It's early morning at Sally's house, Sian wakes up on the sofa, she fell asleep doing her work. She reaches for the laptop, she's nearly finished her assignment.

Sunita and Leanne are discussing the auditions for the nativity play they're putting on in the church hall. Kylie overhears and asks if she can bring Max, after all he'll be starting at the local school in January. After a sly smirk in Leanne's direction, Sunita says of course she can bring him along.

Sally is delighted when Frank and his mother invite her to sit in later on the meeting with the important customer. They tell her it was her vision so she should be there.

Amber has chewing gum stuck in her hair, her boyfriend left it on the back of the chair. Sophie is getting it out for her, and is obviously pleased to hear that Arj has gone off back to his own flat. Amber suggests they go to the cinema later, as they didn't get to go yesterday. Sophie starts to say yes, when Amber's phone rings. It's Arj and she wanders round the shop talking to him, complaining about the chewing gum. Sophie is obviously hurt to hear Amber refer to her as 'dad's shop girl', and this, coupled with hearing Amber make plans with him for the evening, causes her to walk out.

In the Bistro, Eva persuades Nick to reinstate her as bar manager. Just then Dr Matt comes up to the bar. Nick apologises for the service, saying they're short staffed. Matt volunteers Tina as a new waitress, it's a step up from the pub. Nick tells him to tell her to come in for an interview tomorrow.

David and Kylie are outside with Max when he suddenly sees Becky and rushes over to her. He asks her if she'll come and watch his audition for the nativity play. A glance at David and Kylie's frosty expressions is enough for her to tell him she's busy, but his mummy will bring him all the luck he needs.

At the taxi office, Karl tells Lloyd that Stella wants him to come over for tea at 7pm and won't take no for an answer.

Dev comes back into the shop and he and Amber start talking about Arj. Amber eventually works out that it was Sophie who told Dev that Arj was in her flat.

Sophie is back at home with Sian. She's hoping Sian will be free by the evening, and Sian tells her she's almost finished. She suggests that Sophie goes and buys her a new memory stick so she can back up her work. Just then Sophie's phone rings and as she reaches to pick it up she knocks a glass of water over the computer! Sian's work disappears before their eyes and she's not a happy bunny. The next moment a full scale row has broken out with the Sian screaming and shouting at Sophie.

We whizz over to the factory next, where the important customer has arrived. Anne shows him in to Frank's office. Sally is obviously nervous.

Back at Sophie's, Sian is still ranting at Sophie, who, although she apologises, doesn't seem very contrite. Aren't there techies at college who could sort it out? And anyway, Sian should have backed up her work. After more shouting, Sian storms out.

At Frank's factory, the customer expresses doubts at to whether the order can be completed on time without some sort of compromise. Frank urges Sally to explain how they intend to fulfil the order. After a hesitant, nervous start, Sally says how they can sub-contract out to other businesses. The customer seems impressed and takes the figures away with him for further perusal by his finance manager. When he's gone, Frank tells Sally she did well.

At the bistro, Eva and Nick are fooling around when Gail comes along. She wonders if this is a new management style or something she should know about. Neither of them say anything. Gail's frosty response is that she mistook this for a workplace, not a dating agency. (Anyone would think she was the boss!)

Sian marches into the corner shop and tells Sophie that she has to start all her work again from scratch, and she should stay out of her way.

Lloyd is in the pub, he's arrived to eat with Stella and Karl. Stella takes him through to the back.

Matt arrives and comments on Tina's sparkly top - she had to wear it, all her plain ones are in the wash. He tells her that she wouldn't look out of place in the bistro, they're looking for staff. She replies that she has a job. He thinks the bistro would be a better job, he's done a big sell on her and Nick will interview her tomorrow. There could be prospects. "What if I don't want prospects?" says Tina.

In the church hall, auditions are underway for the nativity play. Simon is singing a very flat rendition of Cilla Black's 'Step Inside Love'. As Max goes forward for his turn, Becky slides in at the back. She assures Kylie and David that Max won't see her.

In the back room of the Rovers, Lloyd, Stella and Karl have finished their meal. Karl and Stella bicker good naturedly about the shoes she bought, and Lloyd decides it's time to go. He's obviously still upset about Cheryl and says he'd like to be on his own.

Back in the church hall, Max is singing 'Little Donkey' and is very cute. David mouths every word with him, while Becky wells up. Kylie, cool and cold, tells her not to start saying how he should be with her. Becky says she's just proud of him, that's all. Kylie stares at her. "Proud? I want to feel that. Why don't I feel that?"

Amber storms into the shop and tells Sophie she knows she told Dev that Arj was at the flat with her yesterday. They have a row, and Sophie says how upset she was that Amber dumped her for Arj. She storms out, with Amber following. Then Sophie stops and tells Amber she's jealous of Arj. Amber stops in her tracks, she's amazed that Sophie has been thinking of her in that way. Sophie tells her she loves her. Amber tells her she's not interested. "Grow up, Sophie!" and she walks off.

Anne Logan

Sally's going on about Frank while Sophie and Sian have their breakfast with little interest. Sian gets a text saying someone's brother is a whiz with computers and might be able to rescue her data. She says something sarcastic to Sophie as she leaves and Sophie shouts back. Sally seems completely oblivious. "Sophie, do you think I should ask Frank for a name badge?" she asks.

Eva and Stella have breakfast. Stella notices she's smiling and asks who the bloke is. Eva says it's Nick. "He wasn't very nice to your sister," Stella says. Eva points out she doesn't have a sister, she's nothing like Leanne and Stella should mind her own business.

Anna watches Chesney and Owen load bits of the shed on to his truck. Owen suggests Chesney diversify his stall contents to include some Christmas goods. Faye comes out asking to be walked to the bus stop. Anna's still got her slippers on but Faye stomps off in a temper anyway. Chesney's surprised she was so upset about the shed but Owen points out it was her sanctuary.

In the shop, Sophie tells Amber they need to talk. Amber's annoyed at her. "You're meant to be engaged. Great fiancée you turned out to be." Sophie says she's being horrible and as Sunita comes in Sophie storms off home.

Tina comes downstairs dressed for her interview and expecting approval. But Matt wonders if she's dressed a bit "street." "This is a high-end bistro we're talking about." Tina stomps upstairs.

Stella arrives in the cab office to see Lloyd. While she's there, the man from the Revenue arrives - Clive Drinkwater. He hates his life and he seems to be unusually close to his mother. Viewers thinking he looks familiar might remember him as Spike in Hi-de-Hi!

Sunita arrives to see how Sophie is. Sophie says the whole thing is her fault, not Amber's. Sian's full of her college stuff and none of that has anything to do with Sophie. She's not sure she knows whether she loves Sian. Sunita says when you love someone it feels like home. "Does Amber feel like home?" No, Amber's three weeks in Ibiza. "And Sian?" Sophie has tears in her eyes and Sunita hugs her.

Mr Drinkwater never stops talking but he's going to do an on-the-spot audit of Streetcars. I think you'll like him all the same. Though it sounds as if his mother would give Sylvia a run for her money!

Sian arrives home. Her work has been saved by the computer whiz. She's never going to neglect backing up again. She apologises for being such a cow. "Sian, do you love me?" asks Sophie. Of course Sian does. Sophie asks what they're waiting for. Why don't they get married straight away? She has a plan to make their parents say yes.

Nick's been interviewing though he tells Eva it's been hard to concentrate with the texts she's been sending him. She says she's told Stella about them being together and they discuss their mothers. Eva says she likes Gail [door opens behind Nick and Gail comes in] and her social climbing. "You've got that right," says Nick. "She'd wear crampons to a cocktail party." There's a very awkward pause when he realises Gail's heard this. Gail says coolly that the next applicant has arrived. Then, to Tina (for it is she): "If you've got any sense you'll turn and run a mile."

Sophie plans to cook for Kevin. Sian tells her they only need to wait a year and they won't have to ask anyone's permission. Sophie rings her Dad to invite him over for a curry.

Tina's being interviewed though Eva's obviously not treating her as a serious candidate. Nick can't see where on her CV she's listed the restaurants she's worked at. "Matt said you'd done some silver service." Tina is annoyed. She's never been a waitress. "I guess he figured it's not rocket science," she says. She tells Nick it's a question of who wants her to get the job more - her or Matt. It's clear it's not her. She apologises for wasting Nick and Eva's time, whips her CV away and leaves.

Sally comes into Frank's office where he's on the phone. Mr Laden's signed the contract and wants to go out to dinner tonight, Frank tells Sally when he finishes the call. He asks her to book a restaurant table for tonight. "And make it for three" - he wants Sally to come too. He tells her to go home to change when she's finished work and he'll meet her back at the factory later.

Owen's digging in the dark. He explains the pond plan to Katie and Chesney. Faye arrives - she's even more grumpy and Anna's forgotten to meet her at the bus stop. She announces that she's not a fan of ponds.

Lloyd's in the pub and tells Stella the tax man wanted to audit Streetcars. The problem is that the official Streetcars filing system consists of four carrier bags stuffed with receipts and Steve's away with Tracy.

Sally can't find a necklace she wants to wear. There's someone at the door but it's not Kevin, it's Rosie with a bottle of wine and a message that there's something wrong with Jack and Kevin won't be coming. Sally tells them she's going out with Frank. "On a date?" asks Sophie. No. Sally tells her that "for a born-again lesbian Christian you haven't half got a one-track mind!" Sophie says she wanted to talk about their engagement. Sally still thinks they are too young and she hasn't got time to talk about it any more.

Nick tells Gail he wants to apologise for what he said earlier. "I was showing off. I wanted to make Eva laugh and forget about her mum." He confesses he hasn't felt this way about a woman since Leanne. Gail's skeptical but they finish their conversation in a good-humoured way.

Lloyd's leaving a desperate message on Steve's voicemail when Stella arrives at Streetcars. She's got Lloyd's mobile phone which he left in the pub. Lloyd's so desperate he's thought of destroying all the receipts and saying there's been a burglary.

Rosie's drinking wine and watching Bullseye on TV while Sian and Sophie stress about telling their parents. Sally comes down ready for going to dinner and Sophie just tells her straight out that there's a slot free at the registry office on December 29. Sally once again protests that they're far too young for marriage. "You don't know how you're going to feel about each other next week, let alone next year!" she snaps, then stomps out the front door.

Sophie goes to sulk in the conservatory. Sian follows her and Sophie says there's only a problem because they're in England. "Haven't you ever heard of Gretna Green? Sian, let's do it. Let's run away!"

The end of the first episode.

Margaret Carr

We open with Sophie desperately trying to convince Sian that eloping to Gretna Green in Scotland is a great idea. Sian is having misgivings, as she knows the rows it would cause with Sophie's parents. Oddly she doesn't seem concerned about the reaction of her own parents, yet I remember her father being an over-protective tyrant when she was going out with Ryan. On the other hand, I get the impression her mother would rather be a friend than a parent, so she probably wouldn't care. Sophie belligerently states that she doesn't care how her parents react. Sian asks her why she is suddenly rushing them into marriage, and demands to know what has changed. Sophie just says that she loves her and wants to be with her all the time, although how much more she could be with her I don't know, as they already live together. Anyway, Sian buys the story and agrees to elope.

Tina is walking back from the Bistro, still angry about Matt stretching the truth to get her the job there. Right on cue, Matt meets up with her and asks how she got on, and she tells him in no uncertain terms that he made her look like a complete idiot, that she doesn't want to be pushed into another job, that she is happy where she is. The look on his face says it all, that he can't believe she would actually want to be a barmaid, especially a barmaid in The Rovers. Tina is coming to realise that this is not about him wanting her to better herself for her sake, but more that he is ashamed to be seen with someone who lives in Coronation Street and works in the local pub. She tells him to accept her for who she is or lump it.

David is in the back garden of number 8, and asks Faye over the fence why Owen is digging a big hole in the garden of number 6. She tells him that he is making a pond, to keep fish in. David is not happy and calls Owen over, telling him that he cannot put a pond there, as it's not safe for Our Max. Owen tells him that he plans to put a grill on it, but David is still not having it, saying he could get under the grill. Owen flatly tells him that as the child doesn't live at No. 6, that makes it David's problem. Just then Anna comes out, and David tells her too that it's too dangerous to put in a pond. Then it starts to get personal, David calls Owen an irresponsible bully, which of course Faye loves, and can't contain her smirk. Anna says that the only danger to Max is David & his wife. David of course can't let that one go, and accuses her of having a mental son. This one really pushes Anna's buttons, and demands he take that one back, which of course he doesn't, instead he tells her that people like her shouldn't be allowed to adopt.

Much to Faye's disappointment as she is really enjoying this, Anna sends her into the house. She didn't miss much though, as David finishes the conversation then by saying he plans to go to the Council and Social Services about it.

Lots of bustle going on in No. 4 with Sophie getting off the phone and telling Sian, who is bringing her bags downstairs, that the coach will get them into Carlisle at 8:30p.m. and they will get a taxi over the border. They are both super excited that things are coming together.

Over in Streetcars, Stella is helping Lloyd sort his paperwork into piles, telling him he just has to go through it and put it all in some kind of order. Lloyd has already given up, saying he couldn't possibly sort out years and years of dodgy bookkeeping in seven days. He is also convinced that it's already a done deal, that they already know, and that this audit is just a formality, and Steve knows too, which is why he has done a runner and left him to deal with it - etc. etc. Poor Lloyd, as if he isn't under enough stress, Chesney burst in and asks him where the cab is that he ordered for Katy's ante-natal class. Lloyd obviously forgot all about it, and doesn't have one available. Superwoman Stella once more comes to the rescue and tells Chesney to go to the Rovers, where Karl will drive them.

Lloyd crumples and just can't cope with it all. Stella tells him that she will ring Fat 'Glenda' (ooh Our Fat Brenda over on Twitter won't like that one!), and get her to cover while Lloyd takes the night off.

Now we are in Frank's office, and he is explaining the game plan to Sally on how they are going to close the deal with the client they are going to have dinner with. However, Sally is miles away, and not paying a lot of attention. Frank asks her what's wrong and she tells him that Sophie wants to marry, and that she is dead against it. He shared with her that he had had a big falling out with his own mother when he was 18 over a shop. He had been left some money by his Grandfather, and wanted to invest in the shop, his mother was dead against it, and wanted him to either invest in property or a degree course that would help with his future, she predicted that the shop would go bust within two years and he would lose everything. Headstrong he went ahead with the shop, and his mother turned out to be right. But that mistake had taught him far more than any degree course could have, that we have to be allowed to make our own mistakes so we learn from them. He said the most important thing for Sally to do was to be there for Sophie no matter what, as his own mother hadn't been, and it took him a long time to forgive her for it. With that, he sends her home to sort it out face to face with Sophie, telling her he will close the deal with the client himself. Will she get there in time?

In the Bistro, Nick tells Eva that they are taking the night off and going out. He refers to her as his girlfriend, which pleases her no end. However, what he means by going out is walking across the street to number 8, and having a night in. Eva is unsure about this as he has a disapproving mother, but he assures her that he has told Gail to back off, and really believes she will. (That fellow is so naive isn't he?)

At Lloyd's, Superwoman Stella arrives with a takeaway in her hand. He really tries to be hospitable, offering tea, but has no teabags, telling her to sit down, but his place is such a tip there is nowhere to sit. He knocks over an opened can of beer, and seems to be running on nervous energy as he tries to clean it up, only to find he hasn't got a cloth. It is the last straw and he dissolves into tears. Stella runs to him and clutches his face to her bosom whispering words of comfort. I'm sorry, I really do feel sorry for Lloyd, but I found this last bit absolutely hilarious, you wait til you see it!

Nick & Eva arrive at number 8 ready for a night of passion, and are greeted by a cheerful Gail who pops her head out of the kitchen and offers them a cuppa. Nick is all for saying 'no' so she will leave, but Eva is impressed that Gail is trying to be friendly and decides to meet her half way by having tea with her.

Sally arrives home and sees the note Sophie has made about the coach arriving at Carlisle at 8:30 p.m. Which takes us to the break.

After the break we are in The Rovers, where Tommy Duckworth has a captive audience of Tyrone, Kirsty and Tina, who is behind the bar. Tommy is explaining what kind of girl is his type. He goes on to say that he likes a girl with a tattoo, because he then thinks that the girl is capable of making a decision that she is going to regret in the future. This is met with much laughter, and Tina asks him if he would like to see her tattoo. When he asks if she has a tattoo, she says "No", at which they all roar with laughter. At this point Matt joins them and asks what is so funny, and Tina dismissively tells him that he wouldn't get it. Sensing an atmosphere, the others decide to go and sit down, leaving Matt and Tina to talk. He tells her he has come to apologise. He says that he was wrong in telling her where she should work and asks if they are still OK, to which she replies "Maybe".

He really should have left it there, but goes on to say that there is an open day at Weatherfield Tech this weekend, and thought they could go there, then on to a meal in town. She asks why Weatherfield Tech, and he said they do part-time courses..... that was as much as he got out before Tina screams at him that he has not listened to a word she has been saying. He digs himself in deeper by saying she could still work there while she studies. She then really loses it, tells him he is dumped, and goes on to say that the reason she loves being a barmaid so much is because she can do this - and she promptly throws half a glass of beer in his face. Got news for you Tina love, you don't have to be a barmaid to do that, it has been done many many times before by all sorts, including Blanche! In fact it has been done so many times, it is getting quite predictable and tiresome. However, Tommy is impressed, and tells Tina she is an awesome woman, and they high five. An embarrassed Dr. Matt leaves with everyone laughing at him.

Sally is running out to the car, and calling Rosie to meet her at the coach station in town because it is urgent.

We are now back in Lloyd's flat, where he has managed to extricate himself from Stella's assets. He is once again pouring his heart out to her, and blaming himself for letting Cheryl and Russ slip through his fingers. He feels he trapped her into a relationship she didn't want, and won't hear a word said against her. He tells her that he misses her most at night (watch it Lloyd, or Superwoman Stella will put that right too!), he said he even misses her snoring, and has to sleep downstairs with the telly on because it is too quiet. His tears are flowing freely while Stella nods sympathetically. She offers to make a tape of Karl snoring for him, but he doesn't even see the funny side of that. He is mourning the loss of his family and there is no consoling him. I have to say, I had no idea how good an actor Craig Charles was until these scenes following the breakup with Cheryl, he really is outstanding.

Now we are at the coach station, Sophie & Sian are running to catch the coach, and amazingly Sally and Rosie are hot on their heels. Sally must have driven like a bat out of hell! They are prevented from getting on the coach by the driver, and Sally tries to persuade him to let her through just to speak to her daughter, without result. So Rosie tries a different tactic, "Excuse me, do you know who I am?" the man replies "Should I?", "I am the face of Buy Fresh Tomatoes Online Campaign" (or something like that), the driver is every bit as impressed as me, so they are still on the outside of the coach. Sally pleads with the girls to talk to her, but Sophie tells her that she never listens. She assures her that she is listening now.

Back at number 8, Gail is making small talk with Eva, and boring the pants off Nick. He just wants her off to bed so he can get down to business with Eva, she finally gets the hint, and tells them she is off for an early night, and will put her ear plugs in. Nick cringes with embarrassment!

Sally and Rosie are still trying to persuade Sophie & Sian that they are going about this all wrong. Rosie's argument is "But why run away, I thought the whole point of getting married is so you can look amazing in front of loads of people" :-)) Eventually Sally persuades them to stay, and agrees they can get married in four weeks time in Weatherfield. The girls are ecstatic.

Over in number 6, Owen and Anna are relaying the conversation they had with David Platt to Chesney and Katy, and tell them they still plan to go ahead with the pond. Chesney thanks Owen for suggesting he diversify, he has taken his advice and has agreed to sell some Christmas trees for a mate for a 50/50 split. Owen is impressed. However, our Ches has a transportation problem, and asks Owen for his help. He suggests he ask Gary, and Anna agrees that would be a great idea.

Faye announces that she doesn't feel like having any of the apple crumble that Anna is preparing for tea. Anna asks what she would like instead, at which she replies that she will have whatever Owen is having, as he gets everything he wants around there, and she promptly storms upstairs. Anna makes a move to go after her, but Owen stops her, saying she has to learn she can't have her own way all the time.

Tina is now sitting down with her mates, and they are telling her she is well rid of the doctor, and that she can do much better. She is certainly not upset at the breakup any more than they are.

The Websters are now back in number 4, and arguing about where they will have the wedding reception. Because of the cost, they seem to be leaning towards having it at home, and even Rosie will agree if they have those little cupcakes with their faces on.

On the sofa of number 8, Nick and Eva are making the most of being left alone when they hear a creak on the stair which causes them to spring apart. A very troll like Gail creeps into the room telling them not to mind her, as she is only filling her bottle - hot water bottle that is. That's killed it for Eva, who tells Nick she is going home and leaves. Gail, still hunched like a troll in a dressing gown, asks him if it was something she said.

