¶ Intro / Opening
This BBC Podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Du, jag skulle ju köpa några nya palpställd i lagret. Det kanske blev lite mer grejer. De hade ju allt, man hade en skribd, jag köpte en sån här, och kontornstolar, och så hade de en skit snygg tippkort. Vi har inredning för hela arbetsplatsen. Välkommen till AI-produkten!
Jag skulle ju köpa några nya palpstält i lagret. Det kanske blev lite mer grejer. De hade ju allt, hade en skribord, jag köpte en sån här, och kontorstolar, och så hade de en skitsnygg tillkontakt. Vi har inredning för hela arbetsplatsen. Välkommen till AI Produktion. You're listening to Friday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.
¶ Setting The Stage: Dinner And Difficult Reunions
Alice! Rory, what are you doing tonight? I'm at work, I can't really, I know, which is why I was cutting to the chase. What are you doing? Not with anything I can think of quick enough. Uh I'll ignore that. Martha wants to see you, but both of us do. We wondered if you wanted to come for dinner. I've got pulled pork in the slow cooker. Uh it sounds great, but I need an early night. Me too. I'm talking an early dinner with Martha.
Not an all night rave. You can be home and tucked up before nine. Oh, I don't know. You're not gonna let Martha down, are you? She'll be really disappointed. That's emotional blackmail. Yeah, I know. So you'll come? It doesn't look like I have much choice, does it? Aw, fantastic. Anytime from five.
These biscuits were a nice touch. Gary Baldies were my great granddad's favourite. I know, that's why I got them. Nothing wrong with a bit of biscuit based emotional manipulation. Right, I think that's everything. Yep, we're all set. Do you really think this is gonna work? I hope so. Because if it doesn't, I'm I'm out of ideas. Oh, he's here. Hello you two. Hi Dad. Hi Will! Hm. What's going on? Nothing? No, no, nothing at all. How was work? Fine. Would you like a cup of tea?
Okay. Who's that now? I mean I've only just walked through the door. I'll get it. Don't bother, it'll be someone collecting for something, always is. I offered the last lot who called the only pound coin I had in the house and they said, Oh don't worry, you can give us your bank details. Who is it, George? It's someone to see you.
Come into the living room, Grandpa. What's he doing here? George, you said your dad was in Darrington. I know I did. Darrington? I I've been nowhere near Darrington. No, uh uh we uh yeah. We lied. Uh why? I uh think we've been set up, William. Look, George, I I've told you where I stand. I'm I'm very happy to talk to William, but he's made it clear that he ain't happy to talk to me, so that's that. You can't force these things to
No, you can't. Will No I'm sorry. He's right. A lot's happened. Well, maybe you'll understand when your baby's born. Well, actually, that is one of the reasons we wanted Eddie to come over. Genuinely. W we've got something to show you. Oh yeah? Yeah. This is your first great grandchild. Oh. Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho would you look at that, William? I've seen it. They showed it me last night. Oh, ain't that something? Yeah. Yeah it is.
Potatoes are nearly done. I'll just throw this coleslaw together and then we can eat. Ooh, you're making your own coleslaw. I am. It's actually really easy. I never thought I liked coleslaw, but then I was at Fallon's last summer and she made this version. She's just grated with cabbage and carrot with a simple salad dressing, half yogurt, half mayo. It's lovely. Mm, sounds good. Anyway, uh what were we talking about? Speedwatch. Oh yeah.
I can't believe you signed up. Well Linda was very persistent. I'd started to feel like I was living in a cartoon. Every corner I turned, there she was with her sign-up sheet. In the end it was easier to just say yes. Well I haven't actually done any shifts yet. Linda won't give up. Now she's got you. I'm screening her calls. As if that's enough to stop her. I look forward to seeing you standing at the side of the road with a speed gun seat. Oh don't
Well it is a good thing though. It puts the fear of God in me, the way some cars race through the village. I'm trying to teach Martha to cross the road safely, but she's terrible. To really grip her. Has she not done her green cross code? Uh good question. Do you know, I don't actually know. I I don't think so. She nearly scooted out in front of a car the other day at the school gate. I know. It's really embarrassing.
screeched at her so loud in front of a full playground of kids and parents I cried when I got in the car. Because it was my fault, really. I w I was chatting to Lottie and hadn't noticed she'd gone. Alice. Oh it's just part of being a parent, isn't it? The ongoing challenge of being entirely responsible for someone else's survival.
¶ Grief, Support, And Purpose Of The Gathering
Anyway, uh how are you doing? How are things at Berrow? Yeah, good. I'm enjoying it. Oh good. How's Paul doing? Oh, you know, not great. So sad. I know. At least he's there with her. Yeah. And you're missing him. Yeah, a bit. I mean I'm fine. I I'm not crying myself to sleep every night. Are you fine? I mean. Yeah. You know Miranda's worried about you. I do know, yeah. It's nothing. She she caught me on a bad day is all. Fair enough.
But I'm worried about you too. You haven't seemed like yourself for ages. But I am myself. This is me. Really? Because it seems like something's off. It just feels really weird to be going back to home farm, to walk into that house and for Jenny not to be there. Yeah. You're right. It does feel weird. But still uh uh a bit of me is kind of looking forward to being there again. To sit looking out of the French doors into the garden.
