2016



Wednesday 2 March

Out in the Street, Bethany is moaning at Sarah for accompanying her to school, when they see Aidan get out of his car and go and talk to Eva. He asks her if she's decided what to wear tonight, she remarks that anyone would think he's trying to impress. He tells her that considering what investment the O'Driscolls have put into the factory, dead right he is!

Andy and Michael are discussing where Andy should take Steph on holiday, Eileen, Jason and Phelan, who are on their way to the cafe, get involved in the conversation, with Phelan cracking a corny joke. Michael's not impressed and Eileen snaps at him.

Mary has crashed out on Dev's sofa, and he wakes her up with a cuppa. She's horrified to realise that she's slept there all night, in her clothes, like (as she puts it) a down and out. She struggles to remember the events of the night before, all she can recall is chatting to a gentleman in the Rovers, but he seemed more interested in Erica. She holds her head and Dev goes off to get the aspirin.

In the office at Underworld, Aidan is looking at the bank account online and is horrified to learn that Carla has had 10k out of it. Johnny thinks quickly and tells him it's a bridging loan for her new place in Devon, he thought it better that they lend it to her rather than the bank, and Aidan is satisfied with this. Just then Eva comes in to see if they want coffee, and Aidan tells his dad that Eva is accompanying him to the O'Driscolls later, even though it's not part of her job description. Johnny tells her to make sure she looks sexy and Eva snaps that he's her boss, not her pimp!

Steph comes into the Bistro moaning to Andy and Robert about how cold it is outside. When she's gone off to hang up her coat and woolly hat, Andy asks Robert if he can do a few more shifts so he can afford to take Steph on a few days' holiday. Robert tells him he doesn't officially own the place yet, he'll have to ask Nick, but he's away on a few days' holiday!

Eva comes out of the cafe with Billy, asking him how Marta is. He tells her that she's better, but terrified, and asks Eva if she thinks it's wise to try and get hold of her passport. Eva doesn't think there's any other option, but the problem is that the house is massive, but as Julia's office is downstairs, next to the loo, she thinks it'll be in there. He asks if she's going to have a root around every time she goes to the toilet. She thinks it'll be fine. He thinks she ought to tell Aidan what she's doing, but Eva thinks it's better if he doesn't know, she doesn't want to put him in a difficult position with the O'Driscolls.

Looking rather jaded, and wearing dark glasses, Mary goes into the shop and tells Erica she's borderline nauseous. Erica tells her she's allowed to let her hair down once in a while. Mary then tells her that she told Dev about the man who was chatting Erica up. "So?" asks Erica. Mary tells her not to be so coy – Dev is in love with her! "He said that?" says Erica, looking puzzled. Mary tells her that he doesn't have to, his every action speaks volumes. "And I believe you feel the same," says Mary, and walks out of the shop.

Gail is sitting at the bar in the Bistro, chatting to Andy, when Steph marches in, seething. It seems that Tracy has asked her to take round some menus, and Robert doesn't even own the place yet, so it's nothing to do with her. Gail points out that Yoko Ono had nothing to do with the Beatles but it didn't stop her sticking her oar in. "Who?" asks Steph, looking confused.

Johnny sees Aidan and Eva crossing the Street, and goes over to apologise for what he said to her earlier. He tells her that it's not part of her job, so hands her a wad of cash to go and get a new dress and have her hair and nails done. "I can't take this," says Eva, but Aidan assures her that she can, because this is business. Aidan kisses her and tells her to go off into town, and then heads back into the factory. Billy comes over to Eva. "Is everything ok?" he asks. "Yes," says Eva, "I think I'm falling for the best guy I've ever met, and I might be about to ruin him."

Gail, Sarah and Bethany are at home. Gail asks Bethany how school was today. "Fine," says Bethany, curtly. Gail asks if she'd like to expand on that. Bethany accuses Gail of implying that she never went, and tells her how Sarah dragged her there. Sarah is feeling increasingly uncomfortable, and goes off to the loo. When she's gone, Gail tells Bethany that her mother doesn't need all this. She suggests to Bethany that they organise a baby shower, and if Bethany takes a bit more interest then it might help her and Sarah get on a bit better.

Liz goes into the shop and Erica tells her that she and Dev had a 'moment' last night. "What happened?" asks Liz. "Nothing," says Erica and tells her that just then Mary fell off the sofa and then threw up in the sink. Liz asks if she likes him, because it's obvious that he likes her. Just then Dev himself comes in and asks Erica if she can lock up later. Just as Erica is asking if he's got plans for later, a woman comes into the shop behind him and puts her arm round him. Dev introduces her as Karen, a friend from the golf club, and she then goes on to be extremely patronising to both Erica and Liz.

Aidan and Eva are sitting in the O'Driscoll's kitchen, chatting while Julie peels potatoes, explaining that they've been let down by staff. Eva asks for a tour of the house, so Julie hands the peeler to Richie and takes her.

Steph and Andy are working in the Bistro, still moaning about Tracy, when Robert comes out of the kitchen. Leanne is late and Andy hasn't had a break for hours. Robert picks up his phone and starts texting her.

Liz is in the pub, on the phone to Mary, telling her about Dev's new woman and telling her to get there pronto, she looks like she's moving in for the kill.

Leanne is in the pub, and when Liz asks if she's not working, Leanne explains that Tracy gave her the sack last night. "Tracy? What's it got to do with her?" asks Liz. "Exactly!" says Leanne. Liz is sure Robert won't want to lose her. Just then her phone rings, it's Robert, but she doesn't answer it. "No harm in keeping him hanging though," she grins.

Jason, Eileen and Phelan are at the bar when Michael comes in. He tells Eileen he thought they were watching a film tonight. She says she forgot, so Phelan urges him to have a drink with them. Rather tight lipped, Michael refuses, saying they have plans, so Eileen picks up her bag and leaves with him.

Mary comes in and walks over to Dev. "Now then," she says to Karen, "which one are you?"

Eva and Julia are walking down the stairs of the O'Driscoll's enormous house. Julia tells Eva that if the deal with Underworld goes the way they all hope it will, she and Aidan could be living like this in a few years. Eva tells her that she and Aidan are just friends. Julia laughs and heads off to the kitchen, as Eva looks at the doors in the hall.

Tracy goes into the Bistro and asks for a glass of champagne. Steph tells her she'll have to wait. "What way is that to talk to a customer?" asks Tracy. Robert comes out and says that Leanne hasn't turned up and they're rushed off their feet. Tracy reckons that it's sour grapes. Andy politely asks Tracy if she could take a tray of drinks to table 4. "Do I look like a skivvy?" snaps Tracy. Just then Leanne walks in and Robert asks where she's been. "I don't work here any more – that's what you said, isn't it Tracy? That my days here were numbered?" She turns back to Robert, "She said the first thing she'd make sure of is that I'd get the sack, oh and that she can wrap you round her little finger!" Robert turns to Tracy and reminds her that when they got back together they'd promised each other no more lies. "So is this true?" he asks. Tracy squirms. "Well, I may have said something...." she starts to say. Robert interrupts her. "Andy, take a break, Leanne you're on table service, Tracy – go home!" Then he tells her in no uncertain terms that although she lent him some money, this is his business, nothing to do with her, and if she ever interferes again there will be consequences. Scowling, Tracy picks up her bag and leaves.

Back at the O'Driscoll's, they're enjoying dinner and chat. Richie thinks they're an item but Aidan tells him that they're not. Eva then says she's off to the bathroom, and leaves the table.

Jason and Phelan are in the pub, Phelan is on the phone, they're looking for a labourer without success. Andy, on his break, comes in and overhears, and tells them he's on evenings at the Bistro for the rest of the week. Jason tells him he can start in the morning.

Mary has sat herself down with Dev and Karen (who insists that her name is pronounced Kareen), and when he goes to the bar Mary tells her that it's good that she's woman of the world, one learns to turn a blind eye, and implies that Dev is a bit of a ladies' man. Mary says that Dev doesn't have a bedroom door, he has a turnstile! As Dev comes back to the table with drinks, Karen gets up and marches out. "Mary, what just happened?" he asks. Mary tells him she's trying to make him see what's under his nose. Just then Erica emerges, all dressed up in a slinky black dress and with her hair curled. She walks up to Dev and kisses him. Then she tells him that Liz and Mary reckoned it was time to stop pussyfooting around. "So where do we go from here?" he asks her. "Que sera sera," says Erica and kisses him again as all the pub regulars look on.

Eva is rifling through drawers in Julia's office when Aidan comes in, shocked, and asks what she's doing. She tells him that they were keeping Marta a slave and she's looking for her passport. Aidan asks if she's off her rocker, she can't go rooting round other people's houses. "Got it!" says Eva, waving a passport in the air as she shuts a drawer. Just then Richie and Julia walk in. "What do you think you're playing at?" asks Richie. Eva tells them she knows they were keeping Marta there against her will, but as soon as she gets her passport...... "Have a look at the passport," says Julia, and Aidan snatches it and looks. It's Julia's passport. Richie says he wants them both to leave, now, and fetches their coats. Julia tells them that Marta was a cleaner for them, but they sacked her when she stole a pair of earrings, up to then they were nothing but kind to her. Eva was a fool to believe her. Then Richie tells Aidan that they'll be having serious words in the morning, he'd better warn Johnny. As they step outside the front door, Aidan turns to Eva. "What have you done?" he says, and walks off towards the car.

Anne Logan.


Friday 4 March

Hello,

We open in the factory office, where Johnny is on the phone to Ritchie O'Driscoll. Ritchie's agreed to come in but Johnny warns Aidan to let him to all the talking. "And we don't want Columbo anywhere near him!" he says, pointing at Eva. Eva tries to talk to Aidan. What if Marta's right? But she's sent out.

At the Platts' place, Beth and Sarah have come round for breakfast and eaten all the bread. Kylie asks why they don't have breakfast at home and get their own bread, but Bethany asks why they should if they can eat the Platts' bread. Gail's making a Mary Berry sponge cake for the baby shower later. She's also go cheese straws, pork pies, crisps . . . ee 'oop - a right northern feast! They talk about the baby - what sex it might be and whether anyone's told Max yet that the baby and he share a father. Sarah insists she's going to walk Bethany to school.

Michael comes downstairs to the smell of a fry-up, only to discover that Phelan's cooking it and he's also put the bins out.

He's likely in for some more disappointment - out in the street, Andy and Steph are trying to work out the best time to tell Michael that Andy's working for Phelan.

Sally's talking to Tim about the coming debate over Fresco's plans to build another store. She's going to emphasize the effect it will have on local families - "Family" being the advantage she's decided she has over Norris.

Tim goes off to the shop to try to find some Lemon Puffs but Erica breaks it to him that they don't have any. She suggests chocolate chip instead. Dev comes in and there's an air of tension between him and Erica. She tries to say something familiar to him but he won't engage and wants to go and check the stock levels of chocolate chip biscuits.

Gail and Sarah are at the hospital. Sarah walked Bethany to school and waited until she saw her go through the doors. They discuss the baby - Sarah doesn't want to know the sex. Gail asks if she'd prefer a boy or a girl and Sarah says the less it reminds her of Callum the better.

In the cafe, Eva tells Billy about the O'Driscolls and how they said Eva had run away and had stolen from them. It turns out she's also nicked twenty quid and a mobile phone from Billy and has run away! Eva's horrified. "She sounded so plausible!"

The baby's heartbeat is strong and Sarah decides she does want to know the sex after all. It's a boy.

Eileen's annoyed by Tim's choice of biscuit. She can't dunk a chocolate chip. Tim asks her what biscuits Steve provided and Eileen lies and says he always got them a selection. Behind Tim, Michael's face shows what he thinks of Eileen's lies. She tells Tim that Steve always bought them chocolates on a Friday. "He was such a good boss, was Steve." When Tim leaves, Michael tells her that was a bit mean. She asks if he's still annoyed about Phelan cooking the breakfast. "I didn't mean to offend you." Dev comes to the hatch and asks for a taxi into town. Eileen asks if he's taking Erica and Dev gets all defensive. Why would anyone think that? Well, because they kissed, Eileen points out. Eileen tells him to be honest and direct and tell Erica how he feels.

Bethany's revising human biology (that's not a euphemism) in the playground when a gang of girls approach. It's clear she's being bullied and they pull her hair and throw her textbook on the ground.

The girls tell Bethany everyone thinks she's a skank and that her mother's a slapper. The ringleader grabs her by the hair and twists her head downwards, suggesting they cut off her hair. A teacher comes into view and they stop. Then Bethany is saved by the bell.

Tim's trying to decide what sort of chocolates to buy for the cab office. Rita comes out with a cake she's made for Jenny's birthday. Erica's in, buying magazines so she can read some sex advice for what to do when a man doesn't want to know you the day after. Tim tells her the man is probably just overwhelmed. He tells a story about fancying a girl in London when he was younger. He followed her everywhere and pretended he was a vegan. When she asked him to go up to the West End he thought she was asking him out but she was going to a poll tax protest. He ended getting swept up in a riot and was arrested. It would have been much easier just to be honest and tell the girl how he felt. Jenny looks very thoughtful.

It's been reported that Eva is ill but Sally doesn't believe that and bets Sean ten pounds Eva's NOT ill. She thinks Eva's just taking a day off because she's going out with the boss. When Ritchie O'Driscoll arrives and isn't happy, they decide Eva must have slept with him.

In the office, Ritchie's shouting. But he says he's not canceling his order - on condition Eva gets the sack. "Julia's adamant. We both are," he says.

Preparations are under way for the baby shower. Max arrives home from school and realises the decorations are blue. Is it a boy? David and Kylie sit him down and start to tell him the new baby will be his half brother. "Does this mean my Dad's coming back?" They tell him No, but Gail interrupts and says it's possible he'll come back one day. Sarah wonders where Bethany's got to.

She's on her way home in tears and with a sore scalp.

Phelan and Andy arrive back from a job and Phelan sternly tells Jason he forgot to put the nail gun in the van so they couldn't get started. Jason's sure he put it in but Phelan suddenly switches mood and laughs it off.

Bethany's at the bus stop. Her phone sounds but she ignores it.

It's home time at the factory and several of the workers are going to the baby shower. Sally's bought a crocheted cape thingy. Sean's bought nothing but says he'll get Sarah some chocolates.

Aidan's kicking himself for putting the business at risk. Kate tells him not to be too hard on himself.

In the pub, Eileen's sharing chocolates with Michael when Phelan, Jason and Andy walk in together. Hmm - it seems Michael now knows Andy's working with them. Michael's furious and accuses Phelan of trying to take over his life. Phelan says he's just trying to be a good neighbour. "If I've offended you in any way, I apologise."

Aidan's decided to sack Eva in the pub (nice). He sits with her and tells her the O'Driscolls have decided not to cancel the contract. She's relieved and tells him about Marta stealing from Billy. She offers to do overtime for free on the O'Driscoll order. Aidan tells her she's sacked. He says she put her friends' jobs on the line. "What about us?" she asks. "I don't want to be involved with someone I can't trust," Aidan tells her.

The baby shower is under way. Sarah's pleased with the chocolates from Sean, not so pleased with the crochet thingy. Bethany arrives home. When questioned, she tells Sarah to get off her back. Sarah turns on her and screams at her for being such a hypocrite. She says Sarah's pretending to be happy about this baby. Gail's chosen just the wrong moment to produce the blue-iced sponge cake. "No stupid cake is going to fix this!" screams Bethany, throwing it at the wall and splattering it all over the picture hanging there. "That's a Mary Berry!" screeches Gail.

More fighting later.

Margaret Carr

Written by Julie Jones Directed by Diana Patrick

Richard is off on holidays for a few weeks and I'm stepping in for this week's Friday update on his behalf.

David is angry that Bethany has made a show of herself, especially saying all those things in front of Max. Gail sends him off to the pictures with Max. Bethany is unrepentant and accuses Sarah of being a terrible mother and should put the baby up for adoption. She storms out of the house, leaving Sarah in tears.

In the pub, Andy is trying to make peace with Michael (I guess he and Michael have gone back to being pseudo-father and son, all is forgiven and all that). Michael is resentful but can't really explain why. Phelan decides to leave in spite of Jason's protest that he shouldn't have to. Liz sits down with Eva who tells her she's been sacked for a bad decision and she screwed up her budding relationship with Aidan as well. She asks Liz if there's any work going and because Sarah's nearly ready to pop, Liz tells her it was good timing, at least for the job front.

Bethany is drinking booze on the salon bench when Todd finds her. He takes the cheap tin of wine from her and pours it out. He sits with her and offers a shoulder. She admits she was horrible to her mother and feels bad for it but isn't ready to face Sarah. He takes her back to his place instead.

Kate is upset for Eva. Johnny is confident that Eva needed sacking after she was caught rifling through their client's things and accusing them of all sorts.

