Episode updates - January 2004

We begin at the Barlow's breakfast table, Blanche is scraping some extremely burnt toast (the kind I throw away and start again) and Ken ponders on what the new year will bring. Deirdre comments sourly that it will probably bring the same amount of misery as the past three years, when Blanche remarks that she might die, that would put a spring in Deirdre's step for the rest of the year! Ken and Deirdre are shocked, and protest, and there ensues an argument in which Blanche accuses Deirdre of not doing enough to persuade Tracy to keep the baby, and asks whether she cares who brings up her grandchild. The argument then quickly turns into one about the house that Blanche has bought for Tracy, which means that Deirdre will not get any inheritance when Blanche finally pops her clogs, and also about money, with Blanche saying that most children would look after their parents out of love, but Deirdre only has her there for the money. She then tosses her purse across the table at Deirdre, telling her to take it, saying she's only just realized what a money-grabber she is!

We then see Betty wandering into the back room of the pub, where Shelley and Sunita are sitting. Shelley wishes Betty a happy new year, but Betty doubts that it will be somehow. Sunita announces that she is going away, she needs space to think and she's going to Scotland for a few weeks. Shelley says she doesn't like the idea of Sunita wandering around brooding, and feels she needs to get back into routine as quickly as possible, it worked for her. She wonders if Ciaran has been getting at Sunita, but Sunita tells her it's not about him, it's about Dev, and she breaks down telling Shelley he's got Maya now.

Back at the Barlow's, Deirdre is pulling saucepans out of the cupboard to give to Tracy, who is standing studying an empty calendar and thinking about the year ahead. She tells Deirdre she's going to be 27 this year, and Deirdre tells her that Ken will be 65, she'll be going to bed with an old age pensioner! 'Eugh!' comments Tracy. She asks her mum if she's angry with her over the house business, and Deirdre tells her no, it's her gran she's cross with. In a rare moment of mother/daughter togetherness, Deirdre tells her she's glad she's going to be just down the street and maybe with not living in each other's pockets they won't fall out so much. She tells Tracy there's a couple of old chairs in the attic and she'll get Ken to bring them over later. Tracy thanks her mum for being there for her, and Deirdre tells her that she does love her, even if she makes it hard for her sometimes. 'Kids, who'd have 'em?' comments Tracy, somewhat ironically.

Over at the Battersby's, Kirk and Les are playing a video game, and Fizz is disgusted because Cilla has locked Chesney in his room for eating her chocolate liqueurs. Cilla tells her if he wants to get drunk he can spend his pocket money on shandy like other kids! (Brilliant!) Fizz asks what pocket money, she doesn't give him any! Cilla tells her to shut up and read her out her horoscope for the coming year. Fizz tells her to go and get her own paper, and when Cilla reminds her that this is the season of goodwill, Fizz wonders if she should go and tell Chesney that through the keyhole! Les then pipes up that he will tell Cilla her future - plenty of action with her stud (him?) and her own pub by Easter! When Fred Elliot sees her running rings round Shelley he'll sack her and put Cilla in charge. (Talk about love being blind!) When Fizz asks how he's worked all this out, he tells her he's trying to persuade her mum to work there. Cilla says she's enjoying being between jobs, and Fizz tells Les she was between jobs for four years once.

At the Barlow's, Betty has come to dinner and all four of them are eating their meal wearing paper hats from crackers. Ken asks Betty if Shelley is looking after her all right and Betty says she is, but it's not the same as home. Blanche says that's how she feels, this used to be her home but not any more. Deirdre is cross and asks how she can compare herself to Betty who has practically lost everything. They then start to argue yet again, and Blanche tells Betty that Deirdre can't wait to get her hands on the small pittance that she's scrimped and saved for all her life. Deirdre tells her she's bought a house, if she wants to see a pittance she should look at Deirdre's savings book. Blanche tells her she should have married Ken, then his house would be half hers. Ken butts in and says it is half Deirdre's and will be hers when he dies, and Blanche then tells a rather bewildered Betty that now Deirdre is planning Ken's death! Deirdre storms out in disgust.

In the Rover's, Fred is testing the microphone for the forthcoming auction of promises. Bev says quietly to Ciaran that now he's single again there's nothing to stop them meeting up, it can be their little secret. Ciaran says yes there is, he doesn't want to have little secrets with her, he enjoyed their time together but it was a one off, no repeats. Bev, a trifle miffed, says that now they know where they stand.

Sunita has gone to the corner shop to see Dev and is asking him to keep her job open. He says of course he will, he'll give Todd some extra shifts. She says she needs to get away, and he asks 'From me?' she tells him 'from everything'. He assures her her job and the flat above the shop will be there for her. She tells him she's made a right mess of everything, but he tells her it would have been more of a mess if she'd married him. Sunita points out that this is the second marriage she has run away from, how many more chances is she going to get? He clasps her hand tenderly, but she jumps up, saying she can't do this, and leaves.

In the pub, Fred is beginning the auction. First up is Harry, who will, as Fred puts it, 'make your knobs shine and clear all your nooks and crannies!' The bidding for Harry finally closes at 12 pounds from Blanche, who is quick to point out she wants him to clean No. 7 for Tracy. (I thought she'd already cleaned it several times herself!) She says that Deirdre cleans No. 1, well, if you can call just pushing the duster round cleaning. Deirdre, sitting with Ken, hears all this and is obviously furious.

Out in the street, Tracy sees Betty sitting on the bench. Betty confides that she feels in the way at the Rovers. She knows from watching the news on TV that there's a lot worse off than she is, but right now it doesn't feel like it, she feels she can't get much lower. Tracy asks about Betty's son, but is told that he doesn't want her, or at least his wife doesn't. She tells Tracy that it's her own fault, and when Tracy asks how that can be, Betty tells her how she wasn't married to her son's father and she gave Gordon to her sister to bring up, as she couldn't have children of her own. But, she tells Tracy, it was awful seeing him grow up not knowing who she was, he found out in his twenties. Tracy tells Betty that people keep telling her she will regret giving her baby away, and what does Betty think? Betty tells her that not a day goes by without her regretting what she did, but she will just have to bear it until the day she dies.

Back in the Rover's, Fizz is accusing Candice of being addled for paying thirty quid for a date with Jason Grimshaw, and Norris is offering a service of choosing greetings cards for people and bringing them round at the right time, all addressed and everything, just needing to be signed. Blanche asks what if they don't like the card he's chosen? But Norris assures them he has impeccable taste. The bidding starts, but gets no higher than Rita's one pound.

Meanwhile, Tracy has brought Betty into the bar and tells her to go and sit down while she gets her a drink, it's her good deed for the year. Ciaran serves her, and has he's bringing her the drinks, Bev asks, rather acidly, if Tracy's more his type. Ciaran tells her not to be like that. Serving Tracy, he says he can't remember if he kissed her or not the night before, and she tells he he couldn't have because he would have remembered if he had.

Ken and Deirdre are talking about Blanche and the house she bought. Ken points out that at least she didn't leave it to a dogs home or something like that.

Les steps up to be auctioned, he'll do anything. Cilla says it was her idea, she doesn't think anyone but her will bid, so he'll be hers all day and she won't let him out of the bedroom. Les starts the bidding and she bids five pounds, but is horrified when Janice pops up and bids seven pounds and 30 pence. Janice wins, and tells Eileen that the look on Cilla's face makes it worth every penny. Cilla wants to know what Janice's game is, but Fizz tells her she probably just wants to boss him around. Cilla is not convinced, thinks there's more to it, and Les is a saint! She knows how to put a smile on his face though, and asks Shelley if she's looking to take on any staff behind the bar. Shelley tells her to come and see her tomorrow.

Steve is next up to be auctioned. He's promising to chauffer someone in style for a night out in Manchester anywhere they want to go. Tracy and Karen end up in a bidding war, and the price goes up to 150 pounds, with Karen winning. When Deirdre asks Tracy what she's up to, she says she just wanted to raise some serious money for Auntie Emily's hospital.

Ciaran quietly asks Tracy what that was all about, and then guesses that the person Tracy kissed the night before was Steve. Tracy eventually confides in Ciaran that she loves Steve, and has had a major crush on him since they were kids.

Blanche is talking to her friends, saying how unpredictable her granddaughter is. Norris wonders if she's that unpredictable, then she might sell the house. Blanche announces loudly that although she's bought the house for Tracy, it's her name on the deeds. Deirdre, who just happens to be walking past at that moment, hears all this. She tells Blanche that this is all just a grand gesture, she's giving Tracy nothing. Blanche protests that she's giving Tracy her independence. In the ensuing argument, in the pub, in front of all Blanche's friends, (Rita, Norris, Emily etc) Deirdre loudly exclaims that she's glad Blanche has bought the house, she tells her: 'Pack your bags, Mother, now that you own a house you don't need to live in mine any more!' There's a stunned silence, and Blanche's face drops a mile!

Events in Weatherfield are copyright ITV TV, sponsors (sadly) Cadbury's Creme Eggs as it appears it is already Easter, writer the one, the only Daran Little and Director Oliver Horsbrugh.

Tonight in the Street events are dominated by wars between mothers (Blanche, Cilla, Deirdre) and daughters (Deirdre, Tracy and Fiz). And the atmosphere is electric as Daran provides those concerned with the ammunition.

So without ado we join the action in no 1 where Blanche is complaining to Ken about her treatment by Deirdre; the latter arrives ready to attend induction on her new job. Blanche demands an apology which Deirdre offers - for doing it in public - but if Blanche owns no 7 then she can live there! Later Blanche seeks a sympathetic ear at the Kabin. Neither Rita or Norris pay much attention. Blanche makes it quite clear that she is going to ensure Deirdre begs her to stay.

Norris has to copy out Rita's address book as he is going to provide birthday cards in advance of each birthday and Daran reminds us of the extensive list of Rita's boyfriends, a slight slip here - Norris knew Anthony Stevens but appears not to remember the name.

Brenda Fearns is looking after Bethany for the day, allegedly at the sales. Her remaining grip on reality appears to be slipping as she chides Jason and Todd for the way they discuss Candice who has "bought" a date with Jason. Jason reckons Candice is looking better! As Brenda and Bethany depart they meet Gail and Brenda who runs down both Todd and Gail. Brenda says that some people do not deserve to have children. She departs somewhat upset.

Fiz asks Janice if any flats are available for Kirk - she wants to get him away from Cilla. In answer to a question Fiz tells Janice how worked up Cilla is over Janice winning Les in the auction. Fiz also tells us for the first time about Billy who is in the Army - they do not know where he is - and Cilla had her nails done rather than go to Fiz's nan's funeral.

