2014



Friday 2 May

It's breakfast time and Kal's in the kitchen in his vest. All he can find in the kitchen is dried basil and an adjustable spanner. He and Leanne kiss and Eva comes out - she's thrilled when she sees the two of them together.

Sophie's getting all positive about Devon. She's looking for a map so they can show Ben. Maddy's still depressed. In a box from the loft she finds the programme of service for Sophie and Sian's wedding that never was. Sophie calms her down and says she's not the only person who's done stupid things.

Fiz thinks she might invite Maria round for her tea. Tyrone thinks they should keep their distance but Fiz says the only thing she was really worried about was Tyrone talking about their relationship. Tyrone says Maria's not got over Marcus and Fiz says Maria can talk to them both about that.

Eva cross-examines Leanne and Kal. "Can I tell me mum?" No. The door buzzes and it's Nick. Eva says Leanne isn't there but he insists he has to drop off something. She unlocks the door and Leanne and Kal vanish into the bedroom. Nick comes up and gives Eva a cinema flyer. He thinks he and Leanne could take Simon together. He asks where Leanne's gone. Eva makes up a story about Leanne going to a farm to see about a new beef supplier in Alfreton, Derbyshire. Nick puts the flyer under Leanne's phone and says she's sure to come back for it. He tells Eva he just really wants to get everything right. He goes and Leanne and Kal come out. Kal leaves and Leanne looks worried.

Jenna, Lloyd and Andrea come out into the street laughing and joking - until Lloyd sees Steve outside the cab office with a flask of something. "That better not be a protein drink!" says Lloyd. Steve says it's coffee and he's got it because Michelle made proper coffee for once. "Do I look like a man who needs a protein shake?" Lloyd says he's off to the cafe for a full English. Steve's had his and is looking forward to an iced finger for his elevenses. Andrea thinks they're like a pair of kids.

Maddy's trying to get some money out of Tyrone but he says she has to wait for the end of the day. Maddy says she needs it to get credit for her phone so she can ring her brother. She wants 30 quid but Tyrone says she hasn't even earned that much. He offers a fiver and she negotiates up to a tenner. He hands it over just as Sally comes past. "Did I just witness a mugging or a mug?" she asks.

Kal checks his phone. His father mentions Kal spending the night away. "Don't get used to it," says Kal.

Leanne arrives back at the bistro. She tells Nick the beef wasn't as good as their current supplier's. Nick asks about a movie with Simon. Leanne reluctantly agrees they should go.

Sally and Tim snipe at each other in the shop. Tim's buying detergent for his window round. Sophie's just worried about Maddy. She gave her money for a bacon buttie and she's not been back. Sally mentions Maddy getting money from Tyrone.

Eva comes into the bistro and asks Leanne if she wants the flat to herself tonight. Leanne says she and Nick are taking Simon to the pictures. She says she can't tell Nick about Kal just yet. Eva knows it's difficult. Leanne doesn't want to set Nick back but Eva says it'll set him back even further if he finds out they've been sneaking around behind his back for ages. It's time Leanne decided what to do.

Fiz sees Maria in the street and asks her to come for tea. Maria says she's sure this Kirsty thing will sort itself out. "Maybe she's not trying to scare you. Maybe she's just not thinking straight." Fiz says Maria's had Marcus to deal with and they shouldn't all fall out. She goes off leaving Maria standing there handily placed to see a taxi pull up outside Eileen's to drop off Marcus. Her smile vanishes.

Tim takes Sophie a bacon buttie. She talks about Maddy's brother and he asks if the foster parents can take Ben away if his mum lives up here. Sophie says if it came to a choice between Devon and Maddy's mum, even she would choose Devon. Tim thinks maybe folk say the same about him. He didn't take responsibility for Faye and legged it. "I'd rather be homeless than take responsibility." Sophie didn't realise he'd been homeless. He says he was a coward. Sophie asks him to stay in the shop for two minutes while she goes to get her phone charger.

She gets home to find Maddy in the kitchen setting up for baking a cake. Ben comes into the room. Maddy tells Sophie she has permission to have him - she went to talk to his foster family and they suggested she have him for the day. "To be honest I think he was getting in the way of their packing," she says. Sophie tells her Tim's taking care of the shop. Maddy pleads for her to stay. It's the only day they'll have with Ben.

Lloyd, Andrea and Jenna discuss going to the pub. Steve, carrying a sports shoes bag, dodges away so they don't see him. Jenna can't believe Lloyd's going to drink alcohol when he's supposed to be preparing for the race. Lloyd says he might even have time for a fag first.

Maria looks out her window.

Lloyd takes a deep drag on his cigarette in the ginnel and opens the door to the pub yard to see Steve lacing up new shoes. "You Judas!"

Kal's dad thinks he needs to take out some anger on gym equipment. Kal snaps at him.

Ches wants to meet Sinead at the bistro for a proper date.

Across the road, Maria's banging on Eileen's door like some demented woodpecker. Marcus, wearing almost nothing, opens the door and she starts going on at him. "Was that the plan to pretend you were going forever and then to come back and where is he is he upstairs did I disturb you because you disturb me and I tell you what I won't hide away from you Marcus and if you think you're coming anywhere near me . . ." Marcus tries to say that he's alone and was having a shower. Maria's shouting draws Tyrone's attention and he comes over to drag her away - just in time because she picks up a bottle and is about to hit Marcus with it.

Sophie, Ben and Maddy sit on the sofa. Maddy questions Sophie about whether she wants children. Maddy suggests they could take on Ben. She starts to act silly, annoying Ben, who's trying to watch something on TV. She tells him that if he makes cakes with her they'll adopt him. Sophie tells her not to promise anything she can't do. Maddy tries to argue that she's been the one constant in Ben's life but Sophie knows Ben loves his new family. She thinks the plan is crazy. Maddy waves the wedding thing under Sophie's nose. "So you don't love me like you loved her - enough to do something crazy?" Sophie protests that she does. "We could do this," says Maddy.

Sally arrives home in a very good mood with a zombie DVD of some kind. It had been offered to Sean but he doesn't do zombies. "What? And Eileen's his landlady?" jokes Tim. Sally sees that Tim hasn't got the bird poo off the conservatory. What's he been doing all day. Tim says he got stuck in the shop. He'd only popped in to see if Sophie was OK. "Hah! This just gets better," says Sally. "A cosy chat behind my back?" She says he's not allowed to encourage a relationship that's bad for Sophie. She plans to go and see what's going on.

Sophie, Maddy and Ben laugh and joke as they make cakes. Sally uses a key to let herself in and is startled to find Ben there. They say he's allowed to be there. There's a knock at the door and Sally answers it. It's the social worker with the police. Maddy's taken Ben from his guardians. Whoops. The kitchen is empty.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

Good evening again. In the light of the poor weather this week, except on Wednesday, I have not been anywhere again. On Wednesday my wife took me out to lunch in a well respected local restaurant and at this point I have to warn you about the perils of the internet. She had previously seen the sample menu and had identified her desired lunch. For various reasons the actual menu was very different and the remaining limited choices were not to her taste. Matters went downhill until we reached the cheese course at which point there was a semi redemption. The restaurant did apologise and added a free glass of wine, free coffee and no service charge. So they did try. And the lesson learned - do not get wedded to expecting a particular menu, even if the booking conditions are that you are booking for that particular menu (which was why she became so upset. No names but it will be a while before we return. We have further restaurant trips on Saturday and next Thursday by which time I shall be unemployed.

This episode was written by Debbie Oates and was directed by Diana Patrick. Copyright remains the property of ITV Studios to whom many thanks. If I get this posted before 7:30 pm this evening the updates will be up to date.

This episode opens in the ginnel as first Sally and then the social worker and the police rush through looking for mad bad dangerous to know Maddie and Ben, her brother. Sal sees the cake mix box lying in the rubbish rapidly dumped by Sophie. She is chasing after the miscreants who stop at Mary's camper van and slightly force an already open window. The boy slips in unlocks the door allowing the two girls to join in "safety".

Ty is trying to reassure Maria who believes that Marcus and Todd are running her down. She asked Marcus so often that he was sure - and now it has been proven wrong. She loved him.

In the Rovers Michelle kisses Steve and observes he smells good and asks what it is. Lloyd responds that it is "Guilt with overtones of treachery." Michelle turns on him and tells him to let it go, but Lloyd says the lies have gone to far. Lloyd is obviously upset.

Chesney apologises for being late to Sinead and then asks why she has her coat on over a dead sophisticated dress when it is the whole point of wearing it. She reluctantly agrees and it is clear that he has managed to buy the right size. He tells her it looks lovely but we hear Steph laugh in the background - but it is only Katie on her mobile. Steph confirms that she loves the dress as well. Anyway Katie has got all dressed up for a reunion and now she has realised it is the wrong day - so she is coming to the bistro instead. Chesney reassures Sinead how great she looks when the same address appears wrapped around the complaining Katie. Then she stops and Katie and Sinead stop and stare at each other; Steph who had clearly recommended the dress to both of them is looking just a touch embarrassed. And to be honest they both look good in it.

Inside the camper van Sophie wants to know why m/b/dtk Maddie lied. The giveaway is in her name. Sophie wants to go back and talk to the authorities.

Fiz has burnt the pie, the fire alarm is going off she is on the phone to Ty complaining about his absence and saying Maria is late for dinner. And the pie is not going back in the oven.

Somehow Ty has not heard the phone and he is still calming Maria down. She opens a bottle of wine and Ty goes to phone Fiz because he has a missed call. Ty tells Fiz he is on his way but in the background we see Maria deliberately knock over a bottle of wine. Ty gets some salt and moves to clear up the mess.

Back in the camper van m/b/dtk Maddie, Ben and Sophie discuss earlier cake making exercises. They talk about Ben10 which he was keen on then. Ben wants to go home. Maddie says he will have a better home. Ben tells her about his life. Sophie and Ben talk Maddie round. Ben says he wants to go to Devon with his step parents. Maddie gives her £1.60 to Ben and he gets out of the van. They are spotted immediately and regrettably we have a two minute screaming sessions straight out of Enders (come on everyone you are better than that) and Maddie and Sophie get cuffed by the police and are then taken off to the station.

After the break Sal is asking the desk officer when they will be released - apparently Sophie will be out shortly.

Back at the Bistro Sinead is drinking (and she doesn't). Sinead is drinking shots. And she wants another one. When Ches does not drink his she downs it as well. Sinead reckons the dress looks good on gorgeous sophisticated Katie and Ches says it looks good on her but she disagrees. Sinead is clearly about twenty over the eight by now and sounds off about Katie at length. Sinead hates herself in the dress but she hates Katie more - she looks a right slapper in it. Sinead turns the music up (Wonderwall) and starts dancing around the bar. Chesney looks amazed.

Sophie emerges - no further action so they can go home. Maddie is getting a warning and will be out in a moment. Sal demands they go home without Maddie and Sophie cannot get her to wait. Soph asks Tim to talk to Sal.

At the gym the computer is working again and Kal is calmer. His father says he has heard him cry many nights since Jamilla died and yet last night he did not come home. They talk about Leanne but Kal is not sure it is right.

Steve tries to rectify matters with Lloyd by giving him Kal's phone number. Lloyd goes to phone the number and then admits to Andrea that he does not do exercise.

Back on the Street Sophie wants to wait for Maddie. She argues with Sal. Tim takes Sophie's side. Sal keeps on at Sophie. Tim gets an earful and he calls her a snob.

Leanne walks into the gym and Kal asks about the film. Leanne is uneasy as is Kal, Kal does not think Nick should be told - it is not the right time for them, according to Kal. He does not want to be "nearly caught" as this morning. He reveals it is the first since his wife died - and there was a lack of dignity. It was just too soon - and he asks that they be friends.

Ty arrives back to a frosty Fiz. He says the pie looks good - it is cold and burnt. Ty gets a text message apologising. Alert, alert. He knows it is Maria and yet we know she has a new phone number which his phone does not recognise and thinks is Kirsty. The scriptwriters have fallen into a plot hole. Ty picks up the pie and rhapsodises over it just being the two of them and Fiz melts. (These two like their food).

Eva finds Leanne in the Street. It is thumbs down. Leanne agrees it is thumbs down for both Kal and Nick. She does not deserve Kal. She needs to focus on Simon. Eva says they are going home - a good bottle, some salty and a good ball and not to worry about Nick - it is dead in the Bistro tonight.

Sal is trying to phone Kev - but cannot get hold of him. Sophie is still trying to get through to Sal - when there is knocking at the door. Sophie continues to explain that Ben needs to know someone cares. Sal sends Tim for a walk and he goes off upstairs mumbling. Sal gives the two of them a piece of her mind. She tells them sit down and if Kev found out he would not want them under his roof. Sal tells them to stop arguing with her. She says she will give them another chance and they are on a second warning that they must behave.

Sinead is nursing her hangover. Chesney tells the story of the dress - the one he had bought and Sinead thinks it is gorgeous. And it would not suit Katie and Katie never suited Chesney. Sinead throws up again - but they have made up.

Sal shouts up the stairs and asks if Tim is going to watch the film - if she keeps it on pause it will stretch the tape or whatever happens to DVDs. Tim comes downstairs with a bag and he collects his stuff. He is leaving. Sal asks if he is going out. Tim makes it clear it is a permanent departure - he is going sofa surfing. Tim says they are different, they think different and it is just not working. Sal asks how it is not working, she asks him to talk about it. Tim responds that nothing he says is right and he opens the door and goes, leaving Sally stood with an open mouth of surprise.

Roll credits.

So what did we learn tonight?
Don't drink when you are wearing the same dress as the ex.
Being a snob can you lose you a man
And we should ask ourselves can Leanne and Kal merely be friends?
And it not 10 am. Officially the updates are up to date.

See you later this week.
Richard


Monday 5 May

Written by John Kerr Directed by Alan Grint

It's race day. Lloyd has fortified himself with a fry up for breakfast, much to Jenna's chagrin. Andrea toddles up as they're leaving and gives Lloyd a present of a new pair of trainers. She says she won't be able to stay for all the race as she's covering a shift at work but promises to be there at the starting line. He's cool with that. Jenna doesn't seem to be.

Steve is stretching in his warm up suit. Michelle makes fun of him and suggests a hot bath will be better to warm up. He can think of something else, wink, wink but she puts that down firmly. He should concentrate on beating Lloyd, mainly because she wants to see Andrea's face when he does. Steve wonders if he should go talk to Lloyd before the race to make up. Although Michelle approves of this, she reminds him he's still "not getting any".

We're in the factory, now. Everyone is quiet and miserable and working overtime on a bank holiday. Julie is trying to buck everyone up but Sally is in a particularly bad mood and admits Tim walked out on her after a row. They want the gossip and when she tells them that Tim called her a snob, they seem to have a difficult time keeping a straight face. Julie changes the subject to a cat she used to have called Tim.

Owen is clearing up. Katy comes in after dropping Joseph off at Chesney's. She determines that things are no better between Owen and Anna and Owen doesn't know what to do about it.

In the pub at dinnertime, Sally asks if Tim has been in. He hasn't. Anna comes out from the back, having finished her cleaning shift. She hands Liz a long lost earring she found behind the sofa. Liz offers her a drink but Anna's off to a shift in the cafe next. She's a bit distracted but covers and leaves just as Lloyd and Jenna arrive. Lloyd and Steve exchange uncomfortable glances. Lloyd orders orange juice and he and Steve proceed to try to one-up each other with the end result that Steve reluctantly agrees to a bet, the loser of the race drinks a pint out of the winner's trainer. (shoe) Michelle and Jenna both find that disturbing and Michelle promises Steve won't get near her for a long time if he loses under those conditions. Lloyd smirks.

Norris is struggling to put magazines on the top shelf, grunting and annoying Rita. Dennis comes in looking somewhat nervous and so he should. Rita's still cool to him and Norris is downright rude as usual. Dennis only wanted the job section but Norris makes him pay for the newspaper anyway. (And why does he need a job? He's got his pension doesn't he?) He leaves and Norris takes another chance to be insulting about him to Rita. Rita thinks he should at least give people the benefit of the doubt.

Sophie finds Maddie in the back yard listening to music. As usual, Maddie is prickly and defensive. Sophie only wanted to see how she's doing, being sympathetic to Maddie losing her little brother so quickly. She suggests Maddie head over to the garage where, apparently, there are a few cars that need valeting which is supposed to be her job, isn't it?

We're at the park now. Everyone is gathering for the 5K charity run. Eileen is passing out chips but Steve resists. Mary is helping Dev warm up. She's got a full bag of medical necessities and wonders if Dev shouldn't have shaved his legs for that little extra streamlining. Oh I do love Mary! Eva is de-stressing Julie. Leanne is there to cheer Eva on. Nick is pleased to see her. Sharif is passing out flyers for the gym. Even Gail is ready for the run! Kal is watching Nick chat to Leanne. Lloyd and Jenna are looking for Andrea who hasn't arrived yet. Steve takes the micky and the pair of them start to bicker again, in spite of Michelle and Eileen's efforts.

Lloyd apologizes to Jenna for snapping at her earlier. Jason arrives to encourage Eva (didn't he used to be a runner?) Mary is a delight watching the runners gather at the start line, with her observations and asides about being competitive. Elsewhere, Sharif takes the opportunity to find out who Leanne is there to support. She knows what he's getting at and abruptly snaps that she's supporting her sister. Over near the starting line, Julie is jumping around but it's not due to adrenaline, she's got to use the loo and there's no time to go now! The race is about to start, with the runners on guard. Dev scolds Lloyd and Steve for bickering so they miss the starting horn. They all take off at the back of the pack, with cheers, and in Mary's case, high pitched screams, to urge them on! (RUN DEV!!!) Lloyd and Steve are at the very back of the pack and already elbowing each other.

In the cafe, Roy is pleased that everyone is being charitable for Hayley's sake. Anna is thoughtful, musing on how some people go that extra mile for someone they care about.

The runners are spread out. Dev tries to encourage Nick and Kal who pull far ahead of him. Lloyd and Steve are elbow to elbow, continuing their feud. Julie is in agony until she has to run off into the bushes with Eva standing guard. Some of the runners are in better shape. Nick and Kal seem to be pacing themselves.

