2013


Wednesday 2 January

Chesney, Owen and Anna have arrived at the hospital, and the doctor tells them that Fiz has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. Chesney remarks that Fiz just had the boiler fixed. The doctor goes on to warn them that Fiz could have suffered permanent brain damage, she's in an induced coma and they won't know until she wakes up.

Sally is planning a trip to London to see Rosie, and chatting to Sophie about it, when Kevin turns up. He asks Sophie how her back is. "Why don't you ask Jenna?" she snaps. Sally urges her not to be too hard on her dad, she's going to need him to keep an eye on her while she's away. Sophie tells him she can manage fine, she doesn't want his help. Then she goes off to have a shower. Kevin and Sally talk, he's worried that Sophie hates him now. Sally invites him round for tea, she's sure that if he shows Sophie how sorry he is, she'll forgive him.

Kirsty and Tyrone are in the cafe. She remarks that he is quiet and wonders if he's worried about Fiz. He pretends that he isn't, and in the end she goes off to work.

In the cafe, Mary is worrying about her forthcoming Mexican evening and wants to go and talk to Nick, but Kylie tells her to leave him alone, he's in a foul mood.

Sunita tells Karl she wants a night out, and they talk about the bistro's Mexican night that's coming up.

Tina tells Tyrone and Roy about Fiz's treatment, Ty wants to go to the hospital, but Tina tells him he can't. Tyrone is eaten up with guilt, he quietly tells Tina how it was him who fixed the boiler. "If she dies, it's down to me!"

In the hospital, Fiz comes round. The doctor asks her questions - her name, the year etc. He thinks she's very lucky.

Michelle has taken Carla into the bistro to try and clear the air. Carla tells her she can keep her job, and she needs to be able to trust her. Michelle assures her that she can.

Nick and Gail come in, Gail's moaning about Leanne and Mary is upset because Nick thinks that her idea for a pinata, where blindfolded customers are hitting a toy donkey with a stick, is a recipe for disaster. Gail then tries to bring up the subject of the engagement ring that Nick bought for Leanne. Nick loses his temper then and asks who she is to give relationship advice, after the succession of freaks and nutters she's had in her bed over the years. Gail turns and walks out, obviously upset. Nick starts to go after her, but Lewis says that he will go, when the lunchtime rush has died down.

Just then Rob comes in and sees Carla and Michelle. "Well, isn't this cosy?" he says. Carla tells him to do one, and to move himself out of her flat too. Rob then makes remarks about blood being thicker than water. (He never thought of this when he was trying to swindle his sister!)

In the hospital corridor, Chesney is on the phone to the police, while Owen wonders who it was who messed about with the boiler.

Chesney goes in to see Fiz who has a bad headache. She asks who found her, and he tells her it was Tina. He asks who it was who fixed the boiler, and she mutters that she can't remember, it was just a name from a flyer that came through the door. Chesney is furious, if they hadn't gone on holiday they could all have been killed. He tells her the police are going to find out who did it. Fiz looks very worried.

After the break, Tina goes in to see Fiz and explains that it was actually Tyrone who found her, but they had to pretend it was her because of Kirsty. Fiz asks how Tyrone is, and Tina tells her he's in bits, going out of his mind with worry and how he wants to come and see her. "He can't!" says Fiz, quickly, and Tina assures her that he won't.

Back in Coronation Street, Kirsty and Tyrone are walking along. Kirsty goes into the Kabin for her magazines and Tyrone hurries over to the garage to talk to Tommy. Kevin comes over, and starts wondering what sort of person messes around with gas when they don't know what they're doing. Tyrone looks guilty.

Chesney and Katy come along, talking about the boiler, and Ches suddenly remembers that Tyrone fixed it the last time it broke. They walk over to where Tyrone, Tommy and Kevin are standing. Chesney then asks Tyrone if he knows who Fiz got to fix the boiler, saying that she can't remember. Just then Kirsty comes up, and, hearing the tail end of the conversation, asks if he's been round there fixing it again. "No," stammers Tyrone, and there's an awkward silence as Kirsty glares at him. Tommy then speaks up. "It was me," he says. They all stare at him in amazement. "What the hell do you know about boilers?" asks Kevin. Chesney is furious and says the police will be in touch.

Lewis has gone to see Gail, and is doing a good job of buttering her up, saying he can't believe the way Nick spoke to her. He says that Nick sent him over to see if she's going to work her shift later, and, personally he thinks she would be mad to do it. Gail says he's right, if Nick wants her he can come and apologise, she's sick of being treated like a doormat. As she walks out to her kitchen, Lewis sits at the table and smirks.

Rob is in the pub, talking to Underworld's important customer, and is basically poaching him. He says he puts the work out to machinists who work from home, so he doesn't have the same overheads. He tells him he can pay 20 percent less for the goods than he's currently paying Carla. The client is impressed. "You've got your first order, son," he says and they shake hands.

It's getting busy in the bistro and Nick is annoyed because Gail hasn't turned up for her shift. Eileen and Paul come in, but there's no free table for two. Just then Karl and Sunita come in, they want a table for two as well. Then Paul asks if they have a table for four, they don't mind sharing. Kylie can do this, leads them to a table.

Just then Leanne comes in to try to talk to Nick - not great timing, Leanne! He tells her he's too busy. Just then some more customers come in and he apologises, there's going to be a delay, they're a staff member down. "Not any more, you're not," says Leanne, and to his amazement, starts to help out by leading the customers to a table. "What are you doing?" he asks quietly. "Saving your bacon," she says, "shut up and get me an apron."

In Sally's house, they've just finished tea and Sophie wants to go off to her room. Sally stops her and Kevin has a chat to her telling her how sorry he was for what happened with Jenna. In the end, Sophie accepts his apology.

Back at the bistro, Karl and Eileen are discussing Stella and Jason, knocking back shots and getting drunk. Leanne is still helping out and Kylie tells Nick that she got them out of a massive hole.

Kevin has gone into the pub. Tommy comes in, and Kevin has a go at him for messing about with Fiz's boiler. Tina is horrified when she learns how he confessed in order to help Tyrone. She says it was a brave thing for him to do but now he could be in trouble with the police.

Michelle and Carla are in the pub, and Rob comes in. He tells Carla that he has packed his stuff, her flat is all hers again.

Tommy gets a text from Tyrone, he wants to meet him at Tina's flat later.

Lewis goes to see Gail, saying he was worried about her all evening. She wants to know if they coped without her. He tells her they did, Leanne stepped in and Nick was very grateful. Gail is aghast. Lewis says that Nick seems to be mesmerised by her, but that affairs of the heart are never straightforward. He stares into her eyes and tells her that she's a remarkable woman. He leans forward and their lips meet. He then seems to collect himself and jumps up, apologising, and leaves.

Tyrone arrives at Tina's flat and thanks Tommy for what he did. Tina tells him that's all very well, but Tommy could go down for this. Tyrone assures her that if it got that far he would confess, and then just face the consequences with Kirsty.

Anne Logan


Friday 4 January

Gail feels like dancing and is singing so as she cleans/squirts cleaning liquid randomly about the bistro. Nick points out that the Nolans are not usually on the playlist. Gail is so chirpy he realises there must be a man in her picture somewhere. He asks if he knows him. Gail assures him that nobody really knows this man. "Except me."

In the back room of the pub, Leanne talks to Stella about the whole Nick/Peter situation. She says that seeing Peter's smug face at work every day has made her realise that what she really wants is Nick.

Tommy arrives at the hospital with a huge bouquet of flowers for Fiz. Of course they're from Tyrone. Tommy tells Fiz about Chesney confronting Tyrone and how Tommy confessed. Next thing, Chesney arrives to visit, takes offence at Tommy being there, snatches the flowers from Fiz and frog marches them and Tommy off the ward.

Lewis is glad to see Gail smiling and she gives him the credit for getting her back on to her feet. They're interrupted by Inspector Jack Meadows from The Bill. Oh, wait. . . it's a friend of Lewis's called Patrick. Gail tells Lewis to sit down for a chat with Patrick. She'll cover for him.

At the bookies, the very smarmy Peter hopes he and Leanne can be friends. Nope. He can't understand why. "I worry about you, Lee. I never stopped caring about you." Blearghh. Pass the sick bag! He tells her that Nick wasn't right for her and in time she'll realise Peter has done her a favour.

Gail listens as Patrick tells Lewis all about his hotel near San Gimignano in Tuscany. He hasn't arrived by accident, he says. He's come especially to find Lewis.

Carla and Michelle find Rob in the middle of moving into a Victoria Court apartment. They're not happy.

Owen spots Tommy in the street and rushes up to harangue him about what might have happened to Katie and Joseph. He restrains himself from thumping Tommy. Gary warns Tommy he'd better stay away from Owen. Oh, and stay away from gas boilers and all.

Patrick's opening another hotel. He praises Lewis's classiness, as evidenced by his wine knowledge. He offers him a job in the classy new hotel, complete with his own luxury apartment with balcony. "Shall we shake on it?" he asks. Lewis pauses, looks at Gail, who's been earwigging all along, and declines the offer.

Poor Tommy's being harangued again, this time by Roy, who thought everyone would know not to mess with gas. Tina diverts him by ordered a full English breakfast and tells Tommy how admiring she is of what he's done for Tyrone. She hopes they can be friends again. Tommy hopes so too, because he doesn't have many and the Health and Safety people are coming to see him this afternoon. Tyrone promised he'd confess if things got serious but Tommy says he can't let him do that. He'd lose Ruby forever.

David's telling some hilarious hairdressing story but Gail is far, far away. She tells him about Lewis turning down his dream job. David thinks there must be something dodgy going on.

Kevin finds Jenna in the pub and apologises profusely. He tells her Sophie shouldn't have to suffer because of his stupid drunk actions.

Michelle gets to the factory office in time to hear Carla shouting at someone on the phone. It seems McNee's have cancelled their order. They can do this quite easily because the contract was never actually signed, even though Underworld has bought the fabric and started production. Michelle says the deal was agreed but Mr McNee was going on holiday and said he'd sign when he got back.

Nick is so impressed by Lewis turning down the job that he offers to increase his pay. Lewis says he's happy where he is but Gail is skeptical. Lewis says he can tell her the real reason as long as it's in private. He suggests going to her place.

Tommy goes to the garage to see Tyrone and is harangued by Kevin. The health and safety people turn up to interview Tommy.

Leanne rushes Simon from school to Peter's car. Simon's got football practice. He says they won't start without him because he's the best player. Leanne lectures him about arrogance and Peter counters with the suggestion that a bit of arrogance is part of the make-up of a lot of very good players. Nick comes past and comments on the happy family tableau. Peter takes Simon off to practice and Leanne tries to convince Nick that she's sorry. She fails.

Dennis has been to the cash-and-carry and wants to go upstairs to soak his feet. Rita stops him. Tommy's up there with the health and safety people. Dennis thinks the boiler incident was a serious one. Rita sort of defends Tommy and says he isn't really a bad lad. He's learned his lesson.

Gail and Lewis are at her place. She asks why he really turned down the job. Lewis says he turned it down because he couldn't leave. He tells her he's developed strong feelings for her. "Strong, all-consuming feelings." He knows there's no possibility that Gail could care for him. Maybe he should take up the offer after all. Gail quietly tells him that she doesn't want him to go. They kiss.

Ooooh!!
The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Chris Fewtrell
Directed by: David Kester

We open with a totally nauseating scene between Gail and Lewis. She is simpering to him that as much as she wants him, and feels they would have been wonderful together, it just cannot be, because she can't do it to Audrey. She starts to cry, and I swear Lewis is trying very hard not to burst out laughing! He looks longingly into her eyes, squeezes her hand and tells her he admires her for saying that, because she is right, Audrey deserves better. Just when he looks as if he will kiss her again, he abruptly tells her he'd better leave - and he does. The minute he closes the front door behind him, he wipes his mouth with his sleeve.

He passes Nick and Leanne in the street, but they don't notice him, they are too busy talking things over yet again. Leanne is trying to convince Nick that he is the one for her, that Peter means nothing to her. Nick is not convinced, he feels that she will only feel that way until Peter needs her for something again. He tells her that he wishes he could turn his feelings on and off like a tap, but he can't. He also tells her he wishes he didn't still love her, but he does, and that makes him stupid. He goes on to say that if she cares anything for him, she will leave him alone. He then turns and walks into the Bistro, leaving Leanne wondering whether she is upset because he told her to leave him alone, or happy that he admitted he still loves her.

Tommy is being quizzed by the officials about the boiler. They are asking him if Mrs. Stape had asked him to undertake the repair, and he tells them that he sort of offered. He goes on to say that she had been desperate, that there are two kids in the house and no hot water, he had thought he was doing them a favour. The official tells him he can understand that. However, he needs to know if Tommy has had any experience or certification to fix any type of boiler or other gas appliance. Tommy tells him he hasn't, however he does work in a garage, so it's not like he has never worked with machinery before. The man snaps at him that working on a car engine has absolutely no resemblance to fixing a gas boiler. Tommy looks ashamed, and tells him that he realises that now.

The man then asks Tommy to tell them everything he did, step by step. (Now I would have liked to hear how Tommy answered that one - considering he did absolutely nothing, but unfortunately we cut away to the next scene).

Sophie is in the middle of her session with Jenna, and obviously enjoying every second of it. She is telling her that her Dad is not that bad when you get to know him, that his heart's in the right place. Jenna agrees that he can't be all bad if Sophie thinks that highly of him. Sophie has done very well in her exercises, and Jenna tells her that she can't speak for the consultant, but feels she has come along amazingly well. Sophie tells her it is all down to her, and she can't thank her enough. Their eyes meet, and there is a bit of an awkward moment, as there is an obvious attraction. Sophie breaks it by saying she should go, as her Dad is picking her up.

Gail comes into the Bistro looking for Lewis. Nick tells her she has just missed him, but not as much as he is going to miss him. Gail asks what he is talking about, and is told that Lewis has just given him his notice, that he is planning to take the job in Italy, and as he speaks, is off finalizing the details with his friend. Nick asks if she thinks there is any possibility that Lewis and his Gran could patch things up, as that would be a way of keeping him from leaving, but Gail tells him that's not very likely. "Shame," says Nick, "Men like him don't grow on trees, not around here anyway." Which leaves Gail deep in thought.

Sally is just getting off her mobile after talking to Sophie, who has called to let her know her Dad is taking her out for her tea. She is thrilled to hear that Jenna is very optimistic about Sophie's full recovery, and hangs up just as Gail is walking by. She asks her if she would like to go to the Rovers to celebrate the good news about Sophie, but Gail tells her she doesn't feel like it. Sally can tell something is bothering Gail, so persuades her to come to her place for a natter.

Michelle and Carla are in the Rovers discussing losing the McNee order. Michelle is wondering if they can offload the order onto someone else, but Carla tells her they can't, as the designs belong to McNee. She is very suspicious about the whole thing, but just then in walks Rob. He offers to buy them a drink, which is refused. He asks them what's wrong, have they had a bad day? He goes on to tell them he has had a beltin' day himself, and asks if they would like to hear about it. The ladies flounce out, telling him to get stuffed.

Tina and Tyrone are over in the corner talking. Ty is extremely upset that Tommy is taking the blame for what he did to the boiler, and is all for putting his hand up about it immediately. Tina talks him out of it, saying that nobody asked Tommy to do it, and if he takes the blame now, it will all blow up as far as Kirsty is concerned, and that is the last thing that Tommy wants. She persuades him to wait and see what the outcome is first.

Gail is telling Sally that she has a man friend with whom she has become very close, and tells her that today he kissed her and wants to take the relationship further. Sally is a bit skeptical, but Gail assures her that the man in question is a complete gentleman, who is very serious about her. She goes on to tell her about him turning the dream job down in Italy for her. Sally is very impressed now, and likens it to Edward and Mrs. Simpson. Gail points out that this situation is far more complicated than theirs was. She tells her that the man in question was involved with someone she knows. Sally then bristles, and asks if he is Kevin. Gail looks shocked for a minute, then bursts out laughing at the idea that it might be Kevin. Sally is affronted, and asks what is wrong with Kevin? Gail tells her there is nothing wrong with Kevin, he is errrr, very Kevin. She then goes on to tell Sally that she doesn't know the people involved. (Ooh you're a big liar Gail!)

Sally tells her that whoever this other woman is, she is sure she would be happy for her, and will get over it in time. Gail tells her that she wouldn't want to hurt her, because she cares about her. Sally replies that it's very good of her to feel that way, but there comes a time that you have to look out for yourself, put your own happiness first. "Who knows when a chance like this is going to come along again - if ever?" Just what Gail wanted to hear I think...

Sophie and Ryan are talking about guess who? Yes, Jenna. He is pointing out that she just has a crush on her, and it can't be anything else. Sophie is not having it, she tells him they are close. Ryan replies that he is close to her, but she could never fancy him because that's not the way she is, and it's the same thing between Jenna and her. "I wouldn't be so sure," says Sophie. Ryan asks her if she is saying that Jenna is a lesbian, and Sophie isn't sure, but she is sure that she is more to her than just a patient.

In the Bistro, Nick is telling his troubles to Kylie. Just then, Lewis comes in and is asked by Nick if he is definitely leaving. Lewis tells him he is, but he hopes they can remain friends.

Tommy is still on the hot seat. One of the men is asking him if he can't remember exactly what he found that was the problem with the boiler. Tommy is claiming a bad memory, that he can't remember exactly what happened, that he was just doing things on instinct. The man sarcastically asks if he has used that instinct before on other gas appliances, and Tommy assures him that it was a one off thing, that he had never tried to fix one before, and never would again - he promised.

He is then asked if he asked for, or received payment for the job. Tommy tells him that no money exchanged hands, he was just helping a friend out - or thought he was. The man then gets heavy handed with him, and asks him if he has any idea of the severity of what he did - that he could be charged, and could go to prison. Tommy tells him that if he is trying to scare him, not to bother, because he is scared enough already. Not of going to prison, but of what he might have done to his friend. The men exchange a look between them, hopefully that remark has gone in Tommy's favour.

Audrey arrives in the Bistro with a male companion (who looks remarkably like the obnoxious councilor Harry Potts from a few years ago, but as she is calling him Henry, I guess it's not) Lewis comes over and politely speaks to them, and Henry - who is every bit as obnoxious as Harry Potts was, is decidedly rude to him. Audrey laughs it off, but is obviously uncomfortable.

Gail arrives and smiles sickeningly at Lewis, who warns her that her mother is in the restaurant with 'some lower order of primate' LOL!! Gail tells him that Henry Wilkins and her mother go back years, that they used to be on the Council together. (How strange, there must have been twin councilors, Harry and Henry with different last names, I wonder why we didn't meet them together? LOL!! If they are going to use the same actor, wouldn't you think they could have found a different profession for him this time around? Sloppy sloppy story lining!! )

Anyway, back to Gail, who is telling Lewis they need to talk. Lewis, who cannot take his eyes off Audrey, tells her he is rather busy at the moment. So she settles for a glass of wine while she waits.

Tommy is now in the Rovers, telling Rita and Dennis about his interrogation. Dennis has no sympathy, telling him it's only right they were hard on him, as it is a very serious matter. Rita agrees, making Tommy feel even worse.

Tyrone and Kirsty come in, and talk about wedding dresses, but Kirsty refuses to tell him what it's like, but assures him he won't be disappointed on the day. They overhear Rita still giving Tommy a hard time over the boiler. She is telling him she nearly died once from carbon monoxide poisoning, and that the inspector had every right to do what he did. Kirsty butts in, saying Rita is right, and she hopes they throw the book at him. Tina replies that she is sorry to disappoint her, but they are not taking any more action. Tommy tells them that they could see how sorry he was, and let him off with a warning. The relief on Tyrone's face is very evident, good job Kirsty was looking in the other direction at the time!

Rob comes over to the table where Carla is sitting alone, and asks if he can join her. There is a lot of bitter conversation between them, ending with a gloating Rob letting her know exactly what happened to the McNee order. Carla is furious, but Rob is smug. (I am a bit confused here - he may have the order, but he doesn't have a company, nor does he have a factory, material or workers - maybe I missed something)

Audrey and Henry are leaving the Bistro, and obviously Lewis is glad to see one of them going, and it's not Audrey. Henry tells Nick that he will definitely be back, and he hopes he will again have a certain ex-lady Mayoress on his arm too. They are the last to leave, and Gail suggests that Nick and Kylie knock off early, and she will help Lewis clear up.

They didn't take much persuading, and the two of them are left alone. Gail asks if he took the job in Italy, and is told he will be flying out at the end of the month. He goes on to tell her that he took it because there is not much here to stay for. "Yes there is", says Gail. He asks if she has changed her mind, and she tells him she has, if he has not changed his. He answers by kissing her.

Audrey and Henry are walking down the street, with the latter busy picking his teeth, much to Audrey's disgust. He tells her that next time they should choose another restaurant, and starts telling her about another that he knows. Audrey stops him right there, saying it's been really lovely catching up with him, but she doesn't want to give him the wrong impression. She goes on to say that she is not looking for any kind of relationship at the moment. Surprisingly for a man so thick, he catches on right away, and tells her he understands, and if she ever needs a friend, she knows where he is. With that he leaves her.

