Richard took the sample and sent it off. It would be impossible for Rob to fake that.

Toby is a real misogynist. He completely ignored everything Ruth said as if she wasn't there and only spoke to David.

Ah I see - I'd forgotten tbh.

I can't be bothered with the story anymore.
Did Rob fake the DNA? Possibly
Is he contriving accidents and errors to make Helen look unhinged? Plausibly.

Is the daft brush Helen beginning to sound like someone who'd even slap herself for finding herself so unremittingly annoying? Yes.

You're right, but it was quite amusing watching them both blunder their way through that meeting

Chuckled at David getting all emotional re the cows.
I'm sure he's very attached to them.... until they dry up.... and he sends their ears, eyes and udders to be put in fray bentos pies!

Spoke too soon re Peggy didn't I! She's zimmered herself out of the woodwork to put her Christmas decorations away.

Luckily I've never been in her situation, but from what I've heard an abusive person is very subtle to start with until the abused person can't escape - probably a bit like Stockholm Syndrome.


I thought Rex did OK. He can see what a pratt his brother is, but Toby is the loud-mouthed one who has no social skills whatsoever. Rex would be fine without his brother, and would probably be quite successful.

For Court purposes the DNA sample has to be taken by a doctor or a solicitor. The sample is accompanied by 2 passport photographs and a completed form.

So we are stuck with this disappointing outcome.

Helen being scolded by Rob re her concerns about overspending, then being berated by Ian and then breaking down with Clarrie etc was horrid to listen to.
It's upsetting now.

"I want to treat you like a Queen"
Yeah, with her own money, you revolting scumbag.

Come on Helen - tell Kirsty. TELL HER!!

Oh crap - she clammed up

Nothing will do for me now except a ghastly undignified accident for the toerag.
One of Jill's stews through a drip for the rest of his life, and a jolly nurse changing his nappies.
After he is exposed and cast out by the community though of course

This story is seriously messing up my humanity!

We should all collect pitchforks and descend on Ambridge en masse to deal with him.

I wonder if Helen told Rob she couldn't manage much of his delicious supper because she'd stuffed her face at the spa.

If I hear him say "but that isn't what we agreed" when he means "that isn't what I decided" one more time ...

Everyhing he says and does is so insidious and solely focused on tightening his control on Helen. How totally abnormal is that??

Imagine if everything you did in life, your behaviour, your interactions with others, your job and career plans etc were all perverted and tailored around dominating another person?
The man is ill.

He seems to be a psychopath.

It was difficult to hear. Felt really sorry for Helen there. Rob is a complete d*ckhead

As much as this storyline is being done very well it is very sadly a true reflection of more lives than I for one would care to contemplate. Let us hope that the producers do not cop out with a badly written or unrealistic conclusion.

It's because of people like Rob that the new law on control and coercion was brought in.

Sadly, I fear it is more common than most of us would imagine.

The whole storyline is brilliantly done, imo.

Jill is like Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, manning the Aga even in the small hours, just in case someone wakes up needing a hot drink, or fancies nipping out for a bonk at Rickyards.

Line of the week:

Jill: Do you fancy a cocoa?
Ruth: If there's enough milk.

No Ruth, we've run out. We've used up the entire 500 gallons in the tank.

*knocks politely* May I join this thread please? I have only recently started listening to the Archers omnibus after a few years away; I'm gripped by the Rob / Helen storyline but can anyone remind me please if Helen used to have an eating disorder? A lot of the scenes revolve around her avoiding eating so was wondering if his controlling behaviour was causing her to relapse?

Hi Sandgrounder, welcome to the thread. Yes Helen did develop an eating disorder after a previous boyfriend shot or hanged himself, and it looks like she could be heading for a relapse because of Rob's behaviour.

Poor Helen, she can't half pick them

Yeah this is being hinted at isn't it. She says she doesn't want Rob's meals saying she's already eaten... but who knows if that's the truth. Kirsty noticed she'd lost weight.

Helen's big anorexia story must have been about ten years ago?
It was after Greg killed himself.

I wonder if, when the Spawn of Satan is born, Rob will insist on him being bottle fed so he can feed him? I can just hear him now if Helen suggests breastfeeding "Don't be selfish darling, you didn't have to share Henry with anyone when he was a baby. This is my first time, so I want to feed him". He'll also want to put Spawn to bed at night, as Helen doing it would be 'selfish'.

Hi Sandgrounder. You're very welcome and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have in view of your gap.

Welcome, Sandgrounder!

Helen's judgment in men hasn't improved any in your absence, and I fear her breakdown is imminent. We should be running a book on who's going to be the first to twig he isn't the gent he purports to be. He has all the Bridge Farm Archers fooled.

I think Kirsty has been brought back to resolve this storyline.