In the garage, Luke was watching Maddie work but she's defensive even though he was going to tell her she was doing a good job. Never mind, now. Sophie arrives and detects the tension. Maddie admits she's been a cow. Sophie suggests she apologize. Maddie accuses her of channeling her mother which offends Sophie. Sally and Sean come out of the factory just at that moment. Sally doesn't really stop to chat and when Sophie asks Sean what's wrong, Sean tells Sophie that Tim has left and Sally's upset. Oh dear.

Norris comes around the corner and finds Dennis coming out of the pub. He takes a very accurate shot at Dennis for knowing what he had been about to do (leaving with Gloria) was going to hurt Rita very much and he did it anyway. Bit difference between Norris and Dennis, there, Norris points out. And he'd be right in this instance. Dennis knows it.

The runners are approaching the finish line, Nick just ahead of Kal. Leanne congratulates him and Nick thanks Kal for being a good coach and mate. We shift gears to Steve and Lloyd, still grousing. Lloyd falls and accuses Steve of tripping him deliberately which he didn't. They were just running closely together. He shouts at Steve who then runs off. Lloyd struggles to his feet and continues on, breathing heavily. Julie finally runs out of the bushes and rejoins Eva. Jenna crosses the finish line triumphantly. Dev comes across to Mary's excitement and pride in him. Steve comes staggering to the finish line, looking very much like he's done in. Naturally, Michelle and Eileen have a field day at his expense. He collapses in Michelle's arms. He gasps for a beer. Jenna asks after Lloyd. Steve points behind him, indicating Lloyd had fallen and is now very angry.

Norris has arrived back at the Kabin and tells Rita he's seen Dennis coming out of the pub. He's in a fit because he still has to put up with Dennis since he's still in Rita's life. Rita reminds him it's only temporary. Norris hopes so for her sake. Rita goes back to the kettle and looks upset, conflicted, maybe?

Anna arrives home a little early. Owen and Katy are watching a film but turn it off when she arrives. Katy goes out the door to get Joseph. Owen tells her he's off out for a drink with a friend that might have some work for him. He then asks her what's going on with them.

Lloyd finally makes it to the finish line but he's clearly struggling. He crosses the line and then attacks Steve for nobbling him. The women try to get them to make peace but Lloyd wants nothing to do with it. He staggers on but then collapses in pain clutching his chest. Jenna runs over as do the others. Lloyd is clearly in pain and Jenna fears he's having a heart attack!!!

Tvor

Good evening. On the day of the transmission of this episode I spent the afternoon at Kempton Park for the racing. The sun shone. We won nearly as much as we spent on betting and had a nice day out. Which is not quite so true in Weatherfield where events tonight were written by Martin Allen and directed by Alan Grint. Copyright remains the property of ITV Studios to whom many thanks.

We open in the Park near the finish where Lloyd has collapsed. He is asked where it hurts and he answers in his knee - he is just clutching his chest for effect. Steve is mortified and there are a lot of worried faces - but if Lloyd can still joke it cannot be serious. Meanwhile Julie, Gail and Eva finish together. They all lean forward exhausted and I would have thought that the shot was deliberate in view of the exposure the latter receives. It is close to indecent. She reckons she has lost three dress sizes but I can re-assure her that is not the case. Gail notes that Lloyd is looking very uncomfortable whilst they are at least standing. Amy asks if he will be alright and Kal assures her that a hospital will work wonders.

Owen is not going out until Anna explains what is wrong - but he says he does not understand. She says she is tired - but we all know that is not the real reason. He does not believe her and asks if they are OK. She does not respond positively but says it is nothing to do with him.

An ambulance has arrived and he manages to stand and they get him off to hospital. Michelle takes Amy home and reassures Steve he did not cause this. Mary leaves as well and Jenna is upset that Andrea has not turned up. Lloyd says Steve cannot go to the hospital.

Anna is talking to Katie and Izzy and turning on the washing machine - but it will not start. Anna gives it a good kicking - but this has no impact.

Over at the Rovers Steve reckons he should be at the hospital - this was a fun run which went wrong according to Julie. Steve says he had been having a row with Lloyd after the accidental trip. Steve heads off to the hospital because he feels responsible and Julie goes with him.

Rita is taking a poster indoors and Dennis is watching.

Jason tries to cheer up Tim. Tim says it is not working. So Jason gives him the benefit of his experience - Tim should go round, apologise and say he will try harder in the future. But Tim reckons it will not work.

Jenna greets Steve and Eileen. Still no contact from Andrea. Still waiting for test results.

Along at the Kabin Rita tells Norris she will be in the Rovers later as the only way for her to get any kicks. Dennis arrives carrying a bunch of flowers - a token of his thanks. Rita queries his earlier visit to the Rovers. Dennis apologises for everything and begs Rita to take him back - which surprises her.

After the break Dennis says he was stupid - Rita cannot believe he was so cruel. Dennis hopes that with time and Rita's generosity of spirit they can repair the break. Dennis loves Rita more than ever - he cannot bear the thought of a life without her. Rita says she will always love him - but love is not enough - she needs trust and it is missing. And only a fool would take him back. She gives him a week and then she wants him out of her life forever.

Julie brings Izzy up to date with the news about Lloyd. Julie passes over the money from the fun run to Izzy.

Sal is ironing when there is knock at the door - it is Tim to collect the rest of his stuff. Sal can have her posh friends round without Tim showing her up. He asks why she is a snob and she asks why is feckless - he claims to be merely a little disorganised. He goes upstairs to pack.

Jenna Steve and Eileen are allowed into Lloyd's room and Steve apologises both for the argument and the accidental trip. Jenna gets a phone call and Eileen goes to get a drink. Steve was in agony waiting for the ambulance. And Lloyd says his heart has suffered enough - so not tugging on the heart strings. They agree they are mates again. The phone call was Andrea and Lloyd tells her to get to the hospital.

Tim is going to sleep at a mate's. Sal will not keep him and she wishes him good luck and then instead of moving apart they move together and start kissing each other. Nothing resolved there then!

Rita is bring Doris up to date. Rita is hoping that Dennis will not end up on the Streets and she still loves him no matter what he did. Rita is more upset by the fact that it was Gloria that he went after. She worries about what is next for her at her age.

Owen has had no luck getting any work and he returns home to be told that the washing machine has died. Owen will have to sell the yard and the flat as they only way of raising the money to meet the repayments. Owen cannot think of another solution.

Andrea explains that Patricia had had a row with her husband. Andrea had to clam the kids down and had left her mobile behind. Patricia needed calming down and Andrea phoned back once she had been reunited with her phone.

Tim and Sal are not arguing about the terms of cessation of warfare - she will try harder to be less snobbish and Tim has already proven he is not feckless as he came back to try again - which as Sal pointed out he almost blew. She keeps slagging him off - because he unnerved her. Tim says they should not go there and puts his arms around her and they have a huge cuddle in the Street in full view of Jason as he emerges from the Rovers. Jason should be in marriage counseling seeing his advice worked.

Jenna and Andrea argue over her "story" - and Eileen does not believe it either. Jenna admits she does not like Andrea. Jenna tells her not to let Lloyd down again and Eileen offers to help find out what is going on.

Faye returns with a fleece dirty. They argue but Faye decides to wash it by hand using the washing up liquid. They bicker until Anna loses it and sends Faye to her room. Owen said he was in two minds over selling his assets, but the strain is clearly getting to Anna and now he is certain he must to ease the pressure.

Roll credits.
Richard


Wednesday 7 May

Greetings to all. I am back, refreshed from my break. I had a lovely holiday in Spain, and then a super couple of weeks with my childhood friend who came over from Canada to visit me.

Here's the update for Wednesday 7th May.

In Anna's house, she apologises to Faye for what happened yesterday, and starts to help her brush her hair. Owen is sitting on the kitchen floor, trying to fix the washing machine, to no avail, it has died. He'll see if he can find a second-hand one on his way back from the estate agents. Faye goes off upstairs for her school things, and Anna asks Owen if he's sure about selling the yard. He says it will give them some breathing space.

Over in the hospital, Andrea is sitting beside a sleeping Lloyd. He stirs, and is pleased to see her and starts trying to make jokes. She tells him he doesn't have to do all the jokey banter, she's spoken to the doctor and knows how serious it is. He admits he thought it was 'game over', he's never been so scared in his life. She tells him she's never leaving his side again. Just then, Jenna arrives and looks somewhat less than pleased to see Andrea. Llyod mutters that now he has his two favourite girls there...maybe he has died and gone to heaven.

Izzy is dismayed to find a gas bill that she thought Gary had paid. He asks what he was supposed to pay it with – he paid the council tax. She points out they're late with their rent again. He tells her to split what she can between them for the time being. "How am I supposed to split nothing?" she asks. He tells her it's a good job he's got some cash in hand work in Preston today. He goes off leaving her looking worried....then she looks down at the charity money in the envelope.

Julie goes into the cafe and Anna shows her that a birthday card has arrived in the post for Hayley. Just then Roy comes down from upstairs, and Julie asks if he has any plans for the day. He points to the bag of cereal boxes he has brought downstairs. "Yes, recylcing," he says. Anna tells him Julie meant did he have any plans regarding Hayley's birthday. "What do you suggest?" snaps Roy, "Balloons? Party?" Julie, somewhat embarrassed, starts muttering about Hayley's birthday being marked on the calendar in the factory...and then tells Anna she's here for the charity collection tin. As she takes it she gives it a shake and remarks that it feels a bit light. "Not been sneaking some out have you Anna?" she jokes. Anna, however, doesn't find that funny, (well, it isn't really) and Julie makes a hasty departure.

Jason and his dad, Tony, walk into Owen's yard, come to borrow a sander for a couple of hours. (Surely Jason has a sander, being in the trade himself?) Owen tells them he's selling everything he doesn't need, including the yard, the flat, everything. Jason tells Owen he's really sorry, adding that if he had the money he'd buy the yard like a shot.

Izzy arrives at the factory, telling Julie and Sean that she's been to the bank to pay a bill. Julie hands her the collection tin from the cafe, telling her to add it to the collection. Izzy shakes it, and Sean says that it may feel light but he's peered through the hole and there are notes in there. Julie excitedly tells her that they may have enough money to have one of those huge cheques that Terry Wogan's always got. Izzy looks worried as she wheels herself away with it.

Roy comes back to the cafe moaning about conditions at the tip. There are no customers and he remarks that it's very quiet. Anna confesses that she forgot to order the bread, bacon, eggs...in fact everything. Roy says perhaps they should appreciate the quiet. Anna says she wishes she could switch off what's inside her head and then breaks down in tears. Roy gazes at her for a moment and then states the obvious. "There is a problem." Anna howls that her washing machine is broken, but Roy doesn't think this is about a defunct appliance. Anna sobs quietly.

Roy and Anna sit down with a pot of tea, he offers to let her use his washing machine, and then adds that he is aware of some her current difficulties. He asks if Owen knows how worried she is and urges her to tell Owen. She's a good woman, trying to provide for her family. Anna tells him not to make her out as some kind of saint, if he knew what sort of person she was he would be sick to his stomach.

Steve, Jenna and Andrea are all in Lloyd's hospital room. Suddenly he clutches as his chest as alarms start ringing. The doctor arrives and says they have to take him downstairs.

Gary is at the yard packing up some tools ready to go and do the job he's been offered. "So they're definitely going to pay you tomorrow?" asks Izzy. Gary tells her to have faith in him. Just then Owen comes back from the estate agents, he's booked a valuation and is hoping for a quick sale. Gary kisses Izzy and leaves, and Owen says that when the place is sold they'll all breathe a bit easier, he wants to put a smile back on Anna's face.

Back at the cafe, Roy offers an impartial ear, as she can't confide in Owen. Anna says she can't tell him. Roy then offers a loan, but Anna howls that she's sick of money, she doesn't need his, money won't make this any better. "Then what will?" asks Roy. "To go back, just to say no," wails Anna.

In the Rovers, Tina and Liz are talking about Lloyd when Carla comes in asking for Michelle. Tina says she's visiting Lloyd, and asks how Peter is. Carla says he's ok, for now, in rehab, but she's not sure how he'll be when he gets out. People like Peter can't just get fixed. He's coming home tomorrow, fixed or not.

Jenna, Steve and Andrea are waiting for Lloyd. Michelle comes in and asks for news. Jenna tells her that Lloyd had a bit of angina and has had a second stent fitted with a local anaesthetic, and will be back soon.

Back in the pub, Carla tells Tina that if Peter carries on drinking, that could be it. Tina looks worried. Carla says that Peter drinks to cope with stress, how can she shield him from stress for the rest of his life? Tina looks VERY worried, and says she didn't realise it was so serious.

When Carla has gone, Liz takes Tina aside. "You're still in love with him!" she says. Tina says it's all her fault, all the stress and confusion, she pushed him too far. Liz thinks he'll get through it, but Tina isn't so sure.

Faye has gone to Sally's house for dinner with her dad. Sally is being all sweetness and light. Faye says how their washing machine has broken and she told Anna that she could use Sally's. Sally isn't too sure about the thought of the Windass's undies sloshing around in her machine, but Tim says of course she can. As they start to eat, Sophie tells Sally that Tim broke her casserole dish, and this makes Sally very bad tempered. Her mood is made worse when she realises that they are eating instant mash potato. "What if the neighbours saw the packet in the bin?" She and Tim have a row, and he points out that her not being a snob didn't last long, and then storms off to the pub.

Steve, Michelle, Jenna and Andrea are all round Lloyd's bed. Jenna tearfully tells him the procedure went well and the doctors are pleased with him. Steve gives him the medal for completing the race. Lloyd says it has made him realise how much he has to live for. He's got a great daughter and a fantastic girlfriend, and now that he's found her it will take more than a heart attack to get between them. Jenna glares at Andrea across the bed.

Rita and Norris are in the pub, looking at Dennis. Norris is scathing, but Rita feels sorry for him, he's an old man with nothing.

Julie, Izzy and Sean come in, flushed with the success of their fundraising, then Izzy says she's skint, she can't afford a drink, and goes home.

Julie has gone to talk to Dennis, and says that he can come home and stay with her and Marcus. As he gets up to leave with her, he tells Rita that he's staying around until he's won her back.

Back in the cafe, Anna apologises to Roy for putting all her troubles on him. He urges her to tell Owen, but she says he would never forgive her. He says that the alternative, the lies and the guilt, will destroy her. She makes up her mind to tell Owen tomorrow.

Anne Logan.


Friday 9 May

Hello. Let's get straight into the first episode from Friday.

Anna's ironing and giving Faye instructions about what to do with her clothes when she gets home to make them last another day. Faye points out that Sally's happy to put a wash on but Anna says they can't rely on that - that's how folk fall out. Owen's found a cloth he thinks he can use to clean some tools to sell but it turns out to be a tablecloth embroidered by Anna's mother. Faye points him towards the rag bag under the sink. He tells Anna he's determined to walk in the door with good news for a change.

On his way to work, Sean's a bit cheeky to Carla about leaving so early. She's not amused. She's off to pick up Peter.

Sophie and Maddy walk by. Maddy is very down and pessimistic. Sophie's having a hard time cheering her up.

Leanne's in the cafe talking to Anna about Peter's return. Anna thinks Simon will be glad but Leanne worries about him. She says it's a Mum's job to keep their children safe and protected. Roy arrives. He's bought a ukulele from the charity shop and plans to learn to play using online instruction videos. Anna seems down and he thinks he's boring her. He's disappointed when he finds out she still hasn't spoken to Owen. Anna can't find the right time. Roy says he and Hayley always found bedtime seemed to lend itself to reflection. He says Anna has to talk to Owen or she will drive herself into the ground.

It's pouring down but Izzy, Faye and Katy chat in the street. Gary arrives, just coming home from an overnight job fitting out a shoe shop. Izzy asks if he got paid and he says he has to go and pick up his pay from the cash office. He's going at lunchtime but needs a kip first. "I really need that money, Gary," says Izzy. Julie comes over to them, all enthusiastic about Operation H. "Isn't that what you put on piles?" asks Gary. No. Operation Hayley. An anxious Izzy wheels away.

Deirdre's in Tracy's shop talking about Peter's return. She doesn't know whether to have a celebration or pretend everything's normal. She wonders what Carla must be thinking - landed with all this after five minutes of marriage. Rob nastily says that if you marry a lame duck you have to expect a limp. This makes Deirdre very angry and she lectures him about Peter being ill, not a lame duck. Tracy has had an idea - why don't they have a party but without Peter as the centre of attention? Yes, she wants an engagement party.

In the car parked in the street, Peter tells Carla that the rehab process took him down. Carla says that was so they could build him up again. He tells her the therapy involved talking about how to make things a goal, not a pressure; how to be the man not the child. Tina comes out in the rain and raps on the window. Peter says nothing but Carla says Peter's a scarecrow and she's got to get him inside and feed him up.

Beth and Julie have a news flash. Beth's contacted the reporter who did the story about her attacking the mugger, Julie's got a big cheque on order and the Gazette's coming to take a picture of them presenting it to a woman from the cancer charity this afternoon. Julie tells them they've got time to nip home to get spruced up but not to tell Carla. She asks Izzy for the money so she'll know how much to put on the cheque.

Lloyd's in bed in the hospital with Andrea and Steve sitting with him. Jenna arrives with a huge basket of fruit. Lloyd searches it thoroughly and is disappointed to find there's no hidden chocolate or anything. It really is just a basket of fruit. Lloyd complains about the woman who's just been in to see him to ruin his life. He's got to drink sensibly, exercise more and eat properly. Steve and Andrea have been reading all the leaflets.

Sophie and Maddy are off to see Ben. Sally comes running over with something for Ben and the cab fare for them to get there. She is surprisingly supportive and tells Maddy not to go in all guns blazing. "Keep your cool and his foster parents might let you see him lots."

Tim dashes over the street to see Sally. He's made her something to eat.

Izzy calls Gary but he doesn't answer. She leaves an angry message accusing him of going to sleep and not picking up his wages. "Ring me the minute you get this!" He rings sooner than that - he just missed her call. Izzy tells him to bring the money straight here but he says the cash office was shut. It closes at lunchtime on Friday so he won't be able to get his pay until Monday. Izzy is furious and desperate. She needs 118 pounds.

