April Ashley | A Place of Her Own | 2

As April prepares to marry aristocrat Arthur Corbett, she sees his disapproving father as her greatest threat. But as Arthur's drinking intensifies and his obsession with her past grows darker, April realises she may have misjudged which Corbett poses the real danger to her future. Please vote for us in the British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at [email protected] mailto:[email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Alice Levine?

  Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

• 0:12Alice Levine?

  Just a warning before we begin, some of the terms you'll hear in this episode were in common usage at the time the story takes place. We've used them because they're in keeping with how our main character self-described, but we acknowledge that they could be considered outdated today.

• 0:28Alice Levine?

  Sorry to be a broken record, Matt, but I have been emailing you quite a lot about joining your podcast networking club.

• 0:34Matt Forde?

  Oh, yes, yes, well, it's a great club and the benefits are, they're plentiful.

• 0:40Alice Levine?

  Yeah, what do I actually get?

• 0:42Matt Forde?

  Well, we have sites all over the globe, you can use any of our houses, as we call them, you get major discounts at luxury retailers, and it opens doors, you will get to network with high-value individuals from across entertainment, law, even the monarchy.

• 0:56Alice Levine?

  This is incredible, and I presume it's a kind of elite membership where only the best of the best get to join.

• 1:01Matt Forde?

  Yep, and Alice, I'd be delighted to have you as a member. You just obviously need to fill in the forms, pay the fee, and there is just one small thing that as the owner, as the proprietor of the establishment, I do insist on being addressed in a particular way.

• 1:14Alice Levine?

  Oh, yeah, I mean, of course.

• 1:16Matt Forde?

  Okay, so it's just a normal sort of title, really. I wish to be addressed as the Global Grand High Boss Man of Christendom.

• 1:24Alice Levine?

  Beg your pardon?

• 1:24Matt Forde?

  Yeah, no abbreviations, no acronyms, that is the full title. Right, let's get you signed up.

• 1:29Alice Levine?

  Do you know what, just looking at my diary, it's, it's gonna be tricky to sort of take on another membership, because I want to do it wholeheartedly and be in, so, so, so, yeah, it's, it's a no, but, but a thanks.

• 1:43Matt Forde?

  No, you were keen a second ago.

• 1:45Alice Levine?

  Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's just, it's, it's just a schedules thing.

• 1:49Matt Forde?

  Not, yeah, yeah, yeah, Alice, it's, yeah, yeah, yeah, Global Grand High Boss Man of Christendom.

• 1:55Alice Levine?

  I can't, I can't, and I won't. September 1963, Marbella.

• 2:04Alice Levine?

  April makes her way across the bedroom floor. She glances back into the moonlit room at the sleeping figure in the bed. Her pulse quickens as she eases open the heavy oak door. She listens for a moment, makes sure she's not being followed, then tiptoes down the dark wooden staircase.

• 2:25Alice Levine?

  She freezes, starts to feel an icy chill run down her spine.

• 2:31Alice Levine?

  She turns.

• 2:35Alice Levine?

  Feels her shoulders drop with relief at the sight of her Great Dane, Mr. Blue. She reaches down to stroke him, lets out a shuddering breath as she tries not to cry at the thought of leaving him behind. She looks into his mournful eyes, then stands up straight and decides she's going to take him.

• 2:59Speaker 02

  Come on, boy.

• 3:02Alice Levine?

  A few seconds later, she sits in the white Zephyr convertible with Mr. Blue in the back. Her hands shake as she turns the ignition. But the car won't start.

• 3:15Alice Levine?

  She tries again and again. She blinks back at the whitewashed villa. His a loud sob escape from her throat. She closes her eyes. She takes a breath, then she turns the key one last time.

• 3:31Alice Levine?

  Feels a flood of relief as the engine finally starts. She's just about to hit the accelerator. When a hand suddenly grips her arm through the open window. She gasps in horror, looks up to see her husband's face puce with rage.

• 3:49Speaker 02

  Where the fuck do you think you're going?

• 3:53Alice Levine?

  She freezes as he snarls.

• 3:55Speaker 02

  Inside, now!

• 3:58Alice Levine?

  She pulls away from him.

• 4:00Speaker 02

  Arthur, I won't!

• 4:02Alice Levine?

  But he pulls open the door, grabs Mr. Blue by the collar, hauls him out, then snarls at her.

• 4:09Speaker 02

  I swear, I will make your life hell!

• 4:15Alice Levine?

  She grips onto the steering wheel, looks out at the dark road ahead. She already knows what she needs to do. She lowers her foot on the accelerator.

• 4:26Alice Levine?

  The car lurches forward and kicks into life, leaving an apoplectic Arthur in the dust behind. She glances in the wing mirror as he disappears into the darkness. But something deep in April's stomach tells her, this won't be the last she'll see of Arthur Corbett.

• 4:53Speaker 03

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• 5:25Speaker 04

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• 5:58Alice Levine?

  From Wondery, I'm Alice Levine.

• 6:00Matt Forde?

  And I'm Matt Ford.

• 6:02Alice Levine?

  And this is British Scandal.

• 6:17Alice Levine?

  Okay, Matt, last episode, we met Arthur Corbett, who to me feels like quite a familiar character, or at least archetype of the British Scandal canon. He's the son of an aristocrat and he's desperately, furiously pushing against his stifling upbringing and heritage.

• 6:34Matt Forde?

  Yes, but he is an archetype with a bit of a difference because Arthur likes crossdressing and this sort of act of rebellion, as well as it being an expression of his secret desires, is something that he has been shamed for. And that shame has turned to anger. And that's an anger that he's been taking out on April.

• 6:51Alice Levine?

  So do you think that he actually loves April?

• 6:55Matt Forde?

  Well, it's complicated. I think he's wanted April from the moment he found out about her, but he objectifies her just as much as the men who watch her in the club do. And he wants her basically because he wants to live vicariously through her.

• 7:08Alice Levine?

  Yes, it does feel like she represents a life that he wishes that he had. So at the end of the last episode, we saw April being doorstepped by a journalist threatening to expose it all.

• 7:19Matt Forde?

  It's a really cruel moment because she'd got out of that club and stopped being viewed as a curiosity and had started to work as a model in her own right for her natural beauty. So she's riding high, but now it feels like it might all come crashing down.

• 7:32Alice Levine?

  Well, let's see if it does. This is episode two, A Place of Her Own.

• 7:39Alice Levine?

