2004
Wednesday 1 September

Hi all, we open with Karen making a cup of tea and Steve comes in with some letters saying to Karen ćlook don't go into work today, I will take the day of as well, you look terribleä Karen says ćSo would you if you drank your body weight in boozeä Steve asks if that Is all it Is and Karen says how many times, Steve give her a letter Karen opens it to find a sympathy card Inside and says what do I need that before I needed that when she was alive not now and asks Steve what his letter is Steve says it is a red bill and Karen says what a surprise. Steve says he will sort it out and asks Karen if she wants to overdrive to chill out but Karen says ćlisten when we stopped getting read bills that we can't afford to pay then we can start skipping off work for no good reasonä Steve says it is no good reason but Karen go for a shower.

Katy and Martin come out of the cabin and Tommy shouts over to Katy that she will have one of the these ( pointing to a convertible car) when she gets a high flying job but Katy says that she don't like the colour and Tommy says don't say you are choosing the car I get you on the colour, Mike comes over to Tommy and says I would not get your kids into flash cars it can cost you a lot of money that Tommy says that Katy is worth It that she is a bright kid, Mike says that it is a nice motor and Tommy tells him that the owner made his money in the scrap metal business, and that he tried it to part exchange the service for a clapped-out quad bike for our Craig tempted to ask Mike, Tommy says no you seen our Craig, our Katy got the brains, Craig got altitude.

Dev and Sunita come out of the shop and Sunita is telling Dev to leave Todd alone has he is doing loads of overtime as it is? Dev says yes but he is getting paid for it Sunita says that Todd might have things to do, Dev says he might but I definitely do I had to take my fiancŽe to an important registrar booking, Sunita says we can go when Todd starts his shift and to let her do a couple of hours in the shop and she can give people change with her left hand showing Dev who ring. Dev says that wanted today to be special and not to let work spoil it, Sunita says that it would take more than a couple of hours in the shop to spoil her day.

Maya is looking at Sunitaās birth certificate and is trying to do her signature, Mayaās mobile phone goes off and it says Walid calling she answers it and says So you have not changed your mind good, me know I never shied away from new experiences and says that no one is getting hurt and she will pick him up at lunchtime.

Sean is looking at Eileen's palm and tells her that once he had a long line and the fortune teller asked him if he wanted the good news or the bad news and Sean said if it is a long life and no love, lie Eileen asked what did she say and Sean said sorry pair at it has clouded over, Eileen said clouded over the thought that was only crystal balls, Sean says I know bless her. Jason comes into the room putting his top on and asks Eileen if she has done his sandwiches Eileen says to Jason that Sean is reading my hand and tells Sean to do Jason's and Sean says it is not only hands he can read he can also read a six-pack like Braille, Todd tells him to behave.

Fiz is rushing to work when Danny comes out of the factories to find Janice and Karen having a cigarette and tells them that he makes it 12 minutes Janice says we're having a cigarette and we work like dogs for you the rest of the time and Danny says that makes 84 minutes then so he is talking them an hour, Fiz says 84 minutes and Danny goes behind her and says that is 12 minutes in dog years and counting. Karen says to Danny my fault my mum was buried yesterday, and Danny says what no one saw to tell me time says I'm sorry I am all right it is just sometimes, Danny asked if she wants to go home, Karen says no she just needs a few minutes with her mates Danny says okay a few minutes and Karen says I wonder what that is in dog years and play my cards right I could get weeks out of this and smokes a cigarette, Janice is not impressed.

Ciaran is cooking when Tracy come in and slams the door behind her making Ciaran jump and to tip his sauce all down his t-shirt and says to Tracy why did I ever give you a key? And looks down at his shirt and says look at that I should have been at work over 20 minutes ago, Tracy offers to sponge him down but Ciaran tells her no as once she gets her hands on his chest she takes him to bed, Tracy laughs and says yeah you wish, Ciaran asks her to stir the pan while he goes and gets a new shirt on, Tracy asks what it is and takes a sip and Ciaran says that it is something for Tyroneās dog Tracy pulls a face and Ciaran tells her that he is just joking and that it is peppercorn sauce and shows Tracy his new menu for the restaurant as is doing a captain steak burger a t-bone steak smothered with peppercorn sauce, Tracey tells Ciaran that she does not like the word smothered and Ciaran says that is because most people want to do that you, Tracey laughs and says what about drizzle, Ciaran laughs and serves drizzle smothered is better that is why I am the Chef and you are the flower arranger, Tracy says to Ciaran a bit cocky today aren't we and asks Ciaran if the bank has said yes to as loan Ciaran says they will and tells Tracy to keep stirring the pan as that is something she is good at.

Charlie comes into the pub with Jason and says to Shelley hello gorgeous I am looking for Ciaran and Liz says aren't we all. Shelly says to Charlie you used to coming here looking for me and Charlie says that is different as I have no intentions to take Ciaran to my bed, and says only Jason gives bed space to boys and Jason says he is sleeping on the sofa and I wish I never told you now, Charlie says go on we will have a quick pint and says to Jason grab a seat J boy, Jason tells Charlie to stop calling him that.

Fiz, Janice and Sonia also is the Rovers getting drinks Fiz is telling the girls that it Is a bit weird and don't get her wrong she hates a Mam but dying that is different and it will do your head in, Liz asks them if it is 3 pints Janice says that Karen is coming so Sonia says that is 4 please. Liz says you think Karen would want to make her amends show her respect but Sonia Says it was a mother who started it and Liz says I know I am not judging, just saying that she Is making it harder on herself Sonia realises she has left her bag at work and Janice says ćoh Iä Sonia tells Liz it is still her round and leaves the pub to get her bag.

Shelly tells Charlie that when he is ready to spend all that cash is making she is available for dinner lunch and breakfast and Charlie says good I know a bloke who owns a restaurant, Shelly tells Charlie we don't have to go out and didn't you have a little house project on the go maybe you could cook me something there. Charlie says sounds good all I need is for Ciaran to be were he says he will be and I can get this job wrapped up and I am all yours. He Kiss Shelly and leaves.

Karen is on her own at underworld, and Danny asks her if she as gone off a lunch time drink and Karen tells him that she can stop her can't she, Danny tells her that those knickers line his pockets and maybe she could do with some time off, but Karen is not happy and tells Danny that she is fine and maybe she should get a marker pen and write it across her forehead, Danny says that with her sewing skills she should have it tattooed on. Sonia comes in to underworld and Karen says to her what come to check up on me to make sure I am not crying in the toilets, Sonia says no I forgot my bag Karen says a Sonia why can't people believe I am okay they think because it was my mother I must be upset I bet people are thinking that I am a court hearted bitch, Sonia says to Karen why should you have your mother just because she died can say is ćthank Godä, Sonia tells Karen that she kept her mother's ashes for six months and that her brother Dean wanted to scatter them in the sea, Karen asks why did she love the sea, and Sonia says no she hate it that is why he wanted to scatter them there, Sonia tells her that her Auntie is her mum as far as she is concerned how is she was the one who brought her up. Sonia says it was different for her kid as he remembered her aunt tells Karen that her Auntie bought them back from a camping trip to tell them that she was dead and that Dean was mad. Karen asks Sonia Why she did not like her mother and Sonia tells her that her mother met a man who did not want her kids so her mother chose the man over them. Karen asks if she went to bits when she died and Sonia not at first but then one night she was watching a television programme about a women who was looking for her mother after 30 years the next moment she was on the floor sobbing her heart out, Karen asks her if she was crying over her mother Sonia told her that it came for no-where and that she was half expected her mother to come back and say she was a selfish cow and it was all against her will and Karen says that some things are not worth forgiving, Sonia says she was not cry for who her mother was or who she wasn't but crying for me really for the kid who's mother did not want her. Karen says that she does not care who her mother was or who she was not and that she is not going to start grieving for herself has everything she got she got for herself no thanks to her mother or father saw there is no need to be upset, Sonia said I did not see there was did I we got you a pint in and Sonia walks out.

Martin and Katy come in to shop and Martin is not happy having to keep out of Tommy's way and she is not happy that everyone knows about Katy and her exams except Tommy, Martin wants Katy to give him his money back but Katy does not want to as Tommy has had enough disappointment from Katy and Martin says why because you are seeing me, Katy tells Martin that Tommy was so pleased with her and she can picture his face if she told him, Todd says it was the same when he told his mother he was walking out of his exams even though he knew it was what he wanted the way she looked at him it was horrible, Martin tries to tell Katy that Tommy will be more upset when he finds out she has lied to him, but Katy says it is only for a couple more months and she will do better and then she can start talking about Uni and that she wants Tommy to be proud of her Martin says okay only if she promises to work harder and Todd says to Martin that he will keep her on track, but Martin tells Todd that Katy can keep herself on track Ta, So Martin agrees to keep quiet for now.

Karen and Steve's flat is covered with all her clothes and shoes Karen looks at the drawing she made when she was young and picks up her bag and takes her mobile phone out of her pocket and throws it on to the sofa and leaves the flat.

__________________________________BREAK_______________________________________

Steve and Eileen are in the office and Steve is telling Eileen that Karen is doing his head in and that he would rather that she went to pieces, Eileen says do you think that she should have gone to the funeral but Steve tells her that Karen would have only gone if there was a dance floor on the grave, Janice comes into the office and asks Steve if Karen is with him Steve says no, Janice tells Steve that they have a pint in for her over the road going flat, but she is not in work Steve asks if she has checked their place Janice says no answer but then again she could be hiding as she has been feeling a bit tetchy this morning, Eileen says there you go some emotion but Steve save tetchy is not an emotion for Karen it is like breathing to her Steve and Janice leave together to see if Karen is In the flat. Sean brings Eileen a present of a crystal ball and asks her to ask the crystal ball if he will find anywhere to sleep tonight as nice as last night, Eileen tells him that he will be sleeping at 11 Coronation Street. Sean asks Eileen to ask the crystal ball when he will get his life sorted move into his own place Eileen puts to hand over the top of the crystal ball and makes a stupid noise then tells Sean that it has clouded over and what does he want for his tea.

Dev and Sunita come in to Sunitaās flat and Sunita starts to look for her birth certificate she says to Dev why did he not tell her that she need to take it with her, and Dev says back to her that he is not the one who as already organised a registry marriage before Sunita gives him a dirty look, Dev says he is kidding but before she starts to look for her birth certificate or anything else they should have something to eat first but Sunita says that she can't find it and dev says jokingly revenge and says sorry sir I can't marry you as I have no legal documents, Sunita tells him that she keeps all her important things in her drawer and Dev says am I in there. Sunita tells him it is not funny, so Dev tells her for her to have something to eat and then he will help her find it.

Janice and Steve arrive at the flat to find all of Karen's best stuff all over the front room Janice says that maybe she is having a sort out, Steve goes into the bedroom to check that the suitcases are still there, they are. Janice says of course they are she has not gone far Janice tells Steve it is only dinnertime and if she does not clock back on them they were worried.

back in the Pub Fiz buys more drink but Sonia tells her that she does not want one as she has two pop to the bank, Fiz says they are here now and Sonia tells her that she should have just drunk Karen's but bye the time they get her it will be time to go back to work Fiz says what shall I do with these then and Sonia tells her to hope that Danny does not come in, Les and Cilla come in to the Rovers and Cilla says to Les lets not start Doctor Barnardos off talking about Tommy, Tommy comes over and Cilla tells him that Chesney is at a Mates Tommy tells them that someone offered him a quad bike for £50 an hour and he thought Chesney might like It and he would do it up for him, Cilla tells Tommy it is up to him what he does with his money but Tommy tells her that he is not paying for it she should for leaving him home alone, Tracy brings Ciaran his menu in to the pub and he shows it to Penny. Fiz gives the 3 pints to Cilla and Les as she is late for work,

Dev asks Sunita if her birth certificate is with her family, but Sunita says no as she had it here as she has done this before and could not imagine asking her mother for it to marry a bloke like Ciaran, Dev tells Sunita has they can not find it they may as find something else to do with the day so Dev picks Sunita up and takes her in to the bedroom.

Mike is looking at Ciaranās menu for the restaurant and says to Fred have you put Betty on a course for food and Fred says no and even if I had I would except nothing for you but sarcasm, but when Mike realises it is the menu for Ciaranās restaurant he changes his mind and say it is ok for pub food but he would not pay the prices in a restaurant, Fred says he would Liz is not happy that Fred as not told Ciaran off for coming in late again just then Ciaranās phone goes off. Liz asks Steve if he wants another drink but Steve says no as he is going back to the flat to see if Karen as turned up yet but Liz tells him that she is playing games with him as she tells Danny that she is staying put then leaves the girls get her a pint in for her then she does not clock back on this afternoon, Steve says and what that sounds like attention seeking to you does it, Liz says that she could make things easier for him if she wanted to as he knows what she is like, Steve says yes I do and I am worried about her and tells Liz that if all she is going to do is have a dig then he will go and worry somewhere else. Ciaran is on the phone to the bank and tell him that he cannot have the loan he needs, Ciaran is not happy. Charlie comes into the Rovers and tells Ciaran that she picked up all the tills and got a discount and a cheque will do, Ciaran tells him no worry Liz tells Fred that she is popping out for a minute as she needs to go and see Steve but Fred says she can't but Liz tells Fred it is okay for Ciaran but not her as it is one rule for him and one rule for her, Fred led to go Tracy comes into the Rovers and Ciaran tells her that she can't get the loan of the bank Ciaran tells her they need a plan B. but Tracy tells him that was plan B and she asks him what did he say to Charlie Ciaran tells her that he told him he would give him a cheque and Tracey says Oh good the honest approach and Ciaran asks her If she has any ideas.

Maya telephones Sunitaās flat to find out if she is in but they don't answer the phone have they are busy in the bedroom So Maya assumes they are out and lets herself in but she nearly gets caught by Dev so Maya leaves with out putting Sunitaās birth certificate back, Les gives Tommy £50 to buy the quid for Chesney.

Liz and Steve are in the flat and Steve tells Liz that he is really worried about Karen Liz asks If she has left a note but Steve says no as she is not right to the head and he tells Liz that when Karen wants something she asked for it and he says no but they both know that he will give in but they still play the game, but this time her does not know how to help her. Liz says maybe she need time to her self but Steve says that she does not like being on her own as she is either with Steve or her mates Steve wants to call the police but Liz tells him no as she as only be gone a couple of hours and that she is upset and any minute now she will walk through the door and demand the kettle on and Steve will feel a right fool for worrying and Steve asks Liz what if she does not and Liz says she will you see.



Friday 3 September

We open with Steve sleeping on the sofa, a phone in his hand, when the door slams. Itās his mother come to offer her support (yeah right!) She sees the phone in his hand and asks if she hasnāt even bothered to phone him. He says itās her phone and she doesnāt normally go out without it.

Jason asks his mum for his breakfast but heās too late. He says he would have been down earlier if he had managed to get in the bathroom when Sean comes downstairs. He says he should have just knocked; he could have shared his shower cap! Jason calls him a large sponge and storms off. Todd walks in and asks what the problem is. Sean says he thinks heās upset Jasonās feelings, Todd comments that heās surprised he could find them!

Les and Cilla say they have a surprise for Chesney and he asks if his mum is leaving him again! They say that wonāt happen again and say he has got to get some fresh air. Outside is a quad bike waiting for him. Tommy says it needs a service first and they go off to the garage. Les moans at Cilla because he paid for it but she took all the credit. Ciaran is on the phone trying to get money for his new restaurant but his uncleās cousin says no, rather rudely by the sound of it!

Steve is persuading Eileen to take a double shift as he wants to go to the police about Karen. Eileen says thereās no point in going to the police sheāll probably be at the shops but she says sheāll get the lads to look out for her anyway.

Liz is telling Fred that she understands Karen has been through a difficult time but she doesnāt think she should hurt Steve over it. In walks Ciaran and Fred tells him he has to cook the food today as Betty isnāt coming in. Ciaran says he doesnāt come to work to make sandwiches but Fred says heās supposed to be a master chef so he agrees.

Chesney is working on his bike in the garage. He goes to have a look under the bike but Kevin stops him. Chesney asks him to Ījackā it up so he can check the oil change. Kevin tells Tommy to look out; Chesney will be after his job!

Steve is in the shop shouting about how the police wonāt help him and Dev asks him if heās checked the hospitals. He says heās checked every five minutes and he doesnāt know where else to look. Sunita asks if heās checked the cemetery as that is the first place sheād be if sheād missed her mumās funeral. Steve rushes out the door.

BREAK

Jason and Charlie are eating lunch when Jason mentions that there was a hair on his soap this morning that wasnāt his. Jason says it makes him sick to think where it came from. Charlie says it isnāt doing much for him either as he is trying to eat his lunch! Ciaran tells Fred that it wonāt be a problem to impress the locals with his cooking. Fred asks Charlie and Jason how the lunch tastes and they say itās very good. He tells Ciaran itās a shame that he wonāt be there regularly as he could have put his meal on the menu.

Steve is in the cemetery looking for Karen when he sees someone kneeling by a grave. He shouts Īwhat the hell kind of game do you think youāre playingā and she turns around but itās not Karen! Ooops!

Chesney has come home but heās absolutely covered in oil so Cilla makes him stand on a newspaper. As he steps on they step back to avoid him and fall over!

Liz is telling Fred that the last thing she wants to do is interfere with Steve and Karen. Fred offers her time off but she thinks itās better to stay in the pub so Steve knows where she is. Tracy comments that Ciaran looks happier than he did this morning and he says itās because his burgers went down a treat. She says itās a pity he canāt get some rich backers to back them when Jason comes over and asks for another burger. Ciaran says itās a one off special and Tracy says itās just like his sex life! Jason storms off (again!) to get some food elsewhere. Ciaran asks Tracy to join him at an Irish cuisine night that he is doing to try and get backers for his restaurant. Dev and Sunita tell Ciaran that they are moving in together. Steve walks in and Dev offers him a drink. Fred tells him not to worry about Karen, and then Ciaran and Tracy ask about her. Steve yells if there is anyone who doesnāt know about Karen and blames his mother for telling them all. Tracy says if thereās anything she can do to help he only has to ask but Dev and Sunita decide to walk him home.

Steve tells Dev and Sunita that they donāt need to walk him home. He says that he thinks sheās killed herself but Sunita says sheās not one to do that. Steve lets himself into his house.

Steve walks upstairs and sees Karen sitting on the settee. He demands to know where sheās been while heās been worrying out of his mind, checking hospitals and cemeteries. She just apologises and says sheāll make him a cup of tea!

Dev and Sunita are finishing up packing when Dev finds a bottle of champagne. They decide to drink to finding each other.

Steve asks Karen again where sheās been and she gets out the picture that she drew as a child. She says itās the last place she remembers being happy as a child. She says her mum and dad went into a big marquee and then she heard singing and people shouting the lordās name. Then all the colours started draining out of her life and it became black and white. She says everything she did was wrong in her parentās eyes and she had to be punished to be saved. Steve says her parents were wrong in the way they treated her but Karen says that maybe deep down they were right. She says that she is bad and from now on sheās going to be last in line and she is going to be a real angel. I canāt wait to see that!

The End

Helen Edgar


Sunday 5 September

Good evening all...I'm afraid I need your sympathy tonight as I've pulled a muscle in my neck and can hardly move it :( Now I know how Deirdre Rachid feels after she's had a bit of a rant...

Onto tonight's episode where we open with Karen sitting looking thoughtful (wonders never cease!!) on her couch. Steve walks in the room and cheerfully looks at the bright side, which is that Karen had a good night's sleep. That would've been good, had she been asleep, but alas she was awake all along. She tells Steve she wants to visit her mother's grave and a look of relief passes over him. He insists he goes with her. Karen goes to get dressed and ring Eva. Steve begins to offer her breakfast but she's mysteriously disappeared--well, left the room anyway.

Ciaran is on the phone to Mike, inviting him to a sample meal at his restaurant. Tracy comes through in a revealing waitress outfit, catching Ciaran's attention momentarily. Mike passes him on to Penny and as Tracy teases Ciaran, Penny accepts the invitation.

Steve asks Karen if she's sure she wants to go to the cemetery and (quite cruelly in my opinion) reminds her that she didn't want to know before. She admits that she wishes she'd gone to the funeral and reflects that she needn't be on her guard anymore because her mum can't hurt her anymore. She is disgusted that she's saying she likes her mum better now she's dead but Steve consoles her, concluding that she's only going to see where she's buried. Karen passes a message to her mum, if she's watching over her, saying she didn't hate her. But she realises that she actually did and that her mum knew it. Karen decided that it's pointless to go.

Meanwhile, Dev's telling Sunita there's a lot of stuff that she won't need in his flat. (What you mean like's of YOU Dev?) Sunita comes through and says they can sort it out when they get there. They have a petty discussion over whose stuff is better and Sunita gets her way in the end.

Karen and Steve leave onto the Street and Karen climbs into the car. Dev comes over and Steve fills him in on the latest. Sunita has just been asked by Ciaran to his dinner. Dev comes over and Tracy scoffs over them moving in together. Sunita says they'd love to go to the meal--Dev doesn't seem keen but agrees nevertheless, making Sunita's grip over him even more apparent! Tracy taunts Dev, saying the moving out is always more fun, provided you have a pair of scissors handy. Tracy is skeptical over how rich Danny and Frankie are but Ciaran's determined they come to the meal too. Frankie agrees to attend and she and Tracy exchange the proverbial catty comments.

Karen approaches the grave and wonders where the "proper stone" is. She admits that she doesn't know what to do--she doesn't want to apologise to thin air so after some initial uncomfortable feelings, she says the apology to Steve. Karen concludes that all her mum wanted was for her to be a good person and she and Steve leave.

Tracy and Ciaran are in the restaurant, which is filthy, but Ciaran said it's so people can feel they get on at the ground floor, which is a fancy way of confessing that he's behind schedule. He asks Tracy to do it and she's horrified. He tells her that tonight is make or break for the restaurant and she reluctantly agrees to clean up. (it must be love---Tracy getting her hands dirty!?)

-----BREAK-----

We return to see Karen and Steve walk into the pub and into the most shocking scene of this year! Liz confronts Karen. For a while, we look set to witness a turbulent Karen retaliation but she actually apologises to a dumbfounded Liz! Fred interrupts in the middle of the conversation to ask Liz to accompany him to Ciaran's meal. She accepts.

Dev moves the last of Sunita's things into his flat. He asks if she has any doubts, but thankfully she likes the wallpaper so she's staying put--no doubts in other words. Dev, however, is frustrated that they have to go to Ciaran's restaurant.

Karen and Steve bump into Eileen and Karen asks her if she's the worst person she's ever met. Eileen ranks her as a front runner so Karen makes a heartfelt apology and hugs her, leaving both Steve and Eileen shell shocked.

As Fred goes to titivate himself up, Eileen enters the pub, tells Liz about her encounter with Karen and asks if Karen's on drugs. Liz is certain that Karen is just putting on an act.

Tracy finishes tarting up the restaurant and Ciaran tells her not to make them look desperate and to keep the wine flowing. Penny and Mike enter, Mike very cynical. Penny says he's in a bad mood, but Mike moodily tells her that he's not. Penny says it looks nice and Danny and Frankie come in, Frankie also skeptical. Danny however likes it. Mike is frustrated there's no ice in his scotch. By now, both Mike and Frankie have made it perfectly clear they don't think much of the restaurant. Fred makes a very loud entrance, with Liz on his arm. Penny and Fred make an amicable exchange of greetings and Fred commends Ciaran on his bravery for taking on the challenge. Mike points out it's not so brave when you're using someone else's money.

