Written by Julie Jones directed by Ian Bevitt

Becky's nibbling a cracker and the crunching is annoying Liz. Becky actually seems to be experiencing real morning sickness. Liz asks if she can do her shift but she reminds Liz she was sacked. Liz reminds her that she only hired Ciaran because Becky was swinging the lead. Oh yeah. Steve teases her about catching her snogging Ciaran, much to Liz's chagrin. Becky calls her a Cougar, it's a syndrome. Steve doesn't think it should be glamorized. Liz isn't quite sure it's such a complement even if Becky did think it was.

Tina is making her way sadly down the road. David and Gail come out of the house and greet her. They exchange a few words and Norris approaches and asks how she is and suggests working is a good way to keep her mind off her troubles. No such luck, she's not coming back just yet. Tina is at her wits end and turns her back on them and walks away.

Steve is buying more crackers in the corner shop. Dev's face is on the floor and he's feeling down in the dumps because he's blown it with Sunita. He jumped in too fast and threw it all away. He's officially a Prize Idiot. Dev doesn't think there's any point going to see Sunita, instead he's off to do some retail therapy.

Meanwhile, Sunita is at home along and feeling thoughtful. She cuddles one of the kids' teddies.

Back in the bar, Becky and Liz are anticipating Ciaran's arrival. Becky is rubbing her stomach but telling Liz that Ciaran probably hasn't even thought any more about Liz's advances. Liz is nervous, wondering if Ciaran has been twitting all his mates. Steve arrives with the crackers and Becky doubles over then runs to the loo, moaning that she's going to hurl. Liz smiles in sympathy.

Norris is off in his own little world, trying to get prices stamped while Carla and Janice wait to get served. Carla has a somewhat new hairdo, she's got a fringe. Norris tells them that he's been on his own with Tina off and though Mary helps out now and then, he's not sure how much help Mary really is. They all talk about Joe's death, Norris figuring that if there really is Karma, Gail must have been very wicked in her past lives! (*snort*) Carla gets her change from Norris and leaves.

Tina has been talking to her mother (finally! I *was* wondering about that!) about when the funeral might be but she will get back to her mother when they find out more. She hates it all, she needs to be able to at least plan the funeral and she can't stop wondering about how Joe died. She found out that drowning is supposed to be a peaceful way to die but that doesn't make sense to her. She seems a bit obsessed about her father's last minutes. She decides she wants to go somewhere peaceful, like, to the Lake where he died. (Lake Windemere? peaceful? well, yes, in March it might be somewhat less touristy I suppose). Jason isn't sure it's a good idea but she is determined so he follows her out.

Leanne is dejectedly clearing papers in the bookies'. Janice arrives with a chocolate bar to try to cheer her up. Janice notice it's cold and Leanne admits the heating has broken down. She has to keep the shop open, it's their only source of income at the moment so she feels obligated. Janice wonders if Peter couldn't sort out some extra help (why can't Leanne get someone in temporarily?) but Leanne doesn't think he could from rehab. Anyway, she knew what Peter was like but took him on anyway.

Back at the pub, Becky staggers out of a toilet cubicle and looks really awful. She rinses off her face and it looks very much like there's more to this than morning sickness.

After the break, Ciaran finally arrives and straight away he apologizes to Liz for moving in on her (instead of the other way around). Liz says she was at fault. Ciaran admits he was flirting with her and Liz admits she knows that he flirts with everyone, even Betty! She should have known. Ciaran still can't seem to help himself and gives Liz the impression he does think she's very attractive but given they work together it wouldn't be prudent. "But if you weren't me boss...." with a *twinkle twinkle* in his eye. Talk about mixed signals!

Gail comes downstairs clutching one of Joe's tshirts. David offers to make her a cuppa but she declines. She says he must have slept a bit but is worried about the phone. She doesn't know if she can continue lying to the police. (she didn't have a problem when she thought Joe was alive!) David doesn't think they have a choice. She cries that she dreamed about Joe, just an ordinary dream. She hates that because she wakes up happy and then remembers. She regrets taking him for granted and not taking the time to do ordinary stuff together.

Outside, Leanne has escaped from the bookies to run to the shop and encounters Carla outside the factory. Carla reminds her that all work and no play make Leanne a dull girl and talks her into going out tonight after a couple of hours' rest.

Sunita comes into the corner shop but Dev is still out. Molly says he's out and then blurts out that she knows some of what's been going on, how things are gone pear shaped and that he really regrets it. She doesn't look pleased that Molly knows her business but says she's going to go to the Rovers and Dev can join her there when he gets back. She's non-committal about whether it's good news.

In the pub Ciaran is busy running around. Liz tells Steve that Ciaran was gracious about the night before. Becky comes in the back of the bar but is quiet even when Liz gives her a bit of a hard time. Steve rubs her stomach but she pushes him away, irritated at his attentions. He leaves and she turns around and pours vodka in the glass she'd picked up. Sunita arrives and is shocked to see Ciaran who immediately flirts with his old girlfriend. He asks if her husband is going to join her (my, he *has* been gone a long time!) and she doesn't set him straight.

Sophie comes into the corner shop. She's on her phone and Molly hears her telling Sian that her mother is getting better. Dev comes in, all flustered. Seems he tried a jumper on but it was too tight and he got a bit stuck trying to get it off (hahahahaha! Why didn't we get to see this!) Molly laughs and then tells him about Sunita who's waiting for him in the pub. Dev decides to go clean up first. Molly sends her best wishes to Sally through Sophie.

In the pub, Becky is behind the bar and seems to be a bit clumsy. (That's odd, she doesn't usually get drunk that quickly, but then she's been off the booze a couple of months). Ciaran takes his break and sits down with Sunita. Liz wonders what's wrong with Becky but Becky insists she's fine. Liz murmurs to Steve that she thinks Becky has been drinking. Steve doesn't think so but Liz's experience tells her she's probably right. Ciaran and Sunita talk and laugh and of course, Dev comes in and sees them and he doesn't look pleased. Ciaran sees Dev but doesn't say anything and watches Dev turn around and leave again. He continues to chat and flirt with Sunita.

Across the road, the police have arrived at Gail's again. They explain that they're still checking up some leads. They're here to see if she found the phone. Gail says they didn't find it and David lies that they had a clear out last week and it could have got in with that. Gail just demurs and agrees it could have been. They ask her if Rick ever came to the house. They say he did and even came to their wedding reception. The police say they've picked Rick up for questioning and then leave. David is pleased there could be another out for them but Gail doesn't feel any better about things.

Ciaran and Sunita are sitting on the same side of the table now and laughing together. Steve whispers to Becky but she won't say how she is. He then asks if she's been drinking and takes the glass out of her hand. He finds out, of course, that's it's straight voddy. She backs up and goes into the bar.

Leanne comes out of the bedroom in her pjs and dressing gown only to be shocked to see Peter come in the door with a smile and looking for a snog.

Steve comes into the back room where Becky is sitting with her head in her hands. He gives her hell for drinking and jeopardizing the baby's health. Finally she hollers back at him, she's lost the baby ok????!!! She grabs her jacket and runs out.

Tvor

Peter has turned up to surprise Leanne. He has left rehab and tells Leanne he's strong enough to cope. Leanne is unsure and asks if Peter has told George. He hasn't. Of course. Peter is disappointed that Leanne isn't more excited to see him. Leanne is worried that Peter has been thrown out of rehab. Peter promises that he hasn't, he left of his own accord, has been strong and he's pleased that he can look Leanne in the eye again.

In the bar, Liz and Ciaran make some smart remark to Steve about Becky. Steve tells his mother straight, "She's lost the baby." Liz is shocked.

Peter is talking to Leanne about rehab and how healthy he is. He is looking forward to seeing Simon and is upset to hear that George has taken Simon to Spain. I might add that when I lived in Sydney, my mother came to visit with my brother and, even though they weren't separated or anything, my father had to sign a form to allow my brother to leave the country with her. I'm just sayin'.

Steve has gone round to see if Becky is with Hayley and Roy. Hayley tells Steve how sorry she is about the baby. Steve asks Hayley, if she sees Becky, to tell her he loves her. Aww, I love Steve and Becky.

Peter is incensed that Leanne has let George take Simon away. Leanne explains that he is with George in their holiday home in Marbella. Peter quite rightly points out that Leanne doesn't know that. Leanne tries to assure Peter that Simon is fine but Peter isn't quite convinced and begrudges the fact that Leanne didn't tell him. Leanne lets Peter know the reality of their relationship- that there's an awful lot she doesn't tell him for fear that he will hit the bottle again. Peter drags out some alcoholic-in-recovery psychobabble about how other people not wanting an alcoholic to change is one of the greatest stumbling blocks for an alcoholic to succeed in staying sober. Leanne is rightly incensed by this and grabs her bag and leaves the flat. What she doesn't realise is that she's still in her pyjamas. She's stranded on the street in her jimjams and even Carla's not answering her phone.

Ciaran approaches Liz at the bar. He is concerned that Liz is still embarrassed about their previous incident. Liz is shocked to hear Ciaran say this and tells him that she's simply had some bad news she is dwelling on. She promises Ciaran she'll cheer up, like a professional landlady would. Leanne comes into the bar. She asks Liz if she could borrow a coat.

Dev is outside his shop chatting a little with Hayley when he sees Sunita walking towards him. He asks Sunita if she has come to collect the twins. (from where?) Sunita challenges Dev about not coming to the pub to have a drink. She is amused to hear that Dev was jealous because he saw Sunita and Ciaran sitting together in the pub. She teases him a little and asks him again to join her for a drink.

Steve sticks his head in the cab office to ask if Becky has been in. She hasn't. He tells Lloyd that Becky has miscarried. Lloyd is sorry to hear this. Steve is upset that Becky hasn't come to him for comfort. Lloyd wonders if Becky has headed to the hospital to get herself checked out. Steve takes some keys and heads back out.

The police are taking David's laptop which David is most definitely not happy about it. He protests and protests but the police insist they need it. The police find a brand new life insurance policy of which Gail is the sole beneficiary. Oh dear, Gail.

Dev and Sunita are in the Rovers. Dev asks Liz what she was thinking, taking on Ciaran again. Ciaran indulges in a little good-natured ribbing of Dev. Dev seems to have lost his sense of humour. Norris comes in, complaining about his lack of time off and plonks himself down at Dev & Sunita's table. Dev is quite clearly annoyed by this and offers to buy Norris a stiff drink. Norris leaves them and Dev takes Sunita's arms and tells her how much he has missed the two of them spending time together.

Meanwhile, Leanne is on the blower to Carla to cancel the girls night they had planned since Peter is home. "He wanted to surprise me. Worked an' all," she tells her mate.

Steve can't find Becky and has called Lloyd. The hospital couldn't tell him anything about whether or not Becky went to see them but a kind midwife caught up with him in the car park and told him they hadn't seen Becky at all. Steve is even more upset that Becky hasn't turned to him at this difficult time. He feels Becky is trying to punish her for getting her pregnant in the first place.

Dev and Sunita are talking in the pub. Sunita tells Dev that she doesn't need Dev to impress her. She just wants to be respected. She tells Dev, to his delight, that she wants them to be a family again. As Dev dives in for a kiss, Sunita reminds him they need to take it slowly. Dev pulls back and tells her he won't even kiss her in that case.* *"Well, there's slow and there's slow," says Sunita. She touches Dev's face quite tenderly.

Tina pulls up in Bill's Ute and asks Norris, who is outside the shop, whether or not he has any paracetamol. Norris tells her to help himself. While Tina is inside, Jason explains to Norris that they've been to Lake Windermere to see where Joe drowned. Tina comes back out and wonders what the cops are doing at Gail's place. She rushes over there to ask the police, who are bringing stuff out to the car, whether or not they have any more information. Tina sees her father's diary, bagged up as evidence. Tina becomes upset again. Jason tries to comfort her. The police inform her that Joe couldn't have sent her the flowers or the texts because Joe was already dead. They tell Tina that Gail sent them because she felt sorry for Tina. Tina is distraught again, upset that she seems to have been the last thing on Joe's mind.

Peter finds Leanne, still in her pjs, in the street. They remark how their reunion wasn't quite how either of the would have pictured it. They joke about Debra Winger and Richard Gere before Peter scoops Leanne up to whisk her home.

Becky is being thrown out of a pub as Steve pulls up in front of it. Steve drags her away before she can get into any more trouble.

Tina and Jason watch the cops drive off. Once they're out of sight, Tina barges over to Gail's house to confront Gail about the flowers and the texts. Gail invites her in. Tina thinks that David is twisted enough to have thought of the idea to send them. Gail tells Tina that it was her but David backs his mum up, telling Tina it was both of them who had the idea. Gail tries to explain that she thought Joe would walk through that door any minute. Tina goes to walk out but Gail reminds Tina that Joe loved her. Tina is upset that she hadn't called the police for ten days because she thought her dad was alive. Tina thinks that if she had known he was planning to do something stupid, she could have saved him. Tina leaves in a huff. David asks his mother why she let Tina talk to her like that. Gail confesses that she feels the same way as Tina, that she could have saved him.

Steve has brought his wife home. Becky is trying to put a brace face on things but Steve knows that Becky is hurting very badly. He tells Becky that he knows she is hurting because of the way she is behaving and tells her that he is upset that Becky didn't come to him when she miscarried, like most women would have gone to their husbands. Becky cries she's not like most women. She doesn't think she'll ever have a baby because she's being punished for being so bad as she was growing up. Steve assures her that it's not a punishment and that these things just happen. Becky is convinced that she'll never be a "proper" mum. "It's never going to happen for me, Steve, so it won't for you, as long as you're with me," she says, wiping her eyes. Steve gives her a big cuddle and tells Becky she doesn't mean that. But Becky does mean it even though, "I do. I wish I didn't, but I do." Becky cries on her lovely husband's shoulder. Poor Becky.

Stella McLoughlin

Steve's about to take Becky for a medical appointment. She thinks it's a waste of time, they'll only tell her what she already knows, but Liz thinks it's a good idea for her to be checked over. "Let's get it over with," she says glumly.

Leanne wakes up to find Peter going through his bag, he's looking for something smart to wear to go and meet Simon from the plane. She persuades him to go and get a shower and says she'll iron him a shirt.

Mary is in the Kabin with Norris, Emily has told her that it's his birthday. "We must celebrate!" she says, although he's not keen. She says he must tell her what he wants for his birthday. He says he doesn't want anything, but she says he's too selfless and she'll put her thinking cap on.

Gail is on the phone to Sarah, telling her not to feel bad she's got Bethany to think of. David remarks to Audrey that it should be the other way round, she should be giving Gail sympathy. When she gets off the phone Audrey asks how Sarah is. Gail replies that she should have phoned the police straight away, they might have found Joe before it was too late. "I as good as killed him myself," she says, "I don't blame Tina for hating me." David protests that Tina doesn't hate Gail, she's just upset. Gail says she needs air and goes outside.

Dev goes into the shop and Molly wishes him a happy birthday - it's the big 5-0! "The big 4-6," says Dev, and goes on to tell her that Sunita has not only forgiven him, she loves him and she's coming round tonight for meal.

Tina goes into the Kabin and asks Norris if it would be ok if she went back to work after her dad's funeral. Mary tells her it's wise not to push herself before she's ready and not worry as Norris has her to help him now. Kindly, she asks Tina if she'd like a cup of tea, but after a moment's hesitation, Tina refuses. Norris tries to persuade her, saying she might need something to calm her nerves after the to-do round at Gail's yesterday. "You seemed somewhat annoyed," he says, obviously fishing. "Well so would you," says Tina, " if you found out that you'd been part of a conspiracy," and she goes on to explain how Gail sent her a text pretending to be Joe so that she wouldn't go looking for him. "Where does she get off, sending me texts and flowers on my birthday, making me believe he was alive and well, when all the time….."

Becky goes into the cafe and sits down with Hayley. She tells her she's been to the doctors and she's fine. Roy asks if she'd like a hot chocolate with marshmallows. "You always know just what I need," she tells him. She tells Hayley that at least she didn't have time to get used to the idea. Deep down she wasn't sure if she'd make a good mum, so it was like someone was telling her she was right all along. "Don't be daft!" exclaims Hayley, "these things happen, it doesn't mean anything." Becky thinks it was too good to be true, She, Becky, married with a kiddie? No, she should be content to just have Steve, that's enough for the likes of her, she should never have wanted more.

Audrey goes into the Kabin and tells Tina that none of it is helping, Gail is in bits. "She shouldn't have lied to me," says Tina. Audrey says Gail was just covering for Joe, and only did it from the best of intentions, adding that she always supported Joe no matter what. "She was even selling her home for him," she says, "so please don't take out your grievance on her." Tina says she's not saying Gail didn't love Joe, but she wasted time, time that could have saved him. Audrey says that none of them could have saved Joe from the loan shark, he shouldn't have got into debt in the first place. "What are you talking about?" asks Tina, looking puzzled. "Are you saying that he had something to do with my dad's death? That it wasn't an accident?" Audrey then realises that Tina didn't know the police were questioning the loan shark. As Tina looks stunned, Mary and Norris look on, astounded.

Later, Norris goes over to the Rovers, where he announces to Liz that Joe was murdered. "Murdered?" says Liz. "By a loan shark," says Norris, and goes on to explain how he overhead Audrey. "I'm just trying to keep you informed," says Norris, and Audrey replies that she appreciates his community spirit.

Liz then goes over to Steve and asks how he's feeling. She says he can be as strong as he likes for his wife, but she's his mum. He tells her that when Becky first told him she was pregnant he was over the moon, it felt so right. Now this has happened, and he feels daft because it wasn't much more than a speck. "It was still your child," says Liz, "you're entitled to grieve and wonder what it would have been like. You'll wonder the rest of your life."

Lloyd and Teresa come in, and Lloyd says he'll get the drinks. "Well you always do," says Teresa, and tells him that she's fed up with being skint, she doesn't want to sponge off him. "So why don't you get a job then?" asks Kelly, who's also just come to the bar. There then follows a bit of banter between them until Teresa says she'll find a job by the end of the day. "A tenner says you won't!" says Kelly as she goes off back to work.

Tina is talking to Jason. "It's one thing him being dead, but murdered?" she says. Jason tells her it's just something they're looking into, but Tina reckons it makes sense, the guy put burning paper through their letter box. Jason then realises that it doesn't add up, if the loan shark had murdered Joe, how come he was round their place looking for him?

