Hello and Happy New Year as we get underway with the first episode of the decade 2010-2019 (she says, cleverly skipping round any fighting over which is the first year of the decade...)

Over breakfast, Steve wonders why they're not all wearing silver jumpsuits if it's really 2010, though he does admit they wouldn't all look like Barbarella. Especially Betty and Norris. It seems Steve and Amy are off to the prison to visit Tracy. Becky comes out, fetches a glass of water and leaves the room. Liz asks Steve what it's all about and he confesses they had an argument last night, about the future.

At the Websters', where they should know better, there are roller skates all over the breakfast table. Rosie blames the damage to them on Graeme skating up and down the cobbles at 3am. Rosie thinks Graeme's in love with her. Kevin warns her that Graeme's soft in the head. He can't fix the skates and suggests Rosie take them to a cobbler's. Sophie comes down and seems depressed and has obviously been in to see her mum. For a minute Kevin thinks Sally's told her, but Sophie confesses she's down because Sian went back on their celibacy pledge, slept with Ryan and they both lied to her.

Claire, meanwhile, is beating herself over the head for saying anything to Steve. Ashley points out, quite cheerfully, that Claire's a meddler. He's quite excited because Escape To Victory is on telly later. Ashley doesn't remember drinking too much but Claire thinks he did. She's still worried that Steve said something to Becky.

Tyrone thinks 2010 is going to be a cracking year. Molly's very grumpy. Tyrone gets a call from Kevin, giving him the details of a breakdown job and Tyrone alerts him to the fact that Escape To Victory, starring Russell Osman and Sylvester Stallone, is on TV later. Molly's grumpy that Tyrone's going out, because Jack's coming to lunch. "You know what," she says, "just because he's got kids doesn't make his New Year's Day any more precious than yours!"

Amy and Steve are off. Becky refuses an invitation to go with them. Steve tells her there's a basket of washing needs putting on.

Michelle's giving the Mum talk to Ryan and assures him that she'll buy protection for him. She says she always has load. Ryan asks her what Escape To Victory is like. She apologises for over-reacting last night.

Natasha's met someone, a welder, she tells David, Audrey and the customers. She's going out with him again tonight. Audrey reminds her she's supposed to be going to the Stylists' Ball. David offers to go with her but Audrey refuses to pay him for it.

"Thought you and me were s'posed to be muckers," Becky says, marching into the Peacocks' kitchen. She tells Claire that she'd never ever blab to Ashley about Claire fancying Dev and doesn't appreciate Claire meddling. "Dev?!" asks Ashley. Becky rants on at Claire about the betrayal of her trust. Claire says she was trying to help the situation, which Becky says has nothing to do with Claire. "You listen to me, Cinderella, from now on keep your nose out of me marriage or I'll break it." When Becky's gone, Claire asks Ashley why he didn't defend her and he says he's a bit scared of Becky. He still wants to know about Dev and when Claire dismisses it, and asks whether she'd be worried if he said he fancied Leanne. That really annoys Claire.

Graeme just happens to be casually resting in his trishaw directly outside the Webster's. He doesn't remember wearing the skates when Rosie reminds her, but realises that's why his ankle hurts. He offers to take her to get them repaired. She accepts but asks him to first go to the Kabin and get her OK, Hello, Grazia and a quarter of humbugs.

Dev arrives to see the twins. Sunita gets the twins to show him the synthesiser they got for Christmas from Matt's mother. While they fetch it, Dev and Sunita chat a little uncomfortably. Matt comes in as the kids bring the keyboard in.

Audrey's solving her escort problem by phoning an escort (Nigel Havers from the town hall do).

Jack and Molly have their lunch with no sign of Tyrone. Jack questions Molly over how she is, asking if she's expecting. He seems worried.

Amy and Steve are back. Becky's missing but Liz points out that she's on the rota so is expected back. Liz asks Steve if Becky moved the goalposts. She thinks the possibility of children is usually one of the first things a couple discusses. Becky is lazy, sponging and leading Steve a merry dance, Liz reckons.

Sian and Sophie pass in the street and Sophie tries to ignore her friend but they end up exchanging bitter words.

David's trying to find out who Audrey is taking. Natasha is on the phone to her welder. David asks if it's Norris. "How dare you!" hisses Audrey.

Sian's now sitting on the sofa with Ryan. When Michelle comes in with the groceries they ask if Sian can stay over. Sian says it'll be ok with her dad and Michelle agrees. As soon as she's out of the room, Sian tells Ryan she'll tell her dad she's staying at Sophie's.

Dev's trying to show his boy how to do a jigsaw puzzle but finds the music from the keyboard very distracting. Sunita comes in and tells Dev he'll have to go. She asks if he'd like to have Adi and Asha to stay over some time.

Sophie's tucked up on the sofa when Kevin comes downstairs. He's just been watching Escape To Victory with Sally. Sophie can't believe her parents have been watching films together in bed. Kevin suggests Sophie and Sally watch the film Sophie got for Christmas, He's Just Not That Into You. Rosie arrives back with working skates.

Steve tells Becky he loves all this tension. He's over the cold shoulder and the silent treatment, he says. Becky tells him her hurt her feelings and what really rubs her up the wrong way is that he thinks he'll be able to change her mind. Becky doesn't want to give birth ever. Steve points out that most women probably think that but some do it more than once, so it can't be that bad. Becky thinks no kid of hers would amount to any good because she's got bad genes. Tearfully she warns Steve not to push it because she's never been more serious in her life.

Kev's on the sofa and Rosie sits beside him, ready to watch something on TV. Kev is pushed out of the way, effectively, with Sally and Sophie watching upstairs and Rosie down. He might as well go to the pub. Rosie teases him because he doesn't usually need an excuse to go for a pint. "Dad, she's got a hangover, not cancer!"

Becky wonders if getting married was all a huge mistake. She's not cut out for it. Steve says he isn't either. "God knows I've had enough attempts." Becky thinks maybe it's him, then. "Tell you what," says Steve, "I can't half pick ‘em." Becky tells him he says the sweetest things. Steve says they're in trouble.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Footnote: Another soap, which I shall call EE, shot itself in the foot this week with a bit of conversation in which one character told a police officer that he had chatted briefly to another "about Christmas and how it didn't snow again this year . . ." It probably seemed like a sure bet when they wrote that!

Here is the second part of New Year's Day's episode.

We're at round 232 of the children argument between Steve and Becky. Becky claims that Steve is making her out to be the one in the wrong but Steve says that he just wants her to be able to discuss it. Almost to reinforce his point, Becky gets up and heads out without much explanation. Steve calls after her that he assumes he is putting Amy to bed and Becky calls back ‘yes, for once!'

Audrey is locking up the salon and heading to her car. Gail accosts her and demands to know who her mystery man is. Audrey keeps schtum but fixes Gail with a withering glare when she suggests Norris

Tyrone comes home and asks how Jack was doing. He apologises for being late and explains that the woman he did the job for kept him talking by suggesting he take up a job running a garage she knows of. Molly pounces on this information and Tyrone seems surprised by her interest. He shrugs and says he never thought about a new job because he works with Kevin. Molly tells him that that is his problem, he seems to be Kevin's errand boy.

Steve is heading out and Liz berates him for not taking any notice of the rota. She takes comfort that Betty has at least shown the common decency to show up for her shift, albeit with a bout of geographical tongue (an inflammation and discolouration of patches of taste buds, if you're interested!)

Pam is concerned for Bill and asks him if he is harbouring a secret as he seems shifty. At this point Kevin comes in and greets them both. Dev enters jubilantly behind him and buys Kevin and Bill a drink. When asked about his merry mood, Dev tells him he has come to the realisation that family is the most important thing and he wants his back.

A nervous looking Audrey phones up Lewis and leaves a gabbled message about having a migraine. But it's too late...mid message, he rings the doorbell. Audrey initially tries to hide but then goes on to bravely face her fears. She tells him about her headache but he soothingly tells her that it's common to have nerves.

Roy and Hayley are doing a stocktake while conducting a game of 20 questions. Roy grows frustrated that Hayley continues to ask questions even though she already knows the answer. Becky interrupts any further bickering and Hayley hurries to fix her something to eat.

Tyrone is not keen on going to the pub in case he bumps into Kevin. He feels guilty about even considering another job and tells Molly that he believes in loyalty. Molly doesn't even have the decency to squirm in discomfort at these words.

Audrey is telling Lewis about Gail and Joe and how she insists on being ‘lovey dovey' even after the medical centre breakin. Lewis says that she sounds like a lot of fun but Audrey laughs this off.

Becky is opening up to Hayley and Roy about her ongoing feud with Steve. She tells Hayley that she hates kids. Hayley points out that she loves Amy but Becky says she does but she is Steve's responsibility and should Becky ever need to walk out, she can do so with a clear conscience. Hayley cringes and says that this is a pretty poor attitude to have. Roy tells Becky that she will probably change her mind, there's loads of time but Becky remains resolute.

Dev is boasting to Bill and Dev about his talented kids. He is regaling a tale of Asha's keyboard abilities but Kevin tells a crushed Dev that this could be down to the ‘demo' button. Dev moves away to greet Molly and Tyrone, the latter of which still looks shifty in Kevin's presence. Kevin meanwhile is in deep conversation with Bill. Bill has asked if it's okay if he tells Pam about Sally but Kevin firmly tells him no because it will spread and the girls don't even know yet.

Audrey and Lewis are fairly ploughing through the drinks and Audrey seems a bit more at ease. She is telling Lewis that she was never short of a few admirers and he tells her that he can see why as she is a very attractive woman. She giggles like a teenager before losing her thread. Lewis reminds her that before they went off in a tangent they were talking about Alf. Audrey fondly remembers her husband. Lewis suggests that they go out for the meal and heads to book a taxi. Audrey ensures that he doesn't contact Streetcars.

Dev is telling Molly and Tyrone about how much Sunita means to me. Molly points out that Sunita is already attached to someone (yes, I know, the irony) and Dev admits that that remains a problem in his quest to win her back

Gail comes in and asks where Sally is. Kevin tells her that she is tired. Gail asks if everything is all right with her as she hasn't seemed herself lately but Kevin assures her that she is fine.

Steve arrives back and a furious Liz demands to know where he has been. He tells her not to worry as he's here now. Liz tells him that Betty has been left on her own as she has had to put Amy to bed. Steve looks sheepish as he begins serving.

Hayley and Roy are sending a reluctant Becky home and they urge her to sort things out. Becky wails that she doesn't know how and Roy tells her the key is listening. Becky replies that they are good at listening to each other, they just don't like what they hear. She heads home, just as Steve is closing up. He asks where she has been and she tells him with Roy and Hayley. Steve assumes that he has been pulled to bits in the conversation. Becky tells him she refuses to be bullied and Steve presses the fact that Amy would like a little sister or brother. Becky tells him she is sleeping on the sofa. Steve wonders aloud whether the marriage has been a mistake and Becky is visibly upset.

Kevin arrives home, strokes Sally's coat and heads upstairs to look after her.

Audrey bursts into Gail's full of song. She has danced al night with Lewis. Gail calls for Joe to give her a lift home. Audrey makes an impulsive gesture to Gail that she wants to pay for a honeymoon for her and Joe as a wedding present.

Meanwhile, Becky lies awake on the sofa, looking deeply troubled.

So what have we learned tonight?

-Jeff Goldbloom is very cool
-Steve passes his time by imagining Betty, Dev and Norris in silver jumpsuits
-There used to be a cobbler's on Artright Street
-Escape to Victory was on television that night-and Ashley, Tyrone, Ryan, Sally and Kevin all expressed an interest in watching it. But Michelle has never seen it before.
-Condoms build up
-Natasha's new bloke 'welds things'
-Audrey pays time and half on New Year's Day
-Ashley's scared of Becky but fancies Leanne. Meanwhile Claire has the hots for Dev as he has nice eyes
-Rosie reads the following magazines: OK! Hello! And Gracias!
-Joe's never off the internet
-Steve can't make a baby on his own
-Tyrone fulfills the following roles in the garage: the collection of milk and sandwiches, trips to the bank
-When Molly is feeling intense, her eyes can't stay still (watch them if you get the chance, you'll see what I mean!)
-Rosie and Sophie weren't child prodigies
-Geographical Tongue can be very sore
-Audrey pronounces migraine as "mee-green"

Dubious Awards

Marital conversation of the year: "Were you beheaded?" Hayley. "No, but I was married to Henry VIII" Roy.
Biggest misconception: "She sounds like quite good fun" Lewis about Gail
Marriage expert of the evening: "'I'm sleeping on the sofa' comes second only to ‘you're sleeping on the sofa'" Steve
Worst case of amnesia: "We were too busy enjoying ourselves" Steve about the early weeks of his and Becky's marriage
Most agreeable sentiment: "I tell you what, I don't half pick em!" Steve about his choice of wives
Least necessary information: "You were purring at me like a jungle cat when you got to bed last night" Claire to Ashley
Prediction least likely to be fulfilled: "It's going to be a cracking year, 2010!" Tyrone

And that's all from me!

Duncan Lindsay

Awww, Bethany has chicken pox so Sarah and she can't come to the wedding. Gail isn't as disappointed as I thought she'd be though is somewhat. She tells Joe that they wanted low key anyway. They have a laugh at Audrey's tiddly offer of a honeymoon and Gail tells Joe that he's to have new shoes and shirt for the wedding. He moans about traipsing around the shops but she's already made a list of shops with sales on. (pretty much all of them post-Christmas!) Joe breaks into a sweat when his mobile starts to vibrate (NO, not that, you lot!) and he sees it's Rick calling. He lets it go on and on for ages until he finally disconnects it and I guess Gail is too preoccupied to hear it buzzing on the counter top.

Sally is undecorating the tree and removing a paper angel that Rosie made when she was little. She's a bit tearful with the memories. Kevin wraps his arms around her in comfort and tells her she should go back to bed for awhile. She's due to see the surgeon that afternoon and Kevin promises they'll get through it all together. Like always. She gets Kevin to finish the tree while she irons an outfit because you can't just wear anything to see a surgeon, can you? Good to see Sally's sense of snobbery is still there!

Becky and Steve are cool with each other. She's had the last of the breakfast sausages and orange juice, to his chagrin. Liz and Amy arrive for breakkie and Liz feels the tension in the air. She tells Amy the Grumpy Fairy has been. Amy, in a sudden verbal burst of Chatterbox Fever utters 4 whole words! "What's the Grumpy Fairy?" Then she says in her autobot voice that she doesn't want to go to school and accuses Steve of waking her up the night before (the fight with Becky). (I can't take this pace! I'm sorry, but she's really not a natural actress, is she?) Becky jumps in and offers to take Amy to Roy's for a special breakfast, glaring daggers at Steve as she takes the child by the hand. Liz rakes Steve over the coals for the effect his row with Becky is having on Amy.

Gail can't get any information out of Audrey about the man she went out with. Audrey is diverting her attention with ideas about what to do with Gail's hair for the wedding. Audrey comments that Gail doesn't seem too excited about the wedding though apparently Joe is. Gail's just interested in marrying Joe (and shouldn't she be excited about that?) Gail tells her mother that having the house sold and having the debt all cleared will make a big difference in a fresh start. Audrey doesn't wholly approve and she confirms that she did mean to offer to pay for a honeymoon cottage in the Lake District. Gail thanks her.

Meanwhile Joe walks around the corner and sees Rick the Loan Shark knocking at the door and he ducks into the Kabin where Kelly is telling them all about her New Year's Eve out in a gay club with Sean. Half the blokes she attracted thought she was a drag queen and the other half thought she was the Diana Ross lookalike booked as entertainment. Joe spies on Rick through a heretofore unseen window with Venetian blinds that points right to Gail's house. (And it's official, as Joe walked back through the shop from that window it's clear the post office no longer exists in the Kabin where it was opposite the till counter.) He tells Tina that Sarah cancelled and that doesn't seem to upset Tina too much. Joe ignores yet another call from Rick and agrees to have a look at one of the cabinets in Tina's flat. Before he does that, though, because he's avoiding Rick, he gets Tina to make him a cuppa. As she goes in the back to plug in the kettle, he looks out the window again and sees Rick leaving an angry voice message.

Molly is trying to convince Tyrone to call the lady from Hobson's garage to ask about a job interview. (I fail to see how working for someone else is a big step up when you already are half-owner of your own business that doesn't seem to be hurting much financially at the moment.) Tyrone is not easy to convince, not with his loyalty to Kevin. She finally gets him to call, though, to put himself (herself) first.

Outside, Joe and Tina leave the Kabin and go into the flag, seen by Rick who's just come out of the corner shop. Inside the corner shop later, Molly is excited to hear that Tyrone has an interview at 4 o'clock. He's not really stoked for it but she is. He's worried about what to tell Kevin. He leaves and Dev finishes a phone call to Sunita, presumably, because he's then all excited because he's got a visit with the kids after school today. He's going to take them wherever they want.

In the cafe, Hayley and Becky are discussing the issues. Becky is moaning about Steve treating her like a baby factory while Hayley keeps murmuring surely not. It's all "me, me, me with babies" and she's deffo not giving up drinking or smoking for 9 months, more good reasons why she shouldn't get pregnant. Roy serves up lunch and then declares that at least Steve and Becky are taking the situation so seriously but Becky says it's nothing to do with a healthy debate. She doesn't want kids, full stop and there's no way Steve is going to bully or manipulate her into it. (It must be excruciating for Hayley to hear when she always wanted her own and the one she finally did discover she had doesn't want to know her).

