Sunday 2 February
When Ashley gets up, Fred is already up, he cant sleep. He has been looking at Ashley's baby pics from his christening. Ashley wishes he hadn't told Fred about Maxine and Dr Ramsden, he thinks he is taking the docs side.

Fizz finds a strange man in the bathroom at the flat..its someone Maria has picked up.

Toyah says she is surprised that Maria has been with a bloke so quickly after her abortion, but she reckons its Maria's business and she isn't hurting anyone. In the pub, John thanks Fizz for helping Maria deal with it in such a mature way.........Fizz is not happy, she didn't do it to please John.

Over at the cafe.....Katy Nelson makes a mistake on the till, she over charges Sally, but Tyrone sticks up for her, Sally says she knows its a mistake, she can't understand why Tyrone is so jumpy.

At the garage, Tyrone tells Kevin to hide the silver cos Tommy Nelson is coming over. Tommy knows what is wrong with the car Kevin is working on, Kevin asks him what his big secret is.........he tells Kevin that if he told him he would be putting his kids lives at risk.

Now Norris is living at Les's he has started buying stuff from the shopping channel........he wont let them watch the footie, and he has washed the net curtains...he is getting right on their nerves!!!!

Ashley Phones Martin to go over to the pub, Its time he talked his probs over with some one, but since when has Martin been a great sage???? Martin tells him that he loved all his kids, not just David, and that blood doesn't come into it, its who loves them.

Candice has had her hair done for Sarah's Party, Todd says why doesn't Sarah have hers done, but she is self conscious about her scar. He tells her loves her anyway, and her scar doesn't show now anyway. At the cafe, Jason invites Katy Nelson to Sarah's Party.

Tommy goes to the pub to see Kevin, he decides to tell Kevin about his secret..........his wife saw some one killed and testified, even though nobody else dared, so they had to go into hiding. Kevin gave him his job back and promised to keep the secret. Tyrone is not happy, but when Tommy tells Angie, she is relieved.

Sarah thinks that Todd doesn't fancy her, cos he hasn't tried to sleep with her, but he tells her he is worried because he has never done it before and she has, she tells him that he loves her so that's a good start!

Back at Les' , Norris has cooked roast chicken with 7 veg, he's been playing with his gadget!! the mind boggles!! Les is not impressed

Back at the pub, Fred tells Ashley that he has spoken to a solicitor and that Dr Ramsden has no claim on Josh cos he was born during Ashley's Marriage and Ashley's name is on the birth certificate........but Ashley says that HE wants to know.....so he is going for a DNA test!!!

OH HECK!!!!

Written by Sue Nicholson


Monday 3 February

Here we go again with another two 30 minute episodes.

Hayley tells Roy that he is not being fair to Ciaran by keeping him waiting for a decision.

Toyah introduces John to Spider. He says he is pleased for her. Fizz looks on knowingly!

Ashley is taking Josh to the doctor's to find out about a paternity test.

It is Sarah's birthday. Bethany gives her mother a birthday card which she made, with the help of David. Audrey has sent a card with £20 inside. Gail and Richard don't look happy.

Vera says that she is going to miss Ciaran when he has gone. Sunita says not to worry, because he maybe staying. Vera is pleased.

Todd buys Sarah a chain with a heart on it (aaah!). She loves it.

Toyah notes that Fizz is very quiet, while sitting in the Rovers with John. She says it is all the intellectual conversation that is going on. When Toyah gets Fizz on her own, she accuses her of being very patronising. Fizz tries to warn Toyah by saying that she is moving in with John, but hardly knows him.

Betty asks how Fred is. She says everybody forgets the relatives at these sad times.

Karen turns up late for work. Janice signals the coast is clear and she sneaks in. She is spotted by Joe. Janice admits she got her time card stamped. Hayley wishes she hadn't heard that.

Joe calls Karen into the office. She initially tries to lie her way out of it, but Joe calls her bluff. He demands that she works an extra 10 minutes during her lunch break.

John suggests to Toyah that she moves in today. She agrees.

Spider mentions that Emily is getting her confidence back. It is just as well as he has to return back to his cafe/juice bar.

Ciaran asks Roy for a decision. He says he still hasn't decided. Ciaran refers to Roy working in a back street cafe. This antagonises Roy and says he has come to a decision. The answer is no.

Ashley tells Fred that Joshua can have a paternity test without Maxine. He says he has decided to go ahead despite Fred's reluctance.

Mike returns to the office from Spain. He asks Joe how things have been during his absence. Joe says ok. Joe says he thought he might have expected a "well done".

Sarah tells Todd that she is hoping that they can be alone tonight. They both want to .... ('have ladies and gentlemen' as one of our radio presenters refers to it!!)

Joe arranges a meeting.

Toyah tells Fizz she is moving out today. Fizz annoyed and asks why. Toyah gets fed up with Fizz, and says it is not the first time she has moaned about John.

Todd asks Jason if he has any £1 coins. Jason realises that he doesn't want them for the fruit machine!!

Joe meets Stewart in the pub. He compliments Joe on the recent order. He says he can deal with bigger things.

Fizz tells Maria that Toyah is moving out. Maria rushes out of the pub.

Todd goes to Dev's shop and asks for .... Dev interrupts him and prompts chewing gum, and Dev says a hesitant no, and then Dev suggests mints. Again Todd declines them, and starts to walk out. Dev then produces some packets of condoms, and Todd looks pleased. Dev gives them to him "on the house".

Joe wonders why Fizz is not in the factory. He doesn't believe anyone when it is suggested she has gone home sick. He turns to Hayley and tells her off for letting in Karen late, and letting Fizz off. She is not supervising properly.

Fizz tells Toyah she doesn't want to leave in a mood. Toyah is not interested.

Ashley tells Martin about the paternity test for Joshua. Martin warns him that it can make a lot of difference if he finds out it is not his.

Mike thinks Joe is letting the factory get slack. He doesn't like Joe being so 'full' of himself. Joe tells Mike about the offer. Mike just refers it to one of Stewart's half-backed ideas. There is unlikely to be a proper job.

Toyah and Fizz argue over Maria. Then Fizz blurts out about John. Toyah doesn't want to believe her as she starts sobbing.

Toyah rushes into the pub to see Maria. She asks if it is all true. She confesses that it did happen but it was John's fault. Maria says she hates him for it. Toyah says she is sick to the bottom of her stomach.

Maria rushes out of the pub to see Fizz.

Sarah and Todd go into the house which is empty.

Maria turns up at the factory and goes in shouting with Fizz and Janice. Maria tells Fizz that Toyah thinks it was all John's fault. She thinks John raped Maria.

Todd and Sarah get passionate on the sofa.

John is teaching a class. Toyah burst in and disrupts his class.

After the class Toyah says he knows what he (John) had done. He says he feels awful. He is very calm. Toyah says she knows Maria well enough to know that she would never have unprotected sex. Toyah accuses John of raping her. He denies it. She then attacks him. She then recalls when she was raised.

Maria tells Todd that she accidentally found the condoms. They fell out of his pocket. She then she is not ready. Todd promises to wait until she is.

John gets up from the floor and asks Toyah if it was Maria that put her up to it. He tries to defend himself, but Toyah said he would say that. John asks if Maria used the words, "rape" or "attack" in describing the incident.

Joe tells Hayley that they ought to sack her and replace her with a sheepdog. Mike demands that he apologises to her.

John accuses Toyah of spreading false accusations. He thinks the relationship has run its course. She says she made a mistake about being a rapist. She says of him that he is "liar" and a "cheat"

Ciaran catches up with Roy in the street. Roy says he is not a man on second thoughts. He has made his mind up anyway.

Sarah rushes downstairs tidying herself up, as does Todd. She urges Todd to go, before her parents return.

Janice meets Toyah in tears. She tells her what happened.

Joe hands Mike his resignation.

Right, the big hand is on 2 the little hand is on 12 and it must be my bedtime!


Wednesday 5 February

It's, as they say, the morning after the night before, and Toyah has spent a tearful night at her Mum's flat. Janice listens as Toyah blames the dastardly John, and the perfidious Maria, for bringing back her past and causing her to enter a 'time-warp of disgust' with herself. Janice gives Toyah a key to her flat, and hugs her daughter.

Meanwhile, Toyah's absence overnight has been noticed in the girls' flat, and Fiz explodes into anger at Maria's behaviour, and seeming unconcern at Toyah's not being there. Maria eventually concedes that it wasn't rape.

