Well, Friday's was an interesting episode, what with break-ups and joining-ups and at least one brilliant, brilliant line.

Kirk waits outside the factory with a plastic-wrapped bunch of flowers -- you know the sort, where they're wrapped in plastic designed to look as if there are more flowers in there than the garage (or Dev) was willing to sell at one time. Fizz isn't impressed. Now that they're split, she wants to stay that way.

Tyrone finds Jack in the pub. Jack's been trying to avoid Vera. "You've forgot again!" Tyrone says accusingly.

Kirk is still pleading. Fizz, who by now is headed in her front door, is still not impressed. Kirk even starts to rap. . . er. . . sing or something... it's hard to tell. Fizz is still not impressed. She shuts the door and Kirk shoves the poor, sad, slightly wilted stocks through the letterbox, still in their plastic wrap.

Norris is still annoyed that Rita will go to Budapest if she wins the draw, because he's always wanted to go there. "It's the home of Laszlo Biro, he moans. "He's one of my heroes." Of course, Rita pretends to have no idea who Laszlo Biro is or was. She's saved by Vera coming in to find out what Jack's been buying. "He asked me not to tell you," Rita replies. Vera's thrilled. It means Jack's not forgotten her birthday. "Oh no," Norris corrects here. "Rita wouldn't tell you because he's been buying cigarettes." Can you see the smoke coming from V's ears?

Jason and Charlie are in the truck and are talking to Maria. Jason brags that they've been watching her front door. During what Jason thinks is an innocent conversation, Maria manages to convey the information that she's planning a night in.

In the pub, Steve comes in to find Michelle immediately accusing him of arriving late to fetch Ryan again. No, Ryan's in the chippie and she has to apologise. In a booth, Jack keeps his head down behind his paper, but Vera soon spots him. He whips the newspaper away to reveal a tiny cupcake with a single candle burning on it. Vera is made up. The generally happy atmosphere is spoiled by Liz stomping in to demand to know why Michelle has left the band. She can't seem to get a straight answer. Nearby, Vera unwraps her parcel and it seems to be as much a surprise to Jack as it is to her -- her gift is a "Royal tin box". It looks to me like an old biscuit tin with a picture of Charles and Diana on it. Vera tells Jack that sometimes he makes her feel as if they should be on a tin. Awwwwww. Jack feels quite smug until Tyrone points out that Jack owes him £40. "Forty?? It's not her 70th!" roars Jack.

In the back room, Vernon is making a bad job of defending himself and making up reasons why Michelle left. In the end he does what any cornered man does. He lies. "It was her," he tells Liz.

Maria and Charlie are outside her flat, chatting, when Tyrone arrives and goes upstairs. It seems he's been called in to counsel Kirk. That consists of telling him he deserved it because he treated Fizz badly on the holiday. He reckons he can persuade Fizz and will have a word.

In the pub, Frankie, Jamie and Violet have decided, out of the blue, to have a game of darts. Michelle is pointing out to her son the dangers of saturated fats for young athletes when Liz comes in and sacks her. Yes, just like that. "You. Bag. Coat. On yer bike." Liz says no-one tries it on with "my Vernon". Michelle isn't upset -- she's furious.

Liz is surrounded, with Steve, Betty and Sean trying to tell her what Vernon is like. "Why would Michelle be interested in this?" asks Steve, with a scornful nod towards Vernon. Apparently Vernon has even explained away the "underpants in the back room" incident.

Steve goes out and apologises to Michelle.

Liz is still under attack inside. She tells her staff she's a caring employer and wants to hear their input. "You want input?" scoffs Betty, the only one of the lot of them who can scoff properly. "You need your head examining if you're going to believe matey-boy here over Michelle." Michelle's brother comes in and, when he hears she's been sacked, settles in with a bottle of lager. It's no time at all before Frankie catches his eye.

Steve has taken Michelle to the taxi office, where Eileen has her usual reaction to other people's troubles -- she takes her boots off and wades in, heading over to the pub. Michelle is quite used to losing jobs, though she says she's good at getting them. While Eileen is gone, she and Steve have a heart-to-heart. Ryan's dad died five years ago in a car crash. Her brothers are like second dads to Ryan. "Nothing better than family -- when it works," Steve says wryly. There's one of those awkward pauses in the conversation where they look at each other.

Eileen tells Liz Vernon is making a fool of her. When Lloyd took Vernon and Michelle to see a flat, Vernon was all over Michelle. The darts players are discussing the looks Frankie keeps getting from Michelle's brother. Tyrone comes in to talk to Fizz, but she's not going to change her mind. Tyrone says the least she can do is see Kirk so he can apologise. At the bar, Frankie contrives to drop her purse in front of the brother, Paul, and invites him to join the darts game.

In the back room, Vernon swears on his drum kit that he never touched Michelle. "They're all against us," he tells Liz, assuring her that they're solid. But Liz is crying. "You're not even a good storyteller," she says. She knows he's fancied Michelle since that first audition. "Get out now," she tells him. Sean comes to check on Liz and she says she'll be fine once Vernon is gone. Vernon is stunned. "Not in the heat of the moment," he says. Liz stalks upstairs.

Michelle is set to go and Steve says goodbye. Once she's gone, Eileen asks if he asked her out. She persuades him to run, but it's too late. Michelle and Ryan are on the bus and away.

Back in the pub, Paul, who claims he's never played darts before, tells Frankie that if he scores four, she'll have to go out with him tomorrow night. He throws the dart and it lands inside the outer circle on the two. Frankie is dismissive until the others point out that this is double two -- four. A sad Kirk comes in and apologises nicely to Fizz. Fizz is trying to interrupt him to say it's no use, but when he says he's written a poem is suddenly interested. "I always thought that I could make it on my own," he begins, going on until he gets to the more familiar words: "I would give anything I own, give up my life, my heart, my home . . ." Yep. Bread. Kirk makes an endearing little puppy noise and Fizz looks at him fondly. They're interrupted by Tyrone rushing into the pub. "Has anyone here got a drum kit?" It's a second or two before the question penetrates Vernon's brain and travels down to his nose, making him snort beer!

Outside, clothing and drums are spread everywhere and more are coming down from above. When Liz says "Out!" she means "Out!" Quite an audience gathers to see the action. "Not the snare!" he shouts. She threatens to throw the snare drum unless he gives Steve the keys. Then she throws it anyway. "I don't think even Relate can fix this one, pal," says a sympathetic Steve, as Vernon collapses on to his drums.

The End
Margaret Carr

over to the mean Street of Weatherfield for events which were written by Carmel Morgan and directed by Tim O'Mara. Copyright remains with ITV Productions.

At Frankie's the lady of the house is sleeping on her own sofa with a bad hangover - so bad she cannot remember getting a date. Jamie calls her an old soak and offers to cook some bacon for brekkies.

Steve points out a picture of Vernon with drum kit on his head to his mother Liz. Anything is an improvement to that haircut. Liz is showing off her shoulders and her mammaries in a halter neck top, which also shows the batwings on her arms - and then she points out that she is nearly 50 and on her own again. She is also wearing a slit skirt showing off her left leg. Much higher and we could inspect her underwear. Violet joins them and Liz badmouths the sacked Michelle whilst Steve and Violet seek to get her re-instated.

Fiz and Kirk are back together - he would give up his life for her and she is bowled over. Later in the Rovers Fiz asks Kirk where he wrote it - he tells her the Red Rec. He wants to talk about something else - but she is impressed as he says the words were busting out of him and she asks for the poem.

Ashley comes downstairs with Thomas (the new baby) - Claire is ironing and we are told Josh is off to school. Ashley suggests taking the children round to see Claire's mother - but Claire insists she is not well enough. Ashley keeps trying to get a diagnosis and a prognosis, Claire is giving nothing away.

David (who gets more objectionable by the episode) comes into the Platt household and says that Jason has just arranged a fly past from the Red Arrows announcing that Jason is a pillock writing it in the sky but misspelling pillock. Gail asks him to show some sensitivity and asks him to join them shopping - but he blags a pizza and slopes off. Later Craig comes round and they sit down to spend the day playing computer games. Craig calls him sick for calling them freaks. Craig is going back to school for qualifications. Later David tells Craig that he is not going to turn up at school. David says his reputation would suffer if he turned up for the first week.

Michelle arrives to collect her pay - Liz has not worked it out. Michelle calls Liz the witch from hell. Steve, Sean, Bet and Violet all tell Liz she is making a mistake. Liz tells her it is quite a fan club. Michelle says she liked working in a friendly pub. Liz eventually says the job is still hers. Steve translates this as an apology but Liz says she will not beg. Michelle smiles and says apology accepted. Liz tells Steve to put his tongue back in - he is worse than Vernon. Michelle thanks Steve later - they chat and flirt.

Fiz is waiting serving when Rita comes in and Fiz starts repeating Kirk's poem at which point Rita breaks into song - the old song which Kirk ripped off - David Gates and Bread. Instantly Rita is reliving her act. Fiz calls Kirk a fake and a phony and stomps off - he runs out after her. Later Kirk tells her that he likes knowing what is going to happen and she asks him if he will teach her to drive. He agrees.

After the break (and Cadburys are back in case anyone is interested). Fiz is crying on her doorstep. But she cannot find her front door key. They argue. Eventually Kirk says it is not easy being thick! Kirk tells her that he was following Tyrone's advice. And eventually he compliments her. He is bright enough to know he is stupid. He wanted to impress her. Eventually Fiz says she does not want patter from him (the clown) - she just wants him.

At the Rovers Sean tries to convince Michelle that she should make a proper play for Steve and ask him out. Bit difficult going out with the boss's son I would have thought and given the time he has spent in the Rovers recently you would find it hard to believe that Lloyd has gone missing from running Streetcars. Sean advises her that she can come can across as uncompromising - she says hard faced - all solved by her putting on a smiley face and she instantly looks a lot prettier!

Inside the Back room at the Rovers Steve and Liz are having a chat. Michelle listens. Steve is saying that she has a good barmaid and Liz responds by saying it would be fine - but she can see that he is about to jump into bed with her. Steve denies it - there is nothing going on and it would not be Liz's concern even if there was. Liz does not like her. Steve observes that Michelle has a 14 year old kid and he does not want that like a hole in the head. We see Michelle getting more and more wound up by the comments they are making. Liz reckons Michelle will consider him a meal ticket and will be high maintenance. Steve tells his mother that he likes Michelle a lot - and there is no jealous ex - he died in a car crash. Steve says he will do what he likes when he likes and tells her to deal with it. Michelle has stopped listening before Steve goes outside.

Michelle's brother tries to collect on his date with Frankie - but she is not giving in that easily. Violet tells her to honour her commitment.

Ken and Dreary are off to Corfu and leaving Adam on his own. Adam assures them he will be all right on his own running the factory - Danny's job is simple.

Sean asks Michelle if she was successful - she is not happy. Steve comes out and passes her, getting a very dirty look (are we surprised?). Later Steve offers to give her a lift home. She replies by pointing out that single mothers are always looking for a meal ticket and she storms out to catch the bus.

Surprise of the week - Michelle O'Connor is played by Kym Ryder, formerly Kym Marsh, and the girl can act. I thought she was going to be a five minute wonder - but now I am now so sure. Kym is 30, so perhaps just old enough to have a 14 year old son (I am not sure she looks like a typical single mother of that age - the hair cut is a little too smart) but does seem to be getting along well.

Mysteries - where is Lloyd? How is David going to sustain the school absence record?

Greatest pleasure - Amber was nowhere to be seen!

See you all again next week.

K Richard W

First part of two episodes tonight

This episode is written by Julie Jones and directed by Stuart Davids. Producer Steve Frost.

At the Peacocks house its Josh's first day of primary school. Claire has laid out his uniform and he is just getting ready. Ashley remembers his first day and he didn't like it. Claire says she loved her first day, as she could not believe the amount of people there was to talk to. She says she only had imaginary friends until she started school. He asks if Claire is happy and she snaps at him saying she is fine. He says he is worried about her as she seams angry all the time. She says her mum is at deaths door in an angry way and storms off.

Over at the Platt household David while passing Bethany messes her hair just after Sarah had done it. Sarah says David as does Beth. Gail says he can be a torment. He is just going to go to school. Gail tells him to watch out and if he is worried about any thing to phone her. Sarah does Beth's hair again. David says for her not to worry and goes. Sarah is done and tells Beth she looks like an angel. She then teases her asking if she's got a pair of wings under her cardie. Gail tells Sarah to enjoy these days as Beth is no trouble as it's all down hill now. Sarah says never and hugs her daughter.

Factory and Adam is on the phone saying sorry and he will have Danny call him when he gets back. Joanne comes in asking what is up. He goes out and tells everyone that they can go home. Sean asks why and he is told the last lost of fabrics was not paid for so they won't ship anymore. Kelly says she can't afford to lose money. Adam says they will still get paid and see it is Danny little treat. He asks if he has to kick them out and Sean says they are going.

Over at the cafe Cilla and Blanche are waiting as Liam enters. Cilla says Frankie should be wearing a hairnet. Blanche agrees saying if anything did go in her food it could be the end of her. Frankie says nothing will happen. Blanch is not convinced with all the stuff she puts on her hair. Frankie says that her hair is her natural colour. Blanch is given her roll but says she might as well take it but she will be looking very closely all over it. Liam then tells Frankie that she own him a date as he stood her up. She smiles. Cilla says he better not let Roy catch him chatting her up.

Outside Sarah sees David siting on the bench outside the Salon. She says, "Your skiving again, aren't you?" David says it would be very stupid to sit here with Audrey five feet away and his mum just over the road at work. He adds and his cow of a sister standing over him. David says he is going to go but Sarah goes over to Claire and asks if she is passing the school. She asks David if he is running late. He says no and then grabs Sarah and says, "What are you doing?" and then says he is going to go school. Sarah says she will be checking up on him.

Over at the Battersby house they have lots of bills. Les says, "We've that many I could paper the bog house door with 'em" He says hamster eat paper and Chesney asks if he can have one. Both Les and Cilla say no. Cilla then says he will have to do extra shifts at work. He asks her if she wants him to fall asleep at the wheel. Les sees there is one for Chesney and asks if he has a secret admirer. Ches takes the letter and they ask him what it is. Chesney smiles looking at the letter and tells them they will just have to wait and see.

At the Primary school Ashley and Claire take pictures of Josh. Claire asks if she put his lunch in his bag. Ashley said she did and checked more then once. Claire says one more picture. When Ashley says one with Thomas and Josh, Claire quickly says they should get him in and runs with him to the door. Ashley is next to Thomas in his pram and says for him to say bye to his big brother.

Over at the cafe Frankie gives Liam his roll and its not everyday a guy tracks you down. He says, "So do I get that date then?" She says she will let him know. The girl come in from the Factory and tells Frankie about the problems at Underworld. She then goes to the counter. Liam listens to them. Kelly goes over to him and asks for his paper as she likes him. Liam goes over to the counter. Kelley asks Sean what Frankie has that she doesn't. Sean just tells her to look in the mirror. Liam asks if she'll be in the Rovers later. She says she might be and he says he does not give up easy.

Peacocks household again and Claire arrives home with flowers for her mum. Ashley says she said she was only going to be five minutes but is told she had to go into town as she didn't want to give her mum half-dead flowers from Dev's. He asks if she is going to take Thomas and she says yes. Ashley think she is taking on too much and asks if anyone else can help look after her mum, she says no. Claire then starts to lose it and says she is tired and under pressure and he is not helping. Ashley then says she doesn't like her mum and that this could go on for years. Claire replies, "Oh well I'll just go stick a pillow over her face now, shall I? Get it over and done with?" She tells him to go to the wholesalers and tells Thomas they are going out.

Outside Sean see Adam and asks if they are closed till Danny gets back are they still going to get paid. Claire comes with the Thomas and Sean says he is very cute but she just says yes and carries on. Adam says they will still get paid, as they should not lose out because of Danny. He then says, if Danny wants to trash his business he can.

Back at the cafe Hayley says she could eat the baby up and Roy says he's just had lunch. Claire asks if she is doing anything and if she'd look after Thomas. They can't look after Thomas and Roy says with hot food and people coming in and out he would not be able to provide the proper care. After Claire says it's a family emergency Hayley then says she will and Claire says she will be back at 12 and is out before anyone can answer.