Dev, after putting his head to every angle around Sunita in an annoying fashion, tells her she looks lovely. Sunita doesn't want to let Ciaran down but Dev admits he doesn't care if they do. He loves her for putting up with him (and who can blame him---not many women would)

Ciaran thanks everyone for coming and asks them to spread the word. Fred hints with an extreme lack of subtlety that he would be a good supplier for Ciaran. Ciaran tells Fred he'll be talking to him about it. Frankie tells him Underworld could provide knickers for staff who need them and Tracy glares daggers at her. Sunita and Dev enter and apologise for their lateness. Fred tells Dev he's a lucky man. Danny proposes a toast to Ciaran's restaurant, volunteers everyone's support and wishes him luck. As the rabble toast "Ciaran and his restaurant" Dev's elongated drone is the most audible.

Steve asks Karen if he can get her anything and she asks for a bottle of vodka and her cigarettes. Steve looks like Christmas has come early (although not one that involves Tracy tells him he's the father of her unborn child) and rushes to get them. Karen however, pours the vodka down the sink and bins the cigarettes, vowing to be the good person her mum wanted.

As Ciaran's guests start to leave, Tracy takes the initiative and asks for investors otherwise the restaurant can't open. Penny is aghast. No-one makes any contributions and Penny warns Ciaran that he ought to worry (oooohh! Scary!). Ciaran concludes that his ship has sunk and his dream has failed.

And that's all for Sunday's episode, which was excellent despite the notable absences of Maya, Chesney, Vera and Jack. See you all next week!

Duncan Lindsay





Monday 6 September

Hi everyone. Here is Mondayās first episode, sorry itās a little late, but I had a sick daughter who needed my attention last night.

Itās early morning in Ciaranās flat and heās not answering the phone which is ringing. We hear Pennyās voice on the answer phone, sheās obviously worried about the fact that it looks like they are in financial trouble and she demands that he phone her back when he gets the message. Just then Tracy comes in, fixing her earring and with her blouse unbuttoned. She asks him what the time is and is told itās 7.30. Sheās concerned that she ought to be picking Amy up, who appears to have been left with Roy and Hayley overnight. She tells him itās his fault for keeping her up till 3 oāclock in the morning, and he tells her she shouldnāt have stayed the night. When she retorts that he needed a shoulder to cry on, he tells her itās her fault that his business is going down the drain. She protests that all she did was ask for money, he needed it. ĪHang on,ā he says, Īthereās a big difference between, Īthis ship is going places, do you want to buy a ticket,ā and Īthis ship is sinking do you want to buy a bucket!āā She smiles flirtatiously and moves closer. ĪDo you want me to make it up to you again?ā He tells her sheās not listening, heās got a business to salvage. ĪAnd Iāve got a baby to pick up,ā she murmurs, and kisses him.

Over at the MacDonaldās, Karen is busy ironing. Steve staggers in from the bedroom, dressed only in his boxers, yawning. He wonders if the clock is wrong in their room, but she tells him itās not. He then asks if sheās feeling all right, she says she is. ĪThatās my shirt youāre ironing there,ā he tells her, Īwhy are you ironing my shirt?ā ĪBecause itās creased, Steveā, she says, and goes on to amaze him even further by telling him sheās made him some sandwiches and wrapped them in foil. She tells him sheās trying to be a better person, sheās trying really hard, and this is the start of the new her. She then goes off to make him breakfast, leaving him dumbfounded.

At the Grimshaw residence, Eileen and the boys are down in the kitchen when the call comes from above, ĪBathroomās free!ā Todd and Jason both leap towards the stairs, with Todd on his way up, first. ĪMe liftāll be here in five minutes,ā wails Jason, but Todd tells him itās his first day at college and he canāt be late. The cause of this fracas, Sean, comes downstairs, as Jason mutters that heās sick of this. Sean looks Jason up and down. (Remember he told everyone when he first arrived that he liked the dark haired, builder types!) Jason wraps his dressing gown tighter round himself. ĪWhat you lookinā at,ā he growls. Sean purses his lips, ĪNothing,ā he replies, and bursts into a chorus of ĪBlue Moon, I saw you standing alone··ā Eileen watches with some amusement, but tells Sean he really ought to let Jason into the bathroom first, it would be easier for everybody. Sean says that Jasonās alarm went off three times, and he knocked on his door and told him, ĪSnooze button or shower, Jason Grimshaw!ā Eileen says that Jason isnāt very good in the morning. The sound of a car horn is heard, and Jason shouts that that is his lift and he hasnāt been near the shower. He shouts to Charlie though the upstairs window that heāll be two minutes. Charlie wanders over to the Kabin.

Karen is coming down the street, and asks a girl whoās dressed in a red top and mini skirt, if she had a nice weekend. ĪYou talkinā to me?ā asks the girl, ĪErr, yeah,ā says Karen, looking a little embarrassed. ĪI know I blanked you in the past, but letās just be mates now, eh?ā ĪBit late for that,ā says the girl, ĪIām leaving today.ā ĪWhere you going?ā asks Karen, still looking awkward. ĪTeneriffe,ā says the girl, ĪIām getting married.ā

Along the street come Hayley and Tracy, pushing the pram. Tracy is thanking Hayley for having Amy and telling her she doesnāt get a minute to herself these days. Hayley goes off to the factory, and Tracy carries on to her own front door, where she meets Blanche coming out. ĪYouāre out early this morning,ā says Blanche, Īwhere have you been?ā ĪNowhere,ā says Tracy, and then tells her that she didnāt get a minuteās sleep because Amy kept her up all night, she asks if Blanche heard her. Blanche tells her sheād want money back on her ear plugs if she did! Tracy then puts on a pained expression and begs Blanche to take Amy for a while, so she can catch up on some sleep. Blanche agrees, and Tracy rushes inside.

The factory girls are still standing outside, waiting to be let in. Karen announces to all that Kelly is leaving today, sheās getting married, did they know? Hayley says they did. Karen asks Kelly why she didnāt tell her. Kelly points out that sheās not part of their little clique, their Roverās clique. When Karen tells her that this place is too small for cliques, Kelly retorts that itās ĪClique Cityā. Karen blusters that it shouldnāt be, and suggests that they all go for a drink at the Rovers to give Kelly the send off she deserves. Kelly says she doesnāt drink during the day, but Karen says this is important, itās team building, itās clique stopping. Just then Sonia arrives and Karen asks if she knew Kelly was getting married. ĪI should do, I went to her hen night,ā Sonia tells her. Just then Danny Baldwin comes across the road, shirt hanging out of his trousers and slice of toast in his hand. Janice hopes heās not coming to work like that. He says Mike must have been held up somewhere, and he has just come to let them in. As they go in, Hayley whispers to Karen that she has got Kelly a card for them all to sign, and she thinks itās pronounced Īcleequeā.

In the corner shop, Todd is trying to tell Dev something, but Dev is not really listening and then turns his attention on Sunita who has just come in. ĪDid you get it?ā he asks her, and she says she did, showing him the copy of her birth certificate, as she canāt get married without it. (If you remember, Maya stole her original).Todd asks if sheās going to carry on working there after sheās married. Dev points out that when sheās Mrs. Allahan she can choose her shifts. (Wow! Mr. Smoothie! He knows how to charm a girl!) Todd explains to Sunita that heās starting college today, and when she goes off to put her certificate away, he turns to Dev and tells him that he can only work evenings from now on. Dev is not too happy about this news, until Leanne, who has just popped in to buy something, tells him sheās looking for a job. He tells her he will work some stuff out and asks if she can come back later, as he looks across and sees Sunita looking thoughtful.

Mike and Penny have turned up at the restaurant where Charlie and Jason are hard at work. They ask if everything is all right, as they have the impression that the money is running out. Charlie tells them that they should speak to Ciaran, and Penny says she has been trying to get hold of him all morning. Jason chirps up that she can get hold of him anytime, but is quickly put down by Pennyās retort, ĪNot with a smell like that, Sonny!ā She reaches for her mobile and ringās the Rovers to see if Ciaran is there.

Over at the Rovers, Ciaran is on his mobile phone to someone, discussing price and quality of something. Betty comes in and tells his the draymen are there, and Liz answers the pub phone and tells Ciaran itās Penny King, for him. He tells her heās not there, but Liz says she knows heās there. He instructs her to tell Penny that heās with the draymen and heāll ring her back, so Liz passes on the message.

Over in the corner shop, Sunita is telling Dev how seeing her parentsā names on her birth certificate has made her think about how weddings are about two families coming together, and Dev is just the kind of man they would want her to marry, and she misses them. Dev asks her if sheād like to get back in touch with them. She says she would but canāt just turn up on the doorstep, so Dev persuades her to ring them.

After the break we see Martin and Katy come out of their flat. Martin is complaining that he doesnāt see why, Katy, in her school uniform, canāt catch the bus to school. (Round our way, 6th form students donāt have to wear uniform.) She tells him heās lucky sheās going at all, she certainly doesnāt feel like it. Up behind them comes Todd, off to 6th form college. After a brief greeting, and a rather awkward silence, he says heās off to catch his bus, and when heās gone Katy says to Martin that the college is on their way, they could give him a lift. ĪDonāt be stupid,ā says Martin. Katy suddenly decides sheāll catch the bus after all, and rushes off after Todd.

Mike arrives at the factory. Danny asks him where heās been, and is told, ĪChasing Irishmen.ā Danny tells him he said heād open up this morning. Mike forgot after Ciaran sent the begging bowl round last night, so heās been trying to find out what is going on. He asks if all is all right there, and Danny tells him no, Fizz has rung in sick, and Bolshy (Karen) is acting really weird, her work rate has gone through the roof, which Hayley reckons is because her mother died. Heās thinking about putting a contract out on her family.

Out on the factory floor, Karen is offering Kelly a mug of coffee. ĪWhat, with a handle?ā queries Kelly, and reminds Karen about her first day when she was told that new girls arenāt allowed lockers or mugs with handles. Karen admits she was a bitch, and urges Kelly to keep the mug, to take it away with her, sheās giving up caffeine anyway. ĪWhat, as well as nicotine? As if!ā Janice canāt believe her ears. Sonia asks if Karen can keep it up until Angie gets back from her holiday, otherwise sheāll never believe it. Janice then goes out for a ciggie break, and tries to tempt Karen into going with her, but Karen says sheās not in the least bit tempted and returns to her sewing machine.

Steve is in the taxi office, looking dubiously at his doorstep sandwich and talking to Eileen about Karenās ironing. Eileen reckons itās just a phase and he should enjoy it while he can. She asks, ĪHowās your sarnie?ā ĪSoggy,ā says Steve as the filling drops out. Just then the phone rings, and Eileen answers it to find Sean on the line, he demands a taxi urgently, itās an emergency!

Dev holds up the telephone, asking Sunita, ĪDo you want me to dial?ā She takes the phone off him and begins to dialing. Just then someone comes into the shop, Sunita immediately drops the phone and rushes to the counter. Itās Kelly, buying milk. Sunita ignores Devās protests that he can serve, and, as Kelly opens the milk and starts to drink it right there in the shop, comments that she likes her milk. ĪJust putting a lining on me stomach,ā Kelly explains, and hurries out. Dev tries again to persuade Sunita to phone her mother.

Sean arrives at the taxi office, looking like heās about to burst into tears. ĪWhat happened?ā asks Eileen, as he rushes behind the counter to her side of the office. He flings his arms round her, and then tells her heās lost his job. Les comes in behind him, most upset that he was told it was an emergency. ĪIāll never sell lipstick in this town again,ā Sean tells him, Īwouldnāt you call that an emergency?ā Les tells Eileen that the next time she sends him on an emergency, he wants a damsel in distress. ĪI am in distress,ā Sean says, ĪA proper damsel!ā shouts Les. It turns out that Sean has been sacked for ĪNickinā summat,ā as Eileen says. He tells her the other girls help themselves to samples all the time and blind eyes are turned, but when it came to him·..well, he refused to submit to a full body search. He has taken her a jar of the firming cream he told her about, and he pulls it from his pocket and presents her with it. He tells her he wanted to give her a present for taking him in, and this retails at 39.99 so it has to be worth another week. Eileen agrees.

In the Rovers, Ciaran is serving Mike and Danny, and asking them if they enjoyed their dinner last night. They both say they did but as Mike starts to talk Ciaran rushes past him and out of the door, saying he has to go.

Karen is at the bar, ordering a gin and tonic for Kelly and a mineral water for herself. Liz canāt believe what she is hearing, and then Karen confuses her even more by telling her to get herself one. At the table, Kelly is telling the girls she is only having the one drink, as alcohol has a really bad effect on her.

In the corner shop, Sunita is still trying to pluck up the courage to make her phone call. The shop door opens and Dev quickly tells her he will deal with it, and urges her to go ahead and make her call. He goes into the shop and finds Leanne, sheās come to ask about her job. Dev tells her he hasnāt had time to sort it out yet, but to leave her number and heāll ring her. In the back room, Sunita has dialed and her mum answers. ĪHi Mum, itās me, Sunita,ā she says, Īhow are you?ā And then stares at the receiver in her hand, her mum has obviously hung up. By the look on her face, Sunita is devastated. Dev comes in at that time, and says, ĪDarling, come on·ā ĪIāve done it,ā Sunita tells him, and explains that she just hung up. Dev sighs, and gives Sunita a hug.

In the pub, Kelly is looking at her card which reads ĪWeāll Miss Youā. ĪIāve only been here three weeks,ā she tells them. Karen assures her they will still miss her, but Kelly tells her she hasnāt said a civil word to her until today. She starts to get a bit tearful and tells the girls itās the gin, and if she carries on drinking she will want to fight everybody, and after that, no man is safe! The girls all look rather uncomfortably at each other.

Karen has moved away to stand on her own. Hayley goes over and asks what sheās doing. Karen tells her she would laugh at her, ĪTry me,ā says Hayley. Karen then asks Hayley if she believes in God and Heaven. ĪI think so,ā says Hayley, so Karen confesses that sheās been trying to pray, but itās really hard and she might as well just count to ten. Hayley wonders if she was expecting some sort of answer, and Karen admits she doesnāt know. She does know that she wants a pint, and a fag, and she wants to tell Kelly sheās an ungrateful mare. ĪBut you didnāt,ā says Hayley, Īand itās what you actually do that matters, so perhaps the praying, or the counting to ten, is helping.ā Karen brightens considerably and starts to walk away. ĪWhere are you going?ā asks Hayley. ĪTo do more,ā says Karen, smiling. Hayley looks very worried.

Penny King arrives in the Rovers. Mike asks her if she saw Ciaran, and she tells him thatās what sheās there for. Danny tells her she just missed him, and Mike crows that he was right all along. Penny tells Danny that Mike thinks she should get her money back, if she can, and wonders what he thinks. Danny says that he couldnāt disagree with his uncle, his business partner and his inspiration.

The subject of Pennyās worry is tapping on a calculator, who then, in exasperation, grabs a hammer and smashes it, watched by Charlie, Jason and Tracy. Tracy asks him what heās doing, and he tells her it doesnāt add up. She whispers to him that it canāt be that bad, he tells her itās worse. She tells him that if heās got financial problems itās not a good idea to let the staff in on it, indicating Jason and Charlie. He tells her that this place will be the ruin of him. She advises him to go home and have a good sleep, everything will seem better then. Ciaran tells her he should have let the other fella buy the restaurant, he put in a sensible offer that would have made money. Tracy tells him he could always cut his losses and sell it to him, but Ciaran isnāt keen, that would be the end of his dream. Tracy has an idea, he would only lose money if he paid Penny King back the money he owes her. He tells her he has to. ĪWho says?ā asks Tracy, ĪThe law of the land says,ā Ciaran tells her. ĪCiaran,ā says Tracy, ĪIf you sell up before Penny King finds out, you could do a runner, youād be quids in and youād make a profit!ā

And thatās all for now!

Ann Logan

Welcome to the second episode from Monday night. Karen is stuffing clothing into bin liners. "I don't need them, they're dragging me down, she tells Steve. "It's not what we have, it's who we have -- the people we love." Steve is not impressed. "You're supposed to love me and I bought half them. You're chucking away love gifts." Karen tells him they are living completely selfish lives.

In the restaurant, the builders are busy working, Ciaran is busy telling them to do a good job and Tracy is busy reading a magazine. She tells Ciaran it's time to bail, but he says Penny King is the only person who has stood by him and he won't be ripping her off. "This place is mine, all mine, and it's going to work," Ciaran says. "Get stuffed, Tracy."

Out in the street, Karen is so busy arguing with Steve when she trips and the bin bag comes open. You know when a rubbish bag gets broken in the street and the seagulls spot it . . . well, the factory girls are just passing! They pounce on the stuff and when they hear it's all going to the hospice shop they are suddenly needy. "Well, thanks very much girls, you flippin' locusts," Steve says. Janice doesn't join in but just looks worried. Ciaran is also in the street, and spots Penny King. He dives behind Maxine's bench, but it's too late and Penny nabs him, but when she answers her mobile she runs off. Dev nabs Leanne offers her a job. He asks if she can work tonight, but Jamie leaps in and says she can't. He talks over her protests and Dev wipes his hands of her and walks off. Leanne is furious. "I need dosh!" she tells him. "It was a shop job," he says, "not worth losing a night out for it." "I'll decide that," she fumes and stomps off.

But she only stomps as far as the shop, where she stops stomping and grovels to Dev, telling him she'll work tonight.

In the factory, the girls are fighting over the clothes and Karen is very anxious. They've promised to give her the money so she can give it direct to charity, but she's not cure they're keeping careful count. They end up ripping something as they argue. Janice is astounded. She's discovered a whole lot of underwear and tells Karen she can't give underwear to the charity shop. But that wasn't what Karen had in mind. It's the underwear she's nicked from Underworld and she plans to give it back and confess. The fighting stops as everyone's mouth drops open. "You can't do that," Janice says. "If they know you do it, they'll think we do it too!" Sonia: "And they would be right." Danny comes out and tells them to get back to work. Karen calls him over, but instead of confessing just says she's sorry and it was her fault they were distracted. We notice that Hayley's mouth is still open. "You all steal pants?" she hisses to Janice. It turns out she's the only one who doesn't.

The builders have come into the pub. They tease Ciaran about the kitchen not being up to much at the restaurant. Shelley invites Charlie to come round to the pub for a night in. Ciaran tells Fred he has to admit the food at the restaurant wasn't bad. Fred admits it wasn't but he still won't be putting money into the business. "Restaurants are the best way of leaking shekels known to man or dog."

In the factory, Karen's clothing is being worn by all and sundry. Danny and Jamie are looking out from the office. "Is it my imagination, or does everyone look different?" Danny asks. "The same, but cheaper," Jamie replies. Karen comes to the office, but Janice drags her away to "give me a hand with this machine." Karen isn't deterred and when Danny leaves the office she spills the bag of knickers in front of him and confesses, even telling him that the others also steal. Danny tells her he'll count up what's there and it will come off her wages. And he'll take the same amount off the wages of all the others, too. There are gasps of horror and he tells them they are lucky he didn't sack them. Janice has had enough. "I'm sick of walking on eggshells because your mother's died," she tells Karen. "One more stroke like that and it won't be you in mourning, it'll be Steve."

In the back room of the pub Penny King finally tracks down Ciaran. He tells her the restaurant will cost another £20,000 and he can't get it from anywhere else. "If we don't open up by the end of this week then we've both lost everything."

[break]

As the girls spill out of the pub, Janice takes Kelly (is that her name -- the one who's leaving) to the pub. Roy meets Hayley and is taken aback by her shirt -- a T-shirt in lime green, with "vicious" written in shocking pink on her chest. He's a bit upset by this, because he says it's wrong, she's not. It turns out the Croppers have a social engagement -- they're going to Karen's to play Scrabble! Tracey has managed to lumber Granny Liz with baby Amy. When Liz protests that she's working Tracy acknowledges that but says it's an emergency and walks away quickly.

In the shop, Sunita says she's stared death in the face and can cope without her mother. She's not upset, she says, but she is angry. "I've rung them. I'm better than them," she says, telling Dev her parents have missed their chance.

In the pub, Liz has taken Amy to the back room and is trying to settle her. Shelley is furious and accuses Liz of trying to sabotage her night in with Charlie. Fred stops the argument and demands to know what's going on. "I'm motivating my staff," says Shelley. She leaves and he tells Liz he'll put the baby to sleep. "I've got the face for it." He tells her to go and pull pints as nature intended. And as they leave he says soothingly to Amy, "HELLO, LITTLE BABBY!" And Amy says: "Whaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!"

Kelly is crying in the bar, telling the others she doesn't want to leave because it's the only place where she's been called by her real name. It seems she is usually called Crabby, because of her surname (Crabtree). Danny tells Jamie he knew about the knicker thieves. "Let them half-inch a few Alan Whickers now and again (are they overdoing the Cockney slang, do you think?) and they'll think they've got one over on you." He didn't stop it because it's cheaper than paying them properly in the first place! Jason is having a moan to Charlie about Sean and living in "poofy palace". He complains that "they" are coming out of the woodwork. He doesn't get much sympathy from Charlie. "You sound like my Dad," he says, "and he was a stupid old bigot." Behind the bar, Liz tells Shelley she can leave off the evil eye. Shelley reacts by telling her if there is no-one to serve then she can collect glasses. Fred comes out, having got Amy to sleep at last. "Whaaaaahh!!" Oh dear.

At the McDonald residence, Karen is surprised to find that Bix isn't an allowed word, even if the factory workers do stop work for "tea and bix". She wants to have another go, but Roy says she should forfeit a turn, as in the standard published rules. Hayley disagrees. "You could let her have another go, Roy. You're 200 points in the lead." Roy says that's not entirely relevant. Steve comes in and is incredulous. But Karen wants to spend time with people who have proper values. Hayley tells Steve gently: "Don't worry. Grief does funny things to people. She'll come back when she's finished mourning." "She's not the only one in mourning!" Steve shouts back.

In the pub, Crabby has got to the amorous stage and is putting the move on Jason, whom Charlie describes as the resident heterosexual. The others point out she's getting married and she says Jason has a bit of a whiff anyway. Charlie and Shelley will have to go out, with Amy in the back room. Liz says she's sick of Shelley whining and Shelley is stick of Liz's cheap scent and tarty clothes clogging up her space. Fred breaks them up again. Liz spots Steve and sees an opportunity. She takes him into the back room and he sees Amy. "Pick her up. She doesn't bite." She leaves him with Amy and he picks up his baby. "Just you and me then, eh?" he says to her.

Back in the bar, Eileen and Sean come in and Eileen asks Jason to "get them in". He asks what happened to the pink pound, but Sean points out he's a dole queen now. Jason spots Danny and asks if Kelly has left. She has, Danny says, and he's now a machinist short. Surprise! Sean says he's a dab hand with a needle. Danny is reluctant but agrees to give him a trial at 8.30 tomorrow morning. Tracey finally comes in and Liz gives her an earful because she's been hours, not an hour. It seems Tracey was getting her nails done! Ciaran comments that she's got a great talent for upsetting people. She brushes him off and heads for the back room and Amy, where she is startled to see Steve. She's amazed because he has hardly looked at the baby before.

In the shop, Jamie can't believe Leanne would rather stay in the shop than go out with him. They dump each other.

Back at the Rovers, Steve is confessing his problems to Tracey. As he leaves she gets that calculating look in her eye that we've seen so often before.

The End.

