Happy New Year!

Hayley's asleep on the sofa, tucked up with an afghan blanket. Roy looks out in the street to see drunken revelers. When Hayley wakes he tells her it's 5.30am and she's annoyed that she didn't stay awake to see the New Year in. They have a little cuddle and kiss and wish each other a happy new year.

Fiz goes to visit Tina. It's the first time Fiz hasn't stayed up to see the new year in, so she's making the rounds to wish everyone the best. She asks if Tina's OK and Tina admits that she's having a hard time. This time of year always reminds her of her father.

Peter slumps against the kitchen bench as he stirs his cuppa. Carla comes out. It's the first time since she was about 11 that she's woken on New Year's Day without a hangover. She suggests they get Simon up and go for a walk. Isn't that what families do on New Year's Day? She thanks Peter for last night and tells him he's a fantastic husband. She knows the festive season must be hard for him, with temptation everywhere. (Yes, but not the kind of temptation she's thinking of!)

Deirdre comes downstairs to find Rob (with trousers on) cooking breakfast and a new big-screen plasma TV in the corner of the room. It had been brought into the shop and Tracy thought her mother would like it. "Just one of the perks of us living here," says Tracy.

Carla, Simon and Peter take a walk in the park, Simon "driving" a radio-controlled car. They meet Fiz and Tyrone and the girls. Fiz has already been to see Hayley today and Hayley's thinking of going to the Rovers later. Carla decides to go there rather than calling round to see Hayley.

Rob's made the breakfast and a cuppa. "Where would we be without him?" asks Tracy. Deirdre knows where they'd be. They coped without him before and they'll cope without him once he's gone. Tracy's mouth drops open. "But Mam! You said he could move in." No, Deirdre corrects her. She said she'd think about it. And she has and the answer is No. "So you can stop trying to smarm round me." She admits there are advantages to having Rob there. "But all that's outweighed by one simple fact - I don't like him." She doesn't want them to think she approves of their lifestyle and thinks Rob's a bad influence on Tracy. "Well can't you just put up with him?" Tracy asks. "This is doing wonders for my ego," says Rob. Oh, that reminds Deirdre - "You're a vain egomaniac." Tracy's appalled. "If he goes, I go," she snaps. "Oh, I've been rumbled," laughs Deirdre. Yes, she wants Tracy out too.

In the Rovers, party poppers clog up Liz's pipe. Tina arrives while she's struggling to clear the vacuum cleaner and Liz comments that as well as party poppers they've got a party pooper. Tina wouldn't even hold hands with everyone for Auld Lang Syne last night. Tina protests that she was busy clearing glasses at the time.

Tracy and Rob front up to the bar. Rob wishes he hadn't given notice on his flat. Tracy thinks they need to show Deirdre how much she needs them around. "She won't last five minutes on her own. Perhaps we can show her just how miserable that can be."

Kal and Nick are in the park. They try a little boxercise but Nick keeps getting left and right mixed up and gets frustrated. Kal tells him to just chill.

Peter and Carla come into the Rovers and he goes to the bar. He tells Tina Happy New Year. He wants to book her in for more babysitting but Tina says No. She's got enough on, she tells him. Liz asks if she's OK and sends her on her break.

In the back room, Liz tells Tina she's been acting funny since she arrived. "It's Peter Barlow, isn't it?" Tina says she thought she could handle him but how can he act as if nothing's happened? Liz wasn't aware anything had. "Tina, please tell me you haven't slept with him."

Liz says she can't tell Tina how to live her life. But Peter's a married man, much older than Tina. Tina says she's just as much to blame - she wanted Peter more than she's ever wanted anyone. Now she wants to make sure it never happens again.

Peter's in the bar with Carla and Fiz and Tyrone waiting for Hayley. They would like a table but there's not one free so Michelle offers to move someone else out of a booth for them, and does. Just in time because Hayley's arrived. She reckons she's wearing more layers than Ralph Fiennes. As the others get her settled and comfortable and remove a few layers, Sean watches emotionally.

Nick and Kal arrive back at the bistro. Kal has to answer his phone and Gloria comments on how pally the two of them are. Nick says he likes Kal. He asks how Leanne is. She's finding it difficult - she doesn't like not living at home. It feels as if they've split up. He tries to say it's for the best but she says she could always just move back in.

In the pub, Hayley's busy telling everyone about her palliative care nurse. She says she's boiling and when she tries to remove her coat, pain grips her. Everyone's fussing around but Peter says he's going out the back for a cigarette.

Tina follows him out to the yard. "Can't you drink anywhere else?" She can't understand how he can swan in and act as if nothing's happened. Peter thinks that's what he's supposed to do - unless she thinks they should go public. Peter says Carla wanted to see Hayley. Of course he feels guilty but what happened was just as much Tina's fault as his. Tina says she's never felt so ashamed. What they did was wrong. "This needs to end, Peter." She says she doesn't want an affair. She doesn't want to break his marriage up. She moves to go back inside. Peter grabs her arm and tells her it's not easy acting as if nothing's happened. It's torture. He moves his head close to her (He can't possibly be nice to be close to - all that nicotine breath) but Tina shakes him off and tells him to stay away from her.

Deirdre's in the bistro. She tells Gloria that of course she misses having Ken around, but Rob's bad news and no good for Tracy. Nick and Kal sit having a coffee. Nick asks Kal his opinion on therapists. Kal says a lot of his clients swear by them. A therapist might help Nick to get to the bottom of things.

Tracy and Rob are in the back yard. Tracy says she's read that surveys show that loneliness isn't the worst thing about living on your own - it's fear. "We need to tap into that fear." She picks up the yard broom and smashes the window in the door, shocking Rob. "We need to make her feel vulnerable and scared she thinks twice about living on her own."

Inside, she tells him to smash a few ornaments and throw a few chairs over. "We've got to be quick." Rob seems unsure but suddenly realises this is his chance to smash one of Deirdre's pots.

The potter herself is still in the bistro telling Gloria that Tracy and Rob think she was born yesterday - trying to butter her up with a cooked breakfast and a new telly. That perks up Gloria's ears. They got Deirdre a new telly? Deirdre says it doesn't make up for Rob calling her Dee and wandering around in his pants. She looks over at Kal. "Mind you, if it was him it might be a different story." Her phone rings.

When she gets home and sees the mess, Tracy tells her they came in to find three kids in there. Rob chased them down the ginnel but couldn't catch them. Deirdre says she's going to ring the police.

Leanne goes to their flat to see Nick. She tells him it feels as if she's abandoned him. Nick says he knows she hasn't. It's proof that she's doing everything she can, so he's going to do that same. He's going to see a therapist.

Rob fetches Deirdre a drink. They tells Deirdre they're surprised she hasn't been burgled before. They're always getting kids offering them stolen gear in the shop. Deirdre mentions that not much seems to have been taken. Rob says it was lucky they came home before she did - otherwise it would have been one of her against four of them. "It could have turned ugly." Wait a minute. "I thought you said there were three of them." Rob says it was all a blur. "I think there were two of them," Deirdre says. "A man and a woman in their 30s. I've seen them hanging around the place looking very suspicious." She accuses them of staging the break-in. "What a dirty trick!" Tracy's indignant. How can she possibly think that? "OK," says Deirdre. "He can stay." What? Tracy's very pleased indeed, but then Deirdre says they're going to pay rent, proper rent not just a few quid here and there. And there will be house rules. "House rules set by me and followed by you. And if you mess me about you're out on your ear." She tells them to get started fixing the broken window.

Tyrone tells Roy how good it is to see Hayley out and about. He doesn't know how Roy copes. Hayley's going home so Roy and Carla help her put some layers back on and help her to her feet. Peter nips to the loo. Liz follows him.

She tells Peter she wanted a word in private. "Part of my job as a landlady is to look after my staff," she says. "I have to when there's men like you around who really take advantage of a lovely young barmaid like Tina." Peter protests that he has no idea what she's talking about. Liz says he knows exactly what she means. He's got a lovely new wife and he's sleeping with a girl half his age. Peter looks a bit stunned. Liz pushes him back against the wall and grabs his collar in best gangster-threatening style. "I mean it, Peter. Leave her alone or you'll have me to answer to!"

The end.
Margaret Carr

Nick's made Leanne smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. He tells her he's going to see a therapist today.

It's Carla's birthday and Simon sings that she belongs in a zoo. He's bought her a gift out of his own money - it's a tea-towel with the slogan "Keep calm and kill zombies." Peter's also bought her a gift and produces a jeweller's box containing earrings.

Gail's telling Audrey about hearing Kylie sobbing her heart out in the middle of the night. If it was anyone else, you'd go in and try to comfort them, she says, but Kylie shuts everyone out. She's let herself go, too, though you could put make-up on with a trowel and it wouldn't hide the dark circles under Kylie's eyes. While she's saying this last bit, Kylie comes downstairs and walks past them to the kitchen. This proves Gail's point. "See, not a sound. Under normal circumstances she'd have wiped the floor with me." She tells Kylie the kids are at Dev's and suggests she go to pick them up (er. . . isn't that literally just across the road? Surely Dev could stand and his door and see them safely home?). Kylie says she can't do that since she's just in her pyjamas and robe. Audrey tells her she doesn't have to act tough. It's all right to be sad. Kylie says she isn't. She's got over it now and if they didn't keep raking it up she'd be fine. "Just leave me be." She slumps down on the sofa and drinks the milk straight from the container.

In the taxi office, Todd's saying nasty things about the old chair in the corner. Steve has a magazine with Top Tips for January. The first is to tidy your work station to give yourself a lift. Eileen manages to move stuff around the desk in a very sarcastic fashion. The second tip is that older ladies should tuck their hair behind their ears to take ten years off their appearance. Steve had better stop now. Eileen threatens him with Mrs Braithwaite as a fare.

Nick's been given a pamphlet and advised that he should watch out for signs that he's getting stressed. Except he won't always see them, so could Leanne please also watch and warn him before he lashes out? She says she will. They agree to go back to the flat for lunch.

Peter and Carla are out in the street, though Peter thinks they should have stayed in bed all day. Liz is across the road looking daggers at Peter. Unfortunately, her aim is off and they hit Carla. She's really annoyed. Why would Liz be giving them filthy looks. She wants to go and find out but Peter dissuades her. He says Liz has probably just fallen out with Michelle. "Don't let a crabby old bag like that ruin your birthday."

Nick's trying some yoga positions, much to Leanne's amusement. He can't see that there's anything relaxing about them.

Peter meets Tina coming out of the corner shop and he's not in a good mood. He demands to know why she told Liz and tells her about Liz cornering him in the gents. He says that if this gets out she's going to look just as bad as him because she's the one who's been making friends with Carla. He says he didn't lie. He's always made it clear he loves Carla. Tina tells him she's the lucky one here because she gets to walk away. But one day Carla will get to see what he's really like and she'll walk away too.

Tina goes back to the pub and asks Liz for a word. When Liz comes out the back she demands to know what Liz was doing - she was told about Tina and Peter in confidence. "Do you want us to be found out?" Liz says Peter makes her sick. He's not got one ounce of shame. Tina says Peter just had a real go at her. Liz is all for finding Peter and putting him right but Tina says the whole thing was a mistake and she just wants it to go away. But it won't while Liz keeps stirring. Liz nods. Tina asks what she's going to say if Carla asks why she was glaring. Liz says she'll just say she was in a bad mood. Tina says she had better be convincing, then, "because if Carla finds out . . . "

Kylie's walking with the pram and Max. As they pass the salon, David comes out and Max rushes over to him, asking if they can go to the Red Rec. David looks at Kylie and tells Max it's a bit cold. "Go home and look after your Mum." Kylie won't even speak to David and he wonders why she's not kicking off at him. "It's pointless innit. Everything's pointless," she says.

Sean comes into the cafe and asks Anna if they can lend him some birthday candles. Steve says he once had a dream where Carla had snakes instead of hair. Roy's quite tickled by the thought of Carla as Medusa and reveals that he once wanted to be a herpetologist (snake expert). Steve says that by rights Roy's head should be massive with all the facts he's got in there. Hayley says Roy's brain's like the Tardis - much bigger than it seems from the outside. The general bonhomie stops when a woman arrives and tells Hayley she's Suzie, the humanist celebrant who will take her funeral. As Hayley and Roy take Suzie upstairs, the others reflect on funerals. Anna doesn't understand how Hayley can stay so cheerful. Steve says when it's his time, he'd be quite happy to be chopped up and tossed into a skip (I hope this isn't a clue to a future plot line!). Sean already knows the music he wants at his funeral - Unbreak My Heart, by Toni Braxton, followed by Viva La Diva and then Judy Garland's version of Over The Rainbow. "Anyone would think you were gay," says Steve.

Nick and Leanne are at the table talking about a Venus Flytrap which Simon owns. Leanne says Simon would have preferred a dog but she's the one who would have ended up looking after it and she's got enough on her plate. Nick looks upset. They both offer to clear up the dishes and when Nick moves suddenly to stop Leanne doing it, she flinches. He sees.

Gail's going out to Sally's but offers to stay in with Kylie. Kylie insists she'll be fine getting Max some tea. Max is nagging because he wants to use the computer and Kylie snaps. "Will you stop pecking my head!" she shouts. "You're mean and I hate you!" Max shouts back, running up the stairs. Gail really thinks she should stay home. "Don't push people away, Kylie," she says. "All Max wants is a bit of love and attention." She says Kylie should go upstairs, get cosy and read Max a story. Kylie tells Gail to go. She says it's time she stopped feeling sorry for herself and got on with things. But as soon as Gail's gone, Kylie leaps up from the sofa and fetches the wine from the fridge.

Hayley and Roy chat with Suzie. Hayley says she doesn't want to be canonized. By way of illustration she tells how she once dropped some bacon on the floor and rather than throw it out, she saved it for a particular customer. "Tracy Barlow," says Roy, knowing exactly who Hayley would mean. Hayley says it might be petty and vindictive, but when Tracy sank her teeth into the bacon she felt as if she'd won. "Good work," says Roy. The celebrant realises Hayley's a bit of a subversive on the side. She comments that Hayley doesn't seem to have a fear of death. "I won't see the daffodils and poppies, but I can still smell the roses," Hayley says. Speaking of poppies reminds her that the anniversary of the First World War is coming up. All those 18 and 19-year-old boys killed. "I've had nearly 50 years. My friend Jane only had 45. Princess Diana was only 36." The celebrants asks if it helps to count her blessings.

In the pub, Eva, Jason, Todd and Sean sit together. Sean has been given a life wheel, where he's supposed to rate his life on each of certain aspects. Todd points out that he scores zero on relationships, career and money so Sean throws the chart away, almost hitting Liz. Jason tells him to cheer up - he doesn't know what might be round the corner. "That's what worries me," says Sean.

Tina finds Liz and apologises to her. She's spoken to a friend in London who says Tina can go and stay there. Liz says she'll rearrange the roster. It'll do Tina good to have some time out. That's not what Tina means. She's going to move to London permanently and won't be coming back.

There's a knock on Eileen's door. She's shocked to find Tony Stewart, Jason's dad, on her doorstep. We first met Tony at least ten years ago when his shonky work on the electrics of Todd and Sarah's flat caused a fire. He's changed a lot since then - possibly because he's now being played by a different actor. He asks if he can come in and Eileen stands aside.

Nick and Leanne have a heart to heart. He doesn't think they can live normally when she's obviously scared of him. Leanne says she's not - she's scared of what he might do. But that's temporary. She knows he'll recover and everything will be fine again. But Nick says it's not fine. "This can't go on." He believes she loves him but that doesn't change the fact that she's scared of him.

Kylie's drunk rather a lot of the wine. Max is hungry but he can't rouse her. He gets a chair and reaches up to the top of the cupboards for the pasta jar.

Eileen and Tony are in her living room when the boys and Eva come home. "You're joking me!" says Jason when he sees Tony. Tony says he was worried when he didn't hear from Jason at Christmas so he's come to see if he's OK. Eva doesn't know who it is. "My dad," says Jason.

Lily's awake and wriggling around in her pram. Max puts a saucepan on the stove and turns on the element.

More later. . .
Margaret Carr

Written by: Carmel Morgan
Directed by: Menhaj Huda

Lily is getting hungry, and starting to fret in her cot. Kylie, fast asleep in a drunken stupor stretches in her sleep and kicks the empty vodka bottle onto the floor. Max, who is standing on a chair by the stove and throwing unknown things into a saucepan of boiling water, tells his sister not to worry, he will get her something to eat.

Liz is trying to talk some sense into Tina, saying it's one thing to get away to get her head together, but it's quite another to turn her whole life upside down because of a man.

Tina is beating herself up, telling her she thought she was a good person, and hates the fact that Carla still thinks of her as a mate, not realising she has knifed her in the back. Liz is all for putting the blame where it belongs, right on Peter's doorstep, but Tina won't have it, saying if he wasn't married she knows they would be together. Liz points out to her that he once had two wives on the go at the same time, so she should be careful what she wishes for. Tina tells her she can't stand seeing him and not being able to have him, so the sooner she gets away the better.

David is talking his problems over with his Gran in the Salon. He doesn't like the new Kylie, this one that doesn't fight back, but Audrey figures it makes for a much quieter life for everyone, so he should make the most of it.

Another conversation is going on between Nick and Leanne. She is telling him not to worry about it, he will get better, but he is still upset about hitting her, asking her what she will do the next time they argue if he ends up giving her a split lip.

David is now nearing No. 8, and can hear Lily crying from some distance away. Running over, he peers in the window and sees Kylie asleep on the sofa. He raps on the window and Max appears, telling David he is cooking, and immediately disappears again. Wow, no triple glazing, or even double glazing in those windows, you can hear Max as if he is outside. Frantically, David knocks on the window again, calling Max to stay away from the cooker, but I guess the sound doesn't penetrate the window in both directions, because Max doesn't appear to hear him. Finding the front door locked, David kicks it in. Rushing inside, he grabs Max and lifts him down from the chair, turning off the stove.

Kylie wakes up and groggily says "What?" Max tells David he couldn't wake Mummy up. David holds him by the shoulders, and looking into his face tells him never - ever go near the stove again. Kylie sulkily tells David he knows full well not to go near the stove, and was just playing up. Max tells him he did it because he was really really hungry. Picking Lily up, David cuddles her, telling Max he understands, both he and Lily both. Then shakily smiling, he says "Looks like Mummy could use a coffee an' all". Then his smile turns into a bit of a sneer when Max isn't looking, and he quietly says to Kylie "Or three?"

Family conference going on over at No. 11. They are filling Eva in on what a rat Jason's father really is, telling her about the money he stole from Streetcars, and how he allowed Eileen to get arrested for it. Tony points out that he did give the money back, he always does the right thing in the end. They ask why he has tipped up there after all this time. He tells them he was worried as he didn't get a call from Jason on Christmas Day, and couldn't reach him on the number when he tried to call him. Eva tells him that was her fault, as she bought him a new mobile for Christmas. She then introduces herself as Jason's girlfriend.

Tony tells Jason he is a lucky lad. Jason replies that he is except when it comes to fathers. Todd reinforces that by asking Tony when Jason's birthday is. He remembers it is June, but has no idea of the day. He admits he has been a lousy father, but points out it's not about birthdays, it is to do with the other 364 days. Jason points out he hasn't been there for those either. Standing up and looking at Jason, he asks "Year zero?" Todd suspiciously remarks he must be up to something. Eileen suggests Jason takes his father to the Rovers, which Tony thinks is a great idea, telling Jason to come on, he will treat him to a pint of tap water. Jason wryly tells Eva, "You think he is joking?" Eva tells him he should just hear him out. Eileen tells Jason to give him twenty minutes at the Rovers, then they will all come over and rescue him. "Make it five eh?" says Jason.

Things are under control now at the Platts, Max has his pasta, and David is giving Lily her bottle, while a scowling Kylie sits at the table with her arms folded. He tells her to feel free to take over any time she likes, but she declines, saying she always cries when she feeds her because she doesn't have his golden touch. She sarcastically tells him if he is not saving the day, he is off plotting murder.

Gail arrives home and wants to know what happened to her front door. Kylie tells her in the same sad monotone, that one door gets slammed in your face, another gets kicked in, it's just the way the mop flops.

Jason and Tony are talking now in the Rovers, he tells Jase he is proud of him now having his own building business. He tells him they could go in together, he could do the wiring, and Jason could do the building. Shaking his head, Jason said it's not likely to happen, and asks him why he is really there, whether it's for money, or possibly a vital organ. Tony assures him it is neither, just the two of them chewing the fat, that is all he is there for.

David has put the kids to bed, and coming downstairs Gail asks if they are OK. He replies they are fine, but Kylie spits that the front door getting kicked in probably scared the life out of them. David asks her angrily if that is all she has to say. Gail tells him to calm down, taking the blame for it, saying she shouldn't have gone out, as she knew Kylie was in a state.

Kylie tells her not to blame herself, as David is probably getting off on it, as she is probably the only person who can make him look good. Gail puts her arm round her, and kisses her on the top of her head, telling her she doesn't care about the door, but she does care about her. With that, she takes off to have a bath, leaving the two of them to talk - or fight.

As soon as she is out of the room, Kylie tries to follow her upstairs, but David grabs her arm, saying she is not getting off that lightly, they are not done. She angrily turns on him telling him she already knows she is a terrible person and a rotten mother. He tells her he has had it with her self pity, she turns away from him, and he shouts that enough is enough, she put their children in danger. Saying nothing, he spins her around and sees the tears are pouring down her face. He can see she knows this, and feels quite bad enough already.

Roy is helping Hayley into bed, and her face is screwed up in pain, which doesn't go unnoticed by him. Settling down, she tells him it's better to be in bed. She then quietly sings a song about what lives read like, some like a postcard, some like a book, some like a joke from an old Christmas cracker. She quietly tells Roy hers will read like a book - definitely like a book. He takes her hand and squeezes it, asking what the song was. She tells him it was a Kirsty MacColl, who died at 41.

Leanne arrives back at the flat apologising for having to go to see Simon who had suffered a tough day at school and needed a cuddle. Nick feels bad that she can't be with Simon, who obviously needs her, and tells her he should just move out. She points out she has only just moved back in, and not to be silly. He reckons though she only moved back because she feels sorry for him. She contradicts this, saying she moved back in because she believes in the two of them. But again, he figures it would be better for her and Simon if they were apart. She reminds him she took a vow to support him in sickness and in health, but he points out that the vow didn't mean she had to be battered by him. This argument goes on for a while, he figures it's inevitable that she will leave him in the end, when she has had enough of the beatings, but she points out he is not a wife beater, they do it behind closed doors, but he did it in front of everyone, this is how she knows it is his illness, not his real personality. He finally asks her why she wants to hang on to their relationship, he understands she loves him, but wants to know if she is still 'in' love with him.

Coming back where we left off, Nick tells her he knows the answer by her hesitation. She tells him the honest answer is that she is still in love with the old Nick, (isn't that Santa Claus?) the one she knows is still inside him somewhere. He tells her she is off the hook, he is setting her free because she is clinging onto the past. "What's wrong with that?" she pleads. She goes on to say that it is the memories of the good stuff that take you through the difficult stuff. She tells him marriage isn't a sprint, it's a marathon, and so is his recovery.

He tells her they are partners, but asks what is in it for her? She tells him to shut up and hold her. When he does, she kisses him, saying he feels just like the old Nick, and he is not going anywhere.

