The Archers Wednesday 28th March 2012
- Caribou Kirsty
- Email from Rich
- Alice and Amy on Chris
- Belly busters need Tom’s bangers
- Another pop at Maurice
- Ambridge by Air
- Alice and Amy on Carl
Caribou Kirsty
Is one of Kenton’s special Easter cocktails.
Though Amy doesn’t want one. She’d prefer a Cranberry spritzer, even though she’s on a night out with Alice. She has work tomorrow.
Delights of Ambridge’s Easter holidays will also include a “Harry and Jazzer Special Quiz” at The Bull, and a retro night at Jaxx.
[Kenton] “You know where the hottest night in town will be!”
Email from Rich
Delights Tony and Pat.
He tells them that he really enjoyed his visit, and would like to come back again. He even mentioned the pigs twice.
(high praise indeed!)
(I was then momentarily taken aback when Pat knew how to download a photo Rich had sent to them onto a memory stick, to then get printed out in town)
[Pat] “He looks so similar yet so different”
Tony and Pat discuss whether it is now time to tell the rest of the family, considering it looks like Rich is about to become part of their life.
[Tony] “Maybe it’s time to end all the secrecy”
[Pat] “It’s been so overwhelming, I never thought of Peggy or your sisters”
But they decide to ask Tom and Helen first, considering the problems they caused last time they weren’t consulted.
When they show Tom the email.
[Tom] “Good attitude to pigs”
When they tell him about them wanting to tell their close family:
[Tom] “Oh. Everybody … That’s fine by me”
So Pat will do a ring round tomorrow to ask everyone over.
After all the surprises Bridge Farm has had over the last year:
[Pat] “I wonder what Peggy, Jennifer and Lilian will make of this one?”
Huh. Haven’t they forgotten to ask Helen, or does Tom speak for both of them now?
Alice and Amy on Chris
[Amy] “Chris is so good to you”
[Alice] “I know. It’s a good job I deserve it!”
Belly busters need Tom’s bangers
So Tom delivered them in the evening to a Tom’s bangers bereft Jaxx.
Another pop at Maurice
What’s he done to deserve that recently?
Seems the sealer at Bridge Farm went, which has created more delays and problems.
[Tom] “You can imagine how Maurice has reacted!”
[Kenton] “With a smile on his lips and a song in his heart”
He’s not mentioned for years, then harassed twice in as many days!
Ambridge by Air
Word is spreading about Leonie and James’ plans to take photographs of Ambridge from the air.
[Kenton] “There was nearly a riot when Derek Fletcher found out … an outrageous invasion of privacy … even now, I suspect he’s arming his garden gnomes with rocket launchers”
And Tom reckons that if it’s a warm day, there may be real invasions of privacy if folks are sunbathing for an all over tan.
Alice and Amy on Carl
[Amy] “He’s nice”
[Alice] “French fries are nice Amy, I want to know how hot and fit!”
Poor Amy. She’s just started seeing this bloke, but Alice wants every detail.
Amy tells her he has great eyes. He’s masculine, but sensitive. Great sense of humour.
And they’ve had breakfast together …
[Alice] “There’s no point denying it. You’re glowing!”
And there’s more.
His family is really important to him (he checks his parents’ house every weekend while they’re over in Spain).
And he visits his gran in her nursing home.
[Amy] “I think he’s great”
Just me, or do we think Carl is far too good to be true?
Him visiting his gran is pushing it …
The Archers Sunday 25th March 2012
- Uncle Tom not interested?
- Eamon sounds like a nice chap
- First proper bee inspection
- When Rich met his grandparents
Uncle Tom not interested?
Though the coke and lemonade are on the ready, with Pat, tony and Helen nervously trying to prepare for Rich’s arrival, Tom heads out to feed the pigs.
[Tom] “Don’t worry mum. I’ll catch him later. If I get the chance”
Really Tom? Surely that’s a jest.
Eamon sounds like a nice chap
Just as Eamon and Rich are driving up to Bridge Farm, Eamon stops the car.
[Eamon] “it’s a good place to turn around, if you want to. Remember you’re the boss this morning .. it’s all happened so fat … believe me, no one will blame you if you change your mind”
[Rich] “It’s okay dad. I want to do this”
Good man.
He was also very calm and friendly during the visit, which couldn’t have been an easy one for him to have made. Rich is his boy.
First proper bee inspection
With Jill and Josh.
Though Josh is now getting too big for the bee suit Jill’s given him. He might have to get his own.
