Written by: Mark Wadlow
Directed by: Ian Bevitt

Tommy is sitting on his own, in the dark, in his dressing gown, crying. Angela comes downstairs, also in her dressing gown. He tells her everything's getting him down. She hugs him, and he sobs.

Their daughter, meanwhile, is informing Martin that when he finally gets round to proposing to her she wants him down on one knee with a big rock. He says if he had a rock he's clout her round the head with it, for telling her parents about the baby. He feels sorry for them, because he knows what it's like to have your teenage daughter tell you she's pregnant. She says he's boring. He concedes that it's better to have things out in the open.

Norris is in the corner shop, and Dev is using every opportunity to promote his claim to be voted president of the traders' association. Sunita tells him not to canvas the customers, but he carries on regardless. Norris says he's sure they'll both be excellent candidates and he's torn as to which to vote for. Sunita tells Dev she's going to ring the other shop girls to get them to vote for her, but he says he's already imposed a three line whip: "I gave them their big break; the least I can expect is a little loyalty."

Charlie presents Shelley with a full English breakfast. She seems astonished to see it ("What's this?"), though how she could have missed the tell-tale sounds and smells of bacon cooking is a mystery. He says she can have a day off from her diet: "Enjoy it while you can, because tomorrow you're back on the dry toast." This latter remark takes the shine off the treat somehow.

Tommy and Angela are now dressed, and he's getting ready for work while she makes packed lunches. Angela says Craig was asking why Tommy was upset earlier. Craig asks if it's summat he's done. They tell him that his sister is going to have a baby. "She's not," says Craig, quite matter-of-factly, "Because she won't be here after March 17th. None of us will. World's gonna end." Tommy says that's the best news he's had in ages: "Armageddon's the least of our worries. In fact it can't come soon enough." Angela says if the world's about to end there's no point trying to lose weight, so she'll have a Scotch egg as well as a butty with her lunch.

Shelley is in the corner shop taking full advantage of the diet amnesty by enjoying a bag of crisps. She tells Sunita that the reason Charlie over-reacted about the snack-tasting incident was that "he's got issues," and tells her about the druggie brother. "It were an onion bhajee, not a bag of smack," Sunita points out. Dev appears, all dressed up for a round of canvassing. He's going to visit: Keith from the pound shop; Omar at Shish Kebab; Colin at Boffin Books and Bella at Boozy Bella's. Sunita is obviously getting very fed up with his competitive behaviour.

The Street's resident Goths, Craig and Rosie, are having chips in the street. Craig suggests bunking off for the rest of the day and selling their unwanted possessions on the internet, but Rosie says the world will end a lot sooner than March 17th if she gets caught bunking off. David comes by and Craig offers him a chip, and mentions that Katie is pregnant. David hasn't heard anything about it, and looks shocked.

Our first visit of the day to the elegance and luxury that is Davenports posh car salesroom. Justine comes in, arms folded, looking angry. Someone just knocked one of her wing mirrors off, she explains to Sally. Sally gets on to one of the mechanics to sort it out, and offers Justine a coffee while she waits. Justine tells her she doesn't have to do her full customer service number, as she's a mate. She also says Ian is always singing Sally's praises. Right on cue, Metallic Ian glides in on his invisible castors. "Brought the car in to have the ashtray emptied, have you?" he says to his wife. "Very funny!" she grins back, and he gives her a kiss. Sally looks grumpy.

It's absolutely pouring down with rain. We see Dev getting out of his car on a street corner, and running across to Fred's car, parked on the opposite corner, and getting in. The reason for this secrecy, Fred says, is that he's uncovered something relevant to Dev's suitability as candidate. Bella from Boozy Bella's has told Fred she thinks Dev's a slimeball (in vino veritas, eh?). Fred reads out the notes he's made of people's comments: "Slimy, arrogant, obsequious…" "I don't even know what obsequious means!" Dev protests. "Slimy. I looked it up." Dev can't believe this – all he's had is positive feedback. Fred says that any loony who comes to his door gets positive feedback because it's the quickest way to get rid of them. "Face it, Devendra, on the basis of my findings your campaign is doomed."

David is at home, ranting on about Katy and Martin and how embarrassing it all is. Gail is on the phone, trying to ring Martin. We see him out in the street, and his mobile rings. "Martin, is Katy pregnant?" Gail asks. He says it's true, and that he had planned to come over and tell them that evening. Then he asks to speak to David, who yells that he can get stuffed, and he never wants to see him again.

Sally watches Justine drive away, and goes into Ian's office. She wonders if Justine had been trying to catch them out, but he thinks not. "She was so nice to me," frets Sally. "She is nice. But not to me," says Ian, and he's pleased when Sally shows that she was jealous of the affection he showed his wife earlier. She says she's not jealous, just feeling guilty. He says it'll be alright as long as they're very careful how they go about things.

It's the meeting of the Weatherfield Traders' Association. Dev is nervous; Fred is snacking. Sunita is also nervous, but Norris and Rita reassure her that she definitely has their votes. Dev and Sunita wish each other luck, and Roy brings the meeting to order, and calls Sunita to make her speech.

Craig and Rosie are in his bedroom, about to try and sell the musical box she's had since she was eleven on the internet. She's brought some other stuff too – a torch and a balaclava. "Who's gonna buy this?" Craig wants to know (a burglar, possibly?).

Sunita is making her speech, pledging dedication and service, but she also uses the platform to say how lovely Dev is, and how he would also make a good president. "That was a master stroke," Norris tells Rita, "The girl's a born politician." It's Dev's turn next, and he says he withdraws from the contest and urges his supporters to vote for Sunita.

Gail and Sarah are sitting on the sofa (they always have unfeasibly small sofas in soaps). Gail can't believe her little baby girl will be eighteen tomorrow. Sarah looks embarrassed at the display of maternal nostalgia. Speaking of maternal… Martin and Katy come in, without knocking as usual. Gail offers them her congratulations. Martin says it all came as a bit of a shock, and Sarah tartly remarks that he must be the only nurse in Britain who doesn't know how babies are made. Martin goes outside to talk to David who is cleaning out his rabbit hutch, leaving Katy to talk to Sarah. Sarah looks a bit sullen, but then Katy confides in her that she's not excited about being pregnant, she's feeling sick all the time, she's worried Martin might leave her and she's terrified about the birth. If she was expecting sympathy from Sarah she's not getting it: "Yeah, it will be awful," she says. But when Katy says that the reason she wanted to have a baby was because she loves Martin and wants to spend the rest of her life with him, Sarah gives her a little smile.

In the garden, David is giving Martin a hard time, saying Martin obviously doesn't care what he thinks. He's worried that Martin will be too busy with his new family to have any time for him: "You already are."

The results are in at the WTA election, and Sunita has been beaten by a baker called Diggory Compton, by 4 votes. Dev thinks Sunita lost because she's an Asian woman, but Fred thinks it's because Diggory's banoffee meringue tart is enough to change anybody's allegiance. It seems that even Norris wasn't immune to the charms of that particular delicacy! Sunita is gracious in defeat.

Rosie is returning home from Craig's, talking on her mobile to Gemma. The hot news, Rosie tells Sally, is that Gemma's mum, Justine, reckons her dad's having an affair! "No!" says Sally, stunned.

Sue Haasler

Friday 4 February

We start tonight's episode with Sally telling Rosie to keep an eye on Gemma as she is going to be upset if she thinks her parents are going to split up but Rosie asks her what she would know about it! Sally gives Gail a silver necklace as a present for Sarah's 18th. Audrey comments on how expensive it must have been but Gail says that she is earning more money now!

Schmeichel is chewing Cilla's boot. She's furious as they cost £50 – something that she forgot to tell Les! She asks him if he wants her to look common but she says it doesn't matter as they aren't worth 50p now!

Martin has come round to give Sarah her birthday present – a cheque. Gail mentions the baby but Martin says he doesn't understand why everyone is so surprised that he and Katy are having a baby. David comes downstairs and Martin asks him if he wants a lift to school but he says no. Gail tells Martin that it's going to take time as David's very upset. Sarah asks Martin to take her to the cemetery to give some flowers to Billy.

Sally is shocked to see that Justine is at her work and not Ian. Justine asks Sally about her job and Ian - Sally looks uncomfortable. Justine tells her of her worry that Ian is having an affair. Sally tries to convince her that he is only working late but Justine isn't convinced. Sally tells her it's her imagination.

Shelley has lost 2 pounds on her diet. Tommy tells Angela that he didn't think he'd be a granddad for another 10 years! He's worried that the baby will look like Martin but Angela says she had the same conversation with her mother when she was pregnant! Shelley tells Ciaran that she can stick to the diet but it's going to the gym that she struggles with. Ciaran says that she needs someone to push her to do more so Shelley invites him and he says yes.

Sarah is at the cemetery. She tells Billy about her birthday. She says she misses him all the time and sometimes she wishes it was her and not him. She says it's not right.

Cilla and her friend are discussing money. Cilla accepts £100 pounds from her for Schmeichel!

Sarah tells Martin that she wants to be happy for him but it's really upsetting for her to see Katy holding a baby. Martin says that Sarah will never forget Billy. Martin tells her that he wants to give her another birthday present. He wants to get Billy a headstone. Sarah is unsure but Martin insists.

Sally tells Ian that Justine has been in to work. Sally is really worried but Ian doesn't seem that bothered. Sally says that Justine will figure it out and Sally can't handle it.

Martin tries to talk to David. David doesn't want to talk to him but Martin says that he's always made time for him. David says that Martin isn't important to him anymore and storms off. Martin sees Tommy watching him.

Rosie asks Craig if he knows when you are in love. She asks him if he respects her and he says he does. She tells him that her mum has told her that she shouldn't' ‘do it' with a lad unless he loves and respects her. She tells him that she wants to ‘do it' with him and he looks shocked!

Cilla has come back with another pair of boots which doesn't please Les – until Cilla flirts with him! Chesney is looking for Schmeichel and Cilla says she left him in the back earlier! Cilla tells him to make his dinner and she's sure he'll come back but Chesney tells her he's not a homing pigeon!

Gail and Audrey are waiting for Sarah in the pub. Gail is worried about David but Audrey says she's a great mum and he'll be fine. Charlie finds out about Shelley asking Ciaran to the gym. He says he doesn't mind but he doesn't look pleased! Sarah comes in and Audrey orders a bottle of champagne. Gail tells Sarah that she is to enjoy herself from now on and not to settle down! Scooter joins them.

Ian asks Sally if she wants to take a break from them. He says he knows that deceiving Justine has been hard for her so he asks her again if she wants to take break. Sally says no.

Scooter has given Sarah a bracelet and a picture frame he found in a skip. Charlie asks Shelley if it was her idea to take Ciaran to the gym. He says that it might not look good if she gets too friendly with the staff and the others might get upset. She says maybe it wasn't a good idea. Ciaran congratulates Martin and Katy. Sarah introduces Scooter to them. Shelley asks Angela and Tommy if they are looking forward to being Grandparents and they say it's a bit too soon. Martin has left his wallet in the flat and goes back to get it.

Cilla and Les are looking for Schmeichel. Cilla convinces Les that he'll return in his own time! Chesney and Kirk are looking as well. Chesney asks Tommy if he's seen him but he says he hasn't. Kirk says they should stop for the night but Chesney decides to carry on.

Tommy bumps into Martin (on purpose). He calls Martin a ‘kiddie-fiddler' which Martin doesn't take too kindly to. Martin tells him that if he says one word to Katy she'll never speak to Tommy again and neither he nor Angela will see her or their grandchild. Martin tells him he's wrong about everything and he's wrong in the head.

The End

Helen Edgar

Hi everyone, here is Monday's first brilliant episode of Corrie, sorry for the delay.

Craig is still lying in the road, looking wide-eyed and dazed. Angela cradles his head, and asks if he's all right. Tommy, still stroppy and showing no signs of remorse, scoffs that of course he's all right, and urges him to get up, telling Angie, "He asked for it!" Martin and Katy hurry over, Martin tries to get a look at Craig, but Tommy pulls him away. Martin protests that he's a nurse, but Tommy says he doesn't need a nurse, he needs someone to set an example. Angie asks what kind of example is he? Tommy tells Martin it's all his fault, and Martin points out that Tommy was the one that hit him. "Yeah, your own son, in the middle of the street!" shouts Angela, and Tommy says he had his reasons. Craig weakly insists that they didn't do anything, and Rosie, looking ashen, confirms this. Angie tells Rosie to go, as Craig slowly sits up, grimacing and rubbing his jaw and head. Tommy, meanwhile, has gone indoors, still obviously seething. He pulls the condom out of his pocket and looks at it.

Outside, Craig, now on his feet, is walking across the street with his mum, Martin and Katy. Craig explains that the condom just fell out of his pocket and the next thing he knew he was on the floor. Martin tries to get a look at him in case of concussion but Craig storms off saying that Tommy's right, it is all Martin's fault - cradle snatcher! He goes into the house and is met by Tommy who quietly asks if he's all right. "Get lost!" shouts Craig, and runs inside. Katy starts shouting at her dad in the doorway, but is shut out by her mum and led away by Martin.

Whilst all this fracas was going on, a skip lorry pulled up outside the Platt residence. Scooter has arrived to see Sarah, and is bearing a gift - a pond! Gail lets him in but is rather non-plussed by the large, black plastic item. "What's it for?" she asks. Being a man of few words, Scooter just answers, "It's a present." "Oh," says Gail, obviously none the wiser. Sarah comes downstairs and she too asks what it is. It transpires that Scooter has bought it for Bethany, he's going to install it in the garden and fill it with fish, as Bethany's favourite film is 'Finding Nemo'. He asks Sarah if she got his text, and Sarah falteringly tells Gail that she would like to stay overnight at Scooter's place. Gail says yes, but pulls Sarah aside for a quiet word, telling her she worries about the safety aspect. Sarah tells her mum they'll take precautions, she's not going to get caught again, and then Gail tells her she was talking about the pond! She doesn't think it's a good idea as far as Bethany's safety is concerned.

Chesney is indoors, moping about Schmeichal, and Fizz, Kirk, Les and Cilla are trying to cheer him up. Cilla says she will make him his all time favourite tea. "Thanks, Mum," says Chesney. Cilla hisses into Fizz's ear, "What is his favourite tea?"

Over at the Harris's, Angela and Tommy are arguing. Tommy says that it's only a week since she had a crack at Katy, but Angie says that was a slap. Craig tries to butt in, saying that just because he had it in his pocket doesn't mean they were going to use it. Angela and Tommy both tell him to shut up. "We'll get to you in a minute," says Angie. She goes on to tell Tommy that she just slapped Katy, Tommy knocked Craig out. "Great parents you are," butts in Craig, again, "It's a wonder the social services aren't knocking on the door." They tell him again to shut up. Angie says there's a big difference in a punch and a slap, but Tommy says he didn't knock Craig out. Angie points out that Craig was out cold on the cobbles, and Katy was right when she said Tommy could have killed Craig. She tells Tommy that he's a grown man, Craig is just a 14 year old kid, she tells him he's got to learn to control his temper. Tommy tells her he knew what he was doing, he pulled the punch, and he knows what Craig has been doing with that little tart from across the street, and he's not having it.

Across the street, Rosie Webster is apparently doing her homework on the dining table when Sally gets home. Sally notices that all is not well with her daughter. "Are you all right?" she asks her, "you look like you've been crying, what's happened?" Rosie tells her that nothing has happened, she just has hard homework. Sally doesn't look convinced.

Over in the pub, Fizz, Kirk and Tyrone are talking. Kirk asks Tyrone if they can borrow Monica to help take Chesney's mind off Schmeichal. Fizz is horrified. She tells Kirk that when you love someone or something that you really, really love, you can't just replace them just like that. "Imagine if one day you lost me, and the next day your mate tried to palm you off with someone else, a completely different girl, how would you feel?" Kirk appears to ponder on this for a few minutes. Fizz tells him he'd go mental and tell his mate where to stick this girl. Kirk still looks thoughtful. "Who would it be?" he asks Tyrone. "It would be an insult to my memory, that's what it would be!" explodes Fizz.

