2005
Wednesday 1 June Episode 6040

Chesney is deeply worried that Schmeichel will not recover from the accident and operation and he has been sleeping on the sofa covered in the dog's blanket. Cilla is already planning a replacement - with something an awful lot smaller as she demonstrates her normal mothering instincts. Chesney wants to go to the vet's but as Fiz explains it is too early. Later Claire asks after the dog when she meets Fiz in the Street mentioning that she feels terrible. Fiz responds by saying that she cannot feel as bad as the dog.

The accident is also being discussed by the Peacocks. Fred blames the dog for not being on a lead - and says it is not Claire's fault - but the latter is not so sure as she believes buses are now evil killing machines.

Jamie is not taking calls from his mother Carol - Leanne tries to re-assure him that is the right thing. Later Jamie shows Frankie a picture Carol has sent when he was a little kid and Frankie was the babysitter, Frankie tells Jamie that she is not worried about him being in touch with his mother.

Shelley is in self imposed hiding after being given a hiding by a door. She is now so nervous she goes into shock when the phone rings - this girl has less backbone than a doormat. Charlie unplugs the phone and tosses it under the bed to solve the problem. He then has to open the window before he goes - Shelley will not risk being seen. Later Charlie tells Fred about Shelley's "chicken pox" - he wants to pop up and have a word but is dissuaded by Charlie.

Craig tries to chat up Rosie but his grandfather blunders in on the conversation and jumps on a bus.

Over in Formby there is not a happy atmosphere between the Duck Eggs - Jack eventually agrees to go for a walk with Vera. When they return Jack tells Vera he is worried about the pigeons and will be popping home in the morning to check on them. Vera loses her temper - Jack must choose between her and the pigeons as she is unhappy playing second fiddle. Jack decides and goes to pack.

Finally the vet emerges and tells the Battersbys they can see Schmeichel who will achieve a full recovery. The vet hands Les an envelope. The family is re-united. Chesney is in full grin mode. When the reach the Rovers Les opens the envelope thinking it is a get well card. Not being on the NHS it is of course an invoice for £850. Kirk says that is not bad but Cilla says they will not be paying.

Danny decides to apply some pressure to Jamie to stop seeing Carol saying he will write off the debt over the Vinny business. They hug in agreement. Later Danny visits Leanne to say that he has sorted out Jamie. And that's all you visited for? asks Leanne. Well says Danny what I want is you, now and Leanne drags him indoors.

Charlie visits the Prisoner of the Rovers who asks him to shut the window because it is so cold - he cannot hide his delight. He then gives her a mobile phone so that she can ring him at any time (you mean she does not have one already?).

The Battersbys storm around to the Peacock residence and demand money with menace from Claire. She admits it was her fault and that she will probably never drive again. Claire is about to sign a cheque when Ashley arrives and sends the interlopers packing telling them they will not get a penny. Cilla wants her compo and this is not the last they will hear of it.

K Richard W





Friday 3 June Episode 6041

It's early morning at the Rover's and Charlie goes in to wake Shelley. She's shocked to find it's half past eight and tells him he should have woken her. He tells her he's off to work but she begs him not to go, to stay at home with her. There's going to be a delivery from the brewery and it will need to be checked and signed for. Charlie tells her to leave everything to him, and to stay in bed. He reminds her about the phone he bought her, they now have their own private hotline if there are any problems. "Now do as Charlie tells you, all right?" he says.

Downstairs, Ciaran and Violet are having a cup of tea, and Violet offers to take one up to Shelley. "No," Charlie tells her, and says that Shelley is still not feeling well and must not be disturbed. He goes on to say that he knows the brewery are going to be delivering, but says they must not worry Shelley with any of it. "I'm sure you can handle it," he says. "But Charlie….." begins Ciaran, but Charlie won't listen. "Can't stop, got to get to work," he says and leaves. Ciaran looks at Violet, "The only thing is, Shelley is supposed to sign for the order. If one of us does it and something turns out not to have been delivered, there'll be trouble."

It's breakfast time at the Peacock residence, and although Claire is going to go to work she is still thinking about packing her job in. Ashley and Fred protest that she did nothing wrong. "That dog was on the loose," Fred tells her, "you couldn't do anything about that." Claire is convinced that it was her fault and wouldn't have happened if she'd been a better driver. Fred tries to convince her otherwise by telling her a story about how he wrung the neck of a goose that was a family pet, but didn't let it put him off butchering. "Dad!" says Ashley sharply, "you're not helping."

At the Baldwin residence, Danny tells Jamie that he wants him to keep an eye on the girls in the factory today, as he's going to be out and about all day, he's got people to see. Jamie is delighted to be given this responsibility. Frankie comes in and asks if Danny is going to be free for lunch, but he tells her he's got a million and one things to do. "I'll see you tonight, all right?" he says. When he's gone, Jamie tells Frankie that his dad seems to have changed his attitude towards him at last. Frankie says that she thinks part of it is because of this whole Carol thing, "Let's face it," she says, "it's down to him that she started drowning her sorrows in drink, and down to me too if we're being honest."

Looking very much like a standard lamp, Schmeichel arrives home in a taxi, a large collar round his head to stop him opening his wound. As they get out of the car, Cilla spots Fred and Ashley across the road and starts shouting. "Your Claire has cost us a fortune in vet's bills," she screeches, "and she's going to have to pay!" Fred, however, won't be intimidated. "Nonsense woman," he scoffs, "that dog were loose and that makes you legally responsible for the accident." Enraged, Cilla yells back, "You can shut up, I was talking to the piglet, not the fat porker!" She goes on to say that they need compensation too, for the trauma to Chesney, but Fred tells her not to mention compensation to them, "We're not the putty brains around here," he says. This infuriates Les, who tells Fred he's heading for a knuckle sandwich, but Fred stands his ground and tells Cilla, "I see yon dog isn't the only wild beast that should be on a leash in your house!" "Oh yeah?" snorts Cilla, "we'll see what our solicitor has to say!" Chesney mutters to himself, "I didn't know we had one." Fred tells Les and Cilla that Claire could claim for trauma and whiplash injuries and if they want to pursue it, he'll see them in court. Chesney's waiting to go in the door with Schmeichel. "Home sweet home," he says.

Over at the Duckworth's, Maria is not at all happy because Jack has come back so she and Tyrone are no longer on their own. Frankie sees Jack out the back with his pigeons, and is astounded to hear that he has left Vera alone in Formby. She and Maria tell him they think it's terrible. Jack doesn't care, he reckons his pigeons never give him any trouble, they never wake him up with an elbow in the ribs asking whatever happened to romance. "I'm here and she's there, that's a good holiday for me," he says.

Claire goes into the butcher's shop and tells Ashley that she's resigned from the bus company. "They were very nice about it," she tells him, "they said it happens to some people when they've had an accident." She also tells him that she thinks they should pay the vet's bill. "The Battersby's have hardly any money," she says. But Ashley isn't sympathetic. "How much money do you think we've got to throw around?" he asks, and says that he reckons they're trying it on. "They're out for anything they can get," he says, "and it's not on."

Carol, looking like she's already had a few drinks, opens the door to find Danny on the doorstep. "Have I seen you somewhere before? Didn't you used to be my husband," she says sarcastically. Danny tells her she looks a right mess. "Thanks a lot," she says "what do you want?" "Lay off Jamie," he tells her, "you're messing up his life all over again."

At the Duckworth's, Maria wonders what poor Vera is doing now. Jack says that she's probably causing trouble somewhere. Tyrone says he reckons some bloke is chatting her up right now, and buying her drinks. Jack says they could be right, and gets up to put his coat on. However, he's not going back to Formby, but down to the Rovers. Maria says, "What if Vera sleeps with this bloke then?" but Jack just reckons it will teach him a lesson he'll never forget.

Chesney asks his mum if he can take Schmeichel for a walk, but is told he can't. Just then Claire knocks at the door, she's come to see how the dog is. Chesney tells her, "The vet says he'll be right as anything in a few days," but Cilla shuts him up in a hurry and tells him to take Schmeichel for a walk. When he's out of the door Cilla tells Claire that the vet has said that the dog will never be right, although, (and she clasps her hands together) she's praying for a miracle. However, they've been told there's an outside chance if they could feed him on best liver and give him expensive medicines, but…." Claire blurts out, "I want to pay the vet's bill," Cilla stops in mid-flow, "What?" "How much is it?" asks Claire, getting out her cheque book. Cilla smirks, "One thousand, one hundred and two pounds."

Craig and his granddad are sitting down to eat one of Emily's casseroles. Keith tells Craig he should get out and about more, and be nice to those who are nice to him. He then manages to get Craig to offer to clean out Emily's guttering for her. "As long as I'm shown what to do," he says. "Good lad, good lad," says Keith, "I'll hold the ladder for you."

Jamie is talking to Leanne and telling her how his dad's attitude towards him has changed. "It's like he wants to make it up to me for something, but I don't know what," he tells her. Leanne remains quiet.

Danny, meanwhile, is still at Carol's. "He came looking for me," she tells him, "not the other way around." "He was looking for something that isn't there," he tells her, "like a loving mother." He rages at her that even though he was so young, she made Jamie choose, convinced he would choose her. "You couldn't share him with me, could you?" he says. "And that slapper you live with," shouts Carol, "why the hell should I share my son with her?" Danny again tells her to stay away from Jamie, telling her that he thinks it's his fault she's ended up like this. "Like what?" she cries, "just 'cos I don't live in a posh house!" He tells her it's got nothing to do with the house and drags her over to the mirror. "Look at you, Carol, look at you," he says, "half cut, you've probably been drinking since breakfast." She tells him he did this, "She was our babysitter for God's sake!" She then rages at him that Frankie wasn't the first and she won't be the last because he's a liar and a cheat and will never change. "Bye Carol," says Danny as he leaves, "it's been just like old times."

In the Rovers, Frankie is playing dominoes with Keith and Jack, but is horrified when she hears Keith agree with Jack that coming home for pigeons is a perfectly valid reason for deserting a wife. "Women are from Venus, men are from Mars, but you two must be from Planet Pigsty!" she says.

The brewery have made the delivery, but neither Violet nor Ciaran are willing to sign for it. In the end though, Ciaran decides, "To hell with what Charlie says," and goes up the stairs, calling, "Shelley, I need you to sign this!" In her room, Shelley seems absolutely terrified at the prospect of coming face to face with Ciaran. "I'm not dressed, go away," she yells through the door. He persists, "I only want your signature, if you just open the door a crack I can hand you the clipboard and pen." Charlie, however, has heard what is going on and comes charging up the stairs, "Get away from that door!" he shouts. Ciaran tells him that he needs Shelley's signature, but Charlie snarls, "I told you this morning to leave her alone. Now get out of here." Reluctantly, Ciaran goes.

With Jack in the pub, Tyrone and Maria have the house to themselves, and they start to cuddle up on the sofa. Tyrone suggests they go upstairs, but just then in walks Vera! She's furious and wants to know where her useless husband is. They tell her he's in the pub, and Vera reckons he'll be in intensive care when she's finished with him. Although she goes off out again, for Maria and Tyrone the mood has vanished!

Vera storms into the Rovers. "Ah, Vera, how nice to see you," says Jack, "You've com back, that must mean you've seen sense, no need to apologise." And he tells Ciaran to get Vera a drink. "I'm not having a drink and neither are you," says Vera, "you're coming home with me right now, I've got a present from the seaside for you." She drags him off by the ear, much to the amusement of all the customers.

Les arrives home to find a jubilant Cilla waving the cheque. He looks at it and tells her, "This is for well over a thousand pounds, the bill was for eight hundred and something." She tells him, "I know that, you know that, but she didn't," and she tells him it's two hundred and fifty quid towards the wedding. "You're not just marrying a pretty face you know."

At the Peacocks, Claire is confessing to Ashley that she has given Cilla the money. "It was my fault," she says, "I had to." She tells him she'll get another job to pay it back. Ashley is furious. "You went and did that after everything I said?" Claire says she knew he would try and stop her if he'd known. "Well," shouts Ashley, "that makes it worse. I can't believe you've done this!" and he storms out of the room.

End.

Annie Logan



Sunday 5 June Episode 6042

Shelley, complete with her black eye, is still lounging around in her room, and Charlie fills her in on the latest. he tells her she should be down soon as the swelling is fading but she's not so sure. Violet asks Charlie if she can visit Shelley when he returns downstairs but he snaps at her. When Violet mentions this at the bar, Norris wonders why no-one has called a doctor for Shelley. Violet reckons Fred should take responsibility and see what's really going on.

Fred and Ashley are telling Claire they should halt the cheque before Cilla can cash it but Claire is determined to accept responsibility. Claire tells Ashley that she'll pay every penny back into the account even if she has to get another job.

Les tells Fiz that Claire paid the bill. Cilla reckons she only made a small contribution but so she should have as it was her to blame. Cilla tells Fiz that she'll be paying the rest herself. Chesney is really grateful and Cilla gives Les a silencing look! It works remarkably, miracles never do cease!

Tyrone doesn't want Maria to move out now that Jack and Vera are back. He tells her that they will go right back on holiday...but this is dashed by the phrase 'I'll never go on holiday with you again!" said by Vera to Jack. Once again they are arguing over the pigeons! Maria's decision is sealed!

Deirdre tells Liz she has an admirer! Bob wants to get in contact with her! Liz is extremely excited at the prospect of a new romance

Keith has offered to clear out Emily's gutters but she is not so sure when he tells her it will be Craig who does the job.

Steve is telling Liz that Jim is in a bad way but he will always love her. Liz is adamant that she won't go back on what she said to him

Tyrone is upset at Jack for ruining things between him and Maria. He assures Jack that he will care for his pigeons if he just gives them some more time alone

Deirdre hands Liz Bob's number and she goes out to phone him. Ken is worried that Bob should know what he's getting himself in for, especially as Jim has a history of violence. But too late, Liz comes back and she is seeing Bob that very night!

There's drama at the guttering clearout! Craig is having problems and the guttering comes loose and he collapses from the ladder! Charlie is soon out, pound signs in his eyes. Keith tells him he'll be footing the bill

Ashley and Claire are making up. He assures her he does love her and she is still sure she did the right thing

Ciaran suggests to Fred that he checks the commotion outside from Shelley's bedroom window but she won't let him in. After Charlie learns Keith can pay out of the insurance Craig got after Tommy's death, he return to the pub to find Fred at Shelley's door. Charlie gets rid of him saying she is still ill and they will fall out if he doesn't leave her alone. Fred is furious but there's nothing he can do

Jack has changed his heart and is taking Vera back on holiday! Tyrone is delighted and assures Jack he'll have a good time when he gets there!

Liz tells Bob that she is very nervous but he is understanding with her as they settle down to their date.

The locals all agree to split the money for the guttering but Norris isn't enthusiastic as it could easily come out of the insurance money. They are adamant that is an awful thing to do and he is silenced

Liz is walking home with Bob; she wants him to meet Maria. A giddy Liz soon learns however that Maria isn't home! She takes Bob in for a coffee, as Steve watches aghast!

Duncan Lindsay







Monday 6 June Episode 6043, 6044

Hi all, here is the first part of the hour-long episode on Monday 6th June.

First thing in the morning at the Webster's, and Kevin is looking for his keys. Sally wonders why he doesn't always put them in the same place, then he'd know where they were. Rosie says that he likes to live dangerously. Kevin unearths a pile of job application letters and Sally tells him she thinks she's applied to every car showroom in Manchester, but been knocked back by them all. She thinks she's been blacklisted, but as she tries to explain to Kevin, Sophie comments that it's racism. She wants to know why black is always a bad thing – black sheep, blackmail etc. Sally rides over this and goes on telling Kevin that she thinks Ian has tarnished her name. Rosie asks why she can't work over the road, with Kevin, but Sophie informs her that Sally needs a job with a proper wage, "To pay for the poncey school fees!"

Over in the Rovers, Shelley is behind the bar, cleaning out the beer pipes, as it's early and no-one else is there yet. Her eye still looks just as bad as ever, looking more like she's been in the ring with Mike Tyson rather than being bumped by a door. She asks Charlie if he'd mind banking the weekend's takings for her. He says he'll do it in his dinner hour, but doesn't look too happy about it. She apologises, saying she knows it's a nuisance. She then suggests they come clean, tell everyone the truth and get back to normal, she's worried that Fred may bring a doctor round, or even, with his key, come into her room at any time. Charlie says he'll change the lock on her door in his dinner hour, after he's been to the bank. Just then there's a knocking on the door, Betty has arrived, so Shelley scoots off upstairs, leaving Charlie to finish off cleaning the pipes. Betty comes in, asking if she'd heard Shelley's voice. Charlie tells her it wasn't, but Shelley is getting better. He tells her to go and put the kettle on.

Bob, Liz's hot date, is just leaving her house at this early hour, and she's standing on the doorstep in her bright red dressing gown. He says it's a long time since he went home in last night's clothes, his neighbours will be agog. He also says he'll get a taxi and nods in Streetcar's direction. Liz tells him that might not be a good idea, her son runs the cab firm. She says it's not a problem, but if someone were to ask what he was doing there, she'd like him to lie through his teeth. She explains that she's not long finished with his dad, and Steve is still coming to terms with it. She thinks it best they just keep it between themselves. At that moment Steve comes round the corner right behind her. "On the other hand," Liz goes on, "honesty is always the best policy." She introduces Bob and he tells Steve it's nice to meet him and he's actually looking for a cab home. "Bob?" queries Steve, "as in what you call a man with no arms and no legs, floating in a canal?" Bob decides to get bus, and quickly departs for the bus stop. Steve berates Liz for standing in the street in her dressing gown, kissing a strange man, after all she is a married woman. Liz looks across to Bob waiting at the bus stop. "Bob!" she calls, "Why don't you come back in, we can call a cab from upstairs, he's not the only firm in the area." But Bob declines. Liz turns to Steve and tells him that her life has been on hold for years, but not any more. She and his dad are finished, and she's playing. "Deal with it!" she snaps, and walks inside.

Over at the Rovers, Fred comes in to the back room where the staff, plus Charlie, are having a cuppa. He says to Charlie that he thought he would have gone to work by now, and Charlie retorts that he could say the same to Fred. It's a flying visit, Fred has just popped in to see how Shelley is. Charlie tells him she's getting better, and Betty confirms that Charlie has said Shelley might be up and about in two days time. Fred has brought Shelley some grapes and wants to go up and see her, but Charlie stops him, saying she doesn't want any visitors and if Fred leaves them on the table he'll see she gets them. Ciaran reckons that Shelley must be bored out of her head up there, and Betty tells Charlie that chicken pox is only contagious in the early stages. Charlie insists that Shelley is self conscious of the way she looks with all the spots. "She just wants a bit of peace and quiet, is that too much to ask?" he says. "No," replies Fred, but he seems suspicious.

