The Archers: Pip’s stressed about ticket sales … Bert’s a ploughing champ … Vicky’s bull calves go off to mart … Emma tells Susan and David/Ruth …
- Only 42!
- 106 might have mastitis
- Bert might win the county championship
- “Nice looking bunch of calves”
- “Sorry. There’s a bit of tea on there.”
- Susan’s not happy
- Why was David and Ruth so nervous?
- And then there’s Will
Only 42!
Pip’s target for the YFC Ball next Friday is 70.
She’s sold 42 and has 10 more days.
Why the stress, young lady? That’s bags of time.
As Pip later sold more to some of the local residents, I was a bit confused about how couples buying tickets only meant one more ticket sold.
Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe Pip should be selling one ticket per person? Just a thought …
106 might have mastitis
Aw!
I do prefer Ed’s habit of naming his cows.
There’s something a bit too clinical about Ruth and David’s numbering system.
Bert might win the county championship
With Bert’s “arch rival Jimmy Prentice” retired from ploughing competitions, Bert’s seemingly in a great place to win the trophy.
Winning today’s competition, he’s now second in the County Championship.
Is there no end to that man’s talents?
“Nice looking bunch of calves”
And here endeth the lesson.
Mike and Ed load up Vicky’s bull calves for the mart, with a rather upset Vicky watching over them to say goodbye (without interfering … her words, not mine).
Mike reckoned:
“that they’re going off for junk food is a shame”
At mart, the calves made £100 each. Which isn’t great:
[Vicky] “I knew it’d be bad, but after all me hard work …”
(Sorry Vicky – your hard work???)
But it means Vicky only owes Ed £350.
Mike also gave Ed another £30 (as he thought Ed’s cost didn’t really cover his time and effort), with both he and Ed glad this whole whim of Vicky’s is done and dusted.
[Vicky] “I’ve learnt on thing from this – don’t want to see another calf ever again … I just don’t think I could bear it”
Fair enough. Apart from the fact you live in the country. And your husband does a milk round.
Avoiding calves might be more difficult that you’d think, Vicky. The trick is not to get involved with farming when you haven’t got the stomach for the more hard of realities.
“Sorry. There’s a bit of tea on there.”
Ed’s rushed through the numbers, and has got his invoice ready for Vicky.
It even has the free bonus of some food matter smeared onto it.
Lovely.
Coming in at £1,150, Mike reckons the price is more than fair – and then also manages to pass the invoice off as properly detailed.
I’d have expected Vicky to make more of a fuss about it being so rushed, but she was obviously quite upset about her “beautiful boys” going off the mart …
Susan’s not happy
When Emma tells Susan that she’s pregnant, Susan is utterly delighted.
However, she’s not so chuffed that Clarrie already knows.
As Emma explained, Clarrie did guess
[Clarrie] “Well I’ve seen more of you than Clarrie, and I’ve never noticed”
But then again, Susan has been busy with Chris’ marriage and the Village Shop.
“By next April you’ll be a grandmother again!”
All nice and happy.
What a difference to when Helen told her family …
Why was David and Ruth so nervous?
Did they think Josh was back to being Emma’s stalker again?
They just seemed very reticent when Emma asked to speak to them. David even tried to leg it!
Anyway, they’re also delighted that Emma’s pregnant, and are fine with her taking time off.
And then there’s Will
I’m relieved someone has finally mentioned Will in relation to Emma’s baby.
[Ed] “This time he can’t say it’s not mine”
Jokes aside, Ed, it’s going to be tricky.
Emma was all for going to see Will, and tell him. But only when Nic was there (poor thing. Could you imagine the mood Will would be in after Ed and Emma left!).
[Ed] “I shouldn’t worry about it. He will find out soon enough”
I suppose we can’t expect Ed to anything less than utterly unconcerned about how Will feels about Emma having a baby with Ed.
But it’s not about Will – it’s more about the utter fury he’ll unleash on anyone and everyone hear him.
Seriously – I hope Nic has a panic button ready.
The Archers: Panto planning time ... Mike build's bridges ... Jamie feels like an idiot ... Kenton finally deals with Jamie ... Clarrie's been patient
- Bull!
- Hurrah! The Panto is back
- Clarrie had a nice day
- Jamie's clutching at straws
- At least Vicky was committed ...
- Kenton to the rescue?
- What about Will?!??!?!?!?!?!?
Bull!
"Does she think this is Texas?"
"she comes here, and tells me how to run my herd"
"it don’t matter to calves - they'll just end up dead either way"
Ed's still furious with Vicky for the way she spoke to him, and for her last-ditch attempt to make some 'proper' use of her bull calves.
Hurrah! The Panto is back
I badly missed it last year, so am delighted to hear Lynda planning for her interpretation of Dick Wittington.
Three cheers!
As Kenton said - it’s a hard to believe that it’s that time of year already.
Clarrie had a nice day
And about time too. Clarrie doesn’t get much in the way of anything less than drudgery.
Despite Will being his typical grumpy self, Nic has joined the WI, so was on their trip to Oxford yesterday.
Seemingly Clarrie and Nic had a proper laugh
"strolling through the college pretending to be professors"
Lynda reports that Hillary Noakes will be pleased that Nic has joined the WI (she has a dive on for younger members), and I’m delighted that Clarrie has had fun and is getting along so well with Nic.
Let's face it - Nic will badly need a practical, yet supportive, ally like Clarrie for when Will properly kicks off ...
Jamie's clutching at straws
Nice try Jamie - but trying to dissuade Kathy from picking you up and dropping you off at school using an environmental argument was not clever.
"just look at what you're doing to the planet
"
Yup. That's really going to convince Kathy that her driving you to and from uses too much petrol.
I think proving to Kathy that you can be trusted might have more of an effect.
At least Vicky was committed ...
... but not to where some would like her to be.
It's a fair point that Mike made - Vicky did try her best to sell the veal. Most of the time.
And at least Ed is reasonable enough to see Vicky's point of view (via the ever diplomatic Mike). And he agrees to draw a line under the whole veal business.
Which is very generous, considering everything Vicky said (was there ever too brothers more different?).
But - do we sense trouble in Mike saying it was okay for Ed not to give as detailed an invoice (for caring for the bull calves) as Vicky demanded?
She did give very strict instructions.
An invoice and an apology.
I wouldn’t like to be in Mike's wellies if he doesn't return which exactly just that.
Kenton to the rescue?
After he chat with Jolene at the Harvest Supper, and Lynda also sticking her oar in (again!), Kenton finally calls Jamie.
"I hear it’s been kinda interesting for you recently"
Putting it lightly, but maybe that's what Jamie needs?
A bloke, who is more of a mate than a parent, but who isn’t daft enough to get him drunk. Or arrested ...
Um ... actually ... maybe Kenton isn’t the right man for the job after all.
What about Will?!??!?!?!?!?!?
All fine and good for Emma to starting telling family that she's pregnant, and very good that Clarrie doesn't have to bite her tongue any longer, but haven't they forgotten someone?
Will is going to go absolutely ballistic!
Best get Nic prepared (or at least out of the house ... maybe even a different country) as this is going to be nasty.
The Archers: Jazzer moves in with Harry ... Vicky faces Ed ... Peggy's second lesson with Harry
- "even a pig ark is bigger than this"
- Men on bikes?
- Jazzer 'two plastic bags' McCreary
- Widows get a basket of produce
- To give Vicky credit ...
- "Scrub calves!"
- "Call yourself a farmer? I wouldn't trust you to run a pets corner!"
- Google, perchance?
"even a pig ark is bigger than this"
So there's a surprise. Jazzer's not impressed with his room at Harry's.
Despite Harry trying to tell Jazzer that
"space is all relative",
the box room does sound teeny. It's not even small enough to have a bed - Jazzer has to make do with a futon (which has to stay up as a sofa if he wants to move around at all).
Alarm bells are sounding already with Harry mentioning to Jazzer that he "might want" to leave his shoes in the hall ...
"we'll get along fine ... Jazzer old son"
I very much doubt it, Harry me old mate.
Men on bikes?
It'd be a bit clumsy to deduce anything from Harry having pictures of last year's Tour de France up in his box room (now Jazzer's bedroom), but what else would be the point of it, in this context?
Harry claims the pictures were to:
"add a touch of colour, a bit of class"
Jazzer's response:
"if I do have to live in a shoe box, I don't plan to share it with a bunch of pumped up guys in lyrca"
The obvious response to all of this would be to assume Harry might be gay.
It would explain why he's shown little interest in Fallon (isn't she supposed to be a bit of a looker?), though it wouldn't explain his interest in Nic.
It might also explain why he's gone to such lengths to be a useful part of the village. Maybe he thinks Ambridge still burns gay men (or lesbians) at the stake, so best to be integrated before the big reveal?
Hmmmm.
I'm not convinced.
Maybe this was more about Jazzer being a bit of an insecure lout, than anything about Harry.
Making a point of saying how he'll put up
"some fine wee lassies",
and how his toiletries amount to a toothbrush and a razor - maybe Jazzer actually doth protest too much?
Jazzer 'two plastic bags' McCreary
Aw!
Jazzer can fit all of his worldly possessions into (which sounded like) two plastic carrier bags.
What a wee shame.
Still, if he didn't spend so much down The Bull ...
Widows get a basket of produce
That seems to be the case during the Harvest sermon at the church.
Jill was given once as she's been recently widowed.
I’m not sure whether I'd be touched or embarrassed (and upset), in her place.
To give Vicky credit ...
... she does at least her the nerve to face Ed to tell him that she's failed to sell any veal (apart from a wee bit to Ian).