Outside Claire is walking along a street. When passing a bin she puts the flowers in them.

Over at the Battery's household Chesney comes in with fifteen pound. He says it's to help with the bills and says to put it towards the phone bill. Cilla asks him where he got it. Chesney says he is an internet entrepreneur now. Les says he had better not be selling mucky pictures of his mum. He says he sold his Action Man dinghy set that didn't have a lag. She thanks him and he goes. Cilla says that was very thought full of Ches. She then tells Les that the money won't go far and they should go to the pub. He agrees and throws the unpaid bills in the air.

Over at the Rovers the factory girls come in and Adam tells them he can't get any other fabrics. He asks if they want the usual and Sean says yes. Liam then comes over and when he see Adam still can't get fabrics he says still not sorted it out and that he heard the girls talking about it earlier. Adam tells him, "I'm not putting myself out for him" Adam tells him what Danny has done and Liam thinks if he does not do anything it will mean Danny has won. Michelle says they should contact their brother as he does fabrics. Liam says he was just getting to that and tells her he thinks there is a customer that wants serving. He says he might be able to help.

At a cafe somewhere Claire is sat eating.

Battersby household Cilla comes in and Chesney asks where she has been. She says she went for a walk but he replies that she told Les she does not do walking. She then says he cant grudge her one drink. He says he gave up his action set to help with the bills. She says she needs it to help her concentrate. He asks on what and she tells him he is going to show her ever thing about the internet.

Back to the Rovers and Kelly is telling everyone about a story she head on tv. A woman was burned and only her slippers was left. They all take the mite out of her. Liam is on is mobile to his brother and says that this is easy money and Adam does not seam that bright and will pay over the odds as he wants out. He then comes over to Adam and tells him his brother will help him out. He thanks him and says he has no money to pay him. Liam says its ok let the other guy sort it out when he gets back. Adam says he own him.

Outside Sarah is just closing the Salon when Eileen approaches her. She is really sorry for what her sons have done to her and all the misery they have caused her. Sarah says, "You didn't tell him to do a runner did you" Ashley gets a phone call and looks a bit shocked. Eileen says they have caused her a lifetime of heartache between them, Sarah thinks Jason is over it and seeing other girls. She says no and he is really sorry. Eileen asks if she wants to give Jason a message. Sarah just shakes her head and says bye. Ashley says he will come to pick up Josh from the school.

At the cafe somewhere Claire's mobile goes off. She looks at the phone and gets up to go. She does not pick up the call and cancels it. She then sits back down and just looks as if she's thinking am I doing the right thing.

Outside as Ashley runs along the street he sees Hayley and is shocked when he sees her with Thomas. Hayley tells him there was an emergence. Ashley tells her Claire didn't pick up Josh. They think there is something wrong as its not like Claire. Ashley asks if she will keep Thomas a bit longer. Hayley agrees to keep Thomas as Ashley gets in his car.

At the cafe somewhere Claire puts money in a slot machine and starts playing on it.

That's all for the first episode. Would just like to add and say the official Corrie site itv.com on their reports it says its Bethany Platt's first day of school. Nope, that was last year - how could a mistake like that happen lol. The second part to this episode will be along soon.

Amanda Souter

So we rejoin the story at the cafe where Claire is playing the fruit machine, without any success.

Ashley, having not been able to contact Claire, He is then surprised to meet Hayley pushing Thomas in the pram down the street. Hayley is concerned about Claire. Ashley explains to her about Claire's mother. He is worried that she is not coping. He says he is going to go to Claire's mother and see what is happening.

The girls from the factory are in the Rovers deciding what to do with their unexpected day off.

Michelle and Violet are discussing boyfriends. Violet thinks Michelle would have no difficulty in getting a boyfriend. Michelle asks how long Violet has been going out with a Jamie. She replies about a year.

Ashley arrives at Claire's mother's house. He knocks on the door and gets no reply. He then bangs furiously, and still gets no response.

Chesney is trying to explain to Cilla how to use the computer and the auction page. Unfortunately Cilla has sat down in front of it and doesn't want to budge. Chesney decides to feign a coughing fit and pleads with his mum to get him a glass of water. As soon as she goes to the kitchen, Chesney jumps back into the seat.

Sarah meets up with David and asks him if he has been to school. He says he has and shows her a letter about school dinners.

Ashley returns from Claire's mother's and meets Claire in the street. He is furious and asks her where she has been. She says at her mother's. He says he has just come back from there. She said she went for a walk. So he asks her the whereabouts of her mother. She replies that she was in bed. She manages to twist what Ashley is saying so she can claim that he is harassing her.

Cilla asks Chesney to borrow Fizz's camera so that she can photograph things for the internet. Chesney suggests that she may want to sell the camera as well!

Steve is in the Rovers chatting to Michelle. She asks Liz if her son, Ryan can go through to the back and watch the tv. As they go through, Liz moans that she is treating the place as if it was a creche.

Violet suggests to Jamie that they move into a flat together. He is a bit taken aback and a bit reluctant at first, but agrees.

Ashley complains to Claire that she is not talking to him. Claire says that she is looking after her mother. He insists that he wants to go with her the next time. Then Claire notices a bruise on Thomas. She immediately jumps to the conclusion that it must have been Hayley that did it. So Claire goes off to the cafe in a temper. She accuses Hayley in front of the rest of the customers. When Hayley says she didn't, wouldn't and couldn't do anything to harm baby Thomas Claire slaps her face. Ashley arrives in and drags Claire off home.

Cilla is busy going around the house taking photos. Les comes in and wonders what she is doing. So Cilla explains that she is taking the photos for the internet and they will be quids in.

David returns from school and Gail and Audrey ask him how he got on there. His response is "same old … same old". He immediately wants to change the subject. Audrey mentions what happened at the cafe when Claire saw Hayley. David pipes up that it is the quiet ones that are the serial killers.

Adam arrives back in The Rovers with the girls and buys them all a drink. He thanks Liam for his help in putting him in touch with his brother.

Liam tells Michelle that he is meeting the girl from the cafe. Although he realises she is married. Michelle presumes he means Hayley and says she didn't realise he was into transsexuals. Liam cannot believe that she is a transsexual.

In the cafe, Hayley express her upset regarding the accusation about Thomas to Eileen. Eileen thinks that Claire will be round the next day to apologise. Roy says there is no excuse.

Back at the Peacocks' Claire is about to ring the police. Ashley snatches the phone away from her. She accuses Ashley of trying to protect her.

Audrey thinks Gail was made at the time, in keeping David off school at the end of last term. However, she is glad to be proved wrong.

Liam is teasing Ryan and raises his arm to pretend to hit him, just as Frankie comes in. He (obviously thinking she is a transsexual) says he doesn't want to go out after all. She was surprised because he was so enthusiastic before.

Jamie explains to Violet that he doesn't think they can move in together for the present. He feels his duty is to stay with his mother, Frankie who shouldn't be left alone. She has been through a lot recently.

Claire comes downstairs after having her bath. Ashley asks if she is ok. He is wondering if all the pressures on her are affecting her health. He says Hayley is a good friend and wouldn't do anything to hurt Thomas. He says that he doesn't recognise her at times. He wonders if Claire could have accidentally hit him. Claire yells that she wouldn't harm him.

Martin Rosen

Hi everyone, fresh from all the excitement of the Bognor Regis Birdman Rally where normally sane individuals take death-defying leaps from the pier dressed in silly outfits, I finally calmed down enough to write the update for Wednesday 6th September.

Gail, Sarah and David come out of their front door. David's off to school (supposedly), and Gail wishes him a good day.

Jamie comes out to get in his van, when Violet calls him from her room upstairs at the Rovers. He rushes off and brings her back one flower, plucked from Dev's displays outside his shop, and throws it up to her, promising to see her at dinner time.

Adam opens up the factory and isn't too happy to get a call from Hayley to say she's not coming in, it's a personal matter. Hayley puts the phone down and turns to Roy, who says he wouldn't like to think of her going in to the factory and getting the third degree. Just then Ashley comes in and apologises on Claire's behalf, saying she didn't mean the things she said, she's going through a bad time with the baby, and her sick mother. "That doesn't excuse……" Roy starts to say, but is hushed by Hayley, who says its down to misunderstandings. Roy points out that Hayley has had to take a day off work, and Ashley says again that he's sorry.

Violet and Liz are in the back room of the pub. She tells her how she wanted her and Jamie to move in together, but Jamie doesn't want to leave his mother. Just then Michelle bursts in, but stops and says she's remembered she owes Steve, and goes off again. Violet tells Liz she wishes Jamie would think less about his mum and more about her. "Or is that being selfish?" she asks.

Over at the Peacocks, Ashley tells Claire that rushing around to look after her mother every day is all too much for her. "Do you think I'm not being a proper mother?" she demands to know. Ashley asks why she would think that, and she says she knows he believes Roy and Hayley, and he thinks that she bruised Thomas's arm. Claire marches off out of the house, leaving Ashley holding the baby.

Michelle arrives at the taxi office to pay for the taxi service that picks her son up. As she goes off out of the door, Steve rushes off after her. When he catches up with her he says he knows she overheard him saying stupid things to his mother. "What stupid things would they be?" she asks. "When I said about single mothers," says Steve, looking embarrassed. "Oh, about always looking for a meal ticket? That stupid thing, yeah," says Michelle. Steve tells her he's really sorry and would like to make it up to her, and offers to buy her dinner. "Oh you mean you want to give me a meal ticket!" says Michelle. Steve asks if they can forget about that, but Michelle says no, and then turns her attention to her brother who gets out of a car. She asks what he's doing there, and whether he's got the local ‘tranny' on his side yet. Liam is doubtful about whether what she's saying is true, and Michelle checks that they are talking about Hayley, who's married to the man who runs the cafe, and assures him that she's a ‘tranny' and everybody knows it.

Liam goes into the factory to see Adam. He wants to know if Adam meant it when he said that given a chance he would be out of the factory like a shot. Adam assures him that he did. Liam asks if they can meet up in the pub later, and Adam agrees, saying that he won't accept just anything, he's had it all valued. "That tells me all I need to know," says Liam, "you are a man to be taken seriously."

Out in the Street, Liam runs into Frankie, and stares at her oddly. "What are you looking at me like that for?" she asks him, and he tells her that she looks very feminine. "What would you expect me to be?" asks Frankie, puzzled. He tells her that most fellas dressed in a frock look ridiculous. It's then Frankie's turn to look at him oddly, and she tells him she's got things to do, and walks on.

Ashley is on the phone to Claire, thinking she's at her mother's house, and suggests taking the baby and Joshua round to see her mother. "No Ashley," says Claire, from her table in a cafe, "I've told you she doesn't want to see any one." As Ashley hangs up he sees David Platt come in his back gate and go into his house.

Once inside, David pours himself a drink of orange juice, and then becomes aware that Sarah is in the room, watching him. He jumps and she asks him what he's doing there. He makes up a story about being sent home because a pipe has burst at school. Sarah asks him why, in that case, is their a message on the answering machine asking Gail to ring them because he never even registered. David thinks quickly, and tells her that the bullying is continuing, but he begs her not to tell Gail as it would upset her.

Adam and Liam are in the pub discussing his purchase of Adam's share of the factory. Adam says he's had it valued at £150k, and Liam tells him he is interested.

Over at another table, the factory girls and Sean are discussing his forthcoming birthday. Sean has been lying about his age for years, but has decided that it's now time to get back to the truth, next week he's going to hit 30.

Frankie comes into the pub and asks Liz for a glass of white wine. Liz asks her if she knows that she's cramping Jamie's love life, and explains about his reluctance to move in with Violet because it would mean leaving her. Frankie thinks that sounds like an excuse to her, and wonders if Violet thinks that as well.

Michelle goes over to serve her brother, who says he still can't believe that she (nodding towards Frankie) is the local ‘tranny'. "Where?" asks Michelle, and then realises. "Who works in the cafe!" she says, as the penny drops. She's just about to set Liam straight when Liz interrupts and tells her that there's a customer to serve. "I'll tell you later," she say

Hayley arrives back in the cafe to find Ashley in there with the baby. "You will be careful won't you?" says Roy, "we don't want any more accusations." Hayley brushes aside his reservations and goes over to them. "I'm glad you brought him in," Hayley tells Ashley, and then asks if there's anything she can do to help. "You know where we are if you need us," she says.

In the pub, Violet tells Sean she can't believe he's going to be thirty on his birthday. "And I thought you were always going to be a teenager," she tells him. "I am, Violet, I am," he says.

Jamie comes in and finds Frankie at the bar. She tells him she's been hearing things about him.

Violet asks Liz if they could hold a karaoke night in honour of Sean's birthday. She tells Liz that he'll organise it as it's his birthday, and so Liz says that if he's prepared to do all the work and not leave it to her, it'll be ok.

Michelle comes back into the bar and asks where her brother has gone. Violet says that he went out with Adam a while earlier. "Oh no, he's going to kill me!" says Michelle, and rushes off outside after them. She finds them outside, just coming out of the factory. As Adam goes off across the street, Michelle meets up with her brother and explains that the woman he's taken a shine to is not, in fact, Hayley, the local ‘tranny' but Frankie, a regular, 100 percent woman.

In the Peacock residence, Claire is gazing pensively at the baby in his moses basket. Ashley tells her that baby Thomas has been really good today and says how he took him into the cafe and he just lay in his pram. "Was she there?" asks Claire, abruptly. Ashley tells her that Hayley was there, "But let's just try and forget about that, eh?" he says. Claire says she'll try, but will Hayley? Ashley is sure that Hayley wouldn't hold a grudge. He says he's got to go over to the shop for a couple of hours, and asks if she'll be all right. Claire's face clouds over and she looks anything but all right. "What is the matter?" he asks her, and she tells him that she's trying. "I know you are," he says, "in fact I think you're trying a bit too hard and trying to do too much." He says he'll be back as quick as he can and he'll do the tea so she can put her feet up. "You're good aren't you?" she tells him, "you deserve better than me." "Nobody's better than you," he says, and kisses her goodbye.

Liam sees Frankie out in the Street, and rushes over to her. He apologises for his strange behaviour and tells her he thought she was a bloke. "I beg your pardon?" says Frankie, obviously offended. She tells him to leave her alone, and walks off.

Just then his brother Paul arrives, getting out of a large, flashy car. Liam points out the factory across the road, but first he takes him into the pub, where Paul's really surprised to see his sister working behind the bar.

Violet and Jamie have sat down, for a quick chat. He asks her how she'd feel about moving into his house with him and Frankie. Violet seems quite happy at this suggestion, but asks what Frankie will think. He confesses that he's already been talking to her about it, in fact, she suggested it.

Liam shows his brother some figures that Adam has given him, and says that he's just a kid, desperate to get out of his share of the factory, and that he doesn't have a clue. "And you do?" queries Paul. Liam confesses that he doesn't, but at least he's aware of his ignorance, unlike Adam who thinks he knows it all.

Gail is attempting to have a heart to heart with David. She wants to know if he's told any of the teachers that he's being bullied again. Sarah explodes, "Of course he hasn't, because it's not true!" Gail however, is willing to give David the benefit of the doubt for now, but she tells him that they are going to go to the school and sort it out. "If we can," mutters David. "Oh we can," says Gail, "and we will."

Liam is trying to convince his brother that Adam's share of the factory would be a good thing to buy. "Where are you going to get that sort of money?" asks Paul. "From you," says Liam, and goes on to say how they're family and they always help each other. "What do you say, Paul," says Liam, "are you going to back me up?"

Anne Logan

Well, it's Friday, September 8, and as a glorious, warm, late-summer evening drifts by outside, I slump by the television for you lot! Nah, not really, I taped it!

We open in the street itself, where Sean, wearing what looks like a scout shirt, is organising his social life with Jamie instead of rushing over to work. As Adam banters with his staff, Michelle's two evil, scheming brothers, Paul and Liam, watch. The older one, Paul, stops Liam from rushing in. He wants to make Adam wait.

Claire is going off to "see her mother" again, leaving Ashley to deal with the family.

Also trying to deal with her family is Sarah, who is annoyed that David is hanging around -- off school again because of the bullying. Of course, David tells such a good story you'd almost think Richard Hillman was his natural father! Before long, he has Sarah believing he really is being bullied.