Sophie, who has gone out to pick up a 'chippy tea', bumps into Amber, and they exchange a few snide remarks. Sophie gloatingly tells her that she is marrying Sian in 4 weeks, and that she shouldn't hold her breath waiting for her invitation. Amber points out that she will be marrying in haste and repenting at leisure, and reminds Sophie of what she said to Amber about loving her only yesterday. Sophie tells her that she had been lying, that she only loves Sian. Amber replies that she knows she is only marrying Sian to get over her, and that she should stop it before it is too late.

Sophie leans against the wall and lets Amber's words sink in slowly.

Which brings us to the end of this episode. See you next week.

Christine Warren

Written by John Kerr Directed by David Kester

Karl has dragged his backside out of bed early and comes across Stella cleaning the outside windows of the pub. He's off to work early to cover for Lloyd who's wallowing in his receipts. Stella thinks she's give him a hand, not sure he can cope and sure he can use a hand. Stella asks Karl to come back to the pub by 5:30 to help cover a hen party.

Sophie and Sian are making wedding plans. Sally is organizing the buffet but Sian's plans all seem to cost a lot more than the budget even though Sally and Kevin are footing the bill. So, reception in the Rovers it is? Sophie reminds them time is short, and Sally points out all this organizing takes the romance out of it, deciding what to eat, what to wear. Sophie interjects and says that's sorted... matching dungarees! Sally freezes in shock until Sian points out it was a joke! Very funny. Sally goes off to work.

Tommy arrives down for breakfast and discovers Tyrone is eating bran cereal, very healthy! Tyrone mutters something about losing a few pounds (which the actor seems to have done already, have you noticed?). Kirsty says it's not due to her encouraging, she likes him how he is, warm and cuddly. Tina comes down in her towel, yet again, asking after a bottle of perfume. Turns out Kirsty accidentally broke it (and didn't say anything apparently). Kirsty also doesn't offer to pay until Tyrone says he will. Tina tells her 38.99! Sounds like designer tastes on a barmaid's salary! Tina tells Tommy she's going to borrow Rita's car and Tommy asks for a lift and offers to buy her lunch. Deal.

Stella arrives at Lloyd's to see how things are going. He calls it the Chaos Theory. He's got papers and piles strewn all over the floor. He's overwhelmed, clearly, Stella sends him to the kitchen to put the kettle on and sits down on the couch replacement and gathers the larger "unknown" pile of papers. The couch is a very shifty looking piece of furniture that seems to thud when she sits on it, so it's probably made of bricks!

Michelle is struggling with the computer freezing up on her. Kirk comes and tells them there's a box of posh looking silk that's arrived, mis-delivered for Frank. Carla says just to put it to one side. The silk seems to be already pre-cut in pattern pieces. I suppose that's how they do it to save time in the factory where it's sewn together. Michelle assumes she's not giving the material back. Carla says of course not!

Meanwhile, in Fosterworld, Sally is in a better mood and Frank asks how she got on. Sally says she gave in to the girls' wish for a wedding in the end. She says it'll make Sophie happy so that's what matters. Anne returns from being away. Sally tells him that they are still waiting for three boxes of silk for the big order that's due in two days. Anne offers to call them and Frank says they are stuffed if they can't deliver it.

Stella seems to have made a bit of headway with the paperwork and asks Lloyd to open a window. Things are looking fairly dire, with dirty dishes everywhere, takeaway boxes, "inner slob" seems to have morphed into "outer slob". Stella directs him into the kitchen to start on the washing up.

Deirdre and Peter are sharing a smoke break, Leanne has stepped out of the shop to see them and Emily comes along and greets them with a smile. Emily's on a mission. She is organizing a memorial service for the anniversary of the crash. Peter's face falls. Emily wants someone who was a survivor to say a few words and Peter realizes he's the one she was going to ask. He is very reluctant but agrees. He looks troubled, though. Deirdre points out it also their wedding anniversary and they should remember the good things, too. Leanne says they have a lot to be grateful for but Peter looks a bit shaken.

Anne Foster has found out that the silk has been delivered to Underworld. Sally suggests she and Anne drop in unannounced so they don't get fobbed off. Anne loves the idea!

Stella has performed a miracle, she's got all the paperwork sorted! Back to the pub (who's minding it if Sean's working and Tina's on the evening shift and is currently out shopping? Surely Betty isn't running it on her own?) Lloyd thanks her for the help and for trying to cheer him up. She says things will get better and says she and Karl will be there. He says Karl is a lucky man. She hopes he remembers it.

Not sure about that. Karl has been on a taxi run, stops in front of a Casino in the city centre to let a passenger off, and, fingering the handful of cash he's amassed, looks over at the casino and gets out of the cab.

Also in the city centre, Tina and Tommy come out after lunch to find her car is being towed away. Tommy offers to pay the man 30 quid but there's no joy. The man gives her a card where the car will be so she can pay the fine and get it released. She's adamant she's not paying and goes to a police officer who's been observing the goings on with a bemused smile on his face.

After the break, we're in the pub. Stella is rushing around. Emily has brought posters for the memorial service and Stella agrees readily to put them up. Karl is buying chips in the casino and spends 200 pounds.

Sean spies Sally and Anne arriving and alerts the troops. Carla and Michelle come out of the office. Anne asks after the deliver. The Connors say they don't know anything about it. Sally calls Kirk over and asks him about the delivery for Frank. Kirk thinks. Smoke comes out his ears. He doesn't think there has been and he means it! The Connors dismiss the enemies and Sean calls a sarcastic goodbye after them. Everyone laughs after they leave. Turns out Kirk really did forget about the delivery and Carla and Michelle dissolve in laughter.

Tina is braying to the officer and gobbing off. The officer calmly offers to arrest her and Tommy drags her away.

Sunita comes into the betting shop and says she's got the church hall booked for the Nativity play. She also says they need someone to make costumes for the kids. Neither of them are very good (remember Leanne's pathetic effort for Simon's play outfit last year?). Sunita asks Leanne to ask Carla if some of the factory staff could do it, good PR and all. Leanne thinks it's a good idea but when Sunita assumes she'll do it, she starts to object. Sunita skitters out the door before she can say no.

Anne and Sally are in the pub later having a drink and griping about Carla and Michelle. Stella is on the phone with Tina who is delayed. Stella reckons Karl will be there soon just as a group of screaming, laughing women come in the door. Hen Party! There's a bloke as well, it's Izzy's old friend, Will. Turns out the bride and some of her friends worked in Tescos where Izzy used to work. He goes over to greet her and brings Mandy, the bride, over to say hello. He says he thinks he was brought along to keep them lot out of trouble. He'll probably have his hands full! Izzy apologizes for all that happened before with Gary. He invites her to have a drink with the party.

Leanne approaches the factory just as Carla is leaving with the rest of the workers. She asks her about the play costumes. Michelle starts to object but Carla agrees. Well, that was easy.

Sophie come into the shop and Sunita gives her her wages for last week. Sophie tells her they are going to have a wedding with her parents' blessing. Sunita offers her some extra shifts to help her budget and says she'll keep Amber out of Sophie's way.

Stella begs Sean to help out for the evening but he's got theatre tickets with Marcus. She asks if he'll cover for 20 minute at least, and he agrees. Kirk is wavering under the glares of Anne and Sally, guilty that he lied about the boxes because he really did forget. Julie says it wasn't his fault. Michelle and Carla come in. Michelle says she thinks she needs a brandy, she might be coming down with a cold. She looks around "casually" and asks if anyone has a hankie. Sean reaches up into his sleeve and pulls out a long pink SILK one and waves it around. Sally's temper flares and she orders them to give back the material. What material, Michelle asks. Sally gives her a sarcastic line about taking her to court for telling the truth and then says, "Oh I guess that's more your style" and turns to Carla. Anne points out that everyone will know Carla's a liar soon enough. Carla turns tail and leaves without another word, followed by Michelle. She doesn't blame Michelle for the joke. She's decided to go finish some paperwork at the factory. Michelle doesn't want to leave her on her own and remarks that she's going to see Ryan tomorrow and maybe she shouldn't do that either. Carla is not standing in Michelle's way of seeing her son and promises to be back in a couple of hours.

Stella comes running into the pub to get Lloyd to call Karl on the radio. He doesn't answer because he's sat at a casino table ignoring his phone buzzing.

Tvor

And the Street is back in gear.

Peter is playing a dangerous game.

Karl is playing a dangerous game.

Lloyd is playing a dangerous game.

And Tina seems to be playing a dangerous game, but her opponent seems to be a truncheon short of normal.

Peter first. Very soon now the Street will be 51 and that means that it is one year since the tram crash. And Emily has decided on a memorial service and Peter as the great survivor has been asked to speak at the service. Except that Peter is no great wordsmith and is far from certain what he should be saying. They are gathered in the Barlow back room and Peter is obviously distracted. He claims to have a banging headache and he needs some fresh air.

Lloyd has Stella in the cab office looking for Karl. She has a hen party and is one down but she says she will grin and bear it. Lloyd tells her she will have to work on the grin and she playfully hits him with a cushion - he could easily believe she is flirting with him.

Tina parked an inch or two over the line and the car has been towed. Tina thinks that Kirsty had made a few calls and set her up. Tommy Duckegg does not believe her. But there have been a number of interesting co-incidences recently. Is Kirsty whiter than white as she is made out to be?

Lloyd has finished his shift and is in the Rovers where Stella says that Karl is still missing and she hopes that StreetCars has good medical insurance for the drivers. She is seriously considering breaking both his arms (Karl's) when he decides to turn up. Lloyd calls him out of order for going AWOL like this. Stella is lucky she has Lloyd to help and kisses him on the cheek. Now slap me down if I am wrong but once again to Lloyd it feels like Stella is flirting with him.

Now Karl. In the casino and on a winning streak. A good winning streak. And eventually he decides he has won enough and heads out to cash in his winnings, but just before he does he hears the tinkle of a roulette wheel and the little ball dropping into a slot, a quite distinctive noise. He smiles and heads to the table. He places a quite huge pile of chips on black. The ball ends up on 12 red and Karl knows that he has lost not only his winnings but also the original stake money. A complete disaster.

In the Rovers bar in a booth Stella tells Lloyd that he is sweet and uses her finger to tweak his nose, but he is also very drunk. Once again it looks to me as though she is flirting. They are gazing at each other and then Lloyd leans in a gives her a kiss. She starts backwards and says "Lloyd" - clearly not her intention at all. What does he think he is doing? At this point there is a knock at the door and Karl returns, whilst Lloyd wears the face of a man with deep discomfort.

Peter's trip to take in fresh air in the Street leads to a meeting with Carla and he explains his problem with writing a speech. Every time he thinks about that night he also ends up thinking about something else. Carla asks if the something else comes in a bottle and he confirms her guess. He has not however touched a drop. She tells him that in that case he is winning. At least he supposes so.

Karl is meanwhile delivering a cock and bull story to account for his absence this evening. Apparently he ran out of petrol nowhere near a petrol station (and this is a growing problem, our next door village used to have two decent sized petrol stations opposite each other on the high street. One was removed and the site redeveloped into shops (and some flats I think), the one other side was removed and a new Lidl built on the site - when there is a perfectly good Co-operative on the other side of the road. And I could use one or the other on the way to and from work. Now going to the garage means I do not pass one and have to go out of my way to refill the car. Stella is het up but believes him and Lloyd says that with that sorted he will depart.

Peter has returned home, stressed - but Leanne is very understanding. She goes to bed after re-assuring him that it will be alright - but he really cannot write that speech.

See you next time for the last time.

K Richard W

Tonight's episode is all about Peter and the torment he's going through as the anniversary of the tram crash looms.

Ken sees Peter outside the bookies. They talk about the speech, and Peter thinks Ken should do it. He doesn't want to relive it all over again. Ken brushes off his concerns and gives him a notebook so he can jot down thoughts and ideas as they come. As Ken walks off, Peter gets a phone call which seems to cause him some concern.

Up in the flat, Peter explains to Leanne that his friend and mentor from the support group has liver failure and is in hospital. He plans to visit this morning. Leanne reminds him they have an appointment at the medical centre. Simon pricks up his ears and wants to know who is ill. They explain that they're going to get advice on making babies.

Outside, as Leanne walks off to school with Simon, Peter sees Nick looking at her. "Oi, who do you think you're looking at?" he shouts.

Peter then walks into the corner shop, where Rita and Dennis are choosing wine to go with a meal of pork chops. Dennis asks Peter's advice. He mutters that he'd choose the rose, and looks somewhat longingly at the bottles.

Outside again, it seems that everyone has alcohol on their minds, as Peter then goes to the garage to ask when his car will be ready, to find Tyrone and Tommy are talking about stocking up with beer for Christmas. His car won't be ready until later, so Peter walks off, saying he'll have to get a taxi.

Peter then goes into the cafe where he sees a very dejected Lloyd. He asks if he can provide a taxi to the hospital later, and Lloyd agrees. They sit down and Lloyd tells Peter he's in big trouble, and tells him why. When Peter hears that Lloyd kissed Leanne's mother, he asks what he was thinking. Lloyd confesses that he'd had a few drinks, but it was all his own fault. He asks Peter not to tell Leanne, and Peter agrees.

Peter and Leanne are at the medical centre. Dr Matt tells them that Leanne has suffered damage to a fallopian tube so her chances of getting pregnant are cut down to every other month instead of there being a chance every month. He tells them that many couples in their situation go on to have children.

Back at home, a frantic Leanne is talking about IVF and going private to maximize their chances. They have a thousand in savings, she says. Peter then has to tell her how he lent it to Ciaran. She reckons that he'll never give it back, and they start to argue. In the end Peter tells her he can't solve the world's problems on his own. She storms out of the room and he rushes out of the flat and stands outside in the street, breathing heavily and holding his head in his hands.

After the break, we see Peter picking his car up from the garage. Tyrone tells him he's had a letter from the General Register Office, telling him his name has been removed from Jack's birth certificate. He's upset about it. (Why? He never wants to see the child, and he knows he's not his father!) They talk about the tram crash, it was a year ago tomorrow.

Next we see Peter at the hospital, he's finishing a ciggie and on the phone to Leanne telling her he loves her very much.

Next we see Peter at the bedside of his friend, John, who seems to be in a pretty bad way. The doctor comes in and tells him that they're running out of options. John says he knows it's his last chance and things are going to change. The doctor says he'll increase the medication to see if they can get him feeling better. When the doctor has gone, John tells Peter he needs him to do something for him.

Some time has obviously passed, and we then see Peter hurrying furtively down hospital corridors. He gets to John's room and slips in through the door and closes the blind. Muttering that he must be mad, he hands a brown paper bag to his friend, who pulls out – a doughnut! - and sinks his teeth into with relish. They chat for a while, and Peter tells him about the tram crash last year and how he's expected to make a speech tomorrow. He's not ready to go back there yet, he can't do it. John asks him to do it for him. "Don't say that," says Peter. John tells him to go and give the speech and then come back and tell him all about it.

Peter then goes round to see Ken. He tells him he's got soggy shoulders today, everyone seems to have been crying on them. Ken wonders how he's getting on with the speech. Peter says there is no speech, he hasn't written a word. It's a dark and frightening place and he doesn't want to go back there. "Why me?" he asks. Ken says it's because he survived. "And Ashley didn't," says Peter. Ken tells him he can do it. He urges him to go home and write it, and if he needs help to come to him. (Isn't that what the poor guy is doing right now? Wake up, Ken!)

Peter then goes to his support group. He slips in at the back and the next person to stand up and speak is Carla. She talks about how she has a problem with alcohol and how she was attacked by the man she was going to marry. She explains how she drank more after it happened and also swallowed a lot of pills again. She was saved by a good friend – she glances at Peter – and that's why she's there, she knows she can't do it on her own. After the meeting, when people are standing around chatting, Peter tells Carla that if she needs anything in the future she is to ask him. The group leader comes up and tells Peter that his friend John has passed away. He discharged himself from hospital, went to a pub and drank whisky. He then collapsed and was rushed back to hospital but didn't make it. Peter is visibly shocked, and tells them he has to go home, and rushes out.

Next we see him outside a shop. He lights a cigarette and makes a tearful phone call to Leanne. He tells her to go to bed, he doesn't know when he'll be home.

Then he's in the bookies, surrounded by screwed up pieces of paper, trying to write the speech. We hear a tram go overhead. Then he picks up a bottle of vodka and takes a long swig. He puts the bottle into the filing cabinet drawer and continues writing.

Anne Logan

This is my very first update and comes to you with my best wishes for a very merry Christmas.

The first of tonight's two episodes, written by Mark Wadlow and directed by David Kester, opens in Peter and Leanne's flat where Simon has been given the task of making an anniversary card for Leanne on account of the fact that Peter has been too stressed to find time to buy one. It's the first anniversary of the tram crash and the thought of the speech he's been asked to make at the memorial service that evening is weighing heavily on Peter's mind, not to mention what he'd got up to the night before. He certainly didn't go out with Lloyd which was what he tells Leanne when she asks.

Next we move over to breakfast at Tyrone's where Tina is complaining to Tommy that she's strapped for cash having had to shell out money to get Rita's car released from the pound. "You shouldn't have parked illegally," points out Kirsty, putting the final nail in the coffin of their already strained relationship. Kirsty then goes on to remind Tommy and Tina that today it is exactly one year since Tyrone lost his wife and that, since she is "FLO trained" she is the person best able to help him deal with his feelings. After all, she points out to Tommy and Tina, who are now sniggering uncontrollably despite discovering that FLO stands for Family Liaison Officer, "some things are best left to the experts". Tyrone then joins the three of them and doesn't exactly help Kirsty's image as a professionally trained FLO when he says he'll be happy to go to the pub with the others after the service and that he has every intention of going to work that day as he has to put a gearbox in a Fiesta. As he points out to Kirsty "part of me is upset and part of me just wants today to be over". "There's no need to gang up on me" are Kirsty's final words on the subject.

Meanwhile, Leanne and Peter have now gone over to the bookies where she tells him that she spent the previous evening on the internet finding out about IVF. "I'm surprised you're opening today," she comments to Peter who replies that he's not going to do that but he has some paperwork to catch up on. So Leanne goes off to do some shopping and Peter reminds her to make sure she's back in time for the memorial service that evening.

Peter's "paperwork" surrounds him in the form of dozens of screwed up pieces of paper which represent his abortive attempts at writing his speech for the service. The memories this conjures up are all too much and, in desperation, he opens a filing cabinet, brings out a bottle of vodka and takes an enormous swig.

Over at Anna's, Faye is off sick from school and Owen arrives to tell them that he is on "secret business" and that the lads will be dropping something off there later. Faye looks suitably unimpressed, as well she might. We cut to the street where we see Peter laying some flowers in front of two large photographs of Ashley and Molly which have been set up in readiness for the memorial service. Nick joins him and Peter laments that it should have been his photo there and not Ashley's. "You picked yourself up and turned your life around. What have I done?" he asks Nick. "You got the only thing that mattered. You won," points out Nick. Little does he know how Peter is really feeling.

Back at Anna's, Owen's important delivery has arrived and Faye is dragged outside, wrapped in a blanket, to watch Owen empty a couple of plastic bags of goldfish into the pond. For someone who claims to be an expert at all things aquatic, I couldn't help feeling that Owen didn't carry out the operation with much care. However, Anna went quite dreamy-eyed as she described Own as being "like Kes with fish". "Poor fish" was all Faye could utter on the subject and I have to admit, on this occasion, I was in full agreement.

We now move to the cab office where Karl is apologising to Lloyd for going missing the night before. "First rule of cabbying, always check your fuel gauge," advises Lloyd who is still unaware of what Karl was really up to. Karl then thanks Lloyd for looking after Stella the night before, equally oblivious of what really went on. "I owe you a pint," Karl tells Lloyd and insists that he should go to the Rovers that evening so that he can give it to him.

Over at Gail's, Kylie is explaining to David that she doesn't want to go to the memorial service as there's something good on the telly and she has a new nail polish she wants to try out. And then, as the strains of "Oh Still Small Voice of Calm" ring out over the cobbles, Nick tells Gail to come on because it's started. Clearly nobody's thought to send a note round or anything with the details of proceedings because the only people to make it in time for the off are a small group of extras, all of whom must have been selected for their professionally-trained singing voices.

As the singing continues, the various inhabitants of the street begin to show up in dribs and drabs. Carla points out to Maria "You're right not bringing Liam; he's too young for this." Next to arrive are Tyrone and Kirsty and then we see Rita, Norris and Mary leaving the Kabin. "Are you sure about this?" asks Mary as Norris locks the door behind him. "You'd do a roaring trade in Mint Imperials. People like to suck on something hard when they're standing in the cold."

Dev and Sunita are next to leave the corner shop and then we see the arrival of Bill Webster and Pam. This results in several "how lovely to see you" moments, directed at Bill, whilst all the time the service continues in the background. One could be forgiven for thinking at this point that they're all meeting up for a bit of a jolly but Pam keeps things in perspective when she observes that she still thinks of thumping Kevin every time she sees him.

Last to arrive are Ken, Deirdre and Leanne before we cut to a shot of Peter in the bookies where we watch him draining the last drops out of his bottle of vodka whilst his mobile phone continues to ring with Leanne's name displayed on the screen. The vicar has now reached the part in the service where Peter is due to make his speech. "Where is he?" implores Ken to the world in general.

