Eileen chases Jason out of the house, trying to talk to him before he goes to work. She tells him that this wedding is the worst idea he's ever had. He tells her it's the best idea and she'd better get used to it, and he walks off down the street.

Claire is passing with the baby in the pushchair. She almost literally bumps into Craig outside the corner shop and tells him to keep an eye on the baby while she goes inside. Adam and Joanne then step out of the shop, arranging to meet that evening, with Adam holding what appears to be a bottle of champagne. Just then Danny pulls up in his car. Adam brandishes the bottle up high, "Is that meant to be funny?" asks Danny. Adam tells him it's to toast his dad, he knew he wouldn't forget him. As Danny goes into the factory, Janice, who is standing with a group of workers, asks Adam if he really expects Danny to give up without a fight. Adam tells her that the harder he fights, the sweeter it will be when he wins.

Inside the Barlow residence, Blanche is of the opinion that they should be over at the factory taking hold of the cheque books so that Danny can't spirit money away. Ken reckons that they can't do anything until they've taken legal advice. Tracy reckons that Peter knows a couple of lads in Portsmouth who would put Danny in hospital, that way he'd be unable to do anything until it was all sorted legally. Deirdre and Ken are horrified, and when Adam walks in with the champagne Ken tells him he's not opening it until they've talked to the solicitor.

Roy is outside the cafe sweeping the pavement when Craig comes along. He asks Craig how his grandfather is, and whether he's still in Bournemouth. Craig tells him he's fine, and still there.

Eileen catches up with Jason outside the yard, asking again why he wants to marry Sarah in such a hurry. He tells her he loves her and they want to be together. He tells her he's going to work, he's got a wedding to pay for. "A wedding?" splutters Eileen, "you're going to be a married man bringing up someone else's kid. You've got more than a wedding to worry about, son!"

Sarah, David and Bethany are at the breakfast table. David tells Bethany that Todd, who used to be her daddy is going to become her uncle. Sarah is not amused, and when Gail walks in she asks her to tell David that this is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. "How can you expect us to be happy?" says Gail, "you're marrying Jason Grimshaw."

Danny is cross examining Janice in the office. "Did you know she was going to pull a stunt like this?" he asks her. Janice wonders if he thinks he'll lose the lot. He tells her it's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you get back up. As she goes to leave, he asks if she's going to wish him luck. "I think it's Adam who needs the luck," she says, "if he thinks he's got you beat already."

Out on the factory floor, the workers try to find out if Janice knew more than she's saying, but she says Leanne didn't share any secrets with her. Sean asks Joanne if she knows what Adam's going to do. Joanne says she doesn't know.

Bev meets Deirdre and Amy out in the street. She tells her she heard there was a council of war at her place the evening before. Deirdre admits that her mother was all for turfing Danny out on his ear. Bev tells her that at least Deirdre gets to spend time with her family, all she gets now is a phone call from Shelley. Deirdre says she'll get her share with Claire and Ashley, but Bev reckons that Claire is such a fantastic mother she doesn't need help from anyone, and it makes her feel inadequate.

Claire pushes the baby along the street and meets up with Audrey outside the salon. She tells her she's gearing herself up to going into town and Audrey immediately offers to look after the baby so she can go alone. Claire gratefully accepts.

Adam and Ken are in the solicitor's office, showing him the copy of the will. He admits there's a lot at stake and wonders if they could settle out of court. Adam doesn't feel he should, according to the new will he gets everything. The solicitor asks if they have the original, and when told they don't says he will get in touch with the solicitor who drew it up. "We do have a case?" asks Ken. "Very much so," says the solicitor. "If this will is genuine then I would be optimistic of progress."

Frankie walks out of the Kabin and meets Blanche and Deirdre. "I was coming to see you," she says. Blanche immediately wants to know if she knows what her husband has been up to. "I hope you don't think I've been up to anything with Danny," says Frankie, "if he has been up to anything." Blanche reckons no one could doubt it, even Frankie. Just then Danny and the workers come out of the factory. Blanche hurries over. "I'm surprised you've got the nerve to show your face!" she hisses. "There's crime and there's crime, but diddling your own dying father, that ranks with the nastiest!" Danny looks around and sees everyone standing and watching this exchange. Abashed, he walks off.

In the salon, Audrey, Maria and Sarah are cooing over the baby, much to David's disgust. Bev walks in and is obviously taken aback to find that Claire has left the baby with them.

Danny is seeing his own solicitor, he tells him he had no idea about the other will, and says that surely they can't change everything now. He's told that yes, they can, if they can prove this new will is genuine. Danny is horrified. There's the villa that he's given to Frankie, and he's invested a lot in the business. His solicitor tells him that the court would take that into account. Danny says this is not what he wants to hear. He wants to be told how to keep what his dad wanted him to have. His solicitor tells him that as the new will is a photocopy they might be able to convince a court that Mike destroyed the original, wanting to stick with the other one – but he stresses it's only 'might'. He thinks the safest course of action would be to settle out of court.

Claire arrives back at the salon to pick up the baby, and sees Bev having her hair done. "I'd have looked after him for you," says Bev in strained tones, "I'd have been glad to, you only had to ask." Audrey says she volunteered, but Bev says that she is virtually his grandma, after all.

In the pub, Gail and Eileen are sitting apart looking most unhappy, while Jason and Sarah are discussing their wedding. Molly says she hears they've brought everything forward, and Jason is quick to point out that Sarah isn't pregnant if that's what she thinks. Molly reckons their mothers must be panicking like crazy and Jason says they are, but not in the way she thinks, they don't want them to get married at all. Maria reckons that they should try talking to them, they are sitting there because they want to talk to Jason and Sarah about the wedding. So they both go to their respective mothers and ask them to join them. They all sit down together, Eileen and Gail with grim faces and crossed arms. Behind the bar, Betty points out to Rita that they look like a couple of spoilt kids, sulking.

In the back room, Bev takes Fred a cup of tea. He wonders if they should go and visit Shelley, Claire and Ashley would understand. Bev comments that they could always ask Audrey to keep an eye on them.

The Grimshaw/Platt party are still discussing the wedding. Sarah reckons they'll just go back to the Rovers afterwards for a drink, to save money. "What happened to the fairytale wedding you were planning?" asks Gail. Eileen says she would rather they didn't chuck money away just so that Sarah could be a princess for a day. "Where are you going to live?" Gail asks them. "At ours," says Sarah. "Oh no," says Gail, "I'm not having you and him living with me." Jason then says they'll move into his mother's, but Eileen says that they'll have Bethany and they can't all be in one room. Jason says there would be two rooms if it wasn't for Sean, but Eileen says that Sean isn't going anywhere. Before long Gail and Eileen are sniping at each other, and they both walk off.

Behind the bar, Bev, Rita and Betty watch all this and feel sorry for the young couple.

Danny walks his solicitor to the car. "Just keep your head down and leave everything to me," the solicitor tells him, as Danny heads off to the Rovers.

In the pub, Bev says to Sarah that she understands their wedding plans aren't going too well. "Oh, our wedding plans are going fine," says Sarah, "our mothers' plans to stop it aren't." Bev offers to do the reception for them in the Rovers. Sarah says she's not sure how much money they'll have to spend. "I wasn't touting for business," says Bev, "I meant on the house!" She says that their friends are all regulars and they'd be only too happy to help them celebrate.

Frankie walks in and finds Danny at the bar. "How are you?" she asks him, and he expresses surprise that she's talking to him, he thought she might be helping Blanche build some stocks. "I think a scaffold is more what she had in mind," says Frankie. She comments that it's strange that Leanne would have the will and he didn't know anything about it. He's adamant that it came right out of the blue. Just then Ken, Adam and Tracy walk in. "If you're lying, Danny," whispers Frankie, "you won't be able to sweet talk your way out of this one." Tracy tells them they ought to make the most of the villa because it won't be Frankie's for much longer, and Adam asks him what will hurt most, him living at the Quays, or him sat in the bosses chair while Danny makes the tea. Ken tells him they've been to see their solicitor, and asks if he's taken legal advice. Tracy says he'll lose the lot and Adam says he'll go to prison for suppressing the real will. Ken says that this will shows that despite the state he was in, it shows that Mike knew how Danny had tried to trick him when he couldn't fend for himself. Danny tells Ken not to talk like he cares about Mike, he hated him for years. "I don't have a feud with a dead man," says Ken, "just an immoral one." Ken thinks he should end it now by abiding with the latest will, otherwise it could drag on for a long time and he'd lose everything. Danny says he will fight it through every court in the land until they are all skint. "Are you prepared to gamble, Ken, to lose your home?" Ken nods. "Good," says Danny. "Bring it on."

Anne Logan.

Tis Friday morning on the street and Jamie comes out of the Kabin just in time to have a go at Mike, saying he can't wait to see Mike lose everything.

For some reason, Joanne is at the Barlows', being very friendly with Tracy, though she and Tracy are both still in their going-out-the-night-before clothes. Ken's apparently in the loft, hunting for something. If it's Mike's will, it's a strange place to hide it! Once Joanne leaves the room, Blanche asks Tracy what's she's being so nice to Joanne for. She doesn't seem convinced when Tracy says it's because Joanne is Adam's girlfriend. They're interrupted by Deirdre and Ken, who come in brushing dust and cobwebs off their clothes and deposit one sun tent and a bucket and spade on the dining table. "And there's a couple of deck chairs there, too, and I'm blowed if I'm putting them back now," Ken says. Tracy heads off, to protests from Ken and Deirdre because she's not taking the beach stuff. "It's a bit dirty," she says. "Clean it up, will you -- I'll be back later."

Ashley's kipping on the sofa and wakes to find Joshua sticking decorative bits to his face. Apparently the baby has kept them up all night. Claire wants to get right into the decorating and Ashley reluctantly agrees.

In the cafe, Roy once again serves a big breakfast to Craig, who just paid for tea and toast. Deirdre comes in and asks Frankie how things are with her. Frankie asks how Adam is and Deirdre says he's "going through it." They both wonder when Leanne found the will. Frankie defends Danny.

Maria has some money for Charlie. "Come up," he calls, and offers her a seat in the "office". He wants to know how she's settling in and says they'll draw up an agreement when he gets back from Portsmouth. It's a long time since we've seen the charming side of Charlie, but he's very charming to Maria.

Claire's booking a hairdressing appointment and complaining about how disorganised she is with the baby. Tracy is there for some reason (is this salon really her kind of place?) and keeps sniping in with her own comments. Audrey offers to look after the baby again so Claire can have some more time off. Bev's working, she says.

And we switch to the Rovers where we can see this is true. Joanne comes in and Danny makes pleasant conversation. "If Adam ends up in charge he'll soon find he can't burn the candle at both ends," he tells her. Joanne doesn't want to talk about that. Adam comes in and doesn't like to see them talking. He tells Danny they both know how it's going to turn out and Danny should be seeing his solicitor. Tracy comes in to see Charlie, who tells her she might have to get the train to Portsmouth. He's decided not to come. This doesn't cheer up a girl who's got a bucket and spade and sun tent and two beach chairs to lug with her.

In the shop, Craig is telling Sally he's planning to go the school to fetch Rosie. But Sally says they'll pick her up.

As Sally leaves the shop with Gail, Sally admits she's disappointed there's no sign of Craig and Rosie outgrowing each other. Gail knows how she feels, as she sees Jason nearby. "I think we both wanted more for our daughters, didn't we?" Sally asks. "We did," says Gail. Jason is on his mobile phone, asking someone to act as a character referee when he puts his name down with estate agents. Eileen talks to Gail. Both their children have been making a big deal out of hunting for their own place. But they're not cracking. "Are we going to hold out, though?" asks Gail. Eileen says they've made it too easy for their children. "Reality'll kick in sooner or later," she says. "And some sense," Gail adds.

"It's just one big con," David tells Sarah. He's sweeping up the salon while she sits reading a magazine. "Spending all that money on just one day," he continues. Sarah points out that the wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life. David doesn't agree with that, either. He can't see why they're bothering. He says she should think of all that money which will be wasted next time they break up. "Marriage is for life, David!" an indignant Sarah tells him. "Have you just completely blanked out our family history or something?" he asks, puzzled. Maria asks David to wash the coffee cups and sympathises with Sarah. She offers help, which Sarah accepts.

Danny goes into the cafe and asks Roy for a cuppa. Roy suggests that Frankie start putting the sandwich fillings away, but she wants a word with Danny first. He says he needed some thinking time. She says she's been doing a bit of that. She wants to give back the villa. Danny points out that if she does that, it will look as if she thinks he knew it wasn't really his. She tells him that his problem is that he always thinks he's got it all worked out. "You play too many games, Danny, but you've got a real chance now to do the right thing by Adam. I know you've got it in you." Danny doesn't look convinced.

As David lugs in the salon sign, Audrey wheels baby Peacock out, meeting Fred on the way. Audrey tells Fred the baby slept most of the day. Fred's a bit taken aback to find Audrey's had the baby for most of the day, but Audrey hastens to tell him that Claire was in and out, but Audrey told her to go and get some time to herself, have a bath or something. Bev comes out and learns that Audrey had the baby again. "I'm beginning to wonder if Claire trusts me with him," she says.

Tracy has packed a bag for Charlie but he hasn't changed her mind. She points out that Peter's always going to be Shelley's ex, as well as being her brother, so he'll can't avoid that. "I can try," he says. Tracy dumps his bag on the ground and gets into the car. "I don't know when I'll be back," she says. "Stop trying to wind me up." "Stop trying to domesticate me," mutters Charlie to the back of the car as she drives off. Maria sees him. "Not going away now, then?" Charlie says it looks like it.

Claire's been doing anything but rest. She's moved all the furniture and is making a start on preparing the walls. Fred comes downstairs wanting to be congratulated on changing a nappy and Ashley has a go at him for letting Claire do "all this". Fred says it was mostly done by the time he got there. As far as he knew, Claire was taking a rest. Fred goes to talk to Claire about Beverly. "I think she's feeling a bit left out," he says. Claire says she sensed that, but it's not intentional. "I think she just wants asking," Fred says.

Danny is in the street, knocking on the Barlows' door. He's got a proposition, he tells Blanche. "The vulture's here," she calls to the family. He asks Adam if he can have a word. "No," says Adam. He tells Danny he should say anything he's got to say through the solicitor. Danny says he's there to put things right.

Bev gives Roy his fruit juice. Roy talks about the problems of overhearing conversations he'd rather not have take place in his place of work. Bev sympathises but says she just ignores them. She wants to talk to Roy about catering for Jason and Sarah's wedding. Roy offers to do the cake. In fact, he's so keen that he calls over to Gail and says he'd be honoured to do the cake for her family. "A cake?" asks a puzzled Gail, while Bev pulls "uh oh" faces in the background. "Bev tells me she's doing the wedding reception here," Roy continues. "Leave it, Gail," warns Sally. It's too late. Gail's jaw is set and she gets up to tell Eileen that people are getting together behind their backs. But Sarah gets to her feet and says they've both made it clear that they want nothing to do with the wedding. "If other people want to show us that they care, then you've got no right to stop them."

"What do you think you're doing?" Blanche asks Deirdre. Deirdre is making a cup of tea for their guest. Blanche is not happy. She likes to have her tea by quarter past, otherwise she's taking pills on an empty stomach. Ken gives Danny a mug of tea. Danny tells Adam he's been thinking and the situation with the wills could drag on forever and ever. "By the time this gets through the courts, there could be nothing left to fight over." He wants to offer Adam a percentage of the business. His lawyer says it will take just hours to set up. "So, by this time tomorrow, he could be raking in profits from the business rather than shelling out a fortune in costly legal fees." Adam asks the obvious question. What percentage? "Well . . ." begins Danny. He's thinking ten per cent. Deirdre and Ken snort with laughter. Adam points out that the will gives him 51 per cent. "You shouldn't have bothered coming round, Danny." Danny gets up to go. "Go and insult someone else," Blanche says. "This family's on to you." Adam adds: "Come back when you've got a serious offer to make me." He shuts the door behind Danny.

The End
Margaret Carr

Actually this report is coming to you under strained circumstances. I have managed to pull a ligament in my neck. Typing is quite painful at times, particularly from the elbow to the wrist. Enough of my problems, the synopsis must get through !

Tonight we open with Claire (is she an example to all new mothers?), who is trying out various colours [I think that maybe "colors" for some readers!) and shades on the wall. Ashley thinks what she is doing is a waste of time. However, she asks Fred to ask Bev for her opinion.

Sally is very excited. She and Kevin are meeting Rosie from the station/airport (?). Sally thinks Sophie ought to be excited too, but she signifies that she isn't and says she will be out by the time they return.

