2009

Monday 2 November

Two for the price of one this week as I'm covering for Tvor.

Episode 1

Breakfast with Roy & Hayley. Roy is on the phone to the hospital. He is frustrated that nobody will tell him anything. They won't even tell him if Tony made it through the night. Hayley knows that something other than Tony's state of health is worrying Roy. Roy suggests meeting Maria from the plane to explain what has happened in Maria's absence.

Well well well, it seems that Michelle has had the creepy, silly builder, Jake, over for the night. She tries to rush him out of the house before Ryan and Ben get up but fails. Ryan is not best pleased to see his mother had a gentleman caller stay over. Ryan challenges Michelle, reminding her that she accused Jake of assaulting her. Ben tries to intervene on Michelle's behalf but Ryan will not back down. He tells Michelle that she has embarrassed him.

At Peter & Leanne's, Peter is fretting about Simon and thinks about letting him stay off school. Leanne opens another rejection letter from a finance company. She is disappointed. Peter lets on that he is going to meet someone who is an expert in the turf business today to find out if he can out his bookmaker's business up as collateral for a loan. This cheers Leanne up somewhat.

Fizz rushes to the girls who are waiting outside Underworld to tell them about Tony's heart attack. The girls decide to carry on as normal and Sally gets a bit uppity, reminding her colleagues of her role as PA. Fizz rushes off to tell Michelle. As Maria's relative, Michelle should be the one to meet her.

In the cafe, Roy asks Hayley what she would do in the case of someone confessing something in confidence. Hayley says it would depend on what the confession was whether or not she would tell anyone; after all, she's not a priest. Roy finally tells Hayley that he thinks Roy killed Liam Connor. "Tony said, "I killed Liam."... a dying man, why would he lie?" Hayley doesn't believe it and blames it on the morphine Tony was drugged up on. Roy seems content to believe that too for Hayley's sake but Tony's confession is still deeply troubling to him.

Michelle is rushing off to the hospital where she means to meet Maria. She tells Fizz she will call her as soon as she hears anything.

Ken is having a bit of banal conversation with Dev in the shop when Jake the builder comes in to give Dev his bill. Dev instantly argues the price. Jake reckons he bumped the price up since Dev had him arrested for assaulting Michelle. Dev rips up the bill and tells Jake to halve the bill or he won't pay. Jake tells Dev that he won't do any such thing and that if Dev doesn't pay the whole bill, he'll be sorry. After Jake has left, Ken asks Dev if Jake just threatened him. Dev stupidly (as we will see later) shrugs it off.

At Underworld, the machinists are all chatting about Tony's heart attack. Janice is being very insensitive about it all. Sally acts pompously as her colleagues all throw her dirty looks.

Joe is working on his boat when Bill calls round for a bit of banter. Gail is also out chatting with Bill. Jesse and Eileen come out of the shop and see Joe working on the boat. Jesse asks Joe if he can book a cabin for her maiden voyage. Gail, with good humour, snaps back, "If you can find a maiden, I don't see why not." Meow! Gail and Joe both seem pleased with Joe's progress on the boat.

Peter has some bad news about the finance for the wine bar. There's no equity in his business. Leanne is down-hearted again but Peter promises her, "I will get you your bar."

Jesse and Julie meet in the street to discuss a children's party; this afternoon, fun and frolics at 4pm. Julie has a bit of a whine about Sally but it seems that she'll be able to meet him in Viaduct St at 3.30pm. Eileen sees them and demands to know what Julie wanted. When Jesse tells her Julie was just saying hello, Eileen points out it was a long hello. "I've seen the sequel to that," says, Jesse, "The Long Goodbye."

Leanne is taking Simon over to see Ken & Deirdre. Ken is surprised to see that Simon has a black eye. Leanne explains and Simon is delighted to hear that his Finding Nemo dvd is inside. Ken invites Leanne in for a cup of tea and apologises to Leanne for being rude about the wine bar. Leanne accepts the apology and goes inside.

At Underworld, the machinists are paying no mind to bossy Sally when Roy comes in to ask Fizz if she has heard from Maria. Fizz only knows that Maria has landed at the airport and is on the way to the hospital. Nobody knows anything other than that. Janice thinks Tony is done for.

As Roy rushes across the street, an older gentleman is looking for the betting shop. Roy ignores him. Sally, Fizz and Julie ignore him. Janice and Kelly manage to find the time to talk. Janice directs him to the bookies and confirms that it is in fact Peter Barlow, "He's the bloke, just waiting to rob you blind." Meanwhile, Bill looks up at Dev's roof and is amused by something he sees; he goes inside Dev's shop. Bill tells Dev that there's something up with Dev's roof but Dev is not listening. Bill presses on though and tells Dev that half of his roof tiles are missing. "Half my?!?" exclaims Dev, "I'm gonna kill 'im!" He rushes outside to see what Jake has been up to while Bill tells Dev that's what he gets for hiring cowboys.

Roy is agitated when he gets back to the cafe. Hayley wants Roy to go for a lie down but Roy insists that he needs to see Maria, to help her if he can.

Ryan and Ben are laughing at Joe sanding down the boat when they see Gail coming, all dressed up in overalls and a mask, and waving a power tool about. Joe tells Gail to take no notice of the giggling teenagers and tells her she looks very Felicity Kendall. Ryan asks if he and Ben can stay and watch since they have to write an essay about "An accident waiting to happen." Joe tells them no problem, they can help scraping the keel with steel wool. Both Ben and Ryan appear to be allergic to steel wool. "Yeah, and work," says Joe as the two boys scarper.

Peter and Leanne are talking to Simon in the street as the older gent who was looking for the bookies earlier comes up and starts talking to Simon. Peter takes offence as the older gentleman asks Simon what happened to his eye. Peter mentions that they are trying to teach Simon not to talk to strangers so he should back off. "I'm not a stranger," says the older gent and announces to Simon, "I'm your Grandad!"

Michelle has met Maria in the hospital. Michelle takes baby Liam off Maria's hands so she can concentrate on Tony. Maria sees Roy and gives him a hug. She thanks Roy profusely for having done everything right and tells him that Tony is doing really well and it was all down to Roy. "I love you Roy Cropper," she says and hugs him again as Roy looks distinctly uncomfortable.

End of Episode 1

Episode 2

In the hospital. Roy tries to rush off but Maria insists that he stay and visit Tony. She tells Roy that Tony was asking for him and that Tony said Roy was marvellous and kept him strong through the night. Maria pleads with Roy to stay. It works but he clearly doesn't want to.

In the Bookies, Peter is fuming at the man who claims to be Lucy's father. The man proves that he is not lying. Peter asks him why he is here. The man wants to make it up to Lucy for being such a lousy father. He tells Peter he will be in the Rovers if Peter will think about joining him later. Peter doesn't seem too keen.

Gail is covered in dust from sanding down the boat. David turns up and introduces Gail and Joe to his new girlfriend, Zoe. Zoe seems a nice girl, chatty and all that. She joins Gail for a cup of tea. Joe asks David if Zoe ever stops talking. Wonder of wonders, David offers to help Joe with the boat.

Peter goes to the flat where Leanne is trying to explain about the man who claimed to be his Grandad. Peter confirms that the man is his Grandad but reinforces that Simon only has one Grandad that he sees. Leanne protests that Lucy's dad only wants to talk but Peter doesn't want to talk about it.

Michelle pops into the pub with baby Liam to explain to Liz that she won't be able to do her shift this afternoon. Liz is understanding. Dev comes into the bar. He asks if anyone has seen "that slimy Jake" today, including Michelle. He is fuming about Jake having stolen his roof tiles. Michelle pleads ignorance and rushes out of the pub.

Julie runs to Jesse's van and tells him to drive, drive, drive. Jesse can't understand the rush as Julie makes a great show of hiding in the front seat. It turns out that Jason and Tina are on the street and Julie doesn't want to be caught.

At the hospital, Roy is finally persuaded to go in and see Tony in his hospital bed. Tony calls Roy his hero and tells Roy he owes him his life. Roy tells Tony that Tony doesn't owe him anything. Maria is a bit maudlin and reflects on what would have happened if Roy had not helped Tony. Tony assure Maria that he is OK and he will be taking care of himself from now on. Maria reminds Tony that she and Liam thought they had forever too. "Life's short," she says. "Yes," says Tony, looking directly at a terrified Roy, "it is."

Later, Roy wants to leave the hospital but Tony asks him not to since, "If you go, Maria can't call you her hero any more." Roy is not comfortable with this hero business. Maria has gone for some coffee and Tony asks Roy to stay so he is not left alone. He tells Roy that he thinks Roy has been very good to him. He goes on, "It's all a bit hazy, you know, yesterday.... it's all a bit jumbled up. They say that when your life flashes before you, you're not sure what you're seeing, thinking, feeling." Roy agrees it must be very traumatic. Tony says that he's not sure what happened, what he dreamed in the haze of drugs and pain. Roy refuses to accept any money from Tony as a reward for saving his life; even as a charitable donation. "I think you should keep your money," he says, "I only did what anyone would have done." Tony looks, for a fleeting second, evilly, at his hero and then smiles at him.

Simon's Grandad is in the pub, standing next to Janice. Janice attempts some small talk with him. He tells Janice that he is Simon's grandfather and expresses concern at the bruises Simon is sporting at the moment. Janice brushes his concerns off, telling him that it's just Simon's age and that he loves to play football. Peter comes into the bar at just the right time to realise that the stranger is talking to Janice and Liz about Simon. Peter is defensive and refuses the offer of a drink from Simon's Grandad (Sorry, I still haven't caught his name) but they do sit down to talk.

Julie and Jesse are back from their party. They appear to have had a brilliant time and Jesse says to Julie that they are a great team.

Peter and Simon's grandad are talking and it seems things are getting heated but George (finally!), Simon's Grandad, apologises, citing that he only found out he had a grandson a few weeks ago and they shake hands and start again. George tells Peter that Simon is a credit to him. Peter lays it on the line. He doesn't want Simon thinking he has a great new Grandad if George won't be there for him. George promises he won't make the same mistake with Simon as he did with Lucy. Peter agrees to talk to his family and if all are in agreement, he will get back in touch. Peter wants to explain things properly to Simon. George seems delighted and passes Peter his card urging Peter to call and even leave a message with his wife, Eve, who knows all about Simon. "I just want to be a good grandad. I can't make it up to Lucy....."

Out in the dark, Joe and Gail are admiring their handiwork. Joe wants Gail to imagine the two of them out on the open water, enjoying their boat. They seem happy. Gail goes inside to get Joe a sandwich but Joe insists on Gail going to have a long bath while he makes the tea.

Michelle is sitting minding the baby when there is a knock at her window. It's Jake who is up a ladder, asking her to run away with him to Glasgow. She refuses. Thank god. The man's clearly a deranged lunatic. Oh. he promises to come back and whisk her off her feet one. Go away, you annoying little man.

In the hospital, Tony confronts Roy, "Roy, have you got something you want to say?" Before Roy can say anything, Maria comes back and Roy rushes off, still refusing to accept a donation from Tony in Roy's name to Roy's choice of charity. He eventually gives in and asks for the donation of £5K to go to the Weatherfield Preservation society. Before Roy leaves, Tony insists on Roy sealing their gentlemen's agreement with a sinister handshake. Oh dear, Roy. What have you got yourself into?

Stella McLoughlin


Thursday 5 November

The boat's now finished, and Joe is up and out there just adding the finishing touches. David and Gail come out, and Gail suggests they all go and celebrate with a proper cup of coffee at Roy's. (Wow!)

Peter tells Leanne he's going to invite George round after tea to meet Simon properly, he's not really sure about it, but he is Simon's granddad and Simon is all he last left of Lucy. "Besides, he's not going to just go away, is he?" he says. She thinks it's a good idea and will answer a lot of Simon's questions.

In the café, champagne arrives. Not for the celebrating trio, but for Roy – a gift from Tony. Gail jokes about a secret admirer, and a worried looking Roy mumbles that he's not a drinker. David says they can always smash it against Joe's boat when he has his big launch. Joe has an idea. "Hey, you're not working this weekend, we can always go for a trial run out on the lakes," he says to Gail, who looks very uncomfortable. He goes on to talk about open water and fun. "There's nothing like it," he says, "you forget everything out there." David tells him that Gail doesn't, and Gail confesses that she doesn't really like water, she still gets nightmares. The penny finally drops as Joe realises about Gail's past. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think," he says. She tells him she just got carried away with getting the boat ready, she never gave a thought to actually going out on it.

Norris finds Emily outside, about to clean the windows. He tells her he'll do them, but she says he's far too busy. He admits one of the paperboys hasn't turned up, but tells her that he thinks he's found a suitable assistant, he's coming in this afternoon and goes by the name of Horace Steele. Graeme comes along and hears this. "I'm getting a vibe, Horace and Norris," he says.

Joe tells Gail that the shop he was working part-time in has closed, so he's now out of a job. She's sure that, as he's a skilled joiner, something will turn up. He and David hitch the boat trailer to his van saying that as he's got nothing else to do he can take it out and catch some fish for tea. Tina comes along and is incredulous that the boat is actually finished. He asks why she's surprised. "Because I know you!" she replies. Gail comments that David used to love going fishing with Martin and suggests that he goes with Joe. Tina says she would come if she wasn't working, and reminds Joe that he always promised to teach her. David decides that he will go, although Joe doesn't look all that keen on the idea.

Emily's niece Frieda knocks on her door and tells her that she's lost her job and wonders if she can stay for a few days. Emily assures her that she can, and invites her in.

Maria is with Tony in hospital and he's very concerned to know whether or not she's seen Roy. He's worried that, with all the drugs they had pumped into him his mind might have played tricks on him. "How would that affect Roy?" Maria wonders. Tony becomes desperate. "I have to see him!" he cries and tries to get out of bed. Maria tells him he'll do no such thing, and orders him to stay put.

In the café, Roy finds that Tony has sent him tickets to a West End show, and he's not very happy. Janice is at the counter and remarks that people like Tony Gordon don't give anything for nothing, they always want something in return. Roy says that this needs sorting out and asks Hayley to mind the café. She's tells him he ought to just leave it, but Roy won't be put off.

At the hospital, he tells Tony he has to return the gifts. Tony tells him he feels they're inadequate, but the last thing he wanted was to cause offence. Roy goes on to say that it's not the only reason he's there. "Last night, things were said," he says. Tony claims that he can't remember anything, but Roy doggedly persists saying that maybe if they talk about it things will start coming back.

Simon's new granddad is at Peter's flat when he gets home from school. George tells Simon he owes him an apology for approaching him in the street, it must have been a shock. Simon wants to know why he's never seen him before and George explains that he went away and lost touch with Simon's mother. "Why?" Simon wants to know. George says that he fell out with Simon's grandma and Lucy stayed with her. Eve is there too and Peter asks her how it feels to suddenly be a grandma. Simon tells her she's not his grandma, Deirdre is. Eve asks if she can be his nana then, and Simon says that'll be fine. When he goes off to get changed out of his school clothes, George tells Peter that Simon's a credit to him. "Not just me, Leanne as well (but she's only been on the scene five minutes!) and Lucy too of course."

Frieda tells Emily that working for her boss had been like working with a ticking time bomb, but she did get her revenge – and out of her bag she pulls a false leg! Just at that moment a very startled Graeme walks in. Emily explains that he's cleaning her windows. "You stole that?" asks Graeme, and a rather embarrassed Frieda confesses that she did. Emily can't believe that Frieda stole a poor woman's artificial leg. Frieda tells her she's not a poor woman but a spiteful, mean bully. "And she's got a spare," she says, adding that the woman hates the spare, it's the wrong colour and it squeaks. Emily is worried that Frieda could be arrested, but Graeme thinks they won't be interested. "She hasn't got a leg to stand on!" he laughs. (Ouch!)

Roy is still at Tony's bedside, sure that what Tony said to him was in the nature of a confession as he thought he was dying. Tony again claims that it was all down to the drugs and dreams. Roy persists, saying that Tony definitely told him he killed Liam. Tony says that it was because it was his stag night, that was the only reason Liam was there, and he'll always blame himself. Then he ends their chat, saying he's tired and it's really taken it out of him. As Roy goes out of the door, Tony tells him he's glad he's put Roy's mind at rest, but Roy turns and tells him he'll leave Tony's gifts with Maria. "Whatever makes you happy, Roy," says Tony.

David and Joe have not returned and Gail is getting worried and is making phone calls. Just then the pair of them walk in, laughing, they've brought home fish for tea – and chips and mushy peas!

Over at Peter's, George and Eve are leaving, but assure Simon they'll be back to see lots more of him, so Peter invites them round for tea the next night which they accept, and they ask if will be all right to bring Simon a present. Peter says it would be fine.

Gail is pleased that Joe is enjoying the boat and reckons he shouldn't try to sell it until the spring, and also that David seemed more relaxed too. Joe remarks that David was good company today - almost human!