Roy and Hayley discuss decorating the spare room and buying a cot. Tracy wanders in to collect Ciaran - they are going shopping together for furniture.

A little later Cilla arrives in the corner shop and runs into Janice. Cilla accuses Janice of wanting Les back - she left him to go off with his best mate and no that someone else is showing interest she wants to pick up again. Janice puts on her really evil face (you have to see it to believe it - I am still scared, has she ever made a horror movie?) and tells Cilla that she is wild with jealousy and she is not going to be warned by a "common tart". Cilla denies she is common when Janice interrupts and tells her to look in the mirror. Fiz is one of Janice's best mates - she is watching Cilla and she will not let Cilla take Les for a ride. She calls Cilla a nothing and orders her out of her way.

Deirdre returns home to find cases waiting in the hall, Blanche explains she would have gone but cannot find her certificates. Blanche will not stay where she is not wanted. Deirdre does not hate her mother - but asks Blanche to imagine how she felt on Xmas Day - over gloves for Deirdre and a house for Tracy. Blanche says that the house is going to be in her name - Tracy will only inherit on her death. Blanche almost talks Deirdre round and the latter says she does not have to go after all. Deirdre tells Blanche to put the kettle on and she will put the cases away. As Deirdre picks up the cases she finds they are empty - clearly Blanche had no intention of leaving. Deirdre wakes up as she realises she has been had and instructs Blanche to pack properly and depart. So far Deirdre is 2 - 0 up - will it last?

Ashley is visiting Maxine's grave and admits that she has been taped over. As Ashley departs he finds Bethany and asks if she is lost. Brenda arrives and tells him to take her hands off her "daughter". After asking some questions Ashley returns Bethany to Brenda who departs (so no going to the sales then). Ashley later reports these events to Sarah but is not sure if he mis-heard daughter / grand-daughter.

Back at No 1, Blanche is telling Deirdre some home truths. Blanche reckons that having her their meant that she did not have to face being in a rut - and the age difference with Ken being 65 this year is making Deirdre old before her time. Blanche is told to finish her packing and go.

Tracy and Ciaran have a discussion. Apparently Tracy had a crush on Steve McDonald when they were both growing up on the Street.

Norris recites much of Rita's history as he tries to prove that he knows her well. Nice Daran touch. Fiz takes the opportunity to tell Shelley about how (un)reliable Cilla is and Shelley takes notice. Fiz later tells Cilla about this conversation and how she cannot get a job. Cilla responds in kind - perhaps Kirk should know about her staying overnight with Tyrone and calls her a mucky cow. Cilla will teach Fiz to call her a thief. (Oops bit unlucky there Fiz).

Candice and Jason have got along reasonably well during the date but she does not take him up for coffee. She explains she is grown up and is a different person. They can go out again - tomorrow.

Ken and Deirdre discuss Blanche - she pushes Deirdre to the end. Blanche will collect the rest of her stuff tomorrow. Blanche departs leaving Deirdre feeling guilty - and she loves Ken. Ken re-assures her. They have got the house to themselves.

Tracy is creating "Home Sweet Home" and Blanche arrives saying she has been thrown out.

And best news of all - in the UK it would appear that we are at last getting a nation wide terrestrial omnibus edition of the Street on Saturdays.

Much better this week as we have moved away from some un-realistic stories and there is greater focus on characters. Well done everyone.

We start tonight at no 7 with Blanche and Tracy. Tracy is complaining about sharing a bed with her grandmother and the fact that every time she woke up there was a pair of teeth in a glass staring at her. Tracy is trying to persuade Blanche that she would be better of at Deirdre's. Tracy's face lights up when Blanche says that she has a solution and that they will not longer be sharing a bed. Only to be let down again by Blanche saying that she is getting her own bed delivered.

In the street Sarah bumps into Gail and mentions Brenda Fearns ö she mentions that she is a bit worried about Brenda and offers to look after Bethany if needed. For once she didn't do it in a typical Gail way and this leaves Sarah worried about what she has said.

Janice knocks on Les's door and says that she has come to claim him and wants him in Roy's Rolls by 10.00am so she can give him his jobs for the day. Cilla comes out wanting to know what is going on. Les goes off to receive his orders. Cilla then attempts to blackmail Fizz and say that she wants her to look after Chesney more otherwise she will tell Kirk all about her and Tyrone. Fizz tells her that nothing went on and she can tell him as she refuses to be blackmailed.

Tracy is still manipulating Blanche into thinking that Deirdre wants her back at home and goes on about Deirdre confessing to Tracy how much she misses her and how important the mother daughter bond is to her. The whole story backfires on her though when Blanche says that it will make Deirdre realize how much she misses her.

Les walks into the cafŽ to be told that Janice has sub-let him for the day and all the girls in the factory are having a piece of him. He tries to say no but then Karen tells him that Steve is his boss and he doesn't like it when she is upset, Angela says that Tommy is very worked up at the moment and doesn't have an excuses and so basically he bottles out of refusing and gets to work.

Sarah is discussing the conversation that she had with Gail to Todd and is going to tell Brenda not to take Bethany to the cemetery any more.

Fizz is talking to Tyrone in the cafŽ and she tells him that her mum saw her leaving his house. He panics and tells her to sort it out with Kirk and demands that she goes and sees him and then he runs out of the cafŽ because he doesn't want to be seen with her.

Meanwhile Cilla is sitting on the sofa and in walks Kirk. He is working at the kennels and has come home to go to the pub with Les for his dinner. She tells him that Les is doing his chores for Janice and offers him a fry up which he readily accepts. She then tells him that she was meant to tell him something but she cant think what it is ö oh yes she says I remember ·..

We then go to the cafŽ and Maria has ordered herself a green salad as she is on a diet as part of her new years resolution. Fizz comes in asking after Kirk and is relieved when Maria tells her that he is at the kennels ö she orders herself pie and double chips to celebrate. Blanche then comes into the cafŽ and tells Hayley that she has now moved into No 7 and will therefore influence Tracy in her decision making and the only way that either Roy or Hayley will get to be with her grandchild is when he/ she is a customer. Hayley is fuming at this comment but Roy calms her down and tells her to be patient. He says that they must get everything in place ready for the baby, as it is clear that Blanche knows nothing about the money.

Back with Cilla and she has finished telling lies about Tyrone and Fizz ö he is clearly very upset and she pretends to be sincere but has a nasty snide look on her face.

Tracy is now trying to manipulate Deirdre into thinking that Blanche is missing her and gives her a long sob story about how Blanche opened up to her about the mother/ daughter bond.

Over at Sarah and Todd's ö Bethany has told Sarah that Brenda told her that she would not be wanted once the new baby arrives. They are both appalled at this and decide that they no longer want Brenda to visit.

Blanche lets herself into Deirdre's and so Deirdre thinks she has come back and she starts being nice to her. Blanche accuses her of being drunk and they find out that Tracy has been trying to trick them both so she can have the house to herself ö they end up rowing.

Kirk goes to see Maria and asks if Fizz was with her on Christmas night ö no is the answer. He then goes and sits on the bench outside the house. Les comes along and he tells Les that Fizz is having an affair. Les tells him that he has still got him (very touching scene).

Back at Tracy's more lies from her and Blanche lets her carry on with her stories of how sad Deirdre is. She then tells her that she has seen Deirdre who showed no sign of wanting her back. Tracy then says that she may want to sell the house and move from Weatherfield. She is gob smacked when Blanche tells her that she cant ö it is her house until Blanche dies and then it will be left to Tracy in her will. Tracy looks far from pleased.

Sarah and Todd attempt to tell Brenda to stay away from Bethany who goes a bit creepy and says that they are alienating her from her grandparents. Todd becomes assertive and tells her to GO NOW and she scuttles out of the door.

Candice is in the Rovers and Jason asks if she is ready ö she has decided to treat him mean and orders another drink ö as soon as he has gone to the bar she asks Fizz's advice and asks if she should be more friendly. Fizz tells her to carry on how she is.

Kirk then comes in and he asks if she is having an affair ö she looks flummoxed and of course all this is witnessed by Cilla who looks delighted.

Back at Sarah and Todd's they are making themselves feel better with a cup of tea and Sarah wonders whether there will be any repercussions. Todd assures her that there won't be ö and of course we then pan down the street and a mad looking Brenda Fearns is looking up at the window.

Fizz and Kirk are back on the bench. She tries to explain what happened and why she didn't tell him. They kiss and make up which of course is witnessed by Cilla who attempts to stir things up. She lies about seeing Tyrone and Fizz kissing. Kirk asks Fizz if she kissed Tyrone which she can't deny. Cilla then tells him that Fizz is not worth it and puts her arm round him and leads him off. Boo hiss to Cilla.

Monday 5 January

HI everyone, here is the first episode of the evening:

We start off in Todd and Sarah's flat, he's about to leave for work. He asks Sarah if she's all right, he thinks she had a bad night, that the situation with Brenda got to her. Sarah tells him of course Brenda got to her, she'd get to anybody, but she doesn't want to talk about her. He agrees, but says they might need the occasional babysitter, and Bethany does have another grandma. Sarah says they'll make do.

Over at the Barlow's, Deirdre is agonising over what to wear for her first day at work, and asking Ken, who is eating his breakfast, to help her choose. When he does make a choice she demands to know why he chose that, and then scolds him when he doesn't have an answer. Ken, forever the diplomat, tells her that whatever she chooses will be perfect, because she's perfect for the job and they are lucky to have her.

Sarah, on her way out of the front door with Bethany, meets Brenda hanging around outside. Sarah demands to know what she's doing there, and when Brenda says she thought she might take Bethany to nursery, Sarah asks if she heard a word she said the day before. She tells Brenda she was ranting and raving, and Brenda admits she may have got a bit carried away and said too much. She tries to kiss Bethany and Sarah pulls Beth away and tells her not to touch her ever again. She picks up Bethany and hurries off. All this has been witnessed by Emily Bishop, and when Brenda is left crying, Emily comes over and asks if she can help. She recognizes Brenda from a Christmas function at the church, and introduces herself. She is somewhat puzzled when Brenda tells her she is Bethany's gran, but Brenda explains that her son was Bethany's father but he died recently. Emily takes Brenda off for a cup of tea.

