Joe has spent a [not-altogether sleep-filled] night at Karen's flat and they paw each other lustfully, before going off to work. Joe is concerned that Mike doesn't disapprove of his new domestic arrangements, but Karen doesn't care what Mike thinks.

The Grimshaws, and Eileen accuses her son, Jason, of aiding and abetting Steve in his having evicted Joe from his flat and of his "helping" Joe to move his belongings. Steve is advised by Todd that, since Joe's flat is now empty, Steve can now move in there.

Chez Webster, and little Rosie is once again playing the outraged teenager. [Are there other types?] She is advised by Sally to 'grow up', but Rosie will never be able to face her friends Kayleigh and Jodie ever again after her humiliation. Rosie would like to be treated as an adult, while Kevin rolls his eyes in the general direction of heaven...

A letter has arrived at the Duckworths' - it's good news. Jack has won a competition, a runner-up prize of three years' supply of toilet requisites, which amounts to six dozen bottles of purple toilet flush liquid. [Which colour almost exactly matches Vera's new hair colouring!] Vera, like Queen Victoria, is not amused.

In the factory, the girls waste no time in ribbing Karen about her night of passion with Joe, but Karen, instead of being riled, admits that she and Joe are now a couple. Mike arrives [whereupon Karen urges the girls to get on with their work] and has overheard the end of Karen's confession. He warns Joe of an impending P45 if there is any trouble. (*A worker receives a P45 on termination of employment.)

The cafŽ, and Gail enters, ordering a toasted tea-cake from a decidedly tetchy Vera [who is wearing a colourful head-square to cover her equally colourful hair]. Gail tries to appease Vera by telling her that she's expecting a visit from her solicitor, who should be the bearer of glad tidings. Vera almost smiles. [Almost, I said!]

The salon, and the two feckless stylists, Maria and Candice, are once again at each others' throats, concerning which one of them is to blame for Vera's disastrous 'bad hair week'. However, Audrey insists that peace should be restored, and that their clients should have their dreams come true - that's what hairdressers do on a daily basis, she states. [And I thought folk went to the hairdresser's for a cut or blow-dry. Well, what does a mere man know?] Audrey warns of imminent P45s. (See above note*)

An unhappy Jack seeks out Dev and offers him the chance to buy his recently acquired toilet requisites, just as Vera arrives to scupper the deal. Jack beats a hasty retreat, closely followed by his wife, beating him about the head. Steve enters and invites Dev for a drink and a chat about his domestic un-bliss. Dev, however, has to decline the invitation - he's off for a holiday in India and has to pack. [Steve looks increasingly out on his own these days.]

Les enters the Rovers and tells Curly that he has a witness to his alleged [and true!] police assault. Curly guesses [correctly] that Kirk is the "witness" [oops - almost typed "witless" there!] and warns Les of the consequences of perjury.

The cafŽ again, and Rosie and her two mates are discussing their respective parents, laughing at their being all mixed-up with their hormones. Kayleigh sports three ear-rings, and Rosie would like a nose-ring. [Is a bust-up in the Webster domicile on the horizon?]

Norris, in the Rovers, warns Gail that Emily is worried about her house, but Gail assures him that lots of Richard's deals were honest. Anyway, she'll have some good news soon, she declares... [Note to Gail: solicitors are not normally harbingers of good tidings!]

Jack gets home to a still-irate Vera. He has sold their competition winnings for £20, which Vera immediately takes command of, to pay for a 'hair un-do'. Jack protests. His protests are ignored. [Some things never change on the Street!]

Back at the factory [nearly typed 'cattery' there!] and Mike is off to play golf. [Mike's always been good at playing around. Mmm, did I get that last word right?] They have an urgent order to expedite, but Karen offers to get some of the girls to do some overtime, and goes off to organize that. Is Mike impressed? No. Is Joe impressed? Yes. Mike leaves for the golf course... ... just as Karen enters the office and the inevitable clinch before they get back to the work they're paid for.

Chez Gail and the solicitor outlines the details of Richard's financial jiggery-pokery. The good news is that Gail will not be charged with fraud, but she's responsible for some £40,000 of debts. Gail pales at this 'good news' - what can the bad news be?

Rosie intimates her intention of getting a nose-piercing to Sally and Kevin, but they're not exactly enthusiastic about their daughter's fashion sense. Rosie accuses her hapless parents of not wanting her to breathe, and she storms out.

Gail hears the unpalatable news that Richard's deals involved much illegal activity and that, in fact, his estate is in debt to the tune of around £250,000. Far from gaining anything from his estate, Gail will still be liable for the aforementioned £40,000...

Jason is happy [at least someone's happy!] to be home with his Mum, who takes charge of the washing machine and hugs him.

In the Rovers, Emma's conscience is still bothering her. She knows the situation is a mess, and she knows that she's done wrong, but how can she put things right and still salvage her career? She looks to Curly for support...

Janice, Angela and Fiz arrive for a drink after what they call work, and goad Steve with embellished details of Karen and Joe in the factory office. Steve leaves, without finishing his pint. Fiz goes over to talk some sense into Kirk's head; he mustn't lie to the court about Les' alleged assault. Les agrees: no matter how unfair the charge is [and it is!!], he wants to be honest, no matter how dishonest the cops are.

Audrey, Sarah and David learn the extent of Gail's financial nightmare. How can Gail raise the £40,000, they wonder? The answer would appear to be - sell their house.

Iain McDougall

Rosie and her mates are dancing about in the living room, made up to the nines, while mum dad and Sophie are still in bed..............they are up t o no good!!! Rosie is showing off her new belly button piercing , just as her dad walks in, He is FURIOUS!!!!! He tells her mates to get out and he goes mad, he says she looks like a tart and he wants to know who would do that to a 12 years old??? He grounds her.....................

Gail tells Martin that her and the kids are going to lose their house because Richard used it as collateral to get some loans in their joint names. She really was a silly woman wasn't she?

Vera comes home to find Jack going through the mail..........he's won £250!!!!!! She is over the moon till she sees the phone bill, cos it's cost him £294 to do it.................lol

Breakfast time at Eileen's.......and Steve has eaten the last of the toast and peanut butter!!! How dare he??? now poor Jason will have to starve, poor little mite.............not!! Jason reckons its time Steve moves out, and Steve agrees, now Joe has moved in with his wife, that means the other flat is empty. So Eileen offers to help him clear it out...............aw she is such a star :o)

Kevin is still moaning about Rosie, but Sally sticks up for her, saying all girls are like that at that age.....little miss attitude!

Gail goes to see Emily, and tells her that she and the kids will lose their house, but she is not sure what will happen to Emily's house.........Emily is very understanding, she knows it is not Gail's fault.

Rosie sneaks out the front door while the rest of the family are busy in the sitting room.............sneaky little miss!!

A while later, Kev goes to call Rosie for her tea.........but she's not there is she?

Steve is clearing out Joe's flat..........he is very upset as he tries to get the bed down the step ...............Eileen tries to calm him down, but he really thinks he's lost Karen now.

Sally reckons Rosie will be back soon, but Kevin is freaking out ....he tries to ring her mobile (remember the one she nagged constantly for?) but she hasn't taken it with her................very convenient.

Gail decides its time to go see Vera, she's been putting it of, and who can blame her? Todd tells Sarah that if they lose the house, she could get a place with him, but Sarah is not sure about that.

Sally is starting to get worried that Rosie has run away, she wants to call the police, Kevin tells her to ring all the numbers in Rosies' mobile, and he goes out to drive round and look for her.

Vera has cut all the competitions out of the gazette so Jack can't run up another big phone bill, and she's hidden the phone too.............lol Then Gail arrives, she tells Vera that there is no money, and she and Jack will get nothing. Vera screams and shouts at her...........Jack tries to placate her, and tells her its not Gail's fault................Gail leaves while Vera sobs on Jacks shoulder.

Neither Sal or Kevin have had any joy finding Rosie , so Sally calls the police. Sally is still sticking up for the little madam, and trying to calm Kevin down.

Vera goes hammering on Gail's door, she demands her money back, and says Gail must sell her furniture, or her body if necessary, Gail closes the door and Vera slings a brick through her window!!!!

The police ring, they have found Rosie.

Steve takes the rest of Joe's things into the pub and hands them over very calmly???? strange................

Norris tells Emily that he has the answer to all her problems..................if he buys her house from the bank, they can carry on as usual, apart fr om the fact that he will be landlord and she will be tenant................Emily doesn't look too keen on that idea.

The police bring Rosie home..............they found her on a train coming back from Birmingham................she won't say why she was in Birmingham, and she storms off to bed!!!

what a little minx!!!!

Sue Nicholson

Vera runs across the road to the garage to see Tyrone............... in her curlers and ???what IS that thing she is wearing??? She is sooooooooo excited, she's just had a phone call to tell her they have won a DREAM HOUSE!!!!!!!

Audrey has overslept, so the girls are on the salon doorstep, she tells Archie she is worried, because she is regretting asking Gail and the kids to move in with her.

Eileen too has overslept, its Jason's first day at his new job, and she forgot to make his sarnies.

Sarah is off over to Todd's to revise..............they have peace there, since Eileen gave him the front room as a study. But Gail is not happy about it, she thinks Sarah is going to leave her.

Norris says he is off to the bank to sort out the paper work for buying Emily's house...........he's jumping the gun a bit here and Emily is NOT impressed!!! He is planning to move into the front bedroom, and knock the wall down in the lounge to make it a through room................and he reckons because of all these changes, he will need to charge Emily more rent than he pays her at the moment, because the house will be more modern then.

