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Chapter 1: What is discussed at the start of this section?
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Plus.fi. You're listening to The Archer's Omnibus from BBC Radio 4.
Ooh, that smells good, Adam.
Potatoes going in right now.
The crumble will need about half an hour. Shall I just leave it on the side for now?
Oh, yes, thanks, Alice. I appreciate it. There's ice cream to complement it in the freezer.
Ooh, perfect. But what can I most usefully do?
Maybe set the table?
Well, that might be challenging. I've left Martha and Xander in possession. They're fighting over felt-tip pens. Ian's really good at refereeing, isn't he? When did our children get so competitive?
That might be my fault. I told Xander the best design would go on the new cricket team kit and he got very excited.
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Chapter 2: What challenges do characters face during family lunch?
I'm already late. All right, all right, I'll do it.
Oh, dear. I mean, who cares if an old man's in agony?
Why are you still wearing that thing round your neck? It can't be doing you any good. It doesn't even fit. I need it. This neck brace is all that's keeping me upright. The pain, Tracy. Where'd you get it anyway? Back at the sideboard. It's been in there years. You were able to bend down and dig about in the sideboard? I thought everything hurt. Give it up, Dad.
No, I won't compensate him.
Take a photo of me. I'll send it to Alan. Let him see what I'm reduced to. I'm not getting involved. It's a photo. It's a scam. You weren't there. How would you know you weren't there? Dad, you ain't stepped inside St Stephen's once this century.
Look what happened when I did. The church ceiling came tumbling down on top of me like a judgement from heaven.
My neck's not been right since. How'd you even get there? I managed. You can't get outside to smoke your pipe, you say. But you got all the way to the church.
Oh, ye of little faith. I heard this voice, see. And I could sense something, someone, just out of the corner of my eye, calling me. It felt like giving me the strength. An Easter miracle.
You sound like Clive.
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Chapter 3: How do characters react to Dad's situation?
Sorry, am I late? Not at all. Dad, it's good to see you. Hello, darling. Ah, you're all here. Adam, you never said. Family lunch, that's all. How are you, Dad? Fine, I'm fine. Are you sure? Alice? I'm just concerned. I'm not going to answer questions or talk about Miranda, if that's what you're after. Don't even try. But I just... And I'm really rather hungry, Adam. It won't be long.
Let me pour you a glass of wine. Oh, thanks. Is Rory parking the car? No, Rory can't make it, I'm afraid.
Oh.
What's he up to? He's out with friends. Where are the children? I come bearing gifts. Oh, they're like that. Let's hope so. First day back at school tomorrow, so I got the new pencil cases. Different colours so they can choose.
Ah, great.
Mind you, you have to be careful with unsolicited gifts these days. Did you hear that Khalil Malik gave Robert a budgie for his birthday and has had to bring it back to Beechwood? Robert has a thing about birds in cages and I'm a welfare and all that. Well, yeah. But I hear that after a bumpy start, Asra's rather taken to the little thing.
Well, there aren't any welfare issues with pencil cases, so I'm sure I'll be fine. The children are in the dining room, Brian. Let's go through. Oh, don't forget your wine, darling. Oh, thanks. Do you want another drink, Alice? Oh, no, no, I haven't finished this one. Does Dad seem OK to you? Well, I've seen him chirp here. Whatever's gone on, it's obviously shaken him.
You don't think it's more than that? Well, he's had a difficult year, Alice. And he's dealing with it in his own very Brian Aldridge way. Kate and I have been wondering why it's been such a difficult year. I'm not with you, darling. Well, it feels as though he's brought pretty much all of it on himself. He's getting really... Erratic? That's a strong word.
With a head-to-head with Justin, stopping Stella from bringing in the harvest and letting her go when she's been the best manager Home Farm ever had. Now breaking up with Miranda with no explanation. It certainly hasn't been your dad's finest hour. Well, Kate thinks it's something more serious. And I'm starting to think she might be right. What sort of serious? I did the dishes. Oh, so I see.
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Chapter 4: What concerns arise about Dad's health?
