If there's a milk float going past, it must be morning. Ronnie is still in her car. She gets out and jumps like a startled kitten when Keith says hello.

Steve is in bed. Oops, so is Kelly, which we realise a second before he does! She seems to have been awake half the night. Neither of them looks happy.

Ronnie goes into the cab office, where Lloyd quite accurately quotes the words of The Scarlet Pimpernel's Sir Percy Blakeney. It seems he thinks Ronnie has been demmed elusive. She gives him a story about (illegally) picking up a fare on the street -- a distraught woman who needed someone to talk to. Lloyd points out that all it needs is one casual fare to get a cab firm closed down.

Steve lets Kelly out into the street, but only after checking the coast is clear. He checks she hasn't left anything behind, but Kelly thinks the only thing she might have lost is her self respect.

Norris, always on the lookout for an argument as long as it's someone else's, asks Keith about his roof. Keith says Charlie went to talk to the landlord, but he's heard nothing else. "There's no-one likes a night under the stars better than me, but not in my own bedroom," he says.

Charlie is still trying to make Tracy curious about what he's done. I have my suspicions, but Tracy isn't biting, though she does ask when prompted. He says all will be revealed soon enough.

At the garage, Rosie has come to see Craig. She and some pals are going shopping. Does he want to come? "Being dragged round the shops by a girls of girls?" That's a "no," then.

Keith finds Jason and Charlie with a ladder up against his house again and at first starts trying to stop them. Unfortunately, when he finds they're making repairs, not taking more tiles, he starts gloating. He shouts over to Craig that Roy Rogers and Trigger are back and it shows he was right to make a stand. He says Charlie was probably no match for his landlord and has been made to put back the tiles.

Sean still hasn't heard from his father but he tells Eileen that if his father is the sort of person who can't be bothered to make a two-minute phone call, then maybe he's best off out of it.

In the factory, as Sean arrives late, Danny is being a slave driver. "Now he's got shot of Frankie, he's a new man -- full of enthusiasm," Leanne says. Hayley doubts it and tells the others: "In my experience, folk don't throw themselves into work because they're happy." Kelly seems about to tell Joanne what she's done, but is interrupted by Danny telling them that since they're a machinist down they're in for some overtime.

Steve has turned up at the office and hears about Ronnie's helping out a damsel in distress. He says his airport run went wrong because the flight was late and then the fare's luggage didn't arrive. By the time he got back he thought he'd pack it in. He says he'll make up the time during the day, because he got plenty of sleep. "That's funny, because I could get a week's shopping into the bags under your eyes," Eileen comments. Lloyd says Ronnie looks tired as well. He wonders if they were doing their making up on company time.

Back in the factory, Sean upsets Danny by asking if he can have Monday off to go to his auntie Betty's funeral. Leanne chips in, trying to refuse, but Danny says he can have the time off as long as he makes it up.

Lloyd is working on a car engine and Steve tells him he looks knackered and should go home. When Kelly goes past without a glance, Lloyd thinks he will give up. Steve chases after her and they apologise to each other and agree it was a mistake. Kelly says it's made her realise she really wants Lloyd.

Keith is in the Rovers, telling everyone, including Tracy, that his landlord is so tough he probably put the fear of God into Charlie Stubbs.

Charlie and Jason are stopped for a cuppa. Jason is annoyed by Keith. "Where does he get off calling me Trigger? I'm not stupid. I'm nothing like the bloke." Charlie points out that Trigger wasn't a bloke but a horse. "Roy Rogers' sidekick, not Del Boy's." Jason changes the subject and wants to know what Charlie's up to. He's doing far more work than just fixing the roof.

Leanne is still annoyed and tells Danny that before they know it there will be aunties dying left, right and centre. Danny tells her there's a time to give the workers rope and a time to snap it back. She'll learn. She wonders if that's what he's trying to do with her.

Keith is still going on . . . and on and on. Charlie comes in and offers to buy Keith a pint. Tracy says he shouldn't, because Keith's been slagging him off all afternoon. Keith asks what really went on with the landlord. "I like your roof so much I decided to buy the whole house!" Everyone looks shocked, except for Tracy, who looks gleeful! Keith thinks Charlie will make his life hell. "Tenants have rights, you know." Charlie does know. That's why he's deciding not to let it but to live in it himself. He hands Keith an envelope, saying it's two months' notice. Fizz and the other factory workers are in a booth. Fizz wonders if Sean really is swinging the lead. Hayley says that's a terrible thing to say. "No-one would go to a funeral just to get time off work." "Oh, Hayley, I'd love to live in your world," Kelly tells her.

Steve comes into the office and finds Ronnie there. He's brought her flowers. They make up. She's been stroppy and he's been stubborn and they're both sorry. Eileen doesn't say a word but smiles happily.

Rosie has bought Craig some music. She mentions Josh and Mikey, who went along for the shopping trip, and Craig is immediately jealous. She says she didn't know the other lads were going. She invites him round for tea.

Steve and Ronnie stroll along the street and Ronnie tells him about the imaginary woman needing help. She suddenly stop, saying she needs to get her head down. Steve wonders what's up, and so do we until we see the Weatherfield Gazette poster: "OAP killed in hit and run."

The End

Margaret Carr

We open to the sight of one of the taxis, which has apparently broken down, being pushed towards the garage by Kevin and a puffing Lloyd. Kevin assures Nathan that he and Lloyd can manage, so Nathan goes over to the cafe where Roy is on a step-ladder, touching up the paint work. "Please tell me Frankie's not ill," he says as Nathan gets close. Nathan assures Roy that Frankie isn't ill, she's gone to Spain. Roy asks why she's gone and when she'll be back, but Nathan says that it was a spur of the moment thing, and they're working on a ‘need to know' basis, and he, apparently, doesn't need to know, so he can't help.

As Lloyd leans back on the car bonnet, wheezing, Kelly comes out of the Kabin. "Are you OK?" she asks him. "I suppose the kiss of life's out of the question?" he says, but she just walks on.

Across the street Tracy runs into Adam. He tells her that she and Charlie are the main topic of conversation in the Barlow abode at the moment. Tracy grins, "The house!" she says. He tells her no, it's more like ‘dirty tricks' and ‘nasty piece of work', that sort of thing. Tracy is cock a hoop, she tells Adam that Deirdre has always wanted to get out of No.1, and now she's going to have to watch Tracy and Charlie move into a bigger house. She tells him he ought to come round one evening, and he goes off to see if he can get into the shower which was earlier occupied by Blanche.

Kevin sees Dev struggling to get a large box out of his car and goes across to help. Dev tells him it's a wardrobe, he's having his daughter to stay for a bit. "Brave man," says Kevin. Dev wants to know what's so brave about having his daughter stay, and assures Kevin that Amber's a good kid and they get along.

Danny is making tea in the kitchen in his dressing gown. Leanne comes in, also in a dressing gown, and tries to persuade him to bring the tea back to bed. He tells her he can't, they're both going into work. She tells him she's got a sauna and a massage planned. He tells her he needs her to look over last week's output, he reckons she has a good eye. Obviously flattered, Leanne grins from ear to ear, her plans apparently forgotten.

Keith and Craig walk past Roy on his steps. Roy reckons that dealing with Charlie Stubbs is a question of strategy, he wonders if Keith could perhaps buy the house, put in a better offer than Charlie. Keith says he's got a perfectly good house waiting for them in Sheffield. "I live here," retorts Craig, and Keith tries to tell him that he has mates in Sheffield. "Not any more," says Craig, and storms off.

Danny is next on the scene, and asks if Frankie is inside. Surprised that he should know before Danny, Roy tells him that Frankie is in Spain.

Ronnie is walking up the street when Steve arrives in a taxi, and they decide to go to the cafe for a cuppa. Lloyd is talking to Roy when Kelly comes up, and asks Roy if he knows of any flats going round there. Roy tells her that Janice's old flat is still empty. Just then Steve and Ronnie arrive and ask Lloyd and Kelly if they'd like to join them for a curry one night. Lloyd says he would, and Kelly mutters, "Yeah, great," and goes on her way. Craig approaches Kevin and asks him if he could have a word with his granddad and put him off the idea of moving to Sheffield. Kevin thinks that a fresh start in Sheffield may not be a bad thing. Craig thinks that Kevin wants to break him and Rosie up, but Kevin says that if she means that much to him an hour or so on a train won't keep them apart. Poor Craig looks so devastated that eventually Kevin promises him that if he can help, he will.

Over at the Grimshaws, Sean is trying without success to phone his dad. Eileen suggest that he goes over to see him but Sean isn't sure that's a good idea. "Why not?" asks Eileen. "How would you like it," says Sean, "if your long lost son turned up on your doorstep telling you your sister was dead?" "If it meant I saw my son…." mutters Eileen quietly.

In the factory, Danny tries to get Leanne to look at a boxful of knickers, but she's not very enthusiastic. "Tell you what," she says, "why don't you just jump on a plane and go to Spain." She tells him that's where his head's been ever since Roy told him, and he obviously wishes he'd never divorced her. Danny protests that it isn't true, but says that he was with Frankie for 20 years and sometimes it's strange living without her. Leanne says that she can understand that. Danny tells her that Frankie's the past, she's the future.

Over in the taxi office, Lloyd is agonising over Kelly, when Ronnie comes in with a box of cream cakes to share. Steve says he's not hungry but Ronnie tells him that being hungry has nothing to do with cream cakes and sits on his knee.

Tracy is walking down the street when Ken and Deirdre step out of their front door. She gloats over the house, saying how they have to eat a large slice of humble pie, after they thought that Charlie was going to ruin her life, but has now bought a lovely house for them to live in. "Of course," says Deirdre acidly, "he's done it out of total love for you, nothing to do with trying to get one over on a poor old man!" Tracy is adamant that Keith tried to pull one over on Charlie and deserves everything he gets. She thinks they're jealous because she is going to be living in a better house than them.

Les comes along to find Kevin studying a dent in the bonnet of his taxi and jokes that he knackered one cab and has now damaged the replacement. Les swears it is not down to him, but knows that no one will believe him. As Ronnie comes around the corner, Les roars off up the road.

In Frankie's house, Nathan and Jamie are busy redecorating the hall and stairs. Violet provides mugs of tea, and asks if Frankie knows they're doing it. Nathan tells her that she doesn't. "And doesn't that worry you?" asks Violet. Nathan says that Frankie's departure to Spain with hardly a word worries him, he now feels he hasn't got a lot to lose. Violet thinks that if she had a villa in Spain she would do exactly the same, and Frankie will come back all tanned and relaxed.

Just then Eileen comes to the door and tells them that she's worried about Sean who hasn't been able to contact his dad. She knows that he clams up with her and wonders if Violet and Jamie might have more luck getting him to talk things over, over a couple of drinks. Les goes into the taxi office and tells Steve and Lloyd that the taxi he's in has had a knock. Lloyd thinks he might have done it, he nudged a bollard in town. After Les has gone, Steve asks Lloyd how hard he hit the bollard, and Lloyd is adamant it wasn't hard enough to dent the bonnet. At this point Ronnie decides to go out and get some fresh air.

In the Rovers, Violet, Jamie and Adam are talking to Sean about his dad. Just then Danny and Leanne come in, and as she goes to a table Danny goes to the bar and stands beside Jamie. "I hear Frankie's in Spain," he remarks to his son. "So?" says Jamie, and asks whether it's any of Danny's business.

Out in the Street, Keith and Craig get off the bus and walk towards their house. Craig tries to explain that he's taking his GCSE's next year and it's an important time at school for him. Keith reckons the exams will be the same in Sheffield. They then run into Deirdre and Ken and Keith says that maybe they can have some influence over their daughter's boyfriend, but Ken's advice is to let Charlie has his own way, they know what he can be like. Keith suddenly decides that he's not going to cut and run for some tin pot bully like Charlie Stubbs. "If he wins in the end, so be it," he says, "but he'll know he's been in a fight!"

Back in the Rovers, Violet wonders if another family member might have told Sean's dad about the funeral, and he might be there. Sean agonises over whether he wants to meet him, and risk rejection, or not. Violet suggests that they go with him and Sean is touched that they will really do that.

Steve walks into the pub and finds Ronnie sitting alone with a drink. She tells him she's feeling fine now. They see Kelly walk in and Ronnie tries to persuade Steve to go over and persuade her to take Lloyd back, but Steve is really reluctant to do that. Ronnie is just about to go over herself when Steve pulls her back. "Forget Lloyd and Kelly," he says, "we've got some of our own making up to do."

Danny goes back to the bar and asks Jamie for a quiet word. He asks Jamie again if Frankie is all right, and gets the same answer as before, "It's none of your business." He goes on to tell Danny that Frankie has never been better, he assures him that the only reason that Nathan hasn't gone too is because of work, so he needn't get his hopes up thinking there are any problems between them. Danny goes on to say that Jamie was wrong in thinking that all there was between himself and Leanne was a bit of ‘how's your father', there was more to it than that. He wants credit for the fact that no matter what he and the whole world was expecting, he did not drop Leanne like a hot potato. "Well done Dad, that's very noble of you," says Jamie. "I couldn't help myself," says Danny, "I was like a moth to the flame." He goes on to say that he wouldn't have put everyone through it if all Leanne was to him was a bit of skirt. "So it's true love then, between you and Leanne?" asks Jamie, as Leanne walks up behind them. "It is actually, yeah," says Danny, full of bravado. "Cos if it weren't, I wouldn't be going to marry her, would I?" "What?" says Leanne.

Outside, Kevin watches Dev get a television box out of his car. Just then Dev gets a phone call, and from the conversation it would seem that he's off to a stag do in Dublin. Kevin is amazed to hear that Dev is planning to go off and leave Amber on her own overnight. Dev is convinced she'll be fine.

In the pub, an excited Leanne is asking if Danny really means it, that they are going to get married, and persuades him to get drinks all round. "So, you really think you're going to make it down the aisle, do you?" asks Jamie. "Yeah, I do!" says Leanne, and giggles. "I'd better get used to saying that," she simpers, "I do!" As she hugs Danny, he stands there with a rather fixed, sick looking smile on his face.

Anne Logan

Having returned from Milan I checked the video recorder and it seems that all is in order and that events on Monday evening can be transcribed for our mutual benefit. In advance of the episode continuity staff give us a teaser - and tonight Sean gets to meet his ... Now if you know who Sean was going to meet you don't get it that easily from me.

Events in Weatherfield are copyright ITV Productions who will accept this infringement of their rights. Script written by Catherine Hayes and episode directed by Tom Poole.

Eileen looks at Sean's funeral wear - he is planning something somber. Sean is convinced his father will not be at the aunt's funeral. When he departs his path crosses Jamie who observes how smart he is for Aunt Betty's farewell. Jamie looks his usual scruffy self - why can't people get their cut and dress smartly these days?

Outside Underworld the girls are gassing. Lloyd takes Kelly to one side and suggests she can find him in t'Rovers later for a drink. Kelly plays it cool and although she wants to go she tries to pretend she probably is not interested.

Ronnie and Lloyd and Steve are all sitting in the cab office when Eileen arrives. Ronnie and Steve have settled their differences and Steve opens a letter - a speeding fine. First guess is that it is Les - 48 in a 30 limit, so this is serious. Turns out it was the night that Steve was in bed with Kelly. Ronnie denies it was her (as it was close to her "accident") but we all know different. Steve has to ask who was responsible. Later Ronnie drives to the site of the accident and the whole event is reshown.

At the Corner Shop Norris tells Amber off as she arrives - Dev had not gone and collected her - Amber needs the rest of her stuff collecting before 10 when her mum departs for the airport. Keith is asked to cover the shop whilst Dev goes to make the rest of the pick up. Dev tells Amber to throw away any stuff which she does not want. She promises she will not be any trouble. He asks her not to make the bathroom untidy. He tells her he is not made of money and leaves her to do the unpacking.