Audrey goes to see Gail........she explains that she was a bit hasty inviting them to live with her, she doesn't think she can cope with the kids and the noise, but she is willing to pay Gail's debts so that Gail can keep her own house.!!!!! Gail is so grateful!!!

Over in the pub, Blanche tells Emily she'd rather live in a ditch than have Norris Cole as her landlord, but Betty says that Emily can have a room with her if it comes to it.

Vera is still on about her DREAM HOUSE, she says she can't wait to move. Jack don't want to..........................

Todd and Sarah are still revising, she tells him her mum isn't keen on them getting a place together. Gail rings her to tell her the good news.....that her Gran is going to bail them out and they can keep the house.

Rosie has been out roller-skating, nice "kiddie" thing to do........she chats with her dad, she tells him she really wants to be a singer, and if she had said she wanted to be a nurse, then he would be fine about it, but she wants to be a singer.....he sees her point.

Jason comes home from work, tired out..there's no tea for him. he goes to the pub and has a good moan at his dad about Eileen favoring Todd, his Dad gees him on, she bought Todd a lap top and that's not gone down well with Jason, he feels left out.

Ashley and Curly are over at Ashley's enjoying a beer and a chat......... Fred has a date with Petula Peach, she's into sausages.................I NEVER SAID A WORD!!!! She reckons she thought houses like that were only to be found in Catherine Cookson books and she won't be going round there after dark................she thinks Ashley and Curly are er "friends" They both scream with laughter after she and Fred go out.................she is just like a female Fred!!!!!

Audrey has been to see her financial adviser, and she tells Archie that her investments have plummeted!!!! she has lost thousands of pounds................now what does she do????

Vera is in the pub, she won't have to live in this "slum street" for much longer....she can't wait to move into her DREAM HOUSE, she boasts. Tyrone comes running in, calling for her to come outside............. she misheard on the phone.....her DREAM HOUSE is a GREEN HOUSE!!!!!

Sue Nicholson

Well here I go with another report, having had a few days off for good behaviour! A new feature of my report will be to spot the deliberate mistake, where I will misname a character, invent characters that are not there ... :-)

Eileen comes down first thing in the morning. The television is on, Jason is making breakfast. He has to leave very early in the morning for his job. She complains that he shows no sympathy for others and he should be more quiet.

Karen tells Joe that she is no good at washing or cooking. They joke together about getting in a cleaner and a cook. (Boy am I getting sick of this couple).

Jason asks his mother whether Sarah can stay overnight at their place. Eileen is not sure but then says she can do so, provided that Gail agrees.

Karen meets Steve in the street. There is still a spark of something between them. They joke about Vera's greenhouse which is laying against the wall outside the house. (It's a wonder it hasn't been nicked).

Emily tells Rita that she is happy the way the house is at the moment. She doesn't want things altered. Gail comes into the Kabin and tells Emily that her solicitor has informed her that her (Emily's) house is safe and she won't need to sell after all. Rita is all for waiting before telling Norris about it. However Emily thinks it is only fair that he should be told. Norris then comes into the shop with a lot of decorating ideas which he wants to impose. Emily then tells Rita, that she thinks things can wait.

Steve tells Eileen that he and Karen have an amicable understanding. Eileen is surprised because they never had that when they were married.

Norris is still going on about his plans. Emily shows concern about them and hints that she would ask Les if he still has a spare room.

At Underworld Joe gives Karen a necklace. Janice thinks it is a bit OTT. They start kissing (oh yuk - I can't bear them).

Ashley tells Betty that Fred is going on a date again. She thinks he is very lucky. Ashley says it is probably so he can sell her a contract to supply sausages!

In the Rovers, Norris tells Rita and Emily that he has been called upon to serve Her Majesty. He has been selected for jury service (I have never been called - do the public get called for juries in other countries?). Les overhears the conversation and is suddenly interested.

Audrey tells Archie that she must face facts and tell Gail that she can't afford to bail her out.

Karen and Joe (ho hum) discuss her marriage. She tells him that it is over. She puts her hand out and allows him to take off her ring. (pass me the sick bucket!).

Jack slips out of the house, spots Vera up the road and tries to avoid her. However she spots him. She tells him to hand over the money he has got by selling the greenhouse. He says he doesn't have any. He had to pay for a man with a van to take it all away.

At Gail's house, she is thanking her mum for helping out. Audrey then tells her that she can't get the money immediately. Gail tells her not to rush as there was no hurry.

Joe is surprised to see the wedding ring that Karen took off, now on her necklace. Karen explains that it is too expensive to chuck away.

Sarah asks Gail about staying overnight with Jason. Gail won't let her. She says she is too young to stay out all night with he boyfriend. Sarah asks David a favour .....

Ashley leaves Norris on his own in the pub, until Les comes in. He wants Norris to "help" him in the case. Norris says he won't help, bedsides he lives next door and if that were found out ....

Sarah tells Eileen that Gail has said it is ok about her staying with Jason overnight.

Audrey tells Archie that she is going to get a loan on her house He is not tell anyone, it is to be their secret.

Gail finds out that Sarah is not in when baby Bethany starts crying. David pretends not to know anything about it.

Karen and Joe (aka The Yuks!) are kissing again. Joe says they have the same ambitions in life and they are going to get it !

Gail goes round to Ellen's and starts arguing (as she does). Gail effectively chucks Sarah out of the house by handing over Bethany to Eileen, saying that she has her daughter, she may want the grand-daughter as well. She tells Sarah if she doesn't want to live by her rules then she can live elsewhere.

Thank you for reading this.

This e-mail has come from: Martin Rosen

In Eileen's kitchen, Bethany slings her cereal to the floor.........Sarah apologizes, but Eileen doesn't mind that, she is fed up cos Sarah lied to her, she had said her Mum was all right about her staying over, when really her Mum hadn't said that at all. Eileen reckons she is no "Granny Grimshaw"

Over at Gail's, she is telling Audrey all about it, but Audrey thinks she shouldn't have taken Beth over there like she did, cos Beth will be confused.

Jason asks Eileen if she will go guarantee on a loan so he can get a car for work, but she says if he is a poor credit rating for the bank, then he's a poor credit rating for her too!!!! No Way!!!

Karen is moaning about the toilets in the factory, Joe hasn't time to listen cos he's off to a meeting and Mike tells her to sort it out then!!

Ashley's ex-nanny turns up, because he sacked her on her first day, she's been having problems getting work..........so she asks if he could write her a reference, awwww poor lass So he tells her to come back at lunchtime and he will have one ready for her.

In the cafe, Roy is twittering on about his driving lessons.........and Vera is teasing Jack, she wants to know how soon they will have their fresh vegetables from the allotment. Jack and Tyrone set off for the allotment, with their cans of beer stashed out of Vera's sight.........lol

Joe is back from his meeting, so Karen informs him and Mike that she has hired Harry to be the factory cleaner for 16 hours a week. Mike is fine with that but Joe isn't. She tells him she has looked through the accounts and the cleaning budget can afford it.................... he is NOT happy about that!! MMMnnnn????

Jason is moping about on his day off. He is fed up because his Mum wont help him buy a car............. Todd got his laptop didn't he?? Sarah agrees with him, she thinks Todd gets a lot more perks from his Mum than Jason does........................ Eileen is on the stairs listening!!!

Audrey is worried about this loan she has taken out to secure Gail's home..........Archie talks her through it, and she feels much happier, he's a good chap is Archie.

Joe is still not happy about Karen looking at the accounts...........I can't see his problem if Mike hasn't got one. Karen is very keen, she is going to do a course so she understands it all better.................good for her!!!

Eileen asks Vera if she has seen Tyrone, Vera says yes, he is at the allotment with Jack, she is just going to surprise them with Lunch. She tells Eileen she can't wait to try the "orgasmic" vegetables they will be growing...............(I might have a try of those myself...lol) She finds them sat in their deck chairs..........they haven't even started!!!, but we knew that didn't we? Eileen asks Tyrone if he knows of a car for Jason, and Ty knows just the one!!!

When Ashley's ex-nanny turns up for her reference, he reads it out for her to see if its good enough, then he realizes it is SO good, that he gives her the job back. Aww good choice.

Eileen shouts to Jason to come out and help her with the shopping!!! he comes out, "what shopping?"................. she hands him the keys to a lovely convertible, its a beautiful blue and he's sooooooooooooooo chuffed bless him!!! (she took notice then....good one Sarah) Sarah tells Eileen that its a lovely thing to do........and Eileen makes her see that Mums always want the best for their kids even though they don't always see it...so Sarah decides to go home and sort it out with her mum.

Over in the pub, Ashley is telling Harry about Fred's girlfriend. Fred comes in and says he's dumped her because she repeats everything....................he cant understand why they are laughing!!!

Norris is so upset because he has been refused a mortgage....so Emily decides to put him out of his misery and tell him she is not going to have her house repossessed..................but as he is so affluent he will have to have his rent reviewed.................

Jason walks into the pub dressed up to the nines..............His Mum asks him who is the lucky girl???? It's HER!!! He has come to take her out, and she leaves the pub so proudly on his arm!!

Karen asks Joe if he will teach her about the accounts.....she is so keen to learn and better herself, but he is not so keen.

Sarah and Gail are watching TV..snuggled up together..........Sarah says she just wants her Mum to understand how serious her and Todd are......... But Gail hasn't a clue...........so they end up arguing again........Gail says Todd will soon forget her when he goes away to Oxford, but Sarah says he won't because her and Bethany are GOING WITH HIM!!!!!

Sue Nicholson

Here comes another double episode, with special guest reviewer for the second half, my wife, Fiona.