Sarah and Scooter are sitting at a table and Sarah tells him she always meant to take Beth to swimming lessons but never got round to it. Scooter thinks Bethany will love the pond and all the fish, but Sarah says that she could fall in and drown, and it wouldn't need to be deep. Just then Candice comes in, looking like she's dipped the ends of her hair in bright blue paint. She asks if she can sit with them while she waits for Warren. "So you must be the famous Scooter," she says to Scooter. "I'm not exactly famous," mutters Scooter. "What is it you do again?" enquires Candice. He tells her he delivers skips. "As long as you're not gay!" she says.

Craig is trying to explain to Tommy and Angela how the Goth website claims that the world is going to end, so they wanted to do 'it' to see what it was like, that was why they got the 'thingy'. Then they decided that the world probably wasn't going to end so they decided to wait. Tommy obviously doesn't believe this story. "Is that the best you can do?" he says scornfully, "if the world was going to end you wouldn't have needed a 'thing' would you?" Craig gets up to storm out, his long, black leather coat swirling. "I wish the world was going to end!" he shouts. "It is for you, lad," threatens Tommy.

Emily goes into the Rovers where Rita and Norris are enjoying a drink. She wants an explanation as to why Norris has glued together two pages of her copy of 'Hard Grinding.' It's censorship! What part of life's rich tapestry does he think should be hidden from her? "Some things are too near the knuckle for a lady of your sensitivities", he tells her. Rita wants to know exactly which two pages are glued together. Emily tells her and asks if she can borrow her copy. "I suppose you can when I've finished it," Rita tells her. Emily tells Norris she will read those pages whether he likes it or not.

Candice is talking about Scooter's name. "You've not got a scooter?" she asks him. "No," he replies. "You've never driven one?" "No." "It's mad," she declares, "it doesn't make sense." "Your fella's called Warren, right?" asks Scooter, "does he keep rabbits up his bum?" Candice reckons that at least Warren is a proper name, and he might as well be called Motorbike. He tells her names like that are all the rage, Brooklyn Beckham, Radiator Rooney - that's what Wayne is going to call his first kid. Candice wants to know how Scooter would know that. "He told me," Scooter tells her. "You know Wayne Rooney?" Candice is suddenly much more interested. Scooter tells her he delivered a skip to him, he was chucking out all his old Everton gear. Candice is all ears, "What's he like then?" she wants to know.

Ken is at the bar, discussing the literary content of 'Hard Grinding' with Emily. He says that hair is always 'tousled locks' and bosoms are always 'heaving bosoms'. Shelley pricks up her ears and Emily explains that it's their book club book. Ken reckons it's a succession of clichés from start to finish. "Anything else?" asks Shelley. "The plot is full of holes," says Ken. "I meant to drink," says Shelley. Emily wants to make up her own mind about the book and asks if she can borrow Ken's copy.

Over at the Webster's, Sally and Rosie are eating. Sally is still trying to find out what the matter is. Rosie eventually tells her that Craig had an argument with his dad and Tommy punched him and "knocked him out and everything!" "Tommy punched Craig?" Sally is aghast. Rosie seeks reassurance that neither Sally or Kevin would ever do anything like that to her, no matter what happened. Sally hugs her, "We'd never do that to you and Tommy should never have done that to Craig." Sally wants to go over there and tell Tommy what she thinks of him, but Rosie stops her, pointing out that Sally slapped her in the face once, so she can't say anything to Tommy, can she?

Kirk has taken Monica the greyhound round to the Battersby's, and Chesney immediately takes her into the kitchen. Kirk, Fizz and Cilla all think that Monica has taken Schmeichal's place in Chesney's heart, but Les is not so sure. In the kitchen Chesney gives Monica Schmeichal's blanket to sniff, so that she can follow the scent and find him. Les reckons that Chesney's apparent pleasure at Monica's arrival is just an act and they should not let him out of their sight, 24 hours a day. Cilla shouts to Chesney to put the kettle on, but right then Chesney is on his way out of the door.

In the Rover's, Candice is telling Tyrone about 'Radiator Rooney'. Sarah and Scooter leave, they're off to Scooter's place. "Imagine going out with a skip creature," says Candice, snootily, "how sad is that?"

Norris comes in then, and asks Rita where Emily is. Rita tells him she had something important to do.

Out in the street, Sarah and Scooter are laughing at Candice's gullibility, as the Battersby door opens and they all spill out into the street, they've just realised Chesney is missing. Cilla suggests they all go in different directions, and she will stay there in case he comes home.

Emily comes out of Ken's house, clutching his copy of 'Hard Grinding'. Les rushes up behind her asking if she's seen Chesney, she says she hasn't and goes into the pub.

Angie is on the phone to Katy, and they ponder on how Craig is going to explain away the bruise on his face at school. Angela says it's a wonder Sally Webster hasn't been round. Just then, Tommy starts to go out of the door, and Angela assumes he's off to the pub, but he tells her he's going to the Webster's, "It's as much their problem as ours," he tells her, "and I'm going to tell them what's been going on."

Out in the street, Fizz and Kirk are asking Scooter and Sarah, and Tommy, if they've seen Chesney, but no one has.

Tommy knocks on Sally's door, and when she answers he asks if Kevin is in. She tells him he's not, but says he'd better come in anyway. Tommy soon puts Sally in the picture about Craig and Rosie and they question her, wondering where Craig got the condom. "He didn't get it, I did," says Rosie, miserably. Sally demands to know where Rosie got it, and wonders what kind of do-gooder hands these things out to 14 year olds. Eventually Rosie admits that she got it out of Sally's handbag! There's an awful silence as Sally digests this information…….

More in episode 2

Annie Logan

Episode Two

Fizz, Les and Kirk are in the park (the Red Rec?) calling for Chesney, but there's no sign of him. Les says Ches has only been gone for half an hour. He can't understand why Cilla was keen to get them out searching so quickly.

Sally is well into damage control mode. She's telling Rosie that Kevin would kill her if he knew she'd been stealing from her mother's handbag. "He'd never do anything like that," Rosie says. She protests that she only took the condom to show off, but Sally tells her that stealing from her mother was the lowest of the low. Tommy tells Sally to forget about where Rosie got the condom -- the problem is that Rosie had it at all. "You've been leading him on," he accuses Rosie. "She put him up to it," he says to Sally. Sally tells him she'll deal with Rosie. But he tells Rosie that Craig tried to protect her and it's her fault he "took one on the chin" for her. "We do things differently in our house," Sally informs him. She pushes Tommy out of the house and goes back to Rosie, who tells her: "We never did it, honest. Are you going to tell my Dad?"

In the Weatherfield Arms, Yarna arrives with Schmeikel and Cilla orders half a lager and an ashtray of tap water. "The lager's for the one in black." Yarna is expecting £200, but Cilla tells her she's only getting half a lager and some bad news. Apparently someone who was bitten by Schmeikel now has rabies. Yarna has discovered just how many fit dog owners there are hanging about the park. Cilla changes tack and tells Yarna that her poor baby Chesney is pining away and the doctor says it's clinical depression. "Have you any idea how much that little boy means to me?" "Two hundred quid?" asks Yarna.

Tommy is back home and Angela tells him what Craig told her. She believes him. Tommy wonders if it's his fault for not being able to talk to his children. His own father never talked to him.

Sally seems to have hit on an idea. She tells Rosie that because she and Craig never went through with their plan, and because Kevin's bound to find about Tommy hitting Craig, why don't they come to a deal. If Rosie promises never to do anything like that again, Sally will make sure Kevin doesn't find out about Rosie stealing from her handbag.

In the pub, Emily is reading "Hard Grinding", watched by Rita and Norris. "Her glasses haven't steamed up yet," Rita comments. Over at the bar, Violet is incredulous that all Shelley has had for her dinner is half a banana and some skimmed milk. She warns Shelley she'll collapse. Things are getting ridiculous when it comes to fractions of a banana. She makes the same comment to Charlie, but Shelley says that's all she wanted. Emily puts her book down and Rita asks if it was hot stuff. But it seems Norris was protecting Emily from a part of the story where a wages clerk is working late, two robbers burst into the factory and kill him with a shotgun. She tells Norris that she's touched, but there isn't a week goes past but something reminds her about Ernest. The incident is a part of her real life, so there's no need to protect her from it in fiction.

Cilla is still trying to negotiate. She asks about time payment, but Yarna says no. Cilla accuses her of trying to profit from the misery of a suicidal child. Her screeches attracts the attention of Les, who has just come in. Cilla spots him and moves to greet him, leaving Yarna and Schmeikel around the curve in the bar, where the dog can't be seen. She tells Les that Yarna is a dog psychic and she'd hoped she could make contact with Schmeikel. "Is he dead?" asks a shocked Les. "No," says Yarna. "But I can feel his presence." Les says he, too, thought he got a whiff of Schmeikel just then. "Or is that you?" he asks Cilla. He's sure he knows Yarna from somewhere and asks her if he knows her. "Have you ever tried to make contact with a dead dog?" she asks. "No," says Cilla. "But he's chatted up Janice and it's much the same."

Sally is telling Kevin what's been going on, assuring him that it was just bravado and she's sure Rosie had no intention of doing anything. Kevin wants to go up and see Rosie but Sally assures him she's just finished giving Rosie the biggest telling off of her life, and Tommy's given her the biggest fright of her life. "Let her stew." She advises Kevin to tell Rosie he's too disgusted to talk to her. He wants to go and have a word with Tommy, but Sally points out that Tommy's in such a state he's just assaulted his own son in the street, so talking to him is hardly likely to have any effect. "I'll put your tea on, eh?"

Over at the Harrises', Craig is in his room, surfing around Gothweb on his computer. Tommy knocks, comes in, and tells Craig he's just been to see the Webster's and knows it was all Rosie's fault. "It took some guts not to blame her. I respect that." He asks if Craig can see why he lost his temper. "You think I'm going the same way as Katy," Craig says. "Unless you just hit me because you couldn't hit Katy."

In the pub, Shelley has not quite grasped the idea of putting a chair behind the door. She's put a light dining chair against the door, but it's not wedged under the handle or anything, so Charlie finds it quite easy to move. She slams it shut again and tells him she's trying on The Dress, but still has a couple of pounds to lose.

Fizz and Kirk have found a disconsolate Chesney and Monica in the playground. Kirk says they were worried he'd lose Monica. Chesney is deeply offended. He'd never lose a dog. It wasn't him who lost Schmeikel. "He's not lost," Kirk tells him. "He's just gone for a long walk." "That's what that fella in the tent said," Chesney says. I had visions of this being some weirdo he'd met on the Red Rec, but he's talking about Captain Oates. "The fella at the South Pole: I'm going for a walk and I might be gone a while," Chesney says, quoting the gist of it, if not Oates' words. Kirk wants to know more about this, but Fizz tells him to shut up. Chesney says he wanted Monica to smell the blanket and track Schmeikel. Greyhounds are no good for tracing, Kirk points out. "Well, I know that NOW," Chesney says. Kirk puts a positive spin on Monica's talents. "If she ever did, she'd beat him in a race," he points out.

Back at home, Cilla is compiling a ransom note out of letters cut from the newspaper. "£200 or the dog gets it". Her eyes suddenly light up and she changes it to "£250 or the dog gets it".

In the pub, Shelley says she's going to feel such a fool if she doesn't make the target. And we see writer John Fay's skill in what Charlie says to her -- looking on the surface as if he's saying something supportive, but actually designed to make her feel less confidence than ever: "Even if you don't make it, you'll still be gorgeous in my eyes," he says. "Don't take it so seriously. Sure, it's great to be fit. It's great to be healthy. It's great to look really good. But you have to have a life." Shelley admits that she's losing motivation because she's bored, and 75 per cent of the word "diet" is "die". Charlie promises her a night out -- her in the dress, him in a tuxedo, a rented limo, a restaurant where she can choose what she likes . . .as extra motivation.

Cilla only just manages to get the ransom note envelope on to the mat before the others come in the door. But to her frustration, none of them notice it. And they refuse to go back and wipe their feet when she asks (Fizz pointing out that they usually need to wipe their feet on the way out), so she's driven to noticing it herself. She opens it and shows it to Les, and his mouth drops open. "At least we know he's still alive," Cilla says.

A very furtive-looking Sally knocks on the Harrises' door. She tells Tommy that Kevin was really angry when he got home. After all, Tommy knows what it's like when it's a daughter (nice move, Sally!) involved. "I've just had to tread really carefully," she says. She thinks they should draw a line under the whole thing. She makes out that at Oak Hill they believe in demystifying things, and she picked up the condom in the schoolgrounds. "I don't want him to know she's been in my handbag. Let's just forget that it ever happened." "Suits me," says a puzzled Tommy. He shuts the door, but doesn't look convinced.

The End.

Margaret Carr

Written by: Jonathan Harvey
Directed by: John Anderson

A tense-looking breakfast time in the Harris household. Tommy is attempting to make amends with Craig, offering to take him out wherever he wants to go and "have a bit of a laugh" (doesn't he realise laughing is not high on the Goth wish-list?). Craig says he's busy, and obviously hasn't forgiven his father punching him.

Fizz arrives at Les's house, to see how Chesney is. Kirk says Chesney has been awake half the night. Kirk, Les and Fizz have some toast. Cilla is breakfasting on leftover pizza. Fizz is suspicious about the ransom note they got about the dog – she finds it odd that "get" has been spelled with two T's. "You were never t'top of t'class at spelling, were you mam?" she asks Cilla, and wonders whether she should call the police.

"Over my dead body!" says Cilla. Les thinks calling the police might be the best idea, but Cilla says if they go to the police the kidnappers might cut the dog up for clutch bags. In which case, says Les, they'll have to pay the ransom.

A charming scene at the Barlows now, as birthday preparations are under way. Amy is a year old today. Tracy is singing happy birthday to her progeny, Deirdre is putting up a banner and Blanche is adding what looks like whisky to a punchbowl. Blanche reminisces about Deirdre's first birthday: "Your Auntie Jess jitterbugging to ‘Rock Around The Clock' with the rug rolled back. Poor Jess – the very next day she knocked her head on a down spout and never woke up." In case of such an eventuality happening to him, Ken will be prepared – he's busy writing his will. He's quite cheered by the news that Wanda won't be able to make the party, but then there's a knock on the door announcing the arrival of "Lena from the One O'clock Club." Lena is the kind of elderly lady who would never be seen without full make-up and a fully accessorised outfit, and who probably goes for a shampoo & set at least once a week (think Rita but older and more fragile-looking). Blanche apologises that Ken's house is smaller than Lena's bungalow, but immediately Lena announces her claustrophobia's coming on. She points at Amy: "Don't let that baby come anywhere near me," she says, "I drop babies." Then her eyes light up at the sight of the man of the house. "Oooh. Oooh. You must be… Ken!" She flutters her eyelashes (she is so like my grandma). "Wanda was right about you!"

Scooter has arrived to start putting the pond in Sarah's garden. Sarah is all dressed up for Amy's party and explains to him that she likes to dress up nicely for these things as she thinks people always think of her as a teenage mum and she doesn't want to look dog-rough. Scooter says he thinks of her more as a fox than a dog. Bless him! Bethany comes downstairs looking adorable in a pink fairy costume with wings, and she and Sarah go to the party, leaving Scooter to get on with the pond – though he picks up the TV remote as soon as they've gone.

Ken and Deirdre are in their back yard, taking refuge from the party. Ken says they don't live in a home, it's a hostel for anyone who wants to take refuge from their problems. Deirdre says she'd always thought she'd never put her mother into a residential home, having seen documentaries of places where they tie the residents up and whip them – but she's warming to the idea now! Deirdre feels as if she's aged ten years during the last year, and when she looks in the mirror she sees her mother looking back at her. Ken says that when he looks at her he sees that slip of a thing he fell in love with all those millions of years ago. Aaaaahhh…..

Tyrone and Tommy are already at work when Kevin arrives, looking like thunder, and straight away starts having a go at Tommy about Craig, saying if Tommy hadn't already punched Craig Kevin would be doing it for him. Tommy starts to retaliate about Rosie, and Tyrone tells him to leave it or Kevin will end up firing him. Kevin says that's exactly what he'll do, and then says he knows Rosie isn't completely innocent, but at least she wasn't the one responsible for getting the condom. Tommy doesn't know how to reply, but Kevin tells him to just keep Craig away from Rosie.

