
Adam has a fight on his hands, and Natasha makes plans for the future.
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Brian
You're listening to the archers omnibus from BBC Radio 4.
Zainab
Hey guys. Brad, do you know if they're meant to be any good to travel?
Brad
Yeah, not bad, apparently.
Zainab
Better than us.
Linda
Nobody's better than us. Stay nab. It's true. You've got to think positive.
Adam
What?
Brad
Even if it's not true?
Linda
It might be true. It might well be true.
Zainab
Carpe diem.
Brad
What's carpe diem got to do with it?
Kirsty
I don't know.
Zainab
I just thought it sounded good.
Linda
It did.
Tom
Okay, so there's a bit of a spanner in the works.
Brad
Oh.
Linda
What?
Zainab
Oh, what's wrong?
Tom
Oh, it turns out the Trout are two players down.
Linda
Oh, they're not calling it off.
Tom
Well, no, not necessarily.
Brad
We could give them a player, couldn't we?
Zainab
Yeah, absolutely.
Tom
Well, that's what I was going to suggest. Yeah, because that's the joy, isn't it, of this more relaxed way of playing.
Linda
Okay, so who's willing to play for the other side then?
Zainab
I don't mind doing it.
Tom
No, no chance, Zaney.
Linda
Absolutely not.
Tom
We're not giving them one of our best players.
Zainab
Oh, thanks, Tom.
Brad
What about me?
Alice
Really?
Brad
Yeah. I mean, everyone knows I'm not the best player, so.
Tom
You sure, Brad?
Brad
Yeah, yeah, why not? It might be fun.
Linda
I mean, we can all do the scoring, can't we? All of us together sort of thing?
Brad
Yeah. Yeah. So long as you're careful with my laptop. I mean, don't let someone smash it with a cricket ball or anything. You keep the entries in the actual score book. Neat.
Tom
Do you really not mind?
Anna
Why would I mind?
Linda
Why would he mind?
Tom
You're a star. You're a superstar. Thanks, Brad.
Brad
No problem,
Zainab
dad.
Lillian
Ah, Kate.
Kate
Hi.
Lillian
You're back.
Rory
I'm back.
Lillian
Since when?
Kate
Late last night.
Adam
All right.
Kate
Are you planning to go and watch the Battling Bulls?
Lillian
The what? Sorry?
Kate
Cricket.
Lillian
Oh, yeah. No, no, no, I'm not. No, I'm not in the mood. I don't want to lose my temper with Adam in front of the entire village.
Kate
Oh, well, I guess that's fair enough.
Lillian
I'd rather sit in my own garden and drink a cold beer and read Dick Francis.
Kate
Surely you've read them all by now?
Lillian
Yes, I have, but now I'm rereading them. All of them. It's a project. It's my attempt to relax. Which you should be delighted to hear, since all my children apparently so desperately keen for me to kick back. Or are they just keen for me to kick the bucket?
Kate
Dad, for goodness sake.
Lillian
What? Am I wrong?
Kate
Yes, you're wrong. Of course you're wrong. We all love you.
Lillian
Huh, could have fooled me.
Kate
Look, I came round to see if
Rory
you were all right.
Lillian
I'm fine. Absolutely fine. I couldn't be better. Okay, so please go and watch the cricket.
Kate
But also, I do think we need to talk.
Lillian
Ah, now that's more like it.
Kate
What's that supposed to mean?
Lillian
That's the real reason you've come round, isn't it?
Kate
No, it's not the real reason. It's one of the reasons.
Lillian
Well, I really have no inclination to get into all that business right now,
Kate
but this massive thing has just happened and I wasn't there.
Lillian
Yes, pity you couldn't make the effort to stab your father in the back in person.
Brian
Sorry, what?
Lillian
You couldn't make it back a day early to show your face at the meeting?
Kate
No, I couldn't because Phoebe needed me and. What on earth are you talking about? I haven't stabbed anyone in the back.
Lillian
Oh, really? Really, dad, Adam made it very clear he had your full support.
Kate
Hang on.
Susan
What?
Lillian
Yeah, it was full of It. Rory, Kate, Alice, they're all in agreement.
Kate
Dad, we were not in on this. This. The thing with Adam and Debbie and the land, that was never a part of the plan.
Lillian
So you admit there was a plan.
Kate
Yes. Yes, there was. There was a sort of plan to
Lillian
effectively lock me out of the farm.
Kate
No, it really wasn't like that.
Lillian
Well, that's how it looks, Kate. That's how it looks.
Kate
We were worried about your stress levels.
Lillian
Well, that's hilarious.
Kate
Is it?
Lillian
I mean, how stressful do you think that meeting was?
Kate
I know, and I'm sorry. I really am so sorry. But you can't punish the rest of us for something that Adam and Debbie did entirely without consultation.
Lillian
I can do what I like. It's my land.
Rory
Right.
Kate
Right.
Lillian
I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear. The truth, is it? It's too hard, Kate. It's too complicated. And the partnership isn't working. You and Alice want to complain about the loss of income, take your complaints to Adam and Debbie.
Kate
What about Spiritual Home?
Lillian
What about it?
Kate
How will that be affected?
Lillian
Oh, don't worry. You can keep your precious spiritual home.
Kate
Well, forgive me for being concerned about my own business, a business I've worked very hard for.
Lillian
It's also business which your mother and I had to sell our home.
Tracy
Dad.
Lillian
If you hadn't been so keen to protect your business, we could have sold that land instead of the farmhouse.
Kate
You had to sell the house. Because you went and poisoned the a.m.
Lillian
but if you'd been willing to compromise, then it wouldn't have come to that.
Brian
I can't believe you.
Kate
I honestly can't.
Lillian
I'm just stating the facts.
Anna
Okay.
Kate
Well, I really can't talk to you when you're like this, so I'm gonna go and watch the cricket.
Linda
Well, that was very exciting, wasn't it?
Zainab
It was great.
Tom
Just a shame we lost. Really, I didn't.
Zainab
That's true.
Linda
And it was very close.
Lillian
Really.
Linda
Robert and I enjoyed the whole thing immensely.
Brad
Well, I loved it.
Zainab
Because you were on the winning side.
Linda
Congratulations, Brad.
Brian
Thank you.
Brad
Linda.
Lillian
Yeah.
Tom
What happened to you, Brad?
Brian
What do you mean?
Lillian
What were you doing?
Tom
Playing so well for the other side.
Zainab
Yeah, where's your loyalty?
Brad
Where is my loyalty? You lot couldn't wait to offload me.
Linda
Oh, I'm sure that's not true.
Tom
It is. We had to be pragmatic, didn't we?
Brad
Is that what you call it?
Zainab
And I did offer.
Brian
Oh, no, no.
Linda
We wouldn't want to lose you, Zainab.
Brad
See what I mean?
Linda
Brad, I didn't mean it like that.
Brad
It's all right, Linda.
Rory
It's.
Zainab
You did play well, though, Brad.
Tom
Never seen you run so fast in my life.
Brad
I'm not a bad runner. Just can't catch. Or bat.
Linda
You're a bit like the boxer with the glass jaw.
Brad
Yeah. Yeah, maybe.
Linda
Well, if the Women's Cricket World cup is half as entertaining as this afternoon, we're all in for a treat.
Kate
Oh, yeah.
Zainab
I'm so psyched to go see the T20 opener.
Brad
Me, too.
Linda
So wonderful of Jim to organize the whole thing.
Tom
I'm even looking forward to all of us on a coach together.
Zainab
It'll be like a school trip.
Lillian
Yeah.
Linda
We should take a packed lunch and
Zainab
eat it immediately when we're sat on board.
Adam
Exactly.
Tom
Yeah, right. I don't know why we're standing outside when we could be ordering a pint.
Linda
Oh, yes. All right. Let's go in, shall we?
Tom
After you, Linda.
Linda
Thank you.
Brad
You coming?
Zainab
No, I'm gonna go.
Brad
You're not coming to the pub?
Kirsty
I've got plans.
Tom
What plans?
Zainab
With Chelsea, actually.
Kirsty
She's gonna color my hair.
Brad
Oh, all right.
Zainab
Yeah. I'm gonna get a balayage.
Tom
Oh, nice.
Zainab
Do you know what a balayage is?
Brad
Yeah, because my sister is a hairdresser.
Zainab
Yeah, right.
Brad
How light you gonna go?
Zainab
I don't know. Depends how well the color takes. But pretty light if I can.
Brad
Well, okay.
Anna
Good.
Brad
Carpe diem, Zainab.
Zainab
Carpe diem, Brad.
Brad
It doesn't really work, does it?
Zainab
Not really. See you later, Brad.
Brad
I'll see you.
Kate
They lost.
Adam
What?
Kate
The Battling Bulls. They lost. But it was close.
Lillian
What are you doing here again?
Kate
Well, I was thinking about what you said, and I'm not having it.
Lillian
Sorry. You're not having what?
Kate
The sale of the farmhouse was one of the most painful events in my entire life. But it wasn't my fault that you were forced to sell. That was you, dad. You were the one who poisoned the amazing.
Lillian
Why do you all love reminding me of that?
Kate
We don't love reminding you.
Lillian
Well, it seems to come up a hell of a lot.
Kate
That's because three hours ago you said it was my fault you had to sell up, when actually it was all yours. And I'm not letting you bully me like that anymore.
Lillian
Bully you?
Brian
Yes.
Lillian
I've never bullied you in my life.
Kate
Well, recollections may vary there, dad. You can be very domineering and very patriarchal at times. Honestly, it's true. You don't even realize you're doing it half the time. And I'm so sick of it. I'm just absolutely sick of it.
