Summary updates - June 1999

4622 - Wednesday 2 June
The Battersbys' caravan holiday comes to an end. Toyah finally had a night out with Owen but it was only a game of bowls and a coffee at the recreation centre - she waits for him in the morning but he doesn't show up. Janice decides they will go home by train rather than cadge a lift. The site owner wants Les to remove his broken down camper-van and makes Les clean the site toilets to
pay his debt. Owen still wishes Janice would leave Les for him but she cannot see the future in that. Toyah is oblivious to what is going on. Les is bitter at the way he has been treated and vows never to return to Wales.

Audrey makes her peace by asking Fred out for a meal. Although he plays hard to get - he has an Abattoir Steering Committee meeting - eventually he succumbs, lured by the promise of gastronomic delights. Both parties are relieved to have made up.

Nita finishes working at the Corner Shop. She is taunted by both Vikram and her father. Ravi gives her a leaving present - a rent book for the flat!!Ravi, Fred and Rita discuss the difficulties of being an unappreciated parent.

Alma still doesn't know whether she wants Mike back or not. Audrey reassures her she can stay as long as she needs - she is all for Mike being made to sweat. Linda speculates whether there is something going on between Mike and Deirdre. Mike realises he is being talked about and threatens Linda with the sack. Alison begs Linda not to push her luck otherwise she will get the sack herself for blurting out the story of the blackmail in the first place. Emily expresses sympathy to Mike for his difficulties, Ken takes the opportunity to gloat. Mike has a go at Audrey for leading Alma astray. He doesn't understand how he has upset Alma and is very aggressive and insensitive. When Alma tells him she needs more time, Mike makes her mind up for her - he is going to divorce HER.

4623 - Friday 4 June
The corner shop is in chaos, as Nita starts at Freshco. Ravi doesn't know where things are kept and Vikram is no use. Nita isn't amused at being phoned up for help. In the evening, Vikram and Leanne dress up and go to the casino - Leanne is impressed. She enjoys beginner's luck on the Roulette wheel, but this is short-lived with great loss when she tries to repeat her performance.

Sharon returns from the wholesalers to find the shop decked out. Rita has handed over the Kabin to Sharon and all the legalities have been completed. They toast the new management with champagne. Sharon thanks Rita for all her help but says it's not too late to change her mind about the shop ownership.

Alma is hurt by Mike saying he would divorce her, all she wanted was time to think. She goes to visit him to talk things through. He tells her that they never seem to talk and maybe a divorce might be for the best. Alma cannot believe he would take such a step so quickly. Mike tries to show he is the injured party - this does not go down well with Alma. Talking further, they decide to give it another go and Mike asks her to get her things from Audrey's place. Mike tells her he doesn't want the past bringing up every time there is a problem - Alma sees this as him laying down conditions. She tells him that she has been really upset by his behaviour since his affair. She has reached the end of the line, as she tells him it is over. Acrimony flares up. Alma leaves the flat and him, forever.

Toyah cannot get down to revision as she has Owen on her mind. Janice gets a letter from Owen, which she hides. She later tells Gail about it and confesses how guilty she feels. She decides she has to tell Owen it must stop now. She phones him but it sounds as if he hasn't accepted it. Later, Toyah is looking for a pencil and comes across Owen's letter in Janice's bag. She tackles Janice and they get into a bitter and physical argument. Toyah cannot accept that Owen chased after Janice, she thinks it was the other way round. Janice says nothing happened and begs Toyah not to say anything to Les. When Les hears Toyah slagging off Owen, he is pleased that she has got over him so quickly.

4624 - Sunday 6 June
Leanne continues to play her dangerous game - she is catching up on having a good time, after being married to a plank of wood, heaven knows she deserves some fun, but this is totally OTT. She says she'll have an early night - then along comes Vikram and all sense goes out of the window. Another late night out and hangover follows. How long can she keep her job? Not long, by all accounts!! I don't even think that Rita's mediation will save her, besides which, I've read the spoilers :-)

Roy and Hayley are back from their honeymoon in York. Bless him, anorak that he is, he's got a fancy SLR camera and proceeds to show Gail their holiday snaps, no doubt accompanied by exposure and aperture details. Wonderful stuff!! LOL!! I could see a bit of me in his characterisation!!!