Craig is working in the corner shop and keeps looking at the clock. Dev remarks that it is only a few moments since he last looked at it. He then tires to give Craig some advice on handling women (he should be the one that gives advice??!!).

'Warm Treacle' is the advice that Bev offers to Claire for the colour of the walls. It shouldn't show up the dirt. Claire then asks Bev and Fred to look after the baby-who-has-no-name.

Craig is helping Dev unload stuff that he has bought at the cash and carry and then spots Rosie arriving. He drops the packages and rushes over. There are big hugs. Dev tells him he can have the rest of the day off, and passes him the flowers he "forgot" to pick up.

Chesney asks Kirk for advice about girls (obviously a good role model !). Although, Chesney denies that is what he is asking about.

Sally organises tea for Rosie and Craig, but they want to be alone. She says he has so much to tell him.

Bev gets very maternal with the baby-who-has-no-name. She is now feeling a bit guilty persuading Claire to look after the baby. Fred says it is what families are for.

Fred suggests to Bev about looking to the future, when they go and see Shelley. He thinks he will go house-hunting. He says that the time has come that he wants to retire.

Craig takes Rosie to the squat where he staying.

Sophie is with Chesney and Cameron in the alleyway behind the houses. Cameron tries to impress Rosie by offering her a cigarette. Chesney tries to persuade her that it would be stupid.

Rosie thinks that the squat is "not bad". He got it himself so that he can be with her.

Chesney says he doesn't want a cigarette. At this point Sally comes out and smells the cigarette. She tells them to turn out their pockets, while she sends Sophie indoors. The packet is with Chesney who grabbed them to hide as Sally came out.

Bev asked Fred if he had thought through his retirement plans. He confirms he had. He says he is tired and wants to conserve his energy to enjoying life. Bev warns him that he will miss seeing his son and family. Fred says they are not going to the other end of the world, only a few miles away (so why doesn't Shelley pop back and see her mum?). Fred is dreaming of a country cottage with roses around the door …. it would be better than a backstreet pub.

Deirdre, Ken and Blanche are in the Rovers. Deirdre thinks that Adam maybe sorry that he turned down Danny's offer. After it has gone through the courts and paid solicitor's fees, how much would be left, she wonders. Ken and Blanche, however, think that they should support Adam.

Gail meets Sally in the street. Gail asks how Rosie is. Sally replies that she has seen her for a few moments before she shot off with Craig.

Claire is taking up the dust covers from the furniture as Bev and Fred return with the baby. Fred talks to them about retirement. He is slightly taken aback when they congratulate him. He expected some resistance.

Craig and Rosie are lying in a makeshift bed together. He says that he really missed her. He says when he has saved up enough money by getting a proper job, he will have enough to buy a place of their own (has he seen the mortgage rate and if he is starting from nothing, it will take years to get a deposit, let alone a loan).

Gail tells Sally that she can't pretend to approve of Sarah and Jason's relationship. However she realises it will all happen even if she disapproves. She believes her daughters are determined to do things just to oppose their mother.

Martin Rosen

Good evening, it seems like only yesterday I was writing an update. In fact it was yesterday - I was late but I am trying to run on time this week. Leanne's parting shot was an envelope to Adam; we have seen it causing Danny a lot of trouble this week - are things about to get worse or is it the case that things can only get better?

Kev reminds the errant Sophie that she is grounded until the next millennium as she tries to sneak out of the house. Rosie is wrapped up her in phobile moan as Sophie is sent to do the washing up. Cameron can come round to visit but Chesney is not allowed in the house. Kev suggests to Rosie that it might be cheaper to go and talk to Craig rather than sending text messages - but as Sal observes (accurately for once) that would be sooooo uncool! Rosie observes that there is an important book she has to go into town and get as well as getting her pictures printed - anyway the important book is dead profound, only 7.99 and it is odd really that it is important as it is called Sophie's World (and for those of you who have read it please send a simple explanation of life, the universe and everything to my email address - I thought it was a load of pretentious and, to quote the edited Richard Nixon tapes, "expletive deleted").

Jason and Sarah are going to look at a flat that is clearly in a less fashionable neighbourhood than the Street (yes I know it takes believing with a thief [Danny], ex-convict [Steve - and Simon Gregson was done for driving under the influence today], fraudster [Les], mind destroyer [Charlie] and I cannot remember all the laws that Tracy has probably broken, all living close by). Anyway Rita and Audrey are both in support of young love and wish them well.

Adam just annoys me with that silly haircut and I can't be bothered.

The factory girls are discussing recent events with the will - but as Hayley says unless they get back to work there will be nothing for the bosses to divide up. A sentiment which Danny applauds as he emerges from his office and in a nasty way tells Sean to ignore the events in Danny's private life and get sewing. Later a deputation of the workforce go into the office and ask if their jobs are safe. As Danny observes they are a lot less safe if they don't keep working hard! Janice does not participate in the deputation and she and Danny exchange words.

Rosie visits the delightful squat and after Craig demonstrates all the mod cons she refuses to fulfill her position as lover - the minute she gets close to Craig she realises that what the squat needs is a shower. Craig soon spots that she means he smells - but she a solution, sorry an answer. She gives him her door keys and that he should use their shower whilst Sal is at work.

Cameron is outside the Battersbys and tells Chesney not to worry about the incident with the cigarettes. Is he coming round to the Websters? Chesney is worried but eventually assents. The pop along the ginnel and knock on the Websters back door. Sophie does not want to allow Chesney in but Cameron pleads his case and they promise that he will disappear out the back when Sal comes in the front.

Right if you work on the Street and you are not called Baldwin where do you live - yes that's right on the Street. Unless of course you are called thick stupid bloke and thick stupid bloke's intended wife. They are inspecting a flat which is not on the Street. £350 per month - so it is a real palace, indeed the second bedroom is so big you cannot get a proper bed into it. But Jason and Sarah can see nothing wrong - although the agent makes it clear it is not in demand when he says no-one else is viewing it today.

On their return to the Rovers they tell Audrey they want to take it - and here real life almost intrudes - six weeks rent plus a month's rent as a deposit - nine hundred quid which Jason observes he does not have. Audrey says that for a wedding present she will pay and writes a cheque. A little later they tell Eileen about the flat on the Old Bolton Road- and she starts throwing the cold water on the idea - indeed it is such a bad idea that it is even worse than having a wedding in the first place.

In the background Ken and Danny trade comments over the offer of 10% in the business. As Danny observes it could be a long fight with most of the money going to the legal eagles.

Craig is about to enter the Webster house for a shower but Sal arrives from work and wants to know what is going on. He tells the truth and Sal lets him in for a shower. Inside of course we find the telly threesome and Chesney fails to depart. Sal tells everyone off, although Cameron tries to plead his case. Sal listens but still forces Chesney to depart. Once Craig is clean he goes to work but almost immediately Rosie turns up and wants to show him all five films, all 36 pictures - that is ummm, ummm, umm ... Dev screams 180 (bullseye Dev) and realising that Craig will have her hanging round tells them to go and get something to eat. Two piccies in and the phobile moans - it is Laura and the ringtone is a song of the same name. She asks Craig to get her a coffee with hot milk like she had in France. He looks a little unhappy.

Sal picks up some money and finds it is five pounds less than it should be. Sophie denies all knowledge - and whilst she was technically in charge -but Sal cannot believe it was the well spoken Cameron - so by default it must be Chesney. Sophie protests - but Sal's mind is made up and when a blonde makes up her mind she must be right.

Strangers enter the factory and ask Danny if they can have a chat in the office. Now if you owned a factory and two police officers ask for a quiet chat would you continue debating the issue in front of your nosy, worried workforce - no of course not, so that is precisely what Danny does and calls DS Paul Campbell his pal and accuses him of being a wind up. DS Campbell says Danny has made two mistakes - one he is no pal and it is no wind up - there is an allegation of theft which needs answering. Danny can guess what the allegation and who is the allegator and that this is waste of tax payers money. Eventually Danny elects to go to the station to answer the queries - the car driving past one Adam Barlow who has a silly smirk on his face (and a stupid haircut on top of it).

And why can't Danny wear a tie and look smart - Mike would never have allowed such untidy apparel if he were still in charge.

Right. I am up to date and no doubt Monday part 2 will be along soon.

Have a good week.

K Richard W

Welcome to Monday's second episode, delayed only by two agricultural shows (South Ronaldsay and West Mainland) and a concert by Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham. Sorry.

Danny's in the police station, having a go at the police for dragging him out of the work and embarrassing him in front of his employees. He points out that he looked after his father through his final illness. "You don't half like the sound of your own voice," the policeman says. "Maybe it's a cockney thing." Danny asks if they're going to lock him up for being a Londoner. "Sadly, it's not an option," the policewoman says. The policeman explains that they've spoken to Mike's UK and Spanish solicitors. The Spanish one has confirmed the existence of a second will. Danny says he had no knowledge of that. The police are not convinced. They plan to talk to Leanne, but Danny says he has no idea where she is.

Cilla is going on about Sally and tells Chesney she doesn't want him hanging around with the Webster kids. The gate open and Sally waltzes in to ask if Chesney picked up anything from her house. "If you did, Ches, go and have a bath so we don't all catch it," Cilla says. Sally asks him straight if he took five pounds, which Chesney denies. Les leaps to Chesney's defence. "If this lad says he's done nothing, that's good enough for us!" he says. "Now clear off!" Once Sally's gone, Cilla and Les ask Chesney if he took the money. He denies it again. "Good," says Cilla. "But if I find out you did, lad, I'll kill you myself." Poor Chesney looks hurt.

Sean is in the cafe bringing Frankie and Roy up to date on Danny's being carted off by the police. Janice is there looking at the menu. She tells Sean she's sick of everyone going on about Leanne and Danny. Her phone goes and she goes outside to talk to Leanne, telling her to stay put in Spain because the police are involved. "If they're gonna collar Danny, they're going to come after you next."

Danny is still protesting that he didn't know anything about the will until the Barlows came waving it under his nose. The police say that once they've had a chat with Leanne, they might want to see his bank accounts and books. "So, don't be going anywhere, will you."

Rosie and Craig are sitting on a bench with some chips. Rosie isn't eating. Her phone goes and, once again, it's Laura. She walks away from Craig to talk to her friend. David sits by Craig and they agree to go to Roy's. "I hate to say it's getting boring, but. . . " "It's getting boring," David finishes.

Rita stops Sarah and Jason outside the Kabin. She rushes in and brings out a butterfly brooch she's giving to Sarah because it's old and it's blue.

At the Websters', Sophie is feeling guilty, though Cameron seems to have no conscience. Sophie says she took the money to buy cigarettes, but she can't let Chesney get done for something she didn't do. Cameron tells Sally he has to go and Sally cross-examines Sophie about whether or not something is wrong. Sophie mutters that they were talking about a girl at school.

"Violet," says Kirk. "You're a woman." Violet is flattered that Kirk's noticed, but Kirk wants a woman's opinion about what to get Sarah and Jason for a wedding present. Adam is in the pub telling Fizz and Joanne that he's not just a kid. Ken comes over and Adam tells him about the police taking Danny. He says he decided to make a formal complaint, though Ken thinks it's a bit early for that.

Cilla is building up a good head of steam. "We're going round!" she tells Les and Chesney. "I'm sick of us being fobbed off like some lower form of life." She's also sick of Chesney being accused of being a thief, whether he is one or not. "I'm not," an indignant Chesney points out. The menfolk reluctantly get up and follow Cilla.

Cilla hammers on the Websters' door. "What about an apology?" she snarls as Sally opens the door. Sally says she'll accept one, along with a five pound note. The shouting is getting louder when Sophie tells them all that she took the money. That shuts them up, especially Sally. "Ooh-er," says Cilla. "Who's a tea-leaf now, then?" Chesney asks Sally if they can go inside. "So we're not all standing out here being embarrassing."

Danny knocks on the door and Ken answers. He goes inside to have a go at Adam. Ken says he understands Danny is upset, but he has to realise there are frustrations on both sides here. Adam says Ken had nothing to do with it. "No, because grandad ain't as small-minded and vindictive as you," Danny points out. Ken says all the threats have come from Danny so far. "So don't start coming all righteous and hard done by now." Adam says he might drop the charges under the right circumstances. "Twenty-five per cent," Danny offers, though he says he must be mad. Adam refuses, which makes Danny indignant. Ken asks for half an hour. Danny says he'll be in the factory, but in exactly 31 minutes he's going home.

Les suggests they all sit down like civilised people. "That'll be a first!" snipes Sally. Sophie shuts her up and apologises, saying she just wanted to buy some fags for her and Cameron. She says she didn't want to get Chesney into trouble. "I just did it, that's all." Chesney speaks up: "I'd never steal anything from your house, Mrs Webster." Cilla looks very smug. "I hope you're proud of yourself, Webster," she tells Sally. "Cause your kids are so special, aren't they. Not like us common folk." Les shuts her up. "This is not the time for crowing, my sweet," he says, in a tone of voice more suited to "Shut up, you stupid cow." Kevin arrives home and wants to know what's going on. Sally says Sophie will explain. "But I just want to say I'm sorry," she tells the Battersby-Browns. "And I'm sorry if I disturbed you earlier." Cilla makes a dive for her handbag and starts fumbling with the zip. "I could be recording this on me mobile phone!" she says. Les drags her out.

Danny knocks on Frankie's door, but she's got no sympathy for him. He says he might have broken a few rules in his time, but that doesn't make him a mass murderer. "What are you telling all this to me for?" asks Frankie. Danny looks slightly stunned. "Well, who else am I gonna tell?" "Answer that and you'll be half way to figuring out what your real problem is," Frankie tells him, shutting the door in his face.

Craig tells David he's sick of Rosie going on about the holiday and Laura and milky coffee. Roy tells Craig there may yet be unsold sandwiches. "Have you got any pies?" Craig asks brightly. "I can see you've got a future in industrial arbitration," Roy jokes. Rosie comes in, demanding to know why Craig went running off. "I can't believe Laura keeps ringing me," she says, and starts going on about the holiday again. She says there were boys chasing Laura. Craig asks what she would have said if someone approached her. Rosie reels off something in French. All I could get was "Excuse me sir," "very nice" and "in England". "Nope, you've lost me!" Craig says. He turns away and asks Roy if he wants the dishes put in the sink.

Danny stops Janice in the street to ask where Leanne is. She won't tell him.

In the pub, Sarah and Jason arrive to be greeted by their pals. Fizz says she and Hayley are poised ready to make any changes to Sarah's dress. Except Jason points out they can't afford the dress. Molly says Rita's going to donate some invitation cards. "You know," says Sarah, "everybody is being so nice." Gail comes in. "Oh, I meant nearly everybody," Sarah adds. "Did I miss something?" asks Gail. Rita tells her: "It's a choice you've obviously made, love." Gail decides she shouldn't have come out and leaves.

Adam and Ken leave the house. Adam has come to some kind of decision. "If he doesn't like it, we come straight out, no arguments," Ken warns.

Sophie is crying. She says Cameron just ran away. In tears, she leaves the room and Sally sits on Kevin's knee (yes, really). They agree it's not a good way to get your heart broken.

It's showdown time at the OK Knicker Factory. The doors slam open, just like saloon doors and Ken and Adam walk across the floor with a measured pace. Danny walks out to meet them. Adam is prepared to forget about the second will and any other court action in return for 40 per cent. "You're having a laugh," Danny says. "Thirty." Ken and Adam turn to leave. Danny stops them. He tells them they can have the 40 per cent if they drop any other claims against Mike's estate apart from the factory." He says he'll draw up a nice proper contract. "Just so long as we don't have to shake on it," a reluctant Adam says. Ken says he thinks they should shake. They do and the Barlows leave. "If you listen, Adam, you might just hear Mike turning in his grave. Well, it's either that or he's applauding." A beaten Danny comes out behind them and watches them go.

The End.
Margaret Carr

Adam has gone to the factory that he now has a 40 percent share in. Just as he's asking Joanne to come out and celebrate with him that evening, Danny appears, obviously irritated to see him. "Do you want something?" he asks, curtly. Adam tells him he wants his 40 percent. Danny tells him his legal man is on to it, he hasn't got anything to worry about. "Now, do you mind?" says Danny, trying to get rid of him. Adam says he might just stick around, he's got every right. Keen for him to leave, Danny tells him they'll discuss the whys and wherefores tomorrow.

