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Chapter 1: What kind gesture does Ruth make for Anna's mum?
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. You're listening to Thursday's episode of The Archers from BBC Radio 4.
MUSIC
Oh, it's really kind of you and David to let Mum have your little bistro set. And the spot Pip cleared is perfect. The wild roses and honeysuckle are intoxicating. A bistro set? Makes me think of hot Parisian nights. I'm not sure Mum's going to be smoking French cigars and writing poetry, but she'll enjoy sitting out now the weather's getting nicer.
Well then, you're very welcome.
And to be honest, Anna, you've saved us a trip to the charity shop. Oh, Mum, come and have a cup of tea with us. You'll stay for one, won't you, Ruth? Morning, Ruth. Morning, Carol. Oh, lovely to be outside. It can get stuffy in there. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Oh, it's not your fault. It's Anna's. She's insisting on baking and boiling all kinds of meals to leave me.
I think you'll be happy once your freezer's full. Oh, well, I'd be just as happy with Marmite toast.
Ah. How's the chair?
Right. Though it would be better with one of those tie-on cushions you get in the garden centre. We could go to the garden centre and get some. No, thank you.
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Chapter 2: How does Anna feel about her mum's well-being?
Those places are set up to bleed you dry.
Pat was complaining about the same thing when I saw her earlier. She went to buy some seeds for Nova and Saren's garden and came away with a money jigsaw and flower-shaped cookie cutters.
Now, has Tony stopped playing with his trains and started helping her yet? No, he hasn't. That was the other thing she was complaining about.
Tea, Mum? Please. Ruth? Oh, I said to Pip I'll check on the grass this morning, but I'll sneak a biscuit if that's not too chilly.
OK.
Have as many as you like, Ruth. Take some for David. Though Jill and Leonard have probably baked biscuits for Brookfield already this morning.
I wish. Jill hardly bakes any more. I think it's getting harder to stand for very long. Well, get her one of those perch stalls Anna's been going on about.
Well, you missed a treat at the WI on Tuesday, Carol. Oh, I was tired after my bat and beaver lessons. Kirstie really is fascinating. I think my talk was pretty interesting, too. I'm sure it was, but I already know your views on the legal system and this so-called pandemic of violence. You think it's being exaggerated. No, I didn't say that. I just think it's no different than it ever was.
What's that? That flying saucer thing? That's a drone. Belongs to George Grundy.
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Chapter 3: What concerns does Anna express about her mum's independence?
Have you got that Grundy voice playing on me now, Anna? Strangely enough, no.
They're filming for the county show. Him and his fiancƩe, Amber. They've got some great footage so far. Well, I don't like it.
It's like you'd see in a spy film. How long are you staying for, Anna? Oh, annoyingly, I have to be in court in the morning, so I'm heading home tonight. But I'll be back soon. There's no need. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I just worry that if something happens, I won't know until it's too late. You hardly ever answer your phone when I ring. I've got my pendant. Isn't that what it's for?
My trusty alarm. But you're not wearing it. Why would I need to when you and Ruth are here? When I'm on my own, I'll wear it. You promise? Ruth, have you forgotten about Pip's grass? But you might as well have had a cup of tea if you're staying anyway. No, you're right. I'd better get going. Oh, the side gate should be open.
Great.
Hope you have a smooth journey home, Anna. Bye, Carol. Thanks again.
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Chapter 4: What suggestions does Anna have for her mum's living situation?
Bye. Bye, Ruth. Bye. You know, you could come back to Warwick with me until your grab rails are fitted. No, thank you. I'm very happy here. Then you have to wear your pendant all the time. I never said I wouldn't. And another thing. Have you been sleeping downstairs? What do you mean? Your bed's not been slept in. I changed it and it hasn't been touched.
Because the noise from the attic was keeping me awake. I thought it might be rats for a moment. I was worried they might fall through the ceiling and chew on my face. But you're not worried about the bats. No. And yet you're still not sleeping in your bed. That's right, Poirot. Because I like sleeping on the sofa. Watching telly helps me nod off. And if I wake in the night, I make myself a cuppa.
Mum, just be honest with me. Are the stairs too much for you?
No.
And are you getting washed down here too? Oh, really, Anna, that's none of your business. Why don't you think again about a little respite stay at the Laurels? Just while you get back on your feet.
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Chapter 5: How does Anna react to her mum's resistance to change?
It might be nice to have a lovely bedroom on the ground floor with an en suite. You'd have to drag me there, kicking and screaming. Oh, well, then it's back to looking into stair lifts. Why not see if you can get the council to fund a helicopter for me? What are they doing, practising at this time of day? Do you want to go in? No. No, I don't. I like it. They do sound a bit off. Not like normal.
Hi, Mum. Hi. I was going to do that, Pip. Just got caught longer than expected at Carol Tregorans. It's fine. Anyway, it turns out you're right. Being busy definitely helps to keep your mind from spiralling. Do you feel like you're spiralling? No. No, I was being dramatic. I can take over now if there's anything else you need to do. Oh, actually, that would be great.