Joe is looking through some invoices at the factory, but quickly stops when Mike comes in. He is not suspicious of anything, and informs Joe that he will be going out, checking that he would be able to cope.

Sarah is revising. Gail says she thought she was on her way to Oxford. Sarah says she will go when at the right time. She will decide.

Bev tells Shelly that she has been asked to go for a job as a pub manager in Wales (this seems like an immenient departure from the script). Peter tells her it is not too far away.

Emma is rushing around the house. There is a party tonight and she wants Curly to come with her. He has to find a babysitter.

Archie meets Blanche in the corner shop. He says that he wants to be friends with her. He wants to put the past behind them. She says she doesn't want to go with an undertaker.

Les is dressed very smartly in a suit. He is going to see his barrister. He tells Curly that the guy is the "best in the business" (where does he get the money from to pay for him?).

Archie invites Blanche to a tea-dance. She says she will think about it.

Karen is looking over some invoices at the factory. Joe doesn't want her looking at them.

Eileen tells Steve that it was worth every penny to see Jason's face when she bought him the car.

Les meets the barrister and his assistant. He rehearses the answers to questions that may be coming. He is told to answer "yes or no" and not make long statements. Les wants to bring out in court that PC Hopwood hates him. The barrister then asks if he is querying the character of PC Hopwood. Les says he is. Therefore the barrister says, the prosecution have every right to look into Les' character, of him lying, cheating etc. Les is told to remember the three golden rules. Not to lose his temper, don't make it personal and keep to yes/no answers.

Deirdre comes into the Rovers and asks Shelley where her mother was, because she wants to discuss hats with her. Shelley tells her that her mother has gone on a pub visit to Wales. She also tells Deirdre that she doesn't want her to go.

Just before leaving the office with Karen, Joe picks up a telephone call. At the end of the call, Joe kicks the filing cabinet.

Karen and Joe have a row in the pub. Steve comes up between them and asks if he has come at an inopportune moment. He tells Joe that if he has any problems (with Karen) that he will help out!!!

Archie asks Blanche again whether she wants to go out. She tells him to call round. He takes that as a "yes", but she says, "unless anything better turns up".

Emma asks Sunita about baby sitting. She says she would be delighted.

Gail apologizes to Eileen.

Bev arrives back at the Rovers and says she likes the new pub. She says there is no reason for not taking it, but has told them that she wants a few days to decide.

Jason's Dad comes round. He invites him for a drink. Jason is not interested, he is going for a drive. Dad tells Eileen that she is bribing him with a car. She says yes, but then she does buy him birthday presents, Christmas presents, Easter eggs etc. All Dad offers to buy him is a pint.

Emma suggests to Curly that he doesn't want to go to the party. He says he doesn't want to drink with Mick Hopwood. However to please Emma he will go.

Gail tells Sarah that she has been speaking to Eileen. She now understands that she (Sarah) is more grown up.

Deirdre tells Peter that Blanche would have Archie back like a shot if he asked her.

Adam turns up unexpectedly at the Barlows.

Joe tells Karen that he is aiming to take over Mike's company. He is fed up of getting relatively nothing for all his work.

Part 2

Now I will get a handwriting expert to try and decipher Fiona's writing for part two!

Well I think having had a handwriting expert interpret the writing (wish she wouldn't use crayons!), I have come to the conclusion this is what she wrote.

[BTW Apologies for any spilung errors in the first report - I forgot to run spellcheck over it !]

Joe wants Karen to help him to take over Mike's business. Karen is furious and says she won't and tells him to stuff it (!).

Adam is at Ken's and can't understand where Mike is, as he's home for half term. He says he phone the factory and spoke to someone (Joe) who said he was out. He tried the house and there was no reply, and Mike's mobile was switched off.

Tracy comes in. She has never met Adam before.

Meanwhile Karen is still screaming at Joe over his plan. Joe says they can go places if they do this together.

In the pub Emma and Curly are going to a police do.

Shelley asks her mother if she will take the job and hints that she wants her to stay.

Mick and Janice are also in the pub en route to the police do. (Why do they all have to stop off at the pub first?). Joe tells Janice not to do anything he would do.

Joe tells Karen he will either do it with her or not at all.

At the factory Mike receives a phone call for someone and says "he's done what?"

At Ken's Mike knocks on the door and comes in. He says that Adam has absconded and the school rang him.

Mick thanks Curly for what he is doing. He says he is doing it for Emma and not for him, and accuses both Mick and Emma of being bent, and therefore should go down for it.

Mike says that Adam was caught drinking at the school last night. Adam accuses Mike of not being a good father. He says he just comes to see him for a few weekends in his flash car. Ken butts in and says that they should call it a day. Peter says Adam can stay with him.

Joe takes Karen to a posh show flat. He tells her it can be theirs if she agrees to his scheme.

In the pub Tommy says he might go fishing. Peter asks Shelley if it is all right for Adam to stay. Shelley agrees. Bev cooks him pie and chips.

Joe is still trying to tempt Karen by showing her around the show flat.

Peter asks Adam what is going on. Adam says that he (Peter) never comes to visit him, so why is he so interested now. He says nobody cares about him and storms out.

Joe tells Karen he has set up a bogus company that Underworld pays for doing nothing, in small amounts that aren't noticed. He tells her that he loves her and would not put her in danger.

Deirdre remarks that she hopes Adam had been drinking and not taking drugs.

Blanche returns from the tea dance exclaiming that she has mat someone called Wally who knocks Archie into a cocked hat (?!). She says she won't play hard to get.

Jason shows Candice his new car and says he'll; take her into Manchester for tea - but his Mum comes rushing up and asks him to take her to Fresco's and reveals (to Candice) that it was her that bought him the car.

Shelley tells her mum that she should stay and look after Adam but Peter as good as tells her that she should go.

On the terrace of the flat, Joe once again tries to persuade Karen to join him.

Well it was nice to have Fiona to help me out, but as for her writing ... I think I will ask the cat next time!

This e-mail has come from:

Fiona and Martin Rosen

In Streetcars, a grim-faced Les is on the phone, telling Toyah [who's now in London] that he's not worried about the impending trial. Eileen tries to reassure him that 'the truth will out', but Les knows that he's facing jail.

In the factory, Mike tells an interested Joe and Karen that he cares a lot for Adam, and doesn't want the young lad to think that he's been dumped. Maybe Mike should spend more time with Adam? Joe and Karen agree that would be an excellent idea, and that they could 'take care' of the factory if Mike has to be absent.

Kirk is on his mobile and grins broadly as he hears what the [yet] unknown caller has to say; can they meet?

Back room of the Rovers, where Adam and Bev have a heart to heart talk about families, and Adam's extended family in particular. Bev advises the lad to meet Peter half-way, for Peter is very fond of his nephew.

Chez Barlow, and Tracy ribs Blanche about her new beau, Wally, whose birthday is this weekend, and Blanche is invited to the party, at Wally's house. Tracy advises Blanche to borrow one of Deirdre's blouses, but Blanche thinks one of Ken's tops would suit her better. [Could be worse - Tracy could offer Blanche one of her skimpy tops!] Blanche sees her relationship with Wally as truly 'meaningful' - not like Archie at all.

Back to nefarious skullduggery at Underworld, where Joe has hit on a scheme to make their sting more smooth; they could forge Mike's signature on cheques, thereby saving the hapless Mike the bother of signing them himself. Could Karen copy Mike's signature, perhaps? [I'm sure she could manage that...] The partners in crime look to a rosy, and very rich, future.

Steve comes into the Rovers to find one his drivers there, supping ale instead of working. Les is depressed at what the future holds for him - inevitable, and imminent, imprisonment. He sees his situation as completely hopeless and Steve offers support, in the shape of another pint.

Outside the Barlow residence, Tracy admires Adam's new clothes and, just as Candice passes by, Tracy urges a gullible Adam to go out and have some fun - he could start with, say, Candice. [And I thought Tracy liked Adam!]

Katy and her Dad are at the hospital for Katy's check-up and [surprise, surprise!!] Martin appears and offers to see what he can do about their lengthy waiting time, for which Katy is so grateful. There is to be a fun run for the hospital, and the ever-helpful Martin decides he'll give it a go. [Of course, Katy is doing the fun run too. The plot thickens.]

In the cafŽ, Mike and Adam have a chat, Mike assuring him that he loves him and would never abandon him. Indeed, Mike would be delighted if Adam were to live down beside him and not in Scotland. Adam listens patiently.

Back at the factory, where the two malefactors get down to some serious jiggery-forgery. [Joe, ever gallant, allows Karen to sign Mike's name on a cheque for £2,500.] There's no stopping them now, according to Joe.

An excited Kirk bursts into the Rovers to see Les, who's now on his fourth pint, or whatever. [So who's counting?] Kirk introduces Dave, a homeless man, who saw the whole incident of Les' alleged assault by Mick. Is this Dave going to be Les' saviour?

Tommy and Angela agree that their name should revert to Harris, and not the alias Nelson.

Les, while delighted and relieved to have found a witness, has suspicions about Dave. Why has he not come forward before? Dave explains that he's been in hospital with TB. Les mentions Dave's obvious unkempt look, but Kirk reckons that he'll 'scrub up fine'. On that note, Les drags Dave off to see the solicitor. [Les even leaves his beer unfinished.]

Mike arrives at the Barlow home, where he, Ken and Peter discuss their relative concerns about Adam and how they've all let him down. Mike wants to take Adam on holiday. Ken thinks that that would be rewarding bad behaviour, but Mike wants to be the ideal father and is prepared to wave his cheque-book around to prove it.