Katy goes to see Izzy at the factory and Izzy asks if she has any savings or anything she can dip into - didn't Hayley leave some money for Joseph? Yes, but it's in premium bonds and Chesney looks after them. Izzy admits what she's done and Katy advises her to just fess up. Izzy worries that they'll think she planned this all along. "They won't, they're your mates," says Katy. But Izzy doesn't think they will be mates after they find out what she's done. And what do they tell the Gazette? In fact, what's to stop the Gazette putting it in the paper? What will Carla say? Izzy thinks her job will be finished.

Carla's trying to find out what Peter wants to do. Peter's barely listening as he sorts through the mail. He was hoping for something from Simon. Carla says Simon wouldn't have sent anything through the post. He'd want to bring it himself. In fact, he probably doesn't even know Peter's back. She says she'll ring Leanne and see if she can bring Simon after school.

Jenna's collecting Lloyd's washing and says she'll buy him some pyjamas. Andrea smugly points out that Lloyd doesn't wear pyjamas. Jenna says in hospital he does. If Lloyd's been in a hospital gown since Monday, I don't understand what washing he could have. It's clear the two women are jealous of each other and they leave at the same time. Steve tells Lloyd they mean well. Lloyd's not happy. No dancing, no cigarettes, no drinking . . . "I don't want to live within recommended guidelines!" Steve says Lloyd has to think positively and anyway, he's an annoying drunk. Lloyd thinks maybe Steve should go, too. He has to get some rest. Steve suggests he support Lloyd by cutting down on everything in solidarity with him. "We're mates, aren't we?" Lloyd doesn't think Steve would survive without lager with his curry and a sneaky red with steak. Steve says it's because Lloyd's more than a mate. He's a brother. It's too much to ask, Lloyd says, but he appreciates the offer. "My brother from another mother," he says as they grip hands, all the petty arguing forgotten.

Anna's in the cafe when Owen comes in. He hands her a roll of notes and says he's found her another washing machine, from "Wilmslow, where they chuck out white goods like we bin old socks." Anna asks him if they can please have a quiet night in without any of the kids. Owen agrees.

Roy comments that Owen looked buoyant and Anna says he's having a good day.

In the Rovers, Tracy's trying to bait Tina and is waving around her diamond ring and snuggling up to Rob. Tim asks Tina who she thinks would win a fight between a crocodile and a python. He's got a picture on his phone which shows the answer. The python wraps itself round the crocodile. . . "Let me guess," says Tina, "and then swallows it whole." Tim's surprised she got that right but Tina's looking at Tracy wrapping herself round Rob and playing tonsil hockey with him. Tina noisily plonks down their change and asks after Peter. They haven't seen him yet and Rob defensively says they've been at a networking seminar in Bolton. Deirdre's looking after the shop. They left the seminar early, though, and Tracy says it gave them a chance to look for venues for their engagement party. Tina points out the phone box in Rosamund Street is available. Tina 1, Tracy 0.

Katy comes home and asks if Izzy rang. Anna's not that interested in what Izzy's doing. She asks Katy if she can have some time alone with Owen tonight. Faye's at a friend's and Joseph is with Chesney. Katy agrees to go to Izzy's and says she'll ring when she's on her way back.

At the factory they're getting ready for their moment of fame. Julie arrives with the huge cheque*. Beth has a hair roller in her fringe. Julie tips out the money. Izzy says she knows how much is there and should just write it on the cheque but Julie says Sally will have to pay it in at the bank later so they need to count it.

When Leanne rings the doorbell, Peter's ready at the top of the stairs with a loud greeting for Simon. He's not there. It's just Leanne. Carla suddenly remembers he has Scouts on a Friday. Peter points out that Leanne is empty-handed, without so much as a drawing. He says he understands. When Simon comes there all he gets is apologies, empty promises and bribes. "I'm not surprised he's not showing his face." Carla says Simon doesn't realise how much he's hurting Peter. "It's what I deserve," Peter says.

A distraught Izzy is outside the factory when a stranger bumps into her, apologises and asks where she can find Beth Tinker. It's the woman from the Gazette.

The End of the first episode.

* As a journalist, I'd like to say that these big cheques should be banned. They ruin any chance of an interesting picture. If you ever hear that a bank has been broken into and the entire supply of big cheques has gone, it'll be me!

Margaret Carr

Good evening. Another short week, but marked by two important events. Tuesday was my final day of employment and so that was that. On Thursday (mainly in recognition of a friend's birthday on the Friday) four of us spent over four hours at the "Fat Duck" the Heston Blumenthal restaurant in Bray consuming the Tasting Menu. At the end of the year HB is moving the entire restaurant to Australia for six months whilst they refurbish.

To answer the questions - it was amazing and like little else I have ever consumed, a wonderful combination of theatrics, chemical and physical behaviours to deceive the senses as well as amaze the entire party and needless to say it was far from cheap. I would however argue that it is the sort of thing you do once in a lifetime and the value for money in 14 courses (plus a pre-appetizer) and four hours of entertainment is good. I hope our Australian readers will visit Melbourne and will also enjoy Heston's "madness".

Back at the Street this episode was written by Jayne Hollinson and directed by Alan Grint. Copyright remains the property of ITV Studios whom I think for their continued invention and entertainment (at slightly lower cost to my personal pocket than the Fat Duck).

We open this episode at the factory with a large cheque awaiting completion and the photographer missing and Izzy looking deeply unhappy. There is someone lovely banter between the girls - Eva took half an hour over her face but it needed longer, Sal wishing she had known sooner so she could wear her new top, complaints about the amount of gel in Sean's hair! Clever and typical - well done to the writer.

Owen has bought a cheap washing machine. Tony boasts that he was always going to be the rich man - he tells Owen he wants to buy the yard.

Julie has counted the money three hundred and two pounds, fifty six pence and four euros - but there should be over GBP400. Izzy says she has handed it all over. Julie got her grade C in maths and she can count. She counts it all over again. Izzy is looking more and more upset.

In the Rovers Tony offers Owen 70 thou then 75 thou for the yard and office. Owen asks for another GBP20k but Tony is not budging. Tony tells Owen to think about it.

Deirdre wants to know what Tracy and Rob are up to - and has she shut the shop. Tracy tells her mother that she should be grateful for pocket money at her age. Deirdre responds by telling them to mind their own shop so she does not waste any more of her day off and she goes. Tracy and Rob are stopped on their way out. Tony has another batch of product and Tracy agrees they will buy it. Rob says he needs to make a phone call first to confirm.

Owen brings the washing machine in and Anna asks for a chat but Owen says no - he has been offered GBP75k and Owen almost loses his temper - but Owen is going to have to accept because he is desperate.

Leanne, Tina and Simon meet in the Street. The latter is refusing to see Peter as he is probably drunk. The girls try to talk him round, particularly Tina. Tina talks about her father to whom she did not speak for a fortnight but now he has gone she would love to have those two weeks back. Simon thinks on as they say.

In hospital Eileen has brought another load of fruit so that Lloyd can have a lot of exercise going to and from the smallest room. Lloyd wants to know why Jenna was having a go at Andrea. Jenna voices her disapproval - Andrea has been outside for an hour making a few phone calls - that really shows devotion. Lloyd says he has had enough of this. Eileen suggests they calm down and Jenna agrees. Andrea comes in and offers to go - she has been shopping to buy some pyjamas so that Lloyd is not embarrassed.

Peter answers the door buzzer and Leanne and Tina escort in a clearly disgruntled Simon.

Back at the factory the second and third recounts confirm that there is about GBP100 missing and Tina suggests that perhaps Izzy has been dipping in. The others tell her off. A money hunt starts but Izzy stops them. She says there is no point - Beth is right - she did take the money.

After the break we are in the factory - Eva wants to know how much to put on the cheque, Tina wants to know where the photographer has got to and everyone thinks twice as badly of Izzy when she admits that the photographer will not be turning up. Sal decides to ring Carla.

Katy is looking for Izzy and Katy brings him up to date.

Simon has to listen to Peter promising to turn over a new leaf - but Simon has heard it before. Peter says he cannot promised never to drink. Simon demands to go and Leanne takes him away. Peter is upset. Peter does not blame Simon for his show of hate - he could not wait to get away. Carla comes in from taking the phone call and has to go to the factory leaving Tina to talk to Peter. Tina calls him a great dad - she tells him he has to keep on trying but he must not give up. Tina is about to be kissed when Deirdre arrives and says that Peter looks dreadful. She wants a hug - Peter says he is not good company. She offers to put the kettle on and sees the jammy dodgers (should be Tunnocks Teacakes).

Izzy is trying to explain through tears to Carla who is not impressed with the explanation. The other girls listen. Carla says they all trusted her - it was for charity for Hayley. Izzy promises she will pay it back. Carla tells her to get out but does not say she is sacked.

Back at the hospital Andrea says she will take next week off work - it is partly her fault for not supporting Jenna who was trying to get Lloyd to train. Andrea apologises to Jenna. Jenna accepts it. Andrea will make sure that he sticks to the diet guidelines and Eileen can keep an eye on him at work. Lloyd feels surrounded. Jenna and Eileen leave. Andrea moves closer to ask if Lloyd had spoken to Jenna. Lloyd wants her under the covers but Andrea refuses. She gets text message which she reads and then lies down on his chest with a troubled look.

Owen turns on the washing machine and it is working. He apologises for earlier and suggests they have a coffee and a chat. They tell each other that they do love each other and perhaps Anna is about to explain how she has ruined their lives when Izzy, Gary and Katie come in with the first one of those in tears.

At the shop Rob is taking a phone call - his contact will take the new stock for a chain of hotels he is refitting. Rob suggests they can now afford a much bigger engagement party. Tracy wants to stick with the Rovers and rub the neighbours noses in it.

Sal arrives at Sophie/Maddie (Kev's place) and asks if Maddie kept her cool. Maddie immediately shouts for her brother Ben to come down. Sophie tells Maddie is winding her up. Ben loved the sweets and there is some harmony in the house.

Deirdre leaves the flat. Tina and Peter are alone and Tina says it is all her fault Peter ended up in rehab. She will not be making any more demands - he is to forget about "them" and simply get better. Carla returns and Tina departs. All are sorry that Simon could not be talked round. Carla updates Peter on Izzy taking the money. Carla apologises for banging on. Carla says from now on he is her priority.

Sal has bought the two girls some clothes - two sets of spotty tops. Sal suggests they will not be wearing them on the same day when Sophie protests. Neither look impressed. Maddie can go and see Ben. Sal tells Maddie she has looked after Ben well. Maddie responds by saying she prefers it when Sal is slagging her off as it is less creepy. They all giggle.

Peter is looking out of the window when Carla reminds him it is the scan tomorrow. Carla is worried about her age - but Peter is sure the child will be fine until it meets him. Carla tells Peter that he is sober and he is going to stay that way and he promises - but it does not sound particularly convincing.

Owen is laying the law down - the money will be repaid from the cash he got from selling his tools. Owen does not believe that Gary will ever get paid. Owen says there is no choice. Gary says it is his fault. Carla has not sacked her yet. Izzy collapses in tears. Owen tears a strip off Izzy - he says "There are things that you do not do, you have to know where to draw the line, no matter how desperate things get." Anna sitting next to him knows that she has also crossed the line and has to come clean but also knows that it will all be over between them.

And roll credits.

Lessons this week:
a) Don't steal
b) Don't cross the line
c) Always exploit those who are having a hard time (it looks like Tony is going to be around for some time to come - just how did he come by GBP75k?).
But in Izzy's case I reckon it would have been better if she had owned up sooner.

See you next week.
Richard


Monday 12 May

Written by Chris Fewtrell
Directed by Durno Johnston

Peter is quiet, not really with it this morning. Carla's scarfing down a full English and finishes off some of his sausage. She's darn well going to enjoy being able to eat for two while she can! She has her scan later and is a bit nervous, hoping everything will be ok. Peter assures her it will be though she's concerned mainly for her age. She reckons they can make the big announcement in the pub that evening once they get the all clear. He doesn't look like that's really something he'd enjoy.

Izzy is a wreck this morning. She didn't sleep knowing she'd have to face her friends. She is so upset that she let them down and broke their trust. Anna reminds her that Hayley would be the first to understand. Gary blames himself and Anna scolds him for self pity because Izzy needs him. Owen remembers that Carla didn't actually sack her but Izzy thinks she will and can't think how she'll be able to work with the others under the circumstances.

Peter's pacing in the flat driving Carla mad. He feels like she's babysitting him and doesn't trust him to be on his own. Carla does admit she should go to the factory and insists he call her if he needs her. She reminds him of the scan time (5:30) and he promises to be there when she gets back. A kiss good bye and she's out the door.

Tony is in front of the shop waiting for Rob and Tracy. Rob informs Tony that his contact is willing to take another shipment and will confirm the exact numbers. Tony goes off leaving Rob to scold Tracy for attempting to wind up Tony even if he didn't take the bait. They need to keep him on side. Tracy is exited that they're going to make lots of money and rub it in everyone's faces at the engagement party. She gets cuddly with him and drags him inside for a bit of privacy.

In the factory, everyone is busy. Beth tells them all she's flying to Riga (Latvia) tonight for her boob job. Beth then gives them a potted history to the others about the state of Latvia until Izzy rolls up. She hands Eva the money she owes and apologizes again though Beth takes every opportunity to slag her off. She seems to be the only vocal one at this point. Izzy wants to talk to Carla who is open for a discussion.

Anna has told Roy about Izzy's predicament and how sorry Izzy was about the money. Roy is understanding though doesn't condone it. She admits she didn't have the chance to speak to Owen about her problems because of the crisis with Izzy. He reminds her that the secret is only going to feel worse and worse the longer she carries it but she reveals that she feels she just can't tell now, not with everything else that's happened.

Tina looks off in the clouds and Steph chides her for it. She could have any man she wanted but Tina insists she loves her fella who is falling apart. She lets slip that the man she loves could be drinking himself to d.... uh oh. Steph immediately figures out that it's Peter she's talking about and is disgusted. Tina tries to deny it but it's out in the open. Steph won't tell but tells Tina she's out of her mind. He's a car crash, she says.

Izzy had explained everything. Carla is skeptical but Izzy declares you just have to do what you have to do for your family when things get out of control. That might have touched a nerve with Carla. She can understand that. Izzy promises she's truly sorry and it was out of character. Carla lets her off and lets her keep her job. Izzy is hugely relieved.

At the flat, Peter has been doing the washing up and tidying. He is clearly on edge and leaves the flat. Outside, Steph is still telling Tina all the reasons why Peter is a bad idea. Tina's insisting she's going to stand by him and sees him come out of the flat. She goes over to talk to him. Peter doesn't seem to want to talk to her, intent on doing these things he says he has to do. She's suspicious and he insists he only needs some fresh air. He doesn't seem to keen that she decides to go with him.

After the break, we're back in the factory. Michelle arrives to check on her pre-scan. Carla tells Michelle that Peter's dry so far. She tells Michelle she's really nervous. Michelle remembers how special it was seeing the baby on the scan. She gets a bit emotional remembering it all but assures Carla she's far fitter than a lot of younger women and everything will be fine with the baby.

In the garage, Luke is wittering on about girls on a beach. Tyrone is busy doing paperwork for the car Luke is working on. Luke notices that Tyrone has made a big mistake on the invoice. Tyrone gets angry and defensive.

Todd and Marcus are in the cafe. Marcus is regretting losing touch with Liam but Todd is not very sensitive about it all. Todd reckons Marcus came back to Weatherfield because of him. Marcus doesn't seem too convinced and teases him about his ego. He's too much of a nightmare, Marcus points out but it's clear there's still an attraction on Marcus' part. He asks Todd what's in it for him. Todd reaches for his hand just as Maria walks in. Bad timing, boys! She spins around and walks out again.

Tina and Peter are sitting in a posh looking bar, probably in a hotel. He's drinking orange juice and doodling on a beer mat, clearly down in the dumps. He insists he's ok but he's been doodling a martini glass on the mat. He admits he's struggling and was probably going to go have a drink when she distracting him. She tries to reassure him but he doesn't think he's any better off than before the rehab. He is sure he's about to let everyone down, especially Simon. She tries to tell him there's a lot of people loving him and depending on him. It's up to him what he does with his life, nobody else and she makes sure he knows she is there for him in any capacity he needs. He takes her hand and thanks her.

They must have been in there a long time because he's not home when Carla arrives home to take him with her to the scan. She sighs, worried he's out drinking.

He's not, but he's still talking to Tina that it only takes one reason to take that first drink. His phone rings, and it's Carla. He lies that he's in a coffee shop and is on his way to meet her. He then lies to Tina that he was supposed to meet Carla for tea. He goes out to get their coats and they will be in a cab shortly.

Tyrone and Luke close up the garage and Ty apologizes to Luke. Luke tells Tyrone he should mark Kirsty's card. Tyrone implies there's more to his mood than just that but doesn't go for a pint as Fiz is waiting.

Tracy finds Tony in the cafe. He says the wheels are in motion for his next shipment. Tony expresses doubts that Rob might have doubts but Tracy assures him she can keep Rob in line. She also mentions Rob is going to a wine tasting somewhere in town. Tony sees Owen come in and goes over to see what Owen has decided. Owen says he needs more time but then he says they can talk later in the week.

Tina and Peter head out but she needs to stop at the ladies' room. He stands outside the door and notices someone pulling a pint in the bar. He watches it like it's a life preserver and he's a drowning man and then notices a sign pointing to a wine tasting event in the hotel as well. And guess who walks in? Yep, Rob. What's Peter doing there, Rob quizzes?

Stay tuned to find out how Peter covers.

Tvor

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Durno Johnston

Rob can't actually smell alcohol on Peter's breath but he can certainly smell a rat. What's Peter doing at the hotel and why is he looking so shifty? But before Rob can find out, his business contact tells him they need to go. Peter grabs Tina as she emerges from the ladies and tells her they need to leave before anyone else spots them.

Carla's in the waiting room at the hospital, sipping on the obligatory cups of water in preparation for her scan. She keeps anxiously checking her phone but there's no sign of Peter.

Things round at the Armstrong/Windass household are as miserable as usual although the mood lifts slightly when Izzy comes round with the good news that Carla isn't giving her the sack. Anna gives Gary some money to buy a few cans but Owen isn't prepared to join in their celebrations. As far as he's concerned he's let his whole family down and, thanks to him, he's turned his own daughter into a thief.

