Hello. No, I'm not struggling out from under a snowdrift to write this. Despite news stories to the contrary there are places in the UK with sunshine and no snow - including this part of Cheshire. However, from a road trip this week I can tell you that my ancestors probably left Dorset because the roads were too narrow and muddy.

Now, on with the show!

Chesney and Katy talk about her job over breakfast and she assures him that Ryan's OK to work with.

Eileen can't work out why it's taken Paul half an hour to fetch a paper. He returns out of breath and wearing new trainers. Apparently he's decided to take up jogging.

Gloria's cutting out Eric's enormous death notice, even though Stella hasn't read the paper yet. Eva's annoyed at the way she's going on. The phone goes - Eric's solicitor wants to see Gloria at lunchtime.

Fiz worries about Tyrone and she worries about him out loud to Roy. That's until the unholy trinity arrive - Ena, Martha and Minnie. Or should that be Beth, Tracy and Julie? Anyway, they manage to upset Fiz and Roy tells them sternly that Tyrone won't be convicted of anything he hasn't done. Julie says nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors but Fiz insists she does know.

Ryan turns up at Katy's house. He's got the chance of a DJ gig at a club in town but the manager can only see him at lunchtime. Can Katy cover for him? She tells him firmly that she has a child and can't just drop everything.

Mandy and Jenna chuckle together over Flash and Lloyd's charade of pretending to have Flash's ashes. When Lloyd arrives in the pub, Mandy tells him she'd like Flash's ashes to be scattered on the Red Rec. She's like to think of him roaming free there for eternity. When Lloyd and Jenna are on their own she asks him what he's using for the ashes. Old car magazines with some pine cones to add the right texture, he tells her.

Katy's had a change of heart and arrives at the kebab shop. I don't know if she's ready for this, since she's not learned the basic lesson about keeping your hair out of the way when serving food. Never mind. She cops a good eyeful of Ryan's muscles as he changes his shirt.

Back at the pub, Karl and Lloyd talk about Flash's ashes. Mandy and Jenna arrives and Mandy tells Lloyd she's not happy that he's not wearing a tie. Talk about a lack of respect for poor departed Flash! Gloria's changed into something discreetly dark-coloured and is dabbing her nose delicately. Eva rolls her eyes a lot at all the drama. Gloria says she's had a lot of tragedy in her life. Nobody knows what that's like - though Jackie Kennedy might have.

The solicitor arrives accompanied by someone called Doris. It seems this actress is no longer the prison warder called "Bodybag" from Bad Girls but is Eric's widow. Bang! That's the sound of Gloria's jaw hitting the floor.

The solicitor, Andy, is in a booth with Gloria and Doris. Stella's so keen to get over there with some drinks to see what's going on that she agrees that Karl can mind the bar for a bit.

She and Eva sit down in the booth. Gloria says Eric proposed to her and never even mentioned Doris. Doris says they've been separated for years. All his talk about vinyl flooring bored her to bits. She found someone much younger. Eric wouldn't spend the money on a solicitor to get divorced. "That man could squeeze a pound coin till the Queen's eyes bled!" He also thought she'd get her hands on his money if they got divorced. He never changed his will, either, so Doris gets the lot. Andy confirms this. Doris turns to Stella. "Get another round in, Blondie. I'm starting to enjoy meself!"

Katy's head is spinning with trying to keep up with the lunchtime orders. The fryer at the chippy has broken down. Uh oh. Here comes Dev, pushing through the crowd to see what's going on. At least he realises Katy's not coping and steps in to help.

Gloria faces off with Doris and tells her the funeral bill is all hers. Doris isn't paying! Eva says Eric's estate can pay for it. "It's my estate now," she says. All he's getting is a pine box and a hole in the ground. He's lucky she doesn't just put him in a bin bag and leave him out for the dustmen. She's off to Antigua in the morning, anyway. "Are you coming, Andy?"

Roy and Fiz talk about Tyrone some more. He was so depressed. She's not sure he can cope without strong support from everyone. But even people who've known him for years believe he's guilty. How will he ever convince 12 complete strangers in a courtroom that he's innocent?

Ryan arrives back to find his boss less than happy. Katy's covered for him by telling Dev that Ryan went to deliver flyers and the lunchtime crowd shows that it worked. She's got ideas for meal deals, too. Dev tells Ryan it's good to see he's thinking but warns him never to leave Katy alone again until she's fully trained. He didn't add "until she ties back her hair." He should have. When he's gone, Ryan tells Katy there's a lot more to her than meets the eye.

On the Red Rec, Mandy insists Lloyd say a few words about Flash before scattering the ashes. He does, finishing with, "Rest easy, old friend." Then he scatters Flash into the wind. Rule No 1 of ash-scattering - let the ashes go downwind, not up! Lloyd chokes on a mouthful of ash and Jenna and Mandy laugh and laugh and laugh. Mandy tells him Flash is alive and well and in Sally's garden. "You've been lying to me," protests Lloyd. "No, you lied to me," points out Mandy.

Ches meets Anna and Joseph in the street. She says she's had him all afternoon and he won't settle so she's taking him for a walk. Ches grabs his son and stomps off.

He goes to the kebab shop and shouts at Katy that she said this was an evening job and she can't just dump Joseph whenever she likes. He stomps off home to feed and bathe Joseph himself, with Katy shouting after him that Joseph is his son, too.

Paul arrives home with muscle pain. And he rejects the chips Eileen serves up, asking for salad. What's going on? He confesses that Tony at work has had the idea of doing a Full Monty show for charity. Though they won't actually be doing the full Monty - just down to the bare necessities. He and the other firefighters got the dumb bells out this afternoon to try to get into shape. Sean wants tickets. Paul asks Sean and Eileen not to tell anyone because he doesn't want the neighbours all turning up and taking the mick.

Gloria's going on about Eric and how she could have sorted him a divorce. Eva's really fed up and tells her grandmother she was only after Eric's money and wouldn't have looked twice at him if he'd been skint. Gloria insists that it was love at first sight. Anyway, she says Eva would have done the same. Eva insists she wouldn't. She had the chance, too, because Eric bought her a necklace (which in conveniently to hand, behind the bar) and asked her to go away with him instead of Gloria.

Katy's in the back of the kebab shop preparing salad ingredients when Ryan goes to talk to her. He asks if she wants to go and talk to Chesney. She moans that she's only doing the job so they're not skint all the time. Ryan tells her that he thinks she's amazing, taking on the responsibility of a child at her age. She's whacking cucumber as if she's dealing to Chesney (what would Freud say?) and, of course, whacks her finger instead. As is usual, a band aid leads to a kiss and that's where we leave Katy and Ryan.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Martin Allen
Directed by: Graeme Harper

We start with Katy passionately in the clutches of Ryan in the back room, and she doesn't seem to be objecting a lot. However, their passion is cut off by the door opening and in walks their boss. They spring apart, and Dev doesn't appear to notice that Katy is all hot and bothered, he is too busy noticing the closed sign on the door. Ryan tells him they had some bad characters in, and although he had gotten them out, wanted to be sure they left before he opened up again. Dev, to do him some credit asks if they are both OK without complaining about the lost revenue.

Katy, still panting for breath, comes out from behind the counter and tells Dev she was about to come and find him. She goes on to say that she can't handle the job, and although she is sorry to let him down, would have to quit. She tells him it's because Chesney has been kicking off about her working, Dev is annoyed now, and complains about the time wasted in training her. She tells him she is sorry, but has to go - now. With that, she flounces out, leaving an angry Dev and a guilty looking Ryan.

Tina comes into Roy's just as they are closing, and asks for one of my favourites - an Eccles cake. She's in luck, he has just the one left. She calls a cheery hello over to Fiz, who answers without a smile. Roy explains quietly to Tina that Fiz has been getting a hard time from some of the Street residents over Tyrone's trial, and suggests she talks to her with words of sympathy. Tina agrees, and tells him she will pop round to her's for a natter later. For that she gets a free Eccles cake - the lucky girl!

In the Rovers the topic of conversation between Stella, Gloria and Karl is Eric, or rather how Gloria is feeling about the whole thing. She is insisting that he meant the world to her, that he had bought her a ring, and had planned to marry him. Stella asks her, hand on heart, if she really loved him. She tells her she did, and spying Eva, demands some answers from her. She asks her how she could go behind the back of her own Grandmother, and is told that on the contrary, it was Eric who came to her. Eva goes on to tell her a few home truths, that Eric had turned to her because he had come to realise that Gloria was no different to Doris, that she was only after his money.

Gloria is furious to be compared to the witch of a wife, and declares she will no longer give Eric a lavish send-off. Eva is shocked, and tells her she can't back out of it now. Gloria tells her she can, and she will. Now she knows nothing is coming from his will, she has no intention of paying for it, and plans to give him a funeral as cheap as Doris would have done. Eva protests that she must bury him with some dignity, so Gloria hands over the paperwork containing the plans, and tells her to do it herself.

Fiz arrives home carrying Hope, with Tina on her heels. She finds Chesney in a right tizzy over having to cope with Joseph alone. He tells her he has had enough, and relates that he had bumped into Anna in the Street with Joseph, sniping that Katy is that keen on working she would dump her child on anyone. Fiz points out that Anna is hardly 'anyone'. He continues complaining about how it's not working, that Katy is putting her job ahead of her family. He gets no sympathy from Fiz, who tells him that he has to wake up to the real world, that this is the way most families have to cope these days, with both parents working, the childcare has to be shared. She goes on to say that it wasn't working before, because they never had any money. Ches points out that he works all hours already, but Fiz just snaps that it's not enough, that they don't have enough money to get by. She goes on to say that he just has to get used to it, that Katy deserves a life too.

Back in the Rovers, Eva has taken charge of the funeral arrangements, and is going over Gloria's notes. They are a million miles apart on what is required to give him a decent burial. Stella pleads with them to meet somewhere in the middle. Eva says she would be happy to do that, and Gloria says she would, but they have to face it, they have no money to do it with. Eva suggests they sell the jewellery he gave them, but Gloria is horrified at that thought, saying it was the only thing she got out of it all. Stella reminds her that she had said he was more than a financial investment to her, but Gloria feels she has a right to it, as he had planned to dump her.

Eva tells her in that case, she will bury him herself with whatever she can raise with the necklace, and hopes her Grandmother can live with herself with everyone round there comparing her to Doris, and talking behind her back about what a heartless gold-digger she is. Stella catches on, and joins in with the guilt tripping. They then play their trump card, asking her if she has friends she can go and live with, now that her plans with Eric have fallen through. Gloria's face is a picture while she mulls that one over.

In No. 5, Chesney appears to have calmed down, and is getting on with feeding Joseph just fine. Katy arrives home, and tells him she has quit her job, and she hopes he is happy now he has what he wanted when he came in making a fuss in the Kebab shop. Snapping at him that she will take over now, she grabs Joseph's food from him, and continues the job of feeding the little fellow, who doesn't seem to care who gives it to him, just as long as he gets it. As Ches walks away, she sarcastically tells him to go sit down and put his feet up, and she will bring him his pipe and slippers. Nice one Katy, you now have Chesney feeling terrible, and he's not the reason you quit at all is he?

They are still working on Gloria in the Rovers, trying to make her feel bad with every sentence. Finally they make a break through, and she takes off the ring, telling them they win, she will sell it. They continue bantering with her, but she tells them not to push their luck.

Over in the Kebab shop, while waiting for their order, Lloyd is relating the tale of the tortoise to Steve - who is wearing the ugliest woolly hat you ever saw. (Simon Gregson posted on Twitter that the reason he had to wear it was because he had had a haircut, and because they film scenes out of sequence, he had to wear it for reasons of continuity - but it's sad he couldn't find a better one to wear than that! LOL!!) Anyway, back to the tortoise, Lloyd is saying he is not sure whether he is still in the doghouse or not, and asks Steve for his advice. Steve tells him to grovel until his knees bleed.

Katy comes downstairs after putting Joseph to bed, and is still giving Chesney the cold shoulder. He offers to make her something to eat, which she refuses. So he decides to go out and splurge the budget on a Chinese takeaway. He looks at Katy as he leaves, but she resolutely keeps her back to him.

Sean is organising a factory outing to the Full Monty show, he's talking about hiring a mini bus, and is making a list of those who will attend. It's rather nice to see a good shot of three of the regular factory Extras also being included in this scene, and I can tell you that their names are Christine, Adam and another Christine! Aha! Now you are one up on most other Corrie fans! If you have been reading the interviews I have been doing with the Extras on my website, you will definitely recognise Christine Quigley if you see this episode. Anyway, back to the storyline. Eileen and Paul arrive and overhear the plotting and planning and want to know what is going on. They make a feeble attempt at a lie, but Eileen is not as green as she is cabbage looking, and demands to know what is going on under the threat of eviction aimed at Sean. Sean may be reluctant to spill the beans, but Tracy can't wait to gloat that they all know about the show, and they are all going to be there.

Paul is horrified that they all know, but they tease him that it's a good thing as it's for charity, and now they will make even more money. However, to prove Paul was right in his reluctance to let people know, they begin tormenting him with some of the worst puns you have ever heard, all as you can imagine, aimed at his impending nakedness.

Katy is out putting rubbish into the bin when Ryan appears in the ginnel asking her if she is OK. He tells her he is really sorry, and asks her to come back to work. She refuses, saying it was a big mistake that never should have happened, and tells him to leave immediately before Chesney comes back.

Tina and Fiz finally have a chance to talk, and Tina assures her they are on her side. Fiz replies that she wishes they were on the jury, because she is not convinced that Tyrone won't be going down for a very long time.

Chesney is in the Corner Shop, and is begging Dev to give Katy her job back. He is reluctant because he is afraid the same thing will happen all over again. Ches assures him it won't because he has changed his attitude, and is determined to make it work. Finally Dev agrees to give her another chance, but pushing his luck a little further, Ches asks Dev if he will come to the house right now and ask her to come back himself, as she will take it better from him. After a lot of sarcasm on Dev's part and a lot of pleading on Chesney's he finally agrees.

The bantering is still going on over in the Rovers at Paul's expense. Eileen assures him she is very proud of him for what he is doing, and that he will be helping a lot of people. "Bottoms up to that, Eileen!" quips Tracy, to the merriment of everyone else around the table.

Gloria is sitting in a booth feeling sorry for herself. Stella comes over and is sympathetic to a point. She reminds her that she may have lost her meal ticket, but she still has her family, and asks her to stay on at the Rovers. Gloria is touched and pleased about that.

Chesney arrives home, and tries humble pie with Katy. Telling her he has asked Dev to take her back, and Dev confirms this. Katy tells them she doesn't want her job back, and when Dev asks her why, she says she is sure Chesney will kick off again, and it won't be worth it.

Ches assures her he won't do that, and looks pleadingly at Dev, who steps forward and begs her to come back, saying she is a good worker, and it makes sense to come back as she is already trained and everything. Fiz and Tina both interject with the persuasion too, leaving her with little option but to cave in and agree to go back. Everyone is pleased except Katy, who still has the real problem of the job to deal with.

Back behind the bar, Stella tells Eva she has told Gloria she can stay. After the initial shock, Eva resignedly tells her that if that is the case, she had best go and make peace with her. No time like the present, she goes over to Gloria and apologises for the way she had been speaking to her over Eric. Gloria has the good grace to reply that she was well within her rights to do so, because she had been right all along, she had only been using him for his money, and she didn't blame him for moving on to her. She tells Eva that she had thought she was looking for happiness, but all she really wanted was a pension, and she knows now you can't live like that. Eva also admits that she was very tempted too by all that money, and to be honest, only just managed to resist.

Gloria tells her sincerely that she has her family back out of the whole thing, and that means far more to her. She also tells her she is glad they did the right thing by Eric and gave him a decent send-off in the end. They smile fondly at each other, and decide it has all been worth it in the long run. Not sure Eric would agree with that, but there you go.

Lloyd is setting the grovelling routine in motion over in the flat with a bottle of wine and a few flowers from Dev's. He apologises to Mandy, and she tells him it was the lies that hurt the most. He apologises once again, but Mandy tells him it's not just her who needs an apology, and that he must apologise to Flash. She promptly pulls him out of his box and hands him to Lloyd. He holds the poor little guy up to eye level, and launches into a heartfelt apology to the testudine reptile, until he notices that Mandy is almost exploding with pent up laughter. He realises he has been had once again, but tells her he doesn't mind if it makes things alright again between them. She playfully hits him over the head with the cheap flowers, and tells him he had better not ever lie to her again.

We are on a roll of apologies, because Chesney is at it over in No. 5 as well. He tells Katy she made him feel really small when she gave up her job for him, which in turn makes her look a little guilty. Ches promises to turn over a new leaf, and will support her in anything she wants to do in the future - "Well, within reason" he chuckles. He thinks they are OK again, but by the look on Katy's face, I would say their troubles are just beginning.

It's chucking out time, and a tipsy Gloria lurches up to bed, helped by Eva. Now it's just Stella and Karl left alone in the bar. Because they have been chatting for most of the evening, he seems to feel he is in with a chance. She is feeling quite mellow too while they are reminiscing over old times, but then he puts his foot in it by telling her she is wasting her time with Jason, because sooner or later he will find someone half her age, and dump her. Oh no Karl, you do not get into a woman's bed by telling her she is old - oh no, no, no! He follows it up by telling her he is only telling her that because he cares, and that someone has to tell her the truth. That's it! She has had enough, and tells him to leave, and walks across to open the door for him. He grabs her from behind and forces his attentions on her, telling her they belong together. She screams at him to get out, and lashes out at him, slapping him round the face. He lets her go, telling her he knows she wants it as much as he does. Trembling more from anger I think than fear, she screams at him to get out. She is visibly relieved when he leaves, and breaks down in tears as the credits roll.

Christine

Written by Carmel Morgan Directed by John Anderson

Eva and Gloria are sorting out their clothes for Eric's funeral. Stella arrives and is somewhat shocked that one of the songs Gloria has chosen for the service is "We Built This City (on Rock and Roll)". Apparently it was one of his favourites, according to the bereaved almost widow. Karl texts Stella but she ignores it so it beeps at her again. Seems like there's a long list of text messages from Karl. Chesney and Katy are having coffee in the cafe. Her mate Steph texts her just as Ryan arrives. Chesney is now all friendly with Ryan and calls him over. Chesney offers to hand out flyers from his stall for Ryan's DJ service. They chat about all going to the pub that night. Chesney reckons they need a night out and thinks Katy should call her friend Steph as well. They make a date and Ryan takes off. Katy is disconcerted that Chesney now likes Ryan.

We are on the street with Anna, Owen and Faye on their way to school talking about the school production. When Owen calls her a thesbian, awkward questions are raised as to whether it's the same as lesbian and Anna seems to be having difficulty explaining just what a lesbian is. She's saved any further awkwardness when Faye spies Tim and runs over to him. Anna tries to hurry her along but FAye asks him about the school play. This seems to be news to Tim and he's not sure he can make it. Faye is disappointed.

Sunita is in the corner shop with the kids and Stella is there as well. She takes a moment to be insulting about Karl and his current whereabouts to which Sunita points out that if she's so concerned she should have him back. Not in a month of Sundays is the curt reply. There are more chat about the school play. The Alahan kids are playing orphans in it and there is much teasing and laughter and cuddles between Daddy Dev and the kids. Stella mutters "Look what you threw away" to Sunita as she slips out the door. Really, is that called for? Outside, Karl sees Stella emerge from the shop and he hurries over. Stella orders him to stay away. He apologizes profusely and tries to get her to talk to him. She shouts at him to stay away from her and from the pub and hurries inside.

We jump over to the prison where Fiz is talking to Ty about a glimpse of Ruby she's had. Sounds like Kirsty is leaving the baby with Julie a lot lately and Julie's getting fed up. Ty mentions how good Kirsty's mother was for Kirsty, keeping her on an even keel and tells Fiz how good Alison was when Kirsty first had Ruby. (Mind you, if you will recall, she was only there five minutes before Kirsty's dad came around and dragged her back). Tyrone worries that the stress is going to negatively affect poor Ruby.

Anna serves Sunita in the cafe and chats to her about how well she's getting along with Dev. Sunita admits they're making an effort for the kids and it's easier with Karl not around anymore. She and Dev have finally grown up. Over the other side of the cafe, Anna chats to Paul about the Full Monty, wanting a poster to brighten up the cafe. Steve is sporting a knitted hat reminiscent of Ena Sharples' hairnet for some reason. Paul is mortified that everyone will be going to the show but Eileen thinks the more the better, all for charity, as it is. Paul endures a few more jokes at his expense.

We are next in the pub where we see Dennis quaffing a pint at the bar. He chats to Gloria about Eric's funeral just as a beautiful bouquet of romantic red roses is delivered for Stella who looks at the card and quickly rejects them. Dennis quickly appropriates them. Gloria assumes they were from Jason and criticizes Stella for throwing them away.

In the cafe, Fiz and Tina are talking about trying to get Kirsty's mother to go to help Kirsty with the baby. Fiz tells Tina that Alison is a battered wife which then makes everything so much clearer for Tina. It explains it, but does not excuse it. They agree to go see Alison, Tina going for moral support.