Bev continues her chat with Adam in the back room of the Rovers, and tells Adam to pester Peter; after all, Peter has been a submariner for years and is used to keeping things to himself. [Yes, Bev, Peter's good at that!]

Underworld, and Joe is seething at the prospect of Adam's inheriting the business. He despises his feeble 10% of the profits which Mike offered him; after all, Adam will have enough money without Mike's!

Barlow domicile, and Blanche is getting excited at the prospect of Wally's birthday party. [Will we get to see Wally's humble abode?]

In the cafŽ, Roy discusses driving with Adam, but Adam is distracted by the arrival of Candice, who's looking for Vera. [No, I don't know why she's looking for Vera, just in case you wondered!] Mike suggests his proposed holiday to Adam, who doesn't seem interested, at the moment.

Todd, Sarah and Katy call in and rib Candice about the fun run; Candice, of course, thinks it's decidedly 'uncool' - all that sweat! Sarah provides an incentive for Candice to join them on the fun run - blokes!! Right on cue, Martin arrives, and he declares that he's in training for the run. [One of the girls seems interested in this - no clues!] Adam won't be able to take part in the run, for he'll be back in school. Candice is relieved to hear this, and tells him to 'leg it'.

Joe and Karen, in their shared flat, discuss the morality of what they're doing. Joe justifies their fiddle [more like a double bass to me!] by saying that there's 'enough to go round'; Baldwin has cracked the whip for long enough, and now it's their turn.

A gleeful Les arrives back in the Rovers with Kirk. Les reckons that they've found a 'disinterested bystander' who can, and will, testify as to what he saw on that day of the alleged assault. Drinks to celebrate. [We look forward to the trial next week - will Les' optimism win the day for him...?]

Les is as happy as a sandboy cos of this new witness............so he and Kirk play their music really loud with the speakers against the wall so that "Emma is wide awake when he tells her the good news"

Mike walks into Karen and Joes flat and announces he's rumbled them.............Karen chokes on her food.....he laughs and says he's rumbled their bad habits of eating last nights take away for breakfast!!!!! Joe takes her to look at some show-flats.........how would she like to live there???? He tells her that is what she will have when they have done the dirty and got the factory.

The charity run brigade are off for a training run.......but Candice is off to the cafe for a bacon butty.

Peter has taken a day off to spend some time with Adam, he asks where he would like to go .......... Adam talks of his mother and all the things she told him about Peter and her when they were younger...............Adam would like to go to Plymouth for a few days.

Deirdre is ironing??? whats that?? anyway..........she offers to iron Blanches blouse, but Blanche reckons its her face that needs ironing........she's meeting the now famous Wally?

Katy and Martin arrive back from their run....all hot and sweaty...yuk! dunno where the others are?

Mike asks Adam what he wants to do this week? Mike has taken a week off work to spend time with Adam, but Adam wants to go off for a few days with Peter.................Mike is not happy about that.

Les bangs on Curlys' door. He tells Curly and Emma that he has a witness and soon everybody will know she is a bent cop!!!! Back inside Curly tries yet again to persuade her to take back her statement, he says he doesn't want him and Ben to be left alone when she is sent to prison.................she reckons that wont happen and she cant let a brave man like Mick be sent down for making a mistake. She's says if he thinks she is going to let Mick down then he is wrong and stupid.

Karen is trying to fix the knob on the pan lid.....but Joe just throws it in the bin "STEVE!!" she says................ Joe starts on at her that she should get rid of that wedding ring and get rid of Steve..........he wants her to divorce Steve.

Peter rings Shelley to tell her he has decided to take Adam away for a few days....

Martin reckons he is getting old........he fancies a night out at a club, but Tommy reckons his missus won't stand for that...............so Martin says what about a party then, Tommy says he will talk to the missus.

Shelley asks her mum if she is going to take that new pub job?, but her Mum says she doesn't want them to go back to being a phone call once a month........so she would rather stay there....................aww Shelley is chuffed about that.

Janice tries to reassure Mick that Les is all mouth and is making it all up..............but Mick is worried.

Shelley tells Fred about the few days in Plymouth, but he says she can't go................he needs her there. meany!!

Tracy offers to keep Steve company in the pub, but he tells her to get lost.......until Karen and Joe comes in, then he's happy to sit with her. Karen orders 2 red wines...............and Steve berates her................is a pint not good enough anymore??? She rises to the bait and boasts about her pent house and terrace.

After talking to Bev.............Fred decides that Shelley can go.....................awww he's not a bad old stick after all.

Curly is still trying to talk to Emma. He tells her that when he was offered a bribe at the council, there was no way he could take it because he believes in doing whats right, he said that's what he loved about Emma and why he married her........because he thought she believed the same.

Deirdre and Ken are waving Adam off on his trip with Shelley and Peter, Adam says hi to Candice as she passes, but she puts him down with some comment about his bucket and spade.................awww poor lad.

Mike tells Joe and Karen that he is not taking a week off now because Adam is away, so he might as well get on with the books. They look sick!!!!

Emma goes to the pub to meet Mick.................... she tells him that she can't go through with it, he begs her to do it because he doesn't want to go down, but she tells him she can't testify!!!!

Here we go then with another double episode of your favourite tv series. This incidentally will be my last report ..... (pauses for effect and wailing and gnashing of teeth) .... for a couple of weeks, while I go on holiday ;-)

Curly assures Emma that she is doing the right thing by telling the truth in the court case. She is worried though about losing her job and the possibility of going to prison. Curly says he loves her more than ever now.

Mick tells Janice not to come to court. She says she wants to show her support, but he wonders who for. She says she wants to support him. However she is sorry that Les may go down.

Les is very happy. He tells Fizz and Kirk that if anybody is going down it will be Hopwood.

Blanche is up early making sandwiches. She tells Deirdre she is going to court and watch Les go down. She invites Deirdre go come as well.

Craig Harris (formerly known as Nelson) suggests that they have two parties one for the name change and the other for housewarming. Tommy Harris (formerly known as Nelson) does not think it is a good idea.

Norris uses Steve's cab to get to court where he is going to be on the jury. He asks Steve for a receipt. When Steve asks how much he wants it made out for, Norris become holier than thou and says he couldn't defraud the taxpayer who would be paying for his cab.

Katy Harris (formerly known as Nelson) and Martin decide to stop their running training as she has to revise for exams.

Karen tells Joe that she is worried that she and Joe will be found out. Joe tells her to go into work and act just like another day.

Curly leaves baby Ben with Sunita. Curly goes on about what a good and hard job the police do.

Mick and Janice are walking along the street. Les, Fizz and Kirk are just leaving the house. Les shouts across the street at Mick protesting his innocence. Fizz and Kirk are wearing 'Les is innocent' t-shirts.

Norris is waiting in the court room outside the jury room. He starts to chat to a young man who it turns out has been on two juries previously. Norris says it is his first time. The Usher reads of the names of the jurors that have been picked to go into the court. Norris is delighted to hear his name called.

Mike tells Joe that there was no reason that Fizz needed to go to court. He could understand Janice need to. However he tells Joe that he is being too soft on them. Mike says he wants to go through the accounts, bills, invoices, pay etc.

Before going into Court, the solicitor reminds Les to keep calm.

Mick makes another attempt to try and persuade Emma to lie for him. He asks her whether she's prepared to go to jail. She is worried.

Deirdre comes into the corner shop and see Sunita holding the baby She offers to help out in the shop whilst she goes to change the baby (wonder what she changes him into?!).

In court the jury are sworn in. As Norris walks in he pauses for breath and says it "smells of British Justice". He points out to the usher that Les is his next-door neighbour.

Mike queries that he has been given last month's invoices. He wants this month's.

The jury are sworn in. Blanche tells Janice that is admiral of her supporting Les. Janice says she is there for Mick. Norris is released from jury service and sits with Blanche.

Deirdre is in the shop and Dev (with full beard) returns early form holiday. He thanks Deirdre for covering the shop. He says his holiday was good.

Mike queries an invoice with Joe. He asks if there is a delivery note. He then asks Karen if the material is in stock. She says she is not sure. Then Adam rings Mike. He wants Mike to go and join him. He tells Joe that he will leave him to sort things, and leaves him to run the company for a couple of days.

Martin sees Katy eating crisps in the corner shop. He tells her that they won't be good for training. The agree to go for the run later that evening.

Mick and Emma are waiting outside the court. They overhear Les' solicitor talking on the phone about the witness being delayed. Mick tries to persuade Emma again. She says she made a mistake and that she ought to tell the truth. Mick is called in. He tells Emma that he is ticking by his story.

Joe says they ought to get the scotch out to celebrate now that Mike has gone. Karen warns Baldwin could catch him out very easily. Joe tells her not to get cold feet.

Mick is thanked for his evidence (no, we didn't see it). Emma is then called in and swears on the bible to tell the truth. She gives her evidence. She says that Les was abusive and violent. She says he was responsible for the violence. Les' defense reminds her that she is in a court of law and must tell the truth. She says she is telling it. Out of the court room she tells Mick that she told the lies because she was scared of the consequences of telling what really happened. She realizes that Curly will absolutely hate her now.

Les' witness arrives late. He says he saw the police wade in and give Les a kicking and when he was down on the floor, at least 5 or 6 times. He is convinced that it was the policeman assaulting Les.

The prosecution try to make his look less credible. He is asked what he did when this was happened. It is suggested that he just sat there and watched. He is ask to confirm that the police have given him a hard time in the past. He says he was so scared. He didn't complain because he feared he would be next.

