transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:00] You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

Speaker 2:
[00:23] You okay there, Miranda?

Speaker 3:
[00:25] Hmm, oh, yes, yes, fine. How are you?

Speaker 2:
[00:30] Helen. Oh, of course, sorry. I'm in a world of my own. Did you need some help? We've got a special offer on asparagus at the moment.

Speaker 3:
[00:37] No, no, no, thank you. I'm just bringing up a few essentials while I'm settling in.

Speaker 2:
[00:41] Oh, have you moved in at Home Farm?

Speaker 3:
[00:43] Yesterday.

Speaker 2:
[00:44] I hadn't realized. How are you getting on? It's not been too stressful, I hope.

Speaker 3:
[00:48] Well, you know how it is, uprooting one's whole life. It always feels chaotic.

Speaker 2:
[00:53] I'm moving house myself in a few weeks' time. Fingers crossed, anyway. You can never be totally certain everything's going to go as planned, can you?

Speaker 3:
[01:00] No, you really can't.

Speaker 2:
[01:02] Well, anyway, welcome to Ambridge.

Speaker 3:
[01:04] Thank you.

Speaker 2:
[01:05] Now that you're living nearby, you might want to sign up to our VegBox scheme. Fresh organic produce delivered directly to your door every week. We do a reduced price trial box if you want to give it a go.

Speaker 3:
[01:15] No commitment. Let me think about it.

Speaker 4:
[01:18] Yeah, of course.

Speaker 3:
[01:19] I think you have another customer who needs you.

Speaker 2:
[01:22] Oh, hi, Kirsty.

Speaker 4:
[01:23] Hi.

Speaker 5:
[01:24] Sorry to interrupt.

Speaker 2:
[01:25] Don't be silly.

Speaker 3:
[01:25] Nice to see you, Helen.

Speaker 2:
[01:27] Yes, you too, Miranda.

Speaker 3:
[01:28] Is this a bad time?

Speaker 5:
[01:29] I don't know.

Speaker 2:
[01:30] I was going to give you a call later. So have you done a test yet? Not yet.

Speaker 6:
[01:36] I wanted someone with me.

Speaker 2:
[01:38] That's why I'm here.

Speaker 6:
[01:43] Goodness, what's this?

Speaker 5:
[01:45] Sip, purple sprouting broccoli and blue cheese.

Speaker 6:
[01:48] Ian.

Speaker 5:
[01:49] I know she left this morning without any lunch.

Speaker 6:
[01:51] Oh, that's very sweet of you. There wasn't any need.

Speaker 5:
[01:54] In a way, we know what you're like when you're stressed. You forget to look after yourself.

Speaker 6:
[01:58] Oh, thank you.

Speaker 5:
[02:00] Have you seen Brian today?

Speaker 6:
[02:01] No, he's not been about. Seems he's happy to leave me alone to run the farm, just not inherit it. What's the definition of madness? Doing the same thing over and over again and hoping something different will happen.

Speaker 5:
[02:16] Yeah, something like that.

Speaker 6:
[02:18] And here I am, back being Brian's whipping boy. Stella learned her lesson. She got out.

Speaker 5:
[02:23] It's different for Stella, though, isn't it? She was an employee. It's not her family farm.

Speaker 6:
[02:28] What does that really mean, though? Brian doesn't treat me like I'm family. You know, when he told me he wanted me to be his successor, for a little while there, all the fights and the arguments, they all got washed away. I know it was stupid of me, but for a moment I thought I'd finally gained his respect.

Speaker 5:
[02:50] Look, this soup will keep warm in the flask. Why don't we get you out of this office, eh? Come on, let's go for a walk.

Speaker 3:
[03:01] Oh, not at all, Alice. Come on through. It's sweet of you to drop by.

Speaker 4:
[03:07] Oh, thanks. I just thought I'd see how you're settling in.

Speaker 3:
[03:10] Oh, still mainly living out of boxes, I'm afraid. Just give me a moment to put this shopping down. Right. Let me have those flowers. Alice?

Speaker 4:
[03:22] Oh, erm...

Speaker 3:
[03:26] Oh, oh, I forgot. Is this the first time you've been back inside?

Speaker 4:
[03:31] I knew the gills had ripped out Mum's kitchen, and I'd seen photos on the listings.

Speaker 3:
[03:35] I imagine it must feel very different.

Speaker 4:
[03:38] Yeah. It doesn't feel like my old home at all.

Speaker 3:
[03:41] Still, these flowers will brighten things up.

Speaker 4:
[03:44] Oh, yeah, of course. Sorry.

Speaker 3:
[03:47] You don't mind if I put them in the sink for the time being? I haven't a clue where the vases are.

Speaker 4:
[03:52] No, no, of course not. Erm, I'm sorry about Dad, Miranda. It really isn't fair what he's done to you.