Ken is trying to solicit more opposition to the new bar. Kelly thinks he's off his tree, she'd be more than happy to have it handy! It's more her style than the Rovers anyway. Fiz does sign the petition, however, observed by Peter. Ken tells Peter it isn't anything personal (no?) and Peter retaliates by rubbing Ken's nose in the Grandad wars by saying Simon has got very close to George and enjoys spending time with him. He does apologize for the low blow, though, and offers that Simon can have his tea with them.

Joe and Tina come out of the flat. Rick is hiding round the corner. He pecks Tina on the cheek and she goes back in the Kabin. Rick runs up to Joe as he enters the house and presses him up against the wall in a very threatening manner. Joe shouts but Rick isn't having it. What he will have is 4 grand plus interest. No matter that the house is sold, he wants a payment today! He implies that he'll have "a word" with Tina if Joe isn't forthcoming. He leaves Joe looking scared. Permanent expression on his face, these days.

We're in the factory, now. Kelly is passing around a bag of dried fruit. Nobody seems to enjoy it but it's dead good for you. Janice asks Hayley why Sally has yet another day off but Hayley doesn't know but apparently Carla authorized it. Kelly and Janice both moan about Sally getting time off.

Kevin is leaving for the hospital appointment though, of course, doesn't tell Tyrone where he's going. Tyrone lies and says he's got a dentist appointment and would have to pay for it if he misses it. Kevin doesn't seem bothered and suggests Ty just lock up the shop.

Simon is leading the pack of Grandads down the pavement with Peter and Ken bringing up the rear. Seems George took it upon himself to meet them after school, not knowing it was Ken's turn. Ken has a knot in his face the size of a dinner plate. Simon is pleased when Peter hands him over to Ken and tells Ken they can't buy cheap sausages for their tea because Nana Blanche says they're made of pigs' eyelids. (snort) They walk off, leaving George asking Peter about Ken's petition.

Steve arrives back at Streetcars and Roy hails him to chat about Becky in a concerned fatherly manner. Steve doesn't have the patience and tells Roy it's none of his business.

Peter and George have gone in the pub where Becky is telling Liz that Amy wanted to do her homework. Liz points out that's because Amy thinks all the aggro is her fault and she's trying to be a good girl. Becky is suitably admonished but Liz hugs her. Steve stalks in, angry that Becky was talking about their business to Roy and Hayley. He dismisses Becky's pointed comments about her having to look after Amy but Liz spits that Amy is the only thing that *should* matter. Becky and Steve shoot daggers across the bar. Steve returns a few minutes later from checking on Amy and Becky, refusing to participate in yet another contentious row, decides she's going out and spending the evening with Claire so Steve hollers that he's going out too, leaving Liz with both the pub and Amy.

George and Peter are sitting in a booth. George wants to put out a proposition. He offers to pay for a private prep school for Simon, a really good one near where he lives. Peter doesn't want to put Simon through the upheaval, removing him from where he's happy and politely declines the offer.

Joe is trying to get his overdraft extended. The bank appears to be very uncooperative. Gail arrives home with bad news. The house sale has fallen through. Joe pales. Gail isn't overly upset, the house is back up for sale already. Joe looks even more panicked and sad and when Rick's name comes up on the phone again, he lays his head in his hands.

Tvor

Hello and welcome to Monday's second episode. I'm filling in for Stella this week, so on with the show...

Joe tears down the "sold" sign. He's very grumpy but Gail is more optimistic. She thinks they might get a better offer and the girl who phoned about the sale falling through said the market usually picks up after Christmas. Gail gives Joe a hundred pounds so he can get some clothes for the wedding.

Bill calls to see Kevin. Kevin says the lumpectomy will be a week on Friday. The surgeon will remove the lump and some lymph nodes and it'll be a week or so before they know the results. It could mean radiotherapy, more surgery or chemotherapy. Bill's a bit emotional. Kevin hugs him and both have tears in their eyes.

Dev's looking after the twins at his house. They are out of control. Sunita, who appears to have a key to the flat, arrives in the middle of all this and seems thrilled to see them all having such a good time. She sends them out to Matt at the car while she has a word with Dev. She tells them they're enjoying seeing more of him and she hopes it will continue, rather than Dev running hot and cold as usual. He promises.

Claire is being made up by Becky. She wonders if she should have a word with Steve. Becky refuses the offer. Claire tries to give her advice on marriage but they are interrupted by Ashley. He seems surprised when Becky says she wants to go to the pictures but she points out she doesn't need to get wasted to have a good time. She'd like to see a film where a fat, balding middle-aged pig dies in a chainsaw accident.

Dev and Sunita go out to the car. Sunita invites Dev to the birthday party and says he can bring Bernie, but Dev tells her that's not going so well.

Kevin heads home with some groceries. Gail meets him and asks if Sally fancies coming to the Rovers for a non-hen-party pre-wedding drink. Kevin says he promised he'd cook her a meal. Gail is impressed and invites David for a drink instead.

Joe's not impressed. It seems the estate agent is away skiing.

Steve turns up at Ashley's with a crate of beer. Tina sees and thinks the Rovers are doing deliveries now.

As she heads home, loan-shark Rick sees her and follows.

Michelle's in the Rovers and asks Gail and David about the "sold" sign being taken down. Gail asks her about the flat she and Jason are doing up. Rick hears and reminds Gail he looked at the house but says it was too big for him. He says he heard them mention a flat and he and Tina go off to look at it.

Sally's just moving her food around the plate. She can't understand why she feels so well. She doesn't know if she's fooling herself or if her body is telling her she can fight this and win. Kevin thinks they should look at holidays later in the year but Sally says they should just wait and see. He says they won't get many more chances of a family holiday. This upsets Sally so he has to explain he means the girls will be flying the nest.

Joe arrives in the pub and Gail tells him about Rick going to see Tina's flat. Joe's distraught when he hears that Jason isn't there and rushes out of the pub.

In the flat, Rick's asking Tina about the price when Joe buzzes the door. He dashes inside and Tina introduces the two men. Joe bluffs that he's lost his wallet and wants to have a look. He convinces Tina to check the bedroom so he can ask Rick what he's playing at. Rick says it sounds as if Tina's about to come into some money. This makes Joe angry but Tina comes back and Rick takes his leave.

Steve's an angry drunk, lecturing Ashley about the differences in perception when men and women act in the same way. He says women call the shots and rule the roost. Ashley disagrees, so Steve asks him whether the vasectomy was his idea and whether he had much choice. Steve says that's his point. Claire had Ashley done like a mongrel at the RSPCA. Men can't force women to have babies but women can force men NOT to have babies, he rants. When his phone goes he rejects the call from his mother, saying she's just out to control him, too. "You do still love Becky, though?" asks Ashley. Steve stops mid-rant. "To bits," he confesses. "That's why I want little Beckys and Steves. There's nowt wrong in that, is there?"

Joe's in a different pub ordering a whisky.

Dev's in the Rovers telling Liz how bright his son is. Becky arrives back in a rush with Claire. It seems Amy had a nightmare and when Liz couldn't raise Steve she called Becky. Becky's furious that Steve's gone AWOL.

Kevin's also been drinking on his own. Sophie comes home later than her curfew. She apologises and thinks Kevin and Sally have had a row. He tells her he loves her.

Steve arrives back at the Rovers in that rowdy but trying to be quiet way that drunks have. Becky wants to knock the smirk off his face. Steve asks if it's a no-smirk zone now as well as a no-baby one. Becky asks why she'd want babies with a pathetic waste of space like him. "The second you don't get your own way you're off getting bladdered." He tells her there's no point in talking to her so he's been the man about town, visiting all the bars, doing a bit of schmoozing – all the things he thought he'd given up. "You lying toad. You've been boring Ashley all night," Becky points out. This stops Steve in his tracks (he is such a good drunk, Simon Gregson!) and Becky points out Claire called her. Steve does a passable imitation of Claire ganging up with Becky. As he tries to head upstairs Becky trips him up, telling him she's going up to bed and he can go and fester somewhere else.

A tipsy Joe staggers up the street and is grabbed by Rick, who take his wallet and the 70 quid in there. He shoves Joe up against a roller door and says he'll be back on Friday and wants his money. Joe says that's his wedding day. Rick taunts him, saying Tina's a much better bet. "If you don't want me or some of my friends calling on her, you know what to do." He leaves Joe sobbing and clutching his empty wallet.

The End
Margaret Carr

Joe's out putting rubbish in the bins when he sees Tina walking across the Street. "Hiya, love," he says.

He goes back inside and tells Gail that their bin wasn't emptied because it was too full. He thinks someone else has been putting their rubbish in it. Ted then arrives, glad to be able to attend at least one of his daughter's weddings. David remarks that it probably won't be her last!

Tyrone is worried that he hasn't heard from Hobson's about the job. Molly tells him to wait, if they're going to offer him a job they'll be in touch. Then they both head off to work.

Peter bumps into Ken and asks if they'll see him at the planning meeting tomorrow. "I might just pop in," says Ken. (Understatement of the year!) He asks Peter if he can pick Simon up from school, but Peter says George has already offered. Ken isn't very happy at this news, so Peter offers to bring Simon round for his tea, which cheers him up.

Liz remarks to Becky that she could hear her and Steve fighting last night. "Tell him," says Becky. Liz says she will, and also points out that if she could hear them so could Amy. Becky admits that Amy did wake up.

Over at Gail's, Audrey arrives with Nick and introduces him to Ted, the grandfather he's never met. As Nick takes him bag up to his room, Gail suggests a drink and goes to get glasses. Joe says he's just got to pop out and attend to a bit of business.

Over at the Rovers, Liz asks who's running the bar. Steve says that he is, so she says she'll take the night off, she thinks she's owed a few. Becky says she thinks she'll take the night off from looking after Amy, she thinks she's owed a few of those too. "Well, you don't like kids anyway," sniffs Steve. "Oh that's right, isn't it?" says Becky, adding that in that case he can pick her up from school, give her tea and a bath and read her a story. "Only it's got to be done sober," she says, "Peter Rabbit with a skinful is just not the same." The next minute they're shouting at each other, Steve is annoyed at being lectured by Becky on how to bring up children. "Child!" she snaps back, "child – your child, the one you've barely spoken a word to all week!" ~They end up yelling that they can't stand each other until Liz tells them to stop it.

Joe goes to see Peter at the bookies' and asks if there will be any work for him when they start fitting out the new bar. Peter thinks there may well be something for him when they get started. Astoundingly, Joe then asks for an advance for materials. Peter can't believe his ears. "Tell me this is a joke," he says. When Joe assures him that it isn't, Peter says it has to be a con. "You want me to give you a load of money on the off chance that I might want you to do a bit of plumbing? Tell me, what have I done to make you think I'm soft in the head?" Joe starts to say he's sorry he sees it like that, but Peter gets more and more angry. "Like what? Like you've just walked in here and asked me for money?" he cries, and Joe makes a hasty exit, telling him to forget it. "Don't worry, I already have!" says Peter as he goes.

Ty goes into the shop and tells Molly that Hudson's have phoned and offered him the job. He says he hasn't given them an answer yet, Jack's coming over later and he wants to see what he thinks.

Gail takes her eldest son off round the shops to get a shirt for the wedding. As they leave the house Ted turns to Joe and remarks that Nick and David are very different. Joe then turns to Ted and says he'd like to ask him something and can only do it when Gail isn't there. He asks if he can borrow four thousand pounds, telling him that it's for the deposit on a flat that Gail has set her heart on, and if he doesn't come up with the money today they'll lose it. He assures Ted that he'll get his money back the minute they sell the house. "What do you say?" he asks, "I'd be so grateful."

George has picked Simon up from school and isn't too impressed at what he's seen of the other mums waiting outside, with their fags and tattoos. Peter laughs and admits they scare him. George says he's scared by what education a child might be getting in a place like that, and goes on to say that there's a private school near to him with many facilities. He'd pay for it if Peter wanted to send Simon there. Peter says that Simon is just fine where he is, but George urges him to not to say no straight away but to think about it. "Think about the difference it might make to his life." George then goes off to take a phone call and Peter turns and asks Leanne if she heard what George offered. She says she did and asks what he thinks about it. Peter says what he does think is that they don't say anything to his dad about it.

Ted comes back from the bank and gives Joe the money he's asked for. Joe says he'll be forever in his debt, but Ted laughs and says he hopes it won't be forever. Joe asks again if Ted can keep it from Gail and Ted says she won't hear about it from him. Joe says he's going to go straight over to the estate agents to secure the flat with the deposit, and tells Ted to tell Gail if she asks that he's gone for a walk to calm his pre-wedding nerves.

Peter takes Simon round to Ken and Deirdre's, and Deirdre immediately starts to play a card game with him. Ken tries to talk to Peter about George, but Peter tells him he won't talk to Ken about George and he won't tell George anything about Ken.

Joe finds the moneylender. "You say I owe you four grand," he says, "I'll give you that, and that's it. Forget interest, you don't get another penny." Neelan, the moneylender, tells him that if he's done the maths and four grand makes them straight, he'll believe him. Joe hands him the envelope with the money in it and tells him he never wants to see him again. Then he walks away.

Ken is shocked when Simon mentions that he might be moving to another school. "Where?" he asks. Simon doesn't know, but he does know it's one that has to be paid for because Granddad George said he would pay for it. Ken knows there is no private school around Coronation Street, and isn't happy at the thought of Simon moving away from his family and friends. (Although Rosie Webster went to a private school as a daygirl.) "So, George thinks his money can buy everything, including your education," he says, "we'll see about that!"

Tyrone and Molly tell Jack about the new job offer. "But you've got a job," says Jack, frowning. Tyrone explains that this would be a better one. Molly says that he's not sure whether to take it and wants Jack's advice.

Upstairs, Steve tells Becky that Amy is asking for her to read the bedtime story. "Well, she's going to have to put up with you, isn't she?" she says.

Jack is shocked when he hears Tyrone's new job is in Chester and can't understand why he would want to leave his partnership with Kevin, after all he can't be sacked. Molly points out that he can't be promoted either, and they can't move somewhere where they're not stuck in little fishbowls going round and round. Jack asks her if she thinks this move is a good idea. She tells him she does.

Ken goes round to George's house and knocks on the door. Eve opens it and is obviously surprised to see him. "Come in," she says, "George didn't say you were dropping by." Ken says that George didn't know, he is both uninvited and unwelcome. "Nonsense," she says, and takes him through to George, who jumps up and greets him warmly. Ken tells him there's something he wants a word about.

Back in the pub, Jack tells Molly that moving is a big thing. "Well you did it," she points out. She looks at Tyrone and asks him if they're brave enough to do it. He starts to say that they'll see how they feel tomorrow, but she says that nothing is going to change between now and then and so if he's going to say no, then he should say it now. He tells her he's not going to say no, and if she wants to do it that badly then they'll do it. "You have no idea what this means to me," she says.

David and Nick go into the pub. Nick points out that it's a first, him buying David a drink. Across the room, Nick nods hello to Tina and Jason. Quietly, Jason asks Tina if Nick has a girlfriend. "Why do you ask that?" Tina wants to know. Jason says that it's usual to bring a partner to a wedding. Tina thinks that maybe he hasn't got anyone then.

Back at George's house, he asks Ken whether it's private education in general that he doesn't like, or whether it's the fact that he would be paying for it. He says he's trying to do good, to give Simon a good start in life. "What?" sneers Ken, "something that will make him think he's superior to everyone else? Something that will make him look down on his own family?" The penny drops with George. "Is that what's worrying you? That he will look down on you?" Ken starts to protest, but George continues, saying that Ken wants Simon's life to be just like his, same house, same street, same dead end. Ken says he wants Simon to have a happy life, where he's valued for what he is, not for how much money he has. George starts to get annoyed. "Codswallop!" he exclaims and tells Ken to admit that he hates him having the money to help Simon. Ken says that George only wants to help him on his own terms, he wants to turn him into what he wants him to be. George says he wants Simon to be a success in life but Ken thinks George just wants to buy him. Tempers get very frayed then and the result is that George asks Ken to get out – now! Ken says he'll go and George urges him to think twice before he decides to drop in again.

Gail is leaving with Audrey to go back and spend the eve of her wedding at Audrey's house. Joe promises her he'll be at the wedding at three o'clock. As mother and daughter depart, Ted turns to him and asks if he has any doubts. "Only – am I good enough for her?" says Joe. Ted tells him that's not a bad doubt to have and goes off to pour them a drink. Joe sits and looks very troubled.

Anne Logan.

If it's Friday, it must be Gail's wedding day and Joe's debt deadline...

Joe's ironing in a distracted sort of way and Ted takes over before he burns his trousers. How come Gail had to leave the house for the night? It means Joe, Ted and Nick are all together.

Gail's in the salon with Audrey and David, getting he hair done and refusing to eat anything. Audrey's having champagne? A tiddly hairdresser? Comedy moment missed. Audrey tells Gail's she glad for her if Joe makes her happy. Nick arrives and Gail asks him if he'll be the ring bearer for her. A cynical David mutters away behind them.

Tyrone's distracted at the garage. Kev thinks he's in a really weird mood. The phone goes and Tyrone races to get it.

Norris has a postcard from Rita on her cruise. Freda's bursting to show him their cheque presentation photo in the puzzle magazine but Norris sidetracks her. Graeme comes in looking for confetti. Norris sells it, even though he disapproves. Freda mentions the old tradition of throwing rice but Graeme points out that that was an offering to the gods, hoping for fertility for the happy couple. "I don't think Gail could cope with another one like David." Freda shows them both the picture, in which Norris looks even glummer than a glum Norris.