Jill was telling Josh to have patience as they are smoking the bees.
[Jill] “Let word spread it’s a forest fire before we open up”
[Pat] “One day they’ll work up it’s not really a fire!”
Jill reckons not.
And all seems well with the bees.
[Jill] “The bees have done well this winter.”
When Rich met his grandparents
[Eamon] “ This is it. These are your grandparents”
They all say help, and Rich says “nice to meet you”.
One of the first things Eamon asks on Rich’s behalf if a photo of John.
During Rich’s visit, he learns that bacon comes from pigs. That John was a good businessman (started up the pigs when he was 17), and was also a DJ.
As they were out walking.
[Rich] “Did he die near here?”
Tad morbid, but fair of him to ask. But Pat had taken them round the farm a different way.
Rich seemed to enjoy hanging out with Tom while he was dealing with a pig who had lost its yellow tag.
[Rich] “It’s what my father did, isn’t it … mum said he was good at it”
[Tom] “I expect that seems a bit weird. Most people don’t like pigs”
[Rich] “Sounds like a really cool guy”
Rich offers to help Tom, but he’s got his best jacket on. Though he sounds quite keen in helping out “next time”. That’s a good sign.
Back in the farm house, they’ve had lunch, and time to leave.
[Rich] “The ice cream was awesome!”
And he also liked the pigs, and farms.
[Rich] “They’re pretty cool. Once you get used to the smell”
(aha! He likes the pigs and the ice cream. This bodes well. Though Tom, Helen and Henry might not agree … inheritance split ahoy!)
As he’s leaving, Rich asked for a picture of John (he chose the one of him doing his DJ stuff), and also gave Pat a hug (though Eamon encouraged him to do so, he was quite glad to).
[Pat] “Isn’t it wonderful. Absolutely wonderful!”
Yay.
All’s well then.
For now.
The Archers Friday 23rd March 2012
- Kylie has good news for Helen
- Bridge Farm doesn’t know when Sunday is
- Annabelle wants Brian to stick with cows
- Tony feels good
- Reminder that the clocks go forward
Kylie has good news for Helen
Kylie calls Helen. Helen starts apologising for “opening old wounds for Sharon”. Kylie agrees that Sharon was very upset, but:
[Kylie] “What happened happened. But. In a way, that’s what was needed … mum said that Eamon can bring Rich down to Bridge Farm on Sunday, if you want, is that okay?”
Bridge Farm doesn’t know when Sunday is
First Tom – who has to ask if Sunday is the day after tomorrow.
[Tom] “Wow!”
Seems Sharon has also told Rich that Pat and Tony are his grandparents. And that he had already met them. He wants to meet them again.
[Helen] “Tom, we did it!”
Thankfully, Tom and Helen tell Tony and Pat (rather than making Rich’s visit a surprise, which would only lead to Tony having another heart attack).
[Helen] “he’ll meet you properly, as your grandson”
Tony and Pat also have to work out when Sunday was, but then:
[Tony] “No no, I don’t need any time to think … I think I can speak for both of us Pat, the answer is yes, we do want him to come on Sunday. Thank you”.
One can only hope that Rich turns out to be as nice a lad as he seems.
Annabelle wants Brian to stick with cows
She’s really not convinced about the pig plan.
[Annabelle] “There would be the same objections as with the dairy unit over animal welfare”
[Brian] “The idea of pigs being housed indoors isn’t anything like as bad as cows”
But Annabelle reckons that the protestors already hate, and want to attack, BL. They won’t stop just because BL are going to permanently house, en masse, another type of animal.
[Annabelle’ “I can’t seem then just giving in and rolling over because we tell them it’s pigs and not cows … moral crusade against any and every intensive farming”
Annabelle also thinks that it won’t do him any good with the BL board to:
[Annabelle] “be changing horses midstream … That kind of flip flopping always looks weak … the board loses confidence in the Chairman, and you’d be edged out”
[Brian] “That’d be a disaster”
(aye – just like when Matt was edged out …)
[Annabelle] “Convince the Board you’re right, Brian”
Tony feels good
[Tony] “I feel as fresh as a daisy today, well, sort of”
Ah, that’s better than feeling worse.
Reminder that the clocks go forward
This time, from Pat:
[Pat] “And don’t forget, we lose an hour on Sunday with the clocks going forward”
Cheers Pat!
At least my van clock will be right again!
The Archers Wednesday 21st March 2012
- Vicky Vs Eddie
- Helen visits Sharon
- Helen’s inconsolable
Vicky Vs Eddie
Most definitely results in a 1-0 home result for Vicky.