Diggory opens the door to the corner shop and hisses at Sunita, "Is he in?" She tells him that Dev is in the back, doing the books. Diggory has brought a cake as a peace offering and wants Sunita to call Dev out. She tells him she can't, he doesn't want to be disturbed, so Diggory uses tactics of his own. He goes back to the door and pretends to come in again, flattering Sunita in a loud voice. Dev rushes out from the back room, furious, and tells Diggory to get out of his shop. Diggory tries to make amends and asks Dev to take the cake with his compliments. At that moment Sally comes in, and Dev tells her that Diggory's shop is infested with mice. Diggory tells her that if she would go to his shop she would see that was a slanderous accusation. Diggory leaves, and Sally asks if they have any jobs going. Dev tells her they just took Sarah back on, and Sunita mentions that Diggory is still looking for someone. Dev says that Sally can't work there. "Why not, because of the mice?" queries Sally, "No," says Dev, "because there's a big, fat, lecherous rat in charge!"

Fred passes the back room of the pub and notices his grapes still sitting on the table. He picks them up and goes up the stairs. In her room, Shelley is counting the takings. He calls through the door to her that he has some grapes. Shelley immediately starts to panic and tells him she has plenty of fruit, but he persists, telling her they're all worried about her. "Are you decent?" he asks, saying he wants to come in for a chat, and is not put off when she says the door is locked, he has his keys with him. Just then there's a noise outside as Jason puts a ladder up to the window, about to start work repairing the broken guttering. Shelley rushes to put a chair against the door and draw the curtains.

Outside in the street, Charlie sees what Jason is doing, and tells him he told him to wait. Inside her now darkened room, Shelley is ringing Charlie on her new mobile phone in a panic. She tells him that Fred is trying to get in and there is someone at the window.

In the pub Fred has wandered back into the bar, telling Betty and Ciaran that Shelley has put something against the door. Charlie strides in, telling Fred that he told him to leave Shelley alone, and now she's in tears. Charlie tells him not to try again because he's going to change the lock on Shelley's door. Ken and Deirdre are at the bar and hear all this, and Deirdre comments that there's definitely something not right about Charlie. Upstairs, Shelley falls into Charlie's arms and he says he'll put a new lock on the door. Down in the bar they are still the main topic of conversation. "Bye the end of the day she's going to have a new lock and a bolt on that door," says Deirdre, "that's not a sick bed, that's a prison cell, and I'm going to do something about it!"

Sally goes into Diggory's shop and asks him about the job. He asks if she's had any experience and she tells him that place used to be her hardware shop. He puts his arm around her shoulders, "How flexible are you?" he murmurs, and wonders if she'd be available if he asked her to work late one night. Sally changes her mind about the job and leaves rapidly, leaving Diggory calling after her, "Is it the mice you're worried about?" (No, in Dev's words, it's the big, fat, lecherous rat!)

A delivery man arrives in the taxi office with a basket of flowers for the flat upstairs, which happens to be Liz's. Steve, however, refuses to take them, saying he will not be her fancy man's delivery man. "Bit of slag is she?" asks the bloke. Steve tells him he'll find her in the Rovers, but not to tell her he told him. "She's not that bad then?" he says. "She's me mother," says Steve.

Liz is telling Deirdre about Bob, but reckons she won't be seeing him again, she thinks Steve has scared him off. The chap with the flowers arrives, and Violet hopes they're for her, but sends him in the right direction when she finds they're not. Charlie comes in and sees the flowers on the table, "Blimey," he says as he walks past, "someone's desperate!"

Kevin arrives home when Sally is vacuuming. He's seen an ad in the local paper, they're looking for machinists at Underworld. Sally isn't keen, she used to be a supervisor over there. She tells him that a few weeks ago she had a career, some status and good money coming in, she's worrying about how they will cover the girls' school fees next year. He tells her they'll manage, and hugs her.

Over in the sanctuary of Shelley's bedroom, Charlie is changing the lock on the door. Ciaran calls from downstairs that they need some more silver for the till. Shelley throws him a bag of change and tells him to get her a drink while he's down there. He goes, leaving the door open, minus handle and lock.

In the back room of the shop, Sunita has made Dev a cuppa and is trying to persuade him to eat a slice of Diggory's cake. He refuses absolutely, but she tells him that maybe they've got something to celebrate. He's irritated that she doesn't discourage Diggory's blatant flirting with her. She tells him that no-one will ever come between him and her, "Especially now!" she adds, coyly. "What's got into you?" he wants to know, "you've been grinning like a Cheshire cat all morning." "Maybe I'm just blooming, Dev," she tells him, "maybe it's nothing to do with Diggory, maybe we've got something to celebrate. If you don't fancy cake, how do you feel about bun in the oven?" She's pregnant! Dev is overcome with emotion, and tearfully hugs her.

The doors of the Rovers burst open and in strides Bev! "What have you done to my daughter?" she demands of Charlie, who is behind the bar getting Shelley's drink. Charlie tells her to get out, but Bev insists she wants to see her. Charlie tells her she can't, Shelley has chicken pox. Of course, being her mother, Bev knows that Shelley had chicken pox when she was nine, and he's a liar. Bev rushes past him and up the stairs, while Ciaran tries to restrain Charlie, who threatens that he'll throw her back down. Bev rushes into the bedroom and stares straight into Shelley's bruised face. "I knew it," she says grimly. Shelley is shocked to see her mother, "I walked into a door!" she cries.

More to come in Part 2.

Annie Logan

Concluding part of tonight's hour long episode

Just as we left off, Bev is horrified and says, "Your beautiful face, you monster" as she looks at Charlie. "It wasn't Charlie" Shelly says. Bev tells her, "It's all right. You don't have to pretend any more" She thinks he should be caged up like an animal. "I walked into a door. It was nothing to do with Charlie" Shelly protests. Ciaran comes up saying, "What's going on?" Bev is quick to show him Shelly's face. Ciaran says, "You hit her" Charlie defends himself, "No, it's her jumping to conclusions, seeing what she wants to see" Shelly begging says, "Mum. Please. What he's saying is right, I walked into a door. And I've been keeping myself up here, away from everybody, cos I knew what people'd think" Bev says Charlie makes her sick and she spits at him. Ciaran quickly grabs him and holds Charlie down. Shelly scrams at her mum telling her to get out. Bev tells Charlie "I've stood by long enough. Not letting her see me, phone me. Making her life hell. No more, you're through" Shelly shouts telling Ciaran to let Charlie go. She then goes on saying that he didn't hit her and he loves her. Bev says, "Like when he took me to bed" Shelly is angry and tells Bev to get out. She drags her down stairs. Betty sees Shelly's face. She tells her mum she never wants to see her again, and continues to drag her out. When they get through to the bar, everyone stares at Shelly. "What are you staring at? He never hit me" Shelly tells everyone. Bev says to Deirdre that she's not listening to her. Bev thinks he is going to kill Shelly, and she will not let that to happen. Ciaran takes Bev out. Shelly goes through the back. Liz approaches the bar and says, "We all know what you are, Charlie"

Just outside the Rovers Deirdre tells Bev there is nothing else she can do. Bev says she came as soon as she called. Blanch says, "It's the curse of being a mother" Deirdre then tells her to come back with her and get a drink. Jamie and Danny just come out their house. They talk about Carol. Danny says, "Stop whining. You moaned cos she ain't stopped ringing you, and now you're moaning cos you ain't herd from her". He then tells Jamie that Carol will have forgotten about him. Jamie thinks she's getting better, but Danny tells him he knows the woman. "If there's an emergency, you'll hear from her" Danny says. He then tells him to get the order out to Saunders. Jamie goes, as he does Danny gets his phone and says, "You're place 10 minutes" Dev comes out his shop and shouts after Sally, who has just left the shop. He asks if she found a job yet. She says no. "That' s good" Dev says. He asks her if she wants a job as Sunita will be cutting down on her hours. Sally accepts and he asks when she can start.

Leanne is all ready for Danny. She lets him in. Danny informs her that he can't stay long. He is expecting an important phone call. She tells him, "You know some girls would hold out for jewelry or a flash car" Danny replies, "Well I ain't interested in some girls, am I?" Leanne says, "So you are interested in me then" They start hugging.

Back room of the Rovers and Betty says, "So that's why you've been hiding away" Shelly says she's not been hiding, not really. She decided to hide because she didn't want people to think what her mum thought, and that was Charlie hit her. Shelly says she feels silly now. Charlie says she needs rest now and take's her upstairs. Ciaran asks Betty what she thinks about this. She says Shelly can portend but there's something not right. Out in the hallway Shelly is crying. She tells Charlie, "I didn't see her coming" and says she's really sorry. He says its ok and tells her, "upstairs"

At the Corner shop Dev approaches Sunita. He says, "Right where were we? You were telling me you were pregnant" After she says yes he tells her, "I can't stop smiling" She replies, "Am the same. The customers are gonna think we're daft or summat" He asks her why she didn't tell him. She wanted to be sure. "Last time I thought I was, it turned out to be that brain tumour" She says. He asks her if she's done a test. Sunita says, "I did five" She didn't want to build his hopes up.

In the Kabin Ken, Norris and Rita discuss a book as Ken says, "Can't say I've herd of it" Rita says, "I thought at first it was going to be a bit grizzly, but it's not. It's very romantic" Ken has doubts. Norris says he's looked at Rita's copy. He then gives away the plot to the book. Rita says, "You've given away the plot. He'll know who's done it now" He replies, "The fact that the novel is called Jack gives it away" He goes on to say that the trash they print today. Rita asks if there will be any trashiness about his novel. He replies, "like all good novelists, I'm basing it on my own observation, and my own personal experiences" Blanch enters and says, "You lot have just missed a right set to in the Rovers" Then says, "Shelley threw her Mother out of the pub. Shouting and screaming they were, and that's not all. Shelley's got a shiner" Norris takes notes in his note book and Rita says, "Its supposed to be you're observations, not Blanches" Blanch then tells ken not to go home, as Deirdre interfere and took Bev to theirs.

Bev thinks Charlie has brainwashed Shelly into thinking that she needs him. Bev says Shelly was bullied at school but she kept out as she thought it were part of life. Bev then says, "Seeing her like that, throwing me out. That wasn't her, that wasn't my Shelly. That were him all over" Deirdre asks what she's going to do now. She says she can't go back as Shelly need her. Deirdre offers her the sofa for the night. Bev says she called her Peter all sorts but at least he didn't hit her. Deirdre says its good that it's out in the open now. Bev says Shelly is terrified of Charlie, and is this all her fault as if she was stronger, Deirdre reassures her saying Shelly is her own person.

Leanne asks Danny, "'What would you say if I said I was going to marry your Jamie?" He asks if he has proposed, no she says. Danny thinks she's messing about and would rather keep kissing her. He then says, "If you were going to marry Jamie, I'd buy you a toaster, and warn you the ring was probably knocked off" Leanne looks shocked and says, "What? You wouldn't beg me not to marry him?" He tells her she knew the score when they started. She tells him she really likes Jamie but he gets her in a completely different way. She reminds him about his important phone call, but he says, "Let them call back" and they start kissing again.

Rita is in the Corner shop and as she approaches the counter she says, "Every thing all right?" as Dev and Sunita are looking very happy. Sunita says they are fine and Rita leaves. Dev asks, "Are we gonna tell everyone in the put tonight?" Sunita does not want to tell anyone until she is 3 months gone, not even their parents. Dev goes over to the door and locks it. He says let me have this and screams, "Am gonna be a daddy"

At the Rovers Norris is getting is drink and saying to Betty that he heard Shelly's mum was back. He then asks if everything is ok, he is told yes. Sally and Kevin talk about her new job. She is used to earning more money. Kevin tells her to use it until she gets another job, then asks if she wants to work in another garage. Sally says she ran Ian's place while he was away and pricing up baked beans might not be the same, but she can't afford to be choosy. Norris thinks he's been guided by Catherine Cookson. Ken tells Norris he wrote a novel once. Norris asks if he's got a copy. Ken says it was never published, he did sent it to a few publishers but they never took it on. "The ramblings of a young man who thought he could make a different" Ken says. Norris asks if it was about that, he's told, "No, that's what I realized it was" Norris say's he was young at the time. "Oh, yes, there's not just one book in me. There's a hole library" Ciaran, Violet and Betty are talking about to days events. Violet tells Ciaran how Charlie makes her wait outside if Shelley is opening the safe. "I feel like they don't trust me" Violet says. When Ciaran asks Violet if she believes Shelley walked into a door, she tells him she doesn't know. Betty explains that what goes on between a man and wife is nothing to do with anyone else. Ciaran says "But she's our friend"

Leanne and Danny quickly pull apart from kissing one another as they hear someone coming up into the room. He gets his coat on and sits on the seat. It's Janice. She asks what he's doing hear and Leanne quickly says the are talking about Jamie's birthday. Danny says, "So you don't reckon on a watch then?" She says unless it's a special one.

Rosie does not like her mum's new job. "You had a really good job" she says. "I think it's an alright idea" Sophie says. Sally says it's a job and they need the money. "Yeah, for your education" Sophie says. "And yours" Sally tells Sophie. She says she's not going to that school. Rosie does not want her to go to Oakhill. Sophie says, "I don't like Enid Blyton. Send me there and I'll get myself expelled within a week"

Charlie is packing his bags. Shelly comes through and asks what he's doing. He's leaving. He thinks she has called her mum. Shelly protests she didn't. He says why didn't you just tell her to go instead of going down to the bar with her. He says she made a show of herself and all the time she went up hear is pointless. She starts sobbing and begs him not to go. He says he don't want people thinking he's a wife better as he is not. Then says she looks a mess. He walks out leaving Shelly crying.

Amanda Souter






Wednesday 8 June Episode 6045

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Tim Hopewell

In which Cilla gets philosophical, Sally gets the sack and Charlie just gets nastier by the minute.

A worried Violet is knocking on Shelley's door. She's brought her breakfast, and wants Shelley to just open the door so she knows she's alright. But we see Shelley inside the darkened room, wrapped up in a duvet, looking blank and forlorn. Violet leaves the breakfast outside the door and goes downstairs.

Bev and Deirdre go into a police station. Bev tells an officer that her daughter's boyfriend has been beating her up.

Cilla is on the sunbed yet again. She tells Yana, "I'll be all bake-tastic for me shift at t'chippy." She doesn't feel like going in to work, and she and Yana discuss the best ways of throwing a sickie (which translates as "feigning illness for the purpose of avoiding work"). Yana's top tip is to lie on the floor (a bed will do) when you make the phone call to the boss – apparently it "does something to your chest and makes your voice sound all weird – out of sorts, like." Now it's Yana's turn for the sunbed, and while she's wiping Cilla's excess coconut oil off it, Cilla asks her to be her maid of honour.

Maria is watching daytime TV in her pyjamas, and when Tyrone pops home for a tea break he doesn't take much convincing to join her on the sofa. He takes his jeans off first, which leads me to suspect they won't be paying too much attention to Jerry Springer.

Les is amused to find Sally stacking shelves in the corner shop. "How the high and mighty have fallen," he says, and adopts a "posh" voice: "So – do you get many of the Oakhill set coming in, then?" He carries on teasing her, getting her to get things off the top shelf and put them back and so on, and calls her "a born shop girl." He hasn't noticed that Dev is behind him. Sally tells Les he's going to have to try harder than that if he wants to insult her. Les goes out, and Sunita comes in, cross with Dev that he didn't wake her up. Nor has he told her that he's employed Sally – Sunita thinks she's a customer.

Bev and Deirdre are now talking to a female police officer about Shelley's black eye. The officer tells them that she can't do anything unless either Shelley makes a complaint, or they had another witness to the actual incident. She says she could send an officer round to see Shelley, but Bev is worried that it would make things worse by angering Charlie.

Upstairs at the Rovers, both Fred and Violet are trying to get Shelley to open the door, but she tells them to go away. "The only person who can come in is Charlie," she says, "And you lot have chased him away." She looks like she's been crying all night. Fred says she's missed by friends and punters, but she replies that Charlie is the only friend she can trust. "He's had it with being abused," she says, "I don't know where he's gone or if he's coming back." She sobs pitifully. Outside the door, Fred and Violet are upset to hear her, and Fred says they should leave her alone as they're only making her more agitated. Shelley goes over to the bed and lies down, still sobbing.

Bev and Deirdre are arriving back in the Street by taxi. Bev spots Charlie over the road, and goes to confront him.

Maria and Tyrone are coming out of the Duckworth's, and Tyrone says he's going to walk her to work, but Kevin comes over and yells at him for skiving off work.

Bev, backed up by Deirdre, is having a go at Charlie, who is doing his best to ignore her. Bev says he's a textbook wife-batterer, but he reckoned without a mother's unconditional love. "That's the kind of mum who could jump into bed with me, is it?" Charlie comments, and Bev says he's admitted it now, in front of Deirdre, but he adds, "It's a good thing I knocked you back then. That's what all this is about – hell hath no fury like a wrinkly scorned. Don't pander to it, Deirdre, I'm sure you've got better things to be doing with your time." Deirdre says that she's seen Shelley turn from a happy, confident landlady into a nervous wreck. Charlie says he has to go, but Bev yells after him that she's watching him, and so are the police. He seems completely unconcerned.

Cilla and Yana are at work in the chippy. Cilla is in a philosophical mood, she says. "I strive to be a good mother and sexy girlfriend. I put in hours on t'electric beach, always wear an inch of slap…" "Minimum," adds Yana. Cilla says she used to love chips, but now she's gone off them. And when men come into the chippy they don't see her, they see a sausage dinner. Right on cue, Les comes in, saying he could murder a pineapple fritter. Yana and Cilla give him a filthy look. Yana takes Les aside and tells him that Cilla wants wining and dining: "She's on the edge, Les. She's even been feeling philosophical." "Go away!" says a stunned Les. "As I live and breathe chip fat," she confirms. Food for thought for Les.

At the corner shop Dev is trying to convince Sunita that employing Sally will take the pressure off her. But when Sally comes back from her lunch break, Sunita tells her that she isn't needed. Dev isn't happy about it, but has to go along with Sunita. Sally is upset to be losing yet another job.

In the Rovers, Les is wearing his faux-snakeskin jacket, and Cilla and Yana are all dressed up too. Cilla tells Yana to text her boyfriend, Big H, to meet them in the Clock – Les is paying (which is news to Les).

They're on the way out as Sally comes in, and Les and Cilla immediately start poking fun at "shop girl Sally." After they've gone, Sally and Kevin talk about her being sacked. Sally is worried that they won't be able to afford for Sophie to go to Oakhill. Kevin says they have to treat both the girls the same, but Sally says they'd never afford two sets of private school fees. Kevin says either both of them go to Oakhill or neither does. Sally says she's going to the Jobcentre first thing in the morning – she's not going to let her girls go backwards in life.

Tyrone and Maria are also in the pub, and Tyrone is grumbling about how Kevin takes him for granted. Maria says, "He needs a wake-up call. And we're going to give him one!"

Charlie comes into the pub and asks for a pint. Violet and Ciaran are awkward but friendly-ish with him, asking him if he's not going to go through to the back. Instead he takes his pint to a table and sits down, like Clint Eastwood on a bad day.