Nick is now walking down the street, and Leanne rushes out from the Kebab shop. Nick points out that he didn't know she liked kebabs, and she admits she doesn't, but it's warm in there, and they serve tea. He asks who she has been waiting for, and is told it's him. He starts to walk away, telling her she has been wasting her time. However, she calls him back, saying she knows that he loves her, and she loves him, and asks him if he knows how lucky that makes them? He tells her that lucky is not exactly what he is feeling at the moment. Leanne is persistent though, she tells him life is too short not to seize happiness while it's there, she wants to be his wife, and if he wants to be her husband, she has rebooked the wedding, same venue for 4 p.m. next Friday. She will be there, but will he?

Back to Gail and Lewis. He is telling her he has to be very sure she has no lingering reservations about their relationship before he throws that job aside. He assures her he is very sure of his own feelings, but needs to know she is equally as sure. "Oh I am certain", says Gail. She asks if Patrick, his friend, will be upset with him for letting him down, and he tells her he would far rather upset an old mate, than lose the love of his life. (Oh brother! - gag!) He goes on to tell her that Audrey mean a great deal to him, but it was nothing compared to the depth of the feelings he has for her. Gail tells him that she doesn't know how she is going to tell her mother, but Lewis suggests they don't for a while. He tells her they should just give their relationship a chance before they have to face the music with her family. He tells her that a bit of cloak and dagger just might enhance the excitement a little, but she assures him, she doesn't need any help in that direction, and moves in for another lip lock just as the credits roll.

I really want to see Gail get her comeuppance, but I wish they would get on with it. I can't stand to watch Gail in heat, it churns my stomach!

Christine


Monday 7 January

Written by Martin Allen Directed by Graeme Harper

There's muck in the drains and Number 7 has water dripping down in front of the door. Sunita asks Karl to see to it today, it just needs the muck cleaning out. Down the road, Peter and Simon are heading out to school. Simon spies Nick and runs over for a chat about school. Peter hurries Simon onto the arrived bus. (Bessie Street school is only a couple of blocks away isn't it?) They leave Nick looking sad. Over the road, Sophie is being escorted to the car by Kevin who's pleased with her progress.

In the back room of the Rovers, Stella and Leanne are talking about her proposal to Nick. Eva overhears them saying that the wedding is Friday if Nick agrees to go through with it. Leanne says she's sure and won't give up without a fight but Stella has doubts. Eva flounces in with all her attitude and the girls snipe at each other.

Kylie asks Nick what he's going to do re the proposal which he must have told her about. Kylie thinks Leanne regrets it all and is trying to make up. She can tell he still loves Leanne and misses Simon. Forget about it and talk to Leanne about it all. Gail overhears and mother lion's claws are out. Lewis calls her back behind the bar.

Sophie's had an appointment with the consultant doctor who's really pleased with her progress. She tells him she's not had to take painkillers ages ago and isn't having any other problems. She wistfully says she's doing good at physio. The doctor says she will have one more check in three months but he expects to be able to discharge her.

Lewis tells Gail she should try to talk to Leanne to get her to back off rather than talk to Nick. If she can persuade Leanne to back off, Nick won't get hurt again. Gail has doubts. She worries that speaking to her will make Leanne more determined but Lewis smoothly disagrees, saying Nick won't thank her if she doesn't say anything and it goes wrong again. Food for thought, pushing her to interfere further.

Kevin and Sophie are walking through the hospital corridor when Jenna comes along. She is pleased to hear the results of Sophie's consultant appointment. She also tells Sophie that she won't need to see her as often, just a few more appointments. Sophie's face falls. Kevin's pleased. It's clear Sophie is less so.

Sean has worked out he's sewn 150,000 knickers in his career. They spot Fiz arriving home from the hospital. Kirsty goes the other way but Sean, Julie and Beth go over to see her. Katy says the landlord has fixed the boiler properly. They all hug her warmly.

Eva comes across Peter outside the bookie and makes sure he finds out that Leanne had proposed to Nick. He makes a sly dig at her for spreading gossip but she turns around and smiles. Job done.

In the pub, Julie is sympathetic to Fiz but Kirsty isn't having any of it. To the strains of White Wedding in the background, Kirsty refuses to put the past behind her and Fiz and the conversation turns to wedding plans. Kirsty asks Julie to be Maid of Honour. Beth and Sean discover that the wedding is only very small but say they'd love to come if possible. Kirsty realizes she might have to rethink the small intimate ceremony.

Gail arrives at the betting shop to see Leanne. She tells Leanne that nothing good can come of a pairing between them. If she cares for him, think of Nick's feelings and leave him alone. She leaves and Peter mutters about agreeing with Nick. He reveals he knows about the wedding and hints that it was Eva that told him. He accuses Leanne of being desperate and even if Nick says yes, it won't work. She insists it would but she looks flustered.

After the break, Ryan is mumbling to Sophie in the pub and it must be about Jenna because Sophie looks sad that she won't see her anymore. Eva comes in as Leanne is leaving and Leanne calls her on telling Peter about the wedding. Eva flounces to the back with a smile.

Meanwhile, Nick has come to the shop but Peter is there on his own. Peter reveals he, too, knows about the wedding and needles Nick. Was it Leanne that told him so she could give him one last chance? Peter mentions that Gail came to put Leanne off, as well. The two men politely pile it on, digging deeper and deeper. Peter points out that Nick has lost everything and only asked Nick because she couldn't have him. "Says the man she married because she thought you were dying" Peter reminds Nick Leanne will always want him. "Funny, half the time she was with you, she was sleeping with me!" (oh, good shot!) Peter comes around the counter and tells Nick he's been after Peter's leftovers and he'll keep on getting dumped as long as Peter's around. That's it, Nick lays a rounder into Peter's gut and down he goes. Peter's nearly satisfied but when Nick goes outside, he launches out the door after him, catching him off guard and slams him into a car that's just come around the corner. David and Kevin pull the men apart. Nick walks away with Peter shouting the odds at him.

Ryan mumbles some more and Sophie reckons she'll have to get over Jenna who walks in just then. Sophie thinks she has nothing to lose and decides to go for it. She approaches and offers to buy Jenna her drink. Jenna has to say no about a million times and ends up snapping at Sophie who backs off.

In the Bistro, David has brought Nick in, battered and bruised. Gail asks what happened and Nick finally admits it was Peter and isn't happy about Gail's intervention either. She insists she had to say something and Nick loses his temper. Yet again, customers are assaulted with shouting and screaming as Nick tells Gail she always makes things worse and ends up kicking everyone in the restaurant out, including his mother and brother.

Jenna comes to see Sophie to apologize for being snappy. Sophie offers her a coffee.

Lewis has made Gail a drink at home. She thinks she did make things worse and wants to go apologize. Lewis advises her to wait until Nick cools down. He offers to take her to lunch at the cafe.

Karl still hasn't cleared out the gutter. He tries to put Sunita off until tomorrow but she demands it. He says he doesn't have a ladder. She reminds him she could borrow one and wants it done today.

In the pub,Kevin and Mandy discuss the public event. He looks over and tells Ryan Sophie got on well at the hospital which of course, he already knows. Apparently Ryan told Kevin that Sophie was upset but he should talk to her about it.

Nick is alone in the Bistro until Kylie comes in. She's unaware of what had happened. He says she must go and he just wants to be alone so she leaves again. He's clearly at the end of his rope. He gets up and goes behind the bar and takes a deep breath. It doesn't work and he loses his rag, trashing all the bottles and throwing the debit machine into a mirror. He sinks to the floor.

Karl has found a ladder and is leaning it against the wall when Craig wanders by. Karl tries to talk him into going up the ladder for a pound to clean the gutter. Karl bargains with him to a fiver. This is acceptable but Craig has to feed his rat first.

Sophie apologizes to Jenna who explains there are a lot of rules to follow. Jenna tells her that she's referring her to another therapist. They both know it's more complicated and they've got too close. Sophie isn't sure Jenna is saying what she hopes she's saying. Jenna mentions that boundaries have been crossed and she's not comfortable with how things are between them and it's not appropriate to keep on seeing each other. Jenna admits that yes, she knew Sophie fancied her and that only added to the complications. Sophie asks if she didn't feel the same way. Jenna's silence seems to speak volumes so Sophie first thinks she misread the signals but then realizes that there is something there. She leans forward, Jenna flinches but Sophie points out she wants this too. Sophie kisses her and it seems like Jenna returns the feeling but, you guessed it, just then Kevin walks in!

Tvor

Written by Julie Jones and directed by Graeme Harper

Kevin is horrified by the discovery of Jenna and Sophie snogging on the sofa. He orders Jenna out of the house, leaving his daughter cringing with mortification.

Leanne arrives in the Rovers having picked Simon up from school. She's in quite a cheerful mood until David fills her in on Peter and Nick's brawl. "Oh no, he's not hurt is he?" asks Leanne. David wonders which of the men she's concerned about. David tells Leanne that Nick's locked himself in the Bistro and says he's probably in there now, slashing his wrists, thanks to her.

In Roy's Rolls, Anna watches in the background while Lewis sits at a nearby table, working his charm on Gail. First he compliments her on her figure and then he gives her a piece of advice: she should stop being at the beck and call of her two adult sons. As if to prove a point, David sends her a text asking her to meet him in the Rovers. Gail's keen to rush straight there as she knows David's worried about his brother so Lewis distracts her by ordering her a cup of hot chocolate. Anna asks if she'd like squirty cream on it. "Why not?" giggles Gail, looking at Lewis coquettishly. "I'm worth it". Lewis tells Gail she needs to be cruel to be kind and it's time to cut those apron strings.

Leanne bursts in to the Bistro and is horrified by the mess which meets her eyes. She finds Nick sitting in a crumpled heap behind the bar. He's a broken man. "I'm so sorry," she says as she takes Nick in her arms.

Back at the Websters' Sophie is trying to get her father to understand that she made a move on Jenna first, not the other way round but he insists Jenna took advantage and says she should have known better. Sophie calls him a hypocrite but Kevin says she's vulnerable and that the accident was a massive shock to her system. Sophie points out she's an adult and none of this is his business but Kevin says he's her dad and he's looking out for her. Sophie reminds Kevin what happened last time he got involved with her love life and tells him to stay out of it.

In the street, Craig's about to start work on cleaning the gutters for Karl when Beth appears. She tells Karl he'll be wanting her son to climb chimneys next and says we're not living in Victorian times. Karl offers to take back his fiver but Beth instructs Craig to keep it as compo for the trauma he's suffered. Just then Sunita comes out to find out what's going on. Result: Karl is left holding a bucket, he's lost £5, the gutters still need cleaning and Sunita's mood is more thunderous than ever.

Leanne and Nick are sitting at a table in the empty Bistro. She asks what the fight with Peter was about. "You ... always you," says Nick with tears in his eyes. She says sorry again and Nick says there's no need, you can't help who you love. Leanne insists Nick is the one she loves and he says he loves her too. "Never mind saying it here," says Leanne hopefully. "Save it for the wedding!" Leanne tells Nick they could have a wonderful future but he just looks at her sadly.

Kirsty and Ty are at home and she tells him how she saw Fiz coming back from hospital. She claims Fiz was milking the occasion for all she was worth. Ty changes the subject and then Kirsty tells him that she's asked Julie to be her maid of honour and wants to know who will be his best man. Ty was hoping to keep the wedding small and intimate but it looks as though Kirsty has other ideas. She admits she had to ask Sean and so it doesn't seem fair not to invite everyone at the factory.

In the Rovers Beth is complaining to Kirk about Karl being a lazy beggar, expecting 'our Craig' to do all his dirty work for him. She comments that she's always been a hard grafter and asks Kirk to go and buy her a packet of crisps. Her hands are hurting after a hard day of knicker-stitching so she gets him to open them for her, too. On the other side of the pub, Mandy's having a quiet word with Jenna when Kevin comes storming in and accuses Jenna of making a pass at his daughter. Jenna says she can't help it if Sophie has a crush on her but Kevin's version is that Jenna was snogging the face off her. Mandy can't believe her ears. Jenna says Sophie was the one who kissed her and says she was in shock and about to push her off when Kevin walked in. Kevin doesn't want to hear it and tells her to save it for her boss. He leaves and Mandy wants to know how Kevin could have got it so wrong. Jenna says she doesn't know and that Kevin's an idiot but she doesn't sound too convincing.

In the cafe Lewis is continuing to work his charm on Gail. He tells her he loves a woman with hidden depths and just about manages to keep a straight face when Gail reveals one of hers: she can recite every poem that Pam Ayres ever wrote. Gail's reverie is interrupted by a text from David. Lewis asks if he can call in on her at home later. Gail accepts but says she'll have to get rid of David and Kylie first. How? She'll sing along to her Abba compilation album. "Ingenious," says Lewis. As soon as Gail goes he whips out his phone and makes an arrangement to meet someone later in Roy's Rolls.

Back in the Bistro, Leanne is plying Nick with a cup of tea and he tells her he's struggling to cope with what's happened. Leanne tries to convince him that they can turn things around but Nick says he doesn't want to be second best and he'll always be second best to Peter. Leanne tells Nick she loves him so much but he replies that's not enough. Leanne wants to see if they can be friends and build things back up again from there but Nick tells her the kindest thing she can do for him is to leave him alone. Leanne says she can't believe what she's done to Nick and she'll never forgive herself.

Gail arrives in the Rovers to be filled in by David and Audrey on what's happening with Nick and Leanne. She's all for going straight over to the Bistro to sort things out. Audrey tells her to keep out of it and suggests David would be the best one to go and see if Nick's alright. It looks like a family row is kicking off, much to the delight of Beth and Kirk who pop their heads over from the adjoining booth and start to film them. As Kirk explains, films of scrapping pensioners go down a storm on t'internet. Gail is mortally offended and points out she's not a pensioner while David goes off on his mission to rescue his brother.

In the Bistro Leanne hands her engagement ring back to Nick. She tells him that it's time she stopped thinking about herself and thought about what's best for him - hallelujah! As Leanne's telling Nick that she'll always love him and that she hopes he finds someone amazing, David arrives. He looks around at the mess and, as Leanne leaves, comments that it looks as though someone's had "a massive tanty". Nick doesn't know whether to laugh or cry so he does a bit of both as he buries his head in his hands.

Mandy turns up at the cab office looking for Jenna. She tells Lloyd that first Kevin made a move on Jenna and now his lesbian daughter's had a go as well. She adds that Kevin's threatening to report her. Lloyd can't believe it and thinks there must be some mistake. Mandy's worried Jenna's going to lose her job but Lloyd says it's not going to come to that and gets up, looking like he means to do something about it.

Anna's trying to close up the cafe but she's out of luck. Lewis is waiting to meet his contact and when he turns up he's not the sort of man you argue with. Lewis hands him some cash for "services rendered" and tells him he made the hotel in Tuscany sound so wonderful he nearly believed it himself. Obviously referring to Gail, the man asks if Lewis is still reeling her in. He comments that she's not Lewis's usual type and asks why he's going after her. Lewis replies that she pretty much ruined his life and now he's going to do the same to her.

Back in the Bistro David opens a couple of beers. Nick says it's not going to solve his problems but David tells him that at least it'll make him feel like he's past caring.

We move to Sunita's where Karl's snoring on the sofa. He gets a rude awakening when Sunita throws a wet dishcloth onto his face. She is not a happy bunny. She is not a happy bunny at all. She dumps a bucket on top of him and tells him to get out there and clean the gutters but Karl's not about to stir himself from the sofa and claims he has a fear of heights. Sunita can't believe it and asks if he wants her to go begging to Dev. "Would you?" says Karl as he rolls over and goes back to sleep.

The empty beer bottles are lining up on the table in front of Nick and David. David tells Nick he doesn't blame him for having a punch up with Peter and says he'd have a go at anyone who came between him and Kylie. Nick says David doesn't have anything to worry about and that he and Kylie are rock solid. David asks if it's definitely over between Nick and Leanne and Nick replies that there's no way back for the two of them.

In the Rovers Ty asks Kirk if he'll be his best man. He tells him it's going to be very low key and Julie will be the maid of honour. This is good news for Kirk because, as he explains to Ty, the best man's meant to sleep with the maid of honour but since he's already done that, it's one less job for him to do. "Good," says Beth between gritted teeth. "That's one less job for me to do and all. Smash her flaming face in!" Ty goes over to the bar to get a round in and Tina asks how he's doing. Ty says all the lying is unbearable. He thinks everyone will hate him afterwards but Tina says they won't when the truth comes out.

Over at Gail's, just as she and Lewis are getting cosy on the sofa there's a knock at the door. When Gail recognizes her mother through the glass she tells Lewis to go and hide but as Audrey walks in he's standing there as bold as brass. Both women look shocked when they see Lewis but he's calmly writing something on a notepad. He makes out that he was there to leave a message for Nick and hands it to Gail to pass on to him. Lewis leaves and Audrey starts to talk to Gail about what happened earlier in the Rovers. Gail offers to put the kettle on but Audrey isn't there for a cosy chat. She tells Gail that they need to think about Nick and in order to do that they have to stop sniping at each other. Gail says she couldn't agree more. As Audrey does up her coat Gail glances down at the note from Lewis and smiles to herself as she sees he's written "I love you".

Leanne has retreated to the back room of the Rovers where she's having a heart to heart with Stella. She says that she's glad that Nick's ended it with her because it's what she deserves. Leanne has finally realised that everything she does is always on her terms. Stella says what's done is done, she has to put it all behind her and get on with her life. Leanne says she knows that which is why she has to go away. Stella tells her that running away isn't going to solve anything but Leanne says she's broken Nick and asks why he should have to face seeing her every day. Stella tells her she's upset and she shouldn't make any big decisions now but Leanne says she already has and that she's going to leave Weatherfield as soon as she can.

Karen


Wednesday 9 January

Leanne is talking to Simon, asking him whether he wants to stay put in Coronation Street with his grandparents and Peter, or come with her to Leeds. He chooses Leeds.

Lloyd goes to see Kevin, to see if they can sort out what he thinks must be some kind of misunderstanding. Kevin tells him there's nothing to sort, but Lloyd's initial relief is soon swept away when Kevin tells him there's nothing to sort out because he's already put in a complaint about Jenna, because she took advantage of Sophie. "What, like you tried to take advantage of Jenna?" snaps Lloyd. Kevin momentarily has the wind taken out of his sails, as Lloyd continues, pointing out that it's Sophie who is the lesbian. "You do the maths," he says. Kevin however, won't be budged.

Sunita tells Dev that she's worried about the guttering, it needs looking at. Dev sarcastically suggests that's something that Karl would be good at - looking at it, as long as he doesn't actually have to do anything. Sunita stomps off.

David, Kylie and Gail are clearing up the mess in the bistro. Nick arrives and tells them all to go, he'll clear it up by himself, it's what he wants.

Outside Sunita's, Jason comes down the ladder and tells her the gutter is now clear, but some slates need replacing. She asks if it was Karl who asked him to do it. "Karl? As if I'd get up a ladder for him!" says Jason, and explains that it was Dev who asked him.

Gail is crossing the road and meets Lewis. She tells him that Nick's upset and chucked them all out. She says she'll pop back later. He tells her to leave it, then he'll appreciate her more. "But it was you who said I should get involved," says Gail, puzzled. Lewis tells her there's a difference between keeping an eye on things and being taken for a ride.

Leanne goes into the bookies, where Peter tells her she's not taking Simon to Leeds. Leanne says they are both perfectly capable of bringing Simon up with just an hour's distance between them. Peter tells her she can run away from the car crash she's made of her life, but she mustn't punish Simon for it. Just then, Carla comes in and Leanne walks out. Peter tells Carla about Leanne's plan to move to Leeds, but adds that he's not letting her take Simon.

In the cafe, Anna and Roy are talking excitedly about Hayley's imminent return.

Sophie and Ryan are at a table, talking about The Kiss between her and Jenna. Sophie is worried because Jenna hasn't returned any of her calls or texts since. Lloyd comes in and tells Sophie that her dad has made a complaint about Jenna to the authorities. Sophie is devastated.

Gail is back in the bistro where she has been supervising a workman fitting a new mirror behind the bar. Leanne comes in and tells her that she's moving to Leeds, she just wants to see Nick to explain. Gail starts to be obstructive and insulting, but Nick comes out from the back and sends her away. When she's gone, he tells Leanne that Gail's angry. "She's right," says Leanne.

Jason is back on Sunita's roof, doing the necessary work on the slates. Karl comes along and, making remarks about a toy-boy, takes the ladder away, leaving Jason stranded. He shouts, pulls his phone out of his pocket, and drops it!

Leanne and Nick are sitting in the bistro, talking things over. She says she can't bear to see him hurting every day, and she hates Peter for messing with her head. She's going to Leeds so she doesn't have to be reminded every day of what she's lost - him. She looks at the pair of them and remembers them as the two kids who ran off to Gretna. They knew nothing then, and she's proved that she's learned nothing since. "I do love you, and I am sorry," she says, then gets up and walks out.