Fred's sap is rising, with spring in the air - he asks Natalie's advice - he wants to woo Audrey, being afraid in case someone gets in first. On the other hand, he doesn't want to push the pace along too fast, but Natalie says Audrey strikes her as "a woman who could work through her grief quickly"!!! ROTFL!! He suggests to Audrey that they go to a pub doing a carvery lunch "Eat as much as you like" is the appeal to him :-)) The meal is a success, but Audrey is concerned that tongues will wag!! Since when has that concerned her, the biggest tongue wagger on the street??

Mike's had a bellyful of Julia, which is a bit more than she had of him ;-) She wants more (money, I mean), egged on by her boyfriend, Hissing Greg Kelly. So, reluctant to take "no" for an answer, she pulls a right stunt, by going round to Mike and Alma's flat - Mike is out, so Alma lets her in, totally oblivious to what is going on. The look on Mike's face is priceless when he returns home and sees Julia being entertained by Alma - I bet he needed a change of underpants, I know I would have done!!! Alma leaves them to talk business, but Mike ain't playing ball and he throws Julia out. He digs a pit for himself by denying to Alma that he was attracted to Julia - it'll make the U-turn that much tougher if and when he is forced to come clean to Alma. But it isn't plain sailing for Greg either - Julia sees that Mike is insistent on not coughing up, but Greg is greedy. The inference in the previous episode is that she was previously a prostitute, but she is not happy pushing Mike any further. When her conscience gets the better of her, Greg gets violent. To her credit, Julia calls it a day with him and storms out. Will she be a turncoat and change sides, after Greg refuses to give her the 50% share of the £10000 she extorted out of Mike? Stick around for the next thrilling instalment ;-)

4625 - Monday 7 June
Toyah is still angry with Janice over Owen. Spider comes to give Toyah a good luck charm for her exams, a Celtic symbol of good luck.

Sally is back at the market and finds that Danny has been minding the stall for her while she was on holiday. She invites him for a drink but she doesnít want him to get the wrong idea, so she asks Gail and Martin to come along as well. Danny is good company and gets on well with Martin and Gail.

Alma asks Curly for time off work to collect her belongings. Nita is having problems with the computer system, so Alma agrees to help. Alma is late leaving and Curly finds her at the back of the store - she cannot face going to the flat. Curly offers to come with her. Mike comes home early to find them both, just as they are ready to leave. Mike is unpleasant - Alma throws her wedding ring back at Mike and tells him that she is starting to see sense. Audrey toasts Alma's future. Alma tells Audrey that she intends to pay her own way and gives Audrey a cheque for the rent.

Vikram has stayed the night with Leanne, much to Ashley's disgust. She wants to have a special evening with Vikram but he has a family meal - he agrees to wangle his way out of it. She then gets Ashley to stay out of the way. Nita and Vikram spend their time sparring verbally with each other at their father's - Vikram gets a call on his mobile and makes his excuses. Ravi tells Nita that if it all goes wrong at Freshco's, she will always be welcome back home. Ashley confesses to Maxine that Leanne is behind on her rent, Maxine tells him he is being taken for a mug. Leanne and Vikram are having a cosy night in, while getting merry they spill some wine on the carpet - Ashley comes back to find them having a snog. He tells Vikram to leave as he doesn't want him staying the night. Leanne ignores him as she and Vikram go back upstairs to her room.

4626 - Wednesday 9 June
Toyah is nervous about her maths exam today, but it appears she didn't do that badly, at least she managed to finish it.

Ashley gets the phone bill, largely due to some long calls to Canada, apparently made by Nick. Leanne is not interested in who will pay for them, in fact, she cannot pay the rent as she has not been paid. Vikram volunteers to go to the wholesalers - he invites Leanne to go to the casino with him at the end of her lunchtime shift. Leanne asks Natalie for a sub on her wages - Natalie gladly advances her £50. At the casino, Vikram loses all his money and then Leanne proceeds to do the same - she then blames him for her losing her money. Vikram comes up with some lame excuse about being delayed - Ravi is not best pleased. Ashley apologises for being angry earlier on, Leanne lies to him and says that Natalie refused her an advance on her wages.

