2015



Friday 1 May

Tim is being henpecked by that expert henpecker, Sally. He's also being sneered at because he doesn't know that the artist who exhibited her unmade bed was Tracy Blenheim. Tim's digging in his heels because Sally wants him to get rid of the eyesore street art on the end wall of her house but he reckons he'll need to hire a power washer (waterblaster to you Kiwis) and that won't be cheap. A passing Roy mentions that Banksy made a fortune from street art very similar to this and a passing Maddy agrees.

Kevin and crew are having a bit of a football kick-about in the street and including Jack. Sophie sees him and picks him up for a hug. Jenny practically snatches him out of her hands.

Chesney and Sinead have breakfast and discuss the movie Chesney made her watch last night. Alya arrives and admires the basque that Sinead has finished. Chesney snipes that Sinead is supposed to be recovering but Sinead says working on it has kept her sane.

David and Bethany walk towards the bus stop. Bethany doesn't see why she has to go to school. David points out that she'll get Sarah into trouble and that some parents have been fined or even sent to prison for not ensuring their kids go to school. Bethany is horrified. He sends her off to school and she calls him "Dave" just to annoy him.

Beth and Carla walk towards the factory with Carla asking after Sinead. She sees Nick, who appears grumpy and possibly hung over and sends Beth off to work so she can buy breakfast for Nick.

Tim buys a paper, despite some sneering from Norris, who thought he couldn't read. Tim says he likes to look at the pictures. They discuss the street art, which Norris hates - he thinks it will lead to rioting in the streets. Tim says he won't be able to remove it until he gets a power washer. Lo and behold, Norris has one! Apparently he does Emily's back wall once a fortnight. Tim persuades Norris to be community minded and lend it to him. And on the way out he points out to Norris that there's an apostrophe missing from one of the Kabin's notices!

Over toast in the cafe, Nick tells Carla that David thinks he's been betrayed by Sarah. Carla understands Sarah's point of view and says she was once a headstrong little madam herself. Roy asks if he can make an observation. He's just like to tell Carla how good it is that she has a friend like Nick and they seem very much at ease with each other. "It's merely an observation."

In Carla's absence, Sally uses the factory computer to look up street art prices.

Alya and Izzy are at the tea area table looking at some knicker ideas that Izzy has drawn. Alya likes them, though Beth suggests she's just trying to keep Izzy sweet because she feels guilty for nicking Izzy's boyfriend. Alya indignantly denies this.

Sarah's trying to get hold of Callum. She's sent messages and voicemails but he's not answering, she tells Nick. Carla asks, "Is that the drug dealer you're seeing?" She asks if Sarah thinks it's a coincidence that Callum showed an interest in her just as the custody battle was starting? Nick tells her she should listen to Carla. She might learning something.

Luke and Tyrone are in the cafe talking about Curry Night II with Gary and Roy. Tyrone's boasting that he's more of a man because he loves a hot curry and Luke can't stand the heat. Roy asks Tyrone to look at a radiator for him and when they've gone, Luke shows Gary a Ghost Chilli he's bought and intends to put into Tyrone's serving tonight to teach him a lesson.

Beth's wittering on and Carla is ignoring her. Michelle arrives and asks for a word. She talks to Carla about planning her wedding and how difficult she's finding it to make decisions. Carla seems preoccupied and Michelle wants to know what she's thinking about. She decided it must be Nick and teases Carla about it. Carla insists they're just friends. Nick's too decent and everyone knows Carla likes a bad boy.

Kevin and Maddy want to talk about Sophie but Sally dismisses them. She wants to tell them how much a Banksy can sell for. She sees Norris instructing Tim on the use of the power washer and throws herself in front of the street art just as Tim pulls the trigger. She's soaked of course, as is Norris when Tim's reaction is to the turn the jet away from Sal and point it towards Norris and his Christmas-present cardy! Sally tells them that until an expert sees the picture, they have to protect it with their lives.

Alya shows Izzy some changes she would make to her designs.

Sarah serves David in the pub. She tells him she's trying to sort things out with Callum but can't get hold of him. Erica comes in and asks if Liz is around.

Beth, Kirk and Sinead have tea together and talk about the amount of energy Sinead has for work. Kirk says he doesn't know where she gets it from, which annoys Beth until he points out that it's Beth who's always saying her mum and grandma have never done a hard day's work in their lives. This calms her down a little.

Bethany's in the bistro, though Nick tells her she can't stay. She asks after Carla but Nick is distracted by a man who says he's got a delivery of olives. "No!" he says. "We don't need any olives. We're never going to need any more olives!" Turns out the bloke meant olive oil. [It's nice to see the olives getting a mention] While his back is turned, Bethany sends a message using his phone.

Sally's wittering on about street art but Carla seems distracted by her phone.

Jenny's back and tells Kevin to go for a pint. She'll get Jack bathed.

Sinead has visitors. She's shown the new knicker designs. "Do you need some idiot with too much time on their hands to make up some samples?" she asks. Yep.

Sophie visits Jack. Jenny insists he's just going to have his bath and when Sophie offers to do it, Jenny refuses. When Jack says he wants Sophie to bath him, Jenny snaps at Sophie that she's upsetting Jack. When she hears the front door open she shouts at Sophie that she wishes Sophie would just stop attacking her all the time.

Erica stands behind Nick in the bistro and puts her hands over his eyes. Of course, he thinks it's Carla but he covers up his disappointment and Erica tells him she's got some news. He assumes it's her mum but it isn't. "This may come as a shock - I'm pregnant." As Nick absorbs this news he sees Carla come in and sit down at the bar. Now what?

Find out in the next episode.

Margaret Carr

Pinch Punch first of the month and no returns. This will be my last update for a couple of weeks as I am off on holiday so my thanks to Duncan who should be here next week and Diane who has offered to stand in for the following week.

In the meantime in our favourite Street this outing was written by Jayne Hollinson and directed by Tony Prescott; copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

We open this episode in the Bistro where a somewhat stunned Nick sees Carla (whom we learnt this week will be departing at the end of the year, at least temporarily) come in for their "date" and he gets up and goes over to her. Poor Nick little luck for months on end and now women queuing up for him. She spots Erica behind him and asks why. Nick says she has a problem and Carla assumes she wants a shoulder to cry on - an explanation that Nick accepts. Nick apologises and Carla says they will do it another time. And she departs with only a brief rearward glance.

At Kev's Jenny and Sophie are shouting at each other over Jack. Soph complains that Jenny is acting like the boy's mother and Kev points out that at the moment she is spending a lot of time looking after him. Maddie comes downstairs and says that Jack is happy playing with his Lego. Jenny says she might have overdone it but Kev is still taking her side. Sophie takes offence and departs with Maddie as her father is not respecting her. Sophie tells Maddie not to come - he just wants some space.

In the back room at the Bistro Erica and Nick are sitting on a sofa very uncomfortably. Nick has the temerity to ask if the baby is his. Erica is not amused and Nick apologises. Erica says she is 49 (and the rest!) and lives with her mum so what chance does she have to make babies? So it dates back to her last visit about 7 weeks ago. The result of three bottles of Chardonnay. Erica says she is not there to ask for money or marriage - she is not sure she will keep it, but she thought he had a right to know. Erica gets up to go - but Nick is unsure, they have to discuss matters. She has told him and he is off the hook. He tells her to sit down and they can get a drink. She asks for a double vodka. "Joke". Nick just looks blank.

Chesney returns home and finds Sinead, Alya and Izzy doing some work - apparently Sinead insisted. Sinead wants to carry on - but is in some pain so Izzy and Alya go so she can rest. They will talk again tomorrow. Once they have gone Sinead tells Chesney that she does not want to be bored and she will do what she can; he is going to have to trust her judgement and he can cook her tea!

Beth runs after Carla in the Street asking if she is going to see Uncle Nick. Carla says she did see him - so briefly that it must have been the shortest date in history. Carla says that they are just mates. Beth tells her the two of them will be on zimmer frames before one of them makes a move and she tells Carla that they need to get on with it as it is doing her head in!

Erica says she has known for about a week. She thought it might be her age - but the chances were limited; the blue line does not lie. She has not told her family and will not until she knows what she will do. She used to believe she would have a family, but it never worked out and she thought those days were behind her. But this is likely to be a last chance and she is not going to throw it away lightly.

On the Street Sally is guarding the wall art and Tim is ferrying food and drink as an apology for getting her wet. She has now decided that it is a "Banksy". She points out that there is a "rat" which almost makes it a signed piece. They start discussing how to spend the money. Roy wandering past opines that it might not be valuable, whilst Sal and Tim bicker nicely about the money!

Callum arrives in the Rovers but Sarah gives him a hard time for ignoring her messages. She tells him not to mess her about. If she is just passing his time she would rather they forgot about it as there are plenty more men around. She explains that Nick wants her to tell David about them - but she will not do it if there is nothing to tell. She challenges how serious he is. She says she will let him think about it - but not for long because she gets bored easily.

Back at the Bistro Nick does know what he is thinking - it is such a shock. Nick assures that if she does decide to keep it then he does not want her to worry about money, he will chip. She wants to know if she did the right thing telling him and he agrees she did - he tells her to come back tomorrow for a further discussion. She leaves and we see her sit in her car and heave a sigh of relief; Carla sees her leaving the Bistro and goes in to look for Nick. We see her walk across the Bistro and she offers a penny for his thoughts. She carries on - they have been mates for a while and she reckons she knows how they both feel and how they are both grown up. He has to tell her - "Erica's pregnant and it's mine". This removes the wind from Carla's sails.

After the break Nick explains he thought it was a crazy stunt - but there have been tests and everything. They are interrupted as Nick has to look after some newly arriving customers. Carla is deflated.

Roy arrives bearing a bottle of nettle wine at Tyrone's. In the kitchen Luke is adding the special chilli to one of the meals. Luke goes to the front door to let Gary in and Ty places the various dishes on the table. Luke sees what he has done and wants to know which bowl is which - but Ty has no idea. Luke has to come clean.

Tim delivers some chips to Sal when the expert arrives. Colin did a masters on Banksy, but has never met him. He starts studying the art and Sal looks happy.

The curry club starts eating - not Roy, not Gary, not Ty and then Luke is just saying this is really good - when the chilli hits and both Ty and Gary start laughing - Roy is oblivious.

Colin has seen enough - it is not a Banksy. Sal lets rip and wants a second opinion. But the expert says good afternoon and Sally's dreams of a house in Hale Barns have just collapsed into the muck in the gutter she never will climb out). She reckons someone has done this to make her a laughing stock. They are jealous of her conservatory. She tells Sophie and Maddie to get on with cleaning it off the wall.

Nick joins Carla at her table. She wants to know what he is planning to do - but he says he does not know. Part of him thinks it is a total disaster and yet another part "YEAH I'm a Daddy". It is all a bit daft and mixed up. It has just dropped out of the sky. Carla continues to smile throughout, but you can almost spot the heart breaking in the background (along with mine - do not go Ali). Nick reckons it is worse for Erica, with a Mum and now a baby to look after. Carla reckons that she should be lucky it is Nick and not a daft beggar who would run a mile. Nick says he still might. Carla knows he won't.

The artwork is being scrubbed off the wall. Maddie reckons that as Emily always hankered after Sal's conservatory it must be her. Sophie can see her with a black balaclava on and stepladders. Sophie apologises for earlier when she was a sight cow. Maddie quite enjoyed her being in the wrong for once. They kiss and make up.

Luke is pouring a pint of milk down his neck - hoisted by his own petard! Roy is washing up. Gary suggests making the curry night a regular thing - his turn next with a Bombardier. (Note to Canadian readers this is not the same pronunciation as your engineering company; BomBarDeer is better). A lethal army recipe. And they all agree. Roy says that his mother said he had an asbestos mouth and he will prove her right.

In the yard at the Rovers Sarah is collecting glasses. Callum appears and says he is serious about her. Sarah takes it calmly, apparently loads of women have asked him that before and he has always said "no". She tells him he is a big head. Eventually they kiss. So she is going to have to find a way to tell David.

Nick says he needs to get back to work and Carla says she should be heading off. He says he is sorry their "drink" did not work out. She acknowledges he had bigger things on his mind. He asks why do things always happen at the wrong time? Carla reckons that the gods are punishing them or summat. And then she says perhaps it is for the best anyway. They have both been bitten before. They agree to be friends. And if ever wants to just "talk". He tells her she might regret saying that. They say "Night" to each and as Carla leaves we see Nick closing his eyes and shaking his head.

Roll credits.

No learning tonight. Need to finish packing.

Richard


Monday 4 May

Written by Martin Allen directed by Audrey Cooke

David offers to take Max to a fair for Bank Holiday Monday. Max informs David he doesn't want to go on the baby type rides, he's too big! David teases him, saying he can't have candy floss, then, because that's for kids too. Max realizes he's been bested. Sarah asks what time they're going and when they will be back. David's curious as to why all the questions but Sarah fields them expertly. She pretends she wanted to take Beth to the fair but Bethany declines as she has a shopping trip planned with Audrey. Sarah is clearly got an agenda and offers to get some shopping in so he can spend more time with the kids.

Sean is getting ready to put a bit of overtime in. He mentions to Eileen that Billy is to meet with the new Bishop today, a Bishop who is very conservative and definitely not gay-friendly. Eileen thinks Billy can handle himself. She then sees that she has another message from Jeff in Dubai after she'd already finished with him. He seems to have a few more things in common with her. Todd encourages her to keep in contact with "Jeff". Billy arrives just then and is not too happy. He's got a newspaper with the story of his and Sean's run in with the pub landlord splashed over the front page. Very bad timing. Sean looks guilty.

Nick and Leanne greet as they pass on the street. Erica is waiting for Nick in front of the Bistro. She's made a decision.

Sean admits to Billy that Julie had blabbed to the press and he didn't tell Billy because the little girl had died and he was upset enough as it was. Billy is angry because of the implications for his career, today of all days. If he'd known, he could have been prepared and headed off the Bishop so he wouldn't have had to read it in the newspaper at least.

Aadi asks Mary if she could take them to the fair. Julie had been about to ask if Mary could fill in at the shop this afternoon but that doesn't mean they couldn't go in the morning, right? Mary's quite happy to take the twins and sends them upstairs to get dressed. Julie thanks Mary for all her help since Dev has been gone but the peace is soon shattered by Sean at the door. He and Billy come in, Sean waving the newspaper in Julie's face. Julie is horrified. Sean shouts at Julie again and Billy tries to be understanding. A bit.

In the Bistro, Nick sits down with Erica and reaffirms that he'll support whatever she decides. She says she's going to have the baby. Nick takes a deep breath and says he's ok with it. She reminds him she has no expectations from him and he says he'll support her however she wants. They admit they are both terrified but She admits she's excited, too and reiterates what she'd said. He can back off any time. He doesn't plan to so they decide to drink to it. Lemonade, that is. Kal and Leanne have come in and Leanne overhears the last bit and asks what they're celebrating. There's a hesitation and Leanne backs off, apologizing for being nosy but Erica comes clean. It's no secret no anyway. Leanne is surprised at the news and asks if they're together. Nick says not but will explain later. Kal congratulates him and they leave.

Callum comes in to the pub while Sarah's working. She tells him she hasn't told David about their relationship yet but plans to when she can get David on his own. She warns Callum not to wind up David, let her deal with it her way. She then tells Callum she has the house to herself all afternoon. It's a date! Or something.

At the factory the overtime workers are buzzing. Julie tells Sean she was trying to get hold of the reporter and retract the story. Sean doesn't think that will be successful. Julie is upset and wants to do something to help Billy but there doesn't seem to be much help now that it's out in the media. Start praying, is Sean's snippy answer.

In the pub, Leanne and Kal are discussing Nick's news. She reassures Kal there's no lingering feelings but she does wish she could have kids of her own. It doesn't seem likely. She asks if he is ok with that and he says it is. Steve and Amy chat to Michelle about the wedding plans. Amy has decided she can't be a bridesmaid after what happened the last time, the groom being arrested for murder. Michelle assures her that's not going to happen but Amy decides she can't take that chance! Steve leaves Michelle to it and she chats to Leanne and Kal about the wedding and trying to do it cheap but not have it look tacky. Kal suggests they get the pub licensed for holding ceremonies and they can do it all right there.

Outside, Nick and Erica are coming down the road and talking about practicalities. She's still got her mother to look after. David, Max and Lily come around the corner, early back from the fair because Max had too much candy floss and got sick on a ride. Ew! Nick tells David their news. David is flummoxed and wishes them good luck telling Gail. David spies Callum coming across the road and sees him go into the house and kiss Sara at the door. Inside, they start to undress and go upstairs when they hear David outside. Sarah makes Callum go upstairs and suggests David take the kids to Audrey's. That doesn't work and she has to run upstairs to get Max a tshirt rather than let him or David go up. David peeks out the back and doesn't see Callum there so he knows Callum must be upstairs.

