Chesney, accompanied by Sophie Webster, is searching through drawers andcupboards looking for his Whoopee cushion. Sophie comes across his birthcertificate and wonders why his father's name isn't on it. He tells her theymust have forgotten it, and she wonders how you forget something like that.He admits that his dad split up from his mum and he doesn't know where heis. When Sophie asks what he looks like Chesney admits that he's never seenhim.

Leanne is getting to the end of her tether looking after Mike all the time,so Danny encourages her to go for some 'retail therapy' while he looks afterMike. Just then Mike comes in and Danny comments that he hasn't shaved.Mike says that as it's Sunday he doesn't have to, but is reminded by Dannythat it's Saturday. Mike says that's even better, they can go for a few jarslater. He then goes off with his cup of tea and newspaper, and Leanne tellsDanny that he's going to have to see about Mike going into the home as theywon't be able to cope with him for much longer.

Over at Emily's, things are becoming a little strained as she and Ritadisagree on the best way to make a strong cup of tea. Rita likes to make itwith the tea bag in the cup, whereas Emily feels that stains the cups andthinks it should be made in the teapot.

Back at the Battersby residence, it seems that Les has the missing Whoopeecushion, and, watched by Cilla, he puts it under the cushion on the sofa.Just then Chesney comes in looking miserable, and Les urges him to come andsit down. He does, but it's something of an anti-climax for Les when not asingle sound comes from under the cushion. Chesney turns to Cilla andstarts to say, "I want to ask you…." But before he can finish, she snaps,"We're skint!" Chesney explains that he wants to know about his father, andshe tells him to ask Les. Ches tells her that he means his biologicalfather, and Cilla tells him quickly that they were just ships that passed inthe night.

Danny and Mike have arrived at the Rovers, and Fred is moaning about havingto go to Norris's party. Mike tells him there's nothing like a good scotchfor Dutch courage, so Fred fetches one that's thirty years old, saying hehad been planning on saving it for a special occasion, but…..and he andDanny look at each other. "I thought Michael would appreciate this," he saysand pours three. Mike takes his and exclaims that the scotch has aged aswell as he has. When Mike goes off to the gents Fred remarks to Danny thatto look at him you'd never know there was anything wrong.

In the cafe, Roy phones Vera and tells her that Hayley is struggling to copealone with her uncle, so he is going to Bognor to help her, and asks ifshe'll run the cafe while he's away. In his hand he holds a large notebook,and tells her he's just prepared a few notes 'to ensure the smooth runningof the establishment'. The only customer left in the cafe is Chesney, andRoy tells him he's closing up now. Ches walks to the door and then turnsand asks Roy what his dad was like. Roy says he wishes he could tell him,and Chesney immediately jumps to the conclusion that Roy didn't have his dadaround either. Roy dispels this idea by telling him that his dad was around,but didn't have any time for him and by the time he was Chesney's age hisdad had upped and left. Chesney remarks that at least Roy's dad knows heexists, unlike his own who doesn't and probably never will, as even Cilladoesn't know who he is. Roy tells him he may well have had a lucky escape,he might have made Chesney miserable. He tells him that he would have lovedto have been as close to his own father as Chesney is to Les. Chesney agreesthat he does love his Uncle Les, but that's all he is, another uncle who maywell leave one day, like all the others, and he'll be left on his own again.

Emily and Rita go to Norris's 'soiree' and Rita is a little miffed to seethat Norris has made some changes to her flat. Norris admits that he has'decluttered' as he likes the minimalist look, and has boxed up all Rita'sthings. Blanche moans about the food until Deirdre implores her to stopcomplaining. "Or breathing, whatever's easiest," quips Ken. Just then Fredand Bev arrive, and Norris tells them they can expect a wide range ofintoxicating beverages. Fred asks for scotch and threat but when he noticesBlanche still moaning he urges Norris to make it a treble. Norris pushes aplate towards Blanche saying, "Do have a sausage on a stick, and feel freeto leave the sausage!"

Jamie goes into the Rovers and is surprised, and not pleased, to discoverthat Danny has taken Mike in there for a drink. "He wanted a drink," Dannytells him, "every man deserves a last request." Jamie tells Danny that hewants Mike to live with him and Frankie, but Danny doesn't think he'd beable to look after Mike 24 hours a day. "For the next ten or twenty years?"says Danny, "it would be the end of your life as you know it."

Back at Norris's, the party is not going with a swing. In fact, it's hardlygoing at all, and when Blanche hears that Norris made the canapes, shethrows hers in the bin. "Mother!" exclaims Deirdre, to which Blanchereplies, "Men's fingers!"

Eventually Ken tells Norris they must being going, and uses Eccles as anexcuse. Fred takes the opportunity to say that they must be going as well,and when Norris goes to fetch coats, mouths to all the guests that theywould be welcome at the Rovers. "Oh, rub it in, why don't you!" criesBlanche, and Fred tells her that she is welcome back any time, with Bevadding that they are sorry if Blanche was offended and they would like herto join them for a drink on the house. Blanche is not impressed however, andtells them they've got more chance of King Kong walking in to the pub thanher.

Back at Norris's, Rita has managed to find her box of possessions anddeclare to Emily that she's taking them back with her before Norris puts itout for the bin men. They then depart, leaving Norris with all the food andno-one to eat it.

Chesney is talking to Fiz about his dad. She tells him that if his dad isanything like hers he's better off without him. He points out that at leastshe knows his name, while he has nothing. She reminds him that he has Les,but Chesney says it's only until Les and his mum split up. Chesney thensays that he's decided he wants Les to adopt him so that he'll always be hisdad, no matter what happens.

In the Rovers, Danny tells Ken and Deirdre that he's going to phone the carehome in the morning to see when they can take Mike. Ken asks if he knows,but Danny tells him that Mike wouldn't be grinning the way he is if he knew. Rita says that she doesn't know why people round there have parties whenthey have the Rovers, and Mike says that he's been more at home there thanhe has in his own flat. With that, he offers to buy everyone a drink, butFred jumps in and offers drinks for everyone on the house.

Over at the Battersby's, Fiz tells Les and Cilla that Chesney needs somestability. "It's til death do us part as far as I'm concerned," says Les.Cilla says it will be, if he pulls another 'Janice'. Fiz tells them thatthat is just it, Chesney is frightened of another Janice, or another 'UncleRonnie'. Just then Chesney comes in from the back, and tells Les that hewon't need to find his real dad if Les would just adopt him. Cilla seemsalmost caring for once, and agrees that it's a big decision, but if hisheart is really set on it – they're going to miss him! They all stare ather, not finding her little joke funny. Les asks Chesney if he's reallyserious, and when Chesney assures him that he is, he says he will do it. "Itwill be an honour," he says, "come here," and he hugs him, and as they fallonto the sofa the Whoopee cushion finally goes off. Cilla turns to Fiz andsays, "I couldn't have put it better myself."

Danny has taken Mike back to his flat and they talk about the evening. Mikereckons they should go out on the town together, him, Danny and Jamie. "TheBaldwin boys painting the town red!" he says. Danny tells him that he's notalways as well as this, and starts to talk about the care home. He tellsMike that he's seriously ill and he only wants what is best for him. Mikelooks worried, but says that he does trust Danny. "The last thing I want isto be a burden," he says. He goes on to say that all his life he has beatenthe odds, and now he's going to beat this. He tells Danny he'll go into thehome if he wants him to, but one day he'll walk through the gates as rightas rain. "You wait and see," he says, and goes off to bed.

Anne Logan

Mike's sitting at the breakfast table staring at a boiled egg. Leanne'scrawling around on the floor looking for the pill Mike's just knocked out ofher hand. He's sure she's trying to poison him. He's refusing to go to thecare home and says they've taken his business and his money, but they won'ttake the roof over his head. Danny mutters to Leanne that she should bung itin his egg while he's not looking, but just as he says that, Mike whacks theegg and its egg cup on to the floor. Danny assures Leanne it won't be formuch longer. He'll see when the home can take him.

Chesney is eating his cereal in front of the television and asks Cilla andLes whether they'll ring Viv. "Viv who?" asks Cilla. Viv, his social worker.Les points out that it's a sign of how well things are going if Cilla's beenable to forget the name of the social worker -- it just shows how long sincethey saw her. Chesney isn't forgetting about being adopted by Les and wantsthem to start the process. But Cilla says the social workers are likesleeping tigers -- best left alone and not disturbed. As Cilla takes therubbish out into the yard and puts it in the bin by the horse (oh, sorry,that's Schmeichel!), Les follows her to say he'd like to adopt Chesney. Cillais surprised that he actually likes Chesney and doesn't just put up with himfor her sake. But she agrees. "All right then, wake the tiger. But don'tblame me if it all goes pear-shaped."

In the Kabin, Rita is trying to tell Eileen what a disaster Norris's partywas, but he's defending it with all his might. Rita says all the guests leftearly (Polite guests never outstay their welcome, Norris points out).Everyone was gone by eight and most parties don't even start by then (It wasa soiree, not a party). He and Rita start to argue about whether the placeis a desirable apartment or a flat above a shop. "You know, I could standhere and chat for hours, but I really am late for work," Eileen says. "Don'tlet us stop you," says Norris. "Yeah, have a good day," adds Rita. "I'drather have my change," says Eileen.

Leanne is reading when Mike comes out and insists she gets rid of the Stuffin his bathroom, and no, he doesn't need a shave. "This is my house. You dowhat you told. You're not in charge. And you're not getting rid of me."Leanne returns with his shaver and a towel to give him a shave, but he backsoff as if it's a cut-throat razor. Leanne tells him Danny wants him to havea shave. And Mike suddenly has her by the collar of her dressing gown andlifts her, growling in her face: "Danny is no son of mine. I have a son, anice son who loves me." He drops her and she demands to know where that niceson is, then. He says he's going to go and stay with his nice son. A shakenLeanne shouts at him that he's welcome to go. Mike, with just a singlet onover his trousers, heads for the door. But he has to come back and tellLeanne he can't open it. She gets the deadbolt key out of a door and opensit, telling him, "Go on then. Go and find Adam and don't come back!" Sheshuts the door after him but after a few seconds regrets it and opens itagain, just as Mike comes back, very subdued. "Where does he live?" Shetells him to come in. He doesn't have to have a shave if he doesn't want to.

Vernon doesn't seem too keen that Steve is stirring his coffee with adrumstick. Steve points out that if Vernon did the washing up, there'd beenteaspoons to use. Vernon whips open a drawer and points out there are plentyof forks to stir coffee with. But he almost has an apoplectic fit when hesees Steve using a snare drum as a coffee table. Steve can't see what theproblem is. "I'm using a coaster." Liz says they'll be taking all the gearto rehearsal soon. The van is downstairs. Vernon points out that he has todo the dishes first. Steve looks at Liz, who defends Vernon's bad back(someone bent a mike stand over it), but then insists that Vernon help loadthe van first, leaving the dishes for later.

Mike is rummaging through the contents of a drawer. Leanne tells him she'sjust going to have a shower. Mike keeps hunting, tipping out the contents ofthe drawer. He finds the brochure for the care home, but casts it aside,then finds what he's been looking for -- a Father's Day card.

Les finds Cilla and tells her a social worker will be round to see them thatnight. Cilla is very doubtful. She's never heard of getting to see a socialworker the same day you ring. But it seems they've had a cancellation. AndViv is now the head of the adoption section, so she's keen for Les to adoptChesney. She's always liked him. Cilla looks very doubtful at this. Les asksif they've got time to tidy the house before the social worker comes round."You have," says Cilla, heading off in the opposite direction.

Leanne comes out of the shower and discovers the door open and Mike gone.

Shelley is surprised to see Blanche come into the Rovers and order a G&T asif nothing's happened. She tells the Weatherfield Whiner how good it is tosee her, and how pleased she is that Blanche has put her pride aside. TheG&T is on the house. "I wouldn't have ordered it if it wasn't," Blanchesays. It seems she only came in because she believed she would get a freedrink. Shelley says she wouldn't have given her a free drink if Blanche wasmaking that assumption. The confusion is ended by Bev, who says she and Fredoffered Blanche a free drink to entice her back. Shelley is appalled at thisusurpation* of her managerial power. Danny's standing at the bar. He gets aphone call and tells Bev he'll "have to swerve the hotpot" because Mike'sgone missing again.

Les is telling Eileen and Steve about his plans to adopt Chesney. They askwhether his criminal record will make a difference. He points out he wasstitched up for assaulting a copper. Eileen suggests there's more to hisrecord. Les admits he got a £100 fine once for threatening behaviour, butthat was years ago. "Didn't you get community service as well, forburglary?" asks Steve. "That was even longer ago," Les says. Eileen asks ifthat was at the same time as the breaking and entering. (I do believe thatburglary is just shorthand for the crime of "breaking and entering", butit's reassuring that the writers don't know much about criminal law, don'tyou think?) But Les says he was never even convicted of that. "So how comeyou ended up in Strangeways, then?" asks Steve. That was for handling stolenproperty. "But I was only a kid then. I've changed." Now Les is worried theymight take Chesney off him.

Mike is sitting on a seat at a railway station. He draws another man into aconversation which ends up making the other man almost as confused as Mike.Mike is going to see his son. He has the card with the address on a letterinside it. He comes to believe the man is in the same business and tries tosell him two dozen pairs of black satin knickers with matching bras. "I'vebeen in this business since you were in . . . what are those things thatbabies wear?" Nappies, the man tells him. "Nappies!" says Mike happily. "Doyou know, I've never changed a nappy in my life." "You've not missed much,"the man tells him.

In the pub, Shelley is telling her mother the decision over Blanche shouldhave been left to her. Blanche orders two G&Ts, saying one is for Rita.Shelley is very tempted to say something but bites her tongue and tellsBlanche she doesn't care who drinks them as long as Blanche pays for them.Leanne has arrived and Danny and she are having words about Mike when Jamiehears and objects again to their plans to put Mike in a home. Rita does, infact, come in. But she tells Shelley she doesn't know what's got intoBlanche, who told her that if she didn't come in for a drink, she'd cancelher papers.

Jamie gives Adam a ring to tell him that Mike said he was going to see hisson and might be headed his way.

We see Adam's end of the conversation, too. He says he might be able to getdown by the weekend, but Jamie says Mike could be in a home by then if Dannyand Leanne have their way.

When Jamie ends the call, he heads off to check the railway stations. Heturns up at the one where Mike has been waiting, but he's too late. Mike'snew friend has just made sure Mike got on to the train.

Liz and Vernon are in a small room with a stage, preparing for the auditionof potential new members of the band. Liz is startled to discover thatthey're looking for a female singer. Vernon tells her to chip in with herown opinion as a typical member of the audience. Liz worries the rest of theband might think that's "a bit Yoko Ono".

As Jamie arrives back without Mike and tells Danny to call the police, Mikeis wandering in a strange town where it is pouring with rain. All we know isthat it's somewhere in the direction of Doncaster, which is where the otherman on the train was going.

Les is dressed in his wedding suit -- or possibly his going-to-court suit --as he, Cilla and Chesney tidy frantically. There is a knock at the door andCilla says it's the social worker, arriving early to try to catch them out.

Jamie and Danny are talking on the telephone, but the conversation soondegenerates into another argument about how hard can it be to look after alittle old man. It ends with Jamie hanging up on Danny.

Jamie tells Frankie he believes Mike ran away because he didn't want to gointo a home with a lot of old codgers he didn't know. Frankie says that ifJamie really wants Mike to live with them, they'll manage. She workspart-time and she's sure Penny would come to some arrangement about Jamie'shours. And social services might be prepared to help them. Jamie points outthat Mike's not her flesh and blood, but she says Mike's Jamie's, and thatmakes him hers.

Les is handing the social worker some biscuits and talking in a posh voice.Cilla is handing out sickening compliments in her own posh voice. Les makespolite conversation: "So, do you work mainly on the adoption side, or do youdo any snatching?" Jenna, the social worker, tells them they're trying toohard. She's on their side and this is just a preliminary visit.

Mike approaches a house in the pouring rain. He rings the bell and a youngman opens the door. "Dad! What are you doing here?" It's Mark

The End
Margaret Carr
*Of course it's a real word.

We return exactly where we left off, Mike has turned up on Mark's doorstep in the soaking rain. He tells his son that he has lost everything to Danny and pulls a shocked Mark into a hug.

At the auditions, Liz and Vernon are particularly unimpressed by a contender (for a good reason) and Vernon unreasonably pulls a Simon Cowell on her. Liz is slightly more pleasant to her, but that doesn't stop her sharing an amused moment with Vernon afterwards!

Mike is evidently confused as to who he is speaking to and pretty soon Mark has realised that Mike believes he is Adam. Mark also asks who Danny is and Mike erratically claims that Danny is trying to poison him. Mark is reluctant to believe this accusation but Mike changes the subject and asks if he can stay at Mark's place. Mark is left with not much choice as Mike tearfully tells him that he has nowhere else to go

The Battersby Browns are on their best behaviour and have dusted off their best suits for the social worker's visit. The social worker asks Chesney how he feels about being adopted by Les and his enthusiastic reply heartens her.

Mark is still trying to get Mike to remember him. Mike is unable to recognise Maggie's name and Mark shrugs, wondering how he can make things up with Mike if he doesn't even remember what he did.

Les and Cilla put on a cheesy performance for the social worker. As Cilla discusses the lodger business man (this person being Kirk), she mentions he won't be around forever. Embracing Chesney, Les purrs that he will though

Mike is still discussing the betrayal of his two sons and angrily tells Mark that Adam stole his woman. Mark asks him if he is sure this was Adam. As soon as Linda's name is mentioned, Mike's eyes widen in recognition and he remembers who Mark is. Furious, Mike orders Mark out of his own home. Mark gets onto the phone to the Rovers and Violet tells him that she will get in touch with Jamie

Back at the land of Battersby, the social worker asks if Les has a criminal record. After 'ducking and diving' around the subject, he eventually lies to her, saying that he has none that he can recollect.

Mark goes through to check on Mike only to find that he has disappeared. He runs out of the house into the pouring rain but his dad is nowhere to be seen.

Jamie, meanwhile, is preparing to set off after him. Frankie joins him, reminding him that he will need someone to occupy Mike while he is driving.