He’s “squeezed” Vicky in between jobs, to do her water feature (as promised under the promise auction).
But, as we all know, Vicky (and Mike) feel Eddie pulled a fast one:
[Vicky] “When I joined the bidding at the promise auction I never imagined we’d be scammed!”
Eddie claims it was clear as day that he was offering just to fit a water feature, not to buy and fit one.
[Vicky] “But that’s what you made it look like!”
[Eddie] “Always read the small print … terms and conditions apply”
And moving swiftly on …
[Eddie] “Any chance of a cuppa before I start?”
[Vicky, quite angry] “You’ve got a nerve!”
[Eddie] “And a biccy if you’ve got one”
Ah – but Eddie isn’t chuckling at Vicky’s expense for very long.
Vicky’s decided to change her mind about where she wants her water feature. She now wants it further away from the house. Which, as Eddie is quick to notice, is “miles away from the electric supply”.
[Eddie] “It’ll take me hours to just dig the trench for the cables!”
[Vicky] “Oh dear. Well, perhaps you’d better forget that cup of tea then and get cracking!”
Once Eddie has finished, and the “grand switch on” went off without a hitch, Vicky has a final sting to make.
[Vicky] “It’s lovely. And it’ll look even lovelier when you lay those slate chippings”
Eddie is not pleased, but hasn’t got much choi8ce,. Vicky said it had something to do with Abby being safe around the new water feature.
Ah – that Vicky’s a wild yin!
Helen visits Sharon
They got off to a good start.
At least Sharon opened the door to Helen (though she only half-heartedly offer her a cup of tea or coffee, and didn’t even ask her to sit down).
Helen explains the rough year Bridge Farm has been through. And that Tony has had a heart attack.
[Sharon] “Yeah, I was sorry to hear about that … I wouldn’t wish that on anybody”
Helen talks about Ton having out his own feelings to one side to be able to support Pat, and that just when they thought things were turning for the better, he collapsed.
Sharon doesn’t see what it has to do with her.
[Helen] “They’ve been left with so many regrets”
[Sharon] “I can’t help with any of that”
[Helen] “You can”
[Sharon] “I can’t. How your mum and dad feel is up to them. It’s always up to them”
Helen tells Sharon that Pat and Tony deeply regret what happened in the past, that they want things to be different and that they want to get to know Rich, and he them.
[Sharon] “Kylie said you’d want to talk about Rich and I knew this is what you’d ask”
Sharon still doesn’t want to upset Rich. He’s doing grand at school, is settled, loves his dad. She doesn’t want his live changed.
[Helen] “Just to let him know there are other people that love and care for him too, and who he can turn to if he ever needed us … my dad my die without ever seeing Rich again”
[Sharon] “I’m sorry, but I can’t help that”
[Helen] “The thing is, you can. If you let bygones be bygones, if you could just bring yourself to forgive mum and dad and let it go”
[Sharon] “Let it go!”
[Helen] “Oh that sounded crass … I lost someone I felt very deeply for too … but those feelings of hate and blame gnaw away at you too, if you don’t forgive …”
[Sharon] “That’s enough! Oh, you’re your mother’s daughter alright. If you think you can come into my house and start patronising me … I think you better leave”
[Helen] “I’m really sorry if I've offended you ... if you can’t do this for mum and dad's sake, do it for John's. ... I know you loved John, you called your son after him”
[Sharon, almost whispering] “Oh John ... I did love him”
[Helen] “I know, you loved him just as much as you did”
But Sharon is now beyond upset, and asks Helen to go. Which she does.
Helen’s inconsolable
Helen really does take things hard.
When she gets home, and goes to see Tom (after settling Henry), she’s already sobbing.
[Helen] “It was a disaster … I tried everything I could think of … tried to connect with her … I felt like I antagonised her from the off”
[Tom] “None of that had any affect?”
[Helen] “It was like she’d put on protective armour, and she wasn’t going to let anything get through that might touch her”
(Helen is now sobbing even harder)
[Tom] “At least you tried, eh, and it took a lot of guts”
[Helen] “No. No it’s much worse than you think”
[Tom] “It’s not your fault that she’s so hard faced and unforgiving”
[Helen] “It was awful, I brought John into it. I was desperate … she wasn’t angry at all, just so hurt, so wounded. I didn’t want to cause her any pain … that was my one chance, our one chance, and she won’t let any of us anywhere near her family again … I've failed them when it really, really mattered”
[Tom] “You mustn’t worry about mum and dad. They don’t know about this and we won’t tell them … I’m so proud of you, and you couldn’t have done anything more”
You know – for once I’m going to actually give Tom credit.
