Hello. There was no Corrie on Friday because apparently some people wanted to watch men chasing a round ball around on the grass, so here's the first episode from Sunday.

Karl's in the yard moving barrels and crates around. Stella's going to the hospital to see Nick and Karl asks if she's going to talk to Leanne. Stella insists she won't be pressured. Karl points out he's supposed to be having his stag do later on today. Stella is scathing about this, saying Karl's social life is obviously more important than Nick being in a coma. We see that Jason's listening from out in the ginnel. When Stella's gone he sticks his head round the gate and says hello to Karl.

Kylie gets up and is surprised to find David still in the kitchen. He says Audrey's agreed he can come in later. He's making eggy soldiers for Kylie. Gail listens to all this with pursed lips. The baby cries and David goes upstairs. Gail switches off the monitor and demands to know what Kylie's going to do. Before Kylie can answer properly, David's back.

Chesney's in a hurry because he's overslept. Fiz apologises and says she and Tyrone shouldn't have interfered and tried to get him and Katy back together. She urges him to call Sinead but he says it's too late. He's blown it.

Anna's going to work and checks Katy's all right on her own. She says it's all right to be sad. Katy doesn't think it's sunk in yet that her relationship with Chesney is properly over.

Fiz steps outside the house with Hope, who has grown into a toddler and learned to walk without anybody remarking on it at all. Fiz calls Sinead.

Roy's brought Hayley a cup of tea. She says she's sure she's forgotten something. Roy's been planning a visits schedule for her hospital stay. He'll be there every visiting time but he's scheduled everyone else for alternate days and different times so she doesn't get overtired. Hayley insists she'd really rather play it by ear. "I expect there'll be enough routine without adding to it."

At the hospital, Stella and Leanne chat about Nick - Stella thinks he's looking better. Simon's made a virtual scrapbook so Nick doesn't miss any of the news. Stella mentions that Karl's stag do is tonight.

Karl's in Dev's shop, going on at Dev about feeling as if he's in limbo because he can't get a definite answer from Stella. Kirk's there too and Karl reminds him about his invitation. Jason comes in and he and Karl snipe at each other.

Stella agonises over what to do but Leanne tells her to get married. "Someone in this family should have a happy ending."

Hayley's been taken into the cafe with her eyes closed. She opens them to see Anna and Jenna dressed in black skirts and white shirts like restaurant waiting staff and a table set with nice flowers and candles. She and Roy sit down but she can't work out what it's all for. Oh no! She's forgotten it's their third wedding anniversary. She hasn't even got Roy a gift. Roy requires nothing but her company. They toast each other in grape juice. "Happy anniversary." This scene was so poignant that I welled up even watching it for the second time. Sniff.

In the pub, Gloria tells Karl not to mope. Everyone can see that Stella's crazy about him, she says.

Fiz meets Sinead in the pub. She assures Sinead that Chesney has no idea they're meeting.

Audrey's popped out of the salon and gone to see baby Lily. David's come over to remind her of a client due for a cut and blow-dry in ten minutes' time. Audrey's too besotted by her great-granddaughter to care. She thinks the baby's as beautiful as her father was. Gail, however, was a grumpy baby who always looked as if she was on the potty. Audrey suggests taking Lily to meet her Uncle Nick - a suggested greeted with very awkward silence.

In the cafe, Hayley assures Roy she's still the woman he married - the one who arrived for her wedding standing on a handcar (that's a railway jigger in New Zealand, apparently a Kalamazoo in much of Australia, or a pump trolley, pump car or draisine elsewhere). "Nothing's changed. Nothing," she says.

Fiz tells Sinead that she and Tyrone persuaded Chesney to try again with Katy. Sinead's sure Chesney makes his own decisions. Fiz agrees but says she and Ches both got it wrong - "My brother wants you back. He needs you in his life."

Katy's friend Steph finds her to invite her to an amazing party tonight. Katy agrees to go, subject to Anna minding the baby.

Back in the cafe, Hayley tells Audrey about the celebratory luncheon. Mary arrives. She's brought some books for Hayley to read during her time in hospital - by Dan Brown, Julie Garwood and Johanna Lindsay. Roy isn't impressed by the lack of intellectual stimulus but Hayley's grateful.

Karl's awful mate, Tez, is in the pub. The stag party is starting but it doesn't get off to a very good start when Eva and Gloria refuse to give them drinks on the house. Steve's on orange juice because he's working. Dev arrives. Then Jason, though he's not part of the stag do.

Roy explains to Fiz and Mary that Hayley's operation is likely to take six hours or longer if everything goes well. The longer it takes, the better. Hayley decides to pop out "to get some magazines." Roy wants her to give him a list and he'll get them. Hayley insists the fresh air will do her good. Roy moves to get his coat to go with her and Fiz has to spell it out to him - Hayley wants some time to herself. He's stricken as he watches her go.

Gloria thanks Dev for coming along to Karl's stag night. She says the two of them have come so far. Jason comments that the do is not exactly rocking. Karl brushes off the comment. Steve and Lloyd discuss stag dos and Steve assures Lloyd that if he and Michelle ever tie the know, Lloyd will be best man. Kirk thanks Karl for his help in sorting out Craig. Karl offers to help any time he's needed. Kirk says Karl's a top bloke and Tez agrees, saying he's honoured to be Karl's best man. "That's if there is a wedding," says Jason from the sidelines.

Jason goes to the men's room and Karl follows him in. He grips Jason by the arm and thrusts him up against the wall. He warns Jason not to say anything about Stella. Jason taunts Karl with the theory that Stella's finally realised she's traded down. "Stella's mine!" says Karl. "She'll always be mine!" He asks why Jason didn't get the warning. "Whoosh!" says Karl. "You think you've got all the answers. Trust me, Jason, you have no idea what I'm capable of."

The end of the first half.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Mark Burt and Mark Wadlow
Directed by: Nicky Higgens

Picking up the ball where Margaret left off, we are still in the gents toilet, and Jason is asking Karl what he means exactly, and tells him he will go to the police and tell them he has admitted to torching his van. Karl sneers that the police won't believe him any more this time than they did the last time. Jason is furious and the pair start with the fisticuffs once again, but not for long though because Dev comes in and breaks them up, asking what is going on. Karl tells him it's a case of sour grapes on Jason's part, because he got the girl and Jason can't accept it. Jason backs off, and pushes them both aside on his way out the door. Jason marches out the front door too, pushing people out of the way in his anger. Stella demands to know what has been going on. Karl tells her it was something of nothing, and Jason had provoked him. He tells her Jason is still carrying a torch for her. Stella is angry with him, saying she wants to speak with him in the back room - now!

Lloyd wants to know if it is still a bona fide stag night, or just a few blokes getting drunk, and Karl tells him the stag do is finished. I have to say here that Kirk, sitting at the bar, is wearing one of the most vile shirts I have ever seen, it's baby blue with big orange stars all over it. What is the most frightening about it is that they buy their wardrobe from the same shops that you and I frequent, so it was made with the intention of someone ultimately wearing it out in public - (shudder). I bet that item is not one Andy Whyment asks to keep for himself, he has much better taste than that!

Roy is fretting because Hayley still isn't back, and the taxi will be there shortly to take them to the hospital. Steve arrives a bit early, and assures Roy he is more than willing to wait for Hayley, and tells him the ride will be on the house. Roy protests, but Fiz urges him to accept Steve's kind offer. Roy does, but offers Steve a cup of tea on the house in return.

Stella is having a go at Karl for fighting with Jason. He tells her it started because Jason told him she will never marry him, and he is starting to believe he is right. She assures him she will marry him when the time is right, but Karl feels the time will never be right, and she is just playing for time because she isn't sure.

Carla walks round the corner and finds Hayley sitting on the bus bench lost in thought. Asking if she is all ready to go in to the hospital, Hayley tells her she is, but she had a sudden urge to go shopping. Then when she got back, she didn't feel quite ready, so decided to sit for a minute.

Carla sits down beside her, and assures her everything will be fine, the op will soon be over and then she can get back to normal. Hayley tells her she is optimistic, but is worried about how Roy will cope if something happens to her. Carla assures her that they won't let anything happen to her, but then changes the subject by asking what she has in the shoe box. Hayley tells her she thought it might be nice to have a new pair of slippers to take in, and reluctantly shows her, knowing they will not be Carla's taste. A shocked Carla lifts out a slipper (that I admit here and now look very much like my own), and shakes her head, telling Hayley next time she needs slippers she is going with her, as these are really bad. LOL! Ah but they are comfortable Carla, and my feet need comfort far more than glamour! Feeling a bit better after the light hearted banter with Carla, Hayley decides she is ready now, and heads back to the cafe.

Now we are in the Platts, and Audrey still can't understand why everyone is so against taking Lily in to meet the unconscious Nick. David tells her he has just checked, and you are not allowed to take small babies onto the ward, and besides, he would rather wait until at least one of them knows what is going on.

Hayley and Carla arrive back at the cafe, and Roy is beside himself because they are late. Fiz, Steve and Carla all assure him it's no big deal, as she is only settling in tonight, the op isn't until tomorrow. But Roy is Roy, and is very anxious about things not running like clockwork. Carla tells him he is being a little stressy, which makes him realise his panic is not helping his wife, so he immediately backs down and tells Hayley she can take as long as she likes. However, Hayley only has to put her beautiful new slippers into her bag, and they are off.

A dolled up Katy and her friend Steph are waiting for their dates. Steph is beside herself with excitement, but Katy is less than enthusiastic, she doesn't really want to go. Along comes Josh and Naz, and the latter is immediately drawn to Katy, but she is not impressed with him either.

We are back now with Stella and Karl. He is apologising for kicking off earlier about her dragging her feet about the wedding. However, she has done a 100% turnaround, having spoken to Leanne, who told her to go ahead with it. She leads him out to the bar and announces the stag do is back on as of now, and they have decided to go ahead as originally planned with the wedding.

Gail, Kylie and David are eating what looks like sausages and beans, alongside something orange - squash maybe? Anyway, baby Lily interrupts the meal by exercising her lungs upstairs, and David opts to check on her. The minute he is out of sight, Gail starts banging on again about finding out Lily's paternity. Kylie doesn't want to know, and asks her to stop going on about it. She has to stop right then because David returns to the table.

Beth and Sinead are having a drink in a booth, obviously not part of the stag do that Kirkeh is attending three yards away. Sinead asks after Craig, and is told he is sulking in his room, Beth thinks it's because he starts the new term at school tomorrow. She asks Sinead if she is still upset about Chesney, so Sinead tells her about Ches breaking up with Katy, and the conversation she had with Fiz. Beth is skeptical about the fact she heard that he wants to get back with Sinead from Fiz and not from Chesney. Over at the bar, Stella is insisting that Karl go down to Jason's and apologise. He doesn't want to, but she insists.

Audrey is picking up a few things in Dev's, telling him all about her idea of taking Lily to the hospital, but how she was shot down by her family, Dev is polite, but not really interested.

Jason comes in, and Dev tells him he has to accept that Stella is going to marry Karl whether he likes him or not. Jason tells him that Karl had admitted to torching his van, and asks him what else he thinks he is capable of, saying if he can torch a van, he can torch a pub. Dev stops him right there, saying he has already been down that road, and is only now starting to put his life back together. Getting angry with Jason, he tells him to get out of his shop.

Roy and Hayley are now unpacking Hayley's things at the hospital. He is shocked at how much she has brought, but she tells him she wants some home comforts around her. He tells her he really likes her new slippers, (which is rather more worrying for me now). He shows surprise when he sees she has brought a framed photo of the two of them, plus all Mary's books, but then pulls out a book he bought for her which is a coffee table sized hard back. LOL!! But then he is concerned because of the bacteria that might be in a tiny embroidered cushion she has brought, and plans to discuss it with the hospital staff. Their unpacking is curtailed at that moment by the consultant, who has come to go over what they can expect to happen tomorrow.

Beth and Sinead are now walking home, and Beth is all for her not taking Chesney back, even if he asks her. She confides that she is probably right, because there is no guarantee he won't dump her again and go back to Katy, because she doesn't think he really knows what he wants. But on the other hand, they do get along brilliantly, and she really likes him...

The surgeon is explaining that the operation will be a long one, which is a good thing, because it will mean they have been able to locate and remove the tumour successfully. However, he wants them to understand there is a chance they will find it inoperable once they get in there, which will mean the operation will be over much sooner. He wants to know if they have any questions, and Hayley takes a breath to ask something, but Roy gets in first by asking if it is OK for Hayley to keep knick knacks by the bed. He gives a little smile, and tells him to check with the nursing staff. Instructing Hayley to get some rest, and will see her tomorrow.

After they are alone, Hayley is wondering how Sylvia is getting along at her sister's in Hastings. Roy tells her she has rung three times, but he didn't pick up because he has nothing to say to her. He feels she deserted them in their hour of need. Hayley patiently explains to Roy that when there is an accident, some people rush to help, some stand and look, and others can't bear to look, and his mother is just one of the latter, that is all. Roy is still feeling let down by her though, saying it's time she put others first. Hayley tells him she can't be doing with worrying about bad feeling between the two of them, so Roy promises to pick up the phone next time she calls, but Hayley tells him he must ring her and make his peace with her without delay, she makes him promise, and he does.

Hayley tells Roy to go home now, as she will be fine. He doesn't want to leave her, and hugs her to him, (and this updater fills up once again). She tells him she is in good hands, so to go home and rest. He tells her he will be back first thing in the morning, but if she needs him before that, she must call. She nods, and they hug each other once again. As he goes through the door, she mouths silently "I love you", and he gives her a thumbs up. (Sob)

Kylie is laying down the law to her interfering mother-in-law, saying David loves the baby to bits, and they are all enjoying being a family, and there is no way she is going to jeopardize that by having a DNA test, so tells her firmly to drop it. (Think she will? No, nor do I)

Roy is back home now, and Fiz has come round to keep him company. He argues at first that he is just fine on his own, but when she assures him the kids are perfectly OK with Tyrone, he is obviously pleased when she tells him she would love to have some tea with him.

Katy and Steph are arriving home, and the two lads want to come in for a nightcap. Katy tells them no, and when Naz moves in on her and tries to persuade her, she gets angry and tells him to get off. Ches, who just happens to appear at the right time, like he always does whenever Katy is on the cobbles, runs over and springs to her rescue, telling the lads to make themselves scarce. It's hilarious really, both lads are twice the size of Chesney, but they back off right away and leave. Steph is not best pleased that he interfered, saying she was only out with the lad in the first place because he dumped her. He turns to Katy and tries to apologise, but she shouts at him to leave her alone. All this of course is overheard by Sinead, who was on her way to see Chesney, but promptly changes her mind, and goes back the way she came.

Roy has spotted an advertisement in the paper for a play coming up in November called 'The Only Way is Wessex', about Hayley's favourite author, Thomas Hardy. He thinks he might buy tickets, as she should be well on the mend by then. Fiz agrees that she will be by then. They then have a conversation about tea, Fiz being of the opinion that Roy makes the best cup in England. He is worried now about the kind of slop they are likely to serve Hayley in hospital, as she is very fussy about her tea. He then tells her he feels he is keeping her from her family, and she looks askance at him, and softly says "You are family, Roy"

Dev has come round to Jason's to apologise for losing his temper earlier. He explains he is finally putting it all behind him, and moving on with his life, and doesn't need him stirring things all up again. He goes on to say Sunita died five months ago, and nobody has been arrested and people still think she did it. But he has to believe that the truth will come to light one day, but in the meantime he has to move on for the sake of his kids.

Jason apologises, explaining that he just hates Karl's guts. Dev advises him to get himself a girlfriend, which Jason finds amusing. There is a knock on the door just then, so Jason tells Dev to sit down while he answers it. It's Karl, doing as Stella tells him. However, he informs Jason he is only doing it because it's what Stella wants, personally he couldn't care less if they never speak again. Jason tells him the feeling is mutual. Karl then goes on to gloat that the wedding is back on, so he was wrong. Jason just says "Fine" and attempts to slam the door in his face, but Karl puts his foot in the door, telling him he is not being very gracious. He goes on to tell Jason that he has said what Stella asked, but now his next words are all his, and tells him if he ever crosses him again, he is a dead man, he means it, he will kill him! Jason closes the door, and asks Dev if he heard him. Dev looks very worried, saying "Yes, I heard".

That's it until Monday's episode.

Christine Warren

Good evening, we are behind, so with no more ado off to the mean Street in Weatherfield. Tonight's episode was written by Jan McVerry and directed by Ian Bevitt with copyright remaining the property of ITV Productions.

We open with Fiz leaving her house in nightwear and rushing over to Roy's Rolls where Roy appears to have spent the night cooking to ensure there is an excess of food available for the day. Fiz, Hope and Ruby have prepared a good wishes card for Hayley - Ty even managed an X! Roy slept from 4:11 to 5:26 - probably more than Churchill managed during the Battle of Britain. (Oh Yessssss - sorry wrong Churchill). Fiz gives Roy a huge hug and manages to get a dollop of paint behind his ear. He departs for the hospital.

Beth and Craig are walking along the Street - he is wearing a shirt and tie. They meet Dev coming the other way - one of the children has forgotten their bag. Beth says that Dev is obviously still suffering from the loss of Sunita - and so are the kids - Craig looks completely discomforted. Craig tries to convince Beth that school is not a problem. Beth heads off to work and who should find Craig but Karl who knows that Craig thinks his smoking had caused the fire. Karl in his devious way tries to cheer him up and gives him the cash to buy Decimation III - a video game from Rob's second hand shop. Craig misses the bus and buys the game. A little later Kirk shows surprise when he sees him in the Street.

Chesney chases Sinead and tries to talk to her. Sinead thinks it is a setup as she does not want to play games. Chesney pleads for ten minutes and Sinead wavers, eventually she agrees to meet him at 5 at Roy's.

In hospital Hayley is being told that the operation will not be until after lunch and she will not be going to theatre, and she remains nil by mouth.

Steve is buying flowers from Dev for Michelle who is being pushed hard in the factory at the moment. I am not sure Dev's flowers will put things right.

At the hospital time is passing very slowly - you think a tortoise is slow - they travel at light speed compared with elapsed time in a hospital. Hayley tells Roy to let people know, but he reminds her that phone use is not permitted (which is entirely contrary to my experience in recent years on normal wards - when my daughter was unwell, I suppose four years ago, I sat at her bedside working with the phone providing a connection to the office systems). Roy does not want to leave Hayley and will do it when she goes down to theatre.

Lots of visitors in Roy's asking for news - none yet. Jenna suggests a signaling system like the Vatican and Fiz suggests burnt toast with the smell wafting down the Street.

Back at the hospital a hungry Hayley and Roy bicker and Hayley is instantly sorry. Hayley tells Roy to get a pen and gives him a list of instructions for birthdays, where to buy socks and everything else which she needs him to know - even that book club does not discuss books!

At the factory Hayley's absence means that her cake is left over. Carla tells them all to think positively - but the absence is being felt all along the Street.

The consultant has popped in to apologise for the delay and to check that the procedure is understood - but it will take 6 or more hours.

Jason is trying to convince Dev that they are both right about Karl - he does have a nasty temper. Dev responds that it is not a crime but Jason believes he is capable of anything. Jason keeps on but Dev says he cannot go back there mentally - the police are not interested and it nearly destroyed him until he let it go. Dev reckons the madness cost him - and Jason has to find cast iron solid evidence.

Hayley is ready to go to theatre and asks Roy to mind her wedding ring. It 13:05, she should be back at 19:05 and kisses Roy. She notices the paint behind his ear and we go into the break with Roy looking distressed as the love of his life is wheeled away.

At the factory Kirk reports Craig's non-attendance to Beth and she is worried that he is going off the rails. Sal is thinking about her own brush with cancer and breaks down when remembering it with Peter. Carla is instantly suspicious that perhaps Peter should not be around all these attractive women!!

At the Rovers the wedding is under discussion - Steve suggest sponsorship by Newton & Ridley. Jason comes in for a quiet pint (and to keep an eye on Karl). Michelle comes storming in complaining about how Peter has got all the staff twisted around his little finger whilst she is the one doing all the hard work. She is not amused. Leanne is standing behind her and hears the entire outburst and guesses that it is Peter Barlow who has all the charm of an oil slick! Apparently after being in his new job for two minutes he knows everything they are doing wrong and by the end of the year he will be running M&S (a well known clothing and food retailer in the UK which is in need of someone who can sort out the advertising as the current campaign is absolute rubbish and the clothing is appalling according to some recent articles - so perhaps Peter should apply). Michelle then departs to do more work without either a drink or her flowers and tells Steve to get his own dinner!

Craig returns home having been to Smiggers apparently. Beth asks about homework and when he lies tells him that he has not been to school - she phoned. Beth finds the game in his bag - he claims he paid for it - but Beth knows there was no money. Craig admits Karl gave him the money.

Leanne and Karl are talking and Leanne has decided to give Karl a chance and will not continue to be awkward given the way he looks after Stella.

Sinead turns up at Roy's and Chesney apologises and says how much he misses her and asks for one last chance. She was hurt and she says that she will think about it - no games - but she needs to be fair.

Dev visits the Rovers and he and Jason chat. Tyrone joins them but not for a drink. Beth arrives and Karl is wanted - he is in the cellar and Beth wants to know why he bought a computer game for Craig. Jason and Dev listen to the conversation which Jason regards as weird. Jason points out that Karl and Stella are not particularly child friendly - so why was Karl trying to be friendly with Craig - it was seriously out of character. Dev does not want to know but Jason perseveres. Jason points out that Karl's main interests are gambling and women and Craig does not fit either category. It makes no sense.

