Back in Coronation Street, Tyrone bangs into the living room where Paul is asleep on the sofa. Molly tells him to be quiet. 'Sorry, was I too noisy? Did I disturb you, mate?' he asks Paul, and then turns on the radio, loudly. Paul gives up trying to sleep and sits up. Tyrone asks if he had a late night and a few too many drinks. Paul agrees that it was a late one, but it was work, not drinking. Just then they hear Vera's voice on the baby monitor. Molly and Tyrone have to rush off to work, leaving Paul an opportunity to bond with his grandma.

Steve and Eileen are still wandering the streets in Malta, looking for a hotel. They decide to go to the Tourist Information Office.

Jason, Sarah and Gail are organising a get-together to talk about the wedding arrangements. Jason bangs on his mother's front door to inform her of the time and place. (1.30pm ' Rovers). When he gets no answer Gail tells him she saw Eileen get into Steve's taxi the night before and never saw her come home again. 'Not that it's any of my business,' she says. Jason says Eileen is probably having a lie-in, and goes off to work with Bill. As they walk off down the street he phones her. 'That's a funny ringing tone,' he mutters, the phone to his ear. Then, 'Mam, where are you? I've been knocking on. I can't hear you, you're breaking up. Where? Mam, you are winding me up! Where? Who with?' and then he loses the connection.

Steve emerges from the Tourist Information Office and informs Eileen that not only has he found a hotel, he's found the man who's going to take them there. Behind him is a man who introduces himself as Aiden. 'Your lucky I was in there,' he tells Eileen, and explains that the entire island is full, but, 'we've had a cancellation at one of my firm's hotels.' He leads them to his taxi, and Steve informs Eileen that the bad news is that there was only one room available, but the good news is that it's a twin. Eileen isn't happy, but there's no choice.

Casey appears at the butcher's shop, giving Ashley a fright. She tells him she doesn't want him panicking about anything. 'Why would I be panicking?' asks Ashley, with more than a note of panic in his voice, 'Claire nearly walking in on us, people are seeing me more with you than I am with her. Why would I be panicking?' She tells him to stop worrying, as far as she's concerned it's all over, it will be all right.

Over in the hair salon, Maria and Sarah are excitedly discussing the wedding. Maria suggests a theme, 'All Gothic, you can wear black!' she says. 'Bit late for all white,' remarks Audrey, which David finds very amusing. 'Anyhow,' he says, 'I don't know what you're getting all worked up about, it's never going to happen.' Audrey is shocked, but David says he's just going on past form.

In the restaurant, Leanne is rushing about trying to get the place ready to open for the lunchtime trade. Paul tells her to slow down, if she has a heart attack he's not carrying her out. 'Only because you don't want people thinking you've poisoned me!' she retorts. He tells her it's going great and she should stop worrying, and he persuades her to sit down for five minutes.

Eileen and Steve have arrived at the hotel, with Eileen flirting outrageously with the taxi driver. He gives her his card and tells her to ring him tomorrow, promising her a fun filled night out.

Casey now goes to visit Claire with an armful of magazines. Claire confesses that she's been thinking about herself and Ashley all morning. 'Is everything all right?' asks Casey, looking a little worried. Claire tells her that Ashley has said he thinks they should pull together, but she can tell he really thinks she should just step out of it. They chat for a short while and then Claire invites Casey to stay for dinner, saying it'll be a nice surprise for Ashley when he gets home.

Eileen and Steve are being led to their room. As they walk in the bright sunshine, they pass a beautiful blue swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, lots of foliage and exotic pink flowers. However, when they get to the room there's a shock in store ' it's a double bed! They protest to the porter who looks blankly at them. Eileen tries her best language skills ' 'Have you got another roomo, pour favouro?' she asks. The porter departs without saying a word. (And who could blame him?) Eileen demands that Steve goes back to reception to sort it out. He tells her to go to reception and sort it out, reminding her that Aiden told them the whole island was booked up. She shouts at him that he'll have to sleep on the floor. 'It's my trip!' he shouts back, and goes off to get a drink.

It's tea time at the Peacocks' and they are all sitting at the table. Ashley is very quiet and just picking at his food. Casey comments that he's bored with all the girl's talk. Claire says he has to have a slice of apple pie, with either cream, ice cream or both. Casey says she'll have everything that's going, and worry about the damage afterwards ' looking pointedly at Ashley as she says it. He gets up from the table, saying he's going to catch Kevin at the pub.

Steve is taking a dip in the pool, while Eileen sits on the rocks at the side, reading from a tourist guide. They are both pleased to be there, they've escaped the drudgery! Steve suggests they carry on drinking until they both fall asleep. Eileen thinks that's a good idea, then they don't have to speak to each other until tomorrow, when she is going to go and have a look round. Steve then pulls Eileen into the pool!

Gail, Audrey and Sarah are in the Rovers, waiting for Jason and Eileen to come and talk about the wedding. Just then Jason arrives and breaks the news that his mother is in Malta with Steve MacDonald. 'What? What kind of arrangement is that?' exclaims Gail. Jason assures them all it's not in THAT way, they're just having a break.

Casey catches up with Ashley in the bar, who is not with Kevin. 'You couldn't get away fast enough, could you?' she says, coming up behind him. He asks if she's enjoying herself. She says they couldn't help doing what they did. She asks why she feels that he's blaming her. 'Would you rather I just disappeared?' she asks him, 'say you're feeling guilty?' Ashley takes a deep breath and downs his pint with an air of desperation about him.

In the restaurant Leanne says goodbye to the last customers. Paul thinks they could be on a roll with the place, she could soon be getting a lot more money, but a lot less sleep. He thinks a bit more investment and the place could really take off. Leanne explains that she has no spare money. He tells her to crack open a bottle, they deserve a drink.

Aiden, Eileen's taxi driver, arrives looking for Eileen. Steve is still smarting from the two promised rooms that turned into a double, and tells him that Eileen is off complaining about it and that she can be a very violent woman who put one of her last husbands in hospital. Aiden then asks how come Steve is on holiday with her. Steve tells him she's 'intriguing' and suggests he brings champagne to their room later. 'Two's company,' says Steve, 'but three is a modern, internet classic!' Aiden says he thinks he'll pass, and as Eileen approaches he makes a quick getaway. When she gets to the table she asks where he went and Steve confesses that he told him that she doesn't like men. Eileen is outraged, 'You evil pig, you could see he liked me!' she says. Steve says he could, and he could also see himself outside, huddled up under a blanket while the two of them road tested the double room facilities. Eileen then notices him looking elsewhere and turns to see an attractive looking girl walking beside the pool, wearing a sarong. 'So you can look and I can't?' she complains. Just then her phone rings, it's Jason. She turns it off.

Molly and Tyrone arrive back at the Duckworth's with fish and chips. They offer some to Paul but he declines. 'You just been sat on there all day?' asks Tyrone, throwing him a can of beer. Paul grins and shakes his head.

Back in Malta, Steve has obviously had a lot to drink, as Eileen leads him back to their room. Once inside he flops on to the bed, rambling drunkenly. Eileen goes to the bathroom and when she comes back, to her dismay, he's out cold.

Anne Logan

If it's me, it must be Friday, and so it is.

It looks like Florence but is, apparently, Malta (the beaches are a clue) and Eileen and Steve are still in bed, making spoons, Steve's arm flung across Eileen. He opens his eyes a second and snuggles close with a sigh... then is suddenly wide, wide awake! He's shocked, confused and worried. What happened last night? Eileen slumbers on.

In the cafe, Janice is buying breakfast for Roger, who is nursing his arm. "I doubt I'll be winning Wimbledon any time soon," he tells her. When his mobile phone rings, Janice has to unflip it and hand it to him. It's a job and he agrees he'll be there in half an hour. Janice is appalled. Becky suggests that instead of being a cowboy plumber he'll be a one-armed bandit.

Eileen is at breakfast on a sun drenched terrace. Steve sits down and still seems quite worried. He'd rather have a fry-up than a Continental breakfast. Eileen takes off her sunglasses and simpers: "It's good to try something different now and again." Steve looks slightly sick. He tells her they're good pals and he respects her and whatever happened last night they should put it behind them. "I don't want anything to come between us – er, get between us. . ." Eileen tells him she's already forgotten it. Last night's just a blank. Steve's a bit put out. He's pretty sure she'd remember if he'd . . .

At the Websters' place, Kevin suggests going bowling, but Sophie wants to stay home and study, even though she's on holiday. Rosie thinks it's just because Mr Stape is coming round to help Sally with The Tempest. Sally thinks it's good that Sophie wants to improve herself, but she thought Sophie liked bowling. Sophie goes on to the attack, telling her mother that if it was Rosie wanting to study, no-one would think anything of it. Rosie and Sally head off to work.

In the Kabin, Blanche picks up a paper. She can't believe the old picture theatre she used to visit as a kid has burnt down. A sneering Norris asks whether she preferred Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin. They're discussing the arson of the theatre when Emily comes in. Blanche points out that whoever set fire to the Peacocks' is still out there. They speculate why no arrest has been made there, when Ashley and Claire walk in. Claire thinks they should have the guts to face her with their suspicions. She rushes off and an angry Ashley tells them to find someone else to talk about.

Outside, Claire says she knew people would start accusing her. She doesn't blame them. She's the only person who's been questioned. "I don't know who's on my side any more – who I can trust," she tells him.

Roger is back. He's had to abandon the job. He's lost his reputation, he says. "This job was me last chance. I'm not going to make the rent this month – again." He says if Leanne doesn't start paying him back soon he'll be out on the street.

Jason arrives at the salon to set a time to set a meeting time with Sarah. David teases them about whether or not Jason will turn up at the next wedding. Sarah reminds Jason about speaking to Eileen before they make any decisions.

In Malta, Eileen ignores her phone. "I've got better things to do." She sips another cocktail and tells Steve she's off fellas, especially after last night. Steve's off the booze for the same reason, he says. As they listen to some bad karaoke (I'm genetically unable to write "karaoke" without the word "bad"), Steve spots a rather attractive lady and they catch each other's eye. Eileen orders a cocktail or three and calls the other woman over to join them. "It took you six painful months to get it together with Michelle," she points out. "We've only got one day left."

Ashley's in the sitting room when Claire comes down from settling the kids. Ash suggests she try doing a few more things with Josh. He suggests they go out and Claire says she'd rather stop in. She suggests Ash go on his own. As he leaves, she appears to sigh with relief.

The attractive brunette has moved to Eileen and Steve's table. As someone ruins It's Hard To Be A Woman "she" agrees, making not-so-subtle alterations to what's in her sun-top. And is that the suspicion of an Adam's apple? Steve tells "her" that Eileen works for him. She's the director of communications at his transport company, he says. He discovers that the brunette doesn't have a boyfriend. Eileen clearly has realised this woman isn't all "she" seems, gorgeous though she is.

Jason meets Sarah and confesses that he hasn't spoken to Eileen. Jason doesn't understand why she's fussing so much about which church to book. Sarah wants the whole old-fashioned churchyard, stained glass, a steeple, the lot. Jason asks why she'd want to get married surrounded by dead people. "Because it looks good on the photos," she explains. She plans to make an appointment with the vicar of the church she wants. She insists that Jason try again to contact his mother, because she's like to be at her son's wedding. And it's the only one she's going to get to go to.

Steve and the woman, whose name is allegedly Shania, sing Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, not noticing that Eileen's taking their picture. They go back to the table and Steve tells Eileen that he and Shania were thinking of sloping off in a minute. He wants Eileen to let them have the room for a couple of hours. Eileen's called to the microphone (where she gives a really bad rendition of The Winner Takes It All) and while she's there, Steve and Shania sneak away.

Sally's made a pot of tea as she and John settle down. Rosie goes upstairs to use the computer as John asks Sally to read aloud. She's reluctant until Rosie has gone, then he asks her to read Ariel's Song. "Oh, I didn't know Shakespeare wrote musicals," Sally says. She's just getting into "Full fathom five thy father lies . . ." when Sophie comes in. She's decided to work downstairs because Rosie's playing music. John seems quite amused. Sophie won't go into the front room to work, so Sally gathers up all her stuff and the teapot and she and John go into the front room.

Steve and Shania get back to his room, with him a bit drunk after stop at the bar on the way. She thinks it's a mistake. Steve tries to reassure her. It's not some cheap thrill for him. She says she's got something to tell him, but he says he knows all he needs to know about Shania. He grabs her and tells her: "You're a very special lady. A one off." She draws back. "You already know?" Of course he does. He knew the minute he clapped eyes on her, he says. Shania sits on the bed, dejected. "What's wrong?" he asks. "Wrong? This is a top-of-the-range wig," she says. "It cost me near on a grand." And "he" whips off the wig.

Ashley drops his keys as he arrives home, waking Claire, who has been napping in front of the telly. She's very affectionate and has made him a butty. She goes upstairs without him and Ashley weeps.

In Malta, Steve comes out of the bathroom to a teasing Eileen. She wants to know how long it took him to twig that Shania was a man. He can't believe she didn't warn him. "I can't believe you didn't know," she says. She reckons he had a beer blindfold on, not beer goggles. She points out that she didn't tell him because he went off, leaving her alone to fend for herself in a foreign country. As she goes into the bathroom she sings, "Man, I feel like a woman!" "Not funny!" shouts Steve.

The End.
Margaret Carr

Most of this evening is spent in Malta with Eileen and Steve, so I will use E and S for this episode.

E reckons she ought to up sticks and move to Malta - and perhaps Gail Platt would find it harder to pick a fight with her. Although pretty girls walk past Steve says that last night has scarred him (although how badly will take some days to show). E's phone rings - Jason wants to discuss the wedding. Do you remember when you could go on holiday and not get bothered - or even (and how I remember this) having to ring home to find out if my cricket team had done well - from a phone box!! Jason wades in (only fair as S & E are paddling in the sea) and tells her to take as much interest as Gail. E lets fly and her phone flies even further out to sea. They paddle further out to find it.

At the Platt Pile there is a vicar due and so the front room is getting a makeover and Sarah has checked with Emily and identified that the vicar likes fig rolls which she has bought in special like. Jason volunteers to help but is told to sit still - but decides to go down the yard to do some paperwork (and that will really tax his brain). David reckons they must be getting ready for the second coming, not just the vicar. Gail tells him to behave when the vicar comes (fat chance Gail).

S asks if it was a pay as you throw phone. E whinges wanting to know who is there for her when she has problems and S reminds her that she has his number and he will always listen. Yeah she observes in many ways. The phone is spotted at the bottom of the ocean - Steve alleges next to a jellyfish to scare E then bends down and retrieves it. Anyway that is not going to be working for a while (if ever I would have thought). E asks if it is time for them to return to reality - almost but not quite and they both hold their arms out wide and fall backwards into the sea, laughing.

Roger has a rent problem - his landlord wants the arrears and the only assistance the landlord can provide is to move Roger's worldly goods to the side of the road. Janice has the solution - he can move in with her as she is sure she can find him somewhere to sleep. Later in the Rovers they break the news to Leanne -- who is not amused but clearly has been part of the cause and keeps mum.

At the Kabin there has been a visit from Angela's son Neville - reason not given and Doris does not want to see his stepson just in case his mother wants to drag him back into captivity. Anyway a little later Neville re-appears and regrets that it is not a social call - but one of news. Doris is quick to say that he has no wish to meet Angela - but Neville explains that will no longer be possible on this plane - she has passed on. It was apparently all very sudden - a nice approach to the 14th and only a simple tap in needed - she died in her favourite place - on the golf course. Doris is invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday and before Neville goes Doris tries to amend for his initial rudeness. Doris was not keen on Angela - but even he would not have wished her to end her days at a relatively young age.

S and E are dry again (lucky really most people would go and change) and E points at a couple on the beach - she wants to know why that never happened to her. He reminds her she has two kids - but she is not referring to the sex but the companionship. Steve does not get it. Why couldn't someone have loved her and vice versa - and someone worthwhile. S tells her she was unlucky but she reckons you make your own luck. She could have made someone very happy. S thinks he must have missed her funeral - she thinks that she has missed her chance of happiness Anyway she says no-one will go out with her. S points out that Jerry would tomorrow. E says they are just mates, S asks if she is sure and she is snappy when she tells him that is right. And she offers to get the drinks.

At the Platt property there is a vicar in attendance but no Jason. David asks the vicar what he thinks of those people who want a church for a wedding or christening but otherwise do not visit the place - and would he like a fig roll? Gail attempts to shut David up as Jason arrives apologising - but David points out that Jason is rarely where he is supposed to be where weddings are concerned. The vicar would like to know more, so the last wedding disaster is explained. The vicar asks if Jason is sure this time round and what has changed? Jason knows he made a bad mistake last time and he confirms he is very sure this time around. The vicar is glad - the first forty minutes making promises is easy - the next 40 years can be more difficult. Later after the vicar leaves Sarah and Jason go for a drink and spy David chatting up Mel whom he obviously fancies.

Incidentally whilst S and E are supposed to be on Malta I am fairly certain (having visited myself) that the final shot was actually taken on Gozo in a rather pretty spot we visited on a day trip. Anyway S observes that he been married and divorced three times - so what can he say? E says she has been shackled by the kids and then she had felt sad when they moved out - but would have been even more upset if they had not moved on, it is just that she did not feel needed any more. She observes that she did not have a life any longer {by this time I would be surprised if you were not as depressed as me - oh come on writers cheer up} - and was it any surprise that she had wanted to keep Holly.

S laments that he was normal until Emma Howarth and since then the female sex have been his downfall. The only girl for S now is little Amy (oh yes and just who has been looking after the little mite for the past 3 weeks - two in Spain and one in Malta - not Dreary - she and Ken have not been spotted for weeks). E reminds him of the good times with Karen and Steve admits he thought they would be together forever and that he would never find another girl - but then along came Michelle. E asks if there is any hope - but S reckons not - weeks and he has heard nothing so it must be over. Anyway the fire of all his past relationships will keep him warm when he retires.

This break was supposed to make them feel better - but at least both know they have a true friend. S admits that E is one of the reasons he goes to work in the morning - there is always a laugh to be had. And E responds in similar tone. S says that there is Amy as well - but otherwise it is the same old depressing routine. E points out that they are both addicted to the things which are bad for them and cause misery - but if they are both aware of it they can return to Weatherfield and change things - cos no other bugger will. S acknowledges her point as being right and they both laugh. They clink glasses and say cheers to each other and then turn to look at a marvelous sunset over the sea through an arch shaped rock, knowing that in each other they have a true friend.

Next Sunday update will I hope be much earlier. Cropredy got in the way this week.

K Richard W

This episode of Coronation Street is
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys
CORONATION STREET is copyright of ITV productions

Taxi; Lloyd says he's been working his backside off. Eileen says yeah the sites they have seen and the things they have done. Steve says to Eileen, they are not on holiday now so they are just friends. Lloyd asks if they went a bit further than that. Eileen says in her nightmares and Steve likes something exotic. Lloyd says, next time they have to tell him. Steve says it was a sprit of the moment thing. Lloyd says he wants to go into town and says Steve can over the switch. Steve says he has to see his daughter. Lloyd says Eileen will do it. Eileen says no as it's her day off and has plans.