Mike, armed with a bottle of Scotch, wanders through the pouring rain, aimlessly.

Liz jokingly suggests that she takes the stage herself if nobody is any good. Vernon latches on to this idea and tells her that they will do just that if things don't shape up.

Danny is informed of the Mike situation and is a bit miffed that he wasn't told earlier. He tells Frankie to keep him informed.

Jamie and Frankie arrive on Mark's doorstep and Jamie demands to know why he isn't searching for Mike. Mark replies that he was waiting for them. Frankie and Jamie set off and mark is left to contemplate the surreal, and possibly final, meeting he just had with his father.

Muttering to himself and soaked to the bone, a tanked Mike wanders through the park, asking himself why he has been betrayed and left all on his own. Outside the park, Jamie gets out to search and Frankie will continue to drive around looking for him.

Liz has taken to the stage and pulls off a fairly decent song. Vernon congratulates her and she looks set to be the final choice, until a young woman enters, asking if she is too late. Vernon allows her to audition and she turns out to be even better than Liz. Vernon has noticed this as well, and looks rather impressed.

Jamie finds Mike laid out on a bench, swigging back Scotch and sobbing to himself. He asks Jamie to open a tub of pills for him. Jamie hands him a pill, which he takes and spills the rest onto the ground while he isn't looking. Jamie, still unrecognized, urges Mike to fight...but it's clear that this disoriented version of Mike just wants it all to end. Mike continues to rant about how he feels betrayed by all of his sons. Jamie assures him that there are still people who care but mike brushes this off and asks for more tablets. Jamie tells him they've all gone and Mike leans against him saying that that means he will be gone soon.

Les is unnerved when the social worker tells him she will need to run a few background checks on him. As she leaves, Les and Cilla wonder if lying was such a good idea after all.

Frankie finds Jamie and Mike in the rain and Mike stirs. He is concerned that he is not dead but Jamie makes out that he never intended to kill himself in the first place. he helps Mike up and he and Frankie guide the fallen entrepreneur through the rain.

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: John Stevenson
Directed by: Kay Patrick

Frankie and Jamie are discussing what's to be donewith Mike. Frankie says they were lucky to find himthe night before, and Jamie says he's been up allnight thinking about how Mike really wanted to killhimself. They agree that they should talk to Mike'sdoctor. Just then Mike himself comes downstairs,coughing badly and obviously physically unwell. Hesays he doesn't want to see a doctor because theyalways tell you there's something wrong, and he hatesthem. He says he isn't feeling well, and sits down,coughing and trying to catch his breath.

At Mike's luxurious Quays apartment, Leanne is reallypleased that she and Danny have the place back tothemselves again, and wants to go out to celebrate.Danny, however, wants to go to Frankie's to get Mikeback – he's worried that Mike will start talking toJamie about the Will and the power of attorney. Leanneagrees that they have to stop that happening, butdoesn't want Mike living with them again. Danny sayshe'll need to sort out somewhere nice for Mike to livefirst, and in the meantime he'll have to come back andlive with them.

At the Kabin Rita is having trouble getting two wordsout of Norris. You'd think she'd be grateful, but no.He's quiet because he's reading the Gazette, and Ritawarns him that he'd better not be looking at pets forsale because when she gets her flat back she wants itfit for human habitation.

Mike doesn't feel like eating the bacon and eggsFrankie has made for him. He's quite confused,thinking that Jamie is his son, and Frankie is Jamie'sgirlfriend – he advises Jamie to 'grab her.' Frankie'son her way out to work when Danny arrives to collectMike. Mike doesn't recognise him and insists he's okaywhere he is. Danny and Jamie have a little argumentabout what's best for Mike, and Danny has to give inbecause it looks like Mike is going nowhere.

Liz is worried that she might have shown Vernon up infront of his band by auditioning. He says she wasgreat and she could have had a great career if onlyshe'd started young! Liz thinks he made the rightchoice in picking Michelle, but starts to feel a bitinsecure when Vernon turns down her suggestion ofcoming with him to rehearsals. He tells her he won'tbe able to 'lick Michelle into shape' if hisgirlfriend is there. He goes out – but leaves one ofhis little drums behind.

Mike is looking really ill now, and when he coughs ithurts his ribs. Jamie has made an appointment for himat the health centre, but Mike is still saying hehates doctors and won't go. He says all he needs is aglass of scotch. And Alma – he thinks Alma's justpopped out somewhere. He talks about his business, andsays when he dies he's leaving everything to Jamie andhis brother. He says he started in business by sellingnylon stockings, and all the girls were mad for them.He tells Jamie not to say anything about that to Alma.'That's what I spent my money on,' he grins. 'Girls,and drink. The rest I squandered.' He can't say anymore as he starts to cough.

Liz is in the Kabin buying the Gazette, and Norris'searlier interest in it becomes clearer when he startsto ask Liz about the lonely hearts ads: are theygenuine? Liz thinks they are. He asks her to translate'wltm' ('would like to meet') and 'gsoh' which he canonly conclude must be something rude. Whether he'srelieved to hear that it only means 'good sense ofhumour' is not clear. Is Norris on the romance trail?

Frankie pops home after the lunchtime rush at the cafeto see how Mike is. He's asleep on the sofa, butFrankie is alarmed by how ill he looks. She wakes himgently and he smiles at her:'Alma. I knew you'd comeback.' Then he asks her,'What's happening to me?' Hisface contorts in pain, and Frankie tells Jamie thatthey can't wait for Mike's appointment at the healthcentre – she's ringing an ambulance.

In t'Rovers, Liz is telling Bev, Rita and Eileen abouther audition with the band. Rita mentions her days asa club singer. When Liz tells them about Michelle, Bevpredicts trouble ahead, and Rita says that when shewas singing she 'had to fight them off. And,' she addswith a wink,'You can't win em all! And drummers arethe worst.' Liz is feeling very insecure now, and saysthat Vernon forgot his drum so she has an excuse todrop in on the rehearsal and keep an eye on him.

At the factory Danny is on the phone to a businessassociate when Sally rushes in with the news thatthere's an ambulance outside Frankie's house. He runsacross the street in time to see Mike being loadedinto an ambulance, yelling that he doesn't want to goto hospital because he hates hospitals. He reaches outto Frankie and shouts,'Alma! I love you Alma!'Frankie tells Danny that Mike was having troublebreathing. Danny blames Jamie, Jamie blames Danny, butFrankie shouts at them both to stop and they all headoff to the hospital, watched by a shocked Rita.

In the Kabin, Norris is composing a lonely hearts ad:'Sophisticated executive looking for the lady to lightup his life.' Rita comes in and tells him she's justseen Mike going off in an ambulance. Norris asks if itmight have been a heart attack or a stroke,'Becauseif it was a stroke it would be a good epitaph for hislife. All his life he pulled strokes until a strokepulled him.' Rita is not amused.

Mike is in intensive care, and Jamie and Danny arestill bickering about whose fault it is. Penny arrives– Frankie called her – and asks what's the matter withMike. 'Pneumonia,' Frankie tells her.

In the Rovers, everyone is wondering how Mike is. Kenhas been trying to contact Adam but hasn't had anyluck. Deirdre thinks they should ring the hospital,but Eileen says they only talk to relatives. Emilypoints out that Ken and Mike are kind of related, Mikebeing Ken's ex son-in-law. Ken thinks he'd have a hardtime trying to explain that, and Emily says it justshows what a complicated life Mike has had. 'He's avery complicated man,' Deirdre says. 'Always hasbeen.' Ken gives her a bit of a look – there's a lotof history between Ken, Deirdre and Mike.

Liz arrives at the rehearsal and isn't very cheered tosee that Vernon and Michelle are getting on reallywell. He's pleased to see Liz, though, but then hetells her that Michelle is just the girl he's beenlooking for.

At the pub, Rita is telling Emily that Norris has beenbehaving peculiarly all day. 'Well that's more or lessnormal for Norris,' Emily says. Rita says she's sureNorris is up to something, and she intends to find outwhat. Elsewhere in the Rovers, Kelly and Becky aremaking the most of Danny being away from the factoryand are totally drunk. Becky tells Lloyd and Kellythat she loves them both and they're the salt oft'earth, then she busts into tears because she's sohappy. Deirdre and Ken are at the bar, and Deirdresays she can't help worrying about Mike. Ken tells herthere's no need to apologise for it, and it's okay.

At the hospital, Penny is feeling guilty for nottrying harder with Mike. Frankie doesn't think anyonecould have got through to him, because he's living inhis own head most of the time. She says that earlieron Mike thought she was Alma. Penny says sadly,'Ican't help wishing that he thought you were me.'Jamie and Danny are looking through the glass at Mike,who is now peacefully asleep but has an oxygen mask onand is surrounded by various machines. Danny says hecan't help thinking that it would be better for Mikeif this was the end. 'You want him dead?' Jamie says,and Penny and Frankie look over at them. 'That wouldsuit you nicely wouldn't it?' Jamie says. He says thatMike hated the way Danny and Leanne treated him, andcouldn't wait to get away from them:'So if he dies,it's your fault, and I'll never forgive you. Never.'

Sue Haasler

If you all have your hankies ready, we'll start Friday's episode.

We open with Mike lying in a hospital bed. He wakes and tries to take offhis mask, but it's clear he's very confused. Jamie tells him he's inhospital. Mike thinks Jamie is a doctor.

In the Street, Deirdre tells Danny she might call in to see Mike later.Danny tells her that everyone thinks it's his fault Mike got pneumonia. "Ididn't say that," she assures him.

Emily has arrived at the hospital and tells Jamie to go home and have ashower and get a change of clothes. After all, she's got 20 years experienceas a hospital visitor. She suggests Jamie bring his grandad a bottle ofcordial, "something to cheer up the water." Jamie goes and Emily tells Mikehe's lucky to have someone who cares so much about him. "Why aren't you atwork?" Mike asks. She says she's retired, but Mike asks, "Where's dad? Haveyou and him had another row?" Emily tells him who she is, but he grabs herhand. "What am I doing here, Mum? These people, they keep talking to me."Emily tells him he needs to rest, then he'll be fine. "You promise?"

In the factory, Fizz is asking Danny if Mike is dangerous and likely to turnup there. Danny is not impressed. She sits down, muttering that she doesn'tcare what anyone says, she's not going near Mike Baldwin. Joanne turns uplate, saying she's been to the dentist. But Becky is in Joanne's chair,right behind Kelly. Becky says the chair at her bench was too low, so Dannytold her to swap with Joanne. This is all news to Kelly. And Sean can'tunderstand why she didn't just swap the chairs over.

In the pub, Deirdre is asking Ken if he could take her to the hospital afterwork. He says he's been trying to ring Adam, but it seems Adam left hisphone in a bar somewhere. When Ken leaves, Deirdre goes over to where Liz istelling Bev all about Michelle, the new singer.

Back in the factory, Danny suggests Joanne work over lunch, though Seanpoints out that means time and a half. Danny asks for another volunteer andKelly does, but when Becky comes back from the loo and tries to get in onit, he says he only needs two. If looks were real daggers, Joanne would havecollapsed in a pool of blood, judging by the look that Becky gives her.

Mike is struggling against a nurse. He wants to get out of bed because he'sgot a business to run. When she says his family is looking after things, hesays he hasn't got one. She leave the room and Mike, still as sharp as everwhen it comes to ducking and diving, ducks and dives his way out of the roomand out of the hospital.

Coughing and spluttering and clutching his chest, he sneaks his way alongthe side of the hospital.

Inside, Danny is getting a search started and accusing the nurse of losinghis Dad.

We see Mike getting even further away.

Kelly and Joanne are discussing Kelly's coming birthday. Kelly suggestsJoanne move over by her so they don't have to shout. They're getting onquite happily when the door bursts open and Becky comes in with some lunchfor Kelly. "Would you jump on my grave so fast?" she asks Joanne. Joanne andKelly explain that it's just while they're working together and they didn'tthink Becky would mind, but it's clear from her face that she does.

The camera pans up what seem to be a very attractive pair of legs (I'm nojudge), to Michelle at the top of them. Liz is also looking and thinks shewas right to be worried. "Them legs have got ambition," she tells Bev. ButBev thinks it's clear that Vernon, talking to Michelle, is trustworthy. Onthe cruise he didn't look at anyone but Liz. Liz is sure Michelle is afterVernon, but Bev points out that he's no George Clooney. "He's a drummer in aband, knocking 50." Nearby, Leanne's phone rings. It's Danny telling herthat Mike has gone AWOL.

Mike's near a car park and bats away a passer-by concerned about his welfare."I want to go home," he wails when she's gone.

In the pub, Ken is telling Bev that sometimes the silence of an empty housemakes it impossible to think. She offers to set up a special "Ken's thinkingcorner" at the bar for him. Rita comes in and asks for a large vodka andtonic and a pint of arsenic she can take back to Norris. "That man woulddrive Mother Teresa to mass murder." She asks Ken about webcams. She wantsto get one. She plans to set it up on the till so Norris thinks he's alwaysbeing watched. "That should shut him up. If it makes him paranoid for onlyten minutes it'll be well worth it." Ken says he's got a video camera andRita thinks that might do.

The nurse is trotting along behind Danny, telling him he can't go bargingabout the hospital. He's causing a disturbance. "I'll cause more than adisturbance, don't you worry about that!" he tells her. He asks about thesecurity cameras. He says he's going to call the police, because if anythinghappens to his old man he's holding the nurse personally responsible. "It'snot my fault!" she bleats. Danny says his dad is confused and scared and allhe wants to do is look after him.

Back at the Rovers, Bev and Ken are having a quiet chat. It's quiet in thebar, but Bev says she doesn't mind -- at least until she and Fred are wed."Until then I'm just the hired help," she says.

Jamie's at the hospital giving a description of Mike to a police constable."Any distinguishing features?" he's asked. "He's in his slippers andpyjamas, mate. How's that for distinguishing?" He asks the constable if heshould take the van and drive around looking for Mike. "An elderly man inhis nightwear who needs an oxygen mask?" asks the policeman. "Chances are hehasn't left the hospital grounds."

Vernon is explaining how the band handles requests. "Do you want anotherdrink?" he asks Michelle. Yes, she does. "Liz?" "Oh, yes, tah," she says.But he wasn't asking if she wanted a drink. He was asking her to go and getthem in! At the bar Liz has a moan to Bev about it, then suddenly realisesshe sounds like Jim. Bev assures her that jealousy ruins relationships."Look at him," says Bev. Vernon is air-drumming on the table. "He's gotmusic on his mind, nowt else. If you go on imagining the worst will happen,you'll end up pushing them together."

Jamie meets Danny. Neither has had a successful search of the hospital.Jamie is worried that Mike might be out all night again. Danny assures himMike will be all right, but Jamie says he knows that's not true. "He'llnever be all right again." Danny wants to go out driving around but Jamiethinks he'll wait at the hospital.

Ken drives up and is about to put his key in the door when he hears Mikecoughing and sees him over by the factory. Mike cries, telling Ken that thefactory is closed and he hasn't got a key. He puts a coat around Mike, whostumbles and falls to the ground. Ken gets out his phone and calls anambulance. "Denim, you can make anything out of denim," Mike says. Kenfinishes his call. Mike's mumbling that Ken should phone Alma. She'll be inthe cafe. He starts shouting that the factory has gone. Ken says that one,opposite the Rovers, was knocked down. "This is your factory now." Mikewants to know what "Barlow" is doing there. "Looking after you." Mike'sconfused again. He asks where Deirdre is. "There's something I've got totell you about me and Deirdre." Ken tells him it was a long time ago, butMike assures him that Deirdre and little Tracy are going to come and livewith him. "You're finished, Barlow. Deirdre loves me, she's. . ." He'ssuddenly wracked with pain. His back arches and he grimaces horribly. "Noyou don't, Baldwin!" shouts Ken. "No! No!" Danny drives up but Ken tellshim, "He's dead." Danny won't believe it and rushes to his father. "Come on,Mike," he urges, "come on!" Rita comes out of the Kabin and Ken shakes hishead at her. Emily comes by and sees Danny holding his dead father. Thecamera lifts high above them as we hear the ambulance siren.

Tonight there is no theme tune.
The End.
Margaret Carr

Out in the dark street, Deirdre rushes up to Ken asking what's happened. Heexplains that Mike is dead, that Danny did his best but he couldn't savehim. Deirdre is very upset as the ambulance drives slowly away. Ken andDeirdre take Danny inside their house with them, and just as they are aboutto go in, Frankie comes along and asks what's been happening. Dannyexplains and asks Frankie to phone Jamie at the hospital and tell him what'shappened. Frankie isn't keen, she thinks Danny should do it, but Danny sayshe's thinking of Jamie, it would make it easier for him to hear it from her. As he goes off to the Barlow's, Frankie mutters, "Make it easier foryourself, more like."

Inside the Barlow's, Ken and Deirdre are telling Blanche what happened.Danny arrives and Ken gets out the whisky. Danny asks what Mike said beforehe died, and Ken tells them all that he had said he was going to takeDeirdre away. At this Deirdre bursts into noisy sobs. "Now you've doneit," says Blanche. Danny doesn't know what he should do next, and Blanchetells him there's no hurry to do anything and he should relax and have hisdrink. "That's if she ever gets round to pouring it," she adds, glancing atDeirdre, who then cries even louder and falls into Ken's arms.

Over in the Rovers, Liz is standing with Bev and Eileen, she hasn't gonewith Vernon and the new singer, Michelle, they're rehearsing.

Joanne rushes up to Kelly and Fiz. Kelly shows her a new handbag she justgot from a mate who's got a warehouse full, and Joanne says she looked allover for one like it last Saturday but couldn't find one. Kelly says she canhave that one, and she'll get herself another from her mate. Joanne insistson paying her ten pounds for it, even though Kelly says she can get anotherfor a pound.

Sean comes in and asks what the ambulance was doing out in the streetearlier, but nobody knows. Eileen reckons as it didn't have it's sirengoing, it couldn't have been anything serious.

Frankie phones Danny on his mobile at the hospital, (although I alwaysthought one has to switch all mobile phones off in hospitals as theyinterfere with the machines and monitors). She tells him the news and Jamieis visibly upset, although he says nothing. Frankie urges him to come home.

