Come and play Grand Theft Combine through the quiet Ambridge streets. And by the way, ROB IS STILL MARRIED.

[PseudoBadger]

Bolloxfest is imminent. Will this thread make it to the big day?

Didn't ed try and deck him

In this case I would be questioning the pc as to why he was arresting my dc if it wasn't him. However, I'm all for giving kids a sharp taste of the law at the first sign of misdemeanour! I don't think lying to the police to protect your kids is healthy and not is encouraging them to lie.

It was pretty obvious from the off that pc plot wasn't going down the heavy handed route.

I also think it plays into Charlie's hands because he saw who it was (he told pc plot didn't he?) so by denying it they lose any moral high ground and by rushing into the apology it puts Charlie on the back foot and doesn't give him the time to think about pressing charges etc

He will also be easier on Freddie because he isn't an 'enemy' and he will want to gag his mum (I mean Charlie not pc plot)

If liz does try to deduce pc plot she will be turning into the village harlot!!

Yes he did Build I feel sorry for SW's on radio doing a fight scene it must be very difficult !

Poor Ed it's lucky Kenton managed to restrain him (it was Kenton wasn't it?).

I don't think lying to the police to protect your kids is healthy

There is a difference between (1) lying (2) keeping schtum and (3) blabbing incriminating evidence. Ruth had no idea why PC Plot was there; she was finding things out as she went along. She didn't know if he was going to be Dixon of Dock Green or someone in need of a few extra points on his monthly crime statistics. Also, I'd want to hear my DS's version (and Freddie's. And consult with DH and SIL) before I started in with the "I saw you there".
Ruth had no idea if Charlie was going to press charges or not. I would never serve up evidence on a plate to him like that.

Imagine the conversation over dinner:
David "what did you do today, dear"
Ruth "Nothing much. Oh, apart from made sure our DS got a police record."

You can't get a police record if you haven't done anything

But Ben still got forced to apologise, before anyone has spoken to the other one! It's like that Jimmy McGovern drama about collective responsibility, when the bloke got murdered in the pizza shop.

I'm far too infested in this. Maybe PC Plot not being a real copper is starting to ring true...

Yes I agree - they should have made both boys apologise (led by Freddie) and then got them to tend to the graveyard or something.

I do think by offering the apology quickly Ruth took the power from Charlie Stroked his ego but meant he'd look an idiot to take it further.

Fake policeman is still my favourite theory.

I'm thinking an inspector calls with Charlie as the victim (long lost brother blah blah blah)

I was just in the car on a long drive home and was listening to Hitchhikers Guide. I was struck by the similarity between it and TA at the moment - bypass wise :o
www.clivebanks.co.uk/THHGTTG/THHGTTGradio1.htm

arf @ H2G2

So why didn't Ruth know what Freddie/Ben did/didn't do? David was at the Village Hall at the time of the incident and knew which DC had been hanging around. Why, if they were so outraged, didn't they have an inquest later that evening, long before PC Plot came round next morning (much to Ruth's surprise?)
They are being really Dopey atm. Like at the Fete when they were hissing about Charlie chatting up The Echo. Why didn't SAVE think to do that too, especially with all the contacts they have?

Maybe they assumed it couldn't possibly be their little darlings.

You're right that it doesn't ring quite true.

And agree about the echo. No point standing on the sidelines whinging. They should have sent David streaking across the green with 'no to route b' painted on his chest

Or not. Is that image better or worse than liz and Roy in the tent?

Shagger Roy shouting at Freddie! Please, please, please can we have a set up like Barry Lyndon when Freddie comes of age?

Well handled Roy (with Freddie)

And well handled lizzie (with Roy)

Let's see what the repercussions are

Poor Hayley!!

I know! As if Roy thinks he can go and shout at Freddie then use that as leverage to get into Lizzie's knickers......eeuugh!

I don't think that was well handled by Roy at all. What business was it of his? Freddie should have decked him.

I agree, Selks. What a loathsome human slug he has become.

Does anyone think Mike is for the chop? Either he is heading for a serious illness or he and the inexplicably silent Vicky are heading for Brum in his retirement.

i'm surprised freddie responded to roy's shouting by apologising to elizabeth - it doesn't seem like the natural response

if mike and vicky move will roy leave hayley by moving into his father's half of the house?

Yes, I was hoping expecting that he would start shouting at Roy to keep his filthy hands off Elizabeth!

I don't see how he could, Petula, as presumably Mike and Vicky would need to sell up to be able to afford a move. Plus, of course, that half of the house is destined for Brenda's inheritance in due course.

What a mess!

I think Roy acted correctly with regard to Freddie - unfortunately with the wrong motive.

The son and heir looks as if he's going to be exciting.

And yes, they've been signposting the removal of Mike and family to Birmingham for months now. (But I don't think Roy would consider separating from Hayley until he'd won the prize he's after...)

true mimsy

Roy is a rat.

I can't see how shouting at the recalcitrant son of one's employer is ever a good idea, Zero.

Agree zero

I can't believe Freddie didn't raise the snog. Guess he didn't see much as he had two perfect opportunities

Mimsy Is it the shouting or the employed status you object to? I'm not that bothered by shouting personally - and I would be sorry if someone who had known me all my life refrained from stepping in to save me from myself because of some perceived difference in status.

It's just a pity Roy can't offer that help without attaching strings to it.