Emily suggests that Ken should step in to take Peter's place so Ken points out that he hasn't prepared anything and then proceeds to give a word perfect address, concluding by asking how anything can ever be the same again and stating that they must never forget Molly Dobbs or Ashley Peacock.

As the assembled crowd begin to sing "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven" we cut to Kylie and David in the back garden of number 8 where they are discussing Owen's fish pond. We then see Owen arriving at Anna's with a mysterious looking brown paper parcel under his arm. This turns out to be a life-sized heron decoy, much to the amusement of David and Kylie who, by this time, are hiding behind the fence making bird noises.

"So, it's a bit like a scarecrow, then?" Kylie asks Owen. "Why don't we get a plastic version of you standing outside? It may deter burglars."

Now we move to the Rovers where everyone is gathering for drinks after the service. For some reason which was totally lost on me, Eileen then whisks Norris away to go and help her grate some cheese. I feel it must be key to the plot in some way but, as yet, it hasn't been revealed.

Rita asks Pam when she and Bill are getting married and is told it will be in the New Year, while Leanne, Ken and Deirdre are all wondering where Peter has got to.

Over at Tyrone's, Kirsty is in bits. "I'm letting you down," she sobs with tears running down her face. "I just wanted to be there for you". She explains the reason she's feeling so upset is that she believes Tommy and Tina hate her so Tyrone tries to reassure has that she has just as much right to be in his house as they do.

Back in the Rovers Pam is thanking Ken for his lovely words at the service while Leanne is fretting about Peter. Ken persuades her to stay at the pub and that he'll turn up in his own time.

Then we move to Dev's shop where we see Peter trying to buy a bottle of vodka. When Dev refuses to serve him he pushes Dev backwards, grabs the bottle and storms out of the shop.

We return to the Rovers where Kirsty is still talking to Tyrone about the fact that Tommy and Tina don't like her. Just as he's telling her she's being paranoid, her phone rings, and she walks away to take the call.

Next we see Carla going in to Dev's shop where she learns about what's just happened with Peter.

Then it's back to the Rovers where Tyrone is now talking to Tommy and Tina who are still sniggering over Kirsty. Tyrone realises that perhaps she wasn't being paranoid after all and tells them to buck their ideas up or they'll be looking for somewhere else to live.

Now we move outside where Carla is walking towards Peter and Leanne's flat. The door onto the street is open and Carla walks in and up the stairs where she finds Peter on the sofa, knocking back the vodka. He tries to hide it behind his back but it's clear he's drunk. "Drink is not going to help you," says Carla, stating the obvious. "This is my life, I didn't invite you here, I don't want you here. Get out," retorts Peter.

We return once more to the Rovers where Tina is telling Tyrone he can't force her and Kirsty to get on. Tyrone says he predicts that in five years time they'll be bezzie mates and says that he's happy in a way that he thought he never would be again. Tina hugs him which of course coincides with the moment that Kirsty returns. "We were just chatting" insists Tyrone. "Yeah, it looks like it, "retorts Kirsty , looking none too impressed.

Then it's over to Carla's flat for the final scene where Peter has arrived, full of remorse. "I'm sorry," he says. "I was out of order. The truth is that you're the one person that I do want to see "

This is the end of the first episode.

Karen Jankel

Written by Mark Wadlow

We are in Carla's flat and a very drunk Peter is falling over furniture and apologising to Carla for speaking to her the way he did, he says he realises that she was just trying to help him. His phone rings, and we can assume it's Leanne because he decides not to answer it. We switch to a very worried Leanne in the Rovers, where she is being comforted by Deirdre and Ken, who are assuring her that Peter will show up shortly, as he wouldn't miss their anniversary.

Stella comes over and asks if they are ready for the bubbly, and is told it's too early. Concerned, she sits down next to Leanne and asks what's wrong. They explain that Peter had gone awol for speech duties at the memorial, and Leanne is starting to realise that the reason he went missing last night, and today is because he is drinking again, but she doesn't want to believe it. Dev, who has been ear wigging calls Ken over.

In another part of the Rovers, Kirsty and Tina are at each other's throats once again. Kirsty is accusing Tina of trying to seduce her boyfriend, and pretty much calls her a slapper. Tina turns and sees how upset Tyrone is, so decides to be the bigger woman and holds back from knocking her teeth out, instead she just tells her she is off her rocker through gritted teeth and walks away. Tyrone is shocked and tells Kirsty that she shouldn't talk to people like that, that she had upset Tina and embarrassed him. Kirsty doesn't look in the slightest bit ashamed.

Dev has described the scene with Peter in his shop to Ken, telling him that if it had been anyone else, he would have called the police. Ken thanks him and asks that he not say anything to Leanne, as he wants to try to find him first. He pops out with the excuse to Deirdre that he needs to make a quick call.

In Anna's kitchen, Owen is spouting off about David and Kylie, spitting venom about everything from Kylie should be ashamed that Max had been taken into care, but seems proud of it, to Kylie is the type to keep producing offspring by different fathers. Anna is concerned about Faye hearing all this, and hushes him, saying he should be careful what he is saying as he is the one who has a daughter who is 16, unmarried and pregnant. "Completely different thing altogether" he says. Anna sits down beside him, and asks him if it's all because they were taking the Mickey out of his fish pond. He says it probably is, and mentions that those fish are quite valuable, and he will have to keep a sharp lookout on the pond. He promptly decides there and then to have a quick look round the garden with a torch.

We next see Ken inside Peter's flat. Did Peter leave the door open, or does Ken have a key? He calls out, but gets no reply because we all know where he is don't we?

Owen burst back into the kitchen of No. 6 and announces that someone has stolen the heron. He of course figures he knows full well who has taken it, and makes for the front door. Anna stops him, begging him to think first, "Maybe it has blown away", she says. Owen's not having any of it, and tells her that it's been stolen. Don't know why, but this scene reminded me of the Python parrot sketch, I was expecting her to suggest that it had flown off to the fjords and him to tell her that it was an ex-heron any minute!

At Carla's Peter is asking her what she did with his bottle of vodka, and she tells him she poured it down the sink, he groans and she tells him he can grieve for it, but hands him a mug of coffee. She asks him what pushed him over the edge, and he tells her that at this time of year it's hard because there is booze everywhere, but it really was the thought of standing up in front of all those people at the memorial service and making the speech that finished him off. He tells her that when he was writing it, he couldn't help thinking that if Ashley had lived instead of him, the world would be a much better place. Carla of course is not having that, and tells him that neither Simon nor Leanne would agree with that. He replies that he should be setting Leanne free, because she has to watch him like a child, while he sneaks around behind her back and lies to her. He points out that he is doing it now, that Leanne has no idea he is there with Carla. She answers that he is only there to talk to a friend who understands what he is going through. He strokes her face and tells her she is more than a friend.

Carla quickly removes his hand and tells him that if he hadn't fallen off the wagon, he would be at home right now celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife. She continues telling him what a wonderful person he is, and Peter dissolves into tears, at which she clutches his head to her bosom and rocks him gently.

Ken is back in the Rovers, and reports to Dev that he has been unsuccessful at finding Peter. Dev suggests he should tell Leanne, but Ken still wants to find him first and try to talk some sense into him.

Lloyd arrives and is greeted by Karl, who lets Stella know that he is there. Stella is decidedly cool towards Lloyd, and when Karl suggests she joins them for a drink, she makes the excuse that they are too busy.

Peter is sobering up with the help of some water and paracetamol. They are swapping stories of how they lie to themselves to make themselves believe they didn't have a drinking problem. Peter explains that it was while he was writing the speech that he sank into the depths of despair, and just had to have a drink, so ended up being desperate enough to get it from Dev's. He assures Carla he is fine now, and if he could just freshen up, he thinks he can go home and face the music. She offers him the use of her shower, and tells him to brush his teeth too.

Back at the Rovers, Karl is inviting Lloyd to go into town, but Lloyd makes the excuse that he has too much paperwork and leaves. Karl is confused, and asks Stella why he would have so much work to do when she had recently helped him with it, Stella replies that it's probably because he has the tax man crawling all over him. Karl then remarks how cool Stella had been towards Lloyd, which she quickly brushes off, reminding him that it was because she was busy.

Ken has obviously filled Deirdre in on Peter's rampage in the Corner Shop, because she is telling Ken that they should also tell Leanne. Just then, Leanne comes back from the toilet, saying she is going home, as the whole evening has been a washout. Ken suggests that Simon stay at their place that night, and Leanne wants to know why. They have no choice but to tell her that Peter has been drinking.

After the break, Ken is talking to Leanne next door in No. 1, and she tells him that she knows that Peter had started drinking yesterday, she knows the signs but had no proof, and didn't want to be lied to on their anniversary. She is hoping that it is just a blip because of the tram crash anniversary, but is afraid it is only the start of something. Ken is optimistic that he will come to his senses, but Leanne is concerned about the effect it has on Simon each time. Deirdre invites Leanne to stay the night, as Simon is already fast asleep upstairs, but she wants to be there when Peter finally comes home.

In the Rovers, Tyrone is still having a go at Kirsty for attacking Tina. She just smiles and tells him that if she is backed into a corner, she will fight, especially if he is the prize. That's all it takes to make Tyrone grin and roll over, from that minute on he is putty in her hands. She tells him that she can't get too much of him, and seeing him every day isn't enough. He kisses her and you can almost see the light ping on over his head, and asks her to move in with him. She coyly says she wasn't dropping a hint (not much she wasn't!), and immediately agrees. Ooh our Tina is NOT going to be happy about this!

Over the road in No. 6 Anna is still trying to pacify an irate Owen over his missing heron. He decides he has to go round to No. 8 or he won't be able to sleep, and off he goes.

Peter emerges from the bathroom saying he had never had such a luxurious shower, and that he had loved her shower gel. Carla remarks that it is better he go home smelling of heavenly jojoba than revolting vodka. I don't know about that, I think I would rather have my husband come home reeking of booze rather than another woman's scent, alcoholic or not! She helps him on with his coat, and he holds her hands thanking her for saving him from the precipice he had been standing on earlier. She tells him not to mention it and hugs him. He moves in for a kiss, and she responds, but pulls away and tells him it isn't a good idea, and to go home to his wife. He says he doesn't want to, but she insists. As he leaves, he asks her if he was out of order when he kissed her. She tells him he wasn't, but he has to go home, so he leaves.

David & Kylie are relaxing on the sofa in No. 8 watching the telly, when there is a loud knock on the front door. As soon as David opens it, Owen bursts into the room and tells them they have had their fun, but he wants his heron returned. Kylie indignantly asks if he is accusing them of stealing. Owen continues that if it is back in place by the morning, no more will be said, but if it's not returned, he will seek justice. Kylie tells him they haven't been anywhere near his stupid heron. Owen doesn't believe her, but leaves. The camera swings back to Kylie who reaches down beside the sofa and pulls up the heron by the neck, saying in a high pitched voice "Has 'e gone yet? Squawk!"

Leanne is still worried sick, checking her phone, and waiting for Peter to come home. Just then, the cause of her worry rounds the corner and slips his key into his own front door, we then get a close up of his face, and you can see he is thinking....thinking.

Tina and Tommy are sitting together on the sofa in No. 9, and a furious Tina is relating the incident between herself and Kirsty. She finishes with "That woman is poisonous!"

Carla is opening her door, and in rushes Peter. She asks what he is doing back there, he tells her that while he has been telling her all his problems, there is one thing he hasn't told her, and it's time to man up and do it. He asks her why they are fighting this. "Fighting what?" She innocently says - as if she didn't know. "This", he says and kisses her. He tells her that he knows she feels the same, and although he knows he has to avoid the booze because it will kill him, he doesn't have to avoid her. She asks him "What about Leanne", and he tells her that maybe marrying Leanne was a mistake, and that she (Carla) had married the wrong man, but it's not too late to put it right. Carla is crying, and tells him that this is insane. Peter tells her that when he got to his front door, he realised it was her he wanted to be with, and not Leanne. See, I told you he was thinking....thinking. He tells Carla he loves her, but she tells him he has to be really careful what he says to her, as she is very fragile right now. He tells her over and over that he loves her and wants to be with her and kisses her, and tells her she is the only thing that matters in this world. She seems to be convinced as she is responding pretty good now!

Back in No. 9, Tina and Tommy are still discussing the odious Kirsty, and speak of the devil, in she walks with Tyrone, while saying "See Tyrone, she's moved on to Tommy now". Just as you can almost see the steam coming out of Tina's ears, she adds "Joke", and apologises for what she had said to her earlier, following it with the fact that she knows her Ty would never look at another woman. Tina is about as much impressed with the apology as I was, but as Tyrone asks her to accept it, she does - grudgingly. Kirsty tells them she wants to celebrate, knowing of course that Tina will ask what they are celebrating. She obviously really enjoys seeing the look on Tina's face when they tell her she is moving in. Oh dear, this is going to be a disaster!

A quick switch to Leanne, who can't wait up any more for Peter, and turns the light off before she heads to bed, alone.

The tonsil hockey and groping is getting hot and heavy over at Carla's, and they are gradually edging towards the bedroom. Just as they reach the door however, Carla stops Peter, saying she can't go through with it. She apologises saying she has waited so long to get him into bed, but now can't go through with it. Peter assures her he will wait for as long as it takes. He asks her if she wants him to go home, but she begs him to stay and just hold her - and this is where the credits start to roll.

Will they or won't they? They obviously want to, so to my mind they already have. Poor Leanne - poor Simon.

Til next week,

Christine

Written by David Lane Directed by Noreen Kershaw

Carla and Peter wake up cuddled on the sofa. Carla avers she's not slept that well in a very long time. Peter tells her he meant what he said last night. Meanwhile, Leanne is leaving yet another message for him, worried for his safety as much as anything.

Kirsty greets Tina and Tommy for breakfast and tells them she thinks they need a bathroom rota and notices they don't keep their own food separate in the cupboards. Tommy says they share and Tina snipes that they all chip in. Tyrone comes in and Kirsty's all bright and chipper... "Toast?" The subject of Christmas comes up and since neither Tina nor Tommy have anywhere else they want to be, it looks like it's going to be the four of them which cheers up Tyrone who opens a Christmas card from Connie. She's invited him over to visit and Tyrone asks Kirsty to go with him. She asks about Christmas decorating, no start on that front but Ty definitely wants a tree.

Peter is struggling with Carla's fancy coffee maker. They have another cuddle. She thanks him for being understanding last night. They talk about wishing they could be able to go out in public and they decide to both bunk off work and do it, go somewhere where nobody knows them and sit in a cafe and hold hands.

At Number 1, Deirdre wants to know if Ken has anyone he wants to send a Christmas card to, like his (long lost) son Daniel. Simon pipes up and asks who that is but rather than go into all the gory details, Deirdre just says it's a relative. Ken says he'd like to visit Daniel who's staying with an uncle in Monmouth but he'd have to stay overnight as it's a distance. Leanne arrives, gives the adults a subtle sign that there's no Peter yet so Deirdre takes Simon upstairs to brush his teeth. Simon reminds them all that Peter had promised to take him to see Santa after the play rehearsals tonight. They leave Leanne and Ken to discuss the missing Peter. Leanne really just wants to know he's ok.

Stella brings Karl out his credit card final demand statement. He says he'll sort it when she offers to do it for him. Lloyd comes by with two shopping bags full of the rattle of bottles from the off license. They're for Streetcars clients though Lloyd kind of wishes he could just sit there and drink it all himself. Karl invites Lloyd to spend Christmas day with them. She tries to put him off but Karl will not have it. Lloyd says he'll think about it. Karl asks Lloyd for some extra hours to get funds for a nice gift for Stella. (or for that late credit card bill!)

Owen is in the corner shop as are Kylie and David. Max is with them too and we find out that Social Services are coming for a routine check later on. Owen makes a snide remark about their lack of ability to raise a child. There's bickering about the heron and sharp remarks before he leaves.

Karl's in the cafe getting a bacon butty. Stella comes in or a coffee and wonders why, when she could have made him something. He begs off helping with the deliveries and says Lloyd asked him to cover a shift at work. She takes him to task about asking Lloyd for Christmas which is for families innit? He points out that Lloyd doesn't have any family round there. He doesn't understand what the problem is, she and Lloyd were all pally last week. Leanne arrives and asks if Anna's seen Peter. Stella asks after Peter and is told the situation. Karl says he'll keep an eye out from the cab. Elsewhere in the cafe, Jason has a bacon butty in hand and joins Eileen who's sat there writing out her cards and hides one. He grabs an envelope and sees she was sending one to Paul and Lesley. She defends herself. AT the other table, Leanne is worrying and expecting to hear the worst. There's nothing Stella can do to help but the offer is there.

Marcus and Sean are struggling with some large boxes and bags filled with toys for Dylan. They're going to London to spend Christmas, they tell Amber. Down the street a lorry comes round the corner. The driver shouts out to Owen where he can find Chesney Brown as he can't make out whether the number he's got is a 5 or an 8. Owen points him to number 8 (the man has a load of Christmas trees. I smell retaliation). Owen smirks as he sends the man round to Gail's door to unload there.

Karl is sat in the cab on his mobile, placing a bet. He then takes a call on the radio and says he's on his way. Back at Streetcars, Stella comes in to talk to Lloyd and leans against the switch while discussing the Christmas invite, Karl hears that something seems to have gone on between Lloyd and his wife last week. It's not specified so of course he's going to assume the worst.

After the break we're in a park where Carla and Peter are walking along side a lake (not a canal, the writers missed out there!). They're both in a good mood and cuddly and loved up. It's rather sick making actually. They're so involved in each other they nearly run into an older lady on her motorized scooter. Peter says he's traveled the world and seen amazing things but none of them hold a candle to her. (see what I mean?)

Meanwhile Leanne is in the shop, distracted. Ken is there too and tries to convince her not to blame herself. She's frantic that now he's drinking again, what if he can't stop? Ken understands if she thought she had to leave but she says she knew the job was dangerous when she took it. Walking away won't help him or Simon. He thinks she should look after herself and they'll mind Simon. He takes the keys from her and offers to lock up.

David goes outside to wait for the Social worker and discovers the door blocked in by trees. He pushes through and falls. Owen crows from across the road. A woman has arrived and gets a very rude welcome from David who has no idea she's the Social worker. Chesney has come running too and says he's not to blame for landing them with all the trees. David and Kylie cringe when they discover who the woman is. Oh crap....

In the pub, Jason asks Marcus and Sean if they knew Eileen was sending a card to "You know who". They did and were being discreet. Eileen defends herself, Jason is protective.

The social worker says she'll come back when things are more convenient. That enrages both the Platts and they scream at Owen and throw a tree at him. He hollers right back and Kylie promises that he's going to regret it. He doesn't look scared.

Karl arrives back. Lloyd begs off Christmas saying he's going to his auntie's but Karl says he knows what's going on. He doesn't confront Lloyd, though, he says he understands Lloyd just doesn't want to impose and he won't take no for an answer. Sounds like a man with a plan to me.

Kirsty arrives home with an artificial tree in a box but discovers the three others admiring one of Chesney's real trees they've bought and are starting to decorate. Kirsty is upset that her offering will not be used and thinks it's much nicer anyway, predecorated, all coordinated, classy. Tyrone pretends it was all his idea and they all encourage her to help decorate but you can see she's a bit hurt.

Outside, Ches is carrying a tree across the road. Deirdre comes along and asks if he's seen Peter. Nope. Over at the Barlow Junior flat door, Stella and Ken are with Leanne when Deirdre arrives, having checked the Flying Horse where Peter has not been seen. Ken offers to come with Leanne to get Simon and do the Santa run. Karl comes along and tells Stella that he's convinced Lloyd to come for Christmas. He's going to buy them a drink later.

Peter and Carla are *still* walking in the park and not looking tired at all! They talk about Christmas and Simon. Peter's phone rings and he doesn't answer it, noting 14 missed calls. He admits he still cares for Leanne. Carla gives him an out and says if he wants to go back to the way things were before, she'll understand but he doesn't want to do that. He says he has felt so good today he hasn't even wanted a drink. He looks her in the eye and says she's the one he wants. He's going to tell Leanne it's over and he wants to be with her the rest of his life. She kisses him.

But the best laid plans....

Tvor

Good evening. This is going to be my last update for a while. I have been writing them admittedly on and off, but mainly on, for over 10 years and I feel the time has come for a different voice. Karen Jankel will be sitting in this seat next week and I hope to be given the opportunity to pop in from time to time to cover holidays and to allow others to take a rest.

The Street goes through good and bad phases and sometimes it just muddles along. I feel that at the moment it is not as strong as it might be - I like the good bits of comedy and this does not seem so strong at the moment. Having said that I bet next week there are sudden flashes of brilliance!

And what is happening in Weatherfield tonight?

Lloyd admits making a play for Stella and Karl is none too impressed as the truth comes out, a little more luridly than the actual event. He grabs and lifts Lloyd and carries him halfway across the pub with Stella trying to stop him. Lloyd realises that life in the Street is just not worth it (oops there seems to be some cross over here from another soap).