Leanne (carefully shot behind a car to hide the bump) exchanges the time of day with Nathan - remarking about her engagement. As a result she is late for work - which is observed by Fizz. No engagement rink yet. Leanne tells Danny he makes her really happy. She molests him - but Danny is going out and he leaves Leanne in charge. He gives her instructions which are to be followed. She reassures him that the factory is safe with her.

At the funeral Sean sits in a pew with Jamie and Violet. The coffin arrives and Sean's father has not arrived for his own sister's funeral. Sean bemoans his absence - over twenty years that they have not been in touch.

Sean leaves the church once the ceremony is over - they find that Sean's father has sent a wreath. They all leave and go to Roy's Rolls - where Roy asks what happened. Violet reports that Brian did not show up. Jamie calls Brian a waste of space for not turning up. Sean has unanswered questions - he wants to know why there has been a gap. They all agree to go to Brian's house.

The Rovers is quiet and Bev tries to encourage Shelley to do something other than work. A tall man asks her for a pint and they exchange a friendly chat. Later Liz, Bev and Dreary pull his leg. Shelley apologises for her mother's behaviour. Eventually he asks Shelley out - but she says she does not go out with customers - Bev tells him to persist - she will say yes.

Over at Underworld, Janice arrives - suntanned and she immediately says that she will try and make Sally's life difficult. Leanne offers Janice a cup of tea - and it turns out that Leanne has appointed Janice to the vacant position of machinist. Sally observes that at this rate the whole family will be working there - Les, possibly even Chesney - although as Silly Sal observes she does not find Chesney objectionable. Fizz is quick to agree Chesney is not objectionable - but her mother Cilla is.

Janice is surprised to find that no-one knows she has taken the job and takes Leanne to task. Janice does not like London or where R'Toyota lives - it was boring in the flat on her own. Leanne reassures her that all will be well. Later Danny returns and after a few moments notes that "Lippy" (Janice) is sat at a machine sewing away. "Lippy" he says, "Hello Mr Baldwin" she answers. He stomps over to her machine as if his eyes cannot be trusted. He wants her in the office. Leanne explains that Janice needed a job and she was lonely. Janice wants the job and promises to keep mouth shut. He gives her a trial period. Danny is not entirely happy. Danny watches Lippy in action - she does look like she is working. Leanne tells him to stop worrying and that Janice will not take advantage. Danny gives her a huge big sparkly stone - which she loves.

Eileen and Steve are playing dates, Steve wins. Ronnie arrives and wants to tell Steve something so takes him for a drink. In the Rovers Ronnie admits it was her speeding offence and she already has nine points. Ronnie asks Steve to take the three points in her place. He refuses.

Jamie arrives at a large house. Sean wants to see his father and he heads off to the front door. The others agree to wait. He rings the bell. Looks round. Looks back. Rings the bell again

And the next episode will be along shortly.

How and why could they ever have considered sacking Janice? Anyway she is back and Leanne has her trotters well in the gravy train. Ronnie knows she is in deep doo doo - and will no doubt be trying to deposit Steve in gungy stuff very shortly. Will Kelly turn up for the non-date tonight?

See you next week.

K Richard W

Part 2

Sean is seen walking up to the front door of his dad's house. Not a modest pad, by any stretch of the imagination. He rings, waits just a couple of seconds before turning away. But, the door opens and his dad is standing there, thinking he is a window salesman. Whilst he is trying to put him off, Sean says "Dad.". "Sean", says his dad, surprised, "What are you doing here?". "I went to the funeral and you weren't there, I wondered if anything was wrong". Sean sounds completely lost. Dad is astounded. "No, no. I should have recognised you straight off". With that, he remembers his manners and invites Sean in.

Leanne is showing her engagement ring to Janice, whilst Kelly is getting bored already. Even Fiz takes the Mick. Haley is panicking about finding Danny, who's gone to the bank. She has a call from a supplier who has been given wrong information, so it happens from Janice. Janice owns up to getting it wrong, it's just as well Danny's not there. Kelly annoys Leanne because she doesn't think this arrangement will last.

Sean is on the sofa talking to his dad. Dad asks if anything has happened, to which Sean says "What, since 1986?" "No about you, or your mum". A not very pleasant woman comes in the room, eyes up Sean, who is introduced as Maggie, Dad's wife. "I was just passing", says Sean. "Oh", says Maggie, in a nasty bored way. "You sent flowers...", Sean says to his dad. "I sent flowers", interrupts Maggie, with no attempt to hide her contempt. She explains that dad hasn't been well, which Sean obviously doesn't believe, much to dad's embarrassment.

Outside the shop, Dev brings a bunch of flowers out. Amber arrives to unpack her things and jokes they must be for her. Dev, with his usual lack of humour, tells her to put them in water for display. Amber goes in in disgust.

Ronnie, (the cold hearted bitch, she did kill someone) is still trying to persuade Steve to take the ticket for her. She tries the sexual blackmail trick, to which he tells her "no". She says her career will be tatters, Steve says her career is just shopping. She storms off and he (stupidly) relents. She kisses him a big thank you. She killed someone yesterday, you'd never know.

Amber has locked herself in the shop storeroom, much to Dev's annoyance. Cilla comes in with a view to stealing something. But, of course, Dev is wise to this woman! Seeing that Dev has a problem with Amber in the cupboard, Cilla tries to tell him how to bring up kids, to which Dev makes a comment about social workers etc. Cilla yells the social worker number, she knows it off by heart!

In the factory, Janice is shouting from the balcony, "Romeo, Romeo etc". The girls are moaning amongst themselves about her. Janice is loving it, smirking at them all. She sits at a machine and starts working. Danny walks in and can't believe Janice is working. Fiz lets out that Janice has moved into Danny's house, Janice looks embarrassed. Danny is furious with Leanne, but she says"Non-negotiable". "One night", he says. "No, it takes more than that to find a flat". "A week", he says. "No more". "Done", she says. He has been.

Sean is talking to his dad, trying to be civilised, dad asking if he is all right, Sean telling him he has two jobs, he'll survive. They're both embarrassed. Sean, suddenly looking around, says "You've done all right for yourself". "Well, Maggie is the brains". "None of it handed to us on a plate. Life's not that simple", she sneers. Sean sneers back. "Tell me about it...............Maggie", staring her out. Sean breaks the silence, and says he has to go. Dad sees him out and offers a lift in the big Lexus. "No thanks, my friends will take me". They shake hands and hug, both obviously upset, trying not to show it.

Walking away, Sean looks around, only to see the door already closed.

In the van, he tells Vi how humiliated and offended he is. She was vile, not even a cup of tea. "At least you tried", they comfort him.

Danny enters the pub, he joins Leanne and Janice. He is not happy.

Kelly joins Lloyd. He can't understand why Janice is back. "Desperation!", she tells him.

Amber is sitting on the curb outside the shop. Roy and Hayley come by and make small talk, Amber is very sad, but Hayley, who'd love to help, can't bring herself to do so.

Whilst Danny, Janice and Leanne are getting into their car, Cilla comes out of the house. Of course, mouthy Janice makes trouble. Cilla warns her off her Les and Danny has to break it up.

In the pub, Sean is putting on a brave face. Shelley is getting fed up having people taking the Mick out of her age and no boyfriend, so she takes matters into her own hands and chats up the 'young man'. He agrees to take her for an Italian, Friday. He says it was the three wise monkeys wot done it.

Fred and Dev are talking about Amber. She has packed so much. Shelley has a go at him for being a dad out of sight.

Amber is still on the curb. Roy and Hayley are back and are being nice to her. Amber has lost her key and is worried Dev will be cross. They try to tell her that he'll be OK.

Lloyd and Kelly, in the pub, are debating on trying again? A clean slate. They kiss and make up.

Roy comes in the pub with Amber. Roy explains about the key and everyone feels sorry for her. Dev offers to help her unpack, perhaps feeling sorry and guilty.

Jamie is talking to Sean about Dads. There's too much damage. Was it Sean's Dad in the wrong? Sean is confused, but what's the point, he'll never know now anyway.

Sean's dad, in his Lexus, arrives in the Street. Ronnie and Steve are passing, Steve telling her he has admitted the offence. Little does he know...........

Sean's dad knocks on Sean's door, only for Jason to answer. When he realises who it is, he tells him menacingly that Sean is at work in the pub, a nice pub with no bother, "know what I mean?". Jason calls Sean on his mobile to warn him his dad's coming.

Sean goes to the door, only for all and sundry to enter, except his dad.

Ronnie, in a great mood, talks about Lloyd and Kelly

Sean comes out of the pub, just in time to see his Dad driving off...................

Written by: Patrea Smallacombe
Directed by: Tom Poole

Kelly brings Lloyd breakfast in bed - a sure sign of guilt if ever there was one. But for now they're all lovey-dovey and talking about how this is a fresh start for them.

At Eileen's there's a right disgusting sight, as Jason smothers his cereal in milk and then proceeds to slurp milk straight out of the bottle. Yuk. Luckily for Sean, he has other things on his mind - namely his father. He rings him and leaves a message, saying he really wants to talk and he can cope with whatever his father has to say to him because he's not ten anymore. Bless him.

The Lovely Craig and The Beautiful Rosie are having a snog in his garden, watched by David, Keith and Gail. There's no privacy in that street. But it is school time, as Keith points out. On his way out, Craig anxiously asks Keith if he's going to sort something out re the house, and Keith promises he will try.

Kelly's now on her way into t'factory, dressed in a fetching outfit of red and pink. Lloyd is with her and he tells Steve that he and Kelly are back together so Steve no longer has to 'play the third person' in their relationship - an unfortunate choice of phrase, considering. 'I kept nagging him to give you a nudge in the right direction,' clarifies Lloyd. He goes off, and Steve and Kelly agree that they'll never mention anything to Lloyd about what happened between them.

The factory is quite exciting since the refit - it even has a mezzanine floor now, and it is from this vantage point that Sean is testing that his phone has a signal. It does, because it rings. It's his father, who wants to arrange a meeting.

When Ronnie drives up to the cab office she's alarmed to see a police car there. She's wearing massive false eyelashes (or she has mascara reinforced with wild boar hairs or something), and if I was her brief I would suggest she plead not guilty by virtue of an eyelash malfunction which impeded her vision while driving, and counter-sue the makeup company. Or have I been watching Boston Legal more than is necessarily good for me? Anyway, we have plenty of time to look at the offending hairy objects, as she stays hidden round the corner in the car, and we watch her nervous face in the rear-view mirror.

Steve's in the pub, and he gets a call from Lloyd on his mobile telling him the police are at the cab office and want a word with him. Steve goes straight over there. The officers ask him if he was picked up by a speed camera, and add that there was an accident in the area at the same time. Steve says he didn't witness anything, but the officers ask if they can examine the car, to eliminate Steve from their enquiries. Steve says that sounds serious, and the officer replies that it was a hit and run - and the man died.

David and Amber are on their way home from school for lunch. Gail says she's got nothing in, but Amber says she'll get Dev to give them something from the shop, which they'll eat at Gail's. Gail looks chuffed at how well David is getting on with Amber. Well, she *is* the heiress to 7 shops.

Things are getting worse for Steve. The officers have had a look at the car and discovered a small dent. They want to take it in for proper investigation.

At Eileen's, Sean is nervously waiting for his father to turn up. The doorbell rings - and it's him. It's also the bloke from Auf Wiedersehen Pet, and you've got no idea how nice it is for this north eastern lass to hear a Geordie voice on her favourite soap. Eileen tactfully leaves them alone to talk, although they're both very awkward and shy with each other.

Meanwhile, David and Amber are bonding like nobody's business over a shared realisation that they both have fathers who are more interested in their new babies than in them.

Sean and his dad, Brian, are managing to talk a bit more. Sean says how upset he was after the funeral. His father says he isn't the man Sean thinks he is, but just as it looks as though they're getting somewhere, Brian says he has to leave. Sean says he's like to see him again, adding rather poignantly: 'The way I remember it we were mates before you left. I just want to get to know my dad again.'

Keith tells Craig and Rosie that his visit to the Citizens Advice Bureau didn't help much - Charlie can legally evict them. Craig says he won't go, and will squat in the house if necessary. Keith says he's doing all he can to keep a roof over their heads, and goes stomping off. Craig tells Rosie he's worried that if they lose this house Keith will move them back to Sheffield.

Ronnie has finally assured herself that there are no police near the cab office, and goes back, asking Steve innocently what the police were doing there earlier. Steve says they're investigating a hit and run, and he's a suspect. She tries to act surprised, and says that it wasn't the only car on the road. Steve tells her the man died, and asks her if the police will find anything when they look at her car. She says of course they won't. 'Don't worry,' she says. 'It'll be okay.'

Sue Haasler

Written by: Jonathan Harvey
Directed by: Tom Poole

At Steve's, Liz is serving up something or other for dinner, but no-one looks very hungry. 'Fancy the police thinking you'd have anything to do with a hit and run,' Liz says, speaking for us all I think. 'Yeah, fancy,' replies Steve, with a meaningful look at Ronnie.

Sean, Jamie and Adam are sitting outside the fish and chip shop. Sean tells the others he's going to be seeing his father again, and is worried about how he'll react when he discovers Sean is gay. The others are quite amused by this - it doesn't take a particularly well calibrated gaydar to work that one out!

Shelley is getting ready for her date with Simon. Bev is showing a keen interest in the proceedings: 'New top, nails done, more makeup than Pete Burns,' she says approvingly.

In the pub, Sean is dropping 'hints' to his father about his sexuality. His in-depth knowledge of Eurovision Song Contest winners should be a giveaway, but in case the penny hasn't dropped, he asks his father if he ever watches Little Britain, and more specifically Matt Lucas. 'You know how you never see him with a girlfriend?' Sean says, and Brian replies, 'Aye, that might possibly because he's gay.' Sean says that he's trying to tell his father that he's gay, and his dad says that he's always known that. 'I loved you, son,' he says. 'You were unique. You always made me laugh.' He asks if Sean has a boyfriend, and Sean tells him about his old flame Louis and how he found him in bed with a woman. Brian says, 'I wish I'd been there for you, son.'

Tracy is having a good look at what she hopes will be her future home, her nose pressed up against the window. The current resident, Keith, is none to happy to see her. She asks if she can have a look around inside, and Keith tells her to get lost.

Simon arrives at the pub to pick up Shelley for their date.

Steve and Ronnie are out in the street when they spot a police car outside the cab office. Ronnie pretends she's forgotten her handbag and goes back to the flat, leaving Steve to go to the office without her. There are two police officers in there, and they tell Steve that when the car was examined a piece of cloth was found on it which matched the dead man's coat. The officer formally arrests Steve and he's taken to the police station. Ronnie is lurking and sees him being taken away.

Ronnie goes to the pub to tell Liz what's happened, and Vernon says he'll drive them to the police station. Ronnie says she' better stay behind in case Steve phones the flat. How kind of her.

Simon has taken Shelley to the Italian restaurant that people go to when they can't afford the Clock. He turns out to be seriously boring. He's a bus driver, which is not a boring occupation in itself, but he's obsessed by buses. It's all he can talk about, although don' get him started on postcode, because he's rather enthusiastic about those too. I think you get the picture. Shelley is rapidly losing the will to live.

The policeman who is interrogating Steve has the sexiest Liverpool accent(IMO). I'm quite distracted. Steve isn't, though, and insists it wasn't him driving the car. He tells the officer that he took the blame for the speeding offence so Ronnie wouldn't lose her license, as she had 9 points on it already. The policeman says he'll have to see what Ronnie has to say.

At the Rovers Sean introduces his father to Jamie, Violet and Adam.

At the restaurant, Shelley pretends she's just received a text message from Bev saying she's ill and Shelley has to go home. Simon says he'll come too, and Shelley says, 'Don't you dare!' quickly adding that he must stay and finish his meal.

Ronnie has a heart of stone. She tells the Scouse policeman that she doesn't have any points on her license - she even shows it to him - and pretends to be really upset that Steve could make such a terrible accusation about her.