Cafe; Sally is sat reading a book. Kevin comes in and mock her saying Romeo. Sally says it not Romeo. He says she is a real part timer. Sally says she is on the butty run and was just going to finish to the bottom of the page. Rosie comes in saying Carla thinks she's been abducted by aliens. Sally gets up to go and says she likes the clothes Rosie has on. Rosie says she is earning money now. Kevin says as long as his hand in not going in his pocket. Rosie asks if she can go before her dad as Carla is waiting for her.

Salon; Sarah says she wants rose petals on the floor. Audrey says it's lovely the things you get. Maria says she should get a heart shaped arch. Sarah's phone goes off and she says it's Jason. David says they have an I.Q. of 10 between them. Audrey tells him to be quiet and says Cupid will hit him with an arrow. Sarah says he is jealous. Maria says his day will come. Sarah says someone will have to be desperate to want him. David says he saw something that would be good for Jason for the wedding. Maria asks what. Sarah says for her not to encourage him. He says a ball and chain. Sarah hits him with a magazine.

Outside the Rovers the taxi pulls up. Lloyd gets out the car to get the bags from the boot. Steve holds Eileen back. She asks if she is getting a good bye kiss. He tells her to behave. She says the name Shania will never touch her lips. She says oops. He tells her not to say a word. Lloyd asks if he is going to struggle with the bags. Steve says he is just coming. Jason to Eileen says she is finally back. He tells her they have talked about the wedding. Eileen says she can meet him in the pub at 1 and he can tell her all about it. Eileen then asks him to get her case for her.

Flat; Leanne and Janice are getting rid of some stuff. Janice says she does not know how half the stuff ended up here. She asks when she ever uses a rolling pin. Leanne says to bash her dad's head in. Janice says, hopefully she won't need it for Roger. Leanne says this is all her fault and its unfair she gets what she wants and they have to pay. Janice says they get on so it's ok. Leanne says she should take Carla up on her offer. Janice says she has worked to hard to give it all away and says there must be someone else that can invest, as she is not the only one with money.

Rover's; Vernon is singing while giving out food. Tyrone says he wishes he had a talent. Kevin says he can fix motors and that's about it. Sally comes in and tells Kevin John will be round as she is studying tonight and goes. Steve comes through from the bar. Jamie comes in and starts singing sex bomb. Kevin, Tyrone and Vernon join in. Liz says that's why it's not a good idea to run off to Malta with a woman old enough to be your mum. Tyrone asks how it was. Steve says they are just friends. Vernon says that's what they all say. Liz says it's nice of Steve to join them. She tells him she is worried about Amy. He says he will pick here up. They start singing sex bomb again and Steve using his hand tells them to zip it.

Outside Claire is sorting out a hanging basket. Ashley comes up and says he had to get out the shop, as Kirk has to talk and say every step he does. Claire laughs then tells him Casey phoned and sends her love. Just then the inspector turns up and they ask if he has any news. He says he has come to talk. Claire says all they have done is talk. He says with the people that rescued her as they might remember something and he walks off. Claire says they still think its her. Ashley says someone might remember something. Claire says he sounds convinced as they do.

Rover's backroom; Steve pulls out a teddy for Amy. Liz comes in and asks to see it. Steve then asks what is in Amy hair. Liz says ribbons. He says he is worried. Vernon says that they are going to leap off her head and strangle her. Steve says he is not her dad then stutters and says they are a fire hazard. Liz and Vernon laugh. Liz says everyone sees a pretty little girl but him. Vernon jokes saying the coffee is hot and they will have to section it off. He says he is looking out for her. Vernon says like last week. Steve says that's none of his business. Vernon says it is if he is dissing his woman.

Flat; Leanne and Janice are taking in boxes. Rogers says there is about 8 more. Leanne asks if he is joking and says she is going to leave them to it. Roger says most of it is sentimental value. He opens one box and takes out a pair of boxes. He says this was his pulling pants. Janice asks if he got much action. Roger says no. Leanne says she wonders why. Janice says he can model with later. Leanne says that is her cue to leave and go. Janice and Roger laugh.

Rovers backroom; Liz asks how it went. Steve asks how what went. Liz says he knows and says his holiday and asks what made him go off with one of her friends. Steve says he is going to take Deirdre next time. Liz says funny. Steve tells her it was a spur of the moment thing. Liz asks if it took his mind off "her". Steve asks who. Liz says he knows who. Steve says it did and a lot of alcohol. Liz says he will find someone, has a wonderful little girl and two businesses. Steve says maybe.

In the bar of the Rovers Tyrone and Steve are still winding up Steve. He says he will bar them if they carry on. Tyrone says they were just having a laugh. He says he does not find it funny. Eileen then winds him up and he does not look amused. Sarah orders the drinks in. Leanne asks Steve how his holiday was. She then asks how business is going. She tells him she is looking for someone to put some money in so she can put her plans into action. Steve says he has enough on his plate and tells her good luck. Liz asks Eileen if she did any thing with Steve. Eileen says she knows where his birth mark is but then says she didn't.

Outside David and Maria are walking along talking. David says he gets £2 from one of the ladies. Maria says she is 70. Amber sees them and asks where they are going. David says the cafe and his gran is treating them. Amber asks if she can join. Maria says yes. Mel comes out of Jerry's with a bin bag. David says he wants a kebab instead and says she will see them later. David says he will take the bag and she can put the stuff in.

Jerry's; the inspector is asking Jerry questions. He asks how Claire was on the night. He says she seamed fine. They ask where Freddie was. He says he presumed he was in his cot. David comes in and asks Mel who comes from the back for extra chili. They ask why he was round and says things were not great. He says he was round asking for the stereo back and says she wanted one more night of peace and quiet. The inspector says that's all the questions at the moment. Mel asks if they have any leads. He says no. Jerry asks if he can get them anything before they go. They say no and go.

Outside, the inspectors pass Ashley and say his name. Ashley comes up to Jerry who has come outside. Ashley asks what they wanted. He says the same old thing. He asks if they asked about Claire. Jerry does not say anything and Ashley says he knew it and they think its Claire. Jerry says they don't all think that and says they are useless.

Rover's; Vernon asks how the business is going. Leanne says she is looking for someone to invest in it. Vernon from his pocket pulls out £3 and a button. She asks if he has any rich relatives. He says his aunt has salmon on a Sunday. Gail says they have been through this. Eileen says she goes a better offer. Sarah says they can get someone to write the names for the place setting and it's a pound a name. Eileen blows Steve a kiss. Gail says she didn't know they were close then asks why she bothers and goes. Leanne turns around and Dev bumps into her. Her wine goes all over her top. Dev says he will pay for the dry cleaning. Leanne asks if she can get him a drink.

Outside the inspectors are thanking Jamie. Claire who is still at the hanging basket looks. As they come over she asks what they are still doing here. He says they are still asking questions. Audrey appears. Claire wants to know what they are asking. She says they are still trying to prove it was her. She says they won't find any answers round here and they are hoping someone will say something to prove them right. Audrey says this is not helping and says they should go inside.

Peacock's; Claire asks why they think it's still her and says she would not dump her own baby in a park and set fire to the house. Audrey says she is sure they don't think that. Claire says they do and asks why they are not asking Ashley questions. Audrey says he was not even here. Claire asks if she is sure and says maybe he pretended to be away and sneaked back and took Freddie. Audrey tells her to stop. She says if she wanted to top herself she would not go to all this trouble and would chuck herself in the cut.

Garage; Tyrone says he is thinking of taking up a sport. Kevin tells him to get down to the red rec on Saturdays. Tyrone says he thought about darts. Kevin says that's not a sport and won't build up his muscles. Sally comes out the factory. He asks if she has done any work. She says she is on her break. Tyrone asks where her book is as he thought it was stuck to her hand. She says he should try reading. Sally then says she thought they should go away on a holiday as Rosie has worked hard on her exams as soon she will be in university. Tyrone says they are not that busy and he can manage. Kevin says it's a good idea.

Rovers; Gail asks if Eileen is coming back home to look at magazines. Eileen says she just needs to have a word with Liz about that thing. Liz says yeah that thing. Jason says she is doing this deliberately. As they go Liz says Gail will hunt her down. Lloyd comes in and says he knew he would find them in here slacking. Steve gives a wee laugh. Lloyd says he has just seen someone come out of a cab. Eileen asks if its Tom Jones. Lloyd says Michelle. Steve asks if this is a wind up. Lloyd tells him to go out and have a look.

Outside the Rovers door Steve sees Michelle. Eileen tells him to go talk to her. Steve says no. Eileen says she knows he really wants to. Michelle gets her purse out as Steve watches.

Episode rating 5/10 – nothing exciting happened

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Michelle and Ryan are back on the Street- they are getting out of their taxi and are unaware of Eileen and Steve watching them. "Go on, over there" Eileen urges Steve- but he won't as he thinks it would be awkward with Ryan being there. Eileen goes inside the Rovers and Steve attempts to shout over to them, but stops before any sound comes out.

Norris and Doreen are in the Kabin, "Look at your face, you could turn milk sour" Doreen jokes with him, but Norris isn't impressed and blames his face on his bunions which are giving him 'jip' Doreen offers to hold the fort while Norris seeks help from a foot doctor,he agrees; "Well, as long as you don't eat your own body weight in pear-drops"

Michelle breaks up the banter when she enters wanting to set up her paper delivery again now she's back, Doreen tries to make polite chit-chat by asking her where she has been, "Ireland" Michelle informs her- Doreen says she loves the Irish, they have great accents and lovely skin! Norris tells her not to bother Michelle with her boring banter as she has just had a bereavement. Doreen apologises and tells Michelle that Norris has had one too, his ex wife. Norris thinks the two bereavements can barely be put in the same sentence- Michelle's was her brother after all.

Steve is behind the bar in the Rovers, Eileen is sitting on a bar-stool and Liz is asking Steve whether he said anything to Michelle when he saw her, "I didn't get chance to talk to her" Liz says that he'll soon get chance when she wants her job back. Vernon chips in that she won't get it back- messing them about like that. "Oh i'm sorry" Steve says "I was under the impression I was the boss!"

Dev and Leanne are also in the Rovers- Leanne is plying Dev with drinks- "Are you trying to get me drunk so you can have your wicked way with me?" he jokes, Leanne laughs but Dev wants to know what's going on- she cuts to the chase. Leanne wants Dev to think about a business opportunity- she needs another investor for the restaurant.

Becky is rushed off her feet in the cafe, and Roger is indecisive about what he wants to order, Becky says she'll get back to him in half an hour and walks off to clear a table- Roger follows behind "I'll have ham, you can't go wrong with ham" Becky isn't listening to him, she's clearing Cilla's table and Cilla is asking where her Eccles cake is- "Have you sent somebody to Eccles to get it?" Becky says she's on her own and only has one pair of hands- Cilla see's an opportunity and says she has been reviewing her job option and wouldn't mind helping out- "Perhaps you could put a word in for me" Becky politely says.......no and shows her a job in the paper that would just suit her- "toilet attendant" Cilla reckons she found the joke funny, but as Becky's back is turned her face is like thunder.

Steve is playing with a beer mat in the Rover's- every time the door opens his head swerves to see who has walked in- and each time he's disappointed when it isn't Michelle- Eileen join him and tells him to make the first move- but Steve says it was Michelle that left him, therefore it should be Michelle that comes to him first. Later Steve is in the bar with Amy, he's taking her out and he wants her to say goodbye to her Grandma, Liz.

Leanne is back at the flat- she's complaining to Janice that Dev might as well have laughed in her face when she asked him to invest, She walking around the flat in her bra, wiping some clothes down with a damp cloth- we later find out she is trying to get a wine stain out. Roger walks in and Leanne jumps holding her top over her nearly naked body- "Let me know when its safe to come back in" he calls from the door- Leanne is horrified but Janice finds it hilarious!

Rosie is in the corner shop boasting to Amber that she may not go to college, now she's had a taste of the working life, "I don't want to learn everything from a book" Amber looks surprised and wonders if her parents know!

Michelle and Eileen are also in the shop- Michelle is grilling Eileen about Steve- "Does he know i'm back?" Eileen nods, "and he hasn't been to see me" Michelle says sadly, "Apparently not" Eileen sums up. Michelle doesn't realise that Eileen is feeling awkward at being caught in the middle of the two and carries on by asking if Steve is angry with her- "why don't you give him a ring" Eileen suggests "He is angry with me then" Michelle guesses. Eileen tells her to give him a chance and that if she goes to see him, he'd talk to her "Michelle, he's come to the solution the two of you are finished" Michelle looks upset and looks to the floor.

Sally and John are reading literature at the Websters- Kevin comes in from work ready for his dinner- Sally tells him to get his own, but when Kevin goes to the fridge he's disappointed to see its stocked up with salad and not much else. Sophie is the next to interrupt Sally's tutoring lesson- she plonks herself down at the table and starts talking to John- Sally isn't impressed and suggests she goes away, "See this is how I get treated in this house" Sophie tells her teacher, she then tries to ask him a question but Sally tells her that its her time, "I'm trying to get an A-level here and i'm up against it as it is"

Steve is laid on the sofa in the Rovers back room, someone enters the room and Steve thinks its Liz, "I'll put Amy's tea on in a minute, do we have anymore of those chicken nuggets?" "Steve, its me" he looks up to see Michelle. Michelle says she will go if its an awkward time, what with Amy's tea- but Steve tells her to sit down and heads in the kitchen to get them a drink.

Norris and Doreen are in the Kabin- Doreen is eating the profits away and Norris is telling her to stop! She carries on though and quizzes him on his ex-wife, Angela- Norris insists the death hasn't affected him at all- but Doreen is insistent that he must have felt something once. Norris says he did but she was an ex for a reason and he wishes everyone would stop fussing. "she could have made a grown man cry" Norris informs Doreen, but she says she can't have been that bad.

Steve is back with the drinks and the two are sat at the table- Michelle tells Steve how awful the past few weeks have been- she tells Steve that Ryan is quiet and keeps everything in and she wishes she could have talked to Steve before but she felt like she was going to "crack up" so had to get away. Steve tells her he doesn't want to turn it all around and make out like its all about him- "it feels pathetic but you didn't even try to get in touch, a text would have done" Michelle shrugs, "I've no excuse really" she says as time went on it seemed harder and harder to pick up the phone, Steve says he just hopes they can be mates- Michelle looks away, you can see she wants to be more than friends.

Cilla is in the Rovers, she offers to get Becky a drink- Thanks to her giving Cilla the job paper- Cilla has found a job, she has an interview tomorrow- for a carer! Becky laughs, but Cilla is serious, "People say to me- Cilla the milk of human kindness just oozes out of you" Roger has been observing the scene from another table and tells Janice that Cilla is so gobby he makes Janice seem Shy and retiring- "Oy, don't be cheeky" Janice says and playfully hits him.

Michelle and Steve are still talking things over- she tells him she expected to come back and it all be happy and hugs- Steve asks her what does she expect when she just ups and leaves. She agrees it looks bad but says, being away from him has made her realise how much she cares about him. "I care about you too- I missed you" "I tried to put you to the back of my mind because I didn't want to hurt Ryan" Steve softens up and goes to hug her, but she says if they are getting back together she wants a proper commitment, "not like last time when we acted like teenagers- breaking up and getting back together"

Emily and Norris are at home- Emily tries to speak to him about Angela, but he's still being hard-faced. I suppose i'd better go to the funeral, just to make sure she's dead! "Well whatever happened later on, she was still an important part of your life" Emily has got through to Norris- he softens up and says that she is right, "She was"

Back with Michelle and Steve and they are on the sofa together- Michelle asks him if he is happy to make a commitment- not just for them but for the kids as well, Steve is all for it and says he has always loved her. "Steve, no lies no nothing and this is it me and you forever" Steve echoes her, "forever" the two hug.

Cilla is in the Kabin, announcing that she's about to go for a job interview, looking after the elderly in a care home! "I suppose it'll be a cross between a matron and an air hostess," she tells a startled Doreen. As she breezes out of the shop, Doreen turns to Norris, "As if getting old's not bad enough, you'd have to have her looking after you!" she says. Norris comments that at least Angela was spared that. He then reflects that she was only 59, "it's no age, is it?" he muses. Doreen asks if he'll know many at the funeral, but Norris thinks he'll only know Neville, Angela's son. She says that he's obviously not looking forward to it, so why is he going? Norris says he can't not go, he was married to her for four years. "And hated every minute of it, so you said," says Doreen. "Not every minute….no," mutters Norris, turning away.

Michelle and Steve go and tell Ryan that they are now an item. Michelle says she'd really like it if they could all get on. Ryan says nothing, he just stares at them. Michelle then tells him that he's still the most important person to her, but if he's not happy she wants to know about it. "I'm not happy," says Ryan. "Because you want to get back to your Playstation!" says Michelle, "I'm talking about me and Steve." "It's ok," says Ryan. "Is that it?" He wanders off, as Steve adds hastily that he can talk to him as well. "Right!" says Ryan as he departs.

Violet sees Jamie in the Street, and they are just talking about Eileen's holiday when Claire comes running across the road. She tells him she saw his talking to the police the other day and wants to know if they were talking about her. Ashley rushes up behind her, trying to be the voice of reason. Jamie, rather taken aback, stammers that they just wanted to know if he'd seen anything before the fire. All this is watched by Casey, sitting in her car some distance away. "Did they ask about me?" Claire continues to pester Jamie, "did they?" Ashley protests again that it isn't fair of her to question Jamie. Jamie replies that no, they didn't particularly ask about her. "So what were you telling Violet about just now?" Claire demands to know. Ashley tells her to stop it, and Violet tries to reassure her that they were just talking about Eileen's holiday, they weren't talking about the police or the fire. Claire stares at them for a moment or two and then turns and hurries away across the road. Casey continues to watch it all.

In the restaurant, Paul and Leanne are discussing Dev as a potential investor. Paul is glad that Dev only owns shops, it means they won't have to listen to any ideas he might have about restaurants. "Don't worry," says Leanne, "I can handle Dev."

Back in the Peacock residence, Claire tries to explain to Ashley that she has to protect herself. She thinks that everyone is convinced that it was she who started the fire. She says she knows from the way people are acting – for example Jamie and Violet. Ashley reminds her that Violet said they hadn't been talking about Claire at all. "They would say that wouldn't they?" says Claire, "of course they were talking about me!" Just then her mobile phone rings, it's Casey. She says she's coming round, Claire sounds like she needs someone to talk to. "Stay calm and I'll be round as soon as I can," she says, omitting to mention that she's just sat outside in her car.

Norris sets off for the funeral, with Emily telling him it probably won't be as bad as he is expecting, and tells him he doesn't have to go to the reception afterwards.

Eileen goes into the café and orders 3 cream slices. "All for you?" asks Becky, adding quickly that she was joking. Eileen is not amused, and explains that one is for her and two are for her colleagues. Just then Claire and Casey come in, and Becky mutters that the police still haven't found out who started the fire. "Are you going to make a joke out of that as well?" asks Eileen. Becky replies that having your house set on fire is a bit more serious than eating like a pig.

