Shula believes Alistair: Ambridge Extra Tuesday 20th December 2011

• Shula’s mood lifts
• Amy reads her mum’s letters
• Amy doesn’t accept Usha?
• Daniel’s playing with Jamie again
• Shula is a girl

Shula’s mood lifts

Shula still seems to be in a grump with Alistair, after he told her about Erin making advances. Shula’s angry that he kept it secret from her for a while.

Alistair – to himself - Fore heaven’s sake Shula – how many times – what does she want from me – is she going to keep this up forever – A

[Alistair] “Wait. Please. We can’t go on like this … you were the one who kept pushing for Erin to shadow me …”

[Shula] “So this is my fault? I also forced Erin to kiss you?”

Alistair tries to reason that he couldn’t tell Erin never to “darken their door”. Apart from anything else, she was Daniel’s girlfriend (kind of). Shula agrees with that.

Alistair also claims that he couldn’t tell her what was happening as he was embarrassed.

[Alistair] “I’m not denying she’s attractive, but she’s still a child. I didn’t want to humiliate her … she’s messed up … I tried to deal with it in a way that would cause the least amount of pain for everyone, you have to see that”

But they have to leave it there, as Daniel comes in. Shula is very keen that Daniel has no inkling of what’s going on.

When Alistair and Shula are alone again later on:

[Alistair] “You can’t honestly think I’d mess around with Erin behind your back. Well do you?”

[Shula] “No”

[Alistair] “So you believe me then?”

[Shula] “It’s not as simple as that. Of course I believe you. It still doesn’t change what she did though … dreading the next time she comes over … should I pretend that she didn’t make a pass at you, that she hasn’t been lying to Daniel and what if she does say something to him?”

[Alistair. Slightly smugly) “So you can see now what I’ve been dealing with!?”

So, should they also tell Daniel that his girlfriend has been coming on to his dad? Be better to hear it from them?

But, on the other hand, it’d knock Daniel’s already fragile confidence. And Daniel reckons it’s cooled off between them anyway – or, at least Erin seems to have cooled.

[Alistair] “She hasn’t said anything so far. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way”

Hmmm.

I still think Erin is a bunny boiler. And bunny boilers don’t give up that easily.


Amy reads her mum’s letters

Taking Usha’s advice, Alan shows Amy her mum’s letter (from when she was in Falconwood, a secure detention centre). Mabel (and I) think that she should have been left in ignorance.

But, Alan reckons Amy needs to know now so that they can talk it through. He doesn’t want her going through the same pain and confusion he had to.

But Amy is still obviously confused. More so about why her mum never told anyone the reason why she’s stabbed that other girl.

[Alan] “Mum was probably ashamed. She’d have been appalled by what she’d done”

As Amy is later out in her car:

Amy – to herself - How could they? She was 14. She was only a girl. And all that time, it was because of some bigot. Some snivelling coward who’s probably still around, still spreading her hate. The poor innocent victim who got stabbed by the black girl. I hope the knife damn well hurt

Amy’s so wound up that she nearly chases after a “wagon” (a large tuck, I’d assume, rather than a coach and horses …)

Amy – to herself - What am I doing? Pull over, I don’t even know what I’d do if I caught him. Oh mum. What happened? Why couldn’t you tell anyone? I am so sorry.

Wonder if Amy is going to hunt down the girl that was stabbed to get a final kick in the ribs for her mum …



Amy doesn’t accept Usha?

Still?

When Alan showed Amy her mum’s letters, and that he and Usha has to do some digging to find out the full story behind them, Amy responded:

[Amy] “You let Usha read these?”

How odd.

Is Amy still protective of her mum over Usha? From recent mutterings, Usha certainly seems to feel that Catherine is an unwelcome presence.


Daniel’s playing with Jamie again

Well, I don’t suppose it is ‘playing’ at their age. More hanging out.

Either way, he’s at Jamie’s today doing computer games.

Looks like they’ve made up.


Shula is a girl

Daniel has called, texted and posted message on Erin’s Facebook wall. But nothing.

As Shula comes into his room to find any neglected crockery, she asks him about Erin.

(eh? Shouldn’t she be avoiding that subject completely?)

[Daniel] “Mum, I think Erin’s gone off me … you’re a girl, what do you think I should do?”

[Shula] “I think you need to decide whether you want to be involved with someone who treats you that way … she’s sending you come pretty clear signals … Honesty love, I really don’t think Erin’s worth all this heartache”

Shula – to herself - He wants to know why, bless him. He thinks it’s all his fault

This is going to be a major explosion when it comes out … especially as Daniel doesn’t seem to be listening to reason.