He may be an a*se 99.9% of the time, but he does look after his rather emotionally fragile sister.
(or so it seems)
The Archers Friday 16th March 2012
- Now Tom’s harassing Helen
- It’s all Greek to Helen
- Hilary Noakes’ cockatoo is feeling better
- More farmers sign up for the badger vaccination
- Jim worries Christine
- Kylie says yes
Now Tom’s harassing Helen
About phoning Kylie. Which she has done, but Kylie has called back as yet.
Does that boy never learn?
Leave folks be to do their best, in their own time.
Or, do it yourself.
It’s all Greek to Helen
Kylie does call Helen back. She’s been busy getting an essay in on time. One on Greek Tragedy.
[Helen] “Gosh, that sounds pretty hard!”
Helen really does need to get out more. She’s staring to sound like a bit of a dim, as well as a dull, young lady.
Hilary Noakes’ cockatoo is feeling better.
So Jill announces.
[Jill] “I’m glad Benson is getting better … he seems to bring out her softer side”
[Christine] “You mean she’s got one?”
More farmers sign up for the badger vaccination
Seems Oliver is managing to persuade more farmers to sign up.
Good man.
Jim worries Christine
[Jim] “Hmm, what a lovely scent … it’s you Christine. It must be your perfume”
Jill concurs that Christine is wearing nice perfume. But Jim takes it further.
[Jim] “Indeed it is. Most alluring”
Over coffee and cakes, Christine is too distracted to hear Jill talking about how glad she is that Brookfield is keeping its cows.
[Christine] “It’s Jim, I’m afraid … what he said … to me … he’s complimented me before, of course, on my cooking. He’s always praised my scones …
"the problem is what he said earlier wasn’t about my cooking, was it, it was about me … Jim’s never complimented me about anything like that before …
"never on anything personal or anything that you might call womanly about me … but today saying my perfume was alluring!”
[Jill, getting excited at the prospect of a romance] “Ooh Chris!”
[Christine] “No no. It’s not good Jill. I like Jim a lot of course I do. We get on well, we’re great friends. That’s as far as it goes for me. What if he’s started getting other ideas”
Ah well done Alan! You may have got Jim to do something for lent, but it could cost Jim one of his most precious friendships.
(I know – we all know they’ll sort it out)
Kylie says yes
During their phone call, Helen tells Kylie about Tony’s heart attack. Kylie shocked and worried to hear about it.
(she is a nice lass)
[Helen] “I’ll be totally honest. What he’s been thinking about is Rich … now what’s praying on dad’s mind is he has a grandson who doesn’t even know he exists … I’m sorry to load this onto you …”
She tells Kylie that she wants to arrange for Rich to get to know his grandparents properly. Kylie is at first worried that Helen wants her to tell Rich, but Helen is merely after a face-to-face with Sharon. Which will take Kylie to help arrange.
Later to Tom:
[Helen] “She said something I hadn’t even though of. About Ivy … she only realised how sad that made her feel at Ivy’s funeral”
[Tom] “Well that’s a shame. But helpful to use, I suppose”
Indeed.
Kylie’s agreed to talk to Sharon to at least meet with Helen.
The Archers Wednesday 14th March 2012
- Jamie and Natalie are back
- Youth Cricket
- Joe’s a cheeky gossip
- Helen’s sacking Brian
- Tony is brooding
- Amy has a boyfriend
- Tom does a u-turn
Jamie and Natalie are back
Still together, and shopping for tops for Natalie.
Credit to Jamie – he is very patient while she chooses between plain or stripy.
Youth Cricket
Jamie’s telling Natalie that Alistair has asked him again to play cricket for Ambridge.
[Jamie] “Do I really want to spent all my evening and weekends in the summer with a ,load of old blokes, when I could be with you?”
Natalie points out that he does like cricket, and that Sid would have been proud of him to do so.
(Natalie seems like a good ‘un again!)
Later, Jamie has a plan. He’s going to see if Ambridge can put on youth nights, so that the younger chaps can practice together away from the auld yins.
He’s especially thinking of his mate Marty.
Seems Marty is depressed. He’s having to repeat a year at school, and hasn’t made any pals.
[Natalie] “This all Steve’s fault. If Marty hadn’t looked up to that stupid dork in the first place!”