Margaret Carr




Wednesday 8 September

Hi all we open with Karen in the kitchen doing the dishes, Steve comes in and ask her if she won Karen tells him she came second Steve says well if you are playing against the Croppers what do you except, but you did quite well but Karen tells Steve that she cheated that she could have had a triple word score if she had a letter A and she saw one poking out of the bag so she took it, Steve laughās and says see you are human after all but Karen does not think that is was funny that she cheated and that she took advantage of their good nature, Steve says for good sake Karen have you heard your self it is a game not a matter of life or dead Karen asks Steve not to blasphemy Steve says sorry but my wife as turned into a do gooder and I have gone celibate and socialising with the croppers has come my highlighted of the week , Karen says to him that you did not have to march out the way you did and were did you go, Steve tells her he went to see his mum, Karen says good and Steve says good!! Karen says that he should spend more time with her but Steve says you hate her but Karen says no I donāt I use to hate her and Steve tells her that she would still hate her if she heard what she was saying about her, Karen says no I would not as she was probably right, Steve says she probably is right looking at it as you are spoilt, selfish and a nuttier. What you doing Steve you are just trying to start a row now and Steve tells her that they use to thrive on them remember and Karen says yes but donāt you think that is a bit sad. Steve walks out leaving Karen tidying up.

Janice comes in to the cafŽ and asks Leanne for a coffee and asks her what is wrong and to keep her chin up as they will make it up, but Leanne says that she does not want to make it up as there is bigger fish to fry, and that Jamie is not the only bloke around here, and that she as her eye on someone else already and that he as his own shop Janice says oh I and Leanne says that he is a bit older than her but she could give him a run for his money and Janice says or his and Leanne says yes he is loaded Janice tells her to go for it and Leanne says that she will, Jamie comes in to the cafŽ and says some he as to be and Leanne says excuse me a private conversation and Jamie asks her if she always talks to her mother about her sex life and Janice says oh yes she was telling me about her last boyfriend who was to big for his boots but the same could not be said in the bedroom department Jamie orders a bacon sandwich and Leanne says to Janice why did you say that for and Janice says I was just helping you out playing it cool, Leanne says that was not cool that was putting a load of ice cubes down his boxers thanks a lot, Karen is telling Hayley that she cheated in the game but Hayley tells her that it is ok but Karen tells her that she as taken off her 32 points so Hayley came second and she came last and not the other way round, Hayley tells her that it is really honest of her but Karen tells her that if she was honest in the first place it would not have happened Hayley tells her that it least she as put it right, Karen tells Hayley that he is really trying but sometimes she finds it really hard and asks Hayley if it was the same for her when she had the chop as she had to remember to go into the ladies room instead of the menās.

Steve comes out of streetcars and sees Tracy and Tracy asks him how he is and how is Karen, Steve tells her that they are fine, Tracy tells him that he was not fine last night and Steve ask her if she was taking notes, Steve asks what is it to do with her and she said that when she was married to Robert she would wonder who this guy was and that she did not recognise him any more Steve tells her that last night he was just moaning like married couples do but Tracy says it was more like a cry for help, Steve tells her that they are fine. And tells her he will see her later and drives off. Tracy spots Ciaran coming across the road and says hi and tells him that she was sorry for last night but Ciaran tells her it is not a problem and that she was probably right and he just did not want to see it, Tracy asks him if he as heard from Penny yet Ciaran says no but tells her that no news is good news. Tracy offers to come over tonight to cheer him up Ciaran aggress. So they kiss and go there separate ways.

Sunita asks Dev if it is ok if she still takes the car and Dev tells her yes as it is a lot easier than bringing her stuff home on the bus, Sunita tells Dev that marriage is not just about them two but about their families as well, but her mother will not be there but Dev tells her that all that matters is them to and that as family will welcome her in like there own.

Danny comes out of his office and says listen up girls were is he, the girls ask who and Danny says Kellyās replacement and Sonia what a fella Danny says he would not actually call him a fella just then Sean comes in and Danny tells him not a good start and Sean says sorry I was just setting out when I got caught short and had to nip back my bladder is always the first thing to go when I am nervous. Danny introduces Sean to the girls and says that he is on a day trial and he as loads of experience and that he as to be to keep up with the girls as they are the best machinists in the north, aināt that right girls, Sonia aggress and Danny tells Sean if he can make 200 knickers Janice says at least so Danny says ok lets make it 210 by the end of the day and only then if they are up to scratch that he will get the job but Karen says I donāt know what you are talking about but Danny says thank you and tells Sean that Miss Battersby will show him the ropes but pointless really as they all work on electric, Karen is not happy and goes to see Danny , Danny asks if she as a problem and Karen says to him you know that order is not possible and Danny tells Karen that she can grass on her workmates until her hearts content but if she starts to grass on the management she will be out of the door faster than she can pray got it, Karen leaves and Danny shouts to her and next time knock.

Leanne is in the shop serving Jamie and she tells him that she did not say anything to Janice and Jamie says it is ok as he as not had any complaints only complements as the girl last night did not mind and Leanne says was she only being nice but Jamie say she was making so much noise to wake the dead and Leanne says she would have to be aināt it Leanne tells him that he is full of him self so Jamie so ok come out with me tonight and Leanne says no I would rather read a bad book, and Jamie says looks like it is her lucky night again, lucky Leanne says I feel sorry for the poor cow it least my days of faking it are over, Jamie leaves the shop and Dev says to Leanne you really know where to kick a man so it hurts and Leanne says well they should not have their egos down there. And Leanne tells him that she as got bigger fish to fry.

Karen and Sean are in the pub getting a hot pot and Karen tells him that it as some kind of secret recipe in it and Sean asks if he is getting any better and Janice says no but Karen says that he is improving Janice says that he could do a new range you try to get your legs in and find that they are all sewed up the girls laugh, Karen says that he as improved but Sonia say yes only because he is going so slow. Frankie asks Danny how the new boy is going and Danny says no chance but he might get a few pairs out of him for nothing Frankie tells him that he is horrible, Penny comes in to the pub and asks Frankie and Danny if she can sit with them as Ciaran is giving her his puppy dog eyes and Danny asks her if she as made her decision yet and Penny says ćnoä and Frankie tells her that is what she should tell Ciaran but Danny tells Frankie that you have to put money in to make money but Frankie tells Danny that 20 k is a lot of money, Danny tells her that it as nothing to do with her.

Penny goes to the bar and Ciaran ask what can he get her but she says nothing thanks, Ciaran shows her a chart but Penny tells him that is looks like a loads of numbers to her and she could not take that to her bank manager, but Ciaran tells her that it is a rough copy and is how much he could make next year on an average of 50 customers a night, Penny says 50 and Ciaran tells her that he will get the word around by leaflets, door to door cut back on staff he will even wait the tables him self he will even be naked and singing Irish songs what ever it takes, but please donāt go pulling out now, Penny tells him that it is no use as he as got his money Ciaran asks if she just said what he thought she said and Penny tells him that he has as much idea of running a business as she as it making a soufflŽ but she likes his passion for business. Ciaran hugs Penny. And tells her that he wonāt let her down and Penny tells him that a lot of people thinks that he will so he better not.

Sunita and Shelly are getting out of Devās car back for their shopping trip and Sunita says to Shelly thank you for coming with me and shelly tells her that she enjoyed it but one sari is just the same and to wear the one she as got and Sunita says that will go down well sorry Dev I canāt wear your engagement ring but would you mind if I worn the same sari that I worn for mine and Ciaranās wedding shelly says good point then a man calls Sunita and Sunita turns around and say Jayesh, Sunita tells shelly that it is her brother and shelly tells her that she will leave her to it.

-----------------------BREAK-------------------

Karen asks Sean how he is doing and Sean says that is fingers have gone all numb, and Karen tells him that he can do it but Janice says no he canāt he as only 5 minutes left, Sean says he may as well give up but Karen gives him some of the work she as done and Janice tells her that it is cheating but Karen says it is not and Hayley aggress and gives him some of hers and Janice says I canāt believe this and Sonia says come on Janice you know it canāt be done so Sonia and Janice give some of their work as well, Danny comes out of the office and says come on then sunshine inspection time and Hayley says that he as done good Danny counts the knickers and say he did not do all these by himself as they know as well as him that it cant be done. He gives Sean a month trial but tells the girls not to help him out as he is on his own now, Sean says to Danny you donāt know what this means to me and Danny says I can guess.

Sunita brings out to glasses of squash and tells Jayesh sorry this is all she as, as she as moved out really her brother asks if she is stilling working in the shop and Sunita says with Dev yes, they both go to talk at the same time and Jayesh tells her to go first and Sunita asks him what he as been up to for the past 4 years, Jayesh tells her that he got the promotion he was after, Sunita asks if he is seeing anyone and Jayesh tells her yes they have been going out for a few years and Sunita says it must be serious then, Jayesh nods and tells Sunita that they are married and that he wanted to tell her but he could not, Sunita says it does not matter and asks where he meet her to, Jayesh tells her that it was an arranged marriage as after Beth left he thought it would be better, Sunita asks if he as any regrets, he says no we are really happy, and there is something else and he takes out a picture from his wallet and hands it to Sunita and tell her that it is his daughter and that she is an aunt, he tells her that she looks just like Sunita did it that age it least mum thinks so Sunita ask if her mother said that but Jayesh says not in so many words but you can tell by every time her eyes swell up when she looks at her.

Steve sees Sonia in Karenās red boots and asks her if they are Karenās and that he spend £200 on them Sonia says thanks Steve and walks into the pub with Janice, Karen is walking with Sean and says to Steve hi babe, Steve says donāt u hi babe me I have just seen Sonia in your boots the ones you said you would die for and Karen tells him yes but donāt you think that was stupid and that she as had a good idea as her clothes did not bring in a lot of money they should sell the television, but Steve says you what! But Karen says not sell it raffle it off in the rovers as a big wide screen TV would bring in a few hundred, but Steve asks Karen how is he suppose to watch the grand prix and Karen tells him to watch it on the radio. Steve grabs Karen and tells her that he is taking her out and he puts Karen in the car and drives off with Karen asking where are they going.

Tracy turns up at Ciaranās with cans and Ciaran tells her to put them away as she does not need them and gives her a glass of champagne and Ciaran makes a toast to Penny King and her cash and Tracy realises that Penny as come up with the money and gets really excited and asks Ciaran how he got her to do it and Ciaran tells her that she was impressed with his charm, Ciaran tells Tracy that soon they will be a McCarthyās all over the place and Tracy tells him that soon he will be a house hold name and people will be saying lets go to McCarthyās tonight, Ciaran tells her that if you donāt have a dream you donāt have any ambitions and that means you donāt chase your rainbow and you donāt get your pot of gold at the end of it. Tracy tells him that he is mad but she loves it and Ciaran tells Tracy that he loves her, but Tracy tells no he does not, not really and Ciaran quickly says that he meant he loved every one as that is how made up he is, and if she thinks that he wants to be more than bed buddies then she is wrong, and Tracy says good as if you think that I want to be more than that, then you will be wrong. And Ciaran says good glad that is sorted and Tracy agrees with him.

Steve as taken Karen to the shopping mall and asks her what does she see all around her, all top brand names calling to her buy me and he takes his credit card out of his wallet and tells her that it as a £3 thousand pound limit and just think what she could buy and that she could go into work with a thousand pounds on each leg, Steve tells her to take it and enjoy, Karen takes the card but throws it down the escalator and Steve calls her a mad cow and runs down to pick it up but Karen is it the top praying out loud and Steve tells her to shut up, Steve gets to the top and grabs Karen and tells her to shut up but Karen that all day their as been sin around her and all day she as wanted to give in and it is god testing her, but Steve tells her that she did not give in, Karen tells Steve that she is rotten but Steve tells her that she is not rotten . Karen tells save that her mother was right that she is the devils spawn but Steve tells her that her mother did not know what she was talking about but Karen says that she can see it clear now that her mother was only trying to help her and Steve says by how making you fell horrible about yourself but Karen says no but by trying to make me see how much sin there is in me, Steve grabs Karen and hugs her and tells her that it will be ok. Steve looks really worried.

Jayesh is telling Sunita about how hard it is looking after a toddler and that you canāt take your eyes of them for a minute and he asks Sunita if she is ok and Sunita say yes but I should have been there wondering if it was a boy or a girl and bringing her a present but instead I was stuck her not knowing what was going on, Sunita says that she will make it up to her when she sees her but Jayesh looks away and tells Sunita that he did not tell their mother that he was coming as the phone call left her shaken, Sunita says that she was hoping that they had send him, and Sunita asks him what did her mother say about her and her brother says nothing but Sunita says she must have felt something I am her daughter and what if she went to see her and her mother actually saw her, but Jayesh tells her that she would be wasting her time. As her mother say to them that she as no daughter as she died 4 years ago, and that she as got to understand that when she decided not to go through with the arranged marriage that she lost them for good Jayesh starts to cry and Sunita does as well and she leans against her brother.

THE END

Michaela Davis



Friday 10 September

We open with Karen coming back from a walk (to Steveās surprise!) She says there are going to be more temptations everywhere and she doesnāt want to give in. Steve doesnāt think sheāll keep it up.

Dev and Sunita are talking about her family. He wants her to forget about them but she says she missās them. Her phone rings and her brother tells her that her dad wants to meet her.

Janice and Liz are talking about Karen when she comes over. Janice comments that if Karen was to look after her husbandās child it would be a very worthy cause. Sean comes out of his house and Karen goes off to help him as heās ćsick as a parrotä! Steve calls to his mum but seeing Tracy come out of her house he says heāll talk to her later. Tracy manages to persuade Liz to look after Amy. As she is walking away she bumps into Ciaran who apologises for saying too much. They both say that neither of them wants to be tied down and then go their separate ways.

Sunita goes off to meet her father and leaves Dev and Leanne in the shop. They get talking but the phone rings and Dev says maybe they should get to know each other better. Leanne says she canāt wait!

Liz, Tracy and Shelley are talking about Karen in the pub when Steve walks in. He reminds them that her mum has just died. Then he tells Tracy that some people think sheās a lousy mother (well heās not exactly a model parent himself!) After a few more rude comments from both sides Steve leaves.

Sunita arrives at the park but her dad isnāt there so she sits on a bench and waits for him.

Mike, Penny and Danny are talking about Ciaran getting some more money. Penny and Danny tell Mike that he got the money from an old naval mate. They head off back to the factory. Shelley asks Roy if there is anything on the menu that doesnāt loose its temper every five minutes and go red in the face. Roy asks if Amy is still at the rovers then but Shelley was talking about Liz!

Sean is trying on bras in the factory when Mike and Danny walk in. Mike tells Danny to get rid of him.

Liz asks Blanche to take Amy home with her as Tracy has disappeared again but she canāt. Dev and Leanne are left alone and she asks when Sunita will be coming back. He says he told her to take as long as she wants. Leanne asks if that was so they can get to know each other and he says it was.

Sunita is still sitting on the bench. Itās chucking it down with rain and everyone else has left. She gives up waiting and walks away.

BREAK

Liz walks into Steveās flat and leaves Amy with him. This should be interesting when Karen comes back!

Leanne decides to make her move on Dev and goes to kiss him. Dev backs away quickly and then a distraught Sunita comes into the shop.

Liz, Blanche and Roy suddenly realize that Tracy doesnāt have Amy at all. They all say that they have had enough and they wonāt have her any more. Steve sees Tracy outside the pub and tries to give her back Amy but Tracy says sheās not having her. They start shouting at each other and Tracy admits that she canāt cope with Amy anymore. Steve tells her not to cry and asks her to come to Streetcars with him.

Mike sees that Sean is still in the factory and Danny tells him that heās had a word with him and heās not sacking him. He says itās his decision not Mikeās and Mike says donāt say he wasnāt warned.

Dev leaves Sunita in the backroom and demands to know what Leanne was doing. She says it was just a bit of fun and sheās sorry if she went a step too far. She tells Dev to lighten up but he sends her home. Sunita tells Dev that her dad didnāt come to the park and that he doesnāt love her any more.

Ciaran asks Shelley where his leaving buffet is but there is none! She says she will miss him but Liz says she wonāt, heās too lazy! Shelley comments that he looks happy and says itās not just the restaurant itās Tracy as well. Heās saying nothing but Shelley says he doesnāt have to.

Steve is holding Amy and Tracy says Amy is happy with him. With a bit of pushing he agrees that she looks happy. Tracy tries to get him to say that he loves Amy but Steve says they should leave so they do.

The End

Helen Edgar





Sunday 12 September

Good evening all and welcome to Sunday nights Corrie episode. I'll crack straight on tonight instead of dawdling.

The opening scene sees Karen banging on Danny's door with a charity box. He's none too impressed with being woken up but Karen persists and he goes inside to get some money. Steve arrives on the scene and demands to know what Karen is doing. She tells him and he asks if she can't do it at a more reasonable hour. She tells him that would only give people a chance to escape. Tracy is across the road and gives her characteristic taunt. Gulping down annoyance, Karen asks Tracy for a donation but Tracy can't afford it. She says charity begins at home and that family is the most important thing. She is clearly directing this at Steve. Danny returns and hands over the money. He is clearly in a huffy puff but who can blame him--he's just had the ordeal of waking up to Frankie.

Ciaran is painting and the song he's singing confirms that he's feelin' good. Sarah stands in the doorway and watches for a while before letting her presence known. She asks if there are any jobs going and it suddenly dawns on Ciaran that he will need some one to wait on his customers (not the brightest bulb in the box is he?) Sarah reminds him she has experience and he hires her. Charlie and Jason enter and Jason tells Sarah it's nice to see her with a smile on her face again.

Leanne is sitting on the shop counter and Jamie walks in and tells her she missed a good night and that it would've been better if she had been there. Leanne tells him that Dev made her a better offer.

Dev offers Sunita some croissants and asks if she wants him to speak (or drone whatever you like) to her father. She says it will only make things worse. He reveals his cunning, well thought out plan to fly to the other side of the world and wed with two fat Americans as witnesses (how romantic--stick to the croissants, Dev) Sunita says it's not fair on Dev's family, but he disregards that. Sunita says she's fine and that she won't let her family hurt her again.

Kelly is back and in the pub (the place she apparently hated). She's in tears and telling Janice and Sonia what went wrong. Well first, she got caught canoodling with a bottle flipping waiter, but she was forgiven. Then her hubby to be had it off with the bridesmaid so Kelly dumped him. They discuss how untrustworthy men are, with an intentional air of hypocrisy.

Danny approaches the bar and Kelly toddles over to ask for her job back. Just as Danny is telling her the complication, Sean, the complication himself walks in.

Dev walks into the shop and Leanne approaches him, flirtatiously. He tells her he doesn't like flirting (since when!?) He rebuffs her advances but in some frightening scenes, she tries to force herself onto him in an undignified (aka Leanne style) fashion. He sacks her and shoves money in her hands to pay her off. She tells him it's unfair dismissal but he chucks her out. (by this time, a surprised Sunita has entered)

BREAK

Dev tells Sunita what happened between him and Leanne and he desperately assures her he would never cheat on her. She's fine about it.

Leanne stomps down the street as Todd approaches Sarah, leading to a very uncomfortable exchange of small talk. The subject gets round to Bethany, but Sarah tells Todd to leave things as they are.

Karen is counting the charity money and Steve comes in, telling her that her behavior is embarrassing him. Karen asks him to join in but he says he needn't do as he's a good person. (Yeah, all he did wrong was marry someone for their money, push his dad off some scaffolding (well half push anyway) dabbled with drug dealers and kept the fact that the baby across the road was his a secret from his wife) He tells Karen she doesn't have to prove anything--he wants the selfish, loudmouth six lager fuelled prostitute lookalike Karen back (their words not mine!) Karen says she feels good that she's helping people but does admit she's doing this partly because of her mum but reflects on their own life as "drowning in sewage" Steve says they were just having a laugh and he even misses the rows. He begs the old Karen to come back but Karen yells there is no old Karen and she wants his support. He leaves to help Eileen in the office (at least he got the row he so longed for anyway)

Sean and Kelly are both competing for the same job. Kelly argues it was hers first and that she needs it to regain her self respect. Sean dramatically tells her and Danny that he sees his workforce as family and that they'd have to check around the hospitals if he lost the job! Danny allows them both to work for him.

Charlie says Ciaran's restaurant is looking nice and conversation turns to Tracy and Amy. Ciaran sees Tracy as one of his dreams (Yes, they call those nightmares, Ciaran)

Speaking of the devil herself, Tracy calls round at the cab office to see Steve. She starts the conversation the same way she always does, by taunting Karen but soon she's trying to comfort Steve. She suggests he may have married the wrong woman and tells him again that she loves him and begs for a chance. Steve rejects her and repeatedly pushes the fact he doesn't want her in his life causing her to flee, upset.

Leanne looks a bit crestfallen to see Jamie and Kelly together in the pub. She storms out.

Karen tells Emily her grand total she's collected is 87 pound 27p (yes my pound sign key isn't working) Emily is full of praise for her.

Jason and Todd enter, Todd still a bit upset that Sarah doesn't appear to have moved on. Jason tells him to give it time and assures him that no-one could hate him forever (Awwwwww)

Karen and Tracy bump into each other and Tracy is clearly annoyed at how hard it is to annoy Karen now. As Karen leaves to make Steve's tea, Ciaran phones Tracy to come and see the near completed restaurant. She tells him she can't, leaving him disappointed.

Karen serves Steve some red slop and he apologises to her. She forgives him. The doorbell rings and Karen answers it to see Tracy at the door. Karen lets Tracy in and Steve is horrified to hear her voice. Tracy is being nice to Karen and offers her 50 quid for the charity. Steve comes through hurriedly and tells Karen to give it back. Tracy tells Karen it's actually Steve's money and tells Karen the truth about Steve paying her to stay away. Upon getting little reaction, Tracy spells it out and Karen asks Steve if it's true and he confirms it. Karen tells him Tracy's right and that he needs to spend more time with Amy. She gives Tracy a classic "I pity you look" and Tracy leaves Karen and Steve behind in a tense silence...

Until next Sunday!

Duncan Lindsay





Monday 13 September


Hello all, here is the first episode of this damp and blustery Monday evening.

We begin with Tracy and Liz walking into the corner shop, Tracy telling Liz how she threw Steveās fifty pounds back in his face. She admits that Karenās reaction was odd, she didnāt really react very much and Tracy felt cheated. Liz is of the opinion that if that didnāt shock Karen back to reality, nothing will. Then Tracy, (obviously all heart) tells Liz she doesnāt know how Steve is coping, Karen is obviously right on the edge and a man can only deal with that much stress.

In the MacDonald flat, Karen is busy in the kitchen. Steve comes in and demands to know what sheās doing and is obviously uncomfortable with the fact that sheās making him some sandwiches to take to work. He brandishes the bread knife and tells her she ought to be chasing him round the flat with it, then he shakes her and tells her itās clear heās betrayed her again, heās hurt her. Karen remains passive, with downcast eyes. She tells him that yes, she was hurt, but by not shouting the odds sheās had time to think about it and he should do right by his daughter. She wants him to continue to do it, and maybe they can even find a little bit more. Steveās eyes grow even wider than usual, and his jaw drops, he canāt believe what heās hearing. ĪYouāre joking,ā he gasps. ĪNo, Steve, Iām deadly serious,ā she tells him, Īthis is the right thing to do.ā

Over at Ciaranās new restaurant, Sarah is stumbling through her lines. ĪGood evening sir, my name is Sarah and Iāll be your waitress for the evening.ā (How hard can it be to remember her own name and the reason sheās there?) Ciaran, her pretend customer, is exasperated when she fails to ask how he wants his steak cooked. (Remembering that was obviously a step too far for our Sarah). Sarah looks crestfallen so he apologises and says thatās itās just nerves. Sheās sure everything will be fine, but thinks fine is not good enough, itās got to be sensational. Thereās a cough behind him, and he turns and tells the cougher that they are not open until 7pm. ĪYouāll not open at all without my say so,ā says the gentleman, who turns out to be from Environmental Health.