Alma tells Gail she is all set to do whatever single people do - it's been so long she has forgotten, but she does want a divorce. Fred agrees with Audrey to be in the Rovers when Alma comes in, so that she does not have to face Mike.

On his window cleaning round, Gary sees an intruder rifling through some drawers at a customer's house. He gives chase but the burglar escapes. Unfortunately, the homeowner finds him in the house and thinks he is the burglar - she raises the alarm. Gary rings Judy and agrees that it is best that he waits for the police to arrive and to explain to them what happened. When they arrive with Mrs Grant, he explains he is her window cleaner, but she cannot confirm this. The police come to search Gary's house, much to Judy's annoyance.

Mike is doing some shopping at the Corner Shop and tells off Linda for being there during working hours. Later on, Linda finds out from Hayley where Mike's flat is. In the evening, she turns up at Baldwin's flat, bottle of whisky in hand - she makes out that the present was from the girls. Mike is pleased - they share a drink. They have a lot in common, she tells him. As she is leaving, she confesses that she bought the whisky but tells Mike she can keep a secret.

4627 - Friday 11 June
Audrey feels that Mike will come crawling back but Alma says she doesn't want him. She doesn't even want to look at another man right now.

Toyah is in the middle of her exams. Les thinks she is pining after Owen and feels she should forget about him. Janice is irritated by the conversation. Toyah tells Spider about Owen and how she fancied him but he had someone else in mind. Spider tells her to forget him.

Gary wonders whether he should finish Mrs Grant's windows, but Judy doesn't think this is a good idea. Mrs Grant comes round to apologise, bearing a peace offering - a neighbour had seen the whole episode and has given a full description to the police.

Alison asks where Linda got to last night - Linda makes an excuse she was out at the supermarket. Mike hears the girls talking and calls Linda into his office - he asks why she called round last night. She tells him there was nothing more to it than her wanting to cheer him up. He tells her he appreciates her thoughtfulness but doesn't want any complications, although she is welcome to come in for a drink, if she wishes. At the flat, Mike prepares himself for an "impromptu" visit from Linda but she doesn't show up, much to his disappointment..

Gail tells Sally that Danny fancies her - Sally replies that she is not interested. He calls round for her under a pretext and asks her out for a drink - she turns him down politely.

Thinking Leanne has not been paid by Natalie, Ashley feels she ought to take advice. She is exasperated and doesn't want him fussing. Ashley tells Maxine that Natalie is not playing fair with Leanne. Talking to Judy, he finds out that Natalie is very fair and reasonable. Leanne, Vikram and Steve have a night in at Ashley's playing cards. Ashley comes home early and throws out Vikram and Steve. As Leanne doesn't pay the rent, she cannot have a say as to whom she invites round. He is determined that Leanne will not take advantage of him.

Ashley and Leanne continue their row in the morning. He tells her he knows she has been paid, he resents being taken for a mug. Leanne throws a tantrum accusing him of making her look a fool in front of her friends. She decides to move out. The parting is acrimonious. When Leanne tells Vikram what has happened, he is flippant as to where she could live but not very helpful. Leanne turns up at the Battersbys' - Toyah isn't happy at the prospect of sharing her room with her exams on, Les looks forward to having some rent coming in, much to Leanne's surprise. Les goes round to Ashley accusing him of behaving inappropriately with Leanne - when Ashley denies anything, Les' true motives become apparent - he wants to know how much rent to charge Leanne. Later on, in the Rovers, Leanne slags off Ashley in Maxine's earshot and gets into a slanging match with her. Natalie sees red and warns Leanne never to behave like that again.