Ty and Fiz are having a heart to heart. He's so worried about Kirsty he doesn't know which way to turn. Fiz suggests what they need is a little holiday. Nothing flash but it would give them a chance to get away and spend some time together. Ty doesn't know what difference it will make but Fiz asks him to think about it.

Luke is in the Rovers chatting to Sean about Ty losing the plot in the garage when Maria walks in. When she jumps to Ty's defence Sean explains that Maria is his ex. Luke takes the opportunity to offer to buy Maria a drink and looks pleasantly surprised when she accepts.

Beth is getting ready to leave for Latvia. Nobody in the family wants her to go, especially Kirk who's seen a picture that Beth showed him where she'd superimposed her head onto a photo of a Pamela Anderson. According to Kirk it looked like something out of The Fly and he's been having nightmares ever since. But Beth has her mind made up. She's travelling with a budget airline and, to save the cost of checking in any luggage, she's wearing several outfits and has her spare undies stuffed into the pockets of her faux fur jacket.

Peter drops Tina off round the corner from Coronation Street but he's planning to take the taxi on elsewhere. Tina wants to know where he's off to. He tells her he's meeting Carla in a restaurant but she doesn't believe him. She's worried he's going to go off drinking but Peter refuses to listen. He sees Carla's trying to call him yet again and tells Tina he's going to be late.

Todd and Marcus walk into the Rovers and see Maria sitting with Luke. Sean senses there may be trouble and he's not wrong. Todd can't resist making a comment to Maria about Marcus which causes Luke to stand up and tell him he doesn't like his tone. Marcus tells Todd to leave it and pulls him away.

Back at the hospital poor Carla is still waiting for Peter to show up and desperately trying to call him. Finally it's her turn to go in. She asks if she could wait for her husband who's been delayed but hers is the final appointment of the day. She has no choice but to go in on her own.

In another part of town Peter walks into a bar. He looks like he's about to change his mind but then the barman walks over and tells him he'll be with him in a moment.

Beth is ready to leave but the others are still trying to talk her out of going. Craig and Kirk are worried about her having an operation in a country that survives on a diet of pickled cucumbers and sour milk. Sinead says Beth shouldn't be blowing a load of money and risking her health just to please other people.

Carla's having her scan. When she sees her baby for the first time on the screen she starts to cry. She asks whether there's anything wrong with the baby but it looks as though it's so far, so good.

Sinead and Craig have one final go at Beth on the doorstep but there's no stopping her. "Latvia or bust!" she announces as she climbs into Chesney's van with Kirk. "Or rather, Latvia AND bust!" she corrects herself.

Peter is very, very drunk. He puts some money in the juke box and asks the barman to refill his glass as the first bars of "Whisky in the Jar" begin to play. Peter takes out his phone and sees dozens of missed calls from Carla.

Meanwhile, Carla has returned to Coronation Street and she's on the phone. We hear her tell Michelle that the scan went well but she'd like to delay going public until she's straightened stuff out with Peter. Then Rob comes along and wants a word. He asks Carla if Peter had a meeting in town earlier. He says he saw him in a hotel but that Peter didn't look like he was dressed to meet a client. Carla looks worried. She wants to know if Peter was drunk. Rob doesn't think so but Carla's heard enough and she hurries off up the street saying that she has to go.

We return to the bar where Peter is now so drunk that the barman refuses to sell him another drink. A belligerent Peter grabs his jacket and weaves his way out.

Round at Anna's Gary and Izzy are leaving and Anna and Owen are finally on their own. He apologises for the way he was earlier but he's worried. He tells Anna he needs a job. He says that he's not a bad chippy and he can handle a JCB. "Let's face it, when it comes to digging holes I'm a world beater," jokes Owen. He goes to put his arms around Anna but she pulls away, making the excuse that she needs to clear the plates away. Owen looks at her retreating figure with a concerned expression.

In the Rovers Luke and Maria are still having a drink together but Maria isn't listening to a word Luke is saying; she's too busy watching Todd and Marcus on the other side of the pub. Luke tells her not to rise to it and to ignore them but Maria can't help torturing herself. She goes up to the bar to buy another round but Todd gets there at the same moment. Before Sean can stop them Maria and Todd start exchanging insults. Todd tells Maria that she's been dumped so many times he's surprised she doesn't walk round in a bin liner. Fiz and Ty walk in at that moment just as Todd calls Maria a "clapped out backstreet crimper". It's all too much for Ty. Before anyone can stop him Ty grabs hold of Todd, swings him around and lands a punch on his mouth. Fiz is furious with Ty, Marcus is furious with Todd and Maria looks like the cat who's got the cream.

Carla is sitting at home in the dark when Peter finally staggers in. She switches on the light. She is very, very angry. Carla asks Peter what he's been doing. "Can't you see?" he slurs. But Carla wants him to admit it in his own words. She tells him that while she was looking at their baby for the very first time he was . . . . Peter fills in the gap. He was out drinking. Peter goes to say that he's sorry but Carla starts to hit him with her fists. "Don't you dare say you're sorry!" she shouts as she thumps him harder and harder. By now Peter is down on the floor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he cries. Carla screams back at him. She asks what hope there is for them if today, of all days, he couldn't stop himself from having a drink. "If me and this baby inside me aren't enough for you we have no chance!" cries Carla before flinging the photo of the scan at Peter and leaving him sobbing on the floor.

Karen


Wednesday 14 May

Carla and Peter are discussing his fall from the wagon. He says he got better before, he can do it again. Carla wonders how long for. She wants to be confident that, with a baby on the way, they have a future. She shows him the scan picture and he gets quite emotional, and says he wants to do better.

Tracy and Rob are standing outside their shop, while Tony unloads stock from a van. Tina comes by and stops to watch. Tracy sarcastically asks if she wants a picture, so Tina pulls out her phone, as if to take a photo. Rob tells her to move on, there's nothing to see, and Tony gets very stroppy and tells her to put it away and move on. "Or else what?" asks Tina, but does eventually move away. Tony tells Rob he likes to keep his business affairs private – any more of that and they're finished.

Fiz and Tyrone are just leaving their house when Todd comes out of next door. Urged on by Fiz, Tyrone apologises for hitting him. Todd isn't very gracious, he remarks that Tyrone used to get beaten up by a girl, and now he's proving how tough he is by starting fights in pubs. Tyrone looks grim faced, but says it shouldn't have happened and he's sorry. Todd says that if it happens again he'll take him out, and then he walks away. Fiz says he's horrible, and Tyrone says he would love to hit him again.

In the salon, Maria tells Audrey how Tyrone stuck up for her by hitting Todd. Audrey is amazed, that's not like Tyrone. David chips in that people often act out of character when they're under stress – and looks meaningfully at Maria. Maria says that all she wants is for Todd to stay away from her. "Really?" asks David, "is that ALL you want?" and raises his eyebrows. "Yes, absolutely!" snaps Maria, and walks off. Audrey wonders why she is so jittery. "Best ask her," says David.

Dev and Sharif are in the shop, talking about employing a receptionist for the gym, and are considering what qualities they should be looking for. Both Gail and Katy are browsing around, but pricking up their ears and obviously listening with interest.

Tracy and Rob are in the pub, talking to Liz about their engagement party. Tracy wants to make a statement, to do it in style, and wants to talk dates with Liz. Liz is amazed that Tracy wants to hold the party in the Rovers, but Tracy wants all the locals to see.

Sinead is in the cafe with Fiz, talking about Beth's trip to Latvia for her boob job. Todd is also in the cafe, and Fiz is not listening to Sinead but keeps staring over him. Sinead says she heard what happened in the pub, and Fiz says she doesn't know what got into Tyrone, then she corrects herself. She does know, they are both at their wits end over this trouble with Kirsty, but she is not going to let her terrorise them again.

Jason is sitting with Todd, when Marcus comes in. Jason has to leave so Marcus sits down. He comments on Todd's sore lip, and Todd concedes that it might have been a tiny bit his own fault, but Tyrone has apologised, so they move on. "Move on to where?" asks Marcus. Todd thinks that's a good question and they arrange to meet up later for dinner at the bistro to talk about it.

Peter is in the smoking area at the back of the pub, and Tina is out there too. She tells him he looks terrible, and asks where he went, was he drinking? He mutters that he was. She asks why he won't let her help. He tells her only one person can help him, and he keeps making a mess of things. He tells her not to worry about him, he's come back from a lot worse than this. Just then Rob comes out, and is immediately suspicious, remarking that he never saw Peter in the pub. Peter tells him he's having a fag first, the orange juice will come later. "What about you?" asks Rob, turning to Tina. Peter jumps to his feet, protesting that Tina works there, and he smokes. She's cleaning ash trays – does Rob have a problem with that? Rob tells him to keep his hair on. Peter asks why Rob is there, is he spying on him? Rob says that actually it was Tina he wanted a word with, but not to worry, it'll keep. He looks at Tina who looks less than happy, and asks if she's all right. She says she's fine, and goes back inside. Rob then turns to Peter and tells him he's watching him. He asks what Peter was doing at the hotel. "That's for me to know and you to find out," says Peter, and walks off.

Katy is following Dev down the street, trying to convince him to employ her as the gym's new receptionist. Meanwhile, Gail is walking down the street with Sharif putting herself forward as the new receptionist. We go back to Dev and Katy, where he has finally given in and said that he thinks she may be the new receptionist, although there may have to be an interview – just a formality. At the same time, Sharif seems to be telling Gail much the same thing, and swearing her to secrecy.

Tina is walking down the street and sees Peter getting into a taxi. Rob is standing in the doorway to his shop and sees him as well, and asks Tina where Peter is going. "How should I know?" she snaps. He asks what she and Peter were talking about earlier. She asks him what he wanted to talk to her about. He tells her to delete the photo from her phone. "Why?" she asks. "Because I told you to," he says. Tina is sure that means they are up to something dodgy, and tells him she never actually took a photo, she just wanted to wind him up.

Fiz and Tyrone are in the pub with Maria. She thanks Tyrone for what he did, but Fiz says he shouldn't have done it. Tyrone brings up the subject of them going away, and Maria is suddenly very attentive. They tell her they want to get as much space as possible between them and Kirsty. Maria looks miserable.

Rob has gone to see Carla and asks where Peter has gone. She tells him he's gone to the alcohol support group. Rob doesn't believe it and reminds her that he saw him at the hotel supposedly meeting a client, which Carla knows to be untrue. "So what was he doing?" asks Rob, worried that Peter is making a total fool out of his sister. "He's drinking," says Carla, and goes on to say that she is going to help him get better.

Todd and Marcus are in the bistro, studying the menu. Todd says he knows what he wants – Marcus!

Rob is still talking to Carla, he can't understand why she is putting up with it. He goes on and on until Carla eventually tells him she's pregnant. "Congratulations, you're going to be an uncle!"

Maria is outside in the ginnel, sending a text message.

Inside the pub, Tyrone and Fiz are telling Chesney and Sinead about their plans to get away. Fiz says that every time their phone goes they worry it could be Kirsty. Just then Tyrone's phone bleeps with a message. He reads it and looks shocked. "It is her," he says.

Marcus tells Todd that he never knows what he's going to do next. Todd admits that he doesn't either. Marcus isn't sure he can handle that. Todd asks if Marcus would rather go back to pretending to be straight, and urges him to take a risk, they can have some fun. Just then Steph comes to clear the plates and asks if they would like to see the dessert menu. Marcus looks stoney faced and asks for the bill. "We're done here," he says. Todd looks worried. "We're going to go and have some fun," adds Marcus, and Todd grins.

Back in the Rovers, Fiz and Tyrone are planning to go straight home, upset by the text message which implies that Kirsty is watching them. Maria comes back into the bar and stands with Audrey and David who have come in. Tyrone suddenly leaps out of his seat and throws his phone to the floor, smashing it to pieces. Audrey is shocked and David turns to Maria. "Is that anything to do with you?" he asks, and Fiz and Tyrone leave.

Rob is staring at the scan photo and says he thought Carla didn't want kids. She tells him she came close to getting rid of it, but she loves Peter and wants to have his baby. Rob is worried, Peter is an alcoholic. He asks her to remember how it was with their mother, she made a million promises and broke them all. Alcoholics don't change. Carla is sure that Peter can, she wants a truce between Rob and Peter. He hugs her and she asks him not to tell anyone else about the baby. He agrees, and tells her that if she needs anything, she must turn to him. She stares at him for a moment. "I'm scared," she says. He puts an arm round her and draws her close, kissing her head.

Anne Logan


Friday 16 May

As summer finally arrives and I get my hands on some NZ yam plants, we sneak in out of the sun to watch the 7.30pm episode on Friday.

Tyrone plans to look after the kids rather than go to work. He doesn't see the point in going away, which Fiz has suggested. At least they've got friends to watch their backs round here. Fiz doesn't think Kirsty would risk losing her freedom again.

Carla tries to find someone to watch Peter. He feels like death and she asks him to die quietly. He doesn't need that "smug git" Rob knowing he's fallen off the wagon. Carla says he already knows - she needed some support and she's also told Rob she's pregnant. Peter's furious because that means Tracy will know. Carla's off to work and thinks Peter's perked up at the idea of escape. She makes another call and tells him she's really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

At Eileen's the young folk have run her out of milk and bread. She's furious and then she sees Marcus come downstairs with Todd. Todd tries to make a big show of being all loved up but Marcus at least has the grace to be embarrassed. I'm furious with him and this whole storyline. So far it seems to justify bullying and manipulation to break up someone's relationship and to imply that that will work. I don't think Marcus would have gone anywhere near Todd after realising Todd deliberately set out to rip him apart from Maria. Anyway, Eileen's fury leads her to rage that they all seem to treat the place "like a hotel," they all chorus.

In the salon, Audrey realises Maria isn't herself. Maria says she's over Marcus but Audrey doesn't believe her. Maria confesses she's fallen for someone else. Audrey wants to know who it is but Maria says she can't say yet.

Eileen's lecturing Todd and says this isn't a knocking shop. She doesn't want Marcus there. Todd protests that Jason's girlfriends always stay over. Sean points out the house is full anyway. It is. Eileen's place is probably where they got the idea for the Tardis. Todd suggests Sean move out. Eva asks if Marcus and Todd are an item. Marcus seems to want to protest but Toss says they are. (That was a typing error but it seems to fit so I'll leave it)

Maria's singing to herself in the salon and Audrey's glad to hear it. She asks Maria to promise she'll take this new relationship nice and slow. Maria's tickled pink when Tyrone comes in. He asks for a chat later. Maria's face says it all and when he's gone Audrey asks directly if the new man is Tyrone.

Chesney and Fiz talk. Fiz says Tyrone's terrified, as if Kirsty's knocking the life out of him all over again. She's found Kirsty's mum's address and is going to visit in case Kirsty's living there. Chesney says he'll go too.

Tracy's given up her precious time to man-sit Peter. That doesn't make him feel any better. Carla goes out and the first thing Tracy does is open the drapes. Peter can't stand the light but she points out he's a raging alcoholic, "not a flipping vampire." She orders him to go and get a shower.

Marcus goes back to Eileen's to get his watch and Todd grabs him for a kiss on the doorstep. Tyrone sees and shouts at them. Maria sees Tyrone defending her honour. She tells him how good it feels to have someone on her side. She thinks they need to get away for a while. He says Fiz also thinks they should get away but Maria's just talking about a couple of hours this afternoon so they can come back fresh and ready to face the world. "You did say you wanted to talk." She suggests Longford Park (which is at Stretford). He agrees.

Peter comes back from his shower to discover Tracy filling a bag with anything that might contain alcohol - perfume, nail polish, remover, mouthwash, hairspray . . . "I'm not that desperate," insists Peter. She gets a text from Rob and says she has to nip out for a bit. Peter says he's going for a kip. She goes out of the door but then steps back in just as Peter's putting on his jacket. "And don't think I'm giving you a free pass," she says. "I'm locking you in!" Peter makes a dash for the door but is too late. He's furious.

Back at the salon, Maria tells Audrey not to judge her. Audrey says Tyrone's as good as married and she's surprised Maria would do that to someone else's relationship. Maria insists it just happened. Audrey points out those were the very words Marcus used to her, and "cheats always say that when they don't want to take responsibility for their behaviour." Maria's shocked. She and Tyrone aren't like that. Audrey says Tyrone's been a good friend to her and she shouldn't go reading too much into his friendship. Maria says she's glad Marcus is gone because she realises Tyrone's the right man for her. Audrey thinks she's deluding herself. Maria says if that's true then why has Tyrone agreed to meet her in Longford Park later today to talk about their feelings and their future. "Did he say that?" asks Audrey. "Not in so many words," Maria admits. But she says she let him go once before and she's not going to do it again.

Chesney and Fiz have arrived her Kirsty's mother's house, though Ches worries that confronting Kirsty will just make things worse. Fiz doesn't think the police will be able to do anything. Pay-as-you-go phones are almost impossible to trace. She marches up to the house and bangs loudly on the door glass.

Katy's arrived for her interview. Gail arrives at the same time and they realise they're both there for the same job. Gail's got a file with her - suggestions for improving the business. Dev and Sharif arrive too.

Kirsty's mum no longer lives at the address. Fiz is distressed - this was her only hope.

Gail and Katy have been asked to wait while Dev and Sharif make their decision. No, I don't know why Kal isn't involved. Both women think their interviews went well, though when Gail mentions that the men liked the way she pushes the envelope, Katy is confused. Nobody mentioned an envelope to her! There follows a very awkward scene where Dev and Sharif discuss the two candidates in easy hearing distance!

"I feel like a heilfer at a cattle market," Gail tells Katy. The men liken Katy to a Porsche Boxter. But when Sharif says there's a lot to be said for Gail, the Austin Allegra, Gail's had enough. "With that attitude I wouldn't even consider working for you!" she tells them. Katy agrees. Dev at least looks embarrassed, though it seems Sharif doesn't have any idea what they've done wrong.

Dev says they can't decide between the two of them. Gail says she's not against a job share. Dev thinks that's the perfect solution. "Yeah, but I don't think you can afford us both," says Katy. "The hourly wage just went up by one pound."

In the cafe, Marcus tries to persuade Todd to keep things more low key. Todd says he's got feelings for Marcus and thinks Marcus should move in. Marcus is horrified. It's way too soon and Eileen will go ballistic. Todd pleads.

Katy arrives home and tells Anna about the job share and increased rate. She thinks she might even train as a fitness coach. Owen's been to see about a job but didn't get it.

