A happy and prosperous New Year to all.

Here's the update for Wednesday 2nd January.

Liam is studying foreign holidays on the internet. Maria reminds him that they have a dog to consider, and suggests instead that they go to the Lake District. Reluctantly, Liam agrees. "The bragging factor's pretty low," he says, but she talks about log fires and four poster beds, and so convinces him.

Vernon is lugging Liz's suitcase down the stairs. She's packed for all eventualities because he hasn't told her where they're going, she doesn't know if she's going to need jumpers or bikinis. In the end he tells her, "It's a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n roll." They're going to Nashville!

Liam and Maria are now in the pub, he tells Michelle that they're planning on going away, and asks if she'd prefer him to stay around as she's going to take the DNA test. She assures him she'll be fine. Maria is telling Audrey and Bill all about the holiday, and showing them pictures of the hotels they're thinking about staying in.

Michelle then goes out to the back yard with a crate of empties, and is startled to find Jim lurking out there. He asks her to fetch Steve, he wants to talk to him. Inside, at the bar, Steve, Vernon, Bill and Liz are trying to work out why The Grand Ole Opry is so called. Michelle comes in and they ask her, as, Liz points out, she's a singer. Michelle, unfortunately, says she's never heard of it. She then has a quiet word in Steve's ear.

Audrey turns to Maria. "No need to ask if you've had a happy New Year," she says. Maria tells her to pinch her, "He's too good to be true!" she says, smiling.

Jim is now in the taxi office with Lloyd when Steve comes over. He apologises for lashing out at Vernon, but doesn't seem to be all that sorry, especially, he says, as Liz called the wedding off. Steve is puzzled and turns to Lloyd. "Did you tell him that….?" He starts to say. Lloyd says it was hardly a secret as they all got sent packing. Steve tells him that the wedding was put back on, and Lloyd is horrified to hear that he missed it. "You never thought to ring me before I hit the motorway?" he says, "or leave a message for when I got back?" and he's annoyed to think he missed it all. He storms out, leaving Steve and Jim alone. Jim is gutted to think that his actions caused Liz to put the wedding back on, but Steve tells him he's no longer a part of the family and tells him to leave Weatherfield. Jim asks to say goodbye to his granddaughter. "I'm not above begging," he says.

Ryan is out on the pavement with Amy, helping to ride her bike. Carla comes along and sees that Maria has loaded up the car ready for their trip. She asks if they're going to drop Ozzie off at the kennels on the way to the airport, but Maria tells her they're not going to the airport, they're going to the Lake District. Carla snorts with laughter. "The tight-wad, I thought I'd shamed him into something better!" Maria wants to know when this was and Carla tells her it was last night. Carla also tells her she wouldn't risk being seen in public in a kagoul especially before she'd got a ring on her finger. Maria refuses to rise to the bait and tells her that she and Liam don't have any secrets. Carla walks off, chuckling, "Sucker!" she mutters.

Steve is holding Amy outside the taxi office when Jim comes out to say goodbye. He tells her he'll always love her and never forget her. He says goodbye and walks away.

Maria and Liam get into the car, setting off on their journey to the lakes. He's aware of a change in her attitude but not aware that Carla has caused it, and asks if she's ok, she seems a little flat. She looks down at her stomach. "I wish I was," she says.

Steve takes Amy back over to the pub as Vernon and Liz start loading their bags into Lloyd's taxi. Vernon asks if he had too much to drink at the do, but Lloyd tells him he got told the wedding was off. "I don't know which is worse," he says, crossly, "the fact that I missed your wedding or the fact that you didn't even notice." He adds that it seems like someone got cold feet. There's an awkward silence as Vernon digests this and then he turns to Liz. "You called it off?" he says. "Yeah, but I called it back on again," says Liz, hastily, "I sent Steve." She tries to tell him she just had a wobble, and repeats that she called it back on again. Vernon stares at her in disbelief and then slams his way back into the pub. "Thanks, Lloyd," says Liz to Lloyd. "How was I supposed to know?" says Lloyd.

After the break, we see Liz go to find Vernon in the back yard of the Rovers, where's he standing facing the back gate. "Come on, let's not fall out over something and nothing," she says to him, pulling at his arm, "not today of all days." Vernon shrugs her hand off, "It was not something or nothing," he says, angrily. Liz tries to tell him that she panicked, she's a vain old slapper and he was covered in blood and she looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge. He stops her. "Don't!" he says, "don't speak to me like I'm an idiot." He accuses her of telling Jim that she was confused way before he hit Vernon. "I waded in to protect my missus's reputation when she didn't even want to be my missus!" he shouts. He takes off his wedding ring and tries to give it to her but she won't take it, so he throws it on the ground. He shouts at her that it was a stupid thing to do, to marry a man because she felt sorry for him. "Were all your mates in on the joke?" he asks her. He yells at her to go, to get out of his face, and she walks away.

Jason is at home, alone when there's a knock on the door. It's Tyrone and Kirk, come to drag him out for a drink.

Liz is in the back room of the pub, talking things over with Steve. She says that now she just wants to put her arms around him and make things right, but it's over. Steve goes outside to find Vernon. "You're wasting your time," says Vernon. Steve tells him Liz is crying her eyes out inside. "She's missed out on a good holiday," says Vernon, bitterly. Steve tells him that Liz is not a coward, she wouldn't have gone through with the wedding just because he might have been upset. Vernon tells him that ok, Liz fancies him and he makes her laugh, but when it comes down to the real thing, she thinks he's a joke. "You both do," he says. Steve admits that he used to, after all his mum is a great looking woman, she runs her own pub, what chancer wouldn't want a slice of that." Vernon admits that he was attracted by Liz's looks, the pub was incidental, he LOVED her. "Past tense?" says Liz, suddenly appearing in the doorway. Liz assures him that she didn't marry him out of guilt or pity. She explains that Jim really laid into him, but when he had the chance to get his own back he didn't want to. He didn't call the police because of Liz. "I don't know anybody else who would have done that," she says, "and I love and respect you for it."

In the pub, Jason is sitting with Kirk and Tyrone, telling them that everywhere he goes he hears songs that meant a lot to him and Sarah.

Just then Liz and Vernon come on through. "Where's that useless taxi driver?" says Liz, "we've got a plane to catch!" They all go back outside to say goodbye. They wave goodbye and then Steve turns to Michelle. "Am I glad to see the back of them!" he says. She tells him now he only has to worry about her problems.

Liam and Maria are driving along the motorway when his phone rings. Maria tells him to ignore it, but he answers it. It's Carla, being silly, and she starts laughing and joking with Liam, while Maria sits at his side looking really unhappy, until she switches the phone off. "What did you do that for?" asks Liam. Carla rings back, but then Maria tells him that Ozzie needs a break for 'walkies'. They pull off the motorway and Maria gets out of the car. Liam follows her asking her what's wrong. "You've had a gob on you since we left." Maria asks him why Carla knew that they were going away before she did. Liam insists that she didn't, he wasn't shamed into taking her, he wanted to treat her. Maria tells him that Carla takes every opportunity she can to snigger and sneer and make snidey remarks. Eventually they agree that if he stops talking to her, Maria will stop talking about her. "Deal!" they say. They get back in the car and drive on.

Anne Logan.

It's quite a fine day in what pass for "hills" in this country. Maria's quite impressed with the view, and teases Liam, who is still in bed. He promises her that he's going to get his boots on and prove to her that he's just as energetic as the next person, though. The hotel looks familiar, and I wonder whether the CoroPing tour took us past it, or into the carpark, in 2000?

Back in Weatherfield, Jason's leaving a message on Sarah's phone, telling her to call. He hangs up quickly when he sees Eileen come into the room. They leave the house together just as the phone goes and we hear Sarah start to leave a message.

High above a lake, Maria, Liam and Ozzie (the puppy) look at the scenery (well, Ozzie sort of sniffs it). Maria tells Liam that Carla can keep her Lake Garda. Liam tells her to put a pound in the swear box for just mentioning Carla's name. Hills or lake first, Maria asks. Liam tells her "Hills first, boat ride and ice-creams later."

Meanwhile, back in the Rovers, Ryan is sorting the post ("Holidays, help with debt, more holidays . . .") Michelle takes a letter off him and calls him Nosy. Michelle jokes that it's too late for Christmas cards and they talk about a couple of aunts who died during the year. Ryan thinks it was a rotten year to be in their family and he's glad it's over (we're getting a few too many portents of doom here, methinks). Ryan wants to go to Phil's, where his dad has installed a home cinema. He's surprised when Michelle says he can go, without checking on whether Steve's available to escort him. Of course, Michelle knows now that there's no stranger-danger.

Back in them thar hills, Liam's impressed that Maria's little legs are still carrying her along, even though she's not wearing stilettos. She tells him that her boots have walked hundreds of miles, walking hundreds of dogs. "Whereas you..." she starts. "Look the business!" says Liam confidently. Maria makes her point by removing the price tag still hanging from his jacket. "A hundred and sixty quid?!" She's shocked. "The secret's in the layering," Liam says. He tells her he's done his fair share of trekking up hills and pitching tents. "Were you a boy scout?" she asks. "I were anyone's for a free ride in a mini-bus," says Liam. Maria needs a wee and it's a long way back to the hotel, so they head off up the slope towards a rock she can hide behind.

It's back to Weatherfield again now, as Becky has a cigarette outside Roy's Rolls. The bookie dad (who used to be Jim in Bad Girls), Harry, comes out and starts to flirt, though he says he's not smirting (apparently what those smokers huddled outside in the rain do when they're bonding – a cross between smoking and flirting). Becky tells him the rule is he has to do both or neither. A rather glum Jason arrives and Becky goes inside.

Liam, Maria and dawg are heading up a steep grassy slope, discussing Maria's pregnancy. They discuss the fact that Maria doesn't want to get married yet and Liam teases that it's because she doesn't want to look fat in the pictures. She tells him the wedding should be at a place and time that they choose, not something hurried because a clock is ticking. And she wants their baby to be a part of the celebration, rather than a bump they're trying to disguise at the wedding.

Becky gives Jason a cake on the house. He's very down and Becky gives him some counseling. When she puts her hand on his he leaps up and leaves.

Liam and Maria are quite high up now, away from the smooth pasture and in among the rocks and heather. Liam thinks they should head back, but they have a difference of opinion about which is the right way. Liam promises, Scout's honour, that his way is the right way.

Outside the butcher shop, Ashley and Kirk lean against the window with not much to do. Fizz comes past and she and Kirk chat. They're friends again and she invites him for a coffee.

Liam and Maria wander around calling for Ozzie, who's gone off after some rabbits and is nowhere to be seen. Liam wants to ring the hotel to see whether the dog's arrived back there. Maria doesn't have her phone – it's still on charge back at the hotel. Liam's phone has no signal. Maria challenges Liam over the direction they're going and they have a little spat. It turns out that Liam was never in the scouts, and his only camping experience was sharing a tent with a mate one weekend in Grasmere. "So you've actually got less idea than I have of what we're doing up here!" she says. "Don't go all hormonal on me!" retorts Liam. He tells her that if she used her legs instead of her mouth, they would have been home half an hour ago! Maria starts to get quite distressed about their situation. They came to Lake Windermere, but now they're stuck at the top of a mountain (well, hardly a mountain, Maria!) with no map, no torch and no signal! And no-one to give a toss about whether they get back to the hotel or not.

Kirk sees John in the street and tries to divert Fizz. When that doesn't work, he challenges John, who says he's come to talk to Fizz. Fizz tells him to go away.

Maria is on a slippery slope. Liam helps her up.

Ryan goes to see Steve to ask for a taxi. Ryan asks him whether he thinks he'll see the wierdo again.

John is trying to talk to Fizz on the entry phone for her flat – carefully supervised by Kirk, who is in trouble with Ashley for not going back to work. To Kirk's horror, Fizz agrees to see John and buzzes him in.

In the bookies, Dan is off to do some business. Son is annoyed at being left on his own. He takes it out on Blanche, who has turned up to put two pound each way on a horse – and she's brought the four pounds in coppers!

John is in Fizz's flat. She tells him they can't get back together now that she knows he's ordinary and weak. She says it doesn't matter any more, because it only matters if you care and she doesn't. He tries to persuade her that they can drown in the memories of what happened or create new ones. She rushes past him and slams the door.

Maria and Liam head uphill. Surely that can't be a good thing. They can't find Ozzie.

Steve's back from dropping off Ryan. He tells Michelle she has to tell Ryan something. She will, but she doesn't know what. It won't be the truth.

John's trying to talk to Fizz through a door. She's very cynical. Especially when he tells her he was unfaithful with his body but not with his mind. Fizz tells him he has to go. It's too cruel seeing him there. "You're John, but you're not my John." He asks her to go to the cafe to talk. Blanche has brought sandwiches so she can wait for her race. "You do know that's the council's job?" asks Son. "You know . . . libraries, daycentres, park benches so the likes of you can while away the hours." Blanche demands to know what "the likes of me" are. "The elderly. The unattached. The time rich," he tells her.

Liam and Maria hear Ozzie barking and head off at a run.

Becky is about to shut up the cafe until she sees it's Fizz and John. As Fizz orders two teas, she reassures Becky that they're not back together.

Kirk is in the bookies, telling Dan he needs to make some money quickly. Dan points out the dinky little pens, the list of odds, the forms . . . Kirk goes to get a drink from the hot-drink machine. Blanche stops him and gives him a lecture about not letting the bookies win and not drinking the horrible stuff out of the machine. Roy's is half the price, but Kirk tells her Roy's is about to close. Blanche holds out her Thermos and offers him a drink of hot tea for 50p. Son has had enough and orders her out. Dan tells her she's barred and puts her outside the door.

Maria and Liam are still hunting in the dark. They can hear barking and Maria won't get too close to the edge of the cliff. Liam decides he has to climb down to the dog. He loses his grip and falls as Maria's voice echoes around the hills: "Liam am am am . . ."

The End.
Margaret Carr

The Sunday episode is moving to Friday evening so this will be the last Sunday update it seems. Written by Stephen Bennett and directed by Alan Wareing we start a long way away from the Street with Maria shouting for Liam in the near darkness as he has just fallen off the rocks into a small ravine and can be seen lying motionless below. Maria carries on shouting - this time for help. This continues for some time. The dog is with Liam - but she needs to find another way down. We see Liam move his head so he is not dead. She climbs down to him. The odd lighting implies it was shot in broad daylight even though it is supposed to be early evening. She cannot get down so shouts down that she is going to go and find someone and tells him to hang on - but she will be back - he is not to leave her - not now - she loves him. Slowly shouting her head off she descends the hillside. Now it really is dark and she comes across a stream which she tries to cross, slips and then drags herself out. A car passes on the road and she is just too late to get onto the road before it disappears into the darkness. Liam is lying unmoving and the dog places his head on Liam's chest.

At Roy's Rolls John is telling Fiz he cannot believe how silly he has been - it was like he was in a trance - and he has made a fool of himself. They kiss and he then exits to the toilet. Becky asks Fiz if she is going mental. Chesney phones Fiz. They agree to see each other. Becky suggests breaking John's neck. John asks Becky about recycling and as she says some rubbish just has to be dumped looking significantly at Fiz. John sits down and Rosie comes in, apologises and departs. John asks if they can go somewhere else - Fiz responds so if we cannot see her she does not exist? Fiz says no picks up her belongings and trues to go. John begs her not to go - but Fiz departs. Becky stops John from leaving by asking for the brews to be paid for.

In the back room of the Rovers Michelle finds Ryan playing with his playstation. She tells him the police have caught the stalker and that he will not be bothered in future. Ryan no longer needs a bodyguard everywhere. Michelle tells him to be happy it is over.

In the Rovers bar the bookies arrive and Blanche is threatening to sue - she has been oppressed - banned from the bookies for having a thermos flask and being generally obnoxious (this is Blanche so that it was one of her lesser crimes I would have thought). The father bookie apologises by buying a drink.

Becky arrives in the Rovers and Jason offers to buy a drink to put things right for having a go and his apology is accepted. Blanche notices that Becky is not wasting any time!!

Steve returns with Amy to the back room of the Rovers and Ryan updates Steve on the stalker being caught - which he had not previously heard! Ryan asks if there will be an identity parade - Michelle tells him it is a sick person and not to get excited. Shepherd's pie and green beans for dinner. Steve gives her look over Ryan's head as she goes into the kitchen.

Maria is stumbling along the road in the dark and sees some lights - so starts running. Eventually she arrives at the Ramsbeck Hotel and runs inside where the manager tells him about the accident. He asks for a tea, a doctor and mountain rescue. The manager asks where the accident was - they had been walking for two hours. She cannot remember. An assistant takes her to warm by the fire. She sobs. The manager brings the tea and she continues to cry for Liam.

Jason returns home - there is an answering machine message from Sarah - she is sorry everything has gone wrong and asks him to go to Milan so they can talk through everything - if only he would stop being so stubborn (Jason - me stubborn!, obviously thinking about pot and kettles etc). She tells him that he should be with her and Beth and to sort himself out. She tells him to ring her again.

Michelle is serving in the bar and Steve asks if everything will be easier than before as a result of the story she has told Ryan. She had to say something - but Steve reckons the hole she has dug is even bigger than the one they were in before. Michelle claims she has only done it to protect Ryan.

Fiz is watching television and tells the person on the other end of the intercom to go away - but it is not John - it is Chesney and Schmeichel. He had seen John and he waited for him to go. They are going to the chippy - would she like some to make her feel better. She hugs him. Fiz re-assures Chesney that she will not get back with John and she gives him some money for the chips.

International Rescue arrive expecting to depart again in two minutes. She tries to describe the route they had taken - 10 minutes on the road, a farm track to a river, then a bridge and then a couple of hours. They went left from the bridge. It has taken about an hour to get back. He asks if there is anything else she remembers whilst despatching the team.

Out in the fells Liam is groaning, the wind is getting up but Liam knows his faithful dog is at his side.

And I will be back with a Friday update!

K Richard W

Maria was dozing in the hotel reception when one of the guys from the Mountain Rescue Team comes in. Maria awakens and asks if he has been found. He said that they are searching a too big an area, and hoped that she could narrow it down by looking at the maps and hopefully she would recognise where they were walking.

Meanwhile back at The Rovers, Steve picks up the phone. It is Maria. She tells him what has happened. Michelle realises something is amiss and Steve explains what Maria has told him.

Maria tells the guy that the maps aren't much help and suggests that she goes out with him. He tells her that she is tired and exhausted and she shouldn't go. Maria insists that she will go alone if necessary. She says it will be better than looking at stupid maps. He said that he will ask one of the female members of the team if she will take her out, and look after her.

