours will come in useful. You'll be getting back at the Londoner who took your wife, eh?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Yes, sir. I'll get the Cretanist. Cockney boy.

[Sergeant Digley]

Bastard for style. A personal mission. Remember the rules, though. Oh, and there's one more thing. A small item. The word is there's a contract on these two for trotting off with their masters. Takings. There's a hunter about. Watch out for him.

[Narrator]

I'll get him too, sir.

[Sergeant Digley]

I doubt it, Sergeant, but you get marks for trying and surviving.

[BB]

Whiskey, John? Yes, sir. Nigel's been dark again. Maybe alcohol will lighten his words. Let me understand you, Nigel. Keeping in touch? Bb, reporting as promised.

[Nigel]

I could telephone, but you would ask questions and get involved. And you might make suggestions that would get in my way. Put in a nutshell, there has been not a dicky bird in Manchester. Neither feathers nor flight nor song. A dicky situation, you might say. Until last night at a concert in the Free Trade Hall.

[BB]

What the hell's he doing at concerts?

[Nigel]

Most enjoyable. A lushly romantic Brahms and Strauss programme which softened these harsh northern days.

[BB]

Is he talking in code or.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Whiskey, sir?

[BB]

You're a friend.

[Nigel]

In the interval, I met an old acquaintance who has been maintaining a low profile, but who nevertheless had heard of your sad loss and suggested where the funeral might be held. It's a long shot, but I'm going to follow it up. If you don't mind mixed metaphors. John.

[BB]

John.

[Nigel]

A little joke, Bibi. So I'm moving on to higher things. Climbing after the scent, you might say. I'll let you know whether the effort was worthwhile. Goodbye.

[BB]

Climbing after scent. What use is keeping in touch if I can't understand it?

[Jiffy Perkins]

Damn em. Blast. I thought we were safe out here on the lake. Row away, Burke.

[BB]

Yes.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Those women, Jiffy. They mustn't see us together.

[Sergeant Digley]

Row.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Come on.

[Henrietta]

Hello. I see. Damn them. They haven't heard you. They must have. Did you see Louis and our waiter? Two Londoners together.

[Jiffy Perkins]

They're not following, Jiffy.

[BB]

Okay.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Slow down. You drown me. Sorry. It's all right. Just caught a few crabs. Can you get crabs here? If we weren't at the wrong end of a manhunt, I could enjoy all the is.

[BB]

Yeah.

[Jiffy Perkins]

I just had a nasty thought.

[Nigel]

Virgo.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Don't tell me. What do we actually know about bb Apart from the fact he's the boss? What did Billy tell us? I don't know. He's powerful and mean and spiteful. He never forgives a wrong. Remember that. I don't want to remember that. And he never soils his own hands when he wants to take revenge. He puts out contracts. He goes for a nasty I don't like that fault, Jiffy. I don't want to hear more of that. The contract out on us right now. He'll be hitman right now. And we don't know what he looks like either. I don't want to hear it. Hunter prowling after his quarry. He could be anywhere. He could be here. Here? Do you think we wouldn't know if he was set where you are rowing this bleeding boat.

[Henrietta]

He had your face and a fuss.

[Jiffy Perkins]

Will be hunting us. And your wife. And my wife. When they know we've got a million quid, they'll be after it like bats out of hell, dear. Drink, Deirdre. I don't know for certain but she could be. She liked money. All these people tracking us burnt. Oh, we don't know who or where. But they all know us. Won't they, Jiffy? Don't say any more. Phone the ground. What are you doing? Slow down.

[Nigel]

Sc.

[Jiffy Perkins]

You can't go faster than. Slow down. I can't swim. We're rocking the.

[Narrator]

With the powerful big boss. Cold blooded city Nigel and sleuthing Sergeant Digley all rocking their fragile boat. How can Jiffy and Burko possibly escape drowning in Derwent water. Would that be poetic justice? Anyway, will the changing Henrietta and Louise, who now have a bit of the Fells well and truly between their teeth, find that the adventure they're galloping towards is the discovery of the crooked bodies of two waterlogged felons? Oh, perish the thought, but the strangest things happen when you get A Change in the weather. Tune in. Join next time to discover what really does happen to Jiffy Perkins, played by Peter Craze and Erka Madrid, played by John Hollis and Henrietta and Louise by Dilyslay and Polly James City. Nigel is played by Philip Sully, BB William Simons, the Detective Inspector by David Sinclair, Detective Sergeant Digley by Trevor Nichols and other assorted voices by Richard Tate. A Change in the Weather was written by Eric Pringle and directed by Ian Cotterell.