Teresa drops hints about Lloyd giving her a job, but he refuses, saying they don't need anybody.

Becky comes out all dressed up to go for a bit of retail therapy. Liz and Steve watch her go with concerned looks on their faces.

Outside, Leanne knocks on Ken's door and asks if Peter's there. "No, he's in rehab isn't he?" says Ken. "Not any more," says Leanne.

Tina goes to Gail's and knocks on the door. It's opened by Audrey. "It's ok, I've not come to cause trouble," says Tina, "I just need to talk." Once inside, she tells Gail that she's heard that the police think the loan shark killed Joe. "That's right," says Gail. Tina says it doesn't make sense, why would he be looking for him if he'd already killed him? And how did he know where they were? Gail thinks he must have followed them there, he must have been watching them. "Waiting his chance, and I gave it to him," says Gail, who is continuing to beat herself up. "I should never have let him go out there, or I should have stayed. I should never have let him get in so much debt, I should have helped him." Tina says he was stubborn, he wouldn't let them help him. "The mess he was in, it wasn't your fault," she tells Gail, "you did everything you could."

Ken and Leanne walk over to the bookies as Peter arrives back. He's been to the airport, but Simon wasn't on the plane. He waited for the next one but he wasn't on that either, and George's mobile is switched off. Ken asks why he left rehab. "No point staying," says Peter, "I'm all right now." He tries again to ring George, without success.

Teresa accosts Roy in the Street and asks for work, saying she can start right now if he likes. Roy tells her he's had to cut staff hours and isn't in a position to employ anyone. As Roy walks off, Kelly comes along. "Taking to standing on street corners now, have we?" she sneers. Teresa tells her she's going for an interview. "Where?" asks Kelly. "There!" says Teresa, pointing at Underworld!

She walks straight across the street, up the steps and into the factory, with Kelly right behind her. Once inside, she heads straight for Carla's office and steps inside and closes the door. "What the ‘ell do you want?" asks Carla. "Just 30 seconds of your time," says Teresa, and explains that she told Kelly that she had an interview because Kelly's been taking the mickey out of her because she hasn't got a job. "I know it was a stupid thing to do," she says. "Basically, you've marched into my office and interrupted my work, just to put one over on Kelly Crabtree," says Carla. Teresa says that's the gist of it. Carla gets up and opens the door, and as Teresa steps out into the factory Carla tells her she'd better be there at 8.30 sharp tomorrow. "Oh, thanks very much," says a startled Teresa, "you won't regret this!"

Becky arrives back to the flat with her shopping bags, and starts to show Steve what she's bought. "Becky, you're hiding from me," says Steve, "we're in this together, I hurt too." Becky says she knows, that's why she can't bear to look at him. She probably had so much smoke and booze in her bloodstream the baby didn't stand a chance. "Don't be daft!" says Steve, "miscarriages can happen to anyone. Stop beating yourself up." He hugs her, telling her the best thing they can do is try for another baby. Becky is worried, she's not putting herself through that again. "There's not going to be a next time," she says, "I had me chance and I blew it!" She marches out of the room.

Dev is entertaining Sunita while the twins watch tv. He tells her it's the best birthday he's had in years, but it's nearly the twins' bedtime so he should call her a taxi. She says it would be a shame to disturb them. He says they could always stay, the twins could have Amber's room. "I hope you're not suggesting….." teases Sunita. Hastily Dev says he could sleep on the couch, but it seems Sunita has other ideas. "I thought we were taking things slowly?" says Dev. She tells him it's his birthday, what else can she give the man who has everything? She kisses him. "Eeerrrr!" chorus the twins!

The police have the insurance forms for Joe's life insurance policy. There is Gail's signature, large as life. "So she did know about it," says one of them. "Have it examined for prints," says the other, "as soon as it's back we'll pay her a visit."

Anne Logan

Friday again! Gail's sort of slumped against the kitchen counter with a dead cup of tea. She tells David she thinks she'll go back to work today.

Tina is nowhere near ready for anything. She's weeping into her Marigold as she looks at the work he did in the flat. She tells Jason she keeps thinking about the lake and whether he was frightened or knew what was happening.

In the cafe, Peter is furious as he tries George's phone but gets a message that the phone is unavailable. Leanne's told him that George is due to bring Simon back from Spain today and Peter is more and more impatient. Trevor, the bin man, is with Janice at the same table but they're not saying much. Peter's agitation seems to make them nervous.

Dev is in the kitchen, playing chef, teasing the twins and making plans for the day.

Teresa's arrived for her trial and as she trades insults with Kelly over which machine she'll have her trial on, Carla wheels out the mop and bucket. She needs a cleaner, not another gobby machinist. "Scrubber!" says Kelly.

Gail's dressed. David's worried about her and warns her to be careful what she says. He makes her a cup of coffee and Gail tells him she would not have got through this without him.

In the pub, Becky's moving packs of mixers around and Steve's anxious about her. She tells him she owes Liz a lot of hours and has to do some work. They're interrupted by a hammering at the door. It's Claire, bearing baby clothes. "I lost it - had a miscarriage," Becky says. Clair grabs her in a big hug, though it's clear this makes Becky feel awkward.

John goes into the shop to buy some clothes line and notices Dev had a new assistant. Sunita points out she's the old assistant and Dev introduces John to her as Fiz's husband. Sunita tells him she's glad Fiz has married. She's read in the papers that Fiz had got involved with a nutter who kidnapped Rosie Webster! "She forgave him," an embarrassed Dev tells her. "And married him," says John. Sunita makes a garbled apology. John tells her the washing line is for the back yard, not for tying someone up. "And if it's any consolation, there are some, including your husband, who think Fiz was mad to give me another chance." He leaves the shop. Dev gives Sunita a hug and Claire comes in. She tells them that seeing them together has brightened her day. Graeme comes in behind her and picks up a packet of biscuits. Without really turning round, Claire tells him that if Ashley's sent him to buy chocolate biscuits then he should tell Ashley he's busted! Graeme opts to get just some chewing gum instead. Graeme tells them all a complicated story that basically means he was out with Kirk, who spent the night chatting up a girl, Candy, but at the end of the night she gave Graeme her phone number after Graeme gave her money for a taxi. He asks for advice on this ethical dilemma. Dev and Claire give him conflicting advice on whether or not to tell Kirk.

Emily finds Norris sweeping the pavement on his birthday. Norris is fed up with Mary singing him Happy Birthday all the time. Emily hands him a card with Rita's writing on it. It's a musical card!

At the police station the forensic report on the boat is back. It shows there's evidence of a struggle and traces of Joe's blood. One detective makes the case that Gail killed him for the insurance money. "Let's bring her in," says the other. Now, this is the problem with underfunded forensic science labs in this country. They've clearly missed the hair, tissue and blood on the end of the boom, and the boom-shaped dent in Joe's head. I blame the government.

In the pub, Dev chats to Kirk about his night in town with Graeme. Nearby, Gail is at the bar while Audrey and David talk about her. Liz expresses her condolences. Liz has heard that a loan shark killed Joe.

Out the back, Steve tries to stop Becky going to the bar. She wonders if he's ashamed of her because she can't even do pregnant properly. Upset, she rushes back upstairs.

Kirk tells Dev that about the only success he had was one girl who gave him her phone number after he'd given her taxi money. Dev guesses that her name was Candy.

Liz finds a glum-looking Steve in the back room. He says Becky thinks he blames her. Liz explains how difficult the whole situation has been for Becky. "We all grieve in our own way," she says, saying Becky's is probably to have a go at anyone in her line of sight.

Claire's in the cafe and tells Graeme he's a coward for not telling Kirk about Candy leaving her number. But Kirk gets in first and tells Graeme about the taxi money and says he's going to ring Candy now. Graeme admits he also gave her some money. Graeme clicks before Kirk does as Kirk keys his phone and Graeme's phone starts ringing. Kirk takes ages to realise that they're speaking to each other across the table by phone! "Why have you got Candy's phone?" asks Kirk.

John's helping Claire with a letter she's writing to the council. Fiz comes in in a hurry to get back before Carla notices she's missing.

At the other table, Kirk's phone is ringing. He tells Graeme it's Candy. As he tries to talk to Candy, Graeme hangs up and shouts: "Kirk! She gave me your number and you mine!" Kirk looks puzzled. "So how are we going to contact her about our money?" Graeme sighs.

Claire, Fiz and John get into a conversation about whether he misses teaching.

Liz finds Becky lying on the sofa. She sits down and tells Becky she knows how she's hurting. Becky is defensive. She says she can't stop thinking about what the baby might have done in her life. Liz, choking up a bit, tells Becky about Katy, who would have been 18 now. Katy, you might remember, only lived a day. "At least I did get to hold her," says Liz, as Becky realises and hugs her. Liz says that what happened was the beginning of her and Jim drifting apart and she wants to warn Becky that she and Steve have to get through this together, not drift apart.

Teresa's made a magnificent job of the kitchen area. She leaves as the others bring back their mugs. Once Kelly's alone, she spills coffee on the floor and deliberately spreads sugar or something into it. Teresa brings Carla back to inspect her job and Carla is less than impressed. "Someone's just done that," Teresa calls after her.

Leanne arrives at the bookies to find Peter still grumpy. He feels like he's not complete when Simon's not there. Leanne's worried that Peter's a timebomb and it frightens her. Her phone goes. It's George so she answers.

The police arrive outside Gail's. David sees them from outside the salon.

Peter's storming out to his car, furious that George told Leanne Simon was tired and maybe they should wait until tomorrow to fetch him.

David tells the police that if Gail's not answering then she's not home.

Trevor and Norris argue about problems with Norris's bin. Norris thinks Trevor's being officious. "If I told you where to put your bin, would you do it?" asks Trevor.

Gail and Audrey come down the street together and speculate that the loan shark has confessed. The police ask Gail to come down to the station and put her into their car. They don't answer David's question about whether she's being arrested. Tina and Jason see her driven away, as does Norris.

The End of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

And we're back to where we left off. Gail has just been driven from the Street and of course, nosy Norris is first on the scene. Tina is a close second and wants to know what is going on. Before Audrey can answer, Norris bursts into an explanation of Gail being dragged away for questioning against her will. Audrey shuts him up and tells Tina that she is certain that it's a misunderstanding and she and David are heading to the station now.

A temper fueled Peter is having a go at George again. He is demanding to know where Simon is. George replies that he has had a tiring day and is resting. Peter warns George that he will force his way in but George tells him to give it his best shot. And who do you call when a fight is about to get out of hand? The police? Superman? Why, no, Ken Barlow of course! Taking this age old tradition on board, Leanne hastily dials his number.

Kelly has decided that it would be a good idea to wind Teresa up, obviously harbouring some form of death wish. She boasts that she has spilled some coffee. Teresa tells her to clear it up but Kelly says that there's no need when there is a skivvy around to do it for her. As expected, Teresa puts the mop to it's proper use and slams it against Kelly's throat. Fiz tries to pull a thrashing Teresa off of Kelly and Carla comes out to find out what's going on. Teresa cried that Kelly has been winding her up. Carla retorts that she shouldn't be stupid enough to rise to it and sacks her on the spot.

Mary tells Norris that she has booked a table for him at a Spanish restaurant for his birthday. Dismissing the chance of some decent paella, Norris reminds her that at his age, celebrating being on borrowed time is silly. Mary swoons that he is still vigorous (vigorously annoying, yes), virile (ahem), an unlined face (an optician's appointment beckons) and with a head full of hair that would pass for a younger man's (well, true). Hilariously Norris actually agrees with her but nevertheless insists that a drink in the Rovers will be more than enough excitement for him.

David and Audrey have arrived at the station and are demanding to know why Gail is being kept. David cries that she has been through enough. The officer suggests that they have a cup of tea but Audrey comments that the tea they have on offer is below par. Audrey after all is used to sipping beverages at fancy balls with high class male escorts.

We arrive at the cab office to find Steve picking the sponge filling from one of the office chairs. Becky comes in and questions this bizarre action but he says the chair has got him through many crisis'. Some would argue that if he picks away at that chair every time he has a tough time then surely, there'd be none of it left. Becky apologises to him, saying that she doesn't mean to snap at him. He shrugs and says that that's what he's there for and that's what the chair is there for. But the question is, if Becky vents on Steve and Steve vents on the chair, who on earth does the poor chair go to?

Thins are getting very volatile at George's manor but luckily, bodyguard Ken is on the scene to disperse any trouble. Peter is threatening to call the police and George shrugs and says that he should feel free. Leanne is relieved to see Ken. Peter appeals to ken saying that George won't let him see Simon. George argues that it's no wonder when Peter skips rehab and comes over shouting. Ken tells everyone to calm down and suggests that they all go inside and discuss things with cooler heads.

Gail is furious with the officers for making her feel like a common criminal. She asks them if they have charged Rick yet. They reply that they have, but he has nothing to do with Joe's death. Gail wonders why she is here then and the police say that they need her to go through the night's events another time… there is a lot resting on it. Gail looks very worried …and she has a good right.

Tina and Jason have arrived at the station already. Tina is slightly hysterical and wants to know what's going on. Audrey assures her that they know as much as they do. Jason suggests speaking to the man on reception but David coldly replies that naturally, he and Audrey had already thought of that plan. He goes on to say that it doesn't matter how long they keep her, they will eventually realise that she has done nothing wrong. You'd think after his regular encounters with the Corrie police force that he would be a bit less optimistic…

The police are talking about the struggle Gail had with Joe on the night. Gail tells them Joe was not a violent man but the police are hinting at her, not Joe. They inform her that Joe had scratches on his face and ask if she had done that. She says that she supposes she could have when she was trying to stop him going. They go on to ask if she inflicted any other injuries. She replies that he hurt his wrist quite badly when he fell over but they then ask her about the big whack to the head he got. Gail looks shocked and claims she has no idea, but it doesn't seem like that she is convincing anyone.

Trev swaggers up to Carla in the Rovers and comments that she is very smartly dressed for a cleaner, simultaneously offending cleaning staff nationwide. Carla decides to play along and says that she is a modern day Cinderella. He asks her to stay for a drink but she declines and heads for the door, but not before giving her number. He asks her name but she cheekily replies that she already told him that it was Cinderella.

Norris is very disappointed with his feet related birthday presents. It turns out that Emily bought him toe spreader (what on earth is that!?) and Rita had bought him bed socks. He moans that he feels like he doesn't exist above the ankles. Emily tells him that he's still to receive Mary's present. She is going to collect it now and apparently it's not cheap and is handmade. What's the betting that it is something relatively crazy?

Peter is furious that Simon had been carted off to Spain and feels he should have been consulted first. George snaps that he didn't have a direct line to rehab. Ken puts it more politely, saying they agreed it would be best not to rile Peter if he was making progress. George argues that Simon was in good hands but Peter argues that he wants to know where his son is 24/7. He is eventually persuaded to pick Simon up in the morning as he is fast asleep now.

The police start talking about the life insurance plan. Gail firmly reminds them that it was Joe's plan and she knew nothing about the life insurance policy. The police then bring out the life insurance form… complete with Gail's signature. Gail is aghast and claims that it must be a forgery as she has never seen that form before in her life. The police ask her if she is sure she doesn't want a solicitor but she is adamant that she doesn't need one and she is not sure what they are trying to make this look like but she has nothing to add.

Fiz has been handed some teaching magazines for John and she asks him why he's been ordering these. John tells her that why he's grateful for Roy's kindness, teaching is his vocation and he wants to go back to it.

Teresa comes into the pub looking pleased with herself. Not one to learn her lesson, Kelly snipes that she doesn't know how Teresa can afford to drink seeing as she won't be getting any wages. Teresa smugly tells her that she went back and apologises to Carla and Fiz phoned and backed her up, so she has been reinstated.

The suspense over Norris's present for Mary is quite high. Mary suggests they go somewhere more private with the gift but Norris is fine where he is (you have no idea the things that went through my head during this conversation) What eventually tumbles out of the bag is in fact a toupee. So much for that head of youthful hair!

Becky bounces into the bar and asks Steve if he still wants a baby. He says more than anything and she says let's do it then. He grabs her and she wails that she didn't mean now (so maybe shouting let's do it then was probably a bit misleading) but he doesn't care and says they can always have the practice

Mary tells Norris that the toupee is fire retardant so that's a relief for when the annual Street fire comes along. She tells him that it's ready to stick on now but he says that there is only one place this is going and he storms off to the toilet. However when he is in there, he does in fact try it on. And it's very fetching indeed.

Eve is looking on the bright side and says at least it proves that Peter cares. George replies that if he cared then he'd have stayed in therapy, before going on to say that Simon will never reach his full potential while he is with Peter.

As Gail leaves the station the police comment that she reeks of guilt. David asks Gail if she is all right and she stammers no because the police think that she killed Joe.

The end of another week.
Until next time

Duncan Lindsay

Written by David Lane directed by David Kester

We start another week in Coronation Street with Peter anxious to fetch Simon from George. Leanne cautions Peter to keep his cool as they get in the car. Meanwhile, Kelly, Sean, Janice and Trevor are hurrying down to the factory. I guess Trevor is just walking them down on his way to work? Kelly is slagging off Teresa and Trevor is appalled. Teresa?? the Cleaner?? Hayley arrives and but before she can open the factory door only Teresa pops out to run out for bleach just as Carla drives up in her Merc. Trevor realizes Teresa is the same cleaner but not the cleaner he met. He turns around and feasts his eyes on an amused Carla. Ouch. She says it was more fun pretending. He assumes the date is off but she smiles and makes a date and time for tomorrow night, warning him that she doesn't want her staff to know her business. He watches her go inside and turns around, punching the air happily.

Tina and Gail exchange a glance through the net curtains. Tina is trying to get her head around the police questioning Gail. She can't believe Gail could kill Joe. David, maybe but not Gail. Jason thinks she needs to talk to Gail. Across the road, Gail is fretting. Audrey arrives to check on her. Gail admits she feels even worse than when she found out Joe was dead. David offers to make tea and Audrey compliments him on his support. Gail mentions that Nick is coming again, too.

