2012

Friday 2 August

Hello,

It's breakfast time and Nick sets the post aside while he sees to the breakfast tray he's prepared for Leanne. She comes out and chats to him about dropping his obsession with the vendetta. They chat happily and end up going back to bed.

Tracy admires the keyboard that's come into the shop as part of a load of stuff Rob got from Fat Lenny - possibly some relation of Fat Brenda's? Peter and Carla open the door and come in but it seems they've only done so because Peter wants to do some sneering. Rob tells him they'll make more money in the shop than Peter ever did.

Izzy's nursing the baby. Gary is due to go back to work but seems very reluctant to do so.

Now Deirdre's in the new shop looking at goods, even though the shop won't be open until next week. She tells Tracy she won't be buying anything from such a sinister business. Rob's off to see about some more stock. Deirdre wants to know where from. "Just a mate, Jessica Fletcher," he says. He tells her to stop fretting - everything's legit. It has to be because he's still on probation. He heads off and Deirdre tells Tracy she wouldn't trust Rob as far as she could throw him.

Mandy's in the taxi office talking to Lloyd about Jenna and Sophie. She thinks Sophie grassed up Paul because she's impulsive, hot-headed and immature. Lloyd adds that she was standing up for what she believed in. Mandy moans that everybody's making this their issue, "and it's not, it's ours." "Mine," corrects Lloyd. Mandy's confident that Jenna will see she's right - eventually.

Leanne and Peter are about to leave for work when he spots a letter in the post that he thinks is from Trading Standards. It is. The spirits were definitely watered down.

In the street, Kylie's headed for Nick's place because she can't get him on the phone. David's with her when they meet Nick and Leanne coming the other way. Nick tells David about the letter from Trading Standards. They want him to go in for an interview under caution. David seems very annoyed that Nick and Leanne are getting on well.

"Firefighter In Brawl Shame" says the headline on the Gazette that Jenna shows Lloyd in the shop. Jenna knows Sophie was just trying to protect her but tells Lloyd she's managed to protect herself pretty well so far.

Sylvia and Mary try to convince Hayley to go on holiday. Sylvia suggests Fuertaventura and Mary mentions an anti-clockwise tour of English cathedrals. Hayley's reluctant. She just wants to carry on as normal. Sylvia asks her to think about the effect all this is having on Roy. A holiday might help him adjust to things. Hayley's had a letter from the hospital. Her operation is scheduled for four weeks from today. Mary insists that's plenty of time to fit in a holiday and offers the use of her motorhome. She'll ask Norris if she can stay with him for a wee while.

Leanne's fussing around the bistro looking for her handbag, though Nick thinks a possible court appearance is more important. Leanne decides she must have left it at home and says she's going to the flat.

What looks like the Gallagher brothers' less musical sibling goes into the secondhand shop. Tracy's not very welcoming because the shop isn't open but he introduces himself as Lenny (not fat - "I cut out the carbs") and says he supplied most of this stuff. "Are you Rob's missus?" he asks. He says he's going to make her an offer she can't refuse.

Leanne's found her bag and stops to open the post, including the letter we saw David print out in the previous episode. (though I doubt he wrote it himself because it uses parenthetical dashes - like this - correctly!)

Leanne arrives at the Rovers and demands that Stella pour her a brandy. Sensing there might be something wrong, Stella takes her into the back room.

The latest visitor to the secondhand shop ("The door's only open because of the paint fumes," says Tracy) is Mary. She's interested in "one of those things that you can put those apps on" and Tracy tells her it's 150 pounds and that's cheap because they're 200-300 elsewhere. Mary says she doesn't have the fingers for it, though.

Rob arrives back and is horrified to see the new stock, especially when he finds out Tracy got it from Fat Lenny.

Hayley goes to Carla's office and asks if she can take a holiday. Carla makes a big show of saying how vital Hayley is to the whole factory and that she'll have to think about it before gleefully announcing she's thought about it and the answer is yes. "Send the girls a postcard," she says, wishing Hayley good luck rather awkwardly.

Rob tells Tracy he meant what he said to Deirdre this morning. Tracy wasn't listening. She zones her mother out. She says she knows lots about Lenny now and knows he's legit because he had a picture on his phone of himself with Rob. Rob shouts that Lenny was three cells down from him in Strangeways. "He killed someone!" "Everyone makes mistakes!" Tracy shouts back defensively. And anyway, that ice-cream seller provoked Lenny. Rob says he's got a meeting with his probation officer this afternoon and Tracy's going to have to get rid of the dodgy stuff. The stuff he got through Fat Lenny was tat from one of Lenny's friends, not stolen goods.

Mary goes back to the cafe and tells Anna that Norris has agreed she can stay, though the "silly billy" talked about charging her rent. "You can't put a price on friendship." She asks Anna to tell Sylvia so that Sylvia can tell Hayley . . . No, I have no idea why she can't wait for Hayley to finish work and tell her directly. Anna says she will if she sees Sylvia, who keeps going AWOL.

Anna asks Mary if she fancies doing a few shifts in the cafe while Hayley and Roy are away. Mary doesn't, but Jenna overhears and says she's interested. She worked in bars while she was a student and with a chef for a mother has spent a lot of time hanging around restaurants. Anna says she'll pass this information on to Sylvia. Sophie comes in and she and Jenna talk about what's happened. Jenna points out that she can defend herself perfectly well.

Leanne talks to Stella about the letter. She doesn't know whether she believes it. She doesn't know where Nick was on Christmas night but she doubts he was carol-singing with the community choir. She knows Stella's going to suggest asking Nick for the truth but she doesn't want to do that until she's had some more Dutch courage.

Izzy's in the cafe with Mary and Anna gooing over the baby. She tells Anna she's loving every moment of being a Mum but she's worried about Gary. He's acting weirdly. Anna assures her it will take time for him to adjust. Gary comes in.

As Leanne leaves the pub with the distinctive blue envelope in her hand, David spots her from the salon and casually strolls outside. He asks if she's OK and expresses sympathy, hoping everything works out for her and Nick. "Don't worry - you'll weather the storm, just like the Titanic. No, wrong ship . . . " he says.

He sees Tracy out in the street admiring her shop. She makes a smart comment and David seriously tells her people shouldn't take the mick out of him or they'll get what's coming to them.

Leanne mouths off at Kylie as soon as she gets into the bistro. She shows the note to Nick and he takes her over to a booth. The bistro has booths? Who knew? The one we see looks as if it's one of the Rovers' old ones.

Lloyd goes to the Rovers and Mandy asks if he's come to see her, but he's meeting Jenna. Deirdre, who seems to have been drinking more than usual, thinks that's nice. Mandy thinks it's good that Lloyd and Jenna get on, but Jenna shouldn't be in the pub. She should be surfing the internet job sites. Jenna arrives with Sophie, both of them happy to be together. Sophie thanks Lloyd for having a word.

Rob meets his probation officer in the street, which is a bit odd because usually the offender goes to see the PO, not the other way around. Anyway, she says she wants to see his new premises.

Back in the bistro booth, Leanne asks Nick about the letter. He says it's not feasible that he would be left standing at the altar one moment and be sleeping with someone else five minutes later. But Leanne can imagine a scenario where he went to the hotel bar, had too much to drink and took a woman back to his room. He denies it, saying someone's got it in for him. "It so didn't happen." Leanne tells him to look her in the eye and say that. "I need the truth, Nick. Because without the truth we're nothing."

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Peter Whalley
Directed by: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

Confrontation going on in the Bistro. Leanne wants to know what Nick was doing the night mentioned in the anonymous letter. Nick is sweating inside, but it's deny deny deny all the way.

Rob is arriving at the new business along with his probation officer. He is sweating a bit inside too because he knows Tracy has filled the premises with dodgy goods. Oh dear, he tells the woman, I don't seem to have my keys on me, I wonder how I managed that? He tells her he will check to see if his business partner has his keys, and moves away to make the call to Tracy.

Talking about Tracy (if we must), she is over in No. 1 with Steve, and is asking him to go and pick up Amy from a friend's house for her, as she is dead busy. Steve is skeptical about how busy she probably is, so is Deirdre, but is still ironing all of Amy's clothes at Tracy's request of course. Suddenly her phone rings, it's Rob, and he wants her at the shop immediately, and expects her to remove all the hot merchandise while he stalls his probation officer. Instructing her to do it, then to meet them at the cafe with her keys, she knows she has no choice, or he will be back inside.

Hanging up, Tracy tells Steve she no longer needs him to pick Amy up, instead she needs him to help her shift some stuff out of the shop - like now! Steve protests, but she begs, saying if he doesn't, there is a chance Rob could go back to prison. Deirdre is of the opinion that prison is exactly where he belongs. Ignoring her mother, Tracy pleads that she too could go back to prison, and he wouldn't want that would he? "Let me think about that", says Steve.

However, she points out that if she goes back to prison, Steve would be left picking Amy up every single day, as there would be nobody else. (Oh yes there would, he would get Michelle to do it, just the same as he had Becky do it the last time). Anyway, Tracy being Tracy, gets her own way once again, and lap dog Stevie trots off with her to remove the stolen goods.

Still lots of argy bargy going on at the Bistro between Leanne and Nick. Gail asks Kylie what is going on, and is told she has no idea. That won't do for Gail, who always has to know everything, and she marches over, saying if they want privacy they should have their arguments at home.

Nick is turning the tables on Leanne now, saying it was all her fault that he was on his own on their wedding night, and if she chooses to believe a letter over her husband's word, so be it. With that, Leanne has nothing further to say, so storms out of the Bistro.

We are now in Roy's Rolls, where we see Rob sitting drinking coffee with his probation officer. However, we are focusing on Roy, Hayley and Mary at the moment, and Hayley is excitedly telling Roy about Mary's offer of her mobile home for a holiday. It's obviously not Roy's idea of a fun time, but goes along with it for Hayley's sake. Fiz comes in after Mary leaves to clear her stuff out of her camper, and Roy tells her what has been decided. She wishes she could do more to help, as Roy does, but she tells him he is doing enough for her already.

At another table in Roy's, Izzy, Gary and baby Jake are spending a little time together. Gary is bemoaning that he doesn't get enough time with his son, saying Owen even has him working tomorrow (Saturday). Izzy is disappointed, but there is nothing they can do about it.

We now move over to Rob's table, and he is explaining to her that he had previously been working for his sister, lying to her that it had been his idea to leave and branch out on his own. She is a bit skeptical, but he assures her he is very ambitious, and his time as a bad lad is well and truly over.

Steve and Tracy are rushing out of the new business premises with large bags of merchandise, Tracy making sure she locks the door as they leave. To Deirdre's disgust, they take it all into No. 1. She doesn't want stolen goods in there, so Tracy reassures her it's not exactly stolen, it's just stuff they don't have proper receipts for, and don't want Rob's probation officer jumping to the wrong conclusions. "Or the right ones", mutters Steve. Tracy gets her own way once again, as Deirdre agrees she can keep the stuff in the back yard for 24 hours, if it's not gone by then she torches the lot. Steve looks longingly at Deirdre and tells her he wishes she had been his mother. Deirdre replies "Yes Steve, that would have been nice". LOL!!

Leanne has gone running to her mother, and is ranting on and on about Nick. Stella points out that he just might be telling the truth, that it is just one more dirty trick to add to the list. Leanne knows that whoever wrote it knows them, and knows what happened between them last Christmas. Just at that point Eva comes into the room, and nasty words are exchanged between them. A penny suddenly drops with Leanne, and she tells Stella it could easily have been Eva. She fancied Nick like mad right up to the time they got married. Stella points out she has no proof of that, and can't just go round accusing everyone willy nilly.

Back in the Bistro, Nick is filling Kylie in on what is going on. She is very worried, saying it has to be someone they both know if they are aware of everything that happened at Christmas. Nick asks if it was her, because they have a choice of each other, Gail or David. Kylie asks Nick if it was him, because that makes as much sense as him accusing her. David comes in and asks Nick if he would like to go for a drink at the Rovers. Nick takes off to check the book before he leaves, and Gail comes over, telling David that Nick needs some cheering up as he is having a bad time with Leanne at the moment, and asks him to try to get him to open up as to what the problem is between them. David agrees.

Mary has cleaned out the cupboards and drawers in her motorhome, and is suggesting to Hayley that she has a little driving lesson with it prior to their trip. Hayley can't wait to get behind the wheel, but Roy has misgivings, telling them he had pictured them sitting in deckchairs at the seaside. Assuring him there will probably be time enough for that as well, she excitedly takes off with Mary to drive the big rig.

Well, that didn't take long. Nick has opened up to David already, and told him about the letter, and the hard time he is having convincing Leanne. David suggests that possibly it is the woman he picked up at the hotel that night who has written the letter, and advises him to go back there and track her down. Nick tells him he knows it wasn't her, and he should not ask him how he knows, he just does.

David takes off to the little boys' room, so Eva comes over and asks Nick why Leanne is in her back room moaning to her mother, and he is out here moaning to his brother. She lets him know she overheard it was something to do with what happened last Christmas. Standing up, he holds her arms and tells her it is something of nothing. Of course, that is the cue for Leanne to come out of the back room, and catches her husband with his hands on her sister, and is not best pleased to say the least. She immediately puts two and two together and makes ten, now convinced that she is the one he was with last Christmas. She flies off the handle, accusing everyone there of being behind it. Eva wants to know what letter she is on about, and Nick is trying to calm his wife down. David comes back and is obviously very happy at the chaos he has caused.

Tracy comes into the cafe and hands Rob her keys, telling him he is stupid for losing his own. Rob introduces her to his probation officer, and it looks as if they have gotten away with it.

Jenna bumps into Lloyd and Mandy in the street. She is excited and tells them she has just landed a temporary job in the cafe while Roy and Hayley are away. Lloyd is pleased, and congratulates her. However, Mandy is definitely not pleased, and tells her she can't believe she spent three years in university, and all those hours with her head in a book to end up frying bacon and wiping down tables. Lloyd is not going to allow Mandy to rain on Jenna's parade though, and congratulates Jenna again, telling her well done.

Mary's motorhome comes round the corner and mounts the curb, making a couple of recogniseable factory non-speaking extras jump out of the way. Mary can't get out of the vehicle quick enough, and heaves a sigh of relief to be on terra firma once again. Hayley on the other hand is grinning from ear to ear, having obviously enjoyed scaring the bejeebers out of Mary. Not wanting to rain on Hayley's parade, Mary tells her she is an excellent driver, but Hayley reminds her she wasn't that good at reversing. Mary lets her into a little secret, tells her she didn't reverse the thing herself for the first three years, preferring instead to keep going forward no matter what, even if it meant she ended up miles away from where she wanted to be. Hayley feels much better now, and thinks that might be a very good idea.

The probation officer is well impressed with Rob's business, although is a little concerned about how little stock he has. He didn't of course tell her it would be well stocked again half an hour after she leaves. She shakes his hand and wishes him luck, reminding him he has to stay squeaky clean.

Nick arrives home to try to sort things out with Leanne. They are both calmer now, and apologise to each other for things they said. Leanne wants to make a list of people it could be, as they are pretty sure it has to be someone who was at the wedding. They both agree it was neither of them.

Panic over, Tracy and Rob are off to the pub to celebrate. (I wonder if anyone ever picked Amy up from her mate's?) Rob thanks Deirdre for allowing them to stash the goods. Deirdre doesn't want him under any illusions though, and tells him it is the first and last time, and goes on to tell him she would have shopped him to the police this time if it hadn't meant getting Tracy in trouble as well. Tracy blows her a kiss as they leave, knowing full well her mother would do it again, and Deirdre knows it too!

Stella is asking Eva to have a little more understanding of her sister. Eva reminds her it was Leanne who had kicked off at her, not the other way round. Stella begs her to try to get along, especially as she and Karl are going to be away next week, and they don't want trouble between the two girls while they are gone.

Rob and Tracy arrive at the Rovers, and brush past Pete Reidy, the extra who used to be known as The Ripper in Mike Plowman's day. Rob is having a go at Tracy for not jumping to attention when he first told her to get rid of the stolen goods, trying to make her understand how close he had come to going back to prison, and even worse, could have given Carla and Peter a reason to gloat.

Back in the Bistro, David is offering Nick his services for the evening if Leanne is not working. Nick accepts the offer, but tells him and Kylie that they must make allowances for Leanne, as she is going through a rough time. David remarks to Kylie that it is amazing how much aggro a little letter can cause, but if he was feeling smug, Kylie soon changed his view by telling him whoever sent it must be mean, nasty and a coward.

Gary is home from work and wants to know everything he has missed during the day. Izzy tells him he hasn't started talking yet, but then gets serious and runs an idea she has had by him. She suggests they both speak to Carla and her Dad and ask if they can both work part-time. This way they would spend equal time with Jake and still bring in one full time wage. Gary thinks it is a brilliant idea, and can't wait to put the wheels in motion.

Roy and Hayley are on their way to their great motorhome adventure. Mary tells them she has left lots of maps on the passenger side so Roy can be navigator, Hayley can't wait to get behind the wheel, likens it to being the captain of an ocean liner. Mary stops them and tells them she came across a St. Christopher medallion in one of the drawers, and thought they might like to have it to keep them safe, as he is the patron saint of travellers. Hayley is extremely touched, and thanks her sincerely. Fiz, who is there to see them off, is also touched at Mary's thoughtfulness, and strokes her arm in gratitude. (If she keeps this up, they won't be able to call her Mad Mary pretty soon!)

Jenna and her parents are sitting in the Rovers. She is telling them she is looking forward to working in the cafe, as she has never worked in one before. Mandy tells her she herself has, and the novelty of it wears off in about five minutes. After that it's just cooking smells, rude customers and swollen feet. Lloyd makes fun of her negativity, saying every job has its drawbacks. Jenna reminds her it is only temporary, but Mandy is in no mood to see the bright side of it and tells them she is going home. After she has gone, Jenna is dejected, saying her mother disapproves of everything she does. Lloyd commiserates, saying she disapproves of everything he does too, and jokingly suggests they form a self help group. Jenna chuckles and tells him she would disapprove of that too.

With the gears of the motorhome grinding alarmingly, Roy and Hayley are finally on their way, with Fiz and Mary waving madly as they turn the corner. After they disappear out of sight, Fiz tells Mary she really hopes they have a good time, but feels it's not going to be easy. Mary replies that she doubts they have ever had it easy, but expects they will meet this challenge like they have all the others. Fiz agrees she is probably right.

Leanne has decided to work after all, so David won't be needed. She tells Nick she has been making a list of people who were at the wedding. She is convinced it has to be someone they know, someone who knew what was going on between them. Standing there alone for a minute, Nick looks across the bar at his brother laughing and joking with his wife and the penny finally drops. "David", he says to himself. Then nods, and in a resigned voice, he says again "David".