At Weatherfield's plushest dining experience, the Clock, Cilla and Les are tucking in. Yana has had a message from Big H to say he's stuck in traffic. Cilla is complaining about her steak: she asked for it "cremated," but according to Les it's "still mooing." The waiter takes it away. "And don't all be gobbing on it in t'kitchen," Cilla says. "You can knock it off t'bill, an'all!" adds Les.

Shelley is still in bed, still with the curtains drawn at the window, but she gets up quickly when Charlie knocks on the door. She rushes to hug him, but he keeps his arms down by his sides. "Look at the state of you," he says. "You've come for your stuff, haven't you?" she whimpers. "Sit down!" he says. "Please don't leave me." "Are you deaf?" he says. She sits.

At the Clock, Les is "as full as a bull's bum." The bill arrives and they discover they've been drinking £70 bottles of wine – three of them. Les says they ordered house wine, but the waiter says that "the emotional lady" (i.e. Yana) ordered the expensive Chablis. The total bill is £275, which Les says is half the wedding fund, and Cilla says loudly that it was "the most mingiest meal I've ever had." "And she works in Wong's chippy," Les tells the other customers.

Charlie is having a right go at Shelley, saying he was the local hero till she went "all Looney Tunes" on him. "You're dragging me down with you – do you realise that?" She keeps saying she's sorry, but he says words are cheap. "Look at you, like a rabbit caught in the headlights. A big, fat rabbit." She repeats that she's sorry and he shouts, "WILL YOU STOP SAYING THAT?" He says it's all her fault for not doing what they planned – instead of laying low pretending she had chicken pox, she frogmarched her mother through the pub and showed everyone her black eye. "I didn't mean it!" she says. "YOU NEVER DO, SHELLEY!" he yells. "But the fact is they think that shiner is my handiwork, and I'm the jailer of the mad woman in the attic. And there's nothing I can do about it except save myself a load of aggro and sling my hook for good." She begs him not to leave. He tells her that Bev has reported him to the police, and if they ask around there's no-one who will give him a good character reference. He says he's going to give Shelley one last chance: "If you can convince the doubters, and that's everyone, basically, that you and me are the real deal…" "I can!" she says. "Good. Because otherwise I'm out of here." "I'll show ‘em. I promise," Shelley says, and now he finally deigns to give her a hug. "No ranting and raving, eh?" he says. "I thought you were going to leave me," she squeaks. "Thank you." "Just don't let me down," he says, squeezing out a few crocodile tears of his own. He starts unzipping her top. She says can they not just have a cuddle, but he says, "I need you to show me how much you love me. I need you to *show* me."

Sue Haasler





Friday 10 June Episode 6046

It's Friday in Weatherfield, and Shelley is asleep. Charlie comes in and tells her that it's nice out. "I'm sorry," are her first words as she wakes. She tells Charlie she's not ready to face people. He tells her there is no need for her to hide away any more. "The longer you leave it . . ." But Shelley pleads with him. "Please don't make me." He promises he won't. "But this isn't just about you, Shelley. I'm on my own down there," he says. Shelley tells him she knows she's being selfish. He says he has to go out, and Shelley seems to suddenly get very anxious.

In the street, Steve drives past in the taxi as we see Maria pointing out a job ad to Tyrone. He doesn't want a new job, but Maria says Kevin is taking Tyrone for granted and it won't do him any harm to think that Tyrone is going for another job. Steve is paying £20 over to Tracy so she can buy Amy a couple of pairs of new shoes. While Tracy and Liz are deriding his knowledge of the cost of young ladies' footwear, Bob arrives and smarms all over Liz. It seems he is taking her wine tasting tomorrow night. Steve wonders if Bob has ever seen Liz drunk, but Bob assures him he can't picture Liz being anything but pretty. Steve and the entire viewing public suddenly feel ill, but Tracy is very impressed and wonders why Steve never says anything like that to her.

In the shop, Sunita is reading a magazine called Babes N Tots when Hayley comes in for milk ("Mr Baldwin's impossible unless he's fully lubricated!"). Sunita shoves the magazine under the counter and picks up the book lying there, telling Hayley she's reading about sharks because Dev wants to go scuba diving and she wants to dissuade him (No, nobody explains what this book is). Dev comes in, still grinning like a loon, and Hayley goes into fits of giggles. "I was just picturing you in one of them wet suits," she tells a very puzzled shopkeeper. When she's gone, Dev tells Sunita he's got a marvelous surprise for her, and to be ready for him to collect her at 3pm.

At the garage, Kevin and Danny are arguing about what Danny thinks is a completely unreasonable charge for fixing his car's brakes. In the background, Tyrone's phone goes and he SHOUTS into it: "AN INTERVIEW? YEAH, THAT'D BE FANTASTIC!" Kevin gives him a puzzled glance, but is too tied up in his conversation with Danny, who has mentioned the word "favour". He asks if Danny still needs a machinist. They agree that if Danny gives Sally a job, he'll only have to pay for parts. They decide on a plan. When Danny has gone, Kevin asks Tyrone who it was on the phone. "No-one."

In the pub, Shelley goes downstairs and gets as far as putting her hands on the beer taps before she's started by Violet. Violet, who seems to be the one handling this with the most understanding, talks about the need to put on a persona when you're behind the bar and says she learned that from Shelley. She says it's like riding a bike and Shelley will be back into it in no time. "You'll have to get me some stabilisers, then," Shelley jokes nervously. Violet says if she has to she can cope on her own, but Shelley says she promised Charlie.

In a suburban house in a leafy street, a real estate agent says: "This room would make a lovely nursery." Dev says it will be lovely when it's painted blue for their son. Sunita asks if she and Dev can be left alone for a bit. When they are alone, she rounds on Dev, telling him he's got no right to make this sort of decision alone when they are supposed to be married. "In one day you've picked this dump, chosen the colour scheme and decided on the sex of our baby." "I'm just trying to take care of my family," he says. Sunita points out that she's part of that family. "If I'm the one going to be the size of a house, then I will choose which one we live in." Dev is like a little boy opening his Christmas presents at 1am. "I'm just so excited," he said.

In the pub, Maria is cross-examining Tyrone. He admits that he was trying to be subtle and isn't sure the idea got through to Kevin. "Leave the planning to me," she tells him. "We both know who's got the brains in this relationship." Tyrone is pleased with this. "That means I've got the looks," he points out. Maria tells him to ask for tomorrow off and gives him the job ad to plant somewhere that Kevin will find it. "And don't be subtle." Charlie comes in and Violet tells him that Shelley tried, but just isn't ready. Shelley is all dressed and painted and sitting on the stairs. Charlie tells her she looks lovely and sits down beside her. "I get scared when you're not here," she tells him.

In the Wethy Arms, Bev and Deirdre have turned up to see Liz. They tell her they can't go to the Rovers because Charlie is there.

In said Rovers, Dev and Sunita are with Roy and Hayley and Roy is giving a lecture on sharks. Don't wear shiny jewelry when you're diving, apparently. Must be in case of those Magpie sharks. Sally and Kevin are having a drink and are joined by Danny, who says he could do with some intelligent conversation. Sally suddenly sits up straight. Dev etc are talking about houses when Sunita suddenly blurts out that she's pregnant. "I thought we weren't going to tell anyone," Dev says. "You told the estate agent," Sunita points out. Hayley and Roy are thrilled with the news.

Shelley has decided she can go into the bar if Charlie is with her. As she enters, she is met with beaming smiles and loving comments from Violet, Fred and others. But she spots Sunita and flees.

Meanwhile, in Western Aus (I suspect I've misread my notes here and it's really the Weatherfield Arms), Bev, Liz and Deirdre are having a heart to heart and Bev finds out that Liz left the Rovers because Charlie made a move on her but Shelley believed his version of events. "If lying were an Olympic Sport, Charlie would win gold every time," Liz says.

In the Rovers, Dev tells Charlie to have a drink himself, and tells him the good news. He buys a round for the whole bar. Sunita is upset. She didn't want Dev to tell Charlie because she wanted to tell Shelley herself.

In Steve's flat, he's on the sofa with a beer as Tracy cleans up. He's worried that Bob is too unexciting for his mother, but Tracy tells him to get over it. She says he needs her because he can't cope with the flat. "I can take care of myself," he says in an offended voice. "You don't have to," she says, "Besides, I don't want Amy living in a pig sty." She tells Steve it's time she and Amy moved in.

In the pub, Sally and Danny are coming to the end of negotiations. Danny tells her he knows she's really more suited to the office, but he desperately needs a machinist and it won't be forever. Sally obviously thinks it's just the first step to the management fast track in the Baldwin empire. Roy's sharks would be impressed by the speed with which she snaps up the job. Sunita and Dev are on their way out and stop to tell the Websters and Danny their news, and so Dev can apologise to Sally. She says it's all worked out and she now has a job. "To the baby and to getting sacked," she toasts

In the bedroom, Charlie comes in, opens the curtains and gives Shelley a meal. He tells her no-one downstairs has said a word. She's not really very hungry, she says. Charlie says she's done the hard bit. "Tomorrow, you're going to go outside and go across to the corner shop to get some milk." Shelley says she can't. Charlie says she has to, because Sunita has some news that Shelley might like to hear. "Tell me," says Shelley. "Ask her yourself," he replies. Shelley says she'll try.

The End.

Margaret Carr





Sunday 12 June Episode 6047

Shelley is planning an adventurous day out to purchase some of Rita's best quality milk (well I assume she won't be giving the Alahans business) and she puts on a brave front for Charlie. He tells her that it's okay for her to be nervous but she assures him that she is absolutely fine. He smiles at her and leaves the room, after which she locks it firmly. Well who can blame her?

Steve is discomforted with Tracy talking about moving in with him. He tries to ignore her by concentrating on baby talking with Amy (a slightly deeper conversation than he is likely to have with Tracy anyway) but he can no longer block her out so instead fobs her off, telling her he will think on it.

Craig has come over to Rosie's house (someone please get me up to date! Are these two an item or just friends...because last I saw he never wanted to speak to her again!) and he lets Sally know about Rosie's desire for a leather corset. Sally is aghast at the idea but Rosie is adamant she needs new clothes. Kevin gives her money to buy a presentable jacket.

Steve (or Jack Duckworth mark two according to Violet) has popped in for a pint to get away from Tracy and yes, he has resorted to a crossword (Has it not occurred to him that Tracy's local may not be the best place to hide from her) His lunch break becomes significantly more interesting however when his old flame Louise enters.

Candice is showing Tyrone and Maria her new poses (don't worry, it's all clean. It is a holy day after all) but Maria is far from impressed and decides to rip the mick out of her. naturally Candice's witty response to this is to storm out. Then Maria gets a cunning plan...she wants someone to phone up Audrey's and make her boss think she is being offered a job elsewhere. The flaw in the plan? She asks dopey Tyrone to do the deed. D'oh!

There is clearly still a spark between Steve and Louise. His Cheshire-cat like grin is a hint to this. It is a gut wrenching task for him to admit he is seeing Tracy now and it becomes clear that Louise is disappointed.

Shelley is looking through her wardrobe for something to wear. But her stalling is a step further than the typical female dilemma of what to wear.

Her other half and her mother have just met on the street. Bev warns Charlie that she will be watching him so he had better be careful. Liz, with ever more helpful inputs, adds that she is also watching.

After spending half the day investigating, Tracy has managed to track Steve down in the Rovers. She isn't impressed to see Louise but puts on a temporary nice front and apologises for her earlier attitude. She blames it on post-natal depression (while we all blame it on the fact that she is a complete bitch) As Steve goes to the bar, Louise insists that nothing is going on, which prompts Tracy to inform her that's why she has been granted the small mercy of not being decapitated. Steve is annoyed to see Louise leave the pub after getting Tracy's marching orders.

Shelley is on her way downstairs but struggles to get any further. Breathing heavily, she sits on the stairs and panics.

We return to a shaking Shelley as she hammers Charlie's number into her phone. Emotionless, he picks up his phone, lets it ring for a while then switches it off, leaving Shelley at a loss. Violet passes and sees her on the stairs. She asks softly if she is coming through but Shelley isn't ready and instead offers to make a cup of tea for them both

Tracy is enraged about Louise's reappearance and doesn't Deirdre just know it? Tracy rants on and Deirdre suggests it all could've been innocent. Tracy admits she may have been a bit harsh and then turns from rage to gush in a matter of seconds as if she were Jekyll and Hyde. She tells Deirdre Steve has asked her to move in!

Shelley is greeted warmly by Rita and Sally as she comes into the bar. Rita offers to buy her a drink and Shelley lounges worriedly at the back of the bar clutching a glass of wine as the loud factory group come in. As the rowdy bunch descend onto an unfortunate table, Sally looks over with distaste thinking about how she will be joining the clique in under 24 hours.

Tyrone has phoned up Audrey but she is not falling for his cleverly constructed plot, particularly when Kevin takes the phone and tells her that her car is ready (when have we seen Audrey in a car!?) Audrey is not best impressed with her cunning employee

Speaking of employees, Sally is still not relishing becoming one of Underworld's alongside the likes of Janice Battersby. Rita warns her not to get above herself but Sally explains she merely wants to get the girls everything they want.

As the factory group erupt into more chaos, Shelley sneaks out. But she is soon diving back in at the sight of her mum! Now, come on, she doesn't look that bad, Shell!

Tracy has attempted to make herself alluring and waits for Steve to come back to his flat. Let's hope for his sake, he has had the sense to put himself on lates.

It's dinnertime at the Websters' and Rosie refuses to eat meat....yes she is a vegetarian! And Sally is furious by her daughter's anti-carnivorous attitude and goes down Rosie's neck, unlike the pork chop. Rosie flees the room upset and Sally apologises to Craig. "I've just been having a hard time lately" "Haven't we all?" replies Craig. Someone dad Sally's lug with that pork chop, make some use of it!

Tyrone has some 'great' news for Maria. He has been promoted to service manager....meaning that for no extra money he gets to wake up at all hours to go out and do breakdowns and emergencies....but he does get a fabulous work phone! Who wouldn't be excited!? Well, Maria for a start...

Charlie looks even grimmer than usual when Violet informs him what happened with Shelley earlier.

And the smiles continue as Steve moans to his mum that he doesn't love Tracy. Liz asks him to give it some time but he knows he's just with her for Amy and he'll have to do something about it soon as it is getting worse...

Duncan Lindsay





Monday 13 June Episode 6048, 6049


Hi everyone, here is Monday's hour long episode. The first part is reported by me, the second half is by Amanda.

It's morning at Steve's flat, and Tracy, wearing his dressing gown, is preparing him a mug of tea. (The wearing of the dressing gown is meant to tell us that she spent the night.) Steve comes in and takes his tea, looking decidedly uncomfortable, and she tells him she had a great night, first proper row, first proper making up. "Feels like a milestone, doesn't it, Babe?' she says. He tells her not to call him that, because it makes him sound like a pig. Tracy tells him that after she's fetched Amy from Deirdre's, she'd like to go into town and Steve volunteers to look after Amy while she goes. She's delighted, and goes out singing, "No, nay never, no nay never no more, will you sit in the Rovers with that Irish whore!'

Over at the Webster's, Rosie is giving Kevin a lecture on the evils of using the earth's resources for growing animals for food. Kevin cheerfully bites into his bacon sarnie, as Sally comes in, dressed smartly and ready for work. "Mum, it's a knicker factory,' says Sophie, but Sally tells her that she wants to make an effort on her first day. Kevin says he's sure she'll fit in, but Sally isn't sure she wants to fit in, she doesn't want to be on a par with Janice Battersby.

Tracy and Steve arrive at the Barlow household. Tracy just calls and waves through the doorway at her daughter, and then goes upstairs to get changed. Steve tells the assembled clan of Ken, Blanche, Deirdre and Bev that he's taking Amy off their hands, and Bev and Deirdre get up and go out.

Over the road, the factory workforce are waiting outside the door to go in. "Here comes Lady Webster now,' says Janice. Hayley tries to get an assurance out of Janice that she will make Sally feel welcome. "Oh yes,' says Janice, "she always looked after me when she was supervisor here.'

Sally and Kevin are walking across the road, she tells him that she'll just be herself, and she can handle them. They all give each other cheesy smiles.

Deirdre and Bev come out of the Barlow house. Deirdre tells Bev she doesn't have to go out for breakfast, but Bev feels she's in the way. They walk down the road talking about Shelley. Bev is convinced that Shelley is not right, and she doesn't like the idea of her shutting herself away from the world, just because of that man. ‘That man' looks out at them from the upstairs window of the Rovers.

Charlie turns to Shelley and says that he hates the thought of her locking herself away because of her mother. Shelley says she can't be bothered to face her because she knows what she's thinking. She never liked any of the fellas Shelley went out with, and she happened to be right about Peter Barlow, just that once and now she thinks she knows it all. Shell just wishes Bev would go back home and leave them alone.

Jason goes into the café, where Bev is having her breakfast, and orders sandwiches to take out. Apparently they're for Charlie who isn't getting fed at home these days. Bev pricks up her ears when she hears this. While Vera is talking to Jason, Roy takes a phone call, and he later tells Vera that his grandfather has died.

Over at the factory, Sally is resisting the girls' attempts to get her to make everyone tea until Adam comes in and asks what is going on. Sally is disgusted at the state of the kitchen, which she says is a pigsty. Eventually Adam volunteers to do it, and Sally has the grace to look a little shamefaced. Janice says she reckons that's class, seeing as how he's the boss's son.

Steve is sitting with Liz in the café, trying to explain to her how Tracy came to stay the night, after all he had said the day before about splitting up with Tracy. Steve moans to her that when Tracy got home she never even said hello to Amy, but just went straight upstairs to get changed to go out. (Actually, Tracy did say hello to Amy). Liz says that Tracy may not win ‘mother of the year' but he wouldn't win ‘father of the year' either.

Roy is talking to Vera about his grandfather, but says that every time he tries to picture him he just sees his father, who he hasn't spoken to in years. He was closer to his grandfather who had travelled the world, but finished up in an old folks home in Crewe. Roy wonders if he was lonely when he died. "Doubt it,' says Vera, "they pack ‘em in like sardines in them places.' This doesn't seem to offer Roy much comfort.

Over at Underworld, they're all talking about going to have a drink in the Rovers during their dinner break. They ask Sally if she's going to come. Fizz tells her it will give them a chance to make her feel welcome. "New girl buys the first round, is that it?' asks Sally. They assure her that isn't the case, but she declines anyway, saying she's got to go shopping and buy something nice for tea. "I wonder what kind of posh nosh get served up at Webster Towers?' mutters Janice.

In the Rovers, Violet is telling Fred and Betty how Shelley went outside for two minutes but then came rushing back in. Violet is sure that she's not well. Fred points out that he can't make her see a doctor. "How much do you think is down to him?' Betty wants to know, but at that moment Charlie comes downstairs. He tells them that he's worried about Shelley, he thinks she might be heading for a breakdown. He says that it was her idea to hide the black eye, after the fiasco with the cartridge gun she didn't want people jumping to conclusions. Then her mother came back, and now it's all got out of hand. He admits to them he doesn't know what to do. "I'll go and have a word with ‘er,' says Fred, but Charlie thinks it would be better if Betty were to go.