The party's in full swing, with Lena, Blanche, Norris, Rita and Emily cranking out old rock & roll hits, Katy painting Bethany's face, and Martin, Tracy, Ken and Deirdre in various states of aghast. "Whose party is this, Amy's or gran's?" Tracy wonders.

Back to the party, and a game of musical chairs for Amy and Bethany (assisted by Katy and Sarah, with Martin on knob-twiddling duties). Lena asks Tracy to keep the kids under control: "I'm waiting for a hip replacement." Ken better watch out when she's got that new hip, because she's telling Blanche that every time Ken looks at her he's mentally undressing her! Father of the birthday girl, the lovely Steve McDonald, arrives sporting a very short haircut and his usual bemused expression. He hands Tracy a wad of cash, for Amy. "Have you never heard of the Early Learning Centre?" Deirdre asks him. Meanwhile, Lena is moving in on Norris: "You're like a white Martin Luther King," she tells him, bizarrely. But it's not long before she's sidling up to Ken and saying suggestively, "I'm just going upstairs."

Scooter has made himself comfortable at Gail's and is watching TV. He just has time to switch it off as he hears Gail coming in. He pretends he's drawing plans for the pond. She's surprised to find that he hasn't done anything in the garden, but he says he's still at the planning stage. Just as well, says Gail, because she's been thinking it might be better used as a sand-pit for Bethany.

A jolly chorus of ‘Row Row Row Your Boat' at Amy's party is rudely interrupted by Blanche, who turns the music off, saying "There are *old* people here! I am fully up to speed with the machinations of water-based transport without having to sing songs about it." Emily reports to Ken and Deirdre that she thought she heard an intruder in their bedroom, and discovered Lena in there – and the surprise of seeing Emily made Lena drop her drink on Ken's laptop. Ken goes up to deal with it, and Deirdre yells at Blanche for inviting "another over-sexed septuagenarian into the house and ruining Ken's day!" "So says the girl who's ruined his life!" Blanche retorts. A stand up row ensues, culminating in Blanche saying that Deirdre has been embarrassing her all her life. All the party guests head as quickly as possible for the door, including Tracy who leaves Amy with Deirdre so she can follow Steve to the pub.

Les is counting out ransom money. Chesney is looking down the side of the sofa for change, and Fizz has got some money from the building society. Kirk has £8 in his piggy bank. They have £233 but still need £17. Fizz finds at least that much down the front of Cilla's bra! "Looks like we've found our ransom money," she says.

Ken and Deirdre are now alone. Deirdre is upset, because all she wanted was to make Amy's birthday special – because Blanche had never made *her* feel special, and nothing was ever good enough for her. Not even Deirdre's harmonica solo in the school nativity play, when her rendition of ‘Once in Royal David's City' was sabotaged by another child sticking sellotape in her holes, and Blanche bellowed out, "Oh, Deirdre, what have you done now?" As a reaction to her own upbringing, Deirdre had possibly tried too hard with Tracy, who now thinks she's too special. So Deirdre wants to get it right with Amy. Ken listens to all this with a fond expression on his face, then says, "Deirdre – will you marry me?" "I'll say this for you, Ken Barlow," she says, smiling, "You certainly pick your moments." He says he doesn't want an immediate reply, but 40 years might be leaving it a bit long. "I don't need 40 years," she says. "I reckon I've said no once too often. Yes Ken – I will marry you!" He looks delighted.

In the Rovers, Tommy is sitting on his own and looking angry at life in general. Katy describes this to Martin as his "default mode." Angela comes in to tell Tommy his tea is on the table and he has bridges to build with Craig, then she goes out again. On his way out, Tommy can't resist having a go at Martin: "Oy, paedo, what do you think you're looking at?" Martin rises to the bait and Tommy threatens him. Steve and Shelley try to calm things down, but Martin tells Tommy he can call him all the names he likes, but he needs to take a good look at himself, "Cos you're the child abuser round here, not me." "You're going to get it one day," Tommy says. "Oh – you're picking on someone your own size? There's a first," Martin taunts. Everyone in the pub is watching this exchange, and Tommy shouts at them, "What are you lot looking at?" as he leaves.

Sue Haasler

We start tonight's episode with Scooter showing Sarah the things he has got for Bethany's sandpit – a wheel barrow without a wheel and the head of a cardboard squirrel!

Chesney is worried about why the kidnappers haven't been in touch. He thinks that they may have hurt Schmeichel but Cilla assures him that they wouldn't do that.

Blanche is moaning about Deirdre accepting Ken's proposal so quickly. Deirdre says she's kept Ken waiting long enough. Blanche doesn't know how she is going to break the news to Wanda! Deirdre says she never had a chance with Ken!

Cilla tells Les to go to work but he says he promised Chesney he'd wait for the kidnappers to call. Chesney rings. Les tells Cilla that he could hardly speak for crying but she's more interested in the telly! Les says they should have called the police which gets Cilla's attention! Cilla manages to dissuade him and she decides to go out.

Martin and Katy are discussing whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. Katy says that whatever it is they'll have a dad to be proud of because no-one has ever out her dad in his place before. Katy hopes that maybe he'll have learnt his lesson and leave them in peace but Martin isn't so sure.

Cilla comes home and tells Les that the kidnappers have called on her mobile. They want her to make the ‘drop' now and Les decides to come with her. She looks worried but then says that the kidnappers have told her to come alone. Les reluctantly lets her go.

Blanche is trying on sunglasses for the funeral to hide her ‘grief'! Ken comes back and Blanche starts moaning again about the future wedding. Deirdre tells her to shut up but she says she's only being practical. Ken tells her about the practical financial reasons for him and Deirdre getting married. Deirdre can't believe her ears and tells him that the wedding is off.

Blanche is wrapping up onions in handkerchiefs to help her cry at the funeral! Deirdre comes down about Blanche starts to moan but Tracy tells her that she doesn't need it. Tracy asks Deirdre why she changed her mind and she says it's because she doesn't want to hear about sense and practicality. She wants a bit of romance.

Chesney is worried about what is happening to Schmeichel. Les tells him that Cilla will make sure he's ok but Chesney reminds him that she doesn't even like Schmeichel. Fizz comes in and everyone runs to her thinking that it was Cilla. Les tells her that she's gone to meet the kidnappers and Fizz says that she hopes there aren't any shops on the way! Les manages to convince Chesney that Cilla wouldn't do something like that.

Sarah comes home and asks how Scooter got on. Apart from falling in the hole he dug when Gail brought him a cup of tea he was ok.

Tommy comes into the pub and Katy tells him that he should be worried about Craig and not them. She tells him that if he doesn't get his act together he's going to lose Craig like he's lost her. Ken tells Fred that Deirdre has called the wedding off. Tracy and Deirdre come in and Tracy asks him if he even mentioned the word love when he proposed. Ken doesn't think it needs saying but Deirdre says that they don't need to get married so they should just draw a line under it and move on.

Tommy talks to Craig. He tells him that when he was younger he found out that his dad had walked out briefly on him and his mum when Tommy was a baby. Tommy says that he couldn't forgive him until he was up all night with Katy and he understood what his dad had been going through. Tommy tells Craig that he hopes he doesn't have to wait until Craig has a fourteen year old son for him to realise how Tommy got it wrong.

Chesney and co. are still waiting for Cilla to come back. He's getting really worried when the phone rings. It's Cilla and she tells him to get Chesney out the back. Les pretends it's a wrong number and tells Chesney to go and get him a beer from out the back. Chesney hears a dog barking and runs out to see Cilla and Schmeichel. He runs up and hugs him and Les runs and hugs Cilla.

The End

Helen Edgar

This is the update for Sunday's episode. I have no quotes or random and dubious observations at the end of this report this week due to recording troubles!!

Sally is getting ready to go to work. Kevin was hoping for some time to himself with Sally while the girls go out to friends' houses but Sally is more than happy to go into work.

It's the day before that all important weigh in and sly Charlie wants to take Shelley out for a pizza. She reminds him that eating a big meal a day before the weigh in wouldn't be sensible but he talks her round saying that she could easily choose a non fattening pizza.

Outside, Scooter is ready to start work on Bethany's back garden sand pit. Across the road, Sally has decided to walk with the girls to their friends' houses, but they point out Gail and make a hasty exit. Sally tells a disapproving Gail that she's off to work but then reminds her that Ian is actually on holiday. Gail is still understandably skeptical And she isn't the only one giving Sal a hard time. Tommy decides that now is an opportune time to express his unbeatable wit and starts asking Sally questions about why she wants to work on a Sunday when she could be having fun.

Schmeichal has massacred one of Cilla's stylish boots and she is once again crowing that he needs to go!! She plans to send him to boarding kennels only allowing home at half term. Chesney's upset by this.

The book meeting's chances of a roaring success plummet somehow as only Rita and Emily turn up so far, with Roy deciding not to attend. The chances of success dip even further however when Blanche CAN attend and it's not long before she's offering words of criticism at Roy's absence. Don't you just love her??

Charlie's up to his nasty tricks again, this time using Shelley's friends as tools in his manipulation. He tells Violet and Ciaran that Shelley is still heavier than she wants to be but that he is taking her for pizza to show he doesn't mind what she eats or how she looks. Thus making himself out to look the perfect gentlemen. It works a charm for him.

Sally is working away, probably to impress Mr. davenport, when a stranger comes in. 5 seconds after her arrival she is quizzing Sally about her relationship with Ian. It soon emerges that this lady is Sally's predecessor, in more ways than one.

Bethany is enjoying playing with her sand. Unfortunately she's doing so on the staircase but Gail is surprisingly understanding, just telling Sarah to keep a closer eye on her.

In the Davenport office, Della the ex is getting into a tirade of home truths to Sally. She wasn't really sacked for taking money, but paid off because Ian got bored and wanted Sally instead!! He trades in women like he trades in cars expresses Della hotly, which can't be as often as it sounds as we've only ever seen one sale made at the Davenport garage.

Ken arrives at the book meeting leaving Norris, Emily and Liz as absentees. Liz can't make it.

Tommy is making subtle comments to Kevin about Sally (not the cleverest idea considering that Kevin is his boss) but Kevin doesn't pick up on these hints as he goes out to pick Sally up. Tommy is convinced there is another woman. Outside Kevin has met the girls and Sophie treats him to her new language, namely upper class english taken from a Jane Austen book. Fandabbydosy Sophie m'dear. Simply splendid, wot. Rosie settles for a 'shut up' kind of bursting the atmosphere of the scene.

Schmeichal has had a little accident in the house. Fiz grabs some newspaper only to find it cut up. She is soon aware that Cilla has been behind the 'kidnapping'

Now I was about to retract my statement about the book groups success but Norris' arrival typically sees it descend into more chaos as they all argue over the gender of the author of Hard Grinding. As the bickering intensifies, a fuming Norris flies out in a rage.

Della is giving Sally a rough time of it, but sadly her words sound very true. She warns Sally that Ian will trade her in soon and she'll regret it. To make matters worse, in trots Kevin, but Della leaves without exposing anything. Sally tells Kevin a lie to fob him off the truth and everything's rosy...but for how long?

Shelley is having a salad while beside her Charlie tears through a big fat greasy pizza. Through tasty mouthfuls he tells poor Shelley that she'll have to resist temptation once the weight is off as well. But judging by the way she looks at the pizza, this might be hard for the poor lass. She is human after all.

The sand pit is complete and Bethany is enjoying herself. As Sarah heads off with Scooter to his house, Gail warns her not to forget about her daughter

Fiz confronts Cilla over what she did. Naturally it is Cilla's instinct to first lie. When that fails, instinct two is to blame someone else. In this (and most other) occasion that person is Les. Still not worked? Well Cil, you only have one option left...turn on the charm to wriggle out of it. This involved letting Shmeichal stay or be exposed. Looks like the dog will be a permanent fixture from now on!

Sally is close to tears as Kevin rambles on about what a nice day he's had. He clicks it's Della that's causing Sal's pain, but not quite why. He has it in his head that Sally would cry over a difficult customer and as he weeps he assures her that everything will be fine. But why does it feel like this is just a bad omen, with trouble just around the corner? Because it's Corrie!!!

That's all from me, I just want to wish a happy valentines day for Monday (even though it's now Tuesday but I look better if I pretend it's Sunday!). Until next week!!!

Duncan Lindsay

Hi everyone, here is the first episode on this Valentine's evening.

In the Webster household, the girls are almost ready for school. Rosie is chasing Sophie round the table trying to retrieve a black envelope that has come through the door for her. Sophie teases her about Craig. Sally seems oblivious to it all, she's deep in thought, and then she tells the girls to go and get their shoes on. She opens a Valentine card from Kevin, gives it a cursory glance and throws it down on the table. "Did you read it?" asks Kevin, coming into the room. "Of course," says Sally, (although she didn't). "The poem?" Kevin persists. "Yeah," answers Sally, "it's lovely!"

Violet walks into the back room of the Rovers and finds Sally weighing dresses. "What are you doing?" she asks. Shelley tells her she's deciding what to wear for the weigh-in, and one of her dresses weighs a lot more than it looks. Violet thinks the whole thing is getting daft, but Shelley is worried because she's still 2lb off her target weight. Ciaran comes in then, and announces the arrival of ‘Cliché Man' – it's Charlie with a large bouquet of flowers, red roses among them. Shelley tells him they're gorgeous, but then starts talking about what is foremost on her mind, the weigh-in. "Hang on," says Charlie, "can we just stay on the flowers for a bit longer?" Shelley tells him again that they are beautiful, but asks if they can put off the weigh-in from dinner time until this evening, she needs more time. "If you like," says Charlie, and goes off.

Tracy, holding a red envelope, puts her head out of the front door and sees Blanche's friend, Lena, hurrying off down the street. The envelope has Ken's name on it.

Sunita is standing in the corner shop doorway, excitedly telling Gail that Dev left her a rose in every room. Gail picks up another and tells her it looks like he's struck again.

Eileen and Steve are walking along the street. Eileen says that she got two cards, one from Todd and one from Sean. Steve has two cards (with red envelopes) in his hands too, one he knows is from Tracy, but who is the other one from? It's not signed. The card has a cartoon picture of rabbits on it, he tells Eileen that rabbits were a private joke between him and Karen, so she asks if he thinks it is from her. His silence says it all.

Sally tells Gail about her visit from Della. Gail wonders why she's surprised to find that Ian has done this before. Sally wants to know why he never told her, but Gail reasons that affairs are full of lies, he's hardly likely to offer her fourth notch on his bedpost. She tells Sally she's feeling hurt because she's too involved with him.

Blanche is doing what she likes best – winding Deirdre up. She's holding Lena's card and tells Deirdre that she's got competition. Deirdre reckons that if Ken wants to run off with someone who's envelope stinks of gin where she's licked it, good luck to him. Tracy comes in then, and asks who's staying in tonight for Amy? Blanche suggests that she asks one of those two (meaning Ken and Deirdre) as they certainly won't be going out together. Deirdre says that actually she was planning to take Ken to the Rovers for a drink, and they are quite happy not to get married, but to stay as they are. Ken appears in the doorway and says that he's going out. Deirdre starts to ask if he's going to the library, but he ignores her and goes out of the front door. "Happy about it, you say?" queries Blanche sweetly.

Les sneaks quietly out of his back door, only to find Chesney in the yard with his dog. Chesney says that he was going to go to school, but then Schmeichal's teeth needed cleaning. "Hang on, is that my toothbrush?" asks Les, looking worried. "Course not" Ches assures him, "it's me mam's!" Les winces. "It's all right, I'll put it back," says Chesney, "I always do." "But what about diseases?" asks Les. "Well, he's not got owt off it so far," says Chesney cheerfully. "I meant……" begins Les, but then gives up. Chesney asks Les if he forgot to get his mum anything for Valentines day. He tells Les about one of her previous boyfriends who forgot once, and reckoned she must have done something to his fishing stuff because he kept going on about how she'd damaged his tackle. Les looks very uncomfortable.

At Davenport's, Sally finds a red envelope on her desk. (Funny how all the Valentine cards are in red envelopes!) It's from Ian, and just as Sally opens it she sees Justine coming in, so she hastily shoves it through the shredder. Sally puts a beaming smile on her face and rushes to meet her. Justine curtly tells Sally that Ian has had to go to Berlin for a week, to a conference. She sees a note on the desk saying that Della Hopkins called, and tells Sally that they had to sack her. When Sally asks why she's told, "She deserved it!" Sally offers Justine a coffee but it's refused, and as she goes out she tells Sally to give her love to Kevin, it's time they caught up.