Roy and Hayley are in their flat, and Hayley remarks that the only thing that makes sense is that it makes no sense. They both know that Tony didn't kill Liam, a car ran him down, and Tony wasn't driving it. "But what if the other driver was doing Tony's bidding?" Roy wonders, adding that that was the theory Maria put forward at first. Hayley reminds him that Maria admitted she was wrong. "But what if she was right?" asks Roy, "what if the drugs lowered his defences and made him speak the truth?" Roy points out that when he repeated the confession back to Tony, he hadn't seem surprised. It was like he'd been working out his story, he had it all ready. "Hayley, I know what he said. I know what he meant. He killed Liam!" Hayley is shocked and urges Roy not to tell anyone else. "Look how mad they thought Maria was when she said it. No one will believe you." He tells her she's asking him to cover up a murder. "I don't think I can do that, Hayley," he says.

Anne Logan


Friday 6 November

Hello, and thanks to Annie for posting my update last week while I cheered the NZ rugby league team on to defeat. I have given away my tickets for the final of the series, so am here to post the following:

Roy's been sweeping the pavement for the better part of an hour, Hayley tells him. "You'll be pushing through to New Zealand in a minute." Highly unlikely, as the antipodes of New Zealand is southern Spain. Roy thinks the holiday they had was in another lifetime and quotes LP Hartley: "The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there." He wishes he could pretend Tony's confession didn't happen. Hayley tries to talk sense into him. She says the deathbed confession is only true if we all have clarity in our final moments. "What if we just talk rubbish?"

At Gail soon-to-be-McIntyre's house, Mr McIntyre is in a very good mood indeed, skipping about and singing. Ted and David are bit cynical about the whole thing.

Roy wants to go to the police but Hayley says they'll just laugh at him. Hayley says Roy couldn't live with the guilt if the stress of that kills Tony. Roy thinks he should report that Tony killed the bats. Hayley reads the Riot Act and forces Roy to stay and help her in the cafe.

Maria meets Gail, Ted and Joe in the street and talks to them about Tony. Ted says it's the anniversary today of his partner having a heart attack and dying. They'd been together almost 20 years. "Cherish every moment with your lovely man, my darling," Ted tells Maria. "Those memories will keep you warm one day."

Ken goes into the bookies' and asks Peter whether he'd like him to pick up Simon from school. Peter tells him about Lucy's dad turning up. Ken looks astounded.

At the hospital, the doctor tells Tony he's being discharged but should avoid fireworks tonight.

Tyrone can't understand why, if his uncle did invent the white lines in the middle of the road, he's not in any of the history books. Molly points out that Tyrone doesn't own any history books. Jack and Connie come in. While Connie gets the drinks, Tyrone asks Jack if he's OK. Jack says he is, but he doesn't look it.

Ted and Joe tuck into their dinner at the cafe. Joe tells Ted he's going to romance Gail tonight. Maria arrives with an armful of flowers. They're for Roy. Roy doesn't want to accept them so Maria gives them to Hayley. She tells them the hospital is letting Tony come home. When Roy hears that Tony wants Hayley to pop round for a word he looks very worried.

Norris looks very bored in the Kabin when in comes a middle-aged man, not a lot of hair, glasses, pale blue-grey shirt, waistcoat... it's Horace Steele, wanting the job. Horace admires the shop. He worked in a sweet shop for 18 years until last week when the owner dropped dead while her hand was reaching into the liquorice torpedoes. He doesn't have his CV with him. They get on like a house on fire and Norris invites him to start work straight away. They're just discussing Norris's problem with weeds in the backyard. Graeme comes in and overhears them. He advises Norris to get down to the DIY store and get himself a crack hoe. "I've certainly heard the phrase before," Horace says.

Tony's home, baby Liam on his knee and Hayley is there. Tony tells her he needs a relief manager at the factory and Carla had always said what a good supervisor Hayley was. Plus "sources" (Fiz told Maria) say that Sally and Julie are at each other's throat all the time. He offers Hayley the job.

Ken's back. He asks Leanne about George. Does he get on with Simon? Does Simon like him? Why did this man suddenly get in touch? Peter comes in and says George seems all right. Ken asks if they'd bring George over for drinks and nibbles tonight to meet the whole family. "Deirdre's toying with making some cheese straws." Peter agrees, though he seems reluctant. When Ken's gone, Leanne says: "Let the competitive grandparenting begin!"

Hayley tells Roy about the job offer, which has much better pay than she's ever had previously. "How much for your soul, Hayley?" asks Roy, who thinks it's a bribe to buy Roy's silence. Hayley is very annoyed. She thinks she might have been offered the job because she'd be good at it. "But no, that wouldn't enter your head, would it?" she spits as she stomps off (well, more of a clomp-stomp really).

Joe's busy with something, but Ted and David don't know what. David offers Ted a free trim but Ted's planning a snooze. David looks out of the window to see Joe uncovering the boat. He still doesn't trust Joe.

Roy arrives to see Tony. Tony tells Maria he needs to talk to Roy in private. Maria gets up to go out for a walk and Ozzie comes in and leaps up on Roy. Roy tells her he's not 100 per cent comfortable with dogs. Tony, making Roy a cup of tea, looks on with interest.

Norris backs Graeme up against Emily's house-front to tell him what an embarrassing time he's just had in the DIY shop! "I won't forget this in a hurry!" Freda comes out with a cuppa for Graeme, who's been cleaning the windows. "Thanks, sexy," says Graeme. Norris tells him off. "She's deaf!" "Are you?" asks Graeme. "No, I'm just putting it on for a laugh," says Freda. These two seem to work really well together as characters. Graeme asks if she'll teach him some bad words in sign language. This drives Norris inside.

Jack, Connie, Tyrone and Molly emerge from the Rovers. Connie has to get away to meet her sister, who's lending her a Maeve Binchy. Jack says he'll hang on here for a bit, which surprises and worries Connie. She goes off and Molly asks if they've had a fall out, but Jack ignores her.

Joe arrives at the medical centre to meet Gail. He tells her that tonight is her lucky night. He's going to spoil her rotten. "You go home and wait. I'll text you when I'm ready," he says.

Maria leaves for her walk. Roy tells Tony he believes Tony told him the truth and really did kill Liam Connor. "And it's my belief that the stress of that guilt is what caused your heart attack." Roy asks if he's going to lie his way out of it, but Tony says he's not a liar. He picks up the phone and hands it to Roy, telling him to call the police. "Go on."

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

We return to the tense exchange between Roy and Tony. Tony tells Roy to make the call in a daring sort of way. Roy hesitates and instead picks up Maria and Liam's wedding photo. Roy asks him how he can live with the guilt of what he has done. Tony says that he has nothing to feel guilty about...he loves Maria and the baby. Roy replies that he doesn't doubt that fact, which must make it even harder for Tony to know what he has taken from them. Tony snaps at him to shut up and looks under intense pressure. He asks Roy if he wants him to suffer another heart attack. Worried Roy answers that of course he wouldn't before leaving Tony looking stressed.

Joe has shown Gail outside and unveils his newly decorated boat. Gail is overjoyed by the transformation and Joe points out the name on the boat: Gail Force. Gail lovingly asks if he's always been this romantic and Joe smiles and responds that he's just full of surprises.

Ken has taken Simon into The Kabin and is buying him a gift. Simon is busy looking confusedly at Horace. After a while he comments that he looks different, clearly mistaking him for Norris. At this moment, Norris comes through and Simon is wowed, believing the backroom of the Kabin to be like Doctor Who's Tardis. Horace exclaims that he's a rude boy and Ken is outraged and demands an apology. Norris tells Horace they can't talk to customers in that way. Horace replies that Simon was cheeky in the first place by suggesting he looks like Norris and Norris is outraged that this is seen as an insult. Ken asks for an apology again and Norris gives him the yo-yo he has bought for free before ordering Horace into the Tardis for a word.

Back at home, Simon is playing with his yo-yo and Blanche comments that she was the North West yo-yo champion three years running. She lists the moves she knew and everyone is suitably impressed until Deirdre points out they're written on the back of the box. Blanche is adamant but when challenged to prove her skill, she mutters that her arthritis is playing her up today. Peter brings George in and starts introducing the family to him but George approaches Ken, hand outstretched. He then turns to Blanche and says ‘you must be Deirdre' She doesn't correct him and instead tells Deirdre she can go home for the door. Deirdre frowns as Blanche explains that she is Edna, their housekeeper. Deirdre tells her to be quiet and explains to a suitably embarrassed George that she is Deirdre. Simon asks him if he has brought him a present and Ken is miffed when George hands over an expensive computer game.

Kirk visits Maria and asks if he can let off fireworks in the back garden. She responds that it probably wouldn't be a good idea in a house with a sleeping baby and a man recovering from a heart attack.

Gail and Joe are sitting outside in the boat and about to start drinking a glass of champagne when Freida drops her shopping bags and Joe rushes to help her.

Roy tells Hayley that he is certain that Tony's stressed behaviour means that he did kill Liam. Hayley demands to know how someone is meant to react after being accused of murder and scalds him for being presumptuous. She goes on to make him promise to drop it as he risks ruining three lives with his accusations.

Tyrone has just said no to Kirk's request to use his backyard. Jack suggests he goes to the organised display at the Red Rec but Kirk says he prefers to do the fireworks himself. After Kirk leaves, rejected, Tyrone asks Jack what the problem is between him and Connie. Jack uneasily says that he sometimes hears Connie outside his bedroom door at night and Tyrone laughs, saying he knew she was after him.

George is telling everyone at his sorrow of losing touch with Lucy but he hopes to make up by being part of Simon's life. He suggests a family outing to the zoo. Simon asks if there will be monkeys but George replies ‘none as cheeky as you'

Gail returns from the toilet and Joe presents her with a bottle of real champagne. She gasps that they can't afford that but as he's about to say something she goes inside to heat up some soup.

Roy is sitting subdued in the house and Hayley is sympathetic. She believes the ordeal of Tony's heart attack has affected him more than he is letting on. She offers to take him out for an orange juice and maybe catch some fireworks on the way.

Outside the Rovers Kirk wonders aloud how to get onto Underworld's roof. Tyrone grins at him.

George is just leaving and he winks at Blanche as he goes telling her it's clear who is boss in this household. As he leaves, Blanche is very taken and exclaims she thinks she is in love

Jack is lying in bed and he hears the creak on floorboards outside. Connie's shadow lingers and Jack looks uneasy.

Gail comes back out after yet another distraction (Sarah was on the phone). Joe tells her he's been dying to say something all night. Before he even finishes the question, Gail replies happily that she will marry him and thought he'd never ask. As the embrace, fireworks shoot off form the roof of Underworld. Roy and Hayley are passing and watch in wonder but Roy's attention is attracted by Tony standing in his doorway, fixing him with a penetrating look...

That's all for tonight.

Duncan Lindsay


Monday 9 November

Hello, It's only me. I'm standing in for Diane this week as she has better things to do with her time!

Joe's cleaning litter out of the boat when his fiancée brings out a cuppa. Unfortunately, David overhears them cooing at each other. This isn't the way Gail meant to tell him about her engagement. His new girlfriend, Zoe, beams her congratulations but David tells her not to bother. "It's an annual event." Now all Gail has to worry about is telling Audrey!

Norris hustles Emily past the boat to examine fresh bird droppings. He's is trying to show her the difference between the fresh doings on the Kabin window and what he claims is an old deposit on the house windows - a deposit which should have been cleaned off by Graeme, who is not a real window cleaner. "Now you're not to pay him!" Norris says. "You hear?"

Hayley's fussing over what to wear as relief manager at the factory. She tells Roy she wouldn't consider working for someone she considered evil. She's got the job on merit, she snaps at him, telling him to stop talking about it.

Julie calls for Fiz but Fiz is in a cleaning frenzy and can't go to work. John's being released.

Hayley calls at Maria's asking whether Tony wants her to open up. He plans to do it himself, but just to see Hayley settled. Julie comes past and asks Hayley if she's going somewhere special. Before Hayley can answer, Julie tells her Fiz's problem and sighs that she can't cover for Fiz if Tony's going to be there.

Julie grabs Kirk and hustles him to Fiz's to help with whatever she wants him to do. She meets Sally and tells her that Tony's coming in.

Freda and Tina are in the Kabin giving Norris a hard time over Poo-gate. He wants the evidence left until Graeme has seen it, but as Tina says: "What would Horace say?" Joe comes in and tells Tina he's engaged. She's thrilled. Then her face drops. "Oh no. David is going to be my brother. Call it off!" Joe's too happy to call anything off. They leave the shop just as Norris comes out with the Gazette to warn Freda that someone's stealing essentials from disabled people so she'd better hang on to her hearing aid. Yes, the story of the stolen leg has made it into the paper. Police are hunting for the "callous thieves" who took the leg, apparently. Freda grabs the paper and leaves with it, despite Norris's protests.

In the cafe, Tyrone waits for Molly as a fairly frantic Anna copes on her own. When Molly arrives, Tyrone tells her Jack wants to stay over and explains about him hearing Connie on the landing. Roy comes in and tells Anna the sausages she's putting in a butty are undercooked. Anna's highly offended. Roy tells her she's exposing customers to bacterial risk through corner-cutting. When he bins the butty Anna quits in the time-honoured way - she removes her pinny!

The machinists can't work out what Hayley's doing there. They think maybe she's being interviewed for a job. Tony brings her out and explains she's the new relief manager. Everyone is very smiley about it. Oh, except for Sally and Julie, of course. Janice is positively gleeful watching their faces.

Fiz is disgusted at what she's finding during the cleaning project. Kirk decides to take the dog for a walk.

Roy knocks on Anna's door and apologises. He tells her he was at fault. Anna plays it up until Roy offers time and a half for the rest of the day, and then double time. Anna gets her coat.

Freda's explaining about the leg to Graeme. "The police are after me," she tells him. Graeme thinks they need a plan. Freda suggests he drop the leg outside the police station.

Tony answers his front door. "Roy!" "Yes," says Roy.

Inside the house, Tony apologises. Roy wants to talk and Tony doesn't. Tony has to fix the cot, though it's just a minor problem. "One of those annoying niggles that just won't go away," he says slowly, in a voice screaming "DOUBLE MEANING." Roy is happy to wait and shuts the door behind him.

Hayley's already got problems, with Kelly's machine breaking down.

At the garage, Tyrone's on the phone to Molly because Connie's at their front door. "I know you're in there, Jack Duckworth. I can hear you cowering!" Connie shouts through the letterbox. When Jack comes to the door she tells him she needs to know what she's done to send him running.

Tony comes back downstairs and Roy is still waiting. Roy explains, in his roundabout way, that Tony has been preying on his mind and he ended up shouting at Anna. The phone rings. It's Hayley. Tony is quite curt with her. He tells her they can talk about it when they review whether she suits a managerial post.

Freda's in the cafe with the leg on the floor under the table. Anna almost trips over it. Graeme comes in. He's making as much sense as usual. "You see, says Freda. "I assume I'm lipreading you wrong, but you're just talking rubbish!" They've decided Graeme will leave the leg outside a charity shop.

Kirk arrives back with some food and Fiz sits depressed on the sofa. She says the walls are hideous.

Joe's on the boat and sees someone looking at his van. He calls out and the bloke, Rick, introduces himself. He's bought Joe's debts and has just looked round to discuss his repayment structure. Before Joe knows it, Rick's in the house.

Tony tries to tell Roy he didn't kill Liam. He says he doesn't have the energy to go round in circles. "Have me arrested," he urges Roy. Roy says Tony's a guilty, trapped man and the best thing to do would be to confess. Maria comes in, followed by Hayley, and they ask what's going on.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Righty-ho. Here we go again.

Maria wants to know what Roy and Tony have been chatting about. Like he was born to it, Tony instantly lies and tells them he and Roy were talking about rebuilding the habitats of some endangered species or other. Roy stands listening to the lies uncomfortably in the background. Hayley tells Tony she dropped by to get the number of a maintenance man and rushes Roy out of there as quickly as she can. When they've gone, Maria remarks, "Well, I'm guessing the honeymoon is over... I get the feeling that he's starting to get on your nerves." Ton thinks that's the understatement of the century.

Outside, Hayley and Roy argue as Roy tells her that they had been talking about Liam's murder. Hayley is upset, she thought Roy had agreed to let that go. Roy can't ignore what he knows to be true and pretend nothing happened though. Hayley accuses Roy of taunting a sick man. "A guilty man!" exclaims Roy and he tells Hayley that deep down, he thinks Tony wants to go to the police and confess. Hayley thinks that must be buried very deep down. "He was taken aback when I suggested it," says Roy to his exasperated wife.

As Roy and Hayley enter the café, Kirk is on the phone to Chesney. He needs Chesney's help.

The debt collector is looking through Gail's house, sizing up her possessions. Joe owes this bloke £9000. The debt collector has bought the debt of Len Windass's mate and Joe reckons he owes them £2000 at the max. The debt collector doesn't care. He wants to know if Joe has the cash, "or do we have to strip the place?"

Kirk and Chesney rope in David and Zoe to help redecorate Fizz's house for John Stape's release. David is at first reluctant to do owt for nowt, but Zoe jumps in and drags David along with her. How does David manage to find nice girls? He's a weasel!

