- As it happened
- Nigel …
- Helen … and now also Henry Ian
- Did it shake our core?
- Twitterverse
As it happened
(whereas I normally give an overview, with opinion, for each instalment – I think this deserves a relatively clean version)
Lower Loxley
David and Ruth arrived to be greeted by Elizabeth and Nigel at Lower Loxley. Kenton had taken Josh and Ben off to play games, and even Pip had shunned her studying to be at the party.
[Elizabeth] “Once I could pry him lose from his harem at the Panto, he was a star” (at New Year)
[David] “You’ve both looking very relaxed”
[Nigel] “It’s been a lovely Christmas”
Ruth then made mention of how lovely Elizabeth’s brooch was – which was the one Nigel had gifted at New Year (it was his mum, Julia’s, found in a crack in the floor)
[Nigel] “We’ve got our second wind”
David then made a (red herring) mention of wanting to help Tony with his yard tractor.
And Nigel asked David to take down the banner tomorrow, as Kenton was busy at Jaxx.
Pat and Tony’s car
[Tony] “I’m not going to stay long”
[Pat] “Oh Tony, we’re not even there yet … it’ll be a good chance to see everyone”
[Tony] “I’ve got the tractor fixed now. There are things I could be getting on with.”
[Pat] “It’s a new start … can’t you make one with Helen?”
Lower Loxley
Crucially, Amy is at the party.
Ruth is up for a cup of tea as she doesn’t know who is going to be driving. Then David is spied drinking wine. I had a thought that maybe Pip would have to drive if Ruth then succumbed (Pip being a learner driver who is known to drive too fast).
All agree that Helen is looking well. Amy agrees, and mentions that she’s off duty.
[Pat] “It’s so lovely to see you”
[Helen] “You too mum. You too”
All predictions of Jolene getting into trouble (selling the bull or topping herself) are cast out by Brenda’s assertion that she was coping well at New Year. In fact, it was Fallon who had problems:
[Tom] “Harry and Jazzer circling her like predatory lions”
[Brenda] “Jazzer’s still recovering from happened last new year’s eve”
And Brenda then broke Fallon’s confidence by saying there was nothing in Fallon and Harry. Cause she’d heard it from the “lion’s mouth”
Tom then had a chat with a rather gloomy Tony:
[Tony] “John’s birthday (1st jan) … never an easy da … he would have been 35 … so one child dead, and another one not speaking to me. Not doing very well, am I. Not much of a father … failed both of them.”
Trying to gee Tony up, Tom said it would all change between with Helen soon enough …
Over to Helen and Pat – Helen had her feet up because of her swollen ankles. Which Pat thought looked particularly bad. Amy was then asked to have a look:
[Amy] “They are quite swollen ... you feeling alright otherwise?”
[Helen] “I have a bit of a headache … a few spots in front of my eyes”
[Amy] “I think you should see a doctor about this … this afternoon … I think you should go to the hospital … you need to be checked out properly”
Pat then asks Tony to drive them to the hospital.
[Tony] “Oh lord, has the baby started?”
While the folks at Lower Loxley sit tight, worried about Helen, Pat, Helen, Tom, Amy head off to the hospital, driven by Tony:
[Tom] “That light’s on red dad … you might want to slow down a bit then”
[Tony] “We’ll get them there, even if I have to jump a few of these”
Amy explained to Helen what would happen next – lots of tests, but a quick result.
Back at Lower Loxley:
[Elizabeth] “We can all wait for news of Helen together”
Brenda’s still at Lower Loxley, and gets the news that Helen has preeclampsia, which is dangerous for both Helen and her baby.
At the hospital
The doctor explains to Helen that there are high levels protein in her urine. Substances from her placenta are getting into her blood stream, leading to high blood pressure and a serious risk of damage to Helen’s kidney and liver.
The upshot of which is that Helen’s baby will have to be delivered early – 6 weeks early – if either have a chance of survival.
[Helen] “My poor baby … is there really else nothing else you can do … but I won’t see the baby when it’s first born”
[Doctor] “We can operate using a spinal anaesthetic … Helen will be awake the whole time”
On checking that Helen can have someone else with her, Tony very quickly states that it should be Pat. So, off Helen is sped off for an emergency caesarean.
