Jason manages to get a scrape of jam on the toast but apparently it's for Becky who comes down to the kitchen before he can take it up to her. Isn't he a sweetie? Becky thinks so too and hugs him fiercely. He keeps doing these nice things that nobody's ever done for her before! He tries to get out the door to go to work but she's determined to sashay across the cobbles on his arm so she nicks his hard hat so he won't leave until she gets dressed and brings it back.

Over the road, Theresa's got the telly on and tells Mel she's keeping the little kids home. Mel disagrees but Mum's in charge, Dad said, wails Kayleigh. Theresa hugs them closer to her on the sofa as they get stuck into the worst of daytime telly. Mel stalks out, defeated by Theresa's proclamations of quality time.

Chesney is worried about Kayleigh not making the play tonight. Fiz reminds him that her dad is ill but Kirk figures she'll bravely perform, the show must go on and all that. Becky and Jason encounter a steely Gail on the corner. She's not best pleased to see her ex-son-in-law with a common blonde streak on his arm. Gail mentions that Beth's birthday is coming up and if he doesn't get a gift in the post tomorrow, it won't get there in time. (Blimey, the post office works miracles! a few days to cross that many borders? it takes three days just to get a parcel or letter from one end of my city to the other here in Canader!) Gail even offers to mail it for him if he drops it off. Jason sheepishly agrees. Becky then offers to buy the gift but he thinks he ought to do it himself. After previously telling her they were flat out at work, he now says he will probably get a bit of time off this afternoon to head to the shops so she says she's coming with him if that's the only way they can spend the day together. Jason doesn't really look like this is a good thing. Becky doesn't notice.

Darryl is practicing chat up lines to the doner spit "Donna? how long have you been pole dancing?" and as the meat revolves around you can see eyes and a smile cut into it! (I gotta say, I don't normally care much for Darryl but this was a daft, funny little scene!) The kid brother and sister interrupt and embarrass him for getting caught telling "Donna" that she glows *snicker* and he discovers that Theresa left the kids and went into town, supposedly to get food and told them to get their dinner from Darryl. (Well that quality time didn't last long, now, did it?)

In the hospital, Mel is visiting Jerry. He inquires if Theresa is behaving herself. Mel is non committal but does admit she thinks her mother is up to something. He urges her to go along with it for now because they need the help and she reluctantly nods silently.

Back on the street, Fiz tells Kirk she's worried Chesney is going to get his heart broken and Kirk shouldn't be encouraging him and building up his hopes! Meanwhile, Kayleigh, Findlay and Darryl are in the Kabin. Darryl is discussing Jerry's operation with Norris who isn't very helpful. Norris then goes on a rant about hoodies until he sees Kayleigh is wearing one and hastily backtracks about generalizations. He even offers his help in any way so Darryl asks him to look after the kids. Or at least that's what Norris thinks and he tries to get out of it. Darryl assures him it was just a joke. He actually needs someone with business expertise which puffs Norris up considerably. Anything at all, he offers.

Darryl looks shifty as we go to break and when we return we see Norris behind the counter hacking at the kebab like Norman Bates and really making mince out of it. More difficult than it looks then? Darryl tries to guide his hand to show him how it's done. Norris looks at his greasy hand and sputters but Darryl won't let him get a word in and expresses confidence in Norris' retail expertise. Norris asks what the meat is made of anyway. Lamb, Darryl answers, well, reconstituted lamb. Thought as much, Norris grumbles and then issues the line of the week! "I find it hard to imagine that gambling through a field of daffodils" It's not often Norris really makes me laugh out loud but this is one of them. Malcolm Hebden's delivery was perfect, with his face looking disgusted and wry, the line just slid out without effort. Anyway. Darryl reminds him to gamble it into a microwaved pita with salad and chili sauce. Nothing to it. Norris looks dubious. They discuss the merits or lack thereof of the consumption of said doner in which Norris refers to it as an abomination. Norris tries to get out of it again but Darryl bungs a pinnie on Norris and takes off back to the kids, leaving Norris with a very pained expression of repulsion.

We've arrived at the pub for the first time today. Michelle has patiently given her approval on a string of outfits that Liz has been trying on, looking to find just the right one to wear when Vernon arrives home. Michelle is only wondering if Vernon can live up to that photo Liz had framed and the camera pans over Liz's shoulder to that ghastly photo where Vernon's teeth are nearly neon bright white, glaring off the lens. In the pub proper, Dan, Lloyd and Steve are taking the mick out of each other, well... mostly they're all teasing Steve who isn't taking it well.

In the kebab shop, Norris (now wearing latex gloves) is tearing pieces off the kebab for Tyrone. He gives up pretty quick and Tyrone complains that there's far more salad that meat. Norris, of course, casts aspersions on the content of meat that the kebab actually has and ends up insulting Ty for his chubby demeanor gleaned from a steady diet of junk food. Ty turns around and walks out, much to Norris' chagrin.

We're in Number 11 now, with Becky chewing on a long strip of red candy and Sean examining a baby doll that Jason has bought for Beth. Jason asks Becky to wrap it but she admits she's not very good at that sort of thing, in fact, she's not very good at a lot of things women are supposed to be good at. Sean takes the box containing the doll and says it's a good thing he lives up to the stereotype! Sean teases Becky about not being maternal and she said no, not for a while yet but then implies Jason will be the one to change the nappies. Jason looks about the colour of what fills the nappies at the idea of that and he goes to get the scissors.

Norris has been relieved of his duties in the kebab shop. Kirk is in there now getting something to eat with a few pickled eggs as a treat for Julie and lets it slip to Darryl that Chesney fancies Kayleigh, assuming Darryl knew. Now, you just know that giving a big brother ammunition like that is going to make his day and ruin Kayleigh's! She must be at school because we next see Findlay who's sitting in the smoking shelter behind the pub playing a portable video game. Lloyd comes out to pass the time. Fin lets Lloyd have a go at the game. Inside Theresa is getting a drink and a coke for Fin. Leanne makes some remark about how many cokes she's bought and Theresa cuts her short. Harry compliments Liz on her string of stunning outfits, making her blush. Liz tells him that Vernon is coming home and asks Harry to come to the back for a private word.

Out in the back, Theresa notices Lloyd chatting to Findlay. She thinks she recognizes Lloyd and determines that he was indeed the man she and he rumpy pumpyed in the back of his Sierra. He does remember that so we know that they definitely had a one off. She looks at him all flirty (ugh) as he answers his mobile. When he hands up he admits he owns the taxi firm and goes in for another drink. She thanks him for the voddy and coke he's going to buy her, remembering he was always quite generous. He looks a bit confused and put upon as he goes back inside. A little light goes on over her head when she realizes that Fin already likes "Uncle Lloyd"

In the back room, Harry assures Liz she has nothing to worry about. There's nothing to tell. She's coy and he's not backwards in coming forwards, and nearly does bag a kiss until they hear Vernon braying AHOY THERE!!! and he springs away as Vernon arrives. Vernon and Liz hug. He's very happy to be back and is very very glad she remembered the pickled onions. He scoots to the kitchen while Harry leans over Liz's shoulder and says if it was him coming home, he wouldn't be heading for the kitchen.

Lloyd returns back outside with a drink for Theresa and Findlay. She doesn't let him get away and in the course of the conversation, she works up to the bombshell. Of course she's only been unfaithful to Jerry just the once and she paid the price, not that she regrets the outcome (patting Fin on the head). Lloyd does a double take when he realizes what she's trying to say without actually saying it in front of the lad. They need to have a little chat, she says.

Jason and Becky are cuddling on the sofa and he figures he better get back to work but first they chat a bit about Beth. He misses her and wishes he could be there for her as he's the nearest thing to a dad she's got. Becky looks thoughtful and says that she wouldn't really make him change the nappies, she would do it. She reckons she'd make a good mom and would even knock booze on the head while pregnant (what about the fags?) and tentatively says that if he ever wanted any kids, someday, she'd do it for him. Runaway!!! Jason gives her a perfunctory kiss on the side of the head and high tails it back to work. Becky knows she said the wrong thing and sinks into the settee, face in hands.

More in part two coming your way!

Tvor

Oooh, lovely! We open with a long shot of Liz & Vernon's wedding picture, all whitened teeth and cowboy hats. Vernon is studying it. Liz beings him a cuppa and asks what he thinks of their portrait. She tells him it kept her company while Vernon was away.

Out in the smoker's yard, Teresa is spinning her malicious, money-grabbing web around Lloyd. She tells Lloyd how tough it was for Findlay but that she managed herself even though the poor lad always needed new shoes. It's always the shoes, isn't it? Steve comes out of his back door, looks at Findlay and asks if he has no school today. Teresa tells Steve that Findlay is spending quality time with his mother and she takes Findlay home for a salad for his dinner. She makes pointed remarks to Lloyd about how they need to catch up, soon. After she's gone, Steve looks at Lloyd quizzically. Lloyd says, "Don't ask me. Me brain's 'urtin'!"

In Streetcars, Becky is keeping Eileen company. Jason comes in with his wrapped parcel for Bethany. He picks up a card from Eileen. He tells Eileen what he bought for Bethany. Becky pipes up that even with her helping, it took him all day to choose it. When Jason seems surprised to see Becky there she tells him she's "keeping in with me in-laws." Jason is not best pleased to hear Eileen referred to as such.Becky tells him that she'd rather have Eileen for a mother-in-law than Saint Gail. She tells him that while it looks like Gail is just trying to build bridges, she thinks she's just nosy. As Jason leaves, Eileen says that Jason will never be free of that family. "We'll see about that!" says Becky with a cackle.

Back in the smoker's yard, Steve presses Lloyd to find out what's going on. It takes Lloyd a while but Steve gets the message in the end- Findlay is Lloyd's son. Steve is shocked and makes some of his legendary faces while calling Lloyd "Daddy" in a squeaky voice.

Darryl goes to visit his Dad in the hospital. Jerry is waiting for a spot of surgery. He asks Darryl who is minding their shop. Eventually Darryl tells him that Norris- mature, reliable Norris- is looking after the shop. Jerry accepts that and asks Darryl that as the man of the house while Jerry is gone, he keeps things ticking over nicely.

Vernon and Liz are in the living room at the Rovers. Vernon has brought Liz loads of presents. He tells Liz that from the exposure they got on the cruise, the band got loads of bookings. He's turned down a gig for this Friday because he doesn't want to leave Liz alone. Liz tells him he should go ahead and do it. She will take the night off and join him. In Derby. Vernon is a bit surprised that Liz will go with him and also that Liz says she missed him. He asks her, how could she have been lonely with all the pub regulars around. He mentions Harry. Liz tells him Harry Schmarry, she could be in a great crowd of people but if Vernon is not there, she'd really be all alone. Awwww.... Vernon falls for it. Liz looks guilty as she hugs him.

Jerry gets called for his surgery. He sends Darryl home to look after the shop but Darryl is reluctant to go. He leaves after reassurance from the nurse that she will treat him like his own dad.

Becky comes back into Streetcars with the last cream cake for her and Eileen to share. Becky tells Eileen she didn't see Jason on her travels. She and Eileen decide to spend the evening together- a girls night with cider and manicures. Lloyd comes in all miserable. He tells them his life is turning to ash and dust. Eileen and Becky are not that interested in Lloyd's troubles.

In the Rovers, Vernon is telling anyone who will listen about his adventures on the cruise. Harry and Dev are ignoring him. Vernon turns the conversation to Harry and Dev's businesses and asks what everyone has been up to. They tell him about Jerry. Eileen comes in. Vernon asks her if she missed him. "Why, have you been away?" asks Eileen. Vernon finds out that only Liz missed him while he was gone. "And even she did a good job of hiding it," says Harry, snidely. Harry, Dev and Eileen go and sit down together. Vernon asks Liz about their retouched wedding portrait. Liz explains she just had a few improvements made and that in the portraits they look even more gorgeous than they do in real life. Vernon tells Liz that he thinks she gorgeous anyway. Liz tells him she thinks the same of him, she calls him her Rock God and gives him a hug. Vernon doesn't seem convinced.

In Streetcars, Steve is telling Lloyd that Teresa saw him coming and wonders if there is anything else that happened way back in 2000 that he's responsible for. The Millennium Bug, the Big Storm? Lloyd feels guilty that he had it off with a married woman and that he wrecked her marriage. He tells Steve that he needs to be thinking seriously about it and that because Findlay is involved, this could be a life changing time for him. Steve is not convinced. He tells Lloyd that if Lloyd is the father of Findlay, he will do a shift in full drag.

Darryl didn't go home after all. He is still waiting at the hospital for Jerry to come out of recovery. The nurse finds him and tells him that Jerry is coming out of theatre and is fine. Darryl kisses the nurse and tells her he might have to marry her- he is so relieved that all went well, he can go back to the kebab shop with peace of mind.

In the pub, Dev asks Steve where the ancient mariner is, referring, of course, to Vernon. Vernon is printing off photos from his cruise. Michelle thinks it's a shame that nobody wants to listen to Vernon after his big trip. Dev and Steve continue being unkind about him. Dan, who is at the bar, tells Steve he has a tip for him about his drivers parking so close to his bookies and asks him to have a word with his drivers about it. Dev asks if Steve and Dan want to join him in a game of darts.

Chesney, Kayleigh, Kirk and Fizz are coming home from Chesney's big night on the stage. It seems he has done really well and was well received by the audience. They are all on a high. Since Chesney is tired, Fizz offers to treat him to a quiet night in with a DVD and a kebab. Kayleigh can come too. Kayleigh and Ches go off to pick the film.

Gail runs into Jason on the street. She tells him that she caught the post. She apologises to Jason for interfering between him and Becky. Jason, who seems quite down, tells her he's not looking for another Sarah.

Lloyd drops round the Mortons' house where Teresa answers the door. He just wants to ask her about Findlay. He tells her that he always wears a condom. He obviously doesn't think that Findlay is his. Teresa asks him, even when he's drunk because he was very, very drunk that night. Lloyd says he can't quite remember their night together. "Well, there you go," says Teresa, "that's how drunk you were!"

In the pub, Dan, Dev and Steve are playing darts. Dan has won between him and Dev. He plays Steve. It seems Steve isn't very good at darts and hits the lamp above the dartboard with his first arrow.

In the Mortons', Teresa is giving Lloyd her sob story about Findlay growing up with speech therapists, his bout of bronchitis and the bed wetting. Lloyd seems a little distressed and tells Teresa he wants to get to know Findlay. Teresa gives him the brush off about this but soon has her hand held out for some money. She manipulates Lloyd into giving her some money for new jeans and new trainers for Findlay and tells Lloyd she thinks it's best that they don't say anything to anybody about it for the moment. Ughh! She is awful. I loathe her already. Lloyd, you fool!