Tracy has been shopping and is showing Steve all she bought. She's bought him a shirt, which seems to make him feel really uncomfortable. He tells her he can hardly get all the shirts he already has into his wardrobe, and she agrees that they do need more space, especially if she and Amy were to move in properly. "It would be nice, wouldn't it,' she says, "one day?' Steve manages a weak, faltering smile, "Yeah,' he says, "one day.'

Over at the builder's office, Charlie and Jason are sitting on his balcony enjoying chips and a cuppa. Charlie confesses that Shelley is doing his head in, she's gone all weird. "Well, walking into doors will do that to you sometimes,' says Jason, cheerfully tucking into his chips. Charlie's face becomes grim. "She did walk into a door,' he says. "I never doubted you, pal,' says Jason. Charlie stands up and puts his face very close to Jason's. "If you ever do doubt me,' he snarls, "you're sacked, because I couldn't work with anyone who would work with a man who hits a woman, ok?' He sits down again and says that Shelley couldn't even go out for a pint of milk the other day. She's got him waiting on her hand and foot. Everyone thinks he's beating her black and blue and all he's doing is putting up with her. Jason asks if he's thinking of calling it a day, and he says he nearly did last week. Jason asks why he went back, and Charlie says he likes her. She loves him and it's nice to be appreciated, also, there are definite advantages to living over a pub. Jason reckons Shelley has got Charlie exactly where she wants him. Charlie says that all the trouble is the fault of Shelley's mother, if she would just crawl back under the rock she came from, he and Shelley could get back to normal. Jason looks down into the street. "She's about to do just that,' he says. Charlie looks too, and they see Deirdre waving Bev off as she gets taken away in a taxi.

Back at the factory, the girls present Sally with a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits, to make up for that morning and to prove that they really do want to make her feel welcome. Sally is surprised, but touched, especially when Fiz tells her they nipped out specially to get ‘that posh stuff'. "What is it?' asks Hayley to the girls at the table, "Lapsang Souchon?' Kelly laughs and reveals to them alone that it is normal tea with some of her perfume sprayed into it. Across the room, Sally takes a sip of the doctored tea. "Hmm, very nice that,' she tells them, but her face tells a different story. "A fiver says she drinks the lot!' Kelly whispers to the others.

Blanche is wondering why Tracy bought Amy yet another outfit. "She only wears them once,' she says, "and then they just clog up the dirty linen basket.' She says she can't remember the last time she saw the bottom of the basket. Tracy says that there is a solution, but it depends on her. "It's not me that fills the thing up,' protests Blanche, "I often only contribute one pair of drawers a day.' Tracy reminds her that when she first bought No. 7 it was for her and Amy. Blanche reminds her that the Baldwins live there now. "So kick ‘em out,' says Tracy. "They pay me rent,' says Blanche, "I'm not that keen on seeing the bottom of a linen basket. Tracy narrows her eyes.

Shelley is talking to Betty, telling her that she knows her mother thinks she's stupid. Betty says that she's just worried about her, they all are. Shelley says that's because everyone's got the wrong end of the stick about Charlie, but he loves her and would never hurt her so there's no need for anyone to be worried. Betty tells her that Charlie is worried about her as well, he's the one who asked her to come up there. Shelley says it just shows how much he cares, and also shows that he's forgiven Betty for getting him arrested. "Hand on heart, on your son's life, you do believe me when I say that Charlie has never hurt me, don't you?' she asks Betty. After an awkward pause, Betty is saved from answering by the arrival of Charlie. Betty makes a quick exit, and Charlie tells Shelley that her mother has gone, he saw Deirdre wave her off with his own eyes, so now they can get back to normal.

The evening meal is being served up at Webster Towers. Sally is moaning about having the taste of Kelly's cheap perfume in the back of her throat all day, as she puts a plate with a pork chop on it in front of Rosie. "Er…what is that?' asks Rosie, "are you trying to make some kind of point?' She reminds Sally that yesterday she told her she was a vegetarian. Sally tells her she's had a bad day, had a lot on her mind. "Eat it,' she says, rather patronisingly, "and you can be a vegetarian again tomorrow.' Rosie refuses, but Sally tells her she is not leaving the table tonight until she has eaten the chop.

In the taxi office, Steve is having another moan to Liz about Tracy, and how getting involved with her was a big, big mistake, but now he's stuck, because Tracy is so volatile, no one is more likely to fight dirty if she holds a grudge. Liz advises him to finish it sooner rather than later. Steve thinks he's got to be a bit crafty, or he won't be able to see Amy ever again.

Over at the Barlow's, Tracy is talking to Ken as he sets the table. He wants to know why, if she and Steve need space, they can't go somewhere else. She says she wants to be near her family. "Yer babysitters, more like,' quips Blanche. Eventually, Tracy says that she and Steve will pay the same rent as the Baldwins, so reluctantly Blanche agrees that she can have the house. Tracy rushes off to see Steve.

Rovers and Danny is telling Frankie what the factory girls did to Sally. "They put perfume in her tea, and told her it was Lapsang Souchong' Frankie thinks he should have said something but he says, "It's dog-eat-dog on that factory floor. I daren't interfere. If they're tough, they'll survive. If not they get ripped apart by the pack, and eaten by Janice' Tracy comes in looking for Steve. Violet has not seen him so she goes to look for him at the cab office. On the way out she sees Danny and Frankie. She tells them that her gran wants them out, so she and Steve can move into number 7. She then says they better start looking for a new house soon, as she wants to move in as soon as possible. They both look shocked.

At the cab office Liz is telling Steve just to tell Tracy what he has just told her, how he feels. Dev comes in apologizing for being late. He got talking about names for babies. Steve tells Liz they are going to have a meeting. As she goes she tells Steve, "Talk to her. I'm going' Dev asks if he has went through the books.

In the bedroom over the Rovers Shelly says, "I can't believe she's gone?' and says it's not like her mum. "Well it is a relief' She says. Violet knocks and is told she can come in. Violet asks her if she wants to come on a shopping trip with her. She has to think about it. Charlie says, "Go on, you deserve it' Violet says there's no rush and leaves her to think about it. Charlie says, "lots of people want to see you out and about again' Shelly agrees with him.

Sally asks everyone apart from Rosie if they want more custard. Sally looks at Rosie and reminds her she won't be getting any pudding if she does not eat that chop. Kevin tells her to eat the chop and be a vegetarian another day. Rosie says she is standing up for a principle and though her mum would be proud. Sally says not a daft one, then says, "You are going to sit there until you do'

Dev thinks money is flowing down the drain. This is because the amount of calls they are getting, they can't handle them. Dev suggests getting 3 new drivers. Tracy enters asking to speak to Steve but he says he's busy. They arrange to meet in the Rovers later. Eileen asks if Tracy is going to drive for them. "Well there's one of them' then says, "she's done it before.' Steve says no.

Hayley comes in the café. Roy is cleaning the glass. All excited she tells him why she is late, she had to check the stock order. She thinks it grate that she is trusted more then Adam, as that is part of his job. She goes on then asks Roy what his day has been like. Roy tells her about his grandfather dying. Hayley feels awful for having going on and tells Roy he should have said. Roy says, "Well, well I did try' She hugs him and apologises.

Rosie is still at the dinner table. Sally says her dad has got films out, but she won't be getting to watch them until she eats the chop. Sally also says Sophie is making popcorn. Rosie says, "I don't care' The phones rings and as Rosie get up to answer is, she is told to sit down. "Hi Pippa' sally says. Sally informs her that Rosie is still eating her tea. She tells Pippa after Rosie is finished she will call back or she will see her at school tomorrow.

Rovers and Jason says, "I would not mind if you refused to come out of my bedroom' he tells Violet. Violet laughing tells Charlie to put a pair of old socks in Shelly's bedroom and she will be down like a shot. Charlie slightly smiling says, "It's not funny. I just want things back to normal' Charlie's mobile rings. Steve enters and Tracy tells him about them now living in number 7. He does not look thrilled. Tracy asks him if he wants to move in with her and Amy. He says "I dunno' She tells him she had to beg and bully her gran into letting her have the house. Steve says, "I'm sorry' but stops. He then says to her "it's work'. He says he would like to move in with her, he tries to act all excited. Tracy is delighted and hugs him.

Café again. Hayley gives Roy a cup of tea. She says she should have realized something was up as he's cleaned the counter good. Then says he always turns to a scrubbing brush then he's upset. Roy says upset is not the right word. He can't really remember his granddad. Hayley asks how he knows that his granddad died. Roy says the solicitor phoned him. Then says he will be attending the funeral.

Danny and Frankie are at Blanch's door telling her she can't kick them out as they have a contract. Blanch says she will give them to the end of the week. Frankie says it's against the law. Blanch says, "Then sue me' and slams the door. Through the letterbox she screams, "We're not going anywhere. Do you hear me, you Looney? You are not kicking us out of our house' Danny says she deaf and can't hear her. Blanch shouts, "I heard that' Jason shouts on Charlie. Bev comes out of a taxi. Charlie is shocked and goes over to her. "Perfect timing. Big strong man to help me with my bags' she says. He asks why she is back. She says she went back to get her stuff and says, "I'm back' Jason approaches and says, "Like the terminator' She says she's got a new life and job and is here to stay.

Ciaran knocks at Shelly's door and comes in. He says the brewery called about a promotion. She gets him to say she will call them back in the morning. She then asks Ciaran to plug the phone back in. He is amazed. She then gets him to tell Violet to come back up when she has a moment. She tells him things are going to be different. "That's music to my hears' he says.

Rosie still sat at the table. Sally eats her pudding in front of her and says she must be hungry. Rosie thinks this is unfair. Sally tells her she will win eventually. Sally makes a deal, "You eat one mouthful and I'll chuck the rest in the bin' Rosie says, "I can't. I'm a vegetarian' Sally angrily tells her she will continue to sit there.

At the Rovers, Tracy tells Liz about what her and Steve are doing. She asks if Steve knows. Tracy says yes and he's over the moon. "It's what we both want, and I am so happy' Tracy says. Liz says it looks like they are celebrating when Steve returns from the toilet. Eileen says they should take on Tracy as people ask for woman drivers. "I don't know why Steve's so touchy. Tracy's got her license and she's a woman' Claire has over heard the conversation. Liz is telling Steve and Tracy to buy some where instead. Steve says it's the money. Tracy says she was going to get the house any way, and this way she's just getting it sooner. She jokes about Steve just being after her money because she is going to inherit the house. Claire tells Ashley they need women taxi drivers. She wants to be a taxi driver. Ashley says he will support her all the way.

Frankie says she is not going to get away with this. Danny is reading and says, "She can't kick us out. It's here in black and white' he then says "Who'd have thought you'd get attached to this little home, you hated it when we first moved in' he laughs. Frankie says, "I think we should start looking for a new house' Danny says its too much hassle and moving house is more stressful then divorce. She says if he wants a divorce she will give him one but it will cost more than moving. She is going to get onto the estate agency first thing tomorrow.

Sally says, "Well, I suppose I have to admire your determination' Rosie tells her mum that even if she has to sleep there, she will, rather than eat the meat. "Alright, I give in. You can go to bed' Sally says. Rosie gets up and tells her mum, "Maybe in future you'll respect my convictions' Sally picks up the dinner plate and says, "Well you may have won this battle, but the war goes on. Guess what you're having for breakfast?'

Shelley is trying on clothes and looking in the mirror. Thinking of what to wear on her shopping trip with Violet. Charlie enters and tries to explain that he was wrong about Bev. Shelley tells him, "Now my mother's gone, things are going to get back to normal' She hugs him and thanks him for being the best boyfriend in the world. Charlie cannot then bring himself to shatter her confidence and tell her about her mum.

Rovers and Tracy wants to go home and celebrate. Steve is not that keen and does not want to go. Liz comes over and asks what's the love birds are up to. Tracy goes to get Amy from the babysitters. Liz asks Steve why he had not dumped her yet. He says he can't because he won't get to see Amy. She says he is going to play happy families till she finds out. He threatens her saying if she says anything to Tracy and he loses Amy, she will lose a son.

Annie Logan and Amanda Souter





Wednesday 15 June Episode 6050

Written by: Chris Fewtrell
Directed by: John Anderson

In which Roy worries about his father, Deirdre worries about her mother, Danny lusts after his son's girlfriend and Sally serves tulips to her husband and daughter.

Roy is preoccupied and tired after a couple of sleepless nights, following the news of the death of his grandfather, though he denies to Hayley that this is the reason for his sleeplessness. He says his grandfather enjoyed a long life which he (Roy) was mostly not part of, so there's nothing to mourn. Hayley says there's obviously something wrong and she's not going anywhere till he tells her what's nagging him. He snaps that the only thing nagging him is her, but then admits that what's bothering him is the thought of the funeral, and seeing his father.

Frankie and Danny Baldwin are at home, and Frankie takes a call from Hayley saying she'll be late in to work because she's got some things to sort out. Danny's a bit cross that Frankie said this was okay without asking him first, but she replies that Hayley wouldn't take time off without a good reason, and besides, Danny is going to be taking the morning off work too – Frankie wants to take him house-hunting.

Touching scenes of family disharmony at the Websters, where Rosie is once again facing the dreaded pork chop – being served for breakfast, as Sally promised. Sally tries the old "there are starving people who'd be glad of good food like that' line on her, but Rosie trumps her with "I bet those pigs were chained to the floor, lying in their own mess' – an image which puts Sophie off her bacon. Sally says the bacon is organic and free range – Kevin says it "died peacefully in its sleep with its family round its bed.' "So does that mean we should eat you when you die?' counters Rosie, and gets up from the table saying she has to get to school. Sally realises she's late for work, and goes out. Rosie grins and grabs an apple to eat.

Danny is at the factory telling the girls and Sean that he's going to be out for the morning. Janice wants to know who's in charge: "Organ grinder's in Spain, and you're off out. No sign of junior monkey.' Danny says when Adam appears they should tell him he's in charge. At that point Sally arrives, apologising for being late, but Danny is on his way out and tells her that Janice will fill her in on what's going on. Janice tells Sally that Danny's instructions were that Sally was to run the place in his absence. Sally wastes no time in assuming her natural air of superiority, and tells them all to get to work. She goes into the office and closes the door.

Shelley is getting ready for her day out shopping with Violet. She's excited, but nervous because she hasn't been out for so long. She tells Charlie that she's happy because she knows she won't bump into her mother, and won't have to justify herself to anybody. He tells her to buy anything she wants and he'll pay for it, and she should just have a good time. He doesn't tell her that Bev is back.

Blanche and Lena are wearing cowboy hats. They're going line dancing, and Lena attempts to interest Ken in it: "You could fill a pair of chaps a treat!' Deirdre asks Blanche if she's spoken to the solicitor about changing the tenancy on the house, and Blanche says it's all in hand.

At the factory everyone is drinking tea and laughing, and there isn't much work going on. Adam comes in, and goes straight to the office, where Sally is on the phone talking business with a customer. She gestures to Adam to wait till she's finished. The others are all looking through the window, waiting for fireworks to start. Adam asks Sally what she's doing, and she says that Danny has left her in charge. Adam says that Danny is going to go ballistic because no-one is working, but Sally says she really needs to sort the computer system out, and ushers him away.

Charlie sees Bev coming out of a flat (I think it's the one Sarah and Todd used to live in), and tells her that he's made sure that she's worse than dead in Shelley's eyes. She says she doesn't believe him, but he says it's true: "The very thought of you makes her want to heave. So why don't you do us all a favour and get out of here?' Bev says she's going to be around to pick up the pieces when Shelley finally realises what kind of man Charlie is, and she's going to hold her in her arms, because she loves her more than Charlie can ever dream of. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart,' he says nastily, "But you've got more chance of hugging your other daughter.' She raises her hand to slap him, but he grabs her arm. "You're an animal!' she says.

In her bedroom, Shelley is all ready to go out, with her coat on, but she glances out of the window and sees Charlie and Bev. She sits down on the bed, looking stunned.

At the Barlows', Deirdre is also looking stunned after taking a phone call. Ken asks her what's wrong, and she tells him and Tracy that Blanche has been rushed into hospital.

In the Rovers, Danny is telling Leanne that Frankie is driving him mad, dragging him around houses they can't afford. He says he needs some recreational diversion, and suggests meeting Leanne on Friday night, but she says she can't as she's already going out with Jamie and she can't just drop everything at his say-so. "That's a shame,' he says, "Because that was suggestion number two!' She giggles and goes back to sit with Jamie.

At the hospital, Blanche has apparently had a fall, but doesn't look too bad. Lena is filling Deirdre in: "Right in the middle of ‘The Wichita Lineman' it was. One minute she's standing next to me and the next – gone! I half expected to see an arrow sticking out of her chest.' Blanche has a different interpretation of events – she says Lena tripped her up trying to get at someone called Billy (who's "no kid,' according to Lena, "He'll be 83 next Whitsun!'). Deirdre says the doctor said that the fall was caused by the pain in Blanche's hip, and Blanche admits that a few years earlier she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. It wasn't serious enough to need a hip replacement, but the GP told her to walk with a stick to ease the pain and she'd get a few more years out of it. But she refused to use a stick, and didn't tell her family. Deirdre is upset to think that Blanche's pride has meant she must have been in pain for a long time.

Danny comes back to the factory, followed by Adam, and goes to the office, where Sally is looking very much at home sitting behind his desk. The other girls cluster behind Danny to watch. He tells Sally to get away from his computer and his desk, and she's surprised because she thought she was doing a great job getting his work rosters and stock control systems into order. Danny asks Janice how she could have confused Adam with Sally. Janice acts innocent and says that Adam wasn't there, and she thought Sally was the best equipped to take charge. He tells Sally that he hired her as a machinist, and not to come back into the office unless she has a cup of tea in one hand and a plate of custard creams in the other. Sally looks about to cry, and Janice smirks at her. Sally grabs her coat and leaves.

Shelley is in bed, looking upset, and when Charlie comes in she sits up and tells him that she saw him and Bev talking outside. "How could you lie to me? You told me she'd gone.' He says he honestly thought she had gone (true) right up till the moment he bumped into her that morning (not true). He says he didn't warn Shelley because he knew how much she was looking forward to going shopping, and if she went out it would help restore her confidence so she could get back behind the bar, and face Bev down when the time came. "You don't understand this at all, do you?' she says, and tells him to leave.

At the hospital, big-hearted Tracy is concerned that Blanche's accident will affect the house move. Blanche is brought through to the waiting area in a wheelchair. Lena says, "I told you you'd be in one of them things before me.' "Only as far as the car,' Blanche says. "I'll lay odds that I'll be pushing you before you're pushing me.' She tells Deirdre, Ken and Tracy that she has no broken bones, just bruising, but the osteoarthritis is worse and she's been told to see her GP about getting on the waiting list for a hip replacement. But she doesn't think it'll help: "You could go into that doctor's surgery with the plague and come out with paracetamol.' She puts on her cowboy hat and tells Deirdre, "Come on then – wagons roll!'

