Hope everyone had a really good New Year's Eve. Here's the update for Sunday 1st January.

We open in the Webster residence, Kevin and Sally are still reeling from the shock of their discovery the night before. Kevin tells Sally that she should have talked to Rosie, as she's a 15 year old with a boyfriend. Sally is outraged that he seems to be blaming her for it all, as Rosie creeps down the stairs and listens in the hallway. Her phone, left on the table, suddenly bleeps with a message, but Kevin grabs it before Rosie can reach it, and shouts at her to go back upstairs.

Outside in the back alley, Craig is standing there with his phone, looking up at the bedroom window. Sally wanders out with the rubbish for the bin and is furious to see him there, and shouts at him to get away. Craig makes a hasty departure.

Round at the front, Blanche and Tracy are stepping out of the Barlow front door. Blanche is off to the funeral of someone she didn't know with her friend Lena, and Tracy is annoyed because she won't babysit Amy.

In Frankie's house, she is gathering up dirty clothes for washing. Carol acidly comments that she's not surprised Frankie's dress needs washing, she had everyone's filthy hands on her last night. Jamie tells his mum not be stupid and Frankie says that it was new year's eve, it's what people do. She pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket, it's Nathan's phone number, she thinks she's arranged to meet him today. Jamie thinks it will be good for her, but Carol continues to make nasty remarks.

Sally goes and finds Kevin over at the garage. He tells her, crossly, to go home and watch Rosie every minute. She asks him if he thinks that falling out over it will help the situation. He grumbles that he's working every spare minute, and is exhausted, just so that his children can have it better than he did. This expensive school was supposed to do that for Rosie, and he doesn't want her pregnant at 15 like every other dropout. Just then he spots Rosie scurrying off down the street and shouts at Sally to go over and sort her out. Sally at shouts at Rosie to go back inside, and reluctantly, Rosie goes back.

Cilla is in the Rovers having a drink before entertaining Danny and Leanne. With no cooker, she's planning on microwaving pies! She spots a pint mug, about a quarter full. "Hasn't Jack gone?" she asks Violet, who tells her she thinks he has, he said something about having some painting to do. Violet watches aghast as Cilla picks up the drink and finishes it off.

As she turns to leave, Danny and Leanne come it. "Just off to put the finishing touches to your lunch," she trills as she goes off, and Danny turns to Violet and orders pint of Dutch courage. Leanne glares at him and tells him she knows he's going to cause trouble today. He denies it emphatically, and Leanne points out that this is 'worlds colliding' for her, and Cilla will have gone to a lot of trouble. She doesn't want him making snide comments. He protests that he's just been making harmless jokes, and says it's going to be a barrel of laughs if she's shooting daggers at him every time he opens his mush. "Well, don't open your mush," she warns him.

Liz and Vernon are sitting at a table, talking about new year's resolutions, he says he might make a resolution to take a beautiful, blonde bomb shell to every gig he does.

Jack comes back to the bar and asks where his pint has gone. Violet says she thought he'd gone to do some painting. "Sit for a painting, sit!" he tells her, and points out that he hasn't gone yet. She offers to get him another. Just then Vera comes in, dressed up to the nines. She's horrified that he's dressed in his old shirt with pigeon poo down it, when she'd put a clean one out for him. He reminds her that Hilary said she wanted them dressed in everyday clothes, and comments on the way she's dressed. "Look, I am not being painted for prosperity wearing any old thing," she declares, "and neither are you!" She leads him off by the ear, leaving his new pint on the bar.

Frankie is on the phone to Nathan, breaking their date by saying she feels ill. Jamie tells her she should have been straight with him, and she sits down beside him. He jumps up, saying he's going to make a cuppa. She asks him to take her to the pictures, but he says no. She asks what she's done to upset him, he's been acting funny all day. He says there's nothing, but she asks him to come and sit down for two minutes, she wants to talk to him. She touches his face, "Sweetheart," she says, "it's been a hell of a year for you," and points out that now it's a new year and a fresh start. Carol comes down the stairs, wondering why Frankie hasn't gone on her date. Frankie tells her she changed her mind, she hasn't got room for any more men in her life. She asks Jamie again if he'll take her out, but, looking very awkward, he says he's going to lie down.

Danny and Leanne have arrived at the Battersby's, with a bottle of red wine. Les is so impressed by the fact that it says 13 percent on the label he decides to save it for a special occasion, and puts it away.

Kevin and Sally spot Keith and Audrey arriving back in the Street, and drag the reluctant Rosie over to confront them. Once inside, Kevin orders to Craig to explain why they are there. "Rosie was here last night," he mumbles. "Not here!" spits Sally, "upstairs with him." "Oh 'eck," mutters Keith. Kevin starts raging about Rosie's age, while Keith tries to tell him that shouting is not what is needed. Kevin snorts that Craig's lucky he hasn't had a good hiding. There then follows an angry exchange with Kevin raging and Sally pointing out Rosie's youth, and the future she has ahead of her.

Out in the Street, Jamie walks out of his front door, to be followed by Carol, yelling at him not to walk off in the middle of a conversation. He's fed up with her poisoning everything, implying that there's something going on between him and Frankie. He tells her they are more mother and son than he and she will ever be, and she's sick. Carol shouts that there is something more there and everyone can see it, and it's Frankie who's to blame, she doesn't know how to behave like a mother. Jamie storms off.

Back in the Harris house, Kevin demands to know how Keith is going to make sure Craig stays away from Rosie. Rosie protests then that they can't do that, she loves him. Sally asks her what she thinks she know about love, and Rosie tells her she know more than her, they wouldn't lie and cheat and split up and go off with other people! (Touche – given both Sally and Kevin's history!) Audrey then suggests that they deal with both of them separately, but Sally rounds her on and asks what it's got to do with her. She says she's going to take advice from a family that had a kid at 12. "Thirteen actually," says Audrey, and Keith says he won't have them talk to Audrey like that, she's been a great help to Keith in trying to deal with this. "What do you mean by that?" asks Kevin, and Keith then realises what he's said. "Has this happened before?" asks Kevin, astounded. They are horrified that Keith left them alone in the house, "You stupid man," says Sally. They hustle Rosie out of the door, with Kevin threatening that if he sees Craig near Rosie again it will be the last thing he does. "We'll be all right, I love you," says Craig to Rosie, grabbing her hand as they take her away.

Over at the Battersby's, Les is telling Danny all the things Leanne got up to as a child. Cilla pipes up that he found her in a belly dancing costume in a dodgy bar not so long ago. "It wasn't dodgy," says Leanne, and, to take the pressure off her, asks where Chesney is. Cilla tells her he's out the back, playing, he gets bored when they entertain. "He'll be freezing out there," says Leanne, but Cilla tells her he's got a hot water bottle. Les produces a photo of Leanne, aged six, in a nurses' outfit. "Nursey Lee," says Les, and Danny takes the photo, chuckling. "Nursey Lee," he laughs, "that is priceless!"

In the Rovers, Vernon is taking his leave of Liz, it's New Years Day and he always meets the band.

Jack and Vera are back in the pub, and as he lifts his pint to his lips, Hilary is snapping with the camera. Vera is horrified, she thought Hilary wanted details of their eyes etc. Hilary explains that she wants the essence of the character as well. Before very long, Jack and Vera start to squabble, he points out that she still has the tags on the new clothes she's wearing so she can take them back tomorrow, and she tips the ashtray into his beer. "That's capturing their essence all right," murmurs Violet.

Deirdre arrives home to find Blanche sitting looking dazed. "Don't tell me the old dear sprang back to life again?" she quips. "Which old dear?" asks Blanche, and then reveals that Lena has died. The warden let them in to her flat because she didn't answer the door, and there they found her, in her funeral clothes. Blanche then wonders if she will die alone, will anyone hear her last words? Deirdre tells her she's got them, she need never be on her own. Blanche insists that she says her last words now, and Deirdre is to keep them secret until such time as she can pass them on. Deirdre gets tearful and protests, but Blanche insists. "You lot, you're all right," she says, "yes, you're all right." Blanche then tells her not to breathe a word of that to anyone, especially Ken, until she's gone. Deirdre nods.

Over at the Harris house, Audrey is taking her leave of Keith, she's popping next door to wish them a happy new year. Keith says hopefully that's the worst of the year done now, and it will get better. She leaves and Craig comes in. He thanks his grandfather for sticking up for him. However, Keith is angry with Craig and tells him to think about how Sally and Kevin must feel to learn that he can't be trusted with their daughter. "We're not kids," says Craig. "You are, stupid kids," explodes Keith, and tells him he's not to leave the house and to get up to his room. "Get lost," says Craig, and heads for the door. "You're not to leave this house," splutters Keith, as Craig picks up his coat. "Don't you dare walk out that door!" Craig opens the door, "See ya," he says as he goes.

In the Webster's house, Rosie is telling Sally and Kevin they can't stop her and Craig from seeing each other. Kevin tells her that she and Craig are history. Sally points out that she's just fifteen and next year has exams that will set her up for the rest of her life. Just then Sophie comes in and tells Rosie to tell Craig to shove off, he's staring at the bedroom window and giving her the creeps. Rosie tries to run out but is stopped by Kevin who then rushes out first, but when they get outside there is no sign of Craig. Sally has hold of Rosie and tells her she is not leaving the house without her or Kevin, they are going to watch her day and night. "I hate you!" screams Rosie. Sally tells her to get upstairs and hate her from there.

Jamie round the corner with a suitcase in his hand. Carol runs after him, begging him not to go. She apologises for upsetting him, but he won't tell her where he's going. He gets into a taxi, asking the driver to go to the airport.

Kevin and Sally are taking stock of the situation. He wishes he had grabbed Craig months ago and given him some rules. Sally thinks Rosie will start to see it's just not worth it. Upstairs, Rosie looks out of the front window and sees Keith across the street, putting out his milk bottles. He glances up at her and shakes his head.

Annie Logan.

New Year's Day in Weatherfield and Sophie comes back home unaware of the atmosphere, full of the miseries of a New Year's Eve boringly spent over at Rita's. Kevin is distinctly distracted...until she mentioned she sipped some sherry that is. He nearly let's slip in a rant about Rosie but a hard look from Sally soon stops him. However, not much gets past Sophie and she is soon demanding to know what's going on. As this discussion is going on, Rosie is trying to sneak out of the house to see Craig but her parents soon put a stop to this plan. her questions once again ignored, Sophie remarks (in a loud screechy angst teenage voice) that she may as well be invisible.

While Kevin and Sally manage to keep Rosie from the door, Keith is slightly less successful with Craig, who is sporting a face like thunder (and not just down to his gothness...which probably isn't even a word...) Keith warns him that he must stay away from Rosie but Craig tells him he's only meant to be looking after him, not running his life. As Keith demands weakly he comes back, Craig storms out of the house

Penny returns from visiting her mother and is greeted warmly by Mike, who has booked them a restaurant table for that night. Penny is less than enthusiastic but is unable to get out of it. As Mike heads to the factory, she asks Adam how Mike has been while she was away and is greeted with bad news including tea bags being put in the fridge and two baths being used consecutively.

Frankie is a bit on edge that Jamie hasn't phoned. Irritably, Carol reminds her that if he's 'copped off' with someone it'd be a passion killer to phone his stepmum. Frowning, Frankie merely comments that he always phones or texts if he's staying put, causing a roll of the eyes from Carol.

Ed gets a mixed reception when he visits the Kabin. While he receives a pleasant 'happy new year!' from Rita, Norris is less than jovial, evidently unamused that Emily has a friend he does not know about.

Penny catches up with Danny in the pub and asks him if he talked to Mike about seeing a doctor. Danny concocts a story about mike going off on one over it before telling penny she needn't worry. She reminds Danny that she's the one that has to spend time watching him lose parts of his memory. Leanne bounces over cheerfully, cueing Penny's exit. She tries to persuade Danny to take some time off work but he refuses, knowing he has to stay in Mike's good books.

Sally suggests that she takes the rest of the week off of work to keep an eye on Rosie but Kevin replies, not unreasonably that that doesn't give them sufficient time to keep her under lock and key forever.

Mike has some good news for Danny...although Danny doesn't quite see it that way. As he embraces his dad, congratulating him on his imminent proposal to Penny, his cheerful grin falters.

Frankie is down in the dumps in the cafe as Carol walks in. Frankie tells her that Jamie has been in contact to say he's visiting Warren in Spain and Carol cheerfully suggests that the pair of them go to the cinema. Frankie doesn't seem at all keen, however.

Rosie rushes out into the Street into Craig's arms and they embrace but the reunion doesn't last long as Kevin bounds out after them and physically tears them apart. Craig tells him that he can't stop them seeing each other prompting a violent threat of being beaten to a pulp if he has to warn him to keep away again.

Audrey is giving Keith lessons in teenagers and is telling him to show some authority and remind Craig who is the adult.

Ed has tracked down Emily who tells him she doesn't like the take the new vicar has. She assures him she does keep with the times but would also like to hear her traditional hymns and prayers. Ed suggests they form a group where they can all do just that with like minded people

Hayley supplies a miserable looking Sophie with a chocolate milk shake and Sophie complains that Rosie gets more attention that her and her parents won't even buy her a bra. Hayley tries to help with words of comfort but manages to put her foot in it even more, causing Miss Webster to storm out.

Liz is fretting to Bev that Vernon may cheat on her on his cruise but Bev tells her that it's a bad job if a couple can't spend time apart. Liz changes the subject to Fred but Bev assures her that they are just good friends

In the corner. Sean, Violet, Sunita and Shelley are having a drinking session and Sean raises a glass to Sunita's imminent family. He tells the congregation that he'd love to have children

Rosie is telling Kevin that she hates him and with each comment she earns another week of grounding. Sophie comes home and is surprised to realise Kevin even noticed she went out. He ignores her as she complains Rosie gets all the attention and continues to warn Rosie to keep away from Craig.

Mike asks Penny how old her mum is...a question he asked her on the way to the restaurant. Mike starts complimenting her to change the subject but Penny tells him she is really beginning to worry about his memory.

Violet and Sean have been left alone as Sunita and Shelley go out for some chips. Violet tells Sean that if they are both single by 2011 then they'll have a baby together. Sean is taken aback but agrees.

Bev has an offer of her own. After suggesting Liz joins the cruise that Vernon has gone on she follows it up by saying she'll come too.

But, neither of these are the biggest of the offers. Saving the best til last, Mike, who's not the one for bending down on one knee, puts a ring onto Penny's finger and asks her to be his wife. Of course, you'll have to wait until Part Two to find out her response.

So what have we learned from tonight's episode?
-Rita was young centuries ago
-Mike has a good few marbles left
-Your chopping board harbours 1500 more bacteria than your toilet seat
-Nobody wants Grandma wading in
-Hayley's good at embarrassment
-The bra Sophie wants costs £18.99
-Sean has a serious button

Awards
Question least likely to be answered: 'So how long's the silent treatment gonna go on for?' Keith to Craig
Most used rule on the Street: 'Loving Christmas is not compulsory' Rita to Norris
Most unfortunate meeting: 'This is Norris' Rita to Ed
Biggest relief: 'We can't all live on planet Leanne' Danny
Shortest memory span: 'Where's Tommy when you need him?' Sally
Biggest temptation: 'Shoot me now' Carol to Frankie
Best news recipient has heard all day: 'It's just thee and me' Carol to Frankie
Most tactful comment: 'You got a death wish or something?' Kevin to Craig
'Don't kid yourself' moment of the day: 'It's going to be a good year for us!' Mike to Penny
'Don't kid yourself' moment of the day take two: 'My memory's fine!' Mike

Until next time!

Duncan Lindsay

We welcome a new reporter, Christine McCosh, who has written this update for us.

This episode starts with Mike Baldwin and Penny in the restaurant and Penny turns down his proposal of marriage, Mike storms off and Penny tries to follow him but gets stopped by the waiter to pay the bill. Gail tells Audrey she was wrong not to tell Sally and Kevin that Rosie and Craig were sleeping together. Audrey says it wasn't her place to tell as Craig is Keith's grandson and not hers.

Mike is then seen asking a stranger directions home,(his puzzled face shows he is confused) Penny arrives home and asks Adam where Mike is. Adam says he hasn't seen Mike and asks Penny what has happened, she just says they had a row and Mike had walked off in a mood.

In the Rovers Sean and Violet are getting quite tipsy discussing baby names(in the previous episode they decided if they're not in a serious relationship in 5 years they'll have a baby together) Sean suggests names such as Hamish and Lucrecia-lilly. Violet pulls a face and says she knew he'd say a stupid name. Jack walks in and quietly asks Sean for a word in private.

Meanwhile Bev and Liz are talking about the cruise they're going on with Vernon. Fred appears and Liz straight away tells him about it, Bev looks a bit nervous as she hasn't told him yet. At first Fred seemed annoyed as he'll be left without a barmaid but in the end he agrees and says she could do with the break.

At the end of the bar Jack tells Sean he wants a tan as he needs to look his best because he has an appointment tomorrow and he will be centre of attention. Sean wonders if it is his birthday, Jack says it isn't but he will be wearing a suit appropriate to a birthday.Sean tells him that he has a fake tan kit at home that Jack can use.

Norris and Rita are walking up the street when they spot Ed coming out of Emily's house, Norris tells Rita that he thinks Ed is trying to worm his way in.When Emily sees them she tells them they are off to the Rovers and Rita says she is too; Norris suddenly says he is as well but before that he told Rita he just wanted to put his feet up. Emily announces she and Ed are going to start up a bible study group. Rita has a bored look on her face which doesn't go unnoticed.

Mike returns to the street looking frightened and confused.

Gail goes round to Sally's to talk about Rosie and Craig's goings on, Sally tells Gail she should of seen the signs that they were sleeping together. Gail tells Sally about the experience of underage sex she had with her daughter, Sarah. Sally tells her its different with Rosie as she is an academic and has more to loose, Gail just smirks but doesn't take offence.

Mike turns up at the Rovers and Fred asks Mike is he having his usual to drink and Mike says ok but looks confused.

Back to Norris and co: Norris comments to Ed about how much alcohol he drinks considering he is so religious, Ed replies that even Jesus enjoyed the odd glass of wine and its only methodists that aren't allowed to drink. Ed then goes to the bar for another drink and Norris complains to Rita and Emily that he thinks they have both been flirting with Ed; they insist that they just enjoy his company.

Mike decides to go over to Emily's table, he asks Rita has she seen Bet (Lynch I presume) Rita thinks he said Bev (she's a bit tipsy) and tells him she is at the bar, as he looks at Bev confused Penny walks in. Mike seems pleased to see her even though Penny is sure that he would've been cross with her for turning him down, he goes and buys her a drink from the bar.

Liz tells Vernon that her and Bev are coming on the cruise with him, he doesn't look very pleased until Liz tells him she can only go for 2 weeks instead of the 4 weeks he is, Vernon is a lot more happy with this arrangement.

Behind the bar Bev tells Fred she isn't sure about the trip as she will feel a gooseberry, Fred agrees with her and then to a shocked Fred she invites him to come along as well. Fred is unsure at first but agrees in the end.

Still in the pub Penny hands her engagement ring back to Mike saying how touched and flattered by his proposal she was but she liked things the way they were. Mike thinks he knows the reason why she said no but Penny persuades him to come back home.

Sally Webster is putting her milk bottles out when Roy and Hayley approach her. Hayley tells Sally that Sophie came in the cafe earlier upset as she wasn't allowed the bra she wanted, and Hayley says after all its only a small issue... before Hayley can finish what she is saying Sally jumps down her throat saying what does she know as she is hardly mother material, before slamming the door on a very shocked Roy and Hayley.

Vera walks in the Rovers looking for Jack, when she realises he isn't there she orders a drink without realising Eileen Grimshaw is still waiting to be served. Eileen looks annoyed at having to wait and Fred assures her that he will serve her as soon as he serves Ed. Ed orders the last packet of pork scratchings which Eileen wanted but after she pulls a face he buys them and gives them to her, Eileen is quite flattered much to Jason's dismay.

Back at Mike's: Mike and Penny are having an argument because Penny wants him to accept he has a problem with his memory but Mike is insisting there is nothing wrong with him. Adam appears from his bedroom and Mike tells them he is fine and then goes on to remember things that happened years ago but when Penny asks him what day it is he can't remember and is a bit upset. Adam walks out upset and when Penny turns to Mike to see if he is upset he screams at her to shut up and walks off into the bedroom.

In the Rovers Bev tells Liz that Fred is joining them on the cruise. At first Liz isn't too happy at the idea but finds it amusing when Bev tells her she has feelings for Fred.