Daniel – to himself - I love her, and I’d do anything. Make it a Christmas she won’t forget

Shula doesn’t seem to believe Alistair: Ambridge Extra Thursday 15th December 2011

• Daniels’ School Concert
• Was Alistair “grooming”?
• Usha really is jealous of Catherine
• Alistair tells all to Shula

Daniels’ School Concert

Shula and Alistair are in attendance, especially for Daniel doing a reading of Matthew chapter 1 verses 18-25.

But, Erin is also there, playing in the orchestra.

Alistair – to himself during Erin’s playing - Why does she have to be playing tonight. Isn’t it complicated, even with Daniel? Did she see me looking? Well what if she did, everyone else is too.
Good that Daniel doesn’t want us to bump into her either. If we can just get through the evening without any awkwardness. Terms ending, let it all die down. Let her just disappear out of our lives

Was Alistair “grooming”?

At the interval, Alistair goes to the toilet.

Erin’s waiting for him in the corridor when he comes out. She’s turned nasty:

[Erin] “Can’t keep your eyes off me, can you? I saw you all the way through the Beethoven, letching at me”

[Alistair] “I wasn’t”

[Erin] “How can you say you don’t want me, perving away with your wife sitting next to you?”

[Alistair] “For god sake, keep your voice down”

[Erin] “It’s pathetic”

Alistair drags her from the corridor to a room.

[Alistair] “Erin, I told you last week this is all in your head. I only helped you out because you wanted to be a vet”

[Erin] “Oh yeah, right. I know the difference between a bit of work experience and what you were doing”

[Alistair] “I wasn’t doing anything!”

[Erin] “Finding excuses to be with me …”

[Alistair] “That was you”

[Erin] “All those personal conversations, affectionate texts …”

[Alistair] “It was nothing like that”

[Erin] “There’s a name for that you know … grooming”

[Alistair] “That’s absurd! You were the one sending affectionate texts, you instigated most of the trips, look how you went on at my about coming to Clinical Club”

[Erin] “Only after you dangled the carrot. You knew just what you were doing. Except when it worked and I fell for it. You chickened out then, didn’t you … enjoyed a bit of an ego message then you got cold feet”

[Alistair] “It was nothing like that”

[Erin] “If people knew how you treated me …”

[Alistair] “Do you have any idea of the damage you could cause going around saying things like this? It’s just not true”

So – Alistair reckons it’s all been in Erin’s head – Erin reckons he led her on.

As we’ve heard what Alistair had been thinking about Erin – who do we side with?

On the one hand, Alistair did fancy her. And did want to spend time with her. But it felt like a crush on his side – that he wanted the flirt and the thrill, but didn’t actually want anything more.

Erin picked up on that, and is (rightly) angry that he’s now denying it and treating her like’s she’s the kid with the crush.

BUT, main thing for me is that Erin is the kid, Alistair the adult. Alistair should have known better and behaved more appropriately towards her. She’s right that is was his ego, and also right that it’s his fault.
We could expect Erin to be a bit more reasonable about Alistair rejecting her when it came down to it.

But, how much can we expect of a teenage girl? That’s why adults shouldn’t meddle with teenagers – they don’t have the experience, maturity or life reference to cope with this sort of situation.

Alistair didn’t let it get too far, but he let it get far enough. He’s now going to have to deal with the fall-out.

Alistair – to himself - It’s not going to go away, is it. I don’t know what to do … She really thinks I’ve led her on. This is beginning to feel out of control

Take it like an adult man, matey.


Usha really is jealous of Catherine

I was surprised to hear Usha agreeing with Alan that Amy should be told about Catherine’s juvenile incarceration. She claims she’s worried about Amy being more upset that Alan knew but chose not to tell her.

[Usha] “You’ve seen how the past can rear up out of nowhere, and with modern technology even more so … I’m much concerned about damaging her relationship with you”

So – as Alan knows, Amy should know that, and what, he knows.

I don’t agree, but good advice none-the-less.

Until we heard:

Usha – to herself - Please. Let’s get it all out in the open. Then maybe we can pout Catherine to rest once and for all

Wow.

Usha really does feel Catherine’s shadow looms large.


Alistair tells all to Shula

In a very brave (but right) move, Alistair asks Shula to sit down (when they get home) and tells her about Erin.

[Alistair] “There’s been a bit of trouble … it’s actually with Erin. The fact is, she’s developed a bit of a crush on me. And it came right out of the blue when, she tried to kiss me. She kissed me. After Clinical Club”

[Shula] “That was last week. And you’re just telling me now?”