Deirdre is in her back yard with a ciggie, and weeping over Mike. She tellsKen she did love him, for a while. Ken admits that he will miss him. Dannycomes out and says he's going, and he's glad that Ken was with Mike at theend.

Fred comes into the Rovers and joins Bev and Liz. Bev tells him not to askwhere Vernon is. "Why, where is he?" he asks. Liz tells him he's rehearsing,and tells him that Bev means not to ask her who with. "Why?" asks Fred,"who's he rehearsing with?" Liz looks fed up and moves away, as Bev cries,"don't ask her!"

Danny comes in then and tells Fred the news about Mike. Frankie comes in andtells Danny that she did his dirty work for him, and that Jamie has saidhe's staying at the hospital and is going to find out where Mike is and staywith him. Danny says he knew Jamie would be upset. Frankie wants Danny togo to the hospital and bring Jamie back, but Danny is reluctant, sayingJamie won't want him. Frankie thinks this might be his chance to gettalking to his son again, but Danny continues to make excuses. "You'repathetic!" snorts Frankie, and Danny points out that his dad has just died,but Frankie tells him it doesn't make him any less pathetic. "Don't worry,I'll go!" she snaps, and walks out. Just then Danny's phone rings, it'sLeanne, still waiting at the flat in case Mike turns up, Danny has omittedto tell her the news.

In Emily's house, Norris is talking to Rita and Emily and says that dying isthe one thing everyone knows is going to happen but no-one is ever prepared.Rita tells him that's because no-one knows when it's going to happen. Ritawonders if anyone has told Adam.

Adam has actually arrived at the Barlow's home, and Deirdre recounts whathappened to Mike. Ken comes in then and gives him a hug.

Over in the pub, the factory workers are wondering what Mike died of. Beckycomes in and asks what's up with them all and Joanne tells her that Mr.Baldwin has died. Becky tells her he's over at the bar having a drink. "No,"says Kelly, "old Mr. Baldwin." Fiz says that he only came up to hershoulder but she was dead scared of him.

Danny and Penny are at the bar talking to Fred, pondering on what Mike diedof. Leanne comes in and is decidedly miffed at being the last to know. "Imight be first on the list when you want someone to look after him," shehuffs, "but the minute he's gone it's as if I don't even exist!" Danny takesher over to the table and tells her that his dad has just died and if hedidn't think to ring her then he's sorry.

After the break we see Norris, Emily and Rita in the pub, and Norris ispondering on who will get what of Mike's estate. "The way Danny's takencontrol, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't cop for the lot," he says,knowingly. Rita and Emily think Norris ought to wait a bit before he startswondering about that.

Danny tells Leanne that he didn't do it on purpose, he had a lot to thinkabout and certain duties to perform. "Yeah, like ringing Penny," saysLeanne. Danny tells her he doesn't need a load of grief from her, he hasproper grief to deal with. She has the grace to look slightly abashed, andhe suggests they put it behind them. She asks if he's told Jamie yet, and hetells her that Frankie has. "And I had no choice but to tell Frankie," hesays hastily, "because she came out of her front door when the ambulance wasthere."

At the bar, Penny tells Fred how she used to ring Mike every week, eventhough sometimes he would slam the phone down on her. He urges her toremember the happy times they had together.

Liz tells Bev that she feels awful, everyone is talking about Mike and allshe can think of it what Vernon might be getting up to with Michelle. Shethen decides to get a taxi and go and find out.

Vera comes in and orders a drink, obviously oblivious to the news about Mike

Joanne gets up and goes to get crisps, and when she's gone Becky picks upthe new bag and says that Joanne has obviously no taste whatsoever. Kellysays in that case she hasn't either, because it was hers before she gave itto Joanne. Becky blusters that she can carry it off, and then asks why Kellygave it to her. Kelly says that Joanne was looking for one like it.

In the taxi office, Liz is told by Lloyd that he's just taken Vernon and ayoung lady to another address. "He told me to keep the change," smilesLloyd, "the man's a gentleman." Liz doesn't appear to think so, and asksLloyd to take her to the same address, "and we'll see how much of agentleman he is," she says.

In the Rovers, Vera has joined Emily and Rita and Norris, to talk aboutMike. Norris says that in spite of Mike's wealth and the good life he had,he never felt that Mike was really happy.

Just then Mike and Adam come in. Adam hugs Penny and Fred calls for thedrinks. Over at their table, Danny thinks he should go over and saysomething. "What?" asks Leanne, "you're too late he's already dead so bogoff back to Scotland?" Danny stares at her, "Mike was his dad as well, youknow," he points out. But Leanne reckons Adam has only come so he can findout what Mike's left him. Danny goes over and shakes Adam's hand and sayshe'll be in touch. Back at the table, Danny tells Leanne he thinks theyshould go. Leanne wonders why. "We looked after him when nobody elsewould," she snarls, "we gave him a home." Danny points out what Leanneseems to have forgotten, it was Mike's home to start with.

Lloyd and Liz have arrived outside the address he took Vernon to earlier.Lloyd wants Liz to turn round and go back to Coronation Street right now,but Liz won't be put off from her mission, and gets out of the taxi.

Back in the Street, Becky chases after Joanne as she leaves the pub. "Oi,you!" she says, "what are you doing taking Kelly's bag off her?" Joanneexplains that Kelly said she could. Becky tells her that Kelly is dead nice,especially to those as pathetic as her. Then, in a very malicious way shewarns Joanne to 'stop hanging round Kelly's neck.'

Liz confronts Vernon and Michelle in the flat they've come to. "You'resupposed to be rehearsing," she cries, "only you're here in this cosy littleflat!" Michelle tells her it's not what she thinks, and then Vernon tellsLiz that he has nowhere to live, he's sponging off her and Michelle'sbrother is an estate agent. "It's a flat for two," he says, and then asksher if she'll move in with him. The wind is then well and truly knocked outof Liz's sails and she says she'd love to.

Jamie and Frankie arrive at the Rovers, and Jamie rushes over to Danny witha large brown envelope. "I thought you might like to have these," he fumes,pulling Mike's personal possessions out on to the table. "You've goteverything else, haven't you? You and your tart!" There's silence in thepub as everyone turns to look, and Frankie hustles Jamie away.

Anne Logan

Part 1

Outside as Tyrone opens the garage he sees a bunch of flowers at the factorydoor.

Flat and Leanne tells Danny that Jamie had no right talking to them likethat. Danny says he is upset. Leanne says she is upset, hurt and they wherethen ones that looked after Mike. She says he has no right to go roundtelling lies. Danny says even if its true but she says its not. Danny tellsher people grieve in there own way.

Outside Molly heads to the garage as the factory girls are going to work.Molly gives Tyrone a custard donut and tells him she has got her eye on stakepies for lunch. He offers her a cup of tea. The girls tell Danny they aresorry to hear what happened. He thanks them and they tells him someone leftthis flowers. Adam watches them go in.

Barlow household and Deirdre is looking at an old photo of her and Mike. Kenis at the table deep in thought. Deirdre comes through and is sobbing, shetells him she has to go in as two people are on maternity leave.

Kabin backroom and Norris is on the computer. Rita asks if he is on theInternet, he replies telling her he is e mailing supplies and says its verydemanding work. She asks if she can have a go but he tells her there is nopoint and if he did show her she would forget. She thanks him for remindingher that she is thick.

Factory and Sally asks Danny if they should do something to remember Mike.Danny replies saying they are having a funeral. Sally tells him she wasmeaning something here as this place was every thing to Mike. She suggests aminute's silence. He tells them a minutes work would be more productive.

Kabin again and Norris shuts down the computer and tells Rita he is away tohis dentist appointment. Ken comes in and they talk about Mike. Rita thenasks Ken if he will do her a favour.

Outside Liz tells Vernon that next time he wants to surprise her to just geta bunch of flowers. He says that's not him and he will have to ring Michelleto say they want it. They agree to fifty-fifty for the two months rent, asLiz does not want to be a kept woman till his band wins X-Factor. He thinkshe is having seconds thought but she tells him that's not the flat shewould have chosen but does want to move in with him.

Duckworth's Molly tells Tyrone her dad is out tonight and says Monster TruckRacing is on. Tyrone is amazed she thinks that. She laughs that it's just anexcuse to get him on his own and says he can stay over. She kisses him andunzips his top. He leaps up off the sofa saying he better go. She says theycan save themselves for later but he says he is on call out all night.

Back at the Flat Danny sees Leanne going through drawers. She tells him sheis going through Mike's stuff. He asks if she has found any thing worthnicking. She asks if that is what he thinks of her and says it has to bedone at some point. He shouts saying he should be doing that and when he isready. He apologises and says he is wound up.

Kabin again and Ken is saying that a computer is like a diary. Rita says itis a company tool and has a right to know. Ken asks what she wants him toand she says she wants to know what he's been up to and that he sends a lotof e-mails. Ken opens an e-mail from connections. He says its personal andcloses it but she opens it and reads out putting your heart online.

Outside at the bus stops a bus pulls up. Janice gets off with bags. The busdrives away and she has a smile on her face.

Kabin Ken thinks this is wrong but told to keep a lookout as she reads hisprofile, sophisticated, articulate bachelor with own retail outlet employingstaff of two. She thinks she is the cleaner and reads, avid reader of mindsas well as books, people person, discerning and tolerant and wants a lady ofsimilar interests. Minimum income 30k. Rita asks how she sends a reply so hethinks she wants a date. Ken says this has gone far enough but then tellsher to click on new.

Flat Leanne's mobile goes off. She picks it up and its Janice who says sheis going to come round later. She opens a drawer and then picks up a penthat looks expensive and puts it into her purse. Leanne is really happy andtells Janice she will see her later.

At the Cafe Kelly gets her order and as she goes Jo tells her to take thebag she gave her as Becky is giving her the evil eye. She though Becky wasgoing to beat her up and says she is a nutter. Vera tells Molly that Tyronelikes her just the way she is. Molly says he liked Maria the way she was.Molly says they are not close. Vera says he is not rushing her and does likeher.

Flat and Janice arrives and tells Leanne that Toyah is getting on great withher new job and man. Janice found neither and says the pay is lousy. Sheasks what happed to Mike. Leanne says she was looking after him all thetime, sometimes he didn't know who she was and thought she was hisgirlfriend as well. Janice joke's saying father and son is bad withouthaving the granddad.

Kabin and Ken tells Rita that he still objects to what she is doing. Shetells him it's just a bit of fun. Ken says accessing his computer andadopting a secret identity. Rita says he makes it sound exciting and shethinks she has done tell. Ken goes as Norris returns. He asks if any thinghas happened while he has been out. She says she heard the computer beep. Hegoes to check.

Rovers Bev sees Vernon and Liz looking for a flat and wishes the luck. Dannyenters and tells Bev that the hospital thinks Mike might have had a heartattack brought on by the pneumonia. He says, maybe it was a blessing indisguise as these things can drag on. Jamie tells him sacristy we wouldn'thave wanted that.

Duckworth's Vera tells Jack about Molly and tells him to have a word withTyrone. Jack says he knows nothing about male psychology. Vera says she after40 years she could open a clinic. He tells her if a man eats best steakone-day, and the next you put a sausage in front of him, he will eat thesausage. She asks who this is, him or Confucius. He replies him and that hehas tasted both. She asks what she is and says think hard as she has aknife. He says Prime Scottish fillet.

Rovers Bev tells Liz she is concerned for her. Liz says she knows what sheis letting her self in for and her past record with men hasn't been good.Bev says as long as she is happy. Jamie says Mike would still be there ifDanny and Leanne hadn't messed up. Adam tells Jamie he envies him forgetting close to him and says he was not close to Mike. Jamie tells him Mikeloved him.

Flat and Leanne is going through things. She takes out an atlas and when sheopens it a brown envelope falls out. She takes out some papers as Janicecomes out the shower. Leanne tells her she has found some papers and it's inSpanish. As she turns the next page it is in English. She is shocked as shetells Janice that it is Mike's will leaving everything to Adam.

Amanda Souter

part 2

Leanne is phoning Danny to tell him what she has found. He is occupiedhowever, with the arrival of Jamie and Adam, who want to do their share ofthe funeral. Leanne exclaims to Janice that Danny has hung up on her. Janiceis a bit confused, in a dramatic twist, so Leanne fills her in oneverything. Janice's intelligent judgment finally allows us to grasp thereality of the situation...the latest will renders the other willsworthless.

Norris is fiddling around on the computer and hastily logs off when Ritachecks up on him. He flusters to her that he is embracing technology,something which she should get used to. He then adds that he will need toleave the Kabin early as he is going out. Rita enquires further, but he laysdown some advice that if she got out more she wouldn't be so interestedin other people's lives. Pot/kettle/black springs to mind.

Adam and Jamie update Danny on everything that has been done in preparationto mike's funeral and it is clear that they have in fact done more thantheir fair share, something which doesn't escape Danny's notice. He asks ifthere is anything left for him to do and passes Jamie a list of familymembers he can think of. Jamie tells him that there is nothing else needsdoing. Danny mentions that the will reading is due for Friday and Adam askshim why he is in such a hurry. Danny replies that once it's out of the waythen maybe they can get on with being a family. Adam and Jamie clearly don'tshare his sentiments

Leanne, meanwhile, is angry at Mike for writing the new will. As Leannevents her frustration at selfish Mike, Janice asks who else knows about thewill. Leanne answers that only the two of them know about it.

Norris is hurrying out of the door and Rita again enquires to where he isgoing. Snobby Norris claims that, unlike her drinks with Emily in theRovers, he has a social life.

After visiting a flat, Vernon and Liz appear not to be keen as they listit's seemingly copious amounts of disadvantages. Once this exhaustive listis complete, however, they both admit that, despite it's fault, they likedit

Janice is still counselling Leanne, being the expert on love and financesthat she is. She asks Leanne if she loves Danny and Leanne quickly repliesthat he is the one. Janice replies that it's up to her what she does withthe will. She is in control.

Norris waits for his date and steps up to greet someone, who walks rightpast him to a different suitor.

In the Rovers, Kelly confronts Becky and tells her that Joanne paid for thebag. Becky shrugs and replies that no harm is done, it was just amisunderstanding. Kelly orders her to apologise to Joanne.

Molly invites Molly to her empty place to get cleaned up after a day atwork, but he nervously tells her that it wouldn't make sense, what with allof his clean items residing at the Duckworth residence

Norris is still waiting at his table when Rita enters, to his horror. Sheasks if he is on his own and he replies that he is waiting for someone.Somewhat cruelly, Rita asks if it's a Rachel Sinclair, and it becomesobvious what's happened. Poor Norris! As she tells him that she was the onesending the emails, he gets up and goes to leave. She tells him it was justa joke but her conscience nags her and she asks him to stay for dinner. Hereplies that he will if she pays!

Janice is about to burn the new will but then hands it to Leanne. She tellsLeanne that Danny might change his mind upon seeing it and let Adam haveeverything but Leanne is as convinced as us that this is unlikely. Janicepoints out that if she keeps the will secret, then if Danny were to leaveher, she could take everything from him. Leanne snaps at her that this isunnecessary as she trusts him

When Becky apologises to her, Joanne says that she would have probably donethe same if she thought she had stolen something from Kelly. Becky hissesthat she would never steal anything from Kelly, but then, seeing Joanne'sreaction she forces a laugh and says she is only joking.

Liz and Vernon announce to Steve and Ronnie that they will soon be movingout.

Jack tells Tyrone that he has just seen Molly outside, looking upset. Tyronetells him that she invited him back to her place, lagers and all. jackwonders why he didn't jump at the opportunity.

Rita admits to Norris that she thought he was happy. He bitterly repliesthat he has had two failed marriages and spends his life in a shop. Thatisn't his idea of happiness. He tells her that his problem is that he is tooenquiring and when he turns the questions on himself, he doesn't like theanswers he comes up with.

Jack asks Tyrone if he shows Molly how he feels physically. Tyrone snaps athim that there doesn't have to be a rush. Jack tells him that taking it slowis fine..so long as there is actual movement.

Danny enters the pub and asks Adam and Jamie if he can join them. Jamiecoldly replies that he can't. Danny admits to him that he is hurting him butJamie is unmoved. Frankie comes in and he offers her a drink but she tellshim he is with Jamie. As rejected Danny goes to leave, Frankie turns andasks him how he is. He smiles before he leaves and tells her is coping.

Rita asks Norris what he wants and he tells her not sympathy, pity or help,just someone to share time with, with similar interests. Rita kindly tellshim that she will help him find a companion.

Line of the evening comes from Danny as he comes home and sees Janice. 'Stoneme! I know they say women turn into their mothers but not that fast!'Leanne comes through and tells him that Janice is only staying a few days.Danny tells Janice she has to be nice and she agrees, so long as he is niceto Leanne. Danny rants about how everyone is as thick as thieves and asLeanne is about to tell him about the will, Frankie's name crops up as hesays she was the only one nice to him. Leanne, scowling, replaces the willin her bag and tells him that, come Friday, everything will be theirs. Dannyreplies, not altogether convinced that that must mean happily ever after.Leanne hugs him and tells him that that sounds good to her.

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: David Lane
Directed by: Duncan Foster

Liz, Ronnie and Steve are all doing the heavy workinvolved in moving Liz and Vernon's stuff to the newflat. Vernon can't get involved himself – 'Wrist,' heexplains to Ronnie. Liz tells Norris and Eileen, whoare looking on, that 'I haven't been as nervous asthis since me wedding day – both of 'em!'

Leanne's still pondering the Spanish will (sheobviously got a better education at Weatherfield Compthan we previously would have guessed at), but isdistracted by Danny who has been distracted by walkingin on Janice in the shower. Ugh. While he goes off toget his own shower in peace, Janice reminds Leanne notto say anything about the will because it could comein handy at some point.

At the Battersby-Brown residence, Chesney and Les arethinking about joining a lads and dads ten-pin bowlingleague. Chesney is tidying up because the socialworker is due to visit about the adoption, and Cilla(who is painting her nails) tells Les that there's nochance of him being part of a dads and lads leagueonce the social worker knows he was lying about hiscriminal record.