Keith is begging Charlie not to evict him, and Charlie pretends to relent for a moment - then changes his mind, much to the amusement of Tracy.

The policeman tells Steve that Ronnie has denied his story, and tells him to just own up. Steve repeats that he wasn't in the car that night. 'Well if you weren't in the car where were you?' the officer says. Steve says that he was at home, with a girl called Kelly. He admits that Kelly is the girlfriend of Lloyd, his business partner, which is why he didn't mention it sooner. The officer says he'll check the story out with Kelly, but in the meantime, Steve is staying put: 'You're under arrest for death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident. You're going nowhere!'

Sue Haasler

In his cell, Steve wakes up as a policeman comes in with toast and tea. "Have you spoken to Kelly yet?" he asks, but doesn't get an answer.

Meanwhile, Lloyd is on the phone, apparently to the police, asking whether they are going to charge Steve. Kelly comes in, she's sure it will all get sorted because she's sure he didn't do it, but Lloyd isn't so sure, he thinks it's getting serious. "Guilty or not," he says, "this is very bad for business."

Ronnie is sitting in the cafe, looking stunned and shaken. Liz comes and asks if she's heard anything, and Ronnie says she tried to ring several times, but with no luck. Liz is adamant that knocking someone down and driving off is just not Steve, and Roy is sure that even if he did in a moment of madness, he's not the sort of person who could live with that guilt afterwards. As they discuss the situation, Ronnie sits and stares into space, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Outside, a man with a clipboard is looking at Keith's house, and Sean and Eileen step outside of their front door. Sean is off to meet his father for a pizza for lunch, and is really excited about it.

Charlie and Tracy come round the corner and approach the man with the clipboard. He's the surveyor, and although Tracy can't see why he's needed, Charlie explains that it's a mortgage requirement. They ring the doorbell and Keith opens the door. Although he knows he has to let the surveyor in, he tries to stop Charlie entering, but Charlie pushes past anyway, telling him to put the kettle on and make tea.

Les goes into the corner shop where Amber is serving. As he goes to the fridge to look for ready meals, David comes in and tries to buy cider. She won't serve him, pointing out the notice on the wall that says customers wanting alcohol have to be over 18. Les pushes him aside and tries to buy cans of beer with the curries he's got, but Amber tells him she can't serve him with alcohol either. "You're not saying I'm under 18, are you?" asks Les. "No," she tells him, "but I am!"

Craig and Rosie come out of the chippy, discussing how Tracy and Charlie are in the Harris house now, measuring up. Then Rosie breaks the news to him that she's off on a 5 week school trip to France. Craig isn't best pleased to hear this, and Rosie tells him that all her friends are going. "So you'd rather be with them than me?" he says, and she tells him she can't be the only one who doesn't go. It's all to improve her French in time for the GCSE next year.

Lloyd and Kelly are in the taxi office when the police arrive to have a word with her. They look doubtfully at Lloyd, but she assures them they can say anything in front of him. At first she thinks they're there because they've found Becky, but they don't know anything about her. "It's about Steve MacDonald," the policeman tells her, and Kelly looks worried.

In the pizza place, Sean is sitting waiting for his dad, and watching other fathers with their children.

Back in the taxi office, the policeman asks Kelly to remember where she was on the 31st May. She says she has no memory of where she was, until the policeman tells her that Steve could go to prison for what he's being accused of, and with holding information is a very serious offence. Taking a deep breath, Kelly stammers, "Actually, er, I do remember it, as it happens," and goes on to say how she was with Steve from about 10.30pm until the following morning, in his flat. Lloyd sits and looks puzzled as the policemen leave.

In the Rovers, Charlie tells Tracy that although moving into the house is an option, keeping Keith on will pay a good rental income. Tracy is really put out at the thought that they might be staying at the flat after all. "But I've been telling people," she says, as Charlie smirks at her. (He knows just how to wind her up!)

Back in the taxi office, a tearful Kelly tries to explain her actions to Lloyd. "We weren't seeing each other when it happens," she sniffs, "we were both drunk and feeling low….it didn't mean anything." Lloyd is calm and quiet, but obviously devastated. "What was all that about trust?" he asks her, "you're not giving Les one on the side as well are you?" She points out that she wasn't the first one to be unfaithful, but of course, Lloyd, being a typical man, reckons it was different for him. "That was before our new agreement, Kel," he tells her, brushing aside the fact that he lied to her time and time again. Kelly tells him that going with Steve made her realise that it is Lloyd she wants, "Ah, so it was a good thing?" says Lloyd, "I'll give him a big hug when I see him."

In the restaurant, Sean is still waiting for his father. He decides to order and eat alone.

Violet is in the corner shop, talking to Amber about all the fit lads she will be serving when she's working. When she's gone, Amber remarks to Dev that Violet is well "nang". Dev thinks at first that she's running Violet down, until Amber explains that it means that she's really cool. Dev is checking the stock and wants to know if she's been selling vodka. She looks really guilty but explains that she broke a bottle and was too frightened to tell him.

Steve goes back to the flat, and gets a warm welcome from his mum, while Ronnie sits at the table looking guilty. "I don't know what I would have done if you'd gone down," she says. "Well, you could have owned up!" says Steve, angrily, and when Liz realises that it was her all along, she's furious. "You scheming little cow!" she roars.

Sean gets back to the pub and explains to Jamie and Violet how he was stood up.

Back at Steve's flat, Ronnie is trying to explain how she panicked and drove off and then didn't know what to do. She tells them she would have owned up eventually. "So why didn't you?" Liz wants to know. "I was frozen," says Ronnie, "it all just got out of control." Just then the doorbell rings, and as Steve goes to answer it Liz tells Ronnie she doesn't believe her, and when she got Steve to take the blame for the speeding ticket she must have know it would be linked with the accident. "I didn't!" says Ronnie, and swears that she wouldn't have gone on lying. Just then Steve comes back into the room with the two policemen, who arrest her.

They take her out and put her in the police car. Liz worries that she will talk her way out of it, but Steve is sure she won't. "She's dead behind the eyes," he says, and can't believe he missed it. Just then, Lloyd drives up, jumps out of his taxi and rushes over and lunges at Steve, until Liz gets between them. He sees Ronnie being taken away by the police, "It's good to have the perfect alibi, isn't it mate!" he says bitterly. Liz is just trying to work out what is going on between them, when Kelly comes along. "Steve's a free man today because you owned up," Lloyd tells her, and realisation suddenly dawns on Liz. "Oh you didn't!" she says with a look of disgust on her face. Lloyd tells Steve that now he's had his filthy mitts all over Kelly he can use her whenever he wants, and gets back into his taxi.

Anne Logan

A long day at work followed by an evening doing more work. I got a new job at the start of April (only in the sense that my desk did not change - just that I received more responsibility and more pay). I thought it would be a doddle - after all the additional departments have managers and run like a dream so they will not need much effort. How wrong could I have been. I now have to pontificate on matters I used to be able to avoid like the plague - and just because a department appears to run smoothly does not mean that a few changes might not improve matters and of course as the person ultimately responsible a lot more people feel they must tell me things I need to know. I will catch up, I will catch up ...

So events tonight in the mean streets of Weatherfield represent a welcome distraction and for those who asked. Milan was another business trip and I cannot claim even to know what they city looks like and no I did not bring you all presents back. Original events copyright ITV Productions, written by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Tim Dowd.

Sean is dreading work. His father did not turn up the previous day, Eileen tries to re-assure him - she thinks he is marvelous and slaps him for his self pity.

At the garage Lloyd is dropping a car off for repair and he and Nathan discuss the dirty double crossing good for nothing being (formerly known as Ronnie) - DDCGFNB - a headcase. And Lloyd does not want Nathan to show Steve any sympathy - and confirms the story that Steve slept with Kelly who wanders past and want a word with Lloyd who tells her to "do one" and Nathan calls her the "local bike" (a phrase not used for a while). Kelly goes into work and sitting at her machine bemoans her lot. She admits messing up. Kelly wants Lloyd back and Hayley is particularly sympathetic. Janice tells the factory about DDCGFNB and the hit and run. Sean asks Danny if he can go home - he has a migraine - Kelly ("Legs" - this only works if you can see the skirt line) has one two - just looking at his jumper. Leanne (hiding behind a doorframe) says he his not capable of working so "Mincemeat" is sent home.

The same story is falling from Liz's lips in the Kabin as she brings Rita up to date about DDCGFNB. Steve comes in and he becomes aware what they are discussing. As he observes to his mother "Who needs a town crier when they've got you?" and he turns on his heel and stomps out. Liz unusually not wearing a short skirt (jeans) totters after him in high heels. They shout at each other until Rita chases after Liz for money. Liz says that she took them all for fools. Little consolation to Steve who has to go into the cab office and face Lloyd and the others. Liz assures Steve his luck is going to change. Vernon is present and makes a comment that all men sleep with a mate's wife (which leads Liz to give him a funny look behind his back).

At Diggory's Eileen is buying a baguette - she observes they are appearing smaller. Diggory makes a joke out of it by implying that Eileen is getting bigger.

Sean leaves a message asking his father to call him. Jamie tells Sean to "bin" him and not give him a second chance. Sean asks Jamie for a favour - can Jamie take him round to his fathers house and his "mate" says yes. They arrive and his car is in, so Sean goes to the front door and rings the bell. Brian's wife answers the door and says that he is not in. She takes a message and implies he is on a boozy lunch. We see Brian at an upstairs window watching Sean depart. Jamie sees Brian as well.

Steve enters the cab office. Lloyd refuses to talk and leaves, pretending he has a job.

Danny and Leanne are in Roy's Rolls. Danny is complaining about Janice being in the flat. Apparently Janice drank all the coffee, milk and bread (no even Leanne cannot work that one out). As Leanne was present throughout the events (and boy is she hungry) it is hard to know why Danny is presenting a blow by blow action replay - anyone would think England had scored a goal, blast I promised not to mention the football - anyway Danny wants Janice to find her own place - in fact she will be Danny's mother in law (almost) after the wedding. For those of you who have forgotten the history Leanne is Les's daughter from his marriage before Janice (which was before and after Cilla, who is missing this week) whilst R'Toyota was Janice's daughter. Oddly Leanne has always seemed closer to R'Janice than R'Les.

Hayley, Janice and Kelly are at Diggory's. Hayley wants her "lumpy bumpy" cake but he did not make any this morning. And Kelly reckons that the cakes are smaller than before. He claims they are "bijou" - all the trend - but apparently the prices are not bijou. He does a selection for a pound to stop them moaning. Janice pronounces it a bargain. Diggory is not happy. Leaving Kelly sees Lloyd going in the Rovers and we are given a flash of the "Legs" in running mode as she dashes across the Street.

Inside the Rovers she enters and offers to buy his pint as a treat. He refuses and leaves the unserved pint.

Sean is crying into his drink (probably a v&t). Sean wonders why he is being rejected again - he thought they were going to make it work. Sean starts worrying that he is an alcoholic. In fact he is a tipsoholic. Three large vodkas on an empty stomach. Sean is being drunkenly loud and in fact he is sober - just acting up to entertain himself. He gets his phone out and hits the contacts - finds "Dad" and hits the delete button, describing each step to Jamie as Brian stands behind him. Brian tries to explain why he did not turn up the previous day.

At the factory Leanne is hiding the bigger than ever bump under a tray of teas and coffees she is dispensing to the workers. The last cup is for Mr B. As a result Danny gives her a telling off for sucking up to the staff. Danny says they are up against it - she is trying her hardest to build up a good relationship. Leanne reckons that on her return she will have the answer to all their problems.

Lloyd is unwilling to be in the same room as Steve and then returns to the Rovers. Violet tries to re-assure him. His head is about to explode and he cannot sleep. Usually he can laugh things off - but they are not funny anymore.

K Richard W

Part 2

Sean is in the Rovers chatting to his dad, Brian.

Brian is trying to be apologetic for not turning up yesterday and explaining that he and Maggie are having a bad time, maybe even splitting up. He'd left the house, was ‘All over the place'. Sean, still bitter at yesterday's ‘rejection', asks why he should believe him and why should he care. Brian did, after all, leave mum for ‘her'.

"It's more complicated than that", says Sean, "You left, I healed, and you come back again and reopen the pain. I wish I'd never seen you". Sean says that he hopes he doesn't cry.

In the factory rest area, Kelly is pouring her heart out, she is really sad at losing Lloyd.

Leanne walks in with a posh shop bag, full of naughty night clothes for Danny. He is not impressed, however, how can he do it with "Lippy in the next room"?

Steve is in the office with Eileen, pouring his heart out about losing his girl friend and his best mate, and how could he have been so bad to Lloyd. And, yes, he will testify against Ronnie.

Back with Sean and Brian, Brian is reminiscing about those happy days when Sean went swimming, how happy he always was in the garden playing (he gives Sean a photo of Sean wearing a curtain as a flamenco dress, very telling!). He never forgot Sean, who begins to be quite tearful.

At the factory, yet again all leaving to go to the pub, the girls are talking films and getting cliquey, leaving Leanne out. Danny takes Leanne himself to the pub, where he sees Sean, who's supposed to be ‘sick'. He is furious with ‘Mincemeat', to which Brian becomes quite defensive of his son. Danny makes disparaging remarks about ‘an aging boyfriend' before Brian says he is his dad. Danny is suddenly, quiet, realising his own predicament about ‘father/son' relationships. He apologises, "No offence".

All in the Cars office are bored; the business is going to the wall with no bookings and cancelled contracts. Eileen and Steve get quite cross at Les's stupid humour and low IQ. Steve storms out.

Lloyd, sitting in the Rovers, is joined by Kelly, still sorry and apologising. Lloyd dos not want to know, talking of cliches etc. She is replaced by Steve, also trying to grovel with apologies and excuses, like "You were on a break". This breaks no ice with Lloyd, who does not want to know.

Brian seems about to tell Sean something that will break his heart, but thinks better of it. They get up to leave with Leanne nastily saying "You get no pay for today". Jamie moans at Danny about being a rotten father, Leanne adds that at least Danny is a "real man". Jamie's parting jibe is that with Leanne on his arm, he doesn't look lie a sugar daddy, he just looks "rich".

In the street, before getting in his car to leave, Brian gives Sean a family watch, an ‘heirloom'. They hug.

"Don't be a stranger", says Sean. Brian leaves. Danny, who has been watching from across the street, comes to Sean and apologises for before, and asks Sean to give Jamie a message, how he loves him and how he broke his heart.

Steve and Lloyd are still at it, apologising and rebutting. Steve goes into a diatribe about always being on his own, even his twin left him. Always had girlfriends, but never mates. Lloyd will never trust him again.

Diggory is obviously getting nervous about losing money in a failing business. He is about to throw the remaining bread rolls away when Sally comes in and buys four. He decides to keep the rest.

In the pub, Danny and Vi are talking about Sean, who is all over the pub showing people his new watch, that his "dad gave him". Sean gives Jamie Danny's message, to which Jamie is quite short, Sean is shocked and says"Hey, don't shoot the messenger". He won't listen to Jamie, he has a dad who is "there for him".

Graham Hewitt

Hello. Scarily, this episode comes to you from uncharted territory -- a Tuesday, thanks to some silly men running round in shorts in Germany.

Sean and Eileen are in the cafe, where Sean is still going on about his watch and his father. Eileen suggests he take it slowly, but Sean isn't having any of that. "Get lost! I've missed out on this half my life." He shows Eileen the watch (again), saying it's a token of all the time they've missed. He doesn't see Danny behind him until it's too late and is hurried off to work. Danny sits down with Leanne.

Amber is off to school, but she's forgotten her phone (proves she's not a real teenager, then). While he has her stopped still for a moment, Dev tries to point out that her habit of taking soft drinks from the shop is actually stealing. Amber tries to plead her addiction to the additives in the pop, but ends up promising to fight this addiction if it will stop him moaning. Amber catches up with Craig and Rosie, who are on their way to school.

