Tyrone is cooking breakfast for Kirsty, they're both pretty pleased at the way things worked out. They hope that now Tommy will realise the truth about his dad. Tyrone reckons they'll be pleased with Kirsty at work, but she's not so sure.

Tommy finds his dad in the club premises. Terry reckons he's screwed now, all down to that interfering cow.

The workers are arriving at the factory, and Eileen mentions that she and Paul are off to Cyprus for a week's holiday, they got a last minute deal. Julie comes in, and they ask how the scan went, is there a photo? Julie breaks down and tells them there is no photo because there's no baby, there never was.

Norris and Mary are staring at their hanging baskets and wondering why they're not doing very well. Gail comes along and suggests moving them to the back yard. Norris says he's not falling for that one, he knows that Gail is entering Weatherfield in Bloom too.

Back at the factory, they're trying to comfort Julie and tell her that most growths are benign. "But what if it's not?" says Julie, with panic on her face. Eileen says that's why she must get it checked out as soon as possible. Julie asks Carla for time off and then goes off to the medical centre.

Dr Matt looks at Julie's scan results and tells her that they'll have to operate to check out the cyst on her ovary. As luck would have it they've had a cancellation and can fit her in tomorrow.

Kevin goes to get Jack from Pam's. He tells Pam that he and Sally have been talking and she's finding it difficult to accept Jack, he reminds her of Molly. He asks Pam if she and Bill would consider having Jack to live with them for a few months, until Sally can sort out how she feels about him. Pam is shocked. "Are you serious?" she asks.

In the doctor's surgery, Matt tells Julie that if the cyst has spread outside surface of the ovary they will have to remove the ovary. She wants to know if it will affect her chances of getting pregnant. He tells her he's seen lots of women in her situation and almost all have gone on to have children.

A stunned Kirsty goes into the pub to find Tyrone. She tells him she's been suspended again for all the things she did. She's been told that she's jeopardised the police's relationship with the council and brought the force into disrepute. She tells him her career in the police is finished for good.

Back at Pam's, she's furious. She wants to know if this is Sally's idea, but Kevin protests that it's his. "So we do all the donkey work while you and her go out on the razz every night until she makes up her mind?"

In the Rovers, Stella and Tina are talking about Kirsty, and Tina says she actually feels sorry for her. Just then Tommy comes in and is delighted when he hears the news. He says it's her interfering that screwed his dad. Kirsty overhears and comes over, telling Tommy that his dad is a criminal. They then start shouting at each other until Tyrone tries to get Kirsty to leave. She's furious that he isn't backing her up, and storms out.

Pam asks Kevin if he's thought what would happen if Sally never wants Jack. Kevin says they'd have to think of something else. "So you'd still choose her over him?" Pam is astounded, and asks Kevin to think what they would say when Jack is old enough to ask why he doesn't live with his daddy any more. Eventually Pam says that she'll have to check with Bill, but yes, she will do it, she feels she has no choice as Kevin isn't prepared to have him, after all, Jack is her flesh and blood. It's a pity Kevin can't see it like that.

Julie and Brian have called to tell Eileen the news. She's shocked and sorry. Julie wonders if they should try and have a baby before she has the operation, but Brian says they mustn't think like that.

Tommy calls on Terry and is amazed to find him packing. Terry tells him he had no idea the councilor was bent and now he's lost all his money. Just then there's a knock on the door and some men barge in and throw Terry onto the bed. "Going somewhere, Terry?" asks one of them.

Mary and Norris have bought various supplies to help their hanging baskets along, when they see Gail planting flowering plants in her front garden. She tells them she started them off at her mother's, the soil is better there. "Is that allowed?" asks Norris. Gail says there is nothing in the rule book about it.

The heavies pin Terry and Tommy up against the wall, saying that their boss wants his money back. Terry says he needs a couple of more months, but they say it has to be paid by the end of the day tomorrow. Tommy says he'll get the money. When they've gone, Terry asks his dad how much he owes, and Terry tells him 10 grand. Tommy is shocked, but says he'll give him the money. Tommy gives him a hug, but smirks over his shoulder.

Kevin goes back to Sally's house and tells her that although Pam said she'll have Jack, he can't bring himself to do it, he doesn't know what he was thinking. "Where does this leave us?" asks Sally.

Tyrone goes back home where Kirsty tells him that he got her the sack, she knew she shouldn't have done it but he kept egging her on. She shouts at him that he kept nagging her, and he didn't back her up when Tommy had a go at her in the Rovers. Tyrone then tells her that he's spoken to Carla. There's a vacancy at Underworld in packing, it's Kirsty's if she wants it. "Well that solves everything," she says, sarcastically, "that's the answer to my prayers!"

Kevin and Sally are talking over their situation. He suggests that they don't live together, but still see each other. "What, go on dates?" asks Sally. She doesn't think that would work, and Jack would still want her to be his mum. She says they will just have to be friends because she can't find the love that Jack needs. He will be Kevin's priority for the next 20 years and he needs to find someone who can help him with that. They both get tearful and she hugs him, saying she hopes it works out for him.

Back at Tyrone's, Kirsty is shouting that she's lost her career, her vocation, and he thinks stuffing knickers into boxes will make up for that. He shouts that he was only trying to help, and doesn't she think she's over reacting? She has a soup ladle in her hand and she lashes out with it, hitting him full in the mouth with it. He gasps and when he takes his hands away there's lots of blood. She tries to say she's sorry but he just turns and rushes out of the front door.

Anne Logan

Hello. Excuse the ice-cream stains on this update but it's been very hot here.

We start at Tyrone's house where he's sitting in the dark with his face a terrible mess. Kirsty comes in and offers him breakfast and many, many apologies. "That doesn't mean it didn't happen. It doesn't mean I don't look like this!" Tyrone says bitterly. Kirsty says he knew she was under a lot of stress and should have known to give her a wide berth. Tyrone's horrified that she's putting the blame on him.

Out in the street, Tina tells Tommy they've got an appointment at the bank later. It's important that they invest their money wisely.

David opens a letter from the school about parents' evening next week. He doesn't even know where Max is. Gail sympathises about what Kylie's put him through but David says he just misses her.

Fay's in the cafe, getting a bit demanding, when Anna gets a text message from Dev asking her to work tonight. But who's going to look after Fay? "To quote John Inman, 'I'm free!'," says Mary. Fay is horrified and pleads with Anna to stop working at Dev's but she's packed off to school.

Kev and Sally exchange regretful looks as she passes the garage on her way to work. Sean tells everyone it's Maria's birthday and he promised her a bit of a party in the Rovers, but that seems wrong with Julie having her operation today. The others convince him that Julie would be in favour of the party.

Kirsty comes to the garage office and tearfully tells Tyrone she was upset, she wasn't thinking straight and a red mist descended. "I know that's no excuse. I've hurt you." Ty tells her that if he'd done the hitting he'd be a wife beater. "Just because you're a woman doesn't make it right. Get out. I don't want to look at you!"

Audrey and Lewis stop into the cafe and tell Anna how well Audrey is and that she's been instructed to take light exercise.

Julie and Brian are on their way to the hospital without any overnight bag at all as far as I can tell. They meet Marcus at the bus stop and talk about the surgery. There's an air of forced cheerfulness.

Owen, Gary and Jason are in the cafe. They sit with Tommy and Owen gives him a quiet warning and makes it clear that Terry owes him money and it's Terry's fault they now have no work.

In the Kabin, Emily's sneezing with the hay fever she's got from Norris's hanging baskets. Gail offers to bin them for Emily because Norris doesn't have a chance of winning and Norris calls Gail a cheat.

Marcus sits with Brian and Julie as they wait for her to be admitted.

Back in the garage, Tyrone asks about the situation with Kevin and Sally and Kevin counters by asking about Tyrone's face. Tyrone says he was getting down a box from the loft and it fell on him. Kevin says he's only got himself to blame for Sally not being able to cope with Jack. A relationship needs work and the only work he paid any attention to was in the garage.

Tommy goes to Terry's flat and gives the bad guys ten thousand pounds. When they've gone, Terry insists he'll make it up to Tommy. "I'll never let you down again, son." [Just like that other soap promise, "I won't tell a soul," we all know this is likely to be broken within the next few episodes!]

Fiz sits with Sally in the tea area and hears about her problem with baby Jack. Sally thinks she's not a very nice person. The other machinists watch but when challenged by Fiz they insist they were talking about Julie.

Julie's wearing a hospital gown and waiting with Brian cuddling her in her bed. She's given the forms to sign giving permission for both ovaries to be removed if necessary.

David and Maria are both doing clients' hair when Audrey arrives at the salon with a huge bunch of flowers for Maria. David tells her he's had the sign replaced. Audrey thanks him and says he can go now. A stunned David leaves.

Tyrone goes home and tells Kirsty he's been invited to help Maria celebrate her birthday. Kirsty asks whether anyone mentioned his injuries and he tells her he lied about it. He goes to run a bath.

Mary's reading aloud to Fay, claiming it's educational, though it sounds as if she's just reading the novel she was reading anyway. Fay pleads to be allowed out to play, saying she'll be huge and unloved if she doesn't get any exercise. Mary allows her out to play in the garden.

Marcus sees Brian waiting for Julie to be brought back from theatre. Brian cries as he confides that he was married before but it was nothing like this. Julie brings sunshine into his life.

Tyrone's back downstairs and Kirsty thinks he should go to Maria's party. They should lead more independent lives. Tyrone scathingly asks whether that means if they spend less time together there'll be less chance of her walloping him. His mother beat him but he's not a kid any more. He thought he and Kirsty were equals. Kirsty says he's a much better person than she is. The police were right to get rid of her and she shouldn't have taken it out on the man she loves. She says it would be easy to blame it on her hormones but the truth is she can't take the pressure. Tyrone thinks she's really repentant and asks her to come to the pub, too. They make a sort of peace.

Tina's really annoyed to see Terry arrive at the pub with Tommy. She instructs Tommy to go home and change his shirt and shoes ready for the bank appointment. Tommy confesses that there's no point. He gave the money to his Dad. "You did what?"

It looks as if Tina's about to explode but she's on a delayed timer and you'll have to wait for the second episode to find out whether she does.

That's the end of this one.

Margaret Carr

Written by: Jan McVerry
Directed by: Duncan Foster

We open with Tina giving Tommy a rollicking for parting with his inheritance to pay his father's debts. Terry is butting in with interjections like telling her how quickly he will get it back with interest, but she is not convinced. Tina is angry at Tommy's stupidity, and will not be placated. She is on her way home to cancel their appointment with the bank. Tommy tells her just to postpone it, as Terry will be paying him back, she just shakes her head in disbelief and calls him a Muppet. Tommy is insulted, and tells her that if it had been her Dad, she would have done the same thing. She tells him that the difference is that her Dad had loved her, his didn't want to know him until he found out he had money. Her parting words are "Grow up Tommy, he's playing you like a fiddle and you still can't see it!"

At the hospital, Marcus and Brian visit Julie after her operation. Brian wants to know what the doctor has told her. She groggily tells him that he said the op went very well with no complications, and he was very pleased. Brian looks relieved for a split second, then reads the pain in Julie's face, as she tells him that they took both her ovaries. She tells him with tears rolling down her face that she will never be a Mum.

Terry walks into the flat and overhears Tina canceling the appointment at the bank. He asks her why she thinks he came here to open his venue on this street when he could have gone anywhere. Tina replies that she is more interested in when he is going. Not put off, he continues that he came back there to prove something, and when he had made it big, he planned to show up at Tommy's house in Blackpool with a brand new Bimmer (BMW), Tina laughs sarcastically and tells him that she had plans to model for Armani too. He barrels on that the number plate of Tommy's car is already on order, and she can check, it's TD2. Tina replies that it's short for 'Total Dreamer'. (Now I am not sure whether I got this last bit right, I am not certain if Terry meant the car was for Tommy, or whether he was planning to just show up in his own BMW to show off. Hard to tell when the licence plate would have been the same, still I guess it makes no difference, it's not likely to happen either way.)

Tommy has arrived at the door, and stops to listen to what his father is telling Tina. He overhears him telling her that he is determined that one day he will show everyone around there, and his Dad if he is watching, that he can make something of himself, and sooner or later is going to make Tommy proud to call him Dad.

Tommy makes a noise to let them know he is arriving home, and Terry tells them he will get off as they have a party to go to. Tommy tells him there is no rush, and gives him a beer. Terry tells him that he wishes he could prove to him that he has changed, that he has grown up. Tommy replies that he has already proved it by not taking off and leaving him to deal with the lone sharks alone, and that's good enough for him. (Something tells me that the lone sharks are friends of Terry's, and that the money is being split as we speak, but time will tell if I'm right)

Back at the hospital Julie is putting a brave face on it for the staff. Brian knows it's an act though. Julie tells him she loves him, but that he should walk away, because even if they don't talk about it, the fact that she can't have children will always be there hanging over them. Brian is shocked, and tells her that he didn't even know he wanted kids until he met her. Julie goes on to say that she can't face a life where they will over compensate, with him buying her a puppy that they will treat like a child, and they will tell everyone that they relish their independent lifestyle, but inside she will know that there is something missing. Brian tries to reassure her that it won't happen because dogs make him wheeze, so she switches the vision to a cat instead. He tells her that he doesn't want to leave her, and while he doesn't deny that he is disappointed, there is some comfort in having their future mapped out. Having spontaneity, money in their pockets, having energy for each other instead of having it diluted by sticky hands and sleepless nights. He tells her that a future like that is not to be sniffed at, and Julie is listening, but has tears in her eyes.

Terry is taking his leave before the couple go out. Tommy asks where he is staying, and is told that he has a place over Oakhill way. Tommy guesses that he is sleeping in his car, and offers their couch, no arguments. Tina doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill.....

Tyrone and Kirsty are just coming out of No. 9 as David walks past. He spots Tyrone's fat lip, and makes a joke. Tyrone jokes right back, so David goes on his way without suspecting a thing. Kirsty, whom it seems has a bit of a conscience after all tells him she can't go through with their night with friends. However, Tyrone tells her that she can do it - for him.

Now of all the people on the street who are likely to talk to their flowers, who would you guess is just telling theirs that they are getting perkier every day? It's none other than Gail, who is lovingly watering her pansies with a rallying pep talk, overheard by Norris who walks away in disgust, telling her she is a 'New age ninny'. LOL!!

Fiz and Kevin almost collide pushchairs on the cobbles, and she asks how he is doing. He tells her he is not doing well, as he checked out the nursery she recommended, and was told that if his baby hadn't been registered by the 20 week scan, he stood no chance of getting in. They chat a bit more about the problems of finding good child care, then go their separate ways.

Norris is complaining to Stella that he has found lipstick on his glass. She replaces both glass and drink, but Norris is expecting to get it free for his trouble. Not likely - so he goes over to join Rita and Dennis in a huff. Dennis is affronted that he has only bought himself a drink, and not for the two of them, but Norris is too busy prattling on about service to customers to notice, so Dennis gets up to get theirs himself - I said Dennis gets up to get theirs himself - now that's a first isn't it?

Kirsty is making an effort at Maria's party by buying everyone a drink. However, her feeling of good will doesn't last long when Sean makes a remark about having to blow up all the balloons himself, and Maria tells him he should have said something as she would have helped. Sean responds that she is a little lacking in the lungs department, to which Maria replies (while adjusting her bosom) "I've never had any complaints before, eh Ty?" Diplomatically Tyrone responds with no comment, but you can see Kirsty is more than a little perturbed.

Mary is relishing beating Faye at cards, and the latter is not having any fun. Luckily Anna comes home at that point, and Faye rushes to get Mary's book, hands it to her, opens the door and tells her goodbye before Anna can get her coat off. Anna offers Mary money, but she refuses to take it, saying that she did it as a friend. Faye is more than glad to see the back of her.

In the hospital waiting room, Brian is sitting with Marcus, who tells him that he can drop the stiff upper lip now he is away from Julie, and should tell him how he is really feeling. Brian explains that prior to meeting Julie, he had undergone a vasectomy, that being surrounded by kids all day at school was enough. But now he does feel cheated. Marcus tells him it is fine for him to grieve, but Brian says he can't grieve for something that was never there. Marcus comes back that it's OK to grieve the loss of a dream too. Brian then tells him that their child would have been creative, thoughtful and full of joy. Marcus counters that is possible, on a good day, but on a bad day it also might have been a selfish, lazy brat. That the thing with kids is that you never know what you are going to get. Brian reminds him that he was the one who told him to grieve, and Marcus replies that he should, but not torture himself, because there are many other outlets for his love. Brian then asks Marcus if that is what he tells himself too, because he knows he wanted children of his own. Marcus can't answer that. So Brian goes on to ask him if it's true that if he whistles a happy tune, the ache will go away. Marcus replies that it will. "And what if it doesn't?" says Brian, leaving a thoughtful Marcus as we head into the commercials.

After watching Delia Smith cooking her asparagus, we head back into the Rovers where the celebration is still going on. A tipsy Maria is talking about the men she used to be attracted to, the wealthy ones with the fast cars that would provide her with designer handbags, and is telling Kirsty that she has come to realise now that loyalty and goodness is worth a hundred handbags. Kirsty is gritting her teeth, and smiling falsely back. Maria however is too drunk to notice and goes on to sing her brother Kirk's praises who is sitting at home babysitting Liam and Hope when he could have opted to come to the party. She then gets around to Tyrone, and tells Kirsty that she has a diamond in him, that he will never ever let her down. Kirsty, looking decidedly uncomfortable makes excuses to move away from her.

Tina, sitting with Tommy is sitting looking thoughtfully at Jason, who has latched onto a beautiful blonde girl. (Rosie who?) Tommy asks her what she is thinking, and she tells him she is thinking they should tell Jason that he has a new non-rent paying lodger in his flat. Tommy protests that it is just one night, but Tina figures different, that now he has his feet under the table, they will never be rid of him.

Rita & Dennis have decided to leave the revelry to the young and are heading home, with Norris right behind them. Suddenly he is speechless. His prize hanging basket has disappeared from outside Emily's door, and he is convinced it has been stolen. He immediately thinks the 'Rose Whisperer', Gail is the culprit, and heads over there in high dudgeon.

Before he gets there, Gail and David are sitting chatting, oblivious to the Weatherfield Warrior who is about to break down their door. David is reflecting on what a nasty piece of work he was as a child, but Gail suggests that it would be kinder to say he was 'troubled'. David goes on to say that he manned up when he met Kylie, and became a father to Max. They made him want to be a better person. Now if she has gone for good, he is afraid he might go back to being that person again. Gail assures him that she will be back, but David says they have to face it that she might not come back, and he is scared of what he might do.

Just then Gail hears a noise, and rushes outside to see Norris hightailing it back home, carrying Gail's basket of flowers in his arms. She tries to wrestle it off him, calling him a thief, but he informs her that she can have it back when she returns his. They are still arguing in the street when a sniffling Emily comes outside carrying the basket in question. She is not best pleased with Norris, and tells him that she is not only allergic, but could have him for assault, as she has hit her head on the culprit basket three times today, and wants them gone - all of them - now! Not only that, but she makes Norris apologise to a smirking Gail, which nearly chokes him, especially when Gail insists he apologises to her petunias too for being so rude to them. Rita, Dennis and Emily find this totally hilarious, Norris not so much.

David has just found one of Max's toy trucks under a cushion, and gazing at it, seems to make his mind up about something, and as Gail comes back in the front door, David is leaving out the back.

Tina is still nagging Tommy to tell Jason that Terry is staying with them, before he finds out for himself when he gets home. As he approaches Jason, he is introduced to the blonde lingerie model Jamie-Lee, (suddenly I feel old, she was probably named after Jamie-Lee Curtis, who is younger than me!). Jason is excited, figuring it has to be a match made in heaven, because her dad's name is Kevin, her mum's name is Sally, and her sister is a lesbian. Hah! Rosie's instant replacement and blonde with it! Tommy doesn't feel he can rain on Jason's parade, and leaves them to it.

Tyrone and Kirsty are about to make tracks for home. An even more tipsy Maria hugs Kirsty and tells Tyrone to look after her. Tyrone looks away and scowls. Back at the table, Tommy is trying to explain to Tina why he didn't break the news to Jason, and tells her that chances are, he will be staying with his new found soul mate tonight anyway. Tommy tells her to lighten up, they are there to enjoy themselves. Tina is still upset that the thugs might have turned on him. Tommy assures her that his dad would never have let that happen, that he's a different bloke these days. Tina is not convinced, and tells him that she is not a monster, but just trying to watch his back. Tommy tells her that his father didn't con him out of the money, that he offered it willingly, and that he only took it because he is desperate. He talks and she listens, and pretty soon he has her feeling sorry for Terry too, and they decide to go and get him so he's not alone in the flat.

