Tracy's in the kitchen looking worried. Amy comes down in her new school uniform, it's her first day at Weatherfield High, and she's excited. She does a twirl but Tracy's not impressed. She hardly notices and snaps at her daughter. Just then there's a knock on the door. It's Robert. "We need to talk," he says, walking in.

It's Kevin's 50th birthday and he's opening his cards. Sophie has put a sparkler into a crumpet and she and Jack sing 'Happy Birthday' to him. There's a knock on the door, it's Tim with a present. Kevin opens it and is somewhat lost for words when he sees the large, ostentatious, gold bracelet. "Nothing's too good for my bezzie mate!" says Tim, giving him a hug, adding that he can wear it later when they go out and sink a few. Kevin says he's just going to stay home and have a quiet night. When he's out of the room Tim turns to Sophie. "Quiet night? Is he in for a shock or what!"

Tyrone and Fiz are trying to get the girls ready to go to the hospital. Hope is upset because she wanted to go to school, it's the first day, and she hasn't got her teddy either. Fiz sends her upstairs to look for it.

Outside in the Street, Leanne is seeing Simon off to school.

Tim is now walking along with Sally, planning the surprise party evening. He tells her he'll take Kevin out for a few beers while she gets everything ready at home. They pass the garage and go over to speak to Kevin. Tim asks if he's wearing his bracelet and Kevin pulls his sleeve back to show that he is. Sally is surprised, it's the first she's heard about this bracelet. "Do blokes wear bracelets?" she asks. "Indeed they do," says a voice, it's Mary, hurrying over, with a tale about her cousin. Sally asks how much it costs, but Tim won't say in front of Kevin.

Nick lets himself into Carla's, and she appears looking very hungover. He's brought orange juice and a bacon sarnie. She tells him she doesn't want his pity. He puts his arms round her and says he's just a bloke trying to make his girlfriend feel better. He's all for both of them taking the day off and snuggling up, but she sends him back to work. When he's gone she finds his wallet on the worktop. She opens it up and pulls out his credit card.

Robert and Tracy are sitting at the table. He tells her he loves her but there can't be any secrets. She tells him that on the night of the fire she went round to Carla's flat. She was angry, but she didn't know that Amy was there. She couldn't find the light switch so she lit a candle. Carla was spark out on the sofa and Tracy wanted to hurt her, but when it came to it she couldn't do anything so she left, accidentally leaving the candle on. Robert asks if she wanted to kill Carla. "No!" says Tracy, vehemently, "I didn't. How can you think that?" He points out that Carla thinks she started the fire, but no one else lit that candle – Tracy did. She nods.

Mary goes into the cafe and asks Roy if he'd like to play chess later. He's hesitant, and starts to ask Cathy if she'd mind. She says of course he should do what he wants, and anyway she's been under his feet for too long, it's time she moved back home, and she goes off to pack a bag.

Fiz and Tyrone are in the hospital waiting room waiting for the results with Hope, who is upset because she couldn't find her teddy to bring with her. Just then Fiz gets a text, Chesney has found teddy, so Fiz urges Tyrone to take Hope and go back home.

Sally in the Kabin buying up party items for Kevin's party. Mary comes in and assumes that she's invited. "Daytime or evening?" she asks. Just then Kevin walks into the shop and Mary starts talking about nothing in particular and Sally hurriedly puts the bag of things she's buying out of sight. Rita then starts talking to Kevin about his 'bromance' with Tim, and he shows her the bracelet. "And we still don't know how much he paid for it," mutters Sally.

Robert is standing in the back yard looking thoughtful. Tracy comes out and says she reckons that he thinks she tried to kill Carla. "You've done it before," says Robert. Tracy says there is no way she would risk going back inside again. She knows she did a bad thing breaking into Carla's flat but she wasn't thinking straight. She begs him to believe her. Eventually he says that he does believe her. "So?" she asks, "what are you going to do about it?"

Tim goes into the garage to see Kevin to arrange the drink later. Kevin asks him if he'll mind the garage for an hour or so while he nips over to Bolton to pick up a part.

Tyrone has arrived back in the Street with Hope, and Chesney brings the teddy out for her, and asks why she hasn't gone to school for her first day. Tyrone fibs and tells him that it's a staggered entry so she's going tomorrow. Chesney tells Tyrone that Mary is doing face-painting at the community centre so Tyrone takes her off down there.

Robert and Tracy are still talking. He says that he believes her, but she needs to tell Carla. "No!" says Tracy, she's sure that Carla will tell everybody, she may even go to the police. She covered her tracks, she even threw the keys into the canal. "So come clean," says Robert. "What? Tell Carla the truth but lie to the police?" says Tracy. "Just do it," says Robert.

Sally, Rita and Sophie are getting the food and the room all ready for Kevin's surprise party. Sally reckons Tim will be taking him into the Rovers about now. Rita thinks it's lovely how well they all get on together.

Simon goes into the bistro. Leanne is surprised and asks why he's not at school. He says he left his packed lunch at home, and then tells her that everyone at school has got a really cool phone and he's got her rubbish old one. She tells him if he carries on behaving himself and does jobs around the flat, she'll get him a new phone. He thanks her and goes off to pick up his lunch.

Mary is painting a tiger's face onto Hope. Roy is there, and so Tyrone asks if he'll look after Hope for a little while, there's somewhere he needs to be. Roy agrees, so Tyrone rushes off back to the hospital.

Kirk goes into the cafe and asks Gary along to Kevin's surprise party. Just then Cathy comes in looking for Roy. She tells Gary that she just managed a few hours in her house on her own and quite enjoyed it, so when Roy gets back she's going to tell him that she'll move back.

Tim is still at the garage, waiting for Kevin to return. He sees Sally dragging a supermarket trolly full of cans of beer and bottles of alcohol across the cobbles and calls to her. He tells her that Kevin has gone to Bolton.

Just as Fiz gets called into the doctor's office, Tyrone rushes up, explaining that he couldn't leave her on her own. They sit down and the doctor tells that that they've found a mass in Hope's stomach and it's possible that Hope has a type of childhood cancer.

Anne Logan

Welcome, time for another update - an extra Thursday episode again this week so double dose from me!

So getting the legal bits done and dusted. Episode 8724, series 56 episode 181. The writer tonight was Jonathan Harvey, whilst the director was . Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks. Now we head for Weatherfield.

We open in the Doctor's office where Ty and Fiz are simply not believing what they are being told. Hope will have to go in within a few days for a biopsy to be taken from lump or mass which should not be there and then they can find what type of cells are in the lump. Is it cancer? It could be but it will not be known until they have the results of the biopsy. If it is cancerous then there will be a need for further scans and tests to see if any of the cells have spread elsewhere. Hopefully the best treatment can then be identified. Poor Fiz looks completely mortified.

Kirk is trying his secret party joke on Erica who is behind the Rovers bar. Carla comes in and observes that the pub has a new employee and asks for the usual large red. Carla is on the phone registering with a web site and using a card in the name of N Tilsley. Erica overhears the conversation.

At the surprise party Rita is refusing another drink as Sally may ask her to sing, but judging by her verbosity she has already consumed adequate (if you know what I mean). We can see Steve and Lloyd in the background. Gail would like to be asked to sing, although Rita thought she was tone deaf. Gail denies it and says she is a private singer (which I assume is closely related to being a "Private Dancer"?) mainly in the shower. Gail just wishes she was more outgoing at a bash - but Rita assures she should be grateful as her instrument is both a blessing and a curse! Andrea, Sean and Billy arrive and are told where the drinks are by Sophie as she needs to ring Sal and find out where she is. A cold welcome is exchanged between Lloyd, Steve and Andrea.

At the garage Tim is entertaining himself blowing up plastic gloves so is caught unawares when Sal appears. Kev drives up and Tim is glad he appears before Sal's earbashing gets worse - she does get to mention "bromance". We are reminded Kev is 50 and that Tim appears to be obsessed with him. Then she departs to rescue her pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon for those not aware of these culinary delights). Sal has apparently undercatered for the party.

Hope asks Roy if they can go to the swings on the Red Rec. First they go to the cafe shop for an ice cream but Hope, with her painted face seems very unhappy.

Fiz and Ty are home - Ty says they have to stay positive, she is a tough little kid - a real fighter. Fiz wishes it was her - Hope is too small, it is simply not fair. Ty says they have to keep it together - but Fiz just want to fetch her from Roy but Ty suggests leaving it five minutes; she needs to calm down. Fiz snaps at him that he cannot tell her how to behave with her own daughter. She says he must not treat her as stupid.

Sal brings in Tim and Kev and the gathering shouts "Surprise" - they all want to celebrate his big birthday properly. Tim gets him a drink and Sal makes Kev show off his bracelet which is a symbol of wealth and posterity for the landed gentry. Lloyd is heard to remark that it is very bling.

In the Bistro Robert asks Leanne how she is coping - she responds that days are fine but nights are difficult - lonely in bed. Robert sympathises. Si is watching and Leanne asks him to thank Robert for being allowed to use his tablet. Si sarcastically says "Thank you Robert!". Robert tells him not to be too enthusiastic. Si comes to the bar and tells Robert that if he is thinking of asking Leanne out that her fellas usually end up dead or on the other side of the world. "Just sayin'" says Simon. Leanne apologises to Robert but he knows death affects everyone.

Ty comes out of the house and finds Fiz leaning against the wall; he apologises. Roy is bringing Hope along the Street and Fiz rushes to her. "Mummy loves you so much" Fiz says as she sweeps Hope up in her arms. Roy asks about the hospital visit so Fiz passes Hope to Ty to take indoors. With difficulty Fiz tells Roy that they have found a lump in Hope's tummy and they have been for test results. Fiz shakes her head and says that the news is not good. They have found a tumour (which is not confirmed yet) but Fiz almost mentions the "C" word before Roy says how sorry he is. Fiz strokes Roy and then turns and walks slowly back to her house.

After the break we are in the cafe where Cathy is packed and ready to go home - as she tells Gary the only job left now is to tell Roy. Roy comes in, visibly distressed and has to go upstairs. Cathy says she will follow him up in a few minutes.

Back to the party where Gail is saying how good it is of Sally to do all this for an eh-husband. Sally is worried that perhaps people think she is daft. Rita and Gail both say no very quickly (thinking yes in both cases). Andrea congratulates Sal on doing the spread by herself. Andrea's limit is cheese on toast and she can burn that! Lloyd is asked to comment but is saying nothing. Andrea asks Lloyd how he is doing - well apparently and she responds in similarly enthusiastic fashion - but their faces tell a completely opposite story. Steve, not noticing Andrea, says that it was good to Lloyd at the breakfast table and Kirk asks why Lloyd was at the Rovers for his first meal of the day - it becomes apparent that he might have been dealing in oats before breakfast - which Andrea overhears. Andrea's face is a picture of despondency and despair. She thanks them for telling her so publicly. Why not just post it online? Lloyd says he did not want to hurt her feelings. Reminded it is Kev's party Lloyd leaves. Steve follows and a very drunken but observant Rita asks Gail if she has noticed the change in mood in the room. It is common at parties says Gail and Billy adds that he has had numerous weddings end in fisticuffs. Sally offers everyone prawn vol-au-vent - and you don't get those every day!

Kev tells Sean that the watch is not really his kind of thing - a statement which Tim overhears with alarm. Tim observes that at least Kev is being honest.

Fiz tells Ty the girls are playing. Ty is thinking of a takeaway for dinner, but he is not hungry; but they need to eat. Fiz eventually loses her temper over the menu choices from the Chinese. Fiz asks him what it would be if it was his daughter - could he be normal?

Out on the Street Nick is patting his pockets. He meets Rob who has been buying milk and who asks after Carla. Nick snaps at him. Then moving on Nick meets Erica. She also asks after Carla and again Nick defends his partner.

Tim is drinking in the garden when Kev emerges from the conservatory. He apologises to Tim. Kev says he does like the bracelet - but it is not really "him". Tim asks if she should take it back but Kev tells him to behave. Tim tells him about the ear bashing from Sal over the cost. Kev says he wants to save it for special occasions. Mollified they go inside to blow out the candles.

Cathy has made Roy some strong tea. Gently Cathy seeks to get him to talk about the new problem which he has clearly got. Roy remains silent. Eventually she stops and he says that he has had some incredibly sad news about his god-daughter Hope and that her stomach pains are in fact cancer. He feels completely winded. She observes that life is really unfair sometimes. He changes the subject and asks how she got on at her house and she lies, pushing the packed bag out of site, and says not good, she was a quivering wreck and so he will have to put up with her a little longer - which does not seem to displease him.

Ty is sitting in the back yard when Fiz emerges to apologise; Ty says he loves Ruby just as much as Hope and what she said was wrong. He goes inside whilst she is left outside, the argument unresolved.

We see a poker screen and a large glass of red - Carla is gambling again. Behind her Nick lets himself into the flat quietly and then asks if she is having fun. He knew what he was taking on - and he then picks up his credit card. And she has no idea how much she has lost.

Sal drags Tim into the garden, she wants to set a date for the wedding. October perhaps says Tim - a bit soon for Sal. Tim reckons that they are not getting any younger and should get on with it. They have a big snog which Sal enjoys. Should then make an announcement? Tim thinks not as it is Kev's big day. But tomorrow they should. Hasta Manayana says Sal explaining that it is Italian for "Til Tomorrow"; oddly I thought it was Spanish and meant tomorrow should hurry up and come!

Leanne returns home and is sharp with Simon over his earlier rudeness showing her up. Simon and Leanne discuss his behaviour and Simon is every bit the nasty teenager we have seen, nasty about Kal, about his father and with no respect for Leanne. She tells him that he cannot have his new phone. Leanne says she was a difficult teen - but NO ONE holds a candle to Simon. Simon responds by turning up the TV volume control.

Fiz finally apologises to Ty. "You lot me the world to me" says Ty as Fiz sits down next to him on the sofa and he puts his arm around her. It might be a madhouse - but at least they have each other and not everyone has that replies Fiz. And at the moment they still have their little girl. And she collapses in tears on his chest. And we can see Ty also breaking into tears as he holds her.

Roll credits.

Some of this was both hard to watch and transcribe. At the age of 8 our daughter was eventually diagnosed with a life shortening condition and sadly left us a little over two years ago. To say the least therefore my wife and I have an understanding of the pressures and difficulties experienced by Fiz and Ty and I can only hope that the outcome for Hope is positive as saying farewell to any child is very difficult.

Elsewhere there is good and bad.

Carla is beyond breaking point.

Cathy is suddenly on the road to recovery.

Lloyd wants Andrea and Andrea wants Lloyd; hard luck Liz.

See you tomorrow when I do my usual update!

Richard

This comes to you from That London where I am torn between welcoming all the Rugby World Cup games to ITV and being annoyed that Corrie's being disrupted.

This episode begins with Leanne getting breakfast ready and Simon coming out of his room very very carefully, unsure of the reception he will get. She tells him he will have to have a cereal bar because there are no clean dishes for breakfast. He apologises and Leanne eventually accepts this. Simon doesn't stop to do any dishes though. He's off to school early to have a bit of a kickabout. Leanne looks at the pile of dishes and sighs.

Fiz stares into space. Tyrone has been with the girls. They agree that they have to go and tell Chesney and the others about Hope. Tyrone is close to tears.

As Fiz leave the house, Sally sees her and says something sarcastic about Fiz supposedly being too ill to go to work. Sally and Tim talk about where to get married. Sally rather fancies the bistro. I tell you, if there was nothing but the kebab shop in the street, that's where everyone would have their wedding reception! Sally thinks the bistro is far classier than the Rovers. Clearly she likes unfinished timber in a railway arch. Sally's also talking about getting Michelle to organise the wedding. Tim doesn't think this is all necessary but Sally points out that weddings can cost a fortune and they don't want to get it wrong. He looks terrified but Sally reassures him it'll only be a few grand each. Tim makes a sort of strangled noise.

Leanne's been to buy cleaning products. She meets Nick and mentions the difficulties of living with an adolescent.

Fiz has already told the other family members about Hope. She tells them that only they and Roy know about it.

Carla's on the phone trying to get some credit extended. She ends up by telling them they can stuff their bank and she'll take her business somewhere else. She's just got out the wine when Nick lets himself into the flat. Carla tells him she's going to pay him back, then tries to hit him up for a loan. Nick tells her he loves her but she has to get herself sorted. He doesn't want Erica, he wants her and he's sticking with her no matter what. Carla throws him out.

Leanne's just putting on her rubber gloves when the phone goes. She tells whoever it is that she'll come right away.

Chesney goes to see Roy. He says Fiz is worried about Roy and suggests Roy go to see them. Roy says this should be family time. "You are family," Chesney tells him. Cathy comes in and asks if Roy's all right. He's a bit annoyed that everyone keeps asking him that.

Simon has been fighting at school and Leanne's having words. Simon spits out that it was all her fault - the others were slagging off his phone and if Leanne had bought him a new one. . . Leanne tells him to get inside and do the dishes he should have done yesterday.

Sally finishes a call and tells Aidan good luck for his business meeting. Then she swans out to the factory floor to tell everyone she's getting married on October 5 and they're all invited to the wedding of the year. She can't understand why they're not very enthusiastic and snaps at Beth.

Simon tells Leanne he won't do the dishes and he'll be staying at Kal's tonight. Leanne gives him a deadline - she wants those dishes done by the time she's finished running the bath. Simon refuses. He's going out and she can't stop him. She tries to do just that and Simon fights her off. He kicks out at her and she falls, hitting her head on the glass coffee table as he heads out the door.

Cathy tells Yasmeen that she's worried about Roy. They discuss the effect that grief has on people and Cathy says Yasmeen always seems so strong. Yasmeen says the secret is to learn to cry without making a sound. And this is what she does every night, knowing that in the bed beside her, Sharif is doing the same thing. She advises Cathy that Roy's not the easiest person to help. The best thing is to wait until he comes to her.

Sally, still annoyed that not everybody shares her wedding excitement, stops by Beth's machine and deliberately picks a fight, slagging off fancy-dress weddings and Beth's taste generally. In the middle of the argy-bargy, Aidan comes back. He asks whether Fiz is still off sick and Sally says Fiz seemed fine when she saw her this morning. Sinead says Fiz is still sick. Aidan warns her she'd better be telling him the truth.

As Tim cleans the windows of the kebab shop, he talks to Dev about Sally's wedding expectations and how he can't afford to pay thousands. Dev reminds him that that's even before the cost of the honeymoon. Honeymoon? Tim hadn't thought about that. Dev's theory is that women only get married for the honeymoon. He talks about a friend who was divorced, 50,000 pounds in debt and homeless before he paid for the honeymoon. Dev notices a wet patch on the ceiling that he's sure wasn't there before.

Upstairs, we see Leanne still lying unconscious while the bath overflows.

Tim suggests he get a ladder and look through the flat window but Dev points out that Leanne might be in the bath.

At the bistro, Michelle asks Nick about Carla. He tells her about Carla stealing his credit card.

Roy's sitting in the car listening to music and Cathy knocks on the window. She gets in and they sit there together, eyes closed, listening to the music.

Michelle knocks on Carla's door and insists on being let in. She tells Carla that she's just like Steve was and Michelle's not going to let Carla slip through the cracks the way Steve did. She gives Carla the number of Steve's therapist and tell her to call him. Otherwise their friendship is finished.

More and more water comes through the kebab shop ceiling. Dev dithers but Mary tells him to get the spare key.

Time tells Sally they'll have to put off the wedding. There's no way he can pay for it. Sally tells him she was just winding him up.

Aidan sees Fiz in the street and shouts at her that he thought she was sick. He demands a sick-note from the doctor. The machinists come out behind him and try to defend Fiz. Tyrone sees what's happening and rushes over. He shouts at Aidan that Fiz is off work because their daughter has cancer. "Happy now?"

Mary and Dev enter Leanne's flat. Dev heads for the bathroom and pulls the plug in the bath. "Get an ambulance!" orders Mary. "Quick!"

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Hello again. With an extra episode most weeks at the moment the pace in update towers is pretty relentless. This will in fact (if I complete it) be my third update in less than a week and I will soon need to write another.

Episode 8726, series 56, episode 183; written by Mark Wadlow; directed by Ian Bevitt; copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

We open in Leanne's flat with Mary looking at Leanne lying on the floor with Dev on the phone summoning an ambulance. Leanne groans and wakes; Mary explains that she has had a fall. Dev adds that the paramedics are on the way. Mary is annoyed with Dev because he has not been given an eta for the ambulance! Mary shows her medical knowledge gained from watching a lot of television.

Aidan is showing his humane side as he sits with Fiz and Ty in the office unable to imagine what they are experiencing. Hope is four and they know Aidan has only been there a week. Aidan says he should be apologising - he had no idea and he was completely out of order. He admits he could have been far more tactful. Fiz reckons it was possibly a good thing - no the entire Street will soon know. Fiz is unsacked and if there is anything which Aidan can do they only have to ask. Aidan tells them to sit still and he will get coffees.

Leanne is kneeling up and groaning, holding her head which has been bleeding. Mary asks if she can remember what happened. Leanne says it was all a bit of blur. Mary asks if she watches tv medical dramas - she prefers the gory ones. Dev is trying to mop up the overflowing water and we hear the ambulance sounds. Leanne does not want the ambulance and says she could have gone to the medical centre. Mary tells the paramedic that "we've got a 34-year-old female, rendered unconscious after a fall. Blood pressure is normal. (How does Mary know that - she might know pulse rate but not pressure?). The paramedic says they will take over now. Again the paramedic wants to know what happened. Leanne says nothing.