Curly asks Emma why she pretended to him. She says she wasn't pretending. However when she got to the witness box she was so scared that she wanted to tell the truth, but just couldn't. She says she would have been out on her own. Curly says he would have stood by her. He then walks out for a breath of fresh air.

Les gives his evidence. he says he was told by the police officers he jumped the red light, then PC Hopwood started attacking him. He said when he fell, Mick really put the boot in - he feared for his life.

Les then starts to tell court about Mick and his wife He thinks when Mick realized it was him that he had stopped he took the chance. The prosecution says he lashed out. Les says in self defense. The prosecution then refers to Les' previous convictions.

The solicitor is annoyed at Les talking about Mick and his wife.

Janice sympathizes with Fizz. She doesn't want Les in court.

Les's defense refers to PC Hopwood living with Les' wife. Mick says he tried to calm things down, but Les lost control.

Prosecution asks if PC Hopwood was response for the breakdown of Les and Janice's marriage. He says it was already broken. He asks him if he has had any disciplinary proceedings brought against him. He says no, and then is asked if he has received any commendations. He says twice.

The defense sums up. The jury is asked to consider the antagonism between the two men. Can they really be certain of what happened.

Janice tells Mick it's all her fault that it started. She wonders what will happen if he is found guilty.

Prosecution says that two police officers were under oath. They both accuse the defendant assaulted PC Hopwood and caused him serious injuries.

Norris tells Janice that if he had been on the jury he would have believed Emma as she had no vested interest in the proceedings.

Les asks his solicitor how long the jury would be. Minutes? or Hours? He says he doesn't want to go back inside.

Emma apologies to Curly.

The jury return to court and the foreman announces that they have reached an unanimous verdict. Guilty. The judge says he'll sentence him after he hears mitigation.

Emma tells Mick that she had hoped Les would get off. Mick suggests she tells Curly that he put pressure on her.

Les is sentenced to six months.

That's it for me for a couple of week, while I go off to find some sun, sea, sand and sangria in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands off Spain.


Martin Rosen

Opening scene outside the courthouse, Norris and Blanche (who could be seen in a previous life knitting at the foot of Madame Guillotine) are being all self satisfied, they knew all along Les was guilty. Norris, having had to withdraw , regretfully, from the jury because of knowing the defendant, is now ghoulishly hoping to be called to another jury before the week is out.

Mick Janice, Emma and a very miserable looking Curly are planning celebratory drinks. Curly furiously tells Emma that she can go celebrate without him and storms off. Janice, in her innocence, says that she and Emma should go and get legless. Emma agrees wholeheartedly.

Kirk and Fizz are sitting on a bench watching them. Kirk is disgusted and resembles nothing so much as a duck in a thunderstorm. Fizz is trying to console him by saying it's only six months and it could have been worse. Cold comfort there!

Corner shop, and Claire is there with the baby. Maria's legs come in, closely followed by Maria. (This viewer's way of remarking on the length, or lack thereof, of her skirt). She seems to have reverted to her original personality, which was infinitely preferable to the "bitch" persona she came back from Canada with! She introduces herself to Claire and they have a little chat. Claire asks what Maxine was like and tells Maria about "her Gary" who's possessive and doesn't like her working long hours. (Pity about him!) Maria invites her to the Nelson/Harris's "ID Reclamation" Party scheduled for the weekend. Claire declines, Gary wouldn't like it. Maria tells Claire that if she's in the salon to make sure Audrey knows who she is, she might knock a bit off for her. Hmm.

Second baby scene as Sunita strolls in with a sleeping and very cuddly looking Ben on her shoulder. He's adorable in his amazing technicolour dream coat. Dev is looking equally adorable with his hair unslicked, a nice soft beard, casual clothes and a somewhat laid back manner. Sunita is revving up her apologies for having left Deirdre in charge while she took Ben home but Dev takes the wind out of her sails (and mine) by saying that it was a very sensible thing to do and he obviously doesn't mind at all. The personality transplant faerie has been working overtime on this one! Then he gives her the present he brought her, a lovely new sari. He hints that when he's over his jet lag he'll take her out to dinner. Tea is proffered and accepted and he obviously intends regaling her with tales of his adventures.

In the pub, Emily and Norris are discussing Les, Norris is self righteously gloating about the verdict, Emily is soft-pedaling saying it's a bit harsh really, and does prison actually solve anything? Fred and Bev agree with Norris but less strongly. Emily points out that while there's no love lost between herself and Les she doesn't wish him any harm. And then she pokes Norris by saying that he's only up on his high horse because he wasn't chosen for a jury. How well she knows the little worm. She then tells them about Blanches new man friend, who's impending arrival for tea warrants a new hairdo.

Kirk and Fizz are in the other corner, Kirk is feeling the pinch of Les's absence from the house. Fizz will come and stay a few nights to keep him company. Quel surpris!

At the corner shop tea party Dev is telling Sunita how although England is home, but India seduced him somewhat. Curly arrives to collect a still sleeping Ben. He tells them about Les and his six months. Dev says "Well if he attacked someone he deserves it" Curly hesitates then says "yeah" and goes away.

Emma is sitting in the pub, surrounded by her colleagues, and weighed down under a load of guilt. Well she might. Janice is buying a round but Emma has reneged on the leglessness intention and is going home. Mick thanks her for her support but she's too miserable to reply. When she's gone, Mick is pointing out to Janice that they had a good day. (If THAT'S their idea of a good day................) she's a bit shocked about Les going to jail, how is she going to tell Toyah and Leanne?

Claire brings Joshua into the shop to see his dad, and warns him not to touch the baby with his mucky hands. Ash is all about her, in a most avuncular way, considering he's only a couple of years older than her! He asks if she has a boyfriend. She consigns Gary to history without batting an eyelid!!!

Les is awaiting transportation to prison, and is protesting his innocence all the way. Try a hunger strike Les. The officer is advising him to keep his head down and do his time, he might be out in three months.

Dev is still romancing about India, but on the subject of the poor people. His social conscience has been startled awake and he's wondering if there isn't something he could be doing for them. Emma comes in for a bottle of wine, Sunita sympathizes with her situation (little knowing!).

Intermission

Emma comes home to an empty house. Looks somewhat distraught.

Katie and Martin come puffing into the cafe, although the cafe is all but closed, Roy hasn't the heart to turn them away. Katie is showering Martin with compliments about his physical fitness. Martin is thinking about dressing up for the run, Roy suggests he dress up as Florence Nightingale for it. ??? Roy tells Katie to tell her mother he'll be making a bean and chickpea salad for the party on Saturday. That should have them queuing up round the block. Gatecrasher alert!

Fred and Ash arrive home to find that Claire has been working miracles in the kitchen with a stew. Apparently Joshua was asleep and she likes to keep busy. She's beginning to stick in my throat a bit, that one. Fred is waxing lyrical over the smell. He tells her she can't go home. She gets all defensive, she's worked her full hours. Fred is, of course, insisting she stay for dinner and forcibly parks her on a chair. The poor girl! Les's name comes into the equation as well. He'll be subsisting on a "mess of pottage" far inferior to Claire's stew. Ash unbends so far as to invite her to the party, which she accepts with alacrity! Gary seems to be receding further by the minute.

Blanche is fussing round like a headless chicken, making sure the crusts are cut off the cucumber sangers prior to the arrival of Wally (he WOULD be called that, wouldn't he??) He arrives, oooooh he's all charm, personality, fulsome compliments. Salmon sangers are his favourite, egg sangers are just perfect. Everyone looks lovely, everything is lovely. This can't last.

Martin and Katie are still heads together in the cafe, Katie is fishing for compliments which Martin obliges with, not realizing she has a hidden agenda, namely himself! Roy offers to sponsor her in the Fun Run as a member of staff.

In the Rovers, Tracy is in a huddle with Blanche, telling her how nice Wally is. Steve and Dev are discussing Les. Steve is recalling his own sojourn in "the Big House" and is sympathetic to Les.

Kirk doesn't want to go back to Les's house, Fizz is all anxious to go with him. She wants to have her wicked way with him. He accepts reluctantly. He should be thankful, personally I'd rather snog a moribund haddock than him.

Janice and Mick are waltzing along the street in high good humour. Kirk and Fizz are over the road, they have a crack at Mick and Janice for laughing at Les. Kirk baulks at the door, he can't go in. Fizz shoves him in and he starts reminiscing about poor Les. He can't believe Les is in jail, I can't believe anyone would miss him from around the house!!! Kirk feels he can't "do the business" in the house while Les is in jail, so Fizz, who is clearly determined, decides they'll go to her place instead. She's like a terrier with a bone, that one.

Curly arrives home with the baby (where on earth did he get to???) Emma, having polished off the wine by herself, is now making zzzzz's on the couch. Curly stands there with a face like a well slapped arse, oozing disapproval. This is ridiculous, a few years ago Les assaulted him, near enough broke his nose and got clean away with it. Why is he on his moral high horse because Les finally does get sent to jail???? No one is that forgiving!!!!!!!!!!!

Les is being shown into his cell, he's looking particularly scared and vulnerable. Sits down, stares around him. Awww, poor Les.

Rose Harrington

Morning in the cafŽ, and the subject for discussion between the factory girls is tonight's party at the Harris home, while Roy continues to study his Highway Code, as per usual. Jason and Tyrone wonder about which one of them will get off with Katy tonight. Kirk arrives, excitedly, to let Fizz know that he's had a letter from Les, enclosing a Visitor Pass for the prison.

In the prison, Les sits in his cell, refusing to go for something to eat, and still protesting his innocence to the warder.