Claire's sitting at the bus stop when Hayley approaches her. Claire admits she got carried away and then gives Hayley a very unexpected hug. "That's from me. And the baby, and Joshua and Ashley."

In the factory, the brothers arrive to see Adam. He asks Joanne to make a brew and get some biscuits and tells her the brothers are sorting out some fabric for them.

In the pub, Michelle is still annoyed with Steve. His mother is planning her karaoke triumph at Sean's birthday party, though Steve thinks delivering the equipment has given him a hernia. Liz has so many songs on her list, he wonders how long she's planning on singing. She replies that she's the manager so she can have as many goes as she likes. "Besides, you know," she says with a sideways look at Michelle, "it's great if you've got a proper singer to keep things going." Jamie comes in and Violet tells him she's all packed and ready to move in. Jamie is less than enthusiastic. He's organised to go out with Sean because he thought Violet was working.

Adam offers to leave the Connor brothers on their own for a bit. They're saying little, but send him off to make a brew. Out on the factory floor, Sean tells Adam that if he's taking on new staff, he's willing to offer training on a one-to-one basis. Meanwhile, the Connor brothers are talking tactics, with Liam ordered to keep his mouth shut. When Jamie comes back with the tea, Paul tells him the £150,000 deal's not on. "I men, you've got a negative working capital cycle and a minimal net asset base for a start. Never mind your cash flow management. And your tax provision is all over the place." Adam looks like this means about as much to him as it does to me. "That's Danny's job, that." Paul says goodbye, leaving Liam behind. Liam says he feels like a total pillock. "He's not having it, so we're screwed, aren't we," he says. He's just trying to get off the market, but Paul's the one with the business knowledge and if Paul doesn't like it, it's not on. "How patronising's that? Your big brother giving you a hard time for getting carried away. You probably get that from Danny, and all." He says Paul mentioned a figure but it wasn't even half what they'd talked about.

Gail is on the phone to the headmaster, telling him David won't be back at school until they've found out who's doing the bullying. She hangs up and tells David and Sarah that Mr Griffin thinks it strange that the bullying has escalated this much in just a week back at school. David still refuses to name names.

Liam gets up to leave but comes back to tell Adam that it doesn't mean they can't still have a pint. Adam can't believe Paul would only say the business is worth half what he wanted. "It's a proper working business," he points out, but Liam doesn't think any of it will matter when he's unloading his van on Grey Mare Lane Market tomorrow. Adam revises his price to 100 grand. "Ring him." Liam says that better than that, he'll go and find Paul.

Outside, he hops into the car, which is parked by the Kabin, telling Paul that Adam is sweating.

Sean knocks on the door before going into Frankie and Jamie's house, which looks chaotic. "If it's burglars, you carry on, I'm not stopping," he calls out. Violet and Jamie come downstairs. Sean's come to offer muscle. Violet thinks it's the least he can do, since he's pinching Jamie to go out drinking and who-knows-what that evening. "Well, it's not going to be womanising, is it?" Jamie says. Sean wants to know if there's such a word as "manising". He doesn't see why not.

The brothers are still waiting at the car. Paul thinks Adam's attitude about Danny is the card they should play.

Violet's back and Sean and Jamie have finished moving her stuff. Once Sean goes, Violet gets serious, asking Jamie if he's all right with her moving in. He reassures her that he is. He doesn't look happy, though.

Eileen meets Ashley in the street. She asks how he's coping. He says he's got Boris covering for him in the shop, but they still have to close up early. Eileen offers her help. Ashley is reluctant because of what happened with Hayley. "Look, if you need an hour off, we don't have to say anything." Ashley leaves Thomas with her while he goes for a walk around the park to clear his head.

Gail finds David outside kicking a ball against the garage. She's furious and tells him to get inside. She's got a good mind to start going to school with him. David says it's all about her anyway. "What do you call someone who can't tell the difference between Blind Date and Crimewatch -- David's mam -- that's what it's like," he snarls at her. "And every time I hear that, it's like I'm back there looking at him!"

Liam arrives in the pub, closely followed by Sean. Liam asks if his boss is still at work and Jamie says he'll be over in a minute because he's going out with Sean and Jamie. Then Sean heads out the back to have a wash (at Violet's suggestion) before going out -- he's still wearing that scout shirt and he's been doing all that lugging of luggage upstairs.

He meets Michelle and asks how she's getting on with Liz. Michelle says it's fine as long as Liz doesn't start singing. "Oh, I hope she isn't going to hog the microphone all night on my birthday," Sean says. Michelle tells him that Liz's rendition of Fever might make her stay home for the night. That sends Sean off into a parody of Liz singing Fever, "You give me fever in't mornin', fever all through t'night . . ." He's cut off in his prime by Liz: "Oi! How do you fancy a fat lip, you raucous little swine!" He tries to back pedal, but Liz isn't impressed. "Just you wait. You'll change your tune," she tells the two of them.

In the bar, Jamie comes in looking for Sean. Liz comes through and tells Steve that her staff need sacking. "Give us a pint, Violet," he says. "Oh, unless you're sacking her as well?" Liz is just waiting to see the look on Michelle's face when she wipes the floor with her on karaoke night. Adam comes in but isn't in the mood for going out. He goes to sit with Liam. Paul comes in and sits with them. He tells Adam he should wait a couple of months for someone with less sense and more money. "It's not our Liam's fault. I'm just doing the big brother thing -- looking after him." Jamie and Sean leave without Adam. Adam mutters he should have sold his share to Danny in the first place. He tells them Danny offered 80 grand. "No chance. Not to him, anyway." "That's about as far as we'd go," says Paul. "Don't say that if you don't mean it," Adam mutters. Liam reckons he can't turn down £80,000. Paul thinks they should get the papers in front of him because he will have changed his mind by Monday. "Tomorrow," says Adam decisively. "I'll get it sorted. Come round to the factory about half 12." They agree and Adam buys the drinks.

The End.
And as the credits roll, the Scottish continuity announcer says: "Uh oh. Trouble there." She's probably right.
Margaret Carr

This week's Sunday update almost did not reach you. Having invested a large sum in a new 'puter, I find that the life of the associated keyboard can be measured in weeks and that the loss of the letter b, n and the space bar prevents logging on to the machine. Anyway rescued from a cupboard is an old keyboard and this update is brought you courtesy of a very worn interface device!

Over in Weatherfield events in the Street come to you courtesy of the writing of Stephen Bennett , the direction of Stuart Davids and the copyright remains with ITV Productions.

Claire is off her rocker but Ashley has not noticed and is left holding the baby as she goes off to her mother's ? again. Eileen wanders up and they have a cup of tea - providing Eileen makes it! Much, much later Claire returns home and she sends Ashley off for a quick drink. Once he has gone she stares at the baby, looks at him coldly and wonders aloud what does he know that he thinks she does not know.

Liam is still after his date with Frankie, especially now that he knows she is all woman, she says she might see him in the Rovers later after he has completed a bit of business.

David is off out - which is about all the cheeky lad tells his mother - she eventually extracts a story about Craig - he just shouts at her that he needs to get out of the house. She wants to talk to him instead of shouting and he storms out and bangs the door. Later Gail sees Audrey in the Street and Gail reports that David has been wagging off all week and that the bullying has started again. Inside their discussion continues. If it is lies - why do it unless he needs help? OTOH there really might be bullying and ignoring it will not work either. Audrey does not know what to say except that Gail should not blame herself.

Frankie and Violet and drinking coffee - Jamie is still in bed and Sean is getting blamed for his late night. He appears a complete mess and feels rough.

Blanche wants to know what Adam is up to - he has been going to the solicitors. Adam reckons he is in a much better mood and does not need to consult his grandfather. Adam reckons he might be coming into some money. Joanne will just have to await the surprise announcement.

Steve arrives in the Rovers and asks which of the delightful Michelle and Violet will provide him with sustenance. Michelle observes that it will have to be Violet as she is in the single desperate meal ticket seeing single mother category. Violet obliges whilst asking Steve to remind Jamie that she is gorgeous. Michelle observes that all men need reminding all the time. An Estate agent arrives to value the property so that Fred can put it on the market. Fred of course has rather overlooked telling the staff that their jobs are on the line. After looking around he thanks Liz and says that the valuation will soon be in the post to Fred - and it sounds like it will be on the market once they have had a discussion. Liz and the staff are worried. It will not be the same without Fred.

At the factory Paul and Liam are in the process of ripping off Adam for a silly price for his share of the factory - indeed they can hardly suppress a grin as Adam signs away his inheritance for a stupidly small sum of money - Paul simply keeps asking technical questions about aged debts! Anyway I always thought the Scots were canny with money - and Adam has just been stitched up like a kipper and turned into a pauper - simply because of his hatred of Danny. What a waste. They go to the Rovers for a celebratory drink.

Violet asks Sean to stop taking Jamie for a drink - because it means he treats her badly.

When Adam arrives he buys drinks for the Connors and announces the sale of his 40%. Blanche asks why he has not taken any advice - to see the look on Danny's face. Blanche tells Adam off - but he washes his hands of it and the factory and Danny saying he is better off out of it all. Jamie - who finally arrives in the Rovers - asks him how much - £80k - about half what it is really worth. He tells Adam off for trying to get one over on Danny in his absence.

David returns and is rude and insolent to his mother. She asks if he will name the bullies. David refuses. She accuses him of being a coward. He laughs in her face. She tells him they will be going to school on Monday - and sends him to wash his face. David just about does as he is told.

Claire looks through the recent photos and finds a shot of the baby newly born in the hospital and compares it with the baby in front of her - back and forth, no words just looks.

Frankie arrives and meets Paul for the first time and then asks about the business. Liam tells her they have bought 40% of Underworld - you mean Adam's share she observes and covering her face laughs - and lets them in on the secret that the famous 60% owning Danny is her former husband! Paul asks if it is a wind up - but no this is soap land and it is all true. Paul and Liam in the toilets (which are suddenly huge and presumably intrude extensively onto the Barlow's living area) are arguing. Paul thinks it is all bad news, but Liam has taken Frankie's assurance that there are no problems and all will go smoothly.

Joanne reckons that all this change is a bad thing and minus her twin is finding it hard to get around everything. Adam re-assures her that all is well - he is loaded now.

Liam makes a beeline for Frankie and asks if the darts game was wasted - it will be she responds if we do not leave here for somewhere else and arm in arm they depart.

Paul observes their departure and his bad mood worsens as Steve leans over and observes that Liam and Danny will get along like a house on fire.

And I will be back next week.

K Richard W

Written by: Jan McVerry
Directed by: Diana Patrick

I've been coaxed out of retirement for a few weeks to cover for Amanda, who may or may not be sunning herself at Sir Cliff Richard's villa in the Caribbean for a few weeks (in her dreams anyway).

Anyhoo, on with the action, and the first face we see on Corrie tonight is that of the very beautiful Liam Connor. Finally some serious eye-candy for the more mature updater (the Lovely Craig being a tad on the young side).

We also see the rather less attractive face of a jet-lagged Deirdre. Liam has come to her door looking for Adam. Deirdre is shocked to hear that Liam has bought Adam's share of the factory. Adam is apparently still in bed, so Liam (who has the chirpy Mancunian charm thing off to a T) hands her the paper bag containing takeaway brekkie he's brought: 'Caffeine. Works wonders,' he says. But it looks like it'll take more than caffeine to rescue Adam from a Deirdre-style tongue-lashing.

Now two differing approaches to parenting and school. David's face is a picture (something by Francis Bacon) when Gail informs him she'll be going with him to school, whereas Cilla wants Chesney to stay at home so he can help her wi't'internet ('If I don't know how much we made, I don't know how much we've got to spend on staples like crisps and pop'). Chesney refuses, as he knows the value of a good education, but says he'll help her at dinner time.

Ashley comes home from dropping our Joshua off at his friend's, to find Claire in a bizarrely-dyed pink shirt and an irritable mood. She shows no interest in Ashley or baby Thomas, which prompts Ashley to tell her that she's wearing herself out and he'll ring her mum to say she's having a day at home. Claire tells him not to do that, but she promises she'll take the day off and will ring her mum herself. Ashley goes to work.

Deirdre ignores the fact that Adam is wearing just his pants (not a pretty sight) and demands to know why he didn't ring them in Corfu to get their advice about selling the factory. Adam says he didn't need advice, and it was a good offer - he would have taken less just to see the look on Danny's face when he got back. Deirdre says he's thrown away Mike's hard work just to get one over on Danny, and Adam replies that Mike would have approved, and he's laughing all the way to the bank. Stupid boy.

At the Rovers there is more tension and sniping between Liz and Michelle. Liz is worrying about her future now that the Rovers is likely to be changing hands, and tells Michelle and Violet she's popping out for a minute. When she's gone, Violet and Michelle have a little bonding moment in which Michelle says she's quite likely to get the sack anyway when Bev and Fred get back, and Violet says she would miss her.

Liz's destination is the butcher's, to find out from Ashley if Fred has had any offers on the pub. Ashley is preoccupied with his own problems and isn't very helpful at all. Liz goes out no wiser than when she came in. Then Claire comes in, telling Ashley that her mum has had a fall and she has to go round there. He says he'll go with her, but she says the baby is in a taxi and she has to go, and rushes out. Ashley confides to Audrey, who is also in the shop, that he worries it's all too much for Claire. Audrey takes him to Roy's for a nice cuppa and a pie to calm him down.

There are just so many high-class places to eat in Weatherfield that one is spoiled for choice. At Wong's Fish & Chip Emporium the discerning customer can choose from a wide variety of deep-fried products, prepared and served by the highly-trained and charming Cilla and Yana. Chesney comes in to give Cilla the cheques that have arrived in the post for the stuff they sold on t'internet. 'Supersize him, Yana!' Cilla says, thrilled with her son's work in helping her to sell everything that isn't nailed down. After Chesney has gone, Yana ponders the money. It's either the value of a weekly shop at Freshco's, or 'a set of acrylic nails. a red plunge bra and a night out at Roxette's.' Now, which of those will Cilla find most appealing?

Back at Roy's Rolls, Ashley is pouring out his worries to Audrey. She symathises that it's a terrible time for Claire to lose her mother, when she's a new mother herself.

Gail comes home to get David to take him to meet the headmaster, and is surprised to find him in his civvies rather than his school uniform. In fact he's wearing a Sid Vicious T shirt, and refuses to put on his uniform. But Gail is going to take him to the school anyway - there's no escape for him this time.

Not before time, another scene involving Liam. He's settling in at the factory, and Adam has wandered in to collect his stuff. Liam asks if he wants a photograph of Mike and Penny, but Adam says he has his memories of Mike and doesn't need the photo. Liam asks what Adam plans to do now, and he says he might go travelling, or just sit and count his money. Liam tells him to enjoy it while he's young, and then when Adam goes out he tosses Mike and Penny into the bin. Then Liam goes out to survey his workforce, and immediately takes issue with Kelly's totteringly high heels and micro-mini skirt. They contravene health and safety, you see. At first the girls and Sean think he's joking, but he's quite serious and sends Kelly home to get changed. She appeals to Adam, who is still hanging around, but he says it's nothing to do with him. Sean mutters, 'The king is dead, long live the king!'

David and Gail are at the school waiting to see the headmaster. David tells her that one of the bullies plays basketball for Manchester Youth, and no-one is likely to take David's word against his. Gail says that anyone with an ounce of integrity would.

Audrey and Ashley are back in the butchers shop following their little break at Roy's. Ashley is trying to ring Claire and is worried because she isn't answering. He has visions of Claire and her mum being in A&E. Then the shop door opens. It's only Claire's mum - she's looking svelte and tanned following a yoga holiday in Greece, and hasn't seen Claire for several weeks.

At the school, Mr Griffin the headmaster is trying to get David to name names. He asks David to consider the other kids who might be bullied now or in the future by the same gang - does he want that on his conscience? 'My conscience is clear,' says David, 'Blame the bullies.' Ooh, he's totally brazen, that one. Mr Griffin points out that if David isn't coming to school, Gail is breaking the law and could be prosecuted. This has the desired effect and David gives the names of Jeff Grant, Daz Burrows and Graham Grant (brother of the aforementioned Jeff). David says now he's told them, they can expect to find him swinging in the showers.