Diggory is tapping the baps -- they're a mix of the kind that dent and spring back softly under his finger, and the kind which ring hollowly as if they're several days old. Lloyd catches him at it and tells him that's what sailors used to do to get the weevils out of their bread. Diggory is offended that Lloyd might be suggesting his rolls are less than fresh. As Lloyd leaves, Molly comes in with the bad news that the leaseholders are putting up the rent. "It's nothing we can't handle," Diggory says, but his face is arguing with that.

In the cafe, Danny is paying when Nathan and Tyrone come in behind him. In answer to a query from Roy, Nathan says he hasn't heard too much from Frankie. This prompts Danny to make a few smart comments about his holidays with Frankie. "All that Spanish good time stuff, you, Frankie, Jamie, I suppose it's like the other things in your life, eh, Danny Boy?" says Nathan, "Gone." Danny walks out.

Sean is stiiiiiiiiilllllll going on and the other factory staff are quickly losing the will to carry on. Though they do agree that Danny was well out of order in having a go at Sean in the pub. Danny comes out and tells them all to get on with their work.

Steve goes into the shop and finds Dev reading the "Killer Cabs" story in the Weatherfield Gazette. Dev tells him the buck stops with management.

At the garage, Tyrone and Nathan are discussing Danny. Nathan's not happy that Frankie has gone off to Spain on her own. Tyrone points out that Nathan was asked to move in with Frankie, so he's a winner.

In the street, Eileen thanks Jamie for being a mate to Sean. Jamie tells Violet he doesn't think he's been a mate because he didn't tell Sean that Brian was in the house.

Sean is talking about his watch yet again. Danny catches him and tells him off, then tells Leanne he's sacking Sean. "He's stopping everyone from working." He also isn't happy with the bread roll Leanne's got him. "It's like eating a breeze block!" And while he's going on, he starts complaining about Jamie having Sean for a mate!

Lloyd is reading the paper, especially the bit urging readers to write in with their own mini-cab horror experiences. "I've said I'm sorry," says Steve. Eileen is making a paper-clip chain because there are no calls coming in. They hear the door, but it's only Tyrone bringing in a bill for doing the brake linings on one of the cabs. While Steve and Lloyd snipe at each other, Les admires the completed paper-clip necklace.

Danny is still in the factory and still grumpy. He calls Sean into the office. (Everyone in the factory has taken to wearing a tape measure around their necks? Why? I can understand why the cutters would do this, but the machinists? Why would they need to stop and measure anything?) Danny tells him he's come very close to being sacked but he's had his last chance. "Be happy somewhere else." As he leaves the office, Sean either trips or clicks his heels together in a jackbooted sort of way -- it's hard to tell.

Craig and Rosie are outside the chippy talking about some girl when Amber tries to steal a chip. She goes in to get some for herself and leaves them to look after her school bag. They comment on the weight and she points out that it's absolutely full of bottles of pop.

Leanne has gone to complain about the stale rolls. "You could put a car windscreen through with one of them." Molly says the unsold bread is thrown out every night as soon as they shut. To prove it, she gathers up baskets from around the shop and, despite Diggory's protests that he'll do it later, heads off to the rubbish sacks.

Outside, Leanne meets Sean in the street and tells him that she mediated on his behalf. She suggests Sean have a word on Danny's behalf and persuade Jamie to give Danny another go. Sean can't see them being like the Waltons. He thinks Leanne's being unrealistic.

In the pub, Tyrone and Les are talking about the lack of taxi business. Ty thinks folk will always want taxis, but Les isn't so sure. Sean comes in and tells Jamie he's been talking to Leanne. Jamie says his dad fakes sincerity very well. Sean is planning to book a restaurant and take his dad out for father's day (which is coming up in the UK, so you Kiwis don't need to panic -- you've still got another few months). Jamie is still worried about whether to tell Sean about seeing his father in the house. Violet tells him that if he is that worried he should tell Sean.

Outside the chippie, Craig, Rosie and Amber are hoeing into the contents of Amber's schoolbag -- orange and vodka, lemonade and vodka and dandelion and burdock and vodka! "If you can keep getting it, we can keep drinking it," Amber says. She says they should take the rest home so she can get rid of the evidence.

Back in the pub, Sean is going on about his dad to Kelly and Jamie is getting more and more worried about him. Jamie asks Sean if he's got a minute and says they'd best talk out the back.

Eileen is on the phone to a customer who is cancelling an order because of the publicity. It seems it's the department of social services, who feel they can no longer doing business with a company whose reputation has been tarnished. Steve says ten per cent of the turnover goes through them. "So shall ye reap," mutters Lloyd, but this doesn't go down well with Steve. Lloyd thinks he's making a fair point. After all, Steve did sleep with his girlfriend and ruin the business while he was at it. "And I do mean 'at it'." Steve says it was Ronnie who nobbled them. Lloyd points out that Steve hired him.

Outside the pub, Jamie tells Sean that Brian was at the house. Sean can't understand why Jamie didn't say anything, and then he accuses Jamie of being jealous and making up the identity of whoever was in the house. "I'd appreciate it if you kept your bitterness to yourself from now on," he huffs. He tells Jamie he doesn't need his protection because he's got a family.

Back inside, Sean is very grumpy. Leanne and Danny come in but Sean ignores Leanne when she tries to get a drink. "May I suggest you shut up and leave me alone," he says, telling her he has no intention of discussing Jamie or Danny or anyone else's problems for that matter, "because I don't have any. Alright?" And we know what that means in Soapland.

The End.

Margaret Carr

Written by: David Lane
Directed by: Tim Dowd

It's a very rare man who'd enjoy living with his future step-mother-in-law, and it's an even rarer man who'd put up with it if she also happened to be Janice Battersby. Danny has had enough of Janice wearing his socks, and tells Leanne to make it clear to Janice that she is surplus to requirements at the Quays.

Steve and Les are having the kind of discussion Gary and Tony used to have on Men Behaving Badly, centered around whether it's ok to sleep with your best mate's girlfriend ('Kelly's like a six pack your mate's put in the fridge for later, and you helped yourself to a couple of cans,' according to Les). While they're having this conversation they're also dining on sausage rolls from Diggory's. Les reckons his tastes like Cilla's old sock. Blanche overhears this, and comments that since Les's taste buds have been dulled by 'cigarettes, curries and kissing unsavoury women,' Diggory's pastries must be truly inedible.

The baker and his snacks are also the talking point in the factory (along with Sean thinking Jamie is jealous of his relationship with his dad). No-one has anything nice to say about Compton's produce.

In these circumstances, you need a champion of human rights and plain speaking. Step forward Blanche Hunt, determined to point out to Diggory just where he's going wrong with his Victoria sponges. 'Not only are they smaller than they used to be, but look how thin that spread of cream is, if you can call it cream. And don't get me started on what's meant to be jam!' Diggory tries to protest, and is quite relieved when Steve comes into the shop, but Steve is there to add to the complaints. Diggory says that he makes excellent produce but no-one is prepared to pay a decent price for it, so he's had to cut corners, and now people are getting what they paid for.

Leanne sees Jamie in the street and says that she and Danny heard about his argument with Sean. She says that Danny still loves him, and she cares about him. Danny is watching this from the factory doorway, and to add to his woes he overhears Nathan on the phone to Frankie, who has just invited him to Spain for the weekend.

Leanne enlists Violet's help in trying to get Jamie and Danny back together again. Violet is suspicious about Leanne's motives at first, thinking she only wants to ease a guilty conscience, but she agrees to help.

In the factory, Janice tells Danny that she's spoken to Leanne about moving out of his flat, and indeed has already found somewhere else. The problem is that a deposit is required, and she wonders if Danny could possibly finance this for her. Cheeky mare. Danny says he'll make sure she gets some overtime, which will enable her to finance herself. Not what she wanted to hear, and she has a face on her like a slapped troll.

Jamie is miserable about his disagreement with Sean. Violet suggests that she and Jamie go for a nice Italian meal later on. He's not keen at first but she talks him into it, and when he says he'll pick her up, she says she has to do some shopping so she'll meet him at the restaurant. As soon as Jamie has gone to get his glad-rags on, Violet is on the phone - presumably to Leanne...

...whose mobile is ringing in the factory, but she's not there. Danny answers it, and on hearing his voice Violet hangs up. Leanne appears, and Danny tells her that someone called. She rings them back and then tells Danny that it was an old friend, Louise, she's arranged to meet for a drink. He looks suspicious.

Poor Danny is quite paranoid now. He even asks Janice if she knows of any friend of Leanne's called Louise. Janice is not in a very co-operative mood, so Danny says he'll pay for her deposit for a flat. That's how desperate he is - but even then, Janice says she doesn't know any Louise.

Danny's next strategy is to offer to drive Leanne into town to meet Louise, but Leanne says they'd planned to meet on the bus. He says they could pick her up on the way, but Leanne manages to deflect him.

In t'Rovers, Diggory asks Molly if she can work in the shop the following day. She says she can't as she's going to Blackpool with Tyrone. However, Tyrone has forgotten about this, and has offered to do Nathan's shift at the garage while Nathan goes to Spain. Some quick thinking on Nathan's part sorts this out, as he pretends that Frankie has only that moment phoned him about Spain. He makes sure Molly overhears him saying he can't do it because Tyrone is taking Molly to Blackpool and he therefore has to work - and kind-hearted Molly says that of course Nathan must go to Spain and she doesn't mind missing out on her day in Blackpool.

Jamie is at the Italian that people go to when they can't afford the Clock, and almost chokes on his aperitif when Leanne arrives. He assumes she's there to meet Danny, but Leanne explains that Violet helped her to set up this meeting because she needs to talk to him about Danny. The funny thing is that Leanne and Jamie have managed to co-ordinate their outfits even though he didn't know he was meeting her. We'll call the colour mocha, I think.

Meanwhile, things are not going well for Street Cars. Well, you can understand public confidence draining away following the hit-and-run headlines. Steve thinks a possible way forward is to advertise that they specialise in airport runs (here's a free tip from me to Steve - for airport runs they really need to invest in some big people-carrier vehicles. Ordinary wee cars are no use for holidaying families with luggage). Lloyd is still griping about Steve and Kelly. Then Steve opens a letter. It's from the council who want to review his suitability to operate a taxi firm.

Leanne is trying to make things right with Jamie. She says that Danny really tried to put a stop to their affair, as he didn't want to hurt people. Neither did she, she adds, saying that she did love Jamie, but it's different with his dad. She turns the topic back to Jamie and his dad, and is quite persuasive. She's even brought a Fathers Day card for Jamie to give to Danny. He says he'll think about it.

So far so good, but as they are about to leave, who should appear but the man who is mutually his Daddy and her Danny. 'Do you think I'm stupid?' he says, and turns to Jamie. 'What's this boy? Is this your idea of revenge?' 'Do you think I'd ever touch *that* after you've been there?' he says, all hope of reconciliation now right out of the window. He shoves the Fathers Day card at Danny and leaves. Leanne is furious with Danny. 'You were that close to getting your son back and you've just blown it. The best chance you'll ever have!'

Sue Haasler

No episode today due to World Cup coverage

Hi everyone, due to some game of football being played somewhere in Germany, everything is at sixes and sevens here. Strangely, no one in Coronation Street seems to be the least bit interested in the one thing that is gripping the rest of the Europe.

Walking down the street, Adam sees Sean waiting outside the Rovers. He's waiting for it to open and is really excited, he's taking his dad out for father's day. He then sees Adam's face,"Oh, Adam, I'm sorry," he says, but Adam says it's cool. "You must miss him," says Sean. "Yeah," says Adam, "every day."

A stony silence reigns in Danny and Leanne's flat. Danny ignores Janice's call that the bathroom is free and says that he's going to the factory. After he's gone, Leanne mutters that she doesn't know why she bothered. Janice then quotes the wise words of Homer Simpson,"If at first you don't succeed, pretend you never tried!" She falls about laughing, but Leanne doesn't look amused.

Over at the Rovers, Jamie is also annoyed with Violet's part in the whole business. However, he soon accepts her apology and before long they're making up with a kiss."Did you say that Bev and Shelley were out?" he asks her,"so we're on our own?" Within moments however, Sean is knocking on the door, and shouting at them to let him in, it's gone 11 o'clock.

Dev goes into the kitchen where Amber is eating her breakfast. There's an envelope on the table, and she tells him she found it on the doormat when she went out to get milk. Dev opens it and chuckles to himself as he reads the front of the card:"For my dad on Father's day." Amber sits there, smiling to herself as he reads on and opens the card up. His face then falls,"It's from you," he says, his voice thick with disappointment, - he thought it was from Sunita and the twins."Is this a joke?" he asks her. (What is the matter with this man? Can't he see the gem that's in front of his face?) She tells him she just wanted to do something nice,"But I see the look on your face and I wish I'd never bothered!"

Sean is in the pub, full of excitement at the prospect of taking his dad out. He takes a round of drinks over to the girls."It's not a date, it's your dad," Kelly reminds him, but Janice remarks that he's rich, so he's worth making an effort for. Joanne reckons he must feel guilty and want to make up for it somehow, Sean doesn't care whether he's rich or not, he doesn't want anything. He reckons they're all obsessed with money.

Back at Dev's, Amber is doing her homework."What do you know about quadratic equations?" she asks him. Dev says he knows nothing, but then it's not his homework. Amber points out that some parents do help their children, but Dev says that if he helped her the teacher wouldn't know how much she'd learnt. Besides, his taxes pay for her teachers wages and he can't interfere with that process.

He goes out into the shop and relieves Keith, who is off to see Angela. He confides that he did think he might have heard from Sunita today.

Sean's dad has arrived, and is a little disconcerted to find everyone staring at him. He suggests they get off, but first Sean insists on introducing him to the girls.

Over in the taxi office, Steve is annoyed because Tracy has taken Amy to Blackpool for the day with Charlie, so he won't get to see her on Father's day. Just then Les comes in, sporting a T-shirt that reads"World's Best Dad". He's delighted because Chesney gave it to him.

Out in the street, Danny rushes over to Jamie and tries to talk to him about how he got it so wrong when he saw him and Leanne together. Jamie, however, doesn't want to talk to him."Here's a thought for the day," he tells him, "there are some things you break that you can never put back together again." Danny reminds him that he will always be his dad."Well, if I ever need a kidney transplant I'll give you a call," says Jamie sarcastically. He then tells Danny to do him a favour and move away.

In the pizza restaurant, Sean is ordering, and is chattering on nineteen to the dozen. His dad keeps trying to interrupt, and eventually manages to get a word in."I'm not your father," he says.

Sean is naturally shocked by this, and asks Brian to tell him what on earth he's talking about. Brian asks what Sean's mother told him about him. Sean says that he was told that his dad had met someone else and run off and didn't want anything more to do with them. His dad tells him that yes, he had an affair, but he wasn't the only one who had an affair. He was away at sea a lot, but didn't realise that when she said she was pregnant the baby wasn't his. It wasn't until Sean was ten and Brian met Maggie that he was told that he wasn't Sean's father. He then looked at the dates and realised that he had been in Greece when Sean was conceived.

Leanne meets Janice in the pub, despairing over the fact that she was trying to get Danny the one thing he wanted most in the world – back together with his son, but it had all backfired and Danny thought she was cheating on him – with his own son."Well, you've got form, love," says Janice, cheerfully. Leanne confesses that she just wants Danny to love her and she thought that if Jamie would send him the father's day card it would make Danny the happiest man on the planet.

Back at the restaurant, Brian confesses that it was a lot easier to walk away from ten year old Sean knowing he was not his natural father. He assumed that Maureen, Sean's mother would then tell him the truth, that Brian wasn't his real father and he wouldn't want anything more to do with him. Sean says he could have told him this weeks ago. Brian says he knows, but it was as much a shock for him then as it is for Sean now."But," says Sean,"the difference is you've had nineteen years to get used to it, I've had as much time as it takes to cook a pizza!" Sean then gets quite upset, telling Brian he doesn't know who he is, he's just some bloke his mum once knew. He gives him his watch back and Brian gets up and leaves."I'm sorry, son, I really am," he says as he walks away.