And she kept her cool when Ed basically said 'I told you so'.
Though she doesn't entirely accept that it was a doomed to failure plan:
[Vicky] "how could we know till we tried?"
[Ed] "It's just common sense!"
Despite Ed getting quite blatantly more and more angry, Vicky continues to blunder on - now suggesting that they keep the calves for breeding bulls.
Which leads us to:
"Scrub calves!"
[Ed] "scrub calves! They're not good enough! They're not fit for anything!"
How did Vicky explode when Ed called her beloved calves "scrub"!
Quite suddenly, she went from slightly humble, to furiously righteous:
[Vicky] "It's a failure .. because I couldn't guarantee continuity of supply! ... if you'd shown a bit more guts and imagination ..."
[Ed] "either way, it's a stupid idea"
[Vicky] "you just think you know it all!"
[Ed] "you must be away with the fairies!"
Al of which results with:
"Call yourself a farmer? I wouldn't trust you to run a pets corner!"
Ouch! That final verbal blast from Vicky must have somewhat bruised Ed.
When Vicky later retells the rather unsightly scene between herself and Ed to Mike
"my lovely boys ... scrub calves!"
Demanding that Mike takes her side, and to tell Ed that
"before he gets anything from me ... I'll proper detailed invoice and an apology"
What's the chances of either of those being forthcoming from Ed?
While Vicky does owe him money for the upkeep of her "lovely boys", her frothing rant won't make Ed keen to be nice to her anytime soon.
Poor Mike, stuck in-between.
If only he hadn't pandered to Vicky's whims in the first place.
Google, perchance?
Harry was showing Peggy how to use 'one of the most popular search engines".
The first thing Peggy wants to look up is Alzheimers.
Which was a bit of a sad moment, as Peggy also mentioned that everything with Jack might have been a bit different if she'd has access to the wealth of information on the internet before now.
Very true. Peggy could have found more advice and support.
Peggy's GI is back!
Well - not really. He's not back in body, but it looks like he is well and truly back in Peggy's mind.
As Harry shows Peggy how to look people up, and despite saying that she'd be able to have few friends on Facebook (as they'll either have forgotten her or are ... well ... dead), Peggy does want to look up Con Korchmar (sp?).
Will Peggy find her lost love?
And if she does, what will happen (considering that her husband is still actually alive)?
The Archers: Vicky's off to Birmingham ... Jazzer and Brenda fight over a slice of ham ... Peggy gets computer lessons ... Mike has a cunning plan
- How many of you wished you could turn Vicky's voice off?
- "This is the full Monty"
- Breed!
- Peggy gets a gold star!
- A roaring trade in pasties
- "It's like having a stray dog in the house"
- Does Harry really know what he's letting himself in for?
- The meat supplier says ...
How many of you wished you could turn Vicky's voice off?
Worried about the directions to her big meeting in Birmingham, Vicky didn't want to use her sat nav because:
[Vicky] "she just annoys me ... I end up shouting at her"
[Mike] "you could always turn the voice off"
I actually don't mind Vicky all that much (though she's far from one of my favourite residents), but I could hear many Archers Eavesdroppers wishing they could turn Vicky off just as easily!
"This is the full Monty"
Vicky on how big and important her potential veal client is:
"this isn't just your backstreet butcher, or half baked pie maker - this is the full Monty!"
Phew! That's a whole lotta nonsensical waffling m'lady!
And it would seem everything hangs on this client taking an order. As everyone else (apart from Ian and his 'best cuts') has said 'no'.
[Vicky] "you wouldn't believe how picky these people can be!"
Hmmm.
A tiny new supplier with a product there's no demand for.
Vicky really doesn't get this whole business thing, does she?
Breed!
Which is Scottish for bread.
Which Jazzer ate.
Which left Brenda with none to eat.
Oops.
Jazzer's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.
Making an effort to be clean, he still gets screeched at by Brenda for eating what she reckons was her lunch.
[Jazzer] "tom just said to come and help myself"
[Brenda] "you cleaned us out ... I don't want your sandwich. I want my own! You greedy pig!!!"
Now, I think Brenda was making far too much of a fuss over what was basically one slice of ham and a bit of bread.
Jazzer didn't expect her to come home for lunch:
"They let you out for dinner then eh? Con man Crawford and his missus"
And I think he was quite right to leg it as Brenda's rant reached a peak.
Brenda just doesn't want Jazzer around. Tom's being his usual blinkered self. Jazzer can't win.
Peggy gets a gold star!
Was it just me, or was Harry a tad patronising towards Peggy?
Why was he so surprised that Peggy could touch type, when typewriters have most definitely predate computer?
(but I will admit that Harry is starting to irk me. Just what is his angle?)
Peggy did actually sound like she knew what she was doing - maybe she just wanted to spend some one-on-one time with the hunky milkman?
Harry also sounded like he was enjoying his time with Peggy. Though it wasn't anything other than pupil/teacher appreciation:
"she's amazing isn’t she - a real super gran!"
And will we see Peggy on Twitter and Facebook soon? She sounded enthused by the idea of social networking, though I have a nasty suspicion she could end up downloading films without actually paying for them ...
Peggy wasn't so sure about things like Skyping. She thinks seeing someone you love, when they're actually far away, actually makes it harder.
Especially on kids.
Was that yet another dig at Kate?
A roaring trade in pasties
Never mind veal, Vicky and Tom should be battling over pasties!
Will had one the other week, now Mike has to make do with one after giving his lunch to Brenda.
(and I bet Brenda used to steal lunch money off the other kids at school. After all, she's happy to steal an older man's lunch!)
"It's like having a stray dog in the house"
What?
Since when were strays dogs "idiots" with "no respect, no consideration"?
If Brenda had meant Jazzer had cowered in a corner, piddled on the carpet, then ripped open a few cushions, I could have understood.
But that just didn’t work, Brenda.
Does Harry really know what he's letting himself in for?
Mike's plan to get Jazzer out of Brenda's life, is to foist him on Harry.
And Harry seems quite happy at the prospect.
Why oh why oh why???
Is this all part of Harry's plan, or is he just that dense?
Surely he can't have failed to notice that Jazzer hates him, and will make his life (and home) a living hell?
With Jazzer completely cornered - Brenda's given him until the morning to get out, and Harry has a room - he has no choice but to bed down in Harry's pad.
"it’s a great little room jazz, and you’d be just the man to fit it"
(queue the music for The Odd Couple!)
The meat supplier says ...
... no!
[Vicky] "it was horrible ... he said no ... he doesn't want it ... no continuity of supply ...demand ..."
[Vicky] "it's no god Mike. I’ve failed. I can't sell it. we should never have kept those calves"
Oh dear. I actually feel a bit sorry for Vicky.
The Archers: Kenton is interested in Kathy … Brian shuts up Kate (for a millisecond) and is in a rather good mood … Kate’s idea of motherhood … Kenton decides to help Jamie
- Kenton and Alan like Jolene’s We Love The Bull t-shirt
- We Love Jaxx
- What’s Kenton’s motive?
- “I think Sid would have been with you on that one”
- Jennifer has no judgement when rushed
- Daddy saves the day
- Becky Simmons
- Alan’s ‘bar wars’ joke
- Brian’s good mood (courtesy of Matt)
- Kate’s parenting tips
- What’s funny about Peggy taking computer lessons?
- “you find you have a civil war”
Kenton and Alan like Jolene’s We Love The Bull t-shirt
And so they should (though I haven’t actually seen one as yet …).
To date:
@welovethebull on Twitter has 567 followers
And the Facebook cause has 482 supporters
Are you part of the solution?!?
We Love Jaxx
Um …
Probably not.
I think a new bar in a larger town doesn’t quite qualify for such adoring support.
After all, there’s always another bar just round the corner.
What’s Kenton’s motive?
I might be wrong to question’s Kenton’s motives for helping Jolene, but it’s a habit born out of months of shouting between him and Kathy,
Showing special interest in why Kathy was too busy to get Jolene’s new menu flyers printed up, Kenton then offers to step in.
But why?
Is he just being nice to Jolene?
Is he trying to help Kathy out – by finishing what she couldn’t?
Or, is he trying to somehow show Kathy up? Demonstrate that he isn’t the useless piece of fluff that she’s painted? And that he’s actually a better neighbour than her?
I don‘t know anymore.
But Kenton actually being helpful has to be viewed with suspicion.
“I think Sid would have been with you on that one”
Realising that Kathy is having a tough time with Jamie, Kenton has a chat with Jolene about what to do.
He’d heard about the Barn Dance and the Bird Hide – but claims he hasn’t got involved because of Kathy (that she’d probably tear him a new one if he come anywhere near wither her of Jamie).
If Kenton’s being honest, he’s probably reticent to get involved because he knows he hasn’t been the best stepdad to Jamie, regardless of what’s happened between Kathy and himself.
[Jolene] “maybe he needs some man to man advice … I think Sid would have been with you on that one … I mean a quiet chant is not going to hurt”
[Kenton] “I owe it to Jamie. whatever Kathy thinks, I’ll have to give it a try”
I, for one, wish Kenton every bit of luck in his endeavours to help Jamie.
If only for some peace our end …
Jennifer has no judgement when rushed
And as a result, I do worry about the output of her baking efforts (was there too much sugar?).
But then again, Jennifer doesn’t seem to have good judgement at the best of times.
While not going back years upon years to revisit the mistakes of her youth (*ahem* Adam *ahem*), Jennifer seems to completely lose all common sense when it comes to her daughter Kate.
While she gives her other daughter’s husband a hard time for not being quite ‘of standard’.
Odd.