Sarah is heartbroken but Audrey and Kylie think it's just teenage hormones. Gail points out to Sarah that she certainly had her moments as a teen herself and Audrey turns it on Gail, mentioning her former mate Suzie Birchall. Gail blamed Suzie as the bad influence, claiming she tried to steal her husband. Kylie asks which one! Audrey lures Gail over to the Bistro for a glass of wine. Gail tells Sarah it's a storm in a teacup but Sarah is adamant that there's something else bothering her daughter.

Sean has come to the pub and found out Eva's news but she won't give him any details. Eileen is trying to find out why Michael doesn't like Pat. He tries to explain that it's just a gut instinct that Phelan's a bad'un but Eileen scorns him for his own instincts, marrying Gail Platt which only has Michael shaking his head in consternation when she tells him to get a grip. Norris arrives and wants a word with Jason about the ordinary working man. Jason takes umbrage and says he wouldn't vote for Norris if he was paid to. Sally and Tim tell Eileen and Michael about the cake incident at the baby shower. Naturally, Eileen is caustic about the Platts' tendency to lurch from one disaster to the next. But Tim's mention of Faye and how you support your family no matter what gives her cause to back off a little, admitting her lads aren't perfect either.

Todd hands Bethany a soft drink and reminds her that mothers are always there for them, regardless of fellas coming and going. He tells her whatever she's done or said, it will be forgiven. Bethany finally admits that she feels got at. He assumes it's Sarah and Gail on at her but promises whatever she says would be confidential. He urges her to talk to him but before she can, Jason comes home heading for the kitchen. He finds the discarded chips in the bin and since they're still wrapped in paper, he pulls them out, disgusting Todd. Todd asks Bethany if he wants to go back to his place (I'd forgotten Todd is living somewhere else, I guess he didn't move back home once he was forgiven the last time) The spell is broken and Bethany isn't going to admit to Todd she's being bullied now.

Sean tells Liz that there's more going on with Eva than she's saying. Eva is talking to Billy now, regretting she ever tried to help Marta. Billy tries to excuse Marta as having had a tough life. Probably. Erica tells Liz that Dev is being very cool towards her. Dev is also in the pub and Liz insists Erica go talk to him. Mary is asking Norris about his campaign. He tells her he is learning a lot listening to people's questions and remarks but then he still forms his own opinions rather than become a nodding dog. Norris thinks the citizens are impressed with him and says so, knowing Sally's listening from a few feet away. Erica joins Dev and tells him she enjoyed last night. He's a bit awkward with her. She tells him she understands he wants to play things cool. Two consenting adults who want to have a bit of fun but keep things cool. Friends, is his word. She looks disappointed but agrees. Aidan arrives and joins Billy and Eva but she has nothing to say to him. Liz insists they go into the back and talk it through. He lives at the pub and she'll be working there and Liz doesn't want any atmospheres. Hop it! They obey.

Kate and Johnny are in the Bistro. Kate is sad that Eva and Aidan are finished before they even really got started. Johnny reckons Aidan will find someone else soon enough. Kate realizes that Eva was special but Johnny reckons someone a bit less high-maintenance would be better suited.

Audrey and Gail have wine and Gail gets a bit maudlin over Michael. She misses him. Audrey sighs and admits she misses Alf who was the love of her life even if he drove her doolally sometimes. Gail points out she drove Alf doolally, too. Never! They agree that men are a necessary evil, with a smile. Gail wishes Sarah had a nice fella to support her. She muses that she thought she'd be done with mothering duties by now. She'd be free, with a few bob in the bank and could take up a new hobby. Like learning the saxophone. That drives Audrey's eyebrows high up her forehead in surprise. What a lovely scene.

At home, Sarah believes she really is a rubbish mother and she took her eye off the ball when she was with Callum. She also admits she can be selfish sometimes, rather than put Bethany first. Todd brings Bethany home and Bethany apologizes sincerely. She and Sarah hug.

Eva is defensive with Aidan for overreacting. She thinks the O'Driscolls were bluffing about yanking the contract but he wasn't willing to take the chance. He can't afford to take the risk and throw it away. Billy bursts in with an idea. His phone has a tracker app and they can use it to find Marta. Eva wants to find her because she's made a fool out of her and she wants answers.

Eileen and Michael exit the pub but Eileen goes back inside to fetch her phone. Naturally, Phelan comes along just then with a smug word in Michael's ear which turns into an offered handshake when Eileen comes out. Michael reluctantly takes it. Eileen sings Phelan's praises and hopes Michael can be as decent. Michael scowls behind her back as she passes him to go home.

Back in the pub, Mary and Norris are talking politics. She cautions him against getting too close to the ordinary voter, you never know when a perfectly normal looking person could be a psychopath. Sally tells Tim she's going to run her campaign on family values. He cautions her in case she has any skeletons in her closet but she denies having any. None that she knows of, Tim corrects her, looking very skeletonish. Sean takes a dim view of politicians in general, who have a disconcerting habit of interrupting a relaxing night in with a line of rubbish. Norris reminds him that it's a democracy and politicians have the right to contact the voters. Sean calls them all Human Spam. Mary and Norris leave. Dev looks over at Erica who's back at the bar with Liz and smiles.

Gail is back home and glad that Bethany and Sarah have made up. David peeks in to see if it's safe to come in. He and Max enjoyed the film. Bethany gets a text and sees it's from two of the bullies, who call her a freak and promise to get her. Why they even have her number I don't know. You wouldn't think she'd have given it to them but perhaps they got it from someone else. Anyway, it clearly upsets Bethany and she heads back to Nick's.

Sean complains to Billy about all the secrets that he doesn't get to hear and he hasn't seen much of Billy lately. Billy can't help it if people confide in him. It is kind of his job, after all. To make him feel better, they steal a quick kiss over the bar. Erica is now sitting with Dev again. She compares their situation to a dating show but he confides that the kids are on a sleepover. Right, she tells him, "you've pulled" and they get away out the door with Liz's blessing.

Bethany is outside en route home and looking at a second text that warns her that the enemy knows where she lives. She sobs against the brick wall.

Tvor


Monday 7 March

Written by Simon Crowther Directed by Tim Dowd

Sally has a candidates' debate today. She's getting inspired by opera and fussing in the mirror when Tim comes downstairs. She's hoping Norris won't show up. Tim tries to pose some hypothetical questions for her but she's of the opinion that she doesn't have to have an opinion on something that's probably not going to happen. He then asks her how she stands on the Freshco's redevelopment. She's firmly on the fence which, Tim points out, isn't good because the voters want to know where she stands. She avoids the question by misquoting Abraham Lincoln, about fooling some of the people some of the time, etc. He points out that Lincoln got shot, didn't he? Sally figures that's right so agrees and adds, then he got his head carved on a mountain! Tim seems baffled at the leap from sitting on the fence to having your face on a mountain. Sally sighs and tells him that it's rhetoric. And Lincoln didn't sit on the fence. (But Sally's behind is firmly entrenched on one)

Bethany was trying to wag off school by saying her stomach hurts but Sarah isn't having it. Michael and Andy come out of the flat. Michael comments "Kids!" so Sarah asks him if Andy was like this. Michael sheepishly admits he wasn't around and Bethany chirps that Andy wasn't either. Yeah. Michael passes Andy his lunch and warns him to keep an eye on Pat. At the bus stop, Bethany isn't telling Sarah what's really wrong.

Sally and Tim walk down the street and are surprised to see a remote control helicopter buzzing about. Jason is leaning out a window having a good old time. Sean comes out the door, scolding Jason for boozing at the Weathy Arms and is told other pubs are allowed and anyway, he and Pat only stopped in for a drink on the way home (where he then found the toy). Sally notices Jenny coming along the street and has nothing good to say, insulting Jenny's very presence. Tim tells Jenny to ignore Sally which puts Sally's back up. Jenny makes a vague reference to being free, which harks back to finding out that Tim was in a jail cell overnight years ago, something he hasn't told Sally. Jenny passes by and Sally gives Tim instructions for later, dress smart etc. Jason sends the helicopter buzzing after Kylie who squeals and runs across the road away from it, causing Jason much boyish hilarity.

Jenny is thoughtful in the Kabin where Rita is reading a news article in the Gazette that credits Norris, by his own words, in getting Maddie's mural reinstated. Of course that's not strictly true. Norris admits he was behind it as in fully supporting the decision and Rita rightly points out that doesn't mean he was instrumental, like he told the Gazette. She remembers it much differently. Norris pretends Rita is just getting hung up on the wording, as opposed, Jenny quips, to them thinking they were getting hung up on the facts. Yasmeen and Cathy come in and Jenny leaves. Turns out the paper boy never showed at their residences. Norris assures them that the paper boy left with a full bag but in the face of possible accusations that they might be lying, he hands them over free newspapers. Rita adds that they should check out the fictional article on page 28.

The factory workers wonder why Eva was sacked. He's not going to tell them. He does admit O'Drisoll's is the main priority but no, there's no overtime. He tells them all not to take such long tea breaks and work faster. Sinead's question about if Eva is ok goes unanswered.

Jason is going over what he needs Andy to do at the supplier. Andy confirms he is insured to drive the van. Jason jokes about Andy's loose connections with the law, which interests Phelan but Jason tells him he'll fill him in later. Phelan has found some old tools in lovely shape. Turns out they used to belong to Charlie Stubbs. Jason says he inherited Charlie's tools. Jason and Phelan then chat about the helicopter with a laugh. Jason and Andy turn away, leaving Phelan to further examine the tools.

On tea break, Sally is scathing about the newspaper article that has not just Norris' fictional involvement with the mural, but a photo of him beside it and all. They idly chat about furniture sales. Aidan asks Sally about the debate. The opinions about Fresco's vary but before Sally can answer Sinead's question on where she stands, Aidan cuts their tea break short and chivvies them back to work.

Sarah finds Tim finishing off his windows. He urges her to go to the debate which is apparently in the cafe. Eva comes out of the pub and sees Billy. She asks him if he's been tracking Marta. Bolton was the last place he knows the phone was tracked and thought he would go out there and poke around, see if he can find her. Eva isn't so sure it's a good idea but decides to go with him anyway. She thinks it'll be a waste of time and Marta won't be there. Billy's car doesn't want to start so he gets back out to see if Kevin can have a look.

Phelan is on the phone to someone telling them about a lovely set of tools and what he can get for them. Andy hears him from down on the street level. Phelan says he'll be straight over, picks up the tools, a set of chisels, and comes down the stairs so Andy nips over to one side and pretends he didn't hear anything. He says he just got back. Phelan says he's stepping out and Andy notes the cloth wrapped bundle in his hands.

In the cab office, Eva is looking for a cab. Tim can't drive because he's not licensed to drive a cab yet. Billy returns and says Kevin can't look at the car until later. He's dismayed to find out there are no cabs available so suggests the bus. That's not very good, though and Michael thinks they could just wait 20 minutes and a cab should be free. I guess they aren't going to wait because Billy hurries her back out the door.

Norris is straightening his tie in a mirror while Rita waits for him. She asks if he's nervous but he isn't. Mary comes in to join them and asks about his nerves. He's getting exasperated. Mary and Rita leave him to it. When he's alone, it's clear that perhaps he is having a touch of butterflies in his stomach!

Billy and Eva are waiting for a bus figuring out the most efficient bus route. Aidan comes along in his dad's car which he's taking to the car wash. Eva asks him for a lift, just around the corner. Well, near Bolton (which is a fair hop from Weatherfield). She does end up admitting they're looking for Marta, having tracked Billy's phone. Aidan suggests it's a wild goose chase. Eva suggests that they all want Marta to face up to what she's done. Aidan can't seem to say no to Eva so they jump in, happily.

Andy has brought the news about the tools over to Michael in the cab office. Michael decides to confront Phelan even though this thing with the tools has nothing to do with him. Michael really doesn't trust Phelan and Tim agrees that he did put Anna and her Owen through it. Sally has come to fetch Tim who sidetracks her by mentioning the newspaper article, suggesting she nail Norris for that one. Just then, the remote control helicopter buzzes in the door, startling Andy and Michael!

Bethany sits outside Victoria Court, another caustic text from Lauren in her hand. Kylie finds her wiping a tear off her cheek and asks what's going on. She will only admit to having a stomach ache and that she's stressed. Kylie suggests she come back home with her.

The cafe is the scene for the debate. With Sally, Norris and at least one other man in a suit standing by the counter surrounded by people standing and sitting. Quite the most inefficient set up for a debate that I've ever seen. Isn't that why Community centres are there? When the Frescho's redevelopment question comes up, Norris is firmly against it. Sally then takes the stand generally for it, citing job creation. Norris then throws the damage to small business. But Sally scores a few points by wondering where Norris gets his statistics and mocks him when he says he got them from his colleague, calling it hearsay and gossip. And we hear from Rita that Norris exaggerated the stats she had given him anyway. Cathy stumps both of them when she asks about schools.

Michael approaches the builders' yard where Phelan is up on the balcony singing to "Feelings" at the top of his voice.

Sally is now on about Norris' misquotes in the newspaper article about Maddie's memorial. Sally defends the artwork on the wall and tells everyone Norris lied and calls him a small minded gossip. Cathy and Yasmeen hide smirks. The insults lob back and forth. Norris then uses Sally's own quote, or the one she was using earlier, by Lincoln, about pleasing some of the people some of the time. Sally takes umbrage. But then Sally makes a mistake and narrows in on Jenny as someone that should be behind bars but is walking free. Norris might be willing to give people a second chance, but Sally assures them all she's not one of them. (That poor third candidate hasn't spoken a word!) anyway, Jenny plays her trump card and asks how she feels about Tim's being put in jail for his part in the poll tax riots. Sally and Tim look shocked and Norris looks very, very satisfied.

Phelan comes into the office to find Michael waiting. Michael confronts him about Jason's chisels and he knows Phelan has designs on his girlfriend. "I am not stupid" he insists. Pat insists he is. Phelan knows all about Andy pretending to be Michael's son and now Michael seems to have forgiven Andy and is even making him packed lunches when Phelan would have shown him the road straight away. He calls Michael a fool. Michael blusters but then grabs his chest and falls backwards down the staircase. Phelan looks over the railing at him, assessing the situation.

Tvor

Written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Tim Dowd

Phelan wanders slowly down the stairs at the yard where Michael is lying at the bottom. Michael's conscious but badly hurt. Phelan jokes that he wished he'd had his camera but quickly changes his tune when he hears Jason coming. He suddenly acts all concerned and instructs Jason to call an ambulance.

In the cafe things are getting heated at the hustings. Tim gets all tongue-tied when Norris questions him about his criminal record. Tim insists he only spent one night in a cell, he was never actually arrested. Sally is horrified. Jenny looks smug but is now in Rita's bad books for stirring things in the first place.

Things kick off in the street when Sally comes marching out to give Jenny a piece of her mind. She has to be physically restrained from attacking Jenny and Mary says she's like John Prescott in heels. Sally tells Jenny she won't forget this in a hurry. Smirking, Jenny replies that was kind of the plan.

Round at Platt Towers, Bethany is confiding in Kylie about the bullying. Kylie tells her that the bullies are just a bunch of jealous losers and if she stops rising to their taunts, they'll soon get bored. Bethany says they won't so Kylie says in that case fighting back is her only option. Bethany doesn't look convinced. She says it's not that simple and asks if she can go and have a bath.

The ambulance has arrived for Michael and everyone has gathered round. Eileen asks what happened. Phelan claims he had a funny turn with his heart and fell down the stairs. "You saw it, did you?" asks Andy, clearly suspicious. Phelan says all he did was raise the alarm. Jason reassures him that he knows that.

Zee's cooked a meal for Rina and Alya. Rina insists on helping Zee to clear the table, not-so-subtly putting her hand on top of his as he picks up a dish.

Aidan, Eva and Billy are driving round the backstreets of Manchester on the hunt for Marta. Billy is concerned for her welfare whereas Eva has lost her patience after the way Marta stole and lied to them.

Phelan and Jason are waiting at the hospital. Eileen appears with news about Michael. He's twisted his ankle and has slight concussion but his heart is fine. Phelan tells Eileen he must have done something to wind Michael up but he wishes he knew what it was. Eileen says something's got into him but what? Phelan acts all caring and Eileen is completely taken in by his charm.

Andy is by Michael's bedside when the others come in. Michael gets himself all worked up when he realises Phelan is with them. He tells him angrily that they don't need or want him there. Suddenly Michael's face contorts in pain and he grabs his chest. As the others rush to get a doctor, Phelan gives him an evil look.