Now he knows who it is, I wonder what he will do about it?

Til next Friday,

Christine


Monday 5 August

Written by Joe Turner Directed by David Kester

Nick and Leanne are bickering about the letter. She still thinks he may know who sent the letter. He does of course but he denies it and then snaps at Simon.

Tina and Tommy are back from holiday, brown(er) than ever. Tina spies Izzy and Gary coming out of Number 6 and sees Gail cooing over the baby. Izzy smiles faintly at Tina when she sees her while whispering to Gary to ask Owen (about the part time work thing). Gail urges Izzy to enjoy the baby while he's little.

Tracy is gearing up for the grand reopening. She discovers that Deirdre had stopped Amy from delivering flyers. She asks about the dodgey gear and is told that Rob sorted it. Deirdre is skeptical, she thinks it's a car crash waiting to happen. Tracy is in "poor me" mode, because her mother is always on her back and is bitter.

The Platts are outside the house chatting about Jake and Gail doesn't understand how the baby isn't actually related to Tina. David is making plans to take Max to play footie later. Nick, Leanne and Simon come along and Kylie is asked to open up. Nick invites David for a coffee or lunch in town but is turned down. Afterward? Nick makes an excuse that an old friend rang and Nick is picking up some wine later. David agrees to go with him. Leanne is surprised and kvetches about her and Kylie running the Bistro on their own.

Tracy and Rob both have "Boss" coffee mugs. Rob feels like he's back in the game. Tracy points out they're a partnership and apologizes again for the mistake she made. The officially open the shop and Peter is the first one in the door seconds later to inspect things. He takes great pleasure in telling them he'll give them a week. He and Rob shoot at each other verbally.

David and Tina meet up in the street. They talk about Jake for a minute but she gets right down to it. She asks about his dastardly plan and he admits his plan is working. He won't elaborate and defends himself as the victim. He won't tell her what he has done but says "he" gets what he deserves. She questions him about Kylie and he goes off on her, saying it's his life, not hers. Nick has noticed the argument. He goes inside and wonders if David has anything about anything. Gail says he's only upset about what's happening to Nick who agrees David has been supportive. Leanne returns and they have made up.

Someone is in the Buy and Sell shop trying to sell Rob some gear but he refuses. He tells Tracy it was stolen goods. They have to be very careful. She sends him for fancy coffee.

Norris is washing the windows outside. Nick comes out of the Bistro and runs across to see Tina. He's worried about David. Tina urges him to talk to David and eventually admits she's worried about him. Then she lets the cat out of the bag and says David knows Kylie slept with someone on Christmas night so now Nick has it confirmed. Tina doesn't know who it is but says David is planning revenge and she's scared how far he'll go. Nick is stunned and thrown for a loop and says he'll sort it.

Back across the street, Craig knocks over the bucket of water on Norris and it looks very much like on purpose. He smirks and Norris throws the sponge at him to clean it up.

David is ready to go with Nick. I'm not sure where the day went. David had work and then the football thing with Max so it must be mid afternoon but it seems like a blink of the eye. They get in the van just as the break comes.

After the break, Deirdre and Peter are talking about Rob. Peter is sure that Rob is using Tracy. Lloyd and Steve find Mandy unloading crisps from a car and Lloyd bends to help. Steve makes a lame excuse about a bad back to get out of helping. Jenna also comes along after her first day in the caff. Lloyd is pleased for her, Mandy scowls and growls. Steve notices and also notices that Lloyd is in the middle between the two women.

Gary tries to flatter Owen about how he's such a good dad (are you new here?) He asks about working part time so he can spend more time with the baby. Owen gives him a load of sarcasm and turns him down flat.

Peter and Simon are having some boy time in the cafe. Tracy comes in passing out business cards. She tries to get Simon to pass out flyers for her but he out and out refuses, too. Peter plants a discordant seed and wonders why Tracy and Rob aren't living together. Is Rob not ready to move to the next level? He thinks Rob is using her. She insists he isn't but he thinks it looks that way to him, Rob taking Tracy's money for the business and living a big, fancy flat on his own. Looks like he's struck a nerve there.

Nick and David pull up behind some roadworks. David fiddles with the radio. Nick looks very disturbed and stalls the van when the light goes green.

Norris is griping about a paper boy who shows Norris no respect at all. Beth comes in and gets an earful about Craig. Tommy arrives and has noticed that the big paperboy that holds the signs and stands outside is gone!

Nick says to David he wants to talk. He asks how things are with Kylie. David affirms they've never been better. Nick then explains that he'd never do anything to hurt David. "Can I have that in writing" David quips. Nick asks David if he knows who wrote that letter. His reply is that bird that slept with him on Christmas day. Nick confirms it was a mistake for both of them and if it got out it would wreck both of their lives. It wasn't her that wrote the letter. Nick continues to be evasive.

Izzy is telling her father that she wants to go back to work part time and he knows she's trying to talk him round. It works too. He agrees to letting Gary work part time. Mandy comes into the cafe and realizes that Jenna is on her own and is really busy. So instead of getting snotty about the job, she gets snotty about them leaving her on her own on her first day. So really, she can find something to complain about no matter what it is. Lloyd and Steve are in the back of the cafe and Steve mentions how scary Mandy is. Proper scary, and he'd run away if it were him.

Back to Nick and David in the van. Nick mentions that he saw David and Tina talking earlier. David won't tell him what they were talking about and thinks Nick should worry about his own problems. Nick snaps that he didn't bring them on himself. David isn't so sure (obviously). He reckons Nick should tell Leanne the truth about the Christmas fling. Nick counters with "Do you tell Kylie everything?" to which David says he does. Nope, not buying it. Nick points out there's a difference between lying and not telling the truth. It seems they are getting more edgy and it feels closer to the conversation heading into dangerous waters. Nick drives along as David turns up the radio again.

Tracy returns to the shop after her encounter with Peter and gets all lovey dovey with Rob. She apologizes for the mistake and the trouble with the probation officer. She tells him she's had an idea, they should move in together! You can see the walls go up and Rob shutting down.

Nick pulls up into a back street behind some big old buildings. He admits to David there's no wine tasting. He made it up to get him on his own and says he knows that David knows. He still dances around it but eventually he says it out loud. He slept with Kylie on Christmas night. David's face goes gray and he looks like he's been kicked in the gut. Nick says he knows the hate campaign has come from David. David looks distraught.

Tvor

Written by Joe Turner and directed by David Kester

Nick and David are sitting in the van following Nick's confession. "I'm really sorry," says Nick. David is lost for words so instead he thumps his brother as though he's a punch-bag before turning away and sobbing.

The atmosphere's not much better in the pawnshop where Tracy and Rob are arguing about her suggestion they should move in together. He says there's too much stuff going on right now what with the new shop and he needs time to think about it. An angry Tracy tells him he can take all the time in the world before storming out.

Norris is still trying to get to the bottom of what happened to his model paperboy which has disappeared from outside the cabin. He interrogates Craig who looks distinctly shifty but denies he had anything to do with it. Rita thinks he's making a fuss over nothing and tells him it's just a prank and it'll probably turn up again tomorrow.

Back in the van things have calmed down, Nick tries to justify his actions to David. He tells him it didn't mean anything and nothing's happened between him and Kylie before or since. He says they were both in a bad place but as David sits there glowering he replies that Nick should try his place right now. Nick says at least they now all know the truth and then tells David that he knows that he was behind everything that's been going on. Nick asks David how he could keep quiet about it all and David replies that Nick managed it for months. David starts to get angry again and tells Nick that at first he wanted to kill them both and then he wanted to kill himself. He adds that then, despite everything, he realised that he still loves Kylie. "So what do I do?" asks David. "I forgive her and then I make you pay," he says, answering his own question.

Rob and Tracy have taken their row out into the street, much to Peter's delight as he watches from nearby. Tracy wants Rob to admit that he only wanted her for her money. He tries to deny it but Tracy's really upset and she strides off. Carla comes along and, seeing how much Peter seems to be enjoying the show, asks if he had something to do with it. Peter admits he may have given Tracy some brotherly advice. He says that he told Tracy that if Rob really cared about her then he'd want them to live together. Carla tells Peter he just can't leave it alone and he says it's the last time, he promises but he doesn't look as though he means it.

Beth's having a drink in the Rovers when Kirk comes in, looking like he's seen a ghost. But it was worse than that, says Kirk, worse than the scariest horror film he's ever seen. He went into Craig's wardrobe to retrieve some trainers and was confronted by a pair of glassy eyes. They belonged to Norris's missing model paperboy. "You know what this means?" says Beth. "He's nicked it." Beth hurries off to sort out her wayward son.

Gail goes into the Bistro to find out if they've heard from Nick and David. She's waiting to go round to Sally's but she can't leave until David gets back to look after Max. Kylie doesn't seem unduly concerned but Leanne is starting to get worried.

We return to the van where Nick is pointing out how all the things David's been doing haven't just been affecting him. "Do you care about anyone else?" asks an exasperated Nick. "Do you?" David asks in reply. Nick claims he does so David asks who he cared about the night he slept with his wife. Nick says he wished it had never happened but David says it didn't just happen, he made a choice. David starts to get more and more emotional and he tells Nick that everything that has happened is all his fault.

Tommy's relaxing with the paper when Rita comes home. She offers to make some tea and then asks Tommy about Tina. She wants to know how she really is. Tommy says that while they were away she barely mentioned Jake and was just like the old Tina. "Putting on a brave face?" asks Rita. Tommy says if she was she was doing a very good job. Tina them appears - she knows they've been talking about her. Tommy says that if she won't speak to them then how are they supposed to know what she's thinking? But Tina is making out that everything is fine and she even plans to start back at work and do a shift at the Rovers that very evening.

Back in the van Nick is trying to think of a way out of the mess and suggests he and Leanne could move away to Leeds. David has a better idea: what about Nick moves, Leanne stays and he gets given the keys to the Bistro? Nick saying sorry for what he's done isn't enough for David and he tells him he wants more. The row escalates and Nick's phone rings. David wants to know who it is. Kylie perhaps? But Nick refuses to hand over his phone so David goes to grab it, they fight and Nick ends up with a bloody nose.

Norris's paperboy has been returned to its rightful place outside the Kabin. Norris gives Craig a lecture and says he should be calling the police as it's a criminal act. However, he has a better idea. He can deliver the papers - for free - every day for a month. Craig looks none too impressed but Kirk tells him that's justice. Having found himself some free labour Norris is then straight on the phone to Shane Dooley. He tells him his services are no longer required as he's been given the sack.

We return to the van where David is still arguing with Nick. David tells him he's destroyed his future and that's why he wants to destroy him.

Steve's having a drink in the Rovers with Lloyd, Mandy and Jenna. Happy families it's not so Steve suggest another round of drinks. Up at the bar Lloyd tells Steve that it's constant nagging back at home.

In the van Nick's made a decision. They need to go home and tell the truth to everyone. He puts on his seatbelt ready to leave but David says if everyone knows it will tear him and Kylie apart. They continue to argue but Nick tells David there's no alternative, they're going home and he starts the engine and drives away.

Back in the Bistro they're having a quiet evening. Gail pops in to ask if the boys are back yet but says there's no need to worry as Sally's gone round to her instead. Kylie says you know what these wine tastings are like, they go on for ages. Leanne says she tried ringing Nick but he didn't answer. Gail suggests he may have been driving.

In an attempt at reconciliation, Lloyd suggests to Jenna she should go back with him and Mandy to watch a DVD. Jenna doesn't look too impressed and says she can't as she's working tomorrow so then Mandy has a go at Lloyd who can't understand what he's done wrong. Lloyd tells Mandy that, looking on the bright side, they could have a romantic meal for two but she says she's not in the mood.

Over by the bar Carla is speaking to Rob. She lets slip that Peter spoke to Tracy and Rob realises that he was the one who put ideas into Tracy's head about moving in. Rob looks furious and angrily tells Peter he wants a word with him.

Meanwhile, Nick is driving on his way home while David wants him to stop the van. He says he feels sick. He's sure he'll lose Kylie if the truth comes out. But Nick has it all planned out. He says first they'll tell Leanne, then their mum and then Kylie. David's getting desperate. He leans across and undoes their seatbelts and then grabs hold of the steering wheel. "What are you doing?" gasps Nick. The van swerves all over the road with David shouting "stop the van now". They finally come to a stop at right-angles across a deserted road. As they both get their breath back we hear a horn and a large truck appears out of nowhere. It ploughs into the side of the van and the forces pushes it for several yards down the road.

We return to the Bistro where Leanne is still fretting. Kylie doesn't seem worried but she happily agrees to try ringing David to see if he'll answer his phone.

Inside the van we see Nick and David. They both appear to be unconscious with blood on their faces. David's mobile phone begins to ring but neither of them moves a muscle.

Karen


Wednesday 7 August

We open at the crash scene. All is still, there's no movement from the lorry or the van. We then see inside, David and Nick are unconscious and we hear the sound of a mobile phone ringing.

In the bistro, Kylie is trying to phone David, she tells Leanne he's not answering. Leanne is starting to worry, but Kylie is sure that they will have had too much to drink at the wine tasting and she thinks they'll be staggering around trying to find a taxi. Leanne doesn't seem convinced and says she's going to try Nick again.

The sound of Nick's phone seems to wake David up, but by the time he's found it, it has stopped ringing. He looks at his brother, who has blood running down the side of his face from his ear. He tries to wake him up, without success. He then turns his attention to trying to open the van door, and is struggling with it when help arrives in the form of the lorry driver. He's ringing an ambulance, and then sees David struggling to pull Nick out of the vehicle. He tells him not to move him, but David just won't be told.

In the Rovers, Rob is having a go at Peter for stirring things up between him and Tracy over her living with him. Peter starts to retaliate, but Carla pulls him away and tells him to back off. Over near the bar, Tracy stops Rob from leaving and says she wants some answers from him.

Back in the bistro, Leanne tells Kylie she's probably right about Nick and David. Just then Lloyd and Mandy come in. Mandy's like a bear with a sore head and pulls Lloyd up on every little thing he says, and this is the last thing Leanne is in the mood for right now. When Kylie shows them to a table she sits with a scowl on her face, glaring at Lloyd. Back at the bar, Kylie tells Leanne she can manage if Leanne would like to go home.

In the pub, Tracy tells Rob she can't turn her back for a moment without him and Peter being at each other's throats. Rob tells her he's not going to give Peter the satisfaction of splitting them up. Tracy grins, at least they agree on something. Then Peter calls from across the pub, telling her to enjoy it while she can, Rob will soon be gone. Carla is cross, she just told Peter to stop stirring.

Back at the crash scene, the emergency services have arrived. David is trying to tell Nick what's happening, when a fireman pulls him back and tells him to keep out of the way, they're going to cut Nick out. He tells David he ought to get himself checked out, and the next moment the paramedics are there. One of them takes David aside and asks about head, neck or chest pain, David tells her he's fine and goes off to make a phone call.

In the bistro, Lloyd and Mandy are still bickering, when the phone at the bar rings and Kylie answers it. It's David, and he tells her they've had an accident, they're being taken to Weatherfield hospital. He tells her to get Leanne and meet him there. Just as Lloyd and Mandy's meal is set in front of them, Kylie picks the plates up and tells him she's sorry but they're closing, it's an emergency.

In the pub, Carla congratulates Peter; 20 minutes has passed with no slanging match between him and Rob. She asks if he gets pleasure from it. He admits he does, but that's not the reason he does it. It's because when Rob and Tracy split up, which he's sure they will, he's worried about how it will impact on Amy, and how it will be left to him to help Tracy put her life back together.

At the crash scene, a policeman is questioning David about what happened, when he sees that Nick has been removed from the van and is being carried on a stretcher towards the ambulance. Rushing away from the policeman, David says he wants to go with him, he pleads with the paramedics, telling them Nick is his brother. They let him get in. "Please don't die, please don't die," whispers David.

Gail and Leanne arrive at the bistro, having got Kylie's messages. Leanne is full of questions, but Kylie doesn't know many of the answers. They rush off to the hospital together.

In the ambulance, David is imploring the unconscious Nick to speak to him. Suddenly alarms start ringing, Nick has gone into cardiac arrest, the paramedic shouts to the driver to stop, they're going to have to shock him.

Carla is at the bar in the Rovers. She apologises to Tina about the kick-off earlier. Tina tells her it's fine by her as far as Tracy is concerned, she can't stand the sight of her.

Over at their table, Rob tells Tracy that the last person he would want to hurt is her, but he is scared of them living together. He's never lived with anyone except his mum, and he wants to get to know her better first. Also, he feels he's useless with children. Tracy says that she knew it was Amy that was the problem, and he says that whichever way they look at it, Amy is an issue. He urges her to wait until they are stronger, then they can take on the world and win. "Maybe you're right," says Tracy, and he hugs her.

Back in the ambulance, the paramedic is giving Nick CPR as David watches with tears streaming down his face. Nick's heart starts again and they continue on their way to the hospital.

Mandy meets Jenna in the pub and apologises for showing her up in the cafe. Jenna is prickly and asks her mother why she did it, Lloyd would never do that. Mandy tells her that Lloyd never complains about her jobs because he has no ambition himself. Lloyd walks in just in time to hear this.

Gail, Leanne and Kylie are at the hospital, Audrey comes rushing in, she's just got their message. Just then, through a glass partition, they see the paramedics bring Nick in, with David right behind.

Lloyd gets himself a drink at the bar and tells Tina about what happened in the bistro with Kylie rushing off. Mandy comes up then and tells him that she didn't mean what she said earlier. Wearily, he tells her to forget it.

Carla has a quiet word with Tracy hoping that they can get on with their lives without the constant feuding between Rob and Peter. She says she will try and keep Peter away from Rob, and Tracy promises to do the same.

David has been put on a bed and has been checked over. The nurse tells him they want to keep him in overnight, you can't be too careful with head injuries. He asks when he can see Nick, he's told he can't at the moment, but he can see his family, and she goes off to get them.

Rita is in the pub, talking to Tina and Tommy. Gary and Owen come in and order drinks from Tina. Gary thanks Owen for letting him go part time, and Owen says he thinks they should throw a party to wet the baby's head. This of course, is heard by Tina, and Rita too.

Leanne, Gail, Kylie and Audrey are waiting for news. Leanne is fretting and worrying out loud, asking questions that no one has answers to. Just then a doctor comes in and tells them that Nick has a bad head injury and has been sent for a CT scan. She says that they can see David, however, and shows them the way.