Eileen walks back into the taxi office and is furious to find Jamie and Lloyd looking through her holiday snaps and wondering who the dark haired beauty is that Steve's kissing in the photo. "You do realise that Steve hasn't said a word," says Jamie. "I know," replies Lloyd, "but I think we should!"

Norris is standing outside the crematorium when Angela's son Neville introduces him to someone called Ivor Priestly. "Ivor was the one after you," he says, and goes off to greet another mourner. "The one what after me?" asks Norris, puzzled. "Husband," says Ivor, and tells Norris that he married Angela in 2002. "I gather you were 1995-99," he says, and then points out another one. "George Trench, 04 to 06. Have you met him?" he asks.

In the cafe, Claire is telling Casey that she's sure the police think she started the fire, that's why they keep talking to the neighbours. Casey asks if they have any leads or evidence. Claire says she knows that people have worked out what the police are thinking so they have started thinking the same thing. "Well," says Casey, "I certainly don't. I know it wasn't you!" Claire says it's a relief to hear that from someone who sounds like they actually mean it.

Norris approaches George and introduces himself. George says that he was 04 to 06, but late 04 to early 06 so barely 18 months really. "Norris here has pipped both of us," says Ivor. Just then Neville comes up and invites them back to the house, warning them that it will be tee-total, his wife has very strong views about alcohol. "Like mother like daughter in law," comments George as they walk along. Norris then invites the other two ex-husbands back to the Rovers for a drink. "That's the best idea I've heard today!" says George.

Once back at the Rovers, Norris orders pints for the three of them. They joke about how Angela would have considered it common for them to be drinking beer. She thought the same about crisps and pickled eggs, so they order those too.

Cilla is being interviewed at the nursing home. She explains that she has no formal qualifications, she sacrificed herself to be a wife and a mother. She is then asked about her most recent employment and she explains she was working at Wongs of Coronation Street. "It's quite a classy kind of place," she says. "So you've no experience or training that's relevant to care work?" asks the lady interviewing her. Cilla tells her that working in a chip shop has brought her into contact with all sorts – drunks, down and outs. "Old people will be a doddle after what I've had to face," she says. Her interviewer invites her to have a look round, but says that the residents are about to have their lunch. "Feeding time at the zoo?" quips Cilla, "should I have brought some peanuts to chuck at them?" The

interviewer looks stony faced. "We'd rather you didn't," she says.

Doreen and Emily come into the pub looking for Norris. He introduces them to the others – Angela's exes. "We could start a club," laughs George, and Ivor agrees, with Norris as chairman.

Steve tries to tell Jamie and Lloyd that it was just a girl he met and got talking to, but they don't believe him. "Don't tell Michelle," he begs, "we've only just got back together."

Dev arrives at the restaurant and Leanne tells him she has made copies of all the financial papers, and introduces him to Paul, the chef. "Ah, bon journo Paulo!" says Dev. "Hiya," says Paul, and Dev is shocked to learn that he's not Italian. However, he asks Paul what dishes he would recommend, and then tells Leanne that he's got one or two questions for her. "I thought you might have," says Leanne, looking very professional. "Oh, not about this place," says Dev, "different questions. But I might as well enjoy my meal first!" and he sits down. Leanne's smile fades a little.

At the nursing home, Cilla is told that with her lack of qualifications all they can offer her is a job as a domestic assistant – doing cleaning and maintenance. Cilla is sure what to do, so she's given until the next day to let them know.

Steve goes into the taxi office, furious with Eileen for letting Lloyd and Jamie see the photos. Eileen says they took them off her desk, after telling them they were private pictures. "So you didn't say anything then?" asks Steve. "What, about being a fella?" says Eileen. Steve tells her not to say that, or even whisper that. "Oh," says Eileen, "that's what you're worried about. Not that you copped off, but that they'll find out that you didn't cop off and the reason why." Steve tells her to just hide the photographs and refuse to answer any more questions. "Say please?" grins Eileen. "Please!" snarls Steve.

In the restaurant, Dev reminds Leanne that the last time they had anything to do with each other she took him to court for sexual harassment, and now she's asking him for money. "That's a joke, right?" he says. Leanne tells him that Maya pushed her into it, she was a lot younger then. "At least you know that I'm not coming to you because I think you're a soft touch," she tells him, "I know you're going to be super-critical of me and I know you're going to be watching my every move. That's fine." She goes on to say that she would just like him to see it as a business proposition. He asks for time to think about it.

Cilla goes into the pub. Doreen asks if she got the job. Cilla tells her that they offered it to her. Doreen implies that she doesn't believe her, so Cilla phones there and then and accepts.

The three 'Angela's Exes' are still in the Rovers, still drinking. They discuss whether they would get married again, and Norris confesses that there is someone, a lady, who he is quite fond of. They asks if he's going to pop the question. Norris pauses, he hadn't thought that far, but then says, "I suppose I might……yes!" They toast Norris, and his bride to be!

Anne Logan.

Claire is in the street, talking on her mobile phone, arranging to meet Casey. She goes into Roy's Rolls, where Becky, whom I'm liking more and more, makes friendly conversation. The increasingly paranoid Claire tells her to keep her comments to herself.

In the factory, Sally thinks Rosie looks just right in the role of assistant to Carla, though the other workers give her plenty of ribbing about it. In the office, Carla is talking about moving back to her own home. She's been living in Michelle's flat, but now that Michelle and Ryan are back, it's a bit crowded. Liam tells her it's too soon, but she thinks two months is plenty of time.

Jason waits to be served in the Kabin. Jack is painting a picture of doom for his future as a married man and that any woman can look good in a wedding dress. "Even our Vera scrubbed up well." He says Norris has the right idea and is free as a bird. Doreen, behind the counter with Norris, thinks Jack probably couldn't even butter his toast without Vera. She thinks Jack must love Vera in his own way. "Well, love is important," says Norris. "So's serving your customers," says Jason, helplessly. Eventually he gets to ask for a heavy-duty stapler but Norris says he'll have to go into town for one. "You could have told me that five minutes ago!" snaps Jason. He leaves and Doreen points out to Norris that there is a stapler on the shelves. "Probably," agrees a somewhat distracted Norris.

In the taxi office, Lloyd is given an airport run and told the customer is tall with dark hair. "Name of Shania, by any chance?" he asks Eileen, with a sly glance at Steve. "I just let the name slip," Eileen tells a thunderous-looking Steve. "Nothing happened!" he insists to Jamie and Lloyd.

Jason is now in the salon talking wedding plans with Sarah. David sneers that they won't last five minutes. When Jason goes off to work, David says Jason obviously can't be bothered with the wedding because he's leaving all the work to Sarah, but she points out that Jason works longer hours than she does. And she seeks reassurance from her gran that this is right. Audrey agrees, but when Sarah and David leave the room she comments to Maria that she hopes she's right.

In the pub, the factory crew are teasing Sally about her studies. Over in a booth, Claire tells Casey that she's sure they're talking about her. When they all laugh, she's sure they're laughing about her. She gets up and rushes past them and out, snapping at Hayley who greets her in a friendly way.

Outside, Casey tells Claire she's sure they weren't talking about her. Nearby, Carla loads her luggage into a cab. Liam casually asks Steve (who's driving the cab) about his break in Malta. When he gives a waffly answer, Michelle gives him a suspicious look.

In the Kabin, Emily and Doreen quietly talk about Norris who is, oooh, all the way across the shop. He's been very quiet both at home and in the shop, it seems. Doreen thinks it might be post-funeral trauma. Emily asks Norris if he's all right and he says he's as all right as he'll ever be, and sighs.

Hayley and Becky come out of the pub and Hayley thinks Claire seemed on edge. Becky agrees and tells her about earlier in the cafe. At the bus stop, they meet Claire and Casey. Claire is once again very short with Hayley, who is quite bewildered by this attitude. She asks Claire if everything is OK, and Claire says: "I don't know. You tell me!" refusing to look at Hayley as she speaks. Hayley asks what she means and Claire said she got the impression the factory girls were laughing about her. Hayley denies this and Becky tells Claire that Hayley is her mate. "I thought that, too!" snaps Claire. A clearly upset Hayley is led away by Becky. Casey suggests maybe they weren't talking about Claire. But she tells Claire she doesn't need Hayley and the others anyway. "I'm your friend and always will be," she says. "You can count on that!"

Steve and Michelle are in Michelle's kitchen and she wants to know more about his time in Malta. "Come on, there's got to be some gossip," she says. "Did Eileen get off with anyone?" Steve stalls and finds an excuse to get back to the pub urgently.

In the Kabin, George arrives to see Norris about the next meeting of the club for Angel's husbands. Sean is in the shop and seems very interested, but when conversation turns to Norris's confession of the previous evening, Norris gets rid of Sean very quickly. George asks if there have been any developments on that front, and Norris says he's got nothing more to say on the subject.

Sean is now in the pub and wastes no time telling Emily and Doreen that Norris has been waylaid by a man called George. He says George and Norris seemed quite secretive. At the bar, Lloyd and Jamie tease Steve about being a babe magnet. Steve doesn't want Liam to hear them, so Jamie and Lloyd deliberately engage him in conversation just to scare Steve.

In the salon, David says he's booked Mel Morton in for Monday, and Audrey suggests he get her to cancel because Monday is pensioners' day and they'll be really busy. David thinks the old biddies can be rescheduled, because Monday's the only day Mel can make it. He denies Sarah's accusation that he fancies Mel, and Audrey tells him the pensioners are not "old biddies" but clients.

Ashley is late home and tells Claire he's been talking to Hayley. So Claire accuses him of talking behind her back. "She talked to you about me didn't she?" she says. "I don't want to talk about her, I don't want to talk to her." Ashley says: "And you don't want to talk to me, either, do you?" Before Claire has to answer this, her phone rings. It's Casey and she goes upstairs to speak to her in private.

Norris has arrived in the Rovers but refuses to tell Doreen what he and George talked about. Steve persuades Eileen to tell Lloyd and Jamie to stop tormenting him, but they refuse. They're going to go on until he tells them what they want to know. She says Steve never got off the starting block with Shania, but they say the pictures say otherwise. "After they were taken, everything changed," she says. "Let's just say that she was not exactly what she seemed." Lloyd wonders if that means Shania had implants. Eileen admits that Shania's assets weren't real tells him to just shut up about it. "She might as well have been a man," Lloyd jokes, and Eileen's face reveals it's not a joke. As Lloyd and Jamie crack up, thinking they've hit a real jackpot, Eileen tries to do some damage control. She says Steve dropped the bloke like a hot brick as soon as he realised and they should shut up. She says they promised to shut up once they knew the real story, Scouts' honour. "I was in the Girl Guides," Lloyd says. "Shania wasn't," hoots Jamie.

Casey turns up to see Claire, who tells her about Ashley talking behind her back. Casey thinks Claire should get away for a while, "on your own." She says that when Claire gets back, everything will be different. "Do you really think so?" asks Claire. "I promise," says Casey.

The end.
Margaret Carr

1. It is all falling apart at Peacock Villas. Claire has clearly lost her marbles down the back of the sofa and has managed to upset most of the neighbours as well. She cannot see she is crazy and but Hayley and Becky who meet her in the Street reckon it is a 24 carat nut job. Later Kev and Ashley discuss the row in the Rovers (terribly discreet these soap people - discussing public rows in the public - aren't they worried someone will be listening?). Kev suggests a doctor but Ashley does not want his head being bitten off again (Ash I recommend a straight jacket and a padded cell - and a dart from a knockout gun sooner rather than later). Claire does actually visit the cafe to apologise to Hayley - things are just getting to her - see the padded cell would be a good idea. Claire claims she does not know whom she can trust with even Ashley having his doubts. Anyway the apology does not go well although Claire does mean it and starts crying.

2. Steve is trying to pick up the pieces and when Ryan indicates that his no name trainers would cut no ice at the summer sports club Steve dips his hand in his pocket and hands over £40, no £60 to young Ryan who admits to be a world class con man.

3. David probably parted company with his marbles about the time he fell foul of Richard Hillman. He enjoys chatting to Amber who would clearly like his number but he is more interested in the plainly (and plain) uninterested Mel (being several years older I am surprised she even notices him). They arrange a party and David blags an invite as does Amber.

4. Leanne is still waiting to hear those magic words from Dev ("Here's the money), but will not phone him as she does not want him to think she is desperate (which he knew in the Rovers days ago - but worry ye not Leanne).

5. At the cab office Lloyd knows that Steve lost his marbles whilst in Malta as he stares again at the picture of Steve and the girl/boy Shania. Eileen tries to get him too say nothing, but we all know that is not going to happen.

6. Big surprise, Casey who may or may not be cuckoo calls round to see Claire who probably is cuckoo and the latter indicates that she is going away and has not discussed it with Ash to save on the argument. Casey observes that she has seen marriages collapse over less than that. Anyway Casey agrees that Claire cannot carry on like this. When Ashley returns she is packing to head back to her mother's (can someone explain why she does not take both children with her - both Josh and Freddie can only think of her as Mother and leaving one behind is a nonsense!!). Watching the nut's departure is the cuckoo in the nest hidden behind a corner, although to look at her face you'd think she was the cat what got all the cream.

7. Tyrone, who would have had some marbles had his mother ever nicked a set for him, is a bit surprised when his mobile rings - turns out it is his mother, in Spain and (really big surprise now) she is in trouble. With luck Jackie Dobbs is heading back to the Street. Oh no apparently not. She has been arrested in Benidorm, apparently some shoplifting, allegedly part of a gang and Ty has to pop out and put things right - as soon as he can get a flight. Excuse me has Ty ever left the country before - does he even have a passport, sorry team big blunder here?

8. Dev may be entirely stupid where most women are concerned but he certainly has Leanne's number when he turns up at the restaurant. He returns her books and accepts the offer of food and drink. Having dined he tells her what is wrong (just about everything), it could be sorted by a good accountant and anyway being in business with Leanne might be fun after all. Leanne mounts her high horse and tells him to keep his money, she wants an investor who is serious, this place is everything to her and not just a bit of fun. She shakes hands and stalks away. Later Leanne brings Janice up to date stating that she refuses to sell herself - that would be reverting to her bad old ways.

9. Cuckoo comes calling. Ash opens the door and there is Casey. Ash stupidly tells her that Claire has decamped to her mum's. Casey almost demands to be allowed entry and Ash is simply too tired and fed up to argue. Ash puts Josh to bed and Casey makes her self indispensable by cooking some food - the way to every man's heart. Ash does not do the sensible thing and send her packing but smiles and invites the viper cuckoo to settle down. Whilst he was upstairs she went out and got a bottle of red wine which she pours for them to share. {Now if you know the code in the Street sharing a bottle of red wine between two people is indicative that later there will be a sharing of bodily fluids - hint hint, need I say more}. Ash has a look of foreboding on his face as it is poured.

10. I am not sure the marbles are all in their rightful places at the Duck Eggs either. Vera remains immobile, Paul seems cheered by the removal of Ty to sunnier climes and Molly thinks the house hunting is over. Paul volunteers to assist with the house hunting, although Ty reckons they should wait until his return. Anyway Ty is worried about things changing whilst he is away and who can blame him?

11. Over at t'Rovers Lloyd is within Eileen and the former is still going on about the photo. Eileen is still trying to get him to shut up, especially when he starts singing "Man I feel like a Woman", but it has little impact. Steve spots something going on and comes over to the table, spots the photo and tells Eileen off for breaking her promise. She tries to explain that Lloyd had taken it but the bickering is interrupted by Michelle appearing at Steve's shoulder and wanting to know what is going on. Eileen says just some holiday snaps, then trying to avoid Malta - of Todd and his new boyfriend at Legoland (very wholesome place Legoland - do they allow that sort of thing there?). Steve tries to change the subject suggesting a takeaway Chinese. Having removed Michelle from the action Steve then makes some silent but pointed signs at Lloyd warning him of the dire consequences of continuing to wind Steve up. Some how Lloyd does not seem concerned and says "Legoland?" to Eileen who clips him around the head.

More importantly has the male peacock displayed his tail feathers in all their glory to the cuckoo in the nest - the next update will be along soon.

K Richard W

Part 1
We start in the O'Connor household. Steve comes down to breakfast and Michelle offers to make him a cup of tea or coffee. He says he is going to the Rovers, and tells Ryan to be there at 10 o'clock. Ryan asks whether he should call him Steve or Guv. Steve tells him, Mr McDonald, or Sir, or Boss ! Ryan wittily suggests "Big Mac" !

Ashley calls to Josh to take him out . However down the stairs comes Casey in Claire's dressing gown. Ashley suggests that she ought to go, but Casey said she promised to take him out to the museum so that he wouldn't get too bored. Ashley wasn't too sure about this, but when Josh came down saying he was looking forward to going to the museum, he relented.

Sarah and Jason are discussing their wedding menu. Sarah said she would confirm it with the caterers. She told him to ring the photographers to confirm with them, but he has to do it before 12 noon as somebody else wants the same slot. (No prizes for guessing what happens!).. Once Jason had gone, Sarah asks her mother whether she thought that Jason was definitely serious about the whole thing. Gail says he seemed very interested and keen.

In the street Audrey spots Josh walking with Casey. She calls over to Josh, and Casey introduces herself as a friend of the family. She explains that she is taking him to the museum, because Claire is staying with her mother. Audrey asked how long Claire would be there, but Casey said she didn't know, and they moved on.

In the office of Underworld, Rosie is having a right go at someone down the phone. At the same time she finds a file for Carla. When she puts the phone down, Liam asks who she was speaking to. Rosie replies, her dry cleaners! Liam told her that she has a good telephone manner, firm and polite.

In the Rovers, Vernon is nursing a bee sting. Then he starts telling Ryan what to do. Steve interrupts and says that he will tell Ryan what to do, and asked him to clean the dartboard, exactly what Vernon asked him to do. Ryan asked what with, and Vernon and Liz could barely control their laughter, when he responded that a duster should do it. Vernon then confessed to Steve that he killed the bee; he hit it with his shoe, but at the same time broke his Steve mug. Steve immediately told Ryan to come with him to the cash 'n carry before he kills Vernon.

Back at the factory, Michelle joins Carla and Liam for coffee. She said she was very happy, and how much she had missed Steve while she had been away. Carla thought it was very good that Steve waited for her.

Noticing that Rosie had gone out, Sally comes to the office and asks where she had gone. Carla told her that she had gone to collect her dry cleaning. Sally said okay and then left.

In the Corner Shop, Amber asks David if he gets a break. He tells her that he gets about ten minutes around 3pm. She suggests that they meet in the cafe. David then jokes about Roy and his Green campaign.

Audrey goes to see Ashley in the butcher's, sorry the Elliot Meat Emporium (!). She asks him whether Casey stayed overnight at his place. Ashley, annoyed, says that she came this morning to take Josh out. He tells her that Casey is an invaluable friend and realises what Audrey is hinting at, but insists nothing is going on. He then asks her to leave unless she wants to buy some meat.

At Underworld Sally goes into the office and asks if anyone wants tea or coffee. Carla and Liam give their 'orders', then Sally asks Rosie (who has obviously returned from the dry cleaners!), if she would like some squash. Rosie said she would have tea. Sally, as if to embarrass her, said that she never drinks tea, but Rosie insists that she always has tea.