In the cafe, Roy has prepared a full English breakfast for a customer, and Cieran comments about its being high in cholesterol - not the sort of breakfast that he'd recommend. Janice and Toyah enter, and Janice tells Hayley that Toyah has 'personal problems' and won't be at work today. Hayley understands. Roy doesn't, and complains that he'll have a shortage of staff. Roy also complains that he's been, as he quaintly puts it, 'harbouring a viper in his bosom'. [He means Cieran, I think!]

Toyah arrives in the girls' flat, to Fiz's relief. Maria feigns concern, and Toyah's anger overflows - Maria has repaid her loyalty by sleeping with her boyfriend and making out that it was rape, which it wasn't.

Eileen is leaving for work, and Jason makes what he thinks is a cryptic remark to Todd, calling him Richard. (Richard, as in Branson, and Virgin, as in Sarah.) Todd blushes, just as Sarah and Candice pass by. [Will Eileen get the message? Oh, I think she will, eh?] Candice tells Sarah that she'll get her hands on Jason, just as Katy Nelson appears and makes it clear that Jason fancies her, not Candice. [I love the fast forward button!!]

Spider meets Toyah coming out of the girls' flat. She is obviously upset, and Spider won't leave her like this. Hugs.

In the factory, Mike asks Hayley what the schedule is for today, but Hayley's mind is distracted by other things [see above]. The girls in the factory have heard about Joe's imminent departure, and are none too concerned.

Emily arrives home to find Spider and Toyah in deep conversation, so she 'leaves them to it'. Toyah tells Spider that she's failed at so many things and she feels old; she can't even remember being young. Spider offers Toyah the chance to stay with him in London (no strings) until she decides what to do. Toyah thinks about this...

In the Rovers, Joe eventually apologises to Hayley for his being rude to her the other day, but the gracious Hayley replies that no apology is necessary. [A slap in the gob might be in order, methinks!] Joe tells Steve about his new job with Fletcher's, where he won't be stifled. Joe drinks up and heads for the door, only to meet Mike entering, who tells him he won't stand in his way. Mike assures Hayley that they'll manage without Joe - they have before, and they will again. Toyah comes in and speaks to her Mum (under the ever-watchful eye of Maria). Toyah explains to Janice that she's leaving Weatherfield for London. For good. Janice suggests that she tell Les.

Eileen tells her wee boy, Todd, that she's managed to work out the cryptic clue about Branson/Virgin, much to Todd's embarrassment. Eileen goes off to work, just as Sarah appears and learns that Todd's Mum knows about their sexual dalliance. What will her Mum think, she wonders....?

Toyah tells Les that she's leaving, and he tries to talk her out of it: why throw away her university studies? He's always been proud of Toyah. He wants her to stay around, if only for her Mum's sake.

In the cafe, Cieran is asked by Roy and Hayley if he's serious about opening a rival cafe. He is.

Les storms into the Rovers and confronts Janice about Toyah's plans to leave, but Janice gives him some idea of what Toyah has been going through recently. Les thinks on, as they say in these parts.

Back at the cafe, and a contrite Roy apologises to Toyah for his attitude this morning. Toyah wants to know how she can make everyone happy, and Roy quotes from the Bard of Avon - "To thine own self be true" (Hamlet) - just as Les arrives. [See Corrie, see culture, eh?] Les pleads with Toyah to continue her studies, but in London, if that's what'll make her happy, and he produces Theresa the turkey, a furry animal Toyah had once held dear. In a touching scene, Les tells Toyah he loves her, and Toyah reciprocates.

The Rovers, and Joe tells Mike that he'll work his notice out. Mike counters by telling him to clear his desk by Friday and clear off. Maria learns from Fiz that Toyah is leaving soon.

Toyah and Spider prepare to leave the street. Hugs, and a few tears, from Hayley, Roy, Fiz, Aunty Em, Janice and Les. Maria is there, but is ignored by Toyah. Spider and Toyah depart in Spider's van... ... as Janice collars the faithless Maria and warns her that 'she'll be watching her every move from now on'.

Iain McDougall


Friday 7 February

Lunch time at the girls' flat, and the atmosphere is decidedly frosty between Fiz and the duplicitous Maria; both of them, however, are missing Toyah. If Fiz could afford the rent on her own, she would kick little Maria down the stairs and out onto the street.

Norris meets Emily as she comes out of her house. Is she lonely, perhaps, after Spider's departure? No, not at all...

Karen is at the door of the factory, having a smoke, and Joe is there too, contemplating his final day at Underworld. Karen tells him that they'll manage to struggle on without him.

David is thrilled to be allowed to hold the signed Manchester United football, which Tommy Nelson won in the raffle. Craig, his son, doesn't think much of the prize, since he supports Sheffield Wednesday. [The team was so-called when it was founded, because the players were all shopkeepers, whose half-day was on Wednesday.]

Richard stops his car to ask a favour of Martin. It's Sarah's party tonight, and he's treating Gail to a meal, so could Martin drop by and make sure that everything is alright? OK.

In the garage, Tyrone is warning Kevin about Tommy, but Kevin admits that his sacking of Tommy was a mistake. [Tyrone suspicious of someone's honesty!]

Underworld again, and Karen decides that an early tea-break is called for, and Hayley's protestations are brushed aside. Karen remarks to Angela that she's noticed that Tommy has got his job back at the garage. Angela announces to all and sundry that her husband is no thief. Fiz and Janice discuss Toyah's leaving the street, and Janice thinks she did the right thing. Hayley thinks that they should have a whip-round for the departing Joe, to almost universal apathy.

In the Kabin, Emily confides to Rita that she's quite missing Norris and that she's considering letting him back in her house, although he's a bit annoying at times. [A bit? At times?] Just as Emily leaves, swearing Rita to silence, Norris appears and bemoans the quality of paper clips they've just received. [Who buys paper clips on Coronation Street?] Rita asks him about his lodging chez Battersby, and Norris lets her in on his secret - 'adapt and survive'.

Les and Kirk are on their way home, and Les is missing Toyah. Kirk tries to cheer him up with mention of the 'tidy fairy' they now have as a lodger. [Norris, whom they call Doris.]

Candice and Sarah see Katy coming home, and Candice promises immediate retribution if Katy tries to go anywhere near Jason at the party tonight.

Underworld, and Karen comes into the office to inform Joe that the proposed whip-round was not a success, but the girls will buy him a drink after work instead. However, Joe offers to buy them a drink - his treat.

In the Rovers, Dev is congratulating Mike on the imminent departure of Joe, just as Joe enters and orders drinks all round for the girls. Mike refuses a drink from Joe, and tells him that his replacement is sorted.

Still in the Rovers, but a few drinks down the line, and the girls are getting frisky. Fiz plants a rather wet-looking kiss on Joe, and Janice kisses him on the cheek. Steve arrives in time to see his wife, Karen, flirt [but no kiss] with Joe. The girls look set for a serious drinking session, but Joe departs into the night, after telling Steve that he's lucky working for himself. Tommy asks Harry if, maybe, there has been some mistake with the winner of the football. Harry will check, and see if the winner could be someone else - Martin, maybe?

Mr and Mrs Hillman prepare to go out for the evening, leaving Sarah to enjoy her party. Candice comes downstairs and asks if she looks 'tarty' in her outfit. Sarah tells her she looks nice. [Yes, Candice looks like a tart, if you trust my judgment!]

Joe wanders across the road to the factory, just as various youngsters are arriving for Sarah's party... ...where Todd suggests to Sarah that they go upstairs - "It's your party, so you can do as you like." [It is, and she does.] Candice doesn't like Jason eyeing-up Katy, and she drags Jason up to dance, while Sarah drags Todd upstairs.

In the factory, Joe finds Mike and blurts out his frustration with his time at Underworld - he's brought new orders and new clients, but has received no thanks for his efforts. Mike seems impassive, but offers Joe a drink. Mike produces a near-empty bottle, but the resourceful Joe finds another, full, bottle in the filing cabinet.

Norris arrives chez Les to the inevitable mess.

Factory again, and Joe recounts the story of his life to Mike as they share a whisky or five... [Mike has his car outside. Is he going to drive home? He lost his license before!!]

Sarah's party, and Candice and Katy come to blows over Jason, Martin arriving just in time to separate them. Sarah and Todd appear at the top of the stairs, Todd 'adjusting his dress' as one says!

Mike and Joe become warmed to each other [whisky helps!] and have a laugh together.