David and Kylie are sitting beside each other now on the sofa. She is sobbing her heart out, saying she should have been sterilized at 16. She is feeling absolutely terrible about what could have happened if David hadn't come home when he did. He remains calm, but tells her firmly that she can't do this self destruct thing any more, she has responsibilities. Again, she tells him the kids don't like her, even Lily, who is as good as gold for Gail, but not her. David points out it is her attitude towards them that is causing the problems, not the other way around.

She tells him she doesn't want them to catch her badness. Shaking his head in despair, he doesn't know what to say to her. She looks at him for a long time, then tells him he is a great dad, and she hates him for it. "I would never have guessed", says David sarcastically. But she goes on to say "And I love you for it, despite everything. What does that say about me?" She sobs again.

The Grimshaws, plus Eva and Sean have now arrived at the Rovers and are filling Liz in on who Tony is. They are speculating as to why he has suddenly shown up out of the blue. Liz muses that possibly he is ill, and has come to say goodbye, or maybe recently had a near death experience and has seen the error of his ways. Eileen doesn't give him that much credit.

They go over to join Jason and Tony, and immediately give the latter a hard time. He takes it all with good grace, saying he has been a disgrace of a father, and is trying to make up for lost time. He heads for the bar to buy the next round, much to Eileen's surprise, and when he is out of earshot, she tells Jason that talk is cheap, and she won't stand for him messing him around again.

Peter and Carla are heading home to bed, but he suddenly gets a text from Tina. He tells Carla it's Deirdre, and Simon won't settle unless he sees his father. She offers to go with him, but he puts her off, telling her she will have to keep Deirdre entertained for half an hour while he spends time with Simon. It works, and she goes home alone, leaving him free to meet up with Tina. The lies slide off that bloke's tongue like syrup!

We are back to David and Kylie now. She is still upset about what could have happened to her kids, but David reminds her it didn't happen, and she should just treat it as a wake up call. He tells her she is only a bad mother because she is so unhappy, and he is to blame for making her so unhappy. He tells her when she is happy she is a great mum, she may be a little bit lazy, but she is loving, funny and protective. She reminds him of what they, as a couple have done to Nick.

He asks her if chucking their marriage away, and wrecking the lives of their children going to make him any better? She shakes her head. He slips his arm around her shoulders, and she does nothing to push him away. He gently asks her to please forgive him. She is very quiet, so he asks what she is thinking. She tells him they could destroy each other's lives again, mess up the lives of their children - again. David tells her "Or, we could make a real go of it, and it just might be the best decision we ever made". He goes on to beg her to give it another go, and raise their children together. She looks at him for a long time, then leans in for a kiss. Then breaks away and thumps him on his arm. "What's that for?" he asks. "For calling me lazy!" says Kylie, then it's back to snogging time again.

Oh I hate this storyline, but I guess I have to write about it, so here we go:

Peter meets up with a waiting Tina in the ginnel. He is anxious because he is afraid she is going to tell Carla all about them. She assures him she isn't, and asks how her birthday went, whether he took her breakfast in bed. He tells her not to do that to herself, and doesn't want to talk about Carla. He asks her if she is alright, because he is worried about her. She tells him she will be once she gets settled in London.

Shocked, he asks her if she is moving to London because of him, and she sarcastically tells him she isn't, she is going there because they have the biggest Top Shop in Europe. He tells her he understands about self preservation, but thinks she is going a bit far. He goes on to tell her he also understands she is angry with him, but she interrupts him, saying she is more angry with herself, but as he is older - much older - he should have known how to control himself.

He reaches out and holds his hand against her face. She tells him that unless they have a future, he should take his hand off her face. He tells her it depends on what she means by 'future'. She breaks away from him in disgust. He tells her he is sorry, then goes on to say he is not sorry because she is such an amazing person. Almost in tears, she angrily reminds him he is married!

He tells her she doesn't have to go to London, instead he will stop going into the Rovers. He will tell Carla the temptation is too great in there for him, and actually he wouldn't be lying, but he is not talking about the liquor. Starting to cry, she tells him that right now she wants to slap his face, or kiss it. He leans his face in close to her and tells her he would rather have the kiss. Resisting him though, she tells him that is what his wife is for, or he should save it for his next fling, or the one after, and runs off home.

Christine Warren

Written by Jayne Hollinson Directed by Peter Rose

Simon's being cheeky and Carla's being fractious. She's seeing Hayley later so Peter offers to take up the slack but she says she's got a lunch meeting full of bowing and scraping. He offers to take the meeting and even do the bowing and scraping. She agrees but asks if he's ok, as he seems preoccupied. No, he's fine, he insists.

David comes to take Max to school. He and Kylie are friendly but a bit on eggshells around each other. Gail takes Max into the kitchen. David and Kylie agree that they will get back together and has she told Max? He overhears and is happy and wants to know when and is it today??? Kylie ends up agreeing he can move in today. David is nervous but it appears she's sure so he's pleased. So's she.

Michelle must have had grumpy coffee this morning because she snaps at Liz for doing her nails at the table. It reeks! She's not laughing at any of Steve's jokes either, criticizing him for shoveling food down his face. Liz looks confused at her mood and says her breakfast is keeping warm. Michelle lets loose with more insults at Steve for eating more than his fill and flounces out.

Peter is walking Simon towards the cafe, scolding him for being lippy. Simon hollers over as Tina comes out the door but she just waves at Simon and keeps walking.

In the factory, Carla notices that Beth is at Hayley's machine and wants to know why. Beth, foot firmly in mouth, says hers is broken and Hayley's not coming back anyway. Oops. Not quite the tactful response but typical Beth. Still, Beth doesn't have a choice if she wants to make her quota and Carla is clearly upset seeing someone else sitting in Hayley's space. She snips that Beth should be careful as machines are expensive and goes back into the office, telling Peter that the girls have to be watched carefully. Beth is in a bolshy mood and everyone else is upset about Hayley. Peter knows she's just avoiding doing what she has to do and tells her she can't put it off. She'll be fine. He sends her off to see Hayley and asks to give Hayley his love.

Hayley is lounging on the sofa, not hungry enough to have the toast Roy has made for her. She says their Christmas tree should come down as it's Twelfth Night. Roy decrees that they can leave it up as long as they want. Too right! Hayley gets him to take out a packet of Carla's favourite biscuits just as Carla arrives. She's a bit thrown to see Hayley struggle to sit up and wonders if she should stay but Hayley protests that she's just fine thank you. She sends Roy downstairs and Carla sets off to make the coffee, intent on waiting on Hayley hand and foot. They joke about the biscuits and Hayley asks for an envelope in the drawer. Carla brings it over but it's for her. It's a sketch of her wedding dress, the finished design. Carla is touched. There's a "gulp" moment as Carla calls herself a stroppy cow and Hayley assures her that's what she loves about her. Carla turns her face away, not wanting to show her emotions.

David has come to the salon where Audrey is fussing over an older client and Maria is doing Michelle's hair. David tells Audrey he's moved his stuff back home. Audrey is delighted and orders them not to mess up again. David asks Audrey to give Kylie her old job back. He persuades her to at least think about it. He says they'll be in the pub at lunchtime. Outside, Michelle and Maria are joking and she says how tired she is. Maria gives her a knowing look. Putting on weight? Tired all the time? ??? Michelle doesn't look happy.

Peter texts Tina from the factory floor as Julie gets all wobbly over "their" song on the radio (hers and Brian's, not hers and Peter's) Beth doesn't want the radio off and the two of them start bickering. Peter tries to calm things down but Beth's gob is in overdrive. Carla comes in to the bicker session as Beth insults Eva for dating her mother's leftovers. Carla explodes, blaming Peter for not stepping in. He protests that he was just about to! Carla orders Beth to sit down and get on with her work. Eva looks smug. Beth takes her temper out on a snagged needle and rips the material. Carla strides over, tells her it's coming out of her pay. Beth tips over her bin of knickers and Carla sacks her on the spot. Ooops.

After the break, Carla is calmed down a bit. Peter asks about Hayley and is told that she wasn't feeling so well. Peter tries to defend his non-actions. She's not having it and sends him off to that lunch meeting he promised to take. Outside of the office, Beth tries to get Peter to stick up for her but Peter backs up Carla who's in the office looking at the wedding dress sketch with a broken heart.

Andrea shows up at the pub. Liz deliberately gets her name wrong and is cool. Andrea asks Steve if she can borrow his notes for their assignment. After another snotty joke from Liz, Andrea gets her own back with a well-timed put down about Liz's age. That worked. Steve goes off to fetch the notes. Lloyd arrives, pleased to see Andrea. He invites her to have lunch with him as he's just going to have a hotpot. Lloyd orders lunch for the two of them and they sit down. Steve queries Lloyd's motives and reminds him that Michelle won't be happy. Doesn't matter, Lloyd quips, she's with me not you.

Tina is just coming back to her flat with a few grocery bags as Peter is driving around the corner. He jumps out of the car and wants to talk to her. He knows it's over but doesn't want to leave it "like this". She reluctantly lets him come in.

Audrey and Maria arrive at the pub, pleased to see David and Kylie. Maria is sent for drinks and Audrey asks Kylie to come back to work at the salon. She's had people asking after her but when questioned as to whom, she prevaricates and Kylie realizes David put her up to it but doesn't mind. She'll take the job on offer. Michelle comes in and spies Steve talking to Lloyd and Andrea. She gives them a look and goes into the back. Andrea leaves and Lloyd confirms that he'll see her around. She glances at Steve and says for sure. Oh dear, is Lloyd about to get his hopes shot down?

In Tina's flat, Peter wonders if Tina is thinking of leaving to punish him. He promises to stay out of her way. She doesn't believe him. He asks again, they can go on as if this never happened but she knows he won't stick to it. She can't trust him nor herself, giving him the keys to the kingdom and he moves in for a kiss. She backs off and hollers and breaks the glass she's holding. She's cut herself and he scours the drawers for a first aid kit. He washes her hand off, standing close.

Liz finds Michelle with her head in her hands in the back room. Michelle apologizes for snapping Liz's head off and confesses that she thinks she might be pregnant. Liz looks excited but Michelle admits it wouldn't be good and doesn't want Steve to know just yet. Liz sends her upstairs to do the test.

In the factory, Mr. Hanlon, the client Peter was supposed to meet, comes rolling in (he's in a wheelchair). He informs Carla that Peter didn't show up. Carla sends Eva to make coffee. Meanwhile, Peter is first aiding Tina's hand. He puts a plaster on her finger. He offers to make her a cup of tea for the shock and puts the kettle on. She thinks he should go and nothing has changed. He gives her one of his soulful looks and strokes her face, leaning forward for a kiss. She gives in but no sooner do their lips touch when his phone goes off. Carla. Tina listens to him lie to Carla smoothly that he was stuck in traffic. He tells Carla the client cancelled. He gets off the phone because he's driving. She rings off, knowing she's caught him in a lie. Tina looks perturbed at how well he lied, as well.

Tvor

Written by John Kerr and directed by Peter Rose

Having just heard Peter blatantly lying to Carla on the phone, Tina needs no further persuading that she's made the right decision and she throws him out of her flat.

Round at the Rovers Liz is on tenterhooks waiting for the result of Michelle's pregnancy test but Michelle is so nervous it might be positive she admits she hasn't actually done it yet. Liz shoos her upstairs in the direction of the bathroom clearly hoping she'll need to start shopping for baby clothes.

In the factory, Carla is busy groveling to Mr. Hanlon when she spots Peter coming in. Unaware that there's someone sitting in the office, Peter launches into a story about bad traffic, promising to ring Mr. Hanlon to reschedule. "I can explain," he says when Carla points out there's no need to fix another appointment because Mr. Hanlon's with her now. Carla tells Peter they'll talk later and warns him that his explanation had better be a good one.

Tina comes out of her flat and bumps into Kylie. They manage to have quite a civil conversation before Tina goes on her way.

Upstairs in their flat we see Hayley scraping a plate of food into the bin. Roy asks her what she's doing and Hayley explains she's just not hungry and even if she does eat, nothing agrees with her any more.

The atmosphere in the Rovers is a lot more upbeat. Lloyd is grooving along to the Supremes on the juke box and Steve asks him if his good mood is down to hitting it off with Andrea earlier. But their conversation is cut short by Liz asking Steve to help out because Michelle's disappeared upstairs. Steve can see there's something his mother's not telling him but it doesn't take much persuasion to get Liz to spill the beans. After the initial surprise Steve is delighted to think he might be a dad again. Liz gets him to promise not to tell Michelle that she's said anything but she rather gives the game away by doing a victory dance with Steve at the exact moment that Michelle comes down the stairs. Realising what Liz has done, Michelle disappears back the way she came with a face like thunder.

Fiz and Ty are having a meal in the cafe. Roy says he's glad someone likes his cooking. They don't know what he's on about until he explains that Hayley has stopped eating and that she can no longer face a meal. Fiz says that maybe she'd be better off eating little and often. She suggests that she and Ty could go into town and buy a whole selection of different treats to see if they can find something that Hayley fancies eating.

Outside in the street, Carla and Peter and saying goodbye to Mr. Hanlon. Looking pointedly at Peter he says he'd better be going because he has a long drive ahead of him and he wouldn't want to get stuck in traffic. The moment he drives away, Carla is waiting for Peter's explanation but he says he doesn't want to tell her here, he'd rather go inside. Carla asks why and Peter replies that it's because she's not going to like what he has to tell her.

In the office at the factory Peter is coming clean to Carla. Or rather, she believes he is. What he's actually doing is lying through his teeth as usual. He tells her that he nearly fell off the wagon and that the desire to have another drink has been building up in him for some while so the reason he didn't go to see Mr. Hanlon was that he was at an AA meeting.

Kylie comes home to find David doing the ironing. She's worried he's turning into a new man but he jokes that if she'd rather he sat around all day watching tv and drinking beer it can be arranged. They seem to be getting along really well again. So well, in fact, that they start to get passionate. But their moment is cut short when Gail turns up with plans to settle herself down and watch a Rock Hudson film on the tv.

Over in the Rovers Steve sees Michelle coming downstairs. He casually asks if she's alright. Michelle admits that she is feeling a bit tired and has just been having a lie down. Quick as a flash, Steve offers to cover her shift. Taking full advantage, Michelle thanks him and says that what she could really do with is a long soak in the bath, followed by a foot massage.

Beth is heading over to the factory, accompanied by Sinead and Kirk. She's gone to ask for her job back but she's not picked a good moment. Carla comes storming down the steps. When Beth tells her that you can't sack someone for no reason Carla replies that it's a good job she sacked her for gross misconduct then. Beth complains that she's got a kid to clothe and feed so Carla comes back at her saying that she should have thought about that before she stated trashing Hayley's stuff.

Gail's finally come to the end of her film and David and Kylie are relieved when she leaves them alone and disappears upstairs. Kylie says that with her around all the time, plus Lily and Max, it's hard for them to have the time alone together they need to re-build their relationship. David wonders whether they should ask her to move out but Kylie says it seems a bit harsh after everything she's done for them. Then David has a bright idea - at least he thinks it's bright - they'll write a list of all Gail's pros and cons to help them decide. On the plus side they write down babysitting and cooking but when it comes to writing down the cons David jokes they'll need a bigger piece of paper.

Carla is drowning her sorrows in the Rovers. Tina's behind the bar and Carla asks her not to mention to Peter that she's been in there drinking. She explains the reason and says Peter's been having a tough time of it lately and she's discovered he went to one of his meetings earlier. She tells Tina that she feels bad because she was so wrapped up in her own problems she didn't even notice. Tina tells Carla she really shouldn't blame herself . . .

Michelle, Liz and Steve are having a conference around the dining table. The pregnancy test is sitting in the middle. Michelle starts by saying that Steve can stop his act because she knows Liz told him. She follows this with the news that the test was negative. Steve might be disappointed but Michelle is relieved. However, she says that if she's not put on weight because she's pregnant then it must mean she's getting fat so she's decided that she and Steve are going on a diet. And that means no more of his Mum's fry-ups for breakfast she adds before Steve has time to protest.

Fiz and Ty are with Roy and Hayley and they've brought a selection of food for Hayley to try. It seems that nothing can tempt her until she reaches the fruit platter and tries a strawberry. Suddenly her face lights up - they've discovered something she fancies eating. Roy looks equally delighted as she tucks in.

In the Rovers Carla has moved over to one of the tables. Beth, Sinead and Kirk come in for a drink and Beth asks Tina very loudly if there are any jobs going. She tells her that she's been given the sack and then adds, for Carla's benefit, that's what happens when you have a selfish, heartless boss. Despite being told by the others it's neither the time nor place, Beth keeps making comments until Carla leaps up and shouts at her that not only is she selfish and heartless, she has a really bad temper and all. The commotion causes Peter to come running in - he could hear it from the street.

Carla leaves and Peter follows her, hotly pursued by Tina. Tina tells him they have to talk. Not now, says Peter, trying to go after Carla. Yes, now Tina insists. She tells Peter she can't go on like this, lying to everyone and lying to Carla. She asks if he knows how it makes her feel and then tells him that she hates herself. Then Tina tells Peter that she'll stay but on one condition: no more lies. She says they'll have to tell Carla the truth. But Peter says he can't do that. "Your choice, Peter," says Tina. "Do I stay or do I go? I want your answer by tomorrow."

Karen

It's Wednesday and we're right into it with Steve and Michelle.

"I won't apologise for not being pregnant, Steve!" Steve protests that he didn't say anything but he admits he did let himself get excited at the thought of another child. But Michelle's been thinking, "and this is only a thought," (yeah, right): "but how would you feel about having the you-know . . .? I just want you to think about it. Steve's quite panicked at the thought of a vasectomy. "Loads of blokes have it," Michelle says. "Loads of blokes are forced into it, you mean!" "Are you saying No?" Michelle's aghast. "I'm saying this isn't a one-conversation deal," Steve tells her.

Gail gets up a bit later than usual and finds the rest of the family heading out the door and leaving the kitchen and dining table in chaos. Kylie promises they'll clean up later but Gail wants it clean and tidy now! "This house has rules!" she says. David points out the house is theirs so they can break the rules if they want. As they leave, Gail shouts after them that she refuses to be the house skivvy. The camera shows us the coffee table where the Gail: Pro and Con list is clearly visible.

Steve's taken his troubles to Lloyd and Eileen, who are not treating it seriously at all. They keep making puns about cutting and snipping. "Why do I tell you anything?" mopes Steve. Eileen says he just doesn't want a vasectomy because it's a commitment. If he won't agree then Michelle is not the one for him and he should move on. Steve thinks she's got a warped mind. "If you don't like my apples don't shake my tree," Eileen tells him.

Liz and Tina have a heart-to-heart. Liz refuses to believe Peter will ever leave Carla. Tina says that deep down Peter wants to be with her, not with Carla. Liz has known Peter a long time and tells Tina he's only ever interested in one person - himself. He always looks after number one. Tina protests but Liz says Tina's sounding scarily like Liz at the same age. "And I had no-one to put me straight when I was being a flaming idiot." She says she's not deliberately trying to hurt Tina but she can see where this is headed. "I'll take my chances," says Tina. "And what if he tells you to get lost?" asks Liz.

Things are a bit depressed in the cafe where Hayley's happy to have a cup of tea but Anna, Jenna and Roy can't interest her in eating anything. She tells Roy she did enjoy the strawberries she had the other day. Jenna checks out the back. There are none left. "That's easily remedied," says Roy, getting his coat. "I won't be long."

Gail sits on the sofa with the remote control in her hand but is brought up short when she sees the list.

Eileen's cutting sticky notes in half in a very provocative way. Steve winces at the sight of the scissors. Eileen comments on how touchy he is. "Very snippy," agrees Lloyd. Andrea comes in at the end of the conversation and asks what they're talking about. Steve says it's none of her business. Lloyd says Steve's just feeling a bit cut up. After a bit more of this, and with Andrea very confused, Eileen says Michelle's told Steve to get a vasectomy. "And you think that's funny?" asks Andrea angrily. "Very sensitive!" "Finally, some humanity!" says Steve. Andrea's come in because she wants a taxi. Lloyd agrees to take her but he doesn't get up immediately. "Chop chop!" says Andrea to general laughter. "Sorry, snip of the tongue," she grins. "I mean slip!" "I hate you all!" roars Steve.

In the ginnel, Peter's grumpy at Tina demanding to see him. Tina tells him to shut up. She says she's done waiting. "Just like I'm done cheating and lying. Do I stay?"

"You know what," says Peter. "I don't have to jump just because you say so. We'll talk about it later." But Tina demands an answer. He gives her one: "No." He says it just wouldn't work. Tina, who was impatient just a moment ago, says she's rushed him. Of course he needs more time. Peter says it won't make any difference. But Tina says it makes sense. They could start over and she would come to him without any baggage. They'd have a clean slate. It's more complicated than that, Peter tells her. "Not if you love someone," Tina says. "I don't love you," Peter says, saying "I'm sorry" a couple of times to soften the blow. Tina doesn't believe him at first. Is he saying it's over? "To be honest, I'm saying it never even began," he says. Tina bites back. If they're doing honesty, let's do it. Up until today she thought he was too scared to admit his feelings. Now she knows he's just scared, full stop. Peter's phone rings. "That'll be Carla," says Tina. "You better not keep the boss waiting."

Marcus and Maria are in the cafe chatting about Michelle's pregnancy scare. They're both treading warily. Marcus voices what they're obviously both thinking: "I wonder how we'd react - hypothetically, of course." Maria agrees it's hypothetical. They're interrupted by David and Kylie. Maria says she's got to go and see Michelle.

Gail's in the pub showing her mother the pros and cons list. She's most indignant but Audrey is just impressed with the amount of thought that has gone into it. Gail reads some of the items: Cooks OK (That's sort of a compliment, Audrey says); her spag bol sometimes tastes like dog food (well, she has been known to over-season it); she's easily conned (Audrey admires the word play of con and conned); always talks through films ("All right, I'll concede that," Gail says); always thinks she's right . . . "Now that is completely untrue!" says Gail and Audrey laughs.

Roy's back with more strawberries than Hayley thinks she can eat. He scoffs at the notion of a huge carbon footprint for the strawberries. That doesn't matter just now. Will Hayley eat some? Yes, she will. Roy and Anna and Jenna beam.

"What if Steve says No?" Maria asks. "He better have a darned good reason!" Michelle tells her. "What about you and Marcus?" Maria admits they've been dancing round the subject and a new baby would be nice for Liam.

Tina's gone to see baby Jake. He's turned into a gorgeous wee boy with blond-red hair and a cleft chin. Izzy sees something isn't quite right but Tina says she's just going through some stuff at the moment. Gary arrives and offers her a brew but Tina says she's got to go. She's close to tears as she says goodbye to them and to Jake.

David, Kylie and the kids arrive home to find Gail writing at the table. Max asks her what it is and she tells him it's a special list about his mummy and daddy. "All done," she says, going upstairs to help Max get washed. As she passes David and Kylie she apologises if she's missed anything. "After all, I do have a memory like a sieve."

David and Kylie smile guiltily and go over to the list. They're soon laughing as they recognise themselves. "They think the whole house is their bedroom," is just the beginning. David walks like an orangutan and can't wear jeans properly. And Kylie snuffles when she eats and is uncoordinated . . . "I guess she does have a sense of humour after all," David admits.

Tina's asked Liz to call round and Liz arrives annoyed, demanding to know where Tina's been all afternoon when she's supposed to be working. She shuts up when she sees Tina's luggage packed and waiting. "He told me to get lost," Tina says.