Karl is in the Kabin when Dennis comes dancing in with the roses for Rita who scolds him about spending his pension on her (and I wonder why he was always on about getting a job, now that we know he *does* get a pension!?). Rita reaches in for the card that Dennis has conveniently forgotten to throw away and the note is all about forgiveness, from K. Busted! Dennis has to admit he got them in the pub and had been delivered to Stella. Karl sighs and leaves. They notice and deduce he's the one sent them to her. Rita whacks him with the flowers. The word Doghouse is mentioned. Outside, Karl sees Stella talking to a window cleaner out on the pavement.

Back inside the pub, Gloria has taken a phone call from Karl for Stella who refuses to take the call. Gloria doesn't understand. Steve and Dev talk about the kids and the school play which leads to Dev talking about Steve and Michelle reuniting. Something that must be on his mind, as he tells Steve that he and Sunita are getting along better lately. He still loves her at least as the mother of his kids and it seems he's got more than that on his mind. Gloria returns to the bar having hung up the phone with Karl in the back. She tries to find out what's going on but Jason comes in just then. He's been in Leeds and they really missed each other.

Owen comes in and finds Tim in a booth. He tries to impress on Tim that Faye will be disappointed if he doesn't go to the play. Oddly enough, Owen is trying to do the right thing when really, you know he'd rather Tim look bad in everyone's eyes but he is sticking up for Faye this time. Tim has a football match on and doesn't want to let the lads down but Owen has given him something to think about. Over at the bar, Gloria and Rita talk about the roses and they've reckoned they were originally from Karl. Rita laughs that she's only keeping Dennis on his toes and milking it for all its worth.

Tina and Fiz have driven to Alison's house and approach her. Alison thinks Fiz looks familiar but doesn't remember her. She's concerned but says they can't come inside because her husband is due and gets the address to come see them later.

Back in the pub, Jason tells Stella he's going to book a table in the Bistro for 8:00. She's got a meeting at the brewery first. Eva and Gloria come out from the back, they're going to the funeral. Gloria has heavy lace over her head and face like the weeping black widow. Even Jason makes a joke about Eric sleeping wit' da fishes. Someone else is milking it for all its worth too. She tells Stella she knows Karl sent the flowers. Stella promises to fill her in later, says Karl is just being a pillock as usual.

Katy is trying on outfits for their night out with her friends. Steph is excited to find out Ryan is coming but she has to go home and change into something a lot more alluring. Katy's two friends go to sort out their outfits.

Fiz and Tina tell Alison that Kirsty has been beating Tyrone and has accused him of beating her and is in jail. They tell her that Tyrone is afraid that Kirsty will hurt Ruby. Alison is angry that they're saying these things about Kirsty and won't believe it but seems thoughtful when Fiz insists Kirsty has been knocking Tyrone around for months and Ruby could be in danger.

In the cab office, Steve is biting his nails and annoying Eileen. Paul comes in and has to field another joke from Steve. Paul's off to work his shift and has just come to say good night to Eileen and in the course of the conversation, the fact that Tony is a she is mentioned in passing. Paul leaves. Steve and Eileen are silent for a moment. Steve realizes Eileen didn't know. Eileen reckons she's probably a tough broad but Steve has fantasies of a toned fire fighter on that pole. Thanks for that image, just what Eileen needed to fuel her insecurities and jealousies.

Alison still isn't sure that Tina and Fiz's story is the truth. She can't believe they'd trash her daughter. Fiz says that Tyrone never fought back but Alison slams out the door leaving Tina and Fiz frustrated.

In the pub, the young people are drinking in a booth and nattering about various things. Steph is flirting with Ryan and Katy keeps rolling her eyes watching them.

Eileen calls over the dispatch for a cab going to Newton and Ridley's going to Maxwell Street for a Stella Price. (what she's doing going TO Maxwell street FROM the brewery when she's meeting Jason at the Bistro, I don't know). Karl is free in his cab and says he'll take it. Eileen reminds him he's got an airport run later but he doesn't care.

Sean passes the bar towel over to Tina for her shift. Jason comes in and is dismayed that Stella isn't back yet. Outside, it's raining and Alison is knocking on Kirsty's door. Hello, Stranger. She tells Kirsty she's worried about her. They can hear the baby cry in the background. Kirsty isn't inclined to let her mother in but Alison pleads.

At the brewery, Stella runs across to the cab and is upset to see the driver is Karl. He locks the doors and pulls away into the dark and rainy night.

Tvor

Written by Jan McVerry and directed by John Anderson

Karl has driven Stella into the middle of nowhere. Stella's unnerved that he's locked the doors but Karl claims it's force of habit and that he just wants to talk. Stella puts it as plainly as she can: she wants Karl to leave her alone and get himself a new life. But to Stella's concern, this moves Karl to tears.

Round at Kirsty's she and her mum are making polite conversation. Eventually her mum asks where Tyrone is. Kirsty says he's away before explaining that it's a euphemism from her days as a cop. She tells her mum he's in prison.

We return to Karl's cab where Stella has moved into the front passenger seat. He's telling her that he doesn't want to move away and she says that's not what she's asking him to do. Stella says plenty of people split up and manage to live near each other. Karl says maybe he could get used to it eventually if he knew she and Jason were going somewhere. Stella asks who's to say they're not? Karl reckons that Stella will soon get bored with Jason and tries suggesting that she should take him back again. Stella tells Karl he's sounding like a broken record but he insists that he'd never let her down again. "It's too late," says Stella, repeating her words in case he didn't get the message the first dozen times.

Back at Kirsty's she's giving her mum her version of events, saying how she "fell" down the stairs in her wedding dress and almost died. Her mum asks why nobody called Kirsty's parents when it happened since they're still her next of kin. But Kirsty says what her mum really wants to know is why she wasn't invited to the wedding, adding that if Ruby did that to her she'd be really upset. Her mum says she is upset but not because of that. She wants to know how Kirsty, of all people, could end up falling for a man just like her dad and then adds that Kirsty didn't even get in touch. Kirsty claims it's not something you broadcast but once she started fearing for Ruby's safety she had to get Tyrone out of their lives.

Dev arrives at Sunita's with the twins. He has a surprise for her: they're dressed in their costumes for the school play and start to sing one of the songs. But Sunita's more concerned about what they're wearing: new school trousers and a designer jumper which have been ruined. Dev's horrified - he thought they were old clothes which he'd used to turn them into street urchins - until Sunita and the kids start to laugh. Their practical joke has been a success.

Stella is still thrashing things out with Karl in his cab. He can't see why she won't forgive the man she used to love for humiliating her in the worst way possible and then expecting her to forget it ever happened. Her phone rings. Karl knows it's Jason ringing again but she won't answer, preferring to speak to him when she gets home. "IF I get home," Stella adds. She tells Karl that he really scared her the other night and says that she had him down as a lot of things but never a bully. She wants to know where it's all going to end. She tells him he's better than this and asks him to let her go.

Faye is practising her lines with Anna at home when there's a knock at the door. She's delighted when her dad arrives and even happier when he tells he he's managed to find someone to take his place in the football match and would like a ticket for the play after all.

Jason's in the Rover's waiting for Stella. He's starting to get concerned but Tina tells him not to worry: she's a big girl.

Over at one of the tables Katy's friends are gossiping about Ryan. Steph really fancies him and wants to know if he has a girlfriend. Katy tells her she's gorgeous and should go for it but her face and voice tell a different story.

Back at Kirsty's she's still telling tales about Ty. Her mum points out she was prepared to leave Ruby with him when she went back to work and then cleverly starts to turn the conversation round, reminding her about when she came to stay and how much Ty loved Ruby. Kirsty starts to look shifty and begins to raise her voice. She talks about her Dad and says that just because you hit someone doesn't mean you can't love them. Her mum says that maybe she was kidding herself and Kirsty looks crestfallen.

Paul arrives home on a high after a successful rehearsal but Eileen doesn't respond to his offer to show her his routine later, claiming she'd rather watch the snooker. We learn the reason for her mood when she asks Paul if Toni will be getting her kit off. All those months Paul has been working alongside her and only today does Eileen find out that Anthony is, in fact, Antonia. Paul can't believe she's making such a fuss but once Eileen gets a bee in her bonnet there's no getting through to her.

We return to Kirsty's where her mother has just successfully got Ruby to sleep. She comments that Kirsty must really hate Tyrone and Kirsty says she hates herself for falling for him. Her mother gets her to admit that what she really hates is that he then fell for his ex. "In front of everyone you know," says Kirsty's mum. "I'd want him punished." And finally Kirsty's mum confronts her. She says they both know Kirsty has a temper and it's time she started telling the truth ...

Kirsty is hysterical, listing all the injuries which Ty supposedly inflicted on her but her mum tells her that she's had her revenge and now she should drop the charges and walk away. She adds that it's not her fault with what she saw, growing up with her dad but it's not normal or healthy for Ruby. She grabs Kirsty and asks her how she'd feel if her dad had had her locked up. She says she would never have forgiven him and that Ruby will feel the same. As this thought sinks in, Kirsty begins to sob and her mum takes her in her arms.

Round at Eileen and Paul's the atmosphere is so frosty that Sean suggests warming them up with a brew but he can see it's going to take more than a cup of tea to melt the ice so attempts a bit of amateur psychology to get them talking. Eileen admits she's a jealous bat but, try as he might, Paul can't get her to see that Toni isn't a threat and that Eileen is the one he loves.

Karl and Stella are still parked up in his cab but she finally answers a call from Jason. She tells him she's still in a meeting but Jason replies that he's sat there like a lemon and wants to know if she'll be there all night. Stella says she'll be home soon but Jason is rapidly running out of patience.

Sean's in the Rovers, having a drink to steady his nerves after his session with Paul and Eileen when Dev joins him. He's in such a good mood having spent a pleasant evening in the company of his ex that he offers to buy Sean a vodka.

Eva and Gloria are also in remarkably good spirits considering that they've just returned from Eric's funeral and any animosity which they previously had with each other seems to have been well and truly forgotten. They tell Tina that it was well attended by ladies of a certain age and Gloria jokes that it should have been sponsored by Spanks. Gloria asks where Stella is. Jason replies she's probably schmoozing some guy who's big in real ale before grabbing his coat and storming out in a strop.

Stella and Karl have finally reached the end of their chat and he thanks her for listening. She tells him it's made her realise something. "That we belong together?" asks Karl hopefully. But Stella tells him no, she's realised that trying to be friends just blurs the boundaries. She says that he had a life before he met her, he was confident and funny, and he needs to try and find that man again. Karl realises that she wants him to go cold turkey as far as their relationship goes and Stella confirms that, from the minute he drops her off, she must be dead to him. Karl reluctantly agrees and starts the engine to drive Stella home.

Anna and Owen are rowing about Tim. Anna blames Owen for encouraging Tim to be a good father to Faye. He goes upstairs to see to Joseph who is crying and Faye comes downstairs having been woken by all the commotion. Faye asks if they've been arguing again and Anna tells her no, just disagreeing, but we catch sight of Faye's smug expression behind Anna's back.

Katy and the gang are leaving the pub and meet Chesney outside. He suggests continuing the evening back at their house but the thought of a can of lager accompanied by the sound of the baby monitor doesn't have quite the same appeal as a club in town and a disgruntled Katy returns home with Chesney, leaving Steph and Ryan to continue the evening as a twosome.

We return to Kirsty where her mum is asking her whether she ever shouted at Tyrone or hit him. Finally, she confesses all and says how she hit him, that he never hit her back and that when she fell down the stairs it was because she slipped. Her mother begs her to tell the truth. Kirsty says she'll be finished but her mum tells her she'll be free. She says that if Kirsty tells the truth she'll be so proud of her and she'll be right behind her.

Stella and Karl have finally returned to Coronation Street. She asks what he'll do and Karl says he'll get on the road and keep driving. They embrace and, believing this is goodbye for good, Stella tells him to look after himself.

Stella goes inside the pub where Gloria and Eva are clearing up for the night. She repeats the story about a late meeting at the brewery and Eva tells her mum that she has some serious grovelling to do with Jason. Eva and her gran go up to bed with a final reminder to Stella not to forget to call Jason. But Stella takes one look at her phone, leaves it on the side and turns off all the lights. We then see that Karl is sitting in his car. He is watching what's going on inside the Rovers from across the street ...

Karen

Over breakfast, Gloria is looking at the expense sheet for Eric's funeral, and she's shocked. There's a knock at the back door, it's Jason. Stella called him as she wants to explain about last night; she says she was cornered by a rep and she couldn't get away. Jason isn't happy, and goes off in a mood. Back inside, Gloria says that she can't blame Jason for being upset, he'd booked a table for dinner. Stella's fed up with the two of them nagging at her, and she goes off in a mood too!

Katy arrives at the cafe to collect Faye. Faye isn't happy at being taken to school. She points out that she's nearly 11, and her dad isn't going to kidnap her. Brian is in the cafe munching on something he shouldn't, and he asks Faye how many tickets she wants for the school play. Faye asks for two, which surprises Brian, he thought that with her large family she would want more. She insists that two is fine.

Just then Julie comes in. She's surprised to see Brian there, and very suspicious. She thinks he's been eating a bacon barm. "Which defeats the object of cycling to school," she says. "As if!" says Brian, and makes a hasty exit.

Julie then spots Kirsty sitting at a table and asks if she'd like to meet up for lunch. Kirsty says she can't, she has something to do, a bit of business she has to attend to. "Maybe tomorrow?" says Julie. "Maybe," says Kirsty, "if I'm around."

Gloria shows Karl into the back room of the pub. He's brought back Stella's umbrella. Stella, however, is not at all pleased to see him. He hints for a cup of tea, and Gloria is about to go and put the kettle on, when Stella reminds him of what they agreed and says he should go now. Karl acts all mystified and bewildered, but leaves. Gloria then wants to know what's been going on, but Stella tells her to leave it.

Julie goes into the taxi office to invite Eileen and Paul for tea later. Eileen says they can't, Paul is rehearsing for the charity do. She tells Julie that the bloke organising the whole thing - Tony - has turned out to be a woman - Toni. Eileen thinks this puts a whole new slant on things. Julie is confused at first, thinking that Toni used to be a man, and when that's cleared up she says she wished she'd known when she was younger that women could be firemen. Eileen brings her back to reality by pointing out that Paul has been going out drinking with her. "And sliding down poles with her," says Julie. She wants to know what this Toni looks like. Eileen doesn't know, so Julie thinks that's something she should find out straight away, she needs to know what she's dealing with. "She could be ancient, or hunchbacked," she points out. Eileen doesn't think that's likely, Toni is a firefighter. Julie says they'll go over at lunchtime and see if they can spot her.

Karl slouches back into the taxi office, and slumps into the armchair, fending off Steve's query as to where he's been. Sunita comes in, she wants a taxi into town. Eileen suggests Karl. "Isn't there anyone else?" asks Sunita. "I hope so, because I'm not taking you," snaps Karl. Steve points out that Sunita is a customer. "And a home wrecker," says Karl. In the end Steve takes her.

Alison calls on Tina and Fiz and tells them she went to see Kirsty, who admitted everything to her. She tells them that she hopes that Kirsty has already gone to the police, she's sure she'll do the right thing. She leaves, and Fiz andTina hug each other.

Kirsty is just about the leave the cafe when she spots her mother coming out of Tina's front door. She looks aghast.

Katy goes over to the kebab shop and asks Ryan how his night with Steph was. They're just chatting when Steph herself comes in. She tells Ryan she has tickets to see a band on Friday, and wants to know if he'll go with her. Katy looks at them jealously, and then leaves.

In the pub, Gloria is still harping on about how nice it was of Karl to bring Stella's brolly back. In the end, Stella tells her how he tried to kidnap her, and how before that he'd made a pass at her. "It's not helping, you encouraging him," she says, and tells Gloria that from now on Karl stays on the other side of the bar.

Julie and Eileen are staking out the firestation. Julie is wearing dark glasses and peering through binoculars. It's all very quiet, Eileen wants to go home as she thinks they must all be out attending a fire, but Julie suddenly wonders if there might be photos of the firefighters up inside, with names under them, and gets out of the car.

Karl goes into the pub and asks to speak to Stella. Gloria tells him she's out, and to stop pestering Stella. "Back off and give her some space." Karl doesn't believe that Stella isn't there, and tries to go through to the back. Jason comes in then and pulls him back, and at the same time Steve and Lloyd come in. Gloria tells Jason how Karl had made a pass at Stella and then locked her in his cab and drove off with her. Steve and Lloyd are shocked to hear this. "Is this true?" Steve wants to know. Jason then punches Karl and Steve and Lloyd frogmarch him outside and sack him. Sunita comes along and hears this, and is delighted.

Julie and Eileen are creeping round the firestation and they go into the locker room. Just then they hear voices - it's Paul and Toni, so they hide in a cupboard!

Alison has called on Kirsty, she asks if she went to the police. Kirsty says she was going to, but changed her mind when she saw her come out of Tina's flat. She thinks the whole thing was a set-up. Alison says that Tina and Fiz came to see her. Kirsty tells her that Fiz is Tyrone's 'bit on the side', that's why they tried to convince her that Tyrone is innocent. Alison points out that he is innocent, but Kirsty says there is no way she's going to the police now. "Why don't you dob me in yourself? What's one more betrayal in a long line of them?" she spits at her mother.

Back at the fire station, Julie is getting claustraphobic in the cupboard and eventually bursts out of it, in front of an amazed Toni and Paul. They try to say that they were just passing and thought they'd pop in and say hello. "And hide in a cupboard?" says an incredulous Paul. Julie starts to introduce herself to Toni, saying she's heard a lot about her. The penny drops with Paul and he tells them they should go. Outside, Julie reckons that it's mission accomplished. Eileen is furious and slaps her sister. "Well at least you know what she looks like now," says Julie. "Yes, and she's hardly Quasimodo, is she?" snaps Eileen, "not that it matters, because after that Paul is bound to leave me!"

Owen is asking Faye about her school play. Faye tells him that they are only allowed 2 tickets, and Tim has changed his football now, so she can't tell him he can't come.

In the Rovers, Jason is talking to Stella about Karl, and what happened when she wasn't there. Just then Karl comes skulking back in and tells them they'll be pleased to hear he's been sacked. He'll never get another job now, so he'll lose his bedsit as well. Stella says she's sorry, she never meant for any of this to happen. "Why are you apologising to him?" asks Jason. Stella goes on to say that what she said before still stands, it is over between them, there's no point in fighting it. "Don't worry, there's no fight left in me any more," mutters Karl, looking all dejected and sorry for himself. He turns and shuffles out. When he's gone Stella turns round and has a go at Jason and her mother. (Why?) She says he's lost everything because of this and now he's at breaking point. (She seems to have forgotten that Karl has brought everything upon himself - actions have consequences.)

Eileen is sitting at home when Paul storms in and slams around. She apologises for making a total fool of herself, but she and Julie wanted to see what Toni looked like. "Why? Do you not trust me?" asks Paul. Eileen says she does, it's other women she doesn't trust. Paul reminds her that Toni is happily married, and then storms off out again.

Fiz and Tina find Alison outside the flat. She tells them how Kirsty saw her coming out this morning and is now refusing to go to the police. They beg her to go and tell them, but she says she's let her daughter down enough. Fiz begs her to do it for Ruby, but Alison is adamant that Kirsty would never hurt Ruby. She then says that she knows Fiz is Tyrone's girlfriend, and she should be ashamed of herself.

Karl goes into the shop and tells Sunita that she wrecked his life. She took away everything that mattered to him, Stella, his home and now his job. Sunita tells him the only thing he was ever any good at was self pity. She tells him if he's made a mess of his life it is his fault, not hers. He grabs her and pushes her backwards over the counter. With his face up close to hers, he says that one day he'll get her back for what she's done.

Anne Logan.

Anna and Faye chat about Faye's nerves for her performance of "Annie" tonight. Owen wonders if there's a chance he'll find a ticket tout outside the school. Once Faye's out of the door he tells Anna he thinks Faye doesn't want him to go.

At the pub breakfast table there's a bit of tension. Gloria's in Stella's bad books. Jason comes in unheathily cheery for breakfast time. It seems he's managed to get an appointment with the bloke who can dish out contracts for the council.

Dev and Sunita chat with the twins in the shop. Karl comes in and Sunita refuses to serve him. Dev backs her up.

Paul's still furious with Eileen. He knows he'll be the butt of plenty of jokes at work. He thought they had a relationship based on honesty but that can't be true if Eileen has to go checking up on him. It shows she doesn't trust him. "And that means we have a problem."

Out in the street, Dev and Sunita have found out Sophie's sick and not coming to work. How can they both go to the school production?

Jason's never heard of the address he has to find for his council appointment and tells Tim he'll ask the guys at Streetcars. They'll know.

