I still think that if I was Peter, I wouldn't want my mother and my wife discussing how to deal with me behind my back, but that might just be me. However, Peter did at least encourage the relationship between them, and Harriet is remarkably short of female friends and relatives of her own to discuss her bloke problems with. Alleyn's mother has far less of an excuse, especially as her advice wasn't even asked for, and it's very annoying that it actually works.