Joe thanks Ted for the loan. Ted can't wait to see Gail's face when she finds out. Nick comes to hurry them along. Before they go, Ted thanks Joe for giving him the opportunity to give Gail away.

Outside, Tina rushes over to wish Joe luck. "You look rather gorgeous," Nick tells her. Tina says she and Jason are colour coordinated, though Jason probably hasn't noticed the time and isn't ready yet.

In the bar-to-be, Bill and Jason are hard at work on instructions from George. Peter's worried the money will be wasted if they don't get planning permission, but George winks and says everything will be OK. Tina comes to hurry Jason along but he says he can't go because he's working. Tina's furious at him.

In the salon, Gail, in a high-necked slim-fitting lace dress, carrying white roses and with a satin headband, is admired by her family and escorted out to Lloyd's car by Ted. David discovers Jason won't be escorting Tina. Deirdre and the factory machinists come over to wish Gail well, with Deirdre asking if her dress is from John Lewis ("Oh, well, it's very nice anyway.") and the others trying to clarify whether this is Gail's fifth or sixth wedding. The cars move off.

Steve, Liz and Becky are decorating the Rovers for the reception. Becky wants a banner that says "Don't do it!" Against Steve's instructions, she goes out. Liz wants to bang their heads together. She tells Steve he goes for gobby, stroppy women and then acts surprised when they get gobby and stroppy. She thinks he enjoys it.

Gail and Ted arrive at the venue. She never thought she'd see the day she would be walked down the aisle by her father.

Inside, Joe's getting impatient. Graeme thinks they should check the Ladies in case Gail's in there throwing up with nerves. Gail and Ted arrive. They're late because they go stuck behind a bin wagon. "If that's not a sign of things to come I don't know what is," David mutters.

The builders, Peter and George lock up the premises. Ken comes over and wonders what's going on. They can't have started work without planning permission. George tells Peter about their full and frank discussion last night about the school. Deirdre would like to talk about the school but Ken refuses to have this discussion now. He's more focused on whether someone in the planning department has tipped George the wink. George says he'll see Ken at the planning meeting later. Deirdre tells Ken she's fed up to the back teeth and won't be going.

Gail walks into the room where she is to be married. The only people there appear to be their respective families and Graeme. Where are the other street residents? Where's Sally, who's been Gail's close friend over the years? And why Graeme? (I know, because he's lovely and they can give him some good lines, but it's hardly a plausible guest list!)

In the factory the workers are discussing charity shops. Carla can't believe they're having another tea break. Kelly asks for next Friday off for her cousin's wedding, but Carla refuses flat. Kelly's shocked.

Joe's saying his vows. The celebrant reads them out and first Joe and then Gail both repeat them. Interestingly, when the celebrant says the bit about there being no reason why they "shall not be joined in matrimony," both Gail and Joe say "may" instead of "shall."

In the garage, Kev wants to finish up early. Tyrone breaks the news to him that he's got another job and starts in three weeks. "The years I've spent training you up and everything . . . " Kevin says. Tyrone tells him how excited Molly was about it and Kevin says if it makes the missis happy, now's the time to do it before there are kids to think about.

In the factory, Carla raps on the window when the machinists are chatting. Kelly still can't believe she's been refused leave to go to the wedding. Janice says she should have pulled a sickie like Sally's doing.

In the Kabin, Norris is ranting at Freda about the bad photo again. Freda thinks he should be happy because they've won a grand. Freda's going to use her half of it as a deposit on a flat. This time next week she'll be out of his hair.

In a campervan parked in a mysterious location, Mary looks at the picture in the magazine and crushes her chocolate bar over Freda's face.

Rick's in the Rovers chatting to Liz. He tells her he's a guest, a mate of Joe's. She says the happy couple will be there in about half an hour.

The happy couple are still vowing. Gail's a bit tearful as she finishes hers. They're declared husband and wife and everyone claps as they embrace.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

All has gone well for the wedding but the night is not over yet! Gail and Joe are having a banging party at the Rovers and Audrey tells a grateful Gail that, although they have not always seen eye to eye over Joe, she wishes her all the best. As they embrace, Audrey reasons that sometimes it's best just to butt out and let your children get on with their lives.

Over at the buffet, David is pawing over all of the cliché wedding food and asks Nick if he remembers things like sausage rolls or if he is now above such lowly food. Nick tells him to grow up and a nearby Tina comments that he is incapable.

Gail accosts Joe by the bar and says, in her simpering tone, that Audrey is a new member of his fan club (a club I'm sure is brimming with members) Poor Joe is clearly desperate for a pee and gets away as quickly as he can. When he arrives at the toilets however, he is met with an unwelcome sight. No, not an ‘Out Of Order' sign but a menacing looking Rick.

Ken is grateful when Steve turns up at the meeting regarding the bar's planning permission. Steve reasons that it wouldn't be very good to moan about something then do nothing about it. Ken sighs that it's a pity not many other people appeared to be sharing his view.

Sally arrives at the factory, looking nervous. Carla is surprised to see her but doesn't take long to fix her with a steely glare. Sally tells her that it's about time off. Carla tells her that she has had enough time off lately and must have very problematic teeth to require all these dentist treatments. Sally admits to her that she hasn't been going to the dentist at all but that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. As Sally whimpers that she didn't want anyone to know, Carla rustles around and produces a bottle of vodka.

Nick is busy teasing Tina over Jason's whereabouts. She hisses that she doesn't want to talk about Jason with her. He laughs at her before saying that he's going out back for some fresh air. David is watching from a distance, with a suspicious look on his face.

Joe is fuming at Rick, telling him that he's got what he has been owed. Rick tells him that there's still the matter of interest to pay and suggests £500 every week for 10 weeks. Joe is aghast at this and refuses to pay. Rick says that courts operate a broken limb compensation scale, like a broken leg is worth five grand. Joe takes this as a threat but Rick assures him that's not what he meant, before he pointedly eyes up a passing Tina

Tina has followed Nick outside and says that they have some things to sort out. Nick, still with an amused smile, says he doesn't know why she is so worked up about everything, it was just a kiss. Tina reminds him that she has a boyfriend and Nick shrugs and says she is too easy to wind up. As she frowns, he adds that she isn't his type. She responds demanding to know what makes him think he's her type and they dissolve into laughter as David comes through, wanting to know what's going on.

Sally is explaining to Carla how Kevin' mum died of cancer when he was only 15 and how he is a lot more frightened than he is letting on. Carla points out that the success rate is a lot higher now, but realises that this must be little comfort. She asks Sally how she found the lump and Sally says she's been terrified ever since. Carla nods and says that she was when she found hers...but she was one of the lucky ones and Sally will be too. She lets Sally know she can take as much time off as she needs. Sally says that the hardest thing is she has to keep it all in at work and at home and she hasn't had a good cry. Carla holds out a box of tissues and says that she isn't at home now and Sally bursts into tears.

David demands to know why Nick was flirting with Tina. Nick tells him that he's imagining things. David refuses to back down and Nick shrugs and remembers that she and David have a history. David spits that it is more than a little history as Gail made her abort his baby. Nick warns David not to call his mother Gail. When David tells him he can't come swanning in, ordering him about, Nick grabs him and pins him roughly against the wall before snarling that he knows what kind of trouble David's been causing his family and he's here to stop that. He lets David go and David wants to know why Nick is so threatened by him. Nick says that he never thought much of David's dad, but he is a hundred times the man that David is. David retorts that he hopes Nick doesn't end up like his dad, stabbed and killed in a back alley. With a pained howl, Nick grabs David again, then decides he's not worth it. He leaves behind a serious warning of ‘next time...'

Ken is making his case at the meeting and is putting across the view that a new bar would mean more teenage drinkers and less parking for the residents. He hands over the petition and says that the community of Coronation Street does not want this bar. Peter is then invited to make his speech. The panel seem surprised that he is Ken's son and Peter is very open and admits that he is a recovering alcoholic. He then says he wants to put that aside and discuss the merits of opening his bar

Joe is again thanking Ted for loaning him the money and is clearly about to ask a follow up question when Ted puts paid to it by saying he only wishes he could afford to loan more but he can't

The panel have made their decision regarding Peter's bar and they allow is planning permission. Ken is gutted by this news, and accosts the head of the panel as she makes to leave. He accuses them of being swayed but she warns him not to make serious allegations like that. Peter barely looks at Ken as he leaves the room.

Gail has stood up to make a speech and is singing Joe's praises. She tells everyone that she has found a good man and everyone raises their glasses to him. But he seems to be in another place entirely.

Deirdre asks Ken how it went and he snaps that it must be obvious surely. He tries to blame her for not coming and trying to help the case as she knows some people on the council but Deirdre tells him that the best form of attack he can possibly have against George is by being a proper father to Peter and supporting him.

The locals are seeing Joe and Gail off on their honeymoon. Gail sighs that it's going to be nice to get away and Joe says that it's a shame they have to come back. Rick waves them off from a shadowy corner

So what have we learned tonight?
-Burning shirts isn't the way to start marriage
-Twiglets are extinct
-Sometimes in life, things happen
-Net curtains can double up as wedding dresses (Beat the Recession Tip #47)
-Liz is a fan of Oprah
-Green suits Fiz
-There are several reasons not to shop at charity shops including: sweaty smells, biscuit clothes and action men with only one leg
-Action men have no dangly bits
-Roy doesn't sell Pineapple Upside Down Cake
-Norris prides himself on his healthy complexion
-The Rovers isn't known for sushi
-Rick is well practiced in eerie exits from public toilets
-Sally's teeth are perfect
-Back alley bunk ups aren't Nick's style
-Leanne doesn't know what approved means
-Gail had a total of (please correct me if I can't count) 9 guests at her wedding reception.

Dubious Awards
Disappointment of the evening: "I'm not about to spontaneously combust!" Joe
Person most in need of counting lessons: "It's so lovely you getting a second chance at your age." Audrey, who surely meant to say fifth chance
Most unlikely scenario: "We're having a Waltons moment" David
Most repulsive image: "If you weren't me mum, I'd marry you myself!" Nick to Gail
Most likely future storyline: "Are you planning on staving me head in or what?" Kevin to Tyrone
Most inaccurate assessment: "Joe's a very lucky man" Lloyd, who was obviously on holiday throughout the whole painkiller addiction, living out of a box, medical centre break-in, mountains of debt, loan shark thing.
Request least likely to be fulfilled: "Janice, will you please stop flapping your gums!" Carla
Most depressing social life: "I'm never going to have a mate as good as you" Tyrone to Kevin
Sentiment most unanimously shared: "It's a shame we have to come back," Joe to Gail. Yeah, it is really...

And on that note, I leave you for another week
Thanks for reading!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Jan McVerry Directed by Ian Bevitt

Molly's wrapping Tyrone's anniversary present but Tyrone catches her. She's given him a book and a certificate promising to be a better wife for the next year to come. She tells him she just realized how lucky she is to have him. (protest too much?) He's touched. She orders him back and ready for a special tea by 5.

Up in the Lake District, Joe's been out for an early morning walk and returns to the cottage on the lakeside. He looks around suspiciously in case anyone is lurking behind the tree and then goes into his new bride. She's very relieved to see him. She got a scare when she woke up and thought for a minute he'd actually left her. In a foreboding sort of way, she clutches on to him and says she was fine all those years before, but now she feels like she couldn't live without him.

Back at home, Nick and David are in the kitchen. David is not best pleased that his brother is still there. Nick thinks David is just jealous because he thinks Nick fancies Tina who, Nick points out, is still with Jason anyway. He takes the mick out of David by pretending he only wants to be with his little brother and then goes off to get showered.

Freda is off. She's got a flat and is saying a fond farewell to Emily. Not so fond to Norris who keeps peering over his shoulder and down at the corner where we get a quick glimpse of the nose of a motor home that keeps peeking out and reversing back out of sight, especially when the driver spies Freda hugging Norris goodbye. Graeme reminds Nozzer not to forget the Mrs. Reilly's windows on Inkerman Street. Graeme will be allowed to climb ladders again by next week (though his wrist is unbandaged and he seems to be walking just fine now).

Kelly is describing the wedding she missed and is moaning. Carla calls Hayley in to discuss that they need cover for Sally who is having some time off. Hayley doesn't understand why Sally gets time off when Kelly wasn't allowed to go to a wedding but Carla says nothing more than what she's already said. She gets to decide who has time off. No arguments.

Outside the Kabin, Norris notices someone's foot from around the corner of the building but the owner jumps back out of sight. (Honestly, why all this coyness and subterfuge?) Norris doesn't go round the corner to check. David brings the last of Nick's bags outside as he's loading up the car to leave. Tina is outside the shop and Nick tries to flirt but she shuts him down, to David's approval.

In the Kabin, Norris is telling Ken that he's being shadowed by a moon-faced munchkin in a large motor home. Why on earth does he seem not to realize who it is? How many moon-faced munchkins in large motorhomes does he know? And there she is! Tina brings Mary in. Norris stutters. Mary blushes. She says her trip was lovely and she's got 2346 photos to prove it. (joy) Ken gets out before he's forced to look at them and Norris chivvies Tina back to work, leaving Mary to invite him to dinner in the camper van. He tries to get out of it but she won't take no for an answer.

Sunita drives up to the shop where Molly is outside sorting the flowers and asks her to get Dev to pick up the birthday cake for the twins' party later in the week as she has to do some errands for Matt. Just as she comes round the corner onto Rosamund Street, Graeme steps out into the road and she nearly hits him. He's calling Rosie with what looks like bad news.

In the corner shop, Dev hangs up the phone from a conversation with Amber. Molly gives him the receipt for the cake pickup.

In the factory, Hayley reluctantly tells the others that Sally has a few days off, and gets the reaction you'd expect. Nobody's happy and Sally is the new slag-off target.

Rosie comes round the corner and sees what Graeme was upset about. Her photo on a big bus stop poster. It isn't very glamourous either. She's apparently nude from the waist up but with a large male hand obviously photoshopped over each breast. The ad is for drain cleaner. Nice. The slogan is "An extra pair of hands around the house". What's her reaction? She literally says "O-M-G!" Not a happy camper. She goes off on one and is humiliated. So much for glamour shots! Graeme wonders if she could sue but even more humiliating...she's signed a contract saying they can use the photos for what they want (even if they did promise her it would be for high end products! Ha!) She runs off.

After the break we're back up to the Lakes. Gail remarks that it feels like another planet. Joe thinks they could come away more often but Gail points out that's just something you say but never do. Joe thinks they could bring the boat and she jokes "So you could push me in and claim on the insurance?" (Don't give him any ideas!) Joe has a moan about his life and non-successes and she comforts him and says the tide is turning. Just be patient. He ruminates that they could have it all and they have a laugh and a cuddle by the end of it.

Back on the Street, Rosie has fetched up a spray can of paint for Graeme to cover up the photo just as Kevin comes round the corner in the breakdown rig. The two of them stand in front of the poster but Kevin gets an eyeful and is enraged.

Outside the Joinery/new bar, George and Peter talk about what to name the bar but Peter says he and Leanne have already had rows about that. All her opinions on what won't work seem to coincide with the ideas George has had so he crumples his notepaper as Ken looks on from afar.

Molly bumps into Sunita on her way out. Sunita is hollering down the phone and when she hangs up she shouts that the facility where she'd booked the birthday pool party had double booked and they're bumped! It's too short notice to reschedule there or at any other place and she's got 20 6 year olds to entertain.

Outside of Underworld, Kelly is still winding everyone up about how unfair it is. She figures it's discrimination because she's single and the people with families get more breaks. Sean returns with the cakes and is all afluster. Quite literally agog and has nearly dropped his fancies! He's seen Rosie's poster and drags everyone down the street for a look but won't tell them what it is until they see it with their own eyes.

Kevin is arguing with Graeme when they come round the corner and see the evidence. Janice takes the mick and Rosie grabs the paint can and starts to spray over the hands but Kevin drags her away while the others laugh.

Ken approaches George and Peter with a sarcastic remark. George offers the hand of reconciliation, what's done is done and all that but Ken has no intentions of being a hypocrite. George makes the comparisons between Ken banging on about his alcoholic son while he and Leanne build Peter's empire. Ken makes a disparaging remark about driving Peter into an early grave (instead of being supportive which will be far more use to Peter's self esteem than criticizing him constantly). They continue to spar but Ken won't have it. Peter even thinks that Ken is only having the last word and George expresses a concern. Maybe Ken knows something he doesn't? Is Peter at risk for backsliding? Peter assures him he's stronger than that and will square things with Ken. Yeah. Maybe. George doesn't seem too sure.

Rosie is showing Kevin and Sally the photo portfolio, insisting the poster is photoshopped. Her parents of course are disapproving, Kevin calling the photos sleazy but Rosie insists she's done it to make something of her life. She is using what nature gave her and has ambitions! And the money is going towards that end...a breast enhancement! "These breasts and my brain is my passport out of this dump!" (You don't say?) Sally is shocked and throws a glass of water over Rosie! Sally lays into her but Rosie comes right back at her and they row. Sally wanted her daughter to do well but by working at it and Rosie is derisive of her mother's ambitions, she who sews knickers for a living. Rosie reckons she'll be rolling in the dosh in 2 years' time, where will her mother be? Sally, of course, facing cancer, can't answer that and Kevin orders Rosie out of the house. He hugs Sally as Rosie storms out.

Stay tuned for part 2. (It was really quite good tonight, both parts!)

Tvor

Kevin and Sally are fretting at home about the argument they've had with Rosie. Kevin thinks Rosie was simply out of order. Sally is more mellow and wonders if they should be telling the girls the truth about Sally's cancer.