Outside the corner shop, Roy is protesting to Dev about the price of his bunches of flowers, some of which are clearly past their best. Dev snaps that if he doesn't like it, then don't buy them. The phone is ringing, so he goes off inside to answer it. As Roy walks away, Jason shouts to him from the roof, telling him he hasn't got a ladder to get down and he's freezing. Just then Dev comes out of the shop again, telling him that Anna was on the phone, Roy is to hurry up because Hayley is on her way from the airport. Roy hurries off and Jason is left calling to Dev, who makes a call to Sunita.

Back in the bistro, Gail is spitting poison to Nick about Leanne. "She's a Battersby, always has been and always will be," she says. She goes on to express a view that Leanne was just after a meal ticket, and Nick will meet someone else, someone who isn't pulling a trolley load of baggage with another bloke's kid on top. She reckons what Nick needs is never to clap eyes on Leanne again. Nick frowns and looks thoughtful.

Sunita has now joined Dev out on the Street, and is on the phone to Karl asking where he put the ladder, and where he is now. Karl comes round the corner behind her, and Dev comes across the road, carrying the ladder. Jason is released from the roof, and Karl, who has been at the Flying Horse, says he's off back there. "He's making a fool of you, Honey," says Dev as Sunita goes back indoors.

Leanne is back in the pub, talking to Stella, who wishes she wasn't going.

Jenna comes in, and joins Mandy and Lloyd. She tells them she's been suspended, pending an investigation. Lloyd can't understand why Kevin is doing this.

Nick comes in and asks to speak to Leanne. They go out to the back.

In the cafe, Anna is arranging the flowers in a vase, while Roy worries where Hayley is. Gail and Lewis are at a table, she tells him she thinks she got through to Nick, he knows he's got to move on. Lewis lays on the charm. "You really ought to have more 'YOU' time, Gail," he says. Gail suggests that they go home, David and Kylie are out. Hastily, Lewis tells her that while she's a very attractive woman, due to his past encounters, the only way he can hope to create a loving and lasting relationship is to take things slowly on the physical side. (Anna, still arranging the flowers, hears all of this and raises an eyebrow!) Gail simpers that he's a truly unique man, and they can take their time.

Just then, Hayley comes in, and there are hugs all round.

Nick and Leanne are thrashing it all out in the back room of the Rovers. He says he'll always be second best, and he hates what she did to them, and he hates that he doesn't want her to go. She tells him he was never second best and wants to be able to prove it. "Please," she says, "I won't let you down." He reckons they are just words and wants to know why he should believe it. "Then marry me!" she says. She says she never cancelled anything, she loves him and wants to prove it. "Come on, Nick, marry me!"

Karl is in the bar, rather the worse for drink, and joking about Jason being stuck on the roof. Lloyd asks Stella if she's like him to throw him out, but she says she can cope with him.

Just then Nick and Leanne come out from the back, all smiles, and Leanne says she hopes Stella still has her 'mother of the bride' hat. They call for champagne.

In the cafe, Hayley and Roy are clearing up. Hayley asks how Fiz is, and wonders if she should go to the hospital. Roy tells her that Fiz is now at home.

Jenna leaves the pub and sees Sophie outside. Jenna tells her to leave her alone. Sophie tells her that she didn't want her dad to complain. Jenna tells her to stay away from her.

Back in the pub, Stella says they need more champagne. Leanne tells her that Karl went to get some while she was changing the keg, and hasn't come back. Stella goes out to the back and finds Karl fast asleep on the sofa, clutching a bottle. Stella takes it back into the bar and as she uncorks it, Gail, David and Kylie come in. "This looks ominous," says David, and Leanne says she hopes he hasn't thrown his best man's speech away. Beaming, Nick explains that they're getting married. Gail looks like she's been slapped in the face by a wet fish. "After what she's done to you?" she snaps. Leanne quietly says that she loves him. Gail reckons that's something she turns on and off like a tap, and asks when the wedding is. "Tomorrow," says Nick. Gail is horrified. "It's too soon, too stupid and a complete farce!" she explodes, saying that he deserves better, and better wouldn't be hard to find. Nick says he would like her to come but he won't have her talking about Leanne like that. He tells her she either comes, and gives them her blessing taking back what she's said, or there's no place for her in their lives.

Yay! Go Nick!!

Anne Logan


Friday 11 January

Hello, I am Margaret, no Margaret should be here in the update chair but has had her water cut off and cannot put finger to keyboard at the moment. Please wish her well and that normality returns shortly. I should be at work, but it is snowing and I sent everyone home and although I have done some work it was boring and Corrie updates are far more fun.

So on the mean Street in Weatherfield events today were written by Simon Crowther, directed by Graeme Harper and the copyright remains with ITV Productions who will not object to this mangled report of their output.

We open in the back room of the Rovers where Stella opens the door to find, on the day her daughter is getting married (again), one ex-partner, Karl laying on the sofa dead to the world in his pants. He feels like he had been hit by a pickaxe and then asks Stella if anything happened - nothing did. he asks if there might be a bit of toast going begging - she cannot believe her ears (let alone her eyes). Apparently Sunita always burns her toast and he misses her toast and the way Stella butters it [heavens to murgatroyd - there is a way to butter toast?] and she gets the texture just right. Stella says he took her toast for granted and walked away from it and Karl says that he made a huge mistake. She agrees. She tells him to get home so he can make packed lunches for the children. He responds that she should not enjoy it - but that is her prerogative! And she agrees that it was very very good toast. He looks deflated.

In the Street Nick is inviting Dev to the shindig in the Bistro later and he also confirms to Doris that the wedding is back on. Norris suggests that any wedding involving Leanne Battersby is an on/off affair and even now she is waiting to discover which way the wind is blowing. Nick ignores the banter and simply invites Norris to the wedding. He accepts with rapidity.

Sunita is calling the children as Karl returns home - just as he arrives the toaster pops up some burnt toast. He tells Sunita that he got involved in a game of snooker and lost track of time. He says he slept on a very uncomfortable sofa. She tells him it was a cheap trick he played on Jason. He denies it and asks her to bring a sup of tea as he is off to bed. She is making the breakfast for the children and will then take them to school - so he asks for the tea when she returns. When she gets back she is going to work, she refuses to fetch and carry for him, she then proceeds to give him a piece of her mind. he claims he is only winding her up and tries to soft soap her. She falls for it as it would appear that the very bright woman has been turned into a clingy dishcloth.

Back at the Rovers Stella is eating some nicely buttered, right textured toast as Leanne shows off two potential wedding dresses from her obviously extensive wardrobe (and I thought she only worked in the bookies and had given up the high earning prostitution she used to provide). And she has been told to pack a weekend bag as Nick is booking a honeymoon today. Eva arrives and is highly dismissive of the possible clothes choice. Stella offers to buy a cask but apparently Mary is baking one. Eva wonders if Mary will leap out of the cake and Leanne tells her to stop it. Anyway Eva does not know the time of the service because she is not invited. Eva confirms she does not want to go to the wedding, gets up and goes.

Along the other side of the Street Gail is telling David and Kylie about the mistake which Nick is making - she goes on at length about how she brought her children up to be strong and Nick just waits around for Leanne to agree. David asks for quiet as he is trying to write another best man's speech. Kylie suggests he uses the last one, but he threw it in the bin. Kylie goes to drink a cup of coffee, but pulls a face and asks if the milk is off but Gail says it is not. Kylie asks if she is using different coffee and whilst Gail rants on about the wedding Kylie looks back into the coffee cup, checks the date on the milk and then suddenly she seems to be aware of why the coffee might taste unusual. David and Gail keep bickering in the background whilst Kylie comes to terms with the inevitable - she is pregnant and she conveys all this without saying a word.

At the Kabin Sophie is looking at magazines as Norris gives her a telling off for putting Jenna's career at risk. He accuses her of not thinking and of wanting things now. Rita intervenes and sends him to put the kettle on. Rita tells her to take no notice of Norris but Sophie is worried about Jenna losing her job. But as Rita says if she is lying then she deserves to lose the job.

Along at Roy's Rolls mein host is asking Hayley what she will be doing returning to work. She says he is a difficult man to buy presents for as he puts on an apron from Palm Springs. Hayley had seen Mary earlier and she feels it is a shame that Mary and Roy have fallen out. Roy points out that she has put their livelihood at serious risk in their absence. Hayley reckons Roy is missing Mary but he says he has only missed Hayley and he can play chess against the computer.

Leanne looks out of the Rovers' front door. She tries to get to the salon but is stopped by Peter and Hayley running across the street. Peter wants to talk to her - but not in the Street. Anyway Peter wants a rota for coming over to Leeds to see Simon every weekend. Leanne smiles at him brightly and says not a problem, indeed Peter can see him most days because they are not going. Peter has spent the night worrying about this but Leanne re-assures him that all is well as she is getting married at 4pm today. So Nick said yes - well Leanne smiles he is the Man from Del Monte (old advert in the UK). She smiles and heads into the salon and Peter wishes her good luck but Leanne does not think she needs it. Peter has lost out.

Rita is pleased to see Hayley back - the latter did not get on with the Palm Springs sun - but it is exotic. Mary is going through the menu for the reception. Norris cannot help her because he is going to the wedding, Hayley overhears Mary's need for assistance and decides to fix Roy and Mary's disagreement.

At the Rovers, Mandy and Lloyd are discussing Jenna who has been busy with her career and has just never had time for men, according to her mother! In one of the booths Carla is sorting out a meeting with Nobby who might have stolen their big order. Karl arrives with a box of chocolate brazil nuts for Stella as a thank you for providing the sofa. As she says he still knows how to push her buttons. He smiles thinking she means more than she does.

Audrey arrives on the Street and asks Gail if she will be changing into something more appropriate as it is clear they are not still not getting on. Gail has not decided but she might attack some ironing. Audrey tells her that it is not Gail's day. Gail reminds her about Xmas Day and asks if the world has gone mad. Gail does not think she should stand around and watch her son go mad. Audrey tells her that they should always support their children without condition. She should go and get changed or Nick might turn his back on his mother and then where will she be after.

After an outbreak of meerkats we find Karl in the backroom of the Rovers enjoying a cup of tea with Stella, he complains about his back from the night on the sofa and then says he wished he still lived there. Stella says the grass is always greener, but Karl has no grass where he is - it is all gravel. He thinks it was one moment of madness, but Stella points out that it was far more serious than that, all behind her back. She refuses to take him back and she has a young man on her arm. She reminds him that he is a complete waster and ignored the text she sent. Karl realises that he never read a text.

Kylie is telling David to get ready for the wedding. She gives him instructions to collect and deliver children - so that she can test herself.

Sophie is telling Lloyd what happened - Jenna kissed her back. She knows Jenna liked her. Sophie thinks Jenna is gay and does not want her to get sacked.

Leanne wants some plasters in the Corner Shop and Sunita serves her and Leanne discloses that Karl spent the night on Stella's sofa and Dev asks if she has all the requisite items - old, new, borrowed, blue and Leanne confirms she does. Dev wishes Leanne good luck and Sunita is clearly thunderstruck to find out where Karl spent the night. Dev cannot resist rubbing it in. Sunita reckons it is just a bump in the road and it will be all right.

At the Tilsley / Platt whatever household Gail is applying make up, David and Max are ready to go and Kylie is looking like death warmed up and pregnant all at the same time. Gail claims she is going to the wedding because she is a pushover. Kylie claims a migraine and she can hardly see - she is going to sleep for a couple of hours and will turn up at the reception later if she is feeling better.

At the bistro Mary is rushing around whilst Lewis tells Gail she should have backbone and not compromise. Gail decides to tell Nick it is a folly and to count her out. Gail looks at Lewis who has talked into this corner.

Hayley talks to Roy hoping he will go to help Mary in the Bistro kitchen but he refuses on the basis of the trouble she caused.

Carla and Michelle load samples into the boot of the former's car - she is off to flog the cancelled stock to Nobby. Rob drives past in a new leased car - he has plenty of contracts and they realise who has been stealing their business.

Leanne has put on the bright red dress and is ready to go. Stella takes her to registry office.

Nick has gone round to find her mother but finds Kylie who is the only one at home. He says their night of passion is in the past and they have to put it behind them and forget it. They have to look forward and get on with their lives. All very well says Kylie except that I am pregnant.

And the reception will be along later.

Can we take away any learnings from these events.
Do not fall for chocolate coated brazil nuts well done Stella!
Do not listen to Lewis - Gail you being more stupid than ever!
Keep taking the tablets - silly girl Kylie!
And Sunita if he says he slept on a sofa you might ask which one!
And Roy listen to the voice of reason (or even Hayley) - you know it makes sense.

Margaret - hope normality returns soon!

K Richard W

Written by:Simon Crowther Directed by:Graeme Harper

Opening where we left off, Kylie and Nick are discussing the fact that Kylie is pregnant. He asks her why she wasn't on the pill, and she says she was, except for a couple of days over Christmas, when she and David were having problems. (She goes off the pill for a couple of days when she has a row with her husband? Is she crazy? She deserves to be pregnant! Besides, doesn't it take longer than that for the effects of the pill to leave the body?) Anyway, tempers escalate, and Nick tells her that David mustn't find out. Kylie replies that she has to tell him. Panic mode on - Nick screams at her that he is getting married in 23 minutes. Kylie screams back. "Go on then - run away!" Nick tells her to calm down, that they will sort it, but just not now. She bends over, and tells him that she really feels sick, just as Audrey arrives and wants to know if she is coming or not. Nick tells her she is not, she's not feeling well, and hustles his Gran out the door, leaving Kylie to worry alone.

Julie is waxing lyrical about the joys of sleeping with Brian to Eva. The latter looks and her and tells her she is like a weather girl. Julie preens, "Am I really?" she says. "Yeah", says Eva. "I'm looking at you, and all the stuff going on behind you, but I haven't listened to a word you said". Julie's crushed, but being the nice girl she is, puts it down to Eva having a bad day over Nick's wedding, and offers her a biscuit.

Just then Rob comes in, wanting to know from Julie where Carla and Michelle are. On being told they have gone to an important meeting, he tells her he left a couple of things in his desk drawer, and goes into the office before she can stop him. Instead of going to the drawer, he wastes no time getting onto the computer. By the smile on his face, I would say he found what he was looking for.

Lewis is preparing the tables for Nick and Leanne's reception, when Mary runs out in complete panic. She announces she has ruined the wedding, prompting Lewis to ask her if she has slept with the groom - affronted, she assures him she has not. So he asks her if she has kidnapped the bride, again she denies it, so Lewis tells her in that case, he is sure she hasn't ruined the wedding. Mary is not convinced however, she wails that she has burned the salmon, and put too much butter in the cake mix, and knows she is doomed!

Lewis tells her he is useless in the kitchen, that what she needs is divine intervention, that what she needs is a knight in shining armour who can bake. Right on cue - in comes Roy! Maybe not exactly a knight in shining armour, but as far as Mary is concerned, he is Sir Galahad himself.

Over in Roy's Rolls, Jenna is incensed! Lloyd has just asked her if she is gay. She tells him he has known her for two minutes and is asking if she is gay? Lloyd replies that he is not asking - he is merely hinting. LOL!! He assures her she can tell him. She is disgusted, and tells him he is as subtle as a brick. He assures her he is trying to be supportive, and explains that her mother has told him she hasn't had many boyfriends. She snaps that ergo it must be conclusive then! Lloyd ploughs on that he was also talking to Sophie, who told him there was definitely chemistry between them, and that she had kissed her back. Jenna explodes then, and tells him she didn't. Lloyd assures her he is not going to take Sophie's word over hers, and that she should forget he mentioned it. Jenna tells him she is no longer hungry.

Carla and Michelle arrive back to the factory and are told that Rob had paid a visit, and had gained access to the office. This does not go down well, but Julie points out, they could hardly barricade the door against him. Carla figures he was just there to psych out the competition, it doesn't occur to her that his purpose was much more sinister than that.

The guests are arriving at the Bistro, Rita and Dennis being the first, followed hot on their heels by Ken and Deirdre. Lewis asks if the wedding took place this time, and is told that it did indeed. The happy couple arrive, and everyone raises their glasses in congratulations. I must say, Leanne looks a lot prettier for this wedding than she did for the last, even though she is not wearing the full regalia.

Karl arrives home to find his meal on the table and Sunita sitting opposite it with a face like thunder. He complains that she might have put it in the oven for him, as Stella would have done. She asks if Stella did that for him yesterday, when he spent the night on her sofa? He replies that he wishes she had, because Stella's cooking is a damn sight better than hers. Sunita yells, "HOW DARE YOU?", oh he dares - he then pushes the plate away, saying "It's stone cold woman!"

Leanne is making a speech at the reception. She apologises to everyone for ruining their Christmas, then tells them it has been 14 years, 11 months and 12 days since the two of them tied the knot for the first time, they were not ready for marriage then, but they are now, and this time it's for keeps. She goes on to say that hopefully they have both learned from their mistakes (cue Nick glances at Kylie, who has come in) Leanne too notices Kylie, and asks if she is feeling better, and is told that she is - a bit. Leanne then gives a toast to Nick, and promises she will never let him down again.

After everyone starts to mingle, Nick goes over to Kylie and asks why she is there. She tells him she was climbing the walls at home, and tearfully asks him what they are going to do? Nick snaps at her that there is a chance it is his, and they can't risk that. She is going to have to have an abortion. Their conversation is cut short by Max running up and throwing his arms around his Mum. David follows him, and tells Nick that if Leanne turns out to be half as good a wife as Kylie, he will be a lucky bloke. As David hugs his brother, the camera pans in on Kylie's face, and if she looked sick first thing this morning, it's nothing to how she looks now!

We are still at the reception after the break, and Nick has told Leanne he is taking her to Paris for their honeymoon. She is thrilled with this, as she has never been. She notices however he seems a bit distracted, and asks if he is OK. He assures her he is, it's just been a bit of a long day. He gets up to check on things in the kitchen, but in actual fact he moves about three feet away, which is supposedly out of earshot and speaks to Kylie, who snaps at him that nobody tells her what to do. She goes on to say that maybe David wouldn't know the difference. Nick points out that the two of them would know the difference, but Kylie asks how they would know? Just then, David stands up to make a speech, and Audrey calls Nick back to the table. David makes a very nice speech about Nick being a fantastic uncle to Max, a brilliant brother-in-law to Kylie and a great brother to him. He tells Leanne that he is sure he will make a wonderful husband and will never stray, because after all, who in their right mind would have him? Everyone laughs at this, with the exception possibly of Kylie.

Things seem to be unravelling in No. 7. Sunita has put the children to bed, without any help from Karl. When she mentions this, he points out that they are her kids, not his. He then asks her if she is going to clear the table. Rather than get upset over his chauvinistic attitude, she is more upset about the fact that he spent the night at Stella's. He apologises for that, saying that maybe he should have texted her, but they don't always get through do they? Sometimes they get deleted.

Sunita tries changing the subject by saying she has to wrap presents for the children's birthday the following day, and asks if he picked up the CD that Asha wanted like she asked him to. After leading her to believe he didn't get it, he pulls it out, telling her he is a decent bloke - and a mug. Sunita looks guilty, and suddenly all their problems appear to be her fault.

Kylie and Nick are continuing their conversation. (Could they pick anywhere more public?) Kylie is telling him that the DNA would be similar, and accuses Nick of abortions being his speciality. Nick asks her who told her that, to which she replies that she has lived around there long enough to have heard. He counters that he thought she didn't want another kid, but she tells him that she did agree to try for one, and besides it is probably David's anyway. She asks how she can abort a child on the off chance. Nick points out that if she lies to David now, she will be lying for the rest of her life. Kylie points out that David will be over the moon about it, but Nick asks her if she is going to be able to live with the guilt? He goes on to say that it has only been half a day, and the guilt is already killing him. He begs her to get rid of this one, then she and David can try again, and be certain it is his. Kylie is shocked at his turn of phrase, but he tells her he doesn't have time to be delicate.

Rita comes along at that point, and thanks Nick for the lovely meal. She then turns to Kylie and tells her that David made a lovely speech, saying that she knows he has been a little toe rag all his life, but he has turned a corner now, and it's all down to her and Max. A slightly drunk Rita goes on about it being like giving someone a rabbit to take care of, it makes all the difference. Kylie looks blankly at her, and asks if she is calling her a rabbit? Rita realises she can't talk her way out of that one, so beats a hasty retreat.

In the Rovers, Gail is sitting in a booth all by herself, looking very miserable indeed. Michelle asks why she isn't at the wedding, and she replies it's because she has backbone. Michelle looks puzzled, but isn't interested enough to ask her to elaborate.

Lloyd and Mandy are rehashing the Sophie/Jenna/Kevin problems, and Mandy is saying that it will all come out in the wash. According to her, Sophie is a fantasist, Kevin is a nasty vindictive little man and Jenna is a first rate Physiotherapist. Lloyd is certainly not arguing with any of that.

Rob arrives, and Carla pounces on him, asking what exactly he was doing in the office earlier. He reiterates that he was just getting a few things he left behind in a drawer. She leans in and tells him he is to stay away from her business from now on. He replies that it is his impression that she doesn't have much of a business, and decides to drink elsewhere.