At the pub, Steve clearly hasn't given up all hope of charming the lovely Michelle, but is interrupted by his mother, still whingeing on about her job. Steve tells her to 'think like a manager' and get a mortgage sorted out and make Fred an offer.

A gorgeous sight to behold now - Liam with a very nice bunch of flowers. He tells his brother Paul (or 'Paaaahl' as he pronounces it) that he's already managed to annoy his new workforce by sending Kelly to get changed. He thinks he and Danny should play good cop, bad cop. Paul says he hopes the flowers are a goodbye present for Frankie, but the twinkle in Liam's eye would suggest otherwise.

Ashley, Audrey and Yvonne are now back at Ashley's house, but Claire isn't there. Ashley is still under the impression that Yvonne has cancer, but she soon puts him right - apart from a dodgy knee she's never been fitter. The true scale of Claire's problems dawns on them all. Yvonne says she'll go to her house to see if Claire has turned up there - she thinks maybe she's been going there while Yvonne was away in Greece. Before she goes, Ashley confesses that Claire has left the baby in the car on his own a couple of times. Yvonne can't believe that he let Claire go out with the baby, knowing she's been doing this.

At the cab office, Les isn't happy that Cilla has sold all his stuff. 'As t'poet said, no pain, no gain,' Cilla informs him, adding that at least now his son can eat and walk around with shoes on his feet. Les relents and tells her she's been a trouper, and she leaves him with a list of things to pack up for posting.

Yvonne comes back to Ashley's, not having found Claire at her house. She asks him if there's anywhere Claire might be - a favourite walk or something. He says he doesn't know - it feels like he doesn't know Claire any more.

Next we see Claire outdoors, pushing the baby in his pram. She's telling him that she knows what babies need, she's done exams in it. But she can't give him what he needs. 'It's nothing personal,' she says. 'It's for the best.'

What's for the best? What's she going to do? Will Ashley find her in time before she does it? And will Gail find David swinging in the showers?

Find out in the next thrilling episode.

Sue Haasler

Ashley is running round like a ... Peacock ! He tells Eileen that he still cannot find Claire. Yvonne is surprised that they don't just call the police.

Sally is sorting the keys out of the factory for Liam. She tells him that as the keyholder he can be called out at anytime by the police if there is a problem at the factory. However, she suggests that he may want to give them to someone he can trust .....

Claire turns up at the maternity unit of the hospital. She tells the receptionist that it is not her baby. She believes there must have been a mix-up. She tells her that the baby was born on 17 July and took him home soon after. She has therefore tried to make it work, but as a mother she knows there is no connection between the baby and herself.

At Underworld, Kelly is complaining to her co-workers (I use that term very loosely!) that she is annoyed at Liam sending her home to change. Then Liam calls her into his office.

Back at the hospital, the receptionist is talking on the phone, out of Claire's earshot, that she wants a midwife who has had child protection training. Claire calls out, asking what the delay is. The receptionist goes back to the phone and says they need someone "pretty sharpish".

Sean has seen Liam with a bouquet of flowers and wonders who they are for (I don't think Sean is Liam's type!).

Liam talks to Kelly. He tells her that the shoes she wears with the high heels breach health and safety rules. She says that all her shoes have high heels, although some are a bit smaller 4 inches (1.57 cm). Liam insists she gets herself some "sensible" shoes. She is walking out the office and mentions her size mumbling that she hasn't got any, when Hayley offers to loan her a pair of hers.

Cilla is at home using the internet when Chesney comes home. She tells him that she is busy and to get something out of the cupboard. All that there is there is packets of soup. Chesney looks at Cilla's screen when she says she is doing internet shopping and asks what Club 18-40 is all about.

In the hospital the nurse comes down and after being briefed by the receptionist, turns round to find Claire and Thomas have disappeared. They soon find him abandoned in the toilet.

Claire returns home without Thomas. Ashley is going hysterical and demands to know what Claire has done with the baby. She tells him that she "took him back" (maybe she thinks they are on 28 days approval?!) She is then surprised to see her mother in the room. Claire says she really would like to curl up under a duvet, but she can't sleep at nights. She confirms that Thomas is at the hospital. She says there was a mistake, she was given the wrong baby.

Kelly is walking across the factory floor in flat "sensible" shoes. The others laugh at her.

Sally is now showing the alarm code, and said it was based on Danny and Mike's birthdays. She suggests he may want to change it, and he suggests something secret.

Ashley turns up at the hospital and sees the midwife. He explains that basically Claire is a good mother. The midwife tells him that she needs to run some test on him and Claire before they can let the baby come home.

Deirdre asks Roy, as a local businessman how much he thinks the factory was worth. When she tells him how much Adam sold it for, he considers that it is undervalued and worth more.

Also in the cafe, Liam turns up with the huge bouquet of flowers. She wonders coyly if they were for her! He offers to help put them in water for her, but she says she can manage. He says he will see her for a drink later in the Rovers. She thinks she may just about manage that!

Deirdre tells Frankie that Liam has got his feet under the table at Underworld. Frankie says that he has got his feet under her table !!

Yvonne, talking to Claire says she knows how much she loves Josh, and can't understand why she doesn't love Thomas as much. Claire drifts off subject and wonders who has been looking after her baby. She says mistakes sometimes happen. Yvonne says she is worried about Claire.

The midwife tells Ashley that she believes Claire is suffering from depression. She tells him that Social Services will see her tomorrow. Then another nurse brings Thomas to the door. The midwife insists that Ashley makes sure that Claire sees a doctor the next day.

A new storyline develops here. Cilla tells Les that she has booked a holiday in Aya Napa (Cyprus). Les wonders who is going to tell Chesney because he will be very disappointed. Cilla tells him it is not him that she is taking but Yana.

Steve insists that Liz should get a mortgage and buy the pub if Fred is selling it.

The girls from the factory roll in. They pretend because she is in flat shoes they can't see her. Then Kelly changes her shoes, and they suddenly "see" her.

Ashley returns home with baby Thomas. As Claire goes upstairs he shouts up at her that she must be ill. She needs help.

And that is about it for me for tonight. I will now throw the pen in the air and see who catches it - ah it is Anne!

Martin Rosen

Hi all, this is the update for Wednesday 13th September.

Kelly turns up for work wearing three quarter length jeans and trainers, and asks the other girls if they think the boss would approve.

Fizz sees Kirk walking along across the street, and rushes over, demanding to know when he's going to give her her first driving lesson. She persuades him that it's going to be lunch time, "And don't forget to bring a car!" she cries.

Sean steps out of his front door, greeting the world in general. Gail and Audrey are walking along, and Gail comments acidly that Sean is making a show of himself again. Audrey reminds her that she's got to sort David out, and get him to school.

Sean has rushed over to the girls waiting on the factory steps. It's his birthday and her persuades Hayley to give him his present there and then. It's a large pink tie, emblazoned with bras and knickers. "Wear it with pride," says Hayley. "Wear it with courage!" says Fizz. At that moment Liam, the new boss arrives. "As long as you don't wear it to work," he says, eyeing the tie. Sean assures him that he won't.

In the Peacock household, Ashley is holding the baby while Claire declares that she feels fine. Ashley is sure she isn't, and reminds her of what happened yesterday. They're waiting for a visit from the social worker, and Claire asks if they'll go through the records and check who the baby is. Ashley tells her the doctor is coming too. "Why?" asks Claire, "are you sick?" "No," says Ashley. "Neither am I," says Claire.

In the factory Liam is using his best selling skills to procure a large order from a buyer. The deal is done and they shake on it. "I want them fast," says the buyer. "You'll get them quicker," promises Liam. All this is viewed by the workers, and Hayley comments that that buyer from Westway Fabrics is really hard to please. As their new boss goes off to his office, Sean starts pleading for more cards. "No," says Joanne, looking uncomfortable, and when Fizz changes the subject she comments that she thinks their new boss is ‘well fit'!

Mr. Connor himself then appears, "Talking about me, ladies?" he asks. Sean says no, they're talking about him because it's his birthday. "Many happy returns," says Liam, and then asks to see Hayley in the office.

Ashley is talking to the social worker, it seems Claire has left the room. The social worker tells Ashley that it's obvious that Claire is not well. (Now there's a surprise!) The doorbell rings, it's the doctor, and as he comes in the social worker leaves.

Liam is talking to Hayley in the office, saying he thought that if they got together they could run a tighter ship. He manages to get Hayley telling him all about Danny leaving Frankie for Leanne. Then she tells him how she sometimes feels undervalued as a supervisor, and Liam says he would like to give her more responsibility. He then asks if there's anything else he should know about Mr. Baldwin. Hayley tells him she's not a gossip, and he replies that he just wants to understand the man a little bit better.

While this meeting is taking place, Joanne has nipped over to the Kabin to buy a card for Sean, despite all his talking about it beforehand she had actually forgotten to get him one. She asks Rita if she can borrow a pen, and Rita pulls out the free one the shop was sent. Norris is furious! "There it is!" he snorts, "you said you didn't know where it was!" Rita takes it back and puts it in her bag, telling Norris that if he wants to use it he will have to ask nicely. "You can be so irritating!" he huffs. Just then Gail comes in and buys half a dozen exercise books for David to write in. "I thought the school provided those?" says Norris, and Gail explains that he's not been well.

The doctor is talking to Claire, asking if she gets enough sleep. He then asks when she first started to feel uneasy about him. She says she always did, as soon as she came home from the hospital. "If you test him you'll find out there's been a mix up," she tells the doctor. He asks her why she went back to the hospital, and she is of the opinion that he should be at the hospital until all this is sorted out. She's adamant that Thomas can't be hers because she doesn't feel anything for him. The doctor says he'll prescribe some tablets, and she gets cross, telling them to check the hospital records. She gets up and goes off up the stairs, saying that they're not listening to her and she doesn't want to talk to them any more.

In the factory, Joanne gives Sean his card and then Liam comes and takes her to one side. "I don't know where you went before, but it was 10 minutes there and back," he says. She starts to say how she'd forgotten Sean's birthday when he interrupts her. "I don't want to know," he says, "just don't let it happen again." Sean and the girls are discussing being thirty. He wishes he had someone to love him, and they could travel the world together. Fizz says that's what she and Kirk are going to do, just as soon as she's passed her driving test. Joanne asks if Kirk knows about this, and Fizz admits that he doesn't.

As the workers cross the Street for lunchtime birthday drinks with Sean, Kirk pulls up in a rusty old van for Fizz's driving lesson.

In the Peacock household, the doctor is preparing to leave. Ashley asks what he thinks is wrong with Claire, and the doctor says it could be post-natal depression. "Claire's never been depressed in all her life," says Ashley. (Duh! She's never had a baby before, either! Wake up Ashley!) The doctor tells him it's an illness like any other, and it will take time, but the tablets will help. As the doctor leaves, Claire comes down the stairs. "You can get those tablets if you want," she says quietly, and then adds, "I'm not taking them!"

Kirk and Fizz are still sitting in the van. She's getting frustrated because he won't let her start the ignition. "First things first," he says. Then he looks at her feet and sees she's wearing wedges, which he says are dangerous. He tells her to put on some kennel boots she'll find in the back. As she's about to put them on all the factory workers come out of the pub and tell her it's time to get back to work. "I'm going to kill you, Kirk," she says, "I'm going to kill you stone dead!"

With baby in pushchair, Ashley persuades a reluctant Claire to go for a walk, telling her the fresh air will do them good.

Liam is showing his brother round the factory, telling him it's the start of his empire. Paul is worried that Liam's relationship with Frankie will not do his working relationship with Danny any good. "You've got to work with this bloke," he tells him, "there's no point in getting up his nose." Liam tells Paul that he's not seeing Frankie any more.

Ashley has collected Claire's tablets from the chemist, but she is still adamant that she's not going to take them. They walk down the road arguing, she's cross that she stood outside the chemist for ten minutes ‘like a stupid idiot' (her words) while he took the baby inside. "What did you think I was going to do to him?" she shouts, and then tries to take the pushchair handle from Ashley. "I'll push him," she says. Ashley tries to stop her, telling her to wait until they get to the park. "I'm a trained nanny, don't you trust me?" says Claire, grabbing at the pushchair, "Well you take him now, I don't want him anyway," she yells, and then shoves the pushchair hard into the busy road, and into the path of an oncoming car. The car screeches to a halt and thankfully baby Thomas is unhurt. Ashley rushes over and lifts the baby up into his arms.

Back at the Kabin, Norris and Rita are still not seeing eye to eye about the free gifts. Rita says it's only a pen, while Norris thinks that there's a principal at stake. Emily is in the shop and has to admit that Norris has a point. "He's overstating it," she tells Rita, "but I can see what he's getting at." She then suggests they split the pen – not half and half, but sixty/forty or whatever percentage they've divided the business into.

Assuring the car driver and other bystanders that they are all right, Ashley says, "Let's go home," to Claire, and walks off holding his child. Claire follows.

In the cafe, Gail tells Audrey that David's headmaster is looking into the bullying allegations. She says she's not sending David back to school until those boys are got rid of. Audrey doesn't believe that David is doing proper schoolwork by himself at home.

Liam comes in and asks Frankie for a decent cup of coffee. He tells Roy that Hayley is keeping an eye on things, she's very reliable. Roy says he'll appreciate her more as time goes on. He then asks Frankie if she'll go out with him after work.

Audrey and Gail are on their way down the Street. Audrey asks Gail if she's going to check on David, but Gail says she trusts him. Claire walks past at that moment, followed by Ashley with the pushchair. "What's wrong?" Audrey asks Ashley as he passes. Ashley, close to tears, asks her if she'll come into the house, and he seems so distressed that she goes in with him.

In the cafe, Liam suggests to Frankie that they go to see a band, some friends of his, they're not famous but he thinks she'll like them.

In the house, Ashley explains to Audrey what happened. "She said she didn't want him and the next minute he was in the middle of the road," he says. Audrey is shocked, "She could have killed him," she says, horrified. She then persuades Ashley that he has to do something, besides just getting her to take the tablets. Audrey tells him he has to do something, next time she could harm the baby, or worse. "That could happen next time," she says. Claire comes in then, and says she knows they were talking about her. "Josh is fine by the way," she says, "and so is that baby, so you don't need dash out and check. Forget it," she continues, "it doesn't matter what we say to each other, I don't want to hear and you don't want to listen." She marches off up the stairs, leaving Ashley close to tears again.

Anne Logan

We open with Claire considering the packet of pills. She takes out two, almost puts them in her mouth, but throws them down the sink instead, followed by the rest of them -- the whole prescription.

Ashley is at the doctor's and ends up telling the doctor about Claire shoving the stroller into the traffic. The doctor immediately says Claire must be assessed immediately. He telephones the hospital straight away to make an appointment so Claire can be seen by a psychiatrist with more experience of post-natal depression.

A different sort of depression has fallen over Kelly, who is at work in the factory wearing a dull brown top, jeans and sensible shoes. "Did you give your old clothes to a prostitute's refuge?" asks Sally, forgetting that Kelly can move faster in trainers. "Mr Connor" brings in a postcard from Danny in Spain. Frankie comes in to see him, which sets the tongues wagging when he takes her into the office. "Bet he don't make her dress up in old clothes so she looks like her auntie!" mutters Kelly. Frankie has come to thank Liam for the night out. She tells him she doesn't get to go out very often.

Ashley goes home and freaks out when he sees the empty tablet foils. She assures him she didn't swallow them, though she says everyone would be a lot better off without her.

Speaking of people we'd be better off without, Cilla is on the sunbed, getting ready for Ianappa. Les worries about the 'leccy, but Cilla points out: "If you want to be married to a bronze goddess, it's the price you've gotta pay." Les doesn't want her to go, he'll miss her. "You should have thought about that before you went off parallel parking with Janice," she says evilly.

Claire comes downstairs and Ashley asks if they can just sit down for five minutes. He apologises for the way he's been behaving lately. He tells her he's thought about what she said, and she's right about Thomas not being theirs. She seems ecstatic. "I knew that if he was mine, I'd love him," she explains. All her baby books describe it as a "rush of love." He tells her they'll have go back to the hospital. He says the first time, the hospital staff were just scared they were going to be sued.

In the Rovers, they're getting ready for karaoke night. Discussing what they're going to sing, Michelle looks straight at Liz as she says she might do "Who Let The Dogs Out?"