Norris is fretting too, outside the Kabin, about his dinner invitation at Mary's campervan. He mentions to Emily that Mary's van has central locking and that if he sets foot in it, he might never come out again. Mary hangs out of her window, eager to catch a glimpse of her would-be beau. She waves while Norris tells Emily that while he's pleased to see Mary, he's not sure he wants to be alone with her.

Molly is cooking up a storm for Tyrone who has made an effort in a nice shirt for dinner. Tyrone is telling Molly that if his daughter was plastered semi-naked over a bus stop, etc but Molly asks if they can not talk about the Websters tonight. Tyrone gets all romantic, reminiscing about their wedding. He asks Molly if she wants to look at their wedding album later. Molly is making a real effort and agrees. She leaves Tyrone downstairs while she goes upstairs to change into something nicer.

Graeme comes across Rosie crying at the bus stop. She tells him that Kevin and Sally had a go at her for the topless photos. Graeme cries in sympathy with her. Rosie tells him not to be pathetic. Graeme is useless and can't stop crying, he is so sad for Rosie, his one true love.

Norris turns up at Mary's campervan. Mary answers the door, some lovely guitar music is playing. "Buenos noches, Norris!" and explains she has become something of an aficionado of classical Spanish guitar since her travels. Norris tries to get out of spending time with Mary alone by asking her to come for a drink in the Rovers. Mary agrees and they organise to meet at 7 in the bar.

Graeme is still trying to comfort Rosie who is still upset. He wants to protect her honour. Sophie comes across the two of them and tells Rosie that she's not surprised Sally & Kevin had a go at Rosie, with all the "porno shots" of her around town. Rosie complains to Sophie about how this time they went off at her like they never had before. Sophie agrees that Sally & Kevin have been acting strangely of late. They sit down to have a chat. Rosie has to give Graeme the brush off first; "Bog off!" she tells him, none too sensitively.

Sunita is moaning in Dev's shop that she is unable to find any place to have a kids' party. dev offers to have the party for the twins in his place. Claire offers some help. Meanwhile, Jesse has been earwigging and offers his services too.

Sophie and Rosie think that their parents have been acting funny for days. Sophie is sure that when she has walked in on the two of them talking lately, they have changed the subject, quick smart. Sophie thinks that Kevin and Sally are splitting up.

Gail and Joe arrive home. Joe has to borrow a tenner off his new wife to pay the cab. Oh, this story is just so tedious.

Sophie and Rosie have moved into the kebab shop to talk some more about Kevin and Sally. Rosie thinks Sophie is wrong but Rosie is adamant that their parents are separating.

Gail & Joe are talking about their honeymoon with David. Joe asks David if there was any interest in the house when they were away but there was none. Gail heads up to grab David's washing. Joe tells Gail to let David get it but Gail laughs that suggestion off. Joe points out that he tried to assert some authority for the first time in the house since being married and Gail undermined him. Gail laughs that off too.

Ty and Molly are looking at their wedding album. Molly starts to cry. She tells Tyrone that she knows she could be a better wife to him and that she will try. "Our second year of marriage will be amazing," she says. Tyrone gives her a cuddle.

Norris sits in a booth with Mary to have a drink. He says how nice it is when an old friend drops by. Mary has brought her camera along to show her some pictures. Norris tells her that he would rather not, he finds other people's holiday snaps boring. He placates Mary by asking her to tell him something personal about her trip. I don't think Norris was expecting to hear that Mary met a fella while she was in Spain. Mary seems to be rather taken by him too. Norris is taken aback by the news. She doesn't have a picture of him to show Norris though, only memories.

David comes across Graeme in the bus-stop, talking to the poster of Rosie Webster. David's as entertained by it as we are.

Mary is telling Norris about her Spanish lovah; she met him while pulled over, studying the map, looking for the next town. She followed the sound of his music (he plays classical guitar by night) to his lemon farm (he's a lemon farmer by day). Norris looks a little skeptical. Mary asks Norris if he doesn't believe her. "I could show you the farm on the map. The lesions from the love bites have only just cleared up!" Mary tells Norris that her time with her Spanish lover was the most incredible five days of her life. On their last night together, they made a solemn vow; no letters, no photos, just memories.

Sophie and Rosie are still discussing Sally and Kevin. Sophie is sure that her mum and dad have already started proceedings for their divorce. Rosie drags her home to confront their parents.

In the bar, David is trying to show Graeme reality and warns him that Rosie will never, ever be interested in him. Graeme still has hope. David manages to makes Rosie sound really shallow, when he points out that Rosie would go for a footballer-type with loads of money. However, Graeme thinks that while Rosie is shallow, he, Graeme is deep so they will be opposites who attract, yin & yang.

Mary asks Norris what's been going on with him. She tells him she saw him with his arm around a flame-hared beauty. Of course, she is talking about Emily's niece, Freda. Norris assures her that Freda was nothing more than a good friend. When Mary points out that now the two of them are back on the market, Norris tries to let her down gently and reminds her that he is "devoutly single". In fact he is thinking of starting his own brethren, he jokes, "the Cole order where we eschew all forms of relationships." Mary tells Norris she is headed to Scotland for a short trip in the morning. Mary doesn't have to go but Norris encourages her to do so.

Sophie and Rosie storm into the house and demand to know if Kevin and Sally are splitting up. Sally finally comes clean with the girls. "I've got breast cancer," she says, bravely.

Joe shouts upstairs to Gail that he is just checking something up on the internet, presumably before he joins her to go to bed. he looks up life insurance websites. Oh, Joe. Stop being a silly boy and come clean with your wife, for crying out loud.

There are tissues a-plenty as Sally and Kevin explain about Sally's breast cancer. The girls are both upset that their parents have kept this from them. Sally explains about her upcoming lumpectomy. Rosie finally understands why her parents would have been so upset about her prattling on about a boob job. Sophie is very upset and turns to Rosie for comfort. Sally hugs both of her children and holds them close to her.

Stella McLoughlin

It's early morning and Eddie comes out, seemingly dressed only in a dressing gown, socks and slippers, with two black bin bags. Finding his own bin full he puts his rubbish in the other bins that are nearby.

Over at the Webster's, the atmosphere is tense. Kevin tells Rosie not to put the radio on, he wants all to be quiet and calm and normal. Sophie points out that today her mum is going into hospital and that's not normal. He tells her that whatever Sally wants is the number one priority. Rosie then asks if she can have her boob job, if everything is normal. Kevin is aghast and asks if she ever thinks of anyone but herself. (No!) The world does not revolve around her, he points out, adding that she doesn't need it. She reminds him that he has a calendar over at the garage and it's because of people like him looking at images like that, that she needs it done.

Kevin and Joe find that their bins haven't been emptied. Sophie informs them that if the lids aren't closed the bin men won't empty them. They realise that their bins are full of empty lager cans and they both know who drinks lager - Eddie Windass! Kevin is furious and says that he's going to wring his scrawny neck. He tells Joe that if he sees him first to tell him he's going to slit him open and stuff him with his own rubbish!

It's Ryan's birthday and before he goes to school with Sian, Michelle hands him a plate of toast with three candles on it - one candle for every six years.

Gail is practicing writing her new signature - Gail McIntyre. She asks if Joe would like her autograph and hands it to him. Then she remembers a letter that came for him and asks what it is. It's about life insurance, it would cover them both for about half a million. Gail takes one look at the monthly premiums and tells him it's a nice idea but they can't afford it and throws the letter in the bin. She goes off upstairs but after she's gone, Joe picks up the signature she gave him and looks at it thoughtfully.

Sean tells Jesse he should let him be his new Hiya-Lowa. Jesse says he's going solo now, but Sean begs him. He says that the Lone Ranger had Tonto and they're a born double act together. "We only have to stand next to each other and people will laugh," he says, "go on, let me have a go." He adds that this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Hayley goes to see Carla and broaches the prickly subject of Sally getting time off when Kelly was refused. Carla reminds her whose business it is, in no uncertain terms, and Haley scurries off.

Claire is at Dev's flats, helping him get ready for the twins birthday, offering advice on numbers of party bags and helping blow up balloons.

A very cross Kevin walks into the cafe and finds Eddie in there eating. He tells him that if his wheelie bin is not emptied next week he will stuff Eddie into it face down, take it to the scrap yard and put it in the crusher. "Got it?" he snarls. Eddie nods and Kevin storms out. Anna asks what that was all about and at first Eddie says he doesn't know, but Anna persists and then he tells her that all he was doing was being eco friendly, redistributing and recycling the rubbish around the neighbourhood.

Back in the factory, Kelly asks Hayley if she's spoken to Carla about Sally. Hayley explains how she was told it was none of her business, but the girls tell her to try harder, they want to know what's going on. Carla overhears and asks if there's a problem. The girls say they want to know why Sally seems to be able to have as much time off as she wants while they get nothing. Carla repeats what she told Hayley, it's her business. She tells them that if they have a problem with that they know where the door is.

Gail has been home and had lunch with Joe. Sending her back to work he tells her he'll wash up and then go down to the job centre. Once alone, Joe pulls the insurance letter out of the bin and smoothes out the creases. He then takes the piece of paper she wrote her new signature on and lays that on the table.

Dev shows off the birthday cake to his twins and the Peacock children. They ask if he made it, and he says no, and explains that Mummy paid for it. Claire and Sunita persuade him to move all his breakables before the party starts. Jesse arrives, as the children's entertainer, telling him that he saw parents with children arriving outside. Just then the doorbell rings.

Sally is packing for the hospital. Sophie gives her a prayer book, telling her she doesn't have to read it, it's just nice to have. Rosie's gift is a gossip magazine, full of stories about celebrities and boob jobs.

The party show is over and Jesse is a little miffed that Sean has gone down extremely well as Hiya-Lowa. "What were you doing in there?" he moans, "General Custard is supposed to be the funny one." Sean makes a joke about artistic differences on their first gig. "First and last," growls Jesse, but Sean reckons he's seen the bright lights and wants more. Jesse tells him he's got a lot to learn.

Sunita has broken one of Dev's wine glasses and says she feels awful as she has the same set at home and knows how expensive they are. She says she'll bring a replacement round tomorrow and won't take no for an answer. As she leaves his apartment building, Matt is waiting for her. She turns to ask Dev whether he'll be at home or in the shop in the morning. He says he'll be in the flat, recovering, but assures her there's no need. She tells him not to start that again, and as she and Matt walk to their car he asks what it's all about. She explains about the broken glass. "Been drinking, have you?" he asks. She giggles and tells him yes, fizzy water.

As the workers leave the factory they spot Kevin putting a suitcase in the boot of his car and ask if he's off somewhere nice. He tells them to mind their own business, and then asks the girls to pop to the shop and get their mum some mints. He goes back indoors so Janice asks Rosie what's going on. "Going on your holidays?" Rosie tells her that her mum is going away for a couple of days. "Nothing strange, everything's normal here," she says. Kelly moans about Lady Webster getting the VIP treatment while they get nothing. Janice agrees. "She thinks she's so grand, but she's no better than any of us," she says. Sophie reminds Janice that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord. Fiz urges them to get to the pub but as she leaves Kelly says Sally had better not come back and show them holiday pictures. "With any luck she won't come back at all," she says. Rosie tells Sophie to go and get the sweets, there's something she's got to do first.

In the pub, Tyrone and Molly are talking about their forthcoming move when the factory girls come in with Rosie in hot pursuit. "What makes you think you can talk about my mum like that?" she says to Kelly. "Oh look, it's Miss Bus Stop 2010," sneers Kelly, but Rosie says she doesn't care what she says about her, but her mum is worth ten of Kelly. "You're not fit to scrape the mud off her shoes," she cries, and goes on to say that they don't care about hurting someone's feelings, all they care about is stuffing their faces and getting drunk. "What gives you the right to be so horrible about my mum?" she says. Kelly says that Sally swans in and out of work and takes all the time off she wants. "And we have to work our fingers to the bone to cover for her," adds Janice. "Do you want to know why she's off?" cries Rosie, "she's ill, that's why! She's not going on holiday, she's going to hospital for an operation!" Kevin and Sophie have just come in, in time to hear all this. Kevin tells her that's enough. Fiz asks Kevin if it's true, and Rosie tells her dad that she's sorry. "It's ok," says Kevin, "it sounds like you were provoked." He then turns to the workers and tells them that Sally was diagnosed just before Christmas. She wanted to keep it quiet but has to go into hospital today for a lumpectomy. He then turns and ushers his daughters out, and when he's gone Kelly remarks that now she looks stupid. "That's not that hard," says Fiz, dryly.

Of course, Tyrone and Molly have witnessed all this, and Tyrone is shocked. "Sally's got cancer! How long do you think they've known?" he says. Molly mutters something about Kevin mentioning Christmas. Tyrone immediately rushes out of the pub after Kevin.

Outside, Rosie apologises to Kevin, but he says it's probably best out in the open anyway. Sophie says she's proud of the way Rosie stuck up for their mum. Tyrone tells Kevin he's very sorry. Kevin says they'd better get on their way and he'll let him know how they get on. Tyrone hugs Molly and tells her everything's turned upside down. "I am so lucky," he says.

Anne Logan

Hello and welcome to another Friday night.

Bill is in the corner shop buying flowers for Sally. Dev tells him how sorry he was to hear the news and sends his best.

Kevin's explaining why Sophie can't go to the hospital. Her mum doesn't want her to miss school. Rosie's going, though. Bill arrives with the flowers and Sophie goes off to school.

Tyrone's talking about Sally, wondering why Kev didn't say owt. Molly says it's probably because it was personal, or maybe Kevin didn't know until recently. Tyrone says the more he finds out about Kev, the more he thinks he's a top man, especially since he encourage Ty to go for the other job.

The machinists (and Hayley) are on their way to work. Kelly can't understand why they're all talking in sympathetic tones about Sally when until now they all hated her guts. Carla arrives and tells them Sally asked her to keep it quiet. Julie's planning a collection later on.

At the bus stop, Sian expresses sympathy to Sophie, but Sophie tells her she can't come crawling back.

In the cafe, the Windasses are tucking into breakfast. Garry doesn't want a farewell do tonight, but his parents and John insist. He refuses the offer of a cake, to Eddie's dismay.

Steve makes a comment about what Amy said on the way to school. Becky ignores him to the extent of getting up and moving away when he sits nearby. She calls Claire and arranges to do something later. "It's my day off and I don't want to spend it hanging round this joint." Steve protests that they have to get back to normal and Becky tells him straight: "I do not want kids."

Sally's going through some pre-op tests. Sally looks cheery enough until the nurse goes, then looks terrified. But she puts a cheerier face on and talks to Kevin about inconsequential things.

In the factory Hayley's collecting for Sally and Kelly gets it in the neck from her workmates when she puts in just one pound fifty. "Just ‘cause she's ill doesn't mean she's my best mate all of a sudden." She reminds Fiz that Sally painted her windows black and tried to get John locked up again. Kelly says if Sally's a better person in six months' time she might change her mind. She thinks there's too much hypocrisy in the factory.

Rosie's bored waiting. Tyrone calls Kevin to check how things are going. He tells Kevin he's decided to turn down the job in Chester. Kevin will need time off as Sally recovers and he needs someone round the garage who can run the business. He admits he hasn't told Molly. "Mates come first at a time like this. Loyalty, Kev. You taught me that." Kevin doesn't look pleased.

Anna's talking to Steve about having Garry's farewell in the Rovers. Paolo Nutini singing Ten Out Of Ten plays in the background (yay!). Anna's almost in tears as she talks to Steve about Garry. Steve sees Becky walk past and chases her out into the street, grabbing her arm to stop her walking off. He shouts at her that it has to stop and they should stop acting like children. She tells him she'll give him childish.

Speaking of childish . . . Dev's in a bubbly mood. He tells Molly he enjoyed the noise and energy of the kids' party. Molly thinks he's only cheerful because he thinks he's making progress in getting Sunita back. Dev denies it but then gets a call from Sunita telling him his daughter is ill.

Eddie Windass is in the cafe designing a cake, though he denied it to John. John approves. He says he did time with Garry and got to know him. Garry's only hard on the outside and has a soft centre. Anna comes in and tells Eddie she's booked the Rovers. She sees his cake design notebook and hopes he's doing something tasteful. "Put it this way - it's fitting," says Eddie.

Dev arrives at Sunita's. She's worried about meningitis because Asha has a temperature and a rash. They agree to call the doctor.

The anesthetist talks to Sally about what will happen. When he goes, Sally asks Rosie to get some more water. She tells Kevin she's feeling a bit jittery. She weeps as she thinks about the possibility she will lose a breast. She thinks Kevin will look at her differently but he tells her he won't because of their shared history. "I ain't going anywhere, no matter what happens. You'll always be the most beautiful girl in the world to me."

Garry is in the shop inviting Tyrone and Molly to the party. When he goes, Tyrone confesses to Molly that he's turned down the other job. Molly's appalled. Tyrone says he has to do what's right for Kevin. Molly tells him he should have talked to her about it. "You married me, not Kevin." "I'm very sorry, but it's too late now, isn't it," Tyrone says. Molly tells him it is.

Sunita's worried that she should have called the doctor sooner or taken Asha to hospital. She's convinced it's meningitis. Dev suggests she should let Matt know. He'll be on his way to pick up the kids from school.

Sally expects she'll be late going to theatre. The pre-meds have kicked in and she's very mellow. The porters come for her and Kevin and Rosie tell her they love her as she's wheeled away.

