2006

Wednesday 1 March

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Duncan Foster

There's a shadowy figure in a silver gas-guzzler peeping at Ashley and Claire as they load our Joshua into their car. Who could it be??

Danny ushers his employees into the factory, telling them to ignore Janice who's outside yelling at them about their lack of loyalty. Janice marches up to Danny and tells him she wants three months' wages and a glowing reference. He says, "And I want to be six foot two and for West Ham to win the treble. Life's hard, love, and then you die." "Especially when you're in a dodgy motor," Janice says, returning to her theme of how Danny almost got Leanne killed. He's not interested and goes into the factory.

Ashley says goodbye to Claire and Joshua, and Claire drives off. The silver gas guzzler follows them

.

"This holiday is as much for Amy's benefit as it is for mine," Tracy tells her incredulous parents. Deirdre tries to tell her that the joyful sight of seeing chubby little legs run around on a beach (she's talking about Amy, not Charlie) would be worth a spot of inconvenience, but Tracy reckons she'll be a better mother after a break: "I feel like I'm running on empty here." We'd believe that if she ever did anything with "ma daughter" other than the odd trip to the park.

Another daughter who's got her parents right where she wants them is Rosie Webster. Kevin and Sally still think she and Craig are finished, and Sally is delighted to hear that Rosie's plans for later on include going round to a mate's house to do homework and play CDs. "Craig Harris isn't fit to lick your boots" says Sally (I thought Craig was a Goth, not a shoe fetishist). Rosie tells her mum not to worry: "I've moved on."

Janice has also moved on, as far as Roy's Rolls. She assumes that Hayley has told Roy all about her being sacked, and he says that "Hayley was very troubled by it but the mood on the factory floor was that [Janice] asked too much of them." Les and Cilla come in, and Les is quite sympathetic to Janice, but Cilla tells him to keep his hand on his wallet as doubtless Janice will be after a loan now she's unemployed. She taunts Janice about the other factory workers not supporting her, and Janice goes out without even getting the milky coffee she ordered.

Danny's in the factory, holding his decree nisi letter. The divorce will become final on April 4th. He takes the phone off the hook and just sits looking gloomy.

Frankie has a copy of the same letter and is showing it to Deirdre in the cafe. She's not much happier about it than Danny is – she tells Deirdre some of the happiest moments of her life were with Danny. Deirdre says she should forget Danny, and asks how Nathan is.

Nathan is, in fact, enjoying one of Betty's hot pots in t'Rovers. Also enjoying the hospitality of Weatherfield's premier hostelry are Leanne and Janice (no hot pot for them, though, just a pint of unspecific for Janice and a G&T for Leanne). Leanne thinks Janice should stop going on about the car accident. Janice points out that Danny would never let Frankie drive around in a death-trap. "Do I look dead to you?" Leanne says. "Only from the neck up," says Janice. "You do know he sacked me?" "For being a big bully with a big gob," says Leanne, totally unsympathetic. Janice says that she's in this mess now because she stuck her neck out for Leanne. Leanne says she never asked her to, but Janice (getting quite emotional now) says it's called loyalty – she brought Leanne up, after all. Leanne tells her to "enjoy your wallow – some of us have got lives," and hops off on her crutches. Janice looks quite crushed.

That silver gas guzzler has stopped outside Joshua's nursery, which is a big, red-brick detached house. The children have all come out into the garden to play, and we see Joshua with one of the carers. The window of the car comes down and we see the face of – no! It can't be! It is! Surely not! Yes! Dr Matt Ramsden!

Kevin spots Rosie running into Craig's house, but before he can react Sally comes up to him and tells her that the brave face Rosie is putting on is breaking her heart. She says she just doesn't believe that she's coping that well. "Me neither," says Kev. Sally says she just wants Rosie to be happy, and Kevin says that's what he wants too. Sally goes off to work, and Kevin glances across at the Harris house and sighs.

In t'Rovers, Frankie offers to buy Nathan a drink. He tells her he's not interested in being her rebound job while she gets Danny out of her system. She tries feebly to protest but he's not interested.

Charlie and Tracy bump into Ken and Amy in the street. Ken is sarcastic about them going on holiday while Amy spends a dreary week in Weatherfield. Charlie says at that age everything is an adventure, like going to the library or riding on the top deck of a bus. Ken says he would have expected Charlie to be from the "seen and not heard" school of child rearing. Charlie says it's more like "not seen and not heard." Tracy says this is Charlie's idea of a joke, but Ken knows that Charlie was serious. Tracy says goodbye to her "precious girl" and goes into the pub with Charlie.

Janice is still in the pub, and she's had several more pints of unspecific since Leanne left and is now belligerently drunk. She trades insults with Sally and the rest of her former colleagues.

Tracy has been to the Ladies' for a bit of a cry. Charlie says he likes it when she shows her vulnerable side, and then he says that when they get back from the holiday he wants to spend some time getting to know Amy. Tracy says that would be fantastic – she was worried that Amy was scaring Charlie off. He says, "She's important to you, so she's important to me." He knows just what he's doing, that Charlie.

Dr Matt Ramsden is out of the car now, and staring at Joshua in a way that frankly would have most nursery staff phoning the police. But the ever-helpful Claire comes up behind him and asks him if he's lost. He makes up some story about sussing out the nursery for a forthcoming child. Claire introduces him to Josh, and they chat for a while before Claire and Josh leave.

At the Webster residence, Sally is telling Kevin that working at the factory is much nicer without Janice. She calls Sophie down for tea, and says that Rosie should have been back by six, but "She's got a lot on her mind, poor lamb." So has Kevin, who of course knows where Rosie has really been. He tells Sally that Rosie is still seeing Craig, and that he saw her going into his house at lunchtime. It crossed his mind to go after her and drag her the length of the street (which would have been a waste of energy, given that they live almost opposite), but he thinks there's no point because they'd only find other ways and places to see each other. Sally is upset that Rosie not only lied, but put on a full performance. Kevin says,"I suppose she thought if she came clean it'd be world war 3 all over." "So she plays us for fools instead," says Sally.

Les has joined Janice in her drinking binge (Cilla is working a double shift at t'chippy) and they're now drunkenly reminiscing about the good old days when Leanne and Toyah were young. Roy and Hayley come in, giving Janice a new focus as she heaps abuse on Hayley. Then Hayley has a bit of a grumble to Bev about Roy's toy trains.

Rosie is at home now, tucking into a bowl of something or other and blatantly lying about how she's spent the evening with Pippa. She says she lost track of time. "Craig not got a watch?" says Sally, and Rosie realises she's been rumbled. Kevin says that Rosie has been feeding them a pack of lies, and Rosie says so did they, because Craig wasn't even seeing Susie Watkins. Sally, getting tearful, says that they give Rosie the best of everything. She says she doesn't want their stupid money, they could give her a million pounds and she still wouldn't stop seeing Craig. She flounces off to her room, leaving Sally in complete despair. "Come on, Sal," says Kevin, "You'll put yourself in an early grave."

Danny comes into the Rovers and becomes the next target for Les and Janice's abuse, but he ignores them and they get bored and leave, en route to Janice's where there's a half bottle of rum awaiting. Danny tells Bev that he hasn't had a very good day, one reason being that his decree nisi came through. Bev says it's not too late for him to salvage things with Frankie, but Danny doesn't think so because Frankie has a new bloke in tow. Bev says that in the interests of true love, in her opinion Nathan and Frankie looked quite strained at dinner time. Danny downs his whisky and goes out.

Just in time to see Les piggy-backing Janice home (Cilla will kill him). And Danny also spots Frankie on her way home. He's about to go and talk to her, but then sees Nathan coming over the road. Nathan apologises to Frankie for earlier: "I was a total pillock." "That makes two of us," says Frankie, and they kiss. Danny slumps back into a doorway where he can't be seen.

Les and Janice are also kissing (he's going to be toast when Cilla finds out). Les says he's really missed her.

Nathan and Frankie have taken their kissing indoors and upstairs, where Danny watches them closing the curtains. He walks away slowly, very unhappy.

Sue Haasler



Friday 3 March

We open with a shot of Sophie crossing the street from the Kabin to her house with a bottle of milk and a paper. The paper I can understand, but when did Rita start stocking milk? Or has she been to the corner shop and then across to the Kabin. And why don't the Websters get their milk and paper delivered like everyone else in the street? This is far too early on a Friday to be pondering such weighty questions. . .

At Frankie's, Nathan is leaving. The postie hands Frankie a letter just as Jamie comes downstairs. She goes back in and Jamie tells her he doesn't mind Nathan staying. She looks down at the post and it's a letter addressed to Danny.

Danny himself is asleep on the sofa in Mike's flat. Leanne tries to be caring and supportive but he brushes her off and goes for a shower.

Sophie has just discovered there's no cereal. Then she helps Kevin sort out his mobile phone. Rosie storms downstairs looking for a lost French book. Kevin tells her they're just worried for her. And Sally hands her a booklet and tells her to look at it with an open mind. "Melrose Boarding School for Girls," she reads. She can't believe her mother wants to ship her off to this place. Sophie thinks it'd be fine -- she'd get a room of her own at last if Rosie went. Sally says Rosie's grades have been slipping. Hah! Rosie knows full well that the boarding school would be a way of getting her away from Craig. Kevin chips in. "We can't afford that! We can't afford Oak Hill!" Sally ignores him, telling Rosie she'd be stupid to throw away an opportunity like this. Sophie hands her dad his phone and he tells her to get to school. She gets up shouting: "It's all about her! God forbid that I should get any attention in this house! I hate this family!" Kevin gets up, too. He tells Sally he's going to get something from Roy's. "She's had nothing to eat, in case you hadn't noticed. We have got two kids, Sal!"

Janice is out in the street with an unlit cigarette in her mouth. Les rushes over to light it for her. Janice walks very quickly and Les sort of jogs to keep up with her. It looks very strange. He wants Janice to keep their night together quiet, but he also says it was like riding a bike. "I beg your pardon!" says Janice. "I mean, you never forget the moves," Les clarifies. Fizz comes out of her flat and Les scuttles off. Janice tells her that after she lost her job and all her mates turned against her, "I copped off, didn't I!" Fizz is elated. "What's so bad about . . ." and she suddenly realises why Les did the scuttling bit. She wants to know what Janice is playing at -- not because she's worried about her mother, but for Chesney's sake. "Well, excuse me," says Janice, "but I am going through one of the most rotten times of my life, so forgive me if the first thing on my mind wasn't your damned Chesney."

In the cafe, Roy is struggling with the age-old problem of how to get a realistic bark on a model oak tree! Hayley thinks it's lovely that Roy's so interested in his model railway, but she misses him. "When was the last time we had one of our special nights in? Cuddle on the sofa, World War II documentary on... It seems like most nights you go straight from here to Clifford's." Roy gets her point. And he intends to tell Clifford so when he sees him tonight. He sees Hayley's face fall and says he'll cancel his appointment with Clifford. At a table in the cafe, Sophie is saying she doesn't mind that her mother is obsessed with Rosie. "It means she hardly notices what I get up to." Plus while Rosie has Sally's attention, it means Sophie gets time with her Dad. They head off with Kevin offering to take her to school, and Danny comes in. The atmosphere between him and Frankie is very strained. "I'm gonna change the chip fat, Roy," she says, walking away once she's served Danny. He looks quite downcast. But as he leaves, so does she.

In the pub, Fred is getting marriage advice from Jack (con) and Betty (pro). While Betty is telling Fred the lovelier side of marriage, Jack says he just got married for the regular leg-over. "But that's the way they used to get you in them days." "Last of the great romantics," Betty says. "The shine come of that a bit rapid," says Jack. "Like buying a jumbo jet for the free peanuts." LOL. In another corner of the bar, from an angle I don't think we've seen before, which shows that there is a disused fireplace in one corner, Janice and Leanne are settling down to lunch with a large bottle of wine. Leanne tells Janice that Danny has gone all moody since the divorce papers arrived. Janice says that once Danny has had his fun, Leanne will be the next on the scrapheap. Leanne wants to know why Janice glories in other people's problems. "What's wrong with you?" she asks. "It's not that I'd expect you to notice, with your fancy flat and your ever-expanding wardrobe," Janice tells her, "but my life is in the flaming toilet." Leanne says she can sort the job in a couple of weeks. "It's not the job, it's everything," Janice says. She admits she slept with Les. "Blimey! You must be depressed," says Leanne. "Well, if I weren't before, I certainly was after."

Fizz collars Les in the street and wastes no time in telling him off for sleeping with Janice. She says if Chesney ever finds out, she'll kill him. Cilla sees them obviously arguing and comes to find out what's going on. Fizz leaves and Les blusters his way round it. Cilla tells him she works in a chip shop and knows fishy when she smells it. If he's up to something, (The fact that he's offered to buy her a curry might be a clue to his guilt feelings) "Let's just say you've never seen me angry -- not really angry," she says. Uh oh.

Outside Josh's nursery school, Matt pulls his car to a halt.

Rosie is with Craig, telling him the other school is in the middle of nowhere. She suddenly realises Craig is crying. "I've lost everything -- my family, now you. I'm going to be totally on my own. I won't be able to take it, Rosie, I know I won't." "Don't cry. I won't leave you," she promises. They weep together.

Back at the nursery, Josh runs down the steps and Matt gets out and runs towards him. But Josh is running to Claire and you see the pain on Matt's face.

At the cafe, a table is set with flowers and candles and Mantovani is playing (not in person, you understand, but it's a recording of Lara's theme from Dr Zhivago). Hayley is very impressed. She goes upstairs to change.

In the Rovers, Janice is wondering what's to keep her in Weatherfield now. "You're going to have to talk up," says Leanne. "I can't hear you for the violins." Janice grins then tells Leanne how fond she is of her. "You're like a stepdaughter to me." Leanne thinks she should shut up and have another drink. Sally and Fizz come in and Fizz goes over to talk to Janice. Janice says she's having a drink to blot out the close encounter of the ginger kind she had last night. Fizz is horrified that Leanne knows. Danny comes in, finds Leanne drunk and leaves again. Janice starts throwing peanuts at Sally. "Why don't you open your gob and I'll see if I can get one in," Janice says, adding that the gob is big enough. "Throw another one of those at me and you'll live to regret it," says Sally, with steel in her jaw. Fred appeals to Betty to stop them, because he can't go manhandling women out of the place. Betty's keeping well out of it. Without taking his eyes off the women, Jack puts a coin on the bar. "Pound on the terrier." Fred, also transfixed, matches it. "Pound on the bulldog." Janice comes prancing up to Sally and takes close aim with a peanut. Sally does not move a muscle, except maybe to narrow her eyelids a bit, in a very Clint Eastwood sort of way. The peanut bounces off her face and Janice laughs from her belly. Sally wipes the smile off Janice's face with her fist. Just like that -- one straight right jab to the mouth. The gallery flinch together. Jack sweeps up the coins. "Lived round here longer than you have, Fred." Leanne says she thinks Janice might have asked for that one. Sally flees. Janice is examining the damage when Les and Cilla come in. Cilla taunts her and that's the last straw for Janice. "You know, losing my job I could cope with. All my friends turning their backs on me, [We see Les looking very apprehensive] no problem, but when I was so out of me head that I ended up in bed with that witless waste of space, I realised I'd hit a new low." Cilla's expression has completely changed from superciliousness to disbelief, then fury. "And I'll tell you summat more," Janice goes on. "You've not taught him a thing." As Janice leaves, Cilla says she thought Les was chirpy this morning. "You had a shower, and all!"

Janice goes out into the street and grimly heads for home, completely sobered up.

Roy is sitting at the table, holding the flowers. "Clifford, I'm really going to have to ask you to leave," he's saying. Clifford has plans spread all over the nicely set table. Hayley comes rushing down but ignores Roy's apologies. She's had a call. Her Uncle Wilf has had another fall, a really bad one, and she's going to have to go down there.

Fizz meets Janice, who is laden with carrier bags and a suitcase. She's going off to see Toyah. She tells Fizz thanks for being a good mate. Fizz says it sounds like she's going to chuck herself off a bridge. Janice says it's not her style. But she thinks she's done her time in Weatherfield. "Did you see the look on everybody's face when Sally Webster whacked me one? Every single person in that pub was thinking the same thing: 'She had it coming. ' And I did. So fair play to Webster, because if I'd'a been her, I've whacked me n' all." She asks Fizz to wish her luck. She pulls out the ornament Leanne bought her for Christmas and tells Fizz it's the only thing she owns of any value. "How sad is that?" She assures Fizz she won't be back. She looks at the younger girl. "Come here, Fiona." They hug and the bus arrives. As Janice is telling Fizz to take care of herself, she drops the ornament. Smash! It sounds as if it's broken into numerous pieces, but only the head has come off. She climbs on t the bus with all her stuff and we see her sitting there, tears rolling down her face, as she tries to put the head on and the bus takes her further away."

The End.
Margaret Carr



Sunday 5 March

Hi everyone, and welcome to another fun-packed (or should I say anguish-packed?) Corrie update. This one is for Sunday 5th March 2006.

We open in the Street, as Sally, in her dressing gown, picks up the milk bottles from the doorstep. A very washed-out looking Cilla steps out of the corner shop, and the two come face to face. Sally asks how Cilla is, and Cilla says she is how any woman is who finds her husband has cheated. She supposes she ought to thank Sally for what she did, and Sally says she didn't mean to go so far. She wonders what everyone will think of her. "They're going to wish they got in there first," says Cilla quietly, "I know I do."

Also clad in a dressing gown, Leanne is in the kitchen with a mug in her hand. Danny comes in and asks if she had a good night in the pub. Just as she starts to tell him how Sally clouted Janice, Les wanders in, yawning. Danny is horrified to learn that he's spent the night in the flat, and tells him to get dressed and ready to leave, he'll drop him anywhere he wants.

In Roy's Rolls, Vera and Roy are busy cleaning. Hayley comes down, dressed very smartly, it seems she's off to look after her ailing Uncle. Roy is surprised to see her, her train doesn't go for three hours. She says she'll lend a hand, (although she's hardly dressed for it), and they are just about to share a quick kiss when who should arrive but Clifford. His model train has apparently died and he wants Roy to come with him to take it back to the shop. Roy tries to refuse, but when Clifford starts pleading he gets his coat. Promising Hayley he'll be back before she leaves, he goes off.

Rita comes downstairs and finds Emily making tea, she's not going to church. Just then there's a ring at the door, it's Freda, Emily's niece.

Back at Mike's flat, Les tries to get Leanne to persuade Danny to let him stay, but she won't. She's aghast at what he did with Janice, and Les admits he's worried about bumping into her again until Leanne tells him that Janice has departed. She tells him also that Fiz has phoned to remind him that there's someone else he should be thinking about – Chesney.

Over at the Webster's, Sally is ironing while Rosie sits in a Minnie the Minx outfit of red and black stripes, and Sophie makes sarky comments about her mum's punch-up in the pub. Kevin wonders jokingly if Nathan would like a sparring partner. He then suggests they all go out for a pizza and Rosie raises her eyes towards heaven.

Les is running down the street talking (apparently to Cilla) on his mobile phone. He pleads with her to believe him, he doesn't know how he could have done what he did with 'that woman'. He gets to his own front door and it's opened – by Chesney who is also holding a phone to his ear. "It's true then," he says sadly, "you committed infidelity." Just as Les starts to ask Chesney to ask Cilla to let him in, Cilla comes to the door. Les is not allowed in, although he starts to say how bitter and twisted Janice is. "Don't let her wreck what we've got," he says to Cilla. "She didn't do that," she replies quietly, "you did."

Inside Emily's house, Rita tells Freda that she's come at the best time. Freda can't understand how her aunt was taken in by Ed, and Rita tells her they all were. Rita then wonders if she should go back to her flat now that Freda is there, until she remembers Norris and decides to stay with the 'girls'. Emily tells Freda that she hasn't been to church and Freda wonders if it's because she's worried she might see Ed there. Freda says she would like to attend church, and urges Emily not to let Ed take anything else away from Emily. Eventually Emily agrees to go to church too.

In the model railway shop, Roy and Clifford have handed in the broken train, and Roy is keen to get back to Hayley and the cafe. Clifford however, doesn't want to be left alone in case they can't fix the train and persuades Roy to stay to wait and see.

Kevin and Sophie are out on the pavement, ready to go off for the pizza. Sally tries to hurry Rosie up. They see Chesney out in the Street and ask him if he'd like to come too. Kevin tells him to go and see if his mum would mind him going along with them but Chesney assures him that Cilla won't even notice he's gone.