Audrey is visiting the Peacocks, cuddling baby Thomas. Claire's mum is there as well. They're all playing along with her. She becomes very tender towards Thomas, just as she was with Joshua when she was his nanny. "It's not his fault that we don't love him," she says. "Shall we get going, then?" Before Ashley leaves he kisses the baby's head. "Sorry, son."

In the hospital, Claire is confused when they head the opposite way to maternity. Her mother tells her not to worry. Claire is stunned when she finds she has an appointment in another department. "you lied to me! You said you understood! You stay away from me," she screams as she is led away. Ashley is in tears and a group of people escort her away down the corridor.

In the Rovers, Michelle is singing The Look Of Love. Violet wants to have a go but Jamie refuses to join her. Liz is offended that Steve's watching Michelle absolutely rapt. Deirdre comes in and is very impressed, and not just with Michelle's singing. "How does she get her hair so shiny?" Liz is offended by the question. "Probably combs it with a pork chop or something," she sneers. Eileen thinks she's jealous.

In the hospital, Claire is telling the doctor everything was fine until Thomas came along. She says Thomas isn't happy anyway. "How can he be when his own mother doesn't want him?" The doctor asks if this means Claire does know that Thomas is hers. She replies that the baby would be better off dead than unwanted. "Claire, deep down, you do know that he's yours," the doctor says. Claire is crying. "If he is, then what does that say about me? It says I'm unnatural. Coldhearted. Evil. What sort of mother can't love their own child?"

Deirdre, Liz and Eileen are singing a song that includes the words "The street's the place to go." (It's Raining Men) Michelle is being just as catty about Liz as Liz was about her. Paul Connor wants to know if it's Golden Oldies night. Liam is talking to Frankie. He thinks she's working in the wrong place. It's a chat-up line, really.

Fizz, Kelly, Adam, Kirk etc are discussing gifts they've been given in the past. Kelly got a Girl's World once (no, I'd never heard of one, either). Hayley says Roy once gave her a hand-painted thimble with a picture of the Mary Celeste. Fizz hopes for something "that someone's had to put a lot of thought into" for her birthday. All Kirk's thinking is "what does she mean?".

Cilla is loading cases into the car. She's got a plan for making sure he doesn't play around while she's away. She's taking his lucky pants with her so he can't cop off. "They're what's called a psychological crutch," she tells him. He can't score without them. She sets Chesney the task of reporting back on Les's every move.

In the pub, Jamie still refuses to have a go at the karaoke. Until Sean suggests a Donny & Marie Osmond duet. "Only if I can be Marie," says Jamie. At the bar, Liam is telling Paul he's not getting rid of Frankie.

The psychiatrist tells Ashley and Claire's mum that Claire has severe post-natal depression and they'll have to keep her in for a while. Ashley is horrified. He wants to take Claire home. "You can't force her to stay here." But the doctor points out that if someone poses a danger to themselves or the public, they can be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Ashley is furious. "She's seriously ill, Ashley. You did the right thing bringing her in. You had no choice," the doctor says.

Jamie is singing with Sean. They're doing Don't Go Breaking My Heart, with Jamie on the high bit. Violet is obviously upset that Jamie would sing with Sean and not with her.

Ashley goes to see Claire and she asks to be taken home. He has to refuse. "They won't let me. They're saying that you're too ill." Claire absolutely breaks down. "You're punishing me for being such a terrible mum." Ashley assures her that he loves her. "Ashley, please don't leave me. I'm begging you." And her cries follow him down the corridor as he leaves.

The End
Margaret Carr

The Street is going through a transition at present. New management a few months ago decided to lose a significant number of residents and one or two others have opted to leave. In consequence time is being marked until new residents and stories can be introduced. This might just account for Doris and his hang up about a pen. Lloyd's absence might not continue a lot longer - I see Craig Charles has been cautioned (rather unlike Kate Moss who pleaded said nuffink (at least I think that is how it is pronounced in Croydon).

Tonight's events are copyright ITV Productions, written by Stephen Bennett and directed by Diana Patrick.

Ashley is feeding Thomas and Josh and the place is a mess. Josh asks when mummy is coming back. Audrey arrives early to look after the baby - she is near enough family.

Frankie is tired as she arrives downstairs to find Jamie on the sofa. Violet shouts down for Jamie - so she comes downstairs. J has to make coffee for both girls when Liam arrives - apparently she is expecting him. Liam goes to make coffee and tea all round. Frankie re-appears and Jamie decides to go. Liam and Frankie start flirting. A little later Liam reads a card from Danny - sending all his love. Frankie tries to explain that whilst Danny might feel like that she does. They go and sit in the yard.

Fred and Bev return early - as Liz pops out of the Rovers. Bev lies saying she has not been feeling well. Bev is not sure when they will be back in the Rovers. Fred sort of apologises for the visit from the estate agent. Fred and Bev go indoors. Bev starts doing the washing and Fred starts blustering about events. Bev takes over the baby and Audrey is made to feel unwelcome. She offers to help further, but Fred is clearly distracted.

Ashley is at the hospital talking to the doctor. She and Ashley join Claire. Claire is not happy and rejects Ashley's cuddle. He tells her he loves her. She tells him to leave her alone and go home and look after the kids - she does not like that he lied to her. The doctor and Ashley go to the former's office. Ashley is pacing back and forth worried about what he has done. The doctor explains that they are limited to 28 days under the section order. The first review will be after two weeks - she is on tablets but a full recovery is likely to take much longer. Ashley starts crying.

At the Battersbys Les is doing the washing, Fiz is complaining about the lack of driving practice and Chesney accurately tells her that she should check mirror then signal then maneuver!! She is not amused. Kirk says she has to know the theory before she can start the practical! Fiz offers to do the washing in exchange for driving lessons from Les and there is an agreement. Outside he can hear Liam talking to Frankie - telling a story about a motor stolen from under his nose. Les and Liam then cross swords. Liam starts taking the mick out of Les - but then they shake hands. Les is unhappy doing a woman's job. Frankie compares Liam and Danny - with Liam coming out favourably.

At the cafe Sean is getting another round of bacon butties. Violet confides in Eileen that she has found that living with Jamie is not quite what she expected - weird - almost as though he has gone off her. Jamie seems keener on spending time with Sean than he does Violet, even making comments which surprise Eileen.

Liam arrives in the Rovers to collect Ryan. Paul reminds Liam that he often screws up business for the sake of "a bit on the side" - but Liam points out that he no-one else and for the lovely Francesca it is all over with his about to be met joint owner of Underworld. Paul, Ryan and Liam leave to go to a football match and as Paul is about to pull away he does so without noticing the arrival of Danny in his car and there is almost an accident and they trade abusive comments. Danny parks as Frankie and Jamie come out of the house. Danny offers to bring them up to date on Warren - but Frankie refuses and Violet also notes that whilst he might be tired from enjoying himself she gets little chance. Jamie is solicitous towards looking after Frankie - Violet is very much second to her. Danny does not like them walking away from him.

The Battersbys leave the house - Kirk is hungry and Les suggests a drive thru burger but everyone reckons that their new pilot might be a danger! Chesney wants to go back for Schmeichel but Les refuses and they all climb in the car. Kirk complains he is being undermined whilst Chesney reads from the Highway Code as to what Fiz should do next. Before they move off Steve wanders over and asks what they are all doing in the cab. Driving lessons - not in this cab - no insurance cover for such activity. Steve apologises to Fiz - back to Kirk's van.

Ashley returns home to find Fred's car outside. He tells them he did not mean them to come home. He says he has made a mess of everything. Les re-assures him it is all right.

Sean takes the order for drinks from Jamie as they arrive in the Rovers. Bev pops into the Rovers and Liz suggests she might like to have a word with Michelle. Liz thinks Michelle is going to get the push when the latter goes in the back room. Bev wants Liz to stay on for a while longer. Michelle goes back to work and she tells Liz that she plans to stay on - and the pay rise really helped make her mind up.

Danny goes to see Adam - he is told all is well and that everything has gone completely smoothly. Adam says he will discuss anything important the following morning at work. Danny is bemused, if not surprised.

And the credits roll. See you next week.

K Richard W

The moment we've all been waiting for (well, I have at least) - Danny arrives at the factory blissfully unaware that he has a new business partner. He's also blissfully unaware of the code for the burglar alarm, which Liam has changed in his absence. The result is that the alarm starts blaring.

In the Peacock household Ashley has "just got our Thomas off" and the alarm wakes him up again. Ashley is on a knife-edge anyway, what with being kept awake all night by a small baby and being worried about Claire, and he doesn't react well to the sudden noise nuisance. Fred is sympathetic and offers to look after Thomas while Ashley has a little nap. Ashley says he can't because Joshua has a cold and won't be able to go to school. Fred says they'll cope, but Ashley is furious and stomps out of the house to deal with that dratted alarm.

The alarm is also annoying Dev and Deirdre (in their respective homes - don't worry, they haven't re-ignited that old spark). Rather oddly, it hasn't occurred to Danny to go and ask Adam (whom he still believes to be his co-manager) if he's changed the alarm code, and no-one thinks of mentioning Liam to Danny. But we'll just call it poetic license and let the scriptwriter get on with it. Meanwhile Danny, faced by an enraged Ashley in his vest, is on his mobile contacting the alarm company.

In the more peaceful environment of Roy's Rolls, Hayley has a handful of post for Craig, from which she deduces it's his birthday. He confirms that this is, indeed, the case, and that he's now 16. Hayley wishes he'd told her and Roy earlier so they could have arranged something for him but he says it doesn't matter. Hayley says there are all sorts of things he can legally do now he's 16. "I know, you mean I can have sex," says Craig. Hayley blushes and says, "I meant you could ride a moped."

Liz pops into the cab office to show Steve her outfit for going to see a mortgage broker. It's quite restrained as far as Liz's wardrobe goes, so you can tell she's serious. Steve advises her not to get her hopes up too high, which has the result of totally crushing her confidence.

Chez Peacock, Ashley is beating himself up about Claire being in hospital. Fred tells him he had no choice.

When the factory workers arrive for their day's work, the alarm is still screeching away. Danny says someone from the alarm company will be there any minute, and they should go inside and start work. The very beautiful Liam pulls up in his car, and Danny assumes he's the alarm man. "You must be Danny!" Liam says, but Danny tells him to hurry up and get the alarm sorted. He's quite mystified when Liam tells him that he changed the code. He goes in to turn the alarm off, Danny following behind him. Silence restored, Liam reveals that he is, in fact, Danny's new business partner.

Audrey turns up at the Peacock's to offer her help again. She's being a marvel, she really is.

At the factory, Danny is not taking the news of the recent coup too well. Even the considerable charms of Liam aren't winning him over, and he's particularly outraged that Liam has been using his chair. Liam shows him the contract to confirm that everything is legal.

Disappointment for Liz - she returns to the cab office to tell Steve that the mortgage broker wouldn't lend her any money, "not even the bus fare home," because she's too old and too skint. Steve commiserates, but Liz is snappy with him and goes out. Eileen tells Steve he shouldn't have raised Liz's hopes.

At the factory there is no bonding at all going on between Liam and Danny. Liam is trying to persuade Danny he's a credible businessman who has experience in the rag trade, but Danny isn't impressed to hear that this consists of market stalls. Nor is he impressed to learn that Liam's brother Paul ("Paaaahl") is the owner of PC Fabrics (which sounds more like a policeman than a company). Danny tells Liam to wait there - only not in his chair - and goes out.

At the Rovers, Steve asks Bev if he can look at the accounts, as he might be interested in putting in an offer for the pub. Bev leads him through to the back room.

Fred is telling Audrey that he's thinking of putting his wedding off until Claire is better. Audrey says he shouldn't put his own life on hold, but Fred says Ashley needs him. Audrey says he should really talk to Bev about it, and Fred says he has broached the subject but thinks Bev chose to ignore it.

Danny has gone to see Adam, who is wearing his stupid hairstyle and stupid smirk. Danny has a right go at him, telling him that Liam ripped him off and paid less for the business than it was worth. Adam says all he wanted was to be rid of the factory and Danny. He says he'd have given the place away just to wipe the smug smile off Danny's face. Danny says that he's been to see his solicitor and he knows more about dodgy dealings than Adam and Liam put together.

The Lovely Craig is lurking in the back alley, and who's that lurking behind him? It's The Beautiful Rosie, back from her latest holiday! What better birthday present could he have wished for? She wishes him a happy birthday, and says she arranged to meet him in the alley because she doesn't want her parents to know she's back just yet.

Fred and Ashley are about to go and visit Claire, and Audrey is babysitting, when Bev arrives. She's not thrilled to see Audrey there, and rather pointedly says she can manage the babysitting duties herself.

At the pub, Liz is looking a bit glum, and tells Violet that she was stupid enough to let herself be carried away by a daft dream. She says that she doesn't really want to be there. Steve emerges from t'back room, and says he hopes she does want to be there, otherwise what's the point in him buying the place? He says Liz mightn't be able to get a mortgage but he can. It looks like a good investment, as long as Liz will agree to run it. She's delighted.

Ugh, Charlie. He letches up to Maria and asks her if she'll be home later on. He has an hour to spare which he plans to spend sorting out the loose tiles in her bathroom. That's a new phrase for it. Maria, who obviously has neither self-respect nor taste, agrees.

Danny is back at the factory, and tells everyone to turn off their machines because he has an announcement. Then he asks Hayley to escort Liam off the premises (personally I'd have asked Kelly, who looks like she'd be much more handy with her fists if Liam started acting up). Liam protests that he's a partner in the business, and Danny says that's true and he will make sure Liam receives all his financial dues, but the contract does not entitle him to enter the premises without Danny's express invitation - and he is not invited. Liam says Danny is making a big mistake, but Danny says if he doesn't leave, he'll call the police.

Will Danny call the police? And if he does, will it be PC Fabrics who attends? Find out in the next thrilling episode.

Sue Haasler

So the girls in the factory are trying to look as if they are working, while at the same time trying to listen to what is happening between Danny and Liam. Kelly says she feels sorry for Danny.

Danny tells Liam that he wants him out of the factory within 30 seconds. Liam tells Danny that he is making a mistake, he would like to work with him. However, Liam reluctantly leaves. Danny tells the girls that he deserves a round of applause. Obligingly they all clap !

At the busy office of Streetcars, Eileen breaks off from the phone that is constantly ringing off the hook (!), to hear Liz announce that Steve is going to make an offer for The Rovers. Eileen casts doubts whether this would be a good idea. Steve reminds her how much she spends in there a week, and says all the profits will come to him. He has somehow also worked out that the more *he* drinks the more profit *he* will make. (Does that mean he will sell the drinks to himself at full price?!).

Ashley goes to see Claire with a big bunch of flowers. Claire explains that she has seen some people who are really suffering. She seems quite lucid. Fred says that she looks much better. However, she is still repelling Ashley as he tried to touch her arm.

Back at the factory, Danny wonders why the staff let Liam in. (He could ask the same question to all the other departments of the factory that we never see!). He thought that his staff would be more loyal to him. He asks them if he made any changes while he was there. Sally says that his brother, Paul, sometimes came in. Danny twigs - Paul Connor - PC Fabrics.

Charlie is about to let himself into Maria's flat when Tracy comes up behind him. He says he is going in to fix Maria's tiles.

Liam goes round to see Frankie. He tells her that Danny threw him out of the factory. He wonders if he is always so unreasonable? He hopes that Frankie will be able to talk him round. Liam thinks Frankie ought to tell Danny that they are an "item". She says she will ....at the right time.

Steve and Liz are looking at the front of the Rovers. He says that he hopes that he can buy it. Liz tells him to remember that she will be in charge of the pub.

In the hospital, Fred and Ashley are trying to have a conversation with Claire. However she is looking at them vacantly.

Back at Frankie's, Liam is still there chatting when there is a knock on the door. Danny calls out to be let in. Liam thinks this would be a good opportunity to tell him about "us" . Frankie disagrees. She sends him packing out of the back door. We see Liam scurrying along the back alley!

Frankie eventually opens the front door to Danny. He wants to chat to her for 5 minutes. By this time Liam has worked his way to the front of the house. As he passes by he calls to Frankie "hello sweetheart". She passes him off to Danny as someone she has seen around. Liam says he wants to talk to Danny, but he is not interested. He just moves himself indoors.