Janice has made a heck of a mess of Danny's espressomachine, but she looks like she could easily get usedto the world of frothy coffee. Leanne is feelinginclined to tell Danny about the alternative will, toshow him what a team they are, but Janice thinks itwould be better to give him a photocopy and keep theoriginal – so if he messes Leanne about, she'll haveit as an insurance policy.

Cilla and Les are at t'Rovers, and Les is lookingparticularly dashing in a fuchsia shirt, tie and darkjacket. He asks Bev for two pints, but Cilla says hecan't be breathing beer fumes on t'social worker andorders orange juice instead. They sit down to rehearsewhat they're going to say, but they're not feelingoptimistic.

Leanne comes to the factory, and at first puzzlesDanny by going on about how they got together: itwasn't very romantic, she says, but they're good now,aren't they? Danny says they're good as gold. Leannehands him the will. His face goes from smiling toserious: 'Where did you get this?' he says.

The social worker has arrived at theBattersby-Browns,' with a very thick file – Cilla's.Cilla points out there have hardly been any entriessince she met Les, and Chesney says, 'She's hardlygone off at all since she met him.''You make me sound like a bomb!' simpers Cilla.The social worker asks Chesney to get her a glass ofwater. 'What don't you want me to hear?' he says, andCilla tells him to do as he's told. Then the socialworker mentions Les's criminal record. Cilla says heforgot: 'You get like that when you're over fifty.'The social worker says that you don't forget prison,and the last time was only four years ago. Les saysthat was a stitch up, and the copper hit him.'And slept with his wife!' Chesney adds from thekitchen, an intervention which Cilla does little tohelp by yelling at him like a fishwife. The socialworker gives Cilla a look and Cilla says, 'I can seethat look on your face, lady. You come here to judgeus when all you know about life were learned from abook. The social worker says she'll leave it there,and she'll be in touch. She gets up to go, but Chesneycomes back into the room. 'I know me mam's been arubbish mam,' he says, 'The worst ever. But sinceshe's been with Uncle Les she's been alright, andUncle Les, he's great.'The social worker says she'll bear it in mind. Shegoes, leaving Les looking shell-shocked and Chesneymiserable.

At the factory, Danny is in a right state about thenew will. He wonders where the original is. Leannesays she's looked everywhere, and Danny says he hopesLippy doesn't know about this because if anyone findsout they're done for. He sends her back home to lookagain while he searches the office.

At the cab office Ronnie and Eileen are teasing Steveabout not wanting to sleep in the flat alone now hismummy has run off with a rock star. Steve says thathe'd hardly call Vernon a rock star: 'His audiencesthrow bus passes at him, not knickers.' He thinksRonnie should give up her flat and move in with himproperly, but she says she likes somewhere to slob outin, and when she's at Steve's it's special.

Chesney's in tears. Les tells him that even if hecan't adopt him it doesn't change anything, andthey're still a family. Chesney says Les shouldn'thave lied, as liars always get found out unlessthey're really good at it like Cilla. Les says hepanicked, because adopting Chesney meant so much tohim. Chesney isn't convinced. 'We're still Les andChes,' Les says, belatedly adding, 'And Cilla.''But you won't be my dad,' Chesney says, and runs offupstairs.

Tyrone arrives home to be welcomed by Jack and Vera, aplate of fish and chips and some awkward questionsabout his love life: Molly's such a lovely girl, whydoesn't he fancy her? Tyrone says he does. 'I'm theproblem, not her,' he says.

Danny's practically taken the office apart, but hasn'tfound the original of the will. He rings Leanne andtells her to do the same to the flat – he needs toknow where it is before he goes to the solicitor's.

We see Leanne and Janice out in the Street, and Leanneis telling Danny on the phone that she's just poppedout for some bin bags, and she hasn't said a wordabout the will to Janice. Janice spots Les and Cillacoming out of their house, and points at them andlaughs. Les is shocked to see Janice, and Cilla isimmediately suspicious that he knew Janice was back inWeatherfield. She decides they won't go to the Roversbut will go to the Wethy Arms instead – and he'sbuying.

Jack and Vera are telling Tyrone that Molly thinksthat she doesn't measure up to Maria. He confessesthat when he discovered Maria thought he was 'hairy,fat and minging' it knocked his confidence and hethinks Molly will think the same about him. Vera tellshim that he should tell Molly this on Friday night,when Jack is taking her out (this is news to Jack) sothat Molly and Tyrone will have the house tothemselves.

Janice and Leanne are in the Rovers. Bev says Janiceis welcome back as long as there isn't a repeatperformance of last time she was in there. Tyrone andJack come into the pub, and Jack mentions that hecan't really afford to take Vera out on Friday, andsays twenty five quid should cover it. Molly arriveswhile Tyrone is handing over the cash and wants toknow what they're up to. Jack says it's just a littlegamble, and Tyrone's 'onto a winner.'

Steve looks so cute in oven gloves. He's cooking anice meal for Ronnie, they've got wine, they've gotcandles – and they've got company. Liz and Vernonarrive back. Their landlord has taken exception to thedrums and has thrown them out.

Back at the Rovers, Tyrone invites Molly over onFriday night, and tells her Jack and Vera are goingout. She says 'that'll be nice.'

It's dark outside, and Leanne comes to the factory tofind Danny still looking for the missing deed. 'Youknow what's riding on this, duncha?' he says.'Everything.' Leanne says maybe Mike shredded theoriginal. Danny says there might be more than oneoriginal – Mike could have had his Spanish lawyer senda copy over to his English lawyer. Adam might have acopy already, and be waiting till they all meet forthe reading of the Will to shove it in Danny's face.And, remembering that Mike went to visit Mark, Dannyeven wonders if there might be a third will leavingeverything to Mark. 'I could lose everything,' he says.

Sue Haasler

It's the morning of the will reading, and Danny is edgy and snappy. He'sconvinced Janice has been mucking up his coffee machine (he's right!) as hiscappuccino is flat. Leanne urges him to calm down, telling him thateverything will be all right."What, with coffee or life as we know it?" hesnaps. She tells him,"Life as we know it." He tells her that thisafternoon life as they know it could well come to an end. He goes out for awalk.

Over at the Barlow's, Adam isn't sure he wants to go to the solicitors. Kenreminds him that the solicitor has said that Adam is a beneficiary, and hedoesn't know for certain that Mike changed his will. Adam isn't so sure,"Hethought I was having an affair with Penny," he says. Ken thinks that Mikewas up and down all the time and probably forgot all about it once Adam hadgone. "Not with Danny there to remind him," says Adam, grimly.

Back at the Quays, Janice comes out of the bathroom raving about the powershower."I feel like I've been massaged all over by some hunky bloke!" shesays. She notices that Leanne isn't looking so cheerful and wants to knowwhat the matter is."It's pay day today, isn't it?" she asks."Yeah," saysLeanne,"but who's going to get the wages?" She then explains thataccording to Danny once a will is made there are copies, and they don't knowwhere they are. Janice wonders why they didn't think of that, and suggeststhat maybe Mike lost them. "Or sent one to his solicitor, or to that slimygit who will cop the lot," moans Leanne. Janice thinks that if Adam had acopy he would be crowing about it, but Leanne reckons he could be playinghis cards close to his chest."I'm not kidding, Jan," says Leanne,"thistime tomorrow we might not even have a roof over our heads, let alone apower shower!"

Over at the Battersby's, Cilla has a day off and wants to know where Les istaking her. He tells her he isn't, he's taking Chesney fishing. Chesneycomes in at this point,"Uncle Les once caught a fish this wide!" he says,stretching his arms open wide."Uncle Les says men are the hunter gatherers,while women stay home and cook!" He then informs Cilla that she can cookthe fish when they bring them home. Cilla's rather doubtful but Les assuresher that all one needs is a bit of skill and know how. Cilla goes to thefridge and screams,"Oh yes, and maggots," adds Les.

Out in the street, Audrey is off out for the day with Keith, but tells Gailthat she'll stay with her if she'd like her to. Gail assures her she'll befine and tells her to have a good time. As they set off, Audrey tells Keiththat tomorrow is Gail's birthday and she's a bundle of nerves. Keith doesn'tthink Gail looks that old, but Audrey explains that she's worried about whoshe might get a card from.

Outside the factory, Danny comes across Adam, who tells him he's justlooking at his inheritance."Well, half of it you mean," says Danny, andsuggests they draw a chalk line down the middle, he'll take the office, Adamcan have the aggro."You know, if we're going to work together maybe weshould have tried a bit harder when Mike was still alive," he says. Adamthinks it's a bit late for Danny to be having regrets."It's never too lateto have regrets, son, trust me," says Danny,"See you this afternoon." As hewalks off Adam mutters,"Yeah, can't wait!"

Across the road, Molly tells Tyrone she's really looking forward to theirevening together, and asks if he is too."Yeah, can't wait," he mumbles andrushes indoors, leaving Molly standing there looking confused.

Audrey isn't too pleased to find out that Keith's 'picnic on the waterfront'actually meant sitting at the side of the canal while he fishes. He laughsand tells her to stop wittering, and she won't be complaining when she's gota nice bit of bream for her tea. She tells him she's not eating anythingthat comes out of the canal, there's all sorts in there."Rubbish," scoffsKeith."Exactly!" replies Audrey.

Just then, who should come along but Les and Chesney. Keith says that hedidn't know Les fished, and Les says that he doesn't get a lot of time butlikes to keep his hand in. Chesney tells Keith about the huge fish Lescaught, and opens his arms wide again. Keith laughs and says they've allcaught one of those."What was it?" he asks Les. Caught off guard, Lesmumbles,"Oh…er…a cod I think!" "Came ready battered did it?" laughs Keith,and asks what bait Les is using. Les tells him,"Maggots." Keith says thathe's using bread and Les chortles that they're fish, not ducks."You callyourself a professional? Come on Chesney, let's show them how it's done!"

Back home, Danny tells Leanne about his meeting with Adam."You should haveseen him, cocky as anything," he says, and is convinced Adam knows about thewill and how everything is coming to him. Leanne says that if Adam does getMike's share of the factory Danny will have to make an effort to get alongwith him, but Danny reckons that if that happens he won't be stickingaround."I'd rather sell up for a pittance than stick around and have tocarry him," he declares.

Back at the canal, Les and Chesney aren't having much luck. Keith suggeststhey try further out, but Les says when he wants his advice he'll ask forit."Don't worry," he assures Chesney,"we'll catch one in a minute."Chesney stares up at Les,"You haven't really ever been fishing before, haveyou Uncle Les?" he says knowingly, and Les confesses that he hasn't becausehe only ever had girls, Leanne and Toyah. He wanted this to be different, hewanted them to do things together, boy's stuff. He assures Ches that he'sgoing to be around all the time, and that the fishing stuff is over rated.Chesney agrees. Suddenly, Les's rod jerks,"Flamin'ell!" he cries,"see,"he tells Chesney,"I told you we'd catch one!" Just then a man comes alongand congratulates them, and then asks to see their licence. Les looks blank,he didn't know they needed a licence.

At the solicitor's, everyone sits in tense silence as they wait for thereading of the will. Danny tells Jamie he's glad that Mike has left himsomething."He deserves it, doesn't he, Frank?" he says to Frankie. No-onespeaks, they all just glare at him. Just then the solicitor comes and tellsthem he's ready now, so Danny, Jamie and Adam go into the office, leavingKen, Frankie and Leanne outside in the waiting room. Frankie glares atLeanne,"I don't know what you're doing here," she says,"you're hardlyfamily." Leanne says she's there to support Danny."Hoping he'll supportyou, more like," retorts Frankie. Leanne says that Mike looked on her as adaughter in law.

In the office, the solicitor reads out what is assumed to be Mike's lastwill and testament. Warren and Jamie are to get five thousand pounds each,Adam is to get ten thousand pounds, and Danny gets – well, everything else:the apartment at the quays, the villa in Spain, all remaining cash andshares and, of course, Mike's 51 percent share of Underworld. Adam gets upand marches out of the room, and on out of the front door. Ken calls afterhim and follows him. Jamie comes out and Frankie asks him what happened."Hegot the flamin' lot, didn't he?" says Jamie, obviously disgusted. Dannytries to say that it was all as big a surprise to him as to them, but Jamieisn't impressed and goes the same way as Adam, and Frankie follows him.Leanne, of course, is delighted, as she looks at Danny with pound signs inher eyes."Congratulations!" she cries, but Danny doesn't seem as happy asshe is."Later, eh?" he says, and walks off.

Over at the Battersby's, Cilla is furious as she puts a fish and chip supperdown on the table."Hunter? Gatherer? It's a good job one of us is." Lessays that he's sorry and Chesney says it's ok, but Cilla isn't placated.Apparently Les was fined 130 pounds for fishing without a licence."We couldhave had a holiday for that, never mind a day out," she rages. She tells Leshe's useless, but Chesney says he's not and he still wants to adopt him."Doyou mean that?" asks Les in amazement. Cilla isn't sure they'll still lethim, but Les tells him,"If they do, I'll never let you down again."

In the Rovers, Ken and Deirdre tell Adam that they can't believe Mike woulddo such a thing. Ken tells him that he saw Mike just after Adam left andMike didn't seem to remember anything about them falling out. Adam isconvinced that Danny wouldn't have let Mike forget. Deirdre says that Dannywouldn't have known what was in the will, but Jamie reckons Danny probablydictated it, saying that he wouldn't leave anything like that to chance.Frankie tells Jamie that she knows he hates his dad, but he can't blameeverything on Danny, and Mike was free to leave it to whoever he wanted."Just coincidence then, was it?" asks Jamie.

In the Duckworth residence, Tyrone and Molly are finishing their meal ofpizza. As they both get up to take their plates to the sink at the sametime, he tells her to sit down. She smiles seductively at him,"Why don't weboth sit down?" she suggests, but Ty tells her there's pudding yet, and shesighs and sits down again.

Danny and Leanne arrive at the Rovers with Janice in tow, who wants to orderchampagne. (What impeccable taste she has!) Danny, however, quietly ordersthe usual drinks. Adam leaps up from his table, snarling,"I'm going to killhim!" but is restrained by Ken who says he will go and talk to him. He thengoes and asks Danny for a word in private and Leanne and Janice move away.He says that Danny must know that this wouldn't have happened if Mike hadn'tbeen ill, as he always intended to leave his share of the factory to Adam,so urges Danny to do the decent thing and give Adam his share of thebusiness. Danny however, is not going to be thwarted from his plan. He tellsKen that maybe Mike left it to him because he's older and more experienced.Ken retorts that maybe he was being influenced, and then suggests that thisis Danny's chance to put things right."Sorry," says Danny,"no can do."Ken tells him that Adam is his brother."Well, you can't pick yourrelatives, can you?" says Danny."No," snaps Ken,"otherwise I'm sure yourson wouldn't have picked you." Danny tells Ken he'll pretend he didn't hearthat, and as Ken goes back to sit down Danny tells Leanne and Janice to stayand enjoy themselves, but he has to go.

Molly eventually persuades Tyrone to come and sit on the sofa with her."Give us a snog then," she says, and they kiss. She goes to unbutton hisshirt, but he immediately jumps up and says,"Er….I'll just switch off thelights." Molly says,"Why, so you can pretend I'm Maria?" Tyrone isshocked,"What?" he says, but Molly says she'll go. It seems that whenTyrone was doing the Surprise the Bride competition all he could say aboutMaria was that she was beautiful, but Molly feels that she's not beautiful.Tyrone confesses that he only said that because he couldn't think ofanything else to say, Maria isn't kind, or funny, they didn't even have thesame interests. She didn't make him feel like the luckiest bloke in theworld, but Molly does, and she's all of those things. (Ahh!) "So….what? Areyou just shy, or…..?" Molly begins, and Tyrone confesses that he's scared,afraid that if she sees him starkers she'll go off him. He's hairy, althoughhe tried to wax himself….. Molly smiles and tells him she loves hairy men,the hairier the better! They then fall into each other's arms!

Exhibiting the very worst taste, Leanne and Janice noisily order champagnein the Rovers, while Ken, Jamie and Adam look on with stony faces.

Over in the factory, Danny lets himself in as the phone is ringing. Theanswering machine cuts in with Mike's voice, telling the caller to leave amessage. Danny goes over to the phone and presses a button, and then changesthe message,"Hi, this is Danny Baldwin, leave a message and I'll get backto you."

Anne Logan.

Audrey arrives at the salon to find Maria waiting outside. She hands herthe keys with instructions to open up, while she goes to see Gail as it'sher birthday. Across the road they see Tyrone dressed very nattily indressing gown and ankle boots, bidding goodbye to Molly after their nighttogether.

Audrey arrives at Gail's and gives her a card, and asks whether the post hasbeen yet. "No," says Gail, "not yet." David comes downstairs and realiseshe's forgotten Gail's birthday. "Pretend you haven't seen me," he says, andrushes away.

Over at the Quayside apartment, Leanne remarks that she hates funerals, andthen tells Danny and Janice that she's not going to go to Mike's. She feelseveryone will be staring at her thinking that she couldn't wait for Mike todie so she could get her hands on his money. Danny asks, "What about me? Imight want you there." But Leanne won't be swayed.

David is choosing a card in the Kabin when Norris comes in and tells Ritathat he's meeting someone for lunch. Rita enquires as to whether this is afemale that he's met on the internet and he tells her it is. "So you've notactually met face to face?" asks Rita. "So now you're going to tell me it'syou again!" says Norris, but Rita assures him that it isn't. He tells her itwasn't funny the first time round, and the second time he would regard it asunforgivable. David pays for his card and goes out, and Norris goes to thecomputer in the back room, telling Rita that the name of his date is Sandra.However, she's misspelled 'mutually' – he hopes it isn't a sign ofignorance.

David walks in the kitchen door at home and puts the large card he's justbought in front of his mum. Audrey takes Sarah off to the salon, tellingGail to be sure to let her know when the post arrives. She's sure therewon't be any more mysterious cards from 'Richard' but will feel better whenshe's heard from Gail.

Danny and Leanne are discussing Mike's will in hushed tones so that Janicedoesn't hear. Danny tells Leanne that Mike went of his own accord to thesolicitor, he doesn't understand why everyone is pointing the finger at him."Because you've got the money and they haven't," Leanne points out. He feelshe should go and explain to everyone. Leanne suggests they meet up for adrink later. "It would be nice to see YOU," says Danny, pointedly. Leannesays that she can't just leave Janice on her own. After he's gone, Janicetries her best to convince Leanne that she should be at Danny's side duringthe funeral, so people will think they're a proper couple.

