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!

[C8H10N4O2]

Pip lived rent free whilst at university having guaranteed employment at the end of the course. I recall a conversation where the Dopeys insisted that her work on the farm more than covered it.

Josh is similar age and building up a business whilst also working on the farm. I don't see why he should get the same deal as Pip on board and lodging at this stage, especially as he doesn't have a living from the farm to look forward to.

I agree the more pertinent question is how much rent Pip pays for a previously income generating cottage.

[C8H10N4O2]

that should say why he should not get the same deal, rather than "why he should get the same deal"

[TigerTeatimes]

Haha, I think you've all nailed it

She will expect Toby to be hands on, she will expect everyone to gratefully babysit

I do love hearing naive pre baby and new baby talk. Especially the judgey stuff you now kharma's going to deal with in good time.

I really don't think josh needs to pay rent, the Dopeys should be covering his therapy costs, at best call it quits. Maybe if Jill wasn't footing the catering costs he should contribute a bit of housekeeping, or just give it to her?

[PseudoBadger]

I’m here

[MikeUniformMike]

Well, well. Anisha is going. Who would have predicted that one.

[OrchidInTheSun]

To be fair to Pip (and there's a phrase I never thought I'd type), Helen is managing to raise two children without it having any impact on her career, social life or any other commitments so I can see why Pip expects her family to dance attendance on her too.

I know Anisha had to go but could they have made that any more clunky?

[Gruach]

Oddly enough (and it’s not the reason given) I can quite see that The Stables with Shula and Alistair divorcing is not at all what Anisha signed up for. I’d be bailing out in a similar situation too.

[MikeUniformMike]

Helen is amazing isn't she. So doggedly independent.

[MikeUniformMike]

Singlehandedly bringing up those little boys. I don't know how she does it.

[BertrandRussell]

There isn't a single family in Ambridge who pays for childcare. Another thing that makes me cross.....

[KitchenFloor]

Didn't Emma help with Helen's offspring? Was she paid?

[KitchenFloor]

And Poppy goes to nursery. Hence the rush to fetch her continually.

[OrchidInTheSun]

Honestly, she really is an example to single mothers everywhere of how to Have It All

[YouStacey]

Today 15:02 Minimammoth

Pip will expect Toby to follow her around to be the pair of hands whenever she needs them. All farming activities will be Pip, Tobes and babe being handed between them, her saying well you wanted to be hands on.
I am absolutely no fan of Pip but as Tony is the father that seems fair enough.
I only heard the first 5 mins of tonight's episode - so are Anissa AND Rex definitely going? How does Anisha plan to rid herself of her share of the Ambridge partnership?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Tony is the father of Pip's baby?

Cracking typo.

Elizabeth and Nigel paid for childcare. They employed Hayley. Elizabeth then repaid her by having an affair with Hayley's husband.

I so wanted Mrs Antrobus to leave Nightingale Farm to Hayley and Roy. She was very fond of them and had no close family of her own, so it would have been plausible. They could have run it as a day nursery. Hayley had the NNEB and Roy had a business studies degree. It would have worked brilliantly. But not to be.

[Bibesia]

Surely there must be something in the partnership agreement that gives Alastair a degree of protection in relation to the loans etc?

[Buckingfrolicks]

My prediction having now listened to 4 episodes on the trot due to domestic challenges keeping me away from TA, is that The cancellations for Helen's cheese making course are the result of Rob (boo hiss) doing something Not Good via social media, to dissuade attendees. There was a weird number of unnecessary references to stalking online, business websites etc which put this in my mind.

[Gruach]

Interesting ...

But Tom said he was constantly tripping over Helen’s business on social media - so surely if there was anything nefarious going on he’d have seen it?

[Eastpoint]

How on earth will Alastair be able to buy Anisha out? I presume their partnership contract will have details on the dissolution, her leaving so soon seems very fickle to me. I don’t like him but this is very bad luck & makes me feel sorry for him.

[birdsdestiny]

The anisha thing has made me a little cross. Honestly what was the point of introducing that character. She disappeared for months as soon as she arrived, we care very little for her as we don't know her, and now she is going. Utter waste of time.
I wonder if things are going to end very badly for Alistair, divorce, money problems, miss of his business, are they heading for a storyline around male depression or worse.

[ADarkandStormyKnight]

Alistair needs legal advice.

I don't want Rex to leave. .

[HatingTheBigShow]

Just imagine how unbearably awful Shula will be if he tops himself.

[Gruach]

It’s really unfortunate that TA is all about business partnerships - because they’re dreadful at legal stuff.

I doubt Rex will leave.

[MrsGrindah]

The plot lines have been dire for a while. Kate might lose her business ....who cares?! Anisha is leaving ....who cares? Aunty Chris had dementia for all of 3 episodes.Theres just some really clunky writing too..Neil’s only had his new job a couple of months so there’s no way they’d already have enough cash to give to Emma for a deposit.

I am pleased though that Emma and Ed might not get a house. The way she has assumed they would really annoyed me. Right.. now I’ve got that off my chest I’m off to work ( in an extremely well paid job in a chicken factory if you must know!)

[BertrandRussell]

Please don’t tell me that Alastair is yet anther Ambridge inhabirant who took a major business decision with no legal advice at all? Surely Amish can’t just walk away?