Surely Kate should be the one getting a hard time, rather than the very affable Chris?
Jennifer seems to prefer getting angry about Kate kicking her off her own computer, than telling Kate to just go away.
And does Jennifer really think that Kate sees her time in Ambridge, away from her kids in South Africa, as a “big sacrifice”?
Maybe Kate does have some human emotions from time to time, but surely Kate just mainly thinks about what’s good for Kate?!?
[Jennifer to Peggy] “she's quite sensitive about it … so we all have to be careful what we say”
I think too little too late. Peggy’s already given Kate a telling off for her rather inept mothering skills – do we think she’d hold back from any further home truths?
That Kate ignored Peggy’s mention of Jack (has Kate been to see him yet), instead ploughing into Jennifer for not taking Ruari to the Harvest Supper – Kate’s behaviour just gets more and more self-obsessed … and rather bizarre.
[Kate] “oh for goodness sake! So he stays up late - it's not going to hurt him!”
Seriously. What’s the problem with wee Ruari having a restful night ahead of school, rather than a night in the pub?
Daddy saves the day
Brian’s bought Kate a new laptop.
Taking the path of least resistance to the squabbling between the womenfolk (over the desktop computer. That Jennifer owns), Brian yet again spoils Kate.
Here’s an example of why Kate is such a brat!
Jennifer also mention that Kate’s new laptop was:
“much smarter than mine”
Oops Brian.
Keep daughter happy at the expense of your wife? I’d almost think you were an amateur at this …
Becky Simmons
Lives at Grange Spinney and is quite suitable to babysit Ruari.
(more to follow if we’re told anything else!)
Alan’s ‘bar wars’ joke
Which I only got a couple of days after I heard it.
“maybe that's why I’m a vicar and not a stand-up comedian”
Ah, but we still like you and your funny nicey-nice ways.
Brian’s good mood (courtesy of Matt)
Thoroughly enjoying the Harvest Supper at The Bull, Brian seems to be slightly more chirpy than usual (or for a man of his tastes at a Harvest Supper at The Bull!).
Seemingly Matt’s confirmed that the deal is on.
Lilian shall be on the board (of a new company) and Matt gets a few pennies from the sale of his ransom strip.
Triples all round!
Can’t wait to hear the first Board meeting …
Kate’s parenting tips
Good lordy. Can’t anyone shut Kate up!
I’m surprised Peggy was so composed (maybe she thinks Kate will keep for another day), but astounded both Brian and Jennifer didn’t slap her!
[Kate] “Mum stop worrying! Stop cosseting him … all these middle class English kids are so feather bedded and over protected … he'll grow up totally neurotic”
[Kate] “it’s so different back in South Africa …”
Pfffff!
I suppose, after all, the only reasonable response to Kate’s outburst was Peggy’s:
“I’m so pleased to hear, dear. Would you like some more pickle?”
What’s funny about Peggy taking computer lessons?
Tell me, Jennifer.
Why’s that funny?
On yersel, Peggy, I do declare!
“you find you have a civil war”
Brian corners Alan to have a chat about the Peregrines.
As we know – Will’s not happy (because he’s a gamekeeper).
The church goers are not happy (“worrying about dismembered corpses in the churchyard”)
And “Mrs. Harvey worried about her ornamental doves”
Alan’s finding that like “a lot of bright ideas”, this one seems to have spikes.
Just wait until Lynda finds out there’s opposition to her plans …
The Archers: Nic joins the WI ... Ruth takes Josh to the dentist ... David helps another farmer ... Jamie and Kathy go to school
- What problem will Will have with the WI?
- The Peregrine issue finally takes flight
- In Brian, there's a gossiping old woman trying to break free
- TB makes a comeback
- Zero cavities for Josh
- "Don't mention the Barn Dance"
- You may be laughing now, Jamie, but ...
What problem will Will have with the WI?
Well, he couldn't. If he was a fair and reasonable person.
Which, of course, Will is anything but.
Nic sounded absolutely delighted with her first WI visit. She got her nails done, met lots of nice folks and is looking forward to Sabrina's talking about her holiday to Croatia (!).
So surely, Will can’t have an issue with her going regularly?
Surely, he can see how happy t made Nic to get out, meet new people and have fun??
As her partner, Will must (surely, surely!) want Nic to have something in her life other than work, the kids and his pasties???
Hmmm. This will end in tears, one way or another (unless Harry manages to whisk Nic away on his white bicycle!)
The Peregrine issue finally takes flight!
It feels like years since they were first mentioned, but all has become clear.
As well as the church folks worried about whether it’s correct that a church is used to encourage birds of prey (as well as potentially dropping kill and bodily matters on their heads), Will has realised what's happening.
(does Will live in a complete anger daze? Did he miss the pub chat as well as all the notices round the village?).
As a gamekeeper, Will's not happy that the Peregrines will be encouraged to stay around the area. He reckons:
"you can bet a falcon would take a partridge if it's flying"
Brian agrees with Will, and is going to take it up with Alan.
But - on checking the RSPB website, I found that Peregrines eat
"Medium-sized birds, such as wading birds, pigeons and small ducks"
and
"Peregrines have suffered illegal killing from gamekeepers and landowners, and been a target for egg collectors, but better legal protection and control of pesticides (which indirectly poisoned birds) have helped the population to recover considerably from a low in the 1960s."
(read the article by clicking here).
I live in an area where Red Kites have been re-introduced, and was at a Community Council meeting where a very nice chap from the RSPB gave a talk about them.
Despite only eating "Carrion, worms and small mammals", plus scavenging, Red Kites were almost made extinct by folks thinking they ate lambs and other small livestock/game birds.
At the meet, and despite the very detailed reasons the RSPB chap gave for why Red Kites should be welcome rather than hunted down again, quite a few people would not shift from their view that Red Kites are a menace.
I suppose it's a case of some folks not wishing to be told facts, choosing instead to base their opinion on misinformed fables.
Will is certainly not a man to take to 'new ideas' easily, so is likely to cause huge headaches for Lynda and her fellow Peregrines enthusiasts.
Lynda Vs Will?
Despite Will's aggression, my money would be on Lynda.
In Brian, there's a gossiping old woman trying to break free
He puts a swagger on it, but Brian's tends to be a bit interested in local gossip.
And not in his macho, manly way.
David and Ruth didn’t give him the chat he was looking for about the Barn Dance
"There was no real trouble at all"
But, of course, that wasn't why Brian was there in the first place ...
TB makes a comeback
But not to Ambridge itself.
As well as gossiping, Brian was in seeing David to ask if he could give Jim Evans a call, in David's capacity as NUF rep.
Jim Evans is seemingly a farmer over at Leyton Cross. Though he doesn't farm now, his nephew Donald has kept his place going.
Having been shut down with TB for two years, they've just had the horrific news that half a dozen of their cattle have reacted to testing again.
Brian, being in a nice mood, would a good chap asking David to try and help Jim out.
I didn’t know this, but there are "fattening" places that farmers can send some of their infected stock, to at least be able to make something out of their herd.
Good good.
Here's also hoping TB does manage to stay away from our Ambridge folks as well.
Zero cavities for Josh
Well, we wouldn't expect anything less.
Josh is such an angel, compared to his now ex-mate Jamie ...
"Don't mention the Barn Dance"
David's no Basil Fawlty, but that was actually quite witty of him.
You may be laughing now, Jamie, but ...
... being dropped off and collected from school will utterly trash that rebel persona you've been so tenderly nurturing this last while.
After getting shouted at by Jamie’s teacher for his all-round rubbish behaviour, Kathy's desperate.
[Kathy] "you don’t leave me any choice"
[Kathy] "I can't let you waste your life Jamie ... throw your chances away"
[Kathy] "what have you got to say?"
[Jamie] "yeah .. do whatever you like ... I really don't care"
Argh! How much do we all have to take from this little thug?!?
I realise Jamie has had a horrific time losing his dad, but really, what has to happen before he meets Kathy half way?
And what else can Kathy do?
While I’m not Kathy's biggest fan, she really hasn't got many choices left, considering Jamie won’t listen or even try.
If he's a big enough lad to not need school, not listen to his mum, smoke, drink and stay out all night - maybe it's time he stopped assuming mum will be there to wash up after him.
The army, prison or kicked out of the house. I know that's harsh, but Jamie is quite simply running Ambridge for us all!
If you can't lead a teenager to talk about their problems ...
The Archers: 12 new heifers for Ed and Mike … Vicky’s the business … Hayley annoys Kate
- “Are these them?”
- Come get your veal
- “you seem a bit stressed out”
- Kate’s got a touch of frost
- If I had a photograph of …
“Are these them?”
Ah Vicky. You not only have a supreme command of the English language, you also are quite good at asking the bloomin’ obvious …
Yes. Those cow shaped things Mike and Ed were putting in the fields were indeed cows.
Come get your veal
Vicky’s disappearance for the last wee while has also caused her to forget she was trying to sell veal.
It took Ed to remind her that her calves are “almost up to weight”, and will be ready by the end of the month.
So off Vicky trots to harangue some unaware buyers.
At first getting no firm orders, Mike tried to bolster Vicky up by looking on the bright side
“At least you have no firm ‘nos”
Nice try, but a pie maker in Felpersham seeming gave a resounding no.
Not to be put off so easily, Vicky even called a buyer at home.
I’m very surprised that they didn’t just slam the phone down. The cheek of the woman! I’d imagine someone at that company will be handed their cards quite soon (it’s hard enough to even get an email address out of some businesses these days).
So am flabbergast that they seemingly sounded interested, and have invited her to meet with them on Friday.
“so, I think we're in business!”