[Tom] “Oh lord … I didn’t say … it was so quick”
Back at Lower Loxley
All are worried about Helen (while sitting around the fire), with the kids packed off to watch a film in another room.
The ever dependable Lewis is in the kitchen clearing up, and Brenda heads off to join him in making some snacks (for the kids).
Nigel then suggests they take the banner off now, to save David having to come over tomorrow.
[Elizabeth] “It’s dark … the wind is getting up”
And she tells David and Nigel to go and help Lewis. Even though Nigel reckons it’d be fine to take the banner down as they can have the floodlights on …
Back at the hospital:
[Tony] “I didn’t say anything to her … What I wanted to say, I didn’t say it … she might die … and she won’t know … she won’t know how sorry I am … I haven’t supported her … I’ve been against this every step of the way … I don’t know why now … when I think this I might lose both of them”
Just as Tom is telling Tony that everything will be okay, Pat comes out of theatre:
[Pat] “She’s fine … She’s had the baby and she’s fine … It’s a boy … A beautiful baby boy … Tony, we’ve got a grandson … He’s fine …”
[Tony] “Oh Amy … thank you … what we owe to you …”
[Amy] “Congratulations granddad and uncle tom!”
[Tony] “I’m a grandfather, I really am!”
[Amy] “How you finding it?”
[Tony] “It’s wonderful. I love it!”
Back at lower Loxley
As everyone is clearing up in the kitchen, Brenda breaks the good news that Helen and baby are fine. Nigel wants to crack open the bubbly (making me worried about what damage the cork could inflict).
[Brenda] “I’m just glad it had such a happy ending”
[Ruth] “All’s well that ends well”
[Elizabeth] “what a relief”
As Elizabeth and Ruth head through to tell the rest of the family, Nigel starts to head to the cellar for the champagne.
But, David suggest they head in the opposite direction. To the roof.
[David] “They’re going to be ages chewing the fat about this”
[Nigel] “But Lizzie said we shouldn’t”
[David] “Come on – are you a man or a mouse … I really would rather do it today while I’m here … better to do it before we start knocking that back!”
[Nigel] “Lizzie will never know. I shall present her with a fait accompli in the morning”
Back at the hospital
Tony is allowed in to see his grandson – even though the poor man said he’d be fine with still being barred.
[Helen] “Dad … come and look at him”
[Tony] “Oh Helen. Are you alright?”
[Helen] “Come and meet Henry … Henry Ian”
(and I have to mention the lovely moment of Helen confirming Henry is perfect. In typical Helen fashion, she even counted his toes. Probably twice…)
Tony melts when he meets his grandson. And Helen shushes him when he tries to apologise for previous behaviour.
[Tony] “My beautiful daughter., and now you’ve given me this beautiful grandchild. I am so happy”
Back at Lower Loxley
(David and Nigel, on the roof, trying to take down the banner)
[David] “I didn’t realise we’d be this high up”
[Nigel] “Roofs do tend to be ontop of things”
[David] “Your gutters need cleaning out …”
[Nigel] “Careful. It’s frosty. It’s so much easier in the light”
(as David nearly slips)
[Nigel] “Maybe lizzie wasn’t right. Maybe this Wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
[Nigel] “I have been clamouring over these roofs since I was a child … it was mine and daddies little secret .. all the footholds … secret Pargetter knowledge, passed down from father and son …”
[David] “And I just learned how to milk!”
[Nigel, on trying to free his end of the banner] “Kenton seems to have tied it on with one of his sailor knots”
[Nigel] “Dear daddy, we had so much fun together … I wonder if Freddie and lily are too young to come out here.”
[David] “I’d imagine Elizabeth would have something to say about that”
[Nigel] “I imagine she would … she’s rather like mummy in some ways … I’ve been very lucky to have two such fantastic women in my life”
[Nigel] ….oh, blast. Stupid thing has got itself tangled up. I just need to be a bit higher. I’m alright. I’ve got it now. I’ll just ….”
(Nigel slips)
[David] “Nigel!”