Emily, Rita and Freda walk up to the church. Emily isn't so sure it's a good idea, but Rita says that as they are there now, they might as well go in.

In Mike's flat, Danny and Leanne are preparing to go out when there's a knock on the door. It's Les again, turning up like the proverbial bad penny. Leanne wonders why he doesn't give one of his mates a ring, but he says he doesn't want to burden anyone with his problems. "That's very thoughtful of you," says Danny, "but we're on our way out." Thick-skinned as ever, Les starts to say he's not up to it, but then has second thoughts and thinks it might do him the world of good and hurries after them!

In the church, the service is progressing when Emily starts to look around her. Turning, she sees Ed come in at the back.

The Webster family, and Chesney, are enjoying their pizza in the restaurant. "Isn't this nice," says Rosie to Sally, her voice heavy with sarcasm, "you and me dad, our Sophie and her boyfriend, me with nobody." Chesney protests that he is not Sophie's boyfriend, he reckons he will never get married, it's not worth it.

Emily suddenly can bear no more, and, halfway through a hymn, turns and rushes out of the church. Ed rushes after her, and outside he calls to her to stop. She tells him to take the church, it's his, she doesn't need it any more. Suddenly Freda rushes up behind him, and throws handfuls of stones all over him, and shouts at him to leave Emily alone. From the ground, where he has fallen, Ed says to Emily that she probably wishes him dead. "No," mutters Emily, "I'd rather you'd never been born."

Vera is still cleaning at the cafe, as Hayley looks at the time and decides she has to go. Roy is still trying to get away from Clifford in the model shop. He eventually manages it and rushes off.

Back at the Websters, Sophie and Chesney go up to her room, as Rosie tries to sneak out of the front door. Sally appears in the doorway and asks where she's going. Rosie admits she's going to see Craig, and tells her mother she looked up the boarding school on the internet and knows that she and Kevin could never afford the fees. Sally calmly tells her that even if it means she has to get another two jobs, she's going.

Roy finally makes it back to the cafe, but is upset to find that Hayley has already left. "I thought you were different," says Vera, "but you're just as thoughtless as our Jack."

A rather shocked and dazed looking Emily is back home, sitting at the table. Rita asks if she's all right. Emily says she's living and breathing, if that counts as all right. She's upset because she meant what she said to Ed, and she feels bad because she's a Christian. "If God can't let you off this one," says Rita, "then he needs another look at his rule book." Emily is shocked by the venom and hate that she felt, she doesn't know who she is any more.

Anne Logan



Monday 6 March

Part 1

Emily looks out her window onto the street.

Over at the Webster's household and Sophie grabs some of her mum's toast. Rosie walks past with milk she has taken in. Sally tells her she plans to have a run out to Melrose. Rosie tells her to have a good time and not to get lost in the moors. Sally says she will be coming. Rosie informs her that she has better things to do that go to a school she has no intention going to. Sally replies as Rosie walks away that it's not up to her.

Mike's place and Danny sees Les siting on the sofa smoking. He asks Les if he has herd of passive smoking. He then asks if he has thought of moving out. Les says Danny is his daughters fella and that makes him family and you need family round you at times like this. Danny says that make him is daughter's fella only, not family. He then says this is his space and he is in it and three is a crowed.

Back at the Webster's and sally cant find her door keys. Kevin asks her if she really wants Rosie to go to this new school. She says, "I'm deadly serious. I'm at my wits end. Nothing I say makes any impression on her" He says its out in the moors and twice as expensive as Oak hill. And says its not going to stop her seeing Craig and she could send her to school in a desert and she would still find him. Kevin says he wants his kids here. Sally says she is terrified. Kevin has to say when he thinks she is wrong and he will not just be a yes man. Sally does not want her throwing her life away. Kevin says sending her away is not the answer but she just walks away.

Mike's place again and Danny take his shower gel back from Les saying that's his. Les is pack and read to go as he tells Danny, "Leanne won't be very happy about this?" He says it was Leanne's idea. She just appears saying she told him to drop a small hint. Danny says 'this' is Les and if he did that he would still be here by next Christmas. Leanne tells him he won't get Cilla back moping about here and she thinks Cilla will be weakening by now. Les asks, "Do you reckon" Danny says yeah and if not its time for him to rebuild his life and find somewhere else to live.

Factory and Kelly is late. She asks if Danny is in and Beck tells her he is away to Chester and won't be back till this afternoon. She asks how she knows and Becky says she was polishing the phone when it rang. Kelly says she's the cleaner and it's her first day. Becky says she loves it and every one is a laugh. She gives Sean tea and Kelly does not look amused as they all have a laugh.

Over at the Cafe and Roy is asking Vera who he is giving this meal to. She tells him the guy at the window and she had told him twice already. Les asks Kirk if Cilla misses him. Kirk has not noticed but does says when Chesney asked when he could see him she said, "As far as I am concerned, he is dead". Roy tells Vera he can't concentrate on his work and is worried because he can't sort things out with Hayley. Clifford phones and Roy tells Vera to tell him he can't come to the phone, as he is busy working. Vera asks Clifford if he heard that and she smiles and says that's good. Roy asks if that was rude.

Back at the Factory and Becky asks if it was wrong to answer the phone. She says no and wants her to enjoy herself. Kelly says she hopes she is not up to her old tricks again. Becky asks if her bum is big in this as she has 12 pairs of knickers on. Kelly takers her as side and Becky says she's joking. She says that days are behind her own and she's not going to mess up sine Kelly got her the job here. Kelly says she would rather people think they are school mates not Cell mates and tells her not say any thing. Becky says she won't let her down.

At the Battersby's Les comes in and Cilla says if he's come to grovel then he's wasting his time. He then starts to go but Cilla says he might as well say what he has to say since he came here. He tries to say sorry. "I love you. I miss you. I can't stop thinking about you. Please, don't let it end like this Jan" Cilla is shocked and asks if he said Jan. Les says he was thinking about her on the way here, that he hates her and it just, she finishes it for him saying, "slipped out" Les says yeah. She tells him to slip out like the randy snake he is.

In the street Les comes out of his house. He meets Steve and he says, "Taken you back has she?" He tells him not yet but she's melting. Just then Cilla from the bedroom window throws all his clothes on him. He shouts at her saying, "Cilla" Steve walks on. Sally walks along and sees Rosie kissing Craig. She marches over and takes Rosie. "You're coming with him" Sally tells her. Craig tells her to let go. Sally says, "This is my daughter. I tell her what to do and she does it" She then tells Rosie to get into the car. She speeds off. Les is still shouting.

In the car and Rosie asks, "Where are we going?" When Sally does not answer she says, "You're not talking to me now" Sally says she's concentration on the road. Rosie then says, "You push me into a car and won't tell me where you are taking me. Is that it? I don't do what you want so you kidnap me?" Sally says she is not kidnapping her, as she is her daughter. Rosie asks, "Does dad know you are doing this? No I didn't think so" Rosie then says she's worried for her and she's obsessed. Sally goes through a red light and cuts a car up. Rosie looking scared and tells her mum she went through a red light. Sally just keeps going.

Outside Kevin comes back from a breakdown and Craig says, "Doormat" Kevin looks confused as Craig says, "Well that's what they call people who don't stick up for themselves isn't it? People who get walked all over?" Kevin asks if he's looking for trouble. Craig says, "Yeah, come on then. I reckon I could have you and that's me. I can't fight for toffee! You're so under the thumb. You do what she says because you're scared she'll run off with someone else. Rosie said you stuck up for her but I knew you'd be whipped into shape as soon as she left the house" Kevin says he better start making scene. Craig says he does not know and tells him Sally forced Rosie in the car and speeded off. Kevin asks when and Craig says about an hour ago and he thinks they are headed for Melrose. Kevin goes into the break down truck and picks up his mobile. Steve sees Les putting his belongings into the boot of the taxi and asks him, "She's chucked you out then?" Les tells him, "You wouldn't believe it, would you? Two weeks ago I had a beautiful wife, a lovely home. What have I got now, eh? Two bin bags and a cardboard box" Steve does not say anything. Steve tells him to look on the bright side and asks, "Isn't this a Gary Numan single on red vinyl?" Les asks why and asks if he wants to buy it from him. Steve says nah and that he is just saying it's not all bad. Claire approaches them smiling and asks if this is a car boot sale. Then says she loves car boot sales. Les says, "Do you mind? These are my worldly goods! I'm homeless" Steve tells him he is not putting his stuff in the cab, "Nobody is going to want to get in a cab with all your stuff in. Not even a Gary Numan fan" Les looks in the bags and looks down as he says that Cilla has put his stuff in with the rubbish stuff. Claire says Cilla is not one to be messed with. Steve tells him he's not working with a cab like that. Les says this is his home now. Both Steve and Claire walk away. Just then a car pulls up. Matt Ramsden gets out and walks over to the Peacocks house. He rings the doorbell and waits.

In the car Sally is still speeding and looks like in the middle of nowhere. Rosie tells her mum she is really scared and wants to talk. She asks if they can stop at a cafe. Sally in a low quiet voice says, "You think I don't care about you don't you? You think I just nag nag nag. That I don't want you to enjoy yourself but I do. I want you to have a better life than I have" Rosie asks, "Do you want me to be scared? Mum, keep your eyes on the road" Sally starts to drift onto the other side of the road an nearly hits a car. Sally who looks in a world of her own says, "I want you to have a wonderful job. I want you to be happy" Rosie says so does she. Sally says, "You won't. You can't! Not if you waste these precious years" Rosie tells her to watch the road. Sally says she's not trying to be horrible to her, she's just trying to protect her and being a good mother.

Over at the butchers and Ashley sees Matt looking through the window. He goes out and Matt asks if he got his letter. Ashley says, "Did you get mine?" Matt says they need to talk. Ashley glares at him and says he said everything in the letter. Matt tells him, "I know this is difficult for you Ashley and if I could leave it at that I would, believe me" Ashley says, "Joshua's not here. You've had a wasted journey" Matt tells him, "It's you I have come to see, Ashley" Ashley look very angry and says he has nothing to say to him and goes back into the butchers.

Cafe again and the factory gang welcome Becky. Sean asks how long they have known each other. Kelly says not long and at the same time Becky says ages. Kelly says they met and school but didn't know each other really. Becky then says they went to night, kickboxing. Everyone says they didn't know Kelly was into that. Roy thanks Vera for being supportive and says he has phoned Hayley and everything is ok now. Kelly asks Becky why did she say that. Becky tells her it was the first thing that came into her head. Becky says, "I do go though. It's wicked. You should try it. Hey! Come with me"

Back in car and Rosie is on the phone to Kevin who asks if she has passed a telephone mass. Rosie almost sobbing is saying she is going to fast and is scared. Kevin tells her he is just behind her.

Out in the street Matt sits in his car, then finally get out and walks over to the butchers. Ashley is outside. Matt says, "I knew you'd react like this if I came here but I had to face you sooner or later" Ashley says he didn't have to and that he's not welcome round here. Joshua doesn't need confusing and tells him he doesn't even know who he is. Matt replies, "He does actually but that's not the point. You're the one that's confused Ashley and I know why. I'm one blast from the past you could do without. And I know I probably make you feel worse with Maxine gone" Ashley tells him not to say that name. Matt tells him, "All your hatred, all your anger, doesn't change the facts" Ashley says, "Facts? I'll give you facts. Joshua is 'my' son. Legally. He calls 'me' Dad! You're nothing to him. You never will be" Matt starts to walk away and turns but he tells him he can't walk away from this one.

In the car and Sally continues to speed. Kevin tells Rosie to put her mum on. Sally puts her hand out to give her mum the phone but Sally does not look when Rosie says, "Dad wants to talk to you" Rosie tells her dad that she won't take the phone and she is really scared as Sally is acting all weird. Rosie shouts tells her mum to slow down and stop. Sally then skids and slams on the breaks near the cliffs. As the car is heading near the edge they scream. The car turns round and stops. Both Sally and Rosie breathe heavily. Rosie says she could of killed them. Sally says she's sorry. Rosie asks where they are but Sally who's looking as if she confused and about to start sobbing says she does not know.

Amanda Souter

Sally is wandering away down the moors away from her daughter who is calling her name desperately. Kevin arrives on the scene and Rosie flings herself into his arms, full of relief. He tells her to wait in the car while he goes and talks to Sally.

Ashley tells a surprised Claire that Matt has popped round and furthermore, Ashley wants to remove Josh from the nursery as he has a gut feeling that Matt has been paying visits there too

Les is setting up his new home in the back of his car and it must be said it looks slightly more appealing that his former abode. Complete with a portable television, Les is set up for the life of luxury.

Craig has managed to get in touch with Rosie and assures her that it's Sally's fault for being crazy that this has happened, not Rosie's. Rosie however watches Kevin sit down with Sally and jumps to her defence immediately. Sally tells Kevin that she just wants Rosie to be safe and happy and can't cope with her life knowing that Rosie hates her. Kevin embraces her and tells her that Rosie is a small part of her life and she should concentrate on appreciating that her marriage is solid and, if Rosie were to have anything like it when she grows up, then she'll be more than fine

Chaos is erupting in the peacock household as the mating season begins and Percy the Peacock is showing off his beautiful feathers to Miranda. Over in the other Peacock residence Ashley is seeing red as Claire admits to him that she might have been talking to Matt, not realising who he was. Fred walks in with Josh to see Ashley explode with rage as Claire bursts into tears

Freda is offering to go to the shops for Emily but Emily decides to go herself as she could do with some fresh air.

Fred is lecturing Ashley over yelling at Claire, especially in front of Josh. He reminds Ashley that Claire would not have deliberately approached Matt and warns him not to let the doctor come between them like he did when he was married to Maxine

Sophie confronts Craig outside of the chippy, telling him that it's down to him that Sally suffered a breakdown and that just because he has no family, it doesn't mean he can tear hers apart. Meanwhile, inside the chippy, normal goings on: Cilla is serving deep fried dirty Les sock...to Les thankfully.

Rosie asks Kevin if he blames everything that happened today on her. He tells her, rather sharply, that due to her, Sally could have quite easily laid down and stayed down on the moors but, seeing his little girl upset, he remembers that she IS still a child and embraces her, assuring her that Sally will be okay. Wow, what an awfully long drawn out, ugly sentence that was. probably my worst yet.

Freda and Rita are in agreement that Emily should be left to her own devices but Norris is of the opinion that she is crying for help and that they should intervene.

Rosie tries to make Kevin see things from her perspective concerning Craig but he reasons with her that if she is so convinced that they will always be together then why is it necessary to rush things

Over a game of cards, following some bickering with Freda, Norris attempts to get Emily to open up. She tells him she would rather not talk about it and would like him to leave if he does again. Norris being Norris pushes it and Emily storms out, wondering why she just can't be left alone.

Sally is telling Kevin that she realises now that winning her battle of wills with Rosie won't help. She just wants Rosie to love her and be safe, even if it does mean she stays with Craig.

Les, Kirk and Chesney are having a lads night in over at Les', until Cilla comes along to ruin the party. She orders Chesney inside and Kirk dutifully follows, leaving Les alone for the night. I doubt I could meet anyone who holds any sympathy

Claire is trying to persuade Ashley to speak to Matt as this is the only way to find out what he actually wants. She reasons that they don't have to agree to anything, but Ashley takes to this idea like an easy-rust anvil takes to the sea (and a useless simile...not doing too well tonight)

The episode closes in the Webster household. It's been a traumatic day and Rosie and Sally come face to face for the first time since the drama on the moors. Rosie tells Sally that she will finish with Craig but Sally, after apologising for her behaviour, tells Rosie not to do that as it will only lead to more lies. Instead she just wants her daughter to stay safe and the pair embrace, watched by Sophie, who asks Kevin if Sally is okay now. He looks at his wife and tells Sophie that she is...but is he sure?

Duncan Lindsay



Wednesday 8 March

Written by: Peter Whalley
Directed by: Tony Prescott

Chesney, Yana and Cilla are all looking out of the window at Les sleeping in his car outside. 'What you looking at?' Kirk asks. 'Me former husband,' says Cilla (still using her indoor voice; Cilla hasn't shouted much at all since she and Les split up and I, for one, am grateful). Kirk and Chesney both plead Les's case, and even Yana thinks Cilla should take him back. Cilla says Janice is welcome to him, but she doesn't look all that convinced.

Les is rudely awoken by Steve, who wants Les to clean and fumigate the car and then clean and fumigate himself! Kirk and Chesney arrive with some breakfast for him. Les asks if there's any message from Cilla. 'She wants you dead,' Kirk tells him.

Steve is loading Freda's bags into the taxi, and Emily says goodbye to Freda, telling her to hurry or she'll miss her train. But as soon as Emily goes indoors Freda tells Steve she wants to stop off at the Kabin first.

At Ashley's house, Ashley is having second thoughts about meeting Matt Ramsden for a talk. Claire says it's all arranged, but Ashley says he won't be going. Claire tells Fred she thinks it's best if they know what Matt wants, and the only way they can do that is to talk to him.

Freda is in the Kabin, telling Rita and Norris that she has to go back to work but Emily is in a terrible state and she wanted to tell them because they're Emily's best friends. She asks them to take care of her, and then leaves. Norris can't help himself saying to Rita that he was right that Emily needed more support and wouldn't just get over things on her own. Rita concedes that he was right.

At the factory, Danny is sympathetic with Sally when she tells him she's been having family problems. Sean tells him that Hayley is visiting her sick uncle, which means that with Janice gone they're short of machinists. Becky says that she's used sewing machines before 'but not in a place like this' (a remark which makes Kelly look tense). Danny asks Kelly to show her what to do.

At the butchers, Fred is trying to persuade Ashley to meet with Matt Ramsden. He says he should do it because Claire wants him to, if for no other reason. Ashley goes to the cab office to find Claire, and tells her he'll meet Matt.

Les is telling Kirk that he'd crawl along the cobbles on his hands and knees if it would get Cilla back. 'Across, or one end to the other?' Kirk wants to know. 'Across should be enough,' Les says, and Kirk goes off somewhere.

At the factory, Becky is telling the rest of the staff how she's so pleased to be joining their big, happy family. Danny asks Kelly how Becky is doing, and Kelly reluctantly says she's doing okay.

Kirk is telling Cilla and Yana about Les's offer to crawl over the cobbles. Cilla likes the humiliation aspect of this scheme, and tells Kirk to tell Les she accepts his offer, as long as she gets advance notice so they can all watch.

Kirk delivers Cilla's message to Les, and after a moment's thought (during which he decides it might be alright if they sweep the cobbles for dog muck first) he agrees.

The Lovely Craig and The Beautiful Rosie are in the cafe. She's telling him about Sally's breakdown on the moors, and he says Sally is crazy. Rosie says it's not fair to call her crazy just because she cares, and he realises that Rosie's attitude has changed. 'So are you going to dump me?' he says. 'Your mother's gone mad so you're going to dump me. '

The pressure of the imminent meeting with Matt is getting to Ashley, and he takes it out on Claire, saying she's forgetting what Matt did to him, almost destroying his marriage. But he agrees that even if they avoid Matt now, he won't go away, so they go off to the meeting.

Rita and Norris go to Emily's, to find her still in her dressing gown at lunchtime. They persuade her to go and get ready and come for some lunch at t'Rovers.

Rosie and Craig are walking down the street (Les and Kirk are busy giving the cobbles a good wash), and she promises him that she isn't going to dump him, not now or ever, but she doesn't want to lie to her mum any more. She asks Craig to wait, and she goes to the factory. When she sees Sally she says, 'I just wanted to tell you you're a fantastic mum. And I know that all you did, you were only thinking of me. And I'm so sorry I've given you a hard time, and I do love you, honest. ' She and Sally hug, and Rosie goes back out. Sean asks Sally if everything is alright, and Sally says, 'It's better than alright. I've just found out I've got the most wonderful daughter. '

At a motorway service station, Dr and Mrs Matt Ramsden (a new one, not the old Charlie he used to be married to) are waiting for Ashley and Claire. Ashley does not look happy to be there (he also looks tiny. Either he's seriously miniature and we never knew, or Dr Matt is eight feet tall). Matt introduces his wife Sylvia. He tells them that he tried to put the past behind him, but found it was impossible to forget about Joshua. Now he wants to be able to play a part in his son's life – a small part, he reassures them, and always secondary to them. 'Just so we can get to know him, and he can get to know us. ' Ashley's jaw looks so tense he'll be spitting his own molars out in a minute.

Emily's still in her dressing gown and she tells Rita and Norris that she doesn't want to go for a drink and she's going back to bed. She shouts at them to leave her alone. I think they should leg it over to t'Rovers and see if Shelley still has the number of that Zack – he works wonders for ladies who won't get out of their dressing gowns.