Sally is really fond of pork-based products. She's feeding her family toad-in-the-hole for tea, but Rosie immediately pushes hers away. Kevin tells her to just eat the mash, but she says she can't because it's got "sausage juice' on it, and animal-based margarine. Sally is in no mood to be messed around, and lays into Rosie about how ungrateful she is for everything Sally does for her. Kevin tells Rosie just to eat her tea, but Rosie says she won't eat meat. Sally really loses it, and grabs a bunch of red tulips out of a vase, snaps them in half and plonks the stalks down on Rosie's plate. "Alright, eat THEM!' she yells. When Kevin starts to speak, he earns the rest of the bunch on his plate. Sophie thinks this is hilarious.

Danny is in the Rovers, jealously watching Jamie and Leanne together. When Leanne goes off to the toilet, Danny sits down with his son. He starts complaining about how Adam is very dull and strait-laced, and says Jamie should take him out on Friday night to loosen him up. "Are you having a laugh?' Jamie says. "You just told me he ruined your day – he ain't going to ruin my Friday night as well.' Danny says he'll liven up after a few drinks. He gives Jamie £50 and says it's worth it to maintain his sanity. Jamie grins and agrees. Danny gets up just in time for Leanne to return.

Elsewhere in the Rovers, Hayley is pointing out to Roy that he doesn't even know if his father is alive, let alone whether he'll turn up to the funeral. She says she wishes Roy would talk to her about his father, and he says there's not much to say: "He was gone before I left primary school.' Hayley asks if Roy's lack of self esteem is because his father was very demanding, but Roy says, "He demanded nothing of me, ever. I'd have welcomed any kind of expectation. Why bring a child into the world if you're not prepared to make any effort with them? But maybe he couldn't. Maybe he was only comfortable inside his own head, and until I met you that was something I could well appreciate.' Hayley says that perhaps now Roy is grown up, he'll be able to connect with his father. He says he's played out hundreds of different scenarios in his mind over the years, but he's not sure he really wants to revisit how he used to feel, or even to forgive his father.

Jamie is telling Leanne that two have become three for their Friday night out, and she's not pleased. But when she hears that it was Danny's idea, she tells Jamie it might be better if he and Adam went without her. She says she's sure she can find some way to amuse herself.

In the Websters' kitchen, Kevin comforts Sally and says he's sure Rosie is just going through a phase. Sally says no-one takes her seriously and she's just a joke. She tells Kevin she's left the factory because she couldn't stand it any more, and he says they'll manage, and hugs her. "Come on,' he says, "My tulips are going cold!'

Bev is sitting opposite the Rovers staring up at Shelley's window. Shelley looks out and sees her, and Bev stands up, all excited, but Shelley closes the curtain again. Bev runs to a call box and rings her, but when Shelley hears her voice she throws the phone across the room.

Sue Haasler






Friday 17 June Episode 6051

We open at the Barlows' at breakfast. Blanche is obviously being bothered by pain, but is insisting she's managing. However, she makes a noise when she sits down, prompting Deirdre to say Blanche must let Deirdre look after her. When Blanche refuses, Deirdre asks her to at least start using a stick, but Blanch is having none of that, either. "First a stick, then a box," she says. Ken thinks it's good that Blanche is taking a proactive attitude to her debility, but he soon changes his tune when he finds out she's planning on "going private" (ie, not waiting for the NHS to deal with it). He tells her she's paid for the health service for years and should take advantage, but she says that's just telling her to suffer in silence and she doesn't want to suffer.

In the street, Leanne and Danny meet and arrange to see each other later when Jamie and Adam are on their night out. They first think of meeting at Janice's, but Danny says Mike is away, so they agree to meet at Mike's flat.

In the factory, Sally is going hell for leather (hell for nylon lace?) on her sewing machine. The others, Janice especially, are annoyed to see her back at work, let alone see her sewing so fast she'll put them all to shame. Wasn't she sacked? Sally tells them it was a misunderstanding. Danny comes in and they appeal to him. Should she be allowed back? "As far as I can see, she's the only one doing any work round here," he points out.

Shelley is in bed and won't open the door, despite Charlie knocking insistently. Ciaran comes up to see what's going on, but Charlie tells him it's none of his business. Hearing Ciaran prompts Shelley to open the door and plead with him to go -- everything's fine. She says she just needs peace and quiet. When Ciaran is gone, Charlie spits out: "Do you know how stupid you just made me look?" She apologises and he tells her the only person she should be locking out is her mother. "I've tried to stop her -- I have," she says. Charlie says he doesn't know how much more of this he can take.

At the Barlows', Deirdre tells Bev she should get some rest. But Bev says she just wants to do something. "I'm writing a letter asking her to get help from someone else," she says, showing Deirdre a leaflet about a women's refuge. "Have you any idea how that makes me feel?" "You have to stay strong," Deirdre tells her.

At the factory, Frankie comes in. She wants Danny to go with her to see a house, but he claims he has to see a client. "You go and see the house and let me find the money to pay for it," he says. The girls start to criticise Sally's attitude. Janice tells her she thinks she's better than the others and is just after some pin money so she can send her girls to a posh school. "That way, when they're older, they can look down their noses at us the way their mam does." Sally says Janice doesn't scare her and she's not going to apologise for wanting the best for her children. "Ah," says Janice. "But I wanted our Toyah and Leanne to lead their own lives, not mine." Sally is ready. "Somehow," she says, "I don't think they're missing much."

At the Rovers, Ciaran brings Shelley Bev's letter, which has been put through the door. Shelley rips it up. "She's just worried about you," he says. "I'm worried about you." Shelley rounds on Ciaran, accusing him of siding with Bev. "A little bit of pillow talk, was it?" she sneers. "Tell her the only person I need protecting from is her."

At the cafe, Roy and Hayley have returned from his grandfather's funeral service. It was very nice but they were the only mourners. Roy has an envelope addressed to "My beloved grandson, Royston". Inside is a folded document and photo of Roy, aged about three, with his grandad. He unfolds what looks like a plan. It's working drawings and plans for something: "An idea for utilising energy provided by exits and entrances," says the title. It looks like a way of generating electricity using swinging doors! Hayley asks what it is. "My grandfather's dream," says Roy, beaming.

At the garage, Kevin is locking up, watched by the girls. They're talking about dinner, but Rosie is refusing to eat meat. She won't go to the chippie because she doesn't eat fish and the chips might be cooked in animal fat (My local chippie proudly advertises "We cook in beef dripping"). Sophie wants a pie and Kev tells her she can have whatever she wants, as long as it's meat. Behind them, the factory doors open and the staff come out. Janice is annoyed that they've been working extra time while Mike is off in sunny Spain. Sally catches up with her family who tell her loudly that they're off to the chippie. But she tells them they're going home. After a discussion in the street about Rosie being vegetarian, Kelly offers to take Kevin home herself. The factory staff tease him as Sally hustles Kevin and the girls away for something healthy. But Kevin says he doesn't want something healthy, he wants something tasty.

Steve comes into the Weatherfield Arms where his mother tells him he can't hide from Tracy forever. He protests that he's just come in for a drink. Bev is making some pithy comments about men when Bob comes in to see Liz and quotes poetry at her. But Steve tells him Liz is more used to dirty limericks.

Danny and Leanne are at Mike's flat and she tells him she's been there before. Danny is a bit startled. "Oh, don't say you and Mike . . ." But Leanne reassures him she was visiting Mark. He wants to know how close she was with Mark, but Leanne says a girl never kisses and tells.

Back at the Barlows', Blanche is on the phone. When she come back into the room, she says her friend had to pay £10,000 for a hip replacement. Ken calls it a rip off. "It's extortion of the worst kind." "Two weeks instead of two years?" asks Blanche. "Sounds like a bargain to me." Tracy is trying to shut them up because she wants to talk about her ideas for "her" house. But Blanche breaks the news that she won't be handing the house to Tracy. She's selling it. It's nothing to do with any of them. "It's my house and it's my hip!"

Sally has served up Vegetable Surprise. The surprise is that there's no taste, she's told. She tells them they'll eat what they're given, so Kevin gets Rosie's uneaten pork chop from the fridge and hoes in.

At the Rovers, Charlie is telling Shelley he's off to the yard to do some paperwork. She pleads for him to stay. She needs him. "All right," he says. "Get dressed. We're going out." She tells him she's not ready. "When will you be ready, Shell?" he asks sarcastically. "Next week? Next month? Next year? Go back inside your room and lock the door." He leaves and she screams his name after him, bringing Ciaran running. She turns away from him.

At the Wethy Arms, Liz has returned from a date with Bob. Liz is doing a split shift and tells Bev to go home. Liz admits she can't handle the poetry or Bob's dodgy brown shoes, but says there is hope.

Jamie and Adam are having a drink and discussing where to go next. Jamie says it depends on whether Adam wants skanky birds or quality birds. Adam's only got £20 left, so it's skanky birds, though Jamie will only be looking. He decides to call Leanne and tell her not to wait up.

In a bed not too far from Adam's room, Leanne reaches across Danny to answer her mobile phone, telling Jamie she's bored. She says Janice is snoring and holds the phone out for Danny to make snoring noises into it.

Charlie is in the street watching a cab arrive. Bev gets out and he confronts her. She tells him to stay away from her. "You're destroying my baby." He says she was fine before Bev came back but now won't leave her room. He calls Bev a stupid bitch and tells her to leave. "Run! That's what you're good at." He says maybe she came back for him rather than for Shelley. "You make me sick," Bev tells him. "That's exactly how I felt the last time I saw you undress," he sneers. She slaps him. She says she isn't frightened of him. "You're a worse liar than you are a mother," he says. He leaves a very frightened Bev and walks off. What he doesn't know is that Ciaran has seen the whole thing.

The End

Margaret Carr





Sunday 19 June Episode 6052

Well I don't know about everywhere else, but where I am, the weather has been unbearably hot. The muggy, humid, draught-less air has caused me much suffering this day, and the sweat is still flowing off of me at 11pm at night! Phew!

One thing that isn't hot, is the relationship of Steve and Tracy and this became even more apparent when a suggestion of Tracy doesn't get the best of receptions from her reluctant beau. And there are other strained relationships today as Bev and Shelley come face to face...and the results aren't as the worried mother had hoped.

We open with Jamie looking pretty bad after a long night then long morning out with wayward Adam (wayward not just because he turns up on the Street as and when he pleases but also as Jamie managed to lose him on their escapades) Frankie is worried about Adam as anything could've happened...let's face it, we've had deranged shop blasting arsonists, would be baby killing grannies and serial killers in the space of the last three years. Danny tells her not to worry and Jamie (his hair looking significantly worse than usual, just when thought that was impossible) collapses on the settee with exhaustion.

Over at the Barlows, Blanche is after sympathy for her sore hip. Due to the way she habitually speaks with a tongue of acid, this sympathy isn't deposited upon her in bucket loads but nevertheless, her complaints don't cease. Tracy has the least sympathy for her gran, as she is no longer being left the house in her inheritance. Blanche walks over to the Baldwins' to tell them she is selling up so she can pay for a hip operation. Frankie fails to see Danny's side, which is to buy the house. Frankie is still harping after somewhere bigger and better so she stops Danny in his tracks. A rejected Blanche leaves, no doubt seething at the pointlessness of exerting energy on her hip with no result.

Roy and Chesney are observing the plans for Roy's grandfather's invention (working out what it is still has to be taking into consideration) Leanne bursts in hurriedly, having lost an earring Jamie bought her. Roy assures Leanne she didn't lose it there and, panic stricken, she dashes out, leaving her curious boss and his rust-headed companion to avert their attention back to the complicated parchment on the wall. Roy tells Chesney he doesn't think his grandfather ever made the piece of apparatus that the plans are designed to form.

Leanne is telling Danny she has left her earring at Mike's (what would penny make of this wayward piece of jewelry!?) and Danny assures her that he will sort it.

Tracy is telling Steve she has some bad news. He asks her if Amy is okay and she tells him it's about the house...Blanche is selling up. Steve puts on an unconvincing act (perhaps hence why he didn't win best actor at the British Soap Awards) However, naive Tracy swallows it like Fred swallows meat pies and she is taken in by her partner's disappointment. But she refuses to be beaten!

Adam, complete with a lipstick tattoo of Haggis scrawled on his forehead, turns up for work (that being his first port of call instead of his home to get freshened up) Danny is not impressed and refuses to let him go home, instead telling him to hold the fort. And with noisy machinists and vibrating sewing machines hardly the best remedy for a hangover induced migraine, this is a substantial punishment indeed

Ciaran has turned up to Bev's random unheard of until recently bar and offers his support to her. She soon finds out Charlie is out and decides she will pay Shelley a visit.

Steve is relaying his vindictive plot against Tracy to Liz. He plans to become Amy's legal father and keep Tracy sweet (however possible that is) until he has all of his rights to gain custody intact. Liz is aghast at the cruelty of this plan, clearly sympathising with the angelic Tracy, who has never done anything to hurt anyone.

Frankie isn't getting much help at the cafe. As Leanne flounces off with her best 'I'm a faithful girlfriend' look and Roy examines doors and those plans, Frankie is left with a queue of customers

Danny meanwhile is poking around Mike's flat (people have a habit of doing that when he's on holiday don't they?! Mike's house is never empty!) and finds the earring. As Adam returns home and finds him both are caught out as Adam should be at work. Danny, having superior brain power to Adam, manages to make a plausible excuse whereas Adam can't wriggle out of it. Ironically, the one who is more in the wrong ends up telling the other off.

As Deirdre happily tells Liz how good Tracy is feeling at the moment, Bev comes into the Rovers, bypasses conversation with her friends (who can blame her!?) and dashes up to see Shelley followed by Ciaran. Needless to say, she doesn't get the best of receptions from her daughter. Bev tells Shelley she is only trying to help but Shelley retorts by saying Charlie is the only person she needs. Seeing it isn't helping, Ciaran guides Bev out of the pub.

After another plan examining scene with Roy, we go to the pub where father of the year Danny is 'subtly' flirting with his son's girlfriend...with his son present. While Jamie isn't looking, Danny passes the earring to Leanne

Shelley wants a quick word with Ciaran and she tells him to stop helping her mum and her apparent scheming. Ciaran tries to tell Shelley that Bev has good intentions and is trying to help but Shelley threatens him that he will be sacked if he helps Bev again.

As Steve pours out of date Vimto concealed as wine for himself and Tracy, he asks her if he can be made Amy's legal father, to show his commitment. But Tracy tells him that there is a better way of doing that...if they get married!!!

Duncan Lindsay





Monday 20 June Episode 6053, 6054

Greetings all. Here are the two episodes from Monday night. As before, I am reporting the first, and Amanda reports the second.

We begin in the Barlow household, Deirdre wants to know what Steve said when Tracy proposed. She tells her mother that he said he'd sleep on it. Deirdre comments that it's like a fairy tale ending, and Tracy says you need castles for fairy stories, or even a bog-standard terrace at a knock down price. "I wonder where I'll get one of them from?" she says pointedly, looking at her grandmother. Blanch tells her she can buy her house for the asking price, she needs the money for a new hip and a comfortable old age, and she'd better go and flutter her eye lashes at the mortgage lender. Tracy tells Deirdre that her gran could knock twenty grand off the price with no problem, her life is over and Tracy's is just beginning!

Ciaran goes into Roy's Rolls to find Vera with a clipboard and pencil, marking customers in and out on Roy's instruction. Apparently he's customer number 20. Ciaran goes to sit with Charlie, (who is No. 15) and Charlie tells him he did ask Shelley if she wanted to come, even offered to take her handcuffs off for an hour. Ciaran tells him he's just a hungry guy looking for a fry up and a quiet life. "You and me both," says Charlie, and goes on to say that he used to love having breakfast with Shelley. He'd be trying to read the paper while she chuntered on, and knew everybody's business. Now, all she can talk about is what she's seen on tv, she's living in a weird bubble and he never saw it coming.

Steve has gone to see Tracy. She's obviously hoping for a positive answer to her proposal, but he starts the conversation with "The thing is……." Her face falls, she says she's such an idiot. He tells her he still wants to ‘tie the knot' but just not yet, he needs a year or eighteen months to sort himself out financially and sort out Amy's documentation. Steve puts on a very tender voice and attitude, he tells her gently that of course he wants them to get married, and this time it's for keeps. He says it will be great to walk up the aisle with her and have their little daughter behind them. She says she doesn't want a big wedding, but he says he doesn't want them to start married life with debts hanging over them. Tracy says that in the meantime they can get a joint mortgage, they need a roof over their head. Steve doesn't seem so keen on that, but suggests that first of all they see a solicitor and get Amy's documents sorted out.

Charlie is back at the Rovers with Shelley. She's glued to the tv, as he tells her that the customers are forgetting what she looks like, they miss her, and he misses her. He misses his confident, sexy girlfriend. He says not only was she a total babe, she also ran a very tight ship, and now they are rudderless down there. Shelley is sure she'll be back in action soon, and Charlie asks when she's planning on pulling her next pint. Shelley says that her mother is freaking her out at the moment, she's ready to pounce, waiting to put the poison in about Charlie. Charlie tells her he's not bothered, and he's the one copping the character assassination. Shelley says that when she's back to normal she won't know what's hit her. Charlie looks deep into her eyes, and tells her that the factory coven will be in at 12.30. He wants Shelley, in full war paint, with that gorgeous smile of hers, behind the bar to greet them. Shelley looks panic stricken, and starts to say, "I ca….." "I know you won't let me down," says Charlie.

Bev and Liz are walking up the Street, about to go into the Rovers. Along come Tracy and Steve. "Have you met my fiancé?" Tracy asks them. "When did this happen?" asks Liz, and is told, "About an hour ago." She adds that they are on their way to the solicitors, to do all the ‘Amy stuff' first, make Steve official. While they are chatting, Bev puts her head around the door of the Rovers, and then turns and tells Liz she doesn't think she can go in if Charlie is in there.

Tracy and Steve head off and Liz leads Bev into the bar. Ciaran looks amazed when they order two drinks. Bev apologises for storming up to Shelley's room the day before. Ciaran says she should be sorry, because he was the one who got it in the neck, not from Charlie but from his devoted girlfriend. Bev wonders what on earth she's going to do. (Why can't she just do as she's told and leave Shelley alone? She's a big girl now and old enough to make her own mistakes! It seems pretty obvious her interference is not wanted.) Ciaran adds that Charlie doesn't know about the day before, and Bev assures him that he won't hear about it from her.

Upstairs, Shelley is adding the finishing touches to the ‘warpaint' and rehearsing her lines. "Hi – what can I get you?" (Must have a short memory!) She opens the bedroom door, but then seems gripped by fear and, breathing heavily, shuts it again.

Down in the pub, Blanche is sitting with Audrey and Gail. Audrey recounts the tale of one of her customers who went abroad for a hip op, and it saved her thousands. Blanche's op in the UK would cost a minimum of seven thousand pounds if she went privately. Audrey thinks she should hobble onto a plane and go and get it seen to. Blanche isn't convinced. "Buy cheap, buy twice," she tells them.