[Nigel] “David!”
[David] “Nigel hang on …”
[stomach churning scream from Nigel as he loses grip and falls]
…
Nigel …
I sincerely hope this won’t be the last time I’ll be able to blog about Nigel as an alive resident of Ambridge.
It was hard to tell who was for the chop today – lots of red herrings, and lots of (what could have been) final words of love from numerous couples and parents.
But alas. The chop did fall, and it fell on one of our consistently nice Ambridge fellows.
As I mentioned on previous days, the brooch was a very odd one. That it was found,. That Nigel was hell-bent on giving it as a New Year’s gift (does anyone ever give more than booze at New Year?). And that it was him mother’s.
Seems that it was always destined to be a parting token of Nigel’s love.
Still. We don’t know whether Nigel has survived that fall. It could just be a nasty bump on the head. It’s maybe more appropriate to wait to hear more over the next few days.
Either way, that scream will stay with me for a very long time …
Helen … and now also Henry Ian
All I have to say is HURRAH!
Helen survived the cull. Her and Tony have stopped arguing. And all seems well.
If you wanted Helen to die … shame on you indeed!
Did it shake our core?
Well, it could have been worse.
There was no en masse Ambridge resident deaths. No fires. Aeroplane crashes. Or Tram crashes(!).
But that scream …
It was enough to shake me, and that it happened to the (mainly) adored Nigel was horrific in itself.
If Nigel has died, it was a nasty end to a thoroughly decent chap.
Kenton will feel guilty for that knot – David will feel guilty for getting Nigel up there tonight, and not getting to him in time before he fell. And Elizabeth will feel guilty that Nigel was just trying to do a nice thing.
As a quick aside – wasn’t David also unable to help Jethro when he died???
Twitterverse
Here’s an abridged account of my reactions just before, during and just after this instalment, on Twitter (as @thearchersfan)
Pre-7pm
- Attempt to get Helen, Peggy, Nigel, Lynda & Jazzer to St Stephens for safety has failed. You're on your own!
- Helen. I'm here for you. No matter what.
- Goodness I adore us #archers eavesdroppers. BBC cloud shows 'wine' as well as 'tea' trending ;)
- @vencut2 We're all in it together ;)
At 7pm (and then during)
- EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK
- Brooch of death makes an early entrance
- There it is! The #sattc is revealed at last. Helen's ankles are swollen. Phew
- Told you - Helen's ankles. Amy says so
- "Helen has swollen ankles and a headache shocker!"
- Come on Helen. Shut up and let them save you and the bairn
- [half way through] I only have the usual length of #archers stamina. Not sure I can go this extended length
- No David - not the dishwasher!
- It's a Boy!
- @millietomos This is too much. Stopped breathing at 17 mins!
- Hang on. Doesn't Uncle Tom refer to something else ....
- No Nigel. Not the bubbly! The cork man - the cork!
- For feuck sake - not - the - feucking - banner!
- Yay! Helen lives! With Baby boy. Henry Ian.
- @UncannyVal It's a New Year banner ontop of Lower Loxely's roof. Dangerous ...
- Yup. Nigel. They surely couldn't do David???
- I respect all of my fellow #archers eavesdroppers - but one in yer eye if you wanted Helen to die ;)
- My giddy aunt. Got the sweats at 'frosty'
- [After the scream] I'm in tears
- Going offline for a wee bit to sob in a corner. That scream .....
- Tom still has hope
- Fallon still wants Harry
- Nigel’s making Elizabeth redundant
- How long before Lily and Freddie go postal?
- “That main thing now is to have a jolly good time tonight and on Sunday”
- The cows enjoyed their footspa
- That yard tractor …
- Nigel finally unveils his brooch
- Too many couples being nice to each other
Tom still has hope … kinda
Talking to Brenda about still having hope that Helen will go to Bridge Farm for New Year, Tom isn’t going to let the idea go of his family making. But, Brenda is all doom and gloom:
[Brenda] “Helen is not going to budge … she and you’re dad are just stuck now and the rest of us are going to have to put up with it”
[Tom] “I’m not going to give up”
[Brenda] “You are lovely …”
(yuk!)
