Good day everyone. Amanda is taking a rest for a while so Martin(update organiser overlord) whistled for a substitute so here I am. Imissed this particular episode myself but the video recorder was set andhere is the update. And why did I miss the Street - because one of theStreet's writers, Carmel Morgan has penned a play currently starringDawn French and Alison Moyet - so one for once I did not feelparticularly overweight. For those within reach of London "Smaller" isrecommended by me.

Over in Weatherfield events tonight were written by Catherine Hayes anddirected by Tim Dowd , who between them are overseeing the steadydecline into lunacy of one Gail Potter / Tilsley / Platt / Hillman inwhose house events open with the ever observant Sarah noticing that Gaillooks terrible; Gail thinks she might go back to bed and she is not surewhy she is up so early. David and Sarah point out that it is Monday andGail needs to go to work. Gail looks shocked - she has mislaid a day (Itend to have the same problem - a recent return trip to Tokyo wasenhanced by only having about four sleep on various "days").

Along at Lloyd's he and Kelly are snogging before the annoying live-innuisance, Becky, appears and spoils the atmosphere. Anyway they are allwalking to work, together. They go into StreetCars and the two girlsdepart. Steve suggests that Lloyd looks a mess - compared with his ownsuave, smart attire - and yet he only has one woman, unlike Lloyd (wholooks very pleased with himself).

Violet invites Jamie to the Rovers for a second breakfast (they musthave been burning off some energy methinks). Violet assures him thatFrankie is getting over it and she is getting stronger. Jamie reckonsthat Danny will soon find a way of wrecking her improvement.

Audrey sends a message to the surgery with David that Gail will be latefor work and takes Gail off to Roy's for a coffee and a chat. Gailprotests but goes along with her mother.

Danny arrives with Leanne and sends her shopping - she wants a newkitchen and the sky's the limit. He watches the (heavily pregnant)Leanne skip away and Frankie approaches looking smart. She reminds himthat the marriage did not have to end. He wants to get the settlementsorted - she says it is finished and she will get back to him soon.Leanne returns from the Corner Shop and demands a job - she wants to getinvolved. She goes to put the kettle on.

Ken shouts after Keith who is finishing his paper round and the formerfollows the latter into the Kabin where Rita and the undertaker, Archie,are arranging a lunchtime date. There was no newspaper for Ken - itappears that Doris had made the papers up wrongly. And they are soldout. Keith is bad tempered and Ken takes his custom elsewhere. Archielaughs at Keith for managing to upset the pacifist Ken.

Jamie tells Frankie not to accept the £50k. Audrey tries to re-assureGail that she should not worry - and certainly not on an empty stomach,although there is a long wait as Frankie is working on her own. As theywalk back across the Street Audrey tells Gail not to go to work and togo and see a doctor to get back off the pills. Audrey insists on doingGail's hair but Gail walks off bad tempered.

Nathan, Jamie and Violet discuss the 50 grand. Nathan reckons sheshould take the money but Jamie believes she should get half ofeverything that Danny is worth. (Danny you really should have fixed thesettlement before you fixed the will - now 50% goes to Frankie and thenAdam will get his 100%, leaving you, Desperate Dan, with absolutelynothing). Nathan goes over to the cafe and tries to convince Frankie totake the money - he tells her not to hesitate - take the money and befree. Nathan thinks that she does not want a divorce - either she takesthe money and gives up on Danny or she goes back to him - he is notgoing to wait for her forever.

The factory girls discuss the brochures which Leanne brought in - Fuzzknows that are for kitchens - Leanne wants a built in deep fat fryer(real touch of class that). They observe that Lee has Danny Boy (OhDanny Boy) wrapped round her little finger and inside the office she ispursuing her job request - and gets one - she becomes Danny's PA and hemakes a formal announcement to the workforce. None of them seem veryimpressed (and the bump looks even bigger as they fail to only shoot thetop third of her body).

Along at Audrey's Archie discusses with her the problems Gail isexperiencing (Sarah is trying to do a customer's hair - surely someonecould have given her some lessons by now). Archie tries to re-assureAudrey. He says she can rely on Keith - but she says he does notunderstand it the way that Archie does. He tries to get her to take abrief break if there is time.

All the girls go into the Kabin and moan about Leanne's appointment.Doris has a date but does not wish to discuss it. They are discussingthe Hillman cards openly when Gail walks in and the very full shopempties very quickly and then Gail departs as she is not sure why shecame in.

Keith wants to take Audrey for a drink and after he pesters for sometime they agree to meet later in the Rovers.

In the Rovers Leanne observes that Frankie never worked for Danny andthat she will soon be off the payroll. Leanne wants the divorce settledand she wants Danny to lean on Frankie to get it done.

Adam does not want a party - although Ken and Dreary are trying toinsist. Danny calls Adam a child and then offers to buy Frankie adrink. Leanne looks pleased. With Frankie watching Leanne is all overDanny. Lee goes to the toilet and Frankie wanders over to Danny whosuggests that they could get together in the right circumstances - hewants an amicable divorce - which upsets her - she wants 50% ofeverything and she will take him through the courts. He chases afterher and they bicker in the Street. He says he wishes he could relivethe last couple of years and he would never touch Leanne - he wants toget back with her, so they can share everything. He asks her to takehim back. In her eyes you can see her softening and ...

the next update will be along shortly.

K Richard W

I have been dug out of retirement to bring you this episode!

Well we left the first half of the programme with Danny's dramaticquestion to Frankie, that they get back together. (This will go downwell with Leanne methinks!).

He tries to persuade her by suggesting (now that he has Mike's money)that they can have the life they have always previously dreamed about.Well Frankie turns around to Danny telling him that although she hadpreviously forgiven him, she is not going to do it again. Danny suggeststhat they are meant to be together. Frankie tells him "You areunbelievable Danny. Just unbelievable."

More trouble is brewing as Eileen and Violet are walking down thestreet. Eileen sees Gail on the other side of the road and jokes thatshe should perhaps tell Gail the post box is on the other side of thestreet. Gail notices Eileen's laughter and asks whether she was talkingabout her. Eileen says yes and continues walking down the street!

Now Danny tells Leanne the result of his conversation with Frankie.Except he puts his own interpretation on it, by only telling her thatFrankie hasn't quite accepted his offer. Leanne says that he is spendingtoo much time trying to negotiate with her. He should leave it to hissolicitor to deal with.

Lloyd is in the Streetcars office talking about his romantic night in heis planning with Kelly. Steve teases him by asking where Becky will be.Les suggests that Becky will be ‘in reserve' in case Kelly doesn't wantto play! But Steve corrects him by saying "He's a shadow of a man heused to be a couple of months ago. He can't keep up with Kelly, letalone Becky as well!!" Lloyd retorts that the only way Steve can handletwo women is when one is his mother.

Frankie confides in Nathan that Danny asked her to go back with him. Hewonders if she had said "no". He notes that she still talks about himand she lives just across the street from the factory. He thinks she istrying to convince herself. Nathan suggests that they don't talk abouthim again.

Audrey spots Archie and Rita and wonders if they are going to TheRovers. Archie tells her that he is taking Rita out to The Forest ofBoland. Audrey says that she has work to do at the salon anyway.

Becky arrives home and sees Lloyd's DVD. Kelly asks if she is going tobingo as she and Lloyd were going to have a quiet night in. Becky,unable to take a subtle hint, says she is broke and will stay in withthem both. She then goes off to the bathroom for a shower.

Gail has spotted a car parked opposite her house. She asks Sarah andJason if they saw it when they came in. They say they didn't notice.Sarah, is more interested in talking about her wedding.

Adam is driving down the street when he and Danny spot each other. Adamputs his foot on the gas, causing Danny to dodge out of the way. Dannycalls him a nut and tells him to go away and spend his inheritancemoney. Adam asks him if his conscience is bothering him. He tells Dannythat he may have all of Mike's money but he will not have one thing thatMike had ... respect. Nathan watching all this tells Danny that ishasn't been his day. Firstly Frankie and now Adam. Nathan suggests tohim that he has something that Danny wants.

Gail asks David to check if the car is still parked across the road. Heconfirms it has gone. However, Sarah wants to talk more about thewedding plans. She thinks they may even end up at Roy's Rolls, becausethey have no money. Gail feels a bit guilty that she cannot pay for abig wedding. She feels she should be happy for them both. She goes totake a glass of wine, but David takes the glass from her saying that itwon't help the situation. He tells her that whoever is sending the cardswants her wrecked and this is letting them win.

Nathan feels concerned about his relationship with Frankie. He says thathe cannot afford to look after her the way Danny did. (I thought hedidn't want to talk about him again?). He thinks that she will move backto London, where there are plenty of nice rich blokes there. Sheconsoles him by telling him that she lives in a terraced house and is apart time waitress. She says there is nothing wrong with just wanting anice bloke.

Archie has arrived back from his trip. He sees Audrey locking up thesalon and invites her for a drink. When asked, Archie tells her that theforest is a hidden gem. As you would expect in soap, this is watchedfrom across the road by Keith. Blanche sees Keith glaring at Audrey andArchie. She tells Deirdre to hurry up to The Rovers as she wants aringside seat before World War Three starts! Rita walks by and Keithasks if she is going to the pub. Noticing Archie's car, she remarks thathe must be there as well. Archie offers a drink to Rita and Keith. Keithsnaps back that he will get his own. He then invites Audrey over to atable away from the bar. Blanche whispers to Deirdre that "there will beblood on the walls before the night is out".

Violet is trying to persuade Adam to have a party for his 21st. He saysthe only place he could have one would be at home with Deirdre, Ken andBlanche for company.

When Lloyd arrives home for his cosy night in, Becky appears. Surprised,Lloyd says he didn't realise she would be around. Becky asks whether itis a problem. Lloyd feels that it may enhance his reputation that he isliving with two women. Kelly asks her if she has told everyone that itis only temporary. Becky tells Kelly to let him have his moment of glory.

Keith is still moaning on. He tells her that if he were Rita he wouldn'tknow if Archie was after her money or measuring her up for a coffin.Audrey, getting fed up with him says she will get the drinks in.

Adam announces to Ken that his going to have a birthday party. Ken isworried that they may not have enough food and drinks. Adam tells himnot to worry as it will be at Jamie's. He invites Ken to the party,telling him that he can join them for a few drinks and then go.

Audrey returns from the bar to find Keith still going on. She tells himthat he is boring her, she no longer enjoys his company and is endingtheir relationship. She says that Archie had said life is too short andit is no use pretending that you are happy if you are not. Keith thinksthey were happy until "the gravedigger" stepped in. He goes over toArchie and says he is a good mind to take him outside. Rita asks what iswrong, Archie replies "Ask Casanova, here". He storms out followed byAudrey. Blanche, of course, is lapping it all up. Deirdre tries to calmher down.

Danny sees Nathan and Frankie enjoying each other's company. He goesover to them and tells Frankie they have some unfinished business. Theygo outside and he asks her for her answer as she didn't actually say"no". She tells him that it wouldn't work. Danny says he has learnt hislesson, and Frankie responds so has she learnt hers; the hard way. Atthis point Nathan comes out. Danny tells him that he is just ‘eye candy'for her! Frankie retorts that he is wrong, she tells Danny that Nathanis twice the man that he is. She is glad that he is with Leanne becauseevery morning he is going to wake up, see her face and think he wouldrather be with her.

Phew, after that I need to have a lie down in a darkened room!

Martin Rosen

Written by: Jan McVerry
Directed by: Tim Dowd

Adam and Jamie are carrying booze to Jamie's house forAdam's party. They'll be drinking something called‘Stallion,' apparently. The mind boggles. Danny takesthe opportunity to taunt Adam a bit about never makingit as a businessman because he pays corner shopprices. Adam mutters something about having a trustfund (presumably from his mother), and they go intothe house, after Frankie has directed a couple ofsarky comments at Danny. Leanne (in her PA's outfit ofrather sober - for her - dark suit), walking over thestreet to Danny, comments that he can't keep away fromFrankie. Danny's off to a meeting but leaves his newPA with the instructions,'Answer the phone, don'tmake decisions, don't use the computer unless you'regoing to play solitaire.'

In a surprise move (not), Tracy is trying to offloadAmy onto Blanche for the evening. Blanche says no cando, as she'll be at Adam's party. Not with all thedrink, drugs and banging tunes, Tracy says, whichmakes Ken take his glasses off in horror and exclaimthat he hopes it won't be that sort of party. Tracyhas a look at Adam's birthday present to himself, aleather jacket with a £500 price tag. Ken is appalled:‘He's got no job, a court case to fight, and what's hedo? Splash out on designer jackets and designerwatches. He's got Saville Row tastes on a student'sbudget!'Blanche is more sympathetic:'He's young, he's vainand he's grieving. He'll grow out of it.' I hope shedoesn't mean he'll grow out of the leather jacket,because he's a bit of a looming hulk already and Iwouldn't want him to get any bigger.

At the factory, Leanne is ingratiating herself withthe workers by making tea for them all. They wish theyhad a cappuccino machine, which would be nice for theclients as well as them, and Leanne says she'll drafta memo to Danny.

Chesney and Sophie come into the cafe in search ofsustenance for Chesney who's had sweets for breakfastand nothing for lunch since a big kid robbed him ofhis dinner money. That's the story they give to Vera,who was about to close the cafe as she's apparentlyworking alone and over-run with clearing up, but sherelents and tells them to clear a table and sit down.Sophie's idea of clearing a table is to stuff ahalf-eaten hamburger down the back of a radiator.

Walking along the street, Blanche is giving Adam alecture about being sensible with his money, but Adamsays maybe he wants to live fast and die young 'andleave a beautiful corpse.' And besides, he adds, wherewould James Dean have been without a leather jacket?(If he really paid attention next time he watched‘Rebel Without a Cause' he'd see James Dean wearing amore practical and affordable red windcheater. Youdon't have to break the bank to be cool). Also in thestreet, Keith spots The Lovely Craig and The BeautifulRosie hanging around, and tells Craig he should beindoors getting on with his homework. They go, andBlanche comes over to Keith, wanting a bit of gossipabout him, Audrey and Archie. Meanwhile Adam hasinvited Rosie and Craig to the party. Rosie has gotlighter streaks in her hair, as a transitional phasebetween Goth and Normal. Craig is now completelyNormal except he's still using the hair straighteners,I'm pleased to say.

Lloyd is at home waiting for Kelly to get out of thebathroom, and Becky takes the opportunity for a bit offlirtatious banter with him. 'He makes me laugh,' shetells Kelly when she finally comes out of thebathroom.‘Me too,' says Kelly,'Specially wi' no clothes on!'

Preparations are underway at Frankie's for the party.Frankie is wearing a halter-neck top and trousers andhas her hair like Posh Spice in that Spice Girls videowhere they're all pretending to be superheroes (theone that, legend has it, convinced David Beckham thatshe was his future wife. Posh, not Frankie Baldwin).She's having trouble finding space for what Nathanaccurately describes as 'A bowl of distressed woodenfruit.' She used to think it was classy once.Presumably around the time she was being an Essexhousewife married to Danny boy.

Meanwhile her ex is at his solicitor's (it's that chapfrom 'Are You Being Served?' again). The solicitor isexplaining that Frankie is entitled to fifty percentof Danny's assets, but when Danny mentions that Nathanhas moved into the family home, the solicitor saysthat could make a considerable difference to whatFrankie's entitled to – but it would ruin any lastchance that they could reach an amicable settlement.

The party's going well, with all our favourite youngercast members in attendance. Sean is threatening toplay his party megamix CD. Adam's wearing his designerleather jacket. Ken and Deirdre arrive, Blanchepresumably having been pressed into service with Amy.‘Can you smell drugs?' Ken asks Deirdre.

In the cab office, Lloyd is telling Eileen and Steveabout the mixed blessings of sharing his home with twowomen:'On the plus side, I need never buy shampooagain; on the minus side I can't get into thebathroom.'‘And when you do it's full of tights,' empathisesSteve.But it gets worse. On the plus side, the presence ofBecky is keeping Kelly on her toes, and on the minusside, Lloyd thinks that Becky is 'sometimes listeningat the door.' Ugh! Creepy!

Sean's party megamix includes 'Oops Upside Your Head,'and Becky, Jamie, Kelly, Sean and Sally are on thefloor doing the 'dance.' Becky has her customarycigarette clenched between her teeth and I rather fearfor Jamie's hair. Sally leaps up from her position onthe floor between Jamie's legs (ooh missis) when shesees Rosie and Craig. 'You're supposed to berevising!' she says, making an instant switch fromparty animal to irate mum and marching Rosie into thekitchen. Rosie tries to spin some story involvingKevin and Sophie, but Sally isn't convinced. MeanwhileAdam is impressing Joanne with a mixture of Caledoniancharm and the heady whiff of new leather, and then hepops into the kitchen to tell the assembled throngthat tequila slammers are being considered. 'Count meout!' says Deirdre.‘Let your perm down, live a little!' Adam tells her.

It's quiet at t'Rovers, but Gail and Audrey are there,talking about how Audrey doesn't want Keith to thinkshe's been two-timing him with Archie. Gail saysAudrey just wants the last word, and she should forgetabout it and move on. Also in the Rovers Jack istelling Steve that Vera is exhausting herself workingat the cafe. Steve tells him that Vera will runherself into the ground and 'You never miss your watertill your well runs dry, and you're a thirsty man,Jack.' Jack says he'll finish his pint and go and seehow Vera is. Keith comes into the pub, and seeingAudrey goes back out again. She runs after him. Atfirst he thinks she's trying to make up with him, butshe says nothing's changed, and she just wants him toknow that she wasn't messing about with Archie. Shesays she and Keith just don't gel – he hasn't got anyjoy in him.‘I find joy in a lot of things,' he says, hurt,'Butnot in you, Audrey.'

