Archers Wednesday 11th April 2012
- Amy buys a new dress
- Brian’s propaganda machine
- Native crayfish might scupper the Super Dairy
- Jennifer does the washing up
- Pat in shopping shock!
- Ed hasn’t got freedom to speak
Amy buys a new dress
For her weekend away with Carl.
Though she wants to go to Westbury, Alice advises that she might want to have a perusal in Underwoods lingerie department …
Brian’s propaganda machine
Has now marched on to DVD.
He reckons it’s quite “persuasive”. And Jennifer seems very impressed by the voiceover bloke.
[Jennifer] “Oh, lovely tamper … I could listen to him all day, even if he is talking about anaerobic digestion”
All sounds a bit iffy to me. And the use (abuse) of Greensleeves as background music is just outrageous!
Native crayfish might scupper the Super Dairy
What a picture that paints!
While Brian is delighted that the Council’s Chief Planning Officer is recommending approval to the planning committee, he’s not so happy that the Environment Agency has not submitted its report. They seem especially worried about the slurry and BL underestimating what could happen if it leaks. So they want another risk assessment.
That falls to some chap called Bryn to do.
Which isn’t good news for Bryn, as Brian reckons he’s also missed covering (in his first report) the risk that the Super Dairy will pose to native crayfish in the Am. Something that Borchester Wildlife Trust had to point out.
So it’s Free The Ambridge Cow and now also Save The Ambridge Crayfish!
Jennifer does the washing up
Deary me.
Jennifer and Alice are rubbish at communicating with each other.
Alice is irritated that Jennifer pops round to her and Chris’ so often. Jennifer is blissfully unaware that her frequent visits are indeed irritating.
After Alice gets back from shopping with Amy, she finds Jennifer already in her house, with a leftover casserole (Alice had already cooked lasagne) and doing her dishes.
[Alice, annoyed] “You shouldn’t’ have … no, I mean it mum. You shouldn’t have!”
Oops. Jennifer will be mortified, though it may get Alice and Chris a bit of privacy. She’ll be wanting to get that Blacksmith’s apron on again soon …
Pat in shopping shock!
When Amy and Alice were in Underwoods, Alice was a bit chocked to see Pat there.
[Alice] “Are you shopping Pat?”
[Pat, not sure whether to be confused or insulted] “Yes”
[Alice] “Rather than delivering, I mean”
[Pat] “I don’t usually deliver to ladies wear”
Silly Alice.
Ed hasn’t got freedom to speak
Pat asks Ed if he’ll be interviewed for an anti-Super Dairy newspaper feature – showing that big isn’t always beautiful.
He doesn’t sound convinced. Even though Pat runs through all the arguments for cows lasting longer at his dairy, that he sells local, and that the feature will be good for his business.
[Ed] “But no. no it’s not something I could go ahead with … I’m afraid so. Well I dunno if you know, but I rent a bit of estate land”
Seems Mike had a word with Ed after Ed spoke out against at the Parish Council meeting to discuss the Super Dairy. Mike reckons he was taking a right going publically against BL, who could then decide to not renew his rental of the land.
[Pat] “They wouldn’t be that petty, surely … you can’t allow yourself be intimidated like that”
[Ed] “I’m sorry pat, I've got too much too loose … I’m still against this mega diary … but I can’t go rocking the boat like that”
That’s a bit weak of Ed to not stand up, but understandable considering his business is still fairly new.
Wonder what Brian would have to say about it? I think Pat and Ed are wrong just to assume that he’d punish Ed for having his own mind.
The Archers Tuesday 10th April 2012
- Ruth is being unladylike (again)
- Alan and Usha off to Marrakech
- Derek Fletcher’s gnomes are always good for a laugh
- Tom and Brenda are a prime location
- Tom’s only got himself to blame
- Tony’s (staggered) return
- Phoebe and Josh still Facebooking
- Amy, alone in the vicarage
- Pat’s back on at the Super Dairy
Ruth is being unladylike (again)
[Usha] “That looks ungainly”
[Ruth] “Really Usha, and there was I admiring me style”
[Usha] “I meant the cow, one leg pulled out like that”
[Ruth] “Oh the more supported the better when you’re hoof trimming”
By making the cow look “ungainly”, Ruth makes sure she doesn’t get kicked, and it makes sure Ruth doesn’t cut too deep.
Win win.
Alan and Usha off to Marrakech
Very nice indeed.
Though Ruth would prefer the Cotswolds.
Derek Fletcher’s gnomes are always good for a laugh
Seems Derek Fletcher was still very much against the photo flyover.
[Pat] “Derek Fletcher said it was like living behind the iron curtain … a big brother society, apparently”
[Tom] “Did he think they were getting top secret shots of his gnome or something?”
Aye, laugh at the gnomes. Poor things can’t defend themselves.
Tom and Brenda are a prime location
According to Lynda,
As they’re on the Green, they’re crucial to the display for Ambridge’s Britain in Bloom display.
Lynda put the startling news across to them in her own special manner. She used the word “behoves”
[Pat] “Did she really say behoves?"
[Brenda] “I think it’s her word of the week … it behoves us to put on a magnificent floral display for the honour of the village”
Tom’s only got himself to blame
Tom left his phone at home.
Because of that, he missed 2 calls from customers.
So he blames the milking parlour for missing him opportunities. The missed phone calls, and that he can’t be out and about making more sales.
Silly Tom.
Tony’s (staggered) return
So, as Tom is now losing opportunities (so he reckons) he wants to get a relief dairyman in.
Which Tony hears about. And reckons it’s “obvious” that he should return to work instead.
Which Brenda agrees would be a good idea. In a staggered basis.
Later on, Tom thanks Brenda for helping him to have a more manageable workload.
[Brenda] “No problem. Anything that eases the load”
Anything?
Wonder if Brenda would actually put Tony in danger for her Tom. I think it’s too early for him to be back at work milking, considering he currently gets tired just having a wee walk.
Phoebe and Josh still Facebooking
Tell you. We’d better get new hats ready.
Amy, alone in the vicarage
Usha reckons Amy will be pleased to have the house to herself for a bit, while they go to Marrakech.
[Ruth] “Free access to the bathroom?”
[Usha] “Free access to the boyfriend!”
Though Amy still isn’t at the ‘meet the parents’ stage with Carl, Usha does think that it’s serious. Which hasn’t really happened for Amy before. So it’s also new for Alan.
[Usha] “He’s managing to be rationale about it. Keep on top of his primal instincts”
Usha also knows Amy won’t have any wild parties while they are away, and actually thinks it unlikely that she’ll even bring Carl back home. She’s sensitive to Alan, and knows that he doesn’t approve of them sleeping together before marriage (though wouldn’t interfere).
(right – so what’s the story with carl? Much older? Much younger? Wrong colour/religion/gender …???)
Pat’s back on at the Super Dairy
Which means Ruth is also roped in again (though Ruth isn’t complaining).
Pat’s been to see Hattie Marshall, who’s part of Borchester Against Factory Farming, She and Pat reckon that they need to do a final push before the Super Dairy comes up before the planning committee.
So they’re going to get an article in the Westbury Courier this Saturday, on Grange Farm and Ed Grundy. They want to prove that you don’t have to be big.
[Pat] “Happy unstressed cows rather than short lived milking machines”
Good luck with that. Rufus will have a plan already worked out for such an event.
The Archers Monday 9th April 2012
- James and Leonie still arguing
- Lily is off to France today
- Girls. Playing cricket!?!
- Lynda has ambitions
- Eddie nearly ruins the Horn
- Lynda’s latent racism
- Did you spot Leonie doesn’t care about the peregrines?
James and Leonie still arguing
At Robert and Lynda’s for breakfast before they get to their plane, James and Leonie are still at it.
(again not rudery, just barny)
James reckons their book is “photo driven”. Leonie does not concur.