Back in the pub, the darts is ongoing. Michelle asks Jason what's going on with him and Becky. Jason is reluctant to talk about it. Steve and Dan put £20 on the outcome of the game. Dan thinks he has won the game but it's shown that his foot was over the oche. Steve takes his turn and wins the game.

Darryl is talking to Kayleigh, Ches, Kirk and Fizz about Jerry's operation in the kebab shop. Darryl refers to Chesney as Kayleigh's boyfriend. Kayleigh is annoyed and finds out that Kirk was the one who put the word out that they're going together. Kayleigh and Chesney leave to have beans on toast instead of the kebab Darryl was making them. They leave and Fizz watches them fondly from the window, "Young love!" she says.

At Eileen's house, Eileen and Becky are drunk as skunks. Jason comes home and seems annoyed to see Becky feeling at home in his house. He's not happy when Becky tells her she's staying over another night. Poor Jason, Becky's moving far too fast for him.

Stella McLoughlin

Jason and Becky step outside of their front door. "See ya later Babe," says Jason. Becky is so delighted she hangs round his neck and asks him to say it again. "I'm somebody's babe!" she squeals. Jason extricates himself when Bill shouts to them. "Love ya!" says Becky as Jason pulls away. He looks about to say something to her, but then changes his mind and goes.

Theresa is walking up the Street with Findlay and Kayleigh who are eating crisps when Mel and Darryl come out of the house. "Nice to see them getting plenty of nourishment," says Mel. Theresa says it's comfort food while their dad is in hospital. As they walk on they pass Lloyd, who stares at Findlay with a thoughtful look on his face.

In the cafe, a very cheerful Becky serves Michelle, and as she leaves Eileen comes in. Roy comes over and says quietly that he had reservations about Becky and Jason, especially as Jason is still married. Eileen reminds him that the world has moved on, and Becky is tough as old boots. Roy has to admit that Jason is bringing out the best in Becky, and Eileen confesses that now she knows her she thinks she's nice, although she was worried about Jason going out with an ex-jailbird.

Steve goes over to the bookies and tells Dan he's wants to put a bet on. Dan asks Steve again to move the cabs that he's parking outside the shop.

Mel and Darryl are visiting their dad in hospital. They ask when he's coming out, but he tells them to ask the doctor. He asks how the younger children are and they tell him that their mum got them off to school earlier. "She's not a complete waste of space then," he murmurs. They tell him to start looking after himself, and he admits he'll have to lose some weight.

It's lunch time and Jason and Bill are in the cafe, served by Becky. Just then Norris comes in with Roy's newspapers in a wheeled shopping trolley. Becky fools around, wheeling the trolley up and down the aisle between the tables. She then sits down on Jason's knee, and drapes herself all over him. Norris asks whether Jason's wife knows about this extra-marital liaison. Bill says he should live and let live. "You would say that, wouldn't you," says Norris, "when you've got a wife on the continent and you're living with somebody else." Bill tells him to watch what he's saying, and Becky announces loudly that they are in love. "Tell him, Jason," she urges, but Jason keeps quiet. Norris leaves and Bill tells Roy that Norris was out of order. Becky is put out that Jason didn't stick up for her, but Bill tells her it would only have made matters worse.

Norris marches across the road with his shopping trolley full of newspapers and a brolly sticking out along the top. He hauls it up onto the pavement outside the bookies and starts to make his way past Steve's parked taxi. The trolley gets jammed and, as he struggles to free it, the end of the brolly gouges deep scratches into the car's paintwork. Horrified, Norris surveys the damages and then, after a quick look around to see if anyone has seen what he's done, scurries away.

In the taxi office, Claire is moaning to Steve about the fact that no one who has viewed her house wants to buy it. Steve comments and he and Michelle would love to buy a place of their own and get away from his mother and Vernon in the pub. "Then buy ours!" says Claire. "What?" says Steve. Claire tells him how handy it would be for them, close to the pub, Street Cars and Ken and Deirdre for babysitting. "Nah, we couldn't," says Steve. "Why not?" asks Claire.

Rita is having her hair done, and asks Audrey if she's heard from Maria. Audrey says she had a postcard the other day. Rita says that David will be back soon, and Audrey says yes, tomorrow. She says that Gail will have her hands full, and tells Rita that Ted is coming back soon too, although she thinks that Gail is investing too much in him. She's worried that he knows nothing about family life and at the first sniff of a problem he'll be off. Rita tells her she just has to leave them to it.

Steve asks Lloyd how much Findlay is going to cost him, and says that he ought to get a DNA test done before he hands over any more cash. Lloyd says he was thinking the same, but he likes the idea of being a dad. As they walk down the Street, Steve suddenly notices the scratches on his car. "Who's done that?" says Lloyd. Steve says he knows exactly who it was, and he's going to pay!

He marches straight into the bookies, and accuses Dan of scratching the car. He leads him outside and shows him the taxi. "Are you telling me you didn't do that?" he asks. Dan, obviously, is innocent. "Why would I do that?" he asks. At this point we see Norris scuttling up the other side of the road! Steve tells Dan he did it because he lost to him at darts and he wanted to get his own back. Also, he'd asked Steve to move his cab and he hadn't. "Do you really think I'd be that stupid?" asks Dan. "Well who else did it?" says Steve. Dan says he doesn't know. They then start to squabble, until Harry comes along wanting to know what's going on. He asks Steve if he has proof, but of course Steve hasn't, but it doesn't stop him from telling Dan he's going to pay for the respray!

Rita is about to leave the salon to go and help out at the kebab shop, when Gail comes in. Audrey wonders why Gail has so much shopping, and is told that David is coming home tomorrow and will need feeding up, and also that her dad is coming. Audrey looks surprised. "He's not staying with you, is he?" she asks. Gail wonders where she would think he would be staying. Audrey obviously doesn't approve and says she'll ring him. At that point Rita interrupts and says that Gail seems to have it all organised. "Thank you," says Gail.

Steve and Lloyd are examining the damage to the car. Steve is still certain it was Dan, but Lloyd is being more sensible and pointing out that anyone could have done it.

Just then Theresa comes by and Lloyd tells her that he wants to put things on a proper footing as far as Findlay is concerned. However, as soon he mentions DNA tests, Theresa takes on an air of panic and tells him things are best kept between themselves. She tells him they'll end up in court if he goes down that road, and he'll have to come up with eight years of back payments for Findlay. Lloyd looks worried at this and eventually agrees to keep it all between themselves as she suggested. She then drops heavy hints for more money and Lloyd puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out his wallet and hands some over.

Becky, on her break from the cafe, is lounging on Jason's truck as he loads it up. She starts talking about what they're going to do in the evening and he tells her he wants a night off. She immediately accuses him of going off her, but he says he's just tired. She then kisses him (again) and he gets in his truck.

Mel comes home and finds Kayleigh in the house with her mother, who's pouring herself a drink. "You're flashing the cash, aren't you?" she asks. Theresa asks if that's what being a copper has done to her daughter, "Why don't you come and join us instead of giving us the third degree?" she asks, so Mel joins them at the table. Just then Kayleigh gets a phone call and moves away from the table. As soon as they're alone Mel asks Theresa again where she's getting the money from, but Theresa gets annoyed and tells her to stop going on about it.

Claire goes into the Rovers and asks Michelle what she thinks about them buying her house. Michelle says it's an interesting idea, so Claire invites her round to have a look. They fix a time tomorrow.

Dan and his dad come into the pub and he and Steve bicker about the scratches to the car. Steve tells him he's going to be paying for the car to be resprayed.

Roy asks Becky if she's staying in or going out. She tells him she's staying in and Roy says that's a good idea. He's heard of too many couples who rush into things too quickly, and then a few weeks later the whole thing collapses. A little distance helps the roots grow deeper. He adds that Eileen has told him how she's enjoying getting to know Becky, and Becky is really pleased to hear that.

Over at the Grimshaw residence, Eileen asks Jason if he's going off Becky. He says he isn't – but – she's taking things a bit too fast. He says that Becky told him she loved him. "There's no chance of you feeling the same, I don't suppose?" she asks. He tells her that he likes Becky and thought she wanted the same thing as he does, just to see each other now and again and have a bit of a laugh. "But she wants more than that?" says Eileen. Jason says he can't give her what she wants, so Eileen tells him he has to talk to her. "It'll do her head in," says Jason, but Eileen says it will be worse if he doesn't. "If you don't let her down gently now, someone will pay for it later," she says.

Anne Logan.

We open as Jason is nagged by his mother about putting Becky straight. She thinks he should just explain how he feels and that Bill would be happy to give Jason half an hour off. Jason clearly thinks that if there's anything worse than talking about how a bloke feels, it's explaining to another bloke that he wants to talk about how a bloke feels!

Kevin's totted up the damage to Steve's car and it's not good. They're going to have to respray all four panels (in the fully-equipped paint booth inside the very roomy garage, no doubt!!). Steve tells him to send the bill to Dan Mason because it's all his fault. Kevin says that if Steve can't guarantee Dan will pay it, then he'll just send it to Steve. Lloyd tries to persuade Steve that he's got no proof that Dan did the damage, but Steve is adamant. The timing of the damage, so close to Dan complaining about the cabs parking outside the bookies' is just too coincidental. Over at the Peacocks', the ever-enthusiastic Claire believes she will have the house sold to Steve and Michelle by dinner time. Ashley just wishes her good luck.

At Gail's house, Tina is on the phone, sounding slightly fed up with the caller. She's just hung up when Gail comes in and Tina tells her she's just missed a call from Sarah. Gail says Sarah will want to nag her about going to Italy to visit. Tina, excited because today's the day David gets out, says Gail should go and Tina will look after David. "You know, I might just do that," Gail tells her.

Claire opens the door to Michelle and excitedly invites her in. But Michelle gets right to the point and says that she and Steve had a talk and now don't think it's a good idea to buy the house.

Our young offender packs up his things and has a final chat with Graeme. Graeme tells him very seriously not to come back. He says David is not like the others in there. He's clever. David makes light of it. "Too clever to get caught," he jokes.

Vernon wants to know who Liz has been talking to on the phone. At first, she won't tell him. But she confesses she's called the hotel where he's playing tonight and has arranged for a room so they can have a dirty weekend -- or a dirty Friday night at least. Vernon gives her a huge hug but the look on Liz's face is not a happy one.

Dan comes into the Rovers, which is not a good idea considering the mood Steve is in. Sometimes I think he deserves a good slap -- he kept some of Karen's cussedness when they split. He demands 450 pounds, which Dan won't give him. Dan is totally fed up and storms out in search of a drink elsewhere. That doesn't stop Steve going on about him. The only trouble is, it's Norris doing the listening. And does Norris speak up and admit he did the damage to the car. Not blimmin' likely! Leanne reiterates that Dan said the damage to the car was nothing to do with Dan. Michelle tells her that once Steve gets a bee in his bonnet there's little that can be done. Leanne points out that Dan wouldn't bother with scratching a car. If he was annoyed enough to do anything about it, he'd have the car towed and crushed! Michelle says that if Steve doesn't shut up she'll have him towed and crushed. The girls decide on a night out away from all the aggro.

In the cafe, as Eileen and Jason have a cuppa, Jason tells Becky he needs to talk to her. She panics. "You're going to dump me! Have I done something wrong? Am I coming on too strong?" Of course, as Eileen tries to stop herself nodding vigorously, Jason back-pedals and says he just wants to make sure Becky won't get into trouble for talking to him. Becky, naturally, sees this as more proof of his undying love for her. As she goes back to work, Eileen biffs Jason round the head and tells him he can pay for her pie!

In the pub, Norris has found a new audience for his tirade against hoodies and young offenders in general. He blames the fathers. "How many young people have a decent male role model in their lives?" asks the lying, perverter of the course of justice, cowardly vandal. Further along the bar, Michelle has a moan about Steve. Carla tells her she needs a night out and says she'll call for her at seven -- leaving Michelle with her mouth open and no time to protest that she's already going out with Leanne.

Becky asks relationship advice from Roy and Ken. Ken? He protests a bit and then agrees that he's mostly been with Deirdre for a long time. Roy says the secret to a good relationship is to find the right person and to keep on loving them.

Outside the young offenders place, Tina comments on the fact that they're hanging around waiting for their man to be released from jail. She asks Gail if she'd like to hug David first. "I mean, if we both go in, elbows flying, we'll have someone's eye out!" Gail would like to go first. Tina's happy with that, but asks her not to be too long. She hasn't hugged him in ages. Just then, David emerges from the gate. Hugs follow in the right order and David thanks them both for coming.

Claire visits Ashley in the shop to complain about Steve and Michelle changing their minds. He tells her she can't bully people into buying their house. "We can always go back to the original plan," he says. Claire is horrified at the thought of going back to a deal with Sally. "Please, no!" she says.

Outside the bookies', Dan unloads something from his car, giving Steve a chance to snipe about it being a dangerous place to park. As Dan turns to go inside, Steve looks through the open car window and reaches inside -- walking away with Dan's mobile phone. Norris, fussing around outside the Kabin, sees Gail, Tina and David arrive home. He makes sarcastic comments and says he hopes being incarcerated was a sharp shock because it wasn't even a short one. Tina would like to ram the newsboy poster-holder down Norris's nasty throat, but David tells her it's not worth it. He calls cheerily to Norris: "Nice to see you."

Dan can't find his phone, so his father advises him to ring it and follow the noise. Dan does, and the noise is Steve answering at the other end. In the cafe, Becky has found a way to show Jason how much she cares. She pulls out a brightly coloured bra and thong (that's skimpy underwear, if you Australians are wondering why a rubber sandal should be a love token!) set. She's going upstairs to try it on and tells Ken and Roy there will be no peeks for them. Phew!

Dan storms into the pub asking if Steve thinks it's funny. "About as funny as a scratch down my car!" Steve tells him. Dan fumes that he needs his phone for work, but Steve is holding it hostage until Dan pays for the damage to the car. Dan thinks Steve deserves a thick lip and Steve finds that threat enough to order him out. "You're barred!" Norris, whose liver must be under serious threat with the amount of time he's spending in the pub, watches but does nothing. Outside, Steve tells Dan that round here things are settled by talking, not by mindless violence. Dan tells him that if they hadn't been in a pub full of people he'd have got a real taste of mindless violence. He tells Steve he'll pay.

The end for now.
More in a metaphorical half hour.

Margaret Carr

Well we open in the Rovers where Michelle asks Steve if he really stole Dan's phone. He doesn't hold back and shows the phone to her. She then turns round to Liz and Vernon and tells them that Steve has stolen the phone. Liz is annoyed but Vernon says very slyly to Steve, "well done". Steve is pleased that somebody is on his side.