A furious Ashley is telling Matt that he mustn't refer to Joshua as his son, but should call him by his name. Nor does he want him hanging round the nursery. Sylvia (who seems very nice) says they want to put everything on a more civilised basis, and Claire asks what they had in mind. Matt says he wants contact with Joshua, regular days where they can have him to themselves. 'No chance,' says Ashley. Sylvia says it would just be a few hours, so they could get to know him, and Matt says, 'I do have rights. ' 'No you don't,' says Ashley. 'I am the boy's father. ' 'No you're not,' says Ashley. 'I brought him up because of who his mother was, my wife Maxine. So you can forget the other stuff. You haven't got any rights. ' Matt says he doesn't want to do it, but he could go to court about it, demanding access and a DNA test if necessary. Ashley snaps that he should try it and see how far he gets. The wives try to calm the situation a bit, and Matt says forget about going to court. He says he accepts that Josh is Ashley's son in as far as his mother was Ashley's wife and Ashley brought him up. He says they just want to get to know him.

Les is preparing to crawl across the cobbles. Kirk is with him, and Cilla and Yana are at the other side of the street watching. Chesney runs over and says that Cilla can't ask Les to do that, but Cilla says he brought it on himself. Chesney pleads Les's case successfully and Cilla lets him come back home. 'We're all gonna be happy again,' Chesney says.

Ashley says he can't listen to any more, and Matt can go to court if he likes but he's not going to have anything to do with Joshua, not now or ever. He storms off, pursued by Claire, leaving Matt looking grim.

Sue Haasler



Friday 10 March

We open in the Kabin where Emily is buying papers. (Has the Kabin not delivered any, then?) Norris asks if it's true she isn't sleeping and she replies very curtly that it's none of his business. "We're your friends, Emily," says blabbermouth Rita, who must have been feeding information to Norris about Emily's sleeping patterns. Norris starts lecturing Emily about not letting "that man" stop her sleeping. "Any religion that allows you to take a life and then get straight into heaven as long as you say 'whoops, sorry, won't do it again,' well that's just nonsense!" Emily tells him through gritted teeth that it isn't quite as simple as that. "Now, will you give me my change?" Norris has the change in his outstretched fingers, but keeps a tight grip because his lecture isn't over. So Emily simply turns and walks out. Rita snatches the change from Norris and follows Emily out.

Outside, she tells her that Norris has a point. Emily says he has no idea what he's talking about. "Anyway, haven't you got a business to run?" Rita hands over the change and Emily tells her she'll be fine in a couple of days. Eileen steps out of her door as they pass it and tells Emily that Ed is history as far as she's concerned. They're polite but strained. Emily tells Rita to please leave her alone, and goes inside.

In the garage, Nathan is phoning Frankie about going out. She tells him she's already promised to go to the pictures with Jamie.

However, we cross to the cafe, where Jamie has overheard this. It's news to him. He tells her it's Friday night and he's meeting Violet when she finishes work.

Back at the garage, Kevin and Tyrone are teasing Nathan about being knocked back. They say she's just using him to get back at Danny. Nathan rolls himself out from under a car just in time to be almost looking up Danny's trouser leg. "Things not quite working out for you, me old son? Never mind though, eh? These are big shoes to fill . . . know what I mean?" Nathan's phone rings and it's Frankie suggesting they go out with Jamie and Violet. Nathan's quite cocky when he finishes the call, but Danny just sneers at him and goes into the factory.

Over at the Platt household (OK, I know it's really the Hillman/Platt/Tilsley/Potter household, but Platt's the shortest), things are tense between David and his mum's boyfriend. David explains he's not at school because it's a teacher-training day. Phil doesn't apologise for assuming he was bunking off school.

Emily is at the church where a vicar is using very inappropriate body language. He says he'd like a word with Emily once she's finished talking to "the boss". She doesn't thing the boss has anything to say to her. Or that she's be able to hear him if he did.

At the butcher's shop, Ashley is still is a foul mood. Nothing Claire and Fred say can make him feel better. He thinks Matt Ramsden won't stop until he's got Joshua to himself. Claire shuts them up as Eileen walks in. "Not missing owt juicy am I?" she asks. "If it's juicy you want," says Fred, "you've come to the right place!"

The vicar tells Emily he thinks Ed's repentance is genuine. So does she. She knows what's meant to happen next. "Three little words from me and with one bound he's free." "With one bound you're both free," the vicar replies. Emily says it's too hard and she can't do it. She hates the idea of doing anything that makes Ernest's murderers feel better. It will do nothing to make her feel better or to bring Ernest back. The vicar says that to forgive and let go can be a way of letting go and moving on. He wants to show her a website called The Forgiveness Project (it's at http://www.theforgivenessproject.com/ if you want to look), but she has no interest in looking or in being part of a project. She tells the vicar she doesn't think she'll be there on Sunday. He tells her that hate could consume her and both her and Ed. "I lived with it before. I'll live with it again." He tells her that Ed is full of hatred for himself and has talked about killing himself. "How dare you lay that on me!" says Emily. She walks out. Outside, she takes one last look at the church she loved so much and walks briskly away.

Gail arrives home. Phil is working on his thesis and offers her beans on toast as she opens the mail. She opens a sympathy card signed by Richard!

Emily knocks on Ed's door and asks if she can come in. He tells her he moves out today. She asks where he's going (London) and finds out that he's got no specific place to go to. He plans to ring his probation officer when he gets sorted out. "Are you going to kill yourself?" He tells her she did say she wished he'd never been born. "I would do anything to make it right between us," he says. "I hate myself and I don't really think I can carry on." He admits he's thinking of killing himself. She asks if he thinks it gets any easier to cope with having no husband, no children, no grandchildren and 28 years of lying in an empty bed. "No, I suppose not," Ed says. "Well, it does!" she shouts. "Or it did do. Until you turned up again. Now on top of everything else you want me to have your death on my conscience!" Phil is telling Gail that the cards have nothing to do with him. He thinks she looked at his laptop in a funny way. She says it reminds her of Richard, because he used to work at the table as Phil is doing. Phil says few people know this is the anniversary of Richard's death. She thinks the signature is the real thing. "This is not a message from the other side," he says. "This is a message from an attention-seeking teenager." He says they can ask David when he comes home.

Ed tells Emily that he planned to slip away quietly in London and Emily would never have known. "Good Christians don't take their own lives," she says. "I don't pretend to be a good Christian," he says. "I try." She asks if he could soldier on with her forgiveness. He insists that he realises he deserves nothing from her. "I forbid you to kill yourself," she says. "There will be no easy way out." She gets him to promise he will never take the easy way out, whatever happens. "Then I forgive you." She says she doesn't want to be eaten up with hatred any more. Ed says he doesn't deserve it. "It's for me," she says. "Just go far away. I never want to see you again. All I ask is that you send me a Christmas card every year with a photograph in it so that I know you've not done anything stupid." She brings out a camera and says it was Ernie's favourite. "Take it. Use it. Do something good with the rest of your life." "I will. I promise," he says. They are both weeping.

David is as shocked as Gail is by the card. Phil urges him to tell the truth. "I was tied up, gagged and driven into a canal! I still have nightmares about that," David says. "Me mum nearly had a nervous breakdown over it. Why would I think that was funny? Are you happy now you've got that out of me, Phil? Because you're fascinated by all this, aren't you? You might even get another chapter for your never-ending essay out of it. What are you doing to call it? 'The Haunting of Hillman: How Families Crack Under Pressure'?" David says he's leaving. He's going to his dad's. Leanne is still nagging a grumpy Danny. He's glaring at the cheerful, laughing foursome of Frankie, Nathan, Jamie and Violet. Emily comes in with a smile on her face and tells Rita she's been to Damascus. "What, that Greek place in the precinct -- Dionysus?" asks Norris. "I know where I've been, Norris."

David comes downstairs with his bag and Gail already has Martin on the phone. Martin apparently tries to dissuade him from going tonight. "I don't want to come Sunday. I want to come now," David says. Phil tells him that if he's not leaving home he can take his bag upstairs. Back in the Rovers, Danny wants to buy Nathan a drink because he's now on his own. Emily is telling the others that if you're always angry and full of hate you're always the victim, and she'd be chained to Ed forever. Now she feels free.

Frankie comes back in and says Jamie's just had a call from the Spanish consulate. Mike's had a fall. Jamie's booked on the next plane out.

The End

Margaret Carr, who is very sorry that we probably won't see Chris Walker as Ed again, but looking forward to seeing him in other roles where he will have much better hair!



Sunday 12 March

Hi everyone, here's the update for Sunday 12th March.

Leanne puts a cooked breakfast in front of Danny, who is like a bear with a sore head and does nothing but complain that the egg is too runny. She asks what he thinks might be going on with Mike, and he snaps at her that he's hardly in 'the loop' any more. She tells him he ought to find out, his business is at stake, and Adam might be called upon. Danny retorts angrily that Adam is not going to set foot in the factory ever again. He assures her that Mike knows the score. She replies that Mike doesn't know what day of the week it is, "His head's like that flippin' egg!" she says. "That's my dad you're talking about," says Danny, quietly.

Claire and the lovely Joshua are making hand-print invitation cards for Josh's impending birthday party. Ashley watches moodily from the doorway. Claire suggests to Josh that they ask Daddy to join them, but Ashley declines, saying he's going out.

Over at Eileen's, Jason and Sean are playing video games. Eileen mopes about and then says she's going to go shopping. Jason asks what time she'll be back and she assures him he'll get his tea. "It's not that," he says, "I don't want you to be on your own, that's all." She smiles at him and off she goes. Sean tells Jason that he's just called his mother a lonely all saddo and he can't be pitying her. "You might as well dress her up in a nun's habit and write 'Closed for Business' across her forehead!" Jason says he just wants her to be happy, she deserves it. Sean says he should tell her that sometime, and leans over and kisses him on the cheek. "Oi!" says Jason, rubbing his face. "It's from yer mam," says Sean.

Gail, disturbed by the latest card supposedly from Richard, is chatting to Audrey about it, and wondering who is sending them. Audrey reckons it could be anybody, but Gail thinks it must be someone who knows her family. Audrey takes one look at her worried face and assures her it is not Richard, he's dead, she reminds Gail that she identified the body. "I want to hear you say it, come on," she urges. "It's not Richard," says Gail.

Penny has called upon Frankie, waiting for Jamie to bring Mike home, and confesses that she's scared. They know Mike hasn't been fine for a long time, she knows they call Alzheimer's 'The Long Goodbye', she doesn't want to watch him fade into a stranger.

Eileen is sitting morosely in the cafe and gets chatting to Roy. He locks the door and asks her for some advice. He points out that Hayley has been away for some time and wants to send her some poetry. He asks Eileen if she'll cast her female eye over it. She tells him it's lovely, and wells up, saying she could do with a proper drink. He offers to escort her to the pub.

Outside, Ken and Deirdre run into Audrey coming out of the salon. Just then, round the corner comes a taxi, Jamie has arrived home with a rather disheveled, confused looking Mike who has trouble opening the cab door. Audrey greets him but he looks at her blankly and Jamie hustles him inside.

Once inside Penny takes one look at him and bursts into tears. "Don't cry darlin'," he says, and for a moment all seems well. Then he asks her "Who are you?" Frankie tries to explain but it's obvious he has no recollection. "Well, where is she?" he asks after a few minutes. "Where's who?" asks Frankie. Mike raises his eyes to heaven and says, "My wife, Alma, where is she?" Sobbing, Penny turns and runs out of the front door.

Ken, Deirdre and Audrey are in the Rovers, discussing Mike. Audrey thinks he should be in hospital, but Ken is sure that he will be well looked after. Audrey is shocked because she knows that Mike is younger than her, "Cut from the same cloth, we were," she says, "happy go lucky Mike and good time girl Audrey." She tells them they are his friends and he has to know he's not alone.

Roy, and the somewhat depressed Eileen are sitting with their drinks. Eileen starts to say that she's never had much luck with fellas, and Roy shuffles uncomfortably and says he's not sure he's the appropriate person for her to be sharing that with. She says he's the only one there, so tough. She says that she's always worn her heart on her sleeve, what you see is what you get. "You're a fine woman, Eileen," says Roy. The conversation turns to what he sees in Hayley, "Give me some hints," she says. Roy smiles and says it's complicated, it's a combination of attributes. He starts to waffle on about his character traits which some people might find difficult or annoying. She interrupts him, "So what you're saying is Hayley accepts you as you are, and she's never tried to change you?" Roy agrees, "Precisely," he says, and adds that now he likes himself and for that he'll always be grateful to Hayley. "God broke the mould when he made you, Roy Cropper," says Eileen.

Over at Frankie's, Mike is still asking where Alma is. Jamie tells him gently that she is dead. Mike says, "Of course," and gets quite tearful. He then remembers that he does know the woman in the street, Audrey. "She took me to a lake once," he says and Jamie asks if he'd like to go there now. "No," he says angrily, "I want to go home, and you told me you'd take me there." Then he calms right down and asks for another cup of tea.

At the Peacock residence, Ashley has finally arrived home. Claire asks where he got to and when he tells her the park she remarks that Josh would have liked that. Ashley is worried that Josh will grow up to look like Matt and he will hate him for it. "That's never going to happen," says Claire, "it doesn't matter what he looks like, it's who he is inside." She gives Ashley the invitation that Josh made earlier. "The only thing you need to know about your son is right there," she says.

Danny and Leanne pull up in a car outside Frankie's. It seems that she is giving him the silent treatment and he is annoyed by it. "I don't need this, Leanne," he says. She tells him that Frankie only has to say jump and he jumps, "I'm surprised you didn't bring a trampoline, you could have done somersaults for her while you were at it," she snaps at him. He protests that he has to do this, it's cash in the bank. He gets out of the car and knocks at the door which is opened by Frankie. "You called?" he asks. Waiting by the car, Leanne calls out, "He's not your skivvy you know!" "Shut up," says Danny and tells her to wait in the cat. "Your dad needs you," says Frankie and leads him into the house.

Roy and Eileen walk together down the street, and Eileen tells him Hayley is lucky to have him, and says there might be someone out there for her. She gives him a quick peck on the cheek. "I do hope I haven't given the wrong impression," mutters Roy. Eileen laughs and assures him he's not her type. "Put one in your letter," she says, "we like that sort of thing."

Inside the Baldwin residence, Frankie, Jamie and Danny stand and look at Mike, who is sitting with a vacant look on his face. "Thanks for getting him," Danny says to Jamie, and Frankie tells him that the doctor thinks he might have had a mild stroke. Danny comments that it could have been worse, but Jamie rounds on him, "Are you joking?" he asks, "look at him!" Saying he can't handle this, Jamie goes off upstairs. Danny gets quite choked up and Frankie, touching his arm, tells him she's sorry. Danny goes and crouches in front of Mike. "Hello son," says Mike, "you took your time getting here." Danny agrees to take him home and takes his cases out to the car where Leanne is waiting. "Is he coming with us?" she asks as Mike gets in the back. As they drive off down the road Mike tells them they're going to love his place.

Anne Logan.



Monday 13 March

Monday - First part

Over at Mike's place and he opens the balcony doors and looks out. "You're going to love it here. It's wonderful. You've got everything, views, it's near to the factory. Look, you can see The Quays from every window" He then calls out for Alma to come and have a look. He then looks round the room and calls again. Danny is on his mobile and then says privet treatment is not any better then the HNS. He tells Leanne that he got Mike an appointment with his doctor for six o'clock today. Leanne says what is she going to do with him. He tells her to do what she wants as he is away to the factory. Leanne says she has to spend all day with him again. Danny suggests she take Mike a run in the car or to the pictures. Mike is behind them and looks around and then goes out the door.

At the Cafe Fiz is looking at a post card form Hayley. She tells Roy, she's fed up. "I go nowhere and do nothing" Roy who's serving customers tells her, "On the country, you rush around, you're here and there" Fiz replies saying she sits at the same machine, in the same factory. "I come here for my breakfast, go to the Rovers for dinner, and home for my tea. Even Hayley gets as far as Bognor, where ever that is" She then says life is passing her by. Fiz gets up and goes out the door. Roy who has not been looking says, "Am sure that's not true. Do you know there was a time.." but when he turns round he sees that she has gone.

Mike's place and Leanne is having tea and eating toast. Danny walks through and asks her, "Lee, where Mike?" She replies, "He's in his bedroom, isn't he?" Danny says he's not anywhere. Leanne says, maybe he went for a walk. Danny then quickly says, "Not to the Quays" and grabs his coat. Leanne gets her coat too and they both run out of the flat.

Over at the Quays Mike is starring into the water and looking very confused. Danny and Leanne are running along looking for him. They find Mike, "Where he is" Danny says. Leanne asks what he is doing. They are no top of a bridge and start to work their way down to him. Mike is talking to him self about Alma. "I told you you'd like the water, we'll be happy here, Alma. I mean what do you want your own place for? You come and live with me, you will enjoy it" Danny approaches him and he jumps saying Alma is meeting him in a minute. Danny says he talked to her and she's going to be a few hours. Mike says that's like Alma. Mike then says he should go to the factory. Leanne says what in his pajama bottoms. Mike looks and walks away with out saying a word. Danny asks her to keep an eye on him for just a few hours.

Back at the Cafe Ken, Deirdre, Frankie and Vera are talking about Mike health. Ken says he could not believe the change in him and Frankie says he has been ill for a while, being confused and not recognizing people. Vera says "am not surprised with the goings-on in you family" Deirdre still thinks temporary and says, "Mike is as sharp as they come. He always has been. He could still cut a great deal" Vera tells Ken, "He could still diddle 'you' out of a few bob" Ken smiles, "Yes, well some things never change" Frankie tells them that you wouldn't trust him with money these days. Deirdre tells Ken, "Okay, so he might not be interested in great works of literature like you, but there's more to being clever than books" Ken tells her that his days of running the factory are over.

Just out side the salon Sarah says, "Another minute and I would have phoned her" As Audrey is just running over. Maria tells her to stop moaning, "this is the first time you have been early" Audrey arrives lets them in. She tells them she will be back in a second and for Maria to set up. She walks over to Danny. Danny pulls up at the factory and lets the girls in and says, "Right chop, chop" Kelly says they are not late. As he goes back to lock his car Audrey says, "How is he" Danny says he is ok. Audrey says she has been his friend for 20 year and he can tell her the truth. He tells her he does not know the truth and Mike has a doctor's appointment at 6. She asks him to tell her how it goes. Danny says he will and also says she should go round and see Mike as he would like that. Audrey says she will. Danny says he has to go and then goes back into the factory. Just at the corner a car comes slowly round and stops. Its Matt and his wife, he points to a house, obviously the Peacocks.

In the factory and Kelly is asking everyone if they like her new coat. She says Lloyd got it for her. Sean says she has been telling everyone. Jo admires it and says it just have cost a fortune. Kelly replies, "Lloyd says am worth every penny" Jo says she looks fabulous in it. Becky says she does but would look fabulous in anything. Danny hands out work sheets to everyone. Sally asks if Mike is coming in to day. He says for her to mind her own business.

Peacocks household and Claire is on the phone to Ashley saying Josh was as good as gold. The doorbell rings and Claire looks out the window to see Matt's wife. She tells Ashley someone's at the door she has to go. Matt's wife waits and Claire comes out and says, "What do you want?" Sylvia Matt's wife says she wants to talk and asks to be let in. Claire says no. Sylvia says, "But we've got nothing against each other" Claire replies, "We have as long as your husband is causing trouble" Sylvia lying tells her, "He's not here, I came on my own. Ashley and Matt are too involved. They can't forget what happened. You and I can see things more clearly" Claire tells her she is not interested. Sylvia says, "We only want what's best for Joshua" Claire sorta shouting tells her, "What's best for Joshua is for him to be left alone" Sylvia replies, "Then why don't you tell me everything from your side and then I can explain things better to Matt. You have nothing to fear from me"

In the Cafe the factory gang arrive and put in their order. Kelly gets a bacon and egg barm. Becky says that would be good an orders the same as her. Jo says, "She's like you're shadow" Kelly then says, "Actually, make that pie and chips" Becky quickly says, "Oh, yeah, that'd be better" Sally says she will have a cheese salad. Sean asks if she's watching her figure. Roy then asks Fiz what she would like. Fiz not looking to cheerful replies very faintly, "Cup of tea" Sean tells her to cheer up.