Aidan, Billy and Eva are now on foot. Suddenly, Eva spots Martha, huddled under a blanket. She rushes over and starts venting her anger about how Martha responded to her kindness and tells her she even lost her job because of her. But Marta is clearly in a bad way and upset. She says sorry but she didn't know what else to do. All she wants to do is to go home. Billy promises they'll help her but in order to do that they'll have to get her passport which means going and making peace with the O'Driscolls. Marta nods her head.

A doctor has come to see Michael. She tells him that the pain in his chest was brought on by stress. He needs to remain calm. She looks at everyone and asks them all to bear that in mind. Phelan makes to go but Michael says he hasn't finished with him yet. He tells Jason that Phelan stole his chisels and that Andy will back him up. Andy tells the others what he overheard. Phelan acts like he's the innocent party and says he'd better leave before he does something that Michael regrets.

Yasmeen comes home. Rina says it's time she was getting back but when Yasmeen hears the journey involves three buses she insists Rina stays over. Zee looks more than happy with the arrangement.

Sally's reprimanding Tim over their mugs of evening cocoa. She's married to an anarchist she tells him and it could be the end of her political career. Tim tells her his version of events the night he was locked up. It turns out he thought he was going on a date but after a few pints the next he knew he was in Trafalgar Square taking part in a protest about the poll tax. He didn't even know what the poll tax was. This doesn't make Sally feel any better. Her one crumb of comfort was that he was standing up for something he believed in but it transpires he was only hoping for a bunk up. Tim tells Sally that's what he admires about her – if she cares about something she gets stuck in. Sally says she's sorry, she didn't mean to make him feel bad about himself. Tim advises Sally to continue to stand because if she doesn't it won't be Norris she's allowing to win but Jenny.

Meanwhile, Mary is buying Norris a celebratory pint in the Rovers but Norris points out he's not over the line yet. Sean points at Jenny and says she's helped push him a bit closer to it. But Norris doesn't want people thinking he's in cahoots with the likes of Jenny.

Andy, Eileen and Jason are still with Michael when Phelan comes back and dumps the bag of chisels on the bed. He tells them that he'd arranged to have them cleaned and sharpened as a surprise for Jason. Even Andy starts to doubt what he overheard so now Michael is the only one who knows the truth. Eileen demands that he apologises to Phelan. Michael mumbles sorry under his breath. Once again Phelan has the upper hand.

Bethany comes down from her bath and continues her chat. Kylie asks if she's not going to stand up to the bullies, she won't go to the teachers and she can't ignore what they're saying, what else does that leave? She tells Bethany she knows what she's going through – it happened to her. In her case, when the bully wouldn't button her lip, she gave her a fat one instead and she never bothered her again. Bethany doesn't look convinced she could do that.

Eva, Aidan and Billy have arrived at the O'Driscolls' house with Marta. Aidan is still worried about losing their business so he and Eva stay back and let Billy go to talk to them with Marta. Eva tells Aidan she's really worried about Marta who is shaking with fear. Aidan reminds Eva that Marta stole from the O'Driscolls so of course she's scared.

Billy rings the bell and Julia comes to the door. He introduces himself as Reverend Mayhew and explains how he found Marta sleeping rough. He offers to reimburse the O'Driscolls for everything Marta stole and says all he needs is her passport so that Marta can go home. But Julie tells Billy they couldn't put him to that trouble. She says they've been in touch with Marta's family in Poland and for their sakes it would be much easier if they handled things from here. Julia speaks to Marta in Polish. Marta replies in Polish and then goes inside the house. Billy asks if she's OK. Marta says she's fine but she's clearly very scared about something. Billy has no choice but to let her go.

In the Rovers Mary is getting carried away with thoughts of where his political career might lead. Rita points out he hasn't even beaten Sally yet and the one thing Sally has is 'stickability'. As if to prove a point, Sally and Tim come in. Sean serves them and says he doesn't want to have round 2 on his watch. But Sally says she hasn't come in for a fight, quite the opposite. She apologises if she upset anyone at the hustings and says she allowed her emotions to get the better of her. She warms to her theme and tells the assembled company how she's proud of her husband for standing up for what he believes in. Tim holds his head in his hands as Sally compares him to Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Gandhi. "Do they have window cleaning rounds and all?" asks Sean. Undeterred, Sally continues with her rousing speech until she's rewarded with a round of applause.

Back at the hospital, Michael is now alone with Eileen. He's still angry and tells her that Phelan is not all that he seems to be. But Eileen just thinks he's jealous and he's going to drive himself into an early grave. Michael insists he's just trying to protect her. Eileen tells him she doesn't need protecting. Michael can't believe it when Phelan comes back in. Eileen tells Michael that Phelan's giving her a lift home. She walks out and Phelan turns back to Michael. "Don't you worry, I'll take good care of her," he says, menacingly.

Karen


Wednesday 9 March

Sarah and Bethany are walking down the Street, Sarah doesn't believe that Bethany has a half-day at school until Bethany checks Sarah's phone and finds the email that was sent out. Kylie comes along then and remarks that Sarah sounds rough, Sarah admits that she feels terrible and hardly slept. When Sarah's gone, Bethany thanks Kylie for not saying anything about the bullies. Kylie reminds her that if she has any trouble today she has to stand her ground.

It's breakfast time at Alya's house. Her friend Rana thanks Sharif for letting her stay, and says she's going to cook for them all tonight.

A tall, good looking young man called Josh, sporting a huge quiff, has been sent to the salon by the job centre. Audrey is a little taken aback, but sets him to work making tea, and then tells Kylie and David that she thinks he'll put the customers off, he can't stay.

Michael has arrived home from hospital, helped by Andy, and as they get out of the taxi Eileen comes along. Andy departs, leaving him with Eileen who scolds him. Just then Phelan comes round the corner in his van and stops. After a few glib remarks, he hopes there are no hard feelings and asks if he can buy him a pint later, and Michael agrees.

Aidan is in the back room of the pub looking for some paperwork, when Eva comes in. She brings up the subject of Marta and the O'Driscolls, much to his annoyance. She tells him she's been worrying about Marta who seems so frightened. He tells her it's becoming an obsession with her. "So now I'm obsessed as well as deluded?" she snaps. He tells her he cares about her. "So believe in me," she says. He tells her it's complicated. She snaps that he won't consider the possibility that she could be right in case it hits his pocket, and storms out of the room.

Michael has hobbled into the cafe with his crutches, and Anna asks if he's in a lot of pain. He tells her it depends which one she's talking about, the one in his ankle or the one in his neck that goes by the name of Pat Phelan. He goes on to say that he knows she and Phelan have history, and asks what she can tell him about him, but Anna is tight lipped and says she can't tell him anything, she doesn't want to get involved, she staying well clear. Gail is sitting at another table, and when Anna has moved away she goes over to Michael. "Fancy some company?" she asks, and he replies that he'd like that.

Bethany is walking towards Victoria Court when a group of girls comes running up behind her, shouting. She stops and turns round and they start teasing and taunting her. As she tries to stand her ground they become threatening, but Luke has just walked out of the cafe and sees what's going on. He walks over to them, asking if there's a problem. Lauren, the gang leader, says they're just chatting but Luke doesn't believe her and tells them to get lost. With a scornful toss of her head, and a "Whatever!" Lauren leads her little gang away.

In the salon, Josh is listening to music through headphones, while he sweeps up, but after sweeping it into a heap, doesn't seem to realise that he has to remove it from the floor. Audrey tells him to take the rest of the day off. "Does that mean I've got the job?" he asks. David mutters that it's doubtful, and Audrey says she'll let the job centre know. He goes off, saying he's too good for the place anyway. Sarah has come in, seeming a whole lot better than she was earlier. Just then the door opens and in comes Bethany with Luke. Bethany rushes over to Sarah and sobs all over her.

In the cafe, Gail and Michael are discussing Phelan. Gail points out that Jason seems to like him and in her opinion the quickest way to a woman's heart is through her son.

Alya and Rana come into the cafe and Anna asks if they're related. Rana explains that they knew each other and uni and are now catching up. Anna says she's sure Alya has loads to tell her. They sit down, discussing the meal that Rana is planning to cook. Alya doesn't want her poisoning her family, and also warns her off hurting her baby brother. Rana promises that Zeedan won't get hurt.

In the salon, the Platt family are discussing the bullies and Bethany. Sarah is furious and says she's going to the police, and Audrey agrees that this needs to be nipped in the bud. Sarah then starts to realise that it has been going on for a few weeks, and a glance at Kylie's face makes her see that Kylie knew about it. "Only since yesterday," says Kylie, explaining that she didn't want her to stress. Bethany says she made her promise. Sarah then tells Bethany she has to tell her everything.

Michael hobbles into the taxi office to start his shift, where Eileen is on the switch and Phelan is lounging about in the armchair like he owns the place. There's a lot of laughter and it all seems very cosy between them. Eileen says she was going to get Brenda to cover Michael's shift, he should be resting his ankle. (How much does it strain an ankle to sit and take phone calls?) He wonders why Pat is there, and Eileen explains that the radiator was rattling. Almost through gritted teeth, Michael says he could have sorted it. After a slightly awkward pause, Phelan jumps up to leave, saying he'll see them both later for the drink. Michael says he doesn't think he can make it, but tells Eileen she should still go. "I'm game if you are," says Phelan to Eileen. "Maybe another time," she mutters, looking embarrassed. When Phelan has gone, Michael tells Eileen he wouldn't have minded if she'd gone without him. She says she didn't want to, and then snaps at him that he's being ridiculous, she'd hoped the fall would have knocked some sense into him. "No such luck!" she says.

Sarah is hammering on a front door, and it's opened by Lauren, the girl who's been bullying Bethany. Sarah introduces herself and then points her finger and tells Lauren not to ever go near her daughter again. "Or what?" sneers Lauren, "you'll send her bodyguard round?" Sarah tells her that Luke is a pussycat compared to her. Just then Lauren's mother comes to the door, wondering what is going on. Sarah angrily tells her that Lauren has been bullying Bethany, and she and her mates followed her home from school today. "If a neighbour hadn't intervened I don't know what would have happened!" Lauren's mother glares at her daughter and orders her inside. "I warned you about this nonsense before," she says, "get inside now!" Then she turns and tells Sarah she's sure there's been some sort of misunderstanding. Sarah, however, won't be put off and, still waving her finger around, tells her there is nothing she won't do to protect her daughter.

Alya, Zeedan, Sharif and Rana are enjoying the meal that Rana has cooked. Yasmeen couldn't be there, although we're not told why. Rana flatters Zeedan and Sharif, telling them they are the reason that Alya is so confident. Then she says she should be going home, but Sharif persuades her to stay for pudding. As the men take the plates into the kitchen, Alya tells her friend she's shameless!

Michael is in the taxi office when Andy comes in to see how he is. They get talking and Michael tells him how Gail reckons she's right about Pat having his eye on Eileen. Andy thinks Gail might have an ulterior motive, she is still Michael's wife. Michael is adamant that Pat Phelan can't be trusted. Andy asks what he's going to do about it. Michael tells them he'll do whatever he has to do, Eileen and Jason need protecting whether they know it or not.

Aidan is in the pub where Eva is working behind the bar. She asks if he's had a good day, and he says yes, the usual, making money, living life and exploiting the poor and needy. Just then Billy comes in, and Aidan tells him that according to Eva he's the devil incarnate, and he moves quickly away from the bar. Eva and Billy talk quietly about Marta, they know she was frightened. "What are we going to do about it?" says Billy. Eva says she doesn't know, but she's working on it.

Sarah and Bethany, David and Kylie are in the bistro, and Sarah is telling them what happened at Lauren's house. David wonders what if it just makes things worse? Sarah and Kylie reckons they'll take care of it as a family. Kylie is really happy that they're all sat there together!

Michael is making his way down the Street on his crutches. "Evening Hopalong!" says Phelan, standing outside the kebab shop. Michael goes over to him and tells him to stay away from Eileen and Jason. Phelan asks if he's threatening him. "However you wish to take it," says Michael. Phelan walks right up to Michael and puts his face close, and then says no, he won't stay away. He ends up telling Michael to go back to being the spineless marshmallow, that's what he's good at. Then he turns and walks off laughing.

Anne Logan.


Friday 11 March

We open with Jason and Andy loading up the van. They see Alya, Rana and Zeedan across at the cafe. Andy asks Zeedan about Rana. Zeedan says she's just a mate.

Eileen and Tim discuss their new working relationship. He suggests she call him "Boss." Eileen's showing him how to work the switch. Gail comes in just in time to hear them discussing Michael. Eileen is saying if there's one thing less attractive than a clingy man it's a clingy man on crutches.

In the salon, they talk about Sarah going round to that Lauren's house. There's a problem with the appointment book. Not only couldn't Josh sweep up hair properly but he's managed to blot the appointment book so they don't know who is coming in for an appointment. Audrey's salon - last in the world to use a fountain pen? They finally figure it's a nail appointment for Mrs Smith, a client of Kylie's. Never mind, Audrey says, there's a new trainee coming in - someone called Gemini. Whoever she is, she'll be an improvement on Josh. All Audrey needs is someone who can answer the phone and string a sentence together.

Gail meets Michael struggling along the street on his crutches. They discuss Eileen and Phelan and Michael tells her Phelan told him he'd do what he liked. Gail tells him not to give up. Eileen's had so much bad luck with men she's just a sucker for a compliment. She won't realise what she already has until it's too late.

Andy has a theory that there are no more Garys being born in the world. He discusses this in the cafe with Phelan and Jason. Eileen comes in to see Jason because she wants a lift to the Trafford Centre. Phelan says he'll take her. Andy's annoyed on Michael's behalf and points out to Jason that Eileen does work in a taxi office. Anna's been listening to the conversation and at the counter she confides to Eva and Jason that she named Gary after Gary Kemp, though everyone assumed she named him for Gary Lineker.

Alya meets Rana at the bistro. Rana's looking at flats in the area and asks Alya to come and see one in Victoria Court. She's quite annoyed when Alya refuses, until Alya explains that her dad died there.

Kylie arrives at Mrs Smith's house. Mr Smith (Freddie) lets her in and Kylie is horrified to discover Mrs Smith is dead and lying in her coffin. "I wanted her to look her best," he explains. He says he did tell all this to the young man who took the appointment. "I can't!" says Kylie, rushing out of the house.

Andy tells Michael about Phelan and Eileen going off to the Trafford Centre in the van. Michael rushes off as fast as he can on crutches. Where's he off to? "I'm going for evidence!" he shouts back at Andy.

Michael peeks around the corner to see Phelan shut the van door.

Sally's caught Eva for a bit of electioneering. Phelan tells Eva not to listen to her because all politicians break their promises. Eileen's ready and she and Phelan are about to leave when Eva points out the back door of the van is open. Of course Michael is in there. "Get out!" shouts Eileen. "Eileen, love. . ." starts Michael but she won't listen. "You call this love? Get out of my face!"

Kylie's had a glass of water and is much calmer. She apologises if she's upset Freddie. He offers to pay for her time but Kylie tells him Sadie was a wonderful woman and deserves to leave this life in style.

Tim's outside talking to one of the drivers. He sees Gail drop half her shopping. Billy stops to help and Tim rushes over with a carrier bag, telling her that if she'd got a taxi she could have picked up all her shopping for the week and if she'd tipped Darryl enough he'd have carried them inside for her.

Eva has a plan and she hasn't told Aidan about it but she tells Billy.

Eileen's back home telling Todd about Michael hiding in the back of the van. She's furious but Todd, talking a lot of sense for a change, tells her some people just need a lot of reassurance. She should be flattered. "He's terrified he's going to lose you." "Well, he's right to be!" she snaps. Todd's surprised. He says he thought she had more sense than that.

In the cafe, David sits with Michael. Anna's advice is to walk away. "Phelan always wins. He's poison. Walk away. In fact, if you've go any sense, run - crutches or no crutches."

Kylie's done Sadie's nails but now thinks her lips look all wrong.

Eva and Billy are in a car outside the O'Driscoll house. The plan is for Eva to stay hidden and for Billy to go and ask whether Marta got her flight all right. Bill's barely got out of the car when Ritchie O'Driscoll arrives back from a run. He asks Billy if he can help.

In the salon, "Gemini" arrives. It seems their new trainee is none other than Gemma. David and Audrey both roll their eyes.

Andy and Jason arrive at the bistro. Rana approaches Jason and asks whether he knows of any maintenance problems at an address she's considering renting. She flirts with him and Zeedan warns him off. Rana seems very pleased.

Phelan's found Michael's wallet in the van. Eileen says she's sick of being the strong one. "I wish someone would just look after me for a change." She says she can't be doing with Michael at the moment. She thanks Phelan for the day and gives him a hug just as Michael hobbles in. "You hypocrite, Eileen!"

Well, this is only going to go one way. . .