At the Watts', Emma tries to reason with Curly about her recent actions, but Curly is in no mood to forgive her; Mick should have got what was coming to him. [Trying days chez Watts!]

In the factory, Fizz lets her feelings about Les' innocence known to Janice, who still supports Mick. [Is Janice having second thoughts about Mick's guilt?] Janice tells Angela that she can't attend their party tonight. In the office, the thieving pair, Joe and Karen, forge yet another cheque - this time for £8,000 - but are interrupted by Angela, who has to face the ire of Joe. All Angela wants is to invite them both to the party, which they accept. Karen tells Joe that she wishes all this subterfuge was over.

Norris, dressed in a lumberjack's shirt, calls in at the Kabin. [He doesn't, like the song, look ok!] He's been kicking his heels at the court, for no one wants him as a juror. Still, at least he had the pleasure of seeing Les go down, since Les was/is guilty. [No, Les is innocent, Norris!]

The Harris home, and the first guests arrive for the party - Hayley, Roy and Fizz have bought the family a wooden plaque for their house, inscribed 'DUNHIDIN'. Angela and Tommy like the plaque. Laughs, and drinks, all round. Martin and young David arrive, then Jason, who seems to fancy his chances with Katy...

Emma and Curly again try, and again fail, to come to terms with what's happened. Emma wants them to move on and forget the past few days, but Curly can't bring himself to do that. Emma reckons that she's living in the real world, which comment hurts Curly but, just before sparks begin to fly, there is a knock at the door, causing hostilities to cease for the moment. Kevin and Sally have come to go to the party with Emma and Curly, but Curly goes to the party without Emma. [Leaving Emma, for once, holding the baby.]

Ashley is having second thoughts about his going to the party with Claire; it's too soon after Maxine's death, and he'd put a damper on things. However, when Claire comes downstairs, in a long, flowing dŽcolletŽ number, Ashley changes his mind and dashes upstairs to get ready himself. Fred looks on, approvingly.

The Harris party is getting into full swing, and Karen and Joe arrive, bearing real Champagne, already chilled! [Only one bottle, eh?] David and Craig decide to play football in the garden, and Martin goes with them. [Not much of a dancer, is our Martin.] Curly pours out his worries to Kevin, over a couple of cans of beer. [He doesn't go into details of Emma's perjury.] Curly reckons that Emma is married to the force, more than to him, and she's not the woman he married; according to Curly, there's nothing left of their previously happy marriage. Ashley and Claire arrive, and Rita whisks Claire off to meet Sally. [No, I don't know why either.]

Roy is still enthusing about the Highway Code and, not surprisingly, finds himself on his own in the noisy crowd. Maria is surprised to see Claire; where is her boyfriend? [Ashley knows nothing about the boyfriend!] Emma arrives, just in time to hear Curly talking to Kevin about her. More marital discord, and Emma leaves, but not before Kirk loudly denounces her to the assembled partygoers. Curly stays for a few more beers.

Steve is on the phones in Streetcars, but Patrick persuades him to go along to the party...

... and, when they arrive a few moments later, Steve claps eyes on his wife and Joe, dancing and smooching, so he decides to chat up Maria. Tyrone tries to get Katy to dance, but she has other ideas for her evening's enjoyment. [See later - don't scroll ahead!!] Ashley feels tired and goes home, leaving Claire to make her own way home afterwards. Joe is still trying to get Karen to start divorce proceedings, while Steve smooches with Maria in the background.

In the Harris' garden, the boys (Martin, David and Craig) are playing football, and Katy comes outside to watch. The two younger boys get tired of footie and steal some beer, then disappear inside the house, leaving Katy and Martin to have a quiet chat on their own. Martin and she decide to have a wee kick around - they're both better at football than dancing, it seems.

Inside again, [No, not the prison, the Harris' house!], and Maria reckons that Karen is giving her 'the evil eye'. Steve concludes that Karen is jealous. Tommy halts proceedings for a moment to thank a few people. A lot of people are mentioned, but he ends up with his best friend on the street, Martin, who's been brilliant, especially with Katy. [Everyone looks around to see where Martin is.] The music blares out again...

... just as a breathless Katy and Martin sit down in the garden after their footie. Is Katy happy here now? Martin asks for a list of what is keeping her here, and she comes up with only one item - you! She wastes no time in leaning over and kissing an amazed Martin, but they are interrupted by Tommy, who's looking for his beer. Katy goes back into the house, leaving Martin to ponder on his own...

Iain McDougall

It's the morning after the party and Mum and Dad Nelson/Harris are having a good clean up..............they are cheerful and obviously had a nice time, Katy looks thoughtful, her mum asks if she should be at work, but she says no, Roy doesn't need her. They tease her about Jason and Tyrone.............

Emma takes a phone call .................her boss wants to see her?? it's her day off.....what's wrong???? Curly isn't interested in the least!!!

Roy rings up the Harris's to see where Katy is.....she doesn't want to go, but mum starts asking why, so off she goes to avoid questions.

Martin goes to Gail's to see if David wants to come and stay at his flat tonight...........Gail informs him that David is hungover!!!

Kirk and Fiz are in the cafe having breakfast.............they are off to see Les, Mick comes in and they have a go at him.............then Emma comes in....she tells Mick she is really worried about this meeting with her boss.

Steve is washing his car................he is in a really good mood.....Dev stops to chat and he playfully flicks water at Dev................he tells him that he is happy cos Karen got jealous at the party when he was dancing with Maria.

Katy bumps into Martin in the street, they both look very awkward, but then Tommy calls him to see if he wants to go for a drink, and so Katy goes off to do some revision with Sarah.

At the prison Fiz is NOT impressed at having to be searched!! Les looks really down in the dumps.....he says he's made a couple of friends but they think he is some kind of hero for hitting a cop.................that's not what he wants HE'S INNOCENT!! Poor Les doesn't think he can do the 6 months.

In the cabin, Norris can't wait to tell Steve that Karen has given her notice on the flat............... Rita says she WAS about to tell him..............poor Steve looks gutted................Norris takes great pleasure in telling him she is going off to live with Joe somewhere.

Back at the prison Kirk asks Les if he is going to appeal, but his solicitor thinks there is no grounds........he asks what Janice thinks, but Fiz tells him that Janice has to side with baldy doesn't she? He is so upset...he thought courts were all about justice.

Emma goes to see her boss, he offers her tea and talks about the case, and what a mess it all was, and how she is lucky not to face a disciplinary hearing. He offers her an inspectors job ...............basically to get her out of the way.

Martin is going training, he pops in Gail's and guess what?? Katy is there revising, so he tells her he will wait while she gets changed.

Over at Kevin's, Rosie is still on about her singing career??? Kevin teases her about it, she'll be the next Kylie...............she is not impressed........Kylie is mega-old!!!

Steve goes to the flat to see Karen, tries to talk her round, he asks her to look him in the eye and tell him she doesn't love him................she can't. She tells him he can have all the stuff , she is just taking her clothes. Steve can't believe it ???? what's happened to her fight???

Wally calls round at Kens to see Blanche, but she is at the hairdressers, so Tracy invites him in to wait.

On their training run, Katy asks Martin if he is going to tell her parents that she made a pass at him, but Martin reckons they should forget all about it.

Wally chats Tracy up big time, tells her about the Caribbean, and tells her is he was going to be a sugar daddy he would choose someone like her..............Tracy tells him "in his dreams" and he leaves. Yuk what a sleaze ball

Karen comes in to the pub to see Steve, she asks him for a divorce, then she takes his hand, tells him she is sorry and leaves.

Emma has a bottle of champagne.....she thinks this promotion will get her and Curly away to make a fresh start somewhere else..................she tells him she has got the promotion, but he is not impressed. He would have been so happy to make a fresh start with the Emma he married, but she's a liar now. Curly says its a slippery slope and she crossed the line when she lied in court. Emma tells him to get real!!! Curly says "this is real.......................your marriage or your job.........enjoy your champagne!!!"

Sue Nicholson

Another marital spat at the Watts'; Curly insists that Emma choose her job or her family, which she refuses to do. Mick arrives, and the bent cops leave for another day at work. Door slams.

Dev is being charming in Streetcars, talking Patrick round to doing some extra hours. [How long will this charm last?] Dev persuades Steve to go and talk to Karen, to avoid the imminent divorce.

At the police station, Emma tells Mick that her marriage is falling apart. Curly is too stubborn, she says, but she picks up the phone and calls her husband for a chat...

In the street, Martin and Tommy, plus the boys David and Craig, are all packed-up for a day's fishing, when a disappointed Katy appears and asks what's going on. Martin has forgotten their planned run, and Katy storms off, in high dudgeon. [Katy, presumably, had other plans for her Bank Holiday, which included the active participation of Martin.]

In the Kabin, Tracy hears that Blanche has gone to see her sick sister, and Deirdre adds that Blanche has 'designs' on Wally, her new beau. Tracy shudders at the thought. [Not a pretty sight - Tracy shuddering!]

Joe and Karen discuss the possible outcome of their stealing the factory from Mike; a holiday, perhaps? [I lay bets that Mike will not lose his factory to this scheming pair.] Joe manages to persuade Karen to take her wedding ring off her necklet, just as the doorbell rings. Mike? Get rid, Joe says. But it's Steve, come to win his wife back. However, backed up by Mr Five O' Clock Shadow, Karen demands a divorce. Steve leaves, in low spirits...

