- Is Bella Bridge Farm’s dog?
- Too soon for solicitors?
- Clarrie hasn’t got any plans
- Blackcurrant Smoothie attack!
- Spooky goings on in the Vineyard
- Don’t bank on social networking as Brookfield’s saviour
- Well done Eddie
Is Bella Bridge Farm’s dog?
Not sure. Or is she a cow?
Either way, Tony reckoned that the TLC helped her stop limping.
Good news for Bella, and good on Tony for giving his dog some TLC. Or his Cow.
Too soon for solicitors?
I reckon so.
Tony and Pat are horrified (but not entirely surprised) to receive a letter today from Milly Robson parents, and one of the adults who’d also taken ill.
They’re suing for compensation.
Pat and Tony reckon the insurance will cover them (aye – I’ve personal experience that you can’t entirely depend on your insurance paying out: have a look at this). Which, if they do pay out, will still mean that their premiums will rocket.
Is it just me – or are Milly Robson’s parents (especially) jumping the gun? They don’t even know for sure yet that their daughter will survive.
Still, I suppose that the litigious world we live in.
And Pat’s keen to know if the other kid (who hasn’t really been mentioned so far) is okay. Seems Shula might be the person in the know (with her Pony Club connections).
Clarrie hasn’t got any plans
[Eddie] “How bout a bit of baking?”
I was about to (again) rant about Eddie being insensitive, and relatively useless all round, when it comes to Clarrie’s need, but I think I get it.
Eddie’s trying to make Clarrie realise that she’s useful. And wanted. And needed.
Good lad.
Especially important now – ever more so since Clarrie noticed that hardly anyone touched her quiche at the Snells’ party (though Eddie reckons lots went untouched as there was so much of it).
[Eddie] “So, um, what about doing some housework?”
[Clarrie] “The house is so spick and span I hardly recognise the place”
[Eddie, in jest] “Yea, well I’m sure me and dad could sort that our for you”
But what Clarrie wants is proper work.
She’s not getting as many shifts at The Bull because of Rhys now working there (she goes to ask Jolene for more work – but Jolene reckons she’ll “be in touch” if they need emergency cover … that sounds familiar). She also had a not fantastic time when she went into The Bull – everyone was asking her questions, wanting to know why she wasn’t working at bridge Farm, why it was her, and not Susan, who ended up with part time work …
Blackcurrant Smoothie attack!
Poor Pip.
Seems she dropped her watch in a glass of water this morning. Now she has blackcurrant smoothie on her uniform after drop an (almost empty) glass while at work.
She’s out of sorts as she’s anxious about her A Level results. Which will only arrive next week.
[Elizabeth] “I’m sure it will be fine”
Which is the worst thing to say – every time Pup hears it, her stomach turns over.
Pip has worked hard, but she had a lot of catching up to do after her Juuude Shenanigans.
(funny that Pip is now starting to say Jude, with a long ‘o’ sound in the middle, as David always has)
Spooky goings on in the Vineyard
As Pip’s so stressed, Elizabeth takes her to Lower Loxley’s vineyard to chill and have a chat.
Seems the grapes are doing splendidly – quality and quantity.
The stroll through the grapes does calm Pip down.
But bizarrely, Pip’s watch also starts working.
Ooo-er.
As we all know, the vineyards are where Elizabeth still ‘feels’ Nigel …
Don’t bank on social networking as Brookfield’s saviour
I obviously don’t doubt the sheer might and power of social networking.
But – Pip’s kidding herself if she thinks social networking , for Brookfield’s lambs, will make enough of a difference to create enough work for her to also stay.
She is sensible in wanting to talk to Adam. As Elizabeth says:
[Elizabeth] “Adam is always good value”
And you also have to give Pip her due for her passion.
[Pip] “I just really, really want to be a part of Brookfield”
[Elizabeth] “Yeah, but it’s not the best of times for family farms”
Which Pip gets incredibly defensive about. She rants about how well her folks have coped – with Elizabeth trying to explain that she meant “it is just a struggle for everyone”
So she has a slight fall out with Elizabeth.
Funny also that Pip hasn’t clocked that she’s not David and Ruth’s only kid.
What about Josh wanting to work at Brookfield (which looks like he might want to do)? And Ben?
Well done Eddie
Eddie and Clarrie are sitting down to dinner.
(where is Joe? Not like him to miss a meal)
Seems their chops don’t have much on them. But they have plenty gravy. And runner beans from the garden.
[Clarrie] “We’ll be living off runner beans”
[Eddie] “Oh well, I can’t eat anything as long as it’s covered in gravy”
(hurrah! Couldn’t agree with you more, Eddie)
[Clarrie] “This must be the best diet I’ve ever been in”
It’s the worry. Clarrie’s not eating much.
But Joe has had a bright idea. If Clarrie does the car boots at the weekends – it’ll free up Eddie to get more gardening jobs.
And blow me down – Clarrie’s delighted. It’s a good idea, and a thoughtful one at that.
So Clarrie feels bright enough to eats a bit more dinner.
[Eddie] “I don’t want you to waste away to anything … min, you’ve got a good way to go!”
[Clarrie] “Hey, watch it Eddie Grundy, you’ll be cooking your own supper if you’re not careful, and I’ll be rationing the gravy”
[Eddie] “That’s more like it”
Indeed. Come on Clarrie - you're missed.
- It’s Pip’s driving tests in 2 weeks
- Henry’s in transition
- “Dressed like that bloke out of Asterix”
- Tom stands up for Brenda
- Miracle of science?
- Yikes! A broody Vicky
- Chips and supermarket quiche
- “There’s a great gap where Nigel should be”
It’s Pip’s driving tests in 2 weeks
Banned for speeding within a matter of weeks? Car crash? An additional door put into the Barn?!?
Henry’s in transition
Cripes, that was fast. I didn’t think wee ones could make those sort of decisions …
(sorry!)
Henry’s been moved to the transition unit, which Tom reckons is far nicer. There’s no tubes, “and stuff”.
As Helen changes Henry’s nappy:
[Tom] “Very undignified, being a baby isn’t it? … wait until I take him from his first pint and tell him I’ve seen him like this!”
