It's my sister's birthday today (happy birthday Carole!), and she was planning to spend it with a home-made version of Betty's Hot Pot, in front of a nice warm telly. Bless her.

Anyhoo, on with the show...

That David is haunting Tracy. She can't even bring the milk in without his impishly grinning face gurning at her from the other side of the road.

Meanwhile, Roy and Hayley are in love with their half-timbered car. Hayley is thinking of making curtains for t'back window. Becky teases them that it has woodworm, but she's only messing, much to their relief.

Joanne is on her way to work and passes Adam, who is cleaning his car. He apologises for not having seen her much recently, what with his step-auntie being arrested for murder and so on. Of course Joanne has had diversions of her own, so she looks a tad guilty. Adam says they should get together soon, but they leave it quite vague and part with a quick kiss. Joanne hurries off to the factory, to be greeted by The Beautiful Liam. But he gives her a right telling off for being late and tells her to make the time up later.

Audrey reminds Jason that tomorrow is Sarah's birthday. Even though he's broke, he thinks he ought to do something special.

Tracy has been going stir-crazy at the family home, and takes herself out for a walk. But the first person she meets is Claire, who has some leaflets for her about "spousal abuse." Tracy looks deeply unimpressed, and tries to brush her off by saying her solicitor has all that in hand, but Claire thinks there's no substitute for being informed.

No sooner has she shaken the grip of the well-meaning Claire, than she runs into the evil-meaning David Platt. He asks if she's trying to avoid him and reminds her that she's supposed to be being nice to him. "I don't come any nicer than this," says Tracy, irritated. He tells her she should try a bit harder.

She goes off to her former residence and finds a car stereo, still in its box, in a cupboard. She shoves it in a bag along with a few of Amy's soft toys, and takes it to David. He's tinkering with his car, and at first ignores the proffered item, until she says she'll give it to charity if he doesn't want it. He takes it, and Tracy wants to know if that was nice enough for him. Somehow I don't think it will be.

Tracy almost manages to get back home, but has to first overcome the obstacle of Emily, who has been collecting press clippings for her about a woman who killed her abusive husband. As soon as she's out of Emily's sight, Tracy stuffs all her new reading material in a bin.

At Roy's Rolls, Becky's shift is over and she tells Roy she's heading off for a quiet night in. Hayley comes in as she's going out, and Becky says something nice about what Hayley is wearing. When she's gone, Roy and Hayley agree that Becky is a changed person these days. Roy says that he has a hundred pounds left over from the comic money,and was thinking of giving it to Becky. Hayley thinks that's a lovely idea.

Sadly, as they speak Becky is already in the Rovers with that nasty man Slug.

At the Barlows, Tracy has realised there's a downside to Charlie no longer being on the planet - his wallet is no longer available. So she has to wheedle some cash out of Deirdre, ostensibly to get some things for Amy in town. Deirdre coughs up (almost literally - she's really going to have to cut down on the smoking once this trial is over) £40, much to Ken's irritation.

Joanne and Kelly are leaving the factory when Joanne realises she's left her makeup bag there. She goes back to get it. Liam is there, and asks her if she's going anywhere nice. She's snappy with him because of the way he shouted at her when she was late. He says he can't show any favouritism at work, as it's bad for staff morale. He goes to kiss her but she turns away. He says doesn't she want a bit of no-strings-attached fun? She does (well, this is Liam we're talking about after all) and kisses him. Lucky girl.

Tracy is now in t'Rovers, trying to persuade Dev to take her into town. He refuses, but he does agree to buy her a drink.

In another of the Rovers' boothettes, Slug is groping Becky's knee under the table and fancying a kebab. Becky agrees to the kebab plan but tells him not to get any funny ideas. They wander outside, puffing on ciggies like fresh air might kill them, reminiscing about the good old days when they nicked a Porsche and went joyriding. "Let's do it again!" Slug says. Becky's new-found moral fibre is only microns deep, because she readily agrees, and spots a nice posh car they could steal. Slug, however, has a different vehicle in mind - Roy and Hayley's beloved Woody. Becky protests: "They've done so much for me." But pretty soon she's giggling nervously as Slug breaks into the car. They get in, and drive away.

Tracy is somewhat the worse for drink at the Rovers, and resorts to lying down on the seat when she spots "Leaflet Claire" coming in. Claire doesn't see her, but while Sean is serving her he tells her that Tracy needs taking in hand, and points her out. She goes over to Tracy, who babbles on about the fantastic leaflets, until Claire realises she's being laughed at, and walks back to the bar. Ken and Deirdre come in, and Dev makes his excuses and leaves. Ken angrily tells Tracy she's supposed to be keeping a low profile until the trial. Deirdre says she should have come straight home after her shopping trip. Then they realise she never went shopping, and has spent the money on getting drunk. Ken says it shows she has no remorse about what she's done. She tells them to leave her alone, and despite their protests staggers out of the pub and into a conveniently waiting taxi. She tells the driver to take her to a club, and the cab drives off, leaving a despairing Deirdre and Ken standing in the street.

Sue Haasler

Having been late for the past few weeks I am hoping to get this out a little sooner. And I am pleased to say we are not concentrating entirely on the loss of life suffered by one Charlie Stubbs and there are some other events to entertain us.

Becky with a rather distinctive white coat wakes in the Morris Traveller to find herself alone - in the middle of a countryside with a reservoir visible in the distance. She almost falls out of the car and screams for "SLUG" who is the disreputable villain who conned her into removing the car from outside Roy's Rolls. She notes they must have hotwired the car to get it moving. Perhaps this was not a good idea. Slug reappears carrying two cups of tea. She calls him a prat and he asks if she would prefer coffee. Anyway it seems that they went for a drive, had sex and a good time. In the cold light of day she is a car thief, lost and is late for work. And Roy and Hayley will guess she is involved. Slug reckons she will not get the blame - she is their little pet. Becky reckons they will go mental. He tells her to shut up and get in the car, get back to town and then dump it. She reckons they will get stopped by the police. He is not listening, gets in the car, locks the doors and drives off without her, but with her nice white coat. Becky is cold and lost and alone. She tries to thumb a lift home.

Tracy has been out all night and Ken has been sleeping on the sofa waiting for her. With little surprise to the viewers they start rowing. I thought I had turned on EastEnders by mistake. Tracy seems to have no idea of behaving herself and is not listening to her father!

Over at RR Roy and Hayley have noted that the car is missing. Kids today just nick cars and dump then in the canal. And Roy is even more annoyed because Becky has failed to turn up for work.

Sonny returns with presents for Michelle - thereby annoying Steve.

Tracy belligerently defends staying out all night. Blanche reckons it is scandalous - what will the neighbours think. Ken had even brought in the milk before she got home. Tracy reckons she could be a nun on missionary work and people would still slag her off. Ken reckons Tracy should keep her head down until after the case - what will people think of her drinking, staying out all night - it's disrespectful to the family and the money they have spent. Even Deirdre agrees with Ken. Tracy grabs Amy and takes her out telling them not to wait up for her.

Joanne and Kelly are in the Street. Joanne is sending a text to Adam - to dump him although she does not tell Kelly. Kelly has her target set on a factory owner - Liam. Anyway Liam is interested in Joanne and she wants to know where they are going - nothing serious he responds, just a laugh. Kelly returns from buying a card and tries to chat up Mr Connor - but does not seem to get any response.

Becky arrives for work, cold and tired and full of apologies. Roy and Hayley are both unhappy and Becky senses this almost immediately. She is very worried. Roy asks if she saw anyone undesirable hanging around when she left the previous evening. Becky protests a little strongly that she is not to blame for everything which goes wrong. Roy and Hayley apologise for pushing it too far.

Jason arrives in the Rovers late for Sarah - they have lost the table and Jason has not got a present for her - he has been so busy. Anyway - the restaurant has another table later and whilst Sarah is disappointed at the lack of present she has got Jason. But he is lying and claims Holly has been shopping - producing a jewelry gift box containing a bracelet. They head off to the restaurant.

The phone goes at Roy's Rolls. The police have found the car near the Manchester Royal. No major damage. Roy can down and reclaim it - the electrics have been mangled. Becky reckons it must just have been kids.

In the Rovers Liam keeps looking at Kelly and Joanne. We know he is looking at Joanne, but Kelly reckons he is lusting after her. Then they can compare trophy boyfriends. Joanne tells Kelly she has dumped Adam by text. Kelly cannot believe she has let all that money go. Joanne is not just interested in money - there may be other things she wants.

Jamie and Steve are comparing their sad lives - Jamie's must be worse, he seems to have sprouted hair all over his head. Steve knew that the relationship with Frankie was doomed - but Jamie has to pay his own rent and Steve has got his own pub. As Steve observes it is no fun living with your mother. Hmm, move along please nothing to see. Later Adam arrives and asks if he can join the misery club - and once he admits to having been dumped by Joanne and offers to buy the next round he has become a full member.

Roy returns and is pleased there is no real damage to the car. However perhaps Becky would care to explain how this rather nice white coat was found on the back seat. She blames Slug - but Hayley is having none of it and calls her a liar and tells her to leave now. She is sorry but they are insistent. Once she has gone Hayley's anger grows. They were going to give Becky the remaining £100 from the comics. Roy tries to defend Hayley, saying they have all been drunk at times but eventually concedes they had no option but to sack her.

Ken and Dreary try to explain reality to Tracy - but she cannot or will not understand the situation she is in. And when she was out last night she met someone really nice. Anyway she is off for a nap and will be phoning him again when she wakes up later.

In the Rovers Becky sees Roy and Hayley and asks if she can sit down with them - they say no. Hayley tries to say that they were having a laugh but it went wrong and she woke up in a field and ... But Hayley is not in a forgiving mood. She tells Becky to stay away from the cafe and they want nothing more to do with her - she has run out of chances. Becky appeals to Roy for the decision to be over ruled - but he looks at her and tells her that she has just lost a very good friend.

Over and out for tonight.

K Richard W

We open with a stranger, who looks vaguely like Bet Lynch, but with a bit more wit about her, approaching the Kabin, where Norris is struggling with a flapping A2 newspaper banner, trying to fit it into that "newsboy" holder. He asks if he can do anything for the woman. She gives him a quick look up and down. "I shouldn't think so, love." She still hovers, so he asks again. No, she says, she's fine. "You just carry on dressing your brother." She is inside the Kabin before Norris realises he's just been insulted. He follows her in and asks her to keep her bosom (no, he doesn't use the word) off his Turkish delight! "You should be so lucky," she purrs.

Out in the street, Sarah tells Jason he'll get the hang of plastering soon. They're interrupted by Bill Webster, who comments on the amount of plasterboard in the old bakery. Jason says the whole lot needs doing and Bill tells Sarah she should hang on to Jason – plastering's a skilled job and anyone who can do it will never be short of a bob or two. He walks on, leaving Jason even less sure of his ability to do the job.

In the pub, Steve comments on the crisp sales being down. He tells Liz the problem is that their customers just want the normal salt and vinegar, cheese and onion. "None of this hand-cut, hickory-smoked, char-grilled ostrich and mango in a poncy little bag." It's clear he's dwelling on the fact that he's just a cheese-and-onion kind of guy, as opposed to the "flash" Sonny. It doesn't help that Michelle swans in waving her new watch – 17 diamonds round the face and accurate to within five seconds a month. "But is it water resistant?" Liz asks. It is. "Oh, good, 'cause that'll come in handy if it falls off and lands in the drip tray." When Michelle heads off out the back to put the watch in a safe place, Liz tells Steve that if all Michelle is interested in is fancy watches and baubles, she'll always be chasing the likes of Sonny. He shouldn't try to compete. There are plenty of really lovely girls out there who love salt and vinegar.

Cilla receives a letter at breakfast. The school wants her in for a chat.

The stranger is still in the Kabin. She makes chit chat with Bill Webster when he comes in and we find out that her second husband, a pipe smoker, died of mouth cancer. She tells Bill how wise he was to give up smoking, then chats him up, praising his moustache and saying that with a bit of trim he'd be the dead spit of Ronald Colman [b. 1891, LOL!]. "Are you going to sexually harass every man that walks through that door?" Norris demands when Bill has gone. "Poor Ken Barlow didn't know where to put himself." The woman coos: "I could have given him a few ideas. I could tell you where to go and all." Norris says she's been looking at the cards for an hour now. "Do you have the slightest intention of making a purchase?" She asks whatever happened to the customer being always right, but Norris points out that she isn't one, yet. "I'll soon fix that." She grabs a card and slaps it down on the counter. Norris suddenly changes his tune when he sees it's a sympathy card. He didn't realise she was grieving. But then she leaves without the card. He calls after her, but she tells him the card is for him. "Why would I need a sympathy card?" he asks. "Have a look in the mirror," she tells him.

In the Rovers, Jamie and Steve are still in sorry-for-ourselves-anonymous mode. Jamie's moping that there's no luck on the job front, "not unless I want to stand in front of a pub again." Steve sympathises, but the Rovers doesn't need a bouncer. "The nearest thing we've got to a hard nut is Blanche." Wonderful writing from Chris Fewtrell. Steve says they don't need a cellar man, because Vernon does that. "Does he?" asks a surprised Jamie. "Good question," concedes Steve. But he tells Jamie the taxi firm does need more drivers, if he's willing to sit his cab licence. "If Les can do it . . ." Sonny comes in and he and Michelle make Steve feel a bit queasy, with kisses and cheesy chat-up lines. He reacts by telling Michelle to refuse the £50 note Sonny which proffers to pay for a mineral water. "It's not the 50s that are fake – it's usually the guys that are waving them around," he sneers.

Becky is hanging around outside Roy's Rolls and wanders into the former baker's, but Jason is too busy for flirting. Eileen arrives with Holly in her pram. Jason's forgotten to go home ready for Eileen to start her shift. "What time is it?" he asks, turning his wrist to check his watch and, uh oh, dropping a whole lot of the plaster from the flat, plaster-holding tray-thingy. He's made a really good job of plastering his shirt, too. Eileen leaves the baby there and Becky won't look after it, either.

She spots Hayley and rushes out to talk to her, trying to apologise. But Hayley tells her there are some things that can't be repaired. She stuck her neck out for Becky when others told her not too, and Becky still chose to make a fool of her. "I can't forgive that." Becky pleads for one more chance, but Hayley is adamant. "Everybody's got a line, even me. And you've just crossed it."

Michelle finds Steve standing in the yard behind the Rovers. She rips into him for insulting Sonny in front of the whole pub. "He was trying to buy a water with a £50 note!" Steve shouts at her. "Holding it up like it was the flipping FA Cup!" "Why are you being so vile?" Michelle asks him. "Do you still fancy me or summat?" Steve laughs at her and mimics her showing off her watch. "It's got 17 diamonds round the face," he simpers. "His company's worth £4 million. He's got a swimming pool . . . you know, listening to you has made me realise just how superficial and flipping money-mad you really are!" Michelle looks grievously offended. "You what?" Steve thinks maybe he's gone too far and tries to apologise, but Michelle thanks him. She says he's just made her realise she chose the right man for once.

Cilla's in the headmaster's office, cooing about Chesney while being careful to point out that Ches is now living with his poor role-model of a sister. Mr Griffin says it's not just Chesney's behaviour that worries him, but his emotional state. He's upset, unpredictable and angry. It's clear the head does not know that Cilla has had the all-clear and blames Cilla's terminal illness for Chesney's mood swings. She clears that up for him, but he is still concerned about Chesney. "A trauma like this can be devastating." He says he's been teaching for nearly 20 years but he's never seen a child hit quite as hard.

