Tangled Webs

So Matt gets Brenda on side by 'bribing' her over her eavesdropping - she'd heard how badly burnt Matt & his business associate have been with some 'marginal' deals - and this may prove Brian's undoing. The 'bribe' she can't afford to accept is money to go to Tom's pig business, and this will allow him to get away from Brian's supermarket deal - already in deep water because Hannah has pulled the plug by returning full time to college - despite (or perhaps because of) Tom's poor staff management. Ah well, the horrors of capitalism reach Ambridge - but how unfortunate is it that businessmen are always the bad guys in The Archers, throughout its long history. What with that and Shula's smug triumphalism - she's ALWAYS proved right in every situation - how much longer can I bear it?

Surprises

Why is that in the strange world of Ambridge people are constantly arranging surprises - and these surprises always work out badly. Now it is Susan & Neil's silver anniversary and Neil is arranging a surprise trip to London - while Susan is arranging a massive party at The Bull. Both are pretending that nothing is going on - so come the day there will confusion and disappointment - but rarely hlarity. Meanwhile there are arguments over the flat over the shop. The contenders are Chris (not wished for by Susan) Fallon and Helen. How was it decided? By drawing bearmats - or not...the result was not approved of by Helen or Susan.