Fiz and Ty leave the factory. Relations between them are not good and they still have to tell Hope now that everyone else knows. Fiz goes home and Ty goes into the garage to see if Kev needs any help - he needs to stay out of Fiz's way.

Leanne has a bandage around her head and Mary offers to join her in the ambulance. Dev convinces Mary not to go. Before the ambulance departs Mary tells the paramedic that they arrived in 8 minutes as she timed them. Zeedan appears and wants to know what has happened. The paramedic and Zeedan convince Leanne to allow him to go along - much to Mary's annoyance. Simon is watching events from behind the phone kiosk across the Street.

Inside Woody Roy and Cathy are listening to classical music. Roy tells Cathy that it is family and Hope is only four. Cathy knows that saying nothing is wisest at this point. One good thing - Roy knows and he can help and support Ty and Fiz - this is not his tragedy and he needs to do this on his own. She gets out and leaves him to it.

In the hospital Zeedan is asking Leanne what happened and she creates a story about slipping whilst Simon was at Kyle's. Zeedan goes to phone Simon when the nurse comes to see Leanne. She checks for signs of concussion - but there is just a lump and this time Leanne says she fell after tripping. We note Zeedan has picked up the change in story. The nurse spots some older bruises on Leanne's arms. The nurse asks Zeedan to leave them alone.

Michelle is trying to get Carla to talk to her - without much luck. Michelle is proposing Carla sees a therapist as it has worked for Steve - but Carla says it will not work for her. Carla justifies her gambling as adjusting her work / life balance in the face of Michelle's onslaught suggesting she is flushing her life away. Carla says she has lost the hunger for everything except crisps! Michelle tells her that if she does not get help then something really bad is going to happen. She takes the card.

Carla is talking at last and admits that taking the credit card was wrong. She admits that she is a total mess and she will pull herself together. Carla will have a bath, get dressed and then she will call the therapist. Michelle asks Carla not to let her down and then departs for work.

The nurse has decided that Leanne should be kept in overnight for observation - she thinks that Leanne is the subject of domestic abuse and suspects that Zeedan is beating her and gives her a card on domestic abuse - a battered wife. Leanne says they are barking up the wrong tree and just would not believe the truth. Time for a break.

We resume with Simon in the flat finally listening to the voicemail message from Zeedan and seeing the stain on the carpet from the blood.

Elsewhere on the Street Fiz opens the door to Roy who is carrying a large cooking pot. The girls are painting on the table. Roy apologises and says that you need friends. Roy asks if they are sure and Fiz says pretty sure. He has made a stew to save cooking. Hope has spilt the paint and Roy offers to help clear up once the stew is in the oven. Bath time for the children.

Leanne has admitted it is Simon to Zeedan - it has been getting worse and Si has been getting very angry and lashing out - and it keeps happening. Zeedan says she cannot stand for it - but she is scared of Simon. She says it will be fine and Zeedan must say nothing because she does not want Si in trouble.

Fiz comes downstairs after the bath and finds the living room has been completely tidied and the stew making the place smell nice. They discuss the future and Roy recounts Hayley saying after visiting the consultant that whilst the news itself was unwelcome it was actually nice to know what the problem was. Fiz agrees. Roy reads "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" to the two girls, even if Goldilocks was essentially a burglar. Ty returns and thanks Roy.

In the hospital Leanne is telling Zeedan the truth. She cannot phone the police or the social services - but there has to be a way to solve this. Zeedan says he owes it to his father to look after Leanne. Zeedan is worried that it will get worse. She says she will always be there for Simon.

In the Rovers Michelle admits to Aidan that she has seen Carla who is in a bad way and is pulling herself together. Aidan would like to sack Carla. Over at the flat Carla is on line and gambling again; she tears up the card for the therapist.

Simon is packing clothes, tooth brush and toothpaste and looks at a picture of him with Leanne and then goes out.

Fiz and Ty agree they need to keep calm for the children and in particular Hope - they have to tell her that she has a lump on her tummy, so she has to go back to the hospital for some special medicines that will make her better. Hope innocently asks if it will make her better and Fiz says "Of course it will".

Roll credits.

Again tonight echoed so much of something that my family experienced that my memories of our daughter's diagnosis are strong with me tonight. Sadly we knew the end game and could not assure her that she could get better; but as with Hayley's comments knowing was so much better than not knowing.

No comedy tonight - I am not in the mood.

Richard

Written by Debbie Oates Directed by Durno Johnston

Carla comes out of Victoria Court, talking to Aidan on the phone. She promises to be at McNee's that afternoon and suggests she go to the supplier in the morning to check out some prices. As she comes around the corner, she sees Ken, Tracy and Amy come out of the house.

Amy is not so keen on the "outdoor" club for after school which she had chosen. Ken teases her about an imaginary friend and Tracy points out Amy talks to herself. As they walk across the road, Amy is insisting she won't make any fires from sticks, she has ADHD from the fire. ah. No, Ken corrects her, it's PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Amy argues with Tracy who doesn't think she has it. Amy claims she hates fire just as Carla comes within view and Amy directs her vitriol that way, blaming Carla. Tracy tries to stall the situation. Carla tries to talk to Amy but Amy is pulled away by Tracy and they move away. Carla looks shaken.

David describes the bad dream that Max had to Kylie. It seemed to be a monster with Callum's head on it, poor mite. Max had woken them and Lily up with the dream. They complain about cramped quarters and think Lily should have her own room. Gail comes downstairs. David asks her if Lily could sleep in with her for a few days. Negative. David suggests that Gail move out but that gets the reaction you would expect. End of discussion.

Nick suggests that Leanne work from home but she insists she wants to work. She'll stay in the office, hiding her bruised face from all and sundry. Nick knows there's something bothering her but she is a bit vague. Returning from the hospital to an empty flat (Simon is apparently at a friend's) and Nick susses that she's missing Kal. Leanne sees Carla coming. Nick observes that Carla looks tired. Carla asks Leanne if she's ok but Leanne just hisses back at her and leaves. She's a bit stroppy when Nick tells her that Leanne is missing Kal and tells him she's off to a supplier's. He offers her a lend of his car. She's really in a mood and goes off on him for being a lap dog. Have some self respect, she spits, and whirls around. Robert comes out of the Bistro and hears the last bit of this. Leanne and Zeedan, standing in front of the corner shop, watch her go. Zeedan asks if Simon has apologized but she says she hasn't seen him, only had some texts. Zeedan thinks Leanne shouldn't let him get away with it.

In the cafe, Aidan is leaving a message for Carla to let her know the meeting has moved to 5 p.m. Alya doesn't think Carla will show up. Aidan informs her that McNees has just taken on a chain of businesses and he wants them to get in on the action. Alya looks thoughtful at this information.

At Number 1, Tracy calls out to Amy who doesn't reply. Robert arrives. Amy is in her room running down a list of food Simon has eaten including extortionate prices for glasses of milk seeing as she's allergic. The door of the wardrobe opens and Simon is revealed to be hiding out inside. He asks for a phone charger. She adds it to the list. In the kitchen, Robert pulls out a piece of equipment from the cupboard that he needs and tells her she needs to talk to Carla. Tracy tries to get out of it because it's not an easy thing to do. That doesn't wash with Robert. If she doesn't do it soon, he will.

Michelle and Carla had made plans to go out tonight. Carla sees her on the street and pokes her head out the car window, aiming to get out of their date but Michelle won't have it. She drives around the corner then backs up onto the pavement near the pub. Roy comes along and sees her go into the pub.

Leanne has Simon's school kit to take to him. Zeedan offers to go but she wants to see Simon. Zeedan apologizes for interfering and offers to text Simon. Leanne agrees.

Roy finds Carla drinking out in the ginnel by Maddie's memorial. Carla muses that that kind of memorial wouldn't do for her. She'd end up with a glass of red and a "Good Riddance" banner. Roy points out her friends and neighbours would think more of her than that. He does gently admonish her for drinking and potentially driving. She hands the glass to him and remarks it's cheaper drinking at home.

In the salon, David and Kylie are both looking wrung out after their night of interrupted sleep. Maria comes in with coffees. They have a discussion about zombie hairdressers and make jokes about a salon name for it. David makes a dark joke about smothering Gail in her bed if she doesn't move out.

Carla heads to her car. Tracy is standing there and tries to get Carla to agree to put the past in the past. Carla gets in the car. Tracy tries to get her to come in for coffee but she looks intent on driving somewhere so Tracy jumps in the car, trying to make Carla believe the fire wasn't her fault. It was an accident. Carla knows that Maddie and Kal are still dead, no matter what. Carla starts up the car and drives off with Tracy.

Leanne is frantic. Simon hasn't been to school nor his friend's. Zeedan says he's not heard from him and thinks he must be ok if he's been texting his mother. Leanne leaves a phone message for Simon to call her. Zeedan offers to help find him.

Tracy tries to get Carla to turn the car around. Carla makes a mention of Thelma and Louise and considers the possibility of driving into the ship canal after Tracy mentions it. Tracy's getting scared now. Carla gives her three questions. Tracy's questions "Have you been drinking?" "No" "You're lying aren't you?" "Yep" "Are you mad??!!" "Yes, probably" and that's all she gets. Tracy pulls a bottle of vodka out of Carla's bag. Carla promises she's not going to kill them both. She's had enough deaths on her conscience.

In the Bistro, Michelle is waiting for Carla who seems to have stood her up. She and Nick discuss their concern for Carla. Robert offers to make Carla's favourite dish to keep her in the Bistro so Michelle and Nick can talk to her.

In the factory, Aidan and Alya are with a client who is impressed so far. The client ends up sending Aidan for the coffee instead of Alya and the two women discuss what Aidan is like to work for. Alya implies that she's only at the factory to get some experience and makes sure she mentions her business degree, with textiles as the main thrust of it. The client looks interested when Alya asks her for a bit of advice.

Carla has pulled into a car park. She gets out and throws her car keys into the brush opposite after Tracy accuses her of planning to drink and drive. Carla gives Tracy some cash for a cab which should be nearby and heads out into the field with her bottle. Tracy follows her.

Anna talks to Roy about Miley and Faye but his mind is still on Carla. At a table, Gail is looking at flat listings for a senior's complex with Maria who is the one that has given them to her. Maria had thought Gail was thinking of moving out but Gail most certainly was not and is a bit insulted that the listings are for infirm old people.

Carla is now sitting on the edge of a cliff which is apparently near where she grew up. She dangles her legs over the edge while she drinks. Tracy has followed her and has found the car keys. She tells Tracy that she and Rob and their friends used to play near there, playing dangerous games by the cliff. She looks over the edge and reckons there's a chance of survival if you went over the edge. Carla is clearly thinking about jumping and wishes Tracy hadn't saved her when the mini bus nearly went over the edge. She'd be dead but Kal and Maddie would be alive. Tracy reckons she had to, and you can't know how things are going to turn out. She tries to convince Carla to come back to the car. Carla stands up but walks away.

Nick and Michelle are still waiting for Carla while Robert sets up a table nicely for Carla should she arrive. Nick tells Michelle he needs to talk to Carla alone. If Michelle doesn't show up at first, Carla will wait for her and Nick can use the opportunity.

Leanne is at Ken's and has told him that Simon's missing. She's really worried and they discuss calling the police as Amy arrives home. Amy denies having seen Simon and asks if she can go change her clothes. Leanne tells Ken that she and Simon had argued. In her room, Amy opens the wardrobe door and tells him that Leanne is there and is upset. Ken insists they should call the police.

Carla has climbed up a rocky incline and it's a lot higher up than where she was sitting before. She talks about Kal and Maddie, who was only 18. She mentions she turned 40 while she was in L.A. She teeters a bit while she looks over and wonders if a gust of wind would make a decision for her. Tracy tries to convince her that they have to make the best of the hand we're dealt. Carla agrees, it's a gamble. Tracy is starting to get frantic. Carla mumbles about the roll of the dice...Tracy tries to get Carla away from the edge with platitudes about the fire being fate. Carla thinks fate might work, head or tails, red or black, it's just the way things fall. She moves even closer to the edge with a coin in her hand to flip. Heads she stands, tails she falls. She flips it into the air.

Tvor

Written by Jan McVerry and directed by Durno Johnston

Carla looks at the coin in her hand: it's come up tails. But as she hovers at the edge of the cliff Tracy's conscience finally kicks in. She shouts that it wasn't Carla who left the candle burning. "It was me … I did it!" Tracy confesses.

Meanwhile in the Bistro Robert is serving up the starter to Nick. Nick tries to console himself that Carla was never one for starters, they fill her up too much. Robert says that from what he's heard it's usually due to a bottle of Rioja.

Back at the cliff edge Tracy is trying to explain herself to Carla. She says the fire was an accident but she's jealous of the way Carla attracts people and money. Carla says you don't go round killing people because they're popular. Tracy tells her that all she ever wanted was the Rovers, she and Tony were made for it. It's almost as shocking to Carla to think Tracy up killing two people because she wanted a share in a backstreet pub. Tracy spits back that it wasn't enough that Carla took Rob, she took the pub as well, and she wanted to make her pay.

Leanne's with Ken and Amy. She's on the phone to the police. Ken asks Amy to go and buy some more milk as the police are coming round to talk about Simon. Amy tells him they won't have far to look as he's in her room. And he owes her £4.60, she adds. Leanne rushes upstairs to Amy's bedroom. The wardrobe door opens and a contrite-looking Simon emerges. Leanne gives him a big hug. Simon wants to know if he's in trouble with the police. Leanne says no and hugs him again. Simon looks over her shoulder at Amy and mouths the word ‘traitor'.

We return to the cliff where Carla is coming to terms with the knowledge that Tracy is the guilty party. She asks her if she feels any remorse. Tracy says of course she does. Carla grabs hold of her and, pushing her towards the edge of the cliff, asks why doesn't she do the decent thing and jump. Tracy fights back and says if she goes over the edge, she's taking Carla with her. As they struggle she asks Carla who they're going to believe – the doting mother or the pathetic lush? Tracy breaks free and Carla falls to the ground. As Tracy runs off Carla looks down and notices she's still holding the car key.

Round at Platt Towers, Gail is feeling upset. Kylie and David don't know what the problem is until they discover she's found the brochure on assisted living. David tries to explain that all he and Kylie want is a bit more space. "Why don't you send me off to live on Mars?" asks Gail sarcastically before flouncing out.

Out in the street Anna and Tim bump into Tony. They tell him excitedly that it's only one more day until Miley comes back from Canada. Meanwhile, Gail meets Sally coming out of her house. Sally's pleased – she's in need of a sounding board for her wedding plans. But Gail is far too busy wittering on about her own problems to listen to Sally's. Her version of events is that if David and Kylie had their way she'd be living in a cardboard box.

In the Bistro Robert is handing out relationship advice to Nick who is interested to know why Robert and Tracy split up. Robert says he can ask but he's not about to tell him.

Carla is back in the car. She catches up with Tracy walking along the street and offers her a lift. Tracy declines but wishes she hadn't when Carla tells her the first one home is the first one to break the news. "No, Carla!" Tracy calls out as Carla starts to drive off. She calls out that it was an accident. Carla stops the car, gets out and spells out to Tracy exactly what happened, starting with the fact that Tracy broke into her flat. Tracy says she had Michelle's keys and let herself in. Carla asks why her? After all, Tony hurt her far more than she did. Tracy reminds Carla about what she said when they were in the toilets at the wedding. She tells Carla that she's a hypocrite who's wrecked more homes than she's had hot dinners. "I sinned, so I had to die. Is that it?" asks Carla. Tracy tells her how she was disturbed by the sound of the toilet flush, she legged it and left the candle burning on the table. Tracy claims she bitterly regrets what happened to Maddie and Kal every day. She looks shocked when Carla mentions the police. "You didn't really think I was going to sit on this for old times' sake, did you?" asks Carla.

Tracy is reminds Carla she was a good Samaritan and stopped her throwing herself off the cliff. Carla asks her about Yasmeen and Sophie – don't they deserve to know the truth? She's sure the police will find enough evidence to convict Tracy. Tracy starts to beg, she can't go back to prison, how will it affect Amy and Ken? "Like you give a stuff about Ken," accuses Carla.

Leanne and Simon meet Zee in the street. Leanne tells him that they've sorted things out between them and reached an agreement. Simon realises Leanne has told Zee what happened. He tells Simon that he guessed and he's gutted – Simon isn't the lad he thought he was. He reminds Simon he's lost both his parents, sometimes he feels like punching a wall, but he has never lifted a hand to his family. Simon asks if they can go. Leanne shrugs at Zee and follows Simon.

Tim's in the cafe with Anna. He's lost his mobile phone and while he searches for it they exchange friendly banter. Anna mentions she's cooking chops for tea. Tim says Sally's giving him quiche and salad. He'd much rather have some red meat so Anna persuades him to go round to hers instead. Tim finds his phone and Anna tells him to send Sally a text.

Meanwhile Sally's having a glass of white wine with Gail in the Rovers while they pour over interior design magazines. Sally advises Gail that converting the garage into a granny flat conversion would be a lot cheaper than moving. Gail is concerned about how much it would cost. Sally says there's only one way to find out and calls over to Tony who is at the bar. She asks after Jason and then says Gail would like to buy him a pint.

Tracy is still arguing with Carla. She asks what would be gained by going to the police as the fire brigade have already proved the fire wasn't started deliberately. Carla says they proved no such thing. "So why weren't you charged then?" asks Tracy. Carla angrily tells her she has been charged, convicted and hung out to dry by the people who count. Her neighbours and staff despise her, her friends feel sorry for her and her business is on its knees. She continues to spell out what her life has turned into and asks Tracy what it's all for. "Nothing?" asks Tracy, tentatively. "For taking the rap for you!" screams Carla, getting back into her car and driving off. Tracy, who has now been abandoned in the middle of the street somewhere, spots two lads on motorbikes and goes across to them, turning on the charm.

Tim is round at Anna's. They're admiring photos of Miley on the computer. Faye comes bouncing in, singing a song from the Sound of Music. It's the auditions tomorrow and she's confident she'll get the part of Maria.

Tony's measuring the Platts' garage. David wants to know what's going on. Gail explains about the plans for the conversion. Who's name is on the mortgage and who's going to be paying he wants to know. Gail says they'll worry about that later but the good news is this way she and Lily both get their own room and they all get to stay living together.

Nick's sitting at a table in the Bistro waiting for Carla. He starts talking to Robert about what a state she's in. "The fire was an accident, right?" asks Robert. Nick says on paper, yes, but people round there don't think that and nor does Carla. Robert looks shifty. Nick pours him a glass of wine and continues to talk about how Carla is covering up her pain with her drinking and gambling. Robert looks shiftier than ever.

Leanne and Simon are at home. She tells him how the staff at the hospital thought Zee was the one who had hurt her. Once again Simon is sorry. He believes Zee must hate him. Leanne says that's not the case – he just hates what he did. Just then the doorbell rings. It's Zee who's arrived with a sleeping bag. Si tells him Leanne doesn't need a bodyguard. Zee replies that he's staying over until Si manages to prove that to him.

Tracy has cadged a lift home on the back of a motorbike. She arrives in the street at the same moment as Carla draws up in the car. Tracy tells her she didn't need to own up back there. Carla replies that she's two funerals too late. Tracy tells her that she'll sleep easier tonight but Carla says not until she gets justice for Kal and Maddie. Tracy says that if Carla goes to the police she'll deny every word.

Karen

It's 8am and Michelle and Nick are hammering on Carla's door, hoping that she hasn't done anything stupid. Inside, Carla sits on the sofa with her hands over her ears and the news report about the fire showing on the screen of her laptop.

Over at the Barlow's, Tracy is very jumpy when there's a knock on the door and she sends Amy out into the yard. Ken goes to the door and is delighted, it's a package of books that he ordered. She goes on being snappy and edgy and eventually goes off to the shop, asking Ken to look after Amy.

Zeedan is in the flat with Simon and Leanne. He tells Simon that he used to be a troublesome teenager but realised that he was being out of order.

It's Ruby's birthday, and Roy calls round to Fiz and Tyrone's with a present for her. Tyrone tells him they're going to have a party for her at the weekend. Roy then offers to drive them to the hospital, he says it will mean a lot to be able to help them.

In the cafe, Leanne tells Zeedan that she's thinking of sending Simon to stay with Peter for a while, and thanks him for his support. Anna finishes a phone call and turns to serve them, but Faye jumps up from where she's sitting with Tim and asks what was said. Anna says it went to voice mail, but explains that they are expecting Miley's return – she's been on holiday with her other grandparents. Tim says it's an exciting day for Faye, not only is Miley coming back, she's got her audition for the part of Maria in the Sound of Music.

Alya is just finishing a phone call when Aidan comes into the office. She tells him it was a college friend who has just landed a job with Channings. Michelle comes in to see if either of them have heard from Carla, but they haven't.

Tracy sees Ken in the Street and asks if he'll look after the shop, Todd is at the hospital with Jason and she's got a million things to do. He agrees and she gives him the keys.