The end.
Margaret Carr

Michael, having walked in on Eileen and Pat, is furious and starts brandishing his crutch, the end of which is grabbed by Phelan until the rubber foot part comes off and Michael ends up falling backwards onto the floor. Struggling to his feet, a row ensues between him and Eileen, who accuses him of being a paranoid maniac. Phelan makes excuses and leaves, and Eileen orders Michael to sit down. "We need to talk," she says.

Over in the bistro, there are similar problems, Zeedan is furious because Jason offered to buy Rana a drink. Just then Alya comes in and manages to diffuse the situation, and Jason leaves. When he's gone, Zeedan tells Rana that he and Jason have got history, but refuses to say anything else and goes back into the kitchen. Rana, claiming to have seen the way Alya and Jason looked at each other, demands to know what the story is.

Over in the salon, Audrey tells Gemma to sling her hook. "Are you chucking us out?" asks Gemma, "why?" Audrey mutters that she and her drug dealing boyfriend have made their family's life a misery. Gemma protests that Callum is not her boyfriend, and she only did what she did because he made her. Just then Kylie comes in and is stunned to see her. "All right Kyes?" chirps Gemma, "we're going to be working together!" "Over my dead body," says Audrey, and tells her that she's off out to do some errands, and she wants Gemma gone by the time she gets back. When Audrey has gone, Gemma pleads with David and Kylie to help her, if she gets thrown out the Job Centre will stop her money. She begs for just one chance to sort herself out, and then starts crying loudly. David tells Kylie to take her into the back.

Michael and Eileen are still thrashing out the situation. She says she told him there was nothing going on but he didn't believe her. "I wanted to," says Michael. "But you didn't," says Eileen. "I might be a lot of things, but I am not a cheat and I don't know if I can be with someone who doesn't trust me," says Eileen. "Don't say that," says Michael, looking crestfallen. "Why not?" asks Eileen.

Billy is talking to the O'Driscolls. "So Marta has gone back to Poland already?" he asks. Julia tells him they booked her a ticket and she flew back yesterday. They walk away from the car, where Eva is hiding, still talking. Billy thinks it must have been expensive, but Richie tells him it was worth it to see the back of her, that the girl was nothing but trouble.

Sally is trying to talk Tim into letting her take his photo cleaning windows. "One minute you want me to be a business man, the next minute you want me up a ladder," he grumbles, "you talk to me like I'm some sort of trained monkey." She promises that once the elections are over things will be much better.

In the back room of the salon, Gemma says she wants to be like Kylie and turn her life around. Kylie reminds her that this is Audrey's place, she just works there. David comes in and grabs her arm and starts to walk her to the door. Kylie stops him and hands Gemma a tenner, who isn't that impressed and says that's not going to last long. David then pulls out another one and gives that to her. Just then the door opens and Sarah walks in. Gemma looks her up and down and works out that she is pregnant, and she knows someone who is going to be very interested!

Eileen and Michael are still talking, he knows he's been unreasonable, but there's been a reason, can't she see what Phelan is doing? He's playing them off each other, trying to make them split up and it's working! Eileen then tells him that it's over. "Are you going to let him win, just like that?" asks Michael. Eileen tells him it's not a competition. Just then there's a knock on the door – it's Phelan come back. "Is this a bad time?" he asks. "No," says Eileen, "Michael was just leaving." As he steps out of the door, Phelan steps out with him. Michael tells him he might have fooled everyone else, but he hasn't fooled him. Phelan tells him that if he ever takes a swing at him again he'll end up with more than a limp.

Billy gets back into his car, where he tells Eva that Marta has gone back to Poland. Just then Eva looks up and is sure she sees Marta at an upstairs window. Billy didn't see anything, but that doesn't deter Eva who starts to get out of the car. Billy however, stops her and tells her she can't just go steaming in there throwing accusations around without being quite sure.

In the bistro, Alya has told Rana what happened with her and Jason, explaining that she was in a bad place after losing her dad.

Norris comes in and starts handing out his campaign leaflets. Steph rushes over and asks him what he thinks he's doing, telling him he wouldn't like it if she went into the Kabin and put up posters for the bistro. Norris wants to speak to the manager, but Steph tells him she's not there. "Then I'll speak to whoever is in charge," says Norris. "You just have been," says Steph and points to the door.

Back in the salon, Gemma is sure that it's Callum's baby, and asks if he knows. David says he does, but Kylie admits that he doesn't, and Sarah doesn't want him to know. David then says that they'd appreciate it if she would keep her mouth shut. "OK," says Gemma, sitting down, grinning. "As long as you let me stay here." David tells her there's no chance, so she pulls out her phone, telling them she's calling Callum. "Go on then, ring him," says David. Gemma goes off out the back, as the three of them glance round at each other.

Michael is in the pub with Andy. Liz takes one look at him and asks if there's anything wrong, so he tells her that he and Eileen have split up. Liz says she's sorry and asks if Eileen is all right. Michael snaps that Eileen is fine, it's him that been dumped and humiliated. Andy asks if it was to do with Pat, and Michael admits that it was, and says that she hasn't a clue what she's letting herself in for.

Gemma comes back into the salon and tells them that her call to Callum went to voicemail, he must be busy. David asks if he's been busy a lot lately, but Gemma retorts that she spoke to him just the other day. Just then Audrey walks back in and wants to know why Gemma is still there, so David takes her to one side and tells her how Gemma has told Kylie how Callum used to make her do stuff and how upset she got, and how she just wants to turn her life around. "Maybe we should just give her a chance," he says. He suggests they give her a shift, if she messes that up, she's out. Audrey tells him that he'll be responsible, then she turns to Gemma and tells her to come back at 9 o'clock on Monday and if she's late, she's history.

Norris is in the pub, wittering on about the things he's going to sort out when he's elected. Jason gets cross and says he's come in for a quiet drink and doesn't want to hear all this.

Eileen and Pat are in her living room, having a cosy drink and chat about previous relationships.

Rana comes into the kitchen at the bistro to see Zeedan. She wonders if he was jealous of Jason, and they kiss.

Sally and Tim have come into the pub, and she tells Norris to just accept that she has the election in the bag. He remarks that she seems very confident. Sally beams and points out that she's a woman, she has a working-class husband and a lesbian daughter. "What have you got?" she asks him. He tells her he has every intention of wiping that smug smile off her sanctimonious face!

Audrey and Gail walk into the pub and notice Michael looking miserable. Liz tells them that he and Eileen have split up. Gail is very interested and wonders if she should go and have a word with him, if she waits too long he might meet somebody else. Audrey tells her to brace herself – he really isn't that much of a catch!

David, Kylie and Sarah have left the salon and are walking down the Street. David explains that he thought they should keep Gemma on as she will go round telling people how she spoke to Callum just the other day, so people will assume that he's still alive.

Eileen and Pat have just finished a bottle of wine, and he says he'll head off home. Then he tells her that Michael was right, he does have feelings for her. Eileen seems stunned into silence, and Pat says he shouldn't have said anything. "Forget I said anything, I'll see myself out," he says. "Goodnight Eileen." Eileen doesn't move. "Goodnight Pat," she murmurs.

Anne Logan


Monday 14 March

Just a quick summary today...

Written by Chris Fewtrell Directed by David Kester

Gemma is proving to be a less than reliable employee. She rubs David and Kylie the wrong way constantly (but fills me with glee! What a banging secondary character!) Her bragging about talking to Callum in front of Rita serves the purpose and David subsequently sacks her (after she presumes he's going to make a move on her after he shuts the shop!) She threatens to tell Callum that Sarah's pregnant with his baby and of course, David isn't bothered and when she supposes Kylie won't be happy, reveals that sacking her was Kylie's idea. Gemma leaves in a temper, disappointed.

Norris isn't happy that Emily's postal vote is going to miss election day (he wasn't slow in sending it to her, was he? She had no idea he was running for office when she left at New Year's) Both he and Sally fight over Rita's vote. Norris comes into the factory to do a bit of campaigning under Sally's nose in retaliation for her pushing Rita for a vote. Sally is incensed that he's passing out chocolates until she finds out they're just out of date stock and proceeds to take the mickey.

Rana starts her job at the medical centre. Zeedan asks her for a date. They end up snogging before their meal. She says she's worried about Alya finding out but he's not. It's none of anyone's business. They're dressed to the nines when they go to the Bistro but she sees someone come in and hides behind her menu to avoid eye contact.

Freddie tries to pay Kylie for her services to Sadie but she won't let him so he takes her for a drink instead. Freddie is struggling to cope with his loss and misses his Sadie enormously but give him credit where credit is due, he appreciated his wife and said he made it his life's work to make her happy. He's determined to persevere, because she would want him to live a good life. He isn't going to make plans, just go with the flow.

Phelan reasserts his growing feelings for Eileen and she eats it up, inviting him to lunch at the Bistro. She says she's taking it a step at a time. Anna's not too pleased to see Phelan having a quiet lunch with Eileen. She tells Izzy her suspicions about the pair and is dismayed that Eileen and Michael are split. Izzy urges Anna to tell Eileen the real story. If something happened, she'd never forgive herself. Later, Michael insists vehemently on being served a cup of tea as it's not quite closing time yet. Later, at Number 11, he's smooth and he's persuasive and Eileen admits she really likes him but wants to make sure she's not going to get hurt again. He's also a schemer and when he realizes Anna is trying to call Eileen, he figures out why and gets to Eileen first. He says he has to tell Eileen why Anna hates him. He did something he's ashamed of but she deserves to know the truth.

Tvor

Written by John Kerr and directed by David Kester

Phelan the sleazeball tells Eileen all about what happened with Anna. Except in his version of events, Anna seduced him, they had a one night stand that he regretted, she fell for him and couldn't accept it wasn't going any further so she spilled the beans which lead to the breakup of Phelan's marriage and her relationship with Owen. Needless to say, Eileen completely falls for it and now thinks this is the only reason Anna hates Phelan.

Audrey's on her way home. She's wearing what looks suspiciously like a flower pot on her head but this rather strange outfit doesn't seem to put off Ken who invites her out for a drink later. Audrey's happy to cancel her plans of sitting in front of the tv with a large G and T and agrees to meet him in the Rovers in an hour. Before they part company Gemma yells from across the street. She tells 'Aud' that it's totally unfair that David's given her the sack as she "ain't nicked 'owt , broke 'owt or hit anyone". In fact, she adds, she "ain't done nowt". Audrey suggests that might explain it. Gemma tells 'Aud' she can stuff her job.

Rana's suddenly desperate to leave the Bistro. She claims she's not feeling well. But before they can go two men come across and speak to Rana who looks extremely uncomfortable. One nods towards Zee and asks if she's going to introduce them.

Back at Eileen's she's still talking to Phelan. She says Anna's obviously still obsessed with him but he tells her it's more than that, it's hatred.

Meanwhile Anna is stuck at the cafe with Michael who's still pouring his heart out. She finally persuades him she has to leave as she's arranged to go and see Izzy. Anna locks the door and breaths a sigh of relief.

In the Bistro, the mystery man turns out to be Rana's ex. Not only that but he claims she cheated on him with one of his friends when they were still going out. Rana calls him a liar so Zee tells him to leave. Before he does, the man warns Zee that he's the one with a problem if Rana's got her claws into him.

Gail's on her way home when she spots Michael sitting in the bus shelter. She asks him if he wants to talk. At first he refuses but the offer of a cup of tea and the chance to admire Gail's annex is enough to get him to change his mind.

Norris and Rita are doing a stock take and Norris is being unusually friendly. He offers to buy Rita a drink and she's immediately suspicious. She tells Norris she's not that wet behind the ears to he admits he wants to make sure he can count on her vote. Rita says she can't promise that since she doesn't even know what his policies are. In that case, Norris replies, he can explain them to her over a drink and he hurries off to fetch his coat.

Sadie's husband Freddie is enjoying his drink in the Rovers with Kylie who seems to be having an equally good time. Aidan comes in and Eva tells Billy she's decided to tell him that she saw Marta. "You think you saw her'" corrects Billy. Unfortunately for Eva she doesn't get beyond the word Marta before Aidan snaps back that he doesn't want to hear another of her conspiracy theories.

Anna turns up on Eileen's doorstep. She's come to tell her what happened with Phelan. Eileen says he's already told her everything. Anna tells her it wasn't like that. In that case, Eileen wants to know, what was it like? "It was more like rape," replies Anna.

Gemma's in Prima Doner, enjoying a kebab when two young lads come in and start giving Chesney a hard time. He's grateful when she comes to his rescue and sends them packing.

Anna's continues to tell Eileen the whole story about Phelan. She gets to the bit about the CCTV footage of Gary attacking him. Eileen asks why Anna didn't go to the police if Phelan was blackmailing her. Anna says she couldn't prove it and besides he was too clever for that. She finally gets to the part where she went to the hotel and tells Eileen that she allowed Phelan to use her like a piece of meat, like a prostitute. Eileen doesn't look convinced and says that one minute Anna claims he raped her and the next she says she sold herself to him. She says she's sorry Anna's upset but all she sees is someone who made a mistake and is now trying to justify it.

Rana and Zee are now eating their meal in the Bistro. She claims that her ex was just an arrogant man who made up stories about her cheating on him because he couldn't cope with the idea of being dumped. She tells Zee that maybe he should be careful of her though because she's always unlucky in love. He strokes her hair and replies that maybe it's because she hasn't met the right guy … until now.

Back in the Rovers, Freddie borrows a £1 off Kylie to put in the jukebox (seriously? Is that what they charge nowadays?!) As he gets up to make his selection, Audrey comes in with Ken. Freddie invites them to join him and Kylie. Ken's about to say no but Audrey is happy to accept his offer.

Michael's admiring Gail's new room or, as she tells him, her "Hobbit Hole" as David insists on calling it. Michael tells Gail she's a good listener and she gains even more brownie points when she remembers that it's the anniversary of Gavin's death. She tells Michael that she still feels dreadful about everything that happened between him and Gavin. Michael takes it as his cue to leave and turns down the offer of another cuppa but he thanks Gail for listening and leaves her looking quite shell-shock as he plants a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Eva's behind the bar in the Rovers. She asks Aidan if he wants another drink but he's feeling stressed and needs to get back to the factory. Eva turns to Billy and tells him that's it. As far as Marta's concerned they're on their own. Audrey says how sorry she was to hear about Freddie's wife, Sadie. Ken offers his sympathies and tells him how he recently lost Deirdre. Freddie raises his glass and drinks a toast to life, love and happiness.

Rita's been listening to Norris's manifesto and she tells him she's impressed. But not so impressed that he definitely has her vote. She promises to sleep on it. But Norris doesn't want her to leave for some reason and asks her to stay for another drink. Finally he admits what the problem is – he can't face going back to an empty house.

Gemma's still in Prima Doner and talking to Ches through mouthfuls of kebab. He mentions how the person who's meant to take over from his shift hasn't turned up for work again. Gemma has a lightbulb moment. If he's that useless he needs to get the sack and then she could take over his job. Ches looks hesitant, it's not that simple, and besides it's up to Dev who he hires. Gemma reminds Ches how she rescued him earlier so he agrees to have a word with Dev.

Anna is still trying to convince Eileen that she's telling the truth about Phelan but Eileen just doesn't want to know. Anna warns her that Phelan will hurt her if she gets too close but Eileen is convinced she knows best and tells Anna she should leave.

Back in the Rovers Norris is telling Rita that the reason he's got involved with the elections is because he's missing Emily. She wonders whether he's made up the whole sob story to get her sympathy vote but he insists not. Rita tells him she'll be back soon and, in the meantime, suggests they have another drink.

Freddie announces he'd better make this his last drink. As he reflects on his life with Sadie and how he'll miss her, Ken gives him an understanding look. Freddie's selection comes onto the Jukebox - "I'm So In Love With You" by Al Green. Kylie says she loves the song and Audrey's face lights up as she agrees with her. Ken smiles.

Phelan finishes his pint and leaves the Rovers. He steps out into the street just as Anna comes along. He knows exactly where she's just been and tells her that he guessed she'd go and see Eileen so he got in first. He says he told Eileen what happened – or at least his version of the story. Anna goes to lash out at him and Phelan grabs her wrist. As Anna struggles Phelan taunts her. She warns him to be careful, one of these days he's going to come unstuck. But Phelan isn't fazed and replies that Anna's just going to have to get used to him being around because he's beginning to like it around there. He laughs to himself as he struts off up the street.

Karen


Wednesday 16 March

Kylie and David are at home, discussing Gemma's sacking. Kylie is not happy that David told Gemma it was her idea. Anyway, as he goes off to work, Sarah comes in, she's very tired and stressed because she hasn't felt the baby kick this morning. Kylie tells her not to worry.

A beaming Gemma arrives at the kebab shop early, and tells Chesney she's desperate for the job. He tells her, when Dev arrives, to big him up and laugh at his jokes.