It's just routine prep for the lunch rush. I can't sit here and drink coffee while you work. Well, I don't see why not. If we were at the stables, I wouldn't be offering to help muck out. Fair point. Well, OK, then. And it is very good coffee. Yeah, it's a new blend we're trying out. What do you think? Hmm. Nice. Nutty. Yeah, very nice, actually. Great. See, you are helping. Consumer research.
So, how's everything? All good, I hope? Yeah, of course. You? Oh, same old, same old. I'm working too hard. Missing Harrison. I was sorry to hear about your dad and Miranda splitting up. What's that about? Don't get me started. But they seem so keen on moving in together. What went wrong? Nobody knows. He's not talking about it. Oh, right. It's not right, though. Not at all.
I'm trying to get to the bottom of it. Are you worried? Why? Does it show? Well, yeah, you do seem a bit. I just don't know what to do for the best, Fallon. Would you have to do anything? I'm sure they'll work it out in their own time. Mm-hmm. That's what everyone says. At least you've got Rex to take your mind off it. That's still on, right? Very much so. And? Alice? Are you asking for details?
Me? No. Yes, of course I am. It's great. Well, it's great doesn't count as details. Well, it's all you're getting. But seriously, though, do you think it's a goer? Oh, it's early days. Well, come on. You know, in a couple of weeks it's going nowhere and it's been more than a couple of weeks. Yes, OK. OK what? It's going somewhere. I don't know where quite, but somewhere. Great.
Yeah, that's great. We should all go out when Harrison's back. They'd get on really well. In fact, why don't you come round this week? Oh, that'd be fun. You're busy Wednesday. Come for supper. I'll do my famous fish pie. Great. Let's do it.
Oh, I used to be able to run up this hill, right to the top. Now look at me.
Well, you're in a different season of your life, that's all.
How very philosophical.
Well, every season has its advantages and disadvantages. Would you honestly want to be young again? You mean I'm not? Go on, then. Tell me the advantages of late autumn. I presume that's the season we're in, or did you mean winter? Well, aside from the glorious colours, experience, perspective, knowing there's nothing that can't be dealt with. I wish I believed that. I don't have dementia.
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Chapter 5: What concerns are raised about dementia in this conversation?
He'll explain when the time is right. Did you tell him how worried we all are? I've made that very clear, darling, and he understands it. I asked Asra's advice about dementia. What?
Oh!
Was that quite wise? Well, I didn't mention Dad, obviously. Good. Well, that's how rumours get started.
Chapter 6: What advice is given regarding health concerns?
But Asma wouldn't say anything anyway, would she? She's a doctor. And? She basically said what it says on the NHS website. Get the person concerned to talk to their GP and offer to go with them if they're in any way nervous about it. An early diagnosis can make a big difference. I've been going over and over it in my head. Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore.
Maybe Kate's wrong about dementia. Honestly, darling, I think she might be exaggerating things.
Chapter 7: How do the characters navigate personal relationships and feelings?
I really do. But you saw how he was on Sunday. Was that normal behaviour? Well, he was a bit out of character, perhaps. But, you know, he did catch us gossiping about him behind his back. Oh, we weren't gossiping. Well, it probably sounded like that to him. He's still reeling from the break-up with Miranda, and he isn't sleeping very well. You said that.
I think he's exhausted, you know, a bit down.
Chapter 8: What resolutions are made regarding family dynamics?
Well, quite a lot down, actually. But I didn't see anything that was immediately worrying, I promise. I think Adam's right. You know, he's processing what happened. Let's see how it goes, shall we, before we rush into anything. And I think it would be premature to bother Debbie with it. I mean, what can she do? She's so far away. Oh, maybe. OK. Look, I can finish, Duke, if you want to get off.
Oh, well, I wouldn't mind. I'm out this evening. Oh, I like the sound of that. Fallon's invited us for supper. You and Rex? Yes. Oh, great. That's all going well, is it? Yeah. Yeah, it is. Well, I'm thrilled for you, darling.
Oh, that was grand, Chelsea, love, but I can't manage any more.
OK.
It was amazing, though. Really tasty.
It was just spaghetti, Grandad. It took ten minutes.
Even so, that sauce is very tangy.
It's a new brand Susan's got in the shop. Well, if you're not going to finish yours, then I will. Go for it!
It's not like you to leave any dinner.
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