You're listening to Friday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4. Fallon? Fallon, have you got a minute? Morning, Clary. Sorry to bother you. You're really not. Only my phone's been playing. Oh, I hate that, don't you? Oh, it's a right pain. So, I wondered if I'd missed a message. A message. You got my CV all right, didn't you? Oh, yes, yes, we got it. Safe and sound. Good.
It was a bit of a palaver putting it together, but it turned out all right, didn't it? It did very well. Had to be done. I applied to Casey Meats at the same time. A change from the dairy? Yes. Right, and how did you get on there? I was too late for this round of interviews, unfortunately. Oh, Mum said they were seeing Rochelle today. Oh. She probably got her application in earlier or something. Yes, that'll be it.
I'm sure they'll see you next time if you're still looking. So, did I miss a message from the bull? Honestly, I've been so busy with the new brunch service, I was planning to call you later. Oh, yeah. Look, we've had a bit of a rush of applications for the kitchen. You don't want me, do you? It's not that, not at all. If it was up to me, I thought it was. It's a team decision, the whole team. There were some very impressive people, Clary.
Some with really extensive restaurant and pub experience. I understand. It's okay. I didn't want to waste your time or get your hopes up. Is it my age? Be honest, please. Am I too old? Age is just a number. So people say. Mine's quite a big number, though. I'm sorry, Clary.
That's a good list, Freddie. Plenty of strong candidates. Yeah, I was pleased. I'm sure we'll have no trouble recruiting. Are you doing the interviews with Mahendra? Vivek, actually. That's a good idea. Just keep him away from the chocolate biscuits. I speak from experience. And make sure everyone knows it's quite a heavy old job. They'll need strength and stamina to be on their feet for those long shifts in the cold and the noise. Yes.
I've told you that before, haven't I? You have, but it's worth reminding me. Sorry, I can't help myself. Once a boss, you know. It's fine. I'm glad of the input. Packing doesn't sound as strenuous as the job actually is. Don't worry, we'll be very clear. A bit of me wishes we could have offered Clary Grundy something. Must be rotten being made redundant at her age. Won't she retire once she leaves? They probably can't afford it. Let's keep an eye out in case there's anything that would suit her.
Not in packing, though. Too draining. Will do. Oh, and keep an eye out for a good fast bowler. Vince, you're terrible. You can't talk to your boss like that. Well, I can. I've got credit. Have you now? Yeah, I got my aunt off the cricket team, didn't I? Eventually. What did Lily say when you told her about Jolene winding you up?
You did tell her? Well, now that I think about it, I might have forgotten to mention it. What's it worth not to tell your mother? A full roster of new packers by the end of the day. I'll hold you to that. I'm in and out all day, Freddie. Keep me posted on the interviews. Will do. Oh, I think I'm in the wrong place. Hi Rochelle. Hello Vince. Or should it be Mr Casey at work? Vince is fine for now. I don't employ you yet. I like the sound of that yet.
I think that nice woman who brought us up here thought I was here for an office job. It's no harm done, but the packing interviews are in the other building. Right. Point the way, then. It's back down the corridor. Across the car park, it's the yellow door. Someone will be with you in a minute. Great, thanks. Are you sitting in Vince? No, busy day. It's all down to Freddie and Vivek. I'll be off then. No point batting me eyelashes for nothing. See you at next.
You can't help but like her, can you? Yeah, I know what you mean. Hi, Clary. I don't like to disturb you at home on your morning off. Oh, you're not disturbing me. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm running out of ways to avoid tackling the garden. It's not like me just to turn up on someone's doorstep. But I had another question. Request, really. About the bull? No. Sort of.
I was wondering whether, in the future, I might be able to help you out when you're really busy. How do you mean? Well, I don't mean you pay me. I mean for free. Why would you pay me or have you a new kitchen person? That's a really kind offer, but you mustn't work for nothing, Larry. Oh, I don't mind. Of course you mustn't. You're worth more than that. Well, it's nice of you to say so, Fallon, but... I owe you, I reckon. Owe me? You don't? I think I do. What for? Everything George did.
Everything you went through. I know I can't do or say anything to make up for it. Nobody could. I've never spoken to you about it, but that don't mean it's not been on my mind. It has. There have been times I couldn't look you in the eye. I am sorry. I never blamed you, Clary. It was a big thing, I know. And big things can take a long time to get over. With your Harrison up north, I wondered if you might want someone to talk to.
I mean, I'm sure you have better people, people you're closer to, but I did want to offer, in case you haven't. Clary, I'm not quite sure what to say, to be honest. It's very kind of you. It's not. Because of what my family did to yours. Emma said the same, but you mustn't. I loved yours. But I'm not blind to his faults. He has plenty. Everyone does. Anyone can have an accident. That's what came after. What he did to Alice. I know. Believe me.