Carla comes into the pub and looks down. She tells Michelle that things were going ok with Nick until Erica showed up again and has dropped the baby bombshell. Nick says he won't get together with Erica but Carla isn't so sure that won't happen. She's backing off in the meantime.

Max is now out in the back playing. David tells Sarah he might just hang out at home now. David hears something upstairs or says he does then leads Sarah into a conversation, wondering why she hasn't found a fella since she's been back. She tells him she's fine as she is. The two of them circle around each other with David winding up Sarah and her trying to get him away from the stairs. He finally admits he knows Callum is there and Callum, hearing the whole thing, comes downstairs. Nick comes in and has to keep David and Callum apart. David then chucks Sarah out of the house for the time being, too.

Mary has enjoyed spending the time with the kids and they're now with a friend, to be collected later. Todd has come in to get a few things, planning to cook for Eileen. He asks if the goods can be put on credit. Julie is ok with it but Mary says that's not the shop policy, a golden rule of Dev's. No credit except for immediate family. Julie thinks she should decide but Mary reminds her she's told everyone else that they can't have credit, is it one rule for most and another for her family, too? The two women start to bicker and shout. Mary refuses to give Todd credit so Julie pays. Todd is angry and runs out, Mary takes Julie's money for the groceries.

Nick and David have a cup of tea in the back garden while Max kicks his football around. Nick commiserates with David who is feeling betrayed by his own sister after giving her a home. David doesn't know what to do, or how to handle it. Down the road, Sarah is upset but Callum cuddles her on the bench. Todd walks behind them with a look over his shoulder at Mary's camper van, parked today on Rosamund Street. Back to Nick and David and Nick's advice is to stay strong and not let Callum get to him. David is at his wits' end. Nick reminds him that the hearing is in two weeks and he can't very well run off to South America with the kids so he's going to have to chill out.

Todd is on the phone leaving a message to the council about someone living in a motorhome on Coronation Street. It's a health hazard and needs checking out. Spiteful little toad, isn't he?

Steve comes along and gets out of his taxi. He hears a noise in the back and discovers a little white and brown dog in the back seat that a customer has forgotten.

In the cafe, Sean and Eileen are shoring up Billy before his appointment. Billy is going to face any consequences. He doesn't think he'll lose his job but there could still be trouble over the bad publicity. He puts on his jacket and leaves.

David is putting Max and Lily in a black cab and tells Max they're going on holiday. Bethany sees them leaving.

Tvor

Written by Perrie Balthazar and directed by Audrey Cooke

Sarah's in the Rovers with Callum, worrying that she and Bethany are going to be made homeless as a result of her actions. Nick comes in and Sarah asks if he reckons David will throw them out. Nick's view on the subject is that there's cold and selfish and then there's Sarah.

Michelle and Liz go through to the back room of the Rovers where they discover they have a visitor. It's the dog that Steve found in the back of his cab, although there's no sign of Steve.

Todd comes out of Barlow's Buys to find a woman from the council taking photos of the motorhome. He helpfully mentions that it belongs to Mary. At that moment Mary herself comes along and Todd leaves them to it. The woman introduces herself as Mrs Bird, Chief Environmental Health Officer and she tells Mary she's come to investigate a suspected illegal encampment. Mary looks suitably shocked.

Steve has now appeared and is cuddling his new canine friend while Liz and Michelle discuss shoes for the wedding. Tony points out to Steve that once he sells his share of the Rovers he'll be able to buy Michelle all the shoes she wants. Liz asks Tony if he's been threatened again. Talk turns to the dog and Michelle tells Steve he'd better try to find the owners because they'll be missing her. Just then Tracy marches in without a by-your-leave. She claims she's come to drop off Amy's hairbrush. Tony follows Tracy out and the have a whispered conversation in the hallway. She wants to know if there's been any news on the sale of Steve's share of the pub. Tony tries to reassure her that something will happen soon then ushers her in the direction of the bar.

Mrs Bird from the council is carrying out an assessment of Mary's motorhome. It may be a bank holiday but where breaches of government regulations are concerned they take matters very seriously. Mary manages to glean that someone informed on her. And not just anyone but a neighbour. Mrs Bird tells Mary she'll be needing to find somewhere else to live before helpfully offering to give her a recommendation on where she can buy some new covers for her banquettes.

Nick goes round to David's where he finds Sarah. He tells her that Callum's only with her in order to wind up David and adds that it's worked because David's closer to the brink than he's ever seen him.

Steve's brought the dog through to the bar. Nobody seems too concerned about the health and safety issues, apart from Tony who complains that she snapped at him. Tracy looks over at Liz and Michelle and says pointedly that she probably got bored with being surrounded by all the other bitches.

Back at Platt Towers, Sarah and Nick are wondering where David's got to. Bethany casually mentions she saw him leaving in a cab ages ago. She confirms that he had both kids with him. Sarah says hopefully he may have just been taking them to the park but Nick points out this is David and heaven knows what he might have done.

Meanwhile, we see David arriving at a hotel in a cab and, if memory serves me right, it looks as though they may be in Liverpool. Max is complaining but David reminds him they're supposed to be on holiday.

Mary's looking miserable in the Rovers so Ken and Norris take their drinks over and join her. Tony also appears down in the dumps. He's looking at messages on his phone. Liz assumes he's worried about the money and tells him that Steve will find a buyer soon.

Ken is trying to reassure Mary about her problems with the council but Mary thinks she's just worked out who reported her: the person who won't rest until she's off the street for good – Julie Carp. With rather bad timing, Julie walks in a few moments later and goes up to the bar to buy a drink. "There she is!" shouts Mary, pointing at her. "If you answer to the name of Judas...!" she yells. Julie looks understandably alarmed.

Nick is laying into Sarah and accusing her of all sorts while Bethany smirks to herself in the background. Sarah retaliates and tells Nick that he's not fooling anyone with all this brotherly loyalty after what he did. Bethany's ears prick up – what did Nick do? Sarah says if anyone betrayed their precious brother it was him. Bethany's really enjoying this and says that they should have come back years ago. Just then Nick's phone rings. It's David who tells Nick that he knows what he's gong to say but he can't take any more. He tells Nick the children are fine but says he didn't know what else to do. With that he hangs up. Bethany helpfully suggests they should check to see if they've taken their passports. Needless to say they're missing from the drawer. The next phone to ring is Sarah's. When she sees it's Callum calling Nick instructs her not to tell him a thing about David taking the kids or the missing passports.

Back in the Rovers Julie is desperately trying to protest her innocence to Mary. Todd supports her and says she'd never do something like that. "Oh yes, ‘cos Julie would never go blabbing to the Gazette without asking me and Billy first," snipes Sean. Julie says she's so sorry. Sean tells her that she should try saying that to Billy after he's been given the hairdryer treatment from his boss. Norris reminds them all that someone reported Mary to the council. Julie tells Mary she would never do it, she's her friend. Mary says the way Julie spoke to her in the shop was not the action of a friend. Julie replies that if Mary thinks she's capable of such a thing then maybe she's right, they were never friends in the first place.

Billy arrives. By the look on his face his meeting didn't go well. Michelle suggests he and Sean should go and have a chat out the back.

Billy is finding it hard to tell Sean what happened with the Bishop. He tells Sean he was very upset. Sean asks whether he was upset about them or the newspaper. "Both'" replies Billy. It turns out that, up until now, Billy has never had to be open about the fact that he's gay. He tells Sean it's not until he met him that it's been an issue. It seems that the Bishop comes from the group of clergy who don't approve of gay relationships within the church. Sean is finding it hard to understand and asks Billy exactly what it was he said. Billy tells Sean that if he wants to stay working in the parish they have to be more discreet and he can't introduce Sean as his partner. "He actually said that?!" exclaims Sean. Then the truth comes out. Billy admits that he lied, not just to the Bishop but to God as he told him that their relationship was over. Sean gets up and leaves while Billy calls after him that he's sorry.

In the back room of the Rovers, Liz and Michelle overhear Tony on the phone. He makes it sound like he's talking to the loan sharks and they want their money. Michelle says she'll talk to Steve about trying to find a buyer. Tony goes into the kitchen and Liz tells Michelle Tony wouldn't do this if he wasn't desperate, she's never seen him in this state.

Callum turns up at Platt Towers looking for David and Max. He knows something's going on and Sarah admits that Bethany saw them leaving in a cab. Callum says he's calling the police but Nick reminds him that David can take Max where he wants and when he wants. Callum asks where their passports are. Sarah tells him he's being paranoid. Callum grabs hold of her and asks if she'd lie to him. Sarah looks scared but replies of course not. Callum tells Nick if David's not back with the kids by tomorrow he's going to the police. Nick says he'll try calling him again.

In the hotel the children are asleep in bed when David answers his phone. Before he has a chance to speak, Callum grabs Nick's phone. He threatens David that if he doesn't bet Max back home by tomorrow he'll find him wherever he is and finish him.

Max wakes up and asks David who was on the phone. David says it was Gail, wishing them a happy holiday. David gets out his laptop and tells Max they're going to book their flights and he can help him choose where they go.

Karen


Wednesday 6 May

A stroppy Callum arrives at the Platt's house to find out if Max is back. Sarah urges him not to call the police but to wait until Gail gets home, around dinnertime. If anyone can talk sense into David, she can.

Meanwhile, in the hotel room, David is dressing Lily while Max seems to be discreetly playing with the phone Callum gave him. Then he starts asking David all sorts of difficult questions – why aren't they going to the airport? Did David tell his teacher he's sick? As they leave the room, Max hides his phone under his jacket.

Steve has taken the little dog for a walk and arrives back with colour in his cheeks. Tony isn't pleased to have the dog around in the bar, and is especially annoyed when Steve grabs the dish he has set aside for lemon slices, and gives the dog water in it. Michelle is aghast to get another quote for a wedding venue – a thousand pounds! Liz tells her that the obvious choice is staring them in the face, and they could have it for free. Steve agrees, the day is about them, and what is more 'them' than The Rovers! Michelle isn't convinced, but Liz has ideas for themes and drapes and Tony says he could put a dance floor down if they want. "Folk won't even recognise the place," says Liz. Michelle finally agrees.

Sean is at the factory, feeling miserable about the situation with Billy, when Julie gets a delivery of a bouquet of flowers from Dev, which upsets him even more. Julie doesn't know what to do with the flowers, she doesn't want to take them home to No. 7 because Mary will snip all the heads off. She wishes that Dev were there to put his arms round her.

Outside in the Street, Mary tells Emily that she's been given 24 hours to move her camper van or else it will be towed away. She has been told she will have to go to a registered site. Todd comes along then, and pretends to be very sympathetic. Mary is sure that Julie is behind all of this, and decides that she's not going to give in without a fight. She flings herself backwards across the camper van's bonnet. "We shall not be moved!" she cries.

Billy is waiting outside when Sean comes out of the factory. He tells Sean he's sorry for denying him to the bishop, he's ashamed. He then tells Sean it's over, he deserves better. He then takes off his dog-collar and says he's giving up the church, he has another appointment with the bishop at 4 o'clock. "God made me," he says, "he wanted me like this, why should I be forced to pretend?" He steps forward and gives Sean a hug.

Steve is sitting on the bench in the Street with a little white dog that he's found. Kirk comes along and suggests he gets her checked for a microchip, then she can be returned to her owners.

Gail and Michael have returned from their honeymoon and have arrived at the bistro. Sarah tells Gail she's got a job – at the Rovers! Gail is less than impressed. "So you're a barmaid?" she says. Sarah says maybe Gail will like Nick's news better. "Erica is up the duff!" she says. Gail stares at Nick, horrified, while Nick stares at Sarah, horrified. "Erica? Is she capable?" says Gail, and goes on to point out Erica's age and the way she drinks and 'carries on'. Nick then goes on to get his own back, he tells Gail that Sarah has bagged herself a new man – Callum. "Callum Logan?" asks Gail, "drug dealer, blackmailer, thug?" Sarah reminds her that he is Max's dad, but Gail retorts that it's David who has brought Max up. (Only for the last two years actually – the first six of Max's life were spent in care!) The conversation then leads, inevitably, to the fact that David has taken Max and Lily and disappeared.

Gail tries to ring David on her mobile phone. She judges that by the ring tone he is still in the country.

In the hotel room, David is in the bathroom with Lily while Max is on the bed reading a comic. David's phone is on the bed and it starts buzzing with Gail's call. Max reaches to pick it up but David comes out and sees him and knocks it out of his hand, and puts it in his pocket, shouting at him not to touch his phone, ever.

In the cafe, Mary is discussing her motorhome options with Emily. She's thinking about passive resistance, in the manner of Martin Luther King.

Jason is sitting at a table with Billy and Sean, he's impressed with Billy's level of commitment. Emily and Mary come over to talk to Billy to ask whether the motorhome can be parked in the church car park. Billy tells them there's a problem – he's leaving the ministry. Emily is sad to hear it, he's brought such energy to their church.

Michelle finds Tony trying to sort out material for his best-man's speech. He hasn't got much because, let's face it, he hasn't known Steve long. Just then Steve comes in with the lost dog, he's been to the dog warden but there's no microchip, so no owners so far. Michelle notices something in Steve's pocket, it's dog shampoo, and she's shocked that it cost £7.99, she doesn't pay that for her own shampoo!

Bethany is in the shop scoffing chocolate when Mary comes in wanting to buy batteries, padlocks and duct tape. "What is this – Fifty Shades?" asks Bethany. Mary glares at her. "How old are you?" she asks. "Old enough to read!" says Bethany, while Todd, over at the side of the shop picking up milk, laughs. (This is Corrie humour at it's best!)

Sean stops Billy as he's about to get on the bus, to go and resign. Sean tells him he can't let him resign, they could stick to the story that they're finished. Billy says that would be a lie, and they wouldn't be able to be seen out together. Sean says that times are changing and the bishop and his pals won't be around for ever.

Callum arrives at the Platt's to see Max, but David hasn't returned. Callum is angry, but Gail retorts that he doesn't really care about the little boy. "I love him," says Callum, but Gail reckons Callum just wants revenge. Sarah tells him that so far David hasn't committed a crime so if he reports him, she and Callum are finished. Michael tells Callum that Audrey has stopped the payment of David's wages, so he's going to run out of money pretty soon, and then they're sure they'll hear from him. Callum eventually agrees. "You're not the only ones out there looking for him," he says as he leaves, "you'd better hope mine don't get to him first!"

Anne Logan


Friday 8 May

In a hotel somewhere not in Weatherfield, David gets compliments on how well behaved his children are. Gail calls him but David rejects the call.

Gail's hurt that she's been rejected like that. Nick states the obvious - that Callum's going to be all over them. In fact, he's surprised they've not heard from Callum already. Sarah says she's already had a call from him but didn't pick up. Gail asks whether Sarah has now finished with Callum - "the man who single-handedly destroyed David's family." Bethany defends Callum but her whole argument seems to be that he's the best looking bloke Sarah's ever gone out with. Sarah asks what Callum's done that's so bad. After all, he just wants access to his son. Gail says she thinks Callum's gained access to far more than that.

At Eileen's, the family and Sean discuss religion and whether Sean's seeing Billy tonight. Eileen's meeting Adrian in the bistro tonight and she says Sean and Billy are welcome to join them. Todd sneers at such boring plans.

Emily has been shopping for Mary and delivers some groceries to her in the motorhome. Mary is very grateful - and then she discovers that Emily's bought milk chocolate digestives, not dark chocolate. Grrrrr! Todd and Julie pass by and exchange a few words with Mary before she slams the door in their faces, still blaming Julie for dobbing her in to the council. Julie tearfully tells Emily she didn't do anything. Emily doesn't want to take sides.

Steve talks to the dog as he sweeps the yard. He sweeps a pile of cigarette ends behind a plant pot. He talks to the dog and then realises the dog doesn't care - all she wants to do is go home.

Callum sees Sarah in the cafe and tells her he's the victim. He doesn't give a stuff what Gail thinks. He's just worried about his son. Sarah tells him Max is safe. She says David's gone to see Martin and gives the address 23 Moatbrook Way, Warrington. Callum rushes off.

Mary's settled down with a cuppa in the camper but can't bring herself to touch her lips to a milk chocolate digestive. There's a knock at the door. It's Todd. He asks whether he can come in and does anyway. He tells her the vehicle is an eyesore on a residential street. He's come to tell her some truths. The van takes up two parking spaces, which wouldn't be so bad except that she doesn't pay any council tax. Mary says she likes to think she contributes to the community in other ways. Todd points out she doesn't pay towards the bin lorries which take away her rubbish, the street sweepers or the electricity which lights the street at night. "My point is: You're a parasite, Mary. Anyone could have a problem with you parking here. Anyone could have phoned the council - anyone but Julie." Mary says there are personal grievances between them. Todd knows that but he says if Julie had a grudge she wouldn't know what to do with it. He warns Mary that he and she are going to fall out. He leaves, with Mary looking very shaken.

Steve tells Michelle he's finished sweeping the yard. She says she'll get the fag ends from behind the pot later. Steve says he's going to retrace his steps from the day he found the dog to see if he can find her home.