Steve is in the taxi office, moaning to Eileen about Sonny. Sonny's successful, with a lot of money, a big house and a nice car. "But take that away and what has he got that I haven't got?" Good looking, fit, nice head of hair, charming, good sense of humour and he's great with Ryan and with Michelle's family, Eileen points out. She tells Steve that Sonny seems a decent bloke and Michelle seems happy with him. "He seems like a good catch. And believe me, they are thinner on the ground than the hair on your bonce."

Michelle is dedicating just as much time to slagging off Steve, though she's doing it to Sean. She tells him he'll like Sonny. Nearby, Hayley is slagging off Becky to Liz. Liz thinks Hayley was brave to even try to help Becky, but Hayley says no, it was vanity. She was trying to prove that she knew better than anyone else. Liz says there are far too many Beckys and Cillas in the world and if there were more people like Roy and Hayley . . . "the world would be full of mugs!" Hayley finishes for her. Becky comes in and Hayley cancels her order for pineapple juice and rushes away.

Les arrives home to find the house full of ladders and paint cans and the sound of a furious woman chopping up furniture coming from the yard. Cilla wants to make the place somewhere Chesney will want to come back to. Chopping up chairs might not achieve that, but it will make her feel better. Les asks her to come to the Rovers to tell him all about it.

"Norris, have I ever told you what a tolerant and enlightened fella you are?" Rita is being sarcastic because as they close up the Kabin, Norris has been wittering on about the strange woman. He suddenly tries to rush away – the strange woman comes towards them. But it seems she is Doreen, Rita's old pal from her showbiz days. "Do you know her?" Norris asks, aghast. "Do you work with him?" asks an appalled Doreen. "Every day," sighs Rita. "Oh, well, in that case," Doreen tells Norris, "you'd better pass the sympathy card on to Rita."

Wee Holly is screaming her head off while Jason jiggles the pram and "sings" Is This The Way to Amarillo. He's interrupted by Jodie, the woman paying him to sing to his daughter. "Or was it refitting the shop? I forget." She doesn't believe he's going to be able to finish the refit in time. She takes over checking on the baby and tells him Holly needs changing. "I'll be back tomorrow and I want all this plastering finished." And she doesn't want to see any sign of the baby, either. Otherwise he's fired. She steps back outside to find that her Grandad has vanished from the van.

He's in the Rovers, where Les is appalled that the headmaster tried to make Cilla feel guilty. "Do you want me to go up there and sort him out?" But it seems Cilla has finally realised what she's done to Chesney without even realising it. At least, I think she has. It's hard to tell because her "feeling guilty" voice is the same as her "pretending to feel guilty" voice. Les says they both cocked up* and let down Chesney, but they can make it up to him. Jodie comes in to fetch Grandad, just before Sean sees Sonny come in. "Sundip? What are you doing here?" he asks. Sonny waffles on about looking for some friends who have now gone and tries to flee the building, but Michelle spots him and introduces him to Sean. "Well, is he what you expected?" she asks. "Not exactly, no," a stunned Sean replies. As Michelle goes to get Sonny a drink, Sean says: "Well, well, well. I think you and me need to have a catch-up, . . . Sonny."

End of the first episode.

Margaret Carr

*[old printing term – it's not rude]

We open the second part with Doreen buying drinks (for some unknown reason) for all of Rita's friends.

Sean wants to get away from the bar so he can have a chat with Sonny. He tells Michelle he will collect up the empty glasses but she says she has already done that, so he says he will go and empty the ashtrays. He then makes a bee-line for Sonny. However, it is obvious that Sonny doesn't want to speak to him. However before they can get much further in their conversation Norris interrupts to say there is no toilet paper in the gents (well he would hardly know about the ladies - would he?!). Reluctantly Sean goes to put a new one in. Michelle then goes over to Sonny and asks if he likes Sean. She says he is a right laugh. Then she refers to him as "camper than a van, but sound as a pound". Sonny is a bit surprised and wonders why she should mention that.

Cilla goes round to Fiz's flat to see Chesney. She gives him a DVD, She tells him it is in Mandarin, but has English subtitles (she probably got it very cheap then!). Fiz doing the right thing offers her mum a drink, meaning a cup of tea, but Cilla takes it to mean a drink at the Rovers, and says to Fiz that she'll see her later and dashes out of the flat.

As she goes out into the street she sees Tracy. They stare at each other until Tracy asks what she is looking at. Cilla responds with eight years - and then says oh no, it is you isn't it?! Tracy then sees Blanche. Tracy yells over to her. Blanche wonders what had happened to decorum? She wants her to baby sit, but Blanche had intended to read a Jeffrey Archer novel. Tracy gives her moany hard-done-by look and says she has a "bit of a date". Blanche does not think that it is right that someone about to be on trial for murder should be out partying. Tracy retorts that if she is making the most of things in case she is sent down. In that case you can write a book like Jeffrey (Lord Jeffrey Archer was sent to prison and wrote (several?) bestsellers from there). Blanche resigns herself to babysit, because she realises it will not make any difference if she said no.

In the pub Rita and Doreen relate their stories to Emily and Norris. Norris is getting annoyed as the two of them seem to be getting on so well, laughing and joking remembering old times.

Michelle asks Violet if she minds if she slips away early that evening, because Sonny is cooking a meal for her. Violet is okay about it and she also asks Sean. He says it is okay, but then follows Sonny into the loo (!). [Your writer wonders if he should carry on ........ okay I will !]. Sean refers to him by a name he obviously used to know him by, Sundip, but realises he is now known as Sunny. Sean wants to talk to him about Michelle, but Sonny tells him they will talk later; Sean suggests in the bar in front of Michelle.

Steve sees Tracy and tells her that if she is ever in need of a babysitter then she can rely on him. She hints that he may have her for much longer. He hopes she doesn't go to prison. She apologises for being so curt with him and they go off for a drink.

Kelly and Joanne are chatting at Underworld. Kelly is suspicious wondering why she has suddenly dumped Adam. Kelly thinks there is something that she is not telling her. Joanne denies it, but Kelly opinions that the quiet ones are often the worse.

Back at the Barlows, Tracy and Steve are talking. Tracy muses that if we were a normal couple we would be together all the time. She thinks he is normal but she never wanted to be boring. Then she asks if we were normal, would he wait for her if she was sent to prison. Steve getting into the act, says he would chain himself to prison railings.

Sonny tells Michelle that he is going off to prepare dinner for her and Ryan. Then Violet turns and reminds Sean that he used to go out with an Asian bloke. Sean hesitates and says he can't remember because he has been out with so many men. He then says he can't remember. Violet tells Michelle that was strange because he really was mad for that guy. Michelle just thinks Violet has hit a raw spot with him.

Doreen is still chatting with Rita, Norris and Emily. At one point Doreen asks where the loo is. Norris kindly points out it is the door that is marked with "ladies" on it. When she goes, Rita confides that when Doreen left the troupe she left under a bit of a cloud and she doesn't think she has changed over the years. Norris adds that he thinks she probably has.

Sean goes into the hallway, and takes Michelle's mobile phone out of her coat pocket. (She must be the only person that doesn't keep her mobile at arms reach at all times!). He then calls Sonny on the phone. When Sonny answers and realises it is Sean and not Michelle, he says he can't talk because Ryan is there, and then hangs up. Then as Sean is about to return the phone Michelle comes out to the hall. She asks what he is doing. He says that all the coats fell down because the coat rack has gone wonky. Michelle says that she is off home now. Sean mumbles and says that he hopes she will have a good time with Sonny. She says he won't be staying long because Ryan is around.

Claire comes round to see Tracy. She is surprised that she has put on a lot of "slap" and is dressed to kill (perhaps that is the wrong *******)* . Blanche comes in and says she is off for some gallivanting with a fella. Tracy says she is not going to just stay in all the time. Claire mutters that she only came in for a chat, but she thinks that she had better go. Tracy then apologises to Claire and says that they will have a chat some other time, and thanks her for coming. As soon as Claire has gone, Blanche lays into Tracy and calls her a liar. She tells her that her common law husband hardly dead and she is off with another man.

In the Rovers, Cilla tells Fiz that when she saw Chesney's headmaster, he said that Chesney was devastated when he thought that she was going to die. However, she carries on what he needs now is some stability that obviously you couldn't offer him. So she thinks he ought to come back home to her and Les. She admits she may have got things wrong in the past .......Fiz interrupts and says like when she lied by telling him that you were dying.

As Sonny leaves Michelle's place, Sean is hanging around outside. Sean is annoyed and tells him that he is part of history. Sean asks him if he is straight now. Sonny replies that he already knows the answer. Sean says he is a liar, and wonders if he has told Michelle the truth. He asks whether he should just pretend nothing ever happened. When Sonny calls him a drama queen, Sean threatens to ring her so he can tell her what they used to do together. Sonny retaliates by threatening to hit him. Sonny says that Sean knew he was bisexual from the beginning. Sean replies that there is no such thing as bisexual, it is just being greedy!. Sonny says he doesn't tell his history to everybody that he goes out with. Therefore his past should be of no interest to Michelle. Sonny says it was good to see him again, but don't wreck it for him and Michelle.

At the Battersby-Brown's Les is wallpapering. Kirk comes in and asks him what he is doing. Les wonders why he is asking a stupid question and asks him why he thinks he is wallpapering. Kirk thinks that is a difficult question to answer, and says it feels like he is back at school! Les tells him to have a bath. So Kirk wonders if he smells, but Les assures him that it is no more than usual!

Sean gets back into the pub, to see a depressed Steve drowning his sorrows. Steve invites him to have a drink. He then tells Sean that he has a secret. He says that Michelle has found perfection and therefore not interested in him. Steve then pulls up his shirt to reveal his stomach (not a pretty site!). He says it looks like he is carrying twins in there. Steve says Sonny is ok but not a good for Michelle as you are. Steve then gets up and makes a lurch for Sean saying that he loves him. Sean tells him to bide his time, as he maybe in luck!

Martin Rosen

It's morning at the Grimshaw residence and Sean does not want to go to work. He tries to get Violet to call in for him but she refuses, saying there's nothing wrong with him and tells him to get to work.

Round the breakfast table in the Barlow household, Tracy is really tired, something which annoys Blanche no end. She tells her that she didn't sleep very well either, waiting for Tracy to come in. Tracy tries to turn that into an opportunity to enlist Blanche to babysitting duties, as she wants to go out again with the new boyfriend, Dom. Blanche thinks that Tracy ought to spend a few nights in front of the TV but Tracy takes no notice. Ken says that whilst they'll always look after Amy, the child is in danger of forgetting who her mother is.

Chesney comes out of his room, ready for school, but complains to Fizz that his shirt collar is too tight, she's sewn the button on in the wrong place. Fizz says that it doesn't matter, as long as he looks smart. Maria comments that she might want to shine his shoes too, and when Fizz looks she sees that he's wearing trainers. He tells her it's because he has nothing else to wear, and Fizz says she'll try and get him some new shoes when she has the money. As Ches eats his bowl of cereal he says that he used to have just a couple of sweets for breakfast. Fizz says that he'll eat properly now – at least as long as she can afford it. Maria tells Fizz that one day she'll make someone a wonderful mother!

Jason is busy in the old shop that was Diggory's bakery when Sarah arrives with a bacon buttie for him, and asks him if he can pick up Bethany. (The poor lad has a job to do, all on his own, but Sarah doesn't seem to have noticed, or at least she doesn't care.) He tells her he's busy and she should get someone else, but she tells him there is no one else. Jason tells her he's up to his neck in it, and he has to get the job finished, but Sarah yells at him that he's selfish, and his mum and Violet and Sean are always doing things for him, and so is she….. Jason butts in and says he'll do it. "Thank you, don't be late!" snaps Sarah.

Tracy comes down wearing a shortie dressing gown, and starts to make a cup of tea in the kitchen. Deirdre suggests she goes and gets dressed. "The bathroom's all yours," adds Ken. "You might look good with your clothes on," chips in Blanche. "Mother!" gasps Deirdre, but Blanche points out that Tracy is in serious trouble and she ought to start taking things a little more seriously. Tracy's attitude, however, is that she can do as she likes. Blanche gets even crosser, and then Adam shows up. "Here's another one that's neither use nor ornament," she moans. Adam just laughs. Ken and Deirdre say they're going to the library and tell Adam they'll see him in the Rovers for lunch. After they've gone Blanche says that she seems to be the only one who cares what happens to Tracy, but Adam tells her they do all care, they just don't show it.

Liam arrives at the factory and Kelly immediately starts flirting with him. Joanne doesn't look very pleased to see Liam flirt back, and Kelly rushes off to the ladies to check her make up.

Tracy calls in to the taxi office to book a taxi for her date, to find Steve rather unhappy about his lack of a love life. He says that he used to go on dates, and Tracy tells him that he will again, and then before he knows it he'll settle down with a crippling mortgage and a load of wheelie bins in the back yard. "Then you will have something to moan about," she says.

Jody, (the lady that's buying Diggory's old shop), takes her granddad into the pub and orders him half a bitter. He says that it would be a lot better with rum in it. Jody gives Michelle a ten pound note and says to keep Granddad Wilf in bitters and to give him one rum. Michelle agrees.

Liam comes into the pub and sees Joanne sitting at a table. He slides in beside her and asks why her boyfriend, Adam, is over at the bar and she's over there at the table. Joanne tells him that she's dumped Adam. "Not on my account I hope," says Liam, and reminds her that it was just a laugh, with no one any the wiser. "Great, suits me," says Joanne, but she doesn't sound convincing.

Jody goes over to her new shop and finds Jason about to go off for lunch. She tells him he's not going anywhere, and his workmanship is shoddy. He says he's doing the best he can on his own. "Do you want this job or don't you?" asks Jody. Jason admits that he does. "Right," says Jody, "I suggest you stay here til it's finished, and then you'll get paid." She reminds him that he's not the only builder in Weatherfield.

Adam walks into the house to find Blanche standing there with Tracy's mobile in her hand. Adam tells her to put it back in Tracy's bag but Blanche makes him tell her what buttons to press to make a call, threatening to tell Ken about Adam's misadventures at the roulette wheel if he doesn't. Adam protests, but eventually sighs and shows his grandmother the list of people Tracy calls.

Blanche finds the number she wants and presses the right button. "Hello, am I talking to Dom?" she asks into the phone.

Tracy comes downstairs, dressed up to the nines. "You look like a tart," says Blanche, grimly. Tracy tells her she would know more about that than she does. "Don't wait up," she says. "Amy?" asks Ken. "I know, I know," yells Tracy, as she leaves. "She'll be back," says Blanche.

In the factory, Carla has a go at Kelly and Joanne for not working hard enough. Kelly suggests they swap seats and Carla can sit at the machine while she stands and watches. Paul comes over and tells Kelly that if she doesn't want the job she can leave. Paul and Carla go off into the office and Kelly starts to tell Joanne yet again how much Liam fancies her. Joanne tells her that all Liam likes is a laugh and a joke and has no interest in her. Kelly says that Joanne is just jealous, and wants to know why she doesn't encourage her. "You don't need any encouragement," says Joanne. "You're right there, I'm doing fine by myself," says Kelly.

Tracy arrives at the bar where's she's to meet her date, but he hasn't turned up yet.