Brian is watching Julie sleep, but she opens her eyes as he moves closer. She tells him she thought he had gone, and he assures her he is going nowhere.

We are back in No. 9 now, Tyrone is sitting on the sofa looking very troubled. Kirsty sees this and swears on their baby's life that she will never raise a hand to him again. She kisses him, and begs that they can put it all behind them and moved on. Tyrone agrees that he has hated the atmosphere between them, but there is one good thing to come out of it, that she and the baby can get to chill now without the pressure and stress of the police force. As they hug, you can see in Kirsty's eyes that she doesn't agree about the police force bit.

Hmmm, maybe my theory about Terry was wrong, because he is taking a threatening phone call from the loan shark. He is telling him that what he paid him today cleaned him out. He begs for a couple of weeks, which was obviously refused, so he asks for a couple of days instead. He tells him that he has a plan, that he knows someone who will bail him out, as he owes him from way back. As he says this, he picks up a framed photo of Tommy and Tyrone in happier days. The caller obviously agrees to a couple of days, and hangs up.

He then starts ransacking the shelves, not sure what he is looking for, but is interrupted by the sound of Tommy and Tina coming back. He hurriedly straightens everything up and throws himself onto the sofa in the nick of time. They invite him to return to the Rovers with them, to show a united front to the neighbours. Terry is pleased to accept. Tina notices her gold necklace on the floor, and picks it up wondering how it got there, but nobody seems to think anything of it as they head out the door and the credits roll.

Christine Warren

Here is the first update in what ITV billed as their 'Big Week' Opening in Tina and Tommy's kitchen, Tommy is trying to talk out of his dad leaving. Terry tells him that he needs to get away but assures him that he will pay back every penny that he owes. Jason comes in and Tommy is forced to give him the bad news that they are no longer able to buy the flat.

Dev is excitedly packing for Aadi's golf trip, which Asha is being dragged along to as well. As he and the kids look forward to their week away, Sunita silkily reassures Dev that she will be fine on her own...

Paul is also packing for a holiday to Cyprus with Eileen. He triple checks his luggage and Marcus advises him to stay calm. Paul responds that he just wants everything to be perfect for Eileen.

There is an atmosphere between Kirsty and Tyrone still. She has made sandwiches for him but he has already made his own lunch. Kirsty suggests they sit down for some breakfast but Tyrone gives her the cold shoulder and heads off to work. Kirsty picks up Carla's business card and looks thoughtful.

Julie and Brian are being spoken to by the surgeon who assures them that the operation went well but the growth found in Julie still needs to be tested and they then need explore the best course of HRT so it may be a while before she feels normal again. Julie says sadly that she can never feel normal again anyway as she will never have children but she tries to perk up and thank the doctor so she doesn't seem ungrateful.

A car pulls up in the Street with loud music blaring out of the windows. It passed Tina and Jason who are walking the other way and Tina doesn't she look twice...but she should as the car contains Rick the loan shark, the man whom her father Joe was in debt to when he died. Gail clocks him but doesn't seem sure where she recognizes him from. After banging on the door of Seventh Heaven, Rick asks Norris is he knows where he might find Terry Duckworth.

Eileen is sitting with Julie in hospital and appears to have cheered her up. Julie is trying to look on the positives and be thankful for what she does have. She also says that she would have made a bad mum anyway but Eileen tells her that that's not true. Julie suddenly remembers that Eileen has a flight and orders her not to change her holiday plans on her behalf. She'll be fine as she has Brian.

Rick knocks on the door and Tommy answers. He barges past until he finds Terry, who demands to know who he is. Rick reminds him that he owes a lot of money. Tommy says that it's paid back, to which Rick laughs and says it's admirable for a son to take on his dad's debts. He asks Terry if Tommy knows just how deep in trouble he is.

David is asked Hayley if Becky has heard anything from Kylie. Hayley says that she hasn't but will let David know as soon as she has. A nearby Steve also says he will get his cabbies to be on the lookout for Kylie.

Eileen comes home to find a distressed Paul on the phone. He comes off and tells Eileen that Lesley has managed to escape from the care home. Eileen reminds Paul that they have a flight to catch but Paul says he has to go to her as she has fled to their old home. He promises to be back in time but Eileen looks doubtful.

Rick picks up a photograph of Tina and Tommy and asks Tommy if that is his girlfriend. Tommy again asks him to leave. Terry says Rick isn't getting a penny and Rick tells them they are both making a big mistake. When he's gone, Terry tells Tommy he has to do a runner...he still owes £9 grand!

In the pub, Tommy is trying again to talk Terry out of fleeing. He suggests that they still make a go of the bar but turn it into a place for youngsters with live bands so it doesn't compete with The Bistro or The Rovers. Terry seems to think it's a poor idea and he'd be better just making a run for it. Tina however, comes over and thinks it's a great idea. Tommy adds that he has a few hundred left of his inheritance that he can invest.

Sunita is asking Karl if he is working late. He replies that he was planning a quiet night in and Sunita replies that Dev and the kids are away if he fancies meeting up. Karl tells her that it wouldn't be wise and Sunita looks disappointed. Stella comes through and gives Karl his dinner money for the day. As he leaves she asks Sunita if she's okay and Sunita is cold with her.

Eileen is worried sick that she isn't going to make the flight. Paul eventually comes home but he has a hysterical Lesley in tow. Eileen says that they might as well cancel the holiday but Sean tells her that she can transfer to a later flight. Paul assures her that Lesley just needs a while to calm down.

Gail is telling David that Audrey plans to return to work soon. He asks if Audrey knows he is going to sign the salon back over to her and Gail says she does but she is still upset. It won't last forever though; she tells David just to keep trying.

As Tommy is reeling off ideas for the new club idea to an unenthusiastic Terry, Tina is asking Stella how much notice she would have to give. Stella tells her none, although she would be sad to lose her. Excited, Tina asks Terry for the keys so she can look around. She practically skips off with them

Karl comes into the taxi office, gloating that a rich punter gave him a £30 tip. Steve assumes Karl is going to put it on a horse but Karl replies he's giving it to Stella.

Tyrone comes home to be told by Kirsty that she has taken the job at Underworld. Tyrone thaws to her as she tries to talk about it positively. She says she realises she has to accept change.

Rick watches Tina go into the empty club from afar and makes a phone call.

Karl hears a race on the radio and looks troubled for a while before pulling himself together and putting the money in Stella's purse. She comes through and assumes he is taking money out and he explains himself. When she counts the money in her purse she apologises but he says it's not her fault, it's his and he won't be able to forget it, before storming out.

Paul is taking Lesley back to the home but she screams that she doesn't want to go. Paul tries to help her into the car but she starts to struggle. As Norris watches from over the road, Paul pushes Lesley's head down to ease her into the car but she stumbles and falls to the ground, wailing. She hysterically screams that he pushed her and Norris shakes his head and goes back into the shop. Karl offers Paul help as he cradles a crying Lesley. Inside the house, Eileen sinks to the floor and bursts into tears.

Karl goes along the Street and knocks on Sunita's door. With the cover story that he's here on behalf of Stella to ask about some shifts, he is in the house and they're all over each other before the door even closes.

Tina is looking around the empty club and hears someone come in. She hears someone comes in and, assuming it's Tommy, calls out that she has so many plans. It's Rick who answers though. He starts to taunt her about her dad before telling her that now Tommy is in just the same amount of trouble. Tina accuses Rick of killing Joe before telling him that she is not scared of him. Rick smiles at her and calls in a set of heavies, leaving Tina 's escape blocked...

So what have we learned from this episode?

-Dev is always right
-Flying is no more difficult that running into a burning building
-The following things need to be packed for holiday according to Paul: Money, tickets, suntan lotion, passports, midge spray
-The following things need to be packed for holiday according to Dev: tees, balls, gloves, sun-visor
-Eileen has a bad history with midges
-Firemen never break their promises
-Students don't spend money
-Karl has a 'Keep Stella Sweet' Fund
-People always need knickers (Let the air get to 'em I say!)

Dubious Awards
Question with the most obvious answer: "Why would you ignore Becky?" David
Spin off idea of the week: "I feel like I'm on the Apprentice!" Terry (How great would that be??)
Understatement of the night: "It's never dull for Kylie or Becky" Steve
Logic of the night: "How fast can you even run? They'd catch you in ten seconds." Tommy to Terry
Ironic 'if' of the night: "If I was paranoid..." Kirsty to Tyrone
Least believable claim: "I've got mates" Terry
Most naive husband: "You're going to be hanging around this house all by yourself." Dev to Sunita. For all of five minutes maybe...
Person who most obviously doesn't read spoilers: "We've got all the good stuff to come Eileen" Julie.
Shortest Memory of the night: "That flat has good memories for me" Tina to Jason on the flat, the same flat she lived in at the time of her dad's death, where she feared she was going to be raped by David, where she suffered agoraphobia and where she collapsed. Good times.
Compliment of the evening: "That is a spectacular basket." Rick to Norris. And he was actually talking about a hanging flower basket; not Mary.

That's all from me. More soon
Duncan Lindsay

Written by Mark Wadlow and directed by Alan Grint

This second episode of the week opens at the Seventh Heaven building site where Tina is struggling between the arms of two heavies. Loan shark Rick tells her she should take her negative energy and channel it into persuading her boyfriend and his dad to pay what they owe him. Just when it looks like things are going to get nasty, Tommy and Terry arrive on the scene.

At Sunita's, she's playing Karl like a fish on the end of a hook. When he suggests they go upstairs she tells him that she has plans and that she hasn't been sitting around waiting on the off-chance that he might drop by. But just as Karl starts to look disappointed, Sunita seductively tells him that if he were to beg she might just be able to clear a space in her diary .

Back at the club, the heavies are still holding onto Tina and Rick reveals that they've met before. When he mentions her father Tina gets really angry and Terry commands them to get out. They tell him that it's lucky for him that the have an appointment elsewhere but they make it very clear that they'll be back. As Rick says, they should ask Tina as she knows just how persistent they can be.

Paul and Lesley arrive back at Eileen's house. Lesley's nursing her arm and Paul tells Eileen that it's only a sprain and it will be as right as rain in a few days. "Will it now?" says Eileen testily before leaving the room. We can hear the sound of angry banging and crashing coming from the direction of the kitchen.

In the Rovers David is propping up the bar. Eva comes in and asks if he's had any news from Kylie but he hasn't. She then turns her attention to her mother who tells her that she sometimes wishes she knew when to keep her big gob shut. Stella says that she'll tell her more later. Meanwhile, Kirk, Fiz and Beth come in to the Rovers and Kirsty breaks the news to them that they are about to be workmates. Beth makes it very clear she won't be welcoming Kirsty into the fold on account of the fact that she doesn't mix with coppers while Fiz does her best to be friendly and offers to buy Kirsty a drink since she's now one of the gang.

Round at Eileen's, Paul's trying to pick up the pieces. He apologises to Eileen and tells her that he'll take Lesley back to the care home and try to change the booking for their holiday but Eileen tells him there's fat chance of that happening as she takes out her frustration on a sink full of washing up. As Paul tries to appease her, Eileen tells him that she'd had enough of being at the bottom of the pecking order and she's reached breaking point with the whole situation. At that moment Paul's phone rings. It's the care home manager calling to say she's coming over. Eileen flings her tea towel into the sink in a final display of frustration.

Tommy and Tina have arrived back at the flat and she's giving him an earful about lying to her. He tries to explain that he's only just discovered what's going on himself. Tina responds by asking if it's true that he and Terry owe money to Rick. "Nine thousand pounds," states Tina in disbelief, after Tommy confirms the truth. Tommy tells her that he thought they'd cleared Terry's debts but it now turns out he owes Rick a whole lot more. "You do know who this man is?" asks Tina. Tommy says yes, he's a loan shark, so Tina then tells him he's the man who drove her dad to his death.

Back in the Rovers, Fiz is still trying to keep the peace between Kirsty and Beth. Tyrone comes in and joins them at the bar. "Having a drink with your new workmates? That's nice," comments Ty as Beth shoots Kirsty a look which could kill at a hundred paces.

Tina is giving Tommy a few home truths about Rick the load shark. She tells him how her dad was just about keeping his head above water until Rick tipped him over the edge. Tommy tells her that Terry's debts are nothing to do with Tina but she's really distraught as she explains how her dad's debts were nothing to do with her either but it didn't stop Rick scaring the life out of her and Jason. Tommy seems to think that he'll be able to protect Tina but she tells him that he's making a massive mistake if he believes that because he's underestimating what Rick is capable of. "Do you want my advice?" asks Tina, with tears running down her cheeks. "Forget the macho stuff and just cough up." Tommy tells her that they don't have the money so she says that he'd better get it because Rick won't just go away; he'll keep coming back until he gets what he wants.

Stella is telling Eva how she jumped to the wrong conclusion when she discovered Karl putting money back into her purse. Eva isn't convinced that he's changed his ways but Stella tells her daughter that she has to start trusting him again and that he's got to believe she trusts him, otherwise they'll be dead in the water. Stella goes to serve David but when she sees the state he's in suggests he's had enough to drink. Eva takes over and tells David that getting drunk won't help but he tells her he's celebrating his freedom. "Tell you what, why don't you ditch Nick and come out with me?" he slurs. Overhearing his, Stella asks what he's doing, hitting on her daughter. Eva seems mildly amused but Stella tells David to get out.

Meanwhile, Ty and Kirsty are leaving the pub. He tells her she's going to have such a good laugh, working with that lot, as he gestures towards the Underworld gang. Kirsty doesn't look altogether convinced.

Tina walks in to the Rovers and, seeing how subdued she looks, Stella asks her if she's O.K. She puts it down to the fact that Tina's just had a row with Tommy and tells her that she had one with Karl earlier as well. Tommy then comes in, also wanting to know if Tina's alright. She points out that it's a public place so Rick can't get her there and Tommy offers to come and fetch her later. "So is that how it's going to be?" asks Tina. "I'll need an escort wherever I go?"

Pat, the care home manager, arrives at Eileen's. She asks her whether they'll still make their flight, to which Eileen gives her a very curt no. They go into the sitting room where Pat notices Lesley's bandaged arm. Paul quickly explains she had a fall. Pat suggests to Lesley that they should get her back home before apologising to Paul for any inconvenience they may have caused. "Inconvenience!" says Paul incredulously. He points out that his wife managed to leave the home, anything could have happened to her, and he's furious. Pat tries suggesting they could discuss it when they get back from holiday but Eileen cuttingly observes that they're no longer going away on holiday as they've missed the flight. Paul starts ranting about the whole situation but Lesley is looking distressed so he asks Eileen to take her upstairs so he can talk to Pat.

At Sunita's, she's curled up on the sofa with Karl. She points out that it's becoming a habit. They start to discuss their relationship and Sunita asks Karl whether he would class it as an affair. They both agree that they're with other people and they don't want to break up their relationships but Sunita suggests that just because they're cheating on their partners, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be honest with each other. Interesting bit of moral logic, that. Karl observes that Sunita's very forthright and she tells him that she doesn't want either of them to get the wrong end of the stick and that if, at any point, either of them feels any different, they should just say so. In the meantime she suggests they should just enjoy it, rather than beating themselves up. Why do I sense that it will all end in tears?

Terry is at the club building site, licking his wounds when Tommy arrives. He tells his son that he was thinking about what might have happened if Tyrone hadn't gone sticking his nose into his affairs. He apologises for getting Tommy and Tina caught up in it but Tommy wants to know what they're going to do. Terry tells him that Rick can't get blood out of a stone so Tommy tells him how what he did to Tina's dad led to him trying to fake his own death. Terry perks up at this idea. He tells Tommy he can't see any other way out of the hole, unless he legs it but Tommy tells him he wants him to stay and fight to get out of the mess he's in. He tries persuading his dad that the club is a potential gold mine. "We'd be better torching this place and claiming on the insurance," says Terry, his face changing as he realises he could have just come up with the answer to his problem.

Paul is laying into Pat about the poor standard of care Lesley has received from the home. She tries to reassure him that it was a one-off situation which won't happen again but Paul tells her he'll be making a formal complaint. Pat is adamant that they've followed correct procedure but Paul accuses her of negligence. It becomes clear where this is leading when Pat tells him that if he isn't satisfied with the level of care then perhaps he should make alternative arrangements for Lesley. Yes, they're back to square one. Paul isn't going to let Lesley go back to the home and, as Pat walks out, she tells him he can go and pick up Lesley's things when it's convenient.

Back at the club site, Tommy is telling Terry it's a mad idea. He points out that when Tina's dad tried to fake his own death he actually died and that the insurers wouldn't just pay out, they'd send in a forensics team first. But Terry tells him that some people do actually get away with it. "Like who?" asks Tommy. "Me," replies his dad, going on to explain that he once torched a car and got sent a cheque for two grand. Tommy shows a bit of interest at this news so Terry expands on his idea, suggesting that if a tramp was to kip down for the night and if he lit a fire to keep warm and if he fell asleep, there are all these paint thinners lying around which are highly flammable. Tommy thinks the idea is insane but Terry reminds him that he's insured and if it worked, all their problems would be solved.

Outside the Rovers, Steve sees Karl and asks him how he got on with Stella. Karl tells him it was as he predicted. He tried to change his ways but Stella doesn't believe a word he says and she's treating him like a naughty little schoolboy. He says he's being humiliated and if it carries on like this something's got to crack. Steve goes inside the pub where Stella asks him whether he's seen Karl. He fills her in on their exchange and makes Stella feel even worse than she already does when he confirms that Karl earned the fare legitimately and points out that he's only trying to get back on the straight and narrow.

Eileen returns to her sitting room with Lesley in tow to discover the Paul has sent Pat packing, which is more than they'll be doing with their suitcases. The holiday's off and they're lumbered with Lesley once more. As Eileen puts it so succinctly, "this is a right flaming mess".

And staying on the topic of flames, back at the flat Tommy and Terry break the news to Tina about how they plan to torch Seventh Heaven to claim the insurance money. "At least you can't accuse me of lying to you," says Tommy, hoping for some reason that this might make Tina feel happier about the whole idea. "Yes, but I can accuse you of being an arsonist," she comes back at him. She tells Tommy he reminds her of her dad more and more every day but it isn't meant as a compliment. In case she was in any doubt Terry tells Tina their minds are made up. Tommy's only request is that she doesn't tell anyone about their plans.

Karen

Hallo, good evening and welcome. I have been on break but I am back for this one outing courtesy of BGT semi-finals, which means this is a post-watershed update, it can therefore be gory, gruesome and uninhibited and plain un-Corrie like. So I should warn you that panto villain Duckworth T is around causing mayhem and there may be other unpleasant people in the offing.

Tonight's action was written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Alan Grint, whilst all copyright resides with ITV Productions to whom many thanks.

We open in Jason's flat where T Duckworth (worthless father) is telling Duckworth T (probably worthless son but we shall see) to put the kettle on. Tina (four time winner of sexiest soap actress award) emerges from the bedroom looking for her dressing gown - which Terry has used as a towel. Terry tells Tommy how he is to go about setting fire to the night club - he is to move the gas heater close to the dust sheets and to ensure they catch fire and then to phone Terry who will be in the Rovers establishing his alibi.

At Eileen's she and Paul are getting breakfast for Lesley who does not want corn flakes - which is the only breakfast cereal available. Sean asks Eileen if she is alright - she would prefer to be on holiday looking out at the Med sipping orange juice with flip flops on her feet (oddly something I am likely to be doing in the very near future, assuming Greece does not go bust before I arrive). Eileen wants Paul to take Lesley back to the home, smooth things over and get his wife settled back. [Rarely, I side with Paul here - any care home which is capable of letting an individual walk out as Lesley managed should be closed down - they are not providing the contracted care, there are no excuses]. Eileen wants to know who is going to look after Lesley until new arrangements are in place and she has a fair point; but should be looking to find an immediate solution as it is not a perfect world.

Dev and children have returned from Scotland, it appears his son was victorious in the golfing competition. Bored so moving on. Apparently an albatross landed on the 14th [I don't understand golf - does it show?]. Apparently he did not win by 8 goals but by 5 and 3. Get another update writer if you feel it is important other than showing that Dev seems not to care for the wonderful, beautiful, talented and exotic Sunita [who by the way is probably more intelligent in real life than the character being portrayed at present who has had a touch of the wand of the personality transplant fairy in recent weeks]. Anyway it appears there will be more golfing trips and Sunita is encouraging attendance - even Dev suspects that she wants rid of him - although she appears to be bursting out of her bra.