Peacocks front door and Sylvia and Claire are still talking. Sylvia says, "If Matt could just see Joshua for five minutes and talk to him" Claire still refuses and says no telling her that Josh is not really a good at conversation. Sylvia says that's better, as he will not ask questions and at his age he will just play with his toys. Claire replies, "So what would be the point" Sylvia says, "To set Matt's mind at rest" Claire says it would upset Ashley. Sylvia says they don't want to up set them. Claire says, "In that case, go home" She says go home to what. She tells Claire that Matt blames himself and that they can't have children. So Josh will be Matt's only child as Sylvia cant give him a child. Claire says that's nothing to do with them. Sylvia says it was 4 years ago when his marriage was on the rocks and he's suffered enough. Claire snaps saying Ashley has suffered too. Claire says that's all there is to say and heads to the door. Sylvia stops her saying please and all they want his five minutes out of a lifetime. Claire says she will not go behind Ashley's back and closes the door on her face.

At Mike's place Leanne gives Mike a cup of tea. He takes it and thanks her but then jumps slightly and asks what she's doing here. She tells him she lives here. Mike smiles and says, "I know I live here but why are you here" She tells him she is Danny's girlfriend and because Danny lives here, she lives here. He asks what's the connection. She tells him again, she is Danny girlfriend. Mike says she should live with Les but he can't remember Janice's name. She says they are not living together any more and she has not lived with them for ages. He asks her again what the connection is and she tells him she has already told him. The door bells goes off and Leanne lets in Audrey. Mike walks slowly about looking really confused and speaks to him self saying what is the connection. Audrey opens the door and Leanne tells him he has a visitor. Mike knows who she is and gives her a warm welcome but he has to think for a second. She tells him he has not been to a hairdresser's in ages and she's come at the right time.

Over at the Cafe again and Fiz is starring into space. As the rest of them are leaving she says there is still half an hour left before they have to get back. They are going for a drink. Becky says at the Rovers. Kelly replies, "She knows where we drink" As Becky leaves she tells Kelley she will save her a seat. Kelly under her breath says, "I though you might" Roy tells Fiz that life has seasons and right now she is in springtime. She asks what season he is in and he says, "I don't know, mid summer, late summer? It's difficult to say but you are definitely in your springtime, full of tulips and daffodils. By summertime they are full of roses and sweet peas" She replies, "Round here they are usually full of bricks" He comes and sits next to her and tells her, "Not long ago, I wanted to travel the world. I bought the van, planned the route and off I went" Fiz says, "You came back" He tells her because he had left it too late. It was a springtime adventure and he was too late on going. She asks, "Are you saying I should do something with my life" He replies, "No, I think 'you' are saying that. I'm just allowing you to articulate it" Fiz a bit more cheerful says, "So I should make things happen instead of waiting for them to" Roy replies, "I wish I had travelled, I left it too late. Now I have responsibilities and have to let the world come to me through lesser experiences" She tells him, "Like through your train set" He replies, "And the historical society" She also says his granddad's invention. He tells her there is many things to enjoy in life and it's up to her to find them.

Mike's household and Audrey is cutting Mike's hair as Leanne looks on. Audrey tells Mike she has taken Sarah on at the Salon but it does not look promising. Audrey then tells him about Candice and how she was not good to start with but ended up being a very good style's. She tells him that Candice is gone now and away with Status Quo. He looks as if he has never herd of them. Audrey says she has has a few post cards form her and thinks Sarah is jealous. Audrey then adds but she's got Jason now. Mike confused says, "Sarah" She has to tell him her Sarah and he nods. She thinks he's a bit of a lad and Mike confused just says yeah. Leanne says that Jason is good looking. Audrey and Mike both agree. Audrey then tells Mike that's him done and that he has not to tell him self go, he needs to get his hair cut. Audrey says he can come to the Salon anytime and she will always fit him in. Mike replies, "I know you will Audrey" Audrey then tells Mike not to let him self-go. Mike tells her, "There's no fear of that"

At the factory again and Danny is telling them that he does not want output to drop. Sean says they know. He reminds them that they are two machinists down. Hayley who he does not know when she will be back and Janice that he says loved her kickers but hated are gob. Sean says that they wont let him down and they want the best of underworld. Danny then takes Fiz and tells every one, "Let me introduce you to Fuzz. She will be in charge. Keep 'em at it Fuzz and there'll be a little extra in your pay packet" He then asks her to do a favour for him and lock up. Danny then leaves. Sally says, "I suppose that makes you senior management now then Fiz?" Fiz who looks happier now say, "Yeah, looks like it eh Sal?" She then claps her hands and laughs telling them to get back to work. Becky says, "He should have left Kelly in charge 'cos she's the best" Kelly gives a weak smile as Becky leaves.

Over at the Salon Sarah says, "We never close for lunch" Audrey tells her, "We'll close today" Sarah asks her why bother this late. Audrey says, "I've seen the future and I can't say I like it" Maria asks if Mike was that bad. Audrey says he was bright and cheerful and half like his old self. Maria says, "And the other half" Audrey just sighs. Sarah then says if she's not need she's going to go but will stay if her gran wants her to. Audrey tells her to go and be back in an hour. Sarah goes. Maria tells Audrey she's too soft on Sarah. Audrey says why should she be old before her time and there more to life then work. Maria replies, "You can say that when you have your own Salon" Audrey looking a bit down tells her maybe not for much longer and heads for the back room. She tells Maria then you see someone so ill it makes you think of other things. She then goes in the back room. Maria tells Audrey what happened to Mike won't happen to her and she has years left in her yet as she sweeps the floor. Audrey says, "At times like this, retiring for work does not seam a bad idea" Maria's eyes light up and she stops sweeping and looks round the Salon.

Mike's place again and Ken and Deirdre have come round. Ken says there where hearing tales about Mike and wanted to come round and see for them self's. Leanne says he had Audrey round earlier. Deirdre says he can't be that bad if he's entertaining. Leanne says Audrey was going all the entertaining. Mike comes through and asks what they are doing here. Leanne says they have come to see him. Mike say for her to offer them a drink. He starts to pure a scotch and looks at Deirdre and asks who she is. She says she is Deirdre and is married to Ken. He looks confused and says he can't remember any Ken. He tells Leanne to give them what they want and see them out. Deirdre looks shocked and upset. Mike Then says he has to go to the factory and do paper work and goes. As he goes Deirdre sobs into Ken's arms.

Back to the Peacocks household and Josh is out playing in the back garden. Claire is out round the corner but keeping an eye on him. Matt looks over the gate and sees Josh. He comes in and starts playing with him. Claire comes running and tells him to get out. Matt's wife comes in and Claire says she lied to her. Sylvia says she didn't Matt was not here before. Claire says if they don't go she will call the police. She tells Josh to go inside as he goes Matt stops him and his wife holds Claire back. He picks his son up and Claire breaks free and tries to get Josh from Matt. She tells him to let go but he says he's never held his sound before. Claire is helpless and continues to get Josh from Matt as she shouts and starts to sob.

Amanda Souter

Hi everyone. Duncan was otherwise engaged this week so I am bringing you the update for the second episode on Monday 13th March.

In the garden, Matt Ramsden holds a rather bewildered looking Joshua, as Claire screams and begs him to put him down. "I'm holding my son," says Matt selfishly, who obviously has no thought for the feelings of that child or poor, distressed Claire. Along the street, Audrey is just going into the salon when she hears Claire's screams and goes to investigate. Going into the garden she sees the Ramsdens and immediately puts two and two together. "Well, there's no need to ask what you're doing here," she says acidly as Claire manages to take Joshua out of Matt's arms. "He's my son, you know he is," says Matt. Audrey says she knows he took advantage of Maxine when she was drunk and Ashley was in hospital, she knows he wrecked his own marriage and set about wrecking theirs – yes, she knows him for what he is. As Matt blusters that this has nothing to do with her, Audrey suggests to Claire that she takes Josh inside and phones Ashley, and then tells Matt that one night of lust doesn't make him a father. She tells him to go away, and he tells her to leave it. She says that he should be leaving it, leaving it in the past. "What dead and buried like Maxine?" he asks. She slaps his face.

Leanne finds Mike with a whisky in his hand, and tells him not to drink too much or he'll be stinking of booze when Danny takes him to see the doctor. Mike says he doesn't want to see a doctor and Leanne tells him to take it up with Danny. "You still don't know who I am, do you?" she asks him. Mike looks blank, but assures her that he does. "Course you do," says Leanne.

Ashley sprints across the road from the butcher's, and bursts into the garden. "What are you doing here?" he yells, and Matt says he's got rights, rights to have access to his son, and they'd tried everything. He says that when Sylvia came round she was calm and reasonable, but….. Ashley interrupts, demanding to know from Claire when she spoke to them. Claire tries to tell him that she wanted to tell him, she told Sylvia she wouldn't go against Ashley's wishes. Matt tells Ashley he is so pig-headed, and he should face it, there's nothing he can do about it. At that point Ashley loses his temper and manhandles Dr Ramsden out of the garden. Then he picks up a fork and waves it threateningly. "You come near my family again, and I'll kill you!" he yells. Matt continues to argue that he's got rights. "You've got nothing!" shouts Ashley and slams the garden gate. Rushing back into the garden, Ashley picks up the tricycles that the Ramsdens brought and smashes it to the ground in front of a very confused looking little Josh. "Ashley!" screams Claire and, sobbing, Ashley hugs Josh and says he's sorry and he didn't mean it.

Danny arrives home to get an ear-bashing from Leanne, who is moaning about having to look after Mike. Danny is not sympathetic. "You've had to look after him for one day!" he reminds her. Leanne tells him it was one day too many. Mike is polishing his golf clubs and assures Danny that he does remember where he's taking him. "You're wasting your time," he says, "I've no need to see a doctor."

Back at the Peacock residence, a very angry Ashley is venting his feelings on poor Claire. "Did you let them in?" he demands to know. Claire tells him that they just walked straight in, but Ashley doesn't seem convinced. "Why are you so flamin' weak?" he cries, and tells her that Maxine would have stopped them. Josh is the only bit of her he has left and Claire would have let Matt Ramsden take him away. He marches out, leaving Claire sobbing.

In the doctor's surgery, Mike can't see that any of the worries about him have any foundation. "Do I look as if I'm ill?" he says to her. She tells him she would like to carry out a few tests, he wouldn't need to go to hospital, and she'd like to talk to him about his memory. Mike is adamant that there's nothing wrong with his memory, he can even remember his National Service number. She says she'd like to take some blood tests and Mike, removing his jacket, says that's not a problem. She then asks him to remind her of the number he just gave her, but poor Mike can't remember what number she's referring to. "You mean my phone number?" he asks her.

Having had a postcard from Hayley in sunny Bognor Regis (where I am actually sitting as I write this!) Fiz now has itchy feet. She wants to get away, she tells Kirk, and he suggests a holiday in Spain. That isn't want Fiz has in mind however, she imagines back packing in Australia, hitchhiking across America – she's been sewing knickers for years and feels she has nothing to look forward to. She tells him she wants him to come with her, "Kirk, there is more to life than this," she says.

In the Peacock household, Ashley and Claire sit in silence.

Back at the doctor's surgery, Mike is getting dressed. The doctor tells him she wants to refer him to a neurologist, she thinks that when he was in Spain he may have suffered a minor stroke.

After the break, we see Danny in Frankie's house, telling her and Jamie about the visit to the doctor. Jamie is shocked to think that Mike had a stroke and no-one knew, and wonders what will happen if he has another one. "I don't know," says Danny. He feels that the doctor knows what is wrong with Mike, and all this talk of tests is just skirting round the issue. Frankie asks, if it is what they think it is, what happens then. Danny confesses that he doesn't know, but doesn't suppose that Mike is going to get any better. Danny says that Mike taught him everything he knew about business, and how he has got to watch him disappear, until they don't know each other. "We'll help you," says Jamie, "won't we Frank?" Frankie however, isn't keen. "No," she says, "he's nothing to do with me, is he?" She suggests Adam or Penny. "You're right," says Danny, "I'll manage," and he goes to leave. "What do you expect, Dan?" asks Frankie, "I'm not your wife any more. You'll have to lean on Leanne, won't you?"

In the Rovers, Rita, Audrey and Emily are discussing Mike. He's 65 they say, it's no age, is it? And we're all supposed to be living longer. Audrey comments that at least when Alfie died it was sudden. Rita suddenly asks, "When did we become the old biddies?" Emily says that she thinks she was born an old biddy!

Fiz is still talking to Kirk about travel. She tells him she doesn't want to go on her own, but he says he now has responsibilities and can't leave the kennels for longer than a fortnight. He thinks there'll be plenty of time to go travelling once they retire, but Fiz doesn't want to wait until then. Kirk, irritated, walks off. Fiz seeks empathy from Kelly who is standing at the bar, but is out of luck. "Why do you want to go travelling?" asks Kelly, "what are you, a student?" Fiz says she just wants something different. "Well dye your hair blonde, or get a piercing," suggests Kelly.

Audrey goes to the bar to get more drinks and gets into conversation with Maria. Mike's situation has really got to her and made her think how life could be passing her by. She doesn't want to end up being the little old lady in the corner, she feels there is still so much to do, she wants to be driven in a fast car with some fella's hand on her knee, she wants life!

Watched by Mike through a crack in the door, Danny and Leanne are talking about Mike. She suggests he goes into a home, but Danny says he will get a nurse to look after him. Leanne reminds Danny that Mike still owns the business, and although he's running it Mike could overrule him. "We've come this far, we don't want to lose it all now, do we?" she wheedles. Mike walks into the room. "She's right," he says, "I don't want to see my business ruined." Danny assures him it won't be ruined, he'll look after it. "But I'm not well, am I?" says Mike, in a moment of clarity. Danny suggests gently that maybe this is the time to hand over the business. "Yeah," says Leanne, "give Danny power of attorney." Danny glares at her, "Will you leave it," he says. Mike appears not to have heard. "Will you do me a favour?" he asks.

In the pub, Becky marches up to Kelly at the bar wearing an almost identical jacket. She says she got it at the market. "Do you like it?" she asks Kelly, who points out that it is just like hers. "I hadn't noticed," says Becky, and asks what Kelly's drinking. "I think I'll have the same," she says.

Audrey has rejoined Emily and Rita at their table. They talk about life, and whether they have any regrets, or things they would still like to do. Audrey doesn't want nature to decide her fate. She points out that if Mike had known a year ago what was coming, he would have sold up and made the most of the time he had left. "You'd never sell the salon," says Rita. "Why shouldn't I?" says Audrey, as Violet walks past and overhears. Violet rushes straight up to Maria at the bar and tells her what she's heard. "I thought you wanted your own place," she says to Maria, "there's nothing wrong with making dreams come true."

Mike has asked Danny to take him to the empty factory, but once they walk in, Mike can't remember why he wanted to go there. Suddenly light appears to dawn, "Denim!" says Mike, triumphantly, he seems to have forgotten that they no longer make denim items, and mentions Elsie Tanner but Danny has no idea who he's talking about. "What are we doing here?" asks Mike, but Danny doesn't know why Mike asked him to bring him. "What do you mean, power of attorney?" he asks. Danny tells him he's not well, and he'll probably get worse. He doesn't want the years of hard work wasted. He explains that if he had power of attorney he could look after things for Mike. At this point Mike breaks down and weeps in Danny's arms.

Anne Logan
(In sunny Bognor Regis, but who hasn't seen Hayley yet!)



Wednesday 15 March

Written by: John Stevenson
Directed by: Rob Rohrer

Danny reminds Leanne that Mike has his hospital appointment, after which they'll be going to the solicitor's so Danny will be able to get power of attorney and run all of Mike's financial affairs. When Mike appears he's dressed in a rather snazzy golfing jumper – he says he promised Danny 18 holes, and 18 holes is what he's going to get.

Meanwhile at the cafe, Ashley is in a grumpy mood, but Fiz is in a good one after Roy hands her a pile of information he's downloaded from the internet about travelling abroad. 'Oh, Roy, why can't everyone understand me like you do?' she says.

Back at the frankly ugly urban exterior that is the sought-after Quays, Mike still thinks he's off to play golf and tells Danny there's no need for a hospital appointment or the power of attorney business, because he's 'right as rain. '

Ashley's busy butchering, but he's no happier. When Claire reminds him she has an ante natal appointment later he tells her he won't be going with her. She says he always has in the past, but he says he's taking Joshua out: 'I want to spend all the time I've got left with him. ' Claire looks devastated and goes out. Fred and Bev are there too, and Fred says he needs to talk to Ashley. Bev says it looks like she needs to talk to Claire.

In the hospital waiting room, Mike is still maintaining that he's fine, but when Danny asks him the name of his doctor (the one who's been his doctor for years) and he can't remember, he has to admit there's a problem. Danny reminds him that he had a small stroke in Spain, and talks him back round to signing over power of attorney, making it sound like it's Mike's own idea. Mike says he's always been lucky, and his luck is continuing: 'Do you know why? Because I've got the best son in the world, doing the best he can for his dear old dad. ' His voice breaks a little as he says this, and he kisses Danny on the cheek.

In the pub, Kirk buys Fiz a very elaborate-looking bright green cocktail (complete with little umbrella thingies and the lot) to cheer her up. Maria tells Fiz and Kirk that Audrey is thinking of selling the salon. She says that if Kirk bought out her half of the kennel business, she'd be able to afford to buy Audrey out (with a little help from the bank). Fiz, on the other hand, says this is an ideal opportunity for Kirk and Maria to both sell up, then she and Kirk would be able to go travelling. He says he's not selling the kennels to go backpacking, but Fiz, sipping her cocktail, says, 'Forget backpacking, Kirk – we're going club class all the way!'

Danny, Mike and Leanne arrive back at the street. Danny wants to pop into the factory and 'frighten the girls,' then they'll be going to the solicitor's. Mike just wants to go home; he says his back hurts. Leanne and Danny go into the factory, leaving Mike in the car. Rita comes past, and after a gentle reminder Mike remembers who she is, and asks after Len. Rita tells him that Len is dead, and Mike apologises for putting his foot in it. He tells Rita he's waiting for his eldest: 'We're going… somewhere,' he says. Outside the factory, Danny appears to have a guilty conscience. 'He looks like a little old man,' he tells Leanne. 'He *is* a little old man,' she says. Danny says can't they just wait for a few days before going to the solicitor's – Mike's back is painful and he wants to go home. Leanne says if they wait for a few days Mike might not be in any fit state to sign the documents. Mike is saying goodbye to Rita: 'Tell that Len we'll have to have a drink some time. ' She says she will, and tells Danny to look after him. They drive off, leaving Rita looking upset.

Danny and Mike are at the solicitor's, although Mike thinks it's the doctor's and wonders if he'll have a look at his bad back.

Claire's at home, in tears, telling Bev that Ashley wishes she was Maxine. He won't talk to her and keeps avoiding her, and won't even come to the ante natal appointment with her. Bev says Ashley is out of order, which is why Fred's giving him a talking-to.

This talking-to is occurring out in the street. Ashley tells Fred he blames Claire for letting Matt Ramsden into the garden. Fred points out that Matt has the advantage of several stones of weight and the confidence of having a string of letters after his name. And besides, 'Claire's only a woman, and on top of that she's pregnant and her hormones are running riot. '

The solicitor is pointing out to Mike that he's about to take a huge step in signing away the power of attorney to Danny. Mike asks Danny if he's read the document, and Danny says he has, and it seems to do what Mike wants it to do. Mike says if his boy Danny thinks it's kosher, that's good enough for him. He signs the papers, while Danny looks on with a mixture of relief and guilt on his face.

Maria runs out of the salon to grab Kirk (who is walking past) and tell him that they have an appointment the next day with the bank manager.

Mike isn't interested in the fillet steak that Leanne has cooked. He just wants a drink. His mind clearly somewhere in the past, he says he's tired after a day of cracking the whip over the machinists, and that Janice wants sacking. He takes the whisky bottle to bed with him. Leanne is worried he might make a mess of the sheets, and points out that he could be ill for years and needs proper nursing care. Danny accuses her of wanting rid of Mike now the legal papers have been signed.

Fiz and Kirk are telling Tyrone and Molly about the idea of selling the kennels. Tyrone and Molly think the idea of Kirk using his money to take Fiz around the world is hilarious. A disgruntled Fiz goes to the bar, and when Roy comes in she tells him to forget her ideas of travelling: 'I've had me wings clipped. ' Roy says she should look on this as a planning phase, and hands her a leaflet about Weatherfield College of Further Education. After a quick scan through, she spots her true destiny, which takes place on Fridays at 6.30. 'Kick boxing! Can't wait. ' Not quite what Roy had in mind.