Nick is uneasy, Leanne is standing at the bar talking to Kylie. She is telling her she hopes they will be able to get along better in the future, now they are family. Nick arranges for the music to start, and whisks Leanne away for a dance. David comes up ready to dance with Kylie, but she tells him her headache has come back, shrugs him off and tells him to ask his Gran. With that, she leaves to get some air.

The row is still going on in No. 7. Sunita is defending her actions by telling him he would never have left Stella on his own. He counters that he never wanted to leave Stella, and had told her that. She points out that Stella was treating him like a kid, but Carl tells her he deserved it, as he had gambled away her money and almost lost her the pub, yet Stella had still stood by him. "I stand by you!" cries Sunita. Karl's response to that is that he never wanted her to stand by him, in fact he never wanted her at all. He goes on to say that he never respected her in the first place, and tells her to imagine what he thinks of her now.

A miserable Kylie is sitting on Maxine's bench, mascara running all over the place. Along comes Eva, who starts quizzing her on why she looks like a panda. Kylie dissolves into tears and after making motor mouth promise not to tell anyone, confesses she is pregnant. Eva tells her that is brilliant, that a little David would be the best thing since sliced bread (she said that with a straight face too!). She points out that she should go ahead with it, and have three paid months off work too - (always a good reason to have a baby - NOT!) Anyway, she tells her if she was her, that's what she would do.

Back in the Bistro, Jason is joking to Nick that he is his father-in-law now, and takes him off to explain the birds and the bees. Hayley arrives just in time to see Roy hot-footing out of the kitchen, saying he cannot work with Mary, who is hot on his heels. She is pleading with him not to let a French tart come between them, but he is out the door before you can say petite petasse!

Overhearing various conversations among the guests, Deirdre is heard to say that Gail probably thought she would be missed by staying away, but as far as she could see, nobody noticed she wasn't there. Stella and Leanne are chatting about men, Leanne asks her if she would ever try again, and Stella is not ruling it out, so Leanne wishes her luck on finding Mr. Right.

I guess Eva didn't convince Kylie, because she comes back into the Bistro and tells Nick she has decided to have an abortion. Nick is overjoyed, and tells her it is the best wedding present she could have given him. She points out that she is the one getting the rough end of the deal, and he tells her they will sort it all out. Kylie still looks very sad about the whole thing.

Back to the unpleasantness in No. 7. Karl is gathering his things together, and Sunita is begging him not to leave her. She accuses him of intending to go back to Stella. He spits back at her that Stella hates him, thanks to her. She pleads with him to stay then. He replies "I would rather be hated by her than be loved by you!" Front door slams shut behind him, and Sunita dissolves into tears. (I know Shobna Gulati (Sunita) is leaving, but I was so hoping she would take the unpleasant character of Karl with her. How can they possibly redeem him after this?)

Everyone is standing outside the Bistro waving off the happy couple who are in a taxi, leaving for the airport. Karl is standing outside No. 7, looking longingly at Stella, and Gail is outside the Rovers, staring at the taxi as it passes. Nick glances in her direction, then turns to his wife whose head is on his shoulder, kisses her tenderly and smiles as the credits roll.

Christine Warren


Monday 14 January

Written by Susan Oudot Directed by Duncan Foster

Karl slept rough in a doorway with a bottle for comfort.

Gail teases David about a doll he loved to play with when he was small. Kylie's distracted and tells David she has a dentist appointment and she's short tempered. The toast burns, Gail jumps, Kylie seems to have a thumping headache.

Hayley is getting ready for her first day back to work. Roy seems a bit grumpy but not any more than usual but Hayley seems to make the grand leap to the conclusion that he's in a mood over Mary and wonders how long their feud will go on. I don't know where she got to that from their conversation about Palm Springs but she did. They bicker as Fiz arrives for work. Roy insists that Mary is a tyrant and he won't tolerate her insults to his soggy bottom vol au vents. Hayley points out no real harm was done but Roy reckons help should have been accepted uncritically. He leans over to pick up a case of tins and his back goes out on him.

Dev greets two sullen twins on their birthday. Sunita is less than bright and chipper as well and the kids tell Dev that she's been crying and Karl hadn't come home. Dev expresses concern and she fills him in on the basics. He wants her problems to be forgotten so as not to overshadow the twins' day.

There's a great long queue in the cafe with Audrey dithering and Norris moaning. No change there then. Fiz is in over her heard and can't keep up with things. Norris continues to make a prat of himself and Fiz tries desperately not to stab him. Hayley brings Roy back from the doctor but there isn't much that can be done. Anna is away, Ken is busy, Fiz suggests Mary but Roy refuses. Hayley shouts "Nobody ever choked to death swallowing his pride!" Hayley has to run to work.

Leanne and Nick are back from their weekend honeymoon in Paris. Nick is distracted and we know why. Leanne doesn't notice. Peter remarks about their honeymoon being over. Smart alec. Leanne and Nick head towards the flat while Peter wonders if he's going to be stuck in the shop alone. Leanne tells him she quits. He can pay her out of her share however he needs to. That puts Peter on the back foot. He did not see that coming! Nick looks very pleased with her and then offers her a job at the Bistro. She accepts with a kiss. They look forward to a fresh start and he picks her up to go over the threshold.

Karl has come to tell Stella about Sunita deleting the text and setting them up. I guess he's trying to find another way to worm back into Stella's life but Stella knows very well that even if the trap was set, he certainly walked into it. She reaffirms that it's over.

In the factory, Carla is still struggling with clients dropping their services. She's got an appointment later at 1:30 with another client so they're hopeful.

Karl arrives home, surly and silent. Sunita starts in on him, expecting an explanation and apologizes again. He refuses to forgive her. She tries to be placating but he's not having it. He only came back because he's trapped, he's got nowhere to go. He slopes up stairs with an armful of beer.

Norris is in full rant about the situation in the cafe which has prevented him from getting a proper breakfast. Mary finds it very interesting, looking somewhat hopeful. Norris reckons he never complains about his own sciatica (no, just his bunions!). He believes the customer must come first but when Mary offers a note to pay for her purchase he snarls "Haven't you got anything less??"

In the Bistro, Kylie and Lewis collide. Nick and Leanne arrive and are greeted by Lewis who tells them that Gail is sulking. Leanne goes into the kitchen to make peace with Gail. Kylie and Nick are awkward with each other. Nick is frantic, wondering why she's there and not home recovering from the termination. She spits at him and says she's in a lose-lose situation while he just wants everything to go away so he's off the hook and his new wife isn't any the wiser. She snarls that it's not all about him and strides out, leaving him to sweat. Good girl!

Kylie's gone to the pub for a vodka. Eva refuses to give it to her. Kylie says she's not told David yet and isn't going to. Eva realizes she's decided to have the termination.

Roy is supervising from a chair, buttering bread and slicing buns while Fiz is doing all the donkey work, still not really keeping up with the long queue. Mary peeks in and notices Roy still in pain. She offers her help but he politely refuses. Fiz isn't so polite to him and calls her back, desperate for help. Roy gives in reluctantly. Mary rushes over and puts a pinny on, draping her coat over Roy's head! He struggles out from under, waving his carving knife.

In the back room, Kylie's tearfully telling Eva that she can't tell David and it's her decision. She's not telling Eva the whole story, of course so Eva can't understand and thinks is just because there's been a bad patch and David will be over the moon. What happens when David finds out eventually? He won't forgive her. She sobs, probably knowing she's right but can't tell Eva everything. Eva asks her why she's in so much pain if it's what she really wants. Just then Kylie's phone buzzes, the taxi is there. Eva tries to stop her but it's no use, Kylie runs out.

Mary has done magic getting the burned bits off a pot. We are treated to a camera angle to the back of the kitchen and guess what? There's a back door there, too! It's a view point we rarely see. Anyway, they discuss methods of getting grime off pans. Mary had used washing powder where Roy says that simmering rhubarb is better, beans don't taste soapy. Fiz wordlessly hands Mary something to wash out the pot to get the soap residue. Julie and Kirsty come in. Things are a bit awkward. Mary suggests Roy have a lie down but he's fine. Fiz hands over the drinks. Julie and Kirsty sit down to discuss the hen night, something small at Number 9 is what she wants. She makes sure she talks about the wedding itself, talking about the man she loves, making sure Fiz is in earshot.

Carla swans in. Apparently, Rob beat her to the appointment and stole the client from under her. They don't know how Rob found out. Carla knows he must have got the information from somehow or someone. But who?

The twins' party is underway with some of the neighbouring kids and parents. Karl lurches downstairs, being a bit obnoxious and clearly a drunk. Dev gives the twins an expensive game each.

(Soap Cliche alert!) David empties the bin and the bottom of the bag splits, landing the rubbish all over the kitchen floor. How many guesses do you want to give that a certain pregnancy test stick is in the mix? I'll give you three and the first two don't count. Yep. David finds it and his face widens in surprise.

Tina's turn in the cafe. Fiz is a bit fed up after Kirsty's visit rubbing her nose in it. Tina commiserates and assures Fiz that Tyrone loves her. She encourages Fiz, it's only one more week. Fiz moans that she misses Tyrone.

David has come to the Bistro to look for Kylie. Lewis said she left for an appointment. David remembers now that she'd said that earlier. He bounces back out and Nick looks thoughtful.

Karl is still necking ale. Sunita's trying to ignore him but Tracy picks up the baton and winds up Karl a bit. Karl starts making sarcastically cryptic remarks to Sunita. Dev tries to soften things and Leanne makes tea.

David hops into the Salon where Eva is consulting with Audrey. David tells them that Kylie is pregnant. Eva is stunned and Audrey is thrilled. Eva asks if he's seen her. He says he found the test. Eva is clearly weighing things up. She advises him to call Kylie and tell her that he knows. She won't say why at first though admits she knew but only for a short while. Audrey immediately realizes Kylie didn't want David to know and Eva explains that Kylie didn't think it was the right time to have it what with the rows they'd been having. Audrey rightly guesses that Kylie is getting rid of it and Eva confirms it. David freaks out.

Tvor

Written by Susan Oudot and directed by Duncan Foster

Kylie is waiting anxiously at the clinic. Her phone rings and she cuts it off without answering. Just then her name is called.

David rushes into the cab office wanting to know where Kylie's been taken but Lloyd refuses to divulge the location. Luckily for David, Lloyd is distracted by a phone call from Mandy so he's able to have a quick check of the bookings list and take down the address.

In the salon Audrey's in the middle of telling Eva that she hopes she's not just making mischief when David comes bursting in demanding Audrey lets him borrow her car. Eva says he needs to go so Audrey hands over her keys.

In the cafe Roy is finding it very hard to sit back and watch while Mary takes over the cooking. They nearly come to blows over the best way to cook a fried egg and Mary whips off her apron, ready to walk out. Fiz manages to save the situation by pointing out that Mary deserves Roy's gratitude rather than his criticism. Mary agrees to stay and Roy reluctantly accepts Fiz's whispered advice that he needs to be the bigger person.

Tina sees Ty in the street. He asks her how Fiz is doing and she says not great. Tina tells him about Kirsty going into the cafe and winding Fiz up. She suggests Ty and Fiz could go round to her flat tomorrow while Kirsty's at work and cheer each other up.

The twins' birthday party has come to an end. Leanne tells Sunita she needs to take Simon home because she doesn't want him to spend too much time around people who are drinking. She's referring to Karl who's sitting morosely on the sofa clutching a can of lager. Dev's on the other sofa with the kids who are playing with their new computer games. As Karl goes to help himself to another drink Dev asks Sunita what's going on and whether she's going to allow Karl to continue to humiliate her. Sunita says they're just going through a rough patch but Dev gives it to her straight. He tells her Karl is a loser, he's only with her because she's the one paying for everything and he's done nothing for her in return. Sunita tells Dev she doesn't need relationship advice from him but, as Karl stomps up the stairs behind them, Dev tells Sunita she deserves more and always did.

Fiz has finished her shift at the cafe and suggests Roy would be better off going to bed but, painful though the experience is, he decides that perching on a stool where he can keep an eye on Mary is the lesser of two evils. Just as Fiz is leaving she gets a call from Ty. She tells him how Kirsty was in earlier and it made her feel like her head was going to explode. Ty tells her it's not long now.

Back inside the cafe, Roy is in great pain and Mary is reminded of her Aunt Mitty who suffered from terrible lumbago. She tells him it was cured by the application of horse linament. Roy must have reached the end of his tether because when Mary offers to get him a bottle he accepts gratefully.

Ty is ending his call to Fiz and as he's saying he'll see her later he jumps at the sound of Kirsty coming out of the back door. He's surprised to see her home and makes out he's having a tidy up in the shed.

David arrives at the clinic and demands to see Kylie. The receptionist refuses to let him through but at that moment David spots Kylie through a glass door and rushes through. She wants to know what he's doing there and he says he was going to ask her the same thing.

Dev is still talking to Sunita and trying to work out what she sees in Karl since he says one thing's for sure, he certainly doesn't make her happy. Dev tells her that he understand things are over between the two of them but that doesn't stop him caring about her as she's still his wife and the mother of their children. Sunita starts to cry and Dev takes her hands and tells her that he wants her to be happy and to be with someone who deserves her. As he's saying this Karl walks in and comments sarcastically that it's very touching. Dev says he'll collect the kids and take them back to his place for a bit. Karl opens yet another beer.

In the clinic David is confronting Kylie. He's relieved to discover she hasn't had the termination yet. She wants to know how he found out so he tells her it was Eva and that she was right to tell him. David's beside himself and can't understand why she would want to get rid of their baby. One of the staff ask him to leave but he says he's not going anywhere without Kylie. He's getting quite heated so the woman tells him if he doesn't leave she'll call the police. She gets someone to escort him off the premises and as he's being led away he shouts at Kylie not to do it, not to get rid of the baby. After he's gone the doctor tells Kylie it's her decision but if she wants time to think about it, that's fine. Kylie replies that she can't have the baby knowing that it might not be his.

At the factory Sean and Julie go to tell Carla that they're about to go home. Carla asks Julie whether Rob was on his own when he came in earlier. Julie tells her that he said he wanted to clear his desk. Michelle asks if Julie saw him do it and she says no, he came into the office on his own. Carla and Michelle try to work out what Rob was up to and then they realise what he did: he must have logged onto the computer and granted himself access as a guest user so that he could go in and look at the diary.

Nick is in the kitchen of the Bistro trying to make a call on his phone. He stares at it and looks distracted then walks through to the front. Leanne asks if he's alright and he says he's just tired, that's all. At that moment Audrey walks in and tells the assembled company they won't believe the day she's just had or, indeed, the news she has to impart: Kylie's pregnant. Gail looks suitably surprised and says she hopes they know what they're doing since only five minutes ago she and David were at each other's throats. Audrey tells her to hang on a minute before she goes buying bibs and booties and then drops her second bombshell: Kylie has booked herself in for an abortion without telling David she's pregnant. Nick, who's been pacing up and down and frowning in the background asks if David knows. Audrey confirms he does and says he's just dashed to the clinic to try and stop her. Gail says that David will be devastated and Kylie would know that but before she can continue with this train of thought Nick interrupts and says he thinks they should all keep out of it. Gail says she doesn't agree, they're family and David's going to need their support to get over it. Just for a change, Audrey agrees with Gail but Nick says that whatever Kylie's reason for doing it she obviously thinks it's the right one. He walks back through to the kitchen and looks like he's about to be sick.

David is outside the clinic when Kylie goes out to join him. She tells him she hasn't changed her mind, she's still going ahead with the abortion. He doesn't understand why so she makes out it's because they've only been back together for five minutes and they can't be sure their relationship will last. David tells her if she gets rid of the baby that will destroy their relationship but Kylie says she's worried she could end up as a single mum with two kids. Eventually she agrees to go home and talk but says that nothing's changed.

Back at the factory Carla and Michelle are discussing Rob. Michelle says that now they know what he's been up to they can deny him access to the computer but Carla has a better idea: they'll put a fake meeting in the diary for 1.15 the next day and give Rob a taste of his own medicine.

At Sunita's she and Karl are at each other's throats. He tells her that he's lost everything whereas she still has her house and kids and Dev would take her back tomorrow. She says she has lost something: her self-respect. Karl says he knows when she lost that - the day she deleted the text. Sunita says Stella was right when she said she would regret taking Karl on because he's a liar, a gambler and he's cruel. She tells him it's over but Karl snorts and says it was over before he moved in. She tells him in that case he'll have no problem moving out but unfortunately for Sunita Karl has no intentions of moving anywhere and tells her she wanted him and now she's got him and, with that, he leaves the house, slamming the door behind him.

Hayley comes home just as Mary is closing up the cafe. Hayley's thrilled that she's there and delighted to see that Roy is back on his feet. She sniffs the air and Mary explains that the smell is because she's given Roy a deep kneading with Aunty Mitty's linament. Mary is overcome with excitement at being back in the cafe and now that he's in less pain, Roy seems to have accepted the situation and tells Mary that it would be very helpful if she could come in again tomorrow, much to Hayley's relief.

At Ty and Kirsty's they're looking at the bottom of the banisters where they paint has chipped off. Ty says he can touch it up and Kirsty's all for him doing it right away. In fact, she's seen a can of paint in the shed outside. Ty tells her that she's mistaken, that was some paint left over from doing the sitting room and then rushes out to the shed to rescue the pot where he keeps his mobile phone to stop Kirsty getting there first.

David and Kylie are now back at home and they're both in bits. He asks her what would have happened if he'd got to the clinic and she'd already gone through with the abortion. They're both in tears as he tells her that he loves her so much. She says she knows and she loves him too and she's not saying they'll never have another baby but just not now. She begs him to try and understand but he says he can't. He says he knows if she goes ahead he'll never get over it and he's already lost one baby. David says of all the problems they've got there's nothing they can't deal with. Kylie asks him how she could bring this baby into the world knowing she didn't want it. David thinks she's just scared. Eventually David tells Kylie that if she doesn't love him enough to have this baby then they're finished. Kylie grabs her things and rushes out, sobbing, just as Gail comes home.

Outside in the street, Jason's just been finishing a job for Sunita - changing the lock on the front door. At that moment Karl comes wandering back so Sunita grabs his stuff from inside and dumps it on the pavement. Karl asks what she's going and she tells him she's getting rid of a bad smell. He tries to get in but Sunita slams the door. As he tries to force his way past, Dev comes along and tells Karl to get away from his house and his kids. Karl knows when he's beaten, picks up his things and walks away. Dev asks if Sunita's O.K. She says she is although gives Dev a pretty filthy look for his trouble.

Nick is brooding in his office when Kylie walks in. She tells him she's sorry to disappoint him but she hasn't gone through with it. He wants to know what she's told David and she says don't worry, nothing that involves him. She's angry and points out that whatever she does, she's screwed. If she gets rid of the baby, David will never forgive her. If she keeps it and it's Nick's, she's screwed because she'll never forgive herself or Nick or the baby. She says either way she'll lose and, as she starts to break down and sob, she asks Nick to tell her what she should do.

Karen


Wednesday 16 January

It's early morning at the Platt's. David asks Gail to take Max to school, so he can have a chance to talk to Kylie.

In Tyrone's house, she's full of joy and happiness, and excited about the prospect of soon becoming Mrs. Tyrone Dobbs. She goes off to work smiling. As soon as she's out of the door, Tyrone rushes outside to the shed for his secret phone and dials Fiz, who is working in the cafe. He asks her to meet him at Tina's at 11 am.

As Fiz hangs up, Hayley comes down into the cafe, she's off to work. Fiz assures her she'll look after Roy. "As will I," says a voice – Mary has arrived. She starts huffing on her hands and flexing her fingers. Roy is horrified to hear she's planning to give him a massage to help his back, and tells her he's not happy with being touched. The best way she can help is to get on and serve the customers.

Back at Gail's, David asks how Kylie can consider having a termination, knowing how he feels. She tells him it has to be right for both of them, she's scared. She says that every day with Max is a struggle, and she only manages because of David and his mum. He tells her they'll still be there to help. She sobs that she's sorry, she's just not ready to be a mum again.

Rob is in the cafe, working on his laptop. He tells Mary he thinks he's about to get himself a new customer. Just then Michelle comes in, and he asks how things are going at the factory. "Never better," smiles Michelle.

David tells Kylie how hurt he was when he heard that Tina had aborted his baby. He urges her to think about how happy Max makes them all feel, and points out that if she'd had an abortion when she found out she was expecting him, she wouldn't have any of that now. She goes off to work crying, saying she's not doing this to hurt him.

Michelle goes back into the office. Carla is reading an email that Rob has sent thinking it was going to a customer, but instead it has gone to her. She sees that he's made an arrangement to meet this customer at the bistro at lunchtime.

On her way to work, Kylie sees Eva, and wonders why she had to open her mouth and tells David about the pregnancy. Eva says she did it to save her marriage, she could have lost everything.

Karl sees Steve getting into a taxi and asks if he can give him a driving job. Steve reluctantly says he'll ask Lloyd.

Kylie has arranged to meet Nick in the park. She tells him how much she hates lying to David and thinks she'll have to tell him the truth.

Tyrone and Fiz are cuddled up on Tina's sofa, talking about the wedding. He says that as soon as the reception starts he'll grab Ruby and then he and Fiz can get out of there, he doesn't want to stay with Kirsty a second longer than he has to. She tells him she'll be with him every step of the way.