In a booth in the bar, Lloyd's reading through Tony's best-man speech. He comments that it's a very polite speech. Tony says Steve's just had a breakdown so he's not going to push things. Lloyd tells him there are ways of winding up Steve. He'll give Tony a couple of pointers.

Sarah tells Gail and Nick she's earned them some time by sending Callum to Warrington. Though she's given him her ex-boyfriend's address.

Gail gets a ring from David. We see him with Max and Lily near the pierhead with the Liver Building in the background, so we know he's in Liverpool. He talks to Gail about why he's run away. But when he finishes the call and turns round, Max has gone.

David's running with Lily in the buggy, getting desperate as he hunts for Max.

Lloyd tells Tony some of Steve's escapades - the transvestite in Malta, the vasectomy story. At the bar, Andrea tells Michelle that Lloyd's practically writing the speech for Tony. Michelle agrees Lloyd would be the best person to be best man. Andrea says she's working on it.

Sarah talks to Callum on the phone. No, she doesn't know why a Nigerian woman would answer the door at Martin's address. Maybe it was Moatbrook Road, not Way . . . She denies trying to stall him. Callum hangs up on her and Sarah tells Bethany she thinks she's just made the problem worse.

Meanwhile, Max sitting on a seat and phones someone.

Tony's back behind the bar and Michelle tells him she'd understand if he wanted to back off being best man. Tony admits he'd be quite relieved if Steve asked Lloyd again.

Mary comes into the Rovers and sees Julie, who asks if she shouldn't be standing guard. Mary says it's after 5pm and she doubts the council will send anyone now. Mary wants to apologise to Julie. Julie and Mary grasp hands and Julie says she hasn't been able to eat or sleep. The little love-fest is interrupted by Emily come in and telling Mary to hurry back to the motorhome! As they leave the pub, they shove Billy aside as they chase a lorry which has Mary's vehicle on the back. "What's going on?" Billy asks. Emily, channeling Dot Cotton, shouts "Matthew, chapter 8, verse 20!" ["Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."]

David's about to stop some passing police officers when his phone goes. "What's going on?" he asks the caller.

Adrian's arrived and Sean says he's booked a table for four. He talks to Todd about his behaviour earlier but Todd says it was all just badinage. He refuses to join them for dinner, though.

In the Rovers, Mary chokes down her third brandy and asks for another. "Right now I could drain every St Bernard in the Alps," she says. Julie tells her getting smashed won't help. Mary disagrees. She's just been steamrollered by the faceless juggernauts of State power! This talk of steamrolling confuses Jason. He thought they'd towed her van away. Mary is distraught that her cocoon has gone - she's lost it forever. Jason doesn't help by commenting that they won't have crushed it yet. Julie says she's got an idea.

In Liverpool, David rushes towards Max but before he can get there, Callum arrives and greets his son.

The end.
Margaret Carr

Hi. I am not really here as I am in Canada. This is series 56 episode 91. Copyright remains the property of ITV productions; apologies for lack of credits.

We open in Merseyside outside the Maritime Museum where Callum is rescuing Max and putting him into his car as David arrives. Callum gives David a talking to over being a bad parent allowing Max to run off and explaining he gave Max the phone. Callum then says he is taking pity on David because of Lily and tells him to get them both in the car so he can return them to Weatherfield.

Steve returns with the dog - the owners are on the other side world; turns out the dog is called Rovers and Steve is treating it to steak. Michelle talks to him about the best man but Steve refuses to drop Tony. In the meantime Andrea is softening up Lloyd to accept the invitation when it is made.

Gail (with Michael) gives Nick a bad time over Erica and then tell him David is still missing - Nick says give David more time.

Tracy has been entertaining Tony with some "stock taking" in the stockroom and calls him staff - which winds him up. He refuses a brew as he has to get "back to the madhouse" Tracy finishes the sentence. She can't wait until the McDonalds are gone and wonders if Steve will still want him as best man - Tony reckons that gig is off anyway. Tracy gives Liz a general running down. Tony reckons she has a heart of stone and departs.

Steve is eating chocolate - which Rover cannot have - but it is his guilty pleasure - his only one at the moment. Tony comes in and tells Steve that Lloyd has been dictating the best man's speech and he tells Steve it would be better if Lloyd did the job himself. Tony is off the hook and outside Michelle knows it will help things.

Julie is trying to help the twins with their homework - she is not a lot of help. Aadi is doing maths and comparing two cyclists and how long a journey takes but Julie reckons that the traffic will make it impossible to compute an answer! A knock at the door and Mary has come to stay until the motor home problem is solved. Julie makes a black coffee. Mary takes a look at the last answer and reworks it with Aadi.

Michael and Gail are walking home when Callum arrives with the Platt family. David is not talking. Callum tells them about the phone and that Max ran away. Callum and David bicker in front of the children. Gail wants them to move the discussion indoors.

The arguing continues indoors. David has a lame excuse over the passports. Sarah and Bethany come in eating fish and chips and want to know what happened. Callum says he rescued the lost Max and Bethany observes he will have to start wearing his pants outside his trousers. Callum says it is no laughing matter. David flips after Callum says he wants to be a full time Dad and that the two of them have to be more grown up. And he tells Sarah to go with Callum as he does not want her there any more. David calls Bethany stroppy and selfish and a chip off the old block pointing at Sarah, so she has to go too. Sarah says they will go to Nick's. Callum says he will go but he will be back for Max who wants to be with his real family and not with David.

Julie removes yellow plastic gloves after allegedly loading the dishwasher! Mary has been hammering the internet and the prognosis on the motor home is not terminal - but it is going to take time. She will get it back eventually - but it can take months. The fees for an approved site is too large - thousands a year. She is going to have to sell up. The fight is lost. And Mary wants to watch her programme - a 21 part thriller about local government corruption in Finland! It is very gripping and they settle down to watch.

Tracy has popped round the back of the Rovers to apologise to Tony - she knows he must be conflicted but they must think of the future once they get over the hump. And he will need a new wardrobe once they start taking the place upmarket and Norris and his half can go elsewhere.

Callum helps Sarah move - she refuses to apologise but points out that she will choose her family over someone she has known only a short while.

We have a couple of nice scenes showing Sean and Billy settling down to a little light domesticity which Todd seeks to disrupt - watching the same programme as Mary. Billy goes home and leaves Sean behind, after a massive door step snog. He is not ashamed of Sean.

Callum is now helping Bethany move to Nick's and she fills in some family history with David almost killing Nick; Callum implies he knows about it and Bethany provides the gory details, causing the car crash on purpose.

In the Rovers Lloyd is being praised for the speech when Steve appears and Andrea asks if he has anything to say. He says no and then changes his mind and asks Lloyd to be his best man. Steve eventually says there is vacancy and Lloyd twigs there has been a plot. Lloyd will be honoured to be Steve's best man. We shall miss you Lloyd.

David is sitting at the table when Gail comes down and tells him to go to bed. David says that the actions today will count against him in court and he has nothing on Callum to redress the balance. And the worst thing is that David acknowledges that Callum is right in that Max wants to be with Callum and not with David - Max had a choice today and he chose Callum.

Roll credits.

No time for summing up. See you when I get back.

Richard


Monday 11 May

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by Alan Grint

Tracy and Tony bump into each other in the ginnel, each with a different coloured wheely bin. Which one is the right one for today? Tracy looks down the ginnel and sees both blue and brown and one black one outside of Emily's. I get the feeling this might be a running "thing" this episode!

Tim is excited to have got a 50 pound note in payment though he had to give back 42 quid change. He shows Roy who points out that the face on the bill indicates that it's an old note and no longer in circulation. Probably an honest mistake by the customer. Matthew Bolton and James Watt are the only faces on current 50 pound notes. Tim mistakes it for Michael Bolton (the 90s singer) and is astonished that he'd be on currency. This made me smile.

Kevin is still at odds with Sophie. Jenny urges him to make things up but he's hesitant.

Liz and Michelle are checking their list of appointments while Sean is perusing the sport section of the newspaper and commenting on County's current woes, noting that Kevin will be pleased. Michelle is surprised Sean is interested in football but Sean witters on and explains that he absorbs these things (from the punters). Michelle tells Liz she's not sure about the sale and Sean worries for his job but Liz assures them both it's only Steve's half and they'll make sure everyone is ok with the sale. There's a solicitor coming today who is representing a new company called Travis Ltd. who are interested in investment opportunities.

Sophie and Faye are talking about school in the shop. Mary arrives and tells them that Julie is a nightmare at night (snoring, multiple bathroom trips). Sophie says that Faye is missing being at school though Faye says she isn't. Mary says school was not good for her, "It's a murderous place for the unusually gifted"

Sean has popped home for a bite to eat. He asks Eileen and Todd if they'll be at the Bring and Buy sale. Todd makes some hateful remarks but Eileen agrees that they'll be there. Sean points out that he's not hiding the fact that he's gay, just hiding the fact that he's dating the vicar. Big difference. Eileen talks about compromise and that they can't always have what they want, mentioning spending a luxury week in Dubai as a non-starter, unfortunately. Todd is narked that Todd shouldn't have to pretend.

Tim has come to Anna's with a great huge teddy and is telling Anna that he threw away the bank note since it was no good. But he's floored when she rightly tells him he could have exchanged it at the bank. Rats! She also points out there's no room for the giant bear. Anna rifles through some papers to find the council schedule to find out which bin to put out. (See?) Tim thinks it's the day for the brown bin. Miley starts to cry just as Faye comes in with the wrong nappies.

The pub lot are chatting to a couple who have come to see the pub. The woman, Julia, is dismissive of the part time staff and the fella wonders who would be living in, the McDonalds or he and the wife. They're not very likeable and would not fit in and that's reflected in the faces of everyone else, horrified at the possibility that this couple could be Liz's partner in the pub.

In the cafe, Julie is complaining about Mary to Sean, that she talks in her sleep. Dark things, like she's brooding. Julie doesn't know how long she's staying. Kevin is looking at the sport section and right pleased at County's woes, as Sean predicted (they'd sacked their manager). Maddie arrives and tells Kevin that Sophie misses him. Back to Julie who's been told that Sean has to pretend he's not dating Billy. He's a bit worried about the jumble sale but Julie offers to pretend to be his wife to put them all off the scent. Um. don't think so.

Back at the pub, Liz, Tony, Steve and Michelle are really upset at the prospect of the couple they just saw. Tony advises they should wait to talk to the solicitor. He thinks they should wait and find the right buyer, someone that would be happy to take their cut and leave the running of the place to the current staff.

Maddie is trying to convince Sophie to make up with Kevin. Faye comes in to exchange the nappies but Sophie could see she'd made the mistake on purpose. Faye only wanted some time to herself. Her phone rings and we hear Anna order her home. Now!

The meeting with the solicitor seems to be happy with the pub. They ask about the people behind Travis since they couldn't find any information on the internet. He tells them they are based on the Isle of Man, ex-publicans who owned a big chain and sold it (so why wasn't there any information on the internet, then?) The solicitor spins a good story, and assures them that these very rich business people are paying cash and won't be trying to make the Rovers into something it's not. It all sounds a bit fishy to me. Steve starts to get cold feet.

Tim and Kevin are chatting about County's woes after the break.

Eileen is about to send Jeff a message when Adrian arrives. She goes into the kitchen to make a cuppa and he notices what's on the laptop on the table before she closes it. He's brought a box of record albums for the bring and buy.

Steve has seen sense and shakes hands with Mr. Fox (that name itself ought to be worrying) to close the deal. They are assured the new partner will be very much hands off and Fox himself will be the go-between. (Fox in the hen house, anyone?) Steve is clearly feeling defeated. Tony ushers Fox out the door where he thanks the man quietly. Hmm. Liz and Michelle try to support Steve. Todd comes by and asks about the new buyers.

At the bring and buy, Mary and Emily are browsing. Sean and Julie come in, arm in arm. They approach Emily and Mary. Julie has an arm full of cutlery which is exactly what Mary had been hoping to find (it was leftover from her and Brian's flat). Sean leaves them to greet Billy who's arrived. Sean is nervous and Billy can see it. Billy looks a bit on edge too.

Kevin comes into the shop for milk. Things are distinctly cool. She's expecting an apology but he only says "Do you want to move back home, or what?" Oh gee. That's really encouraging, isn't it? But she says she supposed she will. Kevin tells her she has to behave herself and not give Jenny a hard time. She barely agrees.

Adrian and Eileen arrive, arms full of boxes of jumble. Adrian spots a pair of woodpecker bookends and likes them. Emily says they were a gift from Ernest but she never liked them much. She sells them to him for four pounds. Elsewhere, Sean sidles up to Billy who tells him They're allowed to be seen talking to each other! He asks Sean to sell raffle tickets. Mary sees someone looking at the cutlery and plays the sympathy card about two small children but in the end, he lets her have the sale instead. Billy comes up and it turns out the gentleman is the Bishop (he's not wearing a collar).

Todd tells Tracy that Steve has sold his share of the pub to a company called Travis Ltd. Tracy doesn't look too happy and runs out.

Adrian is still looking at old junk. Sean is selling raffle tickets, in full flounce and sells a strip to both Billy and the Bishop and when introduced, Sean gets all flustered. Billy tells his boss that Sean is a recent convert.

Tony is reassuring Steve who's feeling like he's been castrated. Tracy comes in shouting the odds and Tony drags her to one side trying to stop her from giving the game away. She calls him a liar and Liz and Steve are very curious about what's going on.

Tvor

Liz wants to know what is going on, and Tony explains that there was an argument over the petty cash in the shop She seems to accept this explanation.

Anna goes round to see Roy. He tells her that the customers miss her. She explains that she is under a lot of strain at home, and cries on his shoulder. When she tells him about Faye. Roy tells her that it is not her fault.

Tony explains to Liz that his creditors are threatening him and he has 'borrowed' £1000 out of petty cash to keep them quiet.

Julie asks Sean how the bring-and-buy sale well. He is upset by it all, having to pretend that Billy is not his partner. She tells him not to get upset.

Jenny phones an agency about renting a flat for herself and her 'son'. She tells them she would like to move in straight-away.

Tony tries to explain to angry Tracy that she should keep to the plan. She says there is no plan. To try and keep suspicions away, he tells Tracy to apologise to Liz. Tracy threatens to walk away from everything, leaving Tony up to his neck.

Steve tells Jason about the sale of the pub.

Jenny is playing with Jack. She suggests to him that he would love to come and live with her permanently.

Emily and Mary come back from the sale and chat to Billy in the street about what they had bought. Julie then comes along and has a word with Billy for upsetting Sean. Billy goes to see Sean, and tells him that he has spoken with the Bishop and told him he can't live with himself telling him a lie. He says the Bishop will have to accept it.

Liz confides with Eileen about Tony's debt. Eileen then tells Jason!

Tracy goes to the Rovers to apologise to Liz.

Eileen wants to know what the Bishop said about Billy and Sean. He is waiting to see what comes next.

Billy invites Sean around to his place at the vicarage for the night.

Tracy asks Tony what is happening. She reminds him they want to be in bed together. Tony tells her that next week they can finish what they started regarding her taking over the running of the pub.

Again apologies these notes are so brief, but the memory modules are not so good these days. You will be glad your regular team are back with you for future episodes.

Martin Rosen


Wednesday 13 May

Anna is about to go off to work when Faye gets a text from a schoolmate – the whole class is going karting, can she go? Faye would like to, but Anna is dead against it, what's she going to do with Miley? Faye looks at Gary who is staying home to help her today, and starts to say that she thought...... Anna snaps that Faye can't expect to do all the things she used to do. "I don't do anything – ever!" retorts Faye. Anna takes off her coat, it's too soon to go back to work, she'll ring Roy. Gary, however, won't hear of it. They've got the whole day planned until they hand over to Tim later, so he hustles her out of the door.

A somber Michelle gets back to the pub and tells Liz the deed is done, the contract selling Steve's share of the pub has been signed, the money has all gone through and Steve is outside feeling emotional. Liz points out that nothing has really changed, but Michelle thinks that everything has changed, silent partners are only ok if they stay silent. Liz thinks that Tony will be relieved, he was being leaned on. Michelle is worried that if a good offer is made, Liz will sell her half, although Liz assures her that she won't.

Over in the pawn shop, Todd asks Tracy if she and Tony have had a tiff, she's been acting funny all morning. Tracy tells him he's just being nosey.

Tony is now in the pub, and he's urging Liz to sell her half so that she can give more time to him. Steve comes in then, he and Michelle are off to the pet shop with the little dog, and are then going to Formby beach for a nice long walk. Tony isn't happy to hear this, he and Liz don't do stuff like that. Liz then adds insult to injury by asking him to hold the fort while she goes to a meeting at the brewery.

Back at the flat, Faye is moaning to Gary how Anna keeps reminding her that she's not a normal teenager and she can't have fun. Just then Gary gets a text from the Job centre, they want him to go for an interview in half an hour. He's then torn about what to do, and Faye tells him to go, she'll be ok. Gary says he'll call her dad and see if he can come over early.

