You're listening to Tuesday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4. How are we for cheese and onion? Fine, but you're looking low on peanuts. The cricket team always gets through a lot of nuts. It was nice to see the players so busy yesterday.
Great to see such a good turnout from the Ambridge 11 and all. Ingradiating themselves with their new captain, you mean, with his new draconian rules. I'm afraid he's just trying to motivate people. It's a village team, not a Lord's Test match. And he's young. A new broom trying to sweep clean, Lillian, that's all. Well, if you say so. Can I come in? I know you're not open yet. Oh, Freddie, speak of the devil. Oh, shouldn't you be at work, my darling? Well, I'm on my way.
Just wanted a quick word, Jolene. Oh, well, look, I will get back to making those orders then. Have you got time for a coffee? Oh, no, no, no, I can't stop. I, um... Oh, is something wrong? No, no, no, not wrong, not exactly, no. OK. Well, I see, there's no easy way to say... Last night you asked if you were sad.
from the cricket team. That's right. And you said I wasn't. I'm still on the team. Did you not mean it? No, no, no. Of course I did. Good. At the time. But then you said you couldn't make nets on Thursday, which means, you see, it will be your second default. means according to the rules. Two strokes in your eye? Yes, exactly. So I'm out. Yeah, I'm afraid so. I'm so sorry. Well, hang on. When I missed the other practice, the rule had literally just come into force. I didn't think it counted.
But it did. It did. I checked with Lily. She confirmed it. But Thursday night's the only time we can get everyone together here for our team meeting. Even so. So what if we rescheduled next? No, I'm sorry. It can't be done. It's not fair on the others. Look, you've been a great asset to the team, Jolene, but as things stand, I really don't have a choice.
I have to let you go. And you won't make an exception? I can't, can I? Not for someone I'm related to. How would it look? I'm really sorry. Yeah, so am I, Freddie. It's not personal. It's nothing to do with your playing. I hear you. I do. Wow. Sacked. And look, I'm afraid I'm going to have to rush off now because I am late for work. No, no, I can't stop and I'll catch you later. But bye, Gillian, and I am sorry. Oh.
Wow. A new room sweeping clean, you said. You were listening. That was hard to meet. You were listening. Of course I was. You're out on your ear, then. Well, rules are rules, I suppose. Don't be ridiculous. He wanted you off the team and didn't have the guts to say so. Well, ain't all that good, if truth be told. Darling, hardly anyone on that team is.
And what happens to Tracy now? Tracy? Well, isn't she one of their star players? Oh, I don't know about star. She's one of the better ones. And she'll be at our meeting too. I don't think young Freddy's quite tumble to what he's done. This is priceless. Oh, Tracy! Oh, of course. Do you miss Nets on Sunday? She's stood in here at the last minutes. Oh, so we'll have to sack her and all.
Oh, Lillian! The little wave. What a tangled wave. You can have a bit of fun with this, Julie. Oh, I can, can't I? Poor little things crying for their mums. Is that time of year the ewes are making a right old racket? Who can blame them having their babies taken away? They're growing up, Emma. Them Texels are wee now and nearly independent. I know. It's not easier for you then? George's birthday? Nah, of course not. People are not mentioning it.
Everyone's being tactful. Trying to be kind. At least you've seen him now. I know, and I am so glad. I know things could be so much worse. Things always could be, but that doesn't really help, does it? No. I don't suppose we'll be allowed to send much, like, as presents. No. Still, there's Keira's party to look forward to on Sunday. Yeah, we'll do her praise. It used to be lovely having both their birthdays a day apart.
Remember, they even had joint parties when they were little. Oh, Keira's too old to want to share her day now. It'll all be boys and lipstick and teeny bopping. Teeny bopping? Do you know your granddaughter at all? Whatever 14-year-old girls call it now. You're not here to talk about this, are you? I wanted to ask about Clarech. When I spoke to her, she was putting a brave face on it. Still is, you know, Clary.
Oh, I don't know what she'll do when she leaves the dairy. But look, look, we'll be fine. Don't you start putting a brave face on it too? What else is there to do? Any luck with your punting? No, it's tough out there. She'll find something. We'll manage. I know. I know that we will manage. Of course we will, but...
Me too, Emma. Me too. Oh, Eddie. She's talking about applying to the chicken factory. She can't work there. She will hate it. For a start, the boss is a right bully. Yeah, I remember. But beggars can't be choosers. Don't let her sign up to anything, Eddie. Not yet. I might have an idea. Ground's drying up nicely Rex. Yeah I really miss getting covered in cold mud head to toe.
You on your lunch break? Well, no, I'm working from home for the rest of the day. I just thought I'd drop by and brag about my success. job done. Ah, you sacked Jolene. I did. And lived to tell the tale. Well, she tried asking if I could reschedule nets this week, but I said it was completely impossible.
Was it? Of course not. No, it just meant that the no-show rule kicked into place. Jolene is now officially an ex-member of the team. You know, she actually took it better than I expected. Hang on. Why did she ask to reschedule nets? There was some big staff meeting at the bull. Freddie. Yeah? Freddie, what have you done? I've got rid of Jolene. No, no, no, no, no. What about Tracy? She'll be at the staff meeting too, won't she? Yeah, I expect so.