Hmm. We heard that last time Vicky was trying to sell veal, when she only managed to get a fairly non-committal response from Ian.
Has she completely gone off the idea of pies?
Maybe Brenda was (finally) nice enough to tell her that Tom’s research showed there was no market for them.
“you seem a bit stressed out”
Poor wee Phoebe.
She’s picked up on Hayley’s constant anger towards Kate (hard not to, really). Phoebe even checks that Hayley is okay with her going to Home Farm .
That’ll take a lot of therapy later in life to sort out. She calls both ‘mum’ to their face, but Hayley’s mum to others, and Kate is Kate.
That’s got to confuse somewhere deep down … Sounds like Phoebe is trying to please everyone all of the time.
Phoebe is also quite adept at dropping adults in it.
This time, she tells Hayley about Kate being upset over Nolly’s email.
Which then leads to …
Kate’s got a touch of frost
Kate’s in a general hump with Hayley for the recent dressing down she got over Phoebe missing a day of school (and the subsequent letter from the school).
Despite Hayley trying to make general conversation, Kate was only giving grunts.
Ooh, catty!
Now, I’m not sure whether Hayley meant to offend Kate, or whether she was still just making conversation, but she brought up Nolly. That Nolly had said she was lonely and missing Kate.
Boy oh boy – was Kate’s response pure white anger!
Later speaking to Jennifer:
“you think it's all in my head … that I'm just being paranoid”
Well, the jury’s out on that one for me. I think Hayley has it in her to wind up Kate, but I also think Kate’s touchy for a very good reason.
She seems desperate to be in constant contact with Nolly (even potentially being late to collect Phoebe, while she check to see if Nolly is online).
So, going back to the last few days, are we assume that not all is well with Kate and her family in Jo’Burg?
If I had a photograph of …
…moo!
(sorry – sing that line above to the tune of Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You) by A Flock of Seagulls – then it’ll make sense. But it still won’t be that funny …)
Ed’s taking pictures of his new cows so that he can keep a check on their progress.
How cute!
Remember he also gives his cows names rather than numbers.
And that’s where all of our milk should come from. Farms where the farmers see their cows as live animals, deserving of a bit of respect and care.
Good on you Ed. What a long, long way you’ve come since your youthful days …
The Archers: Jazzer's making a mess of it ... Jamie’s in trouble (part 337, Season 89) … Harry is odd
- Jazzer brought a mate home ...
- ... who wears tights
- Steady on Harry!
- "fun, brilliant things for folks to do after the harvest supper"
- Harry and the Silver Surfers
- A fresh start that went rotten after seconds
- Sir Harry
Jazzer brought a mate home
And Brenda's not too happy about it. Not happy about it at all.
Although Jazzer brought his mate back, he managed to do so quietly enough not to wake Tom or Brenda.
"I didnae want tae make a rumpus"
Which surely is a good thing, but I suppose it made the surprise of the mess in the morning all that more unexpected and annoying.
Jazzer had to sniff the remnants of the take away to remember what it was ("chicken korma"), Brenda was especially unamused to sniff the remnants of smoking
Brenda was starting to sound a bit like Helen, and Jazzer had a point
"you cannae always be on parade"
but making Brenda so unhappy so soon was not clever. Especially when she quite often has the casting vote when it comes to household matters.
... who wears tights
I really do think some of the Ambridge residents need to get out more.
Whoever said that Jazzer's mate was a bloke?
And can't blokes wear tights.
(erm .. actually that doesn’t work. The next question would be why the bloke took off the tights. As well all know, Jazzer's strictly a ladies man).
Either way, Jazzer's made a mess at Tom and Brenda's, and has also been caught taking a young lady back.
Brenda was most decidedly odd about it. That she was angry to find the tights was understandable (to a degree), but why the fuss over when she found them:
"under the settee, at dinner time"
Did it matter that it was dinner time? And what on earth was Brenda doing under the settee while having said dinner.
Bizarre.
[Jazzer] "she's a sweet wee lassie but she still lives with her ma .. and I’m trying to wean her off the fags, even bought her nicotine patches"
[Brenda] "I don’t want to interfere with your love life but I don’t want it all over my settee"
Actually - Brenda does have a very going point to make about love life and settees.
But what's the solution?
Jazzer gets kicked out, or Jazzer goes celibate?
Steady on Harry!
"just a half of coke"
Phew! I'm glad he didn’t push the boat out and go for a whole pint. Can you imagine how hyper he'd have got with all that sugar!
"fun, brilliant things for folks to do after the harvest supper"
The answer is seemingly bar games.
That'll really 'wow' the punters.
I suppose Harry's idea is probably just right for the type of clientele who'll be looking for fun and frolics after the Harvest Supper.
So it's a "proper tournament" of dominoes, bar skittles and a ha'penny board.
Do we sense Jim trying to win back some ground after his failures at the Flower & produce Show and the recent pub quiz?
Either way, we should all be very thankful that they dismissed the karaoke idea so quickly.
Unless, of course, it’d mean we’d get to hear Jazzer’s wonderful signing again (and still no sign of it on iTunes. You’d have thought a canny lad like Jazzer would have had it straight up there!).
Harry and the Silver Surfers
(wonder if JK Rowling wants that for a book title?!?)
Harry's next idea for We Love The Bull is to use The Bull's computers to give 'older' folks lessons in how to use computers.
Not a bad idea at all.
But hardly as outstanding as Fallon gushed:
"that's fantastic ... you’re so creative ...you're wasted on that milk round"
Yup. I get the distinct impression Fallon's falling for Harry. Too little to late (or even too little and not remotely reciprocated?!?).
A fresh start that went rotten after seconds
After all of her 'friends' trying to help yesterday (I noticed Pat wasn't trying to foist her shoulder onto Kathy, which is the sign of true friend), Kathy has yet another attempt at trying to calm her relationship down with Jamie.
It was a very one sided "fresh start", with Kathy asking for better communication
"like normal families do"
(Eh? I think Kathy and Jamie have a very 'normal' mother/teenage son relationship - lots of shouting and slammed doors - sounds quite right).
Jamie, as per, was grunting his consent just to get Kathy to be quiet for a moment.
Then Kathy finds a letter from Jamie's school. Can you guess what's next? Jamie certainly did. He ran out of the door faster than a greyhound who has spotted a real rabbit.
When she later tracks him down, it’s to give him a bollocking.
Jamie’s had three unauthorised absences over the last few weeks, and has lows standards of “attitude” and “behaviour”.
Which means a trip to the school for both Kathy and Jamie to get shouted at by his teacher, which will lead to Kathy shouting at Jamie, Jamie shouting back …. Sound familiar?
I do feel for Kathy. Jamie’s being a complete numpty, especially considering he has his exams this year.
And, as Kathy pointed out, bunking off is against the law.
Which could mean Kathy ‘doing time’.
Question is – how does she stop Jamie behaving like this?
And how does she does that before she gets arrested?!?
Sir Harry
I know it's unfair to be suspicious of someone who never drinks, but there has to be something more to Harry than he's letting be seen.
Jazzer's on at him again for being so 'helpful'
"are you after a statue on the green ... Sir Harry ... the man who saved the bull"
but he does have a good point to make.
Why is Harry so determined to do god deeds? His We Love The Bull campaign, endless great ideas to help out the very unimaginative Fallon and Jolene, and now him giving up some spare time to teach Silver Surfers ... what's the catch?
Harry has once bitten back at Jazzer, and he was decidedly smug when Brenda brandished those tights.
"Jazz ... you are so busted"
Harry’s glee was palpable. Which wasn’t not an attractive sound for him.
Harry is right to bite back, enough considering all the grief Jazzer hands out to him, but did I sense a touch of 'not so nice Harry'?
The Archers: Adam, Ian, Kate, Phoebe and Ruari off to the fun of the fair ... Kathy's got plenty offers of help ... trouble at home for Kate?
- Ambridge's cricket season is finally over
- That was far from brutal
- Adam sounded like a 1970s children's TV presenter
- Vicky's back!
- Was the genuine friendship from Lynda?
- Kate's still going on about grandparents
- But doesn’t give a toss about Nolly?!?
Ambridge's cricket season is finally over
Phew!
A fair while after the rest of the cricket world has finished the season, Ambridge finally find themselves well and truly in the middle of the league table.
Forced to play without Adam (due to a bad shoulder, which Ian was going to help him with later on), they scrape a win, but it’s not been a glorious year.
Maybe it’s because they play for too many months in the year …
That was far from brutal
"Let's be brutal about this .. I know you're not my sister's biggest fan"
Bless Adam. His idea of being brutal was far from it.
I would have imagined that being brutally honest about how Ian feels about Kate would need a fair few explicatives .
Adam sounded like a 1970s children's TV presenter
Maybe Adam has mellowed out into this truly all-round nice chap we see before us.
Interesting.
Or maybe it was just being around the kids.
Do I sense the sound of tiny wee feet pattering around Honeysuckle Cottage? Both Ian and Adam would be great parents.
Vicky's back!
While many are feeling decidedly depressed about the return of Vicky, I’m quite happy really.
"oh, those pears are lovely!"
A 'oo-er missus' moment in the first few seconds, followed up by an above the belt assault on Kathy.
Of course, where Vicky's concerned, for 'assault' read 'trying to be friendly while asking completely inappropriate questions also aimed at getting maximum information for further gossip'.
Waffling on about stress, and whether Jamie had "recovered", Vicky felt the need to pry and push Kathy when she was obviously not in the mood.
Put it this way - just as you know when someone says 'I'm not racist, but ...' will followed up by something racist,
"I hope you don't mind me asking"
is only ever going to be asked of someone who just doesn't want to be asked that.