In the Rovers, Sean, wearing a smart white shirt with red hearts on the breast pocket, is handing out little gold-wrapped Valentine gifts. Shelley comes through the bar, she's on her way to the bar. Jason tells her that Charlie has asked if she'll take a clean T-shirt over to the yard for him, he's torn his. "Can't you do it?" asks Shelley, but Jason says he's on his dinner break. After Shelley has gone to get the T-shirt, Sean voices his opinion that Charlie is up to something, and is luring her over there.

Blanche and Lena are sitting at a table, Blanche tells Lena that when she's nowhere near a mirror she forgets what she looks like on the outside. "It's who dares, wins, in this game," remarks Lena cheerfully. She reckons that Ken will be on the rebound, now that Deirdre knocked him back. "He'll not rebound as far as you," Blanche tells her, "he's not got that much bounce."

Shelley is at the yard, calling Charlie. She hears a fizzing noise outside and goes out, looking up she sees Charlie on the floor above, setting off a whole load of fireworks. "Happy Valentine's Day!" he calls. Shelley stands there grinning. However, once inside she voices her worries about not reaching her target weight. He offers her champagne but she declines and heads off for the gym.

In the taxi office, Eileen is trying to persuade Steve that the card did not come from Karen. Steve is not convinced. "Where's your anger gone?" Eileen asks him. He admits that he misses her, and she tells him that an ex is an ex for a reason. He decides to go and phone her Aunty Eva to try and find out where Karen is, so that he can compare it with the postmark on the card.

Janice and Fizz are walking down the street when they see Les. Janice sees that he has bought a card and teases him about it. Fizz snatches the bag he's carrying. "Pressie is it?" she cries, and then discovers that the bag contains a new toothbrush!

Sally has come home early and meets Kevin outside. He's just been to buy a couple of shirts so he can wear one tonight for the Valentine evening out. She tells him she might be getting fed up with the job, it's boring. Kevin offers to ask Ian to find her more to do, but Sally gets ratty and tells him not to interfere.

Steve is on the phone to Aunty Eva, but she won't tell him where Karen is. She does offer to pass on a letter though, if Steve wants to send one.

When Les steps indoors, Cilla comes downstairs beaming, and tells him her card is gorgeous. The only trouble is, Les did not send it to her, he's still holding his one behind his back. (Another one in a red envelope!) He throws the offending card across the room and storms out. Chesney is hiding, but hears it all and winces. Cilla calls him out and tells him she needs him to do something. "What's it worth?" asks Ches.

At the Barlow's, Deirdre comes in, and Ken is sitting reading. She asks him to the Rover's but he tells her he doesn't want to go and she should take Blanche. Blanche pricks up her ears, but Deirdre tells her that now she doesn't want to go either. She tells Ken that he won't even go for a drink with her on Valentine's day. He says he'll have one with her when she gets back. She said that she couldn't see the point in them changing things by getting married. He tells that that some people see caring about providing for someone as romantic.

Les is sitting in the back alley with a can of beer and a ciggy. Ches comes along with Schmeichal and tells Les it was him who sent Cilla the card, but begs him not to tell her, she'll kill him. Les eventually seems to believe him and gives him the new toothbrush, telling him to put it back in place of the old one, and goes off down the alley. Chesney pulls a five pound note out of his pocket and laughs!

Sally is talking to Gail, she's convinced that Justine knows. Gail thinks that Della has probably done Sally a favour.

Shelley is on the scales in the back room with Sunita. Although she's still 2 lb off the target weight, Sunita tells her she looks fine. Charlie looks in and tells her that even though she's 2 lb overweight she'll be all right.

In the street, Steve is about to post a letter when Sean and Kelly come along. Kelly asks Steve if he liked his card and he realises that she sent it. He's furious!

Sally tells Gail that she wants to end it with Ian. She can't go on going into work every day feeling this paranoid. She worries though, that she'll get the sack. She decides that everyone would end up telling Kevin what had been going on, so she decides she'll tell him first!

More in episode 2

Annie Logan

Welcome once again to Monday's second episode.

What's this? A garage door? Ah, it's the outside of Gail's house, from one of those whizzy new camera angles they probably think we haven't noticed. Sally comes out and stands on the cobbles, wiping her eyes, for a second or two before moving away.

Over in her house, Kevin is busy getting ready, checking that the girls will be OK and warning Rosie she's not to leave her sister alone in the house. Sally says she has something to tell him.

Some painted toenails are seen on some scales. It's Shelley, weighing herself. They seem to read 65kg, which is about 143lb, or 10 stone 3lb. She tells Violet and Fred that she's not eaten a thing all day and it hasn't made one iota of difference. Fred replies that he's eaten a full breakfast and that hasn't made a difference, either. Violet reassures Shelley that Charlie knows she's done her best. Fred can't see what all the fuss is about. "If nature says you're to be on the plump side, then it's best to give in." "But I'm not on the plump side," wails Shelley. Fred thinks nature has a lot to teach humans. After all you don't see pigs denying themselves just so they can fit into a new dress. Or hippopotamuses doing aerobics. Shelley and Violet look at him for a long moment before Shelley says: "Fred, you're not helping." He goes out to the bar and Violet tells Shelley she should eat something. She doesn't want to faint. "Later," says Shelley.

At the Websters' house, things are a bit chaotic, with the girls having their tea in front of the television and Kevin fluffing around. He wants to know what's wrong, but Sally can't tell him. She says she doesn't think she wants to go out. She doesn't feel like it, even though she's the one who got him to make the booking. After all, they'll only argue. Kevin assures her they certainly will if she keeps on. "Just leave me alone," she says. Kevin is exasperated and goes off for a pint.

Lena arrives at the Barlow household and wants to know if Ken got any cards. Blanche tells her he got the one Lena sent him and one from Wanda. "He didn't even get one from HER," she says, nodding towards Deirdre. Deirdre hears this and pops her head out of the kitchen to add: "Who didn't even get one from him, either." Blanche and Lena are going out for a drink and Lena invites Ken along. He declines, but Deirdre, to Lena's disgust, leaps in and says she'll come with them.

At the Battersby house, Cilla is still digging at Les for being suspicious about the Valentine's card that Chesney sent. But as soon as she leaves the room, Chesney confesses to Les that he really did send it. Cilla gave him a fiver to say that he did, but she didn't need to because he really did send it. Mrs Sullivan gave it to him cheap. "So your mother thinks she's put one over on me," muses Les, "but she's really put one over on herself."

Kevin is sulking in the pub, moaning at Tommy about the fickleness of women. Fred is wondering why we can't all be happy with the bodies we've been given. No-one points out to him that he seems to have got the bodies of two other folk as well as the one he was given. Blanche and Lena are talking about Deirdre. She's sitting beside them, but that doesn't stop them. Emily comes over and offers to buy a round, Deirdre declines but the other two immediately order spirits. They tell her they're wondering how Deirdre could possibly turn down Ken, when everyone else would snap him up. Emily admits she probably wouldn't. "My marrying days are well and truly over." "You and Deirdre both," says Blanche.

Sally is back at Gail's. She's rethought things. So, Ian's got a track record. You could also say she had a track record. So why is she getting upset about it? Gail thinks it's a good thing if the whole Della episode makes Sally question what she's doing, and makes her realise that one day she could end up like Della. That's exactly what Sally wants, she says. Della had an affair with Ian and got out of if without anything drastic happening, without losing her family. "And that certainly would have happened if I'd told Kevin."

In the back room of the pub, Sunita wants Shelley to tell Charlie that she won't be weighed in public. "You've done what you wanted. You're wearing the dress." Charlie comes in and Shelley asks if she has to be weighed in the bar. "No," says Charlie, and she looks relived. But he continues that if that's the way she feels, the time to say No would have been months ago, not when there's a bar full of people waiting for her. He takes Shelley out into the bar and Sunita spots that the scales are the same kind as she has at home. She knows how to put them back a couple of pounds.

Les puts the rubbish out (another new camera angle -- low down in his yard -- ewww!) and he seems to have been thinking. "She thought that card was from another fella," he tells Chesney. Ches has already thought about this, and tells Les she probably thought it was from Uncle Ronnie. But it wasn't, so there isn't a problem.

Sally tells Gail she's really glad Della called by. "Because now I know what I am doing with Ian is safe. She's proved it." Both Gail and I are very confused. Sally explains that Della had an affair with Ian and nothing terrible happened. "So nothing will happen to me, either, as long as I don't tell Kevin." She gets up to go just as David comes down the stairs saying he's just popped down for a drink. (Excuse me for being suspicious, but I can't help thinking this must be significant).

In the pub, Charlie whispers in Shelley's ear. I think he said "Don't worry," but it was hard to pick up. Jason arrives and says he and Violet are going out, but Sean, Kelly and Violet convince him to stay for the weigh-in. Sally comes in and asks Kevin if they're going to the restaurant, just as if nothing has happened. Kevin is astounded. She says she had a headache before. Fred hushes everyone for the weighing and a terrified Shelley moves forward. Charlie reminds people that £100 is going to charity if she makes the target. She steps on to the scales and Ciaran does the reading. Ten stone exactly! Cue clapping, cheering and lots of kisses for Shelley.

Ken is sitting reading at home when Tracy asks him: "You're not going out, are you?" Ken knows this is code for "please babysit". She goes to the pub.

Things are still very cheerful there, and Charlie presents Shelley with a voucher for a night at a nice spa for two people. It's women only, so he suggests she take Sunita. Les and Cilla are also there, and Les says he reckons there are probably more rows on Valentine's Day than any other, "people trying to guess who they are from and getting it wrong." Steve comes in and Tracy asks if she can get him a drink. No. "Of course, that would mean you'd have to spend the rest of your life with me," she says sarcastically. She asks if the only cards he got were from her and from Kelly. Steve says he has to go and talk to Kelly and heads her way. Tracy gives up and tells Ciaran she's giving him extra money for her glass, because she's taking her drink home. Steve says sorry to Kelly, who ignores him. He persists, telling her she didn't deserve to be spoken to the way he did, and he was taking his bad feelings out on her.

Back at the Barlows', Ken says he thinks Deirdre regrets saying No. Tracy suggests he ask her again. He should go round to the pub all smiley and happy and show her just what a fantastic fella she's turning down.

In the back room of the pub, Violet comes in and finds Charlie standing on the scales. He's sussed that they are weighing light. He accuses Shelley, but Violet says Shelley didn't know anything about it. He accuses Violet, and her reaction shows him it was Sunita. He tells her to say nothing. "I need to think about this."

Out in the bar, Deirdre has had enough of her mother and Lena going on. "It's none of our business," Emily says. "Well, whose is it?" asks a bamboozled Blanche. "Deirdre's," says Emily. When Lena suggests Deirdre is holding out for someone better off than Ken, Deirdre storms off.

Outside the door she meets Ken. Ken tells her what Tracy said to him. He tells her he loves her and yet he made his marriage proposal sound like he was just trying to get out of making a will. He takes her by the hand and pulls her across to Maxine's bench, saying he's going to do it properly this time. "Deirdre, you know I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life caring for you. Will you make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife?" Deirdre, she say "Yes, of course I will." And together they rush through the sudden downpour which has just started, going back home.

The End.

Margaret Carr

Right I'll dive straight into this one:

We open in the Barlow household and no, Deirdre hasn't reconsidered this time. In decisions as quick as Charlie's temperament changes, they've announced the wedding will be in Spain. Naturally, Blanche has some criticism on this, but that is easily ignored. Tracy is delighted by the news however, but perhaps for selfish reasons...she's hoping for her ticket to be paid for. Ken tells her he's paying for everyone and when Tracy realises Peter is unlikely to come she asks for his air ticket money to be hers to spend in Spain. She hopes the wedding stuff will be over with quickly so she can enjoy sunning herself

Over at the pub, Shelley is still delighted by reaching her target weight, making Violet squirmy. Charlie tells her that they're going out and that Violet is covering and that he wants nothing to ruin the feeling. This, as Charlie undoubtedly planned, makes Violet feel even worse, the poor lass.

Steve meets Tracy in the street and after a fairly one sided conversation ends up agreeing to care for Amy while Tracy's away in Spain. Naturally, he had little choice anyway.

The defensive Sarah takes a huff over Scooter when Gail asks why he's so quiet at the house. Sarah presumes this is a dig (haha I'm so funny) at Scooter and storms off saying she'll stay at Scooter's that night, where it is more fun.

There's some kafuffle over at the butchers as a work experience student, Gregory, is struggling to hack through some meat through a head with a generous helping of hair. Fred orders him through to the freezer and judging by his displeasure, Gregory could be in for a similar fate to Anne Malone if he isn't careful. Norris comes in to give Fred the rules for the card game, but Fred is too busy to look at it. Claire enters, having dropped Josh off at his new nursery and she tells Ashley that she's going to her old agency to see if there are any nannying jobs going. Ashley doesn't look overjoyed at this news

Speaking of bad news, Ken and Deirdre have just told Tracy and Blanche that Majorca is off the cards as they're not as rich in pension as they thought. Instead, something even better: Weatherfield. At least you can guarantee a more exciting wedding there...Naturally, Blanche and Tracy moan.

Ashley and Fred are telling Audrey that it's a bad idea for Claire to go off to care for another family's children but Audrey brushes off their worries as a delighted Claire comes in with the news that there are plenty of jobs going. You won't hear any woops of joy coming from Ashley at this stage. But there is noise at some stage as Fred yanks the earphones from Gregory and throws him out telling him he's fired!

Shelley is all dressed up for her dinner with Charlie only to find that the man himself hasn't made the same elaborate effort.

Well we have more poker in the pub and I am officially out of my depth (these soaps never consider there are people who have no clue what poker is!) All I picked up from this scene is that there are many different versions and Fred was still in a rotten mood.

Gail and Sarah make up over their row but Sarah still doesn't get why Gail wants to bond with Scooter. Gail tells her that Scooter can stay over as in properly 'stay over' which puts Sarah into a better mood and she 'scoots' off to tell him.

Okay back to poker. Emily has beaten Fred and it's time for the last stand which involves sticking your last card to your head so everyone except you can see it. Sneaky Fred goes to ask Violet if she has a pocket mirror and she rushes off to fetch it.

Shelley is opening her heart out to Charlie about her dead sister Sharon. She asks if he shares her feelings, obviously referring to his phantom dead brother. Charlie doesn't click at first so snaps that he doesn't want to talk about it.

The card game is out in full force with much card sticking to foreheads. Cheating Fred checks the mirror but is heard closing it! He spins a lie about not knowing there was a mirror in the compact but a furious Norris expels him from the group!

Steve is thanking Eileen over her words about Karen when Tracy comes in, sulking about the holiday. Steve tells her that he really doesn't care about her 'hard life'

Shelley is still apologising to Charlie but he tells her that she shouldn't use his grief to try and get intimate. He toasts Beauty and truth to Shelley's weight loss, but mainly truth...

Steve finds the mail in his pocket he shoved in earlier and opens it-to find Karen's divorce in there! Steve tells Tracy and as he walks out a bit upset, Tracy grins like the Cheshire cat...

Sue will be here to cover Sunday's episode. Have a nice week.

Duncan Lindsay

Writer - Mark Burt
Director - Duncan Foster

The episode opens with Steve sitting in his office looking very sad with a letter in his hand - his divorce proceedings papers.

We then go to the corner shop where Sarah and Sunita are having a coffee. Sunita says that it doesn't seem right to go to the health spa because she fixed the scales for Shelley's weigh in. Sarah laughs and says she thought that Sunita was a goody two shoes

In the Rovers Shelley is telling Violet that she has all of her packing done for the weekend away. Violet says that she would kill for a weekend away. Shelley says that Charlie works all hours to pay for it. Violet says that it is because Charlie loves Shelley. She will have a great time with Sunita. Violet says that she will keep an eye on Charlie and if he gets too miserable she will do her Shirley Bassey impersonation. Shelley looks slightly worried.