Joe threatens to call the police on the debt collector (who is really quite handsome, by the way). The handsome debt collector demands payment and starts totting up how much Gail's stuff is worth. Joe rightly claims that none of the stuff is his, it's his fiancee's. Gail calls to find out where Joe is. Joe tells her he got held up and will be with her soon. After Joe has hung up, the debt collector asks Joe, "You think I'm a right dodgy sort, don't you?" He tells Joe he's not and reminds him that he waited for Gail to leave before approaching him and spared him embarrassment. But if he doesn't get paid, next time, he won't come back on his own. He refuses to leave Joe without at least a down-payment on his debt. "I know what you can give me.." He says and heads outside.

In the café, Hayley and Roy are talking about Tony again. Roy is sure that he is doing the right thing. He is doing what his conscience is telling him to do by urging Tony to go the police.

Norris is arguing with Graeme about the bird muck on the window. Norris refuses to pay Graeme. In that case, Graeme helps himself to £5.40's worth of magazines from the Kabin shelves. "You owe me 60p," says Graeme. Norris tries to argue but Graeme walks out. Norris shouts to Graeme that he is a thief. "Thief back at ya!" replies Graeme.

Joe and the debt collector are out in the street, looking at Joe's van. Despite the fact that Joe thinks it's worth £8000, the debt collector will give him £5000 for it Joe hands him the keys reluctantly but says, "That's it right? You take my van, we're quits. Don't come near my house again." The debt collector drives off in Joe's van but not before telling him to cheer up, "You'll bounce back soon." Tyrone witnesses Joe's van being driven away.

Tony is out walking the dog, looking quite unwell. Roy comes over to him and badgers him about Liam's murder. "I realise you're trying to make amends but you can't operate your own system of judgement, there has to be laws," he says to Tony. Tony wonders who gave Roy the right to play judge and jury. He tells Roy to leave him alone before he walks off with Ozzy.

Joe joins Gail, Tina and Ted in the Rovers. Ted proposes a toast to Gail and Joe. Tyrone comes in to tell Joe about his van being driven off. Joe tells Tyrone he knows and that he has sold the van but once again, his plans for secrecy have been scuppered! Joe needs to make up a new lie and tells his loved ones he sold it so he could buy Gail an engagement ring. Life would be so much easier if people just told the truth.

At Fizz's house, the redecorating is taking place. Kirk has bought some cheap paint which David remarks is like water. Chesney looks out of his window and sees Fizz coming up the road. Kirk tells Chesney to stall her- he needs about an hour. Chesney heads out and suggests she go for a pizza with him. Meanwhile, Roy is out on the bench of tears looking forlorn as he watches Maria come out of her house, pushing baby Liam. Roy goes and knocks on Tony's door. Inside, Roy refuses to answer.

Connie is at the Rovers with Tyrone and Molly. She is distressed because she doesn't know what she did wrong. Jack comes in. Molly and Tyrone tactfully leave the two of them to talk. Jack sees no escape. He asks Connie what she's having. "An explanation," she says, "a large one with ice and lemon."

Maria comes home to find Tony a bit of a state in a darkened house. Tony tells Maria that Roy has been round again and he tells Maria he thinks Roy has developed some kind of obsession with him. Tony confesses he doesn't feel too good. Maria wants to take him to the hospital but Tony insists all he needs is to cuddle Liam for a bit. Maria is determined, she is going to go and see Roy and talk to him.

Fizz comes home after her pizza with Chesney and is surprised by her redecorated house. She can't believe it was Kirk that did it with help from David and Zoe before they all start jumping out of cupboards at her. Fizz is speechless.

Molly and Tyrone are at the bar, wondering how it's going with Jack and Connie. Jack and Connie are talking. Connie wants to know why Jack has taken the hump with her. In a roundabout way, they discover the problem; Jack is unable to feel the way he thinks Connie wants him to feel about her. Connie doesn't know where he got the idea that she fancies him from. Jack pleads for them to move on but Connie doesn't want to. "Not until you've told me what I've done," she says.

Roy is mopping the floor in the café when Maria comes knocking. She has come to demand that Roy leave Tony alone. She reminds him that she is very grateful for what Roy did but that Roy's attentiveness- following him around, calling him- has to stop since it's making Tony sick again. She leaves abruptly. "That's you told," says Hayley.

Norris and Freida come into the bar. Graeme gives back the magazines to Norris along with £1 for reducing the value of them. Emily has paid him in full. "See you in six weeks," says Graeme, waving and leaves the pub. Norris is scandalised-

Connie tells Jack that what she liked about him was that he was normally dead straight with folks. Jack just blurts it out; he has heard her outside his bedroom door. Connie has the answer- she is a sleepwalker and has been found in her neighbours' gardens in the past They laugh about it and Connie tells Jack that the next time he hears her up and about, he needs to send her straight back to bed. Connie thinks they should tell Molly and Tyrone since they've been eavesdropping on the conversation from the bar.

At the bar, Molly and Tyrone are laughing at Connie's sleepwalking tales too. Molly thinks that Connie and Jack are like a couple of kids. "No," Tyrone is in a rush to put her right, "they're not a couple!" Meanwhile, Sally and Kevin are having a loud-ish argument about John Stape moving back onto the street. Molly remarks to Ty that Kevin is henpecked but Tyrone puts her straight. He tells her, "They've been married 20-odd years them. They're devoted to each other" He goes on, "'I know they've been separated and had affairs but they've always ended up back together". Molly wants to know if that's the secret to a successful marriage, meaning the affairs. Tyrone brushes her comment off and adds, "I'm just saying, you know, all the other women he's been with, at the end of the day, obviously meant nothing." Well, that's not what Molly wants to hear. She asks Ty how many other women he's been with. "'Well, there was Natalie Horrocks, she was the biggie, then there was Alison although I think he was with Alison was when him and Sal had split up and then there was Molly.' Molly questions her own name, 'Mmmm, the nurse. Dropped her like a shot though when Sal clicked her fingers.' Oh, Molly, our Molly, is not happy.

At home, Tony questions Maria about what went on at the café with Roy. He makes the excuse that he doesn't want word to get out that Maria has been fighting his battles. Maria assures him it was just her, Roy and Hayley who heard the conversation.

At Roy & Hayley's, there's some ominous classical music in the background as Roy leafs through a nature book and Hayley closes the curtains against the rain. Hayley is off to bed but Roy stays up and seems thoughtful.

Gail and Joe are having a glass of wine at home. Gail confesses to be shocked to hear that Joe sold the van to buy her a ring. Joe becomes maudlin at the thought of his debts. Gail wonders about his financial situation and asks him if there's something he's not telling her. Joe tells her he just wishes he could buy her a massive rock of an engagement ring. Gail says she would rather he didn't. They crack open another bottle of wine- bottle number three- and snuggle in together. It seems that despite Joe's massive debts, they are happy.

Liam is lying in bed as the rain pelts down on the windows and thunder rumbles. He can't sleep. He gets up and takes a look out of the window. Guess who is standing, getting soaked to the skin, looking up at Tony's window. Only Tony's living, breathing conscience, Mr Roy Cropper. Dun dun dummmm!

Stella McLoughlin


Wednesday 11 November

Good evening again my friends. An extra episode so relief updater strides on stage, checks his keyboard and looks back to last Wednesday evening's televisual entertainment from Weatherfield.

We start at the Webster household where the imminent release of John Stape, former kidnapper and terror inducer of this parish is about to be released into the arms of his new ever loving wife and for reasons which are hard to comprehend Sally seems unable to forgive and forget or live and let live and is once again sounding off about how they as victims are the ones who suffer. Oddly the real victim, Rosie, seems rather more concerned with her lost money and lack of a job. Sally believes that Rosie is putting a brave face on it (Honest Sal have you see Rosie's face - brave is not the right word). In fact Rosie could not care less - and then she tries to borrow twenty quid from Kev who refuses. Sally moans on - the rest ignore her.

Chez has decided to let the newly re-united couple have some space and he will be staying at Gary's tonight (obviously the walls in these houses are paper thin and he cannot face the noises likely to be over heard). He might pop in for a hello first.

Maria tells Tony to stop worrying about Roy - easier said than done now that the conscience has kicked in. Tony says he saw Roy standing in the pouring rain the previous night - a man with a mission. Maria wants to talk to Roy again but Tony claims it must have been a dream. She tells him to relax and get better - the stress is not good for him.

Across the road Roy is trying to explain his wet clothes to Hayley - lack of sleep so he went for a walk. Hayely tells him his obsession with Tony has to stop. He says it is over - Roy's job is done - it is now down to Tony's conscience.

In the cafe we are reminded that it is November 11 as Peter is wearing a poppy (as was Roy previously). Anna asks after business and asks if there was any chance he could give Gary some work. Peter is reluctant but agrees to think about it.

In the Street Fiz is heading off to meet John and receives good wishes from Julie, Hayley and Sean. Ty also extends his good wishes - providing she does not tell Kev.

Gail (who is a trusting little soul isn't she) believes that Joe sold the van to buy her a ring, we know better boys and girls. How will he pay the next debt collector we wonder? Anyway she tells him she does not want an expensive ring - he says no - he wants to be old fashioned and make it a surprise.

Ty goes off in the recovery van and Kev and Molly snatch a few momoents. Molly looks sick as she wants to tackle Kev about all those other notches on his bedpost. After all Ty said that Kev goes back to Sally when she clicks her fingers. Molly wants to know - but Kev does not want to discuss history. Kev claims he would do anything for Molly - but as she points out that does not go as far as leaving his wife for her.

Elsewhere we see John emerge from prison and he and Fiz kiss before mounting the scooter and heading off to the park for a picnic in the open air. He is just happy smelling the grass (the green stuff they are sitting on - not waccy baccy as far as I can establish). The two are clealry both in good humour.

Hayley cannot get her invoices right and goes across the Street where annoying Maria she gets Tony to point out the problem. Tony uses it as an opportunity to claim once again that the drugs addled his mind over the "deathbed" confession. He claims he told someone about his (non-existent) sister. Hayley seems to swallow the explanation hook line and sinker and Tony confirms that was why he appointed her - because he trusts her. She goes and Tony on his own is distressed not answering a telephone call and pulling the curtains.

Jesse has another Custard booking and passes the information onto Higher Lower who says she will see him tomorrow. Sean overhears and thinks Julie has a new boyfriend. She tells that it is none of his business.

In the garage Sal asks Kev if there is any sign of the Stape family and as they look across the Street the scooter returns with the married couple. Sal runs across the Street and calls John a pervert. John reminds her that he wrote to everyone before his return and he had had a number of letters of support in return. Sal continues shouting at him and Fiz - he tells her to leave Fiz alone. She calls Fiz pathetic for bringing the dregs of humanity to her house. Chesney has been watching from a distance and he rushes over and defends his sister from the attack - in deed some of the locals had helped decorate the house for his return. Sally thought they all had short memories. Sally calls John a paedophile at which the Stapes decide enough is enough and head indoors and Kev takes Sal away. Sal makes it clear that she will not let the matter rest and kicks over Fiz's scooter.

Inside Fiz is sorry that the homecoming has gone so badly. John looks around and admires the decoration - he and Chesney agree it is a bright start.

Across the road Sal is still in full flow but Rosie has had enough and tells her to shut up. She has heard enough of John Stape. Kev heads out for a drink in the pub.

Joe has bought a ring and it is unveiled in front of Gail's father - and it is the smallest diamond I have ever seen. Anyway Gail pronounces it is perfect. Ted points out that it means there is more money for the wedding and offers to take them both for a drink. Somehow Joe does not look the happiest man on earth.

In the Rovers Sean still wants to know about Julie's date. She is giving nothing away - but Sean is not giving up that easily.

Gary sees Ted's poppy and says that is a right racket - they cost nothing to make after all. Ted tries to explain the point with the profit going to servicemen. Gary reckons a right killing could be made and rightly Ted is offended as Gary goes on that if a load of losers want to get blown to smithereens then that is their lookout. His outburst is overheard by Peter as Ted responds that he did his service in Malaysia and stalked off. Anna tells him to apologise but Gary is having none of it. Peter says Gary does not have a clue about such matters - he had been going to offer him some shifts but in the light of these comments he had changed his mind. Anna tries to repair the breach but it is too serious. Anna calls Gary a "stupid so and so". Anna also walks out.

Along at what I suppose now becomes the Stape residence in place of the Battersby home Chesney says he is off to see Gary and he is aware that it is their wedding night and he does not want to be around. John wraps his arms around Fiz and I think we can leave it there.

Across the road the Stape residence is being watched by Mrs Webster and once all of the lights have gone out Sal retrieves a carrier bag and silently heads out across the quiet Street. What is she planning?

All will be revealed next time.

And a few other notes.

Regrettably Sal is not going to be terribly well in the near future - could it be caused by all the worrying about John Stape?

Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas have been re-united. And how will Michelle get on when Ciaran McCarthy returns soon?

There are reports that Tina O'Brien (Sarah Louise) and Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) have separated. However this may not be true.

Also due back any moment now is Carla ... leaving soon is Maria and next year Kelly is going.

Any moment now Sunita is due back as well.

See you soon.
K Richard W


Thursday 12 November

It's the morning after the night before for the newlyweds and John tells Fiz that the best bit was falling asleep, knowing he'd be waking up beside her. Fiz then pulls back the curtains and gets a shock - someone has covered their windows with black paint! She and John go outside to have a closer look, just as Kevin emerges from his front door across the road. He takes one look and storms back inside. Anna comes out of her house and hurries over to Fiz and John. She asks if they know who did it, and Fiz grimly replies that she's got a pretty good idea.

Inside the Webster household, Sally is having breakfast with the two girls when Kevin marches back in and asks when she did it. "Late enough not to get seen," she says, bold as brass, and setting a great example to her children. Sophie points out that it's vandalism, and Kevin tells her it's criminal damage. Sally says that ‘criminal' implies a victim and the only victim is her daughter. "Tell that to the judge," says Kevin, but Sally's sure it won't come to that. "Unless you confess," he says, adding that she's never been able to resist bragging.

Across the Street, Fiz wants to go and give Sally a smack but John calms her down and tells Chesney not to let her do anything stupid while he goes out. Fiz doesn't know how he can be so calm but Chesney says he's probably been through worse in prison, and anyway, Sally will probably get bored soon. "She wants you to react, can you think of anything more annoying for her than you not rising to it?" he says wisely.

Over at Maria's house, she tries to encourage him to go out and get some milk, but he's in a very quiet, brooding state of mind. She reminds him that his isn't the only heart that needs looking after.

Gary goes into the café, and his mum remarks on how late he and Chesney stayed up playing war games. Ted comes up to pay and tells Anna to keep the change. As he goes out she remarks on what a gentleman he is.

Fiz meets Kevin and asks if he's proud of their night time games. He bluffs that he doesn't know what she's talking about but she says she know just how Sally's vindictive little mind works and they'll see what the police have to say. "Fine," he tells her, "but if I was going to send John a message it wouldn't be with paint on the windows." He goes on to tell her she can do what she wants but his life is complicated enough right now without worrying about her and John.

Gary catches up with Ted and apologises for his behaviour yesterday, saying he was completely out of order, and Ted deserves respect. He asks what it was really like. "Not like any video game, Gary," says Ted.

Tony walks down the street as John prepares to start getting the paint off the windows. "A little welcome home present," he says to Tony. Tony says that John seems very relaxed about it, but John says he's out on licence and can't afford to lose it, besides, he owes it to Fiz. He tells Tony he woke up this morning with no job and no prospects and lots of regret but finally felt his life made sense. "I've forgiven myself, I know I did a terrible thing but I'm not the same man any more." He adds that he's not prepared to be frightened any more, that's the worse prison of all. Tony looks thoughtful as he goes on down the street.

As John and Fiz are working on their windows when Roy comes over from the café with some food, saying he felt they need sustenance. He tells John that he and Hayley are glad to welcome him as a friend and neighbour.

Jesse and Julie are entertaining at the children's party. Jesse tells Julie that Eileen was behaving strangely last night and is worried that if she works out what's going on there will be trouble. Julie's sure they'll be fine, and steps out onto the stage in front of all the children - however, there sitting in the audience is little Simon Barlow!

Gary walks into the pub and sees Peter, but Peter only grunts at him. Ted is at a table and suggests that perhaps Peter needs an apology too. Gary says he'll catch him later and asks Ted if he can sit with him. Ted agrees so he sits down and says he's been thinking about what Ted said earlier and asks him to tell him some more.

Tony apologises to Maria for his bad mood and she hands him a bag, she's bought him something. It's a heart monitor watch, she doesn't want him to be scared any more. He smiles and tells her he's not, any more.