Jason is complaining about Terry using his after shave to Tina. And Karl is chatting up Sunita at the back of the bar - they are thinking about further naughtiness.

Tommy goes into Seventh Heaven and looks at the heater and the dust sheets not relishing his part in the planned fire.

Eileen is on the phone to the insurers trying to recover the value of her lost holiday, explaining about Lesley as the wife of the man she was travelling with. The conversation does not go well and she tells them to just forget it. She tells Lesley there is nothing to worry about it. Lesley suddenly remembers past history when Eileen hurt her - and she thinks Eileen caused the wrist injury. Lesley wants to go out so Eileen goes to get her coat.

St Ella is still apologising for her misunderstanding and Karl accepts it. At the gaming machine Terry is complaining it has stolen his money and given no credit, ensuring everyone knows he is in the Rovers. Norris rushes into the Rovers to say that there is a police car further down the Street. Tina and Terry look at each other and she rushes out because she knows that Tommy is about to start the fire. The police go into Eileen's - they have had an emergency call about an assault on Mrs Lesley Kershaw.

Tina arrives in the night club and tells Tommy about the police car - but Tommy says he has got set the fire because of his father.

And now an interval, following which there is a second factory scene in which (as in the first one) Kirsty manages to antagonise the rest of the workers through her attitude. You might think she is just a psycho bitch from hell, but I am telling you that you could not measure her attitude on a logarithmic scale without exceeding the powers available many times over. Fiz tries to talk to her - explaining that she is riff raff like the rest of them. Kirsty tries to explain but cannot snap out of her long time approach to people - but I would like to think that police rise above such things. Kirsty raises her "ex" who cheated on her with her best friend. She has never told anyone before. Anyway it seems that Kirsty really is warped. Fiz says she really must put her past behind her.

The police are interviewing Lesley who cannot remember calling 999 - but Lesley then remembers that Eileen is keeping her prisoner and hurting her. Lesley screams that Eileen is doing these things whilst Paul and Eileen try to explain the truth - the policeman needs to check with Dr Carter but accepts the explanation.

Tina is telling Tommy that he must not do this to pay off the scumbag debt collector. Tina makes it clear Tommy has a choice - her or Terry. Tommy leaves and Tina moves the heaters away from the dust sheets.

The policeman leaves but Lesley rushes out asking the policeman not to depart and making a scene all watched by Norris as he sweeps the pavement.

Sunita comes into the corner shop. Dev is depressed because the business is in the red - he is simply not selling enough beans. Dev has been thinking through things and they need to get a tenant in the flat upstairs which has been empty since Amber left. Sunita agrees but tells him not to be too hasty [as she now being a devious minx has had a bright idea about potential uses for said flat]. She goes into the office and phones Karl and tells him to meet her later.

Stella and Terry have a chat and it seems that Tina has not returned from her break. Hearing this Terry rushes out. Tina is trying to phone Tommy who is in Jason's flat, but he does not answer the call.

Tina leaves a message for Tommy - without the keys he has taken she cannot secure the property so cannot leave it. R'Terry arrives wanting to know what is going on. Tina tells him that today's fire has been cancelled which fails to amuse him. Tina says she has managed to talk some sense into Tommy. So Terry sets about moving things around so he can start the fire. Terry grabs her, tells to stop interfering and to keep her trap shut and gives her a good shaking. She goes to call the police and Terry lunges for the mobile phone, there is some pushing and shoving and then Terry pushes her hard and she goes down backwards and hits her head on the floor and she is knocked unconscious. Terry looms over her.

And your next update will be along shortly.

K Richard W

Tommy's phone rings. There's a message from Tina telling him to get round to the club site, she can't leave as she hasn't got the keys to lock up. He goes off round there and finds Terry just leaving, who suddenly pretends to be all concerned, saying he's found Tina unconscious. Tommy rushes into the club and bends over Tina's inert form while Terry calls an ambulance.

An agitated Paul rushes into Eileen's house and tells Lesley that she can't go ringing the police and telling them that Eileen hurt her. Lesley, however, has no recollection of ever ringing the police, and says that Eileen hasn't hurt her. Paul goes into the kitchen and rants to Eileen about the locals gossiping, especially Norris. He'd like to do something uncomfortable to Norris with his broom!

In the factory, the girls are wondering whether Norris was exaggerating. Fiz is sure he was, whereas Beth isn't so sure. Just then, Sean rushes in and says he's just seen Tina being put into the back of an ambulance, but he doesn't know what's happened.

At the hospital, Tina is being rushed along on a trolley, with a very worried Tommy at her side. Terry is also there, and worried, but I suspect for a rather different reason, as he is quick to ask the doctor how serious is it and if she'll come round soon.

Back at Eileen's, Paul suggests they move house. Eileen says she can't, her life is there - family, friends. He says they could move just half a mile up the road, she could keep her job and still drink in the Rovers. "What's the point?" asks Eileen. He says they would have new neighbours who wouldn't know. They wouldn't be judged. He says he can't see how they can make it work if they stay. "Maybe it can't," mutters Eileen.

In the hospital waiting room, Terry tells Tommy that it was Rick who hurt Tina, and that he told Terry that Tommy would be next. Tommy is furious and pulls out his phone, he's going to call the police. Terry tells him not to be stupid, what Rick could do next would be far worse. He puts his arm round his son's shoulders and tells him that they must just pray that Tina comes through it.

Sunita wants to go on her break, but Stella isn't keen to let her go because Tina hasn't shown up and isn't answering her phone. In the end Sunita says she'll go and knock on the door of the flat and see what's keeping her. As she leaves the pub, however, Sean comes in and tells Stella the news.

The factory workers are in the pub, with Kirk saying he always wanted to be an undercover copper. Tyrone comes in, saying he's been trying to ring Tommy but getting no answer.

Over at the hospital, the doctor tells Tommy and Terry that Tina has a bleed on her brain, so she's going to be sedated and monitored. Terry asks if someone will be with her at all times. "Don't worry," says the doctor, "she won't be left alone, she'll have a nurse with her all night." When the doctor has gone, Tommy wonders what they're going to do. Terry tells him they're going to ask Tyrone for the money. Tommy doesn't like to ask him, after all he's got a baby on the way. Terry points out that Tyrone's money was left to him by Jack, it was family money, and Terry never got a penny. "Does that sound fair to you?" he asks, adding that if anyone deserves that money, they do - Tommy does. And he's never needed it more than now. "Forget your pride, forget decency, knock on Tyrone's door tonight, otherwise we're all finished."

Sunita has taken Karl into the flat above the shop. He's worried at first and asks if Dev is downstairs. She tells him Sophie is there, and giggling, she starts taking her clothes off.

Paul is holding Lesley's hand as they do a jigsaw puzzle in Eileen's living room. Eileen is upset by this and suggests they admit defeat, it's clear who he prefers. Two is company and three's a crowd. She and Paul start snapping at each other, she tells him to take his house off the market, get a carer, and forget he ever met her. "Stay tonight but in the morning just go home," she says.

Kirsty opens the door to find Tommy standing there. "Is he in?" he asks, walking past her into the house.

Sunita and Karl are getting dressed again, and she leaves the flat first, saying that Stella told her to be quick.

In the kitchen, Tommy asks Tyrone if he can borrow some money. Tyrone is shocked when he realises Tommy wants £9,000 and asks what it's for but Tommy won't say. He asks if Tyrone still has the money Jack left him. "That's none of your business," says Tyrone. Tommy points out that Jack was his granddad. "Oh, so that money is rightfully yours, is it?" snaps Tyrone. Just then Kirsty comes into the room, so Tyrone says he's going to give Tommy a lift back to the hospital.

Sunita has arrived back in the pub, and she and Stella are just talking about Tina when Karl comes in. Stella says he looks done it, and he tells her he had a fare to Knutsford and the passenger wanted the heating turned up. She tells him to go and get a bath and says she'll bring him a beer.

In the car, Tommy eventually confesses to Tyrone that he and Terry owe money to a loan shark, and the loan shark attacked Tina. Tyrone is furious and points out that this is all down to Terry. Tommy protests that it's not his dad's fault. "Oh of course not. If Terry hadn't shown up in Weatherfield, Tina would still be in hospital," says Tyrone, and tells him to call the police. Tommy says that if they call the police then they're all finished, and Tyrone could pick him out a nice funeral casket. "I just want him out of my life," says Tommy. "Yeah, and what about the loan shark?" snaps Tyrone.

Paul comes in and tells Eileen that he's been back to Lesley's care home and arranged for them to take her back, and after he's dropped her off in the morning he's going to go to his solicitor's and arrange to get a divorce because although he will still care for Lesley he wants Eileen to be his wife.

Tommy and Tyrone arrive at the hospital and Tommy tells his dad that Tyrone has agreed to lend them the money. Tyrone tells them not to say anything to Kirsty, and Tommy promises they'll start paying him back immediately. "Good," says Tyrone, "cos I'm going to need it." Tommy tells Terry that Tyrone has to buy cots and prams etc. Terry says if there's ever anything they need, they must come to him. Tyrone can't see that ever happening. As Tommy and Tyrone go off to see Tina, Terry stands and smirks.

Anne Logan

"Contains scenes which include violence and distress which some viewers may find distressing including dangerous activity which should not be copied." That's the warning on this episode on the ITV website, along with one that warns me to tick the box and confirm that I'm over 18 because it contains material that would normally be broadcast "after the watershed." (That's not the name of another programme but the arbitrary line drawn at 9pm which separates "adult" material from the rest) That's all fine, but this episode screened at 7.30pm on a Friday night . . .

As for the dangerous activity which we mustn't copy, that'll be having anything to do with Terry Duckworth.

We open in the hospital where Tina is on a ventilator machine. As alarms from the next bed distract the staff, Terry steps in and is about to pull out some of the lines in Tina's arm when Tommy appears by his side. He tells Terry they might be bringing Tina round today. Terry urges him to go and get the money, otherwise he might find himself in the bed next to Tina's. After all, Tommy's seen what Rick can do. Terry assures him he'll get the money.

At Eileen's, Marcus tries to persuade her to at least go out to lunch. Otherwise she'll just be wasting her time off. Paul and Lesley come in with Lesley in a very good mood, singing away to the radio. Marcus goes off to work and Paul corners Eileen in the kitchen to ask if she's OK and to promise her they'll go on plenty of holidays. "Do you love me?" he asks. Of course Eileen does. "Then marry me." Eileen points out his wife is in the next room, a living, breathing, singing human being. Paul insists that he's Lesley's carer rather than her husband. He asks Eileen to watch Lesley for a while so he can go and talk to a solicitor about his legal position. "I need to know there's some light at the end of the tunnel."

Tommy weeps at Tina's bedside and urges her to keep fighting.

Terry's gone to the garage to demand the money directly from Tyrone. Tyrone points out that he's on his own and the banks aren't even open yet. He shows no fear of Terry and says he'll go to the bank once Kevin's back from his lunch.

Nick and Eva leave the bistro together, discussing the chef's wholesale order and see David shouting in the street. Eva comments that he has no shame and Nick demands to know what she means. She says it's just that David was hammered in the Rovers.

In that very pub, Karl and Sunita talk about the flat. Tyrone comes in and tells Kevin he's got an appointment and has to go - he's locked up the garage.

Jason comes home to find Lesley in a snarly, angry mood, claiming "they" have hidden something. Eileen tells him about Paul proposing. Jason's worried about her rushing into anything.

Anna sees Tommy in the cafe. He's not hungry but she says that's fear - she saw the same before Gary went off to Afghanistan. But even if fear makes him think he's not hungry, he won't be much use to Tina if he doesn't get something inside him to help him stay strong. Tyrone comes in with a package and passes it to Tommy as soon as he can.

Lesley's even more agitated now. Eileen's on her own and tries to restrain Lesley but is whacked in the face. They struggle out into the hallway and Lesley lashes out again. Eileen instinctively flees out the front door, her face covered in blood.

Tommy meets Rita and Dennis as they emerge from a black cab. They've just been to see Tina and are surprised Tommy wasn't there because the doctors plan to start bringing Tina back to consciousness. Tommy commandeers their taxi, heading for Weatherfield General. Terry sees him and tries to give chase but with no success. Rita comments that wherever Terry is there's always trouble. When Terry hears that Tommy's gone off to the hospital and Tina's being brought round, he also races off. "Don't try to pretend that you care!" Rita shouts after him.

Eileen's sitting on Maxine's bench when Jason finds her. Her nose is bleeding and there's damage to the bridge of her nose. He wants to take her to A&E but she refuses. She does agree to go for a coffee, though. "I can't go back there just yet."

In the pub, David empties his pockets and tries to order a whisky and a lager. Stella shoos him away. She asks Sunita if she can hold the fort for a while. Sunita tries to say she has to pick up the kids from school but Stella persuades her to stay. Sunita says she'll get Dev to pick them up.

Eileen's being fussed over by Anna and Jason. They assure her that Lesley will be OK for five minutes. While Anna's getting Eileen a cup of hot, sweet tea, Eileen tells Jason that Paul's a good man who's just got too much to cope with. She thinks everyone is judging her but says if Paul was single she'd marry him tomorrow. Jason tells her that if she wants to get married then she should.

Lesley remembers cheese on toast (probably because she had it for lunch just now) and goes into the kitchen to prepare some. She picks up a slice of bread and looks around, confused.

Terry's at the hospital. He demands the money from Tommy, saying Rick's in the car park and might be after Tina. "Give the money to me and you go to Tina." Tommy does. The medical staff are still keeping an eye on Tina.

David's in the bistro now, emptying his pockets once again and once again ordering a whisky and a pint. Eva points out that what he thinks is a Euro is a carwash token. "You haven't even got a car and it won't buy you a pint in here!" David demands a pint and Nick comes over to order him out of the bistro. David accuses Eva of running crying to her boyfriend and Nick demands to know what happened. "I want to know what he did!"

Dev finds Karl skulking by the pillar-box. He thinks Karl's just trying to avoid the temptation of the bookmakers at the other end of the street. Karl asks if Sunita's picking up the kids and Dev scurries back into the shop saying, "Don't tell her I forgot, OK!"

Nick shoves David out of the bistro and tells him he's banned for life. "Yeah, well, it's poncey, overpriced and fake, just like Eva," sneers David. Whack! With one very impressively staged punch Nick knocks David to the ground so hard that he bounces. David sits up spitting blood.

Karl's in the pub hearing that Sunita couldn't get away. He offers to help out and she tells him Stella's warned that he's to keep his hands out of the till. Karl wonders how he might keep his hands occupied.

Tommy's at Tina's bedside when she coughs and tries to remove the breathing tube.

Lesley's remembered how to make cheese on toast. The bread's in the toaster and she's dropping slices of cheese on top. She suddenly realises that's wrong. "No! No! Dirty! Dirty!" she snarls. She picks up the toaster and puts it in the sink. Oops. Her hair actually stands on end as the current races through her and she drops to the floor.

Tina's awake and Tommy assures her she's safe now. She has nothing to fear from her attacker because he's got the money, with Tyrone's help, and he's gone. Tina thinks Tommy will miss "him" - though Tommy can't understand why he'd miss a loan shark. Tina puts him right. "It wasn't Rick who did this. It was Terry."

Terry's packing his stuff as quickly as possible.

Tommy's racing home as quickly as possible.

Eileen gets home to find Lesley on the floor. It's clear what's happened. She picks up the phone then flings it down and races to the front door. Marcus is in the street and she calls him in. He takes a quick look at Lesley and urges Eileen to call for an ambulance as he starts CPR.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Alan Grint

This episode like the last one had a warning at the beginning stating that it might be disturbing to some viewers.

We open in Eileen's kitchen with paramedics working frantically on Leslie, Eileen and Marcus are looking on in horror. Finally they give up, and pronounce her dead. Eileen can't believe it.

Kevin and Jason are discussing the state of Tina's health. Kevin remarks that he just knows Terry is behind it, as wherever he is, there is always trouble. Jason tells him that Tommy told him that he was OK, and had changed. Kevin looks out the window for flying pigs.

Sunita and Karl continue their sickening sexual innuendos behind the bar, is it because I am old, or is everyone hating this storyline as much as me? I just want to step in and tell Dev and Stella just to get it over with.

Tommy bursts into the flat in time to catch Terry just before he leaves for pastures new. He verbally attacks him, and names are exchanged like "Scumbag" (Tommy), "Drama Queen" (Terry), but Terry doesn't look in the slightest bit ruffled that he has gone from hero to horror in the eyes of his son in the last half hour.

Marcus is outside on his mobile, leaving a voice mail for Paul, when of course, Stella happens to appear on the scene and asks him what has happened. He tells her, and she asks if there is anything she can do. Of course there isn't, but Marcus is scripted once again to tell her that she can go inside No. 11 and comfort Eileen, who is already being comforted perfectly well by Jason. Stella suggests Eileen go to the Rovers for a brandy, but she feels she can't leave Leslie. The police tell her she would be doing them a favour by leaving as CSI and CID are on their way, and she will be in the way. CSI ? I didn't know they had them in the UK as well as America. Who knew?

Eileen is persuaded, but she is terribly worried about how she is going to tell Paul. She is feeling so very guilty for leaving Leslie alone.

Nick and Eva are arguing in the Bistro, she is upset with him for hitting David, but he feels he had every right to teach him a lesson for hitting on his girlfriend. Audrey and Lewis appear and overhear part of the conversation. Audrey is shocked that Nick has hit his brother, and Nick tells her that he thought she would be pleased. Lewis chimes in that he is very pleased, but Audrey tells Nick that they are both too old for fighting. On learning that Gail is not at home, Audrey wants to go and check that David is OK, and won't be persuaded out of it, Nick decides to go with them.

Karl and Sunita are having a quick grope in the back room of the Rovers, and are almost caught by Stella, who appears with Eileen, Jason, Sean and Marcus and orders Karl to fetch her a large brandy. Sending Sunita off to look after the bar, she sits Eileen, who is now suffering the effects of the shock of it all, in a chair. She is still fretting about how she will ever tell Paul. Marcus explains to an inquiring Stella exactly what happened, and Eileen tells everyone that although Leslie could drive her mad, she really did like Leslie, she seems intent on getting this across to everyone, in case they should think she did it on purpose. They assure her they knew this, and Sean suggests she should see a doctor. She is having trouble breathing, and Stella tells her that she is in shock, and should drink the brandy. But Eileen tells them it's not her they should be worrying about, it's Paul. Leslie was his life, and she doesn't know how he is going to react.

The row between Terry and Tommy is still going on. Tommy finally gets Terry to admit that he was the one present when Tina hit her head, but Tommy is not pacified, because even if he didn't make the actual blow, he had left her for dead. Tommy tells Terry that he is still the same lowlife who sold him when he was a baby. Terry tells him that in another life, another place, they could have made a great partnership, and moves in and gives him a hug. Tommy takes the opportunity to remove the package of money from Terry's pocket. Terry's angry now, and demands he give it back. He tells him it's money that is rightfully his, as it had been his father's. He makes it clear that the loan shark is not going to see a penny of it, but he is planning a quick getaway. Tommy points out that Rick the shark will then come after him and Tina, but Terry tells him that they are too small to bother with. He then tries to grab the money back again from Tommy, who tells him (stupidly in my opinion), that it is either £9,000 in cash or a relationship with his son. Well, really Tommy, what did you expect. Terry took the money and was out the door quicker than you can say pantomime villain!

Paul drives up and Marcus is on the street waiting for him. He can see all the police cars, and wants to know what is going on, but Marcus draws him inside the Rovers.

Audrey, Nick and Lewis are in No. 8 looking for David, who appears from somewhere still drunk as a lord. David is very nasty to everybody, and Nick gets angry with him, and tells him that Audrey cares enough about him to want to check that he was alright. David apologises to her that he is still breathing, and Nick tells him to cut the persecution complex. Lewis urges Audrey to leave, as David will live to waste another day. As they are heading out, David sobers up enough to sincerely apologise to his Gran for everything, and tells her he doesn't deserve her. Audrey agrees that he doesn't, but they are stuck with each other as they are flesh and blood. She leaves, instructing Nick to make sure David eats something.