Over at the Platt household Gail tells David that she will make a roast (even though it is not Sunday) and crumble. She has also invited Audrey round to join them. Bill she explains is doing other things. (Just one point, what was Tina never arrested for "conspiracy to pervert the course of justice"?, she gave David an alibi, but that is by the by now !!).

Claire and Ashley are walking over to Sally and Kevin's house. Claire mumbles that she is not going to back down. The four of them sit around the table. Ashley tells Claire to speak to them. She explains that they have not got any firm offers for their house, and Sally then says they have seen property but none they like. Ashley then said that they ought to go back to the original deal of a straight swap with £25,000 on top to balance out the difference in the properties. Kev agreed and the two of them shook hands on it. The women then claimed it was /their/ deal They looked at each other and then agreed that it was a good idea after all, and they too shook hands and said the deal was back on.

Jason explains to his mother that he is finding Becky a bit too overpowering, but he had a plan. Eileen wondered if he would write her a message or telling her how he feels, or sending a text message. Jason said it was none of that. He explained that he would go out with her less often, and not pop into the cafe so often. She would then get the message that they are just mates (yeh, try telling that to a woman that is hopelessly in love with you !).

Carla turns up at the Rovers to go out with Michelle. She sees Leanne sitting with her. Neither Carla or Leanne want to go out with each other. Michelle just says that she is just going out and if either / or one of them are welcome to join her.

Over the dinner table, David talks about prison. Then he suggests to Audrey that Tina could work in the salon. Audrey tells him that the dinner table is not the best place to discuss this. It then started to get a bit heated. Tina said she wouldn't let Audrey down, but then Audrey said she didn't need any more staff. Gail reminder her that Natasha is only a temp and David noted that Maria was still away. Gail is outraged and when Audrey says that she is not going to take David back, this was the last straw, and ordered Audrey out of the house. As she is leaving Audrey says she has a more realistic attitude.

Harry asks Steve what is happening between him and Dan. Steve explains about the scratch. Harry says in order to keep the peace, he will pay the bill. However, he tells Steve that Dan shouldn't know. Steve refuses to take the money on that basis, because Dan will think that he has just backed down. Harry, says he is older and wiser, and advises Steve to just let it go.

Leanne, Carla and Michelle are in a bar together. Michelle says that she is getting the drinks and hopes the two of them will get on okay in the meantime. Trying to make some sort of conversation, Leanne asks about Tony. Carla responded it is nothing to do with her, and she is not discussing her friends or love life. Leanne explained they are probably similar, both haven't got many friends. Leanne also said that Carla and Michelle seemed very close. Then Leanne asked her about Liam. Carla was visibly on the defensive at the question, but Leanne said that there was no reason why she can't be friends with him. Carla told Leanne to be quiet

Jason is watching television on his own. There is a knock on the door and it is Becky. He is a little disappointed as he wanted a night on his own. He tells her that he has a headache (where have I heard that before?!) Becky says she has a remedy for that, and undoes her coats and she is standing in her underwear !

The three women in the pub are talking about men. They agreed they have many faults (not I; I am perfect !). Michelle then turned to Carla and said that she wouldn't change him. A brief pause before Carla said no, and then said it had been a long day and she was going home. Michelle turned to Leanne and asked if it was something she had said !

Eileen comes home and finds Becky and Jason entwined in each others arms and asleep.

Carla arrives back at her flat only to be surprised by Tony who has arrived home. (Forgotten where he was supposed to have been !),

Dan goes round to the Rovers and tries to come to an agreement with Steve. They continue to argue. Steve dangles Dan's phone in front of him. Dan tries to grab it from him but manages to accidentally hit him in the eye. Steve then chucks the phone down the cellar steps. Dan goes down to retrieve it and Steve takes the opportunity to lock Dan inside. Steve then turns off the lights in the pub and goes to bed, to the sound of Dan banging furiously on the door.

Now your next episodes should normally follow on Monday, but because of football it has been brought forward a day. So your reporters were scribbling away on Sunday night !

Martin Rosen

Hi, it's me, here on a Sunday with the first half of an hour long episode.

It's the morning after. Steve unlocks the cellar door and waves a bacon sarnie over the doorway as a peace offering. He calls down and offers it up but there's no reply and when Michelle comes wondering what he's doing, he covers. Michelle accuses him of scamming her. He really does have a black eye and he'd told her she was drunk when she thought she'd noticed it the night before. He goes from bad to worse when she won't let it go and he "admits" he saw a rat in the cellar and was using the bacon buttie to lure it out. Well, in a way I suppose that's true. She actually buys the excuse and threatens to call pest control. She takes the key out of the door and stalks away. Down in the cellar, Dan is still unconscious. Is he alive?

Leanne is yammering on the phone to Janice while standing on the street in front of the flat when Harry comes hollering around the corner wondering why the shop isn't opened yet. When Leanne, in a strop, says that Dan didn't come home, Harry backs off and makes an excuse but he seems concerned which surprises me. Harry immediately rings Dan's mobile and leaves a message to warn him that Leanne's on the warpath. Leanne complains to Carla who's just coming out of the cafe but Carla is actually sympathetic. Which also surprises me.

Becky and Jason come out of the house, Becky lighting up her 10th fag of the morning. He doesn't seem to mind her devouring his face good bye but when she slopes off to work, he sighs with frustration as Eileen emerges. She again reminds Jason that he needs to let Becky know how he feels.

In the back quarters of the pub, Steve is trying to get Michelle out of the way so he can get back to the cellar. Ryan comes down and brings Michelle her mobile. That gets her out of the way, gone to talk to Leanne who's moaning about Dan. Michelle mentions it to Steve and says that Dan naturally couldn't get hold of Leanne since Steve had nicked his phone. Steve hums and haws and says he gave Dan the phone back after he asked for it. (Well, he did. Sort of). He's still hedging about the black eye. She warns him that if she finds out he's still warring with Dan, he'll be spending the night out in the back yard. Amy calls down and Michelle makes him go to her because she's after fetching some rat poison.

Audrey and Gail meet up in the corner shop. Gail is short with Audrey because of David. Molly extracts an admission that Ted is coming for another visit though Gail doesn't want Audrey around for it. She's put out that Ted already called Audrey to suggest they all meet up for a drink later.

Steve's rattling the cellar door and seems to have found another key. Still no sound from the cellar and the light is out. He figures Dan did that (he did). Steve keeps calling down but figures Dan is just in a strop. Ryan arrives and Steve tells him that Dan is just setting him up. Ryan teases Steve and accuses him of being scared of the dark and offers to get his torch.

Mel is busy with laundry while Theresa is sat on her backside. Mel and Theresa bicker over her presence. Jerry's coming home today and Mel thinks her mother should be on her way. Theresa points out that her kids might not get 365 days 24/7 one to one but they know they're loved. Erm. Three little faces look at her, none of which seem to reflect a whole lot of confidence in that statement. (Mel, Kayleigh and Darryl)

Ryan's torch is a small penlight sized gadget. Steve ventures down into the dark with Ryan teasing that he'll call the ambulance when Dan lamps him. Only the joke's on him. Steve finds Dan out cold on the floor barely breathing and hollers up urgently to Ryan to call the ambulance now!

After the first break, Liz and Vernon are getting out of a taxi. They've been overnight at the hotel where Vernon played a gig and have just got back, bemoaning the unsubstantial "continental" breakfast. She's going to make him a proper fry up. Funny, she's praising his performance but he doesn't seem to be revelling in it. I wonder if he can tell it's a bit false and OTT which is what she's been doing, over compensating out of guilt.

At the pub, Steve has put in a new bulb. Michelle comes down stairs and Steve is frantic. Ryan had gone to get Harry who comes racing across the road, nearly getting clipped by Darryl who's brought Jerry home. Liz comes out of the corner shop and the two of them turn round towards the pub. Vernon starts to say something but decides not to but something is on his mind. Jerry greets the girls and Findlay as we hear the scream of the nee naw coming round the corner. Norris is all excited at the prospect of fresh gossip and hurries down the sidewalk. Harry leads the EMTs down the stairs. Dan is unresponsive. Steve keeps bleating "He was fine!!" Upstairs, Liz quizzes Steve who defends himself. Dan was ok when he left him down there. He even gave him crisps! Vernon cracks "Some people would kills to spend the night in a pub cellar. With our without crisps". Steve cowers in defense of the disapproval of his mother, his girlfriend and the very worried father of the man who's being brought out strapped to a gurney at the moment.

Liz goes outside with Michelle to watch Dan being loaded in the back of the NeeNaw. Carla comes over and asks what happened, Norris pulls his beak back and remarks that David was released yesterday. Do the math. Michelle explains it's got to do with that stupid rivalry. Harry jumps in with Dan, Liz asks Deirdre if she can look after Amy. Tina and Darryl talk about kebab slicing and she bets him she could slice the meat with her eyes shut. She's on!

In the ambulance, things look very grim. Dan's gone into cardiac arrest and the ambulance goes with all blues flashing while the EMT goes into action, pushing Harry back so they can work.

In the pub, Liz is trying to stop Michelle and Steve from arguing in front of the customers to Norris' obvious delight. Steve goes down the stairs to the cellar to demonstrate how Dan walked down and Michelle locks him in to see how he feels in the same position!

We're at the hospital now. The EMT is spewing much medical jargon to the A&E doctor, one phrase that comes out is "possible ruptured spleen". The seem to have got his heart going again. Harry is prevented from going into the examining room (Why does every single person who accompanies someone into Emerg *always* do that?) In the cellar, Steve picks up the bag of crisps he'd thrown down the night before and chucks them back down in frustration.

Carla has found Leanne in the cafe and told them what happened. Leanne and Janice charge out leaving Carla to pay the bill for two cups of tea that Becky tries to get 40 quid for!

Liz comes down into the cellar where Steve is sat on the steps. Steve admits he knows he's an idiot. Liz remembers him and Andy always used to top each other with the sibling rivalry. She comforts Steve who clearly feels bad and then has a look at his hand that he'd hurt earlier. He'd got glass in his hand when he'd gone down to find Dan. Liz makes him come up and go to A&E himself, as he needs a stitch or two and she can't be angry with him when he's bleeding all over.

In hospital, Harry is being told that Dan's on his way to surgery for a ruptured spleen. Leanne and Janice have arrived but Harry can't reassure them that Dan will be ok.

In the salon, Gail arrives with that pursed up look she gets on her face. She asks Audrey to cancel the group drinks when Ted comes. She wanted to make plans with just the two of them. She's got a lot of time to catch up on. She wanted to take him for a drive in the country for a walk and tea in a country pub. Audrey scoffs at this but Gail points out that neither of them particularly want to be around each other anyway.

Of all the waiting rooms in all the A&E joints in all the hospitals, Steve (and Lloyd) had to walk into the same one Harry's in, anxiously waiting to hear if Dan made it through surgery. He quietly greets Harry and is downcast to hear the news. Harry threatens Steve. If he finds out his son didn't survive, Steve will pay!

Will he? Come back in 30 minutes!

Tvor

Leanne and Harry are sitting in the hospital waiting for word from Dan's doctors. Harry explains to Leanne that Dan is not a bad lad, just a bit of an idiot. He tells Leanne that they both thought Dan might have been with another woman because Dan always feels like he is missing out on something and can never see that what's best for him is often right under his nose. But he is confident that Dan will learn that one day. Janice brings them coffee while Harry tells Leanne that Dan's heart is in the right place. They both hope that Dan will be well enough to tell them how he and Steve let things escalate to the point where Dan is having his spleen removed.

In the street, Becky sees Jason as she comes out of the Kabin and shouts to him. Jason is not pleased to see her and tells her he's going to Gail's to see David. When pressed by Becky to tell what he's doing for the day he tells her he's going to spend some time with Eileen and cook her tea for her because they haven't spent much time together lately. Totally oblivious to the fact that she's driving Jason mad with her clinging, Becky tries to suck his face off before he goes inside.

Steve and Liz come into the pub fresh from the hospital. Michelle is in a bad mood with nobody to help her in the bar. Steve breaks the news that Dan is not in good shape. Vernon says, "But it was accident, wasn't it?" Michelle snaps at Vernon not to stick up for Steve. Steve goes through to the back. Liz tells Michelle that Steve is upset by what has happened but Michelle is not interested and tells Liz that Steve should have seen something like this coming.

At Gail's, Ted arrives. He makes a remark about driving his broken-down car into the canal which makes Gail uncomfortable. Ted tells Gail that Audrey canceled their drink together. citing having to do some of Bill's invoices for a reason. Gail doesn't let Ted know how pleased she is by this.

Becky is in the Streetcars office, talking to Eileen about the happenings at the Rovers.Lloyd comes in. Eileen tells him, "Becky says that Norris reckons that Steve gave Dan rat poison and then sealed him up in the cellar!" Spoilsport Lloyd scuppers all their rumours and tells them what actually happened. "Well, it were good goss while it lasted," says Becky. Becky tells Eileen she has called round for the keys to Eileen's house. Eileen hands the keys over, somewhat reluctantly but when Becky has left, she tells Lloyd, "That poor girl is for the high road when our Jason turns into a decent human being. Honestly, you drum into them how to treat women and then one turns out gay and the other one turns out like his father!" Lloyd wonders of boys turn into their dads and ponders on that for a moment.

At the Mortons', Teresa is serving Jerry a big fry-up. Mel argues with Teresa about how she's taking care of Jerry. Jerry tells her to stop arguing with her mother and promises to only eat half. "And then tomorrow, we'll run this place like a health farm..." he says. Mel is not happy with her mum.

In the hospital, a doctor comes to give the news that Dan had to have his spleen removed but the operation was successful and all the signs are that he'll make a good and quick recovery. He'll be in intensive care for the night. Harry and Leanne are relieved.

Teresa comes into the kebab shop in a hurry and takes loads of cash out of the till. Darryl reacts like a stunned mullet, as usual. Tina and David come in as she rushes out, cash in hand. Tina has come in to prove to Darryl that she can make a kebab with her eyes shut. She puts a blindfold on, hacks into the doner and serves David the most vile-looking kebab I've ever seen. Tina wangles herself a job in the kebab shop until Jerry comes back.

Harry and Leanne see Dan who doesn't look like he's in intensive care at all. They berate him for giving them both a scare. As you do to a patient in "intensive care". Dan blames Steve who "started it" all in the first place. He tells Harry that Steve tried to kill him. He tells them that he was begging for an ambulance when he was locked in the cellar and that Steve knew the whole time. "He tried to kill me!" he reiterates.

Eileen pops back to her house, she realises that she doesn't have her keys. She shouts through the letter box for Jason but Becky come to the door. She is cooking that dinner for Eileen and Jason. Eileen looks on, knowing that poor Becky is about to have her heart broken.