Clutching a plastic carrier bag, Sarah catches up with Hayley in the street, excited to show her the dress she's just bought for her wedding. Audrey comes along and when she sees it she is aghast to see that it's obviously several sizes too big. Sarah tries to explain that it was last minute, there wasn't a lot of choice….. Audrey asks what shop it was that would sell Sarah something so obviously the wrong size, she'll go and give them a piece of her mind. Embarrassed Sarah confesses that it was the charity shop. Hayley butts in – "We can remodel it," she says, "a bit of nip and tuck here and there it'll be right as rain." Jason comes along, "What's this you've bought me?" he jokes, grabbing at the bag as they tell him he mustn't look, it's bad luck. As they all stand around laughing, who should be coming along but Gail, with an expression on her face that would turn milk sour. (Seems to be her usual expression these days.) Audrey and Hayley go on their way, leaving Sarah confiding to Jason that she's worried that everyone will be laughing at her on their wedding day, wearing her charity shop dress. Jason, bless him, tells her that whatever she wears it will take his breath away, "'Cos you're gorgeous and I love ya!" he says.

It's the end of the day at the factory. As Sally moans to Janice about her stiff shoulders and clicky wrist from slaving over a hot sewing machine all day, Danny asks her if she hasn't got a home to go to. "Fish fingers to fry or something?" he says. "Personally I prefer to use the grill, Mr. Baldwin," says Sally primly, as she leaves. Danny then complains bitterly to Janice about how he has been stitched up, first by Leanne and then by a 'floppy haired teenager'. (Someone else has noticed Adam's awful haircut!) Janice is amazed to hear that he struck a deal with the aforementioned floppy haired one. She tells him that he can't go blaming Leanne, she's now abroad and can't come back. He tells her that she and Leanne could be in very serious trouble for perverting the course of justice. Janice tells him it was nowt to do with her, although she admits that Leanne might have been doing some ducking and diving. "Exactly," says Danny, "and I'm the one that's paying the price." (He seems to have conveniently forgotten that he did actually shred the original second will).

Sally has gone over to the garage to meet Kevin as he locks up for the night. She moans about the fact that they've hardly seen Rosie since she got back, and decides they ought to have a 'family night' in with a takeaway, and spend some 'quality time' together. They then run into Rosie and Craig and Sally puts this to her. Rosie seems less than delighted by the prospect of a night 'Chez Webster' and says she's going to Craig's mate's house. Eventually she agrees to get home for half past seven, and asks if Craig can come too. "Yeah, course," says Sally, although her face and voice say otherwise. Craig is quick to pick this up and says he's got other things to do. Smiling broadly, Sally and Kevin continue their way home.

Sarah is putting up the hem on Bethany's bridemaid's dress. Gail comes downstairs with her po-face on. "Look Gran, I'm a princess!" says Bethany, but Gail doesn't comment. She's then horrified to see that Sarah is actually sticking the hem up with sticky tape. "It'll come down and look a mess," she says. (She cares?) Sarah tells her that this is to work out how long to do it, and that Hayley or Fizz will be sewing it for her. "You know, my friends, the people who do want me to be happy." Gail turns around and goes back upstairs.

Sally and Kevin are writing the list of what to get from the Indian takeaway, as Rosie and Craig sit in the squat in Diggory's old shop. She's busy texting Laura, until Craig gets fed up and snatches the phone out of her hand, saying he's sick of her getting messages every thirty seconds. "Oh sorry!" huffs Rosie, "I'll switch the sound off!" and she puts the phone down. He tells her she's hardly said two words to her and she was meant to be home about half an hour ago. She just turns around and starts kissing him.

In the pub, Adam puts drinks in front of Deirdre, Ken and Blanche, telling them he handed in his notice to Penny King. He then went to the police and withdrew his complaint about Danny. Blanche remarks that she would have made a good police officer, but Ken thinks she would have been more at home in the Gestapo. Deirdre tells him that if they're going to be working together, he and Danny are going to have to get on. Adam says he'll go in to work and go home when he feels like it, and take the money and run.

Fred tells Bev that he's found them a holiday cottage just a mile away from where Shelley is. He thinks they could have a look at property while they're there, it would be a nice part of the world to retire to. Bev sees retirement and one step closer to the grave, so Fred says she can carry on working, he's always fancied being a kept man.

Maria is coming back from doing a bit of late night shopping, when she meets Charlie. They flirt a bit with each other, and she tells him she's been buying throws and cushions for the new flat.

Sally and Kevin are waiting in vain for their errant daughter to return, and Sally throws the cold Indian meal in the bin. They can't get any answer from her mobile phone, and Sally realises that they don't have a clue where she is, they don't know which mate of Craig's they've gone to, they don't have a phone number, address or anything. Sally is starting to get worried, but Kevin tells her he's sure Rosie will be home soon.

Danny meets Frankie in the street, and starts to tell her that it was her remarks about Mike and the will that got him to change his mind. "So the thought of you being sent down for the rest of your natural had nothing to do with your change of heart?" she asks him. He admits that being dragged down the nick did tend to focus the mind but he did fee guilty. "You telling me did know about this will all along?" snaps Frankie. "No, no, of course not," says Danny and then says he didn't want her to lose the villa after everything he put her through.

Sally and Kevin are phoning round, trying to track Rosie down, without success. Sally points out that Rosie is just 15, they should know where she is. "Just because Craig is a law unto himself, she thinks she can carry on like that an' all," she says, and thinks they'll have to stop them seeing each other. Kevin points out that that didn't work last time.

Meanwhile, Rosie and Craig are asleep.

Walking down the Street, Danny notices lights on in the factory, and goes to investigate. Inside, Audrey, Fizz and Hayley are helping Sarah with her dress. "What the hell…..?" he says as he comes across the little group, "are you two moonlighting or what?" Hayley apologises and says she did mean to ask him. He then tells them to relax, he can see they're on a mission of mercy. Sarah says she didn't mean to get anyone into trouble. "At ease, Bambi," says Danny, "I love a bit of romance as much as anyone." He remarks that the dress is a bit big, "looks a bit like one of Hattie Jacque's cast offs!" "Hattie who?" queries Fizz. Sarah says it was all she could afford, but Danny says that Fizz and Hayley will get it looking peachy in no time. Audrey then offers him a mug of champagne. "I thought you'd never ask Audrey," says Danny, "and call me Danny." Hayley points out how the dress is now taking shape, "Do you feel better?" she asks. "Yes," says Sarah, "I do." Audrey then twitters how those are the words she'll be saying to her new husband on Monday.

Outside, Maria joins David eating chips on the bench, whilst Sally is still looking for Rosie. Gail tells her they're all selfish at that age, her Sarah was just the same. Sally tells her that Rosie is going to be grounded til the next millennium. She wonders if David might know where Craig is staying. David and Maria walk on, and when they get to the pub he tries to get her to go in and bring him out a pint, but just then Gail sees him and calls him over.

In the Rovers, Bev asks Liz how she feels about acting as manager while they're away, and tells her that Fred is thinking about retirement. Liz confesses that she would love to be able to retire, she'd do a course in making shoes, she loves shoes!

Maria has joined Charlie and Jason in the pub. Charlie asks her when they can expect Sarah to show up, and Maria explains she's having her dress altered. Maria tells him that they don't usually get on, so it's strange being her bridesmaid, but she'd like to make it special for her. "Ah," says Charlie, flirting with his eyes at her, "sweet!"

David is writing out a list of Craig's friends' phone numbers, and Craig's mobile number. Sally and Gail commiserate with each other over their respective daughters.

Back in the factory, Sarah's dress now fits her perfectly and looks wonderful! Audrey hugs her and says she brings a tear to her eye, Sarah is sad that her mum won't see her in it.

Back at the squat, Craig's phone buzzes as Rosie sleeps on. He picks it up and puts it under his pillow.

Sarah, Audrey, Hayley and Fizz have joined Jason, Maria and Charlie in the pub. Charlie presents Jason with an envelope, he's paid for them to spend their wedding night in the honeymoon suite of a posh hotel, four poster bed, champagne, roses – the lot! Maria gazes at him with admiration as they all toast the happy couple.

Sally has finally managed to speak to Daniel's mum, she hasn't seen Craig for weeks. Sally and Kevin then start to despair, they don't know where Rosie is and have no way of finding her. Sally can't sit at home any more, and goes off out to look for her. As they walk down the Street, the little wedding party spill out of the pub, singing "I'm getting married in the morning!" as Gail, with a face like a smacked backside, looks out of her upstairs window. Sally and Kevin stop in the middle of the road. "What are we supposed to do!" says Sally, distraught. "Our daughter is out there somewhere and we haven't got a clue where she is!"

Anne Logan

Sally and Kevin have had a sleepless night, worrying about Rosie. They decide to report her missing and Sally takes a photo with her. Kevin goes over to the garage to tell Tyrone he'll be late and Sally goes off to ask around the neighbours.

Charlie and Jason are doing some truck-loading outside the yard and Jason is full of the joys of the nearly-married. Nearby, Vernon and Liz step out of the cafe after breakfast. He wants Liz to take some time off, but she doesn't want to let down Bev. Maria comes out of her flat and Charlie gives her the eye. Then he suggests to Jason that he and Sarah have a combined stag and hen do. He even offers to get the first round in. Jason can't understand why Charlie has been nice to him twice in two days.

Around in Coronation Street, Sally talks to David and Maria about Rosie. "I didn't sleep a wink," she tells them.

This is not the case with Rosie, who is just waking up. "Oh my god, I am so dead," she tells Craig. She looks at her mobile phone. "They've left hundreds of messages. They must be frantic!" Craig says to wait and he'll come with her, but it's too late. She's out the door.

Kevin, for some reason, is at home, making a cuppa. No, I don't know why they didn't go to the police station. The door slams and for a second he thinks it's Rosie, but it's Sal. He doesn't have time to be disappointed, though, because next thing Rosie comes through the back door. Sally starts in with the "You don't give a damn about us. All you care about is yourself," accusations. Kevin shouts at her that they were about to go to the police. "We had visions of this on the front page of every newspaper in the country," he shouts, waving the photo at her. "'Missing girl' -- worse." Rosie tries to apologise but can't get a word in. She rushes past them, almost in tears.

At the salon, Charlie comes in to see Sarah. "How do you fancy a party?" he asks her. When Sarah rushes off excitedly to talk to Jason about it, Charlie asks Maria if she can give him a hand to get things organised. As he leaves, he can obviously hear behind him: "You know what, I don't care what people say about him, I think he's dead sweet." He smirks.

In the factory, they're discussing food when Adam walks in. "Morning slackers," he says cheerfully, heading into the office with Danny. Sean is waiting for something to hit the fan, but Joanne says it's all sorted.

In the office, Danny hands him a contract to sign, though Adam wants his lawyer to check it first. "Don't want you pulling any of your cockney barrow-boy stunts," he says. They snipe at each other, with Danny accusing Adam of never working for his living. Sean comes to the door and says there's a problem with one of the machines.

Kevin and Sally are having a late breakfast. Rosie comes in to apologise. "I just fell asleep. End of." They press her for details of where she was. Kevin wants his name, address, telephone number. "We're not going through another night like the last." Rosie admits Craig is living "across the road". They assume she's lying about the Platts putting him up, but she says he's in the old bakery. No wonder they were confused. Diggory's bakery is down the street, around the corner and across the road! Kevin and Sally are not happy.

Danny is leaning over Sean's sewing machine when Adam appears on the new mezzanine floor above the sewing room. He tells them he's now a partner and wants them all to call him Mr Barlow. "What about Joanne?" asks Janice. "Especially Joanne," he says. Danny tries to stop Adam coming across as a good guy and tells the workers they'll celebrate in the Rovers tonight and the drinks are on him.

Claire is serving up brioche for lunch, though neither Fred nor Ashley seems excited about this. No, I have no idea where Joshua is and why he's not having lunch with them. She settles down with a big recipe book to choose something a bit different for dinner. Eileen's coming round. "Game pie with mushroom foam," she reads. Fred's never heard of mushroom foam. "Look like cuckoo spit," she tells him. "Think I'll give that one a miss." She tells the menfolk she feels a bit sorry for Eileen. "Seems to me your mothering instinct has gone into overdrive," Fred says. "Fred," replies Claire. "Sit up straight and eat your sandwich."

Maria and Charlie are putting up the birthday banner in the Rovers, with Vernon doing the "left hand up a bit" lines. He suddenly shouts "Fire!" which those of you with a UK-television background will realise is a reference to a TV programme in the olden days called "The Golden Shot." Steve comes in. Vernon's clearance letter has arrived, which means he is now officially a taxi driver. And he can start straight away. Vernon tries to wriggle out of it, but Steve and Liz have him firmly pinned. Liz is worried by the sight of Charlie behind the bar. Bev assumed Liz had asked him to help. Meanwhile, Charlie and Maria are on to the balloon-blowing part of the job. As they huff and puff, Maria tells Charlie she thinks Tracy will get him down the aisle. "She always seems to get what she wants." He looks her in the eye and smiles that attractive smile he uses. "So do I."

Sally and Kevin have taken Rosie over to the bakery. They're horrified by the place and Sally points out to Craig that it's totally unnecessary. "We offered you a bed at our house." Sally threatens to tell Keith. "Actually, it's none of your business," Craig tells her. But Kevin shouts that it is their business if Rosie is staying there. They say Craig can see Rosie at their place but not at the bakery.

Kirk is with his pals in the pub, thinking about a possible future wedding. He and Fizz would have the do at the planetarium, with everyone dressed up in space-age costumes. Sean points out that this would involve a lot of Lycra. "Lycra can be very unforgiving," he says. Audrey and Gail come in. Audrey thinks the place looks lovely. Gail thinks they're just doing it to annoy her. Eileen is at the bar asking Bev what she's got that's 50 per cent proof. "I've got some nail varnish remover in my handbag," Bev says. Eileen would be happy but doesn't think Ashley and Claire would like it. "Bottle of red wine it is, then," Bev says. Eileen leaves just as the happy couple arrive for their party. Audrey is thrilled to see how happy Sarah and Jason are. "Are you just trying to make me feel worse?" asks Gail. Audrey tells her to give this up. "It's not too late." "I can't," says Gail. "You mean you won't," Audrey points out.

Sally is laying the table while she and Kevin rant on (to each other) about how dangerous and stupid it is for Craig to live at the bakery. Sally admits that it's dead romantic, really. She says Craig needs to be somewhere they can keep an eye on him. She wonders if Roy and Hayley would take him in.

Steve and Vernon arrive at the pub. Vernon has decided he's not cut out for working with the general public. He helped an old biddy up ten flights of stairs, lugging all her shopping, and she paid him in 2p pieces. In a booth, Molly tells Tyrone her dad has put the house up for sale. There's a flat over the shop in Chorlton. Tyrone is depressed at this. He'll never see Molly. Sarah, a bit the worse for drink, goes to ask her mother to have a drink with her. Gail refuses and stalks off home. Back in the booth, Jason makes a speech. He tells everyone that Sarah has hair like a shampoo advert and is the most wonderful, gorgeous, annoying woman he's ever met. And she's got the cutest little toes he's ever seen. At the window end of the booth, Tyrone asks Molly to move in with him -- once he's cleared it with Jack and Vera. Charlie and Maria have a quiet chat. She's wondering when it might be her turn to get married. Charlie smiles understandingly and pats her hand.

Claire tells Hostess Trolley disaster stories, Ashley tries to remember what days they used to eat what ("Sausage and mash on a Monday, corned beef on a Tuesday"), and Eileen bemoans the amount of choice in the supermarkets. "You stand there like a rabbit caught in the headlights." They're talking at triple cross-purposes! Claire offers dessert and Eileen asks if she can help, so she's delegated to feed the baby.

In the pub, Fred suggests Vernon lay off the beer. When Fred mentions how busy they'll be with the wedding, Vernon suggests Michelle, the singer with the band. Fred says he'll run it past Liz, but Vernon says there's no need because Liz and Michelle are best mates. (Hah!)

The hens and stags stagger out into the street. Sarah tries to tell Charlie that he's the loveliest, kindest man . . . but Jason interrupts, because she's supposed to say that about him. Everyone goes, leaving Charlie and Maria together. He thanks her for her help. Suddenly, she kisses him, but he stops her. "Take it easy, Maria, I'm not a free man." Embarrassed, she walks away.

The End
Margaret Carr

A very good day from a rather wet London (well it was at time of writing). We have been waiting for this for weeks!! So macs on umbrellas up and here we go!

Charlie turns up in his van just as Maria is waiting for a bus sitting on the pavement (did her mother never tell her about sitting on cold surfaces, let alone getting her skirt dirty?!). She tells him that some post has arrived for him. He suggests coming round this afternoon, but she will be out shopping. However, she suggests as he has a key, he could let himself in and pick it up.

Adam comes down with Joanne, looking a bit hungover (or was it worn out ?!). Deirdre suggests that he takes it easy as he starts at Underworld the next day. Adam confirms that he has no intention of exerting himself, inasmuch as he will get 5% of the profits for doing nothing.