In the cafŽ, Emily talks to Curly about his ongoing marital problems, but Curly won't go into details. Fizz and Kirk utter various loud stage whispers, which include the words 'stitch up', which Curly tries hard to ignore. Curly admits to Emily that Emma thinks more of her job than she does of him and her family, and he tells of his ultimatum - job or family. If she takes the promotion, it'll mean ?30,000, and all he'll have left are his principles; the alternative is to do nothing...

Steve arrives back to see Karen, privately, but Joe stays. Steve will admit to adultery, but Karen has no solicitor, as yet, but Joe offers the services of his. [I imagine that Joe's solicitor probably specializes in criminal work!] Steve is shown the door, once again, in even lower spirits.

Tracy answers the door at the Barlow home and finds Wally there. Since Blanche isn't available, Wally turns his charm on Tracy, but to no avail. [Tracy, again, visibly shudders. Me too!]

Kirk and Fizz are having a barbecue in Les' back yard, with the raucous strains of Status Quo in the foreground. Curly pops his head over the wall and asks for the music to be turned down, but he's accused of being married to a 'lying cow'. [True!] Curly retreats.

In the Rovers, Sunita, Deirdre and Shelley discuss Dev's seeming transformation lately, just as he arrives. Shelley apologizes to Dev for her importune remarks previously about Tracy, but the transformed Dev is grateful for her timely intervention. An untransformed Tracy arrives, and Dev buys her a drink, and goes on to invite the gorgeous Sunita for a meal this very evening. [Of course, Tracy imagines that Dev is just doing that to wind her up - not the case.] Sunita accepts the kind invitation, much to Tracy's chagrin. [Did I see another Tracy shudder?]

Back at the Battersby back yard, and the barbeque is on-going, replete with loud rock music. Curly storms into the house, removes the offending 45rpm record from the record player, stuffs it into Kirk's roll and covers it in tomato ketchup. Curly exits.

Emma arrives home, willing Curly to talk, in order to resolve their discord, but her peace initiative is unsuccessful, as one word borrows another. Emma wants to leave Weatherfield, keep her job, accept the promotion and accuses Curly of wallowing in self-righteousness. What kind of a man is he, she asks? No job, no prospects; a loser. [Emma knows how to charm a man, eh?]

Todd meets an old mate, Stuart, in the corner shop. Stuart is buying some ale - ostensibly to assist his studies - and he encourages a rather naive Todd to meet him later at a local pub for a karaoke night. Tracy calls in and asks Sunita if her date is still on. It is. Tracy leaves, suitably jealous.

A dejected, and rejected, Steve calls on Karen once more. He'd like Karen's wedding ring, as a souvenir.

Emma arrives home to a door locked and bolted. Curly opens an upstairs window and tells her, in front of a gathering audience, that the talking is, like their marriage, over. He has packed some of her clothes in bin bags. A passing Norris, who doesn't pass, mutters about 'dirty washing in public'. Emily tries to intercede, but Curly is adamant: Emma has to go.

A distraught Emma is locked out of her home, with some of her clothes in bin bags around her. Curly will not let her in the house, nor let her see little Ben. Of course, the locals are enjoying this piece of street-theatre. Mick and Janice arrive to watch, and wonder. [How long can it be before Janice realizes that Mick is not the straight cop he seems to be?] Inside the house, Curly tells wee Ben that they have to do some more packing for Mummy - a photo, the charger for her mobile, more clothes?

Joe and Karen are not exactly love's young dream. Joe still imagines that Karen has feelings for Steve, and that doesn't please him. Karen admits that she still likes Steve, despite their recent break-up, and storms off, as only Karen can, leaving Joe to sulk on his own.

In the Rovers, Ken, Deirdre and Tracy discuss Blanche's friend, Wally, and Deirdre reckons that he's a real gentleman. [Tracy has some misgivings about her Mum's opinion of Wally.] Karen, fresh from her spat with Joe, comes in and orders a pint for Steve, and the two warring ex-partners sit down together...

In the cafŽ, a disgruntled Katy is working, with occasional peeps out the window. [Who is she looking for, we wonder?] Janice gives a now-homeless Emma the benefit of her wisdom - force her way into the house, grab Ben and scarper. Mick offers Emma temporary accommodation with Janice and him. Emma's mobile rings; her Mum, she says. While Emma is off to chat on her phone, Janice opines to Mick that Emma must have been 'playing away', hence the break-up of her marriage to Curly. Mick remains stumm. [Janice thinks that, sometimes, lies are better than the truth!!]

In the Rovers, Shelley advises Sunita to take all she can from Dev and 'empty his wallet'. [Tsk tsk - Sunita is a lady; she would never do that!!] Karen and Steve have a cosy, and civilized, chat about their life together, Steve admitting to missing their frequent slanging matches. However, they'll remain friends, even after the divorce. Karen finishes her chat, and her pint and goes to leave... ... just as a still-unshaven Joe arrives and wonders what's next on Karen's 'to do' list. They have a quick snog, watched by Steve.

In Streetcars, Steve is still pining for Karen, so the 'new' Dev offers to hold the fort for Steve while he goes to put his head down for a couple of hours. However, Steve will have to be back to take over the phones, for Dev has a date with Sunita at 7h30. Steve goes off to put his head down...

Todd tells Sarah about the karaoke with Stuart tonight.

The fishing party arrive back, having caught nothing, so they rely on the local chip shop for sustenance. Katy and Martin agree to resume their daily jogs tomorrow. Katy grins. [I think Katy imagines a romance blossoming.]

The Rovers, and a vision of beauty enters, in the shape of Sunita, in a lovely sari. Where is Dev? [He's still toiling at Streetcars!] Meanwhile, Steve has been getting his head down. [However, he's been getting his head down a few drinks, and is now quite drunk.] Jack thinks that he should talk to Curly about his problems.

In Streetcars, Dev is frantically trying to contact Steve...

In the pub (not the Rovers), Stuart and Todd enthuse about student life, while Sarah listens. Stuart reckons that Todd will have a great time in Oxford, with great interest by all the young ladies there, anxious to find out about Manchester and the mean streets of Weatherfield. [Sarah looks increasingly perturbed about Todd's enthusiasm for his 'studies' in Oxford!]

Jack arrives at Curly's with a bottle of whisky: they have to talk.

In the Rovers, Tracy learns that Wally is not just an old man - he's recently sold a rather successful haulage firm and, according to Deirdre [who knows about such things], he's 'minted'. Tracy revises her poor opinion of Wally when she hears the phrase "multi-millionaire". Sunita, all dressed-up and nowhere to go, waits vainly for Dev and Tracy gloats at Sunita's being stood-up.

Joe and Karen crack open a bottle of Dom Perignon [don't we all of an evening?] and toast their imminent control of the factory. Just one more cheque, and the deed will be done, by the end of next week. Another obligatory snog.

Steve has left the Rovers, having had his fill, and staggers over the street to the bench, where he falls to the ground. Sarah and Todd pass [no Good Samaritans, they!] and ignore his plight. Todd dismisses Sarah's worries about his having freedom in the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford, with all the sins of the flesh being on offer. Todd proposes frequent visits to placate Sarah... Dev finds Steve, still horizontal and still, well, still on the ground. Dev is not a Good Samaritan either, only pausing long enough to accuse Steve of self-pity, before 'passing by on the other side' and heading for the Rovers... ... where he learns that Sunita has gone home. Exit Dev, not too pleased.

Chez Watts, where Jack and Curly have a heart to heart talk about the Watts' marital problems. Curly never mentions the real reason for their break-up, but Jack knows what's what, and encourages Curly to get his marriage back for Ben's sake.

A few doors away, Dev gets to Sunita's door but she refuses to open it for him. He tries his mobile, but she won't talk to him and shouts at him to 'go away'. The 'new' Dev sits on the doorstep and...

Iain McDougall

On the Hallowed Cobbles and Emma is hammering on the door, calling Norman (why can't she call him Curly like everyone else?) and getting no reply. This is causing inevitable interest and amusement in the hearts of certain passersby, namely Jason and Todd Grumbleweed, who are conversing outside the corner shop. Jason is taking the rise out of Todd because the latter is off to university. Meanwhile, Norris approaches Emma, (he's a lot more courageous than I thought!) and offers to help! HAH! Curly opens the window and informs her he is NOT letting her in, so there. Fizz'n'Kink (sic) arrive and start berating Emma, who has the grace to look ashamed. Jack appears and tells them to cool it, so they just go off. Janice comes over then, all sisterly and concerned and brings Emma back to her own house.

In the Corner Shop, Sunita is wrapping her gums around a cuppa and a choccie biccie and has a face like a thunderclap. Dev is earnestly explaining why he missed their date the previous night, but she is having none of it. She's piddled off at him and she's not going to be deflected that easily. He tries to reschedule for the following Friday, but no avail. I never noticed before what an enormous lower lip he has, you could carry an armful of laundry in that. Apropos of nothing, that last remark.

Janice has hauled a very upset and distracted Emma down to Roy's Rolls, Norris is at the counter and is starting the gossip chain with Roy. Mick comes in wanting to know what's wrong. Emma says that Fizz has called her a lying cow and looks up reproachfully at Mick, who looks uncomfortable. There's a lot going on with "no dialogue" this eppy" He dispatches Janice to work and sits down. Emma says that they have to keep quiet to keep him in his job, he points out that if he goes, she'll be going with him. There's gratitude for you! He goes out and Norris comes over, he very kindly asks Emma if she's all right, she's starting to cry and says no she isn't.

Chez Platt, Sarah Lou comes in complaining that Todd won't walk to school with her and that she thinks uni has gone to his head. His pal Stuart has obviously been filling him in on the wealth of available women there, all young, good looking (what? all of them?) and with no kids in tow. Poor Sarah is feeling threatened by Todd's forthcoming departure to Oxford. Gail is trying to console her.