Hayley is admiring Fiz and John's work on the windows when Sally and Rosie come along. "Doing a bit of DIY?" asks Sally, adding that it's a funny way to spend a honeymoon. Fiz retorts that they had a bit of trouble last night, and it would have to be a pretty sick and disturbed individual who would do a thing like that. "Well maybe they were angry," says Sally. "No, just pathetic," snaps Fiz, and the two of them stand there glaring at each other. Just then, Kevin sees what's happening from across the street and runs over and orders Sally home. "What's the matter Sal, lost for words?" asks Fiz. "No," retorts Sally, "I'd rather let my artwork do the talking!" As Kevin predicted, she couldn't keep her mouth shut, so he grabs her by the arm and hustles her away. "Oh Sally!" sighs Hayley. Fiz wants to call the police but John persuades her not to as there's no evidence left, and he's sure the Sallys of the world will soon get tired of them.

Over at Maria's, Tony has donned his suit and is ready to go and take care of a bit of business. He tells Maria to arrange a babysitter and they'll go out for dinner. She tells him not to overdo it. "I won't," he says, telling her not to worry. "Tony's back!"

Jessie and Julie have finished their stint at the party and Jesse tells Simon not to tell anyone that Julie was there. Simon frowns, saying that sounds like a lie and his dad has told him that they are bad. "But maybe I wouldn't mind if I won loads of presents," he says. Jesse promises to see what he can do.

Tony goes to the café and tells Roy he wants a word. Roy says that any further communiction between them would be imprudent, his business is now with the police. Tony tells him to stop making wild allegations but Roy says that's impossible. "No," says Tony, "what's impossible is me walking away from the best thing that's ever happened to me." Roy tells him he has no choice, but Tony reckons that he has options and one of them is to draw a line under the whole misunderstanding, he just wants closure. Roy says that if Tony is asking him to forget what happened , he can't. Tony tells him that he should forget what he knows, that way they can avoid another tragic accident. "Are you making a threat?" asks Roy. Tony tells him he's seen into his soul - what does he think? As he walks away from the café, Tony glances down at his heart monitor. It's reading 131 - which is pretty high!

Ted tells Gary that the army gave him what he needed when he was Gary's age - discipline and direction. He learnt lessons that lasted a lifetime. They took a useless sack of bones and turned them into a man. It was hard but it served him well. Gary looks thoughtful.

Kevin is in the pub, about to sit with Molly, when Sally storms in, saying she's not going to be made to feel the villain in all of this. He asks what part of ‘I want a quiet pint on my own' she doesn't understand. She ignores him, saying she wants justice. He says they should get a solicitor, but Sally doesn't feel they should pay to get rid of John. He tells her he's had enough and if she pulls another stunt like the last one he'll call the police himself.

Back at the party, Julie tells Jesse that the birthday boy is very upset. "How could you let Simon win all the prizes?" she asks. Jesse just tries to hurry her out and eventually explains that Deirdre will be coming any minute to pick up Simon. Just then Peter puts his head round the curtain, explaining that Deirdre has been delayed. "What this I hear about you leading my son astray?" he asks, smiling, adding that their secret is safe.

Hayley arrives home to find Roy looking shaken. She asks what the matter is and he tells her that Tony came roud. She asks if he was aggressive. He says that Tony was quite rational. She asks what he said exactly, but Roy is obviously shocked and has trouble replying. She tells him he's frightening her. "Please be assured the feeling is definitely mutual," he replies. Agitated, she asks if Tony has threatened to hurt him. "Hurt? No," he replies. "I believe the suggestion was more along the lines of…..murder!"

Anne Logan


Friday 13 November

It's Friday again. Hayley's been sitting up all night and Roy's worried she'll fall asleep at her desk. But Hayley has not intention of working for Tony Gordon ever again, no sirree! She's keen to go to the police but Roy doesn't think they'll be believed. He's going to make sure Tony's conscience gets to him. Hayley points out that Tony doesn't have one. Roy disagrees. "You're looking at it," he tells her. He plans to pressure Tony into confessing. He tells Hayley that he frightens Tony. "It was all bluster yesterday. He's on the brink. I just have to hold my nerve."

Sally didn't make Kevin a cuppa. Even Rosie's fed up with hearing Sally go on about John Stape. Kevin says she went about things the wrong way, but Sally says all she did was show she cared about her daughter. He says she did it for herself, to make herself feel better, but he's learned the hard way that you can't get justice that way. Sally's angry. "Stape has to see he's not wanted round here." She says he's counting on wearing down the opposition. "I know where I stand. It's you I can't fathom," she says.

Molly's burnt the toast and isn't amused. Kirk turned up the dial to toast a crumpet and didn't turn it back down. "Honestly, a thought couldn't survive a second in your head," she says. She grumps off to work. Kirk feels in the way. "You're not the only one," says Tyrone.

Roy wants to open up and says he must continue to be a presence in Tony Gordon's life. Hayley still wants them to go to the police. She thinks that will stop Tony coming after Roy. Roy doesn't want to antagonise Tony, but Hayley points out that that's exactly what his plan will do.

Fiz thinks John has swapped one prison for another. He doesn't think so. He wants to find a job soon. "Trouble is, there's not much call for failed kidnappers." He's going to get dressed and thinks he'll finish off the window frames, even though Fiz says he'll be a target for Sally there.

Jesse's in the corner shop, loading his basket with chocolate. Dev and Sean wonder if he's bulimic. Jesse protests that they're not for him. They're for Simon Barlow. Eileen's come in and looks very confused. Jesse tells her that in return Simon will put in a good word for him with his mates. Eileen doesn't think that's a good plan at all. Jesse tells her that bookings have fallen drastically and hints that it's since Julie was sacked. Eileen says she'll be Hialoa this afternoon, swapping shifts with Claire, but Jesse says he'll manage.

There's a gathering of workers outside the factory. Nobody's there to open up. Julie says she gave her keys to Hayley. Sally, of course, says things would have been different if she'd got the job. Fiz tells her pointedly that even if they freeze they'd all rather have Hayley.

Hayley's in the cafe. It's closed but Roy's catching up on chores. He says going to the police would undo everything. As things stand, Tony's plagued by remorse. Hayley worries that Roy is risking his life. She thinks he's putting Maria and the baby at risk, but Roy's convinced Tony loves them too much to hurt them. "I thought I married a cafe owner, not Cracker!" says Hayley. "It's a sight harder to price a conscience than a sausage. For all we know he's on his way over here to kill you."

Sally knocks at Maria's door and tells Tony that Hayley hasn't turned up. He gives her the keys and says he'll find out what the score is with Hayley. He looks worried.

John's painting and Graeme, complete with trishaw, stops to chat. He tells him he's doing a cracking job but it'll show the bedroom windows up something rotten. "I see what you mean, but I haven't got any lad . . . oh . . ." Graeme offers to use his ladders and even do the painting upstairs. Eddie Windass comes out wanting to borrow a ladder. "I think the word you want is Hire," says Graeme. Only John notices Sally glaring at John.

Kevin and Molly are in the garage chatting and arranging to meet when Sally arrives, so Kevin covers by giving Molly a row for not keeping the books up to date. Tyrone arrives while this is happening and follows Molly out as Sally protests that Molly can't speak to Kevin like that. Kevin says the Stape business is winding him up.

Sean tries to find out where Julie is going on her afternoon off. She says something about having a doctor's appointment but he's sure she's meeting a man. He's noticed the extra make-up she's wearing.

Molly tells Tyrone she's fine and that she has to nip out later to see her Dad and to meet a mate in town. When he asks who it is, she gets very defensive. "I don't know what the matter is with you," Tyrone says. "Nothing I say is right lately." He says Kirk plans to move out after she snapped at him. Molly apologises and says she's worried about her dad not being better. Tyrone apologises and hugs her.

Kirk and Sean are at the cafe which is still closed. Tony arrives and says he's sure Roy and Hayley are fine. Sean and Kirk go off to the kebab shop. Tony calls through the letter box to Hayley. Upstairs, Hayley says she'll have to go down. Roy thinks Tony will go away, but Hayley says he won't until she's given him a credible reason why she hasn't turned up to work.

In the taxi office, Sean gives Eileen a kebab and says Tony's still calling through the letter box. He tells he has gossip: Julie's taken the afternoon off to meet a fella. Eileen points out that Julie is free and single but Sean wonders whether the bloke is. "I know an affair when I can smell one," he says. Eileen twigs that it's probably Jesse. She calls Eddie and says she's got an urgent job for him.

Hayley comes to the cafe door, wearing her dressing gown, and says she has a tummy bug, has been in bed all morning and Roy's gone out to get her some medicine. Tony says everyone's been worried about her. His eyes go from her dressing gown down to her feet, which are in her outdoor shoes. He tells her that he and Roy have had a misunderstanding and he'd hate to fall out with Hayley as well. "It's hard enough having to sort things out with Roy without having to sort you out, too." Hayley manages to mumble something and closes the door, bolting it quickly. Tony, looking even more worried, goes.

Steve's back from the Greek islands and talking to Dev. Dev tries to diplomatically get out of seeing any holiday snaps but can't believe Becky let Steve play golf on his honeymoon. Steve mentions that Becky was in Romania, seeing Roy and Hayley at the time. Dev goes from admiring Steve's new wife for letting him play golf to being very confused indeed. John comes in and Steve is very abrupt with him. John says he was going to see Steve about getting some cab shifts but Steve doesn't think that's a good idea, with Dev pointing out that John used one of their cars to kidnap Rosie. I also suspect John no longer qualifies for a taxi-driver's licence. Dev tells John to put back the milk he's holding. "Your custom's not welcome here."

Outside, Eddie's parked in his car, spying on Jesse, who appears to be eating sweets. As he's relaying this to Eileen, Eddie sees Julie hot-foot it to Jesse's van and climb into the passenger seat. The van drives off immediately.

Hayley's in a bad state and wants something stronger than a hot drink. "I looked into the eyes of a murderer, Roy," she says, telling Roy that Tony threatened her. Roy thinks they should go away for a while but Hayley says that wouldn't solve the problem. She can't live with the stress of it. Roy says it's his fault because he tried to force a confession and didn't think about the danger to Hayley. He agrees to go to the police without further ado.

The end of episode one.
More later.
Margaret Carr

Here's the second episode for Friday 13th, and the tradition of the date certainly seems to be applying to Tony...

Roy and Hayley have just reported everything they know at the police station. Hayley nervously asks the officer if they have done the right thing and he assures her that they will sort it from here.

Eddie returns to the cab office and Eileen wants to know everything. He is very vague but does mention the word hotel...

Roy and Hayley have decided to get away from the Street for a couple of days until the situation blows over and they begin packing a few things into a rucksack.

Steve is back from honeymoon and knocks on Lloyd's door. He is baffled when Teresa answers and a sheepish Lloyd follows her and says he'll talk to him later, leaving Steve bemused.

Roy and Hayley are leaving everything in Anna's hands and she admits that she is surprised that they are going camping in November. Hayley responds that they have always been spontaneous people. As she and Roy try to leave, Tony meets them at the door and asks casually if they're running away. Roy replies that the cafe is not open and Tony sadly says he just needed somewhere to heat up Liam's milk. Before Roy can protest, Anna allows Tony in. Steve is next and is confused that the place is now open. He asks jokingly if someone has died but Roy grimly replies not yet. With a smile, Tony pats him on the shoulder and tells him he's got plenty of years left in him yet.

Kevin's solicitor tells him that there is nothing he can do about John. Kevin is crestfallen but moves onto ask another piece of advice. He tells the solicitor a friend of his has met someone else and wants to move in with her. He asks where he would stand financially as the solicitor nods knowingly.

Lloyd meets Steve in the cafe and Steve can't wait to ask about Teresa. Lloyd tells him that she is his new cleaning lady. Steve points out that he has never had a cleaning lady before and Lloyd shrugs and replies that Teresa is cheap. The lady herself then walks in and plonks herself onto Lloyd's knee. Steve can't hide the amusement from his face.

Tony is asking Anna where the Croppers have gone. She replies that they are away somewhere in the Peak District. Tony says that Hayley still has one of his folders and asks whether she may let him upstairs to find it. Anna says she couldn't but she could take Tony up herself when the cafe quietens down.

Across the room Sally walks in and is aghast to see John working there.

Meanwhile, Eileen confronts Jesse over Julie. He insists that it is not an affair, more a working relationship. Eileen says he must choose between her and her sister and this time she means it.

Anna is just taking Tony upstairs and Eddie walks in, wondering what's going on. Anna tells him with a roll of her eyes that it's to look for something and then orders Eddie to look after the cafe. Eddie calls after Tony to keep his hands off his wife and Tony gives a wry smile and says he will try and resist

Molly is meeting Kevin at their motel room and is watching him, clearly still wondering about his affair. Kevin tells her that it's worse than being married but she insists on asking details of the affair.

Tony and Anna can't find the file, funnily enough so Anna makes to call Hayley. Tony stops her, saying that he wouldn't want to disturb their break. As Anna begins flicking through a childhood photo album, Tony spies a set of keys across the room. He is hopeful when Anna goes to answer the phone but she just calls for Eddie to answer it. However, as they head out of the room, he does manage to grab the keys. At the bottom of the stairs he says he just remembered where it is and his memory is so bad. He says it is probably best not to tell Hayley or Roy and they'll not know she went poking through his photo album. Anna smiles sheepishly and says it can be their secret.

Lloyd is telling Steve that Teresa is more fun than Liz at least. Steve retorts that he is sleeping with a total nutter but Lloyd reminds him that he married three, one of them twice. Steve goes to punch Lloyd, but hits the wall instead.

Kevin is telling Molly that John is allowed to stay on the Street but she is not paying much attention. She is wistfully imagining what life with Kevin in one of the show homes may be like. (Gripping, I'd assume)

At the pub, Steve offers to buy Lloyd and Teresa a drink but Teresa knows about the row and asks if he has a problem with her. Steve assures her he doesn't so she orders two pints of cider for herself.

Jesse makes a hasty call to Julie as Eileen watches and tells her that their working relationship is over.

Tony is in the medical centre picking up a prescription and notices a police car pull up outside his home.

Sally is furious about the solicitor's information and suggests they get a new one. Kevin says he can't afford to and Sally sniffs that she doesn't know how. She says thoughtfully that she hopes Molly isn't fiddling with anything at the garage (Do I even need to say anything?)

Teresa is mulling over her mothering techniques as she drinks and says the hardest thing is accepting that you're a bad mother. But still, she is glad she is not an alcoholic. She proceeds to down nearly a whole pint as Steve looks on with raised eyebrows. Lloyd points out that she is fun and Steve replies ‘Sure, if you like that kind of thing'

Maria knocks on the door making Tony jump. She has forgotten her key. She tells him that they heard the tale of the Big Bad Wolf. Tony gushes to Liam that at least the wolf got sorted in the end. Maria nods and replies 'Yeah, he deserved everything he got!'

And that's all from me!

Duncan Lindsay


Monday 16 November

I'm back from my hols and thank Margaret and Stella very much for vacation cover! I'm all caught up on the comings and goings in Weatherfield and ready for an exciting week.

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by David Kester

Tony is packing Maria off for the day to a spa as an impromptu treat. Audrey will have the baby and Tony is going back to work. Maria isn't too happy about that because she thinks it's too soon. (Me too. He nearly died of a heart attack barely a week ago!) He overrides her concerns and sees her off with a kiss.

Down the road, Julie is knocking on Eileen's door. She greets Tony who reminds her not to be late. Eileen opens said door and Julie barges in, furious. The slanging match starts. Julie shouts that she and Jesse were not lovers and they were a great partnership on stage. Eileen is very clear she's not having Julie and her boyfriend within breathing distance. Hair is pulled on both counts while Julie grunts that she does Not Fancy Jesse! (Ah but I reckon he fancies her from the lascivious glances he's given her backside!) Jason arrives but doesn't have to break up the fight as they've let each other go but the shouting doesn't stop until Julie stalks out. Jason goes to the foot of the stairs and hollers up to Jesse that the coast is clear.

Becky wanders into the empty pub and pins a Greek flag up on the upended bar access flap thingy. She looks thoughtful.

In the cafe, Gary is perusing some printed material on the Army and Tony is on the phone to Maria who's still fretting. After a bit of "You switch off the phone... no YOU switch off" he finally hangs up. He tells Anna that Maria is at the spa today. Running joke of the night about doing the shopping ("Spar" is a supermarket, for those not in the UK.) Tony asks after the Croppers. John says he's taken a message from them earlier and they'll be back later today. There's a bit of convo about the army in which Anna sighs that she doesn't want him to come home draped in a flag.

Tony is about to cross the road down by Audrey's when he sees two plainclothes police knocking on his door. (Would they really have waited all weekend?). He keeps his head down and walks down the other side of the street with his takeaway coffee. Becky is outside the pub finishing a smoke and notices the cops as well. Something seems to be up with her.

In the factory, Tony arrives, mind you it's after 11 a.m. and he's only just shown up for the day. Everyone seems a bit surprised that he's at work. Sally tells him Hayley hasn't shown up but he says he's spoken to her and she'll be in tomorrow. He goes into the office to take a business call on the speaker phone. He's not on the phone a minute when the two police arrive in the factory to speak to him. They are indeed police and they want to speak to him at the station. He wonders if it's about Mr. Strong but is told it isn't and would he follow them outside. The bees are shocked into silence. Out the door, the cops tell him that he's being arrested on suspicion of the murder of Liam Connor and for making threats to Roy and Hayley Cropper! He feigns surprise and cooly says he'll certainly go along and humour them.