Danny goes into Mike's bedroom, to find he's fallen asleep fully dressed. Danny gently takes Mike's shoes off, tucks the duvet up around him and puts the light out.

Claire gets home from the clinic and Ashley is still in a bad mood. He doesn't even ask how she got on. She tells him that he's so obsessed with Maxine and Matt Ramsden and the past, that he doesn't care about the future. She says the baby is his and he should care about it. 'And Joshua's mine, and always will be, and that's all that matters,' he says. 'I'm on your side – why can't you be on mine?' she says. He says she's talking rubbish. She says, 'Why do you keep throwing Maxine in my face, like she was some sort of saint? She was the one who let you down. ' She says she's been a good wife to him and she cares about their family. 'This family,' he says, 'Is about you and the baby versus me and Joshua. ' She says she's as much a mother to Joshua as he is a father, and he says that's true until the going gets tough. She says the going only got tough because he gave Matt Ramsden no option. 'Now we know where we all stand,' he says. 'We should be standing together!' she shouts back. 'I can't even stand in the same room as you!' he yells, going out. She watches out of the window as he crosses the road to the pub. (I love the way he just assumes that this woman he can't stand and has been slagging off will stay and look after the child he claims to care so much about while he goes and has his hissy fit over the road).

Danny is stricken by guilt over what he's done to Mike. 'He trusts me,' he tells Leanne. 'He thinks I'm his loyal loving son. ' Leanne is in the background, dressed in red and drinking red wine, like a Mancunian Lady Macbeth. 'You had to do it,' she says, 'It was the only way you were going to get the factory. Or would you rather Penny King or Adam had it?' He says no, but, 'I look at him in there, and he's a sick man, he's confused, he's totally out of it, and I feel bad about myself, I really do. I've got Mike Baldwin's empire, so big deal. Was it worth all the scheming?' 'It will be,' Leanne assures him.

Sue Haasler



Friday 17 March

With nary a nod to St Patrick's Day, we once again head down the street where the only touch of green is Kirk's face at the thought of taking up a martial art.

Fizz and Kirk are wandering along the street, with Fizz trying to persuade Kirk to go with her to kickboxing lessons and goading him about his lack of testosterone. They are interrupted by Maria, horrified at the way Kirk is dressed (jeans and that black leather jacket with the red and white stripes across it). "You're not going like that!" she shrieks. "If you'd put a suit on, you'd look like a professional." "Not a professional dog handler," Kirk points out very reasonably, ignoring Fizz, who's still spoiling for a fight. Maria says he has to look professional and sound authoritative.

Across the way, Claire and Ashley are still talking about Matt Ramsden. She wants them to talk and not let things fester. "It's not healthy." Ashley says poor Claire should have thought of that before "ripping into me." Claire asks him to come home for his dinner so they can talk. Ashley stomps off to work without giving her an answer.

The phone is ringing off the hook in Mike's flat. For some reason he hasn't answered it. It's the surgery, wanting to make an appointment so Mike can get his test results, Danny says. He arranges an appointment for late in the day and tells Mike he'll come and pick him up. Leanne crawls out of bed, barely awake and Danny rushes off to work, leaving Leanne to watch over Mike.

Kirk seems to be dressed it what might be his best shirt -- a snazzy purple number with a pattern of leopard spots and tiger (or possibly zebra) stripes. Yes, you read that correctly. Spots and stripes in the one purple shirt. But I'm wrong. It's a cape. He's in the salon, where Maria has just given him a manicure. She is still lecturing him about how to behave when he goes to the bank. The customer is always right, she tells him. She tests him on what he's going to ask for. He gets it spot on and says Fizz helped. "I wish I could take her in with me." Maria sends him off, revving him up with a rousing "diversify or die!" Audrey and Sarah wonder what's going on. Audrey thinks it's obvious -- Kirk must be up in court.

Mike is sort of dressed, has shaving cream all over his chin and is counting coins from a jar. "Hello, looks like she's been at this," he mutters. Leanne brings out a bowl of water to wipe off the foam, but as soon as the cloth goes near him, he swipes it out of the way, knocking the bowl and spilling it all over Leanne's "dry-clean only" outfit. She goes off to change and her back is barely turned before Mike is up and out the door.

The bank manager thinks he's a bit of card and tells Kirk the business looks healthy enough. "Wet nose, glossy coat." It takes Kirk a second or two to get the joke. The bank manager asks him what he's doing taking money from a sound business, only to squander it on a business in one of the most competitive environments there is. "Hairdressers are ten a penny," he points out, but isn't impressed when Kirk points to his own bonce as proof of what a good hairdresser Maria is. "Forty-five per cent of new businesses fail in the first three years. You haven't answered my question. "Well, says Kirk, either we diversify or you die." The bank manager's face suddenly drops. "I beg your pardon?" he says. "That's the message I was told to give you -- from the family," Kirk says. Uh oh. "Are you threatening me?" asks the manager. "Me? I couldn't punch me way out of a paper bag," Kirk says cheerily, repeating what Fizz said to him earlier. "My girlfriend'll tell you that. She's the aggressive one in our relationship."

Mike turns up in the factory, bringing a sudden hush to the sewing room.

Meanwhile, Leanne wanders back into the flat's dining room saying "If that top's ruined . . ." But she's talking to thin air where Mike isn't.

Back at the factory, Mike calls Sean over and hands him a glass of whisky, asking if he can work a computer. He wants the phone number for "the one with the long hair."

Leanne can't get through to anyone on the phone.

In the factory, Mike is turning his filing system upside down. It seems none of the workers have Danny's mobile number. Mike is on the phone to a pal, now, talking about golf, and Sally volunteers to go in. Mike throws her straight back out. Joanne has Jamie's number, so they decide to try that.

Ashley is whacking meat hard enough to go right through the chopping block. Fred warns him he's cutting it too thick and tells him to stop acting so hard done by. "Whose side are you on?" Ashley demands. "Joshua's, of course," says Fred, telling Ashley that Joshua has picked up that there's something going on. "He'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to." The phone goes and Fred answers it, then hands it to Ashley. Ashley doesn't want to take it, but Fred tells him it's the hospital. Ashley listens and asks a question or two, then takes off his hat and apron. As he dashes out he tells Fred that Claire has been admitted to hospital with her blood pressure through the roof.

Ashley is with Claire, who is in a hospital bed. She tells him the machinery is "just a heart monitor." She doesn't want to fight. Ashley says it's all Matt Ramsden's fault. "He's the problem." Claire corrects him. "You're the problem," she says. The Ramsdens are trouble, but Ashley is supposed to be the hard man, the boxer. "You've thrown the towel in already. There's me digging in for the fight, but you, you won't talk, you won't listen. You seem determined to go it alone. Is that what you want?" No, it isn't. Claire says she can't be Maxine. Ashley says he just wants her to be his Claire. "Then let's stop fighting each other," she says, "and start fighting the Ramsdens

Back at the factory, Danny is in the office trying to tell Mike that he's not a signatory any more. Jamie comes in and is dragged into the discussion. This is the first time Jamie has heard anything about this power of attorney. He invites his grandad off for a coffee, glaring at Danny as they leave.

At the hospital, Ashley is taking down a list of things Claire wants brought in. "I love this one just as much as I love Joshua," he tells her in a moment of closeness. "I know you do," Claire says. "This is a warning to both of us, to keep our feet on the ground and remember what's important."

At the cafe, Mike is flirting with Vera (yep! He's definitely unwell.) and Jamie is accusing Danny of moving too fast to get himself power of attorney. Leanne comes in and tells Mike she's been phoning half of Weatherfield looking for him. Jamie and Danny accuse her of not caring and not looking after Mike properly. She tries to defend herself, but Danny won't listen.

Maria is in the pub talking to Violet about her excitement over the salon. Sarah demands some attention. Violet says she sorry, she didn't see her, and mutters under her breath: "under all that slap." Sarah waits huffily while Maria keeps going on about her plans for the salon. We have to presume that Sarah can't hear her. Kirk comes in with a mournful sort of face on (yes, even more mournful that his normal face). "Oh, don't be doing that thing," says Maria. "Coming in here pretending they said no and then turning around and 'Surprise!'." But they did say no. "Oh, Kirk, you said you could handle it!" "But I didn't know that 45 per cent of new businesses fail in the first three years," he protests. "It's not a new business," Maria points out. An indignant Fizz interrupts them. "Name me one person who's rather do belly dancing than kickboxing," she demands. Sounds like her course must have been cancelled. "Did you say belly dancing?" asks a brighter Kirk. Maria drags him back to her reality. "I tried me best, honest," he says. "Yeah? Well maybe my idea of the best and your idea are two different things."

The Baldwin clan and Leanne are leaving the cafe when Danny realises Mike drove to the factory. He tells Mike he mustn't drive. "As long as I've got breath in my body, you're not my boss," Mike tells him. "And if you don't like it, you know what you can do." Jamie smirks and walks away.

In the hospital, Claire comments on the weight of the bag Ashley has brought. He tells her how worried he's been and how he gets a knot in the pit of his stomach every time he steps out of the house.

At Mike's doctor's surgery, she is telling him about the test results. "The decline in your cognitive functions isn't down to the stroke, although the stroke has accelerated it. We think you have Alzheimer's Disease." She says it's not curable but there are drugs that will slow down the process. "You could live ten years, 20 years. You could get knocked down by a bus tomorrow. It's a condition you die with, not of." Danny mentions the driving. She says she doesn't have to stop, but he does have to notify the DVLA* and his insurer. "If there's an accident . . ." Mike takes his car keys and throws them on to the table. "There! Cut me legs off, why don't you?"

Claire is telling Ashley they can't just up sticks and go. They'll be found. She reminds him that the Harrises had a whole police force behind them and they were found. She doesn't mention Matt Ramsden having access to the information the NHS has, which ought to make them easier to find. She tells him that one day they'll be found. Matt will knock on the door and they won't have any friends or family to back them up. "It's madness." But Ashley says if they stay and give Matt some access, soon Joshua will be spending weekends with the Ramsdens and then Matt will be asking him to choose. "He'd choose you -- always." Ashley tells her that things change. "I'm not taking that chance." He tells her that Sylvia can never have children and that means that Matt will never give up on Joshua. He says he wants to leave tomorrow, as soon as Claire's got the all-clear. "Yeah? Well this is doing wonders for me blood pressure," she says. And tomorrow is Joshua's birthday. Ashley says there will be other birthdays. They'll go to Scotland and stay at that B&B they stayed at in the summer, "on the way to Mull." (I think he's hallucinating, because I don't remember them going to Scotland last summer. Does anyone else?). Claire tells him she can't go without saying goodbye. She wants to have the party and then say goodbye properly. He agrees, but says no-one must know. "We'll know," Claire says. "And then we'll disappear," Ashley says.

The End.
Margaret Carr

* DVLA: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.



Sunday 19 March

Hello all, here's the update for Sunday 19th March.

It's Joshua's birthday and he is confronted with a mountain of presents. As he starts to open them Fred pours scorn on Ashley's idea of running off to Scotland to hide from Matt Ramsden. "It's madness, total madness!” he cries, but Ashley won't be swayed, and says that if Matt finds them they will just keep moving until he gives in. Fred turns to Claire, "I thought you were the clever one," he says, but Claire tells him she's behind Ashley all the way. Fred tells Ashley he could get a solicitor, but Ashley says that Matt could do the same, and then what if a court decided that he could have access to his son. Weekly visits could turn into weekends, and then he could be fighting for custody. Matt's a doctor, Ashley's a butcher, and Ashley seems convinced that it's Matt that Joshua would end up with. "We're leaving straight after the party,” says Ashley, "either help us or we'll do it on our own.”

Leanne is voicing her opinion to Danny that if Mike has Alzheimer's he will need specialists to look after him. Danny picks up Mike's car keys and puts them in a drawer, and says he's not putting Mike in a home, they are going to look after him. Just then a rather disheveled looking Mike wanders in and immediately notices that someone has moved his car keys. "They'll turn up,” says Danny. Mike wants to know who's opening the factory, and Danny points out that it's Sunday. Mike then wants to know why he can't sleep in his own room, and Danny points out that it's got the bigger bed that he and Leanne need. "So when are you going home?” asks Mike. Danny suggest that Mike thinks of them as his servants, "I can be your butler, Leanne can be your cook,” he says cheerfully, while Leanne looks startled. "You can be Lord of the Manor,” says Danny. "You're nuts!” says Mike and goes back to his room. "Yeah, you are,” agrees Leanne.

Claire finds Steve and Lloyd outside the taxi office. She tells them she's going on maternity leave, today. She assures them she doesn't want any maternity pay, she's sorry she's letting them down. "It's been a pleasure working here,” she says, and hugs them both warmly. "Say goodbye to the others for me,” she says, and Steve points out she's only going on maternity leave and can pop in and see them all whenever she wants. "Say goodbye anyway, please,” she says and, giving Lloyd a peck on the cheek, she goes. "Hormones,” mutters Steve.

Penny arrives to see Mike at his flat. He's asleep, and so Leanne asks her if she'll stay there while she and Danny pop out for some lunch, and she agrees.

Maria goes to see Tyrone and tells him she's got a chance to buy the salon, and she wants her share of the money they had saved in their wedding fund.

Fred is blowing up balloons in preparation for the party when the phone rings. Claire answers it, it's Matt, but Ashley refuses to speak to him.

Mike wakes up and comes into the living room and is perplexed to see Penny there. "What are you doing here?” he asks her, and she explains that Danny and Leanne have popped out. She asks him to look at her, and tells him that they almost got married once. Mike doesn't believe it, "I'm already married,” he says. Penny tries to tell him that she lived there with him once, and that they were good friends. "What do you want?” he asks her, looking rather vacant. "You can't stay here,” he says, and insists that Alma will be back any minute and wouldn't like to find her there. Penny explains that Alma is dead, but Mike won't believe her and orders her to leave, threatening to call the police. When she's gone Mike goes to the drawer and finds his car keys, and also finds a pile of photographs. He goes through them, looking happily at pictures of himself and Alma and then finds one of him and Penny. He crumbles, "No!” he cries.

Fiz and Maria are in the Rovers. Fiz, rather unconvincingly, sympathises with Maria over Kirk's failure to get a loan for her share of the kennels. Maria tells her she's got a new plan and Fiz is amazed that she still thinks she can buy the salon. "When you're in business you learn to roll with the punches,” says Maria, confidently, and explains that she has some savings tucked away and if she can get a deposit together she thinks she'll be able to get a mortgage. "That way I'll still own half the kennels, and the salon,” she smiles.

Just then Claire comes in. She tells them she's glad to have caught them as she's going away for a while. "Anywhere nice?” enquires Fiz. Maria wonders if it's Spain but Claire says she can't say as it's a surprise holiday for her from Ashley. She hugs them both and then leaves hurriedly, leaving Fiz and Maria rather bemused. "Has she always been that mad, or has she gone worse?” asks Fiz.

Over at the garage, Molly is asking Tyrone just how much is in his and Maria's wedding account. He tells her it's just a few hundred pounds. "How much did you put in?” asks Molly. Tyrone says he wasn't counting, but Molly reckons he must have put in more than Maria. "Well,” says Ty, "worked out that I earned more money and had lower overheads.” Maria's overheads, it turns out, were make up, hair and clothes. Molly is not impressed and reckons she's taking advantage. She tells Tyrone she'll have a word.

Mike veers around the corner in his car and parks squiffily on the kerb. He peers through the windows of the Rovers. Someone who looks like Alma comes out of the pub and walks off down the street. "Alma! Alma!” he calls, but when she turns he sees that it isn't Alma. Ken appears and takes him inside his house for a cup of tea.

At the Peacock residence, Joshua's party is in full swing, and in addition to the tiny tots several of the neighbours are in attendance as well.

Back in the Rovers, Molly walks into the pub and approaches Maria. She tells her that Tyrone has checked the savings account and taken out her share, and asked her to give it to her. She hands Maria 50p. Maria is outraged, "Are you having a laugh? We were saving for months!” Molly tells her that Tyrone was saving, she was spending. "You've been a scheming, money-grabbing cow!” she tells her, "and if you go near my Tyrone again I will crush you to dust!” She leaves and Maria looks stunned. "Roll with the punches, Maria,” says Fiz, "roll with the punches.”

At Ken's house, Mike is telling Ken that he saw Alma. Ken gently reminds him that Alma died years ago. Mike suddenly dashes outside, to 'check on the car'. When he comes in he tells Ken that the two people he lives with are trying to steal his car, they hid the keys. He then pulls out the photo of himself and Penny and asks Ken if he knows who that is. Ken tells him it's Penny King, that the two of them are friends. Mike says that if Alma had found it she would have gone up the wall. "Alma?” asks Ken, quietly. Mike starts to cry. "They won't let me sleep in my own bed,” he tells Ken, "I didn't invite them they just arrived.” Ken tries to placate him. "It's ok, it's ok,” he says.

Back at Mike's flat, Danny and Leanne have discovered his absence. Danny tries to phone Mike's mobile, but they find it in the flat. Just then the land line rings, it's Ken telling them where Mike is.

Joshua's party is still going strong, with a game of pass the parcel. Sophie Webster makes a getaway, just as the Ramsdens come up the path. She leaves the door open for them as she goes off across the street. With the lights off to see the birthday cake candles, no one notices the uninvited guests come in. As the lights go on again Matt steps forward, "Happy birthday Joshua,” he says. Ashley stands up. "How did you get in here?” he says, and Fred tells him he's not invited. Matt says he tried to call, it's his son's birthday. "Your son?” queries Kevin, "what's he talking about?” Fred tells him it's complicated. With the lovely Joshua gazing up in apparent amazement, Fred declares the party over and asks the guests to leave. As she leaves, Audrey turns to Matt Ramsden. "Why don't you leave them alone?” she asks, "they think the world of that little kid.” When everyone has gone, Fred asks if they're proud of themselves, embarrassing them all in front of their friends. Matt asks if he can give Joshua his present. "I'm not the enemy here,” he says. Fred tells him he is, he's the enemy of his family's happiness. He tells him to give Josh the present and go. Matt bends down. "Happy birthday, Joshua,” he says, "I've got you a present, do you want to see what it is?” Joshua shrieks, "No!” and rushes to Ashley. Matt looks crestfallen, and Fred is quick to point out that Josh doesn't want him. "You slept with my son's wife while he was in hospital, you damn near wrecked their marriage. Now you're back, have you any idea what damage you're doing? Have you any idea how desperate they are? You're driving my family apart.” Matt says that Fred might not like it but he has a responsibility to care for his son. Fred tells him they've had responsibility for Joshua for the last four years, kept him safe and warm. "They're scared stiff you're going to take their child away from them. If you have a single shred of compassion, you'll walk away,” he says with feeling. However, it seems that Matt won't be put off. "I have rights,” he says, "we'll see what the courts have to say about this!”

Annie Logan



Monday 20 March

Part 1

Outside the factory Mike is trying to get in. He bangs and shouts. Sean from his windows sees him and grabs his coat and goes over to him. He tells Sean they have changed the locks and he can't get in. Sean says it's only seven twenty and tells Mike to come back to his for a cup of tea. Mike says he likes coffee, so Sean tells him to come back to his for coffee. Mike agrees.

Mike's place Leanne is telling Danny she does not know what to do with Mike. Danny says she could take him a walk around the golf course. Leanne says he would probably want to play and make a fool of himself in front of his mates. The phone rights and Danny says he will be right over and tells Leanne Mike was trying to get into the factory and they have to go get him. He promises her he will make it better.

Peacocks household Ashley does not want to take Josh to nursery. Fred asks why not and Ashley tells him the sooner they get away from Matt the better. Fred is not amused and tells him running away will look back in front of a judge. Ashley just responds saying that they would have to find them first.

Grimshaw's place Sean gives Mike his coffee. Mike looks around and thinks this is his mum's house. Jason comes in and takes a jumper form the laundry basket. Mike says he has just taken his jumper but Sean says he will bring it back. Danny enters and asks Sean why he took Mike here. Danny then tells Mike they are going back to his flat.

Outside Danny takes Mike to the car and tells him to get in. Mike wants to go over to the factory where the factory girls are waiting. Mike says Danny has stole his business. Danny gives Sean keys tells him to open up and tells Mike he will bring letter heads later to him with his name on it. This makes Mike smile and he asks for keys as well. Leanne says yes and he gets in the car. A taxi pulls up. Tracy are Charlie are back form their holiday, they kiss and Charlie says he does not want to see Amy and he will see her later. He gets back in the taxi and goes off.