Janice is knocking on Les's front door. Cilla sticks her head out of an upstairs window and bellows that they're not in. Janice, grinning, asks if she'll tell her man she has another little job for him, nothing too taxing, she knows how tired he gets. She tells a furious Cilla she'll pop back at lunch time.

Maria and Fizz are in their flat. Maria asks what's wrong, and Fizz tells her Kirk has dumped her. Maria is incredulous, she knows Kirk is mad about Fizz, he even prefers her to his greyhounds! Fizz explains that Kirk thinks she has cheated on him with Tyrone, but he's got the wrong end of the stick. Tyrone is his best mate, they wouldn't do anything. She tells Maria that her mum has been winding Kirk up, so Maria tells her she'll sort him out and she should meet her in the Rover's at dinner time.

Meanwhile, over at the Battersby's, Cilla is still stirring things with Kirk. She tells him there's only two type of women, the sort you put on Christmas trees, and the other. Les turns round from dismantling the Christmas tree and offers to tell Cilla which type she is. She smiles sweetly at him, and then tells Kirk that unfortunately these things don't run in families.

Over in the cafe, Emily is having a heart to heart with Brenda. She asks her if she's spoken to her minister, he could help. Brenda asks if he'll help her get Bethany back, but Emily meant help with the grieving for her son. Brenda tells her she's trying to save the soul of a little child. Emily is still pressing for her to speak to her minister when Sarah walks in. After apologizing to Roy, who is very busy and somewhat flustered, she's just taking her coat off when Emily comes over for a quiet word. Sarah asks who's side she's on, Brenda is mad, all she does is take Bethany to weep over her son's grave, and that it's freaking out her and Todd and mostly Bethany. Then, if she stands up to her, Brenda turns horrible. Emily returns to the table and tells Brenda that Sarah's young, she'll calm down given time and she's sure everything will work out in the end, (however, she looks doubtful!) Brenda nods, and leaves.

Charlie the builder is giving Jack a quote of two thousand pounds for the repairs to the extension and the damage done by Terry's fridge. Jack is horrified, and asks whether he couldn't just put some floral paper over it all. Charlie tells him he can only give him till this afternoon to make his mind up before he commits to another job. He goes off, leaving Jack to think about selling the giant fridge to raise some money to pay for the damage it caused.

In the Kabin, Rita is fed up with Norris sending cards to people she hasn't seen for years, because they have been they are writing back threatening to visit. She demands her address book back, but Norris is reluctant, and tells her that if she would give her more information about the recipients he would be more able to fulfill his function. Rita says she doesn't want him to fulfill his function, she wants him to give it her back. Emily comes in and Norris complains that Rita is trying to renege on her auction prize, which after all, was for charity. Rita tells him she'd pay for his inaction, in fact some days she thinks that's all she does! Emily is looking 'pasty' according to Norris, and she says she's had a trying morning. She doesn't think the auction raised that much money. Harry, who has just come in, turns round and asks how much it did raise. Emily hasn't totted it all up yet, but it's never enough, the hospital always needs more money. Harry wonders if she has ever thought of running a charity shop.

Jack has gone over to the cafe and is trying to sell a rather harassed Roy the enormous fridge. He tells him it's the Taj Mahal of the frozen world and people would come from miles around just to look at it! Roy, waving his arms around, tells Jack he's not interested in people coming on some sort of refrigerator pilgrimage, he wants them to buy the all day breakfast. Just then Sarah comes past, and one of the aforementioned all day breakfasts ends up on the floor, plate smashed. Ken comes up to the counter, and just as Jack begins his selling technique, Ken tells him that if it's too big for Jack's house, it's too big for his. Roy asks Ken if Deirdre started her new job, and suggests that Ken has a hot meal waiting for her when she gets home. Ken says he'll give it a try.

Out in the street, Maria sees Kirk helping Les take down the exterior Christmas decorations. She asks what he's playing at, giving Fizz the elbow. He tells her that Fizz means nothing to him, ever since she slept with his best mate. Maria assures him that Fizz did not sleep with him, just went round there for a Christmas drink. Les, at the top of the ladder, sees Tyrone coming down the street with Jack. He shouts 'Oi you!' and asks if Kirk's girl slept round his place on Christmas night. Tyrone sheepishly nods that she did. Maria then drags Kirk off to the Rovers to sort it out, leaving Les shouting at the top of his ladder. Janice and Fizz come along just then, and Janice offers to help. Les doesn't trust her, and then Cilla comes out of house. Janice tells her she's got a job for Les, signing the divorce papers. Les tries to hurry down the ladder, slips on the wiring for the lights, and ends up hanging upside down on the ladder, his head only inches from the ground. Janice and Cilla look unperturbed, as if this is normal behaviour, which I suppose it is. Janice says that when Les has finished rolling around on the ground with Santa, could Cilla get him to take the papers to the Rover's. She thrusts the envelope at Cilla and walks off.

Over in the pub, Maria is taking her brother's side, and asking Fizz why she didn't tell her she stayed over with Tyrone on Christmas night. Fizz said it wasn't really staying over, she just got drunk and fell asleep on the sofa, and when she woke up it was Boxing Day. Kirk says that's staying over. Fizz tells him not to get clever with her now, but Maria says he has a point.

Les comes in with the divorce papers for Janice. Although he'd always said he'd never sign, he's changed his mind. He's found happiness and he wants her to as well. Janice buys him a pint.

Back at their table, Fizz tells Kirk he must be stupid to believe what her mum says. Maria asks why her mum would make up something like that. Fizz reckons it's because she's her mum. Maria scoffs that doesn't make sense and marches out, Kirk leaves the table and goes to talk to Les at the bar. Les tells him there's plenty more fish in the sea, but to be careful what he picks.

Jack is talking to Tyrone in the cafe. Tyrone tells him Kirk is his mate, and Jack tells him to let him give Tyrone a smack or two, and next time to do what he didn't do, at least he'd have some fun.

Todd has come in the cafe, and Roy tells him that so far Sarah has cost him three plates, two cups and an all day breakfast with black pudding. He asks Todd if he would take Sarah off somewhere 'of a therapeutic nature'. Todd is pleased and agrees readily.

Over in the pub, Janice is asking Fizz what it is with her mam. Fizz tells her that Cilla just wants everything. She swoops in like a cuckoo, and she's taken over Kirk because she's jealous of what he and Fizz had.

Blanche and Harry have just stepped out of No. 7. Blanche asks if there are any problems with the house, but Harry tells her there's no dry rot, no death watch beetle. The house is nice. He leaves and Jack comes along and tries to sell her the fridge. She tells him she already has one. As he goes, along comes Ken, with shopping bags. Blanche asks if Deirdre left him a list, and he tells her he's trying to support her daughter. Blanche tells him that she's trying to support Deirdre's daughter, and her unborn grandchild.

Fizz is knocking on Cilla's door, she wants to have it out with her, and it's answered by Cilla in a face mask. Janice falls about laughing. Cilla warns Fizz not to make her laugh, the mask cost a fortune, and lets her in.

At the nursery, Bethany is told it's time to go, Brenda has arrived to take her for a fictitious dental appointment. (Ooooh err!!!)

Fizz is questioning Cilla, why doesn't she like to see her happy? Would she please just tell Kirk the truth. Cilla, filing her nails, is keeping her face blank and expressionless behind the face pack. Fizz gets more and more aggravated. 'Why?' she asks her, 'Why are you doing this to me?' Eventually Cilla laughs, and the face pack cracks all over. She blames Fizz, naturally.

Jack is demonstrating the virtues of the enormous fridge to Charlie, showing him how the light goes on and off when the door is opened and closed. Charlie points out that they all do that, but agrees to take it off Jack's hands. Jack is ecstatic until he realises that Charlie is not offering to do the whole job in return for the fridge, just offering to knock five hundred pounds off the bill. Jack is crestfallen.

Sarah and Todd have arrived at the nursery to collect Bethany, and are horrified to learn that Brenda has already taken her, supposedly to a dental appointment. The nursery let her go because Brenda's name is on Sarah's list of people who can pick Bethany up. Sarah tells them to take Brenda's name off the list.

Meanwhile, Brenda and Bethany are in the graveyard, putting fresh flowers on Neil's grave. Brenda is talking to Bethany about her real daddy, and asks if Bethany would like to meet him. She tells Bethany she'll take her there, and Bethany will love him, cross her heart and hope to die...............

And on that gripping note, we finish this episode!

Anne

Welcome to tonight's second episode, sponsored by Cadbury's Creme Eggs, which, as everyone knows, is appropriate fare for Martin Luther King Day, Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day, Mardi Gras, and Persian New Year, as well as Easter. There's a real treat in store as the scriptwriters reveal just how Norris will be written out -- he'll be taken out by a crazed fan who can't stand him any more -- just as soon as I find where I put my axe.

As the episode opens we see Brenda and Bethany together in the cemetery. Brenda tells the child that she and her daddy have a special bond that can't be broken and tells her they are going to a special place.

In the Battersby-Brown-Sutherland household, Battersby and Brown are trying to cheer up Sutherland, but Kirk of that ilk will have none of it. "What's Tyrone got that you haven't?" asks Les. "Fiz." Les reminds him that the only people who stuck by him when he was in prison were Kirk and Fiz, so that proves Kirk can be strong. He urges Kirk to fight for what he believes is his and tells him no-one wants to see him called Kirk The Loser, and if he is he'll bring shame on the house.

In the church, Brenda lights candles for herself and for Bethany, so Bethany's father will know they are there. She tells Beth that their lives are like candles and will flicker and disappear, but that doesn't matter, because when their flames disappear, so does their pain and suffering and they will be reborn.

Over to the Duckworths', where Very arrives home from Blackpool to find Charlie just starting to rebuild her kitchen, despite her expecting it to be done well before now. "Whoever put up this extension wasn't fit to build a Wendy house," he tells her. Jack tries to explain to her that the answer has several layers, but Vera is having none of it. "Never mind about layers, where's me fridge?" Jack, proving that he reads more in those papers than the racing pages, explains carefully that in order to pay for the repairs they have had to "release some funds". To Vera's protestations he says: "It's no good expecting me to be sitting here like Captain Scott in me thermals. We 'ad to pay 'im up front!" "It's the way I work," nods Charlie. Then they tell Vera that it's Charlie who's bought the fridge, and she shouts they've been sewn up. "Stitched up," corrects Jack, breaking the news to her that Charlie wants £1500 for the job. And with Vera's "WHAT?!!?" still ringing in our ears we move to...

Brenda's house, where Todd and Sarah have been peering in the windows and talking to a neighbour trying to find out whether Brenda is at home. Sarah is sure she is and persuades Todd to break a window to get in.