Still. Vicky has never been one to work off the vibes another person is sending her. Ram raid, get the gossip, sod their feelings.
Welcome back Vicky!
Was the genuine friendship from Lynda?
I'm a bit confused about Lynda's behaviour.
I've always seen Lynda as well meaning, but with a tendency to be a bit 'full-on'.
However, Lynda seemed to be revelling in gossiping with Vicky about Jamie/Kathy.
[Lynda] "Robert thinks Jamie's quite a disturbed young man"
[Vicky] "Kathy doesn't seem very keen to talk about it"
[Vicky] "she's not alone ... we're all here for her"
[Lynda] "of course, that's what are friends for!"
Lynda later goes round to Kathy’s under the rouse of giving her some Russet apples she and Robert had picked from their garden and couldn’t store.
Despite Kathy's best attempts to get Lynda to go away, Lynda was determined to administer help, whether Kathy was willing or not.
(though, to be fair, trying to get rid of Lynda by saying it was going to rain, so she had to get the washing in, wasn't likely to work. What's a bit of rain to Lynda when there's a 'friend' to save!)
Kathy eventually told Lynda that she and Jamie needed to work this out themselves, but I was left feeling that one of my favourite Ambridge residents (after Nigel, Lilian and Helen) isn't quite the lady I thought she was.
Is Lynda really concerned about Kathy, or is she just trying to get more gossip? To be in the eye of the storm? Does she aspire to be Vicky?
What really made me suspicious was Lynda claiming that Robert had a
"revealing heart to heart"
with Jamie.
Not's not how I heard it. There was a barrage of questions from Robert, answered with a few grunts from Jamie.
Why the bullshit, Lynda?
Kate's still going on about grandparents
Never one to see sense or let it lie, Kate's still moaning about Jennifer and how:
"she obviously feels there's more important things to do"
Shush Kate. Just shush.
But doesn’t give a toss about Nolly?!?
That's not fair of me.
For once, Kate actually sounded like a grown-up woman. Even though she was far from saying what a 'normal' grown-up woman would say.
On checking her emails, with Phoebe, Kate gets an email from Nolly. Nolly got special praise at her school for a clay sculpture she made, but also writes saying that she's lonely and is missing Kate.
"she's just winding me up"
It was hard to tell if Kate was trying to convince herself or Phoebe, but, either way, she was trying to claim that Nolly was just fine. Which she isn't.
So, do we think there's more to Kate's homelife than she's letting on?
Was everyone in South Africa happy to be supportive over Kate's return to Ambridge for College?
Is her marriage is happy as she makes out?
You know what they say - 'Out of the mouths of Babes'.
I'm starting a new prayer routine to try and make sure that whatever the problem is, South Africa does take Kate back. And keeps her.
The Archers: Pip is in full flow ... Izzy wants a hunk ... Josh is quiet ... Jamie’s drunk ... David has to sort it
- Pip’s really good with a tractor
- “Looks like the Grundy’s garden”
- “Jazzer ... the space invader”
- Should’ve worried about Jamie, not Josh
- Izzy really needs to ditch Pip
- Hunky Matthew
- Jamie’s such a wee toerag!
- “One slightly worse for wear teenager”
- David’s fed up
- Poor Freddie
Pip’s really good with a tractor
Good show Pip. Jolly good show.
I’m still not sure where all this interest in Pip’s driving lessons is heading to ...
“Looks like the Grundy’s garden”
When Ruth said that about the part of Brookfield they’re using to keep the machinery that’s normally in the barn, I could only think of poor Clarrie.
The woman can’t even have a nice garden.
Aw.
“Jazzer ... the space invader”
Gosh. Aren’t Brenda and Tom the most ripping of friends!
I wish I could have mates like that.
Ones that grudgingly let me sleep in their spare room when I’m homeless, then slag me off behind my back.
What gems!
Should’ve worried about Jamie, not Josh
I can only assume Pip was worried about her wee brother embarrassing her than really causing any trouble.
Josh behaved impeccably. He stayed up in his room, even finishing his homework (on a Friday night. That is devotion).
Izzy really needs to ditch Pip
Just as Jazzer could do far better in the mates stakes than Brenda and Tom, Izzy could also do far better than Pip.
Pip was rotten to Izzy when Jude was around (oh deary - just writing his name makes me feel a bit ill!). Remember when Pip was making it plain how much working in the same place as Izzy would be beneath her?!?
This time, Pip’s calling her fat!
[Izzy] “I would kill for one of these inflatable sofas”
[Pip] “Don’t burst it!”
[Izzy] “I’m not that heavy!!!”
It sounds like Izzy’s boyfriend Gary also isn’t up to par.
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but how on earth could anyone think a Young Farmers barn dance would be posh?
Though Izzy isn’t letting her Gary hold her back. She’s out to spot talent, which brings me neatly onto:
Hunky Matthew
He sounded a bit of alright.
Well. from Izzy and Pip’s point of view.
Pip is thankfully:
“strictly off men for the foreseeable”
(I really couldn’t cope with another round of Pip and a bloke. My life has been far less fraught since she rediscovered the joys of tractors!).
Matthew’s a rugby player. Seemingly a bit of a looker. And his folks own Atherton Estate.
Marriage material indeed. Especially considering he handled the Jamie situation without immediately punching him ...
In saying that, what was Matthew on about when he asked Izzy:
“do you get to take stuff home from this supermarket of yours?”
As Izzy pointed out, she only works there - she doesn’t own it.
But maybe Matthews parent’s estate is a mighty big one, and he’s used to mixing with the organ grinders rather than the monkeys.
Jamie’s such a wee toerag!
Jamie and his mate (Marty?) were showing their age tonight.
I’m really surprised the bar staff didn’t spot them right away (professionals or not!). Teenage girls can look far older than they are, but don’t most teenage lads look just like teenage lads?
Having sneaked into Pip’s barn dance, they reckon it:
“feels so weird not drinking cider from a bottle”
Classy!
After a few pints, they’re both get a bit lary.
Pushing past Izzy, and jumping the queue at the bar, Jamie makes Izzy spill her drink on her top which:
[Izzy] “cost me nearly 30 quid!”
[Jamie] “why did you bother?”
As Matthew has a word with Jamie to get him to apologise and spot being an arse:
[Jamie] “Get lost dumbo!”
[Jamie] “don’t boss me around, alright ... freak!
[Matthew] “you’ve had plenty, bonehead”
[Matthew] “there are lots of guys here - big guys - we don’t want any trouble”
[Jamie] “Just shut up! You’re not my dad! YOU’RE NOT MY DAD!”
(oh my. We all know that’s Jamie’s problem, but what a blatant ‘cry for help’. I’d feel sorry for him, but he makes caring about him nigh impossible)
Izzy gets Pip before Matthew and his mates lose their temper with Jamie and his mate.
After realising that Jamie and his mate are drunk, Pip then heads off to get her dad.
Which is a real shame on David and Ruth. They were just about to get a nice cup of tea, after switching off a property programme that they’d already seen.
“One slightly worse for wear teenager”
We didn’t get to eavesdrop in on David tackling Jamie and his mate at the barn dance, which is a shame.
But, we do get the joys of Kathy sighing in frustration as David returns an inebriated Jamie to her.
Jamie does show some sense in staggering off to bed before Kathy can wind herself into a shouty frenzy (saving us all!).
And David seemed to downplay Jamie’s behaviour. Rude and aggressive turned into:
“sounding off ... getting a bit excited”
Which was odd. Considering he later on had far more to say about it than he actually said to Kathy.
But, as we don’t get to eavesdrop at all on a Saturday, all might be peaceful and well come Sunday.
(I know. We probably won’t get off that lightly, but there’s always hope).
David’s fed up
Fed up with teenagers. Fed up that he had to take Jamie home (and call his other mate’s parents). Fed up that Pip’s efforts were so rudely trampled upon.
I think it’s really lovely that David, and Ruth, care so much for their daughter’s happiness.
“Poor pip didn’t deserve to have her evening ruined””
“Poor thing is devastated ... she’s worried she might have to step down”
David thought the scene that greeted him when he went into the barn was:
“Like something out of the wild west ... the boys threatening to drive him out of town”
And both him and Ruth thought Jamie was simply stupid for picking a fight with “someone like Matthew”.
“He’s changing so much, and not for the better”
*sigh* How many more Ambridge residents will say the exact same thing about Jamie before someone is able to snap him out of it?
Or, is this just going to be Jamie forever more?
*banging head off the table*
Poor Freddie
As mentioned before, it would seem Freddie isn’t a very clever young boy.
Poor toots. Lily “seems to be thriving”, a comparison which I'm sure the wee man doesn't need.
The Archers: Hayley and Roy get a stern letter ... Kate gets a talking to from Peggy
- All isn’t well with Grey Gables?
- “Bert took the microphone and staged a coup”
- Hayley is simply not amused
- Kate and Peggy start off quite civilised ...
- A stroll and a chocolate muffin
- Hell hath no fury like a Hayley …
- “That really hurt, gran”
All isn’t well with Grey Gables?
Ian seems concerned about Grey Gables isn’t very busy.
Is a double whammy recession about to hit Ambridge?
“Bert took the microphone and staged a coup”
Roy was reporting back to Ian about last night’s quiz:
“really obscure questions”
Though he did also report that Bert had given Jim the time to find a few of his (properly) easier questions.
When all was said and done, Shula and Alistair’s team won (called ‘Horse Chestnuts’), and The Bull was heaving.
Which is the main thing.