I have to drop Rosie's lunch off at school. Oh, no. Did she forget it again? Well, actually, it's not her fault. I forgot to even make it. I'm not surprised. You look tired.
Chapter 6: What memories do they share while looking at old photos?
I'm okay. I know what you need. A proper night out with Stella. After the stress and drama of the last few weeks, why don't you go and see a film and get something to eat? I'll babysit Rosie. Thanks, but actually, all I want to do is get in my pyjamas as soon as Rosie's home and watch kids' films with her. Then at least let me bring over some dinner for the three of you.
See if you're having to cook. I don't need cooking for. And Stella's going to the quiz at the Bull with Hannah. Then can't you go with them? It'll do you good. I already said I want a quiet night in with Rosie. But remember, Rosie might have other ideas. Quiet isn't exactly her style. Well, then I'll have a noisy night in. Is that all right?
Are these the photos you wanted? Let me see. Oh, yes. Where did you find them? Oh, at the back of the second bedroom under bags of clothes, Christmas decorations and an old suitcase full of pottery. I haven't seen some of these for decades. Mum, if you stayed at the laurels for even a few days, I could tidy up here at the same time as the grab rails are being fitted.
You'd come home to a house transformed. I don't want my house transformed. You didn't want Pip to do the garden at first, and now you're happy with it. Cutting back some long grass is hardly the same as taking over the house. And I don't want to go to the laurels. It's cloying.
Chapter 7: How does Anna plan to support her mum during this time?
Peggy liked it there. If I liked the same things as Peggy, I'd have married Jack Woolley and have an old lady hairstyle. Peggy was always the height of glamour. Who's in this photo? Let me see. A young man in a suit. Oh, is it James? That's him. James Bellamy. I don't want it. You can throw it out. That's a bit harsh. Well, I'll do it then. Give it here.
Here.
No point hoarding things. That boy was always my least favourite godchild. Richard. Look at him, Anna. Yeah. Now, if he was alive, he wouldn't be trying to stuff me in a nursing home. I'm not trying to stuff you in a nursing home. That's probably exactly what Richard would have done since he never seemed that eager to visit.
Can you find me all the photos of Richard so I can make an album to keep beside me? Well, there you go, Mum. You can do that yourself while I check on the lasagnas and beef pies.
That looks very much like a Leonard baking an avocado stuffed sandwich. It is. He insisted on making it for me. How come Leonard's allowed to feed my daughter when she's feeling under the weather and I'm not?
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Chapter 8: What final thoughts does Anna have about her mum's health and safety?
I'm tired, not under the weather. You could afford me. Can you stop, Mum? I wasn't getting at you. It sounds like you are. What's wrong? Is this about me getting tested? I don't know. Maybe. I know you're worried. And not knowing, it's hard that you have to wait for my result. But if anyone thought you were high risk, you'd be referred. Based on statistical risk.
No-one knows what's actually happening inside me. True. Do you know you can buy private tests on the internet? I do, of course I do. But I can wait. And I trust the NHS more than I trust some firm set up to make money out of vulnerable people. That's not always that... Look, Pip, it's hard, but right now all you can do is control what you can control.
So if I were you, I'd try to focus on the good things. You have a wedding to plan... You know, if I thought Rosie might have the gene, I'd have a test in a heartbeat if I was offered one. Are you holding off because of Josh? No, definitely not. Of course I'm interested in what he thinks. I want to listen to all of you.
But in the end, I need to be sure that I'm making the right decision for meself.
Sorry, Mum. That was the chambers. I'll have to leave sooner than I thought. Oh, don't apologise on my account. Right. I've put bedding at the end of the sofa, so at least you'll be comfy until we get something more permanent sorted. Where's your pendant? Oh, I don't know. I put it down somewhere. Oh, Mum. I'm not leaving unless you have it.
Do you ever think about what it's actually like for me? That I can't pop home in my lunch break to check on you. That's a blessing. But are you listening to me? I'm really listening. Wearing your pendant is the bare minimum. And it would be good if you answered your phone once in a while. Well, if you stop ringing me so much, you won't have to worry about me not answering.
If you won't even wear a pendant, then I'm going to look into getting cameras installed. At least then I'll know if you've fallen down the stairs. No cameras. Fine. Then I'll have to move to Ambridge myself. No. I'm tired, Mum. Well, then leave. I'm not asking you to tie yourself in not sorting out my life. I'm fine.
Brookfield are there if I need them, and Alan... Yes, it's really kind of them all to be on call in an emergency. But in the end, making sure you're OK isn't Ruth and David's responsibility, it's mine. PHONE RINGS Well, who was that? Chambers again. I'll call them back in a minute. Well, go on. Get going. I'm going to spend a quiet afternoon sorting through these photos of Richard. OK.
I'll ring them back after I've portioned up the food and put it in the freezer. I'll leave one out on the side for tonight. Which do you prefer, lasagna or pie? I'd actually prefer custard creams for my dinner. I'll leave out the pie.
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