28/08/2024

The Archers

George is waiting for Brad outside the cinema and speaking on the phone to Clive who thanks him for persuading Susan and Tracy to allow him to see Bert. George is keen to get off the phone – until Clive offers to pay for the popcorn.

Tracy is laying down the law to Clive when he gets ‘mystical’, telling her to let go of her hostility. He tells her he wants to reconnect not only with Bert, but her and Susan too. Tracy doesn’t believe a word of it. Later Susan arrives and both are aghast to see that Bert is delighted by Clive’s return – Bert cried when Clive walked into the garden. Susan doesn’t believe anything Clive has to say and wants to know what he’s after. When Clive comes in and suggests a family day out to the seaside or the races, they give him short shrift. He goads them, saying Bert loved seeing him and accuses them of being selfish.

On the way home from the cinema George thanks Brad for sitting through a blockbuster when he prefers art films. He tells Brad how he wishes he could be him – with a bright, interesting future ahead.

George is putting the bins out when Clive strolls by. He says his reunion with Bert had been emotional but Susan and Tracy were cold and heartless: He’s changed for the better – they for the worse. George reminds him Susan went to jail for him but he won’t hear it. From now on he’ll go wherever - and talk to whoever - he likes: he’s done apologising.