And we’ll all remember it too, as Henry grows up. That’s part of the joy of eavesdropping into The Archers for years, upon years, upon years …
“Dressed like that bloke out of Asterix”
Is what Tom reckons Joe looks like.
Sounds like Joe has been having some success with his new Druid approach to selling mistletoe.
Well, whatever floats Joe’s (and his customers) boat.
Tom stands up for Brenda
As Tom’s organising the hotel for their trip to Berlin (4 nights from the 25th of Feb), he’s also doing his best to dissuade Vicky from making Brenda’s 30th birthday party a living hell.
(well, it would just be a tad rubbish to most of us, but we all know how Brenda loves an excuse to go a bit overboard about anything Vicky related)
As Vicky starts to tick off the games she wants to play at Brenda’s party (Murder in the Dark or Sardines), Tom manages to get a word in:
[Tom] “Perhaps I didn’t really make it clear. I really don’t think Brenda would like games at her party … when it’s mainly people of our age, all we want is a few drinks and a bit of music and the party will look after itself … believe me, Brenda wouldn’t want that sort if party, not for her 30th”
[Vicky, slightly deflated but not entirely giving up] “But I’m still going to do that memory thing”
Hmmm. As Tom tried to tell Vicky previously, Brenda might also not be that enamoured of having her baby pictures, and other embarrassing images, plastered all over her party.
[Helen] “You know the first thing that shot into my mind. Her being sacked from radio Borchester …”
Yup. There’s a definite flaw somewhere in Vicky’s plan there, methinks.
Miracle of science?
As Vicky’s in seeing Henry, while Helen and Tom are also visiting him, she reckons he’s:
[Vicky] “Your miracle baby”
[Helen] “It’s just good, medical science. That’s all”
I reckon Henry’s a bit of both. A wee miracle, helped by science.
And that he can fall asleep while being held, and yattered over, by Vicky … well, that just shows how very special he is indeed.
Yikes! A broody Vicky
Mike had better watch out …
She’s also adamant that Brenda with also get broody, what with a new baby in the family. Despite Tom’s protestations.
[Tom] “Not really”
[Vicky] “You’ll have to get a move on you know, both knocking on 30”
Cheeky mare!
[Tom] “You know what’s even worse … suppose Vicky goes onto Brenda about having babies. You know how she feels about that. She’ll hit the roof!”
So Vicky is going to ruin Brenda’s 30th party by not accepting that she just needs a few cans of special brew, a bowl of nuts and a few pals – AND Vicky’s going to top that off with annoying her with talk of babies.
Oh dear.
My question – when did Brenda get so anti-baby?
That surely must mean an unplanned pregnancy anytime now.
Chips and supermarket quiche
Yup – Ruth’s cooking again.
Both David and Pip seem quietly disappointed that it’s not “one of gran’s”.
Better than pizza, folks!
“There’s a great gap where Nigel should be”
Quite agree with Ruth – “it’s heart-breaking”
[David] “We’ve got a long road ahead”
And one which is going to takes years and years to fully play out.
Aw. I still miss Nigel.
- Is Brian genuine?
- There’s no point arguing with Jill
- Exams ahoy!
- Funeral plans, so far
- Why not Kenton?
Is Brian genuine?
It’s been a while since Brian went a-wandering.
Do we think he’s moving in on Ruth – a female farmer in distress?
Probably not. But it’d be funny if those two paired up …
There’s no point arguing with Jill
Not that Shula was arguing. She was only trying to get Jill to see Elizabeth’s point of view, about the children not being at Nigel’s funeral.
[Shula] “Elizabeth might have a point. They are her children”
[Jill] “And she’s mine!”
[Jill] “It’s really important there all together. That they say goodbye together”
Jill sets David onto Elizabeth – who fails.
Even his reminder that he found it comforting to have his children at Phil’s funeral – for both his and the kids’ sake.
[Elizabeth] “I can’t imagine everything after the funeral. It’s just a great big black hole … (when she mentioned the funeral) Freddie went totally silent, and Lily changed the subject … I’m doing this for them”
Jill also sets Alan onto Elizabeth – who (in his very gentle and understanding way) fails.
[Alan – relating what Mabel had said about Amy being at his wife’s, Mabel’s daughter’s, funeral] “Jesus loves little children, and he’ll be holding Amy’s hand”
[Alan] “I think the ceremony would embrace the children”
[Jill] “Rather than shut them out in the cold”
[Alan] “Grief is such a maze …”
[Jill] “They’d be lost in it for ever … I know it. And I have to change Elizabeth’s mind”
My money’s on Jill.
Exams ahoy!
Pip was off today to her re-sits.
Freddie and Lily have entrance exams to do for three schools.
(it doesn’t sound like Elizabeth is about to let Freddie off the hook).
Who said childhood was the best days?
Funeral plans, so far
Donations to environmental; charities
Hymn: Dear lord and father of mankind (as Nigel was a peacemaker)
Hymn: All creatures of our god and king (as Nigel loved the natural world and was joyful)
Alan’s doing the eulogy
Elizabeth will try and speak
The funeral tea will be back at Lower Loxley – with Lower Loxley wine
And they’re on the track of the harpist who played for Nigel and Elizabeth’s anniversary.
I did say that Nigel would normally hire a harpist to cheer Elizabeth up.
Why not Kenton?
Elizabeth asked David to speak to Nigel’s’ funeral, but Shula interrupted to say she would.
Saving David from having to refuse (I imagine he feels too guilty, can’t wipe the image of Nigel falling out of his mind, too emotional etc), Shula did well.
But what about Kenton?
Wasn’t he Nigel’s best mate?
- Susan can manage her own jugs
- At least Vicky has sympathy
- Freddie and Lily back to school
- They’ve let Helen out
- Tom and Brenda to leave the country!
- “I’d like it to be a big one”
- Phoebe’s being very good about it
- Elizabeth can now hear Nigel
- Dan or Ian?
- Should the kids be there?
Susan can manage her own jugs
So says she, but she’s still happy to have Vicky around to help out elsewhere.