Anna's in the cafe and tells Izzy that, having finally got up the courage to tell Eileen what happened with her and Phelan, she found that Phelan had got there first and told her a pack of lies. Eileen of course, believed him and now Anna feels she looks like some saddo who can't accept that it's over.

Back at the kebab shop, Dev is interviewing a very nervous Gemma. He asks if she's had any experience and she tells him she's eaten lots of them, and that when she's been out on the lash nothing hits the spot like a kebab! He asks if she's had any experience working with the public. She tells him she worked on her uncle's market stall, but that got closed down by trading standards. She also tells him she worked at the salon. Dev says he'll give Audrey a ring, but Gemma advises him not to, and reveals that she was only there for one day. Just when it's looking like Gemma is not going to get the job, Chesney speaks up for her and tells Dev how Gemma sorted out the thug that came in the other. "She scares me to death," he says, and suggests that they give her a try out. Eventually, somewhat reluctantly, Dev agrees.

A smartly dressed Sally comes downstairs and scolds Tim for wearing jeans and t-shirt. "What do you look like?" she says, "we're going to vote this morning." He asks if there's a dress code, and Sally replies that the press will be there. He says he thought he was her working class hero. She says he is, but they can't take their foot off the pedal, not now. Then Sally has some self doubt, and tells him she doesn't know who she's trying to kid, she won't get on the council, someone with more experience will win. "Nonsense," says Tim, "you're a lot better than flamin' Norris, and Anna said she was going to vote for you and she doesn't even like you!" "Really?" asks Sally. "Yes, there are lots of people out there who'll vote for you that don't like you," says Tim. "Well, there's a compliment in there somewhere," says Sally.

Rana has cooked up an excuse to visit Zeedan's house, so that she can see him for a short time. Just then the rest of the family come downstairs and Yasmeen invites her to dinner later. Then they all go off out and Zeedan says they should just tell them. Rana looks doubtful.

Sarah is still standing in the Platt's kitchen, alone and crying.

Izzy goes into the taxi office and starts ranting at Eileen about what Pat Phelan did to the whole family, not just Anna. She tells Eileen that Anna wanted to warn her but she just brushed it off and called her a liar. Eileen says she can see why Izzy would take Anna's side, as she's family, but she's heard both sides and believes Pat. Izzy throws up her hands and tells her she deserves everything she gets.

Liz is standing outside the pub when Kylie walks past. She asks if she's seen Sarah as she hasn't turned up for work. Kylie frowns and walks on.

Outside the factory, Eva stops Aidan who is off to a meeting with Richie O'Driscoll, and tells him she's sure Marta is still at their house. He tells her she has to stop all this, she's playing with fire, and there's a lot of money at stake. She can't go around saying these things without proof.

Phelan goes into the taxi office and asks Eileen if she'd like to go out after work. She makes excuses, and he asks if he's being given the brush off, so Eileen tells him about Izzy's visit. He says the whole family are singing off the same hymn sheet, he's being bad-mouthed and there's nothing he can do about it, he can see that she's already starting to doubt him. He turns round and goes out of the door.

Kylie goes home and finds Sarah on the sofa. She tells her that Liz is on the warpath, Sarah should ring her. Sarah says she's scared, she hasn't felt the baby move all day. Kylie says she knows what happened last time, but that doesn't mean it'll happen again. Sarah starts to cry and says she knows her body. "I've lost my baby!" she sobs.

Kylie tells Sarah they'll go and get her checked out, she'll take her to the hospital and phone David on the way. "It's God's punishment," says Sarah.

In the kebab shop, Chesney is teaching Gemma how to slice the meat for a kebab. David walks past and sees this going on so goes in and asks what's going on, and tells Chesney she's a total nightmare. Gemma tells him that Chesney and Dev believe in her, and besides, how hard can it be, carving a bit of beef? Chesney takes the knife off her and reminds her that it's actually lamb. David tells Chesney that she's probably casing the joint for somebody and they'll end up getting robbed. Then his phone rings and he goes out.

Eileen goes into the pub, where Liz asks if she and Michael are definitely finished. Eileen admits that they are, and she thinks she should just stay away from men. Liz tells her she's been single for months now and is actually quite enjoying it. Eileen says she likes it too – give her a good night out with the girls any time. Then, after a pause, she says she actually hates being single. "And me," says Liz. Then Eileen confides in Liz that she's got her eye on someone – Pat!

Aidan is just leaving the O'Driscoll's house when he sees Julia come out of an upstairs room and lock the door with a large padlock.

Eileen is telling Liz all the reasons why she shouldn't go near Phelan, he's got a colourful past, he's been divorced and bankrupt. But on the other hand, she fancies the pants off him! She asks if Liz if she should ring him, but Liz thinks that would seem desperate. "Let him do the running," she says. "But what if he runs into someone else?" asks Eileen. Just then, Pat himself comes into the pub. He asks what happened to her quiet night in. "A bit too quiet," says Eileen.

Sarah is at the hospital, being examined by a nurse. Kylie is sitting at her side, when suddenly the sound of the baby's heartbeat can be heard. Sarah cries with relief.

Rana is sitting with the Nazir family as they all eat dinner. Alya asks how her new job is going and if she's met any nice men. "I have actually," says Rana, "it's someone sitting at this table!" Zeedan is shocked, and there's a pause. "How long has this been going on?" asks Yasmeen. "Not long," says Zeedan, hurriedly. Then everyone is happy and pleased for them.

Aidan is with Eva in the pub, and tells her about the padlock on the bedroom door. Eva is convinced that Marta is inside. "We've got to do something," she says. Aidan tells her that the O'Driscolls will be out tomorrow at an exhibition.

Eileen is sitting with Phelan in the pub and he tells her she the first woman he's met that ticks all the boxes.

Back at home, Sarah tells Kylie that the thought that she had lost the baby has made her see how much she wants him, and thanks her for taking her, then asks if Kylie will be her birthing partner. Kylie is surprised but says she'll be honoured.

Phelan and Eileen are back at her house, where he lays on the flattery which Eileen laps up, and then they start kissing.

Anne Logan


Friday 18 March

It must be by-election day. Sally and Tim get into the van. Tim tells Sally she's going to "smash it."

Norris sweeps up outside the Kabin. Tim stops the van and they offer him a ride but he says he'll go to the vote counting at the appropriate time. Rita comes out and greets Sally cheerfully enough to make Norris sure Rita's voted for Sally.

Eva and The Rev Billy discuss Marta. Billy drove past the O'Driscoll house at 4am and saw lights on on the top floor.

Jason can't find his spirit level and tells Eileen he's worried about asking Pat if he's seen it because Pat won't like being asked.

In the factory office, Eva, Billy and Aidan talk about the O'Driscolls. Aidan says they're going to the warehouse to check the order before paying the factory and then they're off to an out-of-town exhibition. Eva suggests they call the police but Aidan refuses to let her. Billy accuses him of just being worried about the money for the O'Driscoll order. Aidan points out that 25 jobs depend on the money being paid. Billy stomps out and Eva follows. Johnnie comes in and Aidan tells him he's keeping an eye on the bank account to make sure the O'Driscolls pay the money.

In the cafe, Kevin's dictating to Sophie a list of all the faults he's found in the new garage so far. Apparently this is called a "snagging list." Sophie wishes there was one for life and that she could make a list of what was wrong and someone else would fix it. They're interrupted by Anna coming over. She asks Kevin whether they're heard from Sally about the vote. When she's gone, Sophie reckons Kevin still fancies Anna.

Billy and Eva sit in a car outside the O'Driscolls' house. They get a text from Aidan saying "nothing yet." The instructions are that they mustn't do anything until the money has arrived. They're startled and have to duck out of sight when a car roars up to the house and Mrs O'Driscoll gets out and runs inside. Then she rushes back out with whatever she's forgotten and they drive off at speed.

David's found a scarf left behind by a customer. Kylie thinks she knows whose it is.

Pat Phelan and Jason talk about Pat and Eileen and then move on to talk about Michael and about Anna. Pat's about to tell Jason his story about Anna (all lies, we can safely assume) when Sophie arrives with the snagging list.

Aidan keeps checking the bank account and is getting annoyed. Johnny can't really understand why he's so impatient. He thinks maybe Aidan's copped off with Eva but before they can talk about it, the O'Driscolls come in. They liked the standard of work and they've come in to offer the factory a monthly ongoing contract. Mrs O'Driscoll says the money for the order has left their account so should be in the factory's soon. They're anxious about the traffic and want to get away. Johnny says they'll look over the contract and drop it off later on.

Eva's bored so she's keeping herself entertained by going through the contents of Billy's glovebox. There's a Harlequin Mills & Boon novel (An Heir Fit For A King, by Abby Green) which Billy claims is Sean's, some used tissue (a weepy old lady's), a wind-up angel and a plastic rain hat - the kind you fold up by pulling the ties. I had no idea they weren't extinct. Aidan rings them and says there's still no money. Billy and Eva decide to try to get into the house anyway. On the way out of the car, Eva drops her phone without noticing.

Billy sees there's an alarm fitted to the house. They discuss how to get in and when Sean rings Billy, Eva goes off round the back of the house and Billy hears glass break. He ends the call and rushes around the back where he finds Eva inside the house. "Windows aren't that expensive, are they?" she asks. They hear something upstairs.

Eileen tells Jason she'll buy him a new spirit level and Jason realises his mum is smitten by Phelan. He says she has to tell Michael.

Kylie's going to take the found scarf to Freddie, much to David's annoyance.

Back at the factory, Johnny can't understand why Aidan hasn't read the new contract yet. Johnny phones the O'Driscolls just as the money pings up in the account. He asks how the exhibition's going. "Really? That's a shame . . ." He tells them he's just calling to say the money's arrived and to thank them. "Have a nice enforced day off." He tells Aidan the exhibition venue was flooded so the O'Driscolls are on their way back home now.

On a car floor a dropped phone rings out . . .

Eva and Billy shout for Marta and tell her they'll get her out. She refuses to let them call the police.

Sally's back in the pub looking extremely smug. Rita tells her Norris has just come in. "Be nice." Tim asks Norris if he wants a drink and says the whole election was just on the fall of a dice. He's contradicted by Sally insisting she won by miles and she tells him off for undermining the whole process. Then she goes on about what the mayor said to her. Rita's appalled by her insensitivity and Norris says he's going. Rita offers him a drink and tells him he might be the loser but he's shown a lot more dignity than the winner.

Pat turns up at Eileen's with a spirit level. He found it in the back of the van and thinks he's picked it up because it's similar to his own. He asks her to give it to Jason. He says he won't be visiting her until she's had a word with Michael.

There's no answer at Freddie's house. Kylie looks in the front window and sees him slumped over in a chair with an empty vodka bottle and some pills beside him.

Billy's found a key and he and Eva get into the upstairs room where Marta is locked in. She's sitting on the floor rocking back and forth. She doesn't want to come with them. She says they just made things worse.

Kevin goes to see Anna and asks her why she was so set against Jason working on the project. Did she have an affair with Phelan? "I know it's something, Anna. Please tell me."

Billy tells Marta the O'Driscolls have no right to treat her the way they have. As all three of them leave the room, they see the O'Driscolls arrive home. Uh oh.

The end for now.

Margaret Carr

As the 'Weatherfield Three' and Marta hide out of sight, they discuss what they are going to do next. They overhear Mrs O'Driscoll tell her husband that the back door is open. Richie runs up the stairs and confronts Billy asking what he is doing in his house. Billy says they are taking Marta, however Richie disagrees and says "like hell you are" (ooh, the language !!). Richie then knocks Billy to the floor and tells them to get out. Eva says they are not leaving without Marta. Meanwhile Kylie goes to Freddie's place He is slumped in the chair. She is distressed. She rings for an ambulance, when Freddie wakes up and asks what is going on - to Kylie's obvious shock. She is still talking to the ambulance control saying that he has taken some pills. Freddie says they are for his sinus problems, but then points to a bottle of alcohol saying he has drunk most of that ! Kylie cancels the ambulance call

Over at Anna's flat, Anna tells Kevin all she knows about Phelan and what he did to her.

In the cab office, Michael comes in to see Eileen. She asked him to come in. She tells him that he is being dumped in favour of Phelan. She said she didn't plan it, it happened. Michael thought they were okay until he turned up. As Michael goes out, Phelan comes in. They don't speak.

Back at the O'Driscoll's Mr O'D threatens Billy and Eva saying what they are doing is illegal. He turns to Billy and asks what the Church would say. Eva says that he told them that Marta had gone back to Poland. Mr O'D orders them out. Eva asks what is he going to do, call the police? Billy says he will. Mr O'D knocks Billy's phone to the floor. He starts to threaten Eva as she tries to pick it up.

Back at Anna's, Kevin asks Anna why she didn't tell him sooner. She says she thought he would be disgusted. He says he is, but with him, not her. He wants to get revenge on him, but Anna persuades him to leave it. Faye then walks in and disturbs their heart to heart.

Over at the cab office, Phelan is kissing Eileen on the arm while she is taking a phone call from a client. Eileen is a bit embarrassed but Phelan says they have nothing to worry about now that Michael and Jason know. She says she doesn't want to 'go public' because it may all fall apart the next day. She says she doesn't have much luck with men. Phelan tells her that her luck has just changed !

Returning to the O'Driscolls, Billy confirms that a police car is on its way. Mr O'D says good because they can arrest them for breaking and entering and assault. Billy says they can inform the police about keeping a girl locked up against her will. Mr O'D turns to Aidan and threatens to take the contract away from Underworld putting the girls on the dole. Mr O'D tries to compromise by offering to pay for Marta's flight home and then the factory continues if they say nothing about it. Aidan says he has let him win at ping-pong previously, but he is never going to let him win again.

Just as we have forgotten about Kylie and Freddie we head back to them. He says he is never going to drink again - holding his head ! Kylie gives him a cup of coffee. He then asks Kylie why she is there. She says she found his wife's scarf in lost property and returns it to him. She asks about the funeral. He says it only took 20 minutes, which seemed to be a very short time for a long life. Everything around the house reminds him of her.

Sophie pours out a glass of champagne for Sally and Tim as they walk in, to celebrate her victory in the local elections. He says he couldn't have been "more prouder" of his wife, to which Sally corrects him and says "more proud". Sophie leaves them to celebrate together. Sally's phone rings. It is somebody from the Council. Sally says she will check her diary, but whispers to Tim to go upstairs and she will join him in a minute.

Anna and Kev come out of the flat, and co-incidentally Phelan and Eileen are walking by. Phelan suggests they all get together for dinner sometime !

The police are now interviewing the O'Ds. Mrs O'D says they broke in and she was attacked. Marta says they were trying to free her, but Mrs O'D says she is her domestic help. They all contradict each other, so the police arrest them all. She tells Billy and Eva that they are being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. She tells the O'Ds they are being arrested for offences under the Modern Slavery Act. Aidan is being arrested on suspicion of assault.

In the Rovers, Sean is leaving a message on Billy's answering machine while Michael is desperate for a drink. Gail comes over to comfort Michael as he seems sad. Michael tells her that Eileen is going out with Phelan.

Back at Anna's, she and Kev are preparing vegetables, while Faye is chatting on the phone. Anna says she is not going to get into a serious relationship again. Phelan has already ruined one relationship and she doesn't want it to happen again. Kevin says that he is now even more certain that he wants to be with her. She apologises, but Kevin is unhappy and leaves.

Kylie has made Freddie a bacon sandwich. He says his late wife, a vegetarian, would never make that for him. She would say that it would tempt her back to the 'dark side'. Kylie says she is lost for words. He says she will experience the feeling one day, and eventually will get over it. He tells her that she is young and not to worry about him.

Gail and Michael are having a quiet chat in the Rovers (the juke box is playing 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling'). She wonders what Eileen can see in him, but Michael explains he is a 'hard' man. Gail reminds him he is a professional criminal - he has been in prison ! He says he cannot face working in the cab office anymore with Eileen. He tells Gail that he used to have a wife, son and job and now he has nothing. She thinks he can get all but his son back again. Michael doesn't think so, and gets up and leaves.

Sean leaves an angry message on Billy's answering machine, when Billy walks in bruised. He tells Sean that it is a long story and that he had better get himself a glass of wine. Gail who has been waiting at the bar asks for one as well.

Tim comes down to Sally - he is wearing a pink and white spotted dressing gown! He asks why she is not coming upstairs and she says she has a lot to do and needs to get on top of things - Tim says he was hoping for that too !!! She now has a job of great responsibility.

Billy explains to Sean that when he told the police the full story they released him and Aidan and Eva. They will put Marta on a plane back to Poland and he expects the O'Ds to be prosecuted.