In the taxi office, there's not much going on. Steve, Les. Lloyd and Eileen are sitting around doing nothing, the calls are not coming in. Lloyd breaks the new to Les that Steve may well lose the licence, and Les may get to spend lots of time with his family. "Think of all that time you'll get to spend with your lovely family, Les," he tells him.

Danny finds Sean sitting on the factory steps."What you doing down there, Mincemeat?" he asks,"you're making the place look untidy." Sean tells him he's thinking."And this is the best place you could find?" questions Danny. He then asks Sean if he wants to talk about anything, but Sean declines the offer. Looking genuinely concerned, Danny tells him he can use the steps any time he likes.

Over in the corner shop, Dev finishes a call."Love to the babies," he says as he hangs up, looking upset. Amber comes in, commenting that they're both on their own, her friends are doing other things. Dev asks if she can help him out and she seems pleased at the prospect of spending time helping her Dad. Her face falls, however, as he tells her to stay in the shop, he needs a couple of hours break. As he goes out she looks totally deflated.

Jamie walks into the Rovers to see Danny talking to Violet. As Danny moves off she tells Jamie that Sean was found on the steps of the factory, it looks like things didn't go too well with his dad. Jamie goes off then to find him.

Over at a table, Danny is sitting with Leanne, telling her that she constantly surprises him, and he's sorry for the way he reacted over her trying to get him and Danny together. Just then Les comes in, demanding to know where his father's day card is. Leanne tells him to hold his horses, "Do you want to spoil the surprise or what?" she asks him. As he goes off to the bar, Leanne confesses to Danny that now she's got to think about something to surprise Les with.

Outside, Jamie has found Sean, who tells him to go away. Jamie ignores this request and sits down beside him. "You were right," Sean tells him, "happy?" Jamie tells him that he isn't, not really. Sean then confides that Brian is not his dad, and the only person who knows who his father really is, is his mother."And I still had to pay for the pizzas," says Sean, bitterly."Father's day, who'd have a dad, eh?" Jamie puts his arm round him."I'll second that," he says.

Annie Logan

Hi. I am your guest reporter for tonight, so don't expect much !! The episode started by Anne was an hour long, so here is the second part.

Dev is pleased to find a Father's Day card on the doorstep, signed by Sunita and the twins.

Sophie tells Craig that Rosie has a diary and it is all about him and how wonderful he is ! Sally comes out and tells Rosie that she will be late for school. Meanwhile Dev comes rushing up to show them the card he has received.

Sean is away in his thoughts, when Eileen comes in. He has made her a now cold breakfast. He tells her that he is adopting her as his mum and dad (biologically, interesting !)

David is also late for school. He has been helping Audrey in the salon. Gail offers to get him a taxi, but he decides to get the bus that has just arrived. Gail tells him to explain that he felt sick overnight, but is ok now, as an excuse for him being late.

Jamie and Violet tell Eileen that Sean has told them about his Dad.

David is wandering the street as he has bunked off school. He meets Rita and Keith. When questioned by Rita as to why he is not at school he says he is doing project on citizenship, and the environment and has chosen his own home to do a survey. Keith asks him to do his house next, and make it look really bad so that Charlie won't want to buy it.

Sean tells his work colleagues that he is not disappointed that he is not Brian's son.

Gail is hanging out the laundry. Keith, next door, offers to take it in if it starts to rain. Gail says she can pop back if necessary. He tells her that he doesn't think they will be neighbours much longer when Charlie buys the property. During this conversation Gail's phone rings. She says she will let the it go onto the answering machine.

Sean comes into the Rovers very upbeat. He says he couldn't trust Brian, and buys everyone a drink. Jamie says at least he is talking, but Violet doesn't believe it is the"real" him talking.

Jason has fixed a washer in the salon. When Audrey asks how much, he says Charlie will be in to sort the bill. Audrey hopes it will not be exorbitant.

David comes downstairs and listens to the answering machine. It is a message from his head teacher asking her to ring back. He then deletes the message.

Jason tells Audrey that Charlie is having problems with the survey for Keith's house. He is unable to get a mortgage on the property.

Gail, not knowing David is upstairs, listens for any answering machine messages (there are not any). She then goes out and sets the burglar alarm.

Sally is in the corner shop, buying the latest range of fish fingers (!). Dev shows her and Rita who is also there the Father's Day card and notes there are three kisses on it. One from each of the twins and ….. it must be Sunita. He reads that as a positive invitation to participate with them.

Craig comes home, and Audrey comes in with him. She tells Keith the news about Charlie's mortgage. Keith is so happy that he just wants to tell the world.

Sean wanders off, looking very depressed, down the alleyway behind the houses (my wife calls them ginnells ?!). He doesn't notice Sophie in her back gardens drinking.

Amber tells Dev that she wants to only spend two weeks with her mother rather than 6 during the summer holidays. Dev tries to persuade her that her mother would miss her. Amber says that Sunita would be more likely to let him have the twins to stay if there were two looking after them. She says they can sleep with her.

Dev is on the phone to Sunita. It turns out (surprise, surprise) that the card was not from her. He immediately accuses Amber. She initially denies it. But later confirms that it was her, trying to make Dev happy.

Gail meets Audrey coming away from Keith's house. She asks if there is anything that she wants to tell here … at which point Mr Griffin, the school's headmaster pulls up in his car. Gail wonders if there is anything wrong with David, but Mr Griffin says that he might know if he saw a little more of David. It seems he signs in for registration and then disappears. Mr Griffin says the school has standards, they have moved up a few places in the league table. He hands a shocked Gail a letter.

Sally looks outside the window and sees Sophie being sick and obviously drunk.

Richard and Amanda will be hitting the keyboards with Mondays episodes.

Martin Rosen

Audrey and Gail discuss David who is regularly bunking off school. Gail is insistent she will find him.

Craig and Rosie are discussing that they are not going to be split up and Keith emerges smiling and gives Craig some money so he asks Rosie to join him for a proper pizza.

Sophie severely hung over is being sick and cared for by Sally who gets her to bed - she has had vast amounts of vodka. Sophie almost towers over Sally.

Rita gives Dev a piece of her mind over the possibility that he has sold alcohol to children. It appears that Amber has faked the card from the twins - Rita reckons it was misguided but not a lie.

Maria is leaving Roy's Rolls when a car thunders around the corner and she is thrown on to the bonnet as the driver stops sharply. She is lucky not to be badly injured but the food she is carrying is spread all over the bonnet. The young cheeky driver suggests he should charge her for damage to his car but Maria tells him to get lost.

In the Rovers Violet, Jamie and Adam discuss Sean. She wants the boys to take him out and shake him out of himself. Sean arrives but because he needs the money he wants to work his shift. Violet and Jamie are going out so she asks Adam to look after him.

David eventually arrives home, claiming football practice and his classes are boring. She tells him about the headmaster's visit for truancy. He walks out refusing to discuss the subject.

Keith visits Charlie's yard. Jason is there are brings Keith up to date - it appears that Charlie has been working through the surveyors report with the building society and it has been agreed that they will lend the money subject to some work being completed. Keith is going to lose the house.

At the Websters Sally comes downstairs and sends Craig home - she wants to talk to Rosie about the alcohol. Either Rosie says where it came from or she is grounded. Rosie thinks about it. She claims she found it! Then she admits that Amber provided it from the shop stock.

Amber is in the shop with Dev - she apologises about the card. Dev says it is over now. She asks if she can stay for some of the summer - but only if she behaves says Dev. At this point Sal arrives and accuses Amber of making her daughter ill. Sal tells Dev about the alcohol she gave Rosie - which has made Sophie ill. Dev apologises and states it will never happen again. Amber promises it will never happen again - Dev insists that she pays for the stock that was taken. Dev knocks on Sal's door and hands her a bunch of flowers as an apology and asks her to take it no further. Rita and Dev exchange comments on Amber's behaviour. Rita makes the point that children need fathers.

Keith tells Audrey that the house is going to Charlie and he does not know how he going to tell Craig. Audrey turns on Sarah - why did she tell the story that all would be well? Audrey tries to check the story but goes nowhere.

Roy is clearing the cafe when the cheeky driver returns to speak to Maria and give her a cake as an apology for the one he ruined. She returns it saying that she wants nothing from him, so he departs.

Craig and Keith are in the garden. Keith breaks the news that Charlie is buying the house after all. They are both unhappy. David in the next garden overhears - he asks for swap as he would like to leave.

Sarah is told that she has go to Jason's with Bethany as Gail wants a discussion with David when he finally re-appears. Gail wants to talk David by herself and asks Audrey to leave as well. She departs under protest.

Maria, Fiz and Kirk are in the Rovers, and Maria was about to depart when the cheeky driver arrives. Kirk reckons that he is following Maria because he fancies her. Anyway he departs without talking to Maria.

Sean is on the phone to his mother's answerphone a) he wants her to know he is not talking to her and b) when she returns can she phone him (You work it out).

Amber is reading when Dev returns. He is locking up. She wants to know if that is the end of the matter. She points out that he got more angry about the card than the alcohol. She says she is best not here and should go to Finland for the whole summer. He thinks it is best.

Gail goes out into the garden to David. She is not giving him any sympathy. Gail thought they had an agreement about David's behaviour after the cards. But David claims he does not need help - but Gail is not going to let matters continue. She asks for a promise that he will go to school every day to the end of term. She calls him destructful and hurtful. He promises - but in a surly

David has been turned into a thoroughly reprehensible person. Hopefully someone has the power to turn him away from the dark side eventually.

K Richard W

Second part

Outside – Keith is doing his paper round and sees Craig marching round to Charlie's. He tells him that's not going to do any good and he is going to look at some places today. Craig says if any are decently just to take it and walks away.

Charlie's flats – Tracy says she wishes she could move in today. He laughs saying he bets she has the housewarming organized. He then says he can imagine her being palls with the neighbours. Tracy says she forgot four-eyed Claire is pregnant and Gail is mad. He asks her, "what about Sarah" Tracy says she is going to get the biggest fence put up on either side.

Corner shop – Amber comes in and tells Dev that she has not forgotten what she said yesterday. She can't buy another bottle of vodka but she will give him money or work in the shop. Amber then tells him that she has booked tickets on the Internet for Finland for 6 weeks.

Platt's – Jason asks if they are going out for a meal. Sarah says they might as well. Gail has made David a pack lunch so he can't come home for lunch and tells him when he steps in he does not step back out. She then tells him she is taking him to school. He tells her to be serious and she says she is. They head out the door.

Webster's - Craig and Amber are both at the door. Sally says Rosie has already left with her friends to talk about the trip. Sophie appears and Amber asks if she is all right. Amber tells Sally she is going away for the summer and tells her not to blame her dad, as she didn't use her head. Amber says sorry and goes. Craig says he will miss her, as she is a mate.

Bus stop - David tells his mum she can go but says she cant trust him. Sophie comes and then Craig and Amber. Sophie tells them David's mum is taking him to school. The bus comes and Gail gets on. Craig asks if she's going to come to class as well. Amber says she can't miss this.

Kabin – Fiz tells Maria that the guy that knocked her down is back again and outside. Maria says she does not care. She then asks Fiz, "what do you look for in a man, a looks, b money or c someone who tries to kill you" Fiz then takes Maria hand and says come on or they are going to miss him. Norris asks what about the magazines. Maria tells him to put it on the Salon account.

Garage – Tyrone asks Nathan with time does he call this as he walks in. Nathan says the flight didn't get in till 3 am and it was delayed. He says the villa was great. Tyron tells him he was just about to check out this rattling noise in the car. Nathan says he can do that. Tyron says back to reality then.

Rovers – Fred gets Shelley to cover Bev's shift so he can cook a meal for her. Shelley agrees and Betty says she should not let them take advantage of her. She tells her they are not as there is nothing to take advantage off. Betty says she should be out looking for a nice guy and Shelley says, "do they even exists" Norris tells Fred that Keith has been through enough with out having to relocate. Charlie asks what he is saying and tells him he had to think twice about buying the house. They ask if its because Keith stood up to him and he says the opportunity would not have come up if he did.

Outside – Gail tells Audrey she wanted to handle David herself. David is just round the corner and stops. Audrey says she heard. Audrey is still a bit off with her and then continues on. Gail then sees Keith and says what landlords want today is a lot and ask if Audrey is talking to him. Gail tells him not to worry as she has now moved on to her and offers to buy time a drink. They go in the Rovers. David then comes round the corner and walks up the street.

Platt's – Craig comes round as David has texted him. He is playing a football game. Craig tells him there was a gang of people waiting to see if his mum was going to pick him up. David tells him, "she won't be doing it again" Craig says he would understand if it were over a girl but not why he's missing school. David says he just has other things on at the moment. Craig asks what is going to happen tomorrow and he tells him it won't happen again. David then says he is going to the cinema later and asks if he wants to come. He says he is going out with Rosie.

Rovers – Norris says he looks at the to let section and there is nothing going round here. He then thinks where every Keith goes he hopes he will get in on time for his paper round. Betty tells him to ask him, as he does not have a hundred and one other things to worry about. The guy that knocked Maria down is at the bar. Fizz and Maria come in and talk to him. He asks if he can join then but Maria says no, as she wants to talk to Fizz in private. He then says tomorrow at five in here and she says ok. After he goes she asks Fizz why she spoke to him, as she now has to see him tomorrow.

Webster's – Craig asks Sally if he can take Rosie out for a meal tonight. She then says, "so that's why she she's been doing her self up for the last hour and a half and saying she's not having tea. You're not asking me, you're telling me Craig" He says its not like that and she laughs saying she will go see if she's ready. Sophie says it must be serious and asks if he is going to propose. He says no.

Platt's – Jason is on the phone booking a table. He says for two but Sarah quickly says three. He then says for eight but Sarah says six. When he comes off he says that's a bit early but she replies, "Beth has to be in bed by eight" He then asks if her mum can look after her. Bethany and Gail come down the stairs. Gail says she could but she's not going to. Sarah tells Jason that Gail wants to be on her own when David gets in. Jason then tells them about the time he bunked off school and went to London and his mum still does not know. Sarah and Gail are not impressed and tell him to go for a shower.

Rovers – Back room and Bev enters. She tells Shelley to come and meet the new rep. She is not interested. Bev says he is nice and should go see hi but she still says no. Bev leaves and tells Fred there is no hope, as she won't come. Fred says he looks like a good catch, as he has no ring on his finger.

Charlie's flat – Tracy says her dad has lived at number one all his life. She asks if he is excited but he says it's just a house. Tracy says it does not matter where they live as long as they are together.

Restaurant – Sarah says they were like them once as she looks at Craig and Rosie coming in. She says she is glad it's all out. Jason agrees in a way he feels he has to. Rosie says the wants to stay here forever, as it's their last time to see each other in a long time.

Platt's – Gail is telling Audrey that David has been home as he has taken some juice. He then comes in the door and she asks where he has been. He says he was at football and left a message for her. He plays it and it says for her not to panic if any ones say's he's been home as he forgot his kit and had to come back for it. As he goes to put his kit in the wash a cinema ticket falls out but he grabs it before they see. He then goes to take the bins out getting rid of the evidence. Gail smiles and thinks everything is perfect.

Amanda Souter

Written by: Peter Whalley
Directed by: Pip Short

Keith is about to go house-hunting, but isn't very confident about his ability to pick the right one. He doesn't really know what to look for. The Lovely Craig says he isn't bothered: 'A house is a house,' he says, and he's obviously irritated by Keith's fretting.

Craig meets up with David for the journey to school. They're both in their school uniforms (white shirt, grey jumper). David asks Craig to have a look and see if Gail is watching him. Craig confirms that she is, and teases David about Gail going with him on the bus the previous day. The aforementioned bus has just gone past them, but it's the Weatherfield Wayfarer, the Bus That Waits Forever. So David has plenty of time to tell Craig that he has no intention of going to school, but will just wander round until Gail is safely at work, and then go back home. He goes off, and Craig gets on the bus.