Lillian
I really don't think I'm anywhere near as bad as all that.
Kate
I know you don't. That's my point.
Lillian
Well, what do you want me to say?
Kate
I want an apology.
Lillian
I'm sorry.
Kate
All right, well, you don't sound it.
Lillian
Well, I shouldn't have said what I said about spiritual home, etc.
Ian
Etc.
Kate
It really wasn't my fault that you had to sell the house.
Lillian
No.
Kate
And just say that to me. When losing the house broke Mum's heart. Well, that's actually really cruel. Particularly now she's not with us anymore.
Lillian
All right, all right. Sorry. I'm sorry, darling.
Kate
Now you sound like you mean it.
Lillian
Because I do.
Midwife
All right.
Kate
Apology accepted.
Lillian
Well, do you want to come in, then? Have a proper chat?
Kate
I thought you'd never ask.
Lillian
Right.
Linda
I must say, I do think Henry's design for the logo is very effective.
Yeah, it looks good, doesn't it?
And I really do understand this choice now to play pub cricket.
Kate
I mean, really.
Linda
Yes, because it has lightness to it. There's a lack of intensity there. It's all rather joyful. Doesn't take itself too seriously.
Oh, yeah, yeah, I think don't take itself too seriously. That's right. You've hit the nail on the head there, Linda.
Right, well, I'm going to head to the garden with these drinks and find Robert.
Okie doke.
See you out there.
Yeah, see you in a sec. All right, Brad?
Brad
Yeah, yeah, good.
Linda
Do you want a drink?
Alan
Yeah.
Brad
Can I have a apple juice?
Brian
Sure.
Brad
And a packet of roasted peanut.
Linda
Steady on. Now, where's aab?
Brad
Oh, she's. She's getting her hair done. Chelsea's doing her a balayage.
Anna
Oh, right.
Linda
I didn't know that.
Brad
Oh, it's so busy in here.
Linda
Yeah, it's great for the pub, this pub cricket business.
Brad
Yeah, I suppose that's the idea in a way, yeah.
Linda
Oh, shame your granddad missed the match. Yeah, he'd have been very proud, seeing you run like that.
Brad
Oh, I don't know about that.
Linda
He would. Of course he would. Oh, I hope he's gonna be all right at Clive's.
Brad
Yeah, me too.
Linda
I still can't believe that my brother actually turned up.
Brad
I know.
Linda
I've spent the last four days telling Grandad not to get his hopes up. You know what Clive's like. And then there he is and bang on time, all set.
Brad
No, I know.
Linda
Sorry.
Brad
What are you sorry for?
Linda
Going on?
Brad
No, you're not.
Linda
Do you think I should have stopped him going?
Lillian
No.
Brad
I mean, he's a grown up.
Brian
Do you think he'll be all right?
Tom
Yeah.
Brad
Yeah. I mean, I hope so.
Linda
So do I.
Lillian
You want a bear?
Kate
No, thank you.
Lillian
Tea?
Kate
Have you got anything herbal?
Lillian
No.
Kate
Then no, thanks.
Lillian
Okay.
Kate
I am sorry about what happened at
Tracy
the meeting on Friday.
Kate
I really wish I'd been there.
Lillian
Oh, well, I don't know how much difference it would have made in the end.
Kate
Alice, Rory and I really were coming from a place of love and care for you. And maybe Adam and Debbie were too, in their own very badly expressed way. I mean, I'm not defending them because I don't understand what they were playing at.
Lillian
Have you talked to them?
Alice
No.
Lillian
What I don't understand, at least as far as you and Alice and Rory are concerned, is why you've all stopped trusting me.
Kate
Because your behavior lately, dad, it's been weird.
Lillian
But has it? Has it really?
Natasha
Yes.
Kate
And now this decision to withdraw the land doesn't help your case, dad, that you're not losing it.
Lillian
Don't mince your words.
Kate
Well, the time for word mincing is probably over, don't you think?
Lillian
Maybe.
Kate
And what about Miranda? You two were great. You were so happy. And then you went and set fire to it all.
Lillian
Which I regret enormously. Thanks for reminding me.
Kate
I'm sorry, dad, it. I'm just listing another reason why we became concerned.
Lillian
But it happens, it happens. I mean, you've thrown away at least half a dozen possibilities.
Kate
Oh, no, I haven't.
Lillian
Well, you have, actually. Look, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to bully or be patriarchal now. I'm just saying we all make mistakes. But it doesn't mean we're losing the plot. It just means we're human, doesn't it?
Anna
So, Mum, the guys, whoever the guys are. I suppose it's just gonna be one bloke, isn't it? Or a woman even. Maybe. Anyway, whoever is coming to fit these grab rails, they'll be here between 8:30 and 4.
Brian
Well, that's not very convenient.
Tracy
Why?
Brian
Well, because I'll have to wait in for most of the day.
Anna
But you're usually in most of the day anyway.
Brian
I do go out, you know. I make a point of it. Taking a little constitutional.
Anna
Well, it's just one day, isn't it? And these grab rails are important. And you never know, they might turn up early. So you need to make sure you you're up and dressed and ready to answer the door by 8.3. 0.
Brian
Anna, I am awake with the lock.
Tracy
OK?
Anna
OK. And then don't forget that the care assessor is coming on Thursday.
Brian
Yes, yes, yes. I've got it all written down. Oh, don't fuss, Anna.
Anna
I'm not fussing. I'm just checking that you know the schedule.
Brian
I haven't got dementia, you know.
Anna
Who said anything about dementia?
Brian
How long will it take? That's what I want to know.
Anna
How long will what take?
Brian
Fitting the grab rails.
Anna
Well, I can't imagine it'll be that long.
Brian
Well, I do hope they don't make
Anna
a mess because the house is so pristine.
Brian
The house is how I like it.
Anna
I am sure there'll be neat workers. Mum,
Brian
do you think it's too late to cancel?
Anna
Cancel?
Brian
I'm just not convinced that it's worth it.
Anna
Well, of course it's worth it if they prevent you from falling over.
Brian
I haven't fallen over for weeks now
Anna
and that's the way we want to keep it.
Brian
Fine. Fine.
Kate
Fine.
Brian
I give up.
Susan
Up.
Adam
Hi, Ian.
Lillian
Sorry, Adam.
Adam
Have you got five minutes?
Ian
Well, that's kind of. I mean, it's bank holiday Monday and we're booked up solid.
Adam
Can I just. Just tell you one thing?
Ian
What's happened? What's wrong?
Adam
I think Brian might have tipped me over the edge.
Ian
I thought he did that ages ago.
Adam
Thanks.
Ian
No, sorry, I didn't mean to.
Lillian
He.
Adam
He won't talk to me. He just won't talk to me.
Lillian
It's.
Adam
It's so childish.
Ian
Have you seen him?
Lillian
No.
Adam
No. He's been avoiding me all weekend. He's literally hiding from me. But he can't hide for 30 days, can he?
Ian
I don't know.
Adam
Can't. Of course he can't. It's ridiculous. Okay, if there's no land, there's no partnership. What's going to happen to Home Farm?
Ian
I have no idea.
Adam
Brian's 82 years old. I know Adam cannot withdraw the land.
Ian
And yet it seems like he can.
Adam
I have to stop him.
Ian
Hi.
Adam
I don't know. I just know I've got 30 days in which to do it.
Anna
Look, why don't you sit down at the dining room table now with all these magazines and some scissors and start cutting out the articles you want to keep, and then I can take the rest of this stuff to the recycling center today and then it's one actual thing that we've achieved.
Brian
Alan will be here soon.
Anna
Alan?
Brian
We're having a meeting.
Anna
Are you.
Brian
Didn't I tell you that? No. Oh, I thought I did, but we're
Anna
supposed to be sorting the house out
Brian
for tomorrow, but the house is fine.
Anna
It's really not, you know.
Brian
Poor Alan is at his wits end.
Anna
Is he? Why?
Brian
Because he's got to raise so much money for the church bell? Yeah, And I thought I might be able to help him.
Anna
How?
Brian
Because we used to do all sorts of fundraising, didn't we, back in the day?
Anna
Did you?
Brian
Yes.
Linda
Yes.
Anna
I can't really remember, Mum.
Brian
Well, we did, and we were very good at it. Oh, don't you remember that marvellous scavenger hunt we did when you were little?
Anna
Vaguely. OK, so when's Alan coming?
Brian
11.
Anna
I think it's 11 now.
Brian
Oh, well, he'll be here any moment, then.
Anna
OK. OK. I suppose I can do a bit of tidying while you're chatting to Alan. But just one thing, Mum.
Alice
Yes?
Anna
On Thursday, when the care assessor comes, you need to be honest with them.
Brian
You know, you really don't need to talk to me like I'm an idiot.
Anna
I don't talk to you like you're an idiot. I've never talked to you like you're an idiot. You talk to me like I'm an idiot.
Brian
Well, you can be a bit tense sometimes.
Anna
Thanks.
Natasha
Thanks.
Brian
I'm sorry, darling.
Anna
I am a highly qualified barrister.
Kirsty
I know.
Brian
I know you are. I realize, Mum, what I'm. I'm acknowledging that you are clever.
Anna
All I'm trying to say is that there's no point the care assessor coming if you're not straight with them.
Brian
Are they going to ask very intrusive questions?
Anna
No, they're just going to ask you practical things about how you manage day to day and whether you're eligible for any extra support.
Brian
What kind of support?
Anna
Could be all sorts, Mum. Access to day centres.
Brian
But I don't want to go to a day center.
Anna
All right, but it depends on what they think you need. I do wish I could be here.
Brian
Well, you can't, so never mind. You know, you'll just have to trust me. Well, what's that supposed to mean? Oh, there's Alan.