Jack suddenly walks in with a bright orange face as he left the fake tan on too long because he couldn't read the instructions(he left his glasses off so he didn't have panda eyes). Vera suddenly spots him and after first thinking he had jaundice realises what he has done and accuses him of having another woman(why else would he make the effort?) Jack says there is no one for him except her and calls her his little pigeon. Vera flips chasing him out of the pub hitting him with her bag. Violet and Sean can't control their laughter.

Mike appears from his bedroom with all Penny's belongings and tells her he wants her to leave. He thinks she is just saying he is mad so she can get him locked up and have all his money. Poor Penny is really upset by this, telling Mike how much she loves him. Mike doesn't believe her and physically man handling her throws her out of the flat calling her a scheming bitch. Penny cries uncontrollably and thats when it ends.

Christine McCosh

Written by: John Stevenson
Directed by: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

Poor Mike has forgotten he threw Penny out, and is wandering around the flat in his dressing gown looking for her. Adam reminds him of the previous night's events, and says the fact that Mike can't remember it proves that Penny was right in saying he needed help. Mike is undaunted and says that he expects Penny to come crawling back begging him to give her another chance.

Danny of course doesn't yet know that Penny turned down Mike's proposal, and he's at home with Leanne moaning about how Mike is bound to leave a large share of Underworld to 'the tartan jock-strap' and Penny. Danny's aggrieved by this because he feels it's been him keeping Underworld afloat. Leanne is mainly interested in getting some money from Danny to go to the sales. 'If I was skint you wouldn't be here,' he grumbles, handing over a bunch of twenty pound notes. 'But you're not skint and I am here,' she grins.

Gail's having a harassed breakfast time. Sarah wants her and Phil to baby-sit Beth while she goes out with Jason, but Gail's having none of it. Then David comes down the stairs moaning that Gail hasn't ironed his favourite shirt, and when he discovers she hasn't put a cake bar in his lunchbox he complains, 'it's like living in t'third world in this house.' Poor boy.

At the Websters', Sophie is being sent off to school complete with lunch money but still, apparently, without a bra. Unlike all the other girls, she points out. Sally and Kevin are preoccupied with the Rosie problem and aren't taking their youngest's problems seriously, and they pack her off to school before sitting down to talk to Rosie. 'Talk' means telling her that even though they're going out to work, she's still grounded (posh school doesn't start till next week) – and they'll both be popping back to check.

At the cafe, Jack is trying to have a quiet breakfast with Tyrone, but Vera smells bath products on him and is suspicious because he's had baths on two consecutive mornings. She'd almost suspect him of having another woman on the go, but she lifts his shirt up to check his underpants and confirms that he's been wearing the same ones since Monday, so she can rule out an affair. She knows he's up to summat, though. While Vera's busying herself elsewhere, Jack confides in Tyrone about posing nude for the artist. He's says he's getting cold feet about it, and Tyrone says it's not just his feet will be cold!

At the factory, Sally apologises to Hayley for being snappy with her about Sophie, and says she hasn't had as much time for Sophie recently as she'd like. Hayley accepts the apology (she's Hayley, after all) and says she's had an idea about Sophie. But before she can tell Sally more, Mike and Adam come blustering into the factory in the middle of a blazing row. Adam thinks Mike should phone Penny: 'She's the best thing that's happened to you in years.' Danny comes out of the office to see what the fuss is about. Mike is telling Adam that if he was anybody else he'd have been sacked for talking to him like that. 'I just tell it like it is,' Adam says. Mike says that Danny doesn't have the same good opinion of Penny as Adam does, but Adam says, 'Danny just tells you what you want to hear.' Adam walks out, and Danny takes Mike into the office. 'Looks like someone's love life is on the rocks,' grins Sean, 'Always cheers me up, does that.'

The art class is waiting for its life model, but Jack is behind a screen in his dressing gown having second, third and fourth thoughts. Hilary persuades him to go through with it, telling him he has a perfect body for a life model – it's lived in, she tells him, looks like it's been round the block a few times, looks like it's been 'tested to destruction.' Besides, he can't let the girls down. Jack peers over the screen and sees the class is entirely composed of women. Hilary reminds him of the money, and he says he'll do it. He walks out to the front of the class, where a sofa has been set up for him, and disrobes. Several of the ladies look quite impressed (particularly one of them in bright pink lipstick) and most of them put their glasses on for a better look. Jack takes his off, and sits down on the sofa looking rather pleased with himself.

Leanne turns up at the factory with the stuff she's bought in the sales, much to the irritation of the employees there, who resent working hard to line Danny Baldwin's pockets just so he can keep Leanne in clothes. She goes to the office to show Danny what she bought, and he complains she didn't get him anything. She says she got him something he'll really appreciate, but he'll have to wait till later to see it – because she's wearing it!

Gail and Phil (who's had a haircut and a shave – hopefully as part of a New Year's grooming resolution) are talking about the kids and Phil thinks she should get them to do more around the house. Gail says they've had a tough time and she feels guilty enough about that without wanting to take their childhood away. She says she can cope as long as she has Phil but their smoochy moment is interrupted by David getting back home. He complains that his tea isn't ready and Gail says she'll start making it, but he says he can't wait and asks for money to go and get chips. Gail sheepishly hands it to him. Phil gives her A Look.

Danny has just clinched a big new order for the factory, but Mike doesn't share his delight. He tells Danny that Penny turned down his proposal, because she thought he was losing his marbles. Danny tries not to look pleased. Mike gives Danny the ring he was going to give to Penny: 'Give that to what's-her-name, the bird you live with,' he says, clearly unable to remember Leanne's name.

Jason wants Eileen to baby-sit Bethany so he can go out with Sarah, but she refuses. He says she would have done it for Todd, and Eileen replies that she thought Todd and Sarah had a future together, but now she knows different.

Jack has found the experience of sitting still in the nude rather exhausting, but he's back in his dressing gown now, and Hilary thinks he's done really well. He goes to have a look at the picture the lady in the pink lipstick has done of him, and it's something of a Cubist representation. 'That's how she sees you, Jack,' says Hilary, 'It's symbolic.' 'So I've been sat there symbolic naked, have I?' says Jack.

A lovely romantic moment now. The Lovely Craig climbs up on the back wall of the Websters' and throws a stone at Rosie's window. She opens it, and they tell each other they're missing each other. 'Can you stand being locked up?' Craig asks her. 'They'll get sick of it before I do,' she says. Craig is worried that Rosie's parents will try to turn her against him, but she says that'll never happen because she loves him. Then she has to go back inside because she hears someone coming. 'Love you too,' says Craig sadly, to the closed window.

Eileen's in t'Rovers telling Sean that she doesn't want Sarah Platt coming between her and another son. She decides to go back home to patch things up with Jason.

Vera is at the bar with Tyrone, and she's worried about where Jack might have got to. Tyrone says he thinks Jack mentioned something about going to the pictures, but Vera doesn't believe that because Jack only likes films that are thirty years old. The man himself arrives, and says he was at the allotments – he has a friend with a very snug shed, apparently, and they were playing dominoes. Vera only half believes him, and goes off to get their tea ready. Tyrone wants to know if Jack went through with the modelling, and is impressed to hear that Jack did, and that it was an 'all girl' class. 'What did they say?' Tyrone asks. 'They said they were glad there's still something to be proud of in England,' says Jack, sipping his pint.

Eileen arrives back home to find Sarah and Bethany playing cards with Jason. She doesn't look best pleased, and invites Jason to the kitchen for a private chat. She accuses him of using Bethany because he knows Eileen wouldn't make a scene in front of her. Jason says Eileen can bring whoever she likes into the house, and he should have the same rights. He says no-one will look after Bethany so he can see Sarah, so he had to invite them both. Eileen doesn't know what to say. Meanwhile Sarah and Bethany have their coats on ready to go. Jason says he'll come with them.

Danny and Leanne are having a glass of wine at home. Danny is in a good mood, and tells Leanne about securing the contract, and that 'the Scotch Egg and Michael have had a big falling out,' and Penny has turned down Mike's proposal and Mike threw her out. Danny gives Leanne the ring. She loves it, even though Danny hastily reminds her it isn't an engagement ring and she can wear it on any finger she likes but not that one. 'Can I really keep it?' Leanne asks, 'Even if Mike decides to try again with Penny?' 'Believe me, he won't,' Danny says. And then it's Danny's turn to unwrap his present.

Sue Haasler

I hope your 2006 is going well so far. It looks like being a decisive year for some of those in the Street, as you'll see as we launch into Friday's episode.

There's fighting at them there Grimshaws' place, but I don't know if they're STILL fighting from Wednesday, or if this is a rematch. Eileen is going on about how Sarah ruined one son's life and she won't ruin another. Jason tells her to get real. "Your precious Todd got her pregnant, went gay, then tried to cop off with her brother." But Eileen insists Todd was the victim. He was going to Oxford before Sarah got her claws into him. Jason threatens that she risks losing him as well as Todd. Eileen doesn't believe she's lost Todd, but Jason points out that Todd didn't come home for Christmas. And it wasn't because he was busy -- he's got a new life.

Tracy can barely hide her disappointment at being unable to escort Blanche to Lena's funeral. Yeah, right. Blanche is wearing scarlet. Or some similar shade. I couldn't tell exactly because my eyes were hurting. She and Lena promised each other the one who was left behind would wear red to the other's funeral. "It's my two fingers up to the Grim Reaper." She's had a letter from Lena's solicitor. She's been left something in the will, so they'll have to call there on the way back from the funeral.

Mike and Danny are in the factory office. Mike is wondering if he was too quick to get rid of Penny. He even wonders if he should try to find Mark. "I wasn't a good father to him." Danny points out that Mark wasn't exactly a good son. "Maybe him and Linda are living together," he points out.

Eileen sits on the stairs to phone Todd. It sounds like he has a new boyfriend and they are moving in together. In a very nicely written scene we see her getting tearful as she realises that Todd has moved on and is growing into his own independent person and away from his Mum. We don't hear what Todd says, but it's made clear by Eileen's side of the conversation. Todd asks after Jason and whether he is seeing Sarah, and Eileen says he is. She's quite taken aback to hear that Todd is happy for them. She asks after the new man but is told they're both too busy for Todd to bring him home just now. "It's just that I'd like to see you . . . yeah, well maybe when you've got yourself sorted out, eh? I could make a weekend of it." She tells Todd she loves him, puts down the phone and weeps.

Fred is cross-examining Bev about the facilities on the ship and especially in the cabins. "I just wondered if I was to be on the top or on the bottom," he says. Bev has to tell him the cabins are more like hotel rooms now. She promises to get a brochure.

Outside the factory, Danny waylays Penny, trying to persuade her not to go inside. He lays it on with a trowel about how grumpy Mike is. For some strange reason he keeps calling her "mate". Penny wants to see Mike because she has a meeting to go to. Adam comes out and Penny asks him how Mike is. "He's calling me Mark, now," Adam says, unwittingly confirming Danny's exaggeration. Danny suggests that Adam go with her to the meeting. "I'll see what I can do about the old man." They agree and off they go in Penny's car.

Deirdre and Blanche arrive back from the funeral and Blanche has her inheritance in her handbag. No, not a cheque, but a small hairy dog, Lady Freckles, apparently Lena's constant companion, though this doesn't explain why we've never seen her actually with Lena. And surely Lena would have left her precious dog to Ken, not Blanche? Anyway, Tracy's eyes light up. She's fallen in love with Lady Freckles.

In the Rovers, Shelley and Ashley are teasing Fred about the cruise. On the quiet, he admits to Ashley that he's not sure whether he and Bev are going as a couple or not. "You can't ask a lady that," he tells Ashley. And he'd hate to ruin their friendship by messing things up. "Beverley's a damn good friend." Jason is also at the bar, telling Sean he's thinking of getting a place of his own. Sean points out how good it will be for Jason to do his own shopping, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning and hoovering." In Jason's brain, little cogs start turning. Danny is telling Leanne that Mike is suddenly talking about Mark. Mike walks in and Danny goes up to him at the bar. Mike wonders where Adam got to, and Danny tells him he saw them driving off together in Penny's car. He says he didn't speak to Penny. "She was too busy with the flying Scotsman, wasn't she."

Back at No 1, Tracy has talked more baby talk to the dog than she's talked to Amy in the child's entire life. Apparently Amy can't say "Lady Freckles" and the dog is nicknamed "Eccles". Blanche tells Deirdre that Lena left money for Eccles' upkeep.

Eileen arrives at the Rovers and has no hesitation in going to Jason to apologise for her attitude. She tells him she's finally realised Jason's love life is his own business. She offers him a drink, but he's off to see Sarah. "Give her my love," says Eileen, but she's not sounding sincere just yet. She tells Sean she's realised it's time she gave more attention to her own love life. Behind the bar, we find out that Bev is also worried that they haven't talked about cabin arrangements. It seems Bev would really like them to go as a couple. But she, too, is worried about ruining their friendship. "One wrong move one drunken night and sometimes it's impossible to go back to being friends." Eileen and Phil are chatting and we suddenly remember what she said about paying attention to her own love life. But then Gail comes in and we see Eileen's hopes dashed again.

Blanche is pouring champagne to toast Lena's memory. It's a promise they made each other. "Is that all you and Lena ever talked about?" Tracy asks. "Which one of you was going to pop your clogs first?" Blanche decides to take Eccles out for a wee wee and the front door opens. Deirdre leaps to her feet, telling Ken that before he sits down there's something they have to tell him. There's going to be an addition to the family. Ken looks at Tracy and his expression is one of disgust. "Oh, no, Tracy!" Tracy says it's nothing to do with her, prompting a look of horror as Ken turns his gaze on Deirdre. Then Blanche walks in with the dog and Ken is almost glad to realise the pooch is it -- it's such a relief after what he was obviously thinking! Tracy tells him how sweet the dog is and how much Amy loves her. Encouraged by the outpouring of love for the dog, Ken reaches out to pat Eccles. Snap! She almost had him then. Obviously Blanche stopped off at the dog hypnotist on the way home.

Over at the Platt household, Gail and Phil get home to find David playing a gruesome horror video game while Bethany watches. He says Beth doesn't know what's going on. "She knows a scream when she hears one," Gail points out. David is indignant. "I didn't want her dumped on me in the first place," he shouts, storming off.

Fred and Bev are looking at the brochure for the cruise. Fred thinks the cabins look very spacious, but neither one of them says anything further, though you can see they're each almost exploding hoping the other will mention the sleeping arrangements. "Oh, look, the ballroom's got a parquet floor," explodes Fred, and the moment is gone. Penny and Adam are having a drink and Adam is saying he wants to move out of the flat as soon as he can. He doesn't think it's cool to be living with his dad at his age. Mike appears and shouts at them: "Well, isn't this cosy?" He seems very upset. "Mike," begins Penny. "Yes," he says. "Mike. Remember me, do you, Linda?" The whole pub goes quiet as he rages on at them. He slams Adam against the bar, accusing him of having an affair. Adam appeals to Danny for help. "I told you they had a meeting, Mike," Danny says -- a very clever line, which will be taken different ways by Adam and by Mike. "Don't you stand up for them," snarls Mike. "And as for you," he says to Penny, "I never want to see you again." Then he's back in Adam's face: "As for you -- get out of my flat and get out of my factory!"

The End
Margaret Carr

Well, Christmas and New Year are over and done, and here's the update for Sunday 8th January.

We open with Ken trying to pick up his newspaper, Eccles, the little dog that Blanche has inherited is standing on it, on the doormat, and growling. Deirdre comes down and tells him not to be silly, and simply picks the doggy up and hands Ken his paper. Ken is miffed because no one consulted him about Eccles taking up residence in the first place. Just then there's a snarling sound and Ken yelps and grabs his ankle! Blanche comes along and warns Ken not to upset Eccles, she's in mourning. Ken grumbles about his morning, he likes to settle down with the Sunday newspapers. Blanche says it's no wonder Eccles has taken against him, he's a negative personality. Eventually Ken gets his hands on his newspaper, to find it rather crumpled and disheveled. He throws it down in disgust and limps out.

Over in the corner shop, Craig is pricing up tins, talking to David as he does so. David is moaning about Phil, and tells Craig that he wouldn't like it if his mum had a new bloke. Showing great maturity, Craig tells David that before he'd fallen in love with Rosie he probably would have kicked off about it, but not now. He says that David doesn't understand, but David says angrily that Craig doesn't understand, he wouldn't like it if his mum brought a new bloke home who started laying down the law and taking over his house. "If that's love, you can stick it!" says David. Just then Gail comes in, and walks over to David, saying: "I'm glad I've found you, me and Phil are cooking dinner..." David throws a jar of picked onions on the floor, smashing them, and walks out.

Mike is pouring himself a cup of coffee when Adam walks in. Apparently forgetting the events of the previous evening, Mike asks if he wants one. Adam wonders if Mike is just pretending, and tells him that he hurt him last night, and he's hardly slept. Mike really doesn't know what Adam is talking about, and says that if he's upset him by something he said, he'd like to know. Adam reminds him that he accused him of having an affair with Penny, and it all starts coming back to Mike. Adam starts to talk to Mike about having treatment, but Mike won't have any of it, telling Adam that he trusted him, he had hope in him, his son. He tells him that it's the last laugh the pair of them will have on him, and tells him he's going out and doesn't expect him there when he gets back.

Over in the cafe, Danny and Leanne are talking over recent events. Leanne thinks it's wonderful that Mike is under the delusion that Adam is sleeping with Penny, it will be good for Danny's position at the factory. Danny doesn't seem to sure, after seeing the look on Mike's face he feels he should have put him straight, but Leanne dissuades him.

Hayley comes down from upstairs and tells Roy she's off to finish 'that little job'. Roy starts to say he was hoping she could help him there, but she gives him a kiss and rushes off.

Ken is picking Kirk's brains about dogs. Kirk tells him he must show Eccles that he's the leader of the pack, he's the boss in that house. Roy mutters that he could do with some tips in that direction himself. Kirk goes on to tell Ken that he has to start thinking like a dog and get down to her level. Ken isn't so sure he likes the sound of that.

Ashley arrives home to find Fred sitting glumly in the living room. He realises that his dad still has not sorted out the cabins and sleeping arrangements with Bev on the cruise. Fred is now considering pulling out, despite having paid nearly two thousand pounds. He tells Ashley that it's nothing compared to what he has with Bev and doesn't want to risk damaging their friendship by acting hastily. Fred is suffering a real crisis of confidence and doesn't feel that Beverly could ever like the person he sees in the mirror.

Over at the Webster's, the family have just finished their meal. Sophie suddenly notices that Rosie's pudding dish has two circular blobs of custard in it, each one topped by a glace cherry. "You cow!" she screams, and accuses Rosie of making fun of her. Rosie says she isn't, but laughs, and so do Kevin and Sally. Sophie rushes out, saying that no-one takes her seriously. Rosie then offers to go and apologise. When she's left the room, Kevin tells Sally that their eldest daughter has been as good as gold over the last few days, which is just as well seeing as she's back at school tomorrow. Sally tells him that they still have to keep an eye on her.

In the Rovers, Liz, Vernon and Bev are all ready to depart on the cruise. Bev is worried because Fred has still not turned up, she thinks he has got cold feet. Just then he arrives, with no luggage, he's not going. He makes up the excuse that there's too much on at the shop, she smiles at him and says that business comes first.

Mike and Danny are sitting at a table, discussing how Mike threw Adam out. Mike says he doesn't know what to believe any more, he wonders if maybe he is ill and imagining things, and then he would have lost the two most important people in the world. Danny tells him that he's the most switched on man he knows, and tells him to go and get the drinks. "Hold on," says Mike, "it's your shout." Danny smiles, "And they reckon you're losing it?"

Sarah takes Bethany over to the Grimshaw residence, Eileen has agreed to babysit. Sean comes down and makes a fuss of the little girl, they've got a video, Bethany can have a night in with Dumbo, while her mummy has a night out with..! Sarah and Jason step out into the night.

Lloyd is loading the luggage into a taxi. Vernon has a much smaller suitcase that Liz and Lloyd remarks that he's travelling light. "Not as light as I'd like to be," mutters Vernon. Bev tells Liz that she's obviously read Fred all wrong, he's obviously rather chuck away the best part of two grand than risk leading her on. As they drive off, Fred and Shelley come out and wave. Shelley tells Fred he should have gone, Ashley would have coped at the shop. "Not so sure I would've," murmurs Fred, "not without making a fool of meself!"

Eileen steps out of the corner shop, with Bethany. Gail is coming across the street and is surprised to see them. "Are you babysitting?" she demands to know. She tells Eileen she knew she couldn't trust her, she doesn't have the backbone to make a stand. Eileen tells her she's doing it for her son's happiness, and it takes strength to admit when you're wrong. "If you've got any sense, you'll do the same," she tells her.