In the back room of t'Rovers, Bev and Betty are talking about Shelley's loss of confidence when it comes to men. Shelley is only in the kitchen, though, and has heard every word, and she tells them they could at least keep their voices down if they're going to gossip about her. Then Fred comes in, booming 'What a lovely day, I say what a lovely day!' Shelley doesn't share his joyous mood, and goes off into the bar. Fred asks Bev what's up with Shelley, and Bev says she thinks that Shelley is feeling even more lonely now that Bev and Fred are together. He says he could always share himself between them, which doesn't go down well with Betty or Bev, and made me feel a bit queasy.

Next we see David climbing over the back fence into his garden. Keith has also seen this and comments that he wishes he was nimble enough to jump over fences. David goes into the house.

Back at the pub, Fred is giving Shelley a pep talk about men not being all bad. 'Even the sadists and bigamists?' Shelley says, reminding us that she certainly has been unlucky in love. But then, so has Fred over the years and he can sympathise. He says that if he'd given up on love he would never have 'got his feet under the table' with Bev. Shelley asks if it was Bev who asked him to have a word with her, but he says he just thought she'd like some advice from a man's point of view. She doesn't look like she appreciated it that much.

Keith comes to the salon looking for Audrey, and mentions to Sarah that he's just seen David climbing the fence. Sarah immediately rings Gail to tell her. Keith's reason for wanting to speak to Audrey is to ask her if she'll come house-hunting with him. Audrey fobs him off by saying she has a business to run.

Back at the Rovers, Betty is telling Shelley not to pay any attention to Fred, as he means well. Shelley says that Fred's little chat has helped her to make up her mind about something, but Bev walks in just then so Shelley says she'll tell Betty about it later.

David is lounging on the sofa in front of the television when he hears the front door opening. Gail bursts in and has a right go at him about why he isn't at school. He has no good excuse, and she tells him they have an appointment with the headmaster at 12 o'clock.

At Roy's Rolls, Keith is talking to Roy and Dev about the difficulties of house hunting. Far from being reassuring, they only add to his problems with a long list of potential hazards. 'You're entering a legal MINE field my friend,' says Dev, with his curious way of over-emphasising certain syllables like all the air just has to rush out of him in a sudden burst.

David is at school, but he's not doing his lessons like a good boy. He's waiting outside the headmaster's office. Gail is already inside. Craig sees David and asks him what's going on. David tells him, and Craig says, 'You're going to get slaughtered.' David just grins back at him confidently. The headmaster comes out and calls David into his office.

The reason David was so relaxed was that he has hatched a master plan. He tells his mother and the headmaster that the reason he's been avoiding school is that he's being bullied by some older boys. Now the headmaster may look like a lost member of The Wurzels, but he's not as daft as he's yokel-looking, and when David refuses to give any names or other details of alleged bullying incidents, he doesn't believe the bullying story at all. But Gail is completely taken in, and is horrified at the thought that her little treasure has been suffering.

Amber is in the Kabin. She has an envelope with her which she tells Rita is her school report. She says it's a really good report and asks if Rita wants to see it. Rita says the best person to show it to would be Dev, as having a good report might help to restore his faith in Amber after the episode with Sophie getting drunk.

The headmaster may have a brand new combine harvester, but he's not having any of David's nonsense. He almost has Gail convinced that David is telling porkies, but she asks her son to look her in the eye and swear he's telling the truth. Which of course is no problem for an accomplished liar, and Gail totally accepts that what he's saying is true. Her solution, given that the alleged bullies are in the year above David and will be leaving at the end of term, is to keep him home from school for the rest of the term. The headmaster says that's unacceptable, but Gail is adamant. David is looking quietly pleased with his work.

At the Rovers we see Shelley on the phone. She keeps being interrupted by Fred etc, but we hear a bit of the conversation. She's saying, 'North, South, East, West. I don't mind.' Is she auditioning to be one of the witches in The Wizard of Oz?

Gail is in the salon telling Sarah and Audrey about poor David's tragic bullying scenario. They aren't as gullible as Gail is when it comes to David and look deeply skeptical, but Gail says that David needs someone on his side and as his mother, she is that person.

Of course Shelley's not auditioning for The Wizard of Oz. What a silly idea. She tells Betty that what she was doing was ringing the brewery asking them to find her another pub to run. She's finding life with Bev and Fred fussing over her to be stifling, and needs to get away.

Amber shows Dev her school report, and he looks seriously impressed at all the A's and glowing comments. Keith comes in for more house-hunting advice, and seems to be in a bit of a state (Amber tells him to 'chill'), but Dev tells him, 'I'm trying to have a word with my daughter.' It's the first time that Dev has properly acknowledged Amber as his daughter, and she glows with pride. 'I bet you never guessed you had such a clever daughter, did you?' she says. Dev says she's obviously got his brains. Ahhh, bless them.

Craig comes to see David, who takes great pleasure in telling the former Goth that he has the rest of the term off school, on account of being bullied. Craig knows that David hasn't been bullied, but David says the main thing is that Gail believes he has. Gail comes back, and tells David that he won't just be lounging about for the rest of the term, she does expect him to do school work. He readily agrees, looking quite triumphant that he's pulled the wool over Gail's eyes so easily.

Craig is on his way home (while he still has a home to go to, poor lamb) and Keith rushes up to him, completely stressed about his lack of success house hunting. He says that Craig is going to have to come with him next time, but then he suddenly clutches at his chest and cries out in pain. He collapses to the ground. Craig is terrified, and stands yelling for someone to come and help (even though my sensible 8 year old daughter pointed out that he has his mobile in his hand and should have called an ambulance).

Poor Craig - surely he can't be about to lose the only family member he has left who isn't banged up?

Sue Haasler

Let me introduce you to our newest reporter - Katie Fairclough.

Hi all this is my first report! Hope you all like!!!

Audrey is waylaid by Norris who moans at her about Keith not turning in for his paper round which has resulted in him doing it himself. He moans that it's very ?infra dig' (whatever that means!) Audrey informs him that Keith has been in hospital all night after collapsing! Norris takes up his goldfish face and you can practically her his jaw hit the floor! He tells Audrey to tell him to get well soon but not too soon! They do value the health of all their employees you know.

At the hospital, Craig is fretting and moans, 'Why do they always keep you waiting in hospitals. I have had enough. I am going to go find someone.' Keith tells him to stop worrying or he'll not be the only one 'hitting the deck!' In perfect timing, the doctor arrives. She is about to tell him the results of his tests but glances at Craig who tells her he's staying. She informs hi he''s had a mild angina attack but it can be controlled. She exits and Audrey enters. Gosh they do come at the right times on this show don't they! Craig disappears to phone Rosie. Keith tells Audrey that he's had an angina attack, a mild one, but one nonetheless. He tells her the thing that frightened him the most is the idea that he might die in front of Craig. 'Just give me my medication and I'll be as right as rain,' Keith tells her. Audrey however, tells Keith that her 'Alfeh' had heart problems for years but he didn't pay attention and ended up dying. 'You've had a warning here Keith, so if I were you I'd heed it,' Audrey counsels Keith.

Just as everyone is about to leave the Platt house, David has finally managed to pull himself out of his bed, but the strain of moving is too much for him and he flops onto the couch and switches the telly on. Beth decides she doesn''t want the Princess pencil, she wants the rabbit pencil. Sarah tells her mother that she can't believe she's going to let David stay home and that he's just bone-idle. Gail tells her that she just hasn't had time to sort anything out for David's home schooling but she will. 'David, I can trust you can't I?' Gail asks, but David gives her the usual 'yeah yeah yeah'

With Rosie apparently stuck in the loo, Sally is desperately trying to get five weeks worth of clothes into one little carryall. She picks up her French book and sighs, 'Ah...my little girl travelling the world.' Sophie adds, 'And your other little girl going no further than 'Weathy Market' for her pick 'n mix.' Sally realises that possibly Sophie is feeling a little left out and promises they'll have fun doing all sorts of things while Rosie's away. 'Really? Maybe you could teach me how to iron, or cook a meal, or wash the pots,' Sophie says sarcastically. 'No! We can go shopping, we'll go to the ice rink...hey! We'll go to that snowboarding place you're always on about!' Sally enthuses. 'Result!' Sophie chortles as her mother tickles her and gives her a big hug.

Keith has returned home from the hospital and comments to Craig that even though they've only been gone a night, the house already feels unlived in. He thinks it's time to move on but Craig isn't comfortable with this, as he's got good memories of the house

Over at the Macdonald flat, Steve is down in the dumps. He has no job; no girlfriend and no peace in his own home, what with Liz and Vernon acting all loved up all the time (Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!). To top it all off, Steve has an interview tomorrow with the Council about his license to run a taxi firm...and if that doesn't cap it all off, Vernon has written the beginning of a song dedicated to Liz. 'Whoa whoa Liz, you never make me miss, you always make me happy,' Liz reads. 'Did you get a three-year old to write that?' Steve asks, but Liz and Vernon are too busy telling each other how much they love each other to pay much attention. 'Now, get in that bedroom and I'll show you how much!' Vernon chases after Liz leaving Steve behind (we should hope so!). 'I can't take much more of this, I'm telling you!!' Steve bellows after his mother.

It's near time for Rosie to leave and Craig takes her in his arms. He tells her he just needs to look at her, '...I need to remember your face.' 'You've got loads of photos,' she tells him. 'Yeah, but a photo isn't enough,' Craig tells Rosie. He kisses her on the forehead and they head towards Number 13. But, whoops, Craig's forgotten something. He tell her to stay right there (in the middle of the road?) and runs back to his own house

Rosie and Craig find Dev about to take Amber to the airport for her trip to Finland. 'I hope you've packed your thermal knickers,' Sally teases Amber. 'Actually, it's twelve degrees there right now,' Amber says rather abashedly. 'Oh I don't know what that means, I'm still on old money,' Sally laughs. She tells Amber that it was very brave of her to come and apologise the other day and confesses that she was young once and did stupid things. 'You should have seen the first time I got drunk. I ended up in the gutter with my skirt over my head singing 'The Birdie Song',' Sally reminisces. This is just too much information for her daughter, but Sally continues, 'Hey, all I'm saying is we all make mistakes, just so long as you learn from them and don't do it again.'

Craig runs home to retrieve the eternity ring that he's bought to give to Rosie. Keith is frightened that Craig intends on proposing but Craig tells him no. As Craig is about to run back out to catch Rosie before she leaves, Keith tells him he needs to talk to him and it won't wait. Craig is intent on getting Rosie and doesn't want to hear what Keith has to say, but Keith tells Craig that he's going to have to say a proper goodbye to Rosie. This stops Craig dead in his tracks. 'This angina attack, it's a warning. That's what the doctor said, and things are going to have to change. You can't look after me. You're a young man and you've got your whole life ahead of you. I've spoken to your Auntie Marjorie. We're going to stay with her.... in Bournemouth,' Keith tells Craig. 'Bournemouth? For how long?' Craig asks...but he doesn't get an answer.

It's the night of Maria's date with Chris, and while she's not that excited about it, Kirk and Fiz are more than enough to make up for any slack. Fiz thinks she should go into the matchmaking business, 'I'd interview all me clients meself, and make them take a lie detector test.' 'Hey, and if they told a lie, you cold give them an electric shock,' Kirk chimes in. 'Hey! Good one Kirkie,' Fiz enthuses. 'What's most important to you? Cup size or personality. Personality? Bbbbbbzzzzzzzztttttttttt!!!' Kirk jiggles around in his seat mimicking someone who's been shocked. Maria tells Fiz to stop going on like this is some great romance or something, as she couldn't care less. 'Is that a new top Maria?' Fiz asks, knowing full well the answer.

Dev comes into the flat to find Amber going into the pockets of his jacket. Outraged, he thinks she's up to something again. He checks the pockets and pulls out two something's that look a bit like horse chestnuts. Amber says, 'It's me ?spoggy' init? I put one in all your pockets. Just thought, that's all, that every time you find one, you'll think of me. It's stupid.' 'No, it's sweet...a bit mad,' Dev assures his daughter, 'You know, I don't really need a spoggy to remind me of you.' She tells him that she'll miss some of the things that he does...like the fact that he stabs his food like it's alive. 'And I'll miss the way you shove your headphones into your ears and sing. You might be good at many things miss, but you can't hold a tune,' Dev teases her. 'Two compliments in one day. What have you done with the real Dev?' Amber asks. 'So you're going to get some peace and quiet while I'm gone?' Amber asks. 'Peace and quiet...total bliss,' Dev says as he pops one into his mouth. 'Phone me,' he tells Amber. Awwww he's gonna miss her really

David joins his family for tea, relating how he rescued a civilian anti-terrorist leader from Northern Botswana. Sarah immediately twigs that this is one of his Play station games and accuses Gail of preferring David over her. Audrey quickly points out that when she got pregnant, she was thrown out on her ear. When Sarah got pregnant, Gail supported her, and now it's David's turn to be supported. David gives Sarah a slimy grin as Sarah is forced to acknowledge that her Gran is right.

Craig tells Sally that he and Keith are moving to Bournemouth and asks how he's going to tell Rosie. Sally tells him that if he tells Rosie now, it will ruin her trip. 'We're going to be texting each other every day. How am I not going to mention this?' Craig wails. 'I'll explain it all to her when she gets back, I promise,' Sally tells him gently.

Audrey has brought Keith a piece of pie from Gail's and he tells her of the plans to move to Bournemouth. She applauds him and tells him it's time he put himself first. 'How's Craig taking the news?' Audrey asks. Keith tells Audrey that he couldn't find the right words to tell Craig about them moving. He explains how his wife Shirley always did the talking for him and he just brought home the money. Even when his daughters called home, he just passed the phone to his wife. Audrey tells him that's how things were done in their days.

Chris still hasn't shown up for his date with Maria and Kirk reckons he's stood her up. 'I reckon he was too handsome for his own good,' Fiz chimes in. 'What? You were singing his praises before,' Maria says, astounded. 'Maybe I was just a teeny weeny bit previous,' Fiz replies. Maria says she wishes she had his phone number so that she could tell him what he could do to himself. Kirk tells Maria that she should have stuck with Tyrone, but Fiz reminds him that life with Tyrone was rather boring.

As Sally and Sophie come out of the house with Rosie's bags, Craig presents her with the ring. 'Oh Craig, it's an eternity ring! It means we'll be together forever!' Rosie cries. 'Come on love, it's almost time to go. Sophie, put some of these bags into the boot will you?' Sally says. 'Oh, so I've got 'skivvy' written across my forehead now have I?' the truculent almost teen barks. 'I want you to promise me something, that you'll be the first person I see when I get back,' Rosie asks Craig...but he can't. 'We're moving down south,' Craig tells her. Rosie is terribly upset, despite Craig telling her it's only Bournemouth (about 350 miles) and they can see each other on weekends. 'You were going to go without saying goodbye!' Rosie cries, and as she looks at her mother, she realises that Sally knew about this before she did. Sally explains that she and Craig agreed this would be best, but Rosie takes her bag out of the boot and throws it on the ground, saying she's not going. 'You know what? My granddad can go on his own. I'm nearly sixteen. I promise!' Craig tells Rosie. 'But what are you going to do, and where are you going to stay?' Rosie cries. 'I don't know. I'll think of something,' Craig says as he picks Rosie's bag up and puts it back in the boot. He opens the taxi door and says, 'You're going to go and you're going to have a brilliant time. I'll be here when you get back. Have I ever broken a promise to you?' Craig kisses Rosie goodbye and then practically shoves her into the taxi before she can change her mind again. The taxi drives off with Rosie staring out the back window, willing Craig to stay on Coronation Street.

Well hope you enjoyed!