Peter knocks on George's door but George pretends that Eve has taken Simon to school already. George makes out that it just slipped his mind that Peter said he was coming. Leanne keeps her cool and says they'll just get him from school this afternoon. George fobs off Peter from getting Simon's stuff and says he'll bring it over later. Leanne decides they'll have a little welcome home party. They leave, George goes inside. Peter looks doubtful and no wonder. We then see that George had Simon inside the house all along. Eve finds out George had lied to Peter and isn't too thrilled to find out that George seems determined to keep Simon away from Peter. Even when Simon asks when he's going home, George is vague. He takes Simon himself because he's got a meeting in town though doesn't tell Eve what it's about.

Tina has come to see Gail who promises she had nothing to do with Joe's death. David tells Tina that the police are just covering all the angles because they have to be seen to do their job. It seems to convince Tina and Gail both for the time being. David assures them both things will be fine.

Outside, Nick has arrived but he takes a side trip into the factory. Kelly takes another chance to insult Teresa and then, spying Nick, flips her hair back and drools over him. How could someone like that come from Gail? Janice, never a fan of her ex son-in-law agrees but for the opposite reasons. Kelly manages to insult both Teresa who comes back and insults Kelly and Sean both by saying Kelly has as much chance with Nick as Sean has at being Mr. Universe which spawns a great line from Sean "Teresa luv, Coming from someone with a face like a blind cobbler's thumb, it's a bit rich, *you* questioning my pulling power!" Nick wants to see Carla though hasn't got an appointment. He blags his way into the office but doesn't get very far with Carla. She doesn't need a partner. He begs, says they'd be a good team and wants to see the books. He promises that he's good at what he does but he is dismissed summarily though she does grin behind his back at his cheekiness. He seems to eye up the staff on his way out and makes eye contact with Kelly.

Stape is perusing teaching magazines behind the counter at the cafe in a quiet moment. Claire comes in for a vanilla slice and an eclaire. Chesney is doing some homework at a table. John corrects his writing and spelling. Turns out he's writing an essay on Shakespeare but is having trouble with it. John starts to explain until Fiz comes in for a coffee and a cake. He offers to help Ches after school with Shakespeare and Ches actually seems pleased for the assistance. John looks forward to it.

Over at Platt Towers, Nick and Gail have a hug while David throws a few snide remarks over his shoulder. She and David fill in Nick on the Police investigation. Nick says he'll stay over. The phone rings and it's the police again but they've only called to say they are releasing Joe's body. Now they can have a funeral. Nick and David both think it's a good sign, they must be done with their investigations and are marking it down as an accident.

Trevor is in the betting shop. They chat horses for a minute. Leanne comes down, she's on her way to Freshco for a dinosaur cake and strawberry jelly.

During tea break, Kelly looks for someone to go clubbing but her choice of club is apparently not a pristine and trendy place. More insults between Teresa and Kelly across the table. Janice asks Hayley if she knows why Nick was talking to Carla and they speculate over why. Business? Date? More insults. Hayley ushers them all back to work.

At the school gates, Leanne and Peter chat with Claire. The kids start emerging but there's no Simon. Josh says that Simon was already picked up by George. Peter gets George on the phone and hollers at him to bring Simon home now. He'll meet George at the flat.

Gail has come across to tell Tina that they can start planning a funeral. She asks Tina to help if she wants since she now feels like she really didn't know Joe at all even though she still loved him. She didn't know what hymns he liked, lots of other things. Tina assures her that Joe loved her because she stood by him through all the bad things as well as the good. They hug and comfort each other.

Stape is talking to Chesney about Shakespeare. Ches doesn't "get" Shakespeare but John surprises Chesney when he explains that teenage boys used to act the female rolls. Fiz comes in and sees them with their heads together. "So this Viola, who is dressed up as Cesario would probably have been played by a lad called Derek?" By George, I think he's got it! Fiz looks on at the two men in her life affectionately.

Leanne and Peter are all set for their little party. The doorbell rings and Leanne buzzes George and Simon up. Only there's no Simon!! Peter was right, he wasn't surprised that George has pulled another stunt. George says he and Eve are going to keep Simon until Peter proves he's fit to look after Simon. Leanne and Peter both are upset. It doesn't matter that George expects Peter to drink himself senseless at any minute. Peter decides he's not having it and runs out to go get Simon himself. He jumps in the car and spins his wheels around the corner. What the hell have you done! Leanne shouts at George!

Tvor

Peter has sped off. Leanne and George are arguing in the street. George trots out his usual line of "protecting Simon." George reckons that Peter is not fit to look after Simon. Leanne reminds George that that's not George's decision to make and she storms away, past Nick and Audrey, who are standing outside the salon. Nick calls, "Are you all right?" Leanne manages to suppress a, "No, I'm half left, actually!" (remember that?) and instead asks Nick if she looks all right before marching right past him. George is calling after Leanne. Audrey reminds Nick that he has plenty to worry about with his mother without getting involved in Leanne's business. "You know me, I can't resist a damsel in distress," jokes Nick.

In the Rovers, Becky sneaks up behind and drapes herself over Steve, kissing him. "Betty, how many time have I told you, no means no," says Steve, for a laugh. Becky just wants to spend some time with him. Meanwhile, Ken is having a quiet drink before Leanne rushes in and asks if that is his first drink. Ken answers in the affirmative and Leanne replies, "Good, coz we're going to need your car."

David and Gail are at home. David asks how Gail and Tina coped earlier and asks his mother if there's anything he can do for her. He agrees to make the tea- toast or pot noodle- but appears to be supportive towards his mother.

Peter pulls up outside George's house and thumps on the front door shouting, "Si?!"

The police detectives arrive at Audrey's salon. They want to ask Audrey some questions about Gail & Joe's relationship. Audrey tells them she never saw them rowing about money. She does, however, concede that she supposed that there would have been arguments between them. They wonder if the arguments ever got violent, asking if it would be possible that Gail would have hit Joe. Audrey points out how ridiculous that would be, given the size of Gail and then goes on, "If anyone was a victim in that relationship, it was my daughter, not Joe McIntyre." She refuses to elaborate further, she has a customer waiting for her.

Peter is still at George's, shouting for Simon. George arrives and tells Peter that Simon is definitely not there. He refuses to let Peter inside to see though. Peter smashes a window in George's patio door, cutting his hand in the process and barges inside. Simon is not home but Peter sees that George hasn't even packed Simon's things for him to go home to Peter & Leanne.

The cops are at the Rovers, having an orange juice, natch. They're discussing Audrey. Becky eyes them from across the bar. They know Becky is watching them and it makes them uneasy. Steve tells Becky to stop staring at them but Becky can't help it; police make her nervous. Nick comes to the bar and orders a drink, taking Becky's gaze away from the coppers, Glynn & Carr. Sean, Hayley and Kelly come into the bar. Sean and Hayley point out to Kelly that she's been whining about Teresa all day. They order their drinks and Nick offers to buy them. He pumps them for a little info about Carla and the factory. The police see Nick and come to ask him a couple of questions.

Fizz and John are at home, having a takeaway. Fizz tells John how nice it was to see him helping Chesney with his homework. She knows he misses teaching but urges him that he'll have to get used to it. John knows this.

Peter confronts George about not having any intention of bringing Simon home to him. Leanne and Ken, the "boy wonder", as George refers to him, arrive. George tells Ken that Simon is with Eve. Peter tells George that he will wait until Eve returns with Simon but George wants them all out of the house as soon as possible. Peter reminds George that he won't have a leg to stand on if he calls the police, since George took Simon without his permission and now he won't give him back to his father. "That's a lie, that." says George, defiantly. Peter calls the police himself.

Gail & David have finished tea when the doorbell rings. It's the supercops, Glynn & Carr again. They've come to talk to David- alone. David refuses to talk to them without his mother present. David is facetious with them as they ask questions about Gail & Joe's relationship, inferring that Joe treated Gail badly. Gail reminds the police that they are talking about her husband and she loved him. She asks them to leave. When they are gone, Gail is obviously dejected. She thinks that this is never going to end.

At George's house, Leanne thinks that Peter should have his hand looked at. George becomes all pompous about how he is protecting Simon from Peter's alcoholism. There is a car on the driveway and everyone thinks it's the police. In fact, Eve has turned up with Simon. George tells her to get back in the car and lock all the doors. Peter pleads with Eve to open the doors. Eve seems genuinely sorry to be doing this to Simon. Leanne reminds Peter not to start kicking off before the police arrive. Ken asks Peter to stay calm. Poor Simon sits in the back, looking confused.

Hayley, Kelly and Sean are having their drink. Kelly makes a mean joke about Hayley's salsa dancing and Hayley leaves in a huff. Sean tells Kelly she can me a right bitch sometimes and he leaves her too.

At the bar, Becky is asking Nick what "Cagney and Lacey" were asking about. She buys Nick a pint on the house, to thank him for being the object of the police's attention instead of her for once. Steve becomes affectionate with Becky who thinks he's just trying to get in her knickers. Steve protests that he means it. Becky gives him an affectionate thump. It looks like it hurt.

Nick has wandered over to Kelly and starts chatting her up. Kelly clearly thinks all her Christmases have come at once. He mentions that he might be buying into the factory and wants to get to know his employees. He buys Kelly another drink.

They're all still standing outside George's house, tension is building between George and Peter. Simon needs a wee. As Peter is taking Simon into the house for a wee, the police arrive just in time to see Peter go for George. The police are happy to see George, they recognised his address. George obviously has some sway with them. Poor Peter doesn't have a chance when they come to listen to everyone's stories.

At Fizz & John's place, John is doing something sneaky on the laptop which he doesn't want Fizz to see. She heads up for a bath and when she's gone we find out. he's looking for teaching positions on the internet.

Audrey sees Nick coming out of the pub. They talk about how the police have been asking them both questions. Audrey goes to tell Gail and asks if Nick is coming. Nick reckons he has some work to catch up on but tells Audrey he will check in on Gail later. "Well, make sure you do!" says his grandmother. After Audrey has left, Kelly comes out of the pub to meet him. They're headed into town for a night out. Before they go, Kelly wants Nick to know that she's not interested if all Nick wants is a "quick jump". Nick assures her that all he wants is a good night out. Kelly's happy with that.

George is giving the police his story about looking after Simon while Peter was in rehab. Peter is incensed by George's nasty tale-telling. The Police ask Peter what happened to his hand. George quickly jumps in to explain about the broken window pane. The police are clearly not interested in anything Peter has to say and even though Leanne reminds the policeman that Peter is not the one in the wrong, you just know it's all going pear-shaped for him. Leanne urges Peter not to give the police any excuse to make trouble for him. George mouths off to Peter about how he's wasting his time and Peter raises his voice. He tries to barge past the police to get to Simon who is still inside. The policeman huckles Peter there and then, arresting him for breach of the peace. Simon runs out of the house just in time to see the policeman strong-arming his father. Poor little fellow. Simon tries to pull the policeman off Peter while Leanne pleads with the police to let Peter go.

Audrey is talking to Gail about the police coming to see her. Gail knows that the police are looking for someone to blame for Joe's death.

Peter is being driven away in the cop car. Ken hopes that George is happy now. "I never wanted this, Ken," says George. But Ken thinks this is exactly what George wanted, irrespective of who got hurt. George wonders if this isn't actually for the best. Simon watches his dad being driven away and Ken tells George, "Try telling that to Simon."

Stella McLoughlin

Peter's being released without charge and Leanne goes to the police station to meet him. Peter turns to a police officer and tells him he should be after the bloke who has kidnapped his son - but Leanne hushes him and hurries him out of the station.

Over at George's residence, Eve remarks that all this arguing, and now the police involvement, is not doing Simon any good. George does have the grace to look somewhat abashed, but then suggests that they keep Simon off school until it all blows over. Eve doesn't agree, she thinks he's better off amongst his friends. George says she's probably right. "Maybe just a few days then," he says. Simon walks in just then and asks if his daddy is going to prison. "No, of course not," says Eve, and explains that the police just wanted to ask him a few questions, that's all. Simon wants to know when he's going to see Peter again. "Soon," she tells him. "How would you like a trip to Blackpool, today?" says George. Simon's worried about being in trouble with his teacher but George says he'll have a word, so he's not to worry. Eve quietly wonders about him having more time off, but George reckons another day won't do him any harm. "Tell you what, pack a bag in case we decide to stop overnight." He then tells her he's got to go to a meeting in town first, but to be ready in a couple of hours.

Janice's lodger, Trev, asks her what her favourite restaurant is. She tells him Pecunios is the best, adding that Peter and Leanne took her there once. She tells him it's expensive though. He assures her that money is no object for what he's got planned, and Janice smiles to herself, obviously thinking his plans include her.

Tina is about to head off with Gail to see Joe's body. She tells Jason it would be nice if you knew when people were going to die so that you could have that last conversation with them. Then she says that on the other hand you might hear things you wished you hadn't. Jason assures her she would never have heard anything bad from Joe, he worshipped her. He offers to go with her, but she tells him she'll be fine.

Nick pulls up outside Underworld with Kelly in the passenger seat of his car. He tells her that soon he could be her new boss, and asks how she'd like to be fast-tracked for promotion. Having got all her attention, he then says he just has to persuade Carla, and he really needs to see the accounts so he will know what to offer her. Kelly tells him she would do a lot of things, but crossing Carla is not one of them. "You're on your own there," she says, "she already hates my guts." He says he won't get far without them, but gives her a goodbye kiss, just as Carla comes along. She bangs on the car window. "Oi, what time do you call this?" she shouts. Kelly jumps out of the car and heads inside. Nick winds his window down and smiles at Carla. "Congratulations," she says. "What for?" he asks. "For managing to go even further down in my estimation," she says, and walks off.

Leanne calls Ken and Deirdre and tells them that Peter's home and hasn't been charged. Deirdre wants to know if anything is happening about George keeping Simon but is told it's not a police matter. Peter has been referred to Social Services. Deirdre hopes this won't lead to Peter hitting the bottle again and Ken says that's why he needs them around him now more than ever.

Over at their flat, Leanne apologises to Peter for letting George take Simon in the first place. He tells her there's nothing to apologise for, she had no reason to mistrust George. He wonders what they're going to do now, and she suggests that they go and pick him up from school. "And have another row with George?" he says, adding that Simon's traumatized enough. "How can he just keep him?" he says, "he's my son, I'm going to have to take legal action." Leanne points out that will cost a fortune and take forever. Peter reckons that one way would be to go to the school right now and get Simon. She wonders if they can do that. "Why not? He's my son, there's no law against it," says Peter, going to the fridge for milk. He stops when he sees a half empty bottle of wine sitting there. Leanne rushes over, apologising, saying she drank some last night, grabs it and pours what's left down the sink. Leanne tells him the good thing about his plan is that Simon won't have to witness another row, but Peter seems to be transfixed by the sight of the wine being poured away.

Tina and Gail are about to head off to the Chapel of Rest. Gail holds Tina's arm and says they'll be doing this together.

Peter and Leanne arrive at the school with an excuse about Simon's dental appointment that they'd forgotten. Simon's teacher frowns and tells them that Simon's not at school, his grandfather phoned this morning saying he was poorly. Peter, certain that's not true, is furious and when he and Leanne are alone he tells Leanne they're going to go and get him. "He's pushed me too far this time!" he says.

It's coffee break time at Underworld and the girls are discussing Nick's efforts to get information out of Hayley. Fiz is sure that Carla wouldn't sell to Nick, and Janice reckons that after what he did to Leanne, she should avoid him like the plague. Sean thinks Nick's too ‘fluffy' for Carla, she likes her men more heavyweight. Janice realises that Kelly has hardly said anything so far. "What about you? You're not saying much?" she says. Kelly says they'll just have to wait and see.

Peter and Leanne have arrived on George's doorstep, only to find no one at home. He tries George's phone yet again, but only gets the voicemail. Leanne thinks they should go back to the bookies and wait.

Gail and Tina have arranged the funeral and return from the undertakers. Tina is upset and says all she can see is her dad lying in the coffin. Gail suggests that they try to remember him as he was, full of life, laughing, joking, tender. Tina cries that he'll never be those things again, he's gone, and Gail hugs her as she sobs.

Trev phones Carla who flirts down the phone and asks where he's taking her. Just then Carla notices Julie loitering in the doorway and tells her to go and see Hayley for what she wants. Julie goes straight back to the workforce and tells them that Carla was on the phone arranging a date. They start to speculate on who it might be, when Janice tells them that Trev is going to ask her on a date this week. Julie brushes that aside and wonders aloud if it's Nick that Carla is going to go out with. Kelly tells them Carla can't be seeing Nick as she pulled him last night. "Well, is he taking over the factory or what?" asks Julie, oblivious to the fact that Carla has come in behind them. Kelly says that Nick's a man who gets what he wants, it's only a matter of time, and the place hasn't been the same since Carla took over. "And I'll be fast-tracked for promotion, obviously," she adds. "Are you sure about that, Kelly?" says Carla, causing Kelly to jump guiltily. Carla goes on to say that if she's unhappy she knows where the door is, she runs the factory and no one is indispensable, least of all some bird brained, deluded slapper like her! Kelly creeps back to her machine.

The police go to the yard to speak to Bill and Jason. Bill tells them about the time he thought Joe was about to steal the money from the charity collection on the bar of the Rovers, and Jason mentions the time Joe broke into the medical centre for the painkillers he was addicted to. Unfortunately, however, Tina just happens to be coming up the stairs at this moment and hears him! "You don't waste much time, do you?" she cries, "he's not even in his grave yet and here you both are slagging him off!" Jason tries to tell her that they're just answering questions but Tina's having none of it and rushes back down the stairs.

After her run in with Carla, Kelly has a change of heart and rings Nick, asking if he still wants her to look at the accounts, because she's changed her mind, she'll do it!

Ken and Deirdre go over to the bookies to see Peter and Leanne. Peter says he's checked the doctors and the hospital, but Simon hadn't been taken to either. He says he's going out of his mind wondering where he could be. Ken remarks that under the circumstances he's handling it well. "By not hitting the bottle again?" snaps Peter, "that's how I lost Simon in the first place. Do you think I'd be stupid enough to do it again?"

At that moment a man walks in who turns out to be a process server from the court and he hands Peter papers to read, informing him that there's going to be a court hearing next week and he's ordered to attend. He then leaves. Ken has a look at the papers and tells Peter that George seems to have persuaded the courts that Simon is at risk living with him and until a final decision is made he has legal custody. (I can't believe it can be that easy to take someone's child away!) Peter can't believe it either. "He can't do this!" he exclaims, but Ken says that it seems he can and he has.