In the Duckworth household, Vera wants to know where Molly is and whethershe'll be returning that night. Jack tells her to keep her nose out, butVera replies that it's a good job she kept her nose in, otherwise Tyronewould be miserable now, instead of having a smile on his face. Vera warnshim that he must stick up for himself now, "Or you'll be bossed about forthe rest of your life," adds Jack.

Danny arrives at the Barlow's, but finds that although Ken and Deirdre arethere, Adam has taken Blanche out. He points out to them that he is Mike'seldest son. "Sol therefore we shouldn't be surprised that Mike lefteverything to you, that's it, is it?" says Ken, with quite an edge to hisvoice, and goes on to say that while they might not be surprised, it doesn'tstop a lot of people from thinking it's downright wrong. "Wrong on whosepart?" asks Danny, "mine or Mike's? Because I did not draw up that will.""The question is," asks Ken, "why did Mike want you to have it?" He pointsout that Danny and his lady friend had effectively taken total control ofhim. The proof is there in every line of the will.

In the Kabin, Rita can't wait to tell Emily about Norris's date, but Norrisrefuses to divulge where he's taking her, or indeed, anything about her.

Danny leaves Ken's house and sees Jamie in the street. He asks if Frankieis, just as Nathan leaves Frankie's house. He does not look at all happy ashe walks away, telling Jamie to tell Frankie he'll be over in ten minutes.

The postman drops the mail through Gail's letterbox. She picks it up and isshaken when she finds another card from Richard Hillman. She phones Audreyat the salon who says she'll be straight over. Sarah decides to go with her,and when Maria gets huffy about being left alone, she tells her about thecards. Audrey is shocked and tells Maria to keep it to herself.

Danny arrives at Frankie's and tries to tell her and Jamie that as he's thebeneficiary they will benefit in the long run. Jamie wonders if Leanne knowsthat there won't be anything left for her. Danny demands to know why heshould suddenly mention Leanne, and then says that he has told her not tocome to the funeral. He tries to tell them that he was not responsible forthe way the will was written, but they don't seem convinced.

Janice is still doing her best to convince Leanne to go to the funeral, butshe is still not keen, until Janice points out that Frankie will be there,standing beside Danny.

Back at Gail's, she and Audrey, David and Sarah are trying to work out whowould have sent the card. "It's not Phil," says Gail, she can't see whatreason he would have. "So who is it?" asks Sarah. Gail says she doesn'tknow but it must be someone who really hates her.

In the Rovers, Molly tells Tyrone how she told her father where she'd been.Over at a table, Emily and Rita are discussing Norris and his currentpenchant for meeting up with ladies contacted via the internet. "What is helooking for?" asks Rita. Emily thinks it's companionship, but Rita wondersif it's just S-E-X. "Oh dear!" says Emily.

Leanne meets up with Danny in the pub, and she has Janice in tow. She tellshim that she's changed her mind and now she wants to come to the funeral soshe can stand next to him.

Diggory knocks at Vera's door, and asks if he can have a word with her andJack, inside their home, where his daughter spent last night. "Myfirstborn, until now unfamiliar with the ways of men," he says pompously."She lost forever her Legion of Mary Good Conduct Medal." "She stopped overyou mean," says Jack. He tells them that his great grandfather wasSicilian, "And you know what they say, don't you?" he says. Jack and Verastare at him. "What?" "They say..." says Diggory, "lets all go and have adrink!" Vera bursts out laughing.

Norris has arrived back at the pub much earlier than expected. Rita andEmily feel it must be a bad sign.

Danny tells Leanne that if she's going to come to the funeral she has tobehave, and so does Janice.

Norris sits down with Emily and Rita, and confesses that 'Sandy' had a laughlike a hyena and a voice like a foghorn. "You just walked out and left her?"asks Emily, and Norris says that he didn't want to prolong the agony. He'snow decided that in future he's going to send out questionnaires before hemeets them.

Diggory and the Duckworths have met up with Molly and Tyrone. Diggory has aquestion for Tyrone. "Have you ever considered baking?" Molly hides herface, horrified. Vera says Tyrone can't even make a slice of toast.Diggory says he's got a shop and he's looking for a son in law to take itover. "Yes, well he's not your son in law, he's my boyfriend," says Molly,"and he's not been that for long." Diggory feels it would give Tyronesomething to think about.

Ken and Deirdre come in and see Danny with Leanne and Janice. "They say youcan tell a man by the company he keeps," remarks Ken, and wonders aloud ifMike had the slightest idea of the mess he was going to leave behind.

Anne Logan.

Part 1

Outside the Barlow household Ken and Adam come out and head across thestreet. Over at the Kabin Rita is putting up a sign that says they areclosed due to a funeral of a dear friend. Norris is telling her that he toldthe delivery driver of the papers that they did cancel the order. He thentells her since he was up at that time he just checked his e-mails and sayshe got two replies. Ken and Adam approach then and Ken says Adam needs anenvelope. Norris takes him in to get one as Rita asks how Adam is. Ken sayshe is hurt and Angry. Ken says Danny is blaming Mike and that if he startsthat to day. Adam thanks Rita for the envelope. As Ken goes as well Norrisgoes back to his Internet dates saying he will only see one of them.

Flat and Leanne says black is miserable. He asks her what she wants to wearand says she wants to were white. He tells her them looking as if they aregoing up the aisle like John Travolta and Olivia Newton John is not going tokeep things civil. He tells her if it's too miserable for her then to stayat home. She says she's coming so he tells her if any of them start she justsmiles and walks away or there will be another hole dug for him. Janicecomes through and says she didn't want to wear black as its too miserable.

Out in the street Chesney is asking Fiz to come and see the social worker.She tells him she has to go to the funeral but he says she could come after.She tells him she can't sit there and say nice things about their mum as sheput her in care. Chesney says she can lie but Fiz won't. Chesney says thatsaying his mum is rubbish is not going to stop his mum being his mum, but itmight stop Les being his dad. Audrey and Keith knock on the Platt's door.Keith tells Audrey that all she can do is think about the good times. Gail'snot dressed but tells them to come in.

Platt's household Gail says she only has coffee. Keith is sent to getteabags. Gail looks terrible and says she she's not coming to the funeral,as she didn't sleep last night. Audrey tells her that going to the funeralmight help take her mind off things and put the cards into some perspective.Gail tells her she does not think a graveyard is going to do that and thather head if full of ghosts.

Out in the street Janice is compiling about the Black top she's borrowed.Frankie comes out her door and tells Danny that Leanne is a bit smart forgoing to the pub. Leanne says she is going to the funeral to support herboyfriend. Frankie angry says he told Jamie that she was going to stay awayand that it was family only. Leanne says he might have bossed her about buythey have an equal relationship. Danny tells Janice and Leanne to get thedrinks in. He tells Frankie he told Leanne not to come but she is annoyedthat he told his son one thing and did another. Danny asks her to tell Jamiethat he's sorry but Frankie tells him to tell Jamie himself. Adam justlooks at Danny thought the window.

At the Barlow's Adam tells Ken, Danny can't leave his house with out causingan argument. Ken tells him to stay out Danny's way today. Adam repliessaying Danny better stay out of his way. Deirdre says that they will sortthings and for him not to look back on today wishing her had put it to oneside. He says he is going for a walk.

Rovers and Janice gets a safety pin from Shelley. Leanne asks Danny if hereally said that to Jamie that she was not to come. He says, at the time shesaid she was not coming. Janice then comes saying she might leave her jacketon. He tells her to give it a rest as he may look in a good mood but he'snot. Bev tells Shelley and Jenny that Fred would not touch this bottle ofscotch as Mike opened it just before he died. Shelley says it just be hardto Jenny. She says that she did most of her grieving when Mike was stillhere. Adam then comes in and Danny offers him his hand and says Mike's day.He shakes his hand. Jamie just comes in saying they are here but wont shakeDanny's hand and walks out.

Out in the street a bell tolls mournfully, two black horses come round thecorner. Most of the residents come out their houses. Everyone in the Roverscomes out. The horses slowly walk along with Mike's coffin. They comes to astop. Janice says to Fiz, are the pearly king and queen coming as well fromseeing the horses. Archie Shuttleworth pops his head up and Blanch isshocked. Adam sees the floral tribute laid alongside the coffin that saysdad. Jamie opens the first car's door but as Danny and Leanne climb in hewalks away to the second one. He says to Frankie that he thought she was notcoming.

Outside the church Fred is asking Dev what year it was in Spain Mike boughtthe villa. He cant remember and is called away to help take the coffin.Archie tells the bearers that the two tallest should be at the back. Jamiedoes not look keen to be next to his dad. Archie tells them they can eithersupport the casket on their shoulders or put their arms round each other.Jamie tells Archie no so he tells him he will just have to go down to hisdads level. Archie adds to share the burden. Jamie says that will be afirst. Blanch tells Norris she can't wait to see Audrey's face when she seesArchie. Audrey is surprised as Gail arrives. She tells her she was beingselfish and had to pay her respects. Both of them are surprised to seeArchie. Danny, Dev, Jamie and Adam take the coffin out and start slowlywalking to the church. There is an organ playing music from the church.

At the Salon Sarah is talking to Jason. He tells her that his mum thinksthat Danny had it planed all along to be nice to him at the very end. Sarahis doing Tracy's nails. Tracy tells she is paying for her attention and forher to stop dividing it. Jason says he better go and Sarah tells him not to.Tracy sarcastically says please do. As he goes Tracy tells her she can startagain as that is a state. Sarah tells her no way so Tracy says she is notpaying for them and gets up and goes. Sarah shouts on her and goes afterher.

Church and the hymn ends and everyone sits down. Fred gets up and goes tosay a few words. He says, "Oh dear. I was going to tell you what a barrowboy from the east end of London had achieved with his life. That's what Iwas 'going' to tell you, but all I can think about is what I am going tomiss" Just then Mark comes in and sit at the back. "My friend Michael, theone I used to sit up with till the early hours because one of us had adisaster or had made a terrible mistake. No strangers to disasters ormistakes, me and him, but nowt that a good bottle of malt wouldn't seem tomake softer" There is a picture of Mike on a table. "Or we'd smoke one ofhis best Havana cigars if we had something to celebrate. We had one whenPenny moved in with him. We were due another soon, I'm getting married, see?He were going to be my best man. He'll be there though, somehow. The dead,never really die, do they? They live on in our hearts, and in our minds.Thank you Michael" Fred then starts to sob and says sorry as he can't go on.

Yard and Jason tells Charlie they need hard hats as Tracy is coming. He getson and makes a fast get away. Tracy asks Charlie what he is doing later andhe asks what she has in mind. She asks him to look after Amy. He says Stevewas going to take her but Tracy says its just till he finishes work as sheis not handing her to Ronnie. He says she is not handing her to him either.Tracy says fine and goes.

Church and Danny is not talking. "I thought I lost my dad last year. I did.That was Harry, the man I called Dad. But through losing him I found thisfella. The man I knew as Uncle Mike. The man who, we all now know, is infact my real dad. I should have spotted it earlier maybe, we had similartraits. He gave me my first proper wage packet and he gave me my firstinspirational speech. By that I mean he gave me a proper rollocking. No easyticket from Uncle Michael" Adam and Jamie both glare at him. "But I seewhat he was trying to do now. He was teaching me. Teaching me businessskills, life skills, making sure I trod my own path. No handouts, no softshortcuts. And looking back now, I think his aim was to try and mould meinto a man he could trust. To make me into a man who would follow in hisfootsteps, who would build on what he has already built" Adam says to Pennyhe is twisted and everything he is saying is twisted as well. "Well Dad, Ihope I can do that"

Outside Sarah is at the door to Charlie's flat. Jason just comes and askswhat she is doing. Sarah tells him she is getting the 20 quid Tracy owes hergran for the nails. Jason tells her just to leave it. Sarah says she couldget her done for thieving. She then thinks Jason fancies her. He tells herhe doesn't but Sarah runs to knock on the door. He stops her and tells herTracy had an abortion. Sarah gasps and is all excited and asks when.

Church as they carry the coffin back to the hearse, Adam says to Danny, "Nosoft short cuts. No hand outs. Was that aimed at me?" Danny replies, "Didit never occur to you, and I mean this in a positive way, that Mike decidedto spend your inheritance on you while he was still here? The privateschool? The flash motor? And leave my dibs till later" Adam says, "It's notabout the money" Danny snaps, "Then lose the hard done by act son, becauseit is really starting to grate" Gail tells Audrey about Fred saying the deadnever died comment she wished he worded it differently. She says she isgoing home. Rita asks Audrey if she is okay and Audrey tells her about thecards that have been coming from someone signed by Richard. Archie goes overto say hello to Audrey and she tells him how nice it is to see him. He sayshe knows Mike was a dear friend to her. As he goes Keith says it's nice hetalks to people. Audrey gives a weak smile. Danny thanks the vicar for theservice when Adam asks if he has told him about how his dad would still bealive if it weren't to Danny. Danny asks him if this is what he went buy itsnot about the money. Adam tells him people live with Alzheimer's for years.Danny asks him what time he was going to come back and help. Adam says heturned Mike against him. Danny replies, "Come off it" and points to Penny,"He threw her out and she didn't vanish. You know why? Cos he was sick andshe loved him" Adam then asks if he's saying he didn't love his dad. Adamthen goes for him. Ken and Jamie pull them apart. Ken yells at Danny askingwhat he is doing and taking the factory off isn't enough. Ken says he's gotno parents now. Frankie is horrified and tells him shame on you Danny. Hesays they started on him but she just say again shame on you.

Amanda Souter

Cilla and Les are passing the social worker who has come to see Fiz and putting on their best act of 'happy family who haven't begged daughter to lie for them' Their best is hardly convincing but they do try, bless them.

Mike is being buried. After the vicar finishes his speech, Adam throws mud down onto the coffin and the funeral party disperse. Ken orders Danny to go away but Danny just wants to say a final farewell to his father. Ken also tells Janice and Leanne to go away but Janice argues that she has as much right as anyone to pay her respects to her late boss. Danny looks down at the coffin and offers a goodbye to Mike.

Chesney and Kirk make a hasty retreat and Fiz tells the social worker that, while Cilla is far from perfect, she has been good for Chesney recently and that is down to her meeting Les.

Adam, putting on his best impression of an actor, drops a sealed envelope onto Mike's coffin. i think he then breaks down into tears but I'm not altogether sure. penny is there to comfort him anyway.

Blanche asks Keith where Audrey is. he replies that she is just off to the salon and Blanche adds that she is surprised she isn't moonlighting with her old flame, Archie.

Sarah and Maria are gossiping about Tracy's abortion in the Salon and Audrey tells them off for talking about people's business in front of customers. Maria reasons that it's 'only Tracy Barlow'

Danny raises a toast to mike in the pub but is shot down by several glares from the other team.

Adam is lounging around in the factory when mark pops by. He says that this place is Mike all over and Adam replies that it won't be forever. When mark introduces himself, Adam accuses him of returning to see what he can get off Mike this time but Mark replies that he only here to make peace and see off his dad. Adam sees it as mark's fault that Mike would accuse him of stealing his girlfriend. mark tells him he can;t take responsibility and Adam must change things to make his peace with Mike. Adam replies that it is impossible. Danny has already won.

Audrey apologises to Archie for the way things turned out between them but before much of a conversation can develop, Blanche points Keith out to Audrey saying he is waiting for her.

Danny spots the factory girls and gives them the next morning off on condition they do what Mike would expect and get drunk. he orders champagne all round

Deirdre is breaking down to Liz, saying even though it was all so long ago, she is still upset over Mike's death and it has opened her eyes. She sobs that she's worried about ken and found herself mourning him before he's even gone

Blanche is now armed with more juicy information courtesy of Norris and brings up the Hillman cards with Audrey. Audrey replies that people would be much more interested in Tracy's abortion. leaving blanche looking bewildered, Audrey rejoins Keith and Archie...where the conversation is struggling...

It hasn't taken the factory girls long to get into party spirits and Danny asks round them what they liked most about mike. When the question lands on him, Kelly yells 'his will' in the earshot of an unimpressed Adam

Keith is storming off in a huff, clearly jealous of Archie. Tracy tells a dismissive Audrey that she isn't paying for her nails before joining Blanche. Tracy invites her back along for a drink and Blanche casually replies that it won't do Tracy any harm as she's no longer pregnant

Janice, taking things too far as per usual, climbs onto a table. half way through a slurred speech, she makes a further spectacle of herself when her top bursts, spilling her cleavage into full view. Danny walks over to Adam to offer an apology over the funeral but Adam refuses to accept it.

Janice is unceremoniously stumbling across the cobbles and Cilla can't resist having a pop. Janice lunges for her and Les is forced to keep the fighting 'ladies' apart. Right as this kicks off, the social worker is leaving her meeting with Fiz...and sees everything

As Tracy begs Blanche not to tell anyone about the abortion, the funeral guests arrive home, with Ken congratulating Adam on not rising to Danny. Adam says that there is no need to as he knows where to hurt Danny...his wallet. He reveals to the stunned onlookers that he plans to contest the will.

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: Catherine Hayes
Directed by: Tony Prescott

It's business as usual at Underworld, the day afterMike's funeral. Danny unlocks the factory and lets thegirls in (it must be Sean's week to stay in the CorrieCupboard, where they keep the actors who aren'tcurrently being used. The Lovely Craig has been inthere for ages and I'm not happy).

Gail is worried that the 'unhinged' person who sentthe cards may be a danger to Sarah, and she tellsSarah that she doesn't want her in the house on herown.

Keith and Audrey are outside the salon. He's not ahappy chappie because she spent so much time at Mike'swake talking to Archie. Audrey tells him not to be sosilly, and they go into the salon. Audrey tries toreassure Keith that Archie is just a friend. Theycan't talk about it any more as Sarah comes in, butthey arrange to meet at t'Rovers after Audrey shuts upshop.