In Diggory's old baker's shop are Rosie and Craig. Rosie tells Craig that she and Laura are falling apart. She doesn't seem to understand the environmental things that Rosie talks about, but would rather talk about trivial things. She then has a birthday present for him. She tells him to close his eyes, and she gets it out. A ring and puts it on his finger. He says he loves it.

Frankie mentions to Danny that she knows about the sale of Adam's share of the factory. Danny is annoyed that "everybody" knew about the sale, except him. She says the girls were talking about it in The Rovers. He wants to know why he wants to buy into the firm.

Fred is talking to Bev about seeing Claire. He tells her that she didn't once ask about the baby.

Bev tells Fred that while he was out, Liz and Steve came round with an offer for The Rovers. He hopes that she didn't accept. She says she didn't because it is not hers to sell.

As Danny leaves Frankie's, Liam comes in from the back door. She says she will Danny about them, when the time is right. He says he has not slept with her so there is nothing to tell.

Fred tells Bev that he may put the sale of the pub on hold. Bev asks whether the wedding is on hold as well? Ashley says that they should not change their plans just for him.

Charlie is about to leave Maria's. She asks him to stay. But he says he has to get back to Tracy. She knows he is there. At that point Tracy rings his mobile phone. He tells her that he is just finishing Maria's tiles and will be home shortly.

Paul comes in to the pub and joins Liam. He asks him how it was going. Liam says there is "room for improvement".

Tracy thinks Charlie is too kind to be a landlord. He shouldn't have to sort Maria's tiles.

Fred talks to Steve about the sale. Fred says that his offer was £5,000 under the asking price. Liz butts in with "that's not our final offer". Steve is annoyed that his mother is intervening in the negotiations. Fred says that if he comes up with the asking price then it is his. Well before you can say "Rovers Return" Steve agrees the deal!

Paul finds it hard to believe that he is not to be allowed on the factory premises. He introduces himself to Danny who has come into the pub. Danny tries to rubbish him. He says he doesn't think he is interested in the business, but just wants a quick buck. He asks them to name their price.

BTW What happened to the alarm engineer that Danny called?

Martin Rosen

Welcome one and all to another update, this one is for Wednesday's excellent episode!

Sean, Hayley and Joanne arrive at the factory door to find the lovely Liam trying unsuccessfully to get in. "He's changed the locks, hasn't he?" says Liam, exasperated. Sean tells him yes, as soon as he left yesterday. Danny arrives at that moment and asks if his big brother has sent him to do a deal. Liam says he's there to work – Danny worked with Adam and he will be a lot more use. Danny remarks that a chocolate teapot would be more use than Adam, and opens the door to let the girls in. "I'm not walking away," says Liam. "Stay there all day then," says Danny, and slams the door.

Violet walks into the Baldwin kitchen and asks Jamie if he'd like coffee, Jamie makes an excuse about needing a shower and rushes out. Frankie comes in and asks if anything's wrong. "No," says Violet, "at least I don't think there is." Frankie tells her that she and Jamie can have the place to themselves tonight, she's seeing Liam. Violet asks how she's going to handle that now that Danny's back, and Frankie says it's none of his business.

In the taxi office, Steve is gloating over his decision to buy the pub. "While I'm making money I get free booze, free food and I get the flat back to myself," he tells Eileen. Liz pops her head round the door at that minute. "So you don't like me living with you then?" she asks. Steve blusters that he just thinks he's a bit old to be living with his mother. Eileen asks where he'll be working – here or there? He says he sees himself as an executive troubleshooter, dividing his time between the two. (Can't Lloyd run the taxi firm? – Where IS Lloyd??) Eileen says if she has to be working there alone whilst he's running the pub, she wants a rise, and Liz asks how come he suddenly knows so much about running pubs he can give her advice? Outnumbered, Steve wisely goes off to pick up a fare.

In the cafe, Liam is sounding off to Frankie about how unreasonable Danny is being. Maria comes in to pick up the order for the salon, with Charlie following behind. He asks if everything's ok at the flat, and she tells him a tap is dripping. He tells her he'll come and have a look at it, and she smiles and leaves. Giving Frankie an excuse about needing to make a phone call, Charlie follows her out. Checking they're still on for that evening, Liam tells Frankie they could be doing some serious celebrating. "You've changed your tune," she tells him. He says that he's realised – he's a salesman and he now has to sell himself to Danny. He goes off smiling.

Hayley's in the Kabin paying her paper bill. Rita tries to give her a receipt and asks Norris for a pen. He refuses to lend his and so she takes one from their stock, something that annoys him intensely. Rita then opens a letter she's received to find that she won the competition – a weekend for two in Budapest!

Audrey goes into the butchers' and Fred tells her of his decision to sell the pub to Liz and Steve. Audrey is aghast, she thinks Claire and Ashley might need him around for a few more months. He tells her that Bev thinks they can't put their lives on hold. "I'm sure you think you're doing the right thing," says Audrey, meaning of course, that she doesn't. Doubt clouds Fred's face, but he mutters that these things can take months to sort out and he's sure that by that time Claire will be right as rain.

Liz and Steve are discussing how they can afford the pub. Steve tells his mum that things may be a bit tight, and if it gets too much they may have to pull out.

Violet and Sean meet Jamie in the street, obviously heading towards the cafe. She asks him what's wrong with the Rovers and he says, not very convincingly, that as she was working he didn't want to bother her. She tells him not to be silly so they all begin to cross the road back to the pub. She tells him that they've got the place to themselves that evening, but he says he's got a ‘work thing' on. "You knew it was my night off," says Violet, hurt. "Sorry," says Jamie, "I'll try not to be too late." Sean tells Violet that he'll come round. "There you go," says Jamie, "sorted!"

Liam goes into the pub and finds Danny in there, doing paperwork. Liam tells him that if he let him help, it could save him from having to do all that. Danny isn't impressed. Liam sits down and tells him to face facts – there's too much work for one person, which is why Danny is having to do the paperwork in the pub. Sooner or later, says Liam, Danny will have to hire someone else, so instead of having a ‘wage slave' he could let him work there, he who wants to turn his share of Underworld into big profits, which means more money for Danny as well. "Give me a chance," says Liam, "I'll prove two things, one – I'm good, and two – I don't have to be irritating." Danny appears to consider this for a few moments. "No," he says, and gets back to his paperwork.

Michelle is having her hair done in the salon, and discussing with Maria the sale of the Rovers. Audrey hints that she knows something, but won't say what. Michelle comments that Fred is a lovely guy, but it's obvious who wears the trousers in that house, even before they're married! Audrey opens the post to find that there's a two-day training course coming up in Birmingham and she wants Maria to go. Initially reluctant, Maria soon sees a window of opportunity opening and says she thinks it's a good idea.

Liam confronts Danny again. "What part of the word know don't you understand, boy?" asks Danny. Liam persists in selling himself, until Danny says that he's just got rid of one liability, he doesn't want another. "You know what the answer is, don't you?" says Liam, "A trial!" "Do I get to hang you at the end of it?" asks Danny. Liam ignores that, and goes on to say he should give him a month, and if at the end of it he still wants to work through his dinner time and work every night rather than put up with looking at his happy, smiling face sitting across the office……He finds he's talking to himself, Danny's gone into the factory.

Rita asks Norris if he heard someone he knew had won something, would he pleased for them? He says he would. "Good," says Rita, "then you'll be pleased to hear that I've won a weekend in Budapest." Norris doesn't look so pleased. "Not the competition!" he splutters and accuses Rita of skulduggery. He says that Budapest won't appeal to Rita, it's a cultural and architectural jewel. Now a weekend in Magaluf and he'd have told her to take it. Rita accuses him of being a pompous killjoy.

Danny appears to have had a change of heart. "Here's the deal," he tells him, as loads his car with files. "I'm the boss, you ain't. I make the decisions, you don't. You make the tea, I don't. You argue with me, cross me, you are out on your ear!" Grinning broadly, Liam shakes his hand.

Frankie opens her front door to find Liam there. He kisses her as he steps inside. "I told you he couldn't resist!" he tells her. Then he tells her that Danny only needs one more excuse to get rid of him again. Frankie thinks he wants them to cool it until he gets settled in at the factory. "No," says Liam, and says he just wanted to warn her that he's going to tell Danny about them. "He's not going to like it," says Frankie. Liam thinks he won't like it if they sneak around behind his back and then finds out.

Steve tells Liz that to be comfortable the bank manager has told him they will need an extra 400 pounds a month. Then he realises that if he gets rid of his flat they will have that money. "There's plenty of room in the Rovers," says Liz. "But that means I'll still be living with my mother," says Steve, but Liz tells him it'll be worth it.

Rita, Norris and Emily are walking down the street in the pouring rain. The conversation is still about the weekend in Budapest. Rita says he is full of sour grapes. He says she knows nothing about Budapest. Emily thinks this is an opportunity for Rita to learn. Norris thinks Rita should say that he should go. (And this is all becoming extremely boring – do we even care any more who goes to Budapest?) They go into the pub, where the debate continues. Eventually they discuss tossing a coin,

Jamie is standing at the bar when Violet comes in. "I thought you were working?" she says. He says it was cancelled, and she points out that if she hadn't been called in to work because Betty is ill, she'd still be at home waiting for him. He says he just stopped off to get a bottle of wine. Violet is not convinced.

Liam and Danny are at a table, and Liam toasts to success. Danny thinks he's a bit ‘previous' and tells him he's only there because he conned a stupid kid who was keen to stitch him up. "I'm bright, I can learn and I'm honest," says Liam. He then goes on to explain that he's not just talking about work, he wants them to start on a clean slate. He tells Danny that he's seeing someone, and it's not a girl from work. He swears that at first he didn't know who she was – it's Frankie! "Is this a wind-up?" asks Danny, and when he realises that Liam's serious he just gets up and walks out. Michelle walks over to her brother. "You told him about you and Frankie?" she asks. Liam admits Danny could have taken it better. "Not a great career move then," says Michelle. "What career?" asks Liam, glumly.

Maria goes to see Charlie at the yard. She tells him about her forthcoming trip to Birmingham with two nights in a hotel. "Please say you'll come!" she begs him. "I do like it when you ask nicely," mutters Charlie, kissing her.

In the Rovers, Fred tells Audrey he's done the deal. Steve and Liz are at the bar with Eileen, and they all raise their glasses.

At a table, Emily comments that they've seen several landladies in the pub over the years. Audrey doesn't think Fred is ready to go.

Danny confronts Frankie on the doorstep. Liam comes along and tells him they thought they were doing the right thing by telling him the first chance they got. Danny tells him he is out of order. Liam turns to Frankie and asks if she's ready. Danny tells her not to waste her time, and to let him take her somewhere decent. Disgusted by their squabbling over her, Frankie tells them it's not flattering to have them fighting over her like dogs over a bone, and turns round and slams indoors. Danny turns round to leave. "Don't be late in the morning," he tells Liam.

Anne Logan

Well, it barely seems five minutes since I was typing up a Friday report. If you'll recall, it was, because last week's was so late!

We open tonight with STV's competition, which runs every week night before Corrie. Today the question is: Blanche is the mother of which character – a. Cilla, b. Deirdre, or c. Janice. Oh, if only I knew the answer…

Liam has been to the corner shop for some milk, just as Danny pulls up in his car. "What time do you call this?" Danny demands. Liam says it's time for a tea break. He's been in since half past six! That shuts up Danny. As Jamie and Violet open their door, a running-late Sean zips past, with just enough time to ask Jamie if they're still on for a boys' night out. They are. Violet's face falls about six metres. Turns out Jamie's forgotten it's her night off. As Jamie drives off, Violet tells Frankie, who suggests they have a girls' night out to compensate.

In the taxi office, Liz still can't believe they bought a pub last night. They both have hangovers. When Liz is a landlady, she assures Steve, she'll be sober every night, and Steve will have to pay for his ale. He takes the last paracetamol in revenge.

The factory workers are wondering what's going on. Why is Danny letting Liam work there? Danny soon tells them – Liam has bought 40 per cent of the business and is happy to work there on a laughably low wage! Danny is still in charge.

Rita and Norris are looking at the Budapest holiday brochure. They're bickering over whose holiday it is. Norris did two more early starts than Rita. It's her shop, she reminds him. Liz comes in for more paracetamol. They ask her to toss a coin to make the decision. Then they fight over that! "I didn't come in to be a referee." Liz tells them, refusing to throw the deciding coin. "I've got a headache. I need pills."

Danny is giving Liam a hard time because he wants to go to lunch. He makes Liam start on the invoices while he goes. Liam says to get whatever sandwiches he likes, and when Fizz tells Danny "Mr Connor" hates mustard you can see the lightbulb go on over his head.

As Danny leaves the factory, Jamie is heading off with flowers. "Great minds," mutters Danny.

Jamie takes them to Violet in the Rovers. She tells him just to go out and have a good time.

Danny has a bigger bunch of flowers. In the cafe he tells Frankie it's their anniversary – of the very first time she babysat for Jamie. He asks for ham sarnies twice, lashings of mustard.

In the Kabin, Rita invites Deirdre to Budapest, so Norris invites Emily. Neither Deirdre nor Emily seems to want to go. Rita claims she's got more friends than Norris. He challenges her to prove it. "The next person to walk through that door, they get the holiday and they decide who goes with them – me or you," he says. Uh oh. It's Blanche. "Oh, it was a daft idea," laughs Norris after a horrified pause. "Absolutely," agrees Rita.

In the factory, Danny watches Liam bite into the sandwich. Liam says it's fine, but the minute Danny leaves the room he spits it out. Danny leaves the factory, but not before asking Hayley to "Keep your eyes on Junior." "What? Spy on him?" That's exactly what he means. Liam comes out to ask if Hayley was asked to keep an eye on him. The girls are quick to point out that Danny doesn't trust Liam (or anybody). Liam decides to nip out while Danny's away. He leaves Hayley in charge. "I'll leave it up to you whether to tell sir or not." The girls are appalled that he's dropped Hayley in it. "There'll be blood before teatime," says Kelly.

Liam's in the cafe. Frankie warns him not to pick a fight with Danny. She's worried about Liam getting hurt, though she doesn't mind if Danny gets a black eye.

Fizz wants more driving lessons and tells Kirk so after a pint. Violet wants Sean to talk to Jamie. She's got the idea he doesn't want to be with her.

In the factory, Liam tells Danny he likes it that he's bought Frankie some flowers. "Because your flowers make Frankie's house smell so much sweeter."

Sean goes to fetch Jamie. As Blanche heads home, Fizz, driving the van, mounts the pavement and screeches to a stop just a foot away from her. "Sorry, I didn't see you. I had my eyes on the road," she says. Blanche doesn't want to end her days under the wheels of a dog van. So Fizz promises that when she gets her licence, "I'll get a nice little super-mini and have another go at you." Fizz notices Kirk looks a bit pale.

Waiting for their taxi, Jamie says he's not going to hold back tonight. Steve asks if Violet's going too. "No, just us," says a happy-sounding Jamie, leaving Steve pondering… what?

Liz rings the last-orders bell, upsetting Bev. "I promise I won't do it again till it's all mine," she says.

Frankie and Violet are back home, but no Sean. It's just gone one. Outside, a black cab pulls up. Sean has to hold up Jamie, who wants some Scotch. They go to Sean/Eileen's because Sean thinks they've got some brandy.

Violet tells Frankie she thinks it might have been a mistake to move in. Frankie tells her it's always difficult adjusting. "We skirt round each other, not connecting," Violet explains. Frankie says Jamie thinks more. "Give him time to sort himself out. I think he might just surprise you."

Sean and Jamie are into the brandy. Sean wants Jamie to tell him a secret, but Jamie hasn't got any. "I don't believe you," says Sean. "That's boring." He asks a series of questions, ending with the one he really wants the answer to: "Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have?" The answer is yes. Or Sean thinks it is. "You've got a secret love and I'm going to find out who that secret love is." He goes to make coffee.

Violet and Frankie are still discussing men, especially Danny and Liam. Frankie's been hurt by Danny. "No amount of love can make that better." Frankie says she has no plans to marry again and the best thing about Liam is that it gets right up Danny's nose.

Sean makes the coffee, but when he takes it back, Jamie is asleep on the sofa. "Well, there's one way of avoid the truth," he says to himself. He puts Jamie's jacket over him, kisses him on the forehead and, with one lingering look at him, turns off the light and leaves him there.