Spider takes delivery of some tobacco at the Rovers - imported, no tax paid - Steve sees this. Jim gives Steve some mail from the taxman - the VAT have disputed his tax returns and it looks like he owes them a lot of money. Vikram tells Steve that he must find the money to pay the VAT - they are not to be crossed. Steve asks Spider to find out more about the tobacco scheme.

Sally and Kevin notice that Rosie has a bruise on her arm - she seems reluctant for Sally to talk to school about it.

A pressman comes round with Mrs Hardy to see Gary - he takes a photo of her kissing him on the cheek. Gary tells Judy that the picture will be on the front page of the Gazette.

Mike hands over some post to Alma in the Rovers - they create an unpleasant scene. Fred invites Mike for a night out at the Golf Club. Linda overhears Fred telling Audrey about this in the pub - she makes her excuses and leaves. She gets dolled up and turns up at Mike's place. Mike calls the Rovers to cancel his night out with Fred.

4629 - Monday 14 June
Steve asks Jim to help him provide £800 capital for the tobacco run - this will enable him to pay off his VAT debts. Jim isn't keen - he is concerned that Steve will end up back in prison. Jim asks Gary's advice - Gary cannot see the problem, he would back up his own son. Jim tells Steve he has changed his mind and will back his scheme, as long as it is a one-off.

Toyah is struggling to find peace and quiet at home to do her revision. Vikram and Leanne have no money to go out - Janice invites them round for a meal. The meal is an embarrassing affair - Les has his eye on the main chance, viewing Vikram as a potential son-in-law.

Mike tells Alma that they could still make a go of it - she turns him down. Seeing Alma upset, Curly asks her round for a meal. Alma gets very weepy, likening meals that go wrong with marriages which fail.

Linda comes into Mike's office to talk - Mike is concerned, he wouldn't want the workforce to know that he and Linda slept together. She reassures him she can keep a secret.

Ashley tells Fred that Leanne has left the house after a row. Fred is pleased that Ashley has come to his senses. Ashley tells him he values friendship more than money.

Rosie's teacher asks Sally to come in to school. Sally explains to Danny that Rosie is being bullied at school - Sally hates bullies, they should be expelled and parents sued for not bringing up their children properly. The teacher shows her the recent deterioration in Rosie's work - she explains that it is understandable given what Rosie has been through. They talk at cross purposes until the teacher tells her that it is not Rosie who is being bullied - it is Rosie who is the bully. Sally has a row with the teacher and becomes very defensive about her parental capabilities. Sally tells Kevin who turns Rosie's behaviour into a point-scoring exercise.

Gary's heroics have made the local paper, complete with glowing statements of gratitude from Mrs Hardy and from the Police. Mr Hardy comes round to see Gary - he is not impressed and tells Gary to stay away from his wife, or there will be trouble.

4630 - Wednesday 16 June
Leanne isn't in the mood for work, after having to move back home. Vikram invites Leanne back to his place, while his father is out. Unfortunately, Ravi comes home early and finds them in a deep snog, much to his displeasure - after all, Leanne is married. She returns to the Rovers because there is nowhere else for her to go. Natalie offers to rent her the spare room, an offer which is gratefully accepted.

Alma tells Audrey she left her bag at Curly's the previous night - Audrey teases her about it. When Audrey sees Mike in the street, she tries to make Mike jealous and lays it on thick about Alma having had a night out with a "younger man and not back till late". When Curly returns Alma's bag in the Rovers, Mike sees him and creates a scene before leaving the pub. Alma is annoyed at Audrey's meddling.

Steve tells Vikram he is off to do his "baccy run" - he tries to persuade Vikram to come in on the scheme but to no avail. Jim warns Steve to be careful and to think about what could happen if he gets caught, how will he pay the fine? Steve seems to pay lip service to his father's warnings as he departs for Belgium.

Maxine wants to decorate her flat. Audrey reluctantly agrees, as long as Maxine pays for it. Ashley agrees to help Maxine with the work.

Sally tells Danny she is upset about Rosie 's bullying and feels guilty she has contributed to the problem. Later on, Rosie makes out she has patched it up with her friend, but Sophie tells the truth.