Anna
Great.
Brian
Answer the door, darling.
Anna
Hi, Alan.
Alan
Oh, hello, Anna.
Anna
I hear you're having a meeting.
Alan
Yes, yes. Carol's kindly offered to discuss fundraising ideas for the church bell.
Anna
Yes, yes, she said. Oh, do you want to come in, Alan?
Brian
Oh, yeah.
Alan
If that's all right.
Brian
Oh, yeah, yes, course it's all right.
Alan
Thank you.
Kirsty
Oh.
Brian
Oh, why don't you make the tea, Anna, and then Alan and I can go out into the garden and get started.
Anna
How do you take your Tea?
Alan
Alan, Would I be able to have a coffee?
Natasha
Sure.
Alan
Thank you.
Adam
And Kate and Alice? They're still not speaking to me either.
Ian
Is Kit back?
Adam
Yeah, yeah, she got back on Saturday.
Ian
You just need to tell them. I mean, everything.
Adam
Everything?
Tom
Yeah.
Ian
That Brian originally promised you the land and then reneged.
Adam
Oh, yeah, Yeah. I don't know.
Ian
I really think you should. I think it's important because it's context,
Adam
but I don't think they'd actually listen right now.
Ian
I'm sure they would.
Adam
Just never crossed my mind that Brian would withdraw the land from the partnership. I don't know why. I suppose I never thought he'd do that to the others.
Ian
I did have one thought, you know, about that. Well, if Kate is worried about finances, then she could come and work here. Yeah, we're currently really short staffed and we're only going to get busier now it's nearly summer.
Adam
What would Kate do here? Teach yoga?
Ian
Well, actually, yeah, she could run a class or two, but I was actually thinking housekeeping, bar work, admin, etc. That's what we actually need right now. Do you think she might be up for that?
Adam
I guess you'd have to ask her.
Ian
I just don't want her to feel, I don't know, insulted.
Adam
I'm sure she won't feel insulted, but she might not want anything to do with either of us right now.
Ian
Listen, I'm sure you lot will work things out. And at the end of the day, Alice, Kate and Rory, they love you. They do? Of course they do. They're not gonna let something like this permanently ruin your relationship, are they?
Adam
Honestly, I think without Debbie's added intervention, I think it would have been, or could have been really different.
Ian
Well, yeah, maybe.
Adam
I mean, what was she doing?
Ian
I don't know, Adam.
Adam
How can she claim the land is rightfully hers when she's not even here to farm it? What was she thinking?
Brian
A scavenger hunt can be so much fun, you know. And I would very happily work it all out, the route and everything, and write the clues.
Alan
Well, if you're up for doing something like that, Carol, I'd be so grateful.
Brian
Oh, absolutely. I would love it.
Alan
I mean, I would help you out, but I've just got no time.
Brian
Well, you're pulled in so many different directions at once, aren't you?
Alan
That's just it.
Tom
Yeah.
Brian
Do you know something?
Alan
What?
Brian
You've reminded me of Richard then.
Alan
Richard?
Brian
Yeah, my. My son.
Alan
Oh, sorry, yes. Yes, your son.
Brian
You never met him, did you?
Alan
No, I'm sorry, I didn't know.
Brian
He died of a heart attack.
Alan
Yes, I. I think I knew that.
Brian
Such a shock, you know.
Alan
Yes.
Brian
He was living in France at the time, so I hadn't seen him for, well, quite a while. Nearly a year.
Alan
That must have been so difficult.
Brian
Ah, yes. I was very sad. Because, you know, even if you don't live in each other's pockets, you don't exist. Expect that the last time you say goodbye will be the last time you ever see each other.
Alan
Of course not.
Brian
And he was so young. Really.
Alan
I'm so sorry.
Brian
It's never occurred to me before, but you really do have a look of him. Right.
Tracy
Tea for you, Mom.
Brian
Thank you.
Anna
And coffee for you, Alan.
Alan
Oh, lovely, thanks.
Anna
How's it going?
Brian
Can?
Alan
Carol's come up with some excellent fundraising suggestions.
Linda
Oh, good.
Brian
You see, I'm not entirely useless.
Anna
When have I ever said that you're useless?
Brian
When? Oh, sorry, darling, you haven't.
Anna
Don't listen to anything my mother says about me, will you, Alan?
Linda
Okay.
Brian
I was just saying to Alan that he has a look of Richard.
Anna
Richard?
Brian
Your brother.
Anna
Mum, I know who Richard is.
Brian
Don't you think?
Anna
Oh, I didn't know if you took sugar, Alan. So help yourself.
Alan
No, thank you.
Brian
I should. I should come and fetch a photograph.
Alan
Oh, please, please don't worry.
Brian
No, honestly, I. I can't believe I've never seen it before. It's quite striking. Can't you see it?
Anna
Not really, no. Sorry. Sorry, Alan.
Alan
Oh, that's quite all right.
Brian
Anna and I never agree on anything, do we?
Anna
Not much, no.
Adam
It's such a mess.
Ian
Honestly, Adam, I'm sorry, but I really do need to get back to work.
Adam
Okay. Yeah. Yes. Sorry.
Ian
No, it's fine, it's fine. It's just things are really busy.
Tom
Yeah.
Adam
And I better get back to the farm anyway.
Ian
You're going back there?
Adam
Well, yeah. I mean, I can't just leave Brian to it, can I?
Ian
Why not?
Adam
Because he's going to ruin everything.
Ian
Well, that's his problem, isn't it, Naomi?
Brad
No.
Adam
No way. I'm not giving up or giving in. And it is my job, Ian. I can't just ditch it.
Ian
Okay. Fair enough.
Adam
And you never know, maybe if I just carry on as normal. Don't rise to the bait. Brian might even see sense.
Ian
Really?
Adam
Yeah. I mean, why not?
Ian
Well, because he's done this a thousand times before, but it's just not remotely
Adam
practical what he's doing. And Kate and Alice know that. I just wish they'd talk to me. We need to work together to make Brian see sense. He's more likely to listen to them than me, let's face it. But if Alice and Kate can work on him together, it's in their interests too.
Ian
I know. Yeah, I know.
Adam
So I really don't know why they're ignoring me.
Ian
Don't you?
Adam
What do you mean?
Ian
Well, I think we both know why they're ignoring you.
Adam
Whose side are you on?
Ian
Oh, look, I'm on your side, Adam. Of course I am. But Alice and Kate aren't right now. Right. You need to win them over. Tell them the truth about how Brian promised you the land, but tell them everything, please.
Kate
Have you got time for this chat now, Alice?
Alice
Yeah, I mean, I haven't got long, but we've got to eat lunch, haven't we?
Kate
So presumably you told Lillian what happened on Friday?
Alice
Yeah, I did. What does she think? She was horrified.
Kate
Could she have a word with dad, maybe?
Alice
Oh, I think she's planning to have more than a word. Good.
Zainab
I'd like to be a fly on
Kate
the wall when that happens.
Alice
Yeah, me too.
Kate
So, can you just tell me everything, starting at the beginning?
Alice
I mean, you know it all, really.
Kate
No, but what exactly happened at the meeting?
Alice
I don't know. I still don't really understand it. Debbie and Adam just went completely mad. Off script.
Kate
I mean, it sounds like it was a lot more than off script.
Anna
It was just so awful.
Alice
I really wish you'd been there.
Kate
I know. I'm so sorry. If I'd known what they were planning.
Alice
But that's what was so weird. I mean, I still don't understand how much actual planning was involved. Adam had no idea whatsoever that Debbie was coming over. I mean, none of us did.
Kate
I did try and talk to dad.
Alice
When?
Kate
Sunday.
Alice
How did that go?
Kate
Well, he's just adamant that he's withdrawing the land.
Alice
But how is that even going to work?
Kate
I don't know. He sees it as this kind of liberation. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, it's a disaster.
Alice
Well, yeah, for loads of reasons.
Kate
But I rely on that income, Alice. I know it's not wildly consistent, but spiritual home on its own will not sustain me.
Tracy
What have you got in your sandwiches?
Linda
Cheese.
Tracy
Cheese?
Linda
Yeah, cheese.
Tracy
Is that all?
Linda
What's wrong with that?
Tracy
I've got hummus and roast vegetables.
Linda
Congratulations.
Tracy
Working with cheese all day in the dairy makes me want to eat something different, you know?
Linda
Well, that's all we had in the house, so that's what I brought.
Tracy
See, Neil made this lovely meal last night. Roast vegetables and couscous. And I thought. Oh, well, that'll make a nice lunch, that will.
Linda
Good for you.
Tracy
Do I try some?
Linda
No, thanks.
Tracy
What's wrong?
Linda
Nothing's wrong.
Tracy
No, no, something's wrong. What is it?
Linda
Nothing is wrong with me. But you have been funny with me all morning.
Tracy
No, I haven't.
Brian
You have, you have.
Linda
You've been critical of everything I'm doing.
Tracy
Not everything. Not everything. I haven't enough to do me edding. Well, I'm sorry, Tracy, but I've been here a long time and I know what I'm doing.
Linda
So do I.
Tracy
But you're still learning, aren't you? And that's not me being funny. That's me being honest.
Linda
Well, Ellen seems very happy with my work. She actually told me I have an affinity with cheese.
Tracy
She said what?
Linda
She said I have an affinity with cheese.
Brian
When?
Linda
When she offered me more hours.
Tracy
When did she offer you more hours?
Linda
Last week.
Tracy
You never said. Well, I'm saying now she's not offered me more hours because you've got plenty already.
Linda
Plus you work at the shop. You've basically got two full time jobs anyway. I ain't said yes or no yet.