At the hospital it is 17:20 and Roy is pacing - when the consultant appears looking for him and it is well under the six hours for the operation to be a success. Without words Roy knows that the tumour has not been removed.

The next episode will be along shortly.

And the great news today was that Liverpool 0 - 1 Southampton scoreline. Last team before today to beat Liverpool in the league - Southampton!

When the Saints go marching in!!

K Richard W

Written by Debbie Oates and Ian Bevitt

Roy is fixated by the time on the clock. The operation was too short to have been successful and the surgeon confirms he didn't remove the tumour. However, he tells Roy that he wants to wait until Hayley has come round from the anaesthetic so that he can talk to them both together.

In the Rovers Jason is taking more than a passing interest in what's been going on between Karl and Craig but Beth tells him to mind his own business. When Karl comes up from the cellar Beth confronts him. He starts by saying he never bought a computer game for Craig but quickly changes his story when he sees Beth isn't going to let it go and admits he gave him the money to buy one. Beth is furious but Karl makes out it was no big deal and he was only trying to cheer him up. Dev observes to Jason that Karl never bought a single thing for his kids, even when he was seeing their mother.

Out in the street Chesney asks Fiz if there's any news about Hayley but Fiz still hasn't heard anything and says she just wishes Roy would ring. Just then Sinead comes along; it seems she's been thinking and wants to give Chesney another chance after all. As they seal their reunion with a kiss, along comes Eileen who looks positively queasy at the sight of them getting all lovey dovey.

Back at the hospital Roy is in a state because he's lost Hayley's wedding ring but his search is cut short when she's wheeled back into her room. She's still very dopey and is muttering something about The Woody. She asks Roy what the doctors have said but he replies she just needs to get some rest and Hayley closes her eyes again.

Carla and Peter are having a drink in the Bistro when Steve comes in for a word. He's rather hoping that Carla may be able to cut Michelle some slack and give her the day off seeing as they're working her so hard. Carla says if Michelle's unhappy she should go and talk to her and Steve admits that Michelle didn't actually suggest he should go and put in a good word for her.

Hayley's beginning to come round and she starts to tell Roy about the strange dream she was having. As she does so we see her glance up and look at the clock and realise that she couldn't have been in theatre for the full six hours but she keeps talking about her dreams. Then she looks at Roy and tells him that she knows the operation hasn't worked.

In the Rovers Stella has a quiet word with Karl about why he gave the money to Craig but as usual he has a story up his sleeve. He tells her how a neighbour did something nice for him shortly after his dad left, when he was the same age as Craig. Stella falls for it and give him a kiss for being such a thoughtful man. Jason watches from across the bar and mutters to Dev that Karl always comes up smelling of roses. He tells Dev that if he sees Craig he's going to speak to him. "And ask him what?" says Dev. Jason isn't sure but he knows something's not right.

We return to the hospital where Hayley and Roy are still waiting to hear the verdict from the surgeon. Hayley tries convincing herself that the news can't be all bad and says to Roy that surely if there was no hope the operation would have been a lot shorter than it was? "Never rule out a miracle," says Hayley. They both look up as the doctor arrives.

Hayley's surgeon delivers his verdict. He tells them he's sorry if it sounds brutal but he finds in these situations it's best to be clear and honest: her tumour is inoperable. He goes on to explain that because of the way it's situated around a major artery no surgeon would be able to remove it without causing irreparable damage. The only treatment Hayley can have now is palliative. Poor Hayley, who has tried so hard to be strong, begins to cry and Roy looks utterly shocked.

The atmosphere is a lot lighter with Chesney and Sinead. They've gone back to his house and are getting comfy on the sofa. The moment is almost lost when his phone rings and he rushes to answer it but he explains he's just waiting for a call with news of Hayley and Sinead feels like a right heel. She suggests they should move somewhere more comfortable. Chesney finally gets the message and leads her upstairs.

Back at the hospital Hayley is asking how long she's got. At first they're reluctant to tell her, explaining it varies between patients but Roy says that it's important for them to know and so they are told that on average it can be six months without treatment and possibly a year if she opts to have chemotherapy. Roy and Hayley are left alone together to talk and allow the terrible news to sink in. Hayley tells Roy he should go and ring Fiz as she'll be worried but Roy just holds Hayley and kisses the top of her head as he starts to shake with unshed tears.

In the cab office Steve is doing his best to cheer up Eileen but she's not in the mood and hates all of mankind, especially the sort in loving relationships. However, her mood lightens considerably when Michelle arrives. She's on the warpath having discovered that Steve went to Carla behind his back and asked for her to have time off. In fact, she tells him, if he does something like that again he'll be the one who needs a day off as he'll be in traction.

Out in the street Karl spots Craig and runs over to have a word. He asks him if he's been playing his new computer game. Karl says the thing he likes about those games is that if you mess up they give you another life. In the real world though, he adds, you don't always get another chance. He becomes more menacing and tells Craig that he let him down but he'll let him have another life. Karl says that if Craig behaves himself from now on and doesn't mention his name to anyone, he promises not to go to the police and tell them who started the fire that ended up killing two people.

Fiz is waiting in Roy and Hayley's flat when she finally gets Roy's call from the hospital. He can hardly speak so she asks if Hayley's out of theatre. "Yes," he replies. "Did it go ok?" asks Fiz. "No," replies Roy, telling her all she needs to know in that one word. Fiz tells Roy to go back and be with Hayley before allowing herself to break down.

Roy returns to Hayley's room where she's fretting about all the things she needs to remember. She recalls why she mentioned The Woody as she was coming round - Roy will have to learn to drive. She insists he should add this to the list he was writing for her so he picks up his notebook and, as he does so, he sees Hayley's wedding ring tucked inside. Roy gently picks up her left hand and replaces the ring. As he does so Hayley tells him she's sorry. "No," says Roy, shaking his head. "Don't be sorry. No sorry".

Karen

Hayley wakes up to find Roy sitting beside her bed. She holds her hand out and he stands up and clasps it.

In Gail's house, she is cooing over the baby in David's arms, while Max looks on, somewhat disgruntled. Gail then offers to take Max to school, but he wants David to take him, but David says he can't. As they move into the other room to take photos, Max quietly gets up and puts the baby's soft toy into the kitchen bin!

The doctor is in Hayley's room, and she says that when Hayley feels up to it she will talk her through the treatment, the chemotherapy and how it might affect her. She mentions a support group, but Roy says they're not really support group type of people. Hayley glares at him, so he hastily says that he can see that on this occasion they'll keep an open mind. Just then Fiz arrives to see Hayley, and tearfully says it's such a terrible shock. Hayley tells her not to worry, she's made of tough stuff. Fiz has brought tea and sandwiches from Anna, and then gets out Hayley's favourite mug from home and pours the tea.

Sinead and Chesney are walking along the street holding hands, when Sinead spots Beth coming. She and Ches run the other way.

Beth is indeed walking down the other side of the Street with Craig. She leaves him at the bus stop, but first gives him a little pep talk, saying that if he's worried about something he should confide in her. Craig, however, remains tight lipped, and when Beth has gone, he gets up and walks off in the opposite direction.

Back at the hospital, Fiz is sitting at Hayley's bedside. Hayley asks her to let Carla know, so that she can tell everyone at work, and then tells her that Roy is going to need a lot of support. Fiz tells her not to worry, they'll all look after him.

David is gazing adoringly at baby Lily, and tells Kylie that he loves it all - her, him and the baby, and says they should have given Max the day off as well. He wishes it could always be like this, no work to go to, just staying home, all of them, always. Kylie tells him to lighten up, he'd soon be bored staying at home every day. Kylie says it doesn't seem right to be so happy while other people are having a nightmare. David gets up to make her a cup of tea and finds the toy in the bin. David thinks Gail must have put it there by accident.

Fiz arrives back in the Street and goes straight to the garage, sobbing, where Ty gives her a big hug.

Dev is putting the flowers outside his shop when Craig comes round the corner and bumps into him. As Dev tells him to be careful, Craig suddenly sees Karl standing outside the pub, smoking. Panic stricken he says he's got to go, and he runs off.

Carla is in the office at Underworld when Fiz comes in, and just stares at her, straight faced. Carla understands immediately. "How long?" she asks. "Six months, 12 if she's lucky," says Fiz.

Back at the hospital Roy is urging Hayley to do her leg exercises to optimise her circulation. Hayley clearly doesn't feel like it, and ends up snapping at him. Then she tells him to go home and get some rest, and to take her favourite mug home while he's at it. He pops it into his bag, kisses her and leaves.

Carla steps out of the office and tells the workers the bad news about Hayley. They're all shocked, and ask if they can visit and how she is in herself. Fiz tells them she's putting a brave face on it. Carla then takes Fiz back into the office and tells her to take the rest of the day off. When she's gone, Peter puts his arms round Carla and tells her that the door and blinds are closed, so she turns round and weeps on his shoulder.

Roy is back at the cafe, chatting to Anna as she dries Hayley's mug. She offers to take it up to the flat but he says he will do it. As she goes to pass it to him it falls to the floor and smashes! He's really upset, picking up all the pieces saying he'll fix it. Then he says, "It won't be the same, nothing will ever be the same."

Gail brings Max back home. She tells David and Kylie she's been to see Nick who looks so pale, lying there. She then asks why the baby's toy is soaking wet on the draining board. They explain how it was found in the bin, but don't know how it got there. Gail tells them it was probably the green-eyed monster in Max. Kylie calls him over and gives him a kiss, and then tells him he can kiss Lily if he's gentle. He tells her he doesn't want to, she's noisy, stinky and looks like a pig, then he runs upstairs.

Beth runs up to Kirk in the Street, shouting that Craig has gone. He's left a note saying that he has to go away and could she tell Dev that he's sorry. Beth is full of guilt, saying she was impatient with him this morning and now she's driven him away.

Carla goes to see Hayley, taking glossy magazines. Hayley explains that she's been told it will take time to come to terms with it.

Fiz and Tyrone are talking to Sinead and Chesney. Fiz tells Sinead how she'd been in care and how Hayley and Roy took her in. It was the first time in her life she felt accepted. Chesney says Hayley's been like an auntie to him.

Hayley tells Carla she's not sure what happen work-wise. She doesn't like letting Carla down. Carla tells her to behave, she can see she'll have to ban her from the factory. Roy arrives then, and Carla departs. He sits down and tells her he broke her mug, and is furious at himself. He also wonders how she can be so calm. She tells him she's like a swan, she looks calm on the surface but is paddling like mad underneath. She needs him with her every step of the way.

Beth goes into the shop and asks if Dev's seen Craig. He says they bumped into each other earlier. She shows him the note but Dev has no idea what Craig is saying sorry for. Kirk wonders if Craig has been shoplifting. While they are all talking, Karl comes in, and Beth asks if he's seen him. Karl says he hasn't. Peter is in the shop and asks if Beth has called the police. Karl looks worried.

Anne Logan

No Corrie tonight.

Hello, Friday's Corrie was moved for ball games again, so here's the first half of the hour-long Sunday episode, which is mostly cross-examining.

Anna arrives at work to discover Roy's already defrosted the freezer. He didn't get any sleep. Anna warns him he won't help Hayley by making himself ill and tells him everyone else wants to help. She sends him off to the hospital.

Eva's being cross-examined over breakfast. Who is Patrice and is he a real photographer? Gloria wants to know. Eva says he's genuine, cheap and won't let them down. So that's the wedding photographer sorted. Stella isn't sure she wants anyone to give her away - it's not as if she's walking down an aisle. Karl thinks she still needs to make an entrance so Stella asks Gloria to do the honours. The police arrive to speak to Karl about Craig.

It's Max's birthday. He wants his Mum but she's upstairs looking after Lily. Max seems very glum. David suggests they have a bit of a party. Gail offers him pancakes for breakfast.

Kirk and Beth arrive at Chesney's. They tell him and Sinead there's no sign of Craig. Kirk is keen to get out there and get looking. The police have told Beth to stay home in case Craig comes back but she wants to do something.

Karl tells the police he just felt sorry for Craig and wanted to cheer him up. And no, Craig didn't tell him anything that might help them find him. Once they're gone, Stella questions him. But Karl tells her he wishes he'd never bothered doing something nice for Craig since it led to the police coming round asking questions.

Audrey, Gail and David talk about Max being jealous. They discuss David's plans for a party and Maria offers to bring the dog, Ozzie. Max loves the dog, David says. Leanne arrives and David asks her to bring Simon round for the party. All Max's mates are away on some football trip, he says. Leanne says there's no change in Nick. When she's gone, Audrey and Maria discuss how tired she looked.

In the cafe, Julie, Fiz and Anna discuss Roy and Hayley. Carla arrives and hears Fiz and Julie talking about going to see Hayley. She offers to drive them.

The police have been to talk to Dev and leave just as Chesney arrives back from helping to hunt. Chesney tells Dev they're running out of ideas about where to look for Craig.

Roy's at the hospital with Hayley. She asks Roy if he walked in his sleep or slept at all, then tells him about a weird dream she had. It featured a place they stayed in York. Roy suggests they go to York. Hayley's a bit annoyed. "I don't want to go to York. I just want to get out of here. The only place I want to go right now is home."

Jason cross-examines Dev about why Craig would apologise to him. He doesn't think any kid would run away over a stolen packet of sweets. And the police have been to see Karl. "Why would Karl buy Craig a computer game?" Jason wants to know. Dev doesn't have the answers. But he can't believe Karl would go as far as kidnapping kids. Kids run away all the time. Jason's sure Karl involved in this just as he was involved in the fire.

Stella finds Karl in the cellar. She's going to pop out later and wants him to look after the bar. She asks if he's OK. Karl assures her he is fine but he looks anything but.

Roy tells Hayley he's vacuumed the living room, even though it wasn't his turn. Hayley turns the conversation to driving lessons. Roy doesn't want to drive but Hayley insists he has to. He'll be able to go to the cash-and-carry and if there's an emergency in the middle of the night he might need to be able to drive. "I would like you to think about it at least." Roy agrees to do that.

David tells Kylie about Maria bringing the dog round. He wonders if they should get Max a dog. Kylie says dogs stink. David still wants to get him something special for his birthday. Kylie tells him it's perfectly normal for Max to be jealous of the new baby. There'll be other birthdays. She says Gail told her about Sarah-Lou trying to smother David. She thinks that's a bit freaky. "Imagine trying to kill your own brother!" The baby monitor leaps into life. Kylie sighs and goes to see to Lily, leaving David with a very odd look on his face.

Kirk and Chesney are in the pub cross-examining Karl, who still says he doesn't know anything. They leave and Karl goes to serve Jason and Dev. Dev remarks on how odd it was that Craig left a note apologising to him. Why would he doe that? Karl doesn't know and he doesn't understand why they're asking him. Jason says Karl and Craig seemed like mates. Karl repeats the lie that he just felt sorry for Craig. Karl tells them this is a bar and they have to decide between playing amateur detective and having a drink. Dev and Jason exchange glances.

Maria and Audrey lock up the salon and Audrey takes a call from Owen. He's finished the work but now there's something wrong with the roof tiles. She tells him he's better have a look at them. Audrey's quite overcome at the thought of more expense. I'm not quite sure where this storyline is going but perhaps Owen's running a brothel from Audrey's house while she's not there. Or maybe he's turned the whole place into a cannabis grow-house. Maybe he's got a new lady friend and is pretending Audrey's house is his. Audrey doesn't appear to be going back there to check on what he's doing at all.

The Price women are home from the shops. Karl seems a bit down and Stella asks if he's OK. Again, he insists he is. Gloria asks about Craig and then suggests maybe he's been abducted. Stella worries about where Craig might have slept last night. Gloria thinks he might be dead in a ditch. Karl says he has to get back to the bar.

Hayley gives Roy the OK to go home but Roy says his place is with her. It's a relief for Hayley when Fiz arrives and is followed by Julia and Carla. They've got there very quickly and talk about how fast Carla drives. "I don't drive fast. Everyone else drives slow." Hayley seems much cheered - it's a change from Roy's awkward bedside manner. Roy suddenly says he's going to go back to help Anna close up. When he's gone, Hayley tells her pals everything's still sinking in. Carla assures her she's not on her own.

David's putting out the party food, watched by Audrey. Maria and Liam arrive and Gail's surprised by how big he's getting. Max is upstairs, sulking, apparently. Gail wants to take lots of pictures during the party so Nick can see them when he wakes. Leanne and Simon arrive too. David thinks the whole party might be one big disaster.

Roy hasn't gone home. He's sitting all forlorn in a hospital corridor.

Karl and Stella talk behind the bar. He tells her he's thoughtful because he's trying to remember where he put his dad's cufflinks - he's thinking of wearing them for the wedding. Dev and Jason discuss whether they're going to learn anything by hanging around in the pub. Jason insists they watch Karl. Beth and Sinead arrive. Stella tells them the police were there earlier. Beth starts to weep. She says she'd give her life for Craig. Sinead tries to reassure her but Beth says she can't help thinking the worst. Jason watches Karl's reaction. Karl steps out and makes a call on his mobile phone. "Craig, where are you?"

The end of the first half.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Martin Allen
Directed by: Ian Bevitt

Taking up where we left off, Karl has moved into the back yard and is talking to Craig on the phone. He is telling him he needs to come home, and wants to know where he is. He is down by the old railway bridge, so he tells him he will come and get him. As he hangs up, Stella wants to know who it was. His lies trip off his tongue like butter, and he tells Stella it was Tez, who is in a panic over his best man speech, and wants him to go there immediately to help. Stella asks why he didn't tell him to come to the pub, as he shouldn't be at his beck and call. He tells her he doesn't want him at the pub, and Eva endorses this, by saying she hates the way he lusts over her all the time. So problem sorted, Karl is free to go.

Beth is speaking to Dev on the other side of the bar, saying she can't understand what Craig would have to apologise to him for. She is in tears, her mind working overtime on all the things that can happen to kids on the run. Dev is sympathetic, having kids of his own, but can't throw any more light on why he left than anyone else.

Hayley is asking the ladies where her grapes are, Fiz tells her they are rather boring. But Hayley tells her it is standard procedure for hospitals, the visitor brings grapes, the visitor eats the grapes, and the patient complains about it. Carla backs her up, saying Hayley's right, and they had better bring some next time.

Hayley wants to know all the factory gossip, and is thoroughly enjoying hearing about all the little anecdotes about her workmates. She asks Carla how Peter and Michelle are getting along, and is told it's a bit difficult every now and again between them. Julie wants to know if any of the hospital staff - i.e. the men are worth looking at, and Hayley tells them she thinks her consultant is gorgeous. This leads to lots of friendly bantering and teasing, making Hayley chuckle so much her stitches hurt.

Max's birthday party is well underway in No. 8, but Max is nowhere to be seen, he is still upstairs sulking. David especially is more worried about it than Kylie is, saying the party was especially for Max, and he is missing it. We look through the banister, and see Max sitting at the top of the stairs ear wigging their conversation. Kylie asks David why he is so worried, as there will be plenty of other parties now they have Lily too, but David tells her it won't be the same. He tells her he has been thinking hard about the fact that Max is feeling left out, and suggests he adopts him, so he can be a Platt, the same as the rest of them. He asks Kylie what she thinks, but thinks he already knows the answer by the big grin on her face. He doesn't have to wait long for Max's views on the subject either, he comes barreling down the stairs yelling "Will I be able to call you Daddy?" David replies, "Only if you want to". Oh he does! He throws himself into David's arms. Gail comes over and wants to know how they managed to persuade Max to come down. Kylie fills her in, and Gail is thrilled with the idea too.

Back at the hospital, Hayley is asking Carla how her wedding plans are coming along. She tells her she is having problems deciding on her dress. Hayley asks her if she will be getting an invite. There is a pregnant pause in the room, as obviously everyone - including Hayley - wonders if she will still be around for it. Carla sincerely tells her she will absolutely get an invitation. With tears in her eyes, Hayley tells them she will have to start thinking about what she is going to wear.

Trying to lighten the conversation, Carla teases that she had better not try upstaging her on her big day. Hayley laughs, saying it's not very likely as she has always had lousy taste. Just then she notices that Fiz is quietly crying. Hayley immediately reaches over and puts her arms around her, saying she can't do that, she is supposed to be cheering her up. Fiz sobs that she can't bear it, she is being so brave. Hayley asks her if she would like it better if she was miserable and moping. Fiz shakes her head. Julie pipes up and tells her that Fiz is right, she is being amazing about it. Hayley tells them she is just determined to make the most of the time she has left, as they are stuck with her for a while yet, whether they like it or not.

Kirk is looking everywhere for Craig. He is asking Norris if he has seen him, but he hasn't. He doesn't have much sympathy for the lad either, especially after he stole the paperboy from outside the Kabin. Kirk tries to explain that this is something completely different, but Norris still has no sympathy. Kirk, who usually sees the best in people, uncharacteristically tells him that sometimes - he sucks! Ha ha.

Roy bumps into Emily in the street, and she tells him how sorry she is to hear the bad news about Hayley. Roy thanks her, and tries to move on, but Emily follows him, asking how she is bearing up. He tells her she is in good spirits considering. Getting out his key, he goes into the cafe, and Emily follows him inside. He would rather she had stayed outside, as he is afraid he might have to get into talking about his feelings, and we know how Roy hates to discuss those.