Steve tells Ryan what has happened. He is slightly annoyed that nobody bothered to wake him to tell him what had happened. Steve says Maria will call if there is any news. Ryan couldn't understand how anyone can get lost, they should just turn round and go back the way they came. Michelle hugged Ryan and when he asked if he would be found, she assured him that he would.

On the mountain, Maria was obviously confused and when her guide suggested she should go back to the hotel, Maria said she recognised the way they went. The Rescue Team then followed her as she led the way.

Now remember at the Websters the events of Christmas are still having repercussions. Sophie told Rosie not to come anywhere near her at school. She didn't want to be associated with her, let alone her sister. Rosie suggested that Sophie found herself another geeky teacher to have a crush on, and then she would steal him off her. Sophie stormed out.

Now Maria is a bit confused. She doesn't recognise where she is. She thought it may look different because it was later in the day. Her guide tells her to carry on, but tells the others that if they don't find anything within ten minutes, they will return.

Michelle tells Steve that Liam probably showing off and thinks he is an expert mountaineer . Steve says they could be there in an hour and a half. He tells her that they are not being much use sitting there. He would make arrangements for Amy and looking after the pub. He was rewarded with a kiss.

Ten minutes walking along the path and there is no sign of Liam. As they covered most of the area last night It is suggested that they go back. Maria then suddenly says she recognises the ruined house nearby. She asks them to follow her because she now remembers the way.

As Steve and Michelle are about to go, Steve remembers that it is Michelle's DNA test today. She says she can't think about it for the moment. Steve says he will ring Nick to explain. Then Vi arrives and Steve explains what is happening. If she has any problems to ring him. Vi said she would keep everything crossed until she hears from them.

As they reach the top of the hill, Maria calls out she is certain that is where he fell. One of the team holds Maria back while another looks over the edge. He then yells that he has spotted Liam. He calls down to him, but gets no response. They arrange for him to abseil down, and call into Control with the map grid reference so they can get a RAF helicopter to help. (This goes to prove that the Mounties get their Man ! - sorry!!)

Maria is worried that he may not be alive. She is assured that they will treat him first and then the helicopter will take him to hospital.

At the bus stop on the way to school (oh yes there is the other story!), Amber sees Rosie and couldn't resist asking if she did anything interesting over the holidays ! Rosie through gritted teeth said she was glad that they found it funny. Amber wondered what will happen to the teacher now. Rosie said she didn't care. Amber tells her that her friend's dad is a Governor of the school and he said that he has been told to leave and will only be allowed to teach boys from now on.

Back on the mountain, they were preparing to winch him up on a stretcher. Maria was relieved when she heard the dog bark and when one of the rescuers raided that he was alive. Maria thanked them profusely and there were big hugs all round ! The RAF team connected him to the helicopter lines, and yelled to Liam that they were taking him to hospital.

As the helicopter went off into the distance, the team started to clear up and took the dog. Maria was then taken to the hospital.

Now another storyline. Jack and Vera are looking at leaflets about properties in Blackpool. Vera thinks they will just about be able to afford a garage, thanks to Jack. Paul said it was his fault, but Vera said that blaming him keeps her going. Molly comes in and goes to pick up one of the leaflets. However Tyrone told her not from that pile as they can't afford those.

Over in the factory, Janice suggested to Fiz that she should come with them to bingo. Fiz said she would rather a bath and get drunk if front of the tv. Janice said it doesn't help stopping in. Sally overhears them talking and says that if they have anything to say about her, they should say it to her face. Fiz said they weren't talking about her, but Sally argued they were talking about her Rosie. She said they should be having a go at John Stape rather than her daughter. Fiz wanted to bring the conversation to an end. Janice retorted that Sally had spent a lot of money on a private education for Rosie and then turns out to be a cheap tart ! Vicky muscles in to separate the warring duo. Carla comes out of the office and demands to know what is going on. When Sally explains, Carla suggests she goes home to calm down, as there is no work being done while she is there.

At the hospital Maria is greeted by a nurse. She explains that Liam has severe hypothermia, broken ribs and a punctured lung (other than that he is ok!). She said they are trying to stabilise him, and she will pass on any more news when she gets it. Maria realising he was in safe hands hugged her friend from the rescue team again and thanked her for the work she has done.

Back at the Duckworths, Jack, Paul and Tyrone are still mulling over the properties. Jack said we would be lucky to afford a doghouse. Tyrone said that would be okay by him glancing over to Paul. Paul suggested putting their heads together to come up with something. Tyrone suggested telling Vera the truth that it was Paul's fault. Jack said there was no point; Vera's been mad at him for the past 50 years, and wondered if it would make her any happier knowing the truth about Paul. Paul then suggested robbing a bank, and Tyrone gave him a blank expression and walked out to do "something useful".

Maria rang Michelle to tell her the latest news. Michelle tells her they are on their way. The nurse then comes out and said there should be some news soon.

Molly ran over to the garage and asked Tyrone to meet her for lunch. Tyrone tells her that he has to go to Blackpool, and when she asked why, he says for a stick of rock !

The nurse came out again to see Maria. She said she would be able to see him soon. She told Maria that he is a tough guy and going to be alright. The nurse goes on to say that he asked for her when he came in, even though he was in a bad state he was asking for "my Carla". With that she left. Maria devastated by what she had just heard and froze on the spot.

Oh no - can it be that Liam doesn't love Maria after all ? What will Maria do ? Stella has more shortly.

Martin Rosen

Poor Maria is waiting outside Liam's hospital room listening to a nurse try to explain that Liam called for Carla because he just wanted her by his side. The nurse tells Maria that he'll have a bed on a ward this afternoon, "But I warn you Carla, he's on some very strong pain killers so he be sleeping for the both of you!" says the nurse. "Yeah," says Maria, "the thing is, I'm Maria..." The nurse rushes off quicker than lightning.

Back at Underworld, Tony Gordon is complaining to Carla about the quality of some knickers she's sold him. Carla thinks it's was probably a pair that Sally stitched together but Tony blames the cheap knicker elastic which means it's Liam's fault because he does the ordering of all the knicker elastic- what a job, eh? Carla mentions that Liam is away but she'll manage without him.

Michelle and Steve arrive at the hospital where they comfort Maria. Michelle snaps at Steve who appears to be obsessed by sandwiches before asking Maria if Liam is awake and whether or not he's said anything. At that Maria bursts into tears and Michelle hugs her.

At the Medical Centre back on the Cobbles, Betty is waiting for an appointment with a doctor and chatting with Gail who is behind the desk trying to find an appointment for a young girl. When Gail tells the young girl that there's no appointments available for that day the young girl points at Betty and asks if she can't "just nip in before this one?" She's got a sore elbow. Gail tells her she needs a cancellation before that'll happen and cancellations sometimes never happen. The young girl sits down and listens for a while as Betty and Gail drone on about some lottery winner or something. Before long she stands up again and tells Gail if she doesn't get to see a doc soon her head will explode. She gives it to Gail straight, writes her number on a card and tells Gail to call her as soon as an appointment comes free. Betty and Gail are stunned by her forthright attitude. Gail questions her handwriting, asking if her number contains a four or a nine but the young girl tells her, "Just phone me, if anything comes up, ok?" and walks off, giving Betty a pat on the shoulder before she leaves.(I don't mind telling you, that was one of my favourite scenes in Coronation St for a long, long time!)

Jack, Vera and Paul are looking through real estate brochures at the Duckies' house. Vera is bemoaning the fact that they've not got enough money to buy somewhere decent. Tyrone walks in with information from every real estate agent in Blackpool with every house in Jack and Vera's price range and a stick of rock for Paul (I want a stick of rock too, now!) Tyrone tells Molly that he's got the rest of the day off so they can go to Freshcos if she likes. Paul tells Tyrone to grab him a bit of "Honey" while he's there which Tyrone understands but Molly doesn't.

Violet answers the phone at the Rovers- it's Nick. She tells Nick that Michelle is not there, her brother was in an accident. She takes a message and tells him she have Michelle call him when she gets home. The young girl from the medical centre comes in. When Violet asks her for ID, she tells Violet that Violet doesn't even know what she wants to order yet. Violet relents and takes her order- a glass of tap water. Lauren looks at the young girl suspiciously.

At Liam's bedside, Steve goes to get some refreshments and Maria takes Michelle outside to tell her about Liam calling for Carla when he was coming round to consciousness. Michelle wonders why he would have done that, "unless he thought he'd died and gone to hell!" Maria tells Michelle she thinks Carla fancies Liam but Michelle tells her that Carla has been the thorn in his side from the day Paul first brought her home. Maria remains unconvinced and is sure that all the sniping and teasing between Carla and Liam is about sex. Michelle reminds Maria she's engaged and having his baby and Maria tells her she doesn't want to be made a fool out of.

Rosie is talking with Kevin at the Webster's dining table. Rosie is complaining about her day at school and tells her dad that they might as well just burn her at the stake. Sally overhears and asks if Rosie was making a reference to Joan of Arc who was executed for "hearsay". Sophie comes in and exclaims that now Rosie is comparing herself to Joan of Arc- she must be deluded. Meanwhile, Rosie is having a go at her mother for being a dilettante- the little witch! Rosie storms off to her room giving Sophie a good shove as she goes past her. Sophie shouts, "You just watch where you're going you home-wrecking teacher-loving tart!" Go Soph!

Carla and Tony come into the Rovers. Violet asks Carla how Liam is and Carla shows her ignorance of the Liam situation. She tries to put on a brave face and calls Liam a stupid idiot but you can tell she's upset. She asks Tony if they should use her car or his to go and see Liam.

Molly and Tyrone come home to the Duckies' where Jack and Vera have been looking through the real estate brochures. Paul tells Tyrone and Molly that they've seen a couple they like. Tyrone offers to take Jack and Vera to have a look at a couple but Paul is already on that. Paul asks Tyrone, "Was she in?" and there follows an exchange about Honey, one of the checkout chicks at Freshco that Molly suspects Tyrone might have the hots for which is followed by a little stroll down memory lane, the names Ivy Tilsley, Bet Lynch are thrown around. Tyrone rushes out, upset. Molly goes to find out what's wrong. The reality of Jack and Vera leaving has just hit him.

At the hospital, Steve tells Michelle that Nick has rung the pub in her absence. Carla calls Michelle who tells Carla that Liam is fine and he'll live and that there's no need to come and see him. Carla says she's happy to stay put if Michelle thinks that's best. She's not really though,

At the medical centre, the young girl looking for an appointment earlier comes in and asks Gail about a cancellation. She's in luck, a cancellation has just come in and she can have an appointment at 10:35 tomorrow. "AM?" she asks. "AM," says Gail, "We shut at night". Gail takes her details, Tina MacIntyre. Tina asks Gail about her handwriting. "Is that a three or an eight?" Gail replies, "Three, otherwise that would read 10:85am." Tina leaves.

At the hospital, Maria and Michelle are by Liam's bedside. Maria knows that Carla is concerned and that she made a remark about her when she was on the phone to Michelle earlier. She argues that she's on the brink of happiness with Liam, a wedding, a baby and they even have a dog. Michelle asks her if she's going to throw all that away because Liam said Carla's name when he was hurt. Maria says she won't but she doesn't know what to think. Michelle tells her that Liam might be a lot of things but he is honest and he loves her. Steve interrupts them and tells them that he's booked another room so Michelle, Steve and Ryan can stay over. Liam comes around as they stand at his bedside.

At the Websters, Kevin is eating dinner, wondering if scampi is prawn or shrimp. Sophie suggests he ask Miss Joan of Arc over there (meaning Rosie of course). Rosie leaves the table in (another) huff as Sally explains it's shrimp.

Molly and Tyrone are walking along the street, Tyrone's arm around Molly. They're wondering about the future. Tyrone reckons if he spends one half of his life under a bonnet and the other half with Molly in the Rovers, he'll be happy- all too sweet.

Out in the Websters' back yard, Sally asks Rosie to come back in and act normally for her dad. She tells Rosie that she's disappointed in her and that her dad doesn't deserve to be in prison with crack addicts and drug dealers. Rosie goes back but on condition that Sally drops the holier-than-thou act and stops being a hypocrite, it embarrasses her.

Steve, Ryan, Michelle and Maria say goodnight to Liam before they go back for a good night's sleep in the hotel. Before they leave, Maria asks Michelle what she should do about Liam. Michelle tells her she needs to talk to him. Maria wonders if it's true and he has feelings for Carla, how can she marry a man who has lied to her, who has lied to himself. Maria wonders of she should just call the whole thing off.

Stella McLoughlin

Hi to one and all, here's the update for Wednesday January 9th.

Steve is walking Ozzie in the grounds of the hotel, while inside in the bedroom, Maria is on the phone to the hospital. She reports to Michelle, who's still in bed, that Liam had a good night. "Lucky Liam!" groans Michelle, and Maria apologises for keeping her awake most of the night. "I bet Carla was tossing and turning all night," mumbles Maria, and Michelle urges her to talk to Liam about it, to find out what he's thinking. "What if he tells me something I don't want to hear?" says Maria.

Meanwhile, back in Manchester, Tony is making Carla a morning cuppa and trying to get her attention, but she seems distracted. He wants to take her away for Easter, but she mutters that she's still sweeping up pine needles. Eventually he gets a ‘maybe' out of her. "Since when does Michelle dictate where you can and can't go?" he asks her, and that does get her attention. She stares at him for a moment and then tells him that she's decided not to go, Liam is out of the woods and she has to run the factory. He tries to persuade her to go to the hospital to see Liam if it would put her mind at rest, but she tells him it's a family affair and she no longer qualifies.

In the Platt residence, Gail is about to leave for work when David wanders downstairs. She tells him he'll have to fend for himself at dinner time, she's going to be working. She then comments that he's wearing a nice shirt, it's 'with-it' (do people still use that expression?) so, being a petulant, moody teenager, he tells her that he's gone off it and he's going to take it back to the shop.

Michelle and Steve meet in the foyer of the hotel. He asks her if she's rung Nick, but she tells him she hasn't. Just then Maria comes up, so he can't say any more about that, but instead suggests that he takes them all up to the hospital and then, leaving Maria and Michelle there to spend the day with Liam, he then takes Ryan and Ozzie home. Michelle suggests he goes to load up the car so he goes outside, leaving Maria to tell Michelle that she can't face Liam yet. Michelle then tells her to stay there, at the hotel, for a while and get some head space, and she will go up to the hospital, Maria can come up when she's ready. She again urges Maria to talk to Liam. "One thing I do know is that Liam is nuts about you," she tells her. "Oh yes," says Maria, "he's that nuts about me so that when he's barely conscious he calls out for his sexy sister-in-law!" Michelle sighs, but doesn't have an answer to that.

In the corner shop, Molly, Dev and Tyrone are talking about Jack and Vera's forthcoming house purchase, and their own future living arrangements. Molly wants to buy but Tyrone reckons they can't afford it and should rent somewhere. Dev tells them that renting is a mugs game, and all his best investments have been in property. Molly tells Tyrone that they should go and talk to the bank, and take their pay slips. Ty tells her that it's not the borrowing that's a problem, but the paying it back until their in their sixties. Molly then suggests that they buy Jack and Vera's house. Tyrone is shocked at first but Molly keeps arguing, pointing out that they are going to be paying at least five hundred a month if they rent somewhere and she'd rather be paying that on a mortgage rather than it going down a big, black hole. "Well, I suppose,…" says Ty eventually, "when you put it like that..."

Liam wakes up and finds Michelle and Ryan at his bedside. He asks where Maria is and is told she's getting some sleep, she's shattered, but will be in later. Michelle tells him that Carla wanted to come and see him. "Unplug me life support?" mutters Liam, trying to smile. Michelle explains that she told her not to come, she thought he had enough visitors. "You should have let her come…." mumbles Liam, and Michelle glances sharply at him. "She could have brought my Ipod," he goes on. He then mumbles that when he came round the first thing he saw was Maria, all six of her! "Oh God, she's..." he mutters, but never finishes the sentence.

Back at the hotel, Maria is about to put Ozzie in the car when the lady from the mountain rescue comes over to talk to her and tells her she's glad to hear that Liam is going to be okay. "Not quite the weekend break you had in mind," she says, adding that now they know Liam is going to be all right she's sure they're more loved-up than ever. She wanders off, and Maria pulls out her phone.

Back in Coronation Street, the dark-haired girl is back in the doctor's surgery, waiting for her appointment. She's been to fetch a cup of coffee, only to be told by Gail on her return that she's now missed her turn. "Doctors are very busy people," says Gail, primly and through pursed lips, and who actually seems quite pleased, "while you were buying your coffee I had to let someone else in." The girl asks for another appointment, but the earliest Gail can give her is Monday at 3pm. "I'll have gangrene in it by then!" she protests, so Gail finds an earlier one. "2.30 any better?" she asks. "Today?" asks the girl. "Monday," says Gail. "Enjoying yourself, you power-crazed midget?" asks the girl, very perceptively! She storms out, carrying her coffee and bumps smack into David who's walking past, showering him, and his new shirt, with coffee. They shout at each other for a moment or two, her moaning about the cost of the coffee he just caused her to lose, and him telling her to call the burns unit. Then they calm down and look at each other. "If you don't pull through, who should I say croaked it?" she asks him. "Dave," he replies, and they decide to go off together and get more coffee.

Sally goes to the garage to look for Kevin, but he's out on a job. She asks Tyrone how he's seemed at work, and he admits that Kev has been turning work down. He's confident though, that Kevin won't be locked up, he's normally a very law-abiding bloke. Sally leaves, looking worried.

David is in the café with Tina, drinking coffee. He asks if she's always angry, and she informs him that she's in a lot of pain, and shows him a very red, sore elbow. She then moans about the ‘midget receptionist' at the Health Centre won't let her see the doctor because she was a zillionth of a second late for her appointment. She needs a sick note for work she tells him, she works at the Pound Shop.

Over at the hospital, Liam asks Michelle how the DNA test went, but she confesses that she didn't take it. Steve tells him that she has her head stuck in the sand. Michelle tells him that's not fair, and Nick will just have to wait until after Ryan's 16th birthday. She's also worried about what the news might do to Ryan, he's already lost enough. Steve says he's worried about what it's doing to her and she needs to know the truth. Ryan walks into the room at that moment, and lends Liam his MP3 player.