At least Vicky has sympathy
[Vicky] “What a tragedy … those poor children”
All Susan can find to say about Nigel dying is that she’ll have to re-arrange the Village Shop rota, as Jill’s too busy with Elizabeth.
(and I don’t mean this to be an anti-Susan posting – she just sets herself up sometimes!)
Freddie and Lily back to school
Seemingly the biggest problem was that they seemed more worried about leaving Elizabeth.
Which has, in turn, helped Elizabeth to realise that they are better off in the ‘real world’, rather than looking after her.
So, Jill was right (again!).
And bless Ruairi’s wee socks – he made sure Freddie joined in his football game. Because he “knows what it’s like”.
Aw. How’s a nice, sensitive chap like that being brought up by Jennifer and Brian?
They’ve let Helen out
We didn’t get to hear her having to say her goodbye to Henry (for the time being).
Helen still sounds perfectly happy and sane (I’m still hoping it lasts), and is still acknowledging that she was a bit of a madam to Tony and Pat during her pregnancy.
It’s Pat’s birthday today, and Tom reassured:
[Tom] “But, you can do no wrong know that you’ve presented them with Henry!!”
Later on, Helen’s proving again that she’s changed.
[Helen] “I don’t expect everyone to find him as interesting as I do”
Cripes! Helen. Not expecting someone else to be as obsessed with something in her life as she is. There’s a change and a half.
Tom and Brenda to leave the country!
They will return – as it’s only a treat for Brenda’s 30th birthday – but I’m amazed they’re actually going anywhere. They generally don’t venture beyond The Bull
“I’d like it to be a big one”
So says Vicky!
She’s decided it’d be a great idea to throw Brenda a surprise party.
The guest list so far includes Susan, Neil, Chris and Alice (all great friends of Brenda’s … hmmm), and Vicky’s enlisted Susan’s expertise to make sure the party is spectacular.
Which means games.
Sounds like Tom managed to put Brenda off of the idea of having Brenda’s baby pictures on the walls of the party.
[Tom] “It’s a nice thought, but honestly? No.”
‘Party on down’ indeed!
Do we think this will be a birthday Brenda won’t ever forget – for all the wrong reasons?
Phoebe’s being very good about it
I’d totally forgotten about Phoebe and her heartache over Kate leaving her. Again.
Vicky reckons she’s putting a brave face on it, but Susan isn’t impressed.
[Susan] “More than Kate deserves, if you ask me”
Did anyone actually ask Susan?
Elizabeth can now hear Nigel
First she was feeling, and nearly seeing, Nigel – now Elizabeth can hear him:
[Elizabeth] “I could her Nigel talking to me. ‘Come on Lizzie, you’d know I’d like a wicker one’”
Later on, coffin chosen, Elizabeth is also planning Nigel’s “final journey”
[Elizabeth] “Ideally, of course, he’d have linked to go on his bike… the next best thing would be to have the coffin on the wagon and to have Cranford Christie pull it.”
Elizabeth is doing superbly well, organising Nigel’s coffin, funeral, letting the kids go …
But as always, it’s the calm after the tragedy that often proves the most difficult.
Dan or Ian?
Having a look through some of Tony’s many (many!) photographs of Henry, Vicky and Susan are playing ‘spot the grandfather and father’.
Reckoning that there’s no Tony to be seen,
[Susan] “something of Dan Archer about him …Oh, he was a nice man. Gave my Neil his start in life, really”
[Vicky] “It’s strange isn’t it … he might just look like his father and we’ll never know”
[Susan] “Well, I think he looks like his father …”
[Vicky] “But we don’t know who that is!”
[Susan] “Don’t we? I’m surprised at you Vicky .. .you’re usually quick about these things … what’s his name?”
Vicky is still, at first, a bit slow. After Susan told her to think of Ian rather than Henry …
[Susan] “I never bought that name about the sperm donor … it was a cover story”
[Vicky] “Do you think they actually …”
[Susan] “All I can say, is they are close friends”
Yikes! Close friends. Ian likes kids. He painted the nursery. AND Susan reckons Henry has his chin.
Case closed. Though I’d imagine they didn’t actually …
It’s always hard to take Susan and Vicky seriously, but others have mentioned Ian as the potential father.
I’m not convinced.
Though the speed with which Helen was accepted and then got pregnant was extraordinary fast – if she did get a chap to assist directly, I’d doubt it was Ian.
Ian’s devoted to Adam. Adam was against Ian being a father last time. And Ian wouldn’t hide this from Adam.
And surely his reaction to Henry would have been different if he’d actually been his child?
Nope. I think there might be something in the idea that Helen didn’t have an anonymous donor, but Ian’s not the chap.
I also think there’s a bit of assumption based on Ian’s sexuality. There’d be nothing to stop a straight man (single or attached) ‘helping’ Helen out. Having a baby with a friend isn’t just the reservation of gay men …
Should the kids be there?
Jill’s very upset to hear Elizabeth say that Freddie and Lily won’t be at Nigel’s funeral.
Elizabeth’s just as upset that Jill assumed they would be there.
[Jill] “They need to say goodbye to their father”
[Elizabeth] “Not like this. Not at a huge bewildering public occasion … I don’t want those to be their last memories of Nigel”
[Elizabeth] “Mum – I don’t want to be there. I’m certainly not going to out the children through it … I don’t know how I’m going to be like on the day … I don’t know what I might do … They’re my children and I don’t want them there”
Another tricky one.
Deny your kids the chance of saying goodbye – or put them through the fairly scarring experience of seeing their mum through herself onto a wicker coffin …
By default, I’d just do what Jill says!
- Elizabeth can’t really have everything she’d like …
- When Shula met Usha
- Email etiquette after a death?
- Trust David?
- When being a solicitor isn’t that useful
- What’s not grown up about All Things Bright and Beautiful?
Elizabeth can’t really have everything she’d like …
Usha’s round seeing Elizabeth, and seems to be making way headway in encouraging Elizabeth to talk more.