Nick and Kylie are discussing their predicament. She's frightened that one day she will let slip that the baby might not be his. She feels that if she's honest now they may be able to find a way through it.

Rob arrives at the bistro, and tells Lewis he's there to meet Mr. Jenkinson. Lewis shows him to a table, but sitting there are Carla and Michelle!

Nick tells Kylie this could be David's baby, so he doesn't see why she just doesn't keep her mouth shut, and they could be really happy together. If it got out that she and Nick had slept together, David would never, ever forgive him. He can't see why she could contemplate messing everything up unless she was a hundred percent sure. Eventually they agree that she'll have the baby and it will forever be their secret.

Karl is in the pub, downing pints of beer and looking miserable. When Stella picks up the empty glasses, he tells her he's homeless, she should be happy, it's what she wanted. "I didn't want any of this, Karl," she tells him.

Steve comes in, and, over at the bar, tells Stella how Karl asked him for a job. Stella says that she would be happy if Steve gave him work, that would stop him hanging round the pub morning, noon and night. Steve is somewhat surprised, but then goes over to Karl and tells him he can give him a few shifts. Karl thanks him, and then asks for a sub of twenty quid till next payday!

Tyrone asks Kevin if he'll buy his share of the business off him, telling him it's so he can give Kirsty a honeymoon to remember. Kevin is astounded, but says he'll see what he can do. Just then Kirsty comes back in, so Tyrone mutters to Kevin to keep it quiet, and shows him out.

A moody and morose David is at home when Kirsty comes back and tells him she won't have the abortion. He's delighted and gives her a huge hug. They both cry and say how much they love each other. "Thank you," says David, "you'll never regret this."

Anne Logan


Friday 18 January

Margaret is off on her jollies to New Zealand so I will try my best to fill her shoes and keep her Corrie chair warm. Here we have episode one of Friday 18th...

...which starts off with Kirsty bouncing excitedly into the front room while Tyrone cradles Ruby. She is about to head off to be pampered. She is in high spirits and promises that she will make Tyrone the happiest husband ever. Tyrone agrees tentatively although Kirsty doesn't notice his discomfort.

David is asking Kylie whether they should tell max about the pregnancy. Kylie is telling him it's too early to do that, but that doesn't stop him suggesting that they make an announcement to neighbours. David makes sure Kylie is still okay with her decision and she assures him that she is.

Kevin pops round to Tyrone's house where he leaps in to discussion about selling his half of the garage. Kevin is bewildered as Tyrone's desperation becomes clear as he continually chops the price in the hope that Kevin will buy it on the spot. They agree on £10,000 but Kevin is definitely concerned about why Tyrone needs the money so urgently.

Carla is becoming anxious waiting on a phone call from an important business client. She takes her frustrations out on the factory staff and rants about Kirsty and Izzy having time off.

David bumps into Tina on the Street and can't help himself but tell her that Kylie is pregnant. As he raves about how excited he is to become a dad, his questions about how Tina can consider giving up hers irritate her. She tells him she's on the way to her scan.

In the cafe, Anna is telling Owen and Gary that Faye has impressed her teachers by completing her project ahead of schedule. Tina comes in but isn't in the mood for small talk. She and Gary head straight out to pick up Izzy.

Kirk brings the suits round to Tyrone. As they try their jackets on, Tyrone asks Kirk if he would watch over Ruby if he pops out. Kirk agrees.

The factory phone rings as Carla and Michelle are heading out. It is the client that Carla has been waiting for, arranging an 8pm meeting. Sally, who has popped over to pick up her purse, overhears but is sworn to secrecy.

Tyrone has gone round to see Fiz and they are kissing. He tells her he feels bad for what he is about to do to Kirsty and Fiz asks if he is having second thoughts. He assures her that he knows what he has to do for the best. Fiz tells him that afterwards, they will be able to be together as a family.

Tina, Izzy and Gary are at the scan. As Tina and Gary look at the screen, Tina turns away, unable to look at it

Tyrone is on the phone making the final arrangements with his solicitor on his phone over the sale of the garage. Kirsty comes in so Tyrone hangs up and stuffs the phone behind the cushion on the settee. Kirsty has bought a lot of things for a hen party and insists that Tyrone heads out. Tyrone tries to make excuses to stay, uneasy that his phone is not well hidden but Kirsty ushers him out of the house so that she can prepare her party.

Anna asks Tina how the scan went. Tina blankly replies that it was fine. Anna asks to see the photo and looks confused when Tina tells her she didn't get one.

Izzy has returned to work and Carla is in a much better mood, even asking Izzy how it went. Julie reminds her co workers that they all need to head round to Kirsty's after work.

Lewis asks Kylie if she and David are excited about the baby. He drops hints that it might be getting very crowded at Gail's, making Kylie consider whether she and David should get a place of their own.

Rob comes into the Rovers and sees Sally at the bar. He buys her a drink and asks her what is going on at Underworld. She smiles at him wryly.

Julie arrives to help Kirsty prepare for the hen night but everything is already in place. Kirsty is excited for the arrival of her guests.

Rob is criticising the factory to Sally and telling her she'll be out of a job soon. Sally can't help but retort that there is business coming in. When Rob scoffs at this, Sally lets slip that Carla is attending a meeting with Mr Haslem at 8pm that night. Rob quickly finishes his drink and heads out.

David asks Tina about the scan and what the baby looks like. He can't get his head around her reply which is that she didn't look. She reminds him that it's not her baby; it's just a job.

Kirk and Tyrone are in the Bistro and Kirk is discussing his speech for the next day, although it's clear that Tyrone's head is elsewhere. Tyrone tells Kirk that he hopes that whatever happens, they can remain friends.

Kylie catches up with Lewis and tells him she's decided that she and David should move out of Gail's. Lewis looks pleased with himself.

Carla is about to get into the car to head into the meeting but is furious to discover that her tyres have been blown.

The hen party is underway and the girls are having a laugh. Kirsty is gushing about Tyrone being the one and how excited she is for the future. As she talks, Julie finds the phone under the cushion and asks if it belongs to anyone before handing it to Kirsty. As Kirsty looks through the phone, her face drops dramatically.

Faye is sitting with her laptop at the kitchen table and Owen and Anna are saying how proud they are of her. Once the attention is off of her, Faye secretly becomes engrossed in her laptop and it becomes clear that it isn't schoolwork she is doing...

Kirsty is shaking and silently crying as she reads through texts from Fiz and Tyrone which give away their plans for the wedding and their affair. Kirsty blurts out that she has a headache and asks everyone to leave. When her friends ask if they can do anything, Kirsty that she wants them out and now. Her confused friends leave, and Kirsty bursts into tears as her body convulses with rage...

So what have we learned tonight?

-News spreads in Weatherfield
-Gail can be the soul of discretion
-David likes to crack his knuckles
-Tyrone keeps his vegetable oil in the same cupboard as his wine glasses
-Kirsty had the following cliche hen night staples: pink feather boas, sparkly hats, pom pom headbands, pink Christmas trees (?), ‘L' plates and bridal veils.
-Sally doesn't know the following things: Why Kirsty needed a day off, how Carla puts in so any hours and how Tina can carry another person's baby.

Dubious Awards

Least Likely Prospect: "After tomorrow, I'm going to be such a great wife" Kirsty to Tyrone
Most understanding fiancée: "I wouldn't blame you for having doubts" Kirsty to Tyrone
Boss of the year: "Does anyone else want some time off" Carla to her employees
Longest potential game: "Guess who's pregnant!" David to Tina
The 'if only' moment of the night: "My lips are sealed." Sally
Biggest sign of impending doom: "It's going to be very civilized" Julie about the wedding
Most unbelievable statement: "I am honour bound" Lewis
Most potentially entertaining speech: "I've written all about you and Kirsty" Kirk

Until next time!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: Mark Burt Directed by: Duncan Foster

Kirsty is sitting in the living room of No. 9, sobbing her heart out as she looks through Tyrone's phone, especially when she comes to the photos of him showing off the many bruises and scars all over his body. Shaking, she grabs a hammer and rushes outside and lays the phone on the flagstones, raising her arm, she suddenly stops herself, and a look of cold hatred comes over her face. Possibly she has thought of a better way to get revenge.

In the Bistro, Tyrone is not having much of a stag night. He is sitting there stewing about his phone, but Kirk reassures him that he doesn't have his either, so they can have an incognito epic night. Ty tells Kirk he wants an early night, and plans to be home by 10 p.m. Kirk is crestfallen, and feels he has fallen down on the job of best man. Lewis notices that Tyrone is looking glum and comes over, determined to put a little liquor into the evening by pouring them some shots. Tyrone protests that he would just like to nip home first, but Lewis won't hear of it, and insists he get the shot down his neck.

Over in No. 8, Max is getting ready for bed. David suggests to Kylie that they tell him about the baby. Kylie protests, and Gail suggests they wait until the morning. But David says he will burst if he doesn't get to tell him now. David of course gets his own way as usual, so they sit down and tell Max. He doesn't mind the idea, but wants to know if he is going to have to share his bedroom. Kylie assures him they will both have their own room, which surprises Gail, as the only room left is the garage. However, Kylie announces that they are going to move out and get their own place.

Stella wants to know where the bride-to-be is, as the rest of them in funny hats are sitting in the Rovers. They explain that Kirsty had a 'funny turn', or rather 'went totally mental' as Izzy so delicately puts it, and that they had all been thrown out. They got to wondering how the boys were getting along at their stag, and Sean suggests they gate-crash their party. Julie has reservations about it, but is swiftly outnumbered.

Before they get a chance to leave. Carla flounces in, totally in a snit. Michelle asks how the meeting went, and she relates that after she arrived late, due to the four flat tyres, she gets there to discover that Rob has already been there and pinched the business. Michelle is incredulous, and wants to know how Rob could have found out about it. Carla, suspecting that someone tipped him off, looks around and notices Sally looking very guilty indeed, and guesses immediately that it was her. Sally owns up, saying how sorry she is, that it had just slipped out, and promises it will never happen again.

Fiz is home alone watching Telly, when a knock comes on the door. A freezing cold Kirsty is standing outside in the rain with no coat on. Fiz asks her why she isn't at her hen party, and is told that Kirsty wasn't really in the mood. Fiz demands to know what she wants, and Kirsty asks to come in. Fiz coldly tells her she doesn't think that would be a good idea - she hasn't forgotten what Kirsty did to her last time she came into her house. Kirsty, who appears to be close to tears, assures her she comes in peace, and only wants to talk. Fiz asks her if it can wait, and is told it can't, Kirsty begs her, saying it's important.

In No. 6, Anna, Owen, Gary and Faye are marveling over the ultrasound picture of the baby. They are all most impressed with how much it has grown, and how much it now resembles a baby rather than a blob. Owen feels sure, looking at the picture that it is a girl, saying that after having two girls he has experience with these things (never mind the fact they didn't do routine ultrasounds back then did they? But oh well). Gary tells him he doesn't care what sex it is, he just wants a healthy baby, and tells Anna he will be putting her down for babysitting duties, the idea of which she doesn't mind at all. While on the subject of babysitting, Owen asks Gary if he will babysit Faye while he and Anna pop to the Rovers. He doesn't mind at all either. Neither does Faye, just as long as they can talk about something other than babies. It's a deal then.

Fiz has allowed Kirsty to come in, but she is very much on her guard. She sits down, but Fiz remains standing, and warns her that Katy will be home any minute. Kirsty tells her that her hen party fell through because she totally fell to pieces. Fiz tells her she is sorry, but Kirsty can tell by her tone of voice that she isn't really, and tells her so, but goes on to say that it's OK, because she really doesn't deserve her sympathy. She goes on to explain that she feels bad about throwing the girls out, but that she had a lot on her mind. She tells her that she has been doing a lot of soul searching.

She goes on to say that she had never thought someone like her would ever get married, and Fiz replies that she fell on her feet when she met Tyrone. Kirsty agrees that she knows that, and she has come to realise that he is very special, and tells Fiz that she knows that she knows he is too. Fiz hastens to reassure her that she and Ty are just mates, and Kirsty takes a deep breath and with tears on her cheeks tells her that she is not suggesting otherwise, not any more. Fiz asks her to get to the point. Kirsty tells her that if it hadn't been for the bad blood between the two of them, Tyrone would have invited her to the wedding. Fiz tells her it doesn't matter, that what's done is done. But Kirsty goes on to tell her she needs her help to make their wedding day one Tyrone will never forget. Fiz demands to know what she wants, and is told that she would like her to come to the wedding. Well, you could knock Fiz over with a feather she is so shocked!

Fiz is still gobsmacked after the break. She explodes at Kirsty, asking why she would want her there when she hates her guts, and she has the scars to prove it. She asks her why she shouldn't just send her packing right now, and Kirsty replies, still with tears running down her face, that she won't because she (Fiz) is a better person than her, and as much as she hates to admit it, it's true. She goes on to say that Fiz had been a big part of Tyrone's life before she came along, and with a catch in her voice tells her that she still is. She goes on to say that although it hurts, she accepts it now.

A suspicious Fiz asks her why she accepts it now, what has changed? Kirsty tells her it is because she could see how cut up Tyrone was when she had nearly died, and it made her realise she was fighting a losing battle. Fiz looks at her and says "Tyrone loves you". For a second, you can see a flash of anger in Kirsty's eyes, but she suppresses it, and says "He loves you as well". She goes on to tell Fiz that knowing that doesn't make it easy for a person like her. She also says that they have one thing in common, that they both know how amazing Tyrone is, which is something to build on, as she just wants him to be happy. Fiz, who has relaxed enough to sit now, says "Yeah, maybe, that's all I want too". Kirsty then asks her to meet her half way, and give Tyrone the wedding he deserves by being there. Fiz stands up and tells her she will think about it, so Kirsty leans over and kisses her on the cheek, which gobsmacks Fiz all over again, and quietly leaves.

I was sitting here amazed at Kirsty's self control, not something she is known for. However, the minute she closes the door of No. 5 behind her, she starts to shake, and her face contorts into the ugly, angry person we know so well.

We are back eavesdropping on the conversation between Gail, David and Kylie. David is now one hundred percent on Kylie's side, and has been figuring out their incomes and whether they can afford to live on their own. He figures it will be tight, but doable. Gail of course doesn't want to cut the apron strings, and tries playing devil's advocate, pointing out all the pitfalls they will face on their own. However, they are not to be swayed, and Gail is just going to have to get used to the idea.

Rob walks into the Rovers having been summoned there by Carla. She accuses him of vandalising her car, and tells him she should report him to the police. He doesn't deny it, but tells her she has no evidence to back it up. She then surprises him (and me) by offering him his old job back. She tells him that he is a pain in the neck, but (and here comes the line of the week) "I would rather have you inside the tent peeing out than the other way around". LOL!! (I think that's a first for graphic language for Corrie!) He tells her that Michelle is not going to like it, and is told that Michelle can like it or lump it, and she needs an answer now. However, Rob is not quite ready, he knows he is in a position to negotiate and begins.

Anna calls Brian over, and tells him that Faye has really been enjoying doing her project, that she has hardly been off her computer. Brian looks a bit puzzled and asks if they saw the note the school sent home with her yesterday. Anna tells him she hadn't and demands to know what was in it. He tells her that Faye had been the only pupil in her class not to have completed her project. Anna can't wait to have a word with that young lady.

Kirkeh is trying his hardest to give Tyrone a good time, but he is just not in the mood. Just then, the gang from the hen party arrive, and Ty hears all about Kirsty's migraine. A look of panic comes into his eyes, and he tells them he must go home and check to make sure she is alright, and flies out the door.

Rob and Carla are still negotiating. He is arguing that all the new business was because he brought it in, which she admits. (I still don't get how he could fulfill these poached orders though, without a factory, machines or workforce - was this discussed while I was napping?) Anyway, Carla buys it all, and offers him a pay rise, which he turns down, so she then offers him a car, still no deal. What he wants is a 45% share in the company. First off, she dismisses the whole idea, so he starts to walk away. She calls him back, and the haggling starts. They end shaking hands on Rob now being the owner of 30% of the company.

Tyrone is home, and is standing outside the living room door, trying to gather enough courage to go in. Deep breath and in he goes, expecting the worst. However, Kirsty has things under control, and greets him, asking why he is home. He tells her he heard about her migraine, so wanted to make sure she is OK. She tells him it's fading already. She goes up to check on Ruby, and the minute she turns her back, he scrambles under the cushion, and is delighted to find his phone still there. What he doesn't see however is Kirsty glaring daggers into his back from outside the door. He rushes outside and puts the phone back into the paint can in the shed, all the time being watched by Kirsty from an upstairs window.

Michelle arrives at the Rovers, and is greeted by Rob, who offers to buy her a drink, and is told she will buy her own. He tells her she has to have one, it's an order. "An order is it? Who the hell do you think you are?", says Michelle. "I'm your boss" smirks Rob. We have yet another gobsmacked lady! Michelle turns to Carla in total disbelief, and Carla confirms that he now owns 30% of the business, and that it is in the best interests of the company. With that, she tells them to sort their differences out between them, and leaves.

Kirsty comes back downstairs just as Tyrone is heading back to his stag night. He tells her he is a bit nervous for tomorrow, but in a good way, he hurriedly assures her. She then tells him she has invited Fiz to the wedding, which totally floors him. He argues that he just doesn't understand why she would do that, when they have been at each others throats for months. She replies that she knows that it has all been making him miserable. He blurts out that the whole things was Fiz's fault, not hers. Kirsty looks at him, and tells him that he knows that isn't true. He tells her he is totally confused. She replies that she knows he is, but he has to trust her on this. Tomorrow they will start a whole new life together, which means putting the past behind them. She then kisses him. He asks her what Fiz had said, and is told she is thinking about it. He asks her if she is sure about it? "I've never been more sure about anything in my whole life", she replies. She tells him to go, because they don't want any bad luck, and tells him she will see him in church. As he turns to leave, she calls out "I love you", and she looks as if she really means it. He turns, and mutters "Me too", and he looks as if he doesn't.

Gail is now in the Bistro, pouring out her troubles to Lewis. Her troubles being that David and Kylie are planning to move out. Lewis points out that they had to fly the nest at some point, but she sighs, and says she can't bear the thought of rattling around in that house alone. (Now I know the houses on that side of the street are bigger than the ones on the other side - but I defy you to rattle in it Gail!). Lewis tells her she should be looking on it as an opportunity of being Gail again in all her glory, instead of somebody's mother and grandmother. Easily swayed, Gail agrees it will be nice not to be treated like a doormat again, and raises her glass "To me, and all my glory!".

Kirsty is in tears again, looking at a framed photo of herself and Tyrone. She is tenderly stroking Tyrone's image, then the real Kirsty surfaces, and she starts to shake. Then with a scream she hurls the photo at the door, and the glass falls in smithereens from the frame. She then sinks to the floor, screaming in anger as the credits roll over the shattered photograph.

On Monday we will have the wedding - or will we? Tune in.....

Christine


Monday 21 January

Written by Joe Turner Directed by Mickey Jones

It's the wedding day we've all been waiting for, hidden behind the sofa waiting for the disaster that's sure to happen. Kirsty has been up all night, heartbroken. She walks to the garment bag and opens in, leaning her head against it sadly. But she's also shaking with rage and runs out the back door to retrieve the mobile from the paint can.

In the cafe, Tyrone is shaking too, but probably for a different reason. He nearly bites Kirk's head off but Kirk puts that down to nerves. He's got everything laid out in a list including a quick pint for their nerves. He assures Tyrone he's got a great speech written. Tyrone is quiet while Kirk is just fizzing with excitement, feeling highly honoured that he's getting to do the Best Man honours for his best friend. Ty compliments Kirk's efforts. Roy comes over to congratulate him as does Tracy who only does it to confirm there's free drinks in the Rovers lately. Roy offers the breakfast for free and Tyrone starts to go weak at the knees again, running off to the Gents'.

Faye is apparently feeling sick and Anna believes her. Anna calls in sick to work and calls the school. For some reason, Faye looks a bit annoyed at her fussing and leans into the laptop. She's sending an email to someone called Tim saying she'll meet him at one. Hmmm.

Nick is a bit tetchy this morning. Gail thinks she can soothe him but Lewis advises her to leave him to himself but Gail can't do that. She offers to help and talks him into letting her do the order for the bar snacks, nuts, crisps and olives, tells her what to do and leaves for a few hours.

Julie and Maria arrive to help Fiz get ready. She's clearly had a tough night. They think she had a migraine and really, she does look like she's drained from one. Maria promises she can make her look great. Kirsty thinks she needs a miracle. The girls fuss over her. Julie confirms Kirsty's not spoken to Tyrone as it's bad luck. Kirsty says she doesn't believe in bad luck (I bet she just figures she can make it all on her own, for everyone else!) Maria assures her that Tyrone is one of the best. Kirsty's face reflects the exact opposite.

Tyrone, meanwhile, has slipped away from Kirk to see Fiz at Tina's flat. Tina's there as well, sporting a small bump. When Tyrone expresses a bit of guilt, Tina contradicts him. There's no need of that. He's the victim and everyone will believe it when the truth comes out. Fiz tells Tina that Kirsty invited her to the wedding. Tina figures Kirsty just wants to rub her nose in it. Tyrone says he does want Fiz to go. It might make it a bit easier for him. He says he has booked a family room in a B&B for them for later.