Hayley is busy sewing up Bethany's bridesmaid dress. Sarah invites her mother round to see all the dresses, but Gail refuses. She still does not approve. Amongst other things they are both so young, and Jason has messed her around.

Over at chez Grimshaw, Jason is trying to persuade his mother to come to the weather. Sean even has a go at her, saying how she will always regret it if she doesn't go. However Eileen is obstinate and won't be moved. She reads out his horoscope from the paper which refers to him being "easily led". Jason doesn't believe her.

Blanche comes back from the car boot sale, which she has been to with Ken (bet he really enjoyed that!). She relates that he has no idea what to do. He wanted to buy something from the first stallholder. She explains that you have to go right around the sale making notes and then come back again. Hardly drawing for breath, she notes that Joanne is there again. Then she suggests that the family go to the Rovers to celebrate Adam starting at Underworld. Adam explains he is going shopping with Joanne. Joanne is willing to forgo that and join them at the Rovers. Blanche remarks "oh, you are coming too".

Danny sees Frankie sweeping up outside the cafe. He is surprised she is doing such tasks, but she likes to keep her hand in ! He offers her a drink at the Rovers, but she wonders (in amusement) whether he could still afford it. He jokes that he could just about.

Todd rings Jason (we don't actually hear his voice), to wish him all the best of luck for the wedding. Jason tells his mother that even after what Todd and Sarah went through together, he is still able to give them his blessing.

Eileen sees Gail in the street. They decide to commiserate together over a drink … guess where?!

Gail is looking forward to a caravan holiday, but she says she is not leaving Rosie alone in the house. Kevin breaks it to her, that he has an important client and a job which will mean he will not be able to come. He insists the rest of the family ought to go.

Charlie is wandering around in Maria's flat. He is turning over books, papers and CDs. He then pulls a couple of fuses out of the mains supply.

In the park Sarah and Bethany are playing on the swings. Jason tells Bethany that tomorrow he will tell everybody how much he loves her mummy (aah, sweet !).

Eileen tells Gail that she has nothing personal against Sarah and Gail says the same about Jason (so why don't they approve then?!).

Vernon is in the Rovers and in comes Michelle (the attractive singer in his band). She is going to start work. Liz is surprised as nobody has told her about it. She is not too happy about it. Fred and Vernon both make their excuses to leave.

Maria comes back to her flat and finds the electric kettle won't work (wouldn't have anything to do with the missing fuses would it?!).

Sarah and Jason are in the pub and see their mothers, but decide to ignore them.

Charlie gets a phone call, he says although it is Sunday he will come over. (Who is going to guess who the phone call was from ?!).

Liz tells Jason and Sarah that she is sure that their mothers will change their minds by tomorrow. She then offers them a drink.

Adam is worried about working with Danny. Blanche doesn't trust him, she says "he's as slippery as his father" (ouch !) .

Michelle (creates a pleasant view as she leans over to talk to Sarah and Jason), she wants to know why their mothers are so miserable.

Charlie arrives at Maria's flat and manages to fix the "problem". She is very grateful to him and offers him a drink. Charlie plays hard-to-get. Charlie plays hard-to-get. (sorry I had to repeat that as it is a little out of character!) , but redeems himself by saying "there is always tomorrow".

Danny comes into the Rovers, and Adam takes no time to have a snipe at him. Danny snipes back. Adam says he wants to send flowers to Leanne to thank her. Danny hopes he will be that sharp when he starts work.

Jason and Sarah make a final (?) appeal to their respective mums. Gail says she would be a hypocrite if she came along.

We leave the couple outside the Rovers with Sarah crying her little heart out, and Jason trying to comfort her by saying that as long as she and Bethany are there, that is all that matters.

Martin Rosen

Well soaps are a different reality to my world and therefore when I get to write an update I have to remember that the normal laws of relativity no longer apply. So inevitably Gail and Eileen are bound to remain in agreement with each other throughout the wedding, and of course how many soap weddings actually run smoothly - indeed can you remember a single one where the start and the finish were simple and straightforward and there was a direct link between the couple getting married and living happily ever after?

I am only dealing with the events prior to the ceremony, my colleague Katie who will no doubt be along shortly will bring matters to their inevitable conclusion.

Tonight's episode was written by Damon Rochefort and directed John Anderson by with copyright remaining with ITV Productions to whom many thanks.

We open with Jason smiling across the road to Sarah in her bedroom as Gail leaves the house to go to work, ignoring everyone and everything with a real scowl on her face. Obviously seeing the bride on the day of the ceremony no longer engenders any bad luck. Charlie emerges from his house as Maria passes on her way to prepare Sarah for her big day. He takes the opportunity to make her laugh.

Ken suggests that Adam should be heading for work - he is wearing a scruffy T shirt and jeans and when Ken suggests a change before going to work might be a good idea, Adam reminds him he needs to get off. Adam turns the television. Later we see him leave the house, walk across the road to his revolting little car (it is not quite as bad as his haircut, but almost) turn the stereo up to 11 and disappear off into the distance.

At the Hillman, sorry Tilsley, sorry Platt household Hayley is sewing furiously, Maria is planning to start work on Sarah's hair as well as planning what to do with Bethany, not to mention Shaggy - sorry David. Bethany is promised she will be a princess. This preening and prettifying continues on and off throughout the episode with Gail returning at one point to talk to Sarah. Gail says she cannot stop the wedding - but she will be around to pick up the pieces when it goes wrong. Sarah asks why she is so sure it will go wrong - because it is rushed and there is Beth to consider. Sarah re-assures Gail it is not going to happen. Bethany sings the song she has prepared in celebration of the wedding. Gail returns to work. Audrey thanks Maria for her efforts and then suggests something stronger than another cup of tea - some champagne. Audrey retires to the garden and phones Gail - she wants a meeting at Roy's in ten minutes.

Across the road Charlie is trying to convince Eileen (with Sean's help) that she should be at the wedding. Eileen refuses to listen and heads for work. Jason is trying to iron a shirt when she returns at which point Charlie leaves. Eileen wants Jason to understand but there will be no-one there - no father, no brother, no mother - only his boss and the lodger. Eileen offers to do the ironing - but she is worried about Beth - but he says the person getting hurt is him.

At the factory Hayley and Gail talk about Craig's current place of residence. Mr Baldwin is looking for Adam who has not turned up. None of the staff know where he is and Danny refers to him as a waste of space (which sounds about right to me). Later Hayley and Roy check out the bakery and manage to gain entry and find the squat as fitted out by Craig. Roy observes how desperate Craig must be to remain in Manchester. Roy and Hayley cannot stand by and leave Craig in this state and feel that they must offer him the spare bedroom in the flat - a 15 year old boy can be no more difficult than Fiz - nor much older. Staying in the squat another night is not on.

Over at the Rovers decorations are being erected, food being prepared, balloons blown up and the odd drink being consumed. Adam wanders in, wearing new clothes - he tells Fiz he has not been work - he gets 40% of the profits if he goes to work or not - so why go in. Doris has prepared labels for the food on the computer and is going along putting them in the right places - including as Kirk observes - a quicky, spelt quiche. Along at Roy's Gail tries to explain why she cannot support the wedding and they have nothing at all to move into a tower block with Beth. Audrey tells Gail how much like Ivy she looks - Audrey says she is trying to shock some sense into Gail - but it is not working. Audrey has one last try - if Gail does not attend the wedding she will break her daughter's heart. Gail almost breaks but leaves without saying a word.

At the StreetCars office (where notably there is absolutely no sign of Lloyd - presumably he is discussing his taxi rides to London with the appropriate authorities) Steve cheekily suggests that if Eileen leaves now she can reach the wedding on time. For the last time she says no, as Claire and baby arrives, pushchair leading. They look at the baby and Steve accuses Eileen of not being so keen on her own child.

Danny finds Adam in the Rovers where he is celebrating the wedding. Danny is pleased that Adam wants to be a sleeping partner and departs with a smile on his face. Michelle, the new barmaid being played by the former Hearsay vocalist Kim (Marsh) Ryder, arrives very late and apologises to Liz who is in charge (Bev is visiting Shelley - can I start a bring back Shelley campaign - we want Shelley etc?). Michelle promises to skip her break to make up for being late which defuses the situation. She gets down to serving drinks pretty rapidly.

Sean re-assures Jason that all will be well and for once Jason is looking smart (something at which Charlie fails - he is not wearing a tie - someone take him out and shoot him please?). They all head to the Rovers for a pre-wedding drink. Sean introduces himself to Michelle and they have five minutes before departing.

The entire StreetCars fleet is lined up ready for loading - Gail watches through the blinds of the medical centre. Eileen punches holes into a piece of paper. Steve lets her know that they are all about to depart. At one end of the Street Sarah and her entourage emerge and get in the nearest cars whilst at the other end of the Street the male participants emerge from the Rovers and Jason and Sarah stare at each other whilst the minxy Maria eyes up Charlie.

Gail watches the procession depart as does Eileen - each locking a gaze with their respective offspring, the closing shot is a rear view of Michelle, presumably the next minx on the block with partially bare back as she strides back into the Rovers.

Well looks good from here - should be "a bit of a do" as they say up north.

K Richard W

Hey all. I'd like you to know there were many tears shed over this report. No, not Sarah's, mine!

After the cars have gone, Gail and Eileen walk home for their dinner. They reassure each other that they are doing the right thing.

Gail opens the house and sees the mess that the wedding co. have made. She sees a single white carnation lying on the table. She picks it up and sighs.

Roy and Hayley enter sally's house and say they've discussed it and would like to offer Craig the spare room. Rosie is horrified and says he'll never let them, but agrees to talk to him anyway.

Eileen turns up at the taxi office and says she wants a cab. Steve teases her for a while and I think if looks could kill Steve would be 6 feet under. He finally says he'll take them. Claire offers to take them, but Steve, looking horrified says 'no, no.' Coming out the door, the pair of them nearly steamroller Gail. 'What are we like? ' they say. Lets not answer that one shall we…

Danny is moaning to Frankie. The cause for this is that Adam hasn't turned up for his first day of work - shock! Horror! She defends Adam and Danny replies 'why do you always defend everyone except me? 'Anyway I thought you'd prefer him being more of a sleeping partner.' She sasses' so what am I supposed to do? Just write him out a cheque at the end of every month?' She retorts, 'Well that's what you did for that dodgy Lithuanian geezer who lent you the money for the Canvey Island factory.' He coughs, 'That was totally different.'

Rosie asks for two waters (ooh! What happened to the hot milk coffee.)? She asks him about living with Roy and Hayley and Roy starts to interfere. Craig snaps 'stop trying to live my life for me!' and storm off.

As they wait to get into the cars, Sarah asks Maria 'do you fancy Charlie' (oh duh!) She denies it but Sarah smiles, 'Ey, you're blushing, that's my job!'

Charlie asks Jason if he sure he wants to go through with it. Jason tells him of course he does. Charlie replies, 'Well I have to ask. You're my apprentice and I feel a sense of responsibility. It grieves me to see you throwing in the towel so early.' Jason laughs, 'Well I love her.' Charlie cries, 'Yeah, but marriage is a vile institution that goes against all of man's instincts.' Jason laughs, 'Blimey, I hope this isn't a sneak preview of your wedding speech!' Charlie replies, 'No. I've written all the usual guff about what a lovely couple you are etc. I just feel some responsibility as an employer, as a friend and maybe a bit as a father figure.' To his disappointment, Jason tells him he knows what he is doing and they head off towards the entrance.

As Steve races towards the registry office, Gail and Eileen agree vociferously in the back that they still think Jason and Sarah are making the biggest mistakes of their lives. 'But...' chunters Eileen, '...if they are bound and determined to go through with it...' 'Which they are!' confirms Gail. 'Then how can I let my Jason get married without me there?' squawks Eileen. 'Exactly!' screeches Gail, grateful to grasp the olive branch of justification for their sudden volute face, 'What other choice do we have? We 'have' to give them our blessing.'

Rosie chases after Craig and tells him she is only thinking of his well-being. He snaps, 'I'd be living in their house. I don't need that!' She tells him he does, 'You need somewhere safe and secure. I hate you living in this dump! And it'll get my mum and dad off my back.' He sighs, 'And this was all their idea I suppose?' She tells him they have got her parents on their side at the moment, 'But throw a squat into the equation and it tips them over the edge.' He mumbles, 'Well, I suppose I do miss hot running water.' Rosie laughs, 'It's human after all.' Craig smiles briefly but tells her, 'I just don't like it when people try and run my life for me.'

The ceremony starts and our favourite kid with the funny hairdo (no, not Adam, David!) is gawping out the window. Audrey hisses for him to come and sit down, but David says, 'its mum, with Eileen!' Audrey rushes up to Sarah and Jason and tells them excitedly that their mothers are here. Sarah can't believe it and tells the registrar, 'Stop the music. Our mums are outside!' Eileen and Gail are standing outside the door. 'After you', 'no you first', no I insist'. Sarah and Jason throw open the door. After huge hugs of relief all round they rush back inside to get the wedding underway...

... Only the excitement seems to have been too much for slack bladdered Jason who, as soon as they are stood back in front of the registrar, announces that he just needs to go to the toilet. He assures them he will only be a couple of minutes and dashes out of the door and down the corridor. This is where the CD needs to be changed from 'Hero' to 'Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye'

Craig returns to the cafe and apologises for being rude before, and if the offer is still open, can he have the room. Roy and Hayley agree and offer him his own key!

Jason is no-where to be seen, and the registrar reminds Sarah that there is another wedding after this. Charlie goes to look for him. Charlie strolls into the toilets and finds one cubicle locked. He knocks on the door and calls, 'Jason? Jason? Are you all right?' hauls himself up to look over the partition only to find it empty and an open window. It looks like our Jason has done a bunk. Somehow, Charlie seems quite pleased…

Danny offers Adam fifty grand, in his hand today, for his forty percent in Underworld. Adam tells him he does not want to sell. Danny replies, 'Look, we both know it's not going to work. You can't stand me and I'm becoming less fond of your comedy Barnet by the second.' Adam tells him he admires the way he runs the business, 'You're ruthless, conniving. I have every faith in you.' Danny asks, 'So you are just going to sit in here every day creaming off the profits are you?' Adam smirks, 'On the money I'll be making I might do little travelling.' Danny snorts, 'Well try and make it as far away as possible.' Ken arrives and tells them he is happy to see they are already putting their heads together. Danny snorts, 'Yeah, just don't mention the 'w' word. He might break into a sweat.' Ken asks, 'What? Has he not been pulling his weight.' Danny informs him, 'He's not even shown his face once. Been in here all day,' and leaves. Ken asks if this is true but Adam just shrugs, 'It's no big deal Granddad.'

Charlie breaks the news to Sarah. She cries, 'What do you mean he's gone? Where?' Charlie replies, 'Through the toilet window apparently.' Sarah's phone beeps and she pulls it out to find a message from Jason. All it says is 'sorry. Can't do it. Luv J x.

Audrey screeches, 'A text? He's sent you a text?' Eileen cries, 'Something must have happened. He wouldn't just....' Gail erupts, 'wouldn't what? Jilt his bride at the altar and send her a text to tell her? He just has!' Audrey tells Gail that she isn't helping matters. Eileen cries, 'There has to be an explanation. He thinks the world of Sarah. I know he does!' Sarah seems dumbstruck, trying to take in what is happening to her. Suddenly, she breaks away from the group and runs outside.

After David has announced to the congregation that Jason has done a runner, the room quickly empties. Charlie picks up a book. Maria asks what it is and he opens it, 'They wrote their own vows.' She reads, 'All my hopes and dreams I share with you, for now and all eternity. Aw.' Charlie adds sarcastically, 'More like out of the window I will go and you will never see me again!' She asks, 'How could he just leave her like that?' He replies, 'I don't know. I hope it wasn't anything that 'I' said.' She tells him she knows Jason looks up to him, '... but I hardly think he hangs off your every word.' He tells her, 'You know the worst thing?' then laughs, 'It's too late to cancel the hotel I booked for them. I'm down a hundred and fifty quid... unless?' She asks what and he replies, 'Unless you and me check in instead.' She gasps that she can't believe he is saying this, 'You've got a girlfriend!' He smiles, 'She is miles away. It's got a four poster bed, mini bar, trouser press.' She laughs 'Oh you're really selling it to me now. Charlie, you're my landlord. It's unprofessional.' He smiles. 'Fair enough,' and walks away, calling out over his shoulder, 'It's got a Jacuzzi bath.'