Karl's visiting that very business. He wants his job back. Lloyd and Steve don't want to give it to him. They can't have drivers locking up the punters. Karl points out that Stella wasn't a punter but his Ex, but that doesn't get him his job back. Jason comes in, far too cheerful considering the mood Karl's in, and asks how he can get to Hebden House [This made me wonder if the writers are naming places after the actors' real names. I'll watch out for Dynevor Plaza and Roach Lane]. Steve and Lloyd are impressed with Jason's news. It took them months to set up an appointment with the purchasing man from the council. Cogs are whirring in Karl's little brain.

Paul compares Eileen to Glenn Close by suggesting she's a bunny boiler. She admits to him that every man she's been close to has cheated on her and left her so she's just waiting for him to do the same. She knows she should be able to trust him but she has trouble controlling those impulses. Paul warns her she has to curb them. She'll destroy the relationship if she doesn't.

In the cafe, Carla offers her school play ticket to Owen but Peter won't let her give it away. Peter and Carla leave and Leanne comes in, sick with nerves for Simon in the play. She says Nick's not going but Ken and Deirdre and Peter and Carla will be there. Owen does a quick tally and works out this is more than two tickets. Leanne says Brian told her she could have as many tickets as she wanted. Once she's left, Anna says it'll be something to do with Ken being a governor of the school.

Ryan's looking forward to his night out with Steph but Katy's quite cynical about it. He asks if she's OK with him going out with Steph and she says she is.

Jason arrives at an address in town. As he parks and heads towards the office building he doesn't see Karl drive up and watch him. And no, nobody on your reporting team knows where he got the car from.

Jason phones Stella to tell her the meeting went really well. His mood changes as he realises his van is gone.

Steph goes round to Katy's to ask her advice on what to wear for her date with the lovely Ryan.

Paul tells Eileen he has to go into work for a meeting. But once out in the street he phones Toni and asks if she's free.

Steph's still excited and has been trying on tops to get Sophie's opinion.

Fiz visits Tyrone in the prison and tells him she saw Ruby from a distance. He tells her she has to get close enough to give him more detail. How did she seem? What was she wearing? She tells him about Alison's visit and how it backfired.

In the pub, Julie and Eileen argue until Eileen apologises for blaming everything on Julie. She plans to calm Paul's anger with a nice meal, a bottle of red and an early night.

Jason's back. His van hasn't just been towed. It's been stolen.

It has. In fact, the van is on a piece of waste ground. Karl parks it and splashes fuel around and in it.

Eileen's cooking tea, watched by Julie. The phone goes. Eileen answers and is suddenly angry. It was Paul's work looking for him. He hasn't been in there at all.

Karl watches the van burn and then explode.

Peter's in the street and offers Leanne a lift to the school but she refuses. Dev and Sunita are also on their way. Dev has actually closed the shop early! Carla meets Peter, who is wondering how come divorced couples like Dev and Sunita can get on but he and Leanne can barely be civil to each other.

Anna and Tim are heading for the school, too. They meet Brian. He's come home to change after an unfortunate incident with the set paint. Anna asks him about the two-ticket policy. Brian says he offered Faye more tickets but she said she only wanted two.

Stella hasn't gone to the school. She's at home with Jason when the police arrive to say they've found the van burnt out. And what's more, someone matching Jason's description was seen running from the scene.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Joe Turner
Directed by: John Anderson

The police are in the Rovers talking to Jason, reading from their notes, they are describing him exactly, right down to the colour of his boots. They tell him the description came from a witness statement, who saw him running away from the burning van.

Gloria interrupts, as Gloria is prone to do, by pointing out that although Jason is not very bright, he is hardly likely to torch his own van. Jason asks who the witness is, but they are not willing to part with that information. He loses his rag, and shouts that he is the victim, not the criminal, and it's obvious he has been set up. However, they are not convinced he didn't do it for the insurance, and ask to speak to him in private.

Stella asks for a minute to have a private word with Jason. She then tells him to calm down and answer their questions, because the quickest way he will get himself into trouble is to go off on one. It does the trick, and he goes into the back with the officers.

Paul comes home to a very frosty faced Eileen. She asks him if he had a busy day at work, and is told it was the usual. Not one to beat around the bush, she tackles him as to why he lied to her, and points out that she knows he didn't go to work, and that Toni didn't either, and she would like an explanation.

In the back room of the Rovers, Jason is answering all the questions, they query where he was at the time the van was torched, and he tells them that at that time he had reported his van stolen, and had come straight back to the Rovers. He calls Stella in, and asks her in front of the officers what time he had returned, and she corroborates his story. This appears to satisfy the officers for now, and they leave.

Eileen is still laying into Paul, accusing him of sneaking off to be with Toni - and how dare he, when she had even bought him a steak for dinner and butterscotch Instant Whip for dessert. That woman sure knows how to serve up a gourmet meal doesn't she? Paul is annoyed that she doesn't trust him, but Eileen feels she has every reason not to when he blatantly lied to her about being at work, and was obviously off with another woman. He asks her if she has ever heard of a little white lie, but she shouts at him that it wasn't a little white lie, it was a great big black one that was designed to cover up his affair.

He tells her he is not having an affair. On the contrary he was off doing something romantic. "Yes, with another woman!" screams Eileen. Paul admits he was with Toni for the afternoon, and before he can say any more, Eileen tells him to pack his bags and get out. He tries to explain some more, telling her that Toni has a brother who owns a jewelers shop, and Toni, as a favour, had offered to help him pick out an engagement ring for Eileen, and he would be able to get it at a discount as a bonus. As he says that, he pulls the ring box out of his pocket and shows her. Ever wished the ground would open up and swallow you? I think that's how Eileen is feeling right now.

Sunita, Dev and the twins are arriving home from the concert, and Aadi rushes straight upstairs, as Dev has obviously teased him about his performance. Dev calls after him that he didn't mean it, that his singing had really been superb. It turns out that poor Aadi only had one line to say, and had forgotten it. Dev and Asha cruelly have a giggle about that, but luckily Aadi is still upstairs and can't hear them.

Eileen is eating humble pie now, and is telling Paul how foolish she feels. Paul tells her he knew how insecure she had been feeling in regards to Toni, and had decided to do something to show her how much he cares. He goes on to say that he had been thinking about proposing for quite some time, trying to think of the most romantic way to do it. But now, he feels it no longer seems like a good idea at all. He tells her that the simple truth is she doesn't trust him. Eileen denies this, tells him she does trust him, and loves him. Paul looks at her in disbelief, pointing out that she had just told him to pack his bags and leave.

Paul goes on to say that it doesn't matter how hard he tries to show her how much he cares for her, it is never enough. He takes out the ring and stares at it, snaps the box shut and tells her he feels he almost made a massive mistake. With that he walks out, with Eileen calling his name after him.

Anna, Tim and Faye are arriving back in the Street after the concert too. Faye of course wants Tim to come in, but he declines, saying he has an early start. But he hugs her, and tells her she was absolutely fantastic tonight, the star of the show. Not letting it go to her head or anything, Faye announces that she thinks she will be an actress when she grows up. Tim chuckles, saying she can be anything she wants, but to be sure to book him a seat at the Oscars.

He takes his leave, and Anna wastes no time tackling her about lying over the tickets. She tries lying again, but Anna has her card marked, and she has to own up. She says she was just practicing her acting.

Now Jason may be thick, but the penny has dropped as to who torched his van. He tells Stella he is sure it has to be Karl, because he had been hanging round the cab office, and knew where he was going. Jason is all for calling the police right away, but Stella stops him, saying he has no proof. She points out that it could have been kids, or anyone, and she didn't want him getting himself in any trouble by hurling accusations when he couldn't back it up.

If he can't report him to the police then, Jason is all for going round and landing Karl one on the nose. However, Stella has other ideas about that too, persuading him to go into the back, and she will bring through a couple of drinks and they will talk about it. Jason as usual does as he is told.

We are now in No. 6, and Anna is making Faye apologise to Owen for lying about the tickets. She does so, but tells Anna she just wanted her to see how nice Tim was - on their own. Owen asks her if she means 'like on a date'? Anna poo poohs that idea, but Owen tells her it makes perfect sense to him that Faye would think it a good idea to try to get her real Dad and the Mum she loves together. He (Owen) would just have gotten in the way. Anna is shocked, and tells Faye that she owes Owen an even bigger apology now. Owen, showing rare calm maturity, tells Faye she doesn't owe him an apology for that, but wants her to know that he is hurt, because he loves her Mum, and he loves her too, and wants to be part of her life. He goes on to tell her that he hopes one day she will feel the same. Anna reinforces this by telling her she is definitely with Owen, and nothing is ever going to happen between her and Tim. She packs her off to bed with the instructions to think about what Owen has just told her. As she goes upstairs, Owen calls out that her Mum had told him she was really good in the school play, and told her well done for that. Faye does have the good grace to thank him like she means it.

The quiet talk in the back room of the Rovers is not going well. Jason is still fired up and wants to go and lamp Karl, but Stella is accusing him of being childish, and makes several references to his age, like accusing him of acting as if he is in the playground. Jason retaliates by accusing her right back of trying to be his mother - tells her he already has one of them, and doesn't need another. He also accuses her of always being on Karl's side when he runs up against him. She shouts that both he and Karl are as bad as each other, and right now she doesn't want to deal with either of them. Trouble in paradise methinks....

We are still where we were before the break, with a little less anger. Jason and Stella are still discussing the Karl situation, or rather Stella is still defending him, and Jason is coming around to her idea of leaving him alone, and prove to her that he is mature enough for her.

As a reward, she invites him to move in with her. He jumps at the chance, and tells her he will move in today.

Katy is working in the Kebab Shop, when in comes Ryan and Katy's friend, whose name escapes me at the moment. She's not pleased to see them, and asks why they are there. Apparently the friend was hungry for a Kebab, so they stopped by before going on their date. Katy sulkily tells them it's not a freebie, as she doesn't want to lose her job. Ryan assures her he will square it when he next gets paid. With a big sigh, she serves them.

Coming out of No. 11, Ryan bumps into Karl, who appears as if he was waiting outside deliberately. He immediately starts winding Jason up over his van, not exactly saying he did it, but letting him know he knows all about it. Jason stands up to him, and tells him that although the police seemed to have a crazy idea that he had torched his own van, it's no problem, because he was in the Rovers at the time it happened, and can prove it. Then, as he is walking away, he turns and calls out to Karl. Holding up his bag, he tells him he is in the process of moving in with Stella - just thought he should know. Jason 2.. Karl 0.

Eileen comes into the pub and finds a very sulky Paul sitting in a booth. She asks if she can join him, and sits down. Right away she apologises for her behaviour, tells him she can't help it but she has trouble believing that someone as terrific as him would be interested in an idiot like her. She goes on to ask him not to leave her, that she would like to be given another chance to prove how much she loves him.

Before he has a chance to reply, Sean comes over to serve them. Paul tells him to hush a minute. He then stands up, goes down on one knee holding out the ring, and asks Eileen to marry him. Her joyful scream resounds through the pub as she flings her arms round him and says "YES! YES! YES!!!!!!

Jason comes in the back door and tells Stella all about his little encounter with Karl. She is proud of him that he handled it maturely. He suggests they go out to celebrate moving in together with dinner at the Bistro. Stella agrees, but confesses to him that while he was gone, she asked Owen to give Karl a job. Her reasoning for it is that she hopes Owen will keep him so busy that he no longer has the time on his hands to give the two of them hassle any more. Jason figures it's probably a good idea. Just then, Tina pokes her head round the door and tells Jason she thought he might like to know that his Mum just got engaged.

Dev is cuddling with his kids and telling them it's top secret, but their present to give their mother on Sunday for Mother's Day is in their sock drawer, and instructs them not to forget to give it to her, and not to tell her he had anything to do with it. As he is leaving, Sunita offers to open a bottle of wine, but he turns her down - however, he does say "Maybe next time". Things definitely seem to be thawing there.

Jason and Stella are out front now congratulating the happy couple. Jason tells them they are off to the Bistro to celebrate him moving in, and invites them to join them. Eileen smiles, a little weakly I thought, and says "Right, I gain a fiance and lose a son". Paul is up for joining them, but Eileen tells him she would rather stay there, and get some chips on the way home. He chuckles, and tells Stella and Jason "Now 'that' is why I am marrying this woman!"

Peter and Carla are sitting at one of the tables, and she makes him promise that if he ever gets the urge to propose, never to do it in the Rovers. He asks if she is hoping he will propose, and she replies in the negative, saying she is happy just the way they are. "Living in sin?" says Peter. Carla laughs and tells him that just makes it all the more exciting.

Kirsty arrives and walks over to Tina. She warns her that she and Fiz should stay away from her Mum from now on. Tina suggests she could do well to listen to her mother. Kirsty snaps back that on the contrary, she (Tina) had better listen to 'her'. They have been interfering with a witness, and if they go near her again, she will see to it that both of them end up in jail. Her scowl for Tina immediately switches to a big smile for Eileen and Paul, and she congratulates them on their engagement. Showing us what a double personality she has, and can switch from one to the other in a split second.

Stella and Jason arrive at the Bistro, and who should be sitting drinking at the bar but Karl. He offers to buy them a drink as he is celebrating his new job, and thanks Stella for putting a word in for him. Jason tells Stella to go and sit at a table and he will bring the drinks over. Of course, as soon as she is out of earshot, the two of them are at it again. Karl rubbing it in about Jason's van, and Jason gloats that he knows exactly who torched his van, and actually he has done him a favour as he and Stella are now closer than ever. He twists the knife a little further by telling him he is going to absolutely love living in the pub, going to bed with Stella every night - waking up with her every morning - he can't wait.

The credits roll with Karl's face looking like a slapped backside. Kinda does your heart good doesn't it?

Christine

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by Duncan Foster

We're having a Monday Moan on Coronation Street, it seems.

Chesney and Katy are sniping at each other, Katy being the instigator as she's had little sleep with a wakeful baby. Ryan arrives to ask her if she can change shifts because he's taking Steph for lunch. Fiz offers to babysit and Chesney encourages it for the extra money so she reluctantly agrees but she's not really very happy about it.

In the pub, Jason is putting things away upstairs. Down in the pub Gloria and Stella are chatting about his moving in. Gloria finds some video games in one of his boxes and makes a sarky remark wondering if he's bringing Lego too. Jason strolls in so Gloria asks about it. Jason muses that he could never get the hang of Lego which Gloria finds quite funny seeing as he's a builder. Jason is looking for room to put his toiletries, with all those women in the house, it's tricky. Gloria asks how he's going to manage without the van. Jason says he'll have to call the Council and see if they're willing to wait.

Dev brings the kids into the shop before school, followed in by Peter. Sunita is wearing a new necklace that the kids gave her for Mother's Day. Peter notices that they're all very civil unlike he and Leanne. Peter quips that he always thinks Leanne is saying "I hate you, you adulterer" every time she says hello. Aadi asks what an adulterer is and to their credit, none of the adults point to Sunita. Dev takes the kids off to school and Peter remarks to Sunita that she's lucky.

Eileen is admiring her new diamond ring, waving her arm about though stops quickly when Sean comes through. She invites Sean to drinks that evening. Paul will be bringing Toni after their rehearsal.

Sophie is impatiently waiting for Gail to get out of the shower and turning the tap on and off, hoping that the water will go hot or cold or the water pressure will taper off and chivvy her along. Sally does agree Gail takes very long showers. Sally isn't overly annoyed and she points out Sophie doesn't have to be to work until 2 anyway. Gail comes downstairs with her hair wrapped in a towel but the fringe hanging over her forehead is bone dry.

Katy is ready for work and complaining how much she has to do while Ryan swans off on dates. Fiz isn't overly sympathetic. Katy tells her that one of her friends is in Teneriffe with her welder boyfriend. Must be nice for some! Katy apologizes for moaning and goes off to work.

In the pub, Gloria is reading the newspaper about the RSPCA giving away cats. Wouldn't it be nice to have a pub cat? No. It would not, avers Stella. Tim comes in for Jason and Gloria proceeds to annoy him by calling him Timothy regardless of his correcting her twice. Jason arrives and tells Tim that the Council isn't going to give them the job since he can't start right away. Jason apologizes and says he'll have work for him as soon as he get some. Tim moans about a wasted journey halfway across town, virtually guaranteeing that he'll be moving closer to the Street any day now. Jason is just about all moved in. Gloria makes a joke about not trusting a builder that can't fathom Lego.

In the Kebab shop, Ryan has brought Katy a little stuffed Smurf for thanks. Steph arrives early so Ryan goes off to get changed and tells them to talk about themselves as long as it's about him.

Owen is pally with Karl and they notice Jason bringing one last box to the pub. Karl asks if the police have found who torched his van. Jason looks at him with a pointed glance and says they might have but another sarcastic remark has Jason storming across the road but he backs off before he hits him, especially as there's witnesses (Owen and Peter in the background). Karl looks supremely smug and Jason knows darn well Karl torched the van but he can't prove it.

Katy and Steph chat about their mate that's in Teneriffe when Tracy comes in for a fizzy drink. She realizes they're talking about Ryan so stirs things. She tells them Ryan likes to have his toes tickled and she should know. She admits she seduced Ryan for a laugh. When she leaves, Katy confirms Tracy is Ryan's ex. Steph is shocked. Katy says there's other things she doesn't know about Ryan. Tracy did time for murder. Ryan used to do coke and robbed his mother's factory. Steph is concerned that Katy never told her before. Katy didn't want to interfere and she should be careful. Jealous much? Ryan returns and they go off for their date.

Chesney returns to the house to get his forgotten sandwiches. Fiz brings up Katy. She wants to know if everything is ok because Katy's been in the dumps. She advises Chesney to make Katy feel special now and then. Chesney moans about how much he's got on his plate. Fiz chides him that he probably doesn't do as much to help Katy as he thinks and she needs to know he cares. Take her out, buy her a little present. He doesn't seem to think much of all this.

Dev brings supplies in from the car while Sunita checks them off the list. She thanks him for the necklace and wonders why he would do that for her. She doesn't think she deserves it. He says they can take it back but she knows that would hurt the kids' feelings. He gently tells her to keep it. Cherish it.

Sally has come home at dinner for a cup of tea and a bit of silence but she doesn't get it because Gail comes through the door. She's got an idea, they could take turns cooking while she's here. Then she launches into a great big moan about Leanne and Kylie and Audrey and Sally's peace and quiet is shattered.

In the Bistro, Ryan and Steph are having wine. Ryan is mumbling about something or other. Steph says she met Tracy. Ryan says he and Tracy didn't work out, she was high maintenance, then suggests that Steph go back to his flat where they can talk. Yeah. That. She puts him off and he soon realizes Katy has told her a few hard truths. He has to admit he did rob the factory and he did do coke but it's all done now. She throws some money on the table and gets up to leave. She wants nothing to do with him now.

Sophie chats to Sunita about her Mother's Day gift. Sunita gets emotional when Sophie is chatting about her family and expresses regrets that she's thrown away hers for an utter loser. She admits she wants Dev back but he wouldn't have her anyway. He's nice to her because of the kids. She didn't realize what she had. Sophie reminds her that she was not all that happy before anyway, bored. Sunita says she got it all wrong and made a huge mistake. Sophie suggests she tell Dev all this but she won't. Dev deserves someone better.

Ryan gets back to the kebab shop to find Katy with her feet up. He isn't happy that Katie told Steph all about him. He wonders if Katy does fancy him, then she should tell him otherwise leave him to it. She ends up admitting she's jealous and they kiss.

Outside, Peter comes along the street and runs into Jason and asks what was going on earlier. Jason reckons it was Karl that burned his van and he wants Stella back. He can't prove it about the van though. Peter advises Jason to be careful because Stella has a blind spot where Karl is concerned. Jason notices Karl drive up (I didn't realize Karl had a car, skint as he is but apparently he does). Jason runs over when Karl goes in a shop and kicks the side mirror off it. Very mature.

In the kebab shop, Katy and Ryan are cuddling in a corner but she's uncomfortable because anyone could go by and see. Ryan invites her out to a new club tonight and talks about the lyrics to a song about having too much responsibility too young and thinks she's wasting her life. She says, rather unconvincingly, that she's happy. She regrets kissing him. He says he wouldn't have taken Steph out if he knew how Katy felt. He wants her to lie to Chesney and come to the club with him tonight. If she does, he'll know she wants him as much as he wants her. boy if that doesn't sound like a chat up line, nothing does and he lays a few more on her too, working on turning her head. He leaves her with that flattery.

Tvor

Written by Simon Crowther and directed by Duncan Foster

Chesney comes home and Fiz apologises to him for interfering earlier but he's grateful. Her words have clearly struck a chord because he has something in mind as a surprise for Katy and asks Fiz if she can babysit again so that he can go into town and put his plan into action.

Dev has taken the children swimming and he arrives back at the shop, ready to hand them over to Sunita. Anyone who didn't know otherwise could be fooled into thinking it was a typical family scene. So much so that Sophie suggests they should all go home together and offers to look after the shop. But Dev doesn't pick up on what Sophie's getting at and declines her offer.

Katy arrives home from work, positively glowing, although not because of the heat given off by the kebab grill. Fiz, who has been looking after the children, goes off to see Tina leaving Katy to take over. But Katy is far more interested in cuddling the toy Smurf which Ryan has given her than paying any attention to Joseph and Hope.