Jason is getting dressed slowly and carefully, so that he can be discharged from the hospital. He says he never thought his ribs would hurt so much. Tony says he's got the van outside, but Eileen dismisses the idea, saying they'll get a black cab so that Jason can stretch out.

Nick and Michelle are back banging on Carla's door. Nick is just contemplating breaking the door down when Carla opens it. Michelle gives her a big hug and Nick asks where she's been, they've been worried sick. She tells them she had to get her head around some stuff, and says she hopes they like long stories.

Tracy is in the bistro, talking to Robert. He tells her how worried Nick has been because he and Michelle can't find Carla, and that Carla is in bits because of what she, Tracy, did. "What if it's pushed her over the edge?" he says. Tracy tells him that ship has sailed, Carla was about to jump off a cliff so Tracy told her the truth about the fire. She now thinks Carla must be down at the police station, telling all.

Tim has bought a guitar from Tracy's shop, and is in the cafe singing and playing badly. He tells Sarah and Bethany that he's going to be Weatherfield's new singing window cleaner, a modern day George Formby. Then he says he's bought it for Faye and her part in The Sound of Music. Anna tells him that she still hasn't heard anything from Miley's grandparents, so Tim says he'll go round there.

Carla has told Nick and Michelle about Tracy and the fire. Nick wants to know if she's called the police, but she says it's just her word against Tracy's, there is no evidence. Michelle tells her she can't go the rest of her life with Kal's family and the Websters blaming her for something that wasn't her fault. Carla tells them to get off her back and let her have time to think about it all.

Leanne has asked Zee round to the flat. She's worried about telling Simon that he's going to stay with his dad, she doesn't want him to feel rejected. Simon then comes in, scowling, and asks why Zeedan is there. "I'm not going into care!" he says. Leanne says she wouldn't put him care, and then hesitates. Zeedan butts in and tells him he's going to stay with his dad for a bit. Simon then says he'll try harder, he doesn't want to be sent away. Leanne says she thought he would like to go and stay with his dad for a while, Peter has got lots of plans. She suggests he goes and phones him.

Roy is trying to park in the hospital car park, and making a mess of it. Fiz and Tyrone take Hope and get out, they don't want to be late for their appointment. They tell him not to wait, they'll get the bus back.

Tracy is in the pub, knocking back red wine. Just then Nick, Carla and Michelle come in and it all seems really awkward. Carla asks Tracy if she'd like a drink, but she already has one. When they go to sit down, Tracy gets on the phone to Robert, telling him that Carla is there, but hasn't said anything. "I don't know what she's playing at," she says.

In the hospital, a nurse comes out and calls them to take Hope in for her biopsy.

Robert arrives at the pub and Tracy asks him to stay with her while she finishes her drink. "It's her word against mine," she tells him. Over at their table, Nick urges Carla to call the police, she can't let Tracy get away with it.

Just then Aidan comes in. After asking Carla where she's been, he tells her that Alya is going to meet them, she's been down at Channing's all morning and reckons she has good news. As he gets up to leave, Nick asks Robert why he's not working. He says the sous chef has it all under control. Nick stares at Tracy. "What are you looking at?" she asks. "I was just asking myself the same question," says Nick, and walks off.

Tim has arrived back at the cafe, telling Anna that when he got to Miley's grandparents house there was an estate agents board outside, offering the house for rent. Anna thinks he had the wrong and manages to get Josie on the phone. At the end of the call she turns to Tim looking shocked. "They're not coming back," she says, "they never intended coming back."

The Grimshaw family have arrived back. Eileen tells Tony to pay the taxi driver while Todd helps Jason into the house.

Alya arrives at the pub with her brother in tow. She says she wants him to see something first hand. She sees Carla and goes over to say that she's resigning, she's had a better offer from McNees, and she's going to make sure that Underworld never get another order from them. She turns to Zeedan. "She killed our dad," she says, "that drunken mess....." Carla interrupts her and tells her she didn't start the fire. "Did I Tracy?" she says, looking across the bar to her. Tracy denies it, saying that Carla is off her head, but Carla tells them all that Tracy confessed it to her yesterday. Still denying it, Tracy goes to walk out, but her way is blocked by two policemen who arrive to arrest her!

Anne Logan

It beings with Tracy being escorted out of the Rovers by the police, but she is protesting her innocence

Ken comes over to try and find out what is going on. Robert explains the police came into the pub and arrested her. The officer tells him to call the station and they will keep him updated. Ken insists she gets into the police car. Amy comes running over shouting for her mother. Steve holds her back.

Anna and Tim are discussing what to do about the Miley. She thinks they ought to go out there. She is concerned about what to tell Faye. Tim says he is going to ring the police and they will get them off the plane before Faye gets home. Faye comes in and says she has come to collect her tights for the audition. She then tells Anna and Tim about what happened in the street just now. Tim and Anna look at each other and Faye suspects something is wrong. Tim says the Hodges are staying in Canada with Miley. Faye thinks it is for a holiday, but Tim tells her that the holiday was a lie just to get away from us. He tells her they are staying there for good. Anna suggests that they should talk about what they are going to do, as a family. Faye says she has only been given an extra half hour off school to get her tights. She leaves and Anna says she needs time to think it over.

In the Rovers they are recriminating about Tracy. Sophie is surprised that they all knew it was Tracy. Sally asks whether it was an accident or not. She says they are going to prove that. Sophie says whoever started the fire killed Maddie and is surprised anyone should want to cover it up. Michelle says they have only just found out. Nick says as soon as he found out he rang the police.

Kirk comes in and says there is a pepperoni pizza in the street, and wonders if it is Alya's! Michelle thinks the sooner that people find out what has happened, the better. Tracy will get what she deserves. Kirk then says he thought Alya was vegetarian!!

At the hospital Tyrone and Fiz are looking at baby Hope through a window. She is sound asleep. Fiz tells Tyrone to pick up Ruby, and she has some special food for her birthday. Roy comes around the corner and asks about Hope. He offers to take Tyrone back home.

In the Bistro, Nick is talking to Leanne saying that if Tracy was responsible people should know and that Carla is innocent. He is sure Leanne would want to know who is responsible for Kal's death. The Nazirs come in and discuss it with Leanne. Sharif says if Tracy is guilty then they need answers.

Faye and Craig are sitting at the bus stop. Craig wonders why she is so quiet, but she is concerned about getting back to school on time.

Roy arrives home with Tyrone. He offers to take him to the childminder, but Tyrone thinks the walk will do him good.

Back at the bus stop, Faye ask Craig if he knew a girl who went with her mother to Canada for a year. They discuss the food she had over there, and they both agree it is awful. She tells him that Kylie is staying there, and then says they need special tyres for the road because of the snow. She continues that most of them speak French (bonjour mes amis !!). Craig seems more concerned about Miley's future than Faye !

Ken tells Carla that he has spoken to the police but they won't tell him anything. He says they don't arrest someone for murder without evidence. Carla realises his embarrassment and says it is natural to side with his daughter. Ken says until he has heard all the evidence his is not apportioning any blame. Amy comes in with Steve. She says she heard what he has said. Ken says they will talk about it later once he has spoken to the police. Amy is confused, but Carla tries to pacify Amy by telling her that it was an accident and her mum wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

In the police station they are interviewing Tracy. She is not saying anything and they tell her silence makes things worse for her. The Officer says her daughter will be devastated when she hears that her mother tried to kill her. Tracy then tells the Officer that unless he has some witnesses or evidence she wants to be released. He says there is enough evidence on her record to keep her in for questioning.

Kirk comes round to Jason's. Eileen is fussing around him and Jason tells her to stop it. She says she has some bacon (for him), to which Kirk asks her to cut the rind off! Kirk then tells Todd that Tracy and Alya have had a row, something to do with pizza. He knows Alya wouldn't touch pepperoni

In the bistro Zeedan says he wants to go to the police station. Sharif tells him to go home and they will talk about the next steps.

Carla comes in and everybody turns away from her. Nick insists she didn't do it. Sharif asks Carla if she was responsible but Carla says she thought in her own mind that she did it. Carla tells Aidan that she will attend the meeting tomorrow. She tells Nick that she can now get back to normal, to which Nick laughs.

Robert comes round to Ken's. He says they won't tell him anything. Ken says that is because he is not next of kin. Ken says if what Carla has told him is true, then he is going to have nothing more to do with her. He is also going to keep Amy away from her. Robert tells Ken that when Tracy confessed , Carla was standing on the edge of a cliff aiming to commit suicide. Tracy said it to bring her back. He says she was trying to do the right thing and didn't want to see Carla dead regardless of how much they hate each other. Ken ponders.

Faye comes home with Craig, but Anna and Tim ask him to go. Tim explains to Faye that her baby has been taken away for good. Tim apologises to her for persuading her to give her up, but depending on what she says, he is willing to try to bring her back. Faye says she has thought about nothing else all day. However, she thinks Miley should stay in Canada. Tim thinks she is more interested in Craig and the musical.

Tyrone and Roy give Ruby her birthday cake. They sing "Happy Birthday" with Fiz joining in on the phone. Fiz feels a bit guilty as she looks round at Hope.

Sally and Sophie are discussing Tracy. Sophie thinks they should wait until they know the truth before making any judgements. Tim comes in and as Sally is about to tell him what has happened in The Rovers, she and Sophie realise he is very quiet. Tim explains that Miley is staying in Canada and Faye is agreeable to it. Sally thinks they can do something, but Tim explains it is what Faye wants. Tim is very upset.

Anna is sorting out some of the baby clothes. Faye comes in and her and Anna hug. She hopes her Dad will forgive her. They joke together.

Jason tells Todd that he will get his revenge on Callum.

Nick tells Carla that she will be returning to the Factory tomorrow. She thanks him for standing by her. He tells her he loves her. Carla says that Tracy will have to live the rest of her life knowing she killed two people. Nick says they won't let her get away with it, but Carla says they haven't got any evidence. Meanwhile Tracy is locked away in a cell.

So will they throw away the key and leave Tracy locked in the cell? Will Faye ever miss her baby? How will Jason get his revenge on Callum? This and more will be coming up over the next days.

Martin Rosen

This episode kicks off with a scene designed to bring us all great joy - Tracy crying alone in her cell.

Next, we see Liz and Lloyd parting outside his flat after what might have been a night of passion. Andrea sadly looks on, unseen by the pair. Michael comes past and makes a joke and Liz sees Sinead and asks whether they've heard anything about Tracy. Presumably this is because Sinead's Auntie Beth is Tracy's friend. Nobody's heard anything, anyway.

Carla and Nick leave Victoria Court (which looks so good you might start to think the fire had all been some sort of theatrical special effect. . .) They exchange little declarations of love.

Over at Eileen's, Jason really does look like a man who's been seriously beaten and now the paperwork threatens to beat him too. He's trying to do the estimate for Gail's garage conversion and he's exasperating his mother, who thinks he should be taking it easier while he recovers.

Tim arrives at Anna's to hear that Fay hasn't changed her mind and that Anna's checked with social services and if this is what Fay wants, there's nothing wrong with it. The other grandparents can keep Miley.

Gail steps on Kylie's toe. I don't know whether this was just bad acting or whether it was supposed to look as if it was deliberate. I quite like the idea of Gail going completely loopy and carrying out small acts of non-self harm - it's a storyline we've not had before. When Max is out of the room they all discuss Callum. David hopes Callum's lack of presence in their lives means he's lost interest in Max. But Kylie warns that Callum never gives up if he wants something. There's a knock at the door. It's Tony and Gary, come to do the estimate. They have to step round the piles of stuff from the garage - David's been clearing it out. Max comes down and heads off to school, telling Kylie: "Ciao, Mama."

Tracy is being interviewed and insists she just lied to Carla to get Carla back from the edge. She didn't mean any of it and just made up what she thought Carla wanted to hear. And she's such a saint she also rescued Carla from the minibus crash just a few months ago. Do we believe her? Nor do the police.

Carla breezes into the factory and greets everybody brightly, though when Alya tries to say something she brushes her off. In the office, she asks Aidan what they're going to do about Alya.

Gail's playing hardball with Tony. she won't tell him how much the two other firms have quoted for the work. And when he offered to beat the price of the lowest quote by 200 pounds, she tells him, "I want a proper job, not a cheap job." When she demands a proper, fully costed estimate, Tony protests that it's not HS2 (planned high-speed rail line) and Gail tells him it's more important than that - it's her home. Jason arrives at the house to do the quote. It's his business and he thinks he should be the one to do it. He can barely stand up.

When Jason and the others have gone, Gail wants to talk about how weird that was but Kylie's just decided to have a pizza night, so she's too busy thinking about mozzarella and pineapple chunks.

It seems that, with Robert's help, Tracy will soon be free. Oh no!

In the factory, Alya has been called in to see Carla and Aidan. Sally, being particularly slimy, slithers in the door behind Alya to ask whether they would like some coffee. Aidan says he's surprised Alya is still there. She protests that she's fixed things with MacNee's and it won't affect their business with Underworld. Aidan says he doesn't think she can be trusted any more and they should sack her. But Carla realised Alya must have hated her. She asks Alya whether finding out the truth has changed things. Alya insists it has. They agree to give her another chance.

In the builder's yard, Tony tells off Jason for turning up at Gail's like that. Jason says it's his business and if they don't have any work on he will have to sack Gary.

In the pub, Eileen looks at Lloyd and Michael sitting laughing together and mentions their heart problems to Liz. That's one complication Liz hasn't thought about - Lloyd having a weak heart. She says they've agreed it's a bit of fun but she's enjoying being with a truly good man for a change. All this time she's been searching for The One and he might have been here all along. When Michelle comes over to the table she asks about Jason and Eileen says he's doing well but has to take it easy.

Jason takes the quote to Gail. Kylie doesn't seem that interested. She's on her way out to buy pizza ingredients. But in the confusion she leaves her phone behind.

Anna wants to talk to Gary about tea but he says he and Alya are going out. She wants them all to go to the bistro for tea. Tim's been listening and tells Gary that Anna is lonely. She misses Owen, she's lost Katy and now she's going to lose Miley.

We see Max in the school office. He's been sick. The staff member can't get Kylie on the phone so she asks if she can try someone else on their list.

Andrea tells Eileen she's pregnant. She doesn't know what to do or where to go.

Tracy smells of jail, apparently. She tells Robert he understand her better than anyone else. At home, Ken's surprised to see her. She repeats the lie that all she did was tell Carla what she wanted to hear.

Jason apologises to Gail, saying he and Tony just got their wires crossed.

Kylie arrives home and discovers a phone message saying Max has been ill and has to be fetched from school. David realises nobody could ring him because he left his phone at work.

Outside the school, we see a teacher putting a quiet Max into the back of Callum's car.

If someone said to you: "here, hold this - I've weed on it," would you hold it? Then why do so many soap storylines involve people passing around a pregnancy test stick as if it's a spliff? Any they leave used tests sitting on the coffee table. Eileen doesn't. She hides Andrea's test under a cushion when she hears someone coming. It's Michael.

Tracy and Ken disagree (again). Robert sides with Ken and suggests she keep a low profile for a while. But Tracy's got her dander up. She's annoyed that people might side with Carla. She wants to call Carla out as a liar every time Carla says anything. And she rushes out of the house to do just that.

The End
Margaret Carr

Good evening, welcome aboard the Coronation Street express as we once again apply full steam power to events on a Friday evening. A small digression first. Craig Charles has been sitting in for Graham Norton on Radio 2 and one of his guests - Stephen Graham - asked him to play the famous "Robbie and the Uptights" which was part of the Andrea storyline recently. And he did - so it does exist. On another show he had Les Dennis with him for the entire show - wonderful entertainment.

So for the record episode 8732, or series 56, episode 188 and was written by Joe Turner; it was directed by Durno Johnston. Copyright remains the property of ITV Productions.

We open at the Platt residence where they know that Callum has Max and Jason wants to go and sort out Callum. David tells him not to do so - they have to wait. Jason still wants to go - but David says that he does not want Max being put in any danger. Gail tells them not to fight amongst themselves. Kylie knew he would try something like this.

Nick delivers Belgian chocolate brownies to go with the coffee to Carla in her office. She asks if lunchtime is quiet in the Bistro? The factory girls all note that Carla does seem rather more chipper today! Beth supports Tracy - but the other girls all believe that Tracy had a hand in the fire. And no-one really knows the truth (but we do - the evidence of millions of viewers does not count however - but I blame the writers!). Tracy comes storming in looking for "Cruella" with Robert in tow. Tracy has told the police it was not her - she tells everyone who will listen, including Alya, that she is innocent. Alya does not think she is innocent and Carla says that previously Tracy said the opposite. Tracy repeats her belief that Carla lit the candle leading to the fire.

Callum is talking to Max about his new flat - but Max is mute not responding. Callum is harsh asking if the cat has got Max's tongue - whatever that means. He has bought Max a present - he shows him a picture of a quad bike but Max continues to ignore him. Not a word or friendly look can be extracted from Max.

Tracy warns Carla that if she repeats the "lies" she will sue for libel. Carla asks how long she will up the pretence and gets the answer as long as Carla can. Robert wants to leave but Nick stops him - why is he taking Tracy's side - Nick recalls their earlier interaction when Robert wanted to tell him something. Nick knows that Tracy is lying - and wants to know how long Robert has known. Robert says he will say Tracy home and then be in to the Bistro - but Nick is having none of it and he gives Robert a huge thump - much to his own surprise as everyone else's! Robert says "I'll give you that one" tacitly admitting that Carla and Nick are in the right. Alya is staring open mouthed at events. Aidan says that he simply saw Robert trip and fall and tells him with a slight menace to watch where he is going! Nick adds that Robert is fired. Robert tells Tracy they are going. Carla angrily tells Nick it is her fight not his!

Sean is heading off to work and Michael is told to go with him so that Eileen and Andrea can have a talk. The latter pair end up doing the washing up together. Meanwhile Michael is feeling uncomfortable and he finds a pregnancy test behind a cushion. Eileen comes in and he smiles warmly at her and tells her to sit down. "Why?" she says. He replies that he knows and he is not frightened. It must be a shock to her. They may not be young but he will stand by her. He will support her whatever she wants to do. And with a big smile he declares that he loves babies! Eileen tells him that she does think they are on the same page. He shows her the test and asks how long she has known. She was not sure how he would react. Eventually Andrea comes in from the kitchen and puts him right. But Eileen you let me believe - and it was very sweet she responds. Andrea says it is her problem. And as Eileen says she has to tell Lloyd. Michael says that the father has a right to know.

Max is still not talking! Callum says adults lives are complicated and sometimes they need to protect themselves. Max speaks "I want to go home." Callum says he fought hard to see Max - lawyers and everything, he does not like this sulky attitude - he just wants to have fun. There is a knock at the door and Gemma is there with a message. Apparently "Macca" has just seen "Dean" and he says "Denton" wants his money now. (This would be the money blown on the quad bike?). She says you don't argue with "Denton". She says he needs to sort it or he will come after you. (Sorry everyone we have gone into artificial meltdown and this is all best forgotten). Callum wants to know why "Denton" has changed his mind - but apparently this is serious. He wants time to think but Gemma says he needs to pay up!

David is leaving Callum an answer phone message for Callum. David leaves a calm request but Gail thinks they should call the police. David says he should be given another half an hour.

Anna is at home about to eat when Gary appears up the stairs. She is surprised - and even more surprised when he announces he and Alya are at a party - here and he is followed by Izzy and baby, Tim and Alya and fish and chips. Faye got the part in the musical as Maria von Trapp. Anna is proud of Faye. Tim wants a sing-a-long after tea.

Max still wants to go home - but Callum wants to be mates first. Gemma tells Callum to forget the kid - they have more important stuff to sort out. Callum says there is nothing more important than Max. He tells Max that he is number one. Gemma tells him that "Denton" is not going to go away. Callum wants Max to try out the quad bike. Max is not talking or smiling at all. He wants to go home. Gemma tells Callum to take him home but Callum asks Max to cut him some slack. He just wants to go home. Callum says he needs quiet to think. He cannot grasp that Max cannot be bought. Max is very scared as Callum shouts at him.

We all need a break after the histrionics.

After the break Callum apologises. Max says that he does not want Callum as his father - apparently the feeling is mutual. Callum tells Gemma that "Denton" will get his money - but at the moment he does not know how. And then Callum looks at Max.

At Anna's they are singing "Doh, Ray, Mi ..." and Faye has a smile on her face. Anna likes some noise. All are happier than we have seen for ages.

In the Rovers Sean asks Tony how Jason is doing. Tony says he should be in bed, not in the Rovers. Tony asks Jason if he should be drinking and taking painkillers. He claims he did not read the box!

Eileen is recounting Andrea's history of lying to Lloyd. The timing could not be worse. Eileen is not sure which of Andrea, Lloyd or Liz she feels most sorry for. Andrea comes in - but she could not do tell Lloyd with Liz present. She could not press the doorbell. Michael agrees it will be easier if Lloyd is on his own. Eileen says that Andrea must tell Lloyd or she will.

Nick is in the Bistro and Carla arrives. She has been ignoring his calls. She wants a glass of red. He tells her she is not getting an apology. She asks for a small bag of nuts. No nuts - olives? She does not like olives. Nick apologises - but Carla just wants it all finished. She knows it was not her. No evidence so nothing is going to happen. She is impressed he tried to defend her honour. She tells Nick it was not Robert's fault and indeed he probably forced Tracy to tell the truth. He may not be a villain but he is the villain's boyfriend.

