Source: BBC Radio 4 "The Archers" Archers: 2013-04-04 Thursday http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/archers archers_20130404-1920a.mp3

You are listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.

I took the liberty of bringing you this. / Oh, thank you.

It's a rose. I hope you like that.

I adore it. Shall I pour us a glass? / Yeah, please go ahead.

Looks lovely. / Hmm. Whatever is cooking smells delicious.

Don't get too excited. It's nothing fancy. Just some baked salmon with a few ... vegitables. / Sounds fantastic to me. I hardly ever cook. / Really?

Yes. I'm afraid I'm on first name terms with the owners of literally all my local takeaways. So it's a real treat to have a home-cooked meal. / Oh. Good. ............ Here you go. / Thank you. Cheers.

Cheers./ Cheers.

Do you need any help?

No, not at all. Everything's under control. So, how's your week been? / Yeah, all right. I've been catching up with family.  Might as we make the most of school holidays while I can. / Quite. / Alistair and I spent

yesterday

clearing out the cricket pavilion

taking an inventory of equipment, gearing up for the new season. / Of course. Right. .... ... won't be much longer. Can you put these plates out for me, I'll fetch the cutlery. / Shall I get two more?

Sorry? / For Freddie and Lily.

No. They are, ... actually ... at cinema this evening with a group of friends. / I see.

So it'll be just you and me tonight. Is that OK?  / Yeah. It's, uh, ... it's perfect.

 

Right. What do you fancy? / Well, I think I'll go for the mussels, then the beef, ... Oh, I like the look of this sticky toffee pudding. / You haven't eaten today, then? / Ah, on a girls' night out there should be no limit to pleasure.

Yeah, I'm with you on that one, Pat. I'm gonna have the beetroot __ / and then the sea bass.

lovely to be out for a change.

Yeah. More wine? / Please.

How's Jamie getting on?

Oh, he's fine. Still working with Issac. / That's wonderful.

I know. But I still wish he / Can't argue the fact that education increases your options.

That's a given.

No worry that one day he's gonna regret his decision. / He really wasn't enjoying his studies though, was he?

Still, he could have stuk it out. He's so young, Pat.  I wonder if things might have been different if dad was around.

For what we know, it might have been worse. Two parents instead of one to rebel against. Maybe you shouldn't worry so much.  Jamie is a good boy, and it does sound he's thriving. / Yeah I know.  It's just ... it's hard sometimes to accept that ... ... own person. Parenting a teenager is a fine balance, as you well know. / It doesn't change no matter how old they are.

So, what the latest of Bridge Farm?

Don't ask. / Oh, that bad? / Tom and I are barely speaking.  Now Helen's weighed things up and she is on Tom's side. / She thinks you should sell the herd?

Yeah.  I'm not even sure what Tony's opinion is any more. ... ... ... leaned on by all of them.

you've told me, Tom's done some sound work

no doubt in the logic in his argument. / would it make life easier for you and Tony?

Oh, yes.

You are not getting any younger, Pat. / Thanks.

It's true. None of us are. Well, it was only last year that Tony was in hospital with his heart attack.

.... you as well.

Sorry. But you told me before that the work ... ... are becoming unmanagable. / Yeah. But before we make such a huge decision, surely we shoud see if there's a better, less drastic way of coping with everything. / So Tom hasn't covered all the bases then? There are alternatives? ....... Yeah.  Well, surely you should be aiming to reduce your stress levels, not increase them. Isn't it time for you and Tony to start thinking about the next phase of your lives? / I don't know.  It's very hard to express the attachment I feel to the herd.  I grew up on a dairy farm.  Cows have been part of my life as long as I can remember. / I understand. / Sorry, Kathy, but unlesss you are a farmer I don't think you can.

Rony's been super-efficient at sending me stuff through. We've got a system going. / Right. / So you don't need to worry about anything. / I know. Look, I, uh, ...

Yeah?

Do you wanna eat straight away?

Uh, .... no. I'm fine.

Right.

Chris, what's the matter? / Well. I've been thinking ... / Yeah? / ... about Canada. / Oh. OK.

And, you know I don't wanna move abroad. / You've made that clear. / Let me finish. / Sorry. Go on.

Well, the thing is, I realize how much this job must mean to you. You wouldn't have gone for it unless it was something you really wanted, would you?