Danny and Leanne are walking along the street, andhe's giving her an exaggerated version of hisconversation with the solicitor. They meet Sean andAdam coming along with the ingredients for the tequilaslammers (tequila and clementines, lemons not havingbeen available in the corner shop). Danny tells Adamthe trick is to suck the lemon and swallow thetequila, not the other way round. 'He has a problemwith co-ordination,' he tells Leanne, but Adam'sco-ordination is fine as he delivers a hefty punch toDanny's jaw. Danny goes flying in a shower of brokenglass and tequila and Adam lunges at him as he sprawlson the ground. Danny rolls over and gets on top ofAdam, preparing to punch him, but Kirk and Fiz arecoming by on their way to the party and Kirk and Jamie(who opened the door to let Sean and Adam back in)pull Danny off.‘Eighteen, eh?' Danny says, his nose bleeding. 'Stillacting like a schoolboy, rucking in the street. Yourdad'd be very proud of you.' He tells Adam that Mikeknew that Adam didn't have a cat in hell's chance ofcontrolling the business, and he can't even controlhis own temper. 'Get yourself to bed, boy, you arepunching above your weight,' he says. Leanne leadsDanny away. Jamie says Adam walked right into thatone, and Joanne says his new jacket is wrecked. Adamgoes back indoors.

We next see him in the back yard of Frankie's house,nursing a can of beer and pondering. Sean joins him,and Adam tells him that one of the first things Mikeever said to him was,'Life ain't a fair race, so getyour elbows out, son.' He says that for him the issueof the will isn't about the money, it's about peoplethinking that Mike loved Danny more than he lovedAdam. Sean says that no-one who saw them togetherwould think that, but Adam says it's hard not to reachthat conclusion because Mike wrote the will in Danny'sfavour. Sean thinks that Mike 'probably had a gun tohis head' when he did that. Adam seems determined tofeel sorry for himself. He says he hates living at theBarlows, even though he loves them. Ken is one oflife's spectators, he says. 'My dad was a player. AndI miss him.'‘So your dad was a player,' Sean says. 'What are you?'‘I don't know,' Adam replies. 'I don't know what Iam.'

Sue Haasler

It's the morning after the Barlow-Baldwin match of the night before andspeculation is rife in the line-up waiting for the factory doors to open.When the boss finally rolls up, complete with facial bruising, the workersare almost gleeful at the drama of it all. Sean is in drama-queen mode,sounding like something out of Tennessee Williams. "Morning Mr Baldwin, MissLeanne." Danny tells them Adam just got in a lucky punch and he's giving himthe benefit of the doubt. He orders everyone inside.

Outside the Kabin in the rain, Norris tells Rita that pigeons are thedevil's work. But he's still letting her clean off the evidence of where thepigeons have been. He says he did offer to clean it off for her. "I'm nostranger to the rubber glove." Ken and Deirdre stop for a chat on theirmorning walk and Sean, who is still outside the factory for some reason,asks how Adam is. But it seems Ken and Deirdre are the last ones to hearabout the punch-up. Norris is tickled pink to see Ken's smug glow after ahealthy walk fade to the jaded pallor of a grandparent with a wayward,violent grandson.

Another pair who aren't inside the factory are Kelly and Becky. Kelly andLloyd are in their bedroom, Lloyd with his shirt off, when Becky waltzes inwith an armful of freshly-ironed clothes and wolf-whistles him. The ironingis her way of saying thank-you, she claims. Once she's gone, Kelly tellsLloyd that she's getting fed up with this. They realise that things are sobad they're whispering to each other in their own home. Even that'sinterrupted as Becky, who does not grasp the concept of knocking on a door,waltzes in again to tell Kelly to get a move on or they'll be late for work.

Around at the cafe, Vera is off sick and Frankie has a hangover so bad shecan't smell the smell everyone's complaining about. But we can clearly seethe burger Sophie shoved down the radiator last week. Audrey is wrinklingher nose and Frankie has lost all hand-eye co-ordination, spilling Deirdre'scuppa as she puts it down. Audrey thinks the horrible sweet smell is like"oooh, sweaty pig!" and decides against buying anything. Deirdre and Ken arediscussing Danny and Adam and Cain and Abel (it was a mini-series, Deirdretells Ken), when Frankie delivers entirely the wrong meals.

For some reason, those at the factory are discussing school days. They weregreat for copping off, says Joanne. Fiz agrees. "You always knew when a boyliked you because he'd hit you." Leanne comes to the office door and panicsJoanne by asking if she could have a word. But she just wants the kettle puton for a cuppa. The smug look is soon wiped off her face, though, when Dannytells her that if the girls are making tea they aren't making knickers, sonext time she can do the tea herself. Leanne wonders if the bruise isgetting to him, or his pride. But Danny snaps that he's got more to worryabout than "Och aye the noo". He's worked hard and he's not handing overhalf of it to Frankie.

Blanche has seen the state of Adam's £500 jacket. "Here he comes, ChampagneCharlie!" she says. "Good morning, Bagpuss," he greets her cheerfully. (I'venever seen the children's programme Bagpuss and maybe Blanche hasn't either,because she doesn't react). She starts ranting at him about the jacket,which has even got blood on it, and Ken breaks the news that Adam and Dannyfought. "So what. He was begging for it," Adam tells them. He asks ifthere's any breakfast left and Blanche points him towards stale bread andsausages past their sell-by date. It's all he deserves, she says. A younglady appears behind him and Adam tries to introduce her. But she has toremind him of her name (Ellie). Ken is suddenly furious. He tells Adam theywill have a talk later. And Adam needn't think he can dismiss Ken so easily.

In the cafe, Norris is timing the delivery of his cup of coffee (is theKabin kettle broken, then?). He's been waiting seven minutes and startsmaking sarcastic remarks about the difference between raisins and grapes(dehydration). Eileen and Lloyd are having lunch. Sean rushes in, greetingFrankie as Francesca. Becky comes in and puts her hands over Lloyd's eyes."Guess who." Once she's gone, Eileen remarks that she's like one of thosecute little dogs: "All over-friendly, with googly eyes. She'll be lickingyour face next." Adam comes in and Sean is disgusted by how well he looks.Frankie takes a phone call and rushes off, getting Eileen to cover for her.She serves Norris with his cup of coffee and he is appalled to find lipstickon the cup. Eileen offers to get him a fresh one. "Don't bother," he says ina horrified tone. "I feel violated."

In the factory they're singing Stand By Your Man, only slightly out of tune.Frankie marches in and orders Leanne out of the office. When she resistsgoing, Danny orders her out, though we can see her hanging around outsidelike the Ghost of Christmas Expensive. Frankie is furious that Danny haslied to his solicitor and said Nathan is living with her. She believes Dannystill loves her. "Don't flatter yourself," he says, but Frankie insists sheknows him and can see it in his eyes. As she leaves she says she feels sorryfor Leanne. "If I so much as clicked my fingers . . ." Leanne snaps thatshe's the one he's with now. "Yeah," says Frankie, "but for how long?"

In the factory office, a glum Leanne tells Danny he made her feel like anaughty schoolgirl. Danny always does what Frankie wants and she comessecond. Maybe Danny does still love Frankie. Danny denies this. He pointsout that he's doing everything he can to stop Frankie getting half ofeverything. "Does that sound like a man who's in love with his Ex?"

In the Kabin, Blanche wonders where Rita is. Norris says she's been likeLove's young dream. "Happen she's running around the Red Rec with a bunch ofdaffodils." Emily agrees, and says Rita and Archie have been seeing a lot ofeach other, staying out till all hours. "They ate a party pack of Twiglets!"She wouldn't have minded, but she was saving them for a special occasion!They don't know Rita is in the stock room, listening. Blanche says Archie isa heart breaker and is trifling with Audrey's affections, too. "Ooh, er,Rita! Lovely weather we're having for the time of year," says a shamefacedEmily as Rita appears. But Blanche pulls herself up to her full height andsticks her nose in the air as well. "I sense a storm brewing," she opines(only Blanche could opine!).

In the cafe, Frankie is telling Nathan about her encounter with Danny whenLeanne arrives, trying to stir up trouble. She says Frankie is a drama queenbut Frankie says she's with Nathan now and has no feelings for Danny. "Stayout of our way!" Leanne finishes.

In the taxi office, Kelly and Lloyd are discussing how difficult it is tocomplain about Becky when she does so much work. Eileen suggests they sendBecky round to hers. "I've got a cooker caked in grease that's older than Iam. And more stubborn." She thinks Lloyd secretly likes having two womenfussing over him.

But while they're reluctant to go home, Audrey is shutting the salon andheading off. She's passing the time of day with Archie, who happens to bepassing, and begins to tell him about splitting from Keith. Across the road,Sean catches up with Adam just to check how he is. "I don't really dotouchy-feely," Adam tells him. Rita is heading away from the shop andbriskly walks past Archie and Audrey, telling them she doesn't want tointrude. Audrey says no she'll leave, and poor Archie is left standing inthe middle of the street with no company at all.

Kelly and Lloyd arrive home where Becky has cooked dinner. She says shelikes to feel useful. Kelly tries to tell her tactfully that it's too much.Becky almost deflates. She explains that they've been so kind to her andshe's not used to that. Lloyd likes her scrambled eggs, though.

At the Barlows', Ken is making no attempt to say anything tactfully. He sayshe's been around a lot longer than Adam, and Adam can learn from Ken'smistakes. Blanche defends Adam, but Ken says he can see history repeatingitself. He hated Mike Baldwin for years. Blanche says that's because Mikebedded Ken's wife. "More than once, if I remember rightly," she adds,despite Deirdre looking daggers at her. Blanche thinks turning the othercheek is over-rated. Deirdre suggests Adam go to see Penny to see if he canget his job back.

In the pub, we learn that Sean could have been a ballet dancer, though headmits he might make things up to make his life more interesting. WhenFrankie comes in, Danny makes an excuse to go to the bar and make nastycomments about Nathan. Frankie revises her decision on where to drink, andbuys a bottle of red wine to take out, taking Nathan with her as she leaves.

Outside, she asks Nathan to move in with her.

The End
Margaret Carr

Jack is on Frankie's doorstep, pleading with her to help Vera in the cafe.Jamie and Violet come along at that moment, just as Frankie tells Jack thatNathan is moving in with her today, she has to be at home. She urges Jack tohelp Vera himself. "What me? Work?" says Jack, and goes off looking ratherdisgruntled. Frankie turns to Jamie, "I did mean to say something….." shesays, "do you mind?" Jamie assures her that he doesn't, and they go insidejust as Danny and Leanne pull up over the road.Danny stares across as the front door closes, and then turns to find Leanneglaring at him, arms folded across her chest. "Still living for those long,lingering looks, are we?" she says, and Danny retorts that he didn't ask herto come. Leanne replies that she wouldn't miss out on her book-keepinglesson and hustles him into the factory.Archie Shuttleworth comes across Norris sweeping the pavement, and tells himhe's looking for Rita. Norris comes over all frosty and tells Archie thathe doesn't approve of the way he's been leading her a merry dance. Archiemaintains that they are merely friends, to which Norris replies that heshould make sure she knows that. Archie says he will tell Rita when he seesher, and asks Norris if he knows where she is. Norris says he doesn't thinkRita would want him to tell, as she didn't tell him.Lloyd, Les and Steve are in the taxi office when Becky comes in and puts herhands over Lloyd's eyes. "Guess who?" she cries. "Valerie Singleton?"suggests Lloyd, but Becky is obviously too young to know who she is. Sheoffers to go and get Lloyd a buttie, placing her finger on his lips. "I knowwhat you like," she murmurs, suggestively. When she's gone, Les and Stevetease him unmercifully. "We all know what you like," says Steve. Lloydtells them to calm their mucky minds, there's nothing going on, andconfesses that Becky is beginning to grate.In the cafe, Jack breaks the news to Vera that Frankie can't come and help.He then tries to get Tyrone to help, but he's taking Molly to the pictures.Becky has come in and starts moaning about the wait for the bacon sarnieshe's promised Lloyd. Vera thrusts the bag containing the sandwich at her,"I hope it chokes ya," she growls. Becky peers into the bag, and when shecomplains that the bacon isn't crispy, Vera snatches it back. Becky goes offin a strop and Vera announces that the next person to complain is barred forlife. Tyrone tries to urge her to shut the shop for the day, but Vera saysshe can't.Craig and Keith are at a table, Craig is looking around sniffing, he cansmell something nasty so he gets up and goes, leaving Keith to eat bothmeals.Over at the Platt's, David is planning to visit his dad, and is trying topersuade Sarah to stay at home and keep and eye on Gail. Sarah, however,has other plans. Eileen is going to look after Bethany, which means she canhave an afternoon in bed with Jason. "Too much squalid information!" saysDavid. After she's gone, Gail persuades David to stay home a bit longer andshare a pizza with her.Rita is at the bar in the Rovers when Audrey comes in. There's a distinctchill in the air as Audrey approaches the bar and when she asks if Ritawould like a drink, the offer is declined. "Archie not with you?" enquiresAudrey. Rita replies that she thought he would be with her. "Clearly I amalone," says Audrey. Just then Archie comes in, and goes up to Audrey andRita, "My favourite lovely ladies," he cries, "how are we today?" However,it's not long before he picks up the icy atmosphere.Over the cafe, Vera seems to have disappeared and a mutiny is brewingamongst the customers. It's only when Jamie complains that he can see hissausage blackening, that Jack gets up and walks behind the counter to sortthings out. Vera suddenly appears from the back, telling Jack it took him12 minutes to realise that she wasn't there and start doing something aboutit. She hands him an apron and tells him to get stuck in. Keith thenrealises that he can smell something bad, just as Craig had. "Something inhere really reeks," he says.Across the road, Nathan has arrived with all his belongings in a couple ofblack bin bags, ready to move in with Frankie. Just then, Danny and Leannecome out of the factory, the book-keeping lesson over. The look on Danny'sface when he sees Nathan carrying a laughing Frankie back inside her house,is priceless.In the Rovers, Archie is trying to make peace between the two ladies."Flattered as I am to have such marvelous specimens locking horns myhonour," he says, "it's completely unnecessary." He goes on to say there'sno romantic competition, he's past all that, it's friendship that matters.He points out that Audrey and Rita have been friends for donkey's years."Hey, we're not that old," says Audrey, and they all laugh.At another table, Kelly is moaning again about Becky, when she comes in. Sherushes over and sits with them, but they are aghast when she pulls outbrochures. "I reckon we should go on holiday," she says.At the bar, Leanne is perturbed by Danny's obvious disquiet at seeingFrankie and Nathan. She feels that he shouldn't care about them, he's movedon and is with her now. He tells her that Frankie being with Nathan meansthat it really is the end for him and her, and he can't pretend he's happyabout it.At Gail's house, they've just finished their pizza. Gail says she hasenjoyed talking to David without the two of them shouting. He asks if she'ssure she'll be all right, and she says she will and urges him to get off tohis dad's.Over at the Baldwin residence, Frankie and Nathan are extremely awkward witheach other and their new situation.In the cafe, the situation is no better, with Kevin this time, asking whathas happened to his order. It turns out that Vera has forgotten to put hisapple pies in the oven to get warm and they are still sitting, cold, on theworktop. Jack decides he's had enough and heads for the door. "Where areyou going?" she asks, and he tells her he needs fresh air.Over the road, Gail takes some pills out of her handbag and swallows acouple.In Lloyd's flat, he's moaning about a stiff neck and Becky to massage it forhim. Kelly comes in looks extremely displeased when she sees what is goingon.Out in the street, Archie catches up with Norris and says he's cleared upthe misunderstanding with Rita. He thanks him for his intervention andhurries off round the corner. Norris goes over to Jack who is having acigarette outside the cafe. "Sends a chill through me, that one," he says.He and Jack walk back inside the cafe, still talking, and Norris steps onsome rubbish that's been left on the floor. His foot slips from under himand he falls flat on his back onto the floor, where he lies still, out cold.In the Rovers, Jamie and Violet are discussing the fact that Nathan hasmoved in with Frankie. Violet's opinion is that Frankie is on the rebound,and glances over at Danny and Leanne.Rita tells Audrey that they were both at fault, but she was only everinterested in friendship with Archie. "There was nothing going on," shesays, "I've given up on all that, I thought you had too." Audrey confessesthat she has and she hasn't. She knows that her relationship with Keith wasa mistake, but he did remind her that life's not over yet.Danny and Leanne are just about to have another drink when Frankie andNathan come in. "Scrub the drink, we're going," says Danny, and marches out.Just then Keith comes in and tells Audrey that Norris has had an accident inthe cafe and the ambulance has just arrived. As Rita gets to her feet,Frankie says, "I'd better go," and rushes out.Outside, the paramedics have Norris on a stretcher and are about to put himin the ambulance. "I think I'll be all right," he quavers as Rita rushes up,"but if I'm not, my will is in the third drawer down of the best dresser."Keith says that the paramedics have said he's only got a couple of sprainsand will probably be home within the hour, but Kevin says that he was outcold for about a minute. Rita offers to go with him in the ambulance, andoff they go, leaving Audrey, Keith and Kevin standing watching.

Good evening. Whilst this was episode was airing I was driving toGatwick and back - however the video recorder worked again this week andtherefore I can again delight you with events in the mean Street ofWeatherfield. This episode was written by John Fay and directed by TimeHopewell.

Vera is having a relapse and will not be at work - Jack is passing thenews onto Frankie when Jamie walks past with an update on Doris - he hasbeen kept in hospital overnight, only slipped on a crisp packet - but itwas a bad fall. Norris is going to make everyone's life difficult.

Becky is in Lloyd's bedroom trying on Kelly's clothes - she has nothingclean to wear. Lloyd is not amused but stops Becky taking it off notwishing to have a partially clothed woman in his bedroom; before dashingout she says she is glad that he likes her wearing it (which is not whathe actually said). Lloyd looks uncomfortable. Later Kelly is unhappythat Becky is wearing her top. Becky reckons that she and Kelly aresisters.

Rosie, towering over both her parents (almost), asks if Craig can comeround for his tea. Sally demurs but agrees to him coming round when shehas done some shopping. Sally and Kev agree that the new Craig can comeround. Craig does not want to come round - Rosie talks him round.

Ken and Dreary discuss lunch and they agree to meet later in Roy'sRolls. Adam appears and then disappears back to bed.

Lloyd and Steve discuss the morning's events. Kelly comes in andoverhears the two of them. Kelly tells Lloyd that he is in the doghouseand wants a serious talk. Kelly remarks on the smell - it is nextdoor's drains apparently. Roy and Hayley are due back today. Lloydfinally gets his lunch. Steve is off to collect Norris.

