06/03/2026

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The best B2B marketing gets wasted on the wrong people, so when you want to reach the right professionals, use LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has grown to a network of over one billion professionals, including 130 million decision makers, and that's where it stands apart from other ad buys. You can target your buyers by job title, industry, company, role, seniority, skills, company revenue, so you can stop wasting budget on the wrong audience. It's why LinkedIn ads generate the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get $250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. That's LinkedIn.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. Tax season has arrived. And doing taxes without the right help can feel overwhelming. Into it, TurboTax is here now to guide you through it with confidence. Match with a TurboTax full service expert who handles everything for you from start to finish. Your dedicated expert checks every single deduction and credit

1:02to help you get the best possible outcome so you can feel confident you're getting every dollar you deserve. And the best part? You'll see real-time updates on your experts progress right on your phone while you live your life. Plus, you get unlimited expert help at no extra cost, even on nights and weekends during tax season. Visit TurboTax.com. Only available with TurboTax full service experts, real-time updates only on iOS mobile app. You're listening to Friday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4. Alice! Marie, what you doing tonight? I'm at work, I can't really... I know, I know, which is why I was cutting to the chase. What you doing tonight, you busy.

2:02Not with anything I can think of quick enough? Er, I'll ignore that. Martha wants to see you, but both of us do. We wondered if he wanted to come for dinner. I've got pulled pork and slow cooker. Er, it sounds great, but I need an early night. Me too. I'm talking an early dinner with Martha on all night rave. You can be home and tucked up before nine. Oh, I don't know. Oh, you're not going to 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? Oh, fantastic. Anytime from five. These biscuits for a nice touch. Harry Baldi's my great-granddad's favorite. I know, that's why I got them. Nothing wrong with a bit of biscuit-based emotional manipulation. Right, I think that's everything. Yeah, we're all set. Do you really think this is going to work? I hope so. Because if it doesn't, I'm out of ideas. Oh, he's here. Hello, you too. Hi, Dad. Hi, Will.

3:04Hmm, what's going on? Nothing? No, nothing at all. How was work? Fine, would you like a cup of tea? Okay. Who's that now? I think I've only just walked through the door. I'll get it. Don't bother it. It'll be someone collecting for something always is. I offered the last slot you 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 coming in the living room, Grandpa. What's he doing here? George, you said your dad was in Darrington. I know, I did. Darrington? I've been nowhere near Darrington. No, we, yeah, we lied. Why? I think we've been set up, will you? Look, George, I've told you where I stand. 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. No, you can't. Will. But I'm sorry, he's right.

4:05A lot's happened, and maybe you'll understand when your baby's born. Well, actually, that is one of the reasons we wanted Eddie to come over. Genuinely, we've got something to show you. Oh, you? Yeah. This is your first great-grandchild. Oh. Oh, would you look at that, William? No, I've seen it. They showed it me last night. Wait, that's something. Yeah, yeah, it is. Potato's nearly done. I'll just throw this coleslaw together and then we can eat. Oh, you're making your own coleslaw. I am. It's actually really easy. I never thought I like 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 your- half mayo. Lovely. Mmm, sounds good. Anyway, what were you talking about? Speedwatch. Oh, yeah. I can't believe you signed up. Well, Linda was very persistent. It started to feel like I was living in a cartoon. Every corner I turned, there she was with her sign-up sheet.

5:08In the end, it was easier to just say yes. Wow. I haven't actually done any shifts yet. Well, you mean you've got away with it so far? Linda won't give up. No, 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 this bead gunsie. Oh, don't. It is a good thing, though. It puts a 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. She not done her green crosscode. Good question. Do you know I don't actually know. I don't think so. She nearly scooted out in front of a car the other day at the school gate. Oh, that's awful. I know. It was really embarrassing. Screached at her so loud in front of a full playground of kids and parents. A cried one I got in the car. Because it was my fault. Really, I was chatting to Lotty and hadn't noticed she'd gone. Oh, yes. Oh, it's just part of being a parent, isn't it? You're ongoing challenge of being entirely responsible for someone else's survival.

6:11Anyway, how are you doing? How are things at Barrow? 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'm not crying myself to sleep every night. Are you fine? I mean. Yeah. Because you know Miranda's worried about you. I do know. Yeah. It's nothing. 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. That's feel weird. But still, a bit of me is kind of looking forward to being

7:13there again to sit looking out of the French doors into the garden. I feel like I'm always trying to conjure up mum to really feel her. Remember. I 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. I'm here. And 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, blame me. 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. But didn't you?

8:14Because it does feel a bit like that. No, really, no. But this baby is on its way. And we didn't want to bring him or her into a family who are divided. You're sort of a starting life, is that? Yeah, 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 around the greener few times. Give these two some space. How about that? We're all right. But I'm not making any promises. Help yourselves to tea. And there are some garabaldies. We won't be long. Oh, I'm really sorry. You invite me for dinner and I have an emotional breakdown. Oh, stop it. You know, if you don't want to move into home farm, 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 say or think about it. Alice, you don't have to do this.

9:14I appreciate it, but... I just, 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 you have to move in. No, you don't have to. But I want you to. And anyway, 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. And thank you very much for the offer, but I think I'd prefer to stay at Blossom Hill for now. 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.

10:14Well, I think we're just about ready to eat. Do you want to give Martha a shout? Of course. Martha, dinner's ready. But if Georgia and me can put it behind us, why can't you? Because it really hurt that. 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. 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?

11:16Once. But I just didn't feel I could pretend what had gone before hadn't happened. I wasn't pretending. Look, it doesn't help, George. I saw rolling over saying nothing. He needs us to hold him accountable for his actions. He 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, I mean a new baby. I know. But we'll all be here to help them, won't we? If that's all right. Yeah, that's all right. I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry, too. These last few weeks have been horrible. That's not speaking. Oh, I won't argue with that.

12:17And the young ones are right. This new baby needs us to pull together. Be a proper family. You're going to be a grandpa, will you? Or a granddad? Oh, I see. Fancy granddad, do you? I don't know, yeah. How did you decide? I can't remember a new one. I think because my dad was always grandad to you, I became grandpa to avoid confusion. So maybe I should go with granddad, then. Grandad suits you. Thanks, dad. Oh, come here. Oh, look at that. Everything all right, you, too? I think everything is just about all right, ain't it, will you? Yeah, it is. I suppose we should be thanking you. We're just happy that you're speaking again. Oh, not as happy as we am. Tell you what, this course for a celebration, I've been thinking we need to resurrect the cider club for a while now.

13:17And what better occasion than this. What do you say? We all raise a glass. This Sunday. Great idea. Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, dad. Hey. Do you want to stay for tea, Eddie? My famous sausage pasta bake. Oh, it's tempting as that sounds. I'm going to get back. Oh, blind me to cook the tommy. At all, Clarie, I'd have the potatoes peeled by the time she got back from Honda, wouldn't she? She'll be furious if she gets so many finds I've not done it. Actually, I think Clarie will be over the moon when she hears you and will are speaking again. Oh, she will, yeah. I'm over the moon myself. The family. Of finally back together.

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