Archers addicts 3!

Ok, let's look at this, Shula has known Helen/been related to her for yonks, Rob, by Archers standards is a relative newcomer.

Helen has had her problems, but is generally known to be a decent, non violent person. Shula witnessed Rob committing an act of assault, for which he feels he was actually the victim!.

Is this the beginning of hope for Helen, and Henry? I'd forgotten Shula discussed what she'd seen and Rob's reaction with Caroline.

From The Ha Archers Sunday, 22 February 2015

Elsewhere, we learn that Shula lied to PC Burns about what happened between Rob and the hunt saboteur and, as she tells Caroline, it is causing her something of a crisis of confidence. Shula feels that she has to confront Rob and tell him what an impossible position he put her in. He cannot see what she is getting so worked up about and is just pleased that he has got away with it. Later on, Shula talks again to Caroline and says how spooked she was by Rob’s attitude. “He seems to believe that he really was the victim - he can’t concede that he was in the wrong.” “That’s unhealthy” Caroline answers and Shula says “I don’t like it - I’ve seen another side to him.”

I would like to know if Shula signed a statement and what was in it.

Shula: The reliable witnessShula witnesses Rob's struggle with a hunt saboteur.

InterACTION!

Merlot - I wondered about Oliver too, can't remember what, if any, integration Helen has had with him and Caroline in the past.

Now, Henry. You look at Daddy the bowler. Yes, that's right. Now, you whack that ball straight at him - as hard as you can!

Henry will need to learn how to play cricket properly for his prep school!

I wonder if the characters of Tony and Pat seem more accepting than we would like Merlot because they have realise they have to be as manipulative as Rob, at least to some extent.

Neil gave Josh a really sensible 'talking to' so he might come up trumps for Helen although I think someone of a higher standing like Oliver Sterling would be a better bet.

I reckon Rob will either turn up in the cottage/caravan/tent next door, having bugged the elf costume or be in change of the shop when they get back, Susan being such a big fan of his. He somehow disrupt it then 'rescue' it. Or flood the farm and poison the livestock.
Helen hasn't got much chance of a helpful character reference from Neil with Susan putting her oar in. I can't remember, are there not other down to earth people in Ambridge who know and like her? She seems to be thinking about Neil's respectability rather than who has known and trusted her for years.

Horrible though it might be, I fear Helen's only real hope is for Henry to suffer abuse but unless Rob loses control in public, how is it going to be proved?

Pat and Tony seem more concerned in how Rob is now controlling them. It's all about their needs. They must to wake up, stop pandering to Rob and start talking to Henry when they have him for a week.

Is this holiday really going to happen, I wonder?

It's a good thing that the character Henry is fictional. I am becoming seriously worried for his physical safety, in additional to the emotional abuse which Rob is gradually escalating, as he did to his mother. Rob will be under stress caring for Henry alone, and if he doesn't get total obedience from him, he may lose control and become violent towards him. Signs of physical abuse are harder to conceal than emotional abuse, and may prove Rob's undoing in the end. I don't think there has been child abuse on TA yet? This may be somewhere the script writers don't want to go?

I must really start to listen to the Archers ?

Iam - I love the trayworld idea anyway but especially for Henry. I used to make little scenes In the roots of oak trees.

I do hope the SWs are reading Iam that would be so hopeful. I know what you mean and taking him to such a place and just doing those grandparenty things could let him unwind his thoughts.

Gracesgran, that's an interesting point about Henry's father being a sperm doner. I'm sure you're right that could turn some jury members against her. I live in hope that Helen and Henry in their separate ways being to talk about life at BHC. I know Pat n Tony are in a difficult position but you know what, take him away to Wales or Norfolk (devon, cornwall etc you can choose, well they can) in a cottage or caravan. Long rainy afternoons drawing and doing craft or make believe games, and he could well begin to open up. We would do long (often windy/rainy) walks, collect stones, twigs, shells and other jollies then the children when they were Henry's age would each be given a large tray and encouraged to make a world. In Ireland, there were always little people dotted about the worlds, sometimes there would be trolls under bridges - always there would be lots of talk about the world. There we go Pat and tony, get to it.

schnfff ?

Now, here's a challenge!

Certain noises can be written, for example "harrumph" or "atishoo" but how would you write the Lynda Snell sniff?

Rob will appear to most people a caring husband and father. Some will have recognised what he was because the hair would have stood up on the back of their neck but I bet they could not say why; others who have come up against him all have something to loose by admitting what happened. Add to this the fact that the prosecution will show Helen to be flaky and the chances of her getting off in RL are by no means certain. The defence not only has to show Rob's character but show that, although she had been through tough times she is not murderer potential. Even the use of a sperm donor could set some members of a jury against her. (I don't think it should but it will)

As far as I can see the best we can hope for is they (defence and prosecution)show those who have not 'overheard' Rob's behaviour get an equal view of Rob and Helen and then something causes Rob to loose it in court and show his true self. Remember we still have August and part of September to get though ...

Not before time, wouldn't you think a place like Ambridge would be full of stories of what Rob was really like and willing to 'dob' him in with statements about his behaviour? Go Helen go!

I fear Joe's demise is approaching, and as someone posted earlier, how will we ever know who is speaking without him to announce them?
I too find Pip's fling with Toby totally out of character, and I am getting bit bored with storyline at mo. Helen appears to be gradually coming out of her abuse induced trance, and at last things are slotting into place with her family and friends.

Linda's sniff and Joe's cough from his farmer's lung.

I listen out for the Linda Snell sniff. It speaks volumes doesn't it?