Phelan is about to leave Eileen's place. She is glad they are taking things slowly. He says "time for bed" , and Eileen says she will show him out, but Phelan says he meant her bed ! Eileen responds "thank God for that" !!

Kevin and Sophie are chatting while watching the television. He says he expects Sally to be on Cloud 9. She says she is going to be a nightmare. There is a knock on the door. It is Anna. Sophie makes her excuses and leaves them. Anna has come to apologise for her earlier behaviour. She didn't think he would want her and was therefore surprised. They kiss.

Aidan is reflecting about the future, with Eva. He thinks it has put the factory in danger. His father told him not to put 'all his eggs in one basket' She feels sure it will all be okay. She says he is amazing risking himself for her. She goes to give him a hug, but he walks out.

So what is to become of the factory? Will Eileen and Phelan's relationship continue? What sort of councilor will Sally be? You will find out in the weeks to come from my colleagues !

Martin Rosen


Monday 21 March

Written by Jonathan Harvey Directed by John Anderson

Todd and Sean are a bit put off to see Eileen and Phelan snogging on the door step this morning. Eileen teases that they're just jealous! As they walk down the pavement, Sean and Todd have a lovely little conversation about cavewomen in stilettos (something from Sean's schooldays) while Sean also makes a brief mention that he'd heard Anna and Phelan had had an affair and she was not happy it had ended. He turns back because he forgot to stop at Number 5 where he was going to knock for Fiz. Todd looks thoughtful in his wake, watching Phelan cross the road towards the Kabin.

In the cafe, Bethany is making sure Sarah is ok and is assured all is well. Sarah questions her about the bullies. Bethany assures her in return that all is well on that score too. Behind the counter, Anna is chirping to a bouncy song on the radio, clearly in a good mood. Gemma comes in and joins Sarah and Bethany who insults Gemma's hair. The insults seem to roll off Gemma's back as she tosses one back at the mom and daughter pair and turns away to the counter though is looking at Sarah and scrutinizing her. Sarah orders Bethany off to school. When she leaves, Gemma takes up her phone and calls someone who doesn't recognize the name or the BFF relationship. She tells the person on the other end that she has something to tell them, all the while glancing up at Sarah. Hmm. Now who might that be?

Inside Number 5, Fiz and Tyrone are talking to Sean about Marta's rescue, shocked that something like slavery could be going on under their noses in this day and age. Sean invites Fiz to a pampering party given by a friend of his but she reckons it'll cost her money if she's obliged to buy something and she turns it down as something she's just not that interested in. Tyrone thinks she should go but she makes excuses.

David tells Audrey that Kylie's gone over to Freddie's again to help him clear out her wardrobe. David seems to think it's a bit much but Audrey reckons it's a nice thing for her to do. Sarah comes in to see if Audrey wants anything from town as she's heading there. Nothing wanted but Audrey offers to go into town tonight if there was anything in particular she was looking for, to save her trudging around. Sarah declines the offer, saying she wanted a mooch around the shops.

Aidan has come to see Johnny to break the news about the O'Driscolls. He tells him the whole story including the police involvement. They've lost the account and no, Carla doesn't know yet.

Anna offers a thoughtful Todd a coffee refill which is declined. He mentions Phelan's attachment to his mother. They agree that he's a Neanderthal but then Todd asks her why she sunk to an affair with someone like him? She gets angry and hisses that Phelan lies. All the time. That gives Todd pause for thought while Alex is concerned that Anna's all right. She assures him she's fine and pulls herself together.

Todd leaves the cafe and spots Sarah at the bus stop trying to gather her shopping that she's dropped. He jogs over and helps her, noticing a little soft bear she's bought that's similar to the one she'd bought their little Billy. She gets a bit weepy but says it's only hormones. He insists she come over to the florists' to have a brew.

Everyone in the factory is concerned. Sean points out they turned down old regular customers in favour of the O'Driscolls and Fiz asks if they still have jobs. He and Fiz give Aidan a bit of an evil eye for starting the connection with the dodgey clients in the first place.

Sarah is sitting down. Todd brings a cuppa for her. They have a nice little conversation, remembering their Billy. Todd mentions that he always stops short when Sean mentions his Billy. They both nod, understanding. Todd starts to talk about Billy, that he'd be 11 or 12 now and starting year 7 at Weathy High. Sarah is starting to look uncomfortable and puts down her cup. Todd notices and Sarah starts to moan. She thinks she's going into labour and it's too early (5 weeks).

After the break, Todd has called an ambulance while Sarah is starting to panic. Tracy comes into all this commotion and her reaction doesn't help matter. She insists that Todd contact her mother but since he can't get hold of her by phone, he runs out, leaving Sarah in Tracy's less than capable hands.

In the corner shop, Sean is now spreading the gossip about Anna and Phelan to Andy and Mary when, no coincidence here, Anna walks in. Sean tries to cover but he's a lousy liar. Mary tries to show her sympathy by relating to being involved with men that use you and lose you. Anna puts her off just as Kevin comes in. Anna leaves and Kevin gleans that there has been gossip but they decline to pass it on so he follows Anna out the door.

Back to the salon, Audrey and David are chatting idly when Todd bursts in with the news about Sarah. He wasn't able to find Gail so came to get Gran and David who jump up, concerned. Audrey sends David to Sarah while she contacts Kylie, mentioning that Gail had gone to a movie in town.

Kevin and Anna discuss the gossip. Anna is frustrated that she can't tell people the truth. He understands and tries to cheer her up with the offer of a nice tea out but she's not quite convinced she's in the mood. We can hear the ambulance in the background.

In the flower shop, Sarah is bent over the counter moaning. Tracy is griping that she'll put off the customers, much to Todd and David's disgust. Mary comes in looking for a conversational piece for a small table, takes in the situation and gets down to business, ordering towels and hot water and giving us the line of the night. When Sarah asks her if she's a nurse, she says "No, but I've seen a lot of telly" Mary rolls up her sleeves, intending on locating the baby's head but the ambulance rolls up, giving Sarah one reason to be thankful!

Johnny and Aidan are calling clients, trying to drum up business, unsuccessfully. Aidan feels terrible for letting everyone down. Johnny accuses him of feeling sorry for himself and they need to move on. Just then the office door opens and Marta peeks around, looking for Eva. She's looking healthy, clean and happy, finally.

Sarah is loaded into the ambulance. Fiz comes along and while they watch the proceedings, chat about the circle of life, births and deaths. Tracy comes out and is successful in leading Mary back in the shop to make her purchase. Mary waves off the ambulance and follows her inside.

Fiz comes into the garage office just as Tyrone is hanging up on Kirk, turning down a pint out tonight. She tells him things are looking dire at the factory. She's worried about her job. She pulls out a bit of money and tells him to go for that pint. Have a break. She wants him to go.

Bethany walks towards home, headphones on so she doesn't hear the group of bully-girls until they surround her and pull off the phones. They start making fun of her and insulting her. Gemma notices through the window of the kebab shop and comes out to shout at them. They run off but not before snatching Sarah's phone and headset. Bethany thanks Gemma and says they're just some girls from school.

Kevin has persuaded Anna to come to the Bistro for the early bird special with a coupon as well. Andy sees them to a table and oh looky, there's Phelan and Eileen at the next table. Kevin accepts the table though Anna looks a bit deflated but he tells her he loves her in a sort of round about way and she gets all giggly. Eileen looks a bit sour when she notices them looking loved up.

Sarah has reached the hospital. Todd, who has followed them in a cab, takes a call from Mary who is wittering until David grabs the phone and hangs it up. Sarah is freaked out because it's the same point in her pregnancy that she had Billy who didn't survive. Todd and David try to calm her down but she's not having it. Can't blame her, really. The episode ends so we'll have to wait a half hour to see if everything will be all right.

Tvor

Written by Perrie Balthazar and directed by John Anderson

Sarah is panicking about going into labour but David and Todd - who seems to have had another personality transplant - are by her side and Todd reassures her that everything's going to be fine.

Meanwhile back on the street, Audrey's looking after Lily and Max at the same time as trying to track down Gail and Kylie. Craig comes along with Caitlin and, seeing Audrey has her hands full, offers to babysit the children. Audrey is delighted which is more than can be said for Caitlin.

In the Rovers Ty and Kirk are trying to get served but Eva's interrupted by the arrival of Marta and Aidan. Marta has undergone a transformation, thanks to the help of the Salvation Army who have provided her with clothes and the police who have miraculously sorted out all her problems. She's come to say goodbye and thank Eva and Aidan for all their help. She wishes them a happy life together and they look at each other awkwardly. Aidan asks if he can join Kirk and Ty who looks worried as he only has enough money for two pints.

Kylie is helping Freddie to sort out Sadie's belongings. He's giving everything to the charity shop apart from one evening dress. There's a story behind it and Kylie listens attentively while Freddie tells her all about the time he saved up to take Sadie to the ballet. He finishes by telling Kylie that the important things in life are the people we love and the people who love us.

At the hospital David finds Todd quietly crying in the waiting room. It's bringing back painful memories for him and he tells David that he loved Sarah and baby Billy, too.

We now go over to the Bistro where Eileen and Phelan are having dinner while, at a rival table, Anna and Kevin are making a display of what a fun time they're having together.

Back at the hospital David is now at Sarah's bedside. She's in the throes of labour and crying out for Kylie while David tries coming up with helpful suggestions such as trying to sing through the pain. The baby's heart rate is dropping and the doctor decides they need to do a Caesarean. But Sarah refuses, she doesn't want to go through with it after what happened last time, and without her consent they can't go ahead …

At Freddie's house Kylie finally gets a message through on her phone about Sarah. She says she needs to get to the hospital urgently and asks Freddie to call her a cab. He tells her he can do better than that.

Audrey, Gail and Nick descend on Weatherfield General where they find David back in the waiting room with Todd who breaks the news that Sarah's refusing a C-section. Todd offers to go and talk to her. Everyone looks askance at this suggestion but then Audrey agrees that Sarah might listen to him. Gail is in a panic but Audrey insists that nothing's going to go wrong.

Meanwhile, Kylie draws up outside the hospital on the back of Freddie's motorbike. (Let's hope that more time's passed than we realise because when Kylie turned up at Freddie's house earlier he'd just consumed the best part of a bottle of vodka.)

Back inside Todd goes in to see Sarah. He really has turned back into the old Todd she used to know and love as he gently tells her how he understands what she's going through and then gets her to agree to the Caesarean.

In the Bistro Anna and Kevin are having a great time. As he glances over at Phelan and Eileen he suggests they play a joke. A minute later Steph puts a bottle of wine on Phelan and Eileen's table. When they say they didn't order it Steph tells them it's from Kevin. Phelan grabs the bottle and goes over to Kevin in a threatening manner. Kevin keeps his cool and tells Phelan he doesn't scare him and adds that intimidating women is more Phelan's thing. Phelan slams the bottle on the table and goes back to Eileen who doesn't look happy at what she's just witnessed.

Round at the Platts', Craig and Caitlin are getting creative with the kids. As Lily watches, Caitlin shows Max how he can have fun by squirting paint all over a large sheet of paper spread on the floor. Craig goes off to fetch some more paper, leaving a worried-looking Caitlin alone with Lily and Max. She reminds him she isn't good with kids.

Kylie and Freddie arrive in the hospital waiting room which is now filled with various members of the Platt family. Gail starts an argument about who should have been Sarah's birthing partner and then moves on to Nick and the fact he's about to abandon them all. Todd comments that he really misses these Platt family get-togethers. A nurse appears and finally manages to get a word in edgeways – she tells them that the baby's been safely delivered and everything's fine.

In the Rovers Ty, Kirk and Aidan are playing darts. It's Ty's round but with three people to buy for he can't afford it so he makes up an excuse and leaves. Aidan turns to Eva. He apologises for how he's been with her but says he was worried about everything. However, now Marta's OK he hopes that things can get back to how they were. He's not just referring to the factory. Eva grins at him and he moves in to kiss her but before their lips meet, Kirk hands him the darts and tells him it's his turn to play.

Craig arrives back at the Platts' with more paper supplies. Unfortunately they're going to need more than paper to clear up the mess he finds. Caitlin left the kids on their own while she went to the loo and in the couple of minutes she was upstairs they've redecorated all the kitchen cupboards with cans of spray paint.

Ty gets home from the pub to find Fiz attempting to knit a hat for Ruby. She tells him to wool only cost her 75p but knitting isn't her strong point and it's the last straw for Ty. He says he can't have his daughter walking round in a hat with holes bigger than her head and he's going to find a way to earn some extra cash.

In the Bistro Kevin and Anna are celebrating the success of the trick they played on Phelan by drinking the bottle of wine. As Eileen puts on her coat she's giving Phelan a hard time about the way he behaved and she says maybe people were right about him. He justifies his actions by explaining how he lost everything and Kevin managed to hit him right where it hurt. He tells Eileen that thanks to meeting Jason and now her he feels like he's getting his old self back. He promises it won't happen again and that he'll just go. "What, and let them win?" asks Eileen, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Kevin and Anna watched as Eileen takes Phelan's hand a leads him out.

Gail is by Sarah's bedside as a nurse lays the baby in his cot. Everything seems to be fine but Sarah is convinced something will go wrong and she'll be punished for what she's done. She tells Gail that Callum is always going to have the last word. Todd comes in holding a teddy. Seeing Sarah's face he asks if everything's o.k. She replies that nothing will ever be alright. "How can it be?" she adds and the others look at her in concern.

Karen


Wednesday 23 March

Sally is moaning at Tim, he hasn't treated the fence yet. He says he'll do it later.

Carla goes into the factory where Aidan is sitting miserably in the office. She's kind and understanding, and says he did a good thing, although he isn't so sure and says they're now in a mess because of him, the O'Driscoll business accounted for over 75% of their output. She tells him that Underworld has come through much worse. He says he really wants to fix it, and he won't let her down.

David and Kylie are in the salon, talking about the mess the kitchen cupboards are in. David thinks they've got bigger worries on their plate at the moment, like Sarah.

Gail and Bethany are at the hospital, visiting Sarah. Bethany tells her mother that she looks awful. Gail asks if Sarah has thought of a name yet, but she hasn't.

Beth and Sally go into the office and tell Aidan that they've finished all the current orders, and wonder if they can go home early, as there is nothing left to sew. He tells them to go and do an stock inventory, a maintenance check, or clean the storage area. "Use your initiative," he says.

Tim goes over to the garage, hoping to have a moan to Kevin, but he's out on a job. Tyrone is willing to lend a ear, so Tim moans about the taxi office, Lloyd has gone, Steve is in Spain and now Michael has jumped ship. Tyrone points out he still has Eileen, but Tim reckons he'll only be able to mug her off for so long, and now Michelle is all over him like a cheap suit, and now Sally wants him to treat the garden fence. Tyrone tells him that'll only take a couple of hours, but Tim says it's hours he'll never get back. Tyrone then offers to help him after work, and Tim gratefully accepts and says he'll pay him 40 quid, on the condition that it stays their little secret.

Michael goes round to see Gail with presents for Gail and the new baby. She is delighted and kisses him on the cheek, and then they both seem really embarrassed. She offers to make him a cuppa and it's then that he sees the kitchen, all covered in brightly coloured streaks of paint. "Crikey," he says, "what happened here?"

Todd is visiting Sarah at the hospital, engaging in some friendly banter with Bethany, when suddenly the door opens and in walks Marian, Callum's mum. She's come to meet her grandchild!

Sarah is shocked, stressed and angry and tells her that she shouldn't have come and wonders how she even knew. Marian explains that Gemma phoned her and told her, she felt she had a right to see her grandson. Sarah retorts that she has no rights at all, anyone who can raise a son as evil as Callum isn't fit to be a mother, let alone a grandmother, and shouts at her to get out, or she'll call security. Marian doesn't seem to be in a hurry to go, until Todd jumps up and says firmly that she's been asked to leave, so she turns and goes out of the door.

Gail and Michael are enjoying their cuppa when he tells her he's thinking of moving on, he thinks he's going to take on a concession with a friend's ice cream van. Gail says she'll be sad to see him go, after all they are still married.

Eva is in the cafe and hears Sally and Beth talking about the factory and the lack of work. She asks how Aidan is doing. Beth gets cross and says they are in this mess because of her. Eva says she won't apologise for helping Marta, and Beth reminds her that Marta knocked Izzy over and was thieving. Eva says she was absolutely desperate. "Yes, like our future employment prospects," says Beth.

Sarah wakes up from a nap and sees the cot empty, but then sees Bethany holding the baby. She says she's sorry for losing it with Marian, Bethany shouldn't have had to witness that. Bethany says it's fine, she's more worried about Callum rocking up. Then Sarah sees that Bethany has been making a list of names, and asks to see them.