David walks his new girlfriend to the bus stop, and tries his best to look cool. "I don't do waving," he tells her as the bus pulls up. "Oh, I'm devastated!" she says sarcastically as she climbs the steps. He says he might give her a call tomorrow and thanks her for spilling boiling hot coffee over him. "Oh move on!" she says as the bus pulls away, and leaves him smiling on the pavement. Has David found a girlfriend at last? Just then Gail walks across the road on her way home from work. "What happened to your shirt?" she asks, seeing the large brown stain all down the front. He tells her a ‘mentalist' attacked him. "What?" she says. "Chill out, Mum," he says, grinning, "I'm not that bovvered!"

Maria arrives to see Liam. "Hi beautiful," he says when he sees her. She turns to Michelle and asks for some time alone. "Oh no, she's going to dump me," jokes Liam. Gently, Maria explains to him that yesterday she thought she'd lost him, and it got her thinking. So she's done something a bit mad – she's booked the venue and the registrar! Liam looks rather shocked and she hastily says that he can say no if he doesn't want to. He looks away, obviously thinking hard.

In the Rovers, Tony tells Carla that she's worried about her worrying about Liam. She tells him that he's the one who should go and see Liam, he's obsessed. She won't go because she doesn't do grapes and disinfectant, they depress her.

Sally and Kevin are sitting at a table discussing their situation. She curses the day they let John Stape into their home, but Kevin admits that no one forced him to beat seven bells out of him. Sally asks what dad wouldn't do what he did, and he says he would do the same again.

Back at the hospital Liam tells Maria he can't see what the rush is, she was the one who had wanted to wait. "But that was before," she says, "I want to be your wife." He says he doesn't want to be wheeled down the aisle, he doesn't fancy a stag do in a wheelchair, the whole thing would be one big rush. She gets a little bit tearful then. "Okay," she says, "it was a bad idea, forget it." He softens then, and says, "And miss you waddling towards me looking drop dead...?" "Is that a yes?" asks Maria and he smiles at her. "What do you think, you mad woman!" and kisses her.

Michelle and Steve are sitting in the waiting area. She admits to him that he's right, she is burying her head in the sand, and will phone Nick when they get back. "There's no time like the present," he tells her, but she says she just wants to forget about it for today.

Just then, Maria comes out to join them, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "What did he say?" asks Michelle, thinking they've been talking about his delirious calling for Carla. Maria tells them he said "Yes!" They've set the date for 11th February! Michelle frowns and says she thinks she and Maria need another girly chat, and tells Steve to make himself scarce. When they're alone she asks if Maria talked to Liam about Carla. "Who cares about Carla?" asks Maria. "You do!" says Michelle, "what happened to peace of mind?" Maria is adamant that everything will be fine, she was just tired and stressed out. "If there are any cracks in your relationship, you can't just paper over them with confetti," says Michelle. Maria tells her she loves Liam and he loves her, and she's having his baby, not Carla. "Wish me luck!" she says. "You know I do," says Michelle, and hugs her.

Anne Logan.

You know, it wasn't my update to write about, but I just thought I'd mention that the scenes with Maria trying to find help for Liam changed my mind about the actress's ability. She might look most of the time as if she's only got one real expression, but she outdid herself out on the hilltops.

Anyway, it's Friday, and the programming has changed here in the UK. Now there are two episodes on a Friday and none on a Sunday. So here we go with episode one:

Liam's still in the hospital and Michelle thinks Maria should talk to Liam about him saying Carla's name. Maria doesn't want to ask him because, she says, no-one has ever really loved her before and she doesn't want Liam to be like all the rest. Ah, the old "If I don't know the truth I can pretend everything's all right" theory of relationships! Michelle tells Maria to go and get a breath of fresh air. Maria is out in the corridor when her mobile rings. We can see it's Carla, and Maria just ignores the call. In his room, Liam talks to Michelle about marrying young. He thought he'd be the man about town for a while yet. Michelle tactfully wonders whether he should take a step back and not rush into anything, but Liam tells her: "I love the bones of Maria."

Back in Weatherfield, we can see the belly of someone inverted... it's David, doing a handstand against the wall. Gail is close to laughing as she asks what he's doing. A very cheerful David gets himself the right way up and tells her he's read that if you do a handstand for a length of time, all the blood rushes to your head and increases your brain power for the rest of the day. Gail asks what he wants for tea and David says he fancies a big blow-out spag boll. He's as cheery as anything and tells his mum it's his day off. I think she should search his room for drugs, but Gail goes off to work quite cheerfully.

Over at the Websters', Sophie has a good-luck charm for Kevin to take to court with him. Well, sort of. It's her "Make Poverty History" wristband, but she's kissed it ten times. Ohhhhhhhh.....

Back at the Platts', David's drug has arrived. Yes, it's Tina. She's brought vodka and a copy of Animal Farm. He'll be needing that extra brain power then. She plans on discussing the dangers of being naive working class.

Meanwhile, Rosie Webster, looking and acting a bit manic, is in the butcher's shop. This is no place for a vegetarian girl, especially one who should be at her dad's sentencing, and Kirk tells her so. She asks for a joint of beef, enough to feed three people. She obviously plans on Kevin coming home and wants to make a celebration dinner. But Kirk's disapproval gets to her and she tells him: "Stuff your joint somewhere painful. I'll make a nut roast!"

Rosie might not be there, but Ashley's at the court to support Kevin.

Back at the hospital, Liam says he might be being discharged later that day. Maria's about to confront him with what he reportedly said while he was unconscious but her phone goes again. No, nobody from the hospital comes and drags her outside, telling her not to use it there. She tells Liam it's Carla and she wants to ignore it, but he thinks she should answer. She goes out into the corridor. Carla wonders how Liam is. Maria tells her he's unlikely to be discharged for a couple of days yet. She tells Carla she'll have to hang up because she's not supposed to have her phone on in the hospital, and ends the call.

In the factory office, Carla looks at her phone in a puzzled sort of way and Tony sees this as he arrives. He invites her out to lunch but he clearly knows what's on her mind.

Meanwhile, in court, the judge tells Kevin he's committed a very serious offence. The sentence is 28 days in jail. Though he says Kevin will serve half of that time, unless released under supervision. Poor Sophie is distraught. She sobs her heart out as Kevin is taken away.

Back on the street, Maria, Liam, Steve and Michelle have arrived back. Liam plans to go and get some sleep. I thought he had broken ribs, but he's managing all right on elbow crutches, despite the strain they'd put on his chest. Maria tells him she might hit the shops. "After all, we've got a wedding to plan."

Over lunch, Carla updates Tony on Liam. She says if he's going to be in the hospital for another couple of days, she might pop up and see him at the weekend. She shakes off Tony's offer of company (well, he actually said he'd like a dirty weekend in the country!) and tells him she'll be up there and back in a day. Tony looks at her and says he knows why she's so worried about Liam. Carla looks a bit startled. Tony tells her that Liam getting injured probably brought back Paul's death.

Out behind the Rovers, Steve is accosted by Nick, who wants to know whether Michelle's changed her mind about the DNA test. Steve explains about Liam and how Michelle had to rush away. They're talking when Steve becomes aware there's someone else in the ginnel. He looks up and there's Ryan, who sees Nick and Steve talking, turns and runs. Steve gives chase, making an excuse to Nick. But when he gets to the street, there's no sign of Ryan.

Janice and Sean are strolling down the street when Janice spots a taxi arrive back from court with Sally and Sophie and no Kevin. "Oh, my god, this is just too good to miss!" Janice tells Sean. She races across to ask Sally, in a very sympathetic voice, how they got on. Sally tells her about the jail sentence. Janice says "Oh, I'm so sorry," in such a sneering way that Sophie lunges for her. Janice and Sally trade a few more insults before Sally and Sophie go inside.

Rosie is there, calling in a fake-cheery voice that lunch will be just a couple of minutes. She turns to find just Sally and Sophie there. She asks if Kev's gone for a pint before lunch. She's got him a steak from Freshco's. She witters on, not willing to recognise what's happened, until Sally picks up the cutlery and plate from the place set for Kevin and takes it to the kitchen.

Over at the Platts', Tina drinks vodka and tries to explain the sociological theory behind Animal Farm. She stops and says: "Kiss me, David. Show me who's boss." "Fair enough," says David, in a strangled sort of voice. He kisses her. "Are you a virgin?" she asks. He manages to admit that he might be saving himself for the right girl. "Or maybe no-one would have you," Tina suggests. David's face drops. "I will," she says. She takes him by the hand and leads him upstairs.

In town, Maria heads into a bridal gown shop, asking the rather gushy woman inside whether she has anything with a high waist.

Also in town (can you see where we're going?), Tony and Carla are about finished their lunch when he gets a call to say there's been a muck-up with his diary and he's got an appointment to get to. He pays the bill and tells Carla to buy herself something nice with the change.

Steve has been hunting for Ryan, but finally has to break it to Michelle that he's missing and why. He's checked with the school and Ryan didn't go back after lunch.

Carla, meanwhile, leaves the restaurant and phones Maria to check on Liam. Maria, wearing a strapless wedding gown, tells her that Liam's no different. "You know I'm not supposed to be using my phone in the hospital . . ." Her voice trails off as she looks out the window to see... yes, Carla! "Funny looking hospital," says Carla, a smirk on her face. She ends the call and heads into the shop. "I think someone's got some explaining to do!" she tells Maria, in front of the startled shop woman.

More in half an hour... [theoretically]

Margaret Carr

And back to the first second episode on a Friday and it is a bit of a case of spotting the edit - most of this looks like it was made for Sunday and was then re-worked when the air date was moved to Friday.

We commence in the bridal shop where Carla wants to know why Maria is not in hospital and calls the latter a bare faced liar. Maria wants to know what it has got to do with her. Anyway Maria informs mega bitch that the wedding has brought forward and she has not been told because she is not part of Maria's family! Maria rapidly points out that she used to be part of Liam's family but no longer! Carla slaps the slapper (sorry Maria) across the face. Maria repeats that it is nothing to do with Carla. Carla points out that Liam is her business partner which she is running single handed. Carla accuses her of catching Liam when his defences are down. Maria says they were getting married anyway and Carla calls her a gold digging bitch, turns on her heel and marches out of the shop chased by Maria (who is still wearing the wedding dress remember). Outside Maria yells at Carla to stay away. And as an afterthought to stay away from Liam as well. Carla turns back with an evil look and says defiantly "Make me".

Elsewhere Steve and Michelle are walking through a park looking for Ryan. She rings the boy's mobile and leaves a message on the answering machine. She wants him to call her back.

Sophie is trying to write a letter to Kev (and I hope he is enjoying some decent sun on his holiday). She asks Sal if he will have a toilet in his cell. Will his mobile work? Sal does not know the answer and shouts back that all she knows about is Bad Girls and Prisoner (not The Prisoner, no - you know Prisoner Cell Block H). Sal regrets shouting when Sophie breaks down crying and comforts her. The front door bell goes and Rosie opens it to Rita who comes in (on the excuse of delivering some change) and seeks some calm and a a cup of tea. Later Sal tells Rita she hopes Kev can cope. He is a simple man and never gets into trouble, takes pleasure from his family. Rita asks after Rosie but there is not a sign of remorse and Sal is disgusted by her. Rita hopes with recognised that things can improve.

At the Duck Eggs Jack is on the phone to a firm of sharks, sorry estate agents, and with Vera's consent makes an offer on 42 Pemberton Gardens Blackpool and he is offering ten thousand below the asking price! Anyway the shark on the other end will have to wait for the seller to get home before they can pass the offer onwards and will call back later. And later Vera is holding the phone just wanting it to ring and to put her out of her misery. And she wants to give the new house a name.

Maria arrives home and tells Liam that her visit to town had been uneventful as she heads into the kitchen.

Apparently Carla has bought a casserole dish with the change from the bill. He notes that she appears dressed up to the nines even though she professes she merely wants a quiet night in front of the TV and a big bottle of champagne. Apparently she an errand to run first and he is to order a takeaway later. He rather hopes the contents of the casserole are for them, but apparently not.

Steve and Michelle find Ryan in Roy's Rolls with Paul, his disabled friend in a wheelchair. Ryan is telling Roy off for not having a disabled toilet and a ramp outside. Ryan is just angry even though Paul does not need the toilet! However there are reason which Roy tries to explain. Michelle orders Ryan home and NOW which contrary to her own statement she says twice.

Maria opens the front door to find the wildly over dressed Carla standing there holding the casserole dish. Maria tells her that Liam is resting but he blows the lie by shouting out and asking who is there. Carla almost pushes her way past Maria and stands in front of poorly Liam. She has made Liam's favourite stew - bacon, sausage and cheeky cheese they cry in unison! A notch up on the stir fry that Maria was preparing apparently. Carla was taught the recipe by her mother in law and when the boys are ill they have to have it. Carla asks Maria to be a love and ladle some out for Liam.

Across the Street Gail arrives home talking on phobile moan to R'Audrey. Tina saunters downstairs with no skirt or trousers on, says Hiya and notes that she is from the thingy and asks Gail if she wants a cup of tea. Gail stands there and then David wanders down with no shirt on (shameless pair) so Gail looks back and forth and tells Audrey she will phone back later as her brain assesses the situation and asks for milk and no sugar. David claims to be knackered and asks if she has read Animal Farm.

In the back room at the Rovers Michelle tries to explain Steve and Nick being together. She claims it was all a big mistake and the subject was now closed.

Carla is all over Liam as he recounts the mountain rescue and helicopter etc. Carla asks Maria why she does not like her. Carla then recounts Maria's lie about still being in hospital when she was trying on wedding dresses. Maria says she just wanted Liam to rest for a few days and not be bothered by the business. Carla tells Maria that she will not be bullied. Liam says that Maria is not a bully (no but Carla is). Maria adds that she is not a gold digger either. Liam buts in that they need to stop all this nonsense about hating or Maria will start to hate her and Carla has to back off just a bit. Anyway Carla wants to give Liam a kiss before she goes and he is uncomfortable with it. She tells him to get better and that she is always available. She is glad they have cleared the air which Maria sarcastically agrees is "brilliant".

Tyrone and Molly arrive at the Duckies. It appears they have been to the Bank and are trying to tell Jack and Vera something important when the phone goes. Apparently the very low offer has been accepted, providing it is a quick sale. Which is great because in the absence of any offers Ty and Molly have the money to buy the house - for the fulll asking price. And Vera wants a drink to celebrate particularly as with them buying the house Paul will not be out on the Street.

Sally hands Rosie a glass of wine and tells her off for not saying thank you. Even when treated like an adult she does not behave like one. Sally tells Rosie that it has been a battle since the latter hit puberty which would one day end. That her daughter would take her shopping, share coffee, natter and gossip. Sally is sick of the constant battle and that she and Kevin would no longer act as Rosie's safety net. Sally simply says that she can fight no longer and she thinks Kev has thrown his last punch as well.

David is seeing Tina to the bus stop. Apparently he is just so glad he has "done it". She claims that is "middle class" and does her head in. She pulls Animal Farm out of her pocket and gives it to him to read. And points out a love bite on his neck - which he responds by saying that worrying about it is so middle class as well. he asks if he was any good and she merely responds by saying that she likes him being insecure and they kiss!

In the Street Carla and Maria bicker the latter calling the former a slapper. Carla tells her that no-one tells her what to do. Especially not a hairdresser with candy floss brain. Maria tells her that she will never steal Liam away from her. Maria tells Carla flatly that Liam hates her and is surprised she cannot see it. Carla is not so sure - after all why is she rushing the wedding? Maria answers that it is mainly to see Carla squirm. Carla stares back and tells her to buckle up tight, she is in for a bumpy ride, then turns and departs.

See you next week.

K Richard W

This episode of the Street is Written by David Lane
Directed by Michael Kerrigan
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Harvey's "Bringing your home to life"
Coronation Street is Copyright ITV productions

Rover's back room; Michelle comes in and kisses Ryan and says happy birthday. Steve asks, if that will be the only kiss he will get today. He then asks if there will be any girls at this party. He says yes. Steve says as in girlfriends. Ryan says just friends then asks if he has any. Steve says none-that he tells Michelle about. Ryan says he has to go. Michelle thanks Steve for the way he is with him. Steve says he is a good kid.

Outside Rosie asks why she can't go. Sophie says he would not want to see her any way, as she is the reason he is in there. Sophie wants to go but Sally says they are both going to school. Ryan asks Rosie if she wants to come to his party but she says no. Sophie tells him to tell her that older guys will be going, as she prefers them. Sophie and her friend say they will come but Ryan says he doesn't think so.

Rover's back room; Steve says Ryan will be popular having his party in his own pub. Michelle starts to sob and says 16 years ago she was in labour and asks how she could not know. Steve says Alex's mum didn't know. Michelle thinks Nick will not tell her and they can forget about it and go back to normal. Steve says for her to talk to Nick but she does not want to. Steve says they have to tell Ryan. Michelle says after today she will.

Platt's; Gail comes down and says the house smells of egg and opens the door. David says he is having eggie bread. Gail says she didn't think he would cook that. She then see a book and David says he is reading it as Tina gave it to him. She says she didn't think Tina was a reader. David says she didn't have him down as a cook. Gail says looks can be deceiving.

Liam's place; Maria says, there is a good thing about him being off, he can do a guest list. Liam says he might go to the factory. Maria says he has to let Carla pull her weight. Liam says she and Carla are alike. Maria tells him to go a guest list and whatever else he can manage.

Duckworth's; Jack and Vera are sorting out what they are going to take. Paul comes in. Vera asks Jack to make tea but Paul says he will do it. Vera says they have accepted their offer for Blackpool. Paul says he didn't know they had any offers for this house. Jack says they didn't. Vera then says Tyron and Molly. She says it means he can stay with them and she does not have to worry about anyone wrecking the work she had done on this house.

Salon; Violet says she thought she was waiting till after the wedding. Maria asks if she is coming and says she will be sitting on her side, as Liam will have lots of people from Ireland. Maria says she needs invitations. Audrey says she thought she would have been more organised with helping Sarah with her wedding. Violet says Carla will be left alone when they go on a honeymoon. Maria snaps a little and says she will have to get used to it as it's about her and Liam.

Garage; Jamie says it's costing him money being off the road. Tyron says with Kevin then stops and tells him to come back after lunch. Molly comes along and says she hopes he is not slacking, as they need every penny. She tells Jamie they have bought number 9, then hands Tyron a made lunch saying they need to save. Jamie saying since he is not going anywhere for lunch he can work on the car.

Rovers; the phone is ringing. Lauren who just comes in says she will get it and runs through. She says Rovers then asks who's called. She tells them to hold on and then goes through the back room and tells Michelle that Nick is on the phone. Michelle says she is not in. Lauren goes backs and tells him she's not in., Michelle and Steve come through and Lauren says whoever Nick is, he is not happy and hopes she is not avoiding him and to call ASAP.