In the bistro, Steve, Andrea, Eileen and Lloyd are still talking about the possible vasectomy. Eileen says it's time for Steve to take some responsibility but Andrea says that if Steve and Michelle break up then he's left firing blanks. And operations do go wrong. "If you don't want it you have to say so," she tells him.

Marcus and Maria are in the salon (with Liam sweeping the floor). Marcus raises the subject of babies again and Maria tells him she doesn't want another baby at the moment. He seems relieved to hear it. But she has been thinking it would be nice to have their own home - three bedrooms and a garden. Marcus says Audrey won't be happy (presumably because they're renting her flat) but Maria says she can handle Audrey.

"I could swing for Peter Barlow," says Liz. She promises to explain to everyone just why Tina has gone. Tina hasn't even told Rita. "I can't. I can't," she says. She's fine for money. Liz says Tina deserves better than this. Tina isn't so sure. She tells Liz to get back because the pub will be filling up. "I'll miss you," says Liz, hugging her. Tina has tears in her eyes.

Steve shuts the door of the back room so he can talk to Michelle. He tells her he's not going to have a vasectomy. "I'm sorry?" she screeches. He says he's drawing a line in the sand. Michelle asks if he drew it on his own, or did he have help - from Lloyd perhaps? Steve says he did mention it to Lloyd but Lloyd's not the only person who doesn't agree. Michelle knew Eileen would put her oar in. Defending Eileen, Steve makes the fatal mistake of saying Eileen doesn't care one way or another. Then who? "Please don't tell me you've been speaking to Andrea!" Michelle says Steve's known Andrea for five minutes and he's discussing their private life with her. Steve protests that it's his life. "It's a vasecto-me, not a vasecto-you! It's my body, OK?" No, it's not OK. Michelle says it's all about Steve wanting another child.

A taxi arrives and Tina asks the driver to wait a minute. She peeps around the corner towards the Rovers and is just in time to see Peter and Carla come out of their flat. They have bags with them and she hears Peter telling Carla they're going to somewhere "with five stars and a spa." Carla wants to know what she did to deserve all this. He says she married him. Tina turns away tearfully and gets into the cab. The taxi driver asks if she's OK. "No, but I will be," she says as they drive away. I'm not so sure - she's not wearing a seatbelt.

The end.
Margaret Carr

And, we're back!

Hayley's in a lot of pain and Roy's asked the palliative care nurse to come round quickly. The nurse thinks it's time for Hayley's GP to prescribe some stronger painkillers. Hayley agrees that she doesn't have any choice. Roy looks quite distressed. Garry and Izzy bang on Tina's door but there's no answer. Liz happens to be walking past and tells them Tina's gone to London for good. They're puzzled. She didn't say anything. "Obviously that's how she wanted it," Liz says tersely.

At Eileen's, they're discussing Tony and they're discussing Todd's birthday. Todd's not very complimentary about Tony but tells Jason that Tony's still his dad. For his birthday, Todd wants a big night out on Canal Street but Eileen's organised a family dinner at the bistro and she'll be paying for Todd's meal. Julie's come to visit but everything makes her cry - tea (it was our "thing"), mention of the bistro (It's where Brian took me for my birthday). When she goes off to work, Eileen says, "She's taking it a lot better than I expected," and they all giggle.

Roy slumps at a table in the cafe, worrying Anna, Mary and Fiz. He tells them Hayley's not so well and they discuss the fact that she loved the strawberries. Roy says he must get some more. Fiz offers to get them but Roy insists he's the only person guaranteed to get the right kind. Fiz says she and Tyrone will take him after work when they do their own shopping.

Eva meets Tony in the street. He's missed Jason, who's working out of town today. Tony wonders if it's too late to try to be a proper dad. Eva tells him the last time she saw her dad, All Saints were at the top of the charts (no later than October 2000, then). Eva tells him they'll all be going for a drink in the Rovers after work. "If you're going to ambush him you might as well buy him a drink while you're at it," she says.

In the taxi office, Eileen's talking about Tony. Lloyd and Steve think she's taking his reappearance very well. She says that with Julie crying and Todd moaning about the lack of frappucinos, Tony's the least of her worries. Lloyd says listening to other people's problems makes him glad he's single. Eileen agrees. Michelle comes in just in time to hear this last bit and assumes Steve's been moaning about her. She goes off on one. Poor Steve's just been trying to read his paper so this is a bit of a shock to him and she's not in a mood to listen to his denials. Once again she rants on about him knowing Andrea for just five minutes before he's talking to her about his tackle. "It just slipped out," protests Steve (cue: chortles from the others). And then Michelle puts him on a ban. Yes. A ban. No more sex until he decides to have a vasectomy. She can't take the risk.

In the factory, they're talking about Tina going to London, which just sets off Julie's tears again (Brian used to talk about them going to London). Carla and Peter come in and Fiz demands to know whether they knew about Tina leaving. Carla's shocked but Peter says nothing. Julie says Tommy broke Tina's heart and left her high and dry, so she's not surprised. Izzy realises Tina was saying goodbye to Jake when she visited. "Good on her!" says Carla.

Roy's outside sweeping and looking anxiously at his watch. The doctor is late but here she is.

In the salon, Marcus comes in to tell Maria they've got a viewing of a house later on. He shuts up when Audrey comes through from the back, but Kylie's there and hears what he says.

Rita's annoyed that nobody told her about Tina sooner, especially Liz. Liz doesn't know why she's getting it in the neck. "What was so bad she had to do a moonlight flit?" Rita asks. "Don't ask me," says Liz. "Why don't you phone her?" Rita says she'll do just that.

Carla and Peter come in and Carla asks Liz whether she knew Tina was going. Liz says she did, but Dennis can't understand why Tina would confide in Liz anyway. Peter buys the drinks and offers Liz one for herself but she refuses. Rita comes back. She could only get through to Tina's voicemail. "It must be something to do with Tommy," she decides. "I just hope she's OK." Carla's sure she will be. Tina's nearly as tough as she is. Liz and Peter exchange looks.

Hayley tells the doctor about the pain and the doctor asks how her appetite is. She thinks the best thing would be to give Hayley stronger painkillers and also something to deal with the loss of appetite. Hayley worries about the drugs making her too "out of it" but the doctor says they'll do their best to balance the drug levels with the side effects. Roy holds Hayley but looks quite distressed.

Hayley tells Roy she doesn't want stronger drugs but she knows she has to have them. Roy offers to put on some music and Hayley chooses Dusty Springfield. "The Look of Love" starts to play. Hayley looks quite zoned out. Roy says he'll go and get those strawberries but Hayley says they don't often get an afternoon on their own. She moves into Roy's arms and leans against him, swaying with the music. Roy holds her but looks sad and tearful.

Steve's in the taxi office going on about the ban Michelle has imposed. He says she's the one who is always going on about sex being just as important to a woman as it is to a man but here she is using it as a weapon. "It's like she only puts up with it out of a sense of duty." Lloyd thinks that's what it is but Steve's reaction shuts him up. Steve decides two can plan at this game. He's going to put a ban on Michelle. Lloyd's now confused and very glad he's not married.

Roy's downstairs determined to go and get the strawberries. He doesn't want to wait for Fiz and Tyrone. But before he can get going, Tyrone arrives to collect him.

Audrey's on the phone to a client when Marcus arrives to fetch Maria. Audrey interrupts her call to make sure Maria will be back by her next appointment. After she finishes the call, Kylie asks if she can go home, since her last booked-in client has left. No, she can't. What if Audrey has to go to the loo? She's not turning the sign round for that. Kylie has to stay until Maria gets back. "Where was she going, anyway?" Audrey asks. "She was very vague about it." Kylie says they said something about looking at houses. They said they were meeting estate agents. "Did they indeed?" says Audrey.

Michelle's standing glumly in the Rovers. Liz asks whether there's any news on Steve and the vasectomy. Michelle's furious. How dare Liz bring that up in public. She flounces away and Tony, who is standing at the bar, sympathises with Liz. "It's nice to see a friendly face," Liz tells him. Tony was just thinking the same thing.

Todd, Jason and Eva come in, discussing Todd's birthday plans and whether he should skip out on dinner at the bistro. They see Tony, who offers them all a drink. Only Jason refuses. Even Liz accepts. She tells him they don't get gentlemen in there very often.

Roy goes into the kind of shop that displays fruit and veg in ornamental wooden crates (I wonder if this place is inspired by Booths supermarkets - there's a new one at Media City). Unfortunately, the section marked "Spanish strawberries" is empty. A staff member tells Roy they sold out at lunchtime. Roy's very upset. "I don't think you understand! This is important! I need those strawberries!"

Eva tells Jason and Todd that Tony's just trying his best.

At the bar, Audrey says Deirdre's having a haircut tomorrow and is bringing her photos of Canada. She gets sympathy from Peter and Carla, who have already had to sit through them. Audrey talks about going to Canada - she remembers they had lovely bacon. Sean reminisces about a Canadian boyfriend he once had. When Liz goes to collect some empties, Peter follows her around the corner. He asks for a quick word. "Nope."

Jason wants to know why Tony's turned up now. Tony says maybe he's finally grown up. "Maybe we could be mates." Jason just says "Whatever." Tony suggests taking Jason out for a meal at the bistro so they can get to know each other - maybe on Monday night. Jason agrees. Tony turns to leave but not before he's said to Liz: "Nice meeting you, gorgeous." Liz almost falls over.

Jason sits with the others and tells them what Tony said. The fool! He's only gone and agreed to have dinner with his dad on the same night Todd's birthday dinner is in the bistro. Eileen will be pleased. Jason says he'll get Tony to change it but Todd tells him to leave it. "I've always wanted fireworks on my birthday!"

Peter's back at the bar mithering Liz about Tina. He just wants to know she's OK. What Liz wants is to tell him nothing. She's had people asking her about Tina all day and she's sick to the back teeth with it! She says this loud enough for Carla, talking to someone further down the room, to turn her head. Peter tells Liz to keep her voice down. "Oh," says Liz even louder. "Have you finally remembered you've got a wife? Perhaps she'd like in on this conversation." Through gritted teeth, Peter tells her Carla is coming over. "Please. Please don't say anything," he pleads.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Martin Allen
Directed by: Peter Rose

Awkward moment going on in the Rovers, Carla wants to know what the problem is between Peter and Liz. The latter doesn't quite know what to say, but Peter as ever has the lies readily tripping off his tongue. He tells Carla that Liz was having a bit of a go at him because Tracy isn't pulling her weight in the parenting stakes, and wants him to tell her to step up to the plate more. Carla is a bit confused, and tells him it isn't his problem, which he agrees, but tells her he doesn't blame Liz, as there are only so many times you can berate Tracy, as it's like water off a duck's back.

Peter then turns to a gobsmacked Liz and tells her he will have a word with her, but can't promise anything. Thinking on her feet, she tells him "Just make sure I don't have to ask you again". Carla is amazed, and tells Peter after she moves away that Liz really has a liberty speaking to him like that, but Peter tells her to just let it go. (I bet he wants her to!)

Roy is asking the shop manager how he could possibly have no strawberries when he had some the other day. He is told sarcastically that they were probably sold, as that is quite common in the retail trade. The sarcasm doesn't go unnoticed by Roy, and it just fuels his anger, he tells the man he absolutely has to have that particular type of strawberry, and asks when he will have more in. He is told maybe tomorrow or the day after. Not good enough for Roy, and he totally blames the manager for not having a better handle on his products than that! Fiz to the rescue, she runs up with a punnet of strawberries in her hand that Tyrone found in a refrigerator at the back of the shop. Problem solved!

Back at the flat, at Carla's insistence, Peter sits down with Simon and explains about Tina taking off for London. He wants to know why, and is hurt that she didn't say goodbye to him. Peter explains she hadn't been very happy since Tommy left, and thinks that may be why she wanted a change of scene. He doesn't take it well at all, he really liked her.

Jason breaks the news to Eileen in the Rovers that he inadvertently invited his Dad to Todd's party in the Bistro on Monday. He apologises, saying he doesn't know how to get out of it now. She is not best pleased, but accepts the inevitable.

Roy has cheered up now, as he waits for the girl to ring his strawberry purchase through the till, and is apologising to Fiz for his behaviour. Oh dear though, the system won't accept the strawberries because they are past their best before date. Roy anxiously asks the manager if he will still sell them to him, but he tells him he can't for health & safety reasons. Roy asks him if he is going to destroy the strawberries, and is told he just might. In that case, Roy asks why he can't just give them to him. Out of the question he is told! Roy is desperate now. He tells the man they are the only things that his dying wife will eat, and absolutely has to have them. The man replies that it is all the more reason why he can't let him have them, because if she is ill already, and the strawberries make her worse, it would not be a good thing for his business.

Roy totally loses it now, accusing him of putting his business ahead of his precious Hayley's needs. Gathering himself to his full height, he tells the man firmly that he wants that punnet of strawberries. He replies that if he gives his details, they will notify him the moment the new shipment comes in. Fiz & Tyrone step in, asking the man to just let Roy have them. But the man, he isn't moving on the matter, and threatens Roy with the police if he doesn't leave. Desperate, Roy suddenly lunges at the strawberries and makes a run for it. He doesn't get far though, he slips on something and goes down with a crash, strawberries flying out of the punnet in all directions.

Julie is asking Sean what he is giving Todd for his birthday. He tells her he was considering a nice cashmere jumper, and speculates whether powder blue would suit him. His enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed by Julie, who accuses him of having a thing for Todd, the idea of which she wholeheartedly approves. Sean tells her he didn't realise it was that obvious, and begs her not to tell him.

Eileen is having a natter with Liz over at the bar, the latter is sounding her out on how she feels about having Tony back in her life. Eileen assures her he is definitely not back in her life, and never will be. Her biggest concern is whether he will hurt Jason again. Liz, with a little smile, remarks that he definitely has something about him, but Eileen warns her off, telling her he is a lying cheating rat bag.

Poor Roy is being helped up by Fiz and Tyrone. He is devastated because the strawberries have ended up totally ruined. Then to cap it all, the manager tells them to wait while he makes a phone call. They think he is still calling the police, and can't believe he would do that to poor Roy.

Steve comes into the back room of the Rovers where Michelle is, and firing up the laptop, he tells her he is still not going through with the vasectomy. She calls him pathetic, but he is resolute in his decision. She points out that childbirth is far more dangerous than a vasectomy, and is upset that he would impose that risk on her. He points out that having only one child, he is not ready to close that particular door, but has one more suggestion for her. He goes on to tell her he is putting a ban on sex. Laughing, she tells him she has already done that herself. He tells her they will see who cracks first, which meets with more hilarity from Michelle. However, he goes on to tell her that Andrea is coming round in a bit, as they are going to get to grips with the cold war. Michelle is not happy, and tells him she has never heard it called that before.

Maria arrives back late at the Salon, and apologises to Audrey. She is asked where it was exactly that she had gone with Marcus, and is told a story about a sale being on at a shop in which they didn't find anything to buy. Audrey is actually giving her the chance to come clean about where they really were, but when she doesn't, she finally asks her how the house was that they went to look at, and admits Kylie had told her. She asks her why she had lied to her about it, and Maria tells her they were feeling really guilty after she had spent all that money renovating their flat for them. Audrey tells her she is not upset about that, just because they were trying to hide it. She is thrilled to hear they are looking for somewhere to buy, not to rent, and is impressed with the fact that Marcus appears to be very committed now, taking away the last misgivings she had about their relationship. Turns out however that the house was no good because it backed onto the council dump, but they plan to look at more.

Roy arrives home with Hayley's prescription, and breaks the sad news to her about the strawberries. He tells her the man wasn't calling the police in the end, he was contacting his strawberry supplier so Roy could contact them directly. Hayley tells him that was very nice of him. She goes on to say it was far too much fuss over a few blinking strawberries, that it is him she needs far more, and doesn't know what she would have done if he had been arrested. He agrees it was pretty foolish of him and apologises. She suddenly bursts out laughing, which causes him to look at her and question it. She has just had a mental picture of him making a run for it with a punnet of strawberries, and is finding it hilarious. Then she stops, looks at him and says "I do so love you Roy Cropper". Looking back at her he replies "And I you".

Peter and Carla are having drinks at the Bistro when who should come in but Rob and Tracy. Carla wants them to join them so she can have a go at Tracy, letting her know that Amy is not Peter's problem, and she is not having Liz laying into him about it. This is the last thing Peter wants, and tells her they should stay out of it, but Carla is on a mission, and calls them over to sit at their table.

Tracy asks why they are both looking so miserable, so Peter steps in quickly before Carla has a chance, saying they are sad for Simon because he is upset about Tina leaving. Tracy of course is unsympathetic, saying Tommy did the right thing in dumping her. Carla agrees with her, saying she didn't think much of Tina either for walking out on Simon without saying goodbye, as she knew how much he doted on her. But she follows it by looking at Rob and saying it might help if they knew the real reason why she left, she is convinced they probably did more than a mere kiss.

Back in the Rovers, Tyrone is having a drink with Kirk. He too is telling the tale of the strawberry debacle, and goes on to say he rang the supplier on Roy's behalf, and discovered he gets his strawberries in from Spain, as nobody in England grows any until April. Apparently he has some, but he is in Lichfield. Kirk suddenly has a brainwave (he does sometimes) and remembers that Lichfield is near Birmingham, where is has a delivery on Monday, and could pick some up. Tyrone thinks this is a brilliant idea, in fact he decides to go with him, telling him he'll take the morning off work, and it'll be brilliant! (Now let me think, Kevin is in Germany, Tommy has done a runner to somewhere hot, which leaves Tyrone running the garage alone doesn't it? Yet not only is he not stressed about the workload, but can afford to close up for a morning to swan off to Lichfield for some strawberries? Wouldn't have happened when Mike Baldwin owned it!)

Steve leaves Andrea for a moment to pop behind the bar, and Michelle takes the opportunity to get in a dig about the time they are taking to work on their project, telling him he knows nothing about the cold war. Steve smiles and tells her she is absolutely right, which is why he is thinking of going on a 5 day residential course in York at Easter. Michelle takes the bait and gets very miffed about it, asking if Andrea is going. On being told she is, her reply is "Over my dead body!"

Back in the Bistro, Tracy is asking Peter how old Simon is. On being told 10 1/2 she thinks he is getting a bit old for child care anyway, and gloats to Rob that when she was that age she was expected to get herself to and from school. This is Carla's cue to bring the subject up, and points out that childcare is not exactly Tracy's strong point. Tracy asks her what she means, and Carla begins to say that if she pulled her weight a bit more... but is interrupted by Tracy who tells her it has nothing to do with her. Peter agrees, saying Tracy has a good point. Just then the waitress brings over Tracy & Robs drinks, moving off before Tracy has a chance to complain because she forgot the nuts she had asked for. The minute she goes over to the bar to get them herself, Carla gives Rob the third degree about Tina, saying she hadn't exactly been pining over Tommy when she caught them kissing in the smoking shelter, and wondered if there had been more to it, and he was behind her sudden disappearance. Rob tells her to keep her voice down, and denies emphatically that he was behind it. Carla is still pretty certain that there has to be a bloke behind it somewhere. (Oh if only she knew which bloke that would be!)

After Andrea leaves, Steve meets up with Michelle again behind the bar. She has obviously been doing a bit of thinking because she right away tells him she has possibly been a little hasty about the vasectomy. She tells him she doesn't want to forget about it altogether, just put it on ice for the time being. Then with a smirk, she tells him he can forget about that residential course though. He tells her if he doesn't go to York, he will fall behind with his course work. Miss Bossy Boots replies "No snip - no York!". Steve clarifies it with her, that if he doesn't go to York, there will be no more talk of the snip, and she agrees. Further clarification, he asks if activities in the bedroom department will resume forthwith? She agrees to that too. (It looks like Steve has just managed to get one over on Michelle, because I wouldn't mind betting there was never a residential course in York in the first place! Well done Steve - but I bet it was Andrea's idea!)

Fiz has dropped in to see Roy and Hayley, but the latter has already gone to bed. So she sits down with Roy to see how he is doing, and asks if he told her about the strawberry hunt, and what her reaction had been. He tells her she was highly amused by the whole thing, but feels himself as if he let her down badly. Fiz reminds him there just wasn't any of those strawberries to be had, so it was hardly him letting her down. He doesn't feel better though, and explains that Hayley is looking to him to make the time she has left as special as possible - and he just keeps failing her.

Christine Warren

Written by Jonathan Harvey Directed by Lee Salisbury

It's Todd's birthday but he's not particularly happy. He looks back and sees how much he's lost in the past year. Eileen tells him to look forward to the birthday dinner at the Bistro but even that doesn't cheer him up. He wonders if Jason's dad being there is going to upset Eileen but she promises she just wants everything to be nice for him. Julie has brought a card and promises a gift later as does Sean.

Hayley is still in bed this morning but is awake. Roy brings her in a cuppa. She seems a bit out of sorts but they still manage to share a laugh over strawberries. She wants him to do something for himself but he's intent on tidying the flat in anticipation of the nurse's visit later. Hayley assures him she'll be fine.

In the factory office, Peter massages Carla's shoulders thinking back to their spa weekend though she's busy fretting over sums. Fiz comes in, apologizing for the interruption, saying she's starting the cake order. Carla is not doing carbs today. Peter opts for a surprise. She asks after the lads who have gone to the strawberry farm. Not a word yet. Fiz thanks her for letting Kirk have the time off and the use of the van. It's all for Hayley, isn't it? After she backs out the door, we can see Carla's still got Hayley on her mind.

Katy tells Owen that Phelan left a message for Owen. She's told to contact him and tell him that Owen will be at the yard for the next few hours if he wants to drop by. Owen has been asking around about the Mill project and his mates in the trade all seem to think it could be a little gold mine. That's got Owen thinking. It's definitely perked Gary's interest.

Across the road, Nick runs up with Kal. They both tease Dev who comes out of the shop. Sounds like he's been swerving his workouts with lame excuses like waiting for phone calls. Kal and Nick take off again.

In the cafe, Eva's trying to decide what to wear to the birthday party. She's asking Jason for advice because she wants to make a good impression with his Dad. I'm not sure if Jenna's rolling her eyes at the idea of Jason being a fashionista or at Eva for wittering on about her clothes but Eva then puts her stiletto firmly in it by insulting Jenna's wardrobe as functional and unfeminine. Yikes! Eileen doesn't think it will matter what Eva wears and she's determined that everyone have a good time. She even admits that Tony can be a laugh. Eva remarks that everyone deserves a second chance. She'd love to meet her dad. Jenna gives Eva's sarnie a more than generous squirt of brown sauce. Jason tells his mother that he'll make Tony leave if he upsets her.

Nick has finished his workout and has arrived back at the flat where Leanne has made him a tuna salad sandwich. Turns out he's gone off tuna. Oh dear. She offers anything else he'd like? He decides he'll have a shower first.

Eva greets the birthday boy at the bus stop en route to the post office. Todd is depressed because he's not had a birthday message from any of his London mates. Marcus and Maria come around the corner. They're off to look at a house. Todd makes a snarky remark about the house being on the bend or is it on the straight. That goes right over Maria's head but Marcus caught it, though doesn't rise to it. Maria tells them about the house and then they go for their cab. Todd asks Eva if she thinks they're a good match. She reminds him that Marcus is straight. "So's spaghetti til you boil it" is Todd's come-back which makes her giggle.