Back in the pub, Rita can see that the conversation between Gary and Owen about Jake is taking it's toll on Tina, and asks if she's ok. Tina says she is, and as if to prove it, asks them outright how Jake is. Gary says he's fine although the responsibility is scary, and says she should come and visit him sometime. "Yes, it'd be nice," says Tina, as the men go out through the door. Rita then tells Tina that was very grown up of her, and asks how it felt. "Will you stop asking how I feel alll the time, I'm fine," snaps Tina in reply.

The four women arrive at David's bedside. Kylie and Gail are relieved and concerned, but Leanne is still asking questions. How did it happen? Had they been drinking? Was Nick driving? David says that Nick lost control and they were all over the road, the next thing the lorry ploughed into them. When he woke up, Nick was still unconscious. Leanne continues to hurl questions at David, until the doctor tells her to stop, David is still in shock.

Just then the consultant neurosurgeon comes in to talk to Leanne. She tells her that Nick has a large blood clot pressing on his brain and needs immediate surgery or he will die. She says she will come back when they have finished and tell her more, and she goes off. Leanne breaks down in tears. "He's going to die," she sobs. "He can't die," says David. "He's going to be all right," says Gail. "Yeah? And what if he's not?" sobs Leanne.

Anne Logan


Friday 9 August

Hello, and welcome to this Friday episode in which people will mostly be sighing over Nick.

We open with Leanne sitting by his bed. Gail comes in to ask if she wants a coffee and tells Leanne that David is still asleep. Leanne bursts into tears and Gail hugs her.

Down the corridor, or maybe around the corner and in the next building, David appears to be asleep and Kylie kisses him as she leaves the room. As soon as her back is turned, David's eyes fly open.

Rita's furious with Norris for sacking the best paperboy the Kabin's ever had. But Shane Dooley is gone and Craig has his job. Or at least he will have when he gets there. He's already 15 minutes late.

Gail suggests Leanne talk to Nick but Leanne's not that keen. Kylie opens the door and comes in. "Oh, my God!" she says when she sees Nick. The doctor comes into what is surely the most crowded intensive care unit in the UK with the most lax visiting policy. I haven't visited ICUs a lot, but when I have it's been "immediate family only and a maximum of two visitors." Things are obviously different in Weatherfield General. The doctor says the surgery went well but Nick's brain could still swell so they're keeping him on life support and in the coma until he's stable enough to be woken up. Leanne asks whether Nick will have brain damage but the doctor says it's too early to know whether there's a brain in there. . . or something like that.

Craig's arrived for work and is undergoing Norris's new-boy induction programme, which mainly consists of being lectured at in cliches. Apparently this is Craig's opportunity to take his first steps towards becoming a useful member of the community. I would have whacked Norris with the paper delivery bag but poor Craig can barely lift it. Rita distracts Norris long enough for Craig to make his get-away with the papers.

Eileen, Lloyd and Steve talk about ambition. Eileen has a long-stemmed gerbera which she's waving about. I kept waiting for her to hold the stem in her teeth. Steve thinks ambition is over-rated. He gave it up when he was 10 and realised he'd never be Bruce Springsteen. Eileen's interested in finding out more about this pessimistic attitude and waves the flower around in the same way Groucho Marx used to waggle his cigar. Lloyd's not against ambition. But he thinks that what he wants and what Mandy wants are probably two different things.

David's awake and Kylie updates him on Nick's condition. He double-checks with her that so far Nick hasn't said anything. "He will wake up. You have to believe that," Kylie tells him. Gail comes along and asks if David wants to go and see Nick. The doctors have said it's OK. David pleads dizziness. He'll go later. Gail hugs him, tears in her eyes, and says she's scared.

Carla and Peter take Simon to the cafe but he's smart enough to know that there's something else going on. They tell him about the accident. Tina overhears. Simon gets upset and runs from the cafe with Peter following. Tina asks Carla what's happened and asks after David.

Ah. The gerbera appears to be some kind of taxi-office talking stick. Lloyd has it now and he's talking. He thinks he should have been happy enough just to find Jenna and not start a relationship with Mandy. Though we all know that he didn't "find" Jenna but fell over her while trying to woo Mandy after meeting her again. Lloyd isn't entirely sure Eileen should be giving him relationship advice, either. Steve gives them too much information, saying he and Michelle still snog in the morning. And Lloyd reveals that he didn't want to be Bruce Springsteen. He wanted to be Marvin Gaye or Viv Richards! He and Steve want to know what Eileen's ambition was. She won't tell them until they promise not to laugh. They promise. "Princess Grace of Monaco." Cue choking sounds followed by laughter.

Norris investigates the secondhand shop. He wishes Tracy and Rob luck - they'll need it, he says. Tracy and Rob flatter each other when he's gone and end up snogging. I wish we didn't have to see this. Rob thinks Tracy's just being nice because she's still trying to persuade him to let her move in. But he says she knows it wouldn't be fair on Amy.

In the cafe, Tina and Tommy discuss what they've heard about the crash. Tina might go to the hospital later. David's a mate. Gary comes in, chatting on his mobile phone to Izzy and discussing Jake's bowel movements, from the sound of it. When the call ends he remarks that they could start a fertilizer business with what Jake produces. Tina snaps that the whole world doesn't revolve around the contents of his nappies. She dashes out, leaving Tommy to explain to Gary that she's just heard about the crash and is upset.

Back at the hospital, Gail, Audrey and Kylie are all at David's bedside and then Leanne comes in. She asks if the police have been to talk to him but David says they haven't. He doesn't know how much help he can be but he does reassure Leanne that Nick hadn't been drinking. Leanne says the crash doesn't make sense. Nick is such a careful driver she's always telling him to speed up. David's so keen to calm her down that he says he think Nick got distracted by his phone ringing or something. That doesn't help. Leanne wails that it's all her fault - she called Nick.

Is your partner's half sister part of your immediate family? I don't know but someone's let Eva in to see Nick.

Jenna goes into the Kabin to complain that the cafe's papers haven't been delivered. She's immediately followed by Eileen, come to make the same complaint on behalf of the taxi company. Norris puts it down to minor teething problems.

Gloria seems to have phoned the hospital and says there's no change in Nick's condition. Tina plans to go to the hospital once the lunchtime rush is over. Izzy comes in because Gary told her Tina was upset. Gloria tells them that Nick will be fine. He's a fighter. Izzy and Gary plan to cancel Jake's party at the bistro because of the crash. Gloria tells her they're welcome to have it in the Rovers. Izzy looks at Tina, who says she's fine with that. It won't bother her.

Eva and Leanne sit at Nick's bedside. Eva asks about Simon and Leanne says Carla and Peter are bringing him in. Leanne says she's spoken to Stella who is trying to get a flight back from her holiday. They discuss how odd Nick would find it if he woke up and saw them both sitting there and not arguing. Leanne apologises for being a cow to Eva. Eva says none of that matters. They make peace and Eva says she wants to start being a sister to Leanne. "I want that, too," says Leanne.

David's discharged, dressed and ready to see Nick.

Steve's having a bit of a mooch around Tracy's shop. She tells him she's reaching for the stars. He says if anyone reaches for some of the stuff in the shop they'll need asbestos gloves. She's lucky he was there to save Rob's skin. Tracy talks about Amy becoming a real Daddy's girl. Steve cuts her short and demands to know how many more nights Tracy wants him to have Amy. She wonders if he could manage four nights. Four! Of course he can. He loves spending time with Amy and if Tracy doesn't then that's her problem. She starts to protest but Rob arrives back and she shuts up.

David stands over Nick, just looking at him.

Simon's arrived and races to hug Leanne. "Is Nick dead?" he asks. He wants to see him. Peter and Carla aren't staying. Peter tells Simon to be strong for Nick.

Gary's just got Jake off to sleep and is starting to think maybe he'll be a success as a Dad after all. Izzy tells him about Gloria's suggestion they have the party at the Rovers and that Tina seems fine with the idea.

Back at the hospital, Eva suggests Simon come for a wander with her. He won't go in case something happens to Nick while he's gone. "It won't. I promise," says Eva. Gail and Audrey try to persuade Leanne to go home for a rest but she refuses. Tina arrives, bringing everyone's love. She asks after David and is told he's been discharged and is in with Nick. She asks if it's OK if she pops her head in.

In Nick's room, David's having an awkward one-sided conversation with his brother. He gets a bit weepy. "What have I done?" he asks. "I just need you to wake up, Nick. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Behind him, Tina asks: "Why are you sorry? What have you done, David?"

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Jan McVerry
Directed by: David Kester

David and Tina are in Nick's hospital room, and she overhears him telling an unconscious Nick he is sorry. She questions why he is sorry, and he tells her it is because Nick is lying here injured and he walked away with barely a scratch. Tina tells him that makes no sense considering he is a family man with a baby on the way, and should be glad he walked away from it. An agitated David is not glad though, he is wracked with guilt, asking her what would happen if he dies, and he has spent the last two months - years even of his life hating his guts - what then? He goes on to say he has hated Nick for as long as he can remember, he just can't remember why. Tina looks puzzled, and asks what has changed now? He tells her what's changed is that he might lose him.

Tina is confused, and knows something doesn't add up. She points out that he has been getting along just fine with Nick for the last couple of months, the one he has had trouble with is Kylie. She tells him the only answer she can come up with is that it was Nick that Kylie slept with. The light goes on for Tina, and now it all makes sense. David is denying it vehemently though, he doesn't want Tina to know just how far his hatred of the man who slept with his wife has taken him. Tina is pretty sure she is right, saying she knows only too well how he reacts when people do things behind his back.

He is saved from her accusations by Leanne arriving with Simon to see Nick, so the two of them leave. However the arguments continue out in the corridor. Tina reminds David he told her he had a plan, and wants to know if this was it. David tells her of course it wasn't, it wouldn't have been much of a plan considering it could have been him that ended up hooked up to those machines would it? Tina concedes it wouldn't, but still won't let it go, it makes far too much sense. It comes out in the argument that Tina had told Nick about David's problems, and naturally David is not best pleased to hear that. He turns the tables right around and back onto Tina, telling her this whole things is her fault, that this trip to the wine shop had just been a ruse on Nick's part to get him into the van so they could talk, and look how it ended up - Nick could die. Tina tries apologizing, but David shouts at her to get out, he doesn't want to see her face, so Tina scarpers.

Things are very quiet in the cab office, so Eileen tosses a coin to decide which of Steve or Lloyd get to go home early. Lloyd wins the toss, but asks what he has to go home for, just another session of dancing on eggshells. Oh oh, Mandy overheard this as she is coming in the door and asks if she heard that right. Lloyd says no, but Steve says yes at exactly the same time. He wriggles out of it by telling Mandy they were reading the TV guide in the newspaper and were talking about what a boring night it is coming up. Whether she believes him or not, she smiles sweetly and asks Lloyd if he fancies a drink at the Rovers later. He at first starts to tell her they are snowed under in the office, but the other two assure him they can manage easily without him. So it's a drink in the Rovers with Mandy for Lloyd.

After she leaves, he groans and tells them he really doesn't want to go. They cajole him, saying it's just a drink in the Rovers, and he should give her a break, as at least she is trying. Lloyd replies it is the whole problem, they are both trying, and you shouldn't have to work that hard if you love someone. The look on Eileen's face tells us she knows exactly what he means.

Back at the hospital, Leanne has come out of the room in tears, leaving Simon in there with his step-father. She is upset because Simon is taking it all so hard, begging Nick not to die. David goes into the hospital room with guilt written all over his face.

Lloyd has shown up for his date with Mandy, (just in time for us to get a very good shot of non-speaking extra Toni West walk by, wouldn't it be great if they got her to give the punters a song or two in there one night? All that talent in the background, and they never put it to full use, but I digress....) Lloyd makes with the small talk until Mandy interrupts him, saying she knows he will never say it, so she will. She goes on to say they both thought they could make a go of it, and she had looked upon it as a fresh start after Johnny died, but you can't live on memories, she knows it, and she knows he knows it too. She then gives him a record, one Lloyd is thrilled to see, as he used to have it, but it got trashed. She tells him it had belonged to Johnny, but would now like him to have it, and when he plays it, she would like him to think of her. Lloyd is obviously touched, but sad at the same time.

Emily comes into the Kabin with yet another household bill for Norris. I wonder why she does that? Surely it doesn't have to be paid before he goes home! She tells him she has called them to let them know all future bills are to go to him. He looks at the bill and is astonished at how high it is for the middle of summer, and asks Emily if she has been sneaking her electric blanket on, which of course she denies. She tells him it is quite normal for this time of year, and Deirdre, who is in the shop at the time takes a look at it and tells him he should think himself lucky he doesn't live with Tracy, it would be a lot higher, Rita agrees, saying living with Tommy has put hers up considerably too.

Talking of the devil, in walks Tommy and he has found Craig's paper bag in the alley, and it's still full of papers. Rita has no sympathy for Norris though, saying he should expect things like that when you blackmail someone into working for him. Norris is appalled at the waste, but Deirdre has an answer for that, she suggests he burns them on the fire to save on his heating bills.

Tracy and Rob are off to the bank with the day's takings. However she spies Deirdre, and sends Rob on by himself, as she wants to have a word with her. She starts the conversation with a load of flannel, like how nice she looks, has she just had the colour done to her hair? Deirdre knows her daughter only too well though, and replies with "What do you want?" Tracy heads into a long preamble about how she feels she is selling Amy short, what with the new business and all, and she rambles on about all the things she has to do to get it off the ground, and all the things she has to learn about.

Deirdre interrupts her once again and asks "What do you want Tracy?" Finally getting to the point, Tracy tells her she needs three nights a week to call her own. No flies on Deirdre though, she asks her if she needs those three nights to sleep - or whatever she does there - at Rob's? Ignoring that question, Tracy rambles on that she feels she could achieve so much in those three nights, and it would also help her with the feelings of separation. Deirdre asks her exactly how palming her child off on her mother would help with her feelings of isolation? Tracy has an answer for this one too, and tells her she thinks it would help Deirdre's feelings of isolation with her Dad being away and all. Deirdre tells her to leave it with her - in other words, Tracy wins once again!

Leanne and Kylie are walking in the hospital corridor, and see a policeman. Leanne asks if he is looking for her as she is Nick's wife. He sits down with her and tells her they have taken the van in for inspection. She asks if they will be able to tell if it had been tampered with, telling him about all the things that had been happening to Nick lately.

David is being interrogated by the policeman now, and he is asking him what he remembers about the accident. David tells him he doesn't remember much at all. Mr. Plod asks why Nick wasn't wearing his seat belt, and wants to know if he normally drives without buckling up. David tells him he always wears one, but he thinks he might have unbuckled it just after the van stopped spinning as he planned to get out and check for damage, then they were hit. The policeman tells him the lorry driver had stated that one minute the road was clear, and the next they were right in his path, so if that was the case, there wouldn't have been time to get out. David pleads ignorance, saying it's all a bit of a blur.

The policeman tells David that Leanne had told him about the string of incidents against his brother, and asks his opinion as to whether he thinks this accident could be connected. David replies that Nick wasn't trying to commit suicide, if that is what he is thinking. The policeman tells him it's not, he wants to know if David thinks Nick have been targeted. David answers that sometimes people just get a run of bad luck.

In the Rovers, Tina is letting Tommy know that Jake's party has been moved from the Bistro to the Rovers. Tommy is shocked that she wouldn't have protested against it, but Tina's answer is that they have to hold it somewhere.

Lloyd and Mandy are in a booth, still discussing their situation. Mandy tells him he should look on the bright side, that they will always be friends. Also he has a brilliant relationship with Jenna. Lloyd agrees, with all she says. Mandy goes on to tell him she is off tonight to stay with a friend in Wythenshaw. Lloyd is surprised it is so soon, offers to drive her there, but is turned down, offers to help her with her packing but it's all done. They both agree they are not going to make Jenna take sides. Only one more thing to do, Mandy has to "Tell Dame Gloria where to stick her spatula". Lloyd chuckles, he is looking forward to this bit.

Beth and Kirk come in, and stand next to Norris at the bar. He fills them in that he sacked her son on his first and last day. Beth is shocked, but Norris goes on to tell her Craig is so lazy, he will be lucky to make it to the Dole Office when he gets older. Emily decides it would be expedient to hurry Norris out of the pub and go home at that point. Beth shouts after him she has a good mind to report him to her MP for slave labour, because the kid is not lazy, he's delicate. However, after he goes, her bravado slips and her face falls. Kirkeh puts his arm around her to comfort her.

'Dame' Gloria is not best pleased to be getting a minute's notice, and is telling Mandy not to expect a reference. Mandy retorts she doesn't need one, she has cooked for Robbie Williams (she has?), and she goes on to tell Gloria that he didn't expect her to make bread pudding with Freshco's frugal margarine either! She continues to tell Gloria to give her best to Stella, and adds "Now 'she' had class!". With that she turns on her heel and walks back to Lloyd who is grinning from ear to ear. He enjoyed that conversation every bit as much as he expected to.

Over in the Platt residence, Audrey, Gail, Kylie and David are sitting around discussing Simon. They are saying they did right to bring him home. Kylie is of the opinion he shouldn't have been taken to the hospital in the first place, and bets the poor kid will have nightmares tonight.

David is pacing the room, he just can't settle, and decides he wants to go back to the hospital. Everyone tells him there is nothing he can do there, and he should be saving his strength. Kylie takes him in her arms and tells him she couldn't say this in front of Leanne, but she has been so scared, thinking how easily it could have been David in that hospital - or worse. She hugs him tight, giving David more reason to feel guilty - and that's a good thing!

We have now taken a flit back to the Rovers, where Beth and Kirk are sitting at a table, and Beth is worried sick about Craig, saying she has been through phases with him before, like the 'rat phase', but he has never been like this before, he has just not been himself the last few months. Kirk thinks the problem might be him, as he came on the scene a few months ago, and possibly Craig doesn't like sharing his mother with him. Beth tells him not to be so daft, that Craig idolises him, and advises Kirk he thinks too much. "You are not the first person to tell me that", says Kirk. LOL!!

Tommy is having a go at Gloria for taking the booking for Jake's party, saying she is being insensitive to Tina. Gloria assures him she ran it by Tina first, and she had said it was OK. Tommy doesn't like it though, and feels Gary and Izzy could easily have gone to the Legion with Gary being ex-army and all. Gloria points out that they have much bigger family problems in the shape of Nick to deal with at the moment, and Tina's problems pale in comparison.