Platt's; Gail comes in. David asks if she is on a break. Gail says she knocked off early and asks if he has seen any more of Tina. He says yes. She asks if they are going out. He says yes. She asks if Tina has been round since she was out. David says no and says he will send her regards.

Corner shop; Dev tells Molly buying a house is expensive, it's like being pregnant. Violet says she does not need comparing to a house even though she will be the size of one. Dev says houses and children are expensive. Molly asks how it's going. Violet says she is just trying to think of a name. Dev says the last name is important. Jamie asks Violet if they are getting married. She asks if that is a proposal. She says the last name will be Wilson. Violet says she was thinking Jude. Molly says people will think its after Jude Law. Violet says there is a problem with every name. Dev says they could call him after his father. Violet says or not.

Outside Violet says she wants something unique. Lauren comes behind asking if they are having a domestic. She says they are talking about baby names. Liam comes out the house. Jamie asks if he needs a hand. Liam says only if any cars come, as he can't run. Audrey asks Sally how Kevin is doing. She says he is ok. Just then her phone goes and says she it was the school and there is a problem with the girls.

Factory; Kelly tells Janice she can't pull a sickie over a broken fingernail if the boss has come in like this. They ask what he is doing here. Liam says when he was on the bottom of the mountain all he could think about was seeing them again. They laugh and Janice asks what he said to Maria before she pushed him. Carla comes and says he wasn't pushed, he jumped as he thought about what he was getting into marring Maria. She then tells him to come into the office to read his writing as it's like a 3 year old's. Vikkie tells Liam she bets he wished he stayed at home.

Outside Rosie and Sophie walk along the street with their hair a mess. Dev asks why they are home so soon then asks who did that to them. Sophie looking at Rosie says she did. Rosie says she is lucky the teacher pulled her off her. Sophie is about to go for her but Sally stops her and tells them both to get inside. She then tells Dev that the girls have been sent home for fighting.

Rovers; Steve says one of them should have called Nick. Michelle says today is hard enough to get through with out involving him. Steve says, if she would call him he probably would not think she is avoiding him and not going to go through with the DNA test. Michelle says she is fed up with him calling the shots. She says he was stalking Ryan then demanding this and that. Michelle says if Alex is her son she is not going round and stalking him and upsetting their family. Michelle says she wants to know all about him but at the same time she feels she is being unfaithful to Ryan.

Liam's place; Maria comes in and calls for him. She walks further in and calls him again. She goes over to the note pad and sees he has only doodled on the pad. Maria huffs.

Outside Lauren sees Sean and she asks him if he has thought about baby names. He says he would like Sean to be in there somewhere but does like Brad. Lauren asks if he has told her sister any of this. He says no as it's a bit early. Lauren tells him to think again. Liam is struggling down the steps of Underworld. Carla helps him. Maria comes out of the house and sees and starts to walk over. Tony arrives in his car. Maria asks Liam what he is doing. Liam says making sure Carla is not running the place down to the ground. Maria then says she will take it from here. Tony says he comes over to see her and she has her hands around another man. Carla says she is just a regular Florence Nightingale. He asks if she wants a drink but Carla says she has a lot of work and tells him to come into the factory.

Outside Ryan's friend asks if there will be drink. He tells him to ask Steve and not his mum. His friend says alright and he will see him later. Ryan closes the door of his friend's car and walks. Just then he sees Nick. Ryan says if he comes any closer he will call the police. Ryan then asks him what he is doing and says the police was supposed to have warned him away. Nick asks if that's what his mum said. Ryan asks why he knows so much about him. Nick says the same way he knows it's his birthday today then tells him to ask his mum. Ryan shouts saying he is asking him. Nick tells him he is his father.

What will Ryan do now? Will Ryan believe him? Find out next

Episode rating 6/10

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

We rejoin Ryan and Nick out on the street in the dark. Ryan doesn't believe Nick, he tells Nick his dad's dead. Nick asks Ryan to let him explain. He tries to tell Ryan that there was a mix-up at the hospital on the day Ryan and Alex were born. Nick doesn't believe him, even though Nick tells him he has proof. He gives Ryan his address in case Ryan wants to know more, he urges Ryan to take it. Ryan takes the bit of paper before he leaves.

At Liam & Maria's, Maria tells Liam she thinks he only went to work for all the female attention he would get from the factory girls. Liam pooh-poohs that idea. Maria mentions that Carla was all over him again. (Is it just me or is Maria starting to sound like a broken record?) Anyway, Liam pooh-poohs Maria's theory about Carla nursing him as well telling Maria that Carla would give Nurse Ratchett a run for her money. Maria nags Liam about not having done his guest list for the wedding which she seems to think is not going to go ahead if Liam doesn't pull his finger out.

At Underworld, Tony Gordon is nagging Carla about Liam, becoming impatient waiting for her while she finishes up work for the day. He blames Carla for helping Liam across the road for her not having her work done on time for them to go out for a drink together. He tells Carla that if she likes needy men then he can grab a pair of crutches and be just like Liam. He leaves and tells Carla he's going over the road for a drink but warns Carla not to leave it too long.

Molly meets Tyrone on the street with a packet of past sell-by biscuits for him. She and Tyrone talk about letting Paul stay on in the house to help them pay their bills. Tyrone is not keen but with a little help from nosey Norris who recalls having a lodger with an incessant sniff that drove him up the wall, Tyrone seems to soften to the idea of living with the devil he knows.

In the Rovers, Betty asks Steve if the crisps are OK for Ryan's party. Michelle opens the door to some of Ryan's friends. Steve makes a bit of a fool of himself in front of Ryan's friends before Ryan turns up and tells Michelle what Nick told him. "Totally mental!" says Ryan but he's shocked to see that Michelle doesn't seem to think that Nick is mad at all. He asks his Mum what's going on.

Out in the bar, Jamie ventures forth Leonidis as a name for Violet's baby, explaining he was a king of Sparta. They are interrupted by Sean who tells them that Lauren let the cat out of the bag about them picking a name. Sean tells them he wants to be able to pick the second name for the baby- Engelbert.

Molly and Tyrone sit with Paul in a booth and tell him that he's welcome to stay on with them. "As long," says Tyrone, "as you don't start playing silly beggars," or he'll be out on his ear. Paul is pleased and it seems that that's all sorted then.

In the back of the Rovers, Ryan wants clarification from his mum about what Nick told him. Steve leaves them to it. Michelle tells Ryan that Nick shouldn't have told him and that she was waiting until after his birthday before she told him. She confirms that there is a chance that Nick is telling the truth. She explains about Alex being ill and the tests that Nick and his family took and that Alex can't be their biological son. She goes on to say that Ryan was the only other boy born on that day. She tries to reassure him that it won't change anything but Ryan is upset, his Dad wasn't his dad and his Mum isn't his mum. Ryan leaves and Michelle cries after him, "Ryan, please come back, I am yer Mum!" Michelle is left alone in the living room surrounded by the decorations from Ryan's birthday party.

In the Kabin, Norris is at the foot of a step ladder that Rita is using to dust shelves. He points out that Rita's shoes tell the world that she's tired. Rita asks what his shoes say about him. "Ah, mine say," says Norris, "this is a man ready for anything life cares to throw at him. He is capable, in command. In fact, if I had to sum it up I'd say mine are Derring Do shoes!" Sally comes into the shop to interrupt the Rita and the "Shoe Whisperer". Sally has come in for some chocolate to cheer herself up. Norris grabs her a big box from the back. Norris suggests she buys some cigarettes for Kevin to bargain his way out of compromising situations in prison with. Rita stops him and tells him to go and make Sally a cup of tea.

Ryan is standing outside Nick's house where he sees a party of young boys, one of whom would have to be his bizarro-boy counterpart- Alex. His phone rings; it's Michelle. Ryan rejects the call. In the living at the Rovers, Michelle is heartbroken that Nick won't answer her calls.

Out in the bar, Sean suggests Quentin for his son's name. Violet doesn't know if he's joking or not. Jamie suggests Moon-Unit as an homage to Frank Zappa. While Jamie takes Sean away because he's doing Violet's head in, Violet takes Lauren to task for telling Sean that they're picking names. Lauren quite rightly points out that there would be no baby if it weren't for Sean.

Kayleigh Morton knocks on the Webster's door, asking if Sophie is in. Rosie tells her Sophie's grounded. Sophie comes to the front door and Sophie and Rosie start a fight on the street. Norris, who has come out of the Kabin with Sally and Rita says to Sally, "Some people really know how to lower the tone!" while Rita separates the girls and gives them a good tongue-lashing. She sends Sally's girls inside like a strict headmaster and sends Kayleigh home. Oh dear, the girls are in for a row from Auntie Rita!

In the Rovers bar, Tony Gordon asks Maria about her wedding. Maria tells him to expect an invitation. She asks Tony if he has any plans to make an honest woman of Carla. She tells him he should pop the question, she reckons Carla would say yes! Carla interrupts and after being told what Maria and Tony were talking about tells Maria she must have a terribly dull love life. Maria storms off and Tony tells Carla, "You are such a cow!" Carla says she knows and she also knows that Tony loves her for it! Tony smiles a wry smile.

Ryan goes to peer in Nick's window. He sees Alex come out of the front door. Alex asks Ryan who he is but Ryan just walks away.

Rita is sitting at Sally's dinner table with Sophie and Rosie. She gives them a good telling off, telling Rosie she should be setting an example. Sophie tells Rita that Rosie is a "perfect example of a slapper". Rita tells the girls to put their petty squabbles aside and think about Sally for a while. Sophie is (quite rightly) put out by having to take some of the blame when it's all Rosie's fault they're in this mess in the first place and she goes to her room. Sally orders her back downstairs but Rita tells Sally to let her be. Rosie sucks up to Rita telling her that she is exactly right and that it's not fair for Sally to be stuck in the middle. She asks Rita if it would be OK if she came and stayed at her place for a couple of nights. Rita is having none of it and tells Rosie not to play games with her. She tells Rosie if she's old enough to run around having affairs, then she's old enough to take responsibility for her actions.

Meanwhile, Michelle and Steve are worrying about Ryan. Steve want to call the police just as Ryan walks in. He tells Michelle that he's seen Alex and that he is the double of that picture of Dean that Michelle has. Ryan leaves. Michelle breaks down and Steve hugs her.

At Liam and Maria's, Liam has done his wedding guest list and even seems to be getting enthusiastic about the wedding, Maria confesses that she thought that maybe Liam had been having second thoughts. Liam reassures her that she is the one he loves and she is the one he wants to marry and he gives her a kiss.

In the Rovers bar, Betty and Jack are talking about Jack and Vera's move to Blackpool. Jack seems to be looking forward to it. In the back, Michelle is still worrying about Ryan. Now he's 16 and his life is almost his own. Ryan comes in and Michelle asks Steve to leave them for a minute. She sits Ryan down. Ryan asks what Alex's name is. Errrr... she tells him it's Alex but she tries to tell him that nothing will change between them because she will always think of Ryan as "her baby". She tells Ryan that what makes a mother and son is not test results but the life they've spent together. She says that no matter what anybody else says, Ryan is her son and he always will be. They hug.

Stella McLoughlin

It's breakfast time, and Liam is flicking cards at an upturned cap. Maria observes that he's bored, and he tells her he's thinking of going to work for a couple of hours. Of course, she doesn't like this idea at all and reminds him that the doctor said ‘no work'. Since they got engaged she's become incredibly bossy! He says he might bring it home, he can still use the phone. She tells him he needs his rest, a few days ago he was at death's door. He protests that he's going stir crazy so in the end she relents and says she'll go and fetch some paperwork for him to do, but he's not really happy at this. "I don't get it," says Maria, "what is so special about that factory?" He tells her he misses the buzz, and then there's Carla. When she questions him further about that, he tells her that Carla is ‘flying solo' so somebody has to keep her in check.

Ryan goes into the bar where Michelle is preparing for the day ahead. He's an angry teenager, and shouts at her when she tries to talk to him. "Everything's different now!" he says and tells her he doesn't know who he is anymore, he feels like a completely different person. She tells him he's her son, nothing's ever going to change that. "Then why didn't you tell me about them?" he demands to know, "if you were so certain about everything?" She says she didn't want to see him hurt, none of them did. He then realises that Liam and Carla already knew about it, before he did. "We're in this together you said!" he shouts, "so why am I the last to find out?" She tries to tell him she was scared, but he storms off.

Over at the Duckworths', Vera sees Molly reading a home interiors magazine. Molly tells her about the changes she's thinking of making – stripping the doors and floorboards. Vera's not too happy at the thought of the house being changed, and tells Molly that they're leaving a lot of stuff and so they can keep the house ‘traditional'. Tyrone seems pleased at the thought of this, it's going to save them a lot of money. Molly doesn't seem too happy though.

In the factory, Wiki is writing out invitations to an underwear party. It would seem that she is doing these parties in the evenings to make some extra money. Kelly offers to model some of it for her, but Wiki doesn't seem very keen on this idea.

Maria arrives at the factory and asks Carla for the ‘new claims' file for Liam. Carla wonders why Liam didn't come over to fetch it for himself and Maria reminds her that he's laid up. "So he's got you running his errands for him," says Carla. Maria tells her she offered to fetch the work. "We couldn't have him come to visit the big bad wolf, could we?" smirks Carla. "You look more like Grandma to me," quips Maria. "Touche!" says Carla.

Back at the Rovers, Ryan is shouting at Michelle and saying he wants to go to school, and, despite her protests marches off upstairs to get changed. Michelle goes back into the bar, where Violet asks if everything's all right. She tells Violet that they've just had a bit of a falling out, and Violet comments that he's a credit to her. "Yes," says Michelle, "I'm lucky to have him."

Tyrone and Molly are now in the café, talking about the furniture. Molly wants to make it a proper home, (her own) and Tyrone tells her they will, they've just got to be a bit sensitive at the moment. He tells her the first thing they buy will be a new bed, and she says that the second thing will be to get rid of the stone cladding. "What's wrong with that?" asks Tyrone. Molly tells him he scares her sometimes!

Liam is hobbling over the cobbles on his crutches, when he's spotted by Carla who falls about laughing. He asks her if she's seen Maria, and she tells him she came to the factory and went again an hour ago. Just then Ryan comes along, obviously on his way to school. "I thought I could trust you two!" says Ryan, and he's cross that everyone knew about the situation but him. Carla tries to pacify him but he shrugs off her hand and walks off, telling them to stay away from him.

A woman walks into the Rovers and approaches Michelle. She introduces herself as Wendy, Alex's mum. Michelle gets angry and says she has nothing to say to her, but Wendy tells her that up until last night she had no idea that Nick was searching for Ryan. Nick doesn't know she's there, and she asks if Michelle will give her five minutes to hear what she has to say. Michelle finally agrees and invites her through to the back.

After the break we see the two of them sitting at the table in the back room, holding coffee mugs and chatting. Wendy tells Michelle she remembers her from the hospital. Michelle says she was a kid then, she and Ryan have grown up together. Wendy asks if they're close and Michelle tells her they'd had to be after Dean died. Michelle then get angry and asks why Nick couldn't have left well alone. "I know how you feel," says Wendy. "No you don't!" snaps Michelle, "he terrorised my son!" Wendy says that he destroyed her marriage, and they're both losers in all of this.

Maria arrives home, and Liam asks where she's been, he's been waiting for his paperwork. She tells him she went to Chorlton, she'd heard about a bakery there that does incredible wedding cakes. She's just telling Liam all about it when Carla comes out from the kitchen with a mug of tea in each hand. "Sounds dead classy that," she say, dryly, and tells her the kettle's just boiled if she fancies a brew. Maria, looking stunned, asks if she's missing something. They tell her it's a problem with Ryan, but won't tell her any more, it's ‘family business'. "Since I'm here," says Carla to Liam, "we might as well get started together." Liam looks awkwardly at Maria, "An hour's work, tops," he mutters.

Back at the Rovers, Michelle and Wendy are still chatting about their sons as they grew up. Wendy says that Nick and Alex never really bonded, not properly. The older Alex got, the worse it became. Nick couldn't understand it but now thinks he has something to blame. "Oh, he thinks it'll be different with Ryan then?" asks Michelle. Wendy says it doesn't matter, this ends here. "So you don't want Alex to know then?" asks Michelle, and Wendy says she doesn't. She promises to talk to Nick and says they'll both stay away. She says they can't turn back the clock. "You won't try to contact Alex then?" she asks, and Michelle says she won't. As she's leaving, Michelle asks how she copes with knowing the truth. "Do you love Ryan?" she asks. Michelle says she does. "That's the only truth that matters," says Wendy, and leaves.

Over at the Duckworths, Vera is looking at Molly's ‘Homes' magazine and thinks that it's full of ‘funny ideas'. Jack says she can turn it into a Buddhist temple for all he cares. "Well I care, Jack!" says Vera. Jack is carrying a cardboard box full of bric-a-brac and asks what she's doing with it. She tells him she was going to send it to the jumble sale. He pulls out a Newton and Ridley ashtray and asks what that is doing in there. He says it's a collectable, Newton and Ridley only had 500 of them made. Vera gets serious for a moment and asks him whether they're doing the right thing. He assures her that they are, times are changing. "Not everything changes," she smiles, "I'll always be your collectable!"

Carla is in the back room of the Rovers with Michelle, who's fretting about Ryan. He should be home by now. Carla says he might just need some space. Michelle says she wishes she knew what was going on in his head. Carla is very sweet and tells Michelle that she's not on her own and if there's anything she can do…. She offers the use of her flat if Michelle wants to get away for a bit with Ryan. She asks if Michelle would like her to stay with her until Ryan gets home, but Michelle tells her she'll be ok.

Out in the bar, the factory girls are looking at Wiki's underwear brochure and Sally comments that some of it is very tasteful. Kelly wants to know how much Wiki makes, and she's told it's 30 percent of everything she sells. She had wanted to hold a party in the pub, but Steve has refused her on the grounds of health and safety. "So where are you going to have it then?" asks Sally. Wiki says she hoped one of them could help. Sally says they can't have it at her house, and Kelly says her flat is too small. In the end Janice offers to have the party at her place.

Steve walks in the door at the back of the pub, to find Michelle distraught because Ryan should have been home from school two hours earlier. She phones his friend Phil only to be told that Ryan didn't turn up at school.

