Episode 150

🎼. Dum ti dum ti dum ti dum...

Peggy:  Hello, Jill, in you come, the tea’s made.

Jill:  Thank goodness, I really need a cup.  I feel like an outcast at Brookfield these days.  David and Ruth treat me like some kind of criminal.

Peggy:  Well, you’re always very welcome here.  Go into the drawing room and say hello to Hilda while I bring in the tray.

(Hilda:  You again - don’t you have a home to go to ?)

Jill:  I’m not sure Hilda approves of me, either.

Peggy:  Don’t take it personally, she only tolerates me because she can’t open the fridge.

Jill:  Now, what’s this plan you have in mind and couldn’t tell me about over the phone ?

Peggy:  I’ve decided I need a holiday to escape from my disapproving family.  Lilian and Jennifer keep telling me to act my age, whatever that means.  I suspect they want me to sit at home, take up knitting and stop spending their inheritance. So I need to get away and I would like you to come with me.

Jill:  Oh, I would love to do that.  Where were you thinking of going - Cornwall, the Lake District ?

Peggy:  Certainly not - we’re going to Las Vegas to have some fun !

Jill: Oh, Peggy, I couldn’t afford that - we’re really strapped for cash at Brookfield these days.

Peggy:  Don’t worry, I’ve still got plenty of money despite being blackmailed into buying Home Farm for Jennifer.  You will be my guest.

Jill:  It does sound very exciting but do you think we’ll be safe going on our own ?

Peggy:  We won’t be on our own. Two of the boys from the Young Farmers Club are coming with us.  They’ll make sure no-one bothers us, all expenses paid.

Jill:  When are we going and how long will we be away ?

Peggy:  We leave next week on open tickets and we can come back when it suits us.

(Hilda:  You cannot be serious !  What about me ?)

Jill:  Oh, this is so exciting.  I must get home and start packing.

Peggy:  Don’t tell David and Ruth what we’re doing - I’ve had enough lectures from my own children.

Jill:  Don’t worry, I’ll say we’re going to somewhere dreary like Bournemouth for the weekend.  But what are you going to do about Hilda ?

Peggy:  I’m going to leave her here as a guard dog.  No-one would dare break in with Hilda on the loose. Emma will be in every day to feed her and make sure she is all right.

(Hilda:  Well, that’s a relief, I thought I was doomed to a cattery. I can get Ruby round for a girls’ night in.)

Jill:  Now is there anything special I need to take ?  I’ve never been anywhere like Las Vegas before.

Peggy:  It might be a good idea to pack a certain cake recipe.  It could come in handy if we run out of cash at the roulette table.

🎼  Dum ti dum ti dum ti dum...

(Ed.  Brace yourself, Las Vegas !)

PS The Alternative Archers will also be taking a break from Ambridge from tomorrow.  We hope that the original Archers can keep us entertained as it returns to the studio format. If not ...