Lloyd and Eileen manage to take a quick break from the flood of calls that are coming in to StreetCars. Lloyd tells Eileen that someone was asking about her while she was away. She hoped it was Pat. When Lloyd tells her that it was Jerry, she became disinterested.

Audrey was shocked when David asks her in the salon whether he could have more responsibility. He thought he could do some colouring and perhaps cutting. He complains that all he is doing is making coffee and sweeping up. Asking him if he is serious, she gives a hesitant "maybe". (Ladies, would you trust David with your hair?!)

Audrey has now gone over to Roy's Rolls and hints to Kevin and Bill that there maybe more going on between Ashley and Casey than meets the eye. Bill wonders if it is any of our business. Kevin thinks that maybe she is being a good friend to them while they need help. Becky then chipped in that Audrey was not the only one suspicious. Whenever one of them is not around, she is the other person's "best friend". She thinks everyone is just burying their heads in the sand until something happens. Kevin warns them to go easy on their conspiracy theories.

Jason is also sitting in the cafe and then suddenly realises that he hasn't rung the photographer (I told you so!). He thinks Sarah is going to kill him.

In the Rovers, Vernon gives Steve a new mug with his name printed on it. Steve says that he had the old one since he was a kid (can't say I remember it before!). Vernon tells him that he will be able to keep the new one till he is a pensioner. Steve thanks him but Vernon tells him to thank his mother.

Sitting down in the pub are Eileen and Lloyd and they are laughing over Eileen's photos (again !). Michelle asks Steve what is so funny, but Steve pretends not to know. Steve is somewhat relieved when Michelle says she is going to check on Ryan. Steve goes over to them and tells them to put the photos away as the "joke" is wearing thin. Lloyd says they will put them away if they are given free drinks all night. As Steve tells them that he is not being blackmailed, Eileen tells him that Michelle is coming back to the bar. Steve goes back to her and she asks suspiciously if he was having fun. Steve tells her that they are pictures of Malta and wondered if she wanted to see them. She said other people's holiday photos are boring.

When Mel arrives into the salon, David immediately goes over to help. He asks Audrey if he could take care of her. Audrey thought he was going for a break, but to her astonishment he says he is not bothered about the break, forgetting he had arranged to meet Amber.

Amber is sitting alone in the cafe. Becky tells Gail that she thinks she has been stood up. Amber overhears this and shouts that she hasn't. Gail then suggests that she asks her David, because he would be glad of the company!!!

Liz tells Vernon that she thinks there is something wrong with the beer. He tells her that it is okay.

Back in the Rovers, Steve brings over free drinks for Eileen and Lloyd. Lloyd thanks him and suggests that he wasn't really going to give them to Michelle. At that point Michelle is standing next to them and decides to look at them. Eileen gets them out of her bag, but Michelle wants to see the one behind Lloyd's back. When he says there is nothing behind his back, she tells him that he has moved it to his pocket. She is determined to see it. She sees the photo is of Steve kissing a "girl" in Malta. She walks away saying that she was going for her break. Steve calls after to her that it is not what she thinks. Michelle shouts out that she wished someone would have the guts to tell her that it is exactly what she thinks and then goes off.

Part 2

On we go then.....................We start with Steve- he's banging on Michelle's door and shouting through the letter box- he says he can explain everything- but she isn't going to let him in and he ends up walking away. In the Rovers, Liz is holding the photo of Steve kissing his holiday romance- "It was all horribly predictable- hot weather, booze, short skirts" Eileen nods and agrees, then turns to Lloyd- "What did I tell you?" Lloyd protests that Eileen was enjoying it too, "Not when I saw the look on her face" she hits back. Vernon has now come over to view the photo- but rather than looking at what everyone else is- he notices a guy in the background "He looks just like Ken Barlow"

Carla is over at Underworld giving Rosie a masterclass in how to tell if a pair of knickers are stitched properly- she is either actually very interested or she's just pretending! Either way, when they get to Sally's machine and start to check a pair that Sally has just finished- Rosie has learnt enough to tell that "the tension of the stitching is looser on the outside than the inside" Carla is impressed and tells her she is right, Needless to say Sally looks anything but happy!

Demon David is in the salon carrying through a plate of biscuits and a cup of tea for his latest interest, Mel as Bill and Jason enter the salon- Jason wants to speak to Sarah- he didn't phone the photographer in time and they have lost their appointment- now they don't have a photographer for their big day. Sarah launches into Jason and Bill has to man handle him out while Sarah calms down.

Steve has managed to worm his way into Michelle's flat- but she isn't going to let him off that easy- she wants answers "you said all you could think about was me- that's a direct quote" Steve wants things to go back to how they were again, "I never meant for this to happen" Here comes the burning question- "Did you sleep with her?" Steve says of course he didn't, so Michelle now wants to know why, "Because I love you and I want to be with you" Steve answers (nothing to do with the fact she was actually a he!) Michelle looks as though she might be coming round, but she's still not convinced "Look if i'm being honest, if you didn't exist then yeah I would have- because she wanted to, but I said no" She's heard enough and asks him to leave.

Mel is just paying for her hair cut, so David takes the opportunity to ask her out for a drink, only they can't go to the Rovers as he won't get served in there- but anywhere else is fine "I can't tonight, i'm working- in fact I should be there now" David tries a bit of humour and Mel softens- "I'm on with Jodie later, if we're quiet she might let me out" David tells her to bring Darryl along- but she says she'll only go out if Darryl doesn't come- he's been doing her head in recently, he's started hiding the keys to the car they share, Just as Mel is leaving Sarah walks in, She's been on the phone to another photographer and is telling Audrey he can do their wedding, but he only does formal shots, "I wanted someone that would follow us around, be more natural" David is listening in, "Yeah, shots of Jason running away from the church, you throwing your veil down, Jason on the bus" Needless to say Sarah isn't laughing!

Ashley is in the butcher's, he rings Clare, but all he gets is her answer machine. Looking upset he holds the phone for a moment then dials again- this time it's Casey he phones, "Hi, it's me- how's the museum?"

Back in Underworld, Carla is still working with Rosie, she asks her when she goes back to school, "September, not sure what day" Carla tells her she'll be missed, "if you reconsider things, there'll always be a job for you here" Rosie says it wouldn't go down too well with her parents- but Carla tells her it's not up to them.

Vernon and Steve are chatting in the Rovers- Vernon thinks it's unfair that Michelle has left him not knowing what's going on, but Liz comes over and says it's not her fault "she turned her back for two seconds and he had his tongue down someone else's throat!" Steve replies that at least he wasn't engaged and Liz lowers her voice "let's not open that box up" Steve sighs, as Michelle walks in behind him- he doesn't realise she's there- "I had a beautiful, astonishing woman" Vernon hints at Steve that she's behind him and he stops mid sentence, "Astonishing?" Michelle questions, she smiles at him. They go into the back and Michelle starts with "Why did you have to be such an idiot?" he blames it on the fact that Michelle left him without a word "I'll tell you where I was, I was in Limbo!" Michelle doesn't want him keep blaming the fact she went away- but he reasons that if she hadn't gone, he wouldn't have gone to Malta anyway. "Ok fair enough, I did leave you hanging in the air, and that was wrong" Steve replies that he loves her, Michelle doesn't want to throw things away, and she forgives him.........they smile at each other.

David is in the Platt's, he comes running down the stairs ready for his date with Mel, Sarah is reading a magazine on the couch, "Where are you going, Club Tropicana?" She is referring to his shirt which is brown in colour , with sparkly sequins on it. She tells him she can't let him go out looking like a crisp packet- but he goes anyway!

Back in the Rovers and Steve is telling Eileen and Lloyd off for "nearly costing me my world" they don't look sorry at all! Liz takes the opportunity to tell them all that they should join her in the Rovers for Jack and Vera's anniversary next week. Eileen approaches Jerry and asks him if he'll be going to it, "too right, any excuse" he then asks her to save a dance for him, which she is only too happy to say she will.

Sally and Kevin are discussing Rosie, Sally is worried that she is looking up to Carla "She's so impressionable, she's dazzled by her boots, her arrogance and her hair" Kevin thinks there are worse people for Rosie to look up to- Sally decides on that sentence that Kevin must fancy Carla, "Why would I fancy her, when i've got my own ray of sunshine"? (is he talking about the same Sally we know here???) She tells him to go and have a drink with Ashley.

Casey and Ashley are in the Peacock's, she asks him if he has spoken to Claire today? he says no and at that point someone knocks on the door- Casey asks him not to let the visitor in. He answers to Kevin and tells him he doesn't want a drink. Kevin offers to fetch some cans and they could have a drink in rather than going out. Ashley makes out as though he is at home alone- but then Casey coughs from inside the house and Kevin leaves.

In the Rovers, Lloyd apologises to Michelle for earlier and says he's glad the two of them have made up- she tells Lloyd, that she forgave him as he was really honest about the whole thing. Lloyd looks surprised, "What, he has told you everything?" Michelle replies that he has "he's said how he didn't sleep with her because of me" Lloyd realises that she still doesn't know the full story and makes a quick getaway- leaving Steve with more explaining to do- "You have told me everything, haven't you" Steve nods but Michelle isn't convinced and is backed up by Carla who says she can tell he's lying. Michelle asks him to swear on Amy's life, but he can't so he has to tell her the truth "well, you know the girl- well she was actually a.." and he whispers the word man. "What?" Michelle asks and he repeats it again. Michelle has now got the details and asks him to say it louder, then louder and louder again- while Janice, Liz, Vernon, Kelly, Carla, Sean and everyone else in the room starts laughing- "Yes everybody I kissed a man, dressed up as a lady- touched his bum and everything!" Michelle face turns to anger- "So, that's why you didn't sleep with her then- unbelievable" With that she leaves the pub and Carla tells him to leave her for a while....................will these two ever just get together and be happy?

Steve is outside the front door of the Rovers, looking across the Street to Michelle's window. Just then Becky comes along and asks him for a light, with Norris just behind her putting newspapers though letterboxes, the paperboy is on holiday. He's pleased though, Rita is due back today. They see Ashley crossing the road and Becky calls, "Good morning!" to him. They then notice someone in the upstairs room of Ashley's house pull back the curtain and look out. "Oh," says Norris, "it's not Claire, it's that friend of theirs!" Becky doesn't think she's much of a friend, "With friends like that..." she murmurs. She then tells Steve how the taxi lads in the kebab shop were laughing about him. "Have you heard about him on holiday?" she asks Norris, who says he hasn't, he's not one for idle gossip. However, as they walk away he tells Becky that the customers of the Kabin will want to hear what happened.

Disgruntled, Steve goes into the back room of the Rovers where his mother is having breakfast with Amy. She does her ‘reformed smoker's' bit and tells him how much better she feels not having a fag for her breakfast. Vernon tells him he should give up as well. "What's it got to do with you?" asks Steve. Vernon tells him he's supporting Liz, and he should be an example for little Amy. Liz says that she understands that it's not a good time for him to give up. Vernon says he should turn it into a positive. "Michelle, I've given up fags, trannies..." He and Liz burst out laughing.

Casey tells Ashley there was a crowd of people watching the house. "I just drew back the curtain and there they were, having a right good nosey!" she says. She adds that if it's embarrassing for Ashley having her there she'll go. Ashley protests that it's nothing to do with anyone else, but if it's getting too much for her he would understand. She puts down her cup of tea and hugs him. "Ash, I hate seeing you like this," she says, and gazes into his eyes. Ashley pecks her on the cheek and goes to get ready for work.

Over at the Platt's, David seems to be in a very cheerful mood, a fact which is commented on by Gail. Sarah asks where he went last night, but the only response she gets is, "Out!" After he's left the room, Gail asks Jason to see if he can find out exactly what David was up to the night before.

David goes across to the Kabin, just as Norris is returning, weary, and with an empty newspaper bag. Doreen suggests he goes to put his feet up, but just then Rita appears from the back of the shop. Norris tells her they weren't expecting her so early and Rita says that's why he thought he could get away with the ‘old soldiers' routine. "I'm surprised you fell for it," she says to Doreen, but Doreen protests that Norris has been working his socks off. "We made a great team," she tells Rita, and Norris says that they didn't want to let her down. Rita says if she'd known that she would have stayed away longer.

Jason comes in and finds David, who has been choosing a magazine. As he goes to leave the shop, David asks him if he's not buying anything. Jason stammers that he thought he'd walk down the street with him. David isn't stupid however, and knows that Jason has just been sent to find out where he went the night before. He tells him he went out for a couple of drinks with Mel, and says he can now go back and tell Sarah that he cleverly winkled the truth out of him.

It's lunchtime, and Kevin goes into the butcher's and asks Ashley if he'd like the drink they didn't get yesterday. Ashley asks Kirk if he'd like a drink, and says he's off to get a buttie. "Are you not coming?" asks Kevin, puzzled. Ashley says that people will talk, his wife is at her mother's and he's out boozing, he can't be that bothered. "No one's thinking that," says Kevin, but Ashley says they are and goes off for his sandwich. When he's gone, Kevin asks Kirk if Ashley has said anything to him about himself and Casey. "Only that she's been dead good with Josh," says Kirk. Kevin says that maybe that's all there is to it.

Outside, Ashley runs into Becky, who asks when Claire is coming back. "What's it got to do with you?" Ashley demands to know. Becky says she thought she was home this morning, only it was that mate of hers. Then she turns very serious. "Watch her," she says, "she's a bad ‘un, Ashley, I've been around enough to know." Ashley is outraged, "What're you saying this for?" he says, "what's she ever done to you?" Becky explains that she's been watching her, with Claire and with him, and she knows that something isn't right. Ashley tells her that if Roy and Hayley had listened to everyone that warned them about her, she wouldn't be there now. "You make me sick!" he says, and marches off.

In the pub, Jason tells Sarah what David told him, he's been out on a date with Mel Morton, they went for a drink. Sarah is convinced her brother is lying. "Why would she want to go out with that nerd?" she asks. "Now don't be like that," says Gail. But Sarah can't see why someone as organised as Mel would go out with ‘Loser Kid'. Gail thinks that would explain David's happy mood, as they have been concentrating on the wedding he hasn't been the centre of attention for once. She supposes it's harmless.

Kevin and Kirk go into the pub and join Sally and Audrey. Sally can't wait to tell Kevin that Audrey saw Casey being "dead cosy" with Ashley in front of her, and asks if he knows what is going on. Kevin tells them he knows that Ashley isn't happy about them all gossiping, but adds that he won't be first man to be led astray by an attractive woman. "But not Ashley!" protests Sally.

Steve suggests that Liz and Vernon take a few hours off, he can always get someone to cover. Liz says that Violet always needs the money, and then there's Betty. "Or Michelle," says Steve, "she's had a lot of time off recently." Liz then tells Steve that if he wants to go and see Michelle he should go and knock on her door. "Do you think I should?" he asks, doubtfully. "Yes," says Liz, "otherwise we'll all be sorry, especially Michelle."

So then we see Steve, standing on Michelle's doorstep with a large bouquet of flowers in his hand. Ryan opens the door. "I bought these for your mum," says Steve. Ryan points out that he brought some yesterday. "But then you are dead forgetful aren't you?" he says, "you forgot you were supposed to be with her, the second you went on holiday." He comes right out, shutting the door behind him, and pushes past. "And she hates lilies," he says, walking off down the Street, "the smell gives her a headache." Just then Doreen comes along, and tells him that if he wants to try chocolates instead she'll take the flowers. Steve says she can have them, if she promises not to take the mickey like everyone else. Doreen says that Michelle would want her head examining if she stayed mad with him for long, but then goes on to say his mistake was an easy one to make. A couple of years ago she went to see the ladyboys of Bangkok, and you would never have known. "Admittedly I didn't get as close to them as you…," she says. Steve's smile has frozen on his face. "I don't get the flowers, do I?" she says.

Sally asks Carla if she can have a word with her. She and Kevin are planning a family holiday, from next Monday. Carla comments that it's very short notice, but Sally says she checked the rota and no one else is off. Carla points out that she hopes Rosie understands it will have to come out of her annual entitlement. "It's a holiday job," says Sally. "She hasn't told you, has she?" says Carla, and goes on to explain that Rosie is going to be working there full time. (I think she means permanently). Sally says that she's working there until she starts in the sixth form. "No," says Carla, "she asked me for a full time job and I said yes." Sally is furious and says she's going to get to the bottom of it.

Casey comes into the butchers' and asks Ashley if he'd like her to pick Josh up. She sees that something is wrong and asks what it is. Ashley tells her what Becky said. "Ash," says Casey, "people are bound to talk, but just remember, Claire left you." She assures him he's done nothing to be ashamed of.

Over at the factory, Sally is helping Carla load boxes into her car. She tells Carla to forget what Rosie said, she's going back to school. Carla says she wants to hear it from Rosie herself. Sally gets crosser and crosser, telling Carla that Rosie is going into the sixth form and then to university and is not going to waste her life working in a sweatshop, and that is the end of the matter. "OK?" she cries. Carla says she still wants to hear it from Rosie.

Up in her flat, Michelle tells Steve that she's run out of vases. She tells him that all she ever wanted was honesty. He says that he's honestly sorry that any of it happened. Michelle says that they both know that if Lloyd hadn't opened his big gob, Steve would be over in the taxi office right now laughing about his close call. Steve admits that she's right, but he'd be celebrating because he'd be back with her, which is exactly what he wanted. "And I'd never be any the wiser," says Michelle. Steve says he's not proud of what happened but he's still sorry. Michelle is still cross that he lied.

Sally rushes across the road, closely followed by Rosie, to speak to Kevin who has just pulled up in his truck. "You'll never guess what madam here is up to now!" she says. Kevin asks what she's talking about and Rosie says that she's going to work at Underworld full time. Kevin is outraged. "Me and your mum have spent thousands on your education and you want to work in that place?" he explodes, adding that he thought she wanted to go to university. Rosie says that she never did, they just assumed. Kevin says she's too brilliant to work in a knicker factory, and Sally tells her that she only way she could get on in that factory would be if her surname was Connor. "I am so NOT going back to school," says Rosie, and marches back across the road with Sally in hot pursuit. Kevin leans back against his truck and shuts his eyes.

In Michelle's flat, Steve is still trying to win over Michelle, but she still has memories of Sonny going off with another man. Steve tells her that he was drunk, and Eileen set him up. She asks when he found out it was Arthur not Martha he was with. Steve confesses that he told him, and anyway, he was thinking about her. "If I'd known where I stood with you none of this would have happened," he points out.

Kevin goes round to see Ashley to ask him out for a drink yet again. Just as they are talking, down the stairs comes Casey, wearing a dressing gown. (Not sure why!) Kevin looks at her, and then at the two wine glasses on the table and realises what's going on, so he leaves. "What was all that about?" asks Casey. Ashley tells her it doesn't take too much working out. "If he's a real friend he'll be happy for you," says Casey, snuggling up.

Michelle tells Steve she thought he would be off with Lloyd, celebrating the fact that they're back together. "Are we?" asks Steve. She tells him that if it's the only way to stop him bringing flowers, then yes. He says that he'd rather celebrate with her than with Lloyd.

Rita is in the pub with Doreen, who says that Norris was a little gem while Rita was away, but now he's out with his two new best friends, Angela's exes.