  Two years earlier, November 1961, London.

• 7:44Alice Levine?

  Arthur slams down the telephone in shock, grabs his coat and rushes out of his Mayfair mansion. He can't get April's tearful voice out of his head, pleading with him to get the People article stopped. He feels his face flushed with anger. He's not going to let some low-life journalist destroy the woman he loves.

• 8:06Alice Levine?

  Forty minutes later, he strides into the offices of The People, introduces himself as the eldest son of Lord Roallan.

• 8:15Speaker 02

  Knight of the Order of the Thistle, and Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. I'd like to see the editor, please. Immediately.

• 8:26Matt Forde?

  Sorry, is Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire your surname?

• 8:31Alice Levine?

  Knight of the Order of the Thistle, that just sounds like you're a National Trust employee.

• 8:36Matt Forde?

  Also, just pick one. Just say, I'm a knight of the realm. I demand to see the editor. It is my constitutional right.

• 8:42Alice Levine?

  A full CV just sounds weak, doesn't it?

• 8:46Alice Levine?

  A middle-aged man in his shirt sleeves looks up at him, startled, then holds out his hand.

• 8:52Speaker 02

  Stuart Campbell, what can I do for you? That's better. First name, surname. That's all you need.

• 9:00Alice Levine?

  Arthur eases himself into a chair.

• 9:03Speaker 02

  One of your reporters has been harassing a friend of mine, under the misapprehension she was born male. I'm here to demand that you pull this story from this publication.

• 9:16Alice Levine?

  He stares defiantly at Campbell, watches him flinch.

• 9:20Speaker 02

  I did think it was far-fetched.

• 9:22Alice Levine?

  Campbell reaches for a proof on his desk.

• 9:25Speaker 02

  Vogue Beauty's secret. He's a man.

• 9:29Alice Levine?

  He lights a cigarette, looks Arthur up and down.

• 9:33Speaker 02

  How good a friend are ya to Miss Ashley?

• 9:38Alice Levine?

  Arthur feels a vein pulse in his temple.

• 9:41Speaker 02

  Your reporter, sir, is mistaken. That is all you need to know.

• 9:48Alice Levine?

  He watches Campbell's eyes narrow as he takes a drag on his cigarette.

• 9:53Speaker 02

  Reporters can get things wrong.

• 9:56Alice Levine?

  Arthur feels his neck muscles relax. But then Campbell leans forward, a glint in his eye.

• 10:03Speaker 02

  But the fact you're here defending her like this makes me think it's true. I'm gonna bring it forward. Print tomorrow.

• 10:14Alice Levine?

  Arthur jumps to his feet, jabs a finger in Campbell's face.

• 10:19Speaker 02

  You print that article, you'll bloody regret it. I'll make sure my father finishes you and your damned rag of a newspaper.

• 10:30Matt Forde?

  And I shall unite the Order of the Thistle, the Order of the Dandelion, and other garden weeds. You'll never hear the end of it.

• 10:37Speaker 02

  The Order of the Daisies will come down on you so hard, you will have chains in your hair for days.

• 10:45Alice Levine?

  He watches Campbell lean back. The whole office is silent, staring. He grabs his hat from the desk and storms out.

• 10:56Alice Levine?

  In the street, he lights a cigarette, but he's still shaking with rage. He'd promised April he'd protect her. He needs to find another way to do that. He's the only person who understands her, the only one who can look after her properly. He jumps in his white Zephyr and speeds back to Mayfair.

• 11:17Alice Levine?

  He's going to go to the family jeweler, buy the most beautiful engagement ring he can find, and ask April Ashley to be his wife.

• 11:32Alice Levine?

  The following day, April's flat, Kensington.

• 11:36Speaker 02

  Tell us about your sex change, love. Your breasts real then, are they?

• 11:41Alice Levine?

  April curls up in a ball on the floor in the semi-darkness, looks down at the headline in the People newspaper.

• 11:47Speaker 02

  "The extraordinary case of top model April Ashley. Her secret is out."

• 11:53Alice Levine?

  She hugs her knees into her chest, feels hot tears spill onto her cheeks. She's 26 years old, but her life feels like it's already over. Every single one of her bookings has been cancelled. Right now, she can't even show her face in public.

• 12:10Speaker 02

  Just bloody leave me alone!

• 12:13Alice Levine?

  But Arthur's voice cuts through.

• 12:16Speaker 02

  It's me, darling. Let me in.

• 12:19Alice Levine?

  She wipes the tears from her cheeks, edges open the door. Arthur is the last person she wants to see right now. But as soon as she does, she falls into him, sobbing, feels him wrap his arms around her.

• 12:34Speaker 02

  I'm going to take good care of you now, darling.

• 12:37Alice Levine?

  He pulls away from her, then kneels down and holds out an aspiray box.

• 12:45Alice Levine?

  April stares at him, confused.

• 12:48Speaker 02

  Arthur? Oh, what are you...

• 12:51Alice Levine?

  But he cuts in.

• 12:53Speaker 02

  Will you marry me?

• 12:58Matt Forde?

  His sense of timing is terrible.

• 12:59Alice Levine?

  Awful.

• 13:00Matt Forde?

  Don't do it today, mate.

• 13:01Alice Levine?

  Is this what you want to remember?

• 13:03Matt Forde?

  Like, have the ring ready, and then just when a good day presents itself, take your opportunity.

• 13:08Alice Levine?

  You waited eight years, though.

• 13:11Alice Levine?

  You're like, "We haven't had a nice moment in eight years."

• 13:14Matt Forde?

  I didn't have the ring for eight years.

• 13:19Speaker 02

  She's not earned it today, no way. She's been a pain, actually.

• 13:22Matt Forde?

  The amount of times I had it in my hand and I was just like, nah, she's ruined it.

• 13:25Speaker 02

  Don't think so. You don't know what you've missed. Now say sorry.

• 13:33Alice Levine?

  April's eyes widen as he snaps the box open and holds out a ruby and diamond engagement ring. She can't speak. Marriage? With Arthur? She takes a step back.

• 13:48Speaker 02

  But you're still married.

• 13:52Alice Levine?

  He shakes his head.

• 13:53Speaker 02

  I filed for divorce.

• 13:55Alice Levine?

  She feels her jaw slacken.

• 13:57Speaker 02

  When?

• 13:59Alice Levine?

  He takes her hand, slips on the ring.