Blanche is buying cakes next door. She updates Kelly on Norris' fall.Diggory is happy to provide the cakes for the factory as Kelly hasdeserted Roy's Rolls.

Ken tries to find out what is wrong with Adam - Adam does not want todiscuss it.

Tyrone tells Frankie that Norris is back - and he mentions the badsmell. Jamie arrives with the flowers that Frankie wanted and shedashes out to go and say sorry to Norris. Norris gets out of the carand into a wheelchair. He has crutches as well. Blanche tells Frankienot to deliver the flowers - they are an admission of guilt and bothNorris and his lawyers will see it the same way.

Jamie was left serving in Roy's and he has spotted mice running aroundthe kitchen whilst Frankie was outside - she has returned with theflowers.

Lloyd and Steve lifted Norris up the stairs in his wheelchair. Norrisis angry and is expecting compensation. He has already phonedenvironmental health from the hospital.

Frankie asks Jamie if he can help during the afternoon. She is planningto shut up for the afternoon and give the place a clean - Jamie knowsthere are some mousetraps at home and he will drop them off.

In the Rovers, Sal and Kev discuss inviting Craig to tea. Lloyd ishanding out new business cards. They then start discussing Gail - butLloyd offered her a card and got the cold shoulder.

The environmental health inspector arrives as Ken and Dreary leavebecause of the smell. As he enters Frankie squeaks as she sees themouse. Becky remarks on the smell as she departs. Derek Moore is theman from Environmental Health.

Kelly is unhappy with having Becky around - she cannot see how she canget rid of Becky - and she is fed up having her around. Kelly observesthat Becky is making no effort to find a place. Becky arrives andreports she has washed the top and then offers to buy a round (clevergirl).

Ken criticises Adam for drinking again. However Jamie departs and Adamis left to listen to Ken and Deirdre.

Roy is looking forward to getting behind his counter again. He andHayley are in a coffee shop chain - just like all the others up and downthe land - but Roy's Rolls has a quiet understated integrity. Theydiscuss what might have happened in their absence.

The EHO has made a record of all of the problems. He confirms there hasbeen a complaint. He can apply for a court order - or he recommends avoluntary closure. Clean the place and he will return in a couple ofdays and then if clean he will allow it to re-open. Jamie arrives andFrankie tells him what has happened - luckily he has brought the mousetraps.

And episode two will be along shortly.

K Richard W

We are pleased to welcome a new reporter to the team, Graham Hewitt.Here is his first report.

A very tired looking Gail makes her way to Roy's Rolls for breakfast butfinds it locked. Depressed, she leaves, nearly gets run over and ignoresJack checking if she is OK.

Inside, Frankie and Jamie are cleaning up after the closure and find arancid egg roll stuffed behind the radiator. They are very concernedthat they have damages Roy's livelihood.

At the Rovers, the world cup is being discussed between Kelly, Lloyd andthe bunny-boiler, Becky. Becky suggests a World Cup party, which, beingstill 4 weeks away, annoys Kelly, who vows to tell her tonight to move out.

Meanwhile, Gail, who hasn't slept all night, is taking sleeping pillsand getting more paranoid when the post arrives.

Vera arrives at the cafe and takes a phone call from Roy and Hayley,just arrived at the airport. At this point, there is one of the classicCorrie comedy bits when Vera and Roy mishear each other. Vera say she isill and there is an Environmental Health Problem. Roy is in a noisycoffee bar and mishears this as a Mental Health Problem. He asks if shehas sought professional help, to which she says yes, a man came roundand closed the cafe. Roy and Hayley are very sorry for Vera and tellsher to go home ad put her feet up. Frankie is puzzled by Roy's kindattitude.

Norris, making the most of his 'injuries' from his fall in Roy's, callsRita up from the shop, much to her chagrin, for the third time. Thistime he just wants 'wheeling' to the bathroom he can do other bits andpieces himself!

Lloyd tells Steve how bad it is getting with the two girls in the flat,but, typically, Steve tells Lloyd just how lucky he is having athreesome like that.

In the pub, Jack tells Audrey how tired Gail looked and nearly got runover, Audrey charges out to see Gail. She has problem getting Gail toanswer the door, she's in bed. Gail gets cross with Audrey's concern atthe sleeping pills and goes back to bed, telling Audrey to let herself out.

Rosy persuades Craig to go to the garage and chat to Kevin. He hasn'tbeen in the garage since his dad was killed in there, it's fairlytraumatic but he agrees to work on a car with an understanding Kevin.

Rita has decided to take Norris in his chair to the pub, for 'somecompany'. She leaves him with Jack and Frankie, who give him a bunch offlowers and their deep apologies. But, Norris, the twerp, lets out thathe only has a couple of sprains. Jack and Frankie call him a fraud andtake back the flowers.

Kelly and Becky meet Lloyd outside the pub, where Kelly suggests itstime for Becky to move out. Becky feigns apologies and offers to go hometo make a meal before moving out. She bursts into tears as she goesaround the corner. At the flat, she has the most evil look in her eye asshe purposely leaves the hot iron on Kelly's top that she promised to press.

Roy and Vera arrive at Vera's with flowers and deep sympathy. Morehilarious confusion as Vera explains her problem was aggravated by mice,an egg roll and Norris's fall. Roy says that you can't be sectioned in amental home for someone slipping on a roll. At this point, Vera getsuppity at being called 'off her rocker' and a row starts. Vera quits thejob, or Roy sacks her, or both, and she kicks them out of the house.

Graham

Football pre-empts Corrie tonight.

For some strange reason Corrie was dropped on Wednesday night -- somethingto do with a game with a round ball. As all true sports fans will know, onlygames with an oval ball should affect television schedules. Never mind. It'son with Friday.

We open in the street, where Kevin, coming out of the shop with some milk,meets a rather depressed looking Jack and asks how Vera is. Jack explainsthat there were harsh words said on both sides. "Took it hard, has she?"asks Kevin. "Not just her, mate," Jack tells him.

Over at Lloyd and Kelly's love nest, a horrified Kelly is trying to makeLloyd as indignant as she is about her ruined top. Lloyd is more interestedin his toast. He tells Kelly that Becky will be out soon. He says he'slooking forward to having some privacy. Bright and cheerful, Becky comes outfrom the bathroom and is so apologetic about the ruined top that Kelly tellsher never mind. Once Becky's gone, Lloyd tells Kelly: "You know, for ahard-faced Manc you aren't half a pushover." Kelly's wondering now how Beckywill get a deposit together for a flat of her own.

Kevin's back home now, where Sally is telling the gurls to hurry up orthey'll be late. Kevin tells Rosie there's some car-cleaning work availablefor Craig if he wants it. Sally is surprised Craig's not aiming higher thanbeing a mechanic. But Rosie wants to know who would go to university andsaddle themselves with a £20,000 debt.

In the cafe, Hayley and Roy have been up all night cleaning and bleachingand washing and polishing and mopping. Roy is preparing himself to startinterviewing for a replacement for Vera. "It's hard to imagine a strangermeshing in with the workings of this organisation." Hayley clops off to workjust as Frankie arrives full of apologies. Roy tells her she won't berequired until the cafe has passed its environmental health inspection.Frankie tries to tell him how sorry she is but he cuts her short. "If you'rehere to help, I'd be grateful if you could dismantle the Flying Scotsman,"he says.

Vera is going on about what a clean house she keeps. It's always beenspotless. "What is all this in aid of, then?" demands Jack, who has hishands in a bowl of soapy water washing knick-knacks. Vera tells him thewhole situation is his fault because he didn't clean up in the cafe when sheasked him to. Even now he can't do right and she takes the Princess Dianafigurine away from him before he breaks the tiara. She thinks Jack wants herback working so he can resume his armchair-bookies-Rovers routine. "There'sgonna be some changes in here," she promises Jack. Behind her, she's madehim so angry that he's snapped the head clean off one figurine, but hemanages to slip the pieces into his pocket.

Fiz can't find her purse in the factory. Hayley is telling Sally how upsetshe was to miss Mike's funeral. When she finishes, Kelly introduces herformally to Becky. Kelly checks that Becky is OK about moving out and Beckysays she's a survivor.

In the Kabin, Norris reckons being in a wheelchair gives you a whole newperspective on life. "The underside of some of these shelves is filthy.""Never mind the undersides, Ironsides," Rita tells him, adding that she caneasily get someone to cover for him because she's not sure he should beworking. Norris is offended that she thinks just anyone could replace him.Roy comes in, sending Norris into a frenzy of sarcasm, followed by a lectureabout how much worse it could have been, though he admits he always thoughtof Roy as a fastidious man. Rita points out that Roy is trying to apologise.Roy asks Norris why, if he thought Roy was fastidious, he calledEnvironmental Health. Norris says the whole place was a death trap. "Thefall may not have killed him," Rita says, "but I can't promise that Iwon't!"

Fiz and Sean head into the Rovers, with Fiz still puzzling over her missingpurse. In a nearby booth, Kelly hands ?200 to Becky, telling her it's a loanto help her with the deposit for a flat of her own. It turns out she pawnedthe expensive watch Becky bought her in order to get the money. "You need aflat more than I need a watch." Blanche and Rita are discussing Norris.Blanche points out that Norris will only be in the wheelchair five minutes."I'd like to see him live with my hip!" Blanche thinks Emily must have putup with Norris as a kind of penance, like Catholics whipping themselves. Butwhen Rita points out Catholics don't whip themselves, Blanche gets confused."I've no interest in religion past the jumble sales." It's her turn to payfor the drinks, but she can't find her tartan purse. At the bar, Beckywatches her hunt for it.

Still in the pub, Becky is reading the ads for flats with Sean commenting onthem. Kelly and Lloyd plan a celebration, but he says it will have to waituntil tomorrow because he has to work tonight. Sean drags the factory staffback to work. Blanche still hasn't found her purse and Rita has just checkedthe Ladies and asks Blanche if she's sure she took her handbag in with her."Of course I am. I needed a pen to do me Sudoku," Blanche says. Sally hasn'tseen it. Blanche is sure it's been stolen. She had ?8.50 and her lotteryticket.

As Kelly and Becky walk back to work, Becky asks if Kelly's interested ingoing to the pictures, but Kelly says she and Lloyd have plans. Becky saysshe'll go to the pictures any way. Nearby, Audrey meets Sally and asksafter Gail. Audrey says Gail is very upset about the cards.

In the butchers' shop, Claire talking about the lack of space in theirhouse. She doesn't think Ashley is listening and assumes he's still worriedabout Matt Ramsden. But Ashley says Matt's lost interest and just wanted tocause trouble, rather then see Joshua. Claire is not convinced.

Rosie and Craig are sitting outside the chippie talking about his plans tobe a mechanic.

In the Kabin, Norris is sorting the greeting cards and says they're gettinglow on birthday cards. "Never mind, with all the cards Gail Platt has beenbuying to send to herself, we'll be able to take early retirement soon." Hehasn't noticed Audrey coming in behind him. "Norris!" warns Rita. But hegoes on to say that it's a middle-aged woman's cry for attention. It'salmost a cliche. "I'll tell you what is a cliche!" Audrey says, almostgiving him whiplash to add to his injuries. "The sight of you revelling inother people's misery! Mind you, it's all I ever expect from you. But I amsurprised at you, Rita." She storms off.

Jack's bought some chips to save Vera cooking. She seems down but Jackstells her she's not too old to work and she was an asset to the cafe. ButVera says she has to face the fact that she's past her sell-by date. Behindher, Jack, adds an apparently undamaged shepherdess to her knick-knackcollection.

An admiring Hayley is gushing about the state of the cafe, but Roy pointsout there's a story in the Gazette saying the cafe is closed "due to animpending inspection by Environmental Health." Hayley tells him it will allblow over, but Roy is worried about all the stock that's going to waste.Hayley's dad used to say that in times of trouble you should think aboutthose less fortunate that you. She has to spell it out to Roy -- use thesurplus food to help the hungry and homeless! As they set to making butties,Roy asks what he ever did to deserve a soulmate like Hayley. "You are aninspiration," as always.

In the pub, Sean is commenting on how well Becky's fit in. Kelly denies thatBecky is "her" Becky, but Sean thinks they're bosom buddies. "The onlyreason I'm stood here is because I'm waiting for her to clear off to thepictures so I can have the flat to myself," Kelly tells him. Audrey comes inand is very snappy when Sean asks how Gail is. She asks Shelley to reassureher that folk don't think Gail is sending the cards to herself. Shelley saysit's just gossip and nothing more. Kelly heads off home for some peace. Ritacomes in and apologises to Audrey, who forgives her and asks her for all thedetails of Norris's accident. "I could do with a laugh." Blanche comes in,but Shelley hasn't found the purse. Blanche believes Shelley hasn't evenlooked, so Shelley hands her a tenner from her own purse to shut her up. Itdoesn't. "That might cover the cash and the lottery ticket, but what aboutthe cost of the purse itself?" she demands. "And what if me numbers come up?That ticket could be worth millions!" Me, I'd set fire to the tenner in hergrasping old fingers. Shelley restrains herself.

Not so far away, someone is going through a nice collection of purses,including a tartan one and another with Fiz's ID card in it. Becky! Shehears Kelly coming and whips them under a sofa cushion. She tells Kelly shecouldn't be bothered going to the pictures, but she says now they can have anice girls' night in. But her expression changes once Kelly leaves the roomand with a sneer on her face she hides the purses in her clothing and headsto her room, muttering "stuck up bitch!"

The End

Margaret Carr

First half of hour long episode

At Lloyd and Kelly's, Becky is on the phone,apparently setting up a meeting to go and look at aflat. Kelly is relieved (and possibly a bit guilty)that she and Lloyd might soon have the flat tothemselves again.

Gail tells David that she's not going to let the"Richard Hillman" cards ruin her life any more.

A spate of purse thefts at the factory seems to beunderway, as Becky announces her purse, containing?200 deposit for the flat, is missing. Fiz has alsohad her purse taken, and Blanche's went missing in thepub. This last detail leads Danny to believe that thethief isn't at the factory - after all, the pursescould have been lost anywhere. Kelly kindly lendsBecky ten pounds.

Norris, brave soul that he is, is out of hiswheelchair and back in t'shop. Rita is surprised tosee him, and Blanche is hardly encouraging, tellinghim that being mobile too soon might lead to a heartattack. On the other hand, not being mobile enoughcould lead to a stroke. Norris opts to perch on astool behind the counter.

The crime wave at the factory continues as Sally haslost her engagement ring, which she took off and leftby a machine. But Danny only starts to take thingsseriously when Leanne announces her purse has gonetoo. Then he orders bag and locker checks - which isthe first time I ever recall seeing lockers atUnderworld. To everyone's total surprise and horror,when Kelly opens her locker, the purses and engagementring are all there! Kelly protests that she knowsnothing about it. The others are shocked. All apartfrom a rather quiet (for once) Becky.

In the cab office, Claire tells Lloyd and Steve thather pregnancy is meaning she needs to use the loo alot, and she asks if she can just do the short taxiruns from now on.

As Lloyd is leaving, he sees a bit of a hoo-ha outsidethe factory, in the middle of which is the policeleading Kelly into a police car. She's stillprotesting her innocence.

The health inspector arrives at the cafe and tells Roythat everything is now up to standard and they canre-open straight away. The first customer is Jack, whoasks if Vera can have her job back. Roy says that hisreputation has been hugely damaged, and he'll have tosay no.

Lloyd is at the police station, but they won't tellhim when Kelly might be let out.

Meanwhile Kelly is being questioned by an officer whohas her criminal record in front of him. She says thereason she has a record is that she was a uselesscriminal - she got caught. She says someone must havebroken into her locker and put the purses there. Hesays there was no sign of damage to the lockers, andas she says she always has her keys with her, there'sno other explanation - she must be the thief.

Steve tells Claire he's decided to send her onmaternity leave straight away, but she says she can'tafford to do that.

In the pub everyone is bitching about Kelly, apartfrom Becky, who is making a great show of being "fair"about her friend. Blanche tells her she's tootrusting(!).

Sarah and David are at home, and have found anothercard. This one reads: 'To Gail, thinking of you inyour time of need, love Richard.' When Gailunexpectedly comes in, Sarah hides the card inside acookery book.

Becky is now back at Lloyd's place, and is carrying onher act of pretending to be on Kelly's side, whiletrying to encourage Lloyd to think Kelly might havedone it. Lloyd is distressed to think that the personhe lives with might not be who he thought she was, andwonders if they'll keep Kelly in overnight. Becky saysnot to worry, because she'll be there for him. Thenshe grabs him and kisses him. Lloyd, after a second ortwo, pulls away and says, 'Let's just forget that evenhappened, alright?' Becky looks quite smug.

At the Platt's, Sarah pretends she needs the cookerybook for a recipe for dinner, but Gail realises she'sacting suspiciously and takes the book from her, andfinds the card. Sarah says she was only trying toprotect Gail, but Gail says she needs to know what'shappening if only so she can let the police know.

Back at the police station, Kelly has suddenlyrealised that among her acquaintances is a certainex-con who had access to her keys. She tells theofficer about Becky. The officer says they'll speak toBecky, but will have to keep Kelly there in themeantime. Kelly is distraught.

Sue Haasler

Part 2

Becky is taken in for questioning and seems to be astounded when she hearsthat Kelly has said she took all the things. "Why would I do that?" sheasks, and he says it was because Kelly was chucking her out of the flat. Healso says that it wouldn't be the first time she's been caught stealing, butBecky says that now she has a good job, money in her pocket and some goodmates, and it's all thanks to Kelly. The policeman then lets her go.

Kelly is let out of her cell, and is convinced that they now know the truthabout Becky and will be letting her go. She's amazed when the policeofficer starts to say, "Kelly Louise Crabtree, you are charged with fiveoffences"

Back in Coronation Street, Emily asks Rita if she's got her umbrella, she'sgoing out and the forecast is for rain. Rita confesses that she thinks sheleft it in Archie's car, but she's seeing him later and will get it then.Emily is not at all pleased, "I'm going now, I'll just have to take mychances." Rita says, "Take chances and you die, take precautions and youdie, that's what Archie says." She reckons he's very profound, very dry."We

Lloyd is getting dressed in his bedroom when Becky suddenly comes in withtwo mugs of tea in her hands. She says she couldn't knock because she hadher hands full. "Looks like you have too," she says. She starts toapologise for the previous evening but he tells her to forget it happenedand to give him some space.