[Alistair] “I thought I’d dealt with it. She turned up at Arnold Hamilton’s … she practically threw herself at me”

[Shula, her emphasis] “She threw herself at you?”

[Alistair] “Honestly I didn’t want it. I made it clear to her that I wasn’t interested”

(when someone says “honestly”, you know the exact opposite of what they’re about to say is the truth)

[Shula] “But, wait, you were at Arnold’s on …”

[Alistair] “Friday. And I know I should have told you.”

[Shula] “Damn right you should have told me!”

[Alistair] “But I didn’t want there to be any embarrassment…”

[Shula] “For you, you mean …”

[Alistair] “Not for anybody. You, Daniel … I thought when I told her she’d got it all wrong she’d just go away and forget all about it”

[Shula] “Which would have been very convenient for you!”

[Alistair] “But this evening, I bumped into her at the interval …”

[Shula] “Really, just by chance?”

[Alistair] “Yes, well I don’t know, she might have been waiting for me”

[Shula] “Or because you made an arrangement …”

[Alistair] “No. I was desperate not to see her”

[Shula] “Oh, so that’s why you rushed us home”

[Alistair] “Because now, she’s coming out with all these wild allegations. I needed to explain to you before, well the state she’s in,. I don’t know what she’s going to do … that I led her on, spent more time with her than was necessary … tonight, it looks like she’s developed an obsession”

[Shula, in disgust] “With you?!?”

[Alistair] “I’m not that repulsive am I?”

[Shula, beginning to get shouty] “You’re old enough to be her father!”

[Alistair] “I told her that. I said that I loved you and that it was unfair on Daniel”

[Shula] “And has anything happened between you?”

[Alistair] “No, she kissed me”

[Shula] “She actually kissed you?”

[Alistair] “Tried to, I mean she caught me by surprise”

[Shula] “Alistair, you’re saying you’ve done nothing you’re ashamed of …”

[Alistair] “Nothing”

(Alistair – to himself - Almost nothing)

[Shula] “So, if you’re completely innocent …”

[Alistair] “I am”

[Shula] “Why did you keep it a secret?”

And darn it all – the secret microphones were turned off before we could hear Alistair’s reply.

Shula was furious from the word go – and also didn’t seem to believe Alistair that it was all Erin. She’s obviously livid that he’s kept it a secret, but is also quite right in thinking that he’d have told her the moment it all started, if he had nothing to hide.

Problem is, Alistair did want to keep flirting with Erin. It’s only because Erin took him seriously that he’s in this mess.

If he wasn’t remotely interested in her, he’d have nipped it there and then, and told Shula.

Alistair hasn’t quite been caught with his pants down. He’s going to be hung for stealing a lamb rather than the whole flock. He’d have got the flock, if he wasn’t a half decent bloke …

Erin (possibly) dumps Daniel: Ambridge Extra Tuesday 13th December 2011

• Erin shall not go to the ball
• Demons, Devils and God
• Alistair looking out for himself?
• Shula’s made enough deserts to last until after New Year

Erin shall not go to the ball

Erin seems to be avoiding Daniel, and rushing away from him when he does catch her. She also doesn’t sound too keen to spend time with him over the holidays.

When he shows her a photo of him in his new dinner jacket, she says without much enthusiasm:

[Erin] “Yeah, you look nice”

[Daniel] “Okay to wear to the ball then?”

[Erin, with even less enthusiasm] “Fine”

She then drops the bombshell that she won’t be going to the ball.

[Erin] “Look Dan, I think we’d better forget it. I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”

Daniel – to himself - Forget it … she just means the ball, doesn’t she? Doesn’t she?

Indeed Daniel. Stood up (with notice), or completely dumped?


Demons, Devils and God

Mabel tells Alan that she’s been feeling worse, and quite low, since he told her that Catherine had been bullied for a long time before she snapped and stabbed that girl.

[Alan] “I’m so sorry … I’d hoped it would help you come to terms with it. Finding out what motivated her”

[Mabel] “But why could Catherine never tell me about it. Was I such an ogre … she couldn’t tell her own mother but she could tell a stranger?”

So Alan gets on his bike (to drive up to see Mabel).

Mabel is worried that she was too stern with Catherine – which led to Catherine never telling her about the bullying as it was happening, or the real reason why she ended up in a secure home.