George, Eve and Simon are now in Blackpool and as Simon goes off to buy candy floss, George remarks that he's happy now he hasn't got that mad father bothering him. Eve points out that they can't stay there for ever. George agrees, but says they don't have to go back to Weatherfield, they could go to their cottage in Berkshire. He then tells her how he went to the court earlier and now has legal custody. Eve is annoyed, she tells him it's a bad idea and it's something they should have talked about. George goes on to say that if things go his way he'll have Simon for good, and they can live in Berkshire and be out of Peter's clutches. Eve asks what will happen if he doesn't get the decision he wants. "Oh, don't worry about that. I'll get it all right," he tells her.

Anne Logan

Peter's on the phone, apparently to his lawyer. He doesn't seem pleased. Nope. The lawyer says the judge must have thought Simon was at risk if he gave George temporary custody. Peter must contest it at the hearing. Peter's about to call George, but Ken warns him he'll be playing right into George's hands if he makes a threatening phone call.

In an aquarium clearly based on a Kelly Tarlton design, Simon runs about looking at sharks while Eve has a go at George about what he's done. "Don't kid yourself this is about Simon. It's about you," She says. George tries to defend himself. "He's not going back to his dad and that's that!" he tells her. The idiot doesn't realise Simon is close enough to hear.

Jason finds Tina in the cafe. She's angry about hearing her father slagged off. She says her father would never steal charity money. Jason agrees that Bill might have misunderstood what he saw. Tina sends him away. John Stape, nearby, gets a phone call making an appointment for quarter past six.

Leanne's trying to be positive but Peter is too despondent. He doesn't think he has a hope of beating George in court, even if he had the money to afford a hot-shot lawyer. "What's he going to say? That I'm not an alcoholic? That I didn't nearly kill my kid in a fire?" He's beginning to think maybe George is right and Simon would be better off without him. Ken says it's a pity George got so close to Simon, but Peter warns him not to gloat. Ken and Deirdre decide to go home.

Simon wants some answers. Why isn't he going back to his dad's? He tells George and Eve he heard them rowing. George tells him he just meant they weren't going back tonight. And they might have a little holiday somewhere else. Simon wants to know why his daddy and Leanne can't come. George says they're both working. He tries to distract Simon with piranha and promises he can see Peter and Leanne soon. When Simon's gone off to look at more fish, Eve accuses George of lying, but George says he's not going to cut Simon off from his father completely. "They'll be able to visit." He says he wasn't there for Lucy but he's going to make damn sure he is for Simon and he's not going to let Simon's drunken father ruin his life.

Leanne's checking their options online and asks Peter about the solicitor he spoke to. Peter heads for the cupboards and says he's looking for something to eat. He tells Leanne he's hungry, not looking for a drink. She faces him down and he admits he wants just one drink, but that's all. Leanne says it will turn into another and another but Peter says it won't. He pushes past her to leave the flat.

Fiz sees John leaving home all dressed up. He says he's going for a drink with a former colleague but as soon as she's out of sight he whips out a tie and puts it on.

Leanne chases Peter down the street. He says of course he wants a drink, he's had his kid taken from him. "And why is that?" demands Leanne. At the door of the Rovers he tells her to leave him alone, he's going to have a drink. Leanne tells him to wallow in self-pity. "Tell yourself you've got the perfect excuse. And when you turn up drunk in court next week and you lose him forever, you'll have another perfect excuse. And when I leave you, you'll have another. Go on. Go ahead. Wreck your life. And Simon's. And mine!" Peter turns back from the door, tears in his eyes. He tells Leanne he's scared he's going to lose Simon but Leanne says he has to be stronger than ever because they're going to fight this.

George offers Simon some chips. Eve turns away and George turns to her as she tells him they should take him back. Simon's busy admiring a sphinx model in a tarot reader's display cabinet when he hears George say: "I'm taking him to Berkshire, whether you're coming or not!" Eve can't believe he'd actually wreck their marriage over this. Eve insists she's taking Simon back, whether George wants it or not. "You can't stop me." Neither of them notice Simon running away as George says: "I think you'll find I can. I'm the one who's got custody." "So now you're taking me to court and all," an astounded Eve says. They turn back and Simon is nowhere to be seen.

Gail's in the salon, talking to Audrey about how upset Tina got at the chapel of rest. Audrey's handing over sympathy and tissues. Gail weeps as she tells Audrey Joe was dressed in his wedding suit. Audrey suggests Gail take a break after the funeral, maybe going to Milan to stay with Sarah for a while.

George and Eve still can't find Simon. Eve's sure Simon was upset and scared but George says he's just wandered off. He refuses to let Eve call the police.

It's the end of the factory day. It's clear Carla has a date and she's not best pleased when Kelly claims she's lost an earring. I don't know why she's bothered. She's wearing two pairs! She wants to stay and look for it, rather than risk it being hoovered up. She suggests Carla leave the keys with her but Carla thinks that's a ridiculous idea. At least, she does until the hunt is in serious danger of making her late for her date with Trevor. "Right, here are the keys!" says Carla. She wants the keys put back through the letter box. She'll use her spare set. She gives Kelly the alarm code but warns her she'll be changing it tomorrow. As Carla leaves, Kelly gets the earring out of her handbag and puts it back in her ear.

John is greeted by the head of adult education. The man tells John he only received the CV this morning. "I normally wouldn't interview you at such short notice but we're desperate . . . Sorry, that came out wrong." They need a replacement for staff member who has just gone on long-term sick leave.

Trevor thinks Carla looks very nice. She can't believe he mistook her for "the manual type" and thought she was the cleaner. He wants them to start over again and they formally introduce themselves and shake hands. Carla asks him what he does for a living. He's reluctant to say, but admits he's a bin man. Carla goes quiet and he offers her the chance to leave but she says she's just embarrassed at what she said about "manual types". "You must think I'm a right snob." Trevor tells her she's a gorgeous snob but Carla says she's not a snob at all. She's got proper working class roots. Trevor suggests dinner. He's already booked it.

Kelly's in the factory office and the first thing she finds is a bottle of vodka. She hits a key on the computer and is stumped when she sees a screensaver.

It's dark, wet and windy in Blackpool now but George still refuses to call the police. Eve waits till he's gone to look somewhere else and then takes out her phone.

John's interview is going well. Then he's asked about his CV, where it says he taught at Weatherfield Comp until 2007. What's he been doing since then? John says he took some time out to travel. He's asked if he can start a week on Monday.

Tina can't believe the police are still in the street. The two detectives are outside the medical centre. "They should be trying to find out what happened to my dad, not digging up the dirt on him." She turns back towards home, abandoning their plans to go to the pub.

As the detectives get back into their car, one gets a phone call. "Apparently a couple of witnesses have come forward," he says. This couple have told the police they saw the McIntyres arguing and Gail was on the boat.

Peter and Leanne are discussing plans for court. He's not going to lose his rag, he says. He can't forget how scared Simon looked the last time he saw him. His phone goes. It's Eve. Peter can't believe his ears. He tells Eve they're on their way to Blackpool. "They lost him," he tells Leanne. "If anything's happened to him, Lee, I'll kill him."

In the street they meet Janice as they're getting into the car and quickly tell her the situation and ask her to tell Ken and Deirdre.

In the Blackpool darkness, a sad little boy trudges through the rain.

The end of episode one. Margaret Carr

And we begin the second instalment with a bawling Janice at the Barlow door screaming that Simon has gone missing in Blackpool. Ken and Deirdre insist that they get there right away and Janice offers to stay there by the phone for any further news.

In Blackpool, George is under a lot of strain, particularly when Eve tells him that she has been in touch with Peter. He wants to know why and she points out that it's because he is Simon's dad. George sighs and says ‘what have I done?'

Kelly is having trouble on the computer at Underworld. Nick is giving her orders down the phone but all she succeeds in doing is crashing the machine. She moans that she doesn't have a clue what she is doing and he will have to come and help her. Women and technology eh...?

Molly bumps into Fiz on the Street and sees that she has been shopping. She smiles that she can't remember the last time she bought herself something. Fiz coldly tells her that she has to be somewhere and leaves her standing alone

The couple from the Lake District are telling the police what they saw. They say that Joe and Gail seemed such a nice couple and it's hard to believe that he's dead. One of them asks if Joe was hitting her about and the other comments that they did seem to be in a very fiery argument on that boat

Fiz comes home and John tells her he's got a new job...teaching adults. And, while he's over the moon, Fiz doesn't seem quite as enthusiastic

Carla and Trev approach the Rovers. Carla says she has some business to take care of at the factory. Trev wonders if she is just ashamed at being seen with him. Carla tells him that that's rubbish and that he seems to have more of a problem with being a bin man than she does. Nick arrives on the scene at this point. Delaying Carla to avoid Kelly being caught he introduces himself to Trev. Carla takes Trev's arm and leads him into the pub, to Nick's relief.

Peter and Leanne catch up with George and Eve. Peter agitatedly tells George that he should beat him to a pulp but that won't help them find Simon. He officer tells Peter that there are specialists on Simon's trail and they are doing all they can. Although to a parent with a missing child, this is little comfort.

Nick finally arrives at the factory and seems frustrated with Kelly. He covers this up and though and tells him to wait back home for him and he'll pick up a bottle of bubbly on the way. She smiles seductively at him but warns him to lock up and put the key through the letterbox.

Tina visits Gail, who is on the phone to Sarah. When she comes off, Tina asks her if she is planning a holiday. Gail tells her that she wouldn't call visiting her child a holiday. She asks Tina if she wants anything to eat or drink but Tina admits that she hasn't eaten much since Joe's death. Gail asks if she is still going to speak at the funeral. Tina replies that she is going to try. Gail assures her that she will be fine when the time comes. At this point the police officers call round and say it's important.

Ken and Deirdre join the group in Blackpool. Peter is away searching for Simon. Ken asks George what he was thinking. He replies that they can't make him feel any worse than he already does. Peter arrives back looking helpless. He wonders aloud where he could be in such a dangerous place.

Gail has been made to go through her statement with the police again. They make her confirm that she was not on the boat before telling her that witnesses saw her arguing with Joe on the boat. Gail admits that she got onto the boat to change Joe's mind but then she got off. The police say that the witnesses never saw her get off the boat. Gail calmly replies that she was not on the boat when Joe set sail. Tina looks on, a suspicious look on her face.

Fiz is wondering what will happen to John if they run a check on him. He assures her that it won't be a problem as it's in adult education. Fiz eventually relaxes and congratulates her husband.

Pam comes round to Molly's and it's clear that she has been crying. She sobs that nobody likes her in the area. Pam says that that is silly but Molly states that it's true. Everyone is on Tyrone's side.

George tells the officer that he wants to put up a reward of 10,000 for someone finding Simon. She says that that won't make a difference at this stage. And they have to keep vigilant. They'll look at that option again in the morning. George cries that he has to be found tonight.

Nick sits beside Carla and before she can say anything he makes her an offer on the factory, quotes her figures and says he can double her clients. She frowns and says that he seems strangely well informed. Trev comes over and asks if he is bothering her. Nick gets up and tells Carla to think about it. Trev sits down and asks Carla what happens now between them. Is there experiment over? Carla tells him firmly that it most certainly is not

Ken and Deirdre are searching along the beach with a torch. They can't believe that George has been so careless. They get a phone call telling them that their fliers are ready to collect.

Molly is telling Pam that she was so close with Kevin. Pam says that she needs to face the fact that she lost...nothing will change the fact that Kevin is with Sally and always will be. Maybe Molly needs a fresh start elsewhere.

Peter spots a boy that looks remarkably like Simon on a carousel and leaps up only to find it's someone else. The boy's dad grabs Peter and warns him not to touch his kid. Peter apologises and says that he has lost his boy before making his way back to Leanne.

The police have gone but the questioning isn't over for Gail...Tina wants some answers. Gail tells her that she doesn't know anything more than she does but Tina doesn't believe her. She says that she is the only one who knows what happened to Joe...and she doesn't want her anywhere near the funeral.

The police officer in Blackpool hands out the fliers that have been made. George has booked everyone into a hotel but Peter and Ken insist that they're staying out as long as it takes. Eve decides to take a couple of hours out and Deirdre and Leanne decide to head back for now and wait by the phones. As Ken and Peter begin their search George asks them if he can join them. Peter smiles weakly and says they need all the men they can get and, as the three terrified relatives head out on their search, the heavy rain spatters a lone leaflet on the ground, showing the cheeky smile of the lost little boy...

So what have we learned tonight?
-Kelly doesn't do computers and has trouble with drop down menus, desktop backgrounds and pop ups in particular
-Adults are different from children, according to biology expert John
-Betty is slow at serving red wine...it takes her the same time as it does to walk from the Rovers to Underworld and back
-Carla does a bad fake laugh
-The following characters spent their evening drinking wine: Carla, Nick, Pam, Molly, Fiz and John

Dubious Awards
Understatement of the evening: "I've made such a mess of things" George
Tourist of the evening: "You don't like to interfere do you?" The female witness, clearly not a resident of Coronation Street
Clarification of the evening: "I've had an interview....for a job" John. And there was I thinking it was to be prime minister
Biggest sign of imminent disaster: "What's the worst that can happen?" Tina about the funeral
Worst geographical knowledge: "It's Blackpool: a place just full of happy families" peter, who evidently doesn't know the place very well.
The honorary ‘serves you right' trophy goes to Molly: "Nobody round here likes me" Shame. Nobody round here likes you either.
Naivety of the evening: "Who would want to take a child?!" Bewlidered Ken, who doesn't read the news
Best joke delivered this evening: "I didn't do anything wrong!" Molly.

That's all this week!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Jonathan Harvey directed by Stuart Davids

We are in for a day of ups and downs, highs and lows, joy and upset.

The day dawns in Blackpool, still raining. Peter and Leanne arrive back at a B&B, drenched from being out all night. Anyway, they're both at their wits' end. There are "Missing" posters all over the floor of the room with Simon's little face smiling out of them. Peter sinks to the bed, exhausted and scared. Leanne goes for a towel and helps to dry off his hair. He is haunted by the idea of Simon out on his own all night and prays he'll be ok. Leanne tries to be positive. He'll be ok.

Back in Weatherfield, a taxi pulls up in front of the Kabin and a tanned and smiling Rita emerges, looking fabulous, and she takes off her sunglasses and greets nobody in particular "Hello, Street!!!" very glad to be home again.

Jason is (shirtless) ironing his shirt for the funeral. Tina is going over the speech she's going to read at the service. She's been up since 6, she tells Sean. She tells them her mother can't face the funeral, feeling a hypocrite because she never got on with Joe after their divorce (How about being there for your daughter?) Eileen pledges their support. Tina expresses anger towards Gail but Sean thinks she might regret not letting Gail go to the funeral, and Eileen agrees but she spits "I don't want to look at either one of her two faces while I'm burying him!"

One of Gail's faces is peering across the street through the curtains. She's furious and she's intent on going to that funeral. David offers to talk to Tina but Gail states the obvious "With all due respect, David, the girl can't stand you" and heads out to go talk to Tina herself.

We're now in the corner shop. Dev is teasing Molly about being hung over as she's looking distinctly green around the gills but as Molly protests, she staggers and swoons into Dev's arms. Sunita runs around the back of the counter to help and insists on accompanying Molly to the health centre. Clearly, if she's not hungover, something's wrong. (Guesses, anyone? What does fainting almost *always* mean if it's a soap?)

Gail, Tina and Jason are sitting, with a tense silence between them all. Gail tries to make small talk and Tina is impatient with her. Gail points out they all loved Joe and that he did choose to marry her. Jason tries to be peacemaker and Gail states that she's going to the service, though would prefer to go with her blessing. Tina throws up her hands and tells her to do what she wants. Gail quietly thanks her and leaves.

In Blackpool, Peter tells Leanne and Ken that the police have advised him to go back home in case Simon calls there. They have all their staff out looking and have things well in hand. There's a dingle from Peter's phone, a text from George asking if there's any news. You can imagine how that goes over. Peter bitterly regrets letting George into their lives and he wants to stay but Ken gently suggests they do what the police think is best.

Back on the Street, Nick nips out of the house and goes over to Underworld. At the other end of the street, Sunita is walking out of the health centre with Molly who says she has to go to the hospital for tests, probably anaemic, she says. She hails a conveniently passing cab. She doesn't want Sunita to go with her.

In the factory, Janice keeps looking at her mobile, hoping for news about Simon. Kelly is more concerned that her makeup looks good since she's spied Nick going into Carla's office. Nick notices everyone staring through the office windows (surely there were always windows in the office even back when he worked there before?) Carla draws the blinds. Nick makes a flirtatious remark that goes over as well as a lead balloon. My, he's smug! She obviously thinks so too but she has agreed to go into business with him as long as Tony agrees to sell up. They shake on it, much to his pleasure. Kelly pipes up with a hi, Janice takes the mick and Kelly then runs over to see if they can get together again. She's trying much too hard.

This next scene had me howling out loud, laughing at it's preposterous set up. The sad, high, piercing yet soaring notes of a female opera singer, belting out a funereally sounding dirge accompany the Black Widow of Number 8 who majestically floats down the stairs, eyes wild, face like a tragic Harlequin. It's Gail Force in her widow's weeds, the only thing missing is a big black hat and veil and tears making mascara tracks down her cheeks. Turns out it's the radio, something Audrey put on, David replies to Gail's query. Gail is stunned and shocked that she's actually burying a husband (again. Her third husband that's died, in case you were counting). The son of the first dead husband arrives back at the house to tell her that the hearse is outside. She smiles at how grown up Nick looks.

Outside, both families emerge from the houses at the same time. We see the hearse, casket in side, with JOE in flowers on one side of it and DAD on the other. They stand on either side of the street like two gangs at High Noon in Dodge City. Graeme runs up, suited and booted, hoping for a ride but is turned down by Eileen so he scampers off again to catch the bus. Norris and Dev are watching. Norris wonders if it all isn't a bit odd. Decorum, Norris, Decorum, reminds Dev. That's going to be the word of the day, and not always in a good way!