On the street, Ted and Gail see Audrey going into the pub. Audrey forgets that she made the excuse that she was going to do Bill's accounts and Ted knows she's lying about why she couldn't have a drink with them. He says to Gail, "If she doesn't want to see me, why doesn't she just say so?" Ted is very hurt but Gail doesn't let on.

In the back room at the Rovers, Carla is on the phone with Janice while Steve and Michelle look on her expectantly. Janice passes on the news that he's had his spleen removed. "They've taken out his spleen?" asks Michelle. "Yeah," says Carla, "So if you thought he had no guts before....." Heh heh. Steve looks worried.

In the bar, Jason is on the phone to Bill. Ted and Gail are in the background. Gail confesses that she asked Audrey not to come for a drink and explains about what's happened with David. Leanne comes rushing into the bar. Liz calls Steve. While waiting for Steve, Liz tells Leanne, "If it makes you feel any better, Michelle locked Steve down there for an hour, before..." but surprisingly, it doesn't make Leanne feel better at all. Leanne accuses Steve of trying to kill Dan. She's very angry and tells Steve that Dan reckons Steve locked him down there knowing he was injured from Steve throwing him down the stairs. "Attempted murder, Steve," she threatens him, "It's high on the list of things you shouldn't do!" Steve is flummoxed and pleads innocence. When Leanne leaves he tells Liz, "He wasn't injured, I wouldn't do that!"

Outside, Lloyd is sitting in his cab when Steve comes out and tries to commandeer it from him. He tells Lloyd that Dan is trying to get him sent down. Lloyd, seeing the state Steve is in, drives Steve to the hospital. Meanwhile, Becky is standing outside Eileen's house where she is trying to reach Jason in the phone. Jason has not turned up to find the surprise that Becky has cooked for him and Eileen. She thinks Gail has dragged him into her place and force fed him instead.

At the Mortons', horrible Teresa is counting out cash for the kids' dinner money on the coffee table while Jerry looks on. He tells her she's freaking him out with how much she's doing for him. She tells him, "Don't worry, it's selfishness. if the kids get looked after, you get less stressed, get better and then I'm off the hook again." Jerry thinks that sounds more like it. She tells him she needs to stay to keep the kids off his case and help him get better. She offers to sleep on the couch and tells him she wants to make it up and before Jerry knows it, she's moving herself in. She tells Jerry to go and have a lie down while she makes the tea. When he's gone, she picks up the "dinner money" from the coffee table and tucks away for her own safekeeping just as Mel comes in through the door. She tells Mel that she's stopping and that Mel's making tea and sits down to watch some telly. Ooooh, I can't stand her!

Becky is still standing outside Jason's house, smoking when she sees David. She asks David if he knows where Jason is. David tells her Jason was not at his house and sees Jason coming down the street. He tells Becky, Jason was obviously avoiding her. "You wanna fat lip, gaol boy!" says Becky. She turns to Jason and tells him that she'd cooked him some dinner. She asks him how David was. Jason falls right into her trap and tells her that David was fine. He goes inside, leaving Becky to smoke and worry.

Steve barges into the hospital and starts shouting at Dan about what really happened as Steve knew it- Dan didn't ask for an ambulance and there wasn't anything wrong when Steve locked him in the cellar. Harry shoos him away. Steve tells Dan, "You call the police and I swear...." Steve is rushed out by Lloyd. Harry asks Dan if what Steve said was true. Dan seems pretty happy with himself now he knows that Steve is scared that the police will get involved. Harry urges Dan not to tell the police anything that will get Steve into any more trouble but Dan is obstinate. The police come to question Dan and it looks like Dan is going to stick the knife in for Steve.

Outside the hospital, Lloyd is telling Steve off for causing such a commotion in the ward. Steve tells him that Dan is trying to get him sent down. "And steaming into intensive care shouting the odds is going to help?" asks Lloyd. I just want to reiterate that that ward is the least intensive-care-like ward I have ever seen. People are wandering in and out, no gowns, no gloves, no nurses sitting by patients' beds. Dreadful. Steve confesses he is most worried about Amy, "What about Amy, eh? I get sent down, he's laughing and my daughter grows up with both her parents banged up!" Lloyd tries to reassure him that Dan is just enjoying winding him up and that Dan won't take it that far."It'll be fine. Trust me!"

At Eileen's, Becky is entertaining Jason with tales of the goings on in the cafe and the Rovers. Jason is having a good laugh. Jason tells Becky she's bonkers. She tells him to keep remembering that she makes him laugh and they have a snog.

Steve returns to "The Hammer House of Horror" as Norris refers to the Rovers. Michelle tells Steve she has put his tea in the microwave for him but he's not to mistake it for forgiveness. Gail, in a booth with Ted, asks Ted if he thinks she's pathetic. She tells him she can be childish and she didn't want him to see her like that. She tells him she didn't want Audrey to be able to give Ted her side of the story about David being all sarcastic and funny at her expense. Ted tells Gail that to him, Audrey is just a woman he slept with five decades ago whereas Gail has his blood running through her veins and he's on her side. And he's on David's side (He'll learn. We hope.). They have a lovely father-daughter moment but Ted tells Gail that it's probably time she sorts the issue out with her mother.

The police comes into the Rovers, handcuff and arrest Steve on suspicion of assault and unlawful imprisonment. Steve goes without a murmur while Liz argues with the police. Steve tells Liz to leave it and he'll give her a ring. He is driven away in the cop car!

No episode aired tonight.

Steve wakes up in a cell, sits up and sighs deeply.

Elsewhere, walking down Coronation Street, Liz and Michelle discuss his plight, Liz is worried about him and Michelle is fed up with him. They bump into Harry who tells them that Dan is on the mend, no thanks to Liz’s psycho son. Liz assures him that Steve would not have left Dan in the cellar had he known he was hurt. Harry suggests they just leave it to the police, and Liz tells him that if Steve goes down it’s Amy who will suffer, she already has a mother in prison. “Tell your son that if he carries on telling lies, Steve’s not the only one who'll suffer,” she says as she walks off.

Lloyd goes and meets Steve when he’s released. Steve asks him to take him to Weatherfield General. Lloyd protests, but Steve insists.

Bill comes into the cafe and Becky asks where Jason is. She says she'll go over to the yard and see him, but Bill puts her off by saying that he’s not feeling too good. Becky then immediately thinks it’s caused by the tea she cooked last night, but Bill assures her that he’s got paperwork to catch up on as well. Becky starts to smell a rat. “So which is it?” she asks, “poorly or paperwork?” At that point Roy and Ken look over from behind the counter and makes remarks about Becky giving Bill the third degree. After a pause she says that she might not know as much as they do, but she’s not stupid.

Steve bursts into Dan’s hospital room and tells him that he spent the night locked up because of him. “Now you know how it feels, don't you,” says Dan. Steve tells him to tell the police he made a mistake. Leanne tells Steve to go or she'll call the police. Steve asks Dan what happened, they were mates. They then start to squabble, until eventually Steve admits he shouldn't have locked Dan in the cellar, it was a stupid, brainless thing to do, but couldn't they call it quits now, he’s learned his lesson. He offers his hand to shake on it, but Dan won't. Steve says he’s vindictive, and Dan wonders who the jury will believe.

Bill goes back to yard and moans at Jason about doing his dirty work. Just then Jason’s phone bleeps with a message, it’s Becky asking if he’s poorly or doing paperwork. Bill tells him he should stop stringing her along.

Back at the hospital, Harry asks Dan if he’s going to call the police off. Dan points out that he could have died, only 32 years old and his life finished.

Steve goes back to the Rovers and finds Liz, Vernon and Michelle laughing as they're doing the cleaning. He accuses them of not caring about him, they've obviously not been worried. Michelle asks why she should be worried, even he couldn't get into trouble in a police cell. Vernon thinks that the fact that Steve threw Dan a packet of crisps could be important evidence – if Dan had already passed out why would Steve throw him crisps? Vernon thinks that maybe Dan is confused, concussed, and when he wakes up he'll see reason. Steve interrupts him and says he’s already been to see him and he’s pressing charges. Steve is up for GBH and could get up to 5 years. Michelle looks aghast.

David has been scouring the internet looking for a hairdressing job at another salon in Manchester, whilst Ted is making Russian soup. David tells his mum that Sarah phoned, wondering when she is going to visit. Gail says she'll go when he’s settled in.

Over in the back room of the Rovers, Steve has poured himself a stiff drink. Michelle asks, somewhat sarcastically, if he’s drowning his sorrows. She tells him that Dan is coming out of hospital tomorrow and he should get himself round there with an apology and a very expensive bottle of whisky. Steve says he’s already apologises twice, Dan is a vindictive liar who’s enjoying making Steve suffer. Michelle tells him to stop playing the martyr. “Oh no, because that’s your thing, isn't it?” retorts Steve. Michelle asks what he means by that. Then there develops a full scale row as Steve tells her that he knows he’s Plan B, the one she makes do with because she can't have Dean, the love of her life. “So what does that make me?” he shouts. She tells him not to dare bring Dean into this. “Oh no, we daren't say anything about Saint Flaming Dean!” He then storms out, telling her not to wait up.

Gail and Ted are trying the soup. She says she may get to like it, and they laugh. He then urges her to go and visit Sarah, saying he'll keep an eye on David. “I couldn't ask you to,” she protests, but he says she isn't asking, he’s offering.

Steve is in the taxi office with Lloyd, and invites him to go with him to the Wethy Arms, so they decide to ask Claire in to man the phones.

Jason is at home with Eileen when there’s a knock on the door. Jason tells his mum to say he’s not in if it’s Becky. Reluctantly Eileen goes to the door, and sure enough it’s Becky, looking for Jason. Eileen tells her he’s not at home, but Becky notices his bright yellow jacket and hard hat hanging on the peg by the door. Just then there’s a crash from the kitchen, and she tells Eileen that she must have a poltergeist because she knows it’s not Sean as she just saw him in the shop. Eileen thinks that she’s got a flaming big rat!

Over at the Rovers, Leanne and Michelle are discussing the situation with Dan and Steve. Michelle is very worried that Steve may be sent to prison and gets quite tearful, saying that she knows he wouldn't do anything to harm Dan on purpose. “You know what he’s like,” she says. “I thought I did,” says Leanne, and then, after a moments thought says that she knows Michelle is right, Steve’s always been decent to her and never judged her, unlike some. Michelle tells Leanne about the row they had, and is worried because now Steve is out there getting out of his head.

Someone else who’s getting out of their head is Becky, who’s in the kebab shop with a huge bottle of cider. Just then Lloyd and Steve come in. They are about to order kebabs when Lloyd decides he feels ill and Steve decides he wants toast. Becky picks up her bottle and tells them to come with her.

In the hospital, Leanne tries asking Dan if Steve really did lock him in, knowing he was hurt. She starts to tell him that she’s known Steve for a long time, but this is obviously making Dan very uncomfortable, so he interrupts her saying he’s really tired and needs to sleep.

Becky takes Lloyd and Steve to the cafe, and then Steve’s phone rings, it’s Michelle. Becky, who is as drunk as the other two, takes it and puts it in a pan and puts the lid on. Lloyd decides he’s really tired and has to go home, so she lets him out of the front door. Becky then leads Steve off upstairs, saying they don't want someone trying to get in and order egg and chips. As they go off up the stairs Steve’s phone starts ringing again.

In the Rovers, Michelle tells Liz she was a bit hard on Steve, and she couldn't bear it if he went to prison. Liz, wisely, tells her there’s no sense worrying about it until it happens.

Up in the flat, Steve and Becky are sitting at the table and she’s wondering what went wrong with her relationship with Jason. “Steve, you're a bloke,” she says, “what’s wrong with me?” He tells her she’s very attractive, and has very long legs like a pony. Tearfully, she tells him that Jason doesn't want to know any more and she can't work out where she went wrong. He tells her that she’s too good for him and leans forward to give her a quick peck on the lips, and then a moment later they are kissing passionately. Oh no – Steve you fool!

Anne Logan.

It's the frantic morning after the drunken night before and Steve is staggering around the cafe flat trying to hop into his pants while jamming the phone between his shoulder and ear and not being very successful at either. Becky dryly offers him tea.

Carla is up early doing bookwork and costing and accounting things while Tony is trying to lure her away. (I hope the building where her flat is has a lift because otherwise it's a bit of a glaring inconsistency having him in a wheely acting like it's a piece of cake to get around in it). Anyway, Carla promises she'll be with him as soon as she sorts out the accounts, reminding him that he's not their only client. She's disconcerted to find out that Liam is back tomorrow. (How did Tony know?)

Back to the cafe flat, Steve is on the phone to Lloyd's voice mail firming up his cover in case Michelle asks where he was last night. He's managed to get his trousers on but hasn't found his shirt yet so we've been treated to a fish-white chest and pot belly. (Kudos to Simon though, for being brave enough to bare the 16-pack). The voice mail runs out. Becky is trying to tidy up the place and uncovers a red thong that she fires at him like a slingshot. Steve rings Lloyd back and leaves another message. Just keep it simple. He got bladdered and stayed over. Why didn't he just say that in the first place? Simple is always better! Steve still can't find his shirt.

Audrey arrives at the Platt mansion where David and Tina are cozied up on one side of the small dining table, across from Ted and they're all having tea. No breakfast has been seen yet. Gail announces she has decided to go visit Sarah in Milan and Ted is going to be chaperone. Audrey seems annoyed A. because she's out of the loop and B. because she wasn't asked to "babysit" (as if they need it, well.. ok, they probably do but they're not happy about it either, I don't think)

Becky and Steve are looking under furniture for that shirt which Roy has found in the bathroom, in the shower. I guess neither Steve nor Becky has ventured in for their showers yet then. They make up lame excuses that Steve lost the pub keys and crashed out on the settee. Roy looks miffed. But then he always does.

At the pub, Liz is putting on her makeup at the table and calling Steve a dirty stopout. Michelle admits she'd told him not to come home if he'd got drunk and that their row was monumental but she's narked she didn't even get a text from him. Vernon's clattering about trying to find food for breakfast but everything is gone. No bread, bacon, or milk (did Michelle and Liz not notice when they made their morning brew? or do they both take it black?) Ryan is blamed as the culprit to cleaning out the grocery shelf. (Um, it's a pub. Wouldn't they keep a supply of bread and milk at least for lunches and cooking?) Liz doesn't seem overly upset and figures Steve is just making Michelle sweat by staying away. Michelle's a bit worried, though, because he's not done it to her before even if he does have form.