At the Barlows, Blanche thinks it's time Adam pulledhimself together and stopped looking so miserable,even though Ken points out that it's only the dayafter Adam's father's funeral. Deirdre takes Blancheout to get her out of Adam's (rather bizarre) hair.Ken tells Adam he'll go with him to the solicitor's tofind out about contesting the will.

Tracy's having a go at Charlie for telling Jason (whotold Sarah who told Audrey who told Blanche etc) aboutthe abortion (that never happened, but only Tracyknows that. And possibly Ronnie). Charlie says itisn't important because letters from a dead man arethe hot gossip in the street and no-one will beinterested in Tracy. Tracy, understandably, is verykeen that her mother doesn't find out.

Janice and Leanne call in at the factory, mainly tolord it over the other girls. Kelly wonders if Janicehas come in to have the button sewn back on the shirtthat burst at the wake, and Sally makes some quipabout it not being much of a sight. Leanne says,'Youcan talk. Your chest came flat-packed and you haven'tput it together yet.'

Outside the cab office, Les is telling Claire that herecently picked up someone who looked just likeRichard Hillman. 'You mean he was about 40 with darkhair?' Claire clarifies, and says Les is making a foolof himself. Les spots Gail and tells her about thismystery man. Gail is understandably upset and tellsLes to leave her alone and walks off.

Steve stops his cab to ask Tracy if he can have Amyfor the afternoon. Tracy is distracted by the sight ofBlanche going into the Rovers, and tells Steve he cando what he likes.

At the factory Janice is getting on Danny's nerves. Hetells Leanne that he's also sick of having Janicehanging around the flat – he says there's only oneBattersby he's interested in. Leanne says she'll haveto break the news to Janice gently – over a drink atthe pub.

'I've been a terrible mother,' Tracy is tellingBlanche in t'Rovers. 'I haven't given Amy half thethings a child needs.''Like a father,' says Blanche, who goes on to commentthat Tracy probably only had an abortion because shedidn't want her figure ruined. Violet brings theirdrinks over, and asks Blanche what Richard Hillman waslike, and Blanche makes the very astute point that hewas so tight-fisted he wouldn't have wasted money ongreetings cards. She won't say anything else, soViolet goes. Tracy continues to try and explain toBlanche why she had an abortion – apparently it was sothat Amy would know she was Tracy's top priority.Blanche thinks a little brother or sister would begood for Amy, but Tracy says she won't take thatchance.' She comes first and last, and she alwayswill,' she says rather hilariously. Finally Blancheagrees to keep the abortion to herself and not tellDeirdre. 'I hope I'm doing the right thing,' she says.'Yes, you are,' says Tracy, relief all over her face.

Janice has taken the news that she's no longer wantedat the Quays rather well. She asks Leanne what sheshould do with the copy of Mike's will, and Leannesays she should hold on to it for the time being. Onthe way out Leanne calls goodbye to Les, who issitting with Rita and Emily. 'Two women on their ownwith Hillman on the loose,' he says dramatically. Ritapoints out that Hillman is dead, but Les advises themto keep their windows locked and their doors boltedjust in case. They're not impressed with his advice,particularly when Les reminds Emily that she was avictim of Hillman herself, so he goes off to issue hisdire warnings to Leanne and Janice instead. ThenArchie comes into the pub. Rita and Emily seem ratherthrilled to see him, and he says he wishes he hadn'tstayed away from t'Street for so long. He arranges tomeet them back at the Rovers at 6 o'clock.

Dinner time at the Barlows. Adam's not there, butDeirdre, Ken, Blanche and Tracy are all sitting downto eat. Deirdre thinks they should wait for Amy, butTracy says she told Steve to take her back toCharlie's. And if Charlie isn't there, Steve will hangon to her, which Tracy thinks would be good becauseshe and Charlie could really do with some time ontheir own. Blanche is giving Tracy a look whichsuggests that she's remembering Tracy's recent wordsabout Amy coming first and last. When Tracy says thatif Steve can't have her, Adam might sit with her, orEmily, Blanche has to ask who Tracy is going to palmAmy off on next. Then she says,'Maybe you did rightto abort the other one.''Have you had an abortion?' Deirdre asks Tracy.'Yes she has,' Blanche says,'But it were for the sakeof little Amy. So she didn't feel unloved andneglected. Buy her a drink and she'll tell you allabout it.' Ken tells Blanche to get her coat as he'staking her for a drink so Deirdre and Tracy can talk.

Adam is in the pub. Danny comes in, and tries to buyhimself some mates by getting the drinks in for hisemployees, but Adam tells him he'll be broke soon.Danny gets right up to him, and tells him in a quietyet menacing voice,'I'm on top of the world, me. Nowdo me a favour and go and annoy someone else.' He patsAdam's cheek. 'There's a good lad.' Adam says he'scontesting the will so Danny will soon have nothing.Danny blusters that he's inherited his father'sbusiness and all his assets, but Adam is staring athim in a way that lets you know he won't back out ofthis fight easily.

Norris and Rita are on their way to the Rovers to meetArchie, though Norris might also have a date laterwith one of his online dating women. 'There she is,'he says, looking over the road.'Who?' says Rita, looking round and seeing only Gailand Audrey.'Richard Hillman's wife,' Norris says. Audrey tellsGail she's sorry for letting it slip to Norris aboutthe cards.

Meanwhile Tracy is trying to justify the abortion toDeirdre. She says that Charlie didn't want a child ofhis own. She says she's really happy with Charlie butit's the wrong time to bring a child into the world.Deirdre says it's always the wrong time. Tracy saysshe couldn't have coped with another baby. Deirdregets all emotional and says she's sorry that shedidn't help Tracy when Tracy needed her.

Danny is on his way home, and Leanne is trying topersuade him that they need a night out to spend allthe money he's inherited. Danny says he isn't in themood – Adam knows about the will. Leanne says if thatwas true Adam would be waving the will in Danny'sface, and she has another go at persuading him to goout, but he refuses.

In the Rovers, Archie is holding an audience ofNorris, Rita, Emily and Audrey captivated with hishilarious anecdotes and reminiscences. Keith arrivesand is immediately embarrassed when he's told it's histurn to get a round in. He asks if there's a kitty,and Archie says they can't let the ladies pay fortheir own drinks and offers to get the round inhimself. Audrey gives Keith an evil look forembarrassing her.

Deirdre is still beating herself up about notsupporting Tracy in her hour of need. Tracy says shedoesn't deserve the sympathy, but Deirdre is in fullflow, and says Tracy is stuck with a mother she can'tconfide in. 'I'm so sorry,' Deirdre sobs. Tracy hugsher, guilty and appalled at what she's done.

Sue Haasler

Good evening. I am house sitting for the regular updater this eveningand I am pleased to report that all is in good order. Now I am a littleout of date with current best practice and nicknames so I apologise forusing those I can remember!

The events in Weatherfield are copyright ITV Productions these days.

We start this evening with the usually wonderfully equable sweettempered Tracy in an unusually foul mood. No let me start again. Thisevening the normally foul tempered Tracy is in an even worse mood thanusual. Amy's buggy refuses to bump up the kerb and she moans at Charliethat she needs a new one (why I am sure Amy is perfectly capable ofwalking). Charlie tells her to stop off at the cab office for a new setof wheels. She answers that he does not have to put his hand in hispocket (after all he is already £300 down for a new pair of shoes, sorryabortion). Amy has learnt how to throw her hat out of the pram (betterthan a dolly) and does so twice, Tracy's mood declines further. AnywayTracy tells Charlie that she is happy - after all she is living withboth him and her baby.

Along at the Barlows the abortion is the sole subject of discussion -Dreary uses an excuse to take the day off sick (if my staff even thinkof trying that I will be applying disciplinary steps). Anyway Drearyand Blanche argue over Tracy (I wonder why they bother really), withDreary breaking down in tears over how she feels she has failed herdaughter.

At the Tilsley/Platt/Hillman establishment David wants to know if thepost has been (not yet) - he wants to open the post and does not want todiscuss it in front of Jason - but Sarah points out he is family now (Imust have missed this when did the marriage take place?). Anyway Gaildoes not want to talk about it in front of Jason either, so he departs -Sarah said they made him feel like an outsider and David points out thathe is! Later he moans to Sarah about his treatment, she tries toexplain how deeply Hillman affected them as a family and that Jasoncould not understand.

Rosie tells Sally she is going to the cemetery with Craig as it is ayear since Katy died. Later Keith gives Craig some flowers to take tothe grave. He wants Craig to tell Katy that she is missed. Sally, whoappears to have had a visit from the PTF, gives Rosie money for a mealand then tells Craig that she and Kevin will be thinking of him today.

At the Kabin Rita and Emily are undertaking the ritual teasing of Mavisabout her date. Sorry I will start that again. At the Kabin Rita andEmily are undertaking the ritual teasing of Dorris about his date.(Honestly Mavis and Norris are almost interchangeable some days). Hedoes not take kindly to this likening the ladies to the Gestapo - indeedwith leather trench coats the transformation would be complete. Hereminds them that he does not approve of gossip and the Gestapo officerscollapse with laughter.

Danny tells Leanne that the date on the latest will shows it was made inSpain and that there is probably a copy at the villa. Does she fancy atrip. Leanne considers - Costa del Sol, or Costa del Weatherfield - ahwell that hardly takes any consideration.

Dreary, unable to contain her feelings any longer walks in on Charlie inhis yard (does this builder never go out and do some building - wellcome to think of it nor did Len Fairclough either), and accuses him offorcing Tracy to get rid of the baby. He agrees he asked her to do it -but points out that Tracy will only ever do what Tracy wants to do andthen points out that Tracy is Dreary's daughter and that it is Drearywho taught Tracy all she knows - she was trained by Dreary and she hasdone one hell of a job.

At the graveside Craig admits that he did not think life could continue- but it does and much of his being there is down to Rosie and thedifference she has made to his life.

Jack, Blanche and Eileen lean on the Rovers bar discussing the Hillmanfamily - after all love is blind says Eileen. Shelley defends Gail -men are deceptive creatures as she knows only too well. Blanche opinesthat it was murder under Gail's nose - as Gail enters the door - and ifthere have been a few nasty cards it is the least she deserves, carryingon in her usual motormouth fashion despite the best efforts of Fred andJack to silence her. Gail turns on her heel and marches out.

Back at the Barlows Dreary wants to talk to Tracy and asks her to stayfor tea - but she has to get back to the flat to make Charlie's tea -after all he has been working hard all day. By accident Dreary knocksover the pile of bricks Amy has been building so the latter commencesscreaming blue murder. Dreary breaking down in tears offers to rebuildthe structure and Tracy notices that her mother has lost it.

Doris has recovered his composure in the Rovers and tells the Gestapoabout his date - she chased a final sprout all the way round the plateand spent the evening looking over his shoulder at other male talent inthe room, they all laugh.

Oddly Ken interprets Danny and Leanne's trip to Spain as implying thatAdam's claim is strong and has got them rattled. Sorry but there is noevidence to support the logic unless you know about the missing will.

Gail is particularly hurt by Eileen's contribution to the pack in theRovers - or as Gail observes Eileen was conducting the orchestra (alittle unfairly I would offer). Audrey says they will soon tire of thesubject but Gail thinks not and indeed Gail leaps to the inevitableconclusion that Eileen has been sending the cards from Hillman (leavingaside the point that she cannot have access to his signature etc). Sarahcan see it all going wrong and holds her head in her hands.

Tracy and Dreary are talking and the latter confesses that Mike's deathhas had a huge impact on her, bringing back history and whilst she wascoping the news of the abortion broke the camel's back. She feels shehas lost Tracy as part of it. So Tracy is forced to confess that therewas no abortion and hence as Dreary sees it she is going to become agrandmother again. So Tracy has to explain the whole story - how shepretended to be pregnant and then have an abortion so that Charlie wouldlet Amy move in - and it worked, no-one hurt physically and she has Amywith her! Dreary loses it completely - and that makes it all right -just how twisted is the mind which comes up with such a scheme andDreary rages at Tracy that she does not want her anywhere near her andtells Tracy to get out of the house.

And that is it for Friday night - more updates will be along soon but Iam vacating the chair again - I have to go to Japan.

K Richard W

Tracy asks Charlie if he'd like something special for his breakfast. Hesays he'd be happy with an egg and bacon sandwich, and to make it reallyspecial, lashing of brown sauce.

As Tracy turns to go to the shop, she sees Deirdre about to go in the frontdoor of the Barlow residence. She calls out to her mum, but Deirdre blanksher and goes on in. All this is noted by Charlie.

Once inside, it becomes apparent that Ken and Blanche both know about theabortion that never was. Deirdre thinks it's all her fault, but Ken tellsher not to blame herself. "Well, she got it from somewhere," says Blanche,and goes on to say that this is probably the tip of the iceberg, and thereare probably lots of things that they don't know about. "There's Amy toconsider," she goes on, "that little girl watches her mother like a hawk,she'll turn out just like her if we're not careful, just like Tracy watchedher mother every day." "Well," says Ken, "if that cockeyed theory of yoursis true, and Tracy is the mother from hell because of Deirdre, where did sheget it from, if it's all inherited? Tell me that!" (Way to go, Ken!!!)Blanche purses her lips, lost for words for once!

Over at the Platt house, David asks Gail if she really thinks it was Eileensending the cards. Gail reckons she has a motive, she's born a grudgeagainst Gail for a long time. "You've got no proof," he says, worried thatGail might say something to Eileen, "you don't want to make a fool ofyourself." Gail thinks that if she says something, the cards might stop,and David points out that if she's wrong, Eileen will think she's crazy. "Nochange there then," smiles Gail.

Across the road, Sarah is with Jason in the Grimshaw residence. Eileen asksSarah if they're any nearer catching the culprit, and Sarah says they'renot, but she'd rather not talk about it. Eileen says she hopes they catchwhoever is doing it, soon.

In Charlie's flat, he asks Tracy why her mother blanked her in the street.Tracy tells him she didn't, she was probably just in a hurry. He asks ifDeirdre had a go at Tracy because of what he said to her yesterday. Tracysays her mum would know better, and Charlie says that's what he loves abouther, she always does exactly what she wants. She jokes about having twogrand a month, and he says he admired her, not that he was going to indulgeher every wish. She comes back with a joke and is then shocked as he grabsher arm. The mood suddenly broken, she tells him to let go, he's hurtingher. "You're not up to something, are you?" he snarls. "No!" she cries,"what do you think you're doing?" "Just checking," he remarks as he letsher go.

Keith asks Craig how it went at the cemetery. Craig isn't very forthcomingwith a reply and Keith comments that he has to ask or else they'd never sayanything to each other.

In the Kabin, Norris and Audrey are gossiping about Tracy. Norris remarksthat in his day you didn't just kill a baby, people had to face up to theirresponsibilities. Audrey says she wouldn't like to go back to the days ofbackstreet abortions. Norris wonders if there was something wrong withTracy's baby, and Audrey says she never thought of that. Just as she startswittering on about the baby having some terrible disease, Blanche walks inbehind her. "And what disease would that be, pray?" she demands to know.She then informs them that they ought to get their facts straight, there wasno abortion and she demands that Audrey apologise.

Out in the Street, the lovely Craig asks Rosie if she'd like to go back tohis house, his granddad is out. She tells him she won't, because things arebetter at home than they've been for ages and she doesn't want to mess themup again. He then produces a long, slim box, it's a present for her, toshow how he feels about her, he says it's to show his commitment. It's abracelet with lots of black, dangling stones, and Rosie is delighted with itand tells him she'll wear it forever.

In the Rovers, Sarah is cross with Jason for having fed her duff informationabout Tracy's abortion. "Got any more good gossip?" she asks, "like Emilyhaving twins, or Betty on heroin?" Jason can't understand why Charlie toldhim that Tracy had had an abortion, and she tells him to ask Charlie. Shethen tells him that Gail thinks it's his mum who is sending the cards.

Danny and Leanne walk into the Rovers, after having supposedly been toSpain. They must have just about had time to get there, turn around and comeback again. Danny is pleased that they have found the copy of the will thatMike was about to send to his Spanish solicitor, but is worried about thewhereabouts of the other hard copy. Leanne tells him that Mike could havethrown it in the bin for all they know. "Still, at least we got a couple ofdays in the sun out of it, didn't we?" she says. "Good old Leanne," saysDanny, "always getting her priorities right."

Over at the yard, Jason informs Charlie that Blanche is telling everyone theabortion never happened. Charlie is of the opinion that Blanche is going thesame way as Mike, until Jason asks whether he actually took Tracy to thehospital. "If I were you, Charlie, I'd check it out," says Jason. Charlielooks thoughtful.

In the Rovers, Lloyd is joking with Kelly, pretending to have forgotten herforthcoming birthday, and telling her he's got to go to his mum's. Heoffers to take her with him, for a fry-up. She tells him that he'd betterhave got her something good, but he won't tell her what it is, and saysshe'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Tracy arrives home and is surprised to find Charlie there. "I thought youwere doing the VAT," she says. "I thought you were having an abortion," heresponds. Tracy looks stunned for a moment and then insists that she did,she only said that to get her mum off her back. "Good," he smiles, "nowprove it."

At the Grimshaws, Eileen asks Jason if they're any nearer to find who sentthe cards. "It wouldn't surprise me if she thought I was sending them," shesays, and when Jason looks really uncomfortable, she cries, "you arejoking?" Jason implores her not to say anything to Sarah, but of course ,she does. Eileen demands to know if Sarah thinks it's her, and Sarah saysshe hasn't a clue who it is. Eileen is outraged and tells Sarah to tell Gailthat she has had nothing to do with it. After a few more minutes of rantingand raving, Eileen says that she wouldn't be surprised if Gail was sendingthem to herself, especially in view of the other crazy things that Gail hasdone recently, like telling her that Phil was fully booked for months.

Back at the flat, Charlie is demanding to know exactly where Tracy had theabortion, and wants to see the receipt for the 300 pounds that he spent.When she says she hasn't got it any longer, he goes on about finding thedoctor by going down to the clinic. "You're still pregnant!" he says,suddenly. Tracy then confesses that she's not and she never was. He askswhat happened to the three hundred quid, and then suddenly realises, "Ah,the shoes!" He then thinks she went through the whole farce in order to gethim to buy her a pair of shoes. Tracy doesn't deny it, and says she'll goand pack her stuff. As she walks towards the bedroom he says, "Only if youwant to." She turns round, "Are you saying I can stay?" He tells her shecan, if he gets his three hundred pounds back. Tracy is delighted and smilesbroadly, but loses her smile when he grabs her head and says, "But if youever take me for a mug again, I'll come down on you so hard you won't knowwhat's hit you! Got it?" She nods. "Good," he says, "as long as weunderstand each other."