Over at the Garage Maria is not happy and she kicks Tyrone's leg as he is under a car. He says that hurt. Maria tells him that him sending Molly round hurt and she wants her share of the wedding fund. She tells him she has two dreams, a big wedding and owning the Salon. She points out that fifty pence will not even buy her a comb.

At the Yard Sarah tells Jason she bets he does not know what day it is. Jason says he bets Monday is not the right answer. She tells him its 18 months since Candice's birthday party, and that's the day the first got together. Charlie just comes in and asks if he's been working. He then tells Sarah she should be doing what even hairdressers do in the morning. She gets the hint and goes.

Barlow's household Tracy has come back from holiday with gifts. They have a go at her for leaving Amy with them. She tells them she would have taken Amy but she wanted to get to know Charlie better. Blanch says they know all the need to know about him. Deirdre says she has got presents and expects she will see her in a week when she can be bothered to see Amy. Tracy says she will have Amy back with her soon as she knows how to change Charlie's mind.

Over at the Salon Sarah gets a message. Audrey tells her that her half-day has not started yet. She asks if that text was something nice. Sarah tells her gran that she and Jason have been going out 18 months. Audrey tells her to go now. Maria goes to the back room. Audrey tells her there was no point in Sarah staying and packing all this in now is getting a better idea.

Factory and the gang come to the office door. Danny asks what they want. Sean says it's about their jobs. Sally asks if they are safe and Sean say with Mr. Baldwin begin like he is. Danny starts shouting saying that's his dads they are talking about. He says its very agonising and could go on for years. Danny then apologies and says thanks to Sean for what he did this morning. He then tells them that when Mike was more him self he gave him power of attorney so he could run this place. He then tells them to go.

At the Rovers Tyrone asks Molly how much she would pay to get Maria out of their lives. She says what ever it takes. He tells her that he will give her what she put into the wedding fund and it won't cost them a penny and she's out of their lives. Blanch enters and says she got sausages. Deirdre says she went in to bother Ashley about Matt, but is told he was out. Fred tells Bev that Ashley is set on running away and he's not sure he should know where just in case they are asked. Violet tells Shelley that Sarah does not have to put on a show for her, as she is welcome to Jason. Shelley asks what she means and Violet says then she looks Sarah starts kissing or stroking Jason. She tells her to watch and when she looks Sarah kisses Jason. Blanch says when the novelty runs out Amy will be back with them. Deirdre says Tracy did seam to miss Amy. Ken says they can't look after Amy round the clock.

Outside Tracy sees Ronny who winds her up by saying she has a lovely kid. Tracy looks puzzled as Ronnie says she and Steve took her out a lot and Amy even called her mummy once. Tracy says kids do that at that age. Ronnie says she would love to do the hole family thing if she had a family like hers to do all the hard work. Claire tells Sally she should make a new start and not just because of Matt. All this has brought back stuff Ashley didn't want to think about. Sally tells Claire she would speak up for her and say that she and Ashley are the best parents that little boy would ever have.

Back at the Rovers and Maria enters. Violet asks if she is any closer to getting the money for the Salon. She says she will need a bank loan. Joshua approaches her and gives her her share of the wedding fund. She thanks him and goes just as Claire comes in. Bev asks if there is any thing to change their minds from going away. She says tells her Matt wont come back. They go and sit next to Ashley. Fred says he can run away to Scotland or anywhere but Matt will find them. Ashley thinks it's the best to go, before Josh starts school and before the baby is born. Violet asks Jason if he's on a long lunch, he says he's on a half day. Sarah comes back and asks what is going on. Violet tells her nothing and asks if she still thinks she fancies him. Sarah huffs and leaves. Jason goes after her. Outside Maria and Audrey sees Sarah shouting at Jason. Audrey says on oh as it will be teats and text messages tomorrow. They both go in the Salon. Jason shouts through the letterbox telling Sarah to let him in.

Charlie's place Tracy comes in the door and places bags on the table. She takes out a pregnancy test and puts it in her purse. She takes the empty box and goes into the bathroom.

Platt's Sarah tells Jason through the door that it was humiliating everyone looking at him and Violet. Jason tells her why would he flirt with her if he knew she would be back any minute. Sarah shouts saying if she was not there he would flirt with her then. He tells her he loves her not Violet. She opens the door and they both say they hate then they fall out. Sarah says she has some thing he can do to stop that happening but they have some making up to do first.

Charlie's flat again and Tracy is making tea. Charlie enters and says he will have to take her on more holidays as she is making tea. He then asks if any thing is wrong. She tells him no and just to go and have a shower.

Salon and Audrey tells Maria she is not going to sack Sarah. Maria says she should do something about it. Audrey says it won't be much longer as she is going to an estate agency tomorrow to start selling up. Maria asks if she can have first refusal and shows her the wedding fund. Audrey she needs a bit more than that and Maria says she knows. Audrey is delighted and says she didn't want to just sell to anyone.

Charlie's place and he comes out the bathroom and into the bedroom. Tracy smiles as she continues making tea. Charlie in the bedroom sees the pregnancy test. He opens the door and asks her what this is and then says she's not. Tracy smiles and then tells him he is going to be a dad.

Amanda Souter


Episode 2 and it's time for Charlie to react to Tracy's news in his typically sensitive way. That is having a go at her for not taking the morning after pill. It's clear he's not best pleased with the news but Tracy wants to talk things through.

As Frankie leaves the pub she tells Roy that if he is lonely without Hayley then he is welcome to pop round for a cup of tea anytime. Roy strikes up a conversation with Audrey concerning her proposed retirement and she tells him that she needs some excitement in her life (as if being pursued by a serial killer wasn't enough) Roy points out that when he and Hayley were away on an adventure together they soon got bored and longed for work.

Sally comes into the pub to ask Frankie if Mike is okay. it emerges to Jamie that Mike has been at the factory and behaving peculiarly and he heads off to find out what is going on

Charlie poses the question to Tracy if she is being honest with him. He is clearly suspicious and rightly so, but her act of promising on her dad's grave puts his mind at rest...well, in one sense anyway. obviously he still isn't best pleased...

Jamie has arrived to confront Danny but his dad assures him that mike is being cared for. he reminds Jamie that mike isn't "doo-lally" all the time and, more often than not, he is acting himself.

This is clearly not the case at that present moment in time however, as he searches the fridge for the bread. Leanne supplies the bread before heading off for a shower...watched by Mike.

Jason is sent up by Sarah to order drinks and deliberately ignore Violet. As Violet tries to serve him, Jason converses with Maria until Shelley is available. Violet can see immediately what is going on and can't barely believe how petty he is being.

Charlie tells Tracy that the solution to the problem is simple...she has an abortion. he has no intention of marrying or starting a family with her. Tracy pleads that they needn't get married but she still wants the baby. Predictably, Charlie is not moved an inch by this.

Sarah asks Jason to order another drink. Warily, he approaches and Violet once again tries to serve him. getting no response, she gets Sean over. Sean isn't amused by Jason and Sarah's games but he manages to convince Jason to buy them both a drink. meanwhile, Sarah dashes off when Audrey arrives as she hadn't cleared out the stock room

Charlie is heading out for a drink, despite crocodile-teared Tracy's pleas. She tries to tell him that he will see his own flash and blood differently but he tells her she is wasting her time and, moreover, if she keeps the baby, she won't keep him.

Bev is offering some words of advice to Ashley and Claire. She informs them that their new environment may not hold all of the facilities they need and they will be leaving behind a lot if they go.

Sarah is returning from the toilet right in the middle of Violet trying to strike up a conversation with Jason. Sarah, presuming Jason has been talking to her, throws a pint over his head and tells him he is dumped.

Leanne is coming out of the shower and when she sits down, Mike pours her a drink. Having earlier boasted to a friend over the phone that he has pulled, Mike clearly believes Leanne is his love interest and moves in for a kiss. She rejects him in disgust, reminding him that she is his son's girlfriend. When Mike presumes she is referring to Adam, Leanne doesn't bother to correct him.

Ashley and Claire have been moved by Bev's words and are having second thoughts about leaving so much behind. They realise it would also look bad if the authorities caught up with them and decide it is best to stay and fight after all.

Tracy arrives at the builder's yard and Charlie uses his callous charm to tell her that they will have a family when it is time. Convinced to have an abortion, Tracy's plan is moving along nicely.

The evil smirk as she falls tearfully into his arms is a clear giveaway


Wednesday 22 March

Written (brilliantly) by: Damon Rochefort
Directed by: Tessa Hoffe

Jason's looking glum. 'Have you made up with our Sarah yet?' Audrey asks him as she opens up the salon. 'She won't talk to me, will she?' he replies.

Inside the salon, Deirdre is waiting to have her hair done and Maria is faffing around in a hairdresserly manner. Audrey receives a call from a customer wanting to know about their menu of high class beverages. They don't have one, of course, but Maria tells Audrey that all the top salons do posh coffees these days. Deirdre says she personally could murder a cup of tea, which leads Audrey to wonder where Sarah has got to. As if a staffing ratio of two per customer wasn't already high enough. While Audrey's dealing with the kettle, Maria confides in Deirdre that when she takes over the salon she'll be providing a full range of snacks. 'Have you tried them mini bagels?' Deirdre says. 'They're gorgeous. ' There follows a discussion on the joys of retirement, and Deirdre's description of Blanche's range of activities makes Audrey wonder if she's doing the right things after all. Then Keith arrives with a gift for Audrey – a fishing rod. 'It's for when we go caravanning after you retire. You can catch us dinner while I build a fire to cook it on,' he says. Poor Audrey.

In the back room of t'Rovers, a request from Violet for a day off at the weekend leads to a discussion between her, Shelley and Bev about how Bev isn't marrying Fred for his money.

Tracy isn't with Charlie for his money either, but he's giving her some. 'Three hundred quid, that should cover it,' he says ('it' being the termination of the baby Tracy has told him she's expecting), tossing notes down on the kitchen counter, reminding her charmingly that 'it's not a baby, it's an accident, which we're going to sort out. ' He offers to come with her, but she hastily tells him that she'd rather go on her own. Then she picks up the money, no doubt thinking about how she's going to spend it.

Jason is ringing Sarah, but she isn't answering. He leaves a message to say he wants to meet up later because they need to sort things out. He spots Violet going into the café, and she looks at him with contempt. Then Charlie bawls him out for not getting on with his job.

Mike Baldwin is displaying excellent musical taste by listening to Dusty Springfield. He's surrounded by old records and photos, and seems quite happy looking through everything. The music wakes up Leanne, who comes into the living room in her dressing gown. She spots a photo of Mike with Deirdre, and rings Deirdre to see if she can offload Mike-sitting duties onto her for a while. Deirdre asks Tracy if that's ok, but Tracy says she has a doctor's appointment so she'll need to leave the latest Amy (it's a totally new one today) with Deirdre. Deirdre tells Leanne she'll be able to come and look after Mike as soon as Ken gets back. Deirdre goes to the corner shop to get a bottle of Mike's favourite whisky, and Tracy tells Amy that she (Amy)'s going to be living with mummy very soon, over at Uncle Charlie's. 'Do you know why? Because you've got a very clever mummy indeed. '

Audrey locks the salon and pauses next to the Maxine Peacock Memorial Bench to admire her empire. 'Getting sentimental?' Gail asks her. Audrey confides that she's having second thoughts about retiring. The thought of staying in a caravan on a cliff-top in Cornwall with Keith doesn't appeal, even if it does have its own chemical toilet. She says Rita hasn't retired yet and is still enjoying life. Gail points out that Mike Baldwin doesn't have much of a retirement to look forward to. Nevertheless, Audrey has decided she doesn't want to retire yet, and her only problem is how to break the news to Maria.

Deirdre has arrived at Mike's flat, which has clothes strewn all over it. Leanne apologises to Deirdre for the mess but says she can't do much about it. Deirdre tells her not to worry, and to go and have a break. Mike comes in, and is pleased to see Deirdre. She immediately gets him to work tidying the place up.

In t'Rovers, Sarah tells Maria (loudly enough for Violet to hear) that she's just had a text message from Jason saying he loves her. 'I thought you'd binned him?' Maria says. 'I'm just making him sweat,' Sarah says. Audrey comes in and asks Maria if she can have a word with her in private.

Ooh, that Tracy. She's only gone and spent £240 of the money Charlie gave her on a new pair of shoes. As she's coming out of the shop she bumps into Ronnie, who wants to have a look at the shoes ('Three words: fab-u-lous'). Tracy asks her not to mention it to Charlie as he hates her spending money. Ronnie advises her to chuck out the box and say the shoes were from a catalogue.

At t'Rovers, Audrey has a little announcement to make to Gail and Sarah – she's not going to be selling the salon. Behind her, Maria looks like thunder. Sarah goes to the bar to get a celebratory round in. Violet is polite and helpful, but Sarah says 'It's not working, you know. ' 'What, your brain?' (Nice come back, Vi). 'I'm talking about you trying to get your claws into my Jason,' says Sarah, and says she's surprised that Jason was ever interested in Violet. Violet gets tired of keeping up a polite face, so she tells Sarah that Jason asked her to marry him about three weeks ago. She says she turned him down, and if Sarah doesn't believe her she should ask Jason. Sarah stares at her, open mouthed.

The Baldwin apartment is now nice and tidy, and Dusty is singing 'I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself. ' Neither does Mike – he seems to think that Deirdre has only just arrived. He shows her the photo of them both that Leanne was looking at earlier, and reminisces about the day it was taken (Len and Rita's anniversary, apparently) and says they've had some good times together. Then he says when he gets rid of this cold, they should go to Spain for a couple of weeks, 'just you and me, how does that sound?' Deirdre says it would be lovely. Then Dusty starts singing 'The Look of Love,' and Mike asks Deirdre to dance. As they dance close together, Mike says, 'Isn't this nice?' 'It's lovely,' Deirdre says. She's sobbing her heart out.

Back at the Rovers, Keith is disgruntled to hear that Audrey won't be joining him on a Cornish caravan trip any time soon. Sarah is disgruntled at the news she's just heard from Violet. She tells Maria that her heart is broken. Maria points out that Sarah and Jason were only together for a short time and they spent most of that arguing. Sarah's better off without him, she says. Sarah goes to the toilet and Maria goes to the bar, where Violet says, 'Me and my big mouth. ' Maria tells her not to worry, 'it'll be summat else next week. '

Then Charlie and Jason come in. When Sarah returns to the bar she tells Jason that he was dumped before, but he's double dumped now. She calls him a lying cheat for proposing to Violet when he was supposed to be with her. He says it was 'something and nothing,' earning him a pint of beer in the face from Sarah, who says she never wants to see him again and rushes out. Jason wipes beer off his face with a bar towel and stares angrily at Violet. 'It just sort of slipped out,' she shrugs.

Danny has come home. There's no sign of Leanne or Deirdre; Mike is still looking at old photos, and tells Danny that he gave the factory a miss today and had a nice drink with Deirdre instead. Danny mentions a nice place in Cheshire he knows about where Mike could be looked after properly, but Mike isn't really listening. He shows Danny a photo of him and Bet Lynch, taken on the day of the Queen's silver jubilee. 'It's not till you look back on days like that, they sort of shine, do you know what I mean?' he says. Danny nods. Mike says that when his granny was dying she told him, 'You sometimes have to wait until sunset, then you realise what a beautiful day it's been. ' Leanne comes in – she's just been out putting the bins out – and Danny has a go at her for leaving Mike alone, and asks what Deirdre was doing there. He's angry, but it's more that he's upset about Mike. Leanne says she's finding it really hard looking after Mike, because she isn't a trained nurse or carer. She starts to cry, and Danny hugs her

Charlie gets home to find Tracy in her dressing gown doing a very good job of acting like she's really had a termination. She smells alcohol on Charlie's breath and asks him if he's been to the pub. He says he has. 'I probably should have come straight home, but…' he says, sympathetic as ever. Tracy says it's okay, but she'll be sleeping on her own tonight as she's a bit sore. In the bedroom, she tries on the new shoes, and while she's admiring them she rings Amy and tells her she's spotted a lovely bunk bed for her ('one bed for you, one for your dollies') but says it's a secret just

Sue Haasler



Friday 24 March

Well, it's Friday again and we open in Charlie's flat.

Charlie is tidying up the living room -- he slept on the sofa. Tracy comes out playing for sympathy about not sleeping all night, but Charlie points out she was snoring like a chainsaw. She asks him not to tell anyone about the abortion. She doesn't want people to have any ammo against her. She suggests there's something wrong with the two of them because they couldn't cope with a baby. "It's not that we can't cope," Charlie says, "just not right now." Tracy pounces on the idea that maybe one day they can have a baby. "So, it's not just sex then," she says. "You really see a future for us?" He tries to reassure her. "But do you really care about me? Do you want me to be happy, Charlie? Because I'm not. I'm not happy." She tells him she misses Amy, but he says they tried it once.

Out in the street, Sarah and Jason are arguing about who dumped who. Sean and Violet see them and immediately cheer up.

Danny and Leanne are talking about how much work Leanne has to do looking after Mike. Today he thinks she's Maggie. Mike comes out dressed for work but Danny tells him it's his day off.

In the salon, Sarah has just shampooed Shelley's hair and it seems she was a bit rough. "Did Geronimo teach you to wash hair?" Shelley asks. Audrey asks Sarah to apologise but Sarah is very ungracious and just leaves the room. Maria says Sarah would have been her first cost-cutting measure if Audrey had sold the salon. "Don't say 'cost-cutting' as if you're Richard Branson," tuts Audrey. "You almost got a bank loan, that's all. Huh! The atmosphere round here . . ." During a discussion about the path of love never running smooth, Shelley tells Audrey there won't be any more men in her life. She then asks for No 1 haircut (skinhead) to keep the men away, and Audrey's face is a picture, until Shelley says she's joking.

Mike still thinks he's talking to Maggie and offers to take Leanne shopping for a whole new wardrobe. Leanne starts to turn him down, saying it wouldn't be right, but Mike tells her that if she only does what's right, she's in for a very boring life. This, of course, is Leanne's own philosophy and she accepts his offer.

In the Rovers, all the female staff are there at once because Shelley's messed up the rota. They cook up a plan to tell Fred it was a deliberate plan to give the bar a really good spring clean. However, when Charlie and Jason come in they're ignored, despite being the only customers. Then Danny comes in and is served straight away. Charlie laughs. "And here I was thinking Jason had taken my most unpopular bloke in the pub title." Shelley assures him that no-one will take that title away from him, so Charlie and Jason head off for the Weatherfield Arms. Danny asks if the full staff is a tribute to the British Leyland assembly line of the 1970s, with Betty serving him, Violet taking the money, Bev giving him the change. "It's a theme pub. I love it!"

Tracy and Deirdre are disputing whether or not Amy ate enough. Tracy tells them they can stop arguing because Amy will be moving in with her. Ken thinks they should discuss it. But Tracy won't. Amy is moving in with her tomorrow.

In the salon, Liz isn't happy with her hair -- and that's AFTER it's been done by Maria. She tells Audrey and Maria that her Vernon is back today and she wants it to look as if she's just . . . She can't describe what she wants, so decides to do it herself. Audrey goes over to a glum Sarah, leaning on a broom but doing no work at all, and tells her to call Jason. "No way!" says Sarah. "Darling, you do it," Audrey says. "Otherwise you put down that broom and you get out, because I've had enough of you."

Liz, looking what can only be described as "tousled" is walking away from the salon when Vernon arrives in a taxi. He asks her to pay for it because he's not had a chance to get to the cash point. He loves the hair, though.

Charlie is aiming for an early finish. He tells Jason Tracy had a termination. Jason thinks it's typical of Tracy getting rid before Charlie's had time to think. Charlie doesn't put him right. Tracy arrives and starts haranguing Charlie about Amy. She even turns on the waterworks. She tells Charlie that if he insists on not having Amy, then she'll just carry on without him.

Jason and Sarah are walking down the street, but it takes about two sentences before they're arguing again. "It's Groundhog Day," says Charlie driving up in the truck.

In the Rovers, Kirk walks in and is immediately greeted by Betty, Bev, Violet and Shelley, which throws him right off track. Fred is watching. "How come you're all here?" "We're giving the place a good bosoming," says Violet. "Bottoming!" corrects Betty. "Yeah, spring clean," Violet says. Sean arrives, with apologies for being late. He is stunned to see them all. "Looks like you struggled through, mind." Shelley "reminds" him they're doing a big clean. "But you did that last week. The place is spotless," says Sean, missing all the winks and head gestures supposed to get him to play along. Shelley confesses she messed up with the rota. "That's not good enough!" Fred says, and Bev drags him away to sit down before he says something everyone will regret. In one of the booths, Blanche is pointing out that Ken and Deirdre complain when Tracy's not looking after Amy and now they're complaining because she will be. "What do you want from her?" "It's not quite as simple as that," Ken says. "And neither am I," Blanche replies, "so don't talk down to me." Deirdre says it's just that they don't want Amy living with Charlie. It's Tracy's decision, Blanche points out and they have to agree.