• 14:02Speaker 02

  I've always admired your beauty, but I love your strength, your courage to live life on your own terms and not give a damn.

• 14:14Alice Levine?

  His eyes shine up at her, but she can't speak. Her mind races. She doesn't love this man. He drinks like a fish and there's a direct line between the amount of alcohol he consumes and his fists. She shakes her head. It's absurd.

• 14:32Speaker 02

  Arthur, really?

• 14:36Speaker 02

  Come on sweetheart, give us a few words.

• 14:39Alice Levine?

  She closes her eyes, feels the walls crowd in on her. She can hear the reporters yelling and Arthur's voice in her ear.

• 14:49Speaker 02

  I'll cherish and protect you forever. You'll never have to worry about anything ever again. I promise.

• 14:57Alice Levine?

  She puts up her hand to stop him talking, but he whispers.

• 15:02Speaker 02

  You'll make a beautiful Lady Roallan when the time comes.

• 15:07Alice Levine?

  Her eyes spring open. She feels the words form in her mouth.

• 15:12Speaker 02

  Lady Roallan?

• 15:15Alice Levine?

  Arthur nods at the door.

• 15:17Speaker 02

  They wouldn't dare touch you then.

• 15:20Alice Levine?

  She looks at Arthur, then at the glittering ring on her finger, lets herself mouth the words again.

• 15:28Speaker 02

  Lady Roallan.

• 15:30Alice Levine?

  A future peerage would give her standing with the press, some control over her life. She tilts her head as she gazes at him, then hears her own voice say.

• 15:42Speaker 02

  Yes, Arthur, I will.

• 15:48Matt Forde?

  I feel for April because she's not in love with this guy. So for that reason, obviously, we don't want her to marry him. But he at least is providing her with some sort of emotional and financial shelter in the world.

• 16:03Alice Levine?

  I think when you're so vulnerable and the world is such a dangerous place for you, this isn't a kind of thoughtless process where she's falling into a marriage that's already problematic. She's kind of making a rational decision where she's saying, well, actually better to have some protection from this person, even though he's aggressive, because guess what's out there? Even more aggression.

• 16:28Alice Levine?

  A few days later, a central London hotel. April strides across the plush lobby and looks for the News of the World reporter. She's agreed to sell the story of her engagement to the press. She's determined to reinvent herself as Lady Roallan-to-be, make the press take her seriously, and finally treat her with respect. She sips a martini, leans back in a leather bucket chair as a tall, dark-haired reporter holds out his hand and smiles at her.

• 17:01Speaker 02

  Pleased to meet you, April. Or should I say Lady Roallan?

• 17:06Alice Levine?

  She can't help smiling at him. She hadn't expected him to be so good-looking.

• 17:12Speaker 02

  April will do, for now.

• 17:16Alice Levine?

  She sees him smile and she feels herself start to relax. But as she settles in, she notices the reporter's eyes keep flicking from her breasts to her groin.

• 17:28Speaker 02

  Do you have normal feelings down there?

• 17:32Alice Levine?

  Her stomach lunges. She tips out her chin and spits out.

• 17:36Speaker 02

  Do you?

• 17:39Alice Levine?

  She tries to keep her own voice steady.

• 17:42Speaker 02

  Doctor Buru was an excellent sergeant. I have no complaints.

• 17:49Alice Levine?

  He scribbles in his notebook. When he looks back at her, his eyes are narrow and suspicious.

• 17:56Speaker 02

  And what makes you think that you, a working-class Scouser born a boy, will be accepted by the aristocracy?

• 18:05Alice Levine?

  She forces a smile, throws her chiffon scarf over her shoulder.

• 18:10Speaker 02

  Oh darling, they'd be lucky to have me.

• 18:14Alice Levine?

  But her heart's thudding in her chest.

• 18:20Alice Levine?

  Next morning, she goes into the local newsagents, picks up the paper from a pile on the counter, looks at her photo on the front page. It's a head-and-shoulders shot, showing the top of her breasts. They've made her look naked. She stares at the headline.

• 18:39Speaker 02

  Boy to Baroness, April Eyes the Title.

• 18:42Matt Forde?

  The news of the world, man. You just can't trust that paper. How many times?

• 18:50Alice Levine?

  She feels her mouth dry, catches an elderly woman staring at her.

• 18:55Speaker 05

  You should be bloody ashamed of yourself.

• 18:57Matt Forde?

  Fuck off, you old bag. That's what I'd say if I was April. Yeah, take your winter fuel allowance off you. Old git. Careful on the ice, love.

• 19:11Alice Levine?

  She's about to snap back when she realises the whole shop staring at her. She slams her coins on the counter, snatches up the paper, and walks out.

• 19:23Alice Levine?

  That night, she sits slumped in her armchair, too exhausted to move.

• 19:29Alice Levine?

  She picks up the phone, expects a barrage of abuse, when instead she hears a well-spoken man introduce himself.

• 19:36Speaker 05

  Bertie Green, owner of the Asta Club. I've just read your story, April.

• 19:42Alice Levine?

  She sits upright as her mind races. The Asta, in Mayfair.

• 19:48Speaker 02

  Princess Margaret's favourite haunt.

• 19:51Alice Levine?

  She hears a chuckle on the line.

• 19:53Speaker 05

  Yes, Her Royal Highness is known to drop by from time to time.

• 19:58Alice Levine?

  It takes April a few seconds before she realises he's offering her work there.

• 20:04Speaker 05

  A one-woman show, a love story, working-class girl meets aristocrat boy, that kind of thing. How does that sound?

• 20:11Alice Levine?

  She bites her lip. She's not stupid. She knows they only want her because she's all over the tabloids. Still, though, she could make something out of this. She decides to take a leaf out of Arthur's book. Act first, question later.

• 20:30Speaker 05

  I'd love to.

• 20:32Alice Levine?

  She hangs up and vows. If this is how she fights back, so be it. She's going to grab this chance with both hands, double down, and let everyone know that April Ashley won't be silenced.

• 20:52Alice Levine?

  A few weeks later, rural Tasmania, Australia. Sixty-six-year-old Lord Ruallan pushes back his sun hat, mops his brow, and orders the chief engineer on to the building site. As the governor of Tasmania, he's here to break ground for the new power station. It's going to be named after him, and he's determined to get as much publicity as possible. Right now, though, it's so hot, his shirt is sticking to his back and sweat is pooling under his armpits. He slaps a mosquito from his neck, then stiffens his back. He wasn't chief scout for the British Commonwealth for fourteen years for nothing.