But isn’t the point to get the punters in, but also make sure they keep coming back?
I don’t think the war is won quite yet.
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Hayley is simply not amused
And here’s where Roy’s living hell starts.
Hayley calls him at work to tell him that Phoebe’s school has sent them a very stern letter.
It did sound a tad full-on for one “unauthorised absence”, but I suppose the school is having to battle the scourge of bunking off, plus parents taking their kids on holiday when it isn’t holiday (every little helps!).
Either way, Hayley is absolutely livid:
“we’re carrying the can”
“it’s aimed at parents who don’t give a stuff!”
“I’m going to ram this letter down her throat!”
“damn right I’m upset, and I want her to know it!”
“I’m not giving Kate the chance to manipulate the situation!”
Ian could hear Hayley screeching at Roy on his mobile from across the room.
Determined to confront Kate, Hayley also (literally) dumps Phoebe on him at work, so that she can tackle Kate unhindered.
But Roy starts a whole new world of pain for Kate by asking Peggy to take Phoebe for a few hours ...
Kate and Peggy start off quite civilised ...
Peggy and Kate are having a lovely time catching up, chatting about Kate’s college.
Though “daunted” by the amount of work, Kate’s finding College “stimulating”, and has even made a friend (Chanteuse (sp?), a single mum, who will soon learn that Kate is best avoided!).
Kate’s especially pleased that Peggy gives her a “generous” amount of money as a belated birthday present.
A stroll and a chocolate muffin
When Peggy later looks after Phoebe for Roy, Phoebe once again unwittingly drops Kate right in it.
To be fair, Phoebe doesn’t see what all the fuss is about (despite Roy telling her that “it was very wrong of Kate” to take her out of school without permission).
Having to first work out what Phoebe means when she says ‘mother’ (Peggy assumed Kate, Phoebe meant Hayley), Peggy and Phoebe have a right old time chatting about what Kate was like as a youngster.
Retelling the time when Kate, Helen and Brenda used Blossom Hill Cottage as their “den” (with the help of Will as a gofer), Peggy told Phoebe about the trouble Kate caused when she pretended to be Peggy when writing a letter to Con Korchmar (sp?).
Con was an American GI that Peggy had been ‘close’ to during the war. Con wrote to Peggy, Kate answered the letter, and poor Con arrived in the UK to claim his lady. But Peggy was already married (and knew nothing about the letters, as well as Kate and co squatting in her cottage).
[Phoebe] “Poor guy. Did you still fancy him?”
[Peggy] “well … we had been close during the war”
[Phoebe] “... but he was not marriage material”
(Eh? Where’s Phoebe picked that one up from?)
So, as well as adding “forgery to her list of crimes”, Peggy also mentioned that Kate had nearly burnt the cottage down.
What a gal!
In return for these blasts from the past, Phoebe lets slip about the letter from her school.
Which Peggy is not.
At all.
Amused about.
Hell hath no fury like a Hayley …
… really quite peed off!
Hayley drops in on Kate to give her what for.
Showing Kate the letter from Phoebe’s school:
[Hayley] “we’re marked down as irresponsible parents”
[Kate] “it looks like bureaucratic rubbish”
[Hayley] “I’d be very grateful if you wouldn’t do it again … please”
[Kate] “oh … whatever”
[Hayley] “this is only going to work if all pull together … Phoebe needs clear boundaries …are you prepared to cooperate from now on?”
(at this point, Kate’s ignoring Hayley, pushing Hayley to have to shout ‘KATE!’ to get any response)
[Kate] “well, it’s two against one, isn’t it”
As Ian said earlier on about Kate:
“she’s what my aunty Anne used to call a wee madam”
And as for a woman of 33 using “whatever” …*glare*
“That really hurt, gran”
[Peggy] “you didn’t ask permission - that can’t be right, surely!”
[Peggy] “it was highly irresponsible of you”
[Peggy] “apologise to Roy, Hayley and the school”
[Kate] “but Phoebe is my daughter. I gave birth to her!”
[Peggy] “only when it suits you, dear”
[Kate] “that really hurt, gran”
[Peggy] “the truth often does”
Ouch! Peggy really didn’t hold back from giving Kate a verbal kicking.
Although Peggy does seem Kate as Phoebe’s ‘real’ mother, she’s also very aware that it’s Roy and Hayley who are bringing Phoebe up.
They have the day to day authority, so Kate was utterly out of order for taking Phoebe out of school with their permission.
Also worried about Phoebe being confused about who has the say over what, Peggy’s simply not going to stand for Kate’s childish selfishness.
And hurrah to Peggy! It was about time someone put Kate in her place. Here’s hoping Kate actually takes this bollocking on board.
(though I think the chances of that are slim).
Peggy. You’re our hero!
The Archers: Jazzer’s moved in with Brenda and Tom ... Matt’s a happy chap … Bert saves the Quiz
- Jazzer’s not housetrained, “but in a weird way, he is making an effort”
- He’s “Turbo charged”!
- What I learned from The Archers (part 59076)
- Bert’s brain is just like a sponge
- It’s all about Jim in Jim’s world
- A cackling and grinning Matt
- Lilian’s patented cure for the common cold
- Apologies, but I went to a Scottish comprehensive
- “How does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work?”
Jazzer’s not housetrained, “but in a weird way, he is making an effort”
Jazzer may be an uncouth lothario sometimes, but it does look like his mum has managed to train him in some basic hygiene skills.
So, despite best efforts to wipe the bath after he’d used it, he managed to use Brenda’s flannel for the task and also leave his towel on the floor.
But that’s not too bad a start, I reckon. Maybe Brenda expecting the worst will only make it come true ...
He’s “Turbo charged”!
Jazzer’s in a good mood today, as Harry isn’t going to be at The Bull tonight for the quiz.
He reckons he’ll be able to
“spread my wings”
sans Harry. Which surely must be more to do with Jazzer wanting Fallon to himself rather than his claim of wanting to be able to be creative in coming up with ideas to show We Love The Bull.
Jazzer’s ideas are to have a “vampire theme” for Halloween - which is neither original nor impressive - but I liked his ideas for Bonfire Night themed drinks:
“Shandy sparkler and Guy Fox Fizz”
After all, most folks will pay that wee bit extra for something ‘special’, even if it is just a pint of larger and lemonade dressed up in a different coat.
[Kathy] “Someone’s lit his fuse!”
Well, Fallon did a while back. It only shines when Harry isn't around.
Poor, lovesick Jazzer.
What I learned from The Archers (part 59076)
The Harvest Supper is a pagan festival:
“In Britain, thanks have been given for successful harvests since pagan times. The celebrations on this day usually include singing hymns, praying, and decorating churches with baskets of fruit and food in the festival known as Harvest Festival, Harvest Home or Harvest Thanksgiving.
“Until the 20th century most farmers celebrated the end of the harvest with a big meal called a harvest supper, to which all who had helped in the harvest were invited.
“Some churches and villages still have a Harvest Supper.”
wikipedia
Well I never knew it had Pagan origins (though it would have made sense, if I’d ever had reason to think about it).
Also interesting to see that Ambridge if probably one of the few villages to still have a Harvest Supper.
Still, that fits in with them playing cricket when everyone else has gone home to stay warm ...
Bert’s brain is just like a sponge
And it was the main himself who said it.
It’s all about Jim in Jim’s world
I do have a soft spot for him and his oh-so-cultured ways, but he had a slight nerve first telling Kathy that he was sorry to hear about her and Kenton splitting up - then apologising in case it was his fault.
Come on Jim! It’s plain that Kathy and Kenton would have split up, whether Jaxx existed (and Jim had in part funded it to exist), or not.
“you just helped bring about the inevitable, Jim”
A cackling and grinning Matt
Which always means he’s about to pull off a crafty deal.
Matt in this sort of state must be what was keeping Brian awake at night a few weeks back.
Matt seems to be more than happy about BL’s offer of 20% in a new company, with Lilian on the board and probably less of a price for the ‘ransom strip’.
What’s he up to now?
It surely can’t be that simple?!?
Lilian’s patented cure for the common cold
“nothing a couple of G&Ts won’t fix”
Which isn’t as daft as it sounds.
I swear that making a decent journey into a bottle of whisky will banish all ailments.
Apologies, but I went to a Scottish comprehensive
Which I don’t really feel the need to apologise for (we had Norman McCaig instead of Pope, Liz Lochhead instead of Shakespeare. Very groovy), but it has led to a slight interruption in my usual service.
I don’t know Latin.
So, like the Ambridge residents, not only was I unable to answer Jim’s quiz questions - but I also couldn’t understand what he was saying to get the questions written down for this blog.
I only managed to get:
From the ‘easy’ starting round, translating Latin into English:
Carpe Dieum
Cavaet Emptor
Meliora (and something else)
(Geography)
Lusitania
Jazzer struggled just as much:
“just put down two points of larger and a packet of drinks”
“this quiz is weird, man”
Shockingly remiss of me, but at least I know my bere bannock from a rowie.
Anyhoo, despite wearing his lucky bow tie, Jim’s quiz went down like a lack of Ann Summer tat at a hen party.
Lilian failed to take control by suggesting Jim tries to give questions that are “a little easier” (than the Punic Wars), as Jim went onto the fiction of Anthony Trollope. Which I would have actually fared better on.
Then, after Jim tried a “easy picture round”, which featured drawings of
[Jazzer] “just a bunch of Romans with curly hair”
from which you had to guess which one was the odd one out (although Brenda reckoned one “could pass for Peter Andre”), Bert stepped in to save the quiz - which is part of the efforts to Save The Bull.