Vera, Jack, Molly, Tyrone and Paul are in the bar. Vera says that she and Jack are going to Blackpool in the morning, to measure up for curtains in the new house, as they'll be off in six weeks! The three young people look rather shocked, and Vera tells them to stop looking like it's a wake, they're only going up the motorway. Paul proposes a toast. "Here's to the next six weeks," he says, "lets make them special!"

Sean comes into the pub and tells Violet he's here to do Lauren's shift, she's gone on a date with Darryl.

Liam has joined Michelle and Steve in the back of the pub, as Michelle keeps trying to phone her son. She blames herself for letting him out of the house and Liam tries to offer words of comfort, but Michelle is in no mood to be comforted. Liam then goes off to call the police as Michelle breaks down and sobs in Steve's arms.

Anne Logan.

Please stand by with several hankies. This is the first update for Friday, January 18. Consider it black-bordered.

We open with a shot from above of Jack, in his camel-hair coat, attending to his pigeons. Liam hops out on crutches for a chat. Jack tells him that if it was up to him, the Duckworths wouldn't be going to Blackpool. "But, it's our Vera's dream, innit." He thinks Vera deserves it for sticking with him all these years. "You could have got long odds on us sticking together." Paul comes out into the Duckworths' yard to tell Jack that Vera's got herself into a bit of a state. The taxi's due in a minute and Jack won't be ready. Jack points out that he's been ready since seven! He tells Liam they're going to Blackpool to do some measuring up.

Steve finds Michelle with her head down in despair on the dining table. She doesn't want any breakfast. Steve believes firmly that Ryan has vanished deliberately to teach Michelle a lesson. He's making her a bacon sandwich whether she wants it or not.

Janice and Roger leave her flat. He asks if he has to stop out all night so a load of her pals can sell knickers to one another. He makes the point that Janice didn't consider asking him because she still thinks of it as "her" flat, rather than "theirs". Janice suggests cancelling but Roger says that's not really the point. The point is that he's the lodger at best.

In the Duckworths' house, a taxi horn can be heard – Jack's giving Tyrone some money to put on a horse for him, and Vera is promising Molly she won't tire herself out too much. Vera's in a state over whether they're ready with her pills and a tape measure and pen and paper . . . Jack assures her they have everything. And no, she doesn't need to go and change her tight shoes – they just won't go walking about. As they leave, Paul tells Tyrone: "Can you imagine what they'll be like the day they actually move out?" Tyrone says Vera hasn't slept, worrying about today's trip. Paul shows Tyrone a picture he's found – Jack and Vera, with Jack looking very much in Vince St Claire mode. He has a plan for the picture but won't tell Tyrone.

In the salon, Maria asks Audrey if she can pop out for ten minutes to check on Liam. David reminds them that he's got the afternoon off and gets quite agitated when Audrey apparently doesn't remember agreeing to this.

Carla has called round to the Rovers and is sitting in the back with Michelle, Steve and Violet. She cross-examines them about the search for Ryan and Steve discreetly suggests that Violet go and start setting up the bar. Michelle tells Carla she phoned Nick and Wendy but they say they haven't seen Ryan. Ryan hobbles in, also to check on any news. He's the third person to tell Michelle that Ryan's just staying away to teach Michelle a lesson.

Paul struts into the garage with an envelope. He's had the picture enlarged. Tyrone is very impressed. "And do you know what's good – they look dead ‘appy," he says.

Maria comes out of Liam's house and sees him coming along the pavement escorted by Carla. She wants to know what he was doing with her. He points out that he called in on Michelle and Carla just happened to be there. She's about to say something but tells him "Never mind." Liam asks whether she's going to ask how Michelle is, but she tells him: "No, ‘cause that's family stuff and I"m not allowed to know any of that!" She heads back to work a bit grumpy, leaving Liam a bit puzzled.

In the factory, Janice asks Wiki if they can change the venue, but she's told it's not possible at this late stage.

Back in the salon, a stranger enters and Audrey politely asks if she'd like to make an appointment. "What? To see him?" asks Tina, pointing at David. David does a very polite introduction all round. Tina, however, is not prone to such bourgeois attitudes. "I don't know how you work in a place like this," she says. "Just the smell'd make me want to puke." Maria tells David now she understands why he was so keen on having the afternoon off. Once David and Tina have gone, Maria comments to Audrey about David having a girlfriend. "Well, I suppose we all start off with someone totally unsuitable," says Audrey, still upset about the smells remark.

In the pub, the factory workers discuss Wiki's knicker party. Their attention is distracted by the police arriving. They have no news but they"ve come to have a chat with Michelle. "Oh, they haven't come to arrest your Kevin again, have they?" asks Janice. Sally doesn't find that very amusing, and nor does Fizz.

In the back, Michelle tells the police that everyone says Ryan is just trying to punish her. "I don't care why he's doing it. I just want to know where he is and that he's all right." She says that even though he's her son, she'd even admit he wasn't just to make sure he's all right."

David and Tina are in the kebab shop. Tina's moaning about her stepfather. All he talks about is cars. David mentions that he used to have a stepdad. "Bet he weren't as bad as mine!" challenges Tina. David says he used to have a car but he drove it into the canal. "It wasn't the first time I'd been in the canal in a car," he says, "which brings me to the subject of my stepfather . . ."

"I knew I shouldn't have worn these shoes," says Vera, limping into the house. Jack offers to take them off for her. They spot the picture, now frames and in pride of place on the sideboard. It's from when they were in the jive competition at the Locarno, apparently. Vera sits down and Jack sits to take off her shoes and they reminisce about Vera's friend. "She used to say ‘you'll never keep him, you know. He's too good looking"," says Vera. She tells Jack she loved him then and she still loves him now. "Well go on, then, say you love me," she tells him. "Do you want your slippers or what?" asks Jack. Vera says she's never loved anybody else. "Say you"ve never loved anybody else." Jack answers: "I"veneverlovedanybodyelseshallIgoandgetyourslippers?" "Please," smiles Vera. He leaves the room and a dreamy look comes over Vera's face as she thinks back.

Maria arrives home but it's an empty house.

Liam's over at the factory, talking to Carla about going to a trade fair for two days. He tells Carla to book two single rooms. His phone goes. It's Maria wanting to know where he is. On the factory floor, everyone gets ready to leave. They're all going to the knicker party except for Sal.

Vera's looking over the details for the house. She thinks they'll have to work out where everything's going to go, because they might have to leave some stuff behind. Jack's going for a swift half and refuses Vera's plea to stop in with her. "What are you going to do in Blackpool?" she asks. "You'll have to stop with me then, because I'll be the only one you know." "Don't remind me!" sighs Jack.

Audrey is at Gail's and says Tina's a right little fishwife. Gail says that David's been bright and polite and if Tina's responsible for that, she'll forgive her anything. As they leave the house, David and Tina arrive. Gail's just going to Audrey's for half an hour. Gail lingers, but Audrey drags her away, telling her that whatever they're getting up to in the house, there are a million other places they could get up to it. Gail admits she's right.

Liam and Maria arrive at the pub just before Jack arrives. As he takes a stool at the bar, he's greeted by Violet, Rita, Emily and Liam, telling the ladies that Vera is resting and Liam that Blackpool was a bit cool. This reminds Rita and Emily that the Duckworths will be going soon. "A few weeks yet," Jack says. Rita and Emily say they couldn't uproot themselves and start again. "Well, if I were on my own, I wouldn't do it," admits Jack, "but it's what our Vera wants." Nearby, Roger arrives and apologises to Janice. She apologises back and Roger says he'll stop well away from the party. In a booth, Liam assures Maria that he only talks to Carla about business. She asks about in the pub this morning. "That was family business," he says. Maria doesn't really think Carla is in Liam's family any more, but he reassures her that she's got nothing to worry about.

Carla is sitting at her computer when she gets a confirmation e.mail from the hotel she's booked for their visit to the trade fair. Uh oh, they"ve seen that the names are Mr Connor and Mrs Connor and the room is a double, even though Carla asked for two singles. "Oh well," she says. "It's not my fault, is it? Whatever happens." Tyrone arrives at the pub and tells Jack he's left the betting slip with Vera. Rita, Molly and Emily say the Duckworths will be missed. Tyrone points out they'll be missed in the Rovers. "The profits'll go right down!" Jack refuses another drink and gets up to leave.

Steve goes back to talk to Michelle. She's putting her jacket on to go out and look for Ryan. Steve says he'll go with her.

Outside, Jack swings cheerfully along the street, dancing a little bit as he sings "She's my lady love..." He heads inside, still singing. "Eee, I might have guessed it," he says, seeing Vera asleep. "Sea air does that. Ten minutes on Blackpool prom and out like a light." He tiptoes past her to the oven, to discover there's no tea been started. He asks Vera about it and when there's no reply, goes over to wake her up, shaking her gently. "Wake up. Wake up, sweetheart!" Something is wrong and he puts his hand to her wrist, saying under his breath, "Oh, no." And Jack puts his arms around himself, stepping back from poor Vee and making noises of distress. No words, just noises as he hugs and tries to comfort himself. The tears come, then. "Oh, Vee. Oh, you haven't left me have you?" His words turn to tears.

The End.
More when Friday's second episode comes along.

Margaret Carr

Aye tears were shed in writing this report and if this update blows your computer then it will be due to being impregnated with water before despatch. These sad tidings were written by Lucy Gannon and directed by Tim O'Mara

Jack has found his voice and over the titles tells Vera that he loves her, how he loved her. He moves and sits down beside her, holds her hand and tells her that they were always linked closely. She is alright now - she is with him and he is holding her tight and there is nothing to be afraid of. He then speaks sings beautifully part of the "Only girl in the world and I were the only boy". He then kisses her and we all cry.

Michelle and Steve are at Phil's house and he assures them that Ryan will turn up. They move on to see Nick who offers them a coffee. They want him to contact them before the police. Michelle starts shouting but as he points out that if the DNA test had been taken. She claims it is all his fault. Michelle keeps shouting that Ryan is her son and he is missing. Steve tries to calm her. Nick agrees to call if he hears anything.

Tina and David are kissing and the latter suggests that they move upstairs to the bed in the bedroom. Halfway up the stairs they fall down and start snogging when Gail arrives and asks if she should have knocked before entering. David says not - they have just got to level 10 on his new motocross game and Tina pushes him upstairs.

Jack combs Vera's hair - pretty as a picture he says and then he puts her slippers back on. There you are Cinderella.

In the Rovers Dev asks Molly if she wants time off to help the Duck Eggs move - it will give her and Ty somewhere to visit on their holidays. Vi observes how happy they must be. Dev offers to buy drinks which Molly and Ty can take back to Jack and Vera to celebrate.

The factory girls are looking at the underwear at the party which is being held in Janice's flat. Roger is dragged in to demonstrate some of the underwear. He heads to the shower before departing completely. The girls are having a drink and a laugh.

Ty and Molly walk along the back of the houses and into the yard where Jack is looking at a pigeon - Ty asks if Vera has chucked him out again. The pigeon has perhaps come to say goodbye, Jack observes that Vera always pretended she did not like his birds, due to the mess - but he knows otherwise - she used to sneak out and talk to them and he always pretended he did not know. Ty wants to know what has happened and jack leads them indoors. Vera is getting cold and both Ty and Molly know what has happened. Ty is to get Paul from work so he can say goodbye. Jack just wants to know she went peacefully. Jack does not want to tell anyone just yet - not until the family have said goodbye - the rest of the world can wait. Jack has put his big coat over her - she never liked the cold.

After the break Paul has joined the mourners - it appears it happened quietly in her sleep. The paramedics arrive and the rest of the world starts to intervene. Ty puts the kettle on and even briefly puts his arm on Paul's shoulder.

Rita emerging from the pub is not sure where the ambulance is - Eileen's or Vera's? Dev is with her and Roy emerges from the darkness.

The paramedics discuss events - but there is little they can do - someone will come to take care of Vera. Appears her heart failed and she slipped away. Molly says there are people outside who are asking. Jack loses his temper because he still does not have his tea and then goes outside. Rita asks what has happened. He answers "it's Vera my Vee - heart and such a smashing day." Rita, Roy, Dev, Emily and Bet sympathise and he returns inside. They return to the Rovers for a brandy. Dev and Roy agree to tell their customers.

Liam and Carla discuss the missing Ryan - but agree they still need to go to the Trade Fair next week - she suggests they go for a drink.

Rita, Bet and Emily have a drink in Vera's name and Michelle will bring the drinks over.

The factory girls arrive with Maria who joins Liam and Carla. Maria has been setting up appointments in connection with the wedding for next Friday - but Liam cannot make it as they will be at the Trade Fair. He says they can do it the next week - but Maria is not happy. Fiz spreads the bad news.

A funeral director has come and Vera leaves the Street for the penultimate time and the family are left crying. Paul stands outside a few moments before returning indoors, where Jack is looking at the estate agent details of the house in bungalow. Again someone promises to put the kettle on. Again Ty holds Paul who is crying. Outside at the back Jack is talking to the pigeon and putting it back into its proper home, telling it is beautiful and pretty. I cannot make out his words as he cries - he loved his Vee.

And the credits and tears roll.

So farewell Vera, you have been with the Street since 1974, 33 years - a huge proportion of your life and ours. And you have seen the good times and the bad times. You did not actually live on the Street until 1983, when you arrived with that good for nothing husband! And lest we forget Terry is not Jack's son - but the product of a fling. You added stone cladding and named the house 'the Old Rectory" - neither particularly in keeping with the Street! And we must not forget your link to royalty! Later an inheritance and ownership of the Rovers - but an inability to keep the VAT man happy meant that did not last long. But some of your best bits were giving Tyrone Dobbs a chance and he was more a son to you than Terry had ever been.

Liz Dawn - may you enjoy a long and happy retirement.

K Richard W

This episode of the Street is Written by Mark Waldo
Directed by Tim O"Mara
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Harvey's "Bringing your home to life"
Coronation Street is Copyright ITV productions

Outside Ken comes over to Jack who is taking in his milk. Ken says if there is anything he can do. Jack nods his head and goes inside.

Rover's bedroom; Michelle's mobile beeps. She says she does not want to win a holiday to Cyprus. Steve says he does. Michelle says it's been days since he has been gone and she keeps getting an image of his phone just ringing out. Steve tells her to text an essay saying how she really feels as he once did a 10 thousand word one. She asks if that was to Karen and is told yes.

Duckworths'; Jack is sat with a fry up. Paul says, if he can't manage it, it's ok. Tyrone says he is not going to work. Jack says he is not having him lose a day's pay and he can look after himself. Molly says they are not going to let him and then goes to get the door. She says it's Roy. Jack says to let him in. Roy says he hopes he is not intruding.

Rovers backroom; Michelle says she does not know if this sounds right and reads "Hi Ryan, Am so sorry I hurt you I never wanted to. All I've ever wanted was to protect you and love you. I understand that you're angry and hate me. If you don't want to talk to me that's fine just let me know you're ok so I can call off the police search" Steve says that's good. Michelle says let's hope it does the trick.

Outside Ryan's phone beeps. He is standing next to a tree and reads the text.

Duckworths; Jack says that's nice and puts the card down. Roy says he can't imagine what he is going through and says he had to call Hayley right away. He says unfortunately she won't be able to attend the funeral, but then stops and asks if he had made any arrangements. Jack shakes his head.

Outside Nick tells Alex to get into the car. He says he can walk to school. Nick says, if he finds out he bunked school. Alex says he won't and starts to walk. He looks at the side of him, then walks on. Ryan is standing beside the tree hiding.

Rovers; Michelle asks Steve how Ryan can not reply after what she sent. Steve says he probably is scared. Michelle says she rang the school. Just then Lauren comes in asking if there is any news. Michelle says they are going to talk to his friends at school. Lauren says she ran away once and didn't call her parents for a year. Steve says he is sure that makes Michelle feel better. Lauren says he is an adult not a kid. Michelle says still missing.

Kabin; Rita says they will close the shop for half an hour and pay their respects. Norris asks why they can't go separately. Rita says he does not have to come at all. He says he is sure Jack won't want everyone coming through his house. Norris says he feels uncomfortable around death. Rita tells him not to upset Jack any more than what he already is.

Factory; Sally says she thinks Vikki is exploiting her mates. She says she didn't hold a gun to their heads and force then to buy underwear. Janice says Sally is a killjoy. Kelly asks if she makes any money. Vikki says she made a profit. In the office Liam says he is not going on the trip as he has more important things like Ryan. Carla says she is going.

Duckworths'; Norris says if he is going to put a bit in the paper the cut off is the day before they go to print. Tyrone says they can help with that. Rita asks if he told Terry. He says he has left messages and says he wishes he were here when Vera died but he was in the pub. Paul says they think she went quietly. Jack says no one was here so they don't know. He says he needs to be on his own and goes. Rita says he is taking it bad but will pull through. Tyrone says what if he doesn't and says what if he can't live without her.

Outside Jack is seeing his pigeons. Liam comes out and says he is sorry for his loss. Jack nods. Liam says he knows how he feels and says he still thinks about Paul. Jack says he is not the only one who has lost someone. Liam says he bet it feels like it. Jack nods and Liam goes with Ozzy.

Duckworths'; Tyrone says he is talking to his pigeons. Paul says they are more of a comfort to him than they are. He then says he only got to know his gran and wishes he came sooner. Tyrone says he is here now. Molly says the newspaper is fine but want a date for the funeral. Tyrone thinks he is not ready. Paul says he will talk to him about it later.

Outside Ryan is looking at his phone. Alex comes up behind him and asks what he is doing. Ryan says his dad lives round here then runs for it. Alex chases him and knocks him over and tells him to explain. Ryan who's on the ground says his dad said that he is his dad. Ryan says he just found out then manages to get Alex off him and runs. Alex runs after him.

Salon; Maria says ok then bye and puts down the phone telling Audrey that it was her mum and dad. She says they must be excited. Maria says they are not coming as Audrey asks how long they are coming for and if they will make it a holiday. Audrey then says what and Maria says they're not coming.

Outside the boys are still running. Alex catches Ryan and pushes him against the wall. Ryan says they found out when he was ill. Alex asks how he knows. Ryan who's out of breath says a blood test proved he could not be their kid. Ryan starts to walk into the road. Alex who's also out of breath goes after him. Just then a car comes and has to slam on its brakes.

Corner shop; Molly comes in saying she's gone through packets of biscuits. Dev asks how Jack is. Molly says he just nods and says a few words. He then asks if he is still going to Blackpool. Molly says she does not know and feels lost and does not know what to say. Dev says the biscuits are on the house and gives her two bottles of whisky. Emily comes in and asks her to tell Jack he is in her prayers.