Back the caff, Norris is pouring tea and sympathy into Sergeant Watts. He invites her confidence, she tells him some of the problem, not the Les bit, obviously. Then Emily comes in, also sympathizing but she makes it clear that she's on Curly's side, longevity of friendship etc. She points out that a private talk would be better than a public debacle. Course it would, but not half as entertaining!!!

Wally appears at the door of No 1, to be met by the sardonic Tracyluv, who has her sights firmly fixed on his wallet, so she invites him in for tea. A little verbal mating dance ensues, and lots of remarks about what "a girl" might want etc. The C word crops up, commitment that is, and both agree they don't want it. He asks her out, she points out that she can't two time her grandmother but he gives her a smooth answer. She says she'll think about it! HAHA. That won't take long!

Norris is pleading Emma's case with Curly, and of course, he gets around him. He relents and lets her in. Hard words are spoken about permanent break ups, Ben not being upset, her career coming first. He thinks he'll be keeping Ben, he offers to let her see him at the weekends and days off. She glows darkly and points out that Ben will be staying with her, not him. This takes the wind out of young Norman's sails somewhat.

Interval

Corner shop, Sunita comes back, presumably from lunch, Dev and Steve are waiting for her, Steve is pawing the ground to get away. He reluctantly admits that the previous night's events were his fault. Sunita isn't impressed and Steve couldn't care less.

Back at the Watt's, the argument has progressed to custody matters, both are insisting they are keeping Ben. Emma starts "low blowing" by making Curly lose his temper and they says she can't leave her child with someone who can't keep his temper. She backs him into a corner and gets him to leave her alone with Ben. Oooh, pity she's not that tough with her subordinate officers, then none of this would be happening.

In the cafe, Roy has given Katie her Roy's Rolls T shirt, she's not impressed, Martin is smirking somewhat, heh heh. Sarah, Todd and David are at the next table. Martin is trying to get the kids to get a bit of exercise, and drags David off. Todd tells Sarah he has something to tell her in private. Off they go.

Sunita is climbing down from her justifiable fit of pique and has started talking to Dev again. He rather pompously accepts her apology, she fires up and points out that Steve isn't the soul of integrity. He gives her the rest of the day off and repeats his offer of another date on Friday, she says she'll think about it. There's a lot of that going on isn't there?

Todd has a sheet of paper in his handie with loads of sums on it. He's figured out that with grants, loans and bursaries and if Sarah works full time, they could afford to live in their own place in Oxford. (What is she nuts??? Work his way through uni for him??) They're all enthusiasm, they're going to pass their exams and "really show" the adults. Oh dear!

Wally and Archie are in the Rovers and she's pumping him for information regarding the loquacious Wally. He thinks she's enquiring on her gran's behalf and tells her that Wally is loaded! To the hilt! Tracy's eyes go ker-ching!

Sunita comes in, all excited, telling Shelly what happened about the date and that they're reconvening on Friday night. Shelly is skeptical about Dev's motives. Sunita doesn't care, she's going for it anyway!

Martin calls for Katie and then for David. This makes Katie somewhat crestfallen, she hadn't banked on David.

Curly is banging on the door hollering at Emma. She looks out the window, points out about "sauce for the goose", not in so many words mind you, Fizz'n'Kink happen to be passing. Again. They have grins wider than the Mersey Tunnel.

Tracy rings Wally back, all flirty wirty, and accepts his invite for dinner, seeing as Blanche is away most of the week. Dirty work at the crossroads there.

Curly is sitting on Maxine's bench, with Jack Duckworth. He points out that he's blown his whole life all over again. He wants his wife and son back. Jack invites him home with him, he doesn't want to go, it's like history repeating itself. He's blaming himself for the rift between himself and Emma. He breaks down and Jack has to comfort him. Aww poor Curly. Another victim of the spiraling corruption in ITV's version of Greater Manchester Constabulary!


Rose Harrington

Breakfast at Vera's, where Curly and Tyrone get the last of the bacon and eggs. Jack is still in bed, so no fry-up for him.

Corner Shop, and a grinning Tracy goads Sunita about her being stood up by Dev the other night, just as the man in question appears and tells Tracy that he's asked Sunita out again, tonight. [Sunita hasn't agreed yet; will she, won't she?] Tracy leaves, but not before advising Sunita to have nothing to do with him.

Back chez Duckworth, and Jack is not a happy bunny - all he can have for breakfast is cereal, while all he can smell is bacon. Jack advises Curly to go back home, for that's where he belongs.

Next door, Emma tells Mick that she's taking a few days off work and also that she's locked Norman out of the house. She states that she can be a mother and hold down a career, contrary to what Norman thinks. [So when is she going to start learning to be a Mum, then?]

The girls, Sarah and Katy, sit out in the sun and discuss studying for their biology exam on Monday. Candice mutters that she has better things to do. Sarah talks about her plans to move to Oxford with Todd. Oh, and Bethany. [Naturally, Gail knows nothing of this as yet. I wonder if they have en electric fan in their bathroom?]

Streetcars, and Steve is down in the mouth. [Nowt new there then.] He tells Patrick that Karen is history - will she even remember that today is their second wedding anniversary?

In the factory, Joe and Karen are doing what they do best - dreaming up some more scams - when Mike appears. He's not sure about his plans, but he'll let them know if and when he's off to golf.

The Barlow domicile, and Tracy answers the phone. Surprise, surprise, it's Wally, anxious to see the minx again. Deirdre comes in, and wonders if this is a new bloke her daughter's got hold of. [Well, Wally's not exactly 'new'; he's old enough to be her Granpa!] Tracy whispers where and when she and Wally are to meet. [Tracy's eyes glint with ? signs.]

In the Rovers, Dev and Mike discuss love and marriage. And kids. Since his recent trip to India, Dev realizes what he wants from life: he wants to settle down, get married and have a family. And he knows someone who'd be perfect. [Unlike us, Mike has no idea who he's talking about, and is slightly bemused by Dev's change of heart in matters of amour!] However, Dev shows Mike his Grandmother's engagement ring, which he intends to present to the woman of his dreams tonight.

In the Corner Shop, Dev presses Sunita to agree to having a meal with him tonight, but Sunita is suspicious [as well she might!] of his intentions. Dev is delighted when Sunita, eventually, accepts his invitation. Dev promises her that it'll be a night to remember...

In the Kabin, Norris has 'taken Sally prisoner' while he recounts his exploits [or lack of them!] at the Court. If only he'd had tattoos, he may have been picked. Sally, eventually, escapes and bumps into Emma, with little Ben. Sally learns that Curly has been locked out, but if there's anything she can do... [Sally, of course, has some experience in the field of marital discord.] Norris offers to mediate between Emma and Curly, which kind gesture is declined.

Back at the Duckworths', Curly is lounging about on the sofa, denying Jack his inalienable right to watch the gee-gees. Tyrone rushes in with the news that Emma is out of the house; therefore, Curly can retake possession in her absence. [And Jack can retake possession of the TV set!]

Curly races outside and produces his keys, but the wily Emma has had the locks changed. Emma and Ben arrive, and she and Norman have yet another slanging match, with Emma threatening her husband with a restraining order. [Maybe Emma should have tried that tactic on Mick?]

Gail's house, and Sarah and Katy are revising for their biology exam. They discuss the subject of 'hormones'. [When I was at school, we didn't have hormones...] David, trying vainly to watch TV, mentions, casually, that it's Martin's birthday on Monday. Katy hears this snippet of information with interest, just as Candice arrives after her toil at the Salon.

A quiet, dimly lit restaurant, and Dev is entertaining Sunita, with soft music in the background. Sunita warns Dev not to 'butter her up', as he goes into smarmy/romantic mode.

Meanwhile, back at Gail's, the girls are talking about older men. [Presumably, this subject is NOT part of the National Curriculum on biology?] Katy states that she would die if she were seen with an 'older man', like Sean Connery [born 1930!!], but Katy blushes when the other two girls guess that she fancies a so-called 'older man'. [They'd be totally stunned if they knew what we know.]

Another time, another bar, and a shameless Tracy is flirting with Wally, massaging his [wait for it!] ego. Of course, he won't let Blanche know of their nefandous liaison, and he tells Tracy just to look upon him as her 'fitness instructor'. Both grin, as they talk about their favourite subjects - themselves.

Dev and Sunita continue their meal, quite content in each other's company, and Sunita wants to know all about Dev's trip to India.

In the Rovers, Patrick and Steve are having a quiet pint together when Karen enters. Steve tells her that he has signed the divorce papers. [NB: the second wedding anniversary = paper!! I looked that up.] Karen hands back her wedding ring to Steve, but it goes back and forward on the bar - neither of them wants the ring. Steve leaves, quietly, just as Joe arrives with the news that, since Mike's going away for a few days, one more cheque will be enough for them to take over the factory.

Curly once again beds down on the Duckworth sofa, but not before Jack advises him to be the master of his own house, and break in tomorrow to reclaim his property.

Dev is trying his best to explain to Sunita his new-found sense of priorities in life, and she is staggered to hear him ask the question: "Will you marry me?" Dev stands up, plucks the rose from their table and, in full view, and hearing, of the others in the restaurant, asks Sunita to marry him. Sunita is not amused. He has never mentioned 'love', so it seems to her that this is tantamount to an arranged marriage, which she once fled from. The normally laid-back Dev is astounded to hear Sunita tell him to 'get lost', as she storms out...

Iain McDougall

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