Paul has been told that Leslie is dead, and he is quizzing Eileen as to how it could possibly have happened, as she had been fine when he left. He doesn't appear to have noticed that Eileen has been obviously hit in the face as well. Just then the police arrive, and tell Paul that he is needed to identify the body. Eileen asks him if he would like her to go with him, but he just shakes his head and leaves. Eileen breaks down sobbing in Jason's arms.

David and Nick are having a heart to heart in No. 8, David is feeling very sorry for himself about everything, from losing Kylie, his job and his Gran. Nick removes his coat and starts to make him a sandwich. David tells him that he didn't know he cared. "Neither did I", says Nick.

The lads are leading Eileen back into No. 11, which is in darkness. Jason however manages to fix the blown fuse. Going into the kitchen, Eileen breaks down again, and says that Leslie must have been terrified. Jason assures her it would have been over before she knew it. Practical Sean puts the kettle on, that'll fix everything. She is beating herself up, mainly about how it is going to be for Paul. She feels he took her out of that home because they were not doing a good job, and she was no better. Well did she really expect to be? They were a whole staff of professionally trained caregivers, she was one untrained person.

Eileen agrees that she couldn't cope, that she had run out on Leslie. Marcus assures her that she did the right thing, instead of getting angry and lashing back, she removed herself from the situation, and that he would have done the same thing, anybody would. "Paul wouldn't", says Eileen, and she then starts beating herself up because she hadn't gone with him to identify the body.

Tommy is walking along the street at night, and his path is stopped by a car door that suddenly opens in front of him. It's Rick the loan shark who wants his money. Tommy tells him that it is half way down the M6, and it's no use coming after him, as he is skint. Rick tells him that there is no need for him to chase after his father, when he has a bird in the hand. Tommy protests that he has no money, but Rick tells him he wants his £9,000 back, and he will sort out the logistics of getting it out of him. He leaves telling him to say 'Hi' to Tina for him. (Oh please, can you say East Enders? I hate this storyline as well!)

Paul arrives home, and Eileen ships the lads off to the Rovers so she can talk to Paul in private.

Stella, Sunita, Karl and Norris are discussing the events of No. 11. Norris as usual is being his nasty self, and mentions that he has heard all the commotion going on through the walls, with them shouting at Leslie, and pushing her around. (He heard all that from Number 1? Amazing!) Anyway, he figures that once the funeral is over, they will be putting the bunting out and get on with their relationship, which is what they wanted all along. The lads arrive, and Norris asks if there will be a post mortem. Jason smacks him down by telling him he will get him a copy of it.

Paul is telling Eileen that Leslie looked very young, all the lines were gone from her face, and the look of confusion was gone, she was back to the girl he fell in love with. Finally he notices that Eileen's face is damaged, she tells him it's nothing, and he doesn't press her to tell him, he just goes back to reminiscing about the early days of his relationship with Leslie. Eileen is in bits listening to all this, at one point he looks at her and apologises, and tells her he knows she wouldn't want to hear all that, but then goes right back to talking about Leslie, and tells Eileen that when he saw her, he wanted to apologise to her for breaking their wedding vows, but couldn't do it. He is wracked with guilt that he had spent that afternoon speaking to a divorce specialist after all those years of caring for her, that he had let her down when she needed him.

David and Nick are still having a heart to heart. Nick is realising that all David's acting up is due to him missing his wife and his Gran. He tries to console him, but David is certain that Kylie at least has gone for good.

Eileen is trying to break it to Paul that she hadn't been in the house either when Leslie died. He gets the wrong end of the stick, and thinks that Eileen is just feeling guilty because she wasn't actually watching her, that she had been in another part of the house at the critical moment. Eileen finally shouts at him that she had been out of the house when it happened. Paul's eyes widen in horror.

Tommy is explaining to Tina in the hospital that Terry has gone for good, and so has the £9,000. However, he omits telling her the little detail that Terry is not going to hand the money over to Rick. She sighs with relief that the debt to the loan shark has been paid off. Little does she know that this storyline will drag on for some time yet. They are worried about how they will ever repay the money to Tyrone, but he assures Tina that he no longer has a dad, that she and Tyrone are the only family he has from now on. (What about Doreen, the Grandmother who brought him up then? Hmmph!)

The discussion in No. 11 has now escalated into a row. Paul has finally realised that Eileen walked out on Leslie, which allowed the terrible accident to occur. Eileen explains that it was because she had just been attacked, and that she did it to allow the situation to settle down. She explains that if she had known what Leslie was going to do, she would never have left, but she didn't. Paul is beside himself with guilt now, he tells Eileen that between them they killed Leslie. He storms out of the house and takes off in his car, with Eileen, who has run out after him, begging him not to go.

The credits roll.

Christine Warren

Paul is looking exhausted and distraught as the episode opens. Eileen tries to get him to open up but he can't face talking to her. She asks him if he blames her for leaving Lesley on her own but he walks out. Sean embraces Eileen as she holds back the tears.

Jason is trying to make Tommy feel better about trusting Terry. He likens the situation to Paul and says that Eileen never listened to what people warned her either...now look at her...the scapegoat for Lesley's death. Jason is worried that Eileen will end up being the one blamed.

Eileen arrives in the factory and doesn't want any fuss. Michelle tells her that she doesn't have to come in but Eileen tells her she'd rather be busy. Beth keeps bringing the situation up but Sean orders her to shut up. With Eileen in earshot, Beth comments that she doesn't blame her for coming into work...she'd have to get out of that house to stop the guilt eating her up.

Audrey pops round to see Gail but it's just David there. He's lying on the settee and refusing to go out. Audrey tries to talk things through with him but he rejects her attempts so she leaves.

Tommy tells Tyrone how grateful he is for what he did. Tyrone is sure that Tommy would have done the same for him. Tommy promises to pay him back every penny and assures him that Terry is gone...Tyrone is his only family now.

Eva suggests to Nick that they have a cosy night in tonight. Nick reminds her that they did that just last night. Gail interrupts them by moaning about David. Nick tells her that he probably just needs some space but Gail thinks he should be out looking for a job. Nick suggests tracking down Kylie but Gail thinks it best that she stays well away.

Karl wolf whistles Sunita as she walks by. Steve is about to take a fare and Karl is upset as he was promised the next one. Steve says he'd rather do this one himself and Karl discovers the customer is going to the casino. Karl is offended and tells Steve he can be trusted before taking the customer himself.

Sally is telling Izzy and Beth that she is taking part in Weatherfield In Bloom. Jason comes in to the factory to check on Eileen. After he leaves Beth tries to cheer her up and likens Lesley to a child. Eileen snaps and says she knows what everyone is thinking...that she should never have left a vulnerable woman alone. Michelle tells Eileen to go home and she walks out.

At the hospital, Tina is telling Tommy that they should report Terry to the police but Tommy tells her that it would drag everything back up again. Tina eventually agrees and says that at least she never has to see Rick's evil face again. Tommy agrees but looks guilty as he hugs her.

Norris tries to get some gossip out of Eileen as she walks by and she shouts that she is sick of all of the gossip. At least she and Paul know the truth. At that point the police pull up and ask for a word.

The detective is telling Eileen that she needs some more information from her about the events leading up to Lesley's death. Eileen looks awkward as she waits for the questions.

Sally is looking for gardening magazines in the Kabin but they're not upmarket enough for her. Norris is annoyed that she has jumped on the Weatherfield in Bloom bandwagon. Sally tells him gardening comes naturally to her as she's native to Cheshire.

Nick is trying to fix Audrey's computer. Meanwhile, Audrey is arranging a table for two. Once again, Gail interrupts to talk about David and asks Audrey to give him his job back. Audrey is not keen.

Rick catches up with Tommy and reminds him that he is in debt. Tommy points out that it's Terry's debt but Rick informs Tommy that until Terry turns up, Tommy has inherited that debt. His first task is to get his job back in the garage. Rick warns Tommy to co-operate...or Tina might get hurt again.

Audrey, Nick and Gail are on a mission to stir David. They all march in and Audrey tells him that she accepts his apology and is willing to let him come back to the salon. David tells her he doesn't want to set foot in there and Nick loses his temper and tells him to get upstairs, get smart and go to the Bistro...he's working there from now on!

Paul comes back to see Eileen being interviewed by police. Eileen is telling police that she was just a friend at first as Paul couldn't cope with Lesley on his own. Paul decides to be open with the police and tells them he was planning to get a divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour. The detective is shocked and reminds him that the behaviour was due to illness and Paul snaps and demands that she doesn't judge him.

Mary races into the Kabin to inform Norris that there is a magnificent display of plant life in Sally's front garden. Norris says there wasn't this morning and determines to see for himself.

The detective is asking about the allegations Lesley made against Eileen and suggesting that she was in a good enough frame of mind to make contact with police. Paul is telling her that this is ridiculous...he and Eileen did everything in their power to care for Lesley. He reminds them that he has just lost his wife and asks them to leave him to grieve. They warn him that they may need to get in contact again.

Karl comes round to Sunita's, having seen that Dev is at the shop. She is awkward about letting him in as the kids are at home but he tells her he's in serious trouble...he's lost £200 at the casino! She allows him to come inside.

Norris and Mary bash on Sally's door and demand to know where the flowers have come from. They accuse her of buying them from the garden centre but Sally insists that she grew them in her conservatory. She refuses to hear anything else from them and cheekily informs them she has already cleared a space for the trophy.

Eileen tells Paul that she knows the police think it is her fault...like he does. Paul doesn't want to get into this but Eileen pushes him and he snaps that he wishes he'd never met her. If he hadn't then Lesley, the love of his life, would still be alive. Eileen looks devastated...

More to come!

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Peter Whalley and directed by Noreen Kershaw

Paul and Eileen are still picking over the events leading up to Lesley's death. Paul points out the obvious: he should be thanking Eileen for everything she's done instead of blaming her. But as Eileen says, he's unable to do that. It doesn't look like they'll be able to patch things up as Paul takes himself off for a walk.

Sunita introduces the children to Karl before they have a quick whispered discussion about her lending him the money. He promises to pay her back and that this is absolutely the last time it will happen - yeah, right - so Sunita reluctantly agrees. Only problem is, she doesn't have the money in the house so she has to leave him to mind the kids while she goes off to the cash machine at the garage.

Over at the Bistro, Nick and Eva are giving David a crash course in the art of being a waiter while he does his best impression of a sulky teenager. They impress upon him the need to write everything down and smile while he's doing it but, as Eva says, she bets he isn't even capable of cracking a pigging smile. Nick is nearly tearing his hair out in frustration - he's bending over backwards to help his brother but David is determine to be as obnoxious and ungrateful as possible and Eva can't understand why Nick's even bothering.

Back at Sunita's, Karl is worried that the children might tell Dev that he was there but Sunita quickly comes up with a plausible story. She seems to be enjoying the subterfuge and tells the children that Uncle Karl will be looking after them while she pops out for a few minutes.

Tommy goes over to the garage to ask for his old job back but Kevin flatly refuses; he says the problem is that every time he sees his face he's reminded of Terry. Tommy appeals to Ty to have a word on his behalf. Ty doesn't reckon on his chances but Tommy says that he was hoping that it would enable him to start paying back the money that he owes him.

Eileen is slumped miserably on the sofa when Jason comes in. He wants to know if people have been talking about what happened and saying it was her fault. "The police came close," responds Eileen and then tells Jason about their visit to the house. Jason is really angry, especially when he discovers that Paul seems to be blaming Eileen too.

Karl is sitting awkwardly with Aadi and Asha while they fire a series of questions at him. He looks very relieved when Sunita finally returns. They disappear into the kitchen so that she can hand over the £200 and Sunita takes the opportunity to ask him if he's thought any more about getting some help with his gambling problem. "I've got you, haven't I?" he asks but Sunita has more professional help in mind. "You might have to cheer me up later," says Karl suggestively before Sunita packs him off home.

In the Rovers Ty is trying to talk Kevin into giving Tommy his job back. Karl walks in and Stella says that she wondered what he'd been up to. He tells her that he's been slaving away in his cab all morning and hands her the £200 to prove it. She asks him if he's sure he didn't just win it on a horse and he swears that he didn't get it from gambling. After handing a bit back as pocket money, Stella tells Karl that the most important thing is that they're honest with each other.

Jason comes in and sees Paul propping up the bar. He takes him to task over the way he's been treating Eileen. Paul is too full of his own self-pity to think about how she might be feeling and he asks for another drink. Paul reacts angrily when Jason tells him he should make it his last and Jason grabs him by the collar. "Just remember what my mum's done for your sake. Else I'll be back to remind you," threatens Jason before letting go of Paul and marching out.

Audrey arrives in the Bistro with a mystery guest in tow. Nick shows them to their table and the lady remarks that Audrey seems very well known in there. Audrey tells her that Nick is her grandson and then reveals that David is another one as he arrives at their table. This soon proves to be something she might have been better keeping to herself as he unceremoniously slaps the menus on the table and tells them he'll be back in five minutes. Meanwhile we learn that Audrey's lunch guest is called Carol, she's on the Weatherfield in Bloom committee and that, as the ex-Lady Mayoress, they would like Audrey to be one of the judges. Just as Audrey is about to respond, David arrives back with the drinks which he plonks down so abruptly that it leads Audrey to comment that she's not sure he's cut out to be a waiter. Carol asks Audrey again if she'll be a judge and, as if any persuasion is really needed, Audrey agrees.

Paul arrives back at Eileen's. He's in a foul temper and accuses her of sending Jason after him. She tries to protest that she didn't but he has no interest in anything but how he's feeling about Lesley's death. Eileen tries to be sympathetic but when she moves towards him he just pushes her away. He thinks everyone will be saying that it's what they both wanted and then asks Eileen if it's true. She says it's not and he knows that but he replies that what he knows is that he locked her away in a home when he knew she wasn't happy. "Let's be honest," he says, "we both wanted rid of her." Eileen simply looks at him in despair.

Back in the Bistro David's been told to go and check that Audrey and Carol are enjoying their meal. "I only want to know if the grub's O.K., I don't want to know about all your aches and pains," he growls. When an embarrassed Audrey says she hopes he doesn't treat all the customers like that he tells her he doesn't - he's being especially polite because it's her. Carol tells him that the food's very nice, thank you, and his response to that is that she's lucky.

Paul is asking Eileen what they should do - move, emigrate? He does most of the talking while Eileen sits there, obviously not knowing what to say. "I let her down," says Paul. "By leaving her with me," you mean, replies Eileen. Paul tells her he doesn't know what he means. . He says that having the police there, going through everything, has made him see it through other people's eyes. "Do you think that's how it's always been?" he asks. "Everyone thinking we're evil?"

Audrey and Carol have now reached the end of their main course but David's waiting skills haven't improved. In fact, he's so busy arguing with his grandmother for discussing his private life in public that he almost drops everything onto Carol's lap. When Eva comes along to ask if everything's alright, Audrey tells her she doesn't think David's really cut out for the job. David comments that's the first thing she's said that he actually agrees with, before taking the pile of dirty dishes and smashing them on the floor. "And you needn't bother with a tip," he calls over his shoulder as he marches out of the Bistro.

In the Rovers, Norris is discussing hanging baskets with Mary. He suggests they should have something different or unusual such as pansies or carnations but Mary doesn't think they sound very exotic. However, Norris points out that the judges will be sons of the soil and allotment dwellers, so anything which isn't a carrot will seem exotic to them.

Ty comes into the pub and Tommy offers to buy him a drink. Ty has some good news for him: he's managed to persuade Kevin to give him his job back. Tommy's delighted but Ty warns him that if there's any more waltzing off, Kevin has said that will be it.

Back at Eileen's, Paul is beginning to sound like a stuck record. He's still going on about Lesley and tells Eileen he feels like he's stuck with a terrible debt that he'll never be able to repay. Eileen tries to suggest that everyone might feel like that when they lose a loved one but Paul denies this. He reminds her that he looked after Lesley night and day and now the whole purpose of his life is gone. "I'm beginning to see that," says Eileen meaningfully.

In the Bistro, Eva and Nick are bickering about David and she says at that rate they'll end up going home in different directions. She doesn't mean it so is shocked when Nick says that perhaps it's a good idea. He's finding it a bit too much being together 24/7 and thinks it might be a good idea to give each other a bit of space. Eva grabs her bag and flounces out in the middle of the evening rush, telling Nick that it means he can have all the space he likes.

In the Rovers Mary overhears Audrey telling Stella that she's beginning to regret agreeing to judge the Weatherfield in Bloom competition and laughing that her daughter is one of the competitors. Mary rushes over to tell Norris who immediately asks if she's upset Audrey recently. Mary says Norris is more likely to have done that as he upsets everyone. She decides their only hope is to butter up Audrey. At the bar Ty tells Tommy he's off home and Tommy promises Ty he won't let him down this time.

We see Tommy making a call to Rick the loan shark. He tells him he's got his job back at the garage and then asks him what it is he wants him to do.

We return to Eileen's where she's finally found her voice. She tells Paul that there are still three of them in the room. He replies that he has to grieve for Lesley and Eileen says that she feels like she's in the way. She tells him he'll have to go and grieve for Lesley elsewhere. "And then come back?" he asks. But Eileen says no because she'll never be able to cope with it. Paul begs her and says he can't cope with it on his own. "But you're not going to be on your own, are you?" says Eileen.

Eva goes back to the pub where she pours her heart out to her mum about her row with Nick. She tells Stella that he said he doesn't want them to have a full time relationship but he still wants them to work together. She says he makes her feel really cheap by wanting her to be available only when it suits him. Stella springs to her defense and says he should feel lucky to have a girl like her. When Stella says she has a good mind to go round and tell him herself Eva tells her no, so her mum says that she should do it then.

At Eileen's Paul has packed his bags and is about to leave. Eileen says she hopes the funeral goes well. Paul tells her that he would say he'd be in touch but he knows Eileen wouldn't want that. She replies that neither will he in a couple of weeks. As they stand on the doorstep he says that he hopes she'll find someone she can be happy with and she replies that she already did. He swings his bag over his shoulder and walks away up the road as we see a close up of Eileen's sad face.

Karen

Eva arrives at the Bistro in a huffy mood with Nick, who is acting like there's nothing wrong. She thinks they had a big row, according to him it was just a conversation. Within moments they're arguing again and he walks out.

It's all doom and gloom over at Eileen's too. She reckons that there can never be any future for her and Paul, Lesley's death will always hang over them.

Tyrone's washing a car when Tina and Tommy arrive back from the hospital. A disgruntled Kevin asks if Tommy's going to do any work today. Tommy says he'll try and put a couple of hours in later.

Nick meets David out in the Street. David apologises for his bad behaviour yesterday. Nick says he's going into town and asks if David would like to come too. David says he would so they head off.

In the salon, Maria is struggling with the computer which has crashed. A young man comes in and asks if she can fit him in. She says she doesn't know because the appointments are all on the computer. As luck would have it, this young man works in IT and has the computer fixed in no time, and, even luckier Maria has no appointments booked so can fit him in straight away.

Audrey goes into the Kabin, and Mary immediately starts to try flattery as a tactic for winning Weatherfield in Bloom. Rita starts to talk to her about the wedding, and Norris comments that so far the groom hasn't put a penny towards it. Dennis tries to say that he's helped with the important things. "Like an engagement ring?" queries Norris. Rita says they decided not to bother, they're not a couple of teenagers.

Paul arrives at Eileen's house to get his things. Marcus lets him in, and tries to tell him that it's all wrong and Eileen is beside herself with guilt. "So am I," snaps Paul, and says that it's too late for him and Eileen. He picks up his things and leaves.

Nick and David are sitting in a bar. David is miserable about Kylie. He says he knows she can be gobby, but underneath she's kind, sweet, and the smartest girl he's ever met. (Is this the same Kylie that we know?) Nick suggests they go off and have some fun.

In their flat, Tina tells Tommy she's proud of him for getting his job back. She says she knows it will take a while for him to pay Tyrone back, but at least he's back on the straight and narrow. Just then he gets a text message from Rick, telling him to call. Tommy tells Tina that it's from Kevin, and he has to get back across the road.

In the salon, the guy who fixed the computer tries to pay for his haircut. Maria won't accept it, so he offers to take her for a drink. She refuses, but he leaves his business card anyway, in case she has any more computer problems. Just as he's leaving, Marcus arrives and is horrified when he learns that Maria turned down a date with him. Eventually Maria says she'll give him a call.

Nick spots a lap dancing club and persuades a reluctant David to go in. Once inside, he tells David to go to the bar while he pays the admission and gets them seats. However, he's shocked when after a moment or two he spots Kylie chatting to the customers. He rushes over to David, who has just bought two drinks, and drags him off out of the club, saying he feels guilty about Eva.