Gail sorts out the email to the supplier. She's typed 5 jars of olives. Lewis spills coffee near her and when she goes to get another one, he changes to order to 50 jars. She doesn't double check before she sends it because he says he's looked and it's fine.

Faye is dressed and tries to sneak out but Anna catches her. She says she thought a walk would do her good. No such luck, Anna tells her she either goes back to bed or goes to school and she stomps back up the stairs. She should have said she'd go to school then skived!

Tyrone is brought to the pub for his pre-wedding pint. All the other punters and wedding guests are doing the same thing and they cheer him and congratulate him. They try to get more booze into him but Tyrone and Kirk both have decided they're keeping the groom sober. Elsewhere, Sally asks Mandy to keep Jenna away from Sophie. Mandy sees it differently. She's sure Sophie is not telling the truth. That puts Sally's back up as you can imagine. Kevin is happy for Tyrone who's more concerned with the garage contract that needs signing. He and Kevin shake hands.

Kirsty comes downstairs dressed, with hair and makeup done. She's wearing a dramatic strapless deep purple gown. It *is* lovely and very Kirsty, with a corset type bodice and a narrow profile with a flare out at the knees. Julie goes all emotional at the striking vision. She confesses to a bit of nerves but Julie tells her that she's got it all, a man who loves her and a beautiful baby. Julie reckons this will be a day she'll never forget. (And how!)

After the break, we're at Gail's where Lewis and Gail have gone for a break. Gail starts getting all romantic with Lewis and tells them they have loads of time before the delivery (nudge nudge). Lewis looks like a deer caught in the headlights at the prospect of getting physical with Gail but gets up and puts his coat on, making the excuse that a stolen lunch hour isn't special enough for their first time. She assures him it *will* be special. (Oh, the image!) Lewis makes sure she believes that he really does want her but wants to wait until it's exactly the right time so that it's perfect. Soon, Gail, soon. Her face is full of hope and frustrated lust but she buys it. He says it'll be worth waiting for (but not in the way she thinks!)

At the church, Tyrone is even more nervous. Kirk has it all under control, he just hopes the bride turns up! In the pews, Sophie is feeling like she's under a spotlight. Sally and Kevin support her. A few rows back, Eva is fussing with her hair. Dev likes the church while Emily pointedly remarks that it's open every Sunday. There are a lot of unknown faces on the bride's side, Sean figures they're mostly all cops and we can see Carla and Rob and Michelle there as well but most of the guests are on the Groom's side of the church. Fiz bumps the vicar when she opens the back door to come in. Sean ascertains that she was invited so pulls her over to sit with them. "And no dramas!" he warns. Kirk is shocked but Tyrone says Kirsty invited her. Kirk calls Kirsty a saint and thinks Tyrone is so lucky. I'm telling you, the Phrases of Doom are being thrown at us nine to the dozen today!

Rob grabs a Streetcars taxi just as Tracy jumps in the other side. They argue about who booked it first and neither one gets out. Steve tells her to get out but Tracy tries to pull rank so he tells Rob to get out. Nice lack of spine there. The bickering continues as another cab pulls up. Problem solved but both of them are digging their heels in. And as they're both going to the city centre and Tracy wasn't going to accept it unless Rob pays. She softens and agrees to pay the tip. Steve knows darn well Tracy will get out of it and tries to get them to swap but there's no way. She orders him to get a move on or there won't be a tip. (Probably won't be anyway) Uh oh. Can you see what's happening here because I can and I don't like it!

The wedding car arrives at the church. Julie touches up Kirsty's lip gloss. Kirsty is having a serious case of nerves. Julie and Brian tell her it's ok, she'll be fine. She protests, she can't do it, not in front of all those people but I don't think she means the wedding vows, do you? Julie tries to calm her. Tyrone is the only thing that matters. Well, yes. Kirsty looks about to skip the wedding and when Julie asks her if she's having second thoughts, shakes her head.

Anna goes out to get the laundry. Faye spots her from upstairs and the next thing you know, the little madam is out the front door and running down the road.

Kirsty is two minutes late and Kirk seems more nervous than Tyrone but the doors open and the wedding march begins. Kirsty comes in, sees that Fiz is there. Julie follows her, carrying Ruby in her fluffy white dress. She apologizes for being late but Tyrone says she looks incredible and her face crumples a little, pleased that he thinks so but full of emotion, too, with what she's about to do.

The vicar starts the ceremony. Neither the bride nor the groom look particularly like a happy couple. Tyrone full of dread and Kirsty full of all kinds of conflicting emotions, shoring her courage up to let loose as she stands there trembling and eyeing Fiz in the background.

Faye catches a bus.

Gail comes into the Bistro and sees many cases of olives being delivered. The delivery bloke says she ordered 500 though we saw Lewis change it to 50. Continuity? or did he add another zero just before he let her sit down again at the computer. I suppose so. He had the opportunity. Nick goes ballistic and blames Gail.

Back to the wedding and there's the traditional "If anyone knows of any reason". Nobody says anything and Kirk pipes up "All clear, Vic!" The vicar then charges the couple that marriage is serious and God knows what's in their heart so asks them if they know of any reason why they shouldn't be married, to speak up now. We can see Kirsty getting more and more beside herself as he speaks. We're on the edges of our collective seats. Will she speak up? Will she blow it all out of the water? She says nothing. The vows begin. Will you.... He will. The vows continue. Will you... but no, she says she won't!

She speaks up. The wedding is a fraud, a sick joke and she pulls the mobile out of her bouquet and exposes all the texts, reading out words of love. "Think I have always loved you and I always will" No names at first and the guests are all agog. Tyrone manages to stay upright. Fiz has turned white. Kirsty thinks the best thing to do in order to find out who the messages were from is to call the number. She turns around and faces the audience as she dials, waiting for the damning evidence to surface. And when Fiz's mobile rings it's mystery solved. Fiz is caught red-handed so to speak!

Tvor

Written by Joe Turner and directed by Mickey Jones

The congregation are on tenterhooks to find out what's going to happen next and Sally points out to Sophie that at least nobody's looking at her any more.

Ty tries to make out he's never seen the mobile phone in his life before. He's getting desperate and tells Kirsty he wants her and he wants them to be a proper family but Kirsty screams back that she knows exactly what he wants and he's never going to get it.

Meanwhile, at the Bistro, they're taking a delivery of 500 jars of olives. Gail can't understand it, she was sure she only ordered five, Lewis pretends to take the blame saying he checked the order but didn't spot the mistake and Nick's fed up to the back teeth with his mother, not to mention all those olives.

As Ty continues to plead and Kirsty shouts, the vicar asks if someone can tell him what's going on. Julie wants to know why Kirsty didn't tell her what the problem was and Kirsty says it's because she wanted to show everyone what Ty's really like. She tells the vicar that Ty was having a secret affair with his ex and then says she's sorry but the wedding's over. She takes Ruby from Julie and Fiz fights her way past Brian to get out of the pew and go to Tyrone. Kirsty milks the situation for all she's worth, telling Fiz and Ty in front of everyone that they deserve each other and she hopes they'll be very miserable together. Fiz begs Ty to tell everyone what Kirsty's really like and what she does to him but Ty shouts back that Fiz should stay out of it and tries, once again, to convince Kirsty that he's always loved her and she's the one he wants to marry. But Kirsty tells Ty he's hurt her more than she thought anyone ever could. She tells him to leave her and her baby alone and to say goodbye because he's never going to see either of them again. As Kirsty walks up the aisle, Julie hurries after her apologising to everyone. Then, in a final gesture, Kirsty turns round and hurls her bouquet at Fiz who catches it. "I'm sorry everyone," sobs Kirsty as she leaves the church.

Rob's waiting in the back of Steve's taxi. He finds a purse on the back seat which Steve confirms belongs to Tracy. Rob wonders why she's left it there and Steve tells him that it's bound to be part of one of Tracy's selfish schemes, probably directed at him. Rob asks why Steve married her and Steve claims it was in a moment of madness and lists all her character traits: cruel, mean, vindictive, spiteful. But when Steve realises that Rob is actually rather intrigued by Tracy he tells him that he would be doing him a massive favour if he were to distract Tracy from making his and Michelle's life a misery. He then adds that he wouldn't recommend a date with Tracy to his worst enemy. Rob instructs Steve to phone Tracy and tell her she's left her purse in the cab: he clearly has a plan in mind.

Owen arrives at Anna's and is surprised to find she's not at work. She explains that Faye is at home with a tummy bug. While he goes into the kitchen to make a sandwich Anna goes upstairs to check on Faye but comes downstairs moments later clutching a note. She tells Owen she knew something was going on. She shows him the note and tells him that Faye has sneaked out of the house.

Kirsty is sitting in the back of Brian and Julie's car with Ruby. She's upset and says she doesn't know where she should go or what she should do. Julie suggests they should drive around a bit to give her time to think. Brian thinks it's a waste of petrol but Julie's in command and tells him it will calm the baby although it looks like Ruby is actually the one person who doesn't require any calming.

Ty goes rushing into the house looking for Kirsty, swiftly followed by Kevin and Kirk. There's no sign of her and Ty's in a real state so Kevin suggests Kirk should go to the pub to let everyone know what's happened. When he's gone Kevin confronts Ty about his affair with Fiz. Kevin asks why Ty went ahead with the wedding and why he wanted the money for the garage but Ty shouts that it doesn't matter now because everything's gone wrong, Kirsty and Ruby have gone and there's not a thing he can do about it.

Steve and Rob are still waiting for Tracy. She eventually turns up with a pile of shopping bags. Rob can't understand it: he rearranged his meeting so he could get her purse back to her so how has she paid for this lot? Tracy explains she always carries a spare credit card for emergencies. After a quick bit of flirting with each other, Tracy and Rob get back in Steve's cab.

If Anna was worried by Faye's disappearance she'd be even more concerned if she could see what she's up to right now. Faye is in a park and she's meeting a man who appears to be in his forties. She looks a bit embarrassed as the man comments how grown-up she looks, much more so than her pictures. He tells her he's been looking forward to this moment for so long and asks for a hug; Faye seems happy to oblige. The man offers to buy her a hot chocolate and leads her off by the hand ...

Izzy and Gary have taken a very distraught-looking Fiz home. After they've gone Chesney asks if she wants to tell him what happened. Fiz explains everything: how Kirsty was physically abusing Ty and how she deliberately left his name off Ruby's birth certificate and why they were getting married. She says that they have pictures as evidence on Ty's phone then realises that Kirsty has hold of that now. Then Fiz confesses to her brother that she and Ty were together and how they were planning to leave together after the wedding. As Fiz sobs in Chesney's arms she tells him that now Kirsty has discovered the truth and she thinks Ty blames her for everything.

It's getting to be a regular scene in the Rovers: a wedding reception all laid out following a wedding which didn't happen. Everyone's discussing it but when Gary makes a comment that all the time Ty was carrying on with Fiz, Tina says it might not be that simple. She asks Kirk where he is. Michelle is going over the finger-stitching incident with Carla and Peter. Deirdre asks Kirk if he knew what was going on and he replies that he's always the last to know anything and he's beginning to wonder if that's why Ty chose him to be his best man. Eileen says she's hardly surprised because she lives next door to Ty and Kirsty and used to hear them rowing through the wall. Sally says she can't believe Fiz and Ty were having an affair. Deirdre tells them about the time she heard Kirsty and Ty rowing in the back yard when she was pregnant and how she found Kirsty lying on the ground with a cut on her face. Sally looks shocked at the implication that Ty did it. Deirdre tells them that Kirsty said she slipped but they all think they know what that could imply. As Deirdre says, Ty's been through an awful lot lately ....

Lewis turns up at Gail's clutching a bottle of wine. She almost looks disappointed but she explains she was hoping it was Nick at the door, coming to apologise. Gail suddenly realises Lewis should be at work but he says he's invented a dentist's appointment so he could go and see her. He offers to make her lunch and she starts to melt under his charm.

Kevin is still with Ty who decides to explain to him about what's been going on. He tells him about the reason for the wedding and eventually confides in him about Kirsty's physical abuse. As he talks he tells Kevin that he's no longer bothered if Kirsty hits him but his real fear is that she'll hurt Ruby. Kevin can't believe what he's hearing and wants to know why Ty let Kirsty get away with it. Ty says he doesn't, he knew Kevin wouldn't understand and that the only reason he stayed with Kirsty was for Ruby and now she's gone. Kevin thinks they should go to the police. Ty says they won't believe him but Kevin tells him he does. Ty reckons it's too late because Kirsty's gone and he says he's just as bad with his lying and cheating and saying vows in a church which he didn't mean. He tells Kevin to go but Kevin says he shouldn't be on his own. Ty insists so Kevin says to call him if he needs him and before he goes reminds Ty that a lot of people round there care about him.

Over at Gail's Lewis is telling Gail she has to stop worrying about her kids all the time. He starts sewing seeds to plant the idea in her head that she should get away from Weatherfield. He tells Gail there's a big, wide world out there but Gail thinks that idea sounds frightening. Lewis tells her she wouldn't be on her own. Gail laughs and asks if Lewis is propositioning her. "What about a small hotel in Tuscany?" he says and then asks what she would think if he accepted Patrick's offer. Gail could go with him. "To Italy?" asks Gail, all dewy-eyed. Lewis refrains from the obvious response that Tuscany was in Italy the last time he checked but instead gives her a winning smile and tells her to eat up.

Anna and Owen are still worried about Faye's note which we learn said "gone for a walk, back for tea". They can't understand where she is or why she isn't answering her phone. Owen wonders if she's being bullied again. Anna checks Faye's computer and, to her horror, discovers that Faye's been chatting to someone on-line. She reads out a message to Owen which says "Can't wait to meet you for real. How about Monday?" Anna sees that the man's name is Tim and he works on a building site. This is looking serious.

Brian is still driving round with Kirsty in the back. He's worried about the environment but Julie tells him it's an emergency. Finally Kirsty speaks up: she wants to go home. Julie suggests she goes back with them but Kirsty insists. She says she has to face up to Tyrone sooner or later and decide what she's going to do.

Lewis is continuing to work his magic with Gail. He points out that Sarah-Louise lives in Italy, so even more reason for her to go. Lewis tells Gail he wants to commit to her properly and he can't do that in Weatherfield with Audrey in the background. Gail tells Lewis that he's asking her to abandon her family. He says he knows and he's falling in love with her. He apologises and says he can't ask her to make that sacrifice but Gail is truly hooked because she replies that he can ask her anything. At this Lewis says that Gail's right, forget what he said, he has to get back to the Bistro. He kisses the top of Gail's head and leaves her looking utterly stunned and completely besotted.

Owen and Anna are really in a panic but just as he tells her they have to call the police the door opens and Faye walks in. Anna starts to scream at her, wanting to know where she's been and Owen tells her they've been on her computer. Owen tries to stay calm and tells Faye they know about Tim. "You know?" asks Faye. Anna wants to know if anything happened. Faye tells her they just had a hot chocolate and talked. Anna looks marginally less panic-stricken but tells Faye she must promise never-ever to see this man again. "No I won't!" shouts Faye. Anna says they'll have to go to the police and Faye says that Tim said they'd be jealous. Owen says he's a good mind to track this fellow down and string him up from the nearest lamppost. "You touch my Dad and I'll report you to the police," says Faye. "Your Dad?" asks Anna, stunned. Yes, Faye tells her, Tim is her real Dad.

In the Bistro Tina asks Mandy for five minutes off but she's told she has to stay and help with the food for the guests. Kirk tells Kevin he still has the rings. Then he offers to read him his wedding speech. Kevin declines. Carla is on her way back to the factory when Rob walks in. Carla instructs him to go easy on Michelle. Tracy walks in and joins Rob at the bar. She tells him she'll allow him to buy her a drink. He points out he's just paid for her taxi so Tracy tells him that stalking her costs money. Ken says to Deirdre that he must be getting old because nothing shocks him anymore.

Tina goes over to Gary and Izzy to ask about Fiz. They tell her that she's with Chesney and that Kirsty and the baby went off with Julie and Brian.

We return to Ty who is just getting something out of the fridge when, to his amazement, Kirsty walks in with Ruby. He's really relieved but Kirsty just glowers and tells him Ruby needs her bed and goes upstairs. Ty switches on the baby monitor just as Kirsty comes back into the room. Ty said he thought she'd gone. "Gone?" asks Kirsty. "Oh no, I'm not finished with you," she says with a threatening tone. "Not by a long chalk."

Karen


Wednesday 23 January

Kirsty and Tyrone are back at home. Despite his denials, she knows he was planning to marry her and then snatch Ruby and go off with Fiz. She points out that it's been over a month since she laid a finger on him, she's changed, she was happy, she thought he loved her. She was fooled for a while. "What an idiot, eh?" she says.

At her house, Fiz is weeping over Tyrone's plight. He'll never see his baby again, never see her as a toddler, or hear her call him Daddy. Chesney reckons Tyrone should never have involved Fiz, but she tells him that she insisted. She thought she could sort it all, but she's just made things worse.

Back at Tyrone's, he says he's sorry. He knows he's hurt Kirsty, but not half as much as she's hurt him, so he's not going to feel guilty. She pulls out the mobile phone, and goes through the photos of Tyrone's bruises. She realises that Fiz must have taken them, and that he was keeping them to use as evidence. She deletes them all.

In the pub, Stella, Sean and Eileen are wondering what to do with the wedding cake. Tina reckons they should chuck it in the bin.

In Tyrone's house, Kirsty thinks they were doing fine until Fiz came and stuck her oar in. She states that Fiz hates her. "Can you blame her? After what you did to her?" says Tyrone. Kirsty says it wasn't her fault that Fiz trapped her hand in the machine, but Tyrone says he heard her admit to Fiz that she'd done it, and things would get worse if she didn't back off. Of course, with someone like this it's all everyone else's fault, and Kirsty yells that Fiz drove her to it. Tyrone says she's a nasty, vindictive bully and that's when he fell out of love with her. At first Kirsty seems crushed. "Don't say that," she whispers, but she soon recovers and starts pushing Tyrone around. He tells her to go on and hit him. "Then I can show them all the marks, and they'll know what you're really like." He says he's not frightened of her any more, that's what Fiz has done for him. She's made him feel loved again. Kirsty reckons that Fiz has poisoned him against her, and screams that SHE loves him. Tyrone tells her it's twisted love, but he doesn't want it any more. He did love her once, but she beat it out of him bit by bit.

A tearful Fiz goes into the pub to ask Kevin if Tyrone is still mad at her. Most of the customers look on scornfully, but Tina calls her over and offers her brandy.

Tyrone and Kirsty are calm now, and talking things over. She recounts a time from her childhood when her dad had broken her collar bone, but her mum told the doctors that she had fallen off a swing. She says that's when she learned you can't trust anyone, they always let you down in the end. Tyrone says he wouldn't have, but she says she couldn't be sure. "You have to keep some kind of control over things, don't you?" she says. "What kind of relationship is that?" he asks. She says it's the only kind she's ever known. She takes off her engagement ring and heads for the stairs to go and pack her things. Tyrone says that he will go, she can stay, at least until she has sorted something out. Then he asks if she'll let him take Ruby, he thinks it will be for the best. Kirsty is shocked and outraged.

Julie and Brian come into the pub and Julie is another one outraged when she sees Fiz in there. She says that poor Kirsty is in tatters because of Fiz, they have been driving her around for hours. Then they tell her that Kirsty has now gone to talk things through with Tryone.

Kirsty screams at Tryone to get out, and he says he's going, but he's going to take Ruby with him. She yells that he isn't.

Next door, Eileen, Paul and Sean can hear it all through the paper-thin walls. Eileen wonders if they should go round to see if everything is all right. Paul tells her that is the last thing they need.

Fiz declares that she's going round there. Julie tries to stop her, but Tina and Tommy say they'll go with her, and the three of them head off through the door.

Tyrone heads for the stairs, saying he's not leaving Ruby with Kirsty. She runs after him, and pushes past him, as Ruby, upstairs in her room, starts screaming.

Fiz, Tina and Tommy have arrived at the front door, and start knocking.

Inside, Tyrone and Kirsty are at the top of the stairs, arguing. Suddenly, she loses her balance and falls headfirst downwards, coming to rest in a heap at the bottom with blood coming from her nose.

Paul, Sean and Eileen come out and Paul shoves the door hard and opens it. Seeing Kirsty, he tells the others to call an ambulance. Fiz asks what happened. Tyrone says they were rowing at the top of the stairs, then Kirsty tried to hit him but then she just fell. "Yeah, right," says Eileen, sarcastically.

Kirsty is being put into the ambulance. Julie and Brian have come out of the pub to witness this, and when a paramedic asks for someone to accompany Kirsty, Julie offers to go too. Tyrone says he has to stay with his daughter, and Fiz offers to stay there too.

Inside the house, Tyrone tells Fiz it was his fault, Kirsty was upset because he was trying to take Ruby. Fiz tells him it wasn't his fault, she lost her balance because she was trying to hit him.