[Elizabeth] “It’s so unreal Usha … how can I be planning Nigel’s funeral. It can’t be right. We should have had years and years together”
Helping Elizabeth work on the service for Nigel’s funeral:
[Usha] “Elizabeth – you can have everything you like”
Well, I know what you mean Usha, but Elizabeth can’t quite have everything …
When Shula met Usha
You could hear the crackle of frost …
But, just as Usha was about to leave, Shula asked her to stay.
Shula was aware that Elizabeth had opened up to Usha (as she’s a friend, rather than a family member), and was asking if there was anything she should know.
And Shula asked nicely. And purely out of concern for Elizabeth. Plus she even made sure that Usha knew she wasn’t asking her to betray any confidences.
The only alluding to their ‘differences’ (well – Shula’s issues with Usha) was a bit of a subtle one from Usha:
[Usha] “I wasn’t much help with the hymns … that’s still a bit of a stumbling block, I’m afraid …”
Interesting.
Shall we soon see Shula back at St Stephen’s every Sunday?
Email etiquette after a death?
That’s a tough one.
David’s got the fairly horrific task of going through all of Nigel’s new emails.
Problem is – who already knows – doesn’t know – should be called to be told – should just be emailed to be told???
Difficult.
Trust David?
With Lower Loxley opening tomorrow, Elizabeth’s stressing that David and Lewis won’t have done everything right.
[David] “I’ll do it. Elizabeth please. Trust me”
I suppose David can be trusted to be organised enough to run the business.
Just a shame he can’t be trusted not to make the daft idea of going up onto a roof. In the dark. While it’s frosty …
When being a solicitor isn’t that useful
Bless Usha for offering, but the law is an ass when it comes to farming …
What’s not grown up about All Things Bright and Beautiful?
I know it’s more of a children’s hymn – but I think it would have been perfectly apt for Nigel.
- Jill gets a result
- The slow dance of Jolene and Kenton
- Dismissed by Elizabeth
- Is there anyone not feeling guilty?
- That’s why she’s Saint Shula
Jill gets a result
That’s the thing with Jill. She’s generally right.
It felt a bit too soon to me too, but Jill was insistent with Elizabeth that the kids should go back to school on Monday.
Elizabeth isn’t ready, but Jill wants thinks it:
[Jill] “might help to have something normal … take their mind of it”
[Elizabeth] ““Normal? How can anything be normal? … I wish I could forget, just for a second.”
But Jill also thinks I’d help Elizabeth if she had time to herself.
[Jill] “off to school, then you can cry, scream, whatever you want”
I’m not too sure if Elizabeth was just too tired to argue, but she agrees.
Mum does know best.
The slow dance of Jolene and Kenton
Jolene has sent a card to Elizabeth, and Kenton was very touched that she also send him a card.
It must be tough for him. The best friend isn’t really the focal point after a death
[Kenton] “Jolene, who is going to make me laugh now, eh?”
[Kenton] “All those miserable so-and-sos that there are in the world, and God takes the funny ones”
Jolene agreed, as she missed Sid for the same reason (eh? Sid, funny? I can only assume she meant funny peculiar, than funny ha ha)
Later on, Jolene bumps into Kenton again.
He finally speaks about the fact that it was his idea to put the banner up in the first place. So he thinks it was his fault.
[Jolene] “If you think like that, it’ll drive you crazy … all this guilt, it’s no use to anybody”
Actually – I think Kenton does have a point.
It was his idea. It was his knot that Nigel couldn’t undo. If he hadn’t been busy at Jaxx the next day, the banner would have never come to mind that night. And if he had gone up rather than David, he’d have sorted his own knot.
BUT. I’m not saying it is his fault. Just that I can see why he has more right to feel guilty than many.
Anyway, so off Jolene and Kenton trotted for a wee walk up Lakey Hill.
Where many a mickle has made a muckle …
Dismissed by Elizabeth
Jill had called a family meeting, but Elizabeth interrupted it (while supposed to be having a rest) and sent them all packing.
She wasn’t aggressive about it. She just wanted to have some time to herself with her kids. And for everyone else to get a break from her, plus spend time at their own homes.
Elizabeth has even called Alan to arrange the funeral.
Progress already?
Is there anyone not feeling guilty?
Kenton – because he suggested the banner in the first place
David – because he insisted they went up on the roof that night
And now Ruth:
[Ruth] “my very first thought … thank god it wasn’t David … how do you make it makes me feel that I could be so selfish?”
Ruth also feels guilty that it’s David supporting Elizabeth when he’s also going through immense grief and guilt.
(from previous days, we can also add:
Helen - feels guilty for being happy about Harry
Pat – ditto
Pip – for also being thankful it wasn’t David)
Mass suicide pact in Ambridge?
That’s why she’s Saint Shula
After Elizabeth had told everyone to leave, she was confused to find Shula in her kitchen, getting lunch ready.
Shula knows what Elizabeth’s going through – and also knows her sister too well.
[Shula] “…I remember doing exactly the same thing when mark died … i thought it’d be alright, but I wasn’t”
[Elizabeth]
“It took every ounce of courage I possessed to ring Alan.
“To say the words … just a word, how will I deal with the reality?
“ … I don’t know how to deal with the pain, the emptiness., I feel like I’m falling into a black hole ...
“ I don’t know how to carry on without Nigel.
I don’t think I can do it”
Add to that Elizabeth also feels she’s dragging the kids down with her, and we have a very frightening set of emotions.
But, Shula wouldn’t let that happen. As she showed today, she’s not going to let Elizabeth fall too far – and she has the experience which really matters.
As much as Saint Shula was named for her rather odious sense of righteousness, I suppose we can also give her the title for being rather wonderful in this crisis.
And the saddest thing … it normally have been Nigel hiring in harpists to cheer Elizabeth up.
*sniff*
- Pondering The Archers: One whole year
- Does Bridge Farm do sick pay?
- “Babies can bring a family together, if you’re lucky
- “She’s still so grateful …”
- “He was such a nice man”
- Dioecious
- Tony’s a man obsessed
- Not the bloomin’ yard tractor!
- Who does Henry look like?
- Shula reveals herself to Jim!