Peter is sweet talking Carla in the light of his momentous decision. It is morning and they are walking through the park. He has to go back to see Leanne and make sure Simon is safe. She will be waiting for his return and they kiss. Peter does seem to like having two ladies on the go at the same time.

Gary is selling Xmas trees from Chesney's front doorstep and Norris wants a deal like the one they gave Emily. Deirdre is happening by and stumbles into the conversation and makes an offer to buy the tree, which annoys Norris. Deirdre and Norris bicker about who can buy the tree (there are others but they are the wrong size). The bickering carries on. Gary decides to give Norris first dibs so Deirdre cancels her intended purchase and then Norris decides to sleep on it - so no sale at all.

Peter returns home and engineers a row with Leanne so that she will call it a day. She makes up a story about the mate he is supposed to have spent the night with who has no partner and reckons that Peter wants to be free and easy. But she took her vows - he tells her to get out whilst she still can and is stunned by the fierceness of his words.

Lloyd is talking to Becky - wanting to know if she knows anyone who might want half a cab firm - she reckons he is kidding but no he is serious. He has fallen out of love with it. He is fed up with the place - with Steve who could not care less, Cheryl's gone, and he has made a fool out of himself in front of Stella. There is nothing let for him round here (and another series of Red Dwarf needs to be recorded). he does not want a lot and whoever bought in would have to work in the office as well. The problem with the tax man is getting sorted. So Becky sums it up - he needs someone with a few grand spare and in need of a new job? He concurs and asks her how work is going at Frank's - it is funny he should mention that.

Back to Leanne and Peter where she is assuring him that she is in for the long haul. Sober or drunk (him not her I rather think she means) because she loves him. And if he is lying in the gutter she will be there (what a revolting thought) always. Peter is stunned to realise that breaking up with Leanne is not going to be quite as easy as he had told Carla.

Back at the cab office Steve comes in to find two smiling faces. Becky announces that she now works there and in fact she is now Steve's partner. Steve reckons it is a wind up (and to be honest knowing how difficult it is to sell businesses it takes rather more than a handshake and writing out a cheque). Becky says if she had not bought the share she would have wasted the divorce settlement on ciggies. And Lloyd has had enough and is going - he is cashing in the cheque and going.

It is evening and much of the say has passed, Peter and Leanne collect Simon from the Barlows and Peter apologises for his earlier behaviour to Ken. They are being watched from across the road by Carla, who is understandably concerned given the hours which have passed since she and Peter separated earlier in the day. Anyway Peter, Leanne and Simon head off as a happy family to go and see Santa. Carla thinks she has lost again and hides in the factory as they walk past on the other side of the Street. She cries at her loss.

Well that is it from me. I hope you have enjoyed my updates and will welcome Karen.

Regards and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

K Richard W

Chesney tries without success to sell a Christmas tree to Izzy and Will. Gary watches from across the road.

Peter comes out of the Kabin and calls Carla on his mobile. She tells him she knows it takes guts to break up a family and asks how Leanne took it. He admits that he hasn't told her, so Carla tells him to go to hell and hangs up.

Leanne then arrives at the bookies and takes Peter off to Roy's for breakfast.

Owen sees the social worker on her way to the Platt's house. He tells her that David and Kylie are clueless numpties. She looks a bit surprised, but continues on her way.

Steve has called on Lloyd, who is packing, to ask why he sold the business to Becky. Is it because he went on holiday? Lloyd admits that was on the list of misdemeanors, along with leaving him in the lurch when the tax man came. In fact, their whole friendship has been a catalogue of let downs. But, Becky wanted to buy and he wanted to sell. End of. Steve says it's a recipe for disaster, but Lloyd doesn't seem bothered, he picks up a drawing, it's the first one Russ ever did for him. Steve realises what this is all about, and tells him he can't run away from his problems. Lloyd can, he has a plane ticket to prove it.

Outside Chesney's house, Gary is quizzing him on whether Will and Izzy arrived on the Street at the same time. Did they look like they'd both come from her house? Chesney doesn't know, he's more interested in trying to sell trees. Gary picks one up and takes it across towards Norris, who is outside the Kabin.

In the cafe, Leanne tells Peter she wants to put the IVF idea on hold for the time being. She wants to put him first, everything else can wait. Having a baby should be a happy thing, not a lot of extra pressure. He asks if she'll hold the fort while he goes off out.

Gary and Norris are bartering over the price of the tree.

Inside the Platt's, the social worker seems pleased with the way Max has settled. However, she tells them how she picked up some acrimony from their neighbour. They assure her that everything is fine.

Peter goes to see Carla in her office. She's cold and scathing, she says she's sure he's got some marvelous excuses but she doesn't want to hear them. She tells him to get out.

Steve goes to the taxi office and is incensed to find Becky there, on the switch. He tells her to work the switch she has to know the streets of Manchester like the back of her hand. "Tick," she says. He says she has to have a good telephone manner. "Tick," she says. She adds that she also has to be good at telling porkies. "He's on his way! Tick!" Steve says there's no way they could work together. She admits he has a point, so suggests he's out on the road, she'll stay on the switch. Just then the phone rings, Becky takes the call and scribbles the address. She hands the paper to Steve, all the other drivers are busy. "I haven't finished with you!" he snaps as he walks out.

Owen walks out into the back garden and finds a whole heap of soil where his pond used to be. He stands and stares.

Peter goes to see Carla at her flat. He tells her that it's her he loves and wants to be with, but he married and though he wanted to tell Leanne it was just too hard. He can't do it to Simon, it would wreck his life. He loves her, but doesn't want to destroy Leanne and Simon's lives. Carla takes a deep breath, pushes her hair back and mutters. "Suppose."

Owen is on David's doorstep. "Where are my fish?" he shouts. David says he doesn't know what he's talking about and slams the door. Next moment, Kylie rushes downstairs dressed only in a towel. "Why is the bath full of fish?" she screams. David laughs.

Steve goes back to the taxi office. He wants Becky to be a sleeping partner. She quips that she thinks they should keep things strictly professional. He says she could take a bit chunk of the profits for doing nothing. Becky says she'd rather keep busy.

Izzy passes Gary, who's still trying to sell her a tree. He says he'll take it round and put it up for her, even put the decorations on it. She says she's meeting Will. "Are you two an item now?" he asks. "I wouldn't say an item, more an object, like a tree," she smiles and continues on her way.

Peter is still at Carla's, arguing his case. She asks if she's supposed to tell him not to worry, she'll wait, because she will, if that's what he wants. She loves him and if she can't have him all the time, she'll just have to make do. She puts her arms around him and asks him to come next door. "Are you sure?" he asks. She says she is, she feels safe with him. She walks off to the bedroom.

Eileen is in the pub, having a drink with Paul.

Steve and Tracy are at the bar, he tells her he's gone through the paperwork, it's all above board. Tracy is furious, she doesn't want Becky working at the taxi office. Steve says they've thrashed out a workable solution, but Tracy snarls that he's pathetic and picks up her bag, she's off to speak to Becky.

Emily goes into the Kabin and invites Dennis and Rita to Christmas dinner at her house. Rita points out that Emily did it last year, it's her turn. Emily is rather patronizing and tells her Christmas dinner is a big undertaking, it takes planning and precision, it's not like putting something in the microwave. Rita is obviously affronted and says that Emily's offering last year left a lot to be desired, her roasties were like bullets.

Tracy and Steve are in the taxi office, and Tracy is shouting at Becky. Lloyd comes in to say goodbye. Steve asks if he can go with him, the two women are doing his head in.

Peter is buttoning his shirt as Carla, who is now all smiles, makes coffee in the kitchen. "Now what?" he asks. She tells him to call her when he's free, she's in it for the long haul now and she knows she'll get him to herself one day. She adds that the case against Frank is going to court on February 6th.

Lloyd puts his bags in the back of a taxi and tells them that he's off to Sheffield and then to the States. Becky gives him a hug, and Steve rushes off saying someone else wants to say goodbye.

Eileen and Paul have come out of the pub. She invites him and Lesley to lunch at her house on Christmas day. Just then Steve runs up, shouting.

Owen shows Anna the mound of soil in the garden. She asks where the fish are. He doesn't know, but says he won't be beaten. He'll dig it out again, restock with fish and put CCTV in, he'll patrol the garden with a shotgun if he has to.

Eileen hugs Lloyd as he gets into his taxi. All the other drivers give him a 12 horn salute as he drives off down the road.

Peter arrives home, blaming traffic for making him late. Leanne is anxious until he assures her that he hasn't had a drink. She hugs him, relieved. "I can cope with anything, as long as you're open and honest with me," she says.

Anne Logan.

I am covering both of tonight's episodes, so thought I would give them to you together.

Part 1 Written by Joe Turner

Opening in No. 1, Deirdre is calling up the stairs to Ken, telling him she has put his blue jumper on the bed with his clean pants. We can hear the shower running, so needless to say, he can't hear her. She heads into the living room, and asks Tracy how she is, wittering on about how she knows she must be missing Amy, who is away on a sleepover. Tracy snaps that of course her problem isn't Amy, she will after all see her after school, the problem is Becky, she is still livid that Becky has bought into Streetcars, and suspects an ulterior motive, either she wants to get her claws back into Steve, or intends to run the business into the ground so they will have to raise three children on a shoestring.

A knock at the door, and when Deirdre answers it to Steve, she warns him that he won't find Tracy in a very good mood. She then runs up the stairs to hurry Ken along, as Steve heads into the living room to defend his reasons for taking Becky on as a partner. She makes him promise that he won't let his mad ex-wife ruin his family, and he does by saying "cross me 'eart & 'ope to die", you may regret that Steve, cross her - and, well men have died before you know!

Peter and Simon bump into Carla on their way to school. She asks why they are so late, and Simon explains it's because his dad had tried to wrap his present for his teacher, and made a right mess of it. Peter interjects that maybe he is better at unwrapping things, nudge nudge, wink wink, Simon is of course oblivious to that, and prattles on about Leanne having to redo the whole thing, he then tells Carla that Leanne is brilliant and his dad is rubbish. Carla tells him that she is sure there are other things his dad is good at, "Yeah" says Simon, "Like snoring and dribbling tea down his chin".

In the back garden of No. 6, Will is helping Owen dig all the earth out of the pond once again. Faye comes out and Owen asks her if she would like to join them when they go out to buy new fish later. In her usual sweet manner, she turns him down, as it's 'just a stupid fish pond'. Owen is on the lookout for David and Kylie, but Anna tells him to leave it, as they are her neighbours. Owen says he will not involve the police, but will sort them out his way.

At Streetcars, Becky arrives to see Steve pondering over paperwork. He asks her if she has seen this letter from the Revenue, saying they have charged them for back taxes, and have fined them for audit indicated discrepancies. He admits he doesn't even know what that means. Becky tells him that Lloyd had mentioned some trouble with the books, but had told her it was all sorted. Steve responded that for him it was maybe, but that they were in it up to their necks. Becky is not concerned, and just says they will have to work all the harder to get it paid off. He accuses her of treating it as a game, but she says they have to find ways to make the business the best taxi company in Manchester. Not convinced, Steve tells her he has to go out, as a buoyant Becky sits at the switch, raring to get started. Steve points out that she is not the solution, just another problem, but Becky will not be brought down.

Emily enters the Kabin, and Rita is not best pleased to see her. Norris rushes out to play go-between. Emily tells him to tell Rita that she would like to pay for her papers, Rita tells him to tell Emily that it's not the end of the month. Emily tells Norris to tell Rita that she would like to pay weekly in future, and Rita tells him to tell her that if she doesn't like the service, she can take her custom elsewhere. Emily retorts to tell Rita that she was thinking exactly the same thing. Norris has had enough, and tells them both they are being ridiculous, that they can't possibly throw an old friendship like theirs away over something as trivial as cooking skills, and begs Rita to offer the hand of friendship, getting nowhere, he pleads with Emily to show a little Christian forgiveness, and gets the same response.

Steve comes back into Streetcars because he has forgotten his gloves, just as Becky is getting off the phone. She tells him she was just speaking to Danny Stratton, who is the manager of Whittingham Place Hotel. She goes on to tell him that he is currently unhappy with his taxi contract, and is looking to find another. She also tells him that she is meeting him at 7 p.m. tonight. Steve is impressed and tells her he will get a suit on. Becky tells him that it won't be necessary, this is her deal, and she will land it - by herself. Steve is NOT happy with that idea, not one little bit!

Eileen is quizzing Jason on where he and Rosie intend to spend Christmas this year, as Sean and Marcus will be off to London to spend it with Violet and Dillon. He hugs and kisses her, telling her that they wouldn't leave her on her own at Christmas, when she breaks it to him that she has invited Paul and Leslie. He immediately breaks away from her as if she has something contagious, and lets it be known that he doesn't approve, no no no!

In the Rovers, Norris is still busy pleading with Emily to make her peace with Rita, or they won't be able to spend Christmas together. Emily tells him that Rita is more than welcome to come to her house for Christmas once she has apologises. Norris continues pleading, saying that she knows how proud Rita is, and that she won't back down unless Emily lets her think she has won. Just then Rita arrives, and the bickering continues between the two, with Norris stuttering and trying his utmost to find them some common ground.

Over at the bar, Steve is begging Karl to come back to Streetcars as he really needs him to cover the switch tonight, so he can be at the meeting with the potential client. He tells him that Becky doesn't know what she is doing, and the deal will fall through unless he can handle it himself.

The bickering pensioners are still at it over in the booth. Finally Rita challenges Emily into a turkey cook-off, and the best dinner cooks the Christmas feast. Emily is not only up for it, but suggests they do it tonight. They decide the judge has to be Hayley Cropper, as Ken is away seeing Danielle, those two being the only two people they could trust to make an honest and impartial decision, and Norris is going to organise the whole thing.

Carla and Peter have a clandestine meeting in the factory behind locked doors. Carla tells Peter that she has a meeting with her solicitor in the afternoon regarding her upcoming rape trial. Peter offers to go with her, but she tells him she would rather see him afterwards if he can manage it. He decides he will tell Leanne he is going to a support group meeting.

After the break, Tracy is walking Amy home from school, and as they turn the corner into Coronation Street, they meet Becky coming out of the Salon. Amy throws herself into Becky's arms, much to Tracy's chagrin, and can't wait to tell her all about her sleepover and her day at school. Amy remarks that Becky looks gorgeous, something else that Tracy didn't want to hear. Becky can't help but rub it in that she is now moving in the high circles of Streetcars, and as management has to look the part.

Carla is in her lawyer's office and is being told that Frank is going to try to discredit her in court, that his defense was going to be that she charged him with rape just to get him out of their partnership, and her bed, to make way for another man, namely Peter Barlow. She asked Carla point blank if she had been having an affair while engaged to Frank, which she denied. She also asked Carla if there was anything at all that the defense could use against her that would taint her character, she again replied in the negative.

Amy is just finishing up her tea at No. 1, when Steve comes home. Tracy has a go at him about not being home so they could all have tea together. Steve tells her that it was work, and couldn't be helped. He tells her that he is going to have to go back, and be on the switch all night. Tracy wants to know why Becky can't cover it. Steve tells her that he has a plan that will mean that Streetcars will be a Becky free zone in a few weeks. Tracy responds that she would be a lot happier if Weatherfield was a Becky free zone.

In number 11 Eileen is on the phone to Paul just as Jason comes home. She tells him that Paul has confirmed that he and Leslie have accepted her invitation to come for Christmas dinner. Jason is upset, and tells her in that case, he and Rosie will be eating at the Webster's, because that is just too weird. She tells him she is meeting them for a drink in the Rovers tonight, and begs him to join them for just one drink to meet them and to give them a chance.

Steve has obviously managed to persuade Karl to come back to Streetcars, because he is now sitting at the switch, and Steve is getting ready to head off to the Whittingham Place Hotel. He tells him he won't be long, it's just a matter of swanning in, taking over from Becky, landing the deal and straight back. However, he asks that Karl tell Tracy he has popped out for chips or something if she should call. Karl asks if this meeting is above board, and Steve assures him that it is, but Tracy only has to hear Becky's name and her mind starts working overtime, so it's easier to lie.

Deirdre has just heard from Ken that he has caught his train to go to see Danielle, she then notices that Tracy is looking down. She asks if she is OK, and is told that she is feeling frumpy and jealous that Becky was looking so good earlier, when she is feeling so fat and pregnant. Deirdre assures her she looks blooming, but she is convinced she is losing Steve to Becky, and the more she thinks about it, the more convinced she is. However, her mother continues reassuring her that Steve would do anything for her and her children, and it seems, as they hug, that Tracy is reassured, at least for now.

We are now in the Whittingham Place Hotel, and Becky is sitting at a table in the bar. A good looking fellow joins her and introduces himself as Danny Stratton. He tells her that after talking to her on the phone, he was curious to meet her in the flesh, and it is pretty obvious he likes what he sees. They seem to hit it off really well, and Becky wastes no time getting down to the business of selling the services of Streetcars to a very willing listener. Just then, we see Steve appear at the door, he saunters up and introduces himself to Danny as co-owner of Streetcars, and apologises for being late, as Becky's face falls. Just then, Danny gets called away, leaving Becky and Steve alone. She immediately demands to know what he is doing there. He tells her it's to prevent her from blowing the contract, at which she tells him that he is probably the one who has just blown it, as things were going very well up to that point. They argue as to which of them should leave, which results in both refusing to, and both sit scowling at each other waiting for Danny to return.

Oh dear, Tracy arrives at Streetcars cooing that this could be Steve's lucky night, as she has a bacon butty for him. She is not best pleased to see Karl's face appear from behind the newspaper, and asks where Steve is. Karl tells her he has gone to answer a call of nature. Tracy tells him she will wait, and tries calling him. Again she is not pleased that his phone is switched off. Suspicious now, she demands that Karl tells her the truth, which he does. Tracy puts Steve, hotel, and Becky together and comes up with about a hundred and fifty, and demands that Karl drives her there - NOW!

Which takes us to the end of the first episode.....

Part 2 Written by Joe Turner

We start with Danny Stratton, Becky and Steve sitting at a table in the bar of the hotel, and Steve is telling Danny, in a very condescending voice that Becky is too much of a rookie to be negotiating contracts, but all is well, as he is here now. Danny tells Steve that actually, Becky was doing a pretty good job up to then. Now if I had been Danny, I would have got up and left right then, because what followed was hardly a professional business discussion, at least between Steve and Becky it wasn't! He accused her of getting tarted up and trying to land the contract by flirting - he went on to say she looked more like an off duty lap dancer than the co-owner of a cab firm.

Danny then asked if they were playing some sort of game, and Steve, still in that condescending voice, told him that he had been in business for many years, and if Becky would just run along and get them some drinks, he would be happy to negotiate with him. At which Becky threatened to smack him in the teeth if he spoke to her like that again.

Danny made a move to get up and leave, but Becky begged him to stay, she confessed the truth about hers and Steve's relationship - or non-relationship, but promised him that they can behave in a professional manner, and can do a very good job for him. He's not convinced, but Becky begs him to listen for 10 minutes, and she will convince him that they can offer him a very good deal.

We are now in Roy's Rolls, and Norris is blindfolding Hayley, the impartial judge in the turkey dinner contest, while Rita and Emily are busy in preparation. Or rather Rita is helping herself to a glass of wine. So Roy has two ovens big enough to roast a turkey does he? Hmmmm, didn't know that! He then adds some headphones for her to listen to Neil Diamond's greatest hits. It would have made more sense for her to wait upstairs or something, but we are not supposed to think about things like that are we?

Over the road in No. 6 Owen, Izzy, Will, Anna and Faye are arriving home armed with large bags filled with fish. Faye is still in a strop about the whole thing. It is decided to have a cup of tea before everyone is expected to take part in the 'Grand Restocking Ceremony'. Gary comes in and is obviously not best please to see Will being accepted into the family projects. Owen invites him to take part in the ceremony, but Gary declines, saying he was meeting some mates, and leaves. Izzy asks Anna if he is OK, and she responds that he is doing the best he can.

Back in the hotel, Becky is running rings around Steve in the negotiations. She is suggesting ways of saving Danny money, while assuring him that Streetcars will bend over backwards to meet his company's needs, she even suggests they buy a mini-bus to take the hotel staff home after their shift. Danny is obviously very impressed with Becky, and Steve is not unimpressed either. It looks as if they just might land the deal.

Just then a Streetcars cab pulls up outside the hotel, and Karl is trying to persuade Tracy out of storming in with all guns blazing. Of course his words fall on deaf ears, and she tells him not to wait. He tries to call Steve to warn him, but he isn't answering.

Carla is opening a bottle of wine in her flat when her buzzer goes. It's Peter, whose face falls when he sees what she is doing. She tells him that she wasn't going to drink it, but that opening the bottle sometimes seems to help. He asks if it went badly with the solicitor. She tells him that she lied to the solicitor by denying there is anything between them. Peter cannot see what their relationship has to do with the fact that Frank raped her, but she explains that it is only her word against his, and he will do anything to discredit her. She tells him she is uncomfortable about having to lie in court to get justice, and that they should stop seeing each other. Peter agrees to go along with it if that is what she wants.