Salon; Maria says they booked a cruise and it's the same week as the wedding and if they cancel they will lose the money. Audrey says it's her mum and dad and she is taking it very calm. Maria says there is nothing they can do and she told them to go. Audrey says she can postpone the wedding and wait till after the baby is born. Maria says she does not want to do that and says she better call Liam and tell him.

Rovers; Dan is asking Lauren her star sign. Mel thinks her police friend is jealous but she says it's ok as it looks as if Lauren is not that interested. Dan says he's said every star sign but is told she does not believe in that. Norris says it was probably her diet that killed her. Norris then says it makes you think of your own diet. Rita says or they can think about the dear friend they have lost.

Duckworths'; Jack rubs his hand up a picture of him and Vera. Paul comes in saying it will be in the paper tomorrow and asks if he had thought about the service. Jack looking at the houses in Blackpool that he and Vera were going to buy and tells Paul there is no rush. Paul says he should phone the undertakers. Jack asks if he wants a pint. Paul says if he is up for it then he will come with him. Jack says good.

Rovers; Maria comes in and Liam says they can postpone the wedding till her mum and dad are there. He says he would marry her tomorrow but Ryan who is best man is still missing so he can't. Maria tells Michelle she is sure he will turn up. As they sit down Liam tells her Michelle might not be his biological mum. Jack comes in and Steve says the drinks are on him. Steve goes through the house as Michelle is on the phone and says Ryan been in an accident. She tells them she will be as soon as possible and then hugs Steve.

Will Ryan be ok? Find out in the next report that will be along soon
Episode rating 5.5/10
This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

Michelle and Steve rush into the hospital reception. Michelle asks the first member of staff she sees where she can find Ryan and is told to check at reception. Before she can though, she hears Ryan call her, "Mum!". Michelle rushes over to him and gives him a big cuddle. Ryan has cuts and bruises on his face but nothing more seems to be wrong with him. Ryan apologises and explains to Michelle and Steve that he went to see Alex. He tells them about the fight and being run over by the car. Michelle pleads with Ryan to never run off again. He promises he'll talk to someone in future if he feels bad. A nurse comes over to take him through to have his cuts and bruises seen to.

At Underworld, Carla is on the phone when Liam comes in and announces the news re Ryan. Carla suggests going over there as soon as the family returns from the hospital. She also suggests making a big fuss of Ryan so he doesn't feel excluded from the family if the tests do turn out to prove him to be Nick's son. She asks Liam if the trip to Birmingham is still on. When Liam confirms that he's still willing to go, she leans over to the computer to confirm the hotel, parking her (admittedly well-formed) bum right in his face. Liam looks slightly uncomfortable.

Nick turns up at the hospital asking about the boys. Michelle tells Nick to stay away from Ryan. She accuses him of having started all the trouble. Nick heads off to see "his son".... Well, won't this get confusing? He heads off to see Alex.

Molly and Tyrone arrive back at the Duckie's with some shopping. Tyrone expresses concern about Jack, remembering how sometimes when one spouse of a couple who have been married for a long time dies, the other follows on quickly behind. "Johnny Cash went straight after 'is wife," he tells Molly. Molly tells Tyrone not to say such things. Lloyd, who has been unpacking their shopping from his taxi sends Jack his regards.

Back at the hospital, Michelle wonders what Ryan was doing at Nick's place. Wendy, Alex's Mum turns up asking where the boys are. Steve gives her the run down and reassures her that they're both ok. Michelle tells Wendy that Ryan told Alex about the hospital mix-up when they were babies. Wendy places the blame for all of the trouble squarely with Nick. She's not happy. A nurse takes Wendy to see Alex. Michelle turns to Steve and tells him as soon as Ryan is sorted, they're getting out of there.

In the factory at Underworld, the girls are getting ready to leave. Kelly lets out a big cry of disappointment as the handle of her 'designer" handbag breaks. Vicki blames it on British workmanship and tells her to tape it up. Kelly corrects her, 'this is made in Taiwan, thank you! This is a designer bag, Vickeh, you don't stick gaffer tape round a designer bag!" Well, sorree!

At the Salon, Audrey asks Liam if he'd like a trim, she thinks he's looking a bit untidy. Liam makes some rubbish excuses and Audrey gets the message. He makes a date with Maria to meet in the Rovers in about half an hour. Audrey thinks that if Maria had offered, he would have taken a trim but Maria says he's very sensitive about his hair. Errr, why would he pay for a trim in a Salon when he can have Maria cut his hair at home for free? Lloyd, who's having his hair trimmed asks Maria what the story is with Ryan, Maria just puts it down to typical teenager japes and chicanery and when the phone rings and she finds out it's for her, something to do with the wedding, manages to cut Lloyd's ear in the dash for the phone. Audrey tells Lloyd that it was his fault for moving.

Back at the hospital, Nick and Wendy come to tell Michelle and Steve what the news on Alex is. Nick blames Ryan for staking out his house and Michelle for not having the DNA test. He thinks Michelle is trying to hide from the truth. Ryan turns up. Michelle introduces Nick and Wendy to him. Nick and Wendy try to make small talk but Ryan turns his back on them and tells Michelle and Steve he doesn't want to see them. Steve sends Ryan out to the car because Nick wants to have a word with Michelle. Michelle tells Nick she'll give him five minutes in the family to talk before she's going.

At the bar in the Rovers, Kelly is paying for her drinks from a Freshco bag. Lauren asks her if her bag is Gucci. Kelly asks Lauren if she wants a fat lip. Jack is at the bar with Paul. Roger comes to give his condolences. Jack is quiet but Paul tells him he's doing well. Jack tells Paul he feels like he's falling apart. Paul reminds Jack that they need to be making funeral arrangements. Jack insists there's no rush.

Hospital again. Nick tells Michelle he didn't want it all to happen this way but now that everyone knows, they all need to decide what happens next. Wendy remarks that now she's seen Ryan, things have changed for her. Nick tells Michelle that he has a right to see his son. Steve reminds him that Ryan has a right not to see Nick if that's what he wants and that they should all be considering the boys' needs before their own. Nick tells him that he thinks about his kid every hour of every day. Michelle decides that she needs to go but Nick pushes her and asks what Ryan wants. Michelle says Ryan wants to go back to normal but that Nick makes it difficult to know. She reminds him how he frightened them all by stalking Ryan the way he did. He tells Michelle that the situation split up his family but Wendy tells him it wasn't just this that split them up. Nick urges Michelle to take the DNA test. Michelle says she'll take the test but she can't make Ryan take it. She says she'll ask him but if he says no then that's it. Between them, they agree to tell the boys everything, to stop keeping secrets and to let them decide if they want to see their biological parents.

Back at the Rovers, Darryl comes looking for Mel or Abbie to buy him a pint but Mel gives him short shrift and he goes to buy his own pint. Jack tells Paul he needs a few minutes on his own and goes out for a walk. Darryl indulges in a spot of flirting with Lauren and scores himself a date for later on that night.

Michelle leaves the hospital and leaves a message for Alex- to get well soon.

Tony Gordon turns up at Underworld where Carla is locking up. He wants to take Carla to dinner but she tells him that she's got to go and see Ryan first and she reminds him that she'll be off to Birmingham for the trade fair thing. He wonders if new business will take her attention away from his order. She tells him his order is her number one priority. He says she probably says that to all her clients. "Ha!" she sniggers, "Yeah, I do!"

Audrey and Maria are having a drink in the Rovers. Audrey tells Maria that she deserves for everything to be falling into place. Maria mentions that the business with Ryan has been playing on Liam's mind but when Audrey asks her about it, she tells Audrey it's family business, she can't really say. Liam, Steve, Ryan and Michelle come into the pub and Lloyd asks Ryan what's up. They make jokes about what the other bloke looks like. Carla comes over and tells Ryan never to do anything like that again. Maria tries to interest Liam in the wedding but he's too preoccupied with Ryan and he heads through to the living room with the family. Tony Gordon asks Maria what she thinks of Carla and Liam heading off to Birmingham for the weekend. Carla makes light of it and says with the wedding to plan, Maria's got no time to be jealous. Maria asks why should she be jealous? "Work," says Tony, "it's the one mistress you can't do anything about!" Oooooh! Maria gives Carla a filthy look.

Through the back, while Steve and Ryan play Playstation (or whatever), Liam asks Michelle if she's ok. Michelle says she's getting there. Liam tells her that he's told Maria about what's going on. Michelle tells him that she's going to do the DNA test and that the boys will decide what happens from then. Liam goes in to take over one of the gaming controllers. Liam tells Ryan that if he ever runs away again, he'll come and hunt him down and also that nothing will change for Ryan and his family, no matter what the test results are. He does a particularly bad impression of Al Pacino in The Godfather.

Tyrone and Molly are sitting with Paul at a table in the bar. Tyrone wants to know why Paul let Jack go. Tyrone thinks that Jack shouldn't be left alone. Paul doesn't quite understand what Tyrone's getting at and just Molly wants them not to argue. They agree that they'll have to start making the funeral arrangements without Jack. Kelly is at a table with Vicki, Janice and Roger. Kelly is complaining that Vicki is raking it in while she's carrying her stuff round in a "placcy bag". Roger and Janice remind Kelly that Vicki works for her extra money. Vicki leaves to go home and as soon as she's out of earshot, Kelly tells Roger and Janice that she could do what Vicki's doing and she just might. Mel and Abbie are watching Darryl hit it off with Lauren and mention that he seems to be getting on well with her. Mel says that Lauren could eat him alive. Abbie wonders if that's what Darryl wants. Yeech!

Michelle and Ryan are taking their DNA tests at the table in the living room. Poor Ryan seems to be in some sort of denial and agrees to take the test to prove that Michelle is his biological mother. He apologises for running off, Michelle apologises for not being honest with him. She tells him that from now on, he's in charge and she'll handle the situation however he wants her to. She sends him off for a shower because he stinks a bit.

Tyrone, Molly and Paul come home to find Jack sitting writing down arrangements for Vera's funeral. He heads off to bed as soon as they arrive home.

Michelle and Steve are in the living room at the Rovers. Michelle thanks Steve for being so good all through the day. Steve shrugs it off and asks what now. Michelle tells him that she knows what the results from the DNA test will be. Steve says it'll be good to know for sure but Michelle is not sure. She knows it'll change things when Ryan finds out that Michelle is not his 'real mum". She knows when she looks at Alex and sees Dean that he was the baby she gave birth to. She's worried about how the boys will decided- will they want to see their biological parents or not? Poor Michelle....

Stella McLoughlin

Hi all, here's the update for Wednesday 23rd January.

Maria is busy planning the food and drink for the wedding reception. Liam mentions the clothes he needs for his trip to Birmingham. Maria sighs – "Back to more important matters," she says, sarcastically.

Steve, Amy, Michelle and Ryan are sitting round their breakfast table. Michelle is convinced Ryan's lost weight in his short time away, and refuses to let him go to school, he's got to rest up. He asks her if Nick and Wendy want to see him. She tells him that she knows Nick does, after all it was him who started all this, but she has no idea about Wendy. He's worried that when they get to know him they might not like him. "Do you want them to like you?" asks Michelle. "Don't know – suppose," says Ryan. Steve tells him that everybody likes him, and gets Amy to agree. Ryan says the whole thing is a bit strange.

Molly is standing in the doorway collecting the mail from the postman when Sally walks by. She asks how Jack is and tells Molly to tell him they're all thinking of him.

Sally continues across the road to the steps of the factory where the other girls are waiting to be let in. Wiki comes along, she gave an underwear party last night and Kelly is keen to know how much she made. Wiki is reluctant to give actual figures. "Not enough to give up the day job!" she says eventually. Just then Carla arrives, closely followed by a hobbling Liam, and lets them all in.

In the salon, Maria is on the phone sorting out the flowers while Audrey does Lauren's hair. David remarks that he can't see why she's rushing the wedding, after all everyone knows she's up the duff! "David!" says Audrey, shocked. David says it's not like it was in her day when they had to get married to show some respect, these days nobody cares. Maria protests that's not why she's doing it and Audrey sends David to collect towels from the laundry.

Carla is opening the post and finds a brochure from the hotel. She starts to read out to Liam all the attractions the hotel has to offer, but he just asks if there's a mini bar. She says there's a steam room, he'd best bring his trunks – (and here she gives him a long, smouldering look) or does he just wear a towel? He says he never saw the point in steam rooms and goes off to check an order.

Steve and Michelle are making their bed, and she asks him how Ryan is. Steve says he's ok, he's on the computer. She says she's on eggshells at the moment. If he does decide to see Nick and Wendy he might prefer them to her and she might lose him. Steve is sure that won't happen, but she's not convinced.

Maria takes the flower brochure into the factory to discuss the prices with Liam. Whilst he's perusing the brochure, Carla looks up the hotel website. "Oh Liam, you're in luck," she says, "you wanted a mini bar they've got them, have a look at the website." Liam glances up. "Not now, eh," he says. "Fully stocked an' all," goes on Carla, "even got half a bottle of champagne!" Just then Sally comes in to ask Liam to look at her machine which is playing up. He tells Maria he'll see her in the Rovers at dinner time, and follows Sally out. As Maria picks up her brochures Carla asks if she's ever thought about violets for the wedding. "Violets?" asks Maria. "Yes," says Carla with a smug look on her face, "I read somewhere they're supposed to represent fidelity!"

Mel meets her brother out in the Street and she asks what time he got in last night. He won't say, but says he took Lauren to a gig. Just then Lauren comes out of her front door, and, obviously expecting her to come over and say hello, he calls out to her. She barely glances his way, just manages "Hiya," over her shoulder and carries on walking. Darryl looks somewhat crestfallen and Mel laughs. "I told you girls tell you everything," she says.

Back in the factory, Liam is back in the office. Carla starts making snide remarks about Maria not trusting him and Liam being under the thumb. Liam gets cross then, "Can you blame her, with you banging on about champagne in hotel rooms?" he snaps, and shouts at her to back off. "Fine!" sniffs Carla, "if that's what you really want."

Michelle takes Ryan a cup of tea and tries to engage him in conversation, as he plays a computer game. She asks if he's thought any more about Nick and Wendy, and tells him she wouldn't mind if he wanted to see them, if he was worried about upsetting her. He tells her he isn't, but asks if that would stop her seeing Alex, worried about how he would feel. She says she wouldn't want to upset him, but she hasn't really thought it through yet. "So you don't know if you want to see him?" asks Ryan. Michelle says she doesn't think she does, it would only confuse things. "You're my son, not him," she adds. She tells him that she's spent her life looking after him, he is her life. No DNA test is ever going to change that. He tells her that's just how he feels, she's brought him up and been a fantastic mum, why would he swap her for two complete strangers. "So what are you saying, that you don't want to see them?" she says. "I think that's what I am saying, yes," says Ryan.

Tina arrives to see David, she's brought a horror film with her to cheer them up. Just then Gail arrives home, and asks what they plan to do about eating. They tell her they'll get a takeaway, and David asks her, pointedly, if she's staying in. She says she has no plans to go out…and then says she could do the weekly shop instead of tomorrow.

Kelly is in the kebab shop being served by a rather unhappy looking Darryl. Mel starts to tell him that Lauren isn't worth it, when she walks through the door and asks if he'll put a kebab on the slate for her. He tells her it's on him, and gets it ready. Mel observes the bags and asks if she's been shopping. "Only bits and bobs, well you have to don't you," says Lauren. Darryl says that he really enjoyed their night out, and they must do it again sometime. She tells him she's a bit tied up for the next week or so, and a bit broke. He tells her it would be on him, and so she tells him she might be free on Thursday. Mel just stands there and shakes her head. As she walks out of the door he turns to his sister. "I knew she'd be back!" he says, triumphantly.

Kelly, Wiki and Sally are in the pub. Kelly is still questioning Wiki about her underwear parties. She tells her that she has lots of mates who would buy it, so if she invited them to a party they could share the profits. Wiki tells her if she wants to sell underwear she should start on her own. "Could we talk about something else, please?" she says.

Maria is talking to Audrey about the flowers when Carla comes into the pub. She orders a tomato juice, telling Lauren that she and Liam are entertaining new clients tomorrow and will be drinking until the early hours, so she has to keep herself fresh for it. Maria, who has come to the bar to order more drinks overhears it all.

David and Tina are kissing on the sofa when Gail comes back in. They jump up and adjust their clothing as Gail suggests he helps her in with the shopping.

Michelle comes down to Steve in the back room of the pub and tells him that Ryan's fast asleep, and it's only a quarter to eight. She tells Steve that she's really happy that he's not keen on seeing Nick and Wendy, and how she told him that she doesn't want to see Alex either. "Even if he wants to see you?" asks Steve. After hesitating, Michelle admits it's tricky. She carried him for nine months, she gave birth to him and he's Dean's son as well as hers. "I've got to be curious, haven't I?" she says, and adds she doesn't know what it would do to Ryan if she did start seeing Alex. Steve asks what it would do to her if Alex doesn't want to see her. "He's my son, Steve," she says, "I'd be upset." "So there's problems either way," says Steve.

David comes back in the house after seeing Tina to her bus. "Sorry if I interrupted," says Gail. "You didn't interrupt anything," says David, "we were just watching a film." Gail says she's glad he's found someone he likes, but warns him to be careful. He interrupts her and won't let her finish. She tells him that if he gives her some warning she can let him have the house to himself for a few hours, on Friday perhaps. "But if you're going to embark on an adult relationship…" she starts to say, but he stops her. "No we're not, Mum, and Friday'll be great!" and he goes off upstairs.

Carla is leaving the pub, when Maria calls out to her. "You going off to pack?" Carla stops and asks if she's worried about her going off with Liam and maybe she's scared that she will jump on him. Or maybe she thinks that Liam will jump on her? "You should say something if it's bothering you," says Carla. Maria assures her that nothing is bothering her. Carla leaves, just as Audrey comes back to the table. She asks what's wrong and Maria tells her that Carla has been winding her up all day over the trip to Birmingham. Audrey urges Maria to ignore her. "She's just doing it to wind you up." Maria tells her she knows that Carla fancies Liam. "Well, you trust Liam, don't you?" says Audrey. Maria says of course she does, but the look on her face seems to say otherwise.

Anne Logan

Liam arrives in the pub and Michelle is surprised to see he hasn't gone yet. He's come to see whether there's any news on the DNA test. There isn't. Michelle's expecting the results in today's post. Michelle tells him that Ryan's decided he doesn't want anything to do with the other family. Liam says that's a relief. "Let's just hope the other lad feels the same," he says. Michelle agrees, but her face says otherwise.