Back in the Rovers, Sean takes drinks over to Sonny's table and sits down. "If you've got anything to say to me, say it now," says Sonny. "What, before Michelle comes over?" asks Sean. Sonny says he thinks Sean is too much of a gentleman to say anything to Michelle. Sean says he won't have to, Michelle will find out sooner or later and Sonny is daft if he thinks she won't. Sonny reminds Sean that the only one who knows anything is him. "Yes, and you know what I'm like with secrets," says Sean.

Back in the club, Tracy has made a phone call to find out where Dom is and is not too pleased to find he's not coming. She's even less pleased when she hears about Blanche's phone call. She phones the taxi office and asks for a cab to come and take her home.

Being so busy, Jason has completely forgotten to go and pick Bethany up from school. Sarah is really cross with him, and tells him that Bethany was standing there crying her eyes out. He tells about Jody, and she says that this job is too big for him. He protests that Charlie would have handled it with no problem. Sarah points out that Charlie is no longer there, but suggests he gets Bill Webster to help him. "He's a builder and he's at a loose end, just call him," she says. Stubbornly, Jason says he's fine on his own.

Back in the club, Tracy is dismayed to find it's Steve who has arrived to pick her up, and she has to tell him why she was stood up. He points out to her that having a murder rap hanging over your head is a bit of a drawback on the dating scene. Tracy tells him she just wants to make the most of it while she still can, and Steve says he can understand that. With no more jobs that night, Steve stays and has a drink with her.

Sonny asks Sean why Michelle is so late getting to the pub. "How should I know?" shrugs Sean. Sonny starts to say that he knows Sean likes stirring things. "You're never happy unless you've got a wooden spoon in your hand," he says. Sean says she's had enough and tells Violet that he's got a headache and is going home.

Steve and Tracy are getting on well in the bar in town. He tells her that one day he'd like to take Amy to Spain. Tracy thinks that sounds lovely, "Of course, she couldn't go without her mother," she adds with a grin.

The school have sent Cilla a note, which she's passed on to Fiz. Apparently they need five pounds for a theatre visit and twenty pounds for a day out. "Well, he can't go," says Fiz to Kirk, "not unless that pair over the road fancy paying," Kirk tells her they have no money, they've spent it all on wallpaper and paint. Fiz scoffs that they think Chesney will go back if they clean his room. Kirk says that they're doing it properly and it will be lovely when it's finished. Fiz is sure it will never be finished.

Michelle finally arrives at the pub and asks Sonny if Sean has been keeping him company. "Why would he?" asks Sonny, suspiciously. Violet says that Sean has gone home sick. "Again!" says Liam, "is there something the matter with him?" Violet says that Sean's been having headaches. Sonny starts to order drinks for Liam and Paul but Michelle drags him away saying she's not having him buy drinks for her brothers.

They go outside and, as he's had a few drinks, he hands Michelle the keys to his car so that she can drive.

Just as they drive off, Steve and Tracy arrive back in the street. She asks him if he's jealous. "Of a guy who's got a car worth more than I earn in a year?" he asks. They laugh together and really seem to be getting on well. She tells him she's looking forward to their holiday in Spain. "You are so……" Steve begins to say. "Presumptuous?" she finishes for him. They look at each other and then move towards each other at the same time, and kiss. Then Steve draws back, aghast. "Whoa! What are you doing?" he exclaims. "That was you!" cries Tracy. Steve tells her she always goes too far, and they've been through all this before. "Yes, and once was enough!" snaps Tracy. And, saying she's not that desperate, she gets out of the car, leaving Steve sitting there looking dazed.

Anne Logan

Yep, it's Friday again, so here's your update:

Deirdre and Blanche are doing the ironing and the dishes when Tracy comes in the front door. Deirdre says Tracy was out so early she thought she'd got a milk round. Tracy says defensively that she wanted to spend some time with Amy before nursery. Then she tells her mother that her Gran rang Dom and told him Tracy was up for murder. Deirdre has turned Canadian*. "Eh?" she says. "Eh?" Blanche is defensive. "It looks bad – tomcatting round town." "Gran," says Tracy, "I had three dates with one man." She stabs her index finger towards Blanche. "She wouldn't be happy until I had walking around in a hijab!" Blanche tells her a little modesty wouldn't go amiss and Tracy counters with a demand that her Gran should support her. Blanche tells her she's had plenty of support. "And if you'd taken it earlier, Charlie Stubbs might be walking this earth still."

Outside the factory, Hayley proves she's not been taking the hormone tablets by almost skipping inside carrying three of the large bolts of cloth which the Connors have collected because the current order is so urgent.

In the Kabin, as Rita rearranges the magazines, Norris accuses her of smugness. She annoys him by humming I Could Have Danced All Night, and then, to annoy him even more, I Feel Pretty.

Tracy calls in at the Rovers to see Steve, who makes it clear that if she's come to remind him that Sunday is Amy's birthday, he's remembered. She hasn't come to remind him – she's come to invite Steve and Liz to a tea party celebration.

As Fizz moans about the cost of being Chesney's "parent", she finds out about child tax credits, which Cilla is sure to be claiming. Kelly tries flirting with the Connors, but Paul tells her to shut up. "It's like sharing an office with Chubby Brown," he grumps.

In the back room at the Rovers, Liz warns Steve to watch himself where Tracy is concerned. Steve points out that Tracy is probably terrified of going to prison, so it doesn't cost anything to be nice to her. Liz has to admit he's right.

Back in the factory, Carla has come in to interrupt the other Connors.

In the salon (yes, it seems they're going for a record number of separate scenes tonight), Sarah is going on about how stressed Jason is. Audrey suggests Sarah have a discreet word with Bill, if Jason's too proud to ask for help. Chesney comes in to tell Maria that Fizz sent him out without his dinner money. Maria subs him but warns him she can't do it every day. "I know, because you're one of them high maintenance women, aren't you," he says.

Kelly thinks she's being too subtle and decides to ask out Liam. Joanne tries to dissuade her, though Sean encourages her. Kelly thinks Joanne is just worried about losing her best drinking buddy. She denies this and tells Kelly that Liam is seeing someone. Kelly won't believe it. Kelly thinks Joanne is just after Liam for herself. "It's obvious. If you can't have him, nobody will." Joanne is annoyed. "I have had him," she says. Kelly won't believe this, either, and confronts Liam. When he admits it, Kelly tries to hit Joanne and Carla and Paul sweep in to calm things down. Kelly rushes out, followed by Joanne. Paul finds out the urgent order hasn't gone out yet. "I thought you said you were on top of things!" "Well," says Carla, "He's certainly been on top of something."

Kelly is in the pub. Joanne arrives, too. Kelly accuses her of scheming and egging her on so she can laugh at her. She tells Michelle that Joanne and Liam are an item. Dev comes over and suggests this is private business and they should take it somewhere else. "Do you want a vodka shampoo?" asks Kelly.

Liam is a blur in plaster dust when Bill calls in. So Bill offers to go and fetch him some more water to drink.

Back in the pub, Kelly and Joanne are still snapping at each other from opposite ends of the bar. Becky seems a bit disappointed they're not trying to rip each other's hair out. She cheers up, though, when Carla comes in. Carla tells Kelly and Joanne they have to work together tonight, but Kelly refuses to set foot in the factory if it's just her and Joanne. "You're going to have to choose," Kelly says. Carla tells Joanne that if she's falling for Liam then she shouldn't be operating heavy machinery. She sacks Joanne from the night job and orders her back to the factory before she loses the day job, too. After all, it was Kelly who helped her get her first order.

In the factory, the machines are in a frenzy of work as the last of the order is got out. Liam thinks the argument has been a good thing. It means everyone's back to work, the order will go out and he's got "that loon, Kelly Crabtree" off his back. But Paul calls Liam a loser. Joanne walks back in and slumps at her machine. Liam does not even acknowledge that she's there.

Bill goes back to the ex-bakery shop and he's brought Jason some food, too. He worries that the plaster will dry out while Jason eats, so he offers to finish the wall. "If you're not happy with it, you can give it the final skim." That gives Jason a brilliant idea. "Why don't you come and work for me?" he asks. Result! (Hands up anyone who thinks Sarah won't tell Jason how he was manipulated)

In the Kabin, Dev is delivering a choice of sandwiches to Norris. Norris says he'll have the tuna, thanks. "Pickle repeats on me something rotten. Tuna. Pickle repeats on me something rotten." Doreen and Rita swan in, three sheets to the wind, ignoring Norris's disapproval, and Rita goes for a lie down, giving Norris a smack on the backside as she passes him, while Doreen makes a pass at Dev!

Fizz calls round to see her mother and to cross-examine her about child benefit money and child tax credits. She accuses Cilla of spending the money on booze and bingo cards while she tries to give Chesney nutritious food and decent clothes. Cilla says no-one asked Fizz to snatch Chesney from his home. Fizz suggests Cilla might like to give a bit on this argument. "Why don't you show him that he means a bit more to you than clickety-click?" Cilla looks suddenly ashamed. She tells Fizz that if there's anything Chesney needs, to just send him over.

In the Rovers, Becky approaches Carla and tells her that if she's short of a machinist, she's available. She doesn't tell Carla why she left the factory previously, but says that she and Kelly did not get on. Carla makes it clear that she's the boss and if Kelly doesn't like Becky being there, she's welcome to quit. Bill and Jason are also in the Rovers, celebrating their new working relationship. Sarah seems pleased to see Jason so relaxed and happy and Bill gives her a wink.

In the factory, Kelly is appalled to see who her new workmate will be. Carla suggests that maybe she kept the wrong machinist. Kelly does seem to be very picky about who she works with. Kelly backtracks immediately and Carla takes Becky off to a spare machine. Joanne, finishing up her day shift, can't believe Kelly's agreeing to work with Becky but wouldn't work with Joanne. "I never got you arrested or cost you your mates." Joanne goes to Liam, asking him to intercede on her behalf, but he says Carla's business is her business. "Maybe you'll think twice before you shoot your mouth off next time," he tells her. She denies she was bragging about him. "I'm not like that." Will she see him tonight? He tells her it's five-aside football night. "Forget it," she says, and leaves the office.

At the Barlows', Steve arrives wearing a red nose and carrying gifts and party goods, including a pinata. Tracy is less than impressed by the pinata, but Steve explains he used to see them on Sesame Street. The pinata donkey is filled with sweets and the kids will have to take turns hitting it until it breaks and spills the sweets. Tracy lets him finish before pointing out that she knows what a pinata is, but does Steve think someone on a murder charge should be encouraging children to bash a donkey? This makes Steve smile, but the smile is soon wiped from his face when he sees Blanche watching them with her death-ray stare. He makes an excuse and leaves without accepting the offer of a cup of tea. Blanche then tells Tracy that she has a very odd mind, a cold mind. Maybe that will stand her in good stead in prison. But in the meantime, Steve's still a young man. "You've taken one life. Don't take his as well." She tells Tracy that if she has any feelings for Steve, "Don't reel him in. Don't ask him to wait." Tracy tells her she's never asked a man for anything and isn't about to start (I assume she's not counting asking Charlie for a house, clothes, baby, credit card. . .). Blanche just fixes her with that stare, then walks away.

The End

Margaret Carr

*[It's a JOKE]

Fiz is finding funding Chesney very difficult - there is school trip to Chester Zoo in the offing and she needs to find the money. She declines a drink with Kirk - she cannot afford it and anyway Cilla will be in the pub and she might get done for GBH. Back indoors Fiz and Maria are discussing money. Fiz tries to pay her debt to Maria, but cannot afford her share of the 'leccy bill - and at least half will have to wait until next week.

Ken fields a phone call - everyone is crying off the birthday party for Amy - only Lucy Reid is coming - because the mother wants to see the murderer. The rest have all suffered various mysterious illnesses.

Jody, owner of the former bakery surveys progress and is relieved to find that despite interruptions some progress is being achieved. Jason admits he has brought Bill on board to catch up - it does need two of them. Jody has every confidence - "in Bill".

Rita arrives at the Kabin wearing a rather smart new blouse - she had not been sure it was right, merely that Doreen had convinced her it was right. Doris observes that she was "shopping whilst drunk - really sucking the "marrow out of life". Rita observes that she expects to suck some more out of it at lunchtime. Doris threatens to take a day in lieu and Rita agrees - providing he does something exciting with it.

In the Rovers Cilla and Les are feeding the one arm bandit with no luck. Cilla observes to Les that perhaps another baby of their own would fill the empty nest caused by Chesney's departure. Fiz confronts Les and Cilla and demands the child benefit payments. They respond by saying that Chesney should be sent home. She claims the boy was neglected but gets no sympathy. Fiz reckons he would prefer a soup kitchen to returning home. A little later Fiz and Kirk go to the Battersby household and remove all of the visible food and supplies - even the HP sauce. Kirk is sent upstairs to empty the bathroom of supplies.

Michelle, Paul and Carla tease Liam about Joanne - if she gets distressed Mr Commitmentphobe propose marriage. Paul reckons it is more likely he will have to complain of sexual harassment. (Jilly Cooper was complaining at the weekend that she had not been harassed enough at work). Later the Connor brothers feed the fruit machine with little success, whilst Becky asks Carla if there is any possibility of any more work.

At the Barlows the party is in full swing with Pass the Parcel - Amy and Lucy will have to share all the presents. As Ken was responsible the presents are limited - a pack of crayons and plastic harmonica and then only in every other layer. Steve and Tracy grin at each other. Later with the party over they jointly make a fuss of Amy, Emily observes that it is good to see them getting on so well together. Dreary Deirdre smiles but is obviously not convinced.

Back in the Rovers Jody's grandfather having watched everyone else feed the fruit machine wanders over, drops in one coin and wins the jackpot at the first attempt. The Battersbys have been trying to guess his name, he turns, announces "Wilf" and wanders back to his table. Well I wonder what Wilf will be like.

Les and Cilla arrive home - Kirk bundles Fiz out the back door with the "shopping" in numerous bags and Kirk has to witness the unedifying sight of Les and Cilla dragging each other to bed at least the cameras stop at the bottom of the stairs.

Back at the Rovers, Doreen and Rita are getting along like a house on fire. Doreen, who looks about 70 has a game plan - three years playing the field and then she will look to settle down. They are going to go and drink some cocktails to celebrate being alive. Also in the Rovers are Ken, Dreary, Blanche and Liz where they have been sent now the party is over. Ken thinks that Steve and Tracy would make a good team - and Deirdre observes that at least they are not at each other's throats for once.

Back at the Barlows Steve and Tracy are getting along just a little too well. Steve complains about his love life - it is nearly as bad as Tracy's (well not quite). Steve settles down to read a story to Amy and looking at them you think that in the right circumstances they might have made a go of it. Indeed a little later after Amy has gone to bed, Steve tells Tracy that he prefers it when they are not rowing. Indeed she stops him from leaving and says they have had such a nice day. He starts to head for the door but she asks him not to go - perhaps they can have a drink? And then before you can say "bob's your uncle" they have grabbed each other and are kissing madly, tongues and everything, no need to tell them to get a room.

Maria and Fiz put the shopping away - mainly junk ready meals - but high quality loo roll - Cilla like to look after her backside!

Cilla and Les are hungry after their exertions and descend - with Les instructed to do something brunchy. When he opens the cupboards and the fridge he has a problem - there is not an iota of food in the place - he even spots that the HP sauce is missing. Cilla guesses immediately that Fiz has emptied the stores and with an evil look in her goes to get dressed.

Joanne arrives in the Rovers and gets a fairly unwarm welcome from Liam who does not buy her a drink before she slinks off to the toilet very depressed. Michelle gives her brother a piece of her mind but he tells her to stick to pulling pints and he will pull the birds.