Tina and Tommy go back into the pub and tell Stella that Kirsty has had an accident and been taken to hospital. "Oh, that poor girl," says Stella.

Sally goes over to Kevin and tells him that, from what Eileen and Deirdre has said, it seems like Tyrone has been violent to Kirsty. Kevin tells her it was the other way around, Kirsty has been hitting Tyrone. "Don't be daft," says Sally.

Kirsty comes round with Julie at her bedside. She asks if Tyrone is there, but Julie tells her he's at home, with Fiz. Kirsty says that she didn't fall, Tyrone pushed her, and asks Julie to get the police.

Back at home, Tyrone tells Fiz how Kirsty deleted all the photos. He'll never get Ruby now.

In the hospital, Kirsty is telling a policeman how Tyrone shoved her really hard down the stairs, and it's not the first time he's been violent towards her. Julie pipes up that her sister lives next door and heard it all. Kirsty then makes up several incidents when Tyrone is supposed to have hit her if he didn't like the way she ironed his shirt or didn't like the meal she cooked. She even goes on to say how he hit her with a ladle! Then she tells the policeman that she's worried about the baby, she ought to be in temporary foster care so that Tyrone can't snatch her.

In the pub, Tina and Tommy are trying to defend Tyrone against the customers. They tell them how it's been Kirsty who has been knocking Tyrone about, but Eileen doesn't believe it, she says that she's heard things, and Deirdre has seen things too. Everyone is skeptical. Chesney wonders if Fiz is safe with Tyrone. Tina snaps that of course she is, Tyrone is the victim here.

Back at Tyrone's, Fiz tells him that they'll get a solicitor and fight for Ruby properly. She reminds him about the time she took him to hospital with an injured arm, that will be on record. He cheers up a bit at this. Just then there's a knock on the door, it's the police with a social worker, come to arrest him for assaulting Kirsty and to take Ruby into foster care. He protests, he doesn't want them to take his baby. They manhandle him out to a waiting van, and the social worker takes the screaming baby. He's driven away, calling for Ruby, whilst Fiz sobs on the pavement.

Anne Logan


Friday 25 January

Here's the first of Friday's double and we start with Tyrone locked in a cell, banging on the door and crying out for Ruby. A police officer eventually answers his calls and says he will try to find out how much longer he will be there if he calms down. Tyrone replies sadly that he wants to see his daughter.

Back on the Street, Fiz has tried to phone for information but given that she is not related, she hasn't gotten very far. She doesn't receive the greatest of sympathy from Chesney and Katy who criticize her for seeing Tyrone behind Kirsty's back. Fiz insists it was necessary for him to marry Kirsty so that his name would be put on the birth certificate. Chesney is in no doubt that Tyrone has a temper on him and advises Fiz to back off, causing Fiz to walk out in frustration.

Gail is in the Bistro, worrying about Nick. Lewis tells her she ought to relax and convinces her that it really ought to be Nick apologising to her. He tells her he wants to see her stand up for herself. When Nick comes in, she does just that, and stubbornly talks herself out of her cleaning job too. Nick tells her that it's her choice, he isn't in the mood for arguments.

Anna is taking Faye to the bus stop and chastising her for getting in contact with Tim. Faye insists that she wants to have a relationship with her dad but Anna points out that he should never have got in touch in the first place. Anna tells Faye that she will be picking her up from netball practice. They pass Brian on the way (not sure why the students are heading to school earlier than the Head teacher) and Anna asks him to keep an eye on Faye. Which is like asking a hungry dog to guard a steak.

Julie comes into the cafe and Fiz tries to get her to see sense over Tyrone. Julie is disgusted that Fiz is standing by him and warns her that she will be his next victim...if he's not locked up for good. Eileen is overhearing and takes Julie's side. Roy tries to diffuse the situation but Fiz vents her frustration at the lack of justice.

Owen can tell that Anna is worried about Faye. Owen tells her that Tim has dodged the responsibility of fatherhood up until now and that they have nothing to worry about; the authorities will deal with the situation.

Roy's back is causing him pain in the cafe. Jenna is being served and she notices his discomfort and asks him about his pain. Sally, who is behind with Sophie, pipes up that Roy had better not let an unprofessional like Jenna look at his back as she is suspended. Sophie is furious and ushers her mum out.

Julie is sitting with Kirsty at her hospital bedside. She has two cracked ribs and a police officer is sitting with her. Julie is apologising for being a bad friend and saying that she should have noticed what was going on but Kirsty reassures her that she hid it well to hold her family together. Julie tells the police officer that Tyrone used to be gentle and kind until he lost Molly in the tram crash and since then he has changed. Kirsty tells the officer she is ready to answer questions.

The officer is trying to establish how much of a risk Tyrone poses to Kirsty and Ruby. Kirsty recognizes that he is doing a DASH report, which is a series of questions to establish how much of a danger someone is of causing abuse. Kirsty is clearly au fait with the procedure and knows how many questions she has to ‘pass' to paint Tyrone as an abuser.

The social worker has popped round to see Anna to talk about Tim's involvement with Faye. She assures her that he has no parental responsibility over Faye but as Faye wants to see him, it would be better to run a risk assessment on him rather than try to ban contact altogether. Anna and Owen don't seem impressed with it, but the social worker insists that Faye's welfare is her priority.

Sophie and Sally are arguing over Jenna, Sophie can't bear the thought of Jenna losing her profession. Sally tells her that she abused her position of trust and doesn't deserve her job but Sophie clearly disagrees.

Kirsty is talking the police officer through her allegations, discussing a made up event where Tyrone hit her and threw a vase due to an overcooked steak. He asks about the time she left Tyrone and she said it was due to the violence. She returned to him as she wanted to see the old Tyrone back and didn't want to be a single mum. She goes on to claim that he went on to push her over outside, leaving a gash on her head. Julie is crying as she listens to Kirsty's convincing story. Kirsty says she still loves Tyrone .

Fiz has finished work and Tina is round to talk things through with her. They are both furious at how Kirsty has twisted the situation. Katy comes in and says that Tyrone is the talk of the Street; his name is mud. Tina tells Fiz it will be okay; the truth always comes out in the end.

Owen is ranting about the red tape procedure employed by social services but Anna tries to convince him (and herself by the sound of it) that the vetting over Tim will drag something up and he will lose interest in contacting Faye. Anna then gets a phone call from Brian saying that Faye has not turned up to netball and no sooner has she heard that than Faye texts that she has gone to meet her dad and will be back at teatime.

Lewis comes over to Gail's and tells her she did the right thing with Nick. He makes out that Nick has been laughing behind her back and Gail agrees that it's time she stopped looking out for her children first. She asks Lewis if he can see if the job offer in Italy is still open...she wants to go as soon as possible. Lewis is pleased that his plan is falling into place.

A police officer is writing notes as Eileen talks to her about hearing arguments and crockery smashing next door. She also describes an incident where Tyrone had grabbed Kirsty and seemed very angry with her. Deirdre overhears and chips in about the time she witnessed Kirsty on the ground with a gash to her head.

Over the road, Sophie is trying to strike up a conversation with Jenna but she is not having it. Sophie eventually stands in front of her and tells her she is prepared to tell her workplace that she made all the moves and was fully responsible for the kiss.

Tyrone has finally been taken into an interview room and is very restless. He is temperamental after being locked up all day and demands to see Ruby. The detective clearly takes it against Tyrone that he is angry and tells him the investigation is not just about Kirsty's fall down the stairs. Tyrone's solicitor intervenes and suggests that Tyrone doesn't answer questions until they have more information. The detective goes on to confirm that Kirsty has made allegations that Tyrone has systematically abused Kirsty over several months both physically and emotionally. Tyrone is stunned and cries that he is the one who has been abused and begs the officer to believe him. But it's going to take more than that to convince the police. As far as they're concerned, the guilty party is sitting right in front of them...

So what did we learn tonight?

-Being flat on your back in agony doesn't put you in the mood for cake
-Hayley constantly reminds Roy that his posture is wrong
-Kirsty gives Meryl Streep a run for her money
-Roy is not Jenna's type
-Jenna can manipulate the following things according to Sally: bones, the truth.
-Students giving parents the slip causes Brian to raise a red alert from amber at school
-Tim and Faye have EXACTLY the same nose, which must cause arguments when there are nice smells around...
-Weatherfield can be a dangerous place
-Gail gets paid minimum wage
-Gail is a lovely pushover
-Olives always get eaten eventually
-Fiz has the worst record with men EVER (although I'd argue that she has some decent competition from Gail and Carla)

Dubious Awards

Understatement of the week: "I am a very close friend," Fiz about Tyrone. That's one way of putting it...
Understandable sentiment of the week: "I love your rose tinted specs," Lewis to Gail. Well of course you do, it makes your plan so much easier...
Biggest fan of profanity: "Oh hallelujah, the s word!" Gail. And there was me thinking Corrie was pre-watershed...
Biggest fan of vulgarity: "Oh should I stick to what I'm good at? Getting in around the rim?" Gail, once more lowering the tone of a family show
Conspiracy theorist of the night: "They say that about the police. They look out for their own." Surprisingly sharp observation from Julie.
Hypocrite of the night (runner up): "You're a right loony!" Kirsty to Julie. Takes one to know one...
Hypocrite of the night (gold award): "She just doesn't know how to behave." Sally about Jenna. Enough said, really.

That's it from me for now

Until next time!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: Jan McVerry
Directed by: Mickey Jones

Tyrone is being interrogated at the police station, and is finally coming clean about the abuse Kirsty has been inflicting on him for months. However, the police are not impressed, because Kirsty has already got in first, telling them that he was the abuser. They question his motives behind asking Kirsty to marry him, when he was obviously seeing another woman behind her back. Listening to the policeman, I think I would have pegged Tyrone as guilty too. The evidence certainly doesn't look good for him. It is decided to start at the end of the story and work back, so Tyrone is asked why Kirsty happened to be lying unconscious at the foot of their stairs in her wedding dress. Oh dear, not a great place to start.

Anna is stewing about the missing Faye, and is not placated by Owen telling her that Social Services are in the process of doing a risk assessment and will soon put a stop to her seeing Tim. Just then the phone rings, and Anna picks it up thinking it's Faye. Instead, it's Tim, who tells her she is safe, and will be bringing her home. Anna thanks him, and hangs up. Owen is floored that she had been so polite to him, but she explains that she is prepared to stay on the right side of him to ensure he keeps his word and brings her back.

Sophie and Jenna are sitting on Maxine's bench having a heart to heart. Jenna cannot understand why Sophie would be willing to lie for her to help her keep her job, but Sophie is adamant that she wants to do it, because she is a good Physiotherapist, and she cares about her.

Julie is bringing Kirsty home from the hospital. She asks about Ruby and is told that Social Services will be bringing her shortly. Eileen is poking her head out the door inquiring if she is OK. Kirsty asks if Jason is in, because she feels it might be a good idea to change the locks. Eileen tells her she will send him straight round, and there will be no charge. Obviously Eileen is on her side, because she remarks to Julie after Kirsty goes inside that she feels really bad that she didn't do something about the violence she heard going on through the wall sooner.

Back at the police station, Tyrone is getting edgy, wanting to get home to Ruby, but they are not ready to let him go, pointing out that he has been accused of a violent offence. Tyrone asks what happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'? But the police officer points out that several of his neighbours have backed up Kirsty's version of events. He lists off things he has been told, like smashed ornaments, Kirsty on the ground with a cut head in the back yard, Kirsty being grabbed roughly in the street. His lawyer points out that Tyrone has a previous good character of family man and business owner, but Tyrone, getting angry, accuses the police officer of figuring he was just some meathead who thinks with his fists.

Now we are in No. 8, and Lewis is on the phone to Patrick, who is telling him that although the job is still available, the apartment that went with it has now been rented. After hanging up, he tells Gail that if he takes the job, they are on their own to find accommodation, and that doesn't come cheap in Tuscany.

Tina, Tommy and Fiz are discussing where Tyrone is going to stay when the police let him go. Tina immediately offers him a bed at her place. Fiz asks if she is sure, because people round there could get nasty. Tina's not worried about that, saying they are not likely to be nasty to a pregnant woman, and if they are, she knows how to be nasty back. It's decided then, Tyrone will stay with Tina.

Gail and Lewis are now in the Rovers, and he is telling her that their pipe dream has now flown out the window, because they just don't have the kind of money they would need to establish themselves in Italy. He lays it on thick about how wonderful it would have been for the two of them.

Anna and Owen are outside the house scanning the street for the return of Tim with Faye. They are starting to really panic, and Owen suggests they call the police. Just then, they come into view, and Anna grabs Faye away from him, telling her she has been going out of her mind with worry. Tim replies that he had told Faye that they would be worried. Owen shoves his face close to Tim's, and tells him there is a name for blokes like him. "Yes", says Faye, "It's Dad".

Tyrone is back from the police station now, and in Tina's flat, along with Tommy and Fiz. He is telling them that he is only going to be able to see Ruby on supervised visits. This is what is upsetting him the most, as he points out, he is the one who has raised her, and she will be missing him, yet he will be lucky to see her an hour a week. His friends try to make him feel better, but it's impossible.

Everyone is trooping into No. 6, and Tim goes to sit down. However, he is stopped by Owen who tells him not to get comfortable. Anna points out that he had to expect them to be worried, the horror stories of kids being targeted on the internet. Tim protests that Faye was the one who found him, but Anna snaps back that she shouldn't have been looking. Tim protests that it is human nature, and is glad she did, because he had been looking for her for years, but it's hard when you don't even have a surname to go on. He goes on to say that he hadn't left her mother by choice, that it's hard living with a smack head, and was driven out. He explains that he had regretted it ever since, and his mother had never forgiven him for leaving. Faye steps in with the story of how her Grandma had died of a broken heart through losing her, and had left her a Metcalf family heirloom, a bracelet. Anna glares at Tim, and accuses him of not letting the grass grow, meaning he had obviously wormed his way into Faye's affections already with gifts.

Tina is banging on the door of No. 9, and screaming through the letterbox at Kirsty. She wants to make her admit once and for all what she is really like, so baby Ruby can see her daddy. Eileen comes out and threatens to call the police if she doesn't go away. She tells her she is surprised at her for sticking up for Tyrone against Kirsty. Tommy comes along, and tries to persuade Tina to leave. She does, but she's not happy about it.

Lloyd comes into the Corner Shop to speak to Sophie, he tells her he saw her speaking to Jenna earlier. Sophie tells him that she had lied before about Jenna reciprocating her affections, she says she was the one who did all the running, and Jenna had been nothing but professional. Lloyd points out that while he admires her for what she is trying to do, they don't need a sacrificial lamb. Sophie replies that she is not being one, that Jenna deserves a break, as she doesn't have it as easy as she does. Both she, and I think Lloyd knows that they are talking about Jenna's acceptance of her sexuality by Mandy.

Tim is still trying to justify himself to Owen and Anna. He admits he was wrong to walk out on Faye and her mother. His excuse is that he was young, and didn't think it right for a bloke to try to raise a little girl on his own. Owen snorts at this, having brought up two girls himself. However, Tim goes on to say that he has now got his act together, has a regular job and a little flat. He tells them that when he saw Faye's picture online, it stirred things up with him about him Mum, that he felt the need to put things right. He starts reminiscing about how Faye had been as a small child, and Anna snaps that it was a long time ago. Tim assures her he is not trying to take her away from her, but just wanted to fill in the blanks.

Anna, still upset, tells Faye to go to her room, as there are things she shouldn't hear. Faye protests, but when her Dad tells her to go, she goes without argument, but asks him not to leave without saying goodnight. He promises he won't.

Tina and Tommy are now down the police station, and ask to speak to the officer handling Tyrone's case. He asks what their connection is, and is told they have proof that Tyrone is the victim, that Kirsty has been battering him for months. He agrees to hear them out.

Lloyd meets up with Jenna outside the Rovers, and tells her that as her mother is out for the evening, she is stuck with either a curry at his place or a drink in the Rovers. He goes on to tell her that he spoke to Sophie Webster earlier. Jenna looks stricken, and asks what she said. He smiles at her and tells her that she is his daughter, and he is far more interested in what she has to say.

Gail is on the phone, and is asking what kind of deal she could get if she took out a second mortgage on her house. Oh oh!

Anna is trying to get Tim out the door as quickly as possible. She tells him curtly that Faye was put up for adoption for a reason, and that is an end to the matter. She tells him that he is young and can have other children, but makes it very clear that getting his feet back under the table with Faye is not an option. She goes on to tell him that Social Services are doing an assessment of him, whereby everything will be brought to the surface, and asks if there is anything he wouldn't like Faye to hear about. Tim replies that there isn't, and is not worried about that at all. Still not satisfied, Anna just wants him gone, as she is feeling very threatened. Owen shows him the door, but as he leaves, he tells Anna she will regret it. She asks if that is a threat, and he tells her it isn't, but warns her that Faye will never forgive her for banishing him. As he leaves, Faye runs down the stairs calling out for him. Anna hugs her, and she wails that he didn't say 'goodnight'. "I know love" says Anna.

Lewis arrives at No. 8, and Gail fills him in on the fact that she has been looking into a loan against the house. He protests that he doesn't want her to do that, and seems quite convincing. She is very convinced that he is sincere when he kisses her anyway. The man is good, you have to admit. Now if she does it, it is all her idea, not Lewis'.

They have opted for a curry in Lloyd's flat then, because they are sitting on the sofa having a chat. Lloyd wants to know why she is so reluctant to accept Sophie's lifeline. Jenna tells him that she really likes Sophie, that she's been a good mate. Lloyd asks if it could have been anything more, and she tells him it could, if she had let her. She looks at him nervously, expecting to be judged. He tells her it is none of his business who she sees, he just wants her to be happy, and doesn't think she is. She tells him that she hasn't been hiding anything, just a couple of one night stands, a holiday romance and a couple of advances from an unhappily married woman. That doesn't exactly amount to a sex life, and she tells Lloyd that it's a bit embarrassing to have to admit that her mother gets more action than she does. He smiles, and tells her she must have inherited his 'unlucky in love' genes. "Until now!" he hastens to add.

Jenna goes on to tell him that her 'father' had been very homophobic, that he had stopped playing his favourite song forever after someone told him that the female singer liked women. Lloyd looks at her in shock, understanding now why she had kept her own feelings so suppressed.

Oh dear, Tim comes out of the Corner Shop, and as he rounds the corner, he is attacked and thrown up against the wall by - who else - Owen. He has him by the throat, and tells him in no uncertain terms that he will die if he goes within a mile of Faye ever again. Tim, who is visibly frightened, agrees, but asks if he is going to start beating up Faye the same way. He reminds Owen that it was Faye who contacted him, not the other way around. Owen releases him, and he scuttles away at top speed.

Lloyd tells Jenna not to take it the wrong way, but her Dad is dead, and doesn't she think it time she started living? She replies that she thought it was when she met Sophie, but then Kevin waded in, and her mother waded in, and it all went horribly wrong. Lloyd points out that Sophie still wants to help her make it right again. Jenna points out that lying to the disciplinary panel is not the way to put things right. That it is not the fact that she kissed a woman that she is ashamed of, but that she behaved unprofessionally, and doesn't deserve to have Sophie lie for her about it. Lloyd suggests she make a start by telling Sophie just that, but Jenna is not convinced that is the right way to go, she feels if she tells Sophie, then everything will fall apart.

Now it is Fiz who is knocking on the door of No. 9. This time Kirsty answers, and tells her she has a nerve coming there. "Haven't I just", says Fiz as she barges her way into the house.

Tina and Tommy are giving their version of events, but in actual fact they don't have any proof, just claims that they were witness to the bruises left on Tyrone. The policeman is not happy with this, and tells them they would have to have actually seen her do it for it to stand up. Tina is disgusted, and tells Tommy that the police still close ranks round one of their own, even though she was drummed out of the force, and she knows full well that the statement will end up in the bin. The policeman assures her that it will go to the Crown Prosecutor, and he can decide what to do with it.

Fiz remarks to Kirsty about the fact that Ruby is home. She then points out to her that she may be able to fool a lot of the people, but speaking as an ex-foster home kid to an ex-copper, they both know that a loving mother would never volunteer to put her child into care like she did. "Temporary care" spits Kirsty. Fiz lists off all the people on her side who would have been very willing to care for Ruby, like Julie, Eileen or Hayley. Kirsty haughtily tells her she was worried about her safety. "No you weren't!", says Fiz. "You were more concerned with twisting the knife, by having everyone see her being ripped kicking and screaming from Tyrone's arms". She goes on shouting at her that she didn't care if Ruby was pining and crying all night, just as long as she had a great show.

She tells her to just come clean now, and admit to all her lies. Picking up Ruby, Kirsty turns to her and tells her that she is DS Garrett's dream witness, she has all her bruises pictured and documented, and has followed all the procedure and has all the boxes ticked, which will give her a conviction against Tyrone. She sneers at Fiz that her boyfriend will be going down. Upset, Fiz runs out of the house.

We are back in No. 6 now, and Faye won't come out of her room. Anna tells Owen that Faye is hoarse from yelling at her, and that she now wants to change her name to Metcalf. Anna tells Owen that she can't win either way. She either bans her from seeing him, and she will hate her, or she allows her to have a relationship with her father, and she grows to love him more than her. She asks Owen who she is trying to protect, Faye or herself?