• 21:34Alice Levine?

  He's going to dig up this solid ground and lay that foundation stone if it kills him.

• 21:40Matt Forde?

  But scouting doesn't involve building power stations.

• 21:43Alice Levine?

  Yeah, have I misunderstood what they do?

• 21:46Matt Forde?

  You just build the odd raft, go camping in the woods. I don't think it was building critical national infrastructure.

• 21:52Alice Levine?

  We've got about sixty under-twelves decommissioning the old plant. They won't live to see seventeen, but they're doing a really great cleanup job. He grabs the shovel from his servant and pushes it into the hard, dry earth. Feels his old war wound twinge in his leg as he starts to dig. He grins at the cameras.

• 22:15Speaker 02

  I am delighted to lay the foundation stone for this hydroelectric power station, and honoured indeed to name it the Roalan Power Station. Any comments on your son's recent engagement, your lordship?

• 22:33Alice Levine?

  He darts a look at the reporter, frowns. His son Arthur is married with four children.

• 22:39Speaker 02

  What the blazes are you talking about?

• 22:42Alice Levine?

  He feels his forehead pulse as the man thrusts a battered copy of the News of the World at him.

• 22:48Speaker 02

  Your son and his, um, bride-to-be are the talk of the town.

• 22:54Alice Levine?

  He looks at the worn newspaper. His hands shake as he reads the headline.

• 22:59Speaker 02

  Peer's son loves sex-change girl.

• 23:03Alice Levine?

  He feels his jaw drop at the photo of a pouting woman showing the top of her breasts.

• 23:10Speaker 02

  April Ashley was a boy. Peer's son says, "I want to wed her."

• 23:16Alice Levine?

  For a moment, he can't breathe. All he can hear is his own heartbeat thudding in his ears and the pop of cameras as the journalists rush to get his reaction.

• 23:28Alice Levine?

  He folds the newspaper under his arm and marches stiffly to the reception hut.

• 23:34Speaker 05

  Come on, your lordship, give us a comment on the happy couple.

• 23:37Matt Forde?

  I am here, opening a power station I named after myself. Have some respect.

• 23:42Alice Levine?

  He puts his back to the door, slams down the paper on the table, feels the vein pulse in his temple. His fists curl as he tries to push down his growing rage. He's known about Arthur's perverted crossdressing for years. The family have managed to keep a lid on it, but this...

• 24:02Speaker 02

  Damn him!

• 24:03Alice Levine?

  He's going to put an end to Arthur's nonsense, stop him tarnishing the family name. He's going to catch the first flight home and stop this engagement if it's the last thing he does.

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• 24:52Speaker 03

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• 25:33Alice Levine?

  A few days later, Savile Row, London. Arthur stands in front of the mirror as the tailor eases him into his new suit jacket. He needs to see his father today. He's been summoned to explain his engagement to April. But first, he's determined to pick up his handmade suit. It's the perfect fit.

• 25:54Speaker 02

  I'll wear it now, have my old one wrapped, and put it on my account.

• 26:00Alice Levine?

  The tailor shuffles awkwardly, then clears his throat.

• 26:03Speaker 02

  Ahem. I'm afraid your account is frozen, sir.

• 26:07Alice Levine?

  Arthur reels back, feels his cheeks flush with anger.

• 26:12Speaker 02

  Don't be so bloody ridiculous.

• 26:15Alice Levine?

  The tailor looks sheepish.

• 26:17Speaker 02

  Lord Rowallan has written to us with instructions that you're to pay your own bills.

• 26:23Alice Levine?

  He jabs his finger in the tailor's face.

• 26:25Speaker 02

  You'll be paid when I'm damn ready.

• 26:29Alice Levine?

  He pushes him out of the way, staggers into the busy street. He's reeling. How can his father just cut him off like this?

• 26:38Matt Forde?

  It's a different rule for these people, isn't it? You could never get away with going into Moss Bros, getting to the tailor and saying that's £200 quid and going, "You'll get your money, mate." "Oh, you'll know. When it's coming, I'll let you know."

• 26:52Alice Levine?

  My dad's gonna pay you, and that's all you need to hear. He jumps in the zephyr and starts the long journey to Kilmarnoch. Never mind him explaining his relationship with April, he's going to make his father explain why he's hell-bent on humiliating him like this.

• 27:12Alice Levine?

  Next morning, he strides along the dimly lit corridor at Roalan Castle, past the ancient suits of armour. He stops at the doorway of the dining hall, glances over at his father at the breakfast table, feels his heart race. He takes a deep breath, wipes his sweaty palms against his new jacket, and walks in. He marches up to his father and bows.

• 27:38Speaker 02

  Sir.

• 27:40Alice Levine?

  But his father takes a mouthful of kedgery and looks right through him. Arthur tries not to let his voice tremble as he clears his throat.

• 27:50Speaker 02

  I was wondering, sir, if there was some mistake. The tailor...

• 27:57Alice Levine?

  Arthur reels as his father snatches up a battered copy of the News of the World and slams it down in front of him.

• 28:05Speaker 02

  How dare you drag your family name through the gutter with this ridiculous charade!

• 28:13Alice Levine?

  Arthur's heart thuds.

• 28:15Speaker 02

  As if dressing up in your wife's clothes wasn't bad enough, you've put us through this?

• 28:21Alice Levine?

  Arthur staggers back as his father picks up his cane. He feels it swoosh in front of his face. His eyes widen at the spittle on the corner of his father's mouth.

• 28:32Speaker 02

  You won't get another penny until you've come to your senses and end whatever the hell this new morgue is.

• 28:40Alice Levine?

  Arthur pulls himself up to his full height, tries hard to keep his voice steady.

• 28:47Speaker 02

  I love April. I'm not giving her up.

• 28:53Alice Levine?

  He flinches back as the cane whacks the table in front of him. He blinks at his father. His face is flushed with anger, but his voice is cold and measured.

• 29:05Speaker 02

  If this farce of a marriage goes ahead, I'll make sure you lose more than your allowance. You'll never be Lord Roallan. You'll never get your inheritance. Is this creature really worth five million pounds?

• 29:23Matt Forde?

  Five million still a lot today, but what would that be in today's money?

• 29:27Alice Levine?

  It's going to wind you to hear this. Nearly 97 million pounds.

• 29:32Matt Forde?

  I'll do whatever you say, father.