Over at the bar, Ciaran advises Bev to give Shelley a wide berth, but Bev feels that would be playing right into Charlie's hands. Ciaran says if she pushes her too much, she might lose her forever. He is just imparting this advice, holding onto Bev's hands, when Charlie walks in. "Oh very cosy!" he sneers, "you must be desperate." He asks if Shelley's been down and when he hears that she hasn't, he rushes off upstairs. In the bedroom, Shelley whimpers that she did try to go down, but he tells her not to turn the waterworks on, it's him who should be crying. She says she'll try again tomorrow, but then is shocked to hear that her mother is down in the bar right now, giving Charlie daggers. "Just take your time," he sneers sarcastically, "I could do with a bit of moral support but you just relax, open another family bag of crisps, watch some kid's tv, you must be exhausted. I know I am!" and he walks out of the room.

Downstairs in the bar, Ciaran is talking to a new customer, when Dev and Sunita come in. Sunita greets the newcomer with a friendly "Hi," but Dev asks him to blow his smoke in another direction. "I could do, mate," says the guy, "but I didn't like the way you asked, so- no!" Dev tells him that Sunita is pregnant, so the fella immediately puts the cigarette out, and tells Sunita it's for her, but her old man ought to go to charm school. He then leaves. "Well done," says Sunita to Dev.

Over in the café, Roy has now got Vera and Hayley holding a tape measure across the room. "Hold it as taut as possible," he tells them. "He doesn't like it slack," mutters Vera, "it plays havoc with his experimentations." A customer comes in and ducks under the tape. She tells him to wait a minute, she's tied up with Einstein. Hayley tells him she's working on an empty stomach, but he tells her to either assist or desist, he can't concentrate on the job in hand.

In the taxi office, two candidates are filling in job application forms. One of them is Claire, and the other one is Lloyd, the guy from the pub who had the cigarette. He tells them that he loves gabbing to customers, he doesn't listen to their life stories, but tells them his. Eileen tells him that when Dev get there he must keep it short and sweet, he's in a foul mood today. Just then Dev arrives, and the two of them come face to face. "I'll get me coat, will I?" says Lloyd, but Dev tells him there's no need. It is, however, his test drive first.

Tracy and Steve arrive back at the Barlows, and tell Deirdre and Blanche that they have to return to the solicitor on Friday for the ‘Amy thing', but did not have much luck with the mortgage lender as Tracy is not currently employed. They have to go back when Tracy has some full time work under her belt. Tracy is disappointed as she really wanted them to get a place together. "I want, I must have," taunts Blanche, and tells Steve that she didn't get central heating until she was 52. Tracy shows Steve out, and Blanche turns to Deirdre, "What's up with her? Is she in throbbing agonies?"

Steve is now back in the taxi office, and arguing with Dev over who to employ. Steve wants Lloyd, who he thinks has more experience, Dev obviously wants Claire, who he reckons knows Manchester like the back of her hand and will treat the customers, and them, with respect. Dev calls the candidates in, and Eileen says that she's fed up with fobbing off irate customers and there's enough work for both. Steve says that's fine by him, but Dev insists on a month's trial.

In the Rovers, Charlie is throwing darts at the board. He turns and pretends to throw a dart at Bev, who is still sitting with Liz. He then tells them that he'd like them to walk out of the door and never walk back in again. "Fred kept that quiet," says Liz, "he appoints a new landlord and doesn't tell a soul, not even me!" Bev tells Charlie to stick with being a cowboy builder, so Charlie retaliates by telling them loudly that they are barred. "I think you'll find your daughter backs me up," he tells Bev. "And if not, she'll get another shiner like the last one!" says Bev. "She walked into a door," seethes Charlie, "just like you are going to walk out of that one." From behind the bar, Ciaran also says that they ought to go, but Bev isn't going anywhere. "A white wine spritzer, please," she says, staring coolly at Charlie, "and a bag of nuts." Liz stands up to go to the bar. "Out the way," she says to Charlie who steps in front of her. She pats his cheeks, "There's a poppet!" Charlie does not look happy!

Tracy is ironing. Blanche comes in and tells her that her friend got 49,000 pounds for her house in Inkerman Street, but she did have a power shower. Tracy comments that for that money she could have a hip of solid gold. "Or silver plated," says Blanche, "if I sell to you and knock 9,000 off the asking price. Tracy is overcome, she thanks her gran and says she hopes she wasn't appearing too greedy before, she just wants somewhere for a fresh start for her and Steve. "And for Amy to have a bedroom of her own," says Blanche, and tells her to make sure she gets her name on everything, 50-50. "Get it down in black and white, and then there's no misunderstandings," she says. Tracy is really excited, and hugs her.

Back at the pub, Charlie is trying to get Shelley to go downstairs and tell Bev to go. Shelley thinks she might ring her up. Charlie tells her to go down and tell her to her face. "She's laughing at me, her and her mutton mate," he rages, and snatches the phone out of Shelley's hand. "Are you really that doo-lally?" he asks her, "the woman is downstairs in your pub! What are you going to do about it?" Shelley is panic stricken, but he tells her, "It's make your mind up time, now." He tells her he's sick of being the local punch bag and if she loves him, to prove it. He shouts and rants and raves, and then tells her that if she doesn't love him enough to do it, then they are finished. Shelley opens and shuts her mouth several times, like a goldfish gasping for air. "Why don't you do us all a favour," Charlie tells her as he walks to the door, "and book yourself into the local nut house!" He opens the door. "What's it going to be?" he asks, as Shelley stands there gasping.

Charlie asks if she's just going to let her mother get away with talking to him like that. Shelley tells Charlie "You don't know how hard it is for me" Charlie replies, "Yes I do. I've heard nothing else for weeks. So hard that you have to be waited on hand and foot. So hard that you can't give a moment's thought to making life easier for me" Shelley tells him, "I don't want to be like this. It's just... All those people" Charlie is not amused and says, "You've had enough time to think" and goes downstairs leaving her to make a decision.

Hayley struggles to get into the café door. She finds Roy doing an experiment. "I have attached counter weights to determine how much resistance a customer is willing to encounter to open the cafe door. The higher the resistance, the higher the energy yield" Roy tells her. She replies, "What about you're resistance to serving them?" and goes to serve the customers that are waiting. Tracy and Steve then struggle to get through the door. Tracy complaining says she broke a fingernail. Tracy then informs him, "We want your name taken off Amy's birth certificate so you will have to write a letter saying you're not her father. Put anything you want, that you know you aren't her father, you made a mistake and want your name taken off. Today would be good" After they leave Hayley says she's so insensitive and asks whom he has to write the letter to. Roy tells her, "I don't imagine I 'have' to write a letter to anyone should I choose not to" He thinks history should not be amended.

Rovers and Charlie is watching Liz and Bev. While he has a drink in his hand Ciaran opens the till. He drops in money. Ciaran says, "I didn't say anything" Charlie replies, "You didn't have to" Ciaran says, "When the stock is down we all get questioned" Charlie then goes through the back. Liz is hungry and wants to go. Bev begs her to stay and says, "I want to be here when he comes back in to show we can't be pushed around" Lloyd agrees to show Claire the ropes to cab driving. "And in return you can give me some ammo I can use against Dev" Lloyd says. Claire tells him, "He's dead nice, and so is Sunita" Ciaran tells him, "He's overly competitive and arrogant" Claire says, "He's done well for himself" Ciaran says, "He has the gift of the gab, thinks he can talk anyone round" Claire smirks. "Well yes, that's true enough... He did talk Sunita round after she was engaged to you" She says. Sarah is fussing over Scooter. He has cut himself on a rusty nail. Gail sees them and sit next to them, saying Audrey was supposed to meet her. Sarah says she is looking after Beth as there has been an emergency. "An emergency drink" Gail asks. Sarah asks her mum to tell Scooter her needs to go to the doctors. Gail asks if that's one of her napkins tied around his arm. It was the first thing Sarah could find. "We'd better get to casualty to have it looked at" Scooter says. Sarah humphs at her mum, "Yes, let's just hope he doesn't die from blood poisoning on the way, eh?"

Blanche says, "I am going foreign! I don't care what you say Kenneth, viewing private medicine as if it's some religious cult. Why should Tracy be the only one with a foreign bit. If she can have a Moroccan kidney, I can have a Polish hip" Ken tells her she can get a perfectly good one in the UK if she just waits. Blanch replies, "At my age when every day is a struggle towards an open grave" Ken refuses to discuss the matter any further and walks out. Blanche gets Lena to go on Ken laptop. "Her grandson educated her in computers" Blanch says when Deirdre thinks they should not be on it without Ken's say so. Lena says, "Just think of the Internet as one big shopping center without the varicose veins" Lena then says, "Here's the searchy thing" and mutters, "Right. Keywords. Hips! What else?" Blanche replies, "The Poles" After they search Blanch says, "She doesn't look much like a surgeon to me" Deirdre says, "I think that's because she's a pole dancer" She then says they don't know what they are doing and walks away. Blanch thinks if she has had a hip operation, she wants to know were the scars are.

Shelley tries to go downstairs. She gets to the door but hears noises from the bar and rushes back. She holds herself tight and rocks back and forth. She relies she is gripping herself so tight, she is marking her skin. Shelley then runs and closes the door. She puts her hands on her face. She looks as if she's at breaking point.

At the cab office, Lloyd and Claire are standing around waiting for a job. Dev enters and says he likes to keep an eye on his businesses, "Got to think about my son and heir" He says. Clare asks, "It's a boy? When did you find that out?" Dev says it's a figure of speech and, "One hopes, you know, carry on the Alahan name" Claire says a girl can carry on the name. Dev replies, "Yeah, until she gets married" Claire continues, "She might not get married, or might keep her name, or not even chose a bloke" Dev tells her if it isn't a boy, then the next one will be, or the one after that so on. Steve tells Lloyd he has a job for him. Lloyd and Claire go out for their first job. Roy enters and Tracy thinks that was fast. Steve thanks him, as it will speed things up. Roy explains, "I hardly think so seeing as I am not going to be writing one" Tracy thinks he wants money. Roy says his days of financial transaction with her are over. She asks what he wants and he says, "Nothing. Thank you" Tracy is furious.

Rovers and Deirdre is telling her mum to think about this. Lena says, "We've nearly sorted it" Lena says they are just deciding to go for the bathroom or not. Blanch thinks she should because after everything she is going to go through an on suite will be nothing. Blanch says, "It's the idea of adding things to you're basket I couldn't get round my head. How can you add a bath to your basket?" Deirdre asks how she is going to pay for this as all her money is tied up in number 7. Blanch tells her about a web site on the net where she can get a loan. Deirdre thinks she should still ask Ken. "I tried, he sulked" Blanch says. Liz is telling Bev she would off been hopeless at bringing up a girl and was destined not to have a girl. She tells her once she had a little girl but she died as a baby. Liz looks at Amy and sees it a dangerous world. Charlie walks past and Bev being sarcastic thanks him for offering her a refill and says, "Maybe later then" as they will be here all night. Bev tells Liz, "I couldn't save our Sharon, and now I can't keep our Shelley safe" Liz tells her that if she is anything like her mother, Shelley's toughness will come out sooner or later. Shelley finally has come to the bar. Bev approaches and tells her, "I'll always been here" when Shelley says, "I'd thought you'd still be here" Shelley then tells her mum she's barred and to get out. Bev goes. Charlie has a wee smirk on his face.

In the bedroom of the Rovers Charlie is so pleased, as he has got one over on Bev. Charlie tells Shelley he is taking her out for a meal. Shelley doesn't want to go but Charlie won't take no for an answer, "You are back in the real world, just like the girl I fell in love with" he says.

At the corner shop, Sunita is serving Gail. Sunita can't imagine this thing inside her growing. She says people have babies all the time and she's useless. Gail says, "But not you, until now" Lloyd enters just as Gail is leaving. Lloyd tells Sunita about what Dev said in at the cab office. She looks shocked. "Let's just hope you don't end up with a net ball team before you hit the jackpot, eh?" Lloyd says.

Out at the restaurant as Shelley and Charlie wait to be seated, Shelley is feeling nervous. The waiter comes over and seats them. Shelley tells Charlie that she doesn't really want anything and wants to go home. The wait asks if they would like drinks. Shelley does not know what to have, he is told to come back in a minute. Shelley tells Charlie she wants to stay for one drink and go. He ignores her and says, "It's a restaurant, and anyway, I'm starving" She replies, "I know but.... I don't think I could eat anything" Charlie smirks, "That'd be a first"

Steve has comes round to see Roy at the café. "I assume you have had a paternity test? Surely that would be a much more secure method of securing Amy's paternity than an amended birth certificate" Roy says. Steve tells him he doesn't need one, "I know Amy is my daughter" Roy replies, "Or how about, instead of writing a latter, I invest in an industrial sized bottle of correction fluid so Tracy can amend the certificate at will?" Steve gets angry and says, "I'm not playing games here Roy! I don't know what you are hoping to achieve by being difficult. Amy is 'my' daughter and I am just trying to be a father to her" and storms out. Roy tells Hayley, "I don't want to discuss this"

At the restaurant Charlie has asks Shelley to order as his phone is going off. He leaves and when the waiter comes over asking if she has seen the specials. She starts to panic and says, "The thing is.... We're not eating. We're going. I'm sorry" Then runs out the place. Charlie then runs after here.

Hayley says Roy is refusing to write the letter because he wants to be waiting in the wings to swoop in and save Amy. Roy replies, "There is only one name on that certificate that means security for Amy no matter what, and it's not Tracy Barlow's" Hayley tried to tell him that Amy will not come because of that. She says, "Roy, if Amy lands on our doorstep it will be because she knows we are here for her, not down to any bit of paper," but he refuses to discuss the matter any further.

Dev enters his shop. He gets a going at from Sunita, "I will not be a baby machine till you get a son. I will not be with a man who thinks his daughters are second best! I was second best, remember. I did nothing different from my brother yet I was the disappointment" She shouts. Dev tells her, "I would love a daughter just as...." but she grabs her coat, "I was really looking forward to this pregnancy but you have to spoil everything with your stupid attitude" she shouts.

Shelley and Charlie arrive in Lloyd's cab. Charlie says, "And if you think I am sitting up there all evening staring at the walls...." Lloyd is showing Claire how to work the counter and says hopefully you're punter give you a good tip. Shelley suddenly jumps out of the cab. Charlie tells the Lloyd he will be right back and runs after Shelley. "Shell? You've got to give me some money. Are you listening to me?" He says while shaking her. Shelley panicking drops her bag. Shelley runs inside. Charlie picks up the money that has dropped out. He looks up and sees Bev watching him.

Annie Logan and Amanda Souter





Wednesday 22 June Episode 6055

"How would you feel if you had to journey to a land where every other letter seems to be Z or K, for a major operation?" Blanche asks Ken and Deirdre at the beginning of this episode. Deirdre doesn't think Blanche ought to make the journey to Poland for her hip replacement operation on her own, and says she'll come too. Ken agrees that it's a good idea. "Bless you, Deirdre, you saved me breaking it to you," says Blanche, "I took the liberty yesterday of booking you on the same flight as me, and I got you a nice little hotel round the corner." Deirdre looks gobsmacked.

Roy is still trying to justify to Hayley why he won't take his name off Amy's birth certificate (Steve has a "chequered past" and a birth certificate is a "historical document") but Hayley isn't convinced. She says if Roy wants the best for Amy he'll give Steve his blessing and let them get on with it, "or you could turn them against us and we might not get to see her again." Roy says it's a difficult time, with his grandfather dying reminding him that he has no father of his own to speak of, and then Steve asking him to renounce his claims to paternity: "Amy's the nearest I'll come to continuing the Cropper line. It's very hard to give that up." Poor Hayley blames herself because she can't give him children. "No blame can be attached to you," he tells her, "You're the most precious thing that's ever happened in my life. But it does leave a certain sadness." She asks him if he'll reconsider his decision about the birth certificate, and he ponders.

Tracy is serving up Steve's breakfast, and telling him that if Roy isn't careful he's going to end up never seeing Amy again. She says her relationship with Steve is the best she's ever had and she'll never change her mind about him. Steve combs his hair thoughtfully with a fork (what example is that to set to a child?) and says he'll have another go at Roy. Tracy says that even if Roy never writes the letter renouncing his claim to paternity, it doesn't matter because the important thing is that she and Steve have each other. He just looks sheepish. (What neither of them has noticed is that their beloved daughter is a completely different child from the one they had on Monday – funny how people never spot that kind of thing in soaps. Sally and Kevin have never noticed that they've had several different Rosies and Sophies over the years).

Ken is in the corner shop and telling Violet he's buying things for Blanche and Deirdre to take to Poland. All he has in his basket are toilet rolls and aspirin, and he thinks it's more than likely that a country where you can get a hip replacement can also supply these essentials, but apparently Deirdre says "you never know." Ken lets Violet go first to be served, and Dev uses this to make a point about chivalry for the benefit of Sunita, who is hovering in the background (hovering, not hoovering – Dev would be far too chivalrous to let her do that in her condition). Dev manages to annoy both Violet and Ken by assuming that Ken only let her go first because she's a woman "in a pretty summer dress." Violet says he's being sexist and needs to drag himself into the 21st century. Sunita finds this most amusing.

Ciaran and Bev are in Roy's Rolls talking about the scene Bev witnessed the night before, when Shelley was in a state after being out at the restaurant. To her, it looked like Shelley was frightened of Charlie and trying to run away from him. She says it's no use calling the police because she has no proof, but it's only a matter of time before Charlie makes a mistake. Ciaran thinks Charlie will be trickier to deal with than that. Bev asks him to continue being her eyes and ears, and Ciaran says "Don't worry. If he lays one finger on her, he's dead."

Gail comes home to a messy house and loud music blaring out – courtesy of Scooter, who's had the morning off. Gail tries to have a go at him, but he's busy trying to fix a wobbly tap in the kitchen and she can't get a word in edgeways.

Blanche is reading out a letter from the Polish hospital ("the military infirmary in Gdansk"), which is in very bad English. Deirdre hopes they're better at operations than they are at English. Ken says the letter is from someone in an office and nothing to do with the medical side. "Do you think we need to take bottled water?" Deirdre frets. Ken reassures her that Poland is in the European Union and they'll be able to get everything they need. Even so, when Deirdre asks Ken if he fancies coming to keep her company, he says she'll be fine without him.

When Steve comes into the café to have a word with Roy, he's surprised to find that Roy has already written the letter he needs. "I'm sorry I didn't do it earlier," Roy says, "I had to resolve certain – ‘issues,' I believe is the current vogue word. Quite what's wrong with ‘difficulties' or ‘problems' I have no idea, but then language is a living thing and as such it's constantly evolving." He tells Steve he wishes him all the best, and they shake hands. A smiling Hayley says that goes for her, too. Roy says, "Fatherhood is a special gift. I hope you treasure it." "I will," says Steve.

To a crowded Rovers now, where we see Charlie stomping from the back room, through the pub and out of the front door, watched by Ciaran and Violet and nearly knocking Tracy over en route. Tracy's come to meet Steve, who shows her the letter from Roy. "It's all falling into place," he tells her, and she's delighted, though the look on his face is more thoughtful.