Tim is cleaning the windows of Streetcars however, and whistling so loudly he doesn't hear his phone buzzing, so Gary leaves a message.

Back at the flat, Faye urges Gary to go to his interview, although he's sure that Anna will go mad. Faye says she'll be fine alone with Miley and she's sure Tim will be over as soon as he gets the message, so Gary goes.

Over in the pub, it's busy and Tony is trying to serve customers and talk on his phone to Zeedan about a job. Tracy comes in and asks Tony, "Are we on?" He tells her to keep her voice down. "Yes or no?" she asks. He says he can't talk, he's got his hands full. Tracy comments that it should be his name above the door, what with the amount of hours he puts in. As more customers start calling out for more drinks, Tracy steps behind the bar to help, telling Tony she's protecting her investment.

Back in the flat, baby Miley cries in her crib while Faye watches tv and does nothing but look unhappy.

Todd finds Eileen looking at emails from Geoff in Dubai. "What about Adrian?" he asks. Eileen tells him she's seeing Adrian later. She likes him and he's a lot nearer than Dubai, however, she and Geoff seem to have a lot in common, they like all the same things.

A busy, but worried Tony tells Tracy that Liz could come back at any minute, but Tracy doesn't seem to care, she's enjoying herself. "Besides, you own the pub," she says. "Half," he reminds her. "For now," says Tracy. Just then Liz walks back in. "What's SHE doing behind my bar?" she asks. Tracy says she knows what she's doing, she's done it before, and Tony tells Liz that Tracy saved his bacon after she left him in the lurch. "Anyone but her," mutters Liz, "I can't believe this!" Tony gets cross then. "Yes, well, I'm sick of being taken for granted," he snaps and walks out while Tracy stands there grinning.

In the cafe, Roy tells Anna it's good to have her back, but if she wants to pop back and check that Faye is ok, she can. Anna declines, she's sure they'll be ok and it's done her good to get out of the house. Then she has second thoughts, maybe she will just pop over to check. She tells Roy she'll be back in a bit, and off she goes.

Tony is sitting outside when a friend of his pulls up in a car. "What's this thing you want doing?" asks the driver. Tony walks round to get in the car. "Let's go for a spin and I'll tell you," he says.

Anna arrives back at the flat to find Faye alone with the still crying baby. She asks where Gary is. "He had to go," says Faye, and explains about the job interview. Anna wants to know how long the baby has been crying, Faye just replies that you have to let them cry sometimes. Anna picks up the baby, saying that she probably needs changing or feeding, and asks why she wasn't phoned. Faye says that she didn't want to bother her.

Two men come into the pub (one of them being the driver of the car that picked Tony up earlier). "Two bottles of beer!" shouts one of them to Liz. Just then Steve and Michelle walk in and Liz stops to ask them how their day was. When they've had a little chat and gone on out to the back, the guy who wanted the beer shouts again. "Oi, I said two beers!" They're very rude to Liz who tells them to cut it out or drink elsewhere. "You just serve, eh?" says the guy.

Eileen is sitting in the pub with Adrian, who tells her she's looking particularly nice tonight. They start talking about 'this internet dating game' and Adrian says he's had some bad experiences. "Well I like you," says Eileen. "And I like you," he replies. Eileen then goes on to reveal, nervously, that she's been chatting to Geoff in Dubia. Adrian tells her that he deleted his online profile after their first date. "I thought we'd clicked," he says.

Tim arrives at Anna's flat, and gets told off by Anna. Tim protests that he's early, but Faye says she left him messages. Tim looks at his phone and realises he'd missed them. Anna is furious. "She shouldn't have been left on her own," she rants at him. "Where's the baby now?" asks Tim, and Faye replies that she's asleep. "Well, has anything happened to her?" asks Tim. "No," replies Faye. "Well then?" asks Tim. Anna says that's not the point, Faye should not have been left on her own. Tim seems unperturbed and pulls a bright new mobile for the baby, out of a bag.

In the back room of the Rovers, Michelle is rubbing her shoulders and groaning. She thinks she pulled a muscle throwing the frisbee. Steve starts to give her a massage, then he tells her he feels invigorated, adding that if she plays her cards right it could be her lucky night!

Eileen arrives home early and tells Sean that Adrian has gone home, not impressed by her telling him how she was talking to Geoff in Dubai. Just then there's a knock at the door. Sean goes to answer in and Adrian comes in. He walks into the living room. "Can we talk?" he asks Eileen.

Gary arrives home to find Anna in a very frosty mood. She doesn't think it's going to work. Tim points out that they've only been doing it for a day. "Yes, and there's been a cock-up that's left Faye on her own with a six week old baby," snaps Anna. She feels she can't rely on those two clowns (Gary and Tim), so she can't leave Faye. Gary thinks it's just teething troubles. "Yes, you can't sack us after one little glitch," says Tim.

In the Rovers, the two guys start causing trouble, shouting that the beer is flat and demanding that it's changed. "No," says Liz, so the guy drops the bottle and it smashes on the floor. Sophie and Maddie are at a table, they jump up and Maddie has her phone at the ready.

Over in the shop, Tony is taking his leave of Tracy with some amorous kisses.

Liz walks over to the door. "Out!" she says. The two guys come over but instead of leaving they grab Liz and one shoves her backwards while the other holds her from behind. Maddie starts filming just as Tony walks though the door, grabs his friends and shoves them out through the door. "Are you OK?" he asks Liz, and she says that she is.

Adrian is telling Eileen that he doesn't want to stop seeing her, he was just jealous. He really likes her but he doesn't want to share her, she'll have to choose. "No contest," says Eileen, "It's you!"

A rather shaken Liz is in the back room with Michelle, who tells her it's a good thing she has Tony around to protect her. "I don't need protecting," says Liz. "You're not fooling anyone you know," says Michelle, and goes off to run Liz a bath.

Anne Logan


Friday 15 May

It's morning at Anna's and she's calming the baby and getting ready for work while Fay concentrates on her phone. Anna's annoyed with Fay and gives her a good talking to. It appears Miley is due for a check-up at the surgery and Tim's going with Fay and the baby because Anna's on her own in the cafe. All this means Fay can't go on her school trip. Fay sighs and says she knows all this. "Stop yakking on," she says. "Don't you get smart with me!" Anna tells her.

Leanne's round at the Nazirs' place and she and Kal are talking about fracking (she's been watching morning television). Yasmeen is busy trying to get organised and out of the house. Zeedan comes downstairs. He's late for work and Leanne tells him he's lucky he's got a job [can you see where this might be going?].

In the Rovers, Liz, Michelle and Tony discuss the thugs who made a visit. Steve's out walking the dog. Liz thinks these things are all part of running a pub and she's lucky they don't happen every day. Tony asks what if next time it's a psychopath. . . Liz tells him he's not helping.

Tim sings to the baby in her pram. Fay's still obsessed by her phone. They meet Sally and Audrey, who both peer into the pram and talk about Miley being a poppet. During the conversation, Sally asks after David's court day and Audrey says that's Monday. After Audrey goes off to the salon, Sally reminds Tim that it's "dinner ado" tonight (that's French for dinner for two - and yes, I know how's it's spelt. This is how Sally said it). Fay's phone beeps with a message and Fay tells Tim she's missing the school trip today. They're going to a museum somewhere. Tim tells her to get off to school and go on the trip - he'll take the baby to the doctor's.

In the community centre, Kal tells his mother he's worried about Zeedan. Tony's working him too hard. Yasmeen tells him parents always worry about their children and he should step back and let Zeedan find his own way in life.

Fay arrives at school to be faced by a group of sneering bullies, making nasty comments about her and the baby. She meets Craig and asks how his exam went. He says it was fine and tells her to ignore the other girls. As Fay and Craig walk away, the taunts follow her. She looks at Jackson (the baby's father) but doesn't see that his eyes follow her as she walks away.

Todd sends a message from the hallway before going into the living room. Eileen's in her dressing gown and she says Adrian's upstairs. She gets a text message and shoves her phone into her dressing gown pocket. Todd asks why - is it a message from that bloke in Dubai? Adrian comes down and offers to make breakfast with Todd making snide comments he doesn't pick up on.

Tim is out and about with the baby and Sally joins him. He annoys her by calling her Grandma but they walk together.

Anna and Roy discuss the allotment. Tim and Sally come into the cafe and Sally tells Anna that Fay's gone off to school. Tim confesses that he told Fay she could go on the school trip. Sally starts to lecture Anna on the value of school trips - "Don't patronise me, Sally!" snaps Anna before telling Tim that the trip wasn't to a museum, it was to a go-karting place! "And I told her she couldn't go! I know you're only trying to do your best but Fay is never going to learn any responsibility if you keep playing the doting Grandad!" She gets her coat and stomps out of the cafe, on her way to give Fay a piece of her mind.

Tony comes into the Rovers asking whether he can give Steve a lift to his therapist's since he's going that way anyway. Steve's already gone. Erica arrives and asks whether Liz wants to join her for a pamper session. Turns out she's talking about Audrey having a couple of appointments available. Tony thinks she deserves a break, though he lets her worry about leaving Michelle on her own in the pub after what happened last night.

Zeedan's eating his lunch when Simon turns up and refuses to leave. He asks whether he can go with Zeedan to where he's working but Zeedan says he can't have kids knocking about there. Simon says he's going to follow him there anyway.

Anna's at the bus stop, leaving a threatening voicemail on Fay's phone. When yet another person looks at the baby and comments how hard it must be for Fay, Anna snaps. Miley needs changing so she goes to the flat for that.

Eileen's with Adrian when her phone beeps again. She says it's probably just a text message and he jokes that maybe it's an alert from the dating website. He suggests she delete her profile on there - maybe it's time for them to go exclusive. She kisses him goodbye and goes back to the living room where Todd encourages her to look at the phone.

Simon has a long-handled paint roller which he's using as a lance and annoying Zeedan. He's trying to paint a radiator and tells Simon to go home. Simon won't. Zeedan goes to move a television and Simon rushes to help - only to cause Zeedan to drop it and smash it.

Anna comes back out of the flat just in time to miss the bus. She decided to stomp all the way to the school.

Erica and Liz drink wine with Audrey. They tell her this was just what their life was like in Spain. Audrey says that with David's court case coming up, she sometimes feels like packing up and going to Spain herself. Liz mentions how good Tony has been to her lately and how they've even talked about moving to Spain. Erica tells her to hang on to such a good man.

Simon tries to help Zeedan up, but Zeedan seems to have hurt himself. Tony comes in and is furious to see the 500-pound TV has been smashed. He says he's had enough of Zeedan. "You no longer work for me!" He's sick of Zeedan. "Go on! Get out! Hurry up!"

Anna arrives at the school and soon spots Fay. The three harpies watch with mouths agape as Anna starts to shout at Fay. Craig is also watching. "Ooh, domestic!" sneers one of the girls as Anna shouts at Fay that she needs to get her priorities right. Anna tells them to shut up. She tells Fay she loves her and will fight tooth and nail for her, "but when I tell you to do something, you do it! Got that? I'm sorry is this is an inconvenience for you, but you should have thought of that before you went dropping your knickers at the ice rink! Now, Miley needs her Mum." Anna walks away leaving Fay with the baby - and with the nasty girls admiring Miley.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

I'm filling in for Richard tonight!

Well, after Anna completely humiliated Faye in front of the bullies at school, Faye rushes out of the schoolyard with the baby, Craig walking along as her defender with the other girls crowding around cooing about the baby. It seems like Anna's actions gained Faye some sympathy but I'm not sure if those girls were the bullies or if Faye actually does have mates. Anyway, Anna is stood at the bus stop by the gate, looking fed up when Faye joins her. Craig and the others go back in the yard, followed by a thoughtful looking Jackson. Anna refuses to apologize but looks at Faye with tenderness just the same.

Simon is sulking tearfully against a wall. Leanne finds him and asks what's wrong. Simon tells her that the problem is Tony.

Sean and Todd are confronting Eileen about her continuing communication with Jeff while keeping Adrian on the hook. Sean launches into a long story about how he'd two timed two little girls in his youth and it all went pear shaped so be warned! Sean leaves for work while Eileen's phone beeps for yet another message.

Anna and Faye return to the Street. Anna tells Tim off and he defends Faye. He did tell her to go, after all. Anna sends him upstairs with Faye and the baby while she goes to apologize for leaving Roy in the lurch. Roy is understanding.

Yasmeen settles an injured Zeedan on the sofa. Leanne, Kal and Simon arrive and Leanne is incensed about Tony's actions, even more than Kal is, probably because he also shouted at Simon and made him cry (not that that's difficult to do). She's not having it, no she's not! She's having it out with Tony. Battersby on the warpath! Yasmeen is impressed.

Anna is still furious that Faye will not accept any responsibility for the baby. She rants and raves, with Tim trying to defend Faye who comes out of her room and attacks her mother, who she sees as the problem. Everything is "her way or no way"! Faye reckons she has no chance at being a good mother if Anna feels nobody can be as good at it as she herself can but Anna hisses at Faye, pointing out the irony of young adopted Faye showing her own daughter she's not wanted. History repeating itself. That hurt and Tim admonishes Anna. Anna has officially becoming a character I really dislike after all this.

Leanne charges into the shop to confront Tony for scaring Simon and firing Zeedan. Tony doesn't care anymore and isn't planning to pay Zeedan for his week's wages owed because he had no business letting Simon hang around. Leanne asks Kal how much he thinks Zeedan is owed. 150 is his estimate. Leanne then starts smashing things in the shop and will continue if Tony doesn't cough up.

Liz is looking dolled up after her session in the salon and when Ken comes in, he likens her to a famous painting by Manet and by 'eck she does resemble it a bit. He explains and Liz is duly flattered, after initially thinking Ken was coming on to her. Ken brings the photo of the painting up on his phone. However Liz isn't as impressed because the woman in the painting looks a bit miserable. Liz mentions that she feels Steve is the one keeping her there in Weatherfield, the prospect of a life back in Spain starting to look attractive to her again (after Tony planted the idea).

Leanne and Tracy struggle over another item and Leanne dashes something else against the wall until Tony orders Tracy to pull 100 out of the till. No way, 150, Leanne insists. Tracy insults Leanne and Leanne has to be held back from attacking her physically. A Battersby enraged is a sight to see. Leanne is given the 150 to end the situation. Leanne gets face to face with Tony, warning him not to scare her son again. He's not intimidated.

Tim and Anna are sitting on the sofa. Anna is now thinking maybe she has been handling things badly but she doesn't know what the right thing to do is. She moans that she's 47 and all alone, she didn't sign up for this. Well, actually, she did when she threw Owen out. The door buzzes and Tim discovers it's Jackson and his mother who come through the door. Jackson's mother, Josie, says they've come in peace. Jackson has admitted he's the father of the baby.

After the break they're all at the table, including Faye. Josie says her son has realized it isn't fair to let Faye and Anna raise the baby all on their own while he got off scot free or maybe that's her opinion though he agrees when Tim asks. They ask to see the baby. Faye brings Miley out and passes her over to her gran. Jackson apologizes.

Liz is examining her face in the mirror, still impressed about the painting compliment. Tony compliments her on her hair style. She admits she would go back to Spain in a heartbeat but can't leave Steve. Tony wonders if Steve might not be hampered by living with his mother at his age. Maybe that's contributing to him feeling like a failure. Liz hadn't thought of it in that respect. Tony reminds her he's debt free and they can do what they want now. He talks her into a Chinese takeaway.

Jackson takes the baby. Josie apologizes and says they want to do what's right. Can they put Jackson's name on the birth certificate? They agree. She's determined not to let one stupid mistake ruin the future of two young kids.

Zeedan is impressed that Leanne has got his money for him and thanks her. Simon apologizes again and he and Leanne and Kal get off. Yasmeen then wonders what Zeedan might choose to do with the rest of his life now.

Tim coos over the baby. Anna comes out of the bedroom, admitting she's completely knackered and admits she's really not doing well at all.

Todd comes into the pub where Eileen is chatting to Sean over the bar. He tells them about the ruckus in the shop. Eileen admits to having had another message from Jeff who says he's coming to the UK and wants to take her for a drink. So that means, Todd's upped the game a notch. Sean thinks she should ignore Jeff and Adrian should be her priority. Eileen agrees but Todd tries to change her mind. She's wavering, admitting he's got a point.

Anna has had a melt down and is mopping up her face with kitchen towel. Tim allows she's had a rough few months. Faye comes out and says Miley is asleep. Tim is pleased Jackson's parents are going to share some of the load but can see Anna needs a break.

Leanne and Kal have gone for chips. They switch orders since Kal has more salt on hers. He is impressed by the feisty Leanne he's seen today. Roy comes along behind them and his plastic bag breaks so they help him gather the veg that fell out. Somehow I really think Roy would always carry a reusable bag, don't you? He carries on and Kal and Leanne go back to smooching.

Sally has made a chili but is astonished to see Anna, Faye and Miley traipse in behind Tim. Tim has also said Faye and Miley can stay over. Sally looks hugely put out that her quiet night in has been interrupted.