Being a woman of her word, Mandy is on her way in a Streetcars cab, but Lloyd isn't driving it, he's giving her a hug goodbye. Jenna arrives home just in time to say goodbye, and tells her she wishes she wasn't going. Mandy points out it is only to Wythenshaw, and will see her soon. This is a nice farewell, no tears, no histrionics, just warm friendly feelings and on her way. (I think I read somewhere that she may be back at some point, but am not absolutely sure. Personally I am glad she and Lloyd have split up, as I didn't see much chemistry between them. I would like to see Steve dump Michelle now, and we could have another go at seeing Steve and Lloyd share a flat again.)

Jenna tells Lloyd she will need a few days to shift her stuff out of his flat, although she doesn't know where she will go. Lloyd is not having any of that, telling her she is the one good thing that has come out of this mess, and she is going nowhere. That is just fine with Jenna.

Tracy comes into the Rovers and meets up with Rob. She tells him she has sorted the problem between them that was Amy, and her mother and Steve are going to look after her from now on. Feeling their problem is now solved, she asks him for a set of keys to his flat. Absolutely not, says Rob. He is not ready to share a flat with her, giving the excuse he shared living accommodation with another person for far too long while he was in prison, and is not ready to start sharing again already. She pouts that she is a lot more fun after lights out, but that offer doesn't cut any ice either. She sulks that Amy has already gone to her father's, so Rob whispers in her ear a suggestion as to how she might fill some of her time. Sulk over, grinning from ear to ear they take off for some rumpeh pumpeh. Those two really deserve each other, don't they?

Steve and Eva arrive for a visit at the hospital, and find Leanne asleep with her head on Nick's bed. Eva wakes her up, and Steve tells her he is not stopping, he just wanted to pop in to see how he is. There is no change, so Eva puts the pressure on Leanne to get a cab home for a bath and bed for a few hours. She puts up an argument, but is really dead on her feet, so eventually gives in. Eva assures her that even she wouldn't make a play for a guy in a coma. Leanne manages a weak smile at that, and says "You've got your standards then eh?". "Too right!", says Eva.

Eileen comes into the Rovers and finds Lloyd sitting alone at the bar. He tells her it's over, just like that. Bags packed, gone - and even took the tortoise. Eileen is impressed that they had the courage to face the inevitable and get it over with. She stays to have a drink with him.

Behind the bar, Tommy's words have obviously had an effect on Gloria, because she suggests to Tina that she take the night of Jake's party off, and tells her to go out with her Sir Galahad. This tells Tina that Tommy has interfered, and glares in his direction, not that he sees her, he is busy playing darts.

Just as Leanne is about to go into Gail's house, P.C. Collins, the same policeman we saw at the hospital pulls up outside. He tells her he was on his way to find her at her flat to give her an update on the investigations, so she invites him into Gail's instead.

He reports that so far they have found no defects in the van Nick was driving, tyres, brakes etc. are just fine. However, they are passing along the information Leanne had given earlier about the other incidents to C.I.D. just in case there is a link. David looks a bit like a sick parrot at that. P.C. Collins continues that they have put out an appeal for witnesses, and two have come forward who were in the oncoming traffic, so are hopeful they will give them a clearer picture of what happened. Everyone gushes that this is hopeful, and thanks the policeman for everything they are doing. Everyone that is except David, who sinks into the corner of the sofa with an extremely worried look on his face.

We often ridicule the Weatherfield police, saying how stupid they are, and we could be right. However, we have to give them credit for house calls, when even something as relatively trivial as a traffic accident occurs they will even visit a relative at home, or come and find them wherever they happen to be, just to give them an update on how things are progressing. It would never happen where I live, you have to go down to the station, and there are not many community police stations left either! When something happens in Weatherfield, I get the impression that at least two policemen are told to drop everything and give the case 100% of their attention. Very impressive!

Christine Warren


Monday 12 August

A quick summary and a quick note. I will be taking a bit of a hiatus from writing updates. Our writer Duncan will be filling in for me for a couple of months but I'll be back.

Written by Jayne Hollinson Directed by Brett Fallis

Julie's back and she's very glad of it too. She's got a lot of gossip to catch up on. Beth's worried about Craig. Julie suggests it could be drugs and Sally thinks he could be struggling with his sexuality. Neither helps Beth's mood. She confronts Craig and searches him. All she finds is a bag of humbugs. He won't say what's bothering him and runs off. In the pub later, Deirdre blames kids turning out bad on their fathers, because they're men, aren't they? Sean offers advice but Beth still feels like a rubbish mother. Kirk is brilliant cheering her up a bit but she's intent on searching his room next.

Sally's dating another fella from an online site but she fancies the pants off Tim. Faye doesn't seem to be speaking to Tim. I thought he was leaving? Why is he still here? To go have coffee with Sally, it seems. I guess he's still planning to go to Newcastle but it looks very much like he fancies Sally, too. Faye tells Katy she feels bad for blanking her dad but she's angry he's leaving. The two of them escape the party to go watch a chick flick.

Tina is stroppy and distracted. The welcome home baby Jake party is going to be at the pub. I thought Gloria said she could have the night off but she says she's going to be there and she's in the pub while they're decorating. Yes, that helps her mood. She seems to be coping with the party underfoot though has to be nearly forced to get into the group photo. She's distracted but doing her best.

Her best, that is, until Tracy comes in and tries to barge into the party to take advantage of the free wine. Tina stops her cold. Tracy makes her typical sarcastic remarks about Tina liable to walk off with the baby. Even Deirdre thinks that was out of order. Matters aren't helped by a public speech from Granddad Owen. You can see Tina's nerves being shredded little by little, especially when Owen heaps praise on Tina herself. Izzy also thanks her father for bankrolling it.

Everyone's smiling except Rita, Tommy and Dennis who know how Tina's feeling. Tommy tries to fuss over her which makes her even moodier and she snaps his head off, much to Tracy's interest. Tracy starts in again, bringing up the money aspect though, to her credit, Deirdre points out Tracy tried to sell her child. Doesn't faze Tracy one bit and she pokes a bigger stick at Tina for not having any child at all to show for it. Everyone else has a go at Tracy but Tina finally snaps. She shouts at everyone for fussing and treating her like a fragile thing and at Owen for his gratitude and she tosses a drink on Tracy. She grabs a bottle of vodka from the bar and runs out and nobody can stop her.

Tina apologizes to David for jumping to conclusions. The family has left the hospital mostly, getting a bit of sleep and recharging their batteries. David is told to take the day off and mind Max and Simon. Leanne says the police are looking into the "hate campaign" and she feels guilty because she didn't think there was anything to it. Simon is upset and in a mood, very worried and scared. David takes the boys to play footie to distract them and then to the cafe for their tea where he exchanges a few nice words with Jenna.

Meanwhile Stella has managed to get home and has stuck her two cents into the hospital room which looks more like a can of sardines for the amount of people squashed into it. Later, David has come back to the hospital, leaving the boys with Peter. He finds out that the accident witnesses have confirmed that it only looked like the van went out of control. The consultant still hasn't got very good news. They don't know what kind of damage there might be, brain damage, that is. Memory, concentration, speech, or maybe physical issues like coordination. Then there could be depression, mood swings. They just don't know at this point. Leanne isn't taking it well. "Wait and See" is going to be difficult.

Tvor

Written by Julie Jones and directed by Brett Fallis

Everyone in the Rovers is picking themselves up after Tina's outburst when Eva and Gloria come in wanting to know what's up. Tracy tells them that Tina poured a glass of wine all over her and asks what they're going to go about it. "Give her a bonus," sniggers Eva. But poor Sean is the loser because he ends up having to work an extra shift to cover for Tina. Deirdre has a go at Tracy and tells her not to try playing the innocent with her because, as she says, "I'm your mother, God help me."

Over at the hospital Gail and the gang are still gathered in the waiting room. Leanne is getting herself into more and more of a state which in turn is upsetting Gail. David and Stella try to act as the voices of reason.

We now move to the Red Rec where Tina is sitting on a park bench and getting stuck in to a bottle of vodka. Mothers with small children are avoiding her but she soon attracts the attention of some undesirable-looking youths who want a swig from her bottle. But they're no match for Tina who's seriously scary when she's upset and they soon make themselves scarce.

Meanwhile Tommy's in the Rovers trying to call Tina but she won't answer her phone. Izzy's also worried about Tina but Owen tells Izzy she's a grown woman and if Tina says she's OK, they have to take her word for it.

Over by the bar, Deirdre's telling Tracy that she's ashamed of her. Rita joins in and tells Tracy she's a nasty piece of work. But Tracy, as usual, is unrepentant. Rita says that she's never agreed with violence but, in the case of Tracy, she'd make an exception.

Back at the hospital Leanne's out in the hallway speaking to the police. David spots her and looks worried. Kylie wants to know if he's O.K. The policeman leaves and Leanne tells Kylie and David that the police are going to interview the Bistro staff. Kylie's relieved and says it's about time they took it seriously. David looks even more worried.

Tim comes out of the corner shop and almost bumps into Sally who's on the way to her internet date. He tells her she looks lovely, ten years younger than usual. Sally puts it down to her new face cream which is supposed to make you look dewy. They have an awkward conversation in which she tells him she's laddered her tights and he tells her she's been a good friend to him, a really, really good friend. As Sally heads off to the bus stop she looks back at him wistfully.

In the park Tina has reached the halfway mark on her vodka bottle when who should happen along but Marcus who is taking Ozzy for a walk. He sits down and tries to talk some sense into her. He tells her that everyone is worried about her and offers to walk her home but Tina is adamant she wants to be left alone to drown her sorrows in peace.

And indeed, Tommy is really, really worried. As he explains to Rita and Dennis who are sitting with him in the Rovers, he's concerned that this is going to tip her over the edge just like it did when her Dad died. Tommy says he's going back to the flat to see if she's there but Rita thinks she might be able to talk some sense into her and offers to go instead.

David is now sitting by Nick's bedside. Nobody else is in the room so David bares his soul. He tells his comatose brother that the worst of it is having to put up with people's sympathy when he doesn't deserve any of it. He tells Nick that he only made the car swerve to stop him talking to Kylie, he didn't want any of this, things are out of control and they're getting worse. Meanwhile Nick just lies in his coma while the machines beep around him. "I know what I have to do now," David says. "I'm going to tell them everything I've done."

Rita arrives back at the flat but there's no sign of Tina so she tries calling her and leaves a message on her phone asking where she is.

Beth and Kirky are round with Chesney and Sinead, discussing what's up with Craig. Beth has done a search of his room but found nothing more toxic than a pile of rotting apple cores under his bed so they don't reckon he's on drugs. Kirk wonders whether Sally was right, he's started to have feelings. "In the trouser department," Beth elucidates when Chesney looks confused. Sinead asks if he had sex-ed at school but Beth says Craig got all giddy and laughed so much his fizzy pop came out of his nose so he got sent out of the class. Fearing he may have missed out on a vital part of his education, Kirk offers to talk to him man to man.

In the Red Rec we hear Tina listening to Rita's desperate message on her phone. She looks perplexed, stands up and then empties the rest of the vodka onto the ground before throwing the bottle in the bin and walking off in the direction of home.

Back in Coronation Street Rita is asking Chesney if he's seen Tina. Just at that moment Marcus comes along and tells her that he saw Tina at the Red Rec. He describes the state she was in and where he left her so Rita heads off to find her.

Eva and Gloria arrive at the hospital to join in the vigil. It's lucky there never seem to be any other patients at Weatherfield General or they'd have run out of seats in the waiting room by now. Gloria tells them that fifty years ago today she was in hospital. "What were wrong with you?" asks Kylie. Nothing, Gloria explains. It was the happiest day of her life. Eva points out it's her mum's birthday. Leanne says she's sorry, she completely forgot, but she's still too distraught to wish Stella a happy birthday. Stella says it's alright, it's postponed. "But for how long?" asks Leanne. Gail says for as long as it takes. But Leanne asks what if Nick never wakes up? She gets into more and more of a state worrying about what lies ahead. What if he wakes up but isn't the same?

On a much lighter note, Kirk has taken Craig to the kebab shop to talk about the birds and the bees. He tells Craig he hasn't always been a man of the world and he used to think men gave birth to boy babies and women had girl babies. Craig looks as though he can't quite believe what he's hearing, as well he might, so Kirk tries another tack. He tells Craig that it's time to learn all about love. Craig says he already knows about it - he loves his rat, Daryl. Kirk keeps ploughing on. He says it's alright to love girls or boys. "I'm not gay"" exclaims Craig. But Kirk keeps going and tells him that there's nothing to be ashamed of and pretty much anything goes. "Is there anything you want to tell me? I'm all ears," offers Kirk. But Craig's had enough and beats a hasty retreat with his half-eaten kebab.

Sally is at the bus stop with her date. He looks pleasant enough but it seems that insurance is his only topic of conversation and we hear him tell Sally that he loves natural disasters and there's nothing like a catastrophic event to really get his juices flowing. Sally's doing her best to keep the conversation going when Tim comes along. She looks in his direction as he walks past and Tim glances back at her. Sally's date continues to bore for Britain.

Kirk arrives home to report back on his chat with Craig. Even he realises it didn't go too well. Chesney has another suggestion - perhaps he's being bullied? Beth says she's asked him about that and she doesn't think so as he usually talks to her. Beth's at her wit's end and asks what could be so terrible that he can't tell his own mother?

Back at home Sally's getting the tea on for Max and Simon and Kylie's trying to talk to David who seems to have sunk into a depression on the sofa. She tells David he's been a brilliant brother to Nick She says that she knows he loves him to death because it's written all over his face. Oh, the irony! David says she doesn't know the half of it. Kylie tells him that the one thing that's going to make things better for everyone is the arrival of their baby. David responds by asking Kylie whether she knows that she means the world to him and, no matter what happens, he'll always love her. He looks as though he's about to say more but just then the baby starts to kick and the moment is lost.

Over at the Red Rec Rita has arrived at the bench but there's no sign of Tina. She spots the empty vodka bottle in the bin and as she picks it up we see the three threatening youths from earlier come up behind her.

Back at Rita's flat Dennis is with Tommy. Just as he's wondering what's happened to Tina and Rita, Tina appears from the bedroom. She and Tommy say sorry to each other and Dennis says he takes it she'd apologises to Rita for what happened earlier. "Rita?" asks Tina. "I've not seen her." Dennis looks worried and Tommy realises she must have gone looking for Tina.

At the Red Rec things are turning nasty for poor Rita who is being pushed around by the youths. "Have you no respect?" she gasps. "Respect has to be earned, Granny," says one of the boys nastily. She tries to push past but they push her back and surround her on all sides. It seems that Dennis was right to be worried …

Karen


Thursday 15 August

Rita is still in the park, being intimidated by the three louts. They ask what she's doing there anyway, and nervously she tells them she was looking for her friend. They want to know if this friend is dark haired, pretty and gobby - describing Tina. Rita tries to get away from them, but they block her path.

At the Platt's, Kylie sits beside David and asks what it was that he wanted to tell her. He makes up something about making up a rota for visiting Nick, he wants to be there when Nick wakes up. Gail appears and asks if he's eaten. He hasn't, but he doesn't want anything, he gets up and goes out, he's off to the hospital again. This is his chance to show Nick what being a brother is all about.

Tina has arrived home and tells Tommy and Dennis that she was at the Red Rec, walking and drinking, she needed some head space. They tell her that Rita went looking for her. Dennis pulls out his phone and says he'll ring her.

In the park, the teenagers are still bullying Rita, and eyeing up her jewellery. Just then her phone rings and she answers it, shouting for help before they snatch it out of her hand. Dennis realises that Rita is in trouble, and rings the police as Tommy and Tina say they'll go and look for her. The teenagers wrestle Rita's handbag from her, push her to the ground and run off.

Outside in Coronation Street, Tina and Dennis have had a look round but can't find Rita. Tommy rushes up saying that he's spoken to Marcus who saw Rita at the Red Rec. They rush off there.

Chesney and Sinead are sitting in Chesney's house with Beth and Kirk. Beth is worrying about Craig. Kirk feels that he's let Beth down, his little chat with him didn't go as planned. Sinead tells Kirk he's a brilliant role model for Craig, and Chesney tells him he's done his best, that's all anyone can ever do. Beth then wonders if Craig is pining for his dad, he's at an age when he must be thinking about such things.

David is in with Nick. He starts to say that he couldn't do it, he bottled it....when the door opens and in comes Leanne. She says she can't stay in the flat on her own, but she supposes she'll have to get used to it. David says he's sure Nick will pull through.

Dennis, Tommy and Rita are running through the Red Rec calling for Rita. They hear her calling for help and run in her direction.

They find her sitting on a bench in a shelter, Tina asks who did this to her. "Just kids," she says. Tina wants to go off and find them, but Rita won't let them. Tommy thinks she ought to get checked out in casualty, but Rita says she'd rather have a large brandy.

Leanne and David are still at Nick's bedside, wondering if he can hear them. David thinks he might make up a playlist of all Nick's favourite songs on his iPod and play them to him. David also thinks that he and Kylie could run the bistro until Nick is better, so that when he wakes up he'll be chuffed to find the place buzzing. (He seems to have forgotten that Kylie is due to give birth in the next few weeks.) Leanne is tired and tearful, so David tells her to go, saying he'll sit with Nick.

Beth, Kirk, Sinead and Chesney find Craig sitting on a bench in the Street. They ask if he's been thinking about his dad. "My dad?" asks Craig, incredulous at first, and then goes along with it. "Yes, you're right, I have," he says. Beth sits down and tells her son that his dad is a dead loss, he's better off without him. Craig tells her he thinks about him all the time.

Rita is back in her flat, tearfully telling the police what happened at the Red Rec, and describing the teenagers who attacked her. Dennis is sure they will never catch them. "If they don't I will," mutters Tina. Dennis is furious with her, he thinks it's all her fault. When the police have gone he shouts at her, asking if she ever thinks about anyone but herself.

Sinead is with Chesney, talking about dads, and Chesney's lack of one. Chesney tells her he didn't need a dad, he had someone in his life who always looked out for him. Sinead asks who it was. "Schmeichel," he tells her. She looks puzzled. "As in Peter Schmeichel?" she asks. He goes on to explain that his Schmeichel was a Great Dane, man's best friend.

Back at Rita's, she tired and wants to go to bed. Tina tells her she's sorry for everything she said, she never meant any of it. "Stop apologising," says Rita as she leaves the room. Tina then turns to Tommy and apologises to him for what she said in the pub. "It's water off a Duckworth's back," he says, and kisses her and tells her he loves her.

Sally is returning home from her date with the guy from the internet site. He is with her, and he insists on walking her right to her door. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asks, "the night is still young." Sally tells him no, the night is over, and says that he was boring and they have nothing in common. Tim comes along just in time to hear all this, and when the guy has gone, he tells her jokingly that she was brutal with the lad and he will probably never go on a date again. Tim is carrying lager. "Fancy a can?" he asks. Sally says that she does, and they go indoors together.