Just then, Michelle arrives back from seeing Our Ryan, and Peter scurries into Carla's bedroom. Michelle asks if anything interesting had happened while she was away, and Carla says that things have been very quiet.

In the hotel lobby, Tracy is demanding the reception clerk tell her which room Steve McDonald is in. When asked who is asking, she spits "The woman carrying his twins!"

In Roy's Rolls, Mary is busy criticizing Rita's roast potatoes, telling her that they should be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, but that they looked to be the wrong way round. Dennis Tanner jumps to her defense, but Rita just responds with another slug of wine.

Tracy is now in full swing, and is being very verbally abusive to the poor hotel clerk, who can find no trace of Steve or Becky in her computer system. Tracy promptly accuses the clerk of being on Steve's payroll and is covering for them. She then tells her that she will find them herself, and heads up the stairs to the rooms.

Peter is still cooling his heels in the bedroom while Michelle and Carla have a catchup. Michelle is telling her that Ryan is in three bands, and having a whale of a time. Carla suggests she take her bags upstairs and unpack while she pours the wine. Carla's flat has an upstairs? I didn't know that either! Michelle tells her that she is just going to dump them and come right back, so Carla has to move quickly to usher Peter quietly out the door, and makes it by the skin of her teeth before Michelle returns.

Tracy has now really lost the plot. She is running down hallways banging on doors and screaming for Steve to come out. Confused guests are poking their heads out of doors wondering what the heck is going on. Two security men arrive and try to get her to leave the hotel, but she tells them she is not leaving until she finds him and that slag of an ex-wife. She goes back to banging on the nearest door, but suddenly doubles over in pain as we head into a commercial break.

We are still at the hotel, but are back in the bar where the negotiations are still going well. Danny is saying that he was afraid at one point that they wanted him to act as marriage counselor, but they assure him that it is far too late for that, and that they are purely business partners these days. Danny looks knowingly at Becky and says that he is not unhappy about that. Becky obviously loves the fact that another man is showing interest in front of Steve. The poor little reception clerk comes up just then and tells Danny they have a problem that needs his attention, so he tells Becky & Steve before he leaves that they have a deal, and to have a meal on him in the hotel dining room if they wish. Steve and Becky are overjoyed, throwing themselves into each other's arms, before correcting themselves and sitting down again. They agree that they make a good business team, and that Streetcars has a very bright future.

Out at reception, they are waiting for an ambulance to arrive to take away a groaning Tracy, things are not looking too good for the twins.

We are now in the back garden of No. 6 and Owen is totally shocked to discover that his original fish are back happily swimming around in the pond. David of course has to come out right then, not wishing to miss the reaction of his actions. Owen accuses him of engineering the whole fiasco, but David is denying it - not very convincingly however. Will tries to sooth Owen by telling him that with the new fish, they can all have a party in there, but Owen explains that if you overstock a pond, the fish will die. David suggests they try the chippy, as they are always on the lookout for cheap fish. Nobody is amused, but David is.

Deirdre answers the phone to Tracy, and her face falls as she is told to get to the hotel quickly.

Paul and Leslie have arrived in the Rovers, and Jason is being introduced to Leslie. Paul asks Eileen if she is sure about having them for dinner on Christmas Day, she assures them she is, Leslie looks blank, she obviously has no idea about what is being discussed. At the bar, Jason is explaining to Tina that Leslie has Alzheimer's.

Back at the hotel, Steve is asking Becky if she wants to go for that meal. She suggests they get a room, drink the mini-bar and celebrate the best way they know how. Steve tells her that although he would really love to, he can't as he has made a commitment to the twins. Becky seems relieved that it isn't Tracy that is stopping him, but the babies. Nonetheless, they decide to go home. While Tracy is screaming in agony in reception, Steve and Becky leave the hotel. He wants to give her a ride home, but she wants to walk, and sulk a bit for being turned down. He explains that she will never know how hard it was for him to turn her down, but is the father of three kids, they both agree that it should have been her, but that is the way it is. They obviously still love each other, but she sadly walks away from him.

In the cafe, Hayley is tucking into two turkey dinners with relish. Everyone is on pins and needles waiting for her verdict, especially Rita, who is so inebriated she just wants a lie down. Hayley finally announces that it's a draw - they are both equally as good. Nobody is happy with that verdict, as they still can't decide who is cooking the Christmas dinner. Ducking out from under the flak, Hayley suggests that to resolve it, they should all come to Roy's Rolls and join them for a Christmas dinner. Everyone is in agreement with that splendid suggestion, especially Emily and Rita, as they have certainly had enough of cooking turkey.

Things are not going well in the Rovers, Leslie has dropped her glass and is in the throws of a melt down. Tina tries to help by drying her off with a cloth, but Leslie gets nasty and shouts at her not to touch her. Paul takes her aside and gently talks her down. Eileen feels very sorry for Paul, having to deal with outbursts like that on a daily basis, but Jason reminds her that it is not her problem. He begs her not to get involved with them, because she will end up getting hurt. But Eileen is not listening.

Karl has obviously told Steve that Tracy had gone to the hotel on the warpath, and Steve is surprised that he didn't see her there, and that there is only one missed call on his phone. He says it is ironic that he has landed a great deal for Streetcars, and has behaved himself with Becky, but is still in the doghouse with Tracy. He tells Karl that he will now introduce him to the one quality the McDonalds are most proud of - "Cowardice, give us that airport run to Heathrow".

Carla runs out of the flat and gets into Peter's car, he has obviously been waiting out there a very long time. She tells him that she has been thinking, and has decided she can't stop seeing him. They agree they will have to be very careful, and take no risks. Peter assures her that as soon as Frank is locked up in a cell, he will tell Leanne and they will be together properly.

Deirdre finds Tracy's room at the hospital, and finds her looking exhausted and devastated. She puts her arms around her and tells her that everything will be alright, but Tracy looks at her, and she can see in her eyes that it won't be. She whispers "I've lost the babies Mam", and dissolves into tears. I didn't think it was possible, but I actually feel very sorry for Tracy right now. It probably won't last though.

See you next week for the last one before Christmas.

Christine Warren

Due to the schedule changes over Christmas there was only one episode instead of the usual two for a Monday and it was written by Ellen Taylor and directed by John Anderson.

The first scene opens in the cab office where Steve tells Karl about his all night airport run. He hasn't spoken to Tracy and is exhausted so Karl, feeling guilty for having dropped Steve in it, offers to get someone to cover for Steve's shift and suggests he goes over to the Rovers to catch up on his sleep. "I never get it right," laments Steve. Never was a truer word spoken.

While this is taking place, Tracy and Deirdre arrive back home from the hospital but it takes more than an offer of a strong cup of tea from Deirdre to staunch Tracy's tears when she sees some clothes she'd bought for the twins lying on the table. Displaying some rare but genuine grief we can see that Tracy is devastated by the loss of her babies.

Out in the street, Chesney and Gary are loading the last three unsold Christmas trees into the back of a van. Chesney is chuffed at the roaring trade they've done and, whilst Gary is planning to buy a present for Izzy, Chesney is very excited at the prospect of using his spare cash to invest in a new buggy for the baby with a four-position seat and aluminium frame.

Just as they're about to drive off, Chesney sees Norris and asks him about his tree. "I think it's safe to say it'll be the best decorated tree in Weatherfield," boasts Norris, going on to explain that it took him and Mary nearly four hours to achieve perfection, the secret being in the layering.

The sign that all is not well with the tree comes thirty seconds later when we see a look of horror appear on Norris's face. As he walks across the road he sees that most of the needles have dropped off the tree which is standing outside the Kabin.

We move to Eileen's sitting room where we see her feverishly hoovering up pine needles from the carpet under her tree which is looking equally bald.

Next we see Kirsty calling to Tyrone to come and look at what's happened to their Christmas decorations and the camera pans back to show some very pathetic-looking tinsel clinging to bare branches.

The story is the same all over the street. Sophie is taking the decorations off their tree and, in the salon, Audrey is grumbling to David and Maria that a bald tree isn't a good advert for a hairdresser's. David does his bit to help by offering to go and put the kettle on, only to discover that they have no water. "What if ...?" begins David but Audrey doesn't want to know what he may be thinking and instructs him to go and call a plumber.

Now we move over to the cafe where Hayley is surprised to see Becky arriving bright and early. "I may be early but I don't know about bright," sighs Becky and proceeds to tell Hayley how she tried to seduce Steve. She pours her heart out and, in the midst of this says that, if it wasn't for the fact that Tracy was expecting the twins, Steve wouldn't be with her. Hayley is horrified and gives her some straight talking advice, telling Becky in no uncertain terms that she should leave Steve well alone.

Back at the Barlows, Tracy is still crying with Deirdre, asking why it had to happen. She sobs that they were hoping for boys and they were going to call them Lucas and Raymond. Deirdre tries to convince Tracy that they need to tell Ken and Steve but Tracy is beside herself and says that she can't tell Steve because he was only with her because of the babies and if he knows she's lost them then he'll leave her. Deirdre tries to argue that he wouldn't do that because he loves her so Tracy then tells her that the night before Steve was with Becky in a hotel. Deirdre is shocked to hear this revelation but insists that Tracy still needs to tell him so Tracy reluctantly agrees and says she'll tell him but then she's going to pack a bag and leave.

Over at the salon Audrey is forced to turn customers away due to her lack of water and David is having no luck trying to track down a plumber. Kylie arrives and wants to know what's going on and why they have no water. "I smell a rat," David tells her. "And that rat has piggy eyes and a pond."

Sophie arrives for her practice run for the wedding but, with no water, Audrey can't help. Until, that is, Kylie comes up with the bright idea of moving the salon over to "our house". Audrey, quite rightly, is concerned about what Gail will think when she returns from Milan but David declares is to be a genius idea.

Tracy arrives at the pub looking for Steve. Karl tries to explain that he's catching up on his sleep after an all-night airport run but Tracy doesn't believe him and convinces herself that he spent the night with Becky and rushes off to find him before Karl can get her to believe him.

Out in the street, Katy is helping Faye to learn her lines for her role as Mary in the nativity play. Her concentration can't be aided by the fact that Audrey et al are marching past with the contents of the salon, on their way to Gail's house. In the middle of all this, Owen informs us that Katy was the star of the show when she played Mary in her school nativity play which, let's face it, was probably only a couple of years ago.

Audrey grabs her chance and asks Owen if he'll come and sort out the water problem at the salon. He says he'd be happy to do it that afternoon, much to David's disgust as he he's sure Owen is behind the lack of water in the first place.

Back at the Rovers, Karl is waking up Steve to confess that he's dropped him in it again and tells him he needs to call his missus (by which we assume he means Tracy).

Out in the street, Hayley is hurrying over the cobbles towards the factory with the day's supply of sticky cakes where she sees Tracy hammering on the door to the flat over the cab office. Becky emerges, fag in mouth. Tracy demands to see Steve but when Becky tells her he's not there, Tracy doesn't believe her and barges past and straight up the stairs.

In the Kabin, Peter is buying some tinsel which naturally leads to a conversation about Christmas trees. Just as Norris is bemoaning his bare branches, Tyrone comes in and discovers that his is not the only tree to have lost all its needles.

Tyrone then starts to chat to Peter about how lovely it must be for him to be spending Christmas with his family this year at the same moment as Carla walks through the door. When Tyrone asks her how she'll be spending her Christmas she says she might just jump on a plane and go somewhere. "That's the joy of being single," she declares pointedly for Peter's benefit.

Back in Becky's flat Tracy is still searching for Steve and refuses to believe Becky when she insists that there is nothing going on between them and that they were only at the hotel the evening before for a business meeting. Tracy goes on and on and Becky admits that yes, she would do anything to get Steve back. However, she also tells Tracy that she offered it on a plate to Steve but he turned her down. After all, she points out, Tracy is giving him something that she never can; not knowing at this point, of course, that Tracy has already lost the babies.

Suddenly Tracy starts to look unwell and, just as Becky is asking if she's alright, Tracy collapses without warning and falls all the way to the bottom of the stairs.

At Gail's house it's all systems go and with so many clients to get through Audrey reluctantly allows Kylie to work on a client despite the fact that she no longer works for her. The hot topic of conversation is Chesney's dodgy Christmas trees and, as Eileen says, there are so many needles everywhere she even has some lodged in her underwear which is probably more information than we really need to know.

Owen arrives to tell Audrey that he hasn't fixed the plumbing as there appears to be some sort of blockage. It will need spare parts which he probably won't be able to get until after Christmas. David knows he's having Audrey on but she thinks he's "such a nice" man and offers him a year's free supply of haircuts if he can fix it.

At the cab office flat, Becky has called an ambulance for Tracy. Becky tells them Tracy is five months pregnant and offers to go with her to hospital but Tracy says she doesn't want her anywhere near her. Becky tries to call Steve but he's dead to the world and doesn't hear his phone ringing.

Chesney and Gary arrive back at Fiz's house and are still congratulating themselves on the fact that they've managed to sell all the Christmas trees. But their euphoria is short lived when an irate Norris arrives on the doorstep complaining that his tree is as bald as the top of his head. Moments later, Eileen, Kirsty and David turn up, all demanding a refund. Kirsty says she could report them. Gary doesn't want the cops involved and Chesney is at his wit's end as he has no money to pay them back. Katy comes down the stairs wanting to know what's going on.

Gary tells them all they'll get a refund, £5 compensation and they'll even collect the dead trees and everyone finally leaves the house. Poor Chesney is desperate. "This job was about me standing on my own two feet, branching out," he moans to Gary and Katy, failing to see the joke which he's inadvertently made.

Back at the Rovers, Karl is once again trying to wake Steve - call me Rip Van Winkle - McDonald from his slumbers on the sofa. He tells him that Stella will be back soon and he needs to wake up. Steve sees that Becky has tried to call and listens to her message on his phone, telling him that Tracy has had an accident and is in the hospital.

At the factory, Michele and Carla are in the office, writing out an advert for a new machinist. Peter arrives to see Carla with the excuse that he wants to talk to her about a surprise for Leanne so Carla sends Michele on her lunch break.

As soon as they're alone, Peter asks Carla if she's really going away for Christmas. Despite the fact that she says it's going to be hard being around while Peter's with his family, he persuades her to stay and says he'll find a way of seeing her on Christmas day.

Meanwhile, Steve arrives at the hospital to see Tracy who is lying in a bed with her mother sitting by her side. "This is all your fault," Deirdre growls at Steve. He's full of remorse and wants to know why Tracy was at Becky's.

"Please tell me the babies are OK," he says but one look from Tracy answers his question. And then, as Deirdre looks on in the background with a look of horrified bewilderment on her face, Tracy tells Steve: "Becky pushed me down the stairs. She's killed our babies."

Karen Jankel

In the back room of the pub Steve tells Stella and Karl that Tracy will be coming home this morning.

Deirdre is with Tracy in the hospital. Deirdre says she can understand why Tracy said that Becky pushed her down the stairs, but is worried what Steve will do if he finds out the truth. Tracy tells her if she ever tells, it would be the end of her and Steve. Ken arrives, full of sympathy, but not sure exactly what happened. "Still, plenty of time to fill me in later," he says. Deirdre and Tracy exchange glances.

Becky rushes up to Steve in the cafe, asking how Becky is. He's furious, she pushed Becky and now they've lost the babies. Becky stops, aghast, and tries to say that she didn't push Tracy, but he's having none of it. Hayley looks on, horrified. "You pushed her, she fell, and now my babies are dead!" he shouts, and storms out. Hayley rushes to hug a dazed looking Becky. "I didn't do anything," she mutters, "I didn't." "We know," says Roy steadily, "we know."

Peter and Carla meet in the Street. He tells her he's off Christmas shopping, is there anything she would like Santa to bring? She tells him she wants him, all to herself, on Christmas day. He doesn't think that will be possible, not this year anyway.

Owen is clearing the loft of Anna's house, and chucking out all Eddie's gaudy Christmas lights and exterior decorations. Faye is upset and wants to know why they can't use them. Owen tells her (far too sharply in my opinion) that they're no good, faulty and not safe, and they can't get any more because they're far too expensive. David comes past and comments sarcastically on Owen's Christmas spirit, i.e. lack of it! Owen asks how business is doing and David says it's great, unless Owen plans to block up the pipes at Gail's house as well. Anna wants to know what he means, but Owen shrugs it off.

The hair salon in Gail's house is full and busy when Rosie arrives and wants to know if Audrey can fit her in. She asks where they wash the hair and is told in the bathroom. "What, near the toilet?" asks Rosie. (One wonders where she washes her hair in her own house?) Audrey says she can have it washed in the kitchen sink if she prefers. When Rosie has made her appointment and gone, Audrey reminds all the staff to go easy on the electricity, as it's going on Gail's bill. (Surely she'll pay her daughter for what she uses?) David looks at the cables and plugs thoughtfully for a moment and then smiles.

Tracy arrives back from the hospital, looking pale and getting painfully out of the car. Sunita passes and says she's got Amy for the nativity rehearsal and will keep her for the rest of the day if Tracy would like her to. Tracy is grateful. As they go in, Ken says he's reeling from what he's been told. Did Becky deliberately push her? Tracy says she did, from behind as she was heading down the stairs. Ken wonders if the police should be informed. "No!" says Tracy sharply, adding quickly that it won't bring the babies back. She cuddles up to Steve and Deirdre looks reproachful.

David feeds a long extension cable through the garden fence and plugged it into an exterior socket on Anna's house wall. He puts the wheelie bin in front of it so it won't be noticed.

Becky goes round to the Barlow's, and demands to know why Tracy is saying that she pushed her down the stairs. Tracy just shouts at her to go, she doesn't know why she's still around, it's not as if Steve hasn't offered her money to leave. The penny drops, Becky realises that Tracy wants to get rid of her once and for all, she saw her chance and she took it. She tells Tracy that she didn't need to do any of it, she'd already got the message that all Steve wants is Tracy. Deirdre tells Becky to leave. Becky leans forward towards Tracy. "You're an evil, evil cow," she mutters, and leaves. "Well, I hope you're happy," says Deirdre to her daughter. Tracy scowls.

Stella is in the bookies, chatting and joking with Leanne and Peter. Peter asks Leanne if she minds if he goes to town to do some shopping. "As long as it's something for me," grins Leanne.

Back at the Barlow's, Deirdre is berating Tracy over the fact that an innocent woman is getting her name dragged through the mud because of her. Tracy's response is that Becky was a scumbag already, this won't make much difference. She says that she loves Steve more than anything else, if she lost him her life wouldn't be worth living.

Owen has splashed out and bought a few tiny Christmas lights for Anna and Faye's Christmas tree. When he goes to put the spare fuses away he notices that the little wheel on the electricity meter is whizzing round fast. He asks if Anna's got a fire on somewhere, but she assures him there's nothing on except the lights.

Roy and Hayley go round to see Becky. Roy assures her that no one will believe that Becky pushed Tracy down the stairs. "Because they all know what a well balanced girl I am," says Becky, sarcastically. Roy says that it will be because they know her heart is in the right place, and they know what kind of woman Tracy Barlow is. Becky isn't convinced. "Why does she hate me so much?" she says.

Further investigation at Anna's house leads Owen to the back garden where he finds the cable coming from next door.

A few moments later, in Gail's house, everything stops. David rushes outside to find Owen and Anna holding up the electric plug. Owen threatens to call the police unless they pay for the electricity they've used. David retorts that Owen shouldn't call the police unless he wants to explain how he turned off the water to the salon. "Why does he keep saying that?" asks Anna. Owen replies that he has no idea. David goes back inside, plug in hand, where Audrey thinks they should call an electrician. David gets down on the floor, saying he must just untangle the cables as they have to be plugged in separately. Audrey's customers start moaning that they have other appointments and commitments. In the end Audrey takes the plug and puts it into a socket in the living room, and all the power is returned - momentarily. Then it all goes off again - overloaded!

Karl comes into the Rovers with a large carrier bag. Peter left his Christmas shopping in the taxi, and he tells Stella he'll take it round later. Stella starts having a peek at what Peter has bought and finds a jeweller's box. Opening it she finds a really nice, silver necklace.

Audrey goes round to Anna's house and tells Owen that the electricity has gone off now. Anna says it serves her right for letting David plug into their socket. Audrey, of course, didn't know anything about that and calls David over, demanding to know if it's true. He admits it is, adding that it was because Owen knocked the water out at the salon because he thought they'd filled his pond in. Anna exclaims that she's had enough of this and tells Owen to fix the electrics, and tells David to apologise and pay for the electricity. Then she would like to get on with Christmas.

Karl takes Peter's bag of presents round to the bookies and remarks how boring Christmas presents are.

Kevin takes a cheque round to Sophie and Sian to contribute towards their wedding. Sian is down in the mouth because the pastor from their old church has refused to give their wedding a blessing.

Carla is just leaving the factory when a florist appears and hands her a large bouquet of flowers. Peter is standing across the Street, watching. She reads the card and smiles at him.

