with laxative as a revenge on the cordial manufacturer for not hiring her twins for their television commercial. Helen also possessed a latent murderous streak, once arranging for Gordon to be murdered while on holiday in Bulgaria (only for him to survive, due to a mix-up involving stolen identity). On another occasion (series 5, episode 3) one of her children is given a D grade for some English homework; having been the one who had actually done the work, Helen responds by reversing her car into the classroom in attempt to kill the teacher in revenge; she later reassures Laura that the teacher 'swung up on a light fitting' and so was not harmed. Helen appears in all episodes, apart from one in series four when she 'accidentally' books the family holiday to Cornwall on the wrong week, thus leaving Gordon unable to attend; a mistake she had also made the previous year. Laura Lancing/Farrell Laura Farrell (née Lancing) is the deputy manager dry of the centre. Laura is calm and extremely efficient at management, often bringing normality back to the centre after a disaster has escalated. She is also the voice of reason, talking sense into those around her. Laura is usually warm and understanding, and has people's best interests at heart. A common thing she does is comfort colleague Tim when he suspects boyfriend Gavin is having an affair. Laura understands that however much chaos her boss Gordon causes with his half-baked ideas; he means well, so she will occasionally defend him from criticism by staff, councilors and even his unhinged wife, Helen. Laura is often seen lending support to Helen, who goes into states of shock and panic whenever Laura is away or planning to leave. Helen is convinced the centre will not cope without Laura, with no-one there to 'pick up the pieces' after Gordon has caused another disaster. Gordon is seen to be very fond of Laura, perhaps because of her kind, helpful nature and his lack of close friends in his personal life. In later series, hints are dropped at a possible romance between Gordon and Laura. In one episode of series three, she kisses Brittas in a flurry of emotion, leaving him in a state of shock. No more is said about it, but in the next series, when Helen deliberately books a holiday that she knows Gordon cannot attend, Laura proves very