- Jim jumps off to the Druids
Pondering The Archers: One whole year
I wrote a blog about the episode of The Archers which went out on the 6th of January, 2010.
One year on – I’ve now posted my ponderings on each and every recording of The Archers, from Jan 6th 2010 to Jan 6th 2011.
I often tell folks that I started the blog to save my partner from having to hear me prattle on about the events in Ambridge. Which I think that was the reason, but I also think that this has been a lot of effort, when I could have just phoned one of my friends (who are Ambridge eavesdroppers). Or, I could have just tweeted about it. Gone onto Facebook. Or the BBC’s message board.
(No – scratch that last one. Even now, I still think the folks on those message boards are a bit too angry)
Maybe it’s been more about The Archers than it has been about me.
Maybe the reason I started blogging is the same reason why millions of us tune in to hear the secret recordings of Ambridge.
It’s probably the same reason why I can’t explain why I like The Archers so much.
Why I spend time after each episode blogging (often with a glass of cider – hence the spelling mistakes …).
Why I want to go to The Bull for a G&T with Lillian, and out on the proper Raz with Jazzer.
Why I wanted to take a contract out on Jude.
Why I fumed at Kenton and Kathy for continually shouting.
Why I was delighted with Alice and Chris for marrying (hurrah to Susan Vs Jennifer!)
Why I adore Ian so much, and loathe Tom ...
....
Why I had to sit quietly for a while as Jill realised Phil had died …
.....
Why I actually bellowed as Nigel screamed in terror as he fell off Lower Loxley’s roof …
(and I could go on and on).
Why?
I think, therefore I Ambridge*
Cheers for reading!
Does Bridge Farm do sick pay?
Clarrie’s over for a cup of tea and a chatter with Pat.
We haven’t heard from Clarrie since before Christmas, but her hand is a lot better (though not totally mended), and she sounds keen to get back to work.
I wonder if that is out of concern for Pat’s workloads, or whether it’s because Bridge Farm doesn’t do sick pay?
“Babies can bring a family together, if you’re lucky”
[Pat] “Turned out for the best … where’s Tony’s concerned, certainly … you know he had his doubts … but now he could be happier. And he’s completed besotted by the baby … he and Helen are getting on so well”
[Clarrie] “Babies can bring a family together, if you’re lucky”
Oh dear. Sounds like there’s disquiet in the Grundy household.
It seems Clarrie’s hardly seen anything of Emma in the last wee while.
Despite Clarrie being one hand down. And despite Emma being pregnant with Ed’s child.
Clarrie may be a nice lady, but I really wouldn’t annoy her again if I was Emma. She can be quite protective of her grandkids, as well as her sons, I reckon.
“She’s still so grateful …”
Did anyone else hear anything odd in Pat saying about Helen:
[Pat] “She’s still so grateful he’s here and safe and healthy”
Note the word ‘still’.
Does that mean, anytime now, Helen will get over the sheer relief of Henry being okay, and revert back to Hellin?
I hope not. I’ve spent the last few days telling everyone ‘I told you Helen wasn’t that bad’.
Don’t let me down now!
“He was such a nice man”
Well said Clarrie.
Pat’s feeling as much guilt as Helen does – over feeling so happy when there’s also a huge sadness in Ambridge.
I don’t think that can be helped.
Still, at least Eddie’s in Clarrie’s good books for taking the time to chat to Freddie especially, as Clarrie said, when so many people avoid the kids as they don’t know how to handle the situation.
A friendship formed as rats. Lovely.
Dioecious
You just know that when Joe Grundy starts using big words, Jim’s been involved in one way or another.
Joe’s out with (a very reluctant) Eddie, trying to fell ‘grow your own mistletoe’ kits.
Eddie doesn’t buy it. He can’t think of why anyone would want to grow their own. And if they did – it’d then cut into his own mistletoe supply business.
[Joe] “Oh, it’ll take years before that happens, I’ll be long gone”
[Eddie] “Oh thanks, ruin my business from beyond the grave, why don’t you!”
Joe then went onto explain the snazzy part of this scam.
Mistletoe is a Dioecious plant, which means (I have just found out), a plant which has separate male and female plants.
Which means it’s incredibly hard to grow.
(For some reason, Eddie finds the discussion about the male and female reproductive organs disgusting. Not prudish, are we Eddie?)
But, Eddie thinks that if no-one really has a chance of growing their own, he and Joe will have even less chance of selling them in the first place.
So, Joe reckons they admit it’s a “gamble” to prospective buyers, cut the price accordingly (to £5)
[Joe] “If there’s one thing that people like is as bargain, almost as much as a gamble … don’t you think are plenty of gullible idiots in grange spinney, as I do!”
But alas, dear Joe – he was wrong.
While blaming Eddie for not selling hard enough:
[Joe] “Folks could tell you got no faith in the product”
Joe also accepts that folks were put off by the fact that these kits were not a very exciting opportunity.
I blame Jim entirely. It was Jim that helped Joe check the internet for mistletoe information, so him that put Dioecious in Joe’s head in the first place.
And if it hadn’t been in Joe’s head, he wouldn’t have mentioned it to Eddie.
Which would have avoided them basically trying to sell something which they were also admitting probably would work.
And really – would it have mattered if they’d sold all those “gullible idiots” a dud product? Or are Joe and Eddie now taking Customer Relationship Management seriously …
Tony’s a man obsessed
We all think would happen when Tony first saw Helen’s baby – and right enough, the wee blighter has melted Tony.
But it does sound like Tony is now taking it too far:
[Tony] “I am a bit obsessed .. he is the most beautiful baby in the world”
Of course, he loves his first grandson, but his over-exuberance is also in-part due to guilt.
[Tony] “Pat, I’m sorry. What I put you through when Helen was pregnant”
[Pat] “You were entitled to you own opinion”
[Tony]
“I can’t think why made such a fuss about it now …
“When we were driving here on Sunday when I thought I might lose her and the baby, when I thought her dying memoires of me might be the arguments, and the coldness and my stupid stupid pride …
“what did it matter whether I was right or not?
