23/02/2026

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. This is not the future we were promised. Like hell that out for a tagline for the show. From the BBC, this is the interface, the show that explores how tech is rewiring your week and your world. This isn't about quarterly earnings or about tech reviews. It's about what technology is actually doing to your work and your politics, your everyday life. And all the bizarre ways people are using the internet. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to Monday's episode of The Arches from BBC Radio 4. Hello, I'm Ron. Oh, that trolley looks so pretty. Hmm, potatoes for the shop. I may have overloaded it. Yeah, well, two tricks might be better. How are you anyway? How's it going up at the polytunnels? Well, we had a slight problem last week, Susan, and mix up. Not entirely, my fault, but still. Oh dear. Tom took it well. Just wish I could have you back at the day, Ray. I always enjoy our chat. Me too, but as I explain. I know. You prefer the outdoor work. It's the growing, really. I love seeing nature do her thing. I know what you mean. When I finish here, I'm going to plant the wild flower seeds, Tony gave me at the end of our glows. I've done some research and I think they'll thrive there. Plus, they'll brighten our day whenever we pass. Oh, I love her today. It gave me a new sweet pea seeds, which were put in in pots on the whole windowsill, so it's the right warmth for them to germinate. It's quite a responsibility. I suppose it is. And how's things with your grandson and his fiance? I keep forgetting to ask you. He's doing everything well amid her farm at Kram. You can see it in his face. He's got some spirit back in him. There was an initial liquor for think. Like me here, I expect. Where people have to settle in, don't I? But I actually feel like, well, we're a family again. Good. Believe me, there were times when I thought he'd never look us in the eye again. So I did appreciate your advice. No, no. It was you Susan, never giving up. That's an excellent trait, you know? Oh, thank you. Right. Well, I'll need some of that perseverance now from a meeting with Helen, still not found anyone to help in the dairy. And he's getting quite tiring for Pat. I'll see you later. Bye now. Right. No, do the trips to this. Of course, no problem at all. Yeah, bye. It's now a good time, Helen. Ah, Susan, yes, perfect timing. Have a seat. Thanks. Oh, I'll just put my phone on silent, because Chelsea keeps bombarding the family chat with something about a whole spot. Listen, I've just had our new customer on the phone. I reassured them that everything's fine with their lovely cheese order, but we're only managing it by the skin of our taste. I know Mum doesn't mind covering, but it's getting too much now. Now look, from that contact you were pursuing. Nothing. So they're clearly not interested. I've asked everyone I can think of with any dairy experience, but nothing so far. I wish Clary would come back. I mean, I understand what she said now, but still. I miss her too. She was always so cheerful and reliable. That's the kind of person we need. Should we have the toys, do you think? Well, if we have to, but it's incredibly time consuming. And we don't really know you've got the right person until they start doing the work. It's a big risk. Anyway, Kirsty popped in earlier about that house for sale in the village. Sorry? Oh, not that housing association, but a tricier they couldn't afford to keep it on. I'm really not sure. Oh, this could be the agricultural advisor. You've asked her to do a big audit of the farm. Of course. Oh. Everything okay? Sorry, yeah, sure. You're okay, Helen. So where were we? The house for sale. Oh, yeah, that's right. I'm Kirsty. I didn't say to that. She's volunteered to do some shifts with you. Kirsty? Yeah, she's dairy trained. And when she heard that mum was overstretched, she said, "Can't we in?" But isn't she working at the rewilding? Well, yeah, she's prepping some rural crafts workshops, but she said you can do that in the evening. I remember you said you'd work this afternoon, so I suggested she comes over today. If that's okay with you. Well, yeah, yeah. Close to her. Sorry, I just need to finish this email. Oh, yeah, okay. So when she get in here. Any minute now. Right. Thanks. Sorry, Hannah. I'm done now. No worries. I'll just grab my coats. Freddie said half past at the ball, so we've got plenty of time. What's your reckon he's gonna say? No idea, Chris, but it better be good. Yeah. Can't believe how much bad feeling there was about the cricket team last season. Yeah, well, you can't pay some players and not others. Single season in the higher division and then straight back down. So humiliating. Do you know who else is coming? Tom, Adam, Will and Tracy's gonna time a break to join us. I see if I wanted to give Freddie a hearing. Oh, that's not good. Oh, I just need to recent a text to Alice. It wouldn't send earlier when I was up at the racing stables. My signal's rubbish around there too. She wants me to have Martha on Thursday. Okay, done. Let's go. Oh, and I wondered if I could commission something from you for my stepdad's birthday. Sure. I'll even give you a discount. Oh, I hope you might. He loves his roses, you see. So I thought a plant support type thing. Oh, great. Yeah, just give me an idea of the design. I'll do some sketches. Okay. All right, time to face Freddie Pagetta. You won't be bowling at you. He might be. When he hears what I've got to say. Oh. Sorry, Susan. Did you say call to 44 degrees? No, 33. All the temperatures are on the wall. I thought that was for the