Later on, Tom suggests to Tony that he and Pat should also turn up at The Bull – while Helen is there with Tom and co.
But Tony reckons it’ll be too complicated (Pat will be making food), and tells Tom to leave it.
[Tom] “All this stuff with damn Helen has been a bit of a downer … Things have got to be better by next year”
Hmmm.
Fallon still wants Harry
[Brenda] “I wasn’t the only one who noticed …. Tristram’s review … saying something about genuine warmth between the two one leads … Vicky’s been predicting orange blossom by the end of the year”
(after looking it up, it seems Orange Blossoms are a traditional flower for a bride’s hair – ‘to gather orange blossoms’ means ‘to seek a wife’)
[Brenda] “You sure you haven’t got something to tell me?”
[Fallon] “Well, nothing you want to hear”
Later on, as Brenda and Fallon have lunch, Brenda’s bursting with curiosity. To be fair to Brenda, she can’t have a very exciting life with Tom ….
“So … you and Harry!”
Swearing Brenda to secrecy, Fallon reveals that she does really like Harry and that “there was definitely something there” when they had their first kiss, and had hoped it would be the start of her and Harry.
But after that … when we did the kiss … it was just a Panto kiss. So I started to think he just didn’t want it to be obvious to the rest of the cast. So last week, I invited him over to run our lines, just him and me … but on the nigh …t we ran our lines. And not even upstairs. He didn’t even come up to my room. He just said down here is fine, so we sat in a corner of the bar!”
Poor Fallon had even got a CD and some aromatherapy candles at the ready. But it wasn’t to be.
[Fallon] “Seems the guys I like over ever see me as a mate. Ed, and now Harry as well”
[Brenda] “Maybe he’s just shy? We don’t know what experience of women he had before he came to Ambridge …”
[Fallon] “It’s finished. I’m not doing anything more”
Oh dear.
But it is probably for the best. There’s something not quite right with Saint Harry …
Nigel’s making Elizabeth redundant
Well, not literally. He’s just been so busy sorting everything out at Lower Loxley, she doesn’t have anything to do. Hence, Elizabeth feels she is redundant.
[Nigel] “Come to Lizzie, you could never be that”
Hmmmm. Is this proof that Nigel could cope without Elizabeth if she was no longer around …
How long before Lily and Freddie go postal?
Not content with ruining their Christmas holidays with extra homework, Elizabeth is now making the twins angry again by making them sort out their schoolbags. There’s just no let up!
Even Nigel remembers how depressing it was to get ready for going back to school. He seemingly was depressed when it was time to sharpen his pencils …
“That main thing now is to have a jolly good time tonight and on Sunday”
It’s difficult to not read into everything and anything that’s said ahead of Sunday’s anniversary special, but the odds are high that the Archer gathering at Lower Loxley will end in disaster.
The cows enjoyed their footspa
Aw, that’s a nice way for them to end their 2010.
That yard tractor …
Just leave it be, Tony. Especially when it’s cold and dark.
I don’t think the family could cope with a repeat of John’s death.
Nigel finally unveils his brooch
Over which Elizabeth sounds suitably stunned. Even though it was “mummy’s”
Not sure what the whole point of this brooch is (how it was found, cleaned etc), and it could just be another red herring.
Or not.
Could it be something for Elizabeth to remember Nigel by?
Too many couples being nice to each other
Tom and Brenda – with Brenda saying: “I’m just glad I’ve got you”
Nigel and Elizabeth – with Nigel again saying “I’m a one woman man” (that’s twice he’s said that now in as many days) and “I wanted you to wear it and know how much you mean to me”, the both declaring their love for each other.
Ooooh. Ominous indeed.
- Tristam’s review
- Ominous that Elizabeth is so annoyed with Nigel?
- Edgar’s lost his spanner
- Joe’s latest scam
Tristam’s review
[snippets from the review]
“Is feline fine … Veteran directs … unpacks a box of treats … bold casting … never lost sign of the Dame’s vulnerability …”
“… the sometimes over enthusiastic over projection of rat 1 … and the refined tones of rat 2”
“A dream pairing of Danny La Rue and Jimmy Krankie”
Lynda seems delighted about the review. Even though she sighed a ‘hmmmm’ at being called a ‘veteran’.