[Mabel] “With no man in the house, I had to be father and mother to her … I looked around, I saw lax parenting, children going off the rails, it starts with answering back, and staying out late, and I didn’t want my Catherine going that way … and then she did something worse, much worse … to take that knife and hurt that girl so badly … the shame, it was almost more than I couldn't bear .. and Catherine know it, she could see the shame in me, no wonder she couldn’t bring herself to confide in me”

[Alan] “Perhaps she just needed to say it once. Whatever she did, it wasn’t because she didn’t love you … she want to extremes to protect you … in some way, she was still trying to protect you even when after she was released … I’m sure she talked about it to God, of course, her faith was so strong”

[Mabel] “But at the time the Church wasn’t much help at all … folk I thought were my friends, who I’d stood with and sung with and worshipped with, they didn’t want to know me no more. There was talk of the demons that had got into Catherine, how the devil had her doing his work, and all the time the finger pointing at me … it wasn’t just the church, I’d see people talking about me when I went to the shop, to work …”

So Mabel moved her and Catherine from London to Bradford. To make a fresh start.

[Alan] “Mabel, society in those days was very rigid, more judgemental … but through it all, God know the truth. He knew how complex the picture was. He loved you both. And he still does”

And they pray together.

Whether you have faith or not, it’s at moments like these when faith can heal and join folks together. Mabel feels better, and feels the whole saga has been “put to bed”.

BUT, Alan still wants to tell Amy.

Thankfully, Mabel disagrees. She’s glad Amy knows nothing about the letters, about the secure home, about Alan’s recent anguish.

[Mabel] “And that’s a blessing isn’t it? If the ear don’t hear, the heart done grieve”

Alistair looking out for himself?

Daniel gets in from school.

Alistair – to himself - He doesn’t look very happy … is it Erin, I wonder? Has she said anything?

Alistair later braves going into Daniel’s room to talk to him.

[Daniel] “I think it might be over between me and Erin”

Alistair – to himself - Oh lord

But not to worry Alistair – it’s not over you. As far as Daniel knows …

He tells Alistair that she’s been funny for a few days. And about how she said:

[Daniel] “…we should forget it … seems she was dumping me”

[Alistair] “Did she say anything else, any reason why?”

[Daniel] “No … And I was never quite sure if I was doing it right … I mean, being a boyfriend. Is it something I’ve done, or not done, or done too much too much or not enough?”

[Alistair] “Daniel I’m sure it’s not you. Relationships can be a minefield … sometimes you just have to accept that you’re not the right people for each other … just accept it’s over, think fondly of the good times, and move on”

Alistair was muttering in his head that he was sticking the knife in by agreeing with Daniel that he thinks it’s over between them.

Alistair – to himself - causing him this pain. So unnecessary

[Alistair] “Don’t worry. You will find someone more right for you”

So it’s a big sigh of relief for Alistair. And he agrees with Daniel that they won’t tell Shula as yet – Daniel wants a bit of time to deal with it himself before he has to deal with his mum being disappointed.

She later mentions that she’s looking forward to meeting Erin’s parents at tomorrow’s school concert.

So that’s two things he’s hiding from his wife.

Still think Erin is a bunny boiler … if she has dumped Daniel, it would suggest she only went out with him in the first place to get close to Alistair. Calculating and a bit cold …


Shula’s made enough deserts to last until after New Year

Well done Shula.

And she lets Daniel have a can of cider.

Rock n’ roll indeedy.

Alan is relieved, Alistair in terrors: Ambridge Extra Thursday 8th December 2011

• It wasn’t Catherine’s fault
• Shula has run out of cheese
• Alistair not interested now it’s on a plate …

It wasn’t Catherine’s fault

Alan’s round to see Mrs Janice Peblo. She worked in Falconwood, and Catherine always spoke of her as someone who had helped her.

Though Janice had agreed to see Alan, she’s unsure about how appropriate it would be to tell him all the detail. As Catherine didn’t tell him, Janice is unsure it’d be right for her to do so.

But, as Alan points out, he now knows something because of the letters. She leaving him with only half the story wouldn’t be fair (or what Catherine would have wanted?).

[Alan] “At the moment all I know is the very bare bones and I’m having great difficulty reconciling that with the woman I loved … something hellish happened to her … I just have to understand”

Janice decides that she should tell Alan, and starts with what Catherine was like when she arrived at the secure home.

[Janice] “Very withdrawn for most of the time … post-traumatic stress …”

[Alan] “Did you glean any indication of where this violence came from?”