Maria and Tyrone stroll in the park. He's enjoying the change of scenery. They see someone with children and Maria says she always wanted a big family. She asks Tyrone if he wants more children and he says he does. He says he hasn't had a chance to get a new phone and asks Maria to text Fiz to let her know where he is. She agrees and asks him to get her an ice-cream while she does it. Of course, as soon as his back is turned she puts her phone away.

Fiz and Chesney are back in the Street. Chesney thinks maybe Fiz should try telling the police again. They're interrupted by an anxious Audrey who's come to warn them about Maria. She thinks the stress of it all has got to Maria. She's not making a lot of sense.

Tina and Simon meet Carla and ask after Peter. Carla leaves them standing when she sees Tracy come out of her shop. Why isn't she guarding Peter? Tracy tries to explain to her about the alcohol content of nail polish but Carla just shouts at her. Tracy says it's fine, she locked Peter inside.

Carla arrives home absolutely raging. Peter's standing in the middle of the room with his jacket on. "This flat is doing my head in," he says. He tells Carla she can't stop him. She says she'll come with him. He's angry and tries to get past but she pushes him back. "If you want to get out of this flat you're going to have to get past me first," she warns.

The end of the first episode.
Margaret Carr

After last week's gastronomic event, this week has been the other end of the spectrum. My wife has been away and I have been self catering using the chilled meals she left behind. Hopefully normality will return shortly.

It is hard to believe it is a week since the last update - where does it all go? This episode was written by Julie Jones and directed by Durno Johnston. As ever our thanks to the copyright holders TV Studios for continuing to provide this wonderful fare for our delectation.

We open this week in Peter's flat with Carla trying to prevent Peter from leaving to get the alcohol he craves by placing herself between him and the door. They argue with Peter threatening to hit a pregnant woman. Slowly Peter comes to realise what he has been saying and he says sorry and backs away from Carla; he starts crying and she gives him a huge hug.

Audrey is telling Fiz about Maria's strange behaviour and has this belief that Maria and Ty have a future together and they have fallen for each other all over again; it is not yet a full blown affair but according to Maria they have kissed reports Audrey. Fiz insists on the details. Audrey is not sure Maria is telling the truth.

In the park Maria and Ty are sitting on a bench, Maria says her dreams are boring - a dad for Liam and a proper family. Ty tells her she is gorgeous and good fun and will find a man. Maria says she thinks she has found him. And this is a surprise to Tyrone. She says "I'm talking about you, you daft bat". And of course Ty is nonplussed. They are just mates.

Fiz decides to go to the garage but Audrey says Ty is not at work - they are in Longford Park so they can talk about their relationship; apparently it was Ty's idea. Fiz knew they were spending too much time together. Fiz wants to have it out with the pair of them. She and Ches head off to the park.

Tina is trying to talk Simon into going to see Peter. Simon reckons the booze will kill Peter so he had best get on and do it. Tina tries to talk him round. Simon asks to be told the truth - will his dad ever get better. Tina says no-one knows for sure but she reckons he is determined to get better for Simon.

Tony comes into Eileen's house and gives Jason a symbolic key to signify ownership of the builder's yard and to give him the chance to build a business empire. The paperwork needs to be done. Eileen wants to know where the money is coming from and Tony assures her it is not dodgy. Then Todd arrives to say Marcus is moving in (the house contains Eileen, Jason / Eva, Sean, Todd and Marcus. I think there are two bedrooms upstairs and the downstairs front room. This does not add up.

Back in the park Ty wants to go and Maria tries to send him on. Maria is not bothered about Liam because she has been so unhappy. Maria starts crying again and Ty moves to comfort her.

Back at Eileen's house Sean is trying to tell Todd there is not enough room for another person. Todd is nasty Sean. Todd threatens to go to London. Whilst the arguing continues Jason brings Todd up to date on his good fortune and Todd calls him a spoilt brat. Jason smiles. Eileen eventually loses it and throws out everyone and tells they cannot come back until she says so.

Carla is seeking to re-assure Peter - he reckons there is something wrong with him. He was dry for 18 months and can do it again. She did not sign up for the inevitable to happen. He hates himself. The door bell goes and she opens the door and Tina arrives to report on her conversation with Simon. Peter is not happy to see her.

Fiz and Ches are searching the park. Fiz reckons Maria has manipulated Ty - Fiz should have Ty and if he has let her down she will not be responsible for her actions.

After the break Sean, Marcus, Todd, Eva, Jason and Tony are all in the Rovers. Todd continues to snipe at Jason. Tony re-assures Jason that it is all above board and it has cost GBP73k. Sean knows that Eileen is close to a nervous breakdown. Sean is pretty sure that Eileen will them back in - but she could probably do with some space. Awkwardly as they toast Jason, Owen arrives in the bar.

Peter accuses Tina of fancying him because she is staring at him all the time. Tina says sorry and offers to go but instead Peter gets up and goes in the bedroom. Carla is tired but she has to try and manage. Tina offers to help and asks if he should go back to rehab but he refuses to go. Rehab will not work unless Peter wants to go. Tina is staring into space. She sees parallels with her father in not being able to cope with the pressures.

Owen confirms that the sooner the deal is completed the better. Early next week hopefully.

Back in the park Maria is complaining of being lonely and we (and Maria) can see Fiz and Chesney. Maria asks for a hug before they return and of course the timing is such that Ches and Fiz see the hug and a smiling Maria. Chesney wants to confront Ty but Fiz tells him that they are going home.

Jason puts his head around the door and Eileen agrees that he can come in if he is alone. Jason calls him terrifying and she has been enjoying the peace and quiet and she has had a great time without them all. She congratulates him on the yard but reminds him how often Tony has let them down - but Jason is not worried because his mother has always been there to look after him so it is not a problem. Eileen calls him a big softy and Jason takes the opportunity to say a proper thank you to his mother and they have a big hug.

Owen and Anna are depressed. Owen reckons it will tide them over - they can pay GBP5k off of the loan. We know Owen is getting GBP73k so do we have to assume there was a mortgage for GBP68k or simply other bills? There seems to be a black hole here which I do not understand. Owen will ask Jason if he needs a labourer. Without a decent income he will need to sell the house. He promises that he will not let that happen.

Fiz and Ches are carrying baby and other things from the house she shares with Ty into Ches's house when Ty arrives and wants to know what is going on. Fiz tells him to get lost. Fiz asks if has had a nice day out with his girl friend. Fiz calls him a cheating liar and he calls on Maria to defend him - but she says nothing. Maria says that if Fiz does not trust Ty then she does not deserve him. Ty wants to talk about it - but the look in Fiz's eyes is closer to murder - if Ty wants Maria then he should have her. Fiz and Ches go inside slamming the door in his face. Ty heads off home and Maria semi-smiles. Roll credits.

And so what have we learned this week.
Possibly that Owen cannot add up.
That Maria has wonderful timing in going for a hug.
That Eileen's temper can still be lost.
That Todd's tongue gets nastier
That Tony keeps GBP73k available for a spending spree. Don't we all wish we had that sort of money?

See you next Friday for a further report.
Richard


Monday 19 May

Karen's unavailable so I've got the helm for both episodes tonight:

Part 1:

Written by Julie Jones Directed by Judith Dine

Poor Tyrone. Fiz has spent the night at Chesney's and he's all out of sorts. Maria comes to the door and admits she should have backed him up the other day but Fiz scared her. (subtle sticking in of the knife, there). Tyrone wants to go talk to Fiz and make it right or Kirsty's won.

Peter's apologetic this morning, all loving with Carla. He doesn't look like he's all strung out like he has the past few mornings, at least. She reminds him of some of the motivational phrases they saw in America. She wants to put things behind them and make a fresh start. He agrees. He's planning to go to work. She worries it's too soon but he's bored.

Beth steps out of a taxi, home from Latvia and looking glum. Inside the house, everyone is pleased to see her. She says she didn't see much of Latvia as she was in hospital. Fiz comes downstairs and Beth realizes Fiz has stayed the night on the sofa. Fiz is out of sorts, too. Beth ignores Kirk's invitation to come for a cuddle. Sinead and Fiz are confused, having expected her to come in showing off her new boobs. There's a knock at the door. If you guessed Tyrone, you'd be right. He's anxious to talk to her and insists again that nothing is going on. Maria is just a mate and he promises nothing else went on. Fiz asks about this kiss she's heard about and Tyrone admits it but says Maria was the one that came on to him. Fiz doesn't want to know and sends him away.

Eva has brought Eileen a bowl of croissants. Everyone is fussing over Eileen in the wake of her explosion the other day. Todd and Marcus come down. Eileen is not best pleased and warns them. Marcus protests he's only stayed the night, not moved in. Todd sends him off with a kiss. Eva reads out Jason's horoscope which portents that he will receive good fortune. Today is the day he gets the keys to the builder's yard. Todd's sarcasm masks what Jason sees as jealousy. It probably is.

At the garage, Tyrone is bending Luke's ear about Fiz. Luke advises him to give Fiz a little space and goes in to make him a cuppa. Maria comes back again to see how Ty got on talking to Fiz. Obviously not well. Tyrone isn't going to give up on her, though. Not what Maria wants to hear. She thinks a clean break would be better. Her advice isn't received well and Tyrone thinks they need to stay away from each other for awhile. Also not what Maria wants to hear.

Steph is wittering on while Tina is sulking on the sofa. Steph reminds Tina that Peter was vile to her. Tina tries to tell herself she's pathetic but she still wants the alcoholic married man.

Fiz and Julie are in the cafe when David and Maria arrive. Maria and Fiz exchange evil looks. Maria comes over to apologize to Fiz, and yet makes out that she and Tyrone never meant to fall for each other again. Cow!!! Fiz and Julie leave and David questions Maria.

Rob wants to go out for a drink with Peter to pick his brains to find out what's up with him. Tracy doesn't want to in the wake of her locking Peter in. She doesn't want to be on the rough edge of his tongue any time soon. Steph comes bouncing in. Rob defends Carla, she's got no choice but to be around Peter as she's married to him in spite of him making her miserable. Steph is taking all this in as she looks around at the merchandise. Steph takes her choice to the counter to pay and Tracy makes sure to tell her she and Rob are getting married and having an engagement party, basking in the attention. Steph declines the invitation, saying she's probably working that night. Not what Tracy wanted to hear.

In the factory, everyone is curious about Beth's operation but Beth is distinctly uncomfortable. Peter hollers at them all for gassing and Carla backs him up. He's also the boss, remember? He hollers at her, too, for fighting his battle.

David and Maria are washing the salon windows. Todd and Marcus walk by and when Todd notices Maria, he slings his arm around Marcus' shoulders, rubbing it in. But Maria calls over and tells them she's met someone and is in love. Marcus is genuinely pleased for her. David tells her she's pathetic but Maria insisted that she and Tyrone are destiny. David is skeptical no matter how much she thinks she can persuade Tyrone to see sense. Yeah. That'll work.

Tyrone can't find his invoices. Luke says Maddie had a tidy-up and he didn't dare tell her not to. She might take offence and blow torch the office! Tyrone admits he's not been able to talk Fiz round yet. Annnnd Maria's back. She says she's got a message from Fiz. She says she apologized to Fiz but there were too many people around and Fiz thinks they should all talk it out together, later at her flat. Tyrone believes her. She says she'll tell Fiz it was all her fault and when the truth is out, it will be better for everyone.

Rob returns from an errand and has brought Tracy some chocolate. She's not bothered. She wonders if he's just not into this engagement. He accuses her of caring what people think. She says she doesn't, she just wants to rub people's noses in it (and they're not making it easy by not giving a damn about her, right?) Rob pulls her in for a cuddle.

Outside, Todd and Marcus are coming down the street (doesn't Marcus work any more?) Marcus is wondering about Maria's new man. Todd is still after Marcus to move into Number 11. He's tempted. It's not easy sharing with both Julie and Dennis. Julie is on a campaign to get Rita and Dennis back together. Jason calls them over to check out his new business. They don't bother.

Tyrone is waiting in Maria's flat for Fiz who hasn't shown up (because she doesn't know about it). Maria's offering him food, tea, you name it. He thanks her for giving them the opportunity. He keeps going on, wondering where Fiz is until Maria snaps at him. Outside, Fiz and Julie come round the corner chatting about something and nothing. Julie can see Fiz isn't really paying attention. Fiz appreciates Julie's efforts to take her mind off it and hopes she and Tyrone can work things out. They turn the corner to see police in front of Number 9. They're there about Kirsty so Fiz lets them in.

At the builder's yard, Tony and Jason are inspecting the premises. Tony says it's making up for the missed Christmases and birthdays. Eileen comes in to congratulate her boy. She's brought bacon butties. Jason is chuffed to be sitting in the boss's chair. Eileen wishes him good luck and they "toast" with the sarnies.

The police have told Fiz that Kirsty is not in the U.K. and the texts appear to have been sent from inside the U.K. They have eliminated Kirsty from their investigation and ask Fiz not to delete any texts she gets. She doesn't tell them that Tyrone smashed his phone after the last one. He urges her to keep a record of any harassment. Fiz is confused and concerned, now. If it isn't Kirsty, who is it?

Peter sees Tina leaving the Kabin. She comes over when she catches his eye and he apologizes for the other day. Rob spies them from down the road. He watches suspiciously as Peter puts his hand on her arm which he withdraws when he notices Rob.

Tyrone thinks Fiz has changed her mind. Maria gets all mushy and says they don't need Fiz. She likes to spend time with him. She moves in and when he pulls away, angry, accusing her of tricking him into coming, she blurts out that she loves him. He's horrified. She desperately tries to convince him he loves her, really, not Fiz. He doesn't know where she's got all this from and tells her it's all in her head. She starts to cry over how much she loves him.

In the pub, Rob comes up to have a word with Tina about Peter.

Fiz and Julie are back at hers after work. They've been trying to figure out all day who the harasser could be. Fiz has the number in her phone (though wasn't it only Tyrone's that Maria kept messaging? Maybe Fiz kept a note of the number). She decides to call the number. At the same time, Maria is sniveling an apology and Tyrone is halfway out the door. She asks him to stay, she wants to explain. She goes into the bathroom to wash her face. Her phone buzzes and Tyrone picks it up, seeing Fiz's name on the display. He answers it. Fiz? Tyrone? He says he's at Maria's and she doesn't look happy to hear that. He just looks confused.

Tvor

Part 2:

Written By Perrie Balthazar Directed by Judith Dine

Tyrone hangs up the phone when Maria comes back out. It seems that during the break, Fiz told him what the police said and they've realized it was Maria all along. He tells Maria that the police have said that it couldn't be Kirsty and that Fiz rang the number to find out who was at the other end. He has Maria sussed and confronts her. She did it all along. Maria tries to deny it. Tyrone knows darn well Maria's lying. If Fiz had been calling Maria she'd have used the number from her regular phone, which is sitting on the coffee table over there. Maria, you're busted! Tyrone shouts at her and demands to know why, if she cares so much about him, she made him so afraid for his children's safety. She can't say anything.

Rob is trying to find out why Tina was talking to Peter, why they looked like they were having a "moment" and if she knows what's going on in Peter's head, she needs to tell him for Carla's sake. Tina lies that she was talking to Peter about Simon. She wonders why Rob thinks Peter has a big secret. He's protective of Carla, Peter's her weakness and it's all about loyalty. That kind of hits home a tad when he says it could destroy Carla. For her sake, can she find out what Peter's up to and tell him? She agrees.

Tyrone has checked the phone but all the old sent messages are gone. She tries to pretend that it was all unplanned. The first message was a mis-communication and then after he leaned on her, she liked it. It made her feel better. He's not going to be consoled. He shouts at her about what life was like with Kirsty and how the texts brought the horror back. He pushes her away. If she calls that love, then she's twisted! He turns when he hears someone banging on the door. It's Fiz come to take a chunk out of Maria. He comes charging out and pulls Fiz away with Maria screaming after them. In the melee on the cobbles, Fiz lays into Maria, her former friend for terrorizing them. Maria screams that Fiz doesn't deserve Tyrone and she's just as bad as Kirsty. She is pathetic as she whines that Tyrone and her should be together. Tyrone demands she stay away from his family. Audrey and David come out of the salon and take Maria back inside.

Liz has just dried her hair with a fantastic hair dryer that has given her loads of volume, none of the frizz. Steph is in the pub and admires her hair though Tina interrupts and asks if she could make a phone call. Liz denies her because she took 20 minutes to empty the outside ashtray and reckons she's just skiving again. Tina then tells her that the hair dryer came from Barlow's Buys and it's probably dodgey.

Elsewhere Sinead and Kirk are wondering about Beth who comes in and sees them and leaves again. She doesn't want to talk about it. Kirk and Sinead are confused. Maybe the operation was botched?

Julie is consoling Fiz and Ty. Fiz doesn't understand how Tyrone didn't notice how unhinged Maria was becoming. He didn't because it never occurred to him.

Peter apologizes to Carla for not having a very successful day at the factory. Carla is just happy he came home, not to a bar. He insists he's a loser and she deserves more. She figures he's trying to push her away to prove his point. She's sticking with him. He's not up to finishing the rest of the day at the factory but she's ok with that and hugs him.

Fiz is hissing at Tyrone about the texts that Maria sent that scared them witless. Julie offers to pick up the kids for them but Fiz wants to be with them herself. Poor Tyrone is just happy it wasn't Kirsty and he thinks Fiz should be able to just forget about it. Fiz is scared Maria's capable of anything.

Audrey has calmed Maria down and wants an explanation for what Maria did. David reveals he knew which further shocks Audrey. Why didn't he tell anyone? He says Maria couldn't scare anyone. She's not talking, though, even though Audrey's trying to get that explanation out of her.

Kirk comes in and tells Beth they all left work early because Peter and Carla were working from home for the afternoon. Beth is sulking on the sofa. She finally admits the truth. It was a disaster. She, not the op. She couldn't go through with it at the last minute. She thought it was nerves at first, but realized she was lonely. Kirk takes a phone call from Audrey and he has to go see Maria. Beth tells him to go.

