The Archers

I don't believe Russ will leave Mrs Russ, I do hope Lily isn't pregnant.
Henry - well many 7 - 8 year olds are a bit of a challenge in my experience. Pat could have been more helpful by saying exactly that, something like don't worry too much Helen, he's a lovely boy, doing well at school. All older siblings get irritated by younger brothers or sisters, though nipping is mean and must result in sanction.
She could have added that kicking mummy is never acceptable but - what a lot Henry has been through in the past few years. Living with psychopathic Rob, having his rabbit thrown in the bin, mummy attacking daddy and being sent to the clink. Daddy telling him mummy is Very Bad and he must tell the nice Court lady that. Mummy then coming home with a baby (how dare she) and daddy going away. Pat could have suggested Helen seek some professional help for Henry and for herself.
Result!

Yes. Behave yourself, Henry. It's not as though it was a real rabbit!

Actually, Henry. I don't blame you for kicking off. They don't seem to have noticed you'll be eight just after Christmas and if you don't tell your mum you are too old for soft play you'll be getting another stuffed rabbit for your birthday.

Enrol Henry in Cubs, Beavers or whatever they have these days, and stop letting every male member of the family dance attendance on him!

good point phoenix, although given the connection between the Archers and the village Church, Henry should have been involved since age 3 shouldn't he. I can't remember the pre cubs name for boys, for girls it was Rainbows. By 7 he'd be off to cub camp this summer. The script writers need some advice from grannies don't they

I think the sleepover with Tom is important to the story: we’ve had lots of reminders about it in the script. I think Tom may discover what’s eating Henry- I still think it may be Rob who is influencing him.

I have listened, a bit on-and-off, but mostly on, for the Archers entire existence.
It has not, I think, ever had Scouts or Guides (and their younger counterparts), neither have any of the kids gone off to join in with such activities at Penny Hasset or anywhere else. The only team sport they partake in is cricket.
It also (my own gripe) has never had a district / community nurse or similar. There was once a brief mention of someone coming to stay at The Bull whilst she found accommodation, but she obviously didn't as she was never heard of again! Pat moaned about her Health Visitor, and Pip has been lucky enough to have an appointment with one.
Otherwise, they make do with doctors Pond (I think originally) and Lock, with the odd carer. Alistair & Nisha didn't even have a veterinary nurse.
Amy Franks is a midwife, but she never practises in Ambridge (and hasn't appeared for a long time). Nursing seems an unfit occupation for any Ambridge raised young woman.

Usha is encouraging lying by omission by letting Russ be a character witness. Not a good idea.

I can't imagine a solicitor would give that advice

I'm amazed Elizabeth's weak heart hasn't given up by now?

How come Russ has to have Freddie's room. It's a stately home FGS. There was a room for Jill and a room for Pip. Surely Elizabeth could put him in somewhere suitably spooky?

Yes - I thought that was weird.

Iam, junior cubs are Beavers, but as he's coming up to 8, Henry can now be a Cub. Girls can also be Cubs. All my GSs have been through the organisations and one of my GDs is now a Cub leader.

Thanks anno, let’s get together and make sure Henry joins one of the Church uniformed organisations. The sw’s know nothing about village life do they. Shula would definitely be in the WI and probably a Guide leader

Russ seems a bit precious, freshly ground coffee, his own special bread. I think Lily will soon outgrow him if/when she actually lives with him.
Cheeky of them both to just move him into Lower Locksley without mentioning it to Elizabeth.
Like Ayjay, I'm concerned for her dicky ticker.

Wondering what he might find in Freddie's room, or was it well gone over by Harrison or the drug squad?

Leaving his wife for one of his 18 year old students, it's going to be very messy.

Elizabeth doesn't seem to have mentioned the seriousness of breaking up a marriage to Lily.

Looking forward to Russ's wife turning up. Hopefully with 2 or 3 children in tow.

I wondered whether he had children. It doesn't seem to have been mentioned.

I hope Russ isn't going to look for another teaching post. I don't think it would go down very well with a new employer that he had an affair with one of his students!

Has Russ resigned? My teaching friends/relations are expected to give a terms notice, you can't just break up for the summer and not return. If he does that, how likely is it he can be employed in a teaching post, though I suppose he could go via agency but with no references.

I'm waiting for Mrs Russ to storm into the college and to the stately home to tell it like it is. Will she have children he forgot to mention or will she be pregnant.

What a creep, sight of the Stately Home and in he slithers.

He hasn't even mentioned handing in his notice yet has he? Bit late as new term starts methinks. He'd never get another job anyway if the reasons for him leaving were known as it must be a disciplinary offence. His wife may spill the beans.....

I do hope she does Laziegirl. She must be spitting feathers.

A basic teaching post requires half a term's notice, longer for a head and deputy because of finding a replacement, even if it is only for a temporary/ acting post.
The school, college certainly wouldn't give him a reference if the reasons for his sudden departure were made clear.
Is Elizabeth always this stupid with her children?
This story line is becoming sillier by the day, as the original poster said about Rob and Helen.

Just what I was thinking, a helter skelter of daftness, whatever next. As his parents live near surely someone already knows them.
Lily, on Sunday, suddenly, for the first time, really sounded as if she hadn't truly believed he'd join her in Manchester and wasn't even sure she wanted him to!