Janice and Leanne are walking down the street. Leanne is telling Janice her made up version of events in the corner shop. ĪFilthy beggar,ā says Janice, Īyou did right walking out of there.ā Just then Jamie comes out of the Kabin, and Leanne homes in on him, telling him she ended up in the Rovers last night, drowning her sorrows as she lost her job in the corner shop. ĪFingers in the till?ā asks Jamie, but Leanne is quick to point out it wasnāt her hands that went wandering. Jamie suddenly becomes very concerned and gallant, ĪDid he hurt ya?ā She tells him sheād like to see Dev try, and then quickly changes her tough image for a rather weaker one. ĪIt wasnāt very nice, but Iāll live,ā she sighs, ĪI wish I was ugly sometimes.ā (Like father like daughter, I seem to remember Les wrestling with the same problem not so long ago!) He asks if sheāll be around in the Rovers later. ĪMight be!ā she smiles, and off she goes.

Roy turns up at Ciaranās restaurant, he and Hayley canāt make the opening evening, but heād like to book for tomorrow. Ciaran says heāll have to check the book, and goes to fetch it from the bar. What time was he thinking of? Roy suggests around 8pm, as Ciaran peruses the page, which we see is blank. He writes the booking down, and then Roy asks if he can look around the kitchen as heās thinking of investing in some new equipment for the cafŽ. Ciaran tells him he canāt, as the Health Inspector is in there giving them the once over. Roy asks who it is, and when heās told itās Venables, Roy exclaims, ĪOh dear!ā and goes on to say that heās completely inflexible and completely devoid of any humanity. At that moment Mr. Venables himself rises up from behind the bar, ĪI thought I heard your voice, Mr. Cropper,ā he growls, Īgiven the state of your hotplates you are very wise to consider new equipment.ā He advises him not to delay, he has a feeling a random inspection is coming Royās way quite soon. Roy mops his forehead with his handkerchief.

Over in the Kabin, Fred is examining the merchandise, saying heās got throat as rough as a bag of scratchings. A rather sexy voice from behind him tells him, ĪNo, no, no, thoseāll do you no good at all,ā the owner of the voice is a rather smart, well groomed, older lady, (Honor Blackman) who advises him that what he needs is slippery elm tea, with some cayenne pepper, cinnamon, honey and a little warm water. Fredās mouth opens and shuts several times, like a goldfish out of water. Norris seems entranced, ĪAnd all these years Iāve made do with a Fishermanās Friendā. Fred shakes her hand and the lady introduces herself as Rula. He promises to give her remedy a try, but she tells him she hopes itās not too effective, she likes a man with a gruff, lived-in voice. She adds that with her eyes closed he puts her in mind of Lee Marvin. (Theyād have to be pretty tightly shut!) Norris drops his voice a tone or two, ĪHello,ā he growls, ĪIām Norris.ā ĪThat could be Bob DeNiro talking!ā Rula exclaims, and Norris almost hyperventilates with excitement, ĪIs this a newsagents or a movie set?ā Rula purrs, as Norris giggles hysterically. She then says that now she knows why Rita stayed here all these years. Norris explains that Rita has gone to the cash and carry, and asks how she knows her. ĪPatience, Norris, patience,ā teases Rula, Ītell Rita Iāll be back,ā and with a pat to Fredās arm, she wafts out of the shop.

Over in the factory it seems to be tea break. Karen is sitting on a table, telling the girls that Steve is just doing right by his kid, thereās more to life than her and what she wants, and she points out that this is something they could all do with learning. Janice tells her that this isnāt about them, itās about Tracy Barlow trying to invade her marriage, and Steve letting her. Janice urges her to put a stop to it before itās too late. A somewhat tearful, almost nervous Karen says that she canāt, he has a duty to his kid. Janice is obviously concerned and tells her, ĪThat cow will stop at nothing to get what she wants!ā

The aforementioned cow walks into the taxi office, where Steve is alone. Steve is not pleased to see her, and tells her he hopes for her sake sheās come for a cab, does she have any idea of the trouble sheās caused? Tracy assures him she knows it must be a nightmare living with Karen right now, and Steve gets cross, he tells her not to put words in his mouth, Karenās mum has just died and where decent people see grief, she sees an opportunity. Tracy says that she didnāt want the secret to come out later and hurt Amy, there was never going to be a better time to tell Karen than now. Steve is not convinced at first, but Tracy insists that this is the one time that Karen might forgive them and let Steve play a part in Amyās life, and now that itās all out in the open he doesnāt have to lie any more. In the end he concedes that she might have done them all a backhanded favour but she shouldnāt expect any bouquets, sheāll have a long wait.

At McCarthyās, (Ciaranās restaurant) the Health Inspector comes out of the kitchen. ĪEverything all right?ā asks an anxious Ciaran, Īfood storage areas all right, and the food preparation areas?ā Mr. Venables admits that they are spotless, very impressive, and Ciaran is visibly relieved. He agrees with Mr. Venables that they have spared no expense, ĪNo point spoiling the ship for a haāporth of tar!ā he crows. His face drops, however, when heās told that is exactly what he has done ö there is no hot water in the kitchen, there is no way he can be allowed to open tonight.

Break

In the Rovers, Dev is quietly reading the paper when it is snatched out of his hand by a fierce Jamie, telling him to leave Leanne alone, and threatening violence if he doesnāt. Dev says he doesnāt know what heās been told but he never went anywhere near Leanne. Just then Sunita and Shelley come out from the back, and Frankie drags Jamie away. ĪWhat was all that about?ā asks Sunita, and Dev tells her itās nothing he canāt handle. As they go out, Frankie tells Jamie not to get involved.

The factory girls are crossing the road as Tracy comes out of her house pushing the baby in the pushchair. Karen and Tracy give each other a long stare. The other girls try to persuade her to go to the pub with them, but she says no, sheās ok. Kelly looks at Tracy and reckons she needs sorting out, but Janice reminds her that it is Karenās battle. She adds quietly that she hopes sheās still in there to fight it.

The other girls walk on to the pub, but Janice goes round the corner and finds Karen putting her key into her front door. Janice tells her that taking knickers back to the factory is one thing, but letting someone else destroy her marriage is something else. Karen quietly assures Janice that she knows what sheās doing, but Janice says she doesnāt. She says that she ought to speak to her mate Karen, she would know what to do, she would paint the street with Tracy Barlowās guts rather than let her take her husband, sheās a fighter.

In the Kabin, Norris is peering into a small mirror, obviously a freebie with the magazine it is glued on to, and practicing his Robert DeNiro voice, when Rita comes in behind him, and thinks heās gone doolally in her absence. He tells her sheās had a visitor, a rather striking, well spoken lady by the name of Rula. He asks if sheās foreign, but Rita tells him sheās from North Wales, and Rula Romanoff is her stage name. She used to do a bit of everything, singing, dancing, comedy, and she and Rita were great mates once. Norris says heās always felt drawn to theatre folk, Rita wonders what she wants. Norris sighs and says she promised sheād be back.

Leanne stomps into the Rovers and flings her bag down on the bar. Frankie goes over and demands to know what her game is, winding up Jamie to threaten Dev. Frankie tells her that Jamie would help anyone he thought needed it, but Leanne doesnāt. The victim tag doesnāt sit right.

In the restaurant, Ciaran is flapping about whether they open or not. He tells Tracy heās got a reporter from the Weatherfield Gazette coming, you get one chance to impress people, and thatās it. Charlie comes out of the kitchen asking how long theyāve got. Ciaran tells him 15 minutes tops. Charlie comments that itās like one of those DIY challenges on the telly, but not to worry because heās done it ö and washed his hands in piping hot water! Ciaran is delighted, and Tracy says sheāll go and drop Amy off and then come back. She gives him her lucky sixpence, and he doesnāt seem to notice that as he goes to kiss her she turns her head away.

Outside, sheās pushing the pushchair along the street when she meets Karen coming round the corner. Karen gives her the fifty pounds back, saying Amyās entitled to it. Tracy agrees, and Karen tells her itās not much, and queries whether there is anything else. Tracy tells her she should ask her husband, or canāt she trust him? Karen says she wants Steve to face his obligations, and heāll be in Amyās life. ĪOh I know he will,ā smirks Tracy, Ībecause weāre his family.ā

At the restaurant, Mr. Venables has just given Ciaran permission to open, and looks somewhat uncomfortable when Ciaran hugs him. He declines the offer to stay for dinner, but says that it looks as if he has some willing victims as the first diners arrive. First in the door is Fred, hoping thereās a sixteen ounce steak for him, but his smile vanishes when he sees the Health Inspector, who tells him he hopes his splashbacks are in better order than on his last inspection, and heāll look forward to seeing them. Mike and Penny walk in, gazing around. Penny tells Ciaran heās done a wonderful job and she is proud of him.

In the MacDonald flat, Karen is putting Steveās tea in front of him. This new, wifely domesticity obviously makes Steve feel uncomfortable, and he tells her she doesnāt need to do it, sheās had a hard dayās graft too. Karen replies that the devil makes work for idle hands, and her mother always had dinner on the table and sheās sure her mother would want her to do the same. As Steve gazes at her in astonishment, Karen says grace. Then, before they can take a mouthful of the meal, Karen tells him that she meant what she said about doing right by Amy. Steve says that he meant no. Karen wants to know if heās already doing more, she just needs him to tell her. He protests that she knows all there is to know, and that is it, itās over. Karen tells him it will never be over, he canāt keep avoiding Amy, she urges him to be part of the babyās life. Steve demands to know why sheās doing this and she tells him she grew up hating her dad, and she doesnāt want his kid to do the same thing because of her. Then Karen drops a bombshell. ĪI want you to go to her, Steve, I want you to go now!ā ĪWhat?ā Steve canāt believe what heās hearing. He protests that he doesnāt want any more to do with Amy, but Karen knows that he does, and heād promised her he wouldnāt lie to her any more. In the end he admits that he does feel something, at which point Karen jumps to her feet, and, struggling to speak, tells him to go to her. He starts to say that they need to talk, but Karen rushes round the table and pushes him towards the door, ĪGo to her,ā she gulps, Īyouāve said everything that I need to hear, so go on, go!ā and she pushes him again. Steve goes.

Out in the street, Tracy just happens to be pushing baby Amy up the middle of the road as Steve comes round the corner. They walk towards each other, and when they meet he tells her he wants to see Amy. Tracy grins like the cat that got the cream, and lifts the baby out of the pram. ĪHereās your daddy,ā she tells her, ĪI told you heād come,ā and hands her to him. In the background we see Karen shuffling towards the lamp post. She starts to sob····..

And thatās all for this episode ö more to follow.

Annie Logan

Episode Two

As Karen collapses, Steve hands the baby to Tracey and rushes over to his wife. Have you ever been hauling in a fish and had it escape just as you were lifting it into the boat? Yep, Tracey. "No, Steve, come back!" she shouts, but I doubt if he even hears her.

In the restaurant, Fred is flattering Ciaran and saying what a success the venture will be, but Ciaran is a little distracted. That doesn't stop Fred. "With my meat and your talent, you'll go far." Ciaran wishes he'd gone far far away as Jack, Vera, Tyrone and Kirk arrive. Jack makes a quick, quiet check that the food is free and gratis and they take their free drinks and sit down, but not before Tyrone has demonstrated just how much free space he's got in the waistband of his stretchie trackie pants.

In their flat, Karen is still sobbing her heart out and Steve is cradling her.

"Ru!!" Norris straightens his tie as Rita greets her old pal. Rita asks how come Rula looks so good -- what's her secret? "Oh, I stay active," says Rula. "I enjoy vigorous exercise at least four times a week." Norris almost strangles himself. The two women reminisce about their single life together and a conjuror who, when Rula got him home, made his hair disappear. Norris's grin is suddenly more fixed. "Not that there is anything wrong with bald men," Rula says. She tells Rita she could never understand how Rita got a buzz out of selling confectionery. "It obviously has hidden attractions," she purrs, looking Norris up and down. When she asks if there would be an evening when they are both free, it is clear she thinks Rita and Norris are a couple. While Rita is struggling for the right words to put Rula straight, Norris leaps in and says he's sure they will find a free evening. As Rita gives Norris a very puzzled look, Rula leaves.

Karen has wept so much she is gasping for air. She thought she had lost Steve for good. He says she told him to go and bullied him into it. "I was trying to do the right thing, the good thing," she says. He says he came back to her because he wanted to. But he tells Karen he can't punish Amy for his own mistakes. "I can't pretend I don't care."

In the junior Baldwins' house, Danny and Frankie are getting ready to go out when a knock comes at the door. It's Maya.

Back at the restaurant, Sunita and Dev and Charlie and Shelley have all arrived. Shelley notices something is wrong with Ciaran. He admits he's upset because Tracey isn't there. Shelley tells him it's sometimes difficult for mothers to get away and reassures him that it will all turn out OK. Over at the Duckies' table, Kirk is eating ribs. "I dunno what they put on these ribs, but they are flamin' 'ot," he says. "No wonder they give you a drink with them!" "No! No! No!" cries Ciaran, but it's too late and Kirk has drunk the contents of his fingerbowl. "They must have left some washing-up liquid in that!" he complains. Vera's not worried about etiquette. Her steak still has blood in it. Ciaran asks if she would like him to take it back to the kitchen. "You'd be better off taking it to the vet's," she retorts. "I keep thinking it's going to eat my salad." Jack tells Ciaran that everything's fine and he hasn't eaten this well in years. Tyrone agrees, but this just sets Vera off about them being ungrateful swine who won't get anything cooked by her in future. A full-blown argument ensues. Ciaran can't quieten them, but a hush falls over the rest of the diners. "What are you lot gawping at?" demands Vera, turning back to her food with some recovered dignity.

At No 7, Frankie and Maya seem to be settled with glasses of wine. It seems Maya has a new job. She tells Frankie solicitors will always be in demand. She proceeds to tell Frankie what Leanne has claimed.

[break]

Still at No 7, Danny and Frankie have gone out and Jamie and Leanne have come in. Jamie can't find the wine that was in the fridge, so goes out to get some. There is a knock at the door and Leanne answers it. It's Maya. She's come to offer the professional services of a good lawyer if Leanne wants to sue anyone for sexual harrassment. Leanne doesn't seem that bothered. At least, not until "several thousand pounds" in compensation comes into the conversation.

In the restaurant, Fred seems surprised that everything is going well. Mike is more cynical. He won't be saying it's going well until 12 months down the line when it shows in the books.

In the Rovers, Tracy finds Steve and gives him a hard time over letting down Amy. But he just tells her to get stuffed and walks away, ignoring her squawking after him. Also in the pub are Norris and Emily. Norris is looking forward to an evening with Rula. He is making her sound like a movie star. Emily points out that Rula isn't a movie star, but a social club singer. "Same thing," says Norris. "It's all about the roar of the greasepaint!" He tells Emily he's surprised Rita didn't put Rula right about them not being an item. "I hope you're not getting any silly ideas," Emily tells him. Norris suggests that Rula finds him attractive. "Are you quite sure about that?" Emily asks him. But Norris says Rula is definitely setting her cap at him. "I hope it doesn't cause any friction between her and Rita -- I wouldn't want them falling out over me."

In the restaurant, Sarah puts two plates down in front of Dev and Sunita and Dev is particularly boorish about it being the wrong order, making a loud song and dance instead of simply sending it back. Sarah is adamant that they asked for steaks. Sunita quietly points out that they are Hindu and don't eat beef. "That. Is. Why. We. Ordered. Two. Salmon. Steaks," says Dev. Sarah takes the meals back to the kitchen. Jack is leaning back trying to loosen his belt. Vera is appalled that he's eaten so much, but he tells her he's "just trying to store up some happy food memories to see me through the dark days of your cooking." Kirk and Tyrone are in the final stages of a competition to see who can eat the most.

In the flat, Steve has returned with some fags for Karen. She tells him that she tried so hard to please her Mum and Dad that she felt sick when she couldn't. She just wanted to lash out and hurt them. That was when she had her first cigarette, when she'd failed to please her mother. She hopes her mother can see from wherever she is and know that Karen tries really hard to be good.

The over-stuffed Duckworth party is set to leave the restaurant. Jack tells Ciaran his was fit for a king. Vera says hers was fit for a Count -- Dracula. "Come on, let's get home before the chippie shuts," she hustles. Dev makes sarcastic comments to Ciaran, but Ciaran tells him everything has gone to plan. Shelley is making plans to take Charlie shopping, but he says he will only be made over on condition she makes over the house he is finishing.

In the flat, Karen says she is selfish and self-centred. "I wasn't good for my Mum and I'm no good for you," she says. Steve disagrees. She might have the biggest gob in the world, but she's also got the biggest heart. He says if there is a better place up there and that's where her Mum's gone, then she will have seen everything and will know everything. "She'll be just as proud of you as I am." Karen is still beating herself up. She asks if she tried hard enough. She didn't go after her father and invite him into her life. "What would my Mum think about that?" she says. Steve is the only man who has ever loved her, she says. She just wanted to scream at him when she saw him go towards Amy. Steve rocks her in his arms. "You've got 40-odd years for screaming at me."

Tracy is putting Amy to bed. "Daddy nearly came home," she says. "He will, though, one day soon. I know it. He knows it. And nasty Karen knows it."

The end.

Margaret Carr



Wednesday 15 September

We start with Steve coming in to the front room and Karen sitting on the Settee and Steve says to Karen what is this and Karen says it is not a skive and Steve says he would not care if it was and kisses her on the head and Steve tells her that she Is going to get through this he promises, Karen says how to know that Steve and Steve says because you are too strong not to, Karen says that she was not strong in front of Tracey and that she was a complete wreck but Steve says it does not matter now but Karen says what the mother of your childās thinks I am a basket case I think that does matter. Steve says to Karen I tell you what is mad your mum dies and just because you are not close you donāt expect to feel a thing Karen says to Steve tell that to them out there Steve says he does not care about them out there all he cares about it is what is in here pointing to Karenās head. Steve says to Karen you are grieving everyone could see it just wish I could Karen tellās Steve that any one else would have walked away, Steve says he just wants her well and asks her if she is going to get a cab to shops, Karen says ćnoä she is going to get a cab to the cemetery because she has to make peace with her mum.

Janice and Leanne are talking and Janice tells Leanne that she used to be a stripper and she Is not convinced that she could not pull off some bloke wanted to drop his trousers, Leanne says she was harassed by him pointing at Dev has he goes past In his car, Janice tells Leanne that she still as her tasselās in the flat Leanne says ćyeah soä Janice tells her come on Leanne they will dig up all the dirt on her they can if she takes it to court so Leanne says that she should just shut up about it just because she use to work the clubs and wishing she did not tell Janice now, Janice tells her she did not mean that, so she tells Leanne to go out and get a solicitor and Dev will get one as well but his will be a better one.

Ciaran comes in to the shop and sees Tracy and says to her to you are up and about are you Ciaran asks her if it was a 24 hour flu but Tracy says no she had a bad night with Amy but Ciaran says more like a bad night with a bottle but Tracy says no she did not and asks Ciaran if everything went ok last night and Ciaran tells her no is did not go ok, and Ciaran tells Tracy that he does not understand her she goes through all the sweat and tears but when it comes to the pay out you canāt be bother, Tracy tells Ciaran that she will try and get a babysitter for tonight, Steve comes in to the shop to buy some flowers and Tracy says to him who you saying sorry to this time Steve, and Steve tells her that they are for Karenās mum and Tracy says to him oh I thought that she had died and Steve says she as and walkās out.

Audrey and Blanche are in the kabin and Audrey asks Norris to spill the beans on his new lady friend, Norris gets embarrassed and says that she is not his lady friend, Blanche says that look at him as red as beetroot Rita laughs and says to Norris are you going hot under the collar, Audrey says to Rita I think you will have two chaperon this poor woman and Norris tells her that she does not understand the lifestyle these people lead, socialise is second nature to them Norris asks Rita were did Rula says she was when Dame Maggie Smith was sitting on the next table, Rita says she was taking notes, Blanche says to Norris that they will not want him there as they will want to chat about the old days when they still had things going for them, Rita says she can hardly wait. Norris says to Blanche that is where you are wrong as Rula is nice and unlike Rita she is still a working entertainer, Audrey says oh is she and Norris says to them to stop thinking as been and start thinking old pro, Blanche says that is what she is thinking Rita gives Blanche a look.

Dev comes into the cafŽ and asks for a coffee, Leanne says to Roy she will serve him she asks if she can get him anything else Dev says no Leanne says to him at least you are not avoiding me, Dev says we both hard to work around here, Leanne says I used to have two jobs and Roy as always been happy with her work and that she is a good little worker you canāt deny that, Dev says try me Leanne tells him that he got the wrong end of the stick and Dev says there was no stick. Leanne says ok you were my boss and I was stupid but that is just me Dev says coffee please Leanne says to him a lot of men would have been flattered Dev says what flattered that I did not cheat on my fiancŽe Leanne says ćyeahä but you didnāt Dev says to her what have I got to be flattered about did you think a man like me could be interested in a cheap, scheming girl like you, you look at me and Sunita and think that I could put you there, there is nothing between us no job no friendship nothing not now not ever, he tells Roy to keep the change and to watch his back and walks out Leanne is not happy.

Steve and Karen go to her mumās grave and there is a cross and Steve says not much to remember her by and Karen says that is the point has being remember was like vanity in her mumās book. Karen lays the flowers down and sits down herself and says mum I know you are still around somewhere and if you are I hope you can hear me I know you said I was sent to punish you that I never meant to I just wanted you to be proud of me Karen is crying. I tried to be the person you wanted me to be and that she did not hate her she was just frustrated that she could not do it and that she could only be herself and that she canāt change who she is, but she as not turned out as bad as she thinks and that is because of Steve Karen has tears coming down her face Steve sits down behind her and Karen faces him and says that he Is everything and that he is her family now she says I donāt know if you ever loved me but if you did them I want you to do something for me mum because I am happy really happy because Steve loves me what ever I do, Steve looks at Karen and Karen says to her mums grave I know I was not much of a daughter but that she will be one hell of a wife she will be the best, loving wife any men could want. Steve kisses Karen on her shoulder they get up to go but Karen breaks down crying and Steve grabs her and takes her in to his arms.

--------------------------------------------------------BREAK--------------------------------------------------------------------

Steve and Karen are in the pub and Steve asks her how she is and Karen says ask me when I have finished this holding up her pint, Mike comes out of the toilet and sees Karen and he is not happy and says to her that he as seen some front in his time and Steve tells Mike to go easy on her but Mike why should I she reported in sick Karen says sorry Mr Baldwin but Steve tells him that she as been to her mothers grave but Mike says he does not care where she as been and he is putting it down as unpaid leave and if she pulls a stunt like this again she will be on it permanent. Steve says that she will be back in work tomorrow, Karen says that she is going to sit down and takes her pint with her. Liz says oh dear So how is the patient today Steve says leave it mum but Liz says she is asking out of concern for both of them, Steve says she is fine and Liz asks how does Karen stand about the Amy in her mood and if he is allowed to see his daughter or not Steve says he would rather take care of his wife first Liz says good luck but donāt pretend you donāt care about Amy because it is too late for that now Steve tells Liz he does care about Amy but not at her expense of his marriage, Liz says it is okay for Karen to go back to a way things were but he canāt Karen calls Steve over. Steve tells Liz to give Karen a break Liz tells Steve she will but she will not give Steve a break as it is not about Karen or Tracy it is about Amy who needs to know who her dad is, Liz says if she was Karen now is the time she would start praying.