Katie

How many words rhyme with Liz? You don't need to work them out because Vernon's done it for you! "Your her goes next to my his. You make my heart go like Billy Whizz. You're every answer in my pub quiz. You are my Liz. You are my Liz. You are my Liiiizzzz." That was the sound of the chorus, and the other sound was Steve throwing up behind Vernon as he sings Liz his new song. Liz points out that it's not her they should be singing to. She starts a verse of "Happy birthday," for yes, tis Steve's. She hands Steve a card and gift and he tells her she's every answer in his pub quiz, n'all. "You can mock, but it's not an easy name to rhyme with," Vernon says. Liz defends him, too. She thought the new song was lovely. Steve's present is a blue striped short-sleeved shirt. He doesn't look thrilled -- even less so when Liz suggests he wear it for his interview with the taxi licensing people. Liz fetches the post but there's nothing from Jim. No-one mentions Andy.

Sean has a postcard from his mum, who is on holiday, telling him she's coming back today. He's got loads to ask her. He wants to know why she lied about his father for 20 years. He thinks she'll need another holiday by the time he's finished with her.

Craig and Keith are hanging out the washing, though Keith says he can do it without keeling over. David leans out his window, getting smart with Craig because he won't be going to school. Gail hears him and points out he will be working so he'd better clean his teeth and get dressed. She explains to Keith that David will be working at home. She declines to say why.

Lloyd is washing a car while Kelly and Joanne watch from a distance and discuss him. Kelly thinks she should tell Lloyd that Steve was really bad in bed. Joanne isn't hopeful. "Was Steve really rubbish in bed?" she asks, just as Steve turns up behind her. Kelly asks for his help in getting back with Lloyd, but he points out that that wouldn't be possible because Lloyd's not talking to him. Steve says "good morning" to Lloyd as he goes past, but just gets a load of suds flicked at him.

Lloyd follows Steve into the cab office and they snipe at each other. Les joins in to point out that it's not just Steve's future riding on this interview later.

"Make one pair of coefficients negatives of one another by multiplying both sides of the equation by the same number." David grins broadly while Gail is reading this, but when she finishes, asks seriously what a coefficient is. (Forget the meaning of coefficient! I'd forgotten the phrase "simultaneous equation" until this episode!) Gail hems and haws and suggests they look it up in the dictionary. David's enjoying himself very much.

Liz is ordering a birthday cake from Diggory -- for today! If he was any kind of baker, he'd insist on a fortnight's pre-order, like all the other bakers. She tells him there will be a few drinks in the Rovers later. Diggory asks if she's enjoying the custard slices, but Liz says she doesn't enjoy them as much as she used to. When Liz goes, Molly checks her dad is OK. He says he's had a brief flirtation with cheaper ingredients but won't be doing it again. He says he'll have to leave her in charge while he goes to a meeting later, but refuses to tell her what the meeting is.

Outside, Steve's all smartened up in his suit. Liz is sure he'll be OK because all the trouble was Ronnie's fault. As Steve leaves, we see a very depressed-looking Diggory walk past.

In the cafe, Roy is being asked his opinion about the song and insists on asking awkward questions such as: "Do pub quizzes have any particular romantic significance for you?" Vernon cleverly explains that it's a metaphor. "Whatever the question, she's the answer." Roy isn't any more impressed with the other rhymes Vernon has: makes my bubbly fizz, puts me in a tizz, showbiz, Tariq Aziz and the fat birds from Viz.

In the pub, they're all talking about Maria being stood up. "You can talk," Kirk tells Shelley. "You stood Charlie up at the altar." Shelley protests that she didn't stand him up. She was there. She just changed her mind about marrying him. "That's being dumped. That's not stood up," Maria says. "He deserved it," Shelley says through gritted teeth. Fizz suggests Maria get her revenge by going out with Chris, spending all his money and then dumping him. Maria's got nothing else to do, so she arranges to cut Kirk's and Chesney's hair that night. Of course, just as this is set, Chris walks in. He says he's sorry he's late and Maria points out he's a whole day late. "I got here as soon as I could," he protests.

Gail, glasses perched on the end of her nose, has worked out which are the coefficients. But that's about as far as it's got. David proposes they stop for lunch. He says Craig will come home to check on his grandad, so David can go round and ask him. "Craig's good at maths." Gail agrees, but we smell trouble ahead. Partly because we notice him pick up his football on the way out.

In the pub, Maria says to Chris: "You must think I'm stupid." He says if he thought she was stupid, he would have brought red roses. "Stupid girls, that's all it takes." He points out that he had to work and didn't have her phone number, nor remember the name of the Rovers. He offers to take her out tonight. He claims he's destined to be with a beautiful hair stylist. People say his hair is his best feature. "Wouldn't you like to get to grips with it some time?" Maria would. She arranges to see him at 5.30 and promises she'll have her scissors with her. Shelley and Fizz and Kirk watch, agreeing Maria is being too tolerant. Vernon offers to sell Kirk a song, after checking on the name of Fizz!

At Streetcars they're waiting for Steve to get back. The phone goes. It's Jim looking for Steve. Kelly arrives, hoping to chat with Lloyd. Lloyd agrees to go outside to talk.

Nearby, Diggory gets out of his car. Molly says it's been slow. Diggory says "home truths were exchanged" at the meeting.

Kelly is telling Lloyd she didn't enjoy being with Steve and it was over before he'd hardly started. Lloyd knows all the lines she's going to say. To Kelly's puzzled looks, he tells her it's not about her. It's about Steve. He was Lloyd's best mate and stabbed him in the back. He tells Kelly he couldn't care less about her. She stomps off, but Lloyd doesn't look happy.

At Craig's, the two boys are playing Playstation games. David tells Craig the lessons have been easy, Just simultaneous equations that he could do in about ten minutes. Keith says it's time they both got back to their lessons. David agrees and leaves.

In just as much time as it takes for us to see Sean leaving a message on his mother's phone, Gail meets Keith over the garden fence. "How are the mathematicians getting on?" she asks. Keith points out they weren't doing maths and David "went home" ten or 15 minutes ago.

Steve comes back and wants everyone inside while he tells them what happened. But Eileen, Les and Lloyd don't want to wait. "They revoked my licence, all right!" he says. "As of now we're out of business." As this hour-long episode continues, we're still in the taxi office. Steve refuses to go into detail without having "everyone else" (has anyone ever seen any of these other drivers?) in the office. Les wants to know why they all have to pay for something Ronnie did, and Lloyd is playing "I told you so". The phone goes, with their first request for a taxi in what seems like weeks, but Eileen has to tell the caller they've got nothing for her until, "well, forever, really. Thanks for calling." Steve tells them that he's the one who's not a fit and proper person to hold an operator's licence. But if Lloyd applied, they'd probably give him a licence. Lloyd thinks that's a good idea -- on condition Steve has nothing at all to do with the business.

Gail asks Roy if David's been in. He hasn't, but surely he should be at school, Roy says. Gail says he should have been at home with her.

In the street, Violet and Jamie meet Sean, who says a quick hello and dashes off. His curt response worries Violet.

"It's my firm. I started it and I built it up from nothing!" Steve shouts. "Yeah," says Lloyd, "and you knocked it back down to nothing." Steve accuses Lloyd of wanting him out just because of Kelly. He refuses to sell his half. Lloyd offers him £5,000, which gets nothing but derision from Steve. Eileen and Les point out that it's not just about the two of them. Steve says he'll get Eileen to get an operator's licence, but Lloyd says he can't do that without Lloyd's agreement. They continue shouting at each other outside.

Liz has watched it from inside the bakery. Diggory points out that a freshly baked cake will sweeten things up.

Keith takes a lettuce round to Gail so he can check if everything's OK. She offers him a coffee. She tells him David was being bullied at school but she's out of her depth in trying to teach him.

Cilla's lying out in the yard, though heaven knows when it ever gets any sun! She soon heats up, though, when Les comes in and suggests she start getting more hours at the chippie. He admits the cab firm has been closed down and they'll have to rely on what she earns. She whacks him hard with a holiday brochure.

Keith tells Gail that her actions should make the school take the bullying seriously. He sometimes feels as though he's only adding to Craig's worries. He knows he's not giving Craig stability by dragging him down to Bournemouth. David arrives home, telling them he's been to the library to find out how to do the sum. "All you do is you times the lines by different numbers until the Xs or the Ys disappear when you take them away. So 4x plus 3y equals 19. Right? And if you times the bottom line by two you get 4x plus 2y which equals 10. Right? Then all you do is take the lines away from each other, so 4x minus 4x equals 0. 3y minus 2y equals y. Nineteen minus ten equals nine, so 9 equals y. And once you know what y equals, the rest is simple. x just equals minus 2. (you have NO idea how many times I had to rewind the tape to get all that down, but I know some of you will already be using all of that to work out what the original problem was!). Keith looks quite gleeful. David apologises for not ringing but says he'd left his phone at home.

At the taxi office, Steve promises Eileen to do whatever it takes (except give in to blackmail) to keep everyone in work. Eileen doesn't look hopeful.

When we return, Eileen is sitting with the TV remote in hand. She tells Sean the story so far. "Well, in other news . . ." he says, telling her there's no word from his mother. "Excuse me, I haven't finished my moan," she says. Sean has a remedy for their sorrows -- drowning them. "That's the first constructive thing that's been said all day," Eileen says.

Tyrone and Molly are in the street, with Molly worrying that her dad is working too long because he's in trouble and too proud to admit it.

Chris arrives and phones Maria, who tells him she's cutting hair at Number 5. He can't work out why she's not at the salon and asks Tyrone if Maria lives at number 5. Tyrone says no, but admits that he saw Maria go in there. Chris is worried that she'd been the kind of bird to hold a grudge. He asks if he should give her a wide birth. Ty hesitates but a second before telling him to go for it.

Kirk has just had his hair done out in the yard and tells Fizz he has a present for her later. Chesney brings Chris through. Chris has a red rose. "Do you think I'm stupid?" asks Maria, but she's smiling. He asks what they're doing in the yard. "Audrey don't like me doing freebies in the salon," Maria says. "Yeah, and me mam don't like hair on the carpet," Fizz says. "Or blood," adds Chesney. Chris tries to back out of the haircut. They're still arguing about it when we cut to...

the pub, where Lloyd and Steve are bickering (still). Violet tells them they'll both be going out if they don't shut up. They keep going, driving Violet to shout. Cilla comes in, demanding that Steve tell her how she's supposed to feed a family on one part-time wage. Steve and Lloyd use this to launch another round of arguing. Violet wants Eileen to make them shut up, but Sean thinks it would take Kofi Annan. Les uses the fact that it's Steve's birthday to suggest he get the beers in.

Steve probably doesn't realise that Liz and Vernon are just this minute finishing putting the candles on his cake.

Molly and Tyrone wait for Diggory to lock up. Roy has also been wondering why the bakery is open this late. Molly suggests to her father that the business isn't going well. Diggory says there have been worse days for the bakery trade. "Pudding Lane, 1666 springs to mind." Diggory admits he's been to the bank to see about a business loan, but there's nothing to worry about. "Since ancient Egypt, people have needed bakers," he says. It's the only trade mentioned in the Lord's Prayer and people wouldn't be happy saying: "give us this day our loyalty card and free parking space."

Sean's outside the pub and has managed to get his mum on the phone. Liz and Vernon are coming along the street with a birthday-cake-shaped box. As they pass Number 5, we hear Kirk, er, singing -- or as close as Kirk can get. "That's my song!" says Liz, shocked. "Why's he singing my song." Vernon admits that Steve challenged him. "He said I'd never sell it."

In the yard, Chris thinks Kirk's job at the kennels is his main musical influence. Fizz drags Kirk out into the yard, insisting it's the most romantic thing she's ever heard. "Bet you couldn't do that," she says to Chris. He launches into song: "Maria, I just met a girl called Maria..."

Outside the pub, Liz gives Vernon instructions about giving a big drum roll before she comes in with the cake. Vernon doesn't think they should build it up. "Are you gonna make me buy a drum roll off you?" He relents and lights the candles for her.

Inside, the jukebox is playing Ewan MacColl's Dirty Old Town (as recorded by The Pogues). Vernon does his drum roll, Liz comes in with the cake and about three people sing Happy Birthday to Steve. "He's put most of us out of work," Les does in counterpoint. This sets off even more bickering, until Les suggests they sort it out by fighting. Lloyd and Steve are both drunk enough to think this is a good idea and for a second it looks like it's about to kick off inside the pub. But Liz shouts that Steve's coming home. She looks around for Vernon, who is crouching down behind a booth divider, supposedly to pick up a dart. She orders him to pick up the cake and leads both her men home. "You're not going to win, you know!" Steve manages to shout over his shoulder as they leave.

The End.

Msthstrt Vstt (or, with my fingers on the correct keys, Margaret Carr)

No episode aired tonight due to World Cup Football

There are certain things about Coronation Street which sets it aside from a real fly on the wall documentary programme. Most significantly at present is the ongoing contest which is discussed daily at work, for which there is extensive publicity and comment in the papers every day covering many column inches and which seems to dominate discussions everywhere, including on-line, but do we see Jack sneak into the bookies to put a bet on this week's favourite or a discussion in the Rovers over last week's loser or a chat in the Kabin on the tactics being adopted by various players or what is really being said in the one on one interviews that are so often entertaining as well as providing a real insight into the proceedings.

I am of course talking about Big Brother 7 where the remaining nine contestants are about to be joined by 5 new playmates (sorry housemates) at the end of the week. Oh and have you noticed that there has been no mention of the World Cup either?

Anyway over in Weatherfield events tonight came from the pen of Chris Fewtrell and were directed by Miek Adams whilst copyright remains with ITV Productions.

Talking of oddities in Weatherfield long standing updaters have long noticed the effect of the ptf (personality transplant fairy) who with a single wave of a magic wand converts a previously good clean upstanding member of the cast into a dirty downbeat worthless specimen of humanity to provide entertaining viewing for the masses - the latest to succumb to this unworthy treatment is of course David Platt, once a short person capable of providing an enlightened and humourous view of events in the Platt household and who (if we exclude a) the departure of Martin to a new life and new family and his inability to pick the phone up, b) Gail's ability to select either homicidal maniacs (Richard Hillman) or a tall person lacking a personality as her life partner, c) an elder brother with a wish to become a Conservative MP or pop signer {depending on the day of the week} and d) a sister who has managed to have a teenage pregnancy, a stalker and a relationship with a gay man) has absolutely no reason to have turned from delightful child into tall person who bunks off school, lies to his elders and betters, and is generally up to no good whilst pulling the wool so thickly over Gail's eyes that she must wonder why she has gone blind!

Which is where we start the programme tonight. English Literature today - Prologue from Canterbury Tales - Gail stumbles over just about every word (and does not understand enough to be able to discuss with Gail). Is Canterbury Tales on the GCSE course work list - somehow I doubt that Chaucer is included. Anyway Gail soon realises that she is out of her depth - and David is killing himself laughing (he has his back to Gail).

At the factory Leanne is approached by Sean - he wants the afternoon off. She wants to know why - he wants to track down his dad. As Danny is not around Leanne tells him he can knock off early - and if he has no luck finding his own father he can always have Leanne's. And in the background we can see the new stairway so by ignoring Sean we can see a couple of floozies in tight trousers ascending the stairs.

Les comes into the office - Leanne instantly guesses that he wants something - he needs work. She reminds him he used to be happy on the dole - but it is nothing like that now Job Seekers Allowance and Cilla is giving him a hard time. He offers to do anything - but there are no jobs available. He storms out but is stopped by Janice who reckons they need a male model - but he will need to bring a pair of rolled up socks. Les stamps out and comes across Lloyd. {Have you all read about Craig Charles' alleged activities - if you can find recordings of Lloyd when he joined the Street and compare them with this clip you will someone who has changed - and I am not blaming the ptf this time around}. Les wants to know when they will be back in business. Lloyd gets the blame - but Les just wants Lloyd and Steve to sort it. Next Kel comes across Lloyd - he reckons he has loads of ideas, loads of options. They walk in opposite directions but Kel looks back at what she has lost.