The end
Margaret Carr

Events in the Street tonight are, to say the least, confusing. Claire has gone on holiday (to Barking) and there is no sign of Ashley. Janice is still missing (and her vanishing act has not even been the subject of any comment) and Audrey prefers the company of Fred to her own daughter.

Anyway Tracy is finding Amy a handful and therefore is astounded when Charlie offers to take the kid with him to do some shopping. He must have an ulterior motive. Maria sees them on the way back from the Corner Shop and asks Amy if Uncle Charlie often buys her presents. Charlie responds that he does not do it - unless of course he is trying to get Tracy compliant for a couple of nights away from home!!

Jamie has spent the night on the sofa at Eileen's, the latter asks Sean what he was offering that Violet could not offer - well Sean would have offered it if he thought Jamie would take it, but that was not the case. Once Jamie awakes he realises the mess he is in. Sean asks if Jamie realises that anything he is told stays between them - but Jamie has nothing to say and there will be no life changing decisions - so Jamie is not gay then. Hard luck Sean.

Along at Frankie's the distraught Violet has not heard from her live in lover who has not returned her calls or texts. Vi reckons they are probably at Eileen's - but Frankie does not believe it - after all he could have made it another two doors along the Street surely? Apparently yes as Jamie falls through the front door to find Violet sitting on the stairs. They are about to kiss when he pulls away saying his breath must stink from the drink. She is even more hurt by this.

Audrey in the Rovers tells Gail that her neighbours are moving to Portugal to retire - everyone is either dropping dead or retiring away - it must be her age. Gail senses that Audrey is depressed and suggests joining them for lunch - no Jason these days - but Audrey declines saying she will next week. After her departure Gail and Fred agree that Audrey is in an odd mood.

Sean and Violet meet - she wants to know if Sean accomplished his mission - but he says nothing was revealed and that he is friends to both of them. Sean tries to re-assure her that she has nothing about which to worry (which is not entirely true).

Tracy is of course in a much better mood and falls hook line and sinker for Charlie's story that his mate in Leeds is having a stag night - which means that he can spend one night in Birmingham with Maria!

Shelley phones and Bev rushes off to discuss the wedding. Fred however seems worried about something - perhaps the absence of Claire - the strain on Ashley or deserting Audrey perhaps?

Doris and Rita are not talking - this holiday business has dragged on for some time. Emily decides that it is time to pour oil on troubled waters and suggests that Rita has not considered the one person she could take to Budapest. Who? she asks. Doris, Emily responds. What go together - well it is an idea, Rita observes.

Now UK residents may remember that recently David Cameron (leader of Her Maj's Opposition Party) recently implored us to "hug a hoodie" and Audrey gets the chance on her return home when a grey hooded youth, who is clearly deaf does not hear her close the front door, throw down her keys and pick up a bottle of alcohol and instead makes a noise as he examines some nick nacks. She shouts "What are you doing" and he pushes roughly past her and back out the front door. Shaken and shocked she phones Fred at the Rovers and he and Bev head round to offer support.

Luckily Violet turns up and offers to cover in the Rovers - mainly so she can drag something out of Sean about the previous evening - but he ain't talking. Meanwhile Frankie reminds Jamie that just because he and Violet are living together he must not take her for granted, he says not - but he remains troubled. Jamie goes to the Rovers and asks Violet if she will be free later to go out. Then once she is looking for food he tells Sean he was drunk last night - but everything is all right between him and Violet and that there is no one else. Sean is not happy about it but accepts it. Jamie and Sean then hug - observed by Violet as she returns from the back room. She withdraws - but has come to the conclusion that Jamie is more attracted to Sean than to her (he isn't even if Sean wishes he were - Jamie's affections lie in a more matronly direction I think).

Bev and Fred arrive at Audrey's and calm her down and summon the police (I was last burgled in 1989 and the police came eventually. I doubt very much they would turn out these days - particularly if nothing has actually been removed.) Once the police have gone then Bev and Fred make to depart - but Audrey is not looking forward to being on her own. At much the same time Gail and Sarah arrive in the Rovers and Sean tells them about the break in - they rush round to Audrey's as this is the first they have heard of it. Jason offers to come along - he can change the locks and help - Sarah says they can manage it quite well without him - as Eileen observes putting him right in his place.

After a little leg pull about having to share a bed Rita tells Doris that he can come to Budapest, there are two single rooms and Ken has volunteered to look after the Kabin - so it is all sorted. Doris is unhappy about Ken - but agrees that they are going on holiday together.

In the yard at the Rovers (a mythical space between the Rovers and No 1) Sean and Violet again discuss Jamie. She thinks something must have happened and that Jamie pulled another bird - or something. Eventually she tells Sean that she thinks Jamie does have feelings for someone other than her - and she thinks it is Sean and that Jamie might be gay.

Oh well. I suppose everyone will find out eventually. I will be back next week.

And for the first time in ages we are all up to date with the updates.
K Richard W

Written by: John Fay
Directed by: Pip Short

The factory workers are sitting on the steps of Underworld discussing plans for celebrating Fiz's birthday. Sean is looking really cute in a pink and white stripy jumper that makes him look like Bagpuss, but he looks all distracted by the sight of Jamie across t'road.

The aforementioned Fiz is at the Battersby-Brown residence, receiving her birthday gifts from Kirk and Chesney. Kirk has given her a ten pound note (ooh, special) but he says he has something else for her which he'll give her later because it's too big to wrap. Fiz doesn't believe this, but when she discovers that Chesney's gift to her is a pair of fluffy dice (of the sort that some people like to hang in their car), Fiz starts to put two and two together and make Ford (see what I did there?). She grins excitedly.

To the Websters' now, where young Sophie is so tanned she looks like she's been fashioned from teak. Rosie wants to go to Craig's after school, but Sally isn't keen - Rosie needs to be working hard to get those all-important grades to get her into A Decent University.

Liam is on Frankie's doorstep, inviting her out to the cinema. She's a lucky woman, that Frankie. Liam notices her glance across at the factory and realises that Danny is watching them. 'You probably want to go for the doorstep challenge, a big snog right in front of him,' Liam teases Frankie. 'I know you might think you'll get some more flowers out of it, but I've got to work with the bloke.' Danny yells across that it's time Romeo was at work, so Liam says he'll check what films are on and see Frankie at lunchtime. On his way in to the factory he can't resist telling Danny that he was just busy arranging a date with Frankie.

In t'back room of the pub, Fred and Bev are getting excited about an imminent visit from Shelley to try on wedding/bridesmaid dresses. As Fred won't be trying on a dress himself, Bev wants him out of the way and sends him over to the salon to give Audrey a bunch of flowers (these were a sample from a florist that Bev wants to use for the wedding).

As Fred is going through the bar with the blooms, Betty assumes they're for Claire, who must therefore be ill. Fred gets all defensive at the very idea and wants to know who's saying that Claire is ill. Betty says she hasn't seen Claire for a few days, so Fred says that Claire's mother is ill so she's spending most of her time there.

At the factory, Fiz is counting her chickens before they're hatched, and going on about the car Kirk is going to give her. Danny tells them all to get back to work, and he's not best pleased to see Liam's jacket draped over his chair, and Liam himself using the office computer to check cinema times. Danny's strategy with Liam is to pull rank at all times (his nickname for him is 'Little Forty Percent'), so he tells him to go out and buy some milk. Liam's strategy in response to this is to maintain his sunny disposition and think on his feet. In this case he says he'll happily get the milk, which will mean that none of the girls will have to turn a machine off to go and do it and therefore production will be maintained, and he can get a newspaper while he's out and check the cinema listings that way: 'Bish bash bosh, everyone's a winner!'

Tracy is in t'salon having her nails done by Maria. Sarah is also there, and they're talking about Jason and Sarah says how, even though she knows he's bad for her, her heart skips a beat when she sees him. Tracy agrees that it's often the men you know you should avoid who are the hardest to resist. Maria asks if she's referring to Charlie, but Tracy says that she and Charlie are perfect together (in one sense, I suppose, she's right - they're both horrible). The man Tracy has in mind when she's thinking of dangerous-but-irresistible is none other than Dr Hannibal Lecter. 'Ignore the cannibalism, take that away, and he's got great eyes!' she insists. I think I'm beginning to understand what she sees in Charlie: take away the bullying, the control freakery, the sadistic streak and the irritating throat-clearing, and he's got really nice hair. Or something. Luckily for us the conversation is interrupted by Fred arriving with the flowers for Audrey.

At the pub, Sean is trying to reassure Violet that he's never done anything to lead Jamie on, and he's sure he's straight (Jamie that is). Then Jamie himself walks in, and puts his arm around Sean's shoulders (like straight men always do), asking him if he's getting a round in. Sean looks deeply uncomfortable and makes an excuse to go and rejoin his work mates from the factory. Violet tells Jamie that it's Fiz's birthday so Sean wants to be with the girls.

Shelley's back! And she's got a new hairstyle. It's all wavy and blonde, and indeed she looks like she's just popped in from a stint in a Peak District regional touring production of Chicago. And the first person she sees as her cab arrives in the Street is Charlie, talking to Maria.

Maria is about to leave for her training escapade to Birmingham. Charlie tells her he might be able to get there that very evening, and says he'll meet her in the hotel bar at 7.

Shelley is disembarking from her cab, welcomed by a cheerful cry of, 'Look what the cat's dragged in!' from Tracy (who has acquired none of Ken's linguistic skills). Shelley says it's only a flying visit, which of course is only asking for Tracy to mention the word 'broomstick' in her reply.

Bev is thrilled to see Shelley, and offers her a drink, which Shelley turns down. Bev insists that you can't try on bridesmaid dresses without drinking alcohol, as it's 'traditional.'

Liam and Frankie are in the pub together, and Danny joins them, which is the cue for lots of points-scoring between the two men, who really are like a couple of elks in the rutting season (only better looking, in Liam's case anyway). It seems that Danny gets the upper hand in this one, because all their bickering is just annoying Frankie, which is his cunning plan to topple Liam.

Shelley is trying on her dress, and it's very similar to the one Marilyn Monroe wore in Bus Stop. What with that and the hair, she does look like she wandered in off another set. Shelley is concerned that the dress is a bit of a squeeze and may need to be altered. Betty says she'll easily lose weight before the wedding, and Shelley jokes that they have a fantastic chef at her new pub and she can't say no to him. Gastronomically, that is. Bev remarks that Shelley has hardly touched her wine.

Fred is still at the salon with Audrey, confessing that he's not really looking forward to the wedding or retiring, because he's so worried about Ashley and Claire and t'kiddies. Audrey says they'll only be an hour's drive away. Then Audrey thanks him for being there for her when she had the burglary, and he says that many times she's been there for him, and he gets all wistful. Audrey reminds him again that he'll only be an hour away, and he tries to perk up.

The Lovely Craig has kept up his little pied a terre in Diggory's old shop, and he and Rosie go there for some privacy. She's complaining that she's sick of having her life mapped out by her parents. Charlie spots them going into the bakery and makes some lewd comment, and Rosie is annoyed that he just assumes they're going there for sex. 'The mattress is still there though,' says an optimistic Craig.

It seems that Fiz's dreams have come true when she leaves the factory to be greeted by Kirk and a shiny red car. Kirk tells her happy birthday, and she's absolutely thrilled. Modestly he tells her that she should really be thanking Bert Scallon. Who he? Turns out he's the man who loaned Kirk the car, and Fiz is welcome to borrow it any time as it's insured for any driver. This doesn't go down well with Fiz, who proceeds to thump Kirk with the new handbag she got as a birthday gift from her factory colleagues. It's in the shape of a watering can, and so will Kirk be when she's finished with him.

Fred gets back to the pub, where Bev is still nagging at Shelley for not drinking enough alcohol. Shelley says she isn't in the mood for drinking, but Bev just won't let it lie.

In the bar, Tracy and Charlie have arrived and Tracy is being rude about Shelley to Violet, who doesn't want to hear it. Violet takes some drinks through to the back, where she tells Shelley to avoid the bar as Charlie is there. Then she goes back.

Bev is still going on about Shelley's apparent vow of abstinence. 'Just tell me you're on antibiotics or something,' she says. Shelley says if it'll make her happy, yes, she is on antibiotics. But Bev doesn't believe that. A mother knows these things, you see. 'You're pregnant, aren't you?' she says. Shelley admits that she is.

Frankie is telling Violet that Liam isn't worth the hassle, and she's thinking of dumping him (as if you would, honestly).

Fred, who likes nothing more than yet another grandchild, is thrilled that Shelley is in t'family way. Bev is less than pleased, and wants to know why Shelley hid the news from them. Shelley lamely replies that it's 'early days.' But what Bev really wants to know is - who's the father?

(end)

Will Frankie really be daft enough to dump Liam? Will Fiz's new handbag ever be the same again? And just who *is* the father? Find out in the next thrilling episode.

Sue Haasler

Another Monday night and that means it is an hour's worth of Coronation Street. Out of interest have there been any "catch-up" episodes in Canada, USA and New Zealand to make up for the losses during the World Cup earlier in the summer (sorry, winter in NZ !), or are you all even further behind us?

But right now it is time for this "next thrilling episode"

So we pick up the story with Bev asking Shelley how far "gone" she is, and who the father is. Shelley doesn't want to say, other than it was a one-night-stand. Bev suggests it might be Steve McDonald. Fred pipes up with "she don't want to say" (Now that would have been a perfect line for him to repeat - which he didn't. I don't recall he has done this for awhile. I hope he does so before he goes, I say, I hope he does before he goes!!).

Finally Shelley admits it is Charlie's. Fred is confused, he can't work it out, she must been pregnant for 12 month or more.

In the main bar of the Rovers, Tracy tells Charlie that she wants another drink before he goes off to his stag do. He is not concerned if he is late, as long he gets there in time for the stripper!

Jamie walks into the pub and Liam is at the bar. He suggests that maybe Jamie would like to join him and his (Jamie) mum. But he says he would rather stay chatting with Sean.

Bev tells Fred to find something else to do. She wants to have a mother and daughter chat with Shelley. As he is about to leave she tells Fred not to tell anybody about what he has just heard.

We are still in the Rovers when Frankie tells Liam that she doesn't fancy going to the pictures after all.

At the bar, Jamie thinks Sean is depressed and that he hasn't got his usual lively banter. He wonders if he is working too hard with a full time job at the factory as well.

Back at the back room of the Rovers, Shelley explains to her mum that her one-night-stand was just "one for the road". She wanted to prove that she was in control of the situation and that Charlie did her bidding. She reminds her mum that it was her that left Charlie at the altar. Now she is having the "last laugh" again by not telling him anything about it. Bev is annoyed that Shelley was not going to tell her about the baby. Shelley explains that she was, but after she (Bev) and Fred were married.

A quick scene at the bar when Audrey and Gail come in. Gail refers to Fred as her mother's "knight in shinning armour". Gail knows about the flowers, and suggests that Bev will be jealous. Audrey quickly jumps in with that they were Bev's idea.

Jamie is pressing Sean to tell him why he is so miserable. He says that it is because Frankie is about dump Liam.

It is all done very awkwardly, and Frankie believes that they have an audience and suggests that they go out for a walk.

A change of scene now as Craig and Rosie are in the old baker's shop talking about the future, when she goes off to university. He says that he will see her at weekends and holidays. Rosie was hoping that Craig would come with as well. He says he cannot afford university.

Back at the Rovers, Shelley tells her mother that she is not getting rid of the baby. She says Charlie will never be told of the baby. Bev wonders how Shelley could possibly have anything of Charlie's growing inside her. Shelley says it is her baby, her decision. It is nothing to do with Charlie, let alone her mother. Bev reminds Shelley that the idea of her going away was to make a new start. Shelley, considers that this is a new start. She then storms out into the yard, followed by her mother, shouting and screaming.

Down the alleyway, she bumps into Deirdre who comforts Bev, and asks her what is wrong. Bev puts it down to pre-wedding nerves, as Deirdre offers her a cup of tea.

Liam and Frankie are sitting on the bench. She tells him that has all got very complicated with him and Danny.