The End of Episode One.
Margaret Carr

Here's the second half of Friday's double bill

The doctor has arrived to take a look at Asha. Dev and Sunita look on nervously as the doctor takes a look at Asha's rash. The doctor notices a pretty high temperature, before asking Sunita to go and fetch a clear glass. Matt arrives home at this point. He asks Dev how long Asha has been like that. When Dev replies that she has been ill since the morning, Matt wonders aloud how long Dev has been there. Dev assures him, with some mild irritation, that he's only been there about an hour.

Rosie and Kevin are in the waiting room at the hospital. Rosie asks if everything is going to be all right. Kevin replies that it is but Rosie believes he's just saying that. Kevin sighs and says that there may be hard times to face but today isn't the day to worry about them. Rosie brings up Kevin's mum and Kevin is emotional as he discusses how she died when he was just 14. Rosie is visibly upset but Kevin reassures her, telling her things are more advanced now and Sally is going to be okay.

The doctor has finished examining Asha and the rash disappears under the rash, meaning there are no signs of meningitis. Sunita worries that she has wasted the doctor's time but she is assured that she did the right thing. As Sunita offers to see her out, the doctor thanks Mr and Mrs Alahan, while nodding at Sunita then Dev. Matt, who has been ignored during these pleasantries, doesn't seem impressed.

Tyrone comes to see a miserable looking Molly and wonders aloud how Sally is doing. He says it's been making him think what he would do if he and Molly went through that. Molly isn't forthcoming with replies so Tyrone finally clicks that she is still upset about him turning the job down. He exclaims that he didn't realise it meant that much to her.

Sunita tells Dev with a relieved laugh that Asha is up and about playing with her toys. Matt coldly asks her why she didn't think to contact him first. She says she contacted Dev to explain why she couldn't come to drop off the glass and she was too worried to think of anything else. She then points out that it was Dev who told her to phone Matt before telling him that this is about her children, not about him. Matt retorts that he cares about the kids too and Sunita snaps back that he should act like it.

Rosie is worrying that cancer runs in the family. At this point, Bill and Sophie turn up as they can't stand the wait any longer

Chesney is talking to Gary in the cafe and asks him how he can be so cool about everything. Gary says that he has had a poor start to life, through is own fault and now that a chance has come to make something of himself, he's going to grab it.

Bill suggests to Kevin and the girls that they do something together as a family after all of this is over. Everyone seems keen on the idea. The ward nurse comes through and informs them all that Sally's operation has been a success and that she is recovering well. She then takes them all to go and see her.

Gary arrives at his party and is unimpressed by the tacky banner but that's nothing compared to the reaction when Eddie unveils a cake in the shape of a hand grenade! Once slices are dished out though, people change their tune. Norris accepts a piece and Mary approaches from behind to tell him off for wanting to ruin his figure. He's naturally surprised to see her. Anna is badgering Eddie to let Gary know how he feels. Eddie grunts that he'll be glad to see the back of him but eventually the tough exteriors break and Gary and Eddie share a meaningful handshake as Anna tearfully watches on.

Janice and Fiz approach Kevin and the girls with Sally's present. Rosie snaps that they have changed their tune. Janice tries to reason with her saying that they didn't know but Rosie doesn't feel this is adequate. Fiz and Janice tell Kevin that if there's anything that they can do then they just need to ask.

Norris is wondering where Mary had managed to go in Scotland for such a short time. Mary says she never expected it to be so cold, but Norris feels she shouldn't be surprised...what else does she expect from January?

Across the bar, Tyrone tells Molly that he feels they should visit Kevin and offer their support. Molly remarks that she forgot that Kevin was the most important person to Tyrone and that he should just go and live with him.

Chesney voices his surprise that David has turned up to see Gary off but David sneers that he has just arrived to make sure he does actually go.

Rosie heads out to work. Kevin is surprised that she wants to go after such a hectic day but Rosie reasons they'll just hire someone else if she doesn't turn up. Sian arrives to see Sophie. As Sophie heads down to greet her, Sian offers her support to Kevin. Sophie agrees to head out with Sian.

David holds out his hand to shake Gary's, before patting him on the back and leaving a target shaped sign stuck to him. Chesney looks like he is about to tell Gary but Roy takes Gary aside to give him an old piece of memorabilia from the First World War. Over at the buffet, Hayley feels guilty for having another slice of cake as she is trying to lose weight. Anna suggests she join her at her dance classes. Hayley seems keen. At this point, Anna notices the sign on Gary's back and rips it off before demanding to know who is responsible. It's fairly obvious and all eyes turn on David. David shrugs and says that it is just a joke but Anna lays into him, screaming that men like Gary go into the army for scum like David and that it should be David being brought home, filled with bullet holes, not people like Gary. Chesney pipes up that Gary is ten times the man David is and the guests all murmur in agreement, leaving David looking sour.

Sian and Sophie are sitting together and Sian begins to apologise. Sophie shrugs and says that it is her life. Sian feels bad for lying to Sophie but doesn't regret sleeping with Ryan as she loves him. Sophie says that this not talking business is pathetic and Sian puts her arm round her. Sophie admits that she is feeling particularly vulnerable what with Ben being gone and all the business with Sally. Sian promises that she will always be there for her and that's a pledge she will never break. She kisses Sophie tenderly on the forehead.

Anna is still visibly shaken from her confrontation with David. Gary tells her not to let him get to her and she tries to compose herself. Eddie orders a drink for everyone as he wants to do a proper toast for Gary.

Tyrone is adamant that he and Molly go and see Kevin. She reluctantly agrees.

Eddie begins his toast to Gary and says that while he always knew Gary would be trouble, he couldn't be prouder of his son. The locals all raise a glass to Gary's new career as Anna watches tearfully.

Kevin is surprised by a visit from Molly and Tyrone and Tyrone asks if he has eaten. Molly pointedly says that Kevin would probably prefer it if they left him alone but Tyrone insists on going to get chips for everyone and leaves an awkward Molly and Tyrone alone together.

Anna sees off Gary and bursts into tears as she begs him to be careful. Eddie sneakily slips his son a letter and mutters that it's just a few words to say how he feels. Gary tells his dad off for being soft before waving and heading off.

Molly insists to Kevin that she didn't want to come over. She asks if he knows about the job and he says he does. Molly says it makes her decision easier...she's going to leave Tyrone. She assures Kevin that his secret is safe but she can't live a life with Tyrone while Kevin lives across the Street...the next moment she gets, she is going to end her marriage

What have we learned tonight?
-Dev's outrageously priced flowers have gone down from £8.00 to £4.99
-Tyrone takes an entire scene to hand dry a small pan
-It's unnatural not to have cake at a party
-It's 49 weeks until Christmas...
-Tyrone learnt loyalty from Kevin, which can only mean disaster in the future...
-Dev has a celebration dance for finishing the pricing on his tinned tomatoes
-Affection is a long word for a cake
-Women don't understand male bonds
-Frosts aren't fun when you wake up to them alone
-And the cake tip of the week: Add lemon to your icing mix...it adds a real zing!

Dubious Awards
Biggest 'I'm cheating on you!' hint of the week: "Women don't always tell their husbands things straight away" Molly. And STILL Tyrone doesn't smell a rat...
Most promising storyline idea: "I just wanted a hole to swallow me up" Janice
Understatement of the week year decade century: "We're acting like children!" Steve to Becky
And the statement which caused me to worry about my gender: "Men do not eat cake" Gary. Well I do, and in plentiful supply...

That's all for this week.
Until next time!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Daran Little Directed by David Kester

It looks like Molly's not had a good night's sleep. She's lying awake in the early morning hours, catching a glimpse of their wedding photo on the night stand while Tyrone snuffles and turns over.

Kevin probably didn't either but maybe not for the reasons Sophie thinks as she comes down to find Kevin in front of the window staring across the road with a mug in his hand. She reckons it must be strange for him not having Sal in the bed with him. Um. Something like that yeah. Sally will be home later today but won't get the results for a week. He turns around and heads to the kitchen to make her something to eat.

Back across the road, Molly waits nervously for Tyrone to come down. He admits he's been distracted and cut himself shaving. He says Jack will be over later but he didn't think it was right that they should be there in the house, not today, so it's the Rovers. Molly doesn't clue in and starts to broach the difficult subject that's on her mind, telling him she's leaving but he interrupts and she finally realizes...it's the anniversary of Vera's death 2 years ago! He's clearly having a bad day so she backs down for the time being.

Ryan is looking through the laundry basket for a black shirt. He wants to wear it because Sian likes it. Michelle teases him and asks how things are going. Ryan tells her she's living vicariously through him because she's not got a boyfriend. She takes umbrage with that and pretends she's not going to give him some money to take Sian out like she was going to and Ryan back pedals furiously! Of course she does give him some money and has a squeeze at his baby cheeks for it, warning him that she's going to stick to him like glue when she's old and gray!

Becky comes into the Rover's back room to find Steve with his feet up and reading the newspaper. He had told her he was busy with things to do so she ended up having to see to Amy. He thanks her and goes back to his newspaper, blocking her out with all that attitude.

Kevin opens the garage. Joe comes slinking out the door peering around suspiciously. Molly exits number 9 and walks across when Kevin calls her over. He asks her not to tell Ty she's leaving, he's afraid Sally will find out the real reason. Molly's decided and it's too bad, she's not putting off her plans to spare his wife but she assures him she's not going to tell Tyrone about Kevin's involvement. Tyrone comes across so Kevin cuts the conversation short. The camera swings around back to Joe who was apparently waiting for the post which arrives. He grabs an envelope eagerly and opens it. It's from a life insurance company about a new policy. Joe smirks and puts it under his jacket and goes inside.

Where Gail is on the phone to the estate agent arranging for another house showing later. Joe lies and says there was no post. Gail tells Joe the news and it all sounds good. David moans, Joe is optimistic and they decide to have a good clean and tidy.

In the garage, Tyrone is unloading to Kevin about how Molly has been moody since he turned down that job. He can't imagine being married to Molly the way she is for 50 years like Vera and Jack were. Sophie runs in to say Sally has called and can come home now. Kevin rushes off leaving Tyrone to hold the fort.

Becky bends Betty's ear complaining about Steve and his attitude. She's had to do everything, from taking care of Amy to taking on a lot of the bar work as Liz has gone to visit Bev for a few days. Steve is being no help at all and tells her she's the employee so she does the work and can quit if she doesn't like it (she should!) Betty makes all the right noises as she drinks her tea and eats her cake. She figures since he must want her to kick off, she'll get him back by being the perfect employee and step-mom. Betty says, yep that'll teach him!

Molly is worlds away in the shop. The Webster girls come in bickering and buying some flowers for Sally, and scowling when they girls talk about how good it is to get their mom home and how nice it was when their dad kissed their mom. They run out and across the road, hug Kevin who's getting Sally's case out of the car and run in to give Sally the flowers. Molly watches from across the road, looking thoroughly miserable. She sees Tyrone about to test drive a car and runs over and tells him she really needs to talk to him after work.

After work, Joe's brought some flowers in to spruce up the place. They talk about the viewing but David comes in with muddy shoes over the kitchen and sofa. Joe shouts at him that his antics aren't going to work, they're going to sell up whether he likes it or not. David tries to get Gail on his side. Joe doesn't like me, he's taking over, my house, moan, whine. Gail doesn't take any of it and Joe figures David ought to be living on his own at his age. Gail insists there will be a place for him wherever she is but he should have some independence.

The girls have made some sort of sweet fancies for Sally who declares them delicious. She tells them she gets her results on Friday. Even though Sophie should be in school, Sally is still glad they're both there and they all have a nice family moment.

In the pub, Jack is talking to Tyrone about women and marriage with Betty listening in. Jack reckons women are all the same no matter how they all think they're different. They all want the same things too, a man to take charge and a firm hand. He tells Tyrone he should set boundaries, decide what he wants and make it clear to her what happens if she crosses the line. Betty looks at Jack and says "I'm 90 in a couple of weeks. And what you've just said? It's the biggest load of codswallop I've ever heard in my life!!!" She stalks off and Jack murmurs to Ty "Widows, nuns and lesbians. Steer well clear of 'em!" (*snort*) Tyrone takes this as gospel.

Steve checks in and takes off with a brand new set of golf clubs that set him back 1000 quid, saying he can spend on what he wants now he's effectively single again. (I think I wouldn't be too fast and loose with new clubs when my wife is Becky and can go off on one with a hair trigger. He might find one of those expensive clubs where the sun doesn't shine!)

Sian and Ryan are cuddling on the sofa. He tells her about the money he's got from his mom. She thinks it's nice he can talk to his mother about things because she doesn't have that with her dad and her mom lives in Southport with her new family. She says she does want to go out but she wants to have a little hows-your-father first.

Molly is fiddling with her wedding ring, taking it on and off. In the pub, Jack is holding Vera's wedding ring and barely holding it together. "Just the Way You Look Tonight" is playing on the jukebox (gulp) and Betty quietly comes over and lays a pint down in front of him and gives him a kiss on the forehead. jack sheds a few tears over the ring. So did I.

The family has arrived to view the house across the road, two parents and a teenage daughter, Jess. The father is in insurance, apparently. Gail gives them the history of the home, built in 1990 and she's lived there since it was brand new. David arrives and is introduced. Gail takes the parents into the kitchen.

Kevin is taking care of Sally who's worrying about the test results. She brings up a touchy subject to Kevin. She gently tells him that he should be checking himself for lumps too, because it could very easily have been him. He's a bit uncomfortable but she insists that he start checking every month and he promises. She cuddles up and says she's thankful she's got him.

Back to the Platt Towers, David has been telling Jess about the paedos living in the neighbourhood (he probably means Stape). When Joe and Gail come back in with the couple, assuring them there's no problem from the factory or the neighbours but Jess pipes up that David has told her the real truth about all the paedophiles and ex-cons (of which he's one but I bet he didn't tell her that!) and she refuses to live there. Uh oh.

Molly heads home, having finished work glancing across at Tyrone who's just leaning against a car. Sian and Ryan come down the street. A car pulls up and a man gets out. Turns out to be Sian's father. He's in a fury because he's seen things on her Facebook page that made him realize that Ryan and Sian are having sex. He's come to take her home. She cries that was private (on Facebook????) just as Michelle emerges from the Kabin to see the goings on. He tries to drag her off. Ryan stops him and Michelle gets in the middle to defend the kids roundly. Sian's father is shocked that Michelle would allow the teens to have sex but she points out that Sian is 16 and he's probably just jealous because he's not having any himself. (he could if he bought Michelle a drink I bet!!!) He insults Michelle by implying she gets paid for it and the four of them row at full volume as the house viewing family come out and take that all in on top of what they've already heard, thanks to David. I guess that's another sale down the tubes. Michelle prevents Dad from taking Sian home at the moment and ushers them back to the flat.

Tyrone shuts up shop and goes home, reluctantly. Inside he takes the first opening. He takes a deep breath and says he's not been happy and doesn't like how she's been treating him. He relates that Jack thinks he needs to lay down the law but he just wants them to be equal partners and it feels to him like she doesn't want to be married to him. That's the break Molly needs and she interrupts, telling him he's right, she doesn't want to be married to him and she's leaving him.

The episode ends with Tyrone looking puzzled.

Tvor

Poor Tyrone. Molly assures Tyrone that the decision to leave him has been a long time coming. Tyrone wonders if it's to do with the job in Chester he turned down but Molly tells him again, it's not to do with him, it's to do with her and she simply doesn't love him any more.

Sian is crying her eyes out at Michelle's flat. Sophie turns up and asks Sian what happened. She is shocked to hear that Sian's dad had a go at her in the street for her relationship with Ryan.

Anna turns up at StreetCars. Eddie, who is not paying attention says over his shoulder, that there's a ten minute wait for a cab. He realises eventually that it's his wife there. She can't settle since Gary left for the army. Anna's ever so worried that the army will change him into a man who won't want to sit with his mam, watching Cash in the Attic. As Anna's having a moan, she gets a text from Gary. Eddie gives her a big cuddle and tells Anna that he is sure that Gary is thinking of them and he is telling anyone who will listen how great his mam is.

Molly is apologising to Tyrone. She is cold and unfeeling in her tone but tells him she wishes she didn't have to say any of this to Tyrone. She says she did love him at first but things have changed, she has changed. She thinks she's not the person Tyrone married. Tyrone can't really understand so Molly makes things simple for him, "I don't love you any more and our marriage is over." Tyrone thinks they could have worked it out if she had said something earlier but Molly tells him again, "I'm leaving you, I'm leaving you now, don't you get it?" Tyrone pleads with her not to leave but it falls on Molly's deaf ears. She asks him not to plead, he is making things worse. "How can it get any worse?" he asks, and then cries, "This can't be happening, it can't!"

Natasha and Audrey are talking in the Salon about beating the recession. Audrey thinks that they should offer a mobile service to oldies in the homes. David can't be bothered talking about any of it with his Gran, he's too busy worrying about having his home sold from under him and being thrown out. He tells Audrey and Natasha how he scuppered the sale of Gail's house by telling the would-be buyers about the strange neighbours. Natasha is shocked to hear what David has done and tells him, surely he can't put off every prospective buyer. "Natasha, Natasha, Natasha,..." he says evilly, "You don't know me at all, do you?"

Becky is having a moan about Steve to Betty in the bar. Betty thinks this thing has gone on long enough between them. She reminds Becky that they still love each other and gives Becky a bit of sympathy. Meanwhile, on the other side of the bar, the same is going on between Steve and Lloyd but Steve tells Lloyd that,"the marriage is over, Lloydy. Finito."

Anna is at a table in the bar with Hayley talking about Gary. She is showing Hayley some photos Gary has sent her on her phone. Her favourite is one of Gary in uniform, in which he's not even wearing his beret properly- tipped back on his head with his fringe hanging out. And he's not even shaved! Tut tut, Corrie. Hayley agrees that Gary looks smart. Anna is dead proud of her son, especially that he's learned how to polish his shoes.