[Janice] “Well, given what she’s been through, any one of us might … do you mean you don’t know? …This girl she’d attacked. She’d made Catherine’s life a misery for years … racist abuse, not just aimed at Catherine but at her mother too”

[Alistair] “I don’t think Mabel knew anything about this”

This other girl had been calling Catherine names, scribbling on her desk, making monkey noises … escalating up to more physical and threatening behaviour when they got older.

[Janice] “This girl was talking about bleaching Catherine and her mum … I’ve seen a few black kids trying to do it to themselves”

So, Catherine and this girl were in domestic science, and the girl came at Catherine with a bottle of bleach. Catherine “flipped” and grabbed the first thing to hand. A kitchen knife.

[Janice] “It’s a cliché, but I don’t think Catherine was doing until it was over”

So – Catherine was defining herself and her mum. But she never told the Police about why she attacked the girl, as she didn’t want to have to relive it all again. She preferred to go to a secure home, with everyone thinking she was violent for no apparent reason.

[Alan] “Now I know what she’s been through, I feel humbled by the strength she showed … to move on and make a normal life for herself.”

And Alan can also ease Mabel’s guilt – there wasn’t anything ‘wrong’ with her daughter.

BUT now Alan is again on about wanting to tell Amy.

Oh for pity sake, Alan.

For a man of such sound common sense, why can’t you leave it be? You had to be told because you find the letters – why can’t Amy be left in peace? Or, do you think Amy will see this as another example of how wonderful her dear (departed) mum was?

What’s the point?


Shula has run out of cheese

So she asks Alistair to pick some up.

She also starts trying to talk to him about her mum being worried about Christmas – because of Elizabeth and David’s continued fall-out.

But Alistair isn’t listening, and hangs up quite abruptly.

Erin has arrived …


Alistair not interested now it’s on a plate …

Erin turns up as Alistair has made his last call. She’s been to his office, found out where he was, and knows he hasn’t got an excuse of work to not go out with her.

[Erin] “We could have a good time together. You’re so fit and clever!”

[Alistair] “Erin, get off!”

(one assumes she was trying to get intimate with him there and then)

[Erin] “I just want you all the time!”

[Alistair] “You’ve a very nice person but I’ve only ever seen you as Daniel’s girlfriend or as someone who’s interested in becoming a vet …”

[Erin] “Don’t give me that, I’ve seen the signs!”

[Alistair] “There weren’t any signs. I’ve never shown any indication that I think of you that way”

But Erin (and Alistair) know that’s a porky. Erin has seen Alistair looking at her in ‘that way’.

[Alistair] “You’re a very pretty girl, any man would have …”

[Erin] “Oh come on. I know you want to!”

[Alistair] “I absolutely don’t feel that way about you”

Alistair reckons Erin caught him by surprise when she kissed him the other day, and that it was most definitely her kissing him. But we, of course, know different, as we can hear Alistair’s mind …

[Erin] “We can go somewhere now. Anywhere you like”

[Alistair] “I’m a married man!”

[Erin] “That doesn’t matter”

[Alistair] “Believe me it does, you’re young enough to be my …”

Which Erin doesn’t want to hear. She reckons age doesn’t matter.

[Alistair] “What you’re feeling. It’s not real. People your age, sometimes they get a crush, and there’s nothing wrong with that and it has to stay a fantasy thing”

Erin thinks she would make him happy. Alistair wants Erin to leave him alone, as she’s got it all wrong. So he drives off.

When at home, he’s hit the wine.

Alistair – to himself - How on earth could she have though … I didn’t encourage her, did I … you haven’t done anything wrong. Just hope she’d got the message now. Daniel! I can’t see them staying together now. And the ball … 

Shula comes in

Alistair – to himself - Should I tell her?

He’s forgotten the cheese.

Alistair – to himself - You could just tell her why you forgot …Could just get it all into the open …

As Shula witters on about how she wishes she was sipping exotic cocktails like Jennifer probably is, rather than drinking “bargain bin cabernet” …

Alistair – to himself - No. Least said soonest mended

Hmmm. Anyone else think Erin’s going to turn out to be a bunny boiler?

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 6th December 2011: Alistair! What on earth are you doing!!?

• Alan’s hard to buy for
• Red tape is God’s will?
• Alistair has ‘the talk’ with Daniel
• The Franks’ tree is too big
• Inappropriateness at the Clinical Club
• Alan’s won’t went it go

Alan’s hard to buy for 

[Usha] “If you ask him, he just says there’s nothing he needs”

Amy’s also stuck. She was thinking a bottle, but reckons it’s not very imaginative.

Usha suggests to Amy that she gets him a new version of his favourite shirt, which is frayed.

Which leaves her with no ideas for her own present.