In the cafe, Roy is trying to persuade Hayley to stay a bit longer and helphim, but Hayley wants to get to work in time to have a cuppa before shestarts. He implores her to be back for the lunchtime rush, and as she goesoff, Jack comes in. Roy asks what he can do for him, and Jack replies thathe couldn't do any more than he has already because now he has his Vera back" all day, every day! He then goes on to beg Roy to take her back, "Anymore of this and I'll throw myself in the cut!" he cries. Roy points outthat he didn't just sack Vera, she also resigned. Jack assures him that Verawould be back like a shot if he would just apologise. "Apologise to thewoman who all but ruined my business and then as good as told me it was myfault?" says Roy, "I think you'd better dust off your water wings, Jack,you've got an appointment with the cut!"

Over in the taxi office, Steve is trying to persuade Claire to takematernity leave, but she doesn't want to. She says he wouldn't be so keen onthe idea if she wasn't freelance and he had to pay her when she was off. Hetries to give a job to Lloyd, but Claire snatches the paper out of his hand,"I'll take it, thank you," she says, and off she goes.

After she's gone, Steve says to Lloyd that they are going to have to dosomething about Claire, but Lloyd says he'll leave that to Steve. Steveasks how things are going with Kelly and Lloyd tells him that they'vecharged her. He says that it just doesn't make sense, things were goinggreat and they weren't hard up for money. He tells Steve that Kelly doeshave "previous", she's done time inside, but it was a long time ago. Stevesays that the purses were found in Kelly's locker, but Lloyd tells him thattwo and two don't always make five.

It's lunchtime at the cafe and Hayley is harassed. She tells Roy that hejust has to make things right with Vera. He protests at first, but shetells him he can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, to which hereplies that Vera can't make one without breaking some leg. Hayley is notamused.

Lloyd is out on a fare, so Steve goes and picks up Kelly. He tells her thatLloyd is worried sick, and could do without all the aggro. "And you think Ican't?" snaps Kelly. She then sees Becky wandering down the street carryinga cake box, "Stop the car!" she yells.

She rushes up to Kelly and says, "Surprised?" To which Becky replies thatyes, she is, she didn't think Kelly would have the nerve to show her faceafter what she's done. Kelly tells her she knows just what Becky did, "Butwhat I can't understand is why?" she goes on, "I've been really good toyou." Becky says she doesn't know what Kelly is talking about, "Course, Ialways knew you were a bit tapped," she says. Then she tells Kelly it mustbe hard for her to accept that she is with Lloyd now, "I steal your bloke,you steal my money," she says, "fair enough, but those other girls hadnothing to do with it." Kelly tells her that Lloyd wouldn't look twice ather, "Are you blind or just bonkers?" asks Becky. Kelly lunges at her,knocking the cake box to the ground, and Steve grabs her before she canactually attack Becky.

All the noise brings Danny rushing out of the factory, and when she sees himcoming Becky throws herself on the ground, screaming and pretending she'sbeen attacked. Danny tells her to get inside, and Kelly tries to tell him itwasn't how it looked, but Danny isn't listening. He says it will be up tothe court to decide, and tells her to get off the property. Kelly tries totell him that Becky took the stuff and put it in her locker, but Danny justtells the other staff who've come outside to get back in, and they all turnfrom her and walk away.

Down the street, Audrey meets Gail and tells her to confront things moreinstead of burying her head in the sand. Gail asks her sarcastically ifshe's supposed to line the cards up on the mantelpiece and look at them.Audrey tells her yes, she should just treat them as a joke.

As the factory girls walk down the street at lunch time, the conversationobviously turns to Kelly. Hayley says it was awful seeing her so desperate,and Joanne can't understand why she would steal. Becky informs them thatKelly has been in prison for stealing in the past.

Kelly has gone to the taxi office, and is tearfully telling Lloyd that sheshould never have trusted Becky, and how she even said there was somethinggoing on between her and Lloyd. Lloyd tells her that whatever Becky has saidit didn't happen like that. Kelly is horrified, and mentions all the timeshe flirted with Becky in the past. "I would never have done anything, I loveyou, Babe," says Lloyd, but Kelly doesn't believe him and storms out of theoffice.

Jack goes into the cafe and sits down, ordering an egg and bacon sarniewithout even looking up. He says it's to line his stomach before he facesVera's shepherd's pie. He is immediately hit around the head with a teatowel, and looks up to find himself staring at Vera. He says it was all ajoke, he knew it was her all along. Apparently Roy came to the house to eathumble pie, and Jack is delighted with Roy, telling him he'll go to heaven.Roy says Vera does seem to attract the customers, he's not sure whether it'sher royal blood or not.

Over at a table, Steve and Ronnie are discussing Claire. Steve thinks hewill just start giving Claire the shorter trips, but she tells him he can'tjust go giving in to staff, it will show him as weak.

Norris sees Emily gathers from her demeanor that all is not going well withRita. He tells her not to be too hard on Rita, "I must be a very hard act tofollow," he says. Rita comes in then and Emily asks about her umbrella, butit seems that Rita forgot all about it. "I'll get it next time, I promise,"she says.

Steve sees Claire and asks if she'd like to do the switch while Eileen isaway. She says she'll see how it goes.

Kelly tries to talk to Sean and Jo, but Sean is quite nasty and walks away,telling Joanne, "Watch your purse, kid." Kelly tells Jo that she takes itBecky told everyone she's been inside, "Bet she didn't tell you that's whereI met her though," says Kelly, "and she's been back since." She goes on totell Joanne that Becky planted the stuff in her locker, she's been afterLloyd and Kelly had told her to get out of the flat. Joanne seems a bitunsure, but Kelly reminds her how strange Becky was over the bag. She tellsJoanne that what she saw then was the true Becky but she's the only otherperson to have seen it. Joanne asks about Lloyd and is told that Becky hasher claws in him as well. She asks where Kelly's going to stay and Kellysays she'll get a B&B, but Joanne insists that she goes home with her.

David is on the sofa, feeling poorly when Gail goes to answer the phone.From the conversation it would appear that the caller is Phil. David leapsup, asking, "Who is it? It's him isn't it?" and becomes so enraged that hepulls the phone plug out of the wall. She orders him to put it back, butDavid urges her, "Open your eyes Mum," and says that Phil just wants Gail tosay that she's terrified and wants him to come and protect her.

Lloyd arrives home to find Becky cooking him dinner. He tells her he knowswhat she said to Kelly and how everything is beginning to make sense now,and he realises that she's no friend of Kelly's. She tells him they weredoing all right, the three of them, and then Kelly had to go and spoil it.He tells her to leave. She says that she knew Kelly didn't really want herthere, and had seen her little looks. She says all she wanted was to beKelly's friend. He starts to say, "With friends like you". But she snarlsat him that Kelly will never have another friend like her, and all she hadto do was to like her, but all the time she was just pretending she cared.All the time she just wanted to be rid of her. "Yeah, right from day one,"says Lloyd, "are you happy now?" But Becky is not happy, "Not till she getswhat she deserves," she says, "not till she gets put away, then she can rotfor all I care!"

Anne Logan

Having run a little late last week I see we are almost back on scheduleand I need to get the update written. Football takes over again onWednesday so I think there is an extra helping on Friday, so the spacingon updates will be a little odd this week.

Anyway events in the Street were written by Peter Whalley and directedby Terry Dyddgen-Jones. Copyright these days no longer rests withITV but with ITV Productions and as ever I apologise if they believetheir copyright has been infringed by this report of events.

Kelly wants to know why Becky has treated her like this. Kelly does notbelieve Becky will be able to look her in the face. She needs Becky totell the truth. In the cab office Lloyd wants to know if Kelly has beenlooking for him. Claire agrees providing there is no more smoking inthe office now that she is pregnant. They then tell Les that he has toobey the new rules as well. Les says that his mother used to smoke 30 aday and it never harmed her or him. Steve observes that he has neverheard Les mention his mother before - no she has been dead for someyears!

David is unwell and in bed so Gail tells him to stay put and he cannottalk. Sarah picks up the post and hands it over to Gail - no strangecards today.

In the cafe Vera has an important topic to raise with Roy - will she getpaid for the period the place was closed. Roy agrees to consider it.Kelly is sitting around in the cafe drinking coffee when Jo arrives tosay that Becky has not arrived at work. Steve comes in and tells Kellythat Lloyd is looking for her.

Sarah arrives at work and tells Audrey that David is ill. Audrey doesnot want to discuss the cards - and Sarah asks if she can pop back andcheck on David.

Rita tells Norris that he can go and prepare for his lunch date withHelen. Emily arrives to pay her paper bill and is intrigued by Norrisdeparting. As Rita observes this is Norris' second date with Helenwhich for him counts as a long term relationship. Emily is notinterested in people's private life - but there is interest in Norris'preparations.

A camera swings around the ground floor of the Tilsley / Platt / Hillman(sorry I cannot remember what Gail is calling herself this week) mansionand then focuses in on a blue card like envelope on the table carryingthe note "To my Stepson David". We then see feet and jeans and Sarahlooks in on David - he is fast asleep and does not know she has beenthere. She leaves without seeing the envelope on the table.

Steve gives Claire instructions on how to operate the switch. Clairewants the office chair (which is dirty, depressing and falling to pieces- like the people who sit in it) to be replaced. Lloyd and Steveoutvote her - when Steve suddenly remembers that Kelly was in the cafeearlier.

Kev runs into Craig in the cafe and they chat pleasantly. Lloyd arrivesbut Kelly is long gone. Roy has reached a decision on Vera's wages. Heobserves that she was responsible for the closure and indeed they couldstill be closed so her request is probably the most outrageous she couldmake and she is lucky Roy is not suing her.

Rita phones Emily to say that Helen is outside arriving to collectNorris. Emily comes out to the clean the front window and is able toobserve Norris as he emerges and they climb into her rather neatPiaggio.

Gail returns home at lunchtime and sees the "Get Well Soon" card whichis waiting. She rushes upstairs to David. He is not in bed - and thenappears behind her from the bathroom. She tells him about the card -there is no explanation as to how the card has got inside the house.Sarah returns but she did not see the card - and they have to report it- someone has been inside the house. They check on all possible keyholders - Gail wants the locks changed - someone knew that David was illand the house was otherwise empty.

At the Rovers Emily and Rita discuss the very pleasant Helen. Ritawonders if this is going to get serious?

Les has his first fag indoors (in the Rovers), except for his first oneindoors when he got up. He moans about the ban. What happens if she isthe one and Norris goes off to set up home together. They call himdifficult, cantankerous, full of himself, pompous, opinionated, findingfault, fussy about his food - they decide she is welcome to him andlaugh. Rita decides she wants to go and see round her flat.

Kelly and Jo discuss the absent Becky. Kelly does not know what she hasdone to deserve this treatment by Becky. Lloyd arrives and Kellydeparts. He wants to talk to her - and she agrees to see him at 3 inthe Rovers.

Sarah and Maria discuss the events of the card - Maria could not sleepin the house - not if Richard Hillman's ghost is going through thewalls. Sarah does not sound re-assured.

Kev leaves the Rovers and passes Craig. He stops Craig and invites himto tea around 6pm. Craig gets a call from Rosie and he passes on thenews. Rosie hopes that Dad checked with Mum before issuing theinvitation and then reasons that he is not that silly.

Rita lets herself into her flat. She starts looking round - checking ifit is clean and tidy. As she does Norris and Helen return. He isboasting about his little empire. Rita hears them coming and rushesaround eventually settling in the hallway coat cupboard. Norris removesHelen's coat and hangs it ton the cupboard door but does not open itproperly.

Audrey looks at the back of the card - there is blood smear and there issome more on the envelope - a paper cut. Gail believes that the bloodcan be tested to see if Phil is responsible She calls Constable Lewis.

And the next episode should be along shortly.

K Richard W

Gail is looking worriedly out of the window waiting for the police toarrive. However, Audrey is telling her that this may come to nothing, thepolice might not find anything.

Meanwhile, Rita is in the closet trying hard not to be heard by Norris andhis lady friend, Helen. They are drinking coffee with Helen asking whatplans Norris has for the flat. He's more 'minimalist' than Rita, which muststun Rita into what that means! Helen begins to joke about his name andseems to be getting a bit close for comfort, Norris is obviously bettingnervous.

As Sally leaves the factory to go home for her lunch, she sees Kevin, whotells her that he has invited Craig for his 'tea' (or dinner, as we say downsouth). Sally is not too enamored and tells Kevin he will have to cook.

Just then, the police arrive at Gail's, much to Blanche's natural interest.

In the pub, Bev and Shelly are waiting for Fred, chatting about the weddingand what they are going to wear. Fred joins them and Shelley gives them abreak to go the back to have a cup of tea, she'll holds the fort.

Kelly and Lloyd are talking about him kicking Becky out. Lloyd is having aproblem convincing Kelly that he does trust her.

Meanwhile, the Corrie producers are building up to a big Agatha Christiemoment, a proper whodunit.....

At Gail's, the police, the same young policeman from their first visit a fewdays earlier and a policewoman, are looking at the card. Gail moans that herson is ill and tells them that she thinks Phil did it and that he wasplaying mind games. He was ?doing research into serial killers?. They saidthey would check on Phil. They agree that the blood on the card couldpossibly came from a paper cut and they take the card away for tests. Theysuggest that Gail changes the locks.

Back at Rita/Norris's flat, Helen is getting a bit close to Norris and getsclose to seeing Rita in the closet. She suggests that she and Norris go toLondon to see a show, maybe Mary Poppins (?She flies, you know?) or maybethe Lion King. They could "stay in a hotel"! They could have a coach trip.This is too much for Norris and he suddenly loses his rag and tells her toget out for being so forward. Getting her coat, she see Rita in the closetand suggests he has women in tow everywhere.

Gail is checking yellow pages for locksmiths when Audrey suggests she usesJason, her own daughter's boyfriend.

Kevin is cooking spaghetti, much to Sally's amusement. Craig arrives withflowers for Sally and a bottle of wine. Sally is a little nervous, Rosieyells for Sophie to come downstairs and Craig chats to Kevin, obviouslytrying to be friends.

In the Cab office, Steve is on his own, 'air' singing into the mike andSMOKING, when Claire walks in. She moans about the smell and the state of theoffice, especially the chair. She got ?Chewing Gum on her backside?. Ashleycalls and she asks to go to the pub to meet him. In the 'smoky' pub, as Steveputs it.

Kelly and Lloyd meet and tell each other how they lie to each other anddon't trust each other, obviously getting closer.

Claire arrives and goes straight into the back with Ashley.

Norris meets Rita outside the shop and he starts to berate her, whilst shetries to apologise. He feels humiliated and they go to the pub to ?talk itout?.

At Gail's, Jason is seen changing the locks, Gail makes him a tea, Audreygoes back to work in a hurry and Sarah gives Gail a big hug.

At Sally's, Craig pours wine for all, but Sally stops Rosie straightaway from'drinking' underage. Sophie says she'll have one, in her usual brilliantstyle. Sally refers to Craig as Rosie's 'fella' to which Rosie haughtilystates that he is not her fella, he is her 'partner'. Sally is obviouslystill not keen on Craig but is trying to hide it, not very well. However,Craig agrees, partner sounds a little bit 'poncy'. Sophie drops Kevin andSally in it by saying they are all over Craig when they usually call himnames behind his back. ?You said he was a gender-bending fruit bar?, shedrops into the conversation. Craig sees the funny side and agrees, he was abit of a freak.

In the pub, Joanne joins Lloyd and Kelly and says that Becky hasdisappeared. This is not good news for Kelly, as she needs Becky to proveher innocence.

Norris and Rita are chatting and Norris won't tell her why he pushed Helenaway like that. But he says that he really doesn't like this dating lark,they always want to get "physical". Why can't they be like Emily, shedoesn't want to be "physical". Norris doesn't like being alone, he justwants someone to be company with.

Bev and Claire discuss the baby, when Fred comes in. Claire timidly suggests,coyly, that they will need Fred's room soon for the baby. Fred and Bev jumpat this and they happily agree that they will have get married sooner.

Anyway, back at the Whodunit.

The police are on the phone telling Gail that Phil is not in Aberdeen, Jasonand Sarah are in the garden, Jason jokingly telling Audrey that Phil may be'in the loft' and David, in his dressing gown, feeling much better andasking for his tea. Jason suggest he'll get fish n' chips, Sarah states thathe's almost family now. The various looks of surprise abound!

Norris and Rita leave the pub, obviously happy that they cleared the air,Rita thinking that Emily will be thrilled that Norris is giving up dating.

Craig and Rosie are chatting, very happy with life. Rosie sees Sarah andJason,.and hopes that they are as happy as them.

But... back at the Platts!

Jason and Sarah arrive with the food, everyone happily joins in, gettingplates, drinks etc. when suddenly...... David gives a painful yelp. He sayshis chips are salty and it hurts when it goes into a paper cut!!

The look on Gail's' face........................

Welcome to the first of two Friday episodes.

Gail is sitting on Maxine's bench, looking wistful. It must be early morningbecause we get the traditional shot of an early-morning milk float clankingpast.

She goes home, explaining that she was out early because they were low onmilk -- which is very puzzling to her children, as there in clear view areone and a half bottles on the table. Though why they thought it necessary toput BOTH on the table I have no idea, unless it was just to make us realisehow much they had . . . Sarah and David both had difficulty sleeping, butSarah's given herself a talking to, saying the police will sort it outsooner or later. David urges Gail not to let Phil get to her. "Are youreally sure it's him?" she asks. "I've never been so sure of anything in mylife," he says. "I do feel better just knowing who's to blame," she sayspointedly, then for some reason gets up and looks out the back window.

Claire is talking about getting her figure back after the birth when shesuddenly feels the baby kick. Their happiness is stopped in its tracks whenAshley opens the mail and finds a letter from Matt's solicitor. Matt isformally seeking contact with Joshua and the letter suggests they meet insome park. "I'm phoning me solicitor!" Ashley says.

Rita is leaving for work when Emily stops her. Rita admits she hasn't donethe breakfast dishes, but she's late. Emily's not so worried about that. Butshe wishes Rita hadn't left yesterday's tights in the kitchen sink. They areboth polite to each other, but Rita, at least, is muttering to herself asshe stomps off to the Kabin.