Sarah's party again. Candice is still keen on Jason. Katy goes home. Martin asks Sarah about what was going on upstairs and tells Sarah that, if she doesn't tell her Mum about her having sex with Todd, he will.

Mike and Joe sound like old mates, for a change, and Mike offers Joe a 10% stake in the firm if he stays. Joe will stay, and they hug.

Written by Iain McDougall


Sunday 9 February
Once again, I present you with Sue's report for tonight

Mike and Joe are in the factory, neither is sure that the other one will remember what was said through the haze of the whiskey bottle........but they both remember that Joe is now a partner.

Martin told Sarah that she must tell her mum that she and Todd are sleeping together, but she is very worried about it, so she lies and tells him she has!!

The girls at the factory are told that Joe is staying on, as a partner..........and his first job as boss is to demote poor Hayley back to a machinist..............the girls are incensed!!! Hayley is crying and the girls rally round her.........she goes to tell Roy. what has Hayley done wrong?????

Over at the corner shop, they are gossiping about Joe getting his job back ...Steve is winding Dev up because Mike has made Joe a partner, so he retaliates by saying that Karen is spending a lot of time with Joe, chatting.

Emily is sweeping the path and sees Doris, sorry Norris, carrying his shopping home, he has cherryade for Kirk and bacon and sausage etc. Emily comments that he seems to be settling in very well, and it shows that everyone needs a change.

David fights with Craig next door over the Manchester united football, Craig reckons its his, but David says it was a mistake and its his really.

Sarah tells her Gran about Richard getting a big cheque.

Todd tells Gail they need to talk, he and Sarah tell her they are sleeping together...........she is not impressed and walks away in disgust.

Karen is voted to go and see Joe about Hayley's demotion..........she storms into the office ..................and Joe promptly gives the job to her..........she's worried what the girls will think.........silly girl, what does she expect them to think???? and more to the point, what will Steve think??

Her first Job is to give Janice a warning about clocking her in!!!

Ciaran is still wowing the girls in the cafe..........Roy thinks its because he is trying to poach custom for when he opens the cafe next door, so Roy sacks him and tells him to move out the flat too!!!

Over in the Pub, Martin thanks Tommy for letting David have the ball, he has realized what Tommy has done, and its a really nice thing to do.

Eileen and Gail talk about their kids being responsible, and Gail realizes she has been a bit hard on them....so she tells Sarah she is proud of her for being so adult about it.

Emily takes pity on Norris and tells him he can move back in as long as he keeps his opinions to himself........he rushes off to pack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The factory girls are in the pub, they tell Steve that Karen is in the office with Joe, and has been for ages, he goes to investigate, and Karen tells him her good news..............now he is DEFINITELY suspicious, and they have a blazing row, so she goes off to the pub to have a drink on her own..........and I guess she WILL be on her own cos the factory girls wont want to drink with her.

Sue Nicholson


Monday 10 February

Martin is out on the town tonight, so it's me. At least, it's only one episode!

Karen is getting ready for work as supervisor at Underworld, replete with tarty top, which Steve thinks will be approved of by Joe. Karen is determined to sort out Janice for getting someone else to clock her in, and leaves for work, early! Steve is surprised. [So am I.]

Peter and Shelley arrive back from Mexico [with the ubiquitous sombreros] and meet Ken, who tells of his resignation from teaching. Shelley spies Sunita, and rushes off to give her a present - they're still mates, they agree. Peter will help Ken out financially, if necessary, he tells his Dad.

In Underworld, Karen is settling-in to her new job with relish, and loses no time in warning Angela for eating while she's working. Janice arrives, late, and Karen lets her know that she's been clocked-in by someone. Janice ignores her and goes to her machine. Joe calls Karen into the office and tells her that she'll have to sort Janice out, once and for all - Janice owes the firm 18 minutes' work.

Back room of the Rovers, and Fred tries to talk Ashley out of getting the paternity test done, without success. Shelley arrives and plonks a rather large sombrero on little Josh's head.

Gail enters the Kabin, just in time to overhear Audrey, Archie and Norris gossiping about Richard. Gail exits immediately, to a stunned silence from the trio.

Back at Underworld, Karen tackles Janice about her wasting time with a lottery scratch card, and then goes on to inform Janice about her owing the firm some time. Janice treats this warning with a giggle, but Karen is not giggling - she's serious, as the girls notice. [Only a matter of time until war breaks out, methinks.]

Cieran meets Roy sweeping up outside the cafe, and they exchange non-pleasantries about their differing clientele aspirations.

At the bus stop, Martin and Ashley meet up, and Martin wonders 'what if.....?' Ashley will cross that particular bridge when he comes to it. Martin opines that 'the truth is over-rated'!!

In Streetcars, Karen is having a bite to eat, and Steve tells her that she's no longer one of the hoi polloi, but a member of management, so she has no 'mates' in the factory now. Karen admires Steve's management know-how.

In the Rovers, Hayley is chuffed to hear from Fiz that she is sorry that Hayley is no longer supervisor, until Fiz lets slip that, under Hayley, it was 'a good laugh and a skive'.

Fred tries yet again to dissuade Ashley from having the tests done, to no avail.

Underworld, and the kidding stops. Janice has to go to the toilet, but Karen refuses her permission for a 'wee break'. [Sorry about that!] Karen eventually gives in to Janice's pressing need, the confrontation ending with Karen slapping Janice's face. [Is this what they call modern pro-active management?]

Sunita and Cieran get tactile and lovey-dovey in the Corner Shop, just as Tracy arrives and, when she can't find enough coins in her purse to pay the 70p bill, she tells a smiling Sunita to put it on the slate. [Tracy tells Sunita that she treasures her independence!]

In the Rovers, Shelley asks Peter about Cieran having such a long leave from the Navy. She's suspicous. What is he up to? [No good, Shelley, no good.] Janice is having a liquid lunch with Mick, and they both bemoan the vagaries of living in bed-sits on their own, with 'boil-in-the-bag' meals. Does Janice miss Les? It would appear not.

Mike and Joe discuss the latest changes in the factory, and Joe claims that he only has teething problems.

Karen looks on, as her ex-pals Angela, Hayley and Fiz enjoy some time together. [Has the poacher turned gamekeeper role turned sour for Karen already?]

In the back room, Ashley has returned from having his tests done. He'll know the results at the end of the week. Fred hugs his son; he's a good father, our Ashley...

Back in the bar of the Rovers, and Joe and his new supervisor are very cosy together, Joe having a laugh at Karen's confrontation with Janice over the loo incident. Steve comes in to the pub and witnesses this seeming burgeoning of friendship.

Gail and Richard come in for a quiet drink, and they see the formidable trio of Audrey, Archie and Norris [like the three witches in Macbeth] in a huddle. Glares are exchanged.

Joe leaves, and Karen joins her husband, who thinks that Karen is overly friendly with her boss. Karen goes off to make her peace with her pal, Janice, just as Maria passes. Janice's rage boils over, and she loudly proclaims to everyone that this little trollop [Maria] has just aborted Toyah's ex-boyfriend's baby. Silence ensues, until... ... Karen attempts to be reconciled with Janice, whose rage boils over again and she throws a glass of beer over Karen, and the two protagonists have to be pulled apart.

Iain McDougall


Wednesday 12 February

We open tonight with Karen accusing Steve of smirking at her. She is worried about her new job.

Janice is in the corner shop regretting about what happened the previous night.

Steve is in the shop buying some biscuits. Dev believes he is there running errands.

When the girls clock in at the factory, Karen asks to see Janice in private. Janice refuses to go, and Karen threatens to sack her.

Shelley tells Peter about Toyah's abortion.

Karen reports Janice to Joe. She wants him to sack her. He says he can't sack her for throwing beer at her because it was outside working hours. Fizz suggests Janice goes to see Joe to complain about being harassed by Karen.

Ken tells Deidre that they can just manage without either of them having a job. Deidre says she wants to get a job, but despite Blanche's protests, she does not want to go back to the corner shop. She asks Ken if she should go back, and Ken tells her it is up to her to decide.

When Mike Baldwin comes in, Janice goes in to see him. She asks if there is a problem with her work. He says no. Janice tells him that Karen tried to sack her. Mike tells her to see Joe.

Tracy asks Dev is she should get a job. She doesn't want to be "kept" or patronised.

Deidre goes to see Dev to tell him that she won't be coming back.

Shelley tells Maria that she should tell her in future if she has a problem ['ey Shelley, I'm pregnant again!!]. Les has a right go at Maria. Maria refuses to talk to him.