Cilla arrives and demands restitution. Fiz threatens to tell the police about the child benefit fraud and in desperation Cilla grabs some of the food, including Chesney's favourite pud, stuffs them in a bag and marches off.

Joanne sits at a table and eventually Liam goes over and reminds her of the score - nothing permanent - just a bit of fun? She accepts the comment, he smiles and offers to buy her a drink.

And that is it until next week.

K Richard W

First Part

Outside the Kabin, a guy rings Rita's doorbell. She opens the window looking like hell. He says papers. She tells him to knock on No 3, as she is ill.

Barlow's; Steve comes is in the living room when the light comes on. Blanch says he won't have clean underwear and asks if she should shout Ken. He says no. She gives him his shoes and goes.

Grimshaw's house; Jason in his bed is listening to Eileen singing old Macdonald to Holly. He puts the pillow over his face.

Outside at No.3 the paper guy tells Norris that she has the flu. As Steve comes out Norris says she was up all hours drinking. He then asks why he is up so early. Steve mumbles that he has an early start at the cab office.

Grimshaw's; Jason says he is more tired than Eileen and Violet. Eileen says he was asleep like a log. He says with Holly crying and her singing old Macdonald all night he wasn't. Both of them give him a look. Eileen asks why he didn't bother to get up and help but he replies saying he has got work and is now going for a shower.

Kabin; Fiz asks if they have any more magz about outdoor activities. Rita takes paracetamol as Norris says its 65p. Rita tells him to put an i.o.u in the till. He says he has put in Rita owes Norris one 5 am start without notice. She says once she has got them down her she will tell him to shut up. Cilla sees Fiz and says she can't buy a child with days out. She also says why buy a child when you can just steal one. Fiz says she didn't.

Grimshaws; Jason is told Eileen was called in to work. Violet says she has made bottles and says sorry.

Cab office; Lloyd knows Steve has been with someone as he has the same clothes and smell. Eileen comes in and says if Jason phones she is away to the shops and goes. Steve tells Lloyd it was Tracy.

Barlows house; Blanch says any more Steve instead of tea. Tracy says nothing gets past her and says she is not ashamed as Steve is a good bloke, has his own business. Blanch says he is not answering her texts though.

Bakery; Jason puts his drill on and Holly starts crying. Bill comes in saying babies and drills don't go. Jason gives him a look, takes Holly and goes out the shop.

Factory; Joanna watches Liam. Kelly says it was bound to happen. Carol wants the car but Paul says take a taxi, as he needs the car as well. Liam says he would never forget she has a meeting. Liam then says Paul can take a taxi and charge it to the company. Carla takes the keys and goes.

Cab office; Jason says he wants to see him mum. Steve says she is out so Jason says he will just leave Holly. Steve says no as Tracy comes in. He is trying to have two conversations and Tracy goes off huffing. Jason says he will wait for his mum. Steve says she could be ages so he goes.

Outside; Jason sees Jodie and tells her he is just off to get materials. Looking at Holly she says this is maybe why Rome took so long and tells him he has one more chance or he is off the job and he will pay back all the money.

Kabin; Deirdre tells Liz about Steve and Tracy, not knowing she didn't know. Deirdre says Tracy may look like the old Tracy but she's not, any one could give an opinion in the witness box. Liz says she will talk to Steve. They go out the shop.

Outside Fiz says Chez is eating good food. Joanne then asks why he's at the chipper. Cilla is smirking. Fiz shouts on him and tells him they will have tea together tomorrow. Cilla gives Chez his sausage he has forgot.

Cab office; Lloyd says Steve can't have Michelle so he goes for Tracy and he does not have to worry about dumping her, he just has to wait till she is sent down. The phone rings just as Eileen comes in. It's Jason. Eileen says Steve had a go at her too for bringing Holly in. Steve says next time she does not bring him into her family problems.

Hospital; Jason is sat with lots of other babies. One of the mums starts talking to him saying all about different foods. He looks around wanting to run away.

Rovers; Sarah asks Bill where Jason is. Bill says they are behind and he should dump Holly. Sarah says Eileen has her but Violet says she was called into work. His phone goes off and Sarah says he can't make it and goes. Michelle asks where Vernon is. Liz says she has no idea. Michelle then says Steve but Liz says he better think twice before coming in here and tells her about him and Tracy. Michelle stops smiling.

Outside Jason asks Sarah to take Holly. She can't. He tells her his mum dumped her on him. Sarah shouts saying its his daughter and no one dumped her on him. She tells him he has got childcare problems and that no one has died. As she goes into the salon he says only his boss.

Kabin; Dev comes in. Norris asks if he has an accident book. He tells about Rita knocking over shelves and trapping fingers in tills. Just then he cuts himself on the paper. Rita asks for the book.

Grimshaws; Jason leaves Holly in her pram and goes on the sofa and closes his eyes.

Rovers; Michelle asks Steve if he's on his own, he says yes. She says his mum will be happy. Carla says she has landed the order and has to supply 6 shops. Her brothers tell her well done. Steve asks what's up with Michelle. Violet says she was ok but is now moody. She comes through and asks what she was just saying. She says she was up all night and Michelle says so was Steve with Tracy. He asks if she is jealous.

Grimshaws; Jason wakes and gets up to see Holly is not her in pram. He looks round the room then goes out the back panicking shouting Holly.

This report is copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Welcome back, and we rejoin the story Jason rushes out of the shop distraught looking for Holly.

Sarah is moaning at her mother that Jason can't seem to cope with his baby. Gail tells her that it was because she was around to help that allowed Sarah to go to school and carry on more or less as normal. Then Jason rushes into the house (obviously Sarah has given him a house key!), to say that Holly has gone. Gail, tells him to go back across the road in case anybody calls. On the way across he sees Steve and Lloyd and asks them if they have seen anyone with a baby. They say they haven't.

Tracy sees Steve in the street. She says she has got the message, that the previous night was just a one-off. Steve tells he was going to invite her out for a drink.

Meanwhile over at Rita's Kabin in walks Eileen carrying baby Holly. Tracy comes in and Rita says that baby Holly is cute. Tracy replies that when you have seen one baby you have seen them all - she goes on that the only advantage of prison is that there are no babies. With that she trounces out with a magazine.

Gail is now trying to go over what happened. Maybe Holly's mother took her? Anyway Gail suggests that Jason rings the police. Then the back door opens (another one with access to the house!) and Eileen walks in with the baby. Jason rings off the phone. Eileen is a little bemused at all the fuss. Jason says they thought she had been kidnapped. Eileen says she took her because her father was asleep. At least he now knows what is involved in looking after a baby. Sarah and Gail leave Eileen and Jason to sort things out between them.

Les is painting the cupboard doors. Cilla, full of encouragement and helpful advice, says she no longer likes the colour he is painting them. Les reminds her that she chose it. Chesney then comes in. Les thinks he is going to help with the painting, but Cilla tells him to sit down and watch the tv. She asks him if he wants anything. When he says he wants a pizza she tells Les to get one for him.

Michelle goes into Underworld to see her brothers. She would like a favour. She wants to have Sonny back for the evening and doesn't want Ryan disturbing them. Paul reluctantly agrees.

Fiz goes round to her mother looking for Chesney. Cilla says that he is not there; at that moment Les comes in with a pizza for Chesney. Realising what is going on, he quickly changes the subject to complement Cilla on her painting skills! Fiz takes the hint and tells them that if they see Chesney to tell him that she is looking for him. As she leaves Cilla calls out to Chesney that he can come out, he had been hiding under the dustcovers.

Jason tells Violet about Eileen taking Holly. She realises that it must have been an awful shock for him. Then Jason confesses that part of him was glad that Holly had gone. He said it what he wanted most to happen. Violet thinks that he was upset and wasn't thinking clearly. He says he was sure.

Steve asks Michelle in the pub where Sonny is. She manages to turn it round to say that she trusts Sonny and doesn't need to know where he is at every hour of the day. However, she feels he is going to want to know where Tracy is and what she is doing. Sean then arrives for his shift, and asks Michelle if they are busy. She says they are not at the moment, but we are likely to have some prisoners out on bail dropping by. Steve looks puzzled and Michelle explains that she thought Tracy was going to bring in some of her mates (miaow) !!!

Sonny comes in and asks Michelle if she has managed to get any time off. Steve overhears this conversation and tells her that she can't have any time off. He tells Sonny if that is the reason that he has come in, he can go home, but Sonny says he will stay around.

Norris and Rita arrive in The Rovers. He reminds her that she is getting up early tomorrow morning to do the papers. He doesn't want her to drink too much and then have a "headache". Rita orders herself an orange juice.

Tracy comes in and the first thing Steve does is to complement her. Steve turns to Michelle and asks if she and Sonny are doing anything for Valentine's Day (do you have that overseas?), and then "remembers" that Michelle is working and that there is no possibility of her getting any time off.

Chesney goes back to Fiz. She has made him supper because she doesn't know he has had a pizza with Cilla and Les. Chesney obviously isn't very hungry

Eileen tells Jason that she took Holly for his own good, to teach him a lesson. She says he is not the first person to have to work and look after a baby at the same time. She tells him that she is going over to the Rovers.

Sean offers to cover Michelle's shift for her. However he does ask for one condition that she tells him that he has only done it because it is him. Michelle is puzzled but says she will tell him.

Doreen comes in to the pub and offers to buy Norris and Rita a drink. Norris says that Rita isn't drinking, but Rita thinks otherwise and says she will have one with her. Norris mutters that her "on the wagon" didn't last very long. Doreen shows Rita some brochures about theatre shows that they could go to together.

Michelle invites Sonny back to her place, where she says they will be alone all night. Sonny is surprised because he thought she was working that evening. Michelle tells him that Sean is covering for her, and passes on his message. She says she doesn't understand what it means. Sonny says nothing.

Liam and Ryan are playing a computer game. Paul tells them that the pizza that he has got them will go cold. Carla comes home from a business meeting and is annoyed that nobody asked her about Ryan staying over.

Michelle gets her coat ready to go home. Steve asks where she is going. She replies that she is not feeling well and is going home. She adds that Sonny is going to put her to bed! Tracy wonders why Steve is so interested. She asks whether he is going out with her to make Michelle jealous. He says not. So Tracy suggests that they go to town and get a meal (probably a pizza, as everyone else is having one tonight!). Steve reluctantly agrees.

Jason rings Social Services, anonymously to report (himself) that Holly is not being cared for properly, and ought to be taken into care. He gives them the baby's name and address and rings off the phone.

Michelle asks Sonny what he thinks of Tracy and Steve. He says that he doesn't have an opinion. Michelle then reminds him that it is thanks to Sean that they are together tonight. Sean asks whether we ought to send him a bunch of flowers. Michelle doesn't care, she just wants to be with him.

Martin Rosen

Hi all, here's the update for Valentine's day, Wednesday 14th February.

It's morning in the Grimshaw household and Violet comes downstairs and tells Jason that Holly is awake. "Already?" he asks, dismayed. He was up for 3 hours with her in the night. Eileen says, sarcastically, that it's a pity she doesn't just wake up when it suits him and then go back to sleep. She puffs baby powder in his face. (Has nobody told her that no one uses baby powder with babies any more?)

Jason steps outside his front door and meets Sarah coming up the Street. "Is it in the post?" she asks, smiling. Jason has obviously completely forgotten about Valentine's day! "Sorry Babes," he says. At first she's annoyed, but when he starts to moan about having Holly, and the job to finish, she becomes more understanding. "Never mind about the card," she says, and suggests they do something nice together later. "Even if it's just babysitting with a bag of chips," she says, "it doesn't have to cost much." Jason however, is in a hurry, "Can we talk about this later?" he says, and gives her a quick peck on the cheek.

Inside the Webster's hallway, Rosie is going through the post that has just landed on the mat. "Nothing from Deutschland?" says Sophie, smirking. Rosie doesn't look too happy and Sally scolds her youngest daughter. "I'm sure there's a good explanation," she tells Rosie. Sophie says it reminds her, she still has to send hers, and jumps up and picks up a red envelope. "Who's yours to?" asks Sally, but Sophie says it's a secret. She asks Rosie to sign it for her, so the recipient won't recognise the handwriting, but Rosie tells her to do her own dirty work. Sally says she'll sign it, if Sophie tells her who it's for. She then guesses it's for Chesney, and Sophie doesn't say anything. Sally takes the card and writes something in it. The girls all giggle. "That'll get his pulse racing!" laughs Sally.

Inside the bakery, Jason's on the phone to Bill telling him what to pick up from the builders' merchants.

Outside in Coronation Street, we see Sophie Webster walk down the street with her red envelope and then push it through Emily's front door! She walks off grinning.

Dressed in her dressing gown, (which is the Corrie way of saying they've spent the night together!) Michelle tells Sonny that she prefers instant coffee, as he stands in her kitchen with a cafetiere full of coffee. Just then her doorbell rings, it's Carla bringing back Ryan. Sonny takes a phone call on his mobile and Carla departs for work. Michelle tells Ryan she wouldn't have sent him off to stay with his aunt and uncle if she wasn't serious about someone. Ryan says he doesn't mind, he likes Sonny.

The social working knocks on the Grimshaw front door. Maria comes along and tells her that Jason is working round the corner. She goes off to find him.

Norris goes into the Kabin. He had apparently gone home to check he didn't leave the immersion heater on. Rita however, thinks he went back to check whether he got any Valentine cards. "Who'd send you a Valentine card?" she jokes, so Norris pulls out a large card with red hearts all over it and shows it to her. "All my love from Hotlips!" Rita reads out. "Who on earth sent you that?" Norris admits he doesn't know. Rita wonders if he sent it to himself, but Norris wonders if Rita sent it to him.

Shirley, the social worker, turns up where Jason is working. She says she was looking for Holly and Jason tells her that his mum or Violet should be looking after her. The social worker finds a toy lying around and asks if he ever brings Holly to work. He admits that when no one else can have her he doesn't have a choice. She asks if they can have a chat – there's been a complaint. Jason looks astounded.

In the pub, Liz is looking for Vernon, who was last seen heading into the bookies. Just then Jason and Shirley turn up, and Jason asks Violet if she has Holly. She tells them that Eileen has her, so they head off in that direction.

In the taxi office, Eileen is whispering into the microphone, but Les can't understand which house number he has to go to. Steve grabs the microphone and shouts, "35!" into it. This of course, wakes the baby up and she starts yelling. Just then Jason and Shirley arrive and she asks Eileen if they can go and have a talk.

Deirdre goes into the Kabin, and cheerfully asks Norris how many Valentines he got, and then jokes about a special van bringing hers, she got so many. As she goes out, Norris looks knowingly at Rita. "You cannot be serious!" says Rita.

In the Grimshaw's, Eileen wants to know who has made the allegations, but Shirley says it's confidential. She asks if they're having any problems that she doesn't know about. Eileen says there aren't, but Jason remarks that things could be better. He explains that it's not ideal, Holly being shunted from pillar to post, and says that she needs to be more settled. Eileen protests that it may not be perfect, but they are coping. Jason isn't sure they are coping, but Eileen thinks they're doing a fine job and is worried that Holly may end up in care. Shirley assures her that's the last thing they want, and Eileen is relieved, although Jason doesn't look so happy.