• 29:34Alice Levine?

  I'll dump anyone you want. That's actually quite a good kind of Netflix series or something. A couple are getting married, they're going down the aisle and just at the point where they're going to say their vows, out pops the presenter and he's like, very excited for you, happy day for you, congratulations. Or would you like 97 million pounds?

• 29:52Matt Forde?

  Minted at first sight, where you either become a multimillionaire or you get married and it's your choice there and then.

• 29:59Alice Levine?

  That's actually fantastic. That is fantastic. And they both get offered it. So they both get taken aside. If they both say yes, they get the money. If one of them says yes, they get the money. If they both say no, they get married.

• 30:12Matt Forde?

  We can work out the details, but we are hereby copyrighting Minted at First Sight.

• 30:17Alice Levine?

  Ooh, producer Rezzy just spoke in our headphones. She thinks the twist should be that if you take the money, you can never see each other again.

• 30:24Matt Forde?

  Okay, so restraining orders.

• 30:26Alice Levine?

  I don't know how you'd enforce that.

• 30:27Matt Forde?

  Well, I mean, TV companies have done terrible things in the past, they'd find a way.

• 30:31Alice Levine?

  So they put one of you in witness protection?

• 30:33Matt Forde?

  One of you gets deported to one of the UK government's new return hubs somewhere in the Balkans, but with 96 million quid.

• 30:41Alice Levine?

  Come on!

• 30:41Matt Forde?

  So it's okay.

• 30:45Alice Levine?

  Arthur storms out. He's decided not to take the money.

• 30:48Matt Forde?

  Arthur.

• 30:50Alice Levine?

  He stands in the castle grounds, gasping for breath, looks over at the lake, then back at the solid castle walls. If his father is making him choose between this and April, then so be it. April represents everything he's ever wanted to be. Free, liberated, transgressive, not answerable to anyone. And he'd rather be with her than stuck here with his suffocating father and his ridiculous rigid rules. He takes a breath and decides he's not just going to leave this place behind. He's going to leave the whole stuffy country.

• 31:31Alice Levine?

  And all he needs to do now is persuade April to come with him.

• 31:39Alice Levine?

  A month later, 1962, Asta Club, London. April smooths down her sequined gown, flings up her arms, then lets the male dancers escort her down a staircase shrouded in dry ice. She catches Bertie scowling at her from the wings. She's clashed with him almost every day since she started. She hates this corny show. It's not what she'd imagined at all. But she's still got another month left of her contract. She paces on a smile, slinks to the microphone, and starts to sing.

• 32:18Alice Levine?

  I want an old fashioned house with an old fashioned fence and an old fashioned millionaire.

• 32:32Matt Forde?

  Someone's been down Lucky Voice.

• 32:36Alice Levine?

  She ignores the audience nudging each other, sniggering behind their hands. She's sick of being treated like some kind of circus act.

• 32:47Alice Levine?

  A few songs later, she glides off for a costume change. Feels her heart sink as Bertie strides over.

• 32:55Speaker 05

  The Cray Twins are in tonight. They want to meet you later. So be nice.

• 33:01Alice Levine?

  She plants her hands on her hips.

• 33:04Speaker 02

  I don't want to meet them.

• 33:06Alice Levine?

  He looms closer.

• 33:07Speaker 05

  You'll do what I fucking tell you. If I say go out there and say the word shit, you do it, lady.

• 33:14Alice Levine?

  She feels herself bristle as she stares into Bertie's beady little eyes. Tips up her chin.

• 33:21Speaker 05

  Your wish is my command, Bertie.

• 33:24Alice Levine?

  She turns on her heels, storms back across the stage, and flings open her arms.

• 33:32Speaker 02

  Ladies and gentlemen, I've been told by management to come out here and say the word shit. So shit.

• 33:47Alice Levine?

  For a moment, there's the sound of a wave sucking back before it breaks on the shore. A short interval of absolute silence.

• 34:00Alice Levine?

  Then the whole place erupts. She dodges a bottle whizzing past her head, marches offstage, raises an eyebrow at Bertie.

• 34:11Speaker 02

  Good enough for you, darling.

• 34:13Alice Levine?

  She watches the cigar dangle from his slack mouth before she storms out into the night.

• 34:22Alice Levine?

  Three hours later, Arthur hands her a glass of champagne.

• 34:27Speaker 02

  It'll take your mind off that wretched place.

• 34:30Alice Levine?

  Arthur's brought her to a party in Chelsea. Her eyes widen as she spots Peter Sellers with Britt Eklund. She cranes her neck to see who else she recognizes. Then stops dead at the sight of a dark-haired woman dripping in diamonds. She grabs Arthur's arm.

• 34:49Speaker 02

  Is that Princess Margaret? I'll introduce you to Tony, her husband. He's a fantastic photographer.

• 34:57Alice Levine?

  And an absolute bloody rogue, isn't he?

• 34:59Matt Forde?

  Yeah, could you introduce me to her as well, though? Because she's the more important one, please.

• 35:04Alice Levine?

  Her face flushes with excitement.

• 35:06Speaker 02

  Introduce me now!

• 35:09Alice Levine?

  But Arthur stands in front of her, his face serious.

• 35:13Speaker 02

  First, darling, I need to ask you something.

• 35:17Matt Forde?

  Arthur, she's over there. She might not be here all night.

• 35:19Alice Levine?

  We can do this later. He takes a brochure from his pocket. She stares down at a picture of a beautiful whitewashed building, covered in pink bougainvillea.

• 35:31Speaker 02

  It's a club in Marbella. I've just bought it. For us. What do you say?

• 35:39Alice Levine?

  She looks at him, puzzled.

• 35:41Speaker 02

  Marbella?

• 35:43Alice Levine?

  He grins.

• 35:45Speaker 02

  Spain, darling, you'll love it. Best of all, it's crawling with expat aristocrats. People like this.

• 35:53Alice Levine?

  He sweeps his arms around the room.

• 35:55Speaker 02

  I'll build you a huge stage to perform on. And they'll come flocking to see you.

• 36:02Alice Levine?

  She looks into Arthur's shining eyes and smiles. She can't fault his impulsiveness. His hunger, it's exciting. And he's opening doors she didn't even know existed. She lets her eyes fall on the brochure, at the promise of a luxury life in the sun. A place of her own. Then flutters her long eyelashes at him.

• 36:27Alice Levine?

  When do you...

• 36:33Alice Levine?