Steve arrives at the Barlow's house to be told that Becky came round earlier. He says he's going to call the police and pulls out his phone. Tracy shouts at him that she doesn't want him to, so he stops. She says she's under enough stress as it is, and if it were to go to court it would be hanging over them for months.

Owen is outside the salon, turning the water back on at the stopcock. Anna comes along and sees him, and realises that David was right.

Leanne and Peter are in the pub. With a smile, Stella asks Peter if he's done all his Christmas shopping, and he says he has.

Steve goes round to Becky's to ask why she went round to see Tracy. She tells him she wanted to know why Tracy was telling lies and now she knows, it's to ship her out and claw him in for good. She repeats again that she did not push Tracy. "You know how I feel about children," she says. He tells her to stay away from her, from him and from the business. She points out that she owns half of the business. "Well I don't associate with child murderers," says Steve. Becky starts to ask how he can believe Tracy over her. He says he'll never believe anything that comes out of her mouth again. He shouts that it's over, for good!

Annie Logan

Whew! Back from my 'oliday, starting to recover from a bad cold and finally caught up on three weeks of Corrie! So here we go with the first episode for Friday, December 23.

We begin with Chesney trying to repair the wheel on Fiz's baby buggy and a discussion about who Ben Nevis was. . . Ches has to go to work. The garden centre manager can't pay compensation for the disaster Christmas trees but he's got a cash-in-hand job for Chesney and Garry. Ches promises Katie he'll be back in time to see Faith in the nativity play.

Over at the Tilsley-Platt-Hillman-McIntyre residence, David's trying to help Max with his part in the play, though Kylie's not helping. She reckons that after travelling for days and stinking of donkey, the least Mary could have expected was a double with en-suite bathroom. Gail arrives, fed up at having to clean up masses of hair. Kylie explains that they used the vacuum cleaner but it made a funny noise and began to smell like burning so she put it back in the cupboard. David promises to get all the equipment back to the salon before Christmas Day. Then Kylie drops the bombshell that Gail won't have to cook Christmas dinner - Kylie's doing it. David's as scared as Gail is!

Katie seems to be more nervous about the nativity play than Faith. Faith reckons she knows all her lines and is well prepared but Katie's in the cafe taking her through them again anyway. Owen arrives in the cafe with Izzy. They assure Anna that Katie will be the best coach for Katie - she was Mary in her school nativity twice.

Tyrone's doing the mechanical repairs on the buggy and sharing a brew with Fiz. Kirsty arrives home and has a go at Fiz about Chesney's Christmas trees. She's very nasty and sarcastic about it. Then she tells Fiz that her word counts for nothing. Fiz makes an excuse and races out.

At the salon, David tries to tell Kylie that cooking a turkey isn't easy. Becky arrives with something Kylie's dropped on the way over and David makes a discreet exit. Becky tells Kylie about Tracy's accusations, weeping as she speaks. Kylie wants to go and sort out Tracy and tries to reassure Becky but to no avail. She says there's nothing left for her in Weatherfield. "What about me - and my son?" asks Kylie. She tells Becky that the day Max looks at her the way he looks at Becky she'll know she's cracked it. "He needs you," she says and invites Becky to the nativity play. Becky's reluctant because Tracy and Steve will be there.

Ken gives Simon some advice on acting the character of the innkeeper. Tracy tells her mother she doesn't think she can face people yet so doesn't want to go to the play. Deirdre says it's family that will get her through this. Ken agrees that Tracy should go to the play. Amy will make Tracy and Steve feel very proud and appreciate the future they still have together.

In a forest far, far away, a garden centre manager dressed as an elf sets Garry and Chesney to work cutting down fresh trees and gives them a delivery list and costumes!

Sophie and Amber aren't exactly friendly but they're in the shop together when Sian comes in. Rosie's plans for the hen night are over the top, apparently. Sian is planning a surprise for Sophie.

Chesney's annoyed that the work's taking too long and he'll miss the play.

At the community centre, everyone's helping out and Leanne's annoyed that Peter's playing with his phone again. Julie's startled that Brian refuses biscuits. He's saving himself for Christmas Dinner. Julie's breaks it to him that instead of Christmas Dinner, they're donating eight chickens to a village in Botswana. No cake, mince pies nor a yule log. Brian grabs some biscuits.

Becky arrives and sets off Steve and Tracy. She tells them she doesn't want any bother. She just wants to see Max in his play. Steve's furious. Becky tells Tracy that she's won. She appeals to her to tell the truth. Deirdre looks very uncomfortable. Owen tells her not to spoil the kids' big day and Becky turns away.

Sunita's trying to get the kids sorted out behind the scenes. Simon tells her there's a problem. The Virgin Mary's gone on strike. Faye's got an attack of nerves and refuses to go on. Sunita's unable to persuade her and Faye runs off through the hall with Anna going after her. The little innkeeper puts his face through the gap in the curtains and sighs, channelling WC Fields: "Never work with children or animals."

Ches and Garry are now dressed as elves and head out to deliver the trees - except the van won't start.

Katie's taken over as Mary. Izzy hopes she isn't overdoing it - the lights are hot and Katie's perspiring. Brian's sarcastic about the production values. Dev's busy waving at his children.

Sian takes Sophie back to the house where there's a vicar waiting. Apparently he's quite willing to bless the marriage of two women as long as they're ready for it.

In the pub, Tyrone demands to know why Kirsty's so nasty to Fiz. "You don't like Tommy. You don't like Tina. Now you're having a go at Fiz. Don't you want me to have any mates?" Kirsty tells him that she's a cop. She can't be around people like Fiz - Fiz has done time, was married to a murderer and has a dodgy brother [I'm setting up a Chesney defence league immediately!]. Kirsty doesn't want Tyrone mixing with Fix and Chesney.

The vicar's already had three mince pies. He tells the girls his only reservation is their age. Sian's very chatty but Sophie's quiet and the vicar notices. She says she's just taking it all in. She says she's as committed as Sian. The vicar says he'd be delighted to bless their union.

Simon's going down a treat as the innkeeper. Katie seems in some distress. Brian thinks she's taking the part way too seriously. She's in real discomfort and wants to sit down. Julie admires her acting as Katie seems to be having a contraction.

In the dark forest, one of the elves gets a call to say Katie's gone into labour.

Stand by for more in the second episode.
Will a soap birth really take place at Christmas?
How will the elves get there and will they be in time?
Will a light in the sky guide them to the manger?

Margaret Carr

Episode written by Chris Fewtrell

We open in the chaos that used to be the Nativity play in the Community Centre, with Sunita calling for the parents to collect their children from the stage and take them out of the hall, so they won't be witness to the wails coming from Katy, as she heads into the throes of labour. Anna and Owen are at her side, and Owen sensibly suggests they get her to hospital, but Anna tells him to leave her be, as in her 'expert' opinion it is too late for that. Fiz is on the phone, you would think to 999 calling an ambulance, but no, she is trying to contact Chesney, another 'expert' to resolve the situation!

Meanwhile Chesney and Gary, still dressed as elves are completely lost in the woods. Gary is confident that if they keep walking, they will eventually come to a road and will be able it hitch a lift. Chesney is not convinced, figuring the chances of a couple of dodgy looking characters dressed in green & red being picked up by a normal person would be slim to none. Just then, Gary spies a couple of unattended bikes, which they promptly grab and pedal away on them, with the shouts of the owners echoing in their ears. What the young couple who owned the bikes were doing off in the woods we will never know!

Becky staggers into the Corner Shop and rudely demands "Vodka" from Amber, who asks her what kind. "Biggest!" demands Becky, Amber suggests that she should probably think about whether she needs it, as she appears quite bladdered already. She of course gets short shrift from Becky, who throws down a £20 note and lurches out, bumping into Sophie who tries passing pleasantries with her, but is not heard or possibly just ignored.

Amber asks Sophie what had been so urgent over the road, and whether she got her surprise. Sophie tells her she doesn't want to talk about it. When Amber persists, she loses it, and tells her to butt out.

Back to the birthing scene, and Owen is starting to panic. Demands to know from Fiz where her brother is. She responds that she has left him lots of messages. He spits out that if this is the kind of father our Ches is going to be, it's probably best he stays away permanently. At that, Katy's wails go up a crescendo, and Anna tells him to go somewhere else if he is going to go to pieces, as he is being no help. He apologises, saying that he doesn't know what to do to help. Anna tells him that she knows how hard it is to watch your child suffer, but sometimes holding their hand is all you can do, and is often enough. This seems to do the trick, and he calms down and reassures Katy that everything will be OK, as Anna knows what she is doing. She does? Oh yes of course, she had a baby of her own about 25 years ago, probably in a hospital with professional help, that would make her midwife of the year wouldn't it?

In Becky's flat, she is sobbing her drunken heart out. She digs into her backpack and pulls out the new bottle of Vodka, always the answer to everything that ails our Becky.

In the Rovers, we have a conversation between Tina and Tyrone. The latter is asking her to go easy on the snide remarks between her and Kirsty, at least for Christmas. Tina agrees, telling him she will just be glad of the company this year. Ty asks if she is doing OK without Matt, Tina says she is, as she was certainly not cut out to be anyone's project, but wryly says she should probably have hung on until she got her Christmas prezzie from him, as she had never been out with someone who was minted before. She was joking.... I think. The conversation ends up with Tyrone giving her a hug, and right on cue Kirsty appears at his shoulder. She makes a snide remark, and Tyrone protests that it was nothing. She tells him that she knows it was, otherwise he would have a face full of pepper spray by now. Was she joking? I think not! She tells the two of them that she has a surprise for them at home, so Tina goes to ask if she can take her break.

Back to Becky, who is putting her boots on, just as there is a knock on the door. It's Roy, who is worried about her, as he had noticed her door open downstairs. He makes note of the empty vodka bottle on the floor, and as she puts on her coat, Becky tells him she is finished in Weatherfield, and is leaving. Roy pleads with her to reconsider as she is drunk and not making a rational decision. He begs her to come over to the cafe to sit down with a cup of tea and talk it over. She is adamant until he points out that Hayley should be given the opportunity to say goodbye to her, so she relents, sobbing into his arms.

Kirsty is leading a blindfolded Tyrone and Tina into No. 9, and it is revealed to them that they have a fully decorated artificial Christmas tree. They are both pleased, and Kirsty tells them that the presents under the tree are for the two of them, plus Tommy. Tina is visibly surprised, and thanks her. Kirsty says that she feels that it is time they became mates, as they are mates of Tyrone's. Tina is again surprised, but smiles and agrees. Tyrone is over the moon, hugging Kirsty and telling her that she has made his Christmas. The camera pans back to Tina's face, which looks extremely puzzled, as well it might! Are we seeing a new improved Kirsty? Don't hold your breath!

Back in the Community Centre Katy is really getting down to business now, we can tell because she has removed her tights. However, her main concern is still the absence of Chesney. Fiz explains that the Garden Centre told her that they were out delivery Christmas trees all over the place, and can't be traced.

Speaking of the devil, we now see our Chesney and Gary still pedaling like mad through the wood, when Chesney's chain breaks. With no tools and in the dark they are scuppered. Chesney is wailing that he is missing the most important moment of his life. But at that moment, Gary spies a light in the East (tee hee). He tells Chesney in a hushed voice that it must be Beetham Tower (also known as the Hilton Tower, a 47-storey mixed use skyscraper in Manchester City Centre, England. Completed in 2006 for those who don't know), so therefore they must be nearly home. He promptly tells Ches to hop on the bike, and he hops on behind him, and off they go riding tandem into the break.

After the commercials we open in the Corner Shop, and in comes an excited Sian looking for Sophie. Amber tells her she has no idea where she is, even though she is supposed to be working. She asks Sian what she did to her earlier, as she had been in a right state when she came back earlier. Sian is puzzled, and says that she was fine when she left her. Amber asks what the surprise had been, and is told that Sian has arranged for their blessing to be in a church, and thought Sophie was dead chuffed about it. Amber mutters that you could have fooled her. Sian mentions that she has noticed a change in Sophie of late, and has put it down to pre-wedding nerves.

At the birthing scene, Katy has now reached the point in the process where she could rip the face off the nearest person, especially if that person happens to be male. Poor Owen just happens to be the nearest and his hair almost visibly flies back in the draught from her mouth. Chesney is still not there, and Katy is NOT amused! Just then the two elves appear, little hat bells tinkling as they run. Katy immediately thinks she is hallucinating, but he assures her he really is dressed as an elf. He sits beside her and begins comforting her, telling her how much he loves and is proud of her.

In the cafe, Roy and Hayley are sitting down with a cup of chamomile tea after managing to get Becky to lie down and sleep. They discuss the situation, and Roy says that Becky is not equipped to come up against the likes of Tracy Barlow, as unlike her, Becky has a heart. Hayley agrees that her heart has made Becky do some terrible things. Roy asks her to expand on that thought, Hayley tells him that Tracy has paid too high a price, no matter what she has done. Roy says that it is no excuse for slandering Becky. Hayley replies "If she has". This is a complete switch for these two, normally Hayley believes the best in people, and Roy is guided by facts, but in this instance, Hayley is having a hard time believing in Becky's innocence, while Roy is resolutely standing behind her, and says so in no uncertain terms. Unbeknown to them, Becky has been standing at the door listening to this conversation, and speaks up, thanking Royston for his faith in her. Hayley looks at her, and sees the pain and tears on her face when she looks back at her.

The birthing/cheering team are now in full swing at the Community Centre, with everyone urging Katy on towards the end. Finally with one last push, we hear a little cry, and a baby is born. Anna lifts the cleanest little new born boy you ever saw, wrapped in swaddling clothes with no umbilical cord or placenta trailing, and places him in his mother's arms. Forgive the cynical me, nonetheless, the little chap is very cute. Everyone is overjoyed.

Hayley is desperately trying to make it up to Becky, but she is hurt beyond words that the one person she thought she could rely on believes her to be a liar. She makes to leave, and Hayley steps forward towards her, but Becky charges on towards the door, causing Hayley to fall and hit her head. Becky immediately feels awful that she has hurt Hayley, and apologises, saying she didn't mean to push her. Hayley asks if that was what it had been like with Tracy, that she hadn't meant to push her either, letting Becky know that she still doubts her word. Becky protests that it wasn't like that at all with Tracy, that she really didn't push her. Roy, upset because his wife has been hurt, tells Becky to go - now. Becky's face crumples into sobbing tears again, and she turns to leave. I must say that Katherine Kelly was excellent in these scenes with Roy & Hayley.

In the Rovers, Eileen is asking Julie and Brian if the baby was a boy or a girl. They tell her they didn't wait to find out, as it sounded like a medieval battlefield. Eileen says that she can relate, as she had just come from Freshco's that was like the Somme with Slade on a loop. I am sure you are all familiar with the Somme, but if not with Slade, they sang that song that goes "So here it is Merry Christmas, everybody's having fun" etc. and it gets trooped out every Christmas without fail. Don't get me wrong, I love it! Eileen then goes on to relate how she got into a battle with a woman with a very strong grip, over the last turkey in the store. Julie asked how she won, and Eileen says, "Chemical warfare, found a can of Febreze in me trolley, quick squirt and she were 'istory". Brian then waxes lyrical about the true meaning of Christmas is the getting together and breaking bread, or in this case turkey with family, or your nearest and dearest.

Just then Eileen gets a phone call from Paul, who tells her they will not be able to make it the following day due to Leslie having a fall. She tells him she quite understands and that it's no problem, but you can see she is bitterly disappointed.

Sophie arrives home to find Sian and Amber sitting on the sofa sipping a cup of something. She asks why Amber is there and is told by Sian that she invited her over as she had heard about her little meltdown earlier in the shop. Sophie denies it was a meltdown, and Sian tells her she understands that the stress of the wedding is getting on top of her, and to this end, has invited Amber to be another bridesmaid to help take the load off her. This is obviously the last thing in the world that Sophie wants.

At the Community Centre, Gary is inviting those who have had the fortitude to wait to come in and see the new baby Brown. Kylie is telling David that she wants to get Emily's advice on stuffing turkeys before they leave, as she feels she must have stuffed many over the years, including a Pterodactyl. No Kylie, she is not quite that old, a Dodo bird maybe but not a Pterosaur. She corners Emily, who explains about removing the giblets before roasting, which completely grosses Kylie out. Emily admits to her that she always asked Ernest to remove them for her. Kylie likes that idea, and tells David that it will be his job then. Which leaves us wondering if Emily has not cooked a turkey since Ernest died in 1978!

The new parents are now surrounded by their friends and neighbours, jostling to get a look at the little boy. Simon wants to know if they will call him Jesus, but Emily feels that would be putting too much pressure on the little chap. Katy tells them they have decided on Joseph as his name. Kylie suggests Herod as a middle name, but Chesney tells them that they are thinking of Peter, after Schmeichel the dog, (who was named after Peter Schmeichel, the footballer). Peter Barlow promptly agrees that it is an excellent choice of names! I am sure as Joseph gets older, he will come to be grateful that he wasn't called Schmeichel.

Faye comes in just then with her usual scowl on her face. Anna tells her she is sorry she had to leave her on her own, but was rather busy. Faye tries to make her feel guilty about leaving her on their first proper Christmas together, and no she doesn't want to see the baby, as when you have seen one, you have seen them all. Such a sweet natured child. The paramedics finally arrive, not their fault though, I don't think they were called until it was all over. Owen thanks Anna for all she did for Katy, to which she replies that she would like him to show her how grateful he is instead, unless now he is a grandpa he is too old for all that. He assures her he is not too old, but asks if she would like his teeth in or out. (Not a visual I really wanted in my brain).

As he kisses her, an unseen choir start singing 'Silent Night'. Oh now it's not unseen, we see them standing outside the chippy, I wonder where the Community Centre is then? Because they could be heard from there. They can also be heard from Becky's flat above the bookies, which is reasonable, but not really what Becky wants to listen to, as she sits totally alone and dejected.

The new little family are getting into the ambulance, and as Chesney hands Joseph to Katy, his smile spreads from ear to ear. it's so hard to believe that the little red-headed tyke we first saw coming out of care into the non-care of his mother Cilla is now old enough to be a father himself, and I wouldn't mind betting that he will make a much better one than all the Uncles he had over the years put together.

Becky looks out the window at the carol singers, and sees Ken & Deirdre, joined by Steve, Tracy and Amy standing as a family group, she watches as Steve puts his arm around Tracy, who is looking very sad at the loss of her twins, she rests her head against him. He looks up and sees Becky, there is no love in his eyes as he returns her gaze, and as she turns back into the room, he bends and kisses Tracy tenderly. As the credits roll, it really looks as if this is the end for Steve and Becky.

I won't be doing another one until January 6th as there was only one episode on December 30th, hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year.

Christine Warren

Written by Jayne Hollinson Directed by John Anderson

Part 1

Christmas day dawns bright and snowy over Weatherfield. Over the dulcet tones of the local radio station wishing everyone in Weatherfield a Happy Christmas, we pan the houses on the street and zero in on Number 1 where Steve and Amy have discovered that Santa has been. Becky is awake and not looking very happy. Chesney and Katy are snuggling on the sofa with wee Joseph in arms. As a bright and cheerful Christmas tune plays on, we watch Steve and Amy opening presents while Tracy looks on with a smile. Another glimpse of Becky who isn't enjoying the music.

Chesney and Katy marvel at the little baby. Chesney declares it the best Christmas ever.

Ken has bought an old fashioned spinning top toy for Amy who is distinctly unimpressed. Deirdre and Tracy tease him for his efforts to keep commercialism out of Christmas but Steve wants a go. Tracy is happy on their first family Christmas but her smile falters when Amy asks to go see Katy's baby. They gently put her off until an other day and Amy realizes her mistake. Tracy hugs her and soothes her and Ken takes her into the kitchen to try out the spinning top. Steve gets up and says he's got to go do a bit of time in the cab office and says he'll be back. After he leaves, Tracy leaps to the conclusion that Steve is going off her. Deirdre begs to differ.

Eileen is on the phone and it's soon clear that Paul has begged off coming for dinner as Lesley has taken a fall. The turkey looks trussed and ready to cook but is apparently still frozen, a fact pointed out by Jason who, along with Rosie, is heading out to the Websters. He won't change his plans but tells Eileen she can come with them but she doesn't want to spend Christmas with Sally.

In Platt Towers, everyone is singing a birthday song for David who is 21 today. He's opening up his birthday give, a posh new laptop that everyone chipped in together on. Kylie is banging pans and dropping things in the kitchen, attempting to organize dinner. Audrey breaks open the wine even though it's only 10 a.m. Kylie's struggling with something that looks like very runny oatmeal but which is apparently stuffing. Oops! David's no help. Kylie realizes she's forgotten the sage and doesn't even know what it is. David is of some help there as he thinks it's a herb but she won't let him ask his mother for confirmation. She decides to nip to the shop.

In the Rovers living area, Eva has opened an envelope from Karl and Stella which contains a wad of bank notes which is what she'd asked for. Stella wishes Eva was still a kid but before the memory train can get too far down the track, Steve interrupts. Eva mentions Katy's baby, Stella scolds her but Steve is ok talking about it. What he's come for is to tell them that he's putting the pub up for sale and is giving them the opportunity for first refusal. Stella's chuffed but Karl is cautious. They will talk about it and let Steve know. Karl points out they can't afford it.