Mike and Danny are still in the pub. Mike tells him he seems to spend his life alienating people he cares about. Danny says that he gave Adam every chance, and Mike admits it was more than he ever gave him. Mike then tells Danny that he's written to his other son, Mark, to try and say what he feels about the past without causing any more rows. Danny offer to take the letter and post it for him, and Mike hands it over. When he goes to the bar for the next round of drinks, Danny screws up the letter.

Gail and Phil are talking over the Sarah/Jason situation. David complains that he's trying to watch the tv, and Gail says she's trying to save his sister from another disaster. David says that Gail causes most of Sarah's disasters, she's only with Jason because Gail forced Scooter out. "You were desperate to get him out of the house," says David, and looks at Phil, "and now I know why." Gail is shocked, and David goes on to say that Sarah will move in with Jason, just like she did with Todd, and Jason will ruin Sarah's life, just like his brother did. This outburst really upsets Gail, and Phil hugs her and tells her he'll run her a bath and she can relax and forget all about Sarah and the Grimshaws for an hour. David looks on and scowls.

At the Webster's, Sally hugs Sophie saying she didn't mean to ignore her. Just then there's a knock at the door, it's Hayley, beaming. "What's it got to do with her?" asks a petulant Sophie, but Hayley is not abashed, and tells her she understands. She hands Sophie a bag, as Sally tells her daughter that Hayley has made this especially. Sophie pulls a padded bra out of the bag, and is absolutely delighted, hugging Hayley and thanking her.

At the Barlow's, Ken is on his knees in front of Eccles, who is up on the sofa. Deirdre comes in with some doggy choc drops, and throws one to the dog. Ken then takes the bag and starts to feed them to her, until there's a knock at the door. As his attention wanders, the dog snaps at his fingers. Exasperated, Ken asks if they're going to take in every stray that turns up on the doorstep. "Hope so," says Adam, standing in the doorway, "I'm pretty stuffed otherwise."

With Gail in the bath, Phil is trying to clean up. David turns his music on very loud, and takes no notice when Phil asks him to turn it down, so as not to disturb his mother. Phil pulls the plug out of the wall, and tries to talk to him. David puts the plug back in, and Phil shouts at him that he's fifteen behaving like a five year old. There then follows an angry exchange, where David tells Phil that he's not his dad, will never be, and doesn't know what he's doing there. Phil says that he's trying to help, he cares about Gail, he's something to her. "For now, mate," says David, "for now."

Annie Logan

Platt's – David comes down the stairs. Gail asks David to look at his hair. He says he could not get into the bathroom and looks at Phil. He then grabs Sarah's toast she has just spread. She moans and Gail says for David to take cereal. She has bought his favourite but he says he does not want it because it was made in Scotland and looks over at Phil.

Corner shop – Amber has come over and annoying Dev, he tells her to go and help her mum in the Eccles shop. She tells him it's 2006 and just because she's Asian doesn't mean she has to be behind a counter. Dev asks her what she wants to do after school and what she's likes at school. She replies saying boys and he would know if he came to parent's evenings. She asks if he knows when her birthday is. Dev does not answer but asks if she knows his. Amber tells him she would not buy him a present and says she likes art and wants to be a fashion designer. She asks, if he has got any thing he wants done. He tells her he wouldn't want to help her stereotype herself. She says she will help when she's a designer and he can forget the minimum wage rubbish.

Outside– Blanch asks Keith to take Eccles while he does his paper round as she has a sore hip and cant take her as far as she should be going. Keith agrees but he says it better not slow him down. He walks towards the Corner shop were Amber is standing. Amber says hi to Sunita and asks if she coming to see her dad. Sunita tells her she is just going to the shops. Amber says what's this but is told she does not shop there anymore. Amber says Dev misses her while Sunita walks away but without looking back she says she does not miss him. Rosie just comes out her house and meets Craig in the alley. Craig tells her his granddad is out and for her to come round this afternoon. She tells him she can't skive off school and they arrange to meet there later at his house.

Factory - Danny asks Adam if he's come to make peace with Mike. Adam says he's collecting his things and leaving. He then says he know what he is doing, exploiting his dad. Danny says his dad too. Adam does not care and says he does not need this. He then tells Danny not to take his dad for granted. Danny says he could never understand what he says. Adam while walking out tells him he has not seen the last of him. Danny says the same and for him to keep looking over his shoulder.

Salon – Maria tells Audrey and Sarah what she got from Tyrone for Christmas. She got a jump that she changed for a top, bracelet and CDs. All she gave him was a twenty quid voucher. Maria looking guilty says you don't have to spend lots on guys and Tyrone likes it when she gives him little treats that don't cost any thing. Shelley who's getting her hair washed by Sarah says that's where she's going wrong.

Garage - Tyrone tells Molly about a surprise the bride competition in the newspaper. She tells him her dad is donating a cake. You can win a dress, limo etc and Tyrone says they have been saving for ages and never spent a lot on each other at Christmas and it will be another 3 years before they can have a wedding. He says, if he won they would have the lot. She tells him if he wins. Tyrone says Maria is beautiful and bound to win. He asks what Molly what they have to do. Molly tells him it's a surprise the bride and he has to do it. He asks her if she'll help him fill in the form and says she will come back in her lunch break.

Outside Barlow's household - Ken and Deirdre are saying goodbye to Adam. Ken says he is important to him. Adam says he can't stay round here at the moment, but he will be back. Adam hugs his granddad and asks him to keep and eye on Mike. Deirdre says Adam and Mike will sort things out as he drives away. Ken says Mike drove his daughter away and he will never forgive him if he drives his grandson away as well.

Salon – Audrey tells Maria and Sarah they have no appointments after 3 p.m. so they can shut early. Sarah is doing Maria's feet while she looks at a magazine. Sarah moans saying she wants to learn how to do hair. Maria says she wish Tyrone would wear clothes. Sarah says Jason is nice in clothes and better with out. Maria says Tyrone looks like something out of a wildlife program with out clothes.

Platt's - Phil tells Gail about his mother and how she died from cancer. He was thinking about her and how he was around her when younger. Gail asks if this is to do with David. He tells her he pushed his luck with her sometimes and she'd take the belt to him. Gail thinks it taught his to fear is mum. He says he's not criticising her parenting, he just does not like to see her treated disrespectfully. She tells him Sarah once moved out and didn't speak to her for months and Nick moved to the other side of the world to get away from her but David is her baby. Gail says David is not that's bad.

Garage – Molly asks Tyrone why Maria deserves to win surprise the bride. He says because shes beautiful and she tells him very bloke will put that. She tells him he needs to put how she makes him feel, things she does for him. Tyrone quickly says that's privet. Molly laughs and says no what you think of her. He says she's beautiful and struggles to come up with any thing else. Molly says this will take more then one-lunch break.

Outside – Sunita struggles to get the pram into the flat. Dev offers to help but she refuses to take it. He thinks its stupid him not helping. She says she would have to freeze over before she would let him help.

Salon - Maria asks Blanche if she thinks women should buy presents for men. Blanche tells her no. She says men buy women presents and women bake pies. Keith enters with Eccles and asks Blanche what she is doing here. He was knocking on her door and thought she was going to bed. Blanche says it's amazing what half an hours lie down can. Audrey laughs asking if Eccles is getting a cut and blow-dry. Keith moans saying he was only taking it a walk but the dog stopped every where to pee and has a blander problem. He says he came in to ask Audrey what time to pick her up to go to the allotments. She tells him they are fully book and get Maria to back her up. Keith looks at Sarah who is looking at a Magazine and says it looks like it. He then asks what he should do with the dog. Blanch says leave it with Sarah as she's not doing any thing.

Rovers - Ken approaches Mike and they talk about Adam. Mike says he's letting him cool off at the moment and asks if he's ok. Ken tells him he was this morning when they saw him off and has left. Mike says he needs him at the factory. Ken asks what happened and says how Adam told him he through Penny out. Mike looks confused and says he can't be gone forever and that Adam would have told him. Ken asks what is going on and Mike says he will make Adam come back. Ken says he does not know his son.

Garage – Maria comes over and asks Kevin if Tyrone can finish a wee bit early. He says yes. Maria tells Tyrone to have a shower and come over to the Salon. He looks pleased when she says she has a treat for him. When she goes Kevin asks what that was about. He says she has a treat for him.

Outside – Craig and David are walking home. Craig asks David if he wants to come round but he says no. Craig opens his door.

Craig and Keith's – Craig comes in and shouts for his granddad. When there is no reply he has a big smile on his face.

Platt's – David comes home and asks what's for tea. Gail says he would say hello. He wants fish and chips so Gail says she will go later to the chipper. Phil asks David if he had a good day at school. He does not answer and Gail tells him to answer, he says it was rubbish and goes upstairs.

Salon – Tyrone enters and is amazed when he sees romantic candlelight and the smell of scented oils. Maria tells him to lock the door and he asks what she is doing. She tells him she is giving him a treat because he gave her lots at Christmas and she wants to show she does not take him for granted. Maria takes him through the back and tells him to take his clothes off and lie on the table. She goes to wash her hands. He quickly takes off his clothes and lies on the table smiling. He looks puzzled as he looks at a bowl of wax and asks what it is.

Platt's – David comes down asking where his mum has gone. Phil tells him she has gone to the chipper to get him his fish and chips. David takes the remote and changes the channel. Phil asks him nicely to change it back. David ignores him and turns it up. David says this is his house and if he does not like to get out. Phil shouts at David saying he will not treat him the way he does his mum and then grabs him, lifts him up and pushes him against the wall telling him he needs to learn a lesson.

Amanda Souter

Part 2

Well, if you watch this episode as the omnibus in Canada, or in New Zealand where they run two episodes together, it might be just the length of an ad break, but here in the UK, David were pinned up against t'wall for half an hour on Monday night. We switch back for the second episode to find he's still at eye level with Phil, which must mean he's quite a way off the floor. Phil, practising his best Richard Hillman face, tells David "You can give it out but you can't take it." David threatens to tell his Dad (who's about two feet shorter than Phil), but Phil isn't scared. He tells David his Dad's gone off with a woman he barely knows. "I bet he couldn't wait to get away from you, you wee thug." "You touch me and I'm going to the police," squeals David. For a second or two, Phil seems to be weighing him up -- literally. He shoves him against the wall as if he's testing David's weight in relation to the strength of the plasterboard. But just as David is looking his most terrified, Phil seems to realise what he's doing and let's him down. David cowers against the wall, tears filling his eyes. "You pushed me too far," Phil says. But now that David's not in immediate danger, he's got brave again. "Bad move, Nessie!" he spits. "Wait till my mum comes back -- you're finished!"

I once heard a comedienne say that it wasn't fair that women had to suffer the pain of childbirth alone, and that the man responsible should be up on the next bed having his legs waxed at the very least. Somewhere in the back of his brain, Tyrone knows he's heard this, so when Maria says "Loads of men have it done, Ty. Don't worry, it won't hurt," he still looks terrified.

Amber is waiting outside Sunita's door and asks if she can come up. Sunita says no, but softens when Amber says it's her birthday but her mum is working until seven. She tells Sunita that Dev doesn't even know it's her birthday. "How tragic is that, man? My own dad doesn't know what day I was born." She perks up a bit and says that on her last birthday, there was just her and her mum. Now she's got a dad, Sunita, and the twins. Sunita, feeling sorry for her, lets her in.

They both ignore the distant screams coming from the other end of the street. Even Gail, walking past the salon, ignores the cries of someone in terrible agony.

Gail arrives home with the fish and chips she went out to get for David and quickly realises something's up. "What have you done now, David?" David protests that it's not him. Phil attacked him. "He grabbed me and threw me against the wall. Then he shouted at me and threatened me." Phil admits shouting at David, but denies manhandling him at all. David shouts that Phil's lying, but Gail tells him to shut up and sit down. Phil, his voice calm, says he did shout at David and told him he had to learn some respect. He didn't throw David into the wall. "It's obvious he doesn't like it when someone stands up to him. He's prepared to tell any lie to split us up." David looks aghast.

Craig and Rosie are sitting talking. Craig hates having to lie and pretend they're not seeing each other. She doesn't mind if it means they can still see each other. Then comes the cry of teenagers down the ages. Her parents don't understand. She feels sorry for them, really. "They've never felt this intensity."

In the salon, Tyrone is still under siege, with hot wax and some fabric strips replacing the boiling oil. "You've ripped all my skin off. I know you have." She says she's never heard anyone make such a fuss. As she rips off the final strip she says: "Right, we'll just let that settle down for a minute, then you can turn over and I'll do your chest." Tyrone whimpers.

Blanche is off to the Rovers and to some social event with all her crones (no, I didn't miss out an I) and tells Ken he can look after the dog. It wouldn't be safe among all those zimmer frames. "They could all go down like dominoes." It'll be Ken's chance to bond with Eccles, she says.

David is still protesting his innocence. He's furious that Gail won't believe him. His mother tells Phil to wait for her in the pub. As he leaves she follows him to the door and asks quietly if he hit David. "No," he says. Gail believes him and goes back to David, telling him she's disgusted with him. "You are 15 years old and it's high time you grew up. Phil is my boyfriend, whether you like it or not and I am not prepared to let you drive him away." David accuses her of not caring about him and being desperate to hang on to a boyfriend. "You're so desperate you'll go with anyone, no matter what they do to us." He says she can't face being left old and alone. WHACK! His mother has slapped his face. "You're just like him," he cries, rushing upstairs. Gail is crying.

Deirdre has finally noticed that No 1 is quite a small house. "Last night there was me, Ken, Tracy, Amy, me mother, Adam and a dog," she tells Shelley. Emily is full of the joys of Ed. When he goes up to the bar, she tells Blanche and Rita that last night at Bible group he used football's (soccer's, to those of you with a wider world view of sport) offside rule to talk about the disciples ". . . once Judas has betrayed Jesus, of course, and there were only 11." Emily invites the others to go along. Blanche refuses, and Rita says she doesn't think God would approve of the life she's led. (This is true. Norris would put anyone off newsagents) "Oh, I don't know," says Blanche. "Jesus used to consort with thieves and prostitutes, didn't he?" Rita's face is a picture. "It was a python you used to use in that erotic act of yours, wasn't it?" Rita points out that it was a trombone, and it was an exotic act. She changes the subject and says it's good to see that Ed has helped Emily brighten up.

Sally finds Gail crying and tells her she's been wanting to give David a slap herself. "He's been acting like a spoiled brat ever since Martin left. He wants you all to himself." Gail protests that she doesn't put her children second. Sally tells her maybe she should sometimes.

With all the blood rushing to his poor skin, Tyrone seems a little wobbly on his feet. Maria tells him he'll need it done every few weeks now. Poor Ty wonder why she didn't like him with hair. "I did. I just like you even more now, and I'll like even more after I've finished plucking them eyebrows."

In the Rovers, Eileen joins Phil and we wonder, after her new determination to pay some attention to her own love life, if this is going to bring the two of them closer. But no. Blanche, in her determination to dish the dirt on everyone, sees them together and draws everyone's attention to Eileen -- including Ed's. She says Eileen is throwing herself at a man again. "Is that not her husband, then?" asks Ed. Blanche very quickly tells him that Eileen has never had a wedding ring on her finger, but has two sons by different men. "And one of them turned out to be a ho-mo-sex-u-al." Emily rescues poor Ed by telling him: "If you're fishing to see if Eileen is single, she is."

In the garage, Tyrone is being very coy to Kevin about what his surprise was. Kevin thinks there's something different about Tyrone (like great red pieces of skin and highly-inflamed eyebrows, Kev?). "Are you wearing contacts?" An embarrassed Tyrone claims he doesn't know what Kevin is on about.

Despite my agonising cries of "No, he's mine I tell you!" the scriptwriters have had the cheek to have Ed go up to Eileen and remind her that they met briefly the other day. He says he goes to the same church as Emily and Eileen suddenly droops. He notices and tells her he'd like to buy her a drink. "Only I've got a few extra quid in my pocket because I didn't put it in the collection plate on Sunday. Mind you, not as much as when I take money out." Now Eileen looks horrified and he has to tell her it's a joke. Eileen explains she doesn't usually associate jokes and church. Ed confides that it's Rita's money, but he's sure Rita wouldn't mind him buying Eileen a drink. Eileen looks over and sees Rita and Emily beaming at her. Gail arrives and apologises to Phil. She says David has been calling all the shots because she's been trying to over compensate after their experiences with Richard. She doesn't feel like sitting in the pub and wants to go home. Never mind about David.

Back home, David has told his story to Sarah, but she doesn't believe him either. "Mum is entitled to a life of her own," she tells him. "You're going to regret this, Sarah," he tells her. One day when he snaps at you, then you'll wish you believed me. You know what? When he does snap and he hits you, or Bethany, I'll laugh right in your face!"

Deirdre takes the dog for a walk but only gets as far the back yard where she sits to have a cigarette. She tries to explain Ken's behaviour to the dog and tells it that Ken was upset when Adam left, but one day Blanche and Ken will go before her and Tracy has a life of her own, and then it'll just be her and Eccles. (This was a very odd scene. I have no idea what its purpose was)

Phil and Gail have gone home and are sitting drinking wine and laughing at something on television as if nothing has happened. But above them, on the stairs, they are being watched. And nothing is quite so frightening as a teenager plotting revenge.

The End
Margaret Carr

Written by: Patrea Smallacombe (ooh, s/he's new!)
Directed by: Tracey Rooney

Breakfast time at the Platts'. David is on the phone to Martin, and Gail watches him closely to see what he'll say about Phil, but he tells Martin that nothing much is happening at home. David is being generally quite sweet and co-operative – until Phil appears. Everyone sits at the breakfast table, but when Phil sits down David pointedly picks up his bowl of cereal and goes to sit by himself.

Leanne is showing Janice the ring Danny gave her (the one that was meant to be Penny's engagement ring). Danny isn't very happy to see Janice in his flat: 'Walk from your place to the factory too much for you, Lippy?' 'Yeah,' she replies, 'I like to take it in stages.' Danny goes off to work, and Janice has a look at Leanne's jewelry collection. She picks up a ring: 'Aah. Still got the engagement ring Jamie gave to you.' She tells Leanne she should have given it back, because it meant something to her when she was given it. She asks her stepdaughter if living with Danny is as exciting as having an affair with him, and isn't convinced by Leanne's reply that 'it's... different. But it's the best thing I ever did.'

At the garage, Kevin is a mite disturbed to see his two mechanics with their T shirts rolled up, stroking each others' chests. But relax, dear reader – Nathan and Tyrone are merely comparing each others' chest waxing. Tyrone's is really itchy, but Nathan says you get used to it after a while. His is 'dead smooth,' according to an envious Tyrone. Maria arrives with a tube of cucumber and chamomile cream which she promises Tyrone will find soothing. Nathan asks if she'll be doing Tyrone's bikini line next. 'No,' she says. 'Nostrils! Then your ears – those unsightly little bits of hair that everyone else can see but you can't.' She tells him to come over to the salon later and she'll have the clippers ready.

Keith and Audrey bump into each other in the Corner Shop and arrange to meet later on for a drink. Keith goes out, and Deirdre quizzes Audrey about how long she's been seeing Keith. Audrey says since August, but Deirdre shouldn't bother buying a new hat just yet. 'Keeping your options open, Audrey?' says Dev from behind his little counter. 'Just like you, eh Dev?' Sunita replies (it's a busy old shop this morning). Sunita tells Dev she's on her way to Shelley's. Shelley is going to be her birth partner and they have to discuss things. Then Amber comes in, tells Dev she's come to see him, then addresses herself to Sunita's bump: 'This is your big sister, Amber. We've got the same dad! Thing is, he's embarrassed I even exist.' Dev does indeed look deeply embarrassed but denies that he is. Amber says it's because he's been spending her entire life pretending she doesn't exist. Sunita, Audrey and Deirdre are rather enjoying this little performance.

Mike is in his office having an argument on the phone with his bank. He's disputing a transaction for over a thousand pounds to a jeweller's in December. He remembers buying a ring in January, and that's on his statement, but so is this other one that he has no recollection of at all. He says if he'd spent that amount of money he'd remember, and he'd have either a ring or a receipt to prove it. He says he'll sort it out with the shop and slams the phone down. Danny half catches this conversation, and pops his head in to see what the fuss was about, but Mike says it was just some personal business. When Danny has gone again, Mike rummages in his desk drawer and finds a diamond ring.

Shelley is getting all excited about the impending birth of the twins and is planning to pack a lot of snacks for herself so she doesn't have to leave Sunita for one minute. She says it's been really therapeutic for her to have something to do and to feel needed, and Sunita says it's been lovely to see Shelley back to her old self again. Sunita asks if Shelley thinks she's mad for going it alone, and Shelley says she won't be going it alone. And she won't – because in the bar Betty is showing Violet a gift basket she's making up for Sunita, which includes a tin of talc she found at the back of the bathroom cabinet. Violet sniffs it, almost chokes, and recommends it goes back in the bathroom cabinet.