Eddie and Jazzer aren’t so happy. Eddie was rat 1
[Eddie] “What’s he saying? Have I got a loud voice?”
And Jazzer was Jimmy to Nigel’s Danny …
[Eddie] “I reckon he’s on summit”
Ominous that Elizabeth is so annoyed with Nigel?
As Nigel is checking on the progress of the brooch, Elizabeth still hasn’t calmed down from his a-wandering yesterday.
She’s angry he has fans (because of the Panto), she’s angry that it sounds like he’s now doing ticket sales (because the brooch man asked him if there was any left), she’s angry he’s the star of the show, and she’s angry that he was running around on Lynda’s command yesterday.
Boy – is she angry!
Better watch out for words spoken in anger being the last …
[Nigel] “I’m a one woman man, and tomorrow Lizzie will have the proof”
Edgar’s lost his spanner
Or someone has stolen it.
He’s also furious that the Ice Rink folks churned up the edge of the lawn, where the crocuses come up.
Hmmm. As was said on Twitter, watch out for where that spanner ends up on 2nd Jan. Could be a case of in the drawing room, with the spanner???
Joe’s latest scam
After failing to get Susan to take the last of his mistletoe in the village shop for TEAs, Joe comes up with a new plan.
(TEAs are Transition Equivalent in Ambridge – Ambridge money which can only be spent in Ambridge)
He’s somehow going to make money out of those folks who want ‘the good life’ by helping them to grow their own mistletoe.
Hmmm. I’m eager to hear more (and how!)
- Tony wants to give his cows a footbath
- Complicated?
- Sparks for Heather and Jim?
- Nae need for Worchester
- Tom’s right (ugh!)
- The horror of rouge on a white wig
- Tony’s not surprised
- Parrots and bosoms
Tony wants to give his cows a footbath
With the whole family working from Bridge Farm buying with getting orders done in time for New Year, Pat’s quite put-out that Tony wants to give his cows a footbath.
Tony is in overdrive in an attempt to avoid and forget his argument with Helen, but Pat also reckons that this time of year is always bad for Tony.
He gets down due to the lack of daylight.
Did I hear that right? Could we have a happier Tony if we bought him one of those SAD lights?
That’d be brilliant. It might also stop his egomania and paranoia.
Tony’s heard that Helen spent yesterday tidying Ambridge Organic’s stock room, then putting up curtains. So, Tony concludes that Helen wasn’t really tired at Ian’s party.
Oh for goodness sake! You’re as bad as each other.
Complicated?
David’s an odd ‘un sometimes.
What’s so complicated about Ruth driving Heather and Pip to the train station, with Pip then driving Ruth back?
Sparks for Heather and Jim?
Never mind the 60th Anniversary and ‘Shakes Ambridge to the Core’ (SATTC) – what happened between Heather and Jim?
Nae need for Worchester
Nigel’s on again about the brooch he found. Which he wants to give to Elizabeth at New Year, but needs to get it cleaned in time.
I still don’t get the big deal. Here’s hoping the brooch has some sort of curse … turning Elizabeth into a Julia Pargetter clone!
Running out of options, Nigel was facing even having to go as far as Worchester to get it sorted.
But David saves the day – he knows a retired chap in Felpersham who Nigel manages to get the broach to.
Phew!
I was worried there (!).
Tom’s right (ugh!)
I am very concerned that the whole ‘situation’ between Helen and Tony is resulting in Tom coming across as a rational and kinda nice guy.
What is the world coming to?
Tom was right that Helen’s protest against everyone fussing was better than them not fussy at all – AND he manages to persuade Helen to at least go out with their mates before the bells at New Year.
Helen’s refusing to go to Bridge Farm for the bells – instead wants to stay at home, and be in bed by 10pm. Which is quite a common reaction for quite a lot of folks to New Year celebrations.