Leanne has had a wonderful day and has the carrier bags to prove it. "I'll expect payment in kind," Mike tells her.

In the pub, Fred still hasn't forgiven Shelley. Vernon and Liz arrive and Deirdre borrows a cigarette from Liz while Ken goes to let the dog out. But he suddenly remembers it's Blanche's dog and comes back, catching her with the cigarette. "You know, I can't wait for them to ban smoking in pubs," he says. (Good news, Ken -- it's banned in Scotland as of today!) Fred reckons he plans to ban food so he can keep the smokers. "What about my hotpot?" asks an indignant Berry. Vernon is sitting with Liz and Deirdre and reveals he's been kicked out of his flat. Probably because he hasn't paid the rent for six months, he tells them. Sarah comes in and immediately starts moaning at Audrey about Jason. Shelley is calming down Betty, who thinks Fred plans to sack her. And Vernon is asking Liz if he can stay with her tonight. She tells him he can move in if he likes. "I'm ready for another round," he says. "So am I," she says coyly. They leave (Ewwww!). Shelley discovers that Fred has got her mother to draw up a new rota. "That's my job." "Not any more," he tells her. Bev says she thought she was doing Shelley a favour.

Leanne is admiring some new shoes when Danny arrives home. Danny's horrified. "He's sick, love. 'E don't know what he's doing. It's the same as robbing him." He grabs Mike's wallet to see how much Leanne got him to spend, but Mike comes out and catches him with it. He rushes over and snatches it out of Danny's hand. He notices money is gone. "Give it back, you dirty thief," he demands. Once Mike has calmed down and gone back to his room, Danny tells Leanne: "Pull another stroke like that and you'll be bouncing down the street on your 'arris."

Tracy arrives home to Charlie wondering when she'll have to leave. Charlie points out that he can't throw her out the day after she's had an abortion. He agrees to try again with Amy. "But it's temporary." He tells her he wants her to be happy. "And now I am," she says, smiling broadly.

The End
And as the theme music starts to play, the continuity announcer says: "Oh, they deserve each other!"

Margaret Carr


Sunday 25 March

Jason steps out of the Kabin with what appears to be a Mother's Day card in his hand, behind Violet, trying to get her to stop and talk to him, but she ignores him and hurries on. A few moments later, Sarah does the same thing. Outside the garage, Kirk and Tyrone chuckle at him. "Who'd have thought it?" says Tyrone to Kirk, "you and me get the chicks and Jason Grimshaw's going home to his mam!"

In Steve's flat, Ronnie walks into the kitchen where Steve and Liz are already having a discussion. Steve points out that Ronnie walking about in a dressing gown that's flapping open in the morning is another reason why he doesn't want a strange man moving in. "He's moving in," says Liz. "I'm your landlord," says Steve. "And I'm your mother," says Liz. Ronnie reminds Steve that it's Mother's Day and tells him to give Liz her card. Liz is delighted, especially when Ronnie tells her that Steve has got her a box of chocs as well. Steve however, says she's not having anything off him because she's a bad mother, and especially not if .little drummer boy' is moving in. "OK," says Liz, "you win." Steve thinks he really has won, until Liz elaborates: he can keep the card and chocs, her Vernon is moving in . today!

Over at the Platt's, Bethany has a card for Sarah and David has one for Gail.

Jason gives a card to Eileen, and she comments that he's written it in pencil. Jason says he'll never understand women, and tells his mum that Sarah just blanked him in the street. Eileen says it could have something to do with the fact that he proposed to Violet when he was supposed to be going out with her. Jason can't understand why Tyrone and Kirk can get girlfriends when he can't even get one girl to even talk to him. A few moments later he jumps up, saying he thinks he's worked out why she's so upset with him, and he rushes out leaving Eileen asking, "Who? Violet or Sarah?"

In the back room of the Rovers, Shelley is moaning to Bev about the smell of Fred's cigarettes out of the back room. Polishing the table frantically, she moans about the magazines scattered about. "Excuse me, it's our pub!" retorts Bev, and then realises what she's said. "Did I say .our' pub? I meant his pub, Fred's pub," she hastily corrects herself.

Jason outside Sarah's front door, knocking and calling through the letter box. Inside, she urges David to go out and tell him she's never going to talk to him again. "You tell him," says David but he won't. Just then her mobile phone rings, and David suggests she texts him to say she's not speaking to him. She asks David to look out of the window and see if Jason is still out there, but Jason, it seems, is walking away. "Save the cost of a text," says David, ever practical, "it looks like he's got the message." Sarah is disappointed that he has given up so easily.

Jamie meets Danny in the pub to talk about Mike. Danny thinks they should go and look at some care homes to check them out, so they can consider it as an option.

Back at the Platt's, David is just about to go off to football when they hear Jason knocking and calling again. They open the front door, but he's nowhere to be seen. "Knocking on the door and running off?" says David, "even I've grown out of that one." Just then they hear the sound of breaking glass, and dash back inside. Jason has broken the glass of the kitchen door and let himself in. David is all for calling the cops but Sarah tells him no. "You smashed our window," she says to Jason, stating the obvious. "I'm a builder, I can fix it," says Jason, coming closer to Sarah. "We need to talk," he says. David says he could have just asked, and Sarah tells David to .bog off!' "I'm not leaving you here with Bob the Psycho," says David, but Sarah assures him she can deal with Jason. "If you touch one hair on her head I'll kill you," says David, and Sarah thinks that's really sweet. When they're alone, Jason says he knows why she's upset with him, it's because he proposed to Violet. "Well, duh!" says Sarah. Jason tells her he knows she's jealous, she wants him to propose to her. Sarah is adamant she doesn't want him anywhere near her. "Marry me," says Jason, grinning. "What?" says Sarah. "Marry me," repeats Jason. "OK!" says Sarah and they hug!

After the break, we find Jason fixing the broken glass as she asks how he feels about her. He tells her he loves her to bits, he never knows what she's going to do next and she makes him feel mad, angry and happy all at the same time. Sarah says she wants to go and announce their engagement in the Rovers. Just then Gail arrives home and asks what's going on. Sarah tells her they're just going out for a bit but will explain when they get back.

Over in the Rovers, Shelley is voicing her concerns about her position to Sean and Violet. She is afraid that Fred and Bev might want her out once they are married. Violet has a date with Jamie and asks if she can slip off.

Bev, meanwhile, is talking to Liz, and advises her that if she wants Vernon she should have him. "We can't let the kids run our lives for us," she says. Just then, Sarah and Jason walk in and approach the bar where Sean asks what they want. Jason starts to order but, looking around, Sarah asks where Violet is. Sean tells her she's just missed her, so Sarah says they will come back later, and turns and leads a puzzled Jason out again. She explains to him that they've not told their mums yet, and anyway, she needs a ring.

Back at the Platts', Gail is getting the lunch as David, Bethany and Phil sit in front of the tv. Audrey arrives and shows Gail a card she has received, from Richard Hillman! She thinks it's time they went to the police, but Gail is adamant she's not going to let them win, it's a stupid joke. She throws the card in the bin. Phil wanders over, wondering what they're talking about. Audrey tells him that there are a lot of nutters out there and she nearly lost her family once to a man they welcomed into their home and who suddenly turned on them. She doesn't want it happening again. "Are you trying to say something Audrey?" asks Phil, but Gail hurries them to the table before she can reply.

Vernon has arrived at the Rovers and is having a drink with Liz, Steve and Ronnie. He apologises for the amount of boxes he has brought to the flat, and Liz explains that what's there are just the essentials, most of it has been left at his mates. Steve and Ronnie depart, leaving the two of them alone.

Violet, all dressed up, arrives to meet Jamie in the pub, and just then Sean rushes in and sits down, all set to join them. Then he sees their faces and realises that two's company and three's a crowd.

Shelley corners Fred and asks what his plans are after he and Bev get married. He tells her that he intends for Bev to become the landlady, he wouldn't have it any other way. He tells her that she will always have a job there though, she's very special to him, and hopes that she will come to see him as her stepdad.

Sarah and Jason arrives back at the house, and show Gail the ring. "Oh no," says Gail, obviously less than delighted. "That's all I need," she says. She asks Jason whether his brother did enough to try to ruin her daughter's life. "I'm not Todd you know," says Jason, "I'm a completely different person." Sarah tells Gail she doesn't care what she thinks, she's mean, jealous and bitter. They go off out of the door.

David tells Gail not to worry, it'll all be off again tomorrow. Gail tells him it's not just Sarah, and pulls Audrey's card out of the bin. "Look at that," she says. "Who do you think sent it?" he asks. Gail admits she doesn't know, and David realises that Audrey thinks it's Phil.

Sarah and Jason have gone across the road to Eileen's house. They show her the ring, "We're engaged," says Jason proudly. Eileen slaps his face. "Ow!" says Jason, and then "Ow!" again as she slaps the other side. She tells him he did something daft before when he proposed to Violet and now he's done something doubly daft by proposing to Sarah. "You are not marrying her!" roars Eileen, but Jason yells back that he is. They march out into the street. "Well that went better than I expected," says Sarah, and they go off to the pub.

In the pub, Jamie is trying hard to persuade Sean to come with them on their night out. "You're Violet's best mate," he says, and explains that he hoped that they could become best mates as well. Sean is doubtful, but eventually accepts the invitation.

The young lovers enter the bar, and Sarah is pleased to see Violet sitting there. They make their big announcement, and everyone is delighted. Sarah turns to Violet, "Would you like a drink with us to celebrate?" she asks, and Violet says she will, but then changes her mind and she and Jamie leave as everyone starts to toast the happy couple.

Anne Logan


Monday 27 March

Part 1

Charlie's flat and Tracy is feeding Amy. Charlie comes through and asks ifshe has seen his T-shirt. She tells him it's washed and ironed. As he putsit on he says,"Does she always wear her breakfast?" Tracy tells Amy toignore him. He says he is going and starts to walk out as Tracy asks if shegets a kiss. He comes back and gives her one and starts to go. She asks ifAmy is getting one and he replies,"Don't push you're luck" she tells himjust to look at her face. He blows her a kiss and goes.

Outside the Kabin Gail and Audrey say bye to each other. Gail sees Eileenlooking out her window. Sarah who sees Audrey shows her the ring Jason gaveher. Audrey's not excited but says it's nice. Sarah says,"Can we try thatagain. You're granddaughter got engaged yesterday" Audrey says she got amothers day card and not every thing can be about her. Sarah replies saying,“One of the happiest days of my life and no one cares" Audrey says they docare. Sarah says her mum is not talking to her but Audrey tells her sheknows how Gail feels about Jason. Sarah says they are always miserable andtoday she's going to be happy. Audrey hugs her a hug and asks to haveanother look at her ring. Just out the Grimshaw's house Jason tells his mumhe does not like when she gives him the silent treatment and preferred whenshe was hitting him. Eileen replies,"It didn't knock any sense into you"She tells him she will wash her hands off it. Jason thanks her. Kelly tellsBecky that Sean has not replied to her texts. Becky says,"No news is goodnews" Kelly cant get any gossip and that's what keeps her going.

Mike's place and Danny tells Leanne to make sure Mike gets his lunch. Leannereplies,"I can't fore feed him" The doorbell goes and Danny says that isJamie. As he goes to get the door Mike comes through. Leanne asks if hewants lunch and he replies,"Are you cooking?" She tells him yes and he sayshe's not hungry. Mike greets Jamie and Danny says they are going. Mike askswhere. Danny tells him no where. Mike says,"Where is no where?" Danny thentells them they are going to look at retirement home for him. Mike asks ifhe can come alone. Danny and Jamie not think it's a good idea. Mike says,“Its better then staying with her" and points to Leanne. She then grabs hercoat and says she is going shopping.

At the Salon Sarah is still going on about her engagement ring. She asks hergran,"Do you still where you engagement ring?" She says it's never left herfinger since Alf gave it to her. Sarah then asks if it's waterproof. Mariaquickly says she is not washing hair. Audrey says it will be ok and Mariasays agrees saying you can get lots of them in the pound shop anyway. Thepair start and Audrey reminds Sarah today is a happy day.

Outside the retirement home Danny, Jamie and Mike get out and look at thebuilding. Jamie says it looks old and Mike asks if this is it. They tell himyes. Mike then tells them,"Cheer you lads, it may never happen" and then heheads for the door.

Barlow household and Deirdre says she has missed Amy. Tracy says she hasonly been gone five minutes. She then asks if Amy is setting in ok and istold yes. Tracy then asks if they will baby sit tonight. Deirdre agrees.Tracy tells her to come round at six. She is a bit shocked and Tracy tellsthem to forget it but Ken quickly says,"We'll be there"

Retirement home and a guy tells then they forty-six guess at the moment andthey can take fifty. Mike laughs,"We can all live here" Mike then says heis going to look around. The guy tells him to feel free as there is always amember of staff close by. Jamie asks what sort of people they get in here.The guy tells them they are used to managing dementia-related illnesses.Mike comes back amazed saying they have a snooker table. The guy tells themthey are proud of there facilities. Mike is impressed and says it's not badhere and asks Danny to see about getting a membership. He then adds heshould see about getting a family one.

Outside the cafe Audrey says she will walk Gail home as if she goes back tothe Salon it is all arguing and engagement ring talk. Audrey tells Gail sheis talking it really well. Gail tells her she has other things to worryabout and Sarah and Jason are not high priority at the moment. Audrey saysnot to worry about her and says she thinks its Phil behind the cards. Philjust appears and Audrey blanks him just saying hi. Gail reminds her to comefor tea and Audrey goes. Gail asks Phil to bring back some things when hecomes round. He asks if Audrey has a problem with him and he knows somethingis going on. Gail says its just Sarah and Jason getting engaged.

Retirement home and Mike is talking to an old lady about flowers. Danny saysthis place looks like a good place with all the facilities and what theyhave seen. Jamie says it's a prison and Mike does not know where he is.Danny tells him,"You know what they say ignorance is a bliss" They look atMike chatting up the old land and Danny says he still has it in him. Theytill him they are going but he says he is talking. Danny says they will seehim at the car.

Over at the yard Tracy turns up with Amy telling her this is where Charlieworks. Jason laughs saying he does all the work. Charlie comes down askingTracy if she has heard the good news. Jason says he got engaged. Tracy saysthey could have a double wedding but Charlie just looks at her. He then asksJason if that timber is going to drive its self. He gets in the van andgoes. Charlie then tells Tracy he is very busy and gives a list of jobs. Hethen adds,"And two mouths to feed" Tracy is not amused and tells him itcould have been three. He says sorry and she tells him he needs a night outand her parts are going to look after Amy. He smiles and kisses her.

Outside and Kelly is sending Sean a message wondering where he is. Sheaccidentally bumps into Norris as he comes out the Kabin. She says sorry tohim as he says she is dangerous in that high heels. Becky who comes out theCorner shop sees and comes over to her. She tells her she should havethumped Norris. Kelly says,"He's an OPA" Tracy sees Steve and says he isjust the man she is looking for. Steve tells her he is skint. She replies,“Aw. Well, it's a good job we're living with Charlie" and goes. David isjust about to go into his house as Phil is just at the door coming out. Philasks him how was school. David then asks him to move so he can get in. Philjust before he goes asks if everything is ok with his Gran. David says hedoes not know and then tells him about the card, telling him not to say thathe told him. Phil thanks him but David just says,"Whatever"

Retirement home and Mike asks Danny and Jamie if they know the names of theflowers they are a looking at. They don't know. Mike can name them all. Hethen tells him he knows because of the old land he was talking to. Mike thentells them that the old land can't remember her son's name. Mike says,"Sothis is where you want to put me is it" Jamie tells him no one is going tomake do any thing he does not want to. Mike replies,"Dead right they'renot. But I tell you this, wherever I end up, if I end up like her, I neverwant to see either of you again. Will you promise me that?" Jamie sobbing abit tells him he can't do that and goes to sit in the car. Mike tells Dannyto remember what he said. Danny looking at bit sad promises him.

Charlie's flat Ken and Deirdre have come to look after Amy. Tracy shows themevery thing and how great the place is. They are not really interested.Deirdre tells her,"It's not the flat we have a problem with, it's theowner" Charlie appears and kisses Tracy, then says he is going for a shower. He tells Deirdre and Ken thanks for coming.

Outside the Salon Sarah asks her gran if she's still coming round for tea.Audrey says not to night. Sarah asks if she still worrying about the card asasks if she think Richard is back. Audrey says he is not back. Sarah thinksits just some sicko getting cheap thrills and says they have to sticktogether. Danny and Jamie return. Mike is asleep in the back of the car.Jamie sobbing says they are not putting him in a home. Danny thinks thatwill be the best thing for Mike. Jamie shouts saying the best thing for him.Danny reminds Jamie that it was his idea to do this. Jamie says he was wrongand Mike can live with them. Danny tells him, he has no idea about theresponsibility. Jamie says anything's better than him and Leanne. Jamie askswhat is going to happen now. Danny agrees to sort it out and talk about itas a family.

Rovers and Eileen asks Violet if she has seen Sean. She tells her no and notto worry. They then talk about Jason and Sarah. Violet says she is talkingit very well. Eileen says it's not going to happen and Jason would proposeto anyone. She then says she wished it was her instead of Sarah. Tracy andCharlie enter. Steve asks where Amy is. Tracy tells him she is with her mumand dad and Steve says,"That didn't take long did it? You can't just keeppassing her from pillar to post you know" Charlie tells him,"For yourinformation, she is at home, our home. Ken and Deirdre offered to baby-sitfor us" Tracy smiles and tells him they are one big happy family. Charliegoes over to Steve and tells him Amy will not be calling her daddy anytimesoon. They both go and sit down. Ronnie tells Tracy knows what buttons topress to annoy him. She then gets up and goes to goes over to sit withCharlie and Tracy. She tells Charlie,"Now, we are going to try to have adrink together and behave like adults. We are committed to each other and Iassume that you two are. We have at least three things in common. Amy, theiremotional punch bag of a daughter, their failed relationship" Charlie askswhat is the third. Ronnie says,"You and me Charlie, the poor unfortunatevictims of the accident that is Steve and Tracy. Now, I don't know about youbut I am getting really bored with it" Charlie says he will drink to that.Tracy has a face like thunder and is not amused.

At the Platt's Phil just comes in saying he got held up. At the table hesays congratulations to Sarah and she thanks him. He says her ring is verynice but David says it's cheap. Sarah says her gran likes it. Phil then askshow Audrey is. Sarah says she is still a bit upset. Gail gives her a lookand says her name. Phil says he knows about the card. David then tells everyone that he told him. Gail thinks he spoke to David behind her back. Philsays they just got talking but David is quick to say he asked. Phil's voicegets louder as he says he has a right to know. David tells Phil,"She's notgoing to tell you" He asks what that is supposed to mean. He then looks atGail and says,"You think I sent the card" Gail does not answer him and sayshe is going to get the pudding.

Amanda Souter

Part 2.

There is still tension at the Platt dinner table. Phil wants to discussthings further but Gail busies herself with an apple pie. He tells herthat it's important that they talk and that the pie can wait. He'sannoyed that she will find another excuse to avoid talking to him. Thisalso fails to get her to open up about the issue and she continuespreparing dessert.

Ronnie is in party animal mood and suggests to Charlie that they go ontoa club. He and Tracy are all for the idea but Steve complains that hehas an early shift in the morning. Charlie compromises by offering theequally exciting venue of his flat...as Deirdre and ken are easy to getrid of.

Norris enters the pub for a quiet drink and is bombarded by a ragingBecky who warns him to leave her mate alone. He is baffled by heraccusations but she reminds him of the minor bump event with Kelly andissues a further warning to back off.

Phil is standing over Gail, demanding to know if she thinks he sent thecards. She begins shaking and explains that it's because he's standingover her. She is clearly intimidated and David steps in by warning Philto stand away from her.

Kelly, Violet and Joanne are discussing Sean's disappearing act. Violetis concerned that something may have happened to him. Becky arrives andsmugly points out Norris to Kelly, saying she sorted him out. Kelly ismortified. At this point, Sean returns at last, oblivious to the worryhe has caused. Before Violet has a chance to scold him for not gettingin contact, he is talking about 'my Chris' the demi god who he spent thenight with. He is clearly in seventh heaven, but Eileen is far fromconvinced, reminding him that they have been there before

Ronnie and Charlie walk a while behind Steve and Tracy. Charlie snarlsthat they may as well start holding hands. Ronnie begins to flirtoutrageously with him and Charlie's already inflated ego comes to thesurface.

