10th August 2010

The Archers: Helen tells Susan and Vicky … the Aldridges and Carter’s clash over what is a ‘good’ barbeque

• Helen might as well have put it in the Echo
• “Of course you’re not a gossip - but you do take a keen interest”
• Susan and Vicky then chew this new information over
• Then Jennifer is told
• “I suppose that is rather Helen – she’s always been original”
• Roasted swan and grilled peacock

Helen might as well have put it in the Echo

That was crafty, Helen.

Telling Susan and Vicky is better than it being in the local paper – it’ll be spread within seconds!

Creating a bit of consternation for Susan that folks might think Alice and Chris had a shotgun wedding ,

(“that's not why they got married - they're in love!”)

Helen then tells Susan her news. Though, she didn’t quite present Susan with arguments that she’s ever agree with:

“who needs men when we've got science to help us out”

“think of all the woman who have to shackle themselves to unsuitable men just to have a baby”

“Of course you’re not a gossip - but you do take a keen interest”

But where Helen failed to recognise that any opinion said to Susan will be taken to heart (without a man? What’s wrong with my Neil!), she came up trumps in wooing Vicky.

I though Helen was being too subtle at first, but Vicky finally twigged … and was genuinely delighted!

Who’d have thought that Vicky would prove to be so understanding. She’ll be a grand, and very loud, supporter for Helen in the coming months.

Also very revealing that Vicky had also pondered having a child by herself one.

And very ominous that Vicky later didn’t entirely dispel the idea that she might still feel like that … Good God!


Susan and Vicky then chew this new information over

“Such an attractive girl - not natural she has no man in her life” (Susan)

“only got her word that there wasn't – it could be a cover story for one night stand” (Susan)

“It’s weird … it’s not the normal way” (Susan)

“we don't all meet the man of our dreams when we're barely out of the classroom” (Vicky)

I loved the way that Vicky explained the difference between donor insemination and IVF before Susan could fully get her rant on.

Great stuff.


Then Jennifer is told

By Vicky and Susan. Nightmare!

Thinking at first that they’re talking about Brenda, all Jennifer can muster when realising that it’s Helen who is pregnant is:

“Oh good heavens!”

Then rushes off to call Lilian and Peggy.

I wonder how the Archers clan will fall into camps about this?

For: Helen, Pat, Lilian, Adam, Ian, Deborah, Kate, Alistair, Kenton, Ruth, Elizabeth, Nigel

Against: Tony, Peggy, Jennifer, Alice, Shula, Kathy, David

Non plussed: Tom, Brian, Matt

?


“I suppose that is rather Helen – she’s always been original”

Indeed.

And despite my own horror when this was first mentioned, I’m putting myself in the ‘for’ camp.

In saying that, I won’t be held responsible for how the poor wee mite will turn out. One can only hope Helen has a complete personality change by becoming a mother.

Lovely girl, but oh so controlling …


Roasted swan and grilled peacock

I know Brian was just jesting, but he wasn’t too far off in spotting what Jennifer expects of a barbeque. And of course, a good one doesn’t involve Tom’s burgers.

And here’s the problem. While Jennifer thinks that Susan should know Tom’s grill would be “appropriate” for the party to celebrate Alice and Chris’ marriage, she couldn’t be further from the truth.

Looks like the mothers-in-law need to spend a bit of quality time getting to know each other. That’ll be interesting …