Episode 165 Wednesday 11 July 1962

A bit of background: Elsie Howard met Bill Gregory, an American serviceman in October 1961. They fell in love. The affair continued until July, 1962 when Elsie received an anonymous note referring to the writer of the note asking Elsie to let "him" go and claiming the man for her own. Elsie takes this to mean Bill is married, and confronts him. The two books I have on Corrie history vary about the origin of the note but at one point Elsie thought Ena Sharples sent it and there was a public slanging match on the street over it. Ena denies sending the note, saying she'd have signed her name to it. It turns out to be from a girlfriend of her husband whom she never divorced, nothing to do with Bill at all. At the time of this following episode, she has confronted Ena and knows the note was not from her but I don't believe she yet knows who wrote the note but Bill has admitted he is indeed married, and this episode is the fall out.

Elsie Tanner and Bill Gregory:

Elsie and Bill are sitting tensely at a table in the public bar of the Rovers. Elsie is barely holding herself together and Bill guesses she's found out he's married. He tries to explain and she's really angry that he told her so much about himself and his past but neglected to tell her there was a Mrs. Gregory! He can't seem to make excuses and wants to know how she found out. She does deny it was Len (who knew but said nowt, some friend!) but she won't say how she found out (that anonymous letter). Elsie's one rule was never to go out with a married man. Bill says he never should have married his wife. He's separated but Elsie wants to break it off anyway. She tells him, in the end, she doesn't want to hear from him again until he's got it straightened out properly (divorce). She leaves the bar full of patrons that were all quiet as mice, straining to listen in.

Ena excuses her eavesdropping by telling Minnie she is an interested party and reckons Elsie still has wedding bells ringing in her ears. She wonders with some sympathy for Elsie how many other women Bill's got on a string. Minnie hopes he'll divorce and marry Elsie and live happily ever after. She asks Ena if she'd ever marry again. Me?! She'd never want to wash any man's doorstep again, thank you very much!

Valerie Tatlock has provided breakfast for her Uncle Albert and has invited Ken as well (They've been dating). She tells Ken that a friend wants to buy out her business but she is of two minds about it. Ken realizes he's late so he rushes out to his job teaching at Bessie Street school (and is no help at all with her dilemma. A forerunner of things to come?) Uncle Albert asks his niece if it's serious between her and Ken, are they courting? She doesn't know! They seem to blow hot and cold but thought Ken has asked her to marry him, she doesn't know whether she will. (Run away! Run away!) Uncle Albert tells her she could be looking further but also a sigh worse than Ken Barlow. She's a bit doe eyed over him, really, and likes everything about him, not just his looks. Children like him too! (more fool she if she takes that as a sign, looks will prove to be deceiving. This man will never raise one of his 4 natural or adopted children all the way!) Albert wants to know if dogs like him too! Poor Val doesn't think she's good enough for him, not as well educated and she's afraid she might hold him back. Nonsense! Her doting uncle tells her she's just natural and good enough for anyone. Val speculates that Ken will go a long way so why doesn't she go along with him? (what a lovely way to put it! But we all know how far Ken did go, down the street and back again!)

In the dress department of the store where Elsie works, her co-worker, Dot, is concerned and asks her what's the trouble. A man, Bill, he's married but he's separated. Aye that's what they all say. She just found out and now feels a fool with echoes of wedding bells and orchid sprays etched in her mind's eye. Dot gives her the sensible advice, Drop him but Elsie doesn't know if she can and if he does get a divorce...well it could be her last chance. She loves him so! Dot tries to convince Elsie she's a very attractive woman yet but Elsie is feeling her age creep up and sees a lonely future ahead of her. She thinks it wouldn't be easy to get another man of that quality. (Nonsense, cheating married men are a thrupence a dozen!) She makes a classic "other woman" statement, she's to blame too! (Why *Why!* do women who have been lied to blame themselves!!!???) Elsie breaks down and Dot tells her to go have a good cry. She's just waiting to hear if Bill has decided to get a divorce or not. Dot questions her, And if not? Elsie assures her friend that there *will* be a dirty big farewell scene. The department phone rings and it's Bill for Elsie, will she speak to him?

We don't find out as the scene shifts to the Rovers. Annie is moaning about cleaning the pub. Jack suggests hiring one of the old biddies in the snug but that's not on for Annie. "As cleaners, they'd make very good rooters through drawers". A comment between the couple reveals that Annie is still planning on going on holiday while Jack is not. Bill Gregory in full uniform comes through from using the phone. He wasn't able to contact the person he was calling (so now we know!) He orders a whiskey and looks dejected.

Back in the shop, Dot tells Elsie that Bill wants to meet her in the Rovers at eight tonight. Elsie wouldn't speak to him on the phone because she figures whatever he's got to say he can say it to her face (too right!)