[Leonie] “The photos have their place but their function is to illustrate my words”
[James] “No, your words are basically just long captions for the photographs. That was the whole concept!”
Leonie reckons it was her concept in the first place.
[James] “You’re wrong but let’s not discuss this now”
Oo-er.
On their way to the plane, they get lost. Even though they have a Sat Nav.
[James] “How do you explain the fact that we’re 180 degrees out of our way?”
Leonie reckons she put the postcode into the sat nav, but James gave her the postcode to put in. So it’s actually James’ fault.
[Leonie] “It’s always the same, you can’t get the simplest things and you always know what’s best!”
They’ll split up soon enough, surely.
Robert’s worried about them,
[Lynda] “Well, when it comes to James, there a lot to be scathing about … It’ll blow over, you’ll see”
Please. Just split up (and both go away, only to return every other Christmas)
Lily is off to France today
Not that we get to hear about it, or that James or Leonie are remotely interested when Lynda tells them.
Ach well. Bon Voyage, and all that.
Girls. Playing cricket!?!
Surely a step too far?
(obviously, I’m being sarcastic)
Alistair’s at The Bull for a quiet pint and his newspaper (while Shula works her socks off. Nice to see Alistair is ready and willing to help out).
Jamie’s also there doing his shift. They get talking about cricket (as they tend to do), and Jamie mentioned that Natalie had mentioned that she and some of her (girl) friends would want to join in the youth cricket.
[Alistair] “Jamie gave me an interesting conundrum … what about girls training?”
He and Robert agree that there’s nowt wrong with the female gender playing cricket. But they can’t play against blokes when they all get to a certain age (17, they reckon).
One assumes that’s something to do with the power of the ball being thrown or hit?
(I don’t know. Football is more my game. I support a Scottish 1st Division team who a bunch of girls could probably easily beat …).
Sounds like the girls can join in, but only if they play against each other.
Lynda has ambitions
For Britain in Bloom. She already seems Ambridge in the final.
[Alistair] “If you only aim for the moon, you’ll never reach the stars”
Quite.
Eddie nearly ruins the Horn
[Robert] “Where for art thou Jolene?”
She’s hanging out of the window, telling everyone to get into a horn shape for the flyover.
They do manage to get everyone together and waving, though Eddie nearly didn’t get his bit of the horn right in time.
So the plane flies over, the brownies parade their bonnets, the band strikes up and The Bull’s punters cheer.
[Alistair] “I’m beginning to think this wasn’t the place for a placid bank holiday break”
Lynda’s latent racism
Alistair mentioned to Lynda that a chap called Iftikhar is going to be running the youth cricket.
[Lynda] “Where’s he from?”
[Alistair] “Felpersham I think”
[Lynda] “I meant … no … Felpersham, of course …”
Oops Lynda. That was close.
Did you spot Leonie doesn’t care about the peregrines?
Calling Robert about after the flyover, Leonie’s furious with James (yet again). Seems he wanted to fly in low at the church to get a good shot of the peregrines.
Robert’s horrified! The peregrines would have been terrified.
Leonie quickly catches on that that’s the reason she should have given for not wanting to fly in.
Actually, she really didn’t give a hoot.
[Leonie] “And not to mention the danger to us. Birds and aircraft don’t mix”
(i.e. “me, me, me, me, me”)
So James is sulking that he didn’t get his shot. And Leonie is sulking with James.
*sigh*
The Archers Sunday 8th April 2012
- The dawn service at Lakey Hill
- Brenda really holds Easter day sacred
- Lilian predicts a riot
- If the bedroom’s a rockin’ …
- No tattie harrowing = walk up Lakey Hill
- Fallon as the Easter bunny
- Ed and Will in The Bull
- Big build up to the quiz night
- Helen’s birthday next week
- Tweets on Easter Sunday
- Tony’s definitely feeling better
- Jim’s back to normal
The dawn service at Lakey Hill
Was just mentioned today, rather than any of the secret microphones being there.
Brenda seemed quite impressed that Jill was going to it ‘at her age’ …
Brenda really holds Easter day sacred
Well, she does when it suits her.
She was woken early by a fox (hmmm), and Tom was up early anyway for milking.
He’s got a long day of work ahead of him (including checking whether the tatties need harrowing with Tony, with a brief break to go to The Bull with the family.
Brenda is not amused.
[Brenda] “It’s Easter day!”
Since when was that important to Brenda? Especially considering she doesn’t bother with silly things like the dawn service (!).
Lilian predicts a riot
Lilian stumbles across Fallon hiding Easter eggs.
[Lilian] “Well that will be a riot, I expect … a real riot, you know what kids are like when they’ve scented chocolate … well as long as you’ve got your whip ready”
[Fallon] “No, I’ve got something better than that”
[Lilian] “A taser?”
If the bedroom’s a rockin’ …
… it’ll not be due to adult relations when it’s James and Leonie are in there.
Fallon was surprised to see Lilian up and out so early.
[Lilian] “You’re right darling, I don’t normally see this time on a Sunday morning”
Seems James and Leonie woke her up.
[Lilian] “I just wish I’d put them in a bedroom further way”
[Fallon] “You mean you can hear?”
Yes Lilian can, but it’s not rudery she can hear. Just arguing.
Leonie hogs the bed covers, her and James had a barny about it (“quite heated” according to Lilian). Lilian really isn’t enjoying their visit.
[Lilian] “it’s been like walking on eggshells at times, James had been a patience of a saint …”
*cough*
When Lilian later comes into The Bull for lunch, James and Leonie have found something new to argue about.
What is the capital of Bolivia?
James (and Fallon) reckon La Paz.
Leonie reckoned Sucre.
Much to Lilian’s disgust:
[Lilian] “She was technically right”
(La Paz is the administrative capital; Sucre is the constitutional capital … though I did have to look that up)
When Fallon later swings into action as the Easter bunny to sort out crying kids fighting over eggs, Lilian complements her on her ability to resolve disputes. And wonders whether she can do the same with James and Leonie. During their lunch at The Bull, seems they were arguing about the wine.
Lilian is also wondering if they’ll survive their flyover tomorrow. Surely one will push the other out (minus parachute)
[Lilian] “I don’t envy James though, bring cooped up in a cockpit with that, irritating girl”
There’s nothing so blind as a mother’s love …
No tattie harrowing = walk up Lakey Hill
Brenda’s delight with Tony that he told Tom the tatties didn’t need harrowing yet. Which meant she and Tom had time to go on a walk to Lakey Hill.
But Brenda’s joy was short lived. Tom went back to work after they had lunch at the Bull.
She only wanted to watch a few films …
So – Tom working all the time – no mention of their engagement for (what feels like) years – Brenda ripe for splitting up with him and/or affair?
Fallon as the Easter bunny
Which was her cunning plan to deal with Lilian’s predicted riot:
[Fallon] “it’s great for keeping the kids under control”
[Tom] “Yeah, well known for their discipline, rabbits …”
[Fallon] “Well they don’t know what to make of me, so they tend to do what I say!”
Later on:
[Lilian] “Ooh darling, run rabbit run!”
Ed and Will in The Bull
Will and Nic are in one corner, Ed and Emma in the other.
But there’s no punch up. They stay well away from each other. It’s only poor George who gets stressed having to run back and forth between the two.
How times (and folks) change.
Big build up to the quiz night
But seems the secret microphones weren’t turned on.
It was last night, with Harry and Jazzer doing a “good job”.
Ach well.
Helen’s birthday next week
What excitement shall she have?
Tweets on Easter Sunday
Tom gets what Tony thinks is a text.
[Tom] “Actually, that’s a tweet”
[Tony] “Good lord, on Easter Sunday!”
Ah Tony – it’s always time for a tweet.
Seems the piggy footy is still of interest.
I still can’t find those pigs anywhere online …
Tony’s definitely feeling better
During lunch at The Bull, Tony tells everyone that he wants to do more.