Gracefully bowing out, Jim was heard to mutter:
“I have done what I could, those who can do better will”
And Bert did so almost immediately.
Even Jazzer knew what the largest Loch in Scotland was ...
“How does the guy who drives the snowmobile get to work?”
Classic Jazzer moment.
[Jazzer] “I’m mainly a lateral thinker me ... how does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work”
[Matt] “By plane”
[Jazzer - in awe and shock] “Really!?!”
The Archers: Kate's a brat ... Brian's a supremo ... Amy's qualified
- Brian's Bonanza
- "You must learn to share ..."
- Kate. One large suitcase. Phoebe missing.
- Brian's won BL over, now has to quibble with Matt
- "For a feminist you’re really quite a chauvinist"
- At least Ruari responds to "shut up!"
- Congratulations Amy
- And Ambridge are still playing when the rest of the cricket world has stopped ...
Brian's Bonanza
Jill spotted a sausage called 'Brian's Bonanza' in Bath.
*shudder*
Jennifer's right to be worried, but not only about Brian getting an idea to start up with pigs again.
(and that's as far as my stomach can take it!)
"You must learn to share ..."
Someone unaware of Ambridge (the poor soul!) would be forgiven for thinking this was said to a small child, who simply won't share their toys.
Those of us Ambridge-aware (lucky peeps!) know all too well that it has to be about Kate.
And we're also not surprised that Jennifer had to say this to Kate to try and make her see reason about her daughter. Who lives with her dad and stepmum (and quite happily so).
It's really quite a shock to see Kate behaving like such a spoilt little brat, even though we expect it of her.
She's annoyed that Brian and Jennifer have their own life. And that Roy and Hayley have theirs, which intrinsically involves Phoebe.
Kate’s even annoyed that Jennifer wants to use her own computer ...
When Kate's plans of a family dinner are utterly ruined by Jennifer and Brian having plans elsewhere, she immediately gets huffy, pouty, stroppy and demanding.
[Kate] "It's what grandparents do in South Africa ... drop everything"
[Kate] "I feel really disappointed"
Ah wheest, you spoilt woman-child!
At least Adam's around to try and bring Kate back to reality:
[Adam] "they can't just dance to your tune"
BUT then Adam dances to Kate's tune by inviting her and Phoebe round to his and Ian's for a family Sunday.
Hmmm. I wonder if Kate's actually asked Roy and Hayley about any of this.
Kate. One large suitcase. Phoebe missing.
There was a bit of a debate over on Twitter about this - but it sounded to me that Kate might be harbouring plans to take Phoebe back to South Africa.
Opinion was split over whether Kate wants to now stay in Ambridge (hunkering down to be served upon), or whether she will leave with Phoebe in tow. Regardless of whether she has permission from Roy and Hayley or not.
Kate didn't sound all that enamoured with her course when talking to Adam, and she was also waxing lyrical about:
"There's a big world beyond Ambridge ... I hope to show more of it to phoebe one day"
Which is fair enough. But I just have a spidey sense that Kate hasn't ruled out kidnapping.
Adam was unwittingly ominous:
"I hope you take home something useful at the end of it"
And also Brian
"she’s finally applying herself to education ... she's really committed ... two daughters at university and both of them married!"
Hmmm.
Life just doesn’t run that smoothly with Kate (due to her own warped efforts, it has to be said).
I think Kate might indeed be taking something useful home that she's (finally) committed to. And that might just be more than a qualification.
Brian's won BL over, now has to quibble with Matt
Martin was still determined not to have to give into any of Matt's demands, but Brian managed to persuade the rest of the board that creating a separate company just for the Mart company was a wonderful idea.
[Martin] "how has he managed to worm his way back into the scene?"
[someone else on the board] "He bounces back ... like a disgraced politician"
[someone else, possibly Martin] "I'd rather not sup with the devil"
[Martin] "I don't like the thought of Matt getting his sticky fingers on it"
But, the board were calmed by the idea that while Lilian would do as Matt bided, she would be easily outnumbered and outvoted, and Matt could prove to be an asset:
[someone] "Matt may be a devil, but a useful devil - we can use him"
Really?
I know Lilian is an utter pussycat to Matt's tiger in their private life, but she's made of sterner stuff than think BL give her credit.
And, surely Matt will already planning for the very approach BL thinks it will take?
There was lots of guff about how the Mart is more than just a great way of making money (about it coming from the heart, putting "BL n the very centre of local farm commerce" etc.),
but then getting back to the point that it's a great way of BL to make the cash and make the impression that BL is the good guy
("it looks like we're giving something back")
And that means meeting Matt on his own terms, while keeping Lilian in her place (though Brian did mention she's quite good to drink with).
Later on, Matt momentarily celebrates his victory with Adam, whilst being keenly aware that he now has to deal with Matt.
Which isn't going to be easy, as BL doesn’t want to pay Matt his asking price.
Ah well. Despite all the tedium of business talk, I do love a jolly good Matt Vs Brian showdown!
"For a feminist you’re really quite a chauvinist"
I think those words were falling on deaf ears, Jennifer.
I hate to say it, but Kate needs a good slap to even notice anything out of her Kate-Kingdom.
(I’d have slapped her when she had the audacity to say "oh whoopee do!" over Jennifer's new articles for the village website. What an utter b***h!)
Right enough that Kate was being incredibly patronising when she was trying to get Jennifer off of the computer by saying
"come on mum - don’t you have to check the supper or something?"
but, she was right in terms of what Jennifer's role is in her household.
When Jennifer gave into Kate's demand (what a surprise that was!), she went downstairs to find Brian and Adam relaxing over whisky … answering in the negative to being asked whether they'd checked the oven.
At least Ruari responds to "shut up!"
Even though it was Kate telling him to do so (pot. kettle. black).
Maybe there's still hope for at least one of the Aldridge's brood (even though he isn't entirely. And Adam's kind-of okay. But also isn’t entirely part of the brood. But you get my meaning. Hopefully)
Congratulations Amy
Amy got a 2:1, so can now start looking for a midwifery job.
What's the bet she ends up in the one closet to Ambridge? Where she will deliver Helen and Emma's babies? Both on the same night?!?
I reckon that's worth a wee flutter.
And Ambridge are still playing when the rest of the cricket world has stopped ...
I understand from Down at Third Man and his superb blog (Down At Third Man), the rest of the cricketing world has stopped playing cricket.
I'm told the season is over.
So why is Ambridge different?
Adam's going to have to cry off on Sunday because of a bad shoulder's from last Sunday's game.
And perhaps more importantly - who are they finding to play against?
The Archers: Jamie's punishment … Jazzer needs a bed
- What was the Red Admiral on?
- "Jill never wants to eat again"
- Whoever forgot to switch mics should be flogged ...
- "bad teenage behaviour can be the sign of a healthy personality"
- What were the obscenities?
- Jazzer's eye got in the way of a big, hairy ...
- "I've naewhere to lay ma we heid"
What was the Red Admiral on?
I didn't quite catch what Lynda said the Red Admiral was on, but it sounded very impressive.
Anyone?
"Jill never wants to eat again"
So Lynda says that Jill said (!) after her delightful 80th birthday treat in Bath.
Steady on there Jill! I know you said that the family gathering must be "the last time", but no need to rush the process!
Whoever forgot to switch mics should be flogged ...
Now I know Robert isn't the most exciting of Ambridge residents, but he normally can be relied upon to be a bit eccentric. Quirky. Witty with the odd quip.
What on earth was he thinking tonight?!?
Someone, somewhere, was obviously meant to switch the microphone over from following Robert and Jamie, to something far less droll instead.
Maybe flogging is taking it a bit far, but they certainly should be very ashamed of themselves. Very much so Indeed!
Robert had taken on the task of repairing the damage to the bird hide, forcing Jamie to be his "apprentice", as well as Jamie having to foot the bill for the materials.
All fair and good. The Bird Hide gets fixed. Jamie learns that there are consequences to 'fun'. And Robert gets someone to lecture.
But my word - did he ever lecture!
Starting off at the timber merchant, Robert went on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on ....(seriously - if you haven’t heard this particular eavesdropping instalment, Robert had a good 6 minutes of waffling about wood, stain, cutting etc etc).
Then, suddenly, not content with sending Jamie into a finely polished coma, Robert then seemed to lose all sense of tact.
What on earth was in his Earl Grey this morning?
He started reminiscing about baby Oscar - how empty the house feels with just two of them - started asking Jamie about how much he misses Kenton - on and on about this that and the next, all of which would have been painful topics/memories for Jamie.
It seems that Robert and Lynda had decided to try and get Jamie to talk To show some emotion. To let it all out.
Which seemingly involves mind-numbing chat about wood, followed by rather aggressive twenty-questions.
No wonder Jamie was "pretending not to care".
Since when did punishment, followed by boredom, topped off with an inquisition ever make anyone feel like offloading?
[Robert] "how do I to get through to the lad without sounding like an old git"
[Lynda] " You only one year older than Sid was, you know"
Maybe Kathy is right. Maybe Sid was a Saint who really understood Jamie. Maybe he was a prince amongst old gits?
Either way - Bad Robert and Lynda. Bad, Bad, Bad. Never, ever, let me catch you doing that again. It greatly disturbed my evening.
"bad teenage behaviour can be the sign of a healthy personality"
As Robert pointed out, Lynda's certainly changed her tune!
She wanted to lynch the 'yobs' who had damaged the Bird Hide, but utterly changed tack when she knew Jamie was involved.
There's nothing like having consistency in one's belief, eh Lyndy?!?
What were the obscenities?
Odd that Ambridge should shy away from outright saying what the obscenities were (carved into the Bird Hide's bench).