David is still at Nick's bedside, telling him that he'll probably never speak to him again when he does wake up. He tells Nick that as long as he pulls through, he's happy to take his punishment for what he's done. He also promises that he'll take care of Leanne, Simon and the bistro.

Sally and Tim are chatting over their lager. Sally tells him she's done with internet dating, who wants to meet a gobby 40 something year old divorcee? Tim looks at her and grins, and tells her she's gorgeous and not gobby, but strong. "I like strong women," he says, as he moves over to sit beside her, and then he kisses her.

Rita can't sleep and she gets up and finds Tina sitting in the living room. Tina tells her that Dennis is right, she put Rita in danger. Rita tells her no, she put herself in danger. Tina gets very tearful, saying she destroys every relationship that matters to her. She hurts everyone she cares about.

Back at Sally's, Tim is telling her that he's fancied her for ages. Sally asks if he'd like to go upstairs. He hesitates, and she asks if he doesn't want to. He says he does, but reminds her that he's moving away on Friday. "Then we'd better make the most of the time we have left," says Sally, and leads him to the stairs.

Rita tells Tina she's like a daughter to her, and Tina says that Rita has been like a mum to her. "We both know what this is all about," says Rita. Tina says she knows she did the right thing, but she's finding it hard to cope knowing Jake is just over the road. Rita says she'll have to get used to it. "What if I can't?" says Tina. Rita says then she'll have to consider moving away, although it is the last thing in the world she wants. "Maybe you're right," says Tina, "I've got to do something."

Anne Logan


Friday 16 August

It's the morning and Sally's put together a breakfast tray. Sophie's tickled pink. It's ages since her mother brought her breakfast in bed. She's a bit shocked, then, when Tim follows her downstairs. The breakfast's for him. "Awkward," says Jenna, arriving in the room.

Rita's on the phone to Doreen but she doesn't tell her about the mugging. She'd only worry, she tells Tina. Dennis is off to Roy's to fetch something and refuses to let Tina go instead. He's very angry with her. Her selfishness led to the mugging, he thinks. Tommy comes in. He's told Norris Rita will be taking the day off but Rita insists she's going to work.

In the cafe, Steve and Chesney share a breakfast table. Steve's moaning about the fancy burger place he and Michelle went to last night. Too fancy. One burger had egg and beetroot in it. He's horrified by this (and wouldn't like New Zealand burgers!). Chesney's mind seems to be on other things. There's a new trend for the writers to have Steve making amusing comments about some topic which has no relevance to the storyline. I love Steve being used this way.

At another table, Beth and Kirk talk about Craig. Kirk thinks maybe it would be a good thing if Beth told Craig more about his father.

Karl's back from the holiday. He asks about Nick and Stella and Eva say Leanne is going to open the bistro again today. Eva plans to help out even though she's got a full time job at the factory. Karl warns her not to use the dentist as an excuse because nobody believes that one.

Stella's had a call from the registrar. There's been a cancellation and the registrar wonders if they can have their pre-wedding meeting this afternoon. Stella worries about going ahead with wedding arrangements when Nick's still so unwell. Karl thinks that if Leanne's opening the bistro then maybe they should go ahead. Leanne comes in and Eva tells her Stella's doubtful about going to the meeting. "Not on my account, I hope," says Leanne. There's been no change in Nick's condition, she says.

Jenna and Tim are getting on really well, chatting over breakfast while Sophie questions her mother. It looks to her as if Sally went out with one bloke and brought a different one home. Sally wouldn't put it quite like that. Sophie points out that Sally's cooked Tim "an eight-course breakfast" - something she never did for Kevin. Sophie asks Tim about his day ahead and discovers he's moving to Newcastle indefinitely.

Beth and Craig sit on Maxine's bench. Beth explains about Craig's dad's career as a racing driver and then stuntman and how he stopped paying maintenance after his move to Hollywood. She's careful to say that he uses a different name for his stuntman career, a name she can't remember.

Rita asks Tina if she feels any better. Tina's come to the decision that she wants to see Jake properly, not just about the street. And she's going to see him today. Rita sighs.

Jake himself has been awake all night and Gary and Izzy are exhausted. Izzy thinks they were a bit insensitive having the party in the Rovers. Gary says they were celebrating.

In the factory, Beth tells Kirk what she told Craig. Craig was over the moon. Though she wonders why she should build up a man who didn't do anything for her or for Craig. Hmmm. . . Now Kirk doubts his advice. He thinks maybe Beth should have told Craig the truth - that his father was a Wrexham alcoholic, not a Hollywood stuntman. Beth hopes she can catch Craig and she leaves the factory.

Michelle's in the office talking to Carla on the phone when Eva comes in holding the side of her face. Emergency dentist appointment. On the other side of town so she's unlikely to be back before the end of work. She woke up with toothache this morning. "It could be worse," says Michelle. "I woke up with Steve McDonald."

Beth's found Craig and has revised the story of his father. "Sorry, babe, but your dad was a moron." She tells him that blokes should be one thing - reliable. Oh, and honest. That's two things. She tells Craig he should always tell the truth about what's on his mind.

In the Kabin, Michelle tells Rita her mother was mugged once. They discuss Mrs Connor senior and Michelle asks how Tina is. "Struggling," says Rita. Kylie comes in for some change and tells them it's all hands on deck at the bistro. She just stops herself from saying that even Eva's helping out.

Karl finds Craig in the smoking shelter behind the pub. "What are you doing here, Chesney?" he asks. "Have you been crying?" Craig puts him right on the name, ignores the question and then says he's come to see Karl or that woman who owns the pub. "I've come to say sorry. It's all my fault. It was me who burnt down the Rovers.

Craig says he was smoking in the ginnel when he saw Norris come out to the bins so he nicked into the Rovers' yard to avoid being seen. That's when he saw Karl come out of the Rovers and lock the door behind him. Craig says he panicked, threw away the lighted cigarette and ran off so Karl wouldn't see him. He's convinced it was that cigarette which caused the fire.

In the bistro, Leanne and David plan to head off to the hospital. Eva and Kylie can cope in the meantime. Michelle comes in and Eva, coming with two plates of food, does a sort of Yogi-Bear-running-on-the-spot double-take and goes back into the kitchen. Michelle asks how things are going and Leanne and Kylie almost cover for the fact that Eva's there, but the bloke who's waiting for his pudding points her out. Eva tries to talk as if her mouth is numb and says she just came in for coffee but Michelle points out she's in her waitressing outfit. "Go on, get it over with. Sack me," sighs Eva. "Pants are obviously more important than my brother-in-law." Michelle agrees she can stay for the moment. Back in the pub yard, Craig says he just wanted to tell the truth. "Are you going to tell the police?" Karl tells him he's got it wrong. Sunita started the fire. Craig still thinks it was him. Karl's voice hardens and he tells Craig he has to keep quiet because there are still some people who think Sunita was innocent. And little boys' prison isn't very nice. Karl says Craig's got the rest of his life in front of him and says he'll keep the secret. Stella calls Karl indoors and he tells Craig to stay put. He'll be back.

At the Rovers' bar, Tommy asks Tina if her plan to see Jake is a wise one. "Has any of this been wise?" she asks him. Steve asks whether Rita's muggers have been caught and announces that tracksuit bottoms should be banned. That would stop all this trouble. Someone asks about people who are actually going jogging. "No exceptions!" he shouts.

Near the bar, Tim rings his boss in Newcastle to say he's arriving later. They make arrangements to go out on the town. Behind Tim, Sally's come in but when she hears this she leaves and hurries away from the pub.

Karl tells Stella the brewery rang to change a delivery time. He offers to stay to see to it and to catch up with her at the registrar's office later. She asks if he can see to a faulty till first.

David's reading some American crime fiction to Nick. It was either that or car magazines, he tells Leanne.

A little later than he expected, Karl returns to the yard but Craig is gone.

Jake's still not asleep and Izzy's still not dressed when Tina arrives. Gary tells her Jake's running them ragged. "See what you're missing," Izzy says, waving a couple of nappies at her.

Karl races down the ginnel looking for Craig. He finds Chesney putting out some rubbish and asks if he's seen anyone lurking about out there. Chesney's seen nobody except Craig. He was acting a bit weird, skulking and muttering to himself. "I don't think he's right at the moment." Karl agrees and Chesney tries to start a conversation about the cheap slippers he got on the market but Karl's not interested. "It's been nice chatting to you, Craig," he says. Chesney corrects him but Karl's already run off.

The end of episode one.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Brett Fallis

Rita is adjusting the board outside the Kabin. Sally comes running up, concerned because she has heard what happened to her on the Red Rec. She is sympathetic, but Rita tells her that although she was terrified, she has to keep it in perspective, as she knows the good kids outnumber the bad ones.

As Sally moves off from Rita, she bumps into Jenna. Now it is her turn to receive sympathy, as Jenna tells her she is sorry to hear Tim is leaving tonight. Sally tells her one person who doesn't seem sorry is Tim, as he has plans to go out on the town when he gets there. Jenna suggests it is only a couple of hours on the train if Sally is serious about him, but Sally tells her it was fun while it lasted, but Tim is planning a new life.

Tina is round Izzy and Gary's flat, and is trying to explain how she is feeling towards Jake. She apologises for ruining his party. Gary asks her to please try to explain how she is feeling, because they can't carry on like this.

Craig is waiting outside Underworld for his Mum to take her tea break, because he wants to talk to her. Karl pulls up in his car, and tells him to get in. Craig is reluctant because I am sure his mother has told him never to accept lifts from strangers. However, Karl is not exactly a stranger, and Karl is very persuasive, so the lad decides to get in. He asks Karl where they are going, and is told it will be somewhere where they can't be overheard. Oh dear....

Anna is telling Faye she should say goodbye to her Dad, but Faye doesn't want to, feels he is the most rubbish father in the world. Owen tells Anna she is old enough to know her own mind, and shouldn't be made to if she doesn't want to. Is that a flash of guilt across Anna's face? If it wasn't, it should have been, as she and Owen are the cause of Tim leaving and have poisoned Faye's mind against him.

We are back now to Tina trying to explain her behaviour. Gary is asking her if she wants to run off with Jake each time she sees him, and Tina agrees she does, just for a nano second. She tells them each time she looks at him, it reminds her of what she did, that she carried him for nine months, and then gave him away. "No, back - you gave him back!" says Gary. "He started life inside me and Izzy".

Tina looks and them and tells them she can't help it, she loves him. Izzy replies he is a very lucky little boy, having three people who love him. Gary is still worried though, and asks Tina how she thinks they are going to play this. Tina suggests it might work better if she sees more of him. He is against this, but Izzy immediately hands Jake to Tina, telling her she can start now. Izzy asks her how the nappy situation is, smelling him, Tina replies he's full. Izzy hands her a nappy, telling her she can do it then. Gary rolls his eyes.

Gloria comes into the back room of the Rovers, all pleased with herself because she has managed to insult Audrey. Stella is not really interested though, in fact Stella is in a real snit herself. Turns out Karl didn't show up to meet her at the Registry Office, and didn't call or text either, in fact his phone has been switched off. She tells Gloria she wouldn't mind, but Karl is the one who has been pushing to get married, she would rather wait until Nick is better. Gloria is puzzled, saying he didn't show for the delivery either. Stella isn't puzzled, she's angry, saying he's got form, and was probably in a casino, or squandering money they haven't got somewhere.

Tim meets up with Sally in Roy's Rolls. She asks him if he is all ready for his big night out tonight. He tells her he has changed his mind about that, and is going to give it a miss. He follows it up by telling her he really wishes he wasn't going. This pleases Sally no end, and suggests they head over to the Rovers for a drink instead.

Craig is missing, and Beth is worried out of her mind. She is telling Maria she has checked everywhere for him, and the telly is not even warm at home, so he must have been gone for hours. Maria tries to reassure her he probably went into town with some mates, but Beth is still worried, saying he would have sent her a text to tell her. Beth is blaming herself, she feels it is all down to her telling him about his Dad. Next minute she is panicking because he may have been beaten up by a gang somewhere, saying they are jealous of his ginger locks. She frantically tries texting him again. In the Rovers, Stella is anxious too, trying to ring Karl, whose phone is still turned off.

The missing twosome are fine, and Karl is stopping the car outside what looks like a disused factory. Craig wants to know why they have stopped there, and Karl tells him it is so they can talk. Craig tells him all he can think of is that he is a murderer. Karl tells him it was an accident, he hadn't woken up that morning and thought to himself that he was going to set fire to the Rovers, so it was definitely an accident. Craig is not comforted though, he tells Karl that two people are dead because of him, so he must be a bad person.

Craig goes on to tell Karl that he should go to the police, because he is a nobody like his Dad, except now he is a killer, and should be punished. Karl tells him he knows how he feels, but the poor lad shouts at him "You know nowt, I'm the one who killed two people!"

Karl decides to switch tactics, and tells him he is right, it was his cigarette that killed those two people, and he is indeed a murderer. We go into the break looking at the poor devastated kid's face.

We now find out why Karl switched tracks, he is now telling Craig what it will be like for him if he confesses to his crimes, painting a very terrifying picture of what it will be like for him inside if he doesn't keep his mouth shut. He tells him if he confesses, and it goes to court, once the jury get a look at the little Alahan kids, they will lock him up and throw away the key. He frightens him further by telling him that he will be in young offenders first, then at 16 they will sling him into adult prison. Craig whimpers "Even if it was an accident?" Karl tells him yes, because people died. He goes on to tell him that in his book, he is innocent, but the law of the land says 30 or 40 years minimum. He lays it on even thicker by telling him it would kill his Mum if he was locked up all those years.

Karl presses on, saying it wouldn't bring back Sunita or the firefighter if he went to jail. So he should say nothing. Only the two of them know it was his cigarette that killed them, and he will take his secret to his grave. Craig thinks for a minute, then tells him no, he needs to fess up, because the guilt is killing him. Karl loses his temper with him then, saying he is seriously starting to do his head in.

Back in the Rovers, Stella is still fretting over not being able to reach Karl. She can't decide if she should call the police or the local casinos. Gloria tells her to wait a while, he is probably trying to pluck up the courage to come back and face her. Stella points out it's more likely to be Dutch courage, and besides, if he has changed his mind about getting married, he only has to say.

Sally is encouraging Tim to stay in Weatherfield and fight to see Faye, saying Anna and Owen really can't stop him, as he is her father. He is pretty easily swayed, and knows Faye will be over the moon about it. Sally tells him it's a no brainer then, he should stay.

Karl is still working on Craig. It seems to be working now. He tells him he can come and talk to him any time he wants, or feels the need to confess, at least he won't end up inside that way. He assures Craig that he did nothing wrong, saying he was smoking far more than that when he was his age, that he just got unlucky. He tells him he can look upon him as his 'go-to' guy, and he will be there for him any time, day or night. Craig asks him to promise, and he does.

Whew! I dread to think what Karl would have done if Craig hadn't backed down.

Tina's gone now, and Gary and Izzy are arguing over the visit. Gary wants Tina out of Jake's life completely, but Izzy doesn't feel the same, she feels Tina has a right to be a part of his life as he grows up. Gary is worried she might tell him the truth when he is old enough to understand, but Izzy tells him she intends to tell him the whole story, and what his Auntie Tina did for him, just as soon as he is old enough to understand. She wants no secrets, and feels Jake should know he has three adults who love him to bits. Gary still doesn't like it, and worries Tina will have another wobble, asking Izzy what it will do to Jake if Tina starts bawling her eyes out every time she holds him. Izzy doesn't think she will, saying it took a lot of guts for her to come round and say what she did today. Gary concedes it did, but you can tell he is not happy.

Beth comes out of Roy's Rolls and finally sees her lad slumped down on the doorstep next door. She is overjoyed to see him, but he is obviously still very depressed. Beth asks him if he is having trouble dealing with what she told him about his father, and he tells her he was a loser, just like him. Beth is horrified he would say something like that, and tells him the men in white coats will come and cart him off if he carries on saying things like that. He replies he is 'bad', not 'mad'. Beth presses him again to tell her if he is being bullied, and he tells her he's not. Maria, who has come up, asks him if he feels ill, and he denies that too, but as he turns away, he mutters "I just wish I had never been born".

Karl rushes into the pub, full of apologies and full of a cock and bull story about his best mate, who has been dumped by his girlfriend, and a case of locking keys into a car, along with his mobile, and a couple of nuns with a mobile phone. The story is so preposterous even Stella doesn't believe it, and she is gullible enough to believe anything usually. He tells her he will ring the Registry Office and rebook first thing. Stella replies that there is no rush, marriage isn't compulsory. With that, she marches out of the room.

Gloria, who didn't believe the story either, fills him in that Stella is of the belief he doesn't really want to get married, and if that isn't true, he had better do something to convince her and sharpish.

Tina greets Rita with a big smile on her face. She happily tells her she not only saw Jake, she held him, had a cuddle, changed him, didn't drop him, and didn't run off with him, and couldn't be happier. Rita is totally delighted.

Meanwhile, outside Sally's house, she is helping Tim unload the van of his belongings. She can't believe he has a lava lamp, I can't either, considering I got rid of mine back in the 60's, but I do believe they came back into fashion at some point since then. She is also not impressed with his duvet, and I have to agree with her there, it looks as if it would be more at home on the bed of Bet Lynch as it's leopard print! They are laughing and canoodling in the street, which of course is a cue for the Windass family to come outside. Owen doesn't know why they are there, but Anna is insisting that Faye needs to say a proper goodbye to her Dad. Faye catches sight of the subject of the conversation just as he is in the middle of a big snog with our Sal. Her response? "Ewe gross!"

Karl has caught up with Stella in the back yard, and confesses the last story was a pack of lies. He tells her he was really at the police station with Tez, his best mate who had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He lies on that after he was released, he couldn't very well leave him on his own. Amazingly she swallows this one, I told you she is gullible. He assures her he will call and make another appointment, as he needs to marry her to make him a better person. She tells him she isn't a miracle worker. She's got that right!

Beth comes round the corner, looking for Kirkeh this time. Karl asks how her lad is, and she tells him she is very worried, but she can't get two words out of him. She goes on to say she thinks she will take him to the doctor to make sure he's not ill.

Tim and Sally are still larking about in the Street, so of course Anna has to have a go, telling them she has seen dogs with more dignity in the street. Anna tells Faye to say goodbye to her father, but Faye doesn't want to. Tim suggests she helps him unpack his stuff instead as he doesn't want to be a long distant Dad. Faye is overjoyed, and is more than willing to help him, but Anna drags her away. Owen tells Tim he hasn't heard the last of this, but with Sally backing him all the way, Tim doesn't appear too bothered.