[Helen] “Mum will be disappointed I know, I’m sorry … It’d only be more of the same … what make things up? No. No matter how many presents he buys, deep down he just can’t change the way he feels about the baby”
Tom did well to get Helen to change her mind to at least go out for a bit, but had to admit defeat in getting her to Bridge Farm.
I actually feel sorry for Tom stuck between Pat/Tony and Helen. And I feel sorry for myself that I’m starting to have a grudging respect for Tom in how he’s coping and dealing with such a rift in his family.
The horror of rouge on a white wig
Lynda calls Nigel, just as he’s returning from his dash to Felpersham on his brooch mission, in an utter flap about his wig.
It would seem that there is rouge on Nigel’s dame white wedding wig, which an attempt has been made upon to clean, resulting in a wig that now looks like dreadlocks.
The travesty!
[Lynda] “It would ruin the artistic unity of the scene ... surely I don’t have to explain the symbolism!”
Despite Nigel trying to stop Lynda corralling him into returning to Felpersham to get a new wig, and despite knowing that he’ll be in deep trouble with Elizabeth for disappearing from all the work at Lower Loxley for so long, Nigel heads back for the wig.
Well – what’s a roasting from Elizabeth when you have Lynda on your back during Panto time?
[Lynda] “The entire artistic endeavour of this Panto depends on you. Goodbye!”
[Nigel] “Well when you put it like that, it’s a case of turn again, Pargetter, I suppose”
Tony’s not surprised
And actually sounds like he doesn’t care.
[Tony] “It hardly comes as a great surprise to hear that Helen doesn’t want to see me … what’s the point … just leave it”
Tony now expects Helen to avoid him, and doesn’t seem interested in trying to mend their relationship.
My word – Tony is hardly Father of the Year! I always thought parents never gave up on their kids …
Parrots and bosoms
At tonight’s Panto, David’s parrot needs to be sorted so that it doesn’t keep getting caught on his earring.
And:
[Nigel] “Are my bosoms straight?”
[David] “They are spectacular!”
Just a few more *snort* moments to keep us a bit chirpy post-Christmas.
- Is it big enough, Ben?
- Ruth passes up yet another chance to go out
- Harry and Peggy?
- Harry and a lamppost?
- Brainstorming the Japanese scenes
- Christmas Carols
- Phew! Phoebe isn’t Jamie
- Freddie does have talent!
Is it big enough, Ben?
Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.
But yes – David & Ruth’s tree was big enough, albeit slightly too big.
And they didn’t get it from Eddie.
Ruth passes up yet another chance to go out
Although I’d also choose decorating a Christmas tree over a night out, Ruth seems to be developing agoraphobia.
It’s her and David’s 22nd anniversary tonight, but Ruth is being sensible. They’d seemingly be too tired to enjoy it anyway, so are settling in for a festive night in with the kids, a good bottle of wine and possibly going out over the weekend.
Each to their own.
Ruth’s mum is also on her way down, and Jill is insisting that she’s going to wake up on Christmas morning in her own house. By herself.
It’ll be the first Christmas without Phil. Maybe Jill should be with her family, especially in the early, quiet hours?
Harry and Peggy?
They’re still at it!
Well, the computer lessons, that is.
If Harry is holding a candle for Peggy, he’ll have to get Conn out of the way first.
Conn and Peggy are now sending each other Christmas e-cards.
Steady on!
Harry and a lamppost?
What on earth is that Harry all about?
He seemed to go weak at the knees at the very thought of kissing Fallon.
Then was extremely enthusiastic when they did kiss.
And afterwards told Nigel that he thought Fallon was way out of his league.
So why is he now showing no desire to be around Fallon? He was very non-committal about being “up” for the Panto rehearsal tomorrow, and also didn’t sound keen to go to the Carols with Fallon.
Eh?
Is Harry asexual? Gay? Was born Harriett?
Is he crippled by the very thought of Fallon actually being interested in him? Is his confidence – and experience – that low?
You’re a strange one, Harry Mason.
Bets on for you being behind the January ‘shocker’ …
Brainstorming the Japanese scenes
Which doesn’t require the presence of Fallon.
She was very disappointed (missing out on another night with Harry close by).