Rita comes out of the back room in a sparkling black dress and Rita says to Norris if he as finished cashing up to go and get changed Norris says to Rita there is no chance of her blending in to the wallpaper and Rita says to him what and you are going in your old cardigan Norris shakes his head and says no of course not and Rita says though not after all the fuss you have done this afternoon Norris says really Rita we are not on that subject again are we Rita tells Norris to go as she as ordered the taxi for half past and Norris says to her you think a man and woman can not just be friends and Rita says when did I say that , Norris says all those hints that Rula likes me but Rita tells him that she never hinted at any such thing and that it is Norris who as taken a shine to Rula. Norris says that he is not denying that she as warm feelings for him, Rita tells Norris that Rula makes friend really easy but Norris says yes but if the chemistry is there as it is not every old friend you start comparing to great actors of our time but he does not except Rita to take it serious, but Rita tells Norris that she does take it serious and she was going to start calling him Norris cliff.

Sarah is serving the croppers when Tracy comes in and Ciaran says to her so you did not get a better offer then and Tracy says to him I am here anit I and looks around and say well I need to be Ciaran tells her that it is early and the casual customers will be in later. Tracey asks Ciaran if it is a turn on standing their lording over everyone and she wish she could but Ciaran tells her that se canāt as it is all his but he needs more people to come in and Tracy says to him well at least I donāt have to share you. Sarah is taking some sauce over to Roy and Roy says that his glass is dirty and the prongs on his fork are out of line, Sarah offers to get him and never one and Hayley asks him if they can get on with their food but Roy says he is waiting for his fork but Hayley tells him that it is a burger and he can use his hands, Gail, Audrey and David come in to the restaurant and Audrey says to Sarah that they would like 5 star treatment and Gail says to Audrey leave her alone mum or she will disown us. Tracy goes over to Roy with the glass and says to him what is this about a dirty glass and Roy tells her that it is hygienic as it as a finger mark on it and Tracy says who are you inspector Morse and it is so clean in your greasy spoon cafŽ Roy tells her that all his glasses are hand washed and dried Ciaran come over and tells Roy that he will get Sarah to get him another one. Roy says thank you.

Rita and Norris are waiting for Rula so arrive and Norris says that it reminds him of brief encounters but Rita says to him you are wanting me to ask why and Norris says it is obvious the excitement of the unknown, but Rita says except in this case there is 3 or them not 2 Rita says to Norris that she can go home if he likes and leave him to it, but Norris say to her donāt be silly. But Rita says if it goes the way that Norris wants it to go lets hope it is brief, Rula turns up and kisses Norris on both cheeks and says how nice it is to see him again then Rula kisses Rita and says that she is a miracle of nature as she gets up really early to do the newspapers and look at her, Rita says come on I have nothing to teach you as you always said if it was a choice of buying a loaf or a lipstick the lipstick always won, Rula says that Rita looks wonderful outside of the counter Norris tells Rula that she does not look to bad herself. Rula asks Rita how long as it been since they had a chat and says u must have been·. And Rita says the same age as you Rula. Rula hands Rita a brown envelope, Rita opens it and finds a poster in it of the old day with their names on it, Norris says to Rita that Rula was higher up than she was and Rita says yes on this occasion. Rula tells Rita that she was talking to a old friend from the west end who was asking what happened to the little red head and Rita says to Rula that I hope you told him that I was still alive and kicking. A man turns up and Norris says to him can you come back in a minute we have not made up our minds yet but the man says flame hair she said and she was not wrong so you must be Rita Rula introduces her husband Bernie to them, but Norris does not look to happy.

Roy is not happy with his food as he as got something that he did not ask for and it does not say in the menu but Hayley tells him to think of it as a bonus, but Roy tells her that this is not the way to run a business and looks around for Sarah but Hayley tells him that if he feels anything for her he will just scrap it of his plate right now and not to mention it again, but Roy says to Hayley he does not understand what his feelings for her as anything to do with it and Hayley tells him that is was suppose to be a evening out for some fun and to celebrate everything they have together but all Roy as done is complained. Roy says that he is sorry and Hayley tells him that he as not even noticed that she as dressed up for him and if she was a bit of dried a sauce on his plate then he might have noticed her more Roy tells her that she looks really nice but Hayley tells him that it is to late and the night is ruined and next time he wants to do a personnel vendetta not to disguise it as a night out and not to invite her. Ciaran comes over and asks if there is a problem Hayley tells him the only problem is a mean-minded, nit picking man with no sense of perspective Roy tells Ciaran that he did not ask for sweet corn relish, Ciaran leans down next to Roy and says in to his ear that he should think twice before he comes out to eat next time as he is so easily offended and as a good gesture he will get him another one but Tracy tells him not to bother as Roy is only trying to cause trouble. Ciaran tells her that he is dealing with it and Tracy tells him that he can not afford to give food away and Ciaran shouts at her and says donāt you think I know that and Tracy says back to him ok I am only trying to help and donāt know why you asked me to come down and Ciaran says to her because I though you would be as happy about it as I am but you are not as your head is some where else Tracy says to Ciaran but you are boring and Ciaran says back to her sorry that it is not all rolling bank notes and I though that you knew that their would be some hard work involved Tracy says fine I am out of here just then Sarah drops a tray full or glasses on it making Hayley jump Ciaran goes over to her and says what the hell are you doing and what kind of idiot drops a tray of glasses Gail says to Ciaran not to speak to her daughter like that Sarah says it was a accident and that she is sorry and Audrey says to Ciaran that it is just glasses for heavens sake and that Sarah will clean it up and Sarah says yes as she as nothing else to do as the place is empty but Ciaran loses his clam and tells Sarah to get out as she is sacked Gail tells him to hang on a minute and David says that he can not do that but Ciaran shouts it her to get out and to take her family with her, Tracy says to Ciaran my complements to the chef and walks out leaving Ciaran standing there not happy.

Rita Norris and Rula and Bernie are having dinner and Bernie is telling them about the hairdressers they own and that they called it ćbasically rollersä as it is a play on the name bay city rollers they all laugh then Norris says to Bernie that they have a witty name for their shop as well and Rita asks do they and Norris says that they spell Kabin with a ćKä they all look at him. Bernie tells Rita that Rula is a dap hand doing perms and Rula says only when is resting, and Bernie says his Rula is always busy when she is resting but Rula says that she as never stop performing and that she as only just finished doing a winterās tale and Norris asks her if that was in the west end and Bernie says yes the west end of Wrexham and that she was the understudy but the leading lady was as fit as a flea so Rula never got a look in, Rita looks at Rula and smiles and says nice work if you can get it, Rula says to Rita that she was stunned when she said that she had lost the calling but Rita tells her that yes she loved being a performer but she loved someone else even more Rula says to Norris that it must be a great tribute to him but Norris and Rita says that they are not together so Rula asks Rita who does keep her warming in the nights and Rita says no-one and she is happy being on her own.

Dev lets Tracy go first at the bar and Leanne says to him last of the true gentleman and says sorry am I cramping your style Dev says to her no not any more and he leaves the rovers. Liz tells Tracy that Steve was ready to listen and that she made progress but all she could do was made remarks to his wife Tracey says Liz what you are her number one fan are you, Liz asks Tracey if she wants Steve to be part of Amyās life or does she just want to score points off his wife Tracey says to Liz right now she does not care. Leanne telephones Maya and tells her that she is going through with it and that she is going to take Dev for every penny he has. Steve and Karen are leaving the pub when Tracey asks Steve if he wants to talk about Amy Steve says not now but Tracy says no now is perfect as we are all here and we need to talk about how much you are going to pay. Karen tells her that she will not get another penny out of Steve Tracy says the CSA will have something to say about that, Karen says okay fine each a few extra quid wonāt come between us Tracy says insecure or what but she Is not surprised as Karen had to make out that she was the second coming to get Steve to notice her Karen and says to Tracy you spent most of the time trying to get his attention Tracey asks her if that is the nervous breakdown talking Steve says lets go But Karen says all this talk about paying is because you want to get close to Steve Tracy laughs and Karen tells her that she has got him and he is coming home with me Steve takes Karen out of the pub, Tracy looks at Liz and says what and Liz says you made progress you gave her the last word, Tracy leave the pub and says to Karen that her and Steve have some think between them she is called Amy his firstborn child some think that Karen can never give him or ever be part of and that is what eats Karen up inside, but Karen tells Tracy that her and Steve are having a baby Steve ask her if she is and Tracy says ćwhatä Karen tells Tracy that she and Steve are having a baby then walks off leaving Tracy behind.

Michaela Davis




Friday 17 September

We start tonightās episode with Karen and Steve in the kitchen. Steve thought that Karen was going to tell him she was pregnant. Karen says that she might have been and they are trying arenāt they? Steve says he doesnāt think itās the right time to have a baby; theyāve only just finished paying off the money for the wedding. Karen says she wants a baby now. They start shouting at each other again (when donāt they!) and Steve says he just wants to talk about it. Karen says itās action they need not talking!

Dev decides to advertise for an assistant to help Sunita out during the day. He discovers a letter from a solicitor asking for compensation on behalf of Leanne Battersby for sexual discrimination. He decides to find out from Leanne what she is playing at.

Gail tells Sarah about the job at the corner shop but she is reluctant to do it because Todd works there. Gail convinces her that she wouldnāt be working with Todd and they could do with the extra money coming into the house. She tells her not to let Todd dictate her life so Sarah says sheāll think about it.

Dev tells Leanne that she wonāt be able to get any money out of him. Leanne says sheās got customers waiting and asks if he wants to get her sacked from this job as well. She agrees to come and find him later to talk about it so Dev leaves. Leanne tells Janice that Dev looks really worried and that heāll settle before court. She says Dev will pay out for what heās done to her. She seems to be a little confused about what Dev has actually done!

Karen tells Liz that she and Steve are trying to have a baby when Tracy walks him. Karen says that her baby will be born into a home with two parents, not passed from minor to minor and will be really loved. Tracy tells her that Amy is loved and wanted but Karen says only by her and that was a bit late in the day. They decide to go home to mate! Tracy asks Liz if they are really trying for a baby and says that if they get pregnant then Liz wonāt care about Amy. Liz tells her that one day Tracy will leave this place and then sheāll never get to see Amy.

Dev thinks that someone has persuaded Leanne to get compensation from him. Gail and Sarah ask about the job offer. She tells Dev that she doesnāt want to work at the same time as Todd and Dev says thatās fine. He thinks sheāll be alright but asks if she can come back later as heās waiting to speak to someone. Gail apologises and practically shoves Sarah out the door!

Tracy has come to see how Ciaran is doing at the restaurant and sees that heās barely got anyone in. She tells him that heās got no hope and in walks Penny. Ciaran manages to convince Penny that everything is ok and Tracy doesnāt look impressed.

Leanne has come to talk to Dev about the claim for compensation. She tells Sunita that Dev repeatedly came onto her and when she wouldnāt play he sacked her. She gives him the chance to settle out of court but Dev tells her that she wonāt get a penny out of him. Leanne says heāll be sorry and storms out.

BREAK

Ciaran seems to be living in a dream world about his restaurant. He tells Tracy about the two grand he is going to have to pay out for health and safety reasons. Tracy tries to tell him that heās going to loose all of his money at this rate. She tells him that he hasnāt got the money to sit back and wait for the restaurant to be a success and Ciaran tells her he doesnāt need her to tell him heās in trouble, he needs her to give him some support. She tells this place wonāt turn out wonderful.

Sunita tells Dev that Leanne may have misunderstood something that happened. Dev says nothing happened and he wasnāt interested in her at all. He made it clear to Leanne that he wasnāt interested but Sunita isnāt sure. Dev says maybe she wants compensation because he doesnāt fancy her.

Ciaran asks Tracy why she didnāt come to his opening night and she tells him that her baby sitter let her down. She says it wouldnāt have mattered any way because the business would still be in trouble. She tries to encourage him to sell the restaurant and get his money back but he refuses to rip Penny off. She tells him he isnāt clever enough to run a successful business.

Katy, Candice and Maria decide to have a joint 18th birthday party but Audrey says they canāt have it in her flat. So instead they choose to have it at Katy and Martinās flat.

Steve asks Karen if she really wants to have a baby and she says she does. Steve tells her that he does have feelings for Amy but not for Tracy. Karen asks if they do have a baby if Amy will be more important than any children that they have. He says that all he wants is to make her happy and he wants their baby.

Dev and Sarah are talking about the job at the shop when Todd walks in. He asks how she is but Sarah tells him not to speak to her. She tells him to clear off and let people put their lives back together. Todd looks really upset (aaaaaaawwwwwww).

Tracy tells Ciaran that they can still have fun together but nothing heavy. She says she isnāt going to support him with the restaurant as heās living in fantasy world. Ciaran says sheās one to talk because she still thinks that Steve will come back to her. He tells her that Steve doesnāt want her and never will so she should start taking some notice of someone who does want her. She tells him to forget it.

Sunita is demanding to know why someone who must have a lot of male admires would make up claims about Dev. He says there is no truth in the claims and if she doesnāt believe him who will?

The End

Helen Edgar



Sunday 19 September

Hi and good evening and even hello. Sorry this report is a little late, I ran out of time last night but good things come to those who wait. Then there's my report...

Anyhoo, Sunday's episode opens with Dev putting flowers outside the shop. Sarah comes up to him and Dev scalds her for fighting with Todd. She's on defensive mode so he tells her to apologise and promise nothing like that will happen again and he'll take her back on. Half way through, Sunita warns him not to give her any ideas over unfair dismissal following Leanne's lies and he's relieved that she believes him.

Over the road, Tracy is struggling to get the pram over a kerb and Karen is smirking at the sight. Liz comes over to Tracy and offers to babysit tonight but Tracy snappily rebuffs her.

Sarah walks into the shop office and offers an extremely unconvincing apology. Dev prompts her to give the promise too and then sends her back to work. He tells Sunita that he's thankful that Sarah's attitude brought out that Sunita believes him over Leanne.

Eileen hands Sean a cup of tea, Todd is at the table. When Sean recounts a pointless childhood tale, Todd starts to think of Bethany and is annoyed that Sarah won't let him see her. As Sean heads out to work (ermmm wasn't Karen already on her first break earlier?) Jason comes downstairs in his usual semi dressed state. Eileen makes Todd promise to stay away from Sarah before heading out to work. Todd immediately asks Jason to talk to Sarah.

Roy is flustered, evidently nervous that Leanne may sue him for anything as he starts going on about her needing to wear blue plasters. Les overhears and brushes off Roy's concerns. Roy concludes that "in today's litigation culture, there's always someone to relieve business of profit" When he says "no offence" to Leanne, Les demands to know what he means and Leanne reluctantly tells him what's going on. Les is furious, particularly as there's a lawyer on the case and he stomps out after stumbling over a sign.

Sunita buys two separate pairs of rubber gloves and tells Sarah it's a habit she picked up from her mother. Sunita leaves as Jason walks in, saying he has something awkward to talk about. Sarah hands him a pack of condoms, but funnily enough it isn't that. He asks her if she'll sort things out with Todd but Sarah says he's not even in her mind and she wants nothing to do with him.

There's uproar at the factory as a spider is in the midst of a reign of terror. Janice tells Karen she'll have to get over her fear if she wants to protect children when she has some. Kelly struts over and crushes the "not so scurry anymore" spider with a heel. On the subject of babies, Karen ponders whether Tracy would take advantage of Amy by making her go out and pick up fellas for her (eh?). Hayley is annoyed that each time the subject of a baby is brought up, Karen has a snipe at Tracy. Karen assures Hayley that her intention for a baby is genuine.

Blanche is quizzing Tracy over her bad mood. Tracy is moaning that she used to have a life and has a bit of a rant. The ever caring Blanche sarcastically apologises for her warm sympathy and Tracy tells her that she's just not letting Ciaran take advantage--if she wants him she can have him whenever she wants.

Meanwhile, Sunita is flapping an extremely dusty rug out the window when she spots a familiar face. Yes, another week, another freaky father...

-BREAK-

Sunita offers Pops a drink. He spots the gloves and tells her that her mum misses her, though she didnāt say it. He apologises for not turning up the other time and then finally gets round to asking how she is. Les asks Eileen if Dev's ever tried it on with her just as Dev walks in. Les has a go but Dev ignores him and walks out. Raging, the Battersby Brute storms after him and causes a scene. Leanne comes over as Dev drives away and pleads with Les to let her handle it her own way.

Pops and Sunita are a bit uncomfortable with each other and the idiot drops his tea. He notices her pills and is concerned. Sunita emotionally tells him she's okay. "My child!" crows Pops as she cuddles into him.

Les is writing his resignation speech on a bar mat, but Janice is skeptical, especially when he spells shove wrong.

Fred is offering Ciaran business advice (again!!) but Ciaran rejects it. (again!!). Charlie comes in and hands Ciaran a quote, the contents of which donāt do much to lift his spirits

Janice brings over drinks (Orange juice for Karen). Tracy walks in and glares at Karen before scoffing at Ciaran.

Things are going well between Pops and Sunita--until Dev walks in. Pops is mildly surprised to say the least, particularly when he spots the wedding magazine under Dev's arm. Dev asks his permission, but it's obviously a little late--Pops isn't impressed.

Sarah is attempting to price tins when Todd comes in. They have another difference of opinions. Todd wants to help but Sarah is adamant they are just two employees of the same shop. Dev is annoyed to come in and see them arguing but they tell him they're okay now (Todd a little less convincingly)

Angie, Kelly and Sean leave the pub and we cut to Tracy, Liz and Ciaran, all with faces like smacked backsides. (that's no different for Liz, mind you...) Karen comes over and Tracy is smug that she had Steve's first born. Karen retorts by saying that Steve's problem with Amy is who gave birth to her. Ciaran laughs and Tracy storms out in a huffypuff.

Les' speech isn't going too well--i.e he wants to nut Dev. Leanne comes over and manages to talk Les round with the magic word "compo" She sits down beside Janice, who finally clicks that Dev never touched Leanne after all. She wants nothing to do with it.

Pops is having a go at Sunita over Dev. Sunita is annoyed--she believes Dev is a good man and Dev (who I thought was in the shop but has hurriedly returned to this awkward situation) offers Pops a drink, but he's far from happy. Sunita is upset that no matter what she does he can never accept her and he'll never let her be happy. After she throws Pops out, Dev embraces her.

So what did we learn today?
-Tracy has trouble getting prams over kerbs
-Sean smashed a mug when he was 4 or 5
-Todd makes idle promises
-People have a bad habit of dropping plates and cups (Both Les and Pops did it)
-Sunita's mother used two pairs of rubber gloves
-Maya took advantage of Dev in the shop by nicking supplies!
-Dev's shop doesn't sell flavoured condoms
-Both Karen and Sean are afraid of spiders
-Kelly exaggerates her accent when saying the word scary
-Sunita has very dusty rugs
-Sunita's arranged husband to be 4 years ago is now married with kids
-Dev has never tried it on with Eileen
-Dev reads Asian weddings magazine
-Sarah can't use a price gun
-I've incorporated an annoyingly pointless feature into my report this week. Yeah, anyway good night all. Until next week... Duncan Lindsay



Monday 20 September

Good evening everybody. Here is the first episode on yet another wet and windy evening.

Itās the first day of a new school term, and Rosie Webster is off to her new, private school, dressed in straw boater and burgundy blazer, white shirt and striped tie. Sally has the camera at the ready and is complaining that Rosie has hitched her skirt up too high. Sally spots Rita across the road and asks if sheās got time for a photo. Rita pats her hair and starts to protest, ĪOh, not first thing in the morning·..ā Sally hands her the camera, she meant a photo with herself and Kevin in it with Rosie. Rita obediently takes the picture, as Sally reminisces in Rosieās ear that when she went to Ībigā school, her mother said she could either just turn up, not try and get nowhere, or she could try a little bit harder and do ok, or she could try really hard and make something of herself. ĪYou just turned up then?ā says Rosie sourly. Just as they are getting in the car, David and Craig appear across the road, on their way to Weatherfield High. ĪLove the hat, sweetie!ā and ĪSuper!ā they call. Sally tells Rosie to ignore them, they are just jealous.

Fizz and Candice come tumbling out of their front door, today they both have a birthday. Candice has hit the ripe old age of 18, and is clutching a handful of balloons and wearing a party hat. Sarah walks past, ĪHappy birthday,ā she calls, ĪOh, I have got the date right, havenāt I?ā Fizz reckons she should keep the balloons tied to her all day, she might get loads of tips. Just then Audrey appears round the corner, ĪDonāt even think about it,ā she warns, then hugs Candice warmly and wishes her a happy birthday.

Claire arrives at Martin and Katyās flat with a tray of vodka jellies to put in the fridge, in preparation for tonightās party. Claire tells them they are Īlethalā and Martin says he knows, they get lots of jelly victims in A & E. (I must live in another world, theyāre new to me!) Martin wonders just how many are coming to this party, and Katy tells him no more than a thousand. He checks that Ashley is coming, and Claire tells him, of course, he and Ashley are first up for the karaoke.

Rita and Norris are in the corner shop, buying wine and flowers. Dev asks if they are going anywhere special. ĪOh a theatrical soiree,ā twitters Norris, Īvery select, weāll be staying over.ā (Who will do the papers in the morning?) Norris then decides that the flowers are stale and the wine too cheap, and tells Rita that theyāll find something better on the way. He leaves the shop, but Rita buys them anyway.

Eileen is next at the shop counter, and tells Sunita she thought she would be off planning the wedding of the century. Sunita says there is no point in planning anything as something always comes along to mess it up. Eileen looks puzzled, ĪFamily hiccup,ā explains Dev. Eileen reckons a wedding isnāt a wedding without a family hiccup. Sunita sounds close to tears as she tells Eileen that as far as she is concerned, she has no family. Eileen goes out, and Dev offers to go and see Sunitaās mother and try to make peace. Sunita wonāt let him, and says that they will never see their grandchildren, or their daughter happy and it serves them right.

Over at the hair salon, Candice is sitting, also close to tears, because her mother hasnāt even sent her a card for her 18th birthday. Audrey is kind and sympathetic, and tells her itās her motherās loss. She produces a bag containing a black box. Candice opens it and finds some hairdressing scissors. Maria is suitably impressed. ĪThey must cost well over a Īundred.ā ĪReally?ā gasps Candice, thanking Audrey and hugging her. ĪNo excuse now,ā Audrey tells her, Īstraight fringes every time!ā

Candice then spots Fizz, Kirk and Jason walking past the window, and rushes out. She asks Jason if heās coming to her party tonight. ĪCanāt,ā he tells her, ĪIām going to Fizzās.ā It seems to take Candice a few moments to get the joke. ĪYou donāt have to bring a present,ā she tells him, Ījust yourself.ā Fizz remarks that according to Jason, thatās the best present a girl can have.