Steve has his head under the bonnet of the car - after all it is the only asset that he has got. Liz arrives offers to take him for lunch - he needs cheering up. Steve reckons these things happen for a reason - he has lost him ambition. Liz likes him being in the little office round the corner - but this time on his own terms.

A middle aged woman is standing outside number 11 - Sean runs across from the factory to greet his mother who has returned from her holiday. They go indoors. Sean makes teas and he then explains what has happened in recent weeks - from the funeral, through meeting his father and the talking which has been going on. Sean says that his father told him the truth - that he was not his biological father.

Audrey is in Diggory's looking at cakes and she decides to buy a Bakewell Tart - but is watching her figure. Diggory's daughter and Tyrone have decided to work unpaid in the shop to help him turn the business round (remember this is the shop where Sal lost a bucket load of money - I reckon the site is fated never to succeed and a good exorcism might not be a bad idea).

At Gail's Audrey is eating the cake - as hard as iron and after one mouthful she abandons the tart. Gail is making no progress with the book and Audrey suggests that she talks to Ken to see if he can help. (David has gone out for his dinner - Gail offered to cook - but he wanted to go out). Gail phones Ken and he accepts the offer of looking after David. David tries to get out of the imposition - and is clearly not amused that Ken will be teaching him (for David it is all starting to go Pete Tong).

Sean's mother tries to deny her ex-husband's story - but Sean says he knows it is true. She reckons Sean has turned out OK - but he wants to know why she lied - she says she did it as the best for Sean. Sean starts to understand why his dad - no Brian behaved the way he did. They continue to bicker. So who was Sean's father? Apparently his father does not know he exists. Paul Jones - a plumber. There was a social club dance - they had a fling, it blew itself out and she was pregnant. It was a long time ago and Sean's mother does not want to say much more. Sean asks his mother to leave. They part on bad terms.

Along at the Rovers Shelley asks Betty to cover for her for a couple of hours - she has an interview with the brewery and does not want anything said to Bev. Later she departs (looking super smart) and Betty wishes her well.

Steve and Liz and Eileen are discussing the future of half of Streetcars. He is planning a new future - better decoration, better furniture and more money in Eileen's pay packet - turns out that Steve wants Eileen as the firm's licencee - but of course they still have to sort out Lloyd.

Eileen, Jamie and Violet return home. They find a very unhappy Sean tucking into the cheap alcohol his mother had brought back. Violet observes that he has made some progress - but all he can see is the mess that his mother, father and Brian have created.

Next episode is Friday.

Will Ken sort out David, or will the bright youngster run rings round the old pro?

Will Sean find Paul the plumber (and is that his real name and profession)?

And will Shelley get the job? Will Betty spill the beans? Will Steve buy out Lloyd and where will he get the money? How much did Lloyd pay Dev - £50k wasn't it?

I should be back this time next week, unless of course Big Brother (or the football competition) gets in the way.

K Richard W

No episode aired tonight due to World Cup Football

It's feast or famine at the moment as the round-ball game (why can't they play with a proper pointed ball?) takes over the schedules. Once again, Friday's Corrie was an hour long, so once again I'll send it in two pieces.

We start out in the street, with Steve meeting Kelly, who asks if it's true Lloyd is leaving the cab-office flat today. It is. Janice interrupts, trying to stir up some support for the night out Leanne has planned. Kelly's got more on her mind.

Steve arrives home to Vernon in the middle of a drum solo and his mother nagging on about making it up with Lloyd. Steve shouts at the both of them. He suggests they move into the almost-vacant flat.

The flat might be almost vacant, but that's only because Lloyd has filled a cab with his life's possessions. He confesses to Eileen that he's got nowhere to go to. Eileen hands him a set of keys. "It's only the sofa, but make sure you don't frighten Sean in the mornings." She gets a kiss and a promise that it's just for a couple of nights.

Amy is being very demanding and driving Tracy to distraction, but as soon as she hears Charlie coming, she races over to the table and puts a cheery smile on her face as if there's nothing wrong. He seems disappointed that she's not cross examining him about where he's been all night.

Fred comes in, thumps his shoes on a sheet of newspaper on the table and invites Bev to come with him to Thirpo, saying they could make a day of it with tea and fancies somewhere nice. It's several minutes before I realise he's invited her to "th'airport", where Ashley and Claire are due back from holiday. Bev's fretting over Shelley, blaming herself for driving Shelley away. Plus shoes on the table are bad luck (I could hear my mother saying that as he plonked them on the table).

In the cafe, Sean gives Adam a hard time over the flowers he's bought, teasing him about a secret girlfriend, until Adam tells him they're for his father's grave. Just what Mike would have wanted -- pink carnations and white daisies. Adam's thinking of weeding the grave, but Roy says he and Hayley had a tidy round the other day. They often visit old friends up there. Sean talks about the problems he's got with his dad. Roy and Adam both offer suggestions for finding him.

Charlie and Tracy are looking at what will be their new home and joking about the neighbours they will have (the Peacocks and Gail). Tracy's bought a chicken and suggests they go home.

Steve's been testing a car for his new taxi firm. When he sounds doubtful, the seller, some bloke we've never seen before, says: "Come on Steve. How long have we known each other?" Lloyd starts interfering in the negotiations but Eileen comes out of her house, marches purposefully over to Steve and Lloyd and bangs their heads together! And that really hurts, as my brother and I can confirm. "Carry on," she says to the seller.

In the factory, Sean, swishing around with a roll of gauzy, cabbage-rosey print, suggests to Joanne that Adam might be interested. As they all stand around in the new factory canteen/kitchen, Leanne comes in trying to be their mate, but the reception is barely lukewarm. Sean asks what qualities she can bring to the group. "Well, I've got a good sense of humour and I'm very much a people person," she says. "I'm a simple girl, loyal to her mates and never happier than when I'm hopelessly drunk and laughing at the misfortunes of people I don't like." "You're in!" says Sean.

We can hear water running in the bathroom and a dressed-up Tracy puts a note on the table and tells Amy that Uncle Charlie will look after her while mummy goes out. And off she goes, leaving poor Amy sitting in an armchair she'll never be able to get off safely!

Fred and Bev are about to head off to the airport. Fred takes Shelley aside to tell her Bev is worried. "I just need a change," she assures him. As they go, Tracy comes in saying she's just off to town. She tells Shelley that Charlie is looking after Amy. Apparently he's a pussycat around Tracy and it's just a matter of handling him the right way.

Back at the flat, Charlie come out of the bathroom calling for Tracy. She ain't in. He sees the note and bins it, giving Amy a nasty look as he does so.

Lloyd is looking for a new taxi office and running the possibilities past Eileen. She's not impressed by any of them. "This is daft, this," she says. "You've got the cars and no premises. Steve's got the premises and no cars. Can you see where I'm going with this?" Lloyd is adamant that he can't forgive Steve. Eileen points out that she shouldn't be asked to choose between him and Steve.

Liz and Steve are struggling to load Vernon's drums into the van. When Steve reacts very badly to playing roadie, Liz asks what's wrong. He says he needs £18,000 for new cars. "I'll get my purse," says Liz. Steve's annoyed he'll have to get a bank loan, partly because it involves getting dressed up in a suit as if you're going to court! Liz asks if it's worth saddling himself with a debt it will take years to pay off just because he's too proud to apologise properly to Lloyd. Steve stomps off and Liz spots Eileen and invites her for a drink.

Amy is shouting for her mummy so Charlie turns on the stereo and ups the volume. "The wheels on the bus go round and round..." He dials Tracy's number and holds the phone up to Amy, but we hear Tracy's phone ringing from the sofa where she's left it. He flops on the sofa and puts a pillow over his head. Viewers all over the UK hunt for the button on their remote control that says "press harder". Digital TV's all very well, but it's never as interactive as you really want.

The rovers have returned and Claire tells Bev it did Ashley the world of good. She could feel the tension drain out of him. As they chat, Claire is indignant that Streetcars has closed down. As they discuss it, they don't notice Ashley has opened the mail and gone very quiet. It's a letter from the court. They want a home visit.

In the pub, Sean is asking Adam if he fancies Joanne. Liz is plotting with Eileen to get Lloyd and Steve back together. Eileen's fed up with being piggy in the middle and is going to stay with Todd for a week.

Tracy finally arrives home where Charlie is sitting on the sofa drinking. He's not happy, but Tracy says he pulled exactly the same stunt on her last night. He admits the preparation was worth admiring. "I guess we're quits," Tracy says. "For now," Charlie replies.

END OF PART ONE

Welcome back to part two of Friday's Corrie.

Charlie and Jason are at the yard when Tracy arrives with ice-cream for them both. Tracy wants Charlie to go to the family party with her. She realises he's still annoyed about "the other night" (clearly there's been more than a four-minute ad break between these episodes). Tracy says she'll go to the party on her own and might even meet a nice bloke. "Won't be any interest to you then, will he?" Charlie counters.

Danny hands Leanne £200 to pay for the night out, but she hits him up for even more, suggesting it's time they got a business credit card. He doesn't think so. But he wants a receipt because it's going down as research and development. Leanne is really exciting.

Out in the workroom, Kelly is dreading the night out but Hayley thinks they should just try to enjoy themselves. Sean agrees that it's awkward when Leanne is acting pally. "I wish she were just a nasty cow all the time because then we'd know where we stand with her," Kelly says. Janice walks past and they shut up.

Tracy is the epitome of the word "cajole" as she tries to suggest that if Charlie won't come to the party he could at least look after Amy. Charlie has his own plans, involving the Wethy Arms at eight o'clock. Tracy is furious. If she can't find a babysitter, she can't go. She storms off but glances back at Charlie before calling: "Hi, Steve!" She asks if he can babysit but he's going to a car auction. Tracy is even furiouser!

Sean is in the cafe when Adam comes over. He's found some websites that might help Sean track down his dad (It seems to me that Sean hasn't even looked up "plumbers" in the yellow pages yet, so why he needs the website addresses I do not know). But while he's talking about this, Adam keeps glancing at Joanne. Adam's also borrowed a computer from work for Sean to use for a few days. Sean invites Adam to sit down. "Why did he just wink at you?" Adam asks Joanne.

Les stops Steve in the street to tell him that Lloyd has come up with a very good package. But he'll go with Steve if Steve makes him head driver, with an air-conditioned Mondeo with leather seats, sat nav and first dibs on all the airport runs. Steve says he'll have to think about it. Les is happy with this and scurries off with Kirk. They get halfway across the street when Steve calls out: "Les, I've thought about it. Lloyd is welcome to you." "Was that part of the plan?" asks Kirk.

Tracy is at home, heating up a steak and ale pie, with sticky toffee pudding for dessert and has hired a DVD Charlie will like. "So you changed your mind?" he asks. No, she hasn't. Amy is in bed, so Charlie won't have to do anything if he babysits. He refuses.

Steve is off to see a man about a stretch limo. Liz is not impressed. She wants him to kiss and make up with Lloyd. "You're like a couple of daft kids." Steve thinks Lloyd is wrong to take things personally. He says he'll be a success because he's the one with six years' experience in the business. Liz's money's on Lloyd.

Charlie finishes a beer, gets up from the table and goes out, just as Tracy comes out to ask whether she looks all right. She realises he's not there.

Kelly leads everyone into the Rovers. Sean heads out the back with his borrowed laptop, looking for Violet. Leanne arrives, asking Danny to wait outside so they don't think she's joined to him at the hip. Adam sees Joanne and asks her to come out with him instead. Joanne says she can't back out of the night out with the staff, so Adam asks for her number. He'll text her later and if the night out isn't any good, she can come out with him. Charlie is at the bar, taunting Shelley about not having a boyfriend. She suggests he let go of all that resentment. He asks after Zac, but Shelley points out she stopped needing therapy the minute she dumped him. Tracy arrives, her eyes darting from Shelley to Charlie and back again. "Enjoying a trip down memory lane?" she asks. She says Charlie said he would look after Amy, but Charlie said she assumed he would. And that's a habit he intends to break.

In the back room, Sean is marvelling over the internet. "Me dad's out there somewhere." Sean is trying to post a message on relativeconnect.com. Violet puts in his birthday: 13.09.1979. "Why do you want to know that?" he asks. "I don't. They do," she says. "It's pretty handy information for them to have if they're going to find your father, Sean." Oh. Sean corrects the date: 13.09.76. Poor Sean is trying to pretend he's not 30 this year.

The girls rush off in a noisy group as Tracy tries to demand that Charlie babysit. He has no intention of doing so. "She's your kid, you look after her." Tracy says she's going out. "She'll just have to amuse herself, then," Charlie says. "You said yourself she was already in bed." Shelley overhears and comes over, very concerned to think they're in the pub and Amy is on her own. "Just stick to serving customers," Tracy tells her. It's clear Tracy thought the pie and pudding was a bribe. Tracy tells him that if something happens to Amy it'll be on his conscience. "Don't wait up." She stalks out, leaving Charlie smirking and Shelley looking horrified.

Out in the street, Liz is propelling Steve towards Eileen's. She has to knock on the door and ask if they can come in. Lloyd lets them in with not a word for Steve. Steve says he just wanted to say, before their rival firms go to war... "Steve, spit it out, will you!" Liz says. Steve apologises for sleeping with Kelly. "There's no excuse and I was out of order. I broke one of the solemn vows of male friendship." Lloyd says he's only saying it because his mum's stood there. "Yeah, and also because it's true. I did a lousy thing," Steve admits. He asks for forgiveness. "All I wanted was a bit of genuine remorse," Lloyd says, urging Steve not to go overboard. "Will you please shake my hand?" asks Steve. Lloyd does. "Hug?" "Don't push it!" Lloyd snaps.

In the pub, Charlie is drinking and Shelley is still worried about Amy. Charlie tells her to leave it alone. "If it bothers you that much, why don't you phone social services? With any luck they'll stick the little brat in care." Shelley offers to babysit. "Give me a key and I'll go round." Charlie picks up his jacket, ready to leave. "You're doing the right thing," Shelley says. But he has no plans to go home. He's going somewhere he can have a drink in peace, he says.

In the restaurant, the workers are poring over the menus while Leanne pours the wine. Leanne wants them to swap seats between courses so she can get to know everyone. Fizz thinks it's a silly idea. Kelly thinks it's just like being at work, only sewing knickers is more fun. Joanne's phone beeps. While she checks it, Leanne asks Janice if she thinks it's going well.

Lloyd tells Steve, as they share a couple of beers, if he can have the flat back. He says he'll be the senior partner of "Lloydicabs" and hold the licence. "Look, it's going to be 50-50 all the way and it's gonna be called Streetcars. Take it or leave it," Steve says. Lloyd raises his can and they clink. Ahhhh.

Back at the restaurant, Leanne is asking for the music to be changed. As she returns to the table, she overhears Kelly saying she's going to order the most expensive drinks. If she'd got it on with Danny when she had the chance, maybe she'd be the one swanning around the factory now. Fizz says that with the things Leanne's done, she should be hiding under a rock. "She's hard as nails, isn't she?" Leanne's face falls as she hears this. Kelly goes on, describing Leanne as "like one of them high-class prossies that drapes herself on businessmen, you know, twice her age." They're saying Leanne has the look of a hooker. She appears around the corner and tells them: "I did work in a lapdancing club once, but only serving behind the bar."

Shelley is still worried about Amy. She saw Charlie get on a bus. Bev says there's nothing she can do about it. She says even if Charlie wasn't bluffing, Tracy probably was. She probably went straight home. Claire turns up in the pub with an overcoat on over her nightie. She was about to drop off to sleep when she realised she'd forgotten to give Ashley a message. He has to ring the welfare officer to make an appointment for the home visit. They go home. Shelley rushes out after them. She's still worried about Amy. She rings the bell on the flat but there's no answer. She rushes off and finds Steve. "Charlie and Tracy have gone out. I think they left Amy on her own."

The End.
Margaret Carr

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

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