It's very confusing with Ursula; I don't get it. I think we'll only understand if/when we hear a conversation between her and Rob. As I said before, I wonder if he brought her in as the lesser of two evils - i.e. to keep Pat away during half-term.
Again - I find it hard believe that they're in cahoots, scheming to isolate Helen; I think it would be going too far into the realms of pantomime baddies if they sit there planning not to let Kirstie visit. Rob could use his bullshit she-needs-the-rest argument about why Kirstie shouldn't come over but Ursula would probably say don't be silly; so he'd either have to make something up, or own up to what he's doing, which seems ludicriously far-fetched.
I think Ursula may be almost unwittingly cruel to Rob; she doesn't take him seriously, mocks him and laughs at him. For us and perhaps for Helen, she serves as the figure who pricks Rob's pomposity and reveals him to be weak and snivelling and rather pathetic. But I still think most importantly that once she's gone, Rob will erupt in fury at what he sees as Helen's collusion with the belittling of him and this may be the moment he hurts her physically in some way. (Which I'm dreading but think is probably coming).
And again - I don't think Ursula being mean to Rob is a get-out clause for him at all. It could explain things but in no way excuses them. Cycles of abuse are very common, it doesn't excuse any of it.
Grauch I'm glad no one's throwing a party for the de-lurkers - I'd go bright red and all stammery.