Joe’s a cheeky gossip
But hasn’t agreed to give it up for lent.
He told Chris about Jim and Vicky
[Chris] “Mike said he’d been ogling Vicky … and that he said she was fat”
Naughty Joe! That fall out should have finished when Joe made Jim and Mike shake.
Helen’s sacking Brian
Well, more ‘laying off’ than sacking. She reckons Pat will have more time next week to help her with the veg boxes, so Brian is surplus to requirements.
Tony is brooding
Having more time to sit and think, Tony tells Tom what he’s been pondering:
[Tony] “I sit here Tom, and I wonder what he’s doing, Rich. What’s he up to? … I knew I had to make it happen, and when we saw him in Leeds, John’s grin, John’s eyes, just that look about it … all she wanted, all I wanted to do, was hug him. Hug him tight and say I’m your granddad … I knew I had to be strong for her, to get her through it … I had to keep going, keep mum going … and now that’s it. We’ve had it. Had our contact. We might never see him again”
Amy has a boyfriend
Which knackers Alice’s (very odd) plan to match her up with a male model.
Seems Amy is seeing someone called Karl, who is a few years older, works in Felpersham and she doesn’t want to introduce him to anyone else as yet.
[Alice] “She doesn’t want to tempt fate …”
Or interfering mates like Alice!
Tom does a u-turn
After speaking to Tony, Tom sits down with Helen:
[Tom] “He suddenly, out of nowhere, started talking about Rich”
[Helen] “Where did that come from?”
(Tom just said. Nowhere)
The penny has finally dropped for Tom. He now understands that after Tony had seen Rich, he so desperately wanted to tell Rich that he and Pat are his grandparents. But, part of Tony’s stress after was trying to stay strong and realistic for Pat.
[Helen] “Mum does realise he did that for her”
[Tom] “It made me wonder. If, maybe, we could do something about it”
So he wants Helen to talk to Kylie. Helen made friends with her when she was last down (though that’s a poor excuse for not doing it himself, I reckon)
[Tom] “I think what dad wasn’t saying is that … he could have died Helen, and he’d have never got to know Rich and Rich would have never known who he was … so, will you give her a call, kylie … explain what’s happened to dad and ask Kylie to try and make Sharon to see how important it is”
[Helen] “Suppose it’s worth a try”
[Tom] “Helen, we’re lucky to still have dad, I think it’s worth doing. For him”
Odds-on for Rich being at the Bridge Farm Christmas 2012 table.
The Archers Monday 20th February 2012
- There’s somebody at the door
- Tony’s avoiding Tom
- Now Helen wants to meet Rich?
There’s somebody at the door
It’s Kylie to see Bert.
She reckons she can read and visit him at the same time. (she’s back in Ambridge as she has a reading week from Uni).
[Bert] “The first one in the family to go to a u-niversity”
Bert’s very proud of his granddaughter. Especially considering she’s Clive’s daughter, who, Bert reckons, has “led a life of ruin”.
Wonder where Clive got his naughty habits from?
As Bert is chatting to kylie, he mentions that Gary hasn’t got out of his pit yet, and:
[Bert] “Eh, that’s his washing there”
So Kylie goes to put it in the washing machine for them …
Bert’s a crafty auld yin alright. And he’s very much looking forward to Tracey moving in. though I suspect that’s more to do with Bert having a cook and cleaner, rather than him getting to spend more time with his daughter and grandkids (as he claims).
But Bert also still has his eye on Neil.
He calls Neil to mention that “poor old Gary” hasn’t had his room done. So maybe Neil could come back and do it as well.
We didn’t get to hear Neil’s reply …
Tony’s avoiding Tom
After shouting at him yesterday.
Now Helen wants to meet Rich?
Kylie turns up at Bridge Farm to say hello.
She seems to be fine about Tony and Pat constantly shifting the conversation back to Rich.
Helen was behaving a bit oddly. At one point, she complimented Kylie on her earring – and how they matched her eyes … eh?
Anyhoo, Kylie is happy to be back at bridge Farm.
[Kylie] “Hey I remember this kitchen. It was always really warm in here”
Tony reckons that was because she was used to living in the caravan.
After Kylie has left to get a lift back to the village with Helen:
[Tony] “Thank god she didn’t inherit Clive’s genes”
[Pat] “She’s a sweetie”
In the car with Helen, Kylie is saying she remembers “uncle John” and his music decks.
She also tells Helen that Sharon has never encouraged Rich to find out about John because she’s so protective of him.