We next see Ken talking to Charlie in Charlie's yard, which seems to be just over the road from Fred's butcher shop, which I think would put it halfway inside the bookies, but let's not quibble... Ken introduces himself for no reason that I can see and tells him he's just bought some lamb chops which he's going to cook for his wife, Deirdre (yes, I know you know that, but Charlie seems to have missed meeting any of the locals in the Rovers, or at least Ken thinks he has). Charlie says he's just removing some sheets of asbestos roofing and when Ken expresses concern, jokes that he will remove them carefully and dump them in some farmer's field when no-one is looking.

Janice and Fiz have been to the chippie and have a go at Maria outside the salon. Janice warns Maria not to judge everyone else by her own standards.

In Brenda's house, Todd is looking at a picture and tries to stop Sarah seeing it. She is horrified. It is a photo of Bethany holding a photograph of a young Neil wearing teddy pyjamas just like those that Brenda gave to Bethany. Feel free to read that sentence again. Sarah is starting to panic and says it's six o' clock, but Todd convinces her that Brenda will have lost track of the time again and is probably back at their flat with Bethany.

He's wrong. Brenda and Bethany are still in the church. And I just want to say that Bethany (either Amy or Emily Walton) is sometimes such a good little actress that I wonder if there's some sort of trick -- hypnotism, or whips, or a really really short adult actress -- to getting her to say and do the right thing. Maybe it's just the promise of all those Creme Eggs. Anyway, in the church, Brenda is telling her that she has lost everyone she ever cared about and Bethany is also going to suffer loss when her parents get a new baby and forget her. But she and Bethany can go and be with Bethany's daddy and all three of them can be together. "I want you to be ever so brave for me, Bethany. There's nothing to worry about. You and me, we're going to heaven." [and of course this is where the break and the reminder about Creme Eggs comes]

Back in Weatherfield, Sarah and Todd are coming out of their flat and thinking about where Brenda might have taken Bethany. They decide to try the cemetery and a handy bus pulls up. But they have no money left. Norris is passing by, carefully carrying what appears to be takeaway food. Asking the driver to wait (this is Soapland, so he does), Sarah asks, "Norris, can we lend two quid off you?"
"I may lend. You may . . . " says Norris.
"What?"
"I may lend. You may . . . "
"It's urgent!" says Sarah.
"Oh, granted," says Norris. "It's one of those common grammatical errors that really niggle me." He opens his mouth to say more, but Todd (he almost went to Oxford, you know) catches on.
"Borrow. Borrow. Can we borrow two quid?" He explains the whole situation in two sentences.
As the bus driver parps the horn, Norris hands over the money and Sarah and Todd leap into the bus. "Don't mention it," says Norris. That crash you hear, gentle reader, is the sound of my pen hitting the television screen.

In the Rovers, Janice has a go at Cilla about Kirk. Cilla snipes back and calls Janice a top notch home wrecker. For those of you without a moving picture of Cilla, you have to imagine her with lips curled in a sneer as she says this, and with her lower jaw working as if she's chewing steel. Vera comes in, followed by Jack and Tyrone and Les moves into place behind Kirk. Then begins a round of "My surrogate son is bigger than your surrogate son".
Kirk and Tyrone get out one sentence each before Les and Vera take over.
Les warns Tyrone.
Betty warns Les.
Vera warns Kirk.
Jack warns Les he's picked the wrong day.
"And you picked the wrong fella to make a fool out of," Les tells Tyrone.
"And you'll live to regret it."
"Yeah," pipes up Kirk.

Ken is in the Kabin talking to Emily and Norris. "So, six minutes each side," he says. I'm sure we've seen Ken cooking before, but maybe his memory is starting to go. He's still clutching that packet of lamb chops, even though some time has passed (Fiz and Janice have finished their chips and have been in the pub long enough to order and drink most of their pints, and it's taken him all this time to wander past his own house and down to the Kabin, presumably looking for someone who knows exactly how long it takes to grill a lamb chop. And surely he had the shopping bags in the previous episode?).
"Yes," says Emily. Six minutes if you like the lamb on the pink side. She explains she was distracted by something Norris said.
"Did I interrupt?" asks Ken.
"No, I wouldn't want to be responsible for your lamb not cooking properly," Norris says.
Ken leaves as Harry comes in. Emily explains that they have been discussing the problem of Brenda disappearing with Bethany. As she explains, Emily gets an idea.
"She's on a roll, you see," Norris explains. "She's just helped Ken with his lamb." Whack, as my notebook hits him in the face! Emily doesn't notice my distress, and carries on telling Harry that Brenda seemed to find comfort only in the church. She orders Norris to go and check the cemetery, and says she'll check the church. Norris is taken aback but obeys her.

In the pub, Les is still playing the pitiful bully, mouthing off about Tyrone. Betty tells him he's already had one warning. Les says it takes two to argue, and Tyrone is shaking in his boots.
"Oh, yeah, that's right," says Tyrone.
"Kirk's a grown man and can stick up for hisself," Vera says.
"Yeah, he can," says Les. He says that if Kirk won't take Tyrone outside, he'll do it himself. Vera replies that if he does, it'll be Les who's being scraped off the pavement. Jack hustles her away. "Well done, son," Les tells Kirk. "That's how to earn respect." In a booth, Steve and Karen are talking about wedding arrangements. Her sister and a cousin have agreed to be bridesmaids and will look stunning in the photographs. Steve says Andy has agreed to come back from Spain to be his best man.

Elsewhere in the pub, Deirdre is talking to a workmate who also lives in the area. They are fast becoming great pals.

At the church, Brenda and Bethany emerge on to the roof and Brenda says a prayer for Bethany. "Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5). It looks like a long way down.

In No 1, Ken is opening a bottle of wine and carefully cooking the chops with a timer.

Emily enters the church and calls out, but no-one answers. Then she sees the two candles burning.

At the Duckworths', Vera confesses to Tyrone that she has taken her engagement ring to the pawnbroker to help pay for the repairs. It cost Jack £400 but she got only £225. She says she wished for Terry to remember her at Christmas, but all she wanted was a card or some chocolates. "Be careful what you wish for," she tells Tyrone. "You could end up with a broken heart."

Emily leaves the church but hears a voice and looks up to see Brenda above.

In the cemetery Sarah and Todd have found the fresh flowers on Neil's grave. They argue. Todd tells her that Brenda doesn't want revenge, she wants Bethany.

Emily climbs the stairs in the church and arrives on the roof. "Leave us alone," shouts Brenda. "You're not welcome here." Emily speaks very reasonably and tells Brenda she thinks it's time Bethany went home. She offers to take her so Brenda will not have to face Sarah's anger. "She's staying with me," says Brenda. "You know that only the Lord can grant second chances." She lifts Bethany up to the edge of the parapet. Emily screams "Brenda, please!" and the credits roll.

Margaret Carr

Tonight's episode not surprisingly begins with Todd and Sarah at the Cemetery trying to find Batty Brenda and Bethany. All they come across though is Norris who tells them that Emily has gone to St Saviours Church thinking that Brenda may be there with Bethany. Todd (about time as well) suggests it is about time the Police were called.

Meanwhile at the church - Brenda is on the edge (literally and metaphorically) of the tower, Emily is there as well and is trying to talk her into handing Bethany over. Brenda's ex-husbands carrying on and then the divorce followed by the death of her son has tipped her to the edge and she is going to go to a better place taking Bethany with her. Emily becomes aware of why Brenda is there when she tells Brenda that her son is dead and with the camera closing in on Brenda she tells Emily "no - he's gone to eternal life - a better place than this one".

Chesney and a couple of his friends are (I nearly left the "r" out of friends - although maybe fiends is more appropriate...) in the Kabin, Rita is there by herself and is keen to shut up shop, after some cheek from Chesney she tries to get them out as they start throwing packets of crisps about, luckily Fiz comes in now and chucks Chesney out and is followed by the other two.

At Les's Kirk still looks miserable and is being pestered by Les to go and sort out Tyrone. Les the well known counselor proceeds to part his wisdom on to Kirk, who would have got up and thumped Tyrone then if not for some unusually mature guidance from Cilla.

Back at the church - the situation seems to have degenerated somewhat - Brenda is now is tears and Emily is doing a good job of placating her. Brenda also seems to have lost it with the church as well as her divorced husband was allowed to get married again in church. The police turn up now, Brenda thinks Emily has called them.

Ken is cooking the rather well-done lamb chops and rings Deirdre at work to tell her to get home quick before the chops end up like the ones I cook - charcoal!

Also at the bar Fiz and Tyrone are having a drink, Tyrone still wants to be a mate of Kirks and Fiz's as well.

Deirdre is telling Bev about the planning dept. when Fred sticks his oar in and says nothing nice about local govt. employees. Charlie Stubbs is there as well - (my God does he fancy Deirdre!!) and after a bit of banter offers to buy her a drink.

Ken rushes in now, minus apron and street cred, to tell Deirdre to get home for dinner!

The police have asked for negotiator and an ambulance just in case of any problems as there are doubts about the mental health of Brenda. Sarah, followed by Norris and Todd turn up now, with Sarah sounding more and more nasal by the minute. The police tell Sarah to shut up and stop shouting (well done chaps) as this could disturb the already disturbed Brenda even more.

At the church tower Emily is continuing to try and talk sense into Brenda, a good choice putting Emily in the firing line here as both her and Brenda have a cut and thrust session quoting bible passages at each other.

At the Rovers - Karen is trying to get Steve to do the chauffeur job as per the promise night. Fred also is trying to get £25 for a night out with Jason Grimshaw.

Back at the church - Sarah is demanding the police do something and Todd mentions Brenda's behaviour, police don't seem too interested, Sarah who has managed to keep quiet for about 10 seconds starts up again and plans to make an SAS style assault on the tower until she stopped by the police. Unfortunately Brenda has heard all the shouting as well and looks positively demonic.

A bit of humour now as Kirk has turned up at Fiz's and tells her that he has decided to give her a second chance to be his girlfriend if she apologises, Fiz not surprisingly tells him to get lost!

Brenda is getting more and more unbalanced and it seems like she is getting ready to end it all taking Bethany with her when Emily pleads with her to remember Sarah and that she will lose Bethany as a daughter as Brenda lost her son.

Fred at the Rovers is now trying to get £25 out of Jason, did Jason not satisfy her?

Charlie Stubbs meanwhile is doing a bit of mutual flirting with Bev, a new bed-warmer for her now that Ciaran is not available?