Meanwhile Shelley is over at Frankie's. She tells Violet that she need a change of scene (so did we!), because her mum was doing her head in. Shelley asks how she is getting on with Jamie. She says all is okay, but we have our ups and downs. Sometimes it is more down than up! Violet invites Shelley to stay for a meal. Frankie comes in and confirms that she has dumped Liam.

Liam goes to the factory to find Danny still working there. He tells Danny that he realises there is a lot of history behind him and Frankie, therefore he is going to give her up.

Meanwhile back at Deirdre's house, she asks Bev again what is wrong. Bev says the bridesmaid dress is alright, although may need letting out a bit. Then she tells her that Shelley is having Charlie's baby. Before she realises what she has said, Deirdre queries "our Tracy's Charlie?". Bev then realises she has put her foot in it. She pleads with Deirdre not to mention it.

At the bar, Gail and Audrey want to know if anyone has had a sneak preview of the dresses. Fred says he was sent out. However, he thinks it is time for him to pop in and see if everything is alright. All the marriage talk the spinsters of the parish, Rita, Gail, Emily say they don't want to get married again. However Audrey hints that she would like to leave her options open! Fred returns to the bar to say that they are not there.

Jamie comes in and Sean tells him that he came into the Rovers especially early so he could cover for Violet who is making him a special dinner. Jamie says this is the first he has heard of it.

Charlie tells Tracy that he will send a text that he can't make the stag do that night, but would be there the next day. However, he hopes she will make it worthwhile. Tracy then goes to get Amy from her mother's, and Charlie goes home.

Bev and Deirdre start arguing about telling Tracy. Deirdre wants Tracy to know what sort of man Charlie really is, and needs Shelley around to confirm the story. Bev however pleads with her not to say anything, at least not until Shelley has gone. Tracy comes in with Amy. She tells them both that Charlie was supposed to be going away that evening, but he couldn't tear himself away from her so he is staying. Deirdre says nothing other than she should get off home.

Deirdre then confirms that she will be telling Tracy while Shelley is around else Charlie will talk his way out of it again.

Martin Rosen

Hi everyone, welcome to Wednesday's action packed episode from the Street.

The factory girls are wandering across the street to work. Joanne greets Blanche cheerily, only to be told that if they've been to the pub for their dinner, the factory must be a death trap in the afternoons.

Ken and Deirdre are sitting at their table, finishing their lunch, discussing the current situation with Tracy, Charlie, Shelly and the pregnancy. Deirdre's phone rings, but she doesn't answer it, telling Ken that Bev just keeps on ringing. They hope she understands that they have to tell Tracy what they know, and they also hope that this will make Tracy see sense and leave Charlie. Ken is just commenting that it's the best thing for her in the long run, when Blanche comes in. "Best for who in the long run?" she demands to know. Deirdre jumps up, taking out dirty plates, and won't answer Blanche's question. "Am I talking in code?" she asks, "best for who in the long run?" Deirdre fobs her off saying it was just some woman at work, but Blanche isn't convinced.

Fred finds Bev sitting morosely at the table in the back of the Rovers. She confesses to him that she's told Deirdre. Fred is aghast, as Bev says she knows she's a fool who can't hold her drink. "Why do I keep messing things up for her?" she wails. Fred wonders if Deirdre might hold off from telling Tracy until Shelly has gone. Just then, Shelley comes breezing in, saying she's off to spend the day with Sunita and the twins.

In the factory, the lovely Liam is checking the work output of the workers, supervised by Danny. Janice tells him he can have a rummage through her knickers if he wants, and Danny hushes her. Liam tells Danny he's all right, he can manage on his own, but Danny warns that if he gives the workers an inch they'll take a mile. Liam gets to Janice's basket of newly-sewn knickers, and she jokes about making Frankie jealous. Danny can't resist breaking the news to them all that Liam and Frankie are no longer an item.

Bev is outside the Rovers with a broom in her hand when Deirdre steps off the bus. Deirdre tells her she's going to tell Tracy soon, and Bev begs her to come into the pub to talk about it, and Deirdre agrees, but wants to get Ken.

In the Barlow household, Blanche is moaning on to Ken about how she's the last to know anything, when Deirdre arrives back. She manages to get Ken out of the house with her, by saying she left her purse at work and asking him to drive her back to get it. Blanche starts to say she'll go with them but Deirdre fobs her off telling her that Tracy will be coming round soon.

In the cafe, Violet is sitting with Jamie who is deeply engrossed in his newspaper, while Frankie cleans the tables. She asks them if they're all ready for their holiday and Violet says she could do with some new bikinis. Frankie asks if they're going to go late night shopping but Jamie isn't keen to go and Violet says she's arranged to work that evening. "But we could go tomorrow," she says hopefully. Jamie doesn't look keen until she suggests that they take Sean as well. Jamie brightens at this and agrees to go.

As they get up to leave, Danny walks in. He tells Frankie that he didn't have anything to do with Liam finishing with her. Frankie tells him that she was the one who did the finishing.

In the back room of the Rovers, Bev is bemoaning the fact that she did not do the one thing that Shelley asked of her. Deirdre points out that although they're friends, first they are mothers and they have to do what is right by their daughters. Bev is really worried about what Charlie might do, and Deirdre says that is what makes her all the more determined to tell Tracy and get her away from him. Ken points out that Charlie has a moral right to know that he's fathered a child. "You think he'll be swinging from the town hall in a Spiderman costume?" asks Bev, sarcastically. (This is a reference to the actions of a UK based group called Fathers for Justice.) Deirdre is not in the mood for sarcasm and gets up and leaves.

Outside, Tracy is seeing Charlie off on his ‘stag night' jaunt. (Or rather, his liaison with Maria) and at that moment Shelley gets out of a taxi in front of the Rovers. Ken and Deirdre bump into her as they are leaving, and they go across and ask for a word with Tracy who takes them indoors. "Where's Amy?" asks Deirdre. "Err..bingo with her mates!" replies Tracy, full of sarcasm, "She's asleep upstairs." They then break the news to Tracy that Shelley is pregnant with Charlie's baby, but Tracy won't believe it. "She's just saying that to break us up," she insists. Deirdre and Ken continue to claim that it's true, and Tracy marches to the door. "Where are you going?" asks Deirdre. "Where do you think?" says Tracy, "I'm going to smack the truth out of that bitch if I have to!" Telling Ken to look after Amy, Deirdre hurries after her.

In the Rovers, Tracy marches up to the bar, asking if Shelley's in. Michelle and Violet tell her that she's just got back. Tracy goes to march through to the back and Violet steps in her way. Deirdre comes up behind, saying that Bev is expecting them and they push on through, leaving the staff wondering what is happening.

Over at a table, Joanne is confessing that she thinks Liam has a nice bum! Janice thinks he's too young for her, she prefers a man not a boy.

In the back room, Bev tells Tracy that Shelley is in the shower, and if Tracy starts anything she'll have her thrown out. Tracy says in that case she'll have her as soon as she steps outside. Tracy sits down, saying she won't leave until she's seen her.

Out in the bar, Liam asks his sister if she'll be staying on when Steve takes over. Michelle says she will if he'll have her. Liam points out to Steve, who is standing there with them, that she does have a couple of brothers who will spend a fortune there. As Liam goes off to the men's room, all the factory works whistle at him.

Behind the bar, Violet is voicing her concerns about Jamie's sexuality to Sean. He thinks she's reading too much into it.

As the factory workers get up to leave, Sean takes Joanne to one side, asking her how he was ‘bedwise' when she went out with Jamie. She confesses to him that she's not that kind of girl and they never did anything.

Shelley walks into the back room of the pub, to be greeted by Tracy, demanding to know the truth about the pregnancy. Shelley looks at Bev, stunned. "I'm sorry," whines Bev. Shelley stands and stares at Tracy, who then starts to shriek at her that she only wanted to break her and Charlie up so she's making it all up. "Admit it, you scheming, jealous cow!" she screams. Bev wails that she wouldn't blame Shelley if she never wanted to speak to her again. Shelley then tells Bev that Tracy is right, it was all made up, she just wanted to break Tracy and Charlie up. Tracy, however, doesn't believe her and realises that it's true. "Why would you want Charlie's baby, you hate him?" she cries. Shelley tells her that after all he put her through, something good has come out of it, something he can never take away from her. "Go on, do your hissey fit somewhere else," she says, firmly, opening the door. Tracy however, sits down, telling them that Charlie is away. Shelley says she can guess what he told her, a building job he has to stop over for, or a lads' night out with mysterious mates she's never met. Deirdre tries to make Tracy see how Charlie has played around behind her back. "You don't get it, do you Mum?" says Tracy, "I love him!" Shelley says in that case she feels genuinely sorry for her. Tracy then leaps at Shelley and they start wrestling each other.

Out in the bar, Sean and Violet are concerned to hear shouts and screams from the back room when Fred walks in. They tell him that something is going on and that Tracy and Deirdre have arrived. "Oh no," says Fred, and hurries through.

He walks in to find Deirdre holding Tracy to keep her from hitting Shelley, who is standing behind Bev and telling her to get out. Fred opens the front door and they hustle her out of the door. "Oh Shelley," cries Bev as they shut the door. "Shut up Mum!" shouts Shelley, "do you realise how much trouble you've caused?" She marches off up the stairs as Bev collapses, crying, against Fred's chest.

Tracy runs off down the Street, chased by Deirdre. On arrival at her house, she bangs on the door and when Ken opens it she pulls him outside, yelling at him to get out. She goes inside, slamming the door behind her and collapses onto a chair, sobbing.

Back in the Rovers, Steve asks Michelle if she will stay on. She points out that Liz isn't exactly her biggest fan, she doesn't know why she hates her so much. Steve remarks that it's probably because Liz thinks he likes her. As Michelle moves away to serve a customer, Liam asks Steve if there's something going on with him and her. Steve tells him not to worry, he doesn't have to be the protective big brother, he's not interested. Liam wants to know why – his sister's gorgeous. Steve says he knows she is, but she's not for him.

Fred comes out, and assures Sean and Violet that everything is all right. Violet asks if she can take a bottle of red wine, and Fred assures him that she can.

Danny has come in, and offers to buy Liam a drink, he says it's the least he can do as he finished with Frankie to spare his own feelings. Being the honest soul that he is, Liam rather hesitantly admits that it was actually a mutual thing, or perhaps even rather more Frankie's decision than his – but he was thinking of throwing her in anyway.

Violet arrives home to find Jamie in the kitchen with Frankie. She shows him the bottle of wine, and he immediately offers Frankie a glass, and asks Violet to lay the table. Looking disappointed, she goes off to do it.

Meanwhile, down in Birmingham, Maria walks into the hotel bar and meets up with Charlie, before going off upstairs to change. While she's gone, Charlie phones Tracy, asking how her day has been. "Nothing special," she tells him, "dead boring really. Can't wait to see you again." Then she hangs up the phone and sits in the dark.

Anne Logan

It's Friday once again, and this is your Friday updater, celebrating the start of daylight saving in New Zealand (for three weeks the time difference will be easy to calculate) and mourning the Storm's loss in the NRL grand final.

Tracy is around at her parents' place, where they are apologising for being the ones who had to tell her about Charlie. She tells them she's waiting until he gets back to face him with Shelley's news. They're interrupted by Blanche, who says it's the second day running they've clammed up when she walked in. If they want to put her in a home they can think again, she tells them.

Around at the Webster's, Sophie is slinging off at Craig for being polite to Sally. While they're making chit chat, Kevin is on the phone to his Dad (remember him?) who is planning a surprise for them for their 20th anniversary - and they need to have their passports ready.

In a nearby street, Charlie is dropping off Maria. He tells her he wants them to be a normal couple, not hiding away from everyone. She's fallen for him and for everything he says in that charming voice he can use so well. She gets out to walk home and he drives off.

In the Rovers' back room, Shelley tells Bev she's leaving that day because she doesn't want to see Charlie.

Said Charlie is back home, with flowers for Tracy. She whacks him around the head with the whole bunch. She tells him that's for cheating on her. "Don't act innocent, Charlie, because you would have hit me back by now if you weren't guilty." You can see the relief on his face when he realises Tracy's talking about Shelley, not Maria. He's really stunned, though, when he hears Shelley is pregnant.

Frankie offers to take Jamie and Violet out to a tapas bar to get them in the mood for Spain, but all of a sudden Jamie has to go to work.

"She's lying," Charlie tells Tracy. She explains that it's true, but he claims Shelley knew Bev would not be able to keep her mouth shut and has deliberately leaked the news so Tracy would hear it. Tracy believes Shelley is telling the truth and Charlie is not. He looks at her, then goes to sit on the stairs, looking very sorry for himself. "I was drunk," he says. Tracy is crying now and can't find the words to say how disgusting he is. "You did it, and that's all that matters." He says the worst of it is, Shelley doesn't mean a thing to him. Tracy insists he can force Shelley to have an abortion. After all, it's what he did to Tracy herself. "Otherwise, me and you are finished!"

Shelley is all packed and ready to go. Bev is apologising, groveling. She's struck dumb, though, when Shelley says she won't be back for the wedding because she can't risk seeing Charlie. She knows he's not invited, "but he knows it's happening." She says she's going away for a few weeks, but won't tell Bev where she's going. Bev thinks she's being punished, but Shelley says it's about Charlie, not about Bev.

In the bar, Blanche still believes her family is plotting to get rid of her. "I try to pull my weight around the house," she tells Deirdre. "It's not easy with a Polish hip." She tells Deirdre that Italy might have been on the wrong side during the war, but they know how to look after their old folk. Old people there live with their families until the day they die. She stops her wittering on when she realises something is up between Deirdre and Bev, who has just come back into the bar. In fact, Blanche positively perks up when she realises there might be gossip involved. Then Charlie comes in and Bev refuses to tell him where Shelley is. "You and Bev daggers drawn. Her and Charlie the same. Tracy acting peculiar. I'm getting warmer, aren't I?" Blanche asks gleefully.

Charlie goes around to the back yard of the pub, getting there just as Shelley's coming out. He grabs her and pushes her up against the wall, demanding to know if it's true.

Back in the bar, Eileen is trying to wind up Sean by going on about how much he will suffer while Jamie's away. "I love winding him up," Eileen says to Violet, but Violet doesn't look as if she thinks it's funny.

In the yard, Charlie accuses Shelley of deliberately letting out the secret. Shelley, though, stays strong (Good for her!). She tells him there definitely is a baby but he's never ever going to see it. "Nor are you. Because you're going to get rid of it?" He says Shelley will want her hands on his maintenance money for the next 20 years. Shelley protests that she doesn't want a penny off him. That would give him another way to control her. "So why do you want my child?" he asks. "You're not listening, are you?" Shelley says. "It's MY child, and they will never know you existed. And as far as I'm concerned, you never existed either." She offers to put it into writing. "You know what, Charlie. I'd even pay you money if it meant I'd never ever have to see you again. I've got all I want from you and you're surplus to requirements."

Audrey is shaking a cape out into the street and sees Fred go past. He looks as if he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. Audrey can't believe he won't be living nearby any more. He's off to pick up Joshua while Ashley visits the hospital. Claire is much the same, he says.

Charlie reports back to Tracy on what Shelley said. She refuses to believe that Shelley won't want money at some stage. He says he can't stick a gun to her head and drag her off to the abortion clinic. "It's what you did to me," Tracy points out (Excuse me - didn't she spend that abortion money on shoes?). Charlie shouts into her face: "That's because I wanted a future with you. I still do. I couldn't care less what happens to her!" He says Tracy has nothing to worry about. "That baby's as good as dead."

Rosie and Craig are in the closed bakery, talking about what it might be like to have been together for 20 years. They're talking about where they might travel to.

When Fred walks into the pub, Bev is almost in tears and takes him to the far end of the bar. While Sean is in the loo, Violet sneaks a look at his mobile phone. All the messages are from Jamie. Fred calms down Bev by pointing out that in a fortnight they'll be on honeymoon. Sean comes back and Violet says she's seen the messages and wants to know what's going on between Sean and Jamie. Sean says he can't deny that he likes him, though there's nothing going on. "Jamie is as straight as a die, if that's what you're worried about." She tries to persuade him to ask Jamie out.

Charlie gets home and finds the key won't work the door. He steps back to shout up at the windows and rubbish sacks of his clothing land at his feet. Tracy is locking him out, along with most of his clothes. As she slams the door behind him, he leans back against it and sighs.

The End
Margaret Carr

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

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