Les offer to buy a drink for Janice and pay for the one she threw over Karen. Janice's boyfriend (Mick?) is concerned because he's a copper and it doesn't look good. He begins to wonder if he really knows her.

Deidre tells Ken that she has made her decision not to back to the corner shop. Ken is glad.

Fizz is winding Janice up and suggests that she stirs Karen up again.

Mike asks Joe what is happening. He wants everything to be sorted, otherwise he will get no work out of the girls. He asks Joe to get Karen in. Mike tells her that only he and Joe have the power to sack anyone. He reminds her that she is a machinist first and a supervisor second.

Gail is upset that Sarah has had her hair done by Audrey. Richard gives Todd £20 to take Sarah for a pizza [at that price he can get a top chef to make it!], on valentine's night. Richard realises that David will be out, and that he and Gail can have a night in together.

Fizz asks Karen why Janice hasn't been sacked. Karen is silent.

Tracy tells Dev that she wants a job. When he offers her a job to manage one of his shops, she says she wants something better. She suggests she may go to London to look for something more "spectacular", and says if he loved her, he would come with. [listen dear, love don't go that far!].

Cieran makes a strong hint to Peter that he is available for Best Man duties at the wedding. Peter, doesn't think it would be a good idea.

Karen stays behind after work. She tells Joe that she is annoyed he didn't stick up for her. Anyway she tells him that she is resigning the job.

Janice's boyfriend comes into the pub to apologise to her, but she says she should apologise to him.

Karen tells Joe that being a "boss" meant that she is losing her mates. She feels like an outcast. Joe tells her that he would not have appointed her if he didn't think she could do the job. Her persuades her to stay.

Martin Rosen


Friday 14 February

 

It's St Valentine's Day and Ciaran and Sunita have a snog outside the Corner Shop, just as Dev arrives. [Sunita is late again, he notices.] Hayley and Janice watch as the postman drops some mail at Les' house - and Janice wonders if there's a brown envelope for him, explaining that it's something she should have done a while ago. Sarah is excited about tonight, and tells Candice that she and Todd are going out for a romantic meal tonight.

Steve has bought Karen a gold necklace, which she loves. Steve tries to tempt Karen back to bed, but that'll have to wait, for she's a supervisor now. Never mind, Steve has booked a romantic meal for 9pm. Karen goes off to work, early again.

Corner Shop, and Dev would prefer Sunita to concentrate on her work instead of drooling over 'Marine Boy'. Dev phones a florist (Lucy's naturally) and orders a bouquet for Tracy - nothing unimaginative [like red roses]; let's talk orchids! Jan meets Les, and asks him if he received anything in the post this morning. No. Janice tells him to expect summat, but not to over-react. Then they can get together and talk; they have to face the inevitable... [cryptic clues!]

Ciaran, in his Sunday-best suit and tie, calls in at the cafe to tell Roy that he's off to see the bank manager, with his business plan.

Les gets home and finds a Valentine's card with a mysterious message - "You drive me crazy" - which he just knows is from Janice...

... just as Steve and Patrick, in Streetcars, compare similar Valentine's cards, with the same message. Steve checks handwriting, and the culprit is revealed as Eileen, who admits her duplicity. [That should really be triplicity!]

Les' again, and Kirk doubts that the Valentine's card is from Janice, but Les has put two and two together after his chat with Janice earlier. Les has ordered a dozen red roses for 'the light of his life'...

... and Lucy arrives in her van to deliver the bouquet to Janice at the factory. Janice assumes they're from Mick. Karen thanks Joe for his pep talk, which has helped build her self-confidence.

In the street, Ciaran and Peter once again chat about Ciaran's being best man at Peter's imminent nuptials, but Peter is distracted as he spies Lucy driving off in her van. Ciaran goes into the pub and Peter attempts to talk to Lucy, but nearly gets run down by her. [Lucy obviously misses Peter - this time!!]

In the Rovers, Mick presents Janice with a large bouquet of [yes, you've guessed] red roses, and Janice then realises who her other suitor is. Mick has booked a romantic meal in a snazzy Italian restaurant. Ciaran tells Peter that he saw the girl in the van delivering flowers - Lucy? Yes, but they're finished, lies Peter. Dev arrives with a huge bouquet of orchids for Tracy, in full view of the punters. They share a tender kiss.

Janice gets back to the factory and immediately consigns Les' red roses to the bin. Joe hands Karen some knickers [no, not Karen's - before you jump to the wrong conclusion!]. They've been stitched by Fiz and they're not up to standard, whereupon Karen tackles Fiz about her shoddy work. Joe watches this with interest, and compliments Karen on her diplomacy: he'd like to reward her later, after the girls have gone. [Tsk tsk, conclusion-jumping again?]

Chez Hillman, and Sarah and Todd are off for their romantic meal, leaving Richard and Gail on their own, Richard cooking.

The Rovers, and Roy tells Hayley of his plans for the shop next door. An ice-cream parlour, perhaps?

Hillman home again, where Mr and Mrs Hillman are just getting cosy on the sofa when Sarah and Todd arrive. Their proposed romantic meal has been scuppered - the restaurant was over-booked. Richard offers to cook them something, but the young pair go off, leaving Gail content to wallow in Richard's arms.

In the snazzy Italian restaurant, Mick and Janice share the ubiquitous romantic meal. Mick feels the time is right for Janice to move in with him.

Sarah and Todd, meanwhile, share a bag of chips together, just as Candice roars up on some guy's motorbike for a short gloat.

Mick and Janice await their taxi home and the driver is Les who, on their way out of the restaurant, confides to Janice that her message came in the second post... Janice cannot understand why Les is so happy.

Steve arrives in the Rovers, looking for Karen, and Fiz tells him that she's in the factory. With Joe. Steve goes off to investigate... Ciaran pleads his case for being best man to Shelley, but her response is short and bitter - 'over my dead body'!

Steve enters a darkened Underworld, the only light emanating from the office, but he spies the bouquet of red roses and concludes that Joe has presented them to his wife. He bursts into the office and finds Karen busy on a laptop. Joe has departed hours ago, she states. Karen explains that she rescued the flowers from the bin, and Karen promises that she's doing all this for Steve's sake.

Les drops his passengers at Janice's flat, but can't understand why Janice is continuing to see Mick when he and 'the light of his life' are going to get back together. Janice spells out the truth to poor Les - the post she told him about was a letter from her solicitor about the divorce proceedings she's instigated, not a Valentine's card.

Iain McDougall


Sunday 16 February

 


Les comes down to breakfast, all miserable because Janice wants a divorce, he tells Fiz and Kirk that he doesn't want anyone else, and he asks Fizz to talk to her because she is Jan's mate, poor Fiz reluctantly agrees, even though she knows Janice's mind is made up.

Over in the cafe, Shelley is upset because Ciaran thinks he should be best man at their wedding, but she doesn't even want him to be there..............

Hayley is worried about taking on a loan to buy the shop next to the cafe for expanding, but Roy wont even contemplate going in with Ciaran, he says their ideas are far too different. Vera reckons Ciaran is like a "breath of fresh air"

Sunday lunchtime and Steve wants a romantic day with his wife....he cooks a meal and goes out to buy wine to go with it....when he comes back he finds Karen laughing on the sofa with Joe Carter.........apparently his electric has gone, so Karen invites him to join them for lunch, Steve is NOT happy, and the meal is rather tense.

Ciaran has bought Sunita a lovely bracelet, so Dev says she can have the night off so they can go out together.........

Over in the pub, Hayley is still worried about Roy and the lease......., but Janice comes in with some good news.......her and Mick are going to move in together.... Fiz tells her that Les is upset, but Jan is not interested, its over for her and Les and she tells him so. Les starts on Mick in the pub, but Mick is very cool and tells him it was not his doing, Janice decided she wanted the divorce, and no one is out to hurt Les......... Les leaves. Roy comes in and tells Hayley he has got the lease.

Ashley still hasn't been back to his house since Maxine's death, and Archie tells Fred that maybe it ought to be cleaned up before he sees it, Harry offers to do it.

Archie tells Richard he doesn't know how he can show his face in that pub, Richard just looks smug (as only Richard can), as he is leaving he bumps into Audrey who tells him she knows about his windfall, and if it had come through sooner, maybe Maxine would still be alive.........Richard looks surprised, but Audrey informs him that Sarah told her, he tells Audrey to keep away from HIS family!!!!!!!

