You're listening to Wednesday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.
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Right Pip, we will be moving the electric fencing about 30 paces in that direction. Agreed? You look at that grass. Could anything be greener? Look at it. Rich, lush ambridge grass. I love it. and now growing faster than it can be eaten. Magic day. You can see why they call it that when that happens, don't you think?
Uh yes. Sorry, Dad.
Ah time to move the grazing up another strip. It quickens the path.
Hasn't done much for the price of milk though, has it?
That's true. Dropped like a stone from the start of the year. My dad would have been amazed. He'd have never believed there'd be a global glut. Right, I will look after the fencing while you move the stakes, okay?
Okay.
I saw George Grundy the other evening. Cycling away from Grange Farm with a face like thunder. I thought the joy of spring obviously hasn't found its way into poor old George's heart.
Thank you.
You're alright.
Yeah, give me another quarter of an hour and I'll be singing the praises of Magic Day as much as you are. You wait and see.
Khalil!
Hi Linda. I thought I'd just pop by before I have to go to school. To see how Fletcher's getting on.
Yes. Actually I was going to be in touch with you. We
Do we?
About Fletcher. Oh Robert's not here at the moment.
Yeah, but he said I could call around though and I brought him a little present. It's a little bell. No, for Fletcher.
Oh w he seemed to have lost his other bell. That's lovely.
So uh what did you want? You said you wanted a word. About Fletcher. He's all right, isn't he?
Oh yes yes he's fine.
Yeah.
Uh yes, about Fletcher. Well, Robert and I have been thinking about Fletcher. We've given quite a bit of thought. to his being here. Yeah. And about how appropriate it is. Is it?
What? Appropriate.
Good. Well, I'm... I'm not so sure.
Yeah, but if if you're saying it's appropriate him being it then
I didn't exactly say that, Khalil. No. No, I I said we were wondering about how appropriate it was or or in fact how inappropriate.
Right.
Yes we um We have to be realistic about it, about him fitting in here at Ambridge Hall.
You think he might not?
Well he might not Killil, no.
You mean he's not a bitch? ¿Qué? ¿Es lo que voy a hacer?
No, no, not not necessarily.
Sure, because well I'd hate to think of him being
No, I I mean yes, I mean I'd say he was quite cheerful really. Yeah? Yes, a cheerful little chap. But the thing is, Robert and I have been thinking and um we can't well we really can't Decide. About
Food.
Yes, what he eat? We were wondering if you knew what sort of thing he especially likes. To help him fit in. In fact, why don't you come in and say hello to him?
Really? Would you mind?
No, of course not. You could give him the new bell yourself. Come in, Khalil.
There, not there. Don't put it there. What? You're putting the steak out of line with the others. Here, let me. Oh.
Sorry, dad Dad, sorry.
I'm the tension's all right.
No, I wasn't concentrating.
What's the matter, Pip? And and don't say nothing because something clearly is. You've been like this for days now.
Bye, Jasper.
We both noticed. Is it rosy?
Oh, Rosie's good, all good.
But you and Stella then?
No, it's me, Dad. Um I found a lump in my breast. No. Yeah, looking into it, no there's a good chance it'll be nothing much. Just a cyst or something.
What what can we do? There must be something we can do.
I'm doing all the right things, Dad. I'm having it looked into and it it probably is nothing. When? Next Thursday.
Right, well I'll I'll come with you. But uh do you want me to come with you?
Don't worry dad.
I couldn't know why.
Oh I'm in good hands, they'll deal with this. Whatever it is.
What about mom will she be with you without me better?
Haven't said anything to mum yet.
Why not? Because she's been through all this.
I
I know. Um well that's why not. I don't want to upset her. I can tell her later.
Oh are you sure about this? Cause I think she'd want to know.
This is very good of you, Linda.
Oh really, anything I can do to help.
Well, you've already been fantastically helpful with a radio interview.
Well I'm glad.
In fact, we've had some really good ideas as a direct result of this.
A store at the cattle market being one of them.
Mm. I thought Thursday.
Well it's farmer to farmer, buying and selling livestock.
We want mental health to be something that's visible, not just in NHS waiting rooms and the like, but you know, in the wider community.
In this case the farming community. Yes.
Because it it can be quite vulnerable. Farming's a stressful occupation. A lot of farmers pay more attention to the welfare of their livestock than they do to their own.
And the work is relentless. As far as I can see.
They work all hours of the day, often alone, no time to think about how they might be feeling.
And not much inclination to talk about it either. No. So what will you actually have on this store?
Well, that's up for discussion. Um leaflets, I should think, you know, with basic information where to go for help, that sort of thing. Posters.
Yeah. Something to catch the eye, draw people in.