Molly and Tyrone are still talking things through. Tyrone can't believe it, he thought they were going to be married for ever, like Jack and Vera. Molly gets nasty and points out some home truths about Jack and Vera's marriage. "Their marriage was a joke," she says to Tyrone's distaste. Tyrone can't accept that their marriage is over and doesn't understand how Molly can suddenly hate him. Molly doesn't hate him, she says, she just doesn't love him any more. She feels sometimes like she and Tyrone have already been married for 50 years, like Jack and Vera and she wants more from life. She tells Tyrone she simply doesn't care about him any more but then immediately apologies for her cruel words. As she leaves to pack, Tyrone has a realisation. He goes to Molly and asks, "You don't just suddenly stop loving your husband unless there's somebody else involved. So who is it? Molly? Who?"

Molly puts on a false face and says she is insulted that Tyrone thinks that the only reason she would be leaving him is because of someone else. She lies to him, "I'm leaving you because I've stopped loving you. I'm going because I have to. For nobody else. Me." Tyrone asks her to see a counselor. Molly is horrified that he wants them to talk to a complete stranger about their marriage. And then, when Tyrone asks her again to stay, she's amazed at how much Tyrone loves her- he wants her to stay even after all she's said? Tyrone tells her that he never deserved her; he thinks she's so beautiful and he wonders how he ever managed to get her. I'm nothing," he says. Molly tells Tyrone that he's kind and loving and that any girl would be lucky to have him but that Tyrone will be better off without him. Tyrone tells her that he doesn't want anybody else, he wants her. "No!" Molly shouts, "You can't have me."

Sian, Sophie and Ryan are all affronted that Sian's dad read Sian's Facebook page. "That's an invasion of privacy, that," says Sophie, naively. Sian thanks Ryan for standing up to him. Sophie offers for Sian to stay at her place for a bit but Sian tells Sophie that instead she is going to run away. Ryan says he wants Sian to movie in with him and his mum. He reckons his mum won't mind.

Michelle is in the bar. She asks Betty how "the natives" are. Betty remarks that the punters are fine but Steve & Becky are the ones you have to watch out for. She gives Michelle a bit of advice, "Do as I do, love. Tell both of them how awful the other one's behaving. It's almost bearable that way." Hayley wonders why Anna is dancing at the bar. Anna tells her that she is practicing her salsa moves- there's a storyline emerging there, I can feel it in me waters.

Kelly trades insults with Teresa over in a booth while Steve brings drinks on the house over. Kelly invites Steve to join them in getting completely wasted- Corrie in Irresponsible Drinking Shock, screams the Daily Mail. Anyway, Kelly joins them in a marathon drinking session.

Natasha tries to have a heart to heart with David about his horrible, evil ways when it comes to Gail. She tells him that he's a selfish mummy's boy and wonders why would Tina ever want to get back together with him? Audrey butts in and tells David that Gail will sell the house despite him. She tells him to just accept the inevitable. "You know your mam as well as I do..... come on, just let your mam lead her own life and you should concentrate on yours."

Back at Gail's, Joe is ranting and raving about David scuppering the sale of the house. Gail is looking dreamily at a photo of David. She tells Joe, "He grew up here, Joe, it's his refuge." She defends David's evil antics once again. "He's 19!" Joe points out, "Not 9!" But Gal has that ridiculous dreamy look on her face about her evil spawn of Satan once more.

Molly has packed her bags. Tyrone is finally angry and tells her, "You are the most selfish person I know. Look at you, you don't care!" Molly explains that she does care but she has had more time to get used to the idea. She also knows that she is being a cow and she tells him straight, "You will get over me." Tyrone tells her that she has become hard and nasty. He tells that she could have had anything she wanted. He even bought the house for her. Molly tells him that she has tried to love him but can't. When she looks at him, she feels nothing.

Steve suggests that Kelly, Lloyd, Teresa and he go into town. As they are discussing their next move outside the Rovers, they see Tyrone and Molly. Tyrone is pleading with Molly not to leave but Molly tells Tyrone to stop making a fool of himself. "It's over," she says and storms off. Tyrone looks at the crowd watching him, including Sophie watching from across the street, and says forlornly, "She's leaving me." Nobody has anything to say to him. Poor Tyrone stands on the street, looking lost and very alone.

Stella McLoughlin

Tyrone is sitting at the table, looking bereft. He hears a noise at the front door and rushes into the hall, only to find it's the post dropping through the letter box.

Sophie tells Kevin that Molly didn't turn up for work at the corner shop, and she wonders if Tyrone will go to the garage. Kevin is sure that whatever they were rowing about it will have blown over by now. Sophie's not so sure, Molly had packed bags with her. Just then Kevin's phone bleeps with a message, it's from Tyrone, he's not coming in.

The landline rings in Tyrone's house, and the answer machine takes the call. It's Jack, his pigeon has gone walkabout again. Tyrone grabs the phone before Jack can ring off and tells him, "She's left me!"

Rosie is sitting in her car with the engine running. Sophie asks if she's allowed to do that without a licence. Rosie snaps that it's for the heat, and Sophie is letting it all out. Just then Ryan comes along and asks Sophie if she's heard from Sian. Sophie says she thought Sian was staying at Ryan's, but he explains that she went home to sort things out and he hasn't heard from her since. The postman comes along and hands Sophie a letter addressed to Rosie. Rosie leaps out of her car and grabs the letter and goes indoors with it.

Molly arrives at the shop and apologises to Dev for being late. He's a bit miffed and moans at her as she doesn't offer an explanation, but then she tells him that she's handing in her notice. He tells her he's her boss, he's allowed to be grumpy. She then says that she loves working there but it's now too far to travel. "You only live three doors up," he says. She then explains that she's left Tyrone, she's staying at her dad's and he's said she can work in his bakery. She says she doesn't want to but it's taken her an hour and a half to get there this morning. He tells her he'll make a cup of tea and then says that the flat upstairs is empty and she can stay there as long as she likes – no charge.

Jack goes round to see Tyrone. "How could she not love me and me not know?" he asks Jack. "Of course she loves you," says Jack, adding that Vera was always stomping off. Ty tells him that Molly said she didn't want to be like him and Vera. He's sure that Molly has met someone else, someone better.

Teresa has a hangover, and Lloyd tells her she should have refused the free drinks. Then he says that Steve needs to sort things out with Becky before it all goes too far. Teresa says that they'll never get so serious they mess each other's lives up. Lloyd tells her they're not going to get serious at all. "Deal!" she cries and they shake on it, although her face says something different.

Molly is just about to get a taxi to go and get her things when the shop door opens and Jack walks in. "Please Jack, don't," she says. Jack asks her gently to talk to him, but she says he wouldn't understand. He says that he and Vera watched her and Tyrone fall in love, every step, and can't believe this can't be sorted out. She says she doesn't want to talk about it. He tells her that she has to, Tyrone's heart is breaking. Just then Kevin walks in and Molly rushes out. Kevin asks Jack if Tyrone and Molly have fallen out, and he says that Tyrone is convinced Molly has another fella. "Give over!" says Kevin. Jack says he should see the state of him.

Molly has returned with her stuff, and Tyrone is looking through the window and spots her getting out of the taxi. He rushes outside hopefully, but she tells him she's not back. "Tell me who you're seeing!" he cries. She tells him there's no-one. He tells her to swear on Jack's life. "You can't, can you?" he says. "Not can't, won't!" she says, saying she won't be ordered about any more. At that point Kevin tries to pull Tyrone away and Dev tries to get Molly inside. Tyrone immediately jumps to the conclusion that Dev is the culprit and punches him, yelling "It's you isn't it!" Kevin manages to drag him away and back into his house, leaving Dev on the ground.

In the pub, the factory workers ask Betty for something to put on the bar to start a charity collection in, to show their support for Sally. Betty finds an old china jug but Sean asks if she can find them something made of clear glass.

Back at Tyrone's house, Kevin and Jack are doing their best to convince Ty that Dev is not having an affair with Molly. Tyrone points out that Dev was all over her and he's moving her in. "Yes, to the shop flat because it's empty!" they tell him. Jack then says Tyrone needs a beer, but then looks out of the back window. "'Ey up, look who's here!" he says. Tyrone rushes to the back door but it's only the missing pigeon. Jack apologises and says he wasn't thinking. "See lad, they always come back to you, you've just got to be patient," he says quietly.

Joe has been to Peter's new bar, but they don't need him to do any work. He gets Gail to ring the estate agent to see if yesterday's viewers had come back with an offer, but they haven't. Jason and Tina arrive and tell him that Bill wants him to give him an estimate for some plumbing. "Great," mutters Joe, sarcastically. Tina tells him not to be too grateful. He apologises saying they need the house to sell. Gail reminds him that it'll take as long as it takes.

Jack prepares to leave, telling Kevin to look after Tyrone. He adds that if he finds that Dev has had anything to do with it all he'd punch his teeth out with his last breath. Kev assures him that Dev is innocent. After Jack's gone, Tyrone tells Kevin he can't imagine life without Molly and begs Kevin to go and talk to her. He needs to know if there's something he can do, to see if there's a chance. "She'll know you'll want what's best for me, she'll be honest with you, please Kev!" he pleads.

Sophie arrives home from school and sees Rosie's envelope. She picks it up. "Desire Solutions?" she mutters. Just then Rosie comes in and snatches the envelope out of her hands. Sophie asks her sister what's the big secret, but Rosie tells her to keep her nose out, and rushes off upstairs.

Dev shows Kevin up to the flat, assuring him that he's never behaved in any way other than professional towards Molly. He then leaves them alone, and Kev tells Molly that Tyrone can't understand what he's done wrong. She says that she doesn't enjoy hurting him. "Then stop it," says Kevin, but Molly says she can't, she doesn't love him. Kevin says she's doing it to punish him, but Molly says she wouldn't put Tyrone through that just to get at Kevin. She says he wants her to go back to Tyrone just so that he will feel better. "I don't love him!" she says. He assures her that she and him are done and that's not going to change. She asks why he's there, and he tells her he's there because Tyrone asked him to talk to her. Molly takes off her wedding ring and tells Kevin to give it to Tyrone. He starts to refuse, but she tells him that he caused half of this – why should she do all the dirty work? He refuses again, but she tells him that if she gives it to Tyrone she'll tell him everything, so reluctantly he takes it.

Sophie assumes that Rosie is looking into cosmetic surgery for Sally. She tells her she doesn't think Sally would want it done. "It's only a lump, she'll only have a little scar." Rosie tells her it's nothing to do with Sally, or her. Sophie suddenly thinks she understands and starts guessing – is Rosie having Botox? Or liposuction, or a nose job? Eventually Rosie tells her, she's having a boob job! "After what mum has just been through?" Sophie is incredulous. Rosie tells her she has to think of her career.

Ryan is still texting Sian but getting no reply to his messages and is getting worried.

Kevin goes back to Tyrone who is convinced that Molly and Dev were laughing at him. Kevin assures him again that Dev has nothing to do with it. Kevin then hands over the ring. "She told me to give you this, I'm really sorry mate." Tyrone stares at the ring with shock and disbelief all over his face.

Anne Logan

"What do you mean the size of my engine? Do you want me to measure it?" Rosie asks someone on the phone. "Oh, no, no I have seen it. It's the size of three large handbags." She hangs up and complains about the rudeness of the caller. She's selling her car to pay for her boob job. Sophie's appalled. She can't believe Rosie plans to go ahead with it when her mother's being investigated for breast cancer. Rosie assures her sister she won't say anything about it. Their parents come in. Sally's got her hospital appointment this afternoon and she tells Sophie she can't wag school to go with her. Rosie asks Kevin what size her engine is. Two litres, he tells her. This confuses her poor little air-filled head even more.

Julie and Kelly are in the street and meet Fiz, who seems a little distracted. Fiz is off to see Tyrone. Julie can see it's going to be one of those days when she has to have a little cry before she can thread the needle.

Bill meets Joe and asks him about an estimate he was doing. Joe tells him the job is bigger than they thought and he had to stick a couple of noughts on the estimate. He asks for an advance but Bill is doubtful.

Fiz finally gets Tyrone to answer the door. He tells her he looked out the window in the night and saw Molly staring at the house. Fiz tells him that's a sign that Molly's decision isn't sitting easy with her. Tyrone sees Dev with his bruised and cut lip and makes an excuse to go back inside.

Audrey is at Gail's. Gail's quite cynical about the house sale. Audrey tells him that David's just trying to protect his mother from making a bad decision. David's on the stairs and hears this and comes downstairs to have a go at Gail. He says he was trying to protect himself from Gail, who didn't consult him before deciding to sell his home.

Norris is all fumble-fingers in the shop and smashes the glass on a framed photo of him and Freda with the big cheque. Mary picks it up and remarks that Freda is small and bony. She doesn't trust bony. Pam's there and wants to buy some of the sweets that Molly likes. Norris lectures that she'll just be rewarding bad behaviour. Pam is confused. It turns out she hasn't heard that Molly has left Tyrone. Norris tells it as if it's a fact that Molly's having an affair with Dev.

Pam rushes from the Kabin and sees Molly at the window above the corner shop. When she shouts Molly's name, Dev comes out to tell her to keep it down. Pam sees his cut lip. "Caught in the crossfire," he explains.

David tells Audrey he's thinking of moving in upstairs. Audrey refuses. She wants to know whether David was really upset about Gail selling the house, or whether he was just deliberately causing trouble. David tells her that Gail never had one proper conversation with him about how he felt about being thrown out of that house.

Pam's talking to Bill and each realises that the other knew about Molly and Kevin. They're interrupted by Gail coming to thank Bill for putting some work Joe's way.

Tyrone is in the shop. He's come to apologise to Dev. Molly's making a cuppa in the back and listens as Dev tells Tyrone firmly that he's a family man with kids and not having an affair with Molly. Tyrone's brought the ring back for Molly but she refuses to accept it. Unfortunately they're overheard by Kelly. When Kelly tries to make conversation about Sally and Kevin, Molly is very abrupt with her. Pam's come in behind Kelly. Once Kelly's out of the way she says: "Someone's got some explaining to do!"

Michelle arrives home to find Sophie and Ryan depressed about Sian. She's not been in school all week. Ryan wants to go and rescue her but they've had a text from her refusing this. Michelle tells them Sian's dad is a plonker, not a murderer.

Molly tells Pam that everyone's already looking at her as if she's stamped on a kitten. Pam tells her that men don't ever leave their wives, though Molly refuses to believe this. Pam says she's trying to kid herself. "I love him," sobs Molly, gaining a big hug from Pam.

Bill finds Kevin to ask about Molly and Tyrone. Kev's not interested. Tyrone comes over and tells Bill about Molly. He asks Bill to let him know if Pam says anything about Molly. Tyrone's going to work this afternoon when Kevin takes Sally to the hospital. Kevin goes and Fiz arrives to invite Tyrone to tea. He agrees reluctantly.

Mary's waxing nostalgic about their lucky puzzle magazine. Norris is annoyed because he's trying to count Gazettes. Mary offers to take the picture to be repaired. The Webster girls come in as she leaves. Rosie tells Sophie that she's not selling the car to pay for her boob job. Alfie's paying for it, she says. It's an investment in her career. Norris loses count again!

Sian is waiting for Ryan. He takes her into the kebab shop so they can talk. She tells him she can't move in. She says she's got her GCSEs to think about and she's going to go and live with her mum in Southport. She says it doesn't mean she and Ryan are splitting up. Her dad's already pulled her out of the local school and her mother's found somewhere in Southport. She leaves tonight. Ryan is angry. Sian's annoyed that he's not even listening to her and rushes out.

Mary puts the picture of Norris and Freda in a rubbish bin.

Rick arrives at the yard to see Joe. Joe tells him he doesn't have the money. Rick says he'll pop back at eight. "Don't be late."

Sophie is also shocked that Sian's going to Southport. Sian says she can chat online, phone and text and they can hang out in the holidays. Sian's tearful but promises Sophie she'll drop everything if Sophie ever needs her or things don't go well with Sally.

Sally and Kevin are in the hospital waiting room. Sally's philosophical and thinking about the possibility of dying. Kevin reassures her about how much he cares for her. Their support person comes and tells them the surgeon is ready to talk to them now.

The End of Episode One.
Margaret Carr

We're back with the Websters and the consultant. Sally and Kevin look on in disbelief as they are told that the cancer hasn't spread. He goes on to say that Sally will need some additional radiotherapy to make sure that she has the best chance of it not coming back. They look slightly worried at this prospect but soon realise that this is the best news that they could have hoped for.

Sian's dad arrives to pick her up and is annoyed when she tells him to wait as there is something she still has to do.

Kevin and Sally are having radiotherapy explained to them by the nurse. Sally is wondering if it is painful but she is reassured that it isn't. She is told that she needs to have three treatments a week for up to six weeks. After that, they should be able to stop. She tells them that the best thing they can do now is go home and celebrate. They certainly appear cheerful enough to do so.

Sian is on the phone to Ryan. He is on his way and Sian tells him he'll have to come now or never. Sian and Ryan embrace outside as he arrives and he apologises for what he said. Sophie turns on Sian's dad who is beeping and tells him angrily that if he has to kidnap Sian he should at least let her say goodbye to her friends. Sian climbs into the car and Ryan and Sophie look on as she is driven away.

Dev is telling Sunita excitedly how brilliant the kids were in the play. Sunita says she has something to tell Dev as he happily plans a meal for them all. She says she'll tell him later as if she mentions it now, it'll take over the whole night and she doesn't want that.