Over in the butcher shop Clare is serving Frankie. She is telling her how to cook fish. Frankie says Clare should have her own cooking show and that Ashley struck gold when he found Clare. Ashley asks Clare if she is trying to put him out of business. Ashley says he loves having Clare at the shop. They start making fishy jokes - I promise I will remember my plaice in future / thank cod for that. Fizz and Maria come in and ask what Clare is doing in the shop - Clare laughs - nothing fishy! Fizz has come to pick up the pork pies. Ashley says that Clare is just filling in for the day. Fizz says that she hopes he is paying Clare for the day. He says that he has given her the option to stay at home. Fizz points out that what's the point of having Woman's Liberty Day if you don't take a few.

Charlie and Jason are at the building yard. Jason is moaning at his life being taken over at home. Charlie asks him if he is a man or a mouse. He is lucky having a bloke living with them who wouldn't try it on with his girlfriend and a girlfriend who gets on with his mum. Jason says that it is all about him but Charlie says if he listens carefully he will hear him playing the worlds smallest violin. They finish loading the van.

Back in the butcher shop Ashley and Clare are messing around with some pigs trotters. Ashley asks Clare what is a pigs favourite film - From Rasher with Love. Ashley says that he has really enjoyed today and maybe they should consider asking Fred if Clare can work there part time. Clare says she doesn't want to be a butcher and is thinking of becoming a vegetarian. She says she is a qualified nanny.

Ken and Deirdre are getting ready to sort out the wedding. Deirdre asks Ken if he has the birth certificates. Tracy comes in and asks if they are all set for the big day. Ken says that they are only setting the date. Tracy says that marriage is such a wonderful thing. Ken says he doesn't know if Tracy is happier about their marriage or Steve's divorce. Deirdre says that it must be very difficult for Steve and Tracy says that is why she is going to be a shoulder for him to cry on. Ken says that Tracy is taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.

Again in the butcher shop Fred comes in and says that it is lovely to see husband and wife working together. He suggests Elliot and Family for the sign above the door. Clare looks exasperated.

In the street Sarah and Scooter are kissing outside the corner shop. Gail is passing Steve. It is snowing. The pub door opens and Shelley comes out to get in the taxi. Sunita turns up. Charlie is putting Shelley's suitcase in the back of the taxi. Shelley goes back into the pub and Sunita offers to pay Charlie for her weekend. He says no because Shelley wouldn't have lost the weight without Sunita's help. Shelley says that she will miss Charlie. They get into the taxi and wave as they drive off. Charlie looks serious. Violet comes out and starts singing Goldfinger at Charlie. She says that Shelley won't be away long and he says that he will just have to cope. He then looks lecherously at Violet and they go into the Rovers.

Steve and Eileen are in the cab office. Steve looks thoughtful and Eileen asks him if he is alright. He says he had a weird dream about Karen and him on a beach. He asked her to marry him, she said yes and they got married. He says that yesterday he got a letter saying he is getting divorced. He looks very sad. Eileen says that she doesn't understand dreams- she dreamt that Kevin Keegan was in her kitchen pinching Eccles cakes. Steve starts to smile and Eileen winks at him.

Deirdre is trying on her wedding outfit. Ken says that she looks beautiful. They say it will be a March wedding. She says the outfit looks expensive. After the amount of times they have been married they should have plenty clothes. Blanche pours a cup of tea and says she will wait and see what the day brings when it comes. She says she wouldn't miss it for the world.

In the Platt's house Gail, Sarah, David and Audrey are sitting round the table. Scooter produces a wreck of a dolls house for Bethany. Sarah says that Bethany has always wanted on. Scooter is going to do it up. David isn't impressed. Gail says to Audrey that it is time for them going out. Sarah asks David if he isn't going to the cinema with his dad. He winds them up by saying he will be staying with them.

Over at Eileen's, Jason walks into the living room. Sean, Violet and Eileen come down stairs with face packs on. They all giggle. Sean says welcome to the Palace of Physical Delight where women become women and boys can only dream! They are having their own version of the health spa. Sean says that if Jason takes his top off he will give him a chest wax. Jason isn't impressed and asks what is for his tea. Jason gets fed up and says he's going out.

In the Rovers, Steve is sitting quiet at the bar. Tracy makes her move and asks to join him. She tells him that her mum and dad set the date for their wedding and then says that he probably doesn't want to hear about weddings. She asks him if Karen is taking him to the cleaners. Steve shouts at her. He says that Tracy is loving all of this. Clare comes in and meets Ashley at the bar. Fred asks them if they would like to have Clare work in the shop permanently. Clare says that she has an interview with Mr and Mrs Simmon on Monday. Ashley says he is scared that Clare will fall in love with a new family. Clare says she loves him and gives him a kiss. Fred tells them to go and enjoy themselves. Charlie says he will mind the pub and that Fred should go as well.

Jason comes in and goes into the kitchen where Violet is. Eileen and Sean are asleep on the couch. Jason says that he wanted to take Violet out that night. Violet says why didn't he ask her. They argue about her having fun with Sean. Violet says that he doesn't own her and storms out.

Sarah and Scooter are watching telly. Scooter says it seems strange everyone going out so they can spend time together. He then tells her about his uncle Roy has a prize bull called Gordon who put cant mate in the fields so they put him in the barn and bring in the cows one at a time. Sarah says he fancies himself comparing himself to a prize bull. They kiss. He asks her if they want to go upstairs. Sarah says that they should start downstairs.

Back in the Rovers Violet is talking to Charlie. He tells her that Jason is mad about her. Gail and Audrey decide to head home. Charlie pours himself a drink then sticks up for Jason. Violet asks if she can stay at the pub. Charlie says that it isn't a good idea. He says that Violet is an individual and Jason knows that.

Gail comes back home. David is watching telly. They can hear Sarah and Scooter upstairs. They look at each other and laugh.

Charlie is walking Violet back home down the alley. She thanks him. She asks if everything is ok with Shelley and him. Charlie tells her goodnight and then watches her as she goes into the house. He looks as if he is up to something.

Tricia Smith

Written by: Jayne Hollinson
Directed by: Duncan Foster

Jason and Violet are in the kitchen, all lovey-dovey in their dressing gowns, clearly the previous night's argument now over with. Sean and Eileen are listening outside the door. "It's gone quiet," Sean says, "They must be kissing." Both of them go "Awwwwww!"

Breakfast time in the Harris household. Toast is being consumed (with jam). Craig plans to spend the day working on some lyrics he's been writing, about self destruction. "That's nice," says Angela; Tommy rolls his eyes. Angela is trying hard to get Tommy and Craig to do something together, and Tommy finally takes the hint and suggests that they go to the Red Rec for a kick-around. Angela's pleased when Craig agrees. Then Kevin arrives to ask Tommy to help him with a job. Reluctantly, Tommy says he'll do it, and he and Craig can play footie when he's finished. Kevin says he's sorry to mess up their day, and he fancied a day off himself as he's hardly seen Sally all week what with all her overtime. At the mention of this, Tommy and Angela exchange a look.

At Gail's, Bethany is jumping on a trampoline that looks like it's seen better days. It's next to the dolls' house Scooter brought, and is obviously another of his skip finds. Gail is amused, and glad Bethany's enjoying herself, but David's finding the presence of all this "junk" embarrassing, and says Bethany looks like an advert for deprived kids. Sarah thinks it's nice that Scooter gets things for her daughter. Gail attempts to tread a diplomatic path by telling Sarah that Scooter doesn't need to bring a present every time he comes as he's more than welcome just on his own, but Sarah says he doesn't mind. The man himself comes down the stairs and Gail offers him some toast. He says he isn't really a breakfast person, which is just as well because at that moment the toaster explodes! Sarah says Scooter will have a look at it because he's really good with things like that. So he does, and delivers his verdict: "Yeah. It's definitely broken."

Charlie is brooding in the back room of the Rovers. Violet comes in and thanks him for convincing her to make up with Jason. Ciaran also wanders in and teases Violet that she was fluttering her eyelashes at Charlie. "Some blokes have a one track mind," she says, and we follow Charlie's gaze to her legs in a very short skirt. "Yeah," says Charlie to himself.

Tommy is working on the car for Kevin when he sees Martin and Katy walking by. Sally comes out of her house and asks Martin if he's got a moment, so while he's talking to her, Katy wanders over to talk to her dad, but while he's talking he's watching Sally and Martin laughing and talking on her doorstep. Martin comes back and says that Sophie isn't well, and Sally wants him to come back and see her later when she's awake. Katy complains that she's hardly seen him recently what with all this overtime – and Tommy's ears prick up at the second mention of overtime of the morning.

Shelley and Sunita are back from their pampering spa break. Shelley's really pleased to see Charlie. Sunita invites them over for dinner next week to thank Charlie for the break: she says she won't cook anything fattening. Danny is also in the Rovers, and Sunita invites him and Frankie too.

The work is piling up at t'garage, and when Sally arrives with sandwiches for Kevin he tells her he has to go out on another job. Tommy says he'll do it, but Kevin says Tommy's day has been messed up enough already. When Tommy looks at Sally, his face is troubled.

David and Gail are walking along the street, and Scooter stops by them in his skip truck. He hands them a bag containing a toaster. He got it from a skip at a house clearance: "The poor old fella had died." David looks a bit queasy at this information, and Gail doesn't look entirely thrilled, but she tells Scooter it was very thoughtful of him. As he drives away, David gives the toaster a shake, and bits drop out. "Argh!" he says, "Dead man's crumbs! Either that or it's mouse droppings."

Craig is ready to play football. The evidence for this is that he has a football under his arm, otherwise he's in his usual Goth attire of long black coat, fluffed-up hair and a black line drawn across his eyelid. Tommy says it's too late to go to the Red Rec so they should just play in the street. As he says this he spots Martin knocking on Sally's door.

Sophie is loudly protesting that there's nothing wrong with her. Martin concludes that she hasn't got a temperature and she's fine. Sophie is well enough to want to go and see Chesney, and Sally agrees. She offers Martin a cup of tea.

Outside, Craig and Tommy are playing football, and Tommy notices Sophie leaving her house. He looks from her back to the house itself, realising that Sally and Martin are in there alone (don't know where Rosie is supposed to be – possibly I missed that earlier) and the excuse for Martin's visit – Sophie being ill – is apparently spurious.

"There's nowt but a bit of lymphatic drainage to get your body balance back," Sean is saying to Shelley, as they talk about her spa trip in the Rovers. He tells her about Jason and Violet's row, and how it was Charlie who persuaded Violet to go home, after she turned up at the Rovers. Shelley looks a bit ruffled by this news.

Eileen and Jason are enjoying a quiet pint together. Eileen's offering to put a television in Sean's room so she and Sean can give Violet and Jason some space. He says that isn't necessary, but he sometimes gets fed up with sharing Violet with all of her mates. Eileen tells him that people aren't objects and you don't own them.

Shelley asks Violet about the previous night, and Violet says Charlie was marvelous, and what a good listener he is. Shelley still looks uneasy, even when Charlie comes in and says he's going to cook her a nice meal and spend the evening in with her.

Martin and Sally are having a cup of tea and a chat, about how they're both pretty content with their lives. Martin tells her he's planning to take Katy away for a few days and while they're away he's going to propose. He wants to keep it as a surprise, and definitely doesn't want Tommy to know. "Don't worry," says Sally, "I'm not about to share any secrets with him." Oooh! A sentence just dripping with alternative meanings there, Sal!

David is putting the "dead man's toaster" in the bin. Gail comes in and instantly spots it's not there. David tells her what he did with it ("We could have caught all sorts. Gangrene, black death…") but she makes him take it back out of the bin, saying that if Scooter had found it he'd have been really upset. Instead, she wants him to put it in the outside bin where Scooter will never find it, because she's bought a new one. It's the same model, and if they rough it up a bit, Scooter need never know.

Tommy sees Martin leaving Sally's.

Charlie has cooked a delicious low-fat meal for Shelley, because it would be a shame to put all that weight back on. "Why don't we weigh you before you start?" he says, bringing over the scales. She's mortified to discover that she's apparently put 5lbs on, and doesn't understand how it happened, "I stuck to everything rigidly." She notices that Charlie is smirking, and realises he's been fiddling the scales. She giggles, but he's switched into nasty Charlie mode. "So you think it's funny, do you, to lie to me? That's what you did at the weigh in, wasn't it? Got Sunita to fiddle the scales." Shelley says she didn't, but Charlie says, "Don't try to deny it. I know you did."

At the Harris house, Tommy tells Angela he's found out who Sally's having the affair with: "It's only flamin' Martin Platt!" He tells her all about the things he's been observing during the day. "I don't believe this," Angela says, "You're supposed to be making up with your son and all you're doing is using the time to dwell on your latest obsession!" He says so what if it's an obsession: "Don't you see, Ange? I've nailed him!"

Charlie is now in quite a rage with Shelley, saying that when he tried the scales after the weigh-in they were way out (weigh-in, way out, clever eh?). She tries to convince him that she knew nothing about it, except that just before the weigh-in she did think she was a few pounds over. "That's it," he says, "Try and wheedle your way out of it. You were lying then and you're lying now!" His face is quite red by now, and he switches into "disappointed Charlie" mode, saying how much he's helped her with gym memberships, getting people to sponsor her, cooking her meals, and she's repaid him with lies. And not just him: "You've lied to Emily and everyone who trusted you. You've let us all down." He storms out.

Sue Haasler

Hi everyone, here is the first episode of this Monday evening.

We begin in the Webster household at breakfast time. Sally is obviously on edge because Ian is coming back from his trip today. Kevin comments on the fact, and adds that he assumes she'll be working late. She snaps at him, she's not clairvoyant she tells him, so how would she know? "You're edgy this morning," he tells her. "No I'm not!" she snaps again. Just then Sophie comes in to the room, and says she doesn't feel well, she's feeling sick. Rosie pipes up that it's just because she doesn't want to go to school, and Sally reminds Sophie that Martin had a look at her yesterday and could find nothing wrong. Just then the phone rings, and is answered by Kevin. He then turns to Sally and tells her that it was Ian on the phone; he's on his way over!

Over at the Harris's, Tommy is bending Angela's ear, he's convinced Martin is ‘at it' with Sally. Angela is equally unconvinced, and warns him to lay off Martin, Katy will not thank him if he stirs up trouble, and she might just think that this is one nasty trick too many. Angela wants to be able to cuddle the baby when it's born.

Over at their flat Katy is missing out on breakfast, she's feeling queasy. Martin tells her that it won't be for much longer. Then, she tells him, she will big and horrible, but he tells her she couldn't be horrible if she tried, she's beautiful and even when she's nine months pregnant she'll still be beautiful. Katy is obviously pleased to hear Martin say such things. Martin says he'll be late home, he's working late for the extra money, but, he says, he'll have a surprise for her when he does come home. She begs to know what it is and eventually he tells her he thought they could spend some of this extra money and have three nights away at the Lakes! Katy is delighted.

Ian, with daughter Gemma in tow, knocks on Kevin and Sally's front door. Kevin lets them in, and he says hi to Sally in a very cheery, blasé way. He asks her how things are, if they're still in business. Sally tells him that Davenport Motors is still ok. Gemma has brought Rosie a t-shirt, which is what gave Ian the excuse to come over, as he says, there are some things you just can't say and do in front of other people. He continues on in a similar vein, with everything he says laced with innuendo, and Sally looks really uncomfortable. He offers to drop both of the girls at school to save Sally a job – that way she can save all her energy for the office! He turns to Kevin, "Am I crafty or what?"

Over at the Peacock residence, Fred and Ashley are eating a cooked breakfast. Fred extols the virtues of not having to rush across town to work every morning. He looks at Claire, who is eating a yoghurt for her breakfast, and says it beats him why anybody who didn't have to go to work, would want to. Claire goes off to get Joshua ready for nursery, and Ashley tells Fred that if Claire wants a job while Josh is at nursery, then she's entitled to. She's a trained nanny, and he can understand her wanting to do what she's trained to do. "She can do that here with our Joshua," says Fred, "and with any little brothers and sisters that come along." Fred is worried that Claire might transfer her affections if she's working for another family, but Ashley is sure she won't. Fred reckons that in her heart of hearts Claire wants Ashley to veto the new job.

Over the road, the Websters come out of the house en masse, with Sophie protesting that she doesn't feel well and doesn't want to go to school. Sally is having none of it, and sends her off. Gemma and Rosie get into Ian's car, and Kevin takes his leave, leaving Ian and Sally on the pavement. As soon as they are alone, Sally tells Ian that she needs to speak to him as soon as they get into work. He tells her that it's not going to be for a while, he has to go to meetings in Manchester as soon as he's dropped the girls at school. Sally is aghast. "I need to see you!" she says, through clenched teeth. "Tell me about it," says Ian, "I've missed you." It would seem that his reasons for seeing Sally are not quite the same as hers for seeing him!