While cleaning windows, Gary finds out that Mr Grant has another woman. Gary tells Judy about it.

Janice teases Mike about modelling knickers for him in his office. Linda tells Mike she is going out with her fella. Linda has a night at the Rovers with Alison. She rings Mike at home late on and asks if she can come round. When she goes round, she tells Mike that she has just finished with her boyfriend, because she wanted to be honest about her relationship. She ditched him because he was too safe. Having lead Mike up the path, when he tells her she can stay, she tells him that it wouldnít be right tonight. As she departs, Mike calls her back.

4631 - Friday 18 June
Leanne and Toyah scrap at breakfast time again. Leanne announces she is moving into the spare room at the Rovers. Natalie lays down the ground rules. Leanne tells Ashley she has moved to the Rovers, hoping this will upset him, but it doesn't.

Linda has stayed the night at Mike's but he doesnít want to give her a lift to work, she should get the bus - he doesnít want any complications with his divorce, he tells her. Alison sees Linda getting off the bus and Linda has to say she stayed with her auntie. Linda pokes fun at Mike in front of the girls. Mike tells her privately not to go too far, she tells him that she has to continue the pretence with the girls. Mike invites her away for the weekend.

Ravi tells Nita he is unhappy with Vikram dating Leanne - there are complications going out with married women. Nita won't help as Vikram won't listen to her either. When Ravi expresses his reservations to Rita, she tells him that Leanne might not be an angel, but she is not a bad girl. Nita invites Ravi to the Freshco Midsummer Ball, much to his delight.

Sally gets a call from school as Rosie has been naughty again. She tells Kevin that Rosie needs to be punished and grounded at the weekend.

Mr Hardy pops round to Gary's and thumps him as he thinks Gary shopped him about his girlfriend to his wife. Judy thinks that Gary has been hit because he was having an affair with Mrs Hardy. Gary denies this, but Judy doesnít believe him until Mrs Hardy pops round to warn Gary - she had found out about her husband's affair from a girlfriend and when she tackled him, he assumed Gary was the informant. Gary is upset that Judy didn't believe him and goes to the Rovers to drown his sorrows. Les pokes fun at Gary imagining that Gary has been involved with Mrs Hardy. Gary sees the funny side of it. When he goes home, Judy apologises and they make up.

Ashley is helping Maxine decorate her flat, so she buys him lunch. In the evening, Ashley suggests they go round to his place for a meal. She recalls their happy days previously. She needs a clean up after the decorating, so he suggests she might like to take a bath. After her bath, she is in a wistful mood wondering what might have happened had she not got jealous over Zoë. He felt sorry for Zoë, he tells her. Maxine is grateful to Ashley for being so good to her. She kisses him to let him know how she feels. He obviously feels the same way as they embrace passionately.

4632 - Sunday 20 June
Linda takes to the five star treatment at the hotel where Mike has taken her, like a duck to water. Mike is subdued on his wedding anniversary and wants time alone to think. Linda wonders whether she has done something wrong, but Mike reassures her that it isn't her fault. She asks whether she should go, but Mike begs for her to stay and keep him company, much to her pleasure.

Alma isn't very good company on her wedding anniversary - she tells Audrey that, for the first time she feels old, she realises there is nothing to look forward to as time is running out. Audrey persuades Alma to take the initiative and go to a solicitor about a divorce.

Kevin takes Sophie out for the day (Father's day), but Rosie is grounded - she continues to be troublesome, much to Sally's exasperation. Danny comes round and suggests an afternoon out, Sally reluctantly agrees. Once there, Rosie bullies a child and throws the child's teddy bear into the pond, maintaining it was an accident. Danny pays off the angry father in recompense. Sally is embarrassed and feels so helpless, the children are not fun anymore. Danny tells her she is not alone. Danny wants to spend more time with Sally but she brushes off his interest. When Kevin returns and finds out that they went out, he throws a wobbler about Rosie being taken out by Sally with her "fancy man".

