Confrontation and Strained Family Relations

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK The ultimate cookout starts with the ultimate ingredients. At Whole Foods Market, no antibiotics ever burgers and kebabs are prepped and ready to throw on the grill. Fire up a juicy ribbeye. Grab creamy potato salad and savory flatbreads from the prepared foods department, and round it all out with three hundred sixty five brand condiments, chips and dips at everyday low prices Whole Foods Market. Make your summer sizzle. This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. I'm going to be honest with you. I am online way more than I probably should be. And between me and everyone else at my house, we've got a zillion screens going on at any given moment. So when my internet slows down, it is a full crisis. That's why having fast, reliable internet that can keep up really matters and why you need optimum famously fast fiber Internet Optimum fiber blows flaky five G out of the water and keeps it cool with the fastest and most reliable speeds that don't slow when things heat up. And right now, they have the deal of the summer, just thirty dollars a month for five years. So don't wait, callall eight eight eight for optimum. Visit optimum dot com or stop by your local optimum store today Famously Fast fiber for thirty dollars a month for five years. You can't beat it Terms apply see optimum. com for details You're listening to Monday's episode of the Archers from BBC Radio four Allright, George? Yeah, whyy? Lovely evening for flying your drone. I'm just testing something out. I don't usually fly in the village green. Oh, I'm not complaining. Really? Oh, not at all. I'm glad to see Brian's investment is being put to good use. Yeah. Well we couldn't have done the work for the Bortester show without it. So kind of it I suppose I should be packing up and getting home. Amazing h back to room, considering your history. What was your point? Because if you're here to give me a lecture on knowing my place and how I should walk around forever feeling ashamed or grateful or something, I'm not interested. I've heard it all before, Adam. Oh it just struck me that you're the only person in history who Brian has helped without Wanting anything in return? Yeah, maybe It's good to see you looking so well after the attack. Yeah? Anyway, if you see Brian, you can tell him I'm working hard, building my empire. Oh I'm not sure I'll see it. Oh. Ed said he was around today. They were checking the home farm trailers and the combine. How's that getting on there? Alright, I think Is Brian okay? I keep hearing that he's lost it. And do you think he has? No. And if he starts trying to say he was out of his mind on New Year's Eve, then What that it was a moment of madness You know I do. Okay. So if you're here to warn me off, there's no need. I'm keeping my word. I've got my drone. The debt's paid, rightight. Wh are you next in line to cover for brie now that Rory's failed? Come on then, what have you got to confess? Wait What did Rurory confess? To attacking me. It would have been funny if it wasn't so tragic. I mean, I respect him trying to protect his old man, but if you're about to do the same you can spare me the crocodile tears. Oh, don't worry, I'm not about to stage a false confession. I'm just pleased that you have your drone. You deserve it. Hey babe, dinner's ready. I'd better get going too. We've got the school quiz tonight. See you, Adam. goodood luck. Thank you Poppy has made tacos. Oh great. I'll just land the drone. And Will's putting the finishing touches to the storage unit in our bedroom. He's so pleased with it. Great. A my surprise for the baby should be ready tonight? Oh, willill that explain the mysterious way you keep disappearing to the shed? It will. exciting Have you thought any more about asking your dad about the tragdan spot U actually, I have been meaning to talk to you about that. Yeah. I keep putting it off. It's just going round and round in my head, worrying he'll think I'm only getting in touch because I want his money. Does it matter? Yes, becausecause it's not the only reason. I'd love things to be okay between us. But you wouldn't be messioning him if it wasn't for the show. And if he says yes, it'll pretty much make us heroes in David's eyes Itust feels too soon. I'm still so angry with them with mum. Then just leave it. donon't ask them. But if I don't ask and the show's a flop, I'm going to regret not going for it. Then go for it There's popcorn in the cupboard and mandarins in the fruit bowl if they want a snack before bed. Oh, so I'm not allowed to give them the sweets I've brought. Absolutely no to sweets before bed. They're already as high as kites I've been said to get water. and I hope it's for drinking and not throwing at each other. Oh did Ian go straight to the school from work? Yep. We hardly see him anymore between his new role at Grey Gables And now this school fundraiser even spent his day off on quQiz Ame. Right well I'll try and encourage these two rascals into their pajamas. Thanks. M Adam, are you okay? Yeah I mean, no, not really Ian thinks I should accept there's nothing more I can do to stop Brian destroying Home Farm Yeah, he's desperate for us to move on. I'm not surprised. It's been hard on us all. This time last month, I had a vision for what my future would look like. idedeas, energy? No I've lost everything. Well notot necessarily. Dad's angry right now, but we all know he can't run the farm by himself in the long term. Martin Gibson's already stressing him out Don't expect any sympathy from me. Sorry, but I'm done. I'm just saying it's possible that in a few weeks, he might well come to you begging for help. It happened with Stella. Kate, I don't want to be the stepson digging him out of a hole where no one else can. I want