Outside in the street we see Karl. He's staring at his reflection in the broken wing mirror on his car.

We go back to Katy who has now started on the ironing. She breaks out of her daydream long enough to tell the children they're going up for a bath and bed. But her motherly duties are interrupted by a text from Ryan confirming that he'll see her later. It's back to reality when Hope spills her juice but her thoughts soon return to what she's missing out on when she catches sight of her party dress in the washing basket.

In the corner shop Sophie is now on her own with Dev and he starts questioning her. He knows something is up and is convinced that there's some sort of conspiracy going on between her and Sunita. After some persuading Sophie tells him that Sunita admitted to her that she wished that they could all be a family again. Sophie thinks Dev should give her another chance, if only for the sake of the children. But Dev tells her he already did that, he offered her a lifeline but she refused to take it. He says he can only take so much humiliation. It looks like the subject is closed as far as Dev is concerned.

Out in the street Sally is on her way home when she bumps into Gail who is laden with shopping. She's decided she's going to cook them a meal so quick as a flash Sally makes up an excuse that she's going to take Sophie to the Bistro for a mother and daughter evening. At that moment Sophie comes along but, being a bright girl, manages to pick up on what's going on and avoids dropping her mother in it.

Katy comes downstairs, all dressed up for a night out just as Chesney arrives home. He's full of apologies for the way he was earlier and when she tells him she's going out with her girlfriends for the evening, he hopes she has a lovely evening. In fact, he even offers to give her a lift but that's the last thing she wants. Fortunately for her, Fiz is out so Ches has to stay with the babies. He's keen to have a chat about his day but Katy can't wait to leave and is anxious she's going to miss her bus.

Stella and Jason are also off out for the evening. Karl sees them coming out of the Rovers and goes across to have a go at Jason for smashing his wing mirror. Jason tells him he didn't do it, just like Karl didn't torch his van. Karl goes on about what it's going to cost him to fix. Stella marches Jason off up the street but it doesn't stop him looking over his shoulder to grin at Karl.

On the other side of the street, Katy runs across to meet Ryan outside the kebab shop. Ryan says they'll grab a cab round the corner. "Quick, before someone sees us," says Katy. Which does rather beg the question why she happily puts her arm round Ryan while they are still skipping over the cobbles, in full view of anyone who happens to be out and about.

Sally and Sophie are skulking in the kebab shop where they're eating chips with Jenna. Sally says she couldn't afford a meal in the Bistro but she also couldn't face another evening of Gail wittering on, hence the white lie. Sally tells Jenna she loves Gail to bits but sometimes she wishes she'd keep her mouth shut (don't we all?!). Sophie suggests changing the subject but not before she declares that Sally needs to tell Gail that they want their house back.

"So, how long have you been a lesbian?" asked Sally in an attempt to talk about something else. Jenna nearly chokes on her chips. Sally carries on with her theme and admits that she used to think Chris Evert-Lloyd was very attractive but that doesn't make her a lesbian. Jenna and Sophie start to tease her and Jenna smilingly suggests that maybe Sally is a lesbian but the penny hasn't dropped. Sally has a sense of humour failure and starts to defend her position but the more she does so, the more the girls start to laugh. None of them notice Gail coming in through the door until it's too late. Sally starts to get flustered when Gail says she thought they were meant to be going to the Bistro for some mother-daughter bonding. She extricates herself from the situation by suggesting she and Gail should go to the Bistro for a drink instead, leaving Jenna and Sophie to their own devices. Gail jumps at the chance but Jenna can't resist one more joke about Sally going for a drink with another woman and tells her to make sure there are no candles on the table in case someone gets the wrong idea.

In the Rovers Eileen is discussing wedding dresses with Sean and Julie when Paul comes in with Toni. There's a slightly awkward moment when Paul re-introduces them, reminding them that the last time they met they were hiding in a cupboard. Eileen asks how the rehearsal went and then offers to buy Toni a drink.

Ryan and Katy arrive at a nightclub. If she was in awe of him before Katy's opinion of Ryan increases several notches when she discovers he has guest passes and they bypass the queue and go straight in.

Jason and Stella are having dinner in the Bistro. Stella stops struggling with her tough steak long enough to ask Jason if he broke Karl's wing mirror. "No," says Jason, smirking. Stella tells him he's acting like a teenager but Jason asks why Karl didn't go to the police if he thinks he did it. But Stella thinks Karl's giving him the benefit of the doubt and she tells Jason to stay away from Karl, otherwise he can pack up his stuff and go straight back to his mother's.

Fiz arrives home to find Chesney's home and he's even had a tidy up. She asks whether he managed to get his surprise for Katy and he can't wait to show her what he's bought: it's an engagement ring. Fiz is thrilled, especially when he tells her he intends to propose tomorrow at Faye's birthday party. But he's worried - what if Katy turns him down? But Fiz says of course she won't, they live together and she's had his child! She asks Chesney if he tells Katy that he loves her every day. He admits that he doesn't so Fiz's advice is that he should tell her how he feels because he deserves to be happy.

The scene changes to the nightclub where Katy's snogging Ryan in between knocking back shots and ordering cocktails. She tells him that she's glad Steph binned him off and her body language is proof of just how glad.

Sally and Gail are in the Bistro, gossiping about men over a bottle of Merlot. In the course of conversation, Gail brings up the subject of Eileen and Paul and says just imagine saddling yourself with her for the rest of your life. She tells Sally she prefers their arrangement which causes Sally to look momentarily panicked. But Gail then says she knows she's in the way. Sally tries to protest but Gail says she knows she is but she has some good news: she has some flat viewings organised. She adds that she has enjoyed staying with her and having some adult company.

In the Rovers Julie is interrogating Toni about what it's like working with all those men. It becomes clear that she's a genuinely nice woman and absolutely no threat and when Paul and Julie go to the bar to get some more drinks Eileen apologises to Toni again. Toni says it's no problem and then tells Eileen how lovely it is to finally meet her. Apparently Paul never stops talking about her at work and the general consensus is that Eileen saved him. She looks really chuffed at this discovery, as well she might.

Over at the bar, Stella is giving pints to Karl and Owen and tells them they're on the house. Karl asks her how her meal went and she replies that she's had better. We see Jason glowering in the background.

Katy and Ryan are leaving the club. They stop for a kiss and Ryan suggests that they go to a hotel round the corner. But that's definitely a step too far for Katy who looks horrified and says she couldn't possibly do that. She hails a cab but before she gets in Ryan asks her to promise that they can go out again some time.

We move to Dev's where it looks as though he can't sleep. He goes to get himself a glass of water and we see him looking at two pairs of shoes belonging to the twins. The sight of them has clearly got him thinking.

A few doors down, Katy is creeping through the front door. Chesney's fallen asleep on the sofa and wakes up when he hears her. He starts to ask her about her night out but it's not an interrogation - he's genuinely interested and tells her she should go out with her friends more often. He suggests that next time he should go with her. "Great," says Katy with about as much enthusiasm as someone going for a root canal treatment. She visibly starts to back away as Ches tells her that there's something he's got to say to her. But he only wants to tell Katy how much he loves her. She tells him she loves him too but without conviction. As Katy starts to climb the stairs to bed Chesney reminds her that it's Faye's party tomorrow. "I can't wait," she says, still struggling to show any kind of excitement. Once he's sure that she's safely out of sight, Chesney takes out the ring which he's bought and looks at it as the titles roll.

Karen

Breakfast at Chesney's and Fiz asks if he's still planning to propose to Katy. He says he is. Just then Katy comes downstairs, and he makes sure she's still planning to attend Faye's birthday party. At that moment she gets a text from Ryan which reads: 'Morning gorgeous'. She looks a little flustered and Ches asks who it's from. She tells him it's from Steph. She goes out to the kitchen, smiling.

Sophie is moaning to Jenna about Gail. Apparently she was hoovering at 7.30am, and now she's rearranged everything in the kitchen cupboards. Sophie can't find anything! However, Sophie's real concern is Dev and Sunita, she feels they ought to get back together.

Chesney sees Ryan out on the Street, he's lending Ryan his van and he gives him the keys. Ryan comments that Ches seems to be in a good mood. Ches says he is, but he'll tell him why tomorrow.

Katy is in the cafe with Joseph. Fiz is chatting about Faye's birthday party, when Ryan comes in. He sits down and quietly tells her that Ches has lent him the van to go and pick up his equipment, so he wondered if she would like a trip out, they could go somewhere together. "In Ches's van?" queries Katy. Ryan says she doesn't have to if she doesn't want to. The looks between them are electric, and Katy obviously does want to!

A very glum Jason is in the pub. Gloria comments that people will think they've stumbled onto Death Row if they see him with a face like that. Jason says he has no work. He thought he might have had some coming in, but has heard nothing. He hopes the insurance company will pay up for his van soon. Stella suggests he goes down to the cellar and fixes a leaky pipe for her.

Chesney calls round to Anna and Owen. Before he can say anything to them, Katy arrives with Joseph. She says she has toothache and wants to know if Anna can mind Joseph while she goes to the dentist. Anna agrees so Katy rushes off. When she's gone, Chesney asks Owen for his permission to marry Katy. Tongue in cheek, Owen gives him a hard time at first, but then starts laughing and says of course he can. Anna is delighted, and asks if he's asked her. Chesney explains that he hasn't, yet, but is planning to ask her at the party.

Meanwhile, Katy is hiding round a corner when Ryan draws up in the van. She jumps in and off they go.

Down in the Rovers' cellar, Jason is fiddling about with the leaky pipe when Tim comes to see if he has any work. Just then, Jason's phone rings, it's a customer about having an extension built. Jason goes off to price the job up, leaving Tim to deal with the leaky pipe.

Sophie is working in the shop. She tells Dev that she's grateful to him for keeping her job open when she was injured, so she'd like to take him for a drink to say thank you. Dev brushes her off, saying there's no need, and asking if she doesn't see enough of him already. Sophie acts all offended, so Dev changes his mind and they arrange to go to the bistro at 6pm. She tells him that Jenna will mind the shop.

Down in the cellar, Tim is wrestling with the pipe when he breaks the joint and suddenly there's water spurting everywhere!

Up the bar, Eileen and Paul are chatting to Gloria about the upcoming Full Monty event. Suddenly Tim runs into the bar, asking where the stopcock is. Stella doesn't know, but Paul offers to have a look under the sink. They go off to the kitchen. Just then Karl comes in, and asks what's going on. Gloria tells him that Jason has gone swanning off and left 'Nice but Dim' in charge, and he's made a pig's ear of it. Karl says that he will have a look, and goes off down to the cellar. He sees the water gushing out of the pipe, and bends the pipe around to spray the electric fuse box! Up in the bar all the lights go out. Just then Jason walks into the pub. "What's going on, why are the lights off?" he asks.

They're all moaning at Jason, Stella says he shouldn't have gone and left Tim in charge. Jason says he'll look at the electrics, but it will take at least 24 hours to dry out. If parts are needed it could take until Friday to get it all up and running again. "So we lose 2 days earnings?" moans Gloria. Stella is not at all happy.

Katy and Ryan are sitting in the back of the open van in a park. He's brought a picnic, and they kiss.

Back at Anna's, Faye's party is underway. Tim arrives with a present - a flashy new mobile phone. Izzy asks where Katy is. Chesney tells her that she text him earlier saying she was having a look round the shops, but that was a couple of hours ago.

Katy comes out of a shop and gets into the van. She's just picked up a present for Faye. "Back to reality now," says Ryan. She tells him she's loved every minute of the day they've had. Disaster then strikes - the van won't start.

Sunita goes into the Bistro to meet Sophie for a drink. Of course, she's also arranged to meet Dev, and the two of them then realise they've been set up. Dev isn't happy. Sophie says she has to go and relieve Jenna, and leaves quickly.

Ryan is under the bonnet of the van. Katy says she's got to get back, so will have to leave him to it. She's just gathering up her bags when Gary comes by in his van. He stops to help, so, guiltily, Katy hides in the back. Looking for tools, Gary opens up the back doors and finds her. "What are you doing there?" he asks. Katy mumbles that she'd been to the dentist and then the shops, and she met Ryan, who was giving her a lift. Ryan mutters that he ran into her. Gary doesn't look convinced.

Back in the Bistro, Sunita and Dev are talking. She tells him that she deeply regrets all she put him through, he tells her he's angry with her, but he still loves her, as much as he ever did. "Why don't we try again?" he asks.

Katy and Gary arrive at the birthday party. Chesney is pleased to see her and goes off to get drinks. Gary turns to Katy and wants to know why she was hiding in the back of the van. She says she wasn't hiding, but was just picking up her bags. Gary doesn't believe her and thinks there's something going on.

In the Bistro, Dev and Sunita are holding hands across the table. She tells him that although she'd like to get back with him, no one else will be able to forgive what she did. He says they shouldn't care what other people think. He thinks they will forget in time. He can't believe she would let that get in their way. She says there are too many ghosts, and she gets up and walks away.

At the party, Chesney calls for quiet. Then he pulls a ring box out of his pocket, gets down on one knee in front of Katy and asks her to marry him. Gary stands at the back, shaking his head. Katy says of course she'll marry him, and Chesney hugs her.

Anne Logan.

As Cheshire bathes in the Spring sunshine and I sit here in snowy London, I've given up my place by the heater to bring you this update.

It's breakfast time and Katy doesn't seem happy. Fiz is too harassed to notice and Chesney's just excited about being engaged and perhaps having a wedding "some time in the summer."

Jason apologises to Stella, Eva and Gloria. Jason apologises to Stella, Eva and Gloria. Jason apologises to Stella, Eva and Gloria. And then he does it again for good measure. Stella's trying to calm him down but Eva just keeps nagging. Stella's off to Leanne's to use the bathroom - which reminds me, we haven't seen them lugging buckets of water through to flush the loos, so where have they been going? Gloria's not off to Leanne's. "All you need is a bit of cold cream," she says. Use that on your face and give the rest a bit of a spray. Ew.

Sophie tells Sally about her plan to get Dev and Sunita back together. Sally Kettle explains to Sophie Pot that it's not a good idea to meddle in other people's lives.

Ryan meets Chesney who has just found out his van will cost two hundred pounds plus VAT (that's currently 20 per cent) to repair. Ryan immediately offers to pay half but Chesney says he just owes him a free kebab.

From across the road, Gary sees them talking and describes Ryan as a little creep. This surprises Izzy. Gary goes off to work and Chesney and Ryan come over towards her. She gets Chesney to tell Ryan his good news.

In the shop, Dev tells Sophie he's not at all upset by what she did. He and Sunita needed to sit down and talk. So, are they getting back together. He explains that it's complicated. Sophie says she thought he was a man who made things happen and she's disappointed in him.

In the cafe, Jason buys breakfasts for all three generations of his girlfriend's family. Fiz asks him about the Rovers and he answers honestly, saying he doesn't know when it will be open. This is overheard by Karl, Owen and Gary. Owen offers help but then remembers how busy with work they are. Karl smirks and Gary doesn't take much notice. Owen notices he's distracted but Gary says there's nothing wrong.

Sunita opens the door to Dev and tells him he doesn't need to knock. Dev didn't wish to presume anything. He has a plan, though. If it's impossible to put things back the way they were, then why not move forward? Why not sell the shop and the kebab place, sell the house, load everything into the back of a truck and take off to somewhere nobody knows them?

Eileen and Paul are in the bistro discussing plans for their wedding reception when Toni finds them. All the other firefighters involved in the stripping for charity have come down with food poisoning after a birthday party. There'll be no charity event on Monday.

Sunita thinks it might be going a bit far if they sell the businesses but Dev says if they don't they'll always have to come back to the street. He wants them to run away and be happy for the rest of their lives. "Yes," says Sunita and they kiss.

Gary's supposed to be loading stuff but can't do that and think at the same time. Owen tells him to think in his own time. Gary sees Izzy with Sally and chases Sally away so he can have a chat. He tells her about finding Katy in the van with Ryan. He wants to go and tell Chesney but Izzy warns him not to and says she'll talk to Katy as soon as she finishes work.

Toni's disappointed the Hospice will be disappointed. Eileen lights on a solution. Do the strippers have to be firefighters? She offers Nick a place in the troupe. "You'll only have a little part," she hoots. Nick turns her down.

Jason's managed to get the water back on but is still depressed by his own incompetence. Karl comes in, even though the pub's not open (I don't know why they leave the front doors open, then) and stirs things up. Gloria suggests they can open the pub by candlelight.

Eileen calls in at the taxi office. She's looking for red-blooded males who possess everything they should have and who aren't scared to show it. Lloyd thinks it must be a trick question. Steve knows he has the right to remain silent. Eileen tells them about the need to replace the firefighters and Lloyd points out she's not looking for red-blooded males. She's looking for exhibitionists. Eileen quickly says she didn't expect Lloyd to do it - but she's surprised at Steve. After all, he's more macho. Lloyd, of course, says he'll do it. And before we know it, Eileen's got them both on side. She goes off cheerfully looking for more victims. "She's too clever for us," says Lloyd. Steve might have a plan.

Rayon (he seems totally artificial to me) telephones Katy and she says she'll come to the kebab shop to talk to him. But Izzy stops her in her tracks and demands her own talk.

Stella asks Jason whether she's one of the problems he's been complaining about. He assures her she isn't but says he's clearly not as competent as he thought he was. Maybe he's not cut out to be running his own business. Stella asks whether he's thought about giving it up and doing something completely different.

Izzy sees through Katy's protestations that "nothing happened" and finds out she's kissed Rayon. Katy says Izzy doesn't know what her life has been like, trapped in the house with a baby and no money. She just wanted some fun. Izzy points out that Katy chose this life and said she knew what she was doing. It's clear that Katy doesn't want to lose Chesney and Izzy tells her she's to go and tell Rayon this.

The pub is open in the candlelight. Eileen's come in looking for more victims. She gets a text message from Steve and Lloyd backing out.

Stella says she and Jason have just been talking about him giving up the building trade to do something else. Karl says something sarcastic but Stella continues that she's asked Jason to come and work with her at the Rovers, as a barman at first. Karl sneers that it's a real come-down. Gloria thinks maybe Stella plans to make Jason the landlord. Karl looks very sour.

Owen tells Gary he's been acting like a zombie and sends him home for the day. Katy goes to talk to Ryan but Gary sees them together and kicks off, not caring who sees or hears what he's accusing them of. Owen leans over the rail of the yard's upstairs platform as Gary pushes Ryan, Ryan pushes back, Gary punches, Ryan swings at him . . . And there's Chesney seeing the whole thing.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Julie Jones
Directed by: Duncan Foster

Oh it's all kicking off in the Street! Ryan has a bloody nose, Katy is begging Chesney to forgive her, telling him she was on her way to finish it with Ryan. Ryan is yelling that there is nothing to forgive, as they haven't done anything. Owen is wading in with his fists and Sylvia is standing on the sidelines, not willing to miss anything.

Finally Katy tells Ryan to go, and she turns and apologises to Chesney, who looks like a puppy that's just been kicked. Without saying a word, he turns and runs back to the house. Owen tells Katy that he is really disappointed in her - really disappointed.

Sylvia goes back in the cafe and tells Fiz that she should go home, as she will be needed there about now. She fills her in on what has taken place outside, and tells her to get off home pronto.

Over at the other tables, Tommy is the victim of a lot of suggestive banter from Tracy, Deirdre and Beth in reference to the upcoming 'Full Monty' show. If he wasn't scared to do it before, he just might be now.

Katy and Owen arrive back at No. 5, and Izzy, who is looking after Joseph, wants to know what is going on, she relates that Chesney had just come in and gone upstairs with a face like thunder.

Katy tells her that it's all Gary's fault, shouting his mouth off all over the place. Owen points out that it's not all Gary's fault, that she herself is not totally innocent in all this is she? Fiz rushes in the door, and wants the details, and Ches is listening to it all from the top of the stairs. Fiz is furious, she demands to know how she could do that when she has just agreed to marry Chesney. All Katy can offer in her defense is tears, and the acknowledgement that she has let everybody down.

Chesney comes down the stairs and throws everyone out except for Katy, who asks that they take Joseph with them too. Owen agrees they need to talk, and leaves with the others.

When they are alone, a tearful Chesney tells Katy that he had thought they were happy. She sobs that nothing happened - not really. He just repeats to her that he had thought they were happy, then asks "How thick am I?"

We are now inside a very romantic looking Rovers, and Stella is praising her mother on her efforts with the candles. Steve and Michelle come in and wonder why they are being served by candlelight, and Karl can't resist telling them that it was the idiot Jason who blew up the electrics. A spat ensues between the two of them, and Stella plays peacemaker between them once again.

Michelle tells Gloria that it is all very atmospheric, and Gloria replies that candlelight is very flattering, so flattering in fact that she (Michelle) might even pass for 40 in this light. Michelle's jaw drops, and Steve almost chokes on his lager, but we are not sure if it is because of Gloria's remark, or whether it's because he has discovered his pint is warm. Stella apologises and tells him she can't do anything about it, as the fridges are not working either. Steve tells her it reminds him of the milk they used to make them drink at school. (I remember that, in the height of summer, it was rancid, yet they told us to get it down as it was good for us!) Michelle remarks that it seems too quiet in there without the juke box. Gloria offers to sing, but Stella tells her that things are bad enough!