Steve hasn't returned home from his tobacco run and Jim is anxious that something might have gone wrong. He returns late, having stayed over to further his contacts in the trade, full of how easy it is. He has brought Jim a bottle of whisky for "Father's Day". Later on he tries to palm off his stock on Vikram, unfortunately Ravi's is around and they have to concoct a story. Vikram is broke and sees this as a good way of making some money, so he is happy to take some of Steve's stock of tobacco, but not while Ravi is around.

Ashley continues to help Maxine with her decorating. Fred has fixed up Ashley with a date for the Freshco's Ball - Belinda Beech, the daughter of Mrs and Mrs Beech, owners of Ackersley's Abattoir, she is a prize catch in Fred's eyes. Ashley tells him that he has already invited Maxine. Fred asks Audrey to accompany her to the ball.

4633 - Monday 21 June
In the Corner Shop, Rosie plays off Sally by offering to help Alison. Alison tells Kevin how embarrassed she was. Kevin reckons that the problem would be made easier if he got a flat and that he would like her to live with him.

Steve turns up at the Corner Shop with the tobacco and hands it over to Vikram. Ravi is hovering around, so Steve has to leave before he gets paid. Later, Ravi finds the tobacco under the counter and tackles Vikram. He tells him he knows he got it from Steve and that the scam has to end. Ravi returns the tobacco to Jim and lays it on the line - if it happens again, he will report Steve to the police. When Leanne comes round to the shop hoping for a night out with Vikram, he tells her that it isn't possible - later, Ravi tells him he disapproves of the relationship as she is still married and if he intends financing his nights out by selling illegal tobacco, he should look for another job right now. Vikram informs Steve that he cannot afford to upset his father, so their deal is off.

Maxine is late in for work at the salon after staying the night with Ashley - she tells Audrey that they are an item. Ashley is delighted that Maxine isn't keeping their relationship a secret. Fred tries to put off Maxine regarding the Freshco's Ball and asks her to make herself scarce as there is competition for Ashley's affections. When Ashley calls round to the salon, Maxine tells him about Fred's suggestion - now he knows that Maxine treats him as her boyfriend, he confronts Fred - despite Fred's protestations that Ashley shouldnít walk away from a likely fortune, Ashley tells him he wants no part of it.

Alma phones her solicitor from work, Curly offers the use of his office phone. When he invites her to accompany him to the Freshco Ball, she mistakes his offer for sympathy, until Curly reassures her. She finds that the divorce will not be straightforward. Fred gets frustrated that he cannot get Audrey on her own as she will not leave Alma on her own.

Linda is getting up early to catch her bus into work. Mike throws caution to the wind and offer to give her a lift into work. Hayley sees Linda getting out of Mike's car around the corner but doesnít think anything of it. Alison probes Linda about her weekend but Linda is non-committal apart from admitting she spent the weekend away with a bloke. At the factory, Jean opens her locker and some knickers fall out in front of Janice - she is obviously stealing them from the factory. Linda sees what is going on. Later, she follows Jean to the locker room. In the evening, Hayley sees Linda holding Mike's hand in the pub.

4634 - Wednesday 23 June
Alison is overjoyed at Kevin's invitation for her to move in with him, but agonises over how to tell her parents. Kevin reassures Curly that his intended move is not a reflection on him. Alison finds a flat to view but she is still nervous about her parents - she wants to prepare the groundwork before they meet Kevin.

Jim hopes Steve has learned his lesson, there isn't an easy way of making a fast buck. Steve tries his hand finding customers in a pub, to find that the trade is all sewn up. It turns out the dealer in the pub is one of Steve's prison mates, Lee Sankey - he tells Steve he is a bit late in the game but offers to take Steve's stock off his hands. Steve will not make a big profit, but he could always make more on a future run. Steve returns Jim's loan but lets slip that he might make more trips - this doesn,t meet with Jim's approval.

While Ravi comes into the salon for manicure, Maxine falls down the stairs and hurts her ankle. Ashley takes her to casualty. It turns out to be a strained ligament. Fred is openly overjoyed at Maxine's misfortune, as he hopes Ashley will go to the ball instead with Belinda. Ashley insists that he will go to the ball with Maxine or not at all.