[Kylie] “He is curious … that he sometimes wonders where he’s come from … rich would
still like to know about his real father, he’s said it to me more than once”
But, Rich has got to the age where he doesn’t seriously want to ask his mum to let him find out more.
[Kylie] “I don’t mind. But it’s not very fair on Rich … I feel sad he’s missing out on knowing Tony and Pat. They’re so lovely”
[Helen] “They’re aching to get to know Rich Kylie. So am I … John meant everything to me … his death has left a terrible scar on the family, a scar Rich might be able to help heal one day”
[Kylie] “That’s a big ask for a little lad”
Sensing Kylie might be an ally, Helen asks her if she’ll speak to Sharon. Or, if she herself (Helen) should talk to Sharon.
[Kylie] “I’m sorry. But she’s not going to change her mind about this. Trust me”
Ah – but Kylie has shown herself to be a possible in.
And I’m surprised Helen now sounds just as keen as Pat and Tony for Rich to be a real part of the family.
As we all know, what Helen wants, Helen generally gets.
The Archers Friday 10th February 2012
- Tom made the trailer sag
- Brian’s missing the point
- Jennifer doesn’t want kids
- What’s wrong with seeing the pigs?
- Helen knows her dad
Tom made the trailer sag
And didn’t seem very apologetic about it, or willing to put it right anytime soon.
Tony is (quite rightly) angry with him.
So Tom does the only reasonable thing – blame someone else.
He now reckons “he can’t do right for doing wrong”.
[Tom] “Maybe I should just change my name to Rich. Perhaps that might please him … I need to do the milking, I don’t want to give him any more proof of how second rate I am, do I!”
Brian’s missing the point
Actually, the whole of the BL board are missing the point.
Brian’s come back to Neil to say that the BL Board is happy to talk to the Parish Council. But only the Parish Council. They don’t want a public meeting until the Planning permission has been considered.
[Neil] “It does feel as though it might be leaving it too late … the longer you leave it, honestly Brian, people are going to think you’re just trying to hide something”
Brian reckons he has already been open, so won’t achieve anything with a public meeting at this stage.
Still don’t understand this U-turn. I think his instinct to talk to people, and hear their views, was a good one.
But then again, Brian hasn’t provide very good at the listening bit …
Jennifer doesn’t want kids
For Chris and Alice.
Or she at least didn’t sound too keen when Susan mentioned the prospect of Alice and Chris having kids (that they can’t really at the moment as they’re saving).
I suppose Jennifer is hoping they’ll split up before they have a chance to breed, leaving Alice to find her a blue blooded bull.
What’s wrong with seeing the pigs?
Susan was telling a (rather keen to escape) Jennifer that she also fancies bidding on Eddie’s water feature in the Promise Auction.
(ach – I’ll stop saying it – but Eddie only said he’d install one!).
Susan reckons it’d create a nice focal point at the end of her garden. She asked Jennifer what she thought.
[Jennifer] “Yes, I suppose, I mean providing the pigs aren’t in view … I’m sure it’d look lovely Susan”
What a witch that woman can be!
And what’s wrong with seeing pigs?
Especially when they’re weaners. Cute!
Helen knows her dad
And takes the time to actually talk to him.
Everyone else just seems to be ignoring poor Tony at the moment, while expecting him to do all the hands on graft.
Tony is upset. Especially since Rich has been abruptly back into their life because of Kylie’s letter.
[Tony] “It’s just hard … there’s nothing we can do anyway, and for you mum’s sake … you know how distressed she gets, how low … we've just got to find someway of moving on”
Tony has been brooding about Rich. He can’t get the fact that Rich likes things like cricket lout of his mind.
[Tony] “It makes him all the more John’s boy for me …There’s so much I’d like him to know Helen, about his dad … he’d barely started his life, and now that we know about Rich, it feels as if …”
Tony starts crying.
[Tony on Rich] “I just wish he knew we’d have been there for him”
Oh Tony. You poor, neglected wee man.
Tony is also careful to make sure Helen knows that his feelings for Rich (and John) doesn’t mean he loves the rest of his family any less. Especially Henry.
[Tony] “I promise you love, he brings me happiness everyday”
Helen later corners Tom.
She tells him she now realises how much Rich means to Tony.
Tom starts to tell Helen that he has a mind to write to Kylie to tell her what hassle and stress she’s created, but:
[Helen] “Please listen … I don’t think we’ve appreciated how hard it’s hit dad …He was the one that found John, and there’s this lively lad, smiling at him … he’s trying so hard to bury his feelings. Who has he got to talk to … he was so lonely … just try to go a little bit easy on him”
Tom softens, and agrees to try and not get into any more arguments.