Tracy is hollering at Tony over the phone about giving Leanne the cash. He seems to be telling her that Liz is starting to change her mind about selling up and Tracy is very pleased about that.

Tvor


Monday 18 May

Written by Joe Turner Directed by John Anderson

It's the first day of the custody court hearing. Gail's nervous and worried that Sarah will turn up on Callum's arm. Michael is staying in the background. Audrey is sympathetic but shocked as is Michael when Gail agrees to lie for David about him taking the kids. I.e. say it was a holiday not an absconding. Max comes down and is given his pill and told he can see his dad soon. David then pulls him in for a hug.

Nick, Sarah and Bethany are in the cafe. Nick bickers with Sarah over Callum. Sarah wonders where Bethany got the money to buy a pearly bracelet and Nick badgers Bethany off to get the bus to school. Roy serves Leanne a coffee while Kal is still impressed by Leanne's tirade against Tony. She muses that she used to be really good at scaring people. He reckons she's still "got it".

Liz finds Steve up and dressed and he's already been out with the dog for a walk. Liz is pleased Steve is feeling well. She brings up the subject of Spain and maybe she and Tony could go there some day but she assures Steve she won't abandon him as long as he needs her. She gets up to pick up the phone, leaving Steve looking thoughtful.

Zeedan seems to be feeling better. He and Simon are kicking about outside. Bethany barges in between them on her way to the bus and Simon teases Zeedan about fancying her. Tony passes by and makes a scurrilous remark about Zeedan letting Leanne fight his battles and calls him a Mama's boy. That fires up Zee who has to be held back by a passing Maddie.

Josie and Jackson have stopped in to Sally's, there to go to the registry office with Tim and Anna and Faye. Everyone seems a bit awkward with each other but Tim commends Jackson for taking responsibility.

At the courthouse, Callum is having a coffee while waiting. David, Audrey, Gail and Michael arrive. David does tell the others they won't be allowed in the courtroom. Gail knew but states they're there to support David though Audrey is a bit put out. David sidles up behind Callum and sits beside him. He makes an offer to Callum to settle out of court but Callum won't have it. David and Callum both could tell tales on each other but as Callum points out, that could end up with neither of them allowed to see Max.

The custody case begins. David's solicitor puts forth a good case for David and a family support network.

Carla is tasting appetizers at the Bistro, which will be ordered and paid for by her and sent to the Rovers for Michelle and Steve's wedding reception. There's still clearly a spark between them. Leanne is watching from over by the bar. Kal wonders why she's so interested in Carla and Nick sitting together, she thinks there's something going on but Kal thinks it's not really her business. Erica comes in just then and sees the couple over at the table. She waits at the bar and orders an orange juice.

Sally comes home and finds Anna furiously mopping Sally's kitchen floor as a thank you. Sally's a bit surprised, more so when she finds out Anna has also had a tidy up.

Erica interrupts Nick and Carla, telling Nick she's got a date for a doctor's appointment. She thought he'd like to know. She hints that there might be something between he and Carla but he, looking over Carla's way somewhat longingly, declares they are just friends. At the bar, Carla pretty much says the same thing to Kal and Leanne who hints that it might be better to say something to Nick if one had feelings rather than leave it too late. Carla reckons it's already too late.

Callum's solicitor launches her case. Callum wants a reasonable amount of time with his son and David refuses. She brings up the recent escape to Liverpool and isn't too flattering about David.

In the cafe, Tim is refereeing Jackson and Faye who are bickering over a middle name for Miley. It sounds like she doesn't have one and it's too late, it seems. The pair of them argue like, well, 13 year olds while Tim sighs.

Zeedan watches Tony leave the shop. Maddie comes up behind him. Zeedan intends on teaching Tony a lesson. Kal comes along and wonders what they're cooking but Maddie plays up like they're planning a bank robbery to distract Kal and then leaves. Zeedan tells his father nothing's going on. Not sure he's believed.

Back at Sally's. Anna has done some reorganization of Sally's wine glasses and is now ironing. They have an argument about whether the glasses should be stored rim up or rim down when Tim comes in. He mentions the kids' bickering and notices the wine glasses are upside down. Anna sheepishly confesses while Sally points out she hadn't asked Anna to tidy up. The back and forth starts again and Anna snaps Sally's head off. Tim forces them into an armed truce and goes off to see to the baby, leaving the women glaring at each other.

In the pub, Steve tells Liz he's feeling better and she shouldn't stick around on his account. She reassures him but he encourages her to "abandon" him but she won't hear of it.

Carla brings a basque for Michelle for her trousseau. Michelle admits their love life is a bit more like Horlick's than flaming Sambuccas lately but Carla figures that will change, especially when Steve sees her in the lovely new basque. Michelle doesn't want to put any pressure on Steve who walks in just then. Carla makes her excuses and leaves them to it. Michelle is surprised to hear that Liz and Tony are contemplating moving to Spain.

Back to Webster Towers, everyone's having their tea. In silence at first. But Anna compliments the shepherd's pie but Sally, while accepting the compliment, regulates how much wine Tim pours into Anna's glass. When the baby starts to fuss, Faye actually volunteers to go but Tim goes instead.

At the court, Callum's solicitor drags up a lot of David's dirty deeds including pushing Gail down the stairs and the trouble with Nick. Oh it doesn't look good. It paints David as very disturbed. David interrupts that Max is the reason he's pulled his life together but since it's disrupting the court, his solicitor is forced to pull David out. Though Callum should be pleased, he looks a bit put out at David's tirade on how Max has changed his life.

Tvor

And yet another update from me, Karen's on her holidays

Written by Joe Turner and directed by John Anderson

David is outside the courtroom with his solicitor who's trying to convince him to calm down and stop interrupting proceedings. He doesn't look best pleased when David admits that all the things Callum has just said about him are true.

Meanwhile, in the backroom of the Rovers Steve suggests to Michelle they should take the dog for a walk. However, the dog is busy sniffing behind the sofa where she discovers Carla's present to Michelle hidden in the carrier bag. The sight of the silky basque seems to have a magical effect on Steve's libido and before you can say Rovers Return, he whisks Michelle upstairs in the direction of the bedroom, all thoughts of going walkies instantly forgotten.

Back in the courtroom David apologises for his earlier behaviour and the judge delivers her verdict. She concludes that they'll have to conduct some further investigations on both men to ascertain their suitability to look after Max. In the meantime, rather than disrupt Max's life any further she says that she'll grant David's request for an interim order while they wait for the CAFCAS report, meaning Max can continue to live with David. David can't suppress a grin but his happiness is short-lived. The judge then adds that Max can go to stay with Callum for two nights a week, starting on Friday.

We return to the Rovers where Michelle comes into the bar. Liz comments on her rosy glow. Michelle asks Liz how serious she is about going to Spain. We see Tony listening in the background as Liz confides that she is thinking about doing it. She adds that Steve is getting better and that at 40 years old he really does need to learn to stand on his own two feet and shouldn't really still be living with his mother. Michelle tells Liz that it seems like a very big move but Liz replies that Tony is a very special bloke and going to Spain with him just feels right. Tony reveals himself at that point. He smiles at Liz but then gives a heavy sigh after he turns away.

Out in the street Leanne catches Zeedan, clutching a crowbar and heading in the direction of Barlow's Buys. He's clearly up to no good, or at least about to be. Leanne tells him they need to have a little chat.

Anna and Faye are eating their tea with Tim and Sally and discussing Christenings. Faye doesn't mind having one for Miley as long as she doesn't have to do anything. Sally suggests Tim could do a reading. A very short one, says Tim. Anna thinks it's a lovely idea.

Leanne is having a chat with Zeedan on the bench. He's angry that Tony disrespected him, his mum and Leanne although he's also angry with Leanne for stepping in on his behalf. She says she's sorry but tells Zeedan to let this one go. She tells him Tony's not worth it and that he's way better than that.

David is playing a video game with Max. He casually mentions that Max can go and stay with Callum on Friday. Max is delighted but he also seems very happy and relaxed with David. He goes off upstairs for a shower and David talks to Gail and Michael. Gail tries to look on the bright side – Max will only be going to Callum for two nights a week. But David tells them it feels like he's already lost Max.

Sarah's working behind the bar where she overhears Callum making what sounds like a very dodgy business deal on his phone. He tells her he's going to need the money now he has a kid to look after. He's all for going round to see David to make arrangements about Max but Sarah tells him not to rub David's nose in it – after all, he is her brother. Bethany arrives and Callum admires her new bracelet.

Nick and Erica go round to sympathise with David over the outcome of the hearing but Gail is not impressed that Nick didn't go to support his brother and that now he's turned up with his new girlfriend. Erica bristles at Gail's tone and tells her she's no such thing, she's just the woman having his baby. As Nick and Erica leave she sarcastically comments to Gail that she loves the way their family all pull together in a crisis.

Back in the Rovers, Carla has developed a sixth sense and can tell just by looking at Michelle what she and Steve have just been up to. Michelle admits Steve has got his mojo back, much to the delight of Andrea and Liz and the total embarrassment of Lloyd who really doesn't want to be part of this conversation. Steve then comes into the bar and discovers what they've just been talking about.

Round at Sally's she and Anna seem to have sorted out their differences thanks to a few glasses of wine. Poor Tim says he thinks he preferred it when they were bickering as the two women relax on the sofa and issue him instructions to get on and do the washing up.

Erica's feeling a bit battered after her encounter with Gail and she tells Nick that Sarah also had a go at her earlier. She's about to go home but Nick suggests she stays for a drink. In fact, why doesn't she stay for the evening? Or maybe the night? She could even share his bed – after all, they've done it before he says. Erica asks what Bethany and Sarah will think. Nick replies that it's his flat, he can do what he likes.

Leanne and Kal are enjoying a meal and a glass of wine so Leanne decides to tell him about Zeedan almost breaking into Barlow's Buys. His instant reaction is anger but Leanne manages to calm him down and gets him to promise not to say anything to Zeedan. Kal is surprised to hear that Leanne seems to have got through to his son. He asks her when she got to be so clever.

In the Rovers Michelle, Carla and Andrea are still giggling over the revelations about Michelle and Steve's newly-revived sex life. However, it seems Carla's sixth sense doesn't extend to knowing that Michelle wants her to be her matron of honour. Michelle says she'd just assumed she would be – it never occurred to her to ask. Carla flirtatiously points out that one of her duties is to cop off with the best man. Once again Lloyd looks embarrassed and Andrea jokes that if she does she'll feel her fist in her face.

Gail and Michael are settling down with a cup of tea when Sarah arrives with Callum and Bethany in tow. David can't believe they've had the nerve to show up after what Sarah's done – telling Callum all about his dodgy past. Sarah denies she said anything and Callum confirms it's true. Sarah insists he reveals his source to get her off the hook so he tells them it was Bethany. They assume he bribed her with a new bracelet but it turns out Gail gave her the money for helping out in the Bistro. But really it's all academic since, as a result, Callum has all but won. He tells David that he's Max's daddy, as if he needed reminding.

Michelle and Steve go through to the back to talk to Liz. She tells Steve to be careful on his stag night and he asks why nobody thinks he's capable of standing on his own two feet. Liz says that's not true; in fact she's about to do something to prove it. She's decided to move to Spain with Tony. Of course that will mean selling her half of the pub but it seems this Travis person would be happy to buy it and that Michelle and Steve could stay on to run it. Michelle looks decidedly worried but Steve seems quite philosophical. He says that he and Michelle are getting married, he's getting better and he reckons Tony's a great bloke and that he and Liz will live happily ever after.

"I do know how lucky I am," replies Liz.

Karen


Wednesday 20 May

Liz is talking to Michelle and Steve about her future new life in Spain, she tells them it's what she and Tony want. Michelle is worried that if someone else ends up owning the whole of the pub, they could kick her and Steve out. Liz assures them that her solicitor has told her the new owner just wants someone else to run the place. Steve tells Liz that if she's happy, he's happy.

Bethany, who is heading off to school, is walking along the Street with Sarah. David comes around the corner and goes into the salon, ignoring them.

Tony goes into the shop and tells a delighted Tracy that Liz has agreed to sell her half. "So we're going to get the pub!" squeals Tracy, and hugs him, and then notices that he doesn't look very happy. He tells her it's not easy seeing Liz planning for a future that's not going to happen.

In the shop, Sophie is moaning on to Maddie about Jenny, to the point where Maddie tells her she's sick of hearing it. They then start joking around and play fighting, then Audrey puts her head in the door – and goes out again!

Michelle is outside Lloyd's flat when he opens the door, thinking she's come to tell him not to tie Steve to a lamp post or any other similar stag night prank. "That's not why I'm here," she says.

Outside the Rovers, Tyrone, Gary, Jason and Sean are standing beside a mini bus, waiting for the fun to begin. Lloyd comes over and tells them that Steve can't face getting into a mini bus again, and isn't coming. After a quick discussion they decide to go anyway.

Carla's looking at some bunting when Michelle comes in, so she hastily stuffs in back in the box. Michelle tells her about Liz selling her share of the pub to Travis, the same person who bought Steve's share, so Carla takes her back to the Rovers for her hen night.

Kal, Leanne and Simon are in the community centre cleaning up. Zeedan comes in and tells Kal the only jobs offered at the Job centre are at burger bars for 10 hours a day.

Lloyd and the boys have arrived outside a pub called The Horse and Cart. Lloyd assures them that back in the day it was buzzing, it was THE place to be.

Michelle and Carla are in the Rovers, knocking back champagne with Maria, Andrea and Erica.

The boys are sitting in a dowdy, depressing, quiet pub, looking at an old man asleep in the corner, and wondering why they're there. Lloyd can't understand it, the place used to be banging! He gets up and goes outside for a ciggie, and Tyrone starts to be critical of Lloyd's choice of venue. Lloyd comes in again, behind him, he's forgotten his lighter, and hears him. "Thanks for the support," he snaps and goes back outside again.

Lloyd has wandered down to the dockside and is sitting drinking whisky from a bottle, when Tyrone comes to find him and apologises for what he said in the pub. They start chatting and pass the bottle back and forth. Lloyd blames himself for Steve not coming out with them, he should have thought about the mini bus as Steve is his best mate. "Who am I kidding?" he mutters, "we haven't been best mates for ages."

Back in the pub, Jason is moaning about his lack of success with women when an attractive young woman in a tight-fitting dress comes in. When Gary gets up to get another round of drinks she tells him that his mate shouldn't worry, she's got a mate coming soon who will certainly be interested in Jason, someone apparently gorgeous, sexy and with a great sense of humour. Just as Jason starts appearing interested, the friend arrives, a tall, good-looking young man called Leon! The girl, Sharon, introduces him to Jason. "Whoa," says Jason, "I think you've got your wires crossed, I'm not gay!" "Course you are!" says Sharon, and goes on to say she heard him talking to Sean earlier. Sean says that he is gay, but Jason and Gary aren't. "So what are you doing in a gay bar?" asks Leon.

Lloyd and Tyrone are still sitting on the dockside, drinking the whisky. Lloyd suddenly gets up and runs up the gangplank of a fishing boat that's moored there. Tyrone follows him and they start walking around on the deck. Lloyd then starts talking again about how he and Steve seem to have drifted apart, they're not as close as they used to be and Lloyd is sad about it. Tyrone urges him to call Steve and tell him, but Lloyd says he can't, he's left his phone in the mini bus. Tyrone pulls his own phone out of his pocket and tells Lloyd to use that. It goes to voicemail so Lloyd leaves a message – ending with the fact that he loves him, and he can take the mickey out of him all he likes, but it's true.

Back in the Rovers, the girls are enjoying their night and have been joined by Eileen. Erica tells Liz that in a month's time she could be lying by the pool with a cocktail in one hand. Maria asks if she feels nervous at leaving everything behind. Liz says she is a bit, but she knows the pub will still be there, as will Steve and Michelle. Michelle doesn't look so sure and Carla looks thoughtful.

Maddie and Sophie are in the pub, chatting, and Maddie says that she feels that all the trouble between Sophie and her dad and Jenny isn't good for her, or for them. Sophie wonders if Maddie is about to split up with her, but no, Maddie thinks they should get their own place together. "Are you serious?" asks Sophie. "Yes," says Maddie, "I love you, you div!"

Most of the whiskey has now been consumed by Lloyd and Tyrone and they are still on the fishing boat, and now singing "Sailing" at the tops of their voices. Tyrone then decides they should go and get the rest of the lads.

Zeedan is in the gym, helping Kal tidy up. Kal says he wants to talk to him about the job situation, but Zeedan doesn't want him to start all that again. Kal wonders if Zeedan might like to go into teaching, he's always liked sports, maybe he could make a career out of it. Zeedan sighs and says if it will get Kal off his back then he'll think about it.

Steve has obviously just listened to the message from Lloyd when Michelle finds him. She asks who the call was from, he says it was a missed call from Lloyd and the message was that he loves him. "Well," says Michelle after a pause, "it's nice to know if we don't work out you've always got him to fall back on!"