Tom slips up and mentions that they have a “new system”. Which Tony immediately picks up on and asks how much it cost …
Later on, Tom shows Tony the new management system (and we have to listen in while he does – very dull indeed). Tony doesn’t seem overly impressed.
He also obviously wants to get back in the driving seat. He wants to take over the office again – ordering, and the like.
[Tom] “I wouldn’t want to lose sight of the whole picture”
Aha – but Tom has snookered himself. As Tony points out, the new management system means Tom can see the “whole picture” at the click of a button.
So best shove off and let Tony rule again, eh Tom.
As Tony later says to Pat:
[Tony] “It’s very clever. We were managing before, of course. Perfectly well. I do hope Tom realises. I do know what I’m doing around here”
Jim’s back to normal
Not that we heard it ourselves first hand, just that it was mentioned he was giving Kenton a hard time for working at The Bull, so neglecting Jaxx.
Jim must be delighted he doesn’t have to pay compliments now that lent is over.
The Archers Friday 6th April 2012
- A moment, Jazzer style
- The Echo, yet again …
- Tom’s poly tunnels are delayed
- It’s finally dawned on Tom
- Brenda hands Tom a small chocolate bar
- I want to watch sows wallowing
- Jazzer and Harry’s quiz will be all inclusive
- It was all Molly Button’s fault
- Tom does a nice thing
A moment, Jazzer style
[Jazzer] “Bren, have you go a minute?”
[Brenda] “No, not really”
[Jazzer] “Great, cause this won’t take one”
Ha ha ha!
The Echo, yet again …
The Super Dairy really should be quite a gripping time in Ambridge.
Yet Brian constantly complaining about the Echo, then meeting up to analyse it with Annabelle, ultimately calling in PR chap Rufus to resolve it, is getting a bit dull.
Today, Brian met with Annabelle. They talked about the impact of The Echo. Then they called Rufus.
*humpf*
The only remotely interesting thing today was that the Echo’s expert is a chap who has commissioned by pressure groups to do research.
And that Rufus reckons that the Super Dairy will produce lower emissions per unit than smaller dairies.
Hm.
And Brian doesn’t see that Rufus is (a) hardly an expert and (b) paid by him to tweak the truth.
Tom’s poly tunnels are delayed
As the company he ordered them from had lost his order.
[Tom] “New staff, new system and they didn’t like my star sign!”
So, he’ll have to wait a few more weeks to get them.
Ach well, at least Stamfords Deli have put in an order for “both types of bangers”.
It’s finally dawned on Tom
With his rather packed work load, Tom can now finally see why him missing “a few” milking shifts made Tony so angry.
Halleluiah!
Even if it was his own experience rather than Tony’s heart attack, that has bought Tom to this conclusion, at least he’s got there.
Brenda hands Tom a small chocolate bar
As it’s what her mum used to give her when she was busy studying, while saying “well done. Keep going, love”.
That’s nice.
I want to watch sows wallowing
Which is what Tony’s doing.
Jazzer and Harry’s quiz will be all inclusive
Jazzer is trying to entice Tony to his and Harry’s Easter quiz.
[Jazzer] “You’ll be okay, some of it goes back to the dark ages, Duran Duran and all that …”
Though when Tony points out his music knowledge goes back even further than that, Jazzer reckons he also will have questions for “old codgers”.
That’s the way to pack ‘em in Jazzer. Flatter ‘em!
It was all Molly Button’s fault
Reckons Jazzer.
It was Molly’s fault that Jazzer put itching powder in Harry’s cycling shorts because she gave him the idea, and actually gave him the powder.
But then, Molly played a trick on Jazzer, involving a tarantula (which he can’t stand).
[Jazzer] “Molly fooled me, I fooled Harry, he tells her off, it’s the circle of life really”
[Tony] “Very profound”
Tom does a nice thing
Seriously.
He really does.
Tony was earlier saying to Tony that he needs to
[Tony] “Learn to stop getting in everyone’s way”
But Tom has a plan.
He tells Tony that he wanted different cabbages for the veg boxes, but he spent ages trying to track them down. When Tony knew exactly who to call in seconds.
He also tells Tony that he’s started chasing unpaid bills for veg boxes. Including a lady called
Elspeth Rogers. But Tony knows that Elspeth only pays quarterly, as that’s when she gets her pensions.
And Tom tells Tony that it would be really useful to have someone to do the banking and such for the veg boxes.
So he asks Tony.
[Tony] “You want me to do it, all the admin, for the veg boxes … I’d be delighted!”
Good Tom.
Easy work for Tony, without making him feel he’s being mollycoddled.
The Archers Thursday 5th April 2012
- Alice reading papers on wind vibration
- Wonder why another mention of Jennifer “popping in”?
- Mjölnir
- The Echo is annoying Brian again
- Jennifer pops in again
- Pat wants Tom to delegate
Alice reading papers on wind vibration
[Chris] “Nice!”
Wonder why another mention of Jennifer “popping in”?
Seemed to spot for a while, but Alice has been making a point of mentioning that Jennifer seems to be popping by her and Chris’ quite a lot again.
Wonder why …
Mjölnir
Which is the hammer of Thor.
And Chris’ choice for the first item that he’ll make in his forge. For his wall. To replace Ronnie’s horseshoe.
[Alice] “Did I ever tell you I’ve got a thing for Viking Gods?”
Chris is also going to put runes on it: strength, luck and love.
Aw, bless him.
Though from the sounds of Alice, she doesn’t need any grand gestures to encourage her Amour.
The Echo is annoying Brian again
*sigh*
[Brian] “Who is Aidan Smith anyway … roped in as a respected authority on anaerobic systems in dairy farms … he’s not respect by me, he doesn’t know what he’s so talking about! … The wretched thing could have been dictated by Borchester Against Factory Farming!”
So Brian goes off to call wonder-PR-boy Rufus, even though it’s out of office hours. And even though Jennifer is trying to serve supper.
*sigh*
Jennifer pops in again
Here we go. The scene is set …
As Chris works on his Mjölnir, Alice watches. They’re alone.
[Alice] “I like watching you work. Getting all hot and sweaty over the anvil … in fact, I’m getting pretty hot myself …”
After Alice has made the final (and her first) mark on the Mjölnir, she and Chris get a tad steamy.
To the point where we’re subjected to a few moments of very deep breathing from Alice … does a sex scene in a forge beat a sex scene in a shower?!?
Well, it does when the mother (in-law) walks in.
[Jennifer] “Oh my goodness, you look as like you’ve been busy … but no so busy you can’t stop for champagne”
Jennifer was at home alone, feeling sorry that Alice and Chris were alone celebrating the start of Chris’ own business.
So, she thought she’d pop along to celebrate with them.
Then she notices that Alice is wearing a Blacksmith’s apron.
[Jennifer] “But, are you actually wearing anything under it darling?”
Oh, we did laugh …
Pat wants Tom to delegate
Tom’s just back from Faircastle. But he can’t even stop for a cup of tea with Pat. He’s just too busy.
Pat’s worried.
About the sheer volume of work Tom is doing, but also about Tony being left out.
[Tom] “I know but, weird thing is, I’m actually enjoying it. Understanding how all the business fit together … “
[Pat] “Poor old dad is stuck in the house … he spent his whole life being needed”
And though Tony is still needed, he doesn’t see it.
[Pat] “You dad’s a very proud man, with a lot to be proud of”
Tom concurs, and promises to think of something for Tony to do that isn’t too taxing, but (I suspect) also leaves most of the ‘power’ in his own hands.
The Archers Wednesday 4th April 2012
- Brian and Adam’s strange dance
- Josh has a big plank
- George – footballer, cricketer or gamekeeper?
- Josh and Pip are a bit strange
- Harry isn’t amused with Jazzer
- Jennifer still visiting
Brian and Adam’s strange dance
[Brian] “A good boy scout is always reading for deer worming, Adam”
Blimey.