David is about to go around to Callum's when the front door opens and Max rushes in. Callum follows. He says he does not always check his messages when minding his son (a drug dealer not checking his messages sounds odd to me). Gail takes Max upstairs. Callum says they need to get their problems sorted for good and he has just the idea.

Back at the Bistro Carla admits to how bad she was feeling when Tracy told her story. But Carla is still convinced that Tracy told her the truth and now she wants it all to stop - firstly Robert should return to the kitchen.

Along at Number One a similar scene is playing out with Tracy and Robert as she believes he would normally fight back. Like Carla she cannot believe that he did that for her. Robert asserts that Nick has a good punch for a skinny bloke. He reckons she owes her and now that she has said her piece this must end and she must let it lie. Dignified silence henceforth as he will take no more punches for her. She has to ignore it the next time she is called a liar. She will do it for him. She goes to kiss him - but is told the other side as that is where he has the split lip. There is a knock at the door which is insistent.

Callum has made David and Kylie his final offer but they do have twenty grand and do not need to buy Max as he is their kid. Callum has legal rights and Kylie sold Max to Becky. Callum says they have the house and could raise the cash. A legal contract - relinquish his rights and David could formally adopt Max. And the best bit is that he would be out of their lives forever. He reckons it is cheap at £20k. David senses a trick but Callum says not. Once he goes Kylie says no way even though David is considering it.

Robert is surprised to find that it was Nick come a knocking on the door. And Nick has some more surprises. First an apology - he should not have resorted to violence. Apology accepted. And Nick offers Robert his job back. Cheekily Robert asks for a raise. They shake hands and normality will resume in the morning. Tracy appears and hopes that he told Nick where to stick his job but he looks at her and the penny drops "Sorry, she adds, I hope that you accepted gracefully."! He did and now they should celebrate. He offers to cook but she wants a battered sausage and chips from the chippy. They kiss.

Kylie says they would be mad to trust Callum. She cannot believe he would even consider it. Gail reappears and wants to know what is being considered. David talks about the conversion to change the subject. Max is OK now. Gail says she would give the earth to get rid of Callum.

In the Rovers Tony tells Jason to take the next day off, he needs to let his body recover but Jason won't hear it. And he needs to get his head straight - but Jason reckons there is only one way of doing that. Tony tells Jason to let him handle it and their hands will be clean. Jason says it is one job he needs to do himself.

Robert and Carla cross on the Street and he asks if he should be thanking her for Nick giving him his job back. Carla says Nick makes his own decisions. He thanks her and she asks if they are all ready to draw a line under this matter? Robert thinks so and that Tracy will be keeping a low profile for a while and it would help if Carla did not poke her for a while. Carla says - you do know what she tried to do? Robert says they both know and that is as much as he will ever admit - or Tracy. Carla tells him to keep her on a muzzle. And he points out that is the sort of comment they can do without. She then asks why is he going out with Tracy given everything he knows. He says that you do not get to choose with whom you fall in love. Carla tells him he deserves better. Robert heads indoors and Carla gently shakes her head.

Roll credits.

Now I know that make up can change the way people are made to look but tonight Kate Ford (Tracy Barlow) did not look good and I agreed with my wife that she looked below par. We both hope that she is not actually ill but her workload recently - with the loss of Deirdre and the fire at the flats and indeed with the rumours of what is coming I do wonder if perhaps she is simply tired; I hope nothing more.

Given the huge fuss over the fire and two deaths the writers have found a very clever way of getting the outcome done and dusted without allegations of arson and so on. I doubt if it would be allowed to rest in real life - but care was taken to avoid evidence. If I remember the spare keys were dumped in the canal so will never turn up.

I will be back very soon.

Richard

Anyway, we begin with Jason banging on the Platts' front door and waking everyone up. He wants David to give him Callum's address. Of course, David refuses - for all of 30 seconds. He tells Jason it's not a good idea to go round there but if he does, "give him one from me." Kylie comes downstairs and David says it was the Jehovah's Witnesses at the door.

Cathy's got "9-5" blaring out and is singing along into a wooden spoon. She's made breakfast for Roy, who pretends he doesn't mind about the loud music. As if to underline Cathy's takeover of his space, when there's a knock at the door she heads towards it before reining herself in. It's Anna at the door. Cathy's phone rings - it's her nephew, Alex, who wants to visit. She checks with Roy who says that's fine.

Over in the Rovers' back room, Michelle puts on her make-up while Steve lies on the sofa with the dog and a laptop. Michelle wants to go to the garden centre to get some hanging baskets. Steve's not keen on moving from the sofa. Lloyd and Liz come in. Liz thought they could all go to lunch at the bistro, which Michelle thinks is a good idea. Steve doesn't and grumps "What about your hanging baskets?" He tries to say he has paperwork over at Streetcars to do but Michelle just tells him to go and get it done so he'll be free by lunchtime.

Kylie cross-examines David about the Jehovah's Witnesses who were at the door. David, who is going through a box of old stuff from in the garage, eventually cracks and admits it was Jason, who has gone to see Callum. Kylie's appalled. "He's going to get mangled!" Gail comes downstairs looking all sleep-ruffled. She's depressed because it's Michael's birthday. "Why is my life so hard?" she moans. For some reason I found this very funny.

Michael's in the street talking to Steph and Andy about it being his 50th. We see Jason get into his van and drive off.

Maria, Luke and little Liam (I suppose we could stop calling him "little" Liam now, since his dad's turned gay and gone to live in Downton Abbey) have breakfast in the cafe. Luke going to the garage to do some work, even though it's Sunday.

Cathy comes down. She needs to go to the house because she's making a cake for Alex and he's got a thing about wedding cakes and especially the little figurines that go on top. She's got a collection of them at home. Roy offers to go and fetch them for her, though she's not entirely sure she remembers where they are.

At Eileen's, Todd gives Michael a birthday card. In fact, it's the card Eileen gave him with his own name whited out. Eileen's gift to Michael is a VERY bright multicoloured shirt. She tells him he can wear it for his birthday lunch. Michael mentions he saw Jason driving off somewhere so he might not be there for lunch. Tony comes in just in time to hear this and asks where Jason's gone. Then when nobody knows, he rushes off.

We see where Jason is - a block of flats called Redwing Court. He carries a box of tools and heads for the door just as a woman carrying shopping bags arrives at the door. She punches in the entry code and he courteously offers to get the door for her. . . then tailgates to get inside.

Gail's annoyed at all the mess with the stuff from the garage spread around the house. Kylie's in a temper. Max is refusing his breakfast. Tony arrives, demanding to know whether they've seen Jason. Kylie takes him outside to tell him Jason's gone to find Callum. David tells him the address. When Tony has gone he says Callum versus Tony and Jason is different to Callum versus Jason. He suggests they go to Sunday lunch to get away from Gail.

Michael's changed into the bright shirt and Eileen sends him out on an errand, insisting he wear it. She and Todd smirk at his embarrassment. This is clearly a wind-up and it might be funnier if the UK public wasn't so used to seeing the actor, Les Dennis, in all sorts of different get-ups over the years.

Todd is in Callum's flat with a crowbar. He hears someone coming and hides in a bedroom. Callum, making pained noises, is hustled into the flat by two thugs.

Michael and his SHIRT (it's very loud) are at the cab office. Andrea comes in looking for Lloyd. She needs to fetch the last of her stuff from the flat. She gives Michael his birthday gift. He asks whether she's told Lloyd about the baby. She hasn't. Steve arrives just in time to hear this last part. He thinks she's trying to trap Lloyd but Andrea pleads with him not to tell Lloyd.

Roy's managed to find the wedding figures, which clearly make him think of his own wedding. On his way out of Cathy's house he spots a box marked "Escalado." It's a horse-racing game. He picks it up and takes it with him.

The two blokes demand money from Callum. Today's the deadline for him to pay the 20,000 pounds. He pleads for a couple of days grace and says he's got some of the money for them. It's in the bedroom under the mattress. Thug 1 sends Thug 2 to get it. Uh oh. Jason looks for a place for him and the crowbar to hide, opening the wardrobe door.

The Platts, including Gail, arrive at the bistro. Nobody's found how to switch Gail out of self-pity mode. She asks Andy about Michael.

Liz, Lloyd and Michelle are already at their bistro table when Steve arrives. Liz speaks about her surprise relationship with Lloyd and they all toast Surprises.

Eileen and Todd, barely able to contain their laughter, send Michael out again to get a bottle of wine from the bistro.

Thug No 2 can't find anything under the mattress. Callum shouts that it's in the wardrobe. Uh oh (again). Thug 2 opens the wardrobe and finds an envelope of cash. As he leaves the room we see Jason crouched behind the bedroom door. Thug No 1 tells Callum they'll take that money as interest. He still owes them 20,000. Suddenly they hear the sound of a mobile phone ringing. "That's not mine!" says Callum. Thug 2 heads back to the bedroom.

Alex arrives in the cafe. Roy is surprised - he was expecting a child. Alex, bright and funny, is 28. He has Down's Syndrome. "I'm just a big kid at heart," he tells Roy.

Thug 2 finds Jason and marches him out to the living room, to Callum's surprise and anger. Thug 1 tells 2 to break out the popcorn. "This could be interesting - just like Gladiator," he tells Thug 2.

The end of the first half.
Margaret Carr

Good evening, it is Sunday - next Friday sees the opening of the Rugby World Cup and in consequence there is no Coronation Street. So this week I am providing part of the Sunday update and the Monday team will follow me with the Monday episodes!

This is 8733 in absolute numbers, series 56 episode 189 and was an hour long. I am starting from the second commercial break covering the last two parts. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

Following the break we open with the "heavy" throwing Jason into the living room. Jason tries to set about Callum whilst the heavy and Denton watch but Tony storms in and tells Callum to desist. Tony tells Denton that he is taking his son and it will be as if they have never been there, they have seen nothing. Tony is told to go before Denton changes his mind. Callum laughs at Jason and once he is close enough Jason swings a huge punch sending Callum to the floor holding his lip. Tony and Jason go and after another threat Denton and the heavy depart as well.

In the Bistro David is buying Gail, Kylie and the children a family meal. Gail wants another bottle of wine - although the current one is not finished yet. David says he would not mind - providing Gail does actually get a little merry as she continues to behave like a wet weekend. Michael arrives wearing the "shirt" and Gail observes that it has to be Eileen's taste. Michael asks Andy for a cold bottle of Prosecco. It is handed over as a birthday present to "my old " but he stops himself and removes the "my". Michael thanks him and it seems that friendly relations are restored.

Outside Stephanie is tidying a sign and Maria arrives to tell her that Luke plans to race the car. Stephanie says they have to talk him out of it. They agree they will do whatever it takes to stop him. Maria has had an idea but needs help from Steph now. She knows Andy will not be happy.

Inside Andy is running around by himself and delivers food to the McDonald party. She tells Andy that he has to manage until she gets back and does not give him any choice. Michelle wants Steve to smile - difficult. Liz skyped her other son (Andy) last night. Apparently it is 30deg in Spain (to me that means it is below freezing but somehow it means pretty warm - and I am confused between Andys now). Lloyd says he could do with some sun. How about a boy's break Steve. Michelle says Steve is terrible on the beach. Factor 30 and a massive hat as he has a sensitive skin. Michelle heads to the toilet and Steve follows her. Liz is a bit surprised by double loo breaks and tells Lloyd they will never be that couply! Steve stops Michelle and breaks the news about Andrea. And Steve is convinced it is the truth. Michelle says Lloyd has to be told - Steve is concerned about Liz.

At Eileen's Todd, Michael and Eileen are sat around drinking the Prosecco, none of them happy and Todd lets off a party popper but the mood does not improve.

Luke is sat in his car when his mobile goes off. It is Maria asking for help for a friend, Alice, who has broken down. He sets off to rescue the poor stranded girl. He departs and Maria and Steph observe his departure from behind a convenient skip. Anyway ALice is dead dizzy and will phone the RAC. He locks Kev's garage - but Maria has the spare set!

In the cafe new cast member Alex is looking at Anna's love line whilst Cathy is on the phone. Cathy's call ends - it was Alex's mother - apparently Alex and his mother have had an argument over his girlfriends! He denies cheating - he took one girl to the cinema but he was meant to be taking a different girl. His mother does not understand him - he is a romantic (and a very cheeky chappy - I look forward to him moving onto the Street). He asks to stay over but Cathy says he cannot run away when there is an argument at home. Roy is listening carefully in the background. Cathy tries to convince him to go home but Roy is certain that for one night then accommodation can be found. He offers to sleep on the sofa and he does not snore. So he gets to stay the night

. Along at the Bistro the Platt family meal is going as well as can be expected. Gail has her head in her hands - slightly too much alcohol. Max is drawing his family - with no Callum. David says she could count her blessings - her son taking her out for Sunday lunch. Gail is feeling very sorry for herself.

At the McDonald party they are also having a good time - well Lloyd and Liz are, Steve and Michelle less so. Liz departs for the toilet and Lloyd asks why Steve is making it so hard. Michelle tells Steve to tell Lloyd the news. Steve apologises and then admits that he knows that Andrea is pregnant. Lloyd looks thunderstruck. Lloyd says he has to go and get his head round this. He tells Steve not to tell Liz until he has found out what's what. Steve agrees. Liz returns and Lloyd tells her that a mate has had a bit of bad news and he has to go. Liz turns on Steve but Lloyd deflects her saying he will be in touch and kisses her. Liz suggests they get the bill.

Maria is having trouble unlocking the garage. Eventually they manage to get the door unlocked and slide it back. Steph closes it behind them.

Tony and Jason have returned to the Street and are arguing over earlier events. Jason is still threatening to take it further with Callum when the opportunity arises.

At Roy's Rolls Alex is expressing his liking for cake - his favourite is chocolate sponge. There are wedding figurines on the cake. Roy closes up due to a lack of customers. He wants an afternoon with her and Alex - he has an ulterior motive and brings out the game he picked up earlier - his childhood favourite which is a masterpiece of physics and engineering - Escalado. Roy entreats Anna to stay as well.

At the garage Maria and Steph backs to the camera raise their weapons in readiness to attack Luke's car to prevent him driving it. They argue over who should strike the first blow. The two waifs argue over which of them is the stronger! Maria cannot bring herself to do it. And just as the weapons are about to fall Luke slides the door open and asks what the hell they are doing? Steph says it was all Maria's idea and makes a run for it leaving Maria to face Luke alone.

After the commercial break we find Lloyd outside Audrey's salon unable to decide if he should phone Andrea or not. Mary rushes up and offers him a sweet. Apparently she has a painful bunion - a first - she walked the Inca trial in hand-woven, ill-fitting sandals without a problem. Mary then complains about her mother (will she ever appear I wonder). Mary rabbits on about turning into her mother - and Lloyd just wants to be left alone.

Turns out that the racing game also involves some betting. Roy will turn a hand crank and the vibrations in the fabric of the racecourse make the horses move. The vibrations are random thus simulating the conditions of an actual race. It is impossible to predict the outcome, unless the fabric has become creased - but Roy thinks this is not the case. They all declare their bets. Roy cranks the handle and his red horse wins. Alex refers to Roy as Cathy's boyfriend and instantly there is a chill in the air.

At the Grimshaws' Jason returns home and wishes Michael a happy birthday. Tony comes in as well and delivers a somewhat unbelievable explanation of break down and poor mobile signals (in Manchester?). In the kitchen Todd asks Jason what really happened having noted the damaged knuckles but Jason sticks with the story. Todd calls him a terrible liar. Jason goes and Tony tells Todd that he is trying to stop Jason doing something stupid. Tony is looking after him.

In the cafe Cathy tries to explain that Roy is just a good friend. She might be staying - but they are not sharing a bed. Alex reckons it is beer o'clock and asks if there is a local pub. He is buying! Anna giggles.

Back at the Grimshaws the roast is burnt to a cinder. Eileen blames Jamie Oliver. Perhaps the oven was on too high? Well Jamie should have allowed for that! The Yorkshires are a bit flat. Jason keeps drinking beer despite the painkillers and everyone starts fussing. He departs for a pint. Michael said he did not want any fuss for his birthday. He professes he loves the shirt (clearly not). They all burst out laughing as he says he will always wear it. Eileen admits she has a proper present. And Michael joins in the laughter - pointing out he had been allowed out in the shirt! She hands over another parcel which he opens to find another identical shirt and they explode with laughter. Todd tells him it was a "twofer" which they could not resist (two for the price of one).

In the Rovers Luke cannot believe that they had planned to smash his car. Maria apologises. He tells her the races are safe and well organised, he was only a stupid reckless 17 year old when he had the crash. He is not like that now. He wants her to go and see a race. She agrees.

Jason comes into the bar and asks for a pint.

Max is tidying his room (without being asked). Kylie sits down and she and David look at Max's picture of the family. There is rapping at the door. It is Callum looking very menacing.

In the Rovers Jason is playing darts whilst Alex is looking at Michelle's life line (the kid does have a way with the girls). At a table Cathy tells Anna she is worried about Alex's comment upsetting Roy - but Anna assures her there is no harm done. Anna asks Cathy what she wants from Roy. She does not expect anything - but that is not the question. Cathy would like Roy to be more than a friend. Anna agrees that Roy deserves a good woman. Cathy says she is damaged, obsessive and insecure - not a good woman. Anna suggests she should tell Roy how she feels - but she can't. Cathy does not want to lose his friendship which is important to her. She did not think she would have that connection again and Anna says the same is true for Roy. But Cathy says no. She would rather his friendship than losing him completely.

Mary is still going on about her mother and retelling the story of leaving home! She invites Lloyd for a drink but he refuses and wanders back around the corner towards his flat from which Andrea is emerging with her worldly possessions. He tells her she should not be lifting boxes and she knows Steve has told him the news. He wants to know why she has said nothing. She couldn't because of Liz. She confirms that it is his baby. She just did not want him to think that the baby was just a way of getting him back. She is six weeks gone and she really wants this baby. But she does not want him thinking he has been trapped - only if he really loves her. His mobile rings - it is Liz but he rejects the call.

We cut to the Rovers where Liz is recording a message on his answering machine. She is still blaming Steve for being a wilful little beggar. They will speak later. Steve asks Michelle why he always gets the blame for everything but as she points out it is usually his fault! Michelle does not think that Lloyd will take Andrea back. She assures him she is always right.

Tony comes into to talk to Jason - the latter is a nice guy and beating seven bells out of Callum is not his style and he would hate himself. Jason says he is full of anger. And he is losing weeks of work and his fitness and his self respect. Jason says he cannot let Callum get away with this. Tony tells him that they have to do it right and together, but so far he does not know how. But in the meantime Jason must promise not to do anything like today again. They will get Callum.

Meanwhile Callum is seeking to terrorize David and Kylie - but David denies he sent Jason. Callum says that he is going to tell them what to do. They are going to get him his £20k. Kylie says No. She says they will not pay. Callum says that for every day he does not see his cash then summat bad is going to happen. None of the family will be safe. David and Kylie look at each with resignation and the credits roll.

Well we are coming to the end of the Callum saga; you have to feel sorry for the team first Fiz, then Kylie, Eva and now Maria - four ladies needing to be off set for months and yet able to return and pick up and so four stories needed to be generated to explain absences - it must be a strain and the Fiz and Eva ones appear to have worked well - but the Kylie one simply felt manufactured and Callum is no Jez Quigley. Never mind it is nearly at end now.

See you all soon.
Richard

Written by Jan McVerry Directed by Nickie Lister

Kylie impresses on Max the importance of sticking close to David when he takes him to school. She's clearly worried.

Lloyd is sleepless with worry about Andrea's pregnancy. He doesn't know how to take it. Steve thinks Andrea's trying to manipulate him. He doesn't have to get back together with her, he has choices.

Cathy's nephew is scarfing down a big breakfast and telling Andrea that Cathy is flirting with Roy, cheeky beggar!

Luke is trying to convince Maria to come watch a race. Kirk isn't convinced it's a good hobby to have and Steph is adamant that Luke not get into it again. Maria thinks she'll give it a chance, watch the race and make her mind up. She convinces Steph to come and bring Andy.

Kylie tries to find out if Callum paid or threatened Bethany to lie. She looks guilty but denies it, even when Kylie says he's threatened her and David. Bethany spies Callum at the end of the street and sticks to her story.

Ken makes an appointment with Audrey. Maria accuses Audrey of being interested in doing Ken's hair to get the gossip about Tracy and the fire, hmm??? But of course she objects to this. She just wants to be fair and get both sides of the story. Oh sure.

Liz tells Steve she's found a really cheap deal on a holiday to Portugal and she's booked it for her and Lloyd. Steve, knowing about Andrea, is a bit nervous, but doesn't tell her anything.

Down the street, Gail is finding out from Dev if Tony's work is good. She's deciding whether to give him the job of renovating the garage. Tony comes along and tells Gail that there's a manhole they've discovered under the sub floor, it was part of the old factory's drainage. There's a cheap option (cover it up) and an expensive fix to excavate and backfill. That gives Gail something to think about. Liz runs up and asks if Dev has strong sun block, making sure Tony thinks it's Lloyd wisking her away on a romantic break.