Emily is relentless, and tells Roy that one consolation is that at least they can prepare themselves for it, unlike her when Ernest was killed. One minute they were happy and confident they would spend the rest of their lives together, and the next he was gone. She didn't even have a chance to say goodbye. Roy is sympathetic, but then Emily goes on to tell him that the only thing that got her through the ordeal was her faith. He now feels she has come there to preach to him, that if only he believed in the same religious fantasies everything would be alright.

Emily protests that she is not there for that, but Roy is on a roll now (oh dear, that pun was unintentional, but I am leaving it in!). He rants at Emily that there cannot be a God, or he wouldn't take away someone as good and decent as Hayley, and leave behind the criminals and despots to thrive into old age. He goes on to say that he will never agree with her, that there is no God, and that life is just one big practical joke, of which Hayley is its latest victim. Not allowing her to get a word in edgeways, he tells her that she may get comfort from talking to thin air, but he prefers the hard reality of learning how to cope alone.

Karl is now down by the old railway bridge, and Craig appears out of his hiding place. He tells him he has now run out of the food he brought, and had to nick stuff from a shop this morning. Karl tells him that's no good, as it's a sure way to bring the police down on him. Craig asks if he is mad at him, leading him over to the bridge, Karl tells him he isn't mad at him, more disappointed that he didn't trust him. Craig reminds him that he had told him he would make everything go back to normal, and asks how he can do it, as it's such a mess. He tells him he now would rather go to prison than go home, and plans to go to the police. He turns away to leave, but Karl grabs him and leans him against the low wall of the bridge. He tells him he guarantees that nobody will ever find out who started that fire. "But how?" asks Craig, Worryingly, as we head into the commercial break, the camera pans over the bridge, and down to the river below. Oh dear....

Beth is apologising for her behaviour in the Rovers. Kirk comes back empty handed, telling her he has told Streetcars to keep a look out for him, and plans to go out again himself later. Beth is grateful, but feels it's all her fault, because if the lad had been happy at home, he wouldn't have run away. Sinead tries to reassure her that Craig had been happy, but she won't be consoled. Jason and Dev nearby are thinking hard.

Back at the bridge, Craig is demanding to know what Karl's plan is for getting him out of trouble. Looking over the edge, he tells him he is just trying to think through a plan. Craig doesn't think he has one though, and makes to leave again, saying he is going to the police. Karl grabs him roughly, telling him that is not going to happen, and starts to push him backwards over the wall. Saved by the bell, or rather a dog, with an owner attached, Karl backs off quickly when they walk by on their afternoon constitutional.

Slightly calmer, Karl tells Craig that everything would be just fine, and nobody would suspect anything if only he would just act normal, but he keeps screwing up. Craig is thinking he might like to try that again, but is worried about going home, as everyone will want to know why he ran away. He tells Karl he keeps saying he has a plan, but doesn't say what it is. Holding him by the jacket lapels, Karl shakes him, and tells him he does have a plan, and he has to follow it to the letter, absolutely everything.

We are back at the party now, and Max is happily joining in with a game of 'Pass the Parcel'. Leanne is telling David how impressed she is that he would want to adopt Max. David tells her it just makes sense, but she tells him that not all guys would feel that way. She goes on to say how much she has appreciated his help since Nick has been in the hospital, saying he must be exhausted. He tells her he is glad to help. She goes on to say she knows Nick will want to thank him too when he comes round. Cue for David to look worried, I don't think it's thanks he is expecting from Nick.

Owen comes in to see Audrey, and gives her the bad new that when he was on the roof fixing the tiles, he noticed a bad smell. Went into the loft to investigate and discovered she has dry rot, which is going to mean the whole roof coming off, and all the timbers being replaced. It will entail her moving out while the job is done, and it's going to be very expensive. Audrey is not happy! Gail, while sympathetic, tells her she just doesn't have the room to put her up, what with the new baby and all. Maria is sympathetic too, but leaves quickly before she gets persuaded into offering her a bed.

Beth is still crying in the Rovers. Karl comes back saying he has sorted all Tez's problems out, but we all know it's more his own problems, and we are not sure yet just how he has sorted them out.

Roy arrives back at the hospital, and Hayley is glad to see him, although she is a little tired after all the visitors she has had. However, she is very glad to see him, and he is soon opening up about the run-in he had with Emily over religion. She is shocked, and tells him she understands, but it's not fair to take it out on other people. He tells her he is having a hard time coming to terms with it, and is told he has to learn how to deal with it, just like she is having to.

The door of the Rovers opens, and in walks a nervous Craig. Beth lets out a shriek and flings herself at him, hugging him tightly. She demands to know where he has been, and he tells her. Asking why he ran away, he nervously explains, while glancing at Karl, that he was being bullied at school. Beth is not having that, and vows to sort them out, demanding their names. He hesitatingly gives her a couple of names. Vowing she fully intends to sort them out, she and Kirk take him home to get some food inside him. As he leaves, he once again glances nervously in Karl's direction. Jason mutters to Dev that he doesn't believe that story for a minute.

Hayley is telling Roy that she intends to squeeze in as much as she can in the time she has left, and this will include him learning to drive. She tells him firmly she doesn't plan to let it go, and he will learn. He replies that he has been giving it a lot of thought, and is willing to give it another go, as long as she is prepared to be patient with him. She tells him she has had a lot of practice in that regard, but they will find an instructor for him.

She goes on to say she want to get a list together of things she has always wanted to do, like afternoon tea somewhere like The Ritz in London. She lists all the things she would like, strawberry jam and clotted cream, as after all, she no longer has to worry about her figure. Thinking for a minute, she tells Roy that something else she would like is a bungee jump, strapped together with him. Roy's eyes widen in absolute horror, as she goes on to say she can just see them both jumping off a suspension bridge somewhere. Not able to contain her giggles though, she gives it away that she was joking. But tells him she would like for them to go away somewhere though. He points out they have just been away. "Doesn't mean we can't go again", says Hayley. No it doesn't Hayley - you go girl! She then tells him it's not as if she will be making a habit of it. Roy tells her he doesn't find that remark funny. But she tells him she refuses to be miserable, she wants the next few months to be happy and bursting with life, and asks if this isn't how he would rather remember her? He agrees that he would, so she resolves to get cracking with the list tomorrow.

Topic of conversation in the Rovers is Craig. Norris figures he was just attention seeking, but Stella is glad that Beth will be sleeping easier in her bed tonight.

Dev and Jason are suspicious of the whole thing. They are finding it very odd that Karl disappears for half and hour, comes back and hey presto, the missing boy turns up with a cock and bull story about bullying. They have noticed the way Karl was looking at the lad, Karl who has never had any interest in children before. They are both of the opinion that Karl is pulling this one's strings, and the only person who can tell them why is Craig himself.

Next week we will be back to Friday again - Friday the 13th, will it be unlucky for someone? Let's hope it is Karl.

Christine

Written by Joe Turner, directed by Alan Grint. Copyright ITV Productions.

We open in the back room of the Rovers. Only two subjects under discussion - the wedding and Craig going missing.

Anyway Craig and Beth are off to school so she can sort out the bullies. Craig tells Beth he stole chocolate from Dev - which is why he owes an apology. Craig ducks quickly into the taxi when Jason appears wanting a word.

Roy is cleaning the flat and Fiz has brought round a lovely basket of fruit to welcome Hayley home. Roy is looking forward to getting Hayley home. Fiz reminds him to use a plate in future to catch the crumbs.

Nick is still in a coma in the hospital and Audrey's dry rot problem see minor in comparison.

Jason and Dev discuss the night of the fire - Karl went on first and went to the back office for 15 minutes on his own - and Karl had time to get out through the window. Karl's alibi is worthless.

Karl meets Beth in the Street and invites her to do in the Bistro after the wedding.

Sally is cleaning and wiggles her behind in front of Tim who has no work - so she phones in with a bad tooth and they drag each other off to bed. Michelle gives Peter a telling off for pulling a face behind her back and encouraging chatter amongst the staff who are speculating about Sally's love life.

In the hospital the nurse is joking with Hayley over taking part in a 10k run. There is a lot of help for patients in Hayley's position. MacMillan Cancer support is top of the list.

Beth is apologising to Dev and the latter wants to talk to Craig. Dev does not think that Craig is telling the truth - but he cannot get Beth to understand. Beth wants Craig back and asks Dev to leave it.

Ruby is one today. Jason asks Tommy who went on first and he confirms how long Karl had to set fire to the Rovers - good idea, but for one brain cell it is quite inventive for Jason!

After the break we are back in the Rovers and Beth is drinking in the Rovers and tells Karl about the chocolate. Beth tells Karl to back off. Beth is not sure she has the whole story - but she will do eventually.

Karl rings Tez asking for some money so he can take Stella away after the wedding.

Audrey cannot find a decent B&B while the work is being done. Maria invites Audrey to stay and Marcus takes the news remarkably well - at least in front of Audrey.

Sally is at work this afternoon and the rest of the girls and Sean tease her. Sal is taking Tim to the do and Fiz suggests that Sal will be bunking off work to spend time in bed with him. Sal looks embarrassed. Peter is watching them and he tells Michelle the girls work harder when they are chatting then when it is quiet.

Roy collects Hayley from the hospital which she leaves in a wheelchair.

Karl gives Stella tickets to go to Barcelona and they are off immediately after the wedding and if he has his way they would never come back. He tells her to be packed and ready to go. Ty, Tommy and Jason come in and Stella tells them about the honeymoon. Jason wonders what is going on.

Marcus and Maria believe that having Audrey to stay will mean she will see all the work which needs doing to the flat - it might work out better than they expected.

Craig is hiding from the "bullies" he has dobbed in.

Hayley returns home and realises it is all more precious than it was. She is walking very carefully.

Sean accuses Sally of being in love and Tim comes in and gives her a kiss. Sally asks if Tim will be her plus one at the wedding - and he immediately tries to create a reason for not being there.

Stella, Gloria and Eva all head off to Leanne's for the night.

Craig emerges from the chippie and the two "bullies" attack him as they have been suspended and he tries to tell them it is a mistake.

They have him up against the wall when Karl sees what is happening and drags the two "bullies" off Craig suggesting they might take him on. Stella drags him of the boys.

And the next episode will be along shortly.

Cheers

Oh and PS - we won again today and Spurs lost at West Ham which means we moved to fourth. Yippee!

K Richard W

Written by Simon Crowther and directed by Alan Grint

Karl has totally lost the plot and tonight's second episode opens with Stella and Dev manhandling Karl away from the two "bullies". They are understandably upset and when Beth gives them a piece of her mind and Gloria adds her two ha'penny worth they call her a stupid old cow. Dev tries to speak to Beth and Craig, telling her it's not about the shoplifting, but that's the last thing she wants to do and she hurries off home with Craig.

Hayley is sitting in the cafe with Anna and Fiz following her arrival home from the hospital. Sinead and Chesney arrive with a gift of a jar of mint balls. Nobody knows quite what to say so they all have an awkward conversation about trivial matters.

In the back room of the Rovers Stella is laying into Karl about the fact that he almost killed the two young boys. He says he didn't know what came over him and claims he's just worried about tomorrow. But Stella says she doesn't want to marry that maniac and she's frightened by what she saw. Karl promises her she won't be marrying that man, he'll be fine. Eventually she seems to accept what he's saying and goes off to spend the night at Leanne's.

Jason is round at Dev's discussing Karl. Having witnessed his violent temper Dev reckons if he's capable of that who knows what else he's capable of. Jason says he's spoken to Tommy and he's worked out how Karl would have had time to slip out from the Bistro and start the fire before returning. The only thing neither of them can work out is how Craig fits into the whole story. Jason is convinced Karl did it and he intends to prove it. In fact, he tells Dev, he would bet his house on it. There's only one problem - he doesn't actually own a house!

Sally's in the Rovers talking to Sean about Karl's outburst. Sean says it's pre-wedding nerves gone mad. He asks Sally if Tim's going with her to the wedding but she explains he can't make it. Tim then returns to his seat next to Sally. She suggests he goes back to her for his tea but he doesn't look that keen. He looks even less impressed when she says she could stay with him in the pub if he prefers.

Back at the cafe things are a lot less awkward and they are all happily sitting round with Hayley while Chesney tells a funny story about a trip to the dentist. Roy suggest perhaps it's time Hayley went upstairs for a rest. She's upset, saying she doesn't want to be treated like an invalid and intends to carry on as normal but as she goes to get up she winces in pain and it seems that perhaps Roy was right to be concerned.

In the Rovers Tez is telling Karl that he thinks it's really inconsiderate that he intends to leave his own wedding reception after only one drink but Karl has no intention of changing his plans.

Maria and Marcus are awaiting Audrey's arrival amidst a scene of domestic chaos as Ozzy is having a bath. "At least she doesn't have her own front door key," says Marcus but it seems he's wrong as Audrey lets herself in. Marcus shows her to the box room, pointing out that it won't be for long. Audrey seems rather overwhelmed by everything, not helped when she nearly gets knocked over by a wet Ozzy and asks Maria to out the kettle on while she gets her breath back.

Stella is round at Leanne's with Gloria and Eva where they are enjoying a girly night in before the wedding. They get on to the inevitable subject of men and Eva says she hopes she won't still be single when she's 70 ... or 50 or 30, come to that. Gloria asks Stella how Karl is now and she tells her mum he's calmed down. "At least he's passionate," observes Gloria. "That's something you should look for in a man," she tells Eva. "And a pulse, that's another," replies Eva. Stella says she hopes the lads don't go to the police because they'd be well within their rights. Leanne says that's the last thing they need, Karl getting arrested the night before the wedding.

In the bar of the Rovers, Tez is chatting to Tommy and Tyrone about his best man's speech. Tyrone says that sometimes people use visual aids in their speeches. They move onto the subject of stag nights and they are joined by Karl. Thinking about the speech again, Tommy tells Tez he might have a few photos on his phone from the Full Monty night if he's interested but Karl immediately stops him. But the subject reminds Ty about Jason going into the garage earlier and he gets Tommy to tell Karl how Jason was asking them to tell him exactly what they remembered about Karl's movements that night. Tez asks what it's all about. "Oh nothing," replies Karl but he looks lost in thought.

Round at Marcus and Maria's, Audrey is discovering the reality of living in a flat with a small child and a large dog. As they try to eat their tea, Liam is calling out for attention from the bedroom and Maria asks Audrey to go in and see him. While she's gone Marcus comments he feels like Robinson Crusoe and he's going to start making notches in the bed-head for every day that Audrey stays.

At Leanne's the wine is flowing and the women are enjoying a relaxing evening. Stella asks Leanne if she's o.k. about her going away to Barcelona. Leanne replies that if she was a leading neurosurgeon she would mind but as it is, she's happy for Stella to go. Stella gives her a big kiss and tells her she loves her.

In the Rovers, Tim has moved over to the bar, leaving Sally sitting on her own. He's looking for sympathy from Karl and the other men about how needy Sally's becoming. Karl warns him that if he's not careful she'll soon have her claws into him and then observes he's about to walk headlong into marriage with Stella. But Ty says Karl loves her to bits and then they start a mock argument about who is best - Stella or Fiz. While this is going on, Tommy starts to show the photos on his phone to Tez while Karl tries to stop him. At that moment Jason walks in with Dev and asks what's going on. Laughing, Tommy tells him they're looking at photos from the Full Monty night. "You took photos?" asks Jason, perking up. He asks to borrow Tommy's phone to take a look and Tommy happily hands it over. Jason disappears with it out the back. Karl comes across and asks where Jason and Dev have gone. Tez says maybe they've gone for a smoke but Karl says they don't smoke. "They've taken my phone though," says Tommy helpfully.

Hayley and Roy are upstairs in the flat. While he organises their fish and chip supper, Hayley asks Roy if he's booked any driving lessons yet. He hasn't but he promises to do so. Hayley thinks Roy will make a very capable driver, as long as he lets the instructors instruct him but Roy still doesn't see what's wrong with a pushbike. It's a warm and gentle scene but we're are painfully aware of the thoughts that must be going through both their minds while they chat about everyday matters.

In the backyard of the Rovers, Jason and Dev are going through the photos on Tommy's phone and they discover that there's a whole chunk in the middle where Karl is missing from every one. They find the first photo after Karl returned and just as they're wondering about the look on his face, Karl appears in the back yard. He wants to know what they're talking about so Jason confronts him and tells Karl that he knows he left the Bistro on the night of the Full Monty, went into the Rovers and then afterwards tried to set Jason up. Karl tells him he's been reading too many comic books so Dev asks Karl how he can account for the fact that he's missing from so many photos. Karl ignores the question, reminding Dev that the police have already investigated the case. He says that Sunita started the fire, not anyone else and now she's gone. Jason demands that Karl gives him back the phone just as Tez appears so he has no choice but to hand it back.

Round at Leanne's the wine is still flowing and now the women have moved on to the subject of whether they've ever broken the law. There's much hilarity when Gloria says she's always paid her tv licence on account of the fact that she kept her tv in her bedroom. She was convinced that the tv licence detection van is capable of seeing through walls.

Kirk and Beth are in the kebab shop with Craig. She tells him she can't believe that she's raised a thief. SHe asks him if there's anything else he hasn't told them and he insists there isn't.

Back at Roy and Hayley's he's busy searching for a hot water bottle Hayley tells him she doesn't need it as it's only the second week in September but tells him it's hanging on the bathroom door, underneath her best nightie, for future reference. Conversation turns to what's on the television. Roy has recently started watching a reality programme about a power plant in Kentucky whereas Hayley's keen to watch a property programme. "It takes all sorts to make a world," says Hayley. Roy wonders why people would want to be filmed trying to buy a house. "Life is indeed a mystery," he observes.

Sally and Tim are coming out of the Rovers. He tells her he thinks he might come to the wedding after all so, instead of quitting while she's ahead, Sally asks if he'd like to come back for his tea. Tim immediately backs off and says he was thinking of going for a kebab and then crashing at his. But he's prepared to go back for a cup of tea and, one imagines, a quick bit of something else on the side.

On the other side of the street Dev spots Craig on his own and grabs his chance. He runs over and tells Craig it has nothing to do with chocolate but asks if they can talk about Karl. He asks him if he knows anything about the night of the fire, the night that Sunita died. "Nothing," says Craig, looking shifty. Dev warns him that Karl is a very dangerous man. He tells Craig he knows that he never stole anything from him. But at that moment Beth comes along and tells Dev that's enough and goes to take Craig inside. Dev runs after them and, as Beth shuts her front door Dev calls through the door that he knows that Craig knows something. As the titles roll, we see that Karl has been watching all this going on from behind a car across the street.

Karen

It's the wedding morning, and as Karl stuffs the last things into his suitcase he also checks his phone, there's nothing from Craig. Tez comes in with breakfast and jokes that there's still time to pull out if he wants to, and then asks if he's booked a cab for the run to the airport. Karl tells him yes, it's booked for 5pm. Tez says that doesn't leave much time for the reception, and Karl snaps at him. Tez thinks it's nerves, Karl denies it but gets increasingly snappy until he abandons the breakfast and goes out for some fresh air.

Leanne is in Stella's house, on the phone to the hospital, asking after Nick. Stella, Eva and Gloria are nursing hangovers. Just then Stella's mobile rings, it's Karl. Gloria takes the phone from her, she's not allowed to speak to him before the wedding. He tells Gloria he's just touching base, and checking that she'll get Stella to the wedding on time.

Maria and Marcus are eating breakfast when Audrey bursts out of her room with Ozzie panting beside her. She complains that he was in her room at 2am, licking her face. Marcus explains that Audrey's is the only bedroom Ozzie will sleep in, otherwise he barks.

Faye is in the cafe with Anna and Owen, and she's chatting on her mobile phone to her new school mate, Grace.

Beth is also in the cafe, and also on the phone. She's calling the school saying that Craig won't be in to school as he has a bad stomach. This is just an excuse so that Craig can attend the wedding, he's at the table with her, eating a hearty breakfast. Beth then says she now has to work out what to tell Carla.

Faye's friend sends a text message, asking if she can have a sleep over at Faye's house. Faye asks Anna, who isn't keen, she's never met the girl, and wonders what her mother thinks about it. Eventually she concedes that Grace can come for tea.

Jason is in the shop, asking Dev if he's going to tell Stella that Craig is terrified of Karl. Dev can't see that that proves anything, he tells Jason they have to be smarter than this.

Maria has arrived at Stella's to do her hair. Stella looks at herself in the mirror and says that Karl will never marry her when he sees her looking like that. Gloria and Eva tell her that Karl adores her.

Sally is all excited, planning what she's going to wear at the reception, and because she was thinking that she and Tim might go for a drink first. Sophie asks what time they're meeting, and Sally tells her they haven't set an exact time as Tim wanted a lie-in first. "Some lie in," says Sophie, "it's twenty-to-one." Sally goes off to get changed, saying she might ring him. "He's not coming, is he?" says Jenna when Sally's out of the room, and Sophie agrees that it doesn't look that way.

Owen is in the salon, giving Audrey the update on her property. He thinks she'll be able to move back in next week. She says that's good, as she's going crazy staying at Maria's. She moans that she's in a room the size of a matchbox and has to share it with the dog. She's so busy moaning that it's like living in a kennel, that she doesn't hear the door open and shut and Marcus come in. She rabbits on about how dogs are supposed to take after their owners and how she's trying to work out which of them Ozzie is like, when she spots him and quickly changes tack to how grateful she is that they have put her up.