At the factory, Mike tells Danny it was a bit silly of him (Danny) to leave the ring Mike gave him in the drawer. Danny says he didn't – he gave the ring to Leanne. Mike shows him the ring that was in the drawer, and Danny says that's a different one.

Molly brings a surprise visitor to the garage to see Tyrone – it's a photographer from t'Gazette. Tyrone is through to the next round of the 'Surprise the Bride' competition!

Keith and Audrey are in the pub, talking about how other people lead complicated lives (she hears a lot of this, being a hairdresser). He suggests that she could stay at his house that night, but she says it's setting a bad example to Craig and they should just let things settle for a bit

Kevin and Nathan are at the bar. Kevin's finding the modern world difficult to comprehend: 'Time was when you could shove your head under a car bonnet with a bloke and know what to expect,' he says, 'Now I've got mechanics talking about sensitive skin.'

Danny and Leanne have just finished a romantic lunch of hotpot. Janice joins them. Danny is going back to work and Leanne says she's going shopping, but turns down Danny's offer of money. 'Did I hear that right?' Janice says after Danny's gone, 'You turning down cash?' 'I've got more than enough,' Leanne says, wiggling the finger on which she's wearing the engagement ring.

Phil arrives at the Platts' to find David home alone. Phil says he wants to 'sort things oot' with David for the sake of Gail, of whom he is very fond. David turns his back on him and switches on the television. 'You baited me!' Phil says, his temper rising, although he adds, 'I'm not going to rise to it.' 'Careful,' David says, 'I can see that nice guy image slipping.' 'You can stir it up all you like, David, I'm not going anywhere.' 'Neither am I,' David sneers back.

Tyrone is in the salon to ask Maria for a photograph of herself. He says it's for his wallet, but presumably it's for t'Gazette. She asks him when she's going to get a chance to have a go at his nostrils, and he asks if it's just a hair thing, or are there other bits of him she doesn't like. She says he could do with a body polish, and he says he's starting to feel like a car. 'That's a great way of looking at it!' says Maria.

Tyrone goes out and hands the photo to the Gazette photographer, who says the picture will be in the weekend edition. Molly asks Tyrone why he didn't just tell Maria what it was for, then the photographer could have taken a proper picture. Tyrone says the competition is called 'Surprise the Bride,' and he wants to make the most of it, because a man like him can't hold too many surprises for a girl like Maria. Molly says that her father would say that 'No-one wants a cake that's all icing.'

In the back room of t'Rovers, Shelley has organised a little surprise for Sunita. Betty, Deirdre, Violet and Frankie all come in, and present her with a card on which they've all written a piece of advice. They also give her Betty's gift basket, which is now full of nice smelly products and is describes as 'the full pregnancy pamper hamper.'

Danny comes out of the factory and spots Leanne on her way home from the shops. She hasn't bought much, but she says that's because she didn't have much money to spend. She took the ring to get it valued, and the jeweler said it was worth almost two grand, but only offered her £800 because it's second hand. 'It ain't even been on anyone's hand!' Danny says. She did, however, sell the ring Jamie gave her. She only got just short of a hundred pounds for it, but there didn't seem much point in hanging on to it.

In the pub, Penny is confiding in Frankie about Mike, telling her about his forgetfulness and his sudden bad moods, and how he accused her of having an affair with Adam. Frankie says that it sounds like a lot to take on, and if Penny didn't love Mike she could just walk away. Penny says the problem is that she does still love him, and feels that he needs her. Then Mike comes into the pub, and Frankie suggests that he joins them. 'No thanks,' he says, but his face looks sad and regretful.

It's snowing in the Street. Amber is arranging flowers outside the Corner Shop, and Dev isn't pleased with her because she's supposed to be at school, but she says it was 'doing her head in.' Sunita walks past carrying her gift basket, and Dev reminds her that Shelley has all his phone numbers and whenever she goes into labour he wants to be called. Sunita cuts him off: 'I'm tired, I want to get indoors,' she says. Dev complains to Amber that he's tried everything to get through to Sunita, and Amber comments that Sunita does seem like hard work, but says that Dev should try it her way. It never fails. 'Just keep nagging her.'

Back to the pub now, where Gail and Sarah are enjoying some female bonding. Gail says she was pleased that David was acting as if nothing had happened that morning. 'That's because nothing *had* happened,' Sarah says, and makes some comment about people leaving Phil and Gail alone to get on with their relationship. 'Like you and Jason, you mean,' says Gail, who is in a very good mood and says she's looking forward to when Bethany is grown up and running rings round Sarah – she says she'll enjoy watching.

Frankie encourages Penny to go and talk to Mike at the bar. Penny tells Mike that she wants to talk to him somewhere private, about the accusations he made about her. She asks if he even remembers what he accused her of. He says women always want to rake over old ground, and she says that's because she doesn't want to leave things how they were, and she wants to know how he is. 'Never better,' he says, 'Now I haven't got you hanging around, trying to drag me off to the quack's.' He finishes his drink and leaves.

Sue Haasler

Hello, and here we are at last with Friday's episode. I'd like to say I'm late with this because Dev made me so angry I couldn't type, but that's not true. I'm just not well organised.

Amber is in the shop again (I thought his nearest other shop was miles away. How does she get there?) and Dev is saying of course he's glad to see her. We're not convinced. She'll be late for school, so she deftly changes the subject to whether or not he's seen Sunita yet. Emily sees Eileen in the shop and just happens to mention that if Eileen would like to join them for a drink, she's meeting Ed in the Rovers at lunchtime. "I couldn't help noticing the two of you seemed to be getting along well," she says. Eileen remembers that she has to work through lunch. Amber piles a load of stuff on the counter and is appalled that Dev seems to want to charge her for it. Suddenly Dev shuts everyone up. What? Can he hear a plane heading straight for them? The rumble of an approaching earthquake? Death watch beetle? No, he thinks he can hear Sunita coming downstairs. He suddenly doesn't care about Amber's schooling and leaves her in charge of the shop and rushes out.

Outside, he manoeuvres a casual meeting. "Is there any thing I can do to make things right?" he pleads. "What? Change history? No there isn't," she tells him.

In the ex-Baldwin household, Carol appears to be talking to Jamie on the phone. But when Frankie asks, she denies it. Carol says it's one of those call centres trying to get them to change utility suppliers. Frankie thinks Carol's conversation sounded too friendly for that. "I told you, I feel sorry for them. They're just trying to do a job and politeness costs nothing."

At the Rovers, Sunita reveals to Shelley, Violet and Betty that her contractions have started. Betty bustles out of the room and Sunita tells the others she was lucky she didn't have one on her way there, because she met Dev. Violet is appalled she didn't tell him. Shelley stays calm and tells Sunita they'll order a taxi and have a nice cup of tea then head off to the hospital.

Ken has been out with Lady Freckles/Eccles and gets back home vowing never to take her out again. Deirdre and Blanche ask him if he's sure the collar wasn't too tight. And it's as if there's a speech bubble above Ken's head with the words "collar!" and "too tight" and "I wish" and Blanche's name. . .

As Sunita and Shelley leave the Rovers, they meet Fred. He asks where they're going and for a second I thought Sunita would tell him. But Shelley gets in first: "Ante-natal class," she tells him. "Do you want to come?" She's read Fred properly and he as good as shudders at the very thought. He goes in to Betty, who lets the cat out of the bag when Fred goes on about nobody needing ante-natal classes in his day.

In the cafe, Frankie tells Eileen she's sure Carol was talking to Jamie, but Jamie isn't answering his mobile. "It is, I believe, the practice to turn off mobile phones while in flight," Roy chips in. Frankie realises that's probably what the phone call was about. She can't understand why Carol wouldn't tell her. "I used to think the loony way she behaved was down to the drink. But she's still a loony now she's sober."

Er, not for long. Carol is searching the house and badmouthing whoever thought it necessary to hide all the alcohol. "That's a really nice way to treat someone!" she fumes, slamming the door.

In the hospital, Sunita is startled to hear that she's got a visitor. Surely not Dev? But no, it's Emily, who has been in hospital lurking mode (well, someone has to do it now Martin has gone) and saw her come in. Emily just wants to send her best wishes. Sunita makes it clear that if Dev does arrive, she doesn't want him let in.

Dev's still in the shop, in fact, serving the loony. Carol asks for a bottle of vodka. "Quarter bottle, half or full?" Dev asks. Carol says a quarter will be enough. That's £3.45. "How much is a half?" she asks, thoughtfully. £6.70. "That's a saving," she says in an amazed tone of voice. "How much is the full, then? "£13.05," Dev says, going on: "Saving 75p on four quarters bought separately or 30 on two halves bought separately. "I'll take a full then. It's be silly not to, wouldn't it?" Excellent stuff from the writer, Peter Whalley, who has either lived in the same house as an alcoholic person or has very, very good researchers! Carol leaves as Fred arrives to break the news that Sunita is in labour. "Shelley's with her. I just thought that if anyone should know, you should."

Dev has arrived at the hospital but, thankfully, he's not allowed in.

Sunita is worried when she hears that he's there, but she is assured that if he becomes a real bother they can ask for security to remove him, but that's unlikely. "They usually hang around a bit and disappear." Sunita thinks this very unlikely in Dev's case!

Despite what she said, Eileen has managed to arrive at the Rovers at lunchtime. Emily asks her to sit with them, which she does. Jason cannot understand why she'd want to sit with Emily, but suddenly a little light bulb (very low wattage) goes on over his head and he turns to Sean: "She's not after that feller, is she?"

Back at the hospital, a Dev is told that Sunita's changed her mind and has something to say to him. Zoom! He's in there.

Mid-contraction, Sunita gasps that she just wanted him to see what she's going through. Then he'll know that all the hard work was hers and they are her babies, not his. He betrayed them, just as he betrayed her. This is very strange behaviour for a woman in the middle of labour. I thought the usual script involved lots of swearing, the words "It's all your fault" and a punch or a slap. Obviously it's different when you no longer love the father.

Back at the Rovers, Betty and Violet are discussing Sunita and Violet is thanking her lucky stars she got out of the relationship with Jason before it was too late. Eileen and Ed are talking and Eileen says she often ends up counselling people who phone for a taxi. "That makes you one of God's undercover Angels," Ed points out. Jason is obviously feeling the daggers Violet's looking and heads off. But not before he's stop for a word with his mother. She makes sure he knows who Ed is. Sean comes over for an introduction and he's gushing so much you'd think he was meeting Judy Garland. He says he's Eileen's No 1 fan. "She's. . ." He pauses. "One of God's undercover agents?" Emily suggests. That's it exactly. He's cut short mid-gush by Eileen's tactful "Go away, Sean!" He does. "It's a mixed sort of household," Eileen explains to Ed. At one of the tables, Ken is laying down the law to Deirdre and Blanche. He'll make one last effort to get on with Eccles, but then they'll have to find a new home for her. They protest and he says that if the dog goes out it will have to wear a muzzle.

Shelley is waiting outside the delivery room and double checks with a nurse that Sunita is still OK with Dev being in there. The nurse says she is. <

Jamie has Frankie's message and phones her. Roy was right. His plane has just landed and he's on his way home. Frankie gets permission to go home and sort things out with Carol. She's fuming but doesn't want Jamie to see them arguing.

Back at the hospital, the first baby has been born. Tellingly, Dev says "I have a son" then corrects himself and says "It's our son." If Sunita doesn't do it soon, I might punch him myself.

Frankie confronts Carol, who is obviously the worse for drink. "I've only had one drink," Carol slurs. The rest of the bottle was spilt in an accident. There's nothing wrong with having just one drink. Oh, this writer definitely knows someone alcoholic! Frankie demands to know what Carol thought she was doing, lying to her about Jamie calling. Carol spits that she knows Frankie is trying to get Jamie to take Danny's place in Frankie's bed. An aghast Frankie stares at her. "You are trying to seduce my son, just like you did to his father," Carol shouts. "And I'm not going to let it happen!" She's just dropped this bomb shell and Frankie has hotly denied it when Jamie comes in. They must be quite near the airport. Being a perceptive young man, he spots that something is up (flushed faces, aggressive stance, smell of booze could all be clues). Frankie asks how Warren is, but Carol, leaning heavily on Jamie, says that can wait. He's obviously come home so his mum can look after him.

The second twin has been born. No, we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl. Dev is looking at one, completely ga-ga and grinning like a clown. The staff try to take a photo. Sunita isn't smiling. But then she looks down at the other baby and smiles a radiant smile.

And the sound of the theme music drowns out the sound of so many of us screaming "No!!!!! Don't get back with him!"

A jubilant Dev greets Steve, who has just returned from his exotic holiday. "I'm a dad!" he crows. Steve points out, dryly, that this is hardly news, but Dev explains that Sunita just gave birth to the twins, a boy and a girl. Steve asks if they're getting back together and Dev says he's working on it.

Jason calls out to Tyrone who is walking along with his head down. He's got a very red face, apparently Maria has been exfoliating his face to get rid of blackheads. Jason is very scornful, "You are such a wuss!" he says. Jack comes along, and asks Tyrone if he's seen Vera looking for him. He's been sitting for one of the 'life classes'. "I don't know why they call it that," he complains, "it's murdering me!"

Molly is giving Ken some tips on dog handling, ordering the now muzzled Eccles to 'stay!' Molly tells Ken he just has to show her who's top dog, but he's sure she wants to overthrow the leader of his pack.

In Frankie's house, Jamie asks his mum how her hangover is. He tells her he's disappointed, he really thought she'd cracked it this time. He's convinced she must have said something to Frankie as she was weird with him and couldn't wait to get out of the house to work that morning. Carol denies it of course, saying she didn't mean to stir things up, she loves him. Jamie then tells her that she hasn't been getting to know him, she's just been gathering ammo, getting revenge because he chose to live with his dad instead of her when he was ten. "What are you doing here? What are you for?" he asks her angrily. He calls her a liar, convinced that she has said something to Frankie, and suggests they go and ask her. Carol refuses, so he goes off by himself.

In the cafe, Tyrone is talking to Jack about the portrait that's being painted of him and Vera. Vera comes up and can't understand why he's complaining at having to sit on his backside, after all, he's spent his whole life doing just that. She then becomes suspicious, "There's something you're not telling me," she says.

Frankie and Roy call Tyrone over, they've seen pictures of him and Maria in the local paper, they've won a cake in the 'Beautiful Bride' competition and are through to the next round. "Maria's going to be so chuffed," he says excitedly.

Jamie comes in and tells Frankie they need to talk about Carol.

In the hospital Betty, Violet and Shelley are admiring Sunita's babies. (Who look remarkably mature for newborns.) Shelley comments that they have a look of Dev about them and Violet says that babies are supposed to look like their fathers for the first few days, it's nature's way of stopping the father running off. "What if you want the father to run off?" queries Sunita, but Violet tells her that nature doesn't do anything for that. "Yes, but lawyers can," says Shelley. Betty urges Sunita to think again about Dev, telling her she's going to have her hands full over the next few years, and she might need him more than she thinks.

Molly's dog training lesson seems to have worked a treat, Ken has some success in getting Eccles to walk nicely and sit on command. Molly likens him to Barbara Woodhouse. "You'd look good in a tweed skirt," she says.

Amber comes round the corner and sees Dev putting flowers in the boot of his car. He tells her that Sunita has given birth, a boy and a girl, and they are doing great. Amber is genuinely delighted that she has a new brother and sister, and rushes round to the passenger door of the car. Dev asks where she thinks she's going. "We're going to see them aren't we?" she asks. "I am, you're not," says Dev, "wait til you're invited." (This man really doesn't have a clue – here he has a child desperate for a relationship with him, and he pushes her away at every opportunity!) Amber marches off in a strop.

In the Rovers, Norris is moaning to Audrey about the bible class Emily held in her home. Just then Emily appears with Ed it tow. Eileen is in the pub with Jason, and she looks up and smiles from across the room. As Emily orders drinks and talks to Audrey and Norris, Ed walks across and says hello to Eileen. Jason makes himself scarce.

In the cafe, Jamie and Frankie are sitting at a table, discussing Carol, and her notion that Jamie fancies his stepmother. Frankie tells him to get a grip, but as he goes on to say that maybe she's right, Frankie confesses that Carol has said the same thing to her, but the other way round, accusing her of being after him. Frankie says she can't believe Jamie took Carol seriously after all the time they've lived in the same house. "She's not well, you can't blame her," says Frankie magnanimously. "I think you'll find I can," says Jamie and gets up and leaves.

We open after the break with Jamie sitting at home and Frankie coming in through the front door. Carol is not at home, Jamie thinks she may have gone on a bender. Frankie tells him that she would never think of him 'like that' – he's her boy, but not 'like that'. "Yeah, and you're my mum," replies Jamie. Frankie says that Carol has burned all her brain cells with alcohol, she's got a bitter, nasty, drinker's mind and sees bitter, nasty things.

Back at the pub, Roy and Ed are getting into a theological debate, so Eileen walks away. Ed asks Roy if he believes in love, "God is love," he tells him.

Tyrone rushes into the bar, clutching a copy of the local newspaper, but Maria, who is in there already with Audrey, is not happy that he sent her picture in without asking her. She thinks it is dead tacky and is not impressed when Audrey reminds her that she's won a wedding cake.

Dev arrives at the hospital and gazes lovingly down at his twins, sleeping in their cots, as Sunita wakes from her doze.

Ed gets away from Roy and goes to join Eileen. He wonders if his being a Christian is a problem for her. He thinks she doesn't want to get friendly with some 'God-bothering Holy-Joe'. They joke about bad jumpers, crazy hair, sandals and sticky-out teeth. He wants to know why they can't be friends, and she says she has hundreds of friends already. (Has she? Where are they then?)

Jack and Vera come in to the pub. Vera reckons he shames her everywhere they go. Apparently at the portrait sitting, he started taking his trousers off! He says he got confused.

Ken and Molly come in to celebrate his success with Eccles. Molly thinks it's time they removed the muzzle, so Ken does so. Within moments however, there's a snapping and snarling and Ken clutches his ankle.

Carol arrives back home, to find Frankie sitting on the sofa. Jamie comes downstairs with a packed hold all. He tells Carol he knows what she said, Frankie told him. He tells her that Frankie brought him up, she's his mum. Carol says that Frankie can't ever be that, and insists again that there's something going on between the two of them. "Now Danny's gone the two of you will be at it like knives!" she snarls. Jamie gets cross and tells her to get out, and hustles her to the door. He puts her and her bag out on the pavement, ignoring her declarations that she's going to tell Danny and that they are perverts. As a last resort she turns to begging and pleading down on her knees, "Don't choose her, please," she cries. Jamie however, hardens his heart and tells her he doesn't want to see her again, he tells her to go away and never come back. He and Frankie go back in and close the door. As she cries and bangs on the door the two of them get upset and hug each on the other side.

At the hospital, Dev tells Sunita that the birth seems like a second chance for them. He loves her and their children and begs her to come back to him. Sunita however, tells him she doesn't see a father, she sees a liar. She says she's not going to let him into their lives, she doesn't want him anywhere near the twins. He tells her he's not going to accept that. The babies start crying and the nurse comes in, asking if everything's all right. Sunita tells her she wants him to go. "I will be their father!" declares Dev as he turns to leave.

Annie Logan.

Outside – Leanne is happy, as she has nothing to do. Danny wonders why he goes to work then says so she doesn't have to. As he opens a letter Leanne asks what's wrong. It's from his solicitor about the divorce and he says Frankie wants half of everything. Craig is helping his granddad do his paper round. He tells him if he can't manage he should pack it in. Craig sees Rosie coming out her house and they both share a smile.

Hallway of Sunita's flat – She tells Shelley she is scared as she does not have the midwife or nurses any more. And has forgotten every thing she was told. Shelley says its only natural and she is a minute walk away and a phone call away.

Cafe – Frankie asks Jamie if its Carol because he's sat with a face on. Frankie tells him not to put Carol out on her behalf. Roy interrupts them telling Frankie he if off to the art exhibition to see Jack and Vera's portrait and he does not know when he will be back.

Factory – The girls laugh as they see Kelly's underwear when she bends over. Kelley says guys would pay for that view. Fizz asks Danny what type of bum does he like. He says you can have to much of a good thing but likes the ones that sits at their machine the longest and makes him the most money. As he goes back into the office the phone rings. Its Adam and Danny tells him Mike is not in and does not want to speak to him and he doesn't either and hangs up.