Roy offers Alex the Escalado game to take home. He refuses because then they can play it next time he visits. Kylie comes in, and seeing Callum sat there, gives him a hard time, insisting he's not getting any money off them. Callum points out that the house itself is worth a good bit, and the family also own other businesses. He insults her and she hauls off and slaps his face hard. Roy asks Callum to leave. Kylie is shaken.

Callum calls someone from his car while watching Roy and Cathy load Alex's things in the car, and Audrey saying goodbye to a client. He's setting up some sort of "job", "Nasty as you like". That doesn't sound good.

Mary is expressing concern to Dev about Asha who's starting to worry about her weight. Lloyd is impatient over his phone. Dev asks what's wrong and Lloyd admits that Andrea's pregnant. Dev and Mary are delighted but Lloyd is upset because Andrea seems to be avoiding him. Mary and Dev urge him to talk to Andrea but to be gentle since children are a blessing.

Two strangers are in the cafe, complaining to Roy he's given the wrong change. They look familiar to me, very like the two that beat up Jason! Roy realizes his error though it's not clear whether he's just being cautious as they look a bit rough. They leave with their coffees as Cathy returns from taking Alex back home. Roy and Cathy sit down. Alex had a good time but was scolded that he can't just drop in any time and expect to stay. Roy mentions he and Hayley used to foster. Roy goes to the telephone and Cathy tells Anna she keeps learning new things about Roy all the time. It's clear she wants to be more to him than a friend but doesn't know how he feels.

Luke, Kirk and Maria buzz for Steph who appears dressed to kill because Andy wants to make a night of it after the race.

Cathy helps Roy fold laundry. She tries to broach the subject of things moving too fast or moving at all but there's a knock on the door and Kylie comes to apologize for the scene earlier. She tells Cathy about Becky, how lost and self destructive she was and how Roy and Hayley helped her turn her life around.

Andrea comes to the cab office. She apologizes for hurting him. He explains in detail how he's feeling, emotional and hurt that she told everyone else before she told him about the baby. She didn't want to split he and Liz up and tells him she's keeping the baby. The phone keeps ringing and he keeps hanging up. He wants to know what she plans. She sobs that she wants him back and for him to be a dad to the baby. He's not sure he can trust her. She really wants to try and begs him not to walk away.

Meanwhile, Liz is unaware of what's going on. She's talking to Ken about the holiday while Steve twitches behind her and Callum listens in from the end of the bar. He makes a few insulting remarks but won't leave and orders another drink. Liz and Ken continue to talk about the surprise holiday. Liz assumes Lloyd is working but Ken remarks that Audrey had to book a different cab for one of her clients because nobody was answering the phone which concerns Steve. Steve offers to go over and check.

Tony comes in and sees Callum and isn't pleased. They exchange a few "fighting" words, with Tony making vague threats and Callum being cocky.

Andrea points out they make a great team. She admits she's scared to be a mom again. Lloyd thinks he can be a father without being there full time. Andrea doesn't think part time dad will be what he really wants in the end. She cries and apologizes again and tells him she loves him, she wants him with her as they raise the baby together and when she kisses him he kisses her back just as Steve comes in. Steve looks upset and turns and leaves.

The two from the cafe come into the salon and lock the door. Audrey is scared and gives them the contents of the till. They're intent on being threatening and causing a bit of damage as the episode ends.

Tvor

Written by Martin Allen and directed by Nickie Lester

Ken is passing by the salon when he hears strange noises inside. He bangs on the door. Two men emerge and disappear. Ken goes inside where he finds Audrey. She's unharmed although clearly in shock. Nothing's been taken but the place is a mess. Ken decides to call the police.

Lloyd goes into the Rovers. Liz comes out to the bar, in great excitement and tells him she's booked two tickets for them to go to Portugal. Before Lloyd has a chance to open his mouth, Andrea arrives. Steve and Michelle stare at Lloyd and Liz realises there's something going on that she doesn't know about. Lloyd grabs her by the hand and takes her through to the back and says they need to talk.

In the Bistro Luke, Maria, Steph and Andy are about to leave for their night out when a friend of Luke's turns up. Steph looks annoyed so Andy asks who he is. Steph says he's her brother's old mate who got him into racing.

In the back room of the Rovers, Lloyd has told Liz the news about Andrea and the baby. Hearing raised voices, Steve comes through to see if everything's alright. Liz is upset but mainly because half the street knew about it before she did.

Out in the bar, Callum is making a nuisance of himself. Steve makes Sarah serve him but he tells Callum that if there's one more word from him, he'll make him leave.

Max and David are arriving home after the school trip to the wildlife park when they see a police car draw up outside the salon. They hurry round with Kylie to see what's going on. David sends Kylie and Max home while he stays to check on his gran.

Liz has calmed down. As she shares a mug of tea with Lloyd he admits he couldn't have messed things up more if he'd tried. He tells her that the baby changes everything. As Lloyd gives her a hug Liz asks why these things always happen to her.

Cathy is having a heart to heart with Anna about Roy. She tells her how Kylie interrupted just as she was about to tell Roy how she feels about him and says that perhaps it means they just aren't meant to be together.

Callum is still winding up Sarah in the Rovers. She reaches the end of her tether and throws him out of the pub just as Kylie comes down the street. Kylie accuses Callum of sending round two of his stooges to threaten Audrey. He claims it has nothing to do with him, after all he's been in the pub for the last two hours with plenty of witnesses. All these years and Kylie still hasn't learned that he always gets what he wants, Callum tells Kylie.

Liz and Lloyd come through to the bar where he tells Steve and Michelle that he and Andrea are getting back together. Andrea apologises but Liz is still miffed that she was the last to know.

Andrea and Lloyd sit on the bench in the street. Andrea admits that they never did things the easy way. Lloyd thinks the others are not going to forgive him. Oh well, he says, it's just the two of them and the baby. Andrea gives a look and Lloyd realises there's something she's not telling him. She admits she's been offered a job as the manageress of a small hotel ... in Jersey. Lloyd asks what she's going to do. Andrea guesses she'll just have to turn it down.

Gail arrives home to find David and Kylie comforting Audrey. They tell her about what happened in the salon. Gail wonders who would have done such a thing. Kylie says they can take a good guess and admits to having a bit of a set to with Callum in the cafe at lunchtime. She says Audrey's a part of the family and he's got it in for them.

Luke and the others arrive back from their trip to the car racing. It seems they had to leave early because the girls found it boring. Jamie says Steph's changed her tune –she used to love it. Andy looks surprised.

Liz is talking to Steve about Lloyd. She appears to have forgiven him – after all, Lloyd didn't plan for Andrea to get pregnant. He's done the decent thing and that's what Liz likes about him – he's a decent bloke. Steve, on the other hand, is still seething on behalf of his mother.

Cathy goes into Roy's flat where she finds him fast asleep on the sofa, listening to classical music, with a book open on his lap. She gently moves the book and covers him tenderly with a blanket.

Back in the Rovers, Jamie and Luke are reminiscing about their driving exploits. Maria is not amused and Jamie pulls a face at Luke. Steph looks po-faced so Jamie asks when she turned into such a drab. Andy says it was when she started going out with him and proceeds to list everything she did such as going along with his false ID, changing his records on the computer, etc. To prove how dull he is not, Andy takes Steph off clubbing. Meanwhile Jamie, Luke and Maria stay in the Rovers and Luke sets about trying to convince her that she's worrying about nothing and that racing cars is perfectly safe.

Lloyd is wandering down the street deep in thought when he meets Liz having a smoke outside the Rovers. She tells him it's alright, like he says, a baby changes everything. And he's done nothing wrong. Lloyd says that upsetting Liz was the last thing he wanted to happen. Liz laughs and says she'll survive but will Lloyd, having a kid at his age? He'll be drawing his pension before it leaves school. Lloyd thanks Liz for her understanding and kisses her on the top of her head.

Bethany has now joined the rest of the family at Platt Towers and Audrey is on the brandy. Gail says the police will catch the men who did it but Audrey's worried that if Callum has got a vendetta against them he'll just send someone else. "Callum?" asks Bethany. Kylie tells her how he'd been chucking his weight around in the Rovers while he knew what was going on in the salon. David declares he's going to kill him and Bethany and Kylie start to argue about which one of them is to blame in all of this. Gail tells them to stop it and says it's all going to be fine. "How can it be fine when there's no way of stopping him?" asks Audrey.

Karen

The Platt women are sitting round the table talking about Audrey's experience. David comes in with provisions to make breakfast, and Sarah and Bethany get up and go. David mutters to Kylie that he's never hated anyone as much as he's hated Callum. She tells him he can hate all he wants, Callum isn't going anywhere.

In the cafe, Anna places cooked breakfasts in front of Lloyd and Andrea. Kevin makes a comment about eating for two and the secret is out! "Are you pregnant?" asks Anna, to Andrea. "Is it yours?" asks Kirk, to Lloyd. Anna asks if they're going to be moving in together, and Andrea tells her there was a job in Jersey, but that's not going to happen now.

Jason is sitting on the bench in the Street when Todd comes along and sits down with him, cracking jokes. Jason, however, isn't in a laughing mood. Todd tells him that he knows what it's like, and how the experience can mess you up, but it gets better. Jason just stares at him, and then Todd sees a customer go into the shop and has to go.

Bethany goes to the yard and tells Tony that the guys who roughed up Audrey had been sent by Callum. She knows Tony hates him as much as she does and wonders if Tony can 'sort him out or something'. Tony refuses, saying she must have him mixed up with someone else. Just then Gail arrives and tells Tony that she's decided to have the manhole in the garage dug out after all. Tony says he'll get on to it straight away.

Kevin and Luke are in the pub when Luke's friend Jamie comes in. He was passing and wants to see Luke's car. As Luke is busy he offers to work on it and get it finished.

Todd goes to see Tony and tells him he's worried that Jason will go after Callum. Tony says he'll sort it, he won't stand by and see Jason get beaten to a pulp or worse. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Dad," says a voice. Jason has come in behind them. Telling his dad he's just worried he'll be embarrassed, he storms off.

Leanne is in the Street when a taxi pulls up, and she can hear the sounds of someone very upset. Then the door opens and out stumbles Eva, pulling a suitcase that spills open on the ground. Leanne goes over and says she thought Eva was preparing for her wedding. Tearfully, Eva tells her that's not happening now. Leanne takes her home for a chat.

Gail and Bethany are walking home across the Street, but are shocked to find the front door wide open when they get there.

Gail and Bethany are taking in the scene of devastation that they've found. Gail comes down from upstairs and tells Bethany that someone has been in every room. As far as Gail can tell, nothing's been taken, so she thinks it's someone's idea of a message, a warning. She picks up her phone to call the police.

In Leanne's flat, Eva tells her sister that she caught her fiance cheating on her with another woman. "What did you do?" asks Leanne. "I did what anyone would do, I threw a brick through the window," says Eva. Adding that she then went home and packed and came home. "What is it with me and men? I lurch from one disaster to the next," she says.

Nick is in the cafe, he tells Roy that the work on the flats is finished, you would never know anything had happened.

Just then Mary comes in with a birthday card for Roy, but Roy says it's not his birthday for a few days yet. Mary snatches the card back again and asks him to forget it ever happened. On hearing all this Nick asks if he'd like to have a do at the bistro, mates' rates.

Roy says he'll think about it. Cathy is in the cafe, and on hearing that Roy's birthday is coming up rushes off out to get him a present.

Over at the garage, Jamie has finished the work on Luke's car and asks him when he's going to race it. Kevin looks up and says he'll have to clear it with the boss first – he means Maria, she's not keen on Luke being behind the wheel.

Eva sees Kylie in the Street. They hug and promise to catch up later, then Kylie rushes off.

Steve and little Rover are just arriving at the front door of the pub when Andrea comes out. Steve is huffy, and Andrea tells him she didn't get pregnant on purpose and she's not going to feel bad about being with Lloyd. She tells him he shouldn't take it out on Lloyd, he has done nothing wrong, and reminds him that they are supposed to be best friends.

Kylie arrives back at the house, and Gail tells her that the police have just left. They'd asked if she knew anyone who would do something like that and she gave them Callum's name, but she's pretty sure he'll have an alibi by now. Bethany goes upstairs to clear up and Kylie tells Gail that Callum wants 20,000 pounds and then he'll leave them alone.

Kirk is in the taxi office, wondering if he dropped his phone in a cab. Lloyd is looking through a box of lost property, but there's no phone. As Kirk leaves, Steve comes in, he's brought Lloyd a cream cake. Lloyd says he's on a diet and doesn't want it. They chat and Steve tells him he just doesn't want Lloyd to do anything he might regret. "Thanks," says Lloyd, "you've just helped me make up my mind about something." He puts his jacket on and tells Steve he's going to tell Andrea to take the job in Jersey. "Are you dumping her?" asks Steve. "No," says Lloyd, "I'm going to sell my share of this place and go with her." "You can't do that!" says Steve. "Just watch me," says Lloyd.

Cathy comes back to the cafe and tells Anna that she couldn't find anything in the shops that she thought Roy would like. She asks what he likes, besides trains. Anna suggests cardigans and bags.

Eva is in the pub, drinking wine and being quite belligerent with Sarah. Just then Todd comes in and sees her. She is not pleased to see him and throws her drink all over him. "What was that for?" he asks. She tells him it was for lying to her face and splitting her and Jason up. Sarah mutters that Jason had a lucky escape and Eva turns on her. "Shut up, dwarf," she says. Sarah tells her to get out. "What? Or you'll hit me in the ankles?" asks Eva, but gets up and storms out anyway. Right outside the door she bumps into Jason who stares at her in amazement. "I don't believe it," he says.

Kylie is on her hands and knees picking up broken things when Callum comes in behind her. She tells him to get out or she'll call the police, but he won't go. She picks up her phone but he grabs her wrist and asks where the money is. As she's telling him she hasn't got it, Gail comes down and shouts at him to get out, throwing a vase that just misses him. Laughing, Callum goes to the door. Gail rushes behind him, pushing him into the Street, just as David and Max are coming along. David rushes up, demanding to know what's going on, and he and Callum start pushing each other. "Get off my dad," shouts Max, to Callum. "What? He's not your dad, I am," says Callum. Max shouts that he hates Callum and wishes he was dead. Callum lunges for him and Max runs away, just as Nick comes along in the bistro's van, which screeches to a halt. As Gail, Kylie, David and Bethany all rush over the cobbles, Callum stands looking shocked.

Anne Logan

We open with the aftermath of Max being run over by Nick's van. He is sitting up on the pavement. Kylie goes over to Callum, and the rest of the family all tell him to go.

Eva is at Jason's place. She tells him that some "snotty cow" tried to throw her out of the Rovers. Jason says that was probably Sarah. Eva wonders if it was Jason's ex. He grunts in agreement, and she tells him that he had a lucky escape. They continue chatting and Jason tells her he has been in hospital with a bleed on the brain.

Callum is sitting in his car reflecting on what has happened. His phone rings and he drives off. He doesn't realise David is watching him.

Back at Jason's, he and Eva are chatting and then Eva admits the engagement is off. He wonders if she is back for good, but she says she is uncertain as everything is still a mess. Eva become protective of him when he groans, but he doesn't want her fussing over him and hints she should go.

In the Street, Andrea and Lloyd bump into each other. He asks if she has contacted the guy about the job. She says he is not back until tomorrow. Lloyd says she ought to take it, and they will move together. She wonders if he is being serious, and when he confirms he is she gets very excited.

Andy sees Steph and Jamie laughing and giggling in the bistro. Luke comes over to Andy and notes Andy's concern, but tells him there is nothing to worry about these days.

Lloyd goes into Streetcars to pick up his keys. He apologises to Steve for leaving him in the lurch, but he has a great opportunity. Steve says through his teeth that he was glad it was an easy decision for him. Lloyd says it wasn't any easy decision, but he has a chance for a fresh start. Steve says he gets that but he doesn't understand why he has to leave Weatherfield. At this point Steve walks out.

At the Platts Nick is recriminating with himself that Max came out of nowhere. Beth assures him that it wasn't his fault. Then Max comes in with Kylie, with a small plaster and bandage on his knee. Sarah says at least it wasn't worse, and Kylie retorts that he could have been killed. She then turns to Beth saying that she gave Callum an alibi. Beth admits that she lied and Callum wasn't with her s she had told the Police.

Steve is in the back yard of the Rovers talking to the dog! Michelle comes out and asks him what is wrong. He says he is without a partner as Lloyd is leaving He says he and Andrea are moving to Jersey. Michelle says he can't blame Lloyd. He is about to have a baby. Steve says he has had a baby but didn't want to traipse off around the world. Michelle says it is only Jersey! Michelle says it doesn't matter where he lives, they are still best mates. Steve says that is not his concern, it is about the business they built up together over the years now means nothing to him and walks off.

Eva is chatting to Roy in the cafe. Cathy comes down and introduces herself as Roy's friend. Eva introduces herself and says she is Leanne's sister. Cathy tells her that she has found the perfect birthday present for Roy, a steam train exhibition. However it would mean him having a day off work. She suggests that she speaks to Mary or Anna.

Back at the Platts, Kylie and David are complaining to Bethany. Because of her alibi Callum is wandering around tormenting the family. David says her cousin could have been killed. He asks why she did it. She said he drugged Sarah, she was unconscious and filmed her on his phone. He said he would hurt her if he didn't give him an alibi. Sarah asks when this happened, and she said about three or four weeks ago. Sarah remembers coming home groggy and sleeping for about 12 hours. Sarah sympathises with her, but David says the important thing is for her to go back to the Police to change her statement. Nick says he will go with her. She is concerned what may happen to her, but Kylie reassures her she just has to tell the truth.

Leanne see Eva sitting in the bus shelter. Leanne thinks there is something wrong. She says she just saw Jason and she feels stupid. It is another failed relationship. Leanne comforts her and suggests she comes back to her flat. She says she promised to meet Sean in town, so Leanne says come over on her way back. Tony then sees Eva, and says it is good to see her back, and walks off.

Over at the Platts, Gail says it is good that it is happening today and not tomorrow. David asks why, and she says tomorrow she is having her window fitted. Beth, Sarah and Nick return from the police station. Nick confirms that she has withdrawn her statement. Beth apologies to everybody but she was so scared of what Callum may do. Nick and Sarah confirm the good news that the police are onto him for perverting the course of justice, GBH and poisoning.

Andy walks past Steph in the Bistro without saying anything. She asks him if everything is okay. He says it is and queries why it shouldn't be. She thought he was a bit "off". He then asks her why she didn't tell him that she used to go out with Jamie before. She says it was ages ago when she was just a kid. He asks if the position were reversed and one of his exes was drinking would she mind. Steph says she would be a bit jealous, and asks if he is jealous. He looks to the sky and she says there is no need to be, and they kiss.

Luke suggests to his friend that they leave. Jamie says he can't believe Luke is going to race the car. Luke says he wants it kept between them.

Steve is looking depressed in the Rovers. Michelle tells him that Lloyd will only be half an hour away by plane. Then Lloyd and Andrea walk in. Lloyd apologises to Steve if he was abrupt earlier. He says he thinks it the right thing to do. Lloyd suggests they get together at the Bistro and discuss the future of the business. Steve suggests he puts it in writing, and Michelle moans at him. Michelle apologises for him, saying he is upset. Lloyd says it is the two of them.

Cathy and Roy are talking about birthdays. Roy says that in decades to come they will end up in blood, flesh and plastic. She asks if he celebrates birthdays. He replies that he subscribes to Abraham Lincoln's assertion that it is not so much the years in your life that count, but the life in your years. Cathy is going on about birthdays but Roy is not interested.

Back at the Rovers, Michelle is trying to make excuses for Steve. Lloyd says he is always making allowances for Steve. She suggests giving him time to get his head around the idea. Lloyd then breaks the news he is leaving on Monday. Andrea says she has got a job. Michelle thinks something has to be done so they don't leave hating each other. She suggests a going-away party. They agree to do that.

Kylie and David in the bistro tell Nick about the money Callum wants from them. Nick says it is extortion, at which point Callum comes in. Callum demands his money. David refuses and Callum suggests that he has fought for Max but now he is not worth £20,000. Kylie realises that he owes money to a supplier. Callum gets angry. Sarah overhears this and gets on the phone.

Jason comes into the Rovers. Todd is already there. He asks Jason how it was going with Eva. He presumes it wasn't undying love. Jason says it was Todd's fault. Todd apologises and says Eva knows he did it. Tony comes in but Jason is not interested in talking to him.

Leanne is talking to Eva in her flat. She asks Eva if she still has feeling s for him. She thinks so, at least until he chucked her out. Eva wants to change the subject. She asks about Simon. Leanne says that he is with Peter for a few weeks. Eva expects he will spoil him, and then give him back to Leanne to sort out.

Back at the Bistro, Callum is threatening violence towards David. David gets up, but Nick restrains him. Kylie tells Callum that he is a small-time criminal. He reaches out towards Kylie's neck as the police arrive. They arrest him for causing grievous body harm and perverting the cause of justice. The officer then gives him the Official Caution.

So as Callum is led away we wait to see if he is locked away for many years !

Martin Rosen

No Friday episode this week.

Written by Damon Rochefort Directed by John Anderson

Gail is going to see Audrey later for lunch, Audrey still being a bit shaken over last week's events so Gail doesn't want her being on her own. David is pleased Callum is finally behind bars but Kylie knows how slippery he can be. Gail hopes that once they hear more from the police they can all sleep better with Callum banged up. David tries to assure Kylie that Callum won't get out of it. She doesn't look sure.