Over at the Rovers, Charlie is finishing his breakfast, and giving Shelley the cold shoulder, still accusing her of cheating. She tells him she didn't know the scales were wrong, but he continues to accuse her of being in on it with Sunita. He tells her to go and talk to her ‘so-called mate'; he knows exactly what Sunita and Shelley got up to. He slams out of the door.

Out in the street, Katy runs into Violet and Sarah, and tells them excitedly about the forthcoming trip to the Lakes at the weekend. Tommy, who is apparently fixing a car in front of the garage, watches this exchange from across the street. When Violet and Sarah have gone, Tommy comes over and asks Katy what it's all about. She tells her dad about the trip and adds that she's looking forward to spending some time with Martin as she's hardly seen him in the evenings lately. "Oh yes?" asks Tommy, suspiciously, but this is lost on Katy, who chatters on, saying how Martin has said they have to have some fun sometimes. "Oh he likes his fun," comments Tommy, sarcastically.

Shelley marches with a purpose into the corner shop and demands to know whether Sunita altered the scales. Sunita admits that she did, but thinks it's no big deal. Shelley is furious, and then Sarah comes out from the back and asks what is going on. Shelley tells her that Sunita altered the scales at the weigh in. Sunita says that she just gave them a little jog as Shelley was so close. Shelley rages at her, telling her that Charlie spent all that money on the trip to the Health Spa, "You conned him," she tells Sunita, "and you conned me. I trusted you Sunita, and Charlie trusted me, and now that's all gone!"

Ashley comes home and finds Fred sitting in the living room with the gorgeous little Joshua on his knee. Claire apparently called Fred to come and look after Joshua while she goes for a job interview in Eccles. Fred convinces Ashley that Claire is just waiting for him to put his foot down, he should convince her that she's needed here at home. "Right," says Ashley, "I will do." Claire comes down the stairs wearing her best coat by the look of it, ready to go. "I'm not happy about this," says Ashley. "Oh, not again!" says Claire. She goes on to tell him he's living in the past and she finds the way he thinks about her insulting. She says they'll talk about it when she gets back from her job interview, and off she goes. "Call that puttin' yer foot down?" Fred is exasperated, "I've seen daddy-long-legs wi' an 'eavier tread." (Then we're treated to a lovely smile from Josh!)

In Roy's Rolls, the factory workers are enjoying a tea break and chatting about the pros and cons of camping, because Kelly is thinking of going to a pop festival in Cornwall in April. Roy produces photos of his tent, which he passes round. "That's not you and Hayley," says Sonia as she looks at one of the pictures. "No, it's Martin and Sally," says Roy, and goes on to explain that they were both divorced at the time. Angela takes a keen interest in the photo, and admits that she never knew that Martin and Sally had once been an item.

Sunita goes round to see Charlie in the builder's yard. At first he pretends not to know why she is there, but then tells her that because of her he now can't trust Shelley. Sunita tells him that Shelley didn't have anything to do with the altering of the scales, it was her. "Now we're getting somewhere," says Charlie, grimly, "so you admit they were tampered with?" Sunita says she's sorry if it upset him, and Charlie tells her it's not him she should be apologising to, but Shelley, her friend who she seems to like manipulating. "I can't stand manipulative people!" he tells her.

Angie goes round to see Katie on the pretext of seeing if she's ok. She then starts to ask if she and Martin plan to stay living round there when the baby is born. Katie says they have no plans to move away, and Angie asks, "What about all Martin's exes?" Katy reckons she doesn't worry about Gail any more, although she did once. "It's not just Gail though, is it?" Angie persists, "What about him and Sally? You did know about that?" "Yeah, I knew," says Katy, "Martin told me. It didn't last long, him and Sally." She tells her mum she doesn't care about what's past, she's grown out of all that, and what she and Martin have now is what matters. "Yeah," admits Angie, quietly, "that's what matters."

At the garage, Kevin has a call from Sophie's school, she's not feeling well. Tommy talks him out of going to fetch her, saying that they've got a lot of work on and her mother ought to go and get her. So Kevin phones Sally.

Sally just finishes the call from Kevin, saying that she'll go and fetch Sophie, when Ian comes back, he's thinking of locking the door and taking the phone off the hook, but Sally has other ideas, she's got to go for Sophie but she tells him that she'll be back later and he's not to go home, they need to talk!

Fred and Ashley are sitting at the table looking glum. Claire comes in and tells them she changed her mind about going for the interview, but just as they get excited she tells them that she saw an advert on the tram window – ‘Drivers wanted' and when she was a little girl that's what she wanted to be when she grew up. Ashley can't believe his ears! "You're having me on!" but she's not, she's been to the tram office and got an application form.

Martin is coming down the street when he's accosted by Tommy who grabs him by the lapels and shoves him up against the wall. "I know what you're up to, you've been two timing our Katy!" he snarls. He tells Martin that he's going to prove it and when he does he'll make him wish he'd never interfered with Katy. "You're barmy, barking mad!" says Martin. "I know who she is, your bit on the side," says Tommy, leaving Martin looking bewildered.

Sally has come home with Sophie, and Kevin comes home, saying he'll stay with Sophie, she can go back to work. "You get back to Ian," he tells her, "and give him his money's worth."

Sunita goes round to see Shelley, she admits to meddling with the scales but she knew how hard Shelley had tried and she knew she would be disappointed. Sunita also thinks that Shelley is over-reacting, but the reason she did it was because she thought Charlie would give Shelley a hard time if she hadn't lost all the weight she was aiming for. Shelley is furious, "How dare you drag Charlie into this?" she demands to know, and tells Sunita to go. Charlie puts his arms round Shelley and asks her to forgive him for thinking she was in on the cheating.

Sally comes out of her front door, just as Martin walks past on his way to work. She sees that he's not looking very cheerful and offers to give him a lift to work. He tells her that Tommy has accused him of having an affair, and he wonders where it will all end. What if Katy believes it? Sally is very sympathetic and hugs him, and as they get in the car we see that Tommy is watching from across the street.

More in episode 2

Annie Logan

Off we go, straight into episode two from Monday night.

Outside the factory, Tommy is telling Angela he's just seen "Sally Webster and Platt" together. Nearby, Jamie is on the phone to one of his moonlighting clients, while Leanne teases him about being on the phone to another woman. He finishes the call and tells Leanne the woman wants him to move some furniture. Leanne invites herself along, but Jamie says he'll need more help than her.

Over at the Peacock residence, Mr and Mrs Peacock are discussing Mrs Peacock's potential new career as a tram driver. Ashley seems to think it's straightforward. Claire is a nanny. She asks if he ever wanted to be anything other than a butcher, but he didn't. She tells him about her grandad, who used to tell her stories about Terry the Tram, who was the strongest and shiniest tram in the depot. His friend, Geoffrey, had a wonky wheel and used to go clickety-clack-clack, clickety-clack-clack. Sadly, we didn't get to hear the rest of this story. Ashley wants to know if Claire's grandad was a tram driver. "No, he was a plumber," she says. But his stories meant Claire would go to bed at night dreaming about trams, but never thinking that one day they'd bring trams back to Manchester and she'd get to ride on one, let alone get a chance to drive one.

In a fancy car yard, far, far away, Sally arrives and ignores Ian's "I've missed you." She proceeds to tell him that while he was away, she had a visit from someone who claimed he had an affair with her and then dumped her. "Who was it?" he asks. Sally pounces. "You mean there's more than one?" He guesses it was Della.

Back at the Harrises', Tommy is trying to convince Angela he is right. "They were in a car," he says. Angela points out Martin was probably giving Sally a life. "They were talking," he persists. "Ooooh, talking!" Angela is still unimpressed. Tommy insists that he cant tell when two people are "at it" just by looking at them. "I am 100 per cent sure there is something going on between them two." Angela tells him there used to be, but it's all in the past. But Tommy thinks that just makes it even more likely that they are at it again.

Back at what is rapidly becoming a very boring car yard, Ian is telling Sally that the thing with Della was completely different. Sally doesn't want to hear that. What she wants, she tells him, is a man who is a cheat and a liar, but a very good cheat and liar, "someone I can trust not to let their emotions run away and do something stupid and break up two families." But she's beginning to feel she's just the latest in a long line and when Ian gets bored she will be out the door and back to scrimping and saving. She wants him to stop surprising her. To stop coming round and palling up with Kevin. "Do you think that's what I want? To see you and my husband laughing and joking together?" Ian wants to know what's really bothering her. After all, he's done what she wanted. He's carried on as normal, been discreet, proved they both care about their families and about each other. He tries to hand her a drink but she knocks it out of his hand. Ian wonders if she's jealous.

In the Rovers, Jamie appears to have hired Kirk and Tyrone as Mr Shifter's mates. But no talking, he tells them. After some discussion, he relents and says Tyrone is allowed to say: "Yes, Mrs Greenway," but only if she says something to him first. Kirk's allowed to nod and smile, but not to wink. And then they set to arguing of who is ranked where in the hierarchy, settling on Tyrone as second in command and Kirk as third officer. "Who sits in the front, then?" asks Kirk. Turns out it's Leanne, officially the boss's girlfriend. Behind the bar, Violet is defending Sunita to Shelley. But Shelley says Sunita conned her. "She let me think I had achieved something when I hadn't."

At the door to Martin's flat, Tommy is hammering it hard when Katy arrives. He says he was looking for Martin, but she tells him Martin is at the hospital and will be hours yet. She invites her father inside.

Back at the caryard, Ian is telling Sally she shouldn't let Della spoil what they've got. He and Sally want the same things, "Our families, our lifestyles and each other." He gets Sally to admit that she thought about him while he was away. He thought about her every day. Then, I fear, they kissed. However, on your behalf, dear readers, I closed my eyes. Some things are just too horrible to watch.

Back at Sally's house, Kevin is just popping over to close up the garage and so Sophie will be on her own for a few minutes. He explains that Sally had to go back to work. She's not neglecting Sophie when she's unwell, but has to work so she can buy nice food. "She's never here to cook it," points out Sophie. He promises to cook it when he gets back. "I'll be five minutes," he says. "I could burn down the house in five minutes," she points out. Kevin grins. "The matches are under the sink." Sophie points out that even if the house was on fire, her mother would probably be too busy to come home.

Katy and her father are talking and he warns her she can't trust people. She thinks he means people are not telling her the truth about what having a baby is really like. She says she'll be fine, and reassures Tommy that she never set out to hurt him or make her parents unhappy. She knows he's too young to be a grandad. "I'm doing something that makes me happy," she says. The door buzzer goes and it's Sarah. Katy and her Dad hug and he leaves.

Tyrone and Kirk are moving a table. It won't go through the door, so they turn it around and try it from the other end. Nope. James points out that if they tip it on its side and feed it through it will go. A very sceptical Tyrone agreed to give it a got and is very surprised when this works. Tyrone gets to trying out his "Yes, Mrs Greenway," on the client. She and Jamie are discussing what else is to go when the table, accompanied by Tyrone and Kirk, reappears. At first, I thought they'd accidentally turned around twice in the hallway and got themselves disoriented. But no, it seems there is a Mr Greenway, and he gave the order for the table to come back. The furniture, Kirk, Tyrone, Leanne and Jamie, are all caught up in a matrimonial property dispute. When Leanne hears that Mr Greenway had been playing away, she immediately sides with Mrs Greenway and give Mr G a telling off. Telling him to bog off doesn't work, so Jamie calms things down in a more diplomatic way, and with Mr G agreeing to leave. "But you touch my fish and I'll come after you!" he promises.

In the pub, Sunita tells Violet she was only trying to help. Sunita tries to give £200 to Charlie to repay him for the spa trip. She says she realises now that she's upset Shelley. "I don't sell forgiveness," Charlie snaps. "I wasn't trying to buy it," Sunita says. She tells him she just wishes things could be different. "What can I do?" she asks. "Think before you act," he says. "That way you might not betray a friend again."

Ewww, back at the caryard, Sally and Ian are sitting with their clothing is disarray. They're both doing up buttons. "Have we really got it all?" Sally asks. Yes, they have their families, they have their lifestyles and they have their relationship. "I will never let you down," Ian promises. He wishes he could buy her a diamond ring or something, but she says she'll settle for seeing the girls through college.

Uh oh, while our three Mr Shifters have been stacking stuff in the back of the van, someone has demolished the front. Tyrone says he thought he heard banging, but assumed it was Kirk.

In the Webster household, Kevin's promises to cook nice food appears to have metamorphosed into a Chinese takeaway for three. Kevin will pick up Rose from Ian and Justine's house later on, he says.

Tommy is sitting out in the street waiting for Martin. He tells Angela he can't sit at home knowing what Martin has done. "What you think he's done," she corrects. Tommy talks of smashing in Martin's face, but Angela reminds him that he promised Craig he wouldn't do that sort of thing again. "If you don't come home, I'm going to drag him over here and show him what his Dad is really like." So Tommy gets up and they head off home together.

The End

Margaret Carr

Written by: Mark Wadlow
Directed by: Kay Patrick

Despite Jamie's best efforts to keep his dad away, Danny notices the Underworld van is at Kevin's garage. Tyrone is working on the bashed-in front of it. Jamie tells Danny someone bumped into it, but Danny is suspicious: "You're hiding something. You're too thick to be a good liar!"

Claire has got a letter inviting her to an interview the next day to be a tram driver. Fred's doing his best to put her off, saying it might be dangerous. She says there's a protective screen between the driver and the passengers, but Fred thinks 20,000 marauding Manchester United fans would soon batter their way through that: "Them trams go through places I wouldn't visit in a helicopter gunship," he tells her. "Good," she replies stubbornly, "I could do with a bit of excitement." Ashley looks worried.

Kevin's telling Tommy that Sally didn't get home till half past eight the previous evening. She's trying to impress the boss, he says, and the family hardly sees her. Tommy says he wouldn't stand for that, and Kevin should put his foot down. Kevin's distracted by the sight of the Underworld van filling up his workshop space, and wants to know why it's been given priority. Jamie says that Tyrone is doing him a favour. Kevin's not pleased, and tells Tyrone to book it in properly, charge him full whack and only fix it when Kevin tells him to

Martin sees Claire in the street, and tells her he wants to buy Katy an engagement ring but he isn't sure what she'd like. He asks Claire if she'd do a bit of detective work for him.

In the Rovers, Shelley reminds Charlie it's Dev and Sunita's dinner party that evening. Charlie says he wouldn't miss it for the world: "I hate Dev. You're not talking to Sunita. Neither of us are particularly keen on that Cockney twerp and his wife." "I think Danny and Frankie are really nice," Shelley says

Tommy's in the pub with Angela discussing his latest information about Sally coming home late from work. She tells him she's fed up hearing about his nasty suspicions and obsessions and doesn't want to hear any more.

Jamie comes into the pub to find his dad, and attempts to explain again about the van. "You're such a bad liar," Danny says, and sacks him: "You've had this coming for weeks. I knew you were going to let me down, and you know why, Jamie? Because you always do." Jamie says that if Warren had wanted to work for Danny he'd have had the red carpet treatment. Danny says that Jamie has been skiving since the day he started the job, and only kept the job for as long as he did because he was Danny's son.

Ashley and Claire are in Roy's Rolls, partly waiting for Katy to come in so Claire can try and find out about engagement rings. She tells Roy about her tram driver interview, and asks if he has any books about it, since he has lots of steam engine memorabilia around the place. He says that aficionados of steam take a very dim view of electrically motivated transportation, and suggests they try Dev: "he's quite an enthusiast" (Shock! Who knew??).

The enthusiast's wife, Mrs Sunita Alahan, is telling Charlie and Shelley that the dinner party is cancelled. They pretend they're really disappointed, so Sunita says maybe they can still do it, as it's only Dev who can't make it. "It wouldn't be the same without Dev," Charlie says with mock regret. Sunita agrees (only her regret isn't mock), and they decide to have the dinner party another time. She goes off to tell Frankie.