But that’s as far as he gets. Tom is still adamant that they must get on with business (literally)
[Tom] “I’ll do my best to be there for him, but dad’s going to have to be there for us too”
Tom is such an odious little twerp! Tony deserves better (thank goodness for Helen).
The Archers Wednesday 8th February 2012
- Neil missed the planting
- Pat harasses Lynda
- Bloomin’ pork cobbler!
- Kylie’s letter
- Scruff listens to Neil
- Consternation in the village? Organise a meeting!
- Business cards and Facebook
- Tom’s angry
Neil missed the planting
Of the Jubilee oak tree.
Which is a shame, as he was part of organising it.
But he had work to do at Bert’s.
Poor Neil.
Still, Lynda says it’s been planted in the perfect spot.
Pat harasses Lynda
Over the village website. Pat had even sent Lynda an email!
[Pat] “I really don’t think the village website should be doing BL’s job for them … I couldn’t believe it when Ruth showed me. It’s so misleading …The website should be a forum for the village, not BL’s propaganda!”
Lynda thinks the article was reasonable, though she doesn’t agree with the Super Dairy, and says that Pat can also do her own article for the website, with a link to her online petition.
[Lynda] “You must know I wouldn’t approve, but I can’t stop Jennifer posting”
Bloomin’ pork cobbler!
Which Tony reckoned was only “just fine”.
Tom’s away on his trips again (this time to “lock down” his recipes, including the infamous pork cobbler), so once again leaves Tony to do the milking himself. Again.
Kylie’s letter
Pat and Tony got a letter from Kylie today. She’d heard that they’d met Rich, was glad they had and:
[Kylie’s letter] Mum doesn’t usually like talking about her past … she’s started to open up … I just wanted you to know I think it’s great …
Kylie also wanted to tell them that she as happy memories of Ambridge – remembers Pat and Tony from them, and that they were kind to her.
Pat’s over the moon.
[Pat] “It’s still a link though. We don’t know what’s going to happen down the line”
[Tony] “Please don’t Pat, It’s just a kind gesture from a kind girl. We mustn’t expect any more than that”
But Pat doesn’t want to let it go again.
She wants to Facebook Kylie to say thank you for her letter.
[Tony] “I’m not sure. We really don’t want to push it”
But Pat’s adamant that now she has an in to Rich, she wants to keep the channel with Kylie open/
[Tony] “Well, as long as it’s just a quick thank you”
And Tony also insists they tell Helen and Tom about the letter. He doesn’t want a repetition of last time.
Scruff listens to Neil
Lynda’s scruff was just all over Neil, which he didn’t mind too much about.
But when Neil had had enough, he told Scruff to sit down. Which he immediately did.
Wonder if Neil could have the same impact on Lynda?
Consternation in the village? Organise a meeting!
Lynda suggests to Neil that the Parish Council is duty bound to host a public meeting about the Super Dairy. He agrees it’d be a good idea to openly discuss both sides, and Lynda tasks Neil with inviting Brian.
Which Neil does.
But surprisingly – Brian sounds reticent.
[Brian] “I’m not quite sure when we’d hold it, as you can imagine we’re all very busy”
[Neil] “People are still going to have questions and criticisms, it’d probably be worth your while listening to them”
Brian says to Neil that he’ll discuss it with the Board. When he’s rung off from Neil:
[Brian] “Perfect. That’s all I need!”
Eh?
I thought Brian wanted open discussions. He’d already suggested they hold a public meeting (but that PR chap Rufus said it was too early to do so). And the Board wanted Brian to be open and listen.
So here’s his chance.
Why doesn’t he want it?
Business cards and Facebook
Is Tom (the cards) and Brenda’s (Facebook page) contributions to the anti-Super Dairy campaign.
At least it is turning out to be a family effort.
Tom’s angry
After being told by Pat and Tony about Kylie’s letter.
He reckons they promised him that it was over and done with.
[Tom] “But no, they’ve started something they can’t stop”
And now Pat will be watching the letterbox.
[Tom] “I’m not upset Brenda, I just wished they’d forget it and get on with important stuff … there’s nothing we can do but just hope it goes away”
Little chance of that, matey.
- Derek Fletcher is being inappropriate. Again.