As Sally and Tim get back to their snogging, Anna looks on with disgust. Owen puts his arm around her, telling her not to worry, he will be gone soon.

And that's it until Monday's episode.

Christine Warren


Monday 19 August

It's another Monday morning on the Street, and Paul's birthday, although he has little to celebrate as he has his court hearing today for his recent assault on Lloyd. Eileen tries to keep his spirits up with a hearty breakfast but even the gift of a book from Sean can't lift the miserable atmosphere.

Sally and Tim are in the cafe, under the watchful glare of Anna. Tim tells Sally that he is going to go and ask Jason for his job back. After he leaves, Anna tells Sally to get used to seeing him walk away, before pointing out that he went without paying. She takes great satisfaction in presenting the full bill to a disgruntled Sally.

Craig is texting intently on his phone. Beth demands to know who he's texting and he snaps at her to leave him alone before storming off.

Eva is trying on her bridesmaid dress. Stella and Gloria tell her she looks stunning but Karl is taking little notice as he is searching for his phone. Meanwhile, Stella is still worrying over whether Leanne will make it and wonders aloud again if they should postpone. Karl tells her that they won't be doing that and she should stop worrying about Leanne. Gloria comments that after Karl's recent disappearing act, she should be more worried about whether the groom will turn up.

Lloyd is moaning to Steve about the fact he can't ever seem to find the right woman. Steve is being less than helpful as usual until Eileen comes in and he points her out as a prime example of someone who found happiness later in life. She doesn't seem to share his enthusiasm however.

Gail and Kylie ask Leanne if there has been any change in Nick's condition. Leanne appears stressed and tells them that there is no change. She is heading to open up the Bistro. Kylie offers to get David to help out with a shift but Leanne refuses, saying she'd rather be kept busy.

Craig is at the bus stop, trying to phone Karl but not getting any answer. He is interrupted when Brian comes over and waits with him. As Brian strikes up an idle chat, Karl comes out of the Rovers and watches. He appears to be about to head over when Stella comes out and tells him that the delivery from the brewery is on it's way.

Paul comes into the cab office. He tells Eileen that he got 100 hours of community service but he is not feeling jubilant as he is still unsure if he has a job. Eileen tells him to put it out of his mind and focus on his birthday night out with the lads. Paul admits that not many of his friends are coming, prompting Eileen to invite Steve and Lloyd. Lloyd is faced with little choice by the end of the conversation as Eileen comments that it is about time that they settled their differences. Neither party look particularly excited about the night out.

Peter offers to make Beth a cup of tea in the factory. She comments that it won't be long until he stops being nice and the power goes to his head. As they laugh together, Carla looks on fondly but Michelle snipes that it takes more to run a factory than being popular with the machinists.

Lloyd and Steve are discussing their imminent night out when Brian pops over. He mentions that it is his 50th tomorrow and asks if they fancied a drink. They tell him about their night out and Brian says it is admirable of Lloyd to forgive ‘Paul The Racist' As a token of goodwill, Brian is even willing to forgive Paul himself and promptly invites himself on the night out as well. If Lloyd looked miserable before, it's nothing compared to his expression now.

Stella tells Karl that she found his phone. He picks it up and is agitated to see several missed calls from Craig. Stella asks if everything is okay and he snaps at her that she should have told him as soon as she found it before hurrying off.

Eva comes in to the Rovers and tells Gloria that Michelle has let her go early so that she can help out at the Bistro. Stella asks if she has seen Karl and Gloria mutters to Eva that they appear to have had a row, which Stella denies.

Kylie comes in to the Bistro for her shift. She has been to see Nick and she tells Leanne that there has been no change. Kylie picks up an opened letter from Trading Standards saying that they are taking no further action and comments that at least Leanne has some good news at last. Leanne snaps that in the grand scheme of things, it will take more than that to cheer her up.

Paul, Lloyd, Brian and Steve enter a dingy looking pub where Paul is due to meet his friends. Paul comments that it is not how he remembered it. A man carrying a drink pushes past Brian and snarls at him to watch himself before calling him ‘fat boy' Brian looks outraged and tells Steve not to let people talk to him like that.

Carla is heading out to a meeting and both Michelle and Peter are staying late at the factory to catch up on work. After Carla has gone, Michelle tells Peter that she doesn't know why he's trying to impress her; it's not like she is going to sack him. Peter tells her that it isn't easy going from running his own business to being a kept man so he at least wants to put the hours in. He assures Michelle that he is not trying to step on her toes or take her job.

Eileen is sitting moodily in her living room. Sean comes in and asks her what is wrong. She explains that she is worried that Paul never puts her first. Sean agrees that he should make her feel special and she replies that she hasn't felt that way for a long time.

Steve gets the drinks in as Paul attempts to phone his friends. Lloyd asks Brian if he has any regrets and he says that life is good right now as he has Julie. Paul comes back and tells everyone that his friends aren't coming.

Karl is at the bus stop but the bus that arrives isn't carrying Craig. He tries once again to call him but there is no answer.

Paul is telling the others that his friends have stood him up because they aren't comfortable around him. Steve asks what he means and Paul snaps that its because he is supposedly a racist. Lloyd is annoyed that this has been brought up but Paul retorts that he has every right to mention it seeing as his job is on the line. As they bicker, a group of unpleasant looking men come over and ask Paul if he needs a hand. Lloyd replies that they're fine and the leader of the pack sneers that he wasn't talking to him. Having had enough, Paul gets up and walks out.

Tim brings Sally a can of lager through and she is unimpressed that it hasn't come in a glass. He tells her that he has got his job back. H hears Faye outside and goes out. She is hanging out washing for Anna and is pleased to see her dad. He tries to give her some pocket money but Anna hands it back, saying that they don't need his money as she doesn't want Faye being spoilt.

Lloyd is ordering another drink and gets chatting with the barmaid. Steve and Brian are ready to go but Lloyd, seeming to have a spark with the barmaid says that he is staying a while longer. Steve and Brian leave him to it.

Craig is sitting in the alley behind the Rovers and ignores another call from Karl. He then takes a bottle of vodka from his pocket and takes a swig. He coughs as it burns his throat and Stella overhears and comes out. She tells him that she is taking him to see his mother.

Lloyd continues flirting with the barmaid and even asks her out on a date. The group from before come over and demand some service from the barmaid. The leader orders a lager and black, emphasizing the word black for Lloyd's benefit. Lloyd is uncomfortable and hands the barmaid his number before heading out to leave.

Karl comes back to the Rovers. He looks panic stricken when Gloria tells him that Stella is taking an upset Craig to see Beth. He heads out after her.

Lloyd has left the pub and finds his way blocked by the thugs from inside. He asks to get past but the leader tells him that they're not moving. Lloyd tells them he doesn't know what their problem is but the leader pipes up that it's Lloyd's ‘kind' that are the problem. It looks as if things are about to turn ugly…

Duncan Lindsay

Written by Susan Oudot and directed by Kay Patrick

This episode is prefaced by the warning that it contains racist material and we're straight into it as Lloyd comes out of the pub. He's surrounded by a very unpleasant collection of men who start making comments about the colour of his skin which make Paul's original remark seem inconsequential by comparison. They tell Lloyd they don't like him in their pub or chatting up their women. Ironically, much to Lloyd's discomfort, it's Paul who appears at that moment and comes to Lloyd's rescue.

Stella has taken Craig home to speak to Beth about finding him in the ginnel with a bottle of vodka. They meet up with Beth in the street but just Stella and Beth start to question Craig about why he was drinking, Karl appears. Craig is silent on the subject so Karl speaks for him. He takes over the situation, telling Beth and Stella that Craig is only behaving like a normal teenage boy and just wanted to see what drinking was like. Before Beth marches Craig off home Karl catches his eye and gives him a long and meaningful look.

Over at Underworld Carla tells Michelle and Peter that it looks like the may have secured a big order and, if they do, they'll be really stretched. Peter says in that case they'll all have to pitch in and Michelle pulls a face at Peter since all he seems to be doing right now is sitting at a desk shuffling papers. So Peter offers to have a go on the machines. "Do you really mean it?" asks Carla. Peter says he does but his face tells a different story.

Back in the street Stella's having a go at Karl for interfering over the episode with Craig and making her feel about an inch tall.

Lloyd and Paul are walking along the street following the set-to outside the pub. Paul apologises - yet again - for his behaviour earlier but Lloyd is still upset with him. Now his gripe is that if Paul hadn't had a go at him earlier, the whole business with the racist men in the pub wouldn't have kicked off in the first place.

Sally's in the Rovers with Tim. She's worrying about what she should do to try and bring Faye round to liking her. Tim doesn't seem that bothered but Sally feels she needs to do something. Suddenly she has a bright idea - she'll throw a garden party in Faye's honour! "A what?!" asks Tim, looking none too impressed. But once Sally gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her.

Brian is boring Steve over by the bar when Eileen walks in with Sean. She's annoyed to discover that Paul and Lloyd are not with them and that they've had another row.

Meanwhile, Stella and Gail are discussing Leanne. They reckon that at this rate she's going to run herself into the ground. Tina arrives on the scene and wants to know if everything's O.K.

Out in the street Beth is trying to get Craig to talk but with Karl hovering in the background he's not about to tell her anything. The minute Beth leaves, Karl joins Craig on the bench. Craig says that if he tells his mum about the fire she'll hate him. He says he tried drinking the vodka to help him forget, the same way that his mum often forgets things when she's been drinking the night before. Karl says next time Craig feels like drowning his sorrows he should go and see him. Craig says he tried but Karl didn't answer so Karl explains he lost his phone but promises next time he'll get straight back to him.

Back in the Rovers Tina is put out that Stella wants her to help out in the Bistro which means she has to work alongside Kylie. Gail says that, under the circumstances, she doesn't think it's too much to ask for so Tina reluctantly gives in.

On the other side of the bar Sean is trying to lighten the mood between Eileen, Steve and Brian by playing the "which famous people would you invite to your perfect dinner party" game when who should walk in but Paul and Lloyd. They seem to have finally put their differences aside as they tell the story of what just happened. Eileen asks Lloyd if he's alright but to Paul's dismay she doesn't ask him the same question. Instead she glowers at him and announces she's going home.

Things look busy in the Bistro but Eva and Kylie seem to be coping. Leanne turns to them both and apologises for the way she behaved earlier. She tells them they've both been brilliant. Then her phone rings just as David comes through the door. After she rings off Leanne tells them that it was the hospital to tell her that they're going to reduce Nick's sedation. She's not sure but it could mean that he's going to come round. Leanne starts to get herself organised so she can go to the hospital and David offers to go with her. But just at that moment Kylie starts to get a pain and David is told to stay behind with her. He looks worried, as well he might. What if Nick comes round? And, if he does, what is he going to say?

Karen


Wednesday 21 August

Gail, Kylie, Max and David step out of the front door. David asks Kylie if she can take the day off, he thought the three of them could go out somewhere. Kylie points out that they're very busy at work, and anyway, Max is off to his mate's for the day. Gail points out that David should be at the hospital, Nick would be disappointed if he woke up and David wasn't there. David is doubtful about this.

Leanne tells Simon that the doctors are going to try and wake Nick up today. Simon asks if he'll be able to come home then. Leanne gently tells him that Nick was badly injured and when he wakes up he might not be just the same as he was. She sends him off to get dressed, and when he's out of the room Eva tells her she's done a good job with him. Leanne just hopes she can stay strong for him. Eva is sure she will, she's like their mum, indestructible.

Lloyd, Eileen and Steve are in the cafe, but Eileen isn't happy. Lloyd wonders why, he and Paul have made it up, and Steve remarks that the war is over. Jason comes in then and tells them that it seems that Paul and Eileen are history. Lloyd can't understand this. He asks if she loves Paul. "You know I do," says Eileen. "Well stop feeling sorry for yourself and sort it out," he tells her.

Katy arrives to pick up Joseph from Chesney, and the two of them chat easily and laugh over things that Joseph has done. He asks if she'd like a brew. She says she'll have coffee and he goes off to put the kettle on. Just then there's a knock on the door, it's Sinead, come to see if Ches would like to go out for something to eat. The happy mood broken, Katy then says she was just going, and gets Joseph and leaves.

Eileen gets home to find Paul waiting for her with a bunch of flowers. He tries to say he's learnt his lesson but she interrupts him, saying it's not about the racism, it never has been. He says he loves her, he doesn't want this to be the end. He asks her to go to the bistro with him to talk about it.

Leanne and Eva are sitting in a hospital corridor when Gail and David come along. Just then the doctor comes and tells them that Nick has made good progress overnight, so they would like to remove the ventilator. He's young and fit, she's hopeful that he will be able to breathe on his own.

Tina arrives late to help with lunch at the bistro, and she and Kylie immediately start sniping at each other.

Paul and Eileen are in the bistro. He can't understand where the problem is, he doesn't want to finish with her, and she doesn't want to finish with him. "Where's the problem?" he asks. She tells him it's just around the corner, all they have done is lurch from one crisis to another. "And come out the other side," he reminds her. However, Eileen is full of doom and gloom and is convinced it is not going to last, she feels they're not right for each other. He says he wants her to marry him, and wants her to set a date there and then.

Sally and Tim go into the pub where they find a very gloomy Beth standing at the bar. Tim asks if she's all right, but she says she isn't. Sally urges him to ignore her, saying she's been like it all morning. Beth says she's had things on her mind, and anyway, she couldn't get a word in edgeways what with Sally and her barbeque. "Garden party," corrects Sally. Tim says it should be a good do and asks if Beth would like to come, much to Sally's annoyance.

Karl and Stella are talking behind the bar. He asks if she's sorted out a wedding cake. She's aghast and wonders how he expects her to think about a wedding cake when her son in law is lying in hospital in a coma. Somehow her big day doesn't seem so big any more.

Beth then calls for another drink and Karl goes to serve her. He asks how Craig is now. She says that they always used to be so close, but she can't seem to get through to him lately, it's like he's a different person. She's sure something's not right, and she vows to get to the bottom of it, even if it kills her. Karl looks thoughtful.

Back in the bistro, Eileen can't see how getting married is going to solve anything. He can't see where the problem is, his boss rang earlier, he has his job back, he now has his life back. Eileen points out that that's the problem, she knows he cares about her, but deep down she will always be second to his job and she needs more than that. She's sorry but they're over.

The doctor comes along and tells Gail, David and co. that Nick is off the ventilator and breathing without assistance. Their relief is short-lived, however, when they learn that he is still unresponsive, he hasn't regained consciousness, they still don't know whether he has any brain damage. They will transfer his care to the neuro-rehab team and will be closely monitored.

Katy is in the cafe, talking to Anna. She tells her she's optimistic about the future with Chesney. Just then Chesney himself comes in with Sinead. He comes over and talks to Joseph, then goes back to Sinead. Katy leaves the cafe.

A package has just arrived at the pub, and Karl brings it to Stella who is in the bar. She tells him to make himself scarce, and then proceeds to open it, telling the customers that it is her wedding dress. Sally remarks that it's strange that they've sent it by post, and Stella tells her she bought it on the internet. Sally makes a few catty remarks about 'pre-loved' clothing. Stella pulls it out of the box and holds it up, telling Beth she bought it for a song. "What song were that?" asks Beth, less than impressed and looking it up and down. "Who's Sorry Now?"

Paul has been packing up his stuff and is preparing to leave. Eileen asks where he's going to go, and he tells her a mate has a caravan he can sleep in for now. He tells her he doesn't want to go, he loves her, and she says she knows, but this is the way it's got to be, for both their sakes. He gives her hug, and then Jason comes in to tell her that there's a taxi waiting outside. He goes out, and Steve puts his cases in the boot. He says goodbye to Eileen and off he goes.

David and Leanne have arrived back at the bistro. David thinks Kylie looks tired and says she should go home and rest.

Back in the pub, Stella thinks that the wedding is a bad idea, she thinks they should cancel for Leanne's sake. Eva thinks the wedding should go ahead, it will be a welcome distraction for Leanne, she'll be doing her a favour, and she's sure that she and factory girls will be able to fix the wedding dress. Eventually Stella says ok, and Karl hugs her, mouthing thanks to Eva behind her back.

Steve and Lloyd are at a table, discussing Paul and Eileen's situation. Steve says that Eileen doesn't need help with romantic disasters. Eileen comes in and hears this. "Says Weatherfield's answer to Henry VIII," she says sitting down. Lloyd says he feels responsible, but Eileen assures him it had nothing to do with him, it was about her being stupid enough to think that a man would put her first.

In the bistro, Tina asks Leanne if she's all right. She says she's not really because they've had so much go wrong over the last few months. She confides that Nick was sure someone was out to get him, waging a hate campaign. As Leanne tells her everything, Tina's gaze falls upon David. "It was a vendetta, pure and simple and I tell you what," says Leanne, "I'm starting to wonder if the crash was part of it." Tina stares at David, finally understanding. David stares back.

Anne Logan


Friday 23 August

Leanne's asleep beside Nick's bed when David comes in with some magazines for her. Nick's been taken off the ventilator and most of his bandages are gone. David has a good look at the wounds. He tells Leanne that Kylie said not to worry about the bistro. Leanne tells him he's got a good one there and tells him to look after Kylie and never forget how lucky he is. David's phone goes. It's Tina and he rejects the call.

Tina leaves David a message: "I need to see you. You know what it's about."

As she steps outside the cafe, Tommy and Tyrone come out too and walk with her around the corner past the salon. She tries the handle of the salon door as they pass and when Tommy asks why she did that she speaks to him as if he's stupid. He objects and she says David owes her 20 pounds and she could do with getting it back. She blames her grouchiness on working shifts.

Chesney complains about getting up too early (proof that he's not a real market trader - I'm waiting for the storyline where we find out what he really does for money) and Sinead tells him he has to get to the market and she's got to take her gran shopping. It seems her gran is a thief and is currently between tags! Chesney thinks Sinead's gran and his mother would have a lot in common. They agree to go out and do something together this afternoon. Katy knocks on the door and asks Chesney if he wants to do something with Joseph this afternoon. He says No, but Sinead tells him it's OK and she'll see him in the pub later.

Sally's worried about being late to work. Sophie and Jenna tell her that Jenna's been invited to Anna's barbecue on Monday. Sophie hears noises overhead and Sally jokes that it's the upstairs maid. Of course it's not. It's Tim having a shower. Sophie's horrified. "Mum! You are not leaving some random naked bloke here while you waltz off to work!" Sally says Tim isn't random and anyway, if she didn't have to go to work she'd offer to scrub his back.