And he does even have a pen (could have been a pencil) to take down the deer numbers as they work through them. Though Adam doesn’t seem grateful.
Brian then waffles on about the Parish Council wanting the patch of land between the shop and the river (for a Field in trust)
[Brian] “It’s not a bad idea, it’s not doing us any good, and the kids play football there anyway”
[Adam] “So even the Parish Council has its price”
[Brian] “Huh?”
(has Brian forgotten Adam is still very much against BL because of the Super Dairy? Actually, maybe not forgotten, more just ignoring)
Brian continues his waffling:
[Brian] “I’ve excelled myself this year, I’ve actually remembered to buy your mother an Easter egg in good time … bows and Belgian chocolates inside, and the full splendour of an Underwoods gift wrap”
He then starts to wonder if Phoebe still likes chocolate, so will be dragging Kate and co. on the hunt for the perfect Easter egg.
As they finish their work, Brian wants Adam to come back to the house for a cup of tea and a chat about the spraying program.
Despite that being such a tempting offer for most chaps, Adam declines.
He really (really) can’t bring himself to show any interest in anything Brian has to say.
Later, to Jennifer:
[Adam] “Working with him this afternoon wasn’t exactly a barrel of laughs”
Though Adam does admit that he was the one who was being awkward.
[Jennifer] “Is it still a struggle, darling?”
[Adam] “It shouldn’t be. Brian was making an effort to be sociable, but I just couldn’t; respond … it was all very polite … that’s the problem, I can’t act naturally with him … the fact is mum, my opinions haven’t changed on iota, I still think it’s a dreadful idea, and I’m still hoping something will turn up to derail the whole damn thing”
Josh has a big plank
To the point where Eddie makes comment on it. So it must have been a beauty.
They’re clearing up ahead of the Tank being built, and they’re also taking wood aside for the Beacon pile on 4th of June.
George – footballer, cricketer or gamekeeper?
As it is holiday time for the kids, Will has been taking George up with him every day to the shoot.
Seems George enjoys being up there. He feeds the lame (? Is that what Eddie said?) birds, collects eggs and out the fertilised eggs into the incubator.
[David] “Keep them working so they can’t be a nuisance, eh?”
Eddie also reckons George is good at spot. David certainly thinks he has the build, but Eddie reckons he also has the eye.
Though Clarrie is making him a train birthday cake, Eddie thinks he’d be happier with a football one. Though Keira will no doubt be delighted with her teddy bear one.
Josh and Pip are a bit strange
Pip and Ruth are also collecting eggs from the Brookfield chickens. While they’re there, Pip also wants to take photos of them for the Brookfield blog. Pip reckons they have some good lookers.
[Eddie] “Good looking hens. Blimey!”
[David] “Well it’s the way of the world these days. If it isn’t online, it isn’t real”
Once Pip has her chicken pictures:
[Josh] “Must be pretty frightening for a hen, having Pip sneak up with her mobile”
Josh seems quite determined to get Pip’s phone to see the pictures. She seems very reticent, but relents.
He them goes on about how some of the pictures are really horrible. He’s gone back into her photos beyond the chickens. There’s one of Spencer that he pretends he doesn’t know who it’s of.
Eh?
What was that all about?
Harry isn’t amused with Jazzer
Though we still (still!) haven’t heard Harry speak in a very long time.
Eddie was telling David that he, Ed and Joe will be doing the quiz at the weekend, with Jim (“The Prof”) as their secret weapon.
David hadn’t heard of who was doing the quiz, so was quite surprised to hear it was indeed Jazzer and harry.
[Eddie] “last time I saw him, harry was giving Jazzer some right filthy looks!”
Ah. The itching powder must have been fairly potent …
Jennifer still visiting
Alice and Chris, without a clue that the frequency of her visits aren’t exactly welcomed.
[Jennifer] “It’s lovely being able to just drop in while she’s on holiday”
[Adam] “I imagine she’s still quite busy … taking on the forge”
It would sometimes seem that Adam is the only one in Jennifer side of the clan who can see any sense.
The Archers Tuesday 3rd April 2012
- Tony’s kitted up and raring to go
- Ronnie likes strong women
- Lily is now obsessed
- A very Special Parish Council meeting
- Tilly Button is in hand
- Jim resorts to Derek Fletcher
Tony’s kitted up and raring to go
But no-one will let him do anything.
[Tony] “I wanted to clean the stew pan but Helen did it”
And Pat won’t let him help with the trays.
Tony is also worried about Tom running himself ragged.
But there’s nothing he can do about that. Not while everyone is telling him to sit down and relax until he’s completely ready to return to work.
(quite right too!)
[Tony] “But I’m starting to feel much more myself”
[Pat] “You have to appreciate love, that’s why Tom’s being cautious, and why Helen won’t even let you do the pans”
Ronnie likes strong women
Ronnie is the chap from which Chris is buying the Farrier business.
Neil and Susan were talking about how proud they are of Chris, then started talking about how Ronnie met his wife.
Seems Ronnie met her at a Summer Fayre, where he was impressed by her prowess on the test your strength machine. After he’d seen her technique, he married her a mere 3 months later.
Wow. That’s a man who knows what he wants.
Lily is now obsessed
With bell ringing.
She’s still going to practice, and will even get to ring the bells on St George’s day.
A very Special Parish Council meeting
[Jim] “Village hall tea, that mysterious compound of coal dust and floor sweepings”
Actually, Oliver points out that he brought Darjeeling with him.
When they’re settled, they get down to the business of discussing the Fields in Trust.
Seems there’s a scheme which uses the Jubilee and the Olympics to help safeguard recreational areas of land – it’s called the QE II Field program. Once a community secures that status for the land, it can’t be built in, and they can access grants to create or improve facilities. The ownership of the land stays with the current owner, but they will have a legally binding contract, and a deed of dedication “to protect in perpetuity”.
So – the village green?
Nope, already protected.
The cricket pitch?
Nope, already protected.
The playground?
Nope, also already protected (as a memorial).
Then Jill comes up trumps.
She suggests the land between the shop and the river, which children have always played on. Including David, Kenton and Neil.
[Neil] “Mind, before they put the fence up, you had to stop the ball rolling down the land”
But there’s a big BUT.
That land belongs to Borchester Land.
Most seem to see that as not being a problem – it’d be a good spot to have Bonfire night on (to stop Hilary Noakes moaning, if nothing else):
[Jim] “Anything to spare a repetition of the Burned village green debacle!”
But Jill is horrified that they’ll have to ask Brian to gift the land.
[Jill] “Oh no …!”
Jill still hasn’t forgiven Brian for his rather obvious (and cynical) attempt to buy good PR for BL during the start of the Super Dairy debate.
[Oliver] “But sometimes a parish council has to accept realpolitik”
[Jim] “So why not try and get something good out of them before the chance goes forever?”
Blimey, Jim has changed his tune.
It sounded like Jill as a very lone voice in the debate.
Tilly Button is in hand
On the topic of the James/Leonie fly over:
[Jim] “How splendid, our very own festival of noise!”
But it’s not all bad news. Seems Tilly has been “spoken to, very firmly” by Brown Owl. So no naughtiness from the Brownies, then.
Oliver tells how Jolene has been making her regulars practising waving for the flyover (out in the car park), in the shape of a bull. But as they’re practising at night, they’re only waving at the night sky at the moment.
[Jim] “Goodness me, were you expecting to be beamed up?”
[Lynda] “It would be a shame if the whole flight was taken over by commercial concerns …”
(does Lynda not recall that she and Robert run a B&B, so surely her deep desired to be photographed is of as much commercial concern as The Bull?)
Jim resorts to Derek Fletcher
Though Jim was going great guns with his Lent promise (to make as many genuine compliments to as many people as possible), he’s now feeling the strain. He’s running out of people to compliment.