Steve then congratulates Jason on his new job behind the bar, remarking that it didn't take him long to get his feet under the table, and Michelle remarks that she is enjoying having a bit of eye candy behind the bar. As Jason preens, Karl is scowling in the background.

Chesney is asking Katy how long it has been going on, and she tells him it hasn't been long - honestly. Ches accuses her of only taking the job at the kebab shop in order to be able to spend time with Ryan. Katy protests that she took it because they needed the money. He then demands to know when they saw each other outside of work, and she tells him it only happened twice, explaining that the first time it was when she had told him she was going out with her mates. He is shocked when he remembers how she had looked that night, and can't believe that she had gone to so much trouble for Ryan.

Katy tries to explain that she just felt the need for a bit of excitement. So Ches sarcastically apologises for being so boring. She points out that this whole thing wasn't about him, that it was about her. She tries to explain by telling him that she feels she is living someone else's life, that she is old before her time. She goes on to say that her mates can go out and have fun, they have money to spend on clothes and makeup and do whatever they want, but hers is so small and dull, she is chained to the house 24/7 and when she does go out, she feels guilty.

Chesney points out that this is the life she wanted, this is what she chose it to be, and it's too late to go back on it now. She just sobs that she didn't know it would be this hard, she feels she has been suffocating. Ches points out that as far as she is concerned then, it is OK for him to work all hours to put food on their table, and OK for him to mind Joseph while she goes off out to be with another bloke, but 'he' is the one who is suffocating her? Katy sobs that Ryan's life is different to theirs, it's exciting, he goes clubbing, he's a DJ, and..... Chesney interrupts her, shouting "And he's tall, and good looking and wears the right clothes - how much more are you going to rub my face in it?"

Katy sobs that she was only trying to explain. A defeated Chesney slumps into a chair, and tells her he had thought they were going to be forever, the three of them. Both of them are crying now.

A loved up Dev and Sunita are in No. 7, and making plans as the twins are on a sleepover at a friends. Sunita is all for going into town to celebrate being back together, but Dev would rather go local, and face their demons head on. He points out that selling the house and the businesses will take time, and once the twins are told, they are going to blab to everyone, so they might as well face up to it now, and suggests going to the Rovers.

A post mortem is going on over in No. 6 and the body is Katy & Chesney's relationship. Izzy is blaming Gary for opening his big mouth, when it was all set to be over before it started. Fiz however points out that Katy had agreed to marry Chesney at the same time she was cheating on him. Owen feels the two of them were far too young to settle down into parenthood before they had had any fun in their lives, but as Fiz points out, it's a bit late to think that now.

Anna and Faye arrive home and can't wait to show the heart shaped wall charm they had bought for Katy and Chesney as an engagement present which will bring them good luck - which I think they might need about now. They catch on to the atmosphere in the room and ask "What's up"?

Rita, Dennis, Emily and Sylvia are in the Rovers now. With the exception of Sylvia, they are all loving the atmosphere, saying it has the spirit of the Blitz. Sylvia however has no fond memories of the war, the main thing she remembers is not being able to get your hands on a banana for love nor money.

Dev and Sunita arrive to a frosty reception after they announce they are getting back together. Gloria accuses Dev of having a very short memory, and Karl wishes him luck, telling him he will certainly need it. Sunita snaps at him that he is just jealous, because everyone has a happy ending except for him. That barb obviously hits home, probably because it is true.

We are now back at the depressing scene that is taking place in No. 5. Chesney is still crying, and wailing that he had thought she loved him. Katy tells him she does love him, and that this is a wake up call. She takes his hand, and tells him it tells them they have to make more time for each other, to go out and have a laugh. Ches pulls his hand away angrily and tells her he doesn't even want to look at her, never mind anything else. She begs him to forgive her. Tells him she knows it will take time before he trusts her again, but she still wants to marry him. Chesney looks at her in astonishment, and tells her she is unbelievable, "Like that's going to happen now!" he tells her.

He moves over and slumps down on the bottom of the stairs. He sobs that he barely knew his Dad, and his Mum was a total nightmare, and he had wanted better for Joseph. He remarks that the little lad was barely past his first birthday and she had already let him down. Katy kneels down in front of him, and tells him she is so sorry, and begs him to forgive her. I guess we are not going to know the answer just yet, because they are both sobbing their hearts out, and we have to leave for a break.

Break - Meerkats - Sainsbury's nappies with cute babies, Rimmel - Get the London look, Noddy advertising YouView TV service, Doritos Chips and Meerkats again in the Barlow's living room. (And you thought I skipped through the ads didn't you?)

Back in the Rovers Sylvia is emerging from the Ladies, complaining to Stella that it is like the Black Hole of Calcutta in there. She corners Michelle, and tells her she needs to have a word with that son of hers. She goes on to tell her that he has broken up that lovely little family, and 'He needs telling!" she snaps, and moves on, leaving Michelle standing there with her mouth open. As they leave, with Michelle crying for Ryan's blood, Eileen tells Steve that it's OK, they have managed to find enough men for the Full Monty with bulges in all the right places, unlike his. When he is out of earshot however, she tells Stella that they are still open to offers from tasty males though. She spies Peter and asks if she can put his name down. Peter declines, saying it would give all the others an inferiority complex if he got his kit off in front of them. He opts to donate monetarily instead. Deirdre suggests that Ken might be game if they could get enough liquor down his throat first. Tracy visibly cringes at the thought.

Stella tells them that the Rovers will be closed that night so all the punters can support the charity strip-off at the Bistro. This prompts Karl to volunteer his services on stage too, saying however he is not sure anyone would want to see him in his underwear. "I would", chirps up Deirdre. "So would I" says Sean. That's it then, Karl is signed up.

Sunita must have gone to the ladies, because Dev is sitting alone. Stella comes over, sits down and tells him he probably won't thank her for it, but feels she has to say it to him. She goes on to point out what a big mistake he is making in getting back with Sunita. She reminds him of all the pain, the deceit and cruelty she has caused him, and asks him if he really can forgive all that. He tells her he can, but Stella isn't finished. She points out that when she went with Karl, she binned him without a thought, and now she is lonely and desperate, and this is the only reason she wants to get back with him. Dev points out that he really thinks there is something there worth fighting for.

She asks him if he loves her, and he responds "Yes", without any hesitation. However, when Stella asks him if he believes she really loves him, he is not so certain. He eventually replies that she says she does, but Stella snaps that she is only saying that because it's what she knows he wants to hear. She twists the knife a little more by saying she doesn't want to hurt him, but she can't stand by and watch him throw the rest of his life away on someone who doesn't deserve him. Dev replies that this is what he wants - what he really truly wants. Stella tells him if that is the case, she wishes him well, and leaves him to ponder.

Michelle and Steve arrive home, and she immediately lays into Ryan about Katy. She works up to full rant, and Steve says quietly "Well, she is very pretty", if looks could kill, our Stevie would be a fried maggot right now, but she then turns her attention back to Ryan, who tells her he really likes Katy. With her voice up yet another decibel, Michelle tells him in no uncertain terms to stay away from her from now on.

Back in the Rovers, Rita is waxing lyrical about the good times they have spent in there over the years, and all the old faces she remembers spending those good times with. Dennis suggests to Rita that when he pops his clogs he wouldn't mind having his ashes scattered in there, but Emily remarks that it might not be a good idea, as he would end up inside the Hoover.

Jason comes over to collect their glasses, and Rita thanks him for the best night out they have had in ages. It's funny, but these days, whenever Jason is being praised, or is talking about how good he has it at the moment, there is always the spectre of Karl's face hovering over his shoulder glaring malevolently into the back of his head. Anyway, quite oblivious to the face over his shoulder, Jason happily tells them he has a job there now and things are working out for him. After he is out of earshot, Karl mutters more to himself than to Tommy, who is only half listening anyway, that Jason has it all, his girlfriend, his pub, his whole flamin' life.

Things are still not going well in No. 5. Chesney has now moved from the bottom stair to the top one. Katy asks him how long he is planning to sit there for, but he doesn't answer her. He is looking at his phone, and walking up the stairs, Katy asks him what he is doing. He tells her he is deleting all the photos that have her on it. She begs him not to do that, but he sadly shows her one of the three of them, in which she is smiling. He tells her he knows now that she was only pretending to be happy, and it was all lies. He then tells her she has ruined his life.

Back in the Rovers, Eileen is saying they now have Paul, Jason, Rob, Tommy and Karl, but that's still not enough. Deirdre suggests Dr. Carter, a suggestion that gets ridiculed by the others, as he is a respected Health Care professional, and would never do it. Deirdre tells them that as it's for charity, they can shame him into it. No time like the present, Beth calls him over.

Rita is still overjoyed at the smashing evening she is having, saying she hasn't enjoyed herself so much in ages, feeling like they were all in this together. Emily agrees, saying it takes her back to the war, when they were in the air-raid shelters singing songs to boost the morale. Dennis nudges Rita, and persuades her to give them a song. So Rita wades into a jolly fine rendering of 'White Cliffs of Dover', which always has the effect of making me cry, with me coming from Folkestone, which is just five miles along the coast from Dover. There are smiles on all the faces in the pub with the exception of Karl's of course, the rest of the little group at the table join in with the song, and even Tommy off to the side, knows the words, which is surprising considering he probably wasn't born for forty plus years after the war ended. Beth happily snuggles into Kirkeh, and Stella puts her arms around Jason and kisses him. Karl stares at them, and he is definitely not smiling!

Reluctantly we are back in No. 5. Chesney comes down stairs and asks Katy if she has told him everything. She promises she has. Not satisfied, he asks her if she slept with Ryan. She tells him she didn't, and swears it on Joseph's life. Chesney is furious that she would bring Joseph into this, and swear on his life. He asks her how low she can go. She tearfully promises him she didn't sleep with Ryan, tells him they kissed and that's all. Ches is not placated though, he then accuses her of wanting it to go further. She shakes her head, but he gets angry and screams at her, "Don't lie to me, you wanted him, you know you did!". Sobbing, she nods her head. Defeated, he tells her to pack a bag and get out. She tries to plead with him, but he shrieks "What are you waiting for? GET OUT!"

Back in the Rovers, Rita is now on a rendition of 'We'll Meet Again', another lovely old Vera Lynn song from the war. Amazingly Tommy appears to know the words to this one too! Maybe it's because he was raised by his grandparents.

The ladies appear to have Dr. Carter cornered and are doing their best to talk him into stripping with the rest of the boys for charity. He is putting up a good fight, but he should know he can't win and give in now. Behind the bar, Gloria is complaining to Stella that Rita has a voice like nails going down a blackboard. Stella accuses her of jealousy, but Gloria feels that Rita would do anything for attention. Excuse me? How quickly she has forgotten the 'pub of the year' fiasco!

A sobbing Katy is carrying a small suitcase across the cobbles, as Chesney watches from the window.

In No. 7, Sunita is pouring some wine for her and a subdued Dev. She apologises that it's not champagne, but at least it's cold. She kisses him, and reminds him that the children are away for the whole night, and maybe they should make the most of it. She suddenly senses that his heart doesn't seem to be in it like hers is, and asks what is wrong. He tells her that maybe they are moving too fast, that one minute they are completely over, and the next they are planning a whole new life together. She says she thought that was what he wanted. He hugs her, and tells her to ignore him, he is just tired.

Karl is having a smoke in the ginnel, so of course it's a cue for Jason and Stella to come into the back yard. They are congratulating each other on a brilliant night, and she is telling him he is going to make a wonderful landlord. Jason tells her how happy he is that they are doing it together, and they kiss. You can almost see the steam appearing out of Karl's ears - he is not a happy camper, oh no indeed!

The next episode is going to be a biggie. How can I tell? Because at the end of this one, they are showing little snips from it, to make sure you come back. So don't miss Monday's episode updates whatever you do!

Christine

Written by Chris Fewtrell Directed by Tony Prescott

Stella, Gloria and Jason are having breakfast in the caff. Gloria is complaining about how fattening it is (surely Roy provides healthy breakfast alternatives) and is blaming Jason because the pub still has no electricity. Karl is sulking across the other side of the cafe, taking all this in. Even Stella is a bit gnarly about it and Gloria is still moaning jealously about Rita's singing, taking attention away from her no doubt. Jason promises to get the electrics working as Tim arrives. Stella gets up to leave and insists Jason comes with her. Karl commiserates with Gloria who reckons the shine will be off the relationship apple if he doesn't get the lights on. Karl smirks.

Outside, Stella is haranguing Jason as they walk back to the pub. Dev joins them so Stella tells Jason to go on without her so she can apologize for what she said to Dev about Sunita. He appreciates her being a friend.

In the corner shop, Sunita is excited that she's having lunch with Dev and spending the afternoon with the kids and telling them that they're back together. Sophie leaves as Dev arrives. He closes the door and locks it and says those deadly words "We need to talk". He says they need to commit to their reunion, for sure. She thinks he's having doubts but he says he isn't. He loves her but wants to be sure how she feels. She says she made a huge mistake and this will put things right for all of them. Dev looks her in the eye and says the most important thing is if she loves him as much as he loves her. She can't say anything.

Chesney is sulking on the sofa, bereft. Fiz points out that everyone makes mistakes. Katy needed an escape from real life, not from him and she fell for Ryan's flattery. Ches's heart still seems closed to Katy and her mistakes. He's holding one of Joseph's little tshirts. He admits he works hard, gets tired and yes, looks at other girls but his priorities are with his family. He's very hurt that hers weren't.

Sunita impresses on Dev that they can make it work and she cares about him very much. He knows. He really knows. He wants honesty. She admits she doesn't know how she feels and hopes in time she can love him again. Not good enough. He knows you can't will or wish it away or back again. She says she's sorry and he's in tears. He could forgive her everything if he knew she loved him and slips that Stella was the one that told him what he already knew down deep. It's over. He's gentle but firm.

At the Bistro, all the Montys are waiting for Jason to arrive for an organizing and another rehearsal. Jason comes through the door to a sarky remark from Karl. Toni establishes that they all have their outfits. They're doing individual dances and then as a group, dressed as firemen. More insults hurled between Karl and Jason.

Outside, Kirsty sees Fiz come out and asks how Chesney is. She can identify with a cheating partner, you see. Fiz chides her and explains that there was only her and Tyrone, no third person in that relationship. Kirsty says there's no way Tyrone's getting off. Fiz says it's ok, she'll be waiting for him if he goes down while Kirsty will be all alone. Kirsty wavers a bit under Fiz's confidence, it seems.

In the pub, Stella wonders where Jason is. Sunita storms in, angry and blasts Stella for interfering. Stella isn't bothered that Dev left her again. She didn't deserve a second chance. Sunita hurls her children's names at her, she's ruined their lives too. Gloria admonishes her for ruining her children's lives herself. Sunita says she was trying to put it right and is tearful.

Ruby is crying and Kirsty is frantic. Nothing seems to help the poor mite who is very likely picking up on her mother's stress. Kirsty is trying to get the baby's food heated up and she ends up screaming at the baby from the kitchen and her reaction startles her!

What Sunita said must have hit a mark with Stella because she now sounds more regretful for her interference. Karl has also wandered in, knowing they're closed but specifically intending to drop Jason in it for being at the Bistro when he should be working on the pub's electrics. He gets the intended reaction from Stella who gets angry. But Jason suddenly appears from the cellar door and turns on the lights. Voila! She snarks that a little bird had told her that he had been in the Bistro all morning. Great line from Jason "Little bird? is that rhyming slang?" Stella forgives him and kisses him roundly. Stella and Gloria go out the back while Jason digs in to Karl and tells him he should save his pride and give up. But the background music urges them "Don't you forget about me" and as Jason goes out of the bar, Karl sneaks around and takes the spare keys from a hook from behind the bar.

After the break, it's now night. Karl gazes at the pub from across the room and fingers the keys. In the Bistro the restaurant is filling up. Toni is giving the lads the last minute instructions. The men all defend the size of their honour after Kylie joked about Rob wearing an extra pair of rolled up socks. Karl arrives late and asks if he can go on first while he has the nerve.

Out in the bar it's noted that Tracy is home sick with a cold and Ken and Deirdre have taken Simon and Amy to an ice show. Deirdre will miss the show here and Rita reckons she's cooler towards Ken who bought the tickets than the ice will be. Sunita has come in for a drink and orders a bottle of wine and one glass, and a double vodka. She's already a bit aggressive.

At Number 9, the baby is finally quiet. Julie has come as summoned. Kirsty has asked Julie to take Ruby for a few hours so she can spend some time with her mum. Julie is all for helping out and Kirsty seems relieved.

Back to the Bistro, Stella and Gloria have arrived and are dismayed to see Sunita who's already drunk and getting flirty with Nick. Stella again expresses regrets. She's got everything she wants and shouldn't have stuck her boot in. She says she did it to settle a score. She decides to go and apologize to Sunita who gets right in her face. She doesn't take Stella's apology very well. She accuses her of dishing out pearls of wisdom to one and all like St. Stella of Weatherfield but she likes interfering. She's like Norris with bad roots! She slangs Stella much to the interest of everyone else. Stella stands up to her but she really doesn't have a let to stand on in the face of Sunita's fury. Sunita makes the fatal soap cliche of threatening Stella where everyone can hear. You're going to regret the day.... and she throws a glass of wine over Stella, also another soap cliche. Leanne throws Sunita out.

The show begins and Karl is introduced. He comes strutting to the stage in a suit, tie and hat swaying to the music while Sunita flees home in tears. The ladies are enjoying Karl's performance. Rita, especially, seems thrilled. Stella, Gloria and Leanne are making fun of Karl between themselves. Stella has had enough and decides to go home and soak in a nice hot bath. She leaves them there to enjoy.

Ryan sees Katy on the bench with an order of chips. Ryan offers the hand of friendship but she wants him to stay away because she wants Chesney to trust her again.

In the Bistro the ladies help Karl put his shirt back on. He tells the others that the women were brutal. Who's up next? Rob in a business suit and briefcase. He gets up and starts hamming it up on stage while Karl grabs the pub spare keys from his jacket in the back and slips out the back door. He runs down the ginnel. Sunita is in the back yard and sees the shadow go by and follows it to the pub back door where she sees Karl let himself in.

He's got a torch and makes his way through the darkened pub to the cellar door. Upstairs, Stella is running a bath and t urns up her radio. There are candles lit all around the edge of the tub. Karl has splashed a bottle of booze around and lights an old rag. Sunita is at the top of the cellar steps and sees him do it, lighting a fire next to the electrical fittings. What is he doing! He turns and sees her as the end credits roll.

Tvor

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Tony Prescott

Before the programme begins we're warned that it contains scenes that some viewers may find upsetting and indeed, even before the opening credits have left the screen, Karl is explaining to Sunita about what he's done while the flames start to take hold around them in the basement. He thinks that if Stella believes Jason caused the fire, she'll end it with him and go running back to Karl's arms where, in his mind, she belongs. Sunita tells him he's mad but Karl says deleting texts and trapping him was mad. He grabs hold of her and tells her he's not going to let her ruin things for him again before pushing her down the cellar steps. As he sees her fall to the bottom and realises what he's done, a look of shock crosses Karl's face.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Stella is luxuriating in her bubble-filled bath, surrounded by candles.

We go back to the cellar where Karl runs down the steps to Sunita who's passed out on the floor while the fire burns around her. "Oh God, I'm sorry," he says. But not so sorry that he feels the need to rescue her and he runs back up the steps, leaving her to her fate.

The atmosphere is almost as hot in the Bistro where it's now Jason's turn to strut his stuff. Eileen looks mortified with embarrassment, as well she might, but Beth squeals that she knows where to go if she wants her walnuts cracking at Christmas. When the shorts come off, Rita starts to look positively pink.

Someone else who's hot and bothered is Julie. Ruby won't stop crying so in desperation she's put her in the back of the car hoping a drive round will calm her down. Brian arrives home in need of his tea but Julie tells him she's in no fit state to drive so, like it or not, he'll have to go too. As they get ready to drive off, Karl appears and then steps back into the shadows, out of sight. We have another quick glimpse of the fire in the Rovers cellar where Sunita's still lying unconscious and then go back to Karl who's heading back to the Bistro.

By now Dr. Carter has taken over the stage. The sight of him gyrating in his white coat reminds Rita that she needs to go and have her blood pressure checked. There are plenty of ribald comments from the girls about his bedside manner while Beth screams out "is that a stethoscope in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?" As the men discuss his performance, Karl slips in at the back of the group. Rob shows surprise that he's still on his first can of beer.

Eva comments to Gloria that she hopes her mum's alright. Gloria doesn't seem unduly worried but Eva says she hasn't been right all day. Gloria reckons it's nothing that a lemongrass bubble bath won't sort out. "Whatever lemongrass is," she adds. Leanne says the best thing Stella can do is stay clear of Sunita who she describes as being a right loose cannon. But Gloria asks what's the worst thing she can do - overcharge her for a packet of Hobnobs?

