The Archers

Lavinia Rafferty - yes I agree, she could be a great new character. She certainly has a great name. Is it possible we could finally have a substitute posh person to help replace Nigel and Marjorie Antrobus. I do hope so. Go Alistair! Will this lead to Shula having a change of mine - what a crazy story line. At least it's making me laugh a bit, unlike the Will story (though well done Susan)

Lavinia Rafferty. What a great new character she could be.

Shula is unbelievable. I laughed out loud at her outrage when it dawned on her he'd had a one night stand with a member of the hunt.

Go Alastair! What did Shula expect?

Actually, I can fit the Shula story with the character we know. IMHO Shula has always been quite self-centred and rigid in her beliefs. She has applied them in different ways over the years, but she has rarely been happy to seriously consider other points of view. She has talked more easily to God than to her husband, slips easily into 'martyr' mode; and I think this is where she is sitting now.

I need to check the back story but, Jake and Mia haven't lived with their biological father for years. They have lived with Will, their mother and younger sister. It's an interesting story line because it's something that does happen in RL. It's so tough for everyone in the family, especially the children. When children are bereaved, it has to be least worst outcomes - or "best interests of the child". It means the adults acting like grown ups and putting their own feelings aside to focus on what is truly best for the children.
You're right in saying something's got to give. It usually does when life throws such unexpected shocks and horrors at you.

Anyone one else annoyed with the Will custody battle story? Why shouldn’t Jake and Mia live with their biological father? Will is spending so much time treating Jake he seems to have forgotten George. Meanwhile Mia is being used for childcare to help look after Poppy. Somethings got to give.
Loving Olwen though....

I dislike the Shula-Allistair story line. I can't fit current Shula with the character we've known for so long.

I thought the same, Gerispringer. After all she was only with her brother, not 'another man'.

What’s going on with Shula? Why would she care whether Alistair saw her in a sports car?

Well said Alice indeed. It's time Adam was recognised for the insufferable prig that he is.

Well said, Alice.

Nice that at last one of the entitled of Ambridge admits where the buttered bread has come from.

Yes, moved in with St Pat, Helen already expressing concerns!

I haven't heard this evening's episode but I won't let that stop me joining in.
merlotgran - if Olwen has a cough, whose betting she has TB? That would fit with the emphasis on homelessness. She was bound to be a nightmare. Has she moved in with Pat and co yet? Sorry I'll listen on catch up and be quite till I have.

Olwen sounds a complete nightmare. Maybe her cough would improve if she took the chip off her shoulder.

How hypocritical to suggest Tom's books should go in the bin but deliberately allow herself to become so ill that instead of going to the doc she has to take herself off to A&E.

Well done! (numpty brain here totally scrambled by trying to VAT return for work! Nearly had to take my socks off as well in order to do all the counting)

He's a paid employee. He dithered about accepting the job because of his contracting work but decided a regular wage was a better option as they were hoping to get a mortgage.

They could hang on to their savings and hopefully still be able to afford to buy somewhere in the future.

See? I've got it all worked out.

Fair comment, merlot but is Ed a paid employee, or a subcontractor?

It's a tied cottage but Ed now qualifies as he's a tractor driver for Home Farm

Not sure how far away Grange Farm is though.

Ah, but merlot I think Will's place is a tied cottage, goes with the keepers job? (But could be wrong on that one....{confused]

My question some time ago about how Eddie and Clarrie will be able to afford the rent for Grange Farm if Ed and Emma get their own home has been answered.

Will moves in. His salary will increase if he's no longer living in a tied cottage. Ed and Emma will find they can't afford the deposit on one of the new houses so will move into Greenwood Cottage - or whatever it's called.

Sorted!

Well done Ed! His quick thinking 'I can't remember a thing' actually convinced Will his confession fell on deaf or at least drunken ears.
Even though poor Poppy was throwing up at the time I wonder how much she realised and remembers about the hit and run.

"Relocation" ? Elocution !!!!

Enforced detox for Lillian. No more G & T's.

Ok, leaving slapping aside for the moment, what alternative punishments could be applied to other characters?

I suggest a baking tray of iced water over Jill, so that she has a reason for sounding startled every time she speaks.

Poking Henry with an electric cattle prod in the hope that it might stimulate him into speaking like a boy of his age.

Enforced relocation lessons for Ruth to stop her saying "mebbe".