Sally and Gail are in the pub. Sally has been clothes shopping (a pink jumper with marabou trim and a skirt which is possibly leather, fashion fans). Ian has given her the day off, she says. "So it's for his benefit, is it, this sexy new look?" Gail says. Sally says it's for her own benefit, because she wants to feel nice. "It'll take you more than a couple of short skirts to give you back your self respect," Gail says, proving once again that she's the heir to Ena Sharples. Gail is appalled by Sally's attitude, because Sally is saying she doesn't think there's anything wrong in what she's doing. Gail tells her she'd be disgusted if she heard anyone else talk that way. Sally says, "This is me, Gail, this is who I am. I'm not proud of it but at least I'm being honest. Okay, not honest. Realistic. It's about getting what you want out of life. Taking chances while you can!"

Sunita has had a brainwave, which she unveils to Shelley: "Instead of dinner, why don't me, you and Frankie go on a girlie night out?" Shelley is a useless liar, and tries pretending that she has to work, but Sunita convinces her.

Dev appears in the door way of Roy's Rolls and mumbles to the proprietor: "Did you have to broadcast it all over Manchester, Roy?" He's concealing a package under his coat, which he takes out as furtively as if it was a bag of Class A drugs, and hands to Claire. "Books on trams!" she says. Poor Dev looks horribly embarrassed: "There may even be one in there on… signalling," he says. He tells them that he traces his love of trams back to childhood holidays in Blackpool, but he would prefer them to keep his exotic interest to themselves. "Tram spotter!" Ashley yells after him as he leaves. Dev turns his collar up by way of disguise.

Also in the café are Leanne and Tyrone. He's complaining because he got into trouble about the van, and says it will cost £200 to fix. Jamie comes in and tells them he's been sacked.

Gail is in the Rovers producing a string of adjectives to describe Sally: "Bad! Wrong! Selfish! Stupid!" She exhorts Sally to "Chuck them clothes in the canal. End this sordid affair!" Both Gail and Sally have over-estimated the soundproof nature of the wooden partitions between the tables in the Rovers, because on the other side of the one behind them, Angela is sitting – and she's listening to every word. When Gail concludes with "He's your husband's friend!" it would seem that Tommy's suspicions are not without foundation after all…

Claire, Candice and Warren are in the café, looking at a jewellery catalogue. Candice is dropping subtle hints to Warren ("I like that one, hint hint"), but he's skint and borrows some money from her and leaves. Katy comes in, and they pretend to be discussing rings so that Katy will join in the conversation. Katy thinks they're all gross and says she prefers something really simple and modern. She points out one she likes.

Shelley is in her back room putting her make-up on. Charlie is of course not best pleased that she's going out somewhere without him, least of all with Sunita. Shelley says she thinks Sunita is really making an effort. The look on Charlie's face suggests that if he had a voodoo doll of Sunita, he'd be reaching for the pins round about now.

Claire is out in the street telling Martin what she discovered about Katy's taste in bling. Claire goes home, and Martin then bumps into Sally. She's crying. He invites her in to his flat for a coffee.

In the pub, Sunita, Shelley and Frankie are having a drink before their night out. Charlie is pretending he's not keeping an eye on them ("How considerate was *that*?" Shelley gushes), but he is really. Frankie thinks the point of a girlie night out is so they can slag off their men, but when Shelley and Sunita both start singing the praises of their respective partners, Frankie thinks it's not going to be a great night.

Sally is telling Martin that the reason she's upset is that she had an argument with Gail. Gail disapproves of her lifestyle, she says, and thinks she puts work before her family. "No-one understands the strain I'm under!" she wails. "I have to keep so many things in the air at once, I have to smile for the customers…" (and the rest). Martin pats her shoulder comfortingly.

The girlie night out trio have decided they don't fancy going out for a meal (apart from Shelley, who is hungry. "I'm always hungry. Every minute of every day"), so they agree to get another round in. While Frankie is at the bar, Shelley and Sunita make up their differences. Sunita apologises again for tampering with the scales, and Shelley says it's all forgotten. They hug each other and tell each other that they're the best friend anyone could have. Charlie is at the bar watching this touching scene, his mouth set into a grim line.

Martin and Sally are talking about relationships: hers with Kevin, his with Gail and the affair he had, and how he's happy now with Katy. He shows her the picture of the engagement ring he's going to get, and they're looking at that when Katy comes in unexpectedly. Of course they have to quickly hide the leaflet, which makes them look a bit furtive, and Katy looks a tad suspicious. Martin sees Sally out, giving her a hug on the doorstep, which is seen by Angela on her way home with fish and chips.

Shelley is in a lovely mood when she joins Charlie in the Rovers back room. "I really enjoyed that!" she says, "I've not had a night like that for years." She tells Charlie that she and Sunita can't stay angry with each other for too long because they've been through too much. "Sorry," he says, throwing down the magazine he was reading, "I can't listen to this. I'm going out." He says that Frankie and Sunita are poison, and there are better people for Shelley to be going out with. "But they're really nice! I like them!" she protests. "Well that just shows how naïve you are." He makes like he's going upstairs, but then comes back down with his Concerned Charlie face on. "I promised myself I'd never say anything," he says, and tells her that he overheard Sunita and Frankie talking at the bar while Shelley wasn't there, and Sunita had been saying that Shelley hadn't lost enough weight to get away with wearing what she was wearing tonight. Shelley straight away believes him, and looks all tearful. "To hell with them, eh?" she says, "At least I've got you."

Angela arrives home and tells Tommy to promise that when she says what she's about to say, he won't just kick off. You'd really think she'd know him better by now, but still… "You were right about Sally and Martin," she says, "They're having an affair. I've just seen them together and I heard her and Gail having a row about it." "I'm gonna kill him," Tommy says, and looks like he means that literally

Sue Haasler

Tommy, having had the night to think, is glad Angela is finally on his side, but Angela, having had the night to think, knows that Tommy is still a loose cannon and needs to be controlled. Angela tells him that she'll invite Katy round that afternoon so that she can see them united and they'll tell her what Martin's been up to together, but she tells Tommy that, in the meantime if he sees either Martin or Katy, he's to stay away from them.

Over at the Peacock residence, Claire's dressed for her interview but is concerned that she looks too girly and won't be taken seriously. 'You're not a Romanian shot putter Claire! No matter how you dress, you'll still be a delicate little flower!' Fred pontificates. Ashley tells Claire that she'll do fine and she tells him that thanks to Dev she really knows her stuff. Ashley wishes her luck, and as Claire's about to leave, Fred also wishes her luck, albeit a little more reluctantly

Martin is walking down the street and he meets Claire, and they stop to chat, and he thanks her for her help in choosing the engagement ring he plans to buy for Katy.

However, Tommy is working at the garage across the street, and he sees them. There is a look of pure hatred on Tommy's face as he spots Martin talking to Claire, and it seems doubtful that he will be able to keep his word to Angela, as he stands there, smacking his hand with a rather heavy looking wrench...

Finally, despite Angela's words, Tommy can't stand it anymore and as Martin walks down the street without a care in the world, Tommy starts to run after him.

He catches up with him tackles the unsuspectng Martin to the ground, screaming at him, 'Cheat on my daughter will you!!' He punches Martin in the stomach, pure rage and hatred pouring out with every thump. Tyrone runs down the street and grabs Tommy, pulling him off Martin, yelling, 'Leave it Tommy, leave it!!'

As Martin lays on the ground, trying to figure out what Tommy is going on about, Tyrone has succeeded in dragging Tommy down the street and tells him to get back to work. Tommy however, tells Tyrone that he can't work and he's going home. 'What am I supposed to tell Kev?' Tyrone shouts. 'Tell him what you want, I don't care!' Tommy shouts back. Tyrone asks Martin if he wants a lift to the hospital, but Martin tells him he's only got a split lip

Over in the Rovers, the scheming Charlie further rubs salt in Shelley's wounds by telling her that perhaps he had misheard what he claims he overheard Frankie and Sunita saying about Shelley's weight, and he tells her that he would hate to see her and Sunita fall out again. He also points out to Shelley how chummy Frankie and Sunita seemed to be, and tells Shelley that it was probably Frankie who put Sunita up to saying what she said. But to Charlie's secret joy, Shelley tells him that this changes everything with Sunita and she doesn't know if she can be friends with her again.

Martin has returned home to the flat, and Katy, not spotting his face at first, tells him that was a quick trip into town. He tells her he didn't quite make it because of her father. Katy looks and shrieks in horror at the shape Martin's in, telling him they need to get someone to look at him. She tells him that Tommy was nice to her the other day and she thought he'd finally come around. Eventually, after trying to dab at Martin's lip, she grabs her coat and rushes off to confront her father.

Arriving at the Harris residence, she hammers furiously on the door. 'And I thought you changed!' she rages, ‘I thought, finally, you'd started behaving like a normal human being! But you haven't, no, you are still a nutcase, wandering around, lashing out at anyone who gets in your way! You're an animal! A thug! You need drugging and locking up!' Katy yells at Tommy. 'Platt got what was coming to him! Any father would have done the same!' Tommy shouts back.

'Don't you dare try to pretend you did this to protect me! My partner, the father of my child, is covered in blood!' Katy tells Tommy. 'He's cheating on you Katy! He's seeing someone behind your back!' Tommy tells her. 'I can't believe you would say that!' Katy says and she turns to leave.

Angela moves to stop Katy, but Katy tries to fight her way by. Her mother is able to restrain her and says, 'Katy, he's not lying. He's telling the truth.' Hearing this coming from her mother stops Katy in her tracks, and she doesn't know what to think.

Angela and Tommy lay their 'evidence' out for Katy - Gail ordering Sally to end her affair with Kevin's mate, the way Martin and Sally hugged when they said goodbye the previous evening, and Tommy tells her the fully story behind the condom incident. Katy still has doubts but Angela tells her, 'We are absolutely sure about this. We wouldn't say anything if we didn't know it was true. 'You've got the wrong end of the stick, you must have,' Katy says, still not quite ready to believe her parents. 'Pack in your sordid affair and go home to your husband. Those were Gail's words to Sally,' Angela tells her, thereby tipping the scales.

At the Rovers, Frankie and Sunita, come in laughing. Shelley snipes, 'Are you two joined at the hip or what now?' Not noticing anything really wrong, Frankie laughs, 'Sunita and I are trying to decide who has the bigger headache. We went back to hers after we left here and I didn't get home till late.' 'I didn't open the shop until 9.00 o'clock! Can you believe that Shell!' 'We had such a laugh though didn't we?' Frankie says to Sunita. But Shelley isn't in the mood for laughs. She asks the girls at who's expense they had the laughs and tells them that it looks like they had a better time after they left her than when they were with her.

Claire has returned home from her interview quite distraught. She tells Ashley and Fred that she was waiting and got up to read a notice board. 'This chap comes over and says, 'You're stood awfully close to that notice board.' I said, 'What's it to you?' He said, 'I'm Andy Richards, Head of Personnel. He made me take an eye test before I could do the actual interview and I failed it!' Claire tells them. Ashley immediately panics that Claire has glaucoma, and tells her they'll get her the best possible care. 'Calm down Ashley! I'm just short sighted!' Claire tells him.

Over at the Underworld, Leanne goes to see Danny to ask him to give Jamie his job back. Danny wants to know why Jamie hasn't come on his own and Leanne tells him it's male pride. 'Bone idleness more like it,' Danny growls, but Leanne is able to flirt her way to Danny's good side, and he tells Leanne to tell Jamie to be there tomorrow at 8.30.

Katy, being her father's daughter, charges into the flat and immediately smacks Martin across the face. 'Hey! What was that for?' Martin yells. 'You know! You know exactly what my father told me! You're having an affair! You've been seen by everyone but me!' Katy cries out.

Martin eventually works out that Katy's talking about Sally and says, 'You can't seriously think I've been having an affair with Sally?' ‘You'd better not have been doing it in our bed!' Katy cries as she flies at Martin yet again

Katy is absolutely refuses to listen to anything that Martin says, even when he tells her that the reason Sally and he were so close together on the couch was because they were looking at a jewellery catalogue for an engagement ring for Katy. She accuses him of using her to cover his affair with Sally, and when he refuses to admit she's right, she slumps onto the couch, sobbing.

Back at the pub, Shelley tells Charlie that she feels betrayed by Sunita and that she'll never be able to look at her the same again. Charlie laughs and tells Shelley he can't believe what women get up to, but he's pleased that his lies have worked to such effect.

Jamie is thrilled that Leanne was able to get his job back for him, and tells her that it's time he stopped messing his dad around. 'I'm going to make a real go of this job. I'm going to show him and I'm going to show you too,' Jamie says proudly.

Scooter and Sarah come into the Rovers having decided to have a drink and then go to the cinema. Scooter spots Warren and Candice and can't believe that Sarah actually knows him and would introduce him. 'He plays for Weatherfield County and scored the other night!' Scooter exclaims, very impressed. 'He's a plonker!' Sarah exclaims, but this does nothing to dim Scooter's enthusiasm and he wants to meet Warren

At their flat, Martin comes into the bedroom to find Katy furiously packing her belongings. Martin tries to talk rationally to Katy, but she continues her childish rant about Martin's (non) affair with Sally and how he only ever treated her like a kid. 'Your dad comes up with a cock and bull story about me having an affair with someone and you swallow it, hook line and sinker. I don't care what they said, I am not having an affair with Sally, but you don't believe me!' Martin exclaims. Then he tells her, 'Katy, you believe what you want, but I've just about had it up to here! Do you know what? I've been beaten up today by your dad for nothing, nothing! And just because he's filled your head with poison and lies, you come in here shouting the odds, making nasty childish accusations! I tell you something, I'm the one who should be packing my bags, not you!' Martin deservedly shouts at Katy.

Sarah takes Scooter over and introduces him to Warren. They join the couple and Candice asks, 'Do you notice anything different about me?' 'Oh yeah, you got a new necklace,' Sarah comments. '22 carat gold - and it wasn't even my birthday. Warren gave it to me,' Candice gloats. 'What, you mean County actually had a win?' Sarah asks. Scooter tells her the score would have been greater if it hadn't been for the referee. Warren asks if Scooter was actually at the game, but Scooter tells him he had to work. Sarah is fascinated that Scooter actually knew who Warren was. 'Loads of people know who Warren is,' Candice sneers. 'Mainly members of his own family,' Sarah retorts. 'Well I know he doesn't do an important job like drive a skip lorry,' Candice sneers again, embarrassing the boys and Sarah. Scooter breaks the silence by asking who County are playing next.

Charlie tells Shelley to close her eyes and pick a brochure. 'Brochure?' Shelley asks. She puts her hand out and slaps on a brochure. 'Caribbean! Good choice!' Charlie exclaims. He tells Shelley that a job had been put back a couple of weeks so he thought it would be a good idea to have a spontaneous vacation

Shelley puts up a half-hearted fight about what they would do about the pub, but Charlie tells her she's the boss and Fred won't mind what she does. 'Your best friend may let you down, but I never will,' Charlie tells Shelley, and you almost think he means it

Katy lets herself into the Harris house, sniffling. 'I've left him,' she tells her parents. With that, Tommy takes his daughter in his arms and gives her a hug, looking over her at Angela, with a look of sheer triumph that says, 'See, I was right.'

It's the morning after the night before and both Martin and Katy are left feeling rotten after the chaos. Martin looks at his grazes in the mirror while Katy wallows in self pity. It's all Angela can do to comfort her heartbroken daughter.

Fred is telling Claire that she needn't worry about her eyesight, but she isn't anyway, she's just a bit short sighted. Fred suggests that she perhaps got it from her parents. He concludes that perhaps she's better off as she is, as the tram driving was only a pipe dream anyway but Claire is determined to see her ambition through

Sarah is visiting Martin, who is unloading his frustration. He is tired of Katy's parents sticking their oars in and tells Sarah that Katy will have to cut all ties with them if their relationship is to stand a chance.

It's happy birthday to Rita! And Blanche comes in with a card. The subject soon turns to the book club meeting but Rita hasn't finished the book yet. As Norris criticises her slow reading ability, Claire comes in. Norris asks her how the interview went and she tells him about her sight problem. He tells her he has something that might interest her.

Sarah is being her usual tactful self when Scooter hands her some perfume with no box. Naturally she presumes it's from the skip and Scooter is deeply offended

Norris has brought round an old train set for Claire and as they fiddle around with it, they begin to reminisce about their feelings for trams and locomotives.

