The dog days of summer are approaching Ambridge. Freddy’s being hounded and Brian is in the dog house - can Jenny take the ruff with the smooth?

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks to all for the dog ideas, and special mention to Ppeatfruit.

Discuss the Archers here!

Fairbruh’s basically conquering the entire village?

Rex had better get a move on - he’s falling behind in the power-sperm stakes ...

(Nope. That apostrophe definitely an interloper.)

My take on Phoebe refusing the massage was simply that Kate thinks that a bit of a lie down and a rub with essential oils will sort out most things whereas Phoebe is very practical and prefers to actually DO things than lie back passively and let someone else do things to her, so the massage held no appeal and she was keen to get away to talk to Jenny, think of a plan etc.

Can’t believe we’re contemplating this though. As I get older I’ve rather expected increasingly mature, original and well thought out storylines

My thoughts exactly, Gruach. Though my inner teacher goes:

Also, given the childhood abandonment (and Kate lately bursting in on her and a boyfriend) Phoebe definitely has intimacy issues with her mother. She’s as supportive as she can be but she never wants Kate close enough to be able to cause her more pain.

I don't know anyone with a baby from a ONS - we've all either been with the father and in most cases have been actively trying which may have taken some considerable time. I've had 8 years of actively trying/no contraception and one child to show for it. I don't think we need a dramatic IVF story, but a pregnancy following the plodding, heartbreak of trying and failing each month without any real reason for a year or so seems more realistic to me than a Bridget Jones style, miraculously pregnant at 40 after a drunken ONS.

Jessie and Gruach that's what I thought. Self harming never occurred to me.

Are there many people who would want a massage from their mum?

And technically we all get pregnant from one night stands- it’s not like the egg and the sperm need to get to know each other over a series of candlelight suppers..........

And technically we all get pregnant from one night stands- it’s not like the egg and the sperm need to get to know each other over a series of candlelight suppers..........

This is a fascinating point - has there been any research? Perhaps emotional closeness does have a physiological effect.

“Perhaps emotional closeness does have a physiological effect.”

I wouldn’t have thought so - we are just mammals when all’s said and done.....

I can't really imagine Kate having the patience to be a good masseur, or any kind of therapist.

Oooh, new theory. Phoebe didn't want a massage because Phoebe is up-duffed. Imagine that: Kate having a competitive pregnancy with her own daughter. The SW would have a field day!

I have to say R4 - that might be rather fun!

We'll have to open a new village school at this rate.

We appear to have forgotten Ian and Adam

I had. My heart is sinking at the even soapier storyline of Kate dramatically incubating for 9 months, dramatically handing over the baby as her gift to Ian and Adam, then interfering endlessly for 20 yrs. I bet even Eastenders has never done that one.

One point I did agree with Phoebe on though. Kate did make a success of selling the woo. It always surprised me that apparently successful businessmen were blind to the potential in that area. Kate's business has been wrecked by the current situation and she isn't getting acknowledgement of that.

I’m feeling a bit pearl clutchy about the Kate storyline. Has anyone actually called her out that it’s not ok to have a ONS with a man who’s upduffed her cousin. I hope the only discenting voice isn’t from a gossip like Susan.

R4 that was my first thought re Phoebe but I think she learned her lesson last year with her romance with the picker.

that was my first thought re Phoebe but I think she learned her lesson last year with her romance with the picker.

.... but it could also be the reason why she can't go through with (another) abortion.

Didn't she take the MAP?

If Phoebe is pregnant, it will be the worst TASWAMA moment ever

I think Brian and JD are behaving appallingly towards Kate. There, I said it. I know she's a bit of a twonk and shagging Toby so apologetically is beyond the pale but she has apparently made a success of Spiritual Homes. You'd think Brian would have some grudging respect for that. I'd love to see here figures!

Her figures. Her.

Actually I bet Phoebe has got a tattoo she doesn't want her mother to see. Some sort of pro-Brexit Tory statement.

Yes - what has happened to the anti-Brexit marching Phoebe? Character about-turn or, more likely, SW amnesia?