In the Corner Shop, Liz drops her money, and despite Vera having a go at him Dev does nothing to help. Sunita thinks it's really funny that Dev is tying himself in knots trying to work out what is and isn't chauvanistic behaviour. He says he would never treat a daughter of his as second best, and wishes they could stop all this nonsense. Sunita agrees on the condition that she gets to do the house hunting – she'll do a short-list and they'll make the final decision together.

Back at the Rovers, Gail joins Audrey for a drink; Audrey goes to the bar. Scooter and Sarah are already sitting down (Bethany is at the park with David, apparently). Gail, who is looking tired, says it's nice for Sarah that she can relax after work while David does the childcare, then Gail will go home and do the cooking and washing up. Sarah says she does her share, but Gail disagrees, and says neither Sarah nor Scooter lifts a finger and she's had enough of the mess they generate. Even though Scooter fixed the tap, Gail says giving day to day help around the house without being asked would be a lot more use. Sarah says Scooter is a guest, and Gail says that he's very welcome but there has to be give and take, and at the moment it's all take. Scooter says he'll leave them to it and goes out. Sarah follows him.

In the café, Roy has made an elaborate model of a door mechanism, which Chesney is trying out. It's a model of Roy's grandfather's invention, Chesney tells Hayley. The invention seems to be a way of making electricity from the energy used to open the door. Roy is becoming obsessed with this – Vera says he's hardly done any work all day – and when he says he'd like to make a full-sized version Hayley is not happy.

Scooter is packing his bags. Sarah tells him that Gail didn't mean what she said, but Gail comes back at that moment and says she did. She does nothing to stop Scooter as he leaves. Sarah is furious and says Scooter's parents don't treat her like that. "Maybe you don't slob around their house the way he did," Gail says, and complains about all the mess she constantly has to clear up. Sarah says she's exaggerating and she shouldn't just charge in and upset people's feelings. Gail says that dropping hints hasn't helped, and life is becoming impossible. "I can't win, can I?" says Sarah. "When I was living with Todd, you didn't like it. When I was staying with Scooter you didn't like it. When he stays here, you don't like that. Do you want me to live in a convent? Is that going to make you happy?" She stomps out. "Fine," mutters Gail to herself.

Shelley is watching a spy movie on TV in her bedroom, and Charlie (in apparently good mood, for now) pours them both a glass of wine. Shelley turns the TV off and asks him if she's forgiven for the other night. He says he's sorry his tongue got the better of him. She says she hates it when they fall out, and he takes the glass of wine from her and says they can make up for it now, and kisses her. He's obviously in the mood for more than kissing, but she says she just wants a cuddle, because she feels "safe and secure" in his arms. "So we just do what you want to do, do we?" he says. "You're not going off me or anything?" "Of course not!" she says. "You could have fooled me," he says. "You… are turning into a control freak." (It takes one to know one). He says he's not playing that game, and leaves the room.

Blanche comes to the cab office to talk to Steve. Her solicitor has told her that he hasn't heard from Steve's solicitor about the house. Steve tells her he can't afford to buy the house at the moment, and he hasn't told Tracy yet. Blanche is worried about how she'll pay back the money she borrowed for her operation if she doesn't sell the house. Steve tells her that the man who bought Eileen's house is looking for other property in the area, and he's happy to buy a place with a sitting tenant; he'll give Blanche the number. Blanche says she's also worried about Tracy, and Steve says he'll tell Tracy soon but asks Blanche to keep quiet about it in the meantime. Blanche agrees, and goes out as Liz is coming in. Steve tells Liz he won't be buying number 7, and Liz doesn't believe Blanche will keep that a secret from Tracy. Steve says he just needs to keep it quiet till Friday, till he gets his name on the birth certificate, then there's nothing Tracy can do.

Sue Haasler





Friday 24 June Episode 6056

It's Friday at Steve's place and he and Tracy are getting ready to go to whichever office it is where you sign up to be officially made the father on the birth certificate. Tracy wants to get dressed up. Steve points out that they're only going to sign a form, but she thinks it's an important occasion. "If we can't get married, this is the next best thing."

Bev and Ciaran are talking in the street. He tells her that Shelley didn't come down at all, yesterday. "If there's anything to report, I'll come straight and find you," he says. They don't realise they are being watched by Charlie.

Liz comes into the taxi office and tries to talk Steve into talking to Tracy. The whole thing is just a charade, she tells him. "It's a rotten trick just to get your name on a form." She says Tracy wouldn't do this to Steve because she loves him. (Seems to me Liz can't have been watching Tracy very closely over the last couple of years!) Steve tells her it's just for one more day. He says he plans to let down Tracy gently.

Sarah has arrived home, where Gail greets her with a great deal of sarcasm. Sarah says she was at Scooter's. It would have been nice to get a phone call or even a text, Gail says. Sarah goes on the attack, saying she thought Gail would be apologising, not attacking, after the way she spoke to Scooter. "You were vile to Scooter last night." "It's not all bad, then," chips in David. Gail says they have to sort things out and suggests Sarah invite Scooter round for his tea. "Afterwards we can have a civilised discussion about all this."

Tracy arrives in the Rovers and asks Liz if she can look after Amy tonight. She's had a ring inscribed for Steve and has booked them an hotel room. "It feels like my wedding night," she says. Liz reminds her that it's not. "It just makes Steve's relationship with Amy official." Blanche comes into the pub and sits with Danny. She's got good news and bad news. The good news is that he doesn't have to move. The bad news is that she's sold the house to someone who's happy to buy with a sitting tenant. In fact, Steve put her on to the same person who is Eileen's landlord. Tracy overhears this and is furious.

In the cafe, Roy is saying there could be no more fitting tribute than to put his grandfather's invention into use. Hayley's a bit worried about health and safety regulations if there are wires and pulleys all over the place. But it seems she's really more worried that folk will laugh at Roy. She'll be upset if they start taking the mickey out of Roy. Roy is not deterred.

"You've gazumped your own granddaughter!" Tracy screeches at Blanche. But Blanche says she should have this conversation with Steve. "I want you to live there, but I need the money for my operation." Tracy realises this means Steve pulled out of the sale without telling her. "Why would he do that? What's he playing at?"

"How do I look?" asks Steve. "Shifty," Tracy tells him. She says she knows about the house. "What is the point of us making this commitment to each other if you are going to do this behind my back? You should speak to me, not Gran!" Steve tells her that money is tight and because Blanche wanted a quick sale he had to let it go. He's been waiting for the right time to tell Tracy. "I would live in a shoe-box if we were together," she says. Steve changes the subject, telling her they must be there by two. "Promise me that whatever happens from now on, you will be honest with me," Tracy asks. Steve mumbles.

In the pub, Charlie asks Ciaran if he could come over to the yard to help him unload some timber. Jason's away on day release at college and it's worth £20 to Ciaran. He agrees to do it.

In the official office, Steve is biting his nails. The official person tells them that everything seems to be in order and all they need to do is both sign their names in front of witnesses. She calls co-worker Maureen over to be a witness. Steve goes to sign his name, being briefly distracted by Amy, then signs. Tracy watches him, then refuses. "No," she says. "You're using me, Steve."

In the corner shop, Sunita and Dev are arguing over the merits of a house. When a customer comes in, Dev hushes her. The house is worth a quarter of a million and he doesn't want people to get jealous.

At the official office, Tracy is putting Amy into her pushchair. "You only want Amy," she tells Steve. "Now I know why you've been acting nervous all the time. Now I know why you blew up at Roy Cropper when it looked like you weren't going to get your own way. Now I know why your Mum looks at the floor every time I walk in. She knows." She tells him she saw the way he looked at Amy just now. "There was love in your eyes, Steve. You've never looked at me like that." And she leaves with Amy, leaving poor Maureen with nothing to witness. Steve doesn't look too happy, either.

Charlie is paying Ciaran. "Can I talk to you in confidence?" he asks. He says Jason doesn't really have what it takes and he might need someone else. Would Ciaran be interested? It doesn't matter that he doesn't know how to plaster or paint, Charlie knows he's a good worker. Ciaran admits he feels as if he's just been filling in time since selling the restaurant. It's been frustrating. Charlie is very sympathetic. He says he knows what it's like when you don't achieve your goals. He expected to be settled down with Shelley and a family. "It's terrible to see her in the state that she's in," Ciaran sympathises. "Especially when everyone thinks I'm behind it," Charlie agrees.

Tracy arrives home and bursts into tears, telling her family what's happened. She tells Deirdre not to let Steve in if he comes round. "How could I be so gullible?" she wails. "Steve McDonald's going to be really sorry he ever made an enemy out of me."

At Gail's, Sarah and Scooter are being slimily nice to Gail. "Have we entered into a parallel universe or summat?" asks David. Sarah says she and Scooter are going to do more than their fair share around the place, and they're going to pay more than their fair share, too. "Oh, I don't expect you to pay," says Gail. "After all, it's not as if Scooter lives here." She's unwittingly hit straight on their cunning plan. Sarah wants Scooter to move in.

In the cafe, Roy is stacking chairs on the tables when Hayley arrives, apologising to him for being so negative earlier. Roy admits that he can't go ahead with installing the machinery anyway, because it needs a sprocket that's no longer manufactured. He thinks he'll just have to make do with a model in a glass case. The phone goes and Hayley goes upstairs to start the tea while Roy answers it. It's someone telling him they've found a sprocket manufacturer!

Tracy has called a taxi to take her to the bus station. She's off to stay with Peter. When there is a knock on the door she answers it, expecting it to be the driver. It is a taxi man, but not the one she was expecting -- it's Steve. "We need to talk," he says. SLAP!!! He tries to tell her that he was just worried about how fast things were moving. "How could you look me in the eye and lie to me?" she asks. The taxi arrives and she starts putting stuff into it. Steve realises she's leaving. "What about Amy?" "You're never going to see her again, Steve. Amy, say goodbye to your daddy."

The End.
Margaret Carr





Sunday 26 June Episode 6055

There's a distinct theme of mothers in tonight's episode. As two best friends face off over their offspring (including a runaway mother), one of these mothers neglects her own mother, who is nervous about upcoming treatment. Elsewhere young mother Sarah let's down 'best mother in the world' Gail over Scooter moving in. But it's Gail's mother, Audrey who resolves the situation to relax her daughter...phew, see what I mean?

Steve is trying to get over the departure of Amy from his life so finding a soft toy isn't the most helpful of occurrences. Well we're led to believe it's upset upon finding it, unless it's actually a relief he's finally recovered his favourite plaything?

Sarah asks Gail if she has considered Scooter moving in (my won't that make the household a fun place?) but Gail isn't so sure...until Sarah tells her that Scooter makes her happy and her heart melts.

Liz has paid a visit to Steve's where he tells her he can't sit around waiting for my to perhaps track him down in two decades time. He wants Liz to have a word with Deirdre to try and find out where she has gone

Gail, having popped out, returns home to find the house laden with boxes of Scooter's belongings. Fuming, she soon makes a hasty retreat

Deirdre is on the phone to a tearful Tracy while in the other room, Blanche is moaning about her hp. When Deirdre returns through, she demands if Blanche even cares about her grand-daughter at all...but Blanche points out that Tracy is unlikely to have asked after her.

Eileen manages to put her foot in it with Steve by saying he'll be glad to get rid of Amy for a bit to give Dev fathering practice. Steve tells them miserably that Tracy has taken Amy.

Over in the cafe, Roy and Chesney are discussing the tiresome invention that is Roy's new obsession. Chesney shows Roy a typically cartoonish harness invention involving Schmeichel chasing after a bone.

Gail tells Audrey that she wants Scooter straight back out again as she can't handle the pressure

Eileen is trying to comfort Steve back in the cab office. He moans that he never wanted kids in the first place but she admits that once they come along, they have a hold on you for life.

Deirdre is telling Liz of Tracy's pain and Liz tells her that she tried to convince Steve not to do it. Deirdre is raging that Liz knew all along and thrusts her out of her house and out of the long friendship

(I lost my video recording after this, due to someone taping over it so I'll do the best I can from memory!)

Audrey has had a word with the Platt gang and Gail returns home to find them cleaning up...in their own unique way. Once again, she relents, and with a smile let's Scooter stay...despite knowing that mum Audrey gave them a significant nudge.

Steve is still pondering what could have been when Dev comes round and mentions at this inappropriate time that he is selling up his half of Streetcars. Steve tells him he can't afford it and an apologetic Dev says it needs a new other half anyway fro fresh ideas, but he has no choice due to having a baby on the way. Speaking of which, I missed out a scene involving Sunita and Dev discussing houses...Dev wanting the more elaborate surroundings of a six bedroomed place, conservatory and all (which is perhaps why he can't afford to keep up Streetcars!)

Roy is causing a kafuffle by testing his door invention (I'm not quite sure what it is meant to do aside from generating a minute speck of energy from the opening of a door) When the door opens, a significant amount of energy is created, courtesy of Hayley, who walks in to see him driving away customers with falling rubble...she is not amused.

A tearful Liz is telling Steve that she has lost a friendship over this, it's become her problem too. But all Steve is bothered about is the fact she hasn't found out Amy's whereabouts. Liz angrily tells him they may not see Amy again...and there is nothing he can ever do to put right what he has done

Duncan Lindsay





Monday 27 June Episode 6056, 6057

Monday, June 27, is Jamie's birthday and his dad is remembering that 24 years ago he was breaking open the champagne with Jamie's grandad. Jamie suggests they can share some champagne now, but Danny says it will have to wait. He's going to be out until after lunch. Unfortunately for Jamie, Janice and the others are on their way to work and start giving him a hard time about it being his birthday. They haven't got him a present, but Kelly promises she'll give him something special later.

Eileen has discovered £30 in Sean's jeans pocket. He says it's money he owed Angela and he was going to give it to her when she was arrested (I don't want to think how many weeks that is since his jeans were last washed). Violet suggests he give it to Keith and Craig. Jason is talking about getting a tattoo, which Eileen dislikes and even Violet says she's not very keen on him having one. "Do you not feel macho enough without some body art?" Sean asks, admitting that he quite likes Maori tribal markings.

In the Kabin, Ken is stocking up on sweeties and looking forward to a quiet few days on his own, reading and listening to the radio. Of course, Norris can't have that. He thinks Ken will be crying out for intellectual stimulation and, as it happens, he has just the thing. He's finished another chapter of his novel. Rita says she's offended not to be asked, but Norris points out that Ken has more qualification to offer some constructive criticism. Ken protests that he doesn't critique friend's work. "Oh, I have very broad shoulders," Norris says. "In that case," Rita says, "there are some boxes of greeting cards you could bring through from the stock room." Ken takes the opportunity to scurry away.

In a pedestrian street we've never seen before, Fred discovers Keith has been buying meat from a rival butcher. Then he discovers that Mr Maddocks has a poster in his window with a picture of Fred mincing what looks like sewage. "Elliot Mess -- The Untouchables" it says. Mr Maddocks comes out and tells Fred, Keith and Emily, who has happened along, that the poster has been working a treat, bringing in plenty of custom, including a woman who said she'd rather turn vegetarian (Fred gasps) than buy anything else from Fred. We then notice that Mr Maddocks has his own Ashley, only this one sneers and is called Marvin "I wonder how many you've lost to the dark side before we could save them," he comments. Marvin says they're thinking of putting the poster on their carrier bags. Fred makes some comments about Marvin's skill with the cleaver and suggests Emily check the chipolatas for one with a fingernail attached. He tells the Maddockses to get rid of the poster or they will hear from his solicitor. He reaches around the door and rips the poster off the window. "Did you really think we'd only have one printed?" Mr Maddocks asks him. "We've got a boxful in the shop," Marvin says.

In the factory, the smaller twin gives Jamie a gift. It's a personal one from her, she says. The others spot it and once again he's getting a hard time. Adam tries to get them all back to work. He points out that Jamie has an order to get out. Leanne comes in with a cake, complete with a candle. Adam despairs. "Is no-one going to do any work today?" "What would you do if we said no?" Fizz asks him.

In the Kabin, Rita has had the rep from Crawley's on the phone, wanting to speak to Mr Cole, the manager. Norris points out that when you have an authoritative voice and manner, people make assumptions. When he pops out to the back room, Rita sneaks a peek at his novel, only to be seen by Emily who is appalled. "He always takes it to the bathroom rather than risk me having a look," she confides, asking Rita what she saw. Norris comes back and they ask how the writing is going. He thinks he's tapped into "a spring of creativity which bubbles up inside me." Rita thought it was just wind. They suggest that one day the shop might have a blue plaque: "Norris Cole, author, sold jelly babies and sherbert lemons on these premises."

Danny's meeting has been cancelled and he's back at the factory early, finding that no-one is working. He's particularly annoyed that Jamie is still there, because he should have been on the road an hour ago. The others are all eating cake. Danny is not amused and tells Jamie that he's to go to Warrington and Hull today. "They're in opposite directions," points out Jamie. "If I wanted a geography lesson I'd go back to school," Danny shouts. "Hit the road, Jack, thank you."

Norris goes to get the drinks in the Rovers, leaving Emily to ask Rita again about what is in his book. "I thought you didn't approve," says Rita. "I don't," says Emily, "and I will tell him what you did unless you tell me about it." Rita admits that the book was very interesting. It's about a boy growing up after the war and details everything his mother makes him do -- get the washing out on his own before school and dry it so he can iron it. "You know, I never thought I would say this, but poor Norris," Rita says. Emily points out that it's fiction, but Rita heard Ken tell Norris to write from experience. And every time Norris talks about his mother there's a flicker in his eye. Maybe it's all his mother's fault, suggests Emily. "What?" asks Rita. "Perhaps it's her fault that he's a small-minded, irritating know-it-all," Emily says. They burst into gales of laughter but refuse to tell Norris the joke. Frankie comes in to tell Leanne she'd better make sure everything goes well for Jamie's family birthday, but Leanne tells her about Danny sending Jamie on a cross-country trek, pointing out that he might not be back in time.

In the factory, Danny is criticising Janice's knicker seams. Fizz asks if Janice will become management once she's related to Danny. It seems the girls and Sean have decided that Jamie and Leanne will marry. "Just think," says Janice, "if our Lee weds your Jay, you get to walk up the aisle with me, cocker." Frankie and Leanne come in so Frankie can give Danny a hard time about sending Jamie out. He says he had a bad morning. That's not good enough for Frankie, who tells him that if Jamie doesn't make it back for his birthday dinner, "You'll be wearing your bits as a bobble hat!"

Sean is trying to cram an envelope into a letterbox when Keith opens the door. Sean gives him the envelope and tells him it's money he owed Angela. But Keith is suspicious that it's charity and the result of a whip-round at the factory. He's trying to put a dead cat into the boot of his car. "Did it die naturally?" asks Sean. It seems Keith stuffed (sorry, mounted) the pet for it's former owner, who then got run over by a bus. Nobody wants it, so Keith is taking it to the tip because the garbage men refuse to take it. Sean asks for it. Keith is reluctant. "Why don't I give you 30 quid for her," suggests Sean, and the deal is sealed.