Martin wanders over to the garage where Kevin and Tyrone are working on a car. He asks if Kev and Sally would like to come to the party, but Kevin says heās too old for all that loud music. Martin asks if he can go round to theirs, but Kevin says he wouldnāt want to, Sally is planning Rosieās extra curricular activities, and every one costs an arm and a leg. She could even do scuba diving. Martin tells Tyrone to forget about his next payrise. Tyrone comments that while Sally is busy with Rosie, it keeps her out of the garage, and thatās fine by him. ĪOi,ā says Kev, Īthatās my wife youāre talking about,ā and then adds, Īyouāve got a point though!ā

Sarah and Maria come across the cobbles, and ask Tyrone if heās coming to the party. He tells them he canāt because heās got to take Vera to bingo. Kevin is astounded. ĪA party full of gorgeous women and youāre going to bingo?ā Maria turns on the charm, ĪFizz with Kirk, Claire with Ashley, you canāt leave me there all on me own, can you?ā She taps his nose, playfully. Ty is won over. ĪGo on then,ā he chortles, Ījust for you!ā

Over at the Grimshawās, Jason is asking Eileen which shirt he should wear. She opts for the black one, he always makes a mess of ironing the white one. Just then Sean comes in and hears about the party. He asks Todd if he fancies going, but Todd wonāt because Sarah will be there, and they have an agreement that they will try and avoid each other. Anyway, he thought he and Sean were going to try out a new club. Todd then takes Jason aside as asks him to keep an eye on Sarah as she gets nervous when there are a lot of people around. (Funny ö I thought she used to work in a busy cafŽ?) ĪNo probs,ā says Jason.

Fizz and Candice arrive at Katy and Martinās flat, the venue for their party. Katy greets them and Candice refers to her as Īkiddieā. ĪFive days, thatās all,ā says Katy, and then she will be 18. Sarah comes in behind them, and is greeted by Katy, both of them appearing rather awkward with each other. Sarah tells her she hasnāt got her a present and Katy tells her itās not her birthday yet. ĪI will get you one,ā protests Sarah. Candice comes up with a drink for Sarah, she wants her in the party mood. Sarah tells Candice that she feels so strange, the last party she was at it was jelly and ice cream, and pin the tail on the donkey. Candice looks rather nonplussed, until Sarah explains that it was the party of the friend of Bethanyās. Candice suggests they stick pins into Kirk if Sarah wants, she doesnāt think heād notice.

Rita and Norris have arrived at Rulaās rather splendid abode. Rita tells Rula that she remembers her saying she would want to live in a house like that some day, and Rula replies that she remembers Rita saying she would like to top the bill at the Palladium, but, she tells Norris, thatās always been the difference between them. Once she set her sights on something, thatād be it. Rulaās husband appears with glasses of champagne on a tray, and urges them to come on through, ĪThe others are dying to meet you!ā

Back in Coronation Street the party is in full swing, with music pulsating and the guests knocking back the drinks. Jason gives Candice a present, and she kisses him and tells him that is what she really wants. ĪIn that case,ā says Jason, ĪIāve got an even bigger present for you.ā Candice tells him she wishes it wasnāt her party, because then she could go and unwrap it. She then spots Warren at the drinks table. ĪWho invited him?ā she asks, Jason says he was in the pub, she doesnāt mind, does she? Sarah comes up to the table, ĪFriends eh?ā asks Jason, they shake hands, ĪAs long as a certain person isnāt mentioned,ā Sarah tells him.

Tyrone finally arrives, having taken Vera to bingo. ĪHi Ty,ā says Maria, and then Jason drags him off, somewhat reluctantly, to get him a drink. Warren asks Jason if anyone will throw a wobbler if he tries to pull Sarah. ĪYou be nice,ā warns Jason, Īsheās a great kid.ā Warren goes to chat to Sarah, and promptly blows his chances by giving her the corniest chat up line ever. ĪDo you believe in love at first sight?ā he asks, Īor do you want me to walk past you again?ā

At Rulaās, the dinner party is well underway, with many guests seated round a large table. Conveniently for us, our four main characters are all seated together at one end. Rulaās husband, Bernie, says itās a pity the clubs have died, because Rita could still wow them. Rita thinks her wowing days are over, and Rula tells Bernie he will have to try harder than that because the two of them have heard every chat up line in the business. They talk about their past admirers, Īstage door johnniesā as Norris calls them. ĪJohnnies, Ronnies, even the odd Connie,ā says Rula. ĪThere was just so much temptation,ā ĪAnd you could resist everything but temptation,ā remarks Rita, dryly. ĪBut you never went too far, did you Rita?ā says Rula, Īyou got yourself a reputation for·..a tease!ā She reminds Rita that they made a pact to Īlive life to the fullā, she never thought it would lead Rita to running a little shop in Weatherfield. ĪIām quite happy with my little shop,ā counters Rita, Ībut then again, I never had any ambitions to be something Iām not.ā (Touche!)

Sean and Todd are in a pub. Sean points out that it is not too late to go to the party, but Todd tells him it is from where heās sitting, because thatās his old life, his old friends, now heās moved on.

At the party, Warren tells Sarah that both Martin and Jason have told him to be nice to her. ĪJason?ā queries Sarah. Martin is telling Katy that he wishes they could have got together at the same age, so he could have avoided all the mistakes. He wonders if in years to come Katy will be standing talking to some bloke about him as one of her mistakes. She tells him the only bloke she will be talking to is him.

At the dinner party, Rula and Rita are treating the other guests to their version of ĪCabaretā. When they finish, Bernie suggests they adjourn to the Īgamesā room, but Norris and Rita decline, they were up at 6.00 am to do the papers, and Rita says she needs her beauty sleep. Rula asks if Norris is going to desert her, but he says he must. Rula then offers to show them to their rooms.

Jason kisses Candice on the sofa, and talks about going back to her place. ĪYouāre a bit keen arenāt you?ā she asks him.

Maria asks Fizz if Kirk has given her her present yet. Fizzās hopes arenāt too high, last year he gave her an iron. Maria doesnāt think it will be as bad as that this year. Just then the hapless Kirk approaches. ĪPressy time!ā says Fizz. ĪTrouser pocket,ā says Kirk. Maria says she can rule out an iron then, as Fizz appears shocked. He produces a small jewellry box, which he hands over proudly. Fizz is delighted with whatever is in the box, it contains sapphires, her birthstone. She tells Kirk heās fantastic, but Tyrone ruins the moment by telling her heās not that fantastic, it was Mariaās idea. Maria is furious with him, and Kirk looks quite dejected, until Fizz tells him that asking Mariaās advice was the brainiest thing heās ever done!

Jason and Sarah meet up at the drinks table, and Sarah has obviously had a few too many. She asks if Jasonās trying to get her friend Candice, drunk. Jason tells her he doesnāt play games like that. Sarah tells him she knows he told Warren to treat her nice, she thinks heās dead sweet. He tells her not to go ruining his image. Sarah discovers that there is no more vodka left and she needs some to make Warren a very special drink. She decides that the corner shop will have some, and Jason will have to go with her because as sheās under 18 they wonāt serve her. They dive out of the door and walk down the street to the shop, only to find it closed. They giggle in the doorway, ĪYouāre Jason,ā she tells him, ĪAnd youāre drunk,ā he says. She challenges him to a race across the road to the Kabin, and takes off her shoes, immediately losing about 6 inches in height. ĪThe incredible shrinking girl!ā laughs Jason. They run across the road and back again, shrieking and laughing.

In the pub, Todd is telling Sean that for the first time ever he is comfortable with what he is. For so long he knew there was something different about himself, he just didnāt know what. Sean tells him he doesnāt know how lucky he is, he knew for ever what he was, and so did everyone else, Todd didnāt get the bullying, the not having friends, the sheer misery of growing up queer, and now itās payback time, life is so much more boring on planet straight.

Back in the Street, Sarah has put her shoes on again. ĪNow Iām just right,ā she tells him. ĪJust right for what?ā he asks. ĪThis!ā and she kisses him. They run round the corner and kiss some more·· And thatās all for now! Stay tuned.

Annie Logan

Hello, and welcome to episode two from Monday night. At the party, Candice goes looking for Jason, despite the sarcastic comments which Warren is throwing in her direction. He tells Martin he didn't know Martin had a dog -- he can hear yapping coming from somewhere.

Out in the street, Jason and Sarah are kissing. Tina O'Brien plays a drunk SO well! The pair of them decide to go to Jason's.

Over at the Websters', David and Craig are on their way to Katy's party and have called round to talk to Rosie. She tells them how much she hates the school and someone called Arabella and they suggest she exaggerate things and make out she's being bullied. Martin comes in and chases them out of the house. He'll be sending Rosie to a convent instead of Oakhill, soon.

At the Grimshaws' Sarah and Jason are almost out of control on the sofa. They don't know Eileen is outside with her key in her hand, ready to come in. But Sean and Todd happen along and persuade her to come with them to the Rovers to celebrate. Todd has been told he can apply for Oxford again.

Inside the house, Sarah pulls back from Jason's embrace, but only to say: "Let's go upstairs."

In a bedroom in a posh house after a dinner party, Norris is fussing around setting his alarm clock when he hears noises. He looks out into the corridor and sees other guests flitting from one room to another.

Back at the party, Martin is showing the blokes how to make a perfect whisky sour as the girls try to get some secrets out of Katy about what it's like in bed with an older man. Katy's not telling. Claire says it's not about smut, it's about "loving and cherishing the most important person in your life." Ahhhhh . . . And Katy says she'd rather have Martin than Orlando Bloom. That girl's not right in the head. Candice, meanwhile, is still worried about where Jason has got to. Actually, he's got nekkid with Sarah in his bed.

At the Websters' Rosie has come downstairs with her school hat squashed flat. Apparently it was flattened by a gang of girls who have been at Oakhill for two years already. They've been calling her Rosie the Refugee, and Working-class Webster. They've said they're going to make her life a misery. Kevin is appalled. He promises to take her out of that school and send her back to Weatherfield High.

Norris is still watching the goings on in the corridor.

In the pub, Eileen is cross-examining Todd to make sure he's sure of what he wants. "I've decided I can't hold myself back because of what happened with Sarah," he says. Sean, being very perceptive, is looking at Eileen. "You're wondering where the cloud it, aren't you?" he asks. She is. "There's not a grim in Grimshaw for nothing," she says.

Jason and Sarah are in bed with one of those magic duvets which comes up under the woman's armpits but reaches only to the bloke's waist. They look very relaxed.

Norris's curiosity has got the better of him. He sneaks out and puts his ear to a door, only to then fall in as Rula opens it. "Still hungry, Norris?" she asks. He says he is and was just going to pop downstairs. "No need for that," Rula tells him. "I can feed you right here."

[We take a short break here to allow Norris to get his breath back!}

Rita has fallen asleep while reading. She's still holding her book and the light is on. But what's this? A man (It's Mr Rula but I can't recall his name) comes in and gets into her bed. Rita is much quicker than Norris. She wakes and immediately sits up and screams!

Back at the party, Katy tells Martin she's been defending his honour. Maria goes to sit with Tyrone and they reminisce. Maria says they were just kids then and everything seems better when you are young. "You still have the happy memories, though," Tyrone points out.

Rita tells whatsisface to get out. "Didn't Rula read the rules of engagement?" he asks. Yes, Rula knows he's there. "Marriage does get very dull," he says. It's like eating the same meal every day. "Now and again you need something fresh to sharpen up the palate." "So that's what I am? A refresher course?" And Rita whacks him with the pillow.

In another room, Rula is very glad Norris dropped in. "I like a man who takes the initiative -- not too much initiative, of course. I take it you like the menial role, rather than the executive position." "Well," preens Norris,"I have always thought I have an independent mind. When I was selling water coolers for Envirosphere . . ." His executive flash-back is interrupted by Rula, who says she's feeling a little peckish. But before she can have her wicked way with him, in comes Rita. "Two's company, but three's perfection," coos Rula. "Did Bernie not find you?" Ah, that's his name! Norris is still the only person who has no idea what's going on. Rita is furious. but Rula says she just wanted to bring a little pleasure back into Rita's life. "Get dressed," Rita orders Norris.

Outside the party, Maria and Tyrone are leaving. Tyrone wants to get back together but Maria doesn't. "You're really sweet," she tells him, kissing him. "Good night."

Ashley and Claire have just got home when Fred comes bumbling down the stairs with a flashlight in his hands. He thought he heard an intruder, but a quick search reveals nothing.

Rita and Norris have just arrived back in the street. "She was holding me hostage," Norris is saying. "A willing victim, more like," Rita snorts. Norris accuses Rita, saying she must have had an inkling of what was going to happen. She denies it. "So you didn't go along with it because you were intrigued and then chicken out?" Rita threatens him if he ever suggests that in public, but Norris has no plans to say anything to anyone. They both agree to drop the subject and say nothing.

Fred is out of bed and has the flashlight again. Doesn't he know where the light switches are? He kicks something and Ashley comes out to see what the noise is. "I heard a noise," Fred says. "Aye, and it's you making it," says Ashley. Claire is there by now and they all listen carefully, hearing something in the ceiling. "It's a mouse," says Claire. Ashley thinks it's a pigeon, but Fred says a pigeon would be fluttering about. "It's not a mouse. And it's not a bird," he says. "Ashley, we've got rats!"

Over at the Grimshaws', Eileen is bringing out the vodka so they can toast the future. Upstairs, Jason and Sarah are sound asleep.

The End.

Margaret Carr



Wednesday 22 September

Written by: Daran Little/Peter Whalley
Directed by: Tim Hopewell

The morning after the party. Toddās alarm goes off at 7.30am. Next to the alarm clock is a photograph of baby Billy. In another room, Sarah and Jason are still asleep. Todd wakes up Sean, who is sleeping in the sitting room. He goes to the kitchen and puts the kettle on. Eileen gets up too.

Norris is in the Kabin telling Rita about the interrogation Emily gave him when he got back from Rulaās in the wee hours: ćSheās like the Gestapo when she gets going.ä Heād told Emily that Rita had had a funny turn, so he had to bring her home. ćEmilyās only just got her head around tiramisu; heaven knows what sheād think of wife-swapping sex parties!ä

Sally, Kevin and Rosie Webster are discussing the alleged bully, Arabella, and the state of Rosieās hat. Sallyās opinion is that Rosie should stand up to the bullies and must stay at Oakhill. While Rosie gets her school bag, Sally and Kevin have a short, heated debate during which Sally says Kevin is a soft touch, and should leave her to worry about the family.

Jason and Sarah are still sleeping (this is getting tense: High Noon in the Street·).

Todd goes upstairs with a cup of tea for Jason. He climbs the stairs slowly ö his hand is on the doorknob ö the door opens, and he sees them both in bed. Sarah opens her eyes. ćYou bastard,ä Todd says (to Sarah, or Jason, or maybe both), and runs back down the stairs, with Jason right behind as Sarah scrabbles for some clothes. ćSomebody tell me what is going on?ä yells Eileen, but Sarah appearing on the stairs, still buttoning her blouse, is a giveaway. Todd tries to throw Sarah out. ćI had sex with your brother!ä she shouts. ćSo what? You canāt be jealous, because youāre gay!ä Todd slaps her hard in the face, she shouts at him some more and he pushes her out, punching the door hard as it closes.

Sarah runs across the street in bare feet. Meanwhile Eileen is inside, giving Jason what-for, joined by Todd, who thinks Jason and Sarah planned it to make a fool of him. ćItās not like youāre still seeing her,ä Jason reasons. ćYou dumped her to be gay!ä ćI never dumped her,ä Todd says. ćI wanted to still· I loved her, Jason, donāt you understand that? Youāve ruined it, you ruin everything.ä ćIt was only sex!ä Jason says, which earns him a punch from Todd. Things get really nasty. Jason says, ćYou copped out of your exams, you copped out of uni, you copped out of being a man and you even copped out of being a dad. It was a good thing your kid did die, Todd, because I pity him having you as a father.ä Todd lunges at Jason, Eileen screams.

The Websters are still debating child-rearing issues. Kevin says heād still be proud of the girls even if they ended up being rubbish at school and marrying a deadbeat like him. ćYouāre not a deadbeat,ä Sally concedes generously. Kevin is very worried about Rosieās school and thinks she should go back to Weatherfield High. Heās putting his foot down, he says.

Jason and Todd are still fighting, with Eileen desperately trying to stop them. Jason repeats that Todd didnāt deserve to have a child, and Eileen slaps him this time. ćGet out of my house before I tear your eyes out!ä she shrieks. Jason says heāll move out, but Todd, sitting looking completely desolate, says not to bother, because heās going. He canāt handle seeing Sarah everywhere in the street ö and now even in his own house.

Kevin tells Rosie she can return to Weatherfield High; sheās delighted.

Toddās packing. Eileen tries to persuade him to stay, but he says he has to go to find out who he really is. ćIāll always be your son,ä he tells Eileen, and looks at the photo of Billy heās holding. ćJasonās wrong,ä he says. ćCos Iād have made a brilliant dad.ä

Norris and Rita are squirming in the Kabin as Audrey asks them why they came back early from Rulaās.

Eileen tries to get Sean and Jason to stop Todd from leaving. Jason is still taunting Todd about Sarah, and about when they were kids: ćI used to thank God you werenāt my real brother, just my half.ä Toddās now past caring. He hugs a sobbing Eileen and says heās sorry. As he says goodbye to Sean on the doorstep, Sarah appears over the road. Eileen comes out to give him some money, sees Sarah and gives her a right tongue lashing. Todd tells Sarah heās going: ćI hope you find someone whoāll love you as much as I did,ä he says. Todd jumps on a bus, leaving a distraught Eileen being comforted by Sean

Janice and Leanne are talking about the tribunal ö Janice says Leanne should stop the proceedings.

Gail wants to know what happened at the party; Sarahās not saying, and goes to the corner shop. Candice comes in, wondering who Jason ended up with after the party. Sarah, not surprisingly, is looking very uncomfortable.

Ashley is about to go into the loft to deal with the suspected rat infestation. Claire gives Ashley a scarf to wear, because Fred says rats go for your throat. ćAnd tuck your trousers into your socks,ä Fred advises. ćOr it mightnāt be just your throat theyāre after.ä

Leanne tries to back out of her accusations against Dev, but Maya talks her round again.

Ashley, in scarf and swimming goggles, bravely climbs the ladder to the loft. He sees something ö ća big gang of them.ä He tells Fred to have a look ö and itās not rats, itās squirrels. Claireās thrilled, and wants to keep them.

Jason apologises to Eileen for some of the things he said. She says that wonāt bring Todd back.

Fred consults Roy about the squirrels. Claire doesnāt want environmental health to deal with them in case theyāre rough with them.

At the sexual harassment hearing, Dev is shocked to see that Maya is Leanneās solicitor. He tells the chairman of the hearing that Maya is just acting out of revenge.

The tribunal is going ahead. Dev is warned for interrupting. Maya takes over the questioning of Leanne, leading her to say that Dev kept trying to touch her and wanted to sleep with her, and sacked her because she wouldnāt. Dev, when itās his turn to give evidence, says everything Leanne said was true ö but it happened the other way round, and she made advances to him. Maya questions Dev ö pointing out he only employs women in his seven shops (sheās forgotten Todd apparently); she gets very heated and Dev responds in kind. ćYouāre showing the world just how mad you really are!ä Dev says (weāve been seeing that for months, Dev). The hearing is suspended.

Kevin gives Rosie the good news that heās been on the phone to Weatherfield High ö but now, she doesnāt want to go back. Sheās made friends at Oakhill and she likes it. Sally looks quietly thrilled. Kevin is livid and goes back to the garage.

The chairman of the hearing finds that Leanne is ćalmost as unreliable as her counsel,ä and rejects her accusations, and says Dev can claim costs against her.

Gail, Sarah and Candice are on their way out of the Rovers. Sean and Eileen are on their way *to* the Rovers. Eileen, of course, tells Gail whatās happened. Gail looks mournfully disappointed in Sarah; Candice looks betrayed. Eileen and Sean go home; sheās no longer in a mood for a drink. ćIt werenāt deliberate,ä Sarah tells Candice, who isnāt in a forgiving mood. ćBut not telling me, stealing him, lying - *that* were deliberate,ä she says. ćYouāre a dirty little trollop!ä and she walks off.

In the Rovers, Sunita tells Dev sheās very worried that Maya is back in their lives, and thinks it might be the start of a campaign against them. ćWhatās she going to do next?ä she frets. Indeed.

Sue Haasler





Friday 24 September

Tonightās episode starts with Dev getting in his car to go and see Maya. Sunita doesnāt want him to go but he does anyway. Charlie tells Shelley that heāll be round later to tell her something about the house. Sunita says heās probably going to ask her to move in with him. Shelley says she wonāt say yes, not straight away!

Gail is telling Sarah that she was foolish to sleep with Jason but itās not just her fault, heās to blame as well. Sarah says she is to blame but Gail says sheās not to blame for Todd going; he should have gone ages ago. Sarah says she knew what she was doing and she makes a mistake of everything she does.

Eileen is on the phone with Todd. She makes him promise to call her every day and sees if he wants to speak to Jason but he ćcanātä (aka wonāt)! Heās living in London with one of his mates. Sean says heās lucky but Jason tells him to keep his opinions to himself and heās not part of this family. Eileen tells him to shut up!

Fred has got a football rattle to scare away the squirrels in the loft. Claire tells him not to turn it too much as it might damage the squirrels ear drums! I have never laughed out loud at Fred before but his face is a picture! He tells her heāll take care not to damage their ear drums! Ashley says heāll get the ladder.

Candice storms into the corner shop and starts shouting at Sarah. She wants to know why she did it but Sarah says she doesnāt know. She didnāt tell her because she didnāt want anyone to know; she just wanted to forget about it. Candice calls her Īa nasty, evil two faced cow!ā Sunita comes in and Sarah tells her everything and starts crying.

Fred is in the loft turning the rattle. Claire wants him to stop and starts shaking the ladder he is standing on. Fred starts to shout but then he stops and says the squirrels have gone. He comes down the ladder and gives Claire an evil look!

Maya is told that Dev is waiting to see her. She decides to let him in.

Eileen tells Sean that heās a nice lad and asks if he thinks Todd will be ok. Sean says heās sure heāll be fine. Sheās not so sure about Jason. She tells Sean that thereās something she wants him to do but she wants him to understand that itās no reflection on him. Sheās got to put Jason first now. ćSounding ominous is thisä says Sean

Dev tells Maya to stop playing these games. He says sheās had her day in court but now itās finished. If she plays any more tricks he is going to sue her. Maya asks what he thinks she is going to do to them. Dev says he doesnāt know; heās not as devious as she is. Maya thanks him for the warning about suing her and Dev says that he does want her to be happy. He tells her to have a good life: she says and you. After heās left she gets a flower out of her desk draw.

Candice is moaning about Sarah to Maria. Tyrone shouts over to ask if Maria is going for a drink. She says she is and he says he might see her in there. Leanne and Jamie decide to go for some breakfast even though it is the afternoon.

Dev is back from seeing Maya and him and Sunita decide to go for a drink. Jason apologises to Sarah for what he said. Sarah asks him to tell his Īstupidā mother that she didnāt set him up. Jason tells her that his mum will get over it and that Todd has gone to London. Sarah days thatās about far enough!

Fred gives Roy the rattle back and tells him that all the squirrels have gone. Roy says that he doesnāt think theyāll have gone. Fred says he doesnāt care where they go as long as he doesnāt have to hear them at night. Jamie tells Leanne that heās going to kill Dev but she tells him not to touch him. She tells him the truth about what happened and says that if heās going to kill anyone he should kill Maya.

Maya is going to a wedding. Apparently itās for a family member!

Dev is telling Sunita that he thinks he got through to Maya. Maria tells Candice that sheās always moaning about how she doesnāt like Jason and he wonāt leave her alone. Well now he has! Candice says that is the last time she will tell Maria anything and they both storm out of the pub. Charlie tells Shelley that he has sold the house and she tells him she thought he was going to ask her to move in with him.

Sean is packing his things. Eileen says she feels awful and tells him to forget everything she said. He says he canāt as Jason doesnāt want him there and she has to put her son first. Jason comes in and Sean tells him that heās going. He tells Eileen that sheās been brilliant and tells Jason to stay straight, it suits him!

Maya has met a man and she asks him where the witnesses are. He says theyāre coming. She asks heās got the ring and he says he has.