Tracy
You do exaggerate, Tracy.
Linda
So do you. So does dad. Maybe it's a family trait.
Tracy
Have you spoken to him?
Linda
To dad?
Tracy
Yeah.
Tom
No.
Tracy
Well, you haven't seen spoken to him once since he went to Clive's.
Linda
He only went on Sunday morning.
Tracy
That's two whole days.
Linda
Well, have you spoken to him?
Tracy
No, I haven't. I called him but he didn't answer.
Linda
Well, hopefully that means he's happy.
Tracy
I just keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong.
Linda
Well, he can always call us.
Tracy
I mean, what if Clive goes away and leaves dad on his own?
Linda
I don't think he will.
Tracy
Or takes him down the pub and gets him legless?
Linda
Dad'd love that.
Tracy
But then dad could have a fall and crack his head open.
Linda
Susan.
Tracy
Oh, he could, couldn't he?
Linda
How do you think this is helping? How exactly is this helping?
Tracy
I'm just voicing my concerns.
Adam
Uh, hi.
Alice
Oh, Adam.
Kate
What are you doing here?
Adam
Well, I just. I came to talk to Alice.
Kate
Well, me and Alice are actually in the middle of a really important conversation, so you're not welcome right now.
Alice
Okay.
Kate
Well, sorry, Alice, but he's not, is he?
Adam
Okay, look, I realize I'm not your favourite person right now and I'm sorry I've come to find you at work, Alice. But you won't answer my calls, you won't reply to my messages.
Brian
Can you blame her?
Alice
Hate. I can speak for myself.
Kate
Yes, but you're not saying anything because
Alice
I can't get a word in edgeways.
Kate
I am on your side, you know.
Brian
I know you are.
Adam
It's not a question of sides.
Kate
I think it is, actually.
Adam
We have to talk about this like adults. We're not kids anymore, Adam.
Alice
You didn't talk to me about anything, anything.
Tom
I did.
Adam
I absolutely did.
Alice
You said nothing about the land. All we talked about was Dad's well
Adam
being and the future of the farm.
Alice
With a focus on Dad's well being.
Adam
This is all about Brian.
Kate
Yeah, right, it is.
Alice
How can you say that after Friday's meeting?
Adam
Will you just listen to me first?
Alice
You basically tricked me.
Adam
I did not trust.
Kate
How could you be so selfish?
Natasha
Yeah, I'm so.
Alice
Oh, what's that word? Duplicitous.
Kate
Yes, good word.
Adam
I wasn't being duplicitous.
Kate
I depend on the home farm partnership to make ends meet, Adam. I can't make a living solely from spiritual home. Did you stop and think about that?
Adam
No, because I didn't think for one moment that Brian would do anything so crazy as withdraw the land from the partnership.
Alice
Well, he has, or he will in less than 30 days. So we're all in trouble. We're all in trouble because of you.
Adam
Adam, can you please just listen to me for one minute, please? Because the thing is that Brian promised me the land.
Lillian
Sorry, what do you mean he promised me the land?
Alice
When.
Brian
When was this?
Adam
Weeks ago. He. He promised me the land. I wanted to talk to you two and Rory, but Brian basically wouldn't let me.
Alice
He wouldn't let you?
Adam
He said he wanted to get everything worked out legally first. So I obviously waited for that to happen, then he changed his mind.
Kate
But why would he make you that offer and then change his mind?
Adam
Because that's what he does. So can you blame me for believing, genuinely believing, that he's losing it when he goes and does a thing like that?
Kate
Oh, it's Ian. Why is Ian calling me?
Adam
Well, I. I think he wants to offer you a job.
Kate
A job?
Anna
Really?
Brian
Well, answer it.
Anna
Shall I?
Adam
Yeah, definitely.
Kate
Hello?
Ian
Oh, hi, Kit.
Kate
Hi, Ian.
Ian
Are you okay?
Kate
Yeah, I'm fine. No, I'm not fine. I'm with Alice and Adam.
Ian
Right, Right. Okay. Sorry to interrupt.
Kate
It's okay.
Ian
I just wondered if you were interested in taking some work at Greg Abel's.
Kate
Oh, I don't know.
Ian
It's just we're short staffed at the moment and I know you could be potentially short of cash in the near Future? Just because of the situation at Home Farm.
Kate
Oh, yeah, that is true. I will be short of cash, Kate.
Ian
Well, look, why don't you comment? We'll have a chat about it sometime soon.
Kate
Okay? Thanks. Thanks, Ian.
Tracy
I just don't understand how you could let it happen.
Linda
Dad wanted to go.
Tracy
Dad doesn't know what he wants.
Linda
Dad knows exactly what he wants.
Tracy
Clive won't look after him, Tracy. You know he won't.
Linda
What was I supposed to do, Susan? Tell me that. What was I supposed to do?
Tracy
Not let him go.
Linda
How? Dad is a grown man with capacity.
Tracy
Well, I wouldn't go that far.
Linda
Is that supposed to be funny?
Tracy
The thing is, he might technically have capacity, but he's incapable of making the right choices, isn't he? That's why I had to take over with his diet and his exercise.
Linda
If you hadn't been so obsessed with taking over, he might not have run off with Clive.
Tracy
Oh, so it's my fault now?
Linda
Yes, absolutely.
Ian
Hi, Alice.
Alice
Oh, Ian.
Ian
Sorry to just turn up.
Alice
Oh, no, that's all right.
Ian
Look, I suppose I just wanted to, I don't know, just talk to you about Adam.
Alice
Right.
Ian
He doesn't know I'm here.
Alice
Ah, okay.
Ian
It's just I wanted to defend him, really.
Alice
You don't need to do that. Honestly, we had a pretty good chat earlier.
Ian
Okay, well, I guess I just want to back him up then, because he really was trying to secure the future of Home Farm. He wasn't trying to tear up that entire agreement.
Alice
Yeah, I get that a bit more now.
Ian
He never for a minute expected Debbie to walk in and say all that stuff.
Alice
No one did.
Ian
I mean, she really stuck the burden, by the sound of it.
Alice
Yeah, she did. She was really tough on dad, which
Ian
can't have helped Adam's case.
Alice
I mean, I'm not sure Adam helped Adam's case.
Ian
You know, the thing is, he's really afraid of losing his relationship with you and Kate and Rory.
Alice
Oh, he won't? Of course not.
Ian
Okay, Good. Great. You did say things were better.
Alice
I mean, I knew nothing about dad offering him the last land and then reneging. We were both really shocked by that, me and Kate.
Ian
I mean, I'm glad he told you about that.
Brian
I just.
Alice
I wish I'd known about that earlier.
Ian
I made him promise not to tell.
Alice
I know.
Ian
I mean, Adam has been trying so hard to be the son Brian wants. It's kind of tragic, really, how things have ended up.
Alice
I agree.
Ian
I mean, did Brian really say that Adam and Debbie weren't his children?
Kirsty
Yeah.
Brian
He did.
Ian
Adam came home after that meeting and he just cried.
Alice
He didn't.
Ian
He did.
Brian
That's awful.
Ian
I think he feels like he's lost a father.
Alice
Oh, Ian, do you.
Ian
Do you think maybe you could talk to him?
Alice
What would. Adam to Brian? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I can try.
Ian
I'm sorry to lay this on you, Alice, but I think you might be the only person who can fix this.
Tracy
Tracy? Yeah, I was a bit worried that you might not answer.
Susan
Really?
Tracy
I'm just calling to say that I'm sorry and that you were absolutely right. Thing is, I think I was just overcompensating.
Susan
Overcompensated?
Tracy
Knowing you do the lion's share and everything, I wanted to do something useful.
Susan
Right.
Tracy
I just ended up making things harder.
Susan
Well, thank you for saying that.
Tracy
Anyway, I've just been to see dad now.
Susan
You've been to see dad?
Anna
Yeah, yeah.
Tracy
I'm sitting outside Clive's flat right now in the car.
Linda
What's happened?
Tracy
Oh, no, nothing's happened. Everything's fin. That's the thing.
Susan
So why did you go over there?
Tracy
Well, wanted to see for myself the setup and everything. And honestly, you won't believe it, but Clive's got everything sorted quite nicely, really. Dad's got his own room and it's ground floor, so no worries there. And Clive was in the kitchen cooking spaghetti Bolognese for Dad's tea.
Susan
Which is a favourite.
Anna
Exactly.
Tracy
And everything looked clean, you know, and they were chatting away. I mean, dad seemed really happy.
Susan
That's nice. That's really nice.
Kirsty
I know.
Tracy
Felt quite relieved.
Susan
Thanks for going, Susan. Can't have been easy for you.
Tracy
Oh, no, no, no. It was fine. I don't trust Clive an inch, of course.
Susan
Oh, no, of course not.
Tracy
But while it lasts, maybe you can have a bit of a break, eh? I mean, you've earned it, haven't you?
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Brian
Brian.
Lillian
Lillian.
Rory
What can I get you?
Lillian
Pinterest Shires, what else?
Brian
Right you are.
Lillian
A lovely evening, isn't it?
Brian
Yeah, gorgeous.
Natasha
How long?
Lillian
Are you really good.
Brian
Really?
Lillian
Absolutely.
Rory
I wasn't expecting that.
Lillian
No, why?
Rory
Well, things have been a bit fraught, haven't they?
Lillian
Fraught?
Rory
Yes, with the farm and the land and Adam and everything.
Lillian
Oh, well, these things happen, don't they? Do you say no point crying over spilt milk.
Rory
Well, it's a bit worse than spilt milk, surely.
Lillian
I don't think so. No, I honestly don't.
Linda
Right.