Peter is making sarnies. Carla comes out of the bedroom with a white teddy bear, surprised at herself for the purchase. Must be hormones! She thinks the baby is going to save them. He says she only needs saving from him. She wonders if they shouldn't tell people. It might make it more real and it might help keep him sober. He doesn't know. It might add to the pressure. Just think about it. She takes a sandwich and he decides to nip out for fresh air after looking at a text on his phone. She thinks it for a cig and says she trusts him. It's not for a fag, though, it's for Tina who's waiting outside. She is about to tell him about Rob when Carla comes out, they're out of milk. She invites Tina for a brew and steps off to nip to the shop. Peter follows Tina inside.

Kirk is holding a tearful Maria. Nothing any of them can really say much to make her feel better. She wants Kirk to pick up Liam and she doesn't want him to see her like that.

Tina tells Peter that Rob's suspicions are stoked. Peter's getting panicked and wants Tina to go but she says Carla will wonder. Peter's getting agitated more and more about everything and isn't coping with the pressure. He's suffocating and he has to get out. He wants her to leave. Down the road, Rob sees Carla come out of the shop with milk. She tells Rob Peter's ok, he's with Tina who's been a right little star. She warns him again to keep the baby secret.

Kirk has brought Liam home. Beth seems to be back to her old self. She can't believe she went to all that trouble and expense just because of a few sad sacks on the internet. She unzips her hoodie and displays the real Tinker goods (under a top, that is). She's proud of Kirk and her family and says she managed to get some of the money back and is going to treat them to a takeaway and give the money to Sinead and Chesney for the kebab shop. Sinead doesn't want to take it so she says she'll take them all on a holiday instead, even Maria if she wants.

Steph gets home to find Tina in a better mood. Steph worries about whether the new landlord (Jason/Tony) will up the rent. Tina suggests Steph find somewhere else because she's decided to leave Weatherfield and persuade Peter to come with her. He needs to get away from Carla and that's the solution. Steph thinks she's out of her head. Tina knows people are going to get hurt but it's too late, Peter can get a fresh start.

Maria has had a nap. Audrey wakes her and questions why Maria said she was scared. She admits she doesn't know what's going to happen. Her family was blown apart and what if it happened again with another man. Audrey says she can't let Marcus ruin her life and points out that she hasn't mentioned Liam once. She reminds her she's got to be strong and fight. She insists she can't.

Fiz tells Tyrone the kids are asleep. She thinks you can never really know someone, can you? Tyrone says she knows him. Maybe, she mutters. He thinks they can get through anything. Fiz plans to report Maria to the police and Tyrone backs her up. Good answer.

Tvor


Wednesday 21 May

Tina's bright and chirpy, making breakfast, until Steph points out a few pitfalls regarding her plan to run off with Peter. There's Simon for a start, does Tina plan to take him along too. Tina says they'll have to talk about it. Where is Tina planning on going? Tina says they have to talk about that, too. And then there's a school for Simon...... Tina gets cross and admits there is some fine tuning left to do.

Fiz and Tyrone are discussing whether or not to report Maria to the police. They eventually agree that it's the best thing to do. Fiz says they'll go straight away, and Tyrone is a bit taken aback, but says he'll go and tell Luke that he won't be at work until later.

Over in the pub, Carla shows Michelle some property details, she's thinking that she and Peter should move to new surroundings with the baby, she can't be lugging a buggy up and down the stairs at the flat. Michelle asks what Peter thinks about it all, but Carla hasn't told him yet, she thought she'd look around first. At that moment Tina bursts in, reporting for work, and catches the end of the conversation and sees Carla with the details. "Buying a house?" she asks. "Maybe," says Carla, "Maybe not." Michelle tells her there's a shopping list for her.

Gail is at her post as receptionist at the gym, and bombards a somewhat bemused Kal with questions about how she should address the customers. Leanne comes in then and goes to talk to Kal. Gail looks across at them laughing and smiling at each other.

Audrey has gone to see Maria and tells her she's cancelled all her appointments for the week. Maria is worried she's now the talk of the street.

Tina comes out of the shop with the pub's shopping, when Peter comes along and pulls her round the corner. He starts to say that he can't just drop everything every time she wants to talk to him. She's quick to tell him he's moving – she's just seen Carla showing Michelle estate agents details. He's shocked, and annoyed that Carla has told Michelle before him. "Wait till I see her!" he snaps. Tina tells him not to say anything, or Carla will know it's come from her. She asks him to meet her later, at the flat. He's reluctant, but she says she has things to say and she can't say them out in the street. Eventually he says he'll see what he can do.

Lloyd and Andrea go into the cafe and sit with Todd and Marcus. Lloyd tells them about Maria, pretending to be Kirsty and sending Tyrone and Fiz texts. Marcus can't believe Maria would do something like that, until Kirk comes in and tells Marcus it's all his fault for doing the dirty on her, she went to pieces after that. He and Beth then tell Todd it's all his fault too, if he'd kept his paws off Marcus, Maria would still be happy. Todd then starts making personal remarks to Kirk, saying he's not the full shilling and calling him a numpty. In a moment or two it escalates until there's almost a fight and Anna kicks them all out. Outside, Marcus drags Todd away, saying that Kirk is right.

Maria opens her front door to find two police officers on her doorstep.

Beth and Kirk then spot Fiz and Tyrone walking down the street and hurry over. Kirk tries to say that Maria wants to apologise, and then they see the police officers putting Maria into the back of their car.

Peter has gone round to Tina's flat, and is ranting about Carla and how she likes to be in control. Tina tells him he can't live like this and urges him to move away with her. She says Carla is sucking him into a life that he doesn't want. He gets agitated and says he's not in the right frame of mind to make that decision. She kisses him and keeps on about it. Then she says she needs to know by tonight.

Tracy and Rob are in their shop when Tony comes in, looking for a digital radio. Rob offers him one for £45.00. Tony doesn't want to pay that much and haggles for it. Rob however, won't budge and Tony leaves. Tracy disapproves, she thinks he should have given Tony a discount.

Sharif and Kal are in the cafe, Sharif is talking figures but Kal only has eyes for Leanne who has just come in. She wanders over and says hello, and then leaves. Sharif remarks that he thought Kal was going to forget about her. Kal says it's hard when she's everywhere he turns.

Peter arrives home and glares at Carla. She wonders what's wrong, but then says she has just the thing to cheer him up and pulls out the estate agent's details, shows him the house and says she thinks they should go and have a look at it. She asks what he thinks. He asks when she got the details. She says she walked past the agent's window yesterday. "So why didn't you tell me before?" he sounds like a petulant child. She tells him she didn't know how serious she was. "So what do you think?" she asks again. With the wind taken out of his sails, he admits that it looks nice. "Well, we can't have a baby here, can we?" she says. He wants to know why not. She says they need more space and a garden and he needs a new, fresh start. Then he gets all sulky and says he'll stay there, she can go and live there. She tells him he needs to get off the self-pity trip right now, they need to move on. After a few moments he agrees that she can phone the agent.

Lloyd and Andrea are in the gym, he's on the running machine, but he's walking. Gail comes over and starts trying to tell Lloyd what he should be training on. Sharif comes over and asks who told her that. She tells him it was Kal. He asks if she knows that personal trainers adapt things to their client, and what she's saying may not apply to Lloyd. Embarrassed, she creeps away.

Carla and Peter walk into the Rovers, but no sooner has Carla ordered the drinks, Peter says he's going outside for a ciggie.

Tracy and Rob are in the bistro when Tony comes in and shows them a digital radio he got in town for ten pounds less than the one Rob was selling. Then he tells them that a van load of electrical goods is going to go missing at the weekend, and he wants Rob to drive the van. "With the gear in it?" asks Rob, "no chance!" Tony says he hasn't got the bottle, but Rob says he has a few brain cells between his ears. Tony gets up and walks away.

Peter is out the back of the Rovers when Steve comes out and asks how it's going, and tells him he thinks the baby will be the making of him. Peter then tells him that Tina wants him to move away with her. Steve reminds him that Carla is his wife and she's carrying his child. Peter tells him that if he was normal, and not some drunk that ruined everything he touched, it would be a no brainer. The fact is, he doesn't deserve Carla. Steve gets cross and tells him that's a cop out. Peter tells him that Rob is onto him, and it's just a matter of time before he's rumbled, or that Tina finds out about the baby. Either way, he's stuffed, so moving away is a good idea, it's a fresh start. Steve gets even crosser and tells him he needs to stay put and do what he knows is right.

Maria gets home from the police station, and tells Audrey (who is looking after Liam) that it is now all down to whether Tyrone and Fiz are going to press charges.

Peter finds Tina in the ginnel and says he'll go away with her. She hugs him and says he won't regret it. She thinks they should move to Portsmouth, and she wants to go soon. They arrange to meet up tomorrow to discuss details. She kisses him and goes off, all excited, as he leans against the wall and looks worried.

Anne Logan


Friday 23 May

Hello and welcome to a Friday episode in which the carbuncle that is Peter and Tina's relationship draws ever closer to bursting and making a foul mess!

Peter's standing morosely in the kitchen, ignoring the toast burning. Carla, though, is all cheerful sweetness and light. Peter says he's knackered and has a headache. He's not much interested in her plans to arrange a house viewing. "Peter, have you heard yourself?" she asks. "Come on. This is just what we need. A fresh start!"

In the cafe, Owen's had the offer of a job doing some tarmacking in Aberdeen. He'll be one of the Boys From the Blackstuff (excellent TV series from 1982) for a fortnight. Anna says he must be pleased but she can barely raise a smile about it and says she has to get back to work.

Beth recites the story of her dream about aliens as she and Kirk walk to work. They see Tyrone and Fiz come out of their house and Kirk asks if they're going ahead with pressing charges. Kirk's worried about Maria. He says she's all over the place and might be having a breakdown. Tyrone snaps that now she knows how he felt when he thought he was being threatened by his ex and thought his kids' lives were in danger. Beth backs up Kirk's story of Maria acting strangely and having no friends to turn to. Fiz angrily says they weren't the ones who chucked that friendship away. "She did that all by herself."

While Owen has a quick sociable word with Tony, Nick comes into the cafe and Anna serves him. Owen sees her being all smiley and animated - a way she never is with him these days.

Tina meets Jake and Izzy in the street. It's Jake's birthday tomorrow and Izzy invites Tina along. Tina gives him a quick cuddle (I wish they'd invent a boom microphone which didn't distract babies). She says she'll be there for his birthday if she can possibly make it and in a serious moment tells Izzy she thinks she's brilliant.

There follows an odd little scene where Tina meets Sally, who is listening to John Denver on her headphones. Tina's never heard of him.

Maria looks out of her window. The flat is a mess. Her phone goes but she rejects the call.

Leanne's frustrated with Simon, who is leaping from paving stone to paving stone to avoid the cracks. They meet Nick who suggests an outing to Alton Towers (amusement park) for all three of them. Leanne isn't keen but gives in. Gail comes out and Simon tells her they're going. She says something polite but gives Nick A Look.

Carla tells Sally and Eva she'll be taking more time off and will work from home more often so they're both going to have to step up. Sally suggests she and Carla "hot desk" and behind her Eva shakes her head and pulls faces. "You're still going to be sewing, Sal!" points out Carla. Sally changes tack and says how much she admires Carla for having a piece of cake sitting in front of her all day and not eating it. Carla offers it to her, though Sally protests she wasn't hinting. They're interrupted by Michelle's arrival.

"Carla's just given me this cake," Sally tells Izzy. "It's a bit embarrassing being the boss's favourite." Izzy asks what was going on in the office. Sally says it was a high-powered business pow-wow. "She wants me to step up and be a bit more managerial." It's the dinner break but Sally says she thinks she'll hang back and flow chart a few management strategies. She might think up some buzzwords while she's at it. Izzy wants to know what that even means. "Do you know, the fact that you even had to ask shows why Carla hasn't asked you to step into her shoes." Izzy says the heels might be a bit much for her. Sally hastily protests that she didn't mean . . . "No," says Izzy. "You just meant to be patronizing. It's your modus operandi." Now Sally looks confused. "Look it up if you don't know it," says Izzy. "Bob it on your flow chart!" If Izzy's main role in the programme is to pop Sally's ego I will be her biggest fan!

Michelle asks Carla how Peter took the suggestion of a house move. Carla starts to get abdominal cramps and Michelle tells her she needs to take things easy. Carla insists she's OK.

In the cafe, Tracy's giving out engagement party invitations. Roy thinks this is a bit of a scattergun approach to inviting people and Anna thinks it a bit strange that Tracy's handing out invitations to their own local. Tracy says it's not a crime to be generous. Kylie tries to hand hers back but Tracy reveals there'll be a free bar so she snatches it back. Looks like she'll get a good turnout and be able to tell herself she has lots of friends.

At one of the tables, Fiz and Tyrone discuss Maria. He seems a bit worried by Kirk's suggestion that Maria's having a breakdown. Fiz is less sympathetic.

Peter's at the back gate of the pub and says he came as soon as he could. Tina tells him they need to go as soon as possible. "You and me - a fresh start!" she says, echoing Carla's words this morning. Neither of them see Rob in the window of Deirdre's upstairs back bedroom. Peter gives Tina his credit card (PIN 1965) so she can pay for tickets.

At the gym, Gail tells Sharif her organizational skills are second to none. She's confident her skills are well above Katy's. Kal comes in and Sharif asks if he's still moping about Leanne. If Kal still feels this strongly, maybe he was wrong to call it off, Sharif suggests. Nick comes in and they stop talking.

Rob's in the Rovers now. Tina's chatting and flirting with a delivery man and when she's signed the delivery note she puts the pen on the bar. Rob picks it up and sees it from the hotel where he met Peter the other week.

Rob sits on the seat outside the medical centre and looks at the pen.

In the salon, Kirk comes in to ask if Audrey has a spare key to the flat. Maria's not answering his phone and he's worried. It's Kylie who says what they're thinking - that Maria might have killed herself.

Tina asks for a half-hour break. As she's leaving the pub she stops for a word with Owen. She says she saw Jake and is really glad she did what she did.

Owen and Kal stand side by side at the bar, staring at their drinks. Michelle thinks they probably have woman trouble. She's a barmaid and it's her job to know these things. Kal says they're blokes and girly emotional chats are off limits. Michelle offers them some advice for free - seize the moment. Spoil the women and show them they're loved. She moves away and Owen and Kal toast each other.

At first Audrey thinks Maria's changed the locks but realises she's just got the latch on. Kirk tries to shoulder-charge the door but finds it's not as easy as it looked on The Bill (police series which finished in 2010). Jason's passing and he shows them the right way to do it - with a well-placed kick to the lock.

They rush up the stairs to find Maria wrapped in a towel and glistening damply. Jason's very impressed. Maria less so. "Have you just kicked my front door in?" She realises they all thought she'd topped herself. Jason promises to come back later to fix the door. After he's gone, Audrey remarks what a nice lad he is and Maria takes that as meaning she should have stayed with Jason. Kirk tells her he's spoken to Tyrone and Fiz about dropping the charges but doesn't know what they'll decide.

Tracy meets Tony in the street. "That job you mentioned - I want the details." Tony points out Rob isn't interested. "Never mind Rob, I'll do it," she says. Tony says he'll come and find her later.

Peter comes out of the factory for a smoke. Rob sees him and says he knew something was going on. He says he knows Peter's having an affair with Tina. He's seen them cosying up, the secret smiles . . . Peter protests that Tina's half his age. Rob produces the pen from the hotel. "Come on - you want to start explaining - fast!"

Eva arrives home to find Leanne looking at Kal's Facebook page. She says she was getting jealous by some of the remarks left on his page but realised they were from a woman whose personal trainer he was. She says she should forget about Kal and move on. The doorbell goes and Eva answers it. It's Kal and he wants to come up. She buzzes to let him in and races to hide before he gets to the top of the stairs.

Carla is at home ringing the estate agent, who isn't in. As she hangs up, the cramps hit hard enough to double her over. She gets her phone.

Peter's still talking to Rob, trying to laugh off the pen as a coincidence. It's flimsy evidence and doesn't mean they're having an affair. "So why did you give her your credit card - 1965?" asks Rob, making it clear he heard the conversation. Peter says he asked Tina to get some flowers for Carla. He insists there's nothing going on. If Rob's only evidence is a pen then he should look into a mirror and ask himself why he's so interested in other people's non-existent affairs. Peter moves away. Rob pauses then says, "We'll see what Carla has to say about that!" and stomps away towards the flat.

The end.
Margaret Carr

Good evening to all my readers. I resumed my travels this week with a visit to the South Island (or as some call it the Isle of Wight) to cover the remaining rail network in its entirety. Not difficult these days as there is only the former BR line between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, with electric trains built in 1938 and the preserved route between Smallbrook Junction and Wootton where the steam engine in action was actually much newer than the electric trains just mentioned. However the coaches I rode in were far older as the most recent coach on the steam railway dates back to 1924 and the rest date back far earlier.

Sadly the sun disappeared so the photos are not great - I hope I shall eventually get my travel records online.

Turning our attention north wards it is time to examine events in the Street this week, written by John Kerr, directed by Judith Dine and with thanks to ITV Studios who retain the copyright on all that follows. Although the hoops needed to get on the ITV Player website are annoying.

We open in the factory with Peter looking unhappy and his phones rings - it is Carla. He cannot answer it and it goes to voicemail. As Carla lurches downstairs in pain she meets Rob at the front door who decides that she needs to go to hospital now in view of the pains she is suffering.

Meanwhile Kal has gone to see Leanne. Kal reckons that not being able to see Leanne is worse than the hiding. Leanne says he will have to get used to it, but he says he can't. He wants to be with her - whatever it takes, which includes telling Nick. They kiss.

Carla gets Rob to stop the car as they catch Peter walking down the Street and hustle him into the car before setting off at speed; this activity is observed by Tina in the distance (and spotted by Rob in his mirror?).

In the Rovers Fiz and Ty have once again fallen to thinking about Maria. (All together now "How do you solve a problem like Maria?", sadly they do not break into song, it might have been more entertaining). Fiz reckons Maria is wrong in the head and Ty will never trust her again. And Fiz is sounding slightly more forgiving as they have not split up.

Carla, Peter and Rob are in hospital waiting to be seen. Carla reckons she will be all right - she is tough. Peter is sent to find a vending machine for a cup of tea. Once gone Carla defends Peter to Rob. She wants to know what he wanted at the flat. Then standard NHS rudeness - a nurse arrives and asks in quite a sharp voice for Carla. Please, dignity and calmness should be shown - "Mrs Barlow, could you come this way please?" is how it should be done. Why does everyone think that first names are good when there should be a display of professionalism and maturity on display. Whatever happened to good manners? Carla tells Rob to wait for Peter. He wishes her good luck.