Danny is about to head off to the other Baldwin residence to discussMike's future. Leanne is determined she should be involved but Dannyshoots her down by saying it is family business only. Penny intervenesand agrees that Leanne should go. She will stay and look after Mike.

Tracy asks Steve if he wants to go and see Amy. He says there isn't ahuge point if she is asleep but Ronnie encourages him. He and Tracy bothare out of the scene, so Ronnie continues playing flirty games withCharlie saying that if they have to be quiet, they don't have to talk.There could be other things that they can get up to. In the bedroom,Steve and Tracy share their first tender moment in a long...scrap that,EVER. Amy connecting them both, they are tame. Tracy asks him if he ishappy as Ronnie seems pushy. Steve shrugs and says she is a breezecompared to what Tracy was like.

Mike and Penny are looking through a photo album. Mike seems okay, savefor a few confused moment. Penny is relieved when he points at her inthe picture and names her penny. Only thing is, Mike is adamant that theperson he is talking to ISN'T Penny. Penny assures him she is the sameperson as is in the photo but Mike gets angry and says that she isn't ashe never wants to see Penny again. Penny looks distraught as Mike ragesthat Penny can rot in hell for all he cares.

Ronnie asks Charlie if he fancies her and he admits he does. She turnsthe tables on him as he tries to make a move by saying she wouldn'ttouch him with a barge pole. Steve and Tracy return and Ronnie hasdecided it is time to go home, much to Tracy's disappointment. It isclear that her love for Steve is still present, somewhere in the background.

David has started having a go at Phil. He reminds him that he is intoserial killers so he would know enough about Richard to send the cards.Phil asks how he would know details like Sarah's birthday but thisdoesn't wash. He eventually snaps at David and David goads him, askingif he'll hit him. Phil growls that he will do just that and lunges atthe teen, throwing him forcefully back into his seat. Gail lookshorrified and is at David's side in a second. Phil pleads his innocencesaying that David is a brat. Gail orders him out of the house.

We return to the Platt household, where tempers are still flared. Philargues that David is unhinged and reminds Gail of the car boot incident.David intervenes, saying that he once slammed him against a wall. AsPhil lies about this, Gail stands her ground. She wants him out.

Danny warns Leanne to let him do the talking. When she shockingly agreesto this request, he knocks on the Baldwin door. Inside, the topic ofmike's health and future is soon at the bottom of the agenda as Leanneand Frankie nip at each other and Jamie criticises Danny's treatment ofmike. Danny tells them that they must focus on the point at hand. He isdetermined that Mike can stay with him until a suitable care home isfound but Leanne argues this point, knowing that it will be her wholooks after him. Danny says that mike won't stay with Frankie and Jamie,both of whom have offered to give up jobs to care for the ailing patriarch.

Sean is still discussing 'My Chris' with Violet, but she is concernedabout his enthusiasm so soon into the relationship. She tells him it'sbest not to get ahead of himself.

Phil is banging on Gail's door and yelling for her to let him in whileNorris peers over nosily. Sarah arrives and refuses to let him in.Audrey is next on the scene and she warns him that the whole Street knowwhat Gail has been through and if there is any hint of a repeatperformance, she can get the whole of the Rovers to come over and sendhim on his way. She and Sarah enter the house and lock Phil out. Overthe shouts, Gail sobs that she can't even look after her own family. Asthe family in question gather to comfort her, she breaks into sobs.

So what have we learned this evening?
-No news means no gloss
-Sean is a big boy now
-Steve is predictable
-Apple pies keep for a good while

Awards this evening
Best Newcomer: Amy number three
Bombshell of the night:"Not everything can be about you" Audrey to Sarah
Sentiments audience are most likely to agree with:" I preferred it whenyou were hitting me" Jason to Eileen
Best reasoning:"It's better than staying here with her" Mike about Leanne
Question with longest answer:"What is wrong with him?" Tracy about Charlie
Question with least desirable answer:"What do you think I am?" Ronnie
Understatement of the evening:"I have a short fuse" Charlie
And the line of the evening goes to David with:"I'll be honest withyou, I want some pie" Bravo!!

Until next week!

Duncan Lindsay


Wednesday 29 March

Written by: Jayne Hollinson
Directed by: Tim Hopewell

'They were never suited anyway. Him up there and herdown here, they'd have a job holding hands let aloneowt else. ' Blanche is, of course, referring to BigPhil and Little Gail. The apparent end of thisvertically mismatched relationship is being discussedin the Kabin by Rita, Norris, Blanche, Eileen andDeirdre. Eileen is pressing Norris for furtherinformation, but Norris has seen Gail come into theshop and tries to change the subject. Gail knowsthey're talking about her, tells them it's none oftheir business, and promptly goes out again.'I wonder if he's gone for good?' muses Eileen,adding,'I only ask cos of the foot massage. '

Violet's been buying milk (she has a very peculiarcoat – it looks like a blue lampshade) and meets Sean.He hasn't heard from Chris, but he says he isn'tbothered:'He was a bit of a bore' apparently. Violetsays that wasn't the impression Sean was giving lastnight, but he says he still had his beer goggles onlast night. Violet doesn't quite believe him, butcan't ask him anything else because Danny is shoutingacross at Sean to hurry up and get to work.

Deirdre and Blanche are on their way back from theKabin, and Deirdre stops to ask Danny how Mike is. Hesays they're coping, despite Frankie and Jamiethinking Mike would be better off with them. Blanchesays that from Frankie and Danny's viewpoint, Leannehas'already stabbed two Baldwins in the back – what'sto say she won't go bopping a third on the head?'Danny says Leanne is doing her best. Deirdre says shemight pop in and see Mike later on.

Steve and Ronnie are at Steve's place, talking aboutwhat happened at Charlie's the night before. Stevethinks that Charlie must have made a pass at Ronnie,but she says nothing happened – or at least, nothingshe can't handle. He says he'll go over and sortCharlie out, but Ronnie tells him to leave it.

Gail is at the salon, for some motherly support fromAudrey. Audrey tells her she's done the right thinggetting rid of Phil, and there are plenty of nice menout there. Gail says she wouldn't trust her ownjudgment again:'twice bitten, twice shy. ' AfterGail's gone, Audrey tells Sarah that Gail is going toneed a lot of support to get over this and they bothhave to be there for her.

Deirdre has come to see Mike, who's fast asleep on thesofa. Danny makes some coffee, and tells Deirdre thatlooking after Mike is like looking after a baby but'with none of the joys. ' Mike wakes up, and at firstdoesn't recognise Deirdre, but when she reminds himthat she saw him last week and they looked at oldphotos together, he remembers that they had a dance.She says it would be nice to go out somewheretogether, into town for some lunch or a drink, and hesays he'd like that.

Charlie spots Ronnie coming out of the café and callsover to her. She asks him if Tracy was angry that hewas coming on to her, but he says it was Ronnie whowas coming on to him. He says he's the wrong person toplay games with, but Ronnie reckons that Charlie islike a little kid dressed up as a cowboy. Not how I'dhave described him, but still. 'You offered mesomething,' Charlie says,'And if you snatch it backI'm just going to have to fetch it at a later date,when the mood takes me. ''You try, and you'll be singing like a choirboy,' shesays.'I won't have to try,' says Charlie, with one of histrademark smirks. 'You're begging for it. ' He's upclose to her and kind of rubbing her shoulder as hesays this. Ronnie says he's pathetic. All of this hasbeen seen by Steve who was driving past. He gets outof the car and rushes over. He tells Charlie he wantsan apology. Charlie tries to walk away, and Ronniesays she can handle it herself, but Steve grabsCharlie back. Frankie has come out of the café to seewhat's going on, and now Tracy comes out of her housetoo.Steve tells Tracy that Charlie was coming on toRonnie. Charlie says it was the other way round, andRonnie contradicts him again. Steve grabs Charlie asif he's going to punch him and Charlie says 'just tryit. ' Ronnie tells Steve that Charlie isn't worth it,and Tracy says that Ronnie isn't worth it either:'Sogo on, shove your chest in someone else's face becausehe is not interested. ' She yells at Frankie that theshow's over, and leads Charlie away.

As soon as Tracy gets Charlie back to the flat shemakes it clear she doesn't believe him:'How dare youtry it on with her?' She reminds him that she's notShelley and won't put up with being messed about, andif she ever catches him messing around with anotherwoman he'll find a brick aimed in the direction of hishead!

Deirdre and Mike have had their trip to town, and nowthey're sitting in the café with Blanche. Deirdre isupset because Mike can't remember anything about whatthey've just been doing, and is nodding off in hisseat. Blanche thinks Deirdre should take him home.Deirdre goes to the counter to get a coffee, andFrankie tells her it's nice that she's spending timewith Mike. Deirdre says she's partly doing it to giveLeanne a break, which of course doesn't go down toowell with Frankie, who thinks Mike should be stayingwith people who care about him. Blanche comes over andsays she's going home – it's upsetting her to see Mikein the state he's in. 'It's alright for you,' shetells Deirdre. 'That's a long way off yet. But for meit could be just round the corner. 'Deirdre sits back down with Mike, and says thatthey've had some good times together over the years.'Yeah,' he agrees, then leans forward, peering at her.'I know you, don't I?' he says.'Yeah,' says Deirdre, fighting back the tears. 'Weused to be in love once. ''Did we?' Mike smiles, apparently unaware of howemotional she is. 'That's nice. ' Deirdre can't keepher tears under control any more and goes off to theladies' for a good sob.

Sarah is at Eileen's waiting for Jason, and whileshe's waiting Eileen asks her what happened betweenGail and Phil. Sarah tells her that Phil attackedDavid so Gail threw him out. The worst part, she says,is that Gail is now in bits, and everyone isgossiping, and it'll probably lead to Gail shuttingherself away in the house like she did after RichardHillman, and Sarah will be the one who has to pick upthe pieces. Eileen advises her not to feel guilty, andnot to let Gail lean on her too much, because she'sonly young and has her own life to lead. Sarah takesthis advice readily, and her mind is soon on 'thisreally cool bridal magazine' that she's just bought.

When Deirdre comes back out of the loo at the café,Mike has gone. Frankie was really busy and didn't seewhere he went. Deirdre dashes out to look for him.

Mike is trying to let himself into number 5 CoronationStreet (where he lived in 1976 with Bet Lynch, factfans), but of course his key doesn't fit. He bangs onthe door, which is opened by Les Battersby, whosehouse it now is. Mike demands to know where Bet is,and tells Les that he wants him to get out otherwisehe'll call the police. 'Blimey,' Les says to Chesney,'He's lost his marbles. I'm going to call Leanne. 'Meanwhile Deirdre is going into the Rovers, trying tofind Mike.

Leanne's mobile is turned off, and Mike tells Les he'sstaying where he is because it's his house. Les tellsChesney that he'll go and get Frankie. He wantsChesney to stay put in case Mike locks them both out.Poor Chesney looks terrified at the prospect of havingto stay in the house with this scary man, butSchmeichel is there and Mike talks to Chesney aboutthe dog he used to have when he was a boy, and theyget on quite nicely.

Meanwhile Les has been to Frankie's house but shewasn't in (he didn't think of going to the café) sohe's brought Danny from the factory. Deirdre comes outof the pub and sees Danny and tells him she's lostMike. Danny says he's at Les's, and they all go there,along with Jamie who's also turned up. When they getin the house, Mike and Chesney are happily playingdraughts together. Mike beats Chesney easily. 'How didyou do that?' Chesney says.'Because I'm as sharp as a knife,' says Mike.

In the pub, Sean is all excited because he's heardfrom Chris (who's now back to being a demi-god) andhas a date with him later.

Blanche is in the pub too, and Shelley tells her aboutMike going AWOL. Rita and Audrey say that it'sterrible what's happened to Mike, and Blanche says,'Ibet Deirdre's glad she picked Ken now!'

Steve and Ronnie are also in the pub, and Steve isstill fuming about Charlie and threatening to go andknock his block off'if he doesn't apologise first. 'Ronnie says that Charlie won't apologise, because hewas telling the truth – it was she who came on toCharlie. This takes the wind out of Steve's sailssomewhat.

Mike is having a nice cup of tea at Frankie's house,while Deirdre, Danny, Frankie and Jamie all stand inthe kitchen talking about what happened. Frankie andDeirdre both blame themselves, but Jamie says it wasnobody's fault. He says nobody can look after Mike 24hours a day, which is why he should be living withthem – then if he wanders off, he'll end up at aneighbour's rather than in some gutter in Salford.While Danny is showing Mike where the toilet is, Jamiewonders why Danny won't see the sense of Mike stayingwith them. Frankie says that Danny loves Mike, andDanny always tries to make things right for the peoplehe loves, even when he can't.

Ronnie is telling Steve that she only flirted withCharlie to wind Tracy up. Steve believes her, but isangry that her joke nearly led to him getting beatenup. 'I thought it was Charlie was going to get beatenup?' Ronnie says.'I could have still got hurt,' Steve says. Bless him.

Danny is taking Mike back home, and after Mike has gotinto the car (still talking about how he beat Chesneyat draughts), Deirdre gets emotional again so Dannygives her a hug. He talks about how it was hard forhim to accept that Mike was his dad, but Deirdre saysthe main thing is that he loves him, and he doesn'thave to prove it by taking all the responsibility forhim. Danny looks at Mike, who is sitting in the carseemingly in a world of his own.

Sue Haasler


Friday 31 March

Oh, I tell you these episodes are worth waiting for, all you out there inmonths-behind land! Wonderful acting from Johnny Briggs as Mike and somereally well-written scripts.

Anyway, away we go with Friday's episode.

Violet sees Sean in the street and rushes after him to find out how his datewent. He tells her it was wonderful. His Chris is an Adonis. They had anexcellent meal, went on to the club, back to Chris's flat ("Well, it's morelike a loft, really"). "Violet, it's like all me Christmases have come atonce." Violet and Sean part, which is just as well, because Kelly and Beckycatch him up. Apparently they saw him getting on a bus on his own last nightand he looked a right misery. Hmmm, maybe Sean has been exaggerating howwell the date went. As Sean goes into the Kabin, Norris, who is outside,smiles hello at Kelly. Becky says she just asked Norris to treat Kelly withmore respect. Kelly sees Lloyd and goes over to say hello. She tells him shemight have been wrong about Becky. "What, you -- a woman -- admitting youwere wrong?" he asks.

At Mike's, he's watching TV. He quite fancies Fern Britton, which will meannothing to many of you. You can find a picture of her onwww.itv-thismorning.co.uk/MeetThePresenters.aspx. Mike asks Danny what hername is. "I don't usually go for big birds," says Mike, "but in her caseI'd make an exception." He asks Danny what her name is. There is someone atthe door and Danny goes to answer it. It's Emily. She's come to see Mike andtries to encourage Danny to go out for a breath of fresh air and a rest.They go through into the living room. Mike asks Fern's name. "What's thatyou're watching?" she asks Mike. "No idea!" he says cheerfully.

Norris is at his annoying best in the Kabin. He's telling Rita that when shewas living above the shop he saw it very much as an apartment for a "Titianwidow approaching her twilight years." Now he sees it more as a bijoupied-a-terre for a run-around man-about-town such as himself. If he doesn'twatch it, he'll be a run-over man-about-the-hospital, judging from Rita'sface. Norris is thinking of having a soiree to christen the place. He plansto have Thai chili dippers, gallons of guacamole. "I'm very much 21stcentury catering-wise." He wants to cover her wallpaper with "post-modernbeige" and claims he's a bit more au courant than she is. So Rita tells himshe's changed the duvet cover in his old room at Emily's. Bob The Builder isa bit young for him, she thinks.

Over at the Rovers, Shelley and Violet are doing their nails and facerespectively when Sean comes in. Violet encourages him to tell Shelley allabout Chris and the date. Violet apologises for doubting him the other day.She just didn't want to see him get his heart broken. Sean assures them heis capable of keeping a fella.

Leanne is telling Danny about her day out. He's not that bothered. She saysMike has been really good since Emily came around. Danny points out thatsince Mike is asleep, the two of them can . . . Their clinch is violentlyinterrupted by Mike bursting from his room and demanding to know what theywant. He's going to call the police. He grabs the phone and shuts himselfin.

Blanche teeters into the Rovers (is she going to sue over that new hip orwhat? All the folk I know who've had a hip replacement have been much moremobile that she's ended up). She tells Shelley she's got a friend, Joyce,from the one o'clock club, meeting her there, so she orders two gins andtonic (gin and tonics?). Shelley smirks as she gets them. Norris and hisharem (Deirdre, Rita, Emily and Audrey) are talking about Mike andAlzheimer's. At the bar, Blanche thinks the rain must have put off Joyce, soshe might as well drink the second G&T. And she does. Shelley goes over tothe group in the booth and tells Deirdre about her mother's new trick.Deirdre points out that her mum hates everyone in the one o'clock club. Sheasks her mother about it. "Why resort to subterfuge to get two drinks? Ifyou want two drinks, buy two drinks. Unless, of course, you're drinking morethan you're letting on. Are there empty gin bottles stashed all over thehouse?" Blanche is horrified -- particularly that Shelley has abused theconfidentiality of the confessional booth that is the Rovers' bar. "I alwaysknew you were big-boned. I didn't realise you were big-mouthed as well."Shelley offers her a gin on the house. But Blanche would rather swig a litreof methylated spirits than take another drink from Shelley. "Well, you knowwhat they say," says Sean. "Alkies like a pint of meths." Shelley andDeirdre think this is quite funny, but Blanche doesn't. "I didn't come hereto be insulted." "Where do you usually go?" asks Shelley. As everyone in thepub stifles a giggle, Blanche tells them they should be ashamed ofthemselves for bullying a poor defenceless old window. "Widow!" correctsDeirdre as the others laugh out loud. But Blanche is off. As of now, she'sboycotting the Rovers.

The police are telling Danny that they're used to callouts like this. It'sbetter than being called to a bank raid, says one. Danny would rather havethe bank raid. The policewoman calls Mike "Mr Baldwin" and he asks if sheknows Mike Baldwin. "How is he?" He's worried they're there because he'smessed up on the tax. Mike is so confused he breaks down in tears.

Jamie goes into the Rovers and asks Sean how his date went. Violetinterrupts as says it was brilliant. As Sean pours Jamie a pint, it's alltoo much and he rushes out. Jamie catches up with him near the salon andSean confesses that Chris didn't even turn up. Jamie is lovely and reassureshim that the number of places to meet another gay man is limited. Hereassures Sean he'll meet someone one day. "And if I were on your bus I'd besat right next to you." Sean is much cheered but Jamie has to remind himthat he's not on that bus! He promises he won't tell Violet.Rita and Emily arrive back home and when Rita kicks off her shoes in thehallway, Emily straightens them. Rita goes straight to the sideboard andpours herself a very large drink, setting the empty gin bottle by severalothers in the kitchen. Maybe Shelley had the wrong older lady? Emily refuses"a nightcap" because it's not bedtime, but Rita is having one anyway. MaybeNorris as a housemate wasn't so bad after all.

Kelly is questioning why Becky was sucking up to Danny all day. She evenunblocked the lav so Danny didn't have to call out a plumber. Becky saysshe's hoping for some overtime in the future. Danny comes in and orders adrink. (No, I don't understand the point of this scene, either)

Emily is doing a jigsaw when Rita lets Blanche in the door. It seems thejigsaw is one from the charity shop and Blanche took it back last weekbecause the map of the British Isles is missing Kirkcudbright. She's come toscotch the rumours about her drinking. She wants the others to join her inthe boycott of the Rovers. But Rita likes the Rovers and Emily feels too setin her ways. So Blanche takes offence and calls them conspirators withShelley. "You'd have been a right wash-out at Greenham Common," she hisses.

Jamie and Danny are talking in the pub. Jamie says he's just worried aboutMike. Danny hopes things are better between them, but Jamie shrugs off hisfriendly arm. Danny is fighting back tears because coping with Mike is thehardest thing he's ever had to do. He's losing his second father in a year.Jamie wants to limit the conversation to talking about Mike. Danny thinkshe's right to keep Mike with him. He doesn't think Jamie can devote 24 hoursa day to Mike. Jamie refuses his offer of a drink and leaves Danny bereftand alone.

The End.
Margaret Carr



Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Joanne McCartney, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Sue Haasler, Margaret Carr, Duncan Lindsay, Amanda Souter.

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