Sunita asks Shelley whatās happened. Shelley tells her that heās sold the house. Tyrone asks if Maria has been in and Shelley tells him she was but she left. Charlie tells Shelley that he didnāt think they would live together in that house. He suggests they live together in the pub. She looks shocked!

Maya and the man she met earlier are standing together in a room. A woman asks for her name and she tells her that her name is Sunita.

Dev suggests that Sunita and he go somewhere to celebrate the Īdemiseā of Maya. He throws her in the car and they go off.

Meanwhile Maya is getting married using Sunitaās name!

The End

Helen Edgar



Sunday 26 September

Hi everyone, I hope we are all well. This is the report for the episode of Sunday the 24th September. Enjoy!

We open in Steve and Karen's kitchen (at least I hope we do, I had to tape this and am not certain I caught the very beginning--if I've missed anything out, I apologise!!) The topic of conversation is trying for a baby. Steve, who seems rather worn out, if I'm not mistaken, is telling Karen that they should let nature take it's course but she is adamant they get to it now. Steve wants breakfast now and really fancies something with cheese. Unfortunately, cheese affects fertility, as Karen soon points out, so he won't be having that!

Over at the pub, Shelley has called a staff meeting, consisting of her, Liz and Betty. Liz and Betty are happy for Shelley when she tells them she and Charlie are going to live together, but their faces drop somewhat when they learn where, the Rovers! They are both sceptical about Charlie's intentions of living in a pub, but naive defensive Shelley fights his corner, telling them that if she decides he'll move in, they'll have to live with it.

Jason and Charlie are busy working and after, oh, 3 seconds of hard graft, a rest is in order, where Jason soon taunts Charlie about his settling down with Shelley. Charlie insists it's no big deal but Jason tell's him he'll be married with a family before long. Charlie brushes off the claims as he's been there before. Jason spots Sean passing and greets him. Sean tells him he's stopping at his dad's. Jason tells him to stop by and see Eileen at any time.

Leanne is rapping on a door, and Jamie emerges. She's flirtatious but he rebuffs her, saying Frankie's around. Leanne points out that she just saw her leave but apparantely, she's at the shops. He closes the door, leaving Leanne disappointed.

Steve's late for work, and Eileen is giving him an earful. Steve unloads the stresses of Karen by saying she's banned him from just about everything to heighten the chances of pregnancy. His colleagues are amused.

Betty apologises to Shelley for what she said, telling her she's only looking out for her. Shelley melts towards her and insists that Charlie is genuine.

Jamie swaggers in to the pub and Leanne asks him to buy her a drink. She tells him she doesn't often make offers like the one before (uhhh hello? Leanne Battersby, local bike? You're not fooling anyone) He clearly has something more important he wants to say and asks her to sit down.

Outside, Tyrone is telling Fiz and Kirk he can't make the cinema tonight. Fiz and irk want to go without him and he's slightly miffed.

Back in the pub, Steve and the bald cabbie, whose name escapes me for now, are having a sneaky pint.

Over at one of the tables, Jamie is telling Leanne he wants to cool things off. She reaches the conclusion it's because of the Dev thing and she's not far wrong. She also gets annoyed when he starts dragging up her past (He'll need a crane to drag all of that up). Not able to get through to him, Leanne does the only reasonable thing and shoves ice cubes down his shirt and storms off. Maria, who has been watching with increasing amusement, questions whether Leanne ever just comes into the pub for a quiet drink.

Kirk runs to catch up with Tyrone--he and Fiz can't go to the cinema after all. Tyrone, realising Maria will be going alone, tells Kirk to let him tell her about him (Tyrone) not going.

Maya and Frankie are in a posh wine bar. Maya's telling her she's got a wedding to go to and Frankie's pleased she's getting out more. Maya questions what she means and Frankie points out that she is still notleaving Dev and Sunita be. Maya says she likes them to know she's still around.1Frankie tells her she needs to get a life but Maya says Dev and Sunita make it so hard for her, especially with Dev groping shopgirls. Frankie points out it's a coincidence that Leanne happened to get Maya as a lawyer and Maya admits she wanted the case. Frankie tells her to let them get on with it and Maya thanks her for being a good friend and keeping her sane. (Yeah I don't really need to make a comment do I?) Frankie jokes that she may have to hit Maya over the head with a mallet before long, but we all know who the most likely weilder of a murderous weapon will be...

Steve is still drinking in the pub and an outraged Karen comes in and smells the beer on his breath. Steve tells her "one pint won't stop us getting pregnant" (Ummm, Steve, did you stick in at biology at school as I think only Karen can get pregnant, not both of you...) Karen admits she could murder a pint and some greasy food. At this point, Tracy walks in and Karen starts boasting about her and Steve's sex life. Tracy retaliates with a smarting comment.

Jamie approaches Leanne outside to reunite, but she isn't interested in the "good looking loser"

Tyrone is ironing a new shirt and Vera starts to tease him about a girlfriend. She offers to iron it foe him but Tyrone tells her he's not completely useless (cough) Vera's teasing is relentless but Tyrone doesn't reveal a name.

Maria is sweeping in the Salon and Jamie comes in (ah good! He needs something done to that mop) Maria disapproves that he is seeing Leanne but he tells her he's ditched her. Maria can just squeeze him in for a haircut, surprisingly enough.

Janice and Leanne are discussing Jamie, her moaning how he made her feel cheap (there is a reason for that, Leanne love...) Leanne tries to convince Janice, and herself, that she won't go running back to him.

Charlie enters and Shelley warns her staff to act normally (which can be hard for Liz the poor soul). She tells Charlie she hasn't thought any more on his proposition but eventually invites him round the back.

Tyrone is waiting outside the cinema for Maria, with a whopping box of popcorn.

Speaking of the devil herself, Maria is doing Jamie's hair and talk soon turns to how much Maria hates Leanne, followed essentially by extreme flirtation. Jamie asks her if she's got a boyfriend.

Shelley and Charlie are talking, Shelley very unsure about him moving in. She wants him to, but she's afraid of getting hurt again. In the end, she asks for longer to think.

Hair looking no different, Jamie is still trying to woo Maria. It doesn't take long before their lips are introduced to eachother.

As this happens, Tyrone is standing dejected in the cinema, hugging his popcorn.

Well that's Sunday's episode, so what have we learnt?
-the following things affect fertility: Cheese, beer, tea, coffee, mobiles, computer radiation, crisps, burgers, smoking, chinese food.
-Sean finds that living with his dad is worse than living in a skip
-An extra from Bad Girls is present in Corrie (Yes, the one that looks like a past it (more so than usual) Liz McDonald that was walking by as Leanne knocked on Jamie's door)
-Steve isn't a jaffa male (i.e seedless)
-Fiz's handbag matches her hair
-Fiz has never seen a Japanese film before
-Maya likes weddings--a lot
-Frankie underestimates Maya's hard stare
-Tragically, Maya actually believes she is sane
-Steamed vegetables are tasteless
-Tyrone uses Vera's deodorant
-Maria's hairdressing skills have no effect on hair (no wonder Jamie didn't have to pay)

Well, that's all for this Sunday night, as we all look forward to Monday morning, I bid you all good night!

Until next time!

Duncan Lindsay



Monday 27 September

Hi everyone, here is the first episode from Monday. Sorry it's late, life just got in the way.

Tyrone is still waiting outside the now deserted cinema for Maria. He then throws the bag of popcorn and the tickets into a bin, and walks off.

Meanwhile, in the salon, Maria is still snogging Jamie. ĪYouāre good at this,ā he tells her. ĪYouāre all right too,ā she replies, but he is affronted. ĪAll right?ā he queries. She then panders to his ego, telling him heās fantastic, unbelievable. He tries to persuade her to take him back to her flat, but she tells him they canāt go back there. She jumps up and puts on her coat and tells him sheāll catch him later, in the Rovers. They walk out of the salon door, and who should come along but Candice. ĪWhat are you doing?ā she asks, and Maria explains she just cut his hair. (Canāt say it looks any different to me). Candice says she hopes he gave her a big tip, and Jamie tells her heāll give Maria anything she wants. ĪDonāt men talk rubbish,ā snorts Candice, and Maria tells her that she should know, the amount of men she talks to. Jamie then departs with, ĪSee ya later, baby,ā Candice reckons even she wouldnāt fall for a cheesy line like that. They see Janice and Leanne coming out of the Rovers and Candice thinks that Leanne wonāt be too pleased when she finds out that Maria has pinched her bloke. ĪWell,ā says Maria, all bravado, Īif thereās anything she wants to do about it·..ā Candice suggests she asks her, but Maria reckons sheāll leave it til later. Maria hails them and then walks off, smirking.

ĪWhatās she smirking about?ā wonders Janice, and they walk off together down the street. Janice asks Leanne if sheās going to start chasing Jamie, but Leanne tells her sheās never chased a feller. Of course, if heās in the Rovers later, sheāll make her presence felt.

In the MacDonald flat, Karen is studying the instructions for a pregnancy testing kit. Steve comes in and views the situation with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. ĪDo not ask me to jump in to bed again,ā he tells her, and reckons that any more of that Īmalarkyā and heāll need a blood transfusion. ĪIām only doing this for us,ā Karen tells him, Īthen weāll have everything that Tracyās got.ā She tells him they donāt really need to use the pregnancy tester, they already know the answer. Steve looks surprised and pleased, ĪYouāre pregnant?ā he queries. ĪI hope so,ā Karen tells him, and the pleased look is replaced by a slightly worried look, and he remarks thatās heās due a rest. ĪFrom showing me how much you love me?ā queries Karen, ĪNo, from you showing how much you hate Tracy Barlow,ā says Steve.

The lady in question, Tracy Barlow, goes into the Rovers with a wide grin on her face, followed by a chap in a suit. She introduces him to Liz, who is standing at the bar talking to Deirdre. Tracy then points out that Deirdre is the Īother grandmotherā. ĪOh, so thereās no animosity then,ā says the chap. Deirdre and Liz look puzzled, until itās explained to them that he is a reporter from the Weatherfield Gazette, and Liz has won the ĪGlamorous Grannyā contest. Liz protests that she didnāt enter any contest, until Tracy pipes up that she sent Lizās picture in. ĪYou did what?ā splutters Deirdre. The reporter tells Liz that no one came close, great face, great figure, and in person ö absolutely terrific! Liz pats her hair and looks coy. ĪIām flabbergasted, I donāt know what to say,ā she simpers, and Shelley mutters that she could manage a word or two. The reporter wants to interview Liz and take some more pictures, so they go into the back room. ĪDonāt mind me,ā says Shelley as they pass her, ĪIām only the manager,ā and ĪDonāt mind me,ā says Deirdre, obviously put out, ĪIām only the non glamorous granny.ā Tracy tells her she should be happy for Amy, she might not have the MacDonald name, but she has the MacDonald genes, and now everyone in Weatherfield will know it.

Charlie and Jason are finishing up in their yard. Jason asks if heāll see Charlie in the Rovers later, but Charlie isnāt sure. Heās going to be moving in with Shelley, but she doesnāt know it yet. Heās going to play hard to get with Shelley, by staying put at the yard until she comes looking for him. Heās going to be moving in with her, but she doesnāt know it yet. Jason reckons heās in for a long, lonely night, but Charlie laughs and says he doesnāt know what one of those is.

Fred and Ashley are walking down the street, when they see Tommy and Angie coming towards them. ĪAy-up!ā says Fred, ĪWatch what you say.ā They exchange greetings and Angie says she is worn out, she didnāt get much sleep last night. ĪEros or Cupid?ā asks Fred, but Angie reckons itās vermin. Tommy tries to make light of it, saying itās probably nowt, but Claire, who has just come to join them, says it must be something unless they were both having the same dream. ĪIt werenāt no dream,ā says Angie, Ītheyāre in the loft, thereās a whole herd of āem!ā ĪWhatever can it be?ā asks Fred, innocently, and Tommy suggests a couple of pigeons, but Angie asks if pigeons would make a racket like that. ĪNo, they definitely wouldnāt,ā says Claire, prompting Tommy to ask if sheās heard them too. ĪNo, no,ā says Fred hurriedly, Īshe couldnāt have done, she lives over the hairdressers,ā and he offers to lend Tommy his ladder, telling Ashley to drop it over as soon as heās had his tea. After Tommy and Ange have gone, Claire rounds on Fred, ĪYou are brazen, Fred Elliot,ā she tells him, ĪI donāt know how you can stand there and talk like that!ā ĪNot at all,ā says Fred, Ītheyāve got a spot of bother and weāre helping them out.ā

Vera is dishing up the tea to Jack and Tyrone, and wondering when they are going to see Tyās new girlfriend. He tells them he hasnāt got a girlfriend, he went to the pictures on his own. Vera makes a big thing out of the fact that he went on his own, saying sheās never heard of that before, and when she finds out that afterwards Ty went for a walk round the Red Rec on his own, she thinks heās getting a bit odd. She reckons thereās many a young lass whoād like to walk round the Red Rec with him, and wonāt let it drop despite Jack telling her to put a sock in it!

Over at the MacDonaldās, Karen has obviously taken the pregnancy test and they are waiting for the result, they have to wait a whole minute. Steve goes to leave the table, but Karen orders him to sit down ö he does want this baby doesnāt he? He tells her yes, if it makes her happy. She says that a bigger, better baby in a bigger, better buggy will make her happy. Steve tells her their baby wonāt be bigger than Amy, sheāll be 15 months older. Karen is talking about birth weights, and their baby will be a boy and they will name him Steven. Karen then says she hopes heāll have more brains than Amy, because sheās vacant. ĪNo sheās not,ā says Steve, quite affronted. ĪYeah, she is,ā says Karen, Īher eyes donāt even focus together.ā Then Karen drops a bombshell, she wants a nanny with a proper uniform, not like Ashleyās Claire, who hasnāt got any dress sense. Steveās jaw drops, he tells her there will be no nanny, she will be bringing up the baby. Karen insists there will be, when she goes back to work. Then her mood changes, the pregnancy test hasnāt changed colour, sheās not pregnant.

Over in the Rovers, Liz is boring Fizz and Candice with her tale of how she won the Glamorous Granny contest. At the bar, Shelley asks Deirdre if there is anyone she isnāt telling. Deirdre wonders if they look impressed, but Shelley asks if she was their age would she be impressed by a Glamorous Granny? Shelley tells Deirdre she is much better looking, Liz is stringy, you can see every sinew. Deirdre is hurt because Tracy didnāt enter both of them into the Glamorous Granny competition. Liz comes back to the bar, saying that everyone is really thrilled for her. (Most deluded character this week?) She tells Shelley that sheās in a bad mood because Charlie isnāt there, sheās seen the way her face falls every time someone comes in and it isnāt him with his suitcases. Shelley retorts that sheās paid to see who comes in the pub, and Charlie is probably working late. Liz tells her that she saw Jason go home ages ago, maybe she should go and find out. Shelley tells her she will, she needs a break after covering for Liz all afternoon.

Shelley then goes to the builderās yard, and goes up the stairs of the office, calling Charlie. ĪAbout time you arrived,ā he tells her, handing her a glass of wine. There are candles burning all around. ĪItās not exactly cosy,ā Shelley tells him, Īthis is your workplace.ā ĪThe pub is yours,ā he tells her, and she tells him at least they can be alone there. ĪMore alone than here?ā he asks. She concedes that it has a certain charm, and he says it will be shame to give it all up, if he moves in with her. ĪYou can always come back and visit,ā she says, and he asks if she wants him to move in with her. She tells him she does.

Jamie walks into the pub with Frankie, and is immediately accosted by Leanne. ĪLooking for someone,ā she asks, ĪNot you, darlinā, sling yer Īook,ā Frankie tells her. Leanne pushes a bottle towards Jamie, sheās got him a drink. Frankie tells her to pour it down the drain, hostilities havenāt ceased. Leanne thought they could pick up where they left off, and Jamie wonders where that was, in the middle of a slanging match? Leanne tells him they didnāt mean what they said, but Jamie says that he did, and moves away from her. ĪYou wonāt get back with me again, Jamie,ā says Leanne, ĪTragic,ā says Jamie. She storms out, and on the way bumps into Maria, who winds her up with remarks about someone else who doesnāt require her services any more. After sheās gone, Fizz queries the wisdom of Maria, in annoying Leanne, because, after all she packs a good punch. ĪSo what?ā scoffs Maria, ĪIāve got a knight on a white horse to protect me now.ā ĪOh, Sir Tyrone,ā says Fizz, and is astonished to learn that it isnāt him. She watches open mouthed as Maria goes up to Jamie and tells him sheās ready to carry on where they left off.

Over at a table, Angie is talking to Ashley and Claire about the noise above their heads, and how Tommy has gone to sort it out, but has never liked ladders. Claire starts to tell her that small animals never attack people, and theyāre not dirty, no matter what people say. Angie assumes she thinks they are rats too. Claire looks nervously at Ashley, ĪNo,ā she protests, as Angie tells her sheās petrified of rats.

Karen is lying on the sofa when Steve comes in with a cuppa and asks if sheās feeling better. She says she was being soft, crying like that. He tells her she was disappointed. She tells him sheās got another month, so sheāll just eat her greens so that sheāll be healthy when she is pregnant. She cuddles up to him as they decide theyāll go to the Rovers for a drink in a bit.

Ashley and Claire come out of the pub to see Fred talking to Tommy and Angela on the pavement. ĪSquirrels!ā exclaims Fred, with much false amazement. He hails Claire and Ashley across the road, ĪYouāll never guess what the problem is!ā ĪI bet we will,ā mutters Ashley to Claire as they cross. Tommy says heāll have to put some poison down, ĪNo,ā yelps Claire, Īnot poison, theyāll die in agony.ā They all look at her as if sheās just stepped off a flying saucer. ĪTheyāll just go asleep and not know nowt about it,ā says Fred, soothingly. ĪWould you not know about it, if someone poisoned you?ā demands Claire, Īanyway, theyāre a protected species.ā Fred tells her thatās red ones, these are grey. ĪHow do you know?ā queries Ashley, Īhave you seen Īem?ā Fred then suggests that a loud noise will shift them, and suggests using one of those old fashioned football rattles, he even offers to acquire one for them. ĪJust as long as they donāt flit into our loft,ā mutters Ashley, but Tommy promises that heāll make sure they donāt.

Over at the Rovers all hell is let loose when Liz discovers Jason moving her things out of her room, so that Shelley and Charlie can move into it. Apparently Lizās room is bigger and has two wardrobes. (Err·didnāt Peter live in the pub with Shelley? Why werenāt they using the room with two wardrobes? And if they did how come Shelleyās not in it now?) Liz and Shelley are just debating the issue when Charlie comes up behind them, and says he hopes heās not causing any trouble. Liz tells him he is, and grabs a black bin bag off Jason and rushes back upstairs.

Out in the street, Janice and Leanne meet Frankie. She asks if Leanne is intending to throw herself at Jamie again, and when Leanne tells her she has better things to do, she asks her to tell her one. Janice tells her to give her gob a rest, and she says sheāll be glad to, sheās had enough laughs for one night, and walks off. Leanne ruefully admits that she did make rather a fool of herself. They decide that if she goes back into the Rovers she will just look desperate, so they go off to the Weatherfield Arms.

Jack and Vera come out of their house, with Tyrone, and Jack too, is talking about going to the Weatherfield Arms. (I think he wants to save Tyroneās feelings). Vera doesnāt get it though, and keeps on about liking the Rovers. However, just when Jack has got Vera to agree to going to the Weatherfield Arms, Tyrone opts out of going with them, saying heās going to the Rovers, thereās someone heās got to see.

Tyrone walks into the Rovers and sees Maria at a table with Jamie. Shelley and Charlie are canoodling at the bar, much to Lizās disgust. Karen and Steve have arrived by now, and Karen asks Liz if sheās having trouble with the boss. Fizz walks up to Tyrone and asks if heās all right, and if he went to the pictures on his own. He said he did, but will take Maria some other time. Tracy comes in, sheās brought a bag of baby clothes for Karen ö something that goes down like a ton of bricks! Karen says she doesnāt want Tracyās cast offs, and Steve mutters that they will get their own. Tracy says she will leave them with them, and says to Karen that she has had all the babies she wants, thanks to her husband! She then looks Karen up and down and reckons sheās showing already. Karen tells her she isnāt, because sheās not pregnant. Tracy says she thought she had a litter taking place in there! She takes the bag of clothes off the bar and puts them on the floor. ĪYou wonāt be needing these then,ā she says, Īnot if youāre barren!ā Karen is shocked, ĪWhat did you just say?ā ĪBarren,ā says Tracy, Īit means you canāt have babies. Barren Karen!ā Karen looks shattered and asks Steve to take her home. As he passes Steve spits at Tracy, ĪYou just donāt know when to shut up, do you?ā

As they leave, Tyrone turns from the bar as Maria and Jamie get up from their table. ĪI take it you couldnāt make it then?ā Ty asks her. She apologises and says she completely forgot, and he says he could take her this week. Jamie butts in and says sheās going out with now, unless he wants to take both of them. Ty looks crestfallen as Maria and Jamie leave. Fizz comes up to him and guesses that he still really likes Maria and urges him to do something about it before itās too late.

And thatās it for now·····.

Annie Logan

Good morning, it's breakfast time at the Duckworth's and Vera is getting really annoyed by Tyrone prodding at his food and not eating it. When she leaves the room, Jack takes the opportunity to ask Tyrone if he's OK. Tyrone, he say yes.

Out in the street, Fiz is telling off Maria for leaving Tyrone standing outside at the pictures. They discuss Maria's habit of stealing blokes off other girls and Candice says Maria only made a play for Jamie to wind up Leanne. Maria is very indignant, but then she's good at that. Steve and Karen are also in the street, where Karen is denying she's thinking at all of Tracey "and her stupid baby clothes. I'll give her barren flippin' Karen!" While we've been watching things out in the street, we've seen Sally zip by, and now we see where she was going.

The Garage. Hasn't Kevin shaved this morning, she asks him. It seems Kev is growing a moustache. Sally doesn't like it (all the more reason for him to grow it, I say!). "It won't suit you and the girls will hate it," she tells him. But Kev's idea is to grow it until their wedding anniversary and then shave it off ready to go out celebrating. Sally likes this idea even less. "It'll make us realise how far we've come," Kev tells her. "What, from a young mechanic with a moustache to a middle aged one without one?" she sneers.

Round in the cafe, someone else is sneering -- Vera. "Don't think you have to do any work or owt!" she calls to Leanne, who is stood yapping to Janice. She tells Janice that Jamie is staying dumped until he apologises. Janice wonders if Jamie is the type to apologise. "He will be," says Leanne, "once he's been sat at home for a couple of nights twiddling his thumbs." Vera yells at her again to get serving. So Leanne goes over to Frankie, who has just come in, and they exchange insults. "Are you going to order or will I go and serve someone else?" Leanne asks. Frankie is ready for this: "I don't see anyone else you can service, love. Shame -- Jamie's already servicing someone else." Leanne tells her she must be a bit psycho to start making up girlfriends for her son. But Frankie seems strangely cheerful as she leaves, and Leanne is left worried.

Over at the pub, Liz dashes down the stairs and zips through the back room towards the kitchen with her blouse open and her bra on show. As we follow her course we see Charlie sitting in the armchair, reading the paper. "I thought you'd got to work," she squeals when she spots him. She's holding the iron, which she's come to fetch. "No," he says. "If you'd thought that you'd not have undone your blouse. Shelley comes in, Charlie leaves and Liz and Shelley have an argument about his presence there. "He lives here! Get used to it!" screams Shelley.