Eileen arrives home and sees that Paul has picked up his stuff. Marcus asks if she'd like a glass of wine, but she says she wants to go out, she can't stand it in there any more.

Audrey is in the pub, assuring Emily that she will be completely impartial when judging the Weatherfield in Bloom entries. Just then Mary and Norris come in, and Mary asks if she can buy Audrey a drink. Audrey accepts graciously and adds that they can get Emily one too. Emily quietly reminds Audrey that she said she couldn't be bought. "I can't," says Audrey, "but I shall enjoy watching Norris try!"

Rita is on the phone, leaving Dennis a voicemail message, wondering where he's got to.

Eileen comes in then, with Marcus and Sean. Marcus gets a message from Maria, saying she's got a date with the computer guy, tomorrow night. Marcus tells Sean he's promised to babysit. Sean is put out. "But that's my night off," he says. Marcus tells him he can come with him, they'll babysit together.

Nick and David have arrived home and opened cans of lager. David is miserable, Kylie's not coming back. Eventually he staggers off to bed, and Nick calls for a taxi.

A very morose Eileen is sitting in the pub with Marcus and Sean. She's miserable there, but doesn't want to go home, that will just remind her that he's gone. Sean points out that if Paul can't fight for their relationship, then he's not worth it, she's better off without him. "Fresh start, new hairdo," says Sean. Eileen says he's right, she needs a fresh start, so tomorrow morning she's going to put the house on the market.

Rita is just about to leave the pub, when Dennis comes in. He produces a ring box, and there inside is a beautiful ring. He tells her it belonged to his mother. "Elsie!" says Rita, but is reluctant at first to accept it. He says it was the only thing he didn't sell when he was on the streets, and he knows that Elsie would want Rita to have it.

Nick goes back to the club and confronts Kylie. He tells her that David is in bits and wants to know how she could disappear like she did. Kylie says that David gave her no choice, he told her that she caused Audrey's heart attack. Just then the club manager tells her to get back to work. Nick tries to take her arm and get her to leave with him. The manager calls security, and the result of it all is that Nick has to leave and Kylie gets sacked. Outside she shouts at him. "You idiot! Now what am I supposed to do?" Nick tells her to come home with him but she refuses, saying that David is better off without her, and marches off up some steps. He follows her, and asks where Max is. She tells him that Max stays with her friend and she picks him up in the morning when she finishes, but now she's got nothing to do but wander the streets until morning. "So thanks," she says. Nick tells her that David is lost without her, he misses her and Max like mad. He tells her to get Max and come home with him. She says she can't, Max is asleep and so is her friend. She doesn't even have a key. He asks what she's going to do. She pulls out a bottle of vodka and takes a swig. Nick suddenly makes a decision. He tells her to come with him, and pulls her to her feet. "There's a hotel up there, I'm not letting you walk the streets, I'm getting you a room."

Stella is clearing up at the pub when Eva comes back, and tells her about the row with Nick and how he walked out. She doesn't know what he wants. Stella says she must talk to him, and tells her to go round there right now.

Meanwhile, Nick is with Kylie in the hotel room, making her coffee and trying to sober her up. His phone rings, it's Eva, obviously thinking he's at home, and asking if she can come round to talk. He tells her he's really tired, but just then Kylie blurts out that she misses David. "What was that?" asks Eva. Nick tells her it was just the tv, and ends the call. Eva's not convinced. She's standing outside his building and sees that his lights aren't on. Kylie falls asleep on the bed, and Nick settles into a chair.

A very angry looking Eva marches back to the Rovers.

Anne Logan

It's Friday and as Nick opens the blinds in the hotel room, Kylie wakes up, mascara smeared across her face, and has a bit of a moan. But she accepts a cup of coffee, finds out that Nick slept on the hard upright chair. Nick thinks she should speak to David but Kylie isn't sure that's a good idea. But she agrees to at least talk to David once she's collected Max from a friend's.

Eva, meanwhile, appears to be having bile for breakfast - she's got a face like thunder.

Dev's quite pleased the twins will be away overnight because he and Sunita can spend some time together. Sunita, however, points out that she's going out for a drink with an old school friend, Jody. Dev says he'll be fine on his own, then.

Tommy makes sure Tina's set up for the day with a rug, magazines, lunch ready for her. She appreciates the attention but tells him to get to work.

Kylie, Max and Nick share a taxi back to the street. Kylie and Max get out and head for their former home while Nick sorts out the fare.

Inside the house, David's got a sore head. Gail suggests that if he's feeling down (not that she's saying he is, she says) maybe he should see a doctor or someone about it. Maybe it would do him good to talk to someone. And, yes, maybe get some pills. There's a knock at the door. David answers it and flings his arms around Kylie.

Eva's going to work. Stella warns her not to go in all guns blazing, though she says Nick will have her to answer to if he has been cheating on Eva. Sean has apparently been summoned by Stella. She tells him she needs more hotpots and insists he give up his lunch hour to do them. Sean insists in return that it's impossible to do a batch of hotpots in 60 minutes.

Karl passes Eva in the street and wishes her luck. She purses her lips and strides into the bistro. She asks how Nick slept and he says he got a full eight hours. "Can we talk later - sort things out?" he asks her.

Eileen tells Marcus she's not heard from Paul and doesn't expect to. She's still determined to move away, though she doesn't like the idea of making him and Sean homeless. Julie bounces in, using her "emergency key," admires Marcus's sandwich and says she's come to see if Eileen is OK. She also reveals that the growth they removed wasn't malignant. She assures them she's fine and keen to get back to work.

Gail's keeping an eye on Max while David and Kylie talk. Kylie brushes off questions about where she was and how she got money to live on. She tells him how hurt she was that he turned on her. They both agree they're sorry, though Gail pipes up and warns David not to take Kylie back too quickly because there was fault on both sides. That does it and David decides to take Kylie out to talk, leaving Max with Gail.

Sean's made 30 hotpots and will now be late back from his lunch. Stella insists that's not good enough and he has to make some more. Sean points out he's already got a full-time job and his landlady is threatening to move. "I won't be bullied." Stella accuses him of not being professional, so he quits. "And if you think you're getting that recipe you've got another think coming!"

At the garage, Kevin's a bit grumpy but Tyrone defends Tommy, saying he's as much a victim of Terry as anyone. Tommy gets a call from Rick, who says he's got a job for Tommy and arranges to meet him later.

David and Kylie go to the bistro, where Nick acts surprised to see Kylie. Eva just acts nastily, calling Kylie a liability.

Underneath some arches, Tommy meets Rick who tells him a car will be delivered to the garage later today. "I want you to put this in it," he says, handing Tommy a hold all. Tommy looks inside - blocks of cocaine! Rick says, "you're a face now, Tommy - one of mine."

When Nick steps out to the cellar, Eva takes the chance to search his jacket. She finds his wallet and the hotel bill. She puts on her coat and leaves immediately.

Marcus and Maria are having a quiet drink when Sean flounces in, weepily telling them he's just flounced out of the pub. When Nick hears about it, he offers Sean a job straight away. He'd like to put hotpot on the bistro menu, he needs another waiter, there's a big function on Monday and Sean will only have to work evenings. See, all sorted. They really should put the Corrie writers on to sorting out the economy! Sean accepts the job, if only to see the look on Stella's face when she finds out.

In the pub, Julie's wittering on about weekend outings with Brian until Eileen interrupts to tell her she's thinking of moving away. Eva storms in and shows Stella the hotel bill. She's determined to prove he was there with another woman and rings the hotel but the number's engaged. "What kind of hotel is engaged?" Stella knows exactly what sort of hotel this one is - a dodgy one "and you only go there for one thing."

Sunita has apparently called for a taxi and when Karl turns up they begin this little charade of a taxi driver asking his fare where she's going. It turns out she's booked the honeymoon suite at a boutique hotel in Didsbury. "Put your foot down, driver, we're wasting precious time."

Eva manages to get through the hotel and makes up a story about leaving her jacket behind when she stayed in room five with Mr Tilsley last night. The receptionist checks and there's no jacket been found. But then she says Eva wasn't wearing one when she came in last night. A triumphant Eva tells Stella that this proves Nick was with another woman last night.

Rick drops Tommy off right outside the garage and assures him he's got nothing to worry about. He says he's a bit sorry for Tommy having Terry for a father. Tommy takes the hold all and heads into the garage.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Mark Burt
Directed by: Noreen Kershaw

Opening in the Rovers, Eva is sounding off to Stella about Nick, and what he was up to the previous night, or rather what she thinks he was up to. Stella tells her that there might still be an innocent explanation, but when she strings him up, she wants a front row seat.

Julie is very upset about Eileen selling up and moving away. She is pleading with her to reconsider, because she has just found out that she can't have a family, and now she can't face losing her sister as well. Eileen assures her she will be able to visit, but Julie is not satisfied with that. Eileen tells her she has no choice, she just cannot go on living in the house where Leslie died.

Tommy is making excuses to stay behind in the garage when Tyrone is leaving for the day, mutters something about looking over a mate's car for him as a favour. Tyrone offers to stay and help, but Tommy assures him that it's nothing much, and if it's more he will be sure to send him in Ty's direction.

In the Bistro Nick asks Kylie where David has gone, and she tells him he has popped home, as Max has apparently been playing up, and David had insisted on being the one to go. Nick tells her that David has really been missing Max, and her. Kylie replies that he (David) has been brilliant over everything. Nick says that they now have the chance of a fresh start, and Kylie thanks him again for giving them that chance, because without him they wouldn't have stood a chance, because as much as they love each other, they can't communicate to save their lives. As Nick gets up from the table, Kylie grabs his hand and tells him that she would still like to make it up to him as she is so grateful. Nick places his hand over hers and tells her it will be thanks enough not to let it happen again. Just as this little show of affection is taking place, Eva walks in right on cue, and if looks could kill, they would both be crispy bacon on the floor. Oblivious to Eva, Nick tells Kylie he will get them some drinks on the house. Eva pipes up "On the house?", and Nick glares at her and says "They're family". After Nick leaves, Kylie tells Eva that she has totally landed on her feet with him, Eva replies through gritted teeth that he is one in a million. David comes back just then, and they coo at each other about who has missed the other the most.

Maria arrives to find her date sitting at the bar in the Bistro, and they exchange pleasantries about how good each other look. Sean then appears at their elbow, working hard at being waiter of the year on his first night, which Maria finds somewhat amusing. As he is helping her with her chair, he whispers in her ear about how lush her boyfriend is, and that he looks like a keeper. Maria then orders a glass of house wine, and Tim orders a lager.

Tim tells her he is pretty nervous as he hasn't been on a first date in a long time. He goes on to say that he has just come out of a long term relationship, and that it got pretty messy. Our waiter of the year isn't doing so well as he serves Maria the lager and her date the wine, they exchange drinks, then make a toast to 'Onwards and Upwards'.

Audrey arrives at number 8, and realises Kylie is back when she hears Max calling down the stairs. She is not best pleased, but is not totally surprised that the bad penny has turned up again. She asks Gail if she has now thrown in the towel, and Gail tells her that she is making the best of it, because she makes David happy. She goes on to ask Audrey if they can't kiss and make up, to please have a cease fire.

The villain Tommy was expecting shows up with the car. When Tommy refers to the drugs he immediately gets a telling off, and a strong suggestion that he starts by calling it merchandise. He is told to pack the merchandise around the fuel tank and inside the door panels, and to call Rick before he has finished the job. Tommy agrees. To think everyone calls Kirk thick, he has ten times the brainpower of Tommy!

Maria and her new beau are making small talk over the meal, talking about things they like to do in their spare time, when he looks up and recognizes the girl who has just walked in. He tells Maria that it is his ex-girlfriend, and that she can't keep away from him.

Eva is quizzing Nick behind the bar as to what he ended up doing the previous evening. Nick tells her that he met up with David, went to a few bars and chewed the fat. Eva asks what they talked about, and is told it was mainly Kylie, and there was only so much Kylie talk that he could take, so was home around 8 p.m. Eva replies "Aren't you a good boy, and there was me thinking you might have been on the pull", and she walks away glaring daggers into his back.

Over at the table, Maria is definitely feeling that an elephant is in the room, as Tim keeps looking over at his ex. She suggests they move on to somewhere else, but he tells her she means nothing to him, and tells her she is much better looking than his ex. This annoys Maria, and she tells him she would prefer it if he wouldn't compare them. Just then the object of the conversation walks over and accuses Tim of following her, she tells him that they broke up a year ago, and it's time he got over it. Maria's flabber is ghasted, and she questions why he told her they had just broken up, if it had been a year ago. Tim brushes the question aside, and tells her the time frame is not important. Maria then takes a closer look, and realises that the ex-girlfriend looks a lot like her, and asks Tim if that is the reason he asked her out. Tim replies that it's not a crime to have a type, and besides she has a much better sense of humour and better legs. That's it! Maria's had enough, and makes a quick exit leaving Tim to pay the bill.

Tommy is busy wrapping drugs in newspaper and stuffing them into the car that he has up on the hoist, when Tina appears out of nowhere and makes him jump out of his skin. She tells him that he wouldn't have been so surprised to see her if he would answer his phone once in a while. He tells her that he has been busy. She starts getting a little interested in the underside of the car he is working on, so he quickly pulls her away and suggests she goes home, puts some cans in the fridge, and he will bring a takeaway home shortly. She agrees to this and leaves, much to Tommy's relief. Hard to believe Terry is his dad, he's really not cut out for a life of crime, poor lad will have a nervous breakdown before this is over.

After the break in which we saw Martin Clunes making a few extra quid flogging home insurance, we see Maria running home in the rain, and being greeted by a very sympathetic Marcus, who has heard about her disastrous date in a text from Sean.

Stella is approaching the corner shop looking for Sunita, but is told by a sad looking Dev that she has gone into town with a mate, and is not expected back until late. St. Ella, who of course notices that Dev is not himself asks what is wrong, he tells her that he had been looking forward to spending an evening with Sunita, but that had fallen through. Stella tells him that if he is at a loose end, to pop into the Rovers later, as there is something she would like to run by him. I wonder who looks after the children at a moment's notice? Nobody ever seems to find it a problem going anywhere without their children on this street do they?

Sunita certainly doesn't have her children on her mind. She is far too busy in the posh hotel room burying her face into Karl's bare chest. You can tell they got the honeymoon suite, because there are rose petals all over the pillows on the bed, but they are both too busy to notice that.

Thankfully we quickly leave that scene and check out a conversation between Nick and David in the Bistro. Nick tells David that he has had a wakeup call, and not to blow it again. David agrees, and is determined to hang onto Kylie this time. Nick tells him to say they were at a bar last night if Eva should ask, and David says that he should tell Kylie the same. Eva is still shooting daggers at Nick behind his back.

Tommy runs up to Rick, and tells him that he is not happy that he has turned him into a drug dealer. Rick replies that if it bothers him that much, just call himself a 'Distribution Facilitator' if it makes him feel better. Tommy is under the impression that they are now even, but Rick brings him down with a slap by telling him that he has only knocked £250 off the slate of £9,000. A panicking Tommy protests that that wasn't the deal. Rick reminds him that they didn't have a deal, that he does in fact own him, and he will do as he is told. One of his very large goons appears to endorse that what Rick says goes. Rick leaves, telling Tommy that if he plays it cool, he just might make a few bob for himself as well.

Karl and Sunita are basking in the afterglow when they are rudely interrupted by a text from Stella asking where Karl is. Sunita is disappointed that they have to go back to face real life, but Karl doesn't seem too concerned about that, all the time he has her on the side to look forward to.

David and Kylie still have eyes only for each other in the Bistro. David tells her how happy he is to have her home, and she promises she will never leave again. He tells her how it upset him when she wouldn't even answer his phone calls, and she replies that she really thought he would be better off without her. They continue reassuring each other that they really love each other, and both want to make a fresh start. He leaves to use the bathroom prior to heading home, and Nick takes the opportunity of Kylie being alone to speak to her. He asks her if things are OK now with her and David, and she assures him they are. She takes his hand and tells him to stop stressing, as things are fine now. She is still feeling very grateful towards Nick, and tells him that he is fantastic. This show of affection doesn't go unnoticed by Eva, who looks as if she is chewing a wasp.

Dev is now in the Rovers and Stella is getting him to taste some hotpot she has made. He is not impressed, and only gives it a 7/10. She takes it away, and tells him she won't prolong his agony. He replies that it's not the hotpot that is making him so miserable. With a little persuasion, he unburdens himself upon St. Ella and tells her that since Sunita started working there, things haven't been the same between them, in fact she hasn't been the same. Stella tells him that is probably because things are not the same any more. Until then, Sunita's life had revolved around him, the kids and the shop, suddenly she has something that is hers and hers alone. Dev acknowledges this, and promptly invites her and Karl around for dinner on Monday night, saying that if the Rovers is so important to the lady he loves, then it's high time he got to know her colleagues. Stella agrees this is a good idea, and they shake on it.

Audrey's face falls in Gail's sitting room when she hears David & Kylie coming in the front door. Gail warns her to watch her blood pressure, but Audrey can't resist making a few snide remarks to Kylie when she comes in. In fact, she can't bear to be in the same room as Kylie so takes her leave in a bit of a huff.

As Audrey walks across the cobbles from Gail's house she spots Eileen standing outside No. 11 looking up at the brand new 'For Sale' sign. She tells Eileen she is very brave for taking the step to move away. Eileen tells her about the reaction she received from Julie, and Audrey is sympathetic. Eileen asks if there is anything wrong with hoping that the grass is greener, Audrey replies that there is no way of knowing if it is without checking it out for yourself. Eileen muses that just for once in her life, she would like a patch of green. Audrey nods, and says (almost to herself) that families don't always know what is best for you, they don't even know what is best for themselves half the time. They get onto the subject of Kylie, and agree that she is quite a handful. Eileen notes that for all that, it is not enough to make Audrey walk away. Audrey replies that she keeps waiting for the right time, but the right time never seems to come. This was a lovely exchange between two characters who are rarely put together, and it really worked. They bid each other a fond goodnight, Audrey walks away, then turns back and asks Eileen to let her know just how green the other side is, just for reference. Eileen smiles wryly and tells her she will.

Nick and Eva are closing up, and Nick asks Eva if she is coming back to his. She asks if that is an invite, and he replies that she wanted to talk, so they can go there to talk. He disappears into the back room to put the money into the safe, and she picks up his phone, and checks his texts. Seeing one from Kylie, she reads "Thanks again for last night xxx" Oh dear, that wasp is back in her mouth again, she grabs her things, is out of the Bistro and as the credits roll, we see her walking down the cobbles with tears streaming down her face.

Christine Warren

Written by David Lane Directed by John Anderson

Eva's wallowing, her pity party in full swing. She is convinced that Nick is having a fling with Kylie and presents the circumstantial evidence to Stella and Leanne. Leanne mentions that she and Peter will be in court later about the custody. Eva promises to make Nick pay and makes Leanne promise to make Peter pay. Agreed? Sorted.

David and Kylie have found Nick in Platt towers using the washing machine as his is on the blink. He's got a big event on that evening at the Bistro and really wants it to go well. Since his waiter has a broken ankle. David offers his services but is turned down. Kylie on the other hand, offers and though she has no experience, Nick seems to be amenable to it in the wake of her confidence.

Rick is congratulating Tommy on doing a good job hiding the drugs. Tommy doesn't want to keep doing it but Rick assures him he will. He drives off as Tyrone approaches. Tyrone sees Fiz in front of the factory and calls over to her while Beth starts to slink all over Tommy. He almost visibly shudders. Sean pulls Beth away. Tyrone asks Fiz to sound out Kirsty about a potential birthday present. The conversation ends before Kirsty approaches and Ty makes a joke about Beth wanting to make a man out of Tommy. She takes custody of his bacon barm for a bite but gives it back even though he offers it to her.

Dev is banging about in the kitchen and reveals to Sunita that he's invited Karl and Stella to dinner. Tonight. She looks horrified. Dev admits he's been wrong about her working in the pub and says he can see she's different, more confident and he feels a bit left out. He thought that if he got to be closer to Stella and Karl he'd feel closer to her. She tries to talk him out of it, thinking some quiet private time might work better but he doesn't want to cancel. She looks disappointed.