Especially considering the language of some of the residents as of late.
I’m personally not offended by colourful language, but we must remember that some of our fellow eavesdroppers are simply not exposed to such vulgarities in their daily lives.
Still - we should really be told ...
Jazzer's eye got in the way of a big, hairy ...
... fist.
(I know. And I'm sorry for being so childish).
Jazzer's need for a bed to sleep in, and a lady to share it with, has landed him in trouble yet again.
This time, the lady in question's husband was an army chap who returned from his tour to find Jazzer with more than his feet under the table.
Jazzer's excuse was that he thought the husband was just a businessman.
Hmmm.
Have you seen how businessmen can cat fight over even the smallest of margin? Not necessarily chaps to dismiss out of hand, my fine friend Jazzer.
"I've naewhere to lay ma we heid"
With no room at The Bull, and an angry husband in Jazzer's temporary accommodation, it's Tom's turn to be emotionally blackmailed by Jazzer.
After sleeping rough at Camp Grundy (did Eddie and Joe know about that? Surely they'd have charged him?!?), Jazzer's desperate.
(which can be the only reason for anyone wanting to share a house with Tom. I’m still waiting on a good reason why Brenda puts up with the tediously arrogant Tom's Sausages).
"It's bad public relations to keep your pigmen in this state"
"I've a robbing brother, and a hardboiled ma"
Tom caves quite easily, though he'll now have to "sell" the (already agreed) arrangement to Brenda.
It's alright Tom. Brenda will respond nicely to a well designed flyer ...
The Archers: the village is a buzzing with talk of Jamie ... The Archers do Bath
- "Susan's family not exactly squeaky clean"
- Ruth. In a dress.
- Will Shula sort Kenton?
- Jill's a very happy eighty year old lady
- "She prefers my finger"
- Another session with Aunty Pat
- Damn. Jill was about to punch Shula.
"Susan's family not exactly squeaky clean"
Quite right Ruth.
Kathy's upset about the village now agog with the news that it was Jamie who'd been damaging the bird hide.
But Josh is seemingly also upset. He's hurt that he isn't part of Jamie's circle anymore.
Later on, Kathy makes the classic mistake of telling Pat that it was Jamie who’d been spraying graffiti (way back ago), but swearing Pat to secrecy.
"Not even Tony"
Oops. Aren't couples infamous for not being able to keep secrets from each other - especially when it’s not their own secret to tell???
Just ask Kenton ...
Ruth. In a dress.
Ruth sounded quite surprised that she'd found herself in such garb.
Bless the poor woman. David really should take her out more.
Will Shula sort Kenton?
It's easy to forget that Shula and Kenton are twins. They never seem to spend time together. Shula certainly isn’t the first on Kenton's list for support or advice.
Well, Jill's birthday has brought them back together (for breakfast alone, at least).
Kenton’s feeling the loss of Jamie. Neither he nor Kathy have come to Bath, which I think is a bit odd (in terms of Jamie).
Surely Jamie is still part of the family? Kenton and Kathy hadn’t been going out for a long time (was it 5 years?), but even that amount of time of forever for a kid's perspective.
Anyway, maybe Kenton will spend more time with Shula. Maybe she can get him to grow up a bit.
Although I think that's as likely as Shula returning to St Stephen's
Jill's a very happy eighty year old lady
Despite worrying about Kenton (yet again!), Jill was thrilled by her family trip to Bath.
On Kenton, she's horrified that he's 52 and single again, without a home, and without the grounding influence of Kathy. She's also terrified that he'll take off travelling again.
(though I think shouldn’t worry on that account. Jaxx or travelling? Jaxx or Meriel? I think Jaxx every time)
"You never stop worrying about your children, even at eighty"
Jill was also a tad maudlin when she said:
"Who knows if we'll ever do it again"
but that's fair enough, considering the very sudden loss of Phil.
After a seemingly lovely church service with Shula, Jill and Shula then take the Jane Austen tour (while Kenton and David "try out a pub").
It was all a bit twee, but I thought Jill's imagining of:
"Jane Austen and a companion, sitting arm and arm on this bench"
Was a nice peaceful, thoughtful moment (we've had few of those of late!).
"She prefers my finger"
I always thought Pat could easily be swayed …
Another session with Aunty Pat
Honestly - does Pat ever tell Kathy (et al) just to stop whining, pull their socks up and put on a happy face?
That woman is either a farming Mother Teresa, or is starved of adult conversation. Which could be the case, considering she's now in an empty nest with Tony ...
Kathy's at a loss with what to do about Jamie, so again reverts back to waxing lyrical about Saint Sid.
Now also worrying about this being Jamie’s GCSE year, she wants Jamie to:
"do well ... for Sid's sake"
You what?!?
You want your son. To do well. For the same of your dead ex husband???
Eh?
Alright, so Jamie was also Sid's son, but how about Jamie doing well for his own sake?
Oh Kathy. I have defended you at times, but you've got to let go of this overinflated rosy image of Sid.
If only for Jamie's sake ...
Damn. Jill was about to punch Shula.
Which, I hasten to add, is not about me thinking Shula needs a punch (well, she hasn’t deserved it recently).
'80 year old woman punches daughter while in a public lavatory in Bath'
would have been far better gossip for the Borchester Echo to cover than the recent elopement of their gardening and motoring columnists (who happened to be women, writing as men. "tee-hee" *glare*)
But alas, Ben spoils the moment by surprising his grandmother. In the toilet. In bath.
In floods of tears of joy (thankfully Jill hadn't been attending to a call of nature when Ben jumped on her), I think we can safely assume that the Bath surprise was a good one.
Just imagine what it could have been like of Kathy had been there ...
The Archers: Kathy changes The Bull's menu ...Kirsty tells Kathy ...Phoebe tells Hayley
- Tackling Freda
- "I don't give a toss who he sleeps with"
- Kirsty gives Jamie what-for
- Roy feels inadequate
- Hayley did call Kate a Liar
Tackling Freda
It takes a brave soul to tackle Freda about a menu change.
I mean to say – Freda does yatter go on, and on, and on, and on ...(!)
But Kathy seems to have done the trick, and Jolene is seemingly happy.
All we now is to teach Fallon that "sticking" up a banner does not maketh a marketing strategy.
Maybe she's been listening to Brenda "make a flyer" Tucker too much.
"I don't give a toss who he sleeps with"
Oo-er. Strong words from Kathy when Kirsty asks to talk to her.
But it's not Kenton she wants to discuss. It's that loutish son of her, Jamie.
Kirsty gives Jamie what-for
Good on Kathy for making Jamie apologise so quickly, and in person too.
[Kathy] "It's either that or the police"
[Jamie] "You wouldn't ..."
[Kathy] "Try me!"
Which was more than enough to convince Jamie to go to Kirsty to apologise.
Kirsty also did a grand job of not letting Jamie off with a shallow 'sorry' over vandalising the bird hide. After verbally slapping Jamie around the room for a bit, Kirsty then gives Jamie Patrick's number so that he can also apologise to him.
Considering Patrick wanted to call the Police, I can't imagine that will be a fun conversation either.
And I'm happy that Kirsty also failed to see how graffiti cared into a bench could be done accidently. I'd started to think I was missing out on a whole world of subconscious whittling ...
But - will any of this change Jamie?
Granted, him and his mates will have to find a new den (den? Is that what kids still call hideout places?), but Jamie didn’t sound too chastised at the end of Kirsty's lecture.
"What more do you want?"
*sigh* I suppose we can't really ask for much more of Jamie right now. He's just an upset teenage lad. With Kenton as a father figure and Kathy as his personal guard.
Don’t get me wrong - he's a complete pain right now - but this too (hopefully) shall pass ....
Roy feels inadequate
Ah, wee poppet!
But then again, I think most men (and women) would feel their attempts at celebrating anniversaries are a bit feeble in comparison to Nigel's "big production number".
I have to agree with Roy that I can't see where Nigel gets the money to pay for such lavish surprises. Maybe he just has a lot of credit cards.
But not to worry Roy. Hayley would:
"rather have a fish supper with you than a banquet with Nigel anytime"
Hayley did call Kate a Liar
Lots of 'whoops' moments when Phoebe got back home to Roy and Hayley after her week with Kate.
"No, I didn't go to school"
(big whoops - Phoebe dropping Kate right in it by telling Roy and Hayley that Kate and her went shopping instead of Phoebe going to school)
Another 'whoops' over all of the new stuff Kate has bought Phoebe - including £100 trainers that she'd be told by Hayley and Roy that she couldn't have.
Followed on by Roy being a bit dim, and making a whoops of underplaying Hayley's obvious rising fury over Kate:
"I know it's a bit annoying"
And the biggest 'whoops' of all - Hayley more-or-less calls Kate a liar to Phoebe, which she then tried to cover up with:
"Sometimes Kate just does what she wants to do, and doesn't think about consequences"
Too late. In suggesting that Kate might not have entirely told the truth to Phoebe's school to get her the day off, Hayley's only going to make Phoebe annoyed at Kate (her biological mum) being criticised.
Phoebe storms off, already using the 'I wished I stayed at Home Farm" shouty routine.
Give a child a choice between a groovy adult who helps you bunk off school, and buys you lots of gifts - and everyday parents who don’t have cash to flash ... guess who'll win every time?
Well, that's until the groovy adult lets the child down. As Kate is destined to do. Again.
I also thought it interesting that Phoebe calls Kate 'Kate'. Does that make it even easier for Phoebe to see her as anything but a mum?
"Is this what it's going to be like ... until next summer?"
Yup. That's the price of having Kate home.
