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fictionMar 26, 202613:07

26/03/2026

The Archers

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Ruth susses something’s up with Ben, who’s been asked by Lily about moving into Josh’s room at the Stables. He’s decided to say no, having seen how upset David and Ruth are about Josh leaving. They admit they are a bit sad, especially with the bad feelings involved. But they’ll try to put things right and hope Josh comes round. As for Ben though, he doesn’t want to abandon them after they’ve been so supportive through his darker moments. They saved his life. Ruth gets a funny message from Josh, then she and David tell Ben he should take the room if he wants to. Later, David and Ruth agree their kids are brilliant.

George asks Brian for the money he promised him and wants to tell Brian his business plan, which no longer involves drones. George persuades Brian to go for a walk, explaining he wants to invest in five rare breed ewes. A farmer has offered to put them to his ram for breeding. George will ask Esme to keep them at Meadow Farm, but one day George plans on having his own farm. Brian’s response is crushing: it’s not going to happen. They agreed the money would be for George’s drone business, not this. It’s far too risky. Brian can only see George coming back to him for more money and he’s not having it. Angry George accuses Brian of lying about the offer to pay him and threatens to expose Brian, who walks off.

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26/03/2026

The Archers

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13:07

Full transcript

The Archers26/03/2026. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

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. When Kohler Global Design Leader in luxurious kitchen and bath products asked me to be their ambassador for timeless, elegant, durable test iron, I said, I'm in. Soon after I was in their Kohler Wisconsin foundry,

1:00watching molten iron poured, enamel applied by hand, and the beautiful finished pieces ready to ship. Since 1883 Kohler Test Iron has been crafted by incredible artisans, and seeing it firsthand, gave me a whole new appreciation for their craftsmanship. Now, I'm proud to lend my staff of approval to my favorite Kohler Test Iron products for their durability, beauty, and enduring style. Shop my curated picks at Kohler.com. As the Kohler Test Iron Ambassador, I say, Long Live Test Iron. You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Arches from BBC Radio 4. Hi, Mum. Hi, Ben. Good day. Long day. And me.

2:00I'm a shadowed. I don't think I'm sweet and very well. It's just Lily. I'll call her back. Okay. You're going out tonight or something? No. Oh, so what you're calling about? Nothing. No, I'm not. I'm not hopping. Shuffle in then. Come on. What is it? I can tell something's bothering you. I didn't know whether to say anything. Well, you have to now. Go on. It's dad-aid. Oh, my land Rover's back. It's dad-aid. It's dad-aid. It's dad-aid. It's dad-aid. It's dad-aid. It's dad-aid. Well, the land Rover's back, so I guess so. Why? Because I'd rather speak to you both together than have to go through it twice. You've got me worried now. No, no, no, sorry. It's fine. Honestly, it's fine. I'll tell you inside.

3:01Carmen. Hello, Brian. George, I thought we'd agree to stay out of each other's way. Yeah, we did. But there's something I need to talk to you about. What? You said you don't make. You don't? Financially, with more business. Oh, yes, yes. Well, that still stands. Can I have it then? The money? No. Well, I could do with it sooner rather than later. I'll be making a business plan, see? Can I tell you about that? There's no need. I agreed to give you a lump sum investment, and I will. Cash would probably be best, wouldn't it? Yeah, fine. Well, it'll take a few days to arrange. Yeah, of course. Well, I'll be in touch. Don't you even want to know what I'm going to spend it on? No, it's no need for that. I don't understand the first thing about a drone business, in any case. Actually, I'm not going to use it for the drone business. That was the agreement. I know it was, but it don't matter to you, does it? You just want to pay me off. No, I've had another idea. Something that will really set me off on the right path.

