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!

Hilarious that Shula is moaning about everything going out of control and being embarrassed. Did she really think she could tell Alastair to bugger off but expect him to carry on obeying her every whim?

Gnu: yes.

I hope Alastair moves onto Sabrina Thwaite next, and we hear Shula gently stewing in the kitchen whilst listening to the bed springs squeak through the ceiling

hope Alastair moves onto Sabrina Thwaite next

I was listening to the story of lascivious Lavinia and trying to work out how old the legendary Mandy Beesborough is these days

Another good episode. Freddie is in right over his head and so is Lily, in a different way. Ugh.

Ooh, Bore and I discussed the leather jacket on the last thread and wondered what dark secret Lily was hiding.

But have I got this right (I may not have been paying attention): she's in a relationship with a member of the college staff? Surely, that's gross misconduct on his part and could have as serious a consequence for Lily as drug-taking?

I've just listened to the last four days' episodes - brilliant! I liked the setup with Freddie and Lily though I wasn't expecting to, what a horrible manipulative little madam Lily is, I quite liked both Pat and Olwyn hearing some home truths from each other, I liked Jenny cutting Brian off in the middle of his Julius Caesar comments, and I liked hearing Will and Susan make up their brief disagreement. The only thing I really didn't like was that nonsense with a horse - if the horse was whinnying he'd probably spotted a friend and would have tried to move off, that's why horses whinny, not generally because they are a bit spooked. If they are scared they shy immediately. If someone like Brian landed facing backwards onto a horse from a tree, for crying out loud, he would have ended up on the ground probably with some broken bones and lucky not to get kicked. Even the most docile horse would be very, very scared by something coming out of a tree and landing on its back.

l imagine the consequences for Call me Russ would be greater than for Lily. Couldn’t she just do A levels elsewhere? Though it would mean another year, probably. Couldn’t they just argue she’d been targeted/groomed by the deputy head who is really the one in the wrong. Though Lily is a little madam. I suppose this could be regarded as a reaction to Nigel’s death, Lily looking for a father figure. Urgh!

The only thing I really didn't like was that nonsense with a horse comments like this (and the subsequent explanation) are the reason I LOVE this thread. Re. Lily - I think it’s a case of the apple not falling far from the tree. Exactly the sort of thing Elizabeth would have done. This has been a great week.

OMG, where to start?

A vom-inducing moment when Brine mentioned "our bed" in deeper, growly tones. Bleurgh. Brain bleach.

Loved the elderflower picking nonsense; a middle-aged, middle-class version of the Chuckle Brothers: to me, to you. And how very Brine to tell yet another lie to protect himself, taking all the credit for the flowers. Priceless response from Jennifer about changing the sheets.:o

I wondered why the principal was so hesitant, in his dealings with Freddie, not at all the behaviour of the person charge. And yes, he will be in stupendous shit. Full sacking if this gets out.

I doubt if there will be any consequences for Lily, she's done nothing wrong, though she may be strongly advised to complete her course elsewhere. Or does the course finish this year? If the latter, then she's OK, and with her Teflon-coated self-regard, will just trip away hipperty-lipperty.

She and Freddie are about to take their final A level exams, so she's on the point of leaving the college anyway. It's an FE college, not a school. I have a vague notion that it's illegal nowadays for a teacher to have any sort of sexual/romantic relationship with a pupil, even if the pupil is 18 (as Lily is) but does that apply to colleges as well as schools? He should be sacked, anyway. Married and perving on his students! Yeurggghhh.

Yes, that bit about Brian and the bed was icky in the extreme, but horribly believable.

Is that the writer's first week on TA? Her name is Naylah Ahmed. I will be looking out for her weeks from now on!

Keri Davies next week.

thesexualoffenceshandbook.com/2013/10/08/teachers-and-sexual-relationships-with-students-aged-16/

Everything hinges on Lily's birthday. Though college rules could still result in Russ's sacking. I've just looked it up. She's 18, so Russ won't get gaol, but probably sacked.

Lily has done nothing wrong. In a similar case in my area the adult was sacked and barred from teaching.

Nope because whatever the legality, if she is under 19 then it is gross misconduct and a safeguarding concern. He should be sacked and banned from teaching.

In my DCs school I know his feet wouldn't touch the ground, and he would be out until the case had been investigated and then dismissed and teaching career over. It would almost certainly be flagged on DBS checks.

Things have changed a lot since Lizzies's Day.
I believe at most Universities would see this as an issue nowadays too (someone didn't get the Oxford Professor of Literature because of allegations of a past relationship with a student).

Nice the way that both Freddy and Lily are keeping secrets for each other.
I’m a bit confused about Freddy’s dealing though - is he doing it for Ellis? I thought Ellis had warned himo off dealing on ‘his patch’ ?

I must be in the minority because I’m thoroughly bored with the whole “Will Jenny forgive Brian?” Non saga. Yes she will because she values the good life beyond anything else. It’s dragging on and is neither engaging or amusing.

Acht!! He doesn't get you Lily! You don't get him! The only thing you're going to get is a broken heart. Maybe something itchy too. But definitely the broken heart.

Has anyone got an address for Lily? I have a mix tape of Bobbie Gentry/Gloria Gaynor/Fleetwood Mac I need to send her.

Thanks LillianGish that made my day!

I had to laugh because the elder flowers on the tree by our terrace are calling to me to pick some for cordial at this very moment, the annoying thing is that Iam literally just making some ginger beer and I'm not sure if elder flowers would mix in successfully

So true!

Golf with Keyser Soze . Best line from Freddie ever

Oh boop for Freddy tonight.

Think I’ll struggle with the whole Lily & Russ scenario. She is far too smart. And the delivery of her lines simply doesn’t sound at all invested in what she’s saying.

Gruach - Jonny and Freddie.