[Jim] “And since his socks were the least offense thing about him, I had to say how nice they were”
[Jill, giggling again. Which she seems to be doing a lot at the moment. Which is nice] “You made his afternoon!”
The Archers Monday 2nd April 2012
- Clearing out after the cows
- A.G. Street
- Tom makes his move
- Double Think in action
- Is Brenda sane?
- Maurice, one again!
Clearing out after the cows
[Tony] “It’s a job and a half in it … making muck heaps takes longer than you expect”
A.G. Street
[Tony] “I’m only sitting in the kitchen, reading Wheat and Chaff again”
Sounds idyllic to me.
And cheers to Tony for introducing me to A.G Street.
Sounds good enough to read! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._G._Street
Tom makes his move
Tony wants to at least help Tom in the office, but Tom won’t hear of it.
Tom reckons he’s enjoying getting to grips with the farm finances, and he’s also absolute that Tony won’t overstrain himself.
Later on, Tom admits to Brenda that he’s actually enjoying the responsibility, but feels guilty that he wants to meddle.
Things like updating the software in the office.
While Tom doesn’t want his work on the brands to “go backward”, he also does want to offend Tony by making changes.
[Brenda] “He’ll understand if you have to make a few changes”
[Tom] “What if he thinks I’m putting him down … the last thing I want to do now is I don’t respect him, because I do, a hell of a lot”
Brenda thinks Tony will see that any changes Tom makes will be for the better of the farm, and that the world can’t stand still.
Hmmm.
Maybe so, Tony does seem to be in a very positive place these days.
But isn’t this all building up to Tom pushing Tony to one side so that he can lord and master it all?
Maybe.
Sure Pat and Helen will also have something to say about that …
Double Think in action
Brian and Annabelle are back seeing that PR chap Rufus.
Rufus seems to think all is well, and BL are “winning the argument”.
[Rufus] “These protests are like soap bubbles, biggest just before they burst”
Ahead of the planning meeting, Rufus suggests they have one last PR push.
(course he’d say that. must be a couple of grand in it for him!)
Rufus shows them a DVD that they had filmed for another farm in the same situation as BL.
It shows cows on grass when they’re “drying off” (when they’re allowed to stop lactating for a while before they calving).
Brian gets it straight away. The focus is on the cows that do get outside, rather than those indoors.
[Brian] “Some of replacement heifers could spend time in the open as well”
(a replacement heifer is basically a young one who isn’t ready to calf yet, but will be brought in to take over from an older one, ready for the … ahem … for retirement. I’m learning a lot today!).
So, BLs film will show that they are:
[Brian] “Providing a small patch of grazing near the indoor unit”
(note the “small”)
Which means they can pretend (my word) that they have “responded to concerns” (Brian’s words) without impacting on their business and profit.
[Annabelle] “Feels a little like window dressing to me”
[Rufus] “Well, you can be selling the most fantastic product in the world, but if you don’t care share if the shop window, people walk by”
Annabelle asks whether this is all too far from the truth:
[Rufus] “You can make false claims about something like this without the consequences coming back to bite you hard”
[Brian] “We’d simply be taking something BL is planning to do anyway”
[Rufus] “And pushing it to the forefront, so everyone can see it … One striking image conveys far more than any number of words!”
[Annabelle] “And it would reflect a genuine part of the operation?”
[Brian] “look at a few of the free range poultry boys, you’d think the birds were in paradise from the publicity, and the reality is often very different …. There’s a big difference between having access to outside and actually venturing out”
[Rufus] “Simply sums up the benefits you’re offering in a clear truthful way”
[Brian] “Brilliant. It could well take the sting out of a lot of criticism”
Annabelle caves, so off Rufus goes to make a few more thousand pounds.
I do agree Brian has a point about the free range chaps (always buy your chickens from your local butcher, where they can tell you everything about the farm they came from – my one even has pictures of them at “home!).
But, he and Rufus are talking rubbish that they’re presenting anything other than one very small slice of the truth.
Pat, Kirsty and Ruth (though ‘glass houses’, eh Ruth!) aren’t that daft to not spot their trick.
Is Brenda sane?
Even Tom is starting to doubt it.
She’s spending her afternoon off on the tractor while Tom works. She reckons it is the only way she’ll get to spend time with him.
(choosing to spend even one moment with Tom must surely suggested some sort of mental health issue …).
But, Brenda has brought quiche, salad, flapjacks and mango (!) for their picnic.
(bottom of the fridge stuff, then).
Maurice, one again!
It really is Maurice bashing season.
Tom’s on about him again as he’s been asked to do extra shifts (by Tom).
[Tom] “Oh, you know Maurice. Borchestshire’s Mr Sunshine!”
Why is it Maurice baiting season?
The Archers Sunday 1st April 2012
- Benjamin was well behaved … then not
- Why do the arks need moved again?
- Jazzer damaged the bull bar
- Janine is the new lady in Jazzer’s life
- Christening a Forge
- The truth about Amy and Carl
- Jolene wants everyone in the car park
- Harry had to check his cereal
- Jennifer is still “popping in”
Benjamin was well behaved … then not
Benjamin and Shula are back at St Stephen’s for Palm Sunday.
(Benjamin is Shula’s donkey, generally only making an appearance in Ambridge at Palm Sunday).
He was very well behaved at first.
But later “went for” Pat Fletcher’s hat.
Seems she goes purple when she’s upset …
Shula later tells Jill that she thinks it was Pat Fletcher’s fault for flapping her hat about in the first place.
(mais non – if Pat Fletcher said no, she said no!)
By the by – we had the first mention of someone acknowledging that Shula has been in Ste Stephens more often than not recently. Jill said it was nice to see her back, though Shula did make mention that she’d be going elsewhere for the Easter walk.
Why do the arks need moved again?
Jazzer’s back (well, back near the secret microphones), and is moaning that the rain means all of the pigs need fresh straw.
AND the arks need moved. Again.
Is that normal pig management behaviour? To keep moving the arks?
Jazzer damaged the bull bar
Of Tom’s quad bike.
[Jazzer] “90% of it was doon to the gatepost, It was in the wrang place!”
[Tom] “Next to the gate!”
But not to worry. Though Tom wants Jazzer to do extra shifts for him, they’re not as punishment – Tom will pay extra. He’s just that busy.
[Jazzer] “Hold on, let me do my concerned face …”
Janine is the new lady in Jazzer’s life
[Jazzer] “I telt Janine, if she serves Tom Archer pork, we’re done before we’re started!”
Ooh.
I know Jazzer is a cheeky monkey, but not a clever thing to say to one’s boss.
Christening a Forge
Are what Chris and Alice intend to do on Thursday – the day that Chris gets ownership of the forge.
He’ll make his first piece of work in his own place, glass of wine, then a meal out.
Alice is keen for Amy to come. With Carl.
The truth about Amy and Carl
Alice is obsessed with wanting to meet Amy’s new love interest, Carl. Alan is also dropping hints.
So to get Alice off of her back, Amy explains all.
It’s quite simple, really. She just wants to take it slow with Carl.
[Amy] “This feels, special. I don’t want to wreck it”
[Alice] “You won’t. Carl is a very lucky guy. Have some faith in yourself”
But that’s exactly what Amy doesn’t have bags and bags of (faith in herself).
Amy tells Alice about her “mood” over Christmas because of what Alan had found out about her mum.
[Amy] “Dad found out that mum had been to prison … a secure children’s home … she stabbed someone when she was a kid … I’d always though mum was like, fantastic, then suddenly she wasn’t like that anymore … the worse thing was, the way I was feeling, it kinda made sense … I couldn’t work out why I do certain things, you know I have a really short temper … what I thought was that if mum could stab someone, maybe here’s some of that in me as well … so disgusted, I really did hate myself …”
Amy explains that her mum’s attack had happened because of constant racist abuse.