Fiz comes out of the factory as Kirk and Tyrone comes back. It wasn't just a farm, though, it was a regular supplier. Turns out they had to buy 500 punnets of berries or nothing! The van is full! Carla doesn't mind, she's paying for them anyway because it's for Hayley. Blimey!

Julie is making arrangement to leave work early to take the birthday cake she's made over to the Bistro. Sean shows them a beautiful and posh shirt he bought Todd. Paid 100 quid from an exclusive boutique, which shocks them all. Julie teases Sean about fancying Todd and they all agree they'd make a nice couple in spite of Sean's objections. They are all encouraging. Julie thinks tonight's the night!

The nurse has brought a wheelchair for Hayley who is not best pleased to see it. The nurse thinks it could be liberating for her to have it soon enough. Hayley orders Roy to get it out of her sight as soon as the nurse leaves so he brings it down into the cafe just as the happy group are bringing in the first of the strawberries into the cafe. Surprise!!

Leanne's gazing at a photo of her and Nick from happier days. Gloria mentions how nice it is there without him but is reminded that Nick is on his way to work. Julie brings in the cake. She gets a little emotional, still having trouble with her recent separation. Gloria takes it into the kitchen, pretending to drop it. Julie describes the cake. It's got a rainbow flag on it but that wasn't the first attempt, she'd tried to do a face that turned out to look like something out of Planet of the Apes. (snort) Leanne wistfully says that you can't have rainbows without a bit of rain. That sort of sentiment is right up Julie's alley! Leanne pats Julie's hand in sympathy.

Outside the builder's yard, Gary tells Katy about what Owen had told him earlier. Phelan is meeting with Owen upstairs, running down the figures. Total cost 800 grand and he wants Owen to put 80K into it. Owen will be on wages for the duration of the build and After the sale of the flats, Phelan reckons Owen's share of the profit will be about 200,000. Owen will be in partnership with his wife because he himself is a Bankrupt. Owen is going to have a discussion with Anna first. Phelan laughs at him and gives him 24 hours to decide.

The birthday party is underway and the champagne cork is popped. Todd opens Sean's present and is impressed. He leans over and gives Sean a hug and a peck. Marcus and Maria arrive with a bottle of Prosecco for Todd. Tony isn't there yet and Eileen thinks Tony is standing Jason up. Julie urges Todd to put his shirt on so he strips right there in the middle of the restaurant, with Marcus right beside him getting an eyeful. He keeps giving Marcus pointed looks as he puts his new shirt on. Eileen has noticed.

As Hayley wakes from a snooze, Roy is sitting by her side. He's got a bowl of strawberries, her favourite kind. He tells her that Tyrone and Kirk drove to the farm. She takes one and says it's lovely but really isn't able to eat more than that. She apologizes.

Marcus and Maria are talking to Julie about the house they saw. Eileen tells Jason not to get upset that Tony hasn't shown. There's more general conversation but look who's walked in! It's Tony. Better late than never. Tony hands Todd a present, a bottle of real champagne.

Roy comes down into the cafe to find strawberries everywhere! He's no idea what he's going to do with them all. Tyrone and Kirk chink mugs together, congratulating each other on a job well done.

At the Bistro, Dev is at the bar. He's got an invitation to the Weatherfield Retailer's Ball. He doesn't think he'll go though Stella thinks he should even if he's on his own. It looks like he's just about to ask her to go when Kal bounces in. He noticed Dev watching Stella and thinks Dev fancies Stella. Dev is denying it and looks uncomfortable. Elsewhere, Tony is looking at the wine list. Eileen wonders what he's doing back in Jason's life. He really does want to be a dad to Jason. Missing one phone call on Christmas Day appears to be his wake up call and he didn't want to let any more time go by. Jason noticed their serious conversation. She just wants Jason to be happy and he repeats the same to her. Leanne asks Gloria to keep an eye on Nick because they're quite busy. Nick has overheard that and looks glum.

Marcus takes a phone call and walks outside. Todd follows him. Turns out someone else has put an offer on the house they'd liked. Todd asks Marcus for a birthday kiss, clearly flirting. Marcus doesn't take him up on it but leans in close to take the price tag off the back of the shirt, from the front, so they're nearly face to face. Todd flirts a bit more. Marcus insists he's got everything he needs and just as Todd moves in even closer to steal a kiss, Eileen comes out. Todd! She snaps. What's going on!

What, indeed!

Tvor

Written by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Lee Salisbury

Having caught Todd trying to kiss Marcus in the street outside the Bistro, Eileen wants to get to the bottom of what's going on. Marcus insists Todd puts her straight so, sounding like a petulant child, he admits that he was the one trying it on.

Across the street Emily is waiting for a bus when she spots the lights are all on in the cafe. Intrigued, she goes to investigate and finds Fiz, Ty, Carla and Jenna drinking strawberry smoothies and surrounded by hundreds of punnets. "Might I make a suggestion?" she asks.

Back in the Bistro a furious Eileen is laying into Todd over his behaviour with Marcus. She tells him he needs to grow up and he replies that she needs to take a chill pill. Eileen tells him to go and blow out the candles on his cake and adds that she hopes he chokes on the icing.

Todd's party is in full swing but Marcus is distracted and Eileen announces she has a headache and is going home. None of the other guests can understand why she suddenly feels the need to leave early.

Stella, Leanne and Gloria are in a panic because Todd's cake has disappeared but it turns out Nick has it under control and he says as much to Leanne, telling her crossly that she has no need to keep an eye on him all the time.

Round at Anna's they're having a family conference about Phelan's offer to Owen. Anna's worried it might all go belly up. Owen thinks the plans look good but Anna wants to know what Gary thinks. He tells his Mum that he honestly doesn't know but says that Owen's contacts in the trade seem to think they'd be daft not to go ahead.

Back at the Bistro everyone is tucking into Julie's rainbow-coloured cake which, she explains in case they didn't get the significance, is meant to represent the diversity of the gay community. "Oh, there's a lot of diversity," says Todd, shooting a knowing look at Marcus. Marcus announces that he and Maria have to go soon but Maria's keen to stay as they have a babysitter for the whole night. Todd suggests they should all go into town.

Round at the cafe we discover that Emily's idea was to turn the strawberries into jam. It's definitely a case of too many cooks and Emily is all of a twitter amongst the chaos as Carla stirs the bubbling pots and they all sing along to Bob Marley's "We're Jammin' ". Emily becomes even more flustered when Mary arrives with a supply of jam jars and tells her they need sterilising. Emily points out she's been making jam for sixty years. "Ah, but have you won rosettes?" asks Mary as she informs Emily that her mother's chilli and blueberry preserve was the talk of the county.

As the tension mounts and the pans bubble, Roy appears. He takes one look at the chaos and disappears back upstairs where Hayley is lying in bed. We can hear the noise of the jam-making coming up through the floor. She wants to know what's going on but Roy insists it's nothing to worry about. Hayley can hear there's something happening and pulls a resigned face as he goes off to make her a cup of tea.

In the Bistro those left at Todd's party are getting ready to go off into town. Jason's father Tony wonders about Eileen leaving early then comments to Jason that she always was a moody cow. But Jason doesn't take too kindly to him slagging off his mum and he makes it very clear where his loyalties lie. Jason also makes it very clear that Tony's not welcome to join them on their trip into town.

Outside in the street Sean's organizing the cabs. Julie asks him if he's spoken to Todd but Sean says not yet. Julie tries to encourage him saying she's got a good feeling about tonight. Then the others arrive but, just as they're about to get into the cabs, Marcus announces he's not feeling well and he's going to cry off. Todd gives him a look and a disappointed Maria agrees to call it a night.

In the Rovers, Tony is drowning his sorrows in a pint. Liz comes over for a friendly chat and he tells her how he bad-mouthed Eileen to Jason. He says he's a fool and a sympathetic Liz tells him that we're all fools sometimes.

Kal is having a chat to Stella in the Bistro when Dev comes in and asks for an orange juice. He announces that he's decided to resume his training. "We'll have you looking buff by Valentine's day," says Stella. Dev and Kal exchange triumphant glances.

In the street outside the Bistro, Nick is looking up at the stars and contemplating his life when Leanne comes out to join him. He asks her if they're good and she tries to reassure him but he tells her it's hard when he feels that he's under constant scrutiny, especially when she gets her Gran to look out for him. Leanne apologises and says she's an idiot but Nick says that's just it, she's not and that's what makes him sad.

Over at the cafe, the production is almost complete and apart from Emily's cardigan being covered in jam stains courtesy of Carla, and Emily and Mary nearly coming to blows, it is deemed to have been a success. Just as they're bottling the final batch, Hayley comes in and seems quite overcome by the sight that meets her eyes, especially when they explain the reason behind why they ended up with all those strawberries.

Eileen goes into the Rovers for a quiet word with Liz and finds her cozied up with Tony in one of the booths. They're just chatting but Liz, as usual, has more leg on show than should be anatomically possible and they certainly seem to be getting on well. Liz asks Eileen if she'd like to join them but Eileen declines, warning Liz that Tony has more than his fair share of notches on his bed post. Liz insists that there's nothing going on but Eileen tells her to do what she likes and fill her boots. "I've just had the day from hell," says Eileen as she turns on her heel and leaves them to it. After she's gone Liz observes to Tony that she can't do right for doing wrong and that if a woman talks to a man it looks like she's after him. "Even if they are both unattached, it means nothing ..." she adds, leaving her statement hanging in the air.

Owen and Gary are standing out in the back yard talking about the offer. Owen points out to Gary that the money they earn could make all the difference to their future and says that they now have their son to think of plus they may need more help with Izzy in the future. Gary still looks unsure but Owen says that if he decides to go ahead he needs to know whether Gary will be with him.

In the cafe all eyes are on Hayley as she tastes the results of the jam. After trying both Emily's and Mary's - which nearly causes her to have a choking fit on account of the chilli - she diplomatically declares the result to be a draw.

Todd and Sean are back from their night out and they settle down on the sofa together with a bottle of Prosecco. But before Sean has a chance to declare his feelings, Todd beats him to it. Sadly for Sean, Todd tells him that he can't see them becoming an item. In fact, he says, he can't see himself being with anyone. At least Todd's being quite kind for once but Sean needs to be alone and announces he's feeling tired and is going to bed. The moment he's on the other side of the door Sean starts to cry, just as Eileen comes down the stairs. She wants to know what's wrong and he claims it's a programme he was watching on the telly. Eileen looks suspiciously in the direction of the sitting room door.

Owen's talk to Gary has obviously had the desired effect because he seems to have come round. He points out to his mum the sort of life they could all lead if the business is a success. Realising she's in a minority of one Anna reluctantly agrees, provided the bank is prepared to lend them the money they need to go ahead.

In the cafe Hayley is sitting in her dressing gown, surrounded by jars of strawberry jam. The others have all gone home and Roy hands her a very small pot he's made especially for her, to remind her of the ones she so enjoyed when they stayed in the hotel on their holiday.

Eileen goes into the sitting room to have words with Todd for upsetting Sean. He assures her he let him down gently and then adds he's had a lucky escape. After all, why would anyone be interested in him, a loser who plays people and is rotten to the core? Eileen says she doesn't think of him that way but then wants to know why he threw himself at Marcus. After all, she says, it's not as though Todd fancies him, he just wanted to prove a point. She asks why he couldn't throw himself at Sean but, as Todd says, Sean isn't a challenge. Eileen threatens Todd that if he messes around with either of them he's going to end up a lonely man and says that if he ends up breaking Sean's heart he'll be on a one way ticket back to his mates in London, the ones who didn't even send him a birthday card. In case he didn't get the point she finishes by telling Todd that Sean is worth ten of him.

Karen

In the cafe, Roy tells Anna that Hayley seems good today, he thinks the jam making session cheered her up. The nurse arrives and goes up to see Hayley as Leanne and Simon arrive in the cafe.

Over the Windass residence, Gary, Izzy and Katy are discussing Owen's new business venture and how he's gone to the bank to try and raise the money. The girls think it's a lot to gamble, but Gary is confident that by the end of it they'll all be well off.

Up in the flat, with jars of jam filling the table, the nurse talks to Hayley about a new prescription for stronger medication. Roy comes up as she is leaving and is puzzled as to why she needs something stronger, he thought they had already increased it recently. Hayley, looking somewhat sheepish, tells him they had, but she's still been getting a lot of pain. He says she should have mentioned it. "Well I have now," she says.

Down in the cafe, Simon is eating his meal and he asks Leanne when he can come home. Leanne explains about Nick not being himself, and can't give him a time scale.

Jason has had a text from his dad saying that he hopes he had a good night and that they can do it again soon. Eileen tells Jason not to trust his dad because he'll let him down in the end. Todd comes downstairs then, and Eileen tells him he should apologise to Marcus and Maria for the games he's been playing, she thinks he's been trying to split them up. Irritated, Todd tells he'll go right now and apologise on bended knees.

Back in the cafe, Leanne tells Eva that she felt awful telling Simon he couldn't come home. Eva agrees that Nick is too unstable for that to happen, but it doesn't make Leanne feel any better.

Roy and Anna are clearing up in the cafe. She tells him to go upstairs to Hayley, but Roy says that Hayley is sleeping and he would rather be busy. He sends Anna off home with a jar of jam.

Todd arrives at Marcus's flat, explaining that Eileen has told him he was out of line, but hinting at the same time that Marcus was happy enough to play along. He leaves, saying he'll be in the Rovers later if Marcus wants a drink.

Owen arrives home and tells the family that the bank turned him down for the finance. The bank thought it was an unacceptable level of risk. Anna is glad, and says so.

In the bistro, Nick is getting agitated and snappy as he tries to go through some bills. Leanne walks in and tells Stella that is why Simon can't move back in.

Owen and Anna are eating meal and discussing the work situation with Gary, Izzy and Katy. Owen says that Pat wasn't happy when he told him the news, and now he would just like to go to the Rovers for a drink. Gary thinks Owen should borrow the money from a loan company, but Owen thinks that would be too expensive. Anna reminds them all that Pat Phelan has already gone bankrupt once.

Leanne tells Stella that she feels like the worst mother in the world. Stella thinks Leanne was much happier when she lived with them and tells her she has choices.

Roy is still clearing up in the cafe when Hayley struggles in, she just had to get out of the flat. Just then there's a knock on the door, it's Fiz come for a visit. Hayley tells her how the nurse is changing her medication.

Back in the bistro, Leanne is in the ladies' repairing her make up after getting upset. Stella tells Gloria to take her to the Rovers for a drink, she's arranged for Eva to meet them over there. Gloria wants to know what is going on, and Stella tells her that Leanne is just having a hard time at home. Unfortunately, Nick overhears this and gets stroppy all over again.

In the Rovers, Dev is talking to Kal who is flirting with Liz. Dev has a ticket to the Weatherfield Retailers' ball, but doesn't have anyone to go with. Kal suggests he takes Stella, but Dev feels that might be difficult as Stella's partner killed Sunita.

Owen, Gary and Anna walk in, and then Gary says he's just remembered he has to phone someone. As Anna and Owen walk over to the bar, Gary hangs back and rings Pat Phelan.

Hayley, Fiz and Roy are discussing the sending of Christmas cards. Roy can't see the point of them at all. Hayley says that if he stops sending them, people will stop sending them to him and then there will come a Christmas when he's just sitting alone with no cards, decorations or anything. At that point she breaks down crying. Fiz says he will get a card, he'll get one from them, and they won't leave him sitting on his own either. Fiz then leaves and Roy tenderly carries a weeping Hayley back upstairs.

Gary is still pushing the idea of borrowing the money from a loan company, although the profit will be less he thinks it would still be worth doing. Owen tells him it's too late now, he told Pat he couldn't do it.

Kal is talking to Dev about the possibility of opening his own gym in the area, when Dev suddenly decides to go and ask Stella if she'll go to the ball with him.

Eileen and her sons walk into the Rovers. She asks Liz if Tony has been in at all, Liz doesn't think so. "Why, were you expecting him?" she asks. Eileen replies that she wasn't, but she wondered if Liz was.

Eva, Leanne and Gloria are over at a table. Eva tells Leanne that Stella just thought she needed cheering up. Leanne however, is certainly not cheerful.

Back in the bistro, Nick snaps at Stella not to keep watching him. Just then Dev comes in and asks if Stella will go with him to the ball. Flustered over Nick's snappy behaviour, Stella tells him she can't think about it right now and it would be best if he asked someone else.

Marcus wanders into the pub, and Todd asks him to confirm to Eileen that he did actually apologise. Marcus says that he did, and offers to buy Eileen a drink, but she says she's going, and Jason goes off with her.

Dev goes back into the pub and tells Kal that Stella declined his invitation to the ball.

Gary tells Owen and Anna that he rang Pat Phelan and asked for another 24 hours to think about the building project, and continues to press Owen to borrow the money from a loan company.

Nick apologises to Stella for being snappy earlier. He goes on to say that he knows she wants Leanne to leave him. Stella tells him Leanne did seem happier when she stayed with them. Nick think she should do that again, and Stella thinks it would give them both some breathing space. "So I should leave her," says Nick.

Marcus is explaining to Todd that he is with Maria, they are a family, but it doesn't mean he can't have gay friends.

Leanne gets increasingly snappy and bad tempered with Gloria and Eva. She tells them she's not a child and she doesn't need looking after. She picks up her bag and leaves.

Anna and Gary are arguing over the building project. She thinks it's too great a gamble, but he feels it's an opportunity not to be missed. Owen tells them to stop arguing, he'll sleep on it and let them know in the morning what he decides.

Leanne goes back to the bistro, and Nick tells her that he and Stella have decided that the person making her unhappy is him, and he thinks he should leave her for good. Leanne is furious and thinks that is why Stella wanted her out of the way, so that she should plot behind her back. How could they know what is best for her when she doesn't even know herself? Upset, she rushes out.

Anne Logan

Eva, Stella, Gloria, Nick and Leanne all happen to emerge into the street at the same time. Stella tries to talk to Leanne but Leanne's not talking to her unless they're at work.

Hayley's in bed, looking at her reflection in a hand mirror. Roy's spreading jam on toast though Hayley warns him not to use Mary's jam. She doesn't want any toast just yet anyway. She tells Roy she looks as if she's done her hair with a toffee apple.

Owen hasn't slept and Anna thinks he's under too much stress. She doesn't want him to go to cowboy loan sharks (yes, I know that's a mixed metaphor). "There's no shame in being careful." But when she's gone off to work, Katie undoes all her work by telling him Anna's just scared because she's never had any money herself. She eggs her dad on to find the money and agree a deal with Phelan.

Maria and Marcus meet Todd and Eileen in the street and talk about having a second viewing of a house. Todd does nothing but make smart comments with a double meaning and smirk at Marcus. Then Todd tells Eileen he gives Maria and Marcus just six months.

There's a huge queue in the cafe and Roy can't help because he's off to pick up Hayley's new prescription. Anna and Jenna try to discourage anyone from ordering hot food because there's a backlog. Tyrone comes in and he's happy to order because the wait will give him time to go upstairs to see Hayley. Roy limits him to five minutes.

Stella's in the cafe and Kal goes over to chat with her. She says she's hiding. "Who from? The tax man? The Avon lady? The little mardy bloke from the paper shop?" Stella's hiding from certain family members.

Upstairs, Hayley asks Tyrone for help in getting her shoes on. Then she asks if he can walk her to Audrey's. What, now? Yes, now. Audrey's managed to squeeze her into the appointment schedule. She tells him she's sick of looking like a scarecrow. Tyrone tells her nobody cares how she looks. "I care!" she tells him.

In the cab office, Eileen's going on about getting covered in butter cream from Julie's cake but Todd isn't listening. He's looked up the house Maria and Marcus are after and found it on a website. It's going for 180,000 pounds. He muses that Maria's earning nothing at the salon. "Where are they getting 180 grand?"

Tyrone and Hayley have got as far as downstairs. Tyrone protests that Roy will go mad. Why don't they use the wheelchair. Hayley refuses.

Kal tells Stella to leave her family to it and go out with Dev to the retailers' function. "It'll be a laugh and a laugh is what you need right now."

In the salon, there's a bit of crisis management going on. David's managed to make appointments at the same time for two women who don't get on - one ran off with the other's husband. Kylie offers to call one of them and change the appointment time. Maria and Marcus have made an offer on the house and are waiting to hear.

Hayley arrives and everything stops. Maria helps her to a chair. David goes off to get tea and THREE biscuits. Audrey tells her she's getting the works - cut and colour, head massage, manicure and pedicure. "Our treat."

Eva goes to the bistro because she wants a word with Stella. Gloria thinks Leanne's the stroppiest person she's ever met and Eva agrees. "I don't know where she gets it from - not from our side." Stella's busy with customers and Eva tells her to send Stella a text. She and Eva snap at each other and Gloria seems to take Leanne's side. Stella's come over and Leanne says maybe having her working there just isn't working out. Stella snaps and tells them all she's not hanging around to listen to this. "I've got more important things to do with my life!" She stomps out.

Mary's in the shop buying the ingredients she needs for jam tarts (apart from the jam, of course). Dev's marking the TV programmes he wants to watch in the coming week. Stella comes in and says if the invitation is still good, she'll go with him tonight. Dev refuses. He hasn't got a babysitting. "You have now," Mary tells him. He and Stella agree to meet in the bistro at six.

Roy's finally back. The new pharmacist delayed him. He goes to take the prescription up to Hayley but Jenna says she's not back yet. Roy had no idea Hayley was going out. When he hears how long she's been gone he panics. "Not back yet? Did no-one think to check?"

Anna chats to Gary about Phelan's plan but it seems he's not on her side. Anna's trying to prevent Owen's reputation from being trashed. Gary says life is a game of chance - look at Quinny and Hayley. "You've got to grab what you can while you can!"

Kylie's doing Hayley's nails while everyone sits around watching and gossiping. So much for "squeezing her in" - there are no other customers. Hayley looks lovely and younger and happy and has a new Mallen Streak in her hair. Roy comes in and she tells him she always wanted something like that but never had the guts to do it. She's got nails guaranteed to last at least a fortnight. Roy thinks it's time they were going home and Hayley tries to stand but feels absolutely shattered. But she's had the best time. Audrey seems distressed to see how little strength Hayley has.

Dev's panicking as he gets ready. He appears with shaving foam all over his face, looking for another razor. Mary doesn't seem at all sympathetic as she demands that he pay for it ("I own the shop!" "You pay me to balance the till!") but eventually he gets what he needs. Mary chuckles to herself when he's gone.

Anna's outside the cafe sweeping when Katy arrives to put the case for going into business with Phelan. Even though he's bankrupt now, he must have known what he was doing when he had a successful business previously. She says Gary agrees with her that Owen's up to the challenge. She accuses Anna of not trusting Owen. They argue about how Izzy will get family support if Gary's off working long hours on the mill project. Katy thinks Anna could help out. Anna says Roy needs her. "What? More than your own family?" Owen rocks up in a very happy mood. He's managed to get the finance and while it's not a good deal it's a fair one.

Roy's in the sitting room tidying things when he hears Hayley talking. He goes into the bedroom and she's lying on the bed tossing and moaning and talking. It's clear she's having a bad dream. He lies down and takes her in his arms, soothing her and telling her it's all right.

Stella goes into the bistro and just has time to greet Kal before a very dapper Dev arrives.

Anna tries to talk to Owen. She doesn't want him sticking his head into a noose. She asks if he's thought about the effect on the family. He assures her he's thought of that and that he can handle the pressure. But he needs to know he's got her backing. "This is a life-changer," he says. He can't afford the offer on Phelan's original terms but he hopes to renegotiate. If he's successful it will mean that in future he gets bigger jobs and has better contacts. And yes, he hopes to be able to pay for a holiday for Anna, too. Anna agrees she'll back him.