Mike Baldwin turns up at the Rovers next and joins Harry at the bar, doesn't get much peace as Fred asks him about Penny King - bit of fishing for info. here..

Candice and Jason are getting a bit cozy, is it because Candice is trying to coax Jason to pay the £25 for her.

Back at the church the negotiator has arrived and is keen to get on with it, when Norris notices there is no-one on the tower now. Emily then makes a dramatic entrance from the church to tell all that everything is ok, she is followed by Bethany and Brenda, poor woman has had a hard day. Sarah rushes over none too quietly to recover Bethany while Brenda is taken away by the police before Todd can manhandle her. Emily tells Todd that Brenda is not well - bit of an understatement!

Ken and Deirdre are enjoying the well done chops when Ken brings up the subject of Charlie Stubbs and the asbestos sheeting - Ken turns a bit pompous here - how surprising - and demands Deirdre gets something done about this through the council.

Brenda is now is the ambulance praying to be forgiven, Norris is telling the others what could have happened and what a good job Emily has done, all Emily and the others want though is to get home, Norris just doesn't know when to stop, nor does Sarah as she goes on until the closing credits saying that she will not trust Bethany with anybody ever again.

Events in Weatherfield are copyright ITV Television, sponsored by Cadbury's Creme Egg ,written by Jayne Hollinson and directed by Haldane Duncan.

Much of the episode is taken up with the aftermath of the abduction of Bethany who is suffering nightmares. Sarah does not want her mother to know - she has decided that she must stay with Bethany all of the time and is going to hand in her notice. Sarah accuses Todd of not understanding. Sarah then points out that Bethany is not his daughter (a nasty cruel and simply wrong statement - but then I have children who are not "mine").

Deirdre has cooked Ken his breakfast. He is going to write his newspaper article and is going to write another book. And they agree to eat a Chinese that evening. Ken reminds her to raise the subject of the builder's asbestos roofing. Dreary spends half the scene applying bright red lipstick. On leaving the house it is obvious that she has changed the colour of the lipstick. Outside she meets Blanche who has obviously got out of the wrong side of the bed as she tells her daughter that she is going off to work and leaving her family to fend for itself, then she tells her that she gives no thought for her daughter, unborn grandchild and she turned her own mother out of the house and no abandoning her husband (well as Dreary observes they are not married - which gives the Blanche the opportunity to stick the knife in over that(!)) to do the housework and the cooking. No he's not - we are having a takeaway says Dreary. Blanche fires back that it has already sunk to that level has it, eating out of plastic containers. Bye Mother - you still call me that do you?

In the Kabin Chesney has a dental appointment so if off school, whilst an older kid has been suspended. Whilst Rita and Norris were distracted by Chesney the older kid lifted a load of pens and markers. Outside the older kid tells Chesney he is going to flog the pens and to get lost.

Blanche makes herself welcome at no 1. No point the two of them being lonely in separate houses!

In the Rovers Todd asks Jason what a "Dad" is. Both reflect that their dads were a waste of space. Todd philosophizes on the subject of parenthood - day to day is more important than biology. Dreary arrives in the Rovers - she has been looking for Charlie Stubbs - she wants a chat over the roofing. They share a lunchtime drink and meal. She asks him to sort the roofing. Charlie claims that he has had Elven Safety in and as the asbestos is undamaged and not likely to release fibers - so he can dispose of it himself. (Legal point for overseas readers - the rules for handling asbestos in this country are now a little tighter and all those handling asbestos have to be licensed and there are very particular rules on the subject over the methods involved). Blanche spots Dreary and the former berates the latter for not looking after Ken. Bev asks Charlie if he will be in later.

The missing pens are spotted by Rita. Norris wants to start bag searches and get the police in. Rita knows that the police will do nothing. Rita thanks the arriving Emily for talking down Brenda and Norris suggest Brenda should be locked up for ill treating Bethany. He has not noticed that Gail has entered and is within earshot and she wants to know what has been happening. Emily tells Gail about the events and she decides to go round and see how Beth is.

Beth and Sarah are cooking when Gail arrives and Gail (who needs a haircut) cuddles Beth. Gail wants to know how Sarah is - the latter starts to collapse - she is a rubbish mother, a stupid kid who cannot look after her own daughter - all the things which Gail said are true - no wonder she phoned social services - Beth would be better off in care. Gail reassures her that she has done nothing wrong and (unusually for Gail is sweet and reasonable). Gail tells her about a time when Sarah went missing when the latter was 4 when out shopping. She was looking in the window of a toyshop. They cuddle, smile and Gail admits that she was partly wrong. They make up.

Ken arrives back from the library to see Blanche going into number 1. He walks off in the other direction.

The suspended Bradley Diggins later threatens both Norris and Rita when they accuse him of stealing - he will be around every day. A rather typical teenager these days I fear.

Bev is trying to chat up Charlie. He got married at 18, he has two children - but they are like strangers. Bev tells about her departed daughter. They sort of agree to go out together. Harry Flagg admits to having a daughter. He suggests to Emily that they setup a charity shop in the empty shop in Victoria Street (presumably Sally's hardware shop). Initially Emily is not interested but Norris saying that she is not capable of it and how it would upset their domestic arrangements changes her mind and she tells Harry that the answer is yes - she cannot wait - it will be liberating.

Ken and Deirdre are unpacking dinner. She reports that she spoke to "someone" about the asbestos without giving any more details!

Sarah tells Todd about Gail's visit but she senses he has a problem. Todd is still worried about not being Beth's father - and he does think it matters. And as even my young daughter sensed the inevitable arrived - Todd asks Sarah if she will marry him.

As ever Blanche demonstrates that she gives not an inch. Wonderful. Bradley Diggins is clearly a nasty bit of work. No doubt he will be a one man crime wave for a while. See you all next week.

We start off at Sarah and Todd's flat ö Bethany gets into bed with Sarah whilst Todd is still sleeping. Sarah tells her that she is going to marry Todd and that she will become Sarah Grimshaw and that Todd will be her daddy.

Rita and Gail are in the shop discussing dry cleaning and Norris informs Gail that Brenda has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital ö Gail admits that in a way this has been a blessing as it has meant that her and Sarah are reconciled. They then go on to discuss the problems that Rita is having in the shop and Norris is going on about putting a notice up allowing two children in at once ö Rita is very against this idea and tells Norris if he cant handle it he needs to get a new job.

Todd wakes up and is anxious to know what Sarah's answer is ö she accepts his proposal.

Cilla kicks Chesney out of the house and tells him to amuse himself while she has some time alone with Les ö he wanders down the street wondering where to go.

Angela is trying to clean things and is getting annoyed with Tommy as he is always around. He tells her he is not going to work for a big tyre place.

Deirdre is in the street cleaning the outside of the house ö when Charlie comes by and starts flirting with her. He is trying to get in with her so that she puts in a word for him with regard to council contracts.

Sarah bounces out into the street and bumps into Martin ö she tells him that she and Todd are getting married ö he is shocked but offers his congratulations.

Chesney is bored and asks David and his friend if he can play ö his friend says only if he goes into the Kabin and steals some sweets to prove that he is a man. He goes into the newsagent where Deirdre and Rita are now discussing dry cleaning (I didn't even know that they did it!) and Rita spots Chesney and makes him empty his pockets. Norris then goes on again about the ongoing problems they are having.

Back at Sarah and Todd's she is telling him about Martin and they decide they have to tell Gail and Eileen as soon as possible ö they both get on their mobiles and invite them round.

In the pub ö Bev is drooling over Charlie which Shelly is finding embarrassing ö Charlie knows that she is staring and is talking to Jason about how to woo women. He flexes his muscles on purpose which makes Bev so flustered she drops a glass. Charlie then tells Jason that he is also chatting up Deirdre to try and get a Council contract and then they will have office block jobs and can date as many women as possible. He asks how Jason is getting on with Candice ö and tells him not to get hemmed in by her. He then manages to get a free drink from Bev and Jason is in awe of him. Bev asks him out on a date and they fix up for tomorrow lunch time.

Eileen and Gail arrive at Sarah and Todd's. On hearing the news from the happily engaged couple Eileen is furious and walks out of the flat whereas Gail just looks like she has swallowed a fish whole.

Back in the Kabin this story is still painfully drawing on ö Martin is admiring David's football skills where as Norris is saying that its a dreadful noise against the shop all day and on this note a ball comes through the window. Rita comes bursting out of the shop and shouts at David and then at Craig ö both who say they were nothing to do with it and it was Chesney. We then see Chesney desperately trying to get into his house ö Cilla is shouting out of the window telling him to go away. Rita comes storming up and she and Cilla have a massive row much to the amusement of everyone in the street who are watching.

Maria and Nick are in the Rovers. Maria is bored and has nothing to do but Nick tells her he is off home because its Sunday and his mum cooks roast ö Maria then threatens that one day she will cook him a nice meal.

Claire is in the pub and Jason decides to try Charlie's trick which completely backfires on him as she says that she thought he was going out with Candice ö he is humiliated by this and walks out. Maria then chats to Claire and asks if she has a boyfriend ö Claire admits she likes someone but there is no point as he is not interested.

Todd has run after Eileen and we have a whole scene where Eileen tells him that he is stupid and that he is ruining his life. He cannot understand why she is being like this and pleads with her to talk to him.

Meanwhile Gail for once has learnt her lesson and is offers her full support to Sarah.

The we go back again to Eileen and Todd who are still yelling at each other. Jason comes in and Todd tells him ö Jason is pleased and asks if he can be best man which does not amuse Eileen. She then announces that if he goes through with this she is washing her hands of him and will never give her blessing.

We end with a crestfallen Todd looking at his mother as she storms in the house.

Hi everyone, here is the first episode of Monday evening. Sorry it's late but a blinding headache forced me to delay getting it done sooner.

We open in the Kabin with Rita and Norris. Rita is looking up the phone number of glaziers in the phone book, and Norris is wittering on about the fact that if there were more policemen on the beat they wouldn't be needing a glazier. Rita finds the glazier's phone engaged, a fact that doesn't surprise Norris, he thinks they're probably run off their feet with all the broken windows. Of course, he blames the parents, which is how Chesney came to break their window, and is just voicing this opinion to Rita when Cilla walks into the shop. She demands to know if Rita is still slandering her lad, Rita tells her no, she's ringing a glazier. Cilla tells her she needn't come to her for the money and Rita says she's no intention of coming to Cilla, her insurance will cover it. She tells Cilla she understands, boys will be boys, she just wants to encourage Chesney to play somewhere more suitable, and she wishes Cilla would do the same. Cilla goes off after buying Les's fags, saying she might mention it if she gets a chance. After she's gone, Rita concedes that maybe Norris was right about only having two children in the shop at one time. Norris rushes to put a notice up to that effect straight away.