Anne Logan

Part 1

Outside – Rosie and Sophie are going to school. Sally is making sure theyhave everything as they are getting into the car. Kelly is walking alone thestreet and is looking at birthday cards. Keith tells Craig to take food withhim as he has slept in, but he does not want to. Keith sees the Webster'sgoing and he tells him to catch a lift with them, he does not want to. AsSally walks past he says Craig didn't hear his alarm. Craig then heads forthe bus stop but he misses the bus.

Flat – Tracy is asleep on the sofa. Charlie wakes her and gives her a cup oftea while saying Amy is in bed. She asks if there is any thing in the tea.He says just mike and will see her later. She tells him she is going to goto the bank to get his money back. He asks if she is taking a shotgun andgoes. She puts on one of the shoes she bought but cant see the other.

Outside – Charlie comes out his door with Tracy's one shoe and smiles as hewalks on.

Factory – Kelly is opening her cards. They says its just amazing the postman came while she was just going out. She has a huge card from Lloyd. Dannyapproaches them and asks what's going on. They all read the card and Dannysays side does matter and then says for them to work as he will not be amillionaire at this rate. As they go their machines Joanne tells Kelly itmight be genuine twenty four carat.

Cab office – Steve and Claire enter. Eileen tells about Gail getting cardsfrom Richard Hillman. Claire has herd and Lloyd asks who he is. Eileen beingsarcastic tells them her life is that sad and pathetic that Gail thinks sheis sending the cards. Eileen says she thinks Gail's life is worse than hersand she won't be surprised if Gail is sending them to her self. Lloyd shoutsagain saying who is Richard Hillman.

Yard – Jason is giving Keith advise about building so he wont break thetile. Charlie comes and says he could get is local builder to do a properjob. Charlie says that's what they are hear for and not to give out freeadvise. Keith goes and Jason says he is a harmless man just wanting to knockof a bathroom shelf and it's only ten-pound. Charlie says he is still doinghim out of a job. Jason says they are better things to get worked up about.He replies like having a go at Tracy. He then says he needs to have a wordwith Sarah as she has a big mouth. Then tells him to get back to work whilehe still has a job.

Flat – Tracy is playing a game with Amy. Tracy counts and when she stops andopens her eyes they both have toy bunnies. Tracy says she can get two sweetsfor that. She then tells her daughter this is a hard one and is worth a holdbag of sweets. She shows Amy her shoe and says she knows Amy has hidden theother one and tells her to go get it while she counts. Tracy counts and whenshe gets to three Amy is still here and tells her to go on.

Butchers – Audrey comes in and Ashley tells her she's best just to turnaround and go back out. Fred from the back sees her and shouts Claire. Fredtells Claire to tell Audrey so she tells Audrey what was said at work todayabout Gail saying Eileen is sending the cards and Eileen is saying Gail issending the cards to her self. Audrey is shocked and tells them she is goingto turn around and walk out again.

Barlows – Ken and Adam are just about to go out and see the solicitor. Tracysays the cant go as she needs them to look after Amy. She says she has anappointment and it's important. Adam says this is important. Ken says theyhave prams and she can take Amy with her, he then asks where she is going.Adam says hairdressers. Ken says manicure as Tracy says she is going to thebank. Ken says Deirdre will be home soon. Blanch says she is going out aswell.

Salon – Sarah is practicing on David's hair. Sarah tells David that Eileenthinks that Gail is sending the cards to herself. David says that's typical.He asks her if she believes that. Sarah says the thought has crossed hermind. Audrey sees to blanch. Sarah and David start to argue. He says itssinking in and says Eileen got the dates from somewhere and hits at her.Sarah is shocked and says sarcastically that Jason just went out with her toget revenge on the Platt's. Sarah slightly shouting tells David she didn'tgive Eileen the dates and she is not sending the cards. David asks her whoshe's trying to protect as Eileen is spreading rumours and she is trying tokeep them a secret.

Outside - Ken gets into Adam's car saying sorry and found it on the worktop. Adam sees Danny in his car and he puts his foot down and blocks his way.Danny gets out his car asking what the hell he is doing and tells him he isgoing to kill someone driving like that. Adam says he is in a hurry as he isgoing to the solicitors. Danny says he does not care where he is going. Adamsays he will when he has lodged his appeal and tells him to move his carwhile he can still afford to drive it.<

Outside – Sally is getting Kevin and Fiz is telling Sally to phone. Nathanasks if Sophie needs picking up, Kevin says she has a key and for him totake her to Rita's. They head off.

Salon – Blanch tells Audrey that she must like a busy diary at times likethis. She gives Blanch her change and she goes. Sarah asks Audrey to checkwhat she has done. Audrey says she has not done a lot and it's because ofthe arguing. David says she has been cutting it at a strand at a time. Sarahsays she is giving in the towel. Audrey says she will never learn and asksDavid what he said.

Outside – Keith bumps into Blanch and he says she is looking very nice. Kirkbumps into Eileen at the Kabin and he asks if Blanch is giving him the evileye. She tells him she is not and goes. Ashley heads is also walking in thestreet. Blanch tells Keith she might pay Gail a visit and see if she needsanything.

Platt's - Ashley tells Gail the more she discusses the cards or says shedoes not want to discusses it the more people will want gossip. She tells himshe's not sleeping at night for worry. He tells her to put the cards in thebin and forget about them. She says she has been doing than. He says whoeveris sending them is doing it to get a reaction and tells her to take away thereaction and it will stop. She says he makes it sound easy.

Yard – Tracy has come with the money for Charlie. He starts to count it. Heasks if she robbed a bank. He tells her never to pull any thing like thisagain as she wont get a chance to put it right. She says she has every thingshe wants now.

Platt's – Sarah comes home and they start to talk about the cards sayingDavid thinks she is in on it. David says that's not what he said as Gailtells them to stop and she does not want to hear another word about it.David says it's nothing compared to what Eileen has been saying. Gail wantsto know but Sarah says she will just over react. Gail says she wont and askswhat Eileen said.

Rovers - Lloyd comes in and sees Kelly with her mates. He says he didn'tknow they were going to be here. He brings out a small box and Fiz whispersto Joanne saying it's a ring. Kelly opens it to find a key. He says it's akey to his flat and asks her to move in with him. Kelly tells him she willbut looks disappointed. Becky asks if anyone has heard from Sally. Fiz saysno. There is a silence until Kirk says he's never understood why they callit being run over, because they are knocked to the side, or knocked over thebonnet not run over and squashed flat. They look at him open-mouthed and hesays he is getting his coat. Lloyd notices how quiet Kelly is and asks herif she is alright. She assures him no and its just because of Sallydaughter. He hugs her.

Outside – Craig is knocking on the Webster's door. Nathan approaches him andtells him that Rosie was in an accident. Nathan asks him where he is goingwhen he runs and Craig says to the hospital. Kirk tells Fizz he is sorry forthat he said. Fizz replies saying she wish his mouth got run over. Gail isbanging on the Grimshaw's door with Sarah. Jason answers and Gail just askswhere his mum is. Jason says his mum is not here and she may be in theRovers. As Gail heads there Sarah tells her mum to calm down. Gail says sheis calm and continues to march to the Rovers.

Amanda Souter

Hello, and sorry for the delay. I've been lassoed by the hoof and corralleduntil I agreed to step in and bring you this update for the second episodeof April 24.

We open in the Rovers, where Kelly has gone from "smile and thank the niceman for your present" to a mood something like "Hey, Lloyd, where's me£%*$^&£! present??!!" She doesn't put it quite as blatantly, but that's themood. She thinks jewelry would have been more appropriate than the key tohis flat. But while we wait for violence to break out in that discussion, weswitch to a far more promising confrontation. Yes, Gail storms in, wantingto know if Eileen has been say she's sending the cards herself in order toget attention. Eileen, bless her, stays calm and reasonable, but we all knowthat's no weapon at all against Gail in full fight (no, that's not a typo).Is Eileen going around saying Gail is a twisted attention seeker? Eileensays no. She says she made one remark and she's sure Gail has made plenty ofremarks about her, too. Gail accuses Eileen of sending the cards to forceGail to finish with Phil. As the argument continues, it turns out that Kellyhas not heard any of the background to this and it's left to Vera to tellher that the cards "from a dead man" are supposedly cards from Gail's deadhusband, a serial killer. That turns Vera into Gail's next target. Bev tellsSarah to take Gail home. It's what Sarah's been trying to do for someminutes. Gail rages that she's going to call the police about the cards.Eileen suggests she call an ambulance at the same time and get them to bringa straitjacket. Everybody laughs and Gail stops dead, looking around herlike a trapped possum. "That's right," she says. "You all laugh. It doesn'tmatter what this is doing to me, does it?" She says they don't jump when thepostie arrives, or dread every family birthday. Sarah manages to lead heraway before she breaks down completely.

Next door, Blanche is wondering whether Archie has come back for her. Afterall, they used to be an item. Ken looks aghast. Deirdre asks if Archie hassaid anything. "You know men, Deirdre," Blanche says. "More than most, youknow men. They don't like to talk about their feelings but I have seen theregret in his eyes."

At the hospital, Kevin has found Craig wandering the corridors. Craig sayshe wants to see Rosie, but Sally snaps that he'll just have to wait, as theyhave to. She tells him Rosie was run over crossing the road outside OakHill.

Blanche turns up at the Rovers and is tickled pink to see Archie there. Whenhe goes to get her a drink, Rita says it's nice to have him around again.Though Blanche makes out she doesn't care one way or the other, her eyesnever leave Archie. Over in the birthday girl's corner, Joanne is trying topoint out how lovely it is that Lloyd has asked Kelly to move in, but Beckyreckons it's just because he'd forgotten Kelly's birthday and was too cheapto buy her a proper present anyway. Her mobile phone rings and she arrangesto meet someone straight away. When she's gone, Kelly admits to Joanne thatshe knows she's being selfish. She goes to find Lloyd to apologise.

Sarah has secretly called Audrey to come and help calm down Gail. Gail stillinsists that Eileen sent the cards. Ignoring her mother and her daughter,she goes to the phone and calls the police, using 999, which is verynaughty! Still, we're spared the scene where the police tell her that thisnumber is for emergencies only and would she please call back on the regularnumber, and after the

There are two constables sitting in her front room. Gail tells her story,confusing them very much in the process, because she assumes that everypolice officer in training in the entire UK is forced to memorise thedetails of Richard's crimes. "You don't know who I am, do you?" shescreeches incredulously. Then, just in case there are viewers who haven'tcaught up, she tells them she used to be married to Richard Hillman."Richard Hillman, who killed his ex wife and a neighbour! Who swindledpeople out of thousands of pounds! Richard Hillman! He tied up my family anddrove us into a canal! I had police standing guard outside the house andpanic buttons and you don't even know who I am?" The most baby-faced of theconstables makes some notes. "So, is there anyone who might have a grudgeagainst you or your husband?" he asks.

At the hospital, Sally and Kevin are at Rosie's bedside. She has, it seems,broken a wrist and dislocated a shoulder. Sally, of course, starts beratingher. "How many times have I told you about walking around with headphones onand music blaring." Kevin tells Sally this isn't the time for that and goesto fetch Craig, who looks as if he's spent the time in the waiting roomtearing his hair out. Rosie is very pleased to see him.

Deirdre is going to be babysitting Amy tonight, which is a surprise to her,because she's just brought Amy back after having her all afternoon. "Ah, myfavourite mother-in-law," says Charlie, coming in from the bedroom. For somereason I don't think he was sincere. He looks at Amy and asks, "What's shedoing here?" Deirdre points out she is called Amy. Charlie says if Amy'scome back she'll be staying home alone. Deirdre agrees to take her. WhenCharlie's gone again, Deirdre tells Tracy that she never had to lie to getKen to take an interest in Tracy.

Back at the pub, Lloyd arrives in defensive mode. He tells Kelly there is noway he could have forgotten her birthday -- if only because she's beenleaving notes around the place for weeks. He is startled when she flings herarms around him and declares his present was the most romantic gift in theworld and she can't wait to move in. At the bar, Eileen tells Jack and Jasonthat she feels sorry for Gail. Jack agrees and says he'll get Vera to tonethings down. "She can start more wars than George Bush." Jason asks ifEileen will say anything to Gail, but she says she'll take the moral highground and rise above it. "That'll annoy her even more," says Jack.

Adam has discovered that because Mike left him £10,000 it will be harder forhim to contest the will. That's because Mike did include him, rather thanleaving him out all together. Deirdre and Ken promise him they're behindhim.

At the hospital, there's a stand-off, with neither Craig nor Sally willingto leave Rosie's side, though each tries to persuade the other to go. Rosiesays she'd like them both there.

Becky's back at the Rovers and seems put out when she hears that Kelly willmove in with Lloyd. But she inserts herself between him and Kelly andpresents Kelly with another gift. Inside the box is an expensive-lookingwatch. Blanche decides on the humble approach (yes, really!) and drawsArchie aside for a word. She tells a rather startled undertaker that sherealises it was her own jealousy which pushed them apart. She tells him shehas changed but her feelings haven't. Archie is a real sweetie. He tells herthat their time together was magical and she will always be special, but hedoesn't believe in revisiting the past. Blanche manages to hold it togetherand says her dog takes up a lot of her time now, anyway. Archie gives her alittle peck on the cheek and says he hopes they'll stay friends. Awwwwwwww.

Despite her high intentions, once Eileen spots the police car outside Gail'shouse, she sees red.

Gail is asking the police if they'll be able to test the card forfingerprints but the young constable, who appears to be turning it over andover in his own gloveless hands, says he doubts it, because it will havebeen handled by too many people. Gail shows them out.

Only to meet Eileen outside. Eileen demands to know what Gail has beensaying about her. "You asked if anyone had a grudge," says Gail. "Talk toher!" Eileen says she's sorry to disappoint, but she doesn't spend everywaking moment plotting against Gail. Gail repeats the accusations she madeagainst Eileen in the pub. Jason points out his mother isn't a sneak. "She'dfight you in the street, but she wouldn't send those cards." Eileen tellsthe police of her theory that Gail's sending them to herself. This puncturesGail's anger and she visibly deflates. The youngest policeman says: "All Ican suggest is that you give us a ring if you get any more. This isharassment, Mrs Hillman." "My name is Platt!" she roars.

The End.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Julie Jones
Directed by: Tom Poole

Archie's 'never been one for lying about – unlike thecustomers!' Chortle? I almost dropped the garibaldibiscuit I was fetching for Norris. But I digress.Archie has pulled up outside t'Kabin in a very swankycar. 'Very shiny,' Norris observes. 'I would havethought you were more of an Austin Princess manmyself.' Archie has come to ask Rita out to thetheatre.

While this is going on, Gail (still in her dressinggown) and Eileen have been exchanging dirty looksacross the street as they've been getting the milk in.Indoors, Sarah and David are talking about how theydon't know how to help Gail. Then Gail comes back inand rings her workplace to say she isn't coming inbecause she's not well. David offers to stay home tooand keep her company, but she says she'd rather be onher own:'I'm not fit to be around anyone today.'

Kelly is at Lloyd's place and is mentally redecoratingalready. Flock wallpaper and glitter, she has in mind.Lloyd says it'll look like a Ukrainian brothel. Hepicks up the watch that Becky gave Kelly for herbirthday. Kelly says she doesn't want to wear itbecause Becky would interpret that as them being matesfor life, so she's going to say it broke because it'sjust a cheap market copy. Except it isn't – Lloyd ispretty sure it's the real deal. Kelly doesn't know howBecky could afford something so expensive – unless shestole it.

Gail's getting totally paranoid now. She tells Sarahthat there are so many people that Richard hurt, itcould be any of them sending the letters. Claire gaveher a funny look yesterday, and Emily (yes! Emily) hasevery reason to bear Gail a grudge. Sarah tries topersuade her to go out for a walk or to the café, butGail says if she did that she might find herselfunwittingly sitting or standing next to someone whohates her. Sarah has to go out to work, and Gail tellsher not to be careful, and keep her eyes and earsopen.

From the ridiculous to the sublime – it's The LovelyCraig! He's waiting at the hospital as Rosie isdischarged. Her arm's in a sling and she has somebruises on her face, but she's in one piece. Kevin andSally are with her, and Craig looks at Rosieabsolutely adoringly and takes her hand. Kevin isjoking that he's going to make Rosie wear reflectivearmbands in future, and Rosie jokes that she'd ratherget run over again. Craig tells her not to joke aboutthat, and Sally says,'Craig's right.' Sally agreeingwith Craig? That's a first!

Rita is in the salon, having had her hair done readyfor her date with Archie. She's hoping the play isn'tgoing to be too highbrow – the last time she saw aShakespeare play she couldn't make head nor tail ofit. 'They can be a bit plotty,' agrees Audrey, butshe's clearly a bit miffed that Rita's social life isso exciting. She's also distracted by the sight ofSarah ignoring the overcooking hair of her clientwhile she's texting someone on her mobile. Sarah tellsthem it's her mum she's texting, and tells them whatkind of state Gail is in. Audrey doesn't seem happyabout discussing family business in front of Rita.

Gail, meanwhile, is having a good old look at whatlooks like a sample of Bethany's handwriting – surelyshe can't think Bethany is the pernicious prankster?Sarah rings her, to encourage her to go out for awalk.

At the Kabin, Gail is the hot topic of conversationbetween Norris, Rita, Blanche and Cilla, but they fallsilent when the lady herself walks in. Of courseBlanche and Cilla don't really do silence, and Blanchecan't help asking how Gail is. She replies that she'sperfectly fine. 'No-one blames you, you know,' chirpsCilla. 'If I'd have to put up with half of what you'vebeen through, I'd be barking mad meself. ' Nicely put.The others just stare at Cilla, amazed by hertactlessness, and Cilla says,'I'm just trying to benice. I am. I'm being nice.'‘You're about as subtle as the Blitz, you are,'Blanche says. Cilla goes out, and Norris and Blanchemake clumsy attempts to show Gail some support (‘Youcan spill your guts to us, Gail,' Blanche says).‘You honestly think I'm doing this to myself? Youthink I'd put my family through this?' Gail says. Ritatries to convince her that people have her interestsat heart, but Gail says tearfully,'I just wanted anormal day. Is that too much to ask for?' and goesout.