Well, what can you give a man who has God?


Red tape is God’s will?

Usha hasn’t made any progress on finding out why Catherine had been in a secure institution. Too much red tape.

[Alan] “I wonder … is this god’s way of telling me I should leave it?”

Maybe.

Usha later tells him that there will be little chance of them being able to access the formal records.


Alistair has ‘the talk’ with Daniel

Alistair’s helping Daniel to buy his first dinner jacket.

To a background of Wonderful Christmas Time (I do like that Christmas ditty – for some reason, the very badly shot video in the pub with Paul, Lynda and co make me happy).

[Alistair] “My first DJ … braid on the lapels I looked like a dodgy Spanish gigolo”

Then Alistair picks his moment:

[Alistair] “On the subject of Erin ... she’s a very attractive girl … and you’re obviously getting on well ... I know you’re a sencible lad, but sometimes it can be easy to get carroed away … in the heat of the moment …”

[Daniel] “Like when you’re watching spot?”

[Alistair] “I was thinking of more when you’re together, the two of you …”

[Daniel] “Ah, you mean me going on about the environment; she quite likes that really ...”

Ah, but cheeky Daniel is just winding Alistair up.

[Daniel] “It’s alright dad, I know what you’re getting at. And I’ll be careful.”

[Alistair] “Well, thank god that’s over”

[Daniel] “Absolutely”

The Franks’ tree is too big

Actually, it’s a monster.

Alan might even have to cut the top off.

Amy gives Usha the first thing to hang on it. Which is nice.

And then she finds the star that her mum (Catherine) had made. Seems they always used to put it on the tree together.

Alistair – to himself - Catherine’s like a saint to Amy … how can I shatter her memory. It’s all she’s got

Just don’t tell her Alan. Mabel’s right. Leave it be.


Inappropriateness at the Clinical Club

Alistair’s at the Clinical Club with Erin.

Supper and veterinary cases. He certainly knows how to treat a girl (a girl going out with his son …).

Alistair – to himself – wonder what the barmaid thinks. Buying drinks for a pretty women … oh get real. She probably thinks she’s your daughter.

After the supper and veterinary cases.

[Erin] “That was brilliant, who’d have though that a cow could have a facelift … and cat TB!”

Her cup overfloweth!

[Erin] “You’ve been wonderful … you are wonderful”

And …. They kiss.

Alistair – to himself - Lovely … ah, so fresh … so, ……… no!

[Alistair] “No. No this is wrong. Erin, we mustn’t”

Goodness me Alistair! What are you doing?


Alan’s won’t went it go

He’s back on the phone to Mabel.

Mabel admits she was angry with Alan the other day. But that it also was not his fault once he’d found the letters.

Alan’s not begging for her help.

[Alan] “Catherine lives with me every day, and I have to understand what made her behave in such an alien way”

Mabel then remembers that Catherine trusted a Mrs Peblo who worked at the ‘home’. And Alan remembers a Janice Peblo that Catherine used to be fond of.

Watch about Janice Peblo.

Alan’s not leaving this one until he has answers.

Ambridge Extra Thursday 1st December: Alan married an ice axe murderer

(slight poetic licence there – actually, Alan married a knife wielding GBH)

• Erin excited by doing a Ewe caesarean
• “not my Catherine!”
• £75, standing too close and 6 lambs
• The Clinical Club

Erin excited by doing a Ewe caesarean

Each to their own.

Though Erin may also be excited about seeing Alistair, she also seems to be rubbing along well with Daniel.

Alistair – to himself - great to see them joking together. All that worry over nothing

Erin scrubs up, and goes to take her top off.

Alistair – to himself – what!

[Erin, obviously seeing Alistair, and probably Daniel’s, discomfort] “It’s okay, I’ve got a t-shirt underneath”

Alistair – to himself - clam down Alistair

Enter the Ewe.

[Erin] “Hello Madam!”

And Daniel leaves them to it to do his homework.

Alistair – to himself – we’ll be fine

“not my Catherine!”

Alan’s driven up to see Mabel in Bradford.

(I do love a bit of Mabel)

Mabel first gives him a row about his motorbike. She doesn’t think it’s safe.

Then Alan asks her about Falconwood and Catherine letters to Mabel’s sister.

[Mabel] “I wouldn’t know about that”

Which isn’t true, as Alan had also found a Falconwood letter from Catherine to Mabel. And also the release paperwork for Catherine. It said:

[Alan, quoting from the release paperwork] “Catherine would be released because she now posed no threat to herself or to others”

[Mabel] “This is all in the past. Can’t you let sleeping dogs lie? … why do you want to go raking this up”

[Alan] “She was my wife … you’ve got to be honest with me.”