to manage the farm I grew up on. Yeah, I know. I'm a farmer without a farm facing What future? Adam, you have a loving husband and a gorgeous son. Yeah It feels bleak right now, but there's so much to look forward to. I'm pushing sixty. I can't stay home cooking I and dinner. I'm not even the best chef in the house. Well That's a great epith. I wasn't even the best chef at the house. You know I'm going to put that on your gravestone. At least that's sorted There's no denying it's an unholy mess. We're all going to be worse off and the family is literally falling apart. let me guess. We're talking about Dad and home family. Of course. Oh yeah, what's this thing Dad was telling Kate about? He seems to think you're keeping something from us, some big piece of news. No, I'm not keeping anything from you I thought It was his news to tell, not mine So there is something What is it then? Well he did a mental capacity test. And passed it? So that means he doesn't have dementia. Oh, but that's amazing. Oh that's such a relief. Adam, I was so worried he told you something really dreadful. Yeah, He didn't exactly present it to me like it was good news He told me like he'd played the final winning card and was enjoying crushing me Wow, that is so gorgeous. It's the Grundy Family cot uppscyycle. Really? Yep. Generations of Gundy babies have slepted in it. Grandpa, dad, me? I love it, George. That is such a sweet idea. Poppy wants to stencil something at the end, but I thought he should be involved in deciding what in case she goes and covers it in unicorns or something. Poppy grew out with her unicorn vis a while ago. Right. It couldould be something even worse then Is that from your dad? No, It's from work But I can see Dad's read the message I sent him I think he's ignoring me just to make a point Adam. Dad's here. I don't want to talk to him. I have nothing to say. Don't worry I have nothing to say to you either. He's here to babysit. Oh. Hi, dad. I H had no idea you'd ask Kate instead. I've had it in my diry for a week. You really thought we'd still want you in our house, looking after our child, after all that you've said and done. I know you have a very low opinion on me, Adam I have no intention of letting your behaviour affect my relationship with Zanda. Just go home, Brian. This is ridiculous. Kate, Alice, can you make him see so? Maybe it'd be better if you leave it for tonight, Dad? We don't want Martha and Zanda to hear us arguing. Has Adam convinced you I don't have the mental capacity to look after my own grandchren? Adam told us she passed. Did he? I bet you had to force it out of him. Why didn't you tell me yesterday, Dad? We've all been so worried such relieved to hear you're okay. He's not relieved Tell her, madam, you'd have liked nothing better than have me guar on out of the picture. Of course I'm relieved. you don't have dementia. But that doesn't change the fact I don't want you in my house or seeing my son. I don't think you can stop me. You know, what I find hard to understand is why you'd be interested in Zanda? When he's not even your blood relative. That's a very low blow. I'm disappointed in you. Well, that's nothing new. Right, well, I've no desire to upset Zanda or Martha tonight. so I'll leave it for now. Dad. I don't think you're going get your own whale Dad Dad This is exhausting, it's just awful. How did things get this bad? Are you really gonna stop Dad from seeing his grandson they adore each other? Yeah. And what about when Sanda gets a bit older, first disagrees with him, starts to push back. What then? Will Brian make him feel small and useless? I don't think Dad would do that. But That's exactly what he's done to me, Alice. The more he disapproved, the more I tried to please him Trying to place Brian is no easy task. Trying to be accepted by him and loved as if I were his son. It's worse than just knowing my place from the start. Atdam, you are his son. I'm not. And Xander isn't his grandson either. And the sooner we accept the stark truth of that, the easier it'll be I hate that you and Dad are both determined to burn bridges. You stand to lose so much. In all this mess, the one thing I've gained is clarity. The chance to protect Xanda from Brian's toxic behavior before it's too late A Oh, that's all we need. What is it? The quiz is cancellled double booking. Oh, I bet Ian's gutted. Yeah He'll be so fed up. He's put so much work into this. Why didn't you arrange to meet him in the ball for a drink? We off some steam.. We can stay here and put the kids to bed as planned, but Martha will hate me forever if we cancel the sleepover. Yeah, g on At least you'd get an hour or two with Ian. Actually, that sounds good. Thank you He still not replied Why couldn't he just say, thans, Amber, I'll get back to you when I've got a minute? Something normal. I don't know I wonder if you show my message to Mum? Maybe. The trouble with my parents is they hold things in. They are so passive aggressive. And because I never know what they're thinking, I spend my time imagining that they're thinking the worst. Your mum didn't hold that much in when we went for dinner. True. But that's part of it. They say nothing and then you get it all in a flood Like you should have been able to guess what was coming when they gave no clues. When we're parents, please let's just say what we mean. Open and honest. No agenda. Dale, We'll tell them that we love them and are proud of them all the time. Yeah. and when they get something wrong, we'll be calm and supportive, no shouting, no loaded silences. I'll tell dad jokes all the time. And I'll do mum dancing. My dancing will never be as bad as dad's Could you see him doing that stupid routine Poppy taught me yesterday? It was so cute Oh It's my dad. Finally, what's he say He's read my proposal Does he say if he's interested