Tina and David are now cozied up beside each other in the cafe across the table from Ted. (Maybe Gail ran out of breakfast groceries too). As expected, David isn't pleased that his mother didn't trust him enough to leave him on his own. Ted lays down the law, if they behave like adults, he'll treat them like adults and leave them to it. David and Tina grudgingly accept this. Becky is stealthily opening the door from the flat into the cafe, both heads pop round to make sure the coast is clear. Becky seems to have attempted to dry his shirt with a hair dryer (don't Roy and Hayley have their own laundry facilities?) Becky rushes him out the door. He doesn't want Jason to know, Jason's a bit of a mate and a good man. Becky scolds him roundly, a drunken go-round with Steve McDonald isn't something she's going to holler about from the hills. Steve looks insulted. (*snork*) He slopes across the road but is waylaid by Gail asking how early she should leave to miss the rush hour traffic tomorrow. He's about to answer when he spies Michelle coming and frantically knocks on Lloyd's door. Lloyd opens it (so he was home, just too hungover to actually answer his mobile) and Steve slips inside leaving Gail confused and route-less.

After the break we're in the factory where Tony is criticizing Janice's timekeeping (not his concern, he's not her boss) and the quality of her work (possibly his concern if she's working on his order). Seeing as Tony's a bit more vulnerable than usual, Janice gets her own back by roughly and haphazardly speeding him round the corner and into the office in front of Carla's desk. She confirms with Carla who's the boss and leaves him to her devices and to her credit she does come upside him and down the other pointing out very firmly that she and Liam) are indeed the bosses, not him, and she has already docked Janice for being late and he'd best not forget it.

Lloyd is castigating Steve. Becky Granger! What were you thinking of? Steve, chain smoking his little face off, really has no excuse other than drunken tomfoolery though he does run down his list anyway (spent night in cell, another charge added, row with Michelle etc). Lloyd figures that the secret is going to get out though Steve figures Becky will keep schtum. No way, says Lloyd and utters the line of the day "She's got a fuse as short as Tyson's and a mouth as big as a clown's pocket". Steve assures him that he and she agreed to keep quiet. Lloyd reminds him that he's already blabbed. You're me mate! Yes, Lloyd comes back with, but Becky has mates, too. Steve doesn't think so. And she's got a boyfriend with muscles. Steve huffs "I can take him!" Uh huh. Steve begs Lloyd to provide him with an alibi but Lloyd isn't sure. The phone rings, they argue about answering it so Steve does. It's Lloyd's one night stand mistake, Theresa.

Over in the cafe, Michelle is ordering and Becky is keeping her distance at first and then doing whatever she can to prevent Roy from making any comment about Steve's recent sojourn. Ken, utterly oblivious, mentions they're low on teaspoons and is enjoying the teamwork behind the counter, a well oiled machine. Roy's radar is up. Ken finally wonders if he's missing anything. "Teaspoons, obviously" mutters Roy and sends Ken out to get some small change. At a table, Audrey is telling Bill that there was a time Gail wouldn't do anything without telling her first. I think she's a little jealous. Bill seems to think the break would be a good thing. Roy suggests that Becky go for a cigarette break. Becky knows something is up and delays her exit by clearing Bill and Audrey's table. Bill assures her that Jason would have been there but Bill had asked him to keep working. Becky sighs, she knows Jason's "swerving" her and given the chance, she'd probably swerve herself if she could. With that, Roy accompanies her out the door and confronts her with his suspicions. We were drunk, she admits. He calls it the great "get out of jail free" card. She won't tell him that they actually had sex but accuses him of judging her when he's got his life all sorted. He says he worries about her own future and that she never thinks about the consequences. She says she just likes to live and goes with the flow. Sometimes it works .... "and sometimes the tide sweeps you off your feet" Roy accurately states. He returns inside so Ken can go to the bank and leaves Becky flustered, frustrated and ashamed at herself.

Theresa sees Findlay off on the bus to school. (Gee, every other child on Coronation Street has always been walked to school, over on Bessie Street which is only a few blocks away) Lloyd offers to drive him now and then and mentions that he doesn't know anything about the kid. Theresa lists off a few dislikes and likes (doesn't like swimming. I'd say she doesn't know anything about him either because a few weeks ago he was asking Darryl to take him swimming). Theresa extracts more cash from Lloyd, supposedly for a new coat for the child.

Carla is working on the computer when her mobile rings. It's Liam. She hesitates and allows it to go to voice mail but in the mean time, the computer horks up a hair ball and blue screens her document. She freaks out after four hours of unsaved work (don't most programs have auto-save features these days?) She flings out of the chair and goes off in a panic.

In the kebab shop, Lloyd is being served by Darryl and Tina. Tina's mobile rings and she swans off to take a call from her dad. Lloyd engages in a conversation with Darryl and Mel about their mother. Mel has nothing good to say about her. Tina takes off her apron and runs out to speak to David about something.

When next we see Steve, he's coming through to the ginnel in a pink shirt (as opposed to the beleaguered blue one he'd had on earlier). He swiftly turns around though, when Michelle comes out of the back gate to put rubbish in the bin.

Bill brings lunch to Jason in the office along with a gob full at Jason for not putting Becky straight. He feels bad because Becky thinks it's all her fault and Jason says it is! She needs to be the one that backs off (then *tell* her!)

Becky comes into the cab office looking for Steve. She's brought Steve's watch. Lloyd reveals that he knows what happened. Becky is not pleased but Lloyd makes her realize that he'll keep their secret. She's down in the dumps about herself and about Jason and thinks she's going to finish it with him. Lloyd tries to buck her up, reminding her that relationships always have wobbles and sometimes do come back to bite you in the bum. She's sure that if what she'd had with Jason was solid, the thing with Steve never would have happened and even though Lloyd says Michelle and Steve are indeed solid, Becky doubts it.

Steve, meanwhile, is edging in the door, flowers first. Vernon sees him and notes the flowers, expensive. Guilty conscience? Michelle comes out of the back room and gives him grief. She warns him that she can always tell he's lying so what happened.

Will he be able to bluff her? find out in part 2.

Tvor

Part Two Written by Jan McVerry and directed by Tim Dowd

Flowers for Michelle from Steve as an apology - he stormed off and he is sorry for what he said, all very childish and silly, spent the time with Lloyd and it was wrong not to let her know he was OK. Borrowed Lloyd's shirt (which seems to fit remarkably well).

Jason also is carrying flowers - he tells Eileen he is about to go to the cafe, tell Becky she is a wonderful girl and two nights a week is the limit. Eileen somehow doubts this will go down well.

Apparently Tina's father is about to turn up to meet David. Tina seems uncertain about her father, first running him down then defending him before storming out. In the Street David promises to behave - but she knows it will only be for the first three times they meet.

Steve is still apologising to Michelle - and it was mainly him - he was being spiteful. He is concerned about that Dan might have died. Steve is going to try to apologise to the Masons again - mainly because he needs to stay out of prison for Amy.

Jason is looking for Becky at the cafe but she has departed and neither Roy nor Ken knows where she has gone. Jason is scared of Becky - they do not think she will be in the Rovers. Roy suggest the precinct. Jason finds her outside - Becky ends it because she is obviously much keener than he is. She knows he wants her to back off - but she can't do it. Becky does not want to be realistic - but she wants to stay mates and gives him a kiss and takes the flowers.

When Tina's father arrives with Gail no-one quite seems to know what to say. David is asked if he is a "red" or a "blue" - but David denies interest in football.

Jason is now complaining to Eileen about Becky dumping him with Lloyd listening. Jason just does not understand her complete about turn.

In the Rovers Michelle is telling Carla how Steve has apologises and that he is really trying. Michelle tells Carla that she believes him. Carla admits to her earlier breakdown - a lot of work lost until Tom turns up to put the computer right. Becky comes in and orders some cider. She is drowning her sorrows because she has dumped her boyfriend.

The factory staff arrive and the news is that Liam will be back shortly - but apparently they already knew. Cousin Tom (from the wedding) arrives and gets a warm welcome.

Tina's dad asks David what his plans are for world domination? David is cheeky back. David is going to enroll and get properly trained and be in charge of a salon in five years. He knows Tina will not wait around a second time if he went to prison, so he will not be going back there. She smiles approvingly.

In the Rovers Tom is leading the conversation and is getting on very well with Carla - Tony is clearly unhappy at just how well they are getting on together.

Claire finds our favourite plumber Roger as she wants some work doing in the bathroom and on the central heating. Dreary lets Claire know that Roger is slower than the average plumber and therefore is more costly.

Eileen and Jason are discussing the situation - he claims it was a mutual split. Dan is just about walking as Harry brings him from the hospital - he has had a mystery virus. Steve and Dan exchange words once again. Harry points out that Steve is not helping himself and Eileen pulls him away.

Claire and Sally also start on each other - eventually they all calm down when Becky says she just wants a quiet drink.

Gail seems to be getting on well with Tina's father - he gives her money for Tina's keep and gets invited for a drink - when Gail gets back from her trip to Milan.

Lloyd returns Steve's watch. Steve is worried about Becky - Lloyd reckons that Becky will hound Steve after the drunken night they have spent together. Lloyd is warning Steve that Becky is a powder keg waiting to explode.

See you all next week for a double update.

K Richard W

Steve cooks Michelle breakfast but gets a shock when she tells him she knows why he's doing this. Then he's relieved when she tells him it's Dan he should be creeping to, and she begs him to go and see him.

Over at Dan's flat, the man in question is reclining on the sofa whilst his father waits on him, but he's not too happy when all he gets for breakfast is a bowl of cereal. He complains that he'd rather have a cooked breakfast, but Harry just says he'd rather have a week in the Algarve.

In the cafe Becky serves Lloyd and then Jason walks in. Becky asks Roy if he can serve him, she's got tables to clear.

Liam and Maria arrive home, tanned and seemingly very happy with each other.

Leanne turns up for work in the pub, and when Steve asks how Dan is, she tells him he's fine, after being locked in the cellar and nearly dying. Steve tells her he honestly didn't know that Dan was hurt, and Michelle asks Leanne if she really thinks that Steve would have left him there if he'd known. Steve asks her to look him in the eye and tell him she really thinks he would try to hurt Dan. She then gets a bit flustered and says that it's nothing to do with her. Steve asks if she could have a quiet word with Dan but she snaps that she can't, they started this peeing contest, they can sort it out themselves. As she storms off, Steve tells Michelle that he'll go round to Dan's and beg like a dog if he has to.

Jason tries again to talk to Becky, and she tells him it was fun while it lasted. He says he doesn't understand. "Move on, I have!" she tells him with a smile, but as he walks out her face drops.

Maria comes back from walking Ozzy to find Liam with the wedding ring she threw at him some weeks ago. "Do you reckon it's time to put this back on, Mrs Connor?" he asks her. She holds out her hand and he puts it on her finger and murmurs, "And they lived happily ever after." Maria whispers, "I flippin' hope so!" They then talk about having another baby. Maria says he should make sure Carla gives him lots of paternity leave, and he retorts that she's not his boss. "Forget Carla, lets just concentrate on us," he says.

Ken and Deirdre are walking along the Street, and Deirdre is talking to Blanche on her mobile phone. Apparently Blanche isn't happy that they've got pasties for Sunday dinner as that's not traditional, but Ken points out that when they do a roast she only picks at it. Just then Ken sees Roger and Janice going into the Rovers, so he volunteers to go to Freshcos and get a chicken, to keep the old bat quiet. "Hey! That's my old bat you're talking about!" says Deirdre, laughing. However, Ken doesn't go straight to the shops, he goes straight into the pub where Roger buys him half a pint.

Steve asks Lloyd how he ever got himself into this. "What?" asks Lloyd, "the GBH or the cheating on your girlfriend?" But he adds that he doesn't think Dan wants to see him banged up, he just wants to see him sweat. Steve sighs and says he hopes so.

Steve wonders about Becky and asks if Lloyd thinks he should go and see her or let sleeping dogs lie. Lloyd thinks he should avoid phrases like *sleeping dogs*. Steve points out that he's not been told he's the father of a seven year old. Lloyd says that Findlay is a nice kid and he's thinking of getting him something. Steve ends up saying that he'll sort out some old computer games of Ryan's for Findlay.

Liam and Maria walk in and, seeing Tony's crutches, ask what happened and is told it was an accident with a bike. Liam says that it was bound to happen, and when Tony looks puzzled he explains that Katie Melua sings that there are 9 Million Bicycles in Beijing. "Did her warning go unheeded?" he adds. Carla says that she's been missing his razor sharp wit. Michelle asks if they had a nice time and Maria is full of what a wonderful time they had. Carla looks decidedly displeased!

Harry tries hard to have a chat with Dan and tries to get him to withdraw his statement. "You don't really want that, do you?" he asks. "After what happened to me?" retorts Dan. Harry reckons that he's a pretty good judge of character and whilst he can see that locking Dan in the cellar could be a joke, but trying to kill him? Harry can't see Steve doing that. Dan shrugs and says maybe he's very competitive. Harry says that when he makes cracks like that he becomes more convinced he's making it up.

In the pub, Maria and Liam are amazed to hear about Steve, Dan and the cellar. Liam turns to Leanne and tells her to sort her boyfriend out. Leanne shouts back that they didn't see the state Dan was in when they brought him out of the cellar and accuses them all of closing ranks. Michelle turns to Leanne and asks if she could please have a word with Dan, telling her that Steve is in bits about it all.

Just then Steve comes in and says that Lloyd has given him thirty quid for Ryan's old computer games. Michelle is appalled that with prison looming Steve is playing Multi-coloured Swap Shop. She tells him to get over to see Dan and sort it out.

Liam asks if Dan was seriously hurt and Carla bites his head off. "What do you think I am? The District Nurse?" and she goes off to the ladies room.

Steve goes over to Dan and Harry's flat. Harry opens the door and tells him his boy nearly died. Steve says he knows how it must look, but swears he didn't know. Harry sighs and tells him to leave it with him.

Carla comes out of the ladies and finds Liam standing by the door. "Hanging round ladies' loos now are we? Classy!" she says. Liam starts to say that Maria's had a really hard time and they're trying to draw a line under the past and start fresh. Coldly she replies, "Sounds peachy!" He tries to talk about what happened between the two of them, but she tells him not to flatter himself, it wasn't memorable. He says that they've decided to try for another baby, but Carla snaps that she doesn't care what they get up to.

Deirdre marches into the pub and asks Leanne for a chicken. When Leanne, puzzled, tells her they don't sell chickens, Deirdre tells her that her husband went out to buy one for dinner an hour ago, so if they don't sell them what on earth was he doing there? Ken, embarrassed, says that he's sure Dev will have one, as Deirdre escorts him from the premises.

Steve goes back to the pub and is just telling Michelle that Harry seems to be reasonable about it, when Becky comes in and order a pint. All Steve seems able to do is stand there with his mouth open. Michelle asks if he's serving or catching flies. Just then Jason comes in and asks if she'd like a pint. She tells him she's got one and rushes over to the dartboard with Janice and Roger.