Ashley goes into the pub and finds Kevin and tells him he's sick to the back teeth of people being nosey. Kevin says he's worried about him. Ashley is really angry, and quite nasty. Through gritted teeth he tells Kevin that no one understands, and he's sick of everyone poking their noses in.

Anne Logan.

This is the update for Friday, August 17, where we open at breakfast-time at the Platts' house. Sarah is teasing David about being Mel's stalker. He's not very impressed. "Come on, where's your sense of humour?" she asks him. "I'm saving it for your wedding," he says.

Audrey and Bill pull up outside the salon. Bill tells her not to get involved, but Audrey is determined to find out what's going on with Ashley and Casey. "All you've heard so far is rumour and gossip," Bill says. Audrey knows. "That's why I want to hear it from him," she says.

In the street, Amber is cross-examining Rosie about her job. Sally comes out about the same time as Amber asks Rosie whether she's gone permanent. Sally vehemently says she hasn't. "She's in denial," Rosie tells Amber as she and her mum cross the road to work.

Outside the yard, Jason and Bill get ready for their day's work. Jason has already been and delivered some materials to a client's address. Bill is very impressed that Jason got up early to do that, but Jason says it's because he can't stay in the house with all the Platts. The house isn't big enough. He says there's no room for a loft conversion because the roof is too shallow, and there's no room in the yard to extend the house. Bill tells him he has to think outside the box. "Put a brew on and I'll show you," he says mysteriously.

In the restaurant, Paul is discussing the menu, but Leanne is very distracted. She tells him she's stressed out.

Sally has a private chat with Liam in his office. She says Rosie's head's been turned and she doesn't belong in the factory. She's still a child. Liam points out that she's 16, so she's technically a woman. He understands what Sally means, though, and he's sympathetic, but it's not his decision. They're interrupted by Rosie asking if Liam wants a coffee. Sally leaves and Rosie positively simpers at Liam.

In the salon, Jason comes in for a word with Sarah and Bill asks Audrey if she's talked to Ashley. She hasn't had a chance. Whatever idea Jason's just talking to Sarah about, she seems very keen and they both run off home. Audrey steps outside the salon and meets David, who seems unnaturally cheerful for him. Mel and Jerry come past and Mel and David talk about perhaps going for a pizza or to the cinema tomorrow night. Jerry tells her she can talk to David on her own time, not on his, and she goes off to work. Amber comes over and asks David what goes on, but he's very offhand with her. Poor Amber.

At the garage, Audrey asks Kevin if he's got time for a chat. She tells him she's very fond of Ashley. "Mates don't grass on each other," Kevin tells her. "Just tell me," Audrey says. "Is he sleeping with her?" The look on Kevin's face is all the confirmation she needs.

Bill is at Gail's, telling her about the possibility of converting the garage into a bedroom for David. Gail's not so sure. But Sarah's dead keen. Bethany will be able to have her own room and she and Jason will have some privacy. Bill tells Gail that Jason's prepared to work on it in his own time, so it won't be expensive.

Audrey has gone to see Ashley at home. "You're having an affair, right?" she says. Ash thinks Kiev's grassed, but Audrey says not to blame Kevin. Ashley says it's none of her business. "I beg to differ, and so would your father," she replies. She tells him to think carefully about what he's doing. "This is your marriage." Ashley points out that it takes two to make a marriage, "and Claire's not here, if you haven't noticed." He tells Audrey that everything seems to be about what Claire wants and not about him. Audrey says she came as a friend. "I know you're hurt. But this is not the answer, honestly." Josh interrupts them. He's drawn a picture for Claire. "Make sure she gets it," Audrey advises Ashley.

At the taxi office, Eileen can't believe that Steve is out of the doghouse. He almost gloats about it and has even bought Eileen a doughnut. "What did you do?" she asks. "Buy her TWO doughnuts?"

In the restaurant, they're flat tack and Paul tells Leanne she has to get some decent staff. She tells him she can't afford it. She needs 20 grand, owes everybody money, including Roger, the landlord and the previous owner. Paul advises her that the landlord and suppliers should be paid first. Investors, such as Roger, can wait. She points out that Roger's money was a loan, not an investment. "Then he's a mug," says Paul. He suggests maybe he can help. "Give me a few days."

The Websters are discussing a holiday in Greece and planning the educational side-trips they might do. Sophie doesn't like the sound of this. All she's after is a tan and she has no interest beyond the hotel pool and the beach. Rosie comes in and points out that since it's their holiday as well, they should get to choose what they do. Kevin and Sally ask Sophie to leave the room, which she does. Sally tells Rosie that she's had her fun. She's done her rebellion thing, impressed her friends, but as soon as they get back from the holiday she's going back to school. Sally says it's about Rosie's future. But Rosie shouts that it's not about her at all. "I'm not here to live your life," she tells her mother. Sally is shocked into silence. Kevin says Sally has dedicated her life to the girls. But Rosie says she's only 16 and Sally already thinks she's going to be a failure. She points out that the tickets are for one child and three adults, so she should be treated as an adult. Sally says the tickets could easily be changed. Rosie storms off and Kevin and Sally draw breath. Sally tells Kev: "Let's just see who blinks first."

Eileen meets Michelle in the street and tells her she would have made Steve suffer much more. Michelle asks her for the photo of Steve with Shania.

David arrives home and Gail tells him about the garage plan. "If you want me out of the house, Mum, just say so!" he rages. "I am not living in there! If you want someone to go and live in that kennel, get a dog?"

Ashley has just sent Josh up to get into his jib-jams when Casey arrives. Ashley stops her from going into the house. He tells her that Audrey's been round. Casey is furious that Audrey is sticking her nose in. She wants to come in, but Ashley needs time to think. He shuts the door in her face. She doesn't half look annoyed!

In the pub, Eileen surprises Steve by saying how glad she is that he and Michelle are back together. Michelle comes over and is particularly loving towards him. She asks him to get her another drink. A bemused Steve goes to the bar, where Liam tells him how pleased he is to see Michelle happy again. Steve turns to the optics and there is the framed picture of him kissing Shania. "I might forgive, but there is no way I'm going to let you forget!" warns Michelle behind him.

David is slumped in a garden chair in the back yard and Sarah goes out to talk to him. He tells her he doesn't really care about being part of this family. He says his temper about the garage plan isn't about what he wants – it's about doing it to spite Sarah. "If you and Jason need any alone time, you know where my car is," he smirks. "On my life," warns Sarah, "you are going to pay for this!"

Casey waits outside the salon, despite the fact that there seems to be a storm starting. When Audrey comes out, Casey shouts at her, telling her that what's going on is now to do with her. "We love each other," she tells her. "Then walk away now," Audrey advises her. "He's a husband and a father." Casey snaps that Claire brought her into the house and left her there to pick up the pieces. "And this is how you repay her trust and her friendship?" asks Audrey. Casey says Claire tried to ruin her life. "You know what she accused me of." Audrey says this means it's all about revenge. But Casey says it's not. The affair has been going on for months. Claire knows, but she's too wrapped up in herself to care, she says. "We're going to be a family, a proper family. And there is now you or Claire can do to change that!"

The End
Margaret Carr

The Street appears to handle things in bulk. Just recently everyone in sight was having affairs (Liz, Paul) now everyone appears to be mentally unwell (Claire, David, Eileen later this week) or fantasies (Norris, Sally, Amber, Sarah [as if Jason will stay in the church long enough to reach the end of the service].

Anyway this evening we start with Amber who is outside the shop, taking ages to arrange the flowers with her attention focussed on Mel and David with the latter turning on his nice side to chat up Mel saying how brave she is to want to join the police - is that what she really wants - to beat people up. Anyway she threatens to beat him up and then agrees to go and see the film telling him to have the popcorn ready at 3. Once David goes into the shop Amber needles him by saying that Mel does not fancy him. He claims she is jealous (correctomundo) but she points out that Mel is too old for him. Anyway they are going to see a film this evening and she needs to get used to them being an item (not sure Mel would see it like that).

Rosie, as Sophie observes, does not want to miss out on a free holiday, so promises Sally that she will think seriously about going back to school (we do not see it but I bet Rosie had her fingers crossed behind her back when she said this). Anyway Sally agrees to her joining the holiday but points out that as Rosie is earning she can pay for herself. Anyway they pack and depart. Now do you know any family of four that can arrange and pay for an overseas holiday at about 2 day's notice? No nor do I. Good line in this scene is that Sal cannot find "Anthony and Cleopatra" referring to the well known play by the Bard and Kev remarks that they can follow in another taxi. Before they go they pass comment on the Peacock situation, which is re-enforced because as the car is loaded Ashley appears but Casey is not around. Apparently Ashley misses her (idiot - it is Claire you should be missing). Ashley receives some advice not to throw his marriage away but he goes back indoors sighing.

In her new job Cilla appears to have struck lucky with one of the residents who turns out to have some money and to whom Cilla is turning on the charm (and boy do we all need to avoid Cilla's charms when waggled in front of us). Frank Nicholls is his name who was a moneylender when she was little. They have several exchanges of wit all under the nose of the care home manageress who points out that the residents need some TLC, which Cilla initially thinks is "Something Lazy Codgers" and for which Cilla gets an official reprimand. No doubt this storyline will develop over the next few weeks.

Once Sarah enters the shop Amber is only too keen to tell on David's plans for the afternoon, which Sarah finds hard to believe and then decides to act! She returns home and spots Mel in the garden, so goes outside and plays Mel well stimulating her interest. Mel denies there is anything going on - merely a trip to flics. Anyway Sarah advises her that David sees it all rather more seriously and that he is telling everyone that they are going out together (which is what he told Amber remember). Mel is dumbstruck. It gets worse. Sarah reports on David's interests in older women - following Maria around and then all those goings on with Tracy - you know the one who murdered her partner in your house and anyway he is still a virgin. You "do" like him? she asks with wide eyed innocence all over face. Mel takes fright and insists that nothing is happening between them. Sarah asks her to let him down gently but Mel would not touch him with a 20 foot bargepole! Sarah turns away from Mel but facing the camera and gives a very wide smile.

In the Rovers Jack, Molly and Paul discuss the present Jack will have to get Vera for their 50th wedding anniversary. Paul offers to get it - he needs to go shopping anyway.

Mel tells Darryl about the conversation with Sarah and that she has decided not to go the cinema. Darryl reckons that Sarah was being over the top but Mel knows better. At the cinema David is carrying a couple of boxes of popcorn. Poor lad. Know just how he feels. You stand around waiting and they never show up. Women are just awful (and how was I supposed to know that the film would be taken off that day and so was not on? Fickle that is what they are). After a wait he phones her mobile - and leaves a message. (Well that's something, in my day that was not possible and I had to wait a day before I could even phone up, perhaps this new technology does have something going for it).

Anyway David walks around to Maison Morton and Darryl opens the door. David asks for Mel, so Darryl lies and denies that she is at home. Well when you see her, David says, give her this and hands over the popcorn and storms off with a thunderous face but no lightning scar because he is not Harry Potter. Darryl closes the door and tells Mel that David knew she was there. Apparently nutter boy has let six messages on her phone (well who can blame him - you know it is very cheap these days). Darryl stuffs his face with the popcorn and tells her that David has a crush and he needs telling that it is going nowhere.

At the Duck Eggs' Jack gets out his money store (remember he does not trust banks so keeps his money in a biscuit tin) in front of Paul and gives the latter £40 for a present for Vera.

David deeply unhappy has returned home and a smiling Sarah asks him what has happened. She asks about the film - he did "go" to the pictures this afternoon. How does Sarah know? What about your girlfriend Mel? Or your pretend girlfriend Mel? He asks if she has been around. Sarah tells David that she went round to Mel. She woke up this morning and thought that for a change she would be David for the day. So she has spent the day being selfish and spiteful like he does every day. Anyway Mel was never interested in David in the first place. She is triumphant - it was all in your head. I went round and I filled in her knowledge on your past - which is pretty vile - and whilst Sarah was doing this she was enjoying it - she got a kick out behaving the same way as David. And David had better watch out - because perhaps she needs to behave like him more often, she could get used to it. She glares and walks away leaving David for once stunned at being on the receiving end. But we all know he will soon want to get even and more.

K Richard W

PART 1

This episode of Coronation Street is Written by Joe Turner
Directed by Pip Banyard
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys
CORONATION STREET is copyright of ITV productions

Platt's back garden; David is having his breakfast. He is standing looking into the Morton's window with a glare in his face.

Morton's; Darryl tells Mel he is still there. He says he must really love her and tells her to come and give him a wave. She tells him to come away before he sees him. Darryl says it's too late and gives him a wave saying he is really smiling now. He then says his heart much be breaking.

Platt's; David comes in asking what she said to Mel. Sarah says nothing but the truth. That she was hanging about with a loser. Jason says he does not want a fight. Sarah asks how it is being stood up on a date. David says not as half bad as being stood up on a wedding day. Sarah says Mel would have chucked him anyway. David says he will get her back and she won't see it coming. Sarah sarcastically says she is scared. Gail asks what is going on.

Flat; Leanne is looking about. Roger says there is tea in the pot. Leanne asks if he's seen her mobile. Just then it rings and he is sitting on it. Leanne on her mobile says she can go to the veg man. She says she understands that sometimes you have to look after family. Roger says he wishes he would help. Leanne says he has done enough and if it weren't for him she would not have the restaurant. She asks if she can make him tea but he says he is ok. Leanne goes.

Outside Mel comes out her house. As she walks past the Platt's David is out at his car. He asks if she got the popcorn. She says yes. He tells her she does not have to avoid him. David says he knows his sister has told her stuff and wants to know what she said. Mel says just that they had crossed wires and that she didn't know he wanted more. Amber from the shop watches as David gives a wee nod.

Duckworth's; Vera says Paul will have a restaurant of his own one day like Gordon Ramsey and says she hopes he does not swear. Paul says he will pick up this prescription as he has got an hour off work and might go shopping. Vera asks if Jack will be going and she is told no. Vera asks if he has forgot. Jack says no. Vera says it will be the first anniversary he has not forgotten. Jack says what anniversary. Paul says he is winding her up and says he is going to go.

Corner shop; Kelly tells Amber all the crisps are not for her then goes. David comes in. Amber says she saw him with Mel earlier. He asks if she was spying on him. She says Mel is off her head and saw how upset he was. David says he dumped Mel and was not going to laugh in her face. He says he was sleeping with her but she bored the pants off him, so he put them back on and left. David tells Amber it tells us things are not always what they seem and goes.

Rovers outside; Michelle tells Steve she wants him to meet her family. Steve asks who were the two guys pretending to be her brothers. Michelle says her family in Ireland. She says if he is not interested but he says he is. She says with the kids. Steve asks Amy if she is interested.

Salon; Sarah is sweeping the floor. David comes in. Audrey asks what time this is. Sarah says sack him. David says like he cares. Audrey asks what is going on. David says keep that, pointing to Sarah, away from me. He walks through the back. Sarah just smiles.

Cafe; Amber comes in and sits next to Darryl. She asks if he heard about his sister. He says that's old news. Amber says she must be gutted. Darryl says nah David is and was walking about with a big L on his head looking sad. Amber says that so Mel does not feel as bad for being dumped. Darryl says Mel dumped him and asks her to rewind and tell him exactly what David said.

Factory Liam just comes off the phone and asks Carla to guess where the head buyer is taking him out for lunch. Carla offers to go. Liam says its ok he's not scared of her. Carla says she didn't say he was scared of her. Liam says he can't believe he wants to take him to a restaurant run by his ex hooker girlfriend.

Jerry's; Darryl comes in saying she will never guess what he has heard. Jerry asks what. Darryl says not in front of him. Jerry says secrets then turns the sign on the door telling them they will stay till someone tells him what is going on. Darryl tells them what David has been saying. Jerry says he is going to sort this as no one makes a fun of his family. He turns the sign back and says it's business as normal till he gets back.

Jerry's; Mel asks why he told him. Darryl says you told me to. Mel says she wishes she never went near and asks what they think Jerry is going to do. Darryl says he would hate to be in David's shoes. Darryl then says he was lying. Mel says yes.

Outside Jerry is walking along and sees Sarah come out the Salon. He asks if her mum is in there. Sarah says no and for him to try the pub if she is not at home. Jerry walks on.

Restaurant Jack looking at a necklace says it was more then £40. Paul says it was in a sale. Jack asks if he would lie. Paul says no. Jack gives him money. Just then Leanne is watching them. Paul gives him back the money and tells him to get flowers. Paul asks him to stay for lunch. Leanne says he does a mean resotto. Jack says he is not a resotto person.

Rovers; Jerry comes in and tells Steve he is looking for Gail. He says medical center and lives next door. Jerry says he has tried both. Steve says he has lots of drinks, food and nibbles. Jerry says he will find her. The Angela club ask if Norris is going to tell them. He asks them to drop it. He says he is banning all future discussion about his love life. He says they are educated men and can talk about anything. He is only banning one topic. Emily comes in and Norris says Emily does not like ordering her own drink and goes to the bar.

Factory; Liam tells Kelly this is not a fashion catwalk. He asks her how many times he has told her. Kelly says she does not know. Liam says guess and she says lots. He tells her next time she is out. Kelly goes and Carla says he means tents and asks if he still has feeling for her. Liam says only feeling of disgust and bitterness

Outside Jerry is knocking on Gail's door. She comes up and says she thinks they have emigrated to France. Jerry asks if he can have a word. Gail tells him to come in.

Platt's; She asks what this is about. He tells her David is spreading lies about sleeping with Mel. Gail tells him they have been seen together. Jerry asks if she is calling Mel a liar. She says he is calling David one. Jerry says he knows his own kids. Gail says he never knows where they are. Jerry says he is not happy. Gail says she will talk to him. Jerry says if he has to talk to him it won't be nice and for him to stay away if he values his health.

Rovers; Michelle says she loves Ireland. Steve says he has been. She says not with her and she just wants them to be a proper family. Emily says she must go. Norris says the snack bar would disappear without her. When she goes he say she deserves an OBE. They say they have rumbled him and it's Emily he likes. They say he can't start something then not tell them.

Restaurant; Leanne asks if he will be replacing the money. Paul says what. She says she saw him taking money. He tells her Jack was giving him more because he thought the necklace was more than £40. He tells her to cash up the till if she does not believe him. Leanne says she is sorry and has lot on her plate and needs an investor. Paul says her knight will come.

Salon; Audrey asks if peace has been made as they have not been fighting for 15 mins. Sarah asks if she can have first break. David is not bothered. Kelly comes in asking if she can book in for Thursday. Gail comes in saying David has been saying lies that he slept with Mel and dumped her. Sarah smiles. Audrey tells Gail to stop it. Gail grabs David and shouts saying he is going to say sorry to Mel now. Sarah says she can't miss this. Kelly agrees as they all go out.

Episode rating 7/10 – David being David, Jerry's angry side and Gail finally not believing David

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Welcome back to the second part. An apology special !