4:03What is it? Come for a walk with me, and I'll tell you. David, get a move on with you. Ben's got something to tell us. Calm down, Mum. You're not going to Patagonia as well, are you? No, of course not. Why would Ben be going to Patagonia? Well, I don't know. Do I? That's time one of our children sat us down with some news. That's what it was. It's nothing like that. What is it then? A couple of weeks ago, Lily asked me if I wanted to move into Josh's room at the Staples. Oh. OK. Don't worry, I'm not going to. Oh, why not? I don't know. I told Lily I'd think about it, but it's come around really quickly, and now it all feels a bit rushed. You mean you don't feel ready? No, I... Well, yeah, yeah, maybe. You don't sound very sure. No, no, I am. And Lily needs to know pretty much now, so they can get someone else to cover the rent if I don't want it. So, I'm going to tell her, it's a no. OK. If that's what you want?

5:05Is it? What you want? Yeah. Yeah, I don't think I want to make a decision like that in a rush. OK. But we can talk about it if you like. What are your reservations? I suppose it just doesn't feel right. What doesn't feel right? It doesn't feel right for me to leave now, just after Josh, when everyone is feeling a bit, you know. When you say everyone, you mean us, me and your dad. Well, yeah. Yeah, I know how upset you are about Josh leaving, so suddenly, I don't want to make things worse. Cotsworld lions. Yeah. They're sheep. Yeah, thank you, George. Thanks. I know what they are. I didn't think you meant Aslan is paled. Right, sorry. So, you want to buy a flock of sheep? Yeah. Just a small one at first. I'm thinking five sure didn't use to start with.

6:05And there's a bloke I met at Borchester Market who lives in Stolen the Wild Sea. He's got some for sale. And he said, I can put them to his ram when the time comes. I see. This bloke, a bit of a character he is. He said to me, the tradition is you put them to the ram on Bonfire night. Is that right? Yeah. He goes, you put them to the ram on Bonfire night with a bang and you get April fools. Because the lambs will be born in April. Yes, I'm with you. They're a heritage breed, you know. Cotsworld lions. Yes, I understand. The wool is proper good quality. Give it time, and I reckon I can find a market for it. I mean, people are into it, aren't they? Natural fibers and all that. Instead of all these synthetics that pollute the water. I wouldn't have thought there was enough land that granged farm for more sheep. Even a small flock? No, they're ain't. I'm going to ask Esmy if I can have them at Medu Farm to gradually build my flock. See, eventually, I want a farm of my own. What? You want to be a farmer?

7:07That's a long-term plan. Yeah, I'll reckon. Get some coves, maybe. Turkey's even. Go some veg in that. I know it'll take time. I'll need some land, of course. But I've got a baby on the way. I need to be thinking about the few. George, you're a brute-field sheep here at Home Farm, don't you? Yes, so. That would be like me and Esmy at Medu Farm. Until I get my own land, I might just have to borrow bits here and there. I don't mean Home Farm. Although, it might be Home Farm. At some point, George. George, stop! This is... It's preposterous. And it's not going to happen. You don't need to stay at Brookfield to keep an eye on me and your dad. That's the last thing we want. Absolutely. I know. But also, what? I know how sad you are about Josh going. Even though you've tried to hide it from me, I'm not daft. We know you're not daft, Ben. You're very perceptive. And yeah, as far as we are a bit sad, aren't we?

8:10A little bit, I suppose. Well, Miss Josh. And I wish we'd been able to fully resolve all the bad feeling before he left. That's something we'll have to try to put right. No, he'll come round. I think he will, yeah. Hopefully, he will see that we were trying to do right by all of you. Forget about us for a moment. What do you want to do? I don't know, really. I like the idea of moving out. Okay. And they might be fun, living with Lily and Paul. I mean, it would be fun. Yeah, I imagine it would. Well, I don't like feeling like I'm abandoning you. You know, me and your mum did manage perfectly well on our own before you came along. Yeah, I know. I know. But it's more than that. I couldn't have got through the last few years without you. Like, I literally wouldn't have survived. Oh, Ben. I mean it. And I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate everything you've done for me, because I really do. Ben, we just did what any parents would do. No, no, you weren't above and beyond.