As Sarah sits sobbing under a tree, Gail comes clattering down the path towards her. She reaches her and puts her arms round her. Sarah cries, 'It's like a bad dream. All those people staring at me, knowing. Why would he do that to me mum, why?' Gail hugs her closer and little Bethany rushes over to cuddle up to her mum.

Just going to end with two awards. These awards are 'Best handyman and 'best advice giver'

Jason: This iron isn't getting out any of the creases.
Eileen: Try switching it on!

Katie Fairclough

We open in the Grimshaw house, where Eileen is trying to contact Jason, but all she's getting is his voicemail. She leaves a message, pleading with him to get in touch. She finishes with, "I love you."

David is peering through the net curtains and sees Maria walk into the corner shop across the road. He asks Gail if Sarah's up yet, but Gail thinks it's not surprising that she isn't. "How do you face the world when you've been humiliated like that?" she says. David remarks that the course of true love never did run smooth, but Gail scoffs and says that Jason never did love Sarah. "Love doesn't stand you up at the alter," she says, adding that Jason just wanted what his brother had had. David then sees Maria come out of the shop and rushes off out of the house.

With the baby in the buggy, Claire goes into the taxi office to see Eileen. Steve says that she's probably too ashamed to show her face after the previous day's events, and tells her it's left him with a problem has he has a job in ten minutes and no-one to man the switch. Claire is quick to volunteer, "I got here just in time then!" she chirps. Steve protests that she can't do it in her condition (being a mother is a condition?) but Claire irritably says she doesn't know why people expect her to stay indoors looking at the same four walls every day. "It's driving me mental!" she snaps, and says that Eileen is probably running a bit late, and she wouldn't offer if she didn't want to do it. "I think you'll find you're in my chair!" she laughs, so Steve vacates it immediately.

In the salon, David is telling Maria and Audrey rather scornfully how Sarah just lies in bed all day. Maria's sympathies lie with Sarah. "I think she's got every right," she says, "if the man I loved did that to me I think I'd just crumble," she says. David then tries to get back into Maria's good books. "I think Jason is well out of order," he says, "love doesn't stand you up at the alter, does it? And I think Jason just wanted what Todd had." (Haven't we heard this somewhere before?") Maria starts to look at David with something that looks like the beginnings of admiration, when Audrey shuts him up and tells him not to say any more about it.

Over at the Platt household, Sarah ventures downstairs, where Gail is helping Bethany with her picture of the old woman who lived in a shoe. "Maybe that's how I'll end up," says Sarah. She then sits down and tries to explain to Bethany that Jason is not going to be her new daddy after all, and she's not sure if they'll ever see him again.

Eileen is in the pub, moaning about Jason, and how he's taken off at the first thoughts of responsibility. "Just like his father," she says, bitterly. Sean comments that Jason is quite immature, and Liz says it's like the film, Runaway Bride, only this time it's Runaway Groom. She laughs. "No, Liz," says Eileen, "films like that are there to put a smile on your face, there is nothing mildly heartwarming about this mess." Sean asks if, when Jason does come back, Eileen will give him a slap. "No," she says, "I'm going to hug him and tell him I love him." Liz and Sean both says, "Ahhhhh, that's nice," until Eileen adds, "And then I'm going to punch his lights out!"

David and Maria are walking down the street and he's showing her a game on his mobile phone. Charlie comes along and asks, pointedly, if he should be watching things like that at his age. "I'm not a kid," says David, "I've got a job." "If this was Victorian times you'd be selling matches in the street," sneers Charlie, leaving David looking confused and hurt. Charlie asks Maria if she'd like to go for a quick drink with him but she tells him she's promised to go for lunch with David in the cafe. "Who does he think he is?" mutter David as they watch Charlie walk away.

The minute he sees them disappear into the cafe, Charlie lets himself into Maria's flat.

Rosie and Craig are packing his stuff in the squat, in preparation for his move to the Croppers'. Just then she gets a text from Laura and goes off to meet her. As she goes she says she'll see him later. "Not if I see you first!" he jokes. "Oh please don't say that," she says, "that phrase is like, so last century!" Craig looks hurt as she walks away.

Inside Maria's flat, Charlie fiddles with the plumbing at the kitchen sink.

Audrey goes round to see Sarah. As she cuddles her granddaughter, Sarah bursts into tears. "I hate him Gran!" she wails. Audrey comforts her and tells her that Maria says she'll come over and see her. Sarah says that she doesn't want to see anyone, but Audrey tells her she told her to text her first. Going over to Gail at the kitchen table, Audrey says that she feels dreadful because she helped Sarah with the wedding, and admits that Gail was right. "I shall listen to you in the future," she says. (Oh I hope not – more than one sanctimonious resident of Coronation Street is more than I could cope with!) With a smug smirk on her face, Gail says they ought to start returning the wedding presents.

Claire is having a wonderful time working the switch at the taxi office, as the baby sleeps in his pushchair. Ashley comes in, saying he's been looking everywhere for her, going out of his mind, and feels that Steve and Lloyd shouldn't be taking advantage of her like that. Claire tells him she offered, and he should go home, she'll see him later. Cross, Ashley takes the baby and goes.

Maria phones Sarah to see if she can go and see her. While she's talking on the phone she turns the tap on to get a drink of water when suddenly there's water squirting everywhere! In a panic she rings Charlie.

Craig is helping out in the cafe when Rosie comes back. "Sorry I didn't help with the move, I was with Laura," she says. Sally is at a table and asks Craig if he's sick of the sound of her, she knows she is. Craig tries to be diplomatic, "Well, friendship's important, isn't it?" he says. "Well there's friendship," says Sally, "and there's obsession." Sally departs to go and put the tea on, and Rosie raves on about the wonderful Laura, telling him that she is SO funny. "She's hysterical," she says, "I can't wait for you to meet her!" Craig looks as if he's prepared to wait until hell freezes over!

In the Rovers, Sean tells Michelle that Steve is staring at her. "Which one's Steve?" she asks. "My son," butts in Liz. "I wouldn't kick him out of bed," says Sean, which shocks Liz. "Sean!" she says, "Ugh!"

Over at the table, Eileen tells Sean he's making it obvious. "I'm very choosy about my women," he says. "Oh, you only pick those with borderline psychotic tendencies?" comments Eileen. Vernon tells him that any bloke that goes for Michelle is asking for trouble, her brothers make the Sopranos look like Four Poofs and Piano (for the uninitiated they appear on a UK chat show with Jonathan Ross). "And the bottom line is she doesn't really do relationships," he adds. Steve says he never fancied her anyway.

Behind the bar Sean insists that Steve is staring at Michelle. Liz is adamant that it's her he's staring at, "He's always been a mummy's boy," she says.

Charlie is fixing Maria's taps, and she's grateful to him for coming round at short notice. She offer him a beer, "Or do you have to be somewhere?" she asks. He tells her he's got all night, and as she passes him the can he grips her hand. "What are you doing?" she asks. "Does it offend you?" he asks, and she says it doesn't. He then turns on the charm, telling her she's the fittest woman he's ever clapped eyes on, and they'd better get her out of her wet clothes!

In the Peacock household, Claire is preparing dinner. She tells Ashley she refuses to be a stay-at-home mum who stays in watching tv. She needs stimulation. He tells her she's got him for that. She explodes that he is so sexist and then tells him that he's like a mini Fred. "Loads of women go back to work after having a baby," she cries, "why can't I?" Ashley storms off upstairs saying he can't be doing with it.

In the pub, Vernon asks Liz what she thinks of Michelle. Liz says she's ok, she's known worse and she's known better. As she goes back behind the bar and Michelle comes out to collect glasses, Vernon stops her and tells her that Liz is working late that night, if she fancies doing anything. "With you?" queries Michelle. "Do you think I'm going to blot my copybook? Think again, Vern."

Audrey and Gail are returning the wedding present Rosie gave. "What is it?" asks Audrey, handing back the rectangular box, "a knife set?" Rosie tells her it's hair straighteners, but they weren't for Jason. "Oh I don't know," says Audrey, "very vain, Jason!" What she doesn't know is that Eileen has come up behind her. "Give it a rest, Audrey," she snaps. They then start arguing loudly about what her son has done to Audrey's granddaughter and how now Eileen has lost both of her sons. In the background Rosie stands there grinning, loving every minute. Eventually Gail leads Audrey away and Eileen goes indoors.

Maria and Charlie are enjoying their drink on the sofa, and talking about Jason and Sarah. Charlie says he knows how she feels, when Shelley did that to him a little piece of him died. He fell in love too easily and said he'd never feel that way again. She says he must feel that way with Tracy, but he tells her it's weird how lonely you can feel even when you're living with someone. He gets through every day hoping he'll find his 'get-out' clause (oh please!) –someone special. "Maybe one day she'll come along," says Maria. "Oh, she's come along, I'm looking right at her," says Charlie, looking closely at her. He runs his hand along her knee. "And I could go on looking at her, all night." Maria has her doubts, "I don't know if we should," she falters. "I know you want to," says Charlie, seductively. Maria protests that that doesn't make it right. Charlie tells her that he's going to kiss her and if it doesn't feel right they can stop and pretend it never happened. He kisses her, and then asks if he should go home. She doesn't answer so he moves towards the door. "Charlie!" she stops him, "wait, don't go!" They kiss, and he tells her to get into the bedroom……

Anne Logan.

Well, here I am back from North Ronaldsay (again), full of cake and free whisky and ready to bring you Friday's Corrie.

We start off in Maria's flat where she has one of those "uh oh, who's in bed with me?" moments you see so often on TV. The doorbell goes. It's David, fetching the salon keys for his gran. He's desperate to be invited up and Maria is desperate to stop him.

At Eileen's place, she's on the phone to someone called Ben, who answers Todd's phone. She tells Sean she didn't ask if he was Todd's boyfriend. Apparently Jason hasn't been in touch with his brother. Eileen is getting more and more worried.

Maria comes back upstairs after getting rid of David and Charlie is already up. He asks if he can hop into the shower. Now Maria looks nearly as worried as Eileen.

Adam has a hangover and Ken is trying to get him to act more sensibly. He tells Adam he's disappointed that he's wasting the money spent on his education. Ken says he used to teach children who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths. "And if they had half the privileges that you've had, they wouldn't be sat on that sofa now, reeking of booze." Adam has the grace to look ashamed.

Roy and Frankie are talking about children. Roy thinks Craig is perfectly brought up. Always tidy. Never any trouble. Craig himself is sitting at a table with Rosie, who can't believe that Hayley makes puddings. "My mother thinks it's a treat if she gets the three-coloured ice-cream out!" Her phone goes. It is, of course, Laura. Craig goes to wash up their dishes, but Frankie tells him she'll do it. She starts to tease him but he takes it seriously and she has to explain she was joking. Roy says there's something to be said for seriousness, and they all look at Rosie, who is still giggling away to Laura. Frankie reassures Craig that Rosie and Laura are sure to fall out soon.

Charlie tells Maria he thought she might come in and scrub his back. But Maria feels terrible. Charlie points out that he has no plans to tell Tracy that he and Maria slept together. "If you want this to be a one off and we just forget all about it, then I'll be happy with that," he assures her. Maria is happy to put it all down to a moment of madness.

Craig is grating cheese when Rosie rushes over to tell him she's been invited to Laura's family's holiday home in Devon. She tells him she's not going to leave him in the lurch and will make some excuse. Craig wants her to admire the topping he's put on a dish. "Craig, you're grating cheese, not feeding the five thousand," she says patronisingly.

Sarah is slumped on the sofa, still in her 'jamas, watching TV. Gail tries to cheer her up, but nothing is working. Sarah is too embarrassed to see people.

Charlie is stacking stuff in the yard when he hears a wolf whistle. He thinks it's Maria, but tis Tracy, who says she missed him desperately. She's come back to surprise her. Charlie tells her he's been "so lonely" without her!

Audrey upsets Frankie by telling her she shouldn't be thinking of Botox treatment, when all Frankie said was that the article she was reading was about Botox. Maria gets a text from the bank telling her she's about to go over her overdraft limit.

In the pub, Sean and Violet and the new barmaid, Michelle, discuss Jason and Sarah. Michelle describes Jason as a pillock, then goes to serve Eileen. Oops. She ends up chasing Eileen down the street to apologise.

When she catches Eileen, she admits her own son ran away for a while last year. "I'm not usually that vile, I swear."

In the salon, Frankie's new "do" looks as if she's wearing Maria's hair. Maria snaps at David then apologises, saying she's worried about the bank.

Liz is not impressed with Michelle, though Sean says she's got nice, shiny hair. Violet and Sean tell Liz that Michelle will flirt with anyone, even Vernon. Liz thinks Michelle has so much mascara on she must have to throw her head back to blink. Danny comes in and tells Frankie that Warren wants him to come over to Spain to watch some matches. Frankie thinks maybe it's time to test Adam by leaving him in charge.

On a bench outside the chippie, Rosie and Craig are talking and it takes about 20 seconds for Craig to convince Rosie she should go on holiday with Laura. Then she breaks the news that it's for three weeks.

David offers to lend Maria some money. He's got £80 saved up. Tracy comes in, startling Maria, and says she wants to look good for Charlie.

In the pub, Michelle chats to Steve and they're getting on OK, when Liz comes over to interrupt them. She's very sarcastic and Michelle goes back to work.

Gail is still trying to persuade Sarah to learn from her experience and move on. "One day you'll meet someone special who'll take care of you," she promises, though Sarah thinks there's little chance of that. "You can have any man you want," says Gail. "I wanted Jason," Sarah points out. Gail says: "Before that, you wanted Todd." One day she'll want someone else. "It's going to happen. I promise."

Danny arrives at the Barlows'. He tells Adam he'll have to run the factory for a couple of weeks. Ken thinks Danny is wasting his time, but Adam says he'll take over the reins, "no bother."

At the salon, Maria has, astoundingly, made Tracy's fringe longer than it was before Tracy arrived. Or perhaps she's shrunk Tracy's head. Goodness knows we've all wanted to do that often enough! Tracy is still going on about Charlie. Maria rushes off, leaving David to take the money from Tracy. Charlie comes in and kisses Tracy, then dumps Amy on David so he can have a quiet word in the back with Maria. He tries to pay Maria extra, but she won't accept. When Tracy goes, Charlie quickly whispers "Sorry, love, alright. See you later," and runs his fingers down Maria's face. He leaves and she rushes to the window just in time to see him do almost the same gesture to Tracy. The Venetian blinds and salon neon sign cast a strange green glow over her face!

The End
Margaret Carr

A great big welcome as we start of a new week. Nothing exciting to tell you, so off I go with tonight's report.

Starting of with Charlie and Tracy continue to reacquaint themselves (!) by snogging all over each other as if they were two lovesick teenagers. They have both missed each other.

As Claire comes out of her door, Tracy calls over to her that she should take the baby-with-still-no-name-but-I-understand-will-be-called-Thomas inside to protect it from the ozone layer. Claire retorts that Tracy should go inside for the same reason as she is wearing a bikini top. (the hot weather has gone from the UK and we have seasonal mild temperatures and rain now!).

Kevin is helping Sally to get off for her holiday. She calls over to Rosie and Sophie to hurry up. Rosie is 'busy' with Craig. Sophie says she has gone off men, and calls out to Rosie that that meant "get your tongue out of his gob". (I couldn't have put it more delicately myself!)

Kirk is in the Rovers and wonders whether Jason will return. (Clue: in soapland if you leave, your name doesn't get mentioned anymore). Maria thinks he will.

Sarah comes into the Rovers with Gail and Audrey. Sarah apologises to Liz for her trouble. Liz says it was no trouble and the drinks are on the house. Eileen and Sean come in and decide to ignore Sarah, Gail and Audrey. Eileen is still very worried about Jason and his whereabouts.

Danny is briefing Adam about the business and things that he should be made aware of. It is obvious that Adam is not taking in a word of what he saying. He just tells Danny that he will cope.

Maria talks about her flat with Violet. The young barmaid expresses concern about Maria's landlord. She says he really is ok. She then invites Joanne to be her flat-mate, subject to Charlie's approval.

Eileen decides to go over to Sarah, Gail and Audrey to ask if they have heard from Jason. She gets a mouthful from Gail followed by one from Sarah who says he can "go to hell".

Down the street, Danny pops over to see Frankie. He hints that he could always take her with him. She responds with a kiss (which is better than a wet kipper!!)

Kevin asks Craig if he got on ok with the Croppers. He said he did, but Kevin invites Craig over for tv (football) and alcoholic beverage!

Joanne meets Charlie in the street. She thanks him for letting her stay at the flat. She soon realises that Charlie doesn't know anything about this. He, being devious, says that he won't make a decision until Maria asks him.

