Archers addicts 3!

I think Helen has been showing signs of possibly rejecting the baby for some time, phoenix, but then with Rob controlling everything she had no chance of doing all the normal pre-birth things like shopping for clothes, comparing notes with friends etc.

Poor little thing. He's either going to be brought up by a control freak who will expect the earth from him or (if Helen gets off) an emotionally wrecked mother who may not even love him with a confused and damaged half brother.

What a gloomy prospect for avid listeners.

I hope Helen will quickly register the baby (Thomas Anthony?) Just to annoy Rob. When I had my babies I registered them in the hospital straight away. I didn't have to have the permission of DH.
I like the name Gideon but I don't want this baby to have that name. Poor little soul, it isn't his fault that his father is a monster. I could understand Helen failing to bond with him given the situation.

Perhaps John, after her late brother?

They already have a Johnny. How about Jack Anthony?

Of course they do, brain not in gear!

Does someone visit the MBU for babies to be registered? The mothers can hardly pop out and do it themselves. Does Rob even know where she is?

So important she gets in first!!

Two things I have found that could stop Rob registering:

1. You need your marriage certificate - he probably has it but I live in hope
2. You may need your child’s personal child health record or ‘red book’ as some registrars may ask to see it - as he will be registering some distance from where the baby was born they could ask. He could smarm his way out of this of course.

My great hope is that, as the mother an baby unit is set up for mum's having babies they have a "system" for doing this.

Last nights episode really brings it home that, in any sort of dispute, everyone has their own truth :-)

Watch this re the question asked by Helen's Friend

You'd need to have some documentation ( "red book" in England & Wales, or card confirmation of birth in Scotland)
Or else we could all register a fictitious child every year!

I have just caught the 2.00 p.m., edition as the radio was on. At the end the continuity announcer - the one with the gorgeous deep voice (Neil Nunes) said "Gideon Rob Titchener - oh joy" in the way only he can. So funny.

Gideon!!! (I listen to the five past two one) Now I wonder where the scriptwriters got the idea for that from?

A Registrar always used to come into the hospital. Don't know if they still do. I think they should rush in the Ambridge vicar. Get him baptised something decent.

Yep. Definitely rejecting him. They should do a swap. He has the baby, and he gives Henry back to Pat. Sorted.

I think JBF is correct. Helen will be happy to hand Gideon over in exchange for Henwy.

I don't think Helen will reject the new baby I am hoping he will give her the resolve to hire a hit man and finish the job on Rob . If she could get a special offer and take Cursula with him so much the better . I want the storyline to get back to,where are the Grundys going to live, who will Pip grant her favours to next , and who is renting Williams house on the green now?

Thinking about it, it doesn't matter what name he is registered under Rob can call him by any name he likes.

Rather like the hit man idea Chloe 1984

It looks like Helen is definitely rejecting the baby. She said that the baby looked like Rob when Tony and Peggy were trying to persuade her he strongly resembled the Archers. Peggy has become the Pillar of Strength and I didn't like her much before but have warmed to her now.

Her mentioning bottle feeding is a pretty strong hint too.

I don't think you need any names to register the birth do you?

A little insight [smile] into Helen's predicament.

Interesting link Gracesgran. It looks like Helen's mental state will be the deciding factor in whether she keeps the baby with her at the moment, before the trial I mean. If the staff think that she is not bonding with the baby they may consider it at risk and father, gulp, may step in??

That's how I see it too Lazigirl. If she wants to get Henry back I feel she will have to show she can look after the new baby so I do hope that Peggy, who seems to be the only one who has some inkling of just how destroyed Helen feels, can support and help her. It's a lot to ask of an 82 year old though. I hope she gets some psychological input soon to - even if it is just to help with her trial as hopefully that would help her stop seeing herself through Rob's eyes and being overwhelmed by guilt.

Ian's has sent flowers - I wonder if that will trigger any questions for Helen?

Surely Peggy is 92?

That's why I find her involvement in all this unbelievable.

Ian sends flowers even though he was quite nasty to Helen when she asked for an explanation as to why he was avoiding her and cut off all contact with her. Funny old carry on as my Gran would have said

Ian has sent flowers to Helen. Hurrah, hurrah,hurrah!!!!!

Oh good! Thought he had died!

I think she will be 92 this year - sorry about that. I don't think it is unbelievable - my mother (also known as Peggy ) is 95 just after Peggy is 92 and I have noticed how varied people are at this stage of life. A lot of it depends on how physically able they are and Peggy Woolley seems pretty good on that side of things. I think it will take a lot out of her without doubt but it is often those with a generation in between who do manage to understand one another so I think the SWs are pursuing an interesting line with this - I just hope they look after her as well

Agree about Peggy's age before gn no barrier, in fact it's a bonus as her life experience and being Helen's much loved bran must help. I've spent time this week with a number of people in their late 90's who gathered to commemorate their shared experience of ww2, they'd put much younger folk to shame