Feel like I'm always trying to conjure up mum to really feel her. Remember her. Surely being back there will help. Part of mum will always be in that house. Oh Rory, I'm sorry. It's not you, honestly. Ignore me, I'm fine. No, you're not fine. You're struggling and that's okay, that I'm here. And uh everything looks to be all right, does it? With the baby. Yeah, perfect. As far as they can tell at this stage. We should get the results of the screening tests in a week or so, they said.
She was really nice, the sonographer, wasn't she? Yeah, she was spot on. And it's only eight weeks till the next scan. Oh blamey. It all goes so quickly, doesn't it? Yeah. And that's kind of why we wanted to get you together today. We know it's difficult, and we didn't want to ambush you or anything. Didn't you? Because it does feel a bit like that. No, really, no.
This baby is on its way, and we didn't want to bring him or her into a family who are divided. What sort of a starting life is that? He's got a point there. George, why don't you and I pop out for a little walk? Is that a good idea? We'll just go round the green a few times. Give these two some space. How about that? All right. But I'm not making any promises. Help yourselves to tea. And there are some Garibaldis. We won't be long.
I'm really sorry. You invite me for dinner and I have an emotional breakdown. Oh stop it. You know, if if you don't want to move into home farm I Why don't you move in here instead? Here? Yeah. Oh I don't think so. You haven't got space. Oh Martha would absolutely love for me to go in with her. She's got a double bed in there, so it's no problem. There's no need. Oh we'd love to have you. And we'd have a great time. Honestly you'd love it.
Please d say you'll think about it. Alice, you don't have to do this. I I appreciate it, but I just d I don't want you to be on your own. Not why you're feeling like this. You need to let your family support you. Okay, but that doesn't mean I have to move in. No, you don't have to. But I want you to.
And anyway I I haven't forgotten that I owe you. You really don't. When I was struggling, you were there for me. Of course. And I'll never forget what you did for me. Alice. And if you're going through a rough time I want to be there for you. You are there for me. Here for me. I know that. Rydyn ni'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd i'n mynd
Can you afford the rent on your own? Not really, but I'll be all right for a while. And then? I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Maybe then I'll turn up at your door with my bags. Well, you'd be very welcome. I mean it. I know you do. But honestly, I'm all right. As long as you promise me there's nothing else bothering you. I promise. Right, well, I think we're just about ready to eat. Do you want to give Martha a shout? Of course. Martha! Dinner's ready!
¶ Confronting Past, Forging Future Unity
But if George and me can put it behind us, why can't you? Because Because it really hurt, Dad. I know. In a million years. Now whatever happened, I never thought you'd turn your back on one of my kids. I shouldn't have done. But I was angry, William. What he did to Edward and the things he said about Nick? It didn't feel right. I saw carrying on as though it hadn't happened. I wasn't carrying on as though it hadn't happened. I was taking care of him. He'd been left for dead.
I thought we were going to lose him. I know, and obviously that would have been I'd have been devastated. Would you? Of course I would. I went to see him in hospital, didn't I? Once? But I just didn't feel I could pretend what had gone before hadn't happened. I wasn't pretending. Look, it it doesn't help, George. I saw rolling over saying nothing. He needs us to hold him accountable for his actions. You sound like Emma. Well, maybe she's got a point.
What he did was awful. But since then he's really turned a corner. I hope so. I think this new baby might be the making of him. Hard though having a new baby. I know. But we'll all be here to help them, won't we? If that's all right. Yeah, yeah, it's all right. I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry to uh these last few weeks have been horrible. That's not speaking. Oh, I won't argue with that. And the young ones are right. This new baby needs us to pull together, be a proper family.
You're gonna be a grandpa, William? Or a granddad. Oh, I see, you fancy grandad, do you? I dunno, yeah. How did you decide? Oh I can't remember now. I think because my dad was always granddad to you, I became grandpa to avoid confusion. So maybe I should go with grandad then. Grandad suits ya. Thanks, Dad. Oh call me uh Oh, look at that. Everything all right, you two. I think everything is just about all right, ain't it, William? Yeah, it is.
Uh, I suppose we should be thanking you. We're just happy that you're speaking again. No, not as happy as I am. Tell you what, this calls for a celebration. I've been thinking we need to resurrect the Cider Club for a while now. And what better occasion than this? Uh what do you say? We all raise a glass this Sunday. Great idea. Yeah. Sounds good. Thanks, Dad. Do you want to stay for tea, Eddie? My famous sausage pasta bake. Oh, as tempting as that sounds, I'll better get back.
Oh blimey, look at the time. I told Clary I'd have the potatoes peeled by the time she got back from Underwoods. She'll be furious if she gets home and finds I've not done it. Actually, I think Clary will be over the moon when she hears you and Willow speaking again. Oh she will, yes. I'm over the moon myself. The family are finally back together. This is not the future we were promised. Like how about that for a tagline for the show?
From the BBC, this is The Interface, the show that explores how tech is rewiring your week and your world. This isn't about quarterly earnings or about tech reviews. It's about what technology is actually doing to your work and your politics, your everyday life, and all the bizarre ways people are using the internet. Listen on bbc.com or wherever you get your podcast.
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