Sack the Sock - put a sock in it or pull your socks up - frankly we're a bit sick of it. The Archers is shit, discuss it here.

[PseudoBadger]

I have it on good authority that this is the thread that people enjoy more than the programme it's about

But he was home alone and he doesn't need to act to Jess - he just needs to deny in case she's recording but he doesn't have to put in an Oscar winning performance. That would only be if Helen were in the room. Which she wasn't.

He does sound genuinely shocked, but that's because he's good at this. Exactly the point I was trying to make in my previous post that we're like Helen - sometimes we're almost convinced by him. She wants to be convinced and he is convincing. I think he's stalling for time. He doesn't know what to do - if he was sure he wasn't the father he wouldn't hesitate to take a DNA test - in fact he'd be demanding one. Dying for Helen to finally meet Ursula, dying for Jess to bring Ethan to Ambridge.
I also thought Alan sounded even more Northern than usual this episode and wondered if it was the same actor, but I think that's just because it's so long since we've heard from him I've forgotten what he really sounds like.

Rob must be amazingly charismatic. Otherwise, why would Jess sleep with him after he'd left her for Helen and treated her so badly?

If it is his it was conceived well after Helen moved in with him and after divorce was first raised.

Quite.

Ethan (?) was conceived on Valentine's Day btw

This would be the Valentine's Day baby wouldn't it?

I think that as they are married it is assumed that it is a child of the marriage and that he is the father. If he refuses a test then I think that the CSA or whatever they are called now will assumed that he is the father and bill him accordingly. The money could be taken from his wages at source...that would be rather embarrassing for Wob.

Shalli yes you can just imagine the call centre person rolling their eyes.

Aaaghh x posted.

That's a neat trick you've got there BobbyBanana, answering questions just before they're asked.

really? they can take it at source?
....so....he could pay maintenance and Helen would never know (sure he doesn't show her his payslips!) better get back to that shop after all Helen!

I thought Jess showed up to confront Helen on valentines day?

Ethan was born beg dec? That would make him end feb/early march conceived?

I just love the idea of Jess putting him through the wringer!!

They're still not actually divorced yet, are they?

I think part of his shock is that things aren't going according to the script in his head.

Helen is desperate for things to be ok with her and Rob. At Lower Loxley you could feel her anxiety when she first met Elizabeth. She is a great actress - I thought she managed to convey that feeling of killing time while being desperate to know what was going on at home. And you could hear the relief in her voice after Elizabeth talked about Rob carrying Henry on his shoulders and being so good with him. That's always the way with Helen - she soon pushes the doubts away, but they are never buried very deep. How old is Ethan now? Maybe Jess will send Jenny another photo of him looking just like Rob?

I'm sure we were all speculating about who he could be with if not Helen and Jess on valentines.

Helen & Rob celebrated Valentine's Day a day early as he had to go to a 'conference' on the Friday (I think it was a Friday last year).

Didn't Jess unexpectedly turn up at the cottage on Valentine's night? Rob was away and she was surprised to find Helen in residence but told her lots of tales. Or have I mis-remembered?

Rob wouldn't have had to be acting on the phone to Jess this evening. It may be that in February she persuaded him that there was no risk ...

BOOP-Point: Ambridge still has a speaking Vicar! It may be that he's read our complaints and has taken steps to make his accent more distinct. Or it may be that our ears are now unused to anyone who doesn't sound like Tom/Charlie/Pip/Josh/Phoebe.

I thought he sounded shocked but he never said it was impossible and he never said of course I'll take the pt because I know its not mine.

I think he just conveniently assumed it wasn't his because he assumed that Jess is like him and would have had other options.

Definitely sounded like Alan to me. Interesting how we moan about their absence and then they appear. I think we should test my theory with HWMNBN

that's what i just said zero!!!

it didn't sound like alan during the sermon but did after. i obviously hadn't heard him for so long i'd forgotten!!!

Sorry - very slow typing!

glad i'm not the only one who remembers it! i clearly had no valentine day plans myself....

Shalli with the paying parents approval it can be taken at source. It certainly would give Rob a way of coughing up without Helen knowing. I'm not sure why he didn't just do it that way and keep quiet about everything .

My mum has just text me to say my dad is in the doghouse because he thinks Rob is a good guy . My dad is lovely but clueless!

Did anyone notice that poor 'lonely' little Henry was "looking at" Emmur and her kids playing when they were on their NYD walk. Helliin is horrible not allowing him to play with them because of her charming partner's unpleasantness, that alone would be a deal breaker with me

I'm the mother of an only boy and I was delighted how readily my son was happy to play with and make friends with other children at play parks/ beaches etc.

I actually think it's terrible parenting keeping him away from Emma's children.