[Amy] “Just because I get angry sometimes, doesn’t mean I’m an awful person. Mum was a decent person, I shouldn't have doubted her … if someone like him thinks I’m okay, then I must be … I’m putting all that daft stuff behind me, but only one step at a time”
So – Amy wants to keep Carl away from her nearest and dearest because she’s still slightly worried she’s not a good ‘un?
I don’t see the sense in that.
Surely meeting the lovely Alan and co would only prove that she is?
Or does Amy just really (really) want to keep Carl away from Ambridge?
Jolene wants everyone in the car park
Steady on! I thought she was committed to our Kenton.
I jest.
Jolene wants everyone in The Bull’s car park for the flyover photo session by James and Leonie. Jazzer reckons she even wants them to make a shape like a bull’s horns.
[Jazzer] “that’s if that chinless wonder managed to point the camera the right way”
Though Tom reckons James is not an idiot:
[Jazzer] “Could pass for one in an emergency”
Jolene even wants her regulars to practise, as the photo could go down in history.
Hmmm.
Harry had to check his cereal
For booby traps.
[Jazzer] “Just cause it’s April the first, he assumes I’m gonnae act like some kind of kid!”
[Tom] “What did you actually do?”
[Jazzer] “Itching powder in his cycling shorts”
[Tom] “Excellent”
Jennifer is still “popping in”
To Alice and Chris’.
And it’s still irritating Alice that she does so.
[Amy] “It’s nice that she likes spending time with you”
Alice reckons that it’s more to do with Jennifer wanting to get away from Brian while he’s so stressed and preoccupied with the Super Dairy planning meeting (two weeks away).
The Archers Friday 30th March 2012
- Matt and the Art of War
- Worried about Tony
- Ben is on the prowl again
- Easter Eggs all round
- Rich is introduced to the family
- What Clarrie saw through the window …
- What’s wrong with concrete frogs?
- Eddie has a new ferret
- Eddie’s shifts are safe
- Bridge Farm’s cows are out
Matt and the Art of War
Jennifer is telling Lilian about Brian being uber stressed. Though the vote on the Super Dairy went his way:
[Jennifer] “He’s used up all his goodwill with the Board, Lilian”
[Lilian] “Well business is war, darling. Ask matt, never has his nose out of Sun Tzu these days”
[Jennifer] “I might have to get Brian a copy”
Deary me. Two of them pumped up and ready for action, in one small village?
*shudder*
Worried about Tony
Peggy’s taking her time to get ready. Lilian and Jennifer are waiting on her so that they can go round to Tony’s (as requested by Pat) to her an announcement.
Seems Peggy takes her time when she’s worried.
As they all are.
Pat really should have told them that there is nothing extra wrong with Tony when she summoned them.
When they later get to Bridge Farm. Tony more-or-less immediately confirms that their announcement isn’t about him.
[Jennifer] “Tony, do you know what you’ve put us through!”
Ben is on the prowl again
[Peggy] “Has he been making a nuisance?”
[Lilian] “Course he has. That’s what we love about him”
Easter Eggs all round
Pigs for George.
Sheeps for Mia.
Cockerel for Jake.
And a duck for Keira.
They’re lucky to have such a nice granny Clarrie.
Rich is introduced to the family
[Tony] “Because it’s important for the family,. You need to know … recently, we found out that John had a son”
After they are all showed photos:
[Peggy] “There’s certainly something of John about him”
[Lilian] “That’s just how I remember John smiling”
Tony and Pat recount how this all started at Ivy Horrobin’s funeral, and how Helen and Tom are far more relaxed now about the situation.
Though they apologise for not having told the rest of the family sooner:
[Lilian] “That last thing you needed was us barging in in our kitty heels!”
[Jennifer] “It’s marvellous news. He looks like such a fine young fellow”
Actually, I didn’t think Peggy sounded remotely pleased to hear about Rich. She was obviously very relieved to hear it wasn’t bad news about Tony, but one would have thought she would have been over the moon to hear that her grandson had a child before he died.
As Lilian drives Jennifer and Pat home:
[Lilian, after having read Rich’s email to Pat and Tony] “ He sounds much more polite than I was at 13!”
[Peggy] “Actually, you were very well behaved then”
[Lilian] “Before I discovered horses and boys!”
(eh? Hope Lilian had different intentions towards them …)
[Peggy] “I’m very glad it’s made Tony and Pat so happy, but as Tony said, Rich won’t be down that often. He has a very full life in Leeds, and perhaps that’s just as it should be”
Ah, so Peggy isn’t sure that Rich being part of the family is a good idea.
Peggy moves in mysterious ways. And ever so subtly. Her disapproval could take a while to take effect.
What Clarrie saw through the window …
Was the Peggy/Jack side of the Archer clan gathering.
And she knows it wasn’t any of their birthdays …
… how long before she works the rest out?
What’s wrong with concrete frogs?
Clarrie was telling Eddie about her time with Jennifer – talking about flowering plants as part of her promise auction (which Jennifer has successfully bidded on). She reckons they just “chatted”, though she did impart a bit of knowledge about lilies and annual seeding.
But mostly:
[Clarrie] “I did enjoy going over there though, having a good nosy round. Imaging it were my garden”
[Eddie] “Spot anywhere for a burying mole, or a cheeky concrete frog with a fly on its nose?”
[Clarrie] “No, well they ain't really garden ornament people, are they?”
[Eddie] “Pity. I can’t give those frogs away at the moment”
[Clarrie] “I wonder why!”
Clarrie said that last bit with a significant amount of passion, and some certain knowledge.
Did I miss something? Previous problems or disagreements about purchase of said concrete frogs with a fly ion their nose?!?
Eddie has a new ferret
Called Hercules.
[Clarrie] “Oh for heaven’s sake. Clipping his claws while I’m making the pudding … I want it covered in crumble topping nothing else crunchy!”
[Eddie] “Come on Hercules. You’ll soon learn it ain't worth arguing when she’s like this”
Hercules, I’d listen to Clarrie first and foremost if I was you.
Eddie’s shifts are safe
At Brookfield.
Even though:
[Eddie] “40 grand to store slurry!”
Here’s hoping David and Ruth can keep up with the repayments.
Bridge Farm’s cows are out
[Tony] “The first night the girls stay out on grass after winter”
[Pat] “It brings them back to life, doesn’t it?”
Yay! Cows getting out after Winter. I just (genuinely) love it.
The cows being out are helping Tony’s overall sense of positivity. He even wanted, and felt like he could, do the milking today.
The bank has also extended Bridge Farm’s interest free mortgage.
And lent them the money for the new poly tunnel.
But it’s not just the cows having the good-feelin’ impact.
[Pat] “Tom's enthusiasm is infectious. He’s got me buzzing again”
The cows are out. The tatties are in. And:
[Tony] “This place feels like it has got a future. We should make the most of it … at moments like this, it feels simply wonderful to be alive”
Blimey.
It only took a heart attack to make Tony a bit happier.
The Archers Thursday 29th March 2012
- The BL Board meeting about the Super Dairy
- Pat and Tony have panicked the family
- Schubert week on BBC Radio 3
- Robert is not young mountain goat
- The Peregrines have eggs
- Youth cricket is a goer
- Did Brian win?
The BL Board meeting about the Super Dairy
[Annabelle] “There’s quite a glint in your eyes this afternoon”
[Brian] “Of terror”
Aye – it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. The big BL meeting about the Super Dairy.
(hmmm)
[Brian] “This afternoon is more about company philosophy. Are we quitters or fighters”
As the debate gets going, Gerry says he’s worried about the impact the Super Dairy would have on all future BL projects.
Martin wonders whether they could scale down the Super Dairy. Though I think he’s completely missed the point …
[Gerry] “And still have the bunny huggers on our backs!”
Brian tries to reason with them that the entire point about the profitability of the Super Dairy hasn’t changed. So the reason they voted it in all those months ago hasn’t changed.