In the Bistro, Kylie is setting up tables, while Lewis remarks that as the mayor is attending the function, they may even get a notice about it in the Gazette and it will do their reputation no harm. (cough) Eva comes in and is not happy to see Kylie. She's snarky about it while Nick defends Kylie doing them a favour. The women snipe at each other and Nick pulls rank. Eva may have overheard Kylie say something about her stint being the least she can do after what he did for her.

In the factory, tea break is underway. Sean is taking some time to make up a batch of hotpot for the Bistro function tonight. Fiz, in order to start up a conversation about birthdays, reads out her horoscope from the newspaper. Fiz is a Libra and Kirsty is a Gemini but says she doesn't believe in that stuff. She admits tomorrow is her birthday but doesn't really like them and, when Beth suggests a party, states she really *really* hates parties.

Nick is showing Kylie how to uncork wine. Eva observes them getting on well together, with a frown. Stella arrives and asks if Eva has talked to Nick yet. Eva turns a little greener and when Stella moves to tell Nick a thing or two, Eva pulls her back, vowing that she will get her revenge, no worries. Sean comes out of the kitchen and that gives Stella reason to rant about the hotpot having a new home. It's simple pub food and shouldn't be in a "poncified poncy place". Lewis tries to smooth things over but Stella threatens them with her solicitor. As she stalks out, Eva whispers that she knows how to exact her vengeance.

Sunita and Karl walk down the road and she's trying to get Karl to find an excuse not to come to dinner tonight. Stella carries over her ranting about the hotpot as she catches up. Sunita pretends she's looking forward to tonight. Karl and Stella proceed on to the pub where Leanne is waiting for a lift to the courthouse. She looks ill as she spies Carla and Peter emerge from the flat, stop, and kiss.

In the Bistro, Sean is nearly finished his work but he's worried about Stella's legal threats. Nick rallies the troops to keep everyone happy tonight. Go team. He even offers Kylie a full time job if it works out.

At the courthouse, Peter's solicitor tells Peter they can try to get concessions from Leanne but Peter needs to be reasonable too and allow Simon to spend time with Leanne or they won't be able to persuade the judge to their side. Leanne and her solicitor arrive and it's clear Leanne is ready for a battle when Peter makes sure to list all the things he's got in his favour. They start to bicker, politely and it descends into a row and Leanne throws at him the time he got drunk and set fire to the flat. His solicitor's eyebrows raise alarmingly. I don't think this is going to go well.

Karl tries to get out of the dinner party and says Steve wants him to work. Stella seems disappointed and sighs as he moves away.

In the court room the judge asks if they have been able to work out an agreement and asks Leanne why she brought the matter to the courts. Peter interrupts before she can answer and spews another mouth full of nasty about Leanne trying to put the boot in because he left her for someone else. It's all spite. Leanne tries to explain Simon wants to be with her. Peter points out he's Simon's father, who is she? That lights off the old Battersby temper and she brings up his confessing to a murder that he didn't commit. They shout and bicker until the judge shouts them down. Leanne insists she doesn't think Simon would be better with his father. The judge decides that they need a further investigation and they'll review it again.

Tommy and Ty close up the garage. Tommy asks Tyrone if it's ok to do a few more jobs after hours to help him pay off what he owes him. Tyrone agrees. The factory girls come out and tell Tyrone that they weren't very successful finding out any information from Kirsty.

In the Bistro, Guests are arriving. Audrey is one of them and is sipping soft drinks to start off but is not best pleased to see Kylie working there. Nick defends her and Kylie points out that Audrey thinks she's sponging if she's not working. Nick turns to greet another VIP and the Mayor who also gives Audrey, an old friend, a hug and a line of flattery that makes Lewis look uncomfortably jealous. Audrey, of course, laps it up. They all toast to a successful evening. Eva mutters "Don't count on it"

In the pub, Tommy and Tyrone are playing darts. Tyrone thinks he'll organize a surprise party for Kirsty, reckoning Kirsty is just shy. At the bar, Leanne arrives and tells Stella it didn't go well and it'll drag on longer. Stella has just got off the phone checking up on Karl's excuse. Steve said it was ok for Karl to have the night off apparently. Leanne reckons one of them is lying and Stella is pretty sure it was Karl. She and Leanne both glare at a newly arrived Peter and Carla. Stella makes a few snarky remarks but Peter insists they stay. Leanne reckons Peter knows down deep that it didn't go as well as he hoped in court but Peter plays it with confidence.

At the Bistro, a photographer is now present and taking photos of the guests. Nick is all smiles and announces the starting course, hotpots. Sean is one of the servers bringing out the dishes on platters. The mayor invites Audrey to sit with him as his plus one. Lewis grumbles about the flattery while David sits at the bar, as Kylie is gathering drinks. The guests tuck into their hotpot. The mayor's flattery is interrupted by all the guests sputtering and coughing. Audrey thinks it's Kylie's fault but Eva pipes up and admits she's the one that spiked the hotpot with extra hot spices. She thought Nick "Liked it hot" and offers to cool him down, using the old soap cliche of a drink over the head. Class.

In the pub, Marcus sits with Maria. He asks about Tim and they giggle over the disastrous date. Maria thinks she should just give up on men. Marcus offers to find her a fella. Karl comes in and is confronted by Stella who asks why he lied. He says he doesn't really like Dev so he made up an excuse. She wants him to put up with it for one night for Sunita's sake. He can't get out of it so he agrees.

Nick shouts at Eva who snipes about revenge being much better served very hot. She tells everyone that Nick slept with Kylie. Kylie vehemently denies it. Eva presents her evidence, including the hotel bill. David's hackles rise. Nick admits to the hotel but can't really explain. The evidence is enough for David to launch himself at Nick and the photographer is gleefully shooting lots of frames of the ensuing all out fight. Oh dear. Looks like the Bistro is definitely going to be featured in the Gazette. And it's reputation will be cemented. Not in a good way, methinks.

Tvor

Written by Martin Allen and directed by John Anderson

David is going ballistic in the Bistro. Nick is reluctant to tell him about what happened in the hotel so Kylie steps forward and admits they spent the night together. But without waiting for any further explanation, David grabs a conveniently-placed fire extinguisher and before any of the large crowd watching can stop him - not that anyone in their right mind would want to get in the way of David when he's riled - he rushes out into the street and smashes the windscreen on Nick's car. Kylie pleads with him to believe her that Eva's got it wrong and nothing went on between them while Lewis tries the gentlemanly approach, pointing out that whatever's happened, smashing up Nick's car is not going to help the situation.

Sunita's checking her phone in vain for a message from Karl while Dev is busy worrying about which type of wine glasses to put on the table for their dinner party.

Out in the street Ken is asking Leanne how the court case went. She tells him that Peter is refusing to budge and wants total residence for Simon and, on top of that, she bumped into Brian who told her that he's playing up at school again. Just then Peter and Carla come along and Peter gets all aggressive, accusing Leanne of getting her side of the story in with Ken first. Ken tries to raise the subject of Simon's behaviour at school, sending Peter into defensive mode. Ken suggests they should try to sort things out between them and bypass the solicitors for Simon's sake. Carla says that isn't such a bad idea and Ken suggests they should meet to talk about it later in the Rovers.

All the customers have left the Bistro (probably not surprising) and Nick sits down with David and Kylie to talk about what happened. He explains about the night he and David went to the club, how he saw Kylie, didn't tell David in case he was embarrassed by what she was doing and went back later. Kylie takes over telling the story at this point and tells David how she and Nick had a row and he took her to the hotel. Nick explains that he spent the night in a chair to make sure she didn't do a runner but then Eva rang him at the hotel, knew he was lying when he said he was at the flat, and put two and two together. David wants to know why they didn't tell him but Nick points out he wouldn't have believed them and Kylie says it just seemed easier to keep quiet. David doesn't look convinced so Kylie swears on Max's life that nothing happened.

Eva has gone back to the Rovers and is telling her mum all about the fracas at the Bistro. Stella and Karl are on their way out to Dev and Sunita's and Karl ‘kindly' offers to cancel so that Eva can stay and talk to her mum but his plan doesn't work. Eva declines and tells them she wouldn't want her problems to spoil their fun.

Out in the bar Ty is asking Tommy and Tina if they're coming to the party. Quick as a flash Tina says she can't because she's working but Tommy says he thought she had the night off, forcing her to admit she doesn't want to come. She thinks Kirsty wouldn't want her there. Ty tries to say she would but Tina doesn't want to take the risk. At that moment Kirsty walks in and Ty quickly tries to change the subject to football. Kirsty is starting to look suspicious that something may be up.

On their way to Dev and Sunita's, Karl and Stella bump into Sean. Stella tells him that she's been to see her solicitor who informed her that Betty's Hotpot recipe is the intellectual property of the Rovers. "Oh, puuuleez!" is Sean's response before they exchange a few choice words on the subject. As Stella informs him that he can argue all he likes but the law is the law, Sean flounces off in a huff.

Dev is putting the finishing touches to the dinner when Stella and Karl arrive. Sunita gives Karl a look and he returns it with one which is meant to convey "sorry but I couldn't do anything about it". We hear Abba playing in the background and discover that it's a favourite of both Dev and Stella. Dev suggests they could have a croon together later and Stella says she'll have to get drunk first. It looks like it could be a long and awkward evening ahead for Karl and Sunita.

In the Rovers, Ken, Leanne, Peter and Carla have assembled for their discussion. Ken starts by suggesting a compromise. Peter objects before he's even heard what it is so Carla gently suggests he should listen to what Ken has to say. Ken proposes they try a joint arrangement with Simon staying part of the time with Peter and the rest with Leanne but Peter doesn't want to know and has no intention of agreeing to anything which Ken has to suggest.

Ty is outside on his phone, calling people about the party. Tommy comes out to tell him that Kirsty is getting twitchy inside the pub so Ty asks Tommy to take over. Ty's excited because he's just spoken to Kirsty's mum and her parents have agreed to come. Tommy is quite surprised as Ty hasn't even met them yet but Ty doesn't seem to think it's a problem.

Back inside the Rovers, Peter is still digging his heels in about reaching a compromise over Simon. Ken offers to act as a go-between but Peter sees this as him taking Leanne's side. He refuses to see sense and even throws in a snide comment about Leanne not even being Simon's parent. As he gets up to leave he tells them that Simon is his son and he will not be dictated to. "Nice try, but the answer is no," he shouts before marching out. "Do you know what? I give up!" says Leanne to Ken as Carla follows Peter out.

In the Bistro Nick tells Kylie and David that he'll clean up in the morning. He's off to fix his windscreen and put Eva straight. David is still scowling so Nick tries one more time to convince him: he asks him when he and Kylie would have had the chance to get their stories straight if they were lying. Kylie says that Nick was only trying to help and Nick tells David that he's his kid brother, he might not always like him but he loves him and he wouldn't do something like that to him, not in a million years. After Nick walks out Kylie tells David that Nick managed to talk some sense into her and that he should be thanking him. David than changes tack and asks Kylie why she's was stripping. She tries telling him it was no worse than when he met her in Aya Napa and she was cage dancing but, as he points out, they weren't married then. Kylie tells him she needed to get money somehow to feed Max. He can't see why she didn't just go back to him so she tries to get him to understand that it was her pride that was stopping her. She tells him that she hasn't been unfaithful to him since they met and that she would never do that to him. "You've got to believe me," she says and, from the look on David's face, the penny might finally be dropping that she's actually telling the truth.

Sean is rabbiting on to Marcus about Hotpotgate but Marcus isn't listening; his mind is preoccupied with his promise to Maria to set her up with a man. Sean tells him that he's become obsessed and if he carries on much longer, he'll be the one looking for a fella.

Audrey and Gail are discussing the David/Nicky/Kylie saga over a bottle of wine. Still assuming Eva's got the story right, Audrey says she thought Nick had more sense and Gail says no wonder Eva went ballistic. Looking on the bright side, Audrey says at least it will get Kylie out of their lives but Gail is concerned about how it will affect David. Just as Audrey is saying that, for one night at least, they can enjoy never having to set eyes on her again, David and Kylie walk through the door. David tells them that Eva put two and two together and made five, he's listened to Nick and Kylie's version of events, he believes them and he and Kylie are very much back together. Gail is keen to know more but David says he'll tell her more later; right now he and Kylie want a cup of tea. It looks as though Audrey and Gail will be in need of the rest of their wine.

Over at Dev and Sunita's, the meal has come to an end and Dev is cranking up the music. As "One of Us" by Abba comes on, Dev starts to join in. Sunita tells him nobody wants to hear him singing - never was a truer word spoken - but it's one of Stella's favourites and before anyone can stop them, she and Dev are doing some Karaoke. As they croon "one of us is crying, one of us is lying, in her lonely bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing she was somewhere else instead," the significance of the words is not lost on Sunita and Karl who sit awkwardly listening to the performance. When Stella suggests to Sunita that she should join in and dance with Karl it finally gets too much and she gets up and switches off the music. Her excuse is that they'll wake up the kids if they carry on.

Outside in the street it's pouring with rain. Kylie and David are sheltering under an awning and re-bonding over some takeaway fish and chips. As Kylie says, there's nothing like a good row to work up an appetite. They seem to have sorted everything out between them and are genuinely happy to be back together. It looks as though Audrey and Gail will be stuck with Kylie back in their lives, whether they like it or not.

In the Rovers, Tommy and Ty are discussing the list of guests for the surprise party. As Kirsty comes back from the ladies, they hastily change the subject but she knows something is up. She says she hopes it hasn't got anything to do with her birthday. She reminds Ty that she doesn't want a fuss and he tells her he's got the message. "You'd better," says Kirsty.

Back at the dinner party, Karl and Sunita have snuck out to the backyard. Karl is using the excuse of smoking a cigarette while Sunita is filling up her brandy glass. Karl is suggesting that the two of them should go away somewhere together but Sunita tells him she's a very busy lady. Just as Karl is saying she's a hell of a flirt when she wants to be, Dev comes out with some cigars. He suggests Sunita should go inside to keep Stella company and discuss something like make-up while he and Karl talk man to man about stuff that really matters

At Eileen's, Marcus and Sean are getting all loved up on the sofa. Sean apologises for having a go at Marcus earlier over Maria and says he's just concerned they don't get enough time for each other anymore. Marcus agrees and then suggests they should have an early night. Sean says that's the best idea he's had all week.

Peter and Carla are in their flat arguing about earlier events. For once Carla is being the reasonable one and trying to get Peter to see that perhaps Leanne was only trying to reach a compromise and that Ken was genuinely only trying to help. Peter disagrees completely so she asks exactly what he's achieved by what happened earlier. She points out that this could go on for months and months and, apart from what it's going to do to Simon, the legal costs could end up crippling them.

Nick has gone over to the Rovers to speak to Eva. She's really angry but so is Nick. She still believes she's got her story straight but Nick is furious that she's been spreading lies about him and says he's past caring. Leanne steps in and Eva agrees to go through to the back with Nick to continue sorting out their differences.

Dev and Sunita's evening with Karl and Stella is finally coming to a close but not before Stella says it would be nice to get together again. Dev asks Karl if he likes golf. "No," replies Karl, quick as a flash. "Yes you do," chips in Stella. "You're always saying you wish you had someone to play with." Dev suggests the four of them make a day of it and Stella thinks it's a great idea. She and Sunita can pamper themselves in a spa while the men play a round together - as opposed to Karl and Sunita playing around together.

In the back room of the Rovers, Nick and Eva are continuing their row. Nick points out that David believes what happened and is now back with the girl he loves. He says they didn't tell Eva what happened because they knew she wouldn't believe them. Eva says Nick will have to do better than that if he wants to get back with her. When Nick asks if she really thinks he wants to get back with her after what's happened, Eva changes tack and says she was only trying to show him that she wouldn't be pushed around. She says that it doesn't mean she doesn't still love him. "You call that love?" asks Nick, incredulously.

"I don't do mad, vindictive, women. You and me are finished," Nick tells Eva before walking out and leaving her sobbing, with tears streaming down her face.

Karen

Hello, I'm standing in for Annie on this episode. When she comes back, try not to mention laptops or cups of tea.

Sometimes Gail reminds me of a vulture perched in a dead tree waiting to pick over the entrails of some accident victim. Perching on a bar stool in the bistro isn't so different and she's revelling in the Gazette's picture of mayhem and hotpot. She blames Kylie. Nick blames Eva. Gail thinks he attracts needy women - they can see the goodness in him.

Kirsty and Tyrone have lunch at the bistro for Kirsty's birthday. She has a little moan that she hasn't even had a card from her family.

Eva's in the pub and she's sorry. Stella tries to justify what Eva's done. They're interrupted by David and Kylie coming in and slinging sarcasm. Eva and Stella try to sling some back but David insists he believes what Kylie and Nick told him. "I trust my wife and my brother and so should you."

Stella reminds Karl that it's their sixth anniversary. She's not doing anything as obvious as going out for a meal. They're having a romantic meal in the back room instead.

Sean's browsing the magazines in the Kabin while Rita tries to get a straight answer from Dennis as to which wedding invitation he prefers. She asks Sean's opinion instead. He's trying to forget about Eva's hotpot sabotage - before that the hotpot was perfect. He thinks Betty would have been proud of him. Rita disagrees. She reckons Betty would turn in her grave if she knew the recipe had left the Rovers. Dennis wonders whether the sabotage was Betty's revenge from The Other Side.

Beth and Fiz chat to Tyrone near the garage. He asks them to take Kirsty out for a while after work while he gets everything ready for the party. Beth says she won't be at the party because RCraig has an upset tummy. Oh, and here are Chesney and Katy. They won't be there either, because they can't get a babysitter. After intense questioning . . . oh, OK, a raised eyebrow . . . Beth confesses that nobody wants to come because none of them really know Kirsty. Fiz points out they should go for Tyrone's sake so they all agree.

Back at the pub, Sunita finds out about Stella's plan for a romantic night in with Karl.

Over at the salon, Audrey and Lewis have a chat and agree that neither of them really wants to go on this cruise.

Everyone in Tyrone's house faces the door, party poppers at the ready. When Kirsty opens the door and they all shout "Surprise!" she's clearly not pleased.

In the bistro, Eva arrives and tries to beg Nick's forgiveness and to say she'll never do anything like that again. Nick points out that if she needed to check up on him then the relationship wasn't right. It's too late for sorry. But he tells her she still has her job at the bistro if she wants it.

As some of the party guests reflect that Kirsty did tell them she didn't want a fuss, Kirsty tells Tyrone it was a lovely idea, if a bit misguided. There's a knock at the door and Tyrone goes to answer it, saying it'll be his mystery guests. He returns with Kirsty's parents. Surprise! Tyrone thinks they should get to know each other before the baby arrives. Baby? "You're pregnant?" roars her father.

Kirsty's dad's not happy at all that she's pregnant and he tells her so.

Sunita's on her own in the pub, she tells Rita and Dennis. She tells them about Stella and Karl's romantic dinner in the back room. She doesn't know what all the fuss is about. They're not even married! That exclamation mark is a visual representation of her slamming their drinks down on the bar.

In the back room, a romantic Beach Boys' track playing, Stella can't relax. She doesn't think this was such a good idea because it's so hard to switch off from the job. She asks Karl if they can make the relationship work and he says they can. They toast each other.

Kirsty's mum sees her engagement ring and realises Kirsty and Tyrone are engaged. If you thought her father was angry before . . . Kirsty and Tyrone assure him they're happy. "Happy? What? Living in some two-up two-down and marrying some loser who works in a garage?" Tommy steps up to tell him he's out of order and an offended Tyrone points out he's co-owner of the garage. The dad points out that Kirsty's police career is likely to suffer if there's a gap. She's got a chance of making sergeant. This makes Beth snort and call out, "Oh no she doesn't! She works in the knicker factory with us!" Kirsty confirms that she was sacked from the police. As Tyrone orders Beth out of his house, Kirsty's dad demands to know why she was sacked. "You're a disgrace, you know that! You had prospects. You were going somewhere because of me and you throw it all back in my face!" He tells her that if she wants to mess her life up she can do it without her parents. He storms out. Kirsty's mother stops to assure Kirsty, "Don't worry. I'll be all right." Then they're gone.

Stella's reminiscing about meeting Karl. She was standing crying in the rain, her purse lost, when a cabbie called Karl took pity on her. Karl apologises for everything he's put her through and promises to make it up to her. They're having a quiet lovey-dovey moment when Sunita barges through on her way to get more cheese-and-onion crisps. She tries to make some eye contact with Karl but he won't meet her gaze.