In the shop, Dev (remember him?) is on the phone. No, I have no idea wherehe's been. Perhaps there was something in the papers about him taking abreak, but if so I've completely wiped it from my memory banks. Steve comesin and Dev pleads with him to watch the shop for an hour or two (or three),as he's got a chance to go to see the twins. Steve refuses, to muchgrumpiness from Dev, who rushes out into the street and snaffles Craig, whoalso refuses. But Keith is interested. "Is it more than the minimum wage?"he asks.

Maria is going on about holiday places when Gail comes in to ask her Mum ifshe can spare five minutes. Sarah wants to come, to get away from "JudithChalmers over there" (UK holiday programme reference). "Don't hate me cozyou ain't me!" an annoyingly cheerful Maria tells her. Audrey takes thechance to lecture Sarah on answering the phone as if she's in a high-classsalon, rather than in Archie's chapel of rest.

Sean is in a hurry, but Keith is taking his time at the shop's cashregister, commenting loudly on the exorbitant prices of Dev's goods. "Stopslagging the prices in and just punch 'em in," Sean urges. Blanche distractsKeith, annoying Sean. But then Keith tells him the total is £9.80. Sean isappalled by this total. "Oh, well, just give us a five then," Keith says.Blanche is right in there next, getting her Gypsy Creams knocked down to 50pfrom £1.80!

Gail has led her mum down the ginnel to tell her she knows who's sending thecards, and it's David. Audrey laughs. "I don't know what I've done to makehim hate me so much," Gail tells her, explaining about the paper cut and theblood on the card. "So what have you been doing?" Audrey asks, "rushing offto the Kabin for a do-it-yourself DNA kit?" Audrey admits that she nickedherself earlier that day. "So lock me up." Gail asks if she remembers whatit was like when Richard was terrorizing her and no-one believed her. Audreydefends David, saying he is a lovely boy, even if he did go off the rails abit when his dad left. Gail thinks he's a dangerous little psychopath.

Claire calls in to get some mince for dinner (If I had a tame butcher, I'dbe going for something with a bit more oomph than mince!). She takes thechance to reassure Ashley that whatever happens, she'll stand with himagainst Matt Ramsden. "We're a couple, Ashley, and we are in this for thelong haul." Ashley's so pleased he tells her fondly that she can have themince on the house. "Why, Ashley Peacock, people will talk!" she giggles.

At the Kabin, Rita is clearly plotting and planning. She wants to knowwhether Norris misses life with Emily. She tells him that when his name ismentioned, a look comes into Emily's eyes, a bit like the look Lassie getswhen she can't find her way home! Norris admits he would move back in withEmily if she wanted him to do so, and tells Rita he's easier to rub alongwith than she is. "I put that down to your years on the road with yournovelty act. It's made you high-maintenance." Rita suggests she could planta seed in Emily's head.

Dev arrives back, calling Keith a lifesaver. Keith, holding a packet ofsandwiches, says he's helped himself to a spot of lunch. "You help yourselfto whatever you like, son," says Dev. Keith doesn't miss an opportunity andloads himself up.

Gail sneaks into her own house, calling out to see if David is at home. Whenthere's no answer, she goes straight to his bedroom and starts a veryunsystematic search. Everyone knows that if you are searching your teen'sroom, you should do it carefully and make sure it doesn't look as ifanything has been disturbed. She's just found a blank greeting card in thesecond place she's looked when she hears the downstairs door slam.

David is downstairs and calls upstairs to his mum. She says she'll be downin a sec, so he flops on to the sofa and turns on something musical on thetelevision. "What's for tea?" he asks. "Chicken nuggets. I've just been inyour room." He looks puzzled and she tells him the room is an absolutedisgrace. "It looks like a bomb's hit it. I'm not your skivvy, you know. Getup those stairs and clean it now. Have you no self-respect." By now she'sscreaming at him. She turns off the television and as David heads upstairsshe retches and rushes for the kitchen sink where she is sick.

In the Rovers, Dev is going on about the size of the twins and Sally agrees,mentioning that she babysat for them on Sunday night. Dev seems a littletaken aback by this.

At Gail's, David has finished the room and agrees it was minging. She serveshis spaghetti bolognaise ("I changed my mind") and tells him she shouldn'tbe taking it out on him. It's Richard's birthday on Friday and she'sdreading getting another card. David asks if Phil knew the date and she sayshe did. She tells him that the cards are the work of a sick mind. Daviddoesn't seem bothered and eats his dinner.

Dev is telling Steve that if he moves out of the house, Sunita can move outof her parents' place and into the house. He'll go into the flat above theshop. He hopes she'll eventually see him as something positive in her lifeand take him back. "Whoah!" says Steve, bobbing his head down. "Sorry, justducking out of the way of that flying pig!" He says Dev is just asking fortrouble.

Emily and Rita are having lasagna and fish pie in the cafe. Rita apologisesabout the tights, then tells Emily that Norris is a bit down at the minute.The lady he saw seemed perfect, but Norris realized he was really only aftercompanionship. So how would Emily feel about Norris moving back? Emilyagrees it would be the Christian thing to do. "So when will you be movingout?" "Give me a chance," Rita says. "I've got to broach him with it yet."

Bev is looking at a Bo-Peep style wedding outfit and laughing about it withFred. Ashley arrives home. He's been to see his solicitor and to set up ameeting about Josh. "That's a rum do," says Bev, "the real father stickinghis oar in like that." Ashley is suddenly very angry. "The real father?!" heshouts. He makes it very clear to Bev that she's hurt him very much. "I'mJoshua's dad -- me -- I've earned the right to be called that." He stormsoff into the kitchen and tells Claire he has to go back to the solicitortomorrow. Claire says that means she'll have to go to the ante-natal classon her own.

David tells Gail he's going out. As he does, she turns off the TV.

Outside the salon, Audrey is locking up when she sees David coming along thestreet, with Gail about ten feet behind him! "Gail!" she calls. David startsand looks behind him. It's clear he didn't know his mother was there. "Getin there!" Audrey tells her, hustling her into the salon. Gail admits shewas following David. She tells Audrey she found the card and she's going toprove he's guilty. She says she's set him up by lying and saying it wasRichard's birthday on Friday. "I think he's gone to post the card now. So,if it comes, I'll know he's guilty. I know it's him and I'm going to proveit's him."

The End.

Coming at you soon... Friday's episode two.

Margaret Carr

And, with the same 30-minute wait we had in real time, welcome back toepisode two from Friday.

It's a sunny day on the Street and everyone here is going to work andschool. Fizz is particularly pleased it's the end of the week, but Seanpoints out he still has to work at the pub. They spot Kelly getting into thetaxi. "Can't see a hint of thigh in that outfit," Sean says. "I almostdidn't recognize her." Kelly waves to Joanne then gets in alongside Lloyd.Sean thinks Kelly's replacement should be a young, fit, gay man. "Whoever itis, I hope they can see what a load of backstabbers you all are!" snapsJoanne. Sally says Kelly stole from them, but Joanne can't understand howany of them could still think that.

At Gail's, she offers her mother a cup of tea. Audrey accepts, on conditionthat Sarah goes over and opens up for her. David heads off for school,saying he won't be home for his dinner. Once they've gone (I think Bethanymust be chained to her bed upstairs, because there was no sign of her), Gailassures her mother that when the card arrives, she'll believe David isguilty.

Claire is heading off for her ante-natal class. Bev arrives to apologise forsuggesting Ashley wasn't Joshua's real dad. Once that's done, she somehowends up agreeing to be Claire's partner at the ante-natal class for the day.She seems a lot happier about it than Claire is.

Rita has moved the last of her stuff out. She thinks it must have beendifferent for Emily having her to stay, because she's had a succession ofmen in that back room of hers. Emily is a bit taken aback by the descriptionbut agrees she'll be pleased to see Norris back. Norris, with a boat's wheelslung over his arm, is heading the opposite way. "I hope she's left my roomin good order," Norris says to Emily. "Care to join me on an inspectiontour?"

Audrey heads over to Gail's house, only to find Gail already there checkingthe mail. "Gail, please! Tell me you've been into work before now." Gailsaid the postman told her he'd put a few things through her door, so shecame to check them.

At the solicitor's, Ashley is telling him Matt's never tried to make contactuntil recently. "Having it off with another man's wife and getting herpregnant doesn't make anyone a father," he says. "Put us both in a room andsee who Joshua calls 'Daddy'." He wants Matt out of Joshua's life.

Dev is still telling Steve all the good things about having Sunita move intothe house. Lloyd and Kelly pull up. Kelly was only there long enough toplead guilty and get remanded for trial. Lloyd wants to take her for adrink, but Kelly's reluctant because it's dinner time and all the girls willbe in there. As they drive off, and Dev sorts out the flowers outside theshop, his daughter, Amber, comes around the corner and straight into theshop. "Don't even ask," she says, holding up her hand to silence Dev beforehe can even open his mouth.

They are, with Sean. They all go quiet when Kelly comes in.

In the shop, Amber tells Dev her mother is going to take her out of schooland move her to Finland. The mother's new boyfriend has a job there. Amber'svery upset because she likes her school and doesn't want to go somewhere shecan't speak the language. Dev tells her it could be quite exciting. It snowsa lot and she could ski to school. Amber thinks it will suit him if shegoes. "If it was Sunita taking the twins out of the country you'd freak, butbecause it's me you couldn't care less!"

In the pub, Kelly walks over to where her former workmates are still talkingabout her. She asks what reason she's ever given them not to trust her. "AmI ever slow in getting a round in?" They agree she's usually first. And sheusually organizes whip-rounds for birthdays. Sally suggests maybe she wasjust going through a rough patch. But Kelly says she's been inside and knowswhat it's like and she wouldn't do anything to risk going back. "I don'tknow what else I can do to convince you, but I wouldn't steal off any ofyou. I just wouldn't."

Something of what she said has got through. As the others walk back to thefactory, they start discussing whether they are being unfair to Kelly. OnlySally seems determined to assume guilt.

In the shop, Dev goes to ask Amber to put the kettle on. But when he swingsher chair around, he finds tears streaming down her face. Poor Dev. He'scompletely out of his depth and all he can think to do is offer her somesweets. They are interrupted by Norris coming in looking for strong cleaner.Back in the shop, Norris tells Emily he's noticed a reddish-brown stain onthe bathroom floor. It's hair colour -- permanent -- Emily tells him.Backstage, Dev is asking more about the job the boyfriend (Dave) is getting.Amber thinks she could take over the other shop. Norris again interrupts andDev suggests bleach. Emily thinks it's a matter of persistence. Amber tellsDev just how she feels. She'll be totally cut off from the places and peopleshe knows. She wants to stay with Dev tonight. "One night. And only if it'sall right with your mother." In the shop, Norris and Emily have decided onlemon juice.

Gail is back home checking the mail. Audrey can't get in because Jasonchanged the locks (suppose that rules her out as the card writer, then -- orthat what we're supposed to think?). Gail asks Audrey what she is doingthere. She says she was trying to get home to intercept the mail before Gailgot there. "Or am I a suspect now?"

Bev has been wowed by the ante-natal class and is busy telling Shelley allabout it. Shelley looks quite put out. When Bev finally shuts up (you'dthink she'd never had children of her own) Shelley explains she alwaysthought she'd be the first one to give Bev grandchildren. "You'll havekids," Bev says. "I've no doubt." Shelley doesn't look convinced.

Gail is still wandering around with the post in her hand. Audrey asks whatshe will do if no card arrives. "Nobody will be happier than me," Gailtells her.

Ashley is going on about his visit to the solicitor, who tried to convincehim that managed access might be better than Matt demanding a DNA test. ButClaire suggests they wait to talk about it until Joshua has gone to bed.Ashley picks up a leaflet Claire got at the ante-natal class. He'd forgottenall about it and asks her how it went.

Rita enters the Rovers and is determined to buy a drink for Norris andEmily, even though they've just been talking about her. They agree,reluctantly and she orders: "A sherry, vodka and tonic and whatever Norrisis having. Half of." Behind her back, Norris starts to mutter but Emilypoints out that Rita is still a friend to them both. "Did you ever find herhiding in your cupboards?" Norris asks. Joanne comes in and sits with Kelly.The other workers follow her in, asking Kelly to give them a chance. They'vebeen thinking and if she goes to Danny and asks for her job back, they'llall back her up.

Dev takes Amber to his house, where there are still packing caseseverywhere. "It doesn't even look like you really live here," she says. "Arethey the boxes you moved in with?" Dev leaves her alone and heads off to geta takeaway.

Gail is setting the table when David arrives, followed by two policeofficers. They've discovered Phil is still somewhere in the north-west ofEngland. David thinks they should ask around and see if anyone has seen himhanging around. Gail seems a little reluctant. "Has something happened, Mrs.Platt?" asks one of the police. "You don't sound as sure as you did about Mr.Nail's involvement." Gail says they should talk to Phil as soon as they can.The police go and Audrey tells Gail she should be relieved. There's no cardand Phil's still in the area, so she doesn't need to suspect her own son.David comes back from seeing the police out and asks Gail if there wassomething she wasn't tell them. "No," she says, smiling and touching hishair. "Everything's going to be OK now."

(Which almost guarantees it won't be!)

The End

Margaret Carr

Kelly goes to see Danny at the factory to ask for her job back. Danny,however, is adamant that she can't come back, she was caught red handed."But I'm innocent, Becky framed me," says Kelly. "That's for the jury todecide and not me," says Danny. He says he wishes he could believe her,but knows about her past. "It wouldn't be the first time, would it?" hesays.

Amber is prostrate on Dev's sofa, wailing that she feels sick. Devappears quite alarmed and says he's going to ring her mum and get her tocome and fetch her, but Amber doesn't want him to do that. "You go towork," she says, "I'll ring you if I need anything." Dev appears to bealmost convinced, until he feels her forehead. She obviously has notemperature because he snatches the blanket off her. "You are notstaying in my house," he tells her. She protests that one man should nothave so much room all to himself. "This is more like the Amber that weknow and love," he says. She argues with him, saying she could cook andclean for him, but he says he cooks his own meals and he's got acleaner. He tells her to get dressed.

Watched by Audrey, Gail is going through her post. There's no card, muchto the relief of both of them. She tells Audrey that she's glad to beproved wrong about David, and Audrey says it's a good thing she neversaid anything to him. They both think it's Phil who's sending them.

Dev and Amber are crossing the street towards the shop, she's stillarguing her case for staying in his house with him, rather than movingto Finland with her mother, but Dev will not be swayed.

Keith knocks on Gail's door, he's got a letter that should have beendelivered to her house, and he hands it over when she opens the door.Shaken and worried, she goes back inside and opens it up - another card!

Ashley says to Claire that he thinks he should change his solicitor. "Toone who just agrees with everything you say?" asks Claire. Ashley thathe's paying him to fight his corner and Claire says that she's sure heis, but he's also paid to tell Ashley what the law is, and how it is alllikely to turn out. Ashley says that the law say's he's Josh's dad, andClaire says he surely not denying that Matt Ramsden is Joshua'sbiological father. Ashley says he's lie in court if he had to, butClaire reckons that he wouldn't, he's too honest. Ashley says that he'ddo whatever he had to to protect his son and Claire is sure that thereisn't a judge in the land who would try and come between him and Joshua.Claire doesn't want to talk about it any more, and suggests Ashley goesto town with them to choose a new buggy for the new baby.

Gail comes slowly down the stairs when David arrives home from football."Another card came this morning," she says, waving it at him. David saysit's sick, and they'll get the police to find out who is doing this."How can you do this?" Gail explodes, "how can you keep up this act whenyou know!" She cries for him to tell the truth for once, and he asks herif she's drunk. She tells him she had two drinks to steady her nerves,"Richard's birthday was in December," she says, "not yesterday!" David'sface falls as the penny eventually drops.

After the break, David tells Gail he can't believe she set him up."Surely you must have known you'd get caught eventually," she tells him,"or did you think you were so clever, so cunning, that no-one would everfind out it was you?" Looking extremely uncomfortable, David tells herthat it was only meant to be a one off, but it got out of hand. Hethought it was funny. "Funny!" explodes Gail, "what sort of sense ofhumour do you have?" "A sick one," he mumbles. Gail is furious, sheyells at him that he stood in front of her when the first card came andswore it wasn't him. "How could you do that, David?" she cries, "youdon't even look sorry, just vaguely annoyed that you got found out." Shegoes on shouting at him, saying that he knew how upset she was getting,how she was on pills, and he carried on sending the cards. Just thenSarah comes in. She looks at Gail, she looks at David. "What's goingon?" she asks. "Are you going to tell her or shall I?" says Gail.

Over in the Rovers, Kelly and Lloyd are sitting with the factory girls.Kelly thinks she looked a right idiot in front of Danny. "At least youtried," says Lloyd. Fizz thinks they should all go to Mr. Baldwin to askfor Kelly to come back, it will show that they trust her even if hedoesn't. They then decide that they are going to go and stand up for herin court, but Kelly tells them that would be inadmissible. The onlyperson who can prove she's not guilty is Becky and she's disappeared offthe face of the earth.

Back at Gail's, Sarah is beating David with a rolled up magazine, andtells her mum she hopes she's called the police. Gail says that shehasn't decided what to do yet, and tells Sarah to go and get Bethany.(Thank goodness for that, we haven't seen her for weeks, I thoughtthey'd left her at the nursery for good!) After Sarah has gone, Gailquestions David as to where he bought the cards (not at the Kabin) andwhether he had an accomplice, (he didn't). "I can't even cling to thevain hope that you were under someone else's influence," she says.

Gail says that sending him to his room doesn't work, nor does trying tokeep him in line, she wonders whether a psychiatrist would fare anybetter. She thinks he's angry, full of hatred towards her and she wantsto know why he did it. However, she can't get any answers out of him,he'll only sob that he's not mad.

Over at the factory, the girls have brought a deputation to Danny to askhim to give Kelly her job back, however, Danny is having none of it.Then Hayley tells him that Kelly is the victim of a viscous scamperpetrated by 'you know who' - who has mysteriously disappeared. Kellycould go to prison because of this, and they feel that Danny should bestanding by his workers, not stabbing them in the back! Danny tells her,"I am not having a tea-leaf on my production line, and that's an end toit, shut the door on your way out!"