Tina and Tommy arrive back at the flat with the bad news that they weren't believed. Their word that the bruises were there is not good enough. Fiz is beating herself up for deleting them from her own phone, (yes, I agree with that! Or why she didn't back them up onto a computer!) Anyway, Tina tells her she understands that she deleted them because they were upsetting to look at.

Fiz tells them that Kirsty reckons she has Garrett eating out of her hands, Tyrone looks up and asks when Kirsty had said that? She admits she went round to see her, and apologises to him, saying she is sorry if she has made things worse. Tyrone is very upset now, and tells everyone he is a dead man walking. That he is labeled as a wife beater and a cheat, and will probably never see his baby again.

Christine Warren


Monday 28 January

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by Ian Bevitt

Jenna's hearing is today and Mandy plans to go. Jenna tells her mother the truth, she kissed Sophie and she's gay. It's out there. Since when? Mandy is shocked and refuses to believe it then looks disgusted. But she is more concerned with Jenna saving her career. Jenna is disappointed in her mother, her reaction was the main reason she never came out before.

Later, Mandy worries while Lloyd tries to reassure her but Mandy just wants Jenna to lie and she's off scott free. Mandy still blames Sophie and is upset that Jenna didn't come and talk to her long before now. Mandy is not happy that Lloyd knew about Jenna before her and he tries to get Mandy to see they just need to support Jenna, forget all the rest of it for now. Mandy doesn't go to the hearing after all but Lloyd does and tells her he'll support her no matter what she decides to do.

When she comes out, she tells Lloyd she told the truth. No more lying. Now she has to wait for the decision. They chat while they wait. Jenna says some of her friends know she's gay but she mainly keeps her private life private. Jenna is summoned back into the hearing for the decision.

Tracy has received divorce papers from Steve and is affronted at the cheek of him blaming her for the breakdown of the marriage. She really is! What kind of grounds would he possibly have? Deirdre defends her daughter and Ken just shrugs. Steve comes over later to gloat, on the excuse of finding out something about Amy and discovers that Tracy refuses to sign the papers. They start slinging accusations back and forth. Tracy desperately tries to get him to reconcile but he doesn't rise to the bait.

Later on, Tracy wonders where Ken's old paper shredder is. No reason. (really?) Deirdre knows she's wanting to shred the divorce papers and actually advises her daughter to sign the papers.

Anna is still worried about Tim but Owen thinks Tim will stay away. Anna knows straight away that Owen threatened him but, this time, she's happy about it. When Faye comes home, Anna refuses to let her go on the computer even though Faye says she has to get her assignments from the school website. She knows her mother is being perverse to keep her away from her father.

Norris earwigs when Tina tells Fiz that Tyrone is trying to get Social Services to set up a visit with Ruby for him. Why on earth they didn't walk across the road to talk, I don't know because now they have to put up with his snide comments against the formerly good reputation of Tyrone. Julie adds to Norris' arguments, though, spouting all Kirsty's defenses and accusations. Finally Fiz and Tina go somewhere private to talk.

Nick and Gail are still bickering about all and sundry - the olives, Leanne, you name it. Gail is way up on her high horse about it all. Later in the cafe, while she's looking at the job ads, Eileen takes the mick out of her, having heard of the olive debacle. Gail is fed up with Weatherfield. Lewis soothes the savage breast.

David and Audrey talk about Gail and Nick's falling out. Audrey feels for Gail and knows how it is to be a mother. She loves Gail but she can drive her mad sometimes. Audrey thinks they need to play peacemaker and referee between Nick and Gail and invites Gail to a powwow with Nick. She's reluctant. They bicker about Leanne and the lost wedding but she agrees to go for 3:30 in the Rovers. David, meanwhile, is trying to persuade Nick to go. He's got his back up but David talks him round.

Later we see Gail trying to learn Italian via a dvd on the telly. Lewis arrives. She offers herself but he prefers a tea first and then her, *kiss* She tells Lewis her loan has been approved and she can get the money in days. He pretends he doesn't want her money and she shouldn't leave her family. They attempt to utter sweet nothings in romantic Italian and it looks like they're side tracked because Audrey, Nick and David are waiting impatiently in the pub and she's late. Audrey has no more patience and intends on going to fetch her but stays for one more drink first. Across the road, Lewis and Gail are snogging and giggling on the sofa when Audrey comes in and catches them in mid canoodle!

Tvor

Written by Simon Crowther and directed by Ian Bevitt

Audrey can't believe what she's just seen Gail and Lewis doing on the sofa and asks if it's some sort of sick joke. Lewis tells her that he and Gail are in love just as Nick and David come through the door. Their chins fall on the floor to meet up with Audrey's.

Jenna comes out of the hearing. Her face says it all: she's lost her job. Lloyd's all for going in and having a word but Jenna tells him there's no point, she says rules are rules, they're there to protect the patient and she chose to tell the truth. Lloyd's up in arms on his daughter's behalf and thinks she doesn't deserve what happened but Jenna is tired and just wants to go home. She says she has nobody to blame but herself.

Back at Platt Towers, Audrey wants to know how long Gail and Lewis have been at it behind her back. "It's disgusting," David pipes up every time there's a gap in the conversation. Lewis tries to make out that he cared for Audrey deeply and tells her Gail helped him to recover. Gail adds that Lewis was available which was hardly tactful given that her scheme was the reason he split up from Audrey in the first place. Nick wants to know what Lewis was thinking. Gail says they tried to fight it and then makes things worse by telling Audrey that the last thing they wanted to do was to hurt her. Audrey tells Gail she's heard enough and she's seen far too much. She tells Gail she was waiting in the pub in the hope of getting the family back together and she had even been prepared to forgive her. "Aren't you glad we bothered?" Audrey asks, sarcastically as leaves. "It's disgusting," David adds one more time as he follows Nick and his gran out.

Round at Anna's, Faye is in a strop. She's been banned from using the computer and Anna won't let her out of the house in case she goes off to meet up with her Dad again.

Audrey, Nick and David have gone into the Bistro where they're filling in Leanne and Kylie on what's happened. "It's disgusting," says David, sounding like a stuck record. Kylie reckons Gail was slipping into Lewis's room at night when they weren't looking. This does not make Audrey feel any better so Leanne instructs Kylie to get her a drink. "Well you know what they say about nurses," says Kylie, recalling the fact that Gail looked after him. David points out that Gail wore a cleaner's tabard, not a nurse's uniform which he reckons was hardly likely to raise Lewis's blood pressure. Clutching her head, Audrey asks them not to mention blood pressure. Nick puts a reassuring arm round her shoulder as she starts to cry.

Fiz has gone round to see Ty. He's worried about what everyone's been saying so Fiz tries to make out all is well on the street. But Ty tells Fiz that she expects everyone to care as much as she does but why should they? Fiz tells him she cares and Ty says he doesn't know where he would be without her.

Tracy is at home. She seems to be in a bit of a state and then we see her look down at the divorce papers lying on the table. She appears to have signed them.

Jenna and Lloyd have arrived back and Jenna's broken the news to her mother that she's been fired. Mandy is furious with her and can't believe that she's thrown away her career for the sake of "a stupid little teenage girl". She's also angry that Jenna confided in Lloyd before speaking to her. Jenna says it's because she knew Lloyd wouldn't judge her or fly off the handle. She says she was confused and ashamed and embarrassed and asks why should she be? "You tell me," says Mandy but Lloyd, who is being gentle and understanding, takes a very different view. Jenna tells her mother that she never made her feel like she could talk to her. Lloyd realises that Mandy's issues aren't about the job. She admits that she wishes Jenna was a "nice, normal girl with a decent, loving husband and a couple of kids". Lloyd looks shocked and tells Mandy that's a horrible thing to say but Mandy says that she wishes Jenna wasn't a lesbian. Mandy finishes by saying that Jenna decided to be honest today so why shouldn't she? She storms out, leaving Lloyd and a bereft-looking Jenna.

In the Rovers Tina's talking to Tommy about Ty. She suggests he should go round to the flat to see Ty and try and cheer him up. Further along the bar Steve's enjoying a drink when Tracy comes in. Rob looks on while Tracy hands over the signed divorce papers. Steve wants to know what the catch is. Tracy tells him her signature's the catch - Steve didn't know a good thing when he had it. Steve wants to know what made Tracy change her mind. She tells him she thought the word "divorcee" sounded sexy.

Lewis and Gail are discussing the aftermath of their discovery. Lewis thinks perhaps they should leave now that the cat's out of the bag but Gail asks what's the worst that could happen now that everyone knows. On reflection she realises that her mother will probably never speak to her again. In the understatement of the year, Lewis admits that Audrey was pretty miffed. At that moment David and Kylie come in and start giving Gail and Lewis the benefit of their opinion. David says they all knew Gail was a vulture but he didn't realise she was that desperate. He clarifies the statement by describing Lewis as a con man, a gigolo and her mother's ex. Lewis is swift to point out that he's no longer a gigolo. David wants to know what their plans are. He says Kylie already has morning sickness and she doesn't want to have to see them necking and all. The mere thought makes Kylie clamp her hand over her mouth. David instructs Gail to go and face the music and apologise to Audrey once again. "You as well, lover boy" adds Kylie, glowering at Lewis.

Lewis and Gail arrive in the Bistro holding hands. They've come to apologise to Audrey but it's going to take lot more than a few words to heal the rift. Gail admits that what they've done is probably bad form but all she really wants to apologise for is carrying on behind Audrey's back. She says she's sorry if they've hurt Audrey. Her mother responds by saying she can understand how Lewis has behaved because he was born to seduce although she never thought he'd look at Gail in that way. Gail takes this as an insult and tells her mother they'll just have to come to terms with the situation. Audrey suggests they achieve that by staying out of her way. Gail then starts getting all high and mighty by reminding Audrey that she didn't trust Lewis and saying she agreed to the scam. She rubs salt into the wound by telling Audrey that Lewis was single and hurting and that she was there for him. Lewis backs up Gail so Audrey points out that all he had to do was forgive her but he lied to her and she had every reason not to trust him. Lewis's defense is that he was trying to do right by a woman who he had believed was dying and she'd asked him not to say anything. Audrey points out that he was prepared to take orders from another woman but he wouldn't trust her with the truth. Lewis says he always trusted her so Audrey tells him that's poppycock. All this while, Lewis is looking at Audrey with puppy-dog eyes but Gail has had enough and tells Lewis they're leaving. Nick stands in front of her and tells her she hasn't paid for her drinks so Gail tells him to call the police. "David's right," says Leanne. "It's disgusting."

As Lewis and Gail stand in the street outside the Bistro, Gail comments that maybe everyone's right and says perhaps what they're doing is despicable. Lewis says that all he knows is that he wants her and when he sees the way her family is treating her he wants her even more. Gail leans in to give Lewis a full-on kiss when who should come along but Eileen who is both delighted and shocked at what she's witnessed. She calls out to Norris, knowing he'll be overcome with excitement at this juicy piece of gossip. "Well come on, what have you got to say?" Gail calls out to Eileen across the street. Eileen says she doesn't know where to start. As they begin to trade insults, Gail's family all pile out of the Bistro. Gail tells Eileen that at least they weren't having it away while his mad wife was sat upstairs, oblivious. Eileen points out that the woman is dead and she should show some respect. Gail asks who killed her and says that from what she heard she was locked in the kitchen with a bowl of soapy water and a toaster. Eileen looks at Lewis and tells him that she'd watch her back if she were him because Gail's notched up three men dead and counting. Everyone walks away but not before Lewis turns back and catches Audrey's eye and gives her a sad, almost regretful look.

Over at Anna's, Faye is still in a mega strop and is refusing to eat her tea. She tells Anna she's got rights and she's not a prisoner. Owen comes home and, when he hears what's going on, tells Anna that Faye can go to bed hungry. Faye shouts that she wants to see her dad. She says he wouldn't ban her from going on the internet or going to the shops. "He's my father, not you," she spits at Owen before going upstairs.

Audrey arrives at the salon and Maria wants to know where she's been. She seems completely oblivious of the fact that Audrey is clearly upset and lists all the clients she had to deal with in Audrey's absence. On top of that, she adds, David texted her and wanted the afternoon off. She finally asks what's going on. Almost in tears, Audrey asks for a cup of tea and Maria wants to know if she's drunk. Audrey says she wishes she was and then asks why it always has to happen to her.

Kevin is having a chat with Sophie in the corner shop when Mandy comes marching in with the news about Jenna. She blames both of them for losing Jenna her job. Kevin points out he wasn't the one who acted unprofessionally. Sophie wants to know if Jenna's alright and if she can go and speak to her but Mandy tells her she's done enough damage. Kevin defends Sophie and says Jenna was the one who overstepped the mark. Mandy finishes by saying that she's glad Sophie's back's better but they should now stay out of her way.

Out in the street, Peter is talking to Tracy about her divorce. He sees it as her chance to move on but Tracy doesn't want to do that. He says the best thing she can do is sever all ties with Steve "He's the father of my child, doh!" says Tracy. Peter tells Tracy she should learn from his mistakes, the same way he has. Not unreasonably, Tracy doesn't think she wants to take relationship advice from a bigamist. Peter says that personally, he blames the parents. At that moment Rob comes along. He's certainly not one to miss an opportunity and asks Tracy if she'd like to go for a drink sometime. She seems agreeable to the idea.

Sophie has gone round to see Jenna. She tells her how sorry she is and asks why Jenna wouldn't let her take her statement back. Jenna says she knows Sophie would have done but it was just something she had to do. Sophie asks where it leaves them but it's all too soon for Jenna who says that this morning she told her mum she was gay and this afternoon she lost her job. Sophie can't see why they can't just get together but Jenna asks her if she's really that insensitive. Sophie sees it as the silver lining in the cloud but Jenna tells her that right now it's the last thing on her mind. She says that maybe in a year or two when Sophie's older she'll understand. Sophie looks really disappointed and leaves.

Over at Gail's Lewis is suggesting to Gail that perhaps he should walk away and give the family a chance to regroup. She doesn't want him to do that but, playing Gail like a fish on the end of a line, Lewis says he's just the latest man to fall in love with her and her family are more important to her. Lewis picks up Gail's Italian language DVD and says it all seems like a distant memory which was there for the taking. Gail tells him it still is. She says she'll take out the loan and they can buy an apartment in Italy. Lewis tells her it's too high a price, she'd lose her mother, her boys, the house and all its wonderful memories. Gail says it's full of heartache and misery and that they can do everything quickly and go. Lewis protests, saying it's her house and her money. "It's our money," says Gail, almost inside Lewis's landing net. She tells him to phone Patrick and tell him he accepts the job. "The problem is, when push comes to shove, what else can we do?" asks Lewis as lands his catch. "Ti amo," says Gail. "Ti amo," replies Lewis, taking Gail in his arms with a look of relief.

Karen


Wednesday 30 January

Breakfast at the Platts. The atmosphere is frosty, and David demands to know if Gail is going to carry on seeing Lewis. When she says she is, he says that he and Kylie are definitely going to get their own place.

Deirdre and Tracy are in the cafe. Deirdre remarks on how cheerful Tracy is, especially as she's just signed her divorce papers. Just then Rob comes in, and Tracy reminds him how he asked her out last night. She says she'll now accept, so they arrange to meet in the Rovers at lunch time.

Rita goes to see Audrey at the salon. Audrey says she's sure everyone is laughing at her, but Rita assures her that they're not. She says she always thought Gail hated Lewis, and has been completely sucked in by him. Audrey retorts that Gail is most definitely not the innocent party, she knew exactly what she was doing. Audrey thought Lewis was her last stab at happiness, but it turned out that the one doing the stabbing was her own daughter. Rita asks her to come to the Rovers at lunch time, and Audrey says she'll see how she feels.

Owen has gone into the cafe, and he tells Anna that Faye has been safely dropped at school, and he'll go and fetch her at lunch time and bring her home for her dinner. Roy overhears and asks why they are being so vigilant with Faye all of a sudden. They explain that her father has come on the scene and they are trying to be careful. Roy asks why, what are they afraid he might do? Anna isn't sure, but Owen says there must be a reason she was taken from him. Anna reminds him that Faye was never taken from her father, he had already left her mother by the time she went into care. Just then, by an uncanny coincidence, the social worker appears with the results of the risk assessment.

Jenna calls round to see Mandy and Lloyd. Mandy is cool and Jenna on the defensive.

The social worker tells Anna and Owen that they have spoken to the police and probation service, Tim seems to have his life on track and there are no serious concerns about him. He's an important part of Faye's life story, and there is no reason why she shouldn't have contact with him. It could be a positive thing. Anna and Owen aren't very pleased at this news.

Fiz calls round to Tina's flat to see Tyrone. He is on the phone to social services, trying to arrange a meeting with Ruby at the contact centre. He gets off the phone and tells them he thinks he'll never see his baby again.

Back at Lloyd's place, he's trying to act as mediator between Jenna and Mandy. Mandy tells her daughter that she loves her, but doesn't know what else to say. She has to say goodbye to the future she pictured for her.

Julie and Kirsty are pushing Ruby down the road when they meet Fiz. She asks Kirsty to please arrange a time when Tyrone can see Ruby at the contact centre. “Please, just do the right thing,” she says. “I always do,” says Kirsty, but looks uncomfortable.

Lewis sees Gail walking down the Street and goes over and hugs and kisses her. As they stand there, Audrey comes along and asks if they have no consideration for other people's feelings. “I hate this,” says Gail to Lewis as they walk away. He thinks the end justifies the means. She tells him that the loan has come through, the money has gone into her account, and she's now going to the Bistro to get her wages from Nick.

Inside the Bistro, Gail asks for her wages. Nick says he has her bank details on the computer, he'll transfer the money into her account. Lewis listens to this with interest.

Nick then goes off to the wholesaler.

As soon as he's gone, Lewis nips into the office, unnoticed by Leanne and Kylie, and sits down at the computer. After a couple of attempts, he guesses Nick's password and is able to access the Bistro's account.

A tearful Audrey is in the Rovers, talking to Emily, who assures her that most people are sympathetic. Rita tells her that people love her. “Yes,” sobs Audrey, “but I wanted HIM to love me.”

Tracy is also in the Rovers, and has met up with Rob. After a bit of banter, she asks him to employ her, to show Carla who's boss. He grins at her. “All right, you're on,” he says, and tells her he'll see her in the factory tomorrow.

Lewis has managed to access Gail's employment record outlining her bank details, and started to print them off, when he hears Leanne and Kylie outside the door. The smell of the cooking is making Kylie feel sick and Leanne orders her into the office to take a break. Kylie enters the office and lies down on the sofa, as we see Lewis hiding under the desk.

Jenna goes into the corner shop to see Sophie. She tells her she's talked to her mother and it feels like a weight has been lifted. She says that Lloyd has said she can move in there for a bit, as now she can't afford the rent on her own place.

Kirsty and Julie are in Tyrone's house. Julie is upset at the thought that Kirsty is going to let Tyrone have access to Ruby. “It's always that women who suffer,” she says. Kirsty says that none of it is Ruby's fault and she doesn't want her growing up not knowing her dad. But Julie has seen a documentary, (this seems to make her an expert!) and says that Tyrone might be violent to Ruby. Kirsty assures her that social services will be there with her.

A delighted Tyrone tells Fiz and Tina that the social workers have arranged for him to have access to Ruby tomorrow at 12.30pm. He says he can't wait. “I'm actually going to see my little girl tomorrow!”

Nick returns to the Bistro and goes into the office saying that Leanne has asked if Kylie can grace them with her presence. Kylie is still on the sofa and tells him how she felt sick, and how it was Leanne's idea for her to put her feet up. “I wish she'd make her mind up,” she says, adding that she'd like to wipe the smirk off her face. “I know how to do it too,” she says. Nick is horrified. “You wouldn't dare!” he says. “What?” says Kylie, “tell her about you and me on Christmas night and how the earth moved?” Lewis, still under the desk, is amazed at what he's hearing. Kylie tells Nick to relax, she won't say anything and the two of them leave the office, leaving Lewis looking thoughtful.

Jenna tells Sophie she doesn't know why she is so nice to her, after she'd shown her up and called her a fantasist. Sophie says she has feelings for Jenna, so she thinks they should give it a go.

Gail sees Audrey across the road and calls to her. Audrey turns and says she has nothing to say, and hurries on. Out of sight, round the corner, she stops and sobs.

In the Bistro, Lewis quietly asks Kylie if he can have a word. She tells him she has nothing to say to him. He carries on regardless, telling her that he doesn't love Gail, not one bit. Kylie is shocked, especially when he tells her that he's going to steal all Gail's money. He has her bank details, he just needs her password, and Kylie is going to help him get it. Kylie thinks he's mad, and says she will tell Gail. He tells her that she won't, because if she does he will blow her secret out of the water, he knows she slept with Nick on Christmas night, and the baby might be his. Kylie looks stunned.

Anne Logan



Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Martin Rosen,Duncan Lindsay, Christine Warren, Ann Logan, Margaret Carr, Tvor, Karen Jankel.