In Platt Towers, Gail says that Ted is coming for tea and she's going to ask Ted to give her away. David has arrived for a toilet break since the salon is filled with women clucking over the baby. He goes upstairs and Gail and Joe muse over how well David seems to be taking it. Audrey doesn't know yet, though.

Outside, the factory bees are escaping for their dinner break. Julie is grousing to Sean about Eileen when Jesse drives up in his Custermobile. Julie goes over and knocks on the window, wanting a word but Jesse, terrified that Eileen might see them together, jumps out the other side and runs down the street, arms and legs akimbo!

At the cop shop, Tony is in a darkish room with light streaming through a barred window. The clock says 2 p.m. They are grilling him on why Roy has complained about threats. Tony assures them that Roy is a weirdo and a crackpot though was good to him when he had his heart attack. The detective brings up the fact that Tony's "baby" is in fact the son of the dead Liam Connor and mentions also that Maria had previously accused Tony of killing said Liam. Tony holds it together and is patient with his answers, and he has one for everything. They want to talk to Maria and he reacts as if it would be very stressful for her but denies that the idea of them talking to Maria makes him nervous. He's cool, this one, not breaking a sweat. Not outwardly at least. He sounds calm, he doesn't get irritated much, he doesn't look angry, but he is icily controlled.

After the break, they're still at it. The detective brings in tea. The clock now shows nearly 5 p.m. He's still cold but seems to have a glint in his eye and is accused of having a bad attitude. They continue to question him, now on about Liam's affair with Carla but Tony is defiant. He tells them to get a mucky book and let him go home.

Back on the Street, Jason has found Jesse's wallet. He leaves and she decides to give in to temptation and snoops in the wallet and looks surprised at what she discovers.

The faithful Woody is pulling up in front of Roy's Rolls. Roy and Hayley have returned! The place is still standing. They are quiet as they unload the car.

Meanwhile, Tony is being released and warned to stay away from the Croppers. He thanks them and leaves. Maria is just getting home and is on the phone to Audrey, checking on the baby and saying she'll be over as soon as she gets the washing on. Sounds like she enjoyed her day.

In the cafe, John is wittering on about Gary and the army, I think, but the Croppers' attention seems to be elsewhere. Fiz arrives with a smile for all her favourite people. She tells them that Tony was taken by the police and never did get back to the factory. Knowing glances between our heroes and Fiz picks up on it straight away. They decline to say anything but do admit they know something about what's going on.

In the pub, the factory workers are buzzing about what's up with Tony. Becky asks Jason what he thinks. He doesn't reckon it has to do with Maria because she's spent the day at the spa and is on top of the world. Ooh, Becky declares, Steve does all their shopping. (Spa/Spar again) Gary mentions that Tony seemed jumpy earlier. The conversation turns again to the army. Anna thinks he should try for any job except the army. Call centre, pulling pints, plumbing!

Tony arrives home and greets Maria. She's going to go get him shortly. He says work was a bit hard going and he is going to have a lie down. She smiles and he gets a figurative I Told You So for his troubles. She goes into the kitchen and he heads upstairs but looks back at her, troubled.

In Platt Towers, Gail is pouring wine. David talks about two older ladies that always book their appointments in tandem. Ted arrives. Later he's at the table and asks after Zoe. David says he's going to pick her up at the bus stop. He leaves and Ted calls after him to bring Zoe in to say hello. After David is gone, Gail asks Ted to give her away and he's delighted to be asked!

Maria opens the front door to go get Liam and runs right into Fiz who immediately asks if Tony is all right. They are at cross purposes for a few minutes until Fiz corrects Maria and says that Tony has been questioned by the police all day and it's something to do with Roy and Hayley. Maria is gobsmacked. She goes back inside and Tony comes downstairs again. She confronts him with what she knows about the police. He tries to lie that it was about Luke and the factory and he didn't tell her because he didn't want her upset. She pushes, it wasn't about Luke though, and reveals what Fiz had suspected, that it was about Roy and Hayley. He reluctantly tells her that the Croppers complained that he threatened them.

He tells his version of things, regarding his "deathbed" confession about Liam's murder and how he supposedly said he'd kill Roy and Hayley as well but that Roy has the wrong end of the stick. Maria is shocked and she keeps backing away from him. Maybe somewhere down inside she knows it's true but she's not ready to accept it yet. She starts to put it all together, because she knows he did think he was dying but he tries to talk her around. He is terrified she'll believe them over him. Though she says she doesn't, she slides into the kitchen and slips out the back door. Tony's face falls when he hears the door close. He reaches into a drawer for the keys to the Cafe that he'd stolen and we next see him approach the cafe with a face like thunder.

What's he going to do? Stay tuned!

Tvor

John is outside Roy's, sweeping the street. Tony is watching him from across the road. Hayley and Roy, inside, are pleased to have been able to leave the cafe in the capable hands of John Stape. They go out to tell him to go home for the night. Before he goes, they ask him of he can keep on working for them. They would like him to join the tea, John is honoured and accepts the position. Tony is still watching as Hayley and Roy go back inside.

Maria comes home and finds Tony gone. She is startled by Ozzy who bounds down the stairs.

In Streetcars, Eileen tells Lloyd that she feels betrayed that Jesse has not told her that he will be 40 this Friday. Lloyd reckons that Eileen should confront him. "I might!" she exclaims. "You should!" retorts Lloyd. "Well don't think I won't!" she says. "I don't," says Lloyd. "I might!" she's getting shriller. "You should." Lloyd gets the last word.

In the cafe, Hayley and Roy talk about how Maria must be feeling if Tony has been talking to the police. Hayley wonders if they should go round and see her but Roy thinks that the police might want to talk to Maria as well. The phone rings for Roy. It's one of his bat preservation society pals. A colony of bats has been sighted by the canal and he wanted Roy to take a turn keeping watch on them. Roy is reluctant but Hayley urges him to do it, to get back to normal.

Maria calls Audrey and asks her to keep Liam for a little bit. Audrey is happy to.

Tony has been standing watching the cafe. When he sees the lights go off, he heads over there, unseen by David who is waiting for Zoe at the bus stop. Tony lets himself in the cafe with the keys he has stolen. He hears Roy and Hayley coming back downstairs and hides behind the counter. He overhears Roy and Hayley talking about whether or not Hayley will be safe alone in the flat while Roy heads out to the canal. Hayley insists she will be fine. Roy tells her he'll be no longer than an hour. Hayley kisses Roy goodbye and heads back up to the flat, leaving Tony looking menacingly in the dark at Roy's collection of big knives.

David meets Zoe off the bus. They have a silly conversation about gay grandads. We learn that Zoe only has one Grandad left.

Hayley is upstairs, sitting down to some telly and a sandwich. She hears a noise, turns down the sound on the TV but doesn't hear anything else so dismisses it. Meanwhile, in the cafe downstairs, Tony has helped himself to a knife and is about to head upstairs to do some mischief when there is a frantic banging at the door. It's Maria, looking to to talk to Roy and Hayley. Tony hides again as Hayley comes downstairs and switches on the lights. She lets Maria in. Tony overhears Maria's sobbing and fretting about what Roy has told the police. Maria wants to know if Tony actually told Roy that he killed Liam when he was in the hospital. Maria is devastated to hear the truth from Hayley. Hayley and Maria head back upstairs to wait until Roy comes back. Tony silently weeps in his wee hiding spot and grips the handle of the knife so hard that his hand begins to bleed.

Roy is perfectly happy watching the bats under the bridge at the canal.

Eileen is at home and asks Sean if he thinks that Jesse is right to be lying about his age. Sean wonders if Jesse has a negative thing about birthdays. Jesse comes in. Eileen immediately starts probing him about what they should be doing on Friday. This Friday, the 20th November. Jesse plays dumb about his birthday and insists there is nothing significant about that day.

Hayley is trying to calm Maria down as Maria mulls over the fact that the man who has been of so much help to her since Liam has been born appears to be the same one who killed her husband. "He's a good man, Hayley, it can't be true!" She compares how stupid she felt about Liam having cheated on her to finding out about Tony, "I would know if I was living with a murderer.... I would just know!" Hayley reminds her that it's not that long ago that Maria herself was trying to tell everyone that Tony had killed Liam. Maria blames grief and hormones for her actions back then but Hayley knows that they should have listened to her.

Tony has made it to the canal. He walks purposefully towards Roy, hiding the knife.

Out in the street, David and Zoe are talking about Gail getting married to Joe. Zoe asks David who does he think is good enough to marry his mother. "Martin," he answers. Zoe, of course, doesn't know who Martin is. "He's a bloke who's good enough to marry me mum.... He's me dad." He makes Zoe laugh.

Maria really wants to speak to Roy to clarify what Tony told him. She is still making excuses for Tony. She tries to call Tony and Hayley is shocked to hear that Tony has been let go by the police. Roy is unaware of the ominous presence of a murderer hanging about the canal in his vicinity.

In the pub, Eileen is talking to Steve and Sean about Jesse's birthday. Steve- full of great ideas- wonders if Jesse has a fake drivers licence; indeed, perhaps even a fake identity. Eileen doesn't know how he would cope with another fake identity, since Jesse already has General Custard. Lloyd comes to the bar and greets every. Steve says "Norm!" before Lloyd asks him not to do that. Lloyd involves himself in the conversation about Lloyd. He tells Eileen about his mate with a really smart Limo. He thinks Eileen should book the Limo and force Jesse to celebrate his birthday whether he wants to or now. Eileen likes that plan.

Tony is creeping up on Roy when his phone rings in his pocket and gives the game away. Roy leaps up and shines his torch, finding Tony. He asks Tony what he wants. Tony tells Roy that his conscience has been bothering him and he has come to do something about it.

Back at Hayley's flat, Maria is the person ringing Tony and getting no answer, of course. Hayley asks Maria where Tony would go. Hayley doesn't think that Maria should be going looking for Tony. Maria is still in denial. She insists that she needs to talk to Tony because she thinks this has got to be a mistake. She still thinks that Tony wouldn't hurt her. Hayley gives it to her straight, "He threatened to kill me and Roy and now we don't know where he is." Maria asks what exactly Tony said. Hayley tells Maria that she and Roy are not stupid and that Tony gave them no choice but to go to the police. Hayley gently tries to make Maria see sense, "Maria, you know the truth." But all Maria wants to know is that Tony Gordon would give his life for her and her baby. Hayley is left sadly exasperated.

At the canal, Tony is menacing Roy, telling him he can't run away and hiding the knife with his shirt. Roy makes sure that Tony is aware that Hayley knows where he is. "If I'm not home she'll call the police." Tony lets it be known that he has stolen some of Roy's keys and that he's been watching him. "I've come to haunt you, Roy. Every time you see a shadow, it's me. Come to get you!" Tony wants to know why Roy keeps pushing him since he has made amends and fallen in love with Maria. "You took it all away... you made me relive the biggest mistake of my life over and over again!" Roy only wants to know what Tony has done to Hayley. Tony ignores Roy's pleas. "I killed Liam," Tony says, "but I never killed with my own hands, in cold blood. Until tonight!" Tony has drawn the knife, Roy rushes him, Tony drops the knife and a scuffle ensues. Tony pushes Roy towards the edge of the canal. "I can't swim," says Roy. "Good," says Tony and throws him in. Roy shouts for help as he flails in the water and goes under. Tony watches him from a bridge, evil in his eyes.

Stella McLoughlin


Thursday 19 November

Tony is standing on the bridge, watching straight-faced, as Roy flounders around in the water and then goes under. As all becomes still, Tony turns and walks away.

In their flat, Hayley is trying to get through to Maria that Roy could be in terrible danger and she needs to phone the police. "And tell them what?" asks Maria, "this is Tony we're talking about. He's good and kind." (Poor deluded soul!) Hayley shouts at her to accept what's staring her in the face, Tony is a murderer who killed her husband and if they don't do something, Hayley's husband could go the same way.

Tony has walked off the bridge but suddenly stops, turns around and races back over it, then, at the water's edge, throws off his jacket and dives in. It's dark in the water, but Tony feels around and finds Roy's jacket, grabs Roy and pulls him up to the surface.

Maria has finally accepted the truth and tells Hayley she's right, but she has to get home. She tells Hayley to go and find Roy and then she rings Michelle and asks her to come and meet her at her house.

Tony has Roy on the bank of the canal and is desperately trying to revive him with mouth-to-mouth and CPR.

Outside in Coronation Street, Hayley meets Becky and begs her to come with her to look for Roy. Hayley quickly tells her how they've discovered that Tony killed Liam and how he then threatened herself and Roy. Becky agrees and off they run together.

Back at the canal bank, Roy suddenly coughs and splutters and a lot of water comes out of his mouth. A dripping wet Tony asks him if he's all right. Roy nods, so Tony gets up and walks off. As Roy flops back he looks up and sees his beloved bats coming in to roost.

Back at Maria's house, Michelle arrives as Maria is on the phone to Audrey, asking if she'll keep hold of little Liam for a while longer. She hangs up and then tells Michelle the dreadful news about Tony. Michelle is stunned.

Hayley and Becky are running around at the canal shouting for Roy. Eventually they find him, soaking wet and propped against a wall.

Michelle and Maria are talking about Tony. Maria's suddenly worried in case it was all an act with him, just to get close so he could kill her too. "Or...oh no!" she cries and jumps up, grabbing the phone and calling Audrey. After checking that Liam is ok she asks Audrey to get a taxi round there straight away. Michelle thinks Tony would never harm the baby, but Maria isn't sure what he's capable of.

On the canal bank, Roy tells Hayley and Becky that Tony tried to kill him but then changed his mind and saved him. They decide that they must get Roy to hospital soon, before he gets pneumonia, and then Hayley asks him where Tony is. Roy however, hasn't the foggiest idea.

We then see a soaking wet Tony Gordon walk into a police station and stand at the desk. I've come to confess to a murder," he says. He's soon being interviewed officially. "And while I-m in a confessing mood," he says, "I threw someone in the canal tonight." The detective asks if it was Roy Cropper and amazed, Tony tells him that it was. He's told that a policeman is at the hospital interviewing him now. But the detective is more interested in "the big one", so Tony tells how he arranged for Liam's murder because he was seeing Carla. The policeman points out that lots of men get jealous but they don't start having people bumped off. Tony says that's because they don't have the means or the guts - he had both.

Back at the hospital, Roy, Hayley and Becky are told that Tony has handed himself in, and Roy makes a statement to the policeman. He's then told they may need to speak to him again at some point. Roy says that's fine.

As Roy ponders over Tony making a full confession, Hayley wonders if he's twisting everything around so it looks like it was Roy's fault. Roy doesn't think so, he thinks that Tony still has a shred of humanity, and he's not a killer at heart; he suspected as much all along.

Audrey arrives at Maria's with baby Liam, but before Maria can explain, the phone rings. It's Hayley, who tells her all about Roy being pulled out of the canal and taken to hospital, and how Tony has handed himself in. Michelle decides she has to get to the police station as soon as possible and asks if Audrey can stay and look after Liam for a bit longer, promising to explain everything when she gets back. Michelle says she'll go with her and the two of them hurry out.

At the police station, Tony tells the police officers that he knew it would all come out one day, and how Roy was like a dog with a bone. He said he found himself denying it yet again to Maria, but could tell she didn't believe him. He lives for her and the baby and if she didn't want him he might as well be locked up. He says how he blamed Roy for it all and went to the canal and attacked him, but he couldn't go through with it, it's not in his nature. However, Liam was making a fool of him, laughing behind his back and he couldn't let that carry on. He'll live with the consequences forever.

Maria and Michelle have arrived at the police station and Maria asks if she can see Tony. The officer behind the desk starts to say that it won't be possible, but then DS Smith comes out and is told that Tony's fiancé is there. He takes her to one side and explains about Tony's confession and how they're continuing to question him. She begs to see him, but is told that won't be possible.

Back at home, Roy says he has to call his friend and tell him about the bats that he saw, despite Hayley's protestations. He tells her it's best not to dwell on what could have happened.

In the police station, Maria's pleadings have worked and they give her five minutes to see Tony. She looks at him. "Why?" she asks. He tells her to sit down but she asks how he could ever have looked her in the eye, kissed her, knowing what he knew. He says he fell in love with her, he's never been happier in his life than he was the last few months. She rages that sleeping with his victim's wife was sick. "Did it give you a kick? Where was it all leading?" He says he wanted marriage, to atone for his sins. She says he used her and she fell for it, the pathetic widow. She let him wheedle his way into her house and bed. He says he wanted them to grow old together, to be a father to Liam. She tells him he's evil, but he says he's not, he just couldn't live with himself any more. She says it's a pity he has to live at all and if there was any justice they would hang him and she'd dance on his grave. Then the door opens and she's told that time is up so she walks out. However, once the door is shut behind her she bursts into tears. Inside his cell, Tony also cries.