Over at Gail's there's been a family dinner. David apologises to Nick. Audrey and Lewis announce they won't be going on a cruise after all. And Audrey announces she's going to employ David and Kylie again. Yay! Everyone's happy except Gail. Yay!

Stella's going to sort the washing-up in the morning and asks if Sunita's all right to lock up. Karl stops to get a nightcap and makes Sunita admit she came barging through the dinner because she missed him. But Karl tells her he can't do this any more. He loves Stella and it's over between him and Sunita.

Kirsty's furious. Tyrone has screwed up, "as usual," she says. Poor Tyrone points out that she told him she'd told her parents about the baby. That doesn't help her temper and she smashes a glass. Tyrone says he's going to bed. He can't cope with her when she's like this. As he heads for the door Kirsty grabs him and slams him against the wall. His face bleeding, Tyrone gets away from her and staggers out into the street. Behind the front door, Kirsty collapses, crying.

The end.
Margaret Carr

It's morning and Tyrone exits his front door with Kirsty close behind, pleading with him to come back. What? So she can hit him again? Not likely. He demands to know how he's going to explain his injuries. He'll have to say it was an accident, just like last time. He says he thought he was doing the right thing by inviting her parents and Kirsty says she realises that now. Something just came over her, maybe it was the hormones . . . "Don't you dare blame this on our baby!" snarls Tyrone. "This was your fault, no-one else's, and until you can admit that I am not even going to look at you!"

Dev's ironing a shirt for Aadi. Sunita thinks he's having a go at her for being a bad mother but Dev says he just thinks she looks tired and a little tense. He suggests she call in sick.

Karl's "Hello, gorgeous," to Stella tells us that their renewed closeness is still there after last night. He's glad she didn't give up on him and they agree they're stuck with each other.

Peter thinks Simon needs a haircut. Simon wants to grow it so he can have dreadlocks. Peter explains to him that the Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) woman will be there to talk to him after school. He says it's nothing to worry about - she just wants to know that Simon's happy at home with Peter. "If I tell them that, does that mean I can't see Leanne?" asks Simon. Peter utters those words that annoy children so much: "Don't you worry about that." When Simon goes to fetch his school stuff, Carla suggests they go to the cinema or something tonight but Peter says he's got a support group meeting to go to. He's already been to one this week but sometimes one isn't enough, he says.

Karl's off to work and finds Stella in a much grumpier mood when he goes to say goodbye. She says Sunita's called in sick and she can't organise cover.

Emily's at the salon. She's had her hair done and when Marcus comes in she confesses that she's meeting a man in town but they're just friends. Marcus is there to tell Maria a new nurse has started at work and he'd be perfect for Maria. Marcus is meeting him for a drink tonight and with a bit of persuading Maria agrees to come along.

Lewis is surprised to see Nick in the bistro because Nick had planned to take some time off. Nick says he was bored. Lewis tells him that if this is to do with Eva, he should realise it's never too late to patch things up. Nick doesn't plan to get back together with Eva because she's a bunny boiler. Eva strolls in with a really cheerful look on her fact and compliments Lewis on his tie.

At the garage, Tyrone tells Kevin he'd had a bit to drink and hit himself with the cupboard door.

Karl meets Sunita in the street. He tells her he knows why she called in sick. But he says he loves Stella and she deserves the best. Sunita says that makes her feel as if she's being chucked out like a bag of old rubbish. Karl assures her that he also cares about her. They're interrupted by Emily coming out of the cab office. She's booked a taxi to take her into town and Steve says it's Karl who will be taking her. Karl asks her to wait in the car. He and Sunita arrange to meet at the flat at three. Dev will be at the cash-and-carry and the kids are away. They part and Karl opens the door of a car and tells Emily she's sitting in the wrong one.

At the bistro, Eva's involved in a long, flirty phone conversation with a new wine supplier. Lewis thinks she adds a touch of glamour to the place. An attractive woman walks in and Nick hastens to show her to a table. It appears she's only just moved to the area after time living in Tokyo and Barcelona. Nick offers to show her around but she says her boyfriend wouldn't be keen on that. Nick tells her he used to live in Canada but the glamorous-international-man-about-town image is spoiled when Eva comes over and tells him his Mum rang and wants to know if he'll be home for his tea.

Tyrone's finished working on a car and Kevin tells him to get off home.

Leanne and Peter meet in the street and he tells her about Simon's appointment with the Cafcass officer.

Tyrone gets home to find Kirsty packing her bags. He doesn't want her to go but when she moved towards him he flinches. Kirsty says that's why she has to go - Tyrone's scared of her now. "I've seen that look before."

In the flat above the shop, Sunita tells Karl she sees no reason to stop seeing each other and go back to their mundane life and boring partners. She knows Stella's a good person, "but there's nothing wrong with two people wanting to be together." She says no-one has to find out, not if they're careful. Karl says she makes it sound so simple, as if there's no risk. Sunita says there is a risk. "That's what makes it so exciting - it's like gambling." They kiss.

Sean's been to the dentist but comes back with shopping bags. He tells Marcus he'd budgeted for one or two fillings but his teeth were declared so spotless you could eat with them. So really the new clothes haven't cost him anything. Marcus tells him about the new nurse and invites him to come along on a double-date with the new guy and Maria. Sean refuses.

Kirsty's talking about his father. He wasn't always a bully but when things started going wrong at work and others were promoted over his head, he got frustrated and started to drink. He took it out on Kirsty. Tyrone asks where her mum was and Kirsty says her mum was often standing between them, taking the punches herself. Her mother didn't ever try defending herself from his beatings and eventually Kirsty started hating her for putting up with it. When Kirsty was 18 and was late home, her father met her at the door and punched her in the stomach, winding her. Then he grabbed her by the throat, called her cheap and said she was a disgrace. "I was so scared." Kirsty said she left home a week later. She felt bad leaving her mother alone with him, but what could she do? She swore she would never let anyone treat her like that again, "but now I'm turning into him. That's why I can't be with you. Much as I hate the thought of leaving you, I hate the thought of hurting you more."

Karl and Sunita cuddle on the sofa in the flat and agree to move to the bedroom.

Ken and Eccles meet Carla in the street and Carla tells Ken about the Cafcass visit and about Peter needing two group meetings in a week. Ken offers his help but Carla thinks they'll get through this - she and Peter have been through a lot worse.

Peter hovers around in a school corridor.

Inside, the Cafcass lady tells Simon she's not on anybody's side. Simon admits he hates it at home. Carla looks like a witch and is a rubbish cook and he wants Leanne. She's still his Mum. "And I've already lost one mum and don't want to lose Leanne as well," the poor wee man says.

Kevin's in the corner shop when he gets a call to say he's missed out on a flat he wanted. He moans about his need for a flat. Dev comes in, moaning that the robbers who held up the cash-and-carry didn't have the decency to wait until after he'd done his shopping. Sophie asks if the flat upstairs is still available. Kevin likes the sound of it and Dev goes to get the key.

Upstairs, of course, Karl and Sunita are in bed together. They've just resumed their cuddling when they hear someone coming. "Who else has got a key?" hisses Karl. "Dev!" says Sunita.

The end of episode one
Margaret Carr

Written by: Damon Rochfort
Directed by: John Anderson

Opening where we left off, Dev is showing Kevin around the flat and suddenly they are greeted by a bustling Sunita, who appears out of the bedroom frantically cleaning and plumping cushions. Dev asks what she is doing there, and she tells him she was bored at home, so thought she would make a start on cleaning the place up. Dev is pleased that he has such a domesticated wife, and tells Kevin she will have it spotless for him.

Kev then asks to see the bedroom, and a panicking Sunita suggests he come back tomorrow after she has had a chance to clean the place up properly. Being a mechanic, and well used to dirt, he responds that it doesn't bother him and heads for the bedroom, and Sunita closes her eyes and waits for the eruption......which doesn't come. The two men return to the living room, and Kevin is saying he is not sure whether it's suitable or not, and that he would like Sophie's opinion before he makes a decision. The second they leave, Sunita runs into the bedroom to see a half naked Karl emerge from the wardrobe.

He is shaken up, and tells her that it was much too close for comfort. Sunita tells him to get dressed and she will check to make sure the coast is clear for him to leave.

Peter and Simon arrive home, and before getting out of the car, Peter tries pumping him to find out what he told the Cafcass Officer in the interview. Simon is reluctant to tell him, saying he had previously told him that what he says to her would be private. Peter assures him that it was, but tries a different tactic. This time he tries asking him how he feels about living with him, and Simon is not backward in coming forward, saying that he hates living with him and Carla, and wants things back the way they were. Peter tells him that it's not possible, that the decision has been made, and now the only blood relatives he has are himself and Granddad. Peter obviously doesn't realise that blood ties mean nothing to children, that they consider themselves related to anyone who loves them and cares for them. Simon is very upset now, and tells Peter that Leanne is his Mum, and he wants to live with her and not Carla, and as he takes off out of the car, he shouts to Peter that he told the lady that too!

Carla is shocked to see Simon barreling in sobbing his little heart out, and calls out to him, but he heads straight for his room and slams the door. Peter explains that he has discovered that he has told the Cafcass Officer that he wants to live with Leanne. He tries to get Simon to let him in, but is told to go away. Peter is at a loss to know what to do, so Carla suggests he wait until Simon has calmed down to talk to him. He is starting to realise what all this is doing to Simon, and tells Carla that it must be hard for an eight year old to get his head around it, when even the adults can't agree on anything. Carla tells him that she will make herself scarce and go for a drink with Michelle, which will leave the way clear for Peter and Simon to have a long talk.

In Number 9, Kirsty has her bags packed and tells Tyrone she will give him a ring when she gets to her friend Helen's. Tyrone has made a brew, and suggests she have a cup before she leaves. Sitting down, she tells Ty that she has never opened up about her Dad to anyone before. Tyrone suggests to her that she speaks to someone about it all, and asks if there isn't someone like that available to police officers. She replies that as her father was a policeman, she could never take a chance on it getting back to him, the consequences were unthinkable.

Tyrone rightly points out that she is not a copper any more, and that this anger thing with her might be because she has been covering everything up all these years. Kirsty's tears begin to flow now, and she tells Ty that she is very ashamed of herself. She asks how she could possibly have hurt a lovely man like him. Tyrone puts his arms around her and comforts her. (Oh Tyrone, they are always sorry, they always say it will never happen again, please chuck her out - now!)

Stella is hanging up the phone from Sunita, who apparently has made a miraculous recovery and is offering to come in. Stella is suspicious of the so called illness but is glad of the help. Karl tells her he is starving, (we all know how he worked up that appetite don't we?), and is off to make himself something to eat.

Carla is bending Michelle's ear about the events between Peter and Simon over in a booth, when Maria appears, dressed to the nines. On being asked, she reveals that Marcus is about to set her up with someone from work, and has come in early for a bit of Dutch courage before he gets there. As Maria heads off to get the drinks in, Carla tells Michelle that she is worried that it might come down to Peter having to choose Simon or her, and she doesn't fancy her chances up against a cute little boy.

Kirsty is still there in Number 9, and Tyrone is now telling her about his awful childhood with the dreadful Jackie Dobbs. He relates that she had a string of blokes night after night, and after packing him off to his room, he would overhear her telling them that she only kept him for the family allowance. He points out to Kirsty that you can't choose your parents, but that they are lucky in that when their child is born, they will know what not to do. Kirsty is surprised that he is speaking about the two of them in the future, and he assures her that he believes their baby needs both of them. She mildly protests, and he asks her to promise that it will never happen again, and that she will work on her temper problem. She tells him she loves him, but doesn't exactly promise anything. He hugs her and tells her that he loves her too - so that's alright then!

Back in the Rovers, Leanne comes through from the back and is not best pleased to see Carla sitting with a drink in her hand. She is concerned about Simon, but Stella tells her to calm down.

Marcus arrives with his colleague from work, a nurse by the name of Aidan, who is not half bad looking I must say! He introduces Maria, who obviously has the same taste as me, as she looks quite delighted to meet him. I guess Carla and Michelle are also thinking the same thing, because they insist on an introduction too. Michelle then issues an invitation for the men to join them, which they do.

Carla pops to the ladies to powder her nose, but unfortunately has to pass Leanne, who can't resist having a snipe about the fact she is there drinking instead of being at home acting the perfect wife and mother. Carla is not in the mood, but Leanne persists. The subject gets onto Simon's meeting with the Cafcass Officer, and Carla tells her (wisely or not) that Simon had said he wants to live in the pub with his mother instead of with his father. Stella intervenes at this point and demands they take it into the back, as the conversation is not for public consumption.

Kevin and Sophie are looking round the flat, and although Sophie figures it would be ideal to have her father that close, Kev has come to the conclusion that it's not really suitable for Jack, that he would be better off growing up somewhere with a little garden. Just then he gets a call from a customer, and has to run to the garage, so hands the keys to Sophie and asks her to lock up and tell Dev he has decided against it. Straightening the cushions before leaving, Sophie finds Karl's wallet under one of them. Hmmmmm.....

After the break I was kind of hoping to see Sophie confronting both Dev and Sunita about the wallet, but no such luck. Instead we are in the back room at the Rovers, and Carla and Leanne are trying, but not succeeding in having a civilized conversation. Carla is telling Leanne that she has tried and tried to persuade Peter that Simon should be seeing her, has tried to persuade him to reach a compromise with her. Leanne interjects that maybe she should have tried not sleeping with him in the first place. (Leanne 1, Carla 0) Unfazed though, Carla goes on to say that their situation is not exactly rare, that couples split up and new partners come on the scene all the time, and that some couples make it work where children are involved and some don't. She tells Leanne that they can't move on all the time she and Peter are fighting over Simon. We then move just outside the door where we see Stella doing an 'Ilda Ogden with her ear pressed against the woodwork. Karl catches her and manages to make her feel slightly guilty for ear wigging, then Karl suggests she take a break upstairs for a bit. Following this is yet another nauseating exchange between Sunita and Karl that I would rather block out of my memory. Don't worry, you really didn't miss anything important!

The conversation in the back room has now moved on a bit, Carla has made it quite clear that she wants Leanne out of the picture. Her argument is that Simon belongs with his father, and while Leanne is in the frame, Simon is not going to accept it. Leanne is so angry she is almost in tears, she points out that Simon has already lost one mother, and she now expects her to walk out on him as well. Furious now, she goads Carla into telling her what she really thinks about the situation deep down, and Carla tells her that she knows she (Leanne) loves Simon, and she knows Simon loves her. She also knows that Leanne is a better mother than she (Carla) will ever be, but she also knows that if she uses that to get at Peter, she will destroy Simon in the process.

She goes on to say that she thinks Leanne should move away, but keep in touch with Simon, and when things calm down they might be able to sort something out. She then offers her money to help her on her journey. (See this red rag, see this bull?) That's the last straw! Leanne promptly throws Carla out, telling her to pass along to Peter that she plans to protect Simon from the pair of them, and she should warn him that he is in for the fight of his life!

Over in the booth, things are going well. Maria is obviously interested in Aidan, and Aidan is being very complimentary towards Maria. Michelle spots Carla leaving in high dudgeon, so promptly makes her excuses and runs out after her. Catching her up on the cobbles she asks how it went. Carla is recognising that she has probably made the situation ten times worse than it was before she started negotiating with Leanne.

Aidan is asking Maria why she is still single when she has so much going for her. She tells him that it could be her little lad that puts some blokes off, he goes up in her estimation a lot higher when he tells her he loves kids, and hopes he gets to meet him at some point. He leaves for the boy's room, and Marcus can't wait to find out if Maria likes him. She replies "Like him? Two more glasses of wine and I'll flamin' marry 'im!". That's a yes then.

Yes!!!! Here comes Sophie with wallet in hand being a good Samaritan and bringing it round for Karl. She explains to Karl and Sunita that she found it in the flat, and just then Stella appears and just sees the exchange of the wallet. She asks him where he lost it this time, and he says "Corner Shop", and quickly thanks Sophie hoping she will leave without correcting him. She looks a bit confused but says nothing (Oh go on Sophie - say, and let's get this over with!). Stella insists he gives Sophie something for being so honest, and although Sophie protests, she has it shoved into her hand and leaves, still a bit confused.

Sunita runs out after Sophie, and explains to her that Karl lied because when he and Stella had fallen out a while back, he thought he might need somewhere else to live, so was checking out the flat just in case. She explains that he lied, because he doesn't want Stella to know that he did that. Sophie just mutters that it's none of her business, and that she has to get back to the shop.

Leanne is filling Stella in on the exchange between herself and Carla. Stella is shocked when she hears that Carla offered her money to leave, and Leanne assures her that she will never leave that little boy with a couple of drunks. Stella tells her that she is sure the courts will see sense and not let that happen. Leanne is not convinced that they will, but St. Ella tells her that they are all behind her, and what will help right now is a bar of chocolate, trashy mags and a long soak in the bath. She then takes off to run it for her.

Sunita and Karl drone drone mutter mutter nudge nudge wink wink.....meet me in the ginnel in five minutes....

Maria is on her way home, and Marcus tells her he would walk her home, but is too lazy. So Aidan offers to do it instead much to Marcus and Maria's delight. As they leave, Aidan winks at Marcus, who winks back, pleased that Aidan is pleased that he has obviously scored with Maria. Arriving across the street, Maria moves in for a kiss and Aidan recoils in horror. Turns out he is gay, and fancies Marcus not Maria, he was just trying to get shut of her so they could head back to Marcus' place. Maria tells him she is not offended, as believe it or not, he is not the worst date she has ever had. Marcus, who has appeared on the scene now is as shocked as she is, and has to break it to Aidan that he has a boyfriend, and tells him he will just see him at work. I guess both of them had their gaydar turned off tonight!

Oh dear, we have to end with a scene in the ginnel, just to ruin my weekend. Karl is still a little uneasy, they have been sailing so close to the wind of late, but Sunita is getting off on the excitement of it all. She is not about to let Karl get cold feet and kisses him. Sophie, who is putting some rubbish in the bin hears voices and looks over in time to see the two of them move in for another passionate kiss. OK, no doubt now in Sophie's mind, surely she will bring this horrible storyline to an end won't she?

If she doesn't, I am going to have to tell Dev and Stella myself!

Til next week,
Christine

Written By John Kerr Directed by Laurence Moody

There are flowers everywhere on the street, in baskets and planters. Karl drives up and sees Sunita outside the shop and they have a bit of a flirt and arrange to meet up later just as Dev comes out of the shop. He has a friendly word with Karl and he drives off.

David brings Kylie across the street and suggests that they should buy Eileen's house. He reckons they could probably get a mortgage as they both have jobs. She's tickled and hugs him tightly. Eileen comes out and grimaces to see them snogging. They ask her if they could look around the house with the view to buying it. Sean pulls Eileen back inside and wonders if she's making a mistake selling up. She thinks she's doing the right thing. They come back out, Sean goes off to work. The Platts Junior and Eileen talk a bit of business and arrange to view the house after work.

In the Kabin, Sean talks wedding to Dennis and Rita. Dennis takes a call from someone and goes outside to talk. Norris comes in from the back and mentions that Paul's wife's funeral is today. Sean didn't think Eileen knew about it and wonders if he should tell her. Rita reluctantly agrees with something Norris said, if Paul wanted Eileen there, he would have called her to tell her.

Leanne is industriously mopping the pub floor, still fuming over Carla's "offer" to pay her to leave town. Stella advises her not to get Carla get to her. She isn't to worry about Simon, either, the courts will see things her way.

Norris is up a step ladder watering his baskets. Faye gets a face full of water as she passes under. He's unrepentant. She wasn't looking where she was going. Anna hollers at him too, calling him grumpy and he protests that he's not. Faye shouts the line of the night "Which one are ya?" (Ha!) Anna and Faye head back home. Faye asks if her mother can take her to the cinema but Anna cries poor. Dennis returns from his phone call. Norris tries to find out what it was all about but Dennis wisely keeps his business to himself.

Karl comes into the shop.There's suggestive comment, flirting, and overnight assignation is made. Sunita will make some excuse to Dev. They switch to general talk as Sophie comes in. Sophie is a bit cool to Sunita which makes her look concerned but she leaves.

Rick pulls up to the garage and Tommy is ordered into the car. He describes the next job but Tommy refuses to do any more. Rick asks for the 9 grand instead and installments won't suit. Rick tells him he'll up the amount per car to 500 pounds so the debt will be paid off sooner, 18 cars. (but how many has he already done? Don't they count?) Tommy sighs and agrees reluctantly. Rick will be in touch. Tommy looks sick.