Roy admits to Hayley that he is unsure about the lease, and that if she says no he will bin it, but Hayley tells him to go ahead and sign it, they go to the pub to toast their new venture in orange juice. Mean while, Ashley asks Harry if he will do the cleaning at the house, but he wants to help because he knows where Maxine would want stuff putting.

Over at the shop, Ciaran calls to pick up a lovely Sunita, all dressed up for her date. BUT the police are knocking at Peters door looking for Ciaran for being AWOL. Peter says he hasn't seen him.

Ciaran is in the pub with Sunita when they come in to get him, he runs, but after a struggle he is arrested and put into the police car..........he kisses Sunita, and then is driven away AAAAHHHHHHH!

Shelley is not pleased....that's another secret that Peter has kept from her!

HOW MANY MORE SECRETS DOES HE HAVE??

Sue Nicholson


Monday 17 February

 

Here I am again with an hour's worth of your favourite soap!

Shelley tells Peter that she hopes Cieran will be locked up for a very long time.

Tracy comes into the shop with Dev, she is all dressed up for a job interview. Sunita tells her and Dev that Cieran has been arrested.

Janice and Karen have an argument about their respective jobs.

Fizz overhears Joe thanking Karen for dinner and passes the gossip onto Janice.

Shelley and Peter swear to Sunita that they didn't shop Cieran. Shelley didn't know he was AWOL and Peter through it was up to Cieran to say something to Sunita if he wanted to.

Ade rings Sarah from prison. She tells him not ring her and puts the phone down.

Richard shows Gail a newspaper. The Councillor they took on holiday has been caught taking bribes and fiddling. Gail is worried that he may try and implicate Richard. He says he will deny it.

Fred tells Ashley that Harry will look after cleaning the house on his own. Ashley says he wants to be there.

Tracy goes to Lucy's florist for an interview. They start chatting and Tracy gets onto the subject of a mistress. Lucy says nothing.

Fizz stirs up gossip in the factory about Karen and Joe. Karen offers the girls overtime, but they all have excuses and there are no volunteers.

In Roy's cafe he notes Cieran's arrest. He is now wondering if the landlords will let him off his lease.

Sarah tells Todd that she received a phone call from Ade.

Ashley and Harry go back to the house. Ashley is very quiet and solemn. Harry says he can do the cleaning himself. Ashley points out the spot where he found Maxine. He goes out for a walk.

Karen confronts the girls in the factory again, and confirms with them that none of them can do overtime.

Ashley goes to Maxine's grave.

Richard sees Curly in the street gloating about the article about his fellow Councillor. Curly says he thought Richard would be pleased. He tells Richard they are scrapping plans for the bail hostel by the site of Richard's flats. Richard rushes home to tell Gail the news. He says they are high and dry with no more money problems.

Harry comes back to the Rovers before Ashley. Then Ashley follows a few minutes later and tells Harry and Fred that he had been to Maxine's grave.

Roy tells Hayley he told the landlord that circumstances have changed. When Roy explained that he had paid three months rent in advance, the landlord agreed to give him two months back.

Steve comes into the Rovers looking for Karen. Fizz wants to tell him that she is working late with Joe. Janice says not. Tracy tells Shelley about the job. Within moments Shelley (a typical woman who cannot keep something to themselves for 5 minutes)!) tells Peter. Shelley suggests that he goes over to congratulate her. He asks about the shop and she tells him.

Steve asks Janice and Fizz about Karen. Fizz has great delight in telling him that she is working overtime with Joe.

Tracy tells Peter that she and Peter are running things together initially, and then she will run it on his own when Lucy goes onto maternity leave. Peter is taken aback.

Shelley offers Peter a drink, but he says he has work to do. Shelley is surprised as he promised not to take work home in the evening.

Karen and Joe are chatting in the office over a whisky. He tells her to have more faith in herself. Steve comes in and is it is obvious he is not pleased.

At home Steve and Karen have a row over Joe.

Harry tells Fred that the house is now in 'ship shape and Bristol fashion'

Peter goes round to Lucy's home. She won't let him come in. He confronts her and says he knows she is pregnant. She denies it. However he explains that Tracy who she had employed is his step-sister. She told him and he wants to confirm it is his. She tells him that had he not asked he wouldn't have been told. She wants him to leave her, but he wants to take on the responsibility.

Ade rings Sarah again. He says he just wants to talk to her. He then says he would like her to come and see him. She tells him that she can't talk. Candice and Todd guess the reason for his call.

Peter asks Lucy if she thinks he would be a rotten dad, and this is why she doesn't want him. She starts crying and and says this is the reason she didn't want to tell him, because he would be forever going on about it.

Fred sees Ashley on his own in the back room. He tells him that if he wants to chat, Martin is in the bar. Ashley tells Fred that he would rather remain alone.

Richard tells Gail that he relishes telling the Bank Manager where to stick his overdraft. He says he will now have no difficulty in selling the flats.

Les and Kirk are talking in the Rovers when Janice and Mick come in.

Ashley comes out of the back room to chat with Martin.

Peter is trying to convince Lucy he is pleased with the news.

Martin asks Ashley if he has heard from Matt. He says he hasn't and Martin then suggests leaving the results of the paternity test with the solicitors.

Peter finally agrees with Lucy not to do anything more. He goes quietly.

Karen tells Steve that there is nothing going on between her and Joe.

Les apologises Janice and Mick . He walks off. Janice is very suspicious of Les.

Shelley put pressure on Peter about marriage. He gets quite edgy.

Martin Rosen


Wednesday 19 February

 

Shelley and Peter walk towards the betting shop, Shelley complaining that Peter never discusses their wedding. Peter explains that he has other things on his mind and Shelley concludes [wrongly] that it's Ciaran, who's in a complicated situation. [Et tu, Petre?] Tracy passes, on her way to her first day at Lucy's florists. They wish her luck. Peter spies Ken and asks to see him later.

Todd, Sarah and Bethany are out walking, Todd still smarting with jealousy about Ade's contacting Sarah, who reminds him that he's not guilty - yet.

Back room of the Rovers, and Joshua has been restless during the night, so Ashley will go and get some of his toys from their house. Later.

Chez Hillman, and the talk is all about moving house, now that the bail hostel plans have been scrapped. However, right at the moment, Richard hurries off to have a few choice words with the bank manager.

Peter has a heart-to-heart chat with Ken about marriage, children and so on. Ken admits to his having been an absent father and he ought to have tried harder. Can Peter forgive him?

In the factory, Karen's machine has mysteriously broken down and the girls laugh at her feeble attempts to fix it. Right on cue, Joe appears and gets the girls back to work again, under threat of a P45. [This is a form which is given to workers who have been sacked!]

Richard returns triumphant from his visit to the bank; they're in the money. Now they can make a fresh start, he tells an innocent Gail.

In the Rovers, Ashley is leaving to pick up some toys from his house. Fred confides to Martin that Ashley's test results are due on Monday - what'll happen after that, he doesn't know...

Lucy's florists, and Lucy is on the phone to Peter [while Tracy watches and listens in the background]. Lucy doesn't want to see Peter and cuts him short. Tracy asks Lucy if this guy loves her, even although he's engaged, and Lucy thinks he does. Tracy reminds Lucy that, at least, he hasn't run a mile. [Lucy ponders this.]

Ashley, outside his house, can't bear to open the door and go inside. However, a friendly face appears - Richard - and Ashley persuades him to come with him into the house for moral support, just as at the funeral. Once inside, Ashley vents his feelings about the senseless killing of Maxine, and Richard's face pales as he listens to Ashley blaming himself for what happened. Ashley once more thanks Richard for his support and promises to be there for him, if that should ever be necessary.

In the Rovers, little Josh is crying again and Fred goes to comfort him. Shelley and Ken have a cosy chat and she tells him that she'd like to have children. Shelley invites Ken and Deirdre (and Tracy) to Sunday dinner. [Have they forgotten about Blanche?] Fred asks Shelley to take Josh out for a walk in the buggy. Wilco!

Ashley and the perfidious, but shaken, Richard come out of the house and meet Mick and Emma, who are on their beat. Ashley thanks Richard again for his continuing support. Shelley walks across the street to talk to Ashley and leaves Peter in charge of little Josh, in his buggy outside the pub. Shelley watches Peter, as he dotes on the little boy... Emma thinks that Peter would make a wonderful dad!