Ashley is playing at home with Joshua. Claire calls out and suggests that the two of them go to the park.

Charlie, can't wait for it (the question that is!), so goes round to Maria's flat and asks her about Joanne moving in. He is annoyed that she had even suggested it without talking to him. She says that she cannot afford to continue living there. Charlie thinks she shouldn't have taken on the flat in the first place. Maria said she thought she would be able to afford it.

Kevin and Craig are watching the game on tv. Then Craig gets a text message (no it isn't Britney Spears!) Rosie saying everything is wonderful. Craig does not look too happy.

Maria offers to leave the flat. Charlie persuades her to stay (obviously realising the advantage of keeping her there). She thanks him but she believed now that Tracy is back, she wouldn't be wanted. Charlie explains to her that when Tracy had an abortion, he wasn't consulted. He would have loved a baby. He says he is only staying with her until he has finished doing up the house. They fall into each others arms for an embrace, she tells him that "[he's] nicer than everyone thinks" and they start kissing. The scene ends with Maria "dragging" him along by a finger!!

Claire is at home interviewing a potential child-minder. Ashley is not having it and sends her home.

Jason walks down the street, still in his wedding suit, but looking a little crumpled. He knocks on the door of the Platts. Gail answers the door, and he immediately says he "needs to speak to Sarah". Gail threatens him with the police if he doesn't go. Sarah yells at him that that he is a cheat and liar. All Jason can do is agree with her. Charlie yells out to Jason that he is expected in 9am sharp.

Ashley is annoyed at Claire for organising a childminder without consulting him. He thinks she is desperate to return to work

Sarah and Jason are sitting alone together. He says he was going ahead with the wedding but at the last minute it all hit him. The thought of the "rest of our lives together" hit him. He panicked. Too many people had got involved. He says he does want her. Sarah doesn't want to know

And there we leave the events of Weatherfield. I do hope you enjoyed it. Next to hold the writers' pen will be Richard and Katie.

Martin Rosen

Molly is about to move away with Diggory - unless of course she moves in with Tyrone. Oddly he agrees without even asking V and Jack. The liberties of the youth of today. Much later they start worrying about how to tell V/J. They decide Molly will help with the housework. Jack asks them to join him and V. Before they can even ask V says that of course she can move in - she has been waiting for them to ask!! And they can move in provide Monica is trained to stay off the sofa.

Gail, wearing a dressing gown collects the milk, hurls abuse at Eileen hoping she has not killed the fatted calf (for Jason who returned from nowhere) as Jason will no doubt be going - according to Eileen he is going ... to work! Sarah is not that important. Gail goes indoors and relays this to Sarah who snaps at her to shut up and says that if she can deal with Jason then both her and Eileen can give it a rest.

Claire and Ashley argue briefly - she threatens to leave now but Ashley does not have time to deal with it.

Maria tells Charlie that she has told Joanne that she cannot have her as a flat mate - and then they flirt. Stupid girl. Jason wanders past and effectively gets re-instated to his job - once he has put the kettle on.

There are a couple of scenes emphasising how well Craig is settling into the Croppers - except for the lack of choice of television programmes.

Claire is cleaning the kitchen when her mother phones. Then she rushes over to Streetcars and asks to borrow one of the cabs so she can drive around the un-named baby and make him sleep. Claire loses her temper at the cross chat from Les and Eileen and gets some keys. She drives to the park and stops, winds down a window, checks baby is asleep and locks the car and walks away.

Craig is working in the shop whilst Dev is away collecting Amber from the airport. His detachment is obvious - but later he agrees to play cards with the Croppers to fill his evening. Within minutes of Amber returning we get her first strop - sadly not as entertaining as Nicky in Big Brother.

Outside on the Street the Jason / Sarah story continues to excite. She is watching him working outside from her bedroom. Kirk still wants an answer to his question - did Jason really need the toilet or was his departure pre-meditated (no alright Kirk did not use that word). Fuzz tells Jason that he is no friend of Kirk's any longer in view of his treatment of Sarah. Jason makes a very clear that he still loves Sarah and is determined to win her back and shouts at her as she watches.

Later we see the baby still in the car and Ashley has returned with Josh from his visit to Matt and Claire is not at home. A passer by sees the car with baby apparently abandoned who uses her mobile to phone StreetCars. Eileen takes the call and dashes out leaving Les on the switch. She rushes to the shop to find Ashley and Josh. She recounts the story so far and Ashley rushes off leaving Josh in the care of Eileen.

K Richard W

Part 2

So as we left the story, Eileen rushed round to Ashley to tell him that baby Thomas (but to be fair at that point it was baby-without-a-name!) seemed to be abandoned in a car.

As you might expect Ashley dashes out of the shop. He jumps into his car and pulls up by the taxi and sees the baby inside the car. He tries to reassure his son that everything is going to be alright. However, that just sets him off screaming.

A kindly passer-by offers her bicycle to him to smash open the window of the car. Just as he gets in, Claire turns up, surprised at what Ashley was doing. Ashley is so angry that he wants nothing to do with Claire, he doesn't even stop for an explanation and goes off with the little 'un.

Back in Charlie's yard, Jason is in the office writing a letter of apology to Sarah. Charlie manages to snatch the letter away from Jason. However Jason hits a raw nerve with Charlie when he suggests that Charlie doesn't treat his women right. He reminds Jason that while he was going out with Violet he slept with Sarah. [I really think soap writers invent their characters and then pair them off with each other in turn!].

Tracy turns up and asks Charlie what she wants for dinner. She says she is planning something special. Charlie suspects that it will be a takeaway meal as usual. He does, however, suggest that he would like something hot, to which Tracy tells him that he already has her (yuk!).

Claire calls over to Ashley to ask what his problem was. He has now calmed down sufficiently to answer her. He tells her that the passer-by saw the baby lying unattended in the car so she called the taxi company. Claire maintains that she could see the car and the baby all the time. (So why didn't she see the woman ringing the taxi office or Ashley turning up?).

At the Rovers, Jason meets up with Kirk. Kirk asks Jason where he went after he left the wedding. Jason replies that he went to see some old schoolmates. It did help focus his mind he said. He doesn't want him and Sarah to live in a flat where he is scraping all his money together to eek out an existence between them. The wedding brought it all to a head. Kirk suggests that Jason puts it all down in a letter to Sarah.

Back in the Rovers, Vera tells Jack that she is looking forward to Molly moving in with Tyrone. She will be moving into a little love-nest. She tells Jack that romance is catching – at which point Jack heads for the toilet !!

Hayley sees Eileen with Josh in the street. She tells Hayley that Claire has a hospital appointment and she is looking after Josh. Eileen explains that she is supposed to be back at work, so Hayley , who conveniently has a half day off work, offers to look after him.

Charlie talks to Maria outside her flat. He tells her to ignore anything that Tracy says. He wants her. She tells him to pop round later if he has nothing else on. He is hoping that she won't have anything on later when her clothes go on the bedroom floor.

Amber goes to the garage and tells Kevin that when she was in Finland she helped her stepdad to fix his car. She would like to help Kevin now. Kevin responds by saying that he will give it some serious thought.

In the street a banner has appeared. Amber points it out to Norris, and then David points it out to Gail. They call Sarah over. On the banner is the words from Jason 'Sarah, I luv you. Sorry babe x ' (the punctuation is mine! I presume there is a cross at the end because he couldn't write his name!!).

Back in the park, Ashley is trying to find out from Claire if there is anything wrong with her or the baby. She tells him that they are both okay. He tells her that she doesn't need to bring in a nanny. But she is confused. After Ashley asks her again what is wrong, she blurts out that her mother is dying. Ashley wonders if it is cancer. Claire says she can't even bear to say the word. She says her mother doesn't want anyone to know about it.

Amber tells Dev about her idea to work in the garage. Dev is not happy that is dear little daughter may get her hands dirty! He tells her that she has a job in the shop.

Jason tells Charlie about his banner. Charlie thinks that there has been too much excitement for one day, and suggests they finish early. Jason reminds Charlie that he told Tracy that they were very busy and he would be working till late. Charlie says he has a lot of "paperwork" to do. Jason gives a knowing smile and says he is a one-woman-man.

Dev goes to see Kevin to express his concerns about Amber working in the garage. Kevin promises that he will give her boring jobs to do. Dev seems relieved

Jason goes round to Sarah's house and sees that his banner has gone. Norris delights in telling him that she ripped it down.

Fiz is getting bored with her routine life. She overhears Molly offering to make Tyrone fishcakes. She tells Kirk that she wants fishcakes, but he says he isn't any good at making cakes. Fiz tries to explain that it is the principle of the thing. She goes to the factory and comes home to the pub every day. She complains that he does nothing exciting. Kirk then grabs her arm and starts pulling her backwards down the street. She asked why he was doing that, and he explains they have never walked backwards before.

Just as Charlie is locking up the yard to go to Maria's Tracy turns up. She is surprised that he is leaving, to which he replies that it is so he can get back to her. Maria watches this happen through the upstairs window.

Eileen returns Josh to Ashley (presumably she didn't want to tell him that she sub-contracted the job to Hayley). She detects there is something wrong with him. He tells her about Claire's mother. She says Claire is running around the house doing so much, he is very concerned for her.

Martin Rosen

On the steps of the factory, Fizz is moaning to Kirk about the monotony of their everyday lives, how they do the same things all the time. Kirk can't really see any problem with this.

Tracy is opening the post and moaning to Charlie about the fact that her credit card has been stopped. "I only owe a couple of thousand," she whines, "what's the use of having a card if they don't let you use it?" Charlie knows a great scheme for not getting your card stopped – it's called getting a job! Tracy however, says that it's important to her to be a full time mother to Amy. "You must be joking!" scoffs Charlie, and points out that if Amy's not with Deirdre or Steve, she's stuck in front of the television with a packet of crisps. Tracy is furious at these home truths. "I'd be careful if I were you," she snarls, "I might just put something in your dinner!" He tells her that the way it tastes he usually thinks she has! She raises her hand to slap him but he catches her arm. "So if I slag off your mothering skills that's fine, but if I criticise your cooking….?" He turns and walks out of the door, despite her yelling at him not to walk away from her.

Out in the street, Maria has just passed as Charlie comes out, and, hearing Tracy scream his name, turns around just as a cup comes smashing down the path behind him. She hears Tracy yell, "If you think I'm going to be here when you get back you've got another think coming!" The door slams, and Charlie goes back and calls through the letterbox, "What no goodbye kiss?" Then, winking at Maria he saunters off to work.

Once there, he's met by Jason who tells him he's got another idea for a grand gesture that might win Sarah back. Charlie is of the opinion that nothing short of abducting her at gunpoint is going to work.

Sarah has gone back to work for the first time since being jilted. Audrey tries to make her feel better by telling her that things will get better. "Yes," says David, "we might find that Eileen's got another son that we know nothing about!" Sarah just burst into tears and runs into the back room.

Over at the garage, Amber is clad in maroon overalls and soon proving that she already knows quite a bit about cars. She's helping Tyrone with an oil change, and tells Kevin, "When I've finished I'll give this one a wash." Kevin laughs and looks at Tyrone and says, "And when you've finished can you give the car one as well?"

Norris walks into the Kabin, and immediately starts moaning about the fact that Amber is working at the garage. "A girl like that working in a place like that?" he huffs, "overalls on, covered in oil…." Rita is trying to talk to Emily about a bank holiday coach trip, and asks what it's got to do with him. He says that Amber is a very bright girl who could be anything – a lawyer, an accountant, an airline pilot! He thinks it's a cry for paternal attention. Fiz walks in then, still moaning about her boring week. Rita tells her she's got the bank holiday weekend to look forward to. Norris says that she could always join the "Golden Girls" on their coach trip to Chester. Fiz says she doesn't know what's wrong with her, and that Kirk is worse than useless. "He's got no get up and go," she moans.

Back in the salon, Betty is under the drier. Above the noise of it, she loudly asks Sarah if she's doing anything nice for the weekend. "Oh, same as I did last weekend," says Sarah, "sit in my room and cry my eyes out." "Lovely," replies Betty, obviously unable to hear properly, "I hope the weather keeps fine for you!"

Audrey asks David to go and get some milk, but he's back within seconds, and tells Sarah to come outside. "You'll never guess what Lame Brain's done now," he laughs. Stuck on walls and windows all the way down the street, are posters that read "Jason and Sarah, together fourever" "Well," says David, "at least his spelling's getting better!" Sarah then runs down the street, frantically tearing each poster down.

Maria is standing near the bus stop, looking at one of Jason's posters, when Tracy comes along. "What is he on?" laughs Tracy, "he jilts her at the altar one week, and he's already crawling back." Maria points out that is wasn't actually an altar, but a registry office.

Kevin goes into the butchers and he and Ashley talk about the baby, who still hasn't got a name. Ashley tells Kevin that they have to register him by Friday. Kevin asks him if he'd like to come out for a drink that evening but Ashley says he can't. "Why not? Frightened to leave Claire alone with the baby?" he jokes. Ashley says he's just tired and wants to get an early night.

Out in the Street, Claire is pushing the baby along when Hayley comes rushing over. Claire looks less than delighted to see her. "Oooh!" coos Hayley, and tries to make conversation. "How's Josh enjoying having a little brother?" she asks. "Yeah, fine," says Claire, curtly. "Has he got a name yet?" asks Hayley. "Nope," says Claire. Hayley turns her attention back to the baby, "you are the double of your mummy, aren't you," she twitters. Claire is obviously affronted by this. "Why do you say that?" she demands to know. Hayley looks perplexed, and stares at her. "Oh, I've got to go," says Claire and walks off.

Norris walks past Amber working at the garage, and says loudly that he thought slavery had been abolished. Tyrone asks what it's got to do with him, and Amber points out that no one is forcing her. He then tells Amber that she should be at home studying and she reminds him that it's the holidays. "The brain never takes a holiday," he says. "Not true," Amber retorts quickly, "Kirk's has been sat in a deck chair in Blackpool since the late nineties!" Kirk, standing there eating a burger, shouts "Oi!" Amber then tells him that she would have thought he would have been more interested in Jason's posters than in her. Norris doesn't know about the posters and when she tells him where they are he can't wait to rush off to see them. Rita comes out then, wondering where Norris has got to with their sandwiches. He just shoves them at her and charges off

Rita sees Kirk and beckons him over.

Maria arrives home and as she unlocks her front door, Tracy, Charlie and Jason are standing outside the yard, discussing Jason's posters. Tracy calls over to ask what Sarah thought of the poster campaign, and Jason runs up to her. "She's not answering my texts," he tells her, "do you think it's too soon to go round there and give it another go?" Maria tells him to leave her out of it, and goes on inside.

Ashley arrives home to find Claire cleaning the cooker hood with a bowl of soapy water. "You only did that yesterday," he says, but she tells him she has to keep on top of it. "Do you think the baby looks like me?" she asks him. Ashley tells her of course he does, and adds that they have to give him a name. He suggests Thomas Duncan and Claire just says, "Yeah, fine." "What, just like that?" asks Ashley. "Why not?" says Claire, "it's nice."

Fizz and Maria are in the pub, and Fizz is still moaning about how boring Kirk is. She notices that Maria seems a bit distracted and asks her what's wrong. Eventually Maria tells her that she's seeing someone, but tells Fizz that it's Chris, the guy she was seeing before. She then starts telling Fizz how everyone thinks he's a gobby guy but underneath he's not like that at all, he's dead sweet. (Obviously this is how she sees Charlie – poor deluded girl!) "So what's the problem?" asks Fizz, and Maria tells her that he's with someone who has a kid. She then tells Fizz that she's beginning to realise that she's been a bit naïve about the whole thing. "So what are you going to do?" asks Fizz. "The only thing I can do really," says Maria, and goes straight off to do it.

Rita and Emily are asking Norris what he's going to be doing for the bank holiday. They are highly amused to find out that he's planning to visit The British Lawnmower museum, and The Cumberland Pencil Museum! This has them in fits of giggles and Rita points out it's a long way to go, especially when they have a shop full of them! Norris is extremely offended and goes to leave. Rita persuades him to stay, saying they were only having a bit of fun. As he goes to sit down again, Rita reads more from his list, "What about Barometer World?" she says, and collapses again with laughter. Norris snatches his list back and departs.

Charlie drives up the Street, just as Maria is heading towards the yard, being followed and questioned by Jason who wants to know what Sarah has said to her. She tells him to leave her out of it as Charlie pulls up. "Can't keep away?" he asks her. She asks him if he could just come up to the flat and he says he'll be up there soon.

Jason walks in his front door to find all his posters have been posted back through his letterbox.