Audrey chases Gail as she marches David to Jerry's burger bar. She is followed by a crowd consisting of Sarah, Kelly, Cilla and Chesney. Gail tells him that he has always wanted to be the centre of attention, now is his opportunity to show how "big" he is. David sheepishly mutters an apology to Mel and says there seems to have been a misunderstanding. Jerry says that is not right. He then turns to Mel again and says he is sorry. Mel asks him what she had ever done to him. He says nothing and once again he says he sorry. He turns to him mother asking if he could go home. She tells him that he must apologise to Jerry as well. Reluctantly he turns to Jerry to apologise. Jerry says that it is very low to say that he has been with a girl when it is untrue. He warns David that if he ever lies about any of his family again he will come looking for him and it won't be for a conversation. Then tells him to get out of the shop. Finally Gail apologises to Jerry and assures him that there will be no more trouble from David.

Molly is talking to Paul in the restaurant about the arrangements for Jack and Vera's wedding anniversary party. Leanne comes through, and thinks Molly is looking for a table, but says she is just leaving. Leanne is still worried about the finances at the restaurant. Paul tells her that the answer maybe staring her in the face. She says she needs 20 grand (£20,000) and although he is a great chef, he had better leave the business side to her.

On their way home, Sarah tells David that the apology made her day. David tells her to stay out of his life (if this wasn't a family programme, I am sure he would have used much stronger words!!). He then sees Amber across the road and starts yelling at her. Gail tells her that it isn't her fault. However David says that if she had been sniffing around him, none of this would have happened. He tells them all to shut up and storms off.

In the Home for aged gentlefolk Cilla is singing away as she goes into Frank's room. He tells her to stop, but she says she is trying to bring some cheer into his drab life. He thinks she has heard that he has money. She tells him that she is stinking rich and just does the work because she cares for people less fortunate. He tells her that she got the first part right. He says that she was late, and had hoped that she had been involved in an accident. She retorts that she had hoped he had passed away in the night !! Cilla then asks how much he is worth, and he says more money than you have ever seen. She repeats that she is rich, herself. He grunts and tells her the bog needs cleaning.

Eileen comes into the Jerry's shop and he tries to chat her up, by asking her out. She says she was busy, he said he was also busy but would always make time for her. She said she would think about it. Jerry told her not to think too long as offers like that don't come every day!!!

Liam comes into Leanne's restaurant, much to her surprise, for his business meeting. She shows him to his table, and orders a fizzy water while he is waiting for his colleague.

Paul sees that Leanne is smiling for a change. She tells him that he could have gone to another restaurant. However Paul says that unless he has 20 grand, he cannot see what she sees in him. She just tells him that they have a history together.

When Leanne goes back to the table, Paul tells her that his business partner has rung and cried off the meeting. He asks for his bill, but Leanne persuades him to stay for a meal. He says he would on one condition, that she joins him for a drink. She says she will.

Back at the Home for gentlefolk, Frank and Cilla are still trying to score points off each other. He tells her that he dreamt of her last night. She was stockings and suspenders (hang on has the tv changed to an "adult" channel - no it is still Corrie!). She replies that she dreamt of him as well. He was in a coffin and everyone was chucking dirt on him. He then asks if she has ever tried mud wrestling. She says she likes rolling about in something wet and sloppy! (yes it is still Corrie!). He then turns and offers her a job as a full time carer. He says he was there because he couldn't get anybody suitable. When she tells him she is not qualified, he looks her up and down and says that she has all the qualifications he needs. He suggests going out at the weekend to discuss terms. She tells him not to die in the meantime. He then clutches his chest and says he will try not to !

In the restaurant, Liam thought it was weird that the two of them should be sitting there drinking together. Leanne said she hoped that he agreed that everybody deserves a second chance in life. She then offers him a coffee. She goes to the kitchen and turns and smiles at him. However, while she was in the kitchen Liam left some money on the table and left the restaurant. When Leanne returned she was visibly upset to find that he had gone.

As David was on his way home, he hears Gail, Sarah and Audrey in the garden talking about him. Gail asks if he has ever had a girlfriend. Sarah said he hasn't. So, Gail then asks if he is still a virgin (funny question to ask her daughter, about her brother!). Sarah said he was, because nobody would ever have him. Gail then wondered if he had ever kissed a girl. Sarah then wondered if he was gay. Audrey almost spluttered out her coffee and Gail said she didn't know. Sarah, driving the wedge in further said she couldn't imagine blokes fancying him either. She says he does fancy girls, but they don't fancy him. Audrey thought that fancying the girl next door was very normal as far as she was concerned. Gail is somewhat surprised, because all his friends have girlfriends. David is all on his own. She then added, not realising of course that David is listening to all of this, that Chesney will probably have a girlfriend before him!

Paul finds Leanne sitting at the table alone. She explains that he obviously can't forget the past. He then changes the subject by reminding her that he is going to raise 20 grand to invest in the restaurant. He asks her if she is still interested. She said he would. He asks would they own the place 50/50. She says no, 60/40. He agreed. Paul then goes back into the kitchen and rings a friend asking him to prepare a driving license with his photo on but the name of Jack Duckworth.

Jason is walking along the street. Suddenly he felt something hit him and looks up and sees David chucking stones from the roof. Jason asks how he got there, and David tells him he climbed the drainpipe. He suggests that Jason comes up for the views. However, Jason suggests that David comes down. David moves towards the edge and shouts whether he wants him to jump, Jason tells him not to, and says he will come up.

Guess who comes into Jerry's shop? Yes it is Eileen. She asks him if he is free on Wednesday for dinner. When he confirmed he was, she said she would book the Italian (presumably that is not Leanne's).

Jason manages to get up to join David on the roof. He asks him what he is doing, and David says he is thinking, because he thinks better up there. Jason says he heard what had happened between him and Mel today. When David talks about his humiliation, Jason tries to console him by telling him that is no reason to jump. He says he used to be rubbish with girls, be assures David he will find someone eventually. (Girls, what do you think of Jason?). David then steps back and says that the skinny, rat faced girl next door is not worth killing himself for. David then accuses Jason of being dumb, he also says his sister is dumb. Jason kept cool but asks him why he brought him up on the roof. David said he wanted to show him something, and as he moved towards the edge, promised not to push him over. He looks over to Gail, Sarah and Audrey and refers to them as "three witches, three bitches". He makes his hand into a gun shape and makes as if he was killing them one-by-one. He says he knew his mother paid Jason to spy on him. Jason said they could be friends. David replies that he doesn't do friends, he does enemies. Jason asks him to explain. He says he wants him, his mum, Gran, his sister, Maria, his dad, Jerry, Amber all dead (most of the cast then!). Jason tried to tell him they weren't his enemies, but David wasn't interested. David said it would take just one shot. Jason hopes that he doesn't mean it. David then turns and says he is going in for his tea now ! Jason is perplexed and unsure of what is happening.

Anne will tell you more soon !

Martin Rosen

Hi all, here's the update for Wednesday 22nd August.

We open in the Duckworth residence, where Vera and Jack are opening pressies and cards. Vera is delighted with her necklace from Jack, while Molly is busy thinking about the party later. Paul's present to them is a framed family photo of the three of them. Vera, (acting all surprised although she must have sat in front of a camera at some point) is delighted with that, too.

Gail has arrived home for lunch, and is not happy to see David prostrate on the sofa. She tells him he should have gone into school to pick up his GCSE results. "Result," David corrects her, "I only sat the one!" An exasperated Gail tells him he's throwing his life away, however, she should have saved her breath, all she gets in return from David is a load of sarcasm and cheek.

Over at the kebab shop, Jerry is modeling the shirt he's planning to wear for his date with Eileen. It's navy blue with large white-outlined flowers. Jodie is disgusted and asks if he's taking Eileen to Honolulu. "What's wrong with the shirt I got you?" she asks him. "The pink one?" he queries. She asks if he's not in touch with his feminine side. She urges him to go home and get changed, but Jerry is convinced that the floral number he's wearing is a babe magnet. Jodie picks up the ketchup bottle and squirts it at him – thus putting an end to the argument. Jerry goes home to change.

Jack, dressed up to the nines, is out in his back yard, talking to one of his pigeons. Liam appears (not sure where from) with a bottle and suggests they 'wet the baby's head'. Jack thinks this is a really good idea.

Jerry, having changed his shirt, arrives at the restaurant to find Eileen already there. As he sits down, Eileen starts to giggle, looking at the table cloth. Jerry's checked shirt is almost exactly the same design and colour as the cloth on the table! Leanne brings the house wine, and he takes a gulp, asks if Eileen has any wall paper she wants stripping, and orders a pint of lager.

Dev, dressed as a chauffeur, arrives to pick up the Duckworths in a smart convertible. He drives them the vast distance from their front door to the Rovers, watched from across the Street by David. "You know, there's something really sad about that," he says to Jason, "those decrepit old crones are going to be bobbing about in a mean set of wheels!" Jason, however, has yesterday's conversation on his mind, but David tells him he says a lot of things – he doesn't necessarily mean them. "But some people would say I'm a compulsive liar, wouldn't they?" he smirks. Just then, Gail comes along the Street and shouts out to him that it's too late to pick up his results now. "Can't hear you," says David, walking away.

The Rovers is decorated with balloons and streamers, and full of the regular customers. Jack and Vera walk in to a round of applause, and the party begins!

Sarah and Jason are on the sofa. He's quiet and pensive and she assumes he's in a mood with her, but he assures her he isn't. Sarah, who is apparently texting Candice on her mobile phone, chatters on. "I could kill our David," she says, "there's going to be murders tonight, because he won't have got his results and Mum will go off her head….." Jason is obviously uncomfortable with what she's saying. "Yes, but you don't want to kill him, do you?" he says. Sarah laughs, "do you want to bet?" she says, and Jason gets very agitated. "Why do you say things you blatantly don't mean?" he says. Sarah asks who rattled his cage, and accuses him of behaving like a hormonal woman.

Over in the Rovers, Rita asks where Tyrone is. Norris explains that he's gone to Benidorm to bail his mother out who's been arrested on a shoplifting charge.

Liz takes drinks over to Jack and Vera, and asks them if they can remember their silver wedding. Vera says Jack gave her four yards of silver lurex and she had a dress made, which she still has. Jack comments that in her day, Vera had lovely cleavage, but Vera isn't happy and asks why he can't say something nice about her personality and disposition. "Who do you think you are, Mary Poppins?" he asks her, "I've said something nice about your bosoms haven't I? Make do, woman!" Just then Paul comes in with glasses of champagne on a tray, and tells Molly that the finger food will be along shortly.

Deirdre is sitting with Blanche, and wonders if she and Ken will still be together on their fiftieth. "If Penelope Keith doesn't come knocking on his door," says Blanche.

Paul proposes the toast to Jack and Vera and everyone cheers.

Steve is talking to Liz when Michelle comes up and tells him that her mother has just phoned , and they're all set for Ireland. "Hang on," says Liz, and asks if they're going away again. Steve tells her they are, but this time they're taking Amy with them, it's a family holiday. Liz then takes it very well and enthuses about Ireland. Steve hugs Michelle, and asks if they can take down the photo of him in Malta. She says they'll have to wait and see what her mother thinks of him first.

Audrey sees Ashley, and asks him, "How's tricks?" He points out, dryly, that he's not a magician. She says she's sorry for what she said, she didn't want to upset him. He asks if they can just drop it, but Audrey goes on to say she's not very good at many things in life, except hairdressing – "And jumping to the wrong conclusion," says Ashley, "and reading people," says Audrey. Ashley gets very annoyed and tells Audrey to leave him alone. "What if I did have feelings for her?" he asks, "what business is it of yours?" He turns and walks away.

Molly calls for quiet, and says it's time they heard a speech from Jack, who stands up.

Meanwhile, in the restaurant, Eileen and Jerry seem to be getting on very well, and seem to have a lot in common.

Back at the Rovers, Jack tells everyone how he and Vera met at the fair, and she was the best looking girl there. He says she had beautiful eyes and her hair shone like treacle. (Very poetic for Jack!) He goes on to say that even now he looks at Vera and thinks she's still the prettiest girl at the fair. "Who wrote that for you?" Vera wants to know, but Jack insists he wrote it himself. He then starts singing "I Believe" and dedicates it to Vera.

A smartly dressed Amber sees David sitting on a step eating chips and asks if he's been for his results. "What did you come as?" he asks. She tells him she got three A's, five B's and two C's and her dad is taking her out to celebrate. "Where's he taking you? Red light district?" sneers David. "I take it you failed then," quips back Amber, and walks off.

In the Rovers, Jack is just coming to the end of his song, and Blanche is moaning about her eardrums. Norris tells her she's getting on his nerves. They all applaud and Jack kisses Vera and tells her to make the most of it. Roy says how he found it all quite touching, and Rita says she hopes they last just as long. "Because some of us didn't get the chance," she says, and Emily (presumably making reference to her loss of Earnest) says that sometimes it seems like only yesterday. Rita says she was in the Rovers the night Len died, it was a sing-song for Stan and Hilda's 40th wedding. "It's 24 years ago now," she says, thoughtfully. Then they all toast absent friends.

In the restaurant, Jerry and Eileen are arguing about who should pay the bill. Eileen then suggests they go Dutch. "There's no way I'm putting a pair of clogs on for anybody," says Jerry.

"Where've you been?" asks Gail, sourly, as David arrives home. Jason urges her not to 'push it', but she tells him to butt out. She turns her attention back to David. "I asked you where you've been, because we all know where you've not been, you've not been in to school to pick up your exam results. Oh – correction – your exam result!" David wonders if she's drunk. She tells him she knows why he didn't, because he's afraid he's messed up. "Stand up!" says David, but Gail says she's quite comfy where she is. He tells her again to stand up, "I dare you," he says. She eventually stands, muttering that his 'hard-man' act is pathetic. He pulls out a sheet of paper. "What have I got here? My exam result!" He then shouts that despite her thinking he did nothing all day, he actually went and got it, and she shouldn't have gone jumping to conclusions. "Thanks for nothing," he says, throwing down the paper and walking out. Sarah picks it up. "What did he get?" asks Jason. "A-star!" she replies. She and Gail look at one another.

Over in the Duckworth's house, Paul takes a tin from behind their bar and is going through the documents in it when he hears Jack and Vera coming back. Hastily he replaces it and rushes across to the sink. They come in and thank him for giving them the party. "You're family," he tells them, "I'd do owt for you, the pleasure was all mine." A happy Vera and Jack laugh and wave their balloons!

Anne Logan.

We open in the Duckworths' house, where Paul sneaks downstairs, closes the living room door behind him and takes an ancient biscuit tin from behind the cocktail bar. He stuffs something from it into his pocket just as Jack comes down – not feeling well at all, from the look of him. Paul tells him he's got a meeting to go to, but is a bit cagey about the reason. Paul tells Jack he feels bad because he was mixing his drinks last night. He says Jack will have to be more careful at his Diamond Wedding. "At half past seven in the morning, that's very cruel," says Jack. At the Platts', Sarah says Beth has a friend coming round later. David moans about having another brat around the place and the two start sniping at each other until Gail tells them to shut up. Jason rushes off, somehow unwilling to talk about the seating plan for the wedding. "I wouldn't worry about the seating plan," David tells her, "just make sure the toilet window's locked." Jason meets his mother in the street and wonders why Eileen has a smile on her face. She tells him she went out last night and had a good time. "It's not Steve Macdonald, is it?" Jason asks anxiously. Eileen's so annoyed by this she refuses to tell him who it was for a minute, but then admits it was Jerry. Jason thinks Jerry's no worse than some his mother's brought home. At Jerry's, Jodie wants to know whether Eileen has made contact and whether they're going out again. She knows Jerry fancies the pants off Eileen. Jerry's a bit embarrassed and hassled by the questions. Jodie advises him not to let Eileen make all the running. When Mel and Darryl ask who they're talking about, Jerry tells them he's been talking to a woman about selling him a car for the twins, so they don't have to share the one they've got. Gail and Sarah are in the street. Sarah's a bit worried about Jason not wanting to talk about the wedding. Gail reassures her that men have a very low boredom threshold. Paul is in the restaurant talking to a man with a clipboard. He's giving him details of the restaurant – how many covers for lunch and dinner, how many bookings there are, the accounts for the past 12 months . . . The man calls him Mr Duckworth and Paul tells him, "Please, call me Jack." Casey goes into the butcher's shop. Ashley isn't that keen to see her. She asks if there's somewhere they can go to talk, but they're interrupted by Jodie rushing in to see whether Ash can help her with some change. She goes and he tells Casey he can't leave the shop. She says it's really important. For a minute, Ashley thinks she must be pregnant, but she says she's not. They arrange to meet at his place at 6.30. Back at the restaurant, Paul is still talking to Clipboard Man when Leanne comes in. He's Mr Bryan, from the bank, come to talk to him about the loan. He does seem quite attracted by Leanne. He goes to look at something and Paul takes the chance to tell Leanne he's trying to borrow £20,000. Leanne is surprised he thinks someone will lend him that much, but you can see realisation on her face when Mr Bryan comes into the kitchen and asks "Jack" to explain something to him. In the taxi office, Steve and Lloyd are giving Eileen a hard time and trying to get some details out of her about last night. "We just had a laugh, that's all," she says. They ask if she wants to see him again and she says "Suppose so." Lloyd sarcastically says she's the last of the great romantics. Sarah goes to see Jason at the yard. She says the hotel wants to know numbers for the reception. Jason doesn't know which of his relatives are coming and doesn't seem that interested. When he zips up the stairs, she follows him up to the office, asking whether he's all right. He says he is and she wonders why he doesn't want to talk about it. He says he's just had a lot on his mind. Part of which is David, being a bit weird. He dashes away again. Mr Bryan tells Paul that the restaurant's had a bit of a shaky start but it's finding its feet now. "You seem to know what you're doing. I'm prepared to lend you the £20,000 you're asking for." [Of course he can give an answer straight away – this is Corrieland, not real life!] Paul hands him "the paperwork" – electricity, water and driving licence, and the deeds. Leanne looks on quietly. Oh, this definitely isn't real life. Mr Bryan tells Paul the money should be in his account by the end of the week! Maybe the writers have only ever dealt with no-questions-asked loan sharks, rather than real banks... Anyway, Mr B wishes Leanne well and leaves. "Jack Duckworth?" asks Leanne. "Your new partner," says Paul, with a bow! Michelle, Steve, Ryan and Amy are packing themselves and their luggage into the car for a trip to Ireland. Vernon says they're shortstaffed, but Liz points out it's two weeks running the pub on their own without Steve's interference. Ashley makes Casey a cuppa. She tells him she's going away. She's not sure all the gossip is worth it. She doesn't know exactly when or where she's going. Ashley's phone rings. It's Claire. He has to pick up Josh. He has to go. Casey gets her coat and Ashley tells her to take care. As she goes to kiss him goodbye, he turns his face so she kisses his cheek, not his lips. Jerry is off down the cash-and-carry. The twins doubt that he's going there. Mel thinks he's off seeing "that woman" again. The minute he's gone, Darryl takes off his apron and heads out. He says he's skiving off if Jerry can. "What about me?" asks Mel. "Sorry, got there first," her brother says. In the restaurant, Leanne tells Paul he could go to prison for stealing Jack's identity and borrowing against his house. Paul says he'll have it paid back in no time. He won't tell Leanne where he got a driving licence in Jack's name. "So I'm supposed to trust you now?" asks Leanne. Paul is quite relaxed about the whole thing. "It's hardly the Brinks-Matt robbery, is it?" Then he fights dirty, telling her that at least the loan money is clean and legit, which is not true of all the money Leanne's put into the business. "Deal or no deal?" he asks. "Deal," says a reluctant Leanne. Mel is serving two of Weatherfield's bright young things . . .er, scruffy teenagers, I mean. They refuse to pay the £9.90 for the kebabs. She tells them they pay or they don't get the food. She threatens to call the police. Eileen comes in and tells them she thinks they'd better leave. After calling her "Grandma" and an "old bag", they start to get quite aggressive and Eileen tells them again that they should leave. One of them makes a grab for the counter, at the same time as asking Eileen "or what?" Eileen, as we all know, has been practising this next manoeuvre on Steve and Lloyd: She grabs one by the ear, twists it, and shoves his face again the window blind. "Or I'll shove your head through that window!" she says. The one she has hold of makes a break and runs off. The second, and taller, teen takes a look at Eileen's face and scrams! Yay, Eileen!! She's a bit shaken, though. Mel tells her she was brilliant. "Are you all right?" "I think I need a brandy," says Eileen, leaning against the counter. Leanne arrives home with a bottle of bubbly and tells Roger he'll be getting his money back. She has to go back to work and leaves Roger with the champagne, waiting for Janice to come home. Jerry's back in the kebab shop kicking up a fuss about Darryl not being there. Vernon comes in with the brandy that's been ordered. "Remind me not to mess with you," he tells Eileen. Jerry insists on escorting her home. As they walk up the street, Jerry fusses and she tells him not to. He takes her arm and also takes the chance to ask him round to his place for a meal tomorrow night. They say goodnight and he pecks her on the cheek – and they both pause for a second or two . . . then start talking at once. He watches her cross the road to her place. Paul has told Jack and Vera about buying into the restaurant. They're both pleased for him. He tells them it's made up of some of his savings and a loan. Jack says it's a start. "We didn't have two sticks to rub together when we were your age," Vera says. They tell him he's welcome to stop on as long as he likes. Vera goes to bed, demanding that Jack follow her, though he's keen to share a drop of malt with Paul. "Nice try, grandad," says Paul, as Jack reluctantly puts down the whisky bottle. As soon as they're up the stairs, he dashes to the bar and puts back the documents he "borrowed," then sits back on the sofa, smirking. The End
Margaret Carr

Dear me is it my turn again. It comes around so quickly. I was in Norfolk when this episode aired. We visited the Theatre in Cromer on the Saturday night and enjoyed a great evening's entertainment. The team - comic. flautist, ventriloquist, two main singers plus six dancers and the sole pianist who produced all of the musical sounds treated us to an old style evening of variety. I think the combination went down very well and I would urge people to go and see it!