Craig and Beth have left the cafe. She's going to pop into the salon, so she sends Craig over to the Kabin to get a wedding card. Of course, as soon as Beth is out of sight, Craig bumps straight into Karl who takes him by the arm and leads him away. Once around the corner he pushes him up against the wall and asks what Dev was saying to him last night. Craig tells him that Dev asked what he knew about Karl on the night of the fire. "What did you say about that?" says Karl. Craig tells him that Beth came out then and took him inside, so he didn't say anything. He adds though, that his mum knows something is wrong and doesn't know what to tell her. Karl becomes very menacing then. "You go on keeping your gob shut," he hisses, "or I'll kill her!" He then sends a very shocked Craig on his way.

Karl arrives home to find his best man agitated, wondering where he's been. Karl tells him it will only take him 10 minutes to get changed.

Sally is looking at her mobile phone when Jenna and Sophie say goodbye to her, they're off back to work. Sally doesn't look very happy.

Craig is standing outside Owen's yard, looking worried, when Beth and Kirk come along. Beth wants to know where he's been. "Nowhere," says Craig. Beth asks if he got the card. "Oh no, I forgot," says Craig. Beth can't understand how he forgot, but tells him to come on anyway, it's time to get ready. "I'm not going!" says Craig. Beth stops in her tracks. "So you'd rather go to school and face those bullies than go to a wedding do?" she asks, dumbfounded. She tells him she can't help him if he won't tell her what's wrong, and showers him with a barrage of questions, eventually asking if this is anything to do with Dev. "No," says Craig, a bit too quickly. Beth picks up on this and grabs him by the arm and marches him off to see Dev, with Kirk following behind.

Sally is indoors, checking her phone for messages, but there are none. Just then there's a knock on the door and she runs to open it, only to be disappointed to find that it's Jenna standing there. She says that she and Sophie have talked and they think it would be a good idea for Jenna to go to the reception with Sally, instead of Tim. Or, if she would prefer they could stay in with the bottle of wine, chocolates and DVD that Jenna has brought along with her. Or, she could just go away and leave Sally in peace. "No pressure," she says. Sally thinks that it would be a bit odd to go to the reception without the person she's been bragging about going with, so she opts to stay in with Jenna and the wine.

Beth barges into the shop and demands to know if Dev has been upsetting Craig again. Dev says he hasn't. Beth thinks that this is all about the shoplifting, but she reminds Dev that she paid him back for that. Dev is sure it isn't, he thinks that this is all about the fire. He goes on to say that he'd also like to know why Craig has been seeing so much of Karl lately. "What's Karl got to do with it?" asks Beth. "Maybe Craig can tell us?" says Dev, and at that moment Craig tries to make a run for it, but Beth stops him. Dev tells the very distressed Craig that he's not in any trouble, he just needs to tell them what Karl's been saying. Beth asks what he's so scared of. "I promised I wouldn't say anything," says Craig, visibly upset. They ask him what about. Beth says they're not going to let him go until they get to the bottom of this. "About me burning down the Rovers and killing Sunita," blurts out Craig, eventually. Beth looks astounded and Dev looks crushed.

Stella, Eva and Gloria are all dressed up in their wedding finery and getting into a car. Jason comes along and says that it's not too late for her to change her mind. He says she doesn't know what she's letting herself in for, and tries to tell them that Karl burned down the pub, but of course they're in no mood to listen, and Gloria threatens to get the law on him for slander.

Back in Dev's shop, Craig is confessing to having a ciggie at the back of the Rovers and throwing it away without stubbing it out, so he must have started the fire. Dev wants to know how Karl fits into all this. Craig tells them that he saw Karl come out of the back door of the Rovers, lock it behind him and run down the ginnel. "He locked the door?" asks Dev, "you're sure about that? He had the keys?" Craig says that he's positive. Dev asks what time it was and Craig tells him it was about 7.30. They asks if Karl saw him, and Craig says he didn't, but goes on to explain that a few weeks ago he got talking to Karl and confessed what he'd done. "So he knew that you'd seen him," mutters Dev. Craig says that Karl told him to keep quiet because it was already proven that Sunita had done it. Dev asks if Karl threatened Craig, and Craig eventually tells them that Karl threatened to kill Beth. Just then there's a knock on the door – it's Jason. "We've got him," says Dev.

At the register office, Karl is getting very jumpy waiting for Stella. He's worried about missing the plane, and Tez remarks to Leanne that he's never seen Karl so nervous. Just then Stella arrives, with Eva and Gloria.

Back in the shop, they assure Craig that the fire wasn't his fault. Kirk reckons they should tell the police. They decide that Jason will take Craig to the police station so he can tell them all he knows, and Dev will go to the register office and try to stop the wedding.

Meanwhile, the wedding ceremony is underway, with the registrar asking if there is anyone who knows of any lawful impediment.

Dev comes out of the shop and gets into his car and drives off.

Beth, Craig and Jason arrive at the police station with Beth muttering how they're going to nail 'that animal'.

Karl and Stella exchange vows as Dev runs into the building. A moment after the registrar pronounces them legally husband and wife, Dev bursts into the room.

Anne Logan

"Hiya," says Stella, hanging around Karl's neck and looking a bit stunned by Dev's appearance. Gloria wonders out loud why he's turned up out of the blue and Karl, channeling "Gavin and Stacey" (a BBC series) says, "Yeah, mate. What's occurring?" Though he doesn't sound as relaxed as he hoped. Dev stutters and stumbles over his words and says he's sorry. He was just running some errands and had to drop in to congratulate them. He comes forward and kisses Stella's hand. The registrar asks them to come to the next room to sign the register. As they go, Dev hugs Karl and tells him he'll be waiting for him.

Meanwhile, Jason, Beth and Kirk are shouting at a poor policeman, trying to make him understand how urgent it is to arrest Karl and completely failing. He gets them to slow down and starts asking questions. He unexpectedly asks for the Rovers' post code and just as unexpectedly Jason seems to know it. They're asked to take a seat because this could take some time.

Stella and the wedding party are outside now, with the best man fumbling with the camera on his phone. Stella asks Dev back to the pub. He's got his car there, blips the remote to open up the roof and invites the happy couple to travel back in convertible style. Karl's reluctant, but what choice has he got? He tries to protest but Dev looks him straight in the eyes and insists. Dev's phone rings but he says it's nobody important.

Anna arrives in the Kabin to get Faye's magazine. Norris mentions the wedding and their lack of invitations. He thinks they've had a lucky escape. They hear the tooting of a car horn and go out to see what's happening. Leanne, Gloria and Eva have blindfolded Stella and are leading her down the street. Anna shouts congratulations as the happy crowd and the spectre at the feast (Dev) head into the bistro.

Anna's going home because Faye's having a friend round.

There's an enormous buffet laid out in the bistro and lots of people waiting, including an awful lot of people we've never seen before. Dev just watches as the celebrations start.

Faye arrives home with a very polite friend called Grace.

Jason demands to know what's going on. He's told the desk man is trying to contact the major incident team and track down the officer dealing with the case. Poor Craig is just really quiet as his mum tells Jason and Kirk that it's her job to protect Craig and yet she didn't see what Karl was like, even though Jason could see it. She leaps up to do her own shouting at the counter and demands that Jason try to ring Dev again.

Dev's in the bistro, still, where Karl asks him what's with the attitude. Dev says they have to talk but Karl points out it's his wedding day and they can talk when he gets back from honeymoon. "You don't understand," says Dev. "There's not going to be a honeymoon. There's not going to be a happy ever after, full stop." Leanne comes and drags Karl away to make a speech. He begins and is interrupted by Dev's phone. Dev goes away from the group and tells Jason everything's under control but he can't talk. Then he ends the call.

Jason tells the others what Dev said.

Karl's making his speech and admits he's made a lot of mistakes in the past but having Stella as his wife has given him faith in himself and faith in his future. He finishes by telling Stella he loves her and she kisses him.

The party starts properly and Stella goes over to sit with Dev. She asks if he's missing Sunita then apologises for being insensitive. Dev looks at her wedding ring and Stella gets up to go and talk to other guests. Dev looks up to see the door close.

Karl hurries down the street to the Rovers, brushing aside Owen's congratulations by saying he's in a hurry. He drops his keys as he tries to open the Rovers' door and Dev picks them up. "You should be more careful," he says.

Inside the pub, Dev locks and bolts the door behind them. He says they don't want to be disturbed. Karl acts surprised and says he's got a roomful of guests to get back to. "They're not going anywhere, Karl, and neither are you," Dev says. He says the way Karl slipped away from the bistro was very slick. "Of course, you've done it before, right?" Karl tries to act innocent and pours Dev a drink. Dev says it must have been hard to burn down his own little kingdom.

In the bistro, Gloria and her granddaughters discuss Nick. Stella asks if they've seen Karl and Gail says he left about ten minutes ago and Dev followed. Gloria still thinks it's odd that Dev turned up. Stella dismisses their speculative comments about Dev fancying her.

Dev and Karl discuss Jason but Karl says Jason's obsessed by Stella and the police won't listen to him. Dev tells him Jason's got Craig with him at the police station. Dev comments on Karl's dealings with Craig. Karl insists Craig is vulnerable but Dev says Karl threatened to kill Craig's mother. "And you like killing mothers, don't you, Karl?" For the first time, Karl looks rattled. Dev's voice is deep and even but his eyes are filled with tears. "I want to know what happened that night and you owe me that much." Karl says no-one was supposed to get hurt.

Grace suggests that she and Faye do their homework and get it out of the way. Anna's amazed. Personally, I think Grace is too good to be true and will turn out to be Kirsty's evil half sister come to wreak revenge on the street.

Karl tells Dev what happened - how Sunita followed him into the pub. He says he had no choice but to leave her inside because of the smoke and flames. Dev, with tears streaming down his face, says Karl locked Sunita in a burning pub and then watched as her name was blackened and her kids suffered. Karl says he tried to be there for the family. But Dev shouts that all the time Karl was supposedly being so supportive and Dev was torturing himself, Dev was right.

The detective comes in to speak to Craig and takes Kirk and Beth with him. Jason has to sit and wait.

Karl wants to know what the plan is now. He says Dev doesn't have to ever see him again. Karl's phone rings. It's Stella. He won't answer it. Dev wants him to tell her they're coming back to the party - he wants to see Stella's face when Karl tells her he burnt down the Rovers and caused two people to die. "I want to see her love fade away right before your eyes." Karl won't do that. Dev says this is where Karl finds out what loss really means. Karl walks forward and asks what Dev really thinks he's lost. "That woman betrayed you. She betrayed us both. That woman never understood the meaning of loyalty or love or self-respect, for that matter." He says Sunita doesn't deserve any pity - she wasn't worth it and never was. Dev rushes him. There's a struggle and Dev seems to get the better of Karl. But the minute Dev turns his back, Karl wallops him over the back of the head with a bottle and Dev goes down, unconscious.

They're getting impatient at the bistro. Stella says she'll go and have a look for Karl. She has to get changed anyway, she says.

In the pub, Karl's got their cases and has grabbed as much money as he can. His phone goes. It's Tez. Karl tells him to keep Stella there. "Mate, he's just left to find you." Stella bangs on the front door. "Karl, are you there?"

Oooh. More to come in the second episode.

Margaret Carr

Written by: Mark Burt
Directed by: Alan Grint

We open the second episode with a few people having a typical Friday the 13th day, starting with Dev, who is out cold on the floor, and Karl is dragging him out of immediate sight. He is doing this because he hears Stella coming in the back door.

She meets up with him in the hallway, and wants to know why he has been so long. He tells her he couldn't find his passport, but has it now, and wants to leave right away. She can tell he is agitated and that something is not right, so demands to know what is going on. He assures her nothing is wrong, but she is not having it, and walks through into the bar. First thing she notices is broken glass and a mobile phone on the floor, then her gaze falls upon a prostrate Dev, still unconscious.

In the police station, things are still moving frustratingly slowly. They are now ready to take a statement from Jason, who just wants them to get out there and arrest Karl, but they tell him they will take his statement, and then decide if further action is required. Jason pleads with them that he is a dangerous guy, and should be acting now, but the policeman just tells him he is a dangerous guy himself when he hasn't had his tea break, so just go with the officer and give his statement or he will be arrested for wasting police time. Jason has no choice but to comply.

Back at the Rovers, Stella is leaning over Dev, trying to wake him up. Asking Karl what happened, he tells her he was just getting their luggage when Dev came in and just attacked him. He tells her he doesn't really know what happened, whether he was drunk or something, but he just fell over, and maybe hit his head or something. She is shocked that he hasn't yet called an ambulance, and tells him they must do that right away. He grabs her arm, saying they will do that from the taxi, but must leave now or they will miss their plane.

Telling him he must be in shock or something, because he isn't thinking straight, Stella tells him they have to get Dev some help now, and picks up the phone. Karl rushes over and grabs the phone from her, telling her to sit down as he needs to think. She tries to argue with him, but he turns nasty, and yells at her to sit down now!

Over in No. 6 it is dinner time, and Faye's new friend is going over the top with her praise of Anna's food. Anna of course is lapping it up, and asks her if her own mother is a good cook also. Grace tells her she is an awful cook, and it comes out in conversation that she is an only child, which she is very happy to be, and then goes back to telling Anna how awesome her food is.

In the Rovers, Karl is now drinking heavily, and Stella is asking questions. Dev appears to be momentarily forgotten on the floor. Karl is rambling a bit, asking why they couldn't have let it be, as it was all done with and forgotten. Stella wants to know who 'they' are, which causes Karl to fly off the handle again, shouting at her to leave it. He tells her it was first Jason, then Dev and now her, and tells her to leave him be.

He calms down somewhat, then tells her that everything he has done, he has done for her. Stella is worried now, and asks him what he has done.

Over in the Bistro the bubbles are filling the room. The guests are having fun blowing them all over the place. Sean is impressed with the cake Gail has made for Stella and Karl, and asks if she made it herself. Gail tells him she had a little help from Lorraine Pascale, who is a chef from BBC2. She brags that the cake is carrot, as she wanted to be a little different, and goes on to tell Sean that she and Lorraine are alike in many ways. Sean looks a little skeptical, possibly because with Lorraine being black for a start, he can't see a resemblance.

The family are starting to get a little worried about having no bride and groom at the reception, so Eva tries calling Stella, but she isn't picking up. Gloria's not too worried though, she figures they have probably decided to consummate their marriage while they are over there.

Meanwhile, back at the Rovers, rumpeh pumpeh is the last thing on Stella's mind as they sit in a booth, and Karl is rambling on about how Jason was never right for her. She wants to know what Jason has to do with anything. Rambling on regardless, he tells her that Jason was her big mistake and Sunita was his, but he never intended her to get hurt, and only set fire to the Rovers to make her see that Jason wasn't right for her. Stella's eyes widen, when she realises he is admitting to setting fire to the Rovers, and that he knew Sunita was in there when he did it.

In his twisted mind, he tells Stella it's OK because he saved her life, and they fell in love again. She points out that two people are dead, and Dev might be next. (Oh, she does remember he is still on the floor then) Karl tells her he knows that too, which is why they have to leave right now and get away.

Jason is going over and over things at the police station, trying to convince the policewoman he is now speaking to, that Karl is a murderer and to get off her backside and do something about it. She however feels there is not enough evidence to do it, and suggests Jason could be doing all this out of jealousy, as Karl is marrying Stella, his ex-girlfriend.

Stella is now pleading with Karl to allow her to get some medical help for Dev as he could be dying. Karl can only see that their only recourse is to get in that taxi and catch a plane to Spain, where they can live happily ever after as man and wife. Stella screams at him that there is no marriage, the whole thing was based on lies. She takes her wedding ring off and throws it across the room. Karl shouts that he knows she doesn't mean that, and goes to pick it up, leaving Stella time to get to the front door. Does she unlock it, and run outside? After all, she has unlocked that door umpteen times, and knows how, even I know there is a bolt at the top you have to slide across, does she 'eckaslike! Instead, she pounds on the glass and screams for someone to help her. Nobody comes, and Karl grabs her from behind, and with one hand over her mouth, shows her the wedding ring she threw away, reminding her she made vows on that ring to stay with him through good times and bad, Mrs. Munro.

After the break we are still in the Rovers, Dev is still on the floor unconscious and Karl is apologising to Stella, telling her he didn't mean to hurt her. She is sobbing with perfectly dry eyes, and telling him she is sorry she tried to run away. She goes on to tell him she knows the sacrifices he has made for her, and that he could have walked away, but never did. She then points out that the position they are in is a real mess, and asks him how they are going to clear it up. He is delighted because she has said 'we', and she assures him they are in it together, and always will be. She is lying, but he can't see it, even though we can.

Jason is still banging his head against a brick wall metaphorically speaking. He is now telling them about all the photos of the Full Monty night that Tommy has on his phone. Of course, they don't prove where Karl was, only where Karl wasn't. Jason asks her if she is going to arrest Karl, yes or no? She tells him it isn't her decision, so he totally loses patience and tells her he is leaving, because if they won't do anything, he will.

Stella is now telling Karl that if they leave now, they might still be able to catch the plane. Karl asks her if she is OK with leaving forever without saying goodbye to her mother and daughters. Stella tells him they will just have to understand. He then asks her if she is going to be able to live with the fact that he started the fire and caused Sunita's death. She tells him she is going to have to.

The phone is ringing now, but Stella urges him to get going, telling him to grab the bags. He asks what they are going to do about Dev, glancing at him still prone on the floor at least 45 minutes after he was hit over the head. Stella tells him they will do what he first suggested, and call for an ambulance from the taxi. He asks her if she is going to change first, as she is still in her wedding dress, then changes his mind, telling her if she stays dressed the way she is, they might get bumped up with champagne and the works on the flight - a fairy tale ending. Then his voice turns sinister, and he says "Trouble is love, I don't believe in fairytales".

Stella tries pleading with him, saying they can put the past behind them. Just then, her phone rings, and Karl, who still has it, looks to see the call is coming from Jason. It doesn't help the situation for he now knows she still has his number in her phone. She assures him she loves him and nobody else, and tells him they can still escape, if only he will come with her now because she really wants to go with him. He just looks at her and says "Liar liar, pants on fire".

(Oh kill me now! I am really trying to write this objectively, but this episode is absolutely dire. They are having these characters switch from one mood to another with no warning, no trigger. I hated it the first time I watched it, and I am having such trouble watching it again. It is total drivel. I'm sorry - I will plod on, and hope I can get it across the way it was intended by the writers, not the way it came across to me!)

Anna is telling Faye her little friend should be on her way now, as she needs to have a bath before bed. Faye pleads for a little longer, as she can have her bath in the morning. Grace takes Anna's side, and tells Faye she should do as she is told and do it now. Anna goes up to run Faye's bath, and Owen leaves to start the truck, telling Grace he will run her home. Faye remarks to Grace that they appear to like her. Grace replies that it was the whole idea, letting on that she was just pretending to be nice, as she has found with her own parents that it gets her anything she wants. As she leaves, she picks up Faye's magazine, telling her she didn't want to see her reading stuff like that anymore, as it makes her look lame. Methinks our Faye is going to have a rough ride with this one in the end.

Karl and Stella are still talking things over, they are back behind the bar now. She is contrite and apologetic, and he is harping back to the day they arrived in Weatherfield, saying he never wanted to come there in the first place. Meanwhile, Dev, who is still on the floor, comes round long enough to pick up his phone, and send a text to Jason's number completely silently, then slips into unconsciousness again. Karl is drinking and on a roll now, saying it had been totally Stella's idea to come to Weatherfield, they had been just fine before that. She asks if he is blaming her for all that has happened, and he denies it, saying he just wants her to understand how much she means to him.

She tells him she knows he loves her, and he affirms he does, more than anything. That when he realised she was trapped inside the burning Rovers, he didn't hesitate, he just went right in, as it felt so good to just hold her in his arms again. She pleads with him that it's not too late to make it all right again.

Jason is pulling up outside the Rovers in a cab when his phone rings. Looking at it, he sees a text from Dev, saying "Help me, rovers". (Wow! Aren't you impressed? He managed to find Jason's number, and even took the time to put a comma in the middle of the text without anyone seeing or hearing him do it, even though they are almost standing right over the top of him).

Stella is now asking Karl if they can get an ambulance for Dev, as he has suffered enough. Karl agrees, but before she can get to the phone, Jason hammers on the door, yelling he knows Karl is in there, and demands he opens it. Stella screams at Jason to get some help, and Karl shuts her up by putting his hands round her throat. As Jason runs round the back, Stella tells Karl it is over. Karl growls that he will be the one to decide when it is over, and starts pouring a bottle of whiskey into a box of stuff, meanwhile we can hear Jason breaking down the back door. (Did Stella lock it behind her when she came in then? Why would she have?) Jason bursts into the bar saying it was now between him and Karl. The latter tells him to stay back, at the same time flicking his lighter to life. He tells them he has done it before, and he can do it again. Stella tells him she knows he won't do it, as he doesn't have it in him to kill. "You reckon?", says Karl. Stella says he had thought that the pub was empty when he did it before, or he wouldn't have done it, she tells him again he isn't a murderer.

With one arm round Stella and the other holding the lit lighter, he says "Oh yes I am, I went to the hospital and killed Sunita". Jason starts to rush him, but he screams at him to stay back, so he stops. Stella instructs Jason to look after Dev, while she and Karl go down the cellar, "Shall we?" she says to Karl. "Yeah", says Karl. (Oh brother, says me!! Sorry - I'm trying, I really am, but this is SO utterly ridiculous!)