Tyrone and Lloyd are still stumbling about on the fishing boat. Lloyd reckons he's too hammered to make it back to the pub, so Tyrone says he'll go and bring the others back. When he's gone, Lloyd falls onto a pile of fishing nets and goes to sleep.

Carla approaches Michelle in the pub and suggests that she herself buys Liz's share of the pub, that way Michelle and Steve would be safe. She tells Michelle not to say anything to anyone just yet until she's sure she can come up with the money. Michelle is delighted and hugs her.

Tyrone and the boys are walking back to the dockside only to find that the boat that Lloyd is on has sailed!

We then see Lloyd waking up from his nap on the fishing nets. He gets up and stumbles to the railing and looks out, only to see the twinkling lights of land disappearing in the distance!

Anne Logan


Friday 22 May

We begin in the pub where Andrea is furious because Lloyd's missing, nobody will tell her anything and she's sure he's copped off on Steve's stag night. It's Michelle who finally tells her Lloyd's on a Norwegian fishing trawler headed for the Arctic circle.

Liz is out the front of the pub when Ken and Tracy come out of the door. It seems their oven is on the blink, they can't cook the chicken casserole and could Tony take a look? Liz suggests they just use the pub's oven instead. Tracy even likes the idea of just putting a hatch through from the pub to next door (though that would be difficult because on the new set there's a sort of alleyway between the pub and Ken's house).

Callum tells David he's picking up Max at half five and not to feed him his tea because they're going for burgers.

Michelle's struggling with wedding decorations in the pub when Carla comes in. Carla's had no luck with a bank loan to buy the pub so far. But she's got an appointment with the bank manager on Monday. That alarms Michelle - Liz plans to sign over the pub to the other buyer today.

David's doing his gran's hair and he's being less than gentle. He's annoyed because he spends all week trying to get some veg down Max (I assume he means on the inside, not the outside) and Callum's giving him burgers. Audrey tells him he can't let Callum get to him. Nick comes in to invite all the family to the bistro tonight for a meal with Erica. He makes David and Audrey responsible for bringing Gail along.

Tracy, Ken and Todd talk about Lloyd and Ken asks Tracy to check how the casserole is getting along. He leaves and Tracy asks Todd if he can manage on his own in the shop tomorrow. She appears so excited that when Tony comes in he tells her to tone it down. Tracy thinks she should be allowed a bit of excitement but Tony explains that they're going to hurt people. They can at least do it respectfully. Tracy reminisces about lying in bed as a child and hearing the noise from the Rovers through the wall (again, tricky with that alleyway there. Maybe they've not told the writers about the new set?) The thing Tracy appears to be looking forward to the most is barring whoever she wants to bar.

Andrea comes in. She thinks everything's Steve's fault. If he'd gone to his own stag do he could have kept an eye on Lloyd. Instead, Lloyd's next stop is Tromso. Liz can't stop to chat. She's off to the solicitor's and tells Andrea to help herself to a vodka.

Tracy's outside taking a photo of the Rovers. Though she tells Todd she's just sending a text message to Tony.

While Tracy's checking on the dinner in Liz's oven, the Rovers phone rings and she answers it, her face clearly showing the glee she feels knowing that all this will soon be hers.The call is for Michelle and she asks Tracy if she can mind the bar for a bit.

In the cafe, Izzy is busy cutting out vouchers for discounts, though she reckons Carla will be paying them all a bonus soon.

Kathy, the allotment lady, comes in and asks Roy how he feels about elder flower cordial. Her late husband made it a lot and she is trying to sell bottles of it. She asks if Yasmeen and Sharif, who are at a table, would like to try it. Yasmeen's willing to be a guinea pig. Roy says he'll try it.

David, Sarah and Audrey speculate on why Nick has called a family summit. Max isn't interested in that. He just wants to get going for his evening out with Callum. David suggests that Sarah could go bowling with Callum and Max - that way she can report back to David on how Callum treated Max.

Michelle looks at tiaras but keeps changing her mind on which one to go for. She makes up her mind and Maria leaves with the samples. Michelle gets a text from Sarah to say she won't be at work tonight. Andrea is also there because they're getting on with the decorations. But then Carla comes in and announces the bank has agreed to lend her the money to buy half of the pub. Oh no! Liz is already on her way to sign it over. Pausing only to send Sean a text message asking him to work, Michelle and Carla race off. Andrea turns round from pinning up a bit of ribbon, only to find she's alone.

In another part of town, Liz and Tony arrive outside what must be the solicitors. Liz has her hair in an awful ponytail. This is a bit of a surprise because earlier she had her hair in rollers. She has to stop for a cigarette before going inside. She talks to Tony about lying on a beach at sunset. "Let's do this first," says Tony, patting his pockets. "Do what?" asks an excited Liz, watching him and mentally rehearsing "Yes, Tony, I'll marry you." Rats! He was just looking for his passport to use as ID. "Liz, wait!" Yes, it's Cavalry Carla, riding to the rescue. She tells Liz she wants to buy in. Tony looks at Liz and shakes his head.

In the cafe, Alya, Izzy and Sinead are disappointed with the extra money Carla's given them.

Yasmeen and Sharif come in with Kathy and some elder flower cordial. Sharif pops the top off one of the bottles, sniffs and recoils. It it alcoholic? Kathy hastily tells him it's just cordial but Roy says cordial can become alcoholic over time. Kathy awkwardly asks if 30 pounds for all the elder flower stock is a fair price, though she'd like the bottles back. Unfortunately, says Roy, he's not licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Kathy tries to get Sharif and Yasmeen to try it but they have to point out that they don't drink. Embarrassed, Kathy rushes out.

Tony tries to persuade Carla not to buy the pub. Liz can't understand why he'd prefer her to sell to a complete stranger rather than to someone she knows.

Callum arrives to pick up Max and Sarah inveigles her way into the bowling excursion.

Tracy can't help herself. She's in the shop with a bottle of bubbly. She won't tell Todd what she's celebrating. She gives him a little bonus, though. Tony comes in and he's not in a good mood. "Why didn't you text me?" He was going to, he says. She'd better sit down. . .

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

At the time of the original broadcast of this episode (no 8645) we were waiting to board a ferry between Vancouver Island and Vancouver to catch the flight home. So thanks to ITV Player for the ability to see this programme later as well to the writer who was Debbie Oates, the director - who was John Anderson - and of course to ITV Studios who own the copyright.

Action commences in Barlow's Buys where Tracy is distraught on finding out that Liz has not signed. She accuses Tony of bottling it but as he points out there was nothing he could do. She reckons he can still fix it and pushes him out knocking over the champagne glasses.

In the Rovers the three girls - Liz, Carla and Michelle - are supping champers and being watched by snake in the grass Todd. Carla had identified that every glass she buys puts money in her pocket. And as Liz points out she gets staff discount, which will eat back into her profits. (The Rovers is not its normal self with the walls draped with a white material in advance of the reception on the morrow). Michelle says she is of course only doing it for selfish reasons - and not because she is the best friend in the world. The champagne has come out of the wedding box (so is presumably a cut above the normal stuff sold!). Michelle thanks Carla again. Carla tells her to stop it and open another bottle on the house. The current bottle is dispatched to Steve so that he can join in. Liz is also grateful.

In the Bistro The wonderful Claire King as Erica is giving instructions to Nick on not falling out with his family, as she is going to un-nerve Gail with a big smile. Nick suggests texting Lloyd to ask if there is room on his fishing boat! Nick is worried about having a moody brother and narky mother at the same table and wants Gavandy to make sure Michael will be there. Perhaps they should be using plastic cutlery suggests Erica. [Did I mention that Claire King is wonderful?].

Todd returns to Tracy's shop to collect his headphones and can see she is out of sorts. She tells him not to clear up the glass - it is Tony's mess and he can fix it when he comes out of hiding. Todd reports that he is in't Rovers where they are celebrating Carla's purchase of half of the pub. The word Carla is a red rag to the bull also known as Tracy as she cannot believe what she heard.

In a bar Sophie and Maddie are also celebrating their decision to get a flat together and agreeing that when they move in they will celebrate with cider. Maddie steals a couple of glasses from an adjacent table so that they have something out of which to drink when they do move in together.

Tracy has told Todd the full story of how Tony was buying the Rovers behind Liz's back. "For me" says Tracy emphatically. Even Todd admits that is brutal. Being gazumped by Carla is pretty brutal too. Liz and Tony going to Spain was a fiction and Tracy believes that Tony is aware that knew that there was nothing really between them. Anyway Tracy is about to storm off when Todd tells her she is not thinking straight. Todd tries to counsel her not to give away too much - she should try and get Tony to give her back his half of the business - but Tracy is not listening - she merely wants to see Liz's face once the truth is delivered and for Tony's life to fall to pieces. He tells her to sit tight.

Cathy comes into Roy's Rolls saying that he must think she is an almighty fool. Which of course is not Roy's way - but she has brought a bottle of elder flower cordial as a way of an apology. Shop bought and 0% alcohol. Roy wants to know why £30 was important - is it co-incidence he suggests that the allotment dues of £30.40 are due? She is thinking of letting the allotment go. Roy offers to pay her fee but she refuses. He knows that mentally she cannot let the allotment go - but she will not take charity. He asks her to help out until closing time as he needs to prepare tomorrow's special. He offers her Anna's pinny and she accepts.

In the Street a very determined looking Tracy is bearing down on the Rovers, which since the new set was built does actually look like you can get through the front door. Todd emerges before she enters. Tony knows he needs to talk to Tracy in the shop before she tells Liz and he will come as soon as he can. Tracy calls Tony on his phone. He whispers on the phone. She tells Tony "There isn't any we. There never has been." She tells him that she would never honestly be interested in him, with his sweaty builder's armpits and his stupid shiny head. He cannot hold a candle to Rob. "Me and you (Tracy and Tony) were about getting the Rovers for her and he failed". And she is outside NOW. She tells not to bother coming out - she is going in! Todd tries to stop her and she heads around the back with Todd going in the front to tell Tony where to find her.

Further down the Street David, Audrey, Gail and Michael are seeking to agree they will all behave. All smiles and goodwill for Nick and Erica. David asserts that Audrey turns into Mary Poppins when she sniffs a G&T.

In the back yard at the Rovers Tony grabs Tracy to stop her going further. He says he has warned her and that if she tells she will live to regret it. She has grazed her face against the fencing. She says he has no idea who he is dealing with. He calls her scheming and selfish. She vows to ruin him and he says that he will bring her down with him. Tony threatens all that she has and cares about. He reckons Carla has done him a favour. She reckons that Liz and Carla and Tony believe they are owed by the world and deserve to be happy but they don't - at least not if she has anything to do with it. And she will. She turns on her heel and goes.

After the break Liz and Carla are preparing the Rovers for the reception. Steve is packing to spend the night at Lloyds when they both realise that this means he will be alone with Andrea who is mildly drunk with Lloyd away on a fishing boat. They both agree this is not a good idea. They agree they have to de-risk the situation. Tony arrives with the PA and Liz asks him to include a flamenco CD in the mix - so they can make their announcement.

In the back room where Michelle and Steve are chatting (he is carrying the dog). She asks if he is happy and he says he is trying to learn about happiness. He thinks he is starting to understand how it all fits together. He talks in riddles - but at least now he is talking. Even he admits he is talking rubbish. Living around the depression - not being in it. That way there should be less bad days. He reckons it is boring and selfish and is not sure why she puts up with him; because she loves him. She is going to promise it will be forever tomorrow and she believes it. And they agree on "Forever". Let us hope so.

Tracy is at home when Ken returns - the casserole is on the top but not a good idea to reheat it. He asks what the matter is. She says she slipped and scratched her face. She wants to know why everybody else always gets whatever they want. All the good things she has had have been taken away. Ken tells here she has a lot to be thankful for - but Tracy does not see that. She reckons that she should be swanning around as Mrs Donovan; Ken seeks to sympathise and point out that Rob was a killer. Tracy compares herself and Carla who does not seem bothered by the loss of her brother. Ken guesses she has fallen out with Tony. She was crazy to trust him. Ken hugs Tracy.

In the cafe Roy hands Cathy £30 - £15 an hour - and he is buying a bottle of the cordial which he will give to Tyrone for thanks for teaching him to drive. The two of them have a toast of the non-alcoholic cordial. They toast "Absent loved ones". Roy offers her a lift home but she insists on getting the bus and rushes out.

In the Bistro David is asserting that Callum will be playing with video games with Max rather than putting him to bed. Nick starts a little speech. "Someone strolled back into my life and turned it completely over. [Erica has a huge smile on her face]. And now I'm facing a future I never imagined. And I'm grateful. I'm grateful, excited and hopeful. So I brought all the family together to make a toast. To Erica, the baby, and our future." Sotto voce Gail observes that all the girl did was get pregnant! Audrey knocks here drink over her to tell her to behave and David goes to get a cloth. David and Luke exchange words and before it gets worse Gavandy drags David outside and tells him to go home as he has had a bad day. David tells Gavandy that at some point the world will catch up with his deception. He tells Gavandy that he deserves the comeuppance he will be getting. David goes and Michael tells Gavandy that Nick has said he can join the party.

Sophie and Maddie are still looking at the small ads and realising they could do with an extra bedroom so that Maddie's brother can visit. Maddie simply observes that it seems that sleeping in a shop doorway was another life ago. They push each other and one of the glasses stolen earlier breaks. Oh well, one glass, one flat, one bedroom. They will have to share everything. And they kiss and hug each other.

Tracy is watching television; Ken checks that is all right. He offers to stay up. And she is allowed a cry. No point she says as crying changes nowt. They are all out there having a good time, sneering and laughing at her. Ken wants to know who is doing it but she gives nothing away. She merely announces that one day they will regret it. Ken suggests they all eat out tomorrow as with the reception on they will not want people using the kitchen.

In the Rovers Andrea is drunkenly singing along to the music. "I never needed anyone". Carla returns - she will take Michelle to her flat for the night and Steve can stay at home. Liz calls Carla "Weatherfield's Wonder Woman". She asks if Carla dresses up in a basque when no-one is looking. Carla responds that when no-one is looking she is in trackie bottoms and a scrunchie! And if she was Wonder Woman then she would be off to Spain not Liz. Liz says that earlier in the day Tony was possibly on the point of proposing - he had something in his pocket. She doesn't know what answer she will give - wait to see if it happens. Meanwhile Andrea goes for it: "All by myself, ..." Liz and Carla agree that Steve would so not have been safe tonight! Liz sends Andrea home. Michelle appears and she and Carla depart into the rainy night. Michelle gets an "I love you" text from Steve. Andrea continues to belt out the song, she is now singing that she has to "run away, get away".

Outside it is raining and the two girls joke, Carla says the Matron of Honour's job is to buy the bride a pub? Michelle says usually a drink is enough. As they run across the cobbles we see Tracy lucking in the shadows and if looks could kill the two girls would probably be dead.

Roll credits.

Given that Todd is almost as twisted as Tracy it is a pity she did not listen to his ideas - she might have got control of her business back.

A lot of alcohol tonight. Andrea and David both had too much.

And Steve is talking a load of rubbish about his condition - but at least he is talking; obviously the mind doctor is having some effect.

Finally Cathy vanished very rapidly when Roy wanted to give her a lift home - scared of his driving or is there another reason to be uncovered?

No more holidays for a little while so I will be back next week.

Richard


Monday 25 May

There's only one episode tonight and it's the start of a real roller coaster of a week...

Written by Julie Jones directed by David Kester

Everyone is pitching in, decorating outside the pub for the wedding. They've even got Ken up a ladder! Tracy scowls from the window and, after taking a large envelope from the postman and handing it to her father, vows to wipe the smiles off everyone's faces. Ken advises against it, as it never gets her anywhere and reminds her that Amy is looking forward to being a bridesmaid.

Liz is looking forward to going to Spain with Tony. Carla invites Michele back to hers for champagne.

Tracy, walking Eccles, meets Steve, walking Rover, in the ginnel. She's grimly polite to him, wishing him well but her back teeth must be aching for all the grinding they're doing, especially when he happily tells her that his mother and Tony are off to Spain and Carla's bought into the pub. Sinead interrupts and calls Steve over to give him a gift, homemade candles. She wishes him well and it's clear she isn't holding anything against him. Steve looks a bit guilty but pleased at her best wishes.

Maddie and Sophie are dancing while Kevin shines his shoes. Jenny brings Jack out, dressed in a suit she bought him. The girls make a fuss over the little boy while Jenny asks them to make sure he takes it off after a few photos so he stays clean for later.

Leanne is running around the flat wondering what she's going to wear to the wedding. Kal suggests they skip the wedding for some afternoon delight but his phone interrupts him. His mother summons.

Sean and Julie are putting the finishing touches in the back, where the smoking enclosure is draped in white filmy material and lit up with fairy lights. They've put tables and chairs, covered in a pale peach material outside as well and there's a large lit sign spelling LOVE which fizzes and spits a bit before it goes on and stays on. Liz and Andrea come out and love what they've done. Tracy glares down from an upstairs window like a witch up a tower. Andrea offers them all bacon butties but Liz decides to stay outside and have a crafty fag. She's warned about being surrounded by a fire hazard but decides "What's life without risk?"