Rovers – Vera reads out her invitation to the exhibition to Roy. It says they are invited to the premier of Carrion Awake. Blanch thinks it's the carry on films. Roy tells her it's dead or putrifying flesh. Vera tells them about the exhibition then tells them to come along and see her portrait.

Factory – Mike comes in and speaks to Danny. He tells him to come to dinner with him and Jamie. Danny tells him Jamie will not forgive him like him and Adam. He says he's annoyed with Adam as he didn't come home last night. Danny tells him he is in Scotland and he kicked Adam out after he had an affair with Penny. Mike looks confused but says he remembers now and that Adam was supposed to come and talk to him.

Webster's – Rosie opens the back door to Craig and the pair start snogging.

Outside – Mike and Jamie agree to go to the Rovers. Mike asks Jamie how is love life is and if he sorted out his problem that they talked about. Jamie says he didn't go through with it as there was too much to lose. Mike says he's not like the rest of the Baldwin's. The factory girls head to the Rovers as well. Janice says to Sally not joining us. She says she has more important things to do.

Art exhibition - Jack moans about the noise. Roy tells him it's Mantovani overlaid with a recording from a canning factory in Norway and the artist is creating an ambiance. Hilary takes them over to one of her exhibits and asks if they like it. Vera says no and asks what it is. Hilary says it's a twelve year old scrambled egg on a bed of pesetas. Vera asks where the portrait it. Hilary tells them it's in the middle and its her only new work. She tells they she has to mingle and goes. Jack sees drink and heads of to get a glass.

Sunita's flat- Shelley, Hayley and Audrey have come round to see the twins. Audrey says they grow so fast. Shelley gives everyone tea. They toast to the twins.

Corner shop – Dev listens to Sunita and company laughing at the babies. He says is should be him up there and wound do any thing for a sleepless night. Sally tells him when she looks back to when hers were that age, they were some of the happiest times of her life. She has more sleepless nights since they have started school.

Outside - Leanne tells Danny not to worry about Frankie's settlement as they will still have the flat, the villa in Spain when Mike die's. Danny says she makes it sound so simple. She says it is as Penny and Adam are out of the picture and Mark isn't even on the map. Danny says she does not get it and says he came into work this morning asking where Adam was. He tells her Mike could be round at Penny's as if nothing has happened. Danny thinks he has to get him to change the will so he will be the sole heir. She tells him that Mike is never going to agree to that. Danny tells her the state Mike in he could agree to anything.

Art exhibition - Vera tells a waitress that she and Jack were models for Hilary's latest painting. Blanche says it's a still life. Deirdre says if her painting has been showed yet. Blanch says she would of heard the screams as she points to a painting that is in the nude. Roy and Ken are looking at it. Ken says he likes poor man's Bacon. Norris asks Vera if she or jack has posed in the nude. She says like hell they have. Blanche says thank heavens for that. She'd be like a couple of plates of undressed tripe Blanch says. Vera tells her to go home but Blanche wants to stay after seeing the rest of the art work. Vera looks at another of Hilary's works of art it's a can of beans upturned spilt out.

Webster's – Rosie comes through to the kitchen and says she's sorry. Sally says Rosie is not sorry. Rosie wants to make her own mistakes but Sally is having none of it and says they live with you the rest of you life. Rosie says she loves Craig and there is nothing she can do. Sally shouts at her telling her to get he coat on.

Outside – Rosie is sobbing saying Sally is hurting her. She asks were they are going. Sally tells her they are going to the medical center. Rosie tells her is just jealous as she and Craig are in love. Craig sees Rosie and shouts but Keith holds him back as Sally and Rosie head for the medical center.

Amanda Souter

Here is the report for the second half of Monday's double bill.

Gail greets Sally at the surgery. Sally is accompanied by a sobbing Rosie and Gail asks what is wrong. COming up against resistance in the form of 'no appointments available', Sally flies off the handle, telling Gail it is an emergency

Craig is nearly as irate as Sally, determined to go over to the surgery. Audrey tries reasoning with him and eventually manages to calm him down enough to stop him making matters worse

As Roy discusses with Norris a painting he once entered to a gallery, Jack is in for the shock of his life when he spots a gallery of naked Jacks on full display!

Leanne is taking on her fair share of ambition where Mike's will is concerned and sets about suggesting they take Mike for a meal and get him drunk. Danny, however, is more fond of taking him to the pub...without Leanne.

After a while of bickering and struggling over the theme tune of Vision On, Roy, Norris, Blanche and Deirdre reminisce over a sing song.

Sunita answers her door to find Jayesh is making a post 'becoming an uncle' visit.

Frankie and Mike are doing some matchmaking between Violet and a rather uncomfortable Jamie. After asking Violet's shift that night, Mike and Frankie make their retreat and leave Jamie alone (or as alone as you can get in an occupied pub) with her.

Jack is making the first of many bumbling attempts to keep Vera away from the nude gallery. He manages to stop her getting an eyeful for now by claiming the pictures to be of gruesome body parts (that's one way of putting it!)

The doctor is talking to Rosie about her encounters with Craig and soon realises that she had safe sex after all. Sally barges in, ordering him to give her the pill as there is no such thing as safe sex. Thankfully, the doctor is slightly more understanding than that and refuses to hand out the pill as a form of punishment

It's the moment of truth at the gallery and Jack is frozen with fear as the piece of work is revealed! Luckily for him, Vera is delighted. Looking up with relief, jack sees it is a perfectly normal, fully clothed masterpiece. Phew!

Jayesh is just into his second scene and he's already causing uproar. After offering Sunita to come home he goes on to criticise her reputation (yes, that controversial 'white trash' moment) Enraged by this remark, Sunita wastes no time in throwing her opinionated sibling out.

Sally heads into the chemists and buys the morning after pill.

Vera gets into a conversation with a woman who turns out to be an art student. As the lady points out her version of Jack, Vera is left speechless! She grabs the full frontal Jack and smashes him over the surprised Jack!

Danny is playing more evil mind games with mike. He tells him that he shouldn't change his will yet as he may learn to forgive Adam. mike, now totally under Danny's spell, shakes his head and says that that will never happen. Cue Leanne's entrance, to Danny's irritation

And we close the scene on a fairly heart rending scene as a wailing Rosie is forced by bullying Sally to down the morning after pill. Despite her daughter's protests, Sally threatens to forcibly shove it down her throat and Rosie gives in and swallows it

Until next week!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by: Peter Whalley
Directed by: Duncan Foster

Leanne and Danny are out in the Street, walking in the general direction of the Corner Shop. Leanne is wearing her pyjamas, dressing gown, fluffy slippers and coat. She's nagging at Danny to get Mike to go to the solicitor's to change his will. Danny protests that it's not that easy. When they get to the shop, Dev's just locking the door. He says he has to go upstairs and help out with the twins (who can be heard yelling). 'Oh, great,' says Leanne, and says she's going back to bed. 'It's alright for some,' Danny says. As Leanne stomps away back to their pokey little flat, she bumps into Jamie and Frankie who are on their way out of their house. 'Just ignore her,' Jamie tells Frankie, and when Danny shouts good morning from across the road Jamie says 'Just ignore him an'all.' Frankie (ignoring Jamie's advice to ignore Danny) asks if Danny has had the letter from her solicitor, and Danny says he has. He says the solicitor reckons he should be due something from the criminal compensation board for putting up with Frankie for so long. When he's gone, Frankie says that Danny would come back to her any time she asked him – but of course she won't ask him, she reassures Jamie. Jamie then reassures her that he has plans for his own love-life – he will find another girlfriend, 'Only not today.' Frankie agrees that having a new relationship would be good for him.

Sunita is not happy about Dev's offer of help. In fact 'not happy' is understating things a bit – she's ropeable, as they say on Neighbours (well, they used to in the days of Des and Daphne, when Kylie still had a perm and wore overalls. I'm a bit out of touch with it recently). She says she doesn't want or need Dev's help and just wishes he'd go away and leave them alone. He protests that he's the father of the twins, but she says she's their mother and she doesn't want him around. The babies stop crying for a moment, but as soon as Dev leaves they start again.

It's all grim silence at the Websters' breakfast table. Rosie isn't there, and Sally tells Sophie that Rosie isn't very well, and Sally will be taking the day off to look after her. Sophie asks what the matter is, but Sally will only say it's nothing serious and a day of rest will have Rosie back to normal. 'Funny illness,' Sophie remarks. Sally tells her to go upstairs and get ready for school. 'You mean stop asking questions,' Sophie says. 'You can ask any questions you want,' Sally says, adding rather amusingly, 'Free and open discussion is what this family's about.' Kevin has been sitting in grim silence through all this. While Sophie's upstairs Sally tells him it's vital that Rosie takes the second morning after pill, and asks if he wants to do it. He says no, and says he's not sure he's comfortable with any of what's going on. Sally says in that case she'll have to manage herself while he takes Sophie to school.

At the factory, Mike tells Danny that he's made an appointment at the solicitor, and he's going to make Danny 'Sole – sole – what is it?' 'Lucky geezer?' says Danny. 'Heir?' 'That's it,' says Mike, 'Sole heir. All of this will one day be yours.'

Violet is in the shop asking Dev if he thinks it would be a good time for her to visit Sunita. He tells her to listen, and she says she can't hear anything. He says it's the first time that morning that the twins have stopped crying, so he reckons it would be a good time for her to go and visit. She says maybe she'll ring first, and Dev says he'll save her the effort, dials Sunita's number on his mobile and hands it to Violet. Of course Sunita assumes it's Dev she's speaking to, and has another massive rant because the babies have started crying again and she just got them off to sleep. Violet doesn't even get a word in, and hands the phone back to Dev saying she'll try again later. Then Steve comes into the shop. He commiserates with Dev about Sunita keeping him away from the babies. Steve says he had three years of that treatment, so he knows what Dev is going through. He asks if anyone has registered the births yet, and Dev says no. Steve advises him to get it done quickly so at least he knows his name will be on the birth certificates.

Tyrone and Nathan are in their working clothes but apparently having a tea break. Maria comes by, and Tyrone asks her about a photograph for t'Gazette. She tells him to get lost and stomps off. Tyrone tells Nathan that to enter the next round of the Bride competition, they need a photograph of Maria and Tyrone together, but Maria's refusing to co-operate. Kevin comes out and tells Tyrone to hurry up and have a look at a chip van he's just towed in so they can give the customer an estimate.

Leanne is on her way back from what looks like yet another shopping expedition (she's got some posh carrier bags). She's talking to Danny on her mobile, telling him he needs to go to the solicitor's with Mike to make sure Mike doesn't change his mind. Danny doesn't see any reason why he would, but Leanne is insistent. Danny is disturbed by Mike coming into the office, on his way to the solicitor. Mike goes out, and Danny tells Leanne that Mike is going to the solicitor and Danny is going to trust that he'll change the will like he said. Danny and Leanne arrange to meet for lunch.

The Lovely Craig walks past Leanne, and he's also talking into his mobile, to Rosie, who tells him about Sally making her take the morning after pill. He says he'll come round and see Rosie, as Sally has popped out to the shops, but Rosie is afraid Sally will catch him. 'What's she going to do, make me take pills an'all?' he says. 'She'll go mental,' Rosie says, and tells him to come round the back so her dad won't see him.

Leanne comes into the factory and says to Danny, 'So Mike's gone to his solicitor's has he?' Danny says that he has. 'Nope, he hasn't,' says Leanne. 'He's on the roof.' 'The roof?' Danny repeats. 'The roof of this factory. Maybe that's where he's meeting his solicitor, but it's where he is now.' They both run out into the street, and Mike is indeed on the roof of the factory, clutching his briefcase to his chest. 'What's going on in his head?' Danny says.

Danny and Mike are coming down from the roof, to where Leanne is waiting in the factory. 'What were you doing up there?' Danny asks. 'I was just looking around,' Mike says cheerfully. 'Did we, or did we not, used to have a storeroom up there?' 'No,' says Danny, 'All we've ever had up there is fresh air.' 'I must have been thinking about the old place,' Mike says. 'You wouldn't remember it. I think I preferred it.' Then he says they should all go for a drink. Danny reminds him that he had an appointment with the solicitor, but Mike clearly has no recollection of that at all. Leanne says maybe Danny should drive him there: 'You wouldn't mind being chauffeured, would you Mike?' He says he wouldn't mind at all, so they go off together, leaving Leanne to 'look after' the factory.

Out in the street, Sally is on her way back from Freshco and spots Gail. She apologies for making a big fuss at the surgery, and asks Gail if she has a minute to talk. They go to Gail's.

Tyrone and Nathan have hatched a cunning plot. Tyrone rings Maria and asks her to meet him in t'Rovers for a drink. When she appears at her door, Nathan is ready with a camera and Tyrone grabs Maria, who is not pleased when she realises what's going on. She says she refuses to have her picture in that stupid newspaper, and goes back indoors. Tyrone asks Nathan if he got a picture. Nathan says he got some sort of picture, but isn't sure if it'll show the bride at her best. 'They only wanted a picture of us together,' Tyrone says. 'Don't matter what we look like.' Oh, that boy has a lot to learn about women.

'Father murdered, sister committed suicide, mother's in prison.' Sally lists Craig's qualifications as ideal son-in-law material to Gail, who is making tea. 'Lots of families have colourful pasts. Doesn't mean they're rotten to the core,' Gail points out. 'Oh, I'm not saying that. If I thought that I wouldn't be – ' 'In my house?' Gail says. Sally says the main point is that Rosie and Craig are under age and therefore breaking the law, and Sally refuses to allow Rosie to see Craig any more. 'I admire your determination, I really do,' says Gail, sinking her teeth into a Digestive. She points out to Sally that in her own life she's been determined and put her foot down about things, and it doesn't always work.

Craig and Rosie are snuggled up on the sofa talking. The front door slams. 'She's here!' Rosie says, but it's not Sally, it's Kevin. He orders Craig to leave. Craig gets up and picks up his backpack, but turns around again and says he wants to say something before he goes. 'I know what you're doing,' he says to Kevin, 'It's cos you're Rosie's dad. You're looking out for her, wanting what's best for her.' He looks over at Rosie. 'But I'm the same,' he says, 'I just want to look after her, same as you do.' 'Look after her? Having sex, you mean,' says Kevin. 'That's not what he meant,' Rosie says, but Kevin tells Craig to leave 'And don't come back till I say so.' 'When will that be?' Rosie asks. Kevin says that's up to him. He also says he won't tell Sally about the incident, but not because he approves of Craig and Rosie and what they're doing, but because he wants a quiet life for a change.

Mike introduces Danny to his solicitor who is an old friend of his (and of ours, as he's played by Trevor Bannister who used to be the young, cheeky one in Are You Being Served. His hair is all grey now but he still has that twinkle in his eyes). He tells the solicitor that Danny is the only one of his sons that matters, and that he practically runs the business for him. He says he wants Danny to be present at the meeting.

In the shop, Dev is on the phone to Sunita who is telling him what supplies the twins need. He's loading a basket with nappies, cotton buds etc, and being very chirpy because she's letting him help. Amber comes in, and Dev tells her he has to drop the things off with Sunita then pay a quick visit to the registry office. He asks her if she'd mind the shop for him while he's out. 'I've got shopkeeper blood,' she says, 'And I know you don't shut a shop when there's an alternative.'

At the solicitor's. Mike is very keen to know that the will is water tight, and particularly that Adam won't be able to contest it and get his hands on the money. He says this is because Adam betrayed him in ways he won't go into but Danny knows all the details. Danny is looking a bit uncomfortable when Mike says this, and more so when Mike adds, 'Danny is the only one in the whole wide world I can completely rely on.'

Kevin is telling his employees that the customer Tyrone did the quote on the chip van for says the quote is completely unrealistic. 'They always say that,' Tyrone says. Kevin says the customer refuses to pay for the repairs, and has said that they can keep the van, but Kevin has no idea what they're going to do with it. Sally appears and asks Kevin if she can have a word with him. She tells him that when he gets home he mustn't give Rosie any sympathy. She says that they have to keep their daughter and 'that lout across the street' apart, and eventually the lout will get fed up and find another girlfriend. 'But what if he loves her?' Kevin says, and Sally says that's exactly the kind of soppy talk they must avoid. 'You're the boss,' Kevin says, and reluctantly he agrees to her approach.

Jamie is the first customer in the pub, but Violet says he doesn't get a prize. He says his prize is being able to talk to her, and she says that would be quite a good chat up line and he must let her know if he ever uses it for real. 'How do you know that wasn't real?' he says, and asks her out for a drink. She has no time to answer, as the second customer of the day (Dev) arrives and needs serving.

Leanne comes to a darkened factory to find Danny sitting in the gloom with a glass of whisky in his hand. She asks what happened at the solicitor's, and he says she already knows – the will was changed. 'So we – you – get everything?' she says, a bit breathlessly. 'I'm the sole heir, yeah,' he says, but he looks very gloomy about it. He says it doesn't feel like a victory, it feels like they've been playing a game with someone whose defences aren't up to it anymore: 'I think it's called taking advantage of an old man.' He tells Leanne that she has no conscience at all, and she's done her share in plotting against Mike. Leanne snaps back at him that if that's what he thinks, from now on he's on his own. She leaves.

Back in t'Rovers, Frankie has joined Jamie, and is surprised when he confirms his date with Violet. They arrange to go out on Sunday. Dev is still in the pub, and thanks Steve for his advice about the birth certificates. He's been to register the births of little Asha and Aadi and he's named as their father. Elsewhere in the pub Tyrone is telling Nathan that he's thinking about doing up the chip van himself, but Nathan can't see what the point of that would be.

Danny comes into the pub to see Leanne, who is already there, and apologises for what he said. He says he shouldn't have blamed her. Leanne says they're as bad as each other, which is why they're such a good couple. 'Which is why, if we stick together, we'll be unbeatable,' she says. 'You might just be right, says Danny, but he looks far from happy about it.

Sue Haasler

Rosie and Sophie are crossing the street in their school clothes, but I can't hear what Sophie is saying because of the noise of their heels on those cobbles, and I can't read her lips because it's being shot in an arty sort of way from inside the phone box. (Don't these people realise that you only do that when you want to imply that there is someone watching them from inside the phone box?). As the girls get closer, Sophie saying that being an aunt at a young age is not on her list of aspirations. In fact, she's not sure Rosie would recognise her list of aspirations because "copulation ain't onnit." The bus is coming, so they run, but at the last minute Rosie sees Craig at the bus stop and tells Sophie she'll catch the next one. Sophie can't believe Rosie is still with Craig. "Yes I am. Not that it's anything to do with you!" Sophie replies: "No, it isn't. But I still have to suffer the fall-out!" Rosie and Craig sit and talk about her mother making her take the morning-after pill. Craig says it was Sally's way of punishing Rosie. Rosie admits she secretly wondered about what would happen if she was pregnant -- she'd be killing the baby. Craig tells her that if there was an accident and she did get pregnant, they'd move into a flat together, he'd get a job labouring or something and look after them both. They'd be a family. (He's obviously not modelling this concept of "family" on any family either of them belongs to!)

If anyone can come up with a suitable single-word description of Dev I'd like to hear it. Looking particularly cheerful, and carrying an A4-size envelope, he springs out of his sporty little car, smirk all over his smarmy face, and rings Sunita's doorbell. When there's no immediate answer, he does what anyone would do at the door of someone with new twins, and leans on it hard and long! Wassock!

Upstairs, the twins start to grizzle and Sunita tries to shut out the noise by putting a pillow over her head. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggg. She answers the doorphone thingy and buzzes him up without a word. He bounces to the top of the stairs and suddenly sees her and hears the twins. "Haven't woken them up, have I?" "And me," Sunita says. Dev thought they'd be up. Sunita points out that she was until two hours ago. He opens his mouth to say "Well, why don't you..." at the same time as trying to step inside the flat. But he's cut off. "Two hours, Dev, that's all the sleep I've had -- first Asha wakes up and by the time I've got her fed and changed, Aadi starts!" Dev opens his mouth. "No. Go away. You've done enough harm." "But I've just..." "I don't care what you came for. Go away." She slams the door on him and goes back to the twins.

Sally goes into the living room looking for Rosie and Kevin tells her Rosie has left the house. "And you let her? Well, we've got to go and get her back. You know where she'll be." Kevin grabs her arm as she grabs her coat. "You've got to let her go, Sal." Sally is appalled at this. Should they just leave Rosie and Craig to it. She doesn't think they should trust Rosie but Kevin tells her that the more they try to keep the pair apart, the more determined they are to be together. He doesn't have any answers, except leaving the romance to burn itself out. "I can't believe you're just giving up," she says. Kevin can't believe that Sally forced the pill down Rosie's throat after being assured they'd taken precautions. "I had to make sure, didn't I? Or would you rather I sat back like you and do nothing and watch her ruin her life. Well, I'm sorry, but I want more for her than a couple of kids in a back-street terrace." "And what about what Rosie wants, eh? Or don't that matter?" Kevin asks. Sally tells him it doesn't, not till she's 18. "Well, the rate you're going, you won't have her that long, because as soon as she can she'll be out that door and away and I can't say that I blame her."