The cars head off down the street as the half time credits roll. We're at the church after the break, hearing hymns from inside as Graeme runs up, late. There's a photo of Joe on the casket and the female vicar is leading the hymn. Graeme runs up the aisle and pushes into the pew where Tina and Jason are sitting. Doh. Aside from immediate families, nobody else from Coronation Street is there in spite of the fact that Gail's lived there since she was about 18. Not a Webster, Cropper, or a McDonald in sight. Disgraceful! Tina glares across at Gail, barely holding it together and indeed, she can't take it and runs out of the church crying. Eileen sends Jason after her.

Rita approaches Norris who's really pleased to see her. Rita heads inside for a cuppa. Molly is walking down the street, back from the hospital and looking shell shocked. She comes to the garage. Ty is not around and she tells Kevin they need to talk. He tells her he has nothing to say to her. She spins around and stalks across the road to the flat.

Tina is pacing out in the churchyard. Jason finds her and runs up to her. She cries that she can't speak at the service.

Janice and Deirdre are standing outside the betting shop having a cig. Odd place for them to be if Deirdre is supposed to be home in case the phone rings. Why not outside the door of Number 1 or out in the back yard? Anyway, Deirdre mentions that she'd be at the funeral if this business with Simon wasn't going on. Peter's car drives up (or Ken's, not sure). They both run across the road but as Peter, Leanne and Ken get out, Ken tells Deirdre they still haven't heard anything. Deirdre says there has been a notice on television with Simon's picture. This gives Peter another start. Never thought he'd see the day his own son's photo would be on telly. Peter and Leanne walk across to their flat.

Molly storms across the street and sticks an envelope under the windscreen of the car in the garage courtyard. It's addressed to Kevin. She doesn't stick around.

In the church, the vicar asks if anyone would like to speak. Gail decides to get up. She approaches the altar and gazes at Joe's photo, putting a kiss from her fingers to the picture. She turns and faces the audience. She starts with the memory of meeting Joe. We switch to the churchyard where a worker is setting up the tarp and frame around the open grave. Tina bitterly regrets meeting David because that would mean her father would still be alive. She says that she knows he's a nightmare, but he was her nightmare. Jason offers to make the speech for her in the church. He holds her as she cries.

In Peter's flat, Leanne offers to make lunch but neither of them are hungry. She knows he's blaming himself. He says that normal people's kids don't go missing, people who's lives aren't a mess (well, yes, they do, actually.) You can tell he's beating himself up over it. He jumps up and says he's going to go back to Blackpool. The doorbell rings. Leanne runs down to answer it.... it's Simon standing there all alone! She screams for Peter then picks up the lad, where has he been!? "Blackpool", Simon says, "but I didn't like it". Peter grabs Simon and clutches him and cries into his little red jacket while Leanne sobs with relief against the doorway. "Oh my boy, I was so worried, I never thought I'd see you again!" Simon, being the unconcerned little lad he is, admonishes his father. "That's silly!" Peter just hugs Simon and cries "Oh my baby" (*gulp*)

Back in the church, Gail is finishing up her speech and is talking about living with someone with depression as Tina and Jason come back in. Tina starts clapping slowly and highly sarcastically when she hears Gail say Joe was the best thing that ever happened to her. She spits "Liar!" while the vicar tries diffusing the situation by offering the last hymn, Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. Too late. It all kicks off. Tina loudly accuses Gail of being a liar and asks where Gail was when he died. She knows something about how her father died. She's covering something up and wonders why the police have been questioning her. Everyone starts arguing and pushing around. Jason and David scuffle. Tina turns around and stalks back out the church, calling them all a family of freaks. Outside she calls PC Glenn and offers to give him some information about Gail covering things up.

Tyrone returns (he's been to the dentist). He complains about the dentist. Kevin notices the envelope and picks it up after getting Tyrone out of the way. He opens it and finds a picture of a baby scan inside, with "Now can we talk?" written on the top" Kevin's face freezes in a stunned expression. (Did you guess? Who couldn't see that coming!)

We'll find out what Tina tells the police, and how Kevin reacts to the photo in the next part.

Tvor

Ken and Deirdre are at home, watching TV when Peter and Leanne arrive, carrying their most precious cargo, Simon. Deirdre gasps, "Simon! Oh thank god!" Simon claims he has been on two trains and a bendy bus to get home. "Nightmare," the little lad says," I don't suppose there's any chocolate milk going?"

Joe's coffin is being walked to the grave while Gail's family wonder what on earth is going on with Tina. Gail gives a melodramatic sob when she sees her the grave with flower tributes in her husband's name next to it. Sean remarks to Graeme that Tina has livened up the funeral.

Ken, Deirdre, Leanne and Peter are asking Simon how he managed to get home. Simon has been very sensible about buying his ticket and getting the train. His dad is obviously pleased and proud of him but tells him off all the same for running away from George. Simon tells them that he had to run away because he heard George saying that he was going to take Simon away to Berkshire.

Graveside, Gail sees Jason hasn't been able to find Tina. Joe is laid to rest while Tina is at home at Eileen's, talking to the police. "She got me to lie to the police, she made me make out that me dad was fine but he was dead!" She also twists the knife further by telling the detectives that Gail has plans to leave the country tomorrow. She's going to Milan to visit her daughter.

Dev and Sunita are concerned about Molly in the shop. Molly looks a little green around the gills but promises that she's fine. Kevin calls on her mobile. Molly takes the call and goes through to the back to talk to him. Kevin wants to know that Molly is winding him up. He wants her to come over to the garage to talk to him. Molly promises to be there in two minutes.

Rita approaches Gail in the Rovers and offers her condolences, followed by Sean, Eileen and Graeme. Gail is pleased to have friends around her. Tina comes into the pub. Gail approaches her to try to reconcile. She asks Tina to join them in a drink but Tina refuses.

Kevin is studying the ultrasound photo when Molly turns up to talk to him. He is furious. Molly tells him that the pregnancy is the last thing she wanted or expected. Kevin asks her if the baby is definitely his. They argue about their past affair. Molly thinks the one good point about the pregnancy is that it's living proof that at one time, Kevin loved her. Molly seems to have an idea that Kevin is about to come running back to her, "in time. When you get used to the idea."

In the pub, the detectives come in and seem reluctant to approach Gail on her husband's funeral day. Gail refuses to leave with them. The detectives arrest her on suspicion of murdering Joe. Gail leaves with them while Audrey, David and Nick protest her innocence. Tina storms off home, Jason tailing her.

George pulls up in the street in his car.

Kevin and Molly are still talking. Kevin burns the ultrasound photo and tells Molly he is getting rid of the evidence and so should she. Kevin wants Molly to terminate the pregnancy. "Who the hell do you think your are?" Molly cries, "this is my body! I'll decide what I do with my life and my baby." Kevin thinks there's no way she can keep this baby. Molly is incensed and sad, "To think of all the months spent broken hearted over you, I reckon I've had a lucky escape!"

George knocks on the Barlow door. Peter, completely OTT, tells Simon not to worry, "You're safe now." Leanne thinks Peter should let Ken go to talk to George but Peter insists on going to talk to George. At the door, he lets George think that Simon is still missing. Leanne reproaches Peter for that and tells George that Simon is safe. George is understandably relieved to hear the news. Peter tells him to get lost now, Simon never wants to see him again. Peter shuts the door on George.

At Eileen's, Jason thinks Tina knows something about the police arresting Gail. Tina tells him that she spoke to the police because she thinks Gail is hiding something. Jason says, "Tina, look me in the eye. Do you really think Gail is capable of murdering someone?" Tina thinks yes, she is and that the police know something is up anyway and she was only giving them more information.

At Molly's Kevin calls her again. They have more to talk about.

At the police station, Gail is being questioned while David and Nick are out in the visitors area being outraged at her arrest. The police ask Gail more questions. She tries to explain about going to Milan to see Sarah Lou. It comes out in the wash that Tina has spoken to the polis. They bring up that Gail encouraged Tina to lie to the police. Gail admits that she did but she insist that in every other respect, she has told the truth about what happened to Joe.

George is still at the Barlow front door. Ken answers. George pleads that he needs to see Simon. Ken lets him in to Peter's chagrin. They explain that Simon made his own way and admonish him for letting Simon out of his sight. Deirdre asks George what's in Berkshire. Turns out George used to live there, his head office is there. Peter threatens legal action against George if he ever comes near Simon again. George appears genuinely and deeply sorry for the trouble he has caused. He gives sleeping Simon a kiss on the forehead before leaving, all meekly.

The police are still questioning Gail. Gail is becoming flustered and cries, "I don't know how he died! Please believe me." The police terminate the interview however, Gail is not free to go home.

Kevin arrives at Molly's flat. Molly is pleased to see him and offers him something to eat and a can of beer. Kevin offers Molly an apology for having treated her so badly since they started the affair and for how he spoke to her earlier. Molly seems think that Kevin has come to reconcile with her but she's in for a shock. "I don't want a baby," says Kevin. He has no intention of leaving Sally. Molly is sure that Kevin doesn't love Sally, he only feels guilty but Kevin remains unmoved. He tells Molly that if she goes ahead with the pregnancy, he will have nothing to do with the baby. He even offers to pay for an abortion for her. Molly throws him out. She is distraught.

Gail is being formally charged with the murder of Joe. She is cautioned and read her rights. She can't really believe what's happening to her.

Stella McLoughlin

It's morning in prison and a prison officer brings Gail in some breakfast. Gail tells her she's not hungry, but the officer decides to leave it anyway. Once alone again, Gail buries her head in her arms.

Over at the Grimshaw's, Jason tells his mother that Tina wants to go to Gail's bail hearing. Eileen wonders if it's a good idea but Tina is adamant that she's going to make sure they don't let the murdering witch back out on the streets!

Over at the Platt's, David is sure his mum will get bail, but Nick says that as it's a murder charge it's pretty unlikely. This is not what David wants to hear. "Thank you Rumpole! Back home two minutes and he's giving us the benefit of his legal experience!" Nick asks if he expects them to tell Gail to go home but just make sure she doesn't murder anyone else! Audrey appeals for them both to calm down and tells them they'll all go to the court shoulder to shoulder, united, as a family.

Gail receives a visit from the solicitor who's going to be representing her in court. Gail asks her when she's going to be able to go home, but she's told she has to understand that she's facing a murder charge. "I didn't murder Joe, I loved him," sobs Gail. The solicitor tells her she understands how upsetting it all is, but she has to be prepared.

Molly's taking a couple of paracetamol and then tips the whole contents of the bottle into her hand and looks thoughtfully at them. Just then, however, the phone rings. It's her dad, and she tells him she's looking forward to coming home.

The Platt family step out of their front door on their way to court, when at the very same time, across the Street, Tina, Jason and Eileen step out of theirs. Tina glares across the road, as Tyrone and Kevin look on from the garage, and Fiz and John, coming down the road, stop in their tracks. "Getting a good look are you?" shouts Tina, as David, Nick and Audrey get into their car. "Been there," mutters Fiz. "Done that," adds John.

Rita goes into the Kabin and tells Norris and Mary that she's been to see Sally and wishes she'd been there earlier. Norris asks what she's going to do now and she tells them that Emily has suggested that she helps out at the charity shop, but she's not so sure. "Voluntary work?" she says, "it seems like a contradiction in terms!" While they chat, Norris is opening the post. He opens a large envelope and pulls out a photo of himself and Frieda. "Emily must have told her I lost the original," he tells them, "how thoughtful!" He show Rita the picture of himself and Frieda winning the competition. "Ever so thoughtful," mutters Mary though gritted teeth, with a look of thunder on her face.

Gail is led into court and put in the dock. In the public gallery are David, Audrey and Nick, and not far away from them Tina, Jason and Eileen.

The clerk of the court asks for her name and address, and the magistrate informs her that the charge is murder, and the hearing is set for 6th July. He then asks if there's a application for bail. Gail's solicitor says that there is, but the prosecution immediately points out that Gail was on the point of leaving the country for Italy.

Back in Coronation Street, Kevin sees Molly going into Tyrone's house and rushes across the street. "What's going on?" he demands to know, "have you decided what you're going to do about the baby?" She tells him he's made it quite clear he wants nothing to do with the baby which means it's nothing to do with him any more, and goes on into the house.

Back in court, Gail's solicitor tells the magistrate that Gail is no risk, and has previously been of exemplary character, and has a large, supportive family. She says she presents no flight risk. "No flight risk?" mutters Tina, "she was on her way to Italy!" The magistrate says that in view of the seriousness of the charge, bail is denied. David is horrified at the thought of his mother ‘banged up' until July. "She had nothing to do with it, it was him, he was off his head!" he shouts at the magistrate. Tina jumps up then. "Liar!" she screams. Jason hastily drags her away as the magistrate calls for order.

Molly is in the house, packing up the last of her belongings. She sees her wedding photo and picks it up, staring at it thoughtfully. Just then the front door opens and in comes Jackie with some random man that she seems to have picked up. He immediately asks for the bathroom and goes upstairs. "What the ‘ell are you doing here?" she shouts and asks what's in the bags. Molly says it's her clothes and she's leaving to go and live permanently at her dad's. Jackie, however, is convinced it's Tyrone's worldly goods and says she'll see what he has to say about it.

Eileen is in the Rovers, surprisingly showing sympathy for Gail. "Seeing her in that dock, so terrified, it was just awful," she tells Liz, adding that nothing will make her believe that Gail did it. "She'd have trouble cooking a fish with the head on. The police must have got it wrong."

Gail has been taken to the prison, and is being checked in. She hands over her belongings and they're put in a box. As she goes to remove her wedding ring she's told she can keep it on.

Jackie has summoned Tyrone to the house, and he tells Molly she can't just go, not like this. Jackie urges him to check her suitcases, they'll be loaded with his valuables. Tyrone tells her to keep out of it, and anyway he doesn't have any valuables. He asks Molly if they can talk, but she tells him she's ordered a cab and it'll arrive any minute. Just then Jackie's man comes back downstairs. "Who the hell are you?" asks Tyrone, startled. "This is Martin, he's with me," says Jackie. The man tells her that actually his name is Geoff. "Right, I want you out!" explodes Tyrone and hustles his mother and the man out of the door. Molly's cab is waiting outside so Tyrone gives the driver some money and tells him to take his mother wherever she wants to go. "Bye Mam," he says, and slams the door. "Wow!" says Molly, and Tyrone says he should have done that years ago. Molly then looks a little shaken and asks if she can sit down for a while. He tells her she looks exhausted and asks if he can run her a bath, and then they can have a chat if she wants, and if she doesn't want he'll take her to her dad's himself. Molly nods.

Back at the house, Audrey is worried about David's ability to live on his own, and says she will have to move in. Nick tells them he's bought into Underworld and so it might be best if he moved in with David. Audrey thinks this is great, but David isn't so keen.

Mary goes into the pub looking for Norris, saying he's been to the doctors but should've been back by now. Rita asks if she'd like a drink, so she orders a gin and apple juice. As she attempts to strike up conversation, Norris walks in. Excitedly, Mary waves a magazine at him. There's a competition in it she feels has their names written all over it, but it closes at midnight. She downs her drink in one and drags him out of the door to go and work on it.

Molly comes downstairs, apologising for taking so long, she fell asleep on the bed after her bath. Tyrone tells her he's made some tea and got some wine. "If you're going we can have one last meal together, can't we?" he says. She says that she's starving and sits down, but looks nervously at the wine. He tells her he's never stopped loving her and would do anything to get them back on track. She asks him not to make her feel any worse than she does. "It's all so complicated," she says. He says it doesn't have to be and asks her to stay the night. He says he'll stay in Jack's room. "Please, let's just spend the evening together." At this, Molly bursts into tears and Tyrone hugs her.

In the prison, Gail is escorted to her cell. The prison officer tells her she's on her own for the time being and advises her to try and get some sleep. As the door is slammed and locked, Gail sits down on the bed and sobs.

Anne Logan.

It's morning in the prison and Gail doesn't look as if she's had much sleep. The prison officer who tries to get her up and about seems quite sympathetic, though.

Tyrone races downstairs and tells Molly he wasn't sure she would still be there. They're a little awkward with each other. Molly thanks him for yesterday but Tyrone says he's her husband. "What else was I supposed to do?" He wants her back.

Bugs Bunny's on TV at the Platt-Hillman-McIntyre home and David's lying on the sofa eating and watching it. He has a go at Nick who tells him: "Some of us don't have the luxury of falling apart, David!" and goes off to work.

Molly doesn't think Ty is being realistic but he says he knows what he wants. He's serious, even after the way Molly has treated him. He knows she still loves him because she's still there. She didn't move away from the street. He says you can't lose a connection like they have. Molly tells him she's pregnant. "Come again?" She tells him she's only just found out but she's nearly four months gone. Tyrone does a quick count on his fingers and works out they were still together. "I'm gonna be a dad!" He hugs her but Molly still looks worried.

Over at the garage, Kevin makes a call which goes unanswered.

Outside the factory, some workers wait. Nick ignores Kelly's greeting as he gets into his car and drives off. Has he been waiting in the porch all this time? It's taken him a good five minutes to get from going the door to the car.

Rita's waiting for Emily, who is slightly late. "This is exactly what's wrong with the charitable sector," she tells Norris and Mary, saying it's a lack of professionalism. Norris thinks she's got first-day jitters. Norris is yawning because Mary kept him up late to work on their competition entry. Emily arrives and they go off.

Tyrone asks whether the hospital gave Molly a picture of the baby but she says she forgot to ask. He wishes he'd been there to hear its heartbeat. There's a knock on the door. It's Kevin asking why Tyrone isn't at work. Tyrone says Molly's there and they're having a bit of a heart-to-heart. Kevin agrees he can come in for half ten.

Jason and Eileen talk about Gail. Eileen doesn't think Gail has it in her. Tina comes down and accuses them of letting her sleep so they could talk about her. Eileen explains they were talking about Gail and asks if Tina really thinks Gail could have killed Joe. Tina thinks they're not on her side.

Molly and Tyrone talk and Molly can't work out how Tyrone copes so well. "I know what I want. I always have," he tells her. He says Molly either wants to come back or she doesn't and the baby shouldn't change that. "I wouldn't do that to you," Molly says, which isn't quite how it seems to this viewer. They agree they're both sure they want to get back together and grasp each other's hand.

The Dobbses snuggle on the sofa. Tyrone wants her to move back in today. "I can't wait to see Kev's face when I tell him." He can't understand why she doesn't want him to shout the news from the rooftops but she says that will just put pressure on them. She wins him over to her point of view by saying they should take baby steps.