Hayley's at the window. She tells Roy she feels a bit groggy but she refuses to go back to bed. She's hung a dress up on the curtain rail and tells Roy this is what she should be dressed in when the time comes. "We've got ages yet," says Roy. "No we don't," she says. He says it's the new medicine. The dose is too high. "It's high for a reason," she says. "I am in pain. And it's taking me somewhere I don't want to go. Roy suddenly feels sick. He doubles over, hyperventilating. Hayley tries to comfort him. "Tell me," he says. "Not now. Not now."

The end of episode one.
More soon.
Margaret Carr

I hope you lot realise how many tissues your updaters have had to go through watching these episodes twice!

As the second episode opens, we're still with Hayley and Roy. Hayley says exactly what she feared is happening. Her confusion is becoming more frequent. She's exhausted and the pain's getting stronger which means the drugs are getting stronger. Her body's shutting down and her mind's not far behind. "And that's what I fear." She tells Roy they've talked and talked about her plans and she doesn't want to talk tonight. "It's time I started saying my goodbyes."

Stella and Dev wait outside the bistro. She warns him she doesn't want to talk about her family. Steve arrives in the cab they've ordered but before they can get in, Rob and Tracy leap out from nowhere and claim it. They're going to the same function. Stella suggests they share but Tracy makes a comment about Dev's wandering hands. Rob, who's sitting in the back with Dev, tells Steve they should get moving. Steve agrees, as long as they're moving six feet away from his cab. "Go!" he shouts. Rob gets out and Stella gets in (to the side where Dev was sitting before - he's moved like a ninja!) and they drive off, leaving Rob and Tracy in the rain that's just started.

Phelan arrives with Mrs Phelan. Owen tells him not to open the champagne just yet - he wants a word. In the kitchen he says that although he's now got the finance, it's not as good deal as he hoped and he's going to need more of a profit share. They agreed 10 per cent. He needs 25. Phelan's reluctant but they settle on 20 per cent. The champagne pops and Phelan proposes a toast: "To the mill and all who sail in her."

Roy hears a noise in the cafe. It's Hayley trying to move the wheelchair. She wants to go out and realises she can't walk - it took her and Tyrone 15 minutes to get to the salon earlier. She says she wants to see the stars and bright lights of Weatherfield. "Are you with me?" "All the way," says Roy.

Owen and Phelan shake hands as the Phelans leave.

Chesney and Sinead meet Hayley and Roy outside the pub. They joke about pimping her ride. Across the street, Carla sees Hayley in the chair and looks shocked. Hayley admires a picture of Joseph and tells Chesney to send it to Cilla. She'd be proud of what a fine young man Chesney's become and it's a shame Cilla's missing out on their lives. Chesney says if Cilla had been there more he wouldn't have seen so much of Roy and Hayley, and then he might not be such a fine young man. Hayley tells him how proud they are of him and what a lovely couple he and Sinead make.

As Hayley continues her progress up the street, Tracy slags off her hair colour from across the street. Hayley's not playing nice. "Listen to her," she says loudly. "Tracy Barlow - living proof that there's no justice in the world. Your mum's ashamed of you, your daughter barely knows you and your kidney would reject you if it could!" Tracy looks really hurt that someone's giving her a taste of her own nastiness. "Here you are," says Hayley, "still buzzing around like the Queen Bee, passing judgement on everyone you meet. Well, not us. We've got better things to do with our lives, haven't we, Roy?" She and Roy move on, leaving Tracy snapping at Rob for not defending her. "I'm the apple of my mother's eye," she whines.

Hayley tells Roy not to say anything. She knows she was bitchy. "But blimmin' 'eck that were good!"

Peter's in the factory when Carla comes in. They're waiting for a call from Portland, Oregon. Carla tells Peter she just saw Hayley in the wheelchair and it's really shaken her up.

Tracy and Rob arrive at the function soaked through and with Rob's woollen suit smelling like wet dog. They see Stella, who is sickly sweetly sympathetic about their wait, and Dev, who talks about the fascinating people they've met. Then everyone is called in for dinner. Rob mutters to Tracy that they'd better get some business from this. She grabs a half-glass of wine left behind and downs it. Rob's a bit disgusted. But Tracy's found something else on the same table - a cloakroom token. She knows it must be Stella's. "Tell Hayley Cropper there is a such a thing as justice after all."

Hayley is in the factory. Carla's thrilled to see her. Roy hovers until Peter suggests they go over to the Rovers for a drink, leaving the two women to talk. Carla asks Hayley what she's come to say. "I don't believe you've just called in." Hayley says they saw the light on and suggests Carla put the kettle on.

At the bistro, Leanne's going through the receipts when Nick goes to sit with her. He suggests she and Simon go on holiday to get away from all this. Leanne just wants him to stop talking to her mother and start listening to her. She likes the idea of a holiday but she wants him to come with her. Nick's very pleased.

Hayley and Carla talk about work at first. Carla asks how she is and then apologises because Hayley must be sick of talking about it. Hayley admits that tonight she embraced her inner cow. She says people ask why she isn't angry or railing against the universe. But she faced death in this very place and remembers Carla pleading with Tony Gordon to let her take Hayley's place. "Every year since has been a bonus." Carla says only Hayley could see it that way. "Thank you," says Hayley.

Stella and Dev are a bit merry. She gets him to hold her drink and he swigs it down. She's hunting through her bag but can't find the cloakroom token. The attendant won't let them have anything without a token. Eventually, they persuade him - Dev can describe what's in the coat pockets. Stella remembers the number was 73 (correct!) but Dev thinks it was 37. The attendant looks up 37 - it's already been collected. Oops, so has 73.

On a balcony high above them, Tracy and Rob laugh as they hold on to coats that aren't theirs.

Hayley says Carla's been good to her so she's going to help her out by revealing who steals the toilet rolls from the gents. It's little Paula from packing. They joke about little Paula stealing to order for some Mr Big sitting on his throne in Urmston. Roy and Peter come back and Hayley agrees it's time to go home. Carla helps her on with her jacket and suddenly looks stricken. When the Croppers are gone she says she felt Hayley's arm as she helped with the jacket. "There's nothing of her!"

In the pub, Marcus and Maria snipe at each other because their offer's been rejected. Sinead speculates on what she and Chesney would have in their own house. She'd like a trampoline for Joseph but would have to keep her Aunty Beth off it - she once broke two arms trampolining. Not hers, but she landed on Father Kevin!

Todd tells Maria and Marcus they've had a lucky escape. The house they wanted isn't near any bars or cafes. In fact, it's not near anything except the park. That's exactly what they wanted, Maria says. Todd says maybe they'll find something that will suit all three of them, implying Marcus wants more. Maria gets a text - it's a friend telling her that another house has been put back on the market at a reduced price. She and Marcus leap up and head off to check the sales website. Eileen tells off Todd for trying to interfere.

Roy pushes Hayley down the middle of the street - a risky venture, I would have thought, considering the number of traffic accidents there have been there. Hayley tells him to listen. When it's quiet you can hear the trains at Piccadilly. "Hundreds of people heading off on journeys of their own." She looks up at the sky.

Dev and Stella trudge home. She's got his jacket wrapped round her. He keeps apologising but Stella says that apart from the coat problem she had a really good time. A taxi driver will soon lose his or her licence for letting Tracy and Rob stand up through the sunroof in the cab which drives through a large puddle, splashing Dev and Stella. Tracy and Rob laugh and laugh and then Tracy calls out that there was a mix-up with a cloakroom token. She throws Dev and Stella's coats into the puddles. "Check the pockets," urges Stella, not trusting Tracy. As they reach her house, she thanks Dev for a lovely evening. "It's been a long time since anyone treated me like a lady," she says. They have a quick peck of a kiss and part. Dev seems very happy.

Roy comments that the cocoa's almost run out. Hayley suggests he's wondering whether it's worth buying any more. She asks for scissors and Roy helps her cut the streak out of her hair. "You don't like it and I don't like it, really," she explains. "I just wanted to know how it felt. I want to go out looking like me." "When?" asks Roy. "It's a fair question."

"You know when," Hayley says. "Tomorrow."

The end.
Margaret Carr

Written by Debbie Oates Directed by Kay Patrick

It's tomorrow. Hayley looks dreadful (excellent makeup job!). She can't manage to eat her breakfast. Maybe later, she tells Roy who hangs on to that promise. Yes. Later.

Outside the Kabin, Gloria is cheery and greets Dennis who's sent on an errand by Rita to distract him from Herman's Hermits on the radio. Gloria reckons they need another gig. Rita isn't best pleased to see Dennis still outside and gives him an earache, much to Gloria's amusement. She's off to call Ritchie to see if there's anything in the offing.

Chesney has determined that the very large pot is Sinead's that she uses to make soap. She's not actually moved in but it looks like her stuff is slowly gravitating there and indeed, Chesney points out she's hardly ever home. Sinead thinks he's trying to tell her not to stay over so much but it's clear he is working up the nerve to ask her to move in. He doesn't get the chance to spit it out because Beth comes knocking on the door to walk Sinead to school...er... work.

Anna brings the post up to the flat. Hayley staggers out, trying to do up her cardy. She wants to go downstairs for a bit of company. She asks Roy to call Fiz to bring the kiddies over. He reminds her that Fiz will be in work and the children in childcare and suggests next week, hoping against hope but she wants to see them today and we know why as does he. Anna offers to give them a ring. Roy does Hayley's cardy up as she tells him she'd like to see them one more time.

Dennis has arrived back but is about to be sent out for sandwiches but his mobile rings with a text. The eagle has landed and it seems Gloria has got hold of Ritchie. Dennis leaves, Tyrone comes in followed by a flustered Fiz who tells him Hayley has summoned them. Fiz senses something's off but doesn't really admit it to herself. When Rita asks if anything is wrong, she says no but you can tell she's anxious. Rita worries that Hayley has taken a turn for the worse. Norris sarcastically allows Rita to go swanning off visiting if that's what she's hinting at.

In the Bistro, Eva is teasing Stella about Dev texting her. Stella insists that Dev is just a mate. We also find out that Leanne is still angry with her mother. Over in a booth, Sinead has brought Beth there because she wants to tell her that Chesney is going to ask her to move in, she could tell. Beth is pleased and offers to see if Kirk can get the van to help her move stuff. Just then Ches sends her a very casual text postponing the time they were to meet. She immediately assumes she got the wrong end of the stick. Beth advises her to step back. Leanne comes in to find Stella and Nick whispering in the corner but it's about a problem with someone's credit card, they explain. Steph bounces over to the bar, giddy with gossip about a couple in the corner who are snogging their faces off. Nick tells Leanne she ought to sort things out with her mother who has been good to them.

Sophie has brought a bucket of hot water to Tim. They're in the shop and Sally comes in criticising Tim for leaning his ladders where people could walk under them, superstitious as some folk are. She asks Sophie if she's seen her good watch and after a few questions, it turns out the last time she remembers seeing it was Christmas and the watch was in the bag that got nicked!

Sinead pops over to the kebab shop thinking Ches couldn't meet her because he had to work. No, it was because Fiz decided to ask him to help her with the kids as Tyrone had a client picking up a car. She tells him that she thinks they should slow things down a bit starting tonight. He looks crestfallen.

In the cafe, Rita is passing the time of day with Hayley and laughing. She gets off and asks Hayley if she'd like anything special when she bakes tomorrow. Hayley politely turns her down and tells her she's a tonic. Fiz and a newly arrived Tyrone come in with the children. Ruby's got a cold and Fiz doesn't want Hayley to catch it but Hayley snaps at her and insists on giving both girls a cuddle. She apologizes as Chesney comes in behind them. Some of them order food and Hayley insists that it's her treat. Roy fusses that there's no special and he might have to put up a notice so people won't ask if there's a special. He mutters about not doing one if he doesn't want to. Anna soothes him as he's obviously anxious.

After the break, we're still in the cafe. Chesney looks glum. Beth arrives and says hello to Hayley who advises Beth to talk to Carla about getting her job back. Beth gives Chesney an earful about blowing hot and cold with Sinead. Chesney admits that he nearly asked Sinead to move in but she said they should slow down. Hayley urges him to tell her that he wants her to move in and if Sinead still says no, at least he can find out why. She says he should take a chance. Tyrone thinks he needs to get the babies back home. Hayley starts to get emotional and clasps Fiz tightly when she hugs her goodbye, telling them all she loves them. She gets Roy to help her back upstairs. Anna senses something is up.

Steph is in the corner shop talking to Sophie who seems to be doing some sort of survey about owning one's own home. Tim comes in, face in a knot and tells Sophie that her mother is positive that her watch was nicked by Maddie along with her wallet and handbag and she wants the watch back. Tim wants Sophie to go to the shelter to find Maddie and ask.

Up in the cafe flat, Hayley has taken some more medication. She told Roy that she couldn't hold herself back from wondering about the children's future selves which upset her. She thinks maybe she should go to bed. He doesn't want her to, suggesting the sofa for her rest instead. She gives in and asks him to sit with her and watch the Amsterdam dvd.

Dennis arrives at the Bistro to see Gloria. Since there's an atmosphere in the Bistro, particularly between Leanne and Stella, Gloria drags him back out to the cafe for a sticky bun. Nick rushes out from the kitchen and has forgotten which table is to get the orders he's brought. He goes back into the kitchen. Leanne apologizes to Stella for getting wound up the other day and points out her marriage is her business. She expects similar from Stella who only gives her half an apology. She still stands by what she said. Standing by your man is one thing but she had problems before she even got married to Nick who returns and pronounces the plates are for table 8. Stella takes them off and Leanne hugs Nick. Just because.

Hayley has dozed off, head in Roy's lap. He looks at her cardy which is buttoned up wrong and sighs. Not about the cardy, I don't think. Just...everything.

Chesney has summoned Sinead outside the factory for a quick word. He wants her to move in and wanted her to know it's really what he wants. She is delighted!

Fiz and Tyrone chat in the garage before she goes back in to work. She says Carla won't mind because it was for Hayley and she will make up the time. She thinks she might bring something nice over to Hayley every day, a little gift.

Hayley's awakened but still on the sofa and asks for a glass of water. She tells Roy the pain isn't too bad now. He impresses on her that it's a good day overall. Not bad at all. He's brought her something he'd sent for, a little gift. He hadn't planned on giving it to her today but perhaps he had better. He isn't sure, maybe it's just a trivial thing but she wants to see what it is. She opens it as he tells her he'd ordered it after she'd given him a model of the Fusilier, the vehicle that brought him to her for their wedding. Oh I think I know where this is going. Yep, it's a model of the push car that brought her to him! They have a laugh over it. He says it was the best day of his life and then breaks up. She holds his hand and apologizes that this is so hard but they need to remember that most people don't get the happiness they've had. He wants to do the day over again, tomorrow, do it better. He's desperate, trying not to lose it completely. She tells him it wouldn't be like that, they would do things differently, but still do things wrong. They do it the way they do and thinks waiting is making this even harder. She said it was going to be today and she means it. She's sorry.

Tvor

As the announcer said immediately before this episode was aired, it's a sad day here on ITV and, with scenes some viewers may find upsetting, we return to Coronation Street.

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Kay Patrick

The first scene opens with Hayley at the window watching the activity outside in the street. She smiles as she sees Fiz and Tyrone with the children but her face falls as she watches Roy setting off towards The Kabin. Turning away Hayley spots a laundry basket full of clothes. She drags herself across the room and, summoning what little strength she has left, gets out the ironing board.

In the Kabin Roy is staring blankly at a rack of cards without speaking. Norris chatters away in the background and tells Roy they have cards for all occasions. He just manages to stop himself on the word "funerals". Norris witters on about his favourite motto, ich dien - I serve - and wonders aloud about its origins. There is still no response from Roy.

We return to Hayley who is carefully ironing Roy's best shirt despite the fact she is clearly in tremendous pain.

Roy is now leaving the Kabin and Norris rushes after him to tell him he's forgotten his change. Roy looks up and says "it's from the German". Norris looks confused. Roy explains he's referring to the phrase "ich dien". Norris looks worried and asks Roy if he's alright but Roy merely thanks him and goes on his way. He spots Sinead arriving to move in with Chesney. Roy nods to himself as he notes that Chesney must have followed Hayley's advice.

At home Hayley has just finished ironing Roy's shirt when there's a tap on the door. It's Anna who's come to see if Hayley needs anything while Roy's out. She spots the ironing board and tells Hayley she should ask her if anything wants ironing. Hayley explains that there's no need because she was only ironing Roy's best shirt. "No need?" asks Anna looking worried. Hayley says the rest of her blouses are non-iron but Anna realises the implication of what's going on and, as Hayley takes her hand and thanks her, Anna's eyes start to fill with tears.

A few minutes later Anna is back in the cafe. Gloria and Dennis are having a meal but Gloria complains rather rudely that they've been given the wrong food. Dennis suggests Anna gives them a couple of teas on the house. Gloria says she should think of it as a goodwill gesture but Anna isn't in the mood and tells her if she's not careful she'll be giving her a gesture and it won't have anything to do with goodwill. Then Roy arrives back and Gloria has a go at him. He tells her he's busy but she persists so, biting his tongue, Roy turns back and asks her what seems to be the problem.

Carla is in her office, on the phone to Peter. She's talking to him about Hayley and telling him that she can't put her finger on it but she knows something isn't right. She takes him up on his suggestion to drop round and see her.

Roy finally makes it back to the flat with his purchases. He seems distracted and almost distant as he hands Hayley the cards he's bought and apologises for his choice. But Hayley says they're perfect and anyway, it's what you write inside that counts. She tells Roy that she's kept all the ones he ever gave her. they're in the bedside drawer and she wants them to be put with her when she ... you know. Hayley can't quite bring herself to say the words. She tells Roy that she's ironed his best shirt as she doesn't want him showing her up at the funeral and reminds him to brush his shoes.

Downstairs Ty comes into the cafe. He's looking for Ruby's toy kangaroo that she's left behind somewhere.

Back upstairs Hayley's struggling to write her cards. She just doesn't know what to say. Roy tells her to be patient and the right words will come but Hayley says maybe there are no right words. She's trying to write messages for Hope, Joseph and Ruby and bitterly says that by the time they're old enough to read them they won't even know who she was and she'll just be a distant memory for most people. Roy sits down and tells Hayley that if she really wants to let them know how she feels she still can, face to face, in person. With a note of desperation in his voice Roy tells Hayley she could see them, hold them ... tomorrow ... perhaps even for weeks to come. But Hayley says they've been through all this. She tells Roy to look at her and he says he is and he still sees the extraordinary woman he married. With a rising note of desperation in his voice, Roy tells Hayley that there's still joy to be had. "Why turn your back on it?" he begs.

As Hayley and Roy sit facing each other on the sofa, holding hands Hayley says that there was never going to be a right time for him but Roy replies that his feelings are irrelevant, it's not the right time for her. "That's the thing," says Hayley. "It is". She tells Roy that she's said her goodbyes and made her peace and that, while she can't pretend that she's not afraid, she's ready. "I'm not," states Roy, simply. Hayley talks to him about all the people whose lives they've touched from Becky through to Les Battersby and says that, happen there is a bloke up there with a clipboard, at least she can look him in the eye. Holding back his tears Roy says that if he does exist, he very much doubts he'd be able to do the same. Hayley gently says no, she's past being bitter and adds that she may not have had a very long life but she thinks it's meant something.

"Of course it has!" cries Roy. He says he may not have been the most demonstrative of partners but he doesn't know how he's going to go on without her. Hayley tells him he has to and that she wants him to be the eyes and ears for both of them and to experience things they would have done together. "Promise me that?" she asks as the two of them embrace. Looking at Roy, Hayley says that she knows he promised to stay with her but if he feels he can't she'll understand. "I'm not leaving you," says Roy as his voice falters. "And I'm never leaving you, Roy Cropper," replies Hayley. As she starts to cry Hayley says that she doesn't care about his science and his logic, some things don't just stop. Tears have started to run down Roy's face as Hayley gives him an almost imperceptible nod. Taking his hands they stand up. Supporting each other they move slowly towards the bedroom.

Downstairs in the cafe Ty is still looking for Ruby's toy. He really needs to find it as she won't sleep without it. Then Ty remembers that he took Ruby upstairs to change her in the flat so maybe that's where she left it? Anna tries to stop him but Ty insists Roy and Hayley won't mind if he pops up for a minute to see if it's there. Reluctantly, Anna agrees.

Hayley is now sitting on the bed. Roy asks if she'd like some music on. She thinks that's a good idea and says he should choose something they both like. But at that moment there's a knock on the door. They wonder who it is. Roy thinks they'll go away but Hayley says what if they don't? There's another knock and they hear Ty's voice. Hayley tells Roy he can't leave it, what if it's something important? It's hard to imagine anything more important than what is happening to them right now but reluctantly Roy goes to the door. He opens it a crack and Ty explains he's come to look for the toy while Anna hovers behind him. Roy says that it's not a convenient time and closes the door again, leaving Ty looking bemused and Anna more worried than ever. Hayley calls from the bedroom and asks if everything's alright. "Yes, fine ... absolutely fine," replies Roy when nothing could be further from the truth.

Back downstairs Ty tells Anna he feels bad now but she tells him Roy has a lot on his mind. Gloria and Dennis demand two slices of lemon drizzle cake. All Anna can think about is what is taking place upstairs and she tells Gloria and Dennis they'll have to go. With a lot of muttering, Gloria and Dennis leave and Anna locks up.

Upstairs, the moment has come. Roy has chosen a piece of music by Vaughn Williams and Hayley says it always reminds her of a holiday they had in Wales. She talks about how the light was shining on the water and, with no one else around, it felt as though it was shining just for them. Roy agrees that it was beautiful but adds that he did get somewhat sunburned. This prompts Hayley to remind him he should always wear his hat and use sun cream.

Roy notices a glass of something next to the bed and Hayley tells him she prepared it while he was sorting out the CD. She says that, whatever happens, he mustn't touch anything. She asks him if he understands and emphasizes that this was her choice. Carefully taking off his shoes, Roy then settles himself on the bed next to Hayley. "This is it then," Hayley states.

Roy tells Hayley not to be afraid. She tells him she was but then asks how could she be, lying there with him? "I wouldn't be anywhere else," she says. "Nor I," replies Roy. Hayley tells Roy that she's so glad she knew him and thanks him for all of it. Roy replies that he's the one who should be grateful. Hayley says they shouldn't row about it and adds that she wouldn't swap the few years they had together with a thousand of anyone else's because she knows what it is to be loved; truly loved. "I hope you do, too?" she asks. "Always," replies Roy. Hayley tells him to remember it. "I love you. Always have and always will," says Hayley, looking straight into Roy's eyes. "I'm so sorry I have to go."

As Roy starts to protest with the words "I wish ..." Hayley stops him with a kiss. They have one final embrace and then she reaches for the glass. Holding on to Roy's other hand, Hayley starts to drink but then begins to splutter. Roy goes to grab the glass from her but Hayley manages to push him away and keeps on drinking. "I love you," sobs Roy beside her.

Outside we see Carla arriving at the door of the cafe. She bangs on the door. Anna is sitting inside. She calls out that they're closed but, hearing it's Carla come to see Hayley, she opens the door. Carla goes in and asks Anna why she's sitting on her own in the dark. Anna says everything's alright but Carla can tell there's something up. All Anna will say is that she thinks they should leave them be. Carla wants to know what Anna's not telling her and then decides to go and see for herself. She heads up the stairs to the flat with Anna following on behind.