Gail goes into the corner shop and picks up a much-needed bottle ofwine. "Buying booze in the day? Things must be bad," comments Amber.Gail retorts that she's over 18, but Amber reminds her that she andCraig aren't, and so can't serve her. Gail throws her money on thecounter and snaps, "Then I'll serve myself!" and storms out. Craig tellsAmber that she can't speak to customers like that, she'll drive themaway. She says that she hopes the place goes bust and Dev ends up in thegutter, penniless, and then moans on about how Dev ignored her for thefirst 14 years of her life. Craig asks how much Dev pays her and shetells him, "Five quid an hour!" Craig is shocked and tells her its morethan he gets. She laughs and tells him he should join a union. Craigpoints out that Dev doesn't care if she turns up to work or not, andthen doesn't mind if she doesn't do any work when she's there, so hemust care about her. She tells him that he might, but it's not enough.He asks what she expects, that he just gives her loads of money? Shesays yes, but he says that she would just hate him even more if he didthat. She agrees, but says that at least she'd have an Ipod Nano andsome Earl jeans.

Danny sees Kelly in the pub and asks her if she'd like her job back.When she says she does he tells her to be back at her machine on Mondaymorning.

Back at the Platts, Gail is getting on with everyday life, but theatmosphere is very strained.

Dev arrives back and tells Amber that he has just seen her mother andDave, the new boyfriend, who he thinks is a really nice bloke. "Yes, ifyou like control freaks," snorts Amber. He thinks they ought to get toknow each other, but she tells him she'd rather get to know her dad, andshe can't do that if she's living in Finland. He tells her that is whyhe went to see them, and she says, hopefully, "You told them I don'twant to go? That I can come and live with you?" He says that he toldthem they should talk it through but she says that she doesn't want togo, she wants to live with him. He then drops his bombshell, telling herthat Sunita and the twins are moving into the house and he is moving tothe flat above the shop. Amber says, cuttingly, "I see, I ask for helpand I get nothing, she asks for help and she gets a whole house!" Hetells her its what he wanted to do, "Yeah, cos you always put your kidsfirst, don't you?" she says, and goes out of the door.

Over at the Platt's, Sarah explodes. "So that's it then? Months of beingterrified, he says sorry and it's all forgotten?" She says that if shehad done something like that Gail would have murdered her. Gail thinksthat walloping David won't help and that what he did was a cry for help.Sarah reckons she's got a psycho in the making. Gail urges her to thinkwhat he's been through and Sarah reminds her that she went through it too.

Gail reckons its all because she has brought home one dodgy man afteranother. Sarah says that Martin wasn't dodgy, but Gail asks her whereMartin is now, "On the other side of the country with his new family,"she says, "how is that supposed to make David feel?" Sarah says itdoesn't excuse him doing something like this, but Gail reckons thatthere is truth in the saying, 'blame the parent'.

Anne Logan

Good evening.

The power of the mobile - mine goes off in the car, Danny's goes off ashe climbs out of his car and it clearly the solicitor naming Frankie'sprice for the divorce - he says "Not a penny more". In the backgroundon the other side of the Street we hear another mobile and can seeFrankie answering her mobile. Her solicitor is updating her on Danny'sgenerosity (not). She will not accept a penny less than her demand.

We hear the two of them speaking to their legal representatives inraised angry voices until they come face to face both saying "Well thenI will see him/her in court". The calls end and they argue face to facewith Nathan standing in the background. Danny says that if they go tocourt only the lawyers will win and they would be better talking. Nathansays he has a valid point and gets shouted at by Frankie for agreeingwith Danny.

In the Potter/Tilsley/Platt/Hillman madhouse David tells Gail that hehas made her a cup of tea. She snaps at him "Are you going to puteverything right with a cup of tea - it will take a lot more than thatto get Sarah tot rust - to get any of them to trust him again. Saraharrives and asks if he is sucking up to Mum and tells him it won't work.She says he is pretending he is sorry like he pretended that he did notsend the cards - and it is not right. Gail tells him he is not going toschool - and she wants Audrey to come round at dinner time so that shecan tell her the truth.

Did you know there were builders in Underworld? No nor did I but theyhave finished their work and suddenly there is a new set of stairs inthe workroom - no idea where they lead but then it was never clear howpeople used to get on the roof!

Gail brings down a box from David's room which needs sorting. Gailwants David to talk and explain why he did it. He says that no-one everlistens to him and his mother is on his back all the time - and then hecomplains that no one ever pays him any attention. Finally David admitshe did it because he does not like Phil and he carried on after Philleft to make Gail certain it was Phil. And he is missing Martin - thereis an old pair of boots in the box - for his first football match whichboth parents watched - and this brings back happy memories whichre-unite mother and son. The door flies open and R'Audrey who haswheedled out of Sarah just what David has been up to rushes in andstarts beating David around the head.

There is the background story of Kelly - Leanne cannot understand whythe thief has her job back - she will be inside by the end of the week.Later Lloyd tries to re-assure her. They discuss Kelly pleasing guilty- Steve is dismissive of her chances of staying out of jail. Stevereckons that Kelly will get two years. Steve suggests that she shouldpleas guilty as she will get a lesser sentence. As he says if tellingthe truth gets you in trouble then lie, lie and lie again.

Dev is in need of cover for the Corner Shop again and after getting notakers in the cab office sees Keith in the Street and offers him £50 fora couple of hours work as Sunita is moving in to the house and he ismoving into the flat above the shop.

Frankie arrives at Underworld looking smart and sharp in discussion modeand despite trying to stay to do some filing Leanne gets banned from theoffice. (Leanne holds a clipboard over her extremely large tummy).Frankie has been thinking - she wants to talk. Danny promises to playstraight. They bicker but she makes it clear that there is no chance ofa reconciliation. She tells him it has to be settled. Leanne goesoutside for some fresh air and meets Les who has lost £20 on a JackDuckegg tip. Leanne is jealous of a stuck up cow as Les observes.Leanne could not care less about the money - she wants Danny and knowshe still loves Frankie - it is the way he looks at her.

Audrey reckons that David needs a bloody good hiding. Gail wants totalk to him - talk is in short supply. David is sent to his room - butGail relents and let him go outside. Audrey reckons that there is aneed to get through to David - we cannot tiptoe round him. The problemneeds nipping in the bud - and Gail needs to talk to him and spend moretime with him and stop bringing home strange men who scare him. Gailtells her mother some home truths about her own child rearing. Theybicker and Gail does not want Audrey's opinion. But as Audrey pointsout that what David was a terrible thing and he needs to have the fearof God put into him - and either Gail does it or Audrey will. OutsideGail stares at David.

Frankie and Danny are laughing as Leanne arrives with some underwearwhich needs checking. Leanne

A police car pulls up outside the Platt mansion, the officer looks atDavid and then knocks on the door. He says "Mrs. Platt, I am here inconnection with the hoax cards."

And the next episode will be along shortly.

K Richard W

After the police arrived at Gail's..........

David's game of football with Craig is abruptly finished as he goes backin worried that the police have come for him. Of course, Blanche, insunglasses, is looking through the shop widow, on 'stakeout'. She triesto gossip with Keith. Needless to say, he is half asleep with boredom.

The police are explaining how they have traced and arrested Phil. Theywere holding him, after finding a Birthday card, which he claims is forhis mother. Gail s a little perplexed, she doesn't want to shop Davidbut doesn't want Phil to get into any more trouble.

In the factory, Danny and Frankie are still negotiating and seem to havereached a 'good' deal. At last, they shake hands. Outside the office,Leanne is looking very worried, whilst Sean and Joanne are joking andobviously enjoying her unease. Frankie comes out of the office, looks atLeanne and says "He's all your, enjoy".

Police can't do anything against Phil without Gail pressing charges,which she will not do. They try to push her, but she wants to forget it,put things behind her, she was angry but is not frightened anymore.

Over the road, Blanche is still looking and when the police depart, shecomes out and calls to Gail if everything is all right. Norris comes outof the shop and asks if that was a police car? What a pair of oldbusybodies. Inside, Gail treats herself to a large glass of wine, notknowing what to do.

David rejoins Craig, but before they can play football again, Rosiecomes along and takes Craig away from David, who wants to continueplaying football.

In the street, Blanche tells Audrey the police have been, who hurries tosee Gail.

Danny and Leanne are rowing in the office. She is angry because Dannyhas given away the villa. In his usual style, he says they can getanother villa, in Marbella, or Clacton. Leanne suggests (hopefully) thatFrankie may live in Spain permanently. Mincemeat (Sean) comes into theoffice looking for gossip, but saying he and Joanne want time offWednesday to go to court to support Kelly. Leanne negotiates time off,but only if they catch up with normal paid overtime. Danny is impressed.

Gail thinks Audrey sent police, which Audrey denies. David wasterrified. Audrey is surprised that Gail lied to police, she moans thatan innocent man was arrested. She is cross that Gail let David see herlie to the police. "Wake up Gail", she says.

Gail is shouts at snooping Norris, who clams he is outside on legitimatebusiness. Sean and Joanne are wondering whose van is outside the cornershop moving furniture into the flat. They ask Dev who is moving in, hesays he is, which does disappoint them.

At the police station, Gal and David are sitting in the waiting room.Gail wants to tell the truth and except the consequences, whichfrightens David, who says she may be in as much trouble as he is. Hewants to go home, but she is adamant, even if it means going to jail.

Dev asks Keith if he was busy. He sarcastically says yes and Dev payshim. Dev explains that he moving in on his own, but expects Sunita tocome to her senses soon enough (huh!).

Gail tells the police that it wasn't Phil. She tells them it was David.She explains that she wasn't meaning to waste police time and didn'tknow at first that it was David. She says that she was trying to protecthim, that he'd been through a difficult time lately. She has now changedher mind because it was wrong, its not right to lie. The policeman saysshe isn't the first mum to want to protect her son, but he would stillwant to speak with him. He says let him sweat first.

In the pub, Frankie buys drinks for Bev, Deirdre and Liz, to celebratescrewing a good settlement out of her cheating ex-husband after hescrewed her son's girlfriend and she now has a boyfriend who is 10 yearsyounger than she is. They are all gloating how a cheating man gets hiscomeuppance.

In the police interview room, the policeman is laying it on thick."Perverting the course of justice, do you know what it means? Getting aman arrested, you might go to jail. Wasting police time, we have aserious situation here, why did you do it?".

David is frightened stiff.

"Did you think it was funny? Your mum was out of her mind but still youkept going".

David cringes and says "What's going to happen to me?".

After a brilliant pause, the policeman says " Go home, and behave!". Itslowly dawns on David what has happened.

In the pub, Kelly worried about going to jail. Joanne, Sean and Lloydare trying to help her and she is seriously thinking about Steve'sadvice to plead guilty and get a lesser sentence. Steve arrives just asLiz calls him for a cab, taking the Mick. Nathan arrives and kissesFrankie. He jokes with girls about looking after her. The girls arefairly drunk and want to go to Spain.

Danny and Leanne are in the office drinking and talking about the future.

(Both Frankie and Danny seem to think they have done well out of thearrangement. Hmmmm!).

Leanne gets serious and she wants to be happy in the future, fishing forcommitment. He won't bite. They drink to winning.

Lloyd and Kelly in the flat and she is really worried about going tojail. Lloyd is supportive but is still trying to get her to plead guilty.

Dinner time at Gail's. Gail tells everyone never to mention the cardagain. The real victims of David are in the room and he apologises toall. Sarah says he is a psycho but Gail is adamant that the slate iswiped clean. No one must speak of it again. David gets up and gives Gaila big, big hug,

"Thanks, mum.............".

Written by: Jayne Hollinson

Directed by: Neil Alderton

At the Webster's, Sally is going on about Kellystealing her engagement ring. There's no innocentuntil proven guilty as far as Sally is concerned, butat least she has a nice new hairstyle. Sophie isteasing Rosie who is constantly texting Craig.

On the way out, Sally sees Gail and asks why there wasa police car outside of Gail's house. Gail will onlytell her it was to do with the cards, and David (whois with Gail) looks distinctly uncomfortable whenSally says, 'Whoever it is wants stringing up for whatthey've done!'

Ashley's all smartened up to go and see his solicitor,to go over what's going to happen at the hearing nextweek. Claire reassures him it'll be fine, and suggeststhey meet for lunch later to talk about it.

Lloyd is trying to persuade Kelly to plead guilty, buther immediate concern is whether red trousers aresuitable to wear in court. She decides they aren't andshe'll have to go and buy something to wear. As shegrabs her handbag and heads for the door she tellsLloyd, 'I didn't do it, and nobody is going to make melie and say I did.'

Gail is in t'Kabin buying a magazine (sorry, Icouldn't make out which one, trivia fans). Norris isgagging to ask her about the police car, but Rita ismanaging to restrain him. Then Blanche comes in, andyou can always rely on Blanche to get straight to thepoint: 'So what was the police car outside your housefor yesterday? Is it to do with those cards?' Gailtells Blanche that she's having an affair with thechief constable! Gail goes out, and Blanche speculatesthat if the police had arrested anyone, they'd haveheard something. She still thinks Gail sent the cardsto herself, and the police must have cautioned her forwasting police time.

Poor Claire. Ashley hasn't turned up to meet her forlunch, so she's having a sandwich and a glass oforange juice at Roy's Rolls by herself. Hayley thinksthat isn't enough calories when you're eating for two,but Roy says a pregnant mother only needs an extra 300calories a day (if only I'd had that advice when I wasexpecting. I might still have the figure of CatherineZeta Jones today). Perhaps inspired by the lovelystrains of Peer Gynt being played in the cafe, t'babbygets hiccups. Claire invites Roy and Hayley to puttheir hands on her bump to feel it, and they're allexcited for her.

Amber offers to look after the shop for Dev later thatafternoon while he goes to visit the twins. Then Amberimmediately asks The Lovely Craig if he'd like to mindthe shop, and offers him double pay.

At the court, Kelly is waiting with Sean, Lloyd andJoanne. She's really nervous, and Sean is worried thathis bladder might not last through the entireproceedings. To make Kelly feel really optimisticabout things, they see Norris and Blanche arriving toget a ringside seat. Blanche says that, as one of thevictims, she has every right to be there to seejustice being done. Lloyd is still trying to convinceKelly that if she pleads guilty she'll get a lightersentence. Her solicitor takes her aside to talk toher.

Straight back to the court, and the proceedings havestarted. Kelly's brief asks the judge if the chargecould be put to Kelly again. She's charged with fivecounts of theft, and this time she pleads guilty.

I feel sorry for poor Claire. She has an abandonedlook about her, because even when Ashley's there he'snot all there, if you see what I mean. He turns up atthe cab office to apologise for not meeting her forlunch. Claire tells him he also missed the babyhiccupping. He tells her the meeting with the solicitorwas ok, but in the end it's down to fate. Clairereassures him that he's not going to lose Joshua.

At the court, the judge is passing sentence -fiveweeks imprisonment for each of the thefts, making 25weeks in all. Kelly looks horrified, but the judgeadds that the sentence will be suspended for twoyears. Lloyd, Joanne and Sean cheer, while Norris andBlanche look outraged that 'she got off.'

Amber is at Dev's flat, disapproving of the generalchaos it's in: 'It's way messier than my bedroom, andthat's, like, knee-deep!' She tells him she wants tocook herself a proper meal before she goes down to theshop, and says he ought to be getting over toSunita's.

Lloyd and Kelly go to the pub for a celebratory drink,even though she doesn't feel like celebrating. Blancheis there, and tries to persuade Shelley to bar Kelly.Joanne says the factory workers will all boycott thepub if Shelley does that, and Sean says he'll vouchfor Kelly's good character. Shelley says she willserve Kelly.

When Dev gets back from Sunita's, he's surprised tosee Craig in the shop rather than Amber. I'm surprisedtoo, because Craig is wearing a green and yellow Tshirt and I'm still not used to seeing him in anycolour except black. I'm going through a difficultperiod of adjustment here. Dev is not thrilled to hearthat Amber asked Craig to work, and also offered himdouble time. He goes off to the flat to Have Words.

Upstairs, Amber has done a lovely job of tidying up,and she's been cooking. She attempts to win him overvia the medium of chicken malay with aloo gobi (whichis more aloo than gobi, apparently, due to a localizedcauliflower shortage). Not an easy man to win over,Dev has a rant at her about messing with his property.She calls him a control freak. He tells her to go backhome to her mother. She says she's out of here, andgrabs her coat. Then Dev's attitude suddenly softens,and he says the food smells good and she should startserving it. He even thanks her for tidying up. Sweet!

Back at t'Rovers, Lloyd is taking all the credit forKelly not presently being incarcerated. She's lessthan impressed with him - even though she's a freewoman, a lot of people are now convinced she's guiltyand her life is ruined. Sally is being particularlyjudgmental and snipes at Kelly when she comes to thebar. Kelly sits back down, and says to Lloyd, 'I'vejust pleaded guilty to a crime I didn't commit, I'vebeen branded a thief, I have to see a probationofficer and I've got everyone in here thinking I'm aright criminal.' He tells her they should becelebrating and having a laugh, and she storms out ofthe pub.

Sue Haasler

I once knew an elderly lady who spent most of her time in her front garden.Not because she was particularly fond of flowers, but because it gave her anunrivalled view of everything that was going on in the street. Norris isanother Mrs. Martin, only he uses sweeping the pavement outside the Kabin ashis excuse. "What? No Dev, again?" he calls to Amber, who is outside thecorner shop. Eileen is getting impatient, too, as she can't send Jason towork without his Frosted Wheat Moments. Dev comes round the corner to begreeted by Norris making sarcastic comments about the drive of commercebeing too much for him. If that's not enough, he's got Eileen wanting him toopen up and Amber trying to persuade him she can't go to Finland with Mumand Dave. Dev rescues himself by getting Keith to go into the shop to serveEileen while he calms down Amber.

Kelly is in bed on her own. It seems Lloyd spent the night on the couch.Kelly wishes she'd told the truth in court, but Lloyd tells her she playedthe system and won. But she's upset because she can't go back on her guiltyplea.