[Mabel] “She was 14. There was a girl in her class at school, Catherine attacked her … stabbed … it was bad. Very. They called it grievous bodily harm. She spent two years in that place”

[Alan] “What on earth happened?”

[Mabel, while starting to cry] “I don’t know., She wouldn’t say … it just wasn’t her,. She would never. Not my Catherine,. She was never violent … she never did anything like that before or since, And when she came out she never spoke about it,. We tried to put it behind it, but it broke my heart. My sweet little Catherine”

Later on:

[Alan] “I must admit I still don’t know how to react .. .why didn’t you tell me about this?”

[Mabel] “It wasn’t my story to tell … What? I could have told you a secret she took to the grave? And how would that have helped”

[Alan] “I’d have known the truth”

[Mabel] “What truth? This one thing she did before she met you, or all the years she loved and cared for you”

[Alan] “They’re both the truth”

[Mabel] “You want me to betray her memory and change the way you feel about her forever?”

[Alan] “I’d still have loved her”

Mabel thinks her sister, Annie, should have burned the letters.

[Alan] “I feel like I’ve been kept in the dark by the whole family … it’s like I couldn’t be trusted to cope with the secret”

[Mabel] “We were protecting Catherine”

[Alan] “Don’t you think I wanted to protect her too?”

[Mabel] “And this is how you’re doing it? By dragging up the past, dirtying her memory? … she put that dreadful time behind her, and you should too”

Mabel offers Alan to stay, but he wants to head off.

They leave each other on good times, with Mabel saying she’ll be praying for Alan and Usha.

Alan starts motorbiking back:

Alistair – to himself - what a mess. How on earth could she? It’s inconceivable. My Catherine. To take a knife and harm another human being. I just can’t … I could have helped her. You can’t lock that sort of thing away and not affect you. The cancer … was is stress living with that dreadful memory. Catherine, why didn’t you trust me? Did you think I didn’t love you enough. That I couldn’t have coped with it. Amy, how will she feel. She idolises her mother. What would this to do her. Oh lord, what should I do?

I’d reckon that he shouldn’t tell Amy, for a start.

I quite agree with Mabel that there’s nothing to be gained from dragging this all back up – even though it’s different for a husband than for a daughter. And anyway – it’s academic in Alan’s case. He’d already seen the letters.


£75, standing too close and 6 lambs

Erin was asking Alistair how much he’ll charge the farmer for doing the caesarean on the Ewe.

Seems it’s £75, including drugs.

Erin reckons that isn’t much, but as Alistair explains:

[Alistair] “the farmer has to account for the age of the ewe and how much make on lambs”

So there’s always haggling with farmers. Though I reckon it is cheap for 7+ years of studying and professional expertise.

As Erin helps Alistair with the operation, seems she’s standing very close to him:

Alistair – to himself - god that’s close … is she? … not, she’s just interested in the op. Concentrate

Alistair does manage to pull himself together to deliver 6 (yes, a whopping 6!) lambs. All of who came out alive.


The Clinical Club

Which isn’t like the Clap Clinic as I first thought.

It’s a Club where vets meet up to talk shop. Have supper. Hear from a speaker, or talk about interesting cases.

Alistair mentioned that he’d bring up his 6 lamb caesarean, and Erin sound very interested in the club.

So Alistair invites her along.

What is that man thinking?

If he does truly suspect that Erin is trying to come onto him, why encourage her?

If he thinks it’s all in his head, why encourage himself?

Then again, maybe Alistair is enjoying the flirt. Without admitting it to himself.

Either which way - dangerous stuff indeed.

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 29th November 2011: A shock from the past for Alan

(which isn’t fair. Alan deserves only sunshine and happy faces)

• Daniel shall go to the ball
• When salmon isn’t fish
• Welcome to Ambridge Extra, Usha and Alan!
• Letters from the past
• Just middle aged ego?
• Usha reckons praying isn’t going to solve it
• Egypt isn’t well
• Daniel’s going to get the parental sex talk
• The truth about Catherine

Daniel shall go to the ball

Daniels’ mate Gav wants to go to the New Year’s Seniors ball. And he wants them to have dates. So he’s pushing Daniel to ask Erin. As Ellie Henderson blew Gav out. And Gav will have a better chance of finding another date if Daniel has a date. (or something like that)

[Gav] “I went out on a limb and she took a chainsaw to it!”

So Daniel asks Erin.