Up in Sunita's flat, she's packing. Nappy bags. Nappy wipes. The doorbell goes and she snatches up the handset: "If that's you...!" It's not. It's Shelley. Sunita buzzes the door and goes back to packing. Baby lotion. Nappy cream. Changing mat. It's all too much and she's sobbing by the time Shelley gets to the top of the stairs. "I can't do it, I never realised. . ." A baby cries and Shelley goes to see to it, telling Sunita to sit down. "I want to go and register their births, only I've got to take the entire flat," Sunita sobs from the sofa. She hasn't even cleaned her own teeth. "It's impossible." She tells Shelley she couldn't wait to get out of the hospital and now she wishes she hadn't.

Tyrone and Vera are talking in the cafe. Tyrone keeps itching and Vera wonders what the dog's brought home, but it's just the regrowth from the waxing. What depresses him most is that the regrowth will mean Maria will want to wax it again. Vera loves a hairy chest. She even used to get turned on by King Kong. Poor Tyrone thinks Maria doesn't like the "Surprise the bride" promotion because it means people can see she's marrying a gorilla. Vera thinks that if Maria can't appreciate Tyrone, then stuff her. But Tyrone loves her. Even if it means going through boiling wax.

Ed is fixing Emily's doorbell. He catches Eileen's eye, and she catches his, and they say hello. Emily asks how they're getting on. "Fine," says Ed, changing the subject to a cup of tea. Sunita wheels the twins along the pavement and Emily admires them. Ed offers her a hand with the pram but she refuses, carefully maneuvering the pram down on to the cobbles -- just the bus goes roaring past. And pram suspensions just aren't built for racing after buses over cobbles any more.

Tyrone meets Maria and tells her he has a surprise for her at the garage. She guesses it must be car. You can see "sporty little number" in her eyes, but when they get there, it's a chip van. Maria is appalled. It's a clapped out chip van. Tyrone asks her to imagine it after he's done some work, nice paint job, cleaned up. "Oh yeah, and you could buy a plastic sausage to put on top and all," sneers Maria. Tyrone, bless him, hears the words but not the sneer and says he could wire up the sausage so it flashes. "I was being sarcastic," she points out. Molly is standing behind Maria as Maria says she thinks the van won't get halfway down the street without all its wheels falling off. "And you can't cook. It's just the most ridiculous, nuttiest idea you've ever had. You may as well dress up as Postman Pat and drive a big red van." She storms off and Molly goes too, without comment.

At the registry office, there's a big flight of stairs between Sunita and where she has to be.

Gail has modelled herself on all the best medical receptionists and greets the appearance of Craig and Rosie with a suspicious glare. Rosie says she has an appointment. "Mum not with you?" asks Gail. "Does it look like it?" asks Craig. Rosie says she's got a verucca. Craig is immediately my hero as he tells Rosie: "Don't say anything to her. It's none of her business. And even if it was, she can't say anything. She's lose her job." Gail's face has a distinctly "Curses! Foiled again!" look about it as she tells them to take a seat. Once they've sat, Rosie tells him he shouldn't have said anything. All Gail has to say to Sally is "How's Rosie's verucca?" and she'll know (Craig refrains from pointing out that if Rosie hadn't invented a verucca, Gail wouldn't have this ammunition). Craig doesn't see that it matters if Sally does know. "You're not going to let them split us up, are you?" "Never," says Rosie.

Sunita, double pram, large handbag and enormous holdall have arrived up the stairs. Sunita's so happy to be there at last that she starts chattering to the woman behind the desk about missing the bus and having to drag everything up the stairs. The woman says there are just a few standard things to go through. "Are you the babies' mother?" Sunita beams. "Well, yeah, obviously. I mean I didn't just nick 'em to do this." Oops. That was one of the standard questions. She asks a few questions and starts typing things into the computer. "Oh! Mrs Alahan, they've already been registered." "No, they haven't," Sunita says. "By your husband." Wassock. Or possibly Pillock. Or Twonk.

Molly and Tyrone are having their lunch by the chip van. There's always a market for fast food. Tyrone explains that he has this vision of a big sign saying "Dobbs's . . . summat." "Delight," suggests Molly. "Delicacies," Ty says. "Bit of a mouthful," she says, and they both laugh. Molly suggests "Ty's pies." Her Dad could sell him some cheap. She's trying to egg him on, but Ty wanted it to be a business for him and Maria, not just for himself. She says Maria will come round when he's made it a success. For a second it looks as if he's going to kiss her, but they part.

Mike arrives in the factory an hour before they're due to close. He's sure he told Danny he was going to Spain for a week. He wants Danny to look after the flat for a week and tells him he can stay there if he wants. He checks whether Danny posted that letter to Mark. Of course he did, Danny says. Danny might just do that.

Rosie hasn't got the doctor she was expecting. She tells the young man that she wants to go on the pill but doesn't want her parents to know. The doctor says he can't blame her parents for being concerned. He gives Rosie a talking to about peer pressure and the reason for an age limit. He admits he's not allowed to tell her parents anything. He agrees to put her on the pill. "Not that I'm particularly happy about it, but I'd be even less happy if you came in here asking for a pregnancy test."

Dev's imposed a zone of silence in the shop and won't let Eileen ask for whatever she's come in for. He knows Sunita went out, and now she's back and he's heard one of the twins crying. Eileen gives him a strange look and asks if there are any chocolate digestives in yet. "She won't be able to hold out, you know. She's bound to give in, sooner or later. . ." Eileen goes towards the biscuit shelf and finds Ed crouched down behind it. He's shopping for Emily, apparently. He tells her he didn't mean to hurt her feelings but must have or she wouldn't be acting like this. "You're not looking for a middle-aged agnostic," says Eileen, "and I'm not looking for a middle-aged Christian." They quickly get into a discussion about atheism and agnosticism. Atheists are honest, he says. Agnostics are hedging their bets, because they don't really believe there is a God, but they don't want to look like a fool if there is, Ed tells her. "Rubbish. At least I'm admitting that I don't know, instead of pretending that I do." He says he thought theological debate wasn't her thing. "It isn't." "So why are you having one?" "You started it." "You don't have to stay." Eileen decides she won't and begins to sweep regally towards the counter, head high. "Spoilsport," says Ed. Eileen's just reached the counter when Dev's phone goes. "See! I told you!" he shouts, rushing out of the shop. Eileen decides to leave the money on the counter. "Very Christian," says Ed. Just as she gets to the door he calls to her. "Eileen." She turns round. "Will you go out with me?" "Yeah," she says very quickly, almost before he's finished, and she's gone, leaving Ed smiling happily.

Dev beams his way upstairs, wondering where those twins are. They're asleep. That stops him, but he picks up their clothing and holds it against his face. Sunita tells him the twins are exhausted. They've had a long day. "Well, listen, if there's anything you want me to do . . " Yes, there is. "I want you to explain to me why you had the cheek, the nerve, the audacity to go and register the twins behind my back." Dev does that squirmy thing he does. "Babe, it wasn't behind your back. It was just trying to save you a trip." Sunita points out that it didn't. She describes the effort of getting the twins ready and across town by public transport only to find she had a wasted journey. He should have asked her. "Why do I need to ask. They're my kids, too." She tells him the registration was something special. Something she was really looking forward to. "Yeah, well so was I, but you weren't going to let me in on it, were you?" he demands. "I'm sick and tired of tip-toeing around waiting for any crumbs that you might throw me, because every time I see them I ache. Every time I hear them cry, my guts turn inside out. You want to punish me? You already have. So please, let's just stop this now?" Sunita points out that she is not trying to play some game to get back at him. The situation is the result of something he did. "And I'm busy trying to pick up the pieces that you haven't trampled on." Dev says there's got to be some way through this. "Do you think I haven't looked for one?" Dev looks at her and pulls out the birth certificates, putting them down in front of her. "It's a proud moment, eh?" he says, and leaves. Sunita weeps.

The End Margaret Carr

Danny has taken Leanne to Mike's flat. Mike is away on holiday and Danny has decided that they will live there for the time being. She's delighted, especially at the thought of being able to use the basement spa.

Over in the back room of the Rovers, Violet is talking to Shelley about Jamie, who she's beginning to warm to. Shelley is a bit reserved about the wisdom of her date with Jamie, she's seen the way he still looks at Leanne and heard him rowing with Danny.

In the Platt household, Gail comes downstairs to find David, Sarah and Bethany watching tv, while Jason does press-ups on the floor. The kitchen's a mess with dirty dishes everywhere, but Gail is uncharacteristically cheerful and offers to make everyone a cuppa. Phil walks in and David decides to go upstairs and is quickly followed by the other three.

Leanne is in Mike's flat, on the phone to Janice, telling her all about the benefits of living there. When she's finished the call she puts a photo of Mike and Penny away in a drawer and chuckles, rubbing her hands.

Sunita, meanwhile, is over in her flat, still in her dressing gown, when there's a tap on the door. It's Dev with a box full of groceries, and an apology for not telling her about registering the births. Sunita looks shattered and Dev asks if she's all right. She tells him she's not, her stitches are killing her, her mum keeps wailing down the phone at her, she's living on junk food, has had four hours' sleep and now has a headache. He stares at her, helplessly, and offers to get her paracetamol. Sunita softens, "Thanks," she says. As he goes out, the microwave bleeps and the sound of crying fills the air. Sunita sighs.

In Eileen's house, she and Sean are practising some deep breathing, relaxation techniques. Sean asks if she's worried about her first date with Ed. Eileen says it's just her luck, he's a Christian, you can love your neighbour but you can't go to bed with them. She then wonders why Ed is interested in her, and Sean thinks he may want to save her. Eileen says that she's happy as she is, she doesn't want saving.

Danny arrives back at the flat to find that Leanne has put some personal touches around the place. He warns her that everything will have to go back when Mike comes back. Leanne is full of glee, "Is this what success tastes like then?" she asks Danny, "he's changed the will and you get the lot!" Danny agrees that he will get the factory, the flat, the villa in Spain and the money, but only when Mike's dead. Leanne giggles that he's losing his marbles so it won't be long. Danny doesn't seem to like what she's saying, and tells her he doesn't want Mike to die, he wants the factory to be as productive as possible, it's a good, solid business, and he doesn't want Mike forgetting orders and writing more cheques than he has to. "That," he says, "is where the Power of Attorney comes in." Leanne is amazed to learn that Danny can't get Power of Attorney without Mike's permission. Danny tells her to trust him, Mike knows he's ill and knows that Danny is the only one who can run the business, he's confident that Mike will give him Power of Attorney.

Jamie comes into the pub to collect Violet for their date. Shelley offers them a drink on her before they go.

At a table by the window, Tyrone is talking to Molly. She's got him a form to fill in for a permit to sell food from the van. Just then Maria marches in, not best pleased because she's found the picture Nathan took of her and Tyrone the other day, in the "Surprise the Bride" feature. He's delighted because it means they're through to the next round. She sits down and is incredulous when she learns Ty is planning on selling food from his van. Molly thinks it could be a real gold mine, and says she doesn't think Richard Branson started with a fleet of planes. "Didn't he?" asks Tyrone.

Phil has taken the Platt family, and Jason, along to the Italian restaurant for lunch. David sits sulkily at the end of the table and refuses to eat or drink anything, much to Gail's annoyance. He protests that he didn't want to come, he wanted to stay at home, but Gail tells him it is supposed to be a family meal. "Then what's he doing here?" says David, looking at Phil, "and him?" looking at Jason. Gail remarks to Phil that with David not eating and drinking, he'll save some money. "You'll like that, won't you Nessie," sneers David, putting on a Scottish accent, "that'll be a penny saved for yer piggy bank!" After a moment's silence, Phil turns and orders some drinks as Gail glares at her son.

Dev is back in Sunita's flat. They talk about the babies, and parenthood. He tells her that he didn't want to bond with his other children and now supposes that this is some form of karma. He tells her he misses talking to her, and she tells him that what was broken can't be mended. He tells her he needs some hope, "So do I," she replies.

Eileen and Ed are in the pub, he tells her he's not a preacher, he's not out to evangelise, he likes his beer and his speedway, and when he's had a few drinks it's Noddy Holder he sings, not hymns. "Oh if you sing Noddy Holder, that's it," says Eileen, "we've no future!"

Maria and Tyrone are still sitting at the table by the window. She asks if he's planning on giving up his job to sell food from his van. He says it's just something he was intending to do at weekends, and was hoping she would come with him. She tells him he thought wrong. Tyrone explains that he's doing it to buy her the nice things he feels she deserves and he can't afford.

Back in the restaurant, David is still refusing to eat anything, and Jason is horrified to see Jamie and Violet arrive together.

Danny and Leanne are snuggled up together on the sofa, he's impressed with Mike's flat and says he always wanted something like it. The phone rings and they let the machine take the message. They hear Penny asking Mike if he's all right, and asking him to call her. Leanne gets up and pushes the button, message deleted. "Ooops!" she says.

Jason accosts Jamie in the toilets. "What are you doing with Violet?" he demands to know. "What's it to you?" asks Jamie, and reminds Jason that Violet dumped him because he cheated on her with Sarah. "I never cheated on her," blusters Jason, and tells Jamie not to think he can take advantage of her. "Listen mate," says Jamie, as he walks out of the door, "if you're regretting choosing a single mum over a gorgeous girl like Violet, well that's your problem, she has moved on." Jason marches after him, out into the restaurant, "I'm telling you to keep your hands off Violet!" he shouts, just as Sarah comes along! Hearing this, Sarah starts shouting at Jason, asking if he's being unfaithful to her with Violet. Jason protests that he just doesn't want to see Violet get hurt (how considerate, seeing as he hurt her very much not long ago!). "Oh, you don't mind hurting me though, do you!" wails Sarah, and starts crying. Over at their table, Violet looks extremely embarrassed, whilst at the Platt table, David has suddenly perked up, and, grinning broadly, helps himself to a slice of pizza.

In Sunita's flat, Dev holds his baby daughter, stroking her hand tenderly. Sunita brings in Aadi and puts him into Dev's other arm. Dev becomes extremely emotional and starts crying. Sunita looks on, with a worried, pained expression on her face.

Annie Logan

Good evening. Short email this evening from Amanda asking for a stand in reporter so I came off the subs bench at short notice and hopefully will score a few goals this evening (which is more than the football team I support can manage at present).

Events in Weatherfield commence in Roys Rolls where the eponymous owner is reading an article. He has been sent a copy of his school's alumnus magazine - he is alumnus of the month as he is famous for his highly regarded eating establishment. It turns out that Roy was bullied at school - it was hell and yes Roy you are not alone in feeling like that about schools. I drove past an establishment where I was ill-treated for several years. The good news in my case is that it has been knocked down. Anyway Roy does not want reminding of the unhappiest days of his life and does not want to put the article up. It turns out that the magazine is written by a child who was even lower down the bullying chain than Roy (and that takes some believing).

Ed is up a ladder and the cameraman (pretending to be Eileen does something she would never do) walks under the ladder. We all know that brings on bad luck. Ed descends the ladder and Emily (whose window frame he is touching up) emerges from the house and insists on buying him a drink later - and perhaps Eileen would like to join them so that they can discuss the touching up which Eileen needs (to her paintwork of course - you lot need to wash your brains out).

Much of the evening's episodes centres on Villa Platt where Gail is turned into a commentator on the events as they progress. Jason tries to apologise to Sarah for the events at the pizza place when he had a go at Jamie. In all honesty he must be entirely stupid and Sarah won't hear him out.

Along at the factory the fatter of the two identical twins (sadly I cannot remember which is which - but the ITV Updates (thanks to those involved) tell me she is called Jessie - has failed to turn up for work and Joanne is trying to contact her. Danny arrives and gives Joanne a hard time. Later Danny is praising Hayley's sewing abilities when Jessie swans in. Oddly Danny does not sack her on the spot - after all he has more work than resources with Janice away (where has she gone by the way?) and tells her to make up the missing 4 and a half hours and he will not hold it against her. Apparently she got carried away at the karaoke!

Lunchtime in the Rovers. Sarah is whinging to Audrey and Gail about the vile Violet and her nasty scarf - what do men see in her (or more specifically Jason of course). Sarah sends a text to Jason - either he apologises properly - when she is listening - or else. Violet gives Sean an update on the date with Jamie. Emily tells Betty about the wonderful Ed - in the house for two minutes and he fixed the toaster as well - which well disjointed Norris's nose.

Outside Violet is throwing away some rubbish when she spies Jason receiving the text message. He seizes the moment and tells her how much he has been thinking about her since they split up. Violet cannot believe him and tells him to go home.

Emily and Ed meet again as she returns from the Rovers. Turns out that the wonderful Ed was once not so wonderful and has spent time inside the "Big House" as the Ronald McDonald family refer to the local prison where they like residing at Her Majesty's leisure. Emily goes into full forgiveness mode - we all make mistakes she observes and some are bigger than others. She observes you cannot go wrong telling the truth and that Eileen will also accept the explanation. However Ed's face implies that there might be a little more to the whole story than he has admitted.

Phil and Gail come home with the weekly shop (on a Monday? - you know the North of England really is a foreign country) and David is told to get off the sofa and help carry everything in. Phil tries to get David onside telling him about his family - three sisters and no dad. Briefly David and Phil seem to be in tune, Phil and Gail assume that the real David must have been abducted. David and Phil chat whilst unloading the car and once the boot is emptied Phil drops something and leans down to pick it up holding on to the edge of the hatchback. David spots the opportunity and with an evil smile slams the hatch closed on Phil's hand. They even make it look as though it hurts.

Jason and Violet keep running into each other and he keeps protesting his undead love for her (on come on girl - you know you can do better than Jason - even Sean would be a step up from Mr No Brains). Anyway she seeks him out at Charlie's yard and Jason dives down on one knee and asks for Violet's hand in marriage. She looks - well I was going to say totally perplexed - but in all honesty Violet's face is rather lacking in any emotion - perhaps she is thinking "what did I do to deserve all this attention?".

Anyway you can find out her answer in the next exciting update which Duncan is probably writing even as I finish this one. Now I must get back to Big Brother to find out what the bunch of Bankers are doing.

See you all again soon.

K Richard W

We open where part one left off and, in what has to be the least surprising cliffhanger result so far this year, Violet rejects Jason's proposal. He (somewhat big-headedly) demands what happened to her feelings for the fit lad she fell for and she points out that he cheated on her. He proves his devotion by deleting a text from Sarah but Violet is having none of it and tells her ex to return to his bike

Over in the factory, Jessie is challenged to prove her karaoke skills and she climbs onto a rather resilient table and struts and sings her stuff. All is going well and she is in full swing...until Danny walks in, at which point she is going full speed to the manager's office. Oops!

Sarah is storming round her house in the biggest psychotic performance since the antics of Mad Maya and she yells down her phone that Jason better get in contact. Gail is unable to get through to her rampaging daughter and eventually offers her attention to her other psychotic child, David, who has been claiming numerous times that the 'Phil hand in boot incident' was an accident. Gail tells him that she never thought otherwise.

Jessie is getting her telling off from Danny and he shows his lack of tolerance when he tells her she is fired. She doesn't look best pleased but offers no argument, well aware that it would get her nowhere

There are more bad attitudes flaring over at the Platt household as Phil returns home, annoyed that he won't return to work and therefore get no business for weeks. Sarah is still flailing around angrily trying to get a hold of Jason and Gail orders her to peel potatoes. Sarah demands that David does it but David claims he is too upset over Phil's sore hand

Jessie speaks to Joanne outside of the factory and her friend is devastated that she has got the sack. Jessie assures her however that it was for the best and she can move on to better things. She tells Joanne that it's time they stopped living in each others' shadows

Sean meets with Violet, another Underworld employee evidently permitted to just walk out whenever he pleases. Violet confides in her friend about Jason's proposal and admits that she is confused over what to do

Eileen is dressed up for the night, something which doesn't escape Phil's notice. Eileen covers up, claiming her efforts are for Brad Pitt

Charlie and Jason are standing on the building site and Charlie offers Jason advice. He tells him to just get some cheap flowers and tell Sarah he's sorry. Apparently, it works every time.

Norris and Rita join Eileen at her table and Norris soon starts bitching about 'dull' Ed. Naturally, Ed is the next person to walk in and Norris puts his foot right in it once again.