At the Battersby's, Les is busy decorating when there's a knock on the door. Cilla breaks off from painting her nails and opens it, and there is Chesney. He says he's come to take Schmeichel for a walk. Les asks if he'll stay for his dinner as well, but Ches tells them that Fiz has left him something at the flat, a cheese sarnie and an apple. Les says that won't put feathers on his chest, and Chesney asks what they're having. "Oh, just chips again," says Cilla, "crispy outside, fluffy in, a couple of runny eggs to dip them into, and lashings of salt and vinegar!" Chesney says that Fiz thinks he should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Cilla points out that chips are vegetables, and Les says that ketchup is from tomatoes. "And if raspberry ripple's not fruit then I'm a banana!" says Cilla. Chesney is very tempted, and Les says that it'll all be ready when he gets back from walking Schmeichel. After he's gone out, Les laughs, and Cilla says, "Like a lamb to the slaughter!"

At the Grimshaw's, Shirley says they're doing an excellent job under difficult circumstances, but it would be better if Holly wasn't shunted around quite so much. Eileen promises to sort that out, and promises that she won't go again to the building site. Shirley leaves, telling them not to let the nasty phone call get them down. After she's gone, Eileen fumes, "Which quivering slimeball dropped us into that?" Jason looks uncomfortable.

In the Kabin, Rita is trying to convince Norris that Deirdre was just having a joke, when Sally comes in. She says she wants to pay for her papers and writes a cheque. As she's writing it, Norris continues to argue the case for the Valentine coming from Deirdre, saying she's been with Ken for a long time, and also been under pressure from all the trouble with Tracy. "Then what are you going to do about it?" asks Rita, "You've got a rampant highly sexed woman who is begging you to rescue her, you've got to do something!" However, when Norris sees Sally's handwriting on the cheque, all thoughts of Deirdre go from his mind, and he pulls out the card to compare. "Just look at the writing on those two," he says. Rita is dumbfounded.

Outside, Carla sees Becky and asks her if she'll do some overtime that night at the factory. Becky agrees, and asks if she can come in early and do some sewing of her own. Carla says that's ok.

Eileen sees Gail and Sarah, and marches across the road, telling her that her little trick didn't work. "What are you raving on about now?" asks Gail. Eileen says she's been reported to Social Services. Gail says she wouldn't be surprised that somebody reported them, but it wasn't her. Jason rushes up behind his mother, and tries to intervene. "Mum, this isn't going to help anyone," he says. Gail tells Eileen she should listen to her son, and she goes off.

Fizz asks Chesney what he's been up to, spotting the paint on his hands. Chesney lies and tells her he's been to Sophie's and they did lots of pictures. Maria finds the uneaten sandwich and Chesney quickly says that Sophie's mum gave him something – lamb chop, baked potato and carrots. Fizz says as long as he's had a good day, that's all that matters.

In the pub, Steve sees Michelle flirting with Sonny. As she walks in their direction, he kisses Tracy. "What was that for?" she asks him, smiling. "You complaining?" he replies. She assures him she's not. "Come on, let's go," he says, and they go outside. As they pass Liz and Deirdre, Liz mutters, "I were really hoping that would fizzle out." "You and me both," agrees Deirdre. Once outside, Tracy asks Steve where they're going. He stammers that he thought he'd better go and check on the office. Tracy is annoyed. "Hot one minute, cold the next," she says, "you wouldn't be up to anything, would you Steve?" Then she says she fancied a quiet night in anyway, and goes indoors.

Steve turns round and finds Eileen coming along. She accuses him of reporting her to Social Services. "Do you honestly think I'd do that after all I've been through with Amy?" he asks her.

Becky is finishing her sewing at the factory, it's curtains for Roy and Hayley's vintage car. "You won't tell Roy and Hayley, will you?" she asks Carla, who says she won't, but she needs Becky to sew two dozen pairs of dungarees before she goes home.

Jason and Eileen are sitting at home in front of the tv. Eileen is trying to work out who reported them, and is working her way through the names of everyone in the Street. Eventually Eileen decides it must have been Jodie, the person Jason is converting the shop for. "Mum, she didn't do it," says Jason. "How do you know?" Eileen demands to know. "'Cos it were me," he answers.

Cilla walks into the pub and joins Fizz at the bar. "How's Chesney?" she asks, sweetly. Fizz tells her she's no one he wants to see or she would know how he is. "They all come back to their parents in the end you know," says Cilla, smiling. "No chance of that happening," retorts Fizz.

Back at the Grimshaw's, Eileen is coming to terms with what Jason did. "Now I know why you told Social Services we couldn't cope," she says. "If you'd listened when I kept saying it," says Jason, "but oh no, all you said was I had to do it, like it or not." She says she didn't realise he was finding it so hard. "What, with all the lectures about how useless I was as a father?" She tells him that ringing Social Services was the stupidest thing he could have done. He asks what he was supposed to do, she didn't want to know and Sarah thought he was Superdad. He couldn't run away again, and he thought he was going insane. She tells him that all dads feel like that, he just has to get through it. "All dads that want their kids, maybe," he tells her, "Mam, I don't want this kid, can you not get that into your head? I've tried to love her, I've tried to cope but I just can't handle it." He tells her she's pushed him into all of this. She says that she knows he found it hard at first, but she thought he'd come round, she thought he'd warm to Holly. He tells her she's been too obsessed to listen. Eileen admits she wants Holly, she adores her and can't believe he doesn't feel the same. He says that she gets the life she wants so he has to give up his. "I never asked to keep this kid, you did," he tells her, "well, she's all yours now."

Anne Logan.

It's Friday and as we start our stroll down the cobbles, Norris is outside the shop with a coal shovel, doing his own gritting. He's concentrating so hard he doesn't really see what's going on around him, until Becky sticks her head out from the Kabin and asks: "Are you coming in to serve or shall I help myself?" "You most certainly must not!" Norris says, and he positively scurries in. Norris does a very good scurry.

Inside, Becky asks for wrapping paper and a sneering Norris asks what sort: "Happy birthday, new baby, glad you're out of prison. . ." He tells her pointedly that the Kabin sells only quality gift paper. Becky waves a tenner at him to prove she can pay. He's quickly distracted, though, when Sally comes in. He scurries again, this time to his position behind the counter. "Sally, you're looking very lovely this morning, my dear." Just call him Norris "Clark Gable" Cole. He comments on that fact that she's had her hair done. "No," she says, but Norris is in full flow. "I bet Kevin hardly notices when you've made the effort. Ohhh, some men. If it hasn't got a crankshaft they're not interested." Sally asks for a quarter of midget gems. Norris, his voice dropping low and his tone confidential, tells her they're his favourites, too. "See you later," Sally tells him. "Look forward to it," he purrs.

At the Grimshaws', Sean is choosing his shirt carefully, making Violet suspect he's got a man. Jason comes in but says just a few words before heading for work.

Chesney, with paint roller, is helping Uncle Les. He asks Kirk to promise not to tell Fizz. Kirk suggests he take the paint off his face before he sees Fizz.

Eileen is trying to organise shorter working hours, but Steve tells her she can't have them. "You're the voice of Streetcars." She points out that Lloyd and Steve both do shifts. Lloyd points out that they only reason they don't make her work much longer hours is that it's illegal. "We're going to have to get Fat Brenda in from Levenshulme," Steve points out. He asks how Eileen thought she and Jason were going to cope with the baby. She points out that it's Jason's baby and she thought she'd just be helping out. "Jason?" asks Lloyd. "Him that'd climb out of a toilet window rather than get married? You expected him to take responsibility for a baby he never knew he had?" Eileen agrees there might be a problem there. "If I'm going to have to choose between the job and Holly, you'd better look for a new dispatcher."

In the pub, Michelle asks Liz whether she's got a ring on her finger. She thought Vernon might have popped the question. "I mean, you must be his first Valentine with her own pub." Vernon did give Liz a ring, as it happens -- from the dogs, to tell her not to wait up because he and his pals were going on to a casino. "What about you?" Michelle asks Steve. "Still living dangerously?" "If you mean did I see Tracy last night and have a fahntahstic time, then the answer is yes," he says. Michelle hopes he's taking precautions. "What? Like a crash helmet and a bulletproof vest?" he asks. No, Michelle says. She thought he might worry that Tracy is just using him. "It might look good in court to say she's back with Amy's dad."

Eileen's home, looking after Holly, discussing Jason's sense of responsibility with Violet and comparing Jason's attitude with that of Steve. "Steve's a lot nicer bloke than people give him credit for," Violet says. "Mmm. Jason isn't," Eileen says. She tells Violet she's going to do her best to bring up Holly. Violet asks about child minders but Eileen says that, apart from the cost, she'd worry if she farmed out Holly to strangers. "There's a part of you that's enjoying this, isn't there?" Violet says.

As the workers come out of the factory, Fizz is asking about Sally's childcare arrangements for half term. Sophie's helping out Kevin at the garage and it seems Fizz believes that Chesney is with her.

Sally pops into the Kabin. "Oh, can't keep you away," says a delighted Norris. Sally forgot to get stamps. Norris starts to opine (there's no other word for it) on The Go-Between, secret notes and illicit lovers, catching Claire's attention away over at the magazine display. Norris believes women are drawn to more thoughtful men when they've grown tired of the "shallow sons of toil". Sally comments that Norris must be fighting them off with a stick. He tells her he's the soul of discretion. Eileen comes in and asks Claire what she's doing about childcare when she goes back to work. Claire would rather stay home than leave Freddie with someone she is unsure of. Eileen tells her she has the same problem with Holly. They grin at each other until they realise that each thought the other was going to be the one to stay home to look after both babies. "You're the trained nanny," Eileen points out. But they're back to square one because both want to go to work.

Becky comes into Roy's Rolls to tell Hayley she's sorry. But Hayley goes on the attack, telling Becky that she's sorry she trusted her in the first place and she's sorry Becky thinks an apology will make things better. Joanne points out that Becky is just making things worse. "I've made these for you and Roy," Becky says, putting down her wrapped parcel in front of Hayley and leaving the cafe. Hayley chases after her the thrusts the present back at her. "Stuff your stupid present!" she says.

Les rushes into the cab office, all excited because he's heard Eileen is leaving. "Just one word," he says. "Cilla." "Just one word, Les," counters Steve. "No way." Les thinks Cilla is wasted at the chippie. Eileen and Claire come in and lean on the counter. Les thinks he's found an ally and appeals to Eileen for her opinion. "Cilla would be as good on the switch as you are at driving," Eileen tells him. Les looks at Lloyd and Steve, palms upraised in an I've-won-the-argument sort of way. "No," says Steve. "That's not a good thing." Claire and Eileen make their announcement - they're going to job-share.

"I tell you, Kevin, if it had been anyone but Norris I would have sworn he was flirting with me," Sally says, filling in her husband on the whole story.

Les, Chesney and Kirk are off to get takeaways, piling into the taxi.

Kevin is in the Kabin, winding up Norris. "No chat about literature, illicit lovers?" asks Kevin. Norris doesn't think that would be productive. "But it's all right to talk to married women that way?" Kevin asks. Norris assures him that some married women like a bit of banter. "A bit of fantasy to take them out of their mundane lives." Kevin tells Norris right out: "Sally doesn't fancy you." Norris doesn't believe him. "How do you explain this, then?" he asks, producing the Valentine's card from under the counter.

In the cafe, Eileen and Jason are still bickering, but Eileen tells him about the new childcare arrangements. All he's really worried about is the job, though, and then he wants to spend some time with Sarah. Behind the counter, Roy wants to know what the present is. Hayley doesn't know, but she tells him Becky will have nicked it. Roy agrees. "In future, the only mugs in here will be for serving beverages," he says.

Becky is in the Rovers ordering a double vodka. Fizz comes in, nagging Kirk about where Chesney is going. She knows he wouldn't go to Cilla and Les. Kirk suggests maybe it would be good if he made up with them. "No it wouldn't!" Fizz says indignantly. But it's too late. Michelle saw Kirk heading off for takeaways with Chesney and Les and asks Kirk what they got. "Kirky? Got something you want to tell me?" Fizz asks.

Kevin tells Sally about the card. "I'll never be able to go in there again," Sally says. Sophie arrives, chattering on about Tyrone saying she's a natural mechanic. She stops when she sees Sally's face. "What's the evils for?" Kevin says he doesn't know and asks Sally if she knows, calling her Hotlips. Sophie catches on and giggles. "Yes," says Kevin. "Thanks to you we're going to have some lovesick sweetshop owner knocking at your mum's bedroom window." He tells her she's got some explaining to do - to Norris.

In the pub, Michelle asks Steve if he's seeing Tracy tonight. Their conversation is interrupted by her mobile phone and she chats to Sonny. He wants to go out so she asks Sean to cover for her, but he says he's going out. Sonny apparently tells Michelle he's happy to meet her after she's finished work.

Fizz tells Maria about her mother's lies over the year. Cilla once told Fizz they were going on holiday to Majorca to get her to pack her bags, but she was really going to another children's home. Chesney comes in and Fizz questions him about where he's been. He claims to have been with Sophie. Fizz asks him if he ever sees Les or Cilla and he denies it. She says she wouldn't mind if he did. "Really?" asks a suddenly happy Chesney. "Could I stop there sometimes? Have a laugh with me Uncle Les?" Fizz tells him of course he can.

Out in the street, Becky walks past Norris, who meets Kevin, Sally and Sophie. Sophie confesses to sending the Valentine. Norris looks quite disappointed. "Perhaps I'd better heed my own watchword of discretion in future," he says. Sally asks if they are all still friends and Norris says they are.

Maria counsels Fizz about Chesney. The lad himself comes in. He's packed. He's made a decision to go back to his Mam and Les. "I just miss me Mam, that's all," he tells Fizz, leaving her with tears in her eyes as he trots away down the stairs.

Lloyd discovers the cafe on fire. As Eileen dials 999, Steve heads to the Rovers to fetch Roy and Hayley. Lloyd thinks there's someone in the cafe.

Steven rushes into the Rovers and tells Roy and Hayley and they all arrive back to find Lloyd carrying Becky out. "I smashed the glass in the door," she coughs. "I thought you might have been in the flat." She sees the horrified look on their faces. "No, it wasn't me! I wouldn't! she says. Roy is raging. "This is our home, our livelihood, you wretched, wretched woman!" As Hayley accuses Becky of being a liar, Becky protests until the effects of the smoke she's inhaled make her almost choke and she staggers away

The End

Margaret Carr

Well the cafe is a mess and a fire needs to be explained. Those who watch Corrie closely will be aware that recently Roy was mending the deep fat fryer and I am sure he managed to make a good job of it - after all he saved a fortune on calling out a proper repairman. Meanwhile the fire service have decided they need to prove "whodunnit" and whilst Becky has been found, questioned and released Hayley remains convinced of her guilt. Roy is less certain but acknowledges that they are both upset.

Lloyd having been invisible for months is now in just about every scene just to prove that he was not really lost. Anyway everyone in the Street now believes that Becky is guilty of starting the fire. And of course we hear repeatedly how she set up Kelly as a thief. By the end of the episode just about all the residents on the Street are convinced of Becky's guilt as the gossip spreads.

Fiz is missing Chesney. No I do not understand it either - but then why does Chesney want to be with his mother. Schmeichel I can understand - but Cilla? Anyway Les wants Ches to know how happy he is they are home - but Chesney insists no more promises. Maria diagnoses treatment for Fiz - the Rovers. They are discussing the fire - Lloyd is a hero having saved Becky from a fate worse than being a convicted arsonist - after all perhaps she should be charged with attempted murder - Roy and Hayley might have been at home.