The Websters are together again and Sally has broken her good news to the girls. She instructs Kevin to go and get some champagne and as he goes, he reflects on how lucky he really is.

Norris is tired and Mary is trying to convince him to close the shop early. He points out that if customers come and find them closed, they won't come back but Mary replies they won't if they find him passed out on the counter either. They reach a compromise to close fifteen minutes early.

Joe tells Gail he needs to see Bill in a while about some business. She is miffed and points out that he has seen him all day. David comes down and snarls that he is disappointed that Joe is still here.

Rosie and Sophie are telling Kevin that they can cancel their night's arrangements if he wants them together. He says it's best to get things back to normal. Sally is having a long bath and he is going to sit and think about how lucky he is.

Dev is delighted to hear that Sunita has broken off her engagement to Matt. He says he never thought he was good enough for her but Sunita warns him not to say another word on the subject.

Joe is disappointed when he can't find Bill. He stands at the bar of the Rovers, deep in thought, when the collection jar catches his eye…

Mary is suggesting that Norris takes some time off. He asks who would cover it and she volunteers herself. It takes a while to persuade him, but eventually Mary gets her way. He'll take one or two days off.

Bill arrives and tells Joe that he has thought things over and doesn't want to pay any money upfront. Joe should do the work first and then get paid. Joe says desperately that he needs the money and Bill shrugs with a laugh and says that they all do.

Tyrone arrives at John and Fiz's for dinner. He says he won't be very good company but they make a fuss of him. Tyrone tells them that he still doesn't have a clue why Molly left him.

Joe continues to plead with Bill for the money but an increasingly agitated Bill refuses to budge. Kevin rings at this point and Bill is delighted to hear Sally's news. Bill turns to see the money jar on it's side and Joe handling the notes inside. He demands to know what Joe is doing but an incredulous Joe says it just fell over. Bill exclaims that it was a good job he was there to stop him. Joe storms out, with all eyes on him. As he leaves, Rick pulls up beside him, accompanied by a thug. Joe says he hasn't got the money. Rick tells him dangerously that he knows what has to happen if he doesn't have the money. They leap out of the car and pursue a terrified Joe.

Tyrone is about to go despite protests from John and Fiz. They are interrupted by a noise outside. John heads out the back to check but he doesn't find the hiding Joe.

Dev orders a drink and informs Michelle that he's celebrating the end of an engagement.

Bill is worried that he may have wrongly accused Joe. Pam can tell from his tone that he doesn't believe this but he points out that he has no proof

Pam tells Molly the news about Sally and warns her that this means there is no chance Kevin will leave her now. She encourages Molly to work on her marriage to Tyrone instead.

Sophie tells Kevin that they have said a prayer to God to thank him for stopping Sally's cancer. Kevin snaps that he shouldn't have started it in the first place. Sophie points out that he stopped it and Sally's okay but Kevin asks about all the women who aren't okay. How does she defend God then? Sophie is shocked and says she thought that he'd be pleased. He yells that he'd prefer God not to make people suffer instead of playing mind games with people. As Sophie bursts into tears, Kevin exclaims that he doesn't know why people have to be tempted to do bad things and why people have to suffer.

Joe is looking at ferry crossings on the computer. After David asks him what that's all about he snaps that he just likes knowledge. When Gail asks, Joe sighs that he is just dreaming about getting away. Anywhere from here. And, from the look on his face, it's clear that he's deadly serious…

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Mark Burt Directed by Stuart Davids

Kevin finds out that Sally's first radiotherapy session is this coming Friday but it seems to make Rosie somewhat thoughtful. Is she worried or is there something else on her mind. Sophie returns home, having stayed overnight at Ryan's. She's sarcastic while Kevin tells her she shouldn't have run off. Rosie makes a snarky remark but Sophie shuts her up, implying she could spill a few beans that Rosie would rather not have spilled. Sophie said Kevin scared her with her reaction. He apologizes and she assures him she's not trying to force her religion on anyone. Kevin writes off his aggressive reaction as a by product of all the stress he's been under with Sally's illness. He found it hard to deal with the anger that her illness had to happen at all and now all is well and Sophie forgives him for his outburst.

David is trying to persuade Gail to persuade Audrey to let him rent the salon flat and having no luck. Gail is more interested getting him to be more independent. (wouldn't letting him live in the flat do that?) Joe backs up Gail, no surprise there, and David storms out. Gail leans over to kiss Joe goodbye, Joe who's sat on the sofa padded with pillows saying his back is a bit bad today. He'll be ok, he assures her. She leaves for work and lo and behold, a miracle! Joe springs up off the sofa like a man possessed and peers suspiciously out the window, looking for Mr. Loan Shark.

Tyrone pours himself a lonely bowl of cereal with the only thing making any noise in the house being that bowl of snappy rice!

Over in the Rovers, Liz is back from visiting Bev. Steve and Becky are at opposite sides of the table with Amy sitting near Becky. They aren't speaking, Amy rarely does, and Liz is getting fed up especially after Steve contradicts Becky when she urges the kid to eat her cereal. Becky's phone rings and she looks at it with an odd expression when she sees who's calling. She gets up wordlessly and goes out of the room to take the call, leaving Liz to rip Steve a new one for behaving childishly, telling him the two of them have to get themselves sorted. Becky comes back, looking a bit pale and shocked. She is going out and tells Amy with a kiss that she'll see her later. Amy robotically says Bye Becky. Liz thinks Steve should go after Becky but he's more interested in his freedom.

Leanne and Peter come out of the corner shop with Simon who's off to school. We can hear construction noises from across the road so Leanne wants to run over and have a look-see. They go in and Peter pops a hard hat on Simon's head. It doesn't look like much to Simon but Leanne's imagination can see it taking shape nicely. Leanne comes up with a brilliant idea, a Hard Hat Party to use as a promotional event for the bar. You invite important people, suppliers, the media, politicians, people that will spread the word about a hot and upcoming nightspot soon to be opening. Everyone wears hard hats and gets drunk. She's excited and her excitement catches Peter. Simon just wants them to remember parenting night at the school!

Rosie comes out to find Graeme who's stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her. He's "drinking in her loveliness". She thinks he's weird but you just know she likes the attention. Graeme tries to talk her into a date but she's not having it. He tells her she's perfect. She says not until tomorrow!

Kev and Tyrone are elbows deep into an engine (which, by the way, belongs to a car that they were fixing a few weeks ago, the car is the same and has the same license plate on it! Evidence: http://coronationstreetupdates.blogspot.com/2010/01/websters-garage-on-go-slow.html ) Anyway. They're talking about Sally's health, with Kevin remarking that he'll have to be spending more time at home helping out while Sally gets through her treatments. No problem, Tyrone says, seeing as he hasn't got anything else to do these days. He watches Molly walk to work with sad eyes then talks to Kevin. What do you have to do to get over the rough patches? Kevin advises Tyrone to try to get her back if he thinks he can.

Joe comes out of the corner shop a bit later and nearly jumps out of his skin when Jason says hello from behind him. Jason knew that Bill had sacked Joe who is relieved Bill didn't say anything else about their falling out. He implies his debts are pretty enormous and persuades Jason to give him a card for an agent who works for a company that specializes in quick *cash* sales but you don't get anything near the asking price. Joe calls up straight away.

Tyrone peers through the window of the corner shop and then shores up his nerve. No fear... no fear.... and then takes a deep breath before entering the shop. He starts up straight away with his pitch, reminding her the love and friendship is still there. He pushes and pushes, asked to buy her a drink. She shoots him down and he leaves with a snarl.

In the salon, Gail arrives to have a word with Audrey about David. Audrey cuts her off, accusing Gail of being unfair. She then accuses Gail of bailing out her own husband by selling her house. She points out that marriages are give and take. Gail figures Joe's just in a slump. Until she has nothing more to give, says Audrey. Hmmmm.

Annabel Peak from the property company arrives at Number 8. She takes pictures of the outside of the house. He's nervous, wanting to get her inside the house and away from prying eyes.

In the pub, Kirk is trying to pump up Tyrone, suggesting ways of trying to get Molly back. He needs to make a statement. Time to be creative and mess with her brain. He's not making a lot of sense to Tyrone. Liz comes over to ask after Sally and Tyrone affirms that Sally's had good news. Just then the door opens and a man clad in full leather gear with a big black bike helmet staggers in. It's Steve! Turns out he's bought a motorbike to go with it all! Liz thinks he's lost his mind! Steve reckons he's in control of his destiny and offers to show off the new love of his life.

Ms. Peak tells Joe she can only go as high as 80K even though the house has been valued at 115,000. He sucks in air through his teeth. He thinks about it for about 20 seconds but before he can get much further, Gail comes home. He cheerfully introduces Annabel and makes the 80K sound like a great deal. Gail's face freezes and she throws Annabel out then rounds on Joe.

Steve is showing off the bike. Kelly totters up and oohs and ahs over it. The lads including Graeme are all impressed. We see Becky getting off the bus in the background and she's carrying a bin bag. Kelly asks for a ride just as Becky passes. Becky offhandly says she doesn't care if Kelly gets first ride so Steve pops the helmet on and has mysteriously produced another one for Kelly. Becky just watches them go but really doesn't seem bothered as they spin off down the road.

Kevin is making tea while the girls watch. (not help) Kevin is actually following one of Roy's recipe. Rosie declines to help as she's had her nails done and that provokes Sophie into another few snide remarks. Kevin halts the bickering, saying they have to pull together to help Sally through the treatments. Sophie finally spills the beans and tells Kevin that Rosie is having her boob job tomorrow.

Gail and Joe row about him getting the property person and tells him she's taking the house off the market. He loses it and says they need the money. She says *he* needs the money. She hollers that she was going to give it all up for him, and he screams that she's leaving him for the vultures. He storms out and she follows him and the row continues out on the street. He gets vindictive, calling her a jinx, "When it comes to the male of the species, you're the equivalent of Tutankhamen's curse!!!!" He blames her for all his troubles and leaves no stone unturned. Jason, Leanne, David and Audrey all witness it. Joe's diatribe against Gail is pretty nasty and David runs over to defend his mother. "No wonder this one tried to kill you, it was self defense!!! He deserves a flaming medal!!" See what I mean? that was uncalled for! Gail thinks so too because she hauls off and slaps him a good one. David pulls her back and tells Joe to go away. They watch him go, glaring, while the end of the episode tells us to come back for more in a half hour.

Tvor

Kevin can't believe that Rosie is still planning on having her breasts enlarged. Rosie is absolutely determined and some bloke called Alfie has told her that it will really help her career and he's going to lend her the money for it. Voices are raised and Kevin loses his temper. Sophie separates her dad and her sister. Kevin leaves. Rosie thanks Sophie for sticking up for her but Sophie tells her that she didn't do it for her.

Gail is at home, telling Audrey what Joe has said to her. Audrey is very snide before David asks her to leave off his mam. Gail explains that Joe lost his rag because she has taken the house off the market. David is shocked to hear this. Gail thinks that after the way she lashed out at Joe (WHAT?!? Gail's an idiot, so she is.) she wouldn't be surprised if Joe hasn't had enough of her. Audrey needs a drink.

Peter is dressed smartly and headed off out with Leanne to a parent interview at Simon's school. George turns up as they are leaving and chats about the "Hard Hat Party". George offers to take Peter and Leanne so they can talk more about the party on the way and George can also get a bit of a squizz at Simon's school. As they're out on the street, Steve whizzes past on his motorbike with Kelly riding pillion, shrieking her head off.

Becky is looking glum in the bar and is playing Tom Jones' The Green Green Grass of Home on the juke box. Steve and Kelly come into the bar. Becky insults Kelly a bit as she pours a pint. Kelly flirts with Steve to stir it a little.

Kevin is talking to Tyrone in the bar about how he lost his rag with Rosie. Eddie Windass sees them and asks them both if they're up for getting bladdered together. It seems both Kevin and Tyrone are.

Audrey and Gail are still talking about Joe Chez Platt when Joe comes home. "I thought me ears were burning," he says, meekly poking his head round the door. He asks Gail if he can be allowed to explain. Audrey and David head to t'Rovers to give Joe and Gail a chance to talk. Joe tells Gail he was out walking for a while by the canal trying to think of a ways to tell Gail the truth of just how bad his debts really are. Gail tells Joe that he is starting to scare her. "Welcome to the club," he replies, sadly.

Kelly and Steve are still drinking merrily while Becky looks on, very sad. Kevin is still talking to Tyrone and Eddie about Sally when Molly comes into the pub. Tyrone asks Molly to let him buy her a drink so that they can start living normally as people who will run into each other occasionally. Steve invites Kelly upstairs to drink a bottle of tequila with him. Between them they make loud suggestive comments about what can happen when they both drink tequila in earshot of poor, sad Becky.

Steve and Kelly are making their way to the bottom of the tequila bottle, upstairs at the Rovers. Kelly asks Steve if it's a serious bust up between him and Becky. Steve wonders why she wants to know. Kelly reminds Steve of a night they once had together but before she can say anything else, he admits that he's still in love with Becky which makes it clear that nothing will be happening physically between him and Kelly tonight. They continue to get as drunk as skunks.

Gail is flabbergasted to learn that Joe had borrowed money from a loan shark. He explains how his debt got to the stage it did and how the loan shark will give Joe more than a bad back to worry about if he doesn't get his money.

Sophie and Rosie are at home talking about Rosie's boob job. Rosie asks Sophie to stop trying to make out that she's having a boob job to get back at Sally. She tells Sophie, "It's all right for you, you've always been a swot!" and goes on to tell Sophie how she's bound to travel the world with a cool job, if she doesn't become a nun, of course. Amazingly Sophie doesn't retort, "Oy! You were the one who got sent to private school because you were brainy!" No, instead Sophie listens patiently as Rosie witters on inanely about using her looks to get her ahead in life.

Kelly & Steve have drunk the entire bottle of tequila and Steve is acting drunk very, very badly. Steve goes to grab a bottle of peach schnapps but Kelly wants to go home. Before she goes, Steve reminds her she is a brilliant girl and she will find someone.

Molly has finished the half pint she allowed Tyrone to buy her and gets up to leave. She tells Ty, "I'll see you later," before she leaves. Eddie remarks to Tyrone that that was a promising exchange between them before he gets up to buy another drink and inadvertently offers to buy Lloyd one too. As they turn to the bar, Kelly staggers her way out. She gets a dig in at Becky before she goes, referring to what Steve said about her being such a brilliant girl but Becky infers that Kelly and Steve have been up to no good upstairs. Becky tells Michelle she's going out for a fag. "On second thoughts," she says, "make that a packet."

Eddie and Lloyd are drinking at the bar as they notice a familiar face on the card holding the bags of peanuts. It's only Rosie Webster in one of her tasteless glamour shots. Eddie orders a dozen bags of peanuts, just to be sure it's her.

Peter and Leanne come back from the parent evening with George. Peter is beaming with pride because he has been told how bright Simon is. George starts piling on the pressure about sending Simon to private school.

Joe is telling Gail how much he owes. It's not a pretty picture since with the way the interest piles up, he doesn't really know the amount any more. He tells her how much he loved their honeymoon in the Lake District, away from it all. Joe asks Gail if she wants him to leave. He will if Gail wants him to but Joe thinks that what they have together can work and he thinks they can be happy. "I don't think I'll ever feel happy again," Gail tells Joe quietly.

Lloyd and Eddie are being lewd about Rosie at the bar. Michelle tells them to pack it in, after all, "she might be a brainless slapper but that's Kevin's daughter you're talking about!" Michelle wonders if Kevin knows about it. Kevin comes over to the bar and finds the picture of Rosie. It's quite clear that Kevin didn't know about it. He loses his temper again and swings for Eddie Windass before grabbing the picture and leaving in a fit.

Steve is upstairs, making himself some beans on toast when Becky comes approaches him. She asks him if he's been working up an appetite before lunging at him and hitting him. She tells him she hit him for bringing that skank, Kelly, upstairs. Steve protests that nothing happened, they were only drinking together. He almost tells Becky that he spent most of the night telling Kelly how much he loves Becky but stops before he says it. Becky is disappointed and walks away. Steve asks if Becky only came upstairs to have a go at him. "Yes, Steve," she lies, "that's all it was."

Kevin is at home, confronting Rosie with her latest photo. He has another go at her before Rosie storms off. He looks at Sophie. "I suppose you think I could have handled that better?" he asks, sarcastically. Sophie wonders when he will learn that shouting at them will never achieve anything. She goes to put the picture of Rosie in the bin before Sally sees it and leaves. Kevin is left with his thoughts.

Becky is out on a bench in the smokers' yard with her mysterious black bin bag beside her. She reaches in to drag out a piece of jewellery. It makes her sad to look at it. She flings her cigarette to the ground and sits with her head in her hands, crying. Awww, Becky.

Stella McLoughlin

Janice and Leanne are chatting in the street, watching the bin men empty the bins. Janice suddenly realises that her bin hasn't been emptied and shouts after the bin men. One of them shouts back that her bin lid isn't shut so they can't empty it, apparently the council sent out a leaflet about it. He gets into the lorry and starts to drive away, but a furious Janice runs after it and jumps up by the window. "Gerroff my wagon!" he shouts at her. "Empty my bin!" she shouts back, but he takes no notice and drives on down the street.

Upstairs in the Rovers, Liz moans to Becky that the place is like a tip. Becky tells her to tell Steve and Kelly, it's their mess. "Steve and Kelly?" queries Liz. Becky explains that while she was out Steve brought Kelly up to the flat. "Doing what?" asks Liz. Becky doesn't answer, so Liz uses her imagination. She starts to tidy up and picks up a black bin bag from beside Becky. "Is this for chucking?" she asks. Becky snatches the bag back. "No, it's mine, don't touch it!" she snaps.