So Karl and Stella take off down the cellar, leaving Jason to sort things out upstairs. Meanwhile in the Bistro, as they still have no happy couple, the best man is trying out his speech on the guests, and is managing to insult most of them in the process. They finally shut him up, and Gloria makes a toast to the bride and groom. Gail is anxious to cut the cake, so they decide she might as well. Taking the bride and groom off the top of it, she accidentally drops it, and it aptly breaks right between the two figures, splitting them apart. Sean and Eva decide they have celebrated enough without the couple concerned and take off to look for them.

They arrive at the Rovers just in time to see Jason carrying a now semi-conscious Dev out onto the street, and he lays him down in the road on the cobbles, (just what everyone does with an injured person right? Now he can get run over as well!) Suddenly the police are there, and before Jason can even tell anyone what is going on, the police have put their tape around him - I swear, it just appeared as if by magic. Jason tells Eva that Karl has Stella in the cellar, who goes into hysterics and has to be held back by a policeman, while the policeman in charge calls for backup. Eva screams at Sean to go get Gloria and Leanne.

Jason angrily tells the policeman that it's all his fault, that if he hadn't kept him waiting so long at the police station he could have helped both Dev and Stella. The camera pans down on Dev, who is still lying in the road half unconscious with just a little bit of blood over one ear. (I do think there should be a bigger wound considering it has put him out of action for almost an hour, except of course for the time he got on his phone and sent a perfectly worded text.)

Down in the cellar, Stella is telling Karl to just get on with it and murder her, as she is not going to fight him. When he hesitates, she asks him if he only murders comatose women?

Outside, Gloria and Leanne have arrived, and Glo wants to know why Jason allowed Karl to take Stella down the cellar, whereas I want to know why Stella suggested it, and why they wanted to go down the cellar in the first place! Jason tells her he tried to stop him, but he was going to burn down the pub. Eva tells Gloria it wasn't Jason's fault, so Gloria apologises to him.

Karl is sitting on the stairs of the cellar with his head in his hands. He is wailing that he constantly sees Sunita's face, that he wishes he could be his old self again, but he always sees her face. He goes on to tell Stella that he would have made her happy. She replies that he wouldn't have been happy himself, that what he did would always eat away at him. She goes on to tell him that Dev deserves some peace, and so does Sunita, and only he can give it to them by walking out of there. She pleads with him to do it for her - his wife.

Outside, everyone wants the police to get in there and rescue Stella, but Mr. Plod in charge refuses to do so until the backup arrives. Meanwhile, Dev is still laying in the road, the ambulance hasn't arrived yet either.

Just then, the door of the Rovers opens, and out walks Karl. St. Ella has saved the day once again! The police grab him and throw him onto the ground, handcuffing his hands behind his back. As the policeman reads Karl his rights and charges him with arson and murder, the camera pans over to Dev, still laying on the cobbles nearby, who now has his eyes wide open, and can hear the right person being charged with his wife's murder. As he is led away and bundled into the police car, he and Stella exchange long, lingering, stomach churning looks at each other.

Which brings us to the end of Karl Munro, but I really feel this Friday the 13th was a lot more bad luck for me, because I drew the short straw and had to sit through this episode all over again. I feel cheated. It was a pretty good storyline, and was looking forward to the conclusion, but in my opinion didn't come anywhere close to the standards I have come to expect from Coronation Street. Amateurish by all involved from beginning to end!

Christine Warren

This is the update for series 54 episode 183 and as we are running late we will head over to Weatherfield for an update of events. This episode was written by Ellen Taylor, directed by Michael Lacey and copyright remains the property of ITV Productions to whom many thanks.

We open in the back of the Rovers where St Ella is having a clear out of everything to do with Karl. St Ella is blaming herself - she should have listened to Leanne who did warn her!

Roy is getting Hayley breakfast - two boiled eggs. She has no appetite and gets him to eat one of the eggs. Roy has a driving lesson today - previous attempts have never reached the test stage.

Jason bumps into Eva in the Street and she tells him that Stella is throwing everything away. Jason re-assures Eva that Stella is a strong woman suffering from shock.

Sal is laying on the sofa - she has been dumped and Sophie calls him a loser and tells her mother she can do much better. Sophie assures her she is gorgeous. Sal admits she has been an idiot - but it could have been worse, she could have been dating Karl.

Dev lets Jason in - he has brought a bottle of whisky as the best medicine known to man - from the Corner Shop. Jason and Dev thank each other for their contribution to finding the truth. Jason did the pushing but did even he did not believe that Sunita had been killed. Dev toasts Jason for sorting it out on behalf of himself and his children.

They are pretty depressed in the factory as they discuss Craig and how he had also suffered as well as Dev's kids. And they all owe Dev an apology. Beth cannot believe that Stella did not know - Eva gives them all a piece of her mind.

Stella visits to see how Craig is. Darryl the rat has gone missing. Stella apologises for all that has happened and Stella realises it is too soon and goes around the corner crying.

Norris is recalling the previous day in Roy's Rolls whilst Roy is memorizing stopping distances from the Highway Code as there will be light rain this afternoon. Doris wants to know why Roy is suddenly learning to drive and hearing he is going past the Kabin will move the paperboy.

Norris returns to the Kabin and comes across Eileen who tells him to stop sticking his nose in.

At the garage Fiz delivers lunch to Ty - but he and Tommy keep hearing a strange noise in the background. Tommy suggests that as Chesney has a girlfriend maybe it is time that Fiz moved in with Ty.

The police are confirming that Karl Munro has made a full confession to both the arson and the murder. The police want fresh statements as they have a new investigation. Stella insists on being called Miss Price not Mrs Munro. She is distressed and takes the rubbish out into the ginnel where she and Dev exchange a knowing look.

After the break Sal is feeling a little better and her migraine has improved. Tim left some flowers on the doorstep and Sophie calls the note he left as pathetic and the flowers only cost £1.99 - specially reduced. Sal refuses to listen to Sophie when she tells her not to let him walk over her again.

Stella is cleaning like a mad woman and she has to get changed to go on shift. Stella insists on working despite no sleep. Gloria and Eva discuss it - but cannot prevent her working.

Hayley sneaks downstairs and talks Anna into letting her have a short visit to the factory to see the girls. As she heads along the Street she misses seeing Sal letting Tim into her house. Tim asks if Sal wants to go for a drink in the Rovers later and Sal says she will have to see how she feels.

The girls are still bickering over Karl and Stella at the factory when Hayley arrives and her first question is to ask after Stella - showing more care than everyone else.

Roy returns from his driving lesson - and has fallen out with his instructor who criticized him for unsafe driving - he was driving too slowly. Roy is unamused with Anna when she reveals that Hayley has stepped out and is not upstairs resting. Anna cannot tie Hayley down.

Back at the factory Sean invites Hayley for a drink and she reluctantly accepts. Before they leave she has a funny turn and is overwhelmed by pain.

Tommy and Ty can still hear noises and then Ty finds a damaged pigeon under a tool box. Ty talks nicely to the pigeon.

Jason says he is sorry to Stella and she makes a complete pig's ear of the pint she pulls and demands another vodka. Beth comes in and starts shouting the odds at Stella over her bothering Craig. Stella accepts she should not have bothered Craig. And indeed to put things right Stella pours shots all round on the house. She wants a party.

And I have no doubt the next episode will be along shortly.

No football results tonight - sorry about that.

K Richard W

Written by Susan Oudot and directed by Michael Lacey

Stella is drowning her sorrows in neat vodka. Eva suggests she needs to slow down but Stella really doesn't want to hear it. She also doesn't want to hear Eileen and Beth gossiping about her on the other side of the bar. Jason looks concerned and Eileen tells him not to go all doe-eyed over Stella but he insists he's only looking out for her and points out that Stella's not responsible for what Karl did. Eva warns Beth that if she makes one more comment about her mum she'll be barred.

Fiz brings Hayley back to the cafe and tells Roy that she had a funny turn. He's all for taking her straight round to the doctors but Hayley snaps back at him and asks what he thinks the doctor's going to say. That she's not well? She reminds Roy she has terminal cancer, as if he needs reminding.

Ty is fussing over the pigeon that they found in the garage. Tommy asks him what he's going to do with it. As luck would have it, along comes Mary who, would you know, just happens to have recently seen a documentary about pigeons. Not only is she a wealth of knowledge about how they were used during the second world war but she also remembers that the owners sometimes stamp their details on one of the feathers. And what do you know? Ty checks and finds something on one of the plumes of his pigeon.

Mary is on a bit of a roll with good deeds because her next port of call is Dev's. She turns up with a tin of something she's baked for the children (we're not sure what but I hope it's not pigeon pie). They go off to eat it in front of the tv while Mary talks to Dev. She asks him how he's feeling and he says that he thought telling the children that their mother had died in the fire was bad enough but now he has to tell them she was murdered. But Mary reassures him that it will be alright and reminds Dev that he believed in Sunita and says that now his faith in her has been rewarded.

Ty is on the phone to the pigeon's owner. We discover it's a she and her name is Beyonce. Her owner is coming to pick her up tomorrow but, in the meantime, she'll have to stay the night in a cardboard box round at Ty and Fiz's. Fiz says if Ty had to spend the night with a Beyonce she would rather it was this one and Ty tells her he wouldn't want the other one anyway, as he gives her a kiss.

Stella's working her way down the bottle of vodka and Eva tries suggesting she's had enough and should go upstairs. Stella says she's had enough of people telling her what to do and says if Gloria hadn't told her to get back with Karl she wouldn't be in this mess. Meanwhile, Sally has joined Tim at the bar. She makes out things are fine between them and says she's not worried about him not going to the wedding. She adds that she's not looking for commitment and he seems very happy to go along with it. When she goes to sit down Tim tells Jason he can see why he was attracted to Stella. Now that Sally's as good as declared she's not looking for a long term relationship, he's decided that older women are good news and puts it down to their confidence and the fact that they're not afraid to lay it on the line.

Roy and Hayley are now upstairs in the flat. He's still worried about her and Hayley is getting exasperated. She doesn't want to be wrapped in cotton wool and wants things to be as normal as possible. "I need to be treated as Hayley, not Hayley with cancer," she says. "I need to know that you're listening to me." Roy nods his agreement but he still looks desperately worried.

Jason and Eileen are in the Rovers talking about Dev and the children. Gloria comes over and says that Stella wanted to go and see them but it's difficult to know what to say. "I don't think there's much she can say," says Eileen with her usual bluntness. Jason reassures Gloria that nobody is blaming Stella. Just then Dev walks in and goes up to the bar. Stella looks awkward and turns away.

Sophie is at home with Jenna when she gets a text from her Mum. She's furious and reads it out loud: "I'm in the pub with Tim. Just to warn you I'm coming back for a nightcap". Sophie is really angry after everything she's said to Sally and tells Jenna that she might as well have 'desperate housewife' tattooed across her forehead.

Back in the Rovers, Jason is trying to talk some sense into Stella. He tells her that booze isn't going to help and says that she can't punish herself for something that was none of her doing. But Stella says he just doesn't get it and tells him that being stupid and ignorant is nearly as bad as being guilty.

Meanwhile Sally's doing her best to convince Tim that she just wants to keep things casual. After all, she tells him, they're just two people who like spending time with each other. "I just don't understand these women who get all possessive and needy," says Sally, describing herself to a tee. Tim doesn't need any persuading. "That way we can just enjoy each other but still be free to do our own thing," he says happily.

Stella is getting drunker by the minute and Jason decides to step in before she makes a total fool of herself. Dev joins them at the bar and tells Stella she needs to listen to Jason and then says that they need to talk. "Don't hate me, Dev," begs Stella as she goes through to the back. Gloria tries to stop Dev from following her but he's a man on a mission.

Dev is doing some straight talking with Stella. She blames herself for what happened but he tries to reassure her that she wasn't responsible for anything that Karl did. In fact, Dev blames himself for the fact that he allowed Karl to kill Sunita in the hospital when he should have been there for her. Stella holds Dev's hand and says she's sorry. He tells her that she's not the reason the Karl killed Sunita - he says he did it because Sunita knew what Karl had done. But Stella still thinks he did it all for her. "I don't know what to do," sobs Stella.

Fiz and Ty are enjoying a cuppa together in the garage and talking about Hayley. She tells him how wonderful Hayley and Roy were when they fostered her and Ty says it's like Jack and Vera were for him and they have a laugh over some of his reminiscences over Jack and his pigeons. All this talk about happy families leads Fiz to make a suggestion to Ty - she would like them to move in together. "What, really?" asks Ty, sounding delighted. Fiz says there's no point in waiting and they seal their decision with a kiss.

Sally and Tim arrive home from the pub to find Sophie and Jenna lying in wait. While Tim runs upstairs to use the facilities, Sophie has a go at her mother. She accuses Sally of being ready to jump back in to bed with Tim for the sake of a cheap bunch of flowers which, let's face it, is spot on. But Sally tells her it's none of her business and assures Sophie that she's decided to back off and that they're just seeing each other casually. "That way, nobody gets hurt," says Sally. As if!

Dev is leaving the Rovers after talking to Stella and he tells Gloria and Eva to keep an eye on her. Gloria calls Dev back and tells him that she owes him an apology about Sunita. "I was very harsh ... no, I was horrible," she admits. She adds that, in view of what's come to light, she feels terrible.

As Roy and Hayley climb into bed she asks him how his driving lesson went. Not well, it would seem, as Roy describes his driving instructor as a pedant. Hayley suggests that perhaps she should teach Roy to drive and she talks about how they could drive out to some pubs together. "just got to wait for this body of mine to hurry up and ... you know ...," sighs Hayley. "It will," Roy reassures her, taking Hayley's hand.

Stella is lying on her sofa looking utterly depressed. Eva tells her mother that she's proud of her. She says she's kind and honest and she knows she would never hurt anyone. She says nobody would blame her for what she did. "You just don't get it, do you?" asks Stella. "Just go. Leave me alone. Go ... please!" says Stella. Eva leaves her alone and Stella picks up a flower from her wedding bouquet which has been left lying on the side. She stares at it sadly as the title music plays.

Karen

Roy comes down and finds Hayley sitting in the dark in the cafe, she's had a nightmare, and wanted time to settle herself down again. She tells Roy she dreamed she was Harold again and none of her life as it is now had ever happened. She was trapped in a man's body and couldn't get out. Roy offers soothing camomile tea.

Eva finds Stella asleep on the sofa, after a hard night's drinking. She tells her daughter she didn't want to sleep in THAT bed. Eva tells her she'll get over this, she's not to blame for any of it, Karl is.

Hayley is now back upstairs in the flat, and Fiz arrives with a carrier bag containing a present for Roy for his birthday which is on Friday. Hayley is looking through a box of old photographs and souvenirs, and Fiz sits down beside her to have a look too.

Jason is teasing Tim about Sally, he reckons she'll have a ring on his finger before he knows what's happening. Just then Eva comes along and Jason asks how Stella is, and she thanks him for being so nice, and tells him that next time he's in the pub the first drink is on her. She continues on her way, and Tim then teases Jason about her, saying he's well in there.

Back in the flat. Hayley is telling Fizz about her dream, and says that she doesn't regret becoming who she is, that's why the dream has disturbed her. Fiz urges her to forget all about it, but Hayley says that it has stirred up things that won't go away, and she goes on to tell Fiz about her son, Christian, and how he is all grown up now, she missed all his childhood years. Fiz is astonished to learn about Christian, and also thinks it's terrible that Christian's mum never told Hayley about him. Hayley tells her that when she did meet him, he couldn't handle who she is now and knocked her to the ground, and she hasn't seen him since. Fiz thinks he's better forgotten. "How can I forget him?" asks Hayley, "he's my son." She goes on to say that she wants to see him again before she dies.

Hayley tells Roy that she wants to get in touch with Christian. Roy can't understand why, and he doesn't want her upset again. He's sure it won't be any different this time than it was last, and when she protests that he doesn't know that, he says he does, and so does she, deep down, she's just refusing to admit it. She tells him she must at least try. "Why?" asks Roy, pointing out that Christian was the one who finished things, he made his decision. Hayley finally concedes that if Christian had wanted to see her again, he would have got in touch.

Fiz and Tyrone are chatting. She asks if he took the pigeon back and he tells her he did, and the owner knew Jack!

Sally is in the shop talking to Sophie, Dev is ranting because he got the order wrong and has received too much rice. Tim walks in and asks Sally if she's free later. She tries to play it cool and tells him she isn't. Then he asks if she fancies going away one weekend. Her whole demeanour changes and she becomes all smiley and flirty and says she would love to. He says he'll come round to hers sometime so they can talk about it. "Why don't you come round tonight, we can chat then?" she asks him. He reminds her that she said she was busy. She hastily says it's nothing she can't put off, and offers to cook him steak as well.

Fiz finds Chesney and Sinead in the pub and tells them that she's thinking of moving in with Tyrone. Chesney reckons it's about time!

Jason walks in and asks Eva for his free pint, and tells her that he just saw Stella going in the cafe looking very down. Eva says she doesn't know how Stella will get over this, but Jason gives her lots of encouragement, telling her how Stella has her to look after her.

Hayley comes in and asks Eva if she can hold a little party in the pub on Friday for Roy's birthday. Eva says of course she can.

Fiz takes her to one side asking if she's all right, and Hayley tells her how Roy wasn't happy when she told him about wanting to contact Christian.

In the cafe, Stella asks Dev how he manages to keep on going when all she feels like doing in curling up in a corner somewhere. She can't stand being in the pub anymore, everything there reminds her of Karl. He tells her she can either just give up and let the current pull her under, or keep treading water and find that one day she's made it to the other shore.

Fiz comes into the cafe. Roy tells her that Hayley has gone off on some errand. Fiz tells him it's all to do with his birthday, but says he mustn't let on. He says he doesn't care about his birthday. Fiz says that Hayley does care, because she loves him, and if he loves her he will let her contact Christian. She tells him that she doesn't think it's a good idea either, but they have to let her do this for her own peace of mind.

Sally is at home, looking up weekend breaks on her laptop. Sophie is cross with her, she had told her she was going to keep her distance and the minute he mentioned a weekend away she has practically thrown herself at him. Just then Tim knocks at the door, Sophie lets him in and takes herself out!

Sally tells Tim she's found a lovely weekend break in Paris for a brilliant price. Tim was thinking of somewhere closer, like Blackpool. Sally laughs scornfully. "Blackpool? Like you'd really take me there?"

Stella goes back into the pub and tells Eva she's decided it's time to move on. If Dev can do it, so can she. She tells Eva to go on a break, she'll take over.

Fiz tells Tyrone about the party for Roy on Friday, and says that Hayley was so good to her when she was younger, helped her turn her life around, she was hoping she would be there for their kids. She think that Hope won't even remember Hayley when she's older. Tyrone thinks it would be a good idea if they all go out together somewhere.

Roy tells Hayley that she should contact Christian. He says it's to do with her and not him, so she should ignore his earlier advice. Excitedly, she rushes to get her mobile phone out to find his number. She rings it, it goes to voicemail, so she leaves a message asking him to ring her back. "That's that done then," she says, grinning, "we'll just have to wait and see!"

Anne Logan

It's Roy's birthday and he and Hayley sit upstairs having lunch, though Roy doesn't feel right just sitting round when the cafe's so busy. He's opened the present from Sylvia - thermal socks so thick he'll have trouble getting his shoes on. Hayley's still had no reply from Christian. She gives Roy her gift. It's a train engineer's hat similar to the one he wore on his wedding day. She thinks it gives him a look of Dirk Bogarde. "This time next year I'll be . . ." Roy pauses and we all know he wants to say "alone," but he finishes the sentence with "sixty." Sniff.

Down in the cafe, Eva finds Stella sitting mournfully alone. Stella can't stand the idea of being in the pub where everything reminds her of Karl. Hayley and Roy come downstairs and Anna tells them Stella's been hogging a table for ages. Roy points out that sometimes it's not just the stomach the customers are seeking to fill. "Sometimes they need succour." Anna looks very puzzled.

Hayley goes over to ask Stella about arrangements for tonight's party but it's Eva who responds. This afternoon, Hayley, Roy, Fiz, Tyrone and the children are going to the Museum of Science, Technology and Industry - just a whirlwind tour then ice creams all round, she says.

As she packs up to move in with Tyrone, Fiz reminisces over her years in the house where she and Chesney grew up.

Eva and Stella arrive back at the pub to find Gloria wiping down the sills outside, though she points out she's too glamorous to be a natural skivvy (that's a drudge, rather than a long-sleeved top to those of you outside the UK). But Gloria's cheerfulness in the face of necessity turns to whining when Eva suggests Stella go in for a lie down. When Gloria starts making trite statements about it being time to move on, Stella stomps off in a huff, saying she's fed up. Gloria tells Eva her mother needs tough love, not all this pussyfooting around her.

Jason's seen Stella leave and comes over, telling Eva that Stella's tough and will come through this. The important thing is that she knows Eva's there for her. Eva worries that Stella might do something stupid.

Hayley talks to Anna about arrangements for Roy's party. "I know it's Roy's party but I see it as a celebration . . ." I can't hear what she says after that as Fiz, Tyrone and the kids come in shouting "Happy birthday!" They've got cards but they're going to give Roy his present at the party.

Jason helps Eva decorate the pub. Gloria's decided it's beneath her. They seem easy and jokey together.

The museum touring party comes back earlier than Anna expects. Hayley got very tired and wants to make sure she's not tired tonight. Anna's concerned that Hayley looks washed out. Roy tells her he would have preferred a quiet day but this is what Hayley wanted. Anna says Hayley's desperate to make the most of every moment.