Mr. Swindly and his two employees leave Gamma Garments and encounter a woman who needs directing to Mawdsley Street, a Mr. Fairclough. She is given direction and is, in fact, escorted by Mr. Swindly himself. This prompts Miss Nugent to gush about how gallant he is. (a bit of a crush, have we?) But Doreen seems to have sussed out who this woman down from Scotland really is, she who's husband, who's name is Bill and what was in the war with Len. (clear enough? LOL)

A bit later in the pub, Doreen and Sheila put their heads together and gossip about the mystery woman. Doreen is dared to ask Bill if he has a wife with black hair and a red coat to settle an argument, you see. If he does, he is informed, then she's just turned up at Len Fairclough's. Bill nearly chokes and leaves skid marks on the floor in his haste to leave and the argument is settled. Sheila wonders why mrs. Gregory went to Len's. Well she doesn't know where Elsie Tanner lives, of course!

But we do and we next see Elsie writing a letter or trying to. Bill walks in and tells her the wife's turned up but he hasn't seen her yet. Just as well she's here, Elsie points out, now he'll have to make up his mind one way or t'other.

Len arrives at the Rovers and tells Harry Hewitt what's happened. He doesn't' think Phyllis knows about Elsie and only thinks Bill's left her because they were having rows. Len's left Nellie with her. Of course the ears of the young ladies and old Ena who's standing in the doorway of the snug are tuned in for any juicy bits. Ena goes back to her table and the girls come in and are encouraged to share what they know. Heads come together over the glasses on the table.

Len's gone to Elsie's next, to see Bill. He doesn't think that Nellie's said owt about Elsie but what are they going to do? Bill tries to avoid confrontation with his wife (somehow i don't think he's got the guts to leave her after all, no matter how much he doth protest his love to Elsie!) Len thinks Bill has to have it out with his wife and has already told the wife that Bill would likely be in the Rovers. (The more i see of Len in these old videos, the more i like him... a fellow Voice of Reason perhaps though he DID keep the wife a secret from his good friend Elsie!)

Len leaves and Elsie seems like she's seen through Bill too. "I know", Elsie says to Bill, "She doesn't understand you" (classic excuse) He insists it's true, she doesn't, and she's a nag, his wife. He had made up his mind to leave her last October on his way to Weatherfield just before he met Elsie! (convenient!) Bill also wants Elsie to make the decision for him, needs to know what she wants him to do and how she feels. (oh yes, i've been there, i told mine i'd make the decision for him if he wanted, did he really want me to? He left his girlfriend and came back. More fool me in the end!) Poor Elsie says she feels like she's been run over by a tram (now where have i heard that before! ) Bill is told to tell his wife whatever he wants but it has to be his decision. Bill loves Elsie and wants a sign from her but he can't do it on his own. (if he can't make a decision so important on his own, then you're better off on your own, chuck! And i expect Elsie is smart enough to see that) He doesn't get a sign and leaves.

Phyllis is in the pub. Len tells her that Bill will be around. He goes to the bar for a pint, exchanging a few words with Jack who tells Len he's stood up to Annie for the first time in years but isn't enjoying it. Where women are concerned, we men are all cowards at heart! (Previous scene proving this!) Len agrees. They watch Bill arrive while Elsie is back at the house pacing. She makes a decision, picks up her handbag and leaves.

Phyllis and Bill talk while Ena spies on from the snug. Phyllis wants her marriage to work, they can make it work! She tries to persuade him to see her side - lonely when he's been away so much. Elsie comes in and stands by Len at the bar fairly near the table where the Gregory's sit, well within earshot. She stares straight ahead the whole time not looking at either Len or Bill, who can't keep from looking over at her constantly. Wonder why his wife doesn't notice but i guess she's focussed on convincing her husband to give it another go. Elsie listens, her heart breaking, knowing how it's going to end. Elsie never glances at Bill, not even when his wife says "It's not as if there's anybody else!" Bill keeps looking at her hoping for the sign that never comes. Elsie's sign seems clear as a bell to me and he finally seems to realize it too, and he and his wife leave the pub together. Len leans toward Elsie who flinches as she hears the door close. He puts his hand on her shoulder, saying "that's that, then, eh?"

A happy group of punters arrive. Mr. Tatlock with Ken and Val, who announce their engagement. There are congratulations on almost all sides as Elsie contemplates that could have been her and Bill at one time. Len reads her mind and passes her her drink with an arm around her for comfort. She chokes back the tears and comments, "You know summat? I never even saw her!"

Diane Johnston

Phyllis Gregory - MARY QUIN
Written by TONY WARREN Directed by CHRISTOPHER McMASTER

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