In the bookies", Blanche has won six pounds something. Bookie senior, Harry, can't understand why he found a pair of white stilettos in his son's flat. Dan says they were left behind by someone, but when Harry says he'll put them in the skip, Dan objects.

Wiki, Sally and Carla are talking outside the factory and Carla asks Norris if he's got anything to add, since he seems to be taking such an interest in their conversation. Norris, who's allegedly sweeping outside the Kabin, denies he's at all interested. Liam and Maria leave the Kabin, with Maria wanting assurances that Liam and Carla won't be going clubbing.

In the back of the Rovers, Michelle and Steve hug. The test results have confirmed what she feared. Steve tells her good luck and reminds her that he'll be picking up his mum and Vernon, and Amy's having her tea with the Barlows. Michelle says she doesn't want Ryan to feel crowded.

In the salon, Audrey asks Maria to put her down as surrogate mother. Rita, having her hair done, spots Vera's notice in the paper. Maria gets a journey text update from Liam. Gail comes in and asks if Audrey's free for a drink later. She's leaving David home alone. She's a bit embarrassed when David steps out from the back of the salon.

Molly, carrying some drycleaning, calls in at the garage and Tyrone asks how Jack is. She says he's waiting for the post but none came. She doesn't get a chance to explain what he's waiting for before Sally turns up. She realises what long hours Tyrone's been putting in and knows he can't wait for Kevin to get back. Tyrone says he's gutted Kevin can't come to the funeral.

Back at the pub, Ryan arrives home. Michelle asks him to sit down. She's almost crying and he just says he's going to his room. "Don't leave me, Ry," she calls after him. There's a pause before he opens the door again and says he won't. They hug.

Jack's called in at the Kabin to get a Gazette. Blanche and Rita are being nice to him and Norris makes a tasteless almost-joke about a man falling out of a hot air balloon. Jack scuttles away as the two women round on Norris.

David's sorting out some music and Gail's telling him she's ironed a shirt for him and reminds him she's going out and that she'll be back about 10. "I want to give you enough time . . . for yourselves, I mean," she says awkwardly. "And you will be careful, won't you?" David tries to stop her saying anything, but she tells him she knows they're both sensible, but being careful is important.

Liam and Carla arrive at the hotel and Liam finds out there's only one room booked. He tries to book another, but the hotel is full. The receptionist suggests she try another hotel, but Carla says they don't have time for that. She suggests Liam showers in her room and they sort it out later, because they"ve got a table booked for a business dinner.

Harry still wants to know about the shoes. Dan says they belonged to an air hostess. They were interrupted mid-lovemaking by her ex-husband calling to say he wants her back. She called a cab and left. She took off her shoes and gave them to him, he says. The shoes were her pulling shoes, representing the woman she didn't want to be. "Ever since, I"ve, you know. . . " he says, explaining that he tries to get his dates to wear the shoes.

At Jack's, Tyrone's going through the cards and finds one from Terry. "No phone call. Just a flamin" card!" Jack grumps. He hasn't told Terry about the service. Tyrone suggests that if Terry knew, he'd have the option of coming. "Or is that what you're worried about – him knowing and not turning up?" Molly asks if Jack wants him there. "I don't want anyone there, including Vera!" Jack says, quite upset. "Would Vera want him there?" asks Molly – and we all know the answer to that.

Back at Dan's flat, his father is still cross-examining him about the shoes. "Have you seen that girl, Becky, in the cafe?" Harry asks.

Vernon and Liz, both wearing cowboy hats, arrive home. As they unload the luggage, Vernon says he's still recovering from his near-death experience. Steve patiently explains that Vera's wasn't a near-death experience, but a death experience! "Ours was a few seconds of turbulence," Liz says. Liz is back on the cigarettes. Vernon takes some luggage inside and Steve tells Liz that the DNA test results arrived today and confirmed "you know". He warns her to tread very very carefully.

They reckon without Vernon, who's gone inside and into the back room, where Ryan is sitting. "Hey! My grandson . . . sort of," Vernon says, shooting Ryan with an imaginary six-shooter. Ryan slams the door on his way out. Michelle comes in with two hot drinks. "Hey! My daughter-in-law . . . sort of," Vernon says, shooting Michelle with an imaginary six-shooter. Michelle slams the door on her way out.

In Birmingham, Carla and Liam are in her room. Liam's worried the bathroom door lock is broken. Carla teases him, saying she'll get into the shower with him if he doesn't get a move on.

Back on Liam's sofa, Maria waits for a call or a text.

David is just about read. He grabs some deodorant and sprays everywhere he can think of. The door bell goes. It's Tina. She's a bit tired and grumpy. "What IS that smell?" she asks.

Gail and Audrey are in the pub. Gail's explaining how embarrassed she was. She tells her mum she left the condoms on the coffee table, obscured by a magazine, a bit. She wonders if she should pop back and make sure he's seen them.

Maria rings Liam's phone.

In Birmingham, Carla answers and tells Maria that Liam's in the shower. "No, I"m not in his room!" she tells Maria indignantly. "He's in mine." "Liam's in your room?" asks Maria through gritted teeth. Carla says she'll get Liam to call, claims the phone's breaking up and ends the call.

David's giving Tina a foot massage. She reaches out for a magazine and there's a condom. Tina clicks that his mother must have left them there, though David denies this. Tina says she could get a bin-bag full for nothing. "Go to any clinic and they're just throwing them around like confetti," she says.

Liam calls out to Carla to see if there's a spare dressing gown. Carla hands it in to him and they swap over so she can have a shower. "No word from reception, then?" Liam calls through the door. Carla says no, and she thought they'd cross that bridge later. Liam suggests they cross it now, and Carla opens the bathroom door to tell him she'd rather they did it later. She makes him promise not to bust in on her, but then the bathroom door "accidentally" comes open so he sees her getting into the shower.

The End. For now. More from the second episode coming soon.

Margaret Carr

OK here we are again. Much of the action this evening takes place away from the Street in some anonymous hotel in Birmingham. Events were written by Simon Crowther and directed by Kay Patrick.

In the single hotel room Liam is drying and dressing and Carla emerges from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around herself and she refuses to go back in the bathroom before dressing. Paul apparently took a picture of Carla in Marilyn Monroe pose (presumably unclothed) and Liam admits to having seen it. Carla wants to kill Paul but he is dead. Carla is incandescent with rage. Liam claims the photo has faded from his memory.

Back at the Rovers Audrey is trying to help Maria understand why Carla answered Liam's mobile while he was having a shower in her room. Hardly surprising but Maria is having trouble understanding it! Maria then asks Gail but she is worrying about David and Tina.

Michelle phones Liam and he tries to explain and tells her to tell Maria not to be so daft. She also tells him that they got the confirmation. Liam goes to phone Maria.

Michelle and Steve discuss Ryan. Steve asks Vernon to cover but the latter is upset that no-one has asked about Nashville. He then asks if he smells. Steve says yes and Steve and Liz decide to update Vernon on the lack genes shared between Michelle and her son. Liz apologises. Vernon just seems stunned.

Jack phones Terry to tell him about the arrangements.

David and Tina emerge from the bedroom feeling hungry. Does David like the Arctic Monkeys - both prefer the first album. Apparently they have been using Gail's bed and giggle about the pillows.

Paul is not coping well at work - Leanne tells him to go home - they can cope.

Carla and Liam are sharing a drink at the bar and their prospective customers are on their way over. Liam tells her she looks fantastic. They both hope it will be a successful night - Liam certainly thinks it will be.

Back at the Rovers we get the truth from Dan - apparently the girl in the flat was the wife of Harry's best friend. Duggie Fazackerley. Harry insists on Dan phoning to apologise. Harry calls Dan all sorts of names. All of the stories involving these two are so unbelievable they just seem like a waste of space and filler. There is no interaction or reality.

Jack and Steve discuss the events for the wake and Steve insists on buying Jack a drink. Jack talks to Ty about how difficult it is to cope. Paul arrives and is given a welcoming embrace.

Tina is asking David about his relationships - apart from the 17 year one with his mother. He claims a couple of months. Jason walks by and is introduced. Jason asks after the court case. But Tina already knows all about it.

Carla and Liam return to the bar - and are congratulating each other on a successful evening. Carla reckons anything could happen. Liam notes it is twenty to 10 and he is going to get a cab to the station. She insists he stays for a drink, providing he can take his jacket off, although Carla asks why should he stop at that (the naughty flirt).

Ryan has re-appeared and Michelle was terrified that he would disappear. He does not want to see his other family and he does not want Alex seeing Michelle. She explains that the decision is Alex's and she might have to see him. She appears to be in two minds over it.

Carla and Liam lean against each other laughing at the earlier discussion with the customers. Indeed Carla thought he was going to start playing footsie with her. Carla reminds Liam about Maria. Liam reckons that Tony would be far more jealous - especially as there was only one bedroom. Carla claims her boots are killing her and she wants to go to bed. Liam is still talking about getting a cab but does nothing.

Leanne is with Paul now. Jack wants Paul to do a reading at the funeral and has been warned that Terry might be there. Paul is not happy at the prospect. Along the Street Jack is sat up and thanks Tyrone for all that he has done. Jack looks at the cards and flowers and simply says "Vera, Vera, Vera."

Maria is turning the lights off, says goodnight to Oz and sends a text message. The message is received by Liam - and there have been no cancellations. Carla offers a share of her bed, providing he keeps his arms and eyes to himself. And he had better get no ideas. And one other thing Tony and Maria must never find out - because they would never believe they kept themselves to themselves. Liam does not have to answer as Tony walks across the room and kisses Tony - he has made a grand romantic gesture and driven down to spend the night together. He is hungry and wants food and drink. Liam is heading up to his room, will collect his bag and return to Weatherfield. Liam - a lucky escape.

Please, please will someone put Dan, Harry and Jelly Roll Morton out of our collective misery? Nothing involving them ever seems real. Sorry. Removal from the Street urgently would ease our viewing immeasurably. (There were several scenes tonight involving Jelly Roll, they were excised from this update on the grounds of being a complete waste of space).

K Richard W

This episode was written by a favourite, Peter Whalley. It is the first for Monday night, the night of Vera's funeral.

It's morning, and when Paul comes downstairs he finds Jack sitting at the dining table, busy writing. Paul's going to put out the cones for when Vera comes home. "She'd appreciate that," Jack tells him. Jack tells his grandson he's writing down a few things in case someone asks him to say something at the funeral. Paul tells him no-one will make him do anything he doesn't want to do. "Folk expect it, don't they," Jack says. He doesn't want people thinking he didn't speak because he couldn't think of owt good. Although Jack sounds fairly bright, as Paul leaves the room the strain shows on Jack's face.

Paul takes a couple of traffic cones outside and plonks them on the kerb. Norris, sweeping the pavement yet again, calls over and asks where he got them. "The undertaker," says Paul. "Why? Were you going to have me arrested for pinching 'em?" Norris was just wondering, apparently. He asks how Jack is, but it's just a way of working up to his next question – is Terry coming? "I think he's expected," answers Paul. Norris mutters to himself and keeps sweeping.

Tina arrives at the Platts" house where David is getting ready for his court appearance. Gail tells her it's good of her to come, and Tina says it's a good excuse for getting off work. Gail offers her breakfast, but it seems the chocolate bar she got at the Kabin is enough. Gail's going to Vera's funeral after the court, and Audrey will also come to court. Tina's impressed he'll have three women to support him, like a backing group: "Daisy and the Courtroom Sisters." Gail, who seems to like Tina despite her best attempts not to, points out that it's nothing to sing about. "It's not like a trip to the headmaster, or me sounding off," she says. David knows. He's even going to wear a tie.

Maria, eating her toast, worries that Liam came home because he thought she was such a wimp she couldn't cope on her own, but Liam tells her: "I came home because I wanted to spend time with you." (Hah!) Maria tries to tell him that when they're married she won't be the sort of wife who won't let him out of her sight. But Liam's busy rushing off to work. He checks with her when the funeral is (12) and promises to be home in plenty of time to change for it.

Jack's grumpy now. As Paul and Tyrone head off to the restaurant to collect the rest of the food, they ask if there's anything they can do. He suggests they write the rest of his speech for him. He repeats that folk expect it. Molly tells him that folk don't expect him to make himself ill over it. She puts some toast down in front of him. "I told you – I can't eat anything!" says Jack, annoyed. "Well toast is what you eat when you can't eat anything," Molly points out quite reasonably. The lads leave and Jack asks Molly whether she thinks he should say anything. "No!" she tells him. "You'll be the only one there that doesn't," he says brokenly.

As Paul and Tyrone leave the house, Paul says he's not sure he wants Terry there. "You wouldn't if you knew him," Tyrone tells him. "Well, I don't. Which, since he's my dad, makes it all the more weird," Paul points out. Up the street a way, the court party gets into the car. Audrey and Gail step aside for a word. Gail thinks that if David misbehaves, Tina will be the first to tell him off.

In the factory, Carla arrives in. Fizz wonders if she's going to the funeral and Sally and Kelly agree that she's certainly dressed for it. Kelly thinks Carla could make a good living hiring herself out for funerals. In the office, Carla and Liam greet each other cautiously. Carla says she hopes little Maria was grateful for Liam's hurried trip back. A newly assertive Liam tells her that just Maria will do, none of the "little." "And did you and big Tony enjoy the rest of your stay?" They did. Liam reminds her that most of the workforce is off to a funeral. Carla's quite annoyed by this and wants to know whose funeral and who said they could go. Liam points out that it's Vera's, "who used to work here about a hundred years ago" and that he said they could go, because he'll be going too.

Tyrone and Paul are unloading food from a hatchback car into the Rovers when a car pulls up outside the house. Paul points this out, possibly thinking, as I did for a second, that it's Terry. Tyrone has no such idea and just wants to get the car shifted. It's Tony, heading for the factory. He says he's parked there a dozen times. Like a couple of little suited gangsters they tell him that there's a funeral there and the parking space is needed. "We can shift it, but it'll be wheel by wheel!" Tyrone says, sounding an awful lot like his mam! Tony apologises, says he didn't see the cones, and agrees to move the car.

In the pub, they're sorting out where to put the food. Everyone's quite cheerful, except for Michelle, who is emoting almost as much as last week. She wants to know that Alex is OK, but doesn't want to ring Wendy because that'll be like making some sort of claim over him.

Tony is in the office, where Carla's doing some paperwork. He asks her what would have happened if he hadn't turned up in Birmingham. "I'd have had an early night and probably a whole lot more sleep," Carla says. Tony points out that she and Liam looked quite cosy and there was only one bedroom. "Which was a booking mix-up that I told you about," she says forcibly. Tony says he was only kidding.

"Vera, Ida and Ivy," Emily reminisces in the Kabin to Norris and Rita. "One out, all out!" agrees Rita. "They were inseparable," says Emily. "And they weren't a bit alike. You'd wonder how they got on." Rita suggests it was because they had a common enemy in Elsie Tanner after Mike made her supervisor. She thinks he only did that because he knew how much it would upset the others. "It was another age," says Emily. "But was it better?" asks Norris. "It was for Vera," says Rita. "For most of us," says Emily. ""Cause we were young," Rita points out. Norris wonders whether it was the thought of moving that killed Vera – the idea of tearing up her roots. The women point out that it was Vera's idea, but Norris says that's because she didn't realise the stresses involved. He points out that Rita and Emily haven't moved, and they're still fit and well though they're older than Vera. Ken comes in and Norris uses him as a visual aid – "And here's another one. He's never moved and he has the looks of a man half his age." Ken checks the time of the funeral. It's 12 and not 12.30. "Right, well, we haven't long then," he says. "We haven't," agrees Rita, looking into the middle distance and very aware of the double meaning of her words.

At Jack's, everyone is dressed and ready, including Jack in his dark suit. Jack wonders if they should have had everyone back to the house, but Molly tells him the Rovers is good because it's where he and Vera used to be landlord and landlady. It's 11am, which is the time the undertaker said he'd arrive. "She was always late," Jack tells the others.

Outside, a car pulls up by the cones. No, it's not Tony. It's Terry. Looking broader and more jowly, he glances almost nervously up and down the street before taking out a set of keys. He still has a front door key and it still works!

Inside, Jack looks up as he hears the door. "Terry." Terry comes towards him, arms outstretched to hug Jack, and says he was sorry to hear about his mum. "I know how much you loved her." Jack adeptly avoids the hug and they awkwardly shake hands. Jack's lips are clenched together as if he doesn't trust himself to be polite. "So did I," continues Terry. "She was a great lady and I"m going to miss her big time." "I know I am," says Jack curtly. Terry sees Tyrone and goes over to him. "Tyrone." They shake hands. "This is Molly," says Tyrone. Terry shakes her hand, too. Paul stands awkwardly at the back, hands in his pockets. Under Jack's steely glare, Terry looks at Paul. "I"m Paul." "Good to meet you, Paul," says Terry, shaking hands and turning back to Jack. "You don't recognise him, do you?" accuses Jack. "Would it help if I give you his second name? Like Paul Clayton. Your son. Who you last saw . . ." He asks Paul when that would have been. Seven years ago, Paul tells him. Paul is backed into the corner like a possum caught in the headlights. Terry comments that Paul's grown up. Jack explains that Paul lives there now. "With me and . . . er . . with me." They're interrupted by the undertaker. "We have Vera outside now and we're ready to proceed just whenever you are," the man says. Jack thinks they're just about ready now. He picks up his coat.

The camera pans along the flowers in the hearse as Emily knocks on the Barlows' door to say the hearse is here. Liz pops out to check that the funeral's at the crematorium and not the church. Blanche comes out with Deirdre and Ken. "Oh!" she says, looking up the street. No, she hasn't recognised Terry. "It's Co-op," she says. "I recognise the hearse." Jack comes out of his house as they watch. Paul and Terry, then Molly and Tyrone come out and all get into the funeral car. Dev, Eileen, Rita and Norris are all outside now, then Liam and Maria, then the factory staff. Liam tells Maria about Carla almost refusing to let the workers go to the funeral. Leanne arrives and tells Janice, "Just remember this next time you light up your next fag, eh?" Janice rounds on her, saying Vera didn't die of lung cancer. Sally says she thinks it was a heart attack. Claire wonders who will be at her funeral. Ashley says he will. "Unless I"m busy." Claire is serious. The hearse and funeral car move off with Vera. The camera lifts up as we see her friends and neighbours and workmates move into the middle of the street to watch her go.