Ryan overhears them talking about the party and offers to do some DJing but Roy says modern music gives him a migraine. Quietly, Hayley asks Fiz to bring her camera tonight. She's making a photo album for Roy as a goodbye present. Sniff. I'm getting tearful when I first watch the episodes, then when I re-watch them and now when I'm typing them up.

Stella's slumped at the table in the back of the Rovers. She tells Eva she doesn't know what to do - nothing seems to help. She can't change what's in her head. Eva says she has to try to let go. She suggests Stella see a doctor but Stella thinks all the doctor will do is give her pills for stupidity. Eva suggests she focus on the positives - Stella's now free of Karl forever.

Anna takes the post up to Roy and finds him polishing his shoes. "It's none of my business, but you might want to do something about your face," Anna tells him. Roy explains his long history of hating parties. When he was 12, his mother got him an Action Man doll (with the wrong uniform) even though he really wanted an ant farm. "I never got what my heart desired until I met Hayley. I'm attempting to make Hayley happy - or as happy as it's possible to be in the circumstances." Anna leaves just as Hayley comes into the room, dressed up and made up ready for the party. Roy comments that she looks beautiful. He admires her blouse, which is new and silk because she thought she'd treat herself. Roy asks her to tie his tie for him. "No," she says. She's not going to do it for him but she'll show him how because he'll need to know. Sniff.

Anna's trying to close up but Tim's still at a table. Jason comes in wanting a bacon butty but she refuses to serve him because she's closing up. Tim offers to share his food and Jason sits down. Anna's really annoyed. Tim tells Jason he's trying to avoid Sally. He's had 12 texts from her today about this planned weekend in Paris. He likes her but can't do commitment. Jason grins and says he did warn Tim that Sally was high maintenance. It all goes dark as Anna turns off the lights in an attempt to shift them.

Roy and Hayley arrive at the pub and Mary says Hayley looks a veritable vision. "Personally, I can't wear nylon," she says. Eva can tell at a distance that it's silk, not nylon. Mary quivers and asks Hayley if it would be an imposition to ask for a feel. When she touches the silk she sighs.

Tyrone and Fiz are on their way to the pub. The kids are asleep, though they don't mention who's looking after them.

Tim and Jason are across the street. Tim's still going on about how clingy Sally is, much to Jason's amusement. He tells Tim he'd better go or "the wife" will wonder where he is.

Fiz is reluctant to go into the pub. She's tearful thinking about Hayley when their own lives are so good at the moment. Tyrone tells her that Hayley's really happy for them. Fiz wishes she could do something to make things easier for Hayley. Tyrone says she is. Hayley had a fantastic day and that was all Fiz's idea.

Jason's in the pub and congratulates Roy. Sinead gives him some of her soap. She's added lavender because it's soothing and tea-tree oil because it kills bugs. Fiz and Tyrone come in. They've sponsored a bat (Cyril, a pipistrelle) in his name.

Stella's out the back looking tearful.

At the bar, Sean, Gloria and Mary discuss the flower in Mary's hair. Gloria hates marigolds because they harbour earwigs. Mary says that if it was all right for Frida Kahlo (she pronounces it "Callow") it's all right for her. "Oh, is that the one from the abattoir on Tile Street?" asks Gloria. Mary tells her Kahlo was a brilliant artist. She then lectures Gloria on the Mexican attitude to death, where it's all out in the open and talked about, not hidden away. Unfortunately, Roy overhears all this.

Hayley finds Roy out in the yard. The Rovers must have the lowest percentage of smokers of any pub in England - there's never anyone out here. Roy puts his jacket round Hayley's shoulders. Hayley apologises and says she was selfish putting Roy through all the noise and attention of the party. Roy says he wants whatever makes her happy.

In the bar, Sean teases Eva when he sees her watching Jason. She admits Jason's attractive but denies she fancies him. Gloria overhears and looks disapproving.

Roy and Hayley look at the moon. "Compared to that we're nothing," Hayley says. There are seven billion people on earth and most take everything for granted. It might sound cheesy to say it, but all anyone needs is love, she says. She didn't want to get to the front of the queue so soon, "but here I am and I'm just so glad to be here with you," she says. "I don't deserve you, Hayley Cropper," Roy says. "You're the strong one." He says his greatest fear is that he will fail her in the end. They stand closer together.

Fetch me another tissue. . .

The end of the first Friday episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Julie Jones
Directed by: Michael Lacey

Once again we take up where we left off, with Roy and Hayley in the back yard of the Rovers. He is telling her how brave she is and that he just can't measure up. She replies that she isn't really, that this is just happening to her, and she has to deal with it. She goes on to say that she knows she is ill, but it's not all she is. She is still his Hayley, and it's not possible for him to fail her, all she asks if that he is there with her, and she doesn't doubt him for a minute.

The moment is broken by her mobile ringing. They both immediately think it might be Christian, and Hayley eagerly grabs it to look, but it is only Fiz wondering where they are. Hayley tells Roy she didn't want to pin her hopes on Christian, but she really wants the matter resolved one way or another, as she wants to go from this world with no regrets. Roy understands completely, and pulls her to him, hugging her tightly.

Back at the party inside, Fiz is happy to report that Roy and Hayley are only out the back, and will be right back in. Sean speculates that they are possibly having a quickie 'Al Fresco', but before we can have that vision permanently etched into our brains, Kirkeh destroys it by telling everyone he once knew a bloke called Al Fresco who could turn his eyelids inside out. Thanks Kirk, now I have quite a different picture in my brain! :-)

Ryan arrives with what they need to get a karaoke going, prompting Gloria to ask him if he has any Sandie Shaw? "Never heard of him" says Ryan, (and it's lines like that which serve to remind me that I, like Gloria, are well and truly over the hill. How could he not know about the little bare foot Adam Faith protege from the 60's? If anyone asks me who Adam Faith is, I will scream!)

Over in No. 4 Tim is eating a meal that no doubt Sally cooked for him, while she is busy on her laptop tracking down weekend deals in exotic places. She is telling him that if he doesn't fancy Paris, they could always go somewhere else, like Krakow, which she has heard is rather nice. Panicking, Tim tells her again that they could always go somewhere like Blackpool, but Sally isn't listening. He perks up when she decides against Poland, but his hopes are dashed again when she goes back to her original choice, Paris - the city for lovers.

He tells her he feels it's much too far to go for a couple of nights, and suggests they rent a car, and just drive somewhere instead. Not to be outdone, Sally has a solution for that, and suggests they go for a week - or even two weeks. Having to get out of this conversation sharpish, he suddenly gets a silent phone call from 'Jed' who wants to meet him in the Bistro right now to discuss some work he wants done. A preoccupied Sally tells him she didn't hear his phone ring, but he tells her he had it on silent. She tells him she will go with him, but he of course puts her off, saying Jed is the most boring man on the planet, and wouldn't do that to her. Gullible Sally tells him OK, but not to be long, as they have to get their trip booked before all the best deals are gone.

The karaoke is ready to start, and Sean sets about getting some volunteers on stage to get the ball rolling. He asks for a show of hands, and not a one is raised. Finally Mary puts herself forward and volunteers to sing Madam Butterfly's love duet on her own. Gloria suggests she saves that one for her caravan. "motor home!" corrects Mary.

Jason notices Eva is very down, so goes over to ask what is wrong. She tells him there is still no change in her mum, and is really worried about her. She goes on to say she has always been the strong one, and has never seen her like this before. To cheer her up, he suggests they go over to his place for a glass of wine or something. She is not averse to this idea, but the conversation is overheard by Gloria, who is not best pleased to see them getting pally at all.

Outside, Hayley is admonishing herself for not giving Roy's hair a little trim before his party. Roy points out that it is always her that notices these things, he never does, he can hardly tie his own tie, and really doesn't know how he will manage without her. Hayley reminds him that he couldn't before, but his tie tonight is quite acceptably knotted, and was done by him. Roy tells her he has been alone before, but he didn't like it much. Hayley softly tells him he won't be alone, he has good friends. He tells her he is grateful for that, but they are not her.

Fiz comes out to tell them about the karaoke, and Hayley asks her to reassure Roy he won't be lonely after she has gone. Fiz tells them both not to worry, that she will make sure Roy is sick of the sight of them he will see so much of them. Hayley is excited to hear about the karaoke, Roy not so much - in fact "Oh dear" are his exact words.

Gloria finds Stella still sitting in the back room feeling sorry for herself. Deciding to give her a bit of tough love, she tells her that Hayley Cropper is out front laughing and joking, making the most of every moment she has left, whereas she has been sitting moping around all week like her life is over, and it isn't. Softening a little, she suggests to Stella that she puts her face on and comes out behind the bar for a couple of hours, telling her it would do her good to have a distraction. She leaves her to think on that a little.

As Tim is leaving the Bistro, he spots Jason and Eva heading for No. 11. He calls out to him, and asks him to cover for him next week. He goes on to say he needs him to back him up when he tells Sally he has to work in Birmingham the following week. When Jason wants to know why, he tells him it's because she is doing his head in with all this talk of Paris, and that she is coming on too strong. Jason asks why he doesn't just tell her, but Tim doesn't want to end the relationship, some aspects of it he quite enjoys, but doesn't want to spend money on it like trips to Paris. All he had in mind was a trip to Blackpool, a couple of beers, a bag of chips and putting the bed in the B&B through its paces. Eva is quite underwhelmed by his sense of romance. Jason in not impressed either, saying Sally deserves a bit more respect than that. Anyway, Tim persuades them to back him up, saying it was just this once, and he is sure once things calm down a bit, everything will be business as usual.

Fiz and Tyrone are talking about Roy in the Rovers. Fiz is saying the reason they bought Roy that bat for his birthday was for his future, to give him an opportunity to mix with people of similar interests, so he can get involved in fundraising and preservation etc. It was all about giving him a reason to live once he is on his own.

No time to talk any more, Hayley is carrying Roy's cake out, and it's a lovely one in the shape of a train, and everyone is singing Happy Birthday to him, much to his embarrassment. He tells Hayley the last time he had a cake with candles was for his 12th birthday, at which time he set fire to his hair.

Fiz and Tyrone come over, and ask Hayley and Roy how they would feel if they made them honorary grandparents. They go on to say that they don't really have any of their own, and the little ones had really enjoyed going out with them earlier. They thought it would be great for them to have other grown-ups in their life. Roy has misgivings, he stutters that it might not be fair to them to get too attached to Hayley, then lose her. But Hayley is not worried about that at all, and tells them they would be delighted to see more of Hope and Ruby. Everyone looks very happy with the idea with the exception of Roy, who looks decidedly worried.

Tim arrives back at No. 4, and Sally is still sitting with her laptop. She is beside herself with excitement because she has a reserve on a hotel in Paris that has its own orangery and everything - all they have to do is click 'confirm'. Tim brings her down to earth with a bump by telling her he has to work in Birmingham next week, and they won't be able to go away after all, even though he is just as disappointed as she is. She pathetically tells him she is going to really miss him when he has gone. With a grin, and a glance up the stairs, he tells her he hasn't gone yet, and they should make the most of the time they have left. (As much as Sally deserves to be brought down, I don't think even she deserves Tim!)

The karaoke is in full swing now, with Sean, Mary and Tyrone singing their hearts out. Fiz is telling Gloria and Beth about Hayley & Roy being their children's new grandparents. Roy comes and sits beside Hayley, very concerned because she looks so tired. He suggests they go home, but she tells him she can't bear to leave, and that she will be fine with a little sit-down. She tells him she hopes he will look back on tonight and smile. He takes a deep breath, squeezes her hand and sighs.

Hayley chuckles, saying "Look at us, holding hands in public, we'll be snogging next". They look at each other, and kiss. The camera pans over to a tearful Fiz, who is just lowering her camera, having caught that once in a lifetime moment for posterity.

Break - giving me time to find a hanky and compose myself.

Things are going swimmingly at No. 11. A boy, a girl and a bottle of red wine - we all know where this will lead don't we? Things are also going well back in the Rovers. Fiz and Hayley are sitting in a booth, and Fiz is complimenting Hayley on her new green silk blouse, telling her how much it suits her, which it does. Meanwhile Kirk, Beth and Sinead are murdering an Abba song behind the microphone.

Gloria is relieved to see Stella appear behind the bar, with her face on too. She suggests she have a go at the karaoke, but Stella is not ready to come that far into the land of the living yet.

Back in the booth, Hayley tackles Roy, asking him if he remembers saying he would do anything for her. He agrees he did say that, but immediately wishes he hadn't been so rash, because she looks at him, then at the karaoke machine. The look of horror on his face is a picture. She can't keep it up long though, and bursts into laughter, telling him she was just winding him up. Fiz laughs, and teases her, saying it's time she was up there herself. Hayley is game, she plans on getting up next.

Eva is telling Jason about the string of losers the Price women have managed to have one after another, then laughs when she realises he was one of them. Hastily she tells him she means present company excepted of course. He takes it all in good part, asking her what she thinks is wrong with him. Giggling, she thinks a minute, and tells him he has a few dodgy shirts, bit too lumberjack for her liking.

Smiling, he tells her he has to wear check shirts, it's his uniform that goes along with the job. He then asks her if she is on the wagon as far as men are concerned. She tells him she reckons she is, that they should round up the lot of them and put them into a nunnery. Shaking his head, he tells her that would be a terrible waste. Eva is obviously flattered. They drink a bit more red wine.

Sinead is asking Chesney if he is going to get lonely on his own in No. 5. He tells her he is hoping she will be staying over most of the time. She tells him she will be only too glad to do that, because she has no space to herself at her house, what with our Milly and our Penny, and cousins coming in and out all the time. (Oh when are we going to meet this family from hell? I can't wait!) Sinead goes on to wax lyrical about the fact that at Chesney's she will be able to dance around in her knickers if she wants to. Our Ches thinks that might definitely be a plus to living alone!

Oh dear, the bottle of red wine has gone dry at No. 11, so they are raiding the kitchen cabinets to see what Eileen has stashed away. They find a bottle of Ouzo that Jason figures is older than him. They both take a swig from the bottle and decide it is rank enough to strip paint. While standing there laughing and joking, Jason leans in for a kiss, which is definitely reciprocated, but then Eva pulls away, saying they shouldn't be doing it. Jason agrees with her, leaning in again, and they are all over each other.

We are back in the Rovers again, and Hayley is checking her phone, but Christian still hasn't called. She tells Roy she shouldn't be letting it get to her like this, but Roy understands how unfinished business can get to you.

No time to dwell on it though, Sean comes over, and he is demanding Hayley get herself behind that microphone immediately. Fiz tells her they need her, because they are the Three Degrees, and can't do it with just two. Roy is worried about her being too tired, but she is on her feet anyway, game once again to give it a go.

Ches and Sinead have escaped back to No. 5. Ches looks around, remarking the place looks very empty without all Fiz's stuff. Sinead thinks it looks wonderful, and suggests they redecorate the place. He's not so sure he trusts her taste though when she tells him the walls of her bedroom at home are covered in cheap plastic flowers, which seemed like a good idea at the time. She begs him to trust her, that she will have the place looking brilliant. He looks at her and tells her he loves her, she reciprocates with the same, and they hug each other.

The song is underway, Fiz, Sean and Hayley are singing 'When Will I See You Again', and Roy looks on with a wistful smile on his face, watching his wife singing happily. The camera pans in on his face, and we see a tear rolling down his cheek, which somehow causes one to roll down mine again too, dammit!

Christine Warren

Good evening, another update from me tonight. Your normal correspondent will return soon and I will be retiring to the subs bench.

Written by Damon ROchefort, directed by Durno Johnston and copyright the property of ITV Productions.

We open in the back room of the Rovers where St Ella is suffering a bad back from sleeping on the sofa. St Ella looks around and is considering changing the wallpaper. St Ella wonders if Eva has copped off and unusually Gloria does not want to speculate on family events.

We cut across to the Grimshaw household where Jason has arrived downstairs and thinks he is first up - but Eileen proves him wrong and behind Jason is the sultry Eva buttoning up her top. Eileen knew that Eva was present having spotted her handbag and asks Jason if he is collecting the set. Eva pleads with Eileen not to tell St Ella or Sean who appears behind them. Eva and Jason agree they had a great night.

At Michelle's her son emerges from the bedroom with his latest conquest Hannah with an H. Of course if spelt with an A it would be Anna. A bimbo. She works at the airport. Bimbo departs and mother and son start arguing.

At Roy's Roll Mary is throwing her weight around as Anna is ill and Roy tries to crack a joke. Anyway Christian has not been in touch and Roy has a driving lesson this afternoon which he tries to duck but Hayley insists that she will be going out with Fiz and the children. Roy tries to ensure she does not get too tired.

Kylie reckons she looks a disaster and David's reassurances carry little weight. He is feeding the baby from the bottle. Gail arrives and tells them off for the untidy state of the house. Gail keeps on ranting despite Audrey's jokes. And in no time at all David has adopted Max.

At the factory Eva is the recipient of a message from St Ella asking if she got lucky last night. Well she did - but how can she tell her mother that she bedded her mother's recent ex? Sean tries to cheer her up and tells her that she has to tell St Ella. Sean reckons that Jason and Eva are well matched. But Eva just feels guilty and she is going to tell Jason they cannot see each other again.

In the Street Eileen and Jason are chatting when they run into St Ella. She asks Jason if he can do some jobs at the Rovers - she does not want there to be any hard feelings.

Back at the factory Fiz is asking Michelle for some time off to go with Hayley in the afternoon. Jason texts Eva asking if they can go out this evening. Peter reports that Carla has obtained a new super quick order - material being delivered over lunch time. Michelle is very annoyed with the way her customer's work has been changed without as much as a by your leave and she storms off to lunch.

At the Rovers Gloria tackles Jason over his apparent behaviour in romancing Eva last night and now being St Ella's best friend - and warns him off.

After the break we are back at the cafe where Hayley and Fiz are off to the park. Roy has his driving lesson with the instructor who has already admonished him for driving too slowly. Roy fusses and if anything happens Fiz will send up a flare.

At the salon David is researching christening gowns, but Audrey says the christening has to wait until Nick emerges from his coma. Back at home Kylie looks even worse and she and Gail discuss the situation again. Gail says that if Nick does die it would resolve the problem of Lily's parentage.

Peter wants to know why Fiz has the afternoon off. Michelle explains. but Peter wants the time. Peter also asks Michelle to arrange a meeting with her account for him. He says he is not treating her as an office dogsbody and then asks here to get the coffee - only joking.

At the Rovers St Ella is off out but before she goes she asks Eva where she was the previous evening. St Ella goes and Eva tells Jason that because of the history they cannot see each other again.

Hayley returns to the cafe and asks about the driving lesson. Not an unmitigated success as Roy reports that he and the instructor had a minor disagreement over the meaning of a road sign showing falling rocks which the instructor misinterprets and which Roy seeks to correct. And then there were further strained arguments and Roy is no longer welcome with that driving school.

Roy, Kylie and Gail discuss the christening. The phone goes and it is Leanne - apparently Nick is showing signs of waking.

Roy and Hayley discuss the previous night and they talk about what they can do together in the time they have left. Hayley's phone rings - it is Christian.

In the Rovers Jason tells Eva that Gloria has rumbled them. He tries to re-assure and they have a heavy snog. St Ella's brewery meeting has been cancelled so she has returned - her phone goes and Leanne reports that Nick is waking up. Some good news and St Ella goes to put the kettle on and walks in on the snogging couple in the back room.

And that is it from me for this evening. Be back soon.

K Richard W

Written by Mark Wadlow and directed by Durno Johnston

Stella is getting over the shock of finding out that her ex and her daughter are now an item. It's all a bit awkward but, as Jason points out, Stella did finish with him and go back to Karl. Stella's remarkably magnanimous under the circumstances and says that it's fine; she even manages to tell Jason and Eva that they make a lovely couple.

Hayley is on the phone to Christian and we gather from her end of the conversation that he's agreed to meet up. She's delighted while Roy seems very concerned by this turn of events.

Gail and David are on their way to the hospital following the news that Nick has opened his eyes. Gail is full of excitement and can't wait to tell the first person they meet who just happens to be Tina. Tina catches David's eye and gives him a knowing look.

Jason and Eva are in the back room of the Rovers. Eva is really upset about her mum finding out about them. But Jason says he wanted to let Stella know that he's not playing games with Eva and that he really likes her. Eva tells Jason she really likes him too but asks what they're going to do. Jason doesn't know but he's sure about one thing - Gloria's going to go ape.

Hayley's filling in Roy on her phone call with Christian. She says he didn't sound too thrilled to hear her voice but he's agreed to meet up at a cafe in Bury on Wednesday. "Bury?" queries Roy. Hayley tells him is was mutually convenient. Roy points out that Hayley didn't tell Christian that she's ill. Hayley sounds flustered and says she didn't want to play the sympathy card. SHe adds that she'll see how things go on Wednesday.

Stella and Gloria are standing behind the bar when Stella lets slip about walking in on Jason and Eva. Without waiting to hear what Stella thinks, Gloria charges straight through to the back to give them a piece of her mind. Eva tries to point out that they're both single and Jason adds that Stella finished with him. "She's your ex," says, Gloria. "Your mother's ex," she adds, turning to Eva, just in case she hadn't managed to work that much out for herself. Gloria says Eva could have the pick of any fella she wants so why go out with him? Eva defends her choice, telling her Gran that she's had a string of disastrous relationships, she likes Jason and she fancies him like mad. This causes Jason to smirk, much to Gloria's annoyance and she says they should both be ashamed of themselves.