Liam, in a desperate attempt to get Maria away from Carla, suggests they go for a drive and find somewhere swanky to eat, but she reminds him that she's ordered food for them both, so suggests they eat it and then go home to watch a dvd. "Ooh, the fun never ends, does it!" says Carla.

Steve, obviously thinking this seems like a good way to get away from Becky, turns to Michelle and suggests they take the drive out and the swanky lunch. "Steve, I'm working," she reminds him.

In the Barlow residence, Ken suggests to a rather cross Deirdre that they play Scrabble. "So you can beat me and show off how brainy you are?" she snaps. Then she decides on Jenga, she always wins at Jenga!

In the pub, Carla comments on the amount of spritzers that Maria is drinking, and then laughs and, looking pointedly at Liam, says there's no telling what she'll come out with when she's had a few drinks. Maria goes to the bar with Tony. Alone at the table, Liam tells Carla to pack it in. Carla tells him not to tell her what to do and asks him if he thinks she'll spill the beans on what Maria's beloved little husband has been up to. He tells her they still have to work together, but she replies that they don't, this is the end. She goes on to say that if he wants her to keep her mouth shut he must agree to sell his share of the business to Tony, to get out of her life for good. "Or the crimper will know what a close family we really are," she threatens.

Anne Logan

Monday night this week brings us a one hour episode rather than two halves.

Everyone is waiting outside the factory for Carla to drive up. Sean makes a catty remark about Carla the botox bull in a china shop and Rosie simpers over to take Carla's dry cleaning from her like a good little doobee. They ask after Mr. Connor and she finally allows them to call her Carla instead of Mrs. Connor. I guess she's trying to sever the connection already. Sally is looking forward to moving on Friday.

Steve is still apologizing to Michelle but she seems all warm and fuzzy and has forgiven him. He just hopes Harry can persuade Dan to drop the charges, too.

In the kebab shop, Theresa is helping out. By serving kebabs and swiping more out of the till than she put in. Vernon arrives and Theresa actually flirts with him and shows her cleavage. He's a bit uncomfortable. She must be drunk already or else high on the smell of money the way she's bouncing around.

Deirdre is perusing tatty Sunday magazines. Ken has a letter from Manchester Uni. It's an invitation to a reunion. Deirdre thinks he should go but he's not keen at all. He hasn't said why but I suppose it's to do with confronting former graduates and admitting he's not done a whole lot with his life.

Maria's back at work and Julie is still there, too. Maria admits she and Liam have sorted things out though it wasn't easy. Julie's philosophy is that relationships are like an asymmetrical bob. You've really got to put the hours in to get it right. I think i quite like her. She's like Candice, all grown up!

Harry's putting the pressure on Dan to make him realize who else would be hurt. Them, too since Steve is landlord of a popular pub and it would probably affect their business, too. He asks Dan to change his tune for the sake of his father at least. Dan sucks a thoughtful tooth at this.

In the pub, Theresa is eagerly necking a pint. Lloyd comes in and passes her some computer games for Findlay. She makes sure he knows money is preferred (and his alarm bells aren't going off yet???) She feeds him a line of rubbish about educational games, which these are not. he asks to spend some time with the lad and she puts him off. He leaves and she immediately asks Michelle how much the games are worth should she flog them and is put out that they're actually second hand. The absence of shrink wrap plastic should have told her that, silly cow. With an insult about Liz's long nails, she then downs the entire pint and finishes with a satisfied sigh. (I knew that woman was a good actress! Those pints are actually really weak and crap tasting, according to the actors!)

Liam arrives at the factory to the delight of the girls. Carla slithers out, knowing it was him but pretending she didn't realize and hisses that she was surprised he was in today. (We know why, after her blackmail the night before).

Michelle and Liz are talking about wedding songs. Harry saunters in and says he's bearing glad tidings. Dan is changing his statement and letting Steve off the hook. Liz joyfully hugs him as Vernon arrives. Liz tells him the news and charges him to get Harry a drink.

Back to the factory (Wow, really short scenes tonight), Rosie is on the phone doing business while Carla glares through the office wall (It's glass, remember?) at Liam who is surrounded by happy people who like him, they really like him and they really don't like her. I bet that's another reason she wants him out. Carla sits down and calls information for the phone number to Audrey's Salon. Rosie looks confused and bewildered (nothing new there, then).

Michelle arrives at the cafe. She tells Becky she can't get hold of Steve and has really good news for him. Becky guesses, "You're pregnant?" Michelle frowns and looks down, and asks if she looks it? Roy can see where this is going and takes over serving.

Audrey takes the call from Carla and tells Maria that Carla wants an appointment and Maria is the only one free. Audrey makes the appointment and Carla looks very smug. Exactly what she wanted to happen.

After the break, Liam comes into the office and tells Carla they have to talk privately. Carla starts shouting at him and Rosie makes herself scarce. Carla insists she doesn't want Liam in the factory any longer. Don't let the door hit you on your backside on the way out. He closes the door and leans over to say his piece.

Michelle finds Steve on the street out front of Streetcars. Why is his mobile switched off? Is it? he makes it seem like he didn't' know it was but you know darn well he's just avoiding her whenever he can. It looks to him like it's all for nothing though when she asks if he's having an affair. She's joking. He needs clean shorts. Lloyd is amused. Anyway, she tells him the news about Dan changing his statement. Steve notices Becky crossing the street with an armload of loo roll and gives a very understated response. No Yippee, no sigh of relief. Just "Yep". He pretends it's just that he's not counting on anything until it's definite. She walks away, miffed at his non-response. Lloyd takes the mick.

Jerry and Mel are sat on the very small settee (why do they all have such little sofas?) Theresa staggers in. She's ordered to sit down. Jerry isn't happy. They accuse her of helping themselves to the cash at work. Theresa tries to blame Tina but she does admit it. She took it to buy Findlay some computer games. Jerry buys it. Next time, ask! She's on the offence and Jerry always backs down.

The workers watch Liam and Carla arguing through the window. They all gossip about it, wondering what is being said behind closed doors. Carla stalks out with Liam hard on her heels. Rosie takes the whip and tries to take charge to the chagrin of her mother and much amusement of Janice.

Becky is furious at Roy for taking over and judging her. Becky informs Roy it was one night of madness. No. 10 minutes of madness. She takes the blame but there's no sense in him trying to go out of his way to get in her way. She's not going to go after Steve and not going to do it again.

In the cab office, Steve is looking thoughtful. Lloyd, having heard it all before, still offers to lend an ear. Steve thinks he might go to Spain to visit Andy. Lloyd knows he's running away and he should be a bit more grown up. Steve doesn't want to be grown up. He wants to be 14 when everything was a laugh. (and we remember what he was like too!) Running away won't solve his problems (but running away is what Steve does best, innit?)

Carla is making her way down the road with Liam still yapping at her skirts. Liam tries to yank Paul's name into the argument but that doesn't hold water. She warns him to sell or he's in big trouble. Into the cafe she goes.

Lloyd and Steve are in the pub now. Dan arrives to meet up with Leanne who didn't get a drink for Harry who followed Dan in. Dan winds up Steve and says he wasn't allowed to change his story. Steve nearly has to change his shorts again until Dan laughs the old "Gotcha" laugh. Nobody else is laughing. Steve does thank him. Several times, loudly, at Dan's urging, milking it for all he can.

Liam is waiting when Carla comes back out. Tony calls just then and tells Liam he better talk to Tony and make plans to chat about the sell out. Liam takes the phone, realizing that Carla really does mean what she says. He's off to see Tony. She says she's doing it because she can and now she's off to have her hair cut by Maria. She walks away. "Bitch" ... "Save your date talk for someone who cares" she slings back.

And Stella will be along with part two.

Tvor

Carla comes into the salon and tells Maria that she saw Liam in the street on his way to meet Tony for a business meeting at Tony's gym. The temp Audrey has hired to replace David/Sarah (I've forgotten her name) tries to make some (admittedly cheeky) small-talk with Carla but Carla makes it clear she is not interested in chatting and gets ready for her hair cut.

At the Mortons', Jerry, Mel and Teresa are talking. Mel and Teresa have an argument about the time Mel won a book token at Brownies and came home to find her mother had sold it. Jerry pleads with them to try and get along but Mel is not interested in a relationship with her mother. When Mel leaves Teresa refers to the book token incident. "She's still bitter about that?" she asks Jerry, incredulously.

At Gail's place, Tina and David are looking for jobs for David. Tina seems to be more interested in it than David. Tina tries to get David to ring a number for further information. The number is engaged. He adopts a defeatist attitude and tells Tina there's probably 10,000 people going for that one job. Tina reminds him that none of them will have David's irresistible charm. David seems slightly lifted at that and promises to try ringing them again in a bit.

Liam meets Tony Gordon at the gym. Tony asks him why he's there. Liam tells him he's there to do a spot of business. Tony tells him he has to go in for a massage first and tells Liam to abuse the guest pass for the gym in the meantime. The jazzercise class starts soon. He thinks Liam might want to try that.

Carla is in the salon asking why she's been there half an hour and not been offered a brew yet. Actually, come to think of it, that's unforgivable! Audrey- tut tut! Carla wonders out loud how the "gym buddies" are getting on. Maria asks Carla who's running the factory if Liam and she are both away. Carla tells her it runs on experience. Maria makes a face when Carla snipes at Maria to "watch her lippy" when drying her hair.

In the living room at the Rovers, Liz presents Vernon with a lovely dinner. Vernon seems suspicious and asks Liz what he's done to deserve all the special treatment. Steve comes in and asks where his plate is. When Liz tells Steve that Vernon only got one because she likes him, Steve is cynical. He knows Liz is feeling guilty. Vernon calls him on his cynicism. Steve makes one of his faces behind Vernon's back.

At the gym, Tony joins Liam at a table. He asks Liam what business they have to do with each other. Liam tells Tony he's thinking of selling the factory. Tony seems interested. Liam hints that Tony might like to buy it. Tony is suspicious as to Liam's motives and asks why he's changed his mind. Liam doesn't really give an answer but tells Tony he reckons he could get a quarter of a million for his share of the business (Really? That much, Liam?) but that Tony could have it for £230K. Tony declines the offer telling Liam it's too much. When Liam protests, Tony tells him that he'll think about it and get back to him.

Lloyd goes to talk to Mel who he sees at a bus stop. He seems suspiciously interested in Findlay and Mel's family. She wants to know why. When Lloyd tries to give her the brush off, she insists that he tells her what's going on.

In the Salon, Maria has finished Carla's hair. Carla is pleasantly surprised that Maria did such a good job. It looks exactly the same as when she went in though, if you ask me. Maria is talking about Liam grinding his teeth in his sleep, she wonders what he has to be stressed about but she reasons at least he doesn't snore, eh? Carla gives a wry smile and tells Maria, "I'm no expert on stress, me. All my blokes seem to sleep like logs." "All that wooden, were they?" asks the temp. "All that tired, love," says Carla. Touché Carla. Carla advises Maria to get to the source of Liam's stress, "it must be coming from somewhere."

In Gail's house, Tina and Ted listen to David make an appointment for an interview over the telephone. Ted seems to think that David will be fine once he gets to the interview and says so to Tina. David hangs up, a little down in the mouth. When asked what's wrong, David tells them- he needs a reference. Ted is sure that Audrey will not see him wrong but David, thinking straight for once says, "She won't even give me a job brewin' up and sweeping clippings." He's not confident that he'll get a good reference from her. Ted tells him to stay positive and to leave it to him if Audrey won't give him a reference.

Finally! Mel is at the bus stop telling Lloyd that the idea of him being Findlay's father is ridiculous and that she can't believe he slept with Teresa in the first place. She assures him he is not Findlay's dad. She puts off her plans and takes Lloyd to get it all sorted out.

Liam and Tony are having a coffee still talking about the business deal. Tony is still suspicious as to why Liam is willing to sell now. Liam tells him that if Tony doesn't make an offer now, he'll get another buyer. Tony is not being pressured though and insists he wants to wait and find out before they do business.

Outside the Mortons', Mel is telling Lloyd how Teresa took him for a mug. "Oh, I should've just kept me trap shut!" whines Lloyd, reluctant to confront Teresa. "You should've just kept your pants zipped!" Mel reminds him. They go inside where Jerry and Teresa are watching telly and Teresa's about to get a shock. Mel tells Jerry that Teresa told Lloyd that Lloyd is Findlay's dad. "She were tellin' him he were Findlay's dad so she could get money from 'im!" Mel tells a shocked Jerry. Jerry is mortified that Teresa would do this under his roof. And bewildered that Lloyd would fall for it. Not to mention disgusted that they slept together. Lloyd tells Jerry that he only fell for it because he wanted to do the right thing after doing the wrong thing. Jerry tells Teresa she's a nasty evil cow and tells Lloyd that they did tests to prove who Findlay's dad is and he's a used car salesman from Gorton. "I'm sorry, pal," he says to Lloyd.

In the bar at the Rovers, Michelle gives Steve a cuddle. She asks him if he's relieved that Dan can survive without his spleen. She asks him if he needs a couple of days away to get over it all and wonders if he'll take her somewhere. Steve mentions that he wants to go and see his brother. Alone. Michelle is not best pleased that he would go to Spain without her but tells him he needs the break so he should go. Steve tells her he'll look for flights, hopefully he can get one before the weekend. Tony and Liam meet Carla at the bar. Tony compliments Carla on her hairdo. She asks the boys if they've had a nice time. Tony knows that she's referring to Liam offering to sell him the business and tells her that he needs time to think about it. Liam tells them he's thought about it and the ball's in Tony's court now. He leaves. Carla asks what Tony has to think about. She wonders if Liam is asking too high a price. Tony tells her that's part of it but he also wants to know why both Liam and Carla have changed their tune about selling to him. Carla backs out of it all and tells Tony it's got nowt to do with her. it's between him and Liam.

Back at the Mortons' Mel, Lloyd and Jerry are still trying to make sense of Teresa's deception. Jerry and Mel are embarrassed by Teresa's behaviour. Lloyd asks Teresa how long she thought she was going to get away with it. As Lloyd is leaving Teresa shouts, "As long as you kept tippin' up!" Mel tells her mother that she is disgusting. Teresa admits that she may have gone a bit far. Jerry tells Teresa he thought she'd changed. "Yer, she 'as," shouts Mel, "she's got worse!" Teresa threatens Mel with a slap but Jerry puts an end to their squabbling and tells Teresa she's got until the next day to get out. Jerry leaves his ex-wife and his daughter. Mel makes a "Hah!" face at Teresa, happy that her mother's going to be gone by the morning.