Eva goes to see Aidan at the factory, and finds him phoning round trying to get some orders. She asks him to hand over the phone, she'll have a go. "You?" asks Aidan, and she reminds him that she was Carla's PA. "Now let me show you how it's done," she grins.

Todd goes into the salon and tells David and Kylie that Marian arrived at the hospital and Sarah was upset by it.

Carla and Michelle are in the bistro, looking at photos of the baby on Carla's phone. Then Carla gives Michelle a present of some sexy underwear, saying she knows she's nervous about seeing Steve. Michelle is worried that he won't be excited to see her, but Carla says she'll stop traffic in that get-up. "And when you get there you can tell him from me, it's time to come home."

Back in the factory office, Eva has procured a few orders, but it's not enough, so she decides to ring Hanlon, the customer they canceled when they got the O'Driscoll order.

Tyrone has given Tim's fence one coat of wood treatment, so Tim hands him a beer. Just then Sally comes home and sees Tyrone in his overalls. "I think you've got some explaining to do," she says, "I don't appreciate being taken for an idiot."

David and Kylie are visiting Sarah and she tells them she and Bethany have decided on a name – Harry. They both like it, and Bethany is pleased that she got to choose it. Bethany then gets sent off to get hot drinks for them all, and when she's gone they all talk about Marian's visit. Sarah says they have to keep her away. Kylie says they will, but she's got to do something for them too – start enjoying being a mum again, she's so stressed at the moment.

Eva finishes her phone call to Mr Hanlon, and then tells Aidan that he and Johnny have a meeting with him next week! There are no guarantees but it's a foot in the door. Aidan is delighted, he tells her she's amazing, she's saved the day. Then they start kissing.

Anne Logan


Friday 25 March

We begin with the sight of Carla vacuuming the flat, much to Nick's surprise. There's sort-of bad news. The estate agent in Devon has phoned. They've made the highest offer but there's a cash buyer hovering in the wings and the seller wants a quick sale. They won't be able to get the money together quickly enough. Carla is very disappointed but resigned.

In the cafe, Steph tells Andy she's sick of Michael moping around the flat. He can sulk for England and needs to get a grip. Of course, it's Soap Law that Michael comes in just in time to hear the end of this. He tells them his mate Neville is bringing an ice-cream van for him. It's time to move on.

In the bistro, Leanne is tempted by the desserts Robert's made. Nick comes in and tells them he and Carla are going to miss out on the cottage they wanted because they're not cash buyers. He asks Robert if he can spare some time and takes him off who-knows-where. Chef? Prepping for lunch? Pah! Of course it's Soap Law that nobody needs to actually work or prepare stuff or plan ahead at all.

Things seem much brighter when we see Sally and Gail power walking into the street. Of course, we know Gail can power walk properly. We've seen her out with Audrey. But Sally's walk is hysterical - John Cleese should be informed immediately that he has funny-walk competition! Gail's lost technique, probably by following Sally's lead. Of course, Sally criticises Gail's technique but Gail is distracted by seeing Michael across the street. But he tells her now is not a good time to chat. Mary and Sally both tell Gail she's not going to win him back by seeming too eager. Gail was already offended by Sally's criticism of her pelvis and now she's offended by Mary poking her nose in. "I've had six husbands and you've had, what, one boyfriend?" Mary tells her she goes for quality, not quantity. Gail points out that Mary's "quality" man was married and she was his scarlet woman. But Sally tells her men always want what they can't have - she should play hard to get.

Kylie tries to scrub the kitchen doors while David's on the phone to Marion, telling her to stay away. He ends the call and tells Kylie they'll have to replace the units and start again (maybe Gail will fancy the kitchen fitter?). Max has one of his toys, a dinosaur, which he plans to give to the new baby.

Mary's in the shop counting left-over Easter eggs. Dev says he has a wedding invitation and asks her to be his plus-one. But Mary doesn't think that would be appropriate and suggests he take Erica. Erica comes in and Mary asks them both over for paella later on.

Carla blitzes the flat with a room spray just as the estate agent arrives. He introduces the potential buyer - Tracy Barlow! Carla tells her to "do one."

In the street, Tyrone and Fiz discuss what to do with their day. Ty isn't keen on the idea of art galleries or museums. He suggests going back home since they haven't got the girls . . .

Sally comes over and congratulates Tyrone on his fence-painting skills and particularly for his neatness. "Not one drop found its way on to my bush." She's been thinking that now Tim's a company director he doesn't have time for menial tasks ("It's a taxi firm, not ICI!" mutters Tim beside her) and she's got a list of tasks as long as her arm. Is Tyrone interested in more work? Of course he is. Fiz jumps in to make sure he'll be paid a proper rate. When Sally and Tim have gone, he tells Fiz he got them into this mess and so he'll get them out of it.

Tracy criticises the flat. The bedroom is like a slapper's boudoir. The estate agent flees. Tracy tells Carla to have a word with "Nicky" and get him to sell the bistro quickly. Carla tells her she won't sell until they're married and ready to leave, otherwise there's nothing to stop Tracy telling all to Nick as soon as the sale's gone through.

However, in a bistro not so far away, Steph and Leanne gossip about Eva and Aidan. Nick and Robert return. Nick's sold the bistro - meet your new boss.

Robert and Nick say they tracked down on of the solicitors on the golf course in order to make the sale happen today. Robert hopes Steph and Andy will stay on but he teases Steph by saying he's going to turn it into a theme bar. Maybe Mexican . . . No, really, he's not going to make many changes. Gail comes in looking to get some Brillo pads to scrub her cupboard doors with. She's not impressed by Nick's news. Nick says he's not telling Carla until the sale of the cottage has gone through.

Neville's delivered the van to Michael. The machine in it will even do stripey ice-cream. Michael tells Andy he can't wait to get stuck in. "The people of Brighton will be lucky to have you," Nev tells him. Brighton? That's news to Andy.

Max, David and Kylie have gone to see Sarah and Max's baby half-brother. "Will he wee on me if I hold him?" he asks. Sarah suggests the baby's a bit little for Max to hold just yet. Kylie is sent to buy something and Sarah asks David about Marion. He says she's got the message.

Tim asks Tyrone if he fancies doing a few shifts as a taxi driver. Ty would love it. "Welcome aboard!" says Tim.

Dev and Erica arrive at Dev's for dinner with Mary. Instead, they find the table set, a CD of "20 Red Hot Love Songs" and a paella recipe. They realise they have the house to themselves and race upstairs.

Cathy's spoke to Roy and tells Carla that Sylvia is apparently a very bad patient. They both miss him.

At the cafe, Michael reminisces over his time in the street and his relationship with Gail. He tells Nev he had high hopes at the start. Gail's a fantastic woman. Nev says it sounds as though Michael's still got the hots for Gail. Andy tells him to get over to the Rovers - Gail's there now.

Tracy and Carla both get text messages summoning them to the bistro.

Gail's in the pub with Mary and Sally. Michael comes in and wants a private word with Gail. The other two mutter that she should remember to play hard-to-get. She tells Michael she can't spare time for him just now. Michael is stunned. When he's gone the others congratulate Gail.

Robert tells Tracy the news and Carla walks in behind her just in time to hear it. Nick tells Carla they've got the cottage. Tracy gives Carla a gloating look.

The end of the first episode.

Margaret Carr

Good day. When this was broadcast I was a long way away and I bow to a well known video website and a provider there who have enabled me to see this episode. This is also a very short update to try and get us back on course.

This episode was written by Susan Oudot and directed by John Anderson. Without any doubt copyright is owned by ITV and many thanks to them.

We open in the Bistro with Tracy buzzing around. Neither Leanne or Steph seem terribly amused by her contribution! She is poking her nose into everything. Robert says that Tracy will not be working in the Bistro. Nick assures Carla they will be happy ever after.

The Platt family are admiring the new baby. Max wants to know if the new baby looks like him. David assures him that Callum will not be coming to see Harry and David will be looking after Harry as his uncle. A smell emerges.

Dev and Erica descend the stairs and are clearly now together! She is starving and she does not "do" cooking. He admits to have wine as well and they continue smooching.

Michelle sees Carla in the Street and the latter clearly wants a talk.

Eileen walks up to Michael on Maxeem's bench. He is definitely going to Brighton and has nothing to stay for. Michael is sure that he has to go - and he will not be getting back together with Gail - he might want to - but she does not at present. He went to see her and she brushed him off. Eileen says he deserves to be happy and he will be.

At the Bistro Nick is showing off the place he hopes to buy. Tracy is still putting plants around the bar. She starts acting as a waitress as two people walk into the bar. Leanne and Steph remain unhappy. Michael comes in and says he is definitely off to Brighton - he is going for the summer and Gail knows - but is not bothered. Andy and Steph wish him well. Michael says he wishes he could have chosen a son like Andy and says "Bye son" as he leaves.

Erica is trying to peel tomatoes as she and Dev drink wine. She is not doing very well at it. She thinks he is great dad to the twins. He asks Erica if she would like to be his plus one at a wedding. Before Erica can answer he changes the subject and thinks she does not want to go.

Tim is on the switch getting riled by the customers. Ty comes in and is given a booking to the airport.

At Carla's flat Carla is telling Michelle that Tracy can now blow them out of the water as the Bistro has been sold. Michelle seeks to re-assure Carla as she continues to worry about sleeping with Robert. Tracy Barlow is far too selfish to tell reckons Michelle who assures Carla that she will marry Nick and will be happy.

Nick is surveying the Bistro which has been his life for 6 years - but Robert says he will miss him before he is summoned to the kitchen. Gail arrives and Andy asks what she has said to Michael who wanted to get back together with Gail but has gone to Brighton with the ice-cream van. Gail took advice from Mary and instead of a cool response from Gail, Michael took it as freezing cold and has gone.

Ty is about to depart on an airport run when Eileen intervenes. She tells Tim that Ty is unlicensed. Tim is unaware of the need for a special licence and a medical and the licence costs £300. Ty says he will sort the money somehow. And there is still someone waiting to go to the airport.

David, Kylie and Max leave Sarah and Harry behind in the hope she will stay calm. We see Sarah just looking at Callum's son.

Erica and Dev's cooking has failed and they decide to order in a take-away. And before he can make the phone call and now he has stopped blathering she can get a word in edgeways and tells him she would love to be his plus one. He is pleased - but does not want her to feel awkward. She is happy with friends and the benefits are good and the more benefits claimed the better. And they both agree it is more than physical. It seems Erica admits she would like more and Dev is on the same page as they kiss and cuddle.

Eileen is on the switch sorting out the mess - but they are short of drivers. Gail comes in looking for Michael and Eileen is aware of her earlier coldness - when we hear an ice-cream van playing outside - Gail rushes out - to find a van staffed by Ernie (not the fastest milkman in the West it seems, but an ice-cream van man) but he could be Michael if Gail asks nicely enough. Michael has gone to Brighton! Gail is quite upset and is comforted by Audrey.

Tracy makes a smart comment about the Bistro girls needing to work and Leanne reminds her she is not the boss and she has to pay for her drink. Tracy tells Robert off for being friendly with Nick and he responds by reminding her that she owes £3.80 for her drink. Robert tells Tracy she needs to support him - but Tracy cannot believe Robert is even talking about Saint Carla. And he then calls Tracy's attitude boring - at which point she storms out of the Bistro.

Audrey cannot understand why she took Mary and Sally's advice - she might have got better from Norris. Gail realises she has made a mistake. Audrey says that Michael is a good man and he will come back and they can put it together when he gets back. But Gail knows it is her own fault.

Carla stomps past Tracy on Maxeem's bench. Carla points out that their agreement has been met. Tracy carries on tormenting Carla. They argue. Carla tells Tracy to tell everyone - but she should think through the consequences. Tracy phones Nick but Carla grabs the phone and breaks it. Tracy makes it clear she has the upper hand.

Roll credits

See you next week.

Richard


Monday 28 March

Written by Joe Turner Directed by Duncan Foster

Tracy's apologizing all over the place to Robert. Fresh start, she promises. He seems skeptical. She does offer on suggestion, to wear a suit which he thinks is a bit silly since he's the chef. She points out that he's the owner, too. If it was her, she'd be lording or queening it over people, in a nice way. She thinks he needs to stamp his personality on the place. Robert does want to do something, give Nick a good sendoff. Tracy half-heartedly agrees and insists she's trying. Try harder, is Robert's advices as he heads out the door.

Carla is idly doodling when Nick comes in. She seems very distracted and wonders if he regrets selling. He doesn't in the least and is full of the joys of spring but notices she seems a bit glum. She says she's ok, just tired. Michelle sends a text to let Carla know she's returned from Spain so Carla decides to take the day off to see her. She and Nick have a cuddle, Carla wishing they could be away from Weatherfield already.

David takes a jibe at Gail for wanting to run after all the ice cream vans, hoping to find Michael. They have a discussion about the sort of chocolate in Easter eggs. Gail then suggests that Sarah and the baby should stay with them for a bit. They can make the space and maybe Sarah could even sleep in the annex instead of Gail. David knows very well Sarah would have a freak fit if she had to sleep in that room and tries to find reasons why it isn't a good idea without giving the game away. He decides that Max can share with Lily and Sarah and the baby can have Max's room, leaving Gail in her own room.

Michelle gets out of the cab and is greeted by Liz who's still wearing rollers in her hair and immediately tells her that Streetcars needs her attention. Michelle would rather she have waited at least until she got inside! When asked, Michelle says Steve is ok and the visit was all right. Not overly enthusiastic, is she? Even less so when Liz tells her there's an accountant appointment on Tuesday and she has to look over the books before then. Liz takes her bags just as Carla comes along to steal her away for a catch up. First, Michelle takes a call from a client who wants to talk to her today. She'd rather not, but clients are always right, right?

Gary is at Izzy's. He's going to take Jake to an Easter Egg hunt. He notices that Izzy is struggling and she admits to having had a bad night and is wrecked. Gary offers to take Jake on his own so she can rest but she insists on going.

Tracy is late in to the shop. Todd looks like he's been busy. She goes looking for a book with numbers of contacts. He thinks it would be a good idea if the numbers were all in the phone so she suggests that's another task for him. Oh great. She tells Todd she has a surprise for Robert. She makes the call but keeps the reason for the call a secret from Todd.

In the hospital, baby Harry is grizzling. Sarah looks on anxiously as the nurse checks him over. She leaves as Bethany and David come in. Sarah mentions that she thinks Harry has a temperature and apparently he's got an infection and needs antibiotics. He can't go home today. David figures Gail will be disappointed. Gail comes through the door just then.

Robert must be discussing a leaving do with Leanne, we've come into the middle of the conversation. Steph has taken a call from Andy who is at a stag do and is already drunk. Robert tells her about the low key send off they're giving Nick later. Steph muses that Nick has been the best boss she ever had, which raises Robert's eyebrows.

Back to Sarah's hospital room, Gail and Bethany are looking at Harry, saying how resilient babies are. He'll get over the infection quickly. Sarah says she's feeling fine when Gail asks. Gail and David then invite her to theirs, suggesting the annex or one of the kids' bedrooms. Sarah doesn't look keen in the least but promises to think about it. David gets squeamish when the topic of breast feeding comes up and decides to leave.

Todd has brought his washing to Eileen's and complains because their out of washing powder. Phelan makes a remark to which Todd replies a bit curtly and is then admonished by Eileen. Phelan advises that he does his own washing though Eileen does offer. Todd agrees to pop to Dev's to get more washing powder and then says he'll do his own ironing when she asks if he has any. But then she says she has a lot of her own to do so will do his. He kisses her on the cheek in thanks and leaves for the shop. Phelan tells Eileen she's too soft but she describes Todd as a man who sometimes thinks the world is against him and likes to get his retaliation in first. They've been through a sticky patch lately but things seem ok at the moment. Phelan remarks that Todd seems like a lovely lad. Eileen replies he was as a boy but not quite so lovely now. She realizes she's going to be late for work. Phelan offers to take Todd's washing out of the machine when it's done.

Nick has cleared the office of his belongings. Leanne is a bit wistful but when Nick tells her that Robert is a good bloke, she agrees that they'll all be fine. The good bloke comes out of the kitchen as Tracy comes through the door. He glances at her with a wisp of a smile and turns back to Nick and Leanne who are teasing Nick about a dull life in the countryside. Nick laughs and wonders if they've met Carla. They chuckle, Tracy looks nauseous. Nick is looking forward to a clean slate. When Tracy makes a remark about a happy ending, Robert shoots her a somewhat sarcastic look. She repeats it, who wouldn't look forward to a happy ending? Robert and Leanne tell Nick they are putting on a little leaving do, something low key, no fuss, just a few drinks and canapes. Nick agrees. Tracy tells Robert he's getting a surprise today, too. He doesn't look too excited.