It was Bank Holiday Sunday and R'Audreh tells Bill that someone should go and tell Claire what is going on. Bill like most men does not want to get involved. Audrey however is made of sterner stuff and decides she will take matters into her own hands.

Doris and his friends George and Ivor are the butt of several passing jokesters - but to repeat them would imply that the jokes were funny. These men are grieving I tell you, I'll say that again, grieving for a beautiful woman. Doris complains that no-one is taking them seriously so Rita suggests that he sits with her and Doreen and bring Tinky Winky and Laa Laa with you! Doreen apologises that they are in a silly mood - two or three too many g and ts. Eventually Norris agrees to join them if the jokes end. The boys try to find out which of Doris's many women love him back but all deny it.

Jerry wants the family out of the way this evening - he has some entertaining to do - it costs £40 to get rid of Darryl (and where on earth does Jerry get the money from? Only Eileen goes into the kebab shop and she probably does not pay). Later he has to divvy up twenty quid to get Wilf out of the way, the latter hands half of the money over to Kayleigh who had been lobbying on his behalf.

Fiz chides Cilla for leaving Chesney on a Sunday to go to work - but as Cilla points out she is a care worker now (spelt c - l - e - a - n - e - r). Later Cilla turns up in the Street with Frank, her future employer and introduces him to Fiz and Chesney. No-one has mentioned the existence of Les at all. Cilla and Frank trade insults but he spots the words "Newton and Ridley", declares it is years since he had a decent pint and demands to be pushed in to the Rovers now. Now Frank is in a wheelchair and we all know the doors of the Rovers are narrow, so only the scriptwriters know how he made it inside. Once inside Frank becomes known to all the regulars as Cilla introduces her new employer. This includes the former husbands' club.

So Audrey arrives to take lunch with Claire at the latter's mother's. Claire knew that Ashley would not come - she had hoped but never mind. Audrey tells Claire that Ashley is missing her and he would be made up if she walked through the front door, but Claire changes the subject. Audrey tries to use a verbal crowbar to prise open Claire's mind and alert to the dangers of her being absent from the Street, but Claire seems to have a very thick skin. Claire knows that Ash would not let someone take her place. She knows that Ash will wait for her.

Meanwhile back on the Street Ashley is opening the door to his worst nightmare - no not Doctor Matt but mad Casey (who seems to have lost the Sunshine Band). He does not want her there but she is seemingly oblivious and forces her way into the house, calling Josh to come and see. Casey wants to know if she has been missed. Anyway she had had her flat valued and would soon be gone. Ash just wants to see the back of her and says that he and Claire are not separated. But Casey reckons that Claire has simply not been fair leaving him to run the house and look after Josh. She puts her hands around his face and kisses him. She tells him that Claire has made her choice and now he should make his. Ashley says that they must get things sorted out. Casey keeps banging on about "you and me" - but Ash has come to his senses, when Casey said he had to make a choice - he did - and it was Claire. But Casey keeps going on and on so he cannot tell her.

Paul is going to get the money and talks Leanne out of doing the sensible thing (paying off some of the debts) and instead convinces her to spend some money on doing the bar up and other bits and pieces. Later Leanne does the sensible thing - she gives Roger a post dated cheque for £2k and tells him the rest will follow.

Eileen arrives in the Rovers and Gail asks why she is dressed up - Eileen responds that sometimes you have to look smart for company - after all one has to respond to the urges and wishes her a good evening with her mother (Gail is drinking with Audrey and Bill).

Jerry take Eileen home and they start eating the meal - but get interrupted by Kayleigh and then Darryl and then Kayleigh again, by which time Jerry is close to losing it. He grabs Eileen and the drinks and leads her outside and they take over Darryl's shed. There things are much improved, salmon consumed, stereo full volume - it might be Eileen's first date in a shed but she has previously managed a phone box, a bus shelter and her mother's outside lavvy. Gail trying to read in near darkness is not amused at the noise and does the storming outside act. She bangs on the shed with a broom handle and suggests that the noise be turned down. Jerry and Eileen both a little merry recognise the voice and the latter ruffles her hair and pulls down her top to reveal her underwear. Then they both stagger out of the shed whereupon Gail threatens to come over the fence and smash the stereo. Eileen laughs in her face and tells her to get a life, if she can remember such a thing - probably not because she has never had one. Eileen and Jerry kiss. Gail goes back indoors and peers out of a window. The couple dance back into the shed and Gail is obviously unhappy - but is it the noise or Eileen's success with a man or her own failure to keep and hang onto a mate?

K Richard W

This episode of Coronation Street is Written by Lucy Gannon
Directed by Alan Wareing
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys
CORONATION STREET is copyright of ITV productions

Outside Mel talks to David but he asks if she is talking to him. She says forget it and goes. Gail comes out and asks David if he is doing anything. He asks her, out of all the doors in the Street what one is going to open first. She says he is doing nothing as usual.

Peacock's; Ashley says Josh went ok to Matt's. Casey says he only left him with his dad. Ashley shouts saying, he is Josh's dad. Casey says she will cook him a meal. Ashley says no and says they need to sort things out as he has made such a mess of things. She says they will talk later.

Morton's; Jerry asks whose turn it is to do the salad. Jodie says for him not to look at her as she is taking the kids out. Darryl asks why Mel can't do it. Jerry says she is reading police stuff. He gets his Shoes and asks why Kayleigh can't do it. Jerry says she is a kid and he is lazy.

Outside Ashley tells Casey he does not want her cooking dinner for him and wants to talk. Casey kisses him as Audrey watches. She tells him she won't be long. Audrey comes up to Ashley and says she spoke to Claire. Ashley asks her to come in so they can talk.

Peacock's; Audrey says she told Claire how much time Casey was spending. Ashley asks if she said they were sleeping together. Audrey says no and tells him to sort it or she will and thought their marriage was going to last forever. Ashley says he is sorting it.

Cafe; Roy says Becky didn't take the top off the bottle or wash out the container. She says this recycling thing is going to far. Hayley says she is out for the day. Maria asks Fiz and John what they are doing today. Fiz does not mind, as it's the company you are with that matters.

Outside Cilla and Frank pull up in a taxi. He says they are here. Cilla seeing the house says no wonder why he was annoyed being in the care home, having a place like this. He says it's too big for one person. She says he should have been nicer to his family and tells him to come on.

Cafe; Fizz says Liam has a big package. He says that's what they all say. Fizz thinks Maria fancies him but she says she doesn't. He asks Maria to sit next to him. As she does David also sits at the table. Maria tells him to go. David does.

Frank's place; Cilla says the cleaner before her has not moved any objects. Cilla picks up a bird. Frank comes through and says she won't get much for that and tells her there is a camera in it and all over the house. He gives her a list of stuff. She asks if this is for 3 months.

Peacock's; Casey comes in. Ashley says Audrey saw them kiss this morning and has been round talking to Claire. Casey asks what exactly Audrey said. Ashley says she should have known better. Claire comes in and says she is back and staying. Ashley says this is great news.

Peacock's; Claire says she wants things to get back to normal. She says the house is nice and tidy. Casey says she didn't want her to come home to a mess. Claire asks how long she has been staying. Ashley says just last night. She then tells him to unpack Freddie's stuff.

Rovers; Sean says Eileen looks different today and happy. He says he forgot what happy Eileen looked liked. Gail comes in saying she thought she had enough drink last night. Eileen tells Audrey Gail didn't get her sleep last night.

Peacock's; Claire thanks Casey telling her when she has a family of her own she will be brilliant. Casey says Ashley was cracking up and she was up two, three times a night. Claire tells her they will manage now. Casey goes to get her stuff. Claire asks Ashley if she stayed just the one night.

Jerry's; Darryl comes in saying someone has been in his shed. Jerry says it was a mess. Darryl asks what he was doing. Jerry says entertaining a lady. He says his room. Jerry says his house, thanks him and says he is looking forward to the next time. Darryl looks disgusted.

Peacock's; Claire asks where her sheet is. Ashley says she maybe washed it. Claire does not believe him and ask how many nights. Ashley says no but Claire says Casey let it slip. She asks where the duvet and pillow is. Then how cozy it got. Ashley says he needs to see to Freddie.

Frank's; Cilla sees him peer over his newspaper and says she is not his private dancer. He says he is looking at the paper. Frank says she is a hard woman. Cilla says with a heart of gold. He tells her to get her coat. Cilla says she has not done anything. He says they are going to her local pub.

Cafe; Becky asks if the closed sign is on. Roy says they don't rush customers. Roy goes and Becky asks Casey if she can help her with the tea. She then goes and tells David everyone else is going to uni but him. David goes. The phone rings and Becky gives it to Roy who says Bert and oh oh.

Rovers; Casey comes in and says everyone's granny. She asks Audrey if she knows what she has done, tried to split her and Ashley. Casey says it's not worked and Ashley is talking to Claire now and breaking her heart. Audrey says she was warning them what type of woman she is.

Cafe; Hayley comes in saying she has probably missed the clean. She says she has got a book. Roy tells her to sit down. Becky says she will make a brew. Roy says her uncle Bert called. Hayley says it's her Aunt Monica.

Peacock's; Claire says she thought it was just Audrey not liking Casey. Claire says she felt like an outsider in her own home. She says she is only going to ask this once then will never ask again. She asks if he slept with Casey. Ashley gets up and goes in the conservatory.

Episode rating 6/10

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Ashley is very confused and emotional. Because he has not said anything about Casey staying over, Claire jumps to the conclusion that he is admitting guilt. Ashley is annoyed that she should even think that they slept together. He swears that she slept on the sofa. He says she should believe him because she knows him better than anyone in the world. Claire apologises and says sorry that she ever doubted his word.

Roy offers his sympathises to Hayley about the loss of Auntie Monica (we will miss her!). She is working in the cafe and says that she just wants to keep busy. Becky asks Roy to fetch something for her, then she chats with Hayley. She mentions that Hayley doesn't talk about her family. She says that she doesn't get on with her family these days. Becky presumes it is to do with her sex-change, she says that her mother would probably prefer that to some of the things she had done in the past. Hayley tells her that her Auntie Monica didn't seem to care. Then Hayley starts to cry, and Becky goes to comfort her.

Emily and Norris head off to the pub to meet with Rita and Doreen. Norris seems somewhat down, and Emily suggested that he ought to have gone to Chatsworth with the rest of them. Norris didn't look impressed. Doreen comes out of Emily's saying that coach journeys make her want to go to the loo. (If they were supposed to be meeting Doreen in the pub, how come she is coming out of Emily's ?!)

Back at the Peacock's, Claire tells Ashley that Eileen is going to look after Freddy while they go off for a drink down the pub. She apologises again saying that she is sure he realises why she asked and realises that he is still upset. He tells her that she and the boys are everything to him. Claire explains that she needed time on her own, but now they are all back again as a family.

In Jerry's food emporium (!), Eileen pops in to tell Jerry that she was babysitting for Claire and Ashley. He turns to Darryl that now Claire is back, he is not to play loud music in the shed. Darryl turns and suggests that the two of them want the shed free ! Eileen tells Jerry that she will be in the pub later if he fancied a drink. Jerry said he looked forward to it.

Claire and Ashley arrive in The Rovers. They both look very happy. Rita and Emily said it was nice seeing them both together again. They thought that Claire looked well. Claire sat with Rita and Norris while Ashley bought the drinks. Norris seemed to be in a strange, vacant mood. Claire spotted Audrey in the pub and they smiled at each other. Bill said it looks as if they are happy families, and not to worry about them. Audrey didn't seem convinced.

Hayley is chatting to Roy about Auntie Monica and how much she loved her (it seems she was always going round to her !). Roy suggests that she may want to say something at the funeral. However, Hayley doesn't want to go because the rest of her family will be there.

In The Rovers, there is Rita, Emily, Doreen, and Norris sitting around the table (are they the "new", Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell, Martha Longhurst and Albert Tatlock - sorry if you weren't watching 25+ years ago, they won't mean much to you !) . Norris is going on about getting old and all he can look forward to is getting arthritis, and going out on coach trips. Rita thinks he has a point and suggests it is easy to fall into a rut once you are older. Norris drifted off again into a world of his own. Rita teased him by suggesting they start up a troupe of fan dancers and Norris could be their manager. Norris didn't jolt, but then suddenly announced he was going for a walk. Emily thought this was unusual as he didn't normally do any walking.

Claire manages to get a quiet word with Audrey. Claire thanks her for suggesting it was time to come home. Claire asks Audrey if she knew about Casey staying over. Audrey confesses she did know, but was in two minds whether to say anything. Claire says Ashley has sworn that Casey slept on the sofa. When Ashley returned with the drinks, Bill and Audrey go off. He says to Bill that Ashley doesn't know what's been going on. Then Ashley gets a text message on his mobile. He pretends it is Matt who is looking after Joshua. It seems he has forgotten "Mr Penguin". Knowing how devastated he would be without it, Ashley says he will run it over. Claire offers to come as well, but Ashley insists she finishes her drink and that he would be back very quickly. Of course we know it wasn't Matt on the phone but Casey. As soon as he is outside the door of the pub he rings her back. He tells he has half an hour (a case of wham, bam, thank you Mam !!!).

Meanwhile Cilla is pushing Frank in his wheelchair, to the Rovers. They bump into Fiz and John. Frank invites them to join him and Cilla. Fiz hopes she doesn't get too tipsy else she may reveal some of her mother's secrets.

Jodie arrives with Kayleigh and Finlay. They had been to the Science Museum. Jerry asks how it was, and Kayleigh isn't too impressed by saying things go up, down, forward an backwards. Jodie tells them it was educational. Jerry said he would take them home, meanwhile she could look after the burger bar. Darryl tells Kayleigh that her Dad had a date that night with Eileen. As they are going out Darryl remarks to Jodie about the thought of his dad and Eileen thrashing about, but his dad appeared back in the doorway to say he heard that!

Ashley meets up with Casey. He tells her he doesn't have long and he wants to sort things. She asks if he is alright, and says that it couldn't have been easy telling Claire. She seems to have completely missed the point of what Ashley was trying tell her.

Hayley is having a heart to heart with Roy. She says Auntie Monica was the first person she had told about her "change". She says that her Auntie never judged her. She has now decided she will go to the funeral so that she can be there for her, as her Auntie was for her.

Ashley is still trying to explain to Casey that he loves Claire and they are back together for good. Casey claims that she loves him. He reiterates that his heart is for Claire.

Fiz teases Cilla in front of Frank, how she used to steal toilet paper from her last cleaning job. Cilla doesn't look too pleased! He says he is going to watch her like a hawk. Still glum, Frank tells her it is a bit of fun, and to go and get a round of drinks in. Cilla wheels Frank over to the bar, and as she does Jerry comes in and orders a couple of drinks for himself and Eileen. Suddenly Frank's voice is heard saying that he was first. Obviously Violet hadn't seen him in his chair. Frank claims she was being discriminatory. She apologises and proceeds to serve Frank. Eileen turns to Cilla and asks to be introduced. Frank responds to Eileen by saying that he presumes she knows "bigmouth". Eileen confirms that they have crossed paths. He tells her that Cilla is his carer, but wonders if Eileen, as a "big strapping lass" might be more suitable. He then gives her a playful smack on the backside (am I allowed to say "bum" here?!). Eileen responds that they are more suited together. As Cilla takes Frank back to Fiz and John, Eileen asks Jerry if Frank slapped her. He tells her that she can still attract men!

Ashley goes back to his car chased by Casey. She is calling after him that he means everything to her. He admits that it was partly his fault because he should never have slept with her. She yells that it wasn't about sex. Ashley is getting even more annoyed. She yells, that she was there for him and Josh when Claire walked out. He thanks her for being a friend at his time of need. Casey says that friends don't do what we did! She tells Ashley that they could all be so happy together. Then his phone rings, he tells her that he has to go. He tries to emphasise that it is finished between them. He tells her not to bother him or Claire any more. He gets into the car and answers the phone. It is Claire, of course (who else would ring him?!). He says he has just stopped to buy a bottle of wine. He tells her that he will be home in ten minutes. He drives off without looking at Casey. However Casey has a look as if to suggest it is far from over yet.

Earlier I mentioned about Ena, Martha, Minnie and Albert in the Rovers, as a storyline being brought up to date. Could this be a new version, of Ken, Deirdre and Mike Baldwin ?