[Brian] “If we give up now we lose profit and reputation for nothing … if we cave in over this we’ll put everything we want in the future at risk … knuckles at the first sign of opposition … is that the signal of weaknesses we want to send out to our opponents”
Brian was starting to sound a bit Winston Churchill for my liking … but did it sway the board?
Pat and Tony have panicked the family
Seems when Pat called Jennifer to call them round for a family gathering, she wouldn’t say what it was about.
So now Jennifer is worried. She thinks it’s bad news about Tony.
[Brian] “Maybe the long term prognosis isn’t as good as we’d hoped”
Schubert week on BBC Radio 3
Of which Robert wants to listen to as much as possible.
Funny that he doesn’t realise he’s being broadcast live only one channel over.
Robert is not young mountain goat
So he claims.
Lynda wants the gutters cleaned.
And she wants them cleaned right now. No matter what else Robert has planned.
(why she couldn’t just do it herself, I don’t know)
[Lynda] “We don’t want them looking unsightly, do we?”
[Robert] “Lyndee, they’re flying over with a friend, not the guttering Police”
[Lynda] “We’d never forgive ourselves if there were any blemishes when our little home gets it portrait taken”
While he’s up there, Lynda also asks if he’ll clean off the moss.
[Lynda] “I know it’s picturesque but there’s s fine line between character and decrepitude”
[Robert] “Will you stop confusing me with a young mountain goat!”
But before Lynda answers, she gets a call from Jamie about the peregrines and leaves Robert up there without a watcher.
Has she forgotten about Nigel already?
The Peregrines have eggs
As spotted by Jamie.
Seems he looks up at church every time he passes it, after Lynda accosted him to look at the Peregrines last year.
They’ve got two eggs, though Lynda reckons they normally start off with four.
Lynda will be guarding them with her life … and also probably Jamie’s.
Youth cricket is a goer
So Jamie says to Lynda.
He was about to say he’d started it off to not have to spend all their time with the auld yins, but Lynda understands:
[Lynda] “Hang around with the more chronologically challenged …”
The current line-up is Jamie, Marty Josh and two of the Button cousins.
The bloke they mentioned from Westbury will be coaching them.
Nickname Nifty Ifti – actual name Iftikhar.
[Lynda] “Nifty bowler and quite as a whippet in the field!”
Sounds fun.
Did Brian win?
Course he did.
Though he was feeling a bit beaten up by the end of the meeting.
And despite his, Annabelle’s and the secret microphones attempts to make us initially think he’d lost the vote.
[Annabelle] “The more you spoke, the more trenchant Gerry’s opposition became”
Brian felt Andrew had made a good case, and even got him doubting himself!
But Martin eventually sided with Brian.
As did Barbara:
[Brian] “the wild card … After I’d sweated blood for her support!”
But Brian seems very far from his usual, boorish, jubilant self:
[Brian] “I’m glad to have squeaked through, although at what cost … I haven’t let myself anywhere to hide … if anything goes wrong, my neck’s right on the chopping block”
Uh-oh.
The Super Dairy will be an especially rough ride if even Brian himself isn’t 100% confident.
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 Tuesday 27th March 2012
- All go at Brookfield
- Martin Gibson is quite odd
- Darrell is nice to Peggy
- Kamikaze sheep
- Brian harasses Martin
All go at Brookfield
Seems it’s going to cost twice as much for the Brookfield new silage tank than they’d first thought.
David’s despondent (again), Ruth’s being positive (of course). She reckons the repayments won’t be so bad over 5 years. Though it will be tight times.
And they also have to get planning permission.
But, in a rare fit of positivity himself, David calls the planning department. They say they can’t see any problems with getting permission, as the tank is away from housing and not on the skyline.
[David] “I think, let’s go for it Ruth … we’ve been dealing in theories for so long, let’s just crack on and do something”
Thank goodness for that! Only been 4 months since the badgers did the deed …
Martin Gibson is quite odd
When Brian telephones him, Martin reckons he is “peachy”. Though his PA wants to resign. He can’t get the car he wants for 3 months. And his wife reckons she is fat.
[Brian] “Good lord. A young do is trying to kick a hare”
[Martin] “What sort of pub are you calling from?”
Hmmm.
Not much of a sense of humour, then.
Darrell is nice to Peggy
And Bill and Ben.
Which I’m very glad about, as I was worried Darrell and Elona were going to try and rip her off.
He’s changing over Peggy’s bathroom taps (they were that old, they had no purchase yet).
Ben keeps coming in and out, Peggy keeps chasing him away, but Darrell likes his interruptions.
A cat man, then.
He was saying that he, Elona and the girls love living at number 3.
[Darrell] “One of the things I like best, and I didn’t think I would, is the bell ringing”
So Peggy encourages him to join up. He’d be Ambridge through and through then.
When he’s finished the work, he’ll also only take money for the cost of the taps. Peggy is a bit horrified that he won’t let her pay him, but he wants to do it as thanks for all her help.
[Darrell] “I enjoyed the company anyway. You can the cats. I’d rather keep busy than kicking my heels at home”
(though he has got work with Lilian and Matt at Amside, and his daughter Rosa has work with Mike at his dairy)
Ah. People being nice to other people. Lovely.
Kamikaze sheep
At Brookfield.
When David and Ruth lugged her back out of whatever she’d got herself embroiled in, she kicked David’s shin “really hard”.
[Ruth] “It means she hasn’t hurt herself!”
And she hadn’t. She was fine, and able to get back to her lambs.
Brian harasses Martin
[Brian] “If we stick to our guns, we can win the argument at every level!”
Martin reckons not so. The cows not being outside on grass has a lot of “traction”.
But Brian reckons he can tell the protestors quite a few proper horror stories.
[Brian] “There’s a couple of brothers in North Borchestershire. Cows on grass, how lovely. Except most of them have foot rot because neither of the old boys know how to use a paring knife properly”
But Martin reckons it doesn’t matter about the substance of the arguments in favour of the Super Dairy. It’s the negative perceptions that count.
[Martin] “Withdraw gracefully, before BLs’ reputation takes too much of a beating … How much bigger do the protests have to get?”
Brian asserts that they just have to hold their nerve and hang on … there will be “kudos” to have once the profits start rolling in.
[Brian] “You watch. There will be one or two red faces on the board then!”
Martins sound unconvinced, so Brian brings out the big guns. That he’ll have to step down if the vote doesn’t go his way.
Not sure what Brian was expecting, but Martin seemed fairly nonplussed about that …
The Archers Monday 26th March 2012
- “You always look so sinister in a face shield”
- Brian’s not for turning
- Maurice isn’t happy
- Tony and Pat look happy
- The Snells are back!
- The first green burial went well
- Ambridge fly over
- Clarrie on flowering plants
“You always look so sinister in a face shield”
So says Jennifer to Brian.
We’ll take her word for it.
Brian’s not for turning
Debbie isn’t amused with Brian.
[Brian] “She thinks it’s my fault Annabelle isn’t turning cartwheels over her pig idea … I’m with Labelle, changing tact now will make BL, and me, look hopelessly indeed. So I’m staking everything on pushing through the original dairy plan … though the slimmer the chances seem”
The BL Board meeting to make a decision about the Super Dairy is this Thursday.
[Brian] “Not a prospect to gladden the heart …”
[Jennifer] “So it’s all in the lap of the gods?”
[Brian] “No it isn’t, I’m not just going to sit back and do nothing!”
Brian is going to do some “serious lobbying” between now and Thursday.
He has no other choice but to try and persuade more of the other board ,members to be on his side.
[Brian] “I’ve nailed my colours to the mast for this project. If the damn thing goes own, I’m not sure my position as chairman remains tenable”
Wonder if Brian is going to truly throw all of his toys out of the pram and resign if he doesn’t get his way?
(actually, I can’t really claim to care that much., The BL sessions are always a bit dull … though the prospect of the Super Dairy going ahead in Ambridge is a tad more interesting)
Maurice isn’t happy
But he’s still working overtime for Tom.