We see that the smoke has now reached the bar in the Rovers but upstairs Stella, who is still lying in the bath, has music playing and it's drowning out the sound of the smoke alarm.

Julie's plan to take Ruby for a drive isn't having the desired effect. She's crying her little heart out and Brian's about to join in. He hasn't eaten since lunchtime and he insists Julie calls Kirsty to find out when she's coming home. But Kirsty tells Julie there's been a bit of a crisis: her mum's been taken ill at the restaurant and she asks if Julie can look after Ruby until the morning. But Kirsty is nowhere near her mother; or a restaurant, come to that. She's at home and she looks like she's on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Back at the Bistro it's Tommy's turn to titillate the crowd and then Toni goes on stage with her collecting bucket. Beth complains that they'd been promised the full Monty but so far the performers haven't taken off more than their shirts. Toni says it all depends on the size of their donations. Although Carla's not keen on the idea of seeing her brother get his tackle out, there's nothing the girls from the factory would like more than to see Rob in the altogether and she reaches for her chequebook as the ten pound notes start to appear.

In the cellar at the Rovers, Sunita starts to come round. By now the fire has really taken hold but she manages to drag herself to the bottom of the steps. We then see Stella in the bathroom about to clean her teeth when suddenly the power cuts out. She moves to the door, only to see smoke pouring underneath. When she opens it, the room beyond is filled with smoke so she quickly closes it again. Meanwhile we see Sunita has manage to climb to the top of the cellar steps but as she makes her way into the bar, she discovers the whole place is going up in flames.

In the backroom of the Bistro Toni is breaking the news to the boys that the punters have been so generous that they'll all need to do a full strip. There are protests all round: this is not what they signed up for. By now they're all dressed in firemen's uniforms and Toni tells them they can cover their modesty with their helmets. The only one who doesn't seem that bothered is Karl who appears very distracted by something.

Stella tries calling help out of the bathroom window but there's nobody outside to hear while down in the bar Sunita is blindly trying to find her way out of the blazing bar but can't reach the door.

Back in the Bistro the audience are starting to chant "GET YER KIT OFF" and finally Toni comes out with the news they've all been waiting for. For one night only, the boys are going to do the Full Monty and, to the tune of Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" and the delight of the girls and Sean, they all come strutting out onto the stage.

The noise has reached such fever-pitch that when Norris goes to put his empty milk bottles out by the front door he calls Emily to come and listen to the racket. She doesn't think they're doing any harm but Norris's opinion on the subject is that calling it the Full Monty is an insult to Field Marshall Montgomery. However, his tirade is soon brought to an abrupt halt when they notice to their horror that the Rovers is on fire and Norris tells Emily to go and dial 999.

Things are also hotting up in the Bistro where the boys are really getting into their stride. Beth gets her phone out to take a photo. Eileen protests that she doesn't want her making her fiance into a porn star but Beth says that's what Facebook was invented for. "Yeah, but you're not going to be looking at their faces," points out Sean. Just as the boys whip off their trousers, Norris comes in shouting at them to turn the music off because there's a fire.

Out in the street, Emily is banging on the Barlows' door. Tracy comes out and Emily explains she needs to leave because of the fire next door so she runs back to rescue Eccles. Meanwhile, in the Rovers we see Sunita manage to make it out of the bar and into the back room. Upstairs, Stella goes out onto the landing but there's no way down and she returns to the bedroom as the camera cuts down through to the floor below where Sunita lies collapsed on the sitting room floor.

Everyone else has rushed out into the street to see what's happening. As Paul tries to persuade everyone to keep back Toni calmly tries to take charge. She says they need to establish who's in the building. Leanne's sure Stella's in there so Toni tells her to try calling her mobile. Emily confirms that she's already called the fire brigade.

There's an explosion and the flames start to pour out of the front of the building just as Dev returns with the children, wanting to know what's going on. It's complete pandemonium and everyone becomes even more distraught when Stella comes to the bedroom window. She tries banging on the glass with a lamp but it won't break. As Paul tries to hold back the crowd telling them to wait for the fire brigade, Karl slips off round the back of the building. He unlocks the back door and manages to make it up the stairs to Stella's bedroom. He calls out that it's alright, he's coming and he puts his coat over her to protect her from the smoke. But it looks as though he's too late as there's no way they can make it back down the stairs ...

Karen

Written by Debbie Oates and directed by Tony Prescott.
Copyright is the property of ITV Productions.

The Rovers is being consumed by fire and this time it looks serious. Karl is trying to get St Ella out but cannot make it down the stairs and they retreat in the bedroom (after all that is where he really wants her). Outside in the Street her daughters are shouting out and Jason is demanding Paul (who quite sensibly is trying to ensure safety by keeping people) back pushes him back into the crowd saying they should wait for the professionals. Jason gets the keys to the yard and goes to get ladders. Karl lies on top of St Ella and tells her that they will at least die together.

Sunita is lying in the back room completely overcome by the smoke.

The ladders arise and after Gloria asks Paul takes over and he insists on going up despite Toni trying to stop him. Dev is trying to phone Sunita - but her mobi is at home next to Asha and Aadi, where it is ignored.

Paul breaks the window and Karl helps get St Ella out. The emergency services start arriving. St Ella gets a fireman's lift down the ladder and into the ambulance. Toni goes up the ladder and Paul follows. Toni drags Karl across the floor to the window, and Paul takes him down the ladder - inside the floor of the bedroom collapses into the bar.

The non-combatants have retreated to the Bistro where Rita in particular is distressed and badly affected by memories from the tram crash. Norris cannot understand why the pub would explode from pork scratchings.

Gloria joins Stella in the ambulance which heads off at high speed. Gail (by the way Helen Worth married yesterday in London, congratulations to her and her new husband) returns to the Street and is surprised by the flames and the activity. Stella is in a bad way and in respiratory arrest and so the ambulance is in a hurry.

Elaine pulls Paul to one side as the fire crew takes over. There is no sign of Toni upstairs - she must have fallen through to the ground floor.

Another person on a stretcher is pulled out of the Rovers and Elaine summons Dev who is leaving a voicemail for Sunita - he climbs into the second ambulance and Karl is also in the ambulance breathing oxygen. Will she ever speak again and be able to blame Karl for starting the fire and causing death and destruction or has she been silenced for ever?

After the break we resume in hospital. Karl is one bed and Leanne is telling him they have sedated Stella and will not know how bad it is until they bring her round - probably tomorrow. He sends Leanne back to her mother's side - but Leanne thanks him for what he did. A nurse cannot tell him how Sunita is - but she is very poorly but not dead.

At the Bistro Rita has calmed down and she re-assures Norris that she is better now. Norris cannot understand why Sunita was in the Rovers, even if she was drunk she ought to have spotted it was closed. Elaine arrives and the fire is out and the premises are being checked now. It seems the Barlows are not going to be able to go home tonight. It is arranged that Tracy will spend the night with Rob.

Paul comes in and Peter offers him a drink - but he is stunned, all he can say is that she is dead - meaning Toni. The place is a stunned silence.

At the hospital Leanne wants sedating as well. Jason is sat with Stella and he is suffering. Nick tells Leanne to try and be optimistic that all will be well.

Sunita is critical - her brain was starved of oxygen and the medical team cannot tell Dev, because they do not know, just how bad it will be.

Kylie and Gail are looking after the Bistro and are still tearing strips off each other. Gail has another go about the father of the baby. Kylie says that Gail living at Sally's is part of the problem and gives her something o think about.

Carla comes in for a drink - she has a house full thanks to the displaced Barlows.

Paul is beside himself for not stopping Toni from going in - he also has to tell her husband - but he could have stopped her going in. He is beside himself.

Gloria and Eva sit beside Stella's side and Gloria acknowledges that Karl is perhaps not so bad as he has been painted (although we know otherwise don't we boys and girls). Eva does for tea and Gloria admits that she is the weak one. Gloria talks about the times she has left her daughter and she has always envied her daughter. Gloria thinks she has only done one thing right - having her as a daughter and Stella must not leave her.

Gail and Kylie walk home - Gail admits that Kylie is right, she cannot go backwards. Gail says she will move back and the baby deserves things being right. The baby has to know where it belongs with her and David. Kylie tells Gail that she can be relied upon now.

Norris walks Rita home and offers to sit with her - but says Emily needs the help. Rita thanks Norris for fretting round her. And wishes him a good night.

The fire crews are slowly clearing up and Paul has told Toni's husband. He falls crying into Elaine's arms.

Dev is telling Sunita and Karl about how he tried to get a refund on the cinema ticket - and what the children had said earlier and how the children were hoping their mother would also come to the cinema. Dev cannot imagine his life without Sunita. Dev just wants Sunita to wake up so that he can hear her voice again.

Karl watches knowing more than he can say.

No Friday episodes this week the next update is for Sunday.

And maybe your normal writer will be back next week from a short holiday.

K Richard W

A very glum Jason watches the Fire Brigade working in what must be the smallest fenced-off fire scene in British history. Peter, who has Ken and Deirdre staying with him, asks how Stella is. Jason says she's not come round. Norris is very eager for any news.

Dev talks to his Sunita as she lies unconscious in hospital. As well as telling her he loves her and wants her with him, he says the kids are being looked after by Marcus and Maria.

Stella's also lying unconscious, being attended to by the medical staff as Leanne arrives to stand with Gloria and Eva. They don't know what's happening. A doctor comes out and tells them they're reducing the level of sedation over the next few hours to wake up Stella, but they don't know what damage has been done. How long was she without oxygen? There's also damage to her airway which could have caused scarring or damage to her vocal chords. She doesn't explain how come they've managed to keep her breathing through this very airway. Sighhhh...

For some reason Marcus is in the cafe buying a couple of coffees to take back to the flat. Roy tells him that if there's anything they need they just need to say. Norris, again, is anxious to know what's going on but Marcus hasn't heard anything. Sylvia's wrist pain is making it difficult for her to work.

Tina reflects that she could have been in the pub and comments on the number of people who have said the same thing. Tommy tells her they care about her.

Ken plans to start a collection for those affected by the fire. Roy agrees to help and gets Norris to agree to put collection jar in the Kabin, too. Ken can't understand what Sunita was doing in the Rovers but Norris explains she and Stella had had "a big barney" in the bistro.

They're reflecting on things at Eileen's, too. Sean says Rob's put back an order so they can deal with the events. Jason's going to see Stella soon. He tells Paul that he's a hero for getting her out and Paul adds Toni to the list of heroes. He's off to work for the debriefing on the fire. He admits he feels upset, angry and guilty - if only he'd done something different, Toni would still be alive.

Katy manages to get past the fire-breathing Fiz-dragon guarding Chesney's door and offers to bring Joseph to see him. Ches would love to see his son. They agree to an overnight stay.

Tina sees Julie in the street with Ruby. She asks why and Julie explains that Kirsty had to go away for the night. Tina tells her this isn't true because she saw Kirsty but Julie refuses to listen. "She's a dangerous and manipulative bully and she's lying to you, Julie." Tina tells her to ask Kirsty where she was last night.

They're starting to bring Stella round and Jason's annoyed nobody told him. The doctor comes out and says Stella seems to have no permanent damage and they can go in to see her, but only two at a time. That's Jason and Gloria at first. Unfortunately, the first words out of Stella's mouth are: "Karl? Where's Karl?" Jason looks distressed but Gloria praises Karl to Stella for saving her life.

Eileen's at work but keeps sending taxis to the wrong places so Steve tells her to go home. Eileen's upset that after finally getting to know Toni, now she's gone. And most of all she's upset because it could so easily have been Paul who died. Steve gives her a big hug.

Gloria goes to see Karl and thanks him for saving Stella. She tells him Stella's going to be OK and that he was the first person Stella asked for. Karl has his hands bandaged and one arm in a sling. He asks after Sunita but Gloria doesn't know anything other than that there's no change. She's the first person to tell Karl that Toni died and he weeps.

Dev's still talking to Sunita. It's having no effect.

Paul's been sent home. He's upset because he thought he saw Toni and work and called out to her before realising it couldn't be. "It's all my fault," he says. "We should never have gone in." He thinks everyone at work blames him, too.

Julie loses her nerve and doesn't ask Kirsty whether she was home or not. Tina sees her leave and catches Kirsty on her doorstep. "She's supposed to be your friend and you're lying to her," she says.

Katy hands over Joseph and all his paraphernalia to Chesney.

In the cafe, Fiz tells Roy she doesn't know how long Tyrone's trial will last and she might need the whole week off. Sylvia's very sarcastic about it all. Hayley comes down and comments on how Sylvia's wrist is affecting her. Peter says Blanche was just like that before she got her hip done but then the One O'Clock Club saved their sanity. Hayley thinks that's just what Sylvia needs.

Paul's gone to lay flowers outside the Rovers. He remembers when Toni stopped him being injured on the job and thinks he should have done the same for her. Gloria comes along and wants to shake his hand for saving Stella. Eva does too. One of the firefighters comes out of the Rovers. Paul asks him if they know anything about how the fire started.

Kirsty's being driven to distraction by Ruby's crying. She's convinced Ruby doesn't like her and screams that she'll find someone Ruby does like.

Stella and Karl speculate on what Sunita was doing in the pub. Jason comes back with coffee and is annoyed to find Karl with Stella, but Stella says he saved her life. Karl tells Jason he should learn some respect but Jason, who in this one aspect is smarter than anyone else on the Street, says Karl is sly and sneaky. He's lurking about trying to split up Jason and Stella. "I don't care what you say, Stella. He torched my van and I wouldn't be surprised if he burnt down the Rovers." Go, Jason!

Kirsty turns up at Eileen's hoping she'll take Ruby while Kirsty deals with "a family emergency" but Eileen refuses. She suggests Kirsty ask Julie. Kirsty stomps off - if Ruby had any teeth those cobbles would rattle them right out of her head.

Karl's saying he was in the bistro getting his kit off and couldn't have been setting a fire in the Rovers. Eva and Gloria come back into the middle of the argument. They have news. Gloria says it seems the fire started in the consumer unit Jason had been working on. "So if anyone's responsible for the fire, it's you."

Now I'll leave it to Christine to take over for the second half of this hour-long episode.

Margaret Carr

Written by: Joe Turner
Directed by: Tony Prescott

Poor Jason is now on the hot seat, and everyone is pointing out to him that he was responsible for the electrics, and had left Tim down there alone who wasn't qualified. Jason protests that he checked everything, that everything was done by the book. Karl asks him if he is a qualified electrician, and Jason assures him he is, and tells them he is certain he did nothing wrong. Jason tells them it absolutely couldn't have been an electrical fault, he had been too careful.

Nobody is convinced however, and Jason glares at Karl and accuses him of loving this. Karl tells him he feels he deserves an apology for accusing him of starting the fire, when in fact he was to blame. Jason turns to Gloria, and asks if she is sure she has the right facts, and Glo tells him it is what they told Paul. She tells Jason that they know he didn't do it deliberately. Jason angrily snaps that saying that does not make him feel better.

Karl tells Jason his feelings are not what is important here. Toni is dead, Sunita is clinging to life and Stella had a very lucky escape. Gloria agrees that he should be thinking about the victims, not himself. Jason stands there absolutely gutted.

Dev is asking the doctor how long Sunita will have to stay on the respirator, and she tells him they have her on the highest level of oxygen, but there is no sign of improvement. Dev replies that he knows she needs time to recover. The doctor asks him to step outside the room for a moment, as she needs to speak to him.

Outside the door, she stresses upon Dev the seriousness of Sunita's condition, that she is classified as critical. She goes on to say that he should really prepare himself for the worst. Dev blabbers that she doesn't know Sunita, she is tough and a fighter, and she will pull through. The doctor tells him she understands how hard this is for him, but he has to come to terms with the fact that he may have some very tough decisions to make before long. I knew it wouldn't be long before someone got angry and rude with the medical personnel - they always do, and here we go this time - Dev is furious, and tells her that if she is suggesting they should give up on her and pull the plug, he will drag the hospital through every court in the land before he will allow that to happen. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" The doctor assures him she is not suggesting anything, and she does understand. She goes on to say that she understands they have young children, who need him more than ever now, and suggests he go home to rest, and promises they will call him if there is any change at all.

Back in Stella's room, Eva is telling them about Mary starting a clothing fund for them. She finds it hilarious, saying Rita has donated some lovely tops for Gloria. Gloria's response is that she would rather wear a bin bag. Apparently Gail has also donated some of her lovely blouses to Stella, as if she didn't feel bad enough already. Eva also relates that Kevin has offered to move in with Sally (I bet he jumped at that idea!) so they can have the use of No. 13. Stella is touched that he would do something so kind.

While this conversation has been going on, Jason has been deep in thought. He bursts out that he replaced all the cables with the right type for that location, and checked it all twice. Nobody responds, in fact Eva carries on as if he hasn't spoken, asking Stella when she will be allowed home, and they continue talking about how nice it will be, all together in that little house. Meanwhile Jason is pacing the floor with a frown on his face, he is going over his actions that day time and time again, and cannot come up with doing anything incorrectly. They finally tell him to give it a rest, Stella assures him nobody is blaming him. On the contrary, Jason feels as if everyone is blaming him. Gloria accuses him of being selfish and making it all about him. Stella suggests he goes home to have a rest. He agrees, saying he would like to speak to Paul himself, and see if he can get to the bottom of it.

Eileen is talking to Julie in her living room while Paul is in the bath upstairs. She is saying she just doesn't know what to say to him to comfort him. Julie tells her she doesn't need to say anything, that she just has to be there for him. Eileen tells her she forgets how dangerous his job is. When she thinks of him at work, she pictures him polishing his fire engine, or rescuing cats from trees. She forgets that people die.

Julie suddenly yawns and apologises to Eileen, telling her she didn't get much sleep last night due to a crying Ruby and all the noise from the fire. Eileen is surprised to hear she had babysat Ruby last night, telling her about Kirsty's earlier request to have her tonight. Eileen reported that Kirsty had seemed a bit jittery, and wondered if she was alright. Julie excuses her by saying that possibly with the trial starting next week, she is bound to be a bit nervous. However, she decides to take her leave of Eileen and pop round to No. 9 to make sure she is OK.

Roy and Hayley are tackling Sylvia in the cafe, suggesting she should perhaps take more time off to rest her sore wrist. Sylvia is dead set against that idea, saying she suspects they are trying to put her out to pasture, and once she is idle, it's a slippery slope to the grave.

Roy assures her they were only suggesting she have one day off per week to pursue other interests. She demands to know what other interests that might be, so they suggest the 'One O'Clock Club'. Obviously Sylvia has heard about that club, and accuses them of trying to kill her. When they deny this, she points out to them that the One O'Clock Club is where old folk go to die, and she is not ready for that yet thank you very much! She ends the conversation by snapping "Why don't you dig a hole and bury me now?"

Lloyd pulls up outside the Salon, having brought Dev home from the hospital. They sit and talk for a while, Dev is blaming himself for Sunita being inside the Rovers. He tells Lloyd if he had only accepted Sunita back unconditionally, she would never have gone there. Lloyd assures him he wasn't to know, and shouldn't blame himself. It's tearing Dev up that his children are inside the house, and don't know anything about it. Lloyd tells him not to hesitate if there is anything he can do, but Dev shakes his head as he gets out of the car, and tells him this one is down to him.

In number six, Katy is looking a bit happier, and tells Anna that Chesney has Joseph. They ask if she had a chance to talk to Ches while she was there, and Katy tells them it was very awkward, so they didn't say much, but Chesney was being very mature about it, and wasn't nasty to her. Anna feels that is a good sign. Owen asks Katy if she wants to get back with Chesney, and she tells them it's more about whether he wants to get back with her. Anna presses her, and asks if it is what she wants, and she confesses she really doesn't know. Anna tells her she is more than welcome to stay there until they both know what they want.

If Jason thought that talking to Paul would make him feel better, he couldn't have been more wrong. Paul tells him that the investigation isn't complete yet, but they know it started in the cellar, and was probably an electrical fault. Jason tells him it had water damage, and was leaving it to dry out. Paul then accuses him of leaving his building equipment down there too, including things like paint stripper and solvents. Jason protests he had no choice but to store it there after someone torched his van. (So where was all this stuff while the van was being torched?)

Eileen interjects that it was an accident. But Paul replies that it was an accident that killed Toni and left Sunita fighting for her life - an accident that was preventable. Jason argues there is no way it was his fault, and Paul asks him if he is sure about that. They continue bickering until Eileen begs them to stop jumping to conclusions before they know all the facts. However it seems as if Paul has already made up his mind who is to blame, and he is sitting not too far away.

Marcus and Maria have been looking after Aadi and Asha, so Dev is now visiting with them in their flat. They are full of questions about Sunita, wanting to know when she will be coming home, and showing him the card they have made for her. Dev tries to explain to them that their Mummy is very poorly right now and will be in the hospital for a bit. They want to go to see her, so he explains how hard the doctors are working to make her better, but she needs all her strength right now to make herself better for them, so really needs to rest undisturbed. He hugs them both with tears in his eyes.