In the charity shop, Emily serves a customer while Rita drinks tea. She's finished sorting and Emily tells her there are another eight bags to do. "I said we'd keep you busy." Rita mutters, "Well, I hope this lot are better than that last pile of rubbish." A customer can hear her and Emily hastens to tell her that all donations are gratefully received. "Donations my foot! More like socially acceptable fly tipping!" Rita grumps. The customer beats a hasty retreat and Emily tells Rita she'd rather she wasn't so vocal with her criticisms. Plus that's Rita's fourth cup of tea this morning. They have to count every penny. Rita points out she's working for free. "And you might like to rethink your pricing. Five ninety-nine for a cashmere mix sweater? No wonder you're non-profit!"

David watches Tina come out of the house and rushes out to confront her. He tells her Gail loved her dad more than anything. Tina says Gail's guilt is up to the courts to decide. She knows it's hard for David to see him mum locked up, "but my Dad's dead and the police think your mother killed him." David demands to know what Tina thinks. "She's guilty and I hope she rots!" says Tina. A distraught David goes back home. Tina tells Jason David just needed a reality check.

An anxious Kevin sees Tyrone come in and asks if everything is OK. Tyrone is fairly offhand, keeping the secret well.

Nick goes into work and Kelly greets him. He seems distracted and politely tells her to go away.

Eileen tells Norris she can't believe Gail's guilty. Norris thinks she's being charitable. "But given Gail's lamentable taste in men, you can't help wondering if the poor fellow was just an accident waiting to happen." There's a scream from the back room and Mary launches into "We are the champions" – they've won the competition. They've won a holiday in Bronte country this month. "Just imagine, you and me breathing in the same air as, well, bar the legends that are the Nolans, the greatest bunch of sisters in history!" Norris wants to know who will run the business. Mary suggests he close up. Norris tells her it's all a pipe dream and he wants to hear no more on the subject.

Nick gives Carla the share transfer document all ready to sign. The money should already be in Tony's account. He holds out a hand to shake but Carla reads the document first.

Gail is still on her bunk when the officer comes back. Gail just wants to be left alone. "Sorry, not happening," says the woman. She gets Gail to sit up and tells her she knows how she's feeling. "I doubt that very much," says Gail. The office says Gail is confused, angry, her brain's gone to Pluto and everything and everyone behind that cell door scares her to death. "Am I warm?" She says this is Day One and that's always brutal for everyone but it will get better. Gail asks her name and says "Thank you, Officer Birtles."

Kelly's sure Nick is The One but Julie says Kelly hardly knows him. Kelly insists she's always known him in her heart. Kelly refuses to listen to any doubts, which worries Julie.

In the office, Carla looks at an order Nick's presented her with. She says it's nearly ten per cent of last year's output. "Closer to 15, I reckon," says Nick. A price just has to be agreed. "This could carry us through into 2011," she marvels. Nick tells her it will increase production 40 per cent and give them way more bargaining power with Mathesons. "How do you know about Mathesons?" Carla asks. Nick tries to put it down to gossip but Carla thinks she knows how he came up with such accurate figures. She asks if he likes to stack the odds in his favour. Looking at Kelly out on the factory floor, Nick says he always likes to exploit his opportunities. Carla asks if that includes an empty factory and a tragically gullible machinist. "Kelly told you?" Oops, no she didn't. Carla made an educated guess. Carla says she can respect that he did what he had to do. "Besides, I know you'll make it up to me."

Tyrone and Kevin work on an engine together. Tyrone seems distant but Kevin tells him a problem aired is a problem shared. He says he and Molly are back together and she's pregnant. "What? Is she saying you're the father?" asks Kevin. Tyrone takes umbrage at this. Kevin says Molly did leave Tyrone, but Ty says that was three months ago and she's four months gone. "We were still together and Molly would never cheat on me." He asks Kevin to keep the news to himself. Kevin congratulates him and they slap each other on the back.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

We open in the factory where Carla and Nick are addressing the workforce. Kelly eyes Nick up with a flirtatious smile as Carla introduces him as their new boss. Nick says that he likes to take action rather than use empty words so he will make his speech short. He promises that with everyone's effort, Underworld could become even bigger and better. He is given a polite applause (save for Kelly who whoops and cheers) but behind office doors, Carla makes it very clear that he has a lot to do to win back her trust. David comes in at this point, catching Nick at a stressful moment. David tells him that they have to do something to get Gail out but Nick snaps that he needs some time to think first. As David leaves, Carla sticks her head around the corner and makes Nick aware that she's clocked his time wasting already.

Kevin comes round to the corner shop to confront Molly over the pregnancy. He wonders aloud how many fathers could possibly be in the picture. Molly tells him the baby has a brilliant dad who loves it before it is even born. Kevin points out that Tyrone doesn't know a thing about the secrets she has from him but Molly reminds him that he is hardly blameless either. They are interrupted by Claire, who bounds in, claiming to be on the scrounge.

Carla and Nick are watching their workforce. Carla tells Nick that he should make an example of Kelly and prove his worth by sacking her. He argues that he can't just wade in, it would seem like he was undermining her and just throwing his weight around. "Not from where I'm standing," Carla replies. Kelly grins up at Nick but he wears a worried frown.

Claire is struggling to see when she has outstayed her welcome and is blathering on about how to crush cardboard boxes for best environmental effect. When she finally leaves Kevin locks the door. He asks Molly if she is planning on letting Tyrone believe that the baby is his all his life. He tells her that he can't believe he was willing to spend the rest of his life with someone like her. He warns her to stay away from his family. She replies that she would and gladly. Before he leaves, he tells her he feels sorry for her baby, swimming in poison.

Gail is wandering around the association area of the prison, meek as a lamb, She sits down in a seat. A prisoner turns and tells her roughly that she's in her seat. Gail leaps up as if she had sat on a nail and apologises. The prisoner laughs and says she was just joking. Gail sits back down with a weak smile. The prisoner says the chair is actually hers and points out a very bulky prisoner. Gail leaps up and runs away up the stairs to her cell as the giggling prisoner calls after her that she was only having a laugh.

Emily is congratulating Claire on her hard work of the morning while Rita eyes up a trouser suit she likes. She says she'll pop a fiver into the till. Emily tells her it's not been priced up yet. Rita says that a fiver is reasonable for staff. Claire snipes that she didn't realise they took all the best stuff for themselves first. Emily assures her that they don't and Rita is just new. Rita says there must be some perks but Emily and Claire look at her with cold eyes. She tells them it doesn't matter but they shouldn't foll themselves, they clearly do the job for the glow in the chest it gives them. Emily is annoyed that Rita is suggesting they sort through broken dolls for an ego boost.

Nick is handing out the wages and tells Kelly that hers has her holiday pay and wages up to the end of the month. She is happy with what she sees as special treatment until he also tells her it contains her P45. Carla pipes up that she shared financial information to strangers. Kelly argues that it was to Nick and he will do good things for the factory. Nick says he needs trust and loyalty from his staff. Kelly tries to get through to Carla and reminds her that when she first came, she stuck by her. Carla hands her a bin bag and tells her that she has five minutes to clear her locker.

Rita is telling Norris about what happened at the charity shop. When Emily comes in, she apologises for her behaviour and Emily brushes it aside, saying she didn't pay any attention.

At the bar, the factory girls are telling Michelle that Carla sacked Kelly.

Mary tries to persuade Norris to go away with her next month. Norris tells her that he's much too busy at the shop.

Fiz points out to the others that Kelly could have easily passed out all of their financial details and bank account information. Janice tells her that Kelly isn't a fraudster, she's just been stupid.

Jason finds Tina at the flat. She says she likes it there as it's peaceful. Jason tries to persuade her to come out and take her mind off things but she bursts into tears and weeps that she misses her dad so much.

Kelly accosts Nick as he closes the factory. He tells her that she is wasting her time. She warns him that one day somebody will stab him in the back, they way he has done to her. He looks non plussed. She tells him that when it happens he should remember Kelly Crabtree...with the legs. He shrugs and laughs in her face.

Norris gives Rita a warning look as she offers to cover for him in the shop but she won't take no for an answer. Mary is delighted and she can't wait for walks on the moors and cosying up by the roaring fire. Norris doesn't share this enthusiasm, but it leaves Rita and Emily quite amused.

Kelly comes into the bar. She looks at the factory girls. Janice tries to persuade her to get a drink. Sean asks if Nick gave her her job back. She says she doesn't care about Underworld, she wants something bigger and better. And she's tired of seeing them all. She's sick of Fiz and her pasty face, Hayley and her nerd of a husband, Sean pretending to like everyone and Teresa isn't even on her radar. After telling them that they aren't her frieds, they are just people she worked with she storms out. Janice can't bear to leave it like that and follows her. She tries to persuade Kelly to come out with her and talk things through and have a laugh like they used to. Kelly says she has to move on, she's had her fill of the place. Janice asks what about her flat and where will she go. The writers solve this obvious plot hole by having Kelly tap her nose secretly. She turns her back and walks up the Street, in her mini skirt, with no cases or possessions of any kind. Her parting words are to shout "I'm Kelly Crabtree...with the legs!" (?) As she heads round the corner, a tram passes by, but doesn't fall on top of her sadly.

So what have we learned?
-Hayley does a brilliant dolphin clap to get people's attention
-The following things are global size: Underworld's potential, Sean's gob, Janice's behind
-Underworld don't do drop ins
-The following is business advice all aspiring employers should remember: Industrial espionage isn't the best way to introduce yourself and sackings should be saved for best impact.
-The following people apparently have no sense of humour: Gail, Emily and Claire
-According to Rita, Emily couldn't sell and Eskimo a firelighter
-There's an employee at Underworld called Shirley, who is covered in tattoos and has a nose ring
-At the Kabin, April is Midget Gems auditing month
-The following things are good for a baby in the womb: Peace, calm and milk. And don't worry, ‘early nights with candles and romantic music' won't harm it.
-Nick isn't worth breaking one's nails over
-The factory girls undertake the following weekly activities:
Monday: moaning
Tuesday-Thursday: whining,
Friday: whingeing

Dubious Awards
Most promising candidate for Tony Gordon's new henchman: "I've left your husband under a car" Kevin to Molly
Most worrying fact about the Underworld workforce: "She's the best machinist!" Nick, Michelle and Kelly about Kelly.
Supermarket with best character judgement training: "They looked at me like I was bonkers at Frescho" Claire
Most entertaining Friday: "I have counted all the jigsaw pieces" Claire
Most entertaining Friday Take Two: "I like going to turn the tap on, looking at the tiles and opening the drawers he fitted" Tina
Most positive self assessment: "Who'd want our lives?" Janice
Motto that explains A LOT: "Too much thinking makes you miserable" Jason
Hypocrite of the week: "You can be a bit daft when it comes to blokes" Sean to Kelly

And that's all from me, until next time
Duncan Lindsay

Written David Lane by directed by Tessa Hoffe

David has slept on the sofa, after having lain awake worrying about how to help his mother. He and Nick trade more insults as Audrey arrives. Useless Nick assumes David is going to make tea and hasn't bothered to replace the milk he drank the night before. David is going to call and arrange a visit to the prison.

Tina drags herself out of bed and Jason offers to buy her breakfast at Roy's. She isn't so inclined but he's worried about her hiding away and insists.

Gail looks small and lonely sitting on her bunk. A guard lets in a new roomie, Lynn. She's the one that was teasing Gail yesterday. Gail doesn't seem bothered. Lynn's actually a bit nice to her, advising her not to take any notice of the guards and noting some of them are actually ok. Gail doesn't intend on being there long enough to find out.

Trevor leans out the bin truck and teases Janice because she's eating a butty (just where does he get off, anyway?). David passes by and snipes at Jason and Tina who are going the other way. They all argue on the street and Tina lunges at David who's been rather nasty. Jason gets between them and Nick pulls them all apart. Carla's car arrives and does a much better job of breaking up the melee. Jason and Tina go off, shouting back over their shoulder and David has a go at Nosy Norris. Audrey hollers at the pair of them and Carla watches, bemused.

In the cafe, Sean and Eileen are eating. Teresa has come in for a bap but John's mind is elsewhere and he's got the order wrong. Roy asks if John is ok, of course he is. Fiz scolds her husband for daydreaming about his new night job. He can't afford to lose the full time job! Eileen's phone whistles at her to alert her to a voice message. It's a message from Jesse who wants to know when he can pick up the rest of his stuff.

Tyrone is picking up milk in the corner shop and is solicitous of Molly's health. Pam comes in and is glad to see them looking happy. Molly tells her they're back together but not about the baby. After Ty leaves, Pam asks her if she is settling for Tyrone because she can't have Kevin. Molly assures her that she'd rather not hear Kevin's name again (yeah right).

Over to the factory next. They are chatting about Kelly, wondering if she's really left town. Carla interrupts the gossip to get them all back to work. She goes up to the stock area where Nick is. She tells him that Tony's solicitor has confirmed the deal but wonders what she's let herself in for after that brawl on the cobbles this morning. He apologizes and promises his private life won't get in the way of work and promises he can deliver the goods. Downstairs it's tea break. Janice declines a treat off the plate being passed around. Sean teases Janice for talking about Trevor all the time but Janice protests (too much) that he's just a mate. Nobody really believes it.

Tyrone comments to Kevin that he hopes the baby is a boy, "Webster's, Dobbs' and son" has a nice ring to it (more than you know, mate!) Kevin asks him to keep his mind on his job. Tyrone is having a hard time because he's so excited. Bill overhears this last bit so Tyrone tells him the news but swears him to secrecy. Obviously, Bill is disturbed about that piece of news but congratulates the lad while exchanging a look with Kevin over Ty's shoulder.

After the break, Tall Trevor walks up and asks if someone can come look at a mate's car, broken down on Balaclava Terrace. Tyrone goes off with him while Bill tells of Kevin. Is he really going to be able to stand by while Tyrone brings up a baby that might be his? Kevin whines that he already knows it's all a mess and doesn't need reminding. Sophie comes into the garage to ask for a lift to the Trafford Centre after school There's a top she really, really wants. He's reluctant but agrees.

Norris pokes his nose out of the Kabin and sees Jason. For once he is actually doing something nice. He'd seen Tina earlier and thought she really looked in a bad way so has bagged up some wine gums for her as they're her favourites. He gives them to Jason to pass on. He then peeks around the corner to gossip with Kevin about Molly and Tyrone back together, "It's like marital hokey cokey!" (again, you don't know the half of it!!!) Kevin looks thoughtful.

Jason finds Tina looking at an old photo of her dad from back when her parents were still together and happy. Jason has brought her a sandwich and teases her about the wine gums. She cries, but not about the candy. She really doesn't know where her head is. Jason reminds her that she's going to have to move once the sale goes through. She takes offence but the poor man doesn't know what he's done. Nothing actually. She says it's her, not him. She thanks him for the sandwich and he leaves.

Nick overhears Janice making disparaging remarks about Nick's prowess in bed and threatens her with sacking. She is unconcerned..."If he were a stick of rock, he'd have pillock running right through him!" David arrives to let Nick know the time for the prison visit. Nick declines, mindful of Carla's earlier warnings. Carla doesn't really look overly impressed, however.

Outside, Sean asks Eileen if she's rung Jesse. She hasn't because she doesn't want to hear him pleading her to take him back. Oh, Very well. She calls and leaves a quick message, telling him the time and to say that Sean will be there but she won't. Across the road, Janice encounters Tall Trevor who says he's off for a drink. She anxiously asks if he'll be back for his tea and says she'll make them both something.

In the cafe, Fiz comes in and greets John. He's looking over some teaching notes on Romantic Poets for class tonight. He's looking forward but is a bit nervous because he's only taught kids before, not adults. Fiz assures him the adults will be keen. Which is exactly what he's worried about, in case he disappoints. He is holding his leather briefcase, the one his gran gave him when he got his first teaching job.

It's visiting time at the prison. The guests all filter in pushing each other for good seats. Audrey and David find chairs. Audrey is finding it all very distasteful. She tells David to just tell his mother that Nick was tied up, it's the truth. She tut tuts over the class of people sitting in the room with her. (You gotta love Audrey, she's such a snob!)

Pam brings Bill a sandwich. She chats about Tyrone and Molly's reunion. He feels her out about knowing about the baby and lets the cat out of the bag. Four months pregnant. Flamin Norah!

Gail arrives with the rest of the inmates, a yellow tabard over her and clutches her mother and then her son tightly. Wonders never cease! David really looks concerned and holds his mother tight for a minute. Never thought we'd see that! They all sit down. Gail is a bit tearful and asks after Nick so is told he sends his love as he's too tied up to come. Gail sobs that it's just awful in there. They both assure her she will get out on bail. She doesn't look too hopeful.

Pam arrives to see Molly and tells her she knows about the baby. She's sharp and disapproving and gives her hell. She left because she didn't love Tyrone and now is going back to him for the baby's sake. Molly cries that she does love Tyrone but Pam isn't buying it. Pam thinks getting pregnant might have been an attempt to get Kevin to leave Sally. "What do you think I am!!" Molly screams..."Someone who's barely out of her wedding dress before she's dropped her drawers for her husband's best friend" snaps Pam. She accusing Molly of letting Tyrone think he's the father so she can play happy families and Molly lashes out and smacks Pam. (No, I'd say Molly had that coming, not Pam! Truth hurts!) She tells Molly she's kidding herself and Tyrone, which is worse and she finds it more disgusting and heartless than what she's already done to him. She flounces out, leaving Molly alone with her guilt.

David goes to get coffees out of the machine. Audrey tries to get her head around it. She thinks the police know something they don't. It doesn't add up. She asks Gail if there's something else she's not said to them. Has she told them everything? Gail gets her back up and jumps up. She's shocked. Audrey seems to be trying to ask if Joe might have hit her or something, I guess, but she's not saying that and it sounds like she's implying that Gail's lying about something. Gail takes it to mean her mother thinks she really did kill Joe which of course is not the case. Gail tears a strip off her mother for thinking she murdered her husband.

The fallout continues next half hour.