Roy is opening up his birthday cards while Cathy makes him a special breakfast. He opens another one that's a bit flirty, turns out it's from "Cathy" but she looks at it and recognizes her nephew's hand writing. Roy is not upset but Cathy is uncomfortable. He opens her card with has a train on it. She's hurrying him along as they have a big day.

Sally is in the cafe, with Anna and Mary behind the counter and Lloyd and Andrea looking on. Sally and Anna start in on each other with little digs and insults while discussing weddings. Sally thinks registry office weddings are common, Anna mentions her parents got married in a registry office. (Come to think of it, Sally's second wedding to Kevin was in one but Sally's good at selective memory isn't she?) Mary's sneezing with hay fever. The subtle sniping continues. Mary asks after Rosie but we're told that Rosie is in Dubai for a modeling job. Lloyd and Andrea are going to miss the wedding because they're moving to Jersey. Sally finally leaves. Lloyd and Andrea are told it's Roy's birthday and they're going to decorate the cafe later in the day for a nice birthday do for him. Yasmeen comes in with a card and asks Anna to come to theirs later for a wedding planning session. Anna's not looking forward to it.

Faye asks Craig if he wants to do something tonight. He turns her down and says he's busy.

Jason is a bit impatient with Gary while they're loading up the van. He sees Eva go by and they say hello but don't say anything more. Jason shouts and urges them on to the next job.

Roy is given some gifts and cards in the cafe. Norris has given him a pencil sharpener which Roy says he appreciates. There's a discussion about hay fever which Cathy suffers from as well. Cathy and Roy leave for the train station for their surprise trip. Cathy whispers to Anna that she's going to tell Roy how she feels. Norris wonders why people don't make fuss over him on his birthday. Michael, who's there having his breakfast, mutters to himself that people like Roy. Norris didn't quite catch that. Michael covers and orders another coffee. They discuss that it's nice to see Roy moving on with things.

Gail is in the Bistro, telling Andy, Nick and Robert about Callum. David and Kylie arrive and tell her that Audrey isn't feeling up to things and went home to rest. They all spin around in shock when Callum saunters in. Andy and Robert manhandle Callum out the door as Gail calls the police.

Sarah, Michelle and Andrea dig through the box of decorations for the surprise going away party that evening. Andrea knows about it, obviously but it's a surprise for Lloyd. Liz is ok with it being at the pub. Michelle says Steve is not happy but thinks once they have a few drinks he'll be ok. Sarah takes a call and has to leave, due to the news about Callum being out of prison. She rushes off, trying to call Bethany. Steve is not best pleased that Sarah has gone AWOL again. He's taken aback to discover there's a surprise party for Lloyd tonight. He rants about his so-called "bezzie" abandoning him and stalks out. Andrea tells Michelle they have to figure out a way to sort it out between them.

Sarah comes into the Bistro to find out what's going on. Gail is going to stay with Audrey and Sarah is having Bethany come home from school. The DI arrives and tells them that Callum's arrest was for Jason's attack, they can't stop him coming round unless they have enough evidence that he's harassing them. (Why don't Kylie and David tell the police about the blackmail, then?)

Eva tells Anna and Mary that she doesn't think she and Jason will get back together. She follows Michelle out the door. Anna asks Faye, who's there with Craig, if she can make her own tea tonight. Mary goes on about how she got up to all sorts when she had the house to herself at that age. Nothing spectacular, mind you, just musical chairs or playing ghost to scare the neighbour. Craig tells Anna he's got plans but then Craig admits he's got a date. Faye is incredulous and asks where he's going and what he's wearing.

Back at the Platt house, the inspector tells them that Callum made bail and has a good solicitor. Kylie is going to get Max and Lily and Sarah insists Bethany is staying in sight. They're told that if Callum is seen, to let them know, especially if he threatens them. He doesn't think Callum will show his face again if he's smart. Bethany is sure Callum will come back again. David insists nobody goes anywhere on their own. He also asks Nick quietly how much cash he can gather if need be.

Steve has been summoned to help and is directed to the cellar to change a barrel. Then Michelle moans that she forgot to tell Steve to bring up some Orange juice so Andrea pushes Lloyd in the direction of the cellar door. He complains but goes and when he gets through the door, Andrea rushes to lock it behind him, forcing he and Steve to talk to each other and make up. She and Michelle look pleased with themselves.

Sarah takes Bethany over to the pub to help with the party set up. Nick goes back to the Bistro while Gail has gone to Audrey's. Nick tells Tony and Jason that Callum is out on bail. Norris sticks his nose in but in this case, Nick thinks it's probably a good thing that Norris is on guard. Nick warns Jason and Tony to be careful. Jason mutters to his father that if he sees Callum first, the police won't be a worry to him.

David comes back inside where Kylie tells him the kids are with Gail at Audrey's. They sit down on the steps. David tells them that Nick can give them a few grand just as Callum walks right in an unlocked back door and overhears David talking about remortgaging the house. He swaggers and insists that he will leave them alone once he gets his money. He doesn't care what they have to do to get it, by tonight, and leaves them with a vague threat.

Roy's surprise trip turns out to be Blackpool. Of course Cathy doesn't know that he has so many memories there with Hayley and he hasn't said anything. He just follows her around quietly. She asks if he enjoyed the steam fair which was the main reason for the destination. He awkwardly explains that he didn't know they were coming to Blackpool. They go down the steps onto a walkway overlooking the beach. She tells him that she and her late husband enjoyed Blackpool.

Anna rings the doorbell at the Nazir's. Sally asks if she's going to the leaving do. Anna confesses to be pretty busy between the wedding planning and the birthday dinner for Roy. Sally informs her that the party at the pub is informal and casts aspersions on Anna's casual clothes. Yasmeen opens the door and invites her in.

Steve and Lloyd are annoyed in the cellar. Steve is on the phone to Eileen who has no intention of freeing him.

David was only able to get 3500. He decides to go find Callum and hurries out again.

Jason grabs a crowbar and decides to go find Callum. Tony stops him. They struggle and Tony pushes him back hard which makes Jason wince in pain, clearly in no shape for a physical fight.

Kylie tries to stop David but he drives away.

Tvor

Written by Damon Rochefort and directed by John Anderson

Kylie is trying to call David but he's not answering his phone. She leaves a message telling him not to do this. She says she's going to the Rovers and he should meet her there. Callum could come back any time and she's scared.

Lloyd and Steve are locked in the cellar. They've got no signals on their phones and Steve is listing all the reasons he's annoyed with Lloyd. Steve says he could murder a drink. Lloyd agrees. They look at each other as realisation dawns – that's the one thing they're not short of.

Round at Eileen's she's being told about Tony stopping Jason going after Callum. Todd says Jason should just let the police do their job but that's exactly what they're not doing argues Jason since they've let Callum go. Eileen is furious with Jason – she thought she'd lost him a couple of weeks ago and she is not going to let him put her through that again. "Got it," says Jason, looking contrite.

Roy is lost in thought as he stares out to sea. He jumps as Cathy arrives with some ice creams. She asks if Roy has been there often. "Many times," replies Roy. Cathy mentions that she's always wanted to dance in the ballroom at Blackpool Tower, having no idea of the significance of this remark.

David turns up at the Dog and Duck in search of Callum but Gemma claims she hasn't seen him. In fact she sounds genuinely surprised when David tells her he's been let out on bail.

Sally's complaining to Tim and Sophie about how Anna's been making snide comments about their wedding. In fact, she says, she's not surprised Owen left her with the way she carries on. "That's rich," says Sophie, giving her mother a knowing look. Sally tells Sophie to help her bring in the washing before she says anything else.

Meanwhile next door Sharif has taken Anna outside to look at his chickens. He leaves her for a minute while he takes a call on his phone. On the other side of the fence Sally starts to have a go at Sophie for having a dig about what happened with her dad. Anna pricks up her ears and moves in closer so she can eavesdrop. Sophie tells her mum she's such a hypocrite for going on about how common Anna is while she's not the one going round kissing her ex-husband. Anna's mouth falls open as she takes in this juicy bit of gossip.

In the cellar of the Rovers, Lloyd and Steve are pouring out mugs of whiskey. The alcohol seems to have helped to build some bridges. Lloyd tells Steve that Jersey isn't that far away but Steve's feeling sorry for himself and says that everyone always leaves him. They start to get philosophical and Lloyd tells Steve that life is all about change and he's got to give this a try for Andrea's sake. He says nothing would make him happier than Steve giving his blessing. Steve says he can't do that but he can make him a marguerita. Just then there's a thumping on the door. It's Andrea, wanting to know if they've made up. The boys grin at each other and then start shouting mock insults. What's not to like about being locked in a cellar full of booze with your best mate?

Upstairs in the bar Michelle and Andrea share a bowl of peanuts and wonder if/when the boys will make up while Sarah and Bethany put up the bunting. At least they're safe from Callum while they're in the Rovers says Sarah but Bethany can't understand why they don't just go to the police (something I've also been wondering but of course this is soapland). Michelle asks Bethany if she'd like to earn some pocket money by making the sandwiches for the party. This gets her neatly out the way for when Kylie arrives to tell Sarah that David has gone after Callum to "sort him out". She says Callum threatened all sorts if he doesn't get his money. Sarah asks where the kids are and Kylie tells her she's taken them to Audrey's. Kylie goes off to the loo leaving her phone on the table. Sarah picks it up and sends a text. We can't read the whole thing but the words "meet me" are clearly visible ...

David is sitting in his car, keeping watch outside the Dog and Gun.

In a dodgy part of town Callum is also sitting in his car. Gemma gets in, hands him his passport, and asks what his last slave died of. Gemma asks if he's really planning to "do one" and says David didn't look like he wanted to wish him happy travels. Callum tells her to forget him because Kylie's come through, just like he knew she would. He has no more use for Gemma so he tells her to get out of the car and drives off.

Back in the cellar, Lloyd and Steve are getting very merry. They launch into a rendition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, whereupon Steve falls over backwards in a drunken heap. Lloyd asks if he's alright. Clearly not as Steve announces he's going to throw up. "Where's my phone?" Lloyd wails to himself.

Eileen's trying to take care of Jason but he doesn't want her making a fuss. He goes off upstairs for a bath while Eileen takes a call. While she's distracted Tony tells Todd that if he could get his hands on Callum he would. Todd offers his services if he needs help sorting him out. Eileen comes back in and announces she has to go to the pub. Todd says he thought the party wasn't 'til later. Eileen says there won't be a party at this rate.

Roy and Cathy are enjoying a stroll on the beach. Finally Cathy plucks up the courage and tells Roy there's something she wants to say to him but at the last moment she loses her nerve and instead tells him that you can't visit Blackpool without going for a paddle. Roy's worried about missing the train. Cathy tells him to stop banging on about the train and chuckles that it's like being in a never-ending episode of Thomas the Tank Engine. Cathy turns and runs towards the sea, laughing that the cold water will put hairs on his chest. But when she stops and turns round, Roy has disappeared.

David is still waiting in his car when he gets a text from Kylie, followed by a phone call telling him that she and Sarah are at the Rovers and to meet them there.

Eileen arrives in the Rovers and asks Liz if Lloyd and Steve are still in the cellar. "In the cellar?" asks Liz. Michelle and Andrea explain about their plan to get the boys talking. Eileen says Lloyd has rung her to say Steve is sick. Michelle admits they've had a few texts saying the same thing. Eileen points out that locking those two in a beer cellar is like locking a dog in a butcher's and tells Andrea to go and check on them.

Meanwhile, Sarah tells Michelle that she'll help out with the food but before that she just needs to nip home and pick up her charger. Liz rolls her eyes and tells her to get back sharpish.

Andrea and Lloyd emerge from the cellar supporting Steve who can barely stand up. She has a go at Lloyd for letting Steve drink so much when he's on tablets. Liz is all for calling a doctor but Michelle says he just needs to sleep it off.

Anna leaves Sharif to go home and get ready for Roy's party. On the way she meets Tim. She's impressed to see he's been working late and asks when he became such a grafter. Tim tells her he's dropped off her decorations at the cafe but not to forget her key as Mary had to go home early due to an attack of hay fever. Anna is not impressed with this news. She lets herself into the cafe to find that nothing has been organised. "Terrific!" sighs Anna.

Callum's car draws up. He glances up at the Platts' house, looks at his passport and then parks round the corner. Inside the house, Sarah is pacing up and down. She starts at the sound of the doorbell then lets Callum in. He asks where Kylie is. Sarah says she's not there so he helps himself to a beer and announces that he'll wait. Sarah tells him Kylie's not coming – she was the one who sent the text. "Now why would you do something as stupid as that?" asks Callum in a menacing tone as he advances towards Sarah.

Karen

We open in the Platt house, where Callum is getting more and more angry. He wants to know why Sarah pretended to be Kylie and when David is going to appear with his money.

Outside, Roy is berating a bus driver for running early and causing passengers to miss the bus. Around the corner come Nick, Steph, Andy and Robert with plates of food for the surprise party that Anna is arranging in the cafe for Roy's birthday, the theme being The Orient Express. Roy ducks out of sight as they go past.

Tim sees Craig heading out of the house, he's off to meet Caitlin, and they are chatting when Sally comes to the front door and calls him in to get ready for Lloyd's leaving do at the pub.

Back at the Platt house, a sulky Callum declines another beer and tells Sarah that what he wants is David and the cash. She tells him that her gran is 75 and could have had a heart attack when he set his thugs on her. "Everyone knows it was you," she says, "why don't you just admit it?" Callum smells a rat at this and starts to wonder if there's someone upstairs listening, so he goes up to check. Sarah quickly moves her phone on which she is obviously recording every word, and hides it under a coat. When Callum comes downstairs she starts to waffle on nervously about Max and what they should tell him about his dad.

Back at the Rover's, Sarah's absence is noted, and Eva offers to fill in. David arrives back and sits down with Kylie, who asks what he would have said to Callum if he'd found him. David, however, reckons they're well past the talking stage, and asks where Sarah is. Kylie tells him she's out the back on kitchen duty.

Just then Andrea and Lloyd come in, and Lloyd asks where Steve is. Michelle tells him his body is upstairs but there's no sign of life in it.

In the cafe, everyone is dressed up like an Agatha Christie character in Murder on the Orient Express. Fiz gets a message from Tyrone, who is babysitting, telling her that Hope is asleep. Ken urges her to relax and have a good time. Just then Roy comes in, early, which throws everyone somewhat, so then they all start singing 'happy birthday', but Roy just hurries through the cafe and goes through the back and up the stairs.

Back at the Platt's house, Callum is getting increasingly agitated. His phone keeps ringing but he doesn't answer it. Sarah asks if someone is after him, but Callum just tells her to get her brother there. Sarah tries to tell him that her battery is dead, but suddenly her phone starts buzzing and Callum hears it. He finds it – it's Michelle ringing – and he realises that it's been recording everything so far. He is not happy! Just then Michelle starts knocking on the door and shouting for Sarah, but before she can answer Callum grabs her and puts his hand over her mouth.

Outside Zeedan comes along and tells Michelle that his grandmother wants the noise kept down. Michelle says she's just trying to save Sarah's job.

Back inside, Callum still has hold of Sarah, and then he flings her down on the sofa.

Fiz comes down from Roy's flat and tells the guests that Roy doesn't want a party. Just then Carla comes in and asks if Roy is back yet. Before anyone can reply, in comes Cathy, wondering what she did wrong on their day out to Blackpool. When they learn that she took Roy to Blackpool they all groan.

Callum is really angry and is demanding to know whether David has got the money he wants or not. Weeping and terrified, Sarah tells him that David can't just conjure up thousands of pounds. She gets up and tries to run out of the door but he catches her and wrestles her to the floor. She bites his hand and that makes him even more angry and he starts to get really rough with her, shouting all the while. Suddenly he goes quiet and slumps forward on top of her. Crying hysterically, Sarah wriggles out from under him and sits up. There stands Kylie, with a very large wrench in her hand.

Kylie and Sarah stand staring at Callum who is lifeless on the floor with a large puddle of blood oozing out from under his head. "Is he dead?" asks Sarah, still crying and shaking. Kylie retorts that she's not a doctor, and she cautiously approaches the body and feels for a pulse, but there is none. Suddenly there's a banging on the front door. "Mum!" they hear Bethany calling. Kylie tells Sarah to get rid of her. Sarah dithers, so, thinking quickly, Kylie gets her to help move Callum into the kitchen, out of sight of the door, then she lets Bethany in, and tells her that Sarah spilt something on her top and had to get changed. She tells her to go back to the pub. When she's gone, Kylie picks up her phone and tries to ring David.

Craig is at home, awaiting the arrival of Caitlin. His phone rings, but it's his mum, asking if she's turned up yet. He tells her she hasn't, and tells her not to ring again.

Carla goes up to the flat to see Roy and tries to persuade him to come down to the party, but Roy is busy trying to make an online complaint to the bus company and ignores her.

All of Roy's party guests give up then, and go to the pub, still dressed up the Orient Express theme. Eileen goes round with an envelope, collecting cash for Lloyd and Andrea.

A furious Liz tells Eva she's a godsend, and says Sarah had better have a good excuse when she gets back.

David has got to the house and is horrified to see Callum's body on the kitchen floor. He asks what the hell happened.

Carla is clearing away the abandoned party in the cafe when Roy comes down. As he realises what a lot of effort his friends have gone to he says he will have to apologise. They start talking about the trip to Blackpool and she asks why he didn't tell Cathy about his visits there with Hayley. He concedes that Cathy is a kind, thoughtful lady, so Carla urges him not to throw away something on a misunderstanding.

Back at the house, a shaken Kylie is saying how she hated Callum, but she'd loved him once. David produces a blanket to wrap him in and says how Callum had a lot of people after him, so if he turns up dead it could have been anyone. He finds the car keys in Callum's pocket and says they'll find the car and then take him for a little swim. Sarah starts crying again, and says David can't do that. David asks if she has any better suggestions, but of course she hasn't. David goes off to find where he's parked the car.

Roy explains to Carla that being in Blackpool brought back to him all sorts of things that Hayley used to say. Carla says that Cathy would have understood that, she's a widow herself. Roy says that's just it, after Hayley died he felt he was forced to join a club to which he didn't belong. He knew he was being irrational. Carla tells him that even he is allowed to be irrational sometimes. He says that Hayley had made him promise to paddle there again someday, with someone else. He gets up and starts taking cloths from tables. Carla reaches out and touches his arm, she says he should speak to Cathy as she reckons the day got to him so much, not because he didn't want to paddle – but because he did.

Cathy, meanwhile, is standing outside the back of Ken's house. Ken comes out and Cathy asks him if, when Roy and Hayley danced at the ballroom in Blackpool, whether it was a special occasion. Ken tells her that Hayley was dying. Cathy is filled with remorse and says she thinks she'll go and stay with her cousin in Hastings. As she walks off, Rita comes to the door. "That poor woman," she says, "she has her own grief as well as Roy's."

David has found Callum's car and reversed it up to the back garden gate. As he goes through into the garden, Sarah and Kylie come out of the kitchen, Sarah talking loudly and somewhat hysterically. As David tries to shush her, Yasmeen comes out into her garden next door and tells them that she's been disturbed by bangs, crashes and loud voices when all she wants is to sit in her living room in peace. David apologises and everyone goes back indoors.

Across the road, Tony and Todd see Callum's car outside the Platt's house, where David has left it with the engine running. They decide to take the car and jump in! As David, Kylie and Sarah emerge through the back gate with, they are horrified to see the car being driven away!

Sarah is by now totally hysterical. She says she can't go back in the house with Callum dead in there. David tries to calm her down, he tells her to go back to the Rovers and he will take the body far away where he'll never be found, and then he ushers her out of the back gate.

Across the road at the taxi office, Michael tells Cathy that most of the taxi drivers are at Lloyd's leaving do, it'll be quicker for her to get the bus, so she goes off round the corner to wait at the bus stop.

Nick and Carla are walking along arm in arm, on their way to the pub. They see Cathy at the bus stop and Carla tells her to go and speak to Roy. Cathy complains that everyone is always interfering, she'll be glad to get away. Nick and Carla walk on.

Lloyd comes downstairs at the pub. He's been to see Steve, but not got much response. He tells Liz he can't underAstand it, they drank the same amount, but Liz reminds him that Steve is on medication. They sit chatting on the stairs for a few minutes and Lloyd tells her he's sorry he hurt her. Then Andrea comes out to find him and Liz remembers that she hasn't fed Rover. Lloyd tells Andrea he's upset that he can't say a proper goodbye to Steve, and she wonders if he's having second thoughts. He assures her that he isn't.

Back at the Platt's, David and Kylie are looking at the manhole that's in the process of being filled in. Kylie is dead against putting Callum down there, but David reckons it's just a temporary measure. Just then Callum's phone starts ringing, so David pulls it out of Callum's pocket and finds it was a call from his mum. Kylie starts to lose it then, so David says he'll go and see if he can borrow Nick's van.

Tony and Todd have left Callum's car on some waste ground. As they walk away it explodes and bursts into flames.