Dev has put the twins to bed at Maria & Marcus' flat, and is taking off back to the hospital. He tearfully tells them that the doctor has told him to prepare for the worst, and asks how he can possibly tell his children to do the same. Maria tells him he can't, he has to allow them to have some hope. She tries to reassure him by say the doctors don't always get it right, that he mustn't lose hope himself either. Grabbing the card the twins made for Sunita, he heads out the door.

Eileen is trying to talk to Paul. She suggests they go out for a drink, but he doesn't want to go. She tells him Jason is feeling terrible, but is getting no sympathy from Paul, who answers that he should do, as it's his fault. Eileen protests that he doesn't know that. Paul just tells her that it's hard enough losing a friend like Toni, but when you find out it was preventable, and caused by someone you know, it's pretty unbearable.

Poor Eileen, she tries again to defend Jason by saying she knows he is disorganised at times, but is very conscientious when it comes to his work. Paul cuts her off there by saying he understands that he didn't do it on purpose, but he was responsible, and he is finding it very hard not to be angry about that.

Eileen tells him he has every right to be angry, but points out that earlier he was blaming himself, and now he is blaming Jason, when neither of them was to blame - it was just a tragic accident. "An 'avoidable' tragic accident" snaps Paul. He then quickly apologises to her. She tells him he has nothing to be sorry about. He goes on to tell her that he really doesn't know how to handle this. He knows Jason is a decent lad, and her son, but right now he doesn't want to be anywhere near him.

Julie has arrived at No. 9, and Kirsty is happy to see her. She asks her to amuse Ruby while she gets a few jobs done, as she never seems able to achieve anything while looking after Ruby. Julie is happy to do this, and tells her she heard from Eileen that she had been looking for help earlier, and tells her she is willing to help her out any time she is struggling.

Kirsty stops what she is doing and snaps at Julie that she is not struggling. Julie tries to back track her words, and points out that she had just said herself that it wasn't easy looking after Ruby on her own. Kirsty is angry now, and tells her that no, it isn't easy, and it isn't helped when she goes round the whole street saying she is a bad mother either! Julie protests that she hadn't said anything of the kind. Kirsty screams at her that she had said she was struggling and can't cope, well she can cope, and she can cope without her help, and grabbing Ruby out of Julie's arms, tells her to go home. Julie is feeling terrible, and stutters that she didn't mean to upset her. Kirsty, visibly struggling to keep her anger under the surface, shouts that she isn't upset, she is just getting used to how it is going to be from now on, just her and Ruby alone. A very worried looking Julie bids them goodnight, and tells Kirsty she will see her tomorrow.

Roy and Hayley come downstairs looking for Sylvia, and they find her scrubbing away in the cafe, wincing as her wrist gives her gyp. On being asked what she thinks she is doing, she tells them she is doing what they want by keeping out from under their feet and earning her keep. Hayley protests that they didn't say that at all, and tells her again that all they want her to do is take things a little easier, not work so hard.

Sylvia feels it is a slippery slope. First they pack her off to the One O'Clock Club, and the next step will be putting her in a home. Roy insists that this is her home. Sylvia snaps at them that she doesn't need looking after, she is not an invalid or a child. They agree, saying they only suggested it as a way for her to relax. She counters that she doesn't like relaxing, sees no point in it. Hayley brightly tells her she doesn't have to relax there, they have activities, in fact they are having a whist drive on Monday. Roy backs her up, saying if she would only give it a try, she may find she enjoys it.

Even Sylvia can see she is not going to win this one, so makes a deal with them. She will go to their stupid club if they will stop picking on her. Agreed then! However, after it is agreed, she tells them the only reason she agreed is because she is not bad at whist, and feels when she has separated a few of them from their pensions it might be a nice little earner for her. Hayley turns to Roy in despair with a face that says "What the heck have we done?"

Norris seeks Jason out in the Bistro and asks after Stella's health. He reports that she will be fine and hopes to be out of hospital soon. Norris is pleased about that, but Norris being Norris can't leave it there can he? He goes on to say that Jason must be relieved. Jason, who is feeling extremely vulnerable at the moment jumps down his throat and asks him why he should feel relieved, would it be that he doesn't have yet another death on his conscience? I think for once, Norris only meant he must be relieved that Stella made it out of the fire OK, but Jason reacts quite over the top, and ends up screaming at Nick to get Norris away from him before he lands him one.

Sean leads Jason away to sit with him, and Nick buys Norris a drink to make amends.

Dev arrives back at the hospital to find Karl standing outside Sunita's room looking at her through the glass. He asks after her health, saying nobody will tell him anything because he is not family. Dev tells him that there is no change, she is alive, but it is the machines that are keeping her that way, and things do not look good.

Karl, with a catch in his voice tells Dev he did really care for Sunita, and asks after the kids. Dev tells him he is having to keep the truth from them, as they are still expecting her to get better and come home to them. Karl offers his services if there is anything he can do to help, but Dev tells him there is nothing anyone can do. Karl tells him he still can't believe this has happened, and wonders how it all went so out of control. Dev, thinking he is talking about the fire, not his nefarious deeds, tells him he can come and see her tomorrow if he wishes. He asks if it is really as bad as that, and Dev tells him he has been told to prepare for the worst. Karl tells him they will never give up hope, and he will say a prayer for her tonight.

Dev is moving away to enter the room, and just when I thought possibly Karl was being sincere in his feelings, he says to Dev. "I can imagine how Jason is feeling right now" Dev turns back, puzzled. Karl feigns surprise that nobody has told him that Jason caused the fire. Ooh the urge to slap him upside the head!!

Jason is pouring out his troubles to Sean, going over and over again the day he tested and checked the electrical system in the Rovers, he just cannot grasp the possibility that he is to blame for it. He tells Sean he never takes chances when it comes to electrics, he is always extremely careful. Sean tells him not to worry, that they might still find it is not the cause of the fire. Nick comes over, asking if Jason has calmed down, and is told why he had kicked off.

Jason tells them he is pretty sure he has been set up once again. He explains that he is certain Karl is behind both the torching of his van and the fire in the Rovers, and has somehow managed to put the blame onto him. Sean tells him that makes no sense, as he had been stripping at the Bistro, and had then run into a burning building and saved Stella's life - it couldn't possibly be him. Nick agrees, saying Karl is the hero of the hour, and Jason had better be careful throwing around accusations like that. Sean queries why Sunita would have been inside the Rovers however, and none have an answer for that one.

Katy comes out of the corner shop and bumps into Ryan. She is not thrilled to see him, but he tells her he misses her, and asks if he can buy her a drink at the Bistro. While they are talking, Chesney comes round the corner and sees the two of them together. He sadly slinks back out of sight. Not hearing that Katy just tells Ryan she has to go, and immediately heads off home.

In No. 9, a shaking Kirsty is sitting on the sofa, we can hear Ruby crying and crying through the baby monitor. With tears running down her face, she turns the TV up louder to drown her cries out.

Jason walks into No. 11, and finding Paul in the kitchen he begs him to listen, because he needs him of all people to believe him. Paul is furious, he reminds him that his colleague is dead, and doesn't give a toss what he needs. Jason pleads with him that he really didn't cause that fire. Paul turns on him angrily, saying he will be civil towards him out of respect for his mother, but as far as he is concerned there is no doubt in his mind that he is a back street builder who did a favour for his girlfriend, didn't know what he was doing and caused that fire - and would have a bit more respect for him if he had the decency to admit it - ALRIGHT? Just then, there is a banging on the door. Paul answers and a furious Dev bursts into the house. He seeks Jason out and screams at him, asking him if he realises what he has done? He reiterates that Sunita is in the hospital fighting for her life, and her children could be left without their mother, and if she loses that fight, he will come back and kill him - "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" he shrieks at poor Jason.

Oh my goodness, I do hope Jason is cleared of this, and I hope he gets the apologies he deserves.

Christine

Written by Carmel Morgan Directed by Ian Bevit

We're in the jailhouse now. Tyrone is looking lonely and gazing at his photos. Meanwhile Julie has come to see Kirsty who apologizes for snapping at her the day before. Julie is minding Ruby today as the trial is starting. Julie assures her it will go well but Julie looks a bit concerned when Kirsty goes upstairs.

Dev is sitting by Sunita's bed and talking to her, all good things like how much he needs her. He chatters about the kids and is encouraging her to survive.

Eileen is heading to court as well. Sean expresses some sympathy for Fiz but Eileen isn't very kind and reckons if Tyrone gets banged up, she'll have had a lucky escape. I reckon it's just familiar territory for her! Eileen and Sean are kind to Jason who's clearly beside himself. Paul is sarcastic. Paul is off to work but Eileen still thinks it's too soon.

Deirdre tells Kirsty not to let the barristers intimidate her. Brian makes a silly joke while the rest of her backers gather around and encourage her. They go off, leaving Julie holding the baby.

Katy asks Chesney how Fiz is but Chesney snaps her head off. It's all down to Ryan apparently.

Karl visits Stella. She says Jason is keeping a low profile. Karl perches on the side of her bed, probably closer than is comfortable for her. Stella is wondering why Sunita was in the pub. She wants to see Sunita. Karl doesn't know if that's wise but agrees to take her.

Inside the courthouse, Mary has a notepad and pen to make a note of anything important. Fiz and Hayley don't think much of it. Fiz reiterates Tyrone's innocence. (Is she testifying? If so, she shouldn't be there). All Rise and the judge enters. Tyrone comes up the steps into the courtroom. He looks terrified but is glad to see Fiz in the gallery. Kirsty is waiting in a private room and is fretting.

Opening arguments: The barrister calls Tyrone an affable grease monkey and proceeds to make it sound like he is a violent manipulator, only wanting parental rights over his daughter and is power-mad. After the break, Eileen is on the stand. Tyrone's barrister asks him about Tyrone's past and about the shared wall all those years. Have they been good neighbours? She tells about a night last summer that it all changed. But he infers that she only thinks what she knows going by sound effects and assumed the worst. He suggests that it was Kirsty doing the smashing and after all, she couldn't see through brick walls. Eileen admits there was no sound of Kirsty screaming and didn't go next door to see if everyone was ok. She tells how she bumped into Tommy and asked him about his mate. She did not make a beeline for Tommy.

Stella is visiting Dev and Sunita. Stella is in tears when Dev says Sunita never held a grudge. Dev offers to let them stay a bit. Karl doesn't really want to but Dev insists. It's hard for Karl to see Sunita like that.

Deirdre is on the stand now. She describes the incident she overheard. She heard an argument and recites Kirsty's words, telling Tyrone to calm down. Tyrone was hopping mad and shouting about knocking her across the yard. Deirdre admits it was so unlike Tyrone. She describes how she heard a crash and Kirsty crying out in pain and how she found Kirsty on the ground and Tyrone standing there. Even though Kirsty said she'd fallen, Deirdre had a funny feeling about it. And she said Tyrone seemed like everything was so every-day after the incident. She also makes very broad stamens about Tyrone pushing Kirsty down the stairs which led to Kirsty finally admitting what he'd been doing. Why isn't the other barrister objecting?

Sylvia doesn't seem enthusiastic any more about the One O'Clock Club but seems resigned to going. Kylie comes in the cafe and sees Chesney there and wonders why he isn't at court. He says Fiz would rather he focus on his stall which he's obviously not doing. She asks what's up. He mentions a totally rubbish lovelife. She offers to give him cheap rates at the Bistro should he want to get splattered.

Kirsty's taking the stand and swearing to tell the truth. Yeah, Right.

Karl is being released and has come to see Stella and Gloria. Just then, two detectives arrive to ask a few questions. They've had information from the fire investigators and it was definitely started on purpose, not an electrical fault after all. Jason's off the hook. They can tell there was paper and alcohol used and since the firefighter died, this is a murder investigation. Karl now needs clean underwear.

Kirsty lies through her teeth, noticing her mother arrives and she stops, thrown. She says Tyrone threw steak and chips against the wall and smashed a vase after which, he smacked her. Oh, I feel better now, the obligatory scene with the defendant standing up protesting just happened, Tyrone screaming that it was her that did all that. It never fails, does it? She remembers that Tyrone was at Fiz's supposedly fixing her boiler on the afternoon she thought she was in labour, at seven months along. Naturally the implication is that the affair was going on even then.

Jason arrives at the hospital. Stella tells him straight away that he's off the hook. He's greatly relieved. The inspector says they think the fire started about 7:30 and when asked if anyone had a grudge against her, Gloria did mention Sunita's threats.

The defense takes their turn. Why would she let Tyrone look after her baby if she was afraid of him? Why did she not put his name on the birth certificate? She reckons she was hedging her bets in case it didn't work out. Tyrone's barrister wonders if she thought he was an unfit father then. She is questioned on why she let him quit her job and look after the baby while she worked. She insists it was his orders that she do that. But yet, the barrister points out, she accepted his proposal. She protests that she's only guilty of keeping the faith with him too long. The barrister points out that all the witnesses never actually saw Tyrone hit her. Isn't it true that it was her, isn't it? She hurled the steak and chips, her that routinely beat Tyrone and slammed the door on his arm? Her mother looks at her from across the courtroom and nods her head for Kirsty to tell the truth but she digs her heels in. She says he battered her black and blue and all she did was love him. Alison looks disappointed.

The police are in Sunita's room now, to talk to Dev. They question him about Sunita's relationship with Stella and the public row in the Bistro. He realizes they're implying that Sunita could have started the fire so he takes them out of the room where he becomes angry. He insists Sunita isn't in the habit of setting fires and trying to kill someone. He's outraged that they're tearing apart her good name.

Outside the courthouse, Alison runs after Kirsty. They argue, her mother calling her on her lies. Kirsty snaps that Tyrone did lie about getting Ruby but her mother won't let her away with that. Fiz and Hayley run out and bed Alison to get Kirsty to see sense. Kirsty spits at Fiz that she's got the jury in the palm of her hand though her mother is frantically trying to make Kirsty see that she can't send an innocent man to prison. Watch me, she hisses but as she turns away she's shaken.

Tvor

Written by Mark Wadlow and directed by Ian Bevitt

Tonight's second episode opens with Kirsty in Roy's Rolls. She's surprised when her mother walks in and asks to join her. Her mum tells her that she couldn't believe how well Kirsty kept up the lies in court. She admits she was shocked but, when all's said and done, she tells Kirsty that she still loves her. Wary at first, Kirsty starts to open up and she tells her mum how hard she's finding it to cope. So her mum has a suggestion: she could move in with Kirsty.

We move to the hospital where Stella is sitting up in bed surrounded by Karl, Gloria and Jason. Karl doesn't look best pleased when Dev walks in but he's a man on a mission: he wants to know who suggested to the police that Sunita might have started the fire. Gloria points out that Sunita was in the pub. But so was Stella, says Dev. Stella can't believe it when Dev suggests it could have been an insurance scam. "Must be a life insurance scam, then," says Stella sarcastically. Karl keeps his mouth shut when Stella tells Dev she doesn't think Sunita was responsible and she's sure the police will find the culprit.

Back in the cafe, Kirsty's asking her mum about her proposition Her mum says she'll leave Kirsty's dad and move in with her on one condition: that she goes to the police and tells the truth. Kirsty is furious that it comes with strings attached. She tells her mum that she wouldn't leave her dad when she was 9 years old and he was knocking ten bells out of her and she's not going to leave him now. She tells her mum to go and she never wants to see her again.

In the courtroom it's now Doctor Carter's turn to give evidence. As he's answering the prosecutor's questions he mentions the incident when Ty took Ruby to him, claiming that he was worried she might have been hurt when the pushchair collapsed on her. He says that Ty seemed very agitated at the time and kept blaming himself.

We return to the hospital where Jason says that at least now they know it was arson, he's in the clear. But just as he's feeling slightly more cheerful, Gloria tells Karl he can move in with them until he's better. Jason's nose has been seriously put out of joint by the way Karl is worming his way back into the family's affections. After the others have left Jason and Stella on their own she asks him if he thinks Sunita could have done it. "If the cap fits," replies Jason. He tells Stella that he thinks it's someone close to home.

Sylvia returns home from the One O'Clock Club and she seems to have acquired some new friends. We discover that one of them, Stan, knows Dennis from when they did their lollipop training together. Roy's delighted Sylvia seems to have had such a good time and offers them all tea on the house.

Kirsty returns home from the cafe. She's already in a state but when she sees Sally walking down the stairs she flies into a rage. In her eyes Sally is the woman who helped to kidnap her baby so what is she doing in her house? Sally tries to point out she was doing her a favour by babysitting because Julie had to leave on an urgent errand but Kirsty doesn't want to know. She tells Sally to get out and slams the door behind her. The noise wakes up Ruby who starts to cry and Kirsty looks like she's reaching breaking point.

At the hospital, Jason sees the two police officers standing by the coffee machine in the corridor and he grabs his chance for a quiet word. He tells them he thinks he knows who started the fire: Karl Munroe.

Sylvia is enjoying a cuppa in Roy's Rolls with Dennis and Stan, her new friend from the one o'clock club. When Stan notices her painful wrist he tells her he swears by his herbal remedy. In fact, he just happens to have some with him and he produces a tupperware box full of chocolate brownies with an "added ingredient". Sylvia happily tucks in to one of his offerings and, unlike Dennis, she has no idea about the nature of the herbs which Stan has added to his cakes.

Back at the hospital Jason is explaining to the police exactly why he thinks Karl is the guilty party. He tells them about their relationship with Stella and how he's sure that Karl torched his van.

Outside the courtroom Deirdre is relieved that her stint in the witness box is over but when Fiz sees her she decides to give her a piece of her mind. Ken defends Deirdre and tells Fiz that, though it pains him to say it, the case against Tyrone is compelling. As Fiz tells Ken that Kirsty is playing them all for fools, she sees Ty being led out to the police van. She runs to the railings and calls out to him, telling Ty that she loves him.

Gloria is in the Bistro with Karl. She buys him a drink, still believing he's the hero of the hour. Always keen for a bit of gossip, Beth asks whether the rumour that Sunita started the fire is true. At that moment, the two police officers come in, looking for Karl and they take him over to a table for a quiet word.

Eileen and Paul walk out of the house. He's telling her that he's been laid off work and offered counseling but he's told them where to shove it. Eileen recognizes he's been through a traumatic experience and needs support but Paul is trying to be macho man and thinks he knows best.

Julie arrives back just as Sally is leaving Kirsty's house. She tells Julie that Kirsty wasn't best pleased to see her so Julie apologises and rushes off to smooth things over with Kirsty. But Kirsty isn't looking like she'll be easily placated. As Julie walks Kirsty is drying up plates in a very aggressive manner and she starts to tell Julie about her day in court. She mentions how her mother turned up unexpectedly and tells Julie she hadn't seen her for months. "Really?" asks Julie who was under the impression Kirsty had only just spent the evening with her. But Kirsty doesn't even notice her slip up as she starts to rant about the fact that Julie left Ruby with Sally. Before she can stop herself she hurls a plate at Julie. It narrowly misses her and smashes against the wall. Kirsty looks horrified and Julie is shocked. Kirsty apologises and Julie says it's fine and busies herself with a dustpan and brush.

Back in the Bistro, Chesney is drowning his sorrows with Beth and Kirk. They tell him getting drunk won't help and Beth says he needs to fight for Katy. But she didn't mean literally so when Chesney leaves the Bistro in a hurry, Kirk has to rush off after him in hot pursuit.

Meanwhile, the police are having a little chat with Karl. He's playing the innocent, telling them how he still loves Stella and wouldn't harm a hair on her head and reminding them how he was the one who rescued her from the fire. After they've left he tells Gloria how he's upset that anyone could accuse him of such a things and implies that it was Jason who gave his name to the police.

Tommy and Tina go round to see Fiz and ask how things went in court. She tells them how Kirsty gave an Oscar-winning performance and nothing put her off her stride.

Just along the street, Chesney is banging on Anna's door. Katy opens it and, when Chesney tells her he doesn't want Ryan going anywhere near Joseph, she realises he's drunk and tells him she wouldn't let a 15 month old child anywhere near him in his state.

Brian joins Julie in the Bistro. He's brought her a gift of some Champagne truffles to thank her for coming to his rescue earlier but when she doesn't respond to the waft of chocolate he realises something is amiss. Julie admits that she's upset and tells him that there was an incident with Kirsty. She says she was really scared by Kirsty's behaviour and she's worried that they may all have been duped by her.

Jason's visiting Stella in the hospital when Gloria arrives. She can't wait to tell her daughter how Jason's tipped off the police about Karl. Gloria tells Jason to get out and adds that he's not fit to lick Karl's bootstraps. Jason asks Stella if she really wants him to go and, sadly for him, she does.

In the Bistro Julie's voicing her concerns to Brian. What if they've got it wrong all along? What if Tyrone's the innocent party and Kirsty's the violent one? And, to cap it all, she tells Brian that Kirsty lied about when she last saw her mother. Brian tells her she must do something about it, such as speak to the police. But Julie has a much better idea: she'll confront Kirsty herself and demand she tells her the truth.

