Archers Addicts 5 !!!!!

There isn't a person in the world who could encourage Rob to appear reasonable and sway the custody hearing in his favour. The report will no doubt detail the way narcissistic psychopaths can appear reasonable, charming and persuasive - that's how they target people. The Judge will have dealt with many such men (and a few women) over the years. My worry is the focus in the family courts recently of enabling non custodial parents to have direct contact , even in the face of evidence that the parent is likely to cause (or in rob's case has caused) significant harm to older brothers or sisters.

But let us hope that Alan does not encourage Rob to appear reasonable and give him the ammunition he needs to sway the custody debate in his favour.

Rob is a fool if he thinks Justin or Lilian will be intimidated by him. Alan was sensible + rational. V good. Of course Rob reacted exactly as the report says he always does.
Susan + Neil are light relief. What a picture of wedded bliss they portray!

I like Lilian. She is a wonderful alternative to the more earnest amongst the Archers. Ambridge would be very dull without her.

Eirel you are right about Rob lining up to blackmail/control Lilian and Justin. I think Alan is Rob's next hate target as he doesn't sympathise with him.

Rob is not a happy narcissist is he? I thought Alan was very good with him tonight, supportive, kind and direct about the need to focus on the children, rather than his grievances.

Why is it always the Grundys who do all the annual lovey-dovey stuff?

So jade for the 35th anniversary is a modern alternative to coral. Now I know thanks to H Samuel!

If Rob gets wind of Justin's liaison with Lilian he'll doubtless be blackmailing them both. Still I wonder, when will we hear about the culvert blocking and his fraud?
Loved the Grundy's wedding anniversary!

Exactly Eirel. I didn't hear Lilian's disagreement with Justin last week but I did hear part of her summary of that when she was talking to someone in the pub, I think. My focus was distracted by tiny grandson, who of course got my full attention. I like Lilian as a flawed but likeable character and I do hope that Justin's support for Rob has convinced her that Justin isn't for her.

Justin is well cast in Lynda's Christmas show, isn't he, as the Villain. What next for Rob though? It does seem some kind of drama is going to unfold with him at the centre.

That psychological assessment of Rob was beyond what Helen could have hoped. Everyone seems to have summed him up correctly except Justin who just sees what he wants to see.

The family court ordered a psychological assessment after the Judge found the social work assessment of Rob as having emotionally abused Henry and so leaving Henry and Jack at risk of 'significant harm' in Rob's care. The court returned Henry to Helen's care and left Jack with her.

Can I ask why Rob had to have a psychological test? Was it the family court who asked for it, and did Helen have one also?
I seem to have missed something.

Bring it on, Rob!

I think it's all leading up to an 'explosive' (Rob's handy with a shotgun) Christmas storyline. He'll be working his way through as many Ambridge residents as he can terrorise and the psych report won't have put him in the best frame of mind.

Can't wait

Pity Justin didn't make Rob undergo psychometric testing before employing him. On second thoughts maybe ruthless psychopaths are what they want in business these days!

Luckygirl My thoughts about Alistair as well. Just as Shula is rabbiting on about how much better she and Alistair seem to be getting on. If she is off being a master of foxhounds Alistair could get up to anything. And Shula could get time with Dr Locke but I very much doubt if he would be impressed by fox hunting.

Yes , Rob will have received his copy of the psychological report. It makes me smile just to think about his reactions. No doubt, he'll dismiss it out of hand as the work of a 12 year old girl guide who knows nothing of life. I don't expect the Judge will though.

Will Rob also have a copy of the psychologist's report?

There's a delicious spoiler on the Mumsnet thread for anyone who enjoys reading them and I wonder who was phoning Helen on a witheld number?

I wonder who will be the first to tip her off about Rob?

Actually I was thinking more that Alastair will have more time ( + money) for gambling. Can't imagine the new vet would fall for him

Lots of clodhopping hints that Alistair will have his leg over the fair Anisha pretty soon.

The dreaded Rob is know as Rob Titchyknob in our house.

Ayjay - I had a bad feeling as soon as the young, talented, equestrian one turned up. Maybe not Alistair though, won't she be working sloseley with the jolly and hunky young farrier? Alice has really been riding (oops!) for a fall recently.

I wonder if the new vet will be the next tenant at BHC?

Shula feels she + Alastair have such a wonderful relationship now. Oh dear. What could possibly go wrong??