With the music playing in the background we see Roy's freshly ironed shirt hanging where Hayley left it and hear Carla and Anna talking outside the door. Anna is still trying to stop Carla but Carla insists if they're not answering, something must be wrong. Finally Anna agrees to open the door with her spare key and they go into the flat.

Carla and Anna go through to the bedroom. They see Hayley's lifeless body lying on the bed with Roy holding her in his arms. The only movement comes from Roy's eyes as he lays with his head resting against the only person who has ever truly understood him; the love of his life.

Karen

Sophie goes to the shelter and confronts Maddie about the watch that was in Sally's bag. Maddie reckons it's just a cheap bit of tat anyway. Sophie says it doesn't matter what it cost, it means a lot to her mum, it belonged to her grandma and she's really upset about it. Maddie reckons if it's that important, maybe a reward should be offered - say 50 pounds. Sophie is outraged, but Maddie tells her to take it or leave it.

Rita seems to have found the toy that Tyrone was looking for. She hands it over to him in the Rovers, where Norris and Mary are also enjoying a drink. Audrey, Emily, Dennis, Tracy, Deirdre, Fiz and Owen....they're all there too. Just then Anna comes in, looking ashen. She downs Owen's whisky in one gulp and then goes over to Fiz. "What is it? What's happened?" asks Fiz, as Anna just stares at her, struggling to find the words. She doesn't need to, Fiz immediately understands and rushes out, saying she must get to Roy. Anna is left to break the news to the rest of the pub - Hayley has passed away. There's a stunned silence for a few moments, and then they all start to talk. Eva goes off to the bistro to let her mum and Leanne know, and Audrey goes soon after to let Gail know.

Fiz and Tyrone arrive at the flat. Fiz goes straight to the bedroom where Hayley is lying on the bed, her head being cradled by Roy.

Nick has run a bath for Leanne, with oils, candles, bubbles etc. She tells him he didn't need to do that, but he says he wanted to. He says that it's made him realise how lucky they are, after everything they've been through.

Back at the flat, Fiz is upset, she should have been there, she says, and apologises to Roy. The doctor emerges from the bedroom and tells them all that Hayley's condition left her too weak to carry on, her body simply shut down. She gives Roy the death certificate and tells him to call if he needs anything. Fiz continues to weep, she's upset that she never to say goodbye, she never got to tell Hayley how much she meant to her. Tyrone is sure Hayley knew. "But I didn't say it!" wails Fiz, adding that she thought there was time. Quietly, from his chair, Roy mutters, "Sorry."

Chesney is helping Sinead move all her things in to his house, when he gets a call from Fiz summoning him. He starts to ask if it can wait, he's helping Sinead move in, but then he stops, looks stunned and sits down in silence. Then he breaks the news to Sinead, and goes off to Roy's.

Back in the pub, the Corrie residents are stunned and quiet. Emily, Rita, Mary, Dennis and Norris are discussing how Roy will cope alone. Emily is sure that Hayley will have prepared him as best she could. Norris seems especially shocked. Julie is tearful and thinks there must be something they should be doing, but no one knows what. Izzy asks Owen if he's heard any more from Anna, but he hasn't.

Chesney arrives at Roy's flat, and Fiz greets him with a hug. Carla gently tells Roy, who is sitting looking somewhat stunned himself, that they should call the undertaker. Roy insists that Hayley belongs in the flat, but Fiz joins in and tells him that this is what happens, and the undertakers will look after her.

Leanne has had her bath and comes out to the living room in her dressing gown. Nick has soft music playing, candles lit, and food cooking. She thanks him, and says she's been thinking about Roy. He agrees and says it isn't fair. Leanne remarks that life is never fair, but he tells her that things will get better, and they can survive anything if they really want to. She tells him how she sat at his bedside praying he would pull through. "And I did," he says, "I did! Here we are!" Leanne smiles wanly and gets up to check on the dinner.

Sophie is discussing Maddie with Tim. He thinks she's a conniving little mare, who nicked her mum's watch and now expects her to cough up to get it back. Sophie tells him they don't know what's happened to Maddie to make her like this, she could have been abused. She says that she will pay to get the watch back, but he must keep it secret from Sally.

The undertakers knock on the door, and Roy becomes extremely upset and agitated, saying that he does not want those people in. Hayley is his wife and she belongs with him. Carla gently tells him that it doesn't matter where they take her body, because Hayley will be right here and she presses her hands over his heart. She tells him no one can take that away, not ever. Tyrone opens the door and the men from the undertakers come in. Roy rushes off to the bedroom and kisses Hayley. "Goodnight my love," he says, kneeling at the bedside, and then breaks down, sobbing. A weeping Fiz follows him in and hesitatingly puts her hand on his shoulder. Roy gets to his feet and leaves the room. "Don't worry," sniffs Fiz to Hayley, "we'll take care of him."

In the Rovers, the locals are still subdued and mulling quietly over what has just happened. Tracy, cold-hearted as ever, remarks that it's not as if it wasn't expected. Deirdre tells her to be quiet. The others continue to talk about Hayley, and how she touched their lives. Then Sean raises his glass. "Hayley Cropper, we salute you," he says, and they all raise their glasses too.

Tim and Sophie are at home, discussing the problem with Maddie and the watch. Tim thinks Sophie should promise her the money, but then not hand any over when she's got the watch back. Sophie says she can't do that, it's dishonest. Tim is scornful, the girl is a thief herself, and she's playing Sophie like a nine bob banjo.

Over at the cafe, the undertakers are removing Hayley from the premises, watched by Roy, Carla, Anna, Fiz and Tyrone. As they go through the front door, Roy says he wants to go with her. "Not tonight," says Carla, but he takes no notices and follows them, standing in the doorway as they shut the doors of the transit van and drive away. He then wanders back in, looking perplexed and confused. Anna asks if he wants tea, and Carla asks if he wants her to call Sylvia. He refuses both, and asks them to go. They don't want to leave him alone, but he is adamant that he wants them all to go now. They bid him goodnight and quietly file out, leaving him standing alone in the cafe.

Over at Nick and Leanne's, they're cuddled up together on the sofa. He starts to kiss her, saying he's missed her so much. She pulls back, and pushes him away, saying she's not ready, she feels weird about it, what with Hayley and everything. Nick tells her he understands.

Roy is in his bedroom, looking at the shirt Hayley ironed for him only hours earlier. Then he wanders over to the bed, staring down at the place where Hayley had been lying. Sitting down, he picks up her pillow and buries his face in it, breathing deeply. Hugging it to himself, he lies down on the bed, looking bereft. Poor Roy.

Anne Logan

As we begin, Roy sits alone at the table in the flat, looking at the birthday cards Hayley wrote out. He sees her red coat hanging near the door.

Anna's sitting glumly at the table. She tells Owen she has to go and check on Roy. She says the world seems a different place today.

Chesney is also depressed and Sinead's doing her best to comfort him. He plans to see how Fiz is coping.

Nick's also very glum. He apologises and says last night was no big deal. Leanne says it seemed as if it was a big deal to him. She tells him there's plenty of time to get things back to normal.

In the factory, the machinists and Kirk stand round Hayley's machine, which has its light on, giving a sort of halo effect. They're all glum. Sally optimistically tells them "they" say keeping busy can take your mind off things. Nice try, but none of them feel like working. Peter and Carla arrive. Carla says they all knew Hayley would die but it's not any easier to lose someone like Hayley, and she's sorry but Livingstones are expecting their order on Tuesday . . . She's very close to tears and Peter steps in to say that he's going to ring Livingstones and ask them to extend the deadline in the circumstances. "Go home," he tells them. But they all want to stay a bit longer.

Kal and Nick have been running. Nick wants to do another lap but Kal has another appointment. Nick positively badgers him into going round again.

In the bistro, Gloria's perched on a bar stool (where else?) going on and on and on and on and on about Ritchie and his future career and the possibilities. Did I mention she was going on and on and on and on about it? Stella interrupts her going on and on and on and Leanne asks if it's possible for Gloria to do any work today. Of course, that's what Gloria's here for . . . and she goes on and on a bit more . . . They're interrupted by Kal supporting a bleeding Nick. Nick had a wonderfully realistic scrape on his shin. The first thing Leanne does is ask Kal what happened. Did Nick have a blackout? This makes Nick angry. He just slipped, and why is she talking to Kal and not to him? Leanne tells him he should go home. They can cope without him, even though it's his name on the sign. "So what's the point of me?" Nick shouts at her. He accuses her of trying to sideline him and take over the business herself. "Everybody would just be so much better off if I just disappeared!" He shocks himself a little with this. He decides to go home and get changed for work.

Roy's scrubbing the cafe. That's the outside of the cafe. Nick stops and tells Roy's he's sorry about Hayley. Scrub scrub scrub. Roy acknowledges him. Scrub scrub. Then says Nick's bleeding. That should be cleaned up. "Hayley and I are trained first aiders." This made my heart bleed a little for him and for all those bereaved people who find it difficult to let go of the present tense. Nick refuses Roy's offer of first aid. Scrub scrub scrub.

Carla's ready to leave the factory. The phone rings as she's going but she ignores it. Out in the empty workroom she sees Hayley's machine decorated with pieces of ribbon and lace.

Roy is causing concern in the cafe. Nobody thinks he should be working but nobody can stop him. Everyone tries to tell him he should be upstairs resting but he says he's tried sitting up there staring the walls. He prefers to be working.

Beth's sitting with some of the factory workers in the cafe. She hopes they're going to be paid for today - their household can't afford not to have Kirk's wages.

Anna arrives and asks Roy what he's doing there. "I am frying bacon and fending off inquiries about my well being," he says. Fiz suggests he must be tired but he denies it. He says he's never felt a greater need to be working.

Nick arrives back at the bistro and meets Leanne coming out of the door. They both apologise and Leanne asks him to put up the menu. "Give me a shout if you need any help." This annoys Nick and he opens the door of the menu display case, puts in the new menu and slams it shut. Simon comes out of the corner shop and rushes over to give Nick a hug. He says Peter's in the shop. Simon wants to know when he can come home. "I miss my mum." Nick tries to fend off the question. "I'm going to be staying at my dad's forever, aren't I?" Simon asks. "Why will no-one tell me the truth?" Nick says the situation's complicated. Simon sees it as quite straightforward. Nick got a brain injury, Leanne has to look after him. "So I end up at my dad's. Maybe I should get a brain injury." Peter comes out of the shop and Simon goes off with him. Nick turns to go into the bistro and almost collapses in psychological pain as he grasps the door handle.

At the bus stop, Sophie discovers that Katie and Steph agree with Tim about Maddie. They don't think she should pay to get the watch back.

Things are really busy at the bistro as Leanne and Stella make preparations for a party group. Nick asks Leanne if they can talk. She brushes him aside and carries on with her organising.

In the Kabin, Dennis is on the phone to Ritchie, smooth-talking him about the bookings he's going to get. Norris thinks he's making a big mistake. Rita's not going to like this business. Dennis pooh-poohs him. Rita loves all this. Gloria comes in. She wants to take Dennis off to see an old flame of hers about setting up a proper company - a partnership. Dennis hastens to say it's just a business partnership. Rita's there now so he asks her if that's OK. She just tells him to be careful.

At the homeless shelter, Maddie asks for the cash up front before she'll hand over the watch. Sophie refuses. She wants to see the watch first.

Nick wants Leanne to go home. It's important - more important than all the restaurant bookings they've got. He's insistent and Leanne's just as insistent that she can't go now. Stella suggests she could ring Eva and Kylie to see if they can help. Leanne sort of agrees. She tells Nick to go home and she'll be there as soon as she can.

Maddie still wants the money first. Sophie tells her she didn't come here to be mucked about and stands as if to go but Maddie puts a hand on her arm.She gives her the watch and asks for the money. Sophie says she doesn't have it. "I lied. But is that any worse than what you did?" Maddie says Sophie can't do this. "You owe me." Sophie says she owes Maddie nothing.

Beth and Sinead chat over a cuppa. Beth admits there's nothing in the fridge at home and they won't be able to pay the rent next month. Sinead says she might be able to lend them some money but Beth refuses. She reminisces about a time when she and Sinead and their extended family all lived together in a place in Levenshulme. "Aw, it's lovely when there's a houseful," Bath says, adding that Sinead and Chesney must fairly rattle around this house. Sinead suddenly realises what Beth is up to. "I've just moved in here myself and it's not even my house," she points out. And she refuses to bother Chesney about this when he's just lost Hayley. Maybe in a couple of weeks? Beth says that's no good because they'll probably be on the street before then.

Kal visits Nick at home. He's concerned at the level of aggression Nick is showing. Nick tells him to get out.

Rita's obviously flustered. Norris points out it's the fifth time she's counted the same papers. He says 50 per cent of new businesses fail in the first months. "It'll all end in tears." "Yes," says Rita, "but whose?" Dennis and Gloria arrive back. It seems that Scotch has been used as a lubricant for their business discussions. "I hope you didn't sign anything," Rita says. Gloria says they didn't, but they discussed running away to Gretna Green. Dennis hurriedly says she's joking.

Steph sees Sophie in the street and asks about the watch. Sophie says it's all sorted and lets herself in through her front door. They don't see Maddie watching.

In the bistro, Leanne's getting annoyed at the number of text messages she's getting from Nick to ask when she's coming home. She shuts down the phone but Nick's one step ahead and rings on the land line. Leanne sighs as she tells him she's on her way.

Roy is getting a bit clumsy in the bistro and Anna tells him to go upstairs. Roy won't because the cafe is full of customers. Anna points out that most of them are only there because they were worried about Roy."They still need serving," Roy says. The machinists discuss whether they should be there. Are they just making Roy work harder? Or are they helping him keep his mind off things?

Carla comes in. She's shocked to see the place open, let alone Roy behind the counter. The others explain the situation. She asks Roy if he should be in the cafe. Aren't there things he should be doing for Hayley today? "She spent a long time planning so that everything would be right." That's right, Roy tells her. "SHE planned it, just the way SHE wanted it. SHE made all the decisions.

Leanne flounces into the flat to see Peter, ranting that she can't be everywhere at once. "i can't live like this," she says. Ah, that's pretty much Nick's point. He says he saw Roy earlier and Roy can't bear to face the truth. That's what they've been doing - avoiding facing the truth. What is that truth, Leanne asks. "Our marriage died a long time ago," Nick says.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Joe Turner
Directed by: Kay Patrick

An upset Leanne asks Nick if he has been speaking to her mother again. He tells her they have to face the truth, and she retorts that she faces it every single day. He points out she has given up her son and her family, and for what? She tells him it was for her husband, the man she made vows with, and says "This is what we do". She goes on to say that their marriage isn't dead, and asks if she can please get back to work.

As she turns to leave, he lunges for her, and shouts she is going nowhere until they sort it out. She flinches, but stands her ground, telling him not to shout at her, and to stop ordering her about. He looks at her intently, and quietly asks her to look him in the eye, and tell him she still loves him. Exasperated, she begs him to stop doing this. He asks if that is too much to ask, as she is his wife after all. She replies she is bending over backwards to help him right now, and asks if that isn't enough.

Roy, surrounded by Fiz, Anna and Carla is getting into a panic because he has forgotten to phone Becky to tell her the news. He is beating himself up because Hayley put it on the list, and he forgot to do it. He gets into a worse flap because he can't find her number, so Carla tells him she could give Kylie a call, and ask her to do it. Fiz points out to him that they are there to help, he doesn't have to do it all. Losing his temper, he tells them he didn't ask them all up there. Carla tells him he would have had a hard time stopping them. Fiz adds that Hayley wouldn't have wanted him to be on his own. Desperately, he pleads with them that he really wants to be on his own, and asks if what he wants counts for nothing.

Choosing not to take any notice, Fiz holds his hand and suggests they go through Hayley's list together. He agrees to this, and sits down with Fiz, while the other two stand off to the side and quietly discuss the situation. They are interrupted by Fiz who suggests they make a cup of tea. Carla puts the kettle on, and tells Roy she will phone Kylie. Anna tells him that she and Jenna will take care of the cafe, and he should take as much time as he needs. With an exasperated look on his face, he sighs, and snatches the list from Fiz's hand.

Back in Nick & Leanne's flat, he is telling Leanne that they have tried everything, but it's time to admit it's over. Upset now, Leanne tells him she wanted to see him get better, she wanted them to get back to the way things used to be. However, Nick tells her that will never happen because he is not the man he was, and probably never will be. He goes on to tell her he is impersonating a man he barely remembers, and this is who he is now, and the old Nick is not coming back.

She asks how he knows the old Nick will never come back, and he tells her he knows because he is angry all the time, he is just getting better at controlling it. When she thinks he is having a good day, he isn't, he is just having a good day at keeping his anger under control. He goes on to say when he sees the pity in her eyes it makes him angry, everything makes him angry, and he finishes by saying, with a catch in his voice, that he even hit her. She asks what they are going to do then, and he tells her she should stay in the flat and get Simon home again. He will find somewhere else, he is setting her free. She asks what if she doesn't want to be free, but he tells her he doesn't want to live like this, it's not her fault, it's not anyone's fault, they tried, but they both deserve better. It's decided then, they are splitting up, he tells her he will pack a bag and get the rest of his stuff later. Leanne is quietly crying.

Across the street from Sally's house we see Maddie lurking out of sight. While inside, Tim is praising Sophie for getting Sally's watch back, but Sophie is feeling bad about tricking her into it. Tim tells her she has no reason to feel bad, she shouldn't have stolen it in the first place, and if Sophie hadn't been so nice, she would have been in police custody by now. Maddie is now outside the chippy, helping herself to a meal from the rubbish bin outside. She watches Sophie leave the house to go to work, and dumps her chips and heads over to the house.

Beth and Sinead are arguing. She wants her to ask Chesney if she, Kirk and Craig (not forgetting Darryl the rat of course) can move into No. 5 with them, as they can no longer afford the rent where they are with only one of them working. Sinead doesn't want to as she feels it would be taking advantage of Ches, especially as he is grieving over Hayley right now. She points out she has only just moved in there herself, and feels she has no right to ask.

Beth tells her if she doesn't want to do it, she will do it herself. Sinead tells her fiercely that if she does, she will thump her. Beth retorts that she wouldn't dare. "Try me!" warns Sinead. Right that minute Chesney and Kirk walk in, and the ladies immediately paint on a cheerful smile to greet them. Chesney looks at them suspiciously and asks if everything is alright, and Sinead quickly assures him it is. Beth tells him she was just telling Sinead what a nice house they have, nice and warm and everything, then goes on to say they can't afford to put the heat on in their place, in fact they can't even afford the rent any more. This brings her a glare from Sinead, but Kirk in all innocence backs her up by saying No. 5 has always been a really cosy house. Beth embellishes it by saying "There is SO much space too!"

Glaring at Beth, Sinead asks her if she is just leaving. However, Chesney suggests they all go to the Rovers for a pint instead. Beth has quite the smirk on her face.

In No. 4, Tim, who is all alone in the house now is having a nap on the sofa. The watch is still on the coffee table. The back door opens and in walks Maddie. She stops in surprise when she sees Tim, but also spots the watch. With a determined look on her face, she pulls her hoodie over her head and steps quietly over to the table. As she reaches for the watch, Tim suddenly wakes up and grabs her outstretched arm. Without hesitation, she gives him a beautiful right hook to the nose with her other fist and runs back out the way she came in. Just at that minute Sally arrives through the front door, and is shocked to find Tim bleeding on the sofa. He tells her they had an intruder, and asks if she saw anyone. She tells him she didn't, and sets about calling the police.

Nick is finishing off packing his bag, and things are polite between them, but Leanne is still upset that it has come to this. She tells him everyone will think she has abandoned him, but he tells her he doesn't care what anyone thinks, and she can tell them whatever she likes. She asks where he is going, but he doesn't answer that. He does ask her to keep an eye on things at work. She tells him Stella can cope, and asks if he will be there later. He replies in the negative, then he thanks her for all she has done at work. He then tells her he will see her later, and looking a bit bewildered, she decides she might as well go back to work then, picks up her coat and leaves.

Back at the Bistro, they are all worried as to why Leanne has been gone so long, especially with Nick the way he is. Just when Steph has planted the mental picture in their minds that she could be lying in a pool of blood, in she walks. She asks Stella how the birthday booking went, and is told everything went just great. Stella then asks her how things went with Nick, and her face is not so brave any more, and her lip trembles as she tells her "Not so good".

Poor Roy is still surrounded by willing hands, and as they are closing up the cafe he thanks them all for their help. Jenna asks if he plans to be open tomorrow, and he tells her everything will be as usual, so she bids him goodnight, saying she will see him in the morning. As he sees her out, Fiz asks Anna and Carla what they were whispering about earlier. Knowing that Fiz isn't aware that Hayley took her own life, they tell her they can't remember exactly what they were saying, just remarking about how worried they are about Roy. She appears to accept this, and asks Roy if there is anything else they can do for him. He tells them they have done more than enough already, and he is now feeling rather tired. Finally taking the hint, they bid him goodnight and leave him alone, saying they will be back tomorrow.

Dennis and Rita are sitting in a booth at the Rovers. Asking her why she is so quiet she tells him she is thinking about him and Gloria. He says he hopes she isn't jealous, and she tells him she isn't, not in that way, she is just feeling a bit left out. He tells her he often feels that way about her and Norris. She is shocked at this, but he goes on to say that they have known each other for a very long time, and seem to know what the other is going to say before they say it, plus he obviously thinks the world of her. She acknowledges that, then smiles and tells him she is glad they can talk to each other like this. Just at that moment though, their conversation is interrupted by his mobile. It's Gloria, and he gets up to take the call elsewhere, leaving Rita looking more than a little jealous.

In another booth, Beth is talking to Kirk, telling him not to drop any more hints about moving into No. 5 because Sinead had told her she would thump her. Kirk tells her it's a shame because it would be great if they could move in there. They have all underestimated Chesney though, he's not as thick as he looks. Over at the bar, he tells Sinead he has picked up on the hints, and thinks it would be a great idea if Beth & co moved in with them. He tells her they always had to rely on other people when he was growing up, and is pleased to help now he is in a position to. He asks Sinead if it is OK with her though. Beaming from ear to ear, she kisses him and tells him Hayley would be so proud of him. Now lets see, it's a two up, two down, Ches & Sinead in one room, Kirk & Beth in another, Craig? maybe on the sofa? Darryl? I don't want to think about that! Ches wants to know if Sinead wants to tell them, or should he? Smiling mischievously, she tells him she has an idea about that.

It's dinner time at the Platts, and after a long conversation about the difference between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie, Kylie and David tell Gail they have been giving their living arrangements a lot of thought. Worried, Gail asks if they are going back to the Granny flat in the garage idea again. David tells her he did think of that, but the court of human rights insists she would need hot water and electricity, so they have had to go to plan B. Really worried now, she asks what plan B is, and he tells her it's a shed in the garden. Kylie agrees, saying it worked very well for the Windasses (actually, it was the Morton's when someone slept out there, but no matter), David goes on to tell a horrified Gail that they don't need planning permission to build it if they keep it under four square meters. Gail's mouth falls open, and she tells them she can't sleep in a shed, she will freeze out there, so David tells her they will let her have a hot water bottle. Gail is shrieking now, asking if they have any idea how cold it gets out there at night. David replies that he doesn't, but if she doesn't like plan B, they could always opt for plan C. Kylie shakes her head gravely, and tells her "Ah yes, plan C. That was the last resort". Gail hardly dares to ask, but does. With a smirk, David tells her plan C is to keep the arrangements exactly the way they are. Realising she has been well and truly wound up, Gail smiles and asks if she can vote for plan C. He tells her she can, but they might just start saving for plan A. "Eat your tea!" says Gail.