Vernon and Liz go back into the pub, followed by Violet, who comments on how sad it is. "Well, it would have been a lot sadder if there'd been nobody there to take any notice," says a surprisingly perceptive Vernon. Everyone looks at him as if waiting for this to be another "stupid Vernon" comment, but he explains that Vera was lucky to have such good friends and neighbours.

David and the Courtroom Sisters are back. Audrey warns David to behave himself. "I have to or they'll lock me up," he says. "Yes, and don't you forget it!" his grandmother tells him. Gail says she was proud of David today. "The way you spoke was very grown-up." She thanks Tina for being there to support David. "I had to," says Tina. "I"ve never met anyone as bad as me before." They go inside. Gail's about to get into the car to go to the funeral, when Eileen comes out to get into another car with Lloyd, also to go to the funeral. Eileen can't resist a dig, saying she sees Gail's son's been in court for what he did at her son's wedding. "He's been fined £300 and there are points to go on his licence when he gets one," Gail tells her. David apologised to the court and said nothing like it would ever happen again. "And they believed him?" chuckles Eileen. Lloyd is already out of the car, expecting trouble. "My son stood up in court and accepted responsibility for his actions," Gail says with a jaw of steel. "So how long before your son accepts responsibility for abandoning my daughter?" Now Audrey's out of her car. "One all. Debate adjourned," says Lloyd. Audrey agrees. The combatants part reluctantly. Steve drives up to take his mother to the funeral.

Outside what looks a very church-like crematorium, with a lot of quite old gravestones in the background, Jack asks Terry if he'll want to say anything about his mother during the service. Terry says he'll leave that to Jack. "I thought you might," says Tyrone. Jack has to stop an argument starting. Terry points out there will be folk here who won't even know who he is. Rita points him out to Norris and Dev. Norris grumps about Terry being the black sheep of the family, and Dev points out that at least he's turned up. "Yeah, well, I'd think more of him if he'd come to see her while she were still alive," Rita says. The undertaker gets the main mourners organised, telling Jack it might be an idea for him to walk in with Terry at his side.

They enter the small crematorium chapel, where Vera's casket is already in place at the front, to the strains of "Amazing Grace" – sung by Elvis! Jack almost sleepwalks to his place at the front, wobbling slightly. Paul has to tell him to sit down. "He's got himself all worked up over whether he should say anything," Paul explains. Jack staggers a little and Terry puts out a steadying arm. "Deep breaths, okay?" Jack exchanges a few words with the clergyman. As Elvis sings on, the camera picks out the faces of our oldest friends – Betty, Audrey, Rita – all nearly as upset as we are.

Back at the Platts", Tina talks to David about what's happened. She's a bit worried about what he might do next. He promises her he has no plans to drive a car into a canal again.

Back at the funeral, the minister repeats the words of the Anglican funeral service: "Look with compassion on your children in their loss; give to troubled hearts the light of hope, and strengthen in us the gift of faith." Jack looks bereft and quite unwell. As the minister invites forward anyone who wants to share their thoughts about Vera. Jack shakes his head. "No?" exclaims Terry. "Leave it," Paul tells him. The minister is about to hurry on, when Jack stops him and says he thinks he should say something. Tyrone tries to stop him but Jack shakes him off. He unfolds his piece of paper. Rita and all of us have our hankies out now. As Jack steadies himself against the lectern, barely able to hold himself up, Molly weeps.

The end of the first episode.

Jack stands to give Vera a eulogy. He says, "First time I asked our Vera to dance, she said no. Week after I asked her again and I said, "I won't be askin' you a third time, this is your last chance." Anyway she said, "Yes". So that was more or less the start of it, we got married in 1957, we didn't have a brass farthing between us. Well, we never had much. We had us ups and downs, I can't deny that. For one thing, you wouldn't believe me if I did. But we stuck at it. And really, when I look back, which I've been doing a lot over the last week, it's as though there hasn't been two lives, hers and mine. There's been just the one that we shared and that's the best kind of life you can have. But what I really wanted to say was, thanks Vera. Thank you love." There's not a dry eye in the house. Not in my house either.

In the Rovers, Michelle asks Violet not to tell anyone that she's been on the phone. Violet leaves her to her privacy and Michelle rings Wendy to ask how Alex is.

Back at V's funeral, the coffin disappears to the strains of "I can't stop loving you" as Vera's friends say their final goodbyes. Poor Molly can't stop crying and Dierdre is distraught. Awww, poor Jack, he looks lost.

At the Morton's Mel is bugging Darryl to find out where he's taking Lauren to that night. When Darryl finally tells her he's taking Lauren to the Rovers, she tells him Lauren only wants to go there so that when she's fed up with Darryl's company, there will be plenty of other people to talk to.

Back at the funeral, Blanche and Betty leave the church talking about Vera. They pass Ken who is telling Jack how moving his speech was. Jack confesses that he was afraid of making a fool of himself but he thought at least people can't blame it on the drink. Terry is talking to Emily and Rita, telling them how shocked he was to hear of his Mum's death. He explains he's living in Wolverhampton and is doing well for himself in mobile phones. He asks Emily and Rita if they know what Jack plans to do now. They tell him they don't know and they indulge Terry, agreeing with him that Terry is not able to have Jack come and live with him. They tell Terry that they don't think Jack has any plans to do so. Sean and Kelly are talking to Janice and Fizz. Kelly thought, with the best intentions that Jack was going to drop dead himself while delivering his eulogy. Behind Janice, Paul is telling Leanne that his own father didn't recognise him. Janice asks Paul if he has any feeling for his father. Paul says he's just worried about the whole ethos of "Like father like son". He's worried that he'll turn out just like him. Too late for worrying, Paul! Jack, Terry, Tyrone and Molly are looking at the flowers sent to the funeral. Terry asks his father his plans, where he's going to be living. He tells Jack that it's probably wise that he stays put in what will soon be Tyrone and Molly's house after Tyrone reminds Terry that Jack will be welcome. They all make plans to head back to the Rovers. Sean comes to tell Jack how sorry he is and how lovely what Jack said in the church was. After Sean leaves, Terry exclaims, "Who the 'ell was that?"

In the Rovers, Steve returns from the funeral and asks Michelle if she's ok. She lies to Steve that Wendy rang her to say that Alex is out of the hospital and is ok. Steve goes to have a drink. "It's been that sort of a day," he says. Carla comes marching in to the Rovers looking for a drink, not caring that it's Vera's funeral day at all. Outside the pub, Terry reminds his father that he doesn't have to tip the undertaker. He sends Molly, Tyrone and Paul inside while he has a quiet word with his father. Terry tells his Dad not to sell the house, to keep hold of it because the money he'll get for it won't last as long as he thinks and tells Jack he's sorry that Jack can't come and live with him. You can tell that Jack can see right through his facade of caring. They go inside.

At the Mortons, Darryl is dressed and ready to go and meet Lauren. Mel is convinced that Lauren is going to make a fool of him and warns him not to fall for her.

In the pub, Carla asks Maria where Liam is. Carla lets it slip that Tony was with her in Birmingham and that's why Liam went home to her.... oooooh! Fighting words! Maria is not happy! Sean, Lauren, Janice, Kelly, Fizz and Sally are talking about Vera. Janice says Vera had a gob on her worse than Janice's. Sally mentions that everybody is spoken well of when they die. Sean says, at least they all have that to look forward to. Darryl comes in to the pub and offers to buy Lauren a drink. He's disappointed when Lauren says somebody just bought her one. Terry is talking to Paul, asking about his life.It's all very awkward. Terry says goodbye, "'Appen we'll meet again when the old man snuffs it." He heads out, not before warning Jack to keep the house in the family.

Uh-oh! Nick comes into the bar, asking to have a quiet word with Michelle. Michelle takes him through to the back while Steve looks on. Michelle asks Nick if he came because Michelle rang Wendy. He tells Michelle that Alex is living with him because he can't stand Wendy's new boyfriend and his kids. He gives Michelle a letter to give to Ryan.

In the bar, Kelly asks Lauren and Sean why Darryl would be staring at them. Janice wonders if they should head back to work. Fizz points out that they should stay for another round, it would be disrespectful of them not to. Her friends don't take much persuading to stay. Jack is talking to Ken and Dierdre, he wonders how on earth he and Vera would have managed in Blackpool and tells them that he'll not be moving now. Liam comes into the pub where Maria takes him to task about him coming home because Tony Gordon turned up in Birmingham. "You only came back to me because you couldn't 'ave 'er!" she says before flouncing off.

Wendy comes into the bar and Steve takes her through to the back where it's becoming like Piccadilly Circus. Wendy is shocked to see Nick there and asks him why he's there. Wendy is there to tell Michelle that Alex has decided he wants nothing to do with Michelle. Michelle goes on the defensive and tells them that Ryan wants the same only more so. Nick and Wendy are clearly upset by this.

Darryl comes home to the Mortons' in a strop. He doesn't want to talk to Mel about what happened but eventually tells her that Lauren was in the pub but with other people who she obviously found more interesting. With sisterly feeling Mel says, "Told ya!"

Back in the bar, Lloyd and Eileen are talking. Lloyd talks Eileen into having another one. Michelle walks Nick through the bar and out where Steve overhears Nick thanking Michelle. He wanders off behind Michelle and through to the living room to find out why Nick would be thanking her. Michelle is looking at the letter, wondering what's inside. Steve tells her to look but she says it's for Ryan. She tells Steve about what Wendy said about Alex not wanting to see her. But Michelle can't just forget that Alex exists.

Here we go again.... Maria is sitting crying in her and Liam's house. Liam comes home to make peace with her.... Blah blah blah, "I don't fancy Carla..." blah blah blah. Liam goes to get changed and go over to the factory. Oh but wait, this time Liam's a bit fed up and tells Maria he tells her all the time he loves her but she won't believe him. Maria rushes out onto the street and they make up when Liam decides not to go to the factory after all.

Jack sits with Molly, Tyrone and Paul to tell them what Terry said about not selling them the house. He also tells them he could see straight through Terry and he'll still sell it to them. He tells the kids that they're his family.

Lauren turns up at the Mortons' full of excuses about not being able to get away from her friends. Darryl takes her through to his luxurious palace of love, the shed.

At the Duckies', Paul settles Jack down with a whisky. Paul concludes that the funeral has been just right. Jack tells Paul that it should have been Vera that went first because she would have managed without him. Paul leaves Jack to his thoughts for a while and Jack breaks down in private...... No, I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye.....

Stella McLoughlin

Hi to one and all. Here's the update for Wednesday 30th January.

It's morning at the Rovers, and Steve and Vernon are at the table when Michelle and Ryan walk into the room. Vernon asks where Michelle's mum and dad are going to stay and Steve tells him they're staying at the Feathers. Vernon comments that it's expensive there, and Michelle says that Paul always used to pay the bill. Vernon turns his attention to Ryan. “Looking forward to seeing your Grandma and Granddad eh?” he says, and then turns to Steve, “they are still…?” He begins, and Steve hurriedly interrupts. “Coming? Yes they are,” he says hastily, before Vernon can put his foot in it any more. Ryan picks up his coat and leaves in a hurry.

Michelle chases after him, and outside gives him the letter that Nick left for him. Ryan takes it and tears it in two, asking his mum to tell him that he's not interested. He then asks if Michelle has sent letters to Alex. She assures him that she hasn't. As he goes off to get his bus, she picks up the two parts of the letter that are lying in the road, and takes them off home with her.

In the Webster household, Sophie is dead excited because her dad is coming home. She doesn't want to go to school so that she can be there when he gets back, but Sally tells her he wants everything to be normal and that means the two of them at school. Rosie tells her mother she's not going to school – ever! She tells Sally she'll be bullied, so she's not going back, she's going to Underworld! “What?” asks Sally, incredulous. Sally tells her if she was worried about being bullied at school it's nothing to what she'll get at Underworld, they're professionals. Janice and Kelly consider bullying an art form. “They don't scare me,” says Rosie. Sally tells her its because they haven't picked on her yet, and she then asks her to consider how Fiz will feel. “And are you going to welcome your dad home with ‘Hi, I'm throwing my life away again!'” asks Sally.

Tyrone is working on a car when Molly comes to see him. She discovers that he left for work at 6 am because he'd missed a whole day for the funeral and wants to catch up before Kevin gets back. She tells him that Jack is just mooching about, lost. Emily comes over to them and tells them that she thought she'd drop a casserole in for Jack. Molly points out that Paul is a chef, the one thing Jack isn't short of is food. Emily says she might just pop round anyway.

In the Rovers, Michelle tells Steve what Ryan did with the letter, and confesses that she read it. It was an apology from Nick for stalking Ryan. Steve says that as the two boys don't seem to want to know, it'll be an end to it all. Liz and Vernon come in and Liz is worried that Michelle's parents will think the pub is tatty and tells her to tell them they're going to do it up. Vernon says they can start with the sign over the door, now that they're married it can read ‘Vernon and Liz Tomlin'. Liz tells him she's decided to stay as Liz MacDonald as she's already known in the trade. He then suggests the sign is changed to ‘Vernon Tomlin and Liz MacDonald' and Liz giggles and says it would be nicer with her name first. “Excuse me,” says Steve, “I am the owner and my mother is only the licensee for technical reasons.” Vernon tells him that technically Liz is his wife. Michelle interrupts and says that her mother won't notice, she's only coming to see ‘Stevie-weevie'!

Outside in the Street, Sally has fetched Kevin, who gets out of the car and hugs Tyrone and Bill. Just then Liam and Maria come out of the factory and Liam suggests that Sally doesn't take too much longer as Carla is watching the clock. As Sally goes off to work, Rosie comes across the Street and stands in front of her dad. “Hiya,” she says, uncertainly. Kevin makes a joke about her not being at school and not being in his good books, and then smiles and hugs her.

Gail sees Jason in the Kabin, he's buying a card for Sarah's birthday. She tells him she'll give him the address later. After he's gone, Rita asks Gail how things are between the two of them. Gail tells her they argue on the phone. She says he wasn't her number one choice for son in law but he's grown on her. Rita's sure they'll sort themselves out. Gail admits that's difficult while they're in different countries.

In the pub, Liam is wondering if there's anyone who could put up his mum and dad so they don't have to stay at The Feathers. Maria tells him that Audrey has plenty of room. Just then Carla comes in, wondering where Liam has been. He tells her he's been measured for his top hat and tails, and she moans about having to run the place by herself. He remarks that he thought she liked that and she tells him not when she's been doing it all the time he's been off. “Oh, fancy inconveniencing Carla by falling off a mountain, Liam, what are you like?” quips Maria.

Gail takes Sarah's address to Jason, and suggests he goes out to see her to sort things out. Jason is adamant that Sarah's in the wrong, it's her place to come home to him. Gail points out that Sarah and David argue when they're in the same house. “So let David go to Milan,” says Jason. Gail says that if he can get Sarah home, that may be a good idea.

Liam goes to the bar for more drinks, and Carla is standing there. He tells her to lay off Maria. “I didn't make her cry, did I?” says Carla. Liam asks if that's what she was trying to do. She asks if Maria sent him over, but he tells her she thinks they're talking about work. “Secrets and lies, Liam,” she murmurs, “such fun, isn't it?”

Rita and Emily call on Jack to invite him out to lunch. He tells them he was just on his way out, so they suggest tomorrow. With no reason to refuse, he says yes.

He sees Kevin who says he wishes he could have been at the funeral. Jack tells him to think of Vera every time he sees snowdrops, because she always loved them.

In the Rovers, Michelle is piecing together a photograph of Nick, Wendy and a baby that was in the envelope that Ryan tore up.

Jack arrives home – with the urn of Vera's ashes. “Welcome home,” he says, and adds that he wishes she could talk back to him. He adds that he's sure she would have a suggestion to get him out of going to the pub with Rita and Emily. He smiles.

Liam and Carla are on their way back to the factory when they're accosted by Rosie who asks for her old job back. Liam hurriedly takes Carla to one side for a conference. “Rosie in the factory?” he says, “think kitten in a cage full of pit-bulls!” Carla however, persuades him that she needs Rosie, especially as he hardly ever seems to be in the office these days. “On your head be it,” says Liam. Carla goes over to Rosie. “Right, you're on!” she says, but warns her that if she flirts with Liam or winds up the machinists she'll be on her bike in no time.

Tyrone and Molly come in and find that Jack has been to fetch Vera. Molly and Tyrone start talking about a trip to Blackpool, this weekend. “No,” says Jack, “change of plan.” Molly says she thought Vera wanted to be scattered off the end of the pier. Jack says she did, but she can wait until he's ready. He explains that he's like them both to go at once, so they can wait until he's got a little urn of his own and then Ty and Molly can take both of them and chuck them in the sea. “So what's going to her now then?” asks Molly. Jack tells them she can stay there – on the mantelpiece – and watch over them!

Sophie arrives home from school and greets her dad with a shriek and a hug. He tells her the letters she sent kept him sane. Rosie appears with a cup of tea for her dad and Kevin asks Sally if she's heard her daughter's news. “About Underworld?” says Sally, “I hope you put her straight.” Kevin replies that she can't go back to school, and Sally is horrified. She asks Kevin if they can talk about it on their own. “Mum, you've lost!” says Rosie. “Accept it.” (Don't you just want to slap that girl?) Kevin says that after the last two weeks he just wants a bit of peace and quiet. “So much for my letters keeping you sane!” says Sophie and wanders off in disgust.

Michelle is outside a school – and she calls out to Alex. He leaves his friends and comes over to see her. He says that he was told she wouldn't do this, without his permission. She apologises, and is about to leave when he stops her and says he's glad she came.

Ryan arrives home from school and Steve asks if Michelle is with him, he doesn't know where she is. Liam is there, and asks for a word. He then tells Ryan he has a job for him – best man at the wedding! Ryan is pleased, but then asks if his mum put him up to it. Liam assures him that Michelle doesn't even know, he wants him to do it. They then hug.

Michelle is telling Alex that she didn't want to make things difficult, but she had to see him to make sure he was all right. He asks what she knows about Nick and Wendy, and he asks about Ryan. She tells him that Ryan has found it hard. He asks what Ryan thinks about her coming to see him. She confesses that he doesn't know, nobody knows. “What happens now?” he asks. “It's up to you,” she says. She tells him he'd better get back, his dad will be worried. He assures her Nick won't even notice. They're awkward together, and they say goodbye, and he starts to walk away. She calls to him, and then hands him a piece of paper with her mobile number and address on it. He seems pleased. “What is it you said just now? About coming here? That you couldn't not? Well, you are my mum.” He walks off, leaving Michelle close to tears.

Anne Logan.

---

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

---

Back to Updates index page		Back to corrie.net