29/03/2026

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So? You haven't been responding to my messages. I've been busy, Brian. Packing everything up. I am moving house, remember. Now listen, listen. I feel absolutely awful about how we left things. Um And can I take you out for lunch? It's going to take a lot more than lunch, Brian. Right. Uh Well then what shall we do? Um you fancy a walk or something? No. I don't really feel like going out. Okay, well we can stay here then.

You want a cup of tea or coffee? Not right now, thank you. Okay. Uh well um Is he here, Rory? No. No, I think he's gone out with Alice. Okay. Brian, you said the reason you don't want to move in with me is because of him, Rory. Yes, I did. You said he's vulnerable. Yes, yes, and he is. But you know, Brian, I've been racking my brains all weekend. It's not just that, is it?

Well look, I'm not sure I follow. There has to be something else. There isn't. There has to be something you're not telling me. I promise that's all there is. Because I don't want to give up on this. On us. And neither do I, darling. Well, then you need to tell me. And I need the truth.

Lily said he's not working today. Who? Oliver, I wanted to talk to him about the cricket pitch. You know, I'm gonna miss these spontaneous lunch dates when Helen moves out. Well, she's only moving around the corner. She can still babysit. Yeah. But hasn't it been lush having her on tap so we can just go out whenever we want? I'll just be pleased to have some peace and quiet at home now. You do know she's not taking our kids too. Well, as long as she takes Jack. Oh, he's not that loud.

Right, what we have in this time? The bee? Oh, and I see Ian's got a new starter with our purple sprouting broccoli. Shame we don't get suppliers discount. They seem to hike the prices every week. Maybe we should do the same. Oh, just enjoy it, Tom. We've got a nice little nest egg behind us, but with Helen's rent money. In fact, I've been meaning to check our bank account, see what's what. Maybe I'll have a little luck now. Hello there! Hi Linda!

We've just been at the Palm Sunday service. Oh, did you see Mum and Dad? They were taking the kids. Oh, you should have seen Nova and Saren's faces light up when they saw the donkey. Did they get to give it a stroke? Yes, and luckily the rain held off. Oh they'll be made up. Oh, and I promised Alan I would spread the word. Since Stevens is running a little scheme for Easter. It's called the Easter Promises Tree. Oh, sounds sweet. It is. It's a sort of volunteering matchmaking service.

Okay. You pin your promise on the tree in the churchyard. And you get matched with someone who needs help. Oh, that's such a good idea, isn't it, Tom? David and Ruth have just offered Pip to do some gardening. And I'm going to be mucking out in the stables. Is there anything you'd like to offer? Oh, sure we could throw in a few veg boxes, don't you think, Natasha? No, no, no, no. We're not talking freebies, Tom, we're talking about your time. Oh, right.

Of course it's only if you can spare it though. I know you're busy people. Oh, I'm sure we can figure something out. How does it work again, Linda? Well, say you had an afternoon on a Sunday, for example. We would write Tom and Natasha have time on Sunday afternoon to do some For example, cleaning work. Cleaning work?

Okay. And then we'd hang your promise up on the tree, and Hilary Noakes and the ladies from the Flower Guild would match you to someone who could do with your help. It could be anything, you could offer skills or Training, perhaps. Right. Well um I suppose I could organise some work experience or something. Maybe Emma could train someone up on

How to use a coffee machine? Yes, great idea. Useful skill to add to someone's CV. And we could always do with some more casuals to call on. It would have to be in a quiet morning, my dear. Well, I'm sure you'd have a queue of people wanting to do that. Right. And what will you be doing, Linda? Have you got any Easter promise jobs planned? Oh yeah, of course. I shall be leading the way, mostly by facilitating, rallying the troops.

Joining hands and hearts and such that. Joining hands and hearts, eh? Like you did with the cricket the other week. I beg your pardon, Tom. Oh, you weren't so keen to facilitate then, were you? I don't know to what you are referring. Oh, I think you do, Linda. Uh Linda, shall we leave these two in peace, find our table? I'm feeling rather pecky.

I'll have you know, Tom. I offered my assistance. I was very keen to support the Ambridge cricket team this season. Yes, but we want a fresh start, Linda. Have you heard about this, Robert? Uh vaguely. Well we're starting a new pub team. We've got loads of people up for it, a full set of fixtures. All we want now is to play our home matches at the Ambridge Ground, but no

Linda's gone and roped off the square and left the outfield to Ed sheep. I see. Tom, I think you've completely misunderstood the situation. Oh, I don't think I have. You have been deliberately obstructed. Tom, I certainly have not. I don't know where you've got this from. Then should we be on our way? Do you know, Robert, I think we should. Enjoy your lunch and do let us know how you get on with the work experience offering, Natasha. Oh oh yes. No worries and uh

Why did you do that? What? I will have to do that work experience now. Will you? Yes. Just to make it up to Linda.