Anna and Owen are arguing in the pub - she refuses a drink and is not being sociable. Owen reckons it might be better if he does not go Aberdeen, but Anna just goes and gets him another drink.

Also in the Rovers, Tony and Tracy are discussing her moving the van with the "knock off goods" on Monday which is in the middle of the engagement party. The deal is agreed and Tracy gets in the next round by shouting at Tina that she wants to order some drinks and that might be difficult as Tina might have to concentrate as it is more than one drink - and we can see Tina is desperately trying to send a text message on her phone. Tina bites back by asking how she finds the time to be such a complete and utter bitch; Tracy was prepared for this - she sets her alarm early. Tina says she will get the drinks but Tracy reckons Tina is in the wrong line of work - Tina is about as good at this barmaid work as her father was at swimming. Tina sees red and shouts at Tracy to shut her mouth or she will throw her through the window. Liz appears and also shouts at Tina. They go into the hallway and Liz says she is not interested in what Tracy did this time. They both know she is a cow, the pub knows she is a cow. However if Tina does not sort herself out, then she will be the one looking for a new job. Liz sends her home - but she must not be late tomorrow. Liz returns to the bar.

Peter returns and he and Rob star arguing. Peter's phone rings and Rob wants to know who is calling and grabs the phone from Peter's pocket. It is Tina. Rob demands an admission and Peter gives it, but he swears it is all over. Rob reckons he is close to breaking every bone in Peter's body - when the nurse arrives. Peter pleads with Rob to say nothing.

After the break Beth wants to know why Maria's door is broken. Kirk explains that they broke it - and Maria adds that they thought she had been silly but in fact because she has Liam to look after she would not be silly. Beth suggests that Maria should get away - possibly to Cyprus. Maria would like to go - but the police may not allow it.

Back at the hospital there is no problem - a strong and regular heartbeat and nothing to worry about - go home and continue as normal. Peter seeks to re-assure Carla - but she is recalling she did not want children and perhaps nature is getting its own back. Peter gives her a huge hug and Rob is still troubled as he goes to get the car.

Leanne and Kal come out of the house obviously on a high after what they have just got up to!!!! Leanne says she needs to go as Nick will be wondering. Kal says something similar about his father and then sees him in the distance outside the gym. Too late for a tactical retreat. They split up. Leanne has a huge smile on her face, but Kal faces his father, who agrees to tell his mother.

Beth and Kirk stop Ty and Fiz in the Street, but they do not want a row. Beth tells them Maria just wants to get away - to Cyprus with Liam for as long as it takes to sort her head out. Kirk pleads with them to drop the complaint and it would get Maria out of their hair - which is the most important thing.

Anna is seeking to apologise for being a miserable so and so. Owen says a lot would have split up with what they had faced. He toasts them both and Anna seems more cheerful.

Tony re-assures Liz that he was not chatting up Tracy and asks what she is doing later - going to be she replies and he asks if there is room for a little one and they kiss across the bar. Jim won't like so he won't.

At the flat Carla tells Peter to stop fussing over her. He wants to be sure she is OK and suggests a bath and an early night and Rob also heads off after thanks and a hug from Carla. Peter wants to know why Rob did not tell her. Rob does want to tell her - but Carla is not strong enough and his dirty secret is safe for now - but if Peter steps out of line again Rob will kill him.

Kirk tells Maria that Ty and Fiz will drop the complaint and Maria will go on line. Beth is impressed by Kirk and gives him a kiss, he admits he needed her support.

Tina is packing, moving to Portsmouth and brings Steph up to date. Tina hopes it will be different this time. Tina has also sorted the rent (how I don't know). Tina has to finish packing.

Eva comes into the Bistro and wants to check that Leanne is finished. Jason was not available so she was caught up in a small disagreement around Eileen's - Carol Smilie or Lorraine Kelly? They both agree that Ms Kelly would reign supreme. Leanne confirms that she and Kal are back on at which point a very lined Gail appears wanting to know why they are so excited - apparently there is a new shoe shop in town!!! Leanne also tells her that they are going to tell Nick - who then gives the late arriving Steph a public dressing down. Leanne and Eva know that breaking the news will have to wait.

Maria is off to the airport shortly and Kirk will tell everyone. Kirk will take her and Liam to the airport and we wave her farewell for now - have a good holiday!

Tina finally gets hold of Peter. Rob has not dropped them in it and Peter lies - they have been house hunting. He denies having second thoughts. Tina is also leaving people behind. But Rob is onto them and they need to go and Peter agrees. Is Peter stringing her along? He promises he is not and agrees to go away with her tomorrow. Carla appears at the doorway and comes over to Peter and she asks if they are going to be all right. Peter says yes they are going to be all right. And they hug.

Cue spoilers for next week which I am not going to cover.

And what have we learnt this week?

Peter is a lying deceiving rat (is that new news? I think not)
Tracy is a lying deceiving rat (is that new news? I think not)
Leanne is being deceptive - again!
And Ty and Fiz have hearts really - which we all knew and are pleased has been maintained.

I will be back with the upcoming Sunday episode as there is only one next Friday thanks to Simon Cowell and BGT. See you then.

Richard


Monday 26 May

Just one episode tonight, and it ends in a shock for Tina.

Written by Jan McVerry Directed by Duncan Foster

Tina's leaving today and she clears out her closet for Emily's charities.

Peter's offering to do the ironing so Carla can put her feet up. Carla's planning on going to the engagement party and Peter is trying to get out of it. She's determined to go for her only brother's sake. Peter's phone buzzes, Carla hands it to him without looking. Good thing. It's from Tina.

Who is stuffing clothes into a case and having trouble closing it. She hands a top to Steph. Steph is sad she can't give Tina a proper send off and will miss her. Tina thinks she and Peter have a chance. Steph reminds her to keep in touch.

Anna's given Izzy a little something for Jake's birthday. Owen is going to Aberdeen sooner than expected, missing Anna's birthday. She says that's ok and goes upstairs. Owen is still confused and upset over Anna's coolness to him. Izzy asks what he's doing for her birthday and he mentions a Chinese meal. Pfft... Izzy asks for the laptop.

Tracy forbids Deirdre from wearing a chain link belt to the party. Tracy witters on about her hair while Rob stands mystified that he has to do everything on her list. Deirdre and Rob spy Peter outside the corner shop and it takes Rob's attention. He notices Tina come up and say something to him (she insists he meet her at the flat). Rob's attention is completely taken away from Tracy, wondering what's going on. She asks him again if he's up for this because he's been a bit distant. He professes his love and mollifies her.

Peter surprises Steve out the back of the pub and pulls him into the ginnel. Peter is panicking. He feels like he's a little car in the middle of two juggernauts racing towards him, one's Tina and one's Carla. He can't leave Carla and doesn't know how to tell Tina he's not leaving. Steve tells him to beg, bully and bribe Tina.

Tina gives Izzy her dad's watch for Jake. Tina doesn't seem to think she'll ever end up having any kids to pass it on to. She tells Izzy they're forever mates.

Eva and Leanne are in the cafe. They've obviously been talking about her having to tell Nick the awful truth. Nick comes in just then and asks where Simon is. Remember that day out he promised for the three of them to Alton Towers? Today. Simon, meanwhile, is at a sleep over. Fail! Now, did she forget or did he not tell her the specific date. She says he only mentioned "half term" not the date. He plops down a case with a picnic inside on the table and strops out. Over at another table, Fiz and Tyrone happily joke with Anna about swerving the engagement party. Roy notices that Anna seems a bit happier but it's not because she resolved anything with Owen, who walks in just then. He says he has to take Anna out for the day, a nice meal and a night in a posh hotel. Izzy helped him get a good deal but they have to go now to beat the bank holiday traffic. Roy is quite happy to let her go but it's clear she's reluctant. She pastes a smile on, though, and agrees to go.

Tina comes into the pub to tell Michelle that she's leaving. Now. Michelle is gobsmacked but Steve looks stern. He doesn't make any effort to back up Michelle to talk her out of it. She says she's going with a mate but of course, Steve knows where and who with and he's cool to her.

Leanne comes into the Bistro to pick up something she needed, where Gail and Steph are keeping things ticking over. Gail is surprised to see Leanne who was supposed to be off (as is Nick). Leanne blames herself for forgetting. Nick has come into work as he has nothing better to do after all and tells Gail that he doesn't think Leanne forgot, she just didn't want to go.

David has put Tracy's hair up in a house call. She doesn't tip him. Tony comes out of the pub and they confirm their plans tonight.

Rita and Norris talk about Tracy's engagement. She picked out a humourous card as that's the only thing that suited this occasion. Tina comes in to see Rita who sends a curious Norris off so they can have their word in private. Tina tells Rita that she's met someone, a married man, she's in love and they're leaving together. I'm sure she didn't say he was married but Rita expresses sorrow that the man's wife will be upset and she's disappointed in Tina. Tina says Rita's been her mate, mum and grandma. Rita is emotional but says they'll keep in touch. Rita wants to know how they think this will be a good foundation for a future? Does Tina think he'll stand by her any more than he did his wife? Tina declares the man needs her and she's giving up everything for her. Finally, Tina admits the man she loves is Peter. That's all Rita needs to hear. She tells Tina that Peter is a womanizer and is incensed that it was going even by his wedding day. Peter will bleed her dry and dump her. Rita accuses Tina of being desperate so Tina lashes out at Rita, pointing out her many married names and gets a solid smack across the face for her insolence.

The party (and free bar) is in full swing. Sean and Liz are run off their feet. Everyone is enjoying the freebies while Tracy is taking a selfie with her and Deirdre. Michelle comes in with a cake stand. Deirdre brings out the chocolate covered heart shaped cake that says Congratulations Tracy and ROY!!! Talk about a faux pas! (Some of you will remember that Tracy had to marry Roy while pregnant with Amy as he thought he was the father and it was his way to get a legal claim on the baby). Deirdre is horrified that the shop made such a mistake. Rob takes it in stride but Tracy's livid. Carla and Peter arrive and congratulate Rob who warns her sarcastic attitude, reminding her she promised a cessation of hostility. Carla puts on a smile for Tracy. Gail tells Eva that Leanne is hurting Nick. Eva assumes Gail knows about Kal and lets the cat out of the bag. Oops. Out back, Steve and Peter are arguing about Peter coming to the party, clearly not having told either Tina or Carla anything. Steve reckons if he doesn't go with Tina, Tina will shoot him down big time. He hasn't been able to get to Tina so far today and now is no different as Carla comes out to drag him back inside.

Anna is in the toilet of the hotel and it looks like she's on the edge of an anxiety attack. This night in a nice hotel is obviously bringing back bad memories of Phelan for her. Owen is playing with the stereo when she comes out and has found some romantic music. She keeps her distance and sits on the end of the bed. He brings her a glass of wine. She's really trying hard.

Peter is trying to get Carla to finish her drink so they can go. He pretends it's being surrounded by all the booze. Outside Tina has her cases and ducks out of the way as Tyrone and Fiz walk by. Carla promises they can leave in half an hour. Tina is still waiting for Peter and wondering where he is. She calls over to David as her taxi shows up.

Inside the pub, Tracy brings over champagne but Carla declines, pretending she's got a buck's fizz (orange juice and champers) but Tracy makes a big deal, saying she doesn't think Carla wants to toast her. She needles Carla until Carla gets up to leave. Rob pulls Tracy to one side. Tina is pacing. She pretends she needs a book and asks Roy if he's seen Carla. He has. With Peter going into the engagement party. Uh oh.

Inside Tracy is taking chunks out of Carla, complaining about her to Peter while Rob keeps Carla out of her way but Carla can't listen to Tracy's gob anymore. She turns around and snaps at Tracy and tells her she's not drinking because she's pregnant! Everyone hears that one! The taxi finally drives off and leaves Tina there with her bags. Inside the pub, Tracy toasts Peter and Carla's baby and everyone calls for a speech, the last thing Peter wants! But he gives in to the crowd and tells everyone they were surprised themselves, but they're over the moon about the baby. Tina's heard that last bit and stares at Peter in shock and Peter and Steve both see that she's heard the awful truth.

Tvor


Tuesday 27 May

And we continue on with last night's storyline, with a shocker ending

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by Duncan Foster

Tina stands there, heart broken and in shock. Tracy spots her and insists she leaves and then notices she's carrying a bag. Tina murmurs that she was going away and then speaks to Carla. Peter's heart is in his mouth, his eyes warning her no... nooooo.... But Tina just congratulates Carla. Sighs of relief from Peter, and also Steve and Liz from behind the bar. Carla wants her to stay but Tracy wants her to go and go she does. Peter says goodbye and she turns and slinks out.

In the hotel, There's distance between Anna and Owen, both sitting on the opposite sides of the bed. It's clear that his idea, his hope that it would help them get closer again went down the drain. He accuses her of being distant, snarky. She says she's just tired.

Back at the party, everyone's talking about the pregnancy. Tracy smugly points out that Carla can't think very much of Rob because she didn't even tell him. But his face tells a different story. He pretends he had an inkling and guessed. Carla asked him not to tell her so he didn't. Tracy decided to go off and have a lie down for a half hour. In a mood, Rob thinks.

Peter has managed to get outside to talk to Tina. He says he just didn't know how to tell her. He apologizes. He tries to tell her what she wants to hear, even now, that it could have worked and she lays into him, hitting him and crying. Roy comes out of the cafe, hearing the commotion. Peter's protesting and wants to explain but she's not having it. She's furious. He does follow her inside, watched by a mystified Roy.

In the hotel, Owen wonders if this is all about Phelan. It is of course, but not in the way he thinks. He thinks she's still worried about Gary and reminds her that's done. Gary won't go to prison. He doesn't know what she wants. What she wants, is to go home but that isn't making him feel any better, having shelled out for the room already. He goes out, full of attitude, leaving her even more guilt-ridden.

In the gym, Gail has confronted Kal and Leanne who is promising her there's nothing going on. Gail knows differently and she does understand but points out that she and Nick are still married. She wants Leanne to tell Nick before he walks in on them accidentally like she did.

Tina asks Peter how long Carla has been pregnant. Funny you should say that, Peter utters, Carla didn't tell him right away, either and he didn't think it was anything she would want to hear. She remembers he told her he didn't want anymore children, all the things he said and it sounded like he meant them. But he's not disappointed it's happening, is he? Peter says he said he'd go with her because he wanted to make her happy. She knows he only wanted to keep her quiet. How could he leave it until now to say or do anything, she cries. He hangs his head and says he always leaves everything until "now".

Back at the pub, Rob is sidelined by Deirdre wondering where Tracy is. Rob pretends he was going to see Tracy but Deirdre thinks one baby is enough for now and drags him to the bar to have a little chat. Turns out his favourite film is Jaws!

Peter whispers to Tina that she meant more to him than she will ever realize. That doesn't go very far to making her feel any better. He's trying to keep her calm but she seems more determined not to let him get away with this and thinks Carla deserves to know. His attempts at placating her only set her off again and she launches into him, this time raking her fingers down his cheek. He's angry now. He tells her she's right, he was never going to leave Carla. He tries to leave but she's not done yet. No matter. heads to the door anyway and asks her are they cool? (Really? could he be any more patronizing?) He just wants reassurance she's not going to spill the beans. She shouts at him and tells him to brace himself. She's going to tell Carla everything. Peter breathes in deeply to brace himself indeed and leaves. She has that look on her face like she's got nothing left to lose as he runs down the stairs and storms around the corner, watched by Roy from behind his nets. He sees Mary and Norris getting some air outside the pub. He's rude to them. Mary notices he's bleeding so he tries to pretend it was a cat that he tangled with. He goes around the corner and lights up a cig.

After the break, Owen and Anna are home and he's shouting at her. He's trying to figure out what's going on. She stammers that she thinks they need to go their separate ways. He's stunned and follows her into the kitchen where she's emptying the kitchen bins. He asks why, not the bins, the breakup. She can't tell him. He tears the bin out of her arms and throws it to one side. She breaks down and he's instantly concerned and holds her, trying to tell her it's ok but she pushes him away and runs upstairs, leaving him mystified.

Red heels are walking along a dark road. It's Tracy to approaches a man who pops out of a van. He hands her the keys and flirts with her a bit. She doesn't really lap it up but treats him friendly anyway and then gets into the van. Rob has gone across to Tina's flat and, finding the door open, goes inside. Back in the pub, Peter has come back. Carla notices his scratched face and laughs when Mary tells her about the cat. He tells Carla she has to come home with him. She won't leave the party but he insists. She still won't go with him and he can hardly tell her why in the middle of a crowded pub. Steve steps over and tells them they can use the back room because of course, he knows what Peter wants to tell Carla. Reluctantly, she follows him to the back room.

Tina is startled to see Rob in her flat. He was concerned about her and though she protests she's fine, he stays and heads in to put the kettle on.

Peter isn't quite sure where to start but start he does. She declines to sit and he begins by telling her straight out he'd been having an affair over the last few months, until recently. She sits down. He insists it was a stupid mistake and it's over. He loves her and regrets it ever happened. Carla asks who it was but he lies and says she doesn't know her. No, that's not good enough, Carla pushes. Ok, here goes. He tells her it was Tina.

And we cut to Tracy pulling the van up to the back of a building. Tony is pleased to see her and asks her to help him unload. She isn't happy about that but he says the sooner they get the goods unloaded, the sooner he can drive her back.

Rob tells Tina he never liked Peter. Tina doesn't understand why Rob is there. Rob explains Peter was never going to leave Carla and she fell for the lies and promises of a middle aged man. She picks up her phone and threatens to call Carla but Rob says he'll stop her. When she won't give him the phone he struggles with her and gets it away from her. Never mind, she can tell Carla in person and then, she shouts, she'll go to the police and turn he and Tracy in for dealing in stolen goods. Rob makes out like he doesn't know what she's on about and says his dealings with Tony are legitimate. He pushes her back when she tries to leave and scares her. Oh.... apparently there's a door out the back of her flat to the upper level of the builder's yard. Did anyone know that was there? Me neither. She's outside with him and looks scared.