Speaker 3:
[04:00] It's not for you to apologise.

Speaker 4:
[04:02] Oh, no. But you bought this place partly for his sake. And now here you are, on your own, in a huge house, you thought you'd be sharing with him.

Speaker 3:
[04:12] You're not responsible for Brian's decisions, no matter how inexplicable they are.

Speaker 4:
[04:18] I know.

Speaker 3:
[04:18] Now, would you like to see what else has changed? Why don't I give you the tour?

Speaker 4:
[04:28] Shouldn't it show a result by now?

Speaker 6:
[04:30] Why's it taken so long?

Speaker 4:
[04:32] Maybe I didn't do it right. Of course you did it right.

Speaker 2:
[04:34] Budge up a bit. The instructions say it can take up to three minutes.

Speaker 4:
[04:38] I know, but it feels like it's taken ages.

Speaker 2:
[04:39] But you just have to give it time. Have you managed to speak to Eric yet?

Speaker 4:
[04:46] He called me back last night.

Speaker 2:
[04:47] Oh, finally.

Speaker 4:
[04:48] I didn't tell him I might be pregnant though. I was going to, but he was on his way out to a business dinner. In any case, he'll be coming to Ambridge soon, I hope.

Speaker 3:
[04:56] Blurting out over the phone, it just didn't feel right.

Speaker 2:
[05:00] Yeah, I suppose it's quite a big thing to spring on him.

Speaker 4:
[05:02] Especially if it turns out I'm wrong. Wait, hang on.

Speaker 2:
[05:08] Have you got a result? Show me.

Speaker 4:
[05:11] Oh my goodness, Kirsty.

Speaker 2:
[05:14] Wait, don't cry. This is what you were hoping for.

Speaker 4:
[05:19] I know. I just hadn't quite dared to believe it. Oh, Helen. Oh, thank goodness. At least they haven't ripped out the fireplace.

Speaker 3:
[05:36] So whose room was this?

Speaker 4:
[05:37] Kate's. She used to drive mum absolutely berserk with the state she kept it in. You know the fight, the power symbol, with the raised fist?

Speaker 3:
[05:45] Oh, yes.

Speaker 4:
[05:46] She had a poster of it on her door. Not that I understood what it meant. I was only little when she was a teenager. I just knew she was always fighting with mum and dad.

Speaker 3:
[05:54] Yes, Brian told me they had a difficult time with her. That can't have been easy for you.

Speaker 4:
[06:00] Well, to be honest, most of the time I was too wrapped up with ponies and bally lessons. Although I do remember wishing they'd stop arguing. I had this doll's house. My great-great-uncle Tom made it for me. I still have it up in the attic. But I had one doll that was Kate and another that was Debbie, and I'd play happy families with them. So when Kate ran away or when Debbie would be upset over a boyfriend or whatever, I'd sit in my bedroom playing out little fantasies with my dolly sisters. It's funny, really. Even when I was older and Rory came to live with us, most of my memories of this house are still happy.

Speaker 3:
[06:39] Well, it was your home.

Speaker 4:
[06:40] Yeah. There were wonderful times. All the big family Christmases, summer's splashing in the pool, mum getting cross if he got her hair wet, dad on a lounger reading his farmer's weekly. Maybe, maybe that's the reason he couldn't move back.

Speaker 3:
[07:00] What? Too many memories?

Speaker 4:
[07:02] I did wonder when you announced you were buying the place. I thought he might find it difficult. He seemed genuinely thrilled, though.

Speaker 3:
[07:10] It's not that, Alice.

Speaker 4:
[07:11] No? Sorry. You don't want to talk about it. No, no.

Speaker 3:
[07:16] It's just I still don't understand why he's left me in the lurch, either. Even when he tried to convince me to take him back, he still couldn't come up with a decent explanation.

Speaker 4:
[07:26] When was this?

Speaker 3:
[07:28] A couple of weeks ago. Insisted he loved me, but that he couldn't possibly leave Rory.

Speaker 4:
[07:33] Why not?

Speaker 3:
[07:34] Don't ask me. I'd have thought a young man his age would be only too happy to have his father out of his hair. It felt to me that Brown was just trying to find an excuse. The truth is, Alice, I don't know what's going on inside your father's head. All I know is that he's not the man who charmed me over the seared scallops that lay sirs or errs.

Speaker 4:
[07:58] When do you think he changed?

Speaker 3:
[08:00] Maybe sometime around the start of the year. He certainly seemed more distracted since then. Whatever the real problem is, I just wish he'd said something before I exchanged.

Speaker 4:
[08:11] Oh, I know.

Speaker 3:
[08:12] I'd still be in my beautiful cottage.

Speaker 4:
[08:15] Well, I suppose you could always rent this place out and use the income to live somewhere else.

Speaker 3:
[08:20] It's a thought, but for the time being, I think I'm stuck here. And anyway, Alice, you shouldn't be worrying about me. It's your father you should be worried about. No, of course.