Roy comes out of the cafe just as the bus, with Cathy on board, pulls away. Roy shouts out for it to stop, it's leaving 7 minutes early. Then there's a bang and the bus stops with a flat front tyre! Steph and Andy are standing around eating chips. "Roy, did you just hex the bus?" asks Steph. Everyone gets off except Cathy who sits up at the back and waves at Roy.

Kylie starts running around indoors, packing a bag very quickly. David comes back in and she tells him that she's the guilty one, if she goes away they will be ok. He stops her, telling her that they'll catch her and put both of them in prison. She shouts at him that he hasn't done anything. "I'm up to my neck in it!" he says, and asks her who will be there for the kids if they're both sent away. "The kids need us," he says, "I need us, and Callum is not going to take you away from me, not again." She hugs him.

Sarah is back in the pub, looking distressed and distracted, and then she drops and smashes a plate. Liz tells her that she was more use when she was AWOL. The party is in full swing and Aidan is going round taking photos. Anna has had several glasses of prosecco and is dancing about, trying to sing. She tries to get Kevin to dance with her, but Sally tells him to ignore her, she's drunk. Anna tells Sally she's such a killjoy, and Kevin tells her it's just a bit of innocent fun. "I wouldn't call that innocent," says Sally, and Anna turns round and remarks that her snogging Kevin's face off wasn't innocent either. There's a very pregnant pause and Sally and Kevin look at each other aghast. "What?" asks Tim, and Sally tells him to ignore Anna, she's drunk. "So why are you two looking at each other like that?" he demands to know. Anna rushes off to get a drink of water and Tim notices the look on Sophie's face and realises that she knew about this too. "Why am I starting to feel like an idiot here?" he says. He points at Kevin and turns to Sally. "Are you and him carrying on?" he says. "Of course not," says Sally, but Tim is having none of it and grabs his jacket. "Don't follow me," he snaps, and walks out.

David and Kylie are talking when Callum's phone bleeps with a message. David checks it, it's from Gemma asking Callum if he's still at Dave's. He replies that he's just leaving now, telling Kylie they don't want her thinking he's still there. Just then they hear someone calling outside, so David sticks his head out of the back door. It's Yasmeen, apologising for being rude earlier.

Back in the pub, the talk is all about Sally and Kevin. Sally is all for running after Tim, but Sophie stops her, telling her to let Kevin talk to him. Then someone shouts for Lloyd to give a speech and he tells them all he can't believe he's going, it doesn't feel real, he's been propping up the bar there for 10 years.

Roy and Cathy are sitting on the stationary bus, talking. She asks why he didn't say something, she doesn't want to trample all over his memories. He admits that he should have.

Kevin finds Tim sitting outside the chip shop. He tells Tim that Sally loves him, but Tim is skeptical. Kevin explains that Sally had had a few drinks and had a funny moment, but it didn't go anywhere. "You mean it was her, not you? It just gets better!" snarls Tim and shouts at Kevin to go back to his party.

Craig comes out of the house as Chesney and Sinead come along, and he tells them that Caitlin has stood him up and didn't come round as planned.

Inside the garage conversion, David and Kylie remove the manhole cover, exposing a large hole in the ground. They stand silent for a moment, tense and shaking. "It's for the kids," says David, and Kylie nods. Together they lower the blanket covered bundle into the hole.

Cathy is sharing some memories of her late husband with Roy, and she gets upset.

Todd and Tony have arrived back in Coronation Street. As they step out of the taxi, Todd says he can't wait to tell Jason, but Tony stops him and says the less Jason knows, the better. They head off to the pub.

Sarah is sitting out the back of the pub, still upset. Bethany comes out to find her, and Sarah grabs her hand and tells her she's so sorry that any of this happened. Bethany doesn't understand what she's talking about. "He won't hurt us, I promise," says Sarah, hugging her daughter.

Tim is striding along as Sally and Sophie come out of the Rovers, but he refuses to stop and talk to them. Sally is very upset.

Tim has arrived at Anna's place. She's still tipsy when she opens the door and he asks if he can sleep on her sofa. Hiccuping, she lets him in.

Roy and Cathy are still chatting on the bus. He tells her that their trip to Blackpool seems like a long time ago, and they have travelled a great distance on a stationary bus. They give each other a fleeting kiss.

Lloyd and Andrea are about to depart. The crowd all spills out of the Rovers as a vintage, open-topped American car comes along, decked out with balloons and 'good luck' signs, and Luke in a chauffeur's uniform. Lloyd carries Andrea and sits her in the back, and they drive off down the Street.

Sally is sitting at home on her sofa, weeping. Sophie sits beside her and hugs her.

Roy and Cathy have left the bus and are walking down the Street when they see the car with Lloyd and Andrea turn in front of the bistro. As all the balloons are let go to float upwards, the car drives back past the Rovers. Lloyd shouts at them all to stay out of trouble, as they all cheer.

David lowers the cover into the concrete floor over the manhole in the garage of his house. "This time yesterday..." says Kylie. David reminds her that yesterday they were terrified that Callum would hurt Max or Audrey or they could have lost the house. He promises that tomorrow he will get Callum miles away from there. Kylie goes out, and David follows, turning off the light and shutting the door firmly behind him.

Anne Logan

Here we go with a rehearsed episode and one that must have been recorded weeks before the one which preceded it! The continuity must be nightmare.

David and Kylie talk downstairs. David has a plan - get Gail to take Max and Lily to school and the childminder's, stop Jason doing any more work on the garage, get Nick's van, take Callum to some waste ground, weigh his body down and chuck it in the canal. This is never a good idea as most canals are only about 1.5m deep. Possibly he's talking about the Manchester Ship Canal. . . Kylie reaches for the cereal box and is suddenly very angry indeed that someone's put the box into the cupboard even though it's empty. Max comes down and they tell him Gail will take him to school. This surprises him as she's not upstairs. See, I told you it was a bad plan. It's going wrong already. There's a sudden scream from the garage. No, Gail hasn't randomly opened the drain cover - she's seen a huge spider. She won't let David kill it, though - it's bad luck to kill a living creature, she says.

Roy's washing the cafe window when Cathy comes out to tell him she's going to move home. It doesn't seem right to be living with Roy after, ahem, last night. They agree to take things slowly.

Anna is unwell. Very unwell. Gary asks if she remembers what happened. She doesn't seem to have noticed that Tim is in her living room folding up blankets from the sofa. She remembers a party and then - nothing. Tim says he'll never forget what happened. Anna looks at him in horror. "We didn't . . ?"

Sally's doing a Miss Haversham. She's on the sofa cuddling her wedding gown and staring at rubbish TV (which is exactly what Miss Haversham would have done had she had the option). She tells Sophie she's lost her man. She's been up all night because she can't sleep without Tim. Sophie tells her it's her own fault for getting caught kissing her ex. Her mother's got some serious grovelling to do.

Sarah's on Maxine's bench looking very upset. Craig asks if she's OK. "Go away!" she growls.

David's outside the house, talking on his mobile to Jason, telling him Gail's wavering over some of the ensuite plans so it's best if he stops work until she makes up her mind.

Nick and Carla ask Sarah if she's OK and she snaps at them, too. She walks away, straight into the arms of Billy. He also asks if she's OK and she seems to consider talking to him, but David races over and practically drags her away, insisting Gail wants to see her right now. He takes the chance to check with Nick that it's OK to borrow the van.

Steve, who missed the entire live episode, wakes feeling not very well at all and blaming his medication, not the alcohol, "helps" clean up the bar after the party. Michelle and Aidan are doing most of the work. There's a huge thundering of knocks on the door and he screams that they're not open. But it's Andrea and Lloyd. Lloyd has decided to spend one last day with his best mate. After he's watching him clean up, of course.

A worried Anna asks Tim if they . . . Of course they didn't. He slept on the sofa. "Where did I sleep?" she asks, just to make sure. Gary tells her she told Tim about Sally and Kevin kissing. Anna's aghast and apologises immediately. Tim tells her he's glad to know the truth.

Sarah goes back with David but she hates being in the house. She says she can still see Callum there. David and Kylie tell her Callum's in the canal. He's sleeping with the shopping trolleys. "He will never be found," they assure her. They've cleaned up all the blood. There's no evidence he was ever there. David says he's going to speak to Nick. "Does he know?" gasps Sarah. No, he doesn't.

Sally and Sophie are outside the house when, in the distance, Anna in her dressing gown sees Tim out of her flat and gives him a hug. There. Proof! Sally gives a strangled sort of cry and runs off.

Kylie tries to talk to Sarah, who is a weeping mess. Gail comes in and Sarah weeps and throws herself into her mother's arms.

David returns just as Gail asks Sarah what the matter is. Kylie quickly says Sarah's upset by Callum, who keeps giving her a hard time and harassing her. David says he's sure they'll see a lot less of Callum in the future, though Gail doesn't see how he can know that. She thinks they should report the harassment to the police and David says that if Callum comes back they'll do exactly that. Gail suggests Sarah come into town with her to help choose some taps for the en-suite bathroom.

When Gail's out of hearing, Kylie tells David she feels as if he head will explode. David tries to joke about Callum and tells Kylie to calm down.

Michelle and Andrea watch Steve and Lloyd try to decide what to do with their last day together. The boys are talking about past stag dos (possibly all of the Steve's!). Andrea tells Michelle that it cost Lloyd 200 pounds to change their ferry bookings just so he could spend the day with Steve.

The van is backed almost right up to David's back gate (nobody mentions that this would make it impossible to Izzy to get in or out of the factory). David and Kylie take bricks from the garden and put them into the van. David says nobody will be suspicious at all because they've cleaned out the garage and are just taking some stuff to the tip. Yeah, nobody will be suspicious - there was a skip there last week that David was putting rubbish into - where's that gone and why didn't all the rubbish go in that?

Roy and Aidan help load all of Cathy's stuff, bags and bags of it, into the Woody. Carla's there too and she asks Roy whether he and Cathy are courting. Yes, they are. She's thrilled and asks where Roy's taking Cathy on their first date. Going on a date doesn't seem to be something Roy's given any thought to.

David lifts the drain cover and we see the top of a bundle which appears to be wrapped in pirate sheets. But dead bodies are heavy and awkward and he can't lift it by himself. Kylie's phone goes. It's the school - Max has been sick again. She gets very angry and David takes the phone from her and says they'll come and pick up Max straight away. He tells Kylie he'll take the van, leave Max with Audrey and be back in 20 minutes. Kylie says she can't stay in the house on her own. She's going out to get cereal.

Rita meets Sally, who says she's lost Tim. After making a joke about that being very careless, Rita invites Sally in for a cuppa.

Lloyd and Steve discuss their fantasy day out, which appears to be one of driving heavy machinery. They're still trying to work out their plan for the day, taking in mind the prohibitions put upon them by Michelle and Andrea (no strippers, no attempts at world records. . .).

Nick sees Gary arrive at David's house and makes a joke about him being late. There's no answer at the back door so Gary takes out a key and lets himself in.

In the factory, Sally says Anna has never liked her and has always been jealous of Sally and Tim. Beth insists she has to fight for her man. Carla's not in so several of the machinists decide to go with her.

Gail and Sarah are back and David spots them. Billy chats to Sarah, who apologises for her mood earlier on. David comes over and suggests they go to lunch but they refuse and walk towards home. Billy looks thoughtful as they all walk away.

Roy drops a pan, which doesn't help Anna's head. Sally, with her posse behind her, comes in and asks for a word. Sally accuses Anna of always having eyes for "my Tim." Anna laughs at this and tells Sally she should look at herself if she's looking for someone to blame. They end up calling each other tarts and there's hair-pulling across the counter. Neither of them sees Tim standing watching.

David tells Kylie they'll have to postpone moving Callum until tomorrow and take the bricks out of the van. Kylie protests that they can't leave him in the garage but David says there's no choice. "We've got to stop Jason and get Gail out of the house." They suddenly hear music in the garage and rush through the door, just in time to see Gary about to lift the drain cover. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" they scream together.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Good evening. When this episode was broadcast I was in the depths of Sicily staying in a place called Marinella on the south coast. It was hot and having watched the sunset we had a rather good dinner - mainly fish as I recall. A long way from the Street where events are moving rapidly.

This is episode 8742 or series 56, episode 198 and will be a sad affair as the tale of Lloyd draws to a close as we shall see. It was written by Mark Burt and directed by John Anderson. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

The action opens in the Platt garage where Gary has unexpectedly commenced work but has been interrupted by Kylie's scream and David entering the former garage. David tells Kylie to take a chill pill! They blame Gail for constant changing her mind and that the work is not being progressed today. Gary accepts the story and departs. As he goes David remarks that was a bit close and Sarah appears to ask what was too close? [Tina O'Brien has been superb throughout and her "close to the edge performance" ought to win a special award ... and all concerned should get a bonus for bringing her back from Italy].

Over at Roy's Rolls Sal is finding it difficult to believe that Tim and Anna have not been doing anything - but Tim is insistent. Roy asks Sal to leave the premises. She goes followed by the factory girls and Roy asks if he is the only one who thinks relationships are unfathomable? Craig arrives to tell Roy that he is not wrong I say "you're not wrong Roy".

Sarah asks David and Kylie why they did not appear to be acting normally - which was the aim. David points out she is not behaving normally either! She is all over the place - but Callum is DEAD and the rest are still alive. David says they have to look out for each other and keep their gobs shut. Kylie asks Sarah if she can do that. Sarah's answer is unconvincing. Sarah is worried about Gail - she should of course be worried for Kylie who did the deed. David points out that a jail sentence is harder than keeping quiet. David says they have to get shot of Gail and Sarah thinks he means to kill her - which of course he does not. He means that he needs to keep Gail and Sarah apart. He will work something out.

Tim is giving Sal a dressing down in the Street - upbraiding Anna was out of order. He tells her again nothing happened. Sal reckons that Anna spotted his emotional weakness and compares it to a lioness seeing an injured antelope! Does that make Kevin - Simba? Sal reckons the two situations cannot be compared. Tim has had enough and heads off for a pint.

In the cab office Lloyd and Steve are having a staring contest! On the first round we see Lloyd loses. And Steve is the stare-master three-two up. Another round starts and they try to break each other's contribution.

Back at the Platts David is buying tickets for Gail to go to Milan tomorrow. David will look after the work on the annex - and anyway Jason and Tony know what they are doing. Kylie offers a daily video call so that Gail can deal with the detail remotely. Gail asks Sarah's opinion and she thinks it is a brilliant idea but she decides she has to go to work. With a big smile Gail says she is off to Italy!

In the Rovers Sinead and Izzy observe Tim who looks lost. They agree not to get involved. At the bar Jason is trying to get the last bit of Tony's lamb from a hot pot and ends up pretending the pain is bad and Tony gives way - but Jason was pretending. Michelle and Andrea discuss how the men are getting on - acting like 10 year olds responds Michelle. She adds that Lloyd's life needs a kick up the backside - and Steve does want Lloyd to be happy. Sarah arrives looking worse than dead. She explains she feels unwell and will make up the hours. Jason departs and leaves Tony to pay the bill! Tony is worried about Jason getting better - as he will go after Callum again.

Kev wanders in and sees Tim and pauses before walking over to him. He asks Tim if he is all right but the response is "Not even close". "Mate" says Kev "I don't know what to say". Tim does - "Buy us a pint and we'll call it even". Kev orders. Izzy and Sinead watch with interest and Izzy lets Sal know of the male bonding session which is taking place. Sarah remains distracted staring into space and Michelle sends her home.

At the factory Carla (whom I have to say is looking a lot better at the moment) there is knock at the door but she does not wish to be disturbed. Roy apologises and she instantly almost pulls him into the office. He asks if she can close the door which intrigues Carla.

Tim's life is simple - one step forward and two back. Behind him a cliff edge and Kev adds a 1000 foot drop into shark-infested waters. Kev has been there himself. Tim accepts that Sal made a move on Kev but now he needs to move on. Kev says Sal is nuts about Tim. No says Tim - she is just nuts and she nearly decked Anna - but as Kev says only because she cares! At this point Sal arrives in the bar. Tim tells her they are just having a pint together. Kev says they have talked it through and goes to leave but Sal won't have it. Sal observes they are mates again - Kev is forgiven - but not her. Tim says he does not love Kev but he did love Sal and he has never been good enough for her. She apologises - she was just stressed; all will be well after the wedding. Tim says there will not be a wedding. Tim says they are not right for each other, he does not need the aggro or the heartache - now or ever and he leaves the Rovers.

Sarah sees a police car outside the Platt residence. What now? We will be back right after the break.

The Detective Sergeant is taking a cuppa from Gail and has been telling the family the latest about Callum. Apparently his burnt out car has been found but Callum was not in it. Gail observes it is his just desserts. They tell the DS that they last saw Callum yesterday - he wanted to see Max but the latter refused. Max knows a psychotic criminal when he sees one says Gail. Sarah is "lost" and the DS asks if she is OK - David explains that Sarah was dating Callum until recently. The DS had forgotten - but Gail says it has been an issue for the family. She has no idea where he is. Gail observes that Callum is dead to Sarah (got it in one Gail).

Along at the cab office Lloyd is on the radio creating "static" interference and pretending he cannot hear the driver. Steve has found some triple choc biscuits in a drawer. Lloyd says they have to talk about him selling his share. Steve cannot go on living in denial. Steve observes that he wasn't thinking of moving to Egypt. Lloyd is being serious - but Steve says they should eat the biscuits first. Eileen arrives to join in the fun. Less talkie, more eatie and she takes the first biscuit.

At the factory Carla reappears with mugs. Roy "I realise the courting process is necessary". Carla says that is good - these days it is not done to club a lady over the bonce and drag her back to your cave. Roy says it has been a number of years since he faced a similar challenge. Carla stops him. Top tip - please avoid words liked "process" and "challenge". This is dating, not a tax return or an obstacle course and is meant to be fun! Roy points out that having fun is difficult when you are frightened. Cathy remains a mystery to him despite the time together. Carla suggests that the feeling will be mutual. Perhaps Roy confirms - but he does not want to disappoint her. Carla tells him to just be himself. Carla assures him that if that is not enough then Cathy needs her head examining as she would be the luckiest woman in the world. And it is not an ego boost - it is a fact. Blokes like Roy are like gold dust. Roy is WYSIWYG! And he even makes that dodgy cardigan look good!

Gail provides the DS with some pills to counter his backache. David promises that if they hear anything about Callum then the DS will be the first person to be told. He takes an interest in the garage conversion into a granny pad - which Gail would prefer to be called an annexe! The DS is being nagged into building one for the mother in law. And he asks to take a quick look. Gail shows him in and explains how the layout will work. He notes the cover and says you have to be difficult building over drains. The builder says no problem but the DS suggests getting a second opinion - he had a mate who built over a drain that later backed up and flooded the house. Gail says it is all part of the old factory drainage. Nothing down there she says apart from the odd rat (how does she know?). David does not laugh at the joke. The DS goes and Gail is surprised that David is not happier that they have seen the last of Callum; she leaves and David turns to stare at the drain cover.

In the cafe Tim is telling Anna it was never going to happen - she feels terrible. He does not believe she is to blame, Sally brought this on herself. Anna says that Sal loves him to bits. Anna tells him that from experience when you find happiness you need to hold on for dear life. Roy declines to become involved. Tim tells Anna he is chucking the towel in, now is better than in six months time. Anna is grateful that in times like this she is single - but that should not put Roy off!

Gail and a disconsolate Sarah are taking Max and Lily to the park when she comes across Jason and Tony doing nothing and gives them a dressing down for not getting on with the granny pad, sorry annexe. They are confused but obviously have to get on with it. She tells them to concrete over the floor. And she tells them that Callum's car has been found burned out and that he is missing.

At StreetCars there is one remaining biscuit being stared at by six eyes. Lloyd reaches for it and gets his hand slapped. Steve makes a case for it as he is being left behind to run the business by himself. Lloyd agrees but as Steve reaches for it his hand gets slapped as well. Lloyd says he made the business what it is - and gets his hand slapped as well. Eileen says you two clowns could not fill a bath without her. At this point Andrea interrupts. It is time to go and seeing the biscuit she grabs it as she is eating for two. Eileen asserts that she has done them a favour and then gives Lloyd a huge hug. Then similarly hugs Andrea before going. Andrea says she will wait outside but first Steve gives her a big hug as well. After all if it had not been for Steve she would never have met Lloyd. Steve affectionately ruffles her hair - something which clearly she does not like! Steve and Lloyd look at each other.

David and Kylie emerge from the Corner Shop. David has been struck by the thought that if the DS had opened the drain the story would be "Man found in hole - police looking into it"! Then he realises that the builders are back at work and he rushes in to the garden. Jason and Gary are mixing concrete and will be screeding the floor on instructions from Gail. And they have to do it. Jason gets on with the job.

Lloyd says he needs to make this quick. "Say goodbye Steve". Steve says "Goodbye Steve". And then we go into some doggerel:
Lloyd: You're cruisin' for a bruisin'
Steve: Needin' for a bleedin'
Lloyd: You're flirtin' for a hurting
Steve: Straining for a caining
Lloyd: You're bleatin' for a beatin'
Which temporarily stumps Steve
Steve: You're anglin' for a manglin'
Both with scouse accents.

Lloyd concedes the game. Lloyd hands over the keys and says he is a better man for knowing Steve. Steve says he is the better man - as usual. Lloyd tells him to be lucky and the shake hands; Steve stands and sighs as Lloyd turns and walks out of the cab office for the last time. Outside Andrea asks if he is OK and Lloyd looks at the StreetCars sign and then says they should go before they change their minds. Steve emerges and tells Lloyd he has forgotten something and they have a huge hug.

