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.

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?

Ambridge Extra Thursday 24th November 2011: Ah Matt – we were so wrong to doubt you

• Matt’s had a break-in
• Clive’s had a break-in
• What an odd accent that Policewoman had
• An impoverished post-grad
• Just as Clive is about to do a bunk
• He’s a good chap, sometimes
• Amy’s great-aunty died last week
• Amy thought Daniel was … you know …
• Amy Vs Clive Vs Alice
• And the real Matt triumph

Matt’s had a break-in

Now that’s a surprise (!).

Matt gets a call from the site foreman to tell him all the metal has been stolen.

Lilian is straight on the button

[Lilian] “Hold on. This is Clive, isn’t it? Did you gave him another job … you did, didn’t you. I knew it!”

But Matt basically tells her to shush as he heads out to sort it.


Clive’s had a break-in

Someone’s broken into Clive’s rented lock-up and has stolen the stuff that he stole.

Oh, the irony.

Bernie is not happy. He has buyers lined up, and reckons Clive has made him look a fool.

Clive reckons they’ll catch up with the thieves when they try and move it on. But Bernie doesn’t sound so sure. And when he checks round, no-one has heard anything.

Then Matt calls him to check that he stole the metal fine, and to check when he’s getting his money.

Well, couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.


What an odd accent that Policewoman had

Scottish crossed with Yorkshire.



An impoverished post-grad

Is what Alice is.

She’s even struggling to buy herself a decent lunch.

[Lilian] “Oh darling, I hardly think a jacket potato is going to make a difference … you need to care of yourself though”

Just as Clive is about to do a bunk

He reckons he has mates in London he can stay with.

But, just as he’s about to grab a bag, Matt catches up with him.

He doesn’t believe Clive that the metal has been stolen.

Or, does he?


He’s a good chap, sometimes

As Clive is trying to wriggle out of Matt not believing the metal has been stolen, he claims that he’s never ripped Matt off before.

Matt doesn’t agree.

He mentions the second hand bathroom Clive passed off as new (and though had got away with).

Matt tells Clive he’s going to show the video to the Police. Clive tells Matt that he’ll bring him down with him.

So it comes down to who the Police will believe.

[Clive] “Why shouldn’t they (believe me)? You’re no better than me. You’ve done time an all”

[Matt] “Yeah but I’m not a cheap common thug am I. Or on parole.”

Clive panics. He tells Matt he’ll double – triple - the money if the Police aren’t involved.

[Clive] “Just don’t dob me in. You know what it’s like inside. I’ve spent half me life locked away. I can’t do another stretch. I’ll do whatever you want.”

[Matt] “Alright, I’ll make you a deal, I won’t grass you up just as long as you don’t get anywhere near Ambridge ever again … how’s that Clive? Do we have a deal?”

Ah-ha!

How we could ever have doubted Matt.

He had a plan all along to get rid of Clive.

Marvellous.


Amy’s great-aunty died last week

That’s a shame.

It means her gran (the feisty Mabel Thompson) is the last of the sisters alive.


Amy thought Daniel was … you know … 

Alice was telling Amy about Daniel’s girlfriend (Well, she’s not really. She likes Alistair. And, well, Alistair seems to like her. All very complicated).

[Amy] “Girlfriend? Really? I always thought he might be …”

What?

Might be what?

Guess we’ll never know what Amy was about to say. That bloomin’ Clive interrupted.


Amy Vs Clive Vs Alice

Another odd thing.

Clive stumbles into the pub that Alice and Amy are in. He seems already half cut, then spots Alice (as she was trying to hide from him).

[Clive] “Don’t walk away! Stuck up cow!”

[Amy] “Hey … be quiet please. Do you understand she doesn’t want to talk to you”

And it sounded like Amy pushed him over.

[Clive] “Crazy mare”

The odd bit was that Alice seemed annoyed at Amy. Though Amy was insistent that you have to:

[Amy] “tell folks like that where to do”

Was Alice just scared of what Clive will do now that they have offended him?


And the real Matt triumph

Was that he and Bernie stole the metal from Clive. Bernie sold it. And Matt’s share is £1,100. Plus the insurance money. And, of course, Clive now has to stay away from Ambridge.

[Matt] “I dealt with Clive in my own way pussycat …I promise., Clive Horrobin is out of our lives for good”

From the purring Lilian was making, it would seem Matt’s pretty perfect day didn’t just end there ... nudge nudge ...