In the pub, Kirk walks over to Rita and thanks her, saying it's all worked out a treat. He then goes back to Fizz and asks her how she fancies a weekend away in the Peak District. She is overwhelmed but delighted, saying it's just perfect. Then he breaks the news that Tyrone and Molly are coming with them. Her face freezes as Molly calls out to her, "Can you believe it?" "No," says Fizz, "not really."

In her flat, Charlie and Maria are greeting each other with a long, lingering kiss. Then she pulls away. She then tells him she can't do this. "We can do what we like," says Charlie, still trying to kiss her. "No, we can't," says Maria, "not when there's other people involved." He wants to know what's brought this on. She says she's not as good at this as he is. "Little Miss Goody Two Shoes?" he laughs. She tells him they should finish it before it goes too far. "You're dumping me?" he asks, incredulous. "It's for the best, Charlie," she tells him. He stares at her for several seconds. "Ok," he smiles, and gets up and walks out. Outside, the smile fades as he starts to remove her key from his key-ring, but then stops.

Anne Logan.

Right, here I am, back from a week off celebrating my 50th birthday by eating, drinking and roaming around bits of Scotland, ready to kick off Friday's update.

Maria walks down the street and is waylaid by Tracy, who has a pile of magazines she thinks might be wanted in the salon. This is very strange, because last time she was in there she slagged off the age of their magazines and generosity has never been her strong point. It's all a ploy by the scriptwriters, however, so we can see how uncomfortable Maria looks when Charlie comes out of the house behind Tracy to see what's going on. She stomps off, looking glum, and when Kirk asks if she wants to go away to a cottage for the bank holiday with him, Fizz, Molly and Tyrone, she agrees.

Roy is tidying the flat above the shop. Hayley comes out. They are both anxious about Craig and fitting him into the daily routine. Craig, seeming completely at ease, comes out and, after checking it's OK, heads for the shower.

Ashley plans to take some time off work to register the baby. Claire suggests he do it on his own. She says her mother is seeing a consultant in the hospital and she wants to wait for news. "Right then, Thomas Duncan, looks like me and you have got a date," he tells the baby.

In the corner shop, Maria is buying candles and tinned food, so Dev teases her about preparing for an invasion. As Charlie comes in, she tells him they're off to a cottage in the Peak District. "And are you thinking of sub-letting the flat while you're away?" Charlie asks. She's not. "So what are you telling me for. I'm just your landlord," he says, leaving Maria looking confused.

In the Kabin, Tyrone and Molly are buying sweets when Fizz and Kirk come in looking for travel sweets and Rita says she'll make up packets times four. Kirk and Fizz point out that they need five of everything, because Maria is also coming. Tyrone's face shows just how shocked he is by this. Molly doesn't look any happier.

A happy-looking Claire turns up to see Eileen in the taxi office. Eileen knows about Claire's mum, which upsets Claire. She leaves quite abruptly, but not before asking Eileen to come over at lunchtime. Eileen looks after her, thoughtfully.

Charlie is avoiding going home for lunch, telling Tracy he's working. She's checked the book and there's nothing in it, but he says it's the first chance he's had to fix CCTV in the yard and he's going to do it.

Cilla is purple. That's because she's on her sunbed. "Break it to me gently," she tells Chesney. "Ninety-three pounds and thirty-seven pence," he reads from the electricity bill. Cilla is horrified. She can't understand why the bill should be so high. "Did you ever think of lying out in the sun?" Chesney asks her. "And have Norris leering down on me from his bedroom window?" she asks. "I wouldn't give him the pleasure." Les arrives home unexpectedly. He thought he'd just pop back to see his family while it was quiet. "OK, you've seen us," says Cilla. "Now get back to work. We need the money." Ches shows Les the bills. He's not worried. "They're not final demands," he points out. Fizz and Kirk arrive with a supermarket trolley loaded with a computer. "Quick, shut the front door," Cilla tells Les. But Fizz says it's not knocked off. The factory is upgrading and offered this one cheap. Cilla is not impressed. Even if it only cost Fizz a few pounds, what will it cost them to run? "We're struggling to pay the electric as it is."

Claire watches daytime television and plays with her hair. The doorbell goes. It's Eileen, but Claire ignores the bell. She turns off the television and crawls over to crouch under the window.

Charlie is up a ladder fixing the CCTV. Jason reminds him about a job. Charlie tells him to get some petty cash from the office to get petrol. (Would that truck not use diesel? Does anyone know?) Charlie says the camera is time coded. As he adjust the angle, we see from its monitor that it faces right at Maria's front door.

Claire, apparently crying, is almost knocked over by Charlie leaping from the ladder. He tells her last night was a first -- he wasn't woken up by Claire's baby crying. Claire spits back something I couldn't catch even by replaying the tape, about Amy crying at two in the morning.

Jason arrives in the pub and Tracy checks up on where Charlie is. Jason says he's fitting cameras. "Guess that's the last of me using the petty cash as my own personal hole in the wall," Tracy says. "Yeah, me too," agrees Jason. Nearby, Norris mutters to Betty about things going back to normal for some people, despite the inconvenience they're put others to, with time off work etc. Betty points out that the Rovers' freezer is still full of quiches and sausage rolls. "I think they're talking about you," Tracy grins. "Yeah, you best get used to it," Jason tells her. The young folk are discussing the sleeping arrangements for the cottage. They're not sure how many beds there are. Maria watches painfully as Charlie agrees to take Tracy and Amy somewhere for the bank holiday weekend. But as he finishes hugging Tracy, Charlie looks over at Maria.

In the Kabin flat, Hayley comes up for lunch and is startled to find Craig there. He asks if he's in the way and she says he's not, but hurries away downstairs, complaining to Roy that she wanted a bit of time on her own. Cilla is eating her lunch in the cafe when Yana comes in. She admires Cilla's new top, ordered out of Yana's catalogue, and explains that the bill has come and she needs £12.99. Cilla makes a play of being down to her last £5 but promises to get the money to Yana later. Craig comes downstairs and says he's going out. Hayley tells Roy that she doesn't know what to do or not do for Craig. Should she be doing his washing? It's really strange having someone in the flat they have no real connection with. "If he's going to connect with anyone it's sure to be you," Roy tell her. "That's what you do, Hayley. You bring out the best in everyone."

Eileen meets Ashley and tells him about Claire not answering the door. Ashley rushes inside with baby Thomas and Claire is there. In answer to his questions, she explains that she did arrange to have lunch with Eileen, but when it came to it she couldn't be bothered. "Does that sound really awful? I didn't answer the door." "Shocking," Ashley smiles. He says Eileen didn't have any cakes or sandwiches on her when he saw her.

In the pub, Kirk is dragged off to pack because Fizz doesn't want to spend Friday night in. Maria says she'd better go and check through her wardrobe. "Jeans, T-shirt, jumper, socks and undies twice. That's all I'm taking," Molly says. Tyrone says they'll be packed in five minutes. Maria asks if they mind her tagging along and they both say they don't. Is that the smell of burning pants? Maria leaves and Charlie also gets up to leave, telling Tracy there's this thing he has to do, called a job. He tells Jason to stay and look after Tracy. In the booth, Tyrone thinks it's great the way Molly is handling the idea of Maria coming away with them. "Who says I'm handling it?" asks Molly. She tells him that when she's his ex, she promises never to go on holiday with him. Tyrone responds that that's fine, because he doesn't plan on her ever being his ex. Awwwwwww.

In the street, Maria sees Charlie behind her. But as she reaches her door, he walks right past. He checks the camera as he goes into the yard.

In the shop, Dev leaves Amber in charge until Craig gets there. She is put out, telling Rita that sometimes she's useful, and sometimes she's just a responsibility he wishes he didn't have. She says Dev's going to see Sunita and the twins and in his mind they're already back together. There's no place for her in that picture. "He's not going to let anything spoil his chances, especially not me." Rita looks thoughtful.

As Cilla arrives back, Chesney and Les have the computer going, though I suspect the credit is due more to Ches than Les. Chesney thinks it will be brilliant for school. "Never mind school," says Les, "are there any games on it?" There's Minesweeper, Chesney points out. Cilla warns: "Don't get too close, Les, you've not got a lot left to lose." "MINEsweeper, not MIND," Ches says. There's Solitaire, which Les seems keen on until Cilla points out: "It won't be the only thing you're playing on your own if that thing gets more attention than me!"

Ashley teases Claire by saying he's registered the baby as Zac -- Zachary Winston Peacock. She snatches the certificate and is almost in tears as Ashley points out their names as mother and father.

Tracy arrives as Charlie is replaying the tape of Maria going to her door. He turns it back to the live picture before Tracy sees it. She says she waved but Charlie, now flicking through paperwork, says he wasn't watching. She leaves and he watches the tape again, pausing it as Maria turns to look towards the camera.

The End
Margaret Carr
(over the hill and gathering speed)

It is extremely annoying that during the week when EastEnders follows on from Coronation Street, ITV start the latter a few minutes late, obviously with the hope that Corrie will clash with the beginning of EastEnders. On Sunday when there is no clash, they start Corrie early! Therefore, having put the programme on the VCR, it had already started when the machine switched on. So missed the first minute or so.

So, it started (for me), with Charlie talking to Maria, I guess about their "friendship". As Maria goes off, Tracy comes by and asks what she wanted. Charlie fobs her off with the comment that her boiler needs servicing. (Rude thought comes into my mind, but I will spare that for your gentle minds!).

Over at the Peacocks, Claire says she needs to go to see her mother and get some shopping. Ashley offers to give her a lift. She says she will be ok and says she will take the bus.

Tyrone thinks Molly is upset about something. She tells him that she is "worried" about Maria coming along to their cottage holiday. She explains that she is sure that he would not be happy if one of her ex-boyfriends came along as well. She gives Tyrone an ultimatum that if she comes then she won't go. Tyrone says if she doesn't go, then he won't go.

Kirk and Chesney are playing a computer game on the internet. Cilla complains about the cost of the electricity and phone bill

Tyrone explains to Kirk about Molly/Maria situation. Kirk says that Maria is looking forward to the holiday.

David is chatting to Craig about Hayley. In a typical young-boy inquisitive way he asks Craig if he has accidentally on purpose caught Hayley in the shower. Craig is embarrassed about the subject, and says that when Rosie returns they are going to get a flat together. (I suspect she would rather share with one of her posh friends!).

In Maria's flat, she is busy ironing clothes ready for the holiday. Kirk blurts out that she can't come. She is understandably upset. Kirk now wishes he hadn't organised it in the first place and thinks about cancelling the whole thing. However, Maria reluctantly agrees not to come.

We are now getting in bathroom-mode again, with Hayley talking to Eileen about Craig's bathroom habits! It seems that some days he is in and out within about 10 minute. Other days he is in there for half an hour. Roy suggests a rota. Hayley says she would rather talk to him.

In the street, Maria sees Tyrone. She tells him that she is ok about not going on holiday with them. She says she would feel like a gooseberry. Charlie overhears this, and is rather pleased to hear that Maria is staying.

In the Corner Shop, Dev, the proud father, is showing off pictures of Sunita and the twins to Tracy (who I am surprised actually showed any interest). He then goes on to show them to an "extra" who was in the shop!

Ashley is leaving the butcher's shop, and tells Eileen that he is getting some sausages for the kids. Meanwhile, Charlie (boo, hiss) is lurking around and slips into Maria's flat. He fixes her washing machine so that it begins to leak (boo).

Chesney is sitting on his own in the street. Roy comes along and asks him if he has got anybody to play football with. When he says he hasn't Roy says neither had he at his age.

Fizz makes it plain to Kirk that she doesn't like Molly. She fears they are going to be stuck with her for the whole holiday.

Roy is explaining the internet to Chesney. He tells him that it could be a source of income. Roy says that he knows someone that sold something for a lot of money on an auction site. Chesney persuades Roy to show him.

There being no sign of Claire, Ashley gives Josh the sausages.

In Charlie's yard, he is waiting there looking through his "Maria-cam" , for her return home. When she gets in she finds the leak on the floor. She goes to Yellow Pages to find a plumber.

Claire returns home and apologises for being late. She didn't phone because she has a million other things to think about, concerning her mother. Her mother's place needs cleaning.

Tracy rings Charlie. He says he can come home because he has a call-out. At the same time, he is looking at his monitor and sees the plumber coming round (the fastest call-out for a plumber I have ever known!).

Hayley sees Craig and broaches the subject of the shower. She suggests that during the week that she should be able to use it between 7.15 – 7.55am. (What takes her so long in there?). Craig changes the subject.

Outside the corner shop Dev is sorting out some flowers for Sunita. He tells Amber that he still wants to get back together with her.

Kirk apologises to Fizz for inviting Molly. Fizz says that she is sure they will get on. However, when Tyrone brings his dog into the car, Fizz is far from happy.

Charlie sees the plumber leaving Maria's flat. He makes an excuse to see her and asks her what was wrong. Maria explains and Charlie asks her why she didn't contact him. She says she didn't want to bother him. He asks her how much he charged. Maria refuses to tell him. Charlie says he was probably a cowboy anyway. He offers to pay her the cost of a plumber. Maria refuses to take it. She tells him to go home.

Martin Rosen

First part of two episodes tonight

This episode is directed by Tim O'Mara

Outside the Factory every one is waiting to get in and just chatting. Adam comes with Joanne for his first day at work. Sean calls him Mr Barlow and sorts his tie. He lets them in. Maria walks along the street. Charlie's watching from his living room window as she passes by.

At number 6 Charlie comes away from the window as Tracy comes down stairs. Tracy is shocked and asks if he made Amy breakfast. He says he did and asks if she wants to go to Black pool for the day, saying Amy would love to ride on a donkey. Tracy does not want to because she needs to go shopping and because it's a bank holiday Monday. She tells him they need stuff for the house.

At the Peak District cottage Fizz wakes up Tyrone, Molly and Kirk. They say they are on holiday and its only nine in the morning. Kirk does not want to get up. Fizz says she will make them bacon and egg when they get up and shower. Fizz tells Tyrone to wash Monica at the same time as she smells. Tyrone thinks it's a great deal that they will get breakfast made for them if they get up. Kirk gets up but she stops him and says he is helping her make breakfast.

Outside in the street Les pulls up in a taxi gets out and sees Steve washing a cab. He tells him he has missed a bit. Steve throws the sponge at him and Les throws it back. Michelle approaches them and asks if she can have a cab to take her son to his athletics lessons. Steve asks how old he is and she says he is 14 and she has lived a full life. Vernon comes up and says he will walk her to the Rovers. Steve tells her they can talk about it at lunch. Vernon tells Steve he has missed a bit.

At the Yard Charlie watches his cameras they are pointing at his old flat that Maria is staying in. He gets up and tells Jason they his guy wants his work done tomorrow and he needs to go get supplies. He says it's a bank Holiday and the place won't be open. Charlie says the garden center is open. Jason says they are expensive. Charlie says, if the guy wants it done he's going to have to pay a bit more for the supplies. Tracy just comes along and says she wants to go to Black pool but is told she can't as lots of jobs have just come in. He gives her money telling her to go into town and do some of that shopping she wanted to do. She asks if he has time for lunch, he says he will lock up.

Over at the back of the Rovers Violet tells Liz she has swapped a shift. Michelle tells her she need to take her Ryan into town but Liz is not happy and says she cant pick her shifts. Violet says it's not a problem. When Liz goes Violet asks what is up with her and Michelle says me.

Back at no.6 Charlie just finishes his lunch and says it was great. Tracy says he could still come with them to town. He says no and tells her to have a good day as he goes.

Back at the Peak District Molly asks what they are going to do. Every one says pub except Fizz who says they always do that. She tells them there is lots they can do like go to a cave but no one wants to do that and Kirk says they have the rest of their lives for that. Fizz says what life and then pub it is. Kirk says result.

Maria's Flat and Charlie lets him self in. He puts on gloves and goes up the stairs. He then tips over the sofa. Walks about and then knock's stuff off the shelves and takes out all the stuff in drawers. He then heads for her bedroom.

Out side the Corner shop Amber is sorting the flowers when Norris from the Kabin says its quiet. She agrees and says everyone is away because of the bank holiday. Just then Dev comes out all happy and Norris tries to find out but has to go back inside the shop, as Violet wants napkins. Dev says he is going to see Sunita. Amber asks what if it gets busy. He tells her to shut the shop. He's in that of a good mood he does not really care.

Back to Charlie in Maria's flat. He messes up the bed and then tips all her rings and necklaces on to it. He takes some thing form it. He then goes back into the other room and breaks a picture frame and knocks stuff of the table. He then goes into the fridge and breaks the eggs on the floor and puts milk over them. He takes the bottle of wine and goes out the door.