9:11The two of you, you made me better. You put everything you had into me. You know, I didn't realise, I mean, I feel stupid saying this now. Well, until recently, I never really appreciated that you funded the therapy I had. I mean, I don't know what I thought looking back. The only option, the waiterness is so long, we were very lucky that we could find the money. I was lucky to have you two as parents. I don't think I ever thanked you properly. Oh, and you do not need to thank us where your mum and dad, it's our job to look after you. Yeah, and not the other way around. At least not yet. It's Josh. Oh, what'd you say? Nothing. Look. I'm fine to nut thumbs up. At least we know he's all right. I told you, didn't I? You did. Watch how I send back. Eat some vegetables, don't forget to wear some cream.

10:11We love you. Or maybe not? No, you're right. I'll just send him a heart. Yeah, says it all really. Done. So then, obviously you should do what you want to do, but for what it's worth. I think you should take the room. Yeah, me too. What, so you kicking me out now? What if you feel ready? But I think you don't feel ready. Yeah, and I think I probably do. You promised me that money. You can't go back on it now. I said I'd give you the money towards your drone business. This isn't that. You said yourself you don't need to know the details. It don't make no difference to you if I spend it on drones or shi- Of course it makes a difference. I offered you money as an end to everything. Yeah, and it would be. Really? What happens when you want to grow your flock? You telling me won't be back here asking for more demanding land? Oh, won't. Let me make myself crystal clear George.

11:12This money is a one-off, not an ongoing investment. I know that. I am not prepared to enter into a business relationship with you. Not, not a million years. I never asked you to. All I want is to buy some sheep. 1300 quits you'd cover it. Look, even if I trust what you're saying, that you wouldn't come back for more, this isn't a sound plan. It's far too risky. No more risky than invested in drones. Coswell Lions might be trendy. They're not trendy. They're a rare breed that need preserving. Well, that's as maybe, but they're not commercial. Yes, that's the point. And you've been listed. I'm down, George. I was calm. I was excited, even. I came here with it all planned out. I thought you'd be impressed with how much thought I put in. Look, you're asking me to put money into something that is enviable. What do you want me to do? Give me some money towards the Cotsworld Lions. Yes, but that isn't what you said you'd do, is it? You were never going to give me the money.

12:13Where are you? You just said that to shut me up. No, now I made the offer in good faith, but this is not a good investment. You're a liar. Not everyone's out to get you, George. No, I could tell people what you did. Now, listen here. I will not be blackmailed by you or anyone else. My offer still stands. I will give you a one-off payment for your drone business. What I will not do is support you to set up a farm next door to mind. Do you understand? You can't stop me if I get the money from somewhere else. Good luck with that. Now, if we're done here, I've got work to do. What are you still doing down here? I thought you were following me up. I wasn't, and I noticed the table needed wiping again. I think Ben must have made himself some supper. I forgot to clean up after himself. That won't all down well in his house, Sherd. Oh, I don't think they run a particularly tight ship from what I've seen. You'll fit right in.

13:13Yeah, he probably will. Oh, so? And we're only down the road. I know. Are you, are you really all right about him moving out? Yeah, I mean, I'll miss him, but we'll be nice to have some time to ourselves. Yeah, well, I agree. It'd be nice to have a bit more space. You know what Ben said before about when he wasn't well? I just can't forget how bad it was. Yeah. How scared we were. But then I couldn't have imagined it'd been well enough to move out again. And now he's upstairs, cheerfully packing a bag full of our best towels. I'm so glad Josh sent that picture. A piece of her. Yeah, I think it was. I know things have been pretty, especially with Josh the last few weeks. But really, when do you think about him? All three of them are doing well, aren't they?

14:16They're great. They are. They're brilliant. 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 generates the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks.

15:16Spend $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. At the BBC, we go further so you see clearer. With a subscription to BBC.com and the BBC app, you get unlimited articles and videos. Add free podcasts. The BBC News Channel streaming live 24 7 plus hundreds of acclaimed documentaries. From less than a dollar a week for your first year, read, watch, and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling. It all starts with a subscription to BBC.com and a BBC app. Find out more at BBC.com slash unlimited.

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