In Sarah and Todd's flat, they are having breakfast. Sarah is moaning about Eileen's reaction to the news that they are getting married. She wonders how Eileen dare say she's washing her hands of Todd, and asks what Todd is going to do. Todd tells her he's not going to do anything. What Todd can't get over is Gail's reaction. Sarah is fed up with people who think they have a right to tell them what to do, but she feels under pressure, she can't relax with Bethany now because she feels that people are just waiting for the next thing to go wrong. She knows however, that she can't wrap Beth up in cotton wool and after a few more days at home she'll take her back to nursery, after all they have a wedding to save up for.

In the taxi office, we see Steve wearing what appears to be Enrique Englasis hat, Tracy and a very crabby Eileen. Dev comes in, full of jovial good cheer. Eileen continues to make crabby comments, and Dev tells Steve that it's down to the two of them to be romantic, and Todd too seems to have a spring in his step. Eileen mutters that he can trip over for all she cares.

Out in the street, the glazier has just finished Rita's window, watched by Chesney and his older, naughty friend. (Sorry, if he has a name I don't know it.) Norris is putting his notice up stating that only two school children are allowed in the shop at any one time. The boys stroll up to talk to him. Chesney's friend points out that they are not school children, they are truants. Norris tells Chesney to get off home, his mother wants a word, and tells the other boy to go to school before he reports him.

At Gail's house, David is asking if he can be best man at the forthcoming wedding. Audrey and Gail point out that the best man is usually a friend or relative of the groom, so David asks Nick if he can be best man at his wedding. Nick tells him of course he can, and Audrey tells him he'll have to look after the bridesmaids. David assumes this will be Fizz and Candice, and is less than thrilled! Gail remarks that it is by no means certain that Nick will marry Maria.

The conversation swings round again to Sarah and Todd getting married, and Audrey says that she's happy for them but they are so young. Gail says they all just have to accept that they've made their minds up, and David reckons that if Sarah wants it then they'll have to accept it. Audrey asks Nick what he thinks, he's very quiet. Nick thinks they're making a mistake, not because they are too young but because they are incompatible.

Cilla is reclining on the sofa, watching TV, when Chesney comes in. He asks her what she wants, she says 'Nothing, why?' he tells her Norris said she wanted to see him. 'Oh yes,' she remembers, 'stay away from their window'. He asks why, and is told it's because they're giving her earache. He changes the TV channel, so she smacks his head and asks why he isn't at school. He says he had tummy ache so she tells him to go upstairs and lie down. He doesn't go, so in order to get some peace and quiet she tells him to go outside and play. He goes.

Outside, he meets up with his friend again. They see Norris outside the Kabin. The other boy asks Chesney if he can run faster than Norris if he catches him nicking sweets. Then he gives him a list of what to steal and tells him he'll meet him at the bench later.

Audrey meets Nick walking down the street. (Funny - a couple of minutes ago they were both sat round the same table). She asks where he's going, and he tells her he's off to see Sarah. She tells him she's been thinking about what he said earlier, and although she thinks they're very young, they seem well suited. Nick says he used to think so too, but when she presses him as to what has changed his mind, he just says it's something he's seen in them lately, then, saying he's only on a short break, rushes off.

In the Kabin, Norris is excitedly preparing for his visit to the wholesalers, something he finds exhilarating! He asks Rita if she'll be ok there on her own, and she sarcastically tells him no, she'll have to shut the shop and hire extra security. He goes off, and she disappears into the back room. The shop door opens and Chesney sneaks in, and starts stuffing sweets down his jumper. Rita comes in from the back and catches him, demanding that he put them back. He brazenly tells her he hasn't got any so she comes round the counter and grabs the hood of his coat as he tries to run away. She pulls at his sweater and all the sweets fall out onto the floor, she gives him a cuff round the head and he turns to run away, bumping into the door frame and a shelf as he does so. The shelf collapses, and so does Chesney, onto the floor. Rita is concerned for a few minutes, asking him if he's all right and picking him up. He struggles out of her arms and runs off.

Over at the flat, Nick has arrived to see Sarah. He wants to make sure she's not making a mistake. He tells her she can't trust Todd, but Sarah tells Nick that Todd loves her, Bethany and their unborn child, and will he please just let her be happy. Just then Gail arrives and senses the obvious tension in the air, but they won't tell her anything, and Nick leaves. Gail says she thought they'd go out that night and celebrate. She wants to be supportive and she's happy for them.

Outside, Charlie and Jason are togged up in white suits and masks, loading the asbestos sheeting onto the truck. Candice comes along, she's obviously heard about his attempts to chat Claire up the night before and refuses to see him that evening. She storms off and Ken ambles up, pleased to see that the asbestos is being disposed off, obviously thinking that the council have had a word with Charlie, not realizing it was Deirdre. He imparts another jewel of wisdom to Jason, always keep women on your side, do the favour they ask, because then they owe you one!

Meanwhile, back at the Kabin, Norris has returned, and as he makes a cuppa for himself and Rita is mithering on about how he knew he shouldn't have gone, and how they're in the middle of a juvenile crime spree, and this is no longer a safe environment. Rita tells him to stop it. Norris tells her the kid needed a smack, if there were more clipped ears there'd be less gun crime. Rita thinks she will go across later and make sure Chesney is all right. Norris, very sarcastically, suggests a trip to Alton Towers for him too.

Deirdre just happens to be walking past Charlie's yard when she sees the man himself, and makes a flippant remark about what he's wearing. He tells her that Ken has been by as well and thinks it was the council that got him moving on disposing of the asbestos, he didn't have the heart to tell her he was just like Ken - under her thumb! He asks if she's going to the Rovers, but she tells him she's just going home for a quick sarnie. He says he's in the mood for a pint.

Chesney's friend is none too impressed that Chesney lost all the sweets. Chesney is moaning about his sore head, and worried that his mum will wallop him. The older boy says he's going to go and find some proper lads, he's fed up with babysitting!

Tracy is working the phones in the taxi office, when in comes Steve still wearing the woolly hat, pulled low to his eyebrows. (Perhaps he was having a bad hair day?) He asks where Eileen is and Tracy tells him she's gone to clear her head, but she doesn't know why, it was none of her business. Steve remarks dryly that that doesn't usually stop her. Tracy comments that maybe the 'loved up' talk between him and Dev put her off. Steve tells her that one day, when the right man has come along, she'll be like the rest of them. Tracy looks doubtful. (Well, we all know she's besotted with Steve...)

Chesney arrives home and tries to sneak in and up the stairs without being seen. However, he's spotted by Les, but is told to his relief that his mum is out, and no one has been round to complain either.

Into the pub walk Deirdre and Ken, and Deirdre expresses great surprise when Ken points out Charlie. Ken praises the town hall for getting the asbestos removed, and Deirdre doesn't enlighten him.

Bev is flirting outrageously with Charlie, (something I find decidedly off-putting!) Eileen is sitting glumly at a table with Jason, who is telling her it's Todd's life and she shouldn't get worked up about it, does she really want another three months of not speaking to him, like before over the A-levels. Eileen says he's ruining his life and it's her duty to point out that he's making a mistake, and she's not going to stop until she gets through to him.

Rita is on Les's doorstep explaining what happened with Chesney. Les is unusually supportive, and shouts for Chesney to come down. He tells him that he's not going to have him let down the good name of the Battersby's (Rita's eyebrows raise considerably!) and Les has a reputation to keep up. Rita asks Chesney if he's feeling all right, and he says he is. Les comments that he has a head like a block of wood. Chesney asks if he's barred from the shop but Rita tells him no, but he must pay for his sweets next time.

In the corner shop, Todd is about to ask a favour of Dev when Maya comes in. When encouraged to continue, he asks for more overtime and Maya says 'Certainly!' When Dev says he thought the shop was his, Maya tells Todd he can do some overtime this afternoon, and tells Dev he can take her shopping. Eileen comes in and asks if she and Todd can talk. Todd tells her of course, as long as she accepts that he and Sarah are going to get married.

Over at the Battersby's, Cilla has come home and is asking where Chesney is. Les tells her he's in his room, sulking because he was caught nicking sweets. Cilla shouts for Chesney to come down, and he does, trying to hide the graze on his forehead. 'What have I told you about nicking sweets?' Cilla bellows, 'Don't get caught,' mumbles Chesney. 'Exactly!' says Cilla, and tells Les they'll probably have the old bag round. Les explains he's sorted it, she's already been round, concerned about Chesney because she'd clipped him round the ear and he'd fallen and banged his head. Cilla is all ears.....and demands to see Chesney's head. She's then like the cat who got the cream. 'Lovely!' she declares, saying that Rita has committed GBH on her beloved baby, and wonderful case for compensation. By the time they're finished with her, that little old lady won't have a penny to her name!

Hello, and welcome to the second episode for Monday. For best effect, read this half an hour after Anne's report ;-)

Cilla is still examining Chesney's head. She says they'll have to get up to Weatherfield General to get it checked out. Les and Chesney both protest and say it's not a serious injury. But Cilla tells them about a man in the US who neglected a head injury, had to have surgery on his brain and ended up collecting £2 million in compensation. "This has got our names written all over it," she says. After all, Rita can afford it. Chesney is alarmed. "They're not going to have to saw my brain open . . ." he asks "... just because I tripped up and banged my head? "'Cause she knocked you over and made you have a nasty fall," corrects his mother.

In the corner shop, Eileen is having a go at Todd. She tells him he's 19 tomorrow and should be out living while he's young. "Why do people go on about life being out there somewhere?" he asks. Why can't life be right here in your own backyard? Eileen tells him he's too young to know why, but he points out that Nick went to Canada to "live" and ended up coming back home. Eileen tells him that in 10 years' time he'll have changed into a different person and he will regret marrying Sarah. It might seem like that's light years away, but the time will flash past. Todd points out that light years measure time, not distance, and tells his mother he's marrying Sarah whether Eileen likes it or not.