So if I can help you out in any way, I'll do it. And I really don't want paying. And if maybe you do just want to talk... I've got a big pair of ears. Too big I've always thought. Though Eddie says he's fond of elephants. There. Said my piece. I could put the kettle on if you've got time. Do you know what? That'd be really nice.
What are you doing back? You should be deep in interviews. Yeah, I am. I just popped out. I left my tablet here. Oh, call an ambulance. Freddie Paget's life support system's been cut off. Ah, the CVs are on it. How are they going? Yeah, good. How did Rochelle get on? She was excellent, actually. I knew it. Yeah, she's obviously done a lot of research. She asked really interesting questions. She's on the callback list. We're seeing her again at one. Do you think she'd be wasted in...
Everyone starts in packing. Why? I get the feeling she's ambitious. She's very personable. Personable? Yeah, you know, outward facing, good with the public. She handled herself really well in the village shop the other day and I was not a happy man, I'll tell you. Okay. Why, what's wrong? Nothing, obviously. You think I have favourites, don't you? Did I say that? You didn't have to. What's wrong with her? I really need to get back, Vince. It's a tight schedule.
I didn't expect you to be so positive, Fallon. Oh, I'm not saying it was easy. We've had some long old nights, but honestly, we're both looking ahead now. and we're both pretty happy i was worried you'd split up not at all He's really enjoying his job. I can hear it in his voice every time we talk. And I'm loving being in charge of the kitchen at the bowl. Well, everyone's impressed with what you're doing. You don't think it's too adventurous?
Do I heck? I love that chicken and rice thing. The one beginning with a Z. Zanzibar? Zatar. That's the one. Really tasty. I didn't think it was up my street, but one mouthful and I was sold. Sansa bar chicken sounds tasty too. Tropical. I'll look into it. Thank you. You're very welcome. I love finding recipes. I made up my first one when I was still in primary school. I declared very grandly that I was going to be a top London chef.
Only I didn't say chef. I said chef because I'd only seen it written down. Funny. What did you want to be when you were a kid? Oh, I don't remember that. Well, you must do. I bet you do. It might give you an idea for an area you'd like to work in. Well, you mean did I always want to work in a chicken factory? Of course I didn't mean that. You're right then.
I wanted to be a dancer. Really? Was it that surprising? No, of course not. This was before I realised I'd have to be paid. Dancers get paid. Not in my world. Well, what kind of dancer? Ballet? Flamenco. As if. Nothing posh like that. We did country dancing at church on a Sunday after Sunday school. What, maples, that sort of thing? Yeah. Reels and jigs and whatnot. I used to do solos. Clary, this is wonderful. I was good, too. I like the little show off. Are there a photo?
Well, there were, but long since gone. Oh. It was in the paper once. You should have put this on your CV. Why? Would it have got me the job? Sorry, that come out wrong. You will find the perfect job, Clary. I had the perfect job. I loved it. I was proud of it. Well, your next one will be even better. Move over test daily. Here's Strictly Come Dancing with Clary Grundy. Oh, Fallon.
Boo. Oh, it's you. I saw you crossing the car park. I thought I'd surprise you. You did. How did it go? Well, I think. Vivek like me. I'm not sure about Freddie. You made the right noises to me. I was really nervous. You don't strike me as being the nervous type. That might be because I'm not a type, Vince. I'm an individual. Am I being a dinosaur again? You! As if! You know how they always ask you at the end of an interview if you have any questions. And your mind always goes blank. Exactly.
I do have a couple. But fire away. Well, Freddie explained that the abattoir has really high animal welfare standards. Can you tell me more? Yeah, of course. We do everything we can to minimise distress, fear, suffering. All our staff in Lairridge, where the animals are slaughtered, are all very highly trained. The animals are vet checked and we keep the livestock calm pre-slaughter. We play music. Really? What do they like? How do you mean? Mozart, disco, rap. Oh.
Now I've got an image in my head of cows getting on down to summer. In leg warbers. We play reggae music. It works. The meat's better if the animals are calm. Oh, interesting. Any other questions? We also have a training programme for staff to progress from packing to logistics, for example, or slaughter to boning.
Casey Meats is hot on staff development. I shouldn't waste your time with any more questions, Vince. I might not even get the job. Well, I probably shouldn't say, but I don't think you need to worry about that. It's yours if you want. oh that that that's amazing oh thank you so much i'm really grateful good wow How are you getting back to Ambridge? The bus? I'll give you a lift. You can ask me anything you want while I'm driving. Anything, Vince? Anything at all, Rochelle.