Over at the Websters, Kevin asks Rosie if she's having breakfast. She tells him she's nil my mouth. "And nil by brain," mutters Sophie. Kevin asks if she's worried about the op, but she says that her surgeon, Yuri, does dozens of procedures every week. Kevin points out that he does dozens of clutches, but it doesn't mean he can't make a mistake. "A slip of the hand here….." She says he's just trying to scare her, although she looks worried. He asks if she's sure he's a proper surgeon. "How many times? Yes, Dad," she snaps and gets up from the table.

Liz and Michelle corner Steve and tell him that Becky's in bits because of him and his stupid games. Liz asks what he was doing with Kelly and he protests that they were just having a drink, that's all. She asks if he slept with her. "No, I did not!" he says. Michelle says if he did it changes everything, it's no longer a tiff, it becomes adultery. "Why doesn't anyone believe me!" he wails.

Kevin is letting off steam to Tyrone about Rosie. He thinks Sally will do her nut. Tyrone remarks that it is her body, but Kevin thinks it's a perfectly good body that she's going to disfigure.

Back in the Rovers, Liz and Michelle gape in amazement as Becky walks into the bar and pours herself a brandy and gulps it down, then pours herself another, telling Liz it's breakfast. "Brandy? It's nine o'clock in the morning!" says Liz, but Becky tells her there are times when you just want to obliterate the day. Steve says he wants to talk to her, but Becky tells him she's going out. "Becky Macdonald you are my wife and I demand that you talk to me," says Steve but all he hears is the sound of the door closing.

Ty goes into the shop for biscuits and tells Molly he enjoyed the Rovers and they should do it again sometime. She says that's okay as long as he knows it can never lead to anything. "We can be mates but we can't be anything else," she says. "I was only saying….." he starts to say, "oh forget it!" and storms out. After he's gone, Dev tells Molly that was cruel, but she says that to let him think there's hope – that's cruel.

Joe is on the phone to someone, telling them that his wife is away at the moment, but getting both their signatures won't be a problem.

Tyrone goes back to the garage fuming over the way that Molly told him he'd never get her back. Kevin asks him if he'll hold the fort, he's worried about Rosie and although he doesn't agree with what she's doing he doesn't want her to be scared.

Steve sees Kelly out in the street and tells her he needs her to come to the pub in the afternoon.

Hayley comes along and sees Becky drink a can of cider and then, after crushing it, put it into her black bin bag. She asks where she's off to, and Becky tells her there's just something she's got to sort out in town. Hayley says she'll see her later. Once alone, Becky looks troubled.

Kevin arrives home to find Rosie waiting for her taxi. He surprises her when he tells her he's worried about her and wouldn't want her to be scared, so he wants to go with her. She cancels the taxi.

Becky gets back to the pub to find Steve and Kelly waiting for her. After some prompting by Steve, Kelly confesses that nothing happened between them, adding that it could have if she'd wanted it to. Becky says she doesn't care if it did. Then Liz asks if she's planning on doing any work – with her being on the staff and all. She tells her that even if her marriage is on the rocks there's no excuse for her moping around. "You're right!" says Becky and then turns and walks out of the pub again.

Joe walks into the Kabin and finds Mary working in there and singing ‘Eye of the Tiger" badly, at the top of her voice. "Hey, you've got the X Factor!" he cries, as she rushes out to the back, calling to Tina that her dad is there.

Tina comes out to speak to Joe. "She's like a walking juke box, hit after hit, it's driving me loopy!" she complains. He says he's come to apologise for what happened yesterday. "What is it Dad," she asks, "are you in trouble? Is it money?" He tells her that it was just a domestic tiff and he and Gail have now made up.

Kevin and Rosie are in the waiting room at the clinic. She thinks she's the first girl to bring her dad with her. Then she gets worried. "You're not going to beat Yuri up, are you?" she asks. He assures her he's not, and asks what size she's going to be afterwards. She tells him 32FF and will probably have to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes. He asks if it will really help her get more work, and points out that she hasn't had the best luck with boyfriends, the last proper relationship being with Craig Harris. She asks what about Luke Strong. "Lied to you, conned you, dumped you," says Kevin. He tells her not to think the perfect body will get the perfect bloke. He thinks she's too bright to be taken in by the rubbish in magazines, it's what's inside that counts. She tells him not to give her the ‘beauty is only skin deep' rubbish, she doesn't believe it. Just then a member of staff comes up and hands her a robe telling her to put it on, their almost ready for her.

Janice is in the pub, telling Leanne about her run in with the bin man. The conversation then turns to the bar and Leanne tells her about the hard hat party.

Hayley sees Becky still sitting at the bus stop. Becky tells her the bus has been and gone. Hayley asks what she's doing, and Becky tells her she's just sitting. Hayley asks if she wouldn't prefer to sit inside but Becky says she likes sitting outside, she can smoke as much as she likes. Hayley says she doesn't want to pry but she knows something is wrong and persuades her to come inside for a hot chocolate.

Molly steps out of the shop to sort out the flower display, and Tyrone rushes over to her. "Haven't you humiliated me enough?" he snaps, "saying all that in front of Dev!" She tells him she didn't want him to see a glimmer of hope, she's afraid he sees a way back for them and she doesn't. Tyrone stares at her and then tells her to get out of his life and stay away from him. "I never want to see you again!" he cries.

At the clinic, Kevin tells Rosie he'll wait outside. She says she knows he thinks she's having a needless operation while her mum had to have one for cancer. She then breaks down and says she thinks about it all the time. "Why my mum?" she sobs, "she's a good person." He puts his arm round her. "Congratulations, Dad, your plan worked." "What plan?" he asks. She tells him she's not going to go through with it, it doesn't feel right.

In the café, Hayley and Roy are talking to Becky, assuming that her sad demeanour is due to her problems with Steve. Roy tells her there are professional people she can talk to. "A counsellor?" she asks, "no, Steve needs a good shake and I need to stop being miserable and count my blessings. Make the most of things while I can." Eventually she tells them that she was at the undertakers, organising a funeral.

Alone in the flat, Molly watches out of the window as Kevin's car pulls up across the street and he and Rosie get out and walk towards their house. The microwave pings and she takes her dinner out of it and sits down and peels off the top.

Hayley asks if the funeral was for anyone that they know. Becky tells her it was for her mother, but she hardly knew her herself, not any more. She tells them her mother was living rough, and now she has her teeth, specs, lighter and fake gold necklace and a few smelly clothes in the bag. She tells them she never liked her much and her mother certainly didn't like her. "It's no big deal." Hayley says she assumes Steve doesn't know. "No, and I want it to stay that way," says Becky, "it's private." And then she sits at the table looking troubled once more.

Anne Logan

It's Friday. Steve's not looking too chirpy and tells Liz Becky didn't come home last night. Liz thinks she might have met a friend and gone back to her hostel or her squat or whatever. She has a go at Steve over Kelly, then suggests to him that maybe it's time to call it quits, sack Becky and tell her to move out. Steve refuses to phone Becky. He's got other things to worry about, including an optician's appointment this afternoon. It seems he's only going because Dev told him there was some "crumpet" there. Liz gives up.

Kevin's getting a breakfast tray ready for Sally. The girls plan to go with her to the hospital. Rosie hates hospitals and Sophie tells her that's daft. Hospitals help people, "unless they're being used as a garage to pump people's tyres up."

Becky's at the cafe worrying over whether Steve will remember to put Amy's library book in her book bag. She refuses to remind him, though. "Let him take responsibility for once." Roy and Hayley try to persuade her to let Steve accompany her to the funeral. She refuses so they suggest they could go to give her support. Becky refuses to acknowledge that she needs any.

Peter's worrying about Simon remembering to take his library book back to school as he, Leanne and Simon leave the flat. George comes driving by and offers Simon a lift. They all say they'll walk and George says he'll see them this afternoon. Leanne and Simon head for the school and George asks for a quick word with Peter.

Joe's fiddling about on the boat while Gail moans about cold callers. Steve comes across to see whether they've seen Becky and he and Joe have a moan about car parks where you have to put the car registration on your ticket. Joe tells Gail they should get away from cold callers and car parks. Gail's going over to wish Sally well.

Peter and George are arguing over private schooling again. George suggests Peter and Simon go to the open day at Oakhill.

Ashley's been to Butcher Banter school and Steve watches him charm an older lady before asking for half a pound of bacon and has he seen Becky. Has Claire? Ashley isn't surprised Becky's gone missing, considering Steve's behaviour with Kelly. Claire interrupts, arriving full of moans about the new teaching assistant, Mrs Bunce, and telling Steve his mother got an earful over Amy's library book not being in her book bag. "Liz had a face on her to begin with but you should have seen the colour it went." She goes quiet when she hears Becky is missing.

Bill arrives to collect the other Websters. He tells Kevin about Joe's temper with the parking warden in a car park last week.

Steve's face is covered in shaving foam and he spots a heading on the Gazette's sports page. Of course, as soon as he picks it up Becky comes in to get her bus fare. When he says he's been going out of his mind she points out he was reading the sports. She says she was at Roy and Hayley's and she's had a bit of bad news. She tells him that a woman she used to know has died. Steve's very scathing about the woman, whom he assumes is one of Becky's old crowd, and refuses to go with her. "Anyway, I haven't even got a tracksuit, so I'd look a bit out of place at the wake," he says sarcastically. Becky mutters that there won't be one and leaves.

Dev rings the bell at Sunita's, hands over some games for the kids and inveigles himself into the house.

Leanne's arrived to invite the Websters to the hard-hat party for the new bar. She wishes Sally well. Sally tells the others that the procedure at the hospital will only take 15 minutes. They all thought it was all afternoon.

Sunita's talking about the children. Dev is making stupid conversation and then suggests that he and Sunita do more family things together. Sunita tells him they're not getting back together because they'd just mess it up all over again. "And who would suffer then?" "Me?" guesses Dev. No, the children. Sunita thinks they're getting on better than they have been for years. Dev appears to see this almost as encouragement.

In the cafe, Steve moans to Lloyd about Becky catching him with the sports pages. He moans that Becky asked him to go to the funeral. "I've got better things to do with my afternoon," he says, waving his sausage about on the end of a fork. Tina tells them they sound like a pair of old women and reckons they probably argue over who paid for lunch. They do and start it now. Roy comes over and says he heard them mention a funeral. Steve rants about Becky's cheek asking him to go to the funeral of someone who sounds like drunken old tramp. Roy finds his lack of respect almost unforgiveable. Hayley finds him disgraceful. Roy says whether he met the woman or not, she was his mother-in-law and he should do what's right. Steve and Lloyd are astounded. They leap up and head off to try to find Becky, even though they don't know where the funeral is.

Outside, Steve's furious that Becky didn't tell him. This means his marriage is as dead as a doorknob. "Doornail," corrects Lloyd. "Knob!" Steve shouts at him.

Tina's back in the Kabin when her dad comes in. Tina tells him they've found a buyer for the flat and will make a bit of a profit. He tells her he's plotting a trip away but it's a secret.

At the hospital, Rosie's colouring in one of the children's book. Bill arrives, moaning about parking.

Steve starts his bike. Liz tells him he can't pick Amy up on that. Steve says he thought Liz was doing it and rides off. Liz stops Claire and asks if she can collect Amy.

Dev's amended the story he's telling Ashley, making out Sunita wanted to get back together but he said no. Ashley thought it would be the other way around because Dev had mentioned it previously. Dev's a bit flustered.

Liz finds Becky in the smoking area behind the pub. Becky tells her she was at Roy and Hayley's. Liz is bad-tempered about Mrs Bunce having a go at her. Liz asks for a light and comments that the lighter isn't one she's seen before. "It were me Mum's," Becky says. Liz is surprised that Becky's been in touch with her mother. "Yeah, I went to her funeral this afternoon. I'm going to go see to Amy." Liz asks her to repeat what she just said. "Your mother's dead?" "As a doorknob," says Becky. "Nail." "Knob." (Presumably a running joke for the young males among the viewers). Becky goes inside, leaving Liz asking a closed door whether she's told Steve.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Welcome to the final instalment of the week where we begin with Simon, Peter, Leanne and George returning from Oakhill. Simon is buzzing with excitement, not least of all because the school has a swimming pool. George encourages this enthusiasm, but Peter and Leanne aren't as sure. Money is one matter of course but Peter reasons that the Websters managed it. George insists that Simon needs pushing and he will grow bored in the environment he is in. He makes them promise that they will think on it.

Joe arrives home and looks crestfallen to see that Ted has stopped in for a visit. Gail gushes that it is such a nice surprise but Joe only barely manages to conceal his look of worry, knowing that the subject of the borrowed money is bound to crop up soon.

Becky is sitting with Amy, who has asked if her mum will go to Heaven. Becky seems quite sure that she won't. Liz comes through and apologises for snapping earlier. She also tells Becky that she is very sorry about her mother. Becky tells her not to be. Liz asks what the funeral was like and Becky tells her that she was the only one there. Liz goes deep into thought, troubled at the prospect of only one mourner at a funeral. Becky points out she wasn't even a mourner and she just made small talk with the vicar. Liz tells her that she still could have told Steve about it, but Becky responds doubtfully at this.

Speaking of Steve, he has just arrived at a pub and, as the king of sticking his foot in it, calls the waitress by the wrong name (he's thinking of the lass who left last Tuesday, we are reminded several times throughout the episode)

Ken is aghast to hear that Peter is considering sending Simon to Oakhill. Leanne assures Ken that she agrees with him. Ken tells Peter that if he sends Simon there, then he is taking away the support for people who can't afford the resources all children should have.

Sally is home and is amazed at the way doctors have been able to handle her illness. Bill is more irked at the parking ticket he received. Sally wonders what it would have been like 200 years ago and decides that she would have been on borrowed time.

Peter is telling Ken that no firm decisions have been made but Ken seems to know that it is only imminent. Deirdre tells Ken that it is Peter's decision at the end of the day. A frustrated Ken heads out for a walk

Joe and Gail are discussing Sally. Gail decides to phone Sally but Joe, not wanting to find himself alone with Ted asks her not to. She presses on anyway and as she goes, Joe guiltily asks Ted if another week is okay as he is in the process of recovering the deposit. Ted laughs and says that he isn't some loan shark who will duff him up for missing payments. Another week is fine.

Becky is reading Amy a story and her voice breaks. She tries to hold it together but bursts into tears and hugs Amy for dear life.

Ken's home and Deirdre tells him he shouldn't have stormed off in front of Simon. Ken agrees but says he just likes things to be fair. Deirdre comments that she knows he does, but things aren;t ever going to be fair

Ken heads over to the pub and says to George and Peter, who are sitting celebrating, that, despite his misgivings, he will support Simon whatever he does. George offers him a drink but Ken wants to draw the line at celebrating.

Kevin and Bill bring Rosie and Sophie into the Rovers for a drink. Sophie just wants an orange juice. As the toast Sally, Kevin comments that if anyone can overcome something like this, then she can.

Steve is doing an excruciating dance to some background music as he gambles on a machine. He then heads over to two men sitting reading a newspaper. They used to work for the brewery but do not react kindly to Steve's constant drunken badgering of them to join him clubbing. Eventually they are forced to tell him in no uncertain terms to get lost.

Becky and Liz are closing up. Liz decides to head for bed but not before telling Becky that something has to give. She and Steve can't go on like this forever

Steve is in a drunken stupor. He tries to mount his motorbike but the whole think tips over and he lies sprawled on the ground as passers by laugh at him.

Joe tells Gail that he has booked them another break at the place in the Lakes where they spent their honeymoon. Gail is concerned over how much it cost but Joe says it doesn't matter, he just can't wait to get back to ‘our Lake'

Steve climbs out of a taxi. Deirdre is smoking out of her upstairs window and hollers that Steve is getting too old for this and he is putting his mother through a lot of strain. Steve tells her that it's none of her business. Deirdre advises him that Becky will get fed up of him sooner or later if he keeps going on like this. He arrives back at the Rovers to see Becky sitting alone. He sits opposite her and comments that he missed his optician's appointment. There is an awkward moment before Steve erupts that he is sorry about her mother. Becky shrugs and says that she doesn't want his sympathy. Steve says he would have went to the funeral if he had known it was her mother. Becky sighs and says that she and Steve don't seem like they're on the same side anymore. Steve pledges that this must change and if he is less of a prat then she has to stop being so private. With this as her cue, Becky suddenly announces that she is pregnant. Steve's jaw drops. Becky smiles, takes his hands and they head to bed together.

So what have we learned tonight?
-You can play table tennis in Hell
-Afternoon is the opposite of mourning
-There's a swimming pool either 400 or 500 yards from the school...but nobody is sure of the exact distance
-Perceptive little chaps will flourish anywhere
-Steve and Becky's marriage really has hit the skids. The evidence? Well you know things are bad when you accept relationship and childcare advice from Deirdre Barlow and Liz McDonald...

Dubious Awards
Problem with the longest answer: "I don't know what I did wrong" Ken commenting on his parenting
Most sensible advice: "Stay away from the canal!" Deirdre to Ken
Most bizarre desire: "I can't wait to be alone with you" Joe to Gail
Most flawed character judgement: "I like Becky-she's a good sort" Deirdre
Most romantic wife: "I've hated you so much over the last few weeks. Really really hated you" Becky to Steve
Understatement of the evening: "I know I've been a moron"

That's all from me!
Until next time...

Duncan Lindsay

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

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