Also unusually un-PC of Lynda. I thought ‘brainstorming’ was a no-go as it alluded to negative connotations of epilepsy.
Christmas Carols
I’m a sucker for a nice Carol – and didn’t Ambridge do well in singing ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ on the village Green in aid of Church funds.
Even the rather moody Phoebe joined in.
(as a wee aside, a very knowledgeable lady on Chris Evans this morning (I do sometimes wander over to Radio 2) was explaining that a lot of Carols are actually of pagan origin – that that Holly symbolises male, Ivy female).
Phew! Phoebe isn’t Jamie
Over on Twitter (@thearchersfan), I spoke too early when I said that I’d thought Kate’s legacy for the next 6 weeks was a moody and rebellious Phoebe.
Turns out she’s just sad and perplexed.
[Hayley] “We all feel mixed up confused sometimes”
[Phoebe] “I feel like I want to be in two places at one, but that’s just not possible, is it?”
So is Phoebe going to have to choose?
Or am I right in my prediction that the January shocker going to be Phoebe inventing a time machine?
Freddie does have talent!
Hurrah! Lynda has spotted a talent in Freddie. Take note Nigel – talent is necessarily academic.
Freddie’s going to be the second rat in the Panto.
So Freddie has something to hold onto, while his mum and dad force-feed him schoolwork, and Lynda is happy again.
Lovely.
- Tony has his ways
- Lily even excels at ice skating
- Mystery Highway Man
- Kenton gets in on the Kate-kicking
- Tony makes some sense
Tony has his ways
And sometimes Tony’s ways are actually quite nice.
Miffed that his surprise for Pat was spoilt by her being up early (he had a nice bunch of flowers to take to her in bed. And a card, which he couldn’t find. But that thought was there).
And he’s booked a nice restaurant for later on. Plus he’s driving – which is a very big gesture for rural dwelling folks.
A tad unoriginal, but anything that’s not work for Pat is lovely.
Lily even excels at ice skating
Whereas Freddie is good at knocking other folks over.
Wee toots. He just needs a big hug and a dad who isn’t trying to force him to be something he’s not …
Mystery Highway Man
Kenton’s latest cunning plan is to have a Mystery Highway man popping up at unannounced intervals at Deck the Halls.
Seemingly, it’s a thank-you to Elizabeth and Nigel for putting him up (and putting up with him – his words).
He has the idea. He’ll be one of the staff doing the work. And he’ll help promote it.
Very nice of Kenton indeed.
But I think it’s a flawed plan.
When the Mystery Highway Man pops up, the folks who spot him will get a prize, if they say “your money, or your life”).
Wasn’t that the highway man’s job?
Kenton gets in on the Kate-kicking
Putting his foot in it with Phoebe (how was he to know Kate was going away for 6 weeks rather than four?), Kenton doesn’t hold back on saying what he thinks of Kate:
[Kenton] “Well it par for course where Kate’s concerned though … she’s got form!”
[Hayley] “Don’t say another word, or I’ll be tempted to say exactly what I think of her right now, and that’s not going to help Phoebe”
Still, at least Kenton managed to spot Jill’s seemingly loud body language towards Nigel, and steer clearing of their argument about whether Freddie and Lily should go to boarding school.
Tony makes some sense
On Vicky:
[Tony] “Vicky’s a bit of an unknown … you know, isn’t she … she can be a bit volatile”
(bless – he was being far too polite to say what he really though)
He was also very calm about Kathy and Jamie joining them for Christmas dinner.
Though he is looking forward to a quiet Christmas eve just being for family.
Well, until Pat pointed out that next year would be completely different, due to Helen’s baby.
On the topic of which, Tony can still not find anything positive to say.
Whereas Pat is happy that Helen is at least realising she can’t do everything by herself, in asking Pat to come to her ante-natal class, Tony reckons:
[Tony] “Some else should be caring for her, loving her, getting ready to be a father for the child”
[Tony] “I just wanted Helen to have the same chance as we did”
Which is absolutely fair enough.
What parent wouldn’t’ want that for their kid?
But, that’s all academic when this is happening, happening now and isn’t going o go away.
Time Tony got over himself, and became a real dad himself.
