31/05/2026

You're listening to Sunday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

Come in and have a seat, Adam. I haven't got long. Recus is taking me to the ball for lunch.

Nice.

Yeah, I hope so. It's a bit of a treat to have a completely free Sunday, especially when it's like this. I'm not the stables today, and Chris has got Martha overnight. He's taking a tour in the morning.

Talking of which, you saw the offset report? Ian's tearing his hair out. Parents are calling him because of his involvement with the school. And he's got enough on his plate at Grey Gables. He's having to work today.

Yeah well, the report's pretty disappointing.

Mm-hmm.

Landa's really happy there.

So's Martha. Something's not right, is it? You're not here to talk about Loxy Barrett, though, surely. Uh no.

I was wondering when you last saw Brian.

No, not for a couple of days. It was grim. He wouldn't discuss anything at all.

I just thought but hoped really. You might be doing better with him than I am.

I mean what happens if we can't convince him to back down?

Exactly what he says will happen. The partnership loses the land in three weeks.

A stupid meeting. What manner?

Well it gets worse. On Friday he emailed me to say I was sacked and not to show my face at home farm again.

What are you going to do?

Ignore. He can't sack me. He doesn't employ me. The partnership does. So I'm uh carrying on as usual. Turning up for work, managing home farm.

Oh sucking you by email.

He's out of control, Alice. Heading out in all directions without any kind of plan. Who knows how much damage we'll do before this is sorted out?

That'd be wrecked

Okay.

And leave you in peace. Hi Rex.

Adam, hi. Sorry, am I

No no not at all. I'm just off.

Hi. Hi. We're just talking about a

Well let me guess, the family. You won't be the only ones in Ambridge I'm sure.

I suppose we are.

Hey uh join us if you like.

Oh don't be daft, we're long past that, aren't we, Rakes?

Well I've got some errands to run buttons. If you're sure I might pop in for a drink on my way back. Xander's on a play date, so whatever suits. Okay then. Might see you later.

Bye.

Adam.

Bye. More trouble.

Same trouble. Just gets worse.

If there's anything I can do.

No there isn't. It's my family Rex.

Well, it is my problem a bit, if it's making my girlfriend unhappy.

You think you can sort out the aldridges? What else can you do? Cure the common cold?

not trying to interfere. I just meant I don't know, practical help. Taking Martha to school, doing a supermarket run. Let me take the strain a bit.

No no need, it's all fine. Shall we walk down to the ball? Make the most of the weather?

Alright, alright.

Oh.

Damn thing.

Brian?

You okay?

I'm fine, I'm having a run in with the drenched backpack, that's all I've got. There's just too many straps. It all got twisted.

Yeah, easily done.

And what are you doing here?

I was passing.

I'd likely story.

The earlings look good. Yeah.

Yeah, I wasn't gonna start worming them till tomorrow, but it's such a nice day. I thought well waste not to be outside.

Yeah.

Haven't done this myself for a while.

It is a perfect day for it.

Yeah, well I can't do much about the newborns yet, they're still hungered down in the long grass, so but I thought I'd get ahead of myself.

Right, well let me help you on with a backpack.

I hope you're not suggesting I'm incapable of doing it myself.

No, Brian, I'm not such a fan.

It's nice to see you.

Okay. I've heard the rumours like everyone else.

He thought you'd come and see what the old fool's up to now.

Yeah.

Well the old fool has taken charge of his land again is having the time of his life, thanks. There we are.

Peace.

Seem in good spirits.

I think it's the kick up the backside I needed. I'm not ready for a knacker's yard quite yet, no matter what my children think.

I'm sure they don't think that

Don't put money on it.

You'll make it up with them. Ruth saw Anna Tragoran yesterday. Apparently Carol is being a bit more compliant, much to her daughter's relief. Yeah, if Anna and Carol can make a new start, so can you.

Are you comparing me to Carol Dragoran? Good, because if you are, you can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

Yeah, I could do that. Or I could hang about and help you worm the yearlings. It is a perfect day for it, after all.

Okay then, if you want. Yeah. Thanks, Stella.

That's one roast chicken, one roast beef and two cauliflower cheeses on the side, please, Tracy. Or on table four in the garden. Oh I thought I'd save you the trouble. You're busy. And actually I was glad to get away. Tom has cornered Rex about next week's match with the dog and trumpet. Men talking crooking.

Oh bless him. I've got my own strategy, seems to work. Dog and stump it ain't no match for us. I'll get you drinks. I'll won't be a minute, Martin.

Oh sorry I was I I didn't mean to push in. I'm I'm hoping for a table. I wasn't planning on coming. I was having brunch with a lady friend at Grey Gable till I had a run-in with your brother-in-law. What on earth is going on with your family? The rumors about home farm are positively ludicrous.

Uh uh well, don't believe everything you hear. Um what happened with Ian?

The brunch was poor, very poor indeed. The person I was with, the lady I was with, was deeply unimpressed. Left quite abruptly.

Oh, because of the bun?