Dev and Maya are in a very expensive shop. We can tell this because there is very little for sale and it's all artfully displayed with each item having a shelf to itself. Dev is carrying rather a lot of shopping bags and Maya is looking at some glasses. She moves to a vase and admires it, saying how nice it will look in the flat. When she won't leave off, Dev tells her they won't be buying anything in that shop, and she especially won't be buying anything because she's got enough debt already. She keeps on about how nice the vase will look and Dev loses patience. "All right, buy it. Buy the glass too, and the Persian rug -- that's only £2,000. She calms down and thanks him for his "tough love". "It's the only way to get through to me." But as Dev leads the way out of the shop she looks longingly at the vase.

At the hospital, Cilla is moaning because they've been waiting for an hour. Chesney wants to play with the toys provided, but she makes him sit down because he's supposed to be ill. They get called in by the nurse, but not before Cilla has briefed Chesney on what symptoms he's got.

In the Kabin, Rita is saying she'll give Les his due, he did give Chesney a ticking off. Emily and Norris are skeptical. Emily is relieved Cilla wasn't there. "I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of her." Rita is quite sure it's all been sorted out and says she'll take a couple of comics over to Chesney later to see how he is and to show him there are no hard feelings. Emily thinks that's very magnanimous of her, "since you've done nothing wrong."

At the hospital, Chesney answers questions. Yes, he feels sick. Yes, he feels dizzy. Yes, he's got a headache. He even does a little stagger as if he's lost his balance. Cilla tells the doctor Chesney lost consciousness for a minute, maybe a minute and a half . . . The doctor says they will have to get a skull X-ray. Chesney looks panicked.

In the street, Rita knocks on a door and Kirk answers. Les and Cilla aren't in and he doesn't know where they are or when they'll be back. Kirk is really only interested in finding out whether Rita has seen Fiz. She gives him the comics and says they're for Chesney. "Did he forget to take them?" asks Kirk. "It's usually the paying part he forgets."

Hayley arrives in the cafe and Roy tells Sarah she can go. She says she has something to tell them first, and announces her engagement. "That's wonderful news!" Hayley enthuses. Sarah tells them that not everyone is happy and Todd's Mum is against it. When Hayley hears Sarah and her Mum are going out to celebrate, she offers to babysit (Gosh, how soon Sarah changed her mind about never ever letting Bethany out of her sight again). Sarah leaves and Hayley asks Roy if he disapproves because they are both so young. But he says he was quiet because Todd is doing just what he did and marrying the girl he got pregnant. Hayley reminds him that he also married her. "Or had you forgotten that?"

In Dev's flat, he's beginning to dish up a salad when Maya brings the vase out of one of the shopping bags. Dev is astounded. "You said that you were happy I stopped you from getting it. You said that you were glad I was helping you with this spending obsession." Maya says she didn't pay for it, she stole it. "Well now we've got a lovely vase to brighten up the flat and no nasty bills to spoil the pleasure. A good result all round, I'd say."

Eileen is at Gail's. She can't understand why Gail isn't trying to stop their kids getting married. Gail explains that she now believes the harder they try to break them up, the stronger the bond between Sarah and Todd will be. She was sure they would have broken up by the summer, but they didn't, so perhaps they do have something going for them. "Maybe we have underestimated them." She says she has only just got Sarah and Bethany back after months of being estranged, and if she has to agree with them in order to keep them, she'll do it.

Dev is sure Maya must be joking. "You, a solicitor . . ." "Ex-solicitor," she interrupts. He says he can't get his head round the fact that he is living with a thief. "I don't do it all the time," she says. "Oh, that's all right, then!" "I wouldn't have done it if I'd known you'd react like this." She says she has never done it before and won't do it again. Dev tells her to take it back, but she points out this is difficult as she has no receipt and it would be stupid to throw it out. "It's best all round if we just keep it."

In the Rovers, Bev tells Shelley she's going to change her clothes for her date. Shelley thinks it might be going a bit far to call it a date. She warns her mother against looking as if she's trying too hard.

Dev is telling Maya it's all outside his experience. He says he doesn't believe she's sorry and he doesn't think she thinks she's done anything wrong. She can't believe he's preaching and challenges him. Hasn't he ever fiddled his taxes or cheated on his VAT return. He says he's never walked into a store and nicked a three hundred quid vase. Maya says it's not as if she has a van-load of heroin. She says he's deliberately trying to push her away, which is what all men have done to her. Dev is stunned by her tirade. "At the moment it's not the vase I'm worried about," he tells her.

At the hospital they are telling Les and Cilla they have found nothing seriously wrong with Chesney, but there is always a worry about head injuries, especially when the patient has lost consciousness. They say he'll need to be watched carefully for 24 hours. And then they give Cilla a "head injury warning card" and a handy list of symptoms Chesney might get -- dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision, headaches. Cilla is very grateful for this and checks that if they bring back Chesney with the warning card there will be a record of what happened to him. "Oh yes, if there're any more problems we've got it all on record." Cilla's eyes light up.

In the pub, Bev has changed and Charlie has arrived. They flirt a bit, then Ken and Deirdre come in and buy Charlie a drink to show there are no hard feelings. When Ken moves aside to choose a wine, Deirdre and Charlie agree: "Mum's the word." The focus shifts to the Grimshaw-Platt family group, where Sarah is being congratulated everyone except Nick. Even Eileen bites the bullet and wishes them well. "You're going to need all the help you can get if you're going to make it work." When everyone goes to the bar except Nick, Sarah and Todd (it's going to take Eileen, Gail and Jason to carry the drinks), there is a brief discussion about Sarah wanting Nick to be happy for her, and Nick wishes them happiness.

Chesney et al return home and Chesney launches into a description of how bad his injury in, based on the number of tests he had. Cilla says Chesney nearly lost an eye. Kirk explains that Rita has brought some sweets and comics. Chesney is keen, but Cilla takes them from him. "We're having none of them guilt offerings in this house." Rita can't buy their silence, she says.

In the pub, Charlie's phone rings and he tells Bev he has to go to an emergency call. They agree to meet at the Weatherfield Arms at 1pm the next day. In a booth, Norris is bemoaning the fact that Chesney was born in a time when people have rights. In comes Cilla, who tells Rita they can't be bought off. She tells Rita they have been at the hospital all afternoon, that Chesney is lucky he can still read and has suspected brain damage and internal bleeding. Rita protests that Chesney was all right when she spoke to Les, but Les says it's delayed injuries. Cilla tells Rita to save her excuses for the police because tomorrow she's reporting her for serious assault on a child.. "You better find yourself a solicitor -- a good 'un."

Tonight's episode starts at Dev's flat - a very cool atmosphere there, Maya cannot seem to accept that taking an item from a shop and not paying for it is illegal, bit surprising this considering her legal training...

Meanwhile at the Kabin Rita is discussing with Norris the episode with Chesney and regrets that she went to visit with comics and sweets. Norris suggests banning the little horror but Rita thinks this will only make things worse instead if there is any more trouble then call the police.

At Les's the dread Cilla is ringing the school to say that Chesney will not be there today and the rest of the week and why. Les has misgivings about Cilla's little scam and tells her so - not through any thoughts of conscience but more like will they get away with it. Cilla gives Chesney a quick briefing on what to say and how to act when they get to the police station.

Elevenses at the Rovers, Bev announces to Shelley and the harbinger of gloom Betty that she will not be there for lunch today, Ciaran is in the background reading the paper while the others are having a cup of tea at the table, Betty and Shelley think that Charlie will let her down by canceling again. Bev suggests to those two that she is not past it and asks Ciaran if he thinks she is past it, he should know shouldn't he!

At the shop Sarah is telling Todd about Bethany's return to nursery school and leaving her there. Maya walks in then and asks where Dev is, then marches to the back room to see him. Maya is going to take the vase back as this is what Dev wants so she thinks, not to have pinched it first would have been better.

At the police station - Chesney is reminded what to say by Cilla and not to mention he was taking stuff without paying. Chesney needs to sit down as he is feeling dizzy, Les takes him to a seat while Cilla explains all to the police.

Bev has rung Charlie to confirm where and when they will be meeting for lunch - no excuses this time so it looks like the lunchtime date is on. Shelley comes through just as Bev is putting the phone down, unfortunately the hot-pot queen also hears this which gives her a chance to inject more gloom and doom. However, Bev takes great delight in telling them that the date is still on.

Back at the shop Dev and Maya are just going out, Dev asks Todd to put his lunch back for an hour, Maya comments on his keenness for work and Todd mentions that he and Sarah will be getting married soon so every penny is important. Then surprise surprise - the first wedding gift - the vase donated by Maya to Todd and Sarah.

As Dev and Maya leave the shop a police car is just turning into the street - the police stop outside the Kabin and Chesney rushes home to tell his mum that the police have come for Rita. The police ask her to accompany them to the station, Norris cant keep his mouth shut as usual and this does tend to make it worse for Rita.

Lunch at the Weatherfield Arms - Charlie and Bev seem to be getting on quite well swapping life histories etc.

As Rita leaves for the police station, Les, the ghastly Cilla and equally ghastly Chesney are out in the street with loudmouth Cilla triumphant and crowing at Rita's arrest - Les does look quite worried here cant think it is his conscience (what conscience I hear you say) bothering him.

Charlie and Bev are still enjoying lunch, Bev gets the subject round to where his house is, within walking distance says Charlie, then a meaningful look from Bev...

Dev and Maya have arrived at the Rovers now and it looks like peace has been declared, bit of smarming here from head smarmer Dev, which is witnessed by Ciaran at the bar, "amazing" he says to Shelley "I would have though he would have left her and gone after Sunita". "Must be love" says Shelley.

Les and Cilla are also having a drink and Les seems to be concerned that Rita may get off with it.

Jason gets a phone call from Charlie saying that he may be some time, what will he be doing?

Rita is speaking to her solicitor now who reminds Rita that you cant clip a kid round the ear regardless of how much said kid may deserve it. (I will refrain from any personal comments here!) Rita tells her solicitor what happened and how hard the smack was, and how the injury was caused when he slipped and fell.

Charlie and Bev have arrived at his house the ground floor is sparsely decorated - perhaps the decor upstairs is better??

Rita's interview with the police now takes place, unfortunately there were no witnesses for either side as Rita points out to the police. However the hospital report states that Chesney suffered an injury. The interview is terminated and Rita will shortly know what her fate will be.

Todd has taken the vase home to show Sarah who is unbelieving as to how Todd got it. The first wedding present she says.

Then back at the Rovers - Betty's house is habitable again it seems so she is going home.

Bev turns up now looking and behaving quite coy - Ciaran makes his escape and Bev gives Shelley some details and singing to herself goes past Ciaran, making sure he sees her, to the back to make coffee.