Stella arrives to sit with Nick and tells Leanne to go home. She'll just get a drink so Leanne will have a chance to say goodbye and then she'll be back. Leanne agrees and talks to Nick but manages to upset herself.

Anna and Jenna have a moan about Sylvia, who hasn't turned up in the cafe. Jenna moans that Sylvia's been swinging the lead since Roy and Hayley left. Then they have a sudden thought that maybe Sylvia's had a fall and is lying there unconscious. Anna races upstairs.

Izzy and Gary are at a table. They've just got their meals when Maria comes in and admires Jake. She tells everyone what she's heard about Nick so far and says how upset David is. When she's gone, Izzy tells Gary that she'd like Tina to have more to do with Jake - come round for her tea sometimes and help put him to bed. Gary's reluctant but Izzy can only think of how Tina must feel. Does anyone know how Izzy gets her chair up that really steep step into the cafe?

Anna comes back downstairs. Sylvia's not there but she's left a note.

Tina's in the pub. She calls David and leaves another message, this time telling him he can't avoid her - they live in the same street.

Steve and Eileen come to the bar and Tina snaps at them. Leanne arrives with a load of washing to do because he own machine isn't working. Karl says Stella called and asked him to make sure Leanne got plenty of sleep. Leanne says she can't sleep and would rather keep busy. Tina asks her if David's feeling guilty. When Leanne asks what she means, she says David was in the same car and came out of the crash with barely a scratch. Leanne says David came to the hospital with some magazines. "I always thought he was a sly little toe-rag but it just shows I'm not the best judge of character." Tina tells Karl she needs ten minutes off.

Outside, she meets Gary and Izzy, who've come to ask if she'd like to come round for her tea some time. Tina almost brushes them off in her hurry to get over to the salon.

"Tell me it's not true," she says to David. She says she saw his face when Leanne was talking about the vendetta. "All those nasty, petty things had 'David Platt' written all over them in big red letters!" She tells him she's worked out that Nick was the man who slept with Kylie. "You lied about it like you always lie about everything. The vendetta, the crash - it all makes sense."

They're interrupted by Gail coming in, wanting David's help with paying her credit-card bill online. "I'll be back and I want answers," Tina tells David before she leaves.

Anna goes to see Fiz and shows her the note from Sylvia. It says she needed to get away and has gone to her sister's. With a PS that the big fridge needs cleaning. Anna and Fiz decide not to tell Hayley and Roy that Sylvia's gone. They don't want to ruin their holiday.

Chesney waits for Katy and Joseph in the cafe. Katy comes in alone, all made-up and dressed up. She tells Chesney that Joseph seems to be coming down with a cold so she's left him with Izzy. She thought it would be nice to have some time with Chesney without them having to wipe something every five minutes.

Maria and David chat in the salon. David can't work out why Nick ended up as the good son and he's the baddie. Maria points out that Nick's no saint.

Michelle tries to persuade Eileen to come on a girls' night out but Eileen sees right through her and knows it's Steve's idea. Michelle denies it but the minute she's outside the cab office she calls Steve to tell him Eileen realised it was a set-up.

Chesney and Katy are in the street. He refuses her invitation to come and see Joseph because he doesn't want to let down Sinead for the second time in a day. Katy tells him she wants them to get back together but she realises Chesney and Sinead are getting serious. Chesney says he doesn't want to hurt Sinead. Neither of them notice Sinead down by the corner shop.

Sally's in the pub talking to Michelle and Steve about her planned garden party. It'll be very informal - just good company, a few drinks and something elegant from Nigella.

Chesney arrives in the pub with Sinead behind him. She asks how his afternoon was and says she saw him with Katy and Joseph was nowhere to be seen.

Gail's at the hospital talking to Nick about going to Italy with the whole family. It's only when she starts thinking of whether Sarah-Louise and Kylie will get that she gets doubts about this plan. She decides to read him his stars instead but they just make her cry. Stella's come in but tactfully stands back and waits for the right moment to hand Gail a hot drink. She tells Gail that what she said to Leanne the other day meant a lot to Leanne. Gail admits she's treated Leanne badly in the past and admits she's been a sanctimonious cow. She knows Nick is lucky to have Leanne. She asks Stella to stay for a while instead of rushing back to the pub.

Steve tells Sally Owen has invited them to Anna's barbecue. Michelle assures Sally they'll be at the garden party instead. Michelle asks after Tim and the talk turns naturally to Eileen and Paul. Michelle and Sally agree that for Eileen to find a firefighter at her age and then lose him must be like winning the lottery and then losing the lot. They try to remember the name of the woman who did just that and behind them Eileen answers. She's heard them talking about her. "I thought to myself, lovely Steve and Michelle are only trying to help," she says. "I might be a loser but I thought my friends wouldn't get quite so much entertainment out of it."

Karl asks Tina if she's OK. She is, but she wants to take her break now.

Sinead understands that there must be a bond between Chesney and Katy because of Joseph. But now it's decision time. "Her or me?"

Tina arrives at the salon and locks the door behind the departing Maria. She thinks David looks terrified of her. "I'm your mate, OK? So just tell me, the vendetta - was it you?" David denies it. "Was Nick the bloke who slept with Kylie? Did you cause the crash?" She tells him she's going to tell Leanne and Gail and will go to the police if she has to. This is serious. Nick might die. She makes to leave but David stops her. "Tell me, then," she says. "Did you try to kill your brother?"

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Ellen Taylor
Directed by: Kay Patrick

Tina is still demanding David tell the truth, which is probably something very alien to David, so he denies it all. She is not having it though, and threatens to talk to Leanne. He begs her not to do that, and owns up he had grabbed the wheel, causing Nick to swerve the van. Horrified, Tina asks him if he tried to kill his own brother, but David assures her it was an accident, they were having an argument, and he just grabbed the wheel, not knowing what he was doing. Tina is standing there with her mouth open, and mutters again "You tried to kill your own brother".

Again David denies this, explaining Nick was going to tell Leanne, and then Kylie would have found out, and it would have all blown up in his face, and just had to stop him, but it was an accident, he never tried to kill him. Tina is absolutely livid now, remembering how David had denied that Nick was the other man, and had even made her feel guilty for talking to Nick about him and Kylie, and had even made out it was her fault that the van crashed. Back pedaling like crazy, David tries to apologise to her, but she is having none of it. She tells him he is sick, and makes to leave the shop to tell everyone else just how sick he really is. In a blind panic, he steps in front of her, yelling "No", he just can't let her do it.

Someone else treading water is Chesney. He is sitting in the Rovers with Sinead, trying to explain why he spent the afternoon with his ex-wife instead of his son as she had thought he was going to. His defense is that she just turned up by herself, and asks Sinead what he was supposed to do. Sinead states the obvious, saying he could have told her it wasn't what they had arranged and left. He agrees he should have, and doesn't know why he didn't. Sinead on the other hand thinks she knows only too well why he didn't, she figures he is still in love with Katy.

Chesney denies this, saying he was feeling scared, but doesn't have feelings for Katy any more. Sinead is not convinced though, stating that Katy is gorgeous, plus is the mother of his child, she really doesn't expect him to pick her over Katy. He tells her she is gorgeous too, but she tells him matter of factly that she wasn't fishing for a compliment, she was just being honest, which is what she wants him to be too. She goes on to explain that she understands he has to see Katy because of Joseph, and can live with it, but not if she feels he still harbours feelings for her. He immediately tells her he doesn't, but she feels he answered too quickly, and tells him she would rather he thought about it first. Getting up to leave, she tells him to call her later.

We are now back in the Salon, and are in the middle of the loud argument between Tina and David. David is begging Tina not to tell anyone, explaining he loves Kylie and Max, and can't wait for their baby to be born, and pleads with her not to take all that away from him. Tina reminds him he had told her he was planning to destroy the bloke who slept with Kylie. David protests he didn't really mean it, he just wanted him to suffer a little bit, that's all. Tina once again isn't convinced, and is still certain David had tried to kill Nick. David swears on his baby's life he didn't.

Tina stops him there, and asks "Alright, and what if that baby is Nick's, what then?" David is lost for words, and tells her he doesn't know, he guesses they will have to sort something out. Tina is not buying that either, saying she is sure he has made plans for that eventuality just like he has planned everything else. Once again, David swears he didn't plan to crash the van.

Just then there is a knock on the door, and Kylie wants to know if David is in there, and why the closed sign is on the door. She is not best pleased to see Tina with David when he opens the door. Tina decides to make a hasty exit, leaving David to explain his way out of that one. He tells Kylie that Tina was just having a tough time of it with Tommy, and needed to speak to someone. Kylie wants to know why the door had to be locked for that little conversation, but David tells her Tina hadn't wanted anyone coming in and overhearing her personal problems. Amazingly, Kylie believes it, and instructs David to tell her to go to the Samaritans next time. She has more important problems on her mind, like the booking system being down at the Bistro, and she is needed there to help out, so asks David to mind Max for half an hour.

Next door in No. 4, Sally is busy planning the food she is going to have at her barbecue - oops sorry, garden party, while at the same time making a shepherd's pie for their tea. She is trying to enlist the help of Tim, Jenna and Sophie in the decision making, but nobody is very interested, especially Tim. She asks him if he has invited any of his friends, but is told he hasn't yet. He is more interested in his mobile phone, and suddenly jumps up, telling Sally that Jason has just texted him, saying he and a few others were meeting at the Flying Horse for a pint. With that, he is off, leaving Sally gobsmacked that he has decided to forego her lovely shepherd's pie.

Gail and Stella are spending some quality time together in the waiting room at the hospital. They agree that the coffee out of the drinks machine is totally undrinkable. Gail is of the opinion the hospital could use a bar, saying all the worried relatives could really use a stiff drink. Stella chuckles and tells her she should maybe try touting for business. In the meantime, she tells Gail she will bring some nice dry white wine in a flask tomorrow, and they can sit there like a couple of old alkies at the bus stop. Gail is looking forward to that - she likes her wine does Gail!

Julie and Brian are on a mission. They are determined to cheer Eileen up, but Eileen doesn't want to be cheered up, she wants to wallow in her own misery. Chesney is much the same over in No. 5, but his saviour is Tyrone, who has been sent there by Fiz to see how he is feeling. However, he comes with cans of beer under his arm and tells Ches he doesn't really care about the feeling bit, he is just there to get drunk. How can he resist such an offer? He lets him in and accepts a can.

Sally is saving the shepherd's pie until Tim gets home, but Sophie doesn't want to wait that long, and makes herself a sandwich. Sally asks the girls if she can run something by them, and Sophie tells her she can, just as long as it has nothing to do with the impending barbecue. "Garden Party", corrects Sally. She wants to know if they think Tim is really into her, and goes on to say he seems to blow hot and cold, one minute he is all over her, next minute he is backing away. Jenna is of the opinion that it is typical behaviour for a bloke, and Sophie agrees, saying this is one reason she is glad she is a lesbian.

Sally goes on to tell them she sometimes feels she is the one making all the effort. After a bit of hesitation, Jenna tells her that maybe she is coming on a bit strong, and it is frightening him off. Sally wonders if it is the age gap that is causing it, saying she is older than him, and he is much better looking. Sophie stops her there, saying she is far better looking than he is, and he is well lucky to have her. Jenna suggests she take a step back and pretend she doesn't care as much. Sally replies that the problem with that is that she does care. Jenna is of the opinion it is exactly that which is scaring him away, she should play it cool and pretend she doesn't care and he will come running. Sophie agrees, saying men are stupid like that. Sally thanks them, promising to put their advice into practice.

Tyrone and Chesney are having a heart to heart, and finally Ches opens up and tells him about Katy wanting him back. Ty asks if it is what he wants too, but Ches doesn't really know. He tells him he really likes Sinead, but he misses Katy, or rather he misses being a family. Tyrone tells him he likes Sinead too, but if he is honest, he did meet her on the rebound, and maybe now is the right time to forgive Katy and take her back.

In the Rovers, Stella is wondering where Tina is. Karl tells her she took her break, even though it wasn't due. Tina comes in at that point, and Stella has a go at her for taking off whenever she feels like it. Tina spots Gail, and tells her she would like to have a word with her outside. As they are about to leave, Stella stops them, and orders Tina back behind the bar to do her job. Tina's revelation will have to wait a bit - whew!.

Izzy and Gary are at No. 6 with Katy who is crying on her sister's shoulder about Chesney not jumping at her offer of going back to him. She whines that she has said she is sorry, but he still doesn't seem to want her back, and feels she has lost him for good.

David is at home with Max, who is busy colouring, and wants David to do some too. David is touched by a family portrait Max has drawn of him and Kylie, Max has made David's head a happy sun, giving him food for thought.

Back in the Rovers, Tina is overhearing Gail telling Stella and Karl that Nick is showing signs he might live, but they have no idea of the extent of the damage yet. Gail is so obviously cut up about Nick's condition it is upsetting Tina no end.

Gary comes in and wants a word with Tina, who tells him Tommy has already had a go at her, and doesn't need any more. Gary assures her he hasn't come to have a go, they just want to know where they stand, whether she wants to be a part of Jake's life or not. Tina apologises, saying her behaviour has nothing to do with Jake, and that she definitely wants to be a part of his life. Gary tells her they are happy about that, as they could use a free babysitter, and Tina smiles and tells him that's fine. He presses her to tell him what the problem is that she is having, but she tells him it's nothing he can help with, it's something she has to deal with herself.

Tim finally gets home, and Sally has already started eating her shepherd's pie. He has a load of excuses as to why he was so long, but Sally calmly tells him she isn't bothered, and there is some dinner in the oven if he is hungry. She asks if he has enjoyed himself, and he reports they want him to take part in a pool tournament the next night, but he doesn't think he will go. Keeping to her word, Sally tells him he should go, saying she was thinking she might go out herself for a drink with Gail. He points out it would mean he would be gone for a few evenings practice in the next couple of weeks. "Coolio", says Sally. Did she really say 'Coolio'? Even Sophie's mouth falls open!

Eating her shepherd's pie, he tells her it taste's great, and that she is a good cook. Sally's preening is pretty short lived though, because he follows it by saying "It might even be better than me mum's". I don't think she really wants him to be comparing her to his mother. However, he redeems himself by telling her she should take a night off from cooking, and that he might take her out for dinner sometime. Sadly, even though he only said 'might', and 'sometime', it is enough to put a smile back on her face.

The missionaries that are Julie and Brian are descending on miserable Eileen in the cab office. They are still determined to take Eileen out of herself, who really is quite happy being miserable. They announce they are going to take her away to the lakes for the weekend, they will stay at a B&B and go walking in the fresh air. Eileen tells them "Thanks, but I would rather stay home and drink wine". Undeterred, they barrel on that they are not going to let her be miserable and alone, even though she assures them that is exactly what she wants to be. Julie tells her it will do her good to get away, where she won't be constantly reminded of Paul. Eileen points out that going away, with a couple, to a B&B full of couples is not exactly conducive to making her feel happier about being alone. Even that doesn't work, because Julie then announces they will leave Brian home, and make it a girls weekend away instead. Eileen then loses it altogether, and yells at them that she doesn't want a B&B, she doesn't want walkies and she certainly doesn't want a weekend away with her sister! She just wants to be left alone!

Hurt, Brian tells her he is glad she got that off her chest. Julie tells her she hopes she feels better. "Yes I do!", says Eileen, turning away from them. So they leave with their tails between their legs. There's just no helping some people is there?

David is sitting with Max, deep in thought. Kylie comes home, and he is anxious to go out. She asks where he is going, and he tells her he is off to see Nick as he wants to take him a CD of The Manics. Never heard of them personally, so looked them up, for those who care, this is what Wikipedia says: Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986 in Blackwood and consisting of James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics) and Sean Moore (drums). They are often colloquially known as "The Manics", or simply, "Manics". Originally a quartet, the band became a trio when primary lyricist and rhythm guitarist Ritchie Edwards disappeared on 1 February 1995. Their early combination of androgynous glam imagery and critical social lyrics about "culture, alienation, boredom and despair" gained them a loyal following and cult status.

David looks down at his fingers, and notices the red marker all over them. He is deep in thought looking at it, possibly thinking it looks like blood on his hands. He hugs Kylie and Max to him, prompting her to ask him if he has been drinking, but he hasn't, he is just appreciating what he has, that Tina is threatening to take away.

Sinead is meeting Chesney in Roy's Rolls at his request. She sits down and reads Chesney's face. It is telling her he is finishing with her. He apologises to her, saying he really likes her, but misses his family - or rather, Joseph. She tells him she understands, and is glad he has made a decision. He asks if she hates him, but she doesn't, she just hopes it all works out for him. Telling him she will see him around, she gets up and leaves.

David is frantically looking for Tina, and gets Tommy out of the shower only to find out she is at work. He rushes off to the Rovers, and arrives in the nick of time to stop Tina who is about to spill the beans to Gail. This is turning into a farce, we will have Brian Rix rushing in and out of different doors in a minute!

Gary and Izzy are about to go home, and find Chesney on the doorstep as they leave. So they take off giving the youngsters some privacy. Chesney tells Katy he has been thinking, and really wants them to be a family again. Katy is overjoyed, saying it will be just like before, only better. However, Chesney is not looking at Katy, he only has eyes for Joseph, who is smiling broadly at someone off camera. Katy wants to know about Sinead, so he tells her he has broken it off with her. She swears to him he won't regret it.

David catches up with Tina in the back yard of the Rovers, and thanks her for not telling Gail. She turns on him, telling him she almost did, and still intends to because she deserves to know. David argues that she has known about Nick and Kylie's indiscretion for some time, and it will not make her happy to have her other son banged up in jail on top. Tina tells him that Leanne deserves to know why her husband is fighting for his life in hospital, so David asks her if she also deserves to know he cheated on her with Kylie, and might be the father of her baby. Tina accuses him of being sly, of trying to slide out of trouble because he acts first and thinks later. David agrees he doesn't think before he acts, but swears he didn't plan any of this, and prays each day his brother will wake up so he can make it up to him.

Tina looks at him shaking her head, saying "You really are mad aren't you?". He replies that he doesn't know, but he does know he is really sorry, and has learned his lesson, she has to believe him. Quietly, she tells him she does believe him, but she is not a liar. Cue the rolling credits.

Christine Warren


Monday 26 August

As real life rumbles across our updaters like the Weatherfield Wayfarer over the cobbles, I'm stepping in to fill this gap with the first Monday episode.

David looks worried. Almost as worried as Gail coming downstairs in her new clogs. Kylie's off to work and makes sure David knows that Max is going on some bank holiday family fun day with Marcus and Maria and little Liam.

