Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in Joe Grundy's hat. Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Ho ho ho! Will this thread last until Christmas?

But if it's a wealthy older woman, why did he borrow money off Rex to go there, go there as soon as he had Pip's beef money, and would he be worried about the lack of money from his father? (Though to that, I have to say: about time too, Robin, make him stand on his own two feet and sink or swim.) It's got to be a child or drugs or gambling debts or something which consumes money to have him rushing off like that. Also, I'd have thought an older woman wouldn't fall for Toby longer than the flakiness coming out on top of the initial charm. It's not like his uselessness is hidden in the depths of his character.

I haven't quite thought it all through yet...

I wonder if Rex will give the game away. He likes Pip and won't like to see her messed about. He'll no doubt be furious if he finds out that Pip has given Toby money.

Interesting speculation.

Tobes was rather at his best in the Lilian dialogue a while ago ...

But the money thing ...

I think Rex is just as bad as Toby. I also have never understood why they moved to Ambridge.

Was this the first time we heard that Robin supports them?

No, there's been a brief mention of it before, though more from the business side than everything.

Most people in the city aren't earning big bucks and Toby clearly hasn't the potential to

I'm sure we heard mention of robin supporting them before - around the time he was sick maybe?

Whatever is going on in Brighton Rex knows. And it is totally implausible that he hasn't spat it out in a rage yet

Also Toby is young so even if he was earning well (extremely unlikely) it would have been for a couple of years max - not long enough to build much of a buffer

I assume robin is acting more as an angel investor - supporting them now to build their business. Not that Toby has one anymore

I seem to remember a reference to robin supporting them while they set up a business.

The Toby Brighton thing will probably turn out to be gambling.

I hadn't realised that they both got a monthly allowance, so Toby could afford to pay his way, but he chooses not to. We also don't actually know if Pip pays rent.
I think Toby's wife is in a coma in Brighton, caused by Toby driving drunk,

That's true. Why are they there? It would be plausible if they had inherited land or a house but otherwise there is no reason for them to come to Ambridge.

Why is Pat still treating Helen like a special snowflake? Surely getting back to work and normality is the best thing for her?

"Why is Pat still treating Helen like a special snowflake?"

Because she's her mum?

Doctor 2 A fair number of us have concluded that there is no more misogny on TA than anywhere else. Also there is not a huge of amount of male worship either.

I knew the business of the FB's allowance would light up this thread .

I think they are in the plot to show how extremely difficult it is to have bucolic dreams and see them properly fulfilled. There are quite a few people like them who 'play' at farming. Spectactularly unsuccessfully.

"Working in the City" is a pretty fluid term. I've always thought Tobes was probably a cycle courier or sandwich / pizza delivery guy.

Yes Lucretia or juggling busker Ds busks sometimes (he makes a mint esp. outside Harrods, I'll tell him to try the city)!

I have a strong suspicion that somebody, somewhere, is frantically re-listening to rather a lot of old episodes trying desperately to write a convincing explanation for 'Brighton'. I suspect this is one of those 'not quite thought through' scenarios (cf. Ethan's conception).

New thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/2818062-Surprise-surprise-Kirsty-has-a-Mini-Sausage-Roll-in-the-oven-Discuss-the-Archers-here?watched=1

Gherkins Because Helen started 2016 in an abusive relationship, lived with the abusive Ursula, stabbed her husband, got arrested, lost contact with her child, gave birth in prison, went on trial and is now re-building her life. She's bounced back amazingly well considering but Pat's worry is not at all surprising to me.

Actually, one of the many unbelievable things is the way both Helen and Henry seem to be so little affected by the past years. And all, apparently, without benefit of counseling or any help at all........

You've got 72 posts to plough through over on the new thread Bertrand 😁

Thanks!