Violet is sitting deep in thought and is interrupted by Frankie who clearly made it her intention to pass by that way. She invites Violet over for dinner, saying Jamie will be there (as if that was a reason to go) but Violet politely turns her down

Conversation is getting heated back at the pub as Norris continues to force his bigoted opinions on everyone. He starts to criticise the homeless and Ed defends them. When Norris learns that Ed was homeless and, even moreso that he spent time in prison, he leaps onto his high horse, only to be knocked off by Eileen who stands up for Ed.

Jason bumps into Violet, clutching the cheap flowers Charlie advised. Jason tells her the offer still stands and Violet replies that so does the answer

Eileen and Ed walk up the street and Ed becomes cagey when Eileen asks what he did to end up in prison. He merely says that he fell in with the wrong crowd and did something terrible. Eileen becomes forwardsome and asks Ed in for a coffee but he turns her down, leaving her disappointed

Jason arrives at the Platts and Sarah leaps down his throat instantly, demanding where he's been. A huge argument ensues and when Jason defends Violet its the last straw for Sarah. Having had enough of her Jason storms out, declaring the relationship over. In a rage, Sarah slaps a sniggering David and watches Jason go from her bedroom window. Jason glares up at her and throws the flowers hateful at the window

Duncan lindsay

Audrey's a 'people person' (she says), so she's rather shocked when Sally walks straight past her totally ignoring her. In fact she's so shocked she goes on to Keith about it at quite some length. He says it isn't his fault, but Audrey says if Keith had given Craig a clip round the ear instead of turning a blind eye, Sally wouldn't be in the mood she is now. Keith says he doesn't agree with the way Sally sends Rosie to a posh school, trying to make her into something she isn't. 'Kids aren't projects, they're people,' he says (in what's possibly the finest analysis of the shortcomings of Sally's parenting technique that we've had so far), adding that Angela did a good job with Craig and despite all he's been through he's a good kid. So is Rosie, he says, and if they're given a chance they may just prove it. Hurrah for Keith!

The Corner Shop is full of people we normally associate with the factory. Sally finds Kelly apparently minding the shop, while Fiz and Sean help Dev to change the babies' nappies in the back. Dev is full of the joys of fatherhood, feeling very smug because he knows exactly where the nappy cream is and how to warm the bottles. Sally doesn't really share in the general enthusiasm (been there, done that, acquired the sulking teenager).

Speaking of sulking teenagers, Sarah is in a foul mood at home, slamming round the kitchen and cussing those Grimshaws. She wishes they'd all be put in a rocket and blasted into outer space. Gail and Audrey patiently listen to this tirade.

Jamie comes to the factory looking for Mike. Danny says Mike is in Spain. 'On his own?' Jamie says, worried. 'He shouldn't be on his own.' He accuses Danny of not caring about what happens to Mike. Danny is trying to be bright and breezy, saying Mike is playing golf, getting a tan, enjoying himself. And anyway, Danny says, he cares about Jamie more than he cares about Mike. Jamie is not impressed by that at all, and goes out, leaving Danny looking thoughtful.

In the cafe, Roy is still banging on about this school reunion. He doesn't see the point of going. Hayley thinks that some of the people Roy used to know might have changed, but Roy says he keeps hoping that 'the people who've treated me badly have had road accidents or have developed unpleasant diseases. I'm not proud of these thoughts so I tend not to speculate.' Hayley, ladling beans onto a plate, says she still thinks it might be interesting to find out, but Roy says he's fine as he is and 'We move forward, not back. Eggs and beans on toast to table two.'

Danny is now in the Corner Shop, cooing over the babies. He says little Asha will break a few hearts, and Dev jokingly warns him off his daughter. Danny is feeling over-sensitive and thinks Dev was being serious. Dev reassures him he wasn't, and says when you have kids they just get under your skin. At that moment Amber comes in, ranting away about something or other. Dev asks her to be quiet or she'll wake the babies. She wants to know why Dev has the babies: Is he back with Sunita? Has he stolen them? Has Sunita abandoned them? Then she wants to wake them up to say hello. Dev says she'll frighten them because they don't know her. She points out that she's their big sister, and Dev says they don't care. Then Amber turns her attention to Danny. 'Who's this?' she asks Dev. 'Your boyfriend? Have you gone gay now?' Then she returns to her theme of waking the twins up to play with them. Dev loses his patience with her and throws her out of the shop, with Amber protesting loudly that he's the worst dad in the world. 'They do get under your skin,' says Danny.

The latest in the string of baby admirers at the Corner Shop is Sarah. She can't believe Bethany used to be that tiny. She asks if Sunita and Dev will be getting back together, and Dev says he's working on it. Sarah says she thinks the twins need a mum and a dad, and Dev says maybe she should mention that to Sunita. Then Jason comes in, and as Dev has his arms full with a miniature Alahan he asks Sarah to serve him. They don't say anything apart from what's strictly necessary for the transaction, and Jason goes out. Sarah tells Dev she wanted to punch Jason in the face, and Dev thanks her for her restraint in not doing so. Next through the door is Amber's mother, Ravinder. She says that Amber is at home, very upset about the way Dev treated her. She says Amber has changed recently – they used to be very close, but not any more, and Ravinder blames Dev for that. She says he's too busy with his new family to care about his other children.

Kevin and Sally are on their way to the pub. Sally has just been on the phone for an hour to Rosie's headmaster, who feels that Rosie is falling behind with her school work and isn't concentrating. Sally didn't mention Craig to the headmaster, but she tells Kevin it's Craig she blames. Kevin says that their interfering hasn't helped, and maybe they should try trusting Rosie more. Sally accuses him of not really knowing their daughter and what's good for her.

In the pub, Jessie is telling Fiz about a job interview she has lined up. She doesn't want to say what it is in case she jinxes it. Fiz whispers to Violet that she doesn't really think there is any interview, and Jessie is just saying it to save face.

At the bar, Gail tells Eileen that Sarah has been in a foul mood. Eileen says Jason hasn't been much better. 'You don't have any more sons do you?' Gail says. 'No,' says Eileen, 'Just the two. You don't have any more daughters?' 'One's enough trouble,' says Gail. 'She's tried them both now. Maybe that's it.' 'End of an era,' says Eileen. Oh, let's hope not. I would really miss the monthly catfight between Gail and Eileen.

The Lovely Craig is waiting for Rosie outside her house. He's cold, but it's worth it just to see her. She has to go indoors as Sally and Kevin will be suspicious, but Craig promises he'll find a way of seeing her tomorrow.

In the house, Sally and Kevin are still arguing over the right way to approach the Rosie/Craig problem. Kevin is still of the opinion that if they back off, the whole thing will just fizzle out. Sally says she knows Rosie, and it won't just fizzle out: 'She's still seeing him, you know.' Then Sally decides it's a good idea to have a look through Rosie's school bag for 'evidence.' Kevin tells her to leave it, but Rosie has just come in and sees what Sally is doing. Sally tries to make some excuse but has to admit what she's really up to, and says it's because she can't trust Rosie. Rosie says it's hypocritical of Sally to talk about trust while she's going through Rosie's private things. Then Rosie tells her mum to look in the pencil case: 'You'll find what you're looking for.' Sally does so, and finds a packet of contraceptive pills. Sally and Kevin are shocked. Rosie says she and Craig went to the doctor together because it was the responsible thing to do, and that the doctor treated them like adults because they were acting like adults. 'It's a shame I can't say the same about you two,' she adds. She says that she and Craig love each other and Kevin and Sally will never split them up. Then she grabs her things and goes off to her room, saying she has homework to do.

Locking up the cafe, Roy is telling Hayley that he's decided to go to the reunion after all, for two reasons – firstly to support Clifford, the boy he ignored at school, who has organised it, and secondly because he's proud of who he is, and of Hayley and the business, and he wants his former classmates to see that. 'Good for you!' says Hayley.

Kevin and Sally have run out into the street. Sally is shouting that she can't believe the doctor would prescribe the pill to a child without her parents knowing. Kevin runs across to Craig's house, hammers on the door, and when Craig answers, Kevin drags him outside and shoves him to the ground. He says that if Craig ever goes near Rosie again, Kevin will put him in hospital. 'D'you think I'm frightened of you?' says Craig. 'You knew my dad. *He* was frightening. But you? No.' He says he's never going to stop seeing Rosie so Kevin better hit him: 'It's what me dad would have done. Perhaps a good smack in the teeth'll make me see sense. Go on!' Sally tries to pull Kevin away, but Craig keeps goading him, saying maybe he should let his fists do the talking, and Kevin should act like he cares about Rosie. A couple of times Kevin comes really close to punching Craig, but Sally tells him to stop. 'I love her!' Craig shouts as they walk away across the street. 'Why can't you understand that? I love her.'

If looks could kill, Charlie Stubbs would now be looking for a new employee, as Sarah is giving Jason the most poisonous look imaginable across the Rovers bar. She's with her mum, he's with his, but the two of them decide to go to the bar to get a drink. As Jason and Sarah come face to face by the bar, Sean senses trouble and dashes over. But Jason tells Sarah he's sorry, and Sarah puts her arms around him and they kiss. This is seen by Violet, who's just come in. She tells Sean that it seems that Jason is trying his best to stop her loving him.

Kevin and Sally are seething at home. Kevin's so angry he crushes a beer can with his bare fist (ooh!). Sally says she's glad that Kevin feels as strongly as she does about the situation. What she can't understand is how a doctor can prescribe the pill to Rosie when he knows she's under age and therefore breaking the law. 'That's it!' says Kevin, a little light bulb going on over his head. 'We should call the police.' 'Rosie won't like it,' predicts Sally (understating things a bit, I feel), but agrees that it's the best thing to do. They'll call the police.

Sue Haasler

Kevin and Sally arrive at the police station to make their complaint about Craig, but as Kevin looks around and sees real criminals being hauled through the doors in handcuffs he doesn't seem quite so sure that they are doing the right thing.

In the Platt household, David stomps downstairs with a bag and Phil jokes, 'Are you planning on leaving the country?' David glares at him, and tells Phil that he's going to stay with his dad, and he's being picked up after school. It's the first Gail has heard of this, and David snarls at her, 'Well I'm telling you now!' Phil remarks that he should have said something to his mum.' Davis throws his toast knife on to the side and tells Phil that just because he's sitting in his dad's chair, it doesn't make Phil him. "You can't tell me anything!" he snaps, and slams off out of the door. Gail decides she ought to phone Martin and find out if what David has said is true. Phil says that maybe she ought to trust David, but Gail tells him primly that trust has to be earned.

Ken tells Deirdre that he'll take Eccles for a walk on the Red Rec, he thinks it will give them the chance to bond. However, as they set off he tugs at Eccles lead, and snarls, "Walkies!"

Over in the factory, the girls are trying to get Joanne to tell them what job Jessie has an interview for, but Joanne won't tell as she doesn't want to jinx it, and she thinks Jessie would like to tell them herself.

Danny looks out of his office to see his workforce are back at their machines, and then emerges to tell them to get back to work, he's just won a huge order and there's going to be loads of overtime.

Shelley and Sunita are off out for the afternoon, leaving Dev to babysit. He's delighted when, as he arrives, Sunita tells him his daughter needs her nappy changing.

Out in the Street, Gail and Phil see David waiting at the bus stop, so Gail demands to know why he isn't at school. "Been checking up on me, have you?" says David, and tells Gail that Martin told him she'd phoned him. He says she made him look stupid. Just then, the bus arrives and the sulky teenager jumps on it.

On the Red Rec, Ken takes Eccles collar and lead off and then throws a ball into the bushes. Eccles chases after it, and Ken takes the opportunity to run off in the other direction!

Kevin and Sally are still in the police station, with Kevin having second thoughts on the wisdom of what they are doing. Sally is dismissive as usual when Kevin points out that Rosie loves Craig, telling him that she doesn't want their daughter throwing her life away, and in a few months it'll be some other lad. Kevin points out that they could lose her by doing this, but Sally tells him they're already losing her, and she's not prepared to let it happen. Just then a policewoman comes along and asks how she can help. "We want you to arrest our daughter's boyfriend!" says Sally.

After hearing the complaint, the policewoman tells Sally that girls of Rosie's age to have a certain level of emotional maturity. "Girls of her age should not be having sex!" snaps Sally, and points out to the policewoman that it's illegal. The officer asks who Craig's parents are, and Kevin explains that his father was murdered and his mother is in prison. "So now you know what kind of family we're talking about!" chips in Sally. Kevin says that Craig is looked after by his grandfather, and the policewoman says they will have a word with him.

Back at Underworld, Jessie does a quick change in the ladies loo and comes out dressed as an air stewardess.

Over in the Barlow residence, Blanche wakes up from a nap in the chair, and hears a noise outside. She looks out of the window and sees Schmeichel chewing on some bones. She recoils in horror as she jumps to the conclusion that he's just eaten Eccles!

Across the street, Keith opens his door to find two police officers standing there. They tell him who they are and ask to come in, telling him that a complaint has been made about Craig. He asks who has made the complaint and narrows his eyes when he's told it's Mr and Mrs Webster.

Blanche has gone to confront Les and Cilla, and won't believe that Schmeichel was eating some left over chicken. She's convinced it was Eccles and threatens to call the police. Just then, Ken arrives back and asks what's going on. Blanche won't listen to reason as she demands that the animal be put down. "Les?" enquires Ken. Blanche wails that Schmeichel has eaten Eccles, and it takes Ken a few minutes before she listens to him tell her that he took Eccles out for a walk and lost her. "You mean Eccles is gone?" Blanche is aghast, and Ken leads her back into the house.

Shelley and Sunita arrive back and find the flat totally silent. Dev emerges from the bedroom and tells Sunita, 'They are clean, they are fed and they went off about twenty minutes ago.' Sunita asks, astonished, 'What? Both of them?' He smiles, Yes, I bored them both to sleep!' He asks if he can get them a cuppa but Shelley tells them she had better be getting back to the pub.

Sunita tells him he's welcome to stay for a drink but he tells her he will get going as he's got to go pick some stock up. He sniffs his jacket and smiles, 'You know, I think I'm becoming addicted to their smell. It's all over me.' She smiles, 'It's usually something else.' Dev smiles back, 'You know, if you ever need any time to yourself.....' She replies, 'I know, and thank you.' He tells her, 'There's no need to say thank you. I'm the one who needs to say thank you and don't think I'll ever forget that.'

Keith tells the policewoman that he has spoken to Craig, 'But a lad that age, it's like trying to talk Mandarin Chinese sometimes. I dare say you know about his mum and dad. He's a good lad is Craig. There's kids gone through a lot less than him have gone off the rails.' She tells him, 'He's got you.' Keith replies, 'Aye, but I'm no fool. I do the best I can but, well it's Rosie. Sometimes I think she is all that keeps him going.' She asks, 'So you'd say they are in love?' He tells her he doesn't know what he'd call it, 'But something like that shouldn't be a crime. I thought they'd get bored with each other but they haven't. All I know is Rosie means the world to him. The sun rises and sets with her.'

Just then, the front door opens and Rosie and Craig walk in. Keith tells Rosie she shouldn't be there, and Craig asks who the strangers are. D.C. Golding introduces herself. Craig immediately thinks the worst, 'What's happened to my mum?' Keith assures him his mum is all right and adds, 'Rosie, I'm sorry love, but would you mind going home?' Rosie looks alarmed and asks, 'Craig, what are they here for?' Craig tells Keith, 'Tell us Granddad.' Keith takes a deep breath and tells him, 'They are here because of you two.'

Over at the Barlow's, Blanche is distraught. 'What kind of a man abandons a helpless dog in the wilderness? I should get the RSPCA on to you!' Ken lies that he looked high and low for her but Blanche continues, 'You know where she is now, don't you? Up there in God's own kennel. Well I hope she haunts you!'

They look round in amazement as the front door opens and in walks Deirdre with little Eccles in her arms. With no explanation at all, she breezes, 'There. Down you go,' and puts her on the floor where she makes a beeline for Blanche's lap, taking a chunk out of Ken's ankle as she passes!

The Underworld workforce are now in the pub, enthusing about Jessie's new job and all the exotic places she'll be visiting. She confesses that she's just going to be on flights to tropical Sunderland and Norwich at first, but it's more exciting that sewing underwear. Sean comments that her uniform (all green and yellow) makes her look like a fruit salad, but at least they'll be able to find her if her plane crashes into the sea. Joanne asks them to stop talking about crashing, Jessie's frightened of flying! "I like a challenge," mumbles Jessie.

The Webster residence, and Sally and Kevin hear the front door open and footsteps rushing upstairs, and a bedroom door slamming. Rosie has arrived home! Sally goes up after her, and just then there's a knocking at the front door. Kevin opens it to find Keith standing there, absolutely furious. He rages, 'Happy with yourselves are you? What possessed you?' Sally replies haughtily, 'It's called being responsible!' He yells back, 'The pair of them come in from school and find the police waiting for them? You call that being responsible?'

Sally seems amazed, 'She's been at your house?' She spots the police car turning around outside the factory and runs outside to it, standing in front of it so they can't leave.

She yells at them, 'Are you going to arrest him?' Golding replies, 'That's not what we are here for. I have spoken to both of them informally and...' Sally cries, 'Informally? So you are going to just do nothing?' The officer replies, 'A formal interview is not warranted at this stage. As soon as I get back to the station I will be contacting the child protection unit and they will decide if this case warrants any further action.' Sally rants, 'What do you mean if? That boy has committed a crime!' The police officer points out, 'Technically they both have.' Sally is not having any of that, obviously, and rages,.' Rosie is a victim!'

D.C. Golding tells her that she hasn't found the slightest evidence of abuse or coercion, and as they are the same age so it would be extremely difficulty to establish that there is any exploitation. Sally screams, 'But they have had sex!' The officer calmly replies, 'Which your daughter has assured me was entirely consensual. Someone will be in touch within the next few days.'

As the police car pulls away, Kevin tries to comfort his wife as she wails, 'They won't arrest him. What are we going to do? We've lost!'

Annie Logan

In order to get her daughter away from Craig, Sally has arranged for Rosie to go on the school skiing trip, and has gone against Kevin's wishes in doing so. He is not happy at all about this when he finds out, but Sally tells him that somebody had to do something. Kevin reminds her that they had already told Rosie that she couldn't go, this just sends out the message that if she misbehaves she gets rewarded. "Sending her away isn't going to solve anything," he tells her, but Sally thinks it's worth a try. Kevin tells her they can't afford it, and says that she promised never to go behind his back again. Sally tells him she was desperate, "Our little girl is about to throw her life away," she cries, "and if the law of the land won't stop it, then we have to!"

Keith is out in the street, just finishing his paper round and talking to Fred when Audrey comes along. They chat for a few minutes about Rosie and Craig and the police, and then she asks if she can see him at dinner time.

Back in the Webster household, Rosie comes down to breakfast, tight lipped. Sally tells her she can now go on the skiing trip. "But it's today," says Rosie, biting a piece of toast. In bright, chirpy tones Sally tells her she's rung Mr. Edwards and there are plenty of places, she can go. "No way am I going!" snarls Rosie, having sussed that Sally just wants to get her away from Craig. Sally tells her she's not going to ring Mr. Edwards and cancel, "You are going on the school trip!" she says. "What are you going to do, call the police?" retorts Rosie, and flounces out of the room. Kevin has watched all this from the doorway. "That went well, Sal," he remarks,

Keith and Audrey have met up in the pub, he thinks she wants to end their friendship because of the mess with Craig and Rosie. Audrey, however, has far more important issues bothering her, she doesn't like having to tell people that she's going out with a 'paper-lad'. She asks him if he'll give it up, after all it's only for a 'few measly quid'. Keith, understandably, is quite affronted by this, and tells her it might be only a few measly quid to her, but it's a hell of a lot to him. He tells her that if it doesn't suit her, she'd better find herself another gentleman friend who doesn't embarrass her.

Liz MacDonald comes into the pub, back from the cruise, minus Bev. It seems that she has met a man on the cruise and has gone back to Romney Marsh with him. Liz has brought Shelley a letter from Bev explaining it all.

Phil has taken Gail to visit a medical museum, full of all the horrors of bygone medical eras. She tells him it gives her the creeps, and asks if he really finds it all interesting. He tells her he finds the human brain fascinating. Even now the medical profession doesn't have a clue, if someone goes doo-lally they are locked up and restrained just as in the past, the only difference is that now it's done with drugs.

Craig and Rosie are sharing a few quiet moments together out in the back alley. She tells him how she refused to go on the skiing trip, as it was obviously done just to split them up. Craig persuades Rosie that she should go, so that when she comes back and Sally and Kevin see that nothing's changed, they will have spent all that money for nothing. It will teach them a lesson, and they might even see that the two of them are for real. Rosie says she doesn't want to be away from him. "What's a week," he tells her, "when we've got the rest of our lives together?" He looks at her with great affection and they kiss.

