2018





Monday 1 January

Happy New Year. Only one episode tonight, so almost straight in. This is episode 9341. The writer for this episode was David Isaac and the director was Brett Fallis. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

But one appeal - this will be the third episode I have written in a week - my choice - but in a few weeks I am away on holiday. Can any UK reader please join the team to ease the burden?

We open in the yard of at the Rovers where Peter is hoping his brother Daniel and nephew Adam will help with some jobs - the new CCTV is on the blink and the attic needs cleaning out. Initially reluctant Daniel is told the CCTV covers all the back yards on the Street and is suddenly keen to help.

Maria, Beth, Izzy and Sinead are getting ready for the latter's hen party. Sinead's mother, Arlene, turns up as a slapper - turns out the dress code is "flapper" so she was close! Meanwhile Ty and Kirk are little green men from Mars - even their faces are greened up. Apparently Chesney has not chosen his best man and so Kirk gets chosen.

In the Rovers a greened up Cathy is asking Brian if Roy will be upset that he is moving out. (We know that Roy wants him out to move Carla in). Brian assures her it will be easy. She tells him to man up and tell Roy. Daniel has updated the software and the CCTV is all back up and working. Apparently Eileen regularly uses the Rovers bins for empty wine bottles. Peter is glad he has fixed it. Robert comes in and asks Daniel to head to work. He is unbanned as Kate has called in sick. Robert cannot get a DVD Beth has given him to play for the hen do - can Daniel help sort that out first? He agrees - but Robert asks him to ensure nothing ruins Sinead's hen do.

In the cafe on the pay phone Roy is telling someone on the phone he will attend his appointment tomorrow at 12:30 (which I assume means Wednesday). Carla comes in and Roy offers her a sausage sandwich as he has a surplus. She is off to the sales for some boots. He will speak to Brian about the latter moving out whilst she is out. Carla is going back to Devon after all - a man who cannot lie looking after a woman who does nothing but lie is never going to work! Roy is sure he can lie - but Carla reminds him that when he does he gets a stress rash on his neck. Kirk arrives and wants a sausage butty. Roy replies that he is out of sausages. And then scratches his neck. Kirk points at the pile on the side - Roy says they are vegetarian (scratch, scratch) and Kirk says he will try them out for a change! Carla is suppressing her amusement! At a table Luke tells Alya he is off to work. He tells her that she should not be working with / for racists - the brothers have the contract the factory needs to restart - and Kirk thanks her once again for getting them their jobs back - but Luke tells Alya she needs to grow balls and stand up to them. Alya tells Luke she has no choice.

Steve is pushing the baby as Michelle shops whilst Dev is also all greened up. Steve gets a telling off from Dev over the waste of money on the dating site if he was simply going to hook up with Tracy again. Steve said it just happened! Dev still calls is money squandered! However Michelle's credit card gets declined for £18.50 and Dev gives it another go - with the same result. Steve knows that there is a problem but says nothing. Michelle is told to pay the next time she comes into the shop. She needs to get home and have some coffee as she has a hangover.

Brian has finished his sausage sandwich in the cafe and he gets Roy to sit down with him. Brian thanks him for being the perfect host. And Brian has been an excellent guest. Roy considers they are friends as well and it is a joy to have Brian in his home. Brian says it feels like his home! And if Brian to leave Roy admits he would feel absolutely devastated! Brian would be bereft. So Brian cannot consider leaving and Roy cannot consider an eviction! Roy is so glad they cleared that up That conversation did not go the way either of them wanted!

Back in the Rovers the green soldiers have gathered including Gemma and they are playing some form of soldier statues. Kirk moves deliberately to end the stalemate. In a booth Alya and Aidan are discussing the contract with the Parker brothers. They pointedly remark that Alya does not have a hangover. She wants to get on with the discussions and they call her a slave driver. She has projected figures for the next five years (in the knicker trade that sounds over the top to me). Daniel takes Chesney out to the yard for a chat. He tells Chesney t'clock's ticking, shows him the CCTV and tells him that in 4 minutes the hen do will see Chesney knocking his own brains out with a brick on Beth's DVD. Tick tock, tick tock. Chesney pushes past Daniel out into the ginnel.

After the break the flappers are in the Bistro (Tracy has joined them) where Robert is about to show the DVD. Beth makes a brief speech and is turning on the player when Chesney rushes in grabs the remote control and pushes Beth to the floor - and she is in pain.