Amber, a lean mean keen pricing machine, asks David how much blood Tracy managed to get out of Charlie and which side of his was caved in. Tracy arrives to discover the cause of her burning ears. David tells Amber "Later" and departs closely followed by the man-killer.

Back home Gail advises the killer watch boy that his solicitor wants to see him. Gail is worried but David is relaxed and reckons it is no big thing.

Along at the Corner Shop Cilla has selected a nearly out of date packet of biscuits and browbeats Dev into charging her half price. Molly tells Dev that he was far too soft. Dev impressed at her cool approach offers her a job - but she responds that she has a job at the kennels and taking her shopping departs.

Michelle (a poor single barmaid mother) has the family and Sonny round for a meal. Having worried all day she manages to burn dinner - even Carla recognises that it is a little more overdone than Roy's Rolls. Michelle retorts that Carla is hardly Nigella Lawson and never cooks in her own kitchen. Paul and Sonny are playing with Ryan's game and he cannot get his turn. Carla's mobile rings and she takes an order - which seems OK until she finds out the required delivery date. The Trendy Tots order has been doubled - but the delivery date is unchanged. Paul carries on playing the game and almost ignores her plight. Anyway he reckons they will manage. Carla loses her temper but grabs her coat and walks out - Paul follows - but at least Ryan is happy as he starts playing the game against Sonny. They head over to the Rovers and Paul has to admit that she is doing well, he is proud of her and they will get the order out on time.

Molly is having second thoughts about the job offer from Dev. She talks it over with Tyrone and the Duck Eggs. The kennels are colder in winter and she does not meet many people. She is not going to tell Kirk just yet.

In the Street David, who has clearly spent the last month on a very hot beach and having finally acquired a rather more sensible haircut receives a fistful of CDs from Tracy (who is "being nice to him"). Noticing Razorlight he jokes that Tracy ought to enjoy "The Killers". Tracy fails to see any joke. He asks if this is because he is seeing his solicitor tomorrow. Tracy denies any connection and points out that she cannot influence a witness - and in any event whilst she knew nothing about it she knows that it will goo very well.

Well would you credit the brass neck of some people. Becky walks straight into the Rovers and up to Hayley who does not let her speak before calling her a cheeky cow whilst the omnipresent Lloyd reckons she is good turning up after the event as if butter would not melt, acting the innocent. Becky pleads with Hayley to believe her - but Hayley reckons every word she says is a lie and refuses to believe her at all. Carla overhears all of this and turns on Becky and tells her that all she should do in the morning is clean out her locker - she is fired (no pun intended).

Hayley returns to the cafe and is finally told that the fire was caused by the deep fat fryer and was nothing to do with Becky. Hayley chases after Becky to the bus stop and apologises and says she will tell everyone else. But Becky is hurt and points out she must have wanted her to fail again like everyone else. As the bus arrives she passes a packet to Hayley for the car. Hayley tries to say sorry but Becky is on the bus (no not the other bus) and departs.

Hayley sits down on bench and opens the packet - some lovely curtains embroidered with an R and an H are within. Hayley is consumed with guilt - will she ever be able to say sorry to Becky after this and put things right?

See you all next week

K Richard W

First Part

Outside Jodie sees the Cafe is shut. Jason tells her there was a fire.

Platt's; Gail says David is not wearing a t-shit and will wear his school uniform. Sarah says he is doing it to wind her up. David asks if she phoned and told the school why he won't be in. Gail says yes as Sarah says like he has not told everyone. He says he is not getting a kick out of this.

Cafe; Roy says they can redecorate. Hayley is still upset as they jumped to the wrong conclusion about Becky. Jodie comes in to offer her condolences and says she heard they got the girl that did it. Hayley says it was not her and goes.

Salon flat; Chez comes round for his tie asking if she is mad at him. Fiz puts it on saying no and he can come round any time when it gets mental over the road.

Outside Tracy tells David to just say the facts. He says what she told him to say. David then asks if she should tell about the bribes. She says gifts. Gail arrives after getting her bag. Kirk knocks on the Duckworths to find Molly dressed up. She says she is not well and sent him a text what he just reads. She says she gets dressed up for going to the docs.

Factory; Hayley tries to tell them Becky didn't start the fire but they just say not this time. Hayley says they are not listening and she was wrongly accused.

Solicitors; Jane calls David. As Gail gets up, she asks if she can talk to David alone. David says it's ok and goes in with Jane.

Bakery; Jodie runs up to Jason and Bill saying she wants to open ASAP to steal Roy's customers. He says it's impossible and anyone will say the same. Roy comes up and offers them refreshments because Jodie was so caring. Jason and Bill smile.

Solicitors; David is questioned. She says he does not seem to be bothered that he saw a murder and looks pleased with himself. He asks if he should pretend to be upset as he could. She asks if he likes to play act. He says he didn't say that and she says she does not believe his statement.

Corner shop; Molly comes in about the job. Amber says she is doing the interview and she can start by serving Sarah. Amber says she didn't ask if there was anything else. Molly says she was going to. Amber then says she wants her to walk round the shop then she will ask questions.

Solicitors; David says she is calling him a liar. Jane says he hated Charlie. David says everyone hated him and he is glad he is dead. She says he wanted revenge. David asks if this is what they are going to be asking in court. Jane says she thought he didn't scare easy.

Corner shop; Amber asks Molly the price of something. She says this is stupid and she does not need to know as the price is on the packet. She says they are expensive and Amber asks if she is slagging their prices. She says she was supposed to be helping Kirk and goes.

Solicitors David says he does not have to be here. Jane tells him to walk away if he thinks his story will not stand. David says he stands buy everything he said but didn't want to come forward because of Charlie but not that he is dead and he head Tracy was up for murder he had to. Jane tells him that's enough for today and she was testing him to see if he could with stand court.

Rovers; Liz asks Steve why he is still seeing Tracy. He says he likes sleeping with her and it's no strings attached but thinks Tracy sees more into it. Liz says that's Michelle putting ideas in his head. Steve says he will talk to Tracy. Liz says she will bring over their drinks.

Solicitors; Jane says David done really well. She tells him he will give evidence by video link. He says he is not a kid. Jane says she will ask the judge if he can appear in court and tells him he is the only witness to the murder so his evidence is really important.

Factory; Hayley is still saying she believes in second chances. She says Becky was wrongly accused for something she didn't do. Kelly says she was wrongly accused by her. Hayley says she was just getting her life back on track.

Rovers; Steve says he wants to make sure they are singing off the same hymn sheet. She asks what he means. Michelle wipes their table as he then says happy. He wants to make sure she is happy. Steve goes up to the bar and Liz says she thinks Tracy is getting mixed messages.

Corner shop; Dev comes back and asks if anything happened while he was gone. Amber says Molly came about the job but didn't seem keen. He says that's her loss.

Outside Tracy says to David he done really well and Jane was impressed. David asks the date of her trail and is told March 26th. David says he has footie practice. Tracy says they will call him another day and says this is more important. David says he can't do it any more.

Streetcars; Lloyd says he had the punter that is a DJ in his cab and got vip tickets to a gig and says all the lads can go out. Claire coughs and Lloyd says she can come to and bring Ashley.

Outside Tracy asks if he is nervous and says he is not the one on trial and can do it by video link. He says he didn't see anything so he can't stand in court, and say he did. Tracy shouts telling him to keep his voice down, as some one will hear. He says that's why as he made it all up.

This report is copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Here we go with part two.

Tracy is desperately trying to persuade David to stick to his original story. However, David is reluctant to change his mind again. She insists that he should carry on lying, she says it would make him look very stupid if he confesses he was lying now.. Anyway, he wouldn't want to lie under oath. Tracy then tells him that she will do anything for him, and confirms "anything" (now what is an impressionable teenage boy to think - after all Tracy is not unattractive), David says that she must be desperate.

Hayley is in the factory as Carla comes in. She jumps up and rushes over to her to tell her about Becky. Carla is not interested, she still doesn't trust her.

Roy is doing up his car. He is putting the curtains in that Becky gave them. Hayley says it is obvious that Hayley has done a lot of hard work to make them.

Molly tells Tyrone about her "interview" at the Corner Shop. She says it was obvious that Amber was just trying to get rid of her. Tyrone thinks she maybe better off staying at the kennels, but Molly is determined to make a go of it at the shop.

Michelle is chatting to Sonny on the mobile phone. Steve comes into the pub and realises this is an opportunity for a wind-up. He first of all tells her that she shouldn't be speaking to him in work time. He then asks her about Sonny; whether he has been married before? Michelle admits that they don't talk about those things. Steve replies that Tracy and him are very open. Steve makes a further attempt to wind her up, but she is not falling for it.

Tracy tells her parents that David is now refusing to testify at her trial. She says she will drag him in by his hair if necessary, he is my best chance of being found not guilty. She also suggests that they speak to Gail.

Dev comes into the Rovers. Molly goes up to him and says that he is going to find it very difficult to get anyone to work in the shop with Amber interviewing potential staff. Dev seems somewhat surprised to learn that Amber was interviewing.

Claire tells Ashley that she has her interview for the voluntary job at 'Women in Crisis'. Ashley asks her to tell him about it. She says it is a counselling service for women in Manchester who have problems. Ashley thinks she will be good at it, because she is a good listener. She then asks him if she could practise on him.

David calls up Tracy on the mobile phone. She mouths to Ken and Deirdre that it is David, and when he says that he has changed his mind again and will testify, she gives them the thumbs up. However, there is a condition, as he is taking a risk, she is to make it worth his while, and confirms that he will be in all afternoon if she wants to drop by.

Tracy then goes up to Liz to see Steve. She tells her that he is in the back room, so Tracy marches through, where Steve is counting cash. She says he must be doing well, and asks for £100 (one hundred pounds) for Amy who needs new shoes, and a coat, and would like to take her out for a day. Tracy says it maybe the last time I can take her out. Steve wonders if Tracy is just seeing him so it looks good in court. Tracy says she is surprised because she thought they were getting on well together and they make a good team. He even suggests that she may want to get pregnant again. She feels "hurt" that he has even suggested that. She says that his suggestion makes her feel like a trollop, and takes the money and goes.

Michelle asks Sonny if he has ever been married, and why he never talks about his ex-girlfriends. Sonny then starts to mention a few of them, but adds that none of them meant anything compared to her.

Dev and Molly walk into the shop, and tells Amber that that Molly has come for her "second interview". Amber doesn't look too happy. He then tells Amber, his junior assistant, to get them tea and biscuits.

Ashley and Claire are practicing for her job. Using the baby intercom she tells him to be a potential caller to 'Women in Crisis'. He calls himself "Miranda". Claire says she doesn't like the name! Ashley asks why he can't be a man. She says that they don't help men. We are '/Women/ in Crisis'. Then she concedes and says that he can be a man. He then "calls" and starts to say that he and his wife are drifting apart, they had a baby recently, but now she is out every night doing voluntary work and then bursts out with laughter. Claire fails to see the funny side of this.

Dev concludes the interview with Molly by telling her that her experience in the bakery would be excellent. Turning to Amber asking if she agreed. Amber just looks on. Dev tells Molly that the job is hers and asks her if she can start tomorrow. Molly asks if she can start on Friday, Dev tells her that is okay, and, making sure Amber is in earshot, says it would give him time to sack Amber.

Lloyd is in the Rovers and offers Jamie VIP tickets for the new club that is opening. Jamie accepts and then Sean asks if he can come along. He says he will make sure they keep in order!

Sonny comes into the bar. He tells Sean that is seems strange that Michelle was asking him about past relationships Sean wittily asks whether she specified which sex?! Sonny asks if Sean has said anything to her about them. Sean confirms he hasn't, much to the relief of Sonny who wants it to work out between them.

Amber is annoyed at Dev hiring Molly. She says she doesn't want him to make a fool of himself again. She suggests he ought to hire someone ugly or even a man! Dev tells her to go and do some work or he will sack her. Molly is about to leave the shop when Kirk comes in. He asks her how she got on at the doctors. She then confesses that she has got herself a new job. Amber mutters to Dev that she is lying to her former employer. Kirk asks her where she is working, and Molly tells him here at the shop. She says that she hopes that they will still remain friends.

Tracy goes round to see David. She tells him that she doesn't like being blackmailed. He says that it isn't blackmail, it is showing gratitude. She then says she wants to get down to business, and offers him money. She tells him that it is non-negotiable and he can't come back for more. He says that he doesn't want her money. Tracy asks what he does want, and David looks downwards and reminds her that she said she would do anything .......!!!. Tracy realises what he wants and says that it is disgusting. Her being thirty and him a schoolboy. She tells him that his seduction technique stinks. Tracy suggests that he takes the money and he should go to a phone box where there are plenty of cards. She laughs and says that she would rather be locked up than go with him. As she goes David looks very pensive.

Well, who would have thought of it - David and Tracy !! Will David get his wicked way? Anne will take up the story, shortly.

Martin Rosen

Hi all, here's the update for Wednesday 21st February.

Steve and Tracy are standing in the street, he asks if she would like him to pick Amy up as it's her preliminary court hearing. Just then David comes along, and Tracy says that she was just about to tell Steve what a star he's being. David says that it was easy talking to her solicitor, but it will be a different story standing up in court. Tracy replies that they don't even know if he will be allowed to appear in court. David retorts that he's not a kid and if he's going to testify it's not going to be on some stupid video link. "What do you mean 'if'?" Steve demands to know. David says it's a lot of pressure on him, his mam has said he's got to think about it. Tracy shoots him a look and asks, "And have you decided?" David looks back at Tracy and says he's still thinking about it, and then walks off.

Over at the Rovers, Liz walks into the living room and is not amused to find it's a mess. She picks up a pair of Vernon's underpants and asks what they're doing there. Vernon looks up from reading his paper and says he was going to put them in the wash. Liz asks him if there's any danger of him getting dressed (he's in his vest), as they've got a delivery coming at 10.00. Vernon, however, is engrossed in his paper, so she snatches it and rolls it up and hits him with it, telling him to get his idle backside up and get ready for work.

The Barlows are off to court, and as they stand outside their house, Deirdre announces that her heart is going like the clappers, and goodness knows what it'll be like when it's the real thing. Ken reminds her that the only issues for today are whether they can have Jane the solicitor on legal aid, and whether David can testify in court. Ken starts to say that it's the legal aid question that worries him most, when Deirdre snaps at him not to start that again. "We'll raise the money if we have to," she says.

In the taxi office, Eileen asks Steve and Lloyd if they are looking forward to their night out on Friday. Les is there, and this is obviously the first he has heard of it. He then goes off in a strop, saying he knows when he's not wanted.

In the court, the Barlows wait for the case to begin. Deirdre says she's glad they've got Jane to represent Tracy and Ken agrees. Blanche then asks, "Is this where you were had up?" "No, it is not!" hisses Deirdre. Just then they are all told to rise, and the lady judge (played by William Roache's real life wife!) comes in and takes her seat.

The judge says that she has considered all the applications, including the contents of Claire Peacock's diary and everything is admissible. She then says, in a very long-winded way, that David Platt can take the stand. She then says, in an equally long-winded way, that there was nothing wrong with Tracy's first firm of solicitors. At this point Tracy shouts, "What are you on about, they were a bunch of Muppets!" The judge continues and says she will not allow the transfer of the legal aid to the new solicitor. Tracy looks horrified, and stares at her family.

Back in the Rovers, Vernon brings up a crate of bitter lemon from the cellar, and asks Liz if he can go for his dinner. She tells him he can when he's put them in the fridge and gone and got tomato juices as well. Vernon sighs and heads for the cellar once again.