Needs must.
Tony and Pat look happy
In fact, they’re all aglow since Rich’s visit yesterday.
[Pat] “It was a wonderful thing for you and Helen to do”
When Brian pops by to see if they want him to pick them up anything from the Farm Supplies shop:
(he’s getting a long list, including ram crayons – Pat just wants twist ties)
[Brian] “I haven’t seen your mother so happy in ages!”
And Tom told him that Tony was also chirpy this morning.
Tom puts it down to the sun shining.
Wonder how long before they start telling everyone else about Rich.
The Snells are back!
Great.
I do miss them when they go a bit quiet.
They’re setting up their breakfast outside.
[Lynda] “It would be criminal not to have breakfast en plein air when the sun is out”
And as Robert said – it’s a marvellous feeling to get ones garden furniture out again.
[Lynda] “Everything is starting up again, after all the dark and grey”
Indeed.
The first green burial went well
Lynda tells us.
Her and Robert also seemed quite dewy eyed about their own plots in the site … wistfully morbid.
Ambridge fly over
Quite literally. Not roadworks.
Seems James’ friend Christina has his own helicopter (as you do), and is happy to fly James and Leonie over Ambridge to get some photographs.
That starts Lynda and Robert trying to work out what could be happening that would be worthy of an arial shot.
Not the Lower Loxley fair. Nor the boules at The Bull. Or the Easter Egg hunt.
[Lynda] “Not visually compelling … (then she has it!) … the Brownies Easter bonnet parade!”
[Robert] “That will come as quite a surprise to Brown Owl”
[Lynda] “Rather a lot of things are a surprise to jenny Throphall!”
But the might have to ask the parents’ permission first. And it might be more trouble than it’s worth with kids like Jinny Button involved.
[Robert] “She’d set fire to the village hall to get on camera!”
But Lynda has another cunning plan.
Cricket.
Which Robert will have to stage.
At which point Robert starts pointing Lynda away from specifics:
[Robert] “Perhaps Leonie and James will be better to use broader brushstrokes …”
Like the building, the backbones and such, of the village.
Lynda concurs.
Especially if it means she can get a picture of her beloved Ambridge Hall.
Clarrie on flowering plants
Jennifer had successfully bidded for Clarrie’s advice on flowering plants at the promise auction.
[Brian] “Are you holding her to that?”
[Jennifer] “It would be very disrespectful if I didn’t”
Actually, Jennifer is quite looking forward to a “fresh” pair of eyes on her garden.
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 Thursday 22nd March 2012
- They shouldn’t have laughed at the llamas
- Bartleby’s brass gets a polish
- Usha isn’t gossiping
- Damsons make Joe a happy chappy
- Lilian bosses Brian
- Tony wants to ask Lilian first
- Alan and Usha have an old hot water system
- Green burials are noisy
- At last – someone mentions Shula and Alan
- What about Karl?
- Blondes can be clever sometimes
- James will get Lilian for his birthday present
- Pigs not cows
They shouldn’t have laughed at the llamas
Seems they’re doing a grand work of Alan and Usha’s lawn.
[Usha] “I still do a double take every time I come home and see lamas on the lawn”
[Alan] “They’re doing a fantastic job … best investment I’ve made in a long time!”
So they may have laughed at Lynda offering the llamas during the promise auction, but it’s all worked out right. Which I’m glad about. I thought the Ambridge folks were very cruel to Lynda (apart from Alan, of course).
Bartleby’s brass gets a polish
From Alan, helping Joe out with a random act of kindness for lent.
That’s nice for Bartleby.
Usha isn’t gossiping
When she told Alan about Vicky getting Eddie to work an extra four hours for free.
[Usha] “Not a bit of it. I think to like of it as more of reportage”
Damsons make Joe a happy chappy
He and Jim and co have been planting them in the hedge of the community orchard,
[Alan] “Joe sounded really chuffed seeing his old orchard all restored”
Lilian bosses Brian
Brian’s still worried about farmers abandoning The Mart because of the protestors.
[David] “You know how farmers talk. It’s probably bluster … old habits die hard … they won’t move and miss the chance of meeting up with farmers they’ve know for years”
David moves on elsewhere, but Lilian corners Brian in his place.
[Lilian] “Have you heard these rumours? As an investor, I’m very concerned … people are like sheep., it’ll only take a couple of farmers to go elsewhere and we’ll have a mass exodus!”
[Brian] “That’s arrant nonsense … and in my opinion you’ve being totally irresponsible, racing round like chicken licken saying the sky is going to fall down”
[Lilian] “Get it under control Brian, ASAP, before it gets out of hand!”
Oh Brian won’t like that. Being told by Lilian what to do? No wonder he’s increasingly desperate to find a solution to his Super Dairy woes.
Tony wants to ask Lilian first
All seems to be going very well at Home Farm.
The grass is “bulking out nicely”, according to Tony, which means the cows can get out towards the end of next week.
Tony also agrees with Tom and Pat that they should try and extend their interest free mortgage for another six months. And, he now agrees that Tom should try and get a loan to extend the poly tunnels. Seems it will pay itself back in three years (just like Brookfield’s new dairy system),
But, he wants to ask Lilian first. He doesn’t want to start spending without first paying back the loan she gave them.
So, he and Pat sit down with Lilian to tell her their plans.
[Lilian] “That sounds wonderful, but I can’t for the life why you’re telling me … Oh good grief, darlings. I’m in no hurry for the money … you can pay me once you’re properly back on your feet”
Recession proof, our Lilian is.
Alan and Usha have an old hot water system
So it would seem.
They can’t run the hot water in the kitchen without ruining Amy’s bath.
Green burials are noisy
Alan is getting ready for the first burial at the green burial site.
[Alan] “I’m told wicker coffins are noisy … they creak … wonder if I should warn the family?”
Sounds terrifying!
At last – someone mentions Shula and Alan
It’s Alan himself.
He mentions to Usha that Shula has offered her donkey, Benjamin, for Palm Sunday again. But this time, she’s even offered to look after him herself during the service.
[Usha] “I’m pleased for you”
So, the cold front is indeed warming.
What about Karl?
Something is building about Amy’s new boyfriend (or not, he might just be a mate).
Alan mentioned that Amy had mentioned Karl, but “didn’t say much else”. Alan reckons she’ll talk about him if he is important to her.
What’s afoot?
Blondes can be clever sometimes
[Tony] “So the ,lovely Lisa is not just a pretty face?”
[David] “She may look like a ditzy blond but she’s as sharp as a tack”
James will get Lilian for his birthday present
[Lilian] “Isn’t one’s time a better gift?”
Probably not for James.
Pigs not cows
Debbie has a cunning plan.
She’s going to swap large scale dairy for a large scale pig unit. Debbie reckons they’ll get similar benefits, but will be a more “mainstream” solution.
[Brian] “Why in earth would we shift our ground at this stage?”
And also why pigs, when other pig farmers seem to be struggling.
But – and this is where Debbie living in Hungry comes in useful (seems no one in Ambridge takes any heed of news reports in the TV, newspapers interest (etc) about that place they call Europe). She says that more European farmers are getting out of pigs because the new welfare regulations make them less profitable. So, there’s a nice gap for a large scale production.
[Debbie] “Just like the cow setup, it would be a large pig unit … but this time, there would be no need for outside suppliers”
[Brian] “We’d still have a very large animal production unit with pigs permanently indoors”
[Debbie] “It’s different with pigs, honestly, it’s all about perception. People are far more used to the idea of pigs indoors”
[Brian, warming to the idea] “At the moment I need all the get of jail cards I can get my hands on”
Well – I’m not sure Debbie is right this time.
Will Tom and Neil be supportive? Jazzer?
And with pigs being such intelligent animals (they play footy, don’t you know), won’t the protestors abhor this even more?
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.