In the cafe, Vera tries to get the shiftless Jack to help her, but he is afraid of contravening the FSA rules. [Food Standards Agency.] However, Vera points out that their standards don't apply to the cafe; it's Environmental Health, she states, wiping her nose on a tea cloth! Sarah discusses her possible move with her friends, and she doesn't want to leave Coronation Street. Sarah intimates to Candice that she may, just may, visit Ade in prison.

Mick and Emma drop in for a coffee. Emma is going on a promotion course, but hasn't told Curly about it...

Back room of the Rovers, and Ashley bemoans the fact that little Josh cries so much. Fred agrees that Richard is a tower of strength, always there when you need him.

Chez Hillman, and Gail and Richard try to talk Sarah round about their probable move - Todd can always come and stay at weekends. Richard's mobile rings. Great news. The estate agent has just had an offer for one of the flats, at the asking price. Smiles all round.

Peter arrives at Lucy's. He wants to be involved in the baby's life, and will pay. But what does Lucy want, he'd like to know.

Karen comes into the Rovers, after a hard day's ribbing at Underworld, only to suffer more of the same from her ex-mates. Joe again saves the day, by arriving to keep her company, much to the delight of the girls. Joe and Karen decide to ignore the ribald remarks.

Back at Lucy's, where Peter is pleading his case for involvement in their child's life. Lucy weeps, and asks him to leave, but Peter declares his undying love for Lucy. ['You're the one that I want!' he stutters.] Peter eventually blurts out a proposal of marriage to a stunned Lucy...

Iain McDougall


Friday 21 February

 

Peter's flat, and Shelley finds him up early, having a fag and fiddling with his mobile [with Lucy's number on the screen]. He explains that he has 'things on his mind'. The ever-loyal Shelley assures her cheating boyfriend [and soon-to-be father] that he shouldn't worry - Sunday's planned dinner will go well. [We suspect that Peter isn't overly worried about Sunday's dinner!]

In the back room of the Rovers, Ashley looks at little Josh sleeping and he prays to God - he has suffered so much and needs a bit of help now. Let Joshua be his. Please! The silence is disturbed by Fred, as usual.

The McDonalds' flat, and Karen wishes that she could still be 'one of the gang' at the factory, for her job is no fun any more. Apparently, Joe is the only one who understands her predicament. Steve tells her that he understands what she's going through, for he's a boss as well.

Back room of the Rovers, and Fred tries [unsuccessfully] to talk Ashley out of going to find out the test results for proof of paternity. Fred asks Shelley to look after little Joshua this afternoon while he and Ashley go to a Butchers' Conference.

Sarah and Todd have a chat outside her house. Sarah has received a letter from Aiden, in which he claims to have fresh evidence to prove his innocence...

... just as an ebullient Richard drives up in a brand-new people carrier, of which everyone approves. Richard announces that he has a surprise for them all [no clues!] and they're all to meet later when all will be revealed.

Lucy arrives back at her shop, after a scan for her baby. All is well. Tracy presents Lucy with a bouquet of flowers which have arrived [at a florists?] for her, from the father of her unborn child. Lucy confides to Tracy that the father has proposed marriage to her, but she tried to say no. Tracy thinks that her life is so dull in comparison. [Oh no, it ain't, Tracy!!]

Peter arrives in the back room of the Rovers, where Shelley is looking after wee Josh. As he sees she's busy, he goes to leave but Shelley tempts him to stay with the promise of a couple of butties, and Peter gets to hold Josh and come over all paternal.

At the lawyer's office, Ashley and Fred learn the unpalatable truth. The test results are conclusive - Ashley cannot be the biological father. Outside, Fred insists that he and Ashley have to talk, but Ashley doesn't see that there's anything to talk about.

In Underworld, the girls are continuing to give Karen a hard time and a war of words is interrupted by Joe, who threatens the girls with dismissal if they continue their vendetta against Karen. This is their final warning. [Karen fumes, nursing her wrath to keep it warm!]

Ashley arrives in the back room of the Rovers, to a cheerful welcome from Shelley: "Here's your Dad, Joshua!". Ashley takes the wee boy, and they go off for a walk.

Sarah gets a phone call on her mobile outside the Hillmans', from Aiden. He must see her, for he now has fresh evidence that he's innocent. Sarah agrees to see him.

It's now time for the Hillman 'mystery tour' and the family pile in their new car, the scene watched by Sally and Audrey, who tells Sally that she has 'no idea' of what's what. [Richard appears to be the perfect step-father, but we know otherwise, eh!!] Just as Richard drives away, he narrowly misses running down Ashley and Joshua as they cross the street...

Back at Underworld, a furious Karen tells Joe that she didn't need, or want, his intervention in the fracas earlier with the girls; she can handle the job, without his help. Joe agrees to back off.

The Hillmans arrive at a new housing estate and park outside a large detached house. This, Richard announces, is to be their new home. [In my opinion, it's a rather tacky looking, even ugly, house, but it has five bedrooms and a big garden, so just ignore my comments!] Gail looks entranced, and Richard reminds her that it's only 25 minutes' drive from all their friends in Weatherfield. Gail opines that leaving Coronation Street will be a wrench. [Or a jemmy, perhaps?]

Ashley, in his house with wee Josh, vents his anger to God: has he not suffered enough, without this latest bomb-shell? He tells Josh that he'll love him, whatever the test results. Martin calls in, and Ashley tells him his devastating news, but assures Martin that, although he's angry, he has no change of heart towards the little one.

In the Rovers, Shelley invites a rather reluctant Tracy for Sunday dinner. She also invites Sunita, who's once again on her own, but Sunita declines the invitation. [Sunita is not only gorgeous, but very wise to avoid that particular dinner date!]

Karen tells Steve about the factory squabble with Joe, and Steve approves of her actions.

Tracy relates to Peter all about her day at the florist's - Lucy's burgeoning hormones et al, and lets slip that Lucy does love the father of her child, no matter what she claims.

Back in Ashley's house, Fred arrives and Martin leaves. Fred insists that some things have to be said. Fred cannot imagine why Ashley went ahead with the paternity test and, now that the truth is out, why does Ashley want to bring up someone else's baby who is no blood relation? Fred adds, to a shocked Ashley, that he cannot look upon wee Josh as his grandson...

Iain McDougall


Sunday 23 February

 

Ashley is feeding Joshua, when Shelley arrives for work, she is cooing and he snaps at her, then apologises to her, its not her fault, he is worried about Fred's reaction to his news that Joshua is not his natural son.

Fred comes in and snaps at poor Shelley too..............

Over at the Hillmans, Sarah is talking to Ade on the Phone, he wants her to visit him, he says its really important so she agrees to go.

Ashley tries to talk to Fred, tells him he understands. but Fred wont listen and goes out..

Meanwhile, David Platt goes to see his Gran and Archie, he wants to show her his Manchester United football, that has been signed by all the players..........he is so proud of it, he tells her they are moving, she is worried, she tells Archie she thinks Richard is just trying to get her family even further away from her.

Richard and Gail are in the pub, they are telling everyone their happy news about the new house, and inviting the regulars to a celebration drink in the Rovers Return tomorrow night!!!!

Sarah tells Todd she is going to see Ade, he is not pleased but he knows there is no point trying to talk her out of it..... so off she goes.

At the prison Ade tells her that the police found a large amount of Diazepam in his system, enough to "put out a small horse", so he couldn't possibly have killed Maxine because he was out cold!! He asks Sarah is she knows how it got there, because he certainly didn't take it. he thinks that it was Sarah that left the vodka, biscuits and crisps outside the empty shop for him..................she tells him no she didn't, and Candice and Todd didn't either because they were with her, so whoever put that drugged vodka there was obviously the person who killed Maxine. So who did it???????

Shelley is at the flat cooking Sunday lunch for Peters family..........she is panicking!! Peter tells her not to worry, so she takes her pinny off and smoothes her hair, while Peter lets in their guests. As the family are sitting with their pre dinner drinks when the door goes, its Tracy arriving..........and guess who has come to dinner??? yes you've guessed it, she has brought Dev with her, how insensitive can that little minx get?

The meal starts but is very uncomfortable, and Dev offers to leave. Tracy has a tantrum, spoiled little madam, and eventually they both leave, but the dinner is ruined for everyone, and although the food is wonderful, the rest of the family leave as soon as they have put down their forks...poor Blanche is dragged away without her second helping of pudding!!! Shelley dissolves into tears...............Peter tells her to forget it and have a drink, but she is so upset, she worked so hard to make it nice.