Anne Logan.


Friday 20 November

Friday rolls around once again and off we go with the first episode.

Maria sticks her hair into an elastic band as she tells Audrey to go home and get some sleep. We can see Michelle clearing up in the kitchen behind her. Audrey doesn't think she can sleep and nor does Maria. Her head is full of questions but no answers. Ryan arrives and Michelle sits him down to tell him about his Uncle Liam.

In the kitchen, Audrey and Maria hear Ryan's cry of distress. Audrey reassures Maria that she's not to blame.

Roy's reluctant to take a prescription for sleeping pills but the doctor tells him to get the script filled anyway, so the pills are there just in case. The doctor leaves and Roy says he'll have to get down to the cafe. Hayley protests but Roy doesn't want to sit there going over everything. Hayley suggests he have a sleep (which is odd since he's just been prescribed sleeping tablets) or sort through his railway timetables to take his mind off things. Actually, sorting through his railway timetables will probably ensure he does sleep. Hayley has no plans to open the factory.

Things are tense at Eileen's. Jesse doesn't want any toast - he wants to get some more helium and balloons. Eileen thinks they could do something together if he has no bookings. Jesse agrees but doesn't look happy.

Ryan's going to school but he's furious that Tony was living at Maria's. Fiz and Kirk turn up and Michelle invites them inside.

Kirk wants to know what's wrong with Maria. Audrey makes the classic mistake of telling him Maria is in shock. No she's not! She's shocked. Being "in shock" is a medical condition in which the blood isn't circulating properly and it can kill you. Nag nag nag. Anyway, while Maria tries to remove every trace of Tony from the house, Michelle and Audrey tells Fiz and Kirk about Tony having Liam killed. Kirk can't believe it. He was there. Maria wants Audrey to strip baby Liam's clothes so they can be washed. She's distressed that Tony's touched everything in the house, including her baby. "He's everywhere and I'll never be able to get rid of him." Kirk is wonderful with her, telling her they'll sort it together. He leads her away gently. Michelle says her Mum call but she couldn't tell her. She told her Dad, though. She talked them out of coming over. As Michelle starts to cry, Audrey hugs her.

Blanche is early to the bookies,- wanting to put money on I Ken It Fine (snort!). Peter tells her hasn't done the till yet but Leanne will be down soon to take her money. Peter's not got time because he's going to get to the shops to get supplies because George and Eve are coming. Blanche insists that they'll do it for him. She's going to take the sausage rolls out of the freezer, "and you'd best call George and tell him to come round to ours."

Hayley's tells Steve and Becky about Roy. Becky's desperate to help but Steve says they can leave Hayley to it. He's got a round of golf booked with Dev. Sean and the other machinists, all very cheerful, come in speculating about why Tony Gordon's been taken away. Hayley is too startled to speak but Becky pushes her out of the way and tries to serve Sean. He'd rather get the gossip first. Becky ignores him and the others try to pressure Hayley to tell them. "Shut up! Just shut up!" shouts Hayley. "A man's been murdered and a little boy's been robbed of his daddy and all you lots can do is laugh and . . ." Becky goes to her as Hayley tells it to them straight. "Tony Gordon killed Liam Connor!" Janice asks if she means the baby. "No, Maria's husband. How stupid are you?" Becky manages to get Hayley through the door to the stairs then shouts at the others. "It's too horrible to be gossiping about, so just leave it!" she says.

Fiz suggests she and Maria take Liam out for a walk. Maria agrees but after Michelle goes she changes her mind. Everyone knows she loved Tony Gordon and they'll all be looking at her. "I can't go, Fiz, I can't. I can't face everyone." She begins to weep.

Dev is casting aspersions on Steve's clubs and speculating that he shouldn't drive them because he'll be the one drinking champagne later. He thinks Steve should drive. They agree to get a cab but Lloyd tells them all the cars are out. Dev gets back into his car (which, by the way, has the convertible top down - in November!)

A distraught Ryan slumps on to the sofa, watched by a distressed Michelle. He tells her he just couldn't stick it at school. He has many questions but Michelle doesn't know any answers. Ryan wants to kill Tony but Michelle tells him he might want to but he won't do it because he's not Tony Gordon. The punishment will be dealt by others - the courts, prisons. "He's taken our Liam's life but he's lost his own." Ryan sobs in her arms.

Becky stops to talk to Gail and Joe, who are waiting at the bus stop. They're going shopping for stuff for the wedding. Becky tells them where the balloon shop is and says the dress shop still does the wedding gown design which she wore last time. "You could be my identical twin," Becky says. Joe says the dress is already sorted. His phone goes and he moves away to answer it. Gail tells Becky the dress will be low-key. Joe comes back and tells Gail it was someone wanting to talk about work, so he's crying off the shopping trip.

Outside the Barlows' house, George tells Eve that it might not be much to look at but the Barlows are a good, decent family. "You'll like them."

Inside, a spread is being laid out which definitely includes bits of cheese and pineapple on sticks! Peter makes the introductions. Eve comments that the table is groaning. Blanche arrives, posing in the doorway like Marilyn Monroe. "Hello, everyone," she says in a deeper-and-posher-than-usual voice. "I thought I heard voices." Simon asks her why she's got a funny face on. Yes, she's trowelled on a triple layer of make-up.

The debt collector is back, hammering on Joe's door and making comments about the boat. "I've nothing left to give you," Joe says desperately. "I wonder if my kids are old enough for a boat," says XXX. "I wouldn't have thought you could afford luxuries like this, what with your debt doubling as of today. That's what happens when you miss your payments." He warns Joe not to miss next week's payment.

Jesse's unloading the van. He asks Julie for help but she refuses because she's been sacked. Eileen arrives and opens up - and then closes the door in Jesse's face.

George compliments Blanche and she giggles in a kittenish way. Blearggghhh! She's offered more tea but refuses, demanding more wine. Eve and George look a little horrified.

Ryan bursts into the flat and starts to fling his stuff into a bag. He's leaving and going to his Grandma's, he tells Michelle. "Don't run out. Don't let this ruin your exam year," Ryan says. He doesn't care about that. Michelle urges him to at least call his grandparents first, rather than just arriving on their doorstep.

At the golf club, the club secretary has been called. There's a problem with Dev's club membership. His guest status has lapsed. Dev whips out his credit card and asks to extend it, but he can't. He'll have to take out a full membership. "Sell the shop, mate," Steve advises. Dev says he'll apply and asks for the forms. He's told there is a five-year waiting list. Dev points out that he's brought a guest and this is very embarrassing, but Steve reveals that he's a guest member and can save the day. They've missed their tee-off slot, though and have to wait until later in the afternoon.

Gail's arrived back with loads of shopping. Joe's sitting at the table close to tears.

Audrey's about to go and Maria says she just wants to be on her own and will be fine. She wants a few days' peace to sort everything out in her mind. Audrey tells says she's proud of Maria. But the minute she's gone Maria weeps again.

Ryan's unpacking but he says it's just for now. Michelle tells him they will get through it with Maria. They can't let Tony win. Ryan says he's never heard his grandfather cry before. "They're at the airport." Michelle's shocked. They can't come. "They're here. They're in Manchester. They're looking for a taxi."

The end of part one.
Part two is scheduled to arrive soon.
Margaret Carr

Helen and Barry are trying to digest the news of Liam's murder. Helen gasps that he never did anyone any harm but Michelle informs her that he cheated on Maria with Carla. Helen asks if she knew and Michelle confirms that she found out not long after his death. Helen flusters that it was ridiculous for Maria to then go with Tony but Michelle points out that Maria didn't know. She advises them to take their anger out on Tony, not Maria.

Blanche is having a full on rant about the area complaining about noisy kids, dog muck and killers running factories. Ken shakes his head and says that she is painting a needlessly negative picture of the place. George says everywhere has their good and bad points. Blanche moves on to pointing out everyone's flaws in the room by mentioning Deirdre's prison spell, Ken's affairs, Peter's alcoholism and Leanne's prostitution.

Joe admits to Gail that he has thousands of pounds worth of debt. David comes through and Joe tells him to go away. David ignores this and sits down, sarcastically urging Joe to talk to the group. Gail finally snaps at David to get out and he does so

Leanne apologises to George and says she didn't want things to be revealed like that. He snaps that there's no easy way to admit you're an alchy and a prozzy. Eve says he's just in shock and Peter shrugs, saying so what if we aren't what he expects, we don't have to be ashamed.

The golf manager reminds Steve that he was a guest of Paul Connor's. But just as Dev and Steve think hope is lost, they are told that a member has died recently...and there is one membership vacancy.

Gail wants to know how Joe let things go so wrong. He says things just kept going wrong and he starts to sob but Gail tells him to stop it as panicking won't help anything. She stands up and heads out, saying she needs some air.

Dev is assuming that Steve will not be able to afford the membership and is gloating but Steve assures him that they can and suggests that he gets the membership with Dev as his guest. The argument gets nowhere so Steve eventually suggests that they have a golf game to settle the matter.

Jesse is just creeping out of the house but he bumps into Eileen. He panics, thinking that she will think it has something to do with Julie but she admits that she knows about his birthday. With embarrassment, Jesse says he was heading out to his mother's for a birthday tea and Eileen agrees to go with him, commenting that the limo might as well be used for something.

Gail returns from her walk to find David sitting on the sofa. He sneers that he takes it he has to go to his room. Gail wonders aloud what she did to deserve a son like him. He snaps back that she needn't worry about him listening from the top of the stairs - he doesn't care enough. Gail goes through to a worried looking Joe and suggests that she sells the house so that they can buy a flat together.

Lloyd is taking Eileen and Jesse to the party. Jesse warns Eileen that his mum isn't very good in crowd situations and she is displeased to learn that there will be other family members present.

Maria answers the door to Helen and Barry and says with sorrow that she is very sorry. Helen is cold for a moment then embraces Maria. This union doesn't last very long as Helen questions Maria why she didn't tell them what Liam did. When Barry comments that Liam just made a mistake, he didn't deserve to die, Maria reminds him that she didn't deserve to be cheated on either. Helen demands to know if moving Tony in was some kind of sick revenge. Maria is horrified by this and says she doesn't need to be judged before heading out.

Joe tells Gail that he never would have asked her to sell her house. Gail says that she wants to do it, they're in this together now.

George turns up to apologise to Leanne and Peter. He says that his mother was a drunk and never faced her fears so he admires Peter for doing so. Leanne and Peter thaw to him as he says he has done a lot worse things by abandoning Lucy than either of them. Peter tells him that Lucy didn't hate him. George gives Leanne a bunch of flowers and Peter an ipod and tells them that it is a small gesture compared with their kindness.

Barry is angry at Helen for not thinking before upsetting Maria. He warns her that Maria could stop their access to their grandchild if they're not careful and he heads to the pub to look for her. Kirk tells him that he has an idea where she might be.

Eileen and Jesse come in....the birthday tea has not gone well and Eileen is miffed by it all. She storms out when Jesse refuses to accept blame. Ken advises him to go after her but he just orders another pint.

David answers the phone and is given the message that the valuation of the house can happen soon. He gapes at Gail who says she was going to tell him eventually. In a rage, he storms off but angrily calls that this is not over. Joe sighs that it was never about him and Gail agrees, he needs to grow up eventually.

Kirk, Barry and Helen find Maria at Liam's graveside. Helen apologises for her words but Maria clearly believes she's right and says she isn't fit to look after Liam. She hands him over to Helen and flees into the distance, despite everyone's pleas.

That's all!

Duncan Lindsay


Monday 23 November

Written by Jayne Hollinson Directed by Ian Bevitt

The topic of conversation in the Webster household this morning is Tony Gordon. Sally is shocked but Kevin always knew Tony was a rum'un. Rosie is more concerned that she was alone in a hotel room with Tony and maybe her showing Tony the video was what caused him to murder Liam (it was!) but she's mollified by her father telling her that normal people wouldn't go off and kill someone. That's all right then, Rosie goes back to painting her toenails while Sophie scoffs at her sister's lack of concern. Sally reckons she'll have to be in charge of the factory until something gets sorted. Rosie hopes to get her job back if there are new bosses and Sophie has the usual sarcastic insults to fling at her sister. Sally goes off to work but asks Kevin to get the business books off Molly.

Helen and Barry are fussing over the baby. Maria comes downstairs but doesn't want to take the baby. She's still feeling drained and unable to look after him, blaming herself for everything.

Audrey arrives for work and is astonished to see the For Sale sign going up over Gail's house. She goes in to find out what's what. Gail tells her mother they have decided to downsize and no, it's got nothing to do with getting a place with no room for David. Audrey blames Joe for driving her daughter away and has no good word to say about him. Gail is told it's none of her business. Audrey is further flummoxed to find out that Gail and Joe got engaged while she was away. She points out she's been back a week and knows Gail didn't say anything because she knew how her mother would react. Exactly the way she is doing. They argue about the suitability and Gail tells her to leave. "I'd rather eat nails than watch you make the wrong choice again!" Audrey huffs and takes herself out.

Michelle is now at Number 7 and is shocked to find out that Maria wants to give the Connors her baby. Helen blames herself and the things she'd said to Maria but both Barry and Michelle deny that. It's just shock and she'll come round and they need to support her as best they can. Barry has an idea.

Molly brings the books to the garage. Tyrone gives her a kiss and then takes a car out for a test drive. She passes them to Kevin who says he's going to try to hide them because the numbers don't add up. He's not doing the extra breakdowns because that was just his excuse to see Molly and he's been charging the motel rooms through the business as "Sundry expenses". (Funny Molly didn't notice that the Sundry Expenses were about the same amount each time and dated about the same dates as each of their "dates"). She's a bit taken aback at his getting a bit of a tax break out of their affair but it doesn't stop them from confirming another meeting that afternoon. They steal a kiss in the shadows of the garage and she leaves.

We are transported to the country club where Dev is playing with his balls. Seriously. He's balancing golf balls on his nose. Wha?? A pretty woman approaches him. Turns out he's waiting for his new golf coach, a Bernie Sayers. You know what's coming don't you? They exchange some banter and she makes out that she's heard of him which feeds his ego to insufferable ends. She challenges him to a putt-off which she wins and then introduces herself as ... yes... Bernie! (But I want to know how he can take golf lessons at the club if he's no longer a guest member!)

Maria comes into the room and the conversation stops. She tells them she hasn't changed her mind. Michelle says everyone is just worried about her. She repeats that she can't look after the baby. The plan is put to her. They invite her to come live in Ireland with them, if she needs the help with the baby, then they can give it to her. The baby turns his little head to look over at his mother to see what she thinks. She doesn't know and decides to go for a walk on her own.

After the break, Gail hoovers under David's feet. David's just there on a break and Gail is busy tidying so the house will be ready for viewers. David reckons it'll take months to sell the house. Ding dong! A passerby has noticed the sign and wants to look at the house without an appointment. David isn't going to let him in but Gail pushes past and allows the stranger in. Only it isn't a stranger to us viewers, it's Joe's debt collector! She sends David back to work where Audrey is just coming up the pavement to find him. David fills her in on the news but she's not bothered. She sends him back to work and turns round and notices Maria on a bench over by the medical center, her head in her hands sobbing.

Gail and the debt guy have come down the stairs and are chatting about his circumstances (family, two kids, one of each) when Joe comes home. He claps eyes on his nemesis and very clearly needs to change his underwear all of a sudden. Debt boy manages to eke out that the engagement ring isn't expensive, that they're going to spend the money on the wedding. Do tell? Joe is in a hurry to get him out but Gail insists on showing off the lovely fitted kitchen that Joe built. He tries to find out where they are planning to move but is thwarted on that because they don't even know. He leaves and Joe follows him out the door. Joe tells him the money from the house will be used for the debts. Good to hear that. He goes off smirking, Joe puts on a regular face for Gail who has come out to tell him that Audrey knows about their engagement and it hasn't gone over well.

Audrey is feeding Maria sugared tea. She's crying about it all. She points out that Audrey and Natasha both never liked Tony and she never listened. Audrey reminds her she has to carry on for the baby's sake and realizes that Maria is punishing herself. She's denying herself the most important thing in her life and she does deserve to have that baby no matter what she thinks right now. Maria still doesn't think she deserves the baby but Audrey gives her something to think about. That baby has already lost his father, it would do for him to lose his mam as well, mmmmm??? She tells Audrey that the Connors have invited her to Ireland but she hasn't decided though she could use the help. Audrey thinks Maria is very brave and there's nothing weak in accepting help.

Back to the golf course, Dev is practically skipping back to the clubhouse. He seems to have got a lot out of one lesson and flirts with her and invites her for a drink at a wine bar. She prefers beer so he knows just the place. But she's got to pretend she's not his instructor because of a bet between he and the landlord of the establishment. She agrees.

Barry is struggling to get a nappie on the baby. Helen takes over. There's a knock on the door and it's Maria (left without her keys). Helen apologizes for putting pressure on her and she goes over and takes her baby in her arms. She promises little Liam she'll never let him down again.