“ How could I let things get so bad between me and my own daughter. I loved her. That was all that mattered”
[Pat] “The look on your face when you saw Henry … that was enough for her”
So, it would seem all’s well that ends well, with that side of the Archer clan.
Oh, wait a minute.
Was that a mention of a tractor …
Not the bloomin’ yard tractor!
I was about to throw something at my radio when Tony mentioned that the yard tractor was broken again … but it’s okay:
[Tony] “Oh, bother the yard tractor. Let it rust!”
Phew!
Who does Henry look like?
[Tony to Clarrie] “You think he looks like anyone?”
[Pat] “The right answer to that is - yes Tony, he’s got your nose “
I wonder.
Will we have the modern day equivalent of the search for Adam’s father – by folks trying to work out who he looked like?
That’ll be a job and a half. Surely it could be at least a few hundred local men?
We might just have to wait until Henry turns 18.
Shula reveals herself to Jim!
Well, not quite. But sort of:
[Jim] “Shula’s been a revelation to me … so strong for everyone else … I can see why Alistair married her now”
[Clarrie] “She is being brave … perhaps you don’t this, but she used to go out with Nigel”
[Jim] “Did She? Good heavens. All the more credit to her. They are quite a remarkable family”
As much as Jim can be a pompous irritant, he also often comes out with the most generous of statements.
Jim jumps off to the Druids
Back off to Jim and his “net” after his first failed attempt at selling Mistletoe kits, Joe’s at first perplexed to be getting a lecture about Druids
Seemingly, Mistletoe was important to Druids.
The Romans had problems when confronted with the magic and mystery of Druids.
[Jim] “It was said the chief Druid could fly”
[Joe] “They the ones that dresses up in white and dances round Stonehenge, is it?”
[Jim] “Oh Joe, there’s so much more to them than that. They have much to teach us”
[Joe] “Like how to fly?”
(*snort!*)
Just as Joe was about to lose the will to live, he’s perked up by Jim’s mention that Druid’s has rituals to make mistletoe grow, because it was sacred to them.
So we can now expect Joe to be outside in the freezing cold, dressed in one of Clarrie’s old frocks, chanting to his mistletoe kits.
Ah well. At least it get’s him out the house.
*which I am happy to admit is the quote from an Archers Addict mug, still available to purchase from them online.
- Alan Franks is a wonderful man
- Happy Nigel memories
- Is that Helen?
- The funeral’s Thursday week
- “I like being alive. It suits me”
- Is does sound like Helen …
Alan Franks is a wonderful man
I always forget just how caring, understanding and humble Alan always is.
Talking to Jill about her concerns over Liz’s reaction (or seeming lack of) to Nigel’s death
[Jill] “I don’t understand it. When Phil died, I was focused on the funeral … it seemed so important to give him a good send off. To celebrate his life”
[Alan] “But these are very different circumstances, Jill”
[Jill] “She’s frozen. She hasn’t even cried yet”
[Alan] “Some people don’t. That comes later. Sounds like she’s still in shock”
[Jill] “Yes … she just stares into space a lot of the time”
[Alan] “What do you think she sees?”
[Jill] “Well I’m afraid … I think it might be Nigel …when she rushed out after he fell …”
So while Elizabeth is stuck in a horrific loop of seeing Nigel after he fell, she can’t really react to anything else. Although she wants the children close by, she’s confusing them with also not being able to respond in the way they’d expect.
But, the kids do have Jill, and the rest of the Archer clan to look out for them.
Shula went round and told everyone that Nigel had died – despite her once having been his girlfriend
Kenton’s being great with the kids, making them laugh – despite Nigel being his best friend.
They all seem to be working through their grief by taking responsibilities that Elizabeth just isn’t up to.
[Jill] “And David. He’s just quietly doing all the things that need doing that people haven’t thought about. Or don’t want to think about … arranged for the area where Nigel fell to be … cleaned”
The guilt and grief David must be feeling must be horrendous.
Happy Nigel memories
[Jill] “ …Shula brought him home and he was wearing his gorilla suit …he used to tease me that I said to him, ‘Nigel, wouldn’t you be more comfortable if you took you head off’?”
[Alan] “He was a funny guy”
[Jill] “But always kind, thoughtful, full of life. Always looking forward to the next good thing”
And that’s why we’ll miss him, ever so,
Is that Helen?
Cripes – is this the dawning of the age of the Happy Helen?!?
Hurrah! It only took 30 odd years …
I was a bit suspect that Helen offered for Ian to hold Henry, and then didn’t seemed over anxious about he wouldn’t be careful.
Despite that being a given, Helen would have normally given him a 10 part lesson on how to hold a baby, before he even managed to get anywhere near Henry.
And what’s this? Helen apologising without being prompted?
[Helen] “You’ve been so thoughtful … kind and patient. It can’t have been easy. After all I put everyone through …”
[Ian] “It was a tough time for you”
[Helen] “And I made it tougher. Some on Ian admit it. I was a madwoman”
[Ian] “Well, perhaps a bit .. challenging”
[Helen] “I don’t know how you all out up with me … such a control freak!”
[Ian] “Ah, look there’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want”
[Helen] “Perhaps not, but when you start telling other people what they want to … I was such a know-it all”
That’s utterly amazing.
Helen has finally realised that there are more important things to life than being in control.
I think it’s a bit extreme having to have a baby to learn that, but different strokes, an’ all that.
The funeral’s Thursday week
at Loxley Barrett.
(although it doesn’t sound like Elizabeth was really aware of what she was agreeing to).
I am a bit surprised to hear that Elizabeth and Nigel didn’t ever discuss what they wanted for their funerals (I thought all couples did that?!?). All Elizabeth knows is that he’d want to be buried with his ancestors.
Well, at least she does have Alan doing the service.
“I like being alive. It suits me”
Just when I thought I might get through this episode without even the slightest of tears …
[Elizabeth]
“It’s just … Nigel was so full of life.
“This Autumn, we took the children up to the tree top walk … it was a beautiful sunny day. The colours were lovely.