Here, there's the coffee. Ah, thank you. If you think he needs professional help, then let's get him some. I don't think it's that bad. But but But I can't abandon him. You're not abandoning him, Brian. You're just moving house. And not very far either. Why don't you call him now and then we can thrash it out? No. Why? Why not? We could do it face to face

All three of us together. If Rory and I get on very well, I'm sure he'd want to talk to me. No, Miranda, it's it's it it's not a good time. What do you mean it's not a good time? What else are you doing? Uh how about I give him a call, see if he can come over now. No, no, no, look. I d I I don't think that's necessary. Let's just have this.

Thing out, and then you'll be able to get on with your life. You mean get on with my life? I am getting on with my life. You're letting your son's issues dictate your decisions. Oh no, that's just unfair. Right, I'll phone him then. Rory. Rory No, I said no. Brian, give it back. No. Why? Because because I don't want you speaking to it. But why not? Because Rory does not concern you. Oh. Oh really? How much? You don't want to know.

But that's your fault. The thermostat needed to be set lower. Oh, and what about the new gearbox for the car? Now that was an essential. But what a rip-off! Right. So bang goes the nest egg from Helen's rent. Afraid so? Ugh. Well we'll just have to tighten our belts. We'll be fine. Ugh, maybe I should have ordered the veggie pie. Yours is it? Yeah. Oh, it's Helen. Everything okay? Yeah, yeah, I know. Um she's just messaging in case she forgets to tell me.

Apparently she gave all the details to the auctioneers last week to list for a dispersal sale at Porchester Market. Is that for your dad's anguses? Yeah. Wow, big moment. Yeah, rather heard of me. So he agreed then? Reluctantly.

Oh, bless him. Hello, is it me again? Oh hi, Robert. Please pardon the intrusion. It's okay. Everything all right. Just while Linda is occupied with her old colleagues, I just wanted to ask you, Tom, what exactly did you mean about the cricket ground and the new pub team? What? Seems to be the problem. I have no idea, Robert. You have no idea? But surely we can move red sheep. Well, who knows?

And and Linda listed a whole load of red tape issues the other week, but she didn't really give us any information on how to do anything about them. Right. I was hoping to have a word with Oliver, see what the Grey Gable's take on it is, but he's not here today. What why? What's Linda said? Um sorry if I was a bit off. Um it's just very frustrating. No, no, I can understand the frustration. Um

Leave it with me. I'll see what I can find out, and I'll report back. Great. Thanks, Robert. But maybe don't mention our little chat to Linda. Aye aye, Captain. Thank you. Enjoy your meal. You too. Well, that sounds promising. If anyone can get round Linda, he can.

Please don't go. I I didn't mean to get angry. No, Brian, unless you have something significant to tell me I'm going home. No, please, I didn't mean it. Well what did you mean then? What did you mean when you said Rory doesn't concern me? I'm your partner, aren't I? I'm supposed to be part of your life. No, you weren't. There's something you're keeping from me. Oh please. Look, I d I don't want this to come between us. But what is this?

Tell me I don't know what to say. Because you're hiding something. I'm so sorry. I've tried to be sympathetic and understanding. Please, please let me make it up to you. Let let's go out. Let's do something. No, Brown, I don't want to go anywhere with you. I mean I know you had history, don't we all?

I'm beginning to see that it's all the tip of the iceberg with you. Please, Miranda. There is something deeply, deeply wrong here, and if you refuse to let me in, I cannot help you. There isn't anything. Or maybe it's just that you don't trust me. You don't respect me enough to let me in. Or or how about this?

You don't have the nerve to end it with me, is that it? No, of course not. I love you. You know, Brian, I don't think I can believe a word you say anymore. Oh, please, Miranda, please, please don't say that. No, Brian. Without trusting. We have nothing!

Well, it's like I said to Azra. There's such a strong sense of community here in Ambridge. She'll be overrun with ideas for her mental health initiative. Hm, yes, of course. I mean I've always thought that a sense of belonging is important for your mental health. I quite agree. Feeling like you're part of a team. Cricket, um, for example, worked wonders. Oh, yes. Lambridge cricket was marvellous for bringing people together, even just for the social side of it.

Whole village on a Sunday gathering around the pitch to cheer the team on, then the teas afterwards, smashing. Yes, quang. But that was the traditional ambush village team, Robert. I'm really not sure the bull can recreate all that. Ah, yes. What are they proposing again? Well, a completely new team. Personally, I don't think it'll have the same gravitas. But surely it'll be the same people playing. And if they can sort out using the village pitch. If they can sort that out. What do you mean?

I would be very happy to navigate the team through the red tape and the various bureaucratic hurdles and what have you, but I I just do not see the logic in setting up an entirely new team. But Lindy, what does it matter who they're playing for? Oh, we've been through this, Robert. It matters to me. Besides, Oliver will never let them use the country park. Why not? Well he's dead against it.

Of course he was always supportive of the proper Irish cricket team in my many requests, but I don't But you don't think he'll say yes to the Bulls team. No, I'm afraid not. And I can't think of a single person, not one, who might be able to change his mind. No, dear, neither can I.

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports. Right now, the NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself.

That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real-time scores, breaking news, and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. Hi, this is Alex Kantrowitz. I'm the host of Big Technology Podcast, a longtime reporter and an on-air contributor to CNBC. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence

is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it, asking where this is all going. Microsoft, Amazon, and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, in meetings with your colleagues, and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.