In the granny pad concrete is being poured on the drain cover. And the closing shot is of David and Kylie looking at each other.

Roll credits.

Farewell to Lloyd - beautifully done and we can but hope that all goes well in Jersey. Craig Charles is off to do Red Dwarf, be a DJ, and no doubt other challenges.

OK. So there is a rat down the drain. Within a couple of days the decomposition will commence and the smell will be overpowering. How come no-one has thought of that? The drains will have to come up.

And we know Callum has family - just like when Gavin popped his clogs earlier this year surely someone will want to know something?

Richard

Written by Jonathan Harvey Directed by Lee Salisbury

Gail's in Italy, David's cool as a cucumber. He's talking to her while gazing around the building site inside the garage. (Did anyone else sort of see a face in the concrete that was poured over the manhole? Just me, then? Carry on.)

Tyrone looks glum, sitting in the back of the cafe. Roy tells Anna he thinks he'll ask Cathy out to dinner tonight. Who walks in just then by Cathy. Anna makes herself scarce so that Roy can ask Cathy out in relative privacy. Cathy asks Tyrone how Hope it. He informs them they get the biopsy results tomorrow so there should be a definite diagnosis. Roy assures him of his support. Cathy tells Roy that being at home is a bit strange, and difficult but she thinks she'll be ok. Roy hesitantly asks her for a bite to eat at the Bistro at 6. She's chuffed.

David ends the call to Gail and finds Kylie in the kitchen, thoughtful. Max had a bad dream and she told him that Callum will never be able to hurt them all again but couldn't explain how she knew. She tells David she is haunted by the idea of Callum under the floor where Gail will be sleeping. He follows her into the garage where she stares at the concrete and worries that Gail will sense Callum's presence. David brushes off her worries.

Outside, Sarah is with Bethany at the bus stop. Nick happens by and asks Sarah if she's ok because he heard her in the bathroom crying. Bethany is scared Callum will come back at them but Sarah assures her he's gone for good, she's just sure of it. Nick isn't. Neither is Bethany. They notice Sally come out of the house and trudge to the corner shop. She's wearing her dressing gown and PJs and slippers.

Inside the shop, Sally pulls out a bottle of vodka and lots of chocolate off the shelves. She's having a duvet day and there's no reason to get dressed up for that, is there? Sophie looks concerned.

Yasmeen is perusing bank papers following the closing up of Kal's accounts. It's hit her hard, it makes it seem like he was never there. Alya and Zeedan are unsettled by that remark. Yasmeen is unsettled as well, angry that everyone knows Tracy started the fire and can't understand why she hasn't been arrested. Yasmeen begs Zeedan to come with her to the police station so they can try to persuade the authorities to do something. He can't, he's got to open the gym.

Audrey's back to work. Roy is in the salon for a trim in view to his date. Audrey is wittering and puts her foot in it, asking Roy if Cathy is a lady, then realizing it could be misconstrued considering Hayley's history. She meant lady as in behaviour of course and Roy agrees, Cathy is well behaved.

Tyrone is still in the cafe when Roy returns. He's unsure, thinking Audrey cut it too short. It doesn't look shorter, just tidier which is all you really get out of that salon. Tyrone assures him he looks fine. Roy goes through the door to go upstairs and shakes his head up, so as to make his hair look less restricted by the product Audrey used. He's clearly nervous.

In the pub, Sarah is distracted. Rita is talking but Sarah isn't really paying attention. A dark haired woman comes in looking for someone called Sarah. Rita points the way. Sarah doesn't know who it is but when the woman introduces herself as Marian, Callum's mother, Sarah freezes. When Marian says that Callum seems to be missing, Sarah starts to panic and has to go outside for fresh air.

Outside, Sarah has gone to sit on Maxine's bench. Marian comes across to talk to her but Sarah jumps up and walks down the road, telling Marian that she and Callum had already split up. Leanne notices that Sarah's upset and suggests she go in to Gail's for a bit. (She's just walked out of her shift at the pub yet again. Honestly, I don't know how she keeps that job). Inside Number 8, Kylie and David are arguing over him trying to get her to eat something when Sarah pokes her head in, followed by Marian who explains the bad news, that Callum's gone missing. David asks her to explain. She says that Callum hasn't been in communication at all, no phone, no texts, and his car was found burned out. She's worried sick. We then get a bizarre bit where Marian mentions she hasn't eaten and Sarah offers her a sandwich that she'd noticed was just made and sitting in the kitchen. Marian wants to know what kind and when David says it's ham, she then asks what kind. Yes, I know, that was strange. Anyway. Sarah goes into the kitchen.

Cathy is all dressed up and Anna compliments her on her outfit. Sharif pops out of the community center and asks if she would pop in for a minute to look at a shipment of art supplies that's arrived. Upstairs, Roy is straightening his tie, while surrounded by photos of he and Hayley which is obviously adding to his unsettled and nervous demeanor. You can see he's second guessing himself and his actions. He pulls his pocket silk up and you can see it's folded with an R on it. This made me smile.

Yasmeen finds her two grandchildren in the cafe. She's been to the police and they have told her they don't have enough evidence to arrest Tracy. Yasmeen is considering vengeance by private means.

Back to Platt Towers, Marian has had her sandwich and is working on a cup of tea. She shows them a photo of Callum as a tiny boy and tells them she knows he's made some poor choices that she's not proud of. She thinks of how he was with Max, and she thinks he turned his life around. David can't take it anymore. David asks her to get out. He lays it out. He drugged Sarah and filmed it, roughed up Audrey and Max found and played with a gun in his flat and Max doesn't want to see his father after seeing him beat up a neighbour. She looks stunned.

Leanne talks to Rita about the upcoming Sally and Tim wedding. She wonders if the wedding is going to go off or not, seeing as they booked the Bistro, Leanne does have a stake in what happens. Sophie comes in just then and assures her that Sally and Tim have only hit a bump in the road. Leanne asks Sophie to get Sally to call her to confirm and leaves and then Rita gathers Sophie in for a comforting hug. Sophie admits her mother is in a state. Rita decides to help get it sorted.

Marian is leaving the house and apologizes. She can understand their reluctance to talk about him now. David slams the door in her face. Inside, Kylie and David confront Sarah for bringing her into the house. Kylie tries to make Sarah remember that they have to pretend Callum is alive. Sarah insists she can't think about anything else and it's driving her mad.

Roy waits for Cathy in the Bistro, checking his watch regularly. He's still wearing his coat zipped up over his suit. Nick brings him the tap water he ordered. Roy finally stands up and gathers his satchel.

Sally is lying on the sofa crying. There's a very good dent been made in that bottle of vodka beside her and in the bar of chocolate she's holding. Sophie and Rita come in and she pretends she's crying over a sad film. Rita turns off the telly and starts to tell her a few things. Sally Webster does not wallow!!! Sally insists it's not against the law that she's upset. Rita points out that Sally has messed up and she has to accept responsibility for her actions and buck herself up.

Sarah has regained control of herself. She can't get over the guilt. Kylie and David remind her of their part in all this. Sarah moans that it was her that lured him to the house. Kylie angrily reminds Sarah that Callum didn't come to the house to play computer games, he was intent on harm. Kylie was protecting Sarah. The two women start hurling insults at each other, pulled apart by David who declares all three of them are in this together. All three responsible. There's a pounding on the door. David goes to open it and finds Gemma on the doorstep. She wants to know where Callum is.

Oh great.

Tvor

Written by Ben Tagoe and directed by Lee Salisbury

Gemma turns up at Platt Towers looking for Callum. David keeps his cool and Kylie backs up his story. He tells Gemma that Callum came round but he refused to give him the money. Now Gemma’s really worried what could have happened, she knows something’s not right and begs Kylie to help her.

Ty goes into the café where he finds Roy standing, all alone. Roy’s decided he’s not cut out for going on dinner dates so Ty gives him a pep talk. He says Cathy’s probably late because she’s been changed her outfit seventeen times and convinces Roy to go back over to the Bistro where she’s almost certainly waiting for him.

A similar scene is playing out in Sally’s house where Rita is telling her that she’s coming to the Rovers for a drink whether she likes it or not. She says there’s a certain Weatherfield window cleaner who needs to see her out and about with her head held high.

Back at Platt Towers, Gemma is making herself at home, determined to wait there until Callum turns up. Sarah is in a right state but Kylie instructs her to go and make small talk with Gemma and try to act normal. While this is going on, Kylie comes up with a plan. Leaving David and Sarah with Gemma, she goes out on the pretext of picking up Max from his mate’s.

Roy arrives at the Bistro but there’s still no sign of Cathy. Nick says it’s a woman’s prerogative to be late and while Roy debates the sexist connotations of this remark Cathy arrives, all of a fluster and full of apologies.

Outside Tracy is locking up Barlow’s Buys with Robert when Yasmeen and Sharif come along. Yasmeen’s upset to see Tracy acting as though she hasn’t a care in the world. Sharif tries to hold her back but it doesn’t stop Yasmeen shouting across the street that a callous murderer is free to go about her business. She tells Tracy to mark her words, she wants justice for her son and she won’t stop until she finds a way to get it.

Round the corner we see Kylie taking Callum’s mobile phone out of her bag.

Back at Platt Towers, Gemma’s settled happily in an armchair with a packet of biscuits and a magazine as she chats away to Sarah and David. She asks about Callum again. David spells it out in words of one syllable – they don’t know where he is. Gemma says she can always tell when Kylie’s lying but it’s harder with David. Sarah doesn’t trust herself to speak. Just then Gemma gets a text. Surprise, surprise, it’s from “Callum”. She tells David what it says: Denton’s on his case so he’s gone underground for a bit. Sarah looks utterly terrified.

Roy and Cathy are finally sitting at their table. It’s a little awkward at first but they start to relax and Roy even manages to pay Cathy a compliment about her dress.

Over in the Rovers Rita, Sophie and Sally have settled themselves down with their drinks when Tim walks in. As he glances over at their table, Sally’s all for leaving but Rita says that if she wants to win Tim back she needs to stay right where she is. She tells Sally she’s going to pull herself together and remind Tim what he’s missing.

Back at Platt Towers, David is trying to get rid of Gemma while Sarah gets herself into more and more of a state. Gemma concludes she must have some sort of anxiety disorder. David finally bribes Gemma to leave with £20 for a taxi. The moment she’s out of the door, he rounds on Sarah and tells her she’s going to give the game away. Sarah says she can’t help it. Nick arrives at that moment and asks what Gemma was doing there. Sarah exchanges a desperate glance with David.

In the Bistro Roy and Cathy have reached the end of their meal. As Cathy wipes herself with a napkin she comments she probably shouldn’t have ordered the spaghetti as she’s made a bit of a mess. She suggests they could go back to Roy’s for coffee. He thinks that’s a very nice idea and then Cathy anxiously explains that she did just mean coffee in case he thought she meant something else.

Nick tells David they shouldn’t be letting Gemma anywhere near the house. He notices Sarah is acting strangely and asks if she’s alright. Sarah claims she’s not feeling very well. Just then Kylie arrives home with Max. He runs upstairs and Nick then has another go at everyone about Gemma and says they should tell her to stay away. He asks Sarah again if she’s alright and then leaves. Sarah is in a complete state. First Marion comes looking for her son, then Gemma turns up – she can’t cope. Kylie hisses at her that she’s going to have to. Sarah’s even more horrified when she discovers that Kylie sent Gemma the text message using Callum’s phone. What if the police manage to trace it back to them? They’ll have to get rid of it today she tells David before heading off back to work.

Roy and Cathy are enjoying a companionable cup of coffee back at the café. They reflect on their evening and acknowledge how much they enjoy each other’s company. Roy offers to run Cathy home. She’s pleased he’s so much of a gentleman but insists she’ll be fine taking a taxi.

David’s sitting in the garage staring at the floor when Kylie joins him. What have they done? It’s too late to turn back the clock but Kylie’s worried about Sarah. Someone’s going to notice she’s acting weird. David’s tried talking to her but she just won’t listen. What if she says something to someone in her stressed state? Kylie says she’s going to find her to see if she’s OK.

Tim is nursing a pint in the Rovers. With Rita’s words to give her courage Sally goes up to speak to him but Tim doesn’t want to know and tells her to go away. Then Sophie has a go but Tim’s not speaking to her either because she knew about Sally kissing Kevin and didn’t tell him.

Over by the bar, Billy and Ty are having a conversation about exorcism. Liz joins in and then Ty casually asks Sarah whether she believes in things like haunted houses and stuff. Sarah completely overacts at the mention of the word ‘ghosts’ causing Billy to ask if she’s OK.

Sally’s back at home with Rita and Sophie, wishing she’d stuck to her original plan to stay in and watch a DVD. Sophie’s sure Tim will come round in time but Sally says she hasn’t got time, they’re meant to be getting married in a few days. Rita suggests maybe she should have a plan B. Maybe cancel the Bistro, at least. But Sally has other ideas and quotes from Tim’s favourite film: ‘If you build it, they’ll come’. She states that she and Tim are getting married on the date they agreed - the wedding is going ahead and that’s final. Rita sighs and exchanges a look with Sophie.

Cathy and Roy are saying goodbye to each other in the street. They’ve clearly enjoyed their evening together and Ty smiles to himself as he watches Cathy give Roy a farewell kiss on the cheek.

Kylie finds Sarah loitering in the back yard of the Rovers. She tells her that if she carries on behaving like this people are going to start asking questions. Sarah asks what she’s going to do, bump her off as well? She starts to get worked up and tells Kylie she doesn’t understand how she and David can keep so calm. She says that sending texts from Callum’s phone just isn’t right. Kylie tells her to keep her voice down. This is affecting her just as much as Sarah and she’s the one who actually did it. Sarah says she’s not as strong as Kylie who replies that she’s going to have to be, if not for her then for Bethany. She tells Sarah that the whole thing is really horrible and she wishes it hadn’t happened but she can’t bear the thought of Lily and Max growing up without her and David. “We have to be strong. All of us together,” says Kylie.

Karen

Max has had a nightmare that Callum was chasing him. David and Kylie assure him that Callum is never, ever coming back.

Tim peeps round the curtain as he sees Sally and Sophie step out into the Street. Sally thanks Sophie for staying over, she's been a great help. Sophie reckons it's time Sally started getting over it, but Sally says sometimes you have to fight for what you want. “But what if what you want doesn't want you?” asks Sophie. Sally tells her that men don't know their own minds. She glances over as she says this, and Tim ducks out of sight, but a few moments later he steps out of the door with his bucket in one hand and his ladder in the other. Sally shouts that their windows need cleaning. “Your windows!” retorts Tim. “You're not going to start charging to clean the windows now, are you?” asks Sally. “You're not one of my loyal customers love,” snaps Tim, and walks off. Sally is not put off. “I am going to marry that man by hook or by crook,” she tells Sophie.

Fiz tells Hope that she's going to stay with Chesney while Tyrone and herself go to see the doctor. As they get ready to leave the house, Fiz tells Tyrone that Hope said she wants to go to Lapland to see Father Christmas.

Sally runs over to the garage where Kevin is working on a car. She asks if he'll do her a favour. He says he doesn't want to get involved in the trouble between her and Tim. She's cross and asks how it is that she's grovelled and begged but Tim won't listen to her, but he sorted it out with Kevin over a pint. Kevin says that once he told Tim that Sally made all the running he was ok. Sally urges Kevin to try and talk some sense into Tim, it was a moment of madness, she still loves Tim. “We're meant to be getting married on Monday,” she says. Kevin sighs.

Eva is in the gym, trying to renew her membership. Sharif tells Zeedan that he thinks they need to have a chat, he's worried about him.

Tim comes into the cafe, complaining of backache. Sean immediately wonders what he and Anna have been up to, but Anna assures him that Tim is sleeping on the couch. When Sean has gone, Tim says he knows he's got to start flat hunting, but Tim says he'd rather sleep rough. Just then Kevin comes in and takes him off to the pub for a pint.

Waiting in the hospital, Tyrone is amazed to learn that it's possible to fly to Lapland to see Santa. “Imagine her little face, she'd love that!” he says. Fiz says the cost is way out of their league.

In the pub, Tim is adamant that he and Sally are finished. Kevin tells him not to be daft, they can't split up over something as silly as this. Tim reckons he can't trust her. “But you trust me,” says Kevin. Tim concedes that he does. Kevin assures him that he has no intention of getting back with Sally. “Me and Sally are the past, you and Sally are the future.”

Sarah has summoned David and Kylie to the pub. She's worried that Callum's phone might be found and she knows the police can find out all sorts of things from a phone. David assures her that the phone won't be found, he took it to the canal and dropped it in, attached to something very heavy.

The doctor tells Fiz and Tyrone that Hope has a form of cancer called neuroblastoma. They can treat it, and there's every chance she'll recover, but they need to do more tests to find out if it's spread. She will need a course of chemotherapy, and it's going to be a long, hard road for all of them. “I just can't believe it,” says Fiz, tearfully, “why is this happening?”

Sally goes into the pub. Tim has gone to the gents, so she asks Kevin how it's going. He says he thinks Tim might be beginning to see sense. Just then Tim comes back to the table and sees Sally there. “Has she put you up to this?” he wants to know. Kevin says Sally will make a lovely bride. “Please Tim,” says Sally, “I want to get married.” “Really?” asks Tim, “who's the lucky guy? Does he know you've got a roving eye?” Then he tells her to get it through her thick skull that it's over, finished, she's dumped. Then he storms out.

At the gym, Sharif tells Zeedan that the laundry company aren't going to supply any more clean towels because they haven't been paid for months. Zeedan says he's been trying to do everything and there are bound to be teething problems.

Sally is telling Sophie all about the clash with Tim in the pub earlier, as they go into the cafe. She tells Anna she can stop looking smug, all this is her fault. Anna reveals that she told Tim because she heard Sally slagging her off in the back garden. “Oh, so it was your big gob,” says Sophie to her mother. They go and sit down, and Sally says she thinks she'll have to cancel the wedding. Anna won't hear of it, she can't throw the towel in now, and besides, Anna wants her sofa back. She then tells Sally that Tim is gutted that she cheated on him, he was hurt and now he wants to hurt her back. “He really loves you,” she says. “Why won't he talk to me then?” asks Sally. Craig is in the cafe, he turns round. “I've got an idea,” he says.

A shell-shocked Fiz and Tyrone are sitting at home. Tyrone says they have to believe that Hope will get better. He wants to go and fetch her but Fiz needs more time to let it all sink in. She wants to look it up on the computer but Tyrone is against it, he says they just have to trust the doctors and not look for scare stories. Fiz cries then, she doesn't know what to do, but she's just so scared.

In Sally's back garden, Craig is spray painting a large sheet with a portrait of Sally, he says they can hang it across the Street and when Tim sees it, it will blow his mind.

Fiz has gone to see Aiden at the factory and tells him that when Hope's treatment starts she will need quite a bit of time off work. He tells her that it's fine, he'll get someone to cover and will hold her job open for her, but he can't afford to pay two people. Fiz says she wouldn't expect to be paid if she wasn't there.

Craig knocks on Anna's door and Tim comes down. Craig pulls him out of the doorway, saying he's got something to show him. He covers Tim's eyes and pulls him down the Street. Tim struggles and gets his eyes free, then stops in amazement. There, hanging across the Street, are the sheets that Craig has painted. One is the portrait of Sally, and beside it is another with 'Marry Me Tim' in huge red and green letters. “Wow!” he says. Then Sally runs into the middle of road and shouts that she knows she hurt him, but she'll never, ever hurt him again. Then she gets down on one knee. “Will you marry me anyway?” Tim stares at her. “Sal, I'm not going to marry you just because he does a Banksy on a bedsheet,” he says. He turns to Craig and tells him it doesn't even look like Sally. Then Norris sticks his head out of the Kabin and demands to know what's going on, he's going to call the council. Beth sticks her head out of her front door. “Are those my sheets? They're Egyptian cotton!” she shouts. Tim walks off and Sally and Craig look very dejected.

Fiz gets home to find that Tyrone has been online and booked a trip to Lapland, he says he just wanted to do something nice. She's furious, they can't afford it and they don't even know if she'll be well enough to travel. She tells him to cancel it. “What? No argument? We can't even talk about it?” he says. “No!” she snaps, “cancel it!”

Around the meal table, Max reminds David that he said that Callum is never coming back. “Where's he gone?” he asks. David says that Callum did some bad things so he's gone away. Max thinks it's great that he's now got one dad again, and says that David can adopt him.

Out in the Street, Norris is looking at Craig's artwork and says it's just vandalism. Sophie takes her downcast mother home and Craig tries to stop a truck driving straight through it, without success.

David and Kylie talk quietly about Max's request, David realises that now there's no way he'll be able to adopt him. Kylie says that what really matters is that David will be the one who is always there for him when he needs him. David points out that they can't even move house now, they're trapped.

Tim is in the pub with Kevin and Anna. He says he wishes Sally would get the message. Just then Sally comes in and Tim tells her if she doesn't stop stalking him he'll call the police. She says she knows he still loves her deep down, so she'll be there, on Monday, in her wedding dress – waiting!

Anne Logan

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

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