“Nigel took this great breath of fresh air, and said: ‘you know Lizzie, I like being alive. It suits me …’
“I don’t understand he’s dead … I know he is … I saw him … I saw his body … but that’s all it was. He wasn’t there anymore.
“But I feel him. I feel his presence so strongly like he’s just left the room, and if I could get there quickly enough …”
[Alan] “You could just catch up with him. Yes, I remember”
Alan lost his wife to cancer, when Amy was only 6. Elizabeth starts to apologise for bringing back all those memories for him:
[Alan] “It’s alright. It’s okay for me. Now. I can’t say that that happened very fast…”
On Elizabeth asking Alan what he said to Amy:
[Alan] “I told her, her mummy had gone. She wasn’t in this world with us any longer. And she never would be again … but that didn’t mean she’d stop loving Amy, and it never would, and it doesn’t … love doesn’t die”
Truly a wonderful man, is that Alan.
Is does sound like Helen …
And just to prove that Helen’s change of attitude wasn’t just a one off – she’s now absolutely fine about having to go home, leaving Henry still in hospital.
Don’t read that as Helen not caring – she does, ever so – and will be sad to be going home alone for a bit – but she knows he’s in the best place for him. He still has to catch-up, after being born early.
Brenda and Ian are stunned!
[Brenda] “I can’t believe how calm she was. It’s such a big thing having to leave Henry behind”
[Ian] “Oh, it’d break my heart”
[Brenda] “She seems to be taking it in her stride”
It is hard to believe, but Helen accepts that the doctors and nurses know what they’re doing. And that she doesn’t need to watch their every move. Or tell them what to do. Or look up what they could be doing better on the internet … “she just trusts them to get on with it”
[Brenda] “Helen doesn’t usually trust anyone
[Ian] “It seems that as long as she can be with him, that’s all that matters”
“And this calm serene woman masquerading as Helen Archer … I know what it is .. she’s happy!”
My. Giddy. Aunt.
Who’d ever have thought it could happen.
I am absolutely overjoyed. After having to defend Helen for such a long time (without really being able to explain why), she comes good.
Of course, I am assuming this will last …
- Has Adam been in the lambing shed all that time?
- “Helen’s a different woman”
- “Life has to go on”
- Should Lower Loxley re-open?
- David refuses Kenton’s help
- Health & Safety are on their way
- Not just an excuse to get out of exams?
Has Adam been in the lambing shed all that time?
Last time we heard from him (on the 27th), he’d been let out of the shed to go to his own party. But looks like that was his only respite.
Probably best he just stays there. Ian has some serious baby ‘cooing’ to do with Helen.
“Helen’s a different woman”
Says Adam, according to Ian.
We’ll be the judge of that. Time will tell.
“Life has to go on”
Nigel is barely dead, and Brian is already blustering around, trying to get everyone back to normality(/work).
BUT, to be fair to Brian, he did then go round to Brookfield to “offer services” to Ruth.
Which was a very generous offer, considering he due to go to his Conference today, and he has extra work to do with Adam during lambing.
Ruth did protest that she was coping by herself (with David being at Lower Loxley)
[Ruth] “I just need to get my head round David not being here”
But Brian was horrified to hear that no-one else to help out full-time. Eddie has other work to do, Pip has her exams and Bert … well, is Bert.
So Brian’s rolling up his sleeves to get his hands dirty again.
An act worthy of our Nigel.
Should Lower Loxley re-open?
They’ve closed this week, but Lewis and David are planning to re-open again next week, as they have conferences booked.
Their reasoning is that this is not an economic climate that will be forgiving of cancellations. And they don’t want Elizabeth to go bankrupt.
As much as I think it’s very harsh opening so soon (on everyone), I can see their point. Money doesn’t care about personal tragedy – and bills don’t get paid through understanding.
Like it or not – every penny counts.
Health & Safety are on their way
Which is quick, but it was “a fatal accident on business premises”.
Oh dear. Just imagine the paperwork that will require.
David refuses Kenton’s help
And actually gets quite angry with him.
David doesn’t seem to think Kenton will be any use in helping to run Lower Loxley. It’s only himself and Lewis that can cope.
Of course, it sounds like it’s David’s guilt rather than his common sense talking.
[David] “She (Elizabeth) is my priority, Kenton”
And who can blame him. He was there as Nigel fell, and he’s Elizabeth’s big brother. Where else would he want to be but at Lower Loxley, doing his everything to make sure Elizabeth doesn’t have to cope alone.
(actually, I’m sure David would rather be anywhere else, but you know what I mean).
Our Kenton (often utterly feckless) doesn’t seem to get the message that David needs to do this himself, so David has to shout it at him:
(As Kenton states he can cope with the Health and Safety checks)
[David] “Could you!?! Could you take them up on the roof … could you show them the exact spot where Nigel was when he fell, and how he got there, and how it happened, and how you couldn’t stop it. Could you do that!”
[Kenton, finally getting the point] “No I couldn’t. I’m sorry mate …”
Not just an excuse to get out of exams?
Pip wants to do more at Brookfield so that David can be at Lower Loxley, and she wants to help Elizabeth any way she can.
Even though it’d mean not revising properly for her exams … hmmmm ….
I am being harsh.
Elizabeth was (quite bizarrely) involved when David and Pip fell out over Jude, so Pip will feel she should also be there for her Aunt.
And of course, she’ll be upset over Nigel dying in her own right.
AND, if that wasn’t enough,. Nigel dying also made Pip think of David dying:
[Pip, while crying] “Because if it had been you … if you had been the one who had slipped … I’d never have a chance to say sorry for everything I’ve put you through … I’d never have a chance to make it right”
I suppose death does make us appreciate the ones we love eve more – but someone really needs to tell Pip that she’s really not been that bad a daughter.
Apart from her horrific taste in boyfriends, she’s been quite a teenage saint.
- Shula breaks the news about Nigel
- “It was so sudden”
- Tony tries to protect Helen
- Jill’s a mum again
- Elizabeth is in “another place”
- Inheritance row? Ellen and Camilla …
- Shula and Mark
- As an aside …
Shula breaks the news about Nigel
I think we can all remember a time when someone has told us devastating news. And how this sudden awareness seemed to instantaneously rip away the world we know, even if it had been a happy one.