yoga. No, we might chase in here. You're 33 for our ball set, you're blue. Look, you're soon eliminated, soy. No, no, no, no, the one next to you. Oh, yep, yep. The writing's quite hard to read. You should type it up so it's nice and clear. People say my handwriting is nice and clear. Oh, sorry. Anyway, 34 degrees then. 33. Yes. Sorry, the training was a while ago. Things have obviously changed. Not that much. Sorry again. When it's called to 33. We have the freeze-dried acidifier and the blue culture from the drill. Okay. If you get it all ready, I'll just check on the ice cream order to save Helena job. She's rushed off her feet at the moment. Okay, no problem. Blue culture. This one? Oh, this one. Where's the sign? Oh, right, man. Honestly, how hard can it be? Oh, come on, please. Please answer. Come on. Afternoon, Thursday. Afternoon. Thank goodness. You've worked in the dairy recently, haven't you? Which farm? Yes, of course. Susan thinks I'm a completed idiot and Helen's too busy to ask. But which is the blue culture for the boss that you're blue? There's a silver packet and a white one. Oh, I don't remember any white ones. Maybe it's on a sign somewhere. What's on earth? Are you doing? Oh, fuck. Sorry, Susan. I wasn't sure which culture. Can't you have your phone in here? Can't I? What do you mean? Absolutely no phones. All jewelry are laid in the dairy. They should be in a locker. I'll do that straight away. I'm worse than useless, aren't I? I am saying nothing. Unbelievable, really. It's typical, Freddie. Set up one meeting and forgets another. Well, he did sound quite apologetic, Hannah. I guess a client visit is more important to him than meeting us down to pub. Show's where his priorities lie. Yeah. End of the cricketing. The others won't give him another chance now. Not if Freddie can't be bothered to come to his own meeting. Hey, should I see if Darynton need players? Darynton. Chris Carter, that's full on treachery. Maybe. What annoys me about Freddie's is he's got terrible judgement. I've always thought that. Yeah? Did he hear what Tracey said? No. She bumped into him last week and he mentioned getting George back on the team. I ask you. Talk about disruptive influence. He's a decent player, am I? This is George we're talking about. I think he got a wake-up call when he was attacked. I don't care if he did. Do you know? Every time I see his fiancee, I want to take her aside and tell her how misguided she is. She knows what she's doing in December. I am. I feel bad. I almost messed it up for them. Hey. What'd you mean? Between you and me. Well, I found out probation and reported him for being drunk in the bull New Year's Eve. Did you? Wow. Why didn't I think of that? He's been viled to me. But he could have been recalled to prison. Oh, she had been. Would have broken him as heart. Yeah. Devastated her. And Will. Ed, Clary, Eddie. Eddie's no fun nowadays. Well, maybe not, but I would have felt bad anyway. And now, I'm wondering if I should fess up. What? Who too? I don't know. George, Emma? Don't be ridiculous, Chris. He wasn't recalled, was he? So you don't have to say anything. You reckon? Your Emma's already been through hell. Why stare it up again? Yeah. Yeah, you're right. You won't help, will it? It won't help at all. Oh, there you are. Oh, hi. Susan thought you were in at the farmhouse, and your mum said you'd gone home. Just grabbing a coffee. Is that a double expressive? It's. I was discussing our audit all afternoon, or advising you so much information. Anyway, how was the dairy? Dreadful. Oh, no. Helen, I was hopeless. I'm so sorry, but Susan looked like she was going to blow a gasket. But you've done it before. I have no clue why I struggle so much. I mean, everything has to be so exact, doesn't it? And always the same for obvious reasons, I know. Oh, yeah. This is how we make premium cheese. It reminded me of when I worked at Grey Gables Health Club, following instructions to the letter every day, the same. Oh, I really hated it by the end. I remember. Look, it is fine. She's making's not for you. Unfortunately not. Nowadays, I'm so used to improvising, thinking on my feet. See in the bigger picture. Basically, I spent way too much time with Justin Elliott, haven't I? I think you might have. I'm really sorry. No, don't worry. Anyway, did you get the estate agent, Aring? Uh, but no, not yet. They've got an open house on Friday, apparently. Right. Worth a look? I guess. Well, come with you if you like. Okay, I know it looks small, but I reckon you might be able to extend out the back. And location wise, it's perfect for the school run. Hmm. What's going on, Helen? You were really interested this morning. Yeah, yeah, I know. I think it is. He can't live with Tom and Natasha forever. You've said that yourself. I know. It's just. I've got a text earlier. Yeah? From Finley. Who? Oh, do you mean Scottish Finley? The Croft of I, from holiday. He's visiting Bortrester this weekend to catch up with the mate. Okay. And he wants me to meet him on Thursday evening. Jesse? Right. So will you? I can't make up my mind. I thought you'd shut the door on my mind. I said you'd die. I really did, but now he's been in touch. I mean, I know you said there was chemistry. Oh, a cursory chemistry does not come there, but. But what does it say about my relationship with Dana if I'm thinking of meeting up with someone else? You've decided to see him, then. I don't know, Kirsty. And my head says no, but. Every other cell in my body is screaming, yes. Well, then. I think that's a decision. [Music] This is not the future we were promised. Look, hell that's for a tagline for the show. [MUSIC]