Lillian
I didn't realize how constrained I was feeling. Everything was a battle with Adam. I mean, we Were not natural partners. We don't have the chemistry and we're very different farmers. I mean, that doesn't mean I don't care for him. Of course I care for him, but, you know, some things just run their course. Yeah, well, like any relationship, I suppose.
Rory
But Adam is your stepson.
Lillian
Yeah, well, I don't mean my entire relationship with Do. I mean our working relationship.
Rory
But of course that will impact on the rest of your relationship. You do realize that?
Brian
Well, of course.
Lillian
There's not much I can do about that right now.
Rory
Well, I disagree.
Lillian
I'm not going to change my mind, Lillian.
Brian
Right.
Lillian
It's my land, after all, and I want to be the one to determine its future. So I'm going to take this pint of shires out to the garden and sketch out all my delicious plans with no one to argue, negotiate eye roll or imply. I ought to be in a care home by now.
Anna
The grab rails look great.
Brian
I don't know about great. I find them rather ugly.
Anna
But are they useful?
Brian
Well, yes, admittedly, they are excellent.
Anna
And the bloke who fitted them didn't make much mess.
Brian
No, no, they're incredibly tidy and efficient. In and out in no time.
Anna
Well, I told you.
Brian
No need to crow, is there?
Anna
I wasn't crowing.
Brian
Well, I told you so is the definition of crowing. What are you looking for?
Anna
Something to cook. An actual meal.
Brian
We don't need a meal, do we?
Anna
I do.
Brian
I'd be happy with a bit of toast and banana.
Anna
Why don't we go to the pub?
Brian
The pub?
Anna
Yeah, come on.
Brian
But I really am perfectly happy with toast.
Anna
Mum, you can't live on toast.
Brian
Ah, well, you can, actually.
Anna
It's not a balanced diet.
Brian
Oh. I am not a toddler who needs feeding mushy carrot.
Anna
I'm not offering you mushy carrot. I'm offering you dinner and a glass of wine.
Rory
Have you finished with that glass, darling?
Lillian
No, no, not yet.
Rory
Brian.
Lillian
Yes, Lillian?
Rory
Isn't it your wedding anniversary this Friday?
Lillian
Yes. Yes. Would have been 50 years.
Rory
The big one.
Lillian
Yeah, but we didn't make it. Oh, well, what can you do?
Rory
Well, you cannot cause a huge upset for your entire family.
Lillian
Do you really think that's fair? To bring Jenny into this?
Linda
Well, why not?
Lillian
This isn't on me. You know, Adam started this and then Debbie threw on the petrol.
Rory
So you're entirely innocent of all wrongdoing?
Lillian
Well, obviously I'm not. No one is.
Rory
But if my sister were here, if she was still here, what do you think she would say to You.
Lillian
I think she'd be saddened that it had come to this. As am I, by the way.
Rory
You don't seem at all sad.
Lillian
Well, I am, as a matter of fact. But back to Jenny. She'd be sad, but she'd respect my decision.
Rory
Honestly.
Brian
That's.
Rory
Is honestly what you think?
Lillian
Absolutely.
Rory
Well, then you are kidding yourself, because I think she'd be horrified.
Lillian
The partnership wasn't working. Lillian just wasn't. And sometimes you have to face reality,
Linda
Tracy.
Hello, Linda.
May I have a glass of chilled house white, please?
Rory
Sure.
Tracy
Thank you.
Linda
I'm meeting Robert for an early aperitif.
Oh, that's nice.
But I also wanted a word with Lillian. Is she about.
She was, yeah. She might be in the garden.
We need to start planning the fate, you see.
Anna
What do you want, Mum?
Brian
Oh, oh, I'll have a G and T, please, Anna. Hello, Lillian.
Linda
How are you?
Brian
Oh, my daughter is insisting we come out for dinner.
Anna
Yes, I'm awful like that.
Linda
Well, that sounds very nice.
Machine's ready, Linda.
Oh, sorry, Tracy.
Lovely. Thanks very much.
Anna
Mum, why don't you go and sit outside in the sun?
Brian
Oh, I. I could do, I suppose, yes.
Linda
Come outside with me, Carol, then we can have a bit of a catch up.
Brian
Oh, all right, yes, yes, that sounds really nice.
Linda
Let me just grab my wine.
Brian
Oh, yes, you don't want to forget that.
Linda
So, one G and T. And what can I get for you?
Anna
I'd like a really large glass of red, please. Please.
Linda
Anything in particular?
Anna
I don't really care.
Linda
Oh, long day.
Anna
Yeah, it has been a long day. Yes. And my mother is driving me slightly insane.
Linda
Oh, well, yeah, I know that feeling.
Anna
All I do is try and help her and all she does is resist me every inch of the way. And I know it's horribly disloyal of me to say this to you right now, but honestly, this week I just. I'm really feeling it.
Linda
I'm the same, you know, except with my dad.
Anna
Oh, really?
Linda
I mean, I love him to bits, but he drives me up the wall.
Anna
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, she lives here and I'm not here, and that's quite tricky as well. I mean, the back and forth of it.
Linda
Yeah, I bet it is.
Anna
Does your dad live with you?
Linda
He does usually, but he's actually staying with my brother at the moment, which seems to be going okay. Surprisingly okay, really.
Anna
Oh, that's good. So that gives you a bit of a break.
Linda
Yeah, it does, but it can't last. I mean, it won't last.
Anna
Right, right. But how long have you been looking after your dad?
Linda
Oh, years now.
Anna
And how long has he been away?
Linda
Since Sunday.
Anna
Oh, well, that's nothing, is it? No, but still nice, I suppose.
Alice
Yeah.
Natasha
Yeah.
Linda
Well, I feel a bit anxious about it, to be honest.
Anna
Right.
Linda
Like, is Clive really taking proper care of him?
Anna
Yeah. I can't imagine my brother being much good with my mum having the patients.
Linda
Well, that's it.
Alice
Yeah.
Anna
But actually my brother's dead, so it's sort of irrelevant anyway.
Linda
Oh, sorry.
Anna
Yeah. Yeah, it's sad for my mum, but I honestly don't think it had been any help whatsoever. In this phase of our lives, why
Linda
does it just fall to one person? That's what I don't get. There's six of us. Me, my sister and four brothers. But it's me who does all the work.
Anna
Well, I suppose part of it is that he lives with you.
Linda
Yeah, And I get that, I do. But Susan, my sister, is only up the road.
Anna
Maybe you should ask her to take more on.
Linda
I have. And she tries, she makes more effort, but things just. I don't know, they just slip.
Anna
I can imagine.
Linda
Everyone's busy, aren't they?
Anna
Yes, but that's not an excuse for leaving it all to you, is it?
Linda
No, it's just what happens.
Brian
Yeah.
Linda
Sorry, didn't mean to get into all this.
Anna
No, it's. It's quite nice, actually. It's a relief to talk to someone in the same boat, really. I worry that I sound like an awful person. Oh, no, you don't.
Linda
Not to me, anyway.
Anna
I love her so much.
Linda
Say Mia. But sometimes I think I'm going to burn out.
Kirsty
Yeah.
Anna
Yeah, well, that's when you need support, isn't it?
Linda
You need it before you burn out.
Anna
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
Linda
It is difficult, isn't it?
Brian
Well, it is, rather.
Linda
After the explosion at Grey Gables, I had to rely on Robert for everything. And it does impact on your relationship?
Brian
Oh, of course it does.
Anna
I felt like a burden.
Brian
Yes, of course. But that is precisely what I resist. And yet Anna seems determined to make me her burden. I don't understand that. I really don't. I fear she suffers from a sort of martyr syndrome.
Linda
She just wants you to be safe and well looked after, doesn't she?
Brian
Yes, well, perhaps.
Linda
Can you talk to her? You know, just be honest with her?
Brian
Yes, but it's not easy, is it? Oh, no, it's not easy. I mean, this is the second time she's been to see me in three days and it's a long way at the end of a long day.
Linda
Well, she obviously cares a great deal.
Brian
Yes, yes, I know. I'm very lucky.
Linda
Do you know the thing I really hated? When I was out and about with Robert and people would ask him what I wanted, you know that. Does he take shape? Sugar?
Ian
Cliche.
Brian
Yes.
Linda
Once or twice I just wanted to scream at someone in a cafe or wherever. I'm right here, you know.
Brian
Yes. Yeah. Oh, I've definitely felt that way. Especially when someone calls you dear. Oh, save me from dear. Oh, dear Lord.
Anna
Oh, Linda.
Brian
But you see, I suppose the key difference between you and I is that you recover.
Anna
Recovered?
Brian
Whereas I'm not going to recover from being elderly, am I? Oh, I mean, not. Not that I think of myself as elderly at all. Good. My mind is young. Well, at least on a good day, I.
Tracy
Sorry.
Anna
I was ages. You're probably dying of thirst out here, aren't you, Mum?
Brian
Well, no, no, I'm all right. Linda and I were just having quite a nice chat, weren't we?
Linda
We most certainly were.
Alice
Auntie Lillian.
Brian
Alice.
Alice
I found the spare keys for the office. I thought you might want them.
Anna
Oh, great.
Rory
Thanks, darling. That's good of you.
Alice
Yeah, no problem.
Brian
Everything all right?
Alice
Yeah, yeah. Good, thanks.
Brian
You?
Rory
You know your father's currently sitting in the beer garden. Just had a bit of a barney, actually.
Alice
Really?
Rory
Oh, well, that's not a barney. But you know me, Alice, I don't hold back. I told him your mother will be appalled by him.
Alice
What did he say?
Rory
Flannel. About how Jenny would have respected his decision. But honestly, tell it to the birds.