In the shop, Amber is on duty. She remarks to Kylie that they don't do Christmas. Becky enters the shop as well and picks up a six pack of cider. Kylie invites her to theirs. Becky raises a skeptical eyebrow upon hearing that Kylie's cooking. Sophie has entered and skulks in the background. Kylie persuades Becky to come with the lure of wee Maxie. After they leave, Sophie drops a box of chocolates on the counter and lays into Amber for agreeing to be a bridesmaid and accuses her of playing games with people. Amber says she couldn't back out gracefully without raising suspicions and it's Sophie that's playing games.

Carla and Michelle are decided on Thai curry, a bottle of wine and not-Christmas telly or a dvd. Michelle goes for a shower and Carla runs for her handbag, pulling out the box with that lovely necklace, you remember, the one Stella found in Peter's shopping bags. Michelle pops back out and catches her so Carla pretends she's bought it for herself.

Over to Peter and Leanne's, Simon is playing with some toys and Stella arrives. Peter's phone beeps and it's a message from Carla thanking him but he pretends it's from Ciaran and texts back for her to meet him at the factory at 2. Leanne hasn't opened her gift from Peter and is handed a brightly wrapped box which starts ringing. Turns out to be the mobile phone she's been wanting and she's tickled pink but Stella looks worried because it's not the necklace.

We pop back to the Platts where Becky is admiring Max's new trainers. David brings her a drink. Audrey is looking sour and Gail is looking awkward but Nick says he's glad she's there. Nick brings up Tracy's lies and says he doesn't believe it. David agrees as does Kylie who defends Becky. Gail does agree that Tracy can be devious and tells Becky she's welcome to stay. Kylie gasps and jumps up when David reminds her she's not put the turkey in the oven.

Across the road, Owen has put together something with rockers on the bottom for Katy and the baby. They chat about the new baby, Gary says he's put the stolen bikes back where he found them, hoping the owners will find them. The doorbell rings and it's Izzy. Gary's face lights up but darkens again when he sees she's got Will in tow. He is invited to stay. Gary is a bit sharp with him but Anna welcomes him.

Hayley is setting the table and worrying about Becky. Roy thinks she should leave it for a bit and to give it some time. The dinner guests arrive with hugs and little gifts. Coats are removed. Norris asks for nibbles and looks like he's full of the humbugs of Christmas. Mary pushes Emily out of the way of the chair next to Norris as they all sit down.

Stella has been quiet, Karl notices. She tells him about the necklace, how she found it and how it wasn't actually the gift that Peter gave Leanne. He immediately sees where she's going but suggests there could be any number of explanations, and thinks maybe when he found out that Leanne really wanted the mobile, Peter returned the necklace and got the phone instead. Stella seems satisfied with that.

The Websters are enjoying dinner. There's a knock on the door. Sally says it's Kevin and she warns them he'll probably hang around and give them a sob story about how he's got nothing to eat at home, angling for a dinner invite. It's Kevin all right, with the baby in a pram. The girls thank him for his gifts. Kevin has also bought Sally her favourite perfume. He then wheels out the expected sob story about having a frozen meal for one somewhere which makes them all laugh. He's perplexed but Sally tells him there's a plate of dinner warming in the oven for him.

Meanwhile, Eileen is eating a sandwich and drawing a face on the back end of the still-frozen turkey, toasting it with a glass of wine. (Since Julie spent her money on charity chickens, why didn't Eileen ask them over?)

Back to the Windass house, Chesney has laid the Moses basket on the little frame Owen had built and picks the baby up. He hands him to Grandad Owen, saying it's a bit terrifying. Owen advises just to make sure the lad knows who's boss but Anna and the girls all agree he's really a softy underneath. Izzy has a turn holding the baby and Faye takes the opportunity to get Will away from Izzy's side, giving Gary the wink to take his place, which he does. They exchange a few words, Gary complimenting her. Will watches quietly from the kitchen where Owen and Anna are having a cuddle. Owen is very happy to have his family around him. Anna adds that she's got hers and Fiz's too. Exactly, Owen smiles. His family.

Kylie and David pop open a cracker. Becky watches some of the others play a board game with Max and decides she has to leave. She says she's going to Roy and Hayley's and thanks them for the company. She hugs and kisses Max fiercely and leaves the family scene.

Barlows junior have arrived at the home of Barlows senior. Amy and Simon exchange dissatisfied looks at Grandad presents (Simon got the book, Huckleberry Finn). Peter and Leanne ask how Tracy is. Amy asks Peter to play skittles with her and Simon outside and he goes off. Steve finally gets back and is cagey about what he's got for Tracy's present. He leads her outside, urging Ken, Deirdre and Leanne to come as well. Just as they come out, Becky comes out of the shop and ducks back around the corner. The Barlows all traipse down the street until Steve stops them in front of number 13 and reveals that he's bought it from Lloyd and is selling the pub. Becky hears every word and watches them via their reflections in the Kabin window. Steve further surprises them all by asking Tracy to marry him which clearly just about cuts Becky in two and she runs the other way around back to the ginnel, pulling the bottle of vodka out of her bag. She opens it and starts in on it.

Part 2

Ken pours the fizz and proposes a toast to Steve and Tracy. Peter decides he will use the flowing booze as an excuse to duck out for a walk but we know where he's really going. He urges Leanne to stay and promises he's not going for a drink. In the kitchen, Tracy finds Deirdre looking serious but Deirdre says she is happy for Tracy.

Peter rushes into the factory and he and Carla kiss. She thanks him for the necklace and he puts it on for her. He tells her everyone thinks he's out for a walk. A long one.

Becky puts an empty vodka bottle on the ground and shores up her nerve to knock on the door of the Barlows'. Deirdre answers the door and doesn't think Becky should talk to Steve because she's drunk. Steve comes out and Becky warns him off marrying Tracy even if he doesn't want her back. He says the pub has too many bad memories and insults Becky who says Steve doesn't love Tracy. Steve says he does, just in time for Tracy to overhear. Becky drunkenly wails and hollers and gets the door shut in her face for her trouble. Becky is distraught.

The Windass clan makes their way into the pub. Everyone congratulates Grandad who teases Jason about having a kid. He says Rosie will never want to get fat. Gary asks Izzy if she and Will are going out but she just tells him it's none of his business. Will approaches as Gary leaves her side. Michelle is in as well and tells Stella she and Carla had a non-Christmas Christmas because she couldn't face an Irish accent at the moment. They have a chat about Ciaran. Over in the booth, watched by Gary over his pint, Will begins to make noises about asking Izzy to actually date him but she stops him before he can get too far. She doesn't want them to ruin their friendship and he knows which way the wind is blowing, so to speak and leaves, noting that he realizes she wants Gary. She realizes it too. Gary sits down across from her immediately and she tells him in no uncertain terms that Will is not her boyfriend and she wants him, grabs his shirt and pulls him across the table for a snog.

Roy serves up the Christmas pudding with aplomb just as Sylvia walks in, returned from the cruise. Norris and Mary immediately go sour. Sylvia seems to have had a wonderful time mixing with the up and coming on the ship. She tells them she met a man called Milton and they spent many a night playing uke-banjos. She pulls one out that he'd given her and bursts into song, warbling "Ain't She Sweet". She's not Hilda Ogden, but she's close.

Across the road, Becky is weeping over her wedding photos. She lights up and sets fire to one, pulling an open sided rubbish bin over and piling all the photos on the burning one. (It's made of twisted wire and is more of an open basket than a solid sided little bin). She drags her drunken self over to the sofa and crawls up and slowly passes out. The fire burns on. You can see what's coming, can't you?

In the cafe, Sylvia's entertainment has driven off the rest of the guests, leaving Roy and Hayley having to politely listen to more of the same.

In Becky's flat, the flames are a little higher in the basket, very near the curtains. At the Platt house, video trivia is on the screen and all are having fun. Kylie announces dinner is ready, finally! It even looks edible even if it's a lot later than expected! Nick notices a stray mobile on the table which he says is Becky's. He offers to take it to her, won't be a minute, start without him. The flames and smoke are filling the flat now. Nick brings the phone to the cafe but Hayley says she's not been there all day. They look over to the flat and see the fire in the window. Nick gives the phone to Hayley to call 999 and kicks the door down. He finds Becky in the flat and manages to drag her out safely. Roy puts a coat on the ground and they lay her on it as the firetruck comes screaming around the corner. (They should have called for fire instead of ambulance for Katy's delivery, they'd have got there a lot quicker than the EMTs!)

Over at Number 1, Leanne wonders where Peter is. Steve and Tracy are cuddling. Peter finally arrives but tells Steve about the fire at the flat. He runs out followed by assorted Barlows. Becky is pronounced alive as Kylie comes around the corner too. She cradles Becky in her lap. Steve is also concerned. Kylie accuses Tracy of causing Becky to try to top herself. Tracy of course, is falsely concerned but Kylie has to be restrained from knocking her block off. Tracy does look worried, as if maybe she does think Becky tried to kill herself because of her.

In Number 11, Eileen has not cooked that turkey. It's now sporting a paper hat and sunglasses and she's talking to it. She decides she's going out.

Steve tells Amy that Becky will be fine. She wants to go see her but is distracted by Leanne's offer of a board game. Tracy points out that Becky was very drunk and it will have been an accident, not a suicide bid. Steve won't let this spoil things because you know, it's all about Tracy. Deirdre goes out the back for a cig.

Outside on the pavement, Eileen walks towards the pub and runs into Paul and Lesley who is not looking the worse for wear after any sort of fall, a fall she doesn't remember having anyway. They've come to apologize about not coming to dinner and Eileen pretends she had a house full but they're all gone so she's heading for the pub. She talks them into coming with her rather than letting them see the uncooked turkey on her table and they join her.

Tracy joins her mother out the back, grilling her over her pointed looks. Deirdre is horrified that Becky might have tried to top herself. Tracy doesn't think Becky did and only tried it for the sympathy vote. Deirdre points out that Steve proposed to her not Becky so he must love her. Deirdre thinks Tracy can be honest with Steve because the lies are not going to help the relationship. Tracy says she's not taking any chances and reminds Deirdre how Becky trashed their house. Upping the emotional blackmail, she tells her mother "It's her or me!"

Kylie and David are with Becky in hospital. Becky apologizes. Kylie sends David to get her a cuppa and when he leaves she asks Becky if it was on purpose. Becky says it was an accident, trying to burn photos in the bin. (they've not even washed her face off!) She tells Kylie about Steve's proposal and cries that she loves Steve. Tracy's won and Steve hates her. Kylie says she only wins if Becky lets her and she should prove she didn't do what Tracy is lying about. Kylie pushes her to fight but Becky doesn't seem to have any fight left in her at the moment.

Norris is scowling in the pub, Mary's imagination has Nick carrying Becky through the fire like King Kong (I don't know how much wine she had at dinner but it must have been considerable). Everyone is talking about it, and most are hoping Becky will be ok, except Norris of course. Jason is scowling over his shoulder at his mother who's sitting with Lesley and Paul. Paul gets up for drinks and Lesley gets upset that Paul is gone. Anna comes in and sees Izzy and Gary together and is chuffed. Paul returns and there's a bit of gossip about that until hero Nick comes in with Gail and Audrey. They are offered free drinks.

Fiz gets ready to go up for bed, leaving Katy and Ches on the sofa with the baby. Katy is a bit intimidated. Chesney assures her they'll learn together.

Stella rings last orders in the pub. Mary sighs about the wonderful day in spite of a few setbacks. Dennis remembers last Christmas when he was homeless and leans over to kiss Rita on the cheek. Stella calls out Merry Christmas, they all toast the season and Stella dreams of owning the pub.

Becky's hospital room door opens and Deirdre ducks in. Nobody knows she's there. It looks like Deirdre is almost about to spill the beans but she can't quite bring herself to. She expresses sympathy for Becky instead and suggests that Becky should just move away and make a fresh start. Becky can tell Deirdre's lying and thinks Tracy sent her to try to make sure Becky leaves. She's upset because Tracy has already taken everything from her and now wants rid of her, too. Well, guess what? Becky has the spirit back and she's going to prove she's innocent and that Tracy is a lying, manipulative little bitch. Deirdre is instructed to go and warn Tracy to enjoy it while she can.

And I say, Go Becky!

Tvor Written by Damon Rochefort and John Kerr Directed by Terry Dyddgen-Jones

Here's the first of an hour long episode:

Hayley and Roy have come to the hospital to see Becky. She's ok, just a bit of smoke inhalation and will be released today. The Croppers invite her back to the cafe to stay and Hayley apologizes for any doubts she had. Becky puts the blame firmly on Tracy.

Steve and Tracy come downstairs. Ken notes that the fire inspector has been. Deirdre wonders how Becky is and both Tracy and Steve seem unsympathetic, Tracy insultingly so and Steve dismissive. Amy is busy with her new presents, Ken suggests they take a nice walk later on. Steve says he's got plans, he's got to buy an engagement ring which thrills Tracy. Ken mentions Becky again which gives Tracy another chance to be vile.

Rosie has made breakfast for Sian and Sophie, complete with Buck's fizz but it's non-alcoholic. Sophie seems thoughtful but says it's only because there's so much to do. Rosie is intent on giving them the last word in lesbian hen parties. Sophie comments that Rosie seems even more excited than they are (well, than she is, clearly) but Sian giggles and says no way!

In the corner shop, Sunita chats with Amber who says she's going to the hen party later and breaks the news that she's been asked to be a bridesmaid. Sunita reveals she knows about Sophie's crush and doesn't think this is such a good idea. Amber really didn't think she could talk her way out of it after Sian asks.

Stella opens more Christmas cards, Eva is messing with a hair extension and Karl is a bit hungover. They chat about Stella's Auntie Vi who's sent 100 pounds which Stella is putting in the Rovers fund. Eva doesn't think they have a chance but Stella is determined. Karl suggests that Eva pay rent and even Stella doesn't seem to think it's a bad idea. Eva, as you would expect, strops off. Karl points out that if she's serious about buying the pub, every penny counts.

Steve is trying to get through to the hospital to see how Becky is while gazing up at the damaged flat but then sees her get out of the Woody with Roy and Hayley at the cafe. He isn't as concerned as you thought, though, with a snarky "Happy now???" Becky is snarky back and Roy interrupts by declaring the fire was an accident and was confirmed by the fire warden's report. Harsh words are exchanged and we see Eva in the back of the scene for a minute, establishing that she's seen Becky back from hospital. Roy very rightly points out to Steve that he knows all too well that Tracy will say what suits her to get what she wants and calls Steve a fool. Point goes to Roy.

Eva has run back around the corner to the Platts'. Nick invites her to lunch. Gail is ok with that but asks for help. Nobody volunteers and makes lame excuses. Kylie is about to phone the hospital, allowing Eva to extol her knowledge that Becky is back. Kylie jumps up and heads out to see Becky. Gail attempts once more to get help peeling vegetables and since nobody will, she downs tools, grabs a glass of wine and her new Stephen King book and puts her feet up.

Roy wants to open the cafe but Sylvia is intent on making them all a Boxing Day lunch of a baked ham. Hayley chides Roy and says Sylvia wants to welcome Becky back and they can do without opening for one day. Kylie runs in and hugs her. Becky assures Kylie she's ok and asks if it's ok if Kylie stays. Sylvia orders everyone around in preparation.

Back at Platt Towers, Eva is giggling over something Nick said and David has just come in from playing with Max. Gail decides to order her minions in the kitchen but Eva takes offence at being made to help. Gail points out she wasn't even invited and has sat there drinking all Gail's wine. Nick scolds her for embarrassing Eva but Gail has a hissy fit (and rightly so) and tells them all if they want to eat, they can pull their fingers out. Nick mumbles that he should move out and he and Eva leave for the Bistro. Gail is ticked off and throws her book at David for making a smart remark and warns him it could have been worse if he hadn't been too tight to buy her the hardcover version.

In Number 5, Anna is cuddling the new baby. Kirk mentions a Mexican he once knew named Jesus. "It's a whole different ball game over there!" Anna is chuffed at the wonderful Christmas, with the baby, and Gary and Izzy back together. Even Faye has gone with Owen into town to exchange some pressies. The conversation ends with the girls deciding they're going to have a night out and the boys will babysit. Chesney says it's fine, he's got to get used to it sometime and Kirk avows he's looked after Liam loads of times. A newborn and a year old will be a doddle. Hmmmm....

Sophie is putting up a "Mrs. and Mrs." banner. Rosie lets Amber in the door which deflates Sophie's mood. Amber makes another snide remark about her not being able to commit to marriage but brags that she's got a boyfriend, causing Sophie to glare daggers. Rosie takes Sian upstairs to see her in her dress. Sian mentions that her dad hasn't called back yet. Amber and Sophie talk about Amber being bridesmaid. Sophie says she's marrying Sian and the world doesn't revolved around Amber. She gives Amber some balloons to blow up and leaves to do another errand.

Sylvia is bigging herself up on the phone to Milton, putting on a very posh accent and talking about Christmas lunch with local business leaders. David comes in looking for Kylie. Roy apologizes for his mother. Kylie tells Becky that all these stunts make her look like a mental case. They all know she didn't push Tracy. Kylie advises Becky to act her age and don't let the cow get to her because it makes her look more guilty.

The babies are asleep and Gary brings out cans for the three of them. They fire up a loud video game on the telly and yet the baby sleeping right there doesn't wake up.

Eva has been looking up flats on the laptop and moaning about the prices of them and doesn't really want to flatshare. Nick suggests she share with someone she knows. She smiles at him and turns to seat Izzy, Fiz, Anna and Katy who've just arrived.

Sophie has gone to the shop after a walk. She finds out that Sunita knows that Amber is bridesmaid and asks Sunita to try to talk Amber into pulling out. She really doesn't want Amber in the church looking snide while she's marrying Sian. Sunita wonders if Sophie is having any doubts but she vehemently says she loves Sian but just doesn't want Amber there. Sunita says she'll try but you can see she isn't sure about Sophie.

Down the road, both babies are now awake and crying. Kirk is jostling Hope and singing Lady Gaga's Poker Face to her. Gary is disgusted with the mess and noise and reckons if they videoed it and showed it in schools, that would drop the birth rates like a stone. Miraculously, both babies quiet and possibly drop off to sleep again.

Stella comes in for a minute to make up with Eva who smugly says it doesn't matter because she and Nick are moving in together. That's news to Nick as well as Stella. The girls have been downing drinks and are late for the movie so they decide to stay warm and dry right where they are. Another round of drinks is ordered (orange juice for Katy). Eva goes back to the bar but Nick speaks up and says he's not ready to move in with her yet. He wants time on his own after living with his mother. She gets hissy and stalks away.

Becky comes down into the cafe. Roy looks up and says he's glad she's there. Becky clasps Roy tight, wishing she'd had a dad like him growing up. Roy uncomfortably puts up with the affection. Becky says she's got to prove she didn't do this and thanks Roy for everything he's done. She heads to the door and says there's something she has to do.

In the pub, Stella has told Karl what Eva is up to and can't get over it. She warns Karl to keep his opinions to himself because he's the one that started all this. The seniors are gathered in a booth. Norris wonders what you wear to a lesbian hen night. Rita has been invited, apparently. She doesn't really care what she wears, she's going to help the girls celebrate. Norris tries again to wind up someone and asks Emily what she thinks of the girls marrying in a church. If it's good enough for God, it's good enough for her, Emily declares. There are a few sarky remarks exchanged between Sylvia and Mary who's becoming very unlikable these days.

At the bar, Steve tells Karl he's been to buy an engagement ring. Karl is pleased that Eva is moving out but Eva comes in sniveling. Turns out she thinks Nick has broke off with her and she's broken a heel on the cobbles. Karl sighs in defeat. Over in the booth, Norris figures there's no talent in being able to play a musical instrument and bigs up his own talents on the keyboard. Sylvia offers a bet, first to play a tune note perfect wins 50 quid. Deal.

Sophie arrives home to find Sian crying that her dad has refused to come to the wedding, nor are her grandparents coming. She's really upset. Sophie offers to postpone until they can be talked round.

Tracy is looking at wedding dresses in a magazine with a less than enthusiastic Deirdre. Ken offers to take Amy to her sleepover and leaves. Deirdre tells Tracy she can't go through with the wedding. Steve might find out and Becky is determined to prove her innocence. Tracy doesn't think anything will happen, it's Becky's word against hers. Nobody will believe Becky after her recent behaviour.

Becky, meanwhile, is at the police station and says she's there to report an assault and she's the perpetrator, not the victim.

Tvor

This is the second half of the hour long episode for Monday December 26th

The first scene opens with Becky giving her statement to a policewoman. She explains that she's been accused of something which she didn't do: killing two unborn babies.

Over at the Websters', Sian and Sophie are arguing about the wedding surrounded by bobbing helium-filled balloons. Sophie is trying to convince Sian that she has suggested postponing the wedding to give Sian the chance to persuade her father to change his mind and come after all. Sian says that it's his loss and that the only two people she wants there are Sophie and her mum. Finally, they hug and make up although it's very clear from the petulant expression on Sophie's face that she's not exactly eager to walk down the aisle.