Peter protests desperately, gesturing wildly all the while lying that Tina did all the running and he, being the weak man he is, couldn't resist. Carla looks sick. And when she finds out that it started at their wedding, it's like a pin has burst a balloon and deflates it.

Rob asks Tina to keep quiet, say nothing to Carla or to the police. She cried that Peter loved her. Rob points out he only fancied her and she's too full on for anyone to want to settle down with her. She's always kicking off about something. She needs to just shut up and smile. She screams that she'll never keep her mouth shut. She tries to get around him but he pushes her back. She insists she's telling the world and he and Tracy will both be banged up in prison. She tries to rush past him and they struggle. He pushes back violently and she staggers back a few feet, right up against the railing and her momentum keeps her going. A perfect backflip off the deck down onto the cobbles below, with a scream. He looks over and down at her body, not moving, shocked.

Tvor


Wednesday 28 May

We open with a view of Tina, lying inert on the cobbles. A shocked and gasping Rob looks down on her from the balcony, then he ducks out of sight as Chesney comes out of the kebab shop across the road. Ches, however, is just picking up litter and doesn't notice Tina lying in the dark, then goes back inside again.

Deirdre arrives home, and, not finding Rob and Tracy downstairs, assumes that they're otherwise engaged in the bedroom. She calls up the stairs to them, telling them their guests are expecting to see them at their own party, and then goes off out again.

Peter is still trying to wriggle out of the enormity of what he's done to Carla. He says he didn't sleep with Tina on the wedding night, he wouldn't do that to Carla. She's not impressed and asks if she should be grateful for small mercies. She asks where all these infidelities took place, and reels off a list which is actually very accurate. Her bed? Tina's bed? Occasional hotel rooms? Etc.

At Anna's house, Owen is trying to get to the bottom of the problem. He asks Anna if it's something he's done. She tells him it's not. Then he asks if it's something she's done. She doesn't answer, which speaks volumes. He presses her, and she eventually confesses about what happened with Phelan. She tells him that Phelan had said he could make the problem go away, and it did, but not for her.

Back at Tina's flat, Rob is frantically turning furniture over and emptying drawers to make it look like a burglary. He stuffs things into his pockets too, including some jewellery, chains and bracelets lying on a table.

Anna tells Owen that she did it for Gary's sake, for everybody's sake. She was desperate and didn't know what else to do. "But...he forced himself on you? Yeah?" asks Owen. "No," says Anna quietly, and Owen recoils from her, and sits down, shocked. "So what does that make you?" he says. Weeping, Anna tells him it was just the one time. She knows what it makes her and she hates it, but she just shut her eyes and went through it all for them.

Peter is babbling on to Carla. He says that she didn't do anything wrong, in fact she's given him so much, possibly too much. "I beg your pardon?" says Carla. He mumbles on about the bookies and the factory and the fact that she paid his way. "What? I hurt your pride?" she asks, furious. "But you know how much I love you, don't you?" he says. She tells him he copped off on their wedding day, so no, she doesn't know how much he loves her. She knows she gave him half her business, and he's the only man she's ever wanted to have children with – so she knows how much she loved him, but she doesn't know how much he loves her. She thinks she was a just a convenience to him, someone to live with and get his dirty laundry off the floor. He reminds her how he had an affair with her when he was with Leanne, and how he left Leanne for her because he loved her and wanted to be with her. "But you wouldn't leave me for your little piece on the side?" she shouts, "is that the most you can say for our marriage?" She says that she doesn't need him, and snaps that Tina is a back-stabbing little bitch.

Rob is trying to leave Tina's flat without being seen, but Chesney is outside the kebab shop, talking on the phone. Eventually he goes back inside and Rob quickly comes out but as he starts to walk away he hears Tina groaning on the ground beside a skip. He goes over to her and finds her coming round and trying to get up. He tells her that she fell, it was an accident. She says she remembers. He pulls out his phone to call her an ambulance. She tells him to call a police car for himself. "No, no, you've had a bang on the head, your mind's playing tricks on you," he stammers, "I'll say you jumped, I'll say you fell, I'll say anything I have to." She looks up at him from the ground as she tries to stand. "So will I," she says, adding that she's seen him with stolen goods and now it's followed by attempted murder. "I bet you wish you hadn't come around now, eh?" She says she'll tell the police he forced his way in, made all kinds of threats and then threw her off the balcony. She says she'll recover from this, but he won't and neither will Carla and Peter. She's got her whole life ahead of her now and she intends to live it. He tells her she should have kept her mouth shut. "Tough, I was born gobby," she says. Rob looks round frantically and sees an iron pipe sticking out of the skip beside them. "And you'll die gobby too," he says, grabbing it. Tina screams.....

In the pub, Beth uncorks the champagne, even though the happy couple aren't there, and starts pouring it, saying that they should all be celebrating – it's a free bar. Eileen agrees, and they all take a glass. Deirdre toasts the 'missing couple', and Kirk asks where they are. Deirdre says they're next door, enjoying themselves.

Rob tucks the iron bar under his jacket and hurries away from the scene of the crime, turning into the ginnel.

Meanwhile, Tracy is with Tony, they've unloaded the goods and he's about to drive her home. She breaks the heel off her shoe, and then moans that she'll have to go and change them now.

Carla asks Peter where Tina is now. He says she's at the flat, where he left her. She says she's going round there. He tries to stop her, but she beats him off. He says that all the stress can't be good for the baby. "Then why did you have an affair, Peter?" she screams at him. "Why did you have an affair?"

Michelle and Steve are outside the door, listening to all this. Michelle hears the shouts about an affair, and as Carla bursts through the door she tries to grab her, but fails. She follows her into the bar, asking who he had an affair with. "I'll kill her!" shouts Carla, to all the amazed guests in the pub. "Who?" cries Michelle. "Tina MacIntyre!" shouts Carla. Michelle tries to hold Carla, and begs her to calm down. "I'm completely calm." says Carla, struggling to break free, "but I swear to God I'm going to kill her!"

Michelle has followed Carla outside the pub and is still urging her to calm down. Carla won't be put off from her mission, so Michelle says she's coming with her. Carla tells her that it's no one's business but her own, she's just going to go and talk to Tina. As she walks off, Michelle begs her not to do anything stupid.

A shattered Owen is sitting on the floor at Anna's. He says that they would have found another way. Anna is adamant that there was no other way. They were trapped and needed a way out. He was never supposed to know, she thought she could walk away and pretend it never happened, but she can't. She gets down on the floor with him, sobbing, and takes his arm. "I just want everything to go back to normal," she says. He pulls away. "Nothing will ever be normal, ever again."

Carla arrives at Tina's flat and finds the front door to the street open. She shouts for Tina to come down, but when there's no response she goes on in.

Back at the pub, a distraught Deirdre is trying to get past Steve to go in the back room and talk to Peter, but he's standing in the doorway, barring the way. Eventually he goes into the room where Peter is still sitting on the floor. "You never know, it might all blow over," says Steve, somewhat optimistically, going on to say that women like a few fireworks, but they all come round in the end. Then he asks Peter not to let Michelle know that he knew about the affair. "I'm glad you've got your priorities straight, Steve," snaps Peter, "my wife just left me!"

Just then Michelle and Liz burst through the door, and Michelle rants at Peter. Steve tries to calm her down and gets told off for sticking up for Peter. "You know what you are, don't you?" says Liz to Peter. He asks her to tell him. "You're a.....jellyfish!" she snaps.

Carla is walking around Tina's flat, calling her name. Then she notices the door to the balcony.

Leanne and Kal are just leaving the gym, talking about breaking the news of their relationship to Nick. She thinks they should do it together.

Carla is out on the balcony, looking around. Then she looks down and sees Tina lying below. "Tina!" she cries, just as Leanne and Kal are walking past.

Anna brings bedding downstairs to Owen who is on the sofa. She tells him it was the worst hour of her life. "Just so you know," says a dazed Owen, "this is mine."

Rob is out in the back yard, hiding a plastic bag in the shed. Just then Tracy comes into the yard and they both jump. He says he thought she was lying down. She stammers that she was, but then fancied a stroll. "In the ginnel?" he asks, puzzled. She says she broke the heel off her shoe so she came back. She asks what he's doing out there, and he says he was looking for her. "What would I be doing out here?" she asks. "Taking a stroll in the ginnel," he says. Just then they hear the sound of sirens.

Tina is being loaded into an ambulance, and the Street is suddenly full of paramedics, police and flashing lights. Carla is mumbling to a policeman about finding Tina. Leanne agrees, saying she saw Carla up on the balcony. Carla says she was looking for her. The policeman takes Carla by the arm and asks her to step to one side. Agitated, Carla tells him she was just looking for Tina. "She was having it away with my husband and I was just looking for her. She'll tell you when she comes round. She will come round won't she?"

Just then Michelle, Steve and Jason come out of the pub and Michelle tries to get to Carla but is held back. Carla calls out that she just found Tina lying on the ground. Tracy and Rob come round the corner, and Mary, Norris and Emily come out of the pub and the gossip starts, Norris reckons it's obvious what happened – Carla is guilty. Then Peter comes out and sees the situation. He looks at Carla. "What have you done?" he asks.

Anne Logan


Thursday 29 May

The first shot is of crime scene tape and Peter watching from the background. Roy's putting out his sign and we can't help wondering how much he saw and how much he'll tell the police.

Tina's lying unconscious in hospital.

Deirdre's talking to Tracy and Rob over breakfast. She can't understand how Peter could do it. Oh, she doesn't mean attack Tina, she means have an affair. "I mean, Tina's a beautiful girl . . ." "Not any more she's not!" smirks Tracy. She says she might shed some crocodile tears if Tina snuffs it but everyone knows she can't stand Tina. Deirdre says she'd better hope Tina pulls through, in that case. With Tracy's track record the police are likely to suspect her. Tracy says it's obvious Carla must have done it. Rob objects. He thinks it was Peter. Now Deirdre objects and tells him not to throw accusations. He points out she and Tracy have thrown accusations about Carla. Tracy insists it's Carla - it's an open and shut case, she says. Rob decides to go out. He says he needs to clear his head and won't let Tracy come with him.

It turns out that it's not his head that Rob needs to clear but the shed in the yard. He grabs the carrier bag and the hunk of pipe and nips out into the ginnel. He doesn't notice he's dropped a piece of jewellery.

Rita's sitting with Tina and David's also there. For some reason Weatherfield General Hospital lets anyone in to see patients who are in a critical condition because in waltz Fiz and Tyrone. Looks like they don't impose any kind of limit on visitor numbers, either. David tells them Tina's been out of it the whole time and Rita hasn't left her chair all night. Rita says she couldn't sleep if she tried. "We parted on such bad terms." She weeps as she says Tina's meant the world to her this last few years. "I saw so much of myself in her."

Katy asks Anna about coming home early from the hotel. Anna says the hotel wasn't satisfactory. Faye lets Izzy in the door. Izzy hasn't heard how Tina is. Steph had to sleep elsewhere because the police were all over the flat. She asks why Anna is back so early. Anna repeats her story about the hotel being disappointing. Owen comes down. He's determined to go to Aberdeen for his tarmacking job and has a meeting with the boss this afternoon (which is odd because I'm not sure road companies usually have meetings with the labourers and because it's a six-hour drive!). Izzy repeats what Anna said about the hotel being disappointing and apologises because she suggested it. Owen agrees it was disappointing and says it wasn't what he was expecting at all. He stares straight at Anna while he says it. Anna thinks he should stay and mentions Tina. Owen says if he stays it won't change anything. Again, he looks straight at Anna. He leaves. (In reality we know the actor went to Canada to meet some of you lot!)

Under a railway viaduct, Rob picks up a spade and starts digging a hole.

Kirk's in the cafe discussing coffee stirring implements when the police come in and ask to speak to Roy about the statement he gave last night.

At a table, Simon asks Leanne if the police think Roy did it and she tells him they have to talk to lots of people. He's made a card for Tina and Deirdre's sure Tina will love it. When Simon asks if Tina's going to die, Leanne tells him Tina is young, fit and in the best possible hands. Maybe Simon can go and see her when she's a bit stronger. Deirdre's leaving but asks Leanne for a word. Away from Simon, she suggests Leanne tell Simon about Tina and Peter. Leanne's reluctant because Simon's really upset about Tina. But Deirdre says it's better he hears it from Leanne rather than in the playground.

Steph and her brother stand by the police tape watching the crime-scene examination. Steph weeps as she describes how full of hope Tina was.

Rob's back. As he gets out of his car Kirk says hello but Rob ignores him.

Across the road, as he delivers their coffees (the factory kettle must be broken), Kirk tells the machinists (and the ever-sweeping Norris) that the police are still all over the yard and flat. He wonders how the crime-scene examiners manage to go to the toilet when they're wearing their white jumpsuits. He gets a text from Fiz to say that Tina's still unconscious.

Steve lets Rob in to see Carla in the back room. Carla's very quiet but Michelle says she had to take more clothes to the police station because they kept Carla's for examination. During their discussion, Rob says Peter had the perfect notice. Carla points out that so does she. She wants Rob and Michelle to confirm they believe her. They do. Michelle suggests she go for a lie down but Carla insists she's going home. She's got more chance of sleeping if she's in her own bed. Rob tells her to call if she needs anything.

Leanne's told Simon about Peter and Tina and he's upset. "Why did me Dad have to ruin everything?" Nick and Kal come in and Nick moves to comfort Simon. "Every time I'm happy, me Dad spoils it!" wails Simon. "I hate him!" Nick hugs him close.

Roy and the police come back downstairs. Tony's there with Jason. He wants to know when they can have the yard back. Every moment it's closed, Jason is losing money. The police want to know who Tony is. Jason, the wee innocent, mentions that Tony doesn't just own the yard but he's bought the flat, too. The police now think they should talk to Tony. They tell him this is a serious incident and they'll take as long as they have to.

Tina's visitors are outside her room while the doctor examines her. Fiz tells Rita Tina wouldn't want her making herself ill. The doctor comes out and tells them there's no real change. Tina's condition is still critical. She's sustained a serious head injury and now it's all down to how well she responds.

Peter goes to the flat. He's in a bad way and slumps over the bench. Carla comes out into the main room and tells him to go. She tries to plead his case. He loves Carla and didn't mean for the affair to happen. Carla tells him he never means it but it keeps happening over and over. "I'm weak," insists Peter. No he's not, says Carla. That's too easy. He wasn't overpowered by this. She says he chose to drop his trousers, to make hotel bookings, to tell lies. "You had decisions to make all the way down the line," she says. Peter says he was in over his head. Why does she think he went back on the drink? He always wanted Carla and the baby. Carla says the baby is the only real winner in all this. It will never know how it feels to be let down by Peter. Peter tells her that no matter how much she hated Tina, Tina didn't deserve what happened. There's a pause as Carla realises he thinks she did it. "Get out!" she snaps. "Get out now! Peter, get out! Leave! Get out, get out, get out!" She punctuates this with whacks and cries as he leaves.

Outside, the police find Peter bent over in the street. He's a hard man to track down, they say. They'd like to talk to him at the station.

In an interview rooms, Peter admits going to Tina's flat. He says things had reached the point where he couldn't string her along any more. Did he want to silence her? He says he did, but not in the way the detective means. He says Tina was upset and planned to tell Carla everything, which is why he confessed to Carla. "If I tried to kill Tina, why would I bother to tell Carla about us?" he asks.

Steph is in the pub with her brother. She says she told the police Tina and Peter were going to do a bunk. She says the police don't know whether the flat was burgled or whether someone tried to make it look that way.

The police have been talking to Liz. Michelle overhears and realises Liz knew about Peter and Tina. In the words of so many soap stars, she "goes off on one." Liz says she had a pretty good idea they were seeing each other. Michelle screeches that Liz should have stopped them. Tony, listening, says Peter and Tina are grown-ups - nobody could tell them what to do. This doesn't help. Liz says she would have tried harder if she'd known Carla was pregnant. Michelle shouts that that's irrelevant. "Carla is my mate!" Liz says Tina was warned time and time again. Michelle thinks she should have sacked Tina. Liz protests that Tina was naive and Peter was the one to blame. Steve looks quite relieved when the police invite him into the back room.

The police question Peter about Carla's state of mind last night. Peter says she was shocked and upset but he doesn't blame her. The police have heard Carla's got a temper. Peter admits she was furious and went to find Tina. "Did she say 'I'll kill Tina' in your hearing?" No, Peter tells them. And if she had said it. it's only a turn of phrase and she wouldn't harm Tina.

Fiz and the other factory workers are in the pub. They're talking about Tina and the incident in subdued tones. We discover Kirk was dropped on his head as a baby. Rob listens as they chat and then Tracy grabs him and slithers into a booth with him. She says she needs an alibi. She admits she was missing last night because she drove the van on a job for Tony. She needs Rob to say she was at home with him. That they were having some "quality time" away from the party.

The police come out to the bar and ask Steve where they can find Tracy Barlow. Steve only hesitates for a second before he points her out. They tell Rob they'll need to speak to him later and take Tracy back to the temporary interview room out the back.

Kal goes round to see Leanne. He's worried about her. Leanne tells him they can't tell Nick about their relationship now. "The last thing Si needs is any more upheaval." Kal says too many people know about them already. Gail for one. Leanne says Gail cares about Simon. She'll make sure Gail keeps her mouth shut. "I'm sorry, I really am," she says. A disappointed Kal leaves her flat.

Rob's already been for his interview and Tracy asks whether he stuck to his story. She says the police knew about her row with Tina. "I actually think I was a suspect," she says. "I told them it was your sister." Rob's appalled. He's given her an alibi and she's dropped Carla into it. He insists Carla is innocent. "You know what, sometimes I don't know what I see in you!" he snaps. He gets up and leaves.

Izzy asks Anna what really happened last night. She says she knows something is going on. Katy agrees. Anna tries to say that any relationship has its ups and downs. But Izzy doesn't believe her. She says there have been far too many lies told in this family and it's nearly destroyed them.

Rob's at Carla's. He tells her the police don't have any real evidence against her. It's all circumstantial. It's Peter who should be worried. The door buzzer goes. It's the police. As they're climbing the stairs, Rob warns Carla to keep her head down. He says the police have nothing concrete. His warnings are in vain because the police haven't come to question Carla but to arrest her for assault. She's given the formal warning and gets her coat.

The End.
Margaret Carr





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