The Barlows are discussing the recent events with Jane, the solicitor. She tells them it's good news that David can appear in court. Tracy says that she wants her to represent her, but Jane says that the judge's decision is final. Deirdre asks if she can still represent Tracy if they pay her. Ken reminds them all that Jane told them previously that it could cost up to 150 thousand pounds for Jane's services. "We've already discussed this, Ken," snaps Deirdre. Jane says she's aware it's a big decisions and suggests they go home and discuss it. As they leave, Tracy tells Deirdre that she has to have Jane, "It's all over for me if I don't," she says. Deirdre tells her they will sort out the money, and she's not to worry. Ken looks aghast.

In the Rovers, Jack Duckworth calls Vernon over. "Am I right in thinking you are not a man who is happy in his work?" he asks him. Vernon tells him it's a dog's life, up and down the cellar steps all day, moving crates and changing barrels. Jack tells him he's going about it all wrong, and that when he worked there they were the best days of his life.

Hayley has arrived at the hostel where Becky lives. There are a couple of hood-wearing youngsters outside, which is obviously supposed to mean that it's in an unsavoury part of town! She rings the bell and is admitted by a member of staff.

The Barlows are back home, and Tracy comes downstairs, having read Amy her favourite story for the hundredth time. "I should make the most of it," she says, "I don't know how many more chances I'll get." There's silence in the room so she asks what's wrong. Blanche tells her it's her father, he's refusing to 'shell-out' for her defence. Tracy says she's going out for some fresh air. Deirdre hugs her and tells her that they'll sort it out. "Everything is going to be all right, I promise," she says.

At the hostel, Hayley is tapping on Becky's door, saying she knows she's in there, her friend downstairs has told her she was just with her. There's silence. Hayley tries again, and says she knows Becky is angry, and she knows she says some terrible things. She says she knows she has let her down, and she can hardly sleep at night. Just then the door opens and Becky is standing there. She tells Hayley, "I never thought I'd see you again."

Over in Coronation Street, Tracy sees David and tells him he will be able to appear in court. "That's IF I decide to testify, of course," he says. Tracy sighs, and tells him not to start all that again. She asks what he's doing and he says he's just taking home fish and chips for tea. She asks if he wants to meet her at No. 8 in half an hour. He asks if she's serious. She says she is if he's still up for it. It would appear that he is, and as he goes off Tracy is left standing with a very pained expression on her face.

Ken, Deirdre and Blanche are still sitting round the table. Ken asks if they are to lose their home, as well as all their savings they have already spent in the hope that Jane is as good as Tracy thinks she is, especially when the judge said that the first solicitors were adequate. Deirdre fumes that adequate is not good enough, this is their daughter they are talking about. Blanche reminds them that she has already offered her savings, but Ken says she should not give up the money she has worked for over the years. Deirdre says she can cash in her pension, that will give them about half of what they need, (that's a very good pension considering she's only worked for the council for a couple of years!) and they can sell the house on to one of those equity release schemes and that will give them the rest. Ken asks if she realises what handing over the house to an equity release scheme will mean. "We can never move!" She says she doesn't want to move. He says it's madness, they don't know what the future holds. She yells him that not doing everything they can to help their daughter is madness, they can't put a price on her freedom!

Back at the hostel, Hayley tells Becky that she's spoken to Mrs Connor about getting her her job back, and although she wasn't interested she thinks she'll come round. Hayley apologises for thinking it was Becky who started the fire. "It was unforgivable of me, it really was," she says. Becky admits she's got away with lots in the past, so maybe it was fair. Hayley tells her that she and Roy were so pleased with the way she was coming on. Becky retorts that she's not a pot plant! But she admits that Hayley and Roy were very good to her. Hayley says that now maybe it's quits, and she urges Becky to let bygones be bygones and says she could come back and work in the cafe, they'll need help when the place is up and running again. Becky says she will, but will need a pay rise. Hayley looks stunned until Becky assures her that she's joking, then they give each other a hug!

David climbs over the garden fence into the back of No. 8. He tells Tracy it's freezing. "Don't worry," she tells him, "I'll soon warm you up!" She pushes a glass of wine into his hand, "Here, have a drink," she says. He gulps as she runs her fingers through his hair and tells him he's not a bad looking lad. She then puts his glass down and says, "Right, let's get this clear. You are going to say exactly what I told you to, in court." David's bravado seems to leave him. "Yeah," he says meekly. She pushes him back against the wall and kisses him. Then she pulls away and tells him, "You can call that a down payment, you'll get the rest when I walk free from court." Then she adds, "And I can promise you, it will be worth the wait." Once outside, David smiles to himself. Inside, Tracy doesn't look so happy.

Back in the Rovers, Jack is busy giving Vernon the benefit of his experience. He tells him to tell Liz there are mice and spiders in the cellar, that will stop her going down there to check up on him. Liz comes over then, and Vernon tells her that Jack is giving him the low down on being a good cellar man, and how it has to have a good scrub down regularly. Then he tells her he's going to give it a good going over right then. "You don't mind if I take some music down there with me, do you?" he asks.

Sonny walks in then, and asks Michelle, "How's the sexiest barmaid in the north west?" Steve retorts that she's still working at the Flying Horse. Sean asks him, "How's my favourite Gaysian?" Sonny asks him how long it took to think that one up. He then asks Steve and Lloyd if he can get them a drink. Lloyd accepts, but Steve says that he can get his own, it's his pub. Michelle laughs and says it's best he keeps a clear head in case his girlfriend tries to top him when he's asleep. Steve points out that's the mother of his child that she's talking about. Lloyd wonders that Steve has been trying to avoid Tracy for the last 3 years, but now that she's bashed her boyfriend's head in, he can't seem to get enough of her. Steve says he just trying to support her. Lloyd suggests he bakes a cake with a file in it for her next birthday.

Tracy arrives back home, and Deirdre tells her what they've decided about the money for the lawyer. Tracy is pleased, but also worried. "Dad, the house?" she asks him. Ken tells her that she's more important than any house. Tracy takes their hands and says she doesn't deserve them. (She's absolutely right!) Ken tells her they have to do whatever they can to make sure she walks away from court a free woman. "Yeah, I know," says Tracy.

Anne Logan.

Tonight's events in the Street were written by Carmel Morgan, copyright remains with ITV Productions.

Sean had a late night and woke baby Holly when he returned home at 3am singing "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" from Evita. Eileen is far from amused, Anyway Sean is in a good mood - and Eileen guesses he has pulled. He will not admit the lucky victim. Later Eileen has to work but Clare's house is a mess so the baby sitting takes place at Eileen's.

Steve is about to tell Michelle about the events of the previous evening but she starts on at him about Tracy and so he says nothing. Later at work Steve cannot keep his mouth shut and tells Lloyd what he saw the previous evening. And just what were Sean and Sonny up to? Enough to give Michelle a bad day when she finds out - so she will need a good strong heterosexual shoulder to cry on - and Steve is keeping his ready for moment.

Carla has clearly no head for figures - just a head for a good figure. She cannot make the figures balance and Paul suggests a day out and that they get away from the problem - with Ryan in tow.

Fiz, Molly, Tyrone and Kirk go metal hunting on the Red Rec. Kirk finds something very long underground until he is dispossessed of the detector by Fiz - which had found that his boots were metal tipped!

Norris is planning a party for Rita's birthday - until she appears with Doreen who is dragging her off for brunch.

Along at the Rovers the Gents is occupied - Sean and Sonny are in discussion over the previous evening. Sonny claims it was a kiss for old times sake. Sean is less sure. Sonny claims it was merely a drunken snog and is not worried that Steve almost saw them together. Outside Michelle has heard that Sean pulled and once he returns she wants to know the full goss. And she is quick to tell Sonny that Sean has a new boyfriend. Sean denies it claiming the other party was a "headworker" and that he is positive he would get messed about by the "boyfriend" - looking daggers drawn at Sonny.

Tyrone and the rest found an old penny and shows it off to Becky - Kirk is googling to find the value involved. Meanwhile Chesney, in the Street itself has found 20p. Paul sees him do this and drops some change as he gets out of the car. Carla offers Becky work - £2 an hour less than before (and therefore almost certainly below the minimum wage). Becky reckons it is slave labour and turns her down. Then having thought about it for 5 minutes Becky finds Carla in the Rovers and agrees the deal and at Carla's suggestion will see if there are any other potential slaves living in the hostel.

Lloyd and Steve watch Sonny and Michelle. Lloyd is not convinced and reckons he is straight - Steve just thinks that Sonny believes he has got away with it.

Chesney has found the money Paul "dropped" and reckons he is on to a good thing!

Meanwhile a party assembles for Rita's birthday in the Rovers. She is touched by the effort when she does arrive. Rita sits down and starts to open her presents and tells her friends she appreciates it all. And she must be off in a minute with Doreen for cocktails at Harvey Nicks.

In the backyard of the Rovers Sean is unhappy when found by Jamie. Sean admits it was an old flame he was snogging the night before. Jamie does not reckon that is bad until he realises that the old flame was Sonny - and Sean admits that he cannot keep his hands off the boy.

Anyway the George Vee One coin which the metal detectors found was on the internet - completely worthless. George the Sixth apparently and 30 years younger than Betty the barmaid.

Sonny returns from a six mile jog. Steve asks if he does weights - sometimes but not often enough. Michelle joins in at this point - Steve does waits - maybe 20 years if Tracy gets her just desserts. Steve is not amused and claims that Tracy at least admitted her part in the death - she played it "straight". And looking at Sonny Steve observes it is a pity that not everyone can have a perfect relationship. Michelle, completely innocent of the ground being covered observes that it is possible - you just have to keep the faith. Steve looks at Sonny again and says "Faith - It will be a miracle you need".

And with that I pass the baton on to the Monday reporters.

K Richard W

In the cab office, Steve is rambling on about Sonny like a man possessed. Lloyd suggests that Sonny isn't necessarily gay. "Maybe he just helps them out when they're busy." Steve says he's never trusted anyone who said they were bisexual, and then he reacts very defensively when Lloyd suggests it reminds him of his time in prison. "There was none of that going on when I was inside, thank you very much!" Lloyd comments that for someone who has promised to stay out of Michelle's business, Steve seems to be talking about nothing but.

It's greatest hits of 1969 as Gail sings along to "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," (scarily, I know all the words). She's taken aback by seeing Chesney in her back garden. She opens the back door and asks why he's not at school. "It's swimming today," he tells her, then points proudly at his lip. "I've got a cold sore." He tells her there's no treasure in her garden and makes to leave. "Was that you singing?" he asks. "Why?" asks Gail. But Chesney just shakes his head and leaves.

Sean and Jamie meet in the street. Sean says he wants to talk to Sonny but there's nowhere to do it privately. He can't take him home to his place and he can't talk to him in the pub. "I just want to know where I stand." Jamie holds up his keys. Sean's jaw drops. "Are those the keys to your heart? Jamie, this is wrong on so many levels." Jamie says he's lending Sean his house keys so he's got someone to tell Sonny there's nothing going on and never will be. They part. A bit further on, Sean meets Michelle and spins her a line to get Sonny's mobile phone number. He claims he's thinking of changing networks and wants some advice. Michelle seems happy enough to give it to him and says she'll text it to him.

Chesney and the treasure-detector have found something that makes the machine bleep in the corner of Claire and Ashley's garden (probably the paper clip off the top of Derek's car!). Claire comes out with a basket of washing to hang out and shrieks as she finds a Chesney, a Schmeichel and a treasure-detector in the garden.

David knocks on the Barlows' door and Tracy answers it wearing a face pack. Several million viewers shriek. "Is this not a good time?" David asks. She grabs him and drags him inside before anyone sees him.

In the street, after being booted out of Claire's garden, Chesney meets Sophie and tells her he needs a shovel. She suggests her dad might have one (hmmm, would that be for digging in the back yard or for digging in the garage?). Sophie isn't sure she wants to help him since it's lunchtime. "I wouldn't mind if I was missing something awful, like RE." They see Claire leaving her house and heading off towards the taxi office and go off in another direction to find a shovel.

David dreamed about Tracy last night and she asks what the dream was. He describes a storyline that involved Tracy having blood around her mouth like a vampire. She asks if he kissed her, but he confesses he woke up. Tracy asks if he's had a bath and David says he showered. "Have you gone off baths since my dead ex-boyfriend tried to drown you?" she asks, a smirk on her face. "A bit," he admits. She asks if he's cleaned his teeth. He has. She leans in and manages to make a discussion about him using Bethany's mouthwash sound like a come-on, then tells him she's just going upstairs to wash off the face pack. "You won't be too lonely down here on your own, will you?" I was waiting for her to ask if he knew how to whistle.

Eileen, presumably looking after the two babies in Claire's house, is startled to see treasure hunters and a big dog in Claire's back yard. She doesn't shriek, though. She roars. "Does Claire know you're destroying her garden." The two accomplished liars don't even flinch. Claire knows and it's a school project, they tell her. They even offer Eileen a go at digging. She declines. The spade then hits something metallic. It won't shift. Sophie thinks they need a big lad, "like Tyrone from my dad's work."

Down a ginnel not too far away, Sonny slips in at Jamie's back door.

In the garden, they've got Tyrone on the job, but he can't shift the metallic thing, either. Kirk (no, I don't know why he's not down at the kennels) is pretty sure they've hit the gas main. Eileen is not as trusting as the kids think. She's rung Claire and comes out into the garden making "wait till Claire gets home" threatening noises. She hears the metallic clunk and leans over to look into the hole -- and recognises that it's a bomb! In fact, it must be a bomb that fell during the war, survived the building of the raincoat factory, the demolition of the factory, the building of the houses, garage and Kabin, and the planting of the tree under which it sits. All of a sudden everyone is scrambling to get away -- though Kirk is a few steps behind because he was down the hole!

The police are knocking on the doors in the street, getting folk to evacuate to the community centre as the bomb disposal squad arrives. Claire arrives about the same time. She can't believe a bomb has been found. A police officer advises everyone to get as far away from the house as possible.

Meanwhile, Sean is arguing with Sonny. Sean thinks Sonny is dismissing what happened last night, but Sean says it's a big deal to him. "I want to know where I stand."

Another officer is dragging Jack out of the bookies'. And not letting him stay to wager a fiver on a horse in the 2.30 at Haydock Park. He seems to accept that he can't go back into the betting shop, but as soon as he gets the chance he heads in a different direction -- to the Rovers.

Sean tells Sonny he likes Michelle and has to work with her, and he doesn't want her to get hurt. Sonny says they have to make sure she doesn't find out. Sean says he'll be the one getting hurt then? Sonny asks why. "Because I want more and I know I'm not going to get it."

When the police call at one house, the occupant is thrilled to hear they have to evacuate the street. "Oh, fantastic. That's what I call a result!" Tracy says. This, of course, means she's got a good excuse to get David out of her house.

Sean accuses Sonny of only coming around to watch his own back and make sure Sean won't blab. Sonny makes to leave but then seems to change his mind. He takes his jacket and puts it over a chair. "Where do you think you're going?" Sean asks. "Bed," says Sonny, asking if Sean wants to join him. Sean thinks about it for a few seconds and then follows Sonny. They're interrupted by a knock on the door. They freeze. It's the police, but when they don't answer the officer goes away. Sean and Sonny head upstairs.

The police go into the pub and announce that everyone has to go to the community centre.

Outside, Roy is in a flap because he doesn't want to go to the community centre without Hayley and he can't find her. He's worried she's been accidentally locked in the community centre.