Katy is still upset and ponders whether Martin cares for her. Angela tells her if he did, he'd be round begging forgiveness

Ken and Roy are trying to discuss the book at the latest meeting but Deirdre is offering tea to everyone and Emily is distracted by wishing Rita a happy birthday while Blanche is confused over whether she's taken her tablets! And, as Deirdre comes through with a cake and birthday celebrations ensue, it seems the book club meeting has reached a premature end

Tommy has had a personality transplant as he starts to comfort his devastated daughter. He tearfully promises that he'll always be here for her

Claire is showing Ashley and Fred the glasses she got from the opticians and it is not a flattering sight. Think Deirdre Rachid in the old days and you're pretty close! Fred, for once, is speechless and Ashley struggles to find comforting words. Claire, rather cleverly, realises that they don't like them

As discussion into the book finally gets underway, a confused Blanche interrupts, talking about a book that no-one else recognises. And there are saucy details! Blanche has been reading Grinding Hard, not Hard Grinding and once again the meeting is in turmoil!!

David mocks Scooter about the dump so he takes Sarah outside for a word. Sarah apologises and he produces the receipt as proof and is still clearly down about what she said. She apologises again but Scooter walks away.

Martin has been telling Sally about Tommy's accusations and she's horrified that things could get tricky with Kevin! She composes herself so as not to arouse suspicion and tells Martin he'll sort things out with Katy. But he's not sure he loves her anymore

Tommy suggests that the Harrises should move away (get out while you still can guys!!) so Katy has no Martin reminders. Angela points out that the baby will always be a reminder but Katy has decided to have an abortion.

Keep watching this week for high drama. You won't want to miss what's coming up I assure you.

Duncan Lindsay

Hello everyone, here is the first episode for Monday 28th Feb.

It's breakfast time at the Barlows, and Deirdre is preparing a tray for Blanche, she's got the flu. Tracy comes in and Deirdre suggests she takes it in to her but Tracy doesn't want to catch anything before Wednesday, and thinks Ken should take it to her. "And risk arriving at my wedding with no voice?" says Ken. "At least you'll be there," replies Tracy, "not like Peter." Ken tells her to be fair, he can't really come with Shelley still living next door. Deirdre tells her again to take the tray to Blanche, and this time Tracy pleads a headache. Deirdre tells that if she still feels bad she can jump into bed with Blanche. Tracy reckons she could put Amy in there and get a couple of days to herself!

Over at the Harrises, they are discussing a termination. Katy has made up her mind and Tommy reckons the sooner she gets it over with, the better, it will be money well spent. He offers to run her there in the car, he doesn't want that ‘thing' inside her. Katy starts to cry, so Angela sends Tommy upstairs to see if Craig has everything he needs for his scout trip. (Scout trip?? This Goth, with black make-up and nail varnish is in the Scouts?)

Breakfast is just finishing at the Websters. Sophie asks for her dinner money, and Sally tells her that Rosie's got it. Rosie says it's in her purse. (Why? They go to different schools!) The girls start arguing as Sally tries to tell Kevin why Tommy beat Martin up, but chaos breaks out and she can't.

Back at the Harrises, Craig comes downstairs, buckling himself into his long, black, leather coat, over the top of his scout uniform! He asks why Katy is crying but his parents won't tell him. He asks why they always keeps secrets from him, he's not a kid. Tommy remarks that kids paint their nails black – men don't.

Over at the Peacock residence, they are all eating breakfast round the table, (including the gorgeous Joshua who insists on a slice of toast!) and they are discussing tram routes; Claire has learnt them all. She's wearing the specs that look like Deirdre's cast-offs, and says that if they name any tram stop she will tell them the one before it and the one after it – she's word perfect. She suggests that all four of them spend the morning on the trams, Josh will love it and it will be good practice for her. Reluctantly, Fred agrees.

Sarah is talking to Gail about Scooter. Gail thinks he will come back, Sarah wonders if she should go and see him. Sarah reflects that every time she meets someone nice she messes it up. Gail smiles and tells her to go to work, and if she gets a chance, give him a ring. Sarah isn't so sure he will want to speak to her, but Gail is sure he will.

Sally is over at the garage trying to talk to Kevin, but he's busy as Tommy has taken Craig to scout camp, and all the factory worker are being rowdy outside the factory door. She gives up, telling him she'll see him later.

Martin bumps into Gail and Sarah out in the street. Gail is shocked by Martin's cut lip and asks what happened. He tells her, "Tommy Harris." Gail wants to know why he and Katy have split up, and Martin tells her, "Tommy and his lies." "He doesn't want you living with her, you're too old," says Gail. She tells him that Katy is half his age, she ran him ragged and made a fool of him. She is quite unsympathetic and tells him he's only got himself to blame.

In the factory, Danny gives the workers a warning that they are not getting enough new orders in, there's just enough work for the next couple of weeks, but after that, redundancies may be on the cards. Kelly is worried that it'll be last in, first out, and she'll lose her job to someone like Angela Harris who hasn't even turned up this morning.

Out in the street, Maria and Tyrone are talking to the Peacock clan, who are about to go off to the trams, and Claire impresses everyone with her knowledge of the tram route. After they've gone off, Tyrone tells Maria she'll need a dabber for their forthcoming evening at bingo, because Vera always has one.

As they go along in the car, Craig tells his dad that he's never told anything. Tommy replies that it's nothing to do with him, and he can't get Katy out of his head because of what Platt's done to her. Tommy tells his son that it'll all be sorted when he gets back from camp. Craig tells him Katy's always been his favourite. Tommy stops the car and says that he loves them both the same, but with little girls you want to pick them up and hug them, but with boys you want to play football and run around. Craig wants to know why they're all upset, and why they won't tell him anything. "Can't you work it out?" asks Tommy. "No," says Craig. Tommy replies that he's glad because he doesn't want him to know, and he repeats that when he gets back everything will be fine, there'll be nothing else to worry about. "Ever?" asks Craig. "No," says Tommy, "I promise."

Ken and Deirdre are talking about their wedding, and how disappointed Blanche will be if she misses it. Deirdre says she is going to enjoy it even more this time around, she knows just what she's getting. They start getting very romantic with each other, Blanche is asleep and Tracy is out, when in walks Lena! She tells them the door was open and she's brought grapes for Blanche.

Over at the factory a pretty girl in bright red and blue clothes has come to see Danny. She tells him that Mike has promised jobs to her and her sister. Danny is adamant that there are no jobs, so she says she'll wait for Mr. Baldwin – the little one.

Katie is talking to Angela, saying she thought Martin loved her, that's why she wanted his baby. Angela tells her that Martin doesn't love her. Katy says that he used to, but Angela asks what good is that? Katy thinks about Sarah Platt, she was younger than Katy is now, but she kept her baby.

Over at the Rovers, Martin is propping up the bar, getting drunk. Maria is horrified to learn that Betty knows all about her going to bingo. "How did you know?" she asks. Betty informs her that Tyrone is telling everyone. Maria goes to join Tyrone who is sitting with Ashley, Fred and Claire, who are back from their tram trip. Apparently their route took them past the nursery so they dropped Josh off. Ashley is pleased at the prospect of being alone with Claire, so Fred says he can take a hint, and goes off. Ashley tells Claire it's her glasses, they do something to him. Tyrone nudges Maria, "Hey, you should get some glasses!" Maria is put out, first bingo, now glasses, what do you want me to do next? Borrow one of Vera's pinnies?" Ashley says, "Well, whatever turns you on…."

Katy and her mum are talking about the termination. Angela tells her that she'll be home this evening and it will all be over and done with, and she can start living again.

At the factory the girl is still waiting, while Danny argues with Mike, telling him they can't afford to take on more staff, they haven't got enough orders. Mike tells him to get some, he's promised their great uncle and he never goes back on his word. Somewhere out there is someone who wants him to manufacture underwear, Danny must find them. He goes out of the office and tells the girl to be back at 2.30pm with her sister and be ready to start. Janice looks less than delighted at this news.

Martin staggers out of the Rovers and see Sally walking across the road. She tells him he looks terrible, and he tells her that Betty won't serve him any more. Sally remarks that it looks like he's had enough. "I've had enough of life," he tells her. Sally is sympathetic and pats him on the back, just as Tommy draws up in his car. He gets out with a triumphant look on his face. "At it again are ya? What's up, can't you keep away from ‘im?" Sally tells Martin to ignore him, but Tommy taunts them, saying Martin hasn't got the guts to go near him. Martin is enraged and squares up to Tommy, who pulls a face and says he stinks of booze. "Do you like that?" he asks Sally, then he asks Martin what he sees in Sally, he thought he liked them young. Martin loses his temper and threatens to kill Tommy and they start fighting. Just then Kevin rushes up and breaks up the fight. He tells Tommy to get back to work. Tommy sneers that they can both get back to work and leave Platt to carry on with Kevin's missus. He announces that Martin is ‘at her' every time Kevin turns his back, they can't keep their hands off each other.

Kevin looks questioningly at Sally who implores him not to listen to Tommy. Doubt crosses Kevin's face as he looks at the pair of them…….

More to follow in Episode 2

Annie Logan

Step right up, folks, for episode two from Monday night.

"I saw you getting it on in his car," Tommy says. "Ya' wha'?" is all Kevin can manage. Tommy says he's seen Sally and Martin together in the car and that Sally goes round to Martin's flat "for hours. I know. I've timed them!" He says Angela knows the truth and that Martin is a dirty perve who has moved on from schoolgirls to other blokes' wives. Martin is disgusted that Kevin doesn't seem to want to listen to his protestations. "You can go stuff yourselves," he spits, walking away. Sally tries to calm down Kevin but he takes her arm and drags her home, while Tommy keeps injecting the poison.

At home, Sally tells Kevin that she and Martin had a silly fling that didn't work. "Why would we do it again?" Kevin tells her he knows something's going on. "You're never fully here." Sally thinks things are better now than they have ever been, but Kevin says she's wrong, even though he can't put his finger on exactly what's wrong. What neither of them know is that Sophie has come home and is listening.

At the Harrises', Katy is thinking about how Sarah would not be without Bethany, but Angela tells her that if she has her baby, it will always remind her of Martin. She says the two girls are not in the same league. "Nobel prizewinners don't get up the duff playing doctors and nurses." (Does she not remember that Katy failed her exams?) As they talk, Tommy comes in tells them he's told Kevin what's going on. "I've dropped a grenade among the lot of them," he says smugly. (I might have to whack him myself if someone else doesn't do it)

At the Websters', Kevin wants Sally to swear on their daughters' lives that she's not having an affair. She gets halfway through it and stops, telling him it's ridiculous. "I can't believe you would ask me that! You should take my word for it." Kevin stomps out and Sophie comes in. "Are you getting divorced again?" she asks. "No," says Sally.

At the Barlows', Emily comes to ask after Blanche and ends up being asked to be the second witness, since Blanche is ill. Emily says yes and Deirdre celebrates by popping the cork out of a bottle. "I thought you'd never get round to it!" sighs a thirsty Lena. "So this is your hen night?" Tracy asks scathingly. She points out that it's also Ken's stag night. "I wonder who the stripper is?" Lena adjusts her cardie.

Fizz, at the factory, is confused to think that they might be taking on staff. Everyone discusses the twins and recap on how they've been told about them being identical and easily confused. Then the twins come in. They are dressed identically. But the second one turns out to be about half a foot taller and three stone heavier than her sister. Danny is amazed. He doesn't know if he can cope. "I don't want you two in here, playing tricks and pretending to be each other," he warns them. "I know," says XXX. "Mum still has trouble telling us apart." Danny tells them he'll call them Twinnie and Twinnie. He tells Hayley to show the new one around. "Come on, Jessie," Hayley says, taking the new one by the arm. "You got it right!" the twins say, apparently amazed. Janice has almost her whole fist in her mouth trying not to laugh. The twins explain that one is more loquacious than the other, and one is allergic to cheese and the other one loves it. Kelly is incredulous. "It's flamin' obvious . . ." she starts, but is hushed up by the others, who are enjoying the entertainment.

Sophie gives her mother a packet of tissues. "Where's my Dad gone?" she asks. Sally explains that he's got something in his head, but it's nothing for Sophie to worry about. "He thinks you're having an affair," says the wise little one. "He'll come round, Mum. I know everything you do is for us." She says she's come home because she forgot her PE gear. Sally says she has to go back to work and will drop Sophie back at school on the way.

In the street, the Harris's are leaving for the clinic, telling Katy they don't want to be late and that she's a brave girl. Sophie comes out from her house and stares at Tommy. "It's not him, is it?" she asks her mother. "It's not anyone," her mother hushes her.

In the Rovers, the girls are still having fun telling the twins how hard it is to tell them apart. Ciaran is very confused. Elsewhere, Vera and Tyrone are explaining to Maria how to play Bingo. Martin comes in and fronts up to Martin. "I want to know what's going on." Martin replies but Kevin doesn't believe him. Martin lunges at him and it's all on. "I'll kill you," Kevin threatens as others drag him out. "All right, son?" Danny asks Martin, who reacts by calling him a cockney pillock.

In the clinic, a nurse comes and calls Katy in.

The hen night is actually in full swing at the Barlows', with Deirdre wearing a pair of angel wings (puh-leeeze!!). Lena wishes there was a piano, and Tracy wonders if it's time for the harmonica to come out, but Deirdre says she'll need another couple of bottles for that. (RUN!!!!) Oh, it's OK, before she can be persuaded to get out the ole harp, Blanche comes down, full of self-pity, but agrees to have "a tiddler" of a drink for medicinal purposes. She says she will struggle along to the wedding ceremony, "despite the parlous state of my health." She tells them it might not be long before they're attending another ceremony, the kind where people wear black.

In the pub, the girls are commenting on the fact that the twins finish each others' sentences. Do they have their own special language? Someone suggests it's called Polari, but Sean, who appears very fluent in the gay patois, puts them right on that one. It's cryptophasia, Fizz says. "My Kirk told me." No-one can believe this, including me. "Kirk Sutherland?" asks Sean.

In the street, a very sullen, drunken Martin sees Katy and her family arrive home.

Claire comes into the pub and asks Ashley if they can go home, please. She tells him that there are no toilets on the trams and she has a weak bladder. Vera, Maria and Tyrone come into the pub. Vera has had a win and Maria comments that it's only at the bingo that she's ever seen Vera shut up. "Vera's your ideal woman, isn't she?" she teases Tyrone. "No!" he says. She's more like his Mum. "Your secret is safe with me," Maria says.

"I can't believe how upset I am," Claire is telling Ashley. She says she won't give up. She believes she's got a great future in public transport. She'll make use of her PCV licence somehow! Ashley is stunned. Claire has a passenger vehicle licence? She explains she had to get it when she was Akela and was driving the bus for the cub scouts. "Do you still fancy me in my glasses?" she asks him. Ashley says he fancies her more, because the glasses are one more thing for her to take off. They play at her taking off her glasses and shaking her hair free while Ashley says "Why, Miss Jones . . . you're beautiful."

At the car yard, Ian is dictating a letter when Sally returns. She blubs, and he says: "Sorry. To be honest, I'm not very good with blubbing." Hee hee. She tells him what's been going on, and that it's all her fault because Tommy's been watching her and she must look like a woman who's having an affair. Once Ian realises there's nothing in the open linking her to him, he tries to get her to take her clothes off. But they hear someone coming. It's Kevin. He wants to talk to Sally. Ian leaves them alone in the office

Katy is on the sofa and Tommy brings her some magazines. Angela tells him to stop fussing. It's not as if Katy has just had her tonsils out. "You know if there's owt bothering you I am here for you," Tommy tells his daughter. Katy says she can't understand why she's just killed her baby and yet feels relieved. Martin's now gone from her life, she says. She goes upstairs to bed.

"You've got me upset at work, now," Sally tells Kevin. He tells her that when they got back together, he knew she didn't love him, but he loved her and thought that being together would fix things. "It has," she protests. "I swear on our girls' lives that I am not having an affair with Martin." "You're lying!" Kevin says. Ian comes to check everything is OK, then leaves again. Sally again protests that she's not having an affair, and Kevin repeats that he doesn't believe her. "Then get out!" she says. He goes and she sits down and cries.

The End.

Margaret Carr

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