Our modest little The Archers thread has its very own radio celebrity! Join us for the hottest chilli in town, and await the impending doom as all plans go into reverse in Ambridge.

[PseudoBadger]

It's all getting rather delicious. I feel sorry for Kenton the fool

My DH said he thought Knob was going to kill Shula to shut her up.

Shula then said "Oh someone's just walked over my grave" I reason she's a gonna.

Rory *reckon.

I meant Sorry, not Rory

Helen has always been helpless though. I've never seen the strong, independent woman in her - she just seems like a whingy little brat.

I want a baby! I don't care if I need everyone to help me because I'm going to strop until I get one.
I want a shop! I don't care if I need everyone to help me because I'm going to strop until I get one. Bored now. Let's get rid.

Yes you're right BYOS, it was alwAys for selfish reasons. I think R will trip himself up, maybe with Shula.

It should be *Ruari anyway BakeOffCake

*Ruairi

I'm wondering what Rob sees in Helen. She's a weak, moany pain in the bum.

For a few minutes I did wonder if Rob was going to thump Henry.
Yes, I hope there will be a great show down with Shula - possibly with Caroline and Oliver. I don't like old FoxBreath much but at least he is honest.

Yes I thought that Topaz. Maybe him hitting Henry will be the thing that makes Helen's internal lame, anaemic lion roar

• 'he's your child, do what you think is best'

that's no really the sentiment you want from a step parent. but then helen over rules him left right and centre so she's not blameless on the henry/rob front imo

I thought it was in character for Shula. She always spends a lot of time handwringing before deciding what to do and it doesn't usually lead to any useful outcome. It took her a while to take a moral stand over the Grundy eviction, IIRC, and then she decided to do something - can't remember the details now - to show she was on their side, not the Estate's. She lost the job of Estate Agent over that and it made no practical difference to the Grundys at all. Shula all over.

I thought it was in character for Shula. She always spends a lot of time handwringing before deciding what to do and it doesn't usually lead to any useful outcome. It took her a while to take a moral stand over the Grundy eviction, IIRC, and then she decided to do something - can't remember the details now - to show she was on their side, not the Estate's. She lost the job of Estate Agent over that and it made no practical difference to the Grundys at all. Shula all over.

I think Shula will confide in Alan and go back to PC Plot and fess up.

I was surprised though to hear her refer to PC Plot by his surname only. Rob did it to diminish him but Shula strikes me as a using the correct titles for people sort of person.

I too loved bluestocking's post poor dear Henry. So traumatised by mummy working one tea time that he's gone off the rails. I don't know what I'd do if one of mine asked to watch cartoons while eating a sandwich!

It was my dad who cannot see Rob's EA antics. Although he is v pleased to be mentioned on mn. He is totally lovely and finds it hard to believe people are nasty.

Has he changed his mind after the sab incident?

I agree with the pp who said Shula wouldn't have lied. I thought at first she'd been confused about what she actually saw but to be clear in her mind and then lie - no that's not Shula.

And what is Helen on about? It's not her call to close the shop, Ambridge Organics is part of Bridge Farm and it's not up to her alone to decide the future. God she irritates me!

Handy retail premise falls vacant for Fallon to turn into a tea & knick-knack shoppe.

Listened late and I rather admire Shula for confronting Rob.

She's never going to stop agonising about lying and I think she will confess in the end otherwise her conscience will kill her, especially as she now has seen how twisted Rob is. **
Also, I think Caroline will be frosty towards Rob so he'll know Shula has told someone. Caroline is bound to tell Foxbreath who will probably, at the very least, make it clear Rob isn't welcome at the next hunt.

As for Helen, she can't think for herself when she's under Rob's influence but I agree with posters who say she likes it that way. She'll never LTB and will stand with him against all the family if needs be.

** Then again, Shula might become very distracted if the farm sale collapses and so forget all about Rob!

All in all, lots of interesting possibilities opening up.

I love the idea that they can just decide to close the shop without any consideration for the bridge farm finances. If it's not an important source of revenue then why have they bothered with it all this time? Just to keep Helen occupied? (Actually not an unreasonable thing to do, but quite a lot of effort to go to if it's not actually making significant returns - it's not like bridge farm is rolling in it)

I thought Shula was in character too. She's not going to let it go though!

I assume they'll try to sell it as a going concern. Is that realistic?

BYOS I shall ask him!!

enoch if that unit is destined for Fallon then it'll bring someone else into the Dopey's net of doom - but I hope not as that's too silly.

If I didn't say it up thread I thought it (same thing right?!) - if Rob gets off that's even more for Shula's conscience to bear - she'll crack one way or the other (I like the idea of Oliver not welcoming him)

Have we established what Helen does all day?

I don't know enough about it mimsy, but presumably it's an important outlet for their produce?

If Shula doesn't confess she's going to be unbearable if/when the truth comes out about rob elsewhere ( I could have saved Helen from this monster!)

Sorry if someone has already said, but she might speak to jim who also has experience of rob's aggression

I'm disappointed in Shula. I thought that she would tell the truth or, if not that, then a white lie - something along the lines of "I didn't see" or an omission of facts.

I don't understand how Helen can be so happy and energised when in the shop, sorting out the mess, and then go home and say she will close it. What are the outlets for her cheese? - mainly the shop or mainly commercial, like GG.

I think one day she dusted the ornaments on the dresser iirc

Presumably nursery is only a half day so its not a lot of time, really. Although, Henry is not usually at Rob's lunches. How is he still employed?

Also, can I ask why did nobody but Oliver think of Ed changing to beef? He spoke to Eddie, D&R, Emma and Joe about his woes that we knew of.