Martin Rosen

Hayley and Roy are off to her Auntie Monica's funeral. As they come out of the cafe to get in the taxi, Roy tells her she doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to as there may be people there who would make her feel, at best, unwelcome. Becky tells her she should have a brick in her bag and if anyone makes a smart remark one good swing should shut them up. "I'm joking!" she add hastily as Roy stares at her. Hayley says that her aunt and uncle were the only ones she ever really cared about. Going to the funeral is the least she can do.

Ashley is in the kitchen, making tea. He picks up his mobile phone, "No!" he mutters through gritted teeth. Claire comes downstairs in her dressing gown. "What's up?" she asks. Ashley tells her it's nothing and says he was going to bring her tea up to her in bed. She comments that he had a restless night, but he says she was as much a fidget has he was. They arrange to go and pick her stuff up from her mother's, and they smile into each other's eyes. "I think I love you!" says Claire and Ashley kisses her.

Roy and Hayley's taxi arrives at the funeral. Her Uncle Bert steps forward and says he's glad they could make it, and gives Hayley a kiss on the cheek. "It is Harold, isn't it?" says a voice from behind him, and a middle aged couple are standing staring. "Talk about brass neck!" says the woman, and Bert explains to Roy that they are Dennis and Barbara, Monica's brother in law and his wife. Roy suggests they go inside, and as they walk in Hayley takes a deep breath to steel herself.

As Ashley arrives at the butcher's shop, Kirk is just answering the phone to find no one there. He tells Ashley that's the second time it's happened. Ashley asks him if he can manage on his own as he's going to get Claire's stuff – she's back. Kirk is delighted and hugs him. "Er…shall we go out and come back in again?" comes a voice and they look up to see Lloyd and Jerry in the doorway. Kirk explains that Claire is moving back in, "So you thought you'd have one last cuddle?" enquires Lloyd, grinning. Then they tell them it's great news!

The congregation is coming out of the funeral service, and Roy starts spouting on about how cremations are fanning the flames of global warming. Hayley tells him that her Aunt never drove, she never flew, she rode a bike everywhere until the accident with the Chihuahua (?) so she thinks they can forgive her a cremation. Just then Dennis and Barbara approach and say that they are disgusted that Hayley has come, and she's turned the service into a mockery. Roy indignantly tells them that his wife has every right to pay her last respects to her aunt. "Wife?" snorts Dennis, "as if!" Roy tells them that they have made a mockery of the funeral, with their small minded stupidity. Dennis tells Hayley that she was never anything but a disappointment to Monica, and Barbara says that Monica would never even mention her name – either of them. Roy, enraged, tells them that his wife has more decency, integrity and humanity than that pair of bigoted buffoons will ever come close to having. Hayley hustles him away.

In the Kabin, Norris is setting out large Halloween spiders, and Doreen is aghast that he is doing it already, it's still summer. Norris says that time goes fast in the retail calendar, and they'll soon have bonfire night and then Christmas. They start musing on the nights drawing in, and loneliness creeping up. Doreen tells him he's got Emily for companionship, but he says that it's not the same as a proper relationship. Doreen says it's all they're going to get at their age. Norris doesn't agree, and points out Ken Barlow and Bill Webster. Jodie is in the shop and she tells Doreen to take care, it sounds like Norris is going to pounce.

As Roy and Hayley approach their taxi, Uncle Bert comes over. Hayley apologises for what happened but Bert tells them that Dennis and Barbara are small minded bigots and the only reason Monica refused to discuss her was because she despised their bigotry. He hands Hayley a box containing, he says, some of Monica's jewelry and some odds and ends, she would have wanted Hayley to have them. He tells them not to leave it until his funeral until they come back that way.

Casey walks into the butcher's, asking Kirk if Ashley is in. Without waiting for a reply she wanders straight through and looks in the back of the shop. She asks where he is, and isn't happy to be told Ashley has gone to Claire's mum's to get her stuff, she's moving back in, she and Ashley are back together. "Right," she says, and instructs Kirk to pass on a message. "Tell him I'll ring him," she says, "and if I can't get him I'll just get Claire instead. You'll tell him that won't you?" Kirk agrees that he will . "Good," says Casey.

Hayley and Becky are in the cafe going through the box of Monica's precious things. There's a jewelry box, and when she opens it Hayley finds necklaces and trinkets. Becky thinks they might be worth a bob or two and urges Hayley to get them valued. Hayley is sure they won't be worth much, but says that Monica always acknowledged her as a woman so every time she wears a necklace or bracelet she'll think of her.

Ashley arrives back in the butcher's and Kirk tells him that Casey has been looking for him and will ring him.

Carla goes into the salon – she's got an important meeting coming up and her hair needs attention. Audrey remarks that they don't often see her in there, and says she's sure they can fit her in for a cut and blow dry. "No cutting," says Carla, "just washing and drying." Audrey looks a little surprised but says they'll manage that. Jodie is in the chair having her hair done by Maria. She comments that she didn't think it mattered what anyone looked like if they worked at Underworld, but Carla tells her that if she wears the same pair of jeans two days running and the girls make cracks. Jodie says that her dad wouldn't notice if she turned up for work with her head shaved and wearing a bin bag, and neither would the customers. They're only interested in her when she smells of kebabs. Carla says that Liam eats a lot of that sort of thing at the moment, and Audrey reminds Maria that she went out with Liam once. "We went for a drink once," says Maria, "but then he hooked up with Leanne." "How wrong could he get it?" says Carla, and adds that she hopes someone will put a smile on his face soon because he's a grumpy git and she has to share an office with him.

Becky has found a school report, written about Harold, and teases Hayley with it, until Roy calls her over to do some work. Looking in the box, Hayley finds some old letters and suddenly gathers everything together, announcing that she's going up to the flat.

Ashley and Kirk are just serving Emily when Ashley's phone rings and he rushes to answer it. It's Casey, asking why he went to collect Claire's stuff. "I thought we were making something really good together," she tells him, and pleads with him to give her another chance. "No!" says Ashley, so she tells him she's going to come and see him. He tells her she mustn't come there. "I can't bear the thought of not being with you," she says, and Ashley asks if that's why she threatened to ring Claire. "Ashley, I love you," she says, but he assures her that she doesn't, and that he doesn't love her. Just then Claire walks into the shop, and Kirk tells her he's glad she's back. In the back of the shop Ashley hisses at Casey to leave him alone, and hangs up. He walks back to the front of the shop. "Hiya," he says to Claire and she walks forward and hugs him.

In the pub, Doreen and Rita are discussing Norris and his desire for a 'full' relationship, when Emily comes in. "I should put a lock on your bedroom door if I were you," says Doreen, "Norris is on heat!" "Oh dear," says Emily, "and I bought him steak for tea."

Audrey and Maria are sitting a short distance away, discussing Carla Connor's split ends.

Doreen remarks that she doesn't like to think she's finished as far as fellas go, but she was thinking more Clint Eastwood than Norris. "Aren't we all!" says Emily. Just then the man himself approaches (Norris, not Clint) and Rita notices he's wearing a new aftershave. "Do you like it?" asks Norris. "Not as much as you do," says Rita.

Liam and Carla come into the pub, and Audrey asks Maria if she'd give Liam another chance. "I've not really thought about it," says Maria. Audrey urges her to go up to the bar, where Liam is standing, and order more drinks, but Maria says that for once she's going to play hard to get.

Norris's two new best friends come into the pub, and Rita comments that they're like the three musketeers. After he's gone to join them, Rita asks Violet if she knows what they talk about. Violet says she's not sure she wants to.

Up in the flat, Hayley is still going through the box from her Uncle when Roy comes in and says he's going to have bath. When he's gone to the bathroom, she pulls out one of the letters and begins to read. Roy comes back into the room to say that he won't be too long, and Hayley jumps guiltily and hides the letter. "Is anything the matter?" asks Roy, and asks if she's fretting about the dreadful couple at the funeral. She assures him she isn't, but says she might pop out for some fresh air.

Jodie and her dad are working hard in the busy kebab shop, waiting for Darryl to arrive to help. Jodie asks her dad if he's supposed to be meeting Eileen in the pub but he says he won't go until they're quiet.

Eileen is in the pub, and Lloyd asks if she's looking for anyone in particular. She assures him she isn't, just seeing who is in. They tease her that she's been stood up, but she tells them she couldn't be stood up because they are not going out.

Norris and his friends are having an enthralling conversation about the written word, with grammar and apostrophes. The conversation turns to the afterlife and they all agree that they would not like to see Angela again. "What a terrible thought," they say. They then try to persuade Norris to tell them who is to be the lucky lady he wants to marry, but he won't be drawn, he says that she should be the first to know.

Claire and Ashley step out of their front door, arms round each other, and head off for the pub. Across the street they're watched by Casey, sitting in her car.

Hayley arrives on a bridge, with fast flowing water underneath. Looking distressed and agitated she pulls out the letters and, tearing them into small pieces, throws them down into the water below.

Anne Logan

Roy gets up to find Hayley sitting glumly in her dressing gown. She says she's not going into work today. She doesn't feel up to it. Roy's sure it's because she was insulted at her aunt's funeral, but Hayley denies this. She says she's fed up with everybody bringing up Harold – that's all in the past. She tells Roy there are so many things she'd like to say to her aunt and to ask her, but she can't now. It's too late. Poor Roy can't say anything to comfort her.

Cilla and Chesney come out of their front door, with Chesney saying the holidays are over now and he hasn't been anywhere. Cilla tells him indignantly that she took him shopping last week. She hands him some change and tells him to get himself some chips for his dinner – from the cafe, not the kebab shop. Norris and Emily come out of their front door just as she's telling him this. "Kids, eh?" she says. "Me, me, me!" "I wonder where he gets that from?" Norris asks. Cilla slithers off and poor Chesney gets a talking to from Norris because he's not out delivering papers. Norris tells Emily he thinks he'll cook coq au vin tonight. Emily can't understand that, because they had steak just last night, but Norris says he's got something he wants to talk to her about. She tells him if it's the rent he just needs to ask, but it isn't. He just wants to provide a conducive atmosphere. "Conducive to what?" Emily asks. "Well, conducive to talking about what I want to talk to you about," he mumbles. "Which is?" she asks. He won't say.

In the cafe, Roy is sawing at a plastic bottle with a pair of scissors. He's making a water saving device for the toilet. Becky asks how Hayley is and tells Roy that it's always a difficult time. You always wish you'd done more for them, but then it's too late, she tells him. Roy seems a bit surprised. "You've had a bereavement?" he asks. She has. She was only a kid. Roy says he's sorry. "Still," Becky says, "that's the trouble with hamsters, isn't it? It's too easy to forget to feed 'em."

Tyrone and Molly are at a table. Molly can't understand why it took him three weeks to bail his mum out. Tyrone says she was traumatised. She needed someone to lean on. Molly says that with the amount of sangria she drank, it's no wonder. "You weren't there," Tyrone points out. "You sent me a picture on your mobile, or were you too drunk to remember?" Molly says. She tells him she missed him. Ty missed her, too, and they lean towards each other for a kiss. But Paul bounces in the door, greets Tyrone like a long-lost brother and tells them they should come to the restaurant at lunchtime for a free celebration meal. Tyrone says he's a bit jet-lagged, which makes Molly laugh since he's only been in Spain. Tyrone says he can pay his own way, and Paul tells them it's settled and he'll see them there at 12. "Anyone would think he owned the place! Ty scoffs when Paul has gone. "He does, or part of it," Molly tells him.

Claire comes downstairs to find that Ashley has taken the day off and made a cooked breakfast. Claire reassures him that she's not going to run off again, and Ash replies that he's not going to take her for granted again. Claire thinks that maybe if Ashley's not rushing off to work, then they could go back up to bed when they've finished breakfast . . .

Hayley looks at some old photographs of a schoolboy and the same person slightly older. Becky comes in with something for Hayley to eat and spies the pictures. Hayley tells her it's someone from the past. "Oh, I could go for him if I were a bit younger," Becky says. Hayley snatches the pictures back and slams the lid on the jewelry box they are kept in. "It always comes down to that with you!" she snaps. Becky was only trying to help and her feelings are clearly hurt. She leaves without saying anything more.

Violet is in the salon. She's telling Maria and Audrey about Norris in the pub and how he's planning to marry again. Emily is just being cloaked and settled in the chair. "No!" she says. "He'd have said something." Violet says it's apparently a state secret until he's actually asked her, and in the mirror we see realisation dawn on Emily's face.

Becky is angrily cleaning the surfaces in the cafe when Hayley comes down. Hayley asks where Roy is. "Gone to buy some recycled toilet paper," says Becky, tersely. Hayley apologises for snapping. Becky asks her whether the boy in the photos is dead. "In a way, yeah," Hayley says. "How can you be dead in a way?" asks Becky. Hayley tells her it was Harold. "Oh, so in a way, I was saying I could go for you!" Becky says. "No wonder you were mad!" Of course, this isn't what Hayley meant at all. She rushes back upstairs and Becky follows her. "Hayley! Hang on!" Hayley gets to the living room, takes the photos out of the box and screws them up. "Go away!" she tells Becky. "I was only joking," Becky says. Hayley tells her it's not funny. "I am not that boy and never was. Do you understand?" She bursts into tears with Becky apologising non-stop. Becky says she'll go and has her hand on the door handle when Hayley burst out: "I've got a son." "What?" asks Becky. "I've just found out I've got a son!" says Hayley.

Ashley and Claire have been for a walk and seem as close as they were before. But as they round the corner near their house they see Casey waiting on their garden wall. Ashley pushes Claire and the pram back out of sight. He says he wants the day to themselves, without Casey ruining it. Claire says that if she misjudged Ashley, she probably misjudged Casey as well. She wants to put things right.

Becky comes back upstairs to the flat. She's closed the cafe for a bit. What Roy don't know won't hurt him. Hayley tells Becky she found letters in the jewelry box addressed to Harold. They were from a lad wanting to meet his father and Auntie Monica had obviously read them but not passed them on. She was trying to protect Hayley. The boy is in his 20s now. She missed seeing him as a baby, a toddler and a teenager. "It was all I ever wanted and I missed it all."

Ashley prepares coffee while Claire and Casey talk. Claire says they're back together now. "I'm so pleased for you both," Casey says, hugging Claire.

Hayley says the son's mother is dead, apparently. She finds it difficult looking back on those days. It's always as if she's looking back on somebody else, and here this is reminding her that it wasn't, it was her. Becky is often very intuitive. "Part of you must be made up," she says. Hayley tells her that she'd love to find him and throw her arms around him. "But I can't, can I?" Becky doesn't see why not. "What would he say?" asks Hayley. "Not 'Hiya, Dad'." Hayley confesses that she can't tell Roy about this, even though they don't do secrets.

Paul is sitting at the table and Molly and Paul are laughing at the memories of Jack and Vee's wedding anniversary. They've got their heads together and Tyrone sits a little apart. Paul wants to know if Tyrone has seen any of the flat yet. Molly tells Ty that she went to look at flats and Paul drove her around. "We must have seen, what, 20?" Paul says. He and Molly chat briefly about a flat she loved and he leaves. Molly tucks into her dinner, telling Tyrone that Paul is SUCH a good cook . . . "I'm not too keen on all this oily stuff, to be honest," mutters Tyrone grumpily.

Hayley tells Becky, indirectly, that Roy was a virgin. She gets an assurance from Becky that she'll never say a word of this. She won't. "I'm not a total idiot." Hayley confesses that not only was she a virgin as a woman, but she told Roy that Harold was as well. "He was so nervous and I wanted to reassure him." She knows that for Roy everything is black and white. Either you tell the truth or you don't. She says she just didn't want it to have anything to do with Harold. "And it was a really special night," she says. She knows that these days everyone jumps into bed at the drop of a hat. And she hurries to reassure Becky that she's not having a go. But Becky says she's right. "No-one's ever slept with me and called it special." "We were both terrified," Hayley says, "but it did bond us in a way nothing else could. How can I tell him it was all based on lies?" We hear Roy calling Becky. He comes up and points out that the cafe is shut. "How else am I supposed to get me lunch break?" she asks.

Cilla is clipping Frank's toenails (I'm sorry, but to me he's still Robin Hood's descendant, Billy 'Ardcastle, from Last of the Summer Wine, and Charlie West before that) and tells him she's not taking her to the Rovers again because he showed her up. He thinks their next outing should be to somewhere more exotic. "I'm not taking you to any pole dancing club," Cilla says firmly. "I agree," he says, "How about Las Vegasuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh!" (That wasn't just for dramatic effect – he startled Cilla with her pair of toenail clippers!) He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a travel wallet with tickets. "Who the 'eck's Sylvia Frogstaff?" Cilla demands. She was Frank's last carer. "She walked out before I could use them. I could easily change them to your name." Cilla notices that the date is this Sunday and she's got her son to think about. "Fair enough," Frank says. "I can always take one of the other carers at the home." "On the other hand," Cilla gabbles hastily, "He's a big lad now and there's always Kirk."

Casey tells Claire how lucky she is. Claire reassures her that she'll find someone. Casey said she did meet someone while Claire was away. Ashley looks panicked. Claire is thrilled for Casey and wants more details, but Casey says she found out she didn't mean anything to the guy. Casey says she's got to get the bus and Claire volunteers Ashley to drive her home.

Emily and Norris are eating. Emily is eating very rapidly. Norris notices that she's had her hair done. "Yes, but not specially," Emily says defensively. She leaps up to do the dishes but Norris calls her back, saying there's something he wants to ask her, and he did cook the meal so the least she could do is listen to him. "How do you feel about late marriages?" Norris asks. "Ridiculous!" Emily says heartily. "And uncalled for. I, for one, have no intention of remarrying. Not ever and not to anyone!" Norris says she might feel differently if she met the right person. "That's a pity," Norris says. Personally, he's a great admirer of marriage. "I think it's a worthwhile institution and well worth another try and I was hoping you'd feel the same." Emily vehemently says she doesn't. How can she make it any plainer? Norris tells her to keep her hair on. "That's the last time I'll ask you for any support." Support? He says he was planning on proposing to someone tomorrow and hoping she'd wish him well, but obviously she doesn't. Emily laughs heartily and Norris stomps out, thinking she's laughing at the idea of someone wanting to marry him.

Roy is cleaning up and Hayley suggests Becky get off home, but Becky says she's happy to stay. She sends Roy off to install his water-saving device (two plastic jars filled with pebbles, it looks like – no, I have no idea what's wrong with just putting a brick in the cistern). When he's gone, Becky points out to Hayley that something brilliant has happened to her but she's tying herself up in knots over it. Hayley says she wishes it had never happened.

Ashley pulls up in the carpark of Casey's flats. She tries to kiss him and invites him in. She's angry at Claire for stealing Ashley off her. "I was never yours to steal," he shouts! He tells her to leave them alone and she slams the door. He drives off very quickly.

Hayley and Becky are arguing. Hayley wants to forget the whole thing, but Becky wants her to at least make an effort to see her son. They're almost at shouting point when Roy comes in. Luckily, all he's listening two is the sound of flushing. "Worked perfectly," he tells them. He goes off to look in a catalogue for a non-toxic descaler. Hayley takes the chance to tell Becky that she's bursting to see her son but she can't. "So please, don't make this any more difficult than it already is!" She rushes off.

The End
Margaret Carr

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

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