As the pub empties, Liz can't find Vernon. She's called down to the cellar where she thought he was, but there's no answer. Jack almost looks as if he's going to say something, but doesn't.

I'm not quite sure where Rita and Doreen would get tinsel at this time of year, but it's draped around them as they stagger merrily (very merrily) towards the community centre. They're only just on their way home after an all-nighter.

In the community centre, everyone's sitting in rows for some strange reason and a senior policeman tells them all that it will take about an hour to set up and set off a controlled explosion. When he's finished, we find Claire talking to Tracy about her new counselling work. She spoke to a very nice woman last night who'd lost a kiddie. Tracy is clearly bored but feigns interest because she needs Claire's evidence at the trial. Claire says she's told the woman she'll call today to see how she is. Ashley looks horrified. Liz is fretting about Vernon in case he's wandered off into Claire's garden! Steve sighs. Michelle thinks a bomb scare is exciting, like when the fire alarm went off at school. James asks the factory workers if they've seen Sean, but they say he wasn't in the factory when they were evacuated. The wait is clearly addling Tracy's brain and she asks Steve if she'd make a good counselor. He thinks she'd tell an abused woman to kill the abuser.

In the Rovers, Vernon wanders in, removing his earplugs. He looks shocked and calls weakly for Liz. The bar is like a ghost town. He wanders around for a minute then sees the possibilities and pours himself a drink!

In the street, Jamie tells a policeman he thinks there's still someone in number seven. The policeman says it's been checked but they'll check again. As he goes to check, Jamie pulls out his phone and calls Sean.

In the bedroom (Jamie's bedroom?), where he and Sonny are getting dressed, Sean answers the phone and tells Jamie he's in the Trafford Centre. Jamie tells him about the bomb. "I won't bother rushing back, then," Sean tells him. He tells Sonny about the bomb and the police. Sonny looks out the window and realises it's true, which panics him because he's got a meeting this afternoon. Sean suggests it means they can stay there, but Sonny snaps at him to shut up. "How am I going to get out of here?"

The End, but there'll be another episode along in half an hour.

Margaret Carr

Whoosh - that was a quick half hour !

Well we rejoin the story with Vernon alone in the pub. His mobile rings and it is Liz. However he can't hear her properly so heads towards the door. As he goes out the police start shouting and waving him away from the pub. Vernon looks perplexed as to what is happening.

Sonny and Sean plan their escape from the house. Sean suggests that Sonny goes through the back alleys. Sean admits that he invited Sonny round so that they could finish. Sean says nothing had started to finish. Sonny then suggests that if they are discreet then it need not be goodbye for ever. As Sonny leaves through the alley way, he bumps into a policeman who is surprised that anybody should be leaving. The officer says that he knocked on the doors, and asks if anybody else is there. Sonny says there isn't.

Kelly tells Joanne that she can't get a reply from Sean's mobile and doesn't know where he is. Joanne thinks that he is just ignoring her. Eileen says he has probably gone shopping while we are stuck in the Community Centre.

Vernon arrives in the Community Centre wrapped in a blanket (where did it come from?). He asks Liz why she didn't seem to be worried about him. Liz replies that she presumed that he had popped out for something.

Tracy glances over to David and mouths a kiss towards him.

Back in Claire and Ashley's garden, the army bomb disposal squad prepare to detonate the bomb.

Roy is talking to Paul says it could be a German bomb. The site where the Peacock's house is used to be the Old Raincoat Factory. Paul wonders why they would want to bomb Manchester. Roy thinks they were on their way to Liverpool Docks and they would run short of fuel so they would just dump their bombs.

Hayley turns up and Roy is considerably relieved. She wonders what all the fuss was about, not realising that Roy was beside himself with worry. She says she went into town with some of the other girls. When Roy asks her why she didn't answer her mobile phone, she explains that she accidentally left her phone in the factory and when she heard about the bomb she thought it was a hoax.

A few "filling scenes"follow (!) They don't seem to have a lot of relevance to the rest of the storyline. Paul is concerned about his business. Doreen wonders where Jack got his pint. Sean is holding his head in shock at the house.

Back to the main story. Doreen suggests a sing-a-long and before long her and Rita are wailing their version of 'We'll Meet Again' (come back Vera Lynn, all is forgiven!). Then without even a countdown, the disposal officer detonates the controlled explosion. A window explodes, and car alarms are set off.

The police dismiss everybody. Audrey is determined to get "Mrs Manderville" back to the salon who's hair was still in a net when they evacuated the salon ! Liz offers the bomb disposal officers the first drink free in her pub.

David accompanies Tracy back to her front door (where are Ken, Deirdre and Amy?) Hoping to be invited in, he feels a bit hurt when she wishes him goodnight and closes the door on him.

Sean eventually scuttles out of the house and meets with Michelle and Jamie, After Michelle goes, Jamie asks him if he has finished with Sonny. Sean says that Sonny has been in meetings all day and will talk to him later.

Ashley and Eileen look at the mess that has been left in his back garden. Claire comes out with the phone in hand talking to a client and sees "Mr Grumpsy" (the garden gnome) broken. After she says goodbye, Ashley tells her off for getting involved with a client. Claire explains that she promised to ring this one woman back. He tells her that she should not get close to her callers. Claire insists it was only one call and that she wanted to give something back. She then goes back inside.

Becky introduces a new worker to Carla. Carla tells them and Kelly that she has the new designs in the office for them to look at. Fiz, Joanne and Sally are all annoyed that she is working for such a low wage. Sally calls her a scab.

When Sean arrives at the Rovers, Jamie comes up to him and says that his duvet was on the wrong way round on his bed. He is annoyed, that he is invaded his personal space.

Sonny comes in and Michelle tells him that he missed the excitement of the bomb. He says he got her text message. Steve tells Michelle that she should serve Sonny. She can look after her man. Sonny confirms he is a one-woman-man.

Jason comes into Sarah's place and he has bought lots of clothes for Holly and also something for Bethany. He tells her that he was on the phone to his mother, and she tried to wind him up by pretending there was a bomb in Claire and Ashley's garden. Sarah giggles and leads him to the back door where he gasps when he sees the devastation.

Back at the factory, Fiz and Hayley can't believe that Kelly would work for Carla for peanuts. She is being paid less than the minimum wage. Anyone that does that cannot have any self respect. Hayley thinks that Kelly is misguided whereas Becky is a troubled girl. Sally then mentions that Hayley has new boots which look very nice. Hayley says she is going off them, with the thought that they were made by a child in a sweat shop by a slave child.

In the pub, Steve is in the pub loo facing the urinal. Tracy comes in and accuses him of fancying the slapper behind the bar. Steve says Michelle is not a slapper. He tells Tracy that she is not allowed in there. Then the toilet flushes and Jack come out and sees Tracy. He tells her to carry on not to mind him. Tracy warns Steve not to use her to make Michelle jealous, or else she will be sharpening knives!

Jamie comes into the pub and Sonny offers everybody the same drink again. He turns to Sean and asks how it was for him, meaning the bomb scare, of course! Michelle answers that he was in town shopping but he didn't buy anything. Sean manages to mention that he met up with a good old friend who he had not seen in ages. Sonny asks if he had a good day. Sean replies that he did, and then Sonny mentions that he also bumped into an old friend who he had not seen in ages, it was excellent.

There we are, another Monday finished. Anne will have Wednesday for you shortly.

Martin Rosen

Hi all, here's the update for Wednesday 28th February.

We open in the Grimshaw residence. Sean is extremely chirpy, pushing baby Holly back and forth in her pushchair and singing away. Eileen tells him to be careful, she'll be bringing her breakfast back up at that rate. Eileen then confesses that the social worker is coming round, but she hasn't told Jason. Just then Jason comes down, he tells them he's going to go through Charlie's book to see if any of his contacts has any work going. Eileen is impressed with his initiative. As he goes out he blows a kiss. Eileen thinks that's progress, a kiss blown to baby Holly. Sean thinks, however, that the kiss was aimed at him.

Hayley, Fizz and Sally are waiting on the factory steps, having an enthralling conversation about boots.

Michelle walks round the corner by the Kabin and meets up with Sonny coming the other way. He asks her if she would like to go to lunch somewhere special tomorrow. She points out that she's working but he urges her to get someone to swap shifts, he needs to talk to her. As they stand nose to nose on the pavement, Sean comes out of his front door and sees them. At almost the same time Jamie steps out of his house, and Sean rushes over, asking him to ‘save him'. "Do I look like the sort of guy who wears his kecks over his trousers?" asks Jamie. Sean urges him to act natural, and then asks, "Is he looking?" Jamie assures him that Sonny only has eyes for Michelle.

Just then Liam arrives, and Sonny departs in a hurry. Liam wanders over to his sister and she tells him that Sonny has asked her out to lunch, saying he wants to talk to her. Liam immediately thinks that he must be planning to propose, and hugs her. As Sean walks off down the road, he passes Sonny getting into his car. "All right, Sean?" says Sonny. Sean ignores him and walks on.

Ashley and Claire are rushing round in their house when the phone rings. Ashley wonders who is ringing this early, as Claire answers it. It seems to be one Casey, of the people she was counselling, and Claire arranges to meet her. "Isn't that against the rules?" asks Ashley, but he agrees to take baby Thomas over to Eileen's for her.

In the factory, the workers are giving Kelly some stick about the fact that she's working in the evening for less than the minimum wage. They then start to notice that their things have been moved around and changed by the night-shift workers. They are moaning about it all when Paul comes along, so they complain to him.

Claire calls on Eileen who is cleaning up ready for the social worker's visit. Claire asks how Jason is doing with Holly, and Eileen thinks he's making progress. She also tells Claire that she can't imagine life without her now.

It's break time at the factory and Sean is shocked to find that his mug is chipped. When Liam scoffs, Sean tells him that if he's not careful he could find himself in casualty with his lip hanging off! Fizz reckons it's like being possessed by a poltergeist, with things going missing, and being broken.

Jason and Bill are also taking a break – in the Rovers. Jason tells him he's been making phone calls all morning. "Not them mucky ones again?" asks Bill. "Don't be daft," replies Jason, quick as a flash, "Monday's me pervy calls day!" He explains that he's been chasing work, and asks if Bill will be up for any more work that comes his way. Bill says he is.

Behind the bar, Michelle asks Liz if she can have some time off tomorrow, so that Sonny can take her out for lunch. "Ah," says Steve, sitting at the bar, "is it your anniversary? Two months since he spotted you?" Michelle ignores him, and tells Liz that Sonny said he had things to discuss. Liz also thinks he's going to propose. Steve turns to Sean, "You seem to know him pretty darn well, so come on, spill the beans, tell us absolutely everything you know." Sean gets flustered. "Why is everyone picking on me?" he says. Steve turns back to Michelle and tells her to take tissues to her fancy lunch, he thinks Sonny is going to dump her. "Maybe, just maybe," he tells everyone, "he's found someone who's got something she hasn't! What do you think, Sean?" Sean won't comment, and Liz tells Michelle she can go early tomorrow.

Sean goes over to Jason, and asks if he shouldn't get off home for the social worker's visit. Being the first time he's heard of it, Jason is shocked and jumps up and rushes off.

Eileen and Shirley, the social worker, are standing on the pavement, as Shirley is about to leave. (For some strange reason Eileen is wearing a coat – odd if they have just been inside the house?) Jason rushes up and hastily says that everything is all right and they now have the child care sorted out. "….and when she's not with my mum she's with Claire," he hurriedly tries to explain. Shirley says it's ok, she's not worried, she'll still be making regular visits, but she's sure everything is fine. As she drives off, Jason turns on Eileen. "Why didn't you tell me she was coming?" he demands to know. Eileen says she thought he had enough on his plate. He tells her he was in the Rovers, with Bill. "There you are then," says Eileen, "an important board meeting with your business associates!"

Back in the factory, Sally goes round with a tray, handing out mugs of tea or coffee. She deliberately misses out Kelly. "How long are you going to keep this up for?" asks Kelly. "Til you stop being a scab," says Sally. Kelly tries to point out that she's just doing night-shift for a couple of quid less an hour, that does not make her a scab. Sally puts a mug down in front of Sean, who is deep in thought. The conversation then turns to Kelly's working for lower money. They are all worried that the next thing that happens will be the management will get rid of them and bring in other workers, ‘on the cheap'. Kelly assures them they can't be sacked, there are laws. Hayley suggests that they take their worries to the two Mr. Connors, and the others all agree with her.

Eileen and Jason are having a heart to heart. She tells him she's going to take Holly to see her Uncle Todd next week. Eileen gently asks Jason if he feels anything for her. He tells her that he supposes he might do, a bit. Baby things are cuter than fully grown things, like puppies and kittens – that's nature. He tells her he's starting to feel like Holly is his, he thinks about her and catches himself smiling, sometimes.

Jamie meets Sean in the street, saying he got the text telling him it was an emergency. Sean tells him that Sonny is taking Michelle out tomorrow, to ‘talk'. "And that's your emergency?" asks Jamie, astounded. "What if he tells her about us?" asks Sean. Jamie can't see that Sonny would take her out to tell her that, he would have told her this morning. Sean then starts to think that maybe Liz is right, and he is going to propose. Jamie tells him that Sonny is a player and he should steer clear. Sean however, finds himself jealous of Michelle. "It's making me really hate her," he confesses, "and she's my friend." Jamie points out that it didn't stop him having a go on her fella. Sean says he's all over the place, and doesn't know what to do. "Well you can turn up to their wedding and sing that song – ‘It Should Have Been Me'" suggests Jamie. Sean tells him dryly that he's glad to see he's taking it all seriously. "Well, what's he playing at?" asks Jamie, "he's going out with her, seeing you on the side – is that the sort of fella you want to get involved with?" Sean reckons that there's something dead special between the two of them.

Liz, Vernon and Steve are discussing what is going to happen when Sonny takes Michelle to lunch, and what their wedding will be like. Steve is sure that the only thing he will be saying to her is: "I don't, now bog off!" Liz reckons she only thinks that because he had designs on her himself. "If she seriously thinks that Rockerfella is going to whisk her off her feet, then she's thicker than I thought," says Steve. Unfortunately Michelle hears this and turns round. "The trouble with you Steve, is you're dead jealous," she says, "and if you weren't so vile I'd pity you!" Steve tells her to save her pity for herself, she's going to need it.

Hayley and Sally confront Liam with their worries about their jobs. He assures them that Karla's business is totally separate from Underworld, she is only using their facilities while she gets on her feet, and they do not need to worry about their jobs. Hayley tells him that's put their minds at rest.

Eileen is off out, and leaving Jason to look after Holly.

Over at the Peacocks', Ashley asks Claire how she got on with Casey. She tells him that after hearing what she's been through it's made her realise how lucky she is.

The girls are leaving the factory, and Liam tells Karla of the trouble he's had with his staff as her workers have messed about with their stuff. Karla goes up to Kelly and tells her to keep her eye on things tonight. "Does that make me some kind of supervisor?" asks Kelly, and Karla tells her it does. Kelly thinks there ought to be a couple of extra quid in her wage packet, but Karla does not agree. "Just keep your eyes open," she says, "and then if there's any more trouble I'll know who to talk to." As Karla walks off, Kelly pulls a face.

Back at the Grimshaw's, Jason rocks Holly in his arms and sings her to sleep. "Best not tell Granny Eileen I sang to you," he tells her as he lays her in the moses basket, "I'll never hear the end of it!"

Anne Logan.

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