- Lynda isn’t inspirational
- Two heads are better than one
- The analysis of Peggy’s birthday lunch
- Susan stepping into Ivy’s shoes
- Caroline saves Christmas
- Pat’s counting back 13 years …
Derek Fletcher is being inappropriate. Again.
[Lynda] “No. No Derek. I’m not questioning your talent or your ability to entertain. It would just be quite inappropriate … that has to be my final answer”
Lynda comes off the phone as Caroline walks up (looks like Lynda is working on Christmas around the World while at work. Cheeky)
[Lynda] “That was Derek Fletcher. He wants to be a Chinese magician”
[Caroline, confused] “He does?”
[Lynda] “Yes. For Christmas around the world. I mean, can you imagine it, Derek, dressed up in a pigtail and a dressing gown and pulling handkerchiefs out of a top hat”
[Caroline] “Well, it’s hardly original I suppose”
[Lynda] “Well it’s not just that. Supposing you were a person of Chinese extraction sitting in the audience … Caroline, this show is meant to be pay tribute to the rich diversity of international culture, not poke fun at crude national stereotypes. Just try explaining that to Derek Fletcher … he was quite rude on the phone. Even accused me of favouritism!”
And poor Lynda starts crying.
Lynda isn’t inspirational
[Lynda] “I was hoping to tap the talent of the local community, but it’s just not happening … this show just hasn’t inspired people the way my productions normally do”
It’s because it’s not a panto, Lynda. It’s not a panto!
Why try something different at a time of year when we all tend to like traditional stuff that makes us feel a bit warm and fuzzy? Even if it is generally obvious and clichéd.
Two heads are better than one
According to Tom.
[Tom] “Two heads, you know. Especially when the other one’s Brenda”
Hmmm. That’s questionable.
But Pat and Tony seems happy enough to leave them to it. They’re off to visit a brand guru to sort out Bridge Farm’s rebrand to Ambridge Organics.
Which is a surprise, considering what Tom’s been like to date.
Mind you, he did point out the obvious to Pat about making more of their Christmas pudding ice cream at this time of year … so maybe Pat and Tony do need Tom and Brenda to state the obvious to them.
The analysis of Peggy’s birthday lunch
[Tom] “It was fine mum. I mean there was no actual violence. And gran seemed to have a great time, that’s all that matters”
Indeedy.
Susan stepping into Ivy’s shoes
Seems Susan is still doing Bert and Gary’s cooking.
That doesn’t please Neil. Susan reckons they’re both still mourning, but so is Susan.
Neil then saw Gary out feeding the ducks. And reckons that if he has time to feed the ducks:
[Neil] “Can’t he at least do something to feed him and Bert?”
Neil is worried about Gary and Bert becoming as dependent on Susan as they had been on Ivy.
And so far, she’s giving them every reason to be.
Caroline saves Christmas
(well, The Christmas Show is all Caroline saved. Technically)
Still distraught over her increasingly alarm that Christmas around the World will be rubbish, Lynda is trying all sorts:
[Lynda] “I thought some vigorous exercise might be good for my soul”
(blimey – what a picture that paints!)
But hurrah for Caroline!
She suggests food. To have food from around the world – as a sort of smorgasbord – and make the concert into more of a camembert. With wee tables rather than theatre style.
[Lynda] “You’ve unblocked my creative flow!”
Lynda starts wittering on about turkey and cranberry bites, sauerkraut and sausages, samosas, spring rolls and:
[Lynda] “A wonderful Norwegian recipe for little Christmas sausages”
Which she ropes Tom into making.
Lynda takes Caroline’s suggestion one step further. That the performers can sit with the audience and eat, to create a relaxed ambiance.
[Lynda, to Caroline] “It was sheer inspiration. You have saved our Christmas show!”
Pat’s counting back 13 years …
Pat was making a point of saying to Susan that she’d really enjoyed meeting Kylie.
As they’re chatting about how nice Kylie is, Susan mentioned that Kylie has a brother. Who is a teenager.
Pat’s surprised to hear that (Kylie hadn’t mentioned her brother Rick). And her ears particularly seemed to prick up at the mention of his age.
She later corners Susan to ask a bit more.
[Pat] “And Kylie’s brother Rich, you say he’s a teenager … 13? …right?”
So.
John Archer died 25th February 1998.
John has always had a thing for Sharon, even before he’d been seeing Hayley. He cheated on Hayley with Sharon.
And not long after all of that, John died.
So.
John died 13 years ago. Rich is 13.
John = Rich’s dad?
Certainly seems to be what Pat is thinking.
Odds on for John to be exhumed before Christmas?