In the Rovers living room, Vernon is making plans with the band. He has got a gig doing a backing track in a recording studio. He is very excited. He's not being paid for it but like Vernon says, "You never know where it might lead." Vernon is surprised that Liz is willing to give him the day off so he can go into the studio but Liz actually offers to go in with him and be his groupie as well.

In the bar, Michelle sees Lloyd looking all forlorn. When he won't tell Michelle what's wrong, Michelle takes the opportunity to ask Lloyd if Steve has been up to anything she should know about and mentions that Steve is going to see his brother in Spain. When Lloyd won't tell her anything about that either she says, "You know what Steve's trouble is? He thinks I won't find out! Is it not even worth you having a guess?" But Lloyd tells her he has absolutely no idea if Steve has been up to something he shouldn't have.

Back in the factory, Tony is still trying to work out why it's suddenly OK for him to buy Liam's share in the factory. Carla accuses him of cynicism. She tells him that she needs a proper business partner and up till now it ain't been Liam but it might be him. She tells him if he thinks that Liam is asking too much, he should make an offer, Liam seems desperate to sell. "And you don't mind me screwing him?" asks Tony in an unfortunate turn of phrase. "You know me, love" says Carla, "it's all business. You want Liam's share, you get it. Any way you like." She gives him a big smacking kiss and clip clops out of the office on her high heels.

Stella McLoughlin

No episode aired tonight.

Maria is looking forward to spending an evening making babies but Liam who is about to sell his part of the factory seems somewhat distracted. He claims that he feels like packing it all in - and she simply cannot believe him - he will still be hobbling in there on his zimmer frame. David asks Maria if his reference is available yet - but she does not know - and it is his interview this afternoon.

At the two ends of the Street the Peacock and Webster clans are preparing to move house. Tempers are already fraying in the Webster team but Sal sees Claire and gives her a friendly wave. Kirk is assisting clan Peacock and is instructed on red boxes for the kitchen, yellow in the living room and green upstairs, so he immediately takes a green box upstairs, instead of crossing the Street first.

Carla joins Liam at the factory where he wants to know why he has not heard from Tony. To wind him up Carla threatens to get Maria to cut her hair again. Eventually Tony arrives and suggests to Liam that they might have a chat over a drink. The over-endowed Rosie wants to know what is going on - but Carla claims it is merely business. Anyway to buy herself peace and quiet Carla claims that she has been thinking of making Rosie her PA with a suitable salary (yay Rosie will be earning more than her mother). Rosie of course tells Carla that she can be trusted with anything. Carla goes out and Rosie replays on her computer the video of Carla and Liam kissing on the doorstep.

At the Morton residence it looks like Theresa is going - she is almost packed and Jerry reckons he is better and can look after himself. Darryl doubts this but Mel tells her brother of the events concerning the deception of Lloyd - although Theresa denies deception - after all he only thinks he is the only coloured man in the village.

David has collected the reference which Audrey made him wait for and sit through her writing it out - obviously she was keen to do it. He has no idea of the content as it is sealed. Tina waves a kettle and I would guess it will not be sealed for long. Yes I thought as much and the reference does not make good reading - apparently David is generally punctual (Tina confirms that his timekeeping does leave something to be desired). And apparently David can be conscientious. Probably only on the fifth Wednesday of a month - although Audrey has not said that. Anyway he does not think it is worth bothering going to the interview.

Liam claims his share of the factory is worth £250k - but Tony can have it for £200k. Tony will not budge above £180k. Liam walks away from the deal, although Tony knows he will be back.

Sal and Kev are surveying their new garden, waking Jelly Roll Morton who is resting. Anyway the girls will love having a garden - pity they could not have it when they were smaller. Kev observes that the girls can sunbathe - a sight which Darryl will enjoy. Sally tells him to erect a higher fence and Jerry's siesta disappears when Theresa hoves into view. She tells Jerry a sob story and he responds by saying that she had gone on holiday and left the kids behind - although she alleges that Gary insisted the kids stay at home. Anyway she reckons it is unfair on Darryl and Mel to cope with the kids and the shop and asks if he wants to end up back in hospital. She wheedles into wanting to stay longer, but Mel is listening at the bedroom window and tells Jerry not to listen to Theresa. The latter shouts back that he has a mind of his own, at which point Jerry tells her to go.

Anyway Carla wants to know if the deal is settled - he will not sell at a loss but Carla is determined and again threatens to tell Maria all if he does not sell. Liam tries to bluff but Carla picks up the phone to speak to the salon and Maria and Liam gives in, so Maria is simply thanked for the great haircut.

Back to the great house move and despite the wonderful new banking system which moves cash with great rapidity news of this change has not reached the solicitors of Weatherfield and Claire runs out into the Street telling everyone to stop. Apparently Kev and Sal's money has not arrived yet, Ashley says it must be a mix up but Claire wants to wait until the cash is in their bank account. So Sal chimes in and insists everyone stops work.

Tony arrives at the factory and Liam agrees to 180k. Tony looks surprised - but Liam looks at Carla and says he cannot wait - indeed it will be done by the end of the day. Carla and Tony look very smug and he agrees to get the paperwork organised. (Given that the solicitors have lost 25k of Peacock money you wonder how anyone will manage to move 180k by the end of the day when they have not started yet)!

Jerry is having second thoughts but Mel tries to dissuade him from changing his mind - the cash from the till, conning Lloyd, twisting things. Mel knows that they are better off if she goes.

In the Street Betty finds the pavement blocked as both removal parties are taking tea and she almost has to walk in the Street, much to displeasure. Anyway when she tells them to shift the furniture they leap into action. A little later Kirk and Ashley start a kick about in the Street - especially annoying Claire when he invites the Webster clan to join in - which they do to the equal annoyance of Sally!

Anyway David is not going to the interview he tells Ted - and Tina recovers the crumpled reference from Audrey. He reads the reference and can instantly see the problem - damnation with faint praise. Ted tells David to get ready for the interview - he will be back shortly and departs still carrying the reference.

Steve is off to Spain via the airport but warns Lloyd that Michelle is still asking questions. Lloyd is already worried. The two men hug each other and Michelle knows that there is something being hidden. She worries if he is coming back - but he reassures her and promises to ring when he arrives.

Carla runs into Maria in the Rovers and the latter thanks her for the phone call and asks after Liam. Carla says that he will be along once he has sorted out the sale to Tony. Maria "What sale?" Carla "Of the factory, you know, to Tony." And of course this is the first that Maria has heard of it. Maria cannot believe her ears and Carla is keen to rub salt in the wound - has he not told her? Anyway Carla is sure he will let her know the full details. (But not how he has been robbed blind).

Part 2.

Maria tracks Liam down and wants an explanation. He denies Carla had anything to do with it - Tony made an offer and it was a good deal - he wants out of the 9 to 5 and wants to be his own boss with no baggage or issues. Maria does not believe him. He promises her a fresh start - their future together, no-one else's. Anyway it seems he is shell shocked as they hug from the expression on his face.

Claire takes another phone call and apparently pigeon post has finally succeeded in delivering 25k (presumably in used fivers or something similar) and the move is back on. Box shifters get moving. With everything nearly relocated Sal decides on one last piece of revenge and starts removing the light bulbs - as she reminds Kev these energy saving ones are very expensive. And then she removes the light fittings as well (having turned the electricity supply off).

Jerry does something he might regret. He finds Theresa at the bus stop and offers her money for the taxi - which she turns down. However as it is 20 minutes before a bus comes (they are very frequent!) he offers a farewell drink for the road and she almost beats him through the pub door.

Tony and Maria are sharing a celebratory coffee - furniture poor, view great. Apparently Tony wants to make some changes but as Carla tells him - he will need to square it with the boss first.

Over at the Platt residence David is given a new reference, which speaks in glowing terms - impeccable time keeping, outgoing and attentive, driven and determined to excel. Tina asks if Audrey wrote the new reference and whilst Ted does not dispute the point it seems more likely that he is the author of the document.

Apparently Vernon has been recording and impressed a runner of 20 who said he rocked. Vernon is confused - why is Liz not jealous? Something is not quite normal.

Sal and Claire eventually meet in the Street on the final crossing and keys are handed over, not with particularly good grace one has to say.

Theresa and Jerry are having that drink and we all knew that Jerry would regret it. Apparently the new bloke Gary has a temper and she implies that he hits her. Jerry falls for it all, hook line and sinker. He tells her that she cannot go home to that, although she claims the neighbours get the worst of it. And she lays it on thick.

Meanwhile Liam returns to the factory and he assures Carla that Maria thought it was great - and that they were both happy. Carla does not admit her surprise but tells Liam that he now needs to break it to the staff. He is surprised that Carla has not already told them - but she thinks it will come better from him. They go inside the factory and production ceases whilst Liam shares the news. Liam tells the staff not to worry and in answer to a question confirms this is last day - Carla says there is no point in stringing it out. The staff are stunned - they are losing the one boss they liked. Carla and Liam exchange some final comments and his involvement in the factory is at an end. Liam packs his personal bits and pieces into a cardboard box whilst Tony decides the time has come to introduce himself properly. Already the staff are missing Liam - especially when Tony orders them back to work - Janice asks if he is cracking the whip already, but apparently Tony has a different style. Without his crutches he is a walk softly, carry a big stick kind of guy, with a veiled threat in his tone. It leaves Janice very thoughtful.

Anyway time for Claire to ask Ash to turn the power on - flash, bang and the electrics blow completely, and then they notice the missing light fittings. Ash is stunned by the noise and lays there. They march across the Street and thank Sal particularly for the firework display. Kev has to calm the situation and asks Bill to go and take a look at the problem. Sal smiles and wonders if it has anything to do with the light fittings she removed. Kev sighs and rolls his eyes to the heavens in absolute despair. Later Bill's news is bad - the fuse box is fried and the wiring needs complete replacement. The wiring must be 40 years old, an accident waiting to happen. Anyway it is going to be a couple of weeks before the power will be reconnected.

Mel arrives home to find Theresa in residence. Jerry reckons he can explain - but Theresa and Gary are having problems. Mel is really upset and calls him a mug - he believes it is only temporary but she washes her hands of both of them and tells her mother to stay out of her way.

Liz is still teasing Vernon about the girl at the studio - but he asks her why she did not into normal attack mode - she enjoyed the show. Vernon looks at her turns and departs. Things are not well in this family. Liz tells Vernon that he is blowing things out of all proportion - but even if she cannot see it he can - the retouched photo and so on. She claims they are the same people inside - nothing can change that. He asks if she means it and she says yes and gives him a big hug - but looking at his face his fears remain.

There is sadness at the factory as Liam leaves - the end of a chapter - he will walk out the door as Mr Connor for the last time and on the other side plain old Liam. Carla notes they are going to miss him - but he says she is loving it - and she reckons she is entitled to a little bit of fun.

In the Rovers bar Claire and Ashley are talking about a B&B but Kevin has a much better idea - although Sally is not amused - as he proposes that the Peacocks move in with them until it is all sorted. He refuses to take no for an answer - even from Claire or Sally who looks like she is about to boil over. All settled then.

Bill is telling Audrey about the electrics - he was well earthed when he told Claire! They meet David and Ted - and after stringing Audrey along it becomes clear that David has got the job - four week trial starting on Monday. Audrey seems somewhat fazed by the news.

Liam leaves the factory followed by Carla - who reminds him to hand over his keys and whist he wants to shake her hand she refuses and asks if there are any hard feelings - he says no feelings at all - which was not the answer she expected. She snarls back and then watches him in her wing mirror as he walks away. The camera shows her face - she might have won - but she has lost the one thing which mattered - Liam.

See you all next week.
K Richard W

Part 1

Carla whips the convertible round the corner and parks in front of the factory. She's giving her partner a hard time via the bluetooth earpiece. From across the road, Liam is peering through the nets at a new day starting at the factory and tsking at the fact that Carla's late opening up. Maria teases him about pining. Liam spies a shoehorn and examines it closely. An ingenious invention but it would have been better if they'd called it a heel spoon, he reckons. She thinks that's a ridiculous name (you mean, even more than "shoehorn"?) He's clearly lost for something to do now that he doesn't own the factory. Later that morning, we have a quick scene with him laying on the couch and Ozzie on top, having won that round of "wet muzzle wrestling".

Over at the Peasters, (Peacock/Webster's, geddit?), everyone is getting under everyone else's feet. Rosie is complaining loudly about having to spend one more night sharing with Sophie (Erm, she's done it all her life and didn't even get a chance in the new house. The Peacocks moved back in on day one!) Sally's upset because she thinks Claire has spent 27 minutes in the bathroom but she arrives, having been out. It's deduced that nobody was in the bathroom, which further annoys Rosie. Sally and Claire seem to have disagreed on the method of treating a burn that Ashley's got on his chopping hand. (Sally was right, btw, ice water, not cream).

Michelle is chatting to Steve on the phone. He's called to find out what she had for breakfast and all sorts of other nonsensical topics, supposedly just to hear the sound of her voice. (Why'd he leave, then?) Liz enters just as Michelle is teasing Steve, wondering if he's been kissing blokes again because she's a bit suspicious already. Steve has also sent flowers to his "Honeybunny" (so sez the card) which was the main thing that set fire to her suspicions which had almost doused themselves out. Now she's on a mission and plans to interrogate Steve's partner in crime, Lloyd. First stop, the taxi office. Eileen is involved in a ladies' mag that looks somewhat tabloidy as well. Eileen, inspired by something she's reading, asks Michelle if she can do the splits. Apparently she can but we're not given a demonstration. Michelle won't be diverted from her quest. Eileen really isn't that helpful. Doesn't sound like Eileen is going to remember to tell Lloyd that Michelle is looking for him.

Sally is complaining in the factory about Baby Freddie's lack of ability to sleep. Rosie jumps in with a gripe about Joshua waking her up with his nightmares. Carla strides in to ask Rosie if she's dealt with a particular customer but she hadn't because she was making travel arrangements for Tony. Carla was less than impressed that Tony had Rosie do this when it wasn't Underworld business but doesn't slate Rosie for it. I think she'll have a good head of steam worked out when she sees the Tone-meister though.

Lloyd pops into the office. Eileen is now absorbed by the intricate puzzles of the Rubik's cube. She does mention that Michelle was looking for him and figures Lloyd has done something he shouldn't have. Nothing, Lloyd mutters, half heartedly while scratching his nose (one of the sure signs of liars, Liz had told Michelle earlier). Lloyd's car has a suspicious rattle and Eileen suggests he have Kevin look at it but Lloyd's mind seems to be on other things.

In the Salon, Maria is wondering how David's getting on at the new job. She thinks a new job will be the making of David though Audrey is dubious. Audrey picks up the ringing phone. It's David's new employer who is checking the reference letter (wouldn't you do that before you hire the lad?) Audrey is astonished at the superlatives that were apparently in the letter that they think she wrote, which she didn't, as we know. She asks the caller to fax her over the ammunition...er... copy.