Speaker 4:
[08:36] I'm just saying after what happened before.

Speaker 2:
[08:38] I know, but just because you had a miscarriage once, it doesn't mean it's gonna happen again. I know, but I was still in my thirties then. Tasty or fit and healthy, you don't smoke.

Speaker 3:
[08:46] I know.

Speaker 2:
[08:47] Look, I get that it's important to keep your feet on the ground, but it's still very early days. Exactly. But this is amazing news. You don't start fearing the worst. I'm not, honestly. Good. What do you think Eric's gonna say when you tell him?

Speaker 4:
[09:02] Oh, I'm hoping he'll be happy.

Speaker 2:
[09:04] Well, you did say he always imagined being a dad one day, so have you discussed what you'd do? I mean, presumably he's gonna help support you financially.

Speaker 4:
[09:12] Yeah.

Speaker 2:
[09:12] Do you think he'll move so he can be closer? I mean, maybe change his job so he's not travelling around as much? Well, I know the long-distance things work for you so far, but now you're having a baby together, I mean, is there a chance he could move in?

Speaker 4:
[09:23] I don't know. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, eh?

Speaker 2:
[09:25] Oh, yeah, no.

Speaker 4:
[09:27] I'm sure Eric will do his bit.

Speaker 2:
[09:28] Yeah, of course.

Speaker 4:
[09:29] Sorry.

Speaker 2:
[09:30] Just so excited for you. After everything you've been through, I just know you're gonna be an amazing mother.

Speaker 4:
[09:38] Thanks, Helen. You won't tell anyone, will you?

Speaker 2:
[09:41] No, of course I won't.

Speaker 4:
[09:43] You're right. I need to think positively. I still don't want to speak too soon, though.

Speaker 2:
[09:49] I won't breathe a word. Oh, Kirsty, this is so wonderful. Come here.

Speaker 5:
[09:58] Seriously, Adam, you know I'll support you whatever.

Speaker 6:
[10:00] Oh, thank you.

Speaker 5:
[10:02] If you decide to throw it all in, you know, do you want to move to a croft on a remote Hebridean island?

Speaker 6:
[10:07] Now, there's an idea.

Speaker 5:
[10:08] Look, I don't care as long as we're together. I just think you need to ask yourself why Brian going back in the inheritance matters to you so much. I mean, is it because of the farm?

Speaker 6:
[10:18] Yes, of course.

Speaker 5:
[10:18] Or, I mean, is it because you want his approval?

Speaker 6:
[10:21] That's the farm, obviously.

Speaker 5:
[10:24] Okay. As long as you're sure.

Speaker 6:
[10:26] Ian, wait.

Speaker 5:
[10:27] Well, I thought we were going this way.

Speaker 6:
[10:30] Just hold on a second. I want to take in the view.

Speaker 5:
[10:33] Okay.

Speaker 6:
[10:36] I still remember mum telling Debbie and me she was marrying Brian and thought we would be moving into Home Farm. I really wasn't very sure about him. He was so different from Roger, but then I don't think he knew what to make of me either. Certainly don't remember him ever playing with me. Instead, he'd take me with him for walks around the farm. He'd tell me about all the improvements he was making, which hedge rows he was grubbing up to make room for bigger machinery, which new break crops he was planting where.

Speaker 5:
[11:07] How old were you?

Speaker 6:
[11:09] About eight, I guess.

Speaker 5:
[11:12] I bet you loved that.

Speaker 6:
[11:14] I really did. Brian taught me about farming. More importantly, though, he taught me to love this land. That's why I want the farming, and because as much as the things he did made sense at the time, I can see the damage they caused. And, you know, I've got what? Ten, fifteen years left farming, and I want to finally do it my way. Hopefully pass it on to Xander, so that one day he can stand on this spot and look out over a farm that's fit for the future. I couldn't care less what Brian thinks of me anymore. What I do care about is Home Farm.

Speaker 5:
[11:56] So we're not moving to the Outer Hebrides Inn?

Speaker 6:
[11:59] No.

Speaker 5:
[12:00] That's a relief.

Speaker 6:
[12:03] Doesn't change anything, though. The fact is Brian's going to cling on to the bitter end. I just don't see how I can keep going like that.

Speaker 5:
[12:11] Well maybe you need to talk to Debbie.

Speaker 6:
[12:13] I have been thinking about calling her.

Speaker 5:
[12:15] I don't mean over the phone. Look, I can be a sounding board, but she's the one who understands the farm. Maybe spending some proper time together, talking things over, it might give you the perspective you need to find a way forward.

Speaker 6:
[12:29] Perhaps. What are you suggesting, though, that I just drop everything and fly out to see her?

Speaker 5:
[12:34] Yeah, why not? If it'll help, why not go to visit her in Hungary?