Meanwhile, Tyrone is being debriefed by his barrister. Ty is really worried: Kirsty didn't crack under pressure and he's convinced he's going down. But rather unusually for a lawyer, he's far more optimistic than Ty that the truth will win out and he's confident that when the jury have heard both sides they'll come to the right conclusion. He advises Ty that the best thing he can do is get a good night's sleep before his big day in court. Which, let's face it, is a lot easier said than done for poor old Tyrone.

Karen

Written by Jayne Hollinson and directed by Ian Bevitt,
copyright being the property of ITV Productions

We open tonight at the Dobbs' mansion where Kirsty sits on the stairs and baby Ruby is crying loudly as nothing her mother does seems to make the baby happy. Kirsty has been crying and is now making a phone call asking for an appointment to see Dr Carter. Now she is presumably making the call on Wednesday morning. With my local surgery the chances are that she will get an appointment with someone other than her own registered GP in the middle of next week - however this is soapland! She insists it is urgent and wants to see him today.

Sean next door is hoping the baby will not cry all day as he has a box set of Ugly Betty to watch as he is using up his leave as he has already told Jason. Sean tries to re-assure Jason about the tiff - Sean tells Jason to get over himself. Paul and Eileen come downstairs and are congratulated on looking smart - but it is of course Toni's funeral. Paul apologises to Jason for blaming him for the fire - he knows now it was not an electrical problem.

Beth and Kirk are going out tonight to make up for the night out with Chesney the previous night. They see Fiz off who is going to court to see how Tyrone's case is progressing.

Karl the hero is being looked after by Eva and Gloria as they all eat a full breakfast. Karl asks if he can join Gloria visiting Stella. Meantime the truth about the fire will not be known until Sunita wakes and she is in the same hospital.

At Roy's Rolls Dennis Tanner spots a "special" brownie which seems to be responsible for improving Sylvia's arthritis in her wrist - so Roy gives her the washing up to do. A few minutes later Sylvia has a huge mound of bubbles and is rhapsodising over the beauty of the colours and display the bubbles are providing - rainbow land - the colours sparkle. If I did not know that she would never touch drugs I would suspect her of being under the 'fluence. Roy seems totally bemused by his mother's behaviour. She smears the bubbles on Roy as a beard. Dennis has a good idea.

And this clearly is another world as Kirsty is sat in front of Dr Carter complaining about a lack of sleep and the absence of any family support. She wants some tablets to make her sleep and Dr Carter is refusing to give her a prescription. Kirsty loses her temper and leaves without any drugs.

Ty takes the oath and is then questioned about his assault on Kirsty Soames.

Jason visits St Ella when the police arrive and are trying to work out how the property was opened - it seems likely that whoever set the fire had keys. The key holders are all present - the spare keys are on a hook by the bar. But this is worrying Stella - it must be someone she knows. Jason suspects Karl who leaves to get some tea and we see him pull the missing set of keys from his pocket. Jason might be right but who has the evidence?

After the break Ty continues his evidence recalling meeting Kirsty and the development of their relationship and how things started going wrong once she lost her job. Ty put the initial fights down to her depression. Ty recounts how when she experienced adverse problems she would always take it out on Ty - largely of course there is no evidence - except for the severe bruising. Of course Ty's long term denials of the assaults count against him. Ty tries to convince everyone of why he could not say anything.

In Roy's Rolls Chesney has stumbled in - he has lost his pitch on the market for being late a second time, and this time the inspector was waiting to get rim of him. And there is next to no chance of re-instatement. Roy offers a cup of coffee on the house. Kirk agrees to go out in the evening - despite his arrangement with Beth. Sylvia is consuming cakes - and Dennis notes that she clearly has the munchies an inevitable after effect of consuming the weed. Sylvia does not have the faintest idea of what he is talking about - so he explains that the special brownies contain mind altering drugs - grass - which he then has to explain is not ate by cows. Sylvia has been drugged by a member of the One O'Clock Club.

Now Ty is recounting the events on the "wedding" day when Kirsty fell downstairs. She simply lost her balance and fell, and there were no witnesses. Ty says Kirsty had difficulties coping which was why Ty was a house husband. Ty was very worried for Ruby's sake - that was why he stayed to protect the baby. And he is scared of what might happen to Ruby.

At the factory Kirk has to explain that he has to postpone their date as he has agreed to go for a drink with Chesney. Julie decides she has to go and leaves.

In the hospital Karl is skulking around and Dev asks what he is doing - he was just checking on Sunita - who does not have a bad bone in her body. Dev assures Karl he did everything he could. Dev wants a word with the doctor and Karl slips into Sunita's room and adds her prints to the key fob of the Rover's keys and removes Sunita's house keys from the beside cupboard.

Julie knocks at Kirsty's front door and asks to speak to her. Julie claims she was stressed out the previous day and she was aggressive. Kirsty thought Julie was her friend. Kirsty immediately starts to lose it, shouting at Julie that she would turn against her if she knew ... What should Julie know? And Julie realises that she has been manipulated, at which point Kirsty slaps Julie very hard. Julie rushes out and goes to Sean whilst the baby starts crying.

Sean comforts Julie.

The police have now told Stella that there are no spare keys - so Sunita must be responsible and Gloria has laid the blame on Sunita.

Kirsty is trying to quiet the baby but is not having any success and she just continues to cry. Kirsty starts shouting at the baby to shut up and loses her self control once again. And she shouts shut up numerous times as we face into the music and credits.

And the next update should be along shortly.

K Richard W

A weepy Julie is attended to by Sean, who's made an icepack out of something frozen. Through the wall we can hear Ruby crying. Julie realises Tyrone was right all along. Sean wants to go round and tell Kirsty they know the truth but Julie's not going anywhere near the woman. She says they have to go to the court and tell everyone that Tyrone's not lying about Kirsty. There's a dull thud and Ruby stops crying.

Tina's going to go to court and Anna tells her not to get stressed out over it. Tina says whatever she's going through it's nothing compared to what Paul and Dev's children are.

Stella's family, and Karl, are round her bedside talking about Sunita. Gloria's all for condemning her immediately but Stella reminds her of the principle of being innocent until proven guilty. Karl weakly agrees but Eva's with Gloria. What else could Sunita have been doing in the pub?

Sean and Julie sneak into Kirsty's house through the back door. Being an ex-policewoman she's sure to have left it open. There's nobody home but there's a smashed family photograph on the floor. Sean calls the police.

In court, Tyrone's being questioned by the prosecution about his relationship with Fiz. He tries to explain that she was a friend and the falling in love came later. The prosecutor points out that he denied to Tommy that Kirsty was beating him. And he lied to Kirsty and convinced her he was still in love with her. Tyrone says Kirsty made him feel as if he wasn't a man any more. "I hate her for that. She destroyed the life I was going to have."

Ryan sees Katy in the street. At first she tries to get away but he makes a joke and she smiles. It's then that Chesney sees them and goes berserk. He stomps over and shouts at them both, not listening to either of them, and warns Ryan to keep away from his son.

Brian arrives at Kirsty's. Sean wonders if Kirsty's heading for an airport. Julie just wants Brian to take her to the court and they leave Sean alone in the house, a bit scared and holding one of Ruby's teddies.

At Sunita's bedside, Sophie assures Dev that he doesn't have to worry about the shop. The police arrive and Sophie leaves. They ask Dev if he's ever seen Sunita with the keys to the pub. Did she ever have to lock up? Dev points out that the landlady lives on the premises. The police ask permission to search Sunita's belongings.

Julie and Brian arrive at the court and tell a receptionist they have to get to the courtroom where Tyrone's being tried. She tells them they can't go in because it's in session. Pardon? Maybe she means in camera - trials are public and people waltz in and out all the time.

One of the lawyers comes down and Julie tells her story. But Kirsty attacking Julie doesn't prove that Tyrone didn't attack Kirsty, so Julie won't get her day in court.

The police find a strange set of keys in Sunita's bedside locker.

Kirk finds Chesney sitting near the phone box. Chesney tells him about seeing Katy and Ryan together. Kirk tells him to take things one day at a time. Chesney didn't realise just how long 24 hours could be. He asks Kirk to come to the bistro with him tonight and promises he won't get drunk.

In the court corridors, Julie approaches Tyrone's supporters and tells them what's happened. She's sorry, so sorry, for not believing Tyrone. Fiz says she's got better things to do than worry about Julie's conscience. Mary is the voice of doom, saying she thinks Tyrone has to be found guilty after his performance in the witness box. They get called back into the court.

Anna, Gary and Izzy discuss Tina going to court. Anna's worried the stress will send Tina's blood pressure soaring. Gary says he shouldn't have let Tina go and give evidence. Izzy is appalled. Tina might be having their baby but that doesn't give them the right to run her life.

Stan arrives at the cafe to see Sylvia but she treats him as if he's been giving heroin to toddlers. He says he thought she knew what was in the brownies. Sylvia says the only unusual items she might expect to find in a brownie would be glace cherries or a walnut. "Neither of which is going to turn anyone into a hopeless drug addict," she fumes. "Don't be like that," says Stan. "All I'm doing is trying to help." He offers to buy two teas so they can talk.

Karl sneaks into Sunita's house. Doesn't anyone lock their back doors? He puts some keys into a bowl on the dresser. This confused me. What keys are these? Didn't the police find the pub keys in Sunita's belongings?

Sally's gone into Kirsty and Tyrone's house after seeing the police car there. Sean tells her what he knows.

Roy asks Anna if she thinks Sylvia's been acting oddly. Sylvia's talking to Stan. She doesn't want to take marijuana for her pain and she won't admit eating any brownies. She'd hate to fall into the clutches of some Mr Big. Stan tells her there is no Mr Big. But there are quite a few other ladies in the One O'Clock Club who are happy with the product he supplies. He offers to give some free samples to Sylvia. She refuses and his eyes light up. "I like a woman who knows her own mind."

Tina's giving evidence. She admits she didn't get on with Kirsty and she admits complaining that Kirsty had been harassing her. And she admits pushing Kirsty in the pub and causing her to go into labour. She did see the injuries Tyrone had, but no, she didn't see Kirsty inflict them. "Your whole evidence is supposition born out of animosity," suggests the prosecutor. The judge is appalled and everyone else is amazed when Kirsty walks into the courtroom. With the judge screaming at her to get the baby out of the courtroom, Kirsty tells Tyrone she needs help. She wants him to have the baby because she's terrified she'll hurt Ruby. "He's not a monster," she shouts. "I am."

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Susan Oudot
Directed by: Ian Bevitt

We are opening still in the court room, and Kirsty is handing Ruby to Tyrone, tearfully saying she has to be with him where she will be safe. The judge angrily tells her to leave the court room, but she insists she has to give her baby to her Daddy. The judge orders Tyrone to hand Ruby over to the court Usher, and both parents protest. Tyrone's lawyer hisses at him through gritted teeth to hand her over - now! He reluctantly does this, as the judge once again orders Kirsty to leave the court room before she arrests her for contempt. Instead, a tearful Kirsty calls out that she has told a pack of lies, that Tyrone didn't once lay a finger on her, on the contrary it has been her beating him for months. An audible gasp arises from the gallery, as Tyrone's supporters can hardly believe their ears.

Kirsty goes on to apologise to Tyrone, telling him she didn't mean any of it, that she never meant to hurt him or for it to go this far. She turns to the judge and tells her she has to give him their baby back because he is innocent.

However, Fiz, Hayley and Tina's joy is short lived because the wheels of justice don't grind quite that quickly. The judge orders the baby to be removed from the court room, and as Tyrone is still on trial, he should be taken down immediately. As he is led away, Kirsty tells him she really did love him, and I believe her, but Fiz doesn't, and screams "LIAR!" at her.

The two police officers handling the case of the Rovers fire are in Stella's hospital room showing her the set of spare keys. She identifies them and asks where they found them. They ask her if there is any possibility they could have gone missing some considerable time before the fire, and she tells them they were spares, so she knows where she thought they were, but couldn't say for sure that they had still been there as she hadn't looked for them. Gloria asks if they found them on Sunita, but he tells her he can't comment on an ongoing investigation. However, their silence is enough for the two women, and they draw the conclusion that it was indeed Sunita who had the keys.

Sally and Julie are in the Street, and are glad to see Sean. They anxiously ask how it went at court, and he happily reports the events, including Kirsty's full confession. While they are extremely relieved and happy for Tyrone, Julie is immediately wracked with guilt, and feels Tyrone will never forgive her for coming down so completely on Kirsty's side. Sally tells her she wasn't the only one to be taken in by her.

Roy is making the suggestion to Sylvia that she takes up knitting as therapy for her arthritic wrist, and is immediately slapped down by her asking him if she really looks like someone who knits. (What exactly do we knitters look like then?) He wanders away and she tries to reach her partner in crime at the One O'clock Club on her mobile. However, before she has even dialed the number, he appears before her, a positive devil in a flat cap and glasses, and he has brought along a box of his magic brownies with which to tempt her. He tells her he can't see a nice lady like her suffer, so has brought her some of his baked expectations to last her over the weekend, and if she needs more, to come along to the One O'Clock Club on Monday. She happily takes them from him, and as Roy comes back, puts them down in front of the counter in an inconspicuous place.

Kirsty is now being led down the same path Tyrone took a little earlier. She pauses outside a cell door and wistfully gazes through the glass at Tyrone sitting on the bench inside. Their eyes meet for a moment, then she is led away.

Outside the court room, the Tyrone supporters - and Mary - are waiting to hear what happens next. Fiz has ascertained that Ruby is fine with a social worker. Hayley asks her if she will be taken into care, and is told it is doubtful because Kirsty can nominated whoever she likes to take care of her. They are all frustrated not knowing exactly what is going on.

Tyrone's lawyer walks past, and they stop him, asking when he will be released now the truth has come out. He tells them it isn't as simple as that, the law says he has been accused of a crime, and to be honest, he is not sure himself how it will play out now. He makes his excuses and leaves the group dumbfounded.

Kirsty is now in a room being questioned. She is admitting to everything, the beatings for months, the fact he didn't push her down the stairs, that he didn't once retaliate, just took it. They ask her to explain why she has decided to change her story now, and she tells them she is doing it for her baby. They ask if she has been violent towards her baby, and she shakes her head, but tells them she gets angry with her, she can feel her anger rising and rising, just the same way she did when she attacked Tyrone. She goes on to say that it happened today - with her beautiful Ruby, but she swears nothing happened, but is afraid that next time it might. She tearfully tells them she is afraid she is going to hurt her, and this is why she is doing this, for her. She goes on to say she can't be like her father was, and can't have Ruby scared of her like she was of him. She finishes by telling them she needs them to lock her up for her daughter's sake.

Tyrone is back in court, and the jury is being dismissed as their services are no longer required. The judge asks the prosecution if they have decided their course of action. They have, and they are withdrawing all accusations following a written statement by Miss Soames, in which she claims she made the whole thing up, and the charges are untrue. The defense has nothing to say, therefore the judge pronounces Mr. Dobbs innocent on all charges and is free to go. HOORAY!! Everyone in the gallery bursts into applause, including Mary. Tyrone is so relieved he can hardly breath.

Oh dear, Gloria has decided to visit Sunita, who is still unconscious with Dev by her side. She is nasty, as only Gloria can be, and tells him it's too bad she isn't awake because she would like to tell her what she thinks of her.

Dev begs her to leave, but she persists with her venom, asking him if he knew she had the keys to the Rovers. He tells her he knew when they found them among her things, but it doesn't prove she started the fire. She angrily tells him to wake up and realise what a pathetic excuse for a woman Sunita really is. Angry now, he tells her that's enough, but she presses on, saying it's not nearly enough, her daughter would be dead if it hadn't been for Karl, and asks him if he has thought about the poor firefighter woman? Dev quietly tells her she needs to go. Gloria replies that she is going, but if he had any sense, he would be at home with his poor little kids, instead of sitting there moping over a cold blooded murderer.

A much happier group of Tyrone supporters are now waiting outside the court room for all the i's to be dotted and the t's to be crossed which will allow Tyrone to be released. Fiz can't stop crying, but they are tears of relief and joy. She thanks the others for their support, stating she couldn't have gotten through it without them.

Over in the Bistro, Gloria is telling everyone who will listen about the turn of events that took place at the hospital. Jason is the only one who has doubts that Sunita is capable of doing such a dastardly deed, being convinced as he is that Karl had more to do with it than it appears. However, there is no doubt in Gloria's mind who the culprit is, and is making sure everyone knows it, including Eileen and Paul who just arrive following Toni's funeral. In discussion about Sunita, they decide she did it because she is a sicko. Paul remarks that because of that sicko he is going to have to carry round the guilt of Toni's death for the rest of his life. Karl stands by listening, but not saying a word.

The next scene has Kirk and Beth strolling along the street discussing what they would have if it was their last meal. Beth's choice would be a prawn cocktail, steak & chips followed by Tiramisu - mmm, sounds good to me too. I am also enjoying seeing an excellent shot of Wendy and Eve, two of the Extras I have interviewed in the background too. Beth tells Kirk she has big plans for him tonight, having bought a sexy little red camisole off the market. Kirk upsets her by asking if it has to be tonight, and she then realises why she is being blown out when Chesney walks up, telling Kirk he had decided to meet him here and they could walk over to the Bistro together. Protesting loudly, Beth tells him she has been on her own too much lately. Ches is all for calling their night off, but Kirk, in a rare macho moment grabs Beth by the arm and tells her straight that Chesney is his mate and is going through a tough time. He points out that if it was the other way around, and he was cut up through losing her, Ches would be the first one there for him, so therefore he is going out with him tonight - no arguments! Beth is very impressed, and tells him it is no problem Tiger, she and her little red cami will be waiting for him when he comes home. Oh how I love these two together, I do hope it lasts!

Tina and Tommy arrive back in the street, overjoyed with the way events of the day have played out, and obviously enjoying each other's company. Things get a little awkward when they part, but Gary comes running up to Tina wanting to know all about Tyrone, and offers to take her to the Bistro to unwind. She accepts his offer.

Fiz is now waiting alone outside the court room, and is overjoyed to hear Tyrone's voice calling her from the top of the stairs. She rushes up the stairs to meet him and they fling their arms around each other, neither of them quite able to believe it is all over at last.

Tina is happily telling the whole story to Gary in the Bistro. He too is glad it is over, as he feels the stress probably wasn't good for the baby either. Tina tells him it is a nice feeling to have someone care what happens to her, and goes on to say that becoming friends with him and Izzy has been the best part of this whole thing. He assures her he is there if she should need him.

A few tables away, Chesney is doing his best to drink himself under the table. Kirk is trying to be a good friend and keep him from making a fool of himself, but is not doing too well. Nick is of the same mind that he has had more than enough, and tells him he is cut off. Ches gets up, but instead of leaving, he lurches over to Eva who is sitting at the bar, and offers to buy her a drink. She laughs and asks him if he is offering her a milk shake. Persisting, he tells her he will buy her a proper drink, or they could just go back to his place. Eva stands up, meaning she now towers over him, and looking down, tells him he would have to be a little bit older, a little bit smarter, a little bit taller and a lot less drunk before she would accept his offer. Kirk pulls him away, but Ches is drunk enough not to be offended, and tells Eva to call him - yeah? She chuckles and tells him "Yeah" . After he leaves, Nick can't resist teasing Eva, telling her she must still have it. "Eva sighs and says "Just kill me now".

Walking down the street with Kirk holding him up, Chesney bemoans the fact that he still loves his Katy, that he has always loved her from the moment he first saw her. Kirk assures him she loved him too. But Ches sadly says she didn't love him enough, and he doesn't know what he is going to do without her.

A very dejected Dev walks into Streetcars and sits down, needing someone to talk to. Lloyd asks how things are with Sunita, and he relates the events of the day. He tells him he just can't get his head around it. On the one hand he can't believe his Sunita is capable of something like that, but can't come up with any reason why she would have the keys, and why she would have been inside the Rovers.

Lloyd hands him a stiff drink that he pulls out of a filing cabinet and pours. Dev continues, saying if only he had gone along with their plans, maybe he could have stopped this from happening. Lloyd protests that none of this is Dev's fault. He points out that the only person who has the answers to all this is Sunita herself, so his first priority is making sure she pulls through.

The wait at the court room is finally over. The social worker comes along and places Ruby in Tyrone's arms, and he hugs her to him. The worker tells him Ruby has been placed in his care, and he will receive a letter to that fact in due course. Both Tyrone and Fiz are now crying tears of sheer joy. As they leave the building and start to walk, who should be on the other side of the iron railings, being led in handcuffs to a waiting police van, but Kirsty. Everyone stops and stares at each other, Kirsty with tears streaming down her face before she is led away, and Fiz urges Tyrone to get going home. We watch Kirsty get into the van and sit there alone, still crying silently.

I guess this is the last we will see of Kirsty, who was played brilliantly by Natalie Gumede. The door is open for a return, after all they can't keep her in jail forever, and she is still Ruby's mother. I guess it will all depend upon how much work the actress finds outside of Coronation Street as to whether they bring her back one day or not. But I have to say I have really enjoyed this storyline, and feel Natalie will go on to great things as she is a cracking actress.

Christine

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

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