Michelle has her hair done and veil on, thanks to the ministrations of Maria who leaves. Carla and Michelle sit and have more fizz while someone remembers that Michelle actually has at least one son (Ryan) who has sent a card wishing her well. Shame he can't make it, Carla comments. Michelle is expecting her parents to the wedding later. She thanks Carla for everything she's done.

Steve arrives back from walking the dog. Andrea asks if he's heard from Lloyd. No, not a word. Andrea finds the candles and Julie thinks they're lovely. They tease Steve but he reckons Michelle knows what he's getting and wants him anyway.

But out in the back, all your alarm bells are about to go off. Tracy slopes in the back gate of the yard where Liz has just finished her cig. She's got a very determined look on her face. She makes small talk while the rain comes down (I presume the yard is covered with a canopy) and then says that her new life is a sham. Time she learned the truth and Tracy proceeds to tell her. Tony has been cheating on Liz with Tracy! Liz has the break to think about it and thinks it's all lies. But Tracy paints herself as an ego trip. She cites examples, offers dirty texts, describes a normally unseen tattoo. Hmm. Evidence is starting to be believed. Then Tracy tells her that Tony owns half the pub, and was about to buy the whole thing and it was for her and Tony. Liz would have been out of a job and Tracy would have been behind the bar as they speak. But Tracy is bitter and calls herself Tony's midlife crisis. With that, she strides off, leaving Liz in the middle of the detritus that was her life.

Yasmeen tells Kal the whole family is expected at one of the aunty's but Kal disappoints them by saying he has plans. What plans? Well, he's going to ask Leanne to marry him. Zeedan freezes then goes out the back but the rest of the family are chuffed. Sharif suggests Zeedan needs a bit of time.

Mammy and Daddy Connor have arrived and are with Carla and Michelle. Mother is a big dubious about the headpiece Michelle has chosen. Amy arrives dressed in a frilly white princess dress, her mother in tow. Tracy looks like she could gag at Carla being all sweet and helpful to Michelle. Carla nips out to get Michelle's earrings but can't find her keys. Does Michelle still have the spare set? Michelle helpfully tells her (and everyone else) exactly where they are (in the back room in her handbag) but Carla won't need them to get back in as they're all there, someone will buzz her in. Tracy is offered champagne which she accepts, offering a wry toast "Calm before the storm, eh?" (indeed)

Maddie and Sophie bring Jack in from kicking the football but they had left him in his suit and it's got dirty. Jenny has a fit. Kevin isn't bothered but Jenny acts broken hearted. She wanted him to look perfect in his first suit. Sophie reminds her that she's not Jack's mother, she could stop fussing any time now. Jenny runs out, hurt.

Liz is dressed and trying to keep herself together. Carla comes in for Michelle's earrings and notices that Liz is shaky. Liz doesn't want to talk about it, if she starts she won't be able to stop but Carla sits with her and Liz has to get it off her chest. She swears Carla to secrecy, she doesn't want the wedding to be ruined. "It's Tony...."

Kal finds Zeedan out in the back garden, brooding. He tells his son that he'll always love his late wife but memories aren't enough. Zeedan admits he does like Leanne but admits he's confused and feels like he's betraying his mother if he says he's cool with Leanne. Kal points out that Jamilla would want them to move on with their lives but promises he won't go ahead with it if Zeedan isn't ready for it. Zeedan finally does the mature thing and gives his blessing, to Kal's relief.

Liz has told Carla everything and insists she'll get through the wedding. Steve arrives, suited and booted and notices his mother's red eyes. Allergy to mascara is the proffered excuse and an antihistamine will take care of it. Carla exits with the earrings. Steve sits down and tells his mother he'll miss her and says he has grown to like Tony. He puts his mother's returning emotion down to general mother-son-wedding day stuff. We know her heart is breaking.

Everyone's waiting outside for the bride. It sounds like Eileen gets to be Best Woman as she has custody of the rings. Kevin tells Jenny he's found a space for Jack in a nursery which will be good for Jack and take the pressure off her. She doesn't look like she agrees. Liz and Steve come out of the pub to congratulations. Sinead leads off a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" making it clear she holds no grudge against Steve whatsoever. Jenny looks upset and pretends she's got a migraine coming on and insists Kevin go to the wedding without her.

In the car, Steve is optimistic about the future after the past months he's got through. Liz is barely holding it together. As they drive off in a bedecked cab, Tracy comes out of Number 1 and slips into the pub. She pretends that she has to get Amy's tiara, can she look in the back? Sean allows it. She goes through and sees Michelle's bag on the sofa. She rifles through it and finds a set of keys, must be Carla's. She pockets them.

Back at Number 13, Jenny is on the phone using a false name and checking on a flat she's apparently renting in Hull. She and "her son" will be coming over tonight.

Michelle comes out of Victoria court's main door, decked out in a froth of chiffon. She gets in the car with Carla's help. They're waiting for Amy who was in the loo though Michelle reckons she's actually trying Carla's shoes on. Carla spies Tracy across the road and goes over to have a word. She confronts Tracy with what she's done and orders her to stay away from the wedding. Tracy isn't intimidated and says she's going to make them all pay, one way or another. As she strides off, Carla looks a bit troubled.

Tvor


Tuesday 26 May

Due to the dramatic nature of the storyline there was a change to the usual schedule this week to enable all episodes to be shown after the 9pm watershed. So in place of Monday's part 2, I bring you Tuesday's evening's chaos on the cobbles.

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by David Kester

In what must be a first for Coronation Street, the guests are all assembled, the groom is in place – albeit minus his best man – and the bride arrives on time. Steve wonders aloud to Eileen what he did to deserve this and she quips back that Michelle is probably thinking much the same thing.

Meanwhile, Sally and Tim are at home getting ready for the reception. But the sight of Tim in his smart jacket puts Sally in mind of Bruce Willis and they head back upstairs again to take advantage of Sally's fruity mood.

At the wedding the congregation all smile and laugh together as Michelle and Steve make their vows to each other. The only person looking very uncomfortable is Liz who squirms as Tony tries to put an arm round her shoulder. The registrar pronounces that Steve and Michelle are now legally married to a round of applause.

The reception guests have already started to arrive at the Rovers. Norris is fussing about how they're going to clean all the confetti off the cobbles while Mary is getting excited about the thought of trying to catch the bouquet. She says she has an enviable success rate to which Norris asks whether that hasn't ever given her pause for thought.

As Michelle and Steve leave the wedding room and the guest start to file past, Liz catches up with them. She has a surprise for them. She's spoken to Andy who's agreed to put them up in Spain and, guess what? She's booked them tickets on a flight which leaves in a couple of hours, packed their bags and they're in the car, together with their passports. What about the reception Michelle wants to know, not unreasonably. Everyone, including her Dad tell her it's a no-brainer and, in one of the most far-fetched plot lines I can ever remember, they agree to go there and then.

Leanne and Kal are rushing around getting ready to go to the reception. They're running late but Kal seems to have something on his mind and asks if they can take a stroll first. Leanne says they don't have time, she's starving and wants to get there before Norris has had a chance to strip the buffet bare.

People are waiting eagerly outside the Rovers clutching their confetti but their faces fall when only Liz and Andrea emerge from the wedding cars. Liz explains about her surprise gift of a honeymoon. Everyone, apart from Liz, decide it's a shame to waste a good reception so they should carry on. Mary asks if they'll still get to catch the bouquet but Andrea holds it triumphantly aloft – Michelle threw it at the register office. After everyone else has gone inside Tracy bitchily comments to Liz that she must have been gutted she didn't catch the bouquet because she needs all the help she can get now. Liz tells her to back off . Tracy replies it's a shame Liz's boyfriend didn't say the same thing to her.

In the reception Maddie and Sophie are admiring the decorations and talk about how they can do their flat up together. They decide they'll also need a holiday. Maddie's never been abroad and fancies going somewhere where they don't speak the lingo. Sophie jokes that they should go to Birmingham.

There may be no bride and groom present – or, come to that, a best man - but it doesn't stop Michelle's father from giving his speech.

Liz explains to Carla why she had to get Michelle and Steve on an earlier flight – she couldn't risk letting Tracy ruin their big day. Then she asks Carla a favour. Could she have Amy for the night? She needs to talk to Tony when he gets back from the airport and she doesn't want her to be with Tracy given the mood she's in at the moment.

Carla goes out to the ladies where she bumps into Tracy. Carla asks how she's got the gall to be at the wedding. Tracy says there's no point in lighting a fuse if you're not going to stick around and watch the fireworks. Carla gives Tracy a piece of her mind for ruining Steve and Michelle's big day but as far as Tracy is concerned they still had a better wedding than she did. She claims that she still loves Rob, despite having the affair with Tony but Carla tells her that going to prison gave Rob a lucky escape from marrying her. She tells Tracy that she's one self-centered, spiteful, vicious cow and that she chewed up Rob and spat him out just like she does to everyone. Carla adds that one by one people will cut her out, just as she's going to do, until she's all alone and they stick her in the ground.

The reception is going with a swing. The only one looking glum is Simon. Leanne realises he's got his eye on a girl and she tells Kal that at times like this he needs his dad. Kal offers to talk to him.

We cut to Tracy who is back at home where we see her looking at a set of keys on the table. She picks them up with a thoughtful expression on her face.

Kal's man to man chat with Simon seems to have done the trick because he's now dancing with the girl at the reception. Leanne's really grateful and Kal asks if they can pop outside for a moment but before Leanne can reply Ty cuts in and asks Kal if he can have a dance with her. "Be my guest," says Kal, sitting down with a resigned expression on his face.

Sophie and Maddie are leaving the reception to go and look up holidays on the internet when they meet Sally and Tim who are just arriving, looking rather flushed a bit embarrassed when they girls ask where they've been all this time. Sally persuades them to go back in and have a drink with them.

Carla arrives back home with Amy who casts an admiring look round the flat. She thinks it's really cool, especially when Carla offers to sleep on the sofa so that Amy can have her bed. Amy's carrying the candle that Sinead made as a wedding gift. She asks Carla if she can light it in the bedroom. Carla says it would be better not to, they can light it in the sitting room while they have a drink – Belgian hot chocolate for Amy and wine for Carla. Amy says she doesn't care what her mum says about Carla, she thinks she's alright.

Meanwhile, while Kev is downing pints at the wedding reception, back at his house Jenny is counting out cash and stuffing clothes into a bag. Her phone rings and it's Kevin, wanting to know where she is. She claims she fell asleep on the sofa and then tells him she'll pick Jack up from Rita's shortly (We don't get to find out how Rita was at the reception one minute and the next she's at home looking after Jack).

Tracy is skulking outside in the street. We see her glance up at Carla's flat window and watch as the lights go out.

Kal has finally managed to get Leanne on her own. They are in the back yard of the Rovers which has been transformed into a romantic wonderland with white drapes and hundreds of fairy lights. Suddenly he's become tongue-tied. He knows what he wants to say but he just can't get the words out. He drops down on one knee, telling Leanne that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. But then he frantically starts patting down his pockets. Leanne giggles expectantly. She tells him to just come out and say it but Kal wants to do it properly and instructs Leanne not to go anywhere as he rushes off in search of the missing ring, leaving Leanne brimming with excitement.

Tracy lets herself into Carla's flat. It's pitch dark but she manages to see Amy's extinguished candle sitting on the side next to a box of matches. Tracy lights the candle and uses it to make her way round the flat. Carla is fast asleep on the sofa. Tracy picks up a photo of Rob, puts it down and then picks up a heavy ornament. It looks as though she's about to hit Carla with it but at that moment she hears the sounds of a toilet flushing. Tracy puts down the lit candle on a table and lets herself out of the flat. We see the candle burning, its flame dangerously close to the edge of a lampshade.

In the back room of the Rovers Liz is trying to call Tony. She leaves him a message saying that she doesn't know where the hell he is but she doesn't care anymore because she knows all of it … Tracy, the pub … the whole stinking lot. She adds that he shouldn't waste him time coming home because they're finished.

We return to Carla's flat where we see that Amy and Carla are both peacefully sleeping, blissfully unaware that the candle has set light to the lampshade and that the flames are beginning to spread ….

Karen


Wednesday 27 May

Carla is sleeping on the sofa, behind her the flames from the lampshade grow taller.

In the back room of the pub, Liz is deleting photos of herself and Tony from her phone and weeping. Then she gets angry and starts throwing things.

Leanne is at the wedding reception, looking for Kal. She tells Ken that he left at the crucial moment when he was about to ask her a very important question. Ken offers to look after Simon, who is asleep on one of the long seats, if she wants to go and look for him. Leanne is grateful and rushes off.

Kevin is about to go home and check on Jenny, but Tim persuades him to stay for one more drink.

Sally is sitting with Sophie and Maddie. Maddie says that she would like to go on holiday somewhere she can ride an elephant, it's something she's always wanted to do. Sally points out that they have elephants in Africa and India. Sophie tells Maddie that if she wants elephants, she shall have them.

Back at Carla's flat, both she and Amy are fast asleep.

Leanne, looking for Kal, rounds the corner and stops dead, she sees the flickering of flames through the window of Carla's flat. She tries pressing the buzzer at the front door. Upstairs in the flat, the smoke alarm is now bleeping (somewhat late!) and Carla is coughing. The flames have taken hold seriously now, and she struggles off the sofa, gasping for breath and calling Amy. She crawls across the floor, knocking over a glass and cutting her hand.

Sean finds Liz in the back room, stamping furiously on her phone. She tells him she's deleting Tony, she just wishes it was his face! Sean is sure she'll regret that in the morning, he doesn't know what Tony has done, but..... "Do you want to know what he's done?" snaps Liz, "he's been having an affair with Tracy Barlow!" She then goes on to explain how Tony was really Mr Travis and manipulated Steve into selling his half of the pub. He was trying to get her to do the same. "Why would he do that?" asks Sean, puzzled. She tells him that Tony wanted to kick her and her family out so that he and Tracy could be the happy couple standing behind the bar! She starts throwing crockery around again so Sean rushes off to get help.

Leanne is still trying to get into Victoria Court, and looking up at the flickering flames at Carla's window. (Why on earth she doesn't ring the fire brigade is beyond me!) She finally remembers the entry code and dashes inside. She runs up to Carla's floor which is now full of smoke, and bangs on the door, shouting. She can hear Carla coughing, but Carla is on the floor unable to move, and gasping for help. Leanne still doesn't call the fire brigade but looks around and sees a fire extinguisher on the wall. She grabs that and starts trying to break the door down.

Ken is about to take Simon home when Kal turns up. Ken tells him that Leanne has gone looking for him.

Leanne finally succeeds in gaining entry to Carla's flat, and sets about trying to use the fire extinguisher to douse the flames, but the fire has spread so far it's an impossible task so she gets hold of Carla's arms and starts dragging her out of the flat.

Andy and Gavin are walking along when they hear the alarm at Victoria Court and stop to look up. Kal is coming from the other direction and hears it too, and starts running, joined by Roy who is also out on the Street. The front door of the building opens and Leanne staggers out with Carla, coughing and gasping as she does so. "Phone the fire brigade!" says Michael. (At least he's got some sense!) So Andy does so, while Kal tries to comfort Leanne, and Roy tends to Carla who is lying on the ground unconscious. Andy is talking to the emergency services telling them about the fire and Carla's injuries. "My name?" he says suddenly, glancing sideways at Michael. "it's err... Gavin, Gavin Rodwell."

Ken is in the kitchen of his house when Tracy comes in the back door. He immediately senses that something isn't right. "What have you done now?" he asks. "I haven't done anything," she says, "but I came close, I came really close."

In Carla's bedroom, Amy wakes up. The smoke is seeping under the door and she starts coughing and calling for Carla.

Andrea and Sean are standing in the hallway of the Rovers, listening to Liz shouting and smashing things in the living room. Suddenly the door opens and Liz steps out, saying the next thing she wants to smash is Tracy. They stop her going into the bar, telling her that Tracy has gone home. Liz heads to the front door but they stop her, telling her to calm down and suddenly Erica arrives and gives her a hug.

In the flat, Amy is coughing and piling her pillows on the floor by the door and sitting on them.

Outside, Roy is trying to rouse Carla. She comes to and starts to explain, between coughs, that Amy is inside. Shocked, she rushes to the door to go back inside. Kal tries to persuade her to wait for the emergency services to arrive. "What? And let her die?" cries Leanne, and rushes towards the stairs, so Kal follows.

Roy suggests that Michael and Andy go and tell Ken and Liz what is happening, he's sure the emergency services will be there soon.

Michael and Andy burst into the Rovers, telling everyone that Victoria Court is on fire.

Liz and Erica are in the back room, talking over the Tony situation. Liz feels bad because she brought him into the family, and he tried to destroy it. "How could he be so cruel?" she wonders. Sean suddenly bursts in. Liz tries to tell him this is not a good time, but he persists. "Victoria Court is on fire!"