Linda
Brian Fallon says to tell you we've only got three Ham and leap pies left.
Rory
All right, thanks, Tracy.
Alice
Well, I'll just go and speak to dad.
Rory
Okay, Johnny.
Brian
Good luck. Thanks.
Linda
What's Alice need look for? Not that it's any of my business.
Rory
No, Brian is being particular. Particularly Brian. Well, worse, actually.
Linda
Oh, yeah. All these parents, they specialize in their own brand of themness.
Rory
Yeah, but I suppose my son probably says that about me.
Kate
Hi, dad.
Lillian
Alice.
Alice
Can I sit down?
Lillian
Sure.
Alice
Lillian mentioned you were out here.
Lillian
Oh, did she?
Alice
Why do you say it like that?
Lillian
Because I fear Lillian's agenda.
Alice
Well, she is a bit concerned, yes.
Lillian
Don't worry, don't worry. She's already given me an earful.
Alice
Dad, are you really going to go through with this? Yes, it just seems like a bit of an overreaction.
Lillian
Can you have an overreaction to betrayal?
Alice
Betrayal up. How have I betrayed you? I was genuinely worried about you.
Lillian
Betrayed me? Because you should have talk to me.
Alice
I did Talk to you. And you battered my concerns away because
Lillian
they had no merit. I mean, do I look like someone who's lost their marbles?
Brian
No.
Alice
No, you don't.
Natasha
Except for.
Lillian
Except for what?
Alice
Well, this decision to withdraw the land from the partnership is wildly illogical and arguably part of a pattern of very odd behavior.
Lillian
Oh, not this again. Dad, I'm so tired of hearing you.
Alice
Yeah, well, I'm sorry if it's boring you, but your decision doesn't make sense. And for me, it feels very much like a punishment.
Lillian
Well, it's not. It's not a punishment. It's just me making a bid for freedom. And I know no one else is happy, Alice, but I am. I am, all right? And you will have to just get over it and get on. Get on with the rest of your lives and leave me to get on with mine.
Kirsty
Everything all right, Kate?
Kate
Yeah, fine. I just can't find the dustpan and brush.
Kirsty
Oh, isn't it in the cupboard?
Kate
Which cupboard?
Kirsty
The downstairs cupboard with the dryer.
Susan
Oh, I haven't looked in there.
Tracy
Well, it usually is.
Zainab
Really?
Susan
I didn't know that.
Kate
Oh, yes, here it is, hanging up
Susan
on a little hook.
Kirsty
The little hook? That's for the dustpan and brush.
Susan
Yes.
Kate
Well, you learn something new every day.
Midwife
Kirsty Miller.
Kirsty
Oh, Kate, I've got to go.
Kate
Where are you?
Kirsty
Dentist appointment.
Susan
Oh, well, good luck.
Kirsty
Thanks. Sorry. Sorry.
Anna
That's all right.
Midwife
Don't worry.
Kirsty
That was my housemate. I haven't told her I'm pregnant yet.
Midwife
You don't have to explain to me.
Kirsty
I know. I just wanted to.
Midwife
Do you want to follow me?
Kirsty
Yes, thanks.
Natasha
Pass me the potatoes. So what's gonna happen now, then?
Tom
Alice seems to think he's gonna go through with it.
Natasha
Oh, poor Alice.
Tom
Yeah, absolutely. I don't get it.
Natasha
By the way, what are all those tools in the corner?
Tom
Oh, that's my dad's stuff.
Natasha
Does he use any of it?
Tom
I have no idea.
Natasha
I don't think that stuff has moved in two years.
Tom
I don't know.
Natasha
You know, there's like a whole market out there for old tools.
Tom
I didn't really know that.
Alice
No.
Natasha
I could sell it all on behalf of your dad and we could see, split the profits.
Tom
I really don't think he'll be keen on that idea.
Tracy
Why?
Natasha
He doesn't use any of it. He drives your mum crazy with all the things he won't get rid of. It's a bit like you, actually. What? Well, you weren't happy about that jacket, were you?
Kate
No.
Tom
Because it was a really nice jacket
Natasha
that you never wore.
Brian
Oh.
Natasha
Can I ask your dad about the tools?
Ian
Yeah, sure.
Kirsty
What?
Natasha
Can I just show you my phone?
Tom
Show me what?
Natasha
All the kind of price you could get for.
Anna
Oh.
Kirsty
What?
Natasha
There's like a million messages on the pre school group chat.
Tom
Really?
Alan
Oh.
Natasha
Oh, no. Tom.
Anna
What?
Natasha
Loxley Barrett has just got its Ofsted reports and it's really bad. Listen to this. Leaders are not doing enough to tackle weaknesses in pupils. Education. The curriculum lacks ambition. Teachers expectations are too low. Leaders do not do enough to make sure that teachers develop sufficient expertise to teach children. Tom, this is horrendous. The timing of it too.
Tom
Okay, okay, yeah, it does sound bad, but let's, you know, try not to panic.
Natasha
Try not to panic.
Brad
You know what I mean?
Natasha
Saren and Nova start school in September. September, Tom.
Tom
I know, I know, but how bad can it really be? I mean, Martha is really happy there, I think. Rosie and Xander. Jack.
Linda
Jack's doing great.
Natasha
But Izzy, Is he, though?
Tom
Yeah, I think so.
Natasha
We've got to talk to Helen. Where is she?
Tom
She was around.
Midwife
Okay, so your blood pressure is 120 over 80, which is normal.
Kirsty
Oh, great.
Midwife
And I'm just gonna run through some questions. Okay. Do you smoke?
Anna
No.
Kirsty
Drink? Yes. Before, I mean, just like the normal amount, you know, but not now. I mean, I just won't.
Midwife
Okay. Some people do have the occasional glass of wine.
Kirsty
I just don't want to take even the tiniest risk.
Midwife
Well, that sounds good. Particularly with you being ancient.
Kirsty
You're not ancient.
Tracy
I'm 45.
Midwife
You are an older mum.
Kirsty
Yes. I still can't believe it. Really. I'm delighted, you know, but it's. I know. The odds were really, really against me even getting pregnant.
Midwife
Well, we're going to look after you. We're going to monitor you more closely and touchwood with will be.
Anna
Well.
Midwife
Any physical or mental health issues?
Brian
No.
Midwife
What's your occupation?
Kirsty
Oh, I run a rewilding project.
Midwife
Oh, that sounds lovely.
Kirsty
Yeah, it is lovely, actually.
Midwife
And the father of the baby, is he supportive?
Kirsty
Yes. I don't live with him, but he is supportive. He's very excited, actually, which is great. Currently I live with my housemate, the one who couldn't find the dustpan and brush before. I mean, when I was on the phone and going to the dentist. That's why she was calling me.
Alice
Oh, right.
Kirsty
She's kind of flaky, but also amazing. I haven't told her yet, cuz. Well, I'm just not telling people.
Anna
Of course.
Midwife
No, I understand that.
Kirsty
I want to get a bit further down the line.
Midwife
That's entirely your decision, I think you
Kirsty
know, because of what happened before.
Midwife
So, obviously I read through your notes and I can see that you had a pregnancy loss at 23 weeks.
Kirsty
That's right, yep.
Midwife
I'm so sorry.
Brian
Thank you.
Midwife
It says here that you had some investigations but no reason was discovered.
Kirsty
That's correct.
Midwife
Okay, so this is why your care will be consultant led rather than midwife led. This loss plus your age means you are a higher risk. But because we're going to be keeping such a close eye on you, anything that's not right is just should be picked up early.
Kirsty
Yeah.
Midwife
So I'm just saying all this not to scare you, but to reassure you that you are in safe hands.
Kate
Thanks.
Midwife
We'll do our absolute best for you, Kirsty.
Kirsty
Thank you.
Midwife
Are you all right?
Kirsty
I wish I could just know. I wish someone could just tell me
Natasha
that this one is gonna live.
Alice
Kirsty.
Brian
Sorry.
Midwife
Please don't apologize.
Kirsty
Sorry.
Midwife
I mean, you know, can you imagine how many women I see crying in here?
Kirsty
Yes.
Midwife
Have a tissue and have the box.
Kirsty
Thanks. Thank you.
Tom
Okay, so I just spoke to Helen briefly, but she was in a bit of a rush to get away. She's gone to look at some Monty's and she was running late. She said she could talk to us later, though. Let's crack on with the boxes.
Natasha
So, did she not say anything at all?
Tom
Well, she was really surprised by the Ofsted report.
Natasha
Right.
Tom
She said Jack's been really happy there and seems to be doing really well.
Natasha
Okay.
Tom
But, you know, she's more focused on what's next, isn't she? Jack's only got another year till secondary.
Brian
Okay.
Natasha
Okay. But she has been happy with the school overall?
Tom
Yes, definitely.
Natasha
So why is it so bad then? The report, I mean.
Tom
Well, she did say they'd had a high turnover of staff recently.
Natasha
Well, that's never a good sign.
Tom
But there might be good reasons for that.
Natasha
There'll definitely be reasons. But there won't be good reasons, will they?
Tom
I don't know, Natasha.
Natasha
Oh, I feel sick about it. I really do.
Tom
We just need to find out more.
Natasha
The thing is, Nova will be fine. Anyway, it's Seren who really worries me.
Tom
Yeah, I know.
Natasha
She's nowhere near as confident as the her sister and she's much quieter. I think she'll just get overlooked in a place that's badly run.
Tom
But, I mean, if all the other parents we know are happy with it. Martha's there, Xander's there.
Natasha
I'm Gonna call them.
Narrator
The parents.
Natasha
The head. I'm gonna call the head right now and ask if we can come in for a meeting.