Tvor

Audrey is in prison, visiting Gail. She's just said something really silly, asking Gail if there was anything Gail wanted to tell her re Joe's death. Gail tells Audrey, "No. No, I did not kill my husband!" Gail shoos Audrey away telling her, "If you don't believe I'm innocent, then I don't want you here." Audrey tells Gail she will leave but only because she doesn't want to make things worse and upset Gail any further. David thinks that Audrey already has. Audrey hopes that one day Gail will accept her apology. She leaves. Gail and David are stunned that Audrey might actually have thought that Gail had killed Joe.

Pam is telling Bill about Molly slapping her. Pam is concerned about Tyrone's feelings when he finds out one day that the baby might not be his. Bill wants them to hope and pray that he never finds out. Jason joins them at the builder's yard for a moment to tell them that the buyers for his flat have pulled out. He goes to break the news to Tina, leaving Bill and Pam to worry some more about Molly.

Molly is at home, packing a bag and looking worried. Meanwhile, Kevin is telling Tyrone to shut up the garage.

The factory girls & Sean are walking across to the pub. Janice is dithering about going for a drink with them. She is trying to lose weight and decides not to join them for a drink. Sean can see that Janice is dieting so that she'll have a chance with Trev but he thinks Trev is way out of Janice's league.

Jason has gone to tell Tina about the buyers pulling out. Surprisingly, Tina is not that bothered. She wants them to move back into their flat for the time being.

Sophie is webcamming with Sian about boyfriends; Ryan wants Sian to set up Sophie with one of his mates. Kevin knocks on the Sophie's bedroom door to tell her that he's going for a drink with Tyrone. Sophie wants Kevin to remember that he promised to take her shopping.

John Stape heads out to work as a teacher, dressed smartly. Fizz kisses him goodbye at their front door and tells him she wishes he wouldn't do this. John reminds her that he can't spend the rest of his life wiping down tables. He greets Audrey as she passes. Audrey sees Nick in the street. She tells him about the falling out with Gail. She tries to defend her actions by telling Nick. "He was a really difficult man, Joe. he was really moody. There's no telling what might have happened!" Nick tries to calm her down with a few kind words and promises to talk to her later.

Jesse has turned up at Street Cars, looking for another chance from Eileen. Eileen is not interested and sends him away with a flea in his ear. However, she is sad when she quietly says, "Bye" as he leaves.

John has turned up in the classroom. He introduces himself and is back in the swing of teaching English in no time.

Tyrone is having a drink with that snake, Kevin, in the Rovers, telling him how happy he is that he and Molly are having this baby together. Molly is at home, trying to write Tyrone a note to tell him she's leaving. She hears Tyrone leave a message on the answering machine about how he's having a quick drink with Kevin and starts to cry. Hot, salty tears of pure guilt, I hope.

Janice is at home slobbing out when she hears Trev stomping up the stairs. She hurriedly smartens up, picks up a magazine and looks a little more presentable before the love of her life sees her. She offers Trev something to eat. He tells her that she's a cracker of a landlady before heading for a shower. Janice faffs about a bit in the kitchen with their dinner.

Jesse sees Julie and Sean on the street. Julie is sad to see Jesse is leaving. Jesse asks Sean and Julie to have a word with Eileen on his behalf. Tina and Jason follow him out of Eileen's house with all their worldly goods; they're clearly moving out as well. Sean asks if Eileen knows that Jason and Tina are moving out too. Tina asks if Sean can tell Eileen. Sean is scandalised that Tina would pike out of her responsibility and ask him to do her dirty work for her. David appears to remind them that Gail is in prison. He tells them that Gail has a bail hearing in the morning and will likely be home tomorrow. There follows a silly argument about Gail and Joe before they part ways. Julie is about to say goodbye to Jesse when he pleads with Julie to put in a good word with Eileen for him. Julie reluctantly agrees to do it. And soon.

Sophie is still webcamming with Sian. Kevin has forgotten about going shopping with Sophie and Sophie is feeling right sorry for herself. Sian reminds her that she is coming for a visit in Easter and will spend time with Sophie. Sian manages to cheer Sophie up.

John has had a high old time teaching the Romantics. So much so that he has overrun his class by five minutes. His adult students seem to like him.

At Street Cars, Tina and Jason have told Eileen that they're moving out. Eileen doesn't think it's a big deal, it's not like they're moving far. Before they leave, Eileen asks Tina to check and see if the outside light is on at her house. Eileen wants Tina out so she can warn Jason that Tina needs proper looking after and it's his job to do so. Jason also tells Eileen that Jesse has been to collect his stuff.

Trev and Janice are having their dinner that Janice cooked. Trev makes a lame joke about losing weight and then tells Janice she doesn't need to be on a diet. He asks if he needs to be on a diet too; he wants some bread to have with dinner and a bottle of beer. Janice doesn't join him in the beer, she'll just have water.

Bill and Pam head into the Rovers, still talking about Kevin, Molly and Tyrone. Tyrone and Kevin are still at the pub. Molly calls Tyrone and asks him to come home, she has something she wants to tell him. He hurries off home. John comes into the bar with Fizz. He tells her that he's enjoyed teaching today and he hopes that the boss won't do a check on him. He thinks, since the checks are there to protect kids and he's teaching adults, he should be fine. Kevin joins Bill and Pam at the bar. Pam snaps at him, "Talking about babies, were you?" she asks, referring to his chat with Tyrone. Kevin looks forlorn.

Tyrone makes it home to Molly to find out what she wanted to tell him. Molly sits him down and says, "I love you. And I know I've not been the best wife in the world..." Tyrone protests but she carries on, "We both know how it's been and we both know it's been my fault..." Ty tries to protest again but, "Yes, it has!" she says. "And I wanted to tell you that that's all in the past. I'm back now and we're going to have a baby!" Tyrone is delighted and Molly is actually smiling. Molly promises to make it all up to him.

Kevin goes home where Rosie is filing her nails. She reminds Kevin about how he broke his promise to Sophie to go shopping for clothes with her. Kevin is not interested though. He snaps at Rosie and tells her that clothes are not important, people are important. Rosie tells him if that's so, he should go upstairs and apologise to Sophie. Kevin huffs off instead.

Audrey turns up Chez Platt. David is snide with her while Nick tries to make Audrey comfortable. Audrey asks David what Gail said after she left. David and Audrey argue about what Audrey said at the prison to Gail. David loses his rag. Nick asks him to calm down. David reminds Nick that he hasn't even been to visit Gail yet. David thinks that Gail must feel that both Nick and Audrey are against her now. He leaves, slamming the door behind him. "Oh, Nick," Audrey cries, "What have I done?"

Stella McLoughlin

It's morning and Gail is lying in her bunk, eyes closed. Her cell mate gets out of the top bunk and hisses at her to wake up, telling her she's made a pot of fresh coffee, made toast that's dripping with butter, run her a hot bath and booked her in for a massage. "Stop it," says Gail sitting up, "it's cruel." Her cell mate tells her it's just called having a sense of humour and Gail won't get through a murder sentence without one. Gail is adamant she's done nothing wrong and her solicitor will get her bail and she'll be home this afternoon.

Molly and Tyrone are talking about the baby. Tyrone reckons a September baby does better at school, and Molly can't wait to turn the spare room into a nursery and get a cot and nice wallpaper.

Eileen meets Jason outside the Kabin and while they're chatting, Julie comes along, telling Eileen she wants to talk to her about Jesse, she saw him yesterday and he's really upset about him and Eileen splitting up. "Did he ask you to talk to me?" ask Eileen, and Julie admits that he did. Eileen tells her that she spoke to him and told him it was over. Julie begs her to give him another chance, but Eileen's only response is to tell Julie to tell him that if he doesn't come and get his stuff out of her backyard she'll barbeque the lot.

David is on the phone to Gail when Nick comes downstairs. Finishing the call, David tells his brother that their mum will know by dinner time if she's going to get out or not. "Great," says Nick, but he's somewhat distracted looking for a folder that he needs for work. David is annoyed and feels that he's the only one in the family who really cares what happens to Gail. Nick says he cares as much as David, but he needs the folder for a meeting. He tells David to let him know as soon as he knows, until then there's nothing they can do.

Audrey is in the salon with Natasha, who asks if she wouldn't rather take the day off, but Audrey would rather keep her mind off things with work. "Can't you talk to Nick?" asks Natasha, but Audrey says he's up to his eyes with work. Just then the door opens and in walk Lewis. Natasha asks if he has an appointment. He tells her he hasn't, but heard he'd be in safe hands there if he wanted a quick trim. Audrey tells him he's come at an opportune time, and Natasha takes his coat. He says he was on his way to visit an old friend who lives in the area but who he hasn't heard from for some time. "She might have had a lot on her plate," says Audrey. "In which case she might value a sympathetic ear," says Lewis. Audrey agrees, and when Natasha goes off to make tea they arrange to meet at lunch time for a chat. "That's a date," says Audrey, looking pleased.

Jesse is standing outside the Rovers, trying to reach Julie on his mobile phone, when he sees Eileen crossing the Street. He ducks round the corner out of sight.

Gail is pacing up and down in her cell, much to the annoyance of her cell mate who's playing patience. The other woman then starts reminiscing about her kids and a day out they once had in Morecambe. Just then the door opens and a prison officer tells Gail that her solicitor is here. Much cheered, Gail wishes her cell mate goodbye. "In case I don't see you again," she says. "See you back here in about half an hour," mutters the cell mate, as the door closes behind Gail.

Audrey and Lewis are chatting in the salon beside teacups and a plate of biscuits. Whilst his hair does look a bit tidier, I can't be sure there's been much trimming! Audrey tells him how she's Gail's mother and loves her more than anything in the world. She felt there was always something fishy about Joe and had to ask Gail if she was holding something back for her own peace of mind. "But then to be accused of calling her a murderer......" she says. Lewis agrees that it isn't true and it isn't fair, and Gail is going to need all the support she can get. "She can't afford to turn her back on you," he says. "You manage to say all the right things," says Audrey. Lewis tells her he means them, he'd be a pretty shabby friend if he didn't.

Gail sits down in front of her solicitor with a confident smile. It's short-lived, however, when she's told that there is no good news, her appeal for bail has been turned down, despite the judge being told that Gail would surrender her passport and report to the police station twice a week. "So..what next?" asks Gail, shakily. The solicitor tells her that there's not much else they can do until the trial, in four months. "I've got to stay in this hell-hole for another four months?" asks Gail, aghast, "and there's nothing you can do?" "Nothing whatsoever," says the solicitor, "I'm sorry."

Tina and Jason are moving back into their flat, unpacking boxes and putting things in cupboards. She says she likes being back, it's their own space and it's private. "And if Gail gets out today?" asks Jason. "That's something else," says Tina. She mulls it over, saying that if Gail is proved innocent she's going to feel terrible, and if she's guilty she'll always feel guilty because Gail met her dad through Tina. "If she's guilty and she gets out, well, I could end up killing her myself," she adds. "Well the sooner we sell this place and flit, the better," says Jason, but Tina doesn't look so sure.

In the pub, Norris is moaning on about a phone salesman. He can't see why he should need a camera on a phone, but he couldn't get one without. Julie meets Jesse and tells him that Eileen isn't interested. He's crestfallen, but she tells him that he'll meet someone else, he's a lovely man and someone will jump at him. She offers to meet him after work and she'll try and cheer him up. He thanks her, saying he'd really like that.

Sophie Webster is walking down the Street when Kevin calls her and tells her not to be late for her tea. "Scared I might forget?" she asks him sarcastically. He says he's sorry for what happened last night, but Sally's at Auntie Phyllis and he's cooking tea. Just then the shop door opens and Molly comes out to sign for a delivery. She sees Kevin and Sophie arguing and goes back inside.

Another door opens, this time it's the salon, and out come Lewis and Audrey. She tells him she feel so much better for their chat. Just then, Norris comes out of the pub and sees the two of them on the pavement. He whips out his new phone and makes good use of his new camera by taking a photo just as Lewis pecks Audrey on the cheek and bids her goodbye. Looking like the cat who got the cream he hurries off along the road.

Gail is desperately upset and talking to David on the phone. She says she doesn't know how long she can stand it, she thought she'd be home with them all by now. As he's talking to his mum, Nick comes in and catches the end of the conversation. When he hangs up, David tells him that Gail has to stay in gaol until the trial which is four months away, at least. "How did she seem?" asks Nick. "How do you think?" says David, "I don't think she's going to get through this." He looks really upset and Nick puts his arm across his shoulders. "We have to stay strong for her," he says. David pulls away. "It's we now is it?" he says, "it's a bit late for that!" Nick tells him the reason he hasn't been to see Gail is because he was scared he couldn't handle it, but he will now. "Promise," he says. David points out that being strong is not going to get her home. "The law's got to run it's course," says Nick, "what else can we do?" "We have to think of something," says David.

In her cell, Gail's cell mate is wittering on about a magazine competition, while Gail stares morosely into space.

Molly and Kevin bump into each other outside the Kabin. "Everything all right with Sophie?" she asks. "Like you give a monkey's," snaps Kevin. Molly says she was just trying to be civil. Kevin says she was the reason he forgot his arrangement with Sophie, he was too busy thinking about Molly and Tyrone. "If you cared about Sophie, or anyone in my family, you would have slung your hook ages ago," he says. "I'm staying round here to make a go of it with my family," says Molly, getting heated, "after you dumped me to make a go of it with yours!"

In a side street, Julie sees Jesse sitting in his van and climbs in to join him. "How've you been?" she asks. He tells her he's been feeling better, she was a tonic at dinnertime. He starts telling her that he's always been thinking of her, even when he was with Eileen. He lunges forward to kiss her. "No!" she cries and pushes him away. "I should go," she says. "I like you, but not in that way," and she jumps out of the van and hurries away.

In the Webster house, Kevin thinks Sophie is giving him the silent treatment, but she's actually just listening to her MP3 player. Rosie comes down and tells her dad she's off to meet her new boyfriend. He's a footballer for Weatherfield County. "His name's Kyle Dimitri," she says. Kevin looks puzzled, he can't remember a footballer of that name. She explains that he's on the reserves, but in two years time he'll be in the premiership. She goes off to meet him, and Kevin turns his attention to his other daughter. He gives her fifty pounds to compensate for forgetting her, and peace is restored.

Outside, Graeme sees Rosie walking down the Street, but his chat up lines fall on deaf ears. As she struts off, he runs into David who tells him that Gail's been denied bail. "I'm sorry," says Graeme, who then wonders if there's anything they can do. David remembers the two witnesses who said they saw Gail on the boat arguing with Joe. David wonders if he can track them down and jog their memory at bit. "Whoa," says Graeme, "nobbling witnesses is a very serious crime." David says it wouldn't be nobbling, but they've only got half a story and he'd like to help them see that. He then decides to go to the lake tomorrow to find them, and tells Graeme he can come with him. Graeme is very doubtful but David won't take no for an answer. "That's sorted – you and me, tomorrow morning, the lakes!"

Anne Logan

Hello, and welcome to another Friday.

David's copying down some details from the website for the holiday house in the Lakes. He closes the laptop quickly as Nick comes downstairs. Nick's got his mother a new lawyer.

Julie peeps around the corner before walking into the street but she's not noticed Eileen coming out of the shop. Eileen's had a sleepless night thinking about Jesse. Eileen's promised to hear Jesse out. She can't understand why Julie's less enthusiastic about Eileen and Jesse than she was yesterday.

Sunita and Dev are having a discussion about ethically sourced stock. Dev's there to make a profit, not to save the world, but Sunita wants them to do both. Sunita wants to source and place all product orders, which stuns Dev.

David sees Tina in the street and has a go at her about Gail being refused bail. "Bet you're loving this, aren't you?" She tells him to back off and Nick, seeing the shouting, tells David the same. Tina says she could have handled it. She refuses to tell Jason what it was about.

Inside, Nick tells David he's only interested in fighting battles he can win. As soon as Nick's gone, David calls Graeme, but just gets his message ("please leave a message after the sheep . . . baaaaaaaaaa!"). David's message is "Where the hell are you?"

In the shop, Mary's admiring Norris's talent with the phone camera. Rita says it makes her feel grubby just looking at the picture of Audrey and Lewis. She says a peck on the cheek proves nothing. Norris tells her the man with Audrey was last seen draped over Claudia Colby. That gets Rita's attention. The three of them look very guilty as Audrey comes into the Kabin. Rita makes excuses and leaves, asking Audrey for a moment of her time and drags her outside.

Right outside the Kabin window (must be soundproof glass), Rita tells Audrey what Norris has been up to. "The little weasel!" says Audrey. She won't tell Rita what's going on but asks what Rita's doing at lunchtime.

Sophie meets Sian from the bus and walks her to the house.

Graeme arrives at David's. He was delayed because he couldn't find his flask. David suggests they take Nick's car. Graeme refuses but David gets in anyway. "This is a bad idea," mutters Graeme.

In the factory, Carla and Nick are just off to a meeting and plan to take Nick's car. Of course, they get outside just in time to see David drive off in the convertible.

Graeme's disappointed to find the SatNav will be doing the navigating and not him. David's phone goes. It's Nick wanting him to come back. Behind Nick, we see Carla calling a cab. Nick asks where David's going but David pretends he's breaking up. Graeme pours coffee and puts on a CD. Nick's shouting down the phone to no avail. A taxi arrives to take Nick and Carla to Preston.

Norris tells Mary he sometimes thinks his natural curiosity is more of a curse than a blessing. She tells him a long and pointless story about a mystery man she once knew.

Jason arrives home to find Tina lying on the sofa. He tells her David's taken Nick's car. He doesn't know what David's up to but he's not letting Tina near. This really annoys Tina, who says she's not helpless and can fight her own battles. She accuses Jason of being childish and jealous of Nick. She slams out of the flat.

Sunita comes back to the shop. She's negotiated a good deal on cooking sauces so Dev says she's now their principal buyer. They are both keen to live together again and Sunita says she and the kids will move into Dev's flat tomorrow. Her friends are here, her work's here. Dev argues that the kids need a proper house and refuses to have the flat as their family home.

Eileen arrives at the Rovers and meets Jesse. "Let's cut straight to the chase, shall we?" she asks. "You're an insensitive moron and I'm a moody, stubborn cow. You want to talk to me and I'm ready to listen."

Sophie and Sian meet Ryan and his friend, Lee. Ryan suggests they go to his place to watch a DVD. "You look wicked," Lee tells Sophie.