Sally's got Tim setting out tables even though it's raining. She admires his shirt and snuggles up to him, causing Sophie to look quite ill. Sally tells her that she and Jenna can get all touchy feely when they want. Sophie points out that Jenna has to work today.

Next door, Owen's setting up the barbecue. He's not impressed by Sally's arrangements - she reminds him of Penelope Keith in The Good Life. Sally sneers across the fence that they don't have to worry about lighting their barbecue this early because it's gas and was very expensive. Owen thinks it's ridiculous that they're having the two events on the same day and Sally replies that Anna should cancel hers. Anna can't possibly do that because she'd hate to disappoint so many people. And besides, she's defrosted the burgers now. "Frozen?" asks Sally. "How brave of you."

David, briefly alone, calls Tina and leaves a message pleading with her to let him know what she's doing.

In the cafe, Fiz asks Chesney if Katy's moving back in. She's happy to be working in the cafe because it helps out Anna with her barbecue and also means she gets out of going. It also means that she and Jenna will both be there when Roy and Hayley get back. Norris and Mary come in. Mary points out he's in a foul mood, though we can see that for ourselves. "He's despondent because there are two barbecues taking place today and I've been invited to both. He's been invited to neither," Mary explains. Fiz says Roy and Hayley are due back today. Norris asks where Sylvia is.

Leanne's in a bad mood and snaps at Kylie. When Kylie has a twinge of pain, Leanne sends her home, even though that will leave the bistro short-staffed. Leanne gets a phone call which puts a worried look on her face.

In the pub, Tina listens to the voice message from David. Julie's enthused at the long list of Bank Holiday events in the Gazette but Eileen's grumpy. Even the thought of country dancing at the Rita Tushingham Community Centre doesn't cheer her up. She tells Julie she's fine. "Stop mollycoddling me!" Leanne suddenly appears, in quite a state, and Stella hustles her through to the back room.

Rita's at Sally's where she's drinking wine and snacking and complimenting Sally on the table outside.

Out there, Sally admires the cut of Tim's jib in his barbecue apron, while Tim teases Owen about his - a snazzy number with nipple tassels! Sally tells Sophie to turn up the music (Susan Boyle). Anna immediately gets Faye to turn up their music. Steve and Michelle arrive through the little-used garden gate. "Oh, god, this looks grim!" says Michelle. "Twenty minutes then we're gone, yeah?" says Steve.

Leanne tells Stella the police don't think the crash and the vendetta are linked. She knows what this means - she caused the crash by trying to phone Nick. "I as good as killed him!" she wails. Tina's listening from the hallway. She goes outside and calls David. "We need to talk - now!"

Steve scrapes prawns into Sally's bin and Michelle tells him the "cheese thing" is minging as well. Sally comes in and chats away about how much she likes opera. She doesn't go but she buys the CDs. Katherine Jenkins is now playing.

Next door, Sean sniffs a sausage. Anna asks him if the music's all right or whether she can put on something a bit more gay.

Rita asks Sally whether she and Tim are an item. Sally says he's not really a go-getter but at her time of life she's glad to find someone who's nice. She thinks Anna really fancies Tim. Beth comes and tells her they're out of cider and says that if Sally gives her twenty quid she'll go and get some more.

Faye asks if she can go next door but Anna refuses.

Ches examines some flowers outside Dev's shop and Sinead comes to speak to him. She says she's glad he's got his family back. Her Aunty Beth isn't, though. She sneers at the flowers but Sinead says Chesney just wants his house to look nice.

Tina crosses the street to where David waits on Maxine's bench. She tells him how guilty Leanne feels. She reminds him of how he pushed his mother downstairs after Tina's abortion and says she knows what he's capable of. So she knows the vendetta and the crash are down to him. David tries to tell her that that's all over but Tina won't believe him. She says she won't tell anyone. David's relief is short-lived when she says he's going to go over to the bistro now and tell Kylie and Leanne.

In the pub, Eileen and Julie are rapidly falling out. Stella wishes she had a sister to bicker with. Julie thinks Eileen's too predictable and has got terribly bitter since Paul left. Eileen says she's always been like that.

Gail's changed her shoes and is behind the bar in the bistro, which she thinks she could run blindfolded. Tina and David are waiting for Leanne. David thinks he should go and check on Kylie but Tina tells him to stay where he is.

Over at the house, Kylie is gripped by a pain so strong she knocks plates to the floor. Sean hears her cry for help but nobody else does.

Beth arrives back at Sally's, announcing that she's got alco-pops as well, so Sally owes her another twenty pounds.

Next door, Katy hugs Chesney as he arrives. Then she says Sinead's giving her a nasty look. Faye wants to be with Tim.

Steve lies to Sally about the prawns and says they'll have to leave. Sally says they can't go because she hasn't brought out her boozy trifle.

Hayley and Roy are back. Yay! They've been to the Norfolk Broads and to Portmeirion but Hayley's really glad to be back home.

In the cafe, Mary's talking and Norris is accusing her of wittering. Mary says he's just projecting his annoyance on to her because he's really annoyed with Fiz not telling him where Sylvia is. Roy and Hayley come in and are greeting warmly - particularly by Norris, who wants Mary to move back into her motor home as quickly as possible. After an awkward moment or two, Fiz and Jenna show Roy the note that Sylvia left. He goes upstairs to ring his Aunty Jean and make sure his mother's OK.

Steve and Michelle are still trying to leave Sally's party. They make up a story about an aunt having a fall but Sally says they can make all the calls they want from her landline. Rita is off home and Sally sees her out. From between clenched teeth, Steve wants to know: "How come Rita gets to walk out and we have to stay?"

Faye's a bit glum but cheers up when Sally admires her nails. Sean makes up his mind that something's not right at Gail's place and leaves. Sally remarks to Anna that it's like rats leaving a sinking ship.

Kylie's on the floor panting and screaming when Sean peers through the net curtains. He races around the side of the house and goes in through the back door. He tells Kylie he'll call Gail.

In the bistro, Tina asks Leanne if they can have a quiet word. Leanne's glad of it. She's braced herself because she's sure she knows what David wants to say - that her phone call caused the crash. But it's not that. David says there's something else he needs to tell her.

The End of Episode One
Margaret Carr

Written by Simon Crowther and directed by Nicky Higgens

David is in the Bistro with Tina and Leanne. He's on the point of confessing all when Sean comes bursting in with the news that Kylie's gone into labour.

Back at the house Kylie is grasping onto the banisters, screaming in pain. "Is it coming?" asks David rather pointlessly. Sean is keen to stay, pointing out that he did used to go out with Marcus but Gail assures him they'll be fine without him.

Everyone goes into total panic mode. Where's the overnight bag? Did someone phone the midwife? Where's the phone number? Kylie continues to groan and Gail tries to restore order. David gets on the phone to the hospital but as always with a Corrie birth it doesn't look like Kylie will make it there in time. Perhaps everyone who lives on the street needs to be given some instructions on how to spot the early signs of labour?

Meanwhile, yards away the two rival barbecues are in full swing. Tim is now enjoying himself round at Anna's while Sally is next door with a face on her like she's been sucking a lemon. Michelle suggests she might want to disguise it a bit. Sally's face gets even longer when she hears Tim take up Owen's offer of another steak and then announce that he's starving.

Sean pops home to update Eileen on his almost-involvement with the arrival of the baby but Eileen doesn't care. In fact she doesn't care about anything at all at the moment and chooses to sit and mope on the sofa while Sean goes back to the party(ies).

Kylie's labour is going full pelt. While Gail tries to talk her through it, David is on the phone relaying instructions from the midwife while Leanne busies herself with a bowl of hot water. Leanne comes up with a handy piece of advice when she suggests Kylie probably ought to take her leggings off.

Roy has been on the phone trying to track down his mother. He's upset and tells Hayley that whenever things get difficult she always turns her back. Hayley seems less concerned and says she doesn't mind but Roy is hurt on her behalf. Hayley suggests they go to the barbecues - after all, she says, they've been invited to two. Roy is worried it will be too much for her but is resigned to the fact that Hayley wants to go.

Kylie has reached the final stage of her labour. Leanne is now reading out some useful instructions which she printed off the internet, while Gail inspects what's happening at the coal face.

Outside at Anna's barbecue, Sean is regaling Gary and Izzy about Kylie's labour when Sally calls out across the fence to get everyone's attention. She thanks everyone for coming and tells them to eat and drink as much as they like before instructing her guests to keep all the condiments and relishes on her side of the fence. Just then Roy and Hayley arrive at Sally's. Anna is most put out as she thought they were coming to her party. She leans over the fence to give Hayley a hug and then she and Sally start to have a row about who invited them first. Roy suggests tactfully that they could spend a little time at both parties but Sally and Anna are now at loggerheads.

The moment of birth has arrived and Kylie gives one final push. Gail helps to deliver a perfect baby girl. As she's handed to Kylie to hold we hear the sound of the ambulance arriving.

All is now calm at the scene of the birth. David is contentedly holding the baby while Kylie sits next to him on the sofa. The midwife says there's no need to go into hospital. There's a slightly awkward moment when Leanne comments that the baby's awfully well behaved and jokes "are you sure she's his?" as she nods in David's direction. There are a couple more exchanged glances when the midwife says that the baby really looks like her daddy. The midwife leaves and the family sit round admiring the baby. Just as Leanne's leaving she asks David what he wanted to speak to her about earlier in the Bistro. He tells her it was nothing, he just wanted her to know that she shouldn't blame herself for what happened to Nick and that he definitely wasn't answering his phone when they had the crash.

Back at the barbecues Roy and Hayley have now moved over to Anna's where they are telling everyone about their holiday. Gary wants some tomato ketchup but they've run out. However, there's a bottle of Sally's balanced on the fence between the gardens. Sally's inside the conservatory so everyone has a good laugh and dares Gary to help himself. He's reluctant so Anna grabs it for him just as Sally comes outside and wants to know what she's doing with her sauce. The two women start to fight, Tim and Owen try to hold them apart and the four of them, along with the fence, end up crashing into a heap into the middle of Anna's garden. Gail chooses that moment to come outside and announce that Kylie's just given birth to a baby girl.

Gail's news receives little attention so she returns inside where David's looking distractedly at his phone. Kylie comes downstairs and wants to know who's been texting him. He tells her it's Tina and Kylie wants to know why she's sent a text with the single word "well?". Gail thinks she's probably just asking about the baby so Kylie says he should just text back "born". They then discuss baby names and Kylie suggests Lily. They discuss it between them and then all agree they like the sound of Lily Platt.

The barbecues are well and truly over. Gary and Owen are clearing up round at Anna's while it looks as though Sally will have to manage on her own. Tim's off down the pub and he's not even planning on coming back later as he tells her he'll probably kip at his place tonight.

Katy and Chesney are back at home but while she seems happy to be there he looks awkward. He suggests he could babysit while she goes back to the barbecue but Katy wants to have a bath before slipping into something comfortable.

Sally is clutching a cup of coffee on the sofa and lamenting to Sophie that she just wanted to have a nice little barbecue with Tim and a few friends and that she thought Faye might like it. Next door Anna is feeling contrite and apologising to Owen for her behaviour. He reminds her that the ketchup was Sally's. "Yes, and Faye's mine," says Anna.

Katy comes downstairs to find out what's happened to Chesney. He claims he dozed off and promises to go up in a bit but he doesn't exactly look keen to join her.

Out in the street David finally meets up with Tina. She reminds him that he agreed to tell the truth but he says everything's changed now that Lily's been born. He begs Tina not to make Lily visit him in prison. He says he knows he's done something terrible but asks Tina to at least give him one night. Tina says she's not doing this for him because what he did still disgusts her but, for the sake of his baby, she will; and with that, Tina gets up and walks away.

Karen


Wednesday 28 August

It's happy families at the Platt's, as David holds the new baby and shows her off to Max while Gail and Kylie look on. Kylie is pleased that David is a proper dad at last, and Max has the dad he never had.

Sally comes downstairs looking rough, and tells Sophie and Jenna that she's not going in to work today. They tease her about having too much to drink, arguing with the neighbours and pushing the fence down. Sally protests that she was provoked. "I've never seen anyone as provoked as that before!" laughs Sophie.

Chesney has slept on the sofa and tells Katy that he meant to go up to bed, but was exhausted and fell asleep. She says it's fine, and tells him she's going to cook them a nice meal later. Chesney looks uncomfortable and tells her not to go to any trouble, but she insists that she wants to. He hurries off to work.

Audrey is cuddling baby Lily and tells David he doesn't have to go into work. Just then he gets a message on his phone, but he doesn't look at it.

Roy is telling Fiz how he didn't enjoy the barbeque, when Hayley comes in and tries to be positive about it, saying it was nice to spend time with friends, and it helped to take her mind off her operation.

Sally meets Gail in the Street. She asks after the baby and Gail says she's lovely, but the whole situation is breaking her heart, as David is so good with her and the poor lad doesn't have a clue. Leanne comes along then, she's come to see the baby so she can tell Nick all about her when she visits. Gail tells her to go inside, and continues talking to Sally. She says how she's wondering if the baby is Nick's or David's and is thinking about tests to find out. She says that even if she never tells David, at least she will know, or else she might forget one day and say something she shouldn't. (I should think that will be a dead cert, regardless, knowing Gail!)

Karl is thinking about going out with his best man to hire suits for the wedding. Stella, however, is thinking that this is not a good time to get married, what with Nick ill and everything. She's worried about what Leanne will think, she wants to leave it for now, and tells Karl not to go hiring suits. When she's gone, Gloria tells Karl it's just nerves, she'll be all right when she gets the ring on her finger.

Sally is now in the shop, moaning about how Tim went into Anna's garden, and how Anna spoiled everything. Sophie tells her to forget him, and Sally says she intends to. Just then Tim himself comes in, and asks Sally if she's mad at him. Lying through her teeth, she tells him she's not, so he asks her out for a drink. "What time?" she asks.

At Gail's, Leanne tells them that the doctors have said there is a chance that Nick could have long-term problems. Gail starts to rant about how everything is a mess and they don't know anything. "We don't know what is going to happen to Nick, and we don't know......" Kylie butts in then and says that they must all stick together. "And we will," she says, glaring at Gail.

Karl's friend Tez arrives at the Rovers, and Stella doesn't seem all that pleased to see him. Karl says he'll talk to him about the wedding later.

Sinead comes in and sits with Beth who tells her she's had a lucky escape from Chesney.

David is sitting cuddling the baby when there's a knock on the door. It's Tina, looking very grim faced. David asks if she'd like to hold the baby, but Tina declines. Kylie says it must be hard for her to see other babies. David says it must have been awful, Lily has only just been born but he knows he couldn't give her up, it would kill him. Tina then says the baby is lovely but she has to get back to work, and leaves.

Chesney goes to the garage and invites Tyrone and Fiz round for dinner, as a thank you for helping them get back together.

Tina arrives back at the pub and Tez gives her an admiring glance. "Which Christmas tree did you drop off?" he asks. "Not one that you could afford," snaps Tina. Tez and Karl then go off to look at suits, but keep that fact a secret from Stella.

Chesney comes into the pub, and Sinead says hi. Beth remarks that she wouldn't be that nice if he'd treated her in the same way as he treated Sinead. Sinead says that Chesney is a nice lad, he's just confused about what he wants.

Just then David comes in and asks for a quiet word with Tina.

David and Kylie are sitting chatting. He tells her he can't tell everybody everything, he can't break the family up, it wouldn't just be Lily who would suffer, it would be Max as well. Tina asks what he thinks will happen when Nick wakes up, he will tell everyone how the crash happened. David points out that he will have to admit to why it happened and then he could lose Leanne and Simon. Tina admits that after she saw David with the baby she realised she couldn't take it all away from him. She shakes her head at him and walks off.

Fiz has gone to see Hayley in the cafe, and says that Carla sends her love. Fiz thinks Hayley is being very brave, the way she's carrying on. Hayley says that's all she can do - carry on.

Chesney tells Katy how he's invited Tyrone and Fiz for the meal that she's making. "Why?" she asks. He says he thought it would be nice to say thank you for all they've done. Katy goes back into the kitchen looking like she's going to cry.

Gail asks Kylie if she's avoiding talking to her. Kylie says she's busy. Gail says she can't avoid the subject forever. "Why not?" asks Kylie, adding that Lily is her baby, she's all she cares about, and she's all David cares about too. "That's because he doesn't know the truth," says Gail. Kylie says she hopes he never will. Just then Audrey arrives, she's come to take Gail out for a drink, so the conversation with Kylie is never finished.

Fiz and Tyrone arrive for dinner, all happy and cheerful and bearing cans of beer. Katy comes out of the kitchen with a sour face, and tells them that she only planned a meal for her and Chesney so they shouldn't expect too much. The mood comes crashing down, and Fiz and Ty say they'll go and get fish and chips. Chesney hurriedly begs them not to go, and urges them to sit down.

Out in the Street, Tim and Sally decided to go off to the cinema. Just then they're spotted by Sophie and Jenna who ask where they're off to. "None of your business," says Sally.

Back at Chesney's, they're all sitting at the table eating - mostly in silence. Chesney and Tyrone try to make conversation until Katy suddenly turns to Chesney and says she knows he invited Fiz and Tyrone round because he doesn't want to be on his own with her. "Because you don't really want me here, do you?" Saying she knows he really would prefer to be with Sinead, she goes off to get Joseph.

Karl and Tez arrive back at the pub, drunk, and quietly tell Gloria that they've put deposits down on suits. Stella comes up, thinking they've been playing snooker. "The man said we looked very smart," slurs Tez. "What man?" asks Stella, while Gloria urges Karl to put Tez in a taxi and send him home. Stella realises that they have been and hired the suits that she told them not to. "I will not be railroaded into getting married when I don't want to," she says. "You do want to," says Gloria. Stella says she won't get married while Nick is in hospital, and is adamant that she won't change her mind.

Audrey and Gail are in the pub. Audrey is saying what a good wife Kylie is, but Gail is tight lipped. "No?" asks Audrey, "is there something I should know?" Gail says no, but she's tired and she's going to go home.

Back at Chesney's, Katy has got Joseph out of bed and into his buggy, has gathered up all her things and has stormed out of the door. Fiz wants to know why Chesney didn't stop her, but he sits motionless. He says that every time he looked at Katy he saw her with Ryan. He gets everything wrong. He had Katy and lost her, then he had Sinead and lost her too.

Back at home, Gail, like a dog with a bone, is still on at Kylie to get a DNA test, she needs to know the truth, but David need never know anything about it. Kylie thinks it would break David's heart if he found out. "Then when you get the result, depending on what it was, you could decide what you wanted to do," says Gail.

Anne Logan.


Friday 30 August

No Corrie tonight.



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