The teens are coming down the road, with bags of chips in their hands. Michelle passes on the other side of the street with a wave. Ben tells Ryan he admires Michelle for being brave. She's noble, too. Uh oh. major crush happening here!

Sally runs over to the garage to get the books. Tyrone says they're in the garage somewhere but when he goes to find them, he doesn't know where they are. Sally notices that the garage is a tip. She lifts some things and finds the books stashed underneath.

Maria has settled the baby in bed for a nap. She sits down and apologizes to her in'laws. Helen apologizes back for all the things she said. She admits that she's been angry losing both her sons and a bit jealous that Maria has her son. They forgive each other and Maria asks if their offer is still open because she thinks she would like to come to Ireland after all. They are thrilled! Just then there's a knock on the door. Maria goes and opens the door to find....Carla!

Tvor

Maria answers the door to Carla. Helen barges past Maria to give Carla a mouthful of abuse and lets Carla know that everyone knows now that it's all Carla's fault that Liam is dead. Carla protests that she came to find out what's going on since she got a call from the police to tell her her husband- "I'm still Tony's wife!"- has been arrested. Much to the displeasure of Helen, Mara invites Carla in to get her up to speed on Tony's recent misadventures. Inside, Carla lets Maria know that Leanne spilled the beans to her about Maria and Tony being together.

Sally is at the garage going through the books while moaning away to Tyrone about the profits being down. She expected there to be more profit since Kevin has been doing so many call-outs. Tyrone has no clue of course.

Becky calls round to Roy & Hayley's to see how Roy is. Roy doesn't seem to be in the mood for visitors. Becky and Hayley try to make small talk but Roy is glued to the television.

Maria tells Carla about Tony having paid Jimmy Dockerson to kill Liam. Helen reckons that a) Tony made Jimmy Dockerson up and b) Carla was in on it all along. Carla tells Helen that she loved Liam. She still does, she apologises to Maria. Maria asks Helen and Barry to take wee Liam out for a walk. Helen is reluctant but does so anyway.

Dev is in the bar with a lady named Bernie. Bernie, he tells Michelle, is his solicitor. Steve sees them and a spark of recognition flashes in his eyes. Michelle asks Steve if he thinks Dev is seeing Bernie romantically; Dev being a social climber, dating a solicitor would fit the bill. Steve seems to know that Bernie is not a solicitor at all but doesn't let on how he knows this or what she does do for a living.

In the Salon, Audrey is opening her mail, moaning about her bills and Gail & Joe. She thinks Gail & Joe are embarrassed about their engagement and that Gail subconsciously knows that she's making a mistake. David twists the knife a little while Audrey is happy to open an invitation to some council do or another. She has a plus one invitation. David suggests she take him or Joe. Audrey thinks David is funny. A nice little exchange between a psychopath and his grandmother.

Molly and Kevin are in a hotel room together. They start to get jiggy with each other just as Kevin phone starts to ring. It's Sally so he ignores it. Molly's phone rings' Sally again. The lovers look worried as they wonder what that nuisance Sally wants.

Maria is questioning Carla about whether or not she knew that Tony killed Liam. Helen and Barry come downstairs with the baby and offer Carla a cuddle of him. Carla looks emotional as she holds Liam's baby. Helen and Barry take the baby away and Carla swears to Maria that she didn't know Tony killed Liam. She tells Maria that she left for Los Angeles because her marriage couldn't survive her loss of Liam. She didn't love Tony any more. She asks Maria if she loved Tony. Maria nods her head, sadly. Carla tells Maria how sorry she is and hugs Maria.

Carla has left Maria's and meets Leanne in the street. Leanne wants to chat but it seems Carla is not keen to talk about anything. Leanna asks Carla if she knew about Tony. Carla seems offended and rushes off, but not before asking Leanne not to tell Janice she's back.

Molly and Kevin are sweating buckets, wondering what Sally wants. Kevin plays a message from Sally on loudspeaker, "Kevin, can you please call me ASAP? You've got some explaining to do." Molly panics and thinks Sally knows about the two of them. She wonders what they will do. Kevin thinks he has to go home and face the music.

Becky is trying to rally Roy to get back downstairs in the cafe as soon as possible. Hayley agrees with her. Roy says he'll go back down to the cafe when he's good and ready.

Gail & Joe are in the Rovers, moaning about Audrey. Gail can't see what Audrey has against Joe. Joe doesn't want to come between Gail and Audrey. He urges Gail to go and see her mother. Gail isn't going to any time soon. Audrey comes into the pub and Gail insists they leave. Audrey tells Gail she is being immature before they go. David buys his grandmother a drink.

Steve is behind the bar, staring at Dev and Bernie. Michelle notices it and remarks to him that she hopes Becky doesn't come in and catch him ogling. When Dev pops off to the loo for a second, Steve dashes over to Bernie and starts talking to her. Bernie is a golf instructor and Dev is having lessons from her- just like Steve has been! Bernie tells Steve she'll tell Dev about Steve's lessons. Steve begs her to not say a word citing that Becky will kill him if she finds out how much he has spent on golf lessons. When he goes back to the bar, Michelle asks if she knows Bernie after all then. He claims to have never met her before in his life.

Carla is at the cop shop. being questioned about Tony's confession. She is told that Roy will be charged with Liam's murder and the attempted murder or Roy Cropper. She pleads innocent, as usual, and claims to not know anything about Tony killing Liam. The cops ask her if she knows Jimmy Dockerson. She almost digs herself into a hole as she asks what line of business Jimmy was in, implying that Jimmy Dockerson might be dead. Despite this obvious mistake, the cops tell her she's free to go.

Audrey, at the bar, asks Norris to accompany her to the town hall do she's been invited to. Norris accepts the invitation since Audrey asked so nicely.

Kevin comes home to Sally. Sally seems to be furious and asks where Kevin has been and why he hasn't been answering the phone. Kevin is terrified as he wonders what on earth Sally wants to confront him about. His relief washes all over his face as he listens to Sally ranting and raving about the state the garage and the garages books are in and accuses Molly of being useless. She wants to know what the "sundries" entries are in the books. Sally insists that Kevin stops Molly from touching the books all together.

Carla walks out of the police station and hurries away. She stops for a moment, and takes a deep breath as she looks back at the station and how close she came to being in real trouble.

Stella McLoughlin


Thursday 26 November

As they walk to work, Sally tells Kevin not to speak to Molly about the books, she wants to do it. She doesn't want Molly anywhere near those books again, she's clearly a dimwit.

As Sally reaches the factory steps one of the waiting workers tries the door to find it open. Janice immediately accuses Sally of forgetting to lock up, but when they get inside they are all amazed to find Carla there!

Tyrone tells Molly he always knew it wouldn't work between Tony and Maria. People should stick to their own, Tony was older, rich and into fancy stuff, whereas Maria is one of them. He puts his arm round his wife and tells her that's why they work so well together – they belong together. She tells him she'd better get to work.

Back at the factory, Sally tells Carla she's been running things, only to have the wind taken out of her sails when she's told she can now get back behind her machine. Carla then tells them that Tony is unlikely to be returning, at which they all start asking whether he really did kill Liam or not. Sally shouts at them to be quiet, reminding them that this is Mrs Gordon's husband they are talking about. She tells Carla she tried to keep gossip to a minimum. Janice immediately tells her to get off her knees and stop crawling! Carla tells them all that she is now in charge and if anyone wants to whinge or gossip they can do so in their own time or down the job centre. Sally tells her she can bring her up to speed on the orders etc. only to be told that the only thing Carla wants her to do is to nip to Roy's and get her a decent cup of coffee.

Claire marches into the butchers and tells Ashley she is never taking Amy Barlow to school again as she has been swearing in front of the boys. "She even came out with the D word!" she snaps. Ashley can't think of a swear word beginning with D. Just then Steve walks into the shop so she tells Ashley to have word with him and storms off home. Steve asks for sausage rolls and tells Ashley that he hasn't seen him if Becky asks, as he's sneaking off to the golf course. Ashley asks if he knows any swear words beginning with D. Steve doesn't. Ashley tells him that according to Claire, Joshua has learnt one from Amy.

Down at the police station, Tony is officially charged with the murder of Liam and the attempted murder of Roy and told he'll be appearing in court in the morning. He signs the charge sheet and asks if someone would let Maria know.

Kevin goes into the shop and tells Molly that Sally was after him because of the books. She tells him she was worried sick, but he tells her that Sally is after her now because she thinks Molly has messed up the accounts.

DS Smith turns up at the factory and tells Carla that Tony's been charged but they've been unable to find his accomplice. He wonders if there's any trace of him at the factory, an address in the files for example. Carla tells him he's hardly going to be filed under ‘H' for Hitman, is he – but she'll look to see if she can find anything.

After he's gone, Carla calls Sally into the office and asks if she knows where there's any paperwork for someone called Dockerson and asks her to go through all the paperwork in the store room.

Maria is sorting out clothes to take to Ireland and comes across a Manchester City football shirt of Liam's. She sniffs it and says it still smells of him. Helen suggests it might be nice to keep it for the baby. Just then there's a knock at the door. It's DS Smith informing Maria about Tony's court case in the morning. He adds that he does think that Tony's remorse is genuine. Barry points out that they're about to fly off to Ireland, but Helen says they can change the flights. However, Maria doesn't want to, she just wants to get away, so Helen decides to ask Michelle to go and represent the family.

Rosie goes into the café and asks for a skinny latte. Hayley tells her she knows very well that they don't do them. Rosie says she was hoping they had moved into the 21st century like the rest of the world. Hayley says that if she's just come in to cause trouble, she can just leave. Somewhat abashed, Rosie just orders a coffee and John offers to make it with skimmed milk, whisk it and sprinkle some cocoa on it. She thanks him and goes to sit down. Hayley then tells John to watch himself with Rosie, but he says he's sure there's no need.

At the factory, Sally has found a receipt for van servicing for the name Carla told her to look for. She tells Sally she can go and then puts the piece of paper through the shredder.

John strikes up a conversation with Rosie, asking what she's doing these days. He wonders if she'd ever considered going back to her education. She says that she had a such a terrible time with her last teacher she never wants to see the inside of a classroom again!

Maria steps outside her front door, hugs Kirk goodbye and gets into the taxi with Helen and Barry and departs for Ireland.

Rosie sees Carla and lets her know that if she needs her back at Underworld she's available. "Available? That would be your middle name!" snorts Carla, and walks on.

Carla goes to see Hayley and tells her she really needs her help at the factory. Hayley is reluctant, she said she'd never set foot in the factory again, and she doesn't like to leave Roy at the moment, but finally agrees.

Molly arrives at the Webster house. Kevin lets her in, telling her quietly to just let Sally have her moan and then forget about it. "That's what I do," he tells her. Sally starts by telling her that she has other fish to fry at the moment – the factory – but as far as the books are concerned, there are anomalies. Kevin says that might be down to him, he doesn't always put cash through the books. Just then the phone rings, it's Carla, asking Sally to pop over. Sally is delighted and rushes off to get changed, she's been chopping onions and doesn't want to go over there smelling of them. Kevin says he'll go through the books with Molly and show her where she went wrong.

Steve arrives home where Becky has the idea that he's been shopping for her Christmas present. He asks if she swears in front of Amy. No more than he does, she says. He says he never does, but she reminds him about an incident when someone cut him up when he was driving. He claims that driving doesn't count, but tells her that anyway, Amy has been foul mouthed in front of the Peacock children.

All changed and smart-looking, an excited Sally goes off to meet Carla saying she doesn't know when she'll be back. Sophie is staying at Sian's so she tells Kevin to get his own tea. When she's gone, Kevin turns to Molly and smiles, they've got the house to themselves. He tells her that from the upstairs window they can see into the brewery yard. He then persuades her to go upstairs with him, saying that if someone comes in they can say she's gone to the toilet and he's getting changed.

However, when Sally arrives at Underworld she gets a shock. Carla has Hayley with her, she tells Sally she's persuaded Hayley to manage the factory for her. Sally is stunned. "When you called me, I thought….." she starts to say. "Oh, did I not make myself clear?" says Carla, saying she was taking Sally up on her offer to bring her up to speed.

Becky asks Claire exactly what Amy is supposed to have said. "Put it this way," says Ashley, "neither of our boys is called Richard." Becky thinks that Joshua probably started it, but Claire won't have it that their boys would resort to ‘gutter language', and thinks that Amy has picked it up from Becky. A fight between the two girls nearly breaks out and Claire storms out, summoning Ashley to go with her.

Back at the Websters, Kevin and Molly come back downstairs giggling, when the door opens. They jump apart as Sally bursts in crying. "She just did it to humiliate me!" she cries, "I hate her!" and rushes upstairs.

Anne Logan


Friday 27 November

It's Friday and a 7.30pm episode written by Daran Little - joy! Janice, seeming very cheerful, heads out of the house and is whistled at by a bloke on the balcony (well, big window ledge) of one of the new flats. Leanne is also whistled at.

Janice meets Hayley and discovers she's been taken on by Carla at Underworld. "Well, you always were the best knicker-stitcher," Janice tells her. Hayley explains she's been taken on as manager, not machinist. Janice thinks some noses will be put out of joint. "Do you think some of the girls might be resentful?" asks Hayley. Janice says of course not. Hayley's been brought back and put over the rest of them who have been up to their eyeballs in knickers while Hayley's been off doing her Mother Theresa bit.

They meet Sally, who confesses she already knew about Hayley coming in and Sally herself is going back to the factory floor. "You've been dropped?" asks a nearly gleeful Janice. Sally seems quite OK about it, because she says she hasn't been replaced as PA. Janice tries to stir things up.

At the factory Carla greets Hayley gladly and tells her she's pleased to see her. When Hayley calls her Mrs Gordon, Carla corrects her and says she's Carla Connor again. "It feels right."

It's chaos in the Dobbs household - Molly's rushing round being servant to Tyrone. Auntie Pam's there and offers to take Tyrone his sandwiches later. When Molly's gone, Pam sits down for a chat with Tyrone, who, as per his training by Jack, sits eating messily in his vest. Pam suggests Molly seems very busy and suggests Tyrone take her out for a meal, but Ty says they don't like eating out, Molly's a good cook and they don't have to dress up. Pam suggests they have a quiet night in with a bottle of wine and a movie, but Tyrone says Molly's hardly ever in and they always row over whether to watch horror or romance.

In the salon, Betty's reading a Confessions-type story from a magazine about someone whose bridegroom had been sleeping not just with the bridesmaid but with the best man as well. Teresa (how can she afford a salon cut?) and Audrey look startled. "Sheesh!" says Betty. "That sort of thing never happened before Margaret Thatcher." (Welcome back, Daran!) Audrey's sure it did. "London maybe, but that was Blackburn!" Betty says. Though she points out that Tony Gordon kept just as big a secret, getting away with murder and then becoming engaged to the widow. "Perhaps Maria should sell her story." Audrey ends the conversation. "Maria's life's been absolutely devastated by that man, so let's change the subject. Betty does. To Gail's engagement. This isn't exactly what Audrey means, though Teresa takes a real interest when Betty cross-examines Audrey about Joe's pills addiction and money worries. Audrey tells them Joe's got his life sorted now and she's happy for them. "You know," says Betty, "for a good hairdresser you make a lousy liar, Audrey Roberts!"

"Spanner, Dog-breath, Mentalist, Thicko . . . and then I went to big school and got . . ." Yes, Graeme's talking about his days being bullied. He's in the butcher shop where Claire is pondering the problem of Joshua being unfairly accused by Becky. She just wants Amy to stop swearing. Graeme says she'll have picked it up in the pub. Ashley points out that Amy lives upstairs. "She don't spend her evenings at the bar with a vodka." Claire says she finds it hard fitting in with the other mums. "That's because you went mental and got locked up. I can see how it would put some people off," says Graeme. Ashley suggests Claire get herself involved in something else to take her mind off it and meet other people.

Audrey calls to see Gail and wants a private word. Joe says he has to nip out anyway. Gail sounds resigned to whatever's coming and tells Audrey she must practice looking disapproving in front of the mirror. She reminds Audrey of the day she married Alf, when Gail asked her why she was going through with it. "You said because he was safe," Gail says. Audrey doesn't remember. Gail says she doesn't want safe. She loves Joe, even if there are more problems. She's willing to take the risk.

Janice approaches Sally in the factory to talk about Carla. She thinks it's a good thing that Carla's rearranging the staff because it means she must be planning to hang on to the factory.

Hayley goes into the office where Carla's on the phone flirting with some client. She makes throwing-up signals at Hayley. "Sexist pig," she says when she hangs up. Hayley's wondering about her job description. But the way Carla sees it, she sits in the office pushing paperwork and flirting with the clients. Anything beyond the office door is Hayley's empire. She's to sit on the staff when they need sitting on, chuck cold water on them when they fight and check they're not stealing the stock. Carla says she has to go out for a couple of hours. Hayley asks if it's anywhere nice. "No, it isn't. Not nice at all."