Roy and Hayley agonise over whether to say anything to Linda over what they saw in the Rovers last night. Mike is angry at Alma's solicitor asking for details of his assets including the business - she has been advised she is entitled to 50% of the lot - he says she will be lucky, there isn't as much there as she thinks. He tells her she has no claim on the business, she replies that she leant him the money to get started. He tries emotional blackmail and says that he will have to sell up the factory and put his workforce on the dole to pay her off - she will be the most unpopular person in the pub. Mike and Linda go off for some lunchtime delight and are spotted by Roy. Hayley sees Jean stealing more knickers and advises her she is being very foolish. Mike tells Alma she should be instructing her solicitor, not the other way round. Linda tells Mike that he is being ripped off - after he has promised not to say where he got the information, Linda tells him that Jean is the culprit.

4635 - Friday 25 June
Audrey is trying to persuade Alma she is entitled to half of Mike's money but Alma cannot face the prospect of Mike having to sell his business and put everyone out of work. Alison wonders how Mike could have suspected someone was stealing from him - Linda suggests that Baldwin has eyes in the back of his head. Hayley wonders whether Linda tipped Mike off and wonders whether Alma should know about Mike's relationship. Mike is grateful to Linda for her help.Mike asks the factory girls to hand over the keys to their lockers. When he looks in Jean's, he finds a pile of frozen knickers and he fires her on the spot.

Ravi gets Audrey to promise him a dance at the ball. Fred finds out he is also giving a lift to Alma in Curly's absence and expresses his frustration at Alma playing gooseberry. Ravi flirts with the ladies. Fred proposes to Audrey but Ravi claims his dance, much to Fred's annoyance.

Alma feels left out of things at Freshco's with the arrival of Nita. Curly finds out that he will have to give the speech at the ball in place of Aiden and there is a problem with the hotel booking - Nita is sent to sort things out, much to Alma's frustration. Nita overhears Alma telling Audrey how she feels.

Ashley tells Fred he is going to the Freshco ball with Maxine, much to Fred's disapproval. Maxine wonders whether she is cramping Ashley's style but he reassures her that he only wants to be with her. Belinda turns up large as life and makes a play for Ashley. Maxine tells Belinda to keep away - she advises Belinda that Curly is the catch to go for, as her is being groomed to be Managing Director of Freshco's and Belinda makes her move. Ashley tells Maxine that he doesn,t want to lose her a second time around - he proposes to her, saying he doesn,t want an answer immediately.

4636 - Sunday 27 June
Kevin and Alison take Rosie out for a walk. Danny comes round to see Sally - she tells him she isn't ready to enter into another relationship and wants to concentrate on her children. Her wish to play it cool backfires and Danny leaves feeling he has had the brush off. Kevin tells Sally about his and Alison's plans to set up home together, he doesn,t want Sally to find out indirectly - Sally wishes them good luck, much to Kevin and Alison's relief .

Steve is all set for another baccy run, much to Jim's disapproval. Jim tells him to take care, he doesn,t want him ending up in prison. Steve is confident that will not happen.

Linda arranges to go round to Mike's after work. The factory girls have some sympathy for Jean, who was fired for pilfering, but Linda doesn,t. At the Rovers, Linda cuts short her night out with Janice and Alison when Mike leaves the pub. She joins him at the flat and probes about developments on the divorce front - Mike tells her that he thinks he has persuaded Alma not to rock the boat.

Maxine tells Tom about Ashley's proposal - he can tell she is going to accept. Audrey tells Alma about Fred's proposal - she doesn,t look like accepting. When Audrey and Maxine swap notes, Tom wonders whether it was all done for a bet. Maxine gets worked up and asks to see Ashley alone - she tells Ashley what has happened and wonders whether Ashley was serious about his proposal. She isn't convinced and Ashley runs after her into the Salon to tell her he is very serious about his intentions. He proposes again, this time in front of Audrey, Maud and Tom - Maxine accepts. Audrey tells Fred she isn't planning on remarriage right now and hopes that Fred isn't offended - Ashley and Maxine tell a stunned Fred that they are getting married. Fred tells Maud that Ashley is making the biggest mistake of his life and he is going to tell him so. In the privacy of Ashley's home, he proposes again, just to be sure that Maxine isn't saying yes for the wrong reasons - she accepts, again!