Kate
How are you doing? How are your teeth?
Kirsty
My teeth?
Kate
Yeah, the dentist's.
Kirsty
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, my teeth are fine.
Kate
I was just gonna make myself a chamomile tea. Do you want one?
Tracy
Yeah, go on.
Brian
Okey doke.
Kate
Was it just a checkup then?
Kirsty
Sorry?
Kate
The dentist's.
Kirsty
Oh, sorry. Yeah.
Brian
Are you okay?
Zainab
Yeah, I'm fine.
Kirsty
I'm good.
Kate
You seem a bit distracted.
Kirsty
Oh, sorry.
Kate
Stop apologizing.
Anna
Oh, Kate.
Rory
What?
Alice
What's wrong?
Kirsty
So I haven't actually been to the dentist's.
Kate
Where have you been?
Kirsty
I was trying to keep it quiet.
Kate
Oh, well, don't worry, you don't have to tell me. Although I really do want to know. But if you don't want to tell
Kirsty
me, I'm dying to tell you.
Kate
Oh, good. Excellent. What's happening?
Kirsty
I'm pregnant.
Brian
No.
Kirsty
Yes.
Brian
Oh, Kirsty, this is amazing.
Kirsty
I know. I've been trying to keep it quiet till my 12 week scan, but I. Oh, it's been so hard not telling you.
Kate
So how pregnant are you?
Kirsty
I'm 10 weeks.
Kate
10 weeks? Oh, that's loads. That's brilliant.
Kirsty
It's not enough though.
Kate
What do you mean?
Kirsty
I want it to be 40 weeks. I want to be the size of a house. I want to get there, you know.
Kate
Oh, Kirsty, I'm sure you will. I mean, I don't mean you'll be the size of a house, by the way.
Kirsty
Anyway, so. Yeah, this morning I was seeing the midwife.
Kate
Right? Yes. Not the dentists, but all good.
Kirsty
Really good. Yeah, so far. Touch wood.
Kate
Oh, this is so wonderful.
Brian
I feel like.
Kate
Oh, how amazing.
Kirsty
If it happens.
Kate
Oh, it's going to happen.
Kirsty
Well, we don't know. We don't know till they're here.
Brian
Yes.
Zainab
Okay.
Kate
But cautious optimism. Is that allowed?
Tracy
Okay.
Kate
And the father is Eric, right?
Kirsty
Yes.
Kate
And he knows?
Kirsty
Yeah. And he's on board. He's been fantastic.
Kate
Oh, this is so exciting. In a cautiously optimistic way, I mean. Does Jakob know?
Kirsty
Yeah, he does. Please don't be mad with him for not telling you because I really didn't want him to.
Kate
Oh, no, it's fine. I'm glad he's to be trusted.
Kirsty
Yeah.
Natasha
Good.
Kate
I'm gonna be like an aunt to your baby.
Kirsty
I guess you are. So long as you know.
Kate
Oh, it's so hard that you can't just take it for granted that everything's gonna be okay. Yeah, well, but you know, with Any baby, any pregnancy. There's no guarantees, are there, till you've got them safely in your arms and all is well.
Linda
Yep.
Kirsty
Yep.
Kate
What did the midwives say? Were they reassuring?
Kirsty
Oh, she was great. She was lovely. But I am higher risk. Not just my history, but my age too.
Kate
Yes, of course. But women of our age, your age can and do have perfectly healthy pregnancies.
Kirsty
Yeah, that's what she said.
Alice
But what?
Kate
What is it?
Kirsty
Well, at the end she asked me if I had any questions and I thought, yeah, yeah, I've got loads. But no one can answer them. Because all I want to know, Kate, is why did it happen last time and will it happen again? And what can I do to stop it? What can I do?
Natasha
Okay, so have you speak to them? I've just got off the phone from the school.
Tom
And what do they say?
Natasha
It wasn't good. It wasn't good at all.
Tom
So what did they say?
Natasha
Apparently the head has been signed off on long term sick leave and the deputy head could only spare me a couple of minutes. And they didn't have anything much to say about the reports? Like, he didn't even try and defend the school or anything? It was a bit of a wet blanket, if I'm honest.
Tom
Oh, great.
Natasha
What are we gonna do?
Alan
I have no idea.
Natasha
I think maybe we've got to look at other schools.
Alan
What other schools?
Natasha
Well, I'm sure there's other choices if we're willing to travel.
Tom
Yeah, yeah, that's true.
Natasha
We need to start doing our research. Okay, but Tom, what if we can't find anything we like? We might have to think about going private.
Lillian
Really?
Tom
I mean, but how could we possibly afford that?
Natasha
I don't know. But I do want to consider all the possibilities.
Tom
Yeah, okay.
Natasha
It's so important that we get this foundation right for the girls.
Adam
No, yeah, absolutely.
Natasha
And there's no harm in looking around a couple of private schools, is there?
Tom
I suppose not, but.
Natasha
But what?
Tom
Well, if we fall in love with some amazing little school that costs an arm and a leg. Well, what do we do then? And there's two of them, Natasha. Two kids.
Natasha
I do know how many children we have to.
Tom
I mean, it just feels impossible to me.
Natasha
One step at a time, okay?
Narrator
Okay.
Linda
Okay.
Tom
Oh, and don't say anything to Mum, will you?
Natasha
About what?
Narrator
Us going private.
Natasha
Why?
Ian
You know what she's like.
Natasha
She won't approve, you mean?
Tom
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Natasha
They're our children, Tom.
Tom
Yeah, and they're her grandchildren.
Natasha
I'm very happy to have that conversation with your mother, if you like?
Tom
Yeah, sure. Just make sure I'm out of the country when you do.
Natasha
Are you that scared of your mother?
Tom
I'm not scared of her at all. I just like to avoid the conversation, particularly since we almost certainly cannot afford it and therefore don't need to get into it ever.
Natasha
Well, like I said, one step at a time, Tom.
Narrator
One step at a time.
Rory
Adam.
Adam
Hey, Lillian.
Rory
How are you?
Adam
I've been at the farm all day.
Rory
What, you're still there?
Adam
Well, yeah, it's my job, isn't it?
Rory
I didn't realize.
Adam
It's just a complete nightmare now. Brian's making everything a fight, every tiny thing.
Rory
What can I get you to drown your sorrows?
Adam
Kind of shy as I think.
Rory
Right you are. I. I did try and talk to Brian the other day.
Lillian
Did you?
Rory
It was absolutely hopeless.
Adam
I think he's completely lost it, yet
Rory
he seems to think he's finally found it.
Adam
It's delusional.
Rory
I don't know what can be done with him. I honestly don't. If your mother was still alive.
Adam
Oh, don't.
Rory
I'm sorry, darling. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rub salt into the wound.
Adam
That's all right. It's. It's nothing I don't already know or haven't already thought.
Rory
Pint of Shires on the house.
Adam
Oh, no, it's all right. You don't need to do that.
Brian
Please.
Adam
Oh, thanks. Oh, darling, it's their wedding anniversary today.
Kate
Yeah.
Rory
In another version of this life, they'd be celebrating 50 years today. We'd be having a lovely party, and all will be well with the world.
Adam
Brian and I would probably still be falling out about something, even in that alternative universe. Maybe I put money on it.
Rory
I. I went to see Rory yesterday.
Adam
Did you?
Alice
Yeah.
Rory
I just wanted to check in with him.
Adam
How did he seem?
Rory
Well, do you know what?
Natasha
He.
Rory
He seemed happy.
Adam
Really?
Rory
I think he needed to get away from Ambridge.
Lillian
Yeah.
Adam
Probably a good idea after everything that happened.
Brian
Everything?
Alan
Yeah, everything.
Adam
I know, Lillian, you know, but, you know, I also know that Brian took the blame.
Brian
Right. Well, okay.
Rory
Well, I. I'm glad that I know now you know that you know, but this probably isn't the best place to talk about.
Lillian
Sorry.
Rory
It's all right. We're. We're being discreet, but still.
Tom
Yeah. Okay.
Rory
I must say, no matter how badly Brian behaves, I could never say he doesn't love his kids.
Adam
Oh, he definitely loves his kids. I'm just not so sure about his step kids.
Rory
Adam, I think he loves you. And Debbie very much Debbie.
Advertiser
Maybe.
Adam
Although she might have given that love a hammer blow last week.
Rory
He does love you too, Adam.
Adam
Lillian, the man can't stand.
Kate
That is not true.
Brian
That's just not true.
Tom
You should have heard the way he
Adam
talked to me all day long. Today was practice spitting blood.
Ian
Evening, all.
Rory
Oh, hi, Ian. What can I get you to drink?
Anna
Anna, Hi.
Brian
What on earth have you brought with you?
Anna
Well, I went food shopping and the rest is work. I'm gonna make a meal and then stick it in the oven and then do some work and then we'll eat.
Tracy
Is that all right?
Brian
I suppose so.
Anna
What?
Brian
Well, I would have been happy with just toast. Oh, Mum, please stop saying sorry. But I would have been. And I don't expect you to keep putting your life on hold to come round and make sure I'm eating a balanced diet.
Anna
Yeah, but, Mum, I have to, because otherwise you won't.
Linda
What?
Brian
What does it matter?
Anna
It matters because you matter to me.
Brian
Well, you matter to me, too. And I don't want you making these giant sacrifices. I don't want to be a burden. I refuse to be a burden. But you keep on making me one. You've been here three times this week. I know for a fact you can't afford the time.
Anna
I can, Mum. I can afford the time.
Brian
No, you can't. Between me and your work, you've got no life whatsoever. I mean, when was the last time you had a good kiss?
Tom
Mum.