In the factory, Sean and Kirsty talk about the funeral and if they should tell Eileen. Kirsty thinks he should tell. Eileen returns from the loo and the room goes quiet, figuratively. Carla warns her to stay sewing as the order is due today and that goes for everyone. Work late and through lunch and if anyone disagrees they can leave. (Loved Carla's scarf, gray with little skulls all over it. Kind of suits her, doesn't it?) Beth reckons Carla is just jealous of her. Eileen has already noted the silence when she'd arrived and Sean admits about the funeral. Eileen is upset that Paul didn't tell her so he obviously doesn't give a toss about her and is like all other men, lying toe rag. The camera pulls back and there's a suited shoulder standing there. "Or maybe just a coward" it says. It's Paul, dressed for the funeral.

After the break we're outside and he's asking her to come to the funeral. She gives him grief and he protests, she wanted a clean break, so he thought. But he can't forget about her.

Dev arrives back after meeting with the bank manager. Sophie said it was nice seeing Sunita in the shop (she'd been covering until Sophie arrived). Dev moans about Sunita working in the pub and wonders if she's trying to get away from him. Sophie suggests she wanted a change. She thinks Dev should surprise Sunita and take her out, be spontaneous. Dev, skeptical at first, sees the merit in this and decides to do just that. He'll make reservations somewhere nice, get Anna to cover and Sophie offers to babysit. Dev teases her that she wants to earn extra money.

Peter smoking and waiting outside for the court officer. Carla tries to keep his spirits up and it's clear he's worried. Carla hugs him and Leanne spots it from across the road.

Paul is still asking Eileen to come to the funeral. She knows Lesley's friends and family won't be pleased to see her there. Carla passes by and hollers at Eileen to get back to work. Eileen ascertains the time of the funeral (2 pm) and says she'll be thinking of him then. They say goodbye and Paul leaves, with Eileen looking sad as she watches him go.

Sunita arrives in the shop and Dev invites her out tonight to a nice Italian place. She tells him she bumped into a friend of hers, Laura, and she's invited her over to Liverpool overnight. Dev throws his hands up, let down, and mentions it was Sophie's idea to start with. This concerns Sunita.

The court officer is at the flat and going over some of the history. Peter tells her that he and Simon have had ups and downs but he loves his son. The alcoholism is brought up and Peter admits he's had his moments but he's been going to meetings and been doing well until his marriage broke down. He admits Simon has been upset and wants things to stay as they were. Peter declares there's no going back to Leanne but he'll do anything else he can to make Simon happy.

Sunita spies Sophie walking by and hurries out to talk to her, calling her on why she has been acting odd towards her. Sophie tells her she overheard Sunita and Karl in the ginnel. Sunita says she was mistaken. Sophie politely but firmly says she's not blind nor stupid and neither is Dev and turns to go back to work.

In the factory, it's 2:30 on the clock and Eileen is on her tea break and staring off into space and alternately watching the clock. Sean and Kirsty ask if she wants to be alone but when she says yes, they sit down and join her. She tells them Paul asked her to the funeral and told her he loved her and needed her there but she had told him it was too late. Kirsty thinks she should have gone and even Sean reckons it should be about her feelings not about what she should do. She admits to being scared that things would go wrong. Sean makes a good point about looking back at the end of your life and thinking "What If" and that seems to do the trick. Eileen jumps up and asks them to cover for her.

Rita comes to the pub to remind Tina there's a fitting for her dress tomorrow. They talk about the wedding and Rita tells Tina she's like a daughter to her. She teases her and asks her not to look too beautiful or she'll overshadow the bride. Leanne orders another drink from Stella and grumbles about Carla, having seen them snogging in the street. Stella thinks if Leanne kicks off it will only make things worse. Tommy arrives, Rita leaves. Tina asks him to take her out but he turns her down to do some extra work "For Tyrone". Sunita comes in for a drink and asks for something that she knows Stella has to go in the back to fetch. Karl is there as well and she tells him she can't go overnight with him, frowning that Sophie knows.

Eileen arrives at the funeral and is introduced to Lesley's sister, Yvonne, who is clearly seething with resentment when she realizes who Eileen is. She and Paul bicker over Eileen's presence but Paul takes Eileen inside the church.

Leanne comes across to talk to Peter. Carla puts her off saying Peter is talking to the court officer. That's all Leanne needs to hear and she pushes past Carla and runs up the stairs. In the flat, Peter and the officer (Rachel) are surprised to see Leanne. Peter tries to get her to leave but Leanne brings up Carla's financial offer straight away. Peter looks to Carla for an explanation as the episode ends.

Tvor

Written by Martin Allen and directed by Laurence Moody

As the mourners file into the chapel for Lesley's funeral, Eileen tells Paul that she's not sure this is a good idea. He tells her that he wants her there but, as she points out, nobody else does. Paul then gets Lesley's sister Yvonne to budge up in the front row so that they can sit next to her.

At Peter's, the meeting with the CAFCAS officer isn't going too well. Leanne and Carla are going at it hammer and tongs, arguing about the bribe which Carla supposedly offered to Leanne. Leanne finally shuts up long enough to say that she's sorry for interrupting the meeting but says she feels very strongly where Simon is concerned. "Now, where were we?" asks the CAFCAS officer after Leanne is eventually persuaded to go.

Paul is addressing the congregations at Lesley's funeral. He talks about a dream he had in which Lesley was the wonderful, carefree, happy woman he married. She was running towards him . and then he woke up and the reality of what she'd become hit him. He says he still can't believe how quickly she changed and that he was living with a complete stranger by the end. "Funny, I thought he was living with you by then," Yvonne says in an aside to Eileen. Paul goes on to thank the people who helped him during that time and says he certainly couldn't have done it on his own. As for the future, he tells everyone, it's the old Lesley they should remember and not the desperate shell that was left behind after the illness took hold; the Lesley whose laughter filled their house, like she filled his life. "Sweet dreams, Lesley; you'll live with me forever," Paul ends. "Or 'til the wake's over, anyway," comments Yvonne in another aside to Eileen.

Sunita is serving David and Kylie in the Rovers. They're having a quick drink before going off for a meeting about getting a mortgage. As soon as they're out of earshot, Sunita starts talking to Karl about Sophie. She tells him Sophie overheard them talking, plus there was all the business before with his wallet. Sunita is sure that Sophie knows what's going on and Karl asks Sunita whether she thinks Sophie will say anything. Sunita points out that Sophie is big on sin; she goes to church and something like this will be eating away at her. She says that Sophie works for her and Dev and she'll feel responsible. Sunita tells Karl that Sophie has confided in her about relationships in the past so Karl tells her to leave it with him.

Lesley's funeral service has come to an end and Yvonne starts in on Paul. He tells her that it isn't the time or place but she retorts that they've just cremated his wife and that he can hardly talk about timing when he's there with her replacement. Paul tries to tell her that Eileen has been his rock through all of this but Yvonne accuses him of not looking after Lesley properly. She says he abandoned his sister and that's why she's dead and she hopes he rots in hell.

The CAFCAS officer is leaving Peter's flat. He apologises for what went wrong but it certainly can't have helped Peter's cause and the moment the door closes he lays into Carla for trying to bribe Leanne. She's contrite and says that she was only trying to help but he keeps shouting at her. She says that whatever she does she always manages to get it wrong. Eventually Peter calms down and apologises for shouting. He hugs Carla and tells her that they have to pull together because, if they don't, Leanne will win.

As the mourners leave the funeral, Eileen takes the opportunity to speak to Yvonne. She tells her that she's got Paul all wrong and that he did everything he could for Lesley. When Yvonne reminds Eileen that she was the one who left Lesley on her own the day she died, Eileen admits that's what happened but says she was at the end of her tether. She says that's something that Yvonne would understand if she'd ever had to look after Lesley but since she hadn't been near her months, she wouldn't know. Realising she's probably said too much, Eileen apologises to Paul and then goes to leave. Paul calls after her to stay but Eileen climbs into a waiting taxi.

Karl goes into the corner shop on the pretext of doing some shopping and then casually engages Sophie in conversation. He tells her that he understands she's concerned about something she overheard. "It's all rather embarrassing," he goes on. "We were trying to keep it quiet." But instead of confessing to their affair, he makes out that Sunita is seeing him on the quiet to help him with his gambling addiction. Sophie is completely taken in by his story and, not only agrees to keep their secret, but even goes so far as offering to do anything she can to help.

Tyrone and Kirsty are having a drink in the Rovers when Rita asks if she can join them. They have a chat about Rita's forthcoming wedding and she mentions she timed it rather well as it means she won't have to dress up as a pop star which is going to be the theme of the street party. Rita asks Kirsty when the baby's due and it gets her chatting about the nursery. She tells Ty that they need to give the nursery a makeover before the new baby arrives. After all, Kirsty points out to Ty, they have savings so they can afford it. Ty doesn't say anything but we can see he's worried.

Eileen is talking to Sean and Jason at the bar when Carla comes in. She tells Eileen that, thanks to being one machinist down, they missed their deadline on the order. Carla wants to see Eileen in her office first thing in the morning and she warns her she'd better have a good excuse.

Karl is on the phone to Sunita. He's filling her in on his little chat with Sophie. Sunita ends the call in order to answer the door and, who should it be but the person they've just been talking about. Sophie is full of remorse for accusing Sunita of carrying on with Karl. She apologises profusely, feeling terrible for the fact that she nearly told Dev, having no inkling that she was actually right all along.

Back in the pub, Sean informs Eileen that he told Carla she was at the dentist. "That old chestnut," sighs Eileen, realising her days at the factory are almost certainly numbered.

Dennis arrives and Rita wonders where he's been. He claims he was picking up his wedding suit but Rita doesn't look convinced. Then Tina is the one to look perplexed when she says something to Ty about making Tommy work late. Ty says he doesn't know what she's talking about but it's definitely what Tommy told Tina.

Over at Anna's, Faye has another scintillating evening in the company of Mary to look forward to while her mother goes off to work. She perks up slightly when Mary tells her she's brought round a film for them to watch but Faye has never heard of "National Velvet", let alone Elizabeth Taylor and she doesn't share Mary's enthusiasm for their evening's entertainment.

Tommy is in the garage, working on the car for Rick, and he nearly jumps out of his skin when Ty walks in unexpectedly. Tommy tells Ty he's doing a job for a mate again and makes out he's doing it out of hours so that he can earn enough money to pay Ty back without it interfering with the garage's regular work. Ty, gullible as ever, seems convinced and tells him to make sure he locks up afterwards.

Eileen is sitting on her own in the Rovers when, to her surprise, Paul walks in. She's quick to apologise for what she said to Yvonne at the funeral but Paul tells her she's got nothing to apologise for. He thinks what she said was spot on and says that he and Lesley hadn't seen Yvonne for years and that, by the end, they didn't even get a Christmas card. Paul then mentions that he's seen Eileen's 'For Sale' sign. He asks where she's thinking of going and Eileen replies that maybe she'll go down to London, if she can get a job. "I wish you wouldn't" he says. When Eileen asks why he tells her that it's because he wants them to get back together.

Tommy has finished his job on the car. He watches it being driven away, seconds before Tina turns up. She wants to know why he lied to her about working late. Tommy tries to make out that Tina misunderstood. He says he meant he had to work late to earn extra money for Ty to pay off the loan, not that he had to work late because Ty told him to. Tina doesn't seem totally convinced.

David and Kylie arrive back at Gail's and she's delighted to hear that they had a successful meeting and have been given a mortgage offer (if only real life were that easy). David says they'd stopped by Eileen's to share the good news but she was out so Gail tells them she last saw Eileen in the pub. They decide to look for her there so Gail offers to go with them, stopping only long enough to give her competition entries a quick drink of water.

Anna's back from work and Faye is relieved to see the back of Mary. As they cuddle up on the sofa, Faye asks her mum why she has to work all the time. Anna apologises but says that unless she can conjure up and extra fifty quid a week they're going to be stuck with the situation for quite a while.

Back in the Rovers Eileen is asking Paul if he really meant what he says. She wants to know whether he'll still love her when the pain from Lesley's death fades and if he'll move on to someone else when he no longer needs her support. He replies that he'll always need her support. She tells him that she needs to know where she is and protect herself from all the disappointment and that she couldn't bear to lose him again. Paul is pleading with her to take a chance with him when they're interrupted by the arrival of David, Kylie and Gail. David tells her that they have the mortgage and Kylie wants to know if when they can go round and see it. Eileen is lost for words so Paul speaks for her and tells them that the house isn't for sale any more. "Is this true?" asks Gail. "Um, well, yes," stutters Eileen.

The Platt-McIntyre clan are up in arms as Eileen and Paul get up and walk out of the pub together, arm in arm. Gail is outraged on behalf of her son and daughter-in-law while Eileen is enjoying the pleasure of getting one over on her arch rival. "I thought you two had broken up, anyway," says David as they follow Paul and Eileen up the street. "Well, you thought wrong," says Paul. Gail is furious and Kylie tells Eileen that they had an agreement. "Only to view it," points out Eileen. Paul, once again, tells them that Eileen isn't selling. When David says that they'll see about that, Paul shows them exactly what they'll see as he reaches up and rips down the For Sale sign and hurls it across the street. And in case anyone is in any doubt he tells them that he and Eileen are going to be living there together and that they must leave them to get on with it.

"So, have we got a deal?" asks Paul. "I daren't back out now, even if I wanted to," replies Eileen as she envelopes him in a hug and gives him a kiss.

Karen

Hi all, after a whole lot of spilt tea and hassle which resulted in the acquisition of a new laptop, here's the update for Thursday 31st May.

In the Kabin, Norris tells Tyrone he's looking forward to the Weatherfield in Bloom competition, and is quietly confident of success. That is until Emily bursts in and tells him that his hanging baskets are empty.

Tommy's phone is ringing. It's Rick, so Tommy talks quietly so that Tina won't hear. Rick tells him he's got another car that needs fixing. Tommy protests that he's only just done one, but Rick won't take no for an answer. Tina comes in at the end of the conversation and asks what it was about. Tommy tells her a mate needs him to look at his car.

Outside the Kabin, Norris is staring at his denuded hanging baskets. All that's left is a bit of green foliage. He can't understand it, they were fine when he came in earlier to do the papers. He's sure it's a personal attack, but then Stella comes out of the Rovers and finds that her pansies have gone, and Sally steps out of her door to find her blooms missing too.

Eileen and Paul are smiling at each other over the breakfast table. They tell Sean it's back on, for good. Eileen wonders if she'll still have a job, and she tells Sean that she's taken the house off the market and that he and Marcus are welcome to stay. When she and Sean step outside onto the Street, Gail is outside watering her plants. She snarls at Eileen that she's a time-waster, she messed David and Kylie about. Eileen tells Gail that she just changed her mind about selling.

Norris rushes over to Gail and asks if anyone has damaged her plants. "No," she says, "they're the picture of health."

Before they get to work, Sean advises Eileen to keep her head down and let it all blow over. Eileen knows she's in big trouble, Carla has specifically asked to see her.

Tommy finds Tyrone working on his own car. He remarks that he thinks Tyrone needs a new one, but Tyrone points out that money is tight right now.

The four entrants of the Weatherfield in Bloom competition are in the cafe. Roy wonders who would sabotage all their plants. Norris points out that the only person not affected is Gail, whose mother happens to be on the judging panel. Gail protests that it wasn't her, and Roy says he believes her. Sally also says she'll give Gail the benefit of the doubt, but the judges are arriving today and they're going to have nothing to judge. "Not nothing," says Gail, "my flowers can be an ambassador for the whole street." She walks out, leaving the others wondering if maybe she did do it.

Rick's man arrives at the garage with the car he wants Tommy to hide drugs in. He hands the keys to a worried Tommy and leaves. Tyrone comes out and asks what the car is doing there and what's wrong with it. Tommy stammers that the clutch is slipping, so before he can stop him, Tyrone is in the driving seat testing the clutch, and can't find anything wrong. Tommy just manages to stop Tyrone taking it for a test drive down the motorway, and says he can handle it.

Carla rushes into the factory late because she had to take Simon to school. She's aghast to find that her important customer is waiting in her office, and he tells her she has serious punctuality issues and he wants to know how she can guarantee that his order won't be late. She tells him she has identified the problem and eliminated it.

Over at the garage, Tommy is just packing drugs behind the door panel when Tyrone comes along. Tommy jumps up guiltily as Ty points out that the clutch isn't situated in the door. Tommy tells him the window wouldn't go down so he was seeing what was blocking it. Just then Tommy's phone rings and he moves outside to answer it, saying that the job is done and he wants the car shifting very soon.

As Tommy walks away to go and meet Tina, Kirsty arrives at the garage and tells Tyrone that she has a hospital appointment. He offers to run her down there, but then realises that he hasn't finished working on his own car. He then suggests they take the car that Tommy was working on.

While Tommy and Tina sit in the cafe, Kirsty and Tyrone get into the drug filled car and drive away.

Tommy and Tina stroll over to the garage from the cafe. Tommy suddenly notices that the car has gone, and then realises that Tyrone has gone too. He starts to panic, but Tina, of course, can't see what the fuss is about. If Tyrone has taken the car somewhere, he won't have gone far. Tommy tries to phone Tyrone, but he hears it ringing - Tyrone has left his phone behind. He slams his own phone down in a rage, much to Tina's astonishment. She says she's going to Rita's to talk about the wedding, and off she goes.

Carla shakes hands with her customer, she's got the order. The workers are delighted, and Sean thinks that Eileen is now safe. However, when Carla comes back in she tells them she's promised Mr Isaacs that she has wheedled out the slackers, and she takes Eileen into the office.

Tommy is chewing his sleeves with anxiety when Rick's driver arrives. "Where's the car?" he asks.

The car, meanwhile, has been stopped by the police. Tyrone was doing 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. Kirsty puts on her sweetest smile and says that Tyrone is sorry, he was just taking her to the hospital, she's pregnant. The police officer tells them a brake light isn't working. Ty explains that he's a mechanic, his mate was working on the car. The officer says he'll just run a check on the vehicle.

Eileen has been sacked. Carla tells her she never asked for the time off, she just left her in the lurch and so they missed the deadline of the other order.

Tony, Rick's driver calls Rick and tells him that the car isn't there. Rick speaks to Tommy and asks where it is. Tommy says he doesn't know, so Rick tells him he has 5 minutes to find it or he's a dead man.

Just then the car comes round the corner. Tyrone and Kirsty get out, and Tommy is furious. He shouts at Tyrone and grabs the keys back, handing them to Tony. Tina watches all this from around the corner, puzzled.

Eileen goes with Sean to the pub. Sean is outraged that Eileen has been sacked, and says so, just as Paul comes in.

The judges arrive for the Weatherfield in Bloom competition, Audrey being among them, although she's not going to be judging this part of the competition. Norris is standing with Stella and Sally and explains to the judges what has happened. He says they are withdrawing their entry. At that moment Gail calls across that she would still like to enter.

Owen finds Faye standing outside the station with clumps of pansies on plastic sheeting and a hand-written sign that reads: 'Fresh flours £1'. "What are you playing at, love?" he asks.

In the Rovers, Paul, Eileen and Sean are discussing Eileen's situation. Paul feels terrible because he invited Eileen to the funeral, but he also thinks Carla is bang out of order. Just then Carla herself comes in so Paul goes over to speak to her. He tells her that it was his fault that Eileen walked out, and she's a kind, compassionate woman. Carla would be lucky to have her working for her. "And I need people I can rely on," says Carla, and turns back to the bar.

Owen takes Faye back home to Anna, with the flowers, and explains where he found them. Faye confesses that she sneaked out early, before it was light. She was going to sell them and give Anna the money, as she's always saying how they need it. This takes Anna aback somewhat and she sighs, but goes on to say how it is never right to steal. Then she sends Faye up to her room.

A worried looking Tommy is in the Rovers. Tina comes over and asks if everything is all right between him and Ty, she thought he totally over reacted about the car. Tommy says that Tyrone took the car without telling him, for all Tommy knew it could have been stolen. Tina says he looked as if he would beat Tyrone up. "Well he wound me up," says Tommy. Tina says he's easily wound up these days, he goes off like a rocket at the slightest thing, that's when he's not sulking or brooding. She wants to know what's going on. "Nothing," mutters Tommy. She orders him to look her in the eye and she asks if he's being honest with her. He swears that he is, and they hug.

Anne Logan

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Updates written by K Richard Whitbread, Martin Rosen,Duncan Lindsay, Christine Warren, Ann Logan, Margaret Carr, Tvor, Karen Jankel.

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