At the cafe Carla bumps into Luke - he is working on New Year's Day because it takes his mind off over stuff. She senses that there has been a domestic and tells him he should apologise as it is always the bloke's fault. She gives him a tip - just agree with everything she says it makes for an easy life. Luke explains that racism is not something he can agree as right. He explains the situation. He asks that as she has put money in the company is there not something Carla could do? Carla points out that Alya is grown up and running a business. Alya has to make her own decisions - good or bad. And Luke has to support her. Easier said than done says Luke as his sausage barm with spicy sauce and no butter is declared ready by Roy. Luke pays and goes. Roy reports his talk with Brian was more difficult than anticipated. Carla makes it clear she is off to Devon after her birthday. She knew he was lying - his neck was red! Carla knows he wants her to stay - but she cannot lie to her family every day. And as she gets worse it will not work. He suggests she should tell the truth and she gives him a Paddington hard stare in return.

Beth has a temporary sling on her arm and is in a lot of pain. but cannot have pain killers as she has been drinking. Sinead wants to know why Chesney attacked Beth. Daniel grins from behind the bar as Chesney denies attacking her. He was trying to stop Sinead watching the video - someone has changed it Chesney alleges. Tracy takes charge and plays the innocent DVD. Sinead has a go at Chesney for ruining her hen do. Sinead then takes Beth to A&E. Chesney has been completely conned by Daniel and they both know it.

Steve turns up at Michelle's flat to tell her that the divorce papers were wrong and there is a £10k discrepancy over the settlement. She flips out saying they cannot afford to pay him anything like that. He calms her down and says it is the other way round and he will pay her £10k - but why she wants to know? Steve says he still cares about her - not like that he adds rapidly - but because he does not want her coming after him years down the line. Michelle swallows the very weak explanation and accepts the offer. Steve just wants her to be happy.

The Parker brothers have done a deal with Aidan and Alya as they leave the Rovers. However their car has a flat tyre. It is his second this week and he does not have a spare. Aidan goes to the garage and Alya warns him not to get Luke - only Kevin.

The stag do are still playing silly games in the Rovers when Chesney returns. Brian reports back to Cathy on his discussion with Roy - which went well apparently. Cathy works out that Brian has not admitted he is moving back into his own flat as number 12.

Two policewomen arrive in the Rovers but Chesney is not interested in their antics and Kirk cancels the stag do so he can go the hospital to look after Beth. Gemma restarts the music and the two blondes start dancing.

Luke turns up with a jack. He sets to work but tells the racist brothers that it will cost them. On brother says to the other that he hoped he locked the glove box. Aidan tells him that is not funny. Luke asks the brothers if they have a problem. They don't - Luke does - he is sick of their racist cracks. Aidan tries to get them to go in the pub as it is about to start raining. One of them says he hopes it starts raining bleach. Luke thumps him hard. The other brother grabs Luke and tells him to clear off back to the jungle. Luke smacks him as well. Aidan and Alya pull Luke off before he hits them again. Aidan pushes Luke round the corner.

Tracy is walking Eccles as Adam emerges from the cafe. They both see Michelle and Steve emerge from the flats and Michelle throw her arms warmly around Tracy's other half and he does the same to her. Tracy will want an explanation the next time she is talking to Steve - which could be some time!

In the Rovers yard Chesney explains events to Tyrone. Chesney knows that Daniel has won! Tyrone tells him not give up - but Chesney feels he has no chance. He loves Sinead but feels he has no chance once Sinead knows about the brick incident and Daniel will tell her. Ty tries to reassure the disconsolate Chesney.

Roll credits.

So so. Why no explanation of the little green men (beyond it being a stag do?)?

I understand the racist storyline was proposed by Sair Khan (Alya Nazir) and on two counts I am glad - she deserves a story and it is a subject that deserves attention. However I feel that the portrayal is crude. I know people have such views - but do they express them in the ways shown (in this and earlier episodes)? If so I am disappointed as I had hoped that in general such outspoken comments were deep in the past.

I realise that Daniel / Sinead / Chesney is supposed to be Ken / Deirdre / Mike replayed - but Mike and Ken were equals and opposites. Chesney is not fair game for Daniel. A Daniel / ? / Adam triangle might work better. And I cannot see Sinead as the partner for Daniel that Deirdre was generally for Ken.

Finally in the words of Mrs Dale I remain very worried about Emily Bishop or should that be Eileen Derbyshire?

KRW


Wednesday 3 January

Part 1 Written by Jonathan Harvey Directed by Brett Fallis
Part 2 written by Cameron McAllister Directed by Brett Fallis

Carla's birthday dawns and she's still insistent on not telling her family she's ill. She did approve of Alya and Aidan dropping the racist clients, though. Alya later goes to the garage and snarls again at Luke for what he did but he stands up to her. Alas, the police drive up and arrest him for assault.

In the interview with the police, Luke claims he was provoked. His solicitor, Rana's brother Imran, tells the police the Parker brothers will have a reputation but it sounds like Luke might be charged anyway. Back at home, Phelan has come looking for the rent which is late and Alya still can't get hold of Luke. They discuss the situation and Phelan, in sympathy, gives them another week to get the month together. Luke arrives just then and tells Alya he's been charged with a hearing tomorrow. Imran tells them it's a serious charge.