She at first reckons she might be away with her folks (skiing), but later tells him that they’re going in February, so she can with Daniel.

He’s over the moon.


When salmon isn’t fish

[Erin] “I didn’t think you ate fish due to the threat to the global fish stocks”

[Daniel] “Eh. This is salmon,. It’s farmed. Although there are some environmental downsides …”

Welcome to Ambridge Extra, Usha and Alan!

Excellent.

If Ambridge Extra achieves nothing else, it has at least given us back a bit more time with Usha and Alan (especially Alan).

Thank goodness someone did think to stop having so many of the hidden microphones pointed at just youngsters …


Letters from the past

Alan’s looking through letters from Amy’s great aunt (who recently died). They’re all from his first wife Catherine (who died a fair while back).

He at first thinks Catherine was writing to her aunt while she was on holiday. The letters had Falconwood at the top, which Alan reckoned was probably a holiday camp or a B&B.

[Usha] “You don’t feel it’s prying a bit?”

Usha – to herself - into you late wife’s business … I wonder if he’d be as keen to read my childhood letters?

(eh? Is Usha jealous of Alan’s dead wife?)

As Alan reads on, Catherine makes mention of some girls getting into a fight, and one of them ending up in hospital. Then how she was punished for not making her bed right. And then how one of the girls tried to run away.

[Alan] “This Falconwood place must have been some sort of institution .. Catherine must have been there for at least a year … I had no idea … what on earth could have happened to her?”

Oo-er. Very mysterious indeed.


Just middle aged ego?

[Alistair to Shula] “I’m a bit concerned about Erin”

Alistair – to himself - and what she’s up …

He claims that he’s worried about her taking time off school to go on his rounds.

[Shula] “She’s not been a nuisance, has she?”

Alistair – to himself - not that way …

[Alistair] “Would you say she’s a bit over attentive?”

Shula thinks Alistair means Daniel, which leaves Alistair wondering whether he has to spell it out to her …

(um, yes!)

Alistair – to himself - or is this just middle aged ego. Do I want her to fancy me? Should I show her  (Shula) that text. Or, would she just laugh at me? Get a grip on yourself. It’s your imagination. If she’s going to that with him …

In fact, Alistair is so (outwardly) delighted that Erin and Daniel are going to the ball, he even offers to pay. And to help Daniel choose his first dinner suit.

Alistair – to himself - thank goodness for that 

Hmmm. Does any one of us believe Erin has any intention of focusing on Daniel over Alistair? It’s all just a game …


Usha reckons praying isn’t going to solve it

Alan’s still pondering Catherine’s letters.

[Alan] “Whatever it was, it must have been a huge episode in her life”

[Usha] “What are you going to do?”

[Alan] “Pray, obviously”

[Usha] “And speak to Mabel …”

[Alan] “I’m not sure about that. It’s what I need guidance on”

Alan’s worried that Catherine’s spell in (what he assumes was) an institution might have been down to some sort of failing in Mabel as a parent.

Usha – to herself - this is going to eat away at him. I don’t think just praying is the answer

Egypt isn’t well

According to Shula, Egypt is “out of sorts”.

Lucky horse to have Alistair on call.

Daniel’s going to get the parental sex talk

Alistair and Shula think Erin must be serious about Daniel.

[Shula] “I’ve been wondering about sex …”

[Alistair] “Well, that’s a better offer than a cup of tea!”

[Shula] “I wonder if it might be an idea to have a little talk with Daniel about taking precautions”

Alistair tries to wriggle out of it by saying that Daniel will surely have done that at school.

[Shula] “I’m sure Daniel understands”

[Alistair] “The mechanics …”

[Shula] “So a gentle reminder about being sensible …”

[Alistair] “Not getting carried away in the heat of the moment …”

So Alistair is tasked with (talking about) doing the deed.

Poor Daniel. That’s going to be quite embarrassing, really.


The truth about Catherine

Alan comes back in from work to find Usha asking him to sit down.

She’s been doing a bit of research on Falconwood (in-between getting her client a ‘not-guilty’ )

[Usha] “This is going to come as a shock Alan. It was a children’s home. But it was a secure home … I’m sorry Alan … I don’t think Katherine was simply taken into care”

[Alan] “What are you saying? That she might have committed a crime?”

Usha reckons (in her solicitor type way) that Catherine must have been found guilty of something, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she did the crime. Mistakes happen.

She suggests they look into old newspaper articles to see if they can out what happened.

[Alan] “I don’t want to learn about Katherine through some ancient press cuttings. I need to see Mabel”

Blimey.

Any guesses?