Over at the factory, Peter and Michelle's relationship is breaking down faster than the girls down tools at tea break time. He's annoyed when he rings a client called Greg Cooper to discover Michelle's already spoken to him but she's furious because Carla normally delegates such tasks to her. SHe tells Peter she and Greg go back years and she even went to his wedding. "You know what," she says, getting up from her desk. "Next time he rings I'll put him straight through to you, shall I?" Peter laughs to himself as Michelle storms out, clearly thinking he's won a battle, but I wouldn't be so sure if I were him.

Gail and David arrive at the hospital but Leanne doesn't look as happy as they might have expected. She tells them that although Nick has woken up he was just staring into space and he didn't even know her. "What if he's stuck like this forever?" she asks as they all peer at Nick through the window.

Eileen is chatting to Sean over the bar at the Rovers. Stella is hovering in the background with a face like thunder so Eileen wonders if it's because she's found out about Jason and Eva. Sean's not too sure whether their relationship is a good idea, "What happens if Jason has a senior moment and gets in the wrong bed?" he asks Eileen. Then again, he reckons they make a very attractive couple. "Imagine the babies!" exclaims Sean. Eileen's not sure Jason could sustain a relationship that long. She says that in her own case she's never going to get involved with anyone ever again and she and Sean clink glasses.

Back at the hospital a doctor is explaining to Gail, Leanne and David that Nick is behaving as they would expect. He's drifting in and out of consciousness but what's important is that they should continue to talk to Nick and try and interact with him. He's likely to be very confused they're told. David perks up at this and asks whether this means they shouldn't take anything he says too seriously. "Is he likely to remember anything?" he asks. The doctor replies that they're hopeful he should regain his memory. Gail says that's wonderful news but David is clearly thinking otherwise.

Roy and Hayley are chatting following her phone call from Christian. She chooses the moment to raise the subject of driving lessons again. He really doesn't want to pursue the idea but Hayley is determined to find an instructor who is more on Toy's wavelength and goes off in search of the yellow pages.

Jason and Eva go to speak to Stella who is sitting in the back room with Gloria. They tell her they've come to a decision: they're going to end their relationship and just be mates. But Stella won't hear of it. She says they make a lovely couple and she tells Eva that Jason is really good boyfriend material and she speaks from experience. Gloria still thinks they jumped the gun but Stella maintains she's not just saying it, she's really happy for them.

Meanwhile, Hayley's been busy on the phone and she's struck gold. Dave from Dave's School of Motoring is prepared to take Roy on. He claims that in 30 years of being a driving instructor he's never had to give up on a pupil but then, of course, he's never met Roy ... as luck would have it, he has a cancellation that very afternoon and he'll pick them up in half an hour. He thinks the presence of a family member will help, so Hayley's going along for the ride. Roy is very, very worried but Hayley is giving him no choice in the matter.

Out in the street we see hear David making a call to Tina. Then Michelle comes out of the factory. Peter's outside the door and wants to know where she's going. Michelle tells him she's left the Cooper contract on his desk and she's only going to work the hours she's being paid for. She had thought she was being trained up for a management position but now she knows differently. "Loyalty works both ways," she tells Peter. He says he's sorry if he's stepped on her toes but he's Carla's partner. He tells her she's still a valued member of the team but Michelle says it doesn't feel like it as she walks off up the street.

Jason and Eva's relationship is now official and out in the open so he suggests they should go out for a meal. Meanwhile, round the back Gloria tells Stella that now Karl is going to prison they're going to have to get themselves a new pot man. But Stella just wishes everyone would stop talking about him for at least five minutes.

David meets up with Tina in the street. He's worried about what's going to happen now that Nick has come round but Tina has little sympathy and asks him if he ever thinks about anyone other than himself.

Stella is also looking for someone to share her troubles with and she goes into the corner shop to see Dev. She tells him how she wants to move on and put everything behind her just as he seems to have done but she's finding it so hard. He offers to put the kettle on and, when Stella tells him that Jason and Eva have got it together, he turns up his sympathy several more notches and envelopes her in a large hug.

Back on the street Tina reminds David that if Nick hadn't come round from his coma he'd have been classed as a murderer and she tells him he needs to start counting his blessings. He says he has three - Lily, Kylie and Max - and when Nick starts talking he's going to lose them. Kylie tells David he knows what to do: he needs to go home and tell Kylie the truth. She says it will be the hardest thing he's ever done but it's better she hears it from him than Nick. But David tells Tina to forget it, it isn't happening.

Hayley and Roy return from his driving lesson and she's in need of a stiff drink. She says it was like a white knuckle ride and Roy explains he confused the brake and the accelerator on a couple of occasions. Hayley laughs that when Roy eventually passes his test he'll need to lower the suspension on The Woody and start listening to Drum and Bass. Roy can't see the funny side of it but Hayley is reduced to peals of laughter as she recalls how a motability scooter pulled out in front of them.

In the back office of the corner shop Stella tells Dev she's feeling a lot better after talking to him. She tells him that she's going to cope and she's not going to let what has happened break her. Dev says that's good but she needs to take one step at a time. Stella's finding it hard because she's surrounded by reminders day after day but Dev reassures her that she has family and friends who are there to support her. He tells her it's alright to be self-obsessed and she need to think about what makes her happy. Stella tells him that the Rovers used to make her happy.

Roy and Hayley are sitting at home reading but Roy can't get into his book as he has something on his mind. He asks Hayley if he can go with her when she goes to meet Christian. At first she says no but Roy asks what if he turns violent? He reminds Hayley that Christian doesn't know the circumstances behind her decision to contact him. He asks her if she thinks that's fair. But Hayley's worried that if she tells him he'll feel like he's been backed into a corner. She wants any reconciliation to be genuine and not because he feels sorry for her. Roy says you could argue that it's not genuine if he doesn't know the whole truth. "And you could argue," replies Hayley, "that it's up to me what I tell him and what I don't."

Jason and Eva return to the Rovers after their meal out and shortly after they're joined by Stella who tells Eva and Gloria she'd like to have a word with them after the pub has closed. She says she has something she wants to talk to them about.

Roy and Hayley are preparing their cocoa before retiring to bad but they're still talking about the meeting with CHristian. Roy says that if Christian knew the truth then it might affect his behaviour - in a good way. Roy is still keen to go with Hayley and insists he wouldn't intrude, he'd stay in the background. "I'll worry if you go on your own," he says, quite simply. Hayley says she has to go, even if there's only the tiniest glimmer of hope, she has to try and see him.

Stella is locking up the Rovers and is ready for her talk. SHe starts by telling Eva that she's fine about her and Jason and she wants her to be happy. "But I do have my own happiness to think about," she adds. After her long chat with Dev she's been doing a lot of thinking. She tells them that she loves the pub but she can't stay there. "What do you mean?" asks Gloria. Stella explains that it has too many painful memories and the only way she can rebuild her life is by getting out. "I'm selling up," announces Stella.

Karen

Stella is up early, cleaning the bar, when Eva and Gloria come down. They ask if she's still intent on selling. She says she is, she can't stand the memories and is adamant that they won't fade with time. Gloria is a bit upset, she liked the idea of them owning their own pub, (and she's only been part-owner for about 5 minutes!) but Stella is sure she'd like to have £80k in her pocket as well.

A rather hungover Ryan wanders into the kitchen where Michelle is getting ready for work. She tells him he can't go on like this, and also wonders where he's getting the money for all this drinking. He then asks to borrow £20, he got a Streetcars taxi home last night and didn't have the money to pay for it. She's really cross and shouts at him that he needs to get a job that pays some decent money, and goes off saying she'll pay Lloyd herself.

Over at the Platt's, Kylie is feeding the baby and tells David she is so tired, she had a bad night with the baby and he didn't help, fidgeting and muttering in his sleep. She asks if he can phone in sick so she can put her head down for a while and get some sleep, but he says he can't, he's too busy at work. He offers to take her out for dinner later but Kylie doesn't want to go out, she just wants to sleep. He then tells her that he's spoken to the vicar about the Christening and there will be a visit from them on Friday. Kylie is not happy about this, and asks if he can put it off. He refuses, saying it's important for Lily. He then goes off to work.

Hayley is fretting about what to wear for her meeting with Christian. Roy cant' see why she feels the need to put herself through this, but she says she doesn't want to live what life she has left full of regrets. She needs to do this. She then asks if he'll come with her and he says he'll see if Mary can cover his shift.

Michelle is in the office when Peter comes in and tells her that Carla has just called him and reminded him of a meeting later with a rep. He's not at all happy and blames Michelle for not telling him about it. She retorts that it is nothing to do with her, the meeting is down in the book and she also left a message on his desk. He turns and looks at the mess of papers on his desk and tells her he never got it. He tells her that he has never handled one of these meetings before, and thought she could sit in on it with him, they'll do it together. She butts in and tells him no, she just sends emails and makes the coffee now – he's the boss.

In the salon, Audrey remarks that David is quiet and they are all worried about Nick. David tells her about Kylie being so tired and miserable, but didn't want to go out when he thought it would cheer her up. Audrey says that's easily fixed.

Roy and Hayley are in a cafe, nervously waiting for Christian. He's late, and Roy says that if she wants to leave, they'll leave. Hayley says no, she'll wait.

Peter is talking to Sean about the rep who is coming. Sean knows him, and tells Peter to compliment him on his dress sense and make sure he has plenty of fig rolls on offer. Michelle comes out then, on her way to lunch, and Peter asks her to go to the shop first and get a couple of packs of fig rolls. Michelle is not happy.

Back in the cafe, Roy and Hayley are still waiting when Hayley gets a text from Christian saying that he's not coming, he can't do it.

Matthew, the rep, arrives for the meeting with a rather tense Peter, who turns to Michelle and asks her to bring coffee and fig rolls.

Norris is in the pub chatting to Gloria when Stella comes in with an estate agent, and starts showing him round. Norris is, of course, very interested, so Gloria tells him that she and Stella are selling up. “You don't seem too happy about it,” says Norris. Gloria replies that she didn't have much choice.

Audrey is in the Platt kitchen when David comes in with foil-covered plates and instructions from the chef at the bistro. Kylie comes downstairs, wondering what is going on. When he and Audrey explain how, instead of going out for dinner, the meal has come to her, she seems quite chuffed, but she still sends David back out for wine. “Got to keep them on their toes,” she grins to Audrey.

Back at Underworld, Peter is assuring the rep that he can meet targets and deliver on time. The rep then has a query about the figures quoted, they don't add up. Peter walks over to have a look at the paperwork, and Michelle leaves her desk to look too. Peter tells her he can handle it and pulls at the papers, as she goes to take a look at them. There's a slight kerfuffle and ooops, the rep's coffee is spilled all over him!

Roy and Hayley are back in the Street. Hayley says that she'll just have to accept that Christian doesn't want her in his life. Norris comes along and can't wait to tell them that Stella is selling the Rovers.

Peter is showing the rep to his car, and continuing to apologise for the unprofessional behaviour. He then confesses that it was the first meeting he's done on his own, he knows he has a lot to learn, but it shouldn't reflect on the rest of the workforce, he knows that they can deliver. Matthew says he knows they can and that's why he's giving Peter the contract. Peter, of course, is delighted and tells him not to forget to send them the bill for dry-cleaning his suit.

Kylie and David are enjoying their meal. She apologises for being miserable and puts it down to lack of sleep. She's glad they've got each other, and Max and Lily.

Eva goes into the pub, very cross because she's just been in the Kabin and Norris couldn't wait to tell her about the pub being put up for sale. Gloria apologises and says that it just slipped out. Stella reckons they could get up to £160k for it, which she thinks seems a fair price.

Roy is clearing up in the cafe. Mary asks if he's all right, he's been very quiet. He tells her that he's worrying about Hayley. Mary thinks that Hayley must think herself lucky to have such a caring, supportive partner.

In the office at the factory, Peter accuses Michelle of trying to ruin his meeting with the rep. She is furious that he could think such a thing after all the hard work and unpaid overtime she has given the business, and she quits! “You can't walk out on us, just like that,” protests Peter. “Oh really? Watch me, boss!” she snaps, and marches out of the door.

Anne Logan

Michelle can't find a job in the paper. Steve tells her Carla's due back today and she'll sort everything out but Michelle says it was all Carla's fault anyway for letting Peter take over her job. Ryan comes out in his dressing gown and they break to the news to him that Michelle's out of a job.

Hayley's got a letter about a CT scan appointment. She hasn't heard from Christian and asks Roy if they can go out today. She feels like having a bit of fun. A slow walk in the park with Ruby and Hope, perhaps. She promises to let Roy push.

Owen's calling a debtor but has to leave a message. Katy's annoyed that there's no money in her purse and Faye's photographing her breakfast. Grace has Pop Tarts, she tells Anna. Ann reminds Owen that he gave Pat Phelan 30 days to pay but Owen says that was 43 days ago.

Peter's in a mess in the factory office and when Beth comes in to get Michelle to sign her timesheet Peter tells her Michelle's gone. When the phone goes he almost says "Barlow's Bookies." Beth can tell he's not coping and cross-examines him about Michelle. She tells him a bit of the old Barlow blarney will get Michelle back, as long as he offers more money. She warns him not to leave it too long because Carla will have a meltdown walking back into all this.

Michelle's been to the job centre and realised she doesn't have any qualifications. She's slumped on Maxine's bench feeling sorry for herself. Steve tells her she has experience and life skills. That doesn't cheer her up. Over the road, a man with a van is putting up a "For Sale" sign outside the pub.

David pops into the bistro and wants a word with a somewhat harried Leanne. But he's followed in by Kylie, who wants him to cancel their appointment with the vicar because Lily is playing up. "Are we going to have to pray?" she asks. David brushes her off and she snaps that he'd better be back by 5 o'clock. She stomps out and David asks Leanne what to expect when he goes to see Nick. She tells him exactly what it's like, with Nick making sounds but not talking.

Tim's got a big bag and hugs Sally goodbye. He tells her he has to follow the work. She suggests they change the Paris trip to next month but he says they should pick the hotel together and asks her to wait till he gets back. He walks off but hides behind the Kabin and as soon as Sally's gone into the factory he legs it back to his flat.

In the pub, Steve and Ryan try to cheer up Michelle. Stella overhears and comes over to talk. Michelle asks why she's decided to sell. Stella says she still sees Karl everywhere. Till the pub is sold she's trapped there. She asks if Michelle's interested in doing some shifts. Michelle snaps up the offer.

In the cafe, Beth's annoyed to see Anna sell the last eclair to someone else. A bloke comes in - it's Christian. He asks if Hayley's there. "It's a personal visit - I'm Christian." Anna tells him Roy and Hayley don't do religion. He says that's his name and he'll phone Hayley. He punches the keys on his phone and Hayley's phone rings behind the counter. She hasn't taken it with her. Christian says he'll wait.

In the park, Roy's pushing Hope on the swing while Hayley gives Ruby a snack. Roy mentions Christian and Hayley tells him they don't have to talk about everything all the time. They're having fun.

Steve rushes over to help Carla get her luggage out of the car. He implores her to control Peter and take Michelle back but this is all news to Carla. She stomps off to the factory saying she has to sort everything herself, as usual.

Leanne's talking to Nick. She tells him David's serious about the christening. Nick squeezes her hand and though the nurse thinks it's just a spasm, Leanne's over the moon.

In the factory, Carla rejects Peter's attempt to kiss her and asks if there's something he's forgotten to tell her.

Stella meets the real estate agent in the cafe (nope, no idea why) and talks about the sales strategy. He gives his word they'll do everything they can to sell the Rovers.

Christian's getting impatient.

Owen sits down to a sandwich. Katy asks him if she can help in the office and make it real family business. She's fed up being skint. He's not sure she's hard enough to cope with sorting out foreign labourers and chasing debtors. "Interview over!" she snaps.

Leanne tells David about Nick squeezing her hand. He asks if Nick's eyes opened and suggests maybe he was dreaming. But Leanne's sure Nick's been listening to them for all these weeks.

Tim's got a can in hand and the TV going. He calls Jason and asks if he can do him a favour and bring him a kebab. He says he's hiding from Sally so can't go out himself.

Hayley and Roy are back and Anna says they've got a visitor. But Christian's gone. Hayley kicks herself for leaving her mobile behind. Then Christian comes out from the toilet. Hayley's thrilled but keeps it low key and invites him upstairs. She won't let Roy come with them but Christian promises he won't cause any trouble.

Michelle's right at home behind the bar. Beth tells her Peter's not coping. Carla comes in, with Peter, and tells Michelle she doesn't have to work in the pub. Surely they can work round their issues? Michelle says Carla should have been honest from the start and told her Peter was going to replace her. Carla insists she had no idea what Peter could do. Michelle says she'd rather work in the pub. She doesn't have to cosy up to buyers, laugh at Peter's jokes or cope with Carla's moods. And she's valued at the Rovers. Carla insists Michelle's needed at the factory. She asks Tina for the most expensive bottle of champagne they've got. Michelle's furious. If Carla had said they'd rethink her role, or give her more responsibility or less but with more money, she might have considered it - but not for a scabby bottle of champagne! I'm not sure an 84-pound bottle can be described as "scabby," but that's Michelle opinion.

Kylie opens the door to find a woman vicar there. She rolls her eyes and lets her in.

David's talking to Nick, telling him a completely false version of the accident. He doesn't see Leanne behind him. When he says Nick has to tell the police the whole thing was an accident, Nick stirs and Leanne rushes forward.

Hayley thanks Christian for waiting. He apologises for standing her up and says it was a cruel thing to do. He wasn't sure he could face her again. But last night he couldn't sleep and he realises contacting him was a brave thing for Hayley to do. He wants to know why she's contacted him now, so many years after he hurt her. He says he's not that man any more. "Violence - it's not me." Hayley's glad to hear it. She won't lie and says she was devastated at the time. Christian says he can see she's happy now and doing fine. "What can I possibly bring to your life."

There's a stand-off in the pub. Peter and Michelle don't want to talk. Carla tries to talk Michelle round but Michelle has to remind her she's been there for Carla right through Liam and Paul, right since they were kids. Does Carla realise how much it hurt her when she realised how low she was in the pecking order in the factory? And now Peter's swanned in. "It's always been fellas first with you, Carla. And I'm just left sitting on the subs' bench." Carla tells her to put her violin away and they'll talk but Michelle snaps that she's done. "I'm done with Underworld and I'm done with you!"

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Durno Johnston

Hayley and Christian are talking things through over a cup of tea upstairs in the flat. He asks her why she contacted him after all this time, and she tells him there comes a time when you feel you have to try to put things right.

He apologises for hitting her the last time, she smiles at him and tells him she forgave him a long time ago. There is an awkward silence between them, and for want of something to do, Christian glances round the flat, asking who is into trains. Hayley tells him it is Roy, and he says "Roy, of course Roy", then gets a little embarrassed, feeling he has put his foot in it, and apologises, saying he wasn't being funny.

It hadn't occurred to Hayley that he might have been, so tells him it's fine. Christian is obviously very uncomfortable, and apologises again, saying it's all a bit of a mine field, that he thought he had boxed off that bit of your brain that you can't bear to think about. Hayley asks him if that bit was hitting her, or her full stop. He tells her he supposes it's both.

Hayley looks as if he has slapped her again, but tells him it is very honest of him to say so. He tells her that when he got her message, the guilt hit him again like a ten ton truck. This tells Hayley he is there because he feels guilty for hitting her, and came to apologise.

Leanne and David are discussing what David had been saying to Nick when she arrived. She can't see that talking to him about the crash is going to help matters. David protests that Nick is a worrier, and he felt that talking to him about it, and letting him know it wasn't his fault, and everything was going to be OK, would ease his mind. Leanne buys this, and is quite impressed when David goes back to talking to Nick, telling him all the mundane things that are happening at home.

Leanne asks David if he shouldn't be at home meeting the vicar, but he's not worried, and tells her it's OK, Kylie can sort it. She tells him he has done enough, and should go home. Just as she says that, Nick squeezes her hand. She is delighted, saying he is coming out of the woods, slowly but surely. David doesn't look quite so delighted.

Carla is storming out of the Rovers, followed closely behind by Peter. She is furious with Michelle, calling her a sanctimonious cow. Peter tries to calm her down, saying she had painted Michelle into a corner, and she had no choice but to come out fighting. He apologises, saying he had no intention of coming between her and her best mate. Carla is still angry at Michelle's attitude though, saying it's not like she cut her wages or anything.

Peter suddenly notices the 'For Sale' sign up on the wall of the Rovers. Carla snaps that they should buy it, so she can sack Michelle. Peter laughs nervously.

Back inside the Rovers, Tina buys Michelle a glass of red to calm her down. The latter is still furious with Carla though, she can't believe that after quitting for very good reason, she would try to win her over with a bottle of poxy champagne. "Fair do's, it was the best bottle in the house", says Tina, but Michelle is still not impressed. Tina points out she could be better off where she is, as they have a right laugh, and she is somewhere she is appreciated, and maybe someone nice will buy the pub. Michelle tells her that knowing her luck, Carla will buy it and put Peter in there.

Steve comes in and wants the lowdown on the conversation between his girlfriend and Carla. He is surprised to learn Carla hadn't begged and groveled for her to come back. Michelle points out she has served her purpose over the road, and Peter is now in the cockpit. Tina remarks that Carla and Peter together 24/7 has disaster written all over it, but Steve quickly remarks that it depends entirely on the couple, that arrangements like that can work. Michelle states that she would like to be the bigger person and wish them all the best - and fingers crossed they will be bankrupt by Christmas!