  August 1963, Jacaranda Club, Marbella. Arthur lugs a crate of champagne to the bar. He needs to get every bottle chilled in time for the evening rush. But the crate is heavy, his arms ache, and he's exhausted. He still hasn't told April his father has disinherited him. He needs to keep it under wraps until the wedding. The last thing he wants is to give her an excuse not to marry him.

• 37:01Matt Forde?

  This seems like a sensible approach, just to keep major secrets from each other. It always works out.

• 37:06Alice Levine?

  It really feels like he knows that she doesn't love him and doesn't fully want to go through with this. So what he really means is, I don't want to give her another excuse to call it off. Because this doesn't feel like love from his side either. It kind of feels like an obsessive, possessive need to have her.

• 37:25Matt Forde?

  And it's kind of transactional for both of them, isn't it, really? So the whole thing's a bit sad. But I wish them well. And would happily give a speech at the wedding.

• 37:35Alice Levine?

  He almost stumbles over Mr. Blue as he dumps the champagne on a table. He mops his sunburnt face and neck, glances over at April. He feels his scalp prickle with irritation as she giggles with a customer. This isn't how it was meant to be. Him working all hours while she flirts with other men. He grabs a bucket, shovels in fresh ice, feels an angry vein throb in his forehead. When he looks back, she's shaking an empty champagne bottle at him. His jaw clenches. He drops the ice bucket, marches towards her. He's halfway to her table when the whole atmosphere suddenly changes. Everyone's silently staring at two men who've just walked in.

• 38:20Alice Levine?

  His heart jumps. It can't be the licence inspectors, he's done all the paperwork. It takes him a moment before he recognizes who they are. His jaw drops. It's Peter O'Toole, he's with Omar Sharif.

• 38:37Matt Forde?

  Whoa, mega-stars.

• 38:39Alice Levine?

  Huge, probably couldn't be bigger in this year, and they're filming Lawrence of Arabia.

• 38:44Matt Forde?

  My god, this is like Winslet and DiCaprio swanning in while they're doing Titanic.

• 38:49Alice Levine?

  Amazing.

• 38:51Alice Levine?

  He'd heard they were filming nearby, but he can't believe his luck. He rushes over to greet them, but April's already there, her Balmain gown shimmering in the sunlight.

• 39:04Speaker 02

  How wonderful to meet you both.

• 39:08Alice Levine?

  He watches their eyes brighten as they take her in. She turns, clicks her fingers at him.

• 39:15Speaker 05

  Bring the champagne, Arthur, and three glasses.

• 39:18Matt Forde?

  Not four, brutal.

• 39:22Alice Levine?

  A few hours later, the club is heaving. Everyone wants to see the famous film stars. Arthur rushes around, serving drinks, lugging crates from the cellar, his shirt clinging to his sweaty back. He's sick of this, sick of Mr. Blue getting under his feet. He's just about to kick him away when he stops suddenly. Stares in horror as Omar leans in, takes April's hand, gazes at her, whispers something in her ear. Arthur's heart thumps as she tips back her head and laughs. He slams down the crate, storms down to the basement, grabs every bottle of champagne in reach, and hurls them all at the wall.

• 40:08Speaker 02

  Fucking slut! Fucking dirty whore!

• 40:16Alice Levine?

  He stands panting, looks around at the wrecked room, and vows. The minute they're married, he'll stop her talking to other men. In fact, he won't let her out of his sight. He'll say what she does, when she does it, and he'll control every single move his new wife makes.

• 40:40Matt Forde?

  It's just marriage, isn't it?

• 40:41Alice Levine?

  I mean, your wife does come to every record and her eyes are boring into my soul.

• 40:44Matt Forde?

  She's a fan. She loves your singing.

• 40:49Alice Levine?

  A month later, Gibraltar. April peers from under her wide-brimmed hat and poses for photos with Arthur as they sign their names in the registry office. She might not love her new husband, but she's determined to make this marriage work. Arthur has been increasingly irritable, even spiteful at times this past month. But she loves Spain and loves even more the idea of being the Honourable Mrs Arthur Corbett. Outside, she smooths down her skirt and jacket, kisses Arthur for the cameras, then pats Mr Blue and jumps into Arthur's white zephyr as they head back to Marbella.

• 41:34Alice Levine?

  A few hours later, she dances with Arthur in their club, swigs down her champagne.

• 41:40Speaker 02

  Congratulations, April. I hope you'll be very happy with your new husband.

• 41:45Alice Levine?

  She turns to see Prince Alfonso de Hoennloer Langenberg.

• 41:49Matt Forde?

  Sorry, who was that again?

• 41:50Alice Levine?

  What Prince Alfonso de Hoennloer Langenberg? Uh, it's funny you say that, actually, because his nickname was Ole Ole, because nobody could say his actual name, and he was a bit of a party boy. But I like Prince Alfonso de Hoennloer Langenberg.

• 42:03Matt Forde?

  There was a Chelsea player a few years ago who had a really convoluted surname, so they just called him Dave.

• 42:08Alice Levine?

  Not okay. Just learn it.

• 42:11Matt Forde?

  At least Ole Ole is more playful.

• 42:13Alice Levine?

  Yeah.

• 42:16Alice Levine?

  April sees the twinkle in his eye as he smooths his neat moustache. He's the richest man she knows and a terrible flirt.

• 42:25Speaker 02

  May I?

• 42:27Alice Levine?

  He holds out a well-manicured hand.

• 42:29Speaker 02

  Only if you promise to keep up.

• 42:33Alice Levine?

  April lets him glide her around the dance floor. She catches sight of Arthur watching them, his arms folded, his face red with fury. When it's over, she glides up to him.

• 42:46Speaker 02

  What on earth is the matter, Arthur?

• 42:49Alice Levine?

  But he spits out at her.

• 42:51Speaker 02

  Why can't you control yourself? Why do you always have to act like a cheap tart? For goodness sake, it was just a dance.

• 42:59Alice Levine?

  She watches, open-mouthed, as he grabs a bottle of whiskey and storms off. She feels a sudden silence around her, so she pastes on a bright smile and tips out her chin.

• 43:12Speaker 02

  Who would like to dance with the bride next?

• 43:17Alice Levine?

  That night she wakes up startled as Mr Blue starts barking. She clicks on the light, sees Arthur crashing around the room. He staggers towards her, a bottle of whisky in his hand, his shirt half out of his trousers, muttering.