Ravi and Fred tell Alma that Mike is not impoverished and that he is playing games regarding his wealth - things are not as bleak as he has been painting them to be. They persuade her she shouldn,t take him at face value and that she needs a good lawyer on her side. For the first time, Alma realises she has been duped by Mike and resolves to get her pound of flesh.

4637 - Monday 28 June
Alma has been torn about what action she is going to take against Mike - finally Audrey persuades her to get the gloves off and got for her entitlement. She recognises she has no other alternative. Alma calls on Mike at the factory - he is less than polite. She tells him she is going for her 50% and she wonders whom he took with him on his weekend break. Her visit unnerves him.

Nita tells Alma that she overheard her talking to Audrey at the ball. Alma apologies and tells her that what she said to Audrey was because of her insecurities following her bust up with Mike. They clear the air.Linda comes into work late and gives Deirdre some lip. Deirdre threatens to report her to Mike. Mike tells the factory girls that if Alma gets her way, he will have to sell up, putting them out of work. The girls are concerned about their potential future, Les crows when he hears Mike could be in trouble until Janice spells out the financial implications for them.

When Deirdre finds out that Kevin and Alison are flat-hunting, she reminds them the flat above the bookies is still available. They seem keen on the idea but wonder whether it will aggravate the problems with Rosie.

Steve returns home from his second baccy run, full of confidence. Jim isn't impressed and tries to talk sense into him, to no avail. He tells him that even if he doesn,t get caught at the Customs, there are plenty enemies who would be prepared to shop him to the authorities.

Sally gets a call from school, Rosie has been suspended for misbehaving at school. Sally tells Kevin what happened. They agonise over what to do. The school have recommended getting a child psychologist in to help. Sally gives her blessing to Kevin and Alison moving in above the bookie's - it might help.

Fred tries to persuade Ashley that Belinda is better prospect than Maxine, especially financially. Leanne wishes Ashley the best of luck in his marriage and they bury the hatchet. Ashley accuses Fred of sour grapes in being turned down by Audrey. Fred tries to enlist Audrey's help in putting Ashley off Maxine - she thinks it's futile. Maxine tells Ashley she is worried Fred will try to come between them - he confesses that Fred is his real father. This makes Maxine feel even more insecure - they have to do something or their relationship will be in trouble.

4638 - Wednesday 30 June
Maxine is still worried at the prospect of Fred being her father-in-law, but Ashley tries to reassure her - they are going go shopping for the engagement ring. Later she shows off her ring at the Rovers. Maxine decides it's time for Ashley to meet her parents.

Sally is still concerned over Rosie's manipulative antics. Gail advises Sally not to play into Rosie's hands and suggests playing it cool. Kevin agrees to talk to Rosie about her behaviour.

Alison and Kevin are delighted to be moving into Deirdre's old flat - Linda is decidedly disinterested.

Linda returns late to the factory. She needles Deirdre into complaining to Mike. He puts her behaviour down to job insecurity. When he ticks off Linda, she tells him she doesn,t want their relationship to be secret. He tells her that they have to play it cool until his divorce is settled.Leanne is planning her 18th birthday party, but Vikram is uneasy at the prospect of Les being around. Les volunteers to be the DJ. Owen pays a visit, having delivered the camper-van, much to Les' delight and Janice's astonishment - he is still carrying a torch for Janice but she tells him she isn't interested. He asks her to go away with him, but she turns him down. Toyah isn't amused and realises why Owen has turned up. Les takes Owen for a pint at the Rovers - he slags off Alma over the prospect of Janice losing her job. When he suggests Owen stays for Toyah's benefit, Toyah discloses the real reason why Owen has turned up. Owen tells Les the extent of his feelings and they get into a fight in the street - Les loses the fight but Janice chooses to stay with him rather than going with Owen.


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