After the break, Michelle gives Amy a nice bracelet from Steve but Amy isn't very excited. She tells Michelle she misses her dad and asks if Michelle does too. Of course, Michelle insists. Amy asks if Steve is ok, if he is not depressed again. Michelle hugs her close and says he's fine and will be home soon. Her phone warbles at that moment and she takes a call from Eileen about the Streetcars problem.

In the kebab shop, David asks Jason to have a look at the kitchen, saying they've painted over some of the baby-graffiti but wants Jason to have a look. Jason asks after the baby and David gives him an update. Gemma asks if the baby looks like Callum and then criticizes David for keeping Marion away from her grandson. David loses his temper and threatens Gemma if she goes back to Marion again. David leaves with Gemma starting to follow, shouting the odds at him but Jason holds her back since she won't catch David. He also asks for a bit more meat on his kebab. Gemma gives him a little smile over her shoulder. Fancy, much? I think so!

Eileen is glancing over papers in the cab office. Phelan is there and offers to cook tea for her and the boys tonight, as a way of getting to know both lads better, Todd in particular. (Of course. He needs to get the measure of Todd, doesn't he?) He recalls when he was young, buttering up the mothers of the girls he fancied. Now he fancies the mother and has to butter up the sons!

In the Rovers, Liz is still on at Michelle about the insurance papers for Streetcars. Michelle hasn't had time and isn't best pleased when Liz said she'd called Steve who said Michelle would know what to do. Carla comes in to try to drag Michelle off for a nice lunch. Michelle thinks she's too busy but then decides, what the heck. She needs some "me" time! But just then a woman comes into the pub looking for her. There's an emergency. This is Saskia, a wedding client, and she's insistent that her problem be sorted out now. Michelle apologizes to Carla and goes to sit with Saskia.

Bethany and Gail arrive home. David and Jason are in the kitchen examining the cupboard doors. Jason reckons they'll have to replace the doors and lino. Just then Gemma bursts through the door, intent on giving David an earful and a thumping. Jason grabs her around the waist while she's flailing towards David. David threatens her with the police if she comes around again but Gemma then tells them that she saved Bethany from the bully girls. Bethany looks horrified and Gail looks confused. Bethany pretends it's nothing. Jason drags Gemma outside.

Todd is having a drink at the Bistro with Tracy. Tracy looks around, admiring the Bistro as much better than the Rovers. Eileen calls Todd to invite him to dinner with her and Phelan but he's not interested. Robert comes out to get someone to test the canapes. Todd is keen. Tracy takes a call and then tells Robert not to come outside until she comes to fetch him.

In the community centre, Yasmeen, wearing paper bunny ears, conducts a group of children to find Easter eggs. Izzy watches Jack searching. She bends over to help him and cries out in pain.

Back at Platt Towers, David and Gail are trying to find out what's going on with Bethany who downplays the incident. Gail assumes she's not told Sarah. Bethany didn't want Sarah going about shouting the odds which doesn't help. They express concern and Bethany insists she's ok and doesn't want them to tell Sarah who has enough to deal with at the moment. She's sorted it already though her face says the opposite as she climbs the stairs.

Steph tells Robert he should go look outside. Robert, Leanne and Todd rush outside and find a sign man in the process of taking the Nick's Bistro sign down. Robert doesn't look too happy though Tracy says it's a way to start fresh. Nick and Carla are approaching as well as Robert is shouting that he wants the sign put back up. He's not changing the sign or the business name and calls her out for interfering again. Tracy storms back inside after him, followed by Steph and Leanne who don't want to miss the fireworks. Down the road, Eileen shouts at Todd to come home immediately.

Inside, Tracy is angry at Robert for talking to her like that then whines that she did it for him, the same reason she named her shop for him. He didn't ask her to do any of it. The rest of the staff, including Nick and Carla have come up and are huddled by the door watching. Robert doesn't want to talk about it now. Steph smiles and offers a glass of prosecco and is insulted for her efforts by Tracy calling her an internet slut. That leads to an exchange of harsh words between Tracy and Leanne who steps in to defend Steph. Carla tries to calm things down but that sends Tracy over the edge. She calls Carla a raddled old witch and tells Robert "If you knew what I'd done for you..." but Carla smacks her hard across the face before she can finish and the nation cheers. Tracy hisses that Carla has really done it now.

Tvor

Written by Martin Allen and directed by Duncan Foster

In the Bistro Nick, Leanne and Steph are thrilled with the way Carla stood up to Tracy although, judging by the look on her face, Carla is having serious regrets. Meanwhile in the kitchen Robert is having a row with Tracy – he wants to know what's been going on. He can't understand why she wants to spoil everything when they finally have what they want. Tracy backs down and apologises but Robert's not sure he believes her.

Kylie turns up at the community centre with Max and Lily to find that they've missed the Easter Egg hunt. Yasmeen gets the sharp end of Izzy's tongue when she tries to be kind to her. It's obviously the pain talking so Gary offers to take her home.

It seems to be the day for people taking things the wrong way. David and Bethany are visiting Sarah in the hospital and looking at old family photo albums. Bethany innocently comments that Sarah looks like her Dad whereas Harry looks nothing like Callum which sends Sarah into an instant rage for mentioning his name. Bethany and David decide it's time to go home and leave her to it.

Round at Eileen's they're sitting down to a gourmet meal cooked by Phelan. Jason's out on a job but Todd and Sean are there. Sean's impressed – it's normally an egg-and-chips sort of establishment he says. Todd can't resist stirring things and says it's a shame Michael isn't with them. Looking directly at Phelan he says pointedly that what he liked about Michael was that he never tried to hide anything. "Apart from the stuff he nicked from other people'" quips Eileen. Phelan knows exactly what Todd is getting at but he chooses to ignore it and raises a glass to Michael in his absence.

Back at the Bistro Nick, Carla, Leanne and Steph are still sitting in the bar while Robert and Tracy continue their row in the kitchen. Carla suggests going home but Nick's enjoying himself.

Out in the kitchen Robert is asking Tracy about what it is she claimed to have done for him. He demands to have an answer so, thinking on her feet, Tracy tells him the £10k she got wasn't a business loan and makes up a story about getting it by selling a load of dodgy gear. She promises that she'll never do something like this again. Robert tells Tracy that from now on they have to agree that they have two different business empires. He says that she doesn't need to feel insecure about him and Leanne because they just work together and adds that he'd never cheat on her. Tracy says she knows that but her face tells a different story as Robert hugs her and declares it's time they started acting like grown-ups.

Robert and Tracy return to the bar where Tracy gives Robert a kiss in front of the others and then leaves. Leanne asks if they're allowed to know what the big secret was and Carla squirms in her seat. But Robert dismisses it as nothing important, just the usual Tracy bluster. He apologises for the upset earlier and tells them that he and Tracy have agreed to keep their business interests separate from now on.

We return to Eileen's where conversation has ground to a halt. Sean has to get back to work and Eileen insists on clearing up as Phelan's done all the cooking which leaves him alone with Todd. He asks Todd straight out what he has against him. Todd says he doesn't want his mother having another bad experience – Phelan might have fooled her and Jason but he doesn't fool him. In measured tones Phelan says it's a shame if they can't be friends because he's gong nowhere. Todd replies that if he thinks he can walk all over their family like he did the Windasses then he'll have to think again.

Michelle comes out into the bar with her client. Saskia is going off on a business trip leaving her fiance to organise the wedding in her absence and he hasn't even turned up for their meeting. Michelle is not amused. But then her expression changes when he walks into the Rovers. Husband-to-be Will turns out to be none other than an old friend from school and they both look really happy to see each other.

David and Bethany are on their way home. The bump into Yasmeen who mentions her run-in with Izzy earlier and this leads on to David telling Bethany that if she doesn't talk to them about her problems with the school bullies then they can't help her.

Back in the Rovers, Michelle is catching up with Will's life story. Saskia says she hopes they'll do some wedding planning while she's away and won't spend all their time reminiscing. Saskia takes Will firmly by the arm and reminds him he promised to take her out for dinner. After they've gone, Sean and Kate hone in on Michelle for all the gossip. She admits that she and Will were once an item. In fact, they were pretty full-on at the tender age of fourteen …

Gary's put Jake to bed and he offers to stay with Izzy for a while and watch a DVD. At first she resists, she says the only thing that's helping her right now is the weed but the moment Gary makes to leave she asks him to stay.

In the hospital a nurse comes in to check on Harry. She tells Sarah he's doing fine but Sarah doesn't believe her. She demands to see a doctor, right now. The nurse is clearly used to dealing with difficult patients and says he'll come when he's ready.

Back at Izzy's Gary has fallen asleep but he wakes up when he hears her sobbing. It's all become too much, not just the pain but having to cope with Jake. She's started to wonder if she did the right thing by having him. Gary tells her not to say that and promises it will get easier once Jake's past the 'terrible twos'. In the meantime though Izzy's supplies have run out again so Gary offers to get her some more.

David and Kylie are doing the washing up and discussing Sarah. If she carries on like this when she gets home how will they cope? David says it's clear she loves the baby but she wants to forget the fact Callum's his father or that he ever existed so he and Kylie will just have to help her do that.

As they walk home arm in arm Nick asks Carla if she's alright – she seemed a bit quiet after the run in with Tracy. She puts it down to the fact they're moving and starting afresh. Nick's worried she may be having second thoughts but Carla says it can't come quick enough. Nick tells Carla he loves her; she tells Nick she loves him too. Carla then says she needs to go and see Michelle. She puts Nick off joining her by telling him they'll be discussing girly stuff. Carla heads off towards the Rovers but the minute Nick turns the corner she alters course to the Barlows'.

Tracy tells Carla she's got a nerve when she opens the door to her but Carla marches straight in. She tells Tracy that she won't be held to ransom by her any more. She's got what she wants and now she must back off. "Or what?" sneers Tracy. Carla threatens that she'll make her life not worth living but Tracy smiles and says she nearly told Robert everything a few weeks back and the only reason she didn't was because she's enjoyed watching Carla jump through hoops and spending every waking hour terrified of what she's going to do next. Carla can't believe that's all it was about. Tracy laughs and tells Carla she didn't need to do any of those things because her dirty little secret was safe all along. She thanks Carla for the entertainment and tells her to get lost before slamming the front door behind her. Outside Carla gathers her thoughts before walking unsteadily off up the street.

Karen


Wednesday 30 March

Carla sees Tracy in the Street, who makes nasty, sarcastic remarks to her. Carla tells her to back off, she and Nick are going to have a lovely new life together somewhere else.

Gary has called to collect Jake, and finds Izzy in pain. He says he'll get the stuff for her this morning.

Tim is out in the garden, hanging up the washing, but not the way Sally likes it. She comes out and starts to take over, and then steps on an egg which is lying on the grass. She shouts to Sharif who is standing in his garden, but he just laughs and says the chickens probably meant it as a gift. Sally then spots a hole in the fence and tells Sharif that he must fix it immediately. "Why don't you do it?" he says. She gets cross then, she reckons one of his family must have made the hole, so he should get it fixed and keep his hens on his side.

Nick finds Carla in the kitchen making breakfast. She says she's practising being a good wife. Spring is in the air, Devon awaits and she's got a marvelous fiance. Then she tells him she thought they might go shopping and get some bits and bobs for the honeymoon.

Gary arrives at the cafe with Jake, he's going to spend the day with Anna, and she promises to take him to the Red Rec. Tim is in the cafe, moaning about how he feels the cab office is like a prison, he's used to the great outdoors. Anna tells him to stop whinging and get on with it.

Tracy has made Robert a bacon sarnie, but she's feeling a bit queasy so she's not having one. He asks if she's coming down with something. She says she hopes not, and then goes on to tell him that she will never, ever set foot in the bistro ever again. He says that all he's asking is for her to let him run the bistro while she sticks to the florists. She agrees, but says that she'll miss popping in to see him – all that power and control, it's sexy. He says she's welcome to visit, just not wind everyone up. She then complains that she'll never see him, but he says that if he wants to take the place to the next level he's got to put the work in. Then he goes off to work, telling her it'll be worth it in the end.

Gary goes to see the drug dealer, who sells him something for Izzy that he says is better than the stuff she had before. It's stronger, so he advises Gary to tell Izzy to go steady and take a bit less.

Leanne arrives at the bistro, and asks Robert if the coast is clear. She wants to make sure that Tracy isn't there. He says it's sorted, Tracy runs the florist's, he and Leanne run the bistro. "And was she happy with that?" queries Leanne. Robert admits that 'happy' is a bit of an overstatement, but she now knows the score. "Trust me," he says, "I've got her under control." She tells him to put Steph and Zeedan's minds at rest too. Then she goes out into the bar and finds Steph and Zeedan listening at the door. She tells them she's been having a very interesting conversation with Robert – announcement to come later!

Gary is back with Izzy and gives the new, stronger drug, warning her to take less. As soon as he's gone she takes out cigarette papers and starts preparing to roll a joint.

Tim goes into the pub and asks Michelle if she knows when Steve will be coming back, he wants to know what to do about covering Michael's shifts. Michelle gets really annoyed and snaps at him, and asks if he thinks that if he keeps asking then Steve will miraculously appear? Then she goes into a tirade about running three businesses and how everyone expects her to solve their problems. She storms off and Liz steps forward and advises him to go for a walk and then try and find someone how knows how to work a telephone!

Bethany is standing against a wall at the end of the Street. She sees Audrey walking along and runs and ducks down behind a taxi outside the kebab shop. Gemma sees her and comes out, asking why she's not at school. Bethany tells her it's lunch time and she doesn't like school dinners. Gemma invites her into the shop, telling her she'll give her a free kebab as long as she promises not to tell anyone.

Izzy, having smoked the joint, is now suffering some nasty side effects and feeling pretty ill. Frightened, she picks up her phone and rings Gary.

Gary however, is working at the gym, helping Audrey on a running machine, and doesn't hear his phone buzzing with Izzy's call.

To add to Michelle's problems, she gets a call from the brewery, there's been a mix up with their order and it's not going to be delivered today. Liz suggests that she takes a couple of hours off, and she'll chase the brewery. Michelle says she can't, she has a wedding client arriving at any minute. Just then the client arrives, it's Will, Michelle's old friend from her younger days. She introduces him to Liz.

Izzy is getting more and more worked up and hyperventilating as she's trying to contact Gary in a complete panic.

Back in the kebab shop, Gemma asks Bethany why she's bunking off school. Bethany tells her she just can't be bothered with it. Gemma isn't fooled and tells her she can't run away from those girls for ever, she's got to stand up to them. "That's easy for you to say," says Bethany, "because you're strong." Gemma asks if Bethany's got a new phone sorted yet, and as she hasn't, offers her hers, cheap, if she'll tell Gemma all about that fit lad, Jason.

Nick and Carla are back from their shopping trip and go into the Rovers to find Tracy sitting there. Nick says he thought she'd be in the bistro, now she's the new queen. They then start chatting to Liz about what they've bought, while Tracy looks on with a sour expression on her face.

Anna arrives back to Izzy's with Jake, but takes one look at her and is shocked. She asks if she's ok, and Izzy tells her she just doesn't feel very well. Anna sends Jake off to play in his room and then notices the remains of the joint in an ashtray. She stares at Izzy in amazement.

Robert tells a horrified Steph and Zeedan that Tracy is going to come and work at the bistro full time. They look aghast for a moment until Leanne tells him to put them out of their misery, so then he tells them that she's not going to come in and order them around any more, the only person they answer to is him.

Anna gives Izzy a drink of water and asks what on earth she was thinking. Izzy tells her it was different last time. "You mean you've done this before?" asks a horrified Anna, "don't tell me you've done this while you were minding Jake?" Anna wants to call an ambulance but Izzy tells her she can't, she could get into real trouble and lose Jake.

Sally comes home and find Sharif mending the hole in the fence with a 'Vote for Sally Metcalf' board that he found in the recycling bin, and she's not happy. Sharif tells her it's a temporary measure, but Sally orders him to unmend the fence immediately. Sharif says he's done what she asked and goes inside, leaving Sally telling him that he's started a war now!

Michelle and Will are in the back room of the Rovers, talking about old school friends, when Liz puts her head round to door to say that the delivery has finally arrived. Michelle says they're nearly finished and Will explains that they were talking about a girl they went to school with. Liz is surprised to learn that they went to school together and remarks that Michelle never told her. Michelle says it didn't seem important.

Anna is talking to Izzy about the folly of her ways when Gary comes back, having found the missed calls. Anna is horrified when she realises that Gary not only knew about the drug but that he got it for her. He tells her she's not doing it for a laugh, it's pain relief, but Anna is furious and says she's going to take Jake home with her, Jake is going to stay with her until she's sure Izzy can look after him properly.

Anne Logan



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