Brian
Well, why aren't you seeing anyone? Because you haven't got time to meet anyone, that's why.
Anna
Well, maybe I haven't met anyone because I'm not.
Brian
What?
Anna
Particularly appealing right now.
Brian
Well, why wouldn't you be appealing? I don't know. Do I know? You're incredibly kind, incredibly clever and incredibly beautiful.
Anna
Oh, Mum.
Brian
What?
Alice
I don't know.
Anna
It just made me feel really emotional.
Brian
Look, I. I know I don't say that sort of thing very often.
Anna
I mean, you literally never do.
Brian
Sure it's not never. But hopefully. Hopefully this care assessment will relieve you of some of your responsibilities.
Anna
Let's see.
Brian
She was very nice, the woman you said. Yeah, I was impressed by her.
Anna
Well, that's great, Mum.
Brian
And she said we should hear something within the next fortnight.
Anna
Brilliant. That's brilliant. Okay, I'm gonna start cooking.
Brian
Cook what, exactly?
Anna
Something nice.
Brian
Can you be a bit more specific?
Ian
Look at us. Out on a Friday night.
Adam
It's half 5am It's 5.
Ian
45, actually.
Adam
And we've got to pick Xander up from a play date in Less than an hour.
Ian
I don't care. We're still out.
Adam
Yeah, okay.
Ian
You all right?
Adam
It's been a long week.
Ian
You've had a really tough ride of it.
Adam
What?
Ian
It's the Ofsted report. Honestly, parents are just going crazy and they're all getting in touch with me. Like, what can I do? I'm on the Parent Teacher Association. I'm not on the board of governors, am I?
Adam
Maybe people don't understand the difference.
Ian
It's ridiculous.
Adam
Maybe you should just ignore everyone. Put your phone on silence.
Ian
Yeah, that's easier said than done though, isn't it?
Brian
Mmm. Smells good.
Anna
Good.
Brian
Did I tell you that Alan thinks I have a flair for fundraising?
Zainab
Yeah.
Kate
Yeah, you do.
Brian
I was rather pleased about that.
Anna
Well, yeah.
Brian
That's so nice to feel useful.
Anna
Oh, Mum.
Brian
Well, it is. Does Alan really not remind you of Richard?
Anna
Not really, no.
Brian
To me they really do have a look of each other. Next time you see him, check him out.
Anna
Check him out? I'm a lesbian, Mother. But okay, yes, I'll study him for Richard likenesses.
Brian
Well, you don't need to study him. I mean, that sounds creepy. Just take a surreptitious look. I think it's his eyes, but perhaps also it's his chin. When will dinner be ready?
Anna
Are you hungry?
Brian
A bit peckish. Oh, don't ha. Miana.
Anna
I can't help it.
Brian
I want to see the things I have to put up with.
Anna
Oh, what do you have to put up with? Nothing. The occasional.
Brian
And the feeling of uselessness.
Anna
Do you really feel that, Mum? Sometimes I hate that idea.
Brian
Well, the thing is that everyone needs a sense of purpose, don't they? And I am still capable. I'm still alive. I'm still curious and interested. And if I can be any help at all to Alan, then that is wonderful to me.
Anna
Yeah, I understand that. I really do.
Ian
Oh, Kate came in today.
Adam
Did she?
Ian
Yeah, we just had a chat about her taking some shift work.
Adam
How did that go?
Ian
Yeah, good. And she seems keen.
Adam
I think she'll either be brilliant or a nightmare.
Ian
Oh, hopefully she won't be a nightmare. I don't really want to fall out with my sister in law.
Adam
Why not? It's not like my relationship with Kate is all roses right now.
Ian
I thought things were better.
Adam
Yeah, well, yeah, but better isn't back to normal, is it?
Tom
Ah.
Ian
What?
Adam
Email from Brian.
Ian
What does it say?
Adam
I don't know if I want to look.
Rory
Are you done with these?
Ian
Oh, yeah, Lillian, thanks.
Adam
I can't believe.
Alan
Believe it.
Adam
I cannot believe it.
Brian
What what's wrong?
Adam
Brian's email.
Ian
Well, what does it say?
Adam
He's sacking me.
Tom
What?
Adam
His email says I mustn't serve port on Home Farm again.
Alice
No.
Tom
Yeah, yeah.
Adam
Here, look.
Ian
He can't do that. Can he do that?
Adam
I suppose he can do what he likes.
Rory
For goodness sake.
Ian
I mean, this isn't a game. This is the farmer.
Kate
What is wrong with him?
Adam
This is low, even for him.
Rory
Sorry, darling, I'll be right back. I just need to go and serve that group at the bar.
Adam
Of course, yeah.
Rory
Sorry. I'll be right back.
Ian
I'm so sorry.
Adam
That's all right.
Ian
It's not all right. That's the last thing it is.
Adam
No, it's all right, because I've got a plan.
Ian
Really?
Adam
Huh. Yeah.
Ian
Am I allowed to know what it is?
Adam
I'm going to invoke the mental incapacity clause in the partnership agreement.
Ian
Can you do that? Yep.
Adam
Yep, I can.
Linda
Can.
Adam
Because according to the lawyer I emailed, I've got a really good case.
Brian
Oh, this is actually very nice.
Anna
Oh, thanks. You sound surprised.
Brian
No, no, I mean, I just. I thought I wasn't hungry, but it turns out I am. I do get it, you know.
Anna
Get what?
Brian
I do understand how much you do for me and how. How lucky I am to have you. I just don't necessarily always make that clear. No, no, don't laugh. I'm trying to say something nice.
Anna
I know, I know.
Brian
No, I was. I was trying to say that I do appreciate what you do for me and I'm grateful. And I'm sorry if it doesn't always seem that way.
Anna
Oh, Mum.
Brian
It's just. It's very hard to see oneself losing autonomy, of course, but I resist it.
Anna
I've noticed.
Brian
Well, I could always come into court next week and give that tricky judge the occasional dirty look whenever he's being a pain.
Anna
Oh, well, that would be quite funny. I wonder if he'd notice.
Brian
Well, I tell him I was your
Anna
mother, but I'm not sure that would help.
Brian
I'm sure you've got more clout than you care to admit.
Anna
Maybe.
Brian
Anna, you are a very impressive woman. For goodness sake.
Anna
Well, you know what?
Brian
What?
Anna
So are you Mum.
Brian
Sam.
Narrator
I'm Mally Harris and I play Natasha Archer. I wanted to let you know that the nominations for the BBC Food and Farming Awards are now open. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who are doing amazing things in food and drink, in innovation, sustainability and flavour. This year, I'm joining the judging team again for the farming for the Future Award with Charlotte Smith from Farming Today. We are looking for incredible inventive farmers who are finding new and better ways to produce our food and take care of the environment. We need you to tell us who deserves to be celebrated for building a more sustainable farming future. You can read about all the categories and find the terms and privacy notice@BBC.co.uk foodawards. You have until midday on the 15th June to nominate.
Hello, I'm Jeremy Howe and I'm the editor of the Archers. Ambridge is celebrating 75 years of storytelling this year and as part of this, the Archers daily and omnibus episodes will be available on BBC Sounds for not one, not two, but for five years after broadcast. So you'll be able to relive moments like this again.
Lillian
Your mum has told us the truth. We know.
Adam
George.
Lillian
The police are on their way.
Tom
Don't answer it.
Narrator
We've got to.
Tom
Don't let them take me.
Lillian
Dogger ya jolie.
Brian
I don't know you.
Alan
Oh, I'm sure you do.
Lillian
Me name's Marky. But I reckon you know that, don't you?
Narrator
We hope you continue to enjoy the Archers Listen on BBC Sounds.
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Narrator
She was the sister who went unnoticed.
Brian
A daffodil might look plain next to a lily, but on its own there
Rory
is much to be admired.
Narrator
Now her greatest chapter is yet to come.
Tracy
The most important thing is to be yourself.
Narrator
From the world of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice comes a new Britbox original drama.
Alice
Mary, you will flourish.
Narrator
Based on the best selling novel the Other Bennet Sister. Now streaming only on Britbox. Watch with a free trial@britbox.com.
Episode Date: May 30, 2026
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer
This week in Ambridge, relationships across generations and between family members experience significant turbulence and moments of honesty, particularly centered on the fallout from Home Farm's future and the shifting care dynamics for older relatives. The episode weaves together the consequences of decisions large and small—from farm partnerships and family betrayals to pub cricket games, school controversies, and life-changing personal news.
Family Division Over the Land
The episode's main throughline is the ongoing strife following Brian's decision to withdraw land from the Home Farm partnership, affecting multiple family members:
Memorable Quotes:
Parent–Child Role Reversals:
Anna and her mother Carol (and similarly, Linda and her father) face difficulties as parental independence becomes fragile, leading to boundary debates, guilt, and the constant dance between caring and smothering.
Notable Exchange:
Cricket Match:
A friendly, community-spirited cricket match sets a cheerful early tone, with Brad willingly swapping teams to help out, sparking banter on loyalty and village camaraderie.
Preparations for the T20 Women's World Cup outing bring the community together, highlighting the village spirit.
The tone alternates between tense family confrontations, gentle humor, intergenerational warmth, and moments of tenderness and vulnerability (especially around aging, grief, and new life). The language is direct, sometimes biting in family disputes, often laced with self-reflection and warmth during reconciliations or personal disclosures.
This week’s Archers Omnibus is a rich tapestry of village and family life—exploring land, legacy, community, parenthood, and aging with both sharp conflict and deep compassion. From uproar at Home Farm to vulnerable hope in Kirsty’s pregnancy, the episode captures Ambridge in all its complicated, intertwined daily dramas.