What else? I had complained to Zenab about it, she was lovely as usual. Then Ian came through and I gave him a piece of my mind. You expect to be listened to when you're making a complaint, especially somewhere like Greg Gables. You'll expect an apology and a bit of grov.

Oh and Ian didn't.

No, he was rude, Alice. Downright rude. And my companion stormed out. It was embarrassing. I might well go to Oliver about it.

There we go, Alice. A lime and soda and a point of shyers. I've started to tab for you.

Oh, thanks, Tracy. I enjoy your lunch, Martin.

What can I get you?

Uh table for one if you can.

Oh, not for maybe an hour. Unless you'd like to eat at the bar.

I made it.

Your errands didn't take long. We're in the garden, I've started a tab if you want to eat.

Oh I'll just get myself a half and not stop.

Ah well, be warned. Martin's at the bar and you might want to avoid him. He and Ian have had a falling out at Grey Gables this morning. He's quite irate about it.

For heaven's sake, I need Martin on s.

Well, I'm not entirely sure it's Ian's fault. You know what Martin's like.

Oh, Adam, hello. A word, if I may.

Leave you to it.

Yeah.

in the hurdles.

Oh thanks, Tella. That was that was quite a lot of old times.

Not really. We didn't fight.

Didn't always fight. We we were a good team most of the time.

I suppose. Yes we were.

You know, can you take the way to the backpack?

Yeah, here.

There we go.

Thank you.

Consider coming back, manage him farm again?

No Brian. They have a new job I really like, and you have Adam.

No, I don't. Adam doesn't work here anymore. And don't look at me like that. I'm I'm sorry you won't come back. That was my own fault for throwing away a good thing.

Are you sure you're not doing that again now?

Very sure, thank you. You're very sure indeed. Well you'll have a farm of your own soon anyway, once you and Pepper married.

That would be years before Pippin Herrits and I don't see Brookfield like that, Brian, not even in my head.

So it's what you've always wanted.

No. I mean life can turn on his six bus, you know that. Are you really okay?

I really am.

Oh thanks for the drink, Adam. You don't need to apologise for ears.

Well that's not why I bought you the drink.

There must be a big shift for him going from head chef to general manager.

Acting general manager and he was head of food, not just head chef.

Oh he's a brilliant chef. He is. Uh but maybe management requires a different skill set? What exactly is going on at Home Farm? Everyone's gossiping.

storm in a take-up. Nothing there needs to be concerned about.

You promised me?

A hundred percent.

Tracy, you're a star. I hate eating at the bar.

Well if you'll excuse me, Martha.

You coming to Edge Baston on june the twelfth for the women's World Cup match.

I wasn't.

Might still be some seats on the bus. It's gonna be dead exciting.

Are you here for lunch as well?

Join us.

No, I've actually just popped by to pick up a bottle of wine.

Oh you must have time for a swift heart.

I really don't, sorry. Yeah.

Yeah, of course.

Oh, it gets more complicated by the minute. Uh don't say anything to Adam, will you? I'd like a quiet lunch.

What on earth is Brian thinking?

We were asking that. What did you say?

No, of course.

Oh I mean, I suppose it's good he's looking for hell.

Do you think that's the first thing?

Well what if I tried to find him someone?

Oh, should you get involved?

He's my dad, Rex. I am involved.

Okay.

But what about Ed Grande? He knows the place. You could always ask if he wants more hours.

It's a thought skala.

Oh I think this is your lunch coming.

We don't have to go back to yours, do we? We could go to the boat or make us coffee and we can sit and watch the river flow. What'd you think? Shall we go to the boat?

Why?

You're okay.

Well, no, I I'm not very good company, am I? Maybe I should just go home. Well you know what's up. The whole of Ambridge is talking about what's up. I don't see how talking anymore is gonna help.

Okay, well what would you like to do this afternoon?

Honestly, I'd like to sit down with a large wine and forget all about it. Oh, don't look at me like that. Obviously I'm not going to. Obviously it's not even a possibility anymore. I know what would happen. But there are days, Rex, there are days.

should you call your sponsor.

Amen.

But maybe there's a meeting. Let me look it up. I can drive you. No. Alice, you you're scaring me.

Well, I'm not gonna relapse. So No you don't understand. You think you do, but you don't. I mean how can you? You don't have an addictive bone in your body.

I get that you're under pressure, a lot of pressure, but but a wine.

It was not a serious suggestion.

Yeah.

Sounded serious.

Well, okay. Imagine I said I wanted to jump on a motorbike and ride naked into the sunset. Would you have taken that seriously too?

You don't have a history of riding motorbikes naked into the sun.

Look, I do talk to my sponsor. I do go to meetings. I'm doing all the right things and I'm handling this. You know what, Rex, go home.

I'm not leaving you in this state.

Nanny me. I'm the addiction expert, not you.

I'm trying to be supportive.

Well it's not working. Okay.

Suit yourself. Honestly, I was only trying to help.

I don't need your help. Rex. Rex.