Dev has Amber by the elbow, leading her schoolwards, when she spies apotential ally. "You've got a kind face," she tells her angel of mercy. Shebets Fred wouldn't send his daughter off to Finland with a completestranger.

At the bus stop, Craig is about to kiss Rosie, but Sophie beats them to thesound effects. They're interrupted by Dev dragging Amber around the corner.He props her against the wall and hands her some money to buy herself adecent lunch. "Guilt money that is!" she tells him, snatching it out of hishand all the same. "I'll just go to school, will I? Never mind that I'malmost vomiting with worry." Dev leans down and tells her she won't bepulling his strings, even if she can do it with her mother. "Make sure youget on that bus." Once he's gone, Rosie says: "Ooh, what a total tosspot!"Amber bristles. "That's my Dad you're dissing!"

In the Kabin, Kelly is looking at the greeting cards while Eileen talks toNorris. Norris breaks off to tell Kelly that she's taking a long time overthe cards. She gives him a card she wants to buy. "Are you sure that'severything?" he asks. Kelly checks down the front of her jacket and top."Yes. Do you want to frisk me?" Norris most certainly does not. Eileen isbuying pear drops, which she hopes count towards her five-plus a day. Shecomments that things went in Kelly's favour in court, but Kelly doesn'tbelieve they did, since she had to plead guilty when she isn't. "Oh, I see,"says Norris. "So you're saying you're not a thief -- just a liar."

In the pub, Bev and Fred are discussing wedding arrangements. Shelley asksJason how his wedding plans are going. He says Sarah wants something a bitdifferent. "A theme, she says." Violet nods wisely. "Sounds classy." A veryexcited Sean comes in. He's got "our names" on the guest list at Cake. Hetells Violet to text Jamie while he texts Adam. He's even got them into theVIP area. Shelley is dying to go, but they don't ask her, even though she'scraving some time away from Bev and Fred.

At the factory, Sally is glaring at Kelly in the locker room. "I'll bewatching you, Kelly. And so will anyone else who is decent and honest." Whenshe's gone, Kelly tells Hayley that Lloyd seems to think it's just one bigjoke. Hayley points out that if she'd pleaded Not Guilty, she'd probably bein jail by now and everyone would think she was guilty anyway. "At leastyou've got us motley lot behind you," she says.

I don't know whether any of you have seen a series called Grumpy Old Men(no, not the movie), but they go the idea from listening to Fred, Keith andDev moaning on in the shop about the younger generation. But Dev tells themhe put his foot down and refused to get drawn into Amber's little drama.Keith is thinking this might be where he's gone wrong with Craig when Dev'sphone goes. It's Ravinder, Amber's mum. "She's what? No. I've no idea whereshe is."

Kelly is in the cab office but she's missed Lloyd. He's gone off to take Mrs.Ferguson to see her niece. Kelly says she's just feeling sorry for herself.Steve tells her to roll with it. "Emergency beer might help?" She agrees andSteve fetches a couple of cans. He says Norris is only watching her becausehe thinks she's a master criminal now. She says it's all because shelistened to Lloyd. "He only did what he thought was best," Steve says. Kellywonders if that was best for her or best for Lloyd.

Hayley heads into the cafe to find Amber sitting there looking very glum.Roy says she's been there for a fair while. Hayley goes over to talk to her,promising not to tell her Dad. "Dad? He don't know the meaning of the word,"says Amber.

As they walk home from the bus stop, Craig and Rosie ask David about thepolice car outside his house. David, big-noting it, lets it slip that Philwas responsible for the cards. He says his mother's not telling anyonebecause she's ashamed as going for another nutcase. Phil was obsessed byRichard, he says.

In the Rovers, Shelley still seems very miserable and Violet asks the guysif they can put another on the guest list. Sean says it would be like goingclubbing with your mother. Sean's phone goes. It's his Uncle Tommy. Fred andBev are back from a wedding fair, showing off the freebies they got,including a buttonhole of flowers each. As they peck at each other's lips,Shelley looks even more left out. Sean returns to the booth and the othersand says: "Betty's dead," not thinking that Violet won't realise he meanshis Auntie Betty, not Betty of hotpot fame.

Dev is in the shop when Ravinder and Dave come in. He says he's been tryingto call Amber. He finally reaches her and orders her to come to the shop.Ravinder says Amber's been trying to play them off against one another andit's got to stop. "It's about time you took control of the situation," Devsays. Ravinder points out that Dev is Amber's father, whether he likes it ornot. "It's about time you took some responsibility for her."

Lloyd and Kelly are out in the street and Lloyd wants to go to the pub, butKelly is too tired. He says she has to fight back. "I've been fighting backall day and now I'm knackered and I just want to go home," she points out.When he won't listen she just leaves him there. Nearby, Sally meets Gailand tells him that David has told Craig and Rosie the whole story. Luckily,before Gail can say something she regrets, Sally points out that she owesthe culprit nothing. "To think that man wheedled his way into your houselike that." She sees the look on Gail's face and asks if it was Phil. Gailsays she's promised to say nothing. Sally suddenly thinks it might besomebody local, spying Eileen across the street.

Jason is looking through a gossip magazine and asking Eileen why she readsthis rubbish. There's a knock on the door. It's Gail, come to apologise foraccusing Eileen of sending the cards. "I did tell you it weren't me mum'sMO," says Jason. Eileen looks at him. "Modus operandi," he says. "Learnt iton CSI." Gail takes her leave. "I don't know what the biggest shock is,"says Eileen, sinking on to the sofa, "An apology from Gail Platt or youknowing a big word." She tells Jason to keep his eyes and ears open whenhe's over at the Platts' because Sarah must know something. "She can't evenhold her own water, that one. She'll be dying to tell someone."

In the pub, Sean is telling the others about his auntie, who apparently hada tattoo and a wig named Dusty. Sean's still going clubbing. "It's what shewould have wanted." Bev is feeling guilty for not working all day. Shesuggests Shelley take a night off and go out with the others, but Shelleyknows they haven't taken any of her hints. "I'll sort something out for nextweek," she says.

Kelly and Lloyd are at home. Kelly points out that she'd learned from hermistakes and had just got to the stage where she liked what she saw when shelooked in the mirror. Lloyd tells her she'll just have to live with it. "Ithink we need a break," she says. Lloyd agrees that a weekend away is justwhat they want. He's staggered to hear that Kelly means a break from eachother. "I can't be with you any more."

Ravinder tells Dev that Amber has been a nightmare since they told her theywere moving. Dev tells her they shouldn't be going, then. "If it's makingher this unhappy, then surely you have got to reconsider." But Dave willlose his job if they don't go, Ravinder says. Dev shouts at Dave that heshould be laying down the law. "It's not my place," says Dave, who seemsquite a reasonable chap. "I'm not her father." "NEITHER AM I!" screams Dev.A horrible silence follows. Dev mutters that he only met the kid a couple ofmonths ago. Ravinder says it's a perfect chance to get to know her then.

David is peeling the potatoes in that inefficient way the English have (I'ma patriotic defender of the classic New Zealand potato peeler) as Gaildemands to know why he said Phil was the guilty one. David doesn't think itmatters. He just wanted Rosie and Craig to stop going on. He says sometimeshe thinks Gail would be better off if he'd never been born and he's scaredeveryone will find out it was him. Gail assures him they won't.

Kelly is leaving, complete with wheelie case, with Lloyd following her intothe street, pleading with her.

In the back of the shop, where there is now a window, making impossible anyfuture storylines about someone being locked in there, Dev sounds morereasonable, but he's waving a coffee cup around in an alarming fashion. Hetells the others they're the ones who've decided to move country and they'llhave to live with the consequences. Ravinder thinks he's the most selfishman she's ever met. Dev, not realizing that Hayley can hear all this fromthe shop, and so can Amber who has just come in, tells Ravinder that she'sthe one who is selfish. When she got pregnant, Dev said he wanted nothing todo with the baby but she went ahead anyway. He says they're not going toguilt trip him into letting Amber live there. "She's not going to live withme. Not now. Not ever." Amber bursts in on them. "It's my life. Don't I geta say?" she asks. "No," says Dev, brushing past her on his way back to theshop. "I don't expect you to love me," Amber calls after him. "But you don'teven like me, do you?"

The End.

Margaret Carr

A very grumpy and thoroughly unpleasant Dev is outside his shop. Norris isacross the road, sweeping the pavement (as usual) outside the Kabin. Craigapproaches, ready to work his shift in Dev's shop, and is given anear-bashing by his employer who tells him to turn his phone off.

Hayley comes along, and jokes that if she told Craig to turn off his phonehe wouldn't take any notice. Dev points out, very curtly, that he is Craig'semployer. Hayley then tries to broach the subject of Amber but is told thatDev's concern is for her welfare and it's best if she remains with hermother. Hayley tries to mention the need for continuity with Amber'seducation at this important time, but Dev seems to think that as he's givenAmber a wad of money to go and spend, that's all that's needed as far as hisresponsibilities are concerned. Hayley is irritated, "Well there you arethen," she says, "you can pay her to behave just as you like, just as you doyour staff!"

Across the road, Gail and Audrey are wondering what to do with David duringthe half term holiday, much to his annoyance. "I don't need babysitting," hesays. Then Audrey suggests that he go and work for her, and he wants to knowwhat he would be doing. "Cleaning, sweeping and making tea," she tells him.David is not impressed. "No way!" he says, and walks off.

Over in the taxi office, Eileen is not very happy at the prospect of havingto change her shifts in order to accommodate Claire's change of job fromdriver to switch operator. Steve tries to convince her that the shifts willbe worked out fairly, but Eileen is not convinced. "Oh, you'll have Claireworking on her own at night knackered, pregnant and with the bladder thesize of a pea?" Lloyd goes outside very suddenly and Steve follows him outand asks if he's all right. Lloyd tells him that Kelly has 'walked', butdoesn't seem able to bring himself to talk about it.

In the café, Jason is trying to get Sarah to tell him who sent the cards,but Sarah has been sworn to secrecy by Gail. Jason speculates on whetherthey can get married if she's keeping secrets from him. "Are you telling meyou won't marry me if I don't tell you who sent the cards?" cries Sarah,outraged. Then she tells him to get lost and storms out.

Hayley, meanwhile, is trying to persuade Roy that they should offer to haveAmber come and live with them, but he is firmly against the idea.

Over at the corner shop, Amber gets a call from Ravinder, Amber's mum,telling him that Amber has gone missing. Dev doesn't seem all that botheredand promises to send her home if she turns up there. Norris, who ishovering, pricks up his ears. "Sounds serious?" he says, fishing forinformation. Dev, however, is not giving any.

Over in the pub, Charlie asks Jason if he fancies a lads night out, seeingas Sarah isn't speaking to him. Jason is doubtful, "Sarah would kill me,"he says, and reckons that Tracy would kill Charlie too.

Dev goes into the pub with some post that has arrived for Sunita, askingShelley if she'll pass it on when she sees her. He makes a point of askingShelley to tell Sunita that he wants to do right by her. Norris is at thebar, at turns to Deirdre. "Who in their right mind would be bringing junkmail in for Sunita, when his daughter is wandering around a shopping centrelost and at risk?" He goes on to explain that Amber is missing.

Over at the Platt's, Sarah is obviously angling for a way to get Gail'spermission to tell Jason who sent the cards. David is furious and yells ather that she's not to tell anyone. Sarah says she doesn't think she shouldfall out with Jason because he was bonkers enough to send the cards. Gail,however, sticks to her guns and tells Sarah she's not to tell. David yellsthat he's said he's sorry, but Gail reckons he should show them that hemeans to do right. She wants him to go and work at the hairdressers so thatshe won't be spending all day at work herself, worrying about him.

Deirdre goes into the shop and asks if there's any news of Amber. Dev isquite surprised that she knows anything about it, and roars that she hasn'tgone missing, she's at the Trafford Centre because her mother was stupidenough to give her a wad of ten pound notes. Craig reckons that Dev shouldput an announcement out, and tells him, "For your information, not allteenagers are better off with their mothers." Dev retorts that they aretalking Finland, not prison. Deirdre asks if Dev's tried phoning Amber andhe tells her that of course he has, he's even left a message. Craig reckonsthat Amber will delete any voice messages left by Dev, but suggests he texther, so she won't know who the message is from until she reaches the end ofit. Craig then tries to give Dev lessons in sending text messages buteventually ends up doing it for him, as Dev dictates. As he launches into agreat long, complicated message, Rosie walks in and tells him that textmessages have to be brief. Dev snatches the phone back and says he'll do itlater. Craig then wonders, reflectively, whether it's better to have a dadand then lose him, or not have a dad and then find him.

Charlie goes home and tells Tracy that they are going out for a meal andthen a club. Tracy is delighted and grabs the phone to ask her mum to haveAmy. She's not at all happy when she learns that Deirdre is going out withBlanche, Ken and Adam, so there is no one to have Amy. She goes off out,telling Charlie she's going to talk her mum into it.

Shelley finds Bev cleaning the Rover's windows, and is not at all happy tofind out that Bev has sacked the window cleaner. "You sacked him withouteven consulting me?" she says. Bev tells her that he never changed his waterand his cloths were filthy, but Shelley isn't happy.

Steve bumps into Kelly, and tells her that although she's not happy aboutwhat happened, he thinks she did the right thing. He tells her that even ifshe had pleaded not guilty there would still be people who thought she didit, and she could have got sent to prison. "I think you were brave," hetells her.

Over outside the café, Hayley is still trying to convince Roy that it wouldbe the best thing all round if they were to have Amber, because she couldstay on at her school and not have to move away. Roy is still notconvinced. "No," he says, "multiple nos!"

Gail and Audrey can't agree about David. Gail thinks they can't force himto do something he doesn't want to do, and Audrey thinks that letting him dowhat he wants isn't going to help him.

David pipes up from the sofa that he knows they're talking about him. Audreytells him he should consider his mother for a change. David suddenlyinterrupts. "I'm going to do it, I've already decided," he says. Audreytells David that she knows he's not a bad lad. As she goes to leave hesays, "I'll have three quid an hour, that's what Craig gets."

Dev and Fred are drinking whisky in the back room of the Rovers, and talkingabout the situation with Amber. Shelley comes in, back from her visit toSunita. She tells Dev she gave her the post. She tells him that Sunitawondered if he would be putting a forwarding address on Amber, when he sendsher to Finland, like he does with the junk mail. Dev continues to protestthat going to Finland is the best thing for Amber. Shelley goes on, "Shewasn't surprised you were giving her up, she said what would have surprisedher would be to hear that you were being a bit like a father and puttingsomeone else's feelings first." As she shuts the door, Dev asks Fred, "Iam, aren't I?" but Fred doesn't answer.

Meanwhile, the lovely Amber has turned up at the café and is telling Hayleythat Dev has left her lots of messages telling her he knows what's best forher. Hayley asks what she thinks is best for her, and Amber comes up withlots of suggestions. Hayley asks if one of the reasons is because her dadis here. "Oh, I'm not bothered about him," she says. Hayley asks how she'dfeel if she could find a place to stay nearby, and when Amber starts to askif she means she should get a flat, she tells her, "We've got a spare room." Just then Roy comes in, and although Hayley tries to change the subject,Amber says, "Are you saying that I should actually move in here?" Roy isdumbstruck!

Steve and Ronnie are in the pub, and Steve is making it clear he doesn'twant to go to the pictures. Just then Tracy comes in, looking for him tobabysit. He tries to say he's going to the pictures, but Ronnie reminds himthat he just said it wasn't his sort of film. "You babysit," she says,"you'll enjoy that."

Sarah and Jason are back in the Rovers, still talking about the cardsituation, and the trust situation. She tells him that she does want tomarry him and she does want to tell him about the cards, it's just thatshe's promised her mum. She goes on to say that for a long time her mum wascrying all the time, then she stopped, and now she's started again, and shedoesn't want to do anything that would make that worse, even if it meanskeeping secrets from him. Jason interrupts her, "Then of course you can,"he says and hugs her, "I'm sorry."

Tracy arrives home really excited at having found a babysitter, only to bereally disappointed to find a note from Charlie, which reads, "Shame aboutthe babysitter, don't wait up."

Roy is annoyed with Hayley for having invited Amber to stay with themwithout consulting him. "These decisions need discussion," he tells her. Hesays that Hayley can't make those sort of decisions without discussing itwith Dev, Amber's mother and her school. Hayley tells him they're startingthe process now, as they set off across the road.

A few yards ahead of them, Amber gets a text message. As she reads it shestarts to smile broadly and then rushes off towards the shop. Even now, Devis still grumpy, and as she walks in accuses her of hiding round the cornerwaiting for his text message. "Oh did you text me?" asks Amber, coolly,"what did it say?" Dev says that first of all he wants to know where she'sbeen, and she replies, "Shopping!"

Just then Roy and Hayley walk in to the shop, and Hayley starts to say thatshe's got something to discuss with Dev, and Amber presses Dev to tell herwhat he put in his text message. When he says he was just wondering whereshe was, she tells him, "No it wasn't, that's not what you said." Dev asksher again if she read it. "Yeah, you said I could move in here!" she sayswith a huge smile on her face. Hayley and Roy slip quietly away as Dev tellshis daughter, "You can move in here when your mother goes, ok?" Then hetells her take all the stuff back to the shops and bring him the money."Yeah, whatever," Amber grins.

Annie Logan

Good evening. Bank Holiday Monday in the UK (last Monday of May,replacing the old Whitsun Bank Holiday), but the Street seems to havecompletely lost touch with working days and holidays - something whichused to add a link to reality. We have seen the Underworld girlsworking on Sundays at times recently amongst other events and I feelthat this removal of identification with real time is a sad loss and ablack mark against the Street team.

As is keeping Charlie around. Let us all hope he meets a sticky endvery soon.

And that is where the episode starts tonight with what looks like anextra streamline Tracy badgering Charlie to take her out as last nighthe went out without her (no babysitter available). He is loading thelorry with Jason as Keith wanders up. There is a damp patch in theceiling and the roof needs mending - now preferably. After some argybargy - Charlie suggests Thursday and a bucket. Eventually Charlieagrees and is up on the roof.

Round at the Peacocks Fred and Ashley say goodbye to Claire and Joshuabefore discussing the preliminary hearing that afternoon.