It sounds like a women's final at Wimbledon -- grunt/thwack, grunt/thwack. It's Fred, dismembering a dead animals with all the anger he built up talking to Mr Maddocks and Maddocks junior. Ashley hopes Fred isn't going to do anything stupid, but Fred intends to take the high moral ground. He still plans to set his solicitor on to the Maddockses.

Ken has settled down with a book, but there comes a rat-tat-tat on the door. It's Norris, who believes Ken's refusal to critique his book was just for show to spare Rita's feelings. Ken repeats that he meant what he said. "I'm confident you won't be disappointed," Norris says. His book will transport Ken to another place. "I've already got that with Thomas Hardy," Ken says, waving his book at Norris (I can't be sure, but it might have been Far From the Madding Crowd). Norris flaps his hand at it dismissively. "Oh, very over-rated, Thomas Hardy," he sneers. That dull thud you hear, gentle reader, is me whacking Norris over the back of the head with a hard back Hardy! Ken manages to stay calm and bustles Norris out of the door very quickly.

At No 7, Frankie is getting very grumpy because Jamie is still not home. She won't ask Leanne to help her in the kitchen, because she hate Leanne to spoil her dress. "You must really love that dress as you wear it so often." Warren's on the phone. Candice wants to know how to wear her hair. "Are we talking moustache?" asks Leanne. Danny tells Warren to tell "night-light" to "just hurry up and get here." He explains to Leanne that the nickname came about because Candice couldn't be any dimmer. Jamie arrives.

Jason and Violet arrive home. Jason is telling her that if she likes Eminem, she should like tattoos. Violet agrees. In fact, she'll get a big tattoo on her back. Jason isn't so keen on this. They spot the cat, apparently asleep on the sofa. Sean tells them he rescued her from someone who was trying to put her into a carrier bag to get rid of her. They discover the cat is dead and Sean tells them that taxidermy is Keith's hobby. "Oh, I wish you hadn't told me that," Eileen says. She's got visions of Tommy Harris up in the front bedroom of his old house.

They're all expecting Candice to turn up at the junior Baldwins'. Danny gets all sentimental and tells Jamie there are two things he's proud of -- Warren and Jamie. Leanne gives Jamie his present -- a watch. Then Frankie gives Jamie his present -- a watch! "If you kept the receipt you can always change it," Frankie says. "No, I didn't," says Leanne. "Did you keep yours?" Leanne thinks Candice is deliberately late so she can make an entrance. When there's a knock at the door, Jamie answers it, only to come face to face with: "Mum!"

The End.
Margaret Carr

Concluding part of Monday's episode.

Carol has come round to see her son on his birthday. She says, it was a spire of the moment thing and just jumped on a train. Danny tells her, "Well you can just jump on another one and go back to Birmingham" Frankie is more welcoming and tells her to join them, as they are just about to have dinner. Carol takes Candice's seat. Candice then turns up and Danny says she can sit on his seat, but is told by Frankie just to get another seat. Frankie then tells Jamie to pour his mum a drink. Danny replies, "It smells like she's already had enough" Carol then hand's Jamie a present, it's a watch. Leanne is quick to say she and Frankie also got him watches. Jamie says its ok. He tells Carol he likes it and you can never have enough watches. They start to eat.

At the butchers, Fred is looking forward to going home. He tells Ashley he's going to read to Josh. "What's that on the window?" Fred says, looking puzzled. Ashley says, "Looks like a poster" Fred goes to have a look and on they ways says, "Folk have got no right putting posters up on other folks windows" Fred returns not amused. He holds up a poster what says, ‘Maddocks v Elliott. Better quality, better price, better looking... better shop elsewhere' Fred shouts, "Look at that! I'll kill him"

At Jamie's birthday party it's quiet. Carol asks for another drink after downing her first. Leanne asks Carol if she's found a job yet. Carol says, "Er... no, not yet" Candice, tells her, "Well there are lots of openings in beauty treatments and that, even for the more mature woman" Warren tells Carol that Candice is a hairdresser. Carol who looks slightly drunk says, "When I was younger, beer shampoo was all the rage. I'm still waiting for a vodka and tonic to come out"

Fred comes down the stairs shouting. He tells Ashley that he's not going to get away with this. Ashley thinks it's just a bit of fun. Fred then says he's off to see his solicitor, to see what action he can take against Maddock's. Ashley says he won't be in his office at this time. Fred says he will be at the golf club.

"That was lovely, and made a nice change from getting something out of the microwave" Adam tells Frankie. She replies, "You should come round for tea more often" Warren jokes, "Don't think it's like this all the time Adam mate, it's normally pizza or stuff from the café" Carol starts to cause trouble. She says to Frankie, "I have to say I was surprised when Leanne told me you work in a cafe, Frankie" Frankie trying not to rise to it replies, "It gets me out of the house" Carol continues, "I was surprised when I saw the house an' all. Thought you'd be in something much bigger." Danny gets up. "Right, that's it..."he says but Frankie quickly says, "We downsized. Put all the money into the business, didn't we babe?" She then changes the subject telling Candice she is going to come to the Salon and get her hair done. Candice says, "Okay, I'm not working on Thursday though" Leanne laugh, "Best get booked in for Thursday then Frankie" Warren laughs and Candice gives him a look, he tells her it was funny. Danny asks Warren why he doesn't let Candice cut his hair any more, he's told it's the football club. "What? You have to run it past them to get your barnet done?" Danny says. Jamie laughs, "He has to run it by them before he goes to the toilet" Leanne laughs. She adds, "He phones on a morning to check if he should wear boxers or Y fronts" Candice laughing, "Actually he doesn't wear those, it's usually briefs or a thong" Carol suddenly starts crying. "You're a family. I don't belong here" She says. Danny says, "At last" Frankie tells him, "Danny, don't" Danny snaps back, "Don't what? She's the one who's come here causing a scene, turning things round so it's all about her" Carol sobbing, "I came to see my son" Danny accused her of just wanting to cause trouble. Frankie says, "That's enough Danny. Can't we just all be civilised?" Danny shouts, "Civilised? What is the matter with you people? Look at the state of her. She's a mess. How much have you slung down your neck today Carol? Four bottles? Five?" Carol shouting tells Danny to Shut up. She says it was hard for her to come round and know on the door. She then starts on Frankie. "You stole my husband, you bitch" Danny tells her to get out. She continues to shout as he drags her out. Danny yells, "She does 'not' come back in this house, you got it?"

Carol sobbing, bangs on the front door. "Don't worry, she'll be back in the gutter in a minute where she belongs" Danny tells everyone. Jamie decides to give his mum a lift home. He asks Leanne to come with him, but she says Carol may get violent. Danny says he's not taking the van. Frankie snaps at Danny then tells Jamie she will come and he can use her car. Jamie asks Leanne if she's coming but again she says no. While they go Frankie says, "After all, it looks like I'm the only one who 'hasn't' been to Birmingham recently" Candice, Adam and Warren decide to go to the pub.

Shawn is wondering were to put his stuffed cat. He puts in on the seat and tells Violet and Eileen not to laugh. Jason comes in. Shawn tells Jason he has a surprise for him, "You know how fond I am of you and how there will always be a little room in my heart called Jason. I like to think of it, as a room painted in masculine colours with nice soft furnishings because that's you isn't it? Masculine on the outside but soft on the inside" he points to the cat, as Eileen and Violet try to hold back from laughing. Jason surprised says, "It's a cat" Sean amazed, "Brains as well as looks!" Jason panicking says, "But I'm allergic to cats"

Danny tells Leanne, "I don't see why I'm the villain here. What man wants to see his first wife turn up, when he's with his second wife" Leanne says she thought the whole thing was quite funny, "Carol going on about you knocking Frankie off and all the time you are carrying on with your son's girlfriend" she says. Danny tells her Jamie is not going to find out about it so will never get hurt. Leanne smiling, "It'd do more than hurt him" Danny wonders why his life is so complained, "Other blokes have nice lives. Why does mine have to be so complicated?" he tells Leanne. She gives him a look and says, "I'm not complicated. They are going to be gone a couple of hours" Danny replies, "Yeah" she continues, "You know the way Frankie has decorated down here? Does her bad taste extend all the way to your bedroom?" She takes his hand and heads for the stairs.

Back at the Grimshaw's household. Eileen is trying to get Jason to stroke the cat, she tells him, "You haven't been itching like you normally do" Violet adds, "Perhaps you are cured" They both try not to laugh. Jason leans over and gingerly touches the cat, "It's a bit bony" All of them are in hysterics as Jason says, "It's dead"

Carol in the back seat talks about Frankie, "I used to worry when she was babysitting. I used to think, 'I hope she's not having her boyfriend in and messing about while my little Jamie's asleep', and all the time she was waiting for my husband to take her home" Carol shouts. Frankie looks sorry. Jamie tells her, "That was a long time ago" Carol angry cries, "No it wasn't. It was yesterday. I thought we were happy. I loved him" Frankie tells her, "I'm sorry Carol. I never meant for any of it to happen" Carol yells, "Yes you did or you wouldn't have been sniffing around him like a little whore" Jamie turns round and starts to shout at her, "Don't you 'ever' speak to Frankie like that, do you hear. It isn't her fault" Carol continues sobbing in the back seat, "I'm sorry Jamie, don't hate me. Please don't hate me" she cries.

Jason and Violet are spread out on the sofa. Violet is still finding funny the cat incident. Jason tells her he hates being laughed at but doesn't mind it when she does it. He talks about how he feels about her, "You're the first girl I've never cheated on" Violet asks him if she's supposed to be proud of that. "I would never want to with you. I don't even look at other girls. When I told other girls I loved them, it was just words. I didn't know what it really meant. Now I know why people want to get married" Jason says. Violet laughing, "Is that a proposal?" Jason tells her it could be if she wanted. Violet suddenly looks worried, "I love what we've got Jason. I really do but I'm too young for that. I would love to be Mrs Grimshaw one day but it's a long way off.... okay?" Jason understands. He tells her okay and proposes getting tattoos with each other's names on instead. Violet tells him, "To be honest? I hate tattoos... but I do love you"

Carol finally falls asleep in the back seat, Jamie tells Frankie it's all his fault. Frankie thinks its her fault and tells him, "No it isn't. It's mine. Like she said, she let me into her home, trusted me. And I slept with her husband. In her bed. I'd kill any woman who did that to me" Jamie asks, "So why did you do it then?" Frankie replies, "I fell in love. I couldn't help it. The first time I looked after you, your Dad drove me home. He talked to me like I wasn't a teenager, like I was a woman. I think I fell in love with him on that first trip. I used to read to you, loving it 'cos you were his son, imagining that I was his wife and that you were 'my' son." Jamie tells her he shouldn't have gone looking for her. Frankie replies, "She's part of you Jamie. You can't choose your parents" Jamie tells her, "I did, and it wasn't just my dad I chose to be with"

Candice and Warren return from the pub. They are talking about Carol and Danny. Candice tells him, "That won't happen to us because I'm not going to be your first wife. I'm going to be your only wife" Danny rushes down the stairs and says, "Got chucked out the pub then?" Leanne appears. Warren says no and asks for a drink. Danny lets him as he says, " I'm glad you're home cos Leanne weren't half getting bored. I had to take her upstairs and let her have a go on your Play station" Candice follows Warren.

Amanda Souter





Wednesday 29 June Episode 6058

Written by: Peter Whalley
Directed by: Tessa Hoffe

In which we get through an entire episode without a single visit to the Rovers Return. Spooky.

Breakfast time at Danny and Frankie's, and it's toast, orange juice, coffee, bile and vitriol on the menu. Frankie has what Danny would call "the right hump" at him following Carol's appearance at Jamie's party. What's really annoying Frankie is that she thinks Danny heard from Jamie that Carol was living on her own in a cosy little flat, and he couldn't resist the charms of his ex. "Have you seen the state of her?" Danny points out. "As if I'd still be interested." "Why not? She was breathing. That's all that matters to you!" Frankie replies.

Danny says she must know from what Carol was saying the night before that there's never going to be any affection between him and his ex-wife, and all he was trying to do by seeing her was to stop her from taking Jamie away from his family. Frankie accepts this, but wishes he'd said something to her earlier. Jamie comes downstairs, and they stop arguing. Frankie says as soon as Danny is finished at the factory he has to come straight home so they can continue the conversation, otherwise she'll come over there and they'll continue it with an audience.

It's the same topic of conversation for Janice and Leanne as they walk to work. Janice jokes that the Baldwins are even worse than the Battersby's, and maybe she should stop Leanne being involved with them. This gives Leanne a bit of a pause for thought (as she's more involved with more Baldwins than Janice realises), and she makes Janice promise not to say anything about Carol. Leanne says that Danny feels guilty about Carol, but Janice says he's never felt guilty in his life, and says "He'll have some bird tucked up somewhere. More than one, probably." Not what Leanne wants to hear.

Janice joins Sean, Fiz and the twins on the way into work. Sean is carrying the stuffed cat in a closed cardboard box, and starts spinning them a tale about how he found a stray cat with a note on its collar saying, "please look after me." He says he can't leave it at home alone, so he's brought it in the box. They see Danny coming, and all go into the factory.

Emily and Rita are in the Kabin, whispering about Norris's novel. Rita says she's going to try and get a look at it when Norris goes out later. Norris comes in with cups of tea, then Ken comes in to buy a newspaper – his second of the day, because he's planning a very quiet, self-indulgent day. After Ken goes out, Norris says it must be nice for Ken to have some time to himself, but then he says, "it might be better if we didn't have time to think." He's adopting some Mel Hutchwright, tortured-genius affectations.

At the factory, Jamie is on the phone to Leanne. He says he needs to talk to someone, and she's the only one. She looks troubled. Elsewhere, Sean's cat is attracting interest from the girls. He gets it partially out of the box – enough for most of them to get all soppy about it and for Sally to observe that it looks "in a bad way," then Adam comes over to find out what all the fuss is about. The cat is already back in the box, and he tells them to get on with their work. Jamie reminds Danny that he said he'd talk to Frankie, and Danny says he will, but in his own good time.

Fred and Ashley are in the butchers shop, talking about Fred's rival, Maddox. Fred's solicitor wasn't much help about whether Fred had a good case to sue Maddox, and Ashley thinks the whole situation will just blow over if Fred ignores it. Fred says he wants to go and see if Maddox has put any more posters up, and Ashley says he'll go.

At the factory, Jamie has had a text from Leanne, and tells Adam that he's popping out. Sally is telling the others that there's something wrong with Sean's cat if it can manage to sleep with all the noise and activity in the factory.

Leanne and Jamie are sitting on Maxine's Bench talking about the previous evening, and how hard it is for him that his mum is a drunk. They see Danny going back into his house, and Jamie says his dad will be carrying on the argument with Frankie. "I only wanted to see my mum again, but it seems like I started World War 3!"

Frankie is still furious with Danny, and he says the reason he didn't tell her that he was going to see Carol is that he knew she would react like this. Frankie asks him if he slept with Carol, and he says of course he didn't. He says Frankie shouldn't let Carol come between them. Frankie says, "But she's back in our lives, like you swore she never would be!"

Ashley is going round tearing down posters that Maddox has put up. Norris points out that they're all over the place.

Danny comes out of his house and sees Leanne and Jamie still talking. Danny tells his son it's time to get back to work, and lingers behind to ask Leanne what she's doing in about an hour. He says he might drop in at the flat to see her, but she doesn't exactly look thrilled.

Adam has popped round to see Ken, who says he's always delighted to see his grandson, but there are others he's not so keen to see. Right on cue, there's a knock at the door, and Lena's face appears looking through the letterbox. Adam offers to get rid of her (don't know why they can't just hide behind the sofa like normal people). Lena is alarmed by Adam ("Ken hasn't got a grandson. Where did you get that accent?") and thinks Ken is being held hostage or something. She yells over to Jason, who's just pulled up in the van, to call the police because "this lad" has broken into Ken's house, and who knows what he's done to Ken? Ken has no choice but to make an appearance to reassure her. She tries to go into the house, but Ken says he's on his way out and she should ring Blanche when she's back in a couple of weeks. Ken and Adam beat a hasty retreat.

"Are cats supposed to breathe?" Sean asks Kelly. "They are if they're alive," she says. "Do you know how to give it the kiss of life?" She squeals at the very thought, but he tells her the cat is actually stuffed – or "intestinally challenged," as he prefers to call it. "How many lives do cats have? Is it nine?" Kelly says to Fiz and Janice. "I think this one's on its tenth." This worries Fiz, and she says she's going to get someone to have a look at it. She makes a phone call. [On the factory radio: ‘Feel Good Inc' by Gorillaz].

Norris goes into Fred's shop to buy some pork chops, and asks if he can see them before Fred wraps them up. Fred says, "I think we've a photo of t'pig somewhere. You can have a look at that an'all, if you want." Norris tells Ashley that he's missed one of the posters, just round the corner. Fred is cross because Ashley told him he couldn't find any posters. "This can't go on," Fred says, "I'm being made a laughing stock of, and I'm NOT HAVING IT!!"

"The struggle that went on within my breast was a fierce one." Rita and Emily are reading Norris's novel in the Kabin. He comes in and catches them at it, and is very upset.

Fiz is ushering a new man into the factory. He's tall, dark, handsome, good haircut and a very nice Irish accent. Fiz introduces him to Sean: "This is Tim. He's very kindly offered to have a look at your cat. He's a vet."

In the factory office, Danny tells Jamie he's going out for a while (or should that be "for a bit" – nudge, nudge) and wants Jamie to stay in the office to answer the phone etc.

Tim the vet is ready to give his diagnosis, but says he wants to speak to Sean privately outside. "Don't look good, does it," says a tearful Fiz, as Sean and the vet go out, "Not if he wants to talk to him on his own."

Leanne is talking to Jamie on the phone when Danny arrives. She signals to him to keep quiet, but he starts kissing her. She tells Jamie she's got to get ready for work, and hangs up the phone. She tells Danny that she's sick of the situation, being in the middle of him and Jamie. Danny keeps putting his arm around her shoulder and she keeps pushing it off, but she's grinning.

Outside the factory, Tim isn't very happy that he's had his time wasted by being called out to look at a stuffed animal. "Intestinally challenged," Sean corrects him, and admits that he was playing a joke on the girls, but Fiz took it seriously. "So is there any particular treatment that this cat needs?" Sean asks. "Dry cleaning?" says Tim. I am *loving* Tim – nice looking and a sense of humour as well. And Sean is quite impressed by him too: "Thanks for being so nice about it!" he calls, as Tim walks away, adding under his breath, "So *very* nice about it."

Danny is telling Leanne that they can easily handle continuing their relationship. He says they've only got one life and they have to make the most of it. "Nothing bad's going to happen, is it?" she says. "No, I promise," he reassures her, and once again I have to ask the question – do these people never watch soaps? "Stick with me, babe. Nothing bad's gonna happen."

Sue Haasler








Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Peter Webb, Margaret Carr, Mary Earlam, Amanda Souter.