• 43:33Speaker 02

  "Disgusting. It's disgusting."

• 43:38Alice Levine?

  She stares in horror. "Arthur, for goodness sake!" But he snaps back.

• 43:44Speaker 02

  "I should have known you'd betray me, after everything I've done, everything I've given up."

• 43:51Alice Levine?

  She looks at him in confusion. "Given up?" She sees a sheepish look appear on his face, before he leans in, and almost spits.

• 44:02Speaker 02

  "My title, the five million inheritance, and you spent our wedding day dancing with other men."

• 44:11Alice Levine?

  She sits bolt upright, stares at him, her mouth falling open. She can't make any sense of this. "You've lost your inheritance." He staggers forward, snarls at her.

• 44:26Speaker 02

  "Every single penny, and it's all your fault."

• 44:32Alice Levine?

  She shrinks back as he snares at her.

• 44:34Speaker 02

  "You'll never be Lady Roanne Allen. You're lucky I married you at all. And if you don't learn some bloody manners, some bloody obedience, I'll throw you and that damned dog out on the streets."

• 44:49Alice Levine?

  She feels hot tears run down her cheeks as he storms out of the room. She can hardly breathe, and she realises, with a sickening thud, like a punch to the gut. Becoming Mrs Arthur Corbett was the biggest mistake of her life.

• 45:16Speaker 07

  For decades, two legendary brands fought for the hearts of American bikers: Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. The battle looked a lot like Coke versus Pepsi or Ford versus Chevy, but tastes changed and Indian didn't adapt fast enough. The icon all but died. Then came the Con Men, the Dreamers, a string of spectacular failures that kept Indian in the grave, until one company finally got it right. This is the story of an improbable revival and the reignition of an old rivalry. Hey, I'm David Brown, the host of the podcast Business Wars, and every season we bring you the true stories behind the companies that shape our world. Indian's new owners are going all in, but an existential crisis looms. Can Indian and Harley recruit enough younger riders to survive?

• 45:59Speaker 07

  Make sure to follow Business Wars wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Business Wars early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 46:10Speaker 08

  In the summer of 1881, US Army Lieutenant Adolphus Greeley and 24 other men embarked on an ambitious scientific mission to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. But despite several triumphs of discovery, the men would soon face tragedy. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American History Tellers. We take you to the events, times, and people that shaped America and Americans, our values, our struggles, and our dreams. In our latest series, after Adolphus Greeley and his men arrive at their destination more than 1,000 miles above the Arctic Circle, they get to work collecting scientific data and exploring the frigid landscape. But when resupply ships fail to reach them two summers in a row, they're forced to set

• 46:53Speaker 08

  out on a desperate search for rescue, and not all of them will make it home. Follow American History Tellers wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American History Tellers: Greeley Arctic Expedition, early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 47:21Alice Levine?

  Fourteen days later, London. April lugs her heavy suitcase up the flight of stairs, glances nervously over her shoulder. She's been on edge since she escaped Marbella. After just two weeks, her marriage has collapsed. And now she wants to make sure she's completely alone.

• 47:41Alice Levine?

  She lets herself into the rented bedsit, takes a look around. It's basic: a bed, a table, a stove. She flops onto the sagging mattress. She's exhausted from travelling, desperate to sleep. But she needs to write to Arthur and fully explain why she's left him without him yelling at her.

• 48:02Alice Levine?

  A few minutes later, she sits at the table, switches on the one-bar electric fire, tries to warm her hands as she writes. She stares at the paper. She can't find the words. She's spent the last fourteen days dealing with his jealous rages, his verbal abuse. She takes a deep breath, clicks on her pen, and starts writing.

• 48:27Alice Levine?

  Arthur, I've not slept for days. But from all the pain and torture on my mind, I see one thing very, very clearly. That is, I will not ever be coming back to you.

• 48:44Alice Levine?

  She pauses, exhales slowly, and continues. I don't know what I will do. I don't know how I will live. But I know I won't be back. She grabs an envelope, puts on the stamp, and heads out to post it.

• 49:06Alice Levine?

  That night, she walks into a party on the King's Road in Chelsea with her friend Sarah Churchill.

• 49:12Matt Forde?

  Of the Churchills?

• 49:13Alice Levine?

  Of the Churchills. Daughter of Winston, an actor, but also a party girl, a scenester.

• 49:20Matt Forde?

  Basically, daughter of Winston. And everything flows from there.

• 49:23Alice Levine?

  Yes.

• 49:25Alice Levine?

  She lets her shoulders relax as Francis Bacon hands her a glass of champagne. Welcome back darling, we've all missed you terribly. She gives him a hug, spends the next hour dancing with him and Lucy and Freud. She grabs another glass, turns to see a good-looking dark-haired man staring at her. He grins, then introduces himself in a familiar Scouse accent.

• 49:51Speaker 02

  Paul McCartney, I know who you are, I've seen you in the papers. You wanna dance with me?

• 49:57Matt Forde?

  Nah.

• 50:01Alice Levine?

  She hears herself giggle as he guides her, free from Arthur's judgmental eyes. She hasn't felt this good in years. It's a relief to be rid of him and his dark, controlling moods. And to dance with Paul McCartney.

• 50:15Matt Forde?

  Yeah, it's a bit of both. One, he's not around, two, one of the Beatles is.

• 50:21Alice Levine?

  You're doing the foxtrot with Macca. She feels her body relax as she realises a new start in London is exactly what she needs. And she's determined to enjoy every single minute of it.

• 50:40Alice Levine?

  A week later, Marbella. Arthur throws down the newspaper. He's sick of the gossip columns reporting on his wife. She seems to be going to endless bloody parties with pop stars and artists. He marches into the villa, grabs some paper and a pen, starts furiously writing. He tells April what a disgrace she is, how much she's hurt him, how much he's sacrificed for her.

• 51:07Alice Levine?

  He throws it away, pours himself a neat whiskey, then tries again.

• 51:11Matt Forde?

  Good tip, if you're ever writing an angry letter, load up on the whiskey first. It really helps it flow out.

• 51:18Alice Levine?

  My friend writes angry letters on ChatGPT and gets ChatGPT to make them angrier and angrier, and then doesn't send them.

• 51:26Matt Forde?

  Oh, that's the important bit.

• 51:28Alice Levine?

  Just as a kind of catharsis, yeah, make it harsher, make it harsher. And then you just save it.

• 51:38Alice Levine?