Michelle's getting ready to go to court and doesn't think Ryan needs to go with her. Ryan wants to go because he needs to, he says. He wants Tony to know that he'll be waiting when Tony gets out of prison and then he'll kill him. "Just promise me, please, you won't kick off," Michelle asks him.

Liz goes into the cab office where Lloyd is on duty. She needs a cab. Things are a bit awkward between them. Lloyd offers to drive but she says she'll wait for another driver.

Gail tells Audrey to stop interfering because it's her life. It's hard enough without having to fight Audrey. She says Audrey doesn't see the whole relationship. "I'm not like you. I'm not good on my own." Audrey says she doesn't want Gail to be on her own. "I'm not asking for your blessing, Mam. Just accept Joe for me." "Just don't expect me to buy a new outfit," says Audrey, relenting a bit.

Claire's decided to get into amateur dramatics. She does a Charleston for Graeme and Ashley to show what she had to do in The Boyfriend at school. Ashley realises that amateur dramatics will mean Claire has to be out at rehearsals and he'll be left at home with the kids. He'd hoped she might go for something like Conversational Spanish! Now Graeme and Claire are Charlestoning together!

Lloyd's following Liz down the street. She's trying to explain that she's not ignoring him. She just doesn't want him in her space. Teresa is watching. She goes and tells Liz not to ignore Lloyd. "He's moved on. So should you." Liz thinks that if Teresa is progress then she's quite happy standing still. Lloyd tries to get Teresa to shut up but she won't. She says Lloyd is a good man and Liz is acting like she's five. Liz tells her that if she still wants to drink in the Rovers, Teresa should keep her opinions to herself. "And remember, you got him on the rebound."

Tyrone's off to Wythenshawe and will be away for an hour. Kevin rings Molly straight away. She's in the shop with Pam and ignores it. Pam's trying to talk some sense into Molly. Molly assures her she's finished with Kevin and asks Pam to let her deal with her marriage in her own way. Pam leaves and Molly checks the phone and calls Kevin.

Joe meets Audrey outside the house. Audrey says she'll come to the wedding and smile for the photographs, but the minute Joe puts one foot wrong "I'll be on your head like a ton of bricks." Joe asks what he's ever done wrong. "I love Gail and I want to make her happy." Audrey doesn't answer.

Tony is brought into the dock in court just as Carla arrives in the room. Tony is charged with murder and attempted murder. As the magistrate deals with the business of sending him to the Crown Court for trial, he sees Carla.

Molly arrives at Kevin's. He tells her not to feel uncomfortable about being in his house. "I want you in my bed."

In court, Tony is remanded in custody to appear in the Crown Court on Monday, January 4. Just before they lead him away, Tony looks towards where Carla, Michelle and Ryan are sitting and makes a rueful face. It's not clear who this is at, but Michelle thinks he smiled at Ryan. She leaps to her feet. "Don't you dare smile at my son! Murderer!" she screams, racing for the dock. She has to be restrained. Tony is led out and the judge warns that she'll be in contempt of court if she's not quiet. Carla puts her head in her hand.

Sophie's come home with her friend to find a book she needs. "Oh my god! What'll we do?" Molly asks as we hear Sophie say she'll look upstairs!

The end of episode one.
Duncan will be along with the second.
Margaret Carr Welcome to a rather delayed episode update from me. Without wanting to sound like I'm giving excuses it's been a very hectic week what with 3 parents evenings, my 21st birthday and landing myself a brand new job!

On with the second episode now and Kevin heads downstairs wearing his dressing gown and a frantic expression. Sian has found her book and Sophie is surprised to see her dad at home during this time of day. She asks if he is ill and he retorts that he was getting changed before demanding to know why she is at home. Sophie simply replies that Sian had lost something and the girls head back out, leaving a stressed looking Kevin in their wake.

Meanwhile Michelle confronts Carla and demands to know whether she knew about Tony murdering Liam. She is very confrontational so Carla asks her if it would make any difference what she said. Michelle bitterly agrees with this sentiment, clearly determined in her mind that Carla is just as much to blame in the situation. Carla tells her that she didn't know before walking off. Ryan asks Michelle what difference it makes if Carla did know or not and Michelle replies that it would let her know how much she should hate Carla.

Molly is telling Kevin that part of her wanted to get caught out earlier, just so that everything was out in the open. Judging by his expression, Kevin doesn't quite share this enthusiasm. He heads to the door to make sure the coast is clear and Molly gives off the impression that she is frustrated by this reaction.

Lloyd is pleading with Teresa to bury the hatchet with Liz. Furious, Teresa reminds him that he should be on her side. He points out that no matter whose side he is on, he is caught in the middle and begs her to try and be nice to Liz for his sake.

Eddie, in an uncharacteristic burst of effort, is on the house roof, decorating it with tacky Christmas lights. Gary tells them that it is embarrassing before exclaiming that it's no wonder he wants to leave home. Anna is momentarily shocked by this announcement before she joins Eddie in wailing out Christmas carols.

Becky and Claire meet in the street. Claire asks Becky if she is going to school and Becky asks her to get Josh to keep his swearing to a minimum. Claire doesn't find this amusing at all and Becky heads off, saying she didn't want to see her looking down her nose at her.

Ryan and Michelle have arrived back and Michelle tells him that she is going to phone her parents to update them on what happened. Ryan points out that nothing did happen.

Becky lights up a cigarette outside the school gates as she waited for Amy and a group of disgruntled looking mothers scowl at her. The ringleader points out a sign saying parents shouldn't smoke outside and she tells Becky that local parents are tired of their little ones having to breathe in her smoke. Becky stubs out the cigarette. The woman instructs her to pick it up and Becky reluctantly does so, glaring at the woman. Claire approaches and suggests that the school should have another sign saying no bullying mums allowed. Becky warns her she had better move away or they'll start on her next but Claire stays put.

Carla has arrived back and Hayley asks her how she is feeling and what she is going to tell people. Carla shrugs and replies that she will just tell them that he has been charged and if they want to know any more then they can go to the court themselves. Hayley says there is one person she wants to go and tell.

Rosie bursts into the cafe and tells John that she has got some leaflets from the further education college. John looks mildly impressed. She thanks him for giving her the push to go to college but as he turns away, her simpering butter wouldn't melt look is replaced by her usual pantomime snarl.

Hayley has told Roy the news about Tony and congratulates him for being the one to bring him for justice. Roy replies quietly that one man being dead and another imprisoned is not a call for celebration.

Rosie bounces out of the cafe, telling John that she will let him know how it goes. Fiz watches her and wonders what she was doing there. She is skeptical as John tells her that she is making the effort to go to college.

Eddie switches on his lights and music and is overjoyed ...until suddenly everything goes off. Gary struggles to hide his relief as Eddie heads back inside to investigate.

Claire and Becky arrive back on the Street. Becky said that the woman was right but Claire points out that there are better ways to phrase things. She invites Becky in for a cup of tea but Becky declines, saying she has a pub to sort out.

Tension builds at the Webster dinner table as Rosie and Sophie bicker about Sophie's love for Christmas while Sally huffs that Kevin hasn't said that they should have kept her as PA for the factory. He says it but it's to late.

Molly receives a text from Kevin saying that he needs to get out and asking if they can meet.

Teresa tells Liz that she looks nice but Liz is instantly suspicious. Teresa goes on to say that not many women could carry off a dress like that and Liz assumes that she is about to say that not many would want to. Teresa asks her if she doesn't like compliments. Liz replies that it depends how sincere they are and Teresa mutters that that is a pity.

Claire comes in to the pub and Becky demands to know what she has done this time. Claire replies that she just wants to have a drink with her and orders half a cider. She grins and says that they're not so different after all, but her face after tasting the cider tells a different story. She goes on to tell Becky about being part of a theatre group and insists that Becky should come along to their next meeting.

Molly has finished her dinner and leaps up to make everyone coffee as Kirk and Tyrone prepare for an XBOX marathon. Molly pours the milk down the sink and heads out to get some more, subtle as ever…

Anna has come round and asked Sally if she minded about the Christmas music blaring non stop and Sally fakely insists that she could listen to it day and night. Kevin heads out to see what all the fuss is about. Or that's what he says anyway.

Teresa orders another drink in a falsely sweet voice and Liz asks what's going on. Teresa answers that she is just being nice but Liz replies that it doesn't suit her and she should revert to being miserable. Teresa shrugs to Lloyd and says that it was Liz's fault this time, before going to criticise the dress she complimented earlier, telling Liz she is displaying everything that is past it's sell by date. Furious, Liz bars both her and Lloyd.

The Windasses look on in delight at their decorations. Or at least most of them do. Gary isn't overly impressed when Anna tries to get him to wave to Santa.

The Croppers are passing and Hayley says it's just the thing to help cheer Roy up. She goes on to commend him for being a hero and assures him that everything will be back to normal. He asks what normal is and she replies that it is Roy putting himself before other people.

Kevin tells Molly that he's been pondering what she said about nearly being caught. She is delighted as he reasons that the girls are grown up anyway and there's no way they could please everyone. With a slight edge of cruelty, Kevin has a question for Molly: Will she, Molly Dobbs, leave Tyrone for him? She smiles and says that she will.

Almost as tacky as those Christmas decorations and three times as awful...but you'll have to wait a while longer for them to tear everything apart.

More soon

Duncan Lindsay


Monday 30 November

I am dedicating this review to the late Maggie Jones who passed away on December 2 (yesterday, as I'm writing this). Her characterization of Blanche Hunt is unequaled and will always be remembered.

Just the one episode tonight, Written by Julie Jones Directed by Alan Wareing

Rosie moans about the plain cheap coffee while Sally suggests Rosie contribute to the house expenses. Kevin figures the flash car should be the first to go which of course, Rosie isn't about to do. Sally muses that she could buy it herself and use it as a runabout. Rosie and Kevin both look at her as if she's grown a third eye. Kevin's got more on his mind, though. The tedium of his life is clearly pushing towards the tedium of a new life.

Molly's tedious life is ongoing as well as she listens to Tyrone complaining that they've run out of breakfast cereal and his work clothes haven't been washed. He's not really all that serious, though, and jokes that she's a borderline feminist because she's not standing up for herself. Her phone jingles, summoning her. She makes out that it's Dev but it's really Kevin. I thought that jingle sounded a bit desperate. Tyrone gives her a hug and is delighted when she suggests a quick fix for hardened chewing gum on the back of his overalls (put a plaster on it). Doesn't take much to please him!

Ken greets Simon who's on his way to school. I think Ken might be taking him. He asks the lad how he his and is answered with a sigh like only a 6 year old can heave, "I've got brain ache and hand ache" he is told. Seems it's a big job thinking of a Christmas list and writing it all out to send to Father Christmas! Ken is a bit green around the gills when he hears that Grandad George is taking Simon out after school to play with model airplanes. Ken wonders what he could get Simon for Christmas and Simon has just the thing. He needs wheels! Peter tries to put him off but Ken says he'll get it! (Whatever happened to "it's a surprise"?)

In the cafe, Hayley is off to work and Roy is finally down in the cafe. She's fussing over him and whispers to John to keep an eye on Roy. Becky has come in for a butty. She tells him she's read in a magazine that if you smile when you feel like crap, you can fool your brain into thinking you feel good. Try it! Smile! Roy cracks a weak and very unconvincing half-smile. Claire comes in for a sausage sandwich. She overslept because she got into the wine the night before while watching a dvd. Becky scoffs and thinks a night out drinking with her would do her the world of good. She doesn't really mean it, it's just something you say but Claire decides that really is just the thing and they should do it. Becky is taken aback but says why not? They make plans to meet in the Rovers tonight and then paint the town red. "I'll have you dancin' on the tables wi'your knickers on yer 'ead or my name's not Becky Mack!"

Eddie's got hold of a great lumbering ladder and is looking up and down the street shiftily. Yes, I know, he really doesn't have another look does he? He goes up the ladder which is leaned against Number 1.

Kevin sees Molly outside the shop and offers to finish the car Tyrone is working on and sends him to Roy's for bacon butties. When Ty runs off, Molly skips over and they talk quietly nose to nose about leaving their partners. They make a furtive plan to meet at the usual place tonight.

Teresa brings cinnamon buns to Lloyd as a peace offering. He's not really in a forgiving mood. She got him barred from his local! She eats it herself and suggested they have a party tonight. He points out that it's Monday night and a work night. She moans, oh come on.

In the cafe, John and Roy make small talk but to Roy, small talk seems to be about salamanders and seahorses, totally baffling Tyrone who's waiting for his butties. He leaves and Rosie comes in for a bite to eat. John is uncomfortable but has a job to do.

Ah. We see what Eddie's been up to. There's a clump of grass or sod visible over the guttering of number 1. Eddie has pointed it out to Deirdre and is in the process of persuading her to let him go up and clear it for her. For a tenner! He makes it sound like if he doesn't get it down for her straight away the house will get damp and fall down around her ears. Naive that she is, she gives in.

Roy has some errands to run and John says he can hold down the fort. Rosie is still in residence and when Roy leaves she tells John she wants to be a doctor. He's a bit dubious. "You have to really care about people" (snort!) Oh she's got bucketloads of empathy. She gets to the point. It takes a long time and a lot of money, 50 grand at least. He suggests a job or a student loan. She spits that she expects him to pay her. He owes her. Big time. She swans off leaving John's heart in his feet.

The factory bees emerge from the hive talking about Sean's sinuses. Julie recons he's got a deviated septum. Sean is offended. He's not got a deviated anything! Sally teases him "That's debatable". Julie clears up the misunderstanding. Teresa comes out of the Kabin and tells them plus Graeme who's arrived, about the party. Fancy dress, too. Vicars and Liz... or rather, Tarts. Sally is derisive, Julie thinks it's kind of mean making fun of Liz. Janice thinks it'll be a laugh.

Ken is at the dining room table perusing the help wanted ads while Deirdre witters on about weevils. He's looking for some sort of job to supplement the Christmas fund. She witters some more but Ken is a million miles away. Off to the job centre.

In the pub, Graeme asks Liz where she got that bendy necklace she always wears. She thinks he's insulting her. (just you wait!) Steve is making an appointment with "Bernie" but tells Becky it's his accountant. He's off to see him. Liz talks to Becky about Graeme who keeps staring at her. The factory chappies are chatting about making their costume and where they can get some gear. Sean offers to run up a quick skirt for Graeme who wants it really short because he's got good legs!

Molly is waiting for Kev in the motel room. He gets there a bit late. They canoodle and talk about being together. He really means it. You can see her hopes rising by the minute!

Later on, the partiers have arrived in the pub in their costumes. Fiz and Janice are a bit subtle with blonde wigs and tarty outfits, Kelly is wearing her own normal clothes from the look of it though she too is wearing a wig. Julie is a vicar and so is Sean but he's a gay vicar all tarted up. Becky is tarted up too for her night out with Claire. Deirdre is moaning to Liz across the bar about Ken not listening to her (it was about weevils! did she really expect him to be hanging on her every word?) Teresa arrives, similarly dressed with cleavage everywhere and a heavy application of fake tan on her face. Julie takes the opportunity to criticize the theme of the party. Oh it's ok for her, she's naturally blonde and she's done up as a vicar! Her words go in one of Teresa's ears and out the other. Liz hasn't really cottoned on to the theme yet and compliments Fiz on how nice she looks as a blonde, making Fiz uncomfortable.

In the cafe, the last two customers of the day are finishing off their mugs of tea. Rosie sashays in again and parks herself. John tells her that he doesn't owe her anything and wants her to go. She insists on talking to him in private.

Becky gives Claire several shooters to get them started. Becky downs them, Claire sips them daintily. Meanwhile, Graeme has arrived and he's nearly a Liz clone, with almost the same black and white outfit on, short skirt and fishnet stockings. He's got the bendy necklace drawn around his neck, too! The fellow partiers love it but Deirdre spots him and is dismayed. Lloyd comes in with funny teeth in. Liz turns around, Graeme remarks that he and Liz were separated at birth and Lloyd realizes what's going on. He's horrified! Liz seems to suddenly realize that Teresa was barred and knows she's the instigator. You can tell she's visibly upset though she tries to hold it together. Everyone else gets quiet and uncomfortable.

Back to the cafe, the other customers have left. Rosie suggests his gran's house was worth more than the £150,000 he gave her. He says his parents got the rest. That doesn't matter, she hisses, get it back from them. He's adamant, she's not getting another penny and he loses his temper and calls her a stupid, vacuous little girl who lost all her money to a con man. She threatens him. She'll scream if he doesn't agree and stitch him up for assault!

Deirdre and Steve are both in the back room with Liz trying to console her. She defends her dress sense. Why should she dress like an old woman just because she's "a certain age"? Lloyd peeks in to apologize but she fires a vase at the door. Liz tells Deirdre she's more angry than upset and vows revenge.

Rosie insists John give her fifty grand by the end of the week. He shoves her coat back in her arms, calls her a pernicious bitch, threatens to tell the police she's trying to blackmail him and orders her out. Right, then. She opens the door, looks out, looks back at him and screams. She clatters out into the street screaming for help!

Uh oh. We'll find out what happens tomorrow.

Tvor



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