Dennis finally comes back to the table, and Rita asks if it was important. "Not more important than you", he tells her. "Good answer", says Rita, but goes on to point out that he took the call anyway. He tells her he hopes she knows she has nothing to worry about with him and Gloria, it's strictly business. She tells him she isn't worried about him, but she's not so sure about her.

Must be a day for wind ups, because there is another one underway in the Rovers. Chesney tells Kirk and Beth that Sinead has been telling them that they are finding things difficult at the moment, being unable to pay the rent and all, and want to help out. They brighten up immediately until they go on to say that to solve their problem, they have been talking to the neighbours and have arranged for Beth to stay with Tracy and Deirdre in No. 1, Kirk can have the front parlour with Emily and Norris in No. 3, and Maria said Craig can bunk up with Liam in the flat above the Salon. Oh and Darryl can stay with them, as they think they have the space.

"So, what do you think?" asks Chesney to two very downcast looking people. They don't know how to answer, but Sinead can't keep it up any longer, and tells them they were joking, and they would all be very welcome to move in with them. They are over the moon, Beth hugs Chesney, then Kirk. This should be a fun household I think - cramped but fun!

The police are now at No. 4 speaking with Sally and Tim, who is still holding a tissue to his nose. Sophie arrives home having seen the police car outside the house and listens in to what happened as he explains it to the policewoman. He tells it like it was at first, until the policewoman asks him if he got a look at the intruder, and he tells her it was a big strong bloke, 6 ft tall at least.

We get a quick look at Roy, now upstairs in the flat going over Hayley's to do list that she left for him. Running his finger down the list, we can read that he still has to polish his shoes among other things. The last thing on the list is 'Look after Fiz'.

The Platts are now watching television, and Gail is asking why she can't watch anything she wants to. David tells her they took a vote and it was two to one. She indignantly tells him she didn't vote on anything. David tells her in that case they will take a vote now. "Those who want to watch Downton Abbey series 2 DVD box set, raise your hand", and Gail raises hers. "All those who want to watch anything else, raise theirs", and David and Kylie both raise theirs. (I'm definitely with Gail on that one!) She complains that the vote will always go against her, and it isn't fair. They tell her they are the majority, and it's a democracy, but she can set up a protest group if she wants.

Saved by the bell, she answers the door. It's Nick, they are all surprised to see him, and even more surprised to learn he has split up with Leanne, and has nowhere else to go. Gail hugs him, and David and Kylie look at each other. Another house bursting at the seams - three bedrooms housing Gail, Nick, David, Kylie, Max and Lily.

Leanne is still talking things over with her mother, and Stella is telling her she did all she could for her marriage, and is exhausted, she couldn't have done any more. Leanne still feels bad though. Stella tells her she is a good person, and so is Nick because he has set her free.

Roy's alone time didn't last very long. Anna arrives with a piping hot casserole dish of food, saying she knows he hasn't eaten all day. Roy tells her he is fine, but she answers that she doesn't think he is the best judge of that at the moment. He mutters that he has been getting plenty of opinions on the matter. She tells him he will feel a lot better with a hot meal inside him. He asks if she can guarantee that, and she replies she can't, but he won't feel any the worse for it.

He resignedly asks her if he eats some of her food will she go away and leave him in peace. She tells him she will, so he grabs a plate and angrily puts it onto the table. Anna quietly tells him that Hayley looked very peaceful, and assures him he did the right thing, it was what she wanted.

"She could still be here!" says Roy. "She could have had a good day today, lots of days, weeks even". Anna replies that it was the right time for Hayley. But Roy can't be consoled. He goes on to say "She took herself away, I didn't want her to go. I should have done more, I shouldn't have let it happen. I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED HER!"

Oh Roy, you are breaking my heart.

Christine Warren

Written by Julie Jones Directed by David Kester

Anna arrives to find Roy sitting in the empty, closed cafe on his own. He berates himself, he should have tried harder to stop her. Anna begins to tell him he couldn't have done any different and he loved her just as Fiz comes in. They change the subject and Anna offers Fiz a cuppa. She seems flummoxed a bit at what she's interrupted, noticing the look Anna and Roy have given each other.

Chesney and Sinead are starting their day. Sinead assures Chesney that Beth will be on her best behaviour. Their peace won't be long lasting as there's a knock on the door. Beth, Kirk and Craig have arrived with their gear to move in.

This is observed by Gail from across the road, peeking through her nets. Nick is looking surly on the sofa, still in his robe. David looks tired, juggling Lily and Kylie and Max look equally worn out. Turns out they're all sharing the bedroom as Nick has been ensconced in Max's room for the time being. David and Kylie complain to each other in the kitchen. Gail moans about Beth moving in across the street then when Nick decides he's going back to bed, she has another moan about Leanne who will always be a Battersby to her. She clearly excuses all of Nick's behaviour as Not His Fault, which, to be fair, it isn't but he's the one that left Leanne not the other way around which is was Gail seems to imply.

Tim is doing some DIY. Sally lauds him as her hero. He sucks it all up and prevaricates that he shouldn't have taken on such a big bloke! He milks it for all it's worth. Sophie arrives and Sally points out that it all started with Sophie working at the shelter, first Sally's handbag and watch and now this. She hopes Sophie didn't tell anyone where she lived. Well she didn't but she *was* followed, unbeknownst to her. Sally thinks it's no coincidence and wonders if Maddy hadn't got some fella to come rob the house. Maybe she might even have him come back. This makes Tim look uncomfortable and reminds Sally he's installing good locks on the windows as well as the doors. Sophie watches his reaction with skepticism.

Kal comes running around the corner just as Dev is sorting out the flowers outside the shop. Kal stops to stretch and invites Dev to come out running tomorrow. Maybe. But Dev jokes that he's going for a big breakfast first. They chat about their conversation about opening a gym. Dev is considering investing and they make a date to chat about it later.

Chesney has come out of the door on his way to work and sees Tyrone come out of his house as well. Ches remarks that he'll actually be glad to get to work due to Beth and the rest moving in. Tyrone admires him for taking them all on but Ches reckons it'll work out. Fiz has returned from the cafe. They all three have a joke at Beth's expense. The conversation turns to Hayley and how it doesn't seem real yet. Fiz thinks about the last conversation she had, with Hayley telling them how proud she was of them. She realizes Hayley seemed to know it was coming. She also noticed that Roy and Anna were being suspicious. Tyrone doesn't think there was anything to it but Fiz isn't so sure. Tyrone hugs her.

Mary is helping Jenna in the cafe and wonders if a visit to the bat that was adopted in Roy's name might help distract him a bit. Mary takes the order of toast to the counter where it is for Tracy. She asks how Amy is, having seen her at the doctor earlier. Tracy clearly has no clue but pretends everything is fine. Mary mentions how good Michelle is with Amy and how lucky Amy is. Tracy gets snarky and leaves in a huff. Dev arrives and asks after Roy and if there's anything he can do. Mary realizes Dev and Roy now have something in common. Maybe Dev should take Roy golfing (in January?) because Roy likes the outdoors. Roy comes into the cafe behind them, slowly, and has overheard some of their conversation. He snips at Mary for gossiping and when she protests that she was only trying to help, he mutters that he's had enough of that for a lifetime. Everyone is quiet and you could cut the tension in the air.

Over at the Bistro, Leanne has a banging headache. Stella had recommended taking some time off but Leanne doesn't think sitting at home alone would do her any good. Gail's entry and instant tirade at Leanne doesn't do her any good either. Gail insists Nick only left because he was testing Leanne and wanted her to pledge her undying love. Stella is scornful and hands her a bucket and mop. Kal comes in for a juice and is sorry to hear Leanne and Nick have broken up. He offers to go chat with Nick later.

In the factory, Julie is talking about what kind of coffin she'd like. Eva says hers would be covered in bling. Fiz and Carla are upset by the chat. Sinead tells them about a Humanist type of funeral and they agree it sounds right for Hayley who has chosen all the itinerary for the service herself. Everyone admires Hayley for her organization and going her own route. Carla asks Fiz into the office, knowing she's as upset as Carla is herself. She is kind to Fiz who prefers to stay at work because it's keeping her busy. Before she goes back out onto the factory floor, she turns around and tentatively asks Carla if Hayley knew she was going to die that day. Carla tries to divert Fiz by reminding her that Hayley is now at peace and out of pain and to take comfort from that. Fiz looks unconvinced as the music rises for the break.

After the break, Beth has come into the pub. She's dressed nicely and she asks Michelle for a job, at least a trial for free. Michelle tells her they're overstaffed (though Tina's gone and Steve's at the cab office half the time). Tracy comes in demanding to know why Michelle had taken Amy to the doctor and nobody told her. Michelle tries to prevent Tracy from storming into the back room but isn't successful.

Kal has come to the shop to see Dev. Stella comes in. Dev is pleased to see her though she's in a mood having to deal with Gail. Dev flirts and makes her smile. He and Kal mention the gym. Dev waxes eloquent about being master of his domain. Half of the domain, Kal reminds him and wonders why his fantasies of being Mein Hoste of the gym don't include working out. Dev argues that he's the "front of house" man. Stella finds out what the plan is and thinks it's a good idea.

Amy's cuddled under a blanket on the sofa in the back room looking poorly. Tracy is trying to convince her to come home to Number 1 with her but she wants to stay with Michelle who smirks at the reaction she sees in Tracy. Tracy follows her out the room and thinks Amy must be delirious because she normally thinks Michelle is boring. Michelle knows that's not true and snaps at Tracy that Amy has turned out lovely in spite of her mother not because of her. She's given the short shrift and Michelle returns to Amy who is clearly affectionate to her, much to Tracy's frustration.

Sophie is helping out in the shelter. Maddy arrives and Sophie makes a beeline for her, asking if she knows anything about someone breaking into her house. Maddy calls her two faced and snide but Sophie calls her on it. Maddy was the one that stole from her and her mother, she shouldn't have to pay to get it back. Maddy is left speechless.

Nick and David are in the kitchen with Kylie. David and Kylie are enjoying each other's company, laughing and Nick sourly remarks that living and working together as they do will only end badly like it did for he and Leanne. The happy couple don't really take him seriously. Kylie offers to make Nick a sandwich and he's surly about that, too so she and David decide to go out for lunch, leaving him to stew in his own juices.

Sophie interrupts Maddy who's playing pool and implies that Maddy sent the bloke to their house. Maddy protests it was nothing to do with her. For sure. Sophie can see it was her that did the breaking in. Prove it, Maddy challenges. Sophie warns her not to bring any more grief to her house.

We're back to the cafe, where Fiz and Tyrone have arrived for a snack. Fiz asks Anna how Roy is. Not great. She says she'll go up to see him but Anna thinks he should be left on his own. Fiz asks Anna about Hayley's last minute invite the week before. She realized Hayley was in pain and getting upset and thinks Hayley was saying goodbye. Anna shrugs and says sometimes people just know. She's clearly uncomfortable with the conversation and implores Fiz just to let it go. Fiz is starting to realize that what she fears down deep just might be true.

Kal has come to visit Nick. He's up front, he's heard the news and tries to assure him. Leanne comes out of the Kabin, sees him and asks if he's ok. Nick smiles and says he is but it doesn't reassure her. Kal invites him out for a run tomorrow but Nick has decided it's not working for him.

Roy is up in the flat going through all the paperwork surrounding Hayley's demise, filling in forms and making lists. Fiz comes in to see him, promising not to stay too long. She offers to put the kettle on but he declines, he's had more than he needs, and it won't cure everything. She agrees. She reluctantly starts on what she wants to know. She tells him that Carla and Anna can't look her in the eye and she can tell they know something they're not telling her. He doesn't look inclined to talk, either and gets up to put the kettle on.

In the pub, Sally is not going to sit with the factory girls, preferring to stay to support Tim who's still wobbly. All the girls compliment him for his bravery. She and Tim go off to another table while the factory bees start a conversation about wrestling. Turns out Beth calls Kirk "Big Daddy" sometimes. I'm with Eva. I don't think I needed to know that! Beth is desperate for a job and will be the main cook and cleaner at Chesney's until such time as she can find one.

Back to the cafe flat, now. Fiz is pushing to find out what happens the night Hayley died. Roy doesn't want to go into it. Fiz knows there's more to it and presses. The credits roll. Tvor

Written by Jayne Hollinson and directed by David Kester

As they sit it his kitchen table, Roy tells Fiz that he begged Hayley not to do it. "Not to do what?" says Fiz, hardly daring to ask the question. So Roy tells her the truth, that Hayley planned everything, right down to ironing his shirt for the funeral, and then took her own life.

Having confronted Maddie, Sophie is leaving the drop-in centre. Maddie runs after her. She says Sophie would make a rubbish copper, giving up that easily. But Sophie says she-s got all the answers she needs. Maddie tells Sophie she-s not just a pretty face and adds that she is pretty . . . very pretty. She tells Sophie to give Tim her love and say she hopes he gets better soon, the wimp. Sophie smiles to herself as she walks away.

Fiz is telling Roy that she now understands why Hayley wanted to see them all and why she wasn't worried about catching Ruby-s cold. "She was saying goodbye, wasn't she?" she asks. But Fiz adds that it wasn't goodbye for her because she didn't know and if she had done she would have told Hayley how much she meant to her. She asks Roy why he didn't tell her and he explains that Hayley didn't want anyone to know. "But Anna and Carla knew, didn't they?" asks Fiz, starting to get angry. Roy gets angry too, saying it wouldn't have made any difference. Fiz spits back at him that it would because if she'd known she would have stopped her.

Downstairs in the cafe Anna is serving Dev when Fiz comes storming through. Anna and Fiz look at each other and Anna can see by the look on Fiz-s face that Roy must have told her what happened.

Deirdre is having a smoke on the doorstep while Tracy sounds off about Amy preferring to stay with Michelle. Her mother tells her it-s probably because Michelle shows Amy more sympathy when she-s ill. As they're talking, Sally and Tim come along and Deirdre asks if it-s true they got robbed. Sally confirms it and tells her that the bloke that did it was massive and like a builder on steroids but thanks to Tim they didn't take much. She says she-s going to take him to the Bistro tonight to thank him. After they've gone Tracy says she reckons Steve and Michelle are trying to turn Amy against her. "She wouldn't take much turning," observes Deirdre, taking a large drag on her cigarette. Tracy says she thought mothers were supposed to provide sympathy. Deirdre agrees and tells Tracy she'd do well to remember that.

In the Bistro Gail is busy stirring it with her waspish comments aimed at Leanne. She says that at least Nick-s not in that flat anymore and he-s better off with this family. Taking off her overall, Gail announces she'd best get home as she doesn't like leaving him on his own for too long. Leanne asks her to tell Nick she-s thinking of him. Then Kal comes in to book a table for later and Leanne asks him how he got on with Nick. He says he-s sorry but not very well unfortunately. Stella asks who the lucky lady is that he-s taking there for dinner. He looks surprised when he tells her its Dev.

Beth goes into the corner shop with a shopping list. She wants to cook something special for tea but when Sophie checks the list she says they don't stock half the ingredients and recommends Beth tries a delicatessen. But Beth can't afford it and will have to think again. After she-s gone, Steph asks Sophie about the break-in and Sophie lets her into the secret that it was Maddie. Steph thinks it-s hilarious that Tim-s been making out he was attacked by a big bloke. She-s all for Sophie telling her mum in the Bistro tonight but Sophie says she can't do that because she doesn't want to get Maddie in trouble. Steph says it doesn't mean they can't have a bit of fun, though.

Fiz is gathering her thoughts on the bench outside when Anna goes to see if she-s alright. But Fiz is really angry and now her anger is directed at Anna too. She accuses her of enjoying being the only one in on things. She says Anna should have told her because then she could have done something. "Done what?" asks Anna. "Got Hayley to see that her illness was imaginary?" She tells Fiz that Hayley wouldn't have listened to either of them because she wouldn't even listen to Roy, even though he tried. "Then he should have tried harder," shouts Fiz. Trying to keep her voice down Anna tells Fiz that he did and that-s why Hayley moved out and went to stay with Fiz and Ty. Fiz is even more upset when she realises that Hayley never even told her then. Anna continues to try and reason with her but Fiz is getting more furious by the minute and points out that it was assisted suicide. Anna thinks perhaps Fiz is worried about Roy so she tells her there-s no need because she washed up the glass that Hayley used. Fiz looks at Anna in disgust and says that she scurried around hiding the evidence and now she-s trying to make it look above board. Anna says that if Hayley wanted to die in her own bed with her husband by her side, that was her choice. "And what if it was the wrong choice?" asks Fiz. By now Anna is getting angry with Fiz and she asks Fiz if she feels that strongly about it, why doesn't she go and report it to the police? "After all," she says sarcastically, "that will really help Roy, won't it?"

Beth takes a cup of tea out to Tim who is cleaning the windows. She asks him if he knows any easy recipes so she can make a nice tea for Sinead and Ches to say thank you for taking her in but the best Tim can come up with is suggesting she goes round the chippy. Deirdre comes out to ask if Tim can give her windows the once over so Beth asks her for recipe ideas. Deirdre says she knows just the thing - the family love her stuffed marrow. As she says this, Tracy stands behind her making fingers-down-the-throat gestures at Beth.

Meanwhile, Gail is at home with Nick and she-s also trying to come up with suggestions of tempting treats to cook for his tea. But Nick is getting fed up with her clucking around him like a mother hen and he tells her if she wants something to look after she should get a kitten. Gail says she-s allergic to cats. "Well I'm allergic to you," Nick retorts angrily. Just then there-s a knock at the door. It-s Leanne who-s come to see how Nick is. Gail says she hopes she has better luck than her as she shows Leanne in. Leanne asks how Nick is and he says he-s angry so Leanne asks him what happened to his idea that they should try and work things through together. Seeing she-s not getting anywhere with him she tries a different tack. She tells him that the Bistro won't run itself before dumping a pile of paperwork down next to him and storming out. Nick is left sitting on the sofa, looking bewildered.

In the factory, Fiz is sitting wordlessly over her machine while all the others leave to go home, chatting about what they're up to that evening. Carla goes over to Fiz and asks if she-s OK. Fiz says not really. "You knew, didn't you?" she adds.

Beth is stirring something dubious on the stove when the others come home. Kirk wonders about the smell and asks whether he left his trainers on the radiator again. They ask Beth what she-s making. She says she doesn't know really, she sort of made it up. Sinead asks what-s in it and the reply comes back that it-s everything that Beth could find in the fridge . . .

In the factory everyone has gone home except Carla and Fiz. Carla tells Fiz that she wasn't in on Hayley-s secret, she just guessed when she saw Anna cleaning the glass. Fiz-s anger is turning to grief as she tells Carla that Roy and Hayley were like parents to her and that she didn't get the chance to tell Hayley how she really felt. Carla says she-s sure Hayley already knew. Fiz asks why Hayley didn't confide in her so Carla says she was probably trying to protect her. As she gently wipes away Fiz-s tears she suggests that it may be Fiz-s job now to protect Roy.

Kal arrives at the Bistro for his dinner with Dev but as he-s there first he has a chat at the bar with Stella. He talks about his two children and the difficulties of being a parent. He asks whether Leanne was as feisty when she was growing up but Stella avoids the question. And talk of the devil, Leanne then walks in. She apologises to Kal about Nick-s behaviour earlier and says that she-s just taken some paperwork over to him, hoping it might chivvy him along. She says she has to remind herself that Nick isn't her responsibility any more but she just feels sorry for him. Kal tells Leanne that she uses the word sorry too much. She agrees and he jokes that she shouldn't apologise for it.

Round at Ches-s they're all struggling to eat Beth-s meal. Sinead asks what the sauce stuff is and she says it-s mainly yoghurt. Craig complains it-s got lumps in it and Beth tells him that will be the Branston pickle. They all try to be polite but Beth admits she-s not cut off for this domestic lark and what she really needs to do is get a job. Sinead suggests that now the dust has settled perhaps she should try to get her old job back. Beth agrees she'll give it a try.

Roy is putting the chairs up on the table sin the cafe when Fiz comes in. Roy looks wary but Fiz has come to apologise. Roy says she shouldn't be sorry, he doesn't blame her for hating him but Fiz says she doesn't hate him, it was just a lot to take in. Fiz asks if it was the pain that Hayley was frightened of so Roy explains that she was fearful of the strong painkillers and that they might have made her become who she used to be. Fiz says sadly that she wished Hayley had talked to her but Roy replies that Hayley felt she and Ty had been through enough. "That was Hayley," says Fiz. "Always thinking of other people before herself."

Dev and Kal are discussing their business plan. Dev tells Kal that he thinks he'll only have time to be a sleeping partner which suits Kal down to the ground. Dev concludes they're a match made in heaven as they shake hands on the deal.

Sally comes in to the Bistro with Tim and is surprised to see Sophie there but she says she-s only called in for a drink. Steph tells Tim that she-s heard he-s been well brave. He says he only did what any man would do. Steph asks what the man looked like but Tim says he didn't get a chance to look at him. "What, even though you were punching him?" Sophie wants to know. Sally says he told the police he had long hair. "What, you means like a girl?" asks Steph. Sophie says maybe it was a girl and before he can get grilled any further, Tim hurries Sally over to their table.

Back in the cafe Fiz tells Roy that at least she understands now. Roy says that he doesn't. Fiz says Hayley was scared but Roy says so was he and they could have been of comfort to each other, right to the end. In his mind Hayley took the short cut and left him behind, to be scared on his own, to re-live the terrible memories. Fiz says there were good memories too and those are the ones Roy has to hang on to but he says he can't because Hayley-s wiped out all the good memories with the bad. He starts to voice them and gets upset, saying he should have knocked the glass out of Hayley-s hand. He asks what he was thinking of. Fiz takes his hand and tells him he was thinking of Hayley and that he was being the bravest he-s ever been.

Karen

Over in the Platt household, it's breakfast time and there is normal family hustle and bustle going on, and Max is watching tv. Nick is irritable, he's trying to concentrate on some paperwork and wants the tv turned down. Kylie tries to diffuse the situation by suggesting that Max goes upstairs to wash his face and brush his teeth. Nick mutters that he doesn't know why Max can't watch his own tv. "Because you're in his bedroom, that's why," snaps Kylie.

Tyrone goes into the cafe, and Fiz comes down with Roy's suit which she hands to Ty to take to the cleaners.

Upstairs in the flat, Roy is preparing to polish his shoes as per the instructions. He pulls the shoebox out from under the bed, but when he opens it, there on top of his shoes is a small red album with a heart on the front and the words 'Memories'. He pauses for a moment and then tosses it aside without even opening it.

In Sally's house, she's not pleased to hear that Sophie is going to spend her day off work helping at the shelter, especially as she has been subjected to a mini crime wave. Sophie steers the conversation to Tim and his 'heroic' incident, and wonders if they should let the local papers know. Sally thinks this could be a marvelous idea, but Tim, of course, is dead against the idea. "What's your game?" he asks Sophie quietly. "I could ask you the same thing," she says.