After the break we see Sally dishing up the roast dinner when Rosie comes in. "Is that skiing trip still on offer?" she asks. Kevin asks what changed her mind and Rosie tells him that it seems mad not to go. Sally looks like a cat that got the cream!

While Dev minds the twins, Sunita visits Shelley. She breaks down and cries that she is letting Dev help because she can't cope on her own. She feels that it would be better for the twins to have two loving parents – but she's too angry to forgive him and too tired to stop him helping. "How dare he be a good father, after all he did to the others," she fumes, and says that she hates him for helping her. She confesses to Shelley that she doesn't know what she wants.

Gail and Phil are home again, enjoying a bottle of wine, when David comes in through the front door. Gail comments that he's home from his dad's early. His attitude is frosty and prickly in the extreme, and eventually Gail manages to get out of him that Martin and his new lady friend are having a baby!

Over in the Rovers, Shelley is quizzing Liz about Bev's new man friend, Greg. Fred comes in wondering if Bev is back, so Shelley quietly tells him what the situation is. Poor Fred!

Back at the Platt residence, Gail tries to tell David that he will still be the most important thing in Martin's life. "He's got a new wife now, what does he want me for?" says David, bitterly. Phil tries to help, "You're his firstborn, David, you'll always be important," he says, but David doesn't want his opinion. "I just want to live in a normal family like I used to," he says as he storms out, "I just get in the way now!"

Shelley has managed to reach Bev by phone, and tells Fred that she has no plans to come back, she's going to stay with the new man and see how it goes. "Did she ask after me?" asks Fred, hopefully. Shelley has to admit that she didn't.

Phil is in Gail's kitchen when David comes in. He asks if David would like to help, it's fun, he says. He tries to make conversation with David, who tells him that shutting his fingers in the car boot was no accident. "I know," says Phil, "it's good to get your own back. Does that make us all square?" Phil then offers to let David get one jump ahead, he'll tell Gail what really happened the day he pinned David against the wall, she'll know David was telling the truth all along, and he'll get it in the neck – David can't lose. David, however, is not playing ball. "I haven't even started on you," he says, tossing the vegetable knife into the sink and walking out.

Sally and Kevin are talking about Rosie going on the trip. "Why has she gone?" asks Kevin. Sally believes it is because Rosie knows that a skiing holiday is better than mooching around pining for a 'dead-head' like Craig Harris. Sally is hopeful that Rosie will get Craig out of her system when she sees all those dishy skiing instructors. "So she'll get pregnant over there instead of here?" queries Kevin. Sally says she'll have a normal teenage crush and come back with a new perspective. She's convinced that Rosie is coming to her senses and that by Easter Craig will be history. She peers through the front room curtains and sees Craig walking along across the street. Unbeknown to Sally he's looking at a video message from Rosie on his phone at that very moment!

Annie Logan.

Part 1

Outside Dev says "Morning" to Audrey as she heads for Gail's. David coming out of his door is arguing with his mum saying, "Well, it weren't me" Gail says, "I asked if you knew anything about it" He tells her he gets the blame for every thing and storm's off. Gail looks at Audrey and says, "The back door glass is cracked. I didn't accuse him, I just asked"

Flat above the Corner shop and Dev wants in to see Sunita. She lets him in after he says, "I've got something for the babies" Sunita looks tired. She asks what he's got. Dev says it's a double baby gym. Sunita does not want it and says, "You're getting to involved" She tells him to go or she will phone her brother and go and stay with him. Dev while going out the door tells her he can help.

Over at the Platt's Audrey says you can't even see it's broken. Gail says that's why she's not accusing anyone, she just wants to find out what happened. Gail says she's sure she was never this much trouble as a teenager. Audrey says she does a good job and David will grow out of it.

In the Butchers Fred is serving Betty and they talk about Bev. Fred says, "Appen it was the best offer on the table" Betty leaves. Fred says "If I'd made an offer it would have been so clumsy and heavy handed the whole table would have collapsed under it" Ashley says it won't have. Fred continues "and say nowt? You know what say nowt brings..... nowt" Ashley who's cutting meat asks if he's ok then all of a sudden says, "Ow! Flaming hell" he has cut his finger.

At the Cafe Audrey tells David she does not know what happened to the door. She tells him that not everything at home has to turn into a row and he and Sarah are the most important things in his mum's life. David says after Phil. Audrey tells him before Phil, "Your mum is entitled to some things of her own isn't she?" David says being selfish. Audrey tells him if having a bit of a life is being selfish, then yes. Hayley enters and Roy hides under the counter. Hayley then peers over the counter and asks what he's doing. Roy says there was a spillage. Hayley says he was hiding and having seconds thoughts about the reunion. Hayley tells him he will go if she has to drag him into a cab.

Flat above the Corner shop and Shelley asks if her washing machine is broken. Sunita says she really needs to sort this place out. Shelley says she will come round later and help her because she looks exhausted. Sunita says its her fault and she should never of chosen Dev over her parents, even Jayesh blames her now. Shelley says she's going to stay her with her tonight and tells her she's not on her own.

Over at the Salon Tyrone is protesting as Maria tries to make him wear eyeliner for their photos for the Gazette. She tells him, "Oh Tyrone, just stop being so blokey" He says he is a bloke. She tells him male models wear it all the time for photos and it stops their eyes looking piggy. Audrey says he does not have piggy eyes and remind her she was dead against this. Maria replies, "Yeah, well if we are having photos taken we might as well make the most of it" Maria then sprays mousse into her hand. She tells him "Well if you won't let me do your eyes, we might as well try and do something with your hair I suppose"

At the hospital outside Fred is having a fag while he waits for Ashley. Two paramedics take out a woman from the ambulance. Fred looks and sees its Orchid, his Thai bride that tried to scam him. As they take her in he quietly gasps and says Orchid.

In the hospital Fred is asking the receptionist about the lady that was just brought in. She asks her name. Fred says "Orchid!...... No, wait, she wouldn't be known by that name.....er.... Stacy! Stacy Hilton" She ask if he's a relative. When he says no, she tells him she's sorry but cant tell him any thing. Fred tells her she was in a terrible stand and asks were they take people with serious injuries. Ashley just appears saying, "Serious injuries, it was only three stitches" and tells him to come on.

Over at the Rovers Maria arrives to meet the journalist and tells him Tyrone is working but she will text him and tell him. He says, "That's okay. I'm still trying to work out how to get this Dictaphone to work. It's new today. Actually, I shouldn't have said that. I wanted you to think I was really on the case" She asks if he's new. He replies, "No, well not as new as this. Compared to the Dictaphone I am very experienced...... I started yesterday" Maria says she's the bride and he says he though this was the lonely hearts feature. She says no but he says he was joking, she laughs and they go and sit down. Dev enters and Shelley says, "Do you ever think to yourself, honesty? That's all it would have taken. She loved you, adored you. You could have told her anything and she would have forgiven you" He says he does. And he tortures himself every night. She tells him not enough.

At the reunion Roy arrives and puts on a name badge and goes inside to Tony Orlando and Dawn's 'Knock Three Times' emanates through the doors, Roy sees no one is there but one person. "Royston Cropper" and the person gets up out of his chair. Roy replies, "Clifford, I rather thought I might be late" Clifford says, "I rather think most will be. People have a natural aversion to breaking the ice" Roy replies saying yes.

Flat above the corner shop and Dev has come with food and apologies for this morning. He says it was rule to want to see the baby's and not put her first. As the baby's are not crying Dev says silence. She tells him, "I smothered them" Dev laughs and she says he knew she was lying and would never do that. She says it's nice to know someone that well. The twins start crying and he begs her to let him take them out while she eats.

Back to the Rovers and Maria is messing with his hair saying its boring and he has to mess it up a little and add some products to it. Tyrone enters and says he will be 2 mins. As he leaves, the lad from the Gazette asks if that him and this should be called Surprise A Journo. Ashley notices Fred seems preoccupied and assumes it's because of Bev and says he has it bad. He says he cant remember when he was this bad. Fred replies, "Since Orchid" Ashley replies, "Well that's a name I'd sooner not hear again. At least all Bev is guilty of is not knowing you were interested, not some scheming cow who tried to take you to the cleaners" Fred says she was under the influence of a criminal. Ashley says she was a criminal. He says, if he sees her again he will call the police. The journo asks how they have changed each other's lives and Maria says he's more trendier now and says he's always on about starting his own business. Tyrone tells about the old van he's doing up but she cuts him off and says, "No!.... I mean, no, I'm talking about you opening up your own garage" The writer asks him how Maria has changed and he says she hasn't and would not want her to. Maria tells him to put she is more confident and outgoing. Tyrone says to put that is because she feels loved. The journo asks him, "And what about you? Do you feel loved" Tyrone says yes.

Over at the reunion and they take about fonts of writing and a newspaper article. Roy says he should be getting back to the cafe since no one else is coming. Clifford replies, "No…. But it's been good, hasn't it? Even with it just being two of us" Roy shakes his hand and heads for the door. Clifford says, "Could I accompany you to the cafe? Perhaps I could press you for an interview? February's edition is looking a little sparse"

At the Platt's Gail is talking to Audrey when they hear a noise upstairs. David comes down and says he has a free period but Audrey tells him he told her that when she took him to the cafe. Audrey says "I thought he needed a word about his behaviour" David replies. "About her behaviour you mean. You said she was selfish and wrong" Audrey says, "I said we can all be a little selfish sometimes" David says, "Yeah, well she is and it does my head in" and storms out the house.

Peacocks and Fred is on the phone to the hospital to find out about Orchid. He says he is her uncle and asks what ward she's on. He finds out just as Ashley comes in. He tells him dad to stop chasing after Bev and leave it for a bit.

Flat above corner shop and Dev says the baby's are sleeping like babies. Sunita says he can go now but he says he wants to help. She tells him that she was up six times last night and by that time she was begging and just wanted to know what was wrong because she did every thing. Dev says she would be looked after and cooked for and loved. Dev then kisses her gently.

Amanda Souter

Part 2

Slightly adapted from the itv.com web site!!

Out side street cars - Dev tells Steve that he thinks he has finally got things back on track with Sunita and invites him to join for a celebratory drink later. Steve tells him, 'I would have thought you'd be wanting to spend time with Sunita and the twins.' Dev tells him that Sunita wants some space and that's exactly what he is going to give her but everything is on the up. Claire chides Ashley for working with sharp knives with his eyesight. He tells her there is nothing wrong with his eyesight, 'I was busy worrying about 'him' going to pieces 'cos of Bev jumping ship and deserting him!' Fred barely seems to hear him and tells them he is going for a walk. Claire assumes he has overheard Ashley and is upset.

Flat above corner shop - Sunita tells Shelley about kissing Dev and that she just wants to make things right with him, 'He was like the old Dev. The Dev I married. I used to look at Ravinder, before I knew about her and Dev, and I used to judge her. Single, stuck in a flat with a kid, cut off from her family, from her community. Why would anyone want to live like that?' Shelley tells her, 'No-one here looks at you like that. Look, you are exhausted. You can't make a decision like this when you are not thinking straight. You eat something, have a rest and I'll run you a bath.'

Garage - Tyrone and Molly continue to work on the old chip van. Tyrone doesn't even seem sure why he is doing it and tells her, 'I don't know what she'll think. If she'll laugh, or if she'll think it's stupid.....' Molly asks if 'he' think it is stupid. He replies, 'No, but when I mentioned it in that interview we had it was like..... like she was embarrassed.' Molly tells him not to worry and assures him Maria will soon come round, 'She just hasn't seen it's full potential is a little gold mine yet!'

Out side Roy's rolls - Clifford looks up admiringly at the sign above the door and enthuses, 'Ah, the very apex of success. The eponymous business. 'Roy's Rolls'! Not any other human being's else's rolls, ''Roy's' Rolls'! Roy mumbles, 'Yes, well Hayley does have a lot to do with.....' but Clifford continues, 'And if I'm not mistaken... ..Times New Roman!' Roy looks mystified. Clifford enlightens him, 'The font. Times New Roman. Solid, dependable, but a bit flashy. Proud of itself. Still, not the pretensions of Harrington or Broadway!' Roy tells him, 'Yes, well, I'd have to look at the sign writers receipt in the cafe files.' Clifford enthuses, 'To solve the mystery! I take it that you are a lever arch box file man rather than a loose hanging file in a cumbersome filing cabinet.'

Street cars - Tracy turns up and tells Steve she wants him to have Amy this evening so she and Charlie can go out. Ronnie tells her they are going out themselves. Tracy replies, 'Well exciting as your lives may be, I'm sure a bottle of wine at home will do just as well.' Steve begins to reply but Ronnie cuts him off, 'Steve! You are forgetting the look on Lloyd's face when we said about going clubbing!' She turns back to Tracy and tells her, 'Well exciting as your lives may be, I'm sure a bottle of wine at home will do just as well.'

Hospital - Fred visits Stacey in hospital and finds her badly battered. She sobs that he must think she deserves it, 'I haven't scammed anyone since you. This was going to be the last time. I fell out with Dennis after you. He made sure I lost my market stall. Everything was such a struggle. I thought if I did it one last time I'd have enough to go to London, do a course, start my life over again. I picked the wrong man. Not a good man like you. But Stuart, when he found out he said he had paid for me so he owned me. I gave him his money back, every penny but he said he wanted compensation and I still owed the debt.' She tells him that he locked her in his flat and took everything she had, 'He said if I tried to leave he'd kill me.' She tells Fred she found one of the flat windows open and thought he must have left it open by accident but when she climbed out and ran down the alley he was sat in his car waiting for her. Fred tells her she needs to go to the police but she becomes really upset, 'No please, he will kill me!'

Street cars - Steve tells Lloyd he isn't going clubbing, 'Ronnie only said that to Tracy to annoy her.' Lloyd tells him he has to go, 'If you don't she'll only be more annoyed that you didn't go.' Kelly enthuses about her new top she is going to wear and happily trots off telling Lloyd she will see him later. Steve moans, 'How has it come to this? I'm going clubbing, which I don't want to do. Not seeing my daughter, which I do want to do, so my girlfriend can make an enemy of Tracy Barlow which is the last thing I need.' Lloyd tells him to let Ronnie know exactly what she is dealing with, 'Exaggerate it a bit mate. Frighten her off. You're going to let two birds decide how you are going to spend your evenings?'

Cafe – Hayley says, 'You must be Clifford.' He guffaws, 'Has Roy issued a description then?' She replies, 'No, you've still got your name badge on.' She asks how the reunion went and if it was a good turn out. Clifford replies, 'Oh yes! Much better than expected!' Roy begins, 'I hardly think...' but Clifford cuts him off, 'But Roy was the star.' He suggests they repair to a local hostelry and before Roy can protest, Hayley has agreed and is getting her coat.

Flat above corner shop - Violet is aghast to hear that Sunita is going back to Dev. Sunita tells her, 'We stood in the temple, walked round the fire. We made promises to each other. In front of our families.' Violet cries, 'So what?' Sunita tells her, 'You couldn't understand.' Violet cries, 'Why? Because I'm not Hindu? My family rejected me because of who I chose to be with. I have had nothing to do with them for years. I won't let anyone else run my life. I have to be with someone I respect. I don't care how publicly I made any promises.' Sunita replies, 'But it's my duty! I don't want to, but I do. I want my children to grow up with it. Dev will give them a home, security. He'll do his duty by them. I'll make sure of it. That's enough for me. This has been too much about what I want. Now it has to be what's best for my children.'

Rovers - Dev orders a brandy, 'Actually make it a brandy and ginger.' Violet replies sarkily, 'And ginger? I was wrong. maybe a man 'can' change.' He smiles, 'I'm just trying to make the drink last a bit longer, to give Sunita more space.' He is taken aback as Violet snaps, 'Yeah, well I think the best space you could give Sunita would be if you moved to Mars!' Clifford is in high spirits and suggests yet another round, '.... to facilitate our journey down memory lane.' Hayley tells him, 'Oh I think I'll burst if I have any more juice!' Roy replies, 'Isn't it the case that memory lane is something of a hostile thoroughfare for the both of us? Littered with hazardous pot holes.' Hayley mumbles, 'I'll get them in,' and goes to the bar. Clifford blusters, 'Let's not talk about the past. Let's talk about now.' Roy replies, 'As you wish. Now, you put me in a difficult position. Hayley and I like to always tell the truth and when you told her that, and this is in your words, was better than expected, you put me in a very difficult position.' Clifford replies, 'It 'was' better than I expected. You came!' Roy replies, 'Yes, but no-one else did.' Clifford suddenly wails, 'That was still better than I expected! They all hate me! You are the only classmate that has uttered more than two words to me since 1975!' Roy tells him that can't be true, 'The magazine articles!' Clifford cries, 'All gathered by stealth or fabricated. Robert Shaw has got a restraining order against me. Stuart Clare has threatened to send heavies round. I've got an ASBO covering the village of Mobberly...' Roy asks, 'Which old schoolmate lives in Mobberly?' Clifford tells him, 'The injunction doesn't permit me to say. Me camera's been impounded. And look at you.... you're a success. I always admired you. The way you stood there, dignified, took the bullying. Not like me, always crying. They picked on you because they didn't understand you. They picked on me because they all hated me!' Ashley asks Fred where he has been all afternoon and he tells him he was at a Weatherfield Traders meeting. Rita comments that she didn't know anything about it and he hastily tells her it was the Victoria St branch. She counters, 'Really? Cos Roy's been in here a couple of hours.' He blusters that it was for owners of end properties only but Rita points out that he has houses adjoining his, 'If anyone has an end property it's me, on three sides.' Fred tells her she has better arrange her own meeting them and makes a hasty retreat into the back.

Flat above corner shop - Sunita looks back at the mementoes of her wedding day, 'He put this necklace round my neck, a symbol of his love, devotion and integrity.' She takes off her wedding ring and tells Shelley, 'I can't do this. When he gave me this he gave me something he didn't have.... his integrity!' She tells her, 'A man who could do that to his own children, who could lie to me so easily. A man who just decides what he wants, what he wants to feel, who can turn it on and turn it off when he wants. Well I can't do that! All I would ever feel is disappointment and mistrust. Violet was right. If I wanted a loveless marriage I should have done what my parents wanted and married Deepak. I can't do this. It's too hard. '

Rovers - Dev bids a goodnight to Steve and Ronnie, heading home for an early night so he can be up early for the twins tomorrow. Tracy walks in and spots Steve and Ronnie. She gasps, 'This doesn't look like any club that I have ever seen!' Before Steve can say anything, Ronnie smirks, 'We changed our mind. We're now toying with the idea of a nice quiet night in with a bottle of wine.' Tracy brightens, 'Oh, well in that case....' but Ronnie cuts her off, '...but we wouldn't give you the satisfaction!' Steve, desperate for things not to escalate, tells Tracy she is only joking. Ronnie growls, 'Oh no I'm not. If she wants a social life she had better learn to plan ahead.' Tracy snarls back, 'Oh I'm planning ahead alright, so you had better start watching your back.' Fred apologises to Rita and comes clean to her about how Orchid was a really a con artist and took a lot of money from him. He confides that she is in trouble and needs help. Rita tells him, 'Oh Fred. You have always been a sucker for a sob story. Let the past stay in the past. If she took money from you before she will do it again. Just stay away!'

Outside Roy's rolls - Hayley and Roy see Clifford into a taxi as he wails that they will be getting an injunction against him now. They assure him that is not the case and he asks, 'You mean I can keep in touch?' Roy doesn't actually answer but Hayley beams of course and they wave him off. Roy tells her, 'It doesn't make me feel any better being grateful that I am me and not.... someone else. I lost that sign writer's receipt. I wonder what that font is.' He adds, 'If Clifford 'does' get the urge to keep in touch...... I hope he fights it.'

Flat above corner shop - Jayesh tells Sunita he saw Dev coming out of the pub looking very pleased with himself. Sunita tells him, 'He thinks I am coming back to him.' Jayesh looks at her packing and replies snottily, 'It looks like you are.' She tells him she is not, 'I want you to tell mum I want to come home. She'll enjoy being right.' He tells her, 'She hasn't enjoyed anything since you left so don't you be bringing that attitude home with you.' He tells her he'd like to be the one that tells Dev she is going home but she pleads, 'No don't, please! He'll find out soon enough when I am not here. I just want to get away from everything... I don't want him chasing after me, not ever again!' Jayesh sits down next to her and put his arm around and whispers, 'Alright.'

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Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Joanne McCartney, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Sue Haasler, Margaret Carr, Duncan Lindsay, Amanda Souter, Christine McCosh.

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