Rosie, barely wearing a sparkly silver mini-dress, lets in Rita and Sunita. "No, Bananarama have not reformed," announces Rita. "We're here for the hen party.

As Sian takes Rita off to get her a drink, Sunita has a quiet word with Sophie and asks if everything's alright. "Yes, thanks Sunita," she replies although there's no chance to continue their chat as Rosie cuts in to tell Sophie that it's not too late to change her dress … or is she referring to something else?

Back at the police station Becky is still giving her statement. "It's rather an extreme allegation for Miss Barlow to make," observes the policewoman. "Try being on the receiving end of it, love" replies Becky. She continues to explain why they hate each other so much but concludes "No matter what's gone on, she has still lost them babies." We get the sense that the policewoman believes Becky's version of events and she tells Becky that she will be going to pay Tracy a visit.

In the Rovers, Sylvia is waxing lyrical to Emily, Mary and Dennis about the time she spent with Milton on the cruise and how he used to serenade her with his banjo under the stars. "It sounds lovely," smiles Emily. "Like a dream."

"Like a daydream," sniffs Mary, knocking back her schooner of sherry.

"It was only a matter of time before you were snatched up," says Dennis. "I just wasn't fast enough."

"Perhaps you didn't have big enough hands," retorts Mary before going off to talk to Norris who is standing at the bar, deep in thought. He's worried about his bet with Sylvia. Mary is full of confidence on his behalf but as Norris observes, he's not exactly Richard Clayderman. He confesses to Mary that he exaggerated his musical abilities to shut Sylvia up and that he can only play two tunes on the piano and neither of those very well.

At another table in the pub, Tracy is showing off her new engagement ring to Ken and Deirdre. As Deirdre gulps down her wine and orders another, Steve notices that she is looking even more haggard and tense than usual but Tracy tries to convince him that it's just the excitement of all the Christmas festivities.

Back at the Stape-Battersby-Brown house, baby Joseph is exercising his little lungs. Kirk comes downstairs to tell Chesney that Hope is asleep. Gary has gone home because he couldn't stand the noise any more.

Kirk says it's amazing something so small could make so much noise or smell that bad. Chesney says it can't be the baby as he's only just changed him. Kirk then realises that the source of the odour is the pizza which they'd left in the oven and which has now burnt to a cinder.

The phone rings but Chesney is reluctant to answer it in case it's Katy and she hears Joseph is crying and knows he's not coping. So Kirk takes hold of the baby for him. As Chesney's talking to Katy on the phone Joseph calms down in Kirk's arms and he's able to tell her that everything is fine and the babies are both asleep.

Returning to the Rovers we hear Sylvia asking Emily about Norris's musical talents. Emily tries to be tactful but it's clear she doesn't reckon on them and, as Dennis says to Sylvia, either Norris is hiding his light under a bushel or she's going to get a nice little Christmas bonus. We see Mary listening in to the conversation.

The police officer who interviewed Becky comes into the pub and tells Stella that she needs to ask her a couple of questions.

Mary ambushes Norris as he comes out of the Gents' desperate to tell him about an idea she's just had. She will be his tutor and teach him to play the Piano. As she says, it will be just like the film of the same name and she will play the part of Holly Hunter. "But wasn't she a mute?" asks Norris, with a look of worried bewilderment on his face. "Music will be our language," Mary replies breathlessly.

The police officer goes up to Tracy who is still sitting with her parents and Steve, flashes her identity card and asks to have a word. She tells Tracy that they've received information that she's accused Becky of serious assault. "Assault? More like murder!" says Steve. Tracy looks concerned.

Tracy says that she had a miscarriage, Steve tries to interrupt to say that Becky pushed her down the stairs and the worry lines on Deirdre's face get so deep that she looks as though she's about to implode. Tracy says she doesn't want to talk about it and Deirdre tries to come to her rescue by saying that she's still very upset.

The police officer wants to know why, if an assault took place, nobody reported it and then Ken asks how the police got to hear about it, at which point Becky arrives on the scene and says she told them.

The police officer suggests continuing the conversation down at the police station and, whilst Norris strains to hear what's going on from the adjoining booth, Becky explains that she went to the police because, having been accused by Tracy of pushing her down the stairs, she really wants to hear Tracy saying it to the police herself.

Tracy is told that if she wants to report an assault then she has to make a statement but, despite Steve and Ken telling her she has to do it, she refuses. When Becky asks her to tell them why not Tracy sobs it's because it won't bring her babies back, nothing will, and she rushes out of the pub.

We then go back to Kirk and Chesney where Joseph is sleeping happily in his Moses basket. Chesney asks Kirk what he did and Kirk says it was something he learned to do with Liam when he looked after him but he didn't realise it would work on all babies. He whispers words to them from his favourite films. In Liam's case Kung Fu Panda did the trick but with Joseph he lulled him to sleep with lines from Blade Runner.

Over at the Websters' celebrations are in full swing and Rosie asks Rita if it's her first lesbian hen party. Amber turns up and Sunita asks her what she's doing there. When she says it's because Sophie's a mate, Sunita tells her to start acting like one. Sophie is distressed that Sunita hasn't convinced Amber not to be a bridesmaid and Sunita advises Sophie that she should talk to Amber herself.

Sally gives a short speech saying how, although she wasn't happy when she first discovered Sophie was gay, let alone when she knew she wanted to get married, she is now really proud of her and they drink a toast to the girls.

Amber asks Sophie to go outside for an early wedding present.

In the Rovers Eve is looking so miserable that Stella tells her she's scaring off the punters. At that moment Nick comes through the door saying he wants to talk to Eva and Stella suggests they go through to the back.

Becky overhears Norris et al discussing the Becky/Tracy saga. Norris says it's not often he feels sorry for Tracy Barlow but Sylvia defends Becky saying she would never do what she's been accused of.

Talk then turns to the music competition and what pieces they should play. Mary says that, as Norris's muse, she would like to choose something for him and turns down Sylvia's first two suggestions of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" which, rather surprisingly, turns out to be one of Emily's favourites.

Stella tries to stop Becky ordering another drink but Becky is obviously determined to get drunk.

At the Barlows' they're discussing what just took place in the Rovers whilst standing outside the back door. Ken and Deirdre go inside, leaving Steve and Tracy to have a quick word with each other. Tracy apologises to Steve but he tells her that she has nothing to be sorry for and none of it is her fault … if only he knew.

Sophie and Amber have moved into the back garden and Sophie is asking Amber what she wants and tells her that, whatever it is, she should make it quick. She tells Amber to stop playing games. Amber says that they used to be mates and asks Sophie why she's blaming her for everything that's gone wrong between her and Sian. Sophie tries to say that there is nothing wrong. So then Amber asks Sophie what she would say if Amber was to tell her that she was in love with her. Sophie asks her why she's still trying to mess with her head and Amber replies that it's because she's trying to get her to see that she's making a mistake by going ahead and marrying Sian.

Sophie asks if she's saying that because she hates her and Amber replies no, it's quite the opposite, and then goes to kiss her. At that moment Sunita comes out into the garden and asks what's going on.

In the back room of the Rovers Nick is explaining to Eve that he really likes her and that the only reason he doesn't want to move in with her is that it's too soon. They kiss and make up, just as Stella walks through the door. Nick leaves and Eva tells Stella that they will move in together but Nick just doesn't know it yet.

Back in the Websters' garden, Sunita is having a go at Amber who is trying to defend her actions by saying that she was just doing it to get Sophie to see that she shouldn't be marrying Sian. Amber storms off and Sunita asks Sophie if she's alright, telling her that she knows she is worried. Sophie, who looks even more miserable than usual, says that the only thing she's worried about is letting Sian down.

In the Rovers, Kevin's buying himself a pint. Steve comes in and tells Stella he's on his own because Tracy wanted to be left alone. Becky appears at that moment and Steve makes a snide comment. "I just want to finish my drink and go," she says. "Why don't you do us all a favour and skip to the last bit?" asks Steve. Becky attempts to tell him that she tried doing him a favour but he's having none of it. Steve ends up calling her scum and Becky replies that, even if she is, she wouldn't change places with him.

Fiz and Katy return from their night out. The boys are relaxing on the sofa, the babies are fast asleep and Fiz is amazed to hear that they've not had any problems for the whole evening. They almost get away with it until Katy spots a pile of dirty nappies and a charcoal-coloured pizza in the bin.

At the Websters' the hen party is breaking up and Sian instructs Sophie to get a good night's sleep before kissing her goodbye. Sunita then comes back to ask if she and Sophie can talk. Sophie declines so Sunita says she can run away from her but she can't run away from how she really feels. Kevin comes past at that moment and asks how the party was. Sophie stomps off so Kevin asks Sunita what's up. She tells him that she thinks Sophie's having second thoughts about the wedding because of Amber.

Over at the Barlows' Deirdre is stubbing out a cigarette into one of her pottery creations. Tracy comes in and Deirdre tells her she couldn't sleep. She says she's at her wits' end and doesn't know how she can keep quiet about what Tracy's done but Tracy tells her she has no choice and neither has she. She points out that now the police are involved she risks being put in prison if they find out the truth and she could lose Amy. She asks Deirdre if she'll stand by her and Deirdre replies that of course she will because she's her mother.

Karen Jankel

Sophie goes to see Sian before the wedding. She starts, hesitantly, to explain why she's come, when Sian gets a jewellery box out of her bag and gives it to her. It's a really pretty bracelet and it throws Sophie off course. She tries to continue, but Sian says she knows she's nervous, she is too. It's a huge commitment, just the two of them, together forever, but Sophie is the only girl she's ever loved. Sophie looks more and more uncomfortable and just ends up saying she loves Sian. They hug.

Becky is outside when her sister comes past. She tells Kylie she's ok, and she's grateful to Roy and Hayley for taking her in. She has a feeling everything is going to turn out ok.

Audrey is round at Sally's, doing Sophie's hair for the wedding. Kevin asks Sally if Sophie is ok. She tells her she is, but she's very nervous, just like Sally was on her wedding day. Just then Rosie comes in a tells them she's just seen Sian and she looks gorgeous. Kevin asks for 5 minutes alone with Sophie in the conservatory.

Gail has just finished cleaning at the Bistro when Eva comes in and tells Nick she's found him the perfect penthouse appartment to rent. She thinks they should go and view it right now. After a few sarcastic comments, Gail says she'll go with them. Eva doesn't look too happy about that.

Out in the conservatory, Kevin tells Sophie that he's spoken to Sunita. Sophie is cross, Sunita seems to think she knows everything about Sophie, but Sophie hardly knows her. Kevin says Sunita thinks Sophie could be having second thoughts. Sophie tells him that no one else she ever meets could hold a candle to her Sian. Kevin realises she is thinking of other people and asks who she's trying to convince, him or herself? He tells her that forever is a hell of a long time.

Amber steps out into the Street, dressed in a smart dress and high heels, for the wedding. Round the corner, in front of the shop, she meets Dev, who says she looks gorgeous, and a tight-lipped Sunita. As Amber goes off to Sophie's house, Dev asks Sunita what's wrong, what hasn't she told him. "Your daughter is trouble, I've been telling you that from day 1," says Sunita.

A frosty Emily arrives at the Kabin to collect Rita for the wedding. She says how she's tired because Norris and Mary were making a lot of noise on the piano till all hours. Norris said it was hard to play with Mary rapping him on the knuckles with a ruler.

Steve and Tracy are walking down the Street. She's worried that No. 13 might be unlucky, but Steve is sure it won't be for them. (I should think that's doom guaranteed then!) Becky passes them, with a cursory greeting. "No kick-off!" remarks Steve.

Sophie comes out of her front door on Kevin's arm. Onlookers gasp and take photos and then she gets into the waiting car. Kevin asks again if she's sure she wants to go through with it. "Everybody's watching," says Sophie, "just put your foot down and drive."

Steve and Tracy go round to see Stella and Karl to see if they want to buy the pub. Tracy makes out there are other people interested, although Steve isn't quite so convincing. Tracy says she thanks God that Lloyd's personal life was such a mess that he had to do a runner. Stella gives her a sharp look, and she hastily adds that it was dead sad, but every cloud....

The guests are arriving at the little country church for Sian and Sophie's wedding. Sally and Kevin greet Sian's mother. Her father won't be coming, he thinks it's all disgusting. Bill and Pam arrive and say hello to Sally and Kevin before sitting down.

Nick, Eva and Gail have returned from viewing the flat. Eva thought it was lovely, so therefore Gail finds fault with everything.

The two brides, in matching dresses, appear at the church door and walk up the aisle.

Stella has received some money from Auntie Vi (looks to be about 100 pounds) which she puts in an envelope as Karl walks into the room. Just then the phone rings and, tucking the envelope behind a Christmas card, she rushes off to answer it. Karl seems to take special notice of where she's put it.

Sylvia is sitting in the Rovers with Mary and Norris, bemoaning the fact that Roy isn't happy because she's used his landline to phone Milton in Palm Springs a few times. Norris asks how much the bill is, but she will only say that she's promised to pay out of the winnings from their little wager. Then she tells him she's decided on the piece of music – Ain't She Sweet. Norris looks confused. "How does that go?" he asks.

In the church, Sian is reading her declaration to Sophie who doesn't seem to know where to look. She seems to be uncomfortable and embarrassed. Then it's her turn. She starts, but falters, and starts again. Then falters again. Then Kevin stands up and tells her she doesn't have to go through with it if she doesn't want to. There's a silence and the congregation all look at one another.

Karl is now alone in the back room of the pub. He pulls the envelope out from behind the Christmas card and pockets the cash.

Back in the Church, Sally tells Kevin to sit down. "Yes, but if she isn't ready..?" he says. Sophie snaps that she is ready. "She's ready," says Sally with some force. Kevin wants to know how come Sophie told Sunita she wasn't. Sian wants to know what this is all about and turns to Sunita, who hesitatingly says that she wondered if Sophie should be swearing in front of God if she was having second thoughts. Kevin then reminds Sophie that forever is a very long time. Sian is annoyed that Sophie seems to have been discussing it with the whole Street, and not her. Sophie then gets tearful and Sian rushes out of the church. "Now look what you've done!" snaps Sally to Kevin, as Sian's mother follows her daughter.

Anne Logan

Only one part tonight...

Sian races out of the church like a dandelion fairy caught in a strong wind, Sophie races after her. "Sian! Wait! Listen to me!" It's too late. Sian hates Sophie. Sophie tries to explain that her dad's an idiot. She promises she wants to be with Sian for the rest of her life but Sian can't understand why she couldn't promise that in church. Meanwhile, Sally has a go at Kevin for opening his big mouth. She's quite sure that if Sophie had any doubts she would have told her mother.

Dev's annoyed that he spent 20 quid getting his suit drycleaned. He's immune to the withering looks from Amber and Sunita as he witters on about women changing their minds for no reason.

Sophie goes back to the church door where Sally and Rosie try to comfort her.

Yay! Beth's back! Steve's ex, the ex-model with the enormous son called Craig, arrives for an interview at Frank's business. Does his business have a name? I can't recall hearing it. Anyway, Ann's all set to send Beth away immediately. If she can't even get to an interview on time . . . But Frank overrules her. Ann calls her "Bet" and Beth wonders if she's dyslexic, illiterate or whether it's an eyesight thing. Beth tries to flatten the creases out of her crumpled CV and hands it over.

Mary's trying to coach Norris but he's put off by the sight of Sylvia explaining a tune to Peter. "Her fingers know where to go even when she's not holding it!" Mary pooh poohs this - any one can play an invisible instrument, she reckons. Peter and Carla exchange glances as she walks past. Karl arrives to put on a bet.

The Websters arrive back home. Sophie hates Kevin - he ruins everyone's lives because he wants everyone to be as miserable as he is. Sally suggests he leave while she goes to make sure nobody turns up for the wake. "I mean, reception."

Rosie recommends vodka. She goes off to get some and Sophie lets herself into the house. In the time-honoured way, Sian is shoving her belongings into a bin bag. Sophie chases her into the conservatory, trying to stop her. Sian says her mum will be back soon. She's just gone to get some boxes. Sophie weeps that she just got scared. Sian can't understand why Kevin would say what he did. "It was you who couldn't say your vows, not him."

Beth's convinced Ann that she knows how to sew, though most of her work has been in supermarkets. Beth doesn't have a reference but she explains that isn't her fault. At the end of a long shift there was a barcode malfunction and an iceberg lettuce came up at 49 pounds. She spent 20 minutes trying to punch in the code before lobbing the lettuce. "Me manager reckoned nobody had been so comprehensively taken out by an iceberg since Leonardo di Caprio." Frank seems quite amused by Beth but Ann just wants to find an excuse to tell her No. Beth hands over a perfectly sewn pair of knickers and Frank tells her the job's hers. Beth's ever so grateful and glad she went to the bother of gluing her false tooth in. Ann nearly explodes. When Beth has gone, Ann tells Frank they should have discussed it. "My business!" snaps Frank. "Will you just back off!"

Sophie's reminiscing over clothes. Sian's still not ready to talk about anything. Sophie reminds her that Sian said she was scared when she gave Sophie the bracelet. Sian says the difference is that she swore in front of God and their parents and everyone that she wanted to be with Sophie for the rest of her life. She doesn't want to see Sophie ever again. "Sian, please don't leave me." Sophie weeps and weeps.

The Alahans are back. For some reason they shut the shop while they went to the wedding. When Dev's not with them, Sunita has a go at Amber, who reckons the girls had a narrow escape. Sunita knows Amber must have said something to Sophie. Amber refuses to admit it. She says she couldn't have interfered if there was nothing wrong.

Frank tells Ann he's sick of being ordered about in his own factory. Ann thinks there must be something else wrong. Frank says she can run the factory any way she wants once he's in jail. Ann suggests they have people over in the New Year to start it on a positive note.

Sian's still packing clothing into a Tardis-like carry-all. At least she listens while Sophie tries to explain why she got frightened. She says she was overthinking yesterday. Her parents definitely loved each other once but it still just fell to pieces. What if she and Sian promise to love each other forever and then life throws something at them that they can't handle? And what if Sophie then lets down Sian? Sian says she's already let her down. I must say that Sophie's crying is some of the most convincing I've ever seen from a Corrie actor. Sophie pleads with Sian to go with her to the church or a registrar and she'll swear to love Sian forever. She's just found out what it would be like to lose Sian and she can't bear it. "I'd die. I know I would." Sian thinks and then quietly says OK. "But if you ever make me feel this lonely and hurt again, I swear . . ." She goes to sort out her face and to ring her mum. Sophie says she'll ring Rosie and Jason because they need two witnesses.

Peter arrives at Carla's flat.

Karl arrives at the pub with an envelope. He tucks some money back into a card on the mantelpiece. Stella comes in and he produces a huge wad of cash towards their deposit for the pub.

Rosie comes into the house. She says she's done better than find Jason - this will be an all-girl affair because she's brought Amber as the other witness. "I didn't say I'd witness. I said I wanted to speak to her," Amber says. Sophie doesn't want Amber in the house. Amber wants Sophie to tell Sunita that what happened wasn't her fault. She still thinks Sophie's making a mistake. Rosie is confused and Sophie admits she had a stupid crush on Amber. "But I am so over it now." She blames Amber for kissing her in the first place. She says Amber just wants everyone to fancy her. "I'm lucky to have what I've got because I love Sian." Sophie says she just got scared. Amber tries to tell her that shouldn't have happened if she really loved Sian. Sophie insists she's going to make her marriage work no matter how hard it gets. She says that now she knows Amber properly she knows she wasn't really in love with her and she wishes the kiss had never happened. Behind her, of course, Sian comes quietly down the stairs.

Peter and Carla kiss but are interrupted by the door buzzer. It's Ann. Carla's startled but buzzes her up. She sends Peter into the bedroom.

"No wonder you wanted to rush things," Sian says. "No wonder you were in such a hurry to get to the shop all the time." She tells Sophie she hates her.

Carla's not keen to talk to Ann. Ann tells her that if she refuses to testify, Ann will make sure Frank withdraws all interest in Underworld. Carla refuses. Ann says that would make sure she got her business back but Carla says that will happen when Frank's in jail. "I want you to leave. Don't you ever ring my doorbell again." Ann tells her to think about it when she's calmed down. "Get out!" screeches Carla. She slams the door behind Ann. Peter comes out. He's sure it's blackmail. Carla says he could back her up on what Ann just said but Peter points out they'd have to explain why he was in Carla's bedroom. It's just Carla's word against Ann's now.

Sian's in the car with Sophie, face tear-streaked, swollen and snotty, banging on the window. Kevin comes out of the pub and sees her screaming and banging. Sian's mother comes out, telling Rosie she's driving off no matter where Sophie's stood. Jason drags her out of the way. As the car moves off, Sian crying too, Sophie sinks to the ground in her grief.

The End.
I hope Brooke Vincent is nominated for an award for her acting. She was brilliant
. Margaret Carr

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

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