Over in the corner shop, Dev and Kal are discussing the new gym they're setting up. Stella comes in and gets involved in the conversation, saying she'll be signing up. Dev says he can just see her in lycra, then realises how it sounds and tries to backtrack, just digging himself a deeper and deeper hole.

Roy is furiously polishing his shoes when Fiz arrives with Susie who is going to lead the funeral service. Fiz says she'll make herself scarce, but Roy would prefer her to stay so that he doesn't have to answer a whole lot of questions afterwards. Fiz notices the album and remarks that he's found it, but Roy is tight lipped about it. They all sit down round the table. "Normally...." begins Susie. Roy stops her, saying that there is nothing normal about this situation.

Tracy calls at the pub to see Amy, who is lying on the sofa feeling a little poorly. Tracy suggests she goes home with her, they'll watch a film, but Amy doesn't want to. Steve then reminds her that there's a game she's been after from Tracy's shop. Amy says she doesn't have enough money, she only has three pounds and it costs fifteen. Tracy says that as she's boss she's sure they can come to some arrangement, and this makes Amy happy so off she goes with her mum.

Susie runs though the order of the service with Roy, and says she will talk about how Hayley will be remembered in the hearts and minds of her friends and loved ones. She then asks Roy if she can share some thoughts about the sort of person she thinks Hayley was. The sort of person who always cared for others, who always put herself last. Fiz agrees with her, but Roy looks away, frowning and remains silent. Susie asks if he disagrees and says she would like to hear what he thinks and tells him it's ok to be angry, grief is complicated. People don't always get to say what they want before the end. "Or in the aftermath," says Roy. A worried Fiz is on tenterhooks and starts to say they should perhaps call it a day, but Susie goes on. She says she can't change what has happened, but she's there to listen. She wonders if something is bothering him and whether he'd like some input - the choice of music perhaps? Roy starts to speak then, angrily saying that the choice of music was his wife's choice, the type of funeral that she's just outlined was his wife's choice and he's been polishing his best shoes today because that was his wife's choice! He shoves the shoebox aside and strides from the room.

Fiz is over at Underworld, talking to Carla about Roy and what happened at the flat earlier. Carla comments that Roy has lost the love of his life and you don't get over that in a couple of days. She says she'll go with Fiz to see him later.

In the salon, Mary is talking to David and trying to choose a new hairstyle. She says she wants to look nice for Hayley's funeral.

Leanne comes in and makes an appointment, asking how things are at home. Kylie overhears and says that it's crowded. Leanne asks if everything is ok with Nick. Kylie says he hasn't lost it again, but she might!

Kirk and Sinead are off to work, leaving Beth standing in the doorway. Sinead suggests Beth gets the bus to town and offers her some money, but Beth won't take it. Carla is walking along and sees this. Sinead spots Carla, and asks Beth if she's spoken to her about getting her job back, but Beth says she's waiting for the right moment. Sinead raises her eyebrows so Beth runs after Carla, asking if she's got a minute.

Carla turns around as Beth says how sorry she is about Hayley, she knows they were close. Carla then asks her how the job hunting is going, and Beth says it's slow, but she'll find something. "Or you could come back and work for me," says Carla as Beth turns to walk away. Beth turns back. "When do you want me to start?" Carla asks when she wants to start. "Now?" says Beth. "Good answer," says Carla, and they walk across to the factory together. "Hayley was lucky to have you as a mate," says Beth. "Oh, I was the lucky one," replies Carla.

Up in the flat, Roy is just standing, arms folded, staring at the 'Memories' book and looking cross and unhappy.

At Deirdre's house, Tracy and Amy are playing a word game together and laughing. Deirdre comes in pleased to see them having fun for a change. When Amy goes off to get more juice from the kitchen, Tracy remarks that Amy is a laugh, but she's working long hours trying to get a business off the ground. Deirdre reminds her that Amy is getting older all the time, she mustn't blow her chance with her.

Sophie is at the shelter and she accosts Maddie about breaking into her house. She tells her she hasn't called the police because she doesn't want to get Maddie in trouble. Maddie wants to know why she cares about what happens to her and wants to help her. Maddie starts to walk out, saying she doesn't want help she wants the fifty pounds. Sophie goes after her. "So you can buy drugs?" she asks. Maddie stops and turns, and says that it's not for her, it's for her mum who is even more messed up than she is.

In the Rovers, Sally, Jenna and Sean are discussing what they're going to wear to the funeral. Kal is telling Leanne, Stella and Deirdre about his plans for the gym. Deirdre (who seems to think the world starts and ends in Weatherfield) is doubtful it will be a success as no one round there would use it.

Beth, Kirk and Sinead come in, Beth is delighted to have her job back.

Gail and Nick come in, but he doesn't seem happy to see Leanne there, and quickly makes an excuse and leaves.

Tracy takes Amy back home to the pub. He remarks that she seems a lot happier, and Tracy says she's going to do better in future. Steve hopes so, Amy deserves better.

Fiz and Carla go into the cafe to see Roy and find him cooking. They ask why he's not cooking upstairs. He doesn't reply at first, but then says he's hungry. He then gives Fiz the 'Memories' book, he was going to dispose of it, but it's hers if she wants it. She knows he hasn't even looked at it. Carla says she knows he's not himself, she's heard how earlier he nearly said something he shouldn't. "You are referring to the truth?" says Roy. Carla says that what's done is done, it won't help anyone if he gets himself into trouble. "You talk as if I had something to lose," says Roy. Carla tells him that things will make more sense after the funeral. "I shan't be attending the funeral," says Roy. Fiz is astounded and tells him he can't do that. "I have allowed my wife to take her own life, forgive me if I'm not in the mood to celebrate," he says, and turns back to his cooking.

Anne Logan

I hope some statistician is checking up on worldwide sales of tissues in recent weeks...

It's the day of Hayley's funeral, so get a handful and read on.

Roy sits on the sofa in his 'jamas and dressing gown while Fiz bangs on the door. She lets herself in and Roy just says, "I haven't changed my mind." She says she knows he's angry and she understands why but if he doesn't go today he'll never forgive himself. "You had 16 wonderful years with Hayley. All you have got to do is remember how much you loved her." She tells him she'll be outside with the others at 10.

Carla's in a red dress with a red coat. Peter comments that red is also his favourite colour. He tells her she's allowed to be sad. "Nobody's expecting Tough Carla today. The phone goes. Carla tells Peter it's Fiz stressing about the eulogy.

Tim's put on his bright green County football shirt and can't understand why Sally says it's not appropriate. Sophie comes down wearing that awful woollen hat (maybe it's a product placement - why would she wear it all the time otherwise?) and announces that she's off out to the homeless shelter but will be back in time to go to the funeral. Sally tries to talk her out of it but she says she's got an article to finish and has to go to the shelter.

Carla's gone to see Fiz to discuss the problem of Roy. When Carla's gone, Tyrone starts asking questions.

Leanne and Simon meet Nick in the street. Leanne tells him she's going to move in with her mum so Nick can have the flat back. Simon's quite happy with this - moving in with Stella will make him the man of the house.

Fiz has told Tyrone about Hayley taking her own life. She wishes Hayley had confided in her. Tyrone says it's no wonder Roy is in bits.

Rob's in the street. He's talking to someone on the phone and when he ends the call, shouts across to Tracy that he's blagged VIP access to a club. Tracy says she's not going. She's going to stay in and watch Tangled with Amy. Rob's shocked that Tracy would turn down a free bar.

Steve and Michelle are into a "you-did-no-you-did" argument over which one of them forgot to call the caterer and organise food for the wake. Michelle says Steve's the laziest, most cowardly man she's ever met. Steve's not disputing that. But he is disputing her accusation that the oversight is his fault. Michelle points out that whoever's fault it was, they can't feed 40 mourners on cheese-and-onion crisps.

Carla and Peter call in and Michelle tells them she and Steve won't be going to the funeral. They've got to stay behind and sort out the food.

Roy has the photograph album Hayley made for him. He flicks through it and Hayley's life with him flashes before our eyes. Then he throws it to the floor and sinks back into the sofa.

Out in the street, Sinead, Chesney, Beth and Kirk are brightly dressed for the funeral. They're going to gather with everyone else outside the cafe.

Fiz and Carla discuss what to do. Carla asks her for the keys to Roy's flat.

At the shelter, Sophie talks to Eleanor, the manager, about the back stories of the shelter's clients. She specifically asks about Maddie. Eleanor, who wouldn't last long there in real life if she blabbed about the clients, tells her Maddie has a mother with mental health problems and a brother who is in care. Sophie gets a call from Sally and tells her she's just on her way back. But as she leaves she meets Maddie arriving. Maddie snaps at her and Sophie turns around.

Carla and Fiz let themselves in to see Roy. They try to tell him he'll never forgive himself if he doesn't go to the funeral but Roy says that, on the contrary, he'd never forgive himself if he went through with this charade. "It's what Hayley wanted," says Fiz. "It's all about what Hayley wanted," Roy says. Carla's had enough. She fetches his suit and takes the dry cleaner's cover off it. She tells him to put it on. He's going to the funeral whether he likes it or not.

Everyone's gathered outside the cafe. Anna looks anxiously up at the windows of the flat. Julie's already in tears. Eileen's remaining cynical. Or, as she puts it, "Hayley would have wanted some of us to remain dignified." Norris wears the bow tie he wore when he and Hayley danced at the town hall. Emily thinks that's lovely. Mary calls out from a distance. She's dressed in full flamenco, to Norris's horror. "What does she look like?" he mutters. "marvelous!" answers Rita.

Hayley arrives. Carla sees the hearse from the window and Fiz helps Roy do up his tie. Hayley's casket is a cardboard one printed with flowers all over. David thinks it's cool. Mary says Hayley wanted to melt back into the earth. Nobody points out that she would have done anyway because she's being cremated. Norris is horrified all over again. He says he wants a mahogany coffin with brass handles and a silk lining. "Noted," says Emily, in a tone which suggests she might arrange this quite soon. Tyrone tells Anna that Roy will be down - Fiz and Carla are helping him get ready. Some members of the crowd discuss the lack of flowers. Jenna says she knows Hayley asked for donations instead but she's still surprised. Sally thinks the lack of flowers makes Hayley look lonely.

Carla, Roy and Fiz come out. Roy looks quite stunned when he sees the coffin. Tyrone tells Fiz to travel with Roy in the "official" car. Steve and Michelle come over. They tell Lloyd about the catering crisis and say they've just come over to see Hayley off. The hearse moves away.

Deirdre goes into Barlow's Buys to give Tracy her phone. She overhears Rob on the phone telling someone he's going to twist Tracy's arm and get her to come along tonight. "She is a mother, you know," Deirdre tells him. She says Tracy might be selfish and lazy but she loves Amy and if push came to shove, Tracy would choose Amy over Rob any day.

Suzie the celebrant waits outside the crematorium. She hands Roy a daffodil and says today will be difficult but perhaps it will also be cathartic. "We'll give her a good send-off." Fiz gets him to go inside with Tyrone.

Maddie's face is swollen though she says it's just make-up, claiming a few bruises make for bigger donations when she's begging. But she moves away when Sophie tries to touch it. Sophie asks if Maddie's mum did it. Maddie's really annoyed by that - has Sophie been checking up on her? I'd started to think you were all right!" She leaves.

As the pallbearers gather, Sally tells Beth she can't carry the coffin while wearing such high heels. Beth retorts that she's been wearing heels since she was 10. Carla puts her in the middle just in case. Sean is reassured that the cardboard coffin is very very strong. Sally doesn't think it's appropriate that she's at the back. "Does it matter?" snaps Julie. "Remember why we're here!"

Sophie chases Maddie, shouting for her to stop. Maddie screams that Sophie should leave her alone. Sophie screams back that she wants to help. Maddie seems a bit lost for what to do next. She grabs Sophie and kisses her hard. Then she runs away.

The celebrant leads the pallbearers and coffin into the crem to the sound of Freddie Mercury singing Don't Stop Me Now. The celebrant says Hayley hoped it might give them a laugh. It certainly seems to have put a grin on Peter's face. Beginning the Humanist service, she tells them that we are all concerned in the death of an individual because we are all part of one human community. No-one is independent or separate.

Steve arrives back at the pub with a large box of food including bread and ready-made pizzas. He looks as if he wants congratulations but it seems he forgot to buy any fillings for the sandwiches.

Carla reads Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep, by Mary Elizabeth Frye. Roy seems a long, long way away.

Nick's at the bistro and, just for certain Canadian viewers who have been asking, we see a chef in the background! David comes in. Nick wants to tell him he's moving out. David worries that Nick feels forced out but Nick says he's relieved to be going. Michelle comes in - Nick's made up a box of sandwich fillings and won't take payment, telling her to put the money in Hayley's collection.

The celebrant says life's permanence lies in the memories of those who know us. "The love and laughter that filled Hayley's life will live in the memories of those who knew her far longer than the sadness of her leaving."

Fiz gets up to give her eulogy. She talks about the first time she met Roy and Hayley, when she was a "gobby 16-year-old girl" who said their house was old-fashioned and her room was too small. Hayley took her shopping the next day and let Fiz give her a makeover. Hayley told her, "You have got a great sense of style, Fiz. Don't let anyone tell you different." Fiz says that's the kind of person Hayley was. "She never put herself first." As she continues in this vein, Roy leaps to his feet. "No! No! No! People deserve to know the truth. I'm sorry. They do!"

That's all for the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Written by: Ellen Taylor
Directed by: David Kester

You could hear a pin drop in the room, everyone wondering what Roy is going to say, especially Fiz, Anna and Carla who are holding their breath. He begins, "She was not perfect, she was flawed". He then looks at the floral casket, and gently says "She was real, she was my light, my beautiful coruscating light" He goes on to say how his life had been a dark corner until she came into it, and he could see the world with her. He understood love, she was his constant and his compass. "Hayley was my truth, without her....." he is lost for words, and Tyrone comes to his rescue, gently helping him back to his seat.

The food back at the Rovers is looking delicious. They even have Scotch Eggs, one of my personal favourites. I am wondering why they have them displayed whole, instead of cutting them in half, as is the usual way of serving them, when Steve answers that question for me. He picks up three of them and juggles them, or rather tries to juggle them, one flies across the bar and lands on the floor at the feet of a very disapproving Michelle. Miss Frosty Knickers of course sees no fun in it, and tells him off, then - and I can't believe this - she picks the egg up off the floor and puts it back on the plate! She then places a lovely framed photo of Hayley on the bar, and sheds a little tear. Steve puts his arm around her. (She doesn't deserve him!)

Back to the humanist ceremony, the congregation are invited to place the daffodils they were given at the door on Hayley's coffin to symbolise all she meant to them. Roy immediately hands his to Anna. She then announces that Hayley's next choice of music was the 2nd movement of Bach's Double Violin Concerto. Roy looks up in surprise, and is told that Hayley had said she remembered him telling her that violins were the closest instrument to the human voice, and that this was the perfect duet. Roy sits alone while everyone else goes forward to place their daffodil on the casket beside the inscription which reads 'Hayley Anne Cropper, At Rest, 20th January, 2014, Aged 47 Years'.

I have to say it. This next scene seems so totally out of place, I just felt the need to stay with those people at the ceremony, I couldn't care less about Sophie and her love life, especially not at a time like this!

Sophie is now at the shelter asking if they have seen Maddie. They haven't, so she instructs the woman there if she sees her to tell her it's OK, she didn't mind. The woman wants to know what that message is all about, but Sophie just tells her Maddie will know what she means. Her phone announces yet another text from Sally wondering where she is, so she rushes off again.

The ceremony is over now and they have steered Roy outside to accept the condolences of all the attendees as they leave. The poor man is standing there totally stunned. He holds up quite well, even through a bear hug from Julie, but when Sally comes out and burst into tears instead of speaking to him, it's all too much, and he excuses himself and runs off. Fiz wants to run after him, but Tyrone suggests they give him a little space. Telling them to go on, he says he will bring Roy back himself.

Tracy and Amy come into Barlow's Buys to check out the DVD's, the plan is to have a girlie night in at home. Amy tells Rob they are going to wear their pyjamas and everything. Rob replies that he doesn't have any pyjamas, and asks if he will be OK in just a dressing gown. Tracy laughs, and tells him he will look a bit of a chump in a dressing gown at a night club. He informs her he was thinking of not going to a night club after all, and would like to watch DVD's with them if they don't mind. Tracy tells him it will be OK as long as he likes Princesses, he tells her he is certainly used to dealing with them. The deal is decided when he bribes Amy with the offer of him bringing toffee popcorn along.

The mourners are now trickling into the Rovers, and Mary notices Norris is wearing a bow tie. He tells her he used to wear it when he and Hayley went dancing, Mary asks him if he might do the Cha Cha Cha with her later, as she knows Hayley wanted them to dance. He tells her maybe, but doesn't sound very enthusiastic.

In the Rovers, everyone is sitting around talking about Hayley, life, death, relationships, opposites being attracted to one another. Peter tells Steve and Lloyd the story about humans originally being born with two sets of everything, but were too strong, so the Gods split them up, and everyone ever since has spent their whole time looking for their other half. Steve asks him if he has found his, and he replies in the affirmative, (yes, just as long as Tina isn't around!) The whole conversation has depressed Lloyd, as he is still looking.

Sophie arrives full of apologies for missing Hayley's funeral, lying that her phone had died, so couldn't call. She tells Sally that Maddie might be in trouble and need help. Sally is unsympathetic that she would miss Hayley's funeral for a homeless girl, but Sophie is unrepentant, reiterating that she might need help because she is vulnerable. She shouts at Sally that Hayley would have understood, and flounces off out the door again.

Tyrone has found Roy sitting on a bench gazing at the headstones. He persuades him to come to the Rovers, saying everyone is waiting there for him. The moment he arrives, the room goes quiet, and everyone looks at him, which he obviously hates, but Steve breaks the ice by offering him a drink. All those who were not at the funeral are now offering their condolences, he is beginning to look like a frightened rabbit caught in the headlights.

Leanne gives Gail her set of keys, asking her to give them to Nick, telling her he is moving back into the flat, as it makes more sense for her to move in with her mother. Gail is not happy about this, saying he shouldn't be on his own, he needs looking after, and she had intended to be the one to do it as she (Leanne) had abandoned him.

Roy has crept away to sit alone at a table, but he's not alone for long. Mary comes over and prattles on about a chess problem in the paper that is puzzling her. She is obviously trying to get his mind onto something other than Hayley, and tells him to take his time thinking about it, and if he wants to work it out over a board sometime to let her know, as the offer is always there. With that she leaves him alone. He still hasn't spoken a word to anyone, and still looks totally stunned. Norris notices what Mary was trying to do, and smiles.

Sophie is now in the Bistro talking to Steph about the fact that Maddie kissed her. (Do you really care people? I certainly don't!) The conversation ends with Steph telling Sophie she is a mess, which she is, so let's not talk about her any more! (Don't get me wrong, it is not because she is gay, I would feel the same if this stupidity was going on between a straight couple between segments of Hayley's funeral, it's just so trivial by comparison, and I have no patience with it).

Nick arrives in the Rovers and gives Roy his condolences. He is then tackled by Gail who demands to know why he is moving out, she tells him she thought he liked being at home. He looks at her in amazement, and says "No offence Mum, but why would I?" Leaving the Rovers, he is followed outside by Leanne, who tells him she is sorry it's come to this. He smiles, saying it could be worse, and asks her to give Simon a hug from him.

Beth is really enjoying the free bar inside the Rovers, they are ready for a toast, and want Carla to do it, but they can't find her. Anna is trying to persuade Roy to eat a sausage roll, but he isn't interested. She tells him when he has had enough, she will take him home.

Peter goes looking for Carla, and finds her crying outside in the smoking shelter. He comforts her, and she tells him she doesn't know what she would do without him. Inside, Roy is centre of attention again. People left right and centre are offering to cook meals for him, come over and do his housework, play cards etc. etc. He is looking decidedly overwhelmed. Carla then stands up and asks people to drink a toast to Hayley Cropper - what a woman! She then pulls out a sheet of paper and reads a message Hayley had written. It reads as follows: "Now stop moping about and have a good old party!" As a cheer goes up, the camera pans to Roy, he is not cheering, he is still not speaking, he looks as if someone has hit him between the eyes.

Someone puts on some Cha Cha Cha music, and Mary rushes out of the Rovers in tears. Michelle comes over to Steve, and finally admits to him that she had said she would call the caterers, that it wasn't his fault after all. "I know", says Steve. She apologises, saying she is sorry. "I know", says Steve. She tells him she is such a cow, and I want him to say "I know" again, but he doesn't, he tells her he usually deserves it. She goes on to tell him she loves him, and he says "I know".

Mary is out in the smoking shelter now. She is wearing a beautiful Spanish dress, the Cha Cha is on the box and having nobody to dance with, she dances alone. Norris rounds the corner and watches her for a minute, then tells her she needs to work on her footwork, and her timing is a bit out. He goes on to tell her it's easier with a partner, and they have a delightful little scene dancing together round the back yard. They are watched from a distance by Rita, Emily and Dennis, who are all smiling warmly at them.

Deirdre arrives home, saying she wishes Ken had been at the funeral with her. She is surprised to see Rob having a girlie night with Tracy and Amy. He asks her if she too would like to be one of his girls. They pull her up a chair, and instead of telling Rob "Over my dead body", she tells them all that it sure beats coming back to an empty house. (I wonder how Ken will feel about that when he comes back? We know now that he definitely will be back!)

Back in the Rovers, the dancing has mostly stopped and everyone is singing along to 'Close to You' with Karen Carpenter. Nobody is paying any attention to Roy now, and he quietly picks up his shopping bag and goes out the door.

Tim and Sally arrive home, and Sophie, who is sitting on the sofa apologises to Sally for not being there. She tells her she feels awful about it, and tells her she is sorry for shouting at her earlier. She said she wasn't angry at her, she was more angry at herself. She goes on to say she hopes Hayley can forgive her. Sally tells her Hayley was a very forgiving soul. "Is a forgiving soul", corrects Sophie. Sally smiles and tells her she hopes so, as she would like to think of her looking down on them, keeping up with all the gossip. "Yes," says Sophie. "And looking after Roy". Sally replies she thinks they are all going to have to help her with that.

Talking of Roy, Tyrone and Fiz suddenly realise he is no longer there. The two of them and Anna then have a debate as to whether they should pop across to the cafe to make sure he is alright. Anna is of the mind they should let him be alone for a bit, but Fiz needs to know he is OK, and takes off at the double, followed closely by Anna.

In a booth, a pretty drunk Beth is cuddling up to Kirk. She slurs "I love you Kirkeh". He replies "I love you an all". She then says "Will you marry me?" Our Kirk nearly falls off his chair, and says "Eh?" She looks up at him through bleary eyes and says "Will ya?" Beaming from ear to ear as he thinks about it, he says "I will - I do!!" Looking down to see if she is just as pleased, his response from her is a long snore, she has passed out on his shoulder. Now we have to wonder if she will remember any of this when she wakes up! I do hope so, I think this will be a fun wedding!

When Fiz and Anna arrive at the cafe they find it in darkness with all the doors locked. Inside they find a note from Roy which says "I have gone to see Mother at Auntie Jean's. I leave Anna in charge of the cafe" Fiz is really surprised that he would go to see his mother, Anna too, saying she doubts she will be much comfort to him. Fiz is comforted at the thought though, at least she knows he is safe.

But is he though? We now see Roy walking determinedly through the crowded streets of Manchester. Where is he going?

Christine Warren

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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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