Outside the Kabin, Gail bumps into Eileen, who tellsher she's sorry for what Gail's going through and shewouldn't wish it on her worst enemy:'Not that you aremy worst enemy.' But Gail isn't really listening,because she's seen a dark-haired man getting out of acab, and she thinks for a second it's Richard. The mandoes bear a striking resemblance to the late serialkiller. He walks away down the street.

Kevin gets home to find The Lovely Craig is doing abrilliant job of looking after Rosie. Rosie is in bedhaving a rest, and Craig has prepared her a nice snackof what looks to Kevin like 'crackers and mushy peas.'He's never come across guacamole before, and when hesamples it he says he'll stick to the mushy peas. Hesmiles at Craig (another first).

Chesney and Les come into the cab office tellingEileen that when Chesney leaves school he and Les willbe starting Ches & Les Cabs. Or Les and Ches,depending on who's talking. 'Sounds very classy eitherway,' Eileen says. Then Chesney practises his 'how toget bigger tips' face on Eileen, and this is sosuccessful she gives him some money to go and get somesweets. When he's gone, Les tells Eileen that if theadoption doesn't go ahead it'll break Chesney's heart.

Audrey's fishing hair out of a plughole, normallySarah's job but she's keen to get off and see her mum.Then Keith comes into the salon with a less thanthrilling invitation to Audrey to go on a 'charabanctrip' at the weekend, with scones and a pot of teathrown in. Audrey does her best to look enthusiastic,but when she hears it's with the Over 60s Club shetells Keith she doesn't think she's ready for thatyet. He misunderstands and says all she'll need is awindcheater and a pair of sensible shoes, and Audreysays,'How many times have I got to tell you, Ihaven't got a pair of sensible shoes.' She tells himshe's still vibrant and young at heart. Keith tellsher that it's about time she started acting her age.Yikes.

Rita has met Archie in the Rovers. They're not goingto see a Shakespeare play – they're going to see 'TheLady Boys of Bangkok,' which Archie describes as 'Allthe rage and very artistically done.' They go out, andBlanche voices her disapproval to Sean:'Trust him towant to go looking at pervosexuals, ' she says.‘Maybe that's what comes with working with death on adaily basis,' suggests Sean.‘I stare death in the face every time I look in amirror,' says Blanche. 'Doesn't get *my* motorrunning.'

Also in the pub, Kelly and Lloyd are joined by Becky,who wants to know why Kelly isn't wearing the watch.When Kelly accuses her of having stolen it, Becky ismost offended and goes out.

Audrey and Keith are coming out of the salon at thesame time as Archie and Rita are coming out of theRovers, and Audrey isn't happy to see Rita in theopen-topped sports car heading for an evening oftheatrical thrills.

Chesney and Les get home, eager for news of whetherthe social worker has phoned. Cilla tells them itdoesn't matter, but Les says it matters to them, andChesney agrees with him. Les says that when he's atwork he tells people he's got four kids: Greg (whohe?)'the less said about him the better,' Toyah,Leanne and Chesney. He says Chesney is in his heartand always will be.

Lloyd and Kelly are coming out of the pub and atearful Becky catches up with them to show them thereceipt for the watch.

When Sally gets home she hears from Kevin that Craighas been a regular little Florence Nightingale and haslooked after Rosie all day. Sophie adds that he's evenbeen reading poetry to her. Sally says she'll askCraig to stay for tea. Sophie says that's just whatshe doesn't need,'Fish fingers with the night of theliving dead.' But Sally is smiling happily. This istruly a day we never thought we'd see.

Gail and Audrey are at Gail's house. Audrey has alittle grumble about Keith wanting to turn her intoNora Batty, then Gail tells her she thought she sawRichard Hillman earlier. She knows it wasn't him, butsays everywhere she goes people are talking about himso it's hard for her to forget. Audrey is seriouslyworried about her daughter, who isn't eating properlyor sleeping. She says Gail will make herself ill, butGail says she's past caring. Audrey advises her totalk to a doctor about getting some sleeping pills:'Iknow one thing for sure: you cannot carry on likethis.'

Sue Haasler

As we join the Street on this Friday, it's morning and, of course, Les isoutside in sneakers and dressing gown, arguing with the postie. Across theroad, Danny and Leanne arrive at work, but she's annoyed because he won'ttake her all the way into town. She says she'll get a taxi, then. Dannytells her to pay for it out of the money he gave her earlier. "What money?"she asks. "Exactly." The smirk is soon wiped off his face though, whenFrankie stops him before he can get inside. She's had a letter. He'll begetting one, too, and they have to talk about a divorce settlement. Dannymutters about bloodsuckers and says he's not having this conversation.

Les is still berating the postie because there's been no letter from SocialServices. The postie sorted his bag himself and tells Les there is noletter. It's only a screech from Cilla that stops Les dragging the bag awayfrom the poor man.

Inside, Chesney is just as keen for the letter to arrive. Cilla tries tocheer him up by waving one of those letters saying they've made it to thefinals of a prize draw and might have won millions. "We might bemillionaires," she says, but Chesney just wants a proper dad.

In Lloyd and Kelly's love nest, Lloyd tells Kelly she should wear her newwatch, but she refuses. Lloyd says she should sort things out with Becky,but Kelly isn't that keen.

Gail isn't at work and when Audrey calls round to find out why, she findsher daughter in a real state. She's not sleeping because of all the fussover the cards. Audrey thinks Gail should have asked one of the doctors fora sleeping pills prescription, but this suggestion upsets Gail even more."No, I don't need this! It would be like saying they have won!" she says.

Emily is in the Kabin and Norris is asking for any second-hand details aboutRita's night out. He thinks she's keen on Archie, but Emily thinks therelationship is purely platonic. "That's usually what someone says when theyare keen on someone but aren't sure they feel the same way," Norris saysknowledgeably. Rita arrives and declares the cabaret the best she's everseen. "What I saw last night will stay with me forever!" She's a littlereluctant to tell them what it was called, but reveals they went to see TheLadyboys of Bangkok! "I'll go and put the kettle on," she says, bustling offand leaving Norris with his mouth wide open. "It sounds quite oriental,"Emily says. "What exactly is a ladyboy?"

We move swiftly on to the factory, where Kelly is apologising to Becky.Becky asks her the time. Of course, Kelly isn't wearing the watch and Beckyjust walks away from her.

In the taxi office, Les tells Lloyd he's sure they won't let him adoptChesney because of his criminal record. Lloyd is more optimistic. "You'renot a gangster or a crime boss," he says. "You got caught every time." Hesays Les must fight for the right to be Chesney's father. A suddenly hopefulLes asks Lloyd to pass him the phone. It might be the firm's, but his mobileis too expensive at this time of day," he says.

Adam and Danny meet in the street and waste no time trying to score pointsoff each other. Adam makes out that his solicitor believes he's got a goodchance of success, but Danny reckons Mike taught him you shouldn't bluffunless you're willing to be called. "And I am calling." He tells Adam theymust have another little chat some time. "You bring Ken next time. He canhold your hand."

Cilla is working in the chippy and Les arrives, telling her he's called thesocial worker and told her he's got new information. She's coming round thisafternoon. Cilla wants to know what the new information is, but Les sayshe'll make it up as he goes along. Cilla tries to tell him that whatChesney's never had he'll never miss. "By this time next week he will haveforgotten all about it." "Well, I won't!" Les retorts. He tells Cilla she'sChesney's mother but she doesn't even know what she's got, and storms out ofthe shop.

In the street, Kelly sees Becky burst into tears after a mobile phone call.She says it was the bank, refusing her a loan. She won't tell Kelly why, butsays she can take care of herself. "I've done it all my life."

Chesney is just fetching a beer for Les when there is a knock at the door.Still carrying the can, he heads for the door. Les thinks it will be thesocial worker but in trying to get the can out of Chesney's hand, he spillsbeer all over the floor and is frantically trying to mop it up with hisshirt when the door opens to reveal . . . Cilla!

Over at Underworld, Becky has been crying again and Sean gives her a hugbefore she heads off at the end of work. Sally and Kelly want to know what'swrong and it seems Becky has confided in Sean that she's been evicted. He,of course, swears them to secrecy (just as Becky told him to keep it asecret, we assume).

Gail arrives back home and looks thoughtfully at what seems to be a box ofsleeping tablets.

Across the road, Genna arrives to see the Battersby-Browns and Les plays fortime by getting Chesney to make her a cup of tea and by giving her a tour oftheir lovely home.

Danny is gloating to Leanne about scoring points off Adam when Ken andDeirdre walk into the Rovers. He asks, in a very sarcastic voice, if they'dlike a drink. He and Leanne giggle together and Deirdre tells her to wipethat smile off her face. "Who's going to make me?" sneers Leanne. Dannytells them to quit, because it's all water under the bridge now. Deirdre andKen say that if he thinks he's won then he's wrong. Danny says they shouldcheck that with Adam. Ken is worried he might have threatened Adam and saysDanny has stolen what was rightfully Adam's. "Yeah? Well, take me to courtand prove it, then," Danny says. Deirdre drags Ken out of the pub before hegoes too far. Danny moves over to Frankie and apologises for his rudenessthat morning. He's willing to talk about a settlement now. But Frankie tellshim to get lost. "My bloodsucking lawyer will be dealing with it."

Genna isn't fooled by Les's prevarication and when he can't tell her whatthe new information is, prepares to leave swiftly. "I have 16 cases, ofwhich you are only one," she says. She hands Chesney her mug. Les says hejust wants to be Chesney's dad and Genna says the assessment team will findeverything they need in her report. "No, they won't," says Cilla. She goeson to make the most emotional speech I have ever heard from her. Maybe thereis a heart in there after all. She says it won't say in the report that Leswould die for Chesney. "It won't say that my Les is the best thing that'sever happened to my Chesney -- and I should know, because I'm the worst!"She tells Genna that some women want to be mothers. She didn't. She hadthree accidents -- three mistakes that Social Services were left to clear upafter. "If it wasn't for Les, Chesney would probably be with you lot rightnow in some place you call a home. But he's not. He's here, in a properhome, with a man who loves him. And who loves me. God knows why, but hedoes." As Les's eyes fill with tears, she tells Genna that Les gave them achance, so why doesn't she? She stops and looks sort of embarrassed. "Right.I've said me piece. Now sling yer 'ook." Les hugs her. Genna says she can'tpromise anything and Chesney sees her to the door. He comes back and looksat his mum and dad. "I flippin' love you two!" And he flings himself intothe hug.

The End.
Margaret Carr

Hi all, here's the report for Sunday 30th April.

Keith is sitting on the ground in his back garden, mending a bicyclepuncture. The door opens and out steps the lovely Craig, no longer wearingthe black, Goth gear, but white jeans and a dark green zip up jacket. Keithstares at him, amazed. "What?" says Craig.

Kelly is walking down the street, a quick telephone call she takes fromLloyd informs us that she's on her way to buy bacon for breakfast.

Craig arrives at the Websters', and the door is opened by a rather bemusedKevin, who looks him up and down and then smiles. "We were expecting Craig,"he laughs, letting him in. Rosie, however, does not seem impressed. "Whathave you done to yourself?" she asks, "you look really weird!" She's notimpressed either, by the choice of CDs that he's brought, one of which isJack Johnson. "You're scaring me," she tells him. After moaning at Sallyand Kevin for fussing round her all weekend, her mobile phone rings. "Thisthing just hasn't stopped ringing!" she sighs, answering it.

Over at the Quays, Danny asks Chewbacca (aka Leanne) what she's doing today. "After murdering you, you mean?" she retorts. He tells her he's thinkingof going to see Frankie to talk about their divorce settlement. He'sworried that she might go for half of everything if she gets solicitorsinvolved. Leanne isn't best pleased by this, "You see more ofFrosty-Knickers now than when you were married to her," she sniffs.

Kelly is at home with Lloyd, but fretting about where Becky slept lastnight, but Lloyd is paying more attention to the television.

Danny goes round to see Frankie, and Jamie comes in, demanding to know whathe is doing in his house. "Well, technically it's my house," says Danny,"seeing as I'm paying the rent." Jamie tells him that technically he wishesDanny was dead, "But you don't always get what you want in life, do you?" hesays. He's horrified when he learns that Frankie is going to the pub withDanny, but Frankie points out that Jamie doesn't want him there and shedoesn't care what people think.

The factory girls are in the pub, discussing their p.e. lessons at school (Ihave no idea why!) when a rather disheveled looking Becky turns up.Apparently she spent the night on a park bench, but adds that she didn't getmuch sleep, she was too scared. The girls are really sympathetic and offerher a free hot-pot and drinks.

Over in the Kabin, Archie appears and invites Rita out to lunch. Hesuggests a drive over to Chatsworth. Rita tells him she won't be free untilabout two o'clock, so he says he'll come back then and they can go out fortea.

Over at the Webster's, Rosie is chatting away on the phone with Craigsitting beside her. He doesn't think she should make light of her accident,she could have been killed. She tells him to get some wool and knit himselfa sense of humour, but Sally overhears and tells her that Craig is right andshe shouldn't be bigging up her accident to all her friends. Rosie is notimpressed and says that they are all weird, "And as for what you'rewearing…..!" she says to Craig.

In the Rovers, Danny offers Frankie fifty thousand pounds as a divorcesettlement, and she says she'll think about it. He reckons he just wants tosee her right. Sean overhears and rushes to tell Violet, who, in turn, saysshe'll go and phone Jamie.

Over at the bar, the girls are having a whip round for Becky, but onlymanage to come up with £3.80. Fizz has an idea and goes over to see Danny.She explains that Becky is having a cash flow problem at the moment, "Andwhat with you being such a generous boss and all," she says, "we werewondering if you couldn't give her a tiny advance on her wages?" She goes onto say that Becky is now "‘omeless!" and adds, "she's desperate, Dan."Danny puts his hand in his pocket and hands over fifty pounds. Kelly takesthe money, and seems grateful, but then tells everyone that she's going tobe on the streets again that night, and then buys everyone drinks with themoney.

Outside, Kelly sees Lloyd in his taxi, about to take Blanche off to see asick friend. She tells him that Becky has been sleeping on a bench and asksif she can bring her to his flat for a couple of nights. He's not reallykeen as their relationship is so new, but eventually agrees, reluctantly.

Back in the Rovers, Norris is telling Emily about Rita and Archie. She askshim if he thinks Rita has designs on Archie. "Designs?" scoffs Norris,"she's got full architectural plans!"

Kelly walks back in and wonders where Becky is. They tell her that Sean hastaken her upstairs for a much needed shower. "Don't you think she's a bitweird?" asks Joanne, and goes on to say that buying an expensive watch issomething you do when you fancy someone. Kelly assures them that Becky isno ‘tennis player' she's had more blokes than the two of them put together.

Archie and Rita come into the Rovers, and Emily comments that she hasn'tseen the top Rita is wearing, before. Norris looks at Emily as Rita saysthat she has been saving it for something special.

Danny arrives back home and tells Leanne that he offered Frankie fiftygrand. She is furious, and can't see that Danny might be a whole lot worseoff if Frankie's solicitor gets her what he wants her to have.

Over at the Battersby residence, Les, Chesney and Kirk are watching an oldblack and white film, while Cilla sits at the table with Yana. Yanacomments that she likes Alan Bates, and Cilla wonders if he was related toNorman Bates. When Yana points out that he wasn't real, Cilla says shethought he used to present ‘Our Tune'. "That was Simon Bates!" says Yana.The phone rings and Chesney answers it. When he hisses to Cilla that it'sthe social worker, she leaps to grab the phone. Genna, the social worker,has good news. The adoption has been approved. "Thanks," says Cilla, "whydon't you come over and we'll all get bladdered?" When she's put the phonedown they all start whooping with excitement.

Shelley comes back from a shopping trip, and Violet and Kelly keep hertalking while Sean hustles Becky discreetly back into the bar from hershower upstairs. When Shelley looks round, Sean starts rubbing his own hairwith the towel he took from Becky, saying he just had a quick shower, whichwill explain why the bathroom is steamed up if she goes up there.

Outside, Keith is about to take Audrey to a pub called The Bag O' Nails.Then they bump into Rita and Archie and Audrey is obviously envious when shehears they are going on a drive out to Chatsworth. So envious, in fact, thatshe tells them that she and Keith are just off to The Clock. "No expensespared!" she beams, while Keith looks visibly shocked.

At the Webster's, Craig tells Rosie that he changed the way he lookedbecause he could see that when he asked after her at the hospital, peoplewere on edge with him because of the way he looked. "But we want people tothink we're freaks," says Rosie, "we actively encourage it." He says thatnow it's doing his head in, "And I can't afford the make up," he tells her.Rosie does not seem at all pleased to hear this.

Over at the Battersby's, they're all dancing to Riverdance, having consumedlarge quantities of lager. Fiz arrives, bringing Joanne with her, "Is yourfamily always like this?" she asks Chesney. Chesney nods, he's absolutelydelighted and doesn't care!

Frankie goes back home and finds Jamie waiting there, not at all happy withthe £50k offer. He thinks she should take him to the cleaners, he screwedMike, she should be happy to screw him. She tells him she wants a clearconscience, and Jamie tells her she wants her head testing.

Kelly arrives home with Becky, who roars with laughter at the sight of Lloydhovering. She tells him she leaves the place like a pigsty, but when Lloydlooks really worried, she bursts out laughing and tells him it's a joke. Shethen produces a bottle of champagne from her bag, she bought it with themoney Danny gave her. Kelly tells her she was stupid, wasting money onsomething she doesn't need when she's skint. Becky just cries that shewanted to thank them both for helping her, it means so much to her havingfriends like them. Lloyd says that there's no harm done, and gets someglasses, while Kelly suddenly seems to realise that bringing Becky there wasnot a good idea.

Anne Logan

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