  He drops his pen, heads to the door, snatches a bundle of letters from the postman, and lets out a heavy sigh. He's hardly worked at all since April left, and now he's getting threats demanding payment. He's about to throw the whole bundle in the bin when he sees a London postmark. He tears at the envelope, feels his heart race at the thought she's finally coming to her senses. But his jaw slackens as he reads the letter. It's from her solicitor. For a moment, everything swims in front of him. All he can make out are the words "unreasonable behaviour" and "maintenance payments". He staggers into the bedroom,

• 52:21Alice Levine?

  grabs every one of her thirty Balmain gowns, and furiously rips them all up. Bloody scarves, bitch!

• 52:31Alice Levine?

  He snatches up the phone, hears his father's voice on the other end of the line.

• 52:36Speaker 02

  A so-called wife is on the front cover of today's Telegraph. She's been expelled from Rome. Apparently whilst on holiday, she slapped a policeman. How much longer would drag us through the gutter, Arthur?

• 52:50Alice Levine?

  Arthur can't speak. His mind races. Why was she in Rome? Who was she with? But his father's still barking at him.

• 52:59Speaker 02

  When are you going to do the decent thing by this family? And get a rotting divorce!

• 53:08Alice Levine?

  Arthur sits on the bed, surrounded by the ripped-up gowns. He tries to control himself, but he lets out a sob. All he wants is April to come back to him. His life is empty and meaningless without her. But his father's right. She seems hell-bent on humiliating him, and after everything he's given up for her...

• 53:31Matt Forde?

  It's interesting getting his mindset on this because, from the outside, it seems like he's treated her terribly.

• 53:37Alice Levine?

  He's been violent. He's abandoned her at various points. He's been emotionally abusive and desperately jealous. She's gone and somehow built a happy life, and he's like, "It's all about me. She's trying to piss me off."

• 53:49Matt Forde?

  "After everything I've done for you. I left you in Italy on your own to make your own way back. Don't forget some of the things I did for you."

• 53:59Alice Levine?

  He sits upright, wipes his eyes, and decides. April Ashley has humiliated him for the last time. If she won't come to her senses, he'll make her pay. He's going to work his way back into the family fold, get back his title, and his five million pound inheritance. And if he has to make her life hell in the process, so be it.

• 54:34Speaker 09

  Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia spent her life exposing powerful people. Then, in 2017, she was killed in a car bombing. I'm Stephen Gray, and for the past nine years, I've been trying to find out who wanted her dead. That search took me to Malta through secret companies, organized crime, and eventually to one of the island's richest and most powerful men. Now, after years of waiting, his trial has finally happened. But when the verdict came in, the case took a turn that almost no one had expected. In a brand-new update to the multi-award-winning podcast Who Killed Daphne?, I'm returning to Malta to find out how we got there and where the search for the truth goes next. Listen to the new episode of Who Killed Daphne? wherever you get your podcasts, and you

• 55:19Speaker 09

  can hear the full six-part investigation from the beginning, ad-free with Audible. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 55:34Speaker 10

  There are books that change how you see the world, and there are books that change how you see yourself. In a new podcast series, a great book with Barack Obama, President Obama sits down with a series of surprising and sharp guests to explore six books that have shaped his life and perspective on the world. From Song of Solomon and The Fire Next Time, to All the Pretty Horses and Gilead, the president is joined by guests like Tom Hanks and Ta-Nehisi Coates to reflect on how these timeless stories shaped his thinking on everything from fatherhood to leadership, and discover together what they tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create. Audible subscribers can listen to all

• 56:19Speaker 10

  episodes of A Great Book with Barack Obama ad-free right now. Plus, access each audiobook discussed in the series. Download the Audible app today.

• 56:35Alice Levine?

  From Wondry and Samasdat Audio, this is the second episode in our series, April Ashley.

• 56:41Matt Forde?

  A quick note about our dialogue. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all our dramatizations are based on historical research.

• 56:48Alice Levine?

  If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read April Ashley's Odyssey by Duncan Fallowell and April Ashley. Inside Out: The Extraordinary Legacy of April Ashley by Douglas Thompson. And Bonjour Madame Muselle by Jacqueline Kent and Tom Roberts.

• 57:03Matt Forde?

  If you've got a scandal you'd like us to cover, email us at [email protected].

• 57:08Alice Levine?

  British Scandal is hosted by me, Alice Levine.

• 57:11Matt Forde?

  And me, Matt Ford.

• 57:12Alice Levine?

  Written by Karen Laws. Additional writing by Alice Levine and Matt Ford. Our story editor is James Maniac. Sound design by Louis Blatherwick. Our engineer is Jai Williams. For Samasdat, our producer is Redzi Bernard. Our assistant producer is Louise Mason. Our senior producers are Joe Sykes and Dash Alisitina. For Wondry, our senior producer is Theodora Leludis. And our senior managing producer is Rachel Sibley. Executive producers for Wondry are Estelle Doyle, Chris Bourne, and Marshall Louis.

• 57:50Speaker 08

  By 1779, Benedict Arnold had sacrificed more for the revolution than almost any other man in America. One of George Washington's most effective commanders, he had nearly lost a leg in the Second Battle of Saratoga. But in return, Arnold believed he had been humiliated by Congress and cheated of his glory by lesser men. So he decided to make them pay. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American Scandal. We bring to life some of the biggest controversies in U.S. history. Presidential lies, environmental disasters, corporate fraud. In our latest series, Benedict Arnold turns his back on his comrades in the Continental Army and secretly defects to the British. With the help of his wife, he plots to hand over the most important colonial fortress

• 58:34Speaker 08

  to the enemy and doom the revolution he once served. Follow American Scandal wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 58:50Speaker 11

  A trucker merges onto the I-10 in New Orleans. He checks his mirrors. The lane is clear. And then, boom. Impact. A pickup truck, seemingly out of nowhere, scrapes down the side of his 18-wheeler. Multiple passengers inside. One man flees the scene. And the driver of the pickup? He doesn't seem all that upset. It didn't feel like a regular accident, because it wasn't. Across the city, truckers are getting sideswiped, all on the same stretch of the same freeway. And behind many of the cases is one person. A Hollywood stunt woman turned personal injury lawyer named Vanessa Moda. This podcast is a story about fake accidents that lead to real consequences and a scheme that ends in betrayal and murder.

• 59:35Speaker 11

  Listen to Over My Dead Body: Operation Sideswipe wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.