I am often cynical about Ambridge, but it was heart-breaking to hear Tony so happy and proud when Shula was standing there, waiting for a moment to tell Tony about Nigel’s death.
Indeed, Shula was the first person to tell us all about Nigel’s death. While there had been some rumours that he may have survived, Shula dashed all of those:
[Shula] “Tony, I’ve got something to tell you first. Oh … I’m so sorry. Especially at this time. I’ve got some dreadful news … it’s Nigel … he’s dead …”
“It was so sudden”
Explaining to Tony and Pat (between crying) what had happened to Nigel, Shula recounted:
[Tony] “I don’t understand. What was he doing on the roof? … David saw him fall?”
[Shula] “Yes. He tried to get to him but it was so sudden”
After Nigel had fallen, David ran downstairs to tell everyone there had been an accident, on his way to actually get to Nigel.
So David not only had to watch Nigel fall and hear that scream, he was also the one who found him.
[Shula] “But the terrible thing is … it all happened so fast … we couldn’t stop Elizabeth going out there … and then we couldn’t get her away from him”
(which, for me, is one of the most poignant images of Elizabeth in her grief)
Tony tries to protect Helen
Shula was very aware that she was a bearer of horrific news, to the side of the Archers clan that was in a state of utter joy.
[Shula] “I’m so sorry to bring such terrible news when you’re so happy”
Of course dismissing her apologies, Pat and Tony had to then break the news to Helen.
[Pat] “Oh Tony … what a tragedy … Peggy is going to be so upset … whatever are we going to say to Helen? … she’s so happy … I can’t bear of ruining that”
Tony did try hard to find a way of prolonging Helen’s ignorance of Nigel’s death, but Pat was right that she needed to be told before someone else (mistakenly) mentioned it.
[Helen, on why she doesn’t hurt too much after her operation] “Maybe it’s because I’m so happy … and you are too, aren’t you? You just seem so subdued …”
[Tony] “I’m afraid we’d got some rather sad news … it’s Nigel, he’s had an accident …”
[Pat] “I’m afraid, he’s dead, Helen”
[Helen] “Nigel – he’s dead??? I can’t believe it … poor Elizabeth … and the children … they must be devastated”
[Tony] “It’s terrible spoiling your happiness …”
[Helen] “No. I’m so lucky. It just doesn’t seem fair.”
[Tony] “No. You deserve to be happy. It’s wonderful to see”
[Helen] “Oh dad. Could you, very carefully, give me a hug please …”
I know it’s always cat amongst pigeons time to talk about Helen and say anything other than she’s a self-obsessed, controlling horror BUT the above exchange was, for me, Helen at her most sensitive.
Genuinely upset. Feeling guilty that she’s happy while others are suffering. And also looking out for her dad.
I don’t think that hug was just for her own benefit.
Jill’s a mum again
Just as Helen becomes a mum for the first time, Jill becomes the central point for her shattered family.
Between trying to get David to eat, forcing Shula out of the kitchen, and keeping a close watch over Elizabeth, Jill reminded me of why she’s quite rightly always been seen as the Archers matriarch (following on from Doris).
And never was it more apparent than when an extremely traumatised David come out to speak to her after a long session with the Police:
[David] “I was the one who saw him mum. I know why it happened …”
[David] “… well it was hard to remember what happened before ... why we went up there … I just keep seeing the moment he fell … I just try to save him mummy … I didn’t … it happened so fast, I couldn’t stop him … do you think Elizabeth’s ever going to forgive me …?”
It probably looks odd seeing the word ‘mummy’ typed. If you haven’t already – just listen to David saying it himself.
Elizabeth is in “another place”
Elizabeth is being seen to cope, but Jill’s not convinced.
[Jill] “She’s being very calm. Factual. I think that’s worse, really”
Avoiding all talk of the post-mortem (this Wednesday), inquest (again Wednesday, but likely to be adjourned) and funerals. Elizabeth is focusing on her children (when she’s not just sitting, staring into space)
[Jill] “The twins don’t really understand – all they can see that something really terrible has happened to their mother”
[Jill] “Frankly David, I don’t think she notices who is with her. Unless it’s the children. She’s in another place”
David’s obviously feeling incredibly uncomfortable about being around Elizabeth, as he’s obviously worried she blames him and doesn’t feel he can be of any use to her. Not that she’s actually said such. As yet.
Inheritance row? Ellen and Camilla …
… are on their way.
Ellen is Nigel’s aunt (Julia’s sister, of ‘she’s no lady’ fame) and Camilla is Nigel’s sister.
Camilla got most of the Pargetter hard cash last time – will she now want the bricks and mortar?
Shula and Mark
As the residents rally round to support each other - Eddie, Bert and Pip are looking after Ruth – and Alan is expected to be of particular support to Elizabeth (as his wife Catherine dies of cancer when Amy was young), Shula briefly touches on her own pain.
[Shula] “I remember when I found out when I was pregnant after Mark died … that baby, it seemed like it was all I had left to hold onto”
This too, shall pass.
As an aside …
After having pondered this since yesterday’s ‘shocker’, I must admit to feeling a bit foolish for falling for the hype.
After all – man falls off a roof, woman has a baby – is hardly of tram proportions.
But, that is the joy of The Archers.
Nigel’s death won’t be forgotten with a few days. Weeks. Months. Or even years. That’s just not Ambridge works.
So, although yesterday didn’t exactly ‘shake the core’ as one would expect of soap operas (which of course, The Archers is not), the core has indeed been changed forever. And it was all perfectly in-tune with the Ambridge ambiance.
I cried yesterday. I cried today. But, I would have done so even without the weeks of build-up from the BBC, and speculation from us eavesdroppers.
So while the hype has left a few of us feeling a bit “used and dirty” (@jamspangle), and while it may have attracted more listeners to The Archers (which is superb), the actual eavesdropping session was very Ambridge.
Now, if we can just stop the BBC from pretending they ‘make’ The Archers …
- 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 .....