Leanne and Kal have gone back into the burning flat. Kal is still urging her to leave it to the professionals, it's crazy. Leanne takes no notice and rushes around, shouting for Amy.

Kevin, Tim and Tyrone have arrived outside Victoria Court. Kevin says he can't stand around doing nothing and tries to kick his way in through the front door. Liz arrives and asks, "Where's Amy?" They just stare at her. Then Sally tries again to call the emergency services and Carla writes the door code down, as she's unable to speak to tell them. Apparently the ring road is closed and the emergency services can't get through. A taxi then arrives, however, and the rest of the Nazir family get out. When Zeedan realises that his dad is inside he rushes in too.

Leanne and Kal are trying to open the bedroom door but Amy is sitting right behind it and they can't get in. They shout to tell her to move away and eventually she does so. They burst in and Leanne hugs her tight.

Meanwhile, at Kevin's house, Jenny is wearing the dark wig and phoning for a taxi to take her and 'her son' to the station. Suddenly she looks up, aghast. Standing in front of her is Maddie, looking puzzled at first, but then she takes in the whole situation and realisation dawns. "What are you doing?"

Kevin, Tim and Tyrone are running up the stairs as some other residents are fleeing down them. Zeedan tries to run past them but they grab him and pull him back.

In the flat, things start exploding, much to the alarm of the people on the pavement. Liz starts shouting at Carla. "My granddaughter is in there. You were supposed to be looking after her!"

Leanne, Kal and Amy are huddled in a corner. "We need to get out of here," says Leanne.

Tracy is walking along when Tyrone rushes past her. "Victoria Court is on fire!" he says. She walks along to see what's happening. When she gets there Liz tells her that Amy is inside. "What?" says Tracy, shocked, and rushes forward, yelling for her daughter. Kevin and Tim block her way. "You can't go in there."

Upstairs, just as Kal, Leanne and Amy start to make a move to the door, the ceiling falls down, blocking their way.

Anne Logan


Thursday 28 May

Hello, here's the next fiery episode, which screened on a Thursday night.

Kal takes charge inside the flat where, unlike in a real fire, he can see his way to the balcony. He uses a table to shield Leanne and Amy from the heat and shouts down at those below to get a ladder.

Tyrone is sure there will be a ladder long enough in the builder's yard and several of the blokes smash open the gate to get in.

While everyone, both on and off the balcony, screams, Maddie's back at Kevin's listening to Jenny trying to talk her way out of this one. Despite the screaming, David phones Nick to tell him about the fire. The ladder from the yard is up against the balcony.

At David's, Max wakes up. He wants to stay up late and tells David that Callum lets him.

Amy's calling for her mother on the balcony and all Tracy seems to be able to scream back is "Amy!" Amy seems terrified of getting on to the ladder. Kal asks her if she's ever used one before - she hasn't.

Down the bottom, holding on to the ladder with several other men, Tyrone sees a barbecue gas canister on the balcony (this will be the one Carla uses for her famous barbecues . . .). It's being licked by the flames. Sally tries to get Tim away from the ladder.

Jenny tells Maddie the stuff in the holdall is just old clothes - stuff that needed throwing away. But Maddie pulls the clothes out. Jenny desperately says she was going to buy Jack some new clothes as a surprise. "You WERE doing a runner!" Maddie says. "With Jack!" She says Sophie was wrong. Jenny wasn't after Kevin's money, she was after his kid. It all makes sense - the doctors visits, the endless babysitting. Jenny changes her story. She and Kevin had an argument and she thought that if she took Jack away for a few days . . . Maddie interrupts: "You ARE off your rocker!" Jenny cries that Maddie doesn't understand. She had to protect him. "He's not safe. Tom's not safe. I have to stop it happening again!" Tom?

Amy's still not on the ladder. She wants her Mum but her Mum's line in encouraging chat is pretty useless. Liz shouts at Amy instead. "You listen to me. What happened to that girl who told me last week she's not scared of anything?" She tells Amy to get on that ladder or she'll tell all Amy's mates she was too scared to do it. There are more flames round the gas canister now.

"For the last time, who is Tom?" demands Maddie. Jenny says Maddie has to believe her. She didn't kill him. Maddie's had enough. She's going to call the police. Whack! Oh, no she's not! She's been knocked to the floor by Jenny. "You're not leaving," Jenny tells her.

At the bottom of the ladder, Tracy hugs Amy. Sharif has been leaving messages for Alya - there's nothing more he can do.

Leanne gets on to the ladder as the gas flares from the cylinder. Below, Kevin and Tyrone clear everyone out of the way in case there's an explosion. "Tim, come on!" urges Sally. "I'm holding the ladder, Sal," he says. "Get somebody else to hold it!" Sally tells him. [Personal opinion here: I like Tim. I think he's a beautifully drawn character and well acted]

As she climbs down the ladder, Leanne pauses and looks up at Kal, her face radiant in the light of the flames. "Yes," she says. "Yes, I'll marry you." The gas flares again and Kal tells her to hurry down. He'll be right behind her. She's almost at the ground when the cylinder explodes, knocking her the last few feet to the ground. "Dad!" shouts Zeedan. But where his Dad was there is just the twisted steel shell of the balcony.

We see that a piece of flaming material has landed inside the builders' yard.

The Fire Service has finally arrived, as have the paramedics and they all take over. Gary and Alya finally turn up, only to hear that Gary's best mate and Alya's Dad is inside the burning apartment.

Across the road, flames are starting to take hold round the equipment in the yard.

Back at David's, Max is asking questions. He wants to know why David doesn't like Callum and he also wants to know where his mother is and why she's not come back.

Jenny has been distracted by the arrival of her taxi so Maddie makes a break for it, kneeing Jenny on the way out.

Maddie runs as fast as she can to tell Sophie and Kevin what's going on but she's brought up short by a bit of plastic tape and a policewoman who is standing watching the fire. Maddie is told she can't go through. She can see Sophie in the crowd across the way and phones her, leaving half a voice message saying Sophie was right and the word "Jenny" before spotting her chance and racing through the cordon - just in time for an explosion in the yard to knock her to the ground.

Back in the house, a distraught Jenny weeps.

The ambulance paramedics try CPR and manage to get an airway into Maddie. Sophie has raced across and holds Maddie's hand, her own tears streaming down her face.

Alya can't understand what Kal was doing in the flat. "He came after me," Leanne says, her eyes never straying from the fire. "I went in for Amy." Sharif tries to buck everyone up by saying what a fighter Kal is. Yasmeen, despite her own fears for her son, tries to console Leanne, who isn't listening but is saying over and over, "Please be OK, please be OK. . ."

The paramedics have managed to get Maddie's heart beating - she has a pulse. Sophie asks if she's going to be OK but all they can tell her is that she's alive. They don't know the extent of her injuries.

The fire commanders tells Leanne and the Nazirs that a body has been found.

Kevin goes home to tell Jenny what's happened and there's a confused conversation before she realises Maddie hasn't been able to tell him anything.

As Kal's body is brought out, Zeedan rounds on Leanne, telling her it's all her fault.

Roy has him arm around Carla. Tracy watches but whether she feels any guilt it's hard to tell.

The end
Margaret Carr


Friday 29 May

Yes Britain has Got Talent and writing this a little while after the event we all know that Matisse and her friends were the winners. Alongside the BGT semi-finals we have also had a week of special action on the Street as it has been broadcast after the watershed hour, appearing every night of the week.

This episode which is absolute number 8650, or series 56 episode 106, was written by Susan Oudot and directed by David Kester; copyright remains the property of ITV and we thank them for their efforts. Well what a week it has been. Mop up mode tonight.

The action opens outside Victoria Court with Nick and Bethany looking skyward at the damaged top floor flat. Nick is glad he missed it and Bethany assures him he should be glad, although all her stuff is in his flat. Nick suggests she borrows some of Kylie's stuff.

Tracy sees Carla arriving back on the Street from the hospital and makes herself scarce as Carla heads into Roy's Rolls.

Jason meets Gary walking along the Street and he asks after Alya. The entire family are in shock not surprisingly and Jason cannot open up yet - but it could have been a lot worse.

Ken is getting Amy some breakfast - he is wearing shirt and tie whilst Amy in a dressing gown is reporting that the nurse said she was very brave, apparently not for the first time. Tracy comes in and Ken wants to know what is happening - but Tracy does not want to discuss the fire - Amy has been through a horrible experience; she is going upstairs where Simon is and they want a drink. Ken asserts that Amy will be fine but Simon has a terrible shock coming when Leanne gets to tell him about Kal. Ken is going out to give his condolences to Kal's family. Tracy sits and sighs; she cannot admit her part in the cause of the fire but we can see she is distressed at the harm she has done. She admits to Ken that before the fire she admitted to her affair with Tony to Liz. Ken expresses his disapproval and then asks Tracy when is she going to stop wrecking other peoples' lives, especially as he thought she had turned a corner. [Of course he does not know about her part in the inferno]. Tracy is left to reflect.

Nick has gone to see Leanne who simply dissolves into tears. He holds her.

Ken is with Kal's family saying how sorry he is; Gary is holding Alya and whilst Ken knows it is little comfort without Kal's bravery then Amy would not have survived and they should be proud of him. Yasmeen knows that he was happy before the fire and she remembers his face. Sharif and Yasmeen hug each other. Ken offers any assistance they may need and departs. Gary offers to make some tea. Zeedan moves to comfort Alya who cannot believe Kal has gone.

Kev, Tim, Jenny and Sophie are at Maddie's bedside in the hospital and Kev suggests she gets a cuppa (watch out imminent tea flood from the tv set). Tim heads to find Sally. They observe that Maddie is a fighter. When suddenly Maddie goes limp and Kev heads out to find nursing staff. Sophie pleads with Maddie to wake up. The medics arrive - but Sophie already knows that Maddie is almost no longer with us. Jenny says she has to go and get Jack from Rita's and vanishes.

Roy has made Carla some tea (flood alert). She does not understand it at all. She knows they lit a candle - but she is *sure* that it was extinguished. But there was a fire and perhaps she didn't. Roy seeks to re-assure her - the fire investigator will establish the cause. Roy offers to let her stay in the flat and she says "Thanks" but she is still worried about causing the fire.

David is annoyed with Bethany for wearing Kylie's stupid T shirt (labeled "Trouble Maker" - he does not want Max upset. He throws her another one - either his or Gail's but not Kylie's! The phone goes and Bethany answers it but the line is silent.

Carla is on the Street looking up at her damaged balcony. She looks at some flowers laid in memory of Kal. A fireman emerges and she establishes that he has been looking at the cause of the fire. He will forward a copy of the report but she presses him and he admits that a candle was responsible. Carla looks thunderstruck - had she drunk so much she has a false memory of blowing out the candle?

Ken has returned home and is reporting that Zeedan and Alya looked lost. Ken sips his tea (flooding worsening) but there is little response from Tracy who is thinking about Maddie. Tony Stewart is the last thing on her mind at the moment. Ken lets Carla in who has come to see how Amy is. Amy appears and reports that her throat hurts and that the nurse said she very brave. Carla wants to ask Amy about the candle. Does Amy remember Carla blowing it out, but she does not remember and she did not get up in the night and relight it. Tracy erupts and wants to know what Carla is going - she answers that she is merely trying to make sense of it all. Tracy reckons she is trying to pin the fire on 11 year old Amy. Carla denies it - but Tracy makes it clear - Carla lit the candle and went to bed with it still burning. So make sense of that and get out. Carla goes whilst Tracy seeks to comfort Amy.

Bethany is pushing the baby and talking to Max - so she is baby sitter today. They are being watched from across the Street - as she backs into the house Bethany spots the watcher across the Street. She tells Max to put the telly on and walks across the cobbles to the watcher whom we only see from behind - but with long hair which blows around. As Bethany advances saying there are laws against watching kids the camera angles reverse and we get a glimpse of Kylie who holding her hoodie in place tries to make off down the cobbles as fast as you can wearing high heel shoes(!).

After the break Leanne is collecting an unhappy looking Simon from Ken when a Streetcar comes down the Street and the Nazir family emerge. Simon rushes across to Zeedan wanting to play a video game. Simon wants to know why Alya is crying. Yasmeen works out that Simon has not been told. She asks Simon to come in - but he refuses so Yasmeen asks Simon to be brave before telling him Kal died went into the building. Si bursts into tears and runs into Zeedan's arms for comfort. Leanne also breaks down again.

Back at the hospital the medics do not believe they can safely intervene with an operation on Maddie. They cannot do other than hope she stabilises. The next 24 hours are critical with this kind of head trauma. Sophie seeks re-assurance but gets very little. But Maddie is not dead yet.

At the Rovers Liz is also in tears but has Erica and Eileen for company. She has told Steve because of Amy but she stopped him returning home. But she has not told Steve about Tony. Erica observes that Tony is more slippery than an eel on a slab of ice and that Liz is well rid. Eileen concurs. An affair is bad - but lying to get them out of the Rovers. Even Eileen did not think he was capable of that! Liz is drinking something much stronger than tea - brandy I think.

We see Kylie hiding behind a wall, watching David and Nick talking. Apparently there is nothing structurally wrong with the flat - but the carpets will stink and the place will need stripping and refitting throughout observes David. Nick thanks him, then sees Carla across the Street and runs across to comfort her outside Roy's. Carla re-assures him that she barely has a scratch. She says sorry about his flat. And as Roy is adamant that he is going to feed her she has to go. A bus drives past with Kylie as a passenger and she watches both Nick and David although they are oblivious of her.

Tracy comes to Leanne's flat looking for Simon. Leanne says he is angry with her, with Kal. Tracy sinks down and says she is truly sorry as she knows how much Leanne loved Kal. She will leave Leanne in peace but she wanted to thank her for what she did for Amy, in saving her life. And then Tracy slags off that stupid cow, Carla, for the accident in leaving a candle burning when you pass out drunk. Tracy calls Carla "the one with blood on her hands" when we all know that is Tracy herself. Master of misdirection if you ask me. Leanne is stunned.

Jenny is looking after Jack when she decides to make a phone call as "Melanie Davies". She gets as far as apologising and that there was a change of plan when Kev returns and she offers to put the kettle on (tea deluge continues). We see her phone buzz and it says "Estate Agent" calling. Jenny lies and says it is Rita and she will call her later. Kev cannot believe what has happened - if Maddie had been 30 seconds either way she would still be safe. Jenny is caught looking rather guilty.

Liz, Eileen, Erica and Jason are gathered at the bar in the Rovers. They all agree that Tony is an idiot. Jason assures Liz he was completely in the dark. Eileen just ascribes Tony's actions to thinking with the wrong body part as usual. Jason goes and Erica observes that he is a good lad and Eileen says he gets it from her side obviously! Liz cannot believe she has been so stupid, swallowing all those lies. Eileen says he has always been a good liar. Rita arrives followed by N(d)orris and orders a brandy and a v&t. The brandy is for Doris who has been worrying about Maddie. There is no news on her. Doris observes that Carla should be feeling ashamed. And the alleged candle story is spread further. Liz tells him no mud slinging. Carla and Roy come into the bar. Carla is welcomed by Liz and the latter responds by thanking her for the clothes. Carla is just grateful for being there when Kal and Maddie are not. Doris mutters but Rita tells him to be quiet. Carla however senses what is gong on and decides she does not want a drink. She tells Liz to keep the change and they go. As they go Doris observes that they all wish she does not have two deaths on her conscience. Roy turns and then decides not to make more of it.

Outside Leanne is coming from the other direction and immediately opens her gob to give Carla a piece of her mind. Carla had planned to see her to sympathise with her loss and says she is sorry but Leanne is in attack mode and wants to know if it is true that Carla left a candle burning. Alya and Zeedan appear and also want to know the answer. Leanne shouts "YES OR NO?". Carla admits she does not know. Leanne says that once again because of Carla she has lost the man she loves and Alya has lost her father [for new readers Carla "stole" Peter from Leanne although Leanne did have the affair with Nick so it is not black and white]. However Leanne will never forgive Carla. Zeedan wants to know more. However Alya stops him pressing the point.

David and Nick return to the Platt house where Bethany says she has been trying to phone David. Until she found his phone in the bathroom. And there is nothing wrong with the kids. Max is over with Aadi. Anyway she wanted to let him know that Kylie had been outside earlier. Bethany is absolutely certain that it was Kylie. David wants to know if she off her head. David asks her not to tell anyone else. She has to keep her gob shut.

Roy is telling Carla that it was an accident. She however insists it was a mistake. The door opens and Tracy comes in. She says she wants to know how it feels to be responsible for so much suffering - Father, Son, Lover. So many people have got a hole in their life because of Carla. And don't get me started on the Websters. Roy almost manhandles Tracy back out of the cafe. Tracy says that many people despise you Carla and the air that you breathe. And she adds welcome to her world. See how you like it. Carla starts sobbing.

Roll credits.

Well it has been a long week so I will leave it there.

Richard





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