Back at the police station Rita asks her solicitor what happens now, then the custody sergeant appears and Rita is charged with actual bodily harm against Chesney and is released on bail to appear at court Friday, the episode ends with Rita being told she will be having her photo and fingerprints taken.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Weatherfield, an alternative universe sponsored by Cadbury's Creme Eggs which tell you that it is between Christmas and Easter with events written by Debbie Oates and directed by Tim O'Mara. In this strange world the police can prosecute old women when the facts have not been established and apparently without involving the Crown Prosecution Service. And in the Kabin Rita's arrest and charge is being discussed. Norris likens the relationship between Cilla and Les to one between vampire and a werewolf. Rita is going to tell the magistrates that the real cause of all of the complaint is money.

Out on the Street Charlie and Vera exchange words - like any jobbing builder he is planning to work on her job next! Further down the Street Ken urges a collection of children not to be late for school. Chesney is telling David and Craig that he is going to Florida. Cilla tells Chesney to leave them alone - they are going now. Cilla is taking Chesney to a solicitor and as she tells Les he is a good solicitor - she got him out of the paper = he got one woman £6k for getting stuck to a frozen turkey.

At the Rovers Bet observes to Bev and Ciaran that she is not in the obituaries so she has to go to work. Shelley enters to announce that the marriage which never existed has now been officially annulled - which makes them all young, free and single - well except Bev of course, after her lunch date. Bev is off to do some chasing.

Fiz tells Kirk to get lost, so he turns to Tyrone and asks if the latter will intercede for him - what has Kirk got to do to get the right side of Fiz - Kirk says he cannot eat or sleep at the moment - so Tyrone relieves Kirk of the sandwich he cannot eat. Fiz and Tyrone discuss their mothers before turning to Kirk. Fiz tells Tyrone that Kirk has to crawl for a while. The two of them get on well together and Tyrone is hardly putting Kirk's case well.

In the Kabin Norris tells Fiz about the events involving Chesney and Rita as she knows nothing about it. Later Tyrone catches Fiz in the Street for a word. He has been sent by Kirk - Fiz agrees to listen to what he has to say and then he must tell Kirk to "Buy One and Get One Free" (initials). Later Tyrone brings Kirk up to date - but to be honest he is trying to tell Kirk that Fiz is very upset and that he has little chance of repairing the damage. Tyrone is clearly interested in seeing Fiz himself again.

Charlie and Jason arrive at the DuckEggs to repair the work of Weatherfield's cowboys - as he observes to Bev as she sashays (and boy can she sashay) up the Street. She offers to buy him a drink and dinner the following night. He agrees. Jason notes the exchange of looks, puts two and two together (which really is testing of Jason's noodle) and actually comes up with 4. Respect man. Charlie instructs Jason to do the building work at Vera's properly. At the end of the day they will reckon they will finish the next day - but Vera says she cannot pay them until Monday. They are happy with that.

The solicitor almost does not believe the story - best he can get is £1000, perhaps only £500. Mr Baxter finally agrees to take the case when Cilla claims that Chesney suffered memory loss. No win - no fee. So there is a fee if they win. On returning to the Street they observe Rita departing to court. Rita spouts off as to what she is going to say in court - perhaps not the best approach.

Cilla and Les discuss the case, Cilla is trying to think - she reckons the solicitor is a rip-off, a scandal what they will get after the fee is almost nothing - and Chesney is going to Florida. Kirk arrives and is told to be quiet - Cilla is thinking.

Shelley asks Dreary about Charlie, Bev overhears and refers to "her Charlie" - they have been on one date and are going on another - she is not as unattractive as her daughter seems to think.

Out on the Street Craig, David and Chesney witness Rita's return. It appears that in court she merely had to confirm her name and address and her plea (not guilty). She had no chance to register her protest - one of the young magistrates almost told her to shut up. Her comments have to wait for the next court date - and a longer period of time will just give that woman more chance to think up new stories.

Vera does not know how she is going to pay the builders. Tyrone has got a loan out and he has redeemed Vera's ring from the pawnbrokers and has enough money to pay the builders - she can knock it off his rent. As Vera observes he has a heart of gold and his problem is finding someone good enough for him. Tyrone smiles.

Fiz catches up with Chesney - she wants to know what has been going on with Rita. She wants to get the bottom of it - is he making it up? No he says vehemently.

In the Rovers, Jason, Ciaran, Tommy and the taxi driver (sorry cannot remember his name) are discussing relations between different age groups - old women and toy boys - odd, young women and older men whay hay - except that Tommy does not endorse the latter view. Charlie arrives with ears burning. You cannot do better than marry into a pub. Bev asks Charlie if he is waiting to be served - cue more laughter around the bar. Ciaran alleges that there is a board in the back with scores.

Cilla and Les arrive - she demands something fizzy to celebrate before turning on Rita, Blanche, Norris, Emily and Audrey. The latter all support Rita. Cilla trades statements - which Blanche muchly enjoys. Rita tells Cilla that no-one will believe her. Cilla's evil grin goes from ear to ear. Les then buys two pints of the fizziest beer. Rita decides to depart.

In the back room Shelley apologises - she cannot trust men yet. Bev accepts before Charlie comes through. Bet and Shelley depart and Charlie rebukes Bev for talking about their relationship with the punters - he is the talk of the town. Charlie refers to it as casual fun - and he cannot make the dinner date they made. They both smile - but Bev is obviously disappointed.

Outside on the Street Rita is crying and is comforted by Ken, Dreary, Emily and Norris - but she says she is tired and wants to go to bed and departs by herself. As she walks along the Street Cilla strides up behind her and starts on Rita again. Cilla claims not to be as hard as Rita thinks, Cilla is as sensitive as the next woman. Cilla suggests that £5k will settle the matter now - or go to court and lose everything.

And that wraps up Friday evening. As part of a special deal I will be back with the second episode on Monday evening. See you soon.

out and serves them then tells Chesney that he should not get his hopes up as she has not intention of losing the case as the truth will eventually come out.

Vera and Tyrone are talking in the kitchen and Vera asks Tyrone whether he fancies Fizz ö he strongly denies it and she tells him that she can read him like a book and he needs to have a cold bath and forget about it as he is too nice and if he carries on there will be tears and they will be his.

Chesney comes back and Cilla asks what took him so long. He says that Rita has told him that they wont be going to Florida. Cilla's asks him if Rita frightened him which he says she did ö she looks with glee at the thought of this.

Charlie is hiding behind the fence at the back of the Duckworth's when Deirdre comes out. He says that he is hiding from Jason because he keeps asking questions about Bev and all it was, was a thrill. Deirdre warns him off and tells him to go easy on her.

Martin and Kevin are discussing Rita. Shelly chips in and says that if someone hits a child these days they get everything they deserve.

Still in the Rovers Fizz and Janice are talking about Fizz's predicament as she explains that she likes Tyrone and Kirk.

The next seat along is Rita and her cronies ö Vera offers to be a character witness. Rita then goes to the loo as Ken comes in ö he asks how she is and notices that she is looking tired and pale.

Fizz and Janice are still discussing Tyrone and Kirk. Fizz says that she has already been there with Tyrone and worn the jacket and that he is not exactly the Brain of Britain. Janice points out that compared to Kirk he could win Mastermind.

Martin and Kevin are still discussing Rita ö Kevin is saying that he is not sure what he thinks as he saw her go mad at Chesney in the street ö unfortunately Rita is standing behind them and shouts at them both and then storms out of the pub.

Kirk and Tyrone are talking and Tyrone says that he doesn't want to be the go-between anymore as he might have misinterpreted what Fizz said and thinks that Kirk should go and see her himself. Kirk decides he will keep her stewing a bit longer and thanks him for being a good friend. Tyrone looks away guiltily.

Norris walks into the pub and wants to know what everyone said to Rita as she was so angry ö they tell him that she overheard Kevin and Martin discussing the case.

Charlie walks in the pub and Bev asks him if he would prefer to be served by Shelly. She then says that she was as embarrassed as he was about it getting out and that like him she was only after a bit of fun. She then says that what they need to be is discreet.

Back in the Kabin Rita is still going on about this case and is discussing it with Ken. Ken warns her that if she carries on being so angry it will not help her case. She says that more than anything she is angry at herself for getting angry in the first place otherwise she would never be in this situation.

Harry and Emily are talking about Sally's old shop and Harry has done a lot of work. This makes Emily feel nervous and she tells him that she is worried about all her other commitments. Harry agrees to scrap the idea but says that he is very disappointed in doing so.

Tyrone is talking at Shelly about telling people what they really feel. He suddenly says that he now understands what he should do ö thanks her for her advice and goes. Shelly looks bemused as she hasn't said or understood a word he was saying.

Rita and Norris are closing up and Norris offers to lock up. They have a heart to heart and she thanks him for his support and she says that she is determined not to lose. He offers to make her a horlicks but she says that she would prefer to have some quiet time in the shop. He assures her that she can depend on him and he feels that they have some kind of bond.

Tommy is finishing off his pint and Shelly asks him if he wants another. He says that his New Years resolution is to cut down and he is off home. Kevin over hears this and looks pleased.

Deirdre and Charlie are chatting and he tries to get her to help him with a council contract. She tells him he is barking up the wrong tree with her as she has nothing to do with it. He tells her that with her contacts she could get him a way in. Shelly asks her mum if she is ok and she says that it is sorted between her and Charlie and it was just crossed wires. She then looks over at Charlie and Deirdre laughing and looks jealous.

Tyrone goes to see Fizz and tells her that he really likes her and wants to go out with her again. She is surprised and tells him what lousy timing he has. He then confesses that he didn't tell Kirk the truth about what she said the other day. She is really cross with this and tells him that she is disappointed and throws him out of the flat. At a closed door Fizz looks pleased with this protestation of love.

Rita is locking up the Kabin when Cilla comes in and asks if she has made a decision. Rita tells her the answer is no. Cilla is then really nasty and tells her that she is taking this all the way and that Rita will be left with absolutely nothing. Ill see you in court she says and storms off. Rita ö shaken ö slams the door and sobs and sobs.

Hi everyone......here is the first episode of the exciting events in Weatherfield tonight!

Here I am again - less than a week since my last appearance. Some great lines tonight - I hope they come across in print, they are marked with **. Signs that the programme is coming back from the recent trough I bemoaned. Let us hope it continues!

Two episodes this evening so to keep this update to a reasonable length I shall not be going into quite as much detail as usual.