David and Graeme arrive at a pub in the Lake District. Actually, it's the Church Inn, in Mobberley, but let's pretend. The landlady asks what brings them round there. David comes up with a day-out excuse and asks after the people who gave the statement to the police. They're the Kenworthys and are often in the pub. She asks why they're asking. Graeme comes up with a dreadful story about being interested in buying their boat for a Russian billionaire. "It's all I could think of," he explains to David. "That's what scares me," David says.

Back in the Rovers, Jesse agrees the holiday business was unforgiveable. Eileen says she should have been more understanding. Julie's got Sean looking for any sign of reconciliation. She tells him about Jesse declaring his love for her.

There's a bit of canoodling on the sofa between Ryan and Sian. Sophie watches. When Sian misses a bit of the movie, she makes that an excuse to go to the other room with Ryan. Lee adjusts his position on the sofa and puts his arm along the back behind Sophie, who suddenly sits up straight.

David and Graeme wait in the pub. Mark and Jane Kenworthy come in and introduce themselves. The landlady's told them about the boat. David confesses they're there about his mum.

Jesse's being self-deprecating. "I'm in the last-chance saloon here," he says. "I love you and it's as simple as that." He begs Eileen to give him a chance to make it up to her.

David wants to know what the couple told the police but they're reluctant to say. They're offended when David suggests they might have been wrong and get up to leave. He chases them and pleads with them. "We're not going to change our story!" shouts the man. His wife wants to call the police. This panics Graeme and David.

The end of Friday's first episode.
Margaret Carr

Mrs Kenworthy (Kenworthy...a woman capable of having an affair with Ken?) and her husband are accusing David of trying to intimidate them. Mr Kenworthy tells him that they are sure what they saw, brawling couples might be an everyday sight where David comes from (you got that right) but he and his wife remember every detail. They have to make a hasty retreat as the couple and the barmaid decide who will phone the ‘filth' (for Canadian viewers, Graeme is referring to the police force here, not a mud puddle)

Audrey is confiding in Rita about her set up with Lewis. Rita is shocked and tells Audrey that she's an attractive woman and she doesn't have to stoop to that (I don't think it's Audrey's attractiveness that's the problem, it's the availability of males...her options are limited to Norris and...Norris) Audrey tells Rita there is no emotional or physical entanglements, just the chance to enjoy some charming company.

Breaking the ice in an ever so sexy way, Lee tries to wow Sophie with his impressions of Darth Vader from the Star Wars series. Sophie is clearly unimpressed but, evidently thinking he has successfully used his Jedi mind control on her, he leans in for a kiss. Sophie pulls away disgusted. Lee states that he thought that's why they were there. What a charmer...sci-fi impressions and sexual assumptions...how could Sophie resist!? Sophie chucks him and Ryan out. Sian is shocked that Ryan implied to Lee that Sophie would be ‘up for it' This show gives such a good impression of us young males!

Julie watches aghast as Jesse uses all his best lines on Eileen (like ‘we're the dream team' When you swoon, try to land onto something soft, female readers!). Sean manages to stop her storming over and breaking up the imminent reunion.

Norris asks Jason when Tina might be back at work. Jason replies that as soon as tomorrow, touchwood. He touches the newspaper stand for good luck, but would probably have been better off tapping his own head.

David and Graeme pull up in Nick's car and Nick dives for David demanding to know what's been going on. Seeing Norris eavesdropping in his characteristic fashion, Graeme suggests they move the confrontation away from prying ears.

Sunita is pressing Dev to let her move in. He feels the kids may be uprooted but she claims they aren't rooted in the first place. He eventually gives in. Sunita says she'll put on the kettle to celebrate. Yes that's right, a celebratory cup of tea...things don't get much more exciting in the Alahan household.

Julie flies round to the cab office and tells Eileen that she can't reunite with Jesse as he told Julie he loved her only last night. Eileen is furious at her own choice of men. I wouldn't like to be in Jesse's shoes, judging by the red mist that descends before |Eileen's eyes as she realises she's been played for a fool.

Nick is fuming with David and Graeme for intimidating witnesses and tells him how bad it will look to the police. Speaking of whom, they call round not 5 seconds later where they ask David why he's been tracking down the witnesses. David is about to get on his high horse when Nick takes the blame and says it was all his idea. He then apologises for being naïve.

Rita has come round to Audrey's idea and tells her she admires her for doing it. Audrey says it's about time she took charge of her own life and started living for herself. Norris waits until she heads for the toilet before snooping over to Rita. Rita tells a disappointed Norris that Lewis isn't married and Claudia is just a business friend. Audrey is just having fun...Norris should try it. I would argue that every day must be fun when he has Mary for company, but perhaps he wouldn't agree.

Jesse turns up to the bar with a box full of his silly merchandise and some cheap chocolates and flowers. Needless to say this fails to win Eileen round. She informs him that Julie has parted with the information that he professed his love for her last night. He soon finds himself attacked with a barrage of his props before having to leg it out of the Street for good. Thank goodness. I much prefer single, bitter Eileen.

Sian has followed Sophie and has checked she's okay. Sophie sighs that all she's had is bloke problems, she'd be better off without them. Sian smiles and says that they were close before boys came along and will still be close after they go too. (yeah, not obvious where this is heading...)

David and Graeme assure the police that they weren't intimidating the Kenworthys but the police say if the witnesses say different then Gail won't be the only one on a criminal charge.

The excitement in Dev's flat has reached dizzying heights. The dimmer switch is broken and Sunita is washing lettuce. She tells Dev they don't need a dimmer they'll have a normal switch from now on. There needs to be a different feel to the place. As his brats, sorry kids, run wild, Dev doesn't seem too overjoyed by this.

Eileen is miserably munching at the chocolates Jesse left behind. She thanks Julie for what she did. Julie says they can have a fresh start...no man will come between them. My my, did a suffragette write this episode?

Nick is fuming about the situation David has landed them in. He tells him that what he's done is the opposite of help for Gail. David points out that at least he did something. Nick pins David against the wall and warns him that if he ever pulls a stunt like that again, he'll hand him to the police himself.

That's all for now!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Joe Turner directed by John Anderson

Jason has brought in the post and seems quite satisfied with something. He asks Tina to go out that night. They deserve a treat but she says they can't afford it and she'll cook something nice. He'll bring the wine and candles and wants her to dress up. It'll be romantic. He kisses her goodbye.

David enters the kitchen and Nick wonders what he's doing today. David sarcastically describes a day included bribing witnesses or maybe violence will work. More sniping. Nick points out their mother won't be happy to find out what David's been up to and hisses at him to grow up. (take a bit of that medicine yourself, wussy boy).

Fiz irons and John peruses a novel. It's The Talented Mr. Ripley, an American psychological thriller, but Fiz has only ever seen the movie but who was in it? She can't remember. Matt Damon and Jude Law, John fills in, much to her pleasure and she gushes sickeningly over him. He mentions he might be going out for a pint after work with the other teachers and invites her along. She declines. More gushing and a kiss on the cheek.

Claire has come in to try to cheer up Eileen at the taxi office. Eileen is colouring in the eyes on a small plastic skull and gripes about never finding happiness. Becky pops in with butties for Steve but he's out on a job. (he must be starving, the clock says it's 10 past 2!) She's a bit irritable and snaps at Claire but then apologizes. Things haven't been all that smooth with her and Steve. Claire and Eileen, with the gossip radar that could put Norris to shame, hone in and drag it out of her. Steve has apparently lost his mojo, (i.e. things are cooling off in the bedroom). C&E are delighted to have something to tease Steve about. Claire says Ashley hasn't lost his passion even though they've been married awhile.

Nick has come to Audrey's and has told her what David did trying to talk to the witnesses. He wants Audrey to intervene. He takes off. Outside, Sian and Sophie are going somewhere but Sophie doesn't know where. It's a surprise, Sian giggles.

Over in Devster towers, it seems there is no ice in the dispenser. Asha used all the ice to cool down Aadi's bath water. The kids run in and ask if they can all go to the zoo. They even know the opening hours because they used his laptop to look it up on the internet. He's not to pleased with that either because they didn't ask.

Audrey has now come to take a piece out of David who isn't too happy that Nick went tattling to Granny. David is making cheese on toast and avers that he's at least doing something. Audrey thinks David should come back to work rather than brooding at home on his own. David says he has to go see his mother tomorrow and that's fine, Audrey agrees, but he should come back after. He tentatively agrees. Maybe.

The girls come giggling out of the factory. Tina is walking by with the shopping bags. The sight of people laughing and getting on with their lives while she feels her life has stopped seems to strike her to the heart. It's like that, isn't it? Fiz runs across just as John is leaving. They coo and gush some more. Fiz likes the change in John now he's teaching again, it's like a new man about the house.

Steve is in the cab office and is shocked that Becky has told Claire and Eileen that he's lost his Mojo. Highly offended, actually and goes out in a strop. Jason has popped in and tells Eileen he and Tina are having tea at the flat, wine in hand, and tells his mum that his divorce is final today. He's going to re-propose over a romantic meal. Eileen tries to warn him to slow down. Jason thinks Tina needs something to look forward to. Eileen doesn't look too sure.

Sian's surprise was matching temporary henna tattoos on her and Sophie's backs. Sian is going to hide hers from her father. Sophie's phone buzzes and it's the fella she blew off the other day. Lee. He's apologized. Sophie doesn't know if she should text him back. It's only good manners. But what should she put in the text?

Steve hollers at Becky about telling the girls about his mojo. She says it does feel like his heart isn't really in it lately. He objects and says he's up for it right now but the crate of crisps she's carrying crashes into the crate of bottles he's lugging and they agree to sort things out and then meet upstairs. Mojo seems fired up again. All systems are GO?

Meanwhile, Jason is lighting a candle. Tina has her hair up and a nice top on with her jeans. They chat for a bit as he pours the wine and she realizes something is up and asks him. He shows her the decree. He's a free man but he doesn't want to be single. He wants to be married to her, the whole nine yards. Dress, flowers, church, he wants her to be Mrs. Jason Grimshaw. How about it? And how does April sound? (Whoah, nelly!)

After the break, she's screaming at him for jumping the gun without telling her and springing another bombshell on her. They have a ferocious row about him wanting to give her something to think about besides her dad because obviously, that's the wrong thing to do. She doesn't want to forget her dad and does see that he's only trying to do something nice for her.

David sees Graeme up a ladder cleaning the Platt windows (in the rain). He's just trying to do something nice. Metaphorically, he thinks they need to see things clearly and wants to be supportive. Nick wonders what Graeme is doing. David quizzes Nick on why he went running to Audrey. Nick drags him over to the pub to discuss it... in private??

John is in the middle of class and is summoned to the door by a very angry supervisor. Everything ok? Clearly not. First things first, he's fired. He's accused of knowing he shouldn't have been there in the first place. Oh that. Obviously they have indeed done the security check and have discovered he's got a criminal record. He tries to excuse himself by saying he didn't think it would matter as he's not teaching kids. No dice. Not only are you fired, you'll never teach again. He's not even allowed to finish tonight's class, there's another teacher with the supervisor who will take over immediately. Off with your head! (so to speak)

Jason feels he can't do anything right. Tina doesn't know either, and why does Jason want to analyse everything. She wonders if maybe he's just trying too hard and maybe she's just got to work it through herself. So... no wedding? She screams at him again, she needs space and needs to be on her own. She suggests he go to his mother's for a bit. He doesn't understand, she was all up for a wedding a few weeks ago. What happened? (Oh I know you're thick, Jason, but really!?)

Alahans are back from a rambunctious day at the zoo. The kids have their little faces painted with animal whiskers and the like and are wound up and playing "animal". It's all very loud and the parents are having a time trying to settle them down for their bath and bed time. They are subsequently bribed with a bubble bath and hot chocolate. That works. Sunita herds them into the bathroom. Dev catches his breath.

Jason blows out the candles. He doesn't want to leave her on her own and doesn't know what he did so wrong. Tina says it's her not him and she really does want to be on her own. He starts to grill her, thinking maybe there's something else going on besides her grieving. She insists there isn't. All she wants is some peace and quiet and he feels like she's using the whole situation as an excuse to dump him. Oh right, she snaps, perfect excuse, every cloud has a silver lining, and he asks her, is there someone else? No of course not, she fires back...but there could have been. Uh oh. She tries to drop the subject but he won't let it go. Is it David? No. But close. She finally admits she met Nick before Christmas and kissed him. She didn't know who he was but that's all there was to it. Jason is gobsmacked. She figures that proves it and they're finished. Now can you please go? He does. He turns his back slowly and leaves.

The hot chocolate is nearly done but Aadi is nowhere to be seen. They have a look around and then hear knocking. The child is outside on the balcony of the flat in his pyjamas! And the door is locked! Dev tries the lock but the handle falls off in his hand and Aadi is trapped outside.

Jason is gutted. He looks like he has been hit in the gut by a very large baseball bat. He wipes away a tear and glares at the next door Platt house as Graeme drives his rickshaw and window cleaning stuff away.

Come back in the next part to see how it all comes out.

Tvor

At Dev's flat, Sunita is panicking about young Aadi being trapped on the balcony. Everyone's in a panic. On the street below, Graeme is cycling his window washing rickshaw and glances upwards to Dev's balcony. "Now that doesn't look right," he says to himself.

In the bar, Steve is looking for Becky. Becky comes back up from where she's been fetching some wine for Liz and is practically whisked away upstairs for a bit of rumpy pumpy by her husband.

Nick and David are also in the bar, discussing what Gail would like to see when she gets out of prison- the two of them getting along like real brothers. Jason comes in and interrupts them. He swings a punch at Nick and warns her off ever going near Tina ever again. Nick explains that he only kissed Tina and nothing else happened. David thinks Jason owes Nick an apology and the two brothers present an odd united front to Jason. Nick goads Jason about Todd and another fight threatens. Ciaran throws Jason out on Liz's instruction and is feeling pretty pleased with himself. He asks Liz if there's anything else she needs him to do. She sends him upstairs to see what Steve has done with the rota. Nick puts David back in his place by telling him he knew David wanted to pile in and help him against Jason before the fight was broken up. "Maybe next time, mate." David leaves in the huff again.

Sunita and Dev are still flailing around, trying to grab their little boy off the balcony. Dev heads out to grab a big hammer. Meanwhile, Graeme heroically places his ladder up against the balcony, climbs it and saves Aadi by opening the balcony from the outside. Dev & Sunita are v grateful and offer Graeme a reward- a brandy. Sunita gives him a big hug.

John Stape is packing up his things. His boss wonders how John thought he would ever get away with it. He tells John that there's no way that John will ever get a teaching position again and gives him short shrift, practically throwing him out of the school.

Ryan, Sian and Sophie are outside, having some chips. Ryan is clearly getting cheesed off, not having much time alone with Sian.

Jason is shouting outside their flat, shouting to Tina to open the door. It's falling in deaf ears. David walks past him. They exchange hostile looks.

Poor Ciaran! He's upstairs, looking for the rota and has interrupted Steve and Becky in a sexy role playing game. Steve is dressed as "the naked chef", if you know what I mean, while Becky's not wearing much more. I say poor Ciaran but really, he's more amused than anything else. He leaves. Becky tries to get Steve back to the game but Steve's heart's not up to it, apparently.

Jason goes and sees his mother at Street Cars. He tells her about Tina kissing Nick. Poor Jason is distraught. "One minute I'm planning my wedding, the next minute it's all over. How did I get it so wrong. Eileen gives Jason a motherly cuddle. There's nothing like a cuddle from your mum, is there? Jason can't understand why Tina had to go off kissing someone else. He feels like he let her down. He feels as though he got everything wrong since Joe died and he tried to support her. Jason has decided to move home to Eileen while Tina stays in the flat.

It looks like Graeme is enjoying his welcome at Dev's, perched on the sofa, eating fancy crisps and drinking best brandy. Dev asks Graeme to have a word with Sunita about moving to a house. Graeme doesn't understand why Dev, a man of means, hasn't bought a place. Dev offers Graeme another brandy.

Steve is fully dressed again and is looking sheepish in the bar as Ciaran and Liz take the mickey out of him. Becky comes down and tells Ciaran off for putting Steve off his rhythm (so to speak). Liz thinks that'll teach them a lesson to only use the kitchen for cooking in future. Steve agrees that each space has its own purpose. Becky calls Steve a hypocrite and runs off an extensive list of places the two of them have enjoyed relations, including the ginnel! Ciaran is amused and astounded while Liz cries, "Stop her, please! Stop her!"

Sian, Sophie and Ryan again. Up at Michelle's place, Ryan is getting more and more frustrated about Sophie hanging about. He even calls her a gooseberry. Sian and Ryan argue about Ryan being horrible to Sophie. Ryan lets it slip that Tamsyn asked him out, to male Sian jealous. Sian and Ryan have a big argument which ends in tears. Sophie and Sian leave.

Nick comes home to David ironing. David asks Nick why he didn't tell him about kissing Tina. They talk a little about Jason and Tina. David thinks it's over and tells Nick that Tina has locked Jason out of the flat. David presses Nick for more information- he wants to know if Nick really did just kiss Tina. He thinks they must have just kissed because otherwise Nick would be boasting about having slept with her. Such nice gentlemen.

Sian and Sophie talk a bit about how they're both off men now. Men don't deserve them. Sophie tells Sian how she misses Sian while she's in Southport- it's boring without Sian.

Eileen has a go at trying to get Tina to answer the door. Tina simply turns up the sound on the tv so she can't hear Eileen knocking.

John comes home to a bemused Fizz. He tells her he got the sack from the teaching job. He claims it's not fair that he won't be able to teach again and sadly accepts, "I will never teach again."

Steve and Becky try to schedule a bit more time for loving but it looks like they're too busy with family life to have time to themselves. Steve sees an ad in the paper and call.

Graeme has gone home, leaving Dev and Sunita to talk about moving house. Sunita wants the family to move in together for good. Dev agrees to buy a new house for them all to live in. It's all quite ridiculous really, just filler to pave the way for them to buy a house on the street.

David and Nick are still talking about Tina. David is still jealous about Nick kissing Tina. Nick provokes David by talking trash about him and Tina. He pushes things too far by betting David £25 he could bed Tina by the end of the week. David punches Nick in the face. Nick laughs it off, two punches in one day- unlucky. David warns Nick, "Stay away from Tina! I mean it!"

Stella McLoughlin

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

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