At a pub in the Peak District Molly says the place is nice. Tyrone says it's a bit pricey. Fizz is still not happy and says they could of done this at the Rovers and asks why they bothered coming. Kirk says there is nothing else to do but she says there is lots. Fizz then says she is going for a walk and Tyrone asks if she will take Monica. Kirk says he will not come as he walks dog's everyday and wants a change. Molly says she will come.

Maria's flat, and Charlie looks out the door and then breaks the door and goes out.

At the Rovers Liz says if only Michelle was as good a pulling pints as she is blocks. Betty says she is nice and pulls her weight. Liz tells Vernon she has to go. Vera then is all over Michelle as he shows her how to pull a pint. She is not amused but says what would she do with out him.

At the yard Jason returns and Charlie says for him to get the stuff out the van.

Over at the Corner shop Norris comes in saying its still quiet and to get some fruit for his lunch. He then asks why she says man at the end of everything she says. They get on really good and he asks where Dev was going. She says if this is why he came in. He then asks if Dev and Sunita are getting back together and she says he didn't hear it from her.

No 6 and Charlie just comes in as Tracy is going shopping. He gives her more money that he stole from Maria's flat and Tracy thanks him and goes. He just smirks.

At the Factory Adam tells Joanne about an invoice that has not been paid and been asked for three times as some comes to ask if he wants a coffee. She asks why its not been paid and Adam says you tell me.

Rovers and Eileen sits next to Steve then Michelle comes over. They talk about taking her son to his lessons and says she would like the same driver. Steve says he will do it as she asks how much. Eileen says its £15. Steve quickly says it depends. Eileen says adds in rush hour it would be £20. Steve says they can do a deal. Eileen says they have been taking someone to Judo every week for two years and they are not getting a deal. Steve asks if she got work to go to and she goes. Michelle says she knows she won't get ripped as she gets a feeling and as soon as Eileen spoke. Steve goes to say something but she stops him and says you can't go wrong with a woman that speaks her mind.

Outside the Salon Charlie says he didn't know they where open on bank holidays. Maria tells him she is just cleaning the place. He tells her not to work to hard knowing that she is going to have to tidy up the flat. He smirks at her and goes.

Peak Distract and Fiz and Molly's walk ends up in an argument. Fiz accuses her of only coming along with her because she feels sorry for her and tells her to get back to the pub. Molly says it's too late to go back. Fiz then says so it is because you feel sorry for me. Molly tells her, sometimes you have to make an effort. Fizz looks at the village shop and says is this it. Molly offers to get her an ice cream and Fizz says why not.

Maria's flat and she is just about to go when she sees the door is broken. She goes in and is horrified. She runs to the bedroom and looks at the necklaces and rings and runs back to get her bag and phones the police saying she's has a break in.

Amanda Souter

Part 2

After the "break-in" the police (Knacker of the Yard?!) arrive at Maria's flat and ask if she knows whether anything has been taken. She says here Nana's ring has gone.

Charlie then innocently walks in and explains that he is the landlord of the property. Maria is concerned that if she was in when the burglar came in he may have done something nasty with her. Charlie comforts her and tells her that she is safe now.

On their holiday trip, Molly apologises to Fiz for coming along. It was obvious that she wanted to be alone with Kirk (what sane girl wouldn't?!).

The police tell Maria that although they will take fingerprints, it is unlikely they will catch anybody by that method. However, as her Nana's ring is distinctive they may pick this up. They advise her to change the locks. Charlie offers to replace them for her (and guess who will keep a spare key - the landlord of course!).

In the country pub, Tyrone suggests to Kirk that Fiz wanted him to go for a walk with her. Kirk decides to call her on her mobile (cellphone), however he can't get a signal. He thinks that she could be anywhere by now, so he decides to wait in the pub, as if she wants him she will know where to find him.

Maria has called the bank and her credit card companies to cancel everything. She is still upset about her Nana's ring. It is the only thing left she has to remind her of her Nana. Charlie tells her that although he can't replace the ring, he is covered by insurance (as if that would replace a memory). Then then set about cleaning the place up.

Fiz and Molly have a girlie chat about Kirk. Fiz wonders how long the relationship with Kirk will last. Molly suggests if she isn't getting what she wanted from it ... .. Fiz says she at least knows where she is with him. However, Molly wonders if that is ok, and Fiz thinks perhaps not.

Charlie, the helpful landlord, says he will get a new tv for Maria out of the insurance money. He will kindly knock the £50 they took off next month's rent. (I wonder how many landlords would offer that?). He says he has some security cameras that he will set so they focus on her front door in case anybody returns. He tells her he has to get back to Tracy, but if anything untoward happens to give him a ring.

Liz wonders to Vernon how Michelle can afford to get a taxi every day for her 14 year old son.

Charlie returns home and tells Tracy about Maria's break in. However she is more interested in showing Charlie all the things that she bought shopping. Charlie wants to christen the wine glasses with the wine that he nicked from Maria. Tracy asks him where he got the wine, and he says "it's just something that I picked up" ! Tracy is surprised they should be drinking in the afternoon. Charlie says it is a holiday (it was the Late Summer Bank Holiday in the UK - except Scotland, who had theirs at the beginning of the month). They drink to each other.

Dev returns from seeing Sunita (we don't see her!). He hands Amber the flowers he took with him. Norris spots this and asks if things didn't go as expected. Dev ignores him.

At the back of the Rovers, Michelle is busy wrapping cutlery into napkins. Vernon comes in, and says the reason that Liz sent her to the back room was because the punters were paying more attention to her than Liz. Michelle threatens to leave, but has nowhere else to go. Vernon assures her he will see her "alright" (is he lining up to be a new Charlie?).

Dev confides in Amber that Sunita told him that she has been seeing another guy for the past three months. Amber says she is only a kid, but thinks it maybe for the best. Dev does not agree.

Over at Underworld, Adam gets a phone call from an angry customer wondering about their order. Adam is not aware of any outstanding orders.

Maria is hesitating whether to ring Charlie or not. She doesn't feel happy or relaxed. Charlie answers the phone and ums and aahs. He then tells Tracy that it was Jason who is feeling depressed and Charlie asks Tracy if she didn't mind him going over to see him for a couple of drinks. She thinks he "deserves" to go and tells him to go out and enjoy himself.

Sean is talking to Michelle in the Rovers and comments on how popular she is with the male customers. He thinks that Ryan's dad wouldn't approve. She tells him that he died 5 years ago. He thinks that she would not be short of offers. However, Michelle says it is wrong men for the wrong reasons that pay attention to her. Having Ryan doesn't help either.

Charlie meets up with Jason and suggests going for a drink. He heads towards the Rovers, but Charlie suggests the Wethy Arms instead. When they get round the corner, Charlie gives Jason cash and tells him to enjoy himself while he has some "business" to deal with elsewhere. Jason twigs that he is being used but Charlie reminds him that he is his only friend at present, so he suggests he should go out and enjoy himself.

Molly wants to know what Fiz is going to do about Kirk. She says she doesn't know. She doesn't want to blame him because she goes all weird sometimes. She thinks they get on ok for most of the time. Fiz asks Molly not to say anything to Kirk. Molly assures her that she will say nothing. When they arrive back at the pub, Kirk tells Fiz that he tried to phone her but couldn't get a signal. Fiz asks what was wrong; he says he wondered if she wanted them to go for a walk together. She says she did. He then ruins the moment by saying that he was going to look for her, but thought he didn't know where she would be. Anyway, he had a good time with Tyrone.

Adam tells Joanne about the missing order. Adam says he eventually found it stuffed down the back of a drawer. He thinks Danny is too organised to let this happen accidentally. He thinks it is a trap for him to show that he couldn't cope.

Maria and Charlie are having a drink. She is a bit scared about being on her own for the first night. However Charlie assures her that it is when she is the most safe, because there is nothing left to nick. She asks him to stay for another drink, but he says he has to get back. Maria asks him again to stay, but Charlie reminds her that the day before she wanted didn't want him round anymore. Maria says that was the past, and now she would really like him to stay. He says he is worried that the next day she will accuse him of trying to take advantage of her (as if !). "No, no, I won't Charlie, please".

Martin Rosen

"Aggghhhh!!" That's the sound of Fizz waking up and finding Monica on the bed! Kirk rushes in, and can't understand what her problem is. "Oh yeah, bony face, wet nose, pathetic round eyes, it's no different to waking up with you, is it!" says Fizz. Kirk thinks she's been a right ratbag that weekend, and she asks him if he can think of any reason for that. "And if you say anything about time of the……… so help me, Kirk, I'll swing for you," says Fizz, exasperated.

Charlie comes out of the bedroom and joins Maria in the living room. He says he's forgotten how comfy the bed is, "I'll have to bung your rent up," he jokes. "Slept well then?" says Maria, and he says he always does. "It must be my clear conscience," he says. "Lucky you," says Maria, with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Maria is worried about Tracy, but Charlie tells her not to worry, Tracy is his problem. He tries to kiss her, saying they can't shove aside the feelings they have for each other. Maria pushes him away, saying she's not cut out to be the ‘other woman'.

Steve bumps into Michelle in the street. "Top of the mornin' to ya!" he says, putting on an Irish accent. She tells him that her dad was Irish, and he says that his is too. "I knew we had something in common," he tells her, "is he in prison too?" Michelle looks most offended, "Are you saying I'm some kind of scumbag?" she says, but Steve hastily tells her he thought she might have heard by now that his is. Michelle grins, "Liz's fella!" she says, as the realisation dawns. Steve asks if she still wants him to pick up her son and she tells him she does. He tells her he's going to drop his daughter off early in order to pick up her son, he's a top priority. She surprised to hear he's a dad, she says she thought he was the kind of person who'd avoid responsibility.

Charlie arrives at the yard and Jason tells him that Tracy's going mad looking for him. "It's been twenty minutes and my hands are still shaking," he says. He says that he told her Charlie had phoned to say he'd back at lunchtime. "Finally," says Charlie, "you are becoming the apprentice I need."

Jack is in the Kabin, buying cigarettes that he doesn't want Vera to know about. Norris comes in complaining that Rita has been sending off for freebies offered to the business, without telling him, and keeping the spoils. "In future," he says, "all free gifts from suppliers are to be the pro

In the taxi office, Eileen is pulling Steve's leg about making an impression with Michelle's son when he goes to pick him up. "Do you really think I'm that pathetic I would try to get to a woman through her son?" asks Steve. "Yes!" says Eileen. Just then Liz comes in, as Steve grabs the mike and pretends to make a public announcement, stating that he has no sexual feelings towards Michelle whatsoever. "I couldn't go out with her anyway," says Steve, "there's the little tattoo, bar work, loud, vulgar….it would be like going out with my mother, and how sick would that be?" "I know you know I'm here," says Liz from behind him, and says he can deny it all he wants, but she's seen the way he looks at her.

Out in the country, Fizz is still moaning, while the others are playing a ball game. Kirk goes over to her, asking what's wrong. "I thought you wanted to do stuff we don't do at home," he says. She agrees that she does. "Well what's this then?" he asks, "when did we last chuck a ball around at home?" Fizz confesses that she's no good at catching, but then Molly persuades her to join them. She then proceeds to throw the ball at Fizz and it hits her right on the forehead.

In the pub, Vernon is trying to chat up Michelle. She tells him he not getting the messages she's sending. "There's going to be no ding-dong between us," she says, "no ding, and certainly no dong, I'm not remotely interested – got it?" Just as she moves off to serve Jack, Liz rushes in and tells Vernon that she and her friend have decided on a night out. She asks him if he can lock up for her. He says of course he will. She rushes off all excited, and he sidles over to Michelle. "D'you hear that?" he murmurs, "ding-dong!"

Charlie and Jason are just loading up the truck when Tracy comes around the corner. She's furious that Charlie didn't come home all night – and she wants answers!

Steve arrives at the athletics ground to pick up Ryan, Michelle's son, only to be told that he left ten minutes before.

In Charlie's office, Tracy is demanding to know where Charlie was all night, so Charlie calls in Jason who tells Tracy that he was supposed to be pouring his heart out about Sarah but all Charlie could do was drink too much and go on and on about Tracy. "It was Tracy this, and Tracy that," lies Jason, and mentions that Charlie puked all over the taxi. "And that's thirty quid you owe me," says Jason, getting well into the part now. Jason tells Tracy that he brought Charlie to the yard and he went out like a light. "I just put a blanket over him and left him here," he says, "I should have given you a call really, Trace." "Yeah," says Tracy, arms folded, "you should've." She then mutters to Charlie that he's not off the hook yet, and walks out. "That's thirty sovs you owe me," says Jason.

Steve goes into the pub and admits to Michelle that Ryan had already gone when he got there. She is not at all pleased and marches out to the back saying she has to make some calls. "I was only five minutes late," says Steve as she disappears.

In the Kabin, Norris is horrified to find that Rita has also entered a traders competition to win a holiday in Budapest. "We agreed from now on, everything will be equal," she reminds him, "from NOW on. That was before, so if we win, it's mine!" and smiling sweetly she goes out to the back.

In the Rovers, Michelle has been unable to track her son down. "Are you going to call the police?" asks Steve. She tells him that he's 14 not 5. Just then, Ryan comes in through the door, accompanied by a dark haired young man, saying that the taxi never turned up and he'd waited half an hour. Steve protests that he was only five minutes late. Michelle takes Ryan out to the back, leaving the other young man in the bar. "Hi," says Steve, "I'm Steve, the taxi driver, are you Ryan's dad?" "Why would I tell the taxi driver that?" asks the young man.

Tyrone, Molly, Kirk and Fizz have returned from their jaunt in the countryside and see Jack and Vera in the Rovers. Fizz is still in a bad mood and tells Vera she spent the weekend skivvying for all of them. She marches off out of the pub, leaving the others open mouthed. Kirk wonders if he should follow her, but Jack puts him off saying if he starts running round after her now he'll be doing the same thing in forty years time.

Michelle goes back into the bar, having got the truth out of Ryan – he hadn't waited. She apologises to Steve for being stroppy and introduces him to Liam, her brother. Liam apologises too, when he realises that Steve is not only a taxi driver, but a friend of Michelle.

Tracy drags Charlie into the house and tries to drag him up the stairs, to make up. He pulls back, saying he's left his mobile in the yard. He says he'll be back in five minutes.

In the pub, Sean and Betty are getting rid of the customers, when Vernon asks Michelle if they're still on for the ‘out of hours party'. "Are you really not going to take no for an answer?" she asks him. "Not this soldier," he says, so she tells him to go upstairs and get ready, she'll get rid of Sean and Betty and then join him.

Charlie has not gone to get his mobile from the yard, he's gone round to see Maria. "I can't stay," he tells her, cupping her face in his hands, "but you're the one, it's you, I want you. Don't worry about Tracy, she's temporary, I love you." He then leaves, leaving Maria looking stunned, but happy.

Back in the Rovers, Michelle is phoning upstairs to Vernon. She tells him she couldn't do anything in Liz's bed, so to come downstairs to the back room settee. "Everyone's gone," she says, "come now, lover, I'm waiting!"

Kirk arrives home, dropping chips all over the floor, to find Fizz waiting for him.

In the Rovers, Vernon appears in the doorway of the back room, clad in a dressing gown as Michelle sits at the table, smiling. "Oh, I am SO ready," says Vernon, dropping the robe to the floor to reveal that he's wearing nothing but a pair of leopard-skin print underpants. "I'm ready now, ready now," he sings, as he advances towards her. As he comes past the open door, there are Betty and Sean sitting on the sofa. "I don't know what you're ready for," says Betty, "but it's nothing that I'd be interested in!" A very embarrassed Vernon picks the robe off the floor and rushes off out again, leaving Sean, Betty and Michelle roaring with laughter.

A crying Fizz wants to know why Kirk hadn't come after her. He offers her a chip. "I think this is going to take a bit more than chips," says Fizz, so Kirk, missing the point completely, goes off to see if there's anything in the fridge.

Vernon tells Michelle that she humiliated him and if she wasn't interested she should have just said so. She tells him she's done nothing but beat him off since she started in his ‘sad' band. They then start to argue, and she resigns and he sacks her. Just then Liz comes back. "Don't say anything," hisses Vernon. "Get lost you dirty old perv," Michelle hisses back at him, and leaves, calling, "Night Liz," as she goes. Liz is back early because her friend has joined Alcoholics Anonymous and isn't drinking!

Fizz is still trying to have a serious chat with Kirk. She tells him she's not happy, she can't do it any more, it's not working. She's sorry, but it's over. She wants to finish. "Bye bye Kirky," she sniffs as she goes out the door, leaving an anguished Kirk behind on the sofa.

Anne Logan

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

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