As she moves off to serve a customer, Tina and Steve talk about her. Tina tells him she is more upset than she appears, and really needs something to boost her confidence. Steve asks her what he should do, Tina calls him pathetic, saying he should be able to take care of that.

Jason arrives at Tim's flat with food. Tim tells him they will have to work out a code so he knows when it's him and not Sally. They settle on three buzzes. Jason still doesn't like this subterfuge, and tells him this is the only time he is bringing a kebab and chips for him. They talk a little about Sally, and Tim says she's alright, just needs to tone it down a notch or two. He then starts making plans on the supplies he is going to need while he is holed up in there. Jason tells him he is not going to be his errand boy, but Tim breaks out the beer, he has all evening to win him over.

Kirsty has made Rev. Esther Warren (not a relative of mine) a cup of tea, and tries to make small talk with her. The conversation goes along the lines of Kylie saying "I don't exactly not believe, if I am going to be stuck in Weatherfield for the rest of me life, and it turns out there's a big fat nothing at the end of it, then kill me now - no offence." She then scuttles off to find some biscuits to go with the tea. While ostensibly looking for the biscuits, she frantically calls David, leaving a message begging him to come home, as she doesn't know how to talk to a flamin' vicar.

Just as Roy comes upstairs to check things are going smoothly, Hayley asks Christian where he is living. He tells her he, his wife, Holly and children have just moved to Marple. She asks if Holly knows he has come to see her. He says "You're joking aren't you? She thinks I'm at work.", Hayley's face falls, he's obviously too ashamed of her to tell his wife about her. Cue another very strained silence. Finally Hayley jumps up, saying "Come on, let's go to the Rovers."

Back in the hospital, Leanne is talking to Nick, asking him to wake up for more than a few seconds. He suddenly opens his eyes and looks at her. Excited, she babbles on nineteen to the dozen to him, until he drifts back off to sleep again. Looking up, she sees David outside the room, and runs out asking him if he saw that? He tells her he did, and an ecstatic Leanne throws her arms around him and hugs him in sheer delight, while David looks over her shoulder at Nick through the window, and we can tell that excited is not quite his reaction.

Michelle is not having a good day, still smarting from being treated badly by Carla, she receives a text from Ryan, who tells her not to put the mortice on the door when she goes to bed, as he is going to town and may be late. She complains to Steve that she despairs with her son, he is 21 years old and appears to be going nowhere. She compares him to Tina, who is about the same age, but has an entirely different attitude. Steve tells her it's probably because he is male, takes longer to mature.

Michelle is worried Ryan might take after her. Steve courageously replies "What, a bit neurotic with more shoes than sense?" (He likes to sail dangerously close to the wind does our Steve). Anyway, he is lucky this time, she is too depressed to take offense, and tells him that what she means is her career is in tatters, she is right back to where she started, pulling pints to line someone else's pocket - bottom of the food chain.

Sally is just walking past Tim's flat at 15A Coronation Street (over the Corner Shop if you had forgotten), when the door opens and out comes Jason - oops! She tells him she didn't know he had a key, and he answers that Tim had asked him to look after the place while he is away. She asks if he remembered to set the alarm before he left, so he tells her he is going back up shortly, so will set it then. She admonishes him, saying it only takes a minute for someone to break in, then admits it's not really any of her business, as it's not like he has ever given her a key. Jason doesn't quite know what to say to that, so makes his excuses to nip away, saying he is just picking up a kebab, and is going right back up.

Stella comes in and Tina asks her how she is. She replies that she feels a lot better now she has made the decision to sell up, but hasn't found a buyer yet. Steve's ears prick up. After Tina is out of earshot, he asks her what the asking price is, and is told £150,000 but is highly negotiable. Steve smiles to himself, "Right", he murmurs.

Break - where all the little Meerkats are having fun in Blackpool - I wonder why? ;-)

The Croppers have moved over to the Rovers along with Christian. The latter is apologising for not inviting them to his wedding, stuttering about all his wife's relatives etc. Hayley tells him she understands, as the top table would have been a nightmare. "Circus more like", says Christian. As Roy and Hayley bristle, he back pedals frantically, saying he didn't mean, ummm, he falls quiet, tongue-tied. Roy quietly asks him "Yes? What didn't you mean?"

Hayley quickly puts her hand over Roy's and swiftly changes the subject, asking him where they went on their honeymoon. A relieved Christian tells her it was Devon. Oh dear, this conversation is very stilted and hard going! Even as a bystander I am uncomfortable!

Carla and Peter are having dinner in the Bistro. She asks him if Michelle was right, that he hates working in the factory. He denies it, saying that although he is not completely in his element, not enough vices involved for his taste, he is enjoying it, and even has his own swivel chair. Not happy with that answer, she asks him to be serious. He replies that quite apart from the aggravation with Michelle, he is enjoying the variety of the work, and feels he is a pretty good manager. Carla is happy with that, and tells him she has put all her eggs into his basket, so it has to be worth it.

Peter tells her he doesn't really mind if Michelle comes back, he would be willing to give her some of her clients back, and would try harder to make it work. However Carla feels it never would, as there would be too many chiefs in one office. She goes on to say that if he is happy there, she can cope with losing Michelle. He lets her know she has made a big sacrifice for him by losing her best mate. She replies that it's a good job he is worth it then. "I'd better had be hadn't I?" he says. "Yep", she replies.

Christian is now showing Hayley a photo of her grandchildren, Maisie 4 and Sam 2. She gazes lovingly at them, telling him they are absolutely beautiful. He makes a point of telling her that little Sam is a right little bruiser, he's all man. Hayley ignores that remark and asks him if she can give him a little something for their money boxes. He looks a bit surprised, but is more than happy to agree to that. Roy scowls at him from across the table.

Hayley shows the photo to Roy, asking him if he doesn't think they are little cherubs, saying she wishes she could have met them. Christian tells her that maybe she will at some point. Hayley looks at him eagerly, starting to say "Well, I don't know if there will be enough t....", she stops herself and asks him if that might be soon, although she doesn't want to put any pressure on him.

Christian looks uncomfortable now, and tells her he doesn't know. An annoyed Roy tells Hayley that when Christian said that, he was thinking of somewhere in the realm of the twelfth of never. Christian asks Roy if he thinks all this is easy for him, he would have to tell his kids that their grandpa is now their grandma. He tells them they are rushing him, that he needs time to adjust.

Hayley tells him that time is a very precious commodity. But Roy has had enough. He tells Christian that they don't need his deliberations or approval. His children would be the most fortunate in the world to have Hayley as their grandmother. Christian replies that he didn't intend to offend, and he knows this is all normal for them, but in the real world... Roy cuts him off there by saying "As opposed to the circus we inhabit?" Hayley begs Roy not to continue.

Christian goes on to say he is not saying 'never', maybe when they are sixteen or seventeen and can understand a little more, and have had a chance to get their heads round it.

"That's enough!" says Roy. "Know this young man. My wife is widely loved and respected. She is filled with integrity, compassion and kindness. She is, in every sense, an exemplary woman, and I am honoured to be her husband. Whether you choose to 'get your head round that' is of no concern to us. So goodbye - and frankly, good riddance!" Roy gets up, and holds his hand out to Hayley. Looking upset, she says to Christian "Be a good dad". He replies "I couldn't be any worse than you if I tried". Looking as if he had slapped her again, she quietly tells him "You have just made this much easier for me, goodbye Christian".

As she takes Roy's arm, he tells her "Let's go home".

Stella is in the back room shredding any and all photos of Karl. Steve knocks on the door and wants a word. He cuts right to the chase and tells her he wants to buy the pub. She is surprised, but extremely pleased. He tells her it might take a couple of months to raise the mortgage and get the paperwork sorted out, but would like her to take it off the market. She is worried he might change his mind, but he assures her he won't, he wants to surprise Michelle with it. He tells her they were happy there. (They were? Was that before or after he had an affair with Becky?). Anyway, Stella agrees.

Roy and Hayley are sitting with their hot chocolate now, and Roy suggests they have a post mortem on the evenings debacle. Roy tells her he cannot bring himself to feel sorry for Christian, but Hayley can, she tells him she feels sorry for those beautiful children. Roy agrees, saying they will probably grow up to be bigoted, judgmental and intolerant like their father. Unless of course Hayley's genes prevail. Hayley chuckles and tells him if they do, they can just swap names. LOL!!

Roy tells Hayley she was magnificent. "Hardly", says Hayley. "You wiped the floor with him". Roy confesses that he had even considered striking him, which gets a glance of admiration from Hayley. Roy goes on to tell her he didn't because he took his cue from her, which he has done for 15 years, 2 months and 19 days. (Aww, he knows exactly how many days they have been together, many husbands don't even remember their anniversary let alone know how many it's been).

Hayley tells Roy she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she had hoped to make peace with Christian, and would really have loved to have met Maisie and Sam. Roy tells her it truly is their loss, and hers of course. Hayley sadly tells him she is going to be the shameful secret in that family.

Roy tells her he has another confession to make. Hayley quickly tells him he is forgiven whatever it is. He goes on to say that part of him is glad that Christian has gone for good, because they would have diluted their time together. He would have had to share her, and he wants her all to himself.

Hayley puts down her chocolate, gets up from the chair and sits down beside Roy on the sofa. With their arms around each other he says "My Hayley, my only love". (Anybody got a spare tissue?)

David arrives home to a weeping, but angry Kylie. She wants to know why he left her alone to make small talk with 'the vicar of flamin' Dibley'. He doesn't see why it is such a big deal, but she is very angry. She points out that he was the one who was so set on getting Lily christened, he knows she doesn't do vicars, and doesn't believe in the devil or hell.

"Whatever", says a nonchalant David. Desperately trying to get her point across to David, Kylie tells him Lily has been screaming all night, it's 9:15 p.m., she is bone tired, running on empty, and has had to talk to some vicar about God and stuff. David angrily tells her he hasn't exactly been on a pub crawl, he has been sitting with his comatose brother.

Kylie pleads with him to let Leanne do the sitting bit, that he has responsibilities here, and she can't do it alone. He angrily tells her he does more than his share for the family, and how dare she bleat on about her hard life when his brother, his only brother is lying there and will possibly be brain damaged and on four wheels for the rest of his life.

Kylie fights back, saying he was the one who pushed for the vicar, and should have been there to deal with it. David really gets nasty, and tells her she really thinks she is Miss Perfect, walking around like butter wouldn't melt. She asks where that one came from, and asks if he is drunk. He tells her he wishes he was. He then goes on to say "Poor little Kylie, such a hard life. Still it's better than pole dancing isn't it?" He pushes her out of the way and goes upstairs, leaving his wife totally gobsmacked.

Christine Warren

Good evening, nice to see you all again. We are still running a little late so we shall head over to the mean Street of Weatherfield where events tonight were written by Debbie Oates and directed by Judity Dine with copyright being the property of ITV Productions.

We open chez Platt where Leanne is telling Gail, Kylie and David that Nick is showing signs of life (which is a bit surprising really because we all used to call him the plank due to the lack of acting, oh no that was the other plank before he went away and came back with a new face - which oddly does not do much either). David is ironing a shirt and has his top off. David is trying to apologise for being nasty to Kylie - he had a rage on and took it out on her. Kylie does not accept the apology. Gail urges he is let out of the dog house - well at least front paws. And Kylie gives was on the front paws. Gail says Nick is recognising people.

Katie nags her father, Owen for a job at the yard. Owen has managed to get Fay out of the house and waiting for the bus. He simply gives her some money out of his wallet. Katie heads into the cafe to get Owen a bacon butty and Anna gives her some advice - she must make Owen listen. Katie takes a huge bit out of the back butty.

Michelle is trying to wake Ryan who emerges from his room in his wear. Michelle tells Ryan he has until the weekend and he then starts paying. Steve tells Michelle to make it up with Carla.

At the hospital Nick is attempting to talk and so Leanne pops out to let the family know there is further progress and we switch to the hairdresser where Gail is passing on the news to Audrey. Gail is breaking down in tears with David watching. And they discuss the latest text saying that Nick is talking. David leaves the salon in a tearing hurry.

Owen gets his butty and Katie hears that she can do the job standing on her head and having found someone to look after the baby goes upstairs to start work.

Steve tries to talk some sense into Ryan - but Ryan pre-empts it. Steve tells Ryan he is a good lad. Steve tries to get him see what the real world is like - a challenge and some money in his pocket. Steve reckons Ryan would hate himself less.

Kylie has just changed the nappy - and it has gone everywhere. David is moping on the sofa and reckons they both need to get away - he wants to leave the stress behind and all the people pressure. David wants to go out with Kylie. He assures her it is not about Nick. She reckons he is stressed.

After the break Gail is stuffing her face at the bedside with Leanne there as well. They witter on about nothing in particular until Gail reckons the sweets are going to stick her jaw together and then Nick squeezes Leanne's hand - obviously he wants Gail to shut up.

Carla comes in wanting a small glass of red wine and a chat with Michelle. Carla plans to wait for Michelle's break for the chat.

Katie has realised she cannot manage the books for the yard and is already struggling. She points out that Owen has issued an invoice three times for Mr Phelan where Owen has not collected. He has just resent the bill. Owen calls Phelan a shark. Apparently the money has not come in.

Finally Michelle takes her break and Carla recalls the first time they fell out in a scuzzy club. Michelle does not want to come back - because she does not want to be controlled by Carla. Michelle says she loved her job but she felt like a stopgap until Peter was ready to take over. If she comes back to the factory they will just hate each other. Carla apologises and says she is sorry and Michelle is too. As friends they are reconciled.

Leanne and Gail talk about Nick and his dreams. Gail starts talking about David and his dreams (and his mental aberrations). On hearing David's name Nick wakes with a start.

David and Kylie are in the park and David is staring at a green tree which will soon be showing the autumn colours. David suggests they go back to Tenerife. Kylie reckons she has lost her looks - but David seeks to re-assure her. Kylie reckons some sunshine would be good but they cannot go until Nick is better. Meantime the baby fills its nappy and this time it is David's turn to change the nappy.

Steve comes into the Rovers and says he always feels at home. They chat and Steve tells her that he has given a few words of advice to Ryan who comes in and wants to borrow some money so he can work for the next six months. He phoned Clarkie and he is off to Ibiza where he will be DJing. Steve hands him his pint as he has no money to buy his own.

Kylie and David walk through the park. Kylie reckons they are far better off than Leanne.

We cross over the hospital where Leanne is trying to calm down Nick who manages to utter the word "David".

Roll credits.

Nick is coming round and it looks like he has remembered something - but what?

And is Ryan going? Will the women of Ibiza be safe?

And can Katie add up?

And just what does Nick want with David?

All will be revealed shortly.

K Richard W

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Judith Dine

Nick is finally speaking but he just keeps repeating David's name over and over. Misunderstanding why he's doing it, Leanne tries to reassure Nick that his brother is fine. They fetch a nurse who tells them that Nick mustn't get too worked up. She suggests that it might help to bring David in so that Nick could see for himself that his brother's fine.

Kylie and David are enjoying a relaxing walk in the park with the baby. David's phone rings but, seeing who's calling, he chooses to ignore it. But there's no escape because Gail then rings Kylie who hands her phone over to David. He has no choice but to agree to get over to the hospital as soon as he can.

We move over to Michelle's where we discover Steve's in trouble again. His advice to Ryan to get himself off his backside and do something has backfired because Ryan's only gone and found himself a job with his friend Clarky in Ibiza. You'd think he was about to emigrate to Australia by the way his mum's going off on one but presumably this means he's being written out for the foreseeable future so perhaps Michelle has a point. Anyway, she blames Steve for encouraging him in his plans and tells Ryan that when it comes to words of wisdom Steve's a "flipping mute".

Hayley and Roy have returned home after Hayley's scan. She tells him that while she was lying there having it done it got her to thinking and she's decided to write a diary. As she describes it, it will be a bit like her own version of a time capsule, something people will remember her by. Roy assures Hayley that she will be very much remembered by everyone and that they should focus on the here and now. "In that case," says Hayley. "Let's talk about your driving lessons". Poor Roy is terrified of the idea and says that, unlike Hayley's phobia of puppets, his fear is entirely rational. So Hayley makes a deal: if he's prepared to get back in the driving seat she'll go and see a puppet show.

Gary is having his tea round at his Mum's. Owen says that unless Feelan coughs up it may be the last decent meal he has in a long while. Anna gets herself really worked up when Gary asks whether they should pop round to Feelan and jog his memory. She points out that Owen's too old and Gary has a criminal record.

Audrey has arrived at the hospital where Gail and Leanne are filling her in. They tell her that Nick keeps saying David's name over and over. Gail thinks it's wonderful that Nick's first thought on coming round is for his brother and Leanne is sure that when he eventually turns up at the hospital it will set Nick's mind at rest. Little do they know ...

Ryan's all ready to leave for Ibiza but he can't find his passport. Michelle uses the opportunity to have one last go at him. She's convinced he'll get up to no good out there with nobody to keep an eye on him. She's probably right but Ryan's not exactly in the habit of listening to his mother and he's certainly not about to start now.

Back at the hospital Leanne's pacing up and down wondering what's happened to David when he finally arrives. He blames the traffic but Gail says never mind, he's here now and an excited Leanne takes him off to see Nick.

Gail, Leanne and Audrey gather round Nick's bedside and encourage David to talk to him. Nick starts to wake up and Leanne excitedly tells him that David's there. But instead of the reaction they expected, a wild look comes into Nick's eyes and he tears at all the tubes he's connected to. This sets off the alarm and nurses and doctors come rushing into the room. As they try to calm Nick down they ask the family to leave.

Round at Anna's Faye is having issues with her new best friend Grace who isn't replying to any of her text messages. Anna tells her it will all have blown over by the morning while Gary says if Grace carries on treating her like that she's not worth calling a friend. Meanwhile, Owen has some more information on Feelan. According to Owen's mate, Feelan has now declared himself bankrupt. Owen reckons he's at the end of a very long list of debtors. He tells Gary it's not the first time Feelan's done it and Gary wants to know how he gets away with it. Owen says it's just a matter of taking your conscience out of the equation and filling in the right forms. Anna says she'd rather be straight and she's glad Owen is, too. He says that he hopes she'll still be saying that when they can't afford to pay the electricity bill.

Michelle is having a go at Steve as they have a drink in the Rovers. He tries suggesting that maybe Ryan going away isn't such a bad thing as he'll be able to start again with a clean slate. Michelle's worried he'll get into the drugs scene but Steve tells her that if he wants to get hold of drugs he knows where to find them and adds that she has to start trusting him.

Back at the hospital Leanne is filling in the others on what the doctors have said about Nick. She tells them that Nick had a panic attack as a result of seeing David. Everyone (apart from David) is mystified until Leanne suggests that seeing David might have reminded Nick about the accident. Gail is still convinced that Nick is on the mend and says that he'll be back to his old self really soon. On hearing this David feels the need to go out and get some fresh air.

Hayley and Roy are sitting on the sofa watching a rom com. Hayley says she wonders why the man in the film doesn't just tell the woman how he feels. Roy explains that the film has an hour to go and he's not the sort of man who can easily express such feelings. Roy continues in this vein and we can tell he's describing himself. Hayley says the man just needs a bit more confidence but Roy says no, he needed to meet someone he was prepared to do the unthinkable for and risk everything. "Someone special," adds Roy. "He's very lucky to have met her". As they continue to talk Hayley tells Roy that she wants to make the most of the time they've got left together. She has in mind some trips out to perhaps the Dales or the Lakes, the places where they've been happiest together. Roy takes her hand and says they'll do whatever Hayley wishes. She tells him that the place she's been happiest of all is here between these four walls. She describes it as the place where they'll roll the credits. Roy says that's a good while off and doesn't want to have to talk about it. "Alright,' replies Hayley. "But some day we will."

David is drowning his sorrows in the backyard of the Rovers when Tina arrives. He tells her that Nick's started talking. "He's not dobbed me in yet, but he will," says David. Tina tells him Nick should but adds that maybe he'll get lucky. David fills in Tina on what happened at the hospital. She says that maybe Nick was confused but David replies that he wasn't, he could tell from Nick's eyes. David is desperate to know what he should do. He says that when Nick starts talking he's going to lose everything, including Kylie and his daughter. But Tina doesn't have an answer.

Steve and Michelle arrive home from the pub. Ryan is till searching for his passport. With the skill of a sniffer dog, Michelle lays her hands on it instantly. Ryan asks why she's helping him, does that mean she's happy for him to go? Michelle says she wouldn't go that far but it looks as though she's finally accepted he's now an adult and capable of making his own decisions, if not finding his own passport.

Owen and Gary have gone to the Rovers for a drink. Owen has a quick word with Tina at the bar and offers her and Tommy their old flat back, then he and Gary sit down and start discussing the Feelan problem again. Owen tells Gary that he can't let it get out that he's a soft touch, otherwise every chancer this side of Manchester will be turning him over. Gary wants to know what they're going to do about it and says he needs sorting out properly. Owen is reluctant but agrees they can't leave it and tells Gary he'll mull things over.

David arrives at the hospital. There's nobody around so this is David's chance to speak to his brother alone. Nick wakes and, seeing David looming over him, has a look of wild panic in his eyes. Keeping his voice to a whisper David tells Nick that he's sorry for what he did but says that he can't tell anybody anything because then everything will come out. He says that Leanne will never forgive them and then both of them will be finished. "Don't say anything, Nick," implores David as Nick lies there, helpless. "I'm begging you, don't".

Karen

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

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