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?

Mmmm. Assuming you mean The Estate rather than Bridge Farm (it's late!) I'm inclined to think Charlie has played his hand too soon. The only way he can exert any influence over Adam is by threatening to take the contract away from Home Farm; since he's already done that Adam mght just ignore his interventions and carry on as he pleases.

Yes I meant the estate! Get confused all the time about the farms!

I don't know, Adam seems like a big wet blanket at the moment so I can imagine him crying on the phone to David 'but Charlie won't let me, he's mean and howwid and I hate him'

It really does bug me that the SWs can't bear to send Ed off to the CAB to find out about benefits. I'm sure they'd be entitled to tax credits and probably housing benefit as well.

Eastpoint of course has the answer. Pawning the evil thing that egged him on towards hopefulness is just the sort of thing Ed would do.

I wish I could give him a hug.?

But if he's pawned the console then the truth will come out pretty soon - George will ask where it is.
I laughed when Ed asked Alan to keep quiet about being in the pawnbrokers ... and then Alan immediately told Peggoi all about it. Alan ought to tell Ed'n'Em about benefits.

It has occurred to me that poor old Dan is being used by the SW. How handy that he joined the army in time for the 1914 commemorations.. Will he continue to be our 'involvement' in WW1 throughout the next four years, or will he be sacrificed (which would also generate interesting SL in years to come if Shula is left heirless).

I think dan could make a good long term character. There are so many issues for soldiers when they leave the army (disability, mental health issues, unemployment etc) that covering those would be more interesting and less sensational than killing him off.

The archers is a really good platform for dealing with long term issues. A good example being Brian/siobhan and an example were they rushed it unrealistically was ed and the drugs

When is Ruari going to arrive home from boarding school for the summer holidays, or are they going to keep the poor kid there all summer?

Very good point Selks - forgotten child! Or with Siobhan's relatives?

I thought he was home as there was mention of Brian having to cook for him

He must spend time with his mums family surely? Or were hey all killed off as well?

Now, now.... Ruairi's school broke up weeks ago. He was around (unheard) when Jenny returned from her holiday - and I think he met up (unheard) with Ben yesterday. Both times on his bike - I sincerely hope they're not planning a nasty accident for the poor child....

Or is he the brick thrower? My money is still on Fred

I did think Ben might be the victim of a hit and run when Ruth was going on about him riding over to lower loxley. Maybe a furious Charlie will go speeding down the country lanes?

They won't do a hit and run so soon after Ben was knocked off his bike in the farmyard by a visually impaired Jill. I do think he threw the brick though.

Well... The SWs made sure we knew that Elizabeth doesn't want LL involved in the road war. So it will be quite fun if Freddie has decided to become involved, given that she has compromised her moral high ground as far as he's concerned.

Yes - Ben would be too obvious wouldn't he

This will be the start of Freddie's descent into nightmare teen

'Well mother, if you weren't snogging the face of your employees the I wouldn't have gone off the rails! Oh you want me to apologise - shall I do that before or after I tell Hayley what I saw?'

So Ruth's mum is out of action does this mean Ruth'll go to look after her? Or she'll come down to Brookfield to spark another battle of the grannies

Too much to hope that Ruth will dash off to Prudhoe and both she and Heather will be wiped out in a freak mudslide or similar.

OOH mimsy is Ruth from Prudhoe?

HOW EXCITING

trevor, please tell me that Prudhoe is a nice place. I have a totally unreasonable prejudice against it as I can't stand Ruth!

it's got a lovely castle iirc!

God Charlie's a dick

Told you it was Freddie!!

Rob shows he knows how to play the game!

Surely a tiny spore of Ebola could find its way to Charlie's office?

The SWs have turned Freddie into a delinquent!

That must have been the first time I've been cheering Rob on.

Freddie is traumatised from seeing liz snogging rotaboy!!

I'm looking forward to the showdown between liz and Freddie!!

Charlie is just too much of a soap stereotype and its pretty boring. Rob is going to be much better. He keeps a close lid on his temper but when it seeps out its mean.