Curley goes for a Sunday afternoon walk with Emma and Ben...........she tells him she is up for promotion to Inspector, but he will have to go away for a 2 week course, Curley is not too pleased but the extra money will help.

Ashley finds Fred over at the house, looking at the big Family Tree picture, he asks Fred not to wipe Josh out of his life, Fred says he cant accept Josh now he knows he is not his natural grandson, but Ashley tells him that he must accept him or he (Fred) will lose both of them because as far as Ashley is concerned Joshua IS his son.

Audrey and Archie see Sarah on her way back from visiting Ade, and she tells her Gran where she has been, and what Ade said about the Diazepam. Audrey tells Sarah that she MUST tell her mum what she knows.

Audrey and Archie reckon that at last they have got Richard now!!!!

Your reporter tomorrow night at this really exciting time will be Iain. {Start saying your prayers, Richard !).

Sue Nicholson


Monday 24 February

 

Episode Number 1.

Audrey recounts to a receptive audience of Norris and Archie that Ade cannot be responsible for the murder of Maxine, since he was out cold on a cocktail of vodka and Diazepam when the crime was committed. So who else had access to Diazepam? Richard, of course! Audrey will go to see Gail, on her own...

Chez Hillman, and Richard presents a radiant Gail with an eternity ring, a symbol of their eternal love. Gail and Richard seem so in love. Richard leaves for work, and Sarah tries to broach the subject of Ade's innocence, but is shouted down by her Mum, who doesn't want to listen. Todd arrives, and Sarah goes off to school with him.

The florist's shop, and Tracy recounts the details of the disastrous Sunday lunch at Peter's and Shelley's flat to an interested Lucy. Tracy opines that Peter could 'do much better' than Shelley - she's pretty, she supposes, but her diatribe is cut short by the phone ringing. Yes, it's Peter, but Lucy doesn't want to speak to him.

Chez Hillman and a delighted Richard arrives home with the good news that another flat has been sold, and at the asking price! Richard thinks that 'someone up there likes me', and looks forward to their wee party in the Rovers tonight. His only regret is that the news of the bail hostel's being refused planning permission hadn't come a few weeks earlier, a remark Gail doesn't understand. Yet! Richard goes on to say that, in life, justice and fairness take second place to chance...

In the Rovers, Fred discusses with Martin how he looks upon Sarah, who's not his own child, and Martin assures Fred that he loves Sarah as if she were his own. Fred thinks on...

Audrey arrives at Gail's, to a rather frosty reception, but is invited inside. Audrey first of all asks: "Is he in?" Then Audrey wants to know what reaction Gail had to Sarah's bombshell about Ade's obvious innocence, following Sarah's visit to him in the young offenders' institution, of which Gail knows nothing. [Gail blows a fuse when she learns of Sarah's visit to Ade, of course!] Audrey fills in the details - blood test and the presence of Diazepam + vodka - and then mentions to her daughter the fact that Richard had access to her pills. That is enough to send Gail into an incandescent rage and she literally pushes her Mum out of her house, and her life. However, after her Mum has gone, Gail starts to think about what she said...

Later, in the Hillmans', Gail tackles Sarah about 'peddling her Mum's fantasies', as she puts it, but Sarah tells what the police now know - that Ade was incapable of moving after the cocktail of vodka and some drug, Di..something or other. Sarah goes to bath Bethany and Gail goes to the kitchen cupboard to check what pills are there, just as Richard arrives home, all concerned about Gail and how edgy she seems. Richard goes off to make tea, and Gail ponders what she's heard.

In the back room of the Rovers, Ashley is preparing to move back home; he doesn't want to stay in the Rovers, when one of them isn't wanted.

Richard and Gail come into the Rovers for their party, and Gail spies her Mum right away. Richard assures her that 'they've lost - I've won!', which worries Gail. Richard orders drinks all round. All their friends admire the Hillmans' new house, and Karen wishes that she had a husband with a head for business. Audrey, Archie and Norris sit in in the corner and watch as Gail and Richard are treated like true friends by the regulars. Steve tells Karen that the fancy bracelet, which Gail is wearing, was found at the building site - it was not bought for Gail by Richard.

In the back room, Fred tries to explain to Ashley how he feels about little Josh. He's always wanted something of him to continue after he was gone, but is slowly coming to terms with the situation. Ashley assures Fred that, every time he looks at Josh, he sees Maxine. Ashley is Josh's Dad, whatever the test results say.

Richard continues to bask in his popularity in the Rovers, while Gail waylays her Mum, as she leaves the pub, to ask something: What sleeping pills did she use, and where did she leave them? Audrey simply answers that they were Diazepam, and they were left in Gail's house. [Gail starts to ponder and add things up in her mind, while Richard enjoys himself, quite unaware of Gail's suspicions.]

Emily insists on a speech from Richard, and he complies with the request, mentioning all the nasty shocks he and Gail have had to endure recently, their difficult times and the wonderful loving support he's had from his lovely wife...

... just as Ashley appears behind the bar, and Richard's face pales. [Gail notices this sudden change in Richard, and wonders some more...] Emily starts a chorus of 'For he's a jolly good fellow' and everyone joins in. [But not Gail!]

With the strains of the song in the background, Fred and Ashley drink a toast to little Josh in the back room, and Fred has a suggestion: Why doesn't he move in with Ashley and Josh? Ashley thinks that would be grand.

Gail corners Richard and asks him what difference would it have made if the bail hostel had been refused earlier. Richard tells her that it would have caused him less worry, but Gail's suspicions about her husband are not allayed at all, and she leaves for home, just as Ken offers to buy Richard a drink, in return for some financial advice about some savings he has. Richard takes a sip of his drink, and follows Gail home...

Gail arrives home, to find Sarah ready for bed. Once Sarah has gone upstairs, Gail heads for the kitchen cupboard and searches for her Mum's pill boxes. Richard looms out of the ill-lit room, to Gail's surprise, and he wonders what she's doing. Gail tells him of her suspicions - she saw Richard with her Mum's pills the night of Maxine's murder and she just saw the way Richard looked at Ashley in the pub - and she asks the question of Richard: "Did you kill Maxine?" Richard refuses to lie, and blurts out: "Yes, I did!"

Episode 2, in which all the action takes place in the Hillman home, late at night, after Gail's and Richard's farewell party in the Rovers. Sarah, David and Bethany are upstairs in bed, and Gail confronts Richard after his amazing revelation that he'd killed Maxine... The whole scene takes place with only a couple of lamps on, just to add to the drama about to unfold.

Gail is still reeling from Richard's shocking confession. She has had so much to take in, but Richard attempts to explain what happened and why he did what he did. He says he's sorry, and hopes that Gail will understand. Gail slaps him on the face, hard, but Richard recovers from this and starts his explanation - but please let's not wake the kids! Gail has a right to be angry, he admits, but his only concern was that Sarah be protected from Ade; his only concern was for 'his' family.

Richard tells Gail that Sarah was taking Ade food, while he was squatting in Sally's old shop, and he goes on to recount the events as he sees them. Richard wanted to stage a robbery at the Peacock's house, while Emily was baby-sitting, frame Ade for it and let Ade get what he deserved. Then they'd be rid of that dreadful scum-of -the-earth boy. [Gail listens, too shocked tp reply.] Richard continues: Maxine's death was just an unfortunate accident. She wasn't supposed to be there but, when she got home unexpectedly, he just panicked and hit out, without thinking.

Why did Sarah run around with scum like Ade, Richard wonders. Gail says that she gets that from her Mum.

Gail accuses Richard of wanting to kill Emily, which he denies, and Gail realises that her Mum, Archie and Norris were right all along, but she was too stupid to see the truth. The new car, the new house - all that was bought with blood money. [Gail, instead of being frightened - which she is - remains, at the same time, in command of her emotions.]

And how about Mrs Lawson's house, which Richard acquired after her death from cancer? She died of natural causes, claims Richard. And Duggie? He died of natural causes too. And Patricia? Where is she? Is she dead? And how about the bracelet which Gail is wearing? Where did that come from? Richard, again, tells Gail the truth - Mrs Lawson's son turned up to claim his late mother's house, and he's not ashamed of his having given Mrs Lawson a decent income in her retirement, and her son had no claim on the house. [Richard had bought the house with his personal money - quite illegal.]

Gail asks further about Duggie's demise. Richard explains that Duggie had been responsible for slip-shod work and he was stealing expensive fittings forn the flat conversion. No, he didn't kill Duggie. Duggie fell when a bannister he was leaning on collapsed. However, Richard admits to Gail that he took advantage of Duggie's death to steal money from Duggie's flat. After all, it cost Richard å£45,000 for the underpinning of the foundations of the flats, so Duggie deserved all he got...