Lloyd is sauntering, eating out of a takeaway bag when he spies Michelle. He ducks behind the public phone and a split second after she passes, he crumples up the paper bag loudly yet she doesn't flinch let alone turn round to see why there was noise where there was previously no person on the spot where she'd walked past. Lloyd pops into the pub and asks where Michelle is, because he heard she was looking for him. He notices the lovely bouquet of lilies on the bar and Liz tells him that, because of them, Michelle is now suspicious. He promises to put her straight because nothing happened! He's as white as them tulips on the bar, he says with a cheeky grin and leaves. Liz's face leaves no doubt that she knows her son all too well.

Michelle hasn't found Lloyd in the cafe which is where she'd been headed a minute ago. Lloyd hides behind a van and watches her teeter out of the cafe and head back to the pub. Inside the cafe, Liam is now contemplating the genius that is a humble tea bag. "Time", "too much" and "hands" come to mind. Ted is listening patiently. Ken is on duty and he thinks an endless supply of tea bags would be the perfect desert island item. The three of them discuss milking goats on the desert island and this segues into UHT milk as Lloyd pops in through the door. He wants to find out from Becky if Michelle said anything that might lead her to think that Michelle figured out what was going on. He likened Michelle's investigation to someone stalking about with a butterfly net about to scoop them up. Becky isn't too concerned, really. Lloyd is the object of Michelle's interest at the moment.

Over in the pub, Carla is winding Michelle up further by insisting Steve has something to hide and alarm bells should be going off. Michelle doesn't think it's anything too serious but she wants to find out what it is now. Carla doesn't seem to think anyone else would find Steve attractive so it probably isn't that. "That bloke in Malta could just as easily have been a woman" Michelle points out and then they both dissolve in giggles at how that sounded.

Audrey arrives to see Ted who's having a drink. She's got the faxed reference letter and is all in a fizz over it. A complete work of fiction, that she didn't write. She assumes that David wrote it. Ted admits it's embellished a little but stops Audrey in her tracks when he admits he wrote it. He defends himself, saying he was only trying to give David a chance at turning his life around.

Claire rushes into the butcher shop. The electrician is now upping the estimate by a second week but she seems to have something else on her mind. She's got a box of items that the electrician, Marvin, found in the loft. He realizes she's excited about something and calls her on it. She quickly locks the door and flips the closed sign over and comes back, pulls a long piece of rolled paper out of the box and unrolls it. Ashley thinks it's a child's drawing but Claire says she thinks it's an original Lowry! (L.S. Lowry is a very famous painter from the Manchester area. His paintings depicted the factory workers and daily life of the working class.) It *is* signed in a similar way but a close up of a portion of the painting doesn't look half finished to me. Ashley's highly skeptical but she's acting like she's found buried treasure.

Poor Liam is now in the pub, looking bored out of his mind. The factory workers arrive and he begins to bore them about how perfect the lowly beer mat is. The girls tell him they miss him. Maria comes in and he shows her a list he's made of famous sports figures that wear glasses. (This boy has *got* to find himself a job!) She teases him about inventing a new way to shrink wrap dvds and he gets silly about who invented her.

Michelle finds out where Lloyd was last seen (the garage) from the factory girls during which conversation she manages to insult and depress Vicky with her throwaway joke about the Gestapo. Carla swings past Kev and Ty who are working on a car in the forecourt. They both stand up and admire the back view as she passes with an almost audible "Phwoarrr" which Tony, who is also approaching, witnesses. Tony notices there's a wrench on the ground in front of the factory stairs. He insists it be moved before his client comes. Tyrone kicks it 6 inches to the right and Kevin takes the mick out of Tony who doesn't see the humour in it. Tyrone tells Michelle that Lloyd will be back to get his car in 20 minutes and informs her that he said he'd be going to feed the ducks. Michelle easily catches our well meaning but "smart like wrench" laddo with a question "Is that what he told you to tell me?" which elicits a cheerful admission. He then realizes what he's done but it's too late to back out and recover, much to Kevin's amusement.

Down the road Lloyd was hiding behind something with a green frame and nearly transparent (oh, I think it was the door of the medical centre judging from a later scene) but Michelle didn't see him.

Inside the factory, Carla gives Tony a very dirty look. She says she's going to call his Gordon's PA to make her travel arrangements for a trip to London for her. In No Uncertain Terms, she tells him that in future, Rosie is only to be asked to do tasks that relate to Underworld. Got it? Got it. She stalks out and he admires the back view with a cheeky grin. (he's allowed, she's his bird!)

Lloyd is getting his cab and taking a radio call from Eileen. He's got a fare at the medical center, some woman called "Honeybunny". Lloyd's interest is piqued and he drives off. But there's no client at the medical center. Lloyd has gone in and come back out and is on his phone to Eileen wondering where the customer really is. He's about to find out. He says to Eileen "I'm going to drive around for awhile so Michelle can't find me" and gets in the car. Who's in the back seat? Honeybunny. That's Michelle to you and me. Busted! Now start talking, she orders.

Tvor

Michelle is in the back of Lloyd's cab, pressuring Lloyd to spill the beans- "what happened Lloyd, what's he hidin'?" Lloyd tries his best to cover for Steve but Michelle can see through him. She threatens to sit in his cab until he tells her what Steve has been up to. Lloyd puts the meter on; if she's going to sit there she'll have to pay. Michelle calls Lloyd's bluff and says she'll pay however much she has to to find out she wants to know. She puts her feet up and they both settle in for the long haul.

Audrey and Ted are in the pub. Audrey is annoyed with Ted for writing David the reference in her name. He tells her he did it because David is his Grandson and she didn't do him any favours with the reference she gave him. And, at the end of the day he got the job so no harm done. Audrey says, "You think I'm gonna let this go? No way!" She threatens to phone David's employer and tell them, she can tell that when it comes to what they think the right thing to do is, she and Ted see the world very differently.

Michelle is filing her nails in the back of the cab, the fare is nearly £5. Lloyd still won't tell her. Eileen calls in, asking Lloyd where he is. Lloyd tells Eileen what's going on and that it could take him all day. Lloyd agrees with Michelle finally that he is hiding something and arranges to meet Michelle in Roy's in half an hour. She tells him he'd better be there or she'll hunt him down.

Tina and David are in Gail's house, eating lunch. David is sharing the scintillating details of what kinds of coffees his new clients ask for. "So, you're a glorified tea-boy at this swanky salon, then?" asks Tina. "No," David answers, "I'm a trainee tea-boy. It takes months before they actually let you near the machine." He tells her it'll be years before he even gets to cut hair but at the moment he's just soaking up the atmosphere. Ted comes in. When David gushes about his new job, he tells David, knowing what Audrey has threatened to do, to keep his options open.

At Underworld, Rosie asks Carla if she can go for her dinner (lunch). Off she pops, leaving Carla with Tony. Tony asks Carla how long she thinks she can hack the daily grind in the factory. He starts to talk about targets for retiring in five years time. He is making plans and Carla knows it. She tells him to "spill it" and he smiles and reaches towards his laptop.

Lloyd is in Street Cars, moaning to Eileen about Steve and Michelle. He nearly lets the cat out of the bag about Steve not being able to keep his pants zipped up. Lloyd wonders what he's going to do.

At Underworld Tony is explaining his plans for world domination. Or maybe just retirement. Rosie comes back into the office just as Carla is asking Tony if they have to shut the factory down to make their business viable. She warns Rosie not to repeat what she just heard, "he's just kicking ideas around." But Tony tells Carla she's got it wrong anyway, it's Underworld that he wants to expand. He takes Carla out of the office.

At Roy's Michelle and Lloyd are having a cosy cuppa. Becky can see that Lloyd is about to tell Michelle everything and makes big waving motions behind Michelle's back to stop him from telling Michelle about Steve and Becky. Lloyd ends up lying to Michelle that he and Steve spent the night at the casino and Steve lost a load of money, "near enough five grand." Michelle seems to have swallowed the story, hook line and sinker. For now.

Carla and Tony are outside Underworld. Tony is telling Carla how he plans to expand Underworld- it involves buying Kevin's garage and the Kabin. Carla reminds him it's only his first day and that he doesn't have to take over the world all at once. Or words to that effect. Michelle texts Carla in the meanwhile. Carla heads off to meet Michelle for lunch.

In the salon, Audrey is on the phone to David's swanky new salon just as Ted and David come through the door. David pleads with his grandmother not to dob him in for his fake reference. Oh no! It's the commercial break. Will Audrey put the phone down?

After the break, Claire and Ashley are in their kitchen, looking at their "Lowry". Claire is convinced it's genuine. She, apparently, has seen dozens of exhibitions of his work. Ashley is not convinced. What would a Lowry be doing in Kevin and Sally's loft? Claire points out that Picassos have been found in skips and all sorts. "Best place for it," says Ashley, "Our Josh could do better than some of this modern art!" Claire tells Ashley off for being an oik. Ashley recounts a tale of when a fella came into his shop and asks for a pig's head. Ashley asked him if he was making Brawn-eurk!- but apparently he needed it for an art show he was doing. Maybe it was Damian Hirst! Claire points out that anyway, it's not Kevin and Sally's loft, it's their loft. Claire thinks it could be worth a fortune. "A million quid?" asks Ashley, incredulously. She is off to google it. "It'd be funny if we move 'ouse to free up some cash. And end up filthy rich!"

At the bar in the Rovers, Michelle is discussing Steve with Carla. She hasn't found any evidence of Steve making large cash withdrawals. She tells Carla she is going to ring Steve. Carla reminds her that Steve is hardly likely to own up to losing so much dough at the casino. Michelle is on her mobile already. Steve answers. "Hiya, babe! It's me," coos Michelle.

Back at the salon and it seems Audrey has put the phone down. Phew, David! David tells her that if Audrey blows the whistle on him then his career in hairdressing is over. He asks her to rethink. Ted reminds her that it is partly his fault so David shouldn't have to bear all of the punishment. David offers Audrey a visit to the salon to see how posh it is. He tells her he'll get one of the "creative directors" for her and as Audrey scoffs at the title, "creative director" he reminds her they charge £50 for a wash and blow-dry! He asks her again not to dob him in. Audrey tells him she'll think about it and shoos Ted and David out of the shop. Audrey answers the phone to a client who would like to be booked in for Friday. "Friday?" she says, "I'll just see if one of our creative directors is available...." Maria is amused.

Carla and Michelle are still talking about Steve at the bar. Steve has denied being at the casino. Michelle knows that Steve is not lying about the casino. So what has he been up to and why is Lloyd telling porkies? Carla thinks it's obvious why- she implies that Steve has been playing away from home.

In the Mortons' Mel is on at Jerry to get some exercise while Teresa watches tv. Jerry argues that he gets plenty of exercise from his remote control finger and his lager arm. He tells Mel that if he's a marked man he should be allowed to enjoy himself for the time he's got left. Teresa agrees with him while Mel tells him if he makes some sensible changes then he could add years to his life and maybe he'll even see his kids grow up. Teresa reminds Mel that her haranguing of Jerry has probably knocked a couple of years off his lifespan anyway. Mel tells Jerry that she's not asking him to go on a crash diet, she just wants him to go for a walk with him. Jerry finally agrees to go for a walk.

Lloyd comes into the pub where Michelle and Carla are still together. Michelle tells him that she doesn't mind him lying to her about the casino. When Lloyd tries to lie again about a lap-dancing club, Carla knows instantly he's lying. Michelle warns Lloyd, she'll get the truth from him eventually.

Jerry and Mel are walking in the street together. Mel is trying to get Jerry to commit to making a few little changes. Jerry agrees to walking as far as the red rec provided that they can have a drink in the pub after. Mel agrees to that as long as he promises to only have one glass of red wine.

In Ashley's shop, Claire comes in excited. She is taking the Lowry to a museum to have it authenticated. She has also discovered that the letters in the box were addressed to a woman called Irma Ogden. Claire says that she's sure Sally and Kevin bought the house from a family called Ogden which means that the box was up there before Sally and Kevin moved in. When Ashley wonders why that's relevant, Claire asks him if he think that Sally would come rushing over to share the good news if they found something valuable in their garden? "This is just not like you," Ashley says, "if you found 10p on t' pavement, you'd knock on all t' neighbour's doors, to see who dropped it!" Claire is adamant. "Not on Sally Webster's door, I wouldn't!" she says. She reminds him how much they're out of pocket for the rewiring. Ashley relents a little and says maybe if the painting is worth some money they could keep quiet for a bit and then share the readies 50-50. "70-30!" says Claire. "60-40!" barters Ashley.

Jerry comes into the bar. He orders a red wine in a straight glass with some lemonade so his mates don't know he's drinking red wine. (Instead they'll think he's drinking ribena? And honestly, how vile is the thought of red wine with lemonade?) Michelle goes over to Lloyd and tells him, "This time I really 'ave rumbled it!" Lloyd tries to cover again but Michelle is like a dog with a bone. She asks Lloyd if Steve got arrested in a fight? When Lloyd gives in and tells them, yes, that's what happened, Carla and Michelle still know he's lying. They leave him for a while. Lloyd looks over to Jerry and asks if his psycho wife from hell has gone yet. Jerry explains that Teresa is staying for a while. Lloyd is not happy and tells Jerry to make sure Teresa stays well away from him.

David and Ted go to see Tina in the kebab shop to tell her that Audrey is not going to dob him in. David thinks that they should be throwing a celebration party. Ted tells him he's not allowed. Tina talks them around by calling it a gathering or something like that and promising not to have too loud music. Ted says he'll talk to Audrey and see what she says.

Back in the pub, Jerry and Mel are about to leave when Jerry offers Lloyd some cash to make up for what Teresa swindled him out of. Lloyd tries to refuse and Mel tells Jerry he shouldn't be clearing up after Teresa but Jerry insists. Lloyd takes the money. Jerry reminds Mel that Lloyd is a neighbour and a mate. "Yeah, well you're a mug!" Mel tells him.

Lloyd goes back to the bar. Michelle gives him another chance to tell the truth. "One last guess," she says, "if I don't guess right, I'll drop the subject for ever, I promise!" Lloyd agrees to these terms and conditions. Michelle guesses, "He slept with another woman...." Lloyd denies it vehemently. Michelle can see right through him. Carla tells her she feels awful now for what she said earlier. "Why?" asks Michelle, "For making me see what was staring me in the face? It all makes sense." Carla reminds her that she can't be sure that Steve has cheated on her but Michelle is furious. "I'm going to find out who it is. I'm going to track 'er down and when I do, I will kill 'er! I'll kill them both!"

Stella McLoughlin

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Updates written by K Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Margaret Carr, Stella McLoughlin, Tvor, Erica Houston.

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