Back to the garage, where Jack is leaning on a car, studying the racing pages, while Tyrone works on the car. "Betting's there to help you when you're down," Jack tells him. It gives you something to look forward to, apparently. "When you're up again, it's to help you celebrate." Trip, trop, trip, trop . . . Ah, it's Maria. She's come to apologise and to ask Tyrone if he's upset. She says the girls have accused her of being a right cow. As she trip-trops off, Tyrone asks Jack if it's possible to bet on things that lose -- he thinks he would be a cert.

In the factory, Karen is on a short fuse. Janice tries to settle her down by saying it's not unusual to take ages to conceive. Angela says she fell pregnant with Katy before she was ready, then took two years to get Craig. "Now here I am again with the pitter patter of little feet." Jaws hit sewing tables across the room, but she's talking about the squirrels in the loft. They all shut up when Mike Baldwin comes out and accuses Karen in particular of wasting time.

Liz is in the pub telling Fred her woes, in her little-girl voice. She's ever so grateful to him for offering her a home as well as independence. She really felt like she was being pushed from pillar to post . . . Fred makes sympathetic noises. "Get her to put MY stuff back in MY room!" Liz yells.

Outside the factory, Fizz asks Tyrone to come for a drink. "If you keep telling Maria that all you want is to be friends, then that's all you'll be," she advises. Angela comes out of the factory and she and Tommy tease and joke with each other, prompting Kevin to ask them how long they have been married. Our attention turns to Tyrone, who has seen Maria in the street and watches as she answers her mobile phone. Unfortunately, he's still watching when Jamie, obviously talking to her, comes out of his house talking on his phone. Leanne is also watching, and as Maria and Jamie go into his house, Fizz comments to Leanne that Maria has nice hair. Leanne says bitterly that that's because of working in a salon, rather than in a greasy spoon.

In the pub, Fred is trying to have a word with Shelley, using metaphor! He tells her he's trying to run a happy ship, but it's difficult when the second in command goes around changing the cabin arrangements. Charlie is there and suggests moving out, but Shelley won't let him. She sticks her jaw out and tells Fred very forcefully that if he wants to talk about it, he'd be best doing it when it's not a busy lunchtime and in public! Tommy comes in and goes over to the table where the factory staff are sitting, only to discover Angela has eaten his hot pot. They tease each other again. She tells him she's not cooking at home until the squirrels are gone. Tommy then goes up to the bar to order and in the course of conversation, Fred tells him a football rattle will probably chase away the squirrels and he thinks he knows where he can get his hands on one. Back in the booth, Karen is desperate to know the name of a designer maternity clothes place which has been mentioned, but Sonia tells her it's bad luck to buy the clothes before you are pregnant. What? Karen is aghast. How can it ever be unlucky to shop? "You're getting it mixed up with walking under ladders and putting magpies on the table!"

In the Kabin, Kevin comes in to find Sally standing reading a magazine. He's shaved off his moustache because he'd hoped to make her laugh and she didn't want a laugh. But he's not gone off the idea of celebrating the anniversary. Rita asks what they're talking about. "How's a newsagent supposed to spread gossip if she can't even hear it?" Kevin tells her happily that they'll be celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at the weekend. His face is like a sunbeam and Sally's is more like a hurricane.

In the back of the pub it's all going off. Shelley tells Fred that Liz has a perfectly good room with plenty of space, and that she's the one with all the responsibility. She blames Liz's jealousy over Charlie for her reaction. This makes Fred look very thoughtful.

At the bar, Rita is showing the newspaper article about Liz's glamorous granny win. Shelley breaks up the group by sending Liz off to clean the cellar because something stinks. Deidre watches her go and says to Shelley: "What would that photographer think of his 41-year-old glamorous landlady now?" "LANDLADY!??" Shelley snatches the paper from Deidre's hands! Rita is now trying to give Sally a pep talk. Sally explains she doesn't want to celebrate a marriage that went so wrong. She doesn't like Kevin making such a fuss, but doesn't mind celebrating their second marriage. "I'm happy as long as he isn't waving our marriage in our face as if it's some great romantic thing, which it's not."

Fizz and Jack go to the Duckworths' and find Tyrone moping on the sofa. They want to buy him a drink and say they're his mates, but Tyrone says everyone's his mate until someone better comes along.

In the pub, Leanne is watching Maria and the baby Baldwins. "I can't decide who to flatten first -- him, her or his stepmum," she says. Charlie comes in and Shelley tells Liz she's taking a break. "You can pretend to be the landlady while my back's turned," she says. As Charlie passes Liz, he mentions that he's got a shirt and boxers she can iron. She retorts that the only thing of his she wants to flatten is his face.

Deidre, Jack and Tracey are reading the newspaper and Deidre is still annoyed about not being nominated. Tracey goes over to have another dig at Karen. Behind the bar, Betty comments that the bar is like a war zone. She expects to be sitting having a cup of tea while wearing a helmet any moment. Karen is fuming that she's not jealous of Tracey. But Tracey will be when she sees Karen in her designer maternity gear. "Designer . . .?" Steve chases after her as she flounces out. Janice is annoyed now. "It took us all day to get her in a better mood." She's not half as annoyed as Leanne is, watching Maria and Jamie. It's all too much for her. "Look at the brass neck on her," she says. "Don't waste your breath," advises Janice. "No," agrees Leanne, "Why should I when I can smack her head in!" And with the sound of glass breaking, Leanne grabs Maria by that lovely hair and starts to drag her outside! "Right, that's it," says Betty. "Put the kettle on!"

Out in the street, Maria doesn't see why she should fight over someone Leanne's already lost. "We're not fighting over a bloke," Leane says. "We're fighting over your gob!" Fiz and Tyrone come out into the street from the house and Tyrone spots Maria. He rushes down to help. He's not quite in time, though, as Maria has accused Leanne of working as a "prozzie" and Janice has waded in. Tyrone drags them apart and asks Maria if she's all right. Jamie comes out of the pub and asks if the girls are fighting over him. "No," says Leanne. "Your girlfriend is too scared she'll break a nail -- I don't know why. It's her nose that's most at risk. Oh, I forgot. " and she turns and whacks Jamie's cheek. "I assumed you'd want to protect her lovely skin," she explains. And as Jamie leaves he smirks at Leanne.

Back in the pub, Tracey is disappointed she missed the action. Jack tells Tyrone he put a bet on for him and he's won. Jamie sits down, still holding his cheek. "She hasn't half got a temper," he says. Maria calls Leanne a thug. "She's passionate -- I'll give he that," he agrees. He tells Maria she was the one who wanted to wind Leanne up just as much as he did. He gets her to agree that their relationship is just a laugh. "Nothing ruins being single like a relationship," he says, and though Maria nods, she looks less than convinced. Jamie leaves, just as Jack tells Tyrone again that is luck's in. "Is it?" Tyrone looks at Maria and a big grin breaks over his face.

The end.

Margaret Carr



Wednesday 29 September

We open with Tommy in the garage and he asks Tyrone ćwhat is this he as heard about Maria fighting in the street?ä Tyrone answers him by saying ćthat it was not Mariaās faultä. but Tommy tells him that it takes two to fight, Tommy says that he thought that Maria had more class about her, but Tyrone gets angry and tells him to shut up and that he does not know anything about it, Tommy smiles and says ćohhhhhhhhhhhh who rattled your cage?ä

Sarah Louise comes out of the house with Bethany behind her and calls Martin over Sarah sounds scared, Martin says Hi to her and bends down and says Good Morning young lady to Bethany Sarah tells Martin that she heard some awful noises in the night and Bethany was really scared and with Gail away Martin tells her to calm down and Katy asks her ćwhat awful noises did she heard, Tommy looks over and gets up of the car, Sarah tells Martin and Katy that the noises were coming from the loft and it sounded like pebbles rolling around her something running around and that they were so scared that they had to come downstairs to sleep but Martin asks her if she was just having a bad dream, but Sarah tells him that ćshe is not a idiotä Martin says ok he was not saying that, Tommy comes over and tells Martin that he as some ladders he can borrow if he needs them, Martin says ok Tom if I need them, Tommy smiles and walks back to the garage.

Liz is sitting in the back room of the rovers having a cigarette and Charlie and Shelly are in the Kitchen, Shelly tells Liz that ćCharlie as sorted the washing machine out, Charlie tells Liz that it was his Jeans clogging up the machine, Liz says told you it was his fault, but then Shelly shows Liz a black bra with the wire sticking out and says to Liz ćyours I believeä and that it was not all Charlieās fault. Charlie kisses Shelly and goes off to work and tells her that he will see her later. Once Charlie as gone Shelly says to Liz ćwhy does she have to be so rotten to Charlieä but Liz says back to her ćthat she as not said a thing to himä, and Shelly says I know you canāt bring yourself to, but Liz tells Shelly she does not enjoyed Charlie being here has now she has no privacy anymore. But Shelly tells her that if she does not like it she can move out and get her own place like other people have two, Shelly puts Liz bra on the table and Liz says all except Charlie.

Audrey tells Candice to make sure the customer gets her coffee and tells Maria to get her face straight as it is a salon not a chapel of rest, Candice says that Maria is to depress because Jamie Baldwin as dumped her, Audrey asks Maria if this is right and Maria says that he did not dump her, but Candice says ćyes it is Fiz told me, she told me everythingä Maria says to her get a kick out of it did you? Candice says back to her ć no point pretending you only look a foolä Audrey says ćyes girls ok come on lets not row about itä and Audrey says to Maria that it as happened to us all and to cheer up, but Maria gets defensive and says that Jamie was using her and that she as worked it all out and that she can see it now, Leanne spilt up with him and he went out with her just to make Leanne jealous. Candice says to her that she should have thought about that but you were to mad keen to grab him, Audrey tells Maria to let this been a lesson to her and for her not to let anyone do that to her again, she tells Maria that young girls today are in such a rush to find a boyfriend these days and that she should look around and that there are plenty of nice boys around here, but Maria says ćnot around her there is not.ä

Jamie and Frankie come in to the cafŽ and Leanne is behind the counter, Jamie tells Frankie to sit bye the window and he will get them in, he goes up to the counter and asks Leanne if he can have 2 coffees white no sugar please and Leanne replies and say ćyou can have what ever you like as long as you can pay for itä. Jamie says to her ćdonāt be like that and that he as kicked Maria in to touchä. Leanne says to him ćam I supposed to be impressed, because I am notä. and tells Jamie that the coffees are £1.80 please Jamie pays her and tells her that he will only asks her again and Leanne says that she will not hold her breath and gives him his change, Jamie goes back to the table and Frankie says to him that he as just got ća one way ticket to cockfostersä, but Jamie tells Frankie that Leanne is just getting back it him for taking Maria out but Frankie says that it did not look like that to her and that he is well shout of her if he asks her, but Jamie says to her ćthat he is not asking herä, Frankie says to Jamie why chase Leanne as she as much high class as a litter bin on a lamp post and that he could have any pick of the girls he likes, Jamie aggress with her and says he must take after his dad and he is not even married, he looks over at Leanne and Leanne looks away.

Charlie comes in to the rovers and Liz is coming out of the cellar carrying a crate, Charlie offers to help her and ask her where she would like it and Liz says on the bar top will do please. Charlie asks Liz if she would mind if he asks her something, Liz turns around and Charlie says to her ćthat it is obvious that she as a problem in with him moving in with Shelly?ä but Liz tells him that it is nothing personal and nothing to do with him so Charlie asks her ćwhy?ä and Liz replies by saying ćthat before he moved in their was just women in the house and before he came it felt like being in the ladies but now it feels like being in one of the unisex ones like on a airplane.ä Charlie laughās, and Liz says again and that it is nothing personnel and it is her not him, and that she is out of the habit of sharing her living place with a man she is out of practice. She tells Charlie that Jim as been in prison for the least 4 years and that she misses him a lot (Liz is getting upset) and she is not use to having a man around, Charlie tells her that she will soon get use to it again and she will get to like it, Liz smiles.

Kevin tells Tommy that it is no use him starting the other motor so he may as well go home and have a early dinner, Martin and Sarah are coming out of the house and Tommy asks them if they have sorted out their problem yet? Sarah tells him that they have ćsquirrels in the loftä and Martin tells Tommy that he should keep a listen out in his place Tommy says he will and thank you for the tip. Sarah tells Martin that her and Bethany are not sleeping in the house until they are sure that they are squirrelās and Tommy says to Sarah that Angela calls them tree rats. Sarah looks really worried and Martin tells her that they are not that bad and that he will move in with her until they get rid of them. Sarah asks Martin if Katy will mind him moving in and Martin says she will be fine as it is only for a couple of days, Tommy smiles.

Fiz says to Maria if she noticed the look that Leanne gave her when they walked in and Maria says that she does not care and that she can go where she wants when she wants, and Tyrone says to Maria ćif you get any trouble you can just tell me,ä but Maria tells him that she can look after her self. Tyrone says he was only saying if she needed any help but Maria tells him that she does not but Kirk does not agree with her and tells her that she does need help as otherwise she would not have gone with Jamie Baldwin in the first place. But Maria says that it is not her fault that there is a shortage of talent around here but Fiz tells her that there is Kirk and Tyrone and Tyrone is a little gem, Tyrone gives a sly grin. Fiz tells Maria that these are the kind of boys she should be going for lads who will treat her right and not let her down, Tyrone agrees with Fiz but all Maria says is ćwhat is that cow doing with our dinnersä Tyrone looks really hurt.

Liz and Charlie are still talking in the rovers and Liz tells Charlie that if Jim did not break out of prison he would probably be out now, Charlie says back that is what his jealously as cost him and Liz says it also cost her as well but Jim wonāt think about that and it is always act first think later and he was always jealous even when he had no reason to be and that he is good with his fistās. Charlie tells her that he understand what she is saying as his brother Bobby was also in prison and when people use to ask where Bobby was they use to say he was ćawayä and that his mother thought the world of Bobby and that he could not do any thing wrong and that Charlie could not do anything right and the move trouble his brother got in to the more his mother stood up for him saying that he fell in with the wrong crown or that he was just carrying the can for someone else. So Charlie moved away and while Charlie was living away his mother died and Charlie told Liz that he never had the chance to make it up with her. Liz says ćthat is what prison can do it can break families upä. Charlie tells Liz that you just have to get on with it and ask her how long Jim as left to do, Liz tells her that he has 1year and a bit left if he behaves, Charlie tells her that it is a long time to be without your man. Shelly comes out from the back and says that she did not know he was back, Charlie tells her that he came back to wet his whistle, shelly tells him to bring his pint thought to the back and they can have a bit of dinner shelly asks Liz if she can cope Liz says ćyesä but as Charlie goes though he touches Lizās arms a bit to tender Liz looks un nerved about it.

Fred is sat on the settee with a towel over his eyes, Ashley opens the door to martin and says that Fred is having a nap, but Fred tells him he is only resting his eyes ad gets up. Martin tells them that he was only passing and that he as just popped in to tell them that they have squirrels in Gailās house, Ashley goes to tell martin but Fred buts in and tells martin that they can be a really nuisance and that they can get in anywhere, Martin tells them that he as been in touch with the town hall and pest control and that they can get through the holes in your slates and martin tells Fred to check his roof to see if he as any holes so they donāt get in to his loft as well. Ashley tryās again but Fred interrupts him again and thanks martin for telling them he tells martin that a rattle would get rid of them as they donāt like noises so he has been told, and that he could lay his hands on one for him, but martin tells Fred that he will leave it to the professionals and that they will trap them and take them away and it will cost him £165.00 but it needs doing, Ashley is not happy, martin leaves and Ashley goes to follow him but Fred tells him to stay put, Ashley tells Fred that he should be ashamed of his self and that they are there squirrelās martin is talking about but Fred tells him that they are not thereās squirrelās are free animals and nothing to do with them. But Ashley says that they can not land martin with a bill of £165.00 but Fred tells Ashley that he offered martin the rattle to drive them out but martin would not listen.

Kevin and Sally are in the kitchen and Sally is tidying away the dinner plates when Kevin says that it is time he went back to work, Sally tells Kevin to wait as she wants a word with him and Kevin says to her ćwhat now does Rosie need piano lessons or she will be scarred for lifeä Sally tells him not to be so silly she tells Kevin that it is a good idea if they go out for their wedding anniversary , Kevin is happy and tells Sally that they have had no time for themselves lately and Sally says that is because of the garage and the girls but 18 years is a long time and where does the time go and they are still together and that they should celebrate, Kevin says that it sounds good to him.

Fred comes in to the rovers and asks for a scotch and thread he asks Tommy if he can have a word and takes him to one side and tells Tommy that Gail as squirrel in her loft now and Tommy says ćyeah I knowä Fred tells Tommy that he as not said anything and that martin will not be to pleased to hear of where the squirrel came from and that he might want Tommy to reimburse him for his trouble and expenses, but Tommy replies by saying if he does that he will point him in Fredās direction Fred says ćmeä then Tommy starts poking Fred in the chest hard and tells him that he knows that the squirrels came from his place in the first place and tells Fred the he will not saying anything if Fred does not. Tommy leaves the pub, Liz gives Fred his drink and Fred tells her to put it on his tab and Liz say ćshe will indeedä Fred goes and stand by Charlie rubbing his chest and tells Charlie that Tommy is a violent man and Charlie says that there is plenty of them around and he as heard that Lizās husband is the same, Fred tells Charlie that Jim is not all bad, and that he as a lot to thank him for as he save Ashley, Claire and Joshua from a watery grave. Charlie says that he has heard that Jim is a jeasoly type and that he was all for beating up the last landlord who give Liz a job, Fred says ćtrue enough is thatä, Charlie asks him where does that leave him when Jim gets out? Fred asks Charlie what does that mean and that there is nothing going on between him and Elizabeth, Charlie says to Fred ć he knows that that but he is not a violent man locked up in jail with nothing to do, but think about who is after his wifeä Fred says that he as been very good to Liz and that nothing as happened between them and that she can tell him that, Charlie says of course she can but will he believe her. Fred tells him that he as a point and maybe he should think about letting Liz go, but Charlie tells Fred to be careful as kicking Liz out of her job and home Jim will not take that to kind to that, Fred does not know what to say next.

Sally is in the kitchen talking to Rosie and Sophie and as her and Kevin are off out tonight she asks the girls if they would like to go to a sleep over at one of their friends tonight, Sophie says yes as her friend Kelly keeps asking her, Sally turns to Rosie and asks her but Sophie says that Rosie does not having any friends but Rosie says ćyeah I doä Pippa is my best friend at Oakdale, Sally says ćoh Pippa sounds niceä and asks what her dad does, Rosie says she does not know but Pippa as asked Rosie to go away with her next summer, but Sally says she is not sure about that but Rosie pleads with her mother and tells her that they go away to Greece for a month every summer, Sally is impressed and says to the girls that is the sort of people you meet at Oakdale and then tells the girls to forget the sleep over she as a better idea.

Fred asks Liz if she is still in touch with Jim and Liz gives him a funny looks and says of course she is? Fred tells her to give Jim as regards next time she sees him, Liz asks Fred ćwhat as bought this onä and Fred says ćhe was just thinking about him and to tell him he is doing his best for her as a employer and nothing elseä. Liz says ok but as a confused look on her face.

Sean is in the cafŽ and Jason asks him to join Candice is on the table opposite them, when Sean sits down Jason asks him what Candice is doing, Sean tells him that she is eating a cream cake and drinking a cup of tea. Jason asks if she is looking at him and Sean tells him she is not looking at him as such but as she is facing this way she does not have much choice. Sean tells Jason that Candice as good bones and he could really do something with her and he sees her in leather, but Jason tells him that she looks fine just as she is, (Candice looks up from her magazine) Sean tells him that he should have not 2 timed her then, Jason says that it just happened, Sean tells Jason that he does not need to tell him because when temptation raiseās his head he is the last to put up a struggle. Jason goes over to Candice and tells her that he is sorry for what happened with Sarah and he asks her for another chance, Candice tells him that she will have to think about it, then she smiles an says ok he can buy her a drink in the rover later. Sean shouts over to them both and says ćyou to can look at me as your fairy godmotherä then bites in to his cake.

Kevin comes in and asks Sally if he should book a table at a posh restaurant, but Sally tells Kevin that there as been a change of plan and that she as book the pizza place for six people, Kevin tells her that he though that it was just going to be them two? But Sally tells him that she does not want the girls to feel left out and Kevin says ćdonāt we?ä Sally tells him that children make a marriage but Kevin says to her ćyou have book the table for six but last time I looked we only had 2 kids?ä Sally tells Kevin that Rosie and Sophie are brining a friend each and that Rosieās friend sounds so nice and that they go to Greece for a month every summer. Kevin does not look impressed Sally tells him that her name is Pippa. Kevin says to Sally ćthat he can see it now Pippa will live in a big house and ride a pony, and you will want Rosie to have riding lessons nextä Sally tells him that is not a bad idea. Kevin is not happy.

Fiz, Maria, Kirk and Tyrone are in the rovers when Leanne walks in and asks Liz ćif she as seen Janiceä but Liz tells Leanne ćno she as not seen herä Jamie comes in and offers to buy Leanne a drink, Leanne agrees but tells him that it does not buy him anything, but Jamie asks her for a minute of her time, Leanne agrees. Jamie tells her that it was only fun with Maria and he was just getting his own back in her for dumping him and it worked. Maria tells the rest that she thinks Leanne and Jamie are talking about her and fiz tells her to take no notice of them but Maria gets up to go but Kirk tells her that is what they want her to do so Maria sits back down. Leanne and Jamie get back together and Leanne go over to Maria and ask her why does she always pick up Leanneās cast off as first it was Nick then Toyahās boyfriend who she got pregnant by but he did not want her then their was Jamie but he did not want her either as no one wants her, Liz tells Leanne to ćthat is enoughä Maria runs out of the rovers crying and fiz tells Tyrone to go after her, Jamie looks really embarrassed. Tyrone catches up with Maria outside the rovers and tell her not to take any notice of Leanne as she as a bad mouth and every one knows it, Maria tells Tyrone that Leanne as no right to talk, and she could have said things about her but she didnāt, Tyrone says u didnāt and if you did you would only lower yourself in to the gutter like her. Maria tells Tyrone that she is upset because of Jamie as he did not say anything he just stood there. Maria kisses Tyrone and goes in side to her flat still crying.

Frankie comes in to the rovers and sees Jamie and Leanne together and she is not happy about it Liz asks her what is bother her if she did not know, Frankie says to her ćwell done you win a medalä Frankie tells Liz that she wished Leanne was a goldfish because they died before you get them home, Liz says she knows how she feels as she as had a stand by as one her her lads is with a girl who is no good for him, Frankie says yes but he married her, Liz says ćtwice and that is a sign of a real idiot if they put there hands in the fire twiceä she asks Frankie if she wants her usual and Frankie says ćcheersä.

Charlie asks Jason if he would like another pint but Jason says no thanks mate I will wait until Candice comes in, Charlie says to Jason that Frankie is a good looking women and Jason says that he would not kick her out of bed and Charlie agrees with him he also tells Jason that Liz is good looking as well and that her husband as been locked up for the last 4 years, Jason asks Charlie what is it about him and these old slappers Charlie tells him that the old women are more grateful for the attention than the younger ones. And he tells Jason that one day he will do Liz a good turn just then shelly turns up all dressed up and asks Charlie if she will do, Charlie finishes his pint and tells her that she looks good and kisses her on the cheek and as Charlie walks out with shelly he gives Liz a look but Liz looks at Charlie with a confused look on her face.




Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Helen Edgar, Michaela Davis, Margaret Carr, Mary Earlam, Amanda Souter.

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