Gail continues her verbal on-slaught. Where, she asks again, is Patricia? Once again, Richard admits the truth. Patricia was pressurising him for money and, when she and Richard met at the flats conversion, he took executive action with a spade, and she's now interred in the concrete foundations. Of course, this was quite unplanned, he explains to an incredulous Gail.

Gail tries to come to terms with what she's just heard: "What do I do?", she asks herself. Richard suggests two possible solutions - either turn him in to the police, or keep this as their secret. All he wanted was to protect his family, he assures Gail, who remains quite calm in the circumstances!

Richard then turns on the charm, on a seeming softening Gail, and declares his undying love for her and 'his' family. Some people got in the way of their happiness, he states, and they had to be got rid of. Stand by me, he pleads. This will never happen again. They can leave this tatty street and live happily ever after in their new house. We'll be a very special couple. Gail goes to the phone, which Richard picks up and smashes on the floor. Gail recoils in fear.

Richard tries another tack. Gail needs time to think, and he'll put the kettle on. Gail needs no time to think and slowly tears up the brochure of their new house...

Gail then remembers her Mum's supposed drift into Alzheimer's - was this all Richard's doing? And her Mum's house fire too? Richard admits this, and claims that it was all an act of kindness; he didn't want Audrey declining into a slow downward spiral of disease and illness. Gail now sees Richard for what he is - a sick and evil man - while he sees 'the survival of the fittest' as being his explanation for his evil deeds.

(Upstairs, Sarah and David listen to the feud downstairs, but decide to stay where they are. David thinks that his Mum won't get any better a man, at her age!)

Gail then gets to the nub of their relationship. Richard doesn't love her at all - all he wants, and has always wanted, is a ready-made family, for he can't have one of his own. Richard's anger boils over, and he pushes Gail on to the couch, covering her mouth, and claiming to love her. Gail is terrified, literally scared to death...

... just as Sarah and David appear at the top of the stairs to see if their Mum is alright. Gail assures them that she's 'dealing with the situation' and that they should go back to bed.

Richard tries again to convince poor Gail that they can start afresh - could the kids live with the stigma of their stepfather being a murderer? Yes, Gail says, for they'll find out soon enough, and she accuses Richard of being 'Norman Bates with a briefcase'. She could have lived, and come to terms with, a failure, but not a twisted murderer.

"I love you!", says Richard.

"I hate you", replies a stoic Gail.

Richard leaves and, outside in the cold night air, he tearfully contemplates his future. And maybe his past.

Gail reconnects her phone and phones her Mum, in tears, whom she has to speak to, right now. [The happy Hillman family portrait in the background.]

Iain McDougall


Wednesday 26 February

 

Well there I was about to sit down and watch tonight's episode and suddenly remembered I was writing the report. Hastily grab paper and pen and off we go!

It is the aftermath of Richard confession, and him leaving Gail's. Gail picks up the bracelet from the floor, which obviously came off during the struggle. David and Sarah come downstairs. Gail tells them to go back upstairs, she wants to be alone. Hearing baby Bethany crying she tells Sarah to go and sort her out. There is a knock on the door, it is Audrey. Gail collapses into her arms. Audrey guesses it is something to do with Richard.

Sunita and Deirdre discuss with Shelly about the wedding dress.

Sally is surprised that Gail and Richard left their party so early. She is told by Kevin to mind her own business.

Gail tells Audrey that everything seemed so ok with Richard. She cannot get her mind around things that have happened. Audrey wants to call the police. Gail doesn't want them coming round. She is completely dumbstruck and does not know if what to do or say.

Martin and Ashley are chatting away in the pub when the phone rings. It is Audrey asking for Martin to come over straight away. Gail is waiting in the car. They want Kevin to look after the kids.

At the police station the police officer doesn't believe her story. The policeman calls in a senior office. Gail wants to go back home to the children. Audrey says she will go back.

The police wake Steve and Karen. The officer wants to know where Richard found the bracelet. They need to check the area in case there is a body there.

Martin wants to know what is going on. Why was he summoned there? Audrey goes on about if people were listening to her in the past.

Peter flatters Shelly, telling her wonderful she is .. Fred interrupts to say that the police are outside. All the neighbours are lining the street, but nobody is saying anything.

The police set up floodlights on the area of Richard's flats.

Gail returns to Audrey's house. Gail is still confused and bewildered by the events. She was surprised how he managed to fool herself, David and Sarah..

Audrey tells Archie that Gail hasn't told the kids about what has happened. She is still bewildered.

Through the evening Peter has been trying to get through to Lucy. He says he must talk. He thinks by ringing first thing in the morning, then she may answer the phone.

The police call round to say that they haven't found a body yet, nor any sign of Richard (haven't they heard of phones?).

Gail is still unsure about it all. She wonders if he is confused as he was under stress lately. She thinks she was partly to blame by pushing him.

Sarah is desperate to know what is happens. She blurts out as guesswork, that he murdered Maxine.

The police call (again) that they have found a body by the flats . It is believed to be Patricia's.

That's it for tonight.

Well they are certainly keeping the story going. I understand it could be at least two weeks until the end of this story.

I'll be back on Friday.

Martin Rosen


Friday 28 February

  "Ooch aye the noo!" This is me doing my impression of Iain who usually does the report on a Friday but we are having a swop round for a couple of weeks!

Anyway without further ado here is tonight's report.

The police arrive in Coronation Street, outside the Hillman's house. Of course everybody wants to know why they are there.

A police officer go round to see Ashley and tell him what Richard told Gail about Maxine. Ashley doesn't really believe him. The officer tells Ashley that Richard has since disappeared. Fred tries to offer comfort to him. Ashley recalls the moving words that Richard said at the funeral.

Audrey is at Gail's looking after things. She says that Sarah and David shouldn't go to school, and she has arranged for Martin to take Bethany to the nursery. Gail assures Sarah and David that if Richard was going to hurt them he would have done so by now. She says he loves his family.

Peter tells Shelley that he is going into town for a meeting (yeh - and the meeting is to discuss flower arranging!).

Emma tells Emily in the middle of the cafe that they have found Richard's ex-wife's body, and also what Richard had told Gail about Emily (!). It all slowly dawns on Emily and as she realises what has happened she turns round to Norris to say, reluctantly, that he was right all the time.

Ashley is annoyed that Gail didn't believe her mother. He wants to go round to see he as he wants some answers.

Ken rings the police to find out about Ade. It seems that there is nobody around who is dealing with the case. Now that the truth has come out, both Deirdre and Blanche give him wholehearted support and are sorry they didn't believe him before.

Ashley goes round to Gail, fuming, and shouting. He says she must have known about Richard all along. Fred comes round to try and pacify Ashley. Gail protests that she honestly did not know what Richard had been doing. Ashley lunges forward as if to attack her, but is held back by Martin and Fred.

Shelley is with Deirdre and Sunita buying a wedding dress. They meet a rather patronising shop assistant, who is full of her own self importance.

Tracy and Lucy talk about marriage. They confirm that neither of them are interested in marriage. Tracy goes out of the shop for a few minutes, and Peter comes in. He locks the door and puts up the 'closed' sign so he and Lucy wouldn't be disturbed.

Ashley is sitting by himself in the car. Fred comes over, and Ashley tells him that he is not going to apologise to Gail.

Audrey tells Gail that with nightmares you wake up and everything is ok. Unfortunately it is not in this case.

Gail tells Audrey that she loved Richard with all of her heart. She still can't believe he was capable of murder. Audrey refers to him as a psychopath.

Norris tells Rita, Jack, and Vera how Richard once threatened him, but he stood up to Norris.

Gail wakes up her mother who has dozed off on the sofa to apologise for yesterday. Audrey tells Gail never gave her a chance, but chose not to believe her. Gail now want to make it up with her mother. Audrey says ok.

Shelley tries on a wedding dress. Of course it is absolutely fabulous!

Peter tells Lucy he's made a mistake with Shelley. He really wants her. Lucy insists that he proposes properly on one knee. He agrees.

20 million people watched Richard confess on Monday night.

Martin Rosen



Updates written by Richard Whitbread, Amanda Soppit, Martin Rosen, Kathy Brown, Gareth Chess, Audrey Watson, Janette McMylor, Ann Williams, Sue Nicholson and Iain McDougall


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