Oh, no, no. She missed Sunday last minute. No. You'll have to sack her too. No, no, no, no, no. We can't lose Tracy. What have I done? You idiot. It was your idea! Only partly. Do something. What? I don't know. Talk to Vince. He'll just say... Sport is life. Life is sport. I never even know what that means. Oh, nor me. Freddie, you have to sort this out.
I'd love to chat, Emma, but it's nearly the lunchtime rush. I know, and I won't keep you. I just wanted to check in on you, like, see how you're doing without Harrison. Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Emma, can you help me stack these plates? Yeah, of course. I know it's been a couple of weeks, but I don't want you to think I don't care. If you need to talk, ever, you know where I am, right? That's really kind, thank you. I mean it.
Uh, it's working. Actually, Harrison being away. I know that sounds a bit weird, but it is true. You know, we talk most nights. Not every night, but that's good, I think. We're both finding bits of our lives that we don't need each other for. I think it's healthy. It sure is. So it's all good news. And your news is great too. I'm so relieved that the council saw sense.
You're an asset to them. Oh, thanks. Now, I'm going to be swamped any minute. I still haven't got an assistant. Well, that's another reason why I'm here. Cards on the table, Fallon. I've got an ulterior motive. Oh, I know. You want a red velvet cake for Kira's party. What? Ed already asked. I know it's her favourite. It's all sorted. Oh, thanks. Sunday, right? Which means Monday will be... Yeah. Yeah, George.
Look, I'm thrilled about the cake, and I will kill Ed for her not telling me, but that wasn't it. Oh? Don't just dismiss this, OK? You need someone in the kitchen. My mother-in-law will need a job soon. Clary? Could be a perfect fit. How about it? Well, I... It's not just my decision. I've been walking around all morning thinking I'm super smart. The perfect way to get rid of Jolene without offending her. But she was offended. Well, yes.
I think I might have actually been really stupid. If I stick to my guns now, I look like some tin-pot dictator, and if I give in, I'm a wuss. I'm partly to blame. Yeah, but it was a good idea. I should have just told Jolene the truth. It's got all complicated now. Drink your tea. Lily will go absolutely eight when she hears I got rid of Tracy by mistake. I suppose if Rochelle turns out to be okay, it might not be the end of the world.
Rex? Oh, sorry. Is Rochelle any good? You know her better than I do. Oh, I've no idea about her cricket. I don't know her, I really don't. I thought, oh, it's all a bit weird. We got on really well at my party and then we arranged to meet up. More like a date? Well, I thought so. And then she disappeared off the face of the earth.
It's not the first time that's happened to me either. Did you text her? Yeah, she ignored me. She ghosted you? Well, that's rubbish. We were never a thing. We never even got that far. But I did like her. When I tried to clear the air the other night, she blanked me, pretty much. Yeah, I mean, if she ends up on the team... Yeah, awkward. Well, my problem, not yours, but yeah. Well, try talking to her again.
Is that what you do? Don't take any advice from me. I'm completely rubbish at relationships and I hate conflict. Welcome to my world, Freddy. Clary? Working here? Is this an April fool? Don't forget, she contaminated Bridge Farm with E. coli. Oh, Lillian, harsh. That was years ago. I do feel for her, getting made redundant from the dairy like that. There's a lot of sacking going on round here. Oh, that's just Freddy being Freddy. He needs a kick. No, he wanted me gone.
He didn't even think about Tracy losing out. We can reschedule our meeting, can't we? Already done. It's all part of your mum's master plan. Oh, you have a master plan? I don't care about being on the team. Not really. I was only in it for the fun, but... If it all gets serious, there won't be much of that. Winning is what counts. Yeah, so I'm going to make Freddie squirm for a few days. Yeah, go on, Mum, serve him right now. Now, about clout.
And she already has her food hygiene paperwork. Yeah, but what you want is some young wizard. This kid with lots of energy and bright ideas, which is hardly Clary. People like that aren't exactly queuing around the block to work here. No, and they can make more at a distribution warehouse. You want drive, you want enthusiasm. Last time Clary helped out, she couldn't even work the till. Are you saying she's too old? Not in so many words. You are, aren't you? All right, yeah.
She's younger than you by a fair bit. Not that much, thank you. Shame on you, Lillian. That's ageism. It is not about age, is it? I mean, I may have had one or two more birthdays. One or two? Staying out of this. It's the attitude. I have a very youthful manner. I'm more... Well, I'm more with it. The fact you said with it proves you're not. Well... Seriously, Clary's approach to food is solid.
Very traditional. I'm not sure that will support what you're trying to do here, Fallon. Yeah, that's fair. But I can't turn her down flat. Look, tell you what, you've got a couple of CVs in already. Ask Clary to submit hers and look at them side by side, be... Scrupulously fair. Yes. Yes, let's do that. Lillian? I've said my piece. Why not have a nice sit down, Lillian? Make yourself a cup of cocoa and see if the hit parade is on the wireless. Oh, really?
Oh, that's very good of you, Emma. I'll tell her when she gets back from the shop. Fallon can't guarantee anything, but it might be something. How soon do they want the CV? Tomorrow, if you can. I'll type it up if you like. Oh, I can manage. It'll be useful, whatever job she goes for. Yeah. Casey Meats are interviewing for Packers at the end of the week, too. Oh, well, that's better than the chicken factory. Oh, what did I tell you, Emma? Something'll turn up.