Mm-hmm. Um and maybe screens with video content.
Yes, but you know it will have the biggest impact.
Uh
People. People of course practitioners, nurses and so on, and possibly patients, if you can find people prepared to talk about their experience.
Yeah, what's helped them through? Uh strategies for coping.
Do you think you'll be able to find people to talk about these things and talk to passers by to complete strangers?
Oh, I'm sure I can. Oh I can think of one or two who'd be brilliant at it.
Well, in confidence might I suggest Ben.
Hm, don't worry. He and I have already spoken about it.
He could also offer training.
Training.
How to approach people, how to be friendly without being overwhelming.
Frightening people away, yes.
Well that's the sort of thing I might be able to help with.
Again.
I have some ability in communicating with people who Although...
Although we're not going to be able to
Well, I have to admit, I failed dismally this morning talking to your Khalil.
Well, you've seen Galeel this morning.
About the budgie.
Linda Linda uh uh wait just a second.
Yeah. Yes.
What, budgie?
I'm um I'm making a cheese sandwich here. Do you want one?
No thanks.
不 mind if I do, do you?
Of course not.
Right.
There's no need to tiptoe round me though.
Mae'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid i'n rhaid
Well,
Well I want them to carry on. Can we carry on doing normal things, please?
Yeah.
Yeah, y no you're right. Uh okay. Two normal cheese sandwiches coming up.
No, thank you, d no.
No, sorry sweetheart, you didn't want to.
No. I've thought about it all morning.
Right.
I've hardly thought about anything else.
She knows something's wrong. I can tell. She's been through the exact same thing herself.
W it might not be the same thing though.
It could still be better to talk to her now, rather than after your appointment.
Would she mind if I waited till after?
Honestly.
Honestly.
I think she might.
That's not that though, Dad.
No, I know it is.
I just don't want to stir up bad memories for her. All those memories and if I'm in the clear I will have done all that for nothing.
It's all so uncertain.
I feel I'm in a limbo of not knowing whatever I do, it could be the wrong thing.
Well, it's your choice, Pep.
I know I know what she'd say.
Yes.
Talk to me.
Tell me all your troubles. I don't know if I can do that though.
Come through, come through.
Oh, we won't take up too much of your time, I promise.
That'd be silly ass.
Afternoon, Fletch.
You're always welcome. You know you are. Um you'll stop for tea, I hope.
No, thanks, Linda. I think we've tested your generosity beyond reason today, each of us in turn.
Oh, I doubt that very.
Anyway, uh Khalil has something to say to you.
así
Do afty.
Absolutely, you do? Come on, spit it out!
I'm very sorry, Linda. And Robert's not here.
No, he's he's out for the day with Jim Lloyd.
So what do I do?
You have to apologise to Robert separately on another day.
Um well I can give Robert the gist when he gets in if you like.
Hm, I'm not sure that would count.
I don't think you'll mind, depending on what the gist is.
No you will not. We want a full and heartbelt apology.
you mean what you told me to say
Go on.
I'm very sorry for the bother I've caused you, Linda. I should have made some inquiries.
Fundamentally.
Well Thank you, Khalil. I know you've got
realised now that what I did made you worry and well that's the last thing I wanted.
Is that it? Thank you, Khalil. Very gracious of you. I'm sure Robert will be pleased to hear what you've just told me.
I can come round and tell it myself.
Really there's no need for you.
I mean it though, I don't mind calling round again I only wanted to do something nice for Robert's birthday I'm sorry I got it wrong.
We're all sorry you got it wrong. Ah, I promise you I had no idea what he was planning, Linda, otherwise I'd have nipped it in the bud. And and don't worry, we'll be taking the bird away with us.
He's called Fletcher.
Fletcher, why Fletcher?
Oh Robert's idea.
Anyway, we'll be taking Fletcher away with us.
Where would he go?
He'll be staying with us at Beatrix.
As a temporary measure only.
But I've got mates who might be interested in taking him on.
I'm sure he could stay here a little longer if he would have Find somewhere more sexual.
Absolutely not.
It makes things easier.
It's caused quite enough disruption. And Khalil will work his socks off to find it a permanent home, won't you, Khalil? You'll do better than that. I don't want it in my house a minute longer than is necessary.
Don't say that he might hear it, he'll feel like he's not welcome.
You're not. Right. Come on. Let's take the cage out to the car. We're we're clear out of your way, Linda.
Islander.
Bye Cleo.
Thank you for being so understanding.
Oh gosh.
You have to be content. It's the law.
I'll be kind to the budgie, to you, I'm not so sure. Bye Linda!
Goodbye, Fletcher.
Thank you.
Take care.
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