David is accompanying Sarah to work - perhaps there is a chance he canpull some talent. He has to sweep up and make teas and coffees for thecustomers. He is sent out to bring in the towels. Sarah is sent totidy the "beauty room". Audrey explains to Maria why David is hanginground being worse than useless. Later David is sent to buy tea andcoffee and stuff from the Corner Shop - but he cannot find it. Beforelong a bad mannered David and Craig are playing football in the Street.

Tracy visits her mother and grandmother so that she can go to lunch withCharlie. They claim it is short notice. They pull her leg beforeagreeing. She immediately departs. Dreary observes that Charlie isprobably not as soft as they are. Tracy rushes back to the flat andturns it upside down looking for the still missing shoe.

The roof is fixed and Keith starts thanking Charlie and praising him.

In the cab office Lloyd is bemoaning the lack of a Kelly. Steve thenruns into Kel in the Corner Shop where she asks after Lloyd although sheis not supposed to want to know. Meanwhile Amber arrives with a largebag - she wants to start moving things in readiness for her mother'sdeparture to Finland the next week. Later Diggory warns Dev of thedifficult time he has ahead with a teenage daughter (and boy is Diggoryright).

Back at the Peacocks Claire and Ashley are dressed up ready to departfor the hearing - Fred re-assures that nothing will happen and the wholething will be closed that afternoon.

Charlie turns up for lunch - and he prepares a bill for the work donefor Keith that morning. Tracy still cannot find the missing shoe.

Sarah and Maria emerge from the salon and see the football being played.Maria convinces Sarah to leave David to him. She goes over and findsthe shopping and she asks him to approve his attitude - he is a goodlooking boy when he smiles - which he promptly proves and she ruffleshis hair.

Lloyd sees Ronnie and Steve - if they see Kelly will they say he wants aword. In the Rovers Keith is telling Bev that he reckons Charlie isalright - they agree to differ. Ronnie and Steve are arguing over Kelly- Ronnie says she walks on stilts and is a thief - and why is Steve sostruck with her. Charlie and Tracy arrive and the former gives Keiththe bill - for £230 - a bit steep - just like the roof. Keith claims itis extortionate. Audrey thinks the bill is not unreasonable. Keithrefuses to pay the bill and Charlie storms out. Keith would have paid areasonable a bill - but that wasn't.

Outside the meeting room Ashley and Matt exchange words - the latterwants to settle the matter privately. Ashley refuses. The judge opensthe hearing. Matt wants to play a part in Joshua's life - he is afterthe baby's father. Ashley denies that Matt is the father - but Ashley'sname is on the birth certificate. Ashley refuses a paternity test. Matthas no other good reason - just that he would like to get to know him.Claire observes that it is the welfare of the child which should comefirst. She does not understand why this is necessary. The judgesummarizes - Matt is not willing to withdraw his request. Ashleyrefuses to agree to anything, so there is no prospect of conciliation.There will be a formal report by the Welfare Officer.

Charlie summons Jason and the two of them set about taking the tilesback off the roof of Keith's rented house. The tiles are lowered to theground and placed in the lorry. Keith is making his point clear in theRovers - until Craig rushes in and explains what is happening outside.They rush outside. Keith tries to take the tiles off the lorry and takethem indoors.

There were at least two bad edits this evening - one in this episodewith a sentence cut short and a further worse example later - withscenes out of sequence in the second episode.

Quality of performance remains good but editing, writing and generalcare of the Street at the moment strikes me as below norm. Where is thewriting lacking? Well I believe the lack of relationship to day ofdelivery (which used to be so important) is down to the writing side. Itwas often that observational eye which used to make the Street theleader. OTOH simple little bits like Diggory letting us know that Devhas a difficult time in store are realistic and good.

And David is about to get the hots for Maria - will she lead him astray?

K Richard W

Part 2

We continue with Charlie taking all the tiles off the roof, passing them to Jason and Keith trying to take them off him.

Audrey is saying 'All for the sake of £230'.

Blanche is saying that she could live off that for a month.

Jack is saying he's a tight Yorkshireman, he could squeeze a pound coin until the queen's eyes popped out.

Ronnie gets bored and goes with Audrey to have her hair done.

Shelley comes out of the pub to see what's happening and, whilst Blanche is calling Charlie a bully, he looks down at Shelley and smiles.

Steve sees Kelly walking buy and runs after her.

Keith starts taking the tiles off the truck and says he's calling the police. Craig loses his temper and tells Charlie he wouldn't have done this if his dad was there, to which Charlie nastily says "Your dad would have paid the bill, sonny". Jack gets a chair for Blanche to watch the fun in comfort.

In the cafe, Violet (btw, she's had a haircut, like a bob) and Sean are talking about his father and how they wouldn't recognize each other. Sean is telling her about his late Auntie Betty, who had "Legs like Cyd Charisse and a face like Sid James". He's debating whether to call his dad, when Kelly comes in closely followed by Steve. Kelly moans that people think she's a thief, but Roy butts in to say he knows she isn't and ... apologises for butting in. Steve pays for her buttie and Kelly smiles, "why is everyone being so nice to me".

Keith is on the phone to police, moaning that they are telling him it isn't technically a theft. He wants someone to come round RIGHT NOW!

In the hairdressers, Audrey thinks Keith'll have a heart attack. David, sweeping the floor, is being really nice and offering coffee to all. Ronnie, having her hair done by Maria, says cattily that'll do until her regular man is back. She thinks David's a real charmer and gives him a tip, much to Maria's annoyance.

Sarah is annoyed that David is there, but Audrey defends him. Anyway, Sarah talks about her wedding and Audrey gives her time off to go to town. David gives Maria half the tip and they all end up with big smiles.

The police arrive at Keith's and he tells them Charlie is "the problem". Blanche looks on from her chair, like a smiling Roman citizen who's about to put her thumb down.

In the cab office, Steve is trying to tell Lloyd that he's not taking Kelly serious enough, he's a "Jack the lad". Eileen is back in the office agreeing with Steve. "Get back with Kelly, the idea of you footloose and fancy free fills her with horror".

The police ask if the landlord has been notified and its not their problem, he should notify the Citizen's advice Bureau. Tracey moans that Charlie has to take her for lunch, but he says he is late for an estimate. He agrees to take her for a pizza for Dinner.

Bev and Fred talking about the baby court case and the 'nasty' doctor making trouble. Shelley comes in and queries why 30 boxes of crisps have just turned up. Bev says she ordered them this morning, Shelley says she ordered them yesterday and tells Bev to cancel the order for crisps.

(There seems to be a problem story brewing up between Bev and Shelley).

Ashley and Claire get back and are depressed. Services are sending someone round, much to Fred's disgust. Bev offers them tea and Shelley, eyes to the sky, moans that she'll cancel the crisps.

Keith see Charlie and tells him about the landlord, who'll "probably sue". Charlie says he's probably reasonable and would pay the reasonable bill. Keith calls him a cowboy, at which Charlie looses his rag and throws him against the wall. He gives him the bill, tells him to give it to the landlord and pray it doesn't rain.

At the hairdressers, Gail comes in and asks if Audrey would like a drink. She asks how David is getting on and Audrey is glowing about how lovely he is. Gail offers him his dinner later, to which he says no point, he'll make himself beans on toast. Audrey, of course, gives him money for fish n chips.

Charlie and Tracey are in his office, rowing. She says that Blanche hadn't had so much fun since the last funeral she went to. She gushes about looking forward to the big night out (a pizza?). Charlie asks if she found the other shoe. "No", she says, " I threw the other one out in the end".

Sean and Eileen are talking about how his mother would react if he were to tell her he's ringing his dad. She hated his dad and cut his face out of all the photos. She never forgave him for running off with another woman.

Steve asks where Lloyd is, but realises he's obviously in the pub. Sean talks about Auntie Betty and Eileen suggests she must have spoken to him, she must know where he is, he was her brother, after all. Sean's worried he may not want to talk to a 'Pansy working in a knicker factory', but Eileen makes him think about it.

In the pub, Gail, Audrey, Sarah and Maria are talking about Sarah's honeymoon and the wedding dress. Violet, obviously a little depressed as it is, after all, her Jason who's marrying Sarah, is watching and listening. Maria jokingly asks Gail if she is paying for this wedding. Audrey reiterates how well David is doing in the salon.

Ronnie arrives in her cab and Steve tells her they need to do some more matchmaking, to which Ronnie is not happy. She gets annoyed and drives off.

David and Craig, complete with bags of chips, are joking about their house having no roof.

In the pub, Keith and Jack are talking about the house and how worried he is about Craig. He is secretly frightened after Charlie's threats, but Jack tells him not to be bullied by this cowboy. Shelley tells them Charlie needs handcuffing and prodding with a cattle prod. She warns them that Charlie will not change his mind. Keith gets Jack to help him lay a cover on his house. Jason comes in and Violet says she is very happy for them. Sarah asks if she is being sarky, Violet says "no, no hard feelings". Sarah is pleased, but Jason gives a look that shows he is very unhappy.

Lloyd and Steve are talking, Lloyd wants him to talk to Kelly for him. No way! She looks happy enough talking with the girls and Steve won't get involved.

Shelley is in the back having a well earned rest. Claire and Bev come in, gossiping about how depressing everything is and Bev opens a bottle of wine. "Not in your way, are we?" she asks Shelley. Shelley, obviously fed up, goes back to work.

Tracey, in a nice new dress, asks Charlie what he thinks of it. OK, but he sarcastically says he doesn't like the shoes, rubbing in the fact that her best shoes are gone.

Sean is rehearsing how to talk to his dad. Butch, maybe. Sparky? He calls. He leaves a message about Betty dying and where the funeral is. He leaves his number. The phone rings, giving him a shock, but it's only Violet. He is very sad and tells her he will stay in.

Steve is actually talking to Kelly, defending Lloyd. Why was he so keen, always joking. She leaves, just not interested. Bev comes in as it gets quiet, so tells Shelley she and Fred are going for a meal. "You can cope", she tells Shelley, who is pretty darned cross inside.

In the restaurant, Tracy is asking what is inside the bag, believing it to be a present. she wants to know what's in the bag. He gives it to her and she sees her missing shoe. She says it's like the one she lost, "It IS the one you lost", Charlie says. "Where did you find it? It's no good, I chucked the other one". "I know", he says. It starts dawning on her something is wrong."I searched everywhere for this shoe". "It was hard to keep it hidden and keep a straight face", he says. She says he must have kept it hidden until she chucked the other one on purpose."Good one, eh" he says, with that horrible smirk on his face. "almost as hilarious as your fake abortion. It was too good to resist". The smirk turns into a nasty, sadistic smile."Oh, well done. Well you got me", she says fuming, trying to smile, but inside, furious."Let it be a lesson, like the one I gave to Keith". Threateningly, he looks her in the eye, "I don't like being made a fool of".He orders. As the Corrie music starts, Tracy, initially looking hateful daggers, suddenly gives the kind of evil smile that only Tracy can give…

Graham

As I stagger, blinking, into the unexpected light of a Wednesday update(Sue's away), Steve and Liz step out into the street. He's annoyed that hismother is trying to give her opinions and advice on his relationship withRonnie. Liz claims he's neglecting Ronnie and spends more time with Eileen."Maybe you should go out with her."

Nearby, Rosie is using pleading, stamping her foot and emotional blackmailto try to persuade Kevin to drive her to Pippa's. Which is a surprise toCraig, who thought he and Rosie were spending the day together.

Audrey sees Keith heading past and chases into the street after him. Sheasks about his dispute with Charlie, then offers him a loan. As we've cometo expect, Keith is deeply offended. He's refusing to pay as a matter ofprinciple, not because he can't afford it, he tells her forcefully. "You'vea cash register instead of a brain, Audrey Roberts. Money's the only thingyou understand."

At No 1, Tracy is defending Charlie against Ken and Deirdre. Why shouldCharlie play by their rules? "Because it's reasonable, and measurable andcivilised," Ken says. "And Charlie's none of those things. Why do you thinkI like him?" Tracy says. Ken insists that Charlie is bullying an elderlyman. Tracy thinks Keith is an old fool who's trying to get out of paying.Tracy stomps out of the house and Ken and Deirdre agree she's enough todrive them both to drink.

Vernon's back and in the Rovers. Kelly is buying a drink for Joanne, whojust wanted a fruit juice. She's fed up with having to help Kelly prop barsup and hopes she gets back with Lloyd soon. Kelly is offended and Joannegoes off home to have a quiet night watching television. In a booth, Vernonsits with Liz. They're discussing tonight's gig and Vernon thinks he'll haveto leave soon because it's such a big deal. Liz suspects he's trying toavoid buying a round and challenges him to go to the bar, but he's not surehe wants another drink if he's playing tonight. Ken and Deirdre haven'tneeded to drive to drink -- they've gone to the Rovers to do it. They arriveand offer to buy a round. Vernon immediately accepts!

In the garage, Nathan is trying to get Frankie on the phone but she's notanswering. He goes off to find her.

Keith is arguing with Charlie, with Tracy chipping in. Charlie tells Keithit should be his landlord paying for the roof, not Keith. He offers to callthe landlord himself and sort it out. Keith's a big suspicious but Charlieassures him he's just trying to get paid and Keith goes off to get thelandlord's number.

Danny's in the office at the factory, doing deals. He tells Leanne he mightbe an hour or so. She's brought the post but he's reluctant to open it. Ashe suspects, his divorce degree absolute has arrived.

Eileen looks a bit fed up. Spraying furniture polish on Steve is a clue.He's thinking of going out with Ronnie and wants to know if Lloyd can cope.Eileen's just glad she's free and single, because she can't stand thethought of all three of them whingeing on about their relationship troubles.Lloyd points out that he's officially free and single now -- only Steve hasa relationship. Steve's not so sure and says so. That's a shame, becauseRonnie's come in behind him and says the question can soon be sorted out.She goes out. "I think you're expected to follow," Eileen tells Steve.

Outside he says he was only messing about. She wants to know why he didn'tfollow her last night. He did, but she slammed the door in his face. But hedidn't even ring. "You were being a stroppy cow. I was letting you stew."That doesn't impress Ronnie, and she's even less impressed when he tells herto stop being stupid. She's straight back into her car and drives off,telling Steve maybe they should call it a day. "Maybe we should," he shoutsat her.

"Car 31, will you forgive me? I didn't mean that." Steve's on the radio.There's no answer. "Oh, it's a great hurt tone. Top begging," Eileen tellshim. Vernon comes in. Steve's taking them to the gig. He wants Steve to helphim with the drums. Steve wonders why Vernon's not got the hang of handlingthem after all these years. "Glass back. Can't risk it," Vernon explains.Liz starts having another go at Steve over his relationship. "When are yougoing to learn to be in a proper relationship?" she asks. Steve says hedoesn't want to be an unpaid roadie and turns his back on them.

In the Rovers, Kelly is still drinking and thinks she could be a barmaid."Giz a job." Violet points out it's not up to her and suggests Kelly's hadenough. Kelly doesn't think so. Ken and Audrey are trying to remind Deirdreabout someone who has a lot of stickers on her wheelchair. Keith comes inand asks Audrey if he can have a private word. Audrey says whatever he's gotto say, he can say it in front of her friends. "Well, I was going to try andput it right after our words earlier, but since you haven't got the decencyto grant me a private audience, you can stick it!" Nearby, Nathan finds arather morose Frankie. The decree absolute has got her down. They agree toforget about it, get drunk, go for a meal and have a laugh.

Out in the street, Steve is in his car, leaving a message on Ronnie's phone.He tells her he's going to do one more run to the airport, then he'll beturning his phone and his radio off. But then he gets out of his car.

Frankie is telling Deirdre about her divorce. "Twenty years -- gone! And Iknow it has because I've got the proof from the court." Deirdre issympathetic because she's been through it herself. Frankie's booked a ticketto Spain -- on her own -- and hasn't told Nathan. Nathan comes back withdrinks and Frankie admits she's booked to go on her own. Steve comes in andorders a drink for himself "and whatever Kelly's having. Leanne and Dannyalso arrive. "Oh, great! Just what we need!" huffs Leanne when she seesFrankie. "It is, actually," Danny says, going over to offer Frankie somechampagne. Frankie says she won't, because she and Nathan are going out todinner to celebrate.

Tracy is sitting eating crisps out of a bowl (she must be better brought-upthan I thought). Charlie arrives home, slamming the door and getting toldoff because Amy's asleep. She wants to know where he's been and Charlietells her he's been sealing a deal with a drink. He won't tell her what thedeal is, saying it's a surprise, and is surprised she doesn't press him onit. "Can't be bothered," she says. "Just tell me what it is when you'reready."

Leanne suggests they book to go away somewhere and Danny sweeps her quicklyout of the pub. Steve has almost caught up with Kelly and they're mopingtogether. Violet rings last orders and Steve offers to give Kelly anotherdrink back at his place.

Lloyd arrives at the cab office and Eileen tells him it's not Les who is thestroppy one tonight, not with Ronnie and Steve around. Les thinks that meanshe'll get all the choice jobs. But Eileen tells Lloyd to give Les all theaggressive drunks, because for once he's less likely to kick off. Ronniearrives, grumping about Steve. Eileen tells her to start paying Steve moreattention and tell him what's going on. "He needs telling." Ronnie looksthoughtful.

At Steve's, he and Kelly are getting drunker. They're talking about Lloyd.The smoke alarm goes off because Steve's forgotten his cheese on toast.

Ronnie is back in her car and trying to get hold of Steve on her mobilephone. She does a U-turn.

Steve and Kelly have finished their cheese on toast and Steve is noticingthat Kelly is a funny girl. She says she knew he was a bit of all right.They kiss.

Ronnie is talking while she drives. As she tells Steve she's on her way overto make things up, there's a horrendous bump. A body rolls off the back ofher car. She brakes, gets out and runs to the man lying in the road. "Areyou all right?" There's no response and she gets back in the car and drivesoff at high speed." She radios Lloyd about a job, saying she'll be there infive minutes.

Steve and Kelly are still kissing, though they agree they shouldn't be doingit. They head for the bedroom as the credits roll.

The End
Margaret Carr

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Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Graham Hewitt, Martin Rosen, Ann Logan, Sue Haasler, Margaret Carr, Amanda Souter.

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