No.

Thought about it all this time. / So have I.

I haven't thought about much else, to be honest. And, I've decided. / Yeah?

I don't wanna hold you back. If you wanna go to Vancouver, then, I'll come with you. / I, .... I don't believe it. Are you sure? / Yeah, I am. / I don't deserve you. / Of course you do. / So, we are going then? 

You know, when we were talking about Bridge Farm before, I wasn't suggesting you give everything up. / I know. / But, I do think that you and Tony need to start thinking about your future. I mean, what you've achieved on the farm is amazing and no one can take that away from you. / You know what they say, if it ain't broke, then why fix it? / Because it might be broken / too much and it's unsustainable. I mean, it seems to me that Tom

old block

passionate about what he wants to achieve

Bridge Farm

you and Tony ever were.

I can't deny that.

And you are incredibly lucky that both of your children are committed to keeping the family business going ... sure that really appreciate the legacy that you are leaving. / Don't feel like that at the moment.

They just want to do things differently, Pat. They all do. / Not easy though, is it?

Absolutely not. Look. Have you ever considered that Tom might just jump ship? / What do you mean?

There is no reason why he can't leave Bridge Farm ... run his business on his own. He did it before, didn't he, went to Brian. How did you feel then?

Thank you, Chris. / What for? / For, ... uh, I don't know. Just, ... for loving me so much. / Don't be silly. Listen, ... / No. It's my turn now. What you've said has made my decision so easy. I mean, I think I knew before, but, now I'm sure. / Well? / Chris, I'm going to turn down the job in Canada. / What? / Honestry, I'd have come to that conclusion anyway. / So we both ... ? / Yeah. / All right, Alice, come here. / Oh, I'm sorry. / It's OK. It's just my ribs. I can still....... / That's better. ............... I'm sorry the last few weeks've been so awful. / Me too. You sure, Alice? Really sure? / Absolutely. The most important thing is that we are united. Right now we need to be together here, at home, in Ambridge. I'm gonna do everything I can to get you back on your feet and working again. / I'm glad, but, listen, I don't want to limit yourself in the future. The way I see it, it's all about timing. Maybe now just isn't the best moment for us to leave.

Yeah.

But, if ... ... opportunity comes up again, and it's abroad, we need to consider it, and if you'd like to take it, then I'm coming with you.

Thank you. / I hope ....  doesn't have to be dependent on this one job. / Oh, I get that now. / I understand how much your career means to you. / There's so many things I'd like to achieve.

You are gonna achieve everything you've dreamed of, and more. When you do, I'll be by your side. / You are incredible, Christopher Carter. And I'm not gonna hold you back either. / Here's to the future. / Our futuer, toghether.

Would you like another glass of wine? / No, no, I'm fine. Thank you for lovely dinner.

You are welcome.

Food always tasts better when someone's sharing it with you.

I just hope the meal matched up to the offerings from your local kebab house.

Ha ha. Will I ever go back there after tonight?

I like the sound of your laugh.

It's been nice to unwind tonight.

I suppose you've had a busy week.

Yeah, yeah. Easter is always a frantic time with the fair. And of course we had the point-topoint / here on Tuesday.

Oh, did you?

annual event here.

I've never been to one.

Shame. I should have told you.

Well, you can invite me anytime you want. I like spending time with you, Elizabeth, very much.

I like being with you, too.

And you look beautiful.

Eftika.....

What's wrong?

I can't.

Elizabeth?

I'm so sorry.

Are you OK?

Yeah, but ....... I don't know.

It's OK. Don't worry.

Eftika, , I've enjoyed spending time with you recently, so much. We've had fun. I haven't felt so positive since ... well, ... not for a long time, but, just now ... Oh, I'm so sorry, it didn't feel right.

.... when I kissed you?

Yeah. I, ... I don't think I'm ..... I thought I was, but, but, maybe I'm not ready for anything but friendship.

I see.

I'm sorry. Look, I, I hope I hadn't ...

It's OK. Really please, please don't worry. ... although I cannot say I'm not dissapointed.

If it's any consolation, so am I.

OK. Well, look. I ..... I'll see you another time then.

No, no, please don't rush off. Would you like a coffee, or ...

It's all right, Elizabeth. Really.

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