Luke says he's going to plea self defense and Imran agrees to try to help that happen. Kate leaves to go to Carla's party while reading a text from Rana about meeting up later. Luke and Alya decide to go out for a meal instead of a takeaway. Sophie was there as well and in the process of looking for takeaway menus, finds a little wire house a couple of inches big. Luke says Andy used to make them. Luke and Alya go to the cab office. There's nobody there so Alya grabs the mike to call for a car. Eileen comes in and realizes she must have left the door open. Steve calls in, having driven up outside after he heard Alya's call for a cab.

Before they go outside, though, Luke spies a little wire house, or what's left of it on the desk. He asks about it and Eileen tells them she found it in the house that Pat was renovating, the one that burned down. Curiouser and curiouser. Twice in one day. What are the odds? Pretty good, I'd say, and a catalyst for the next leg of the plot which is bound to end in the downfall of Pat Phelan. It certainly has Luke thinking.

Aidan buys Kevin and Sophie a drink to apologize that someone he was dealing with trashed the garage. Luke calls Andy's friend, Matt and leaves a message. He doesn't think Andy is backpacking around Belize after all.

Roy gathers all the Connors to join him in the Bistro for a surprise birthday party for Carla. He hoped that her family could get together at least as one last time before they scatter to various points (Johnny and Jenny to Spain, Carla to Devon) Of course, he doesn't want Carla to leave and probably hopes a family gathering will remind her of her support network. She is surprised to come into the restaurant to see her family even though Roy's not there yet. She's a bit defensive at the idea of getting together while they all still can but Jenny points out that she and Johnny will be moving to Spain and Carla relaxes.

Roy finally arrives at the Bistro and he's clearly disheveled and scraped. Carla tells Roy she's taking him home but he wants her to have her gift first. (We saw him wrap up a mirror that belonged to Hayley, one that Carla had always admired). Carla is touched.

In the Bistro, Rana arrives to check that she and Kate can still meet up. Robert sees Michelle give Kate her keys. When Michelle looks for him later, she finds out he's gone back to the flat to change. She texts the girls to warn them. They barely get themselves straightened out but they don't fool him when he comes in. Michelle tells Robert that she's letting Kate and Rana use the flat in return for not saying anything about the break in. Robert's not best pleased.

Brian sits down and talks to Roy about Cathy. He tells Roy that he and Cathy are moving in together. Roy is pleased but then leaves Brian in charge of the cafe because he has to be somewhere else. He's gone to a clinic to see about donating a kidney. He's told that there will be lots of tests for his health and for compatibility as well as a psychological assessment. The implications are huge, apparently. So that's our Public Service Announcement for today, then.

When Roy gets back, he tells Brian he's thrilled his moving out because now Carla can move in. So much for Brian thinking Roy was becoming too attached to him! Yasmeen tells Cathy she's delighted for them as well. Naturally. She gets shed of her house guest!

Back at the flat, after giving Carla the mirror, Roy tells her that they bought the mirror in a flea market in Yorkshire. Brian and Cathy arrive to pack up some of Brian's things and they ask if Roy's ok after the shock he had. Carla tells them she's staying on to look after him. Cathy puts the kettle on and the four of them toast their future. Brian nearly reads a poem but Cathy manages to stop that. He does make a speech to thank Roy and Roy wishes Roy and Cathy the best.

Sinead and Beth have breakfast together. Joseph starts school today apparently and Beth has to get a replacement cast on her broken arm later. Tyrone comes into the cafe and overhears them talking about Chesney, confused as to where his head is these days. Sinead doesn't know how much more drama she can take from him. Tyrone goes to Daniel in the Bistro and calls him a bully for targeting Chesney in his quest to win back Sinead. He reminds Daniel that Ches is trying to bring up a child who lost his mum and Daniel should remember what missing a parent is like. That gives Daniel pause for thought as Tyrone leaves.

Daniel goes to see Chesney later to make peace between them. He admits there was no CCTV footage and will make up an excuse for why Chesney went to the Bistro disrupting the hen do. He realizes he went too far and that he owes Chesney for not telling anyone he was the one that hurt Ken last winter. When Sinead comes home, Chesney confesses all. Sinead gets upset, calls him paranoid with which he agrees, and then gathers her keys and runs out, demanding that he not follow her. Oh dear, has he really lost her?

She's gone to talk to Daniel to verify what Chesney said. Daniel actually defends Chesney as loving her so much that he was desperate. She's a bit surprised at his defense. Daniel points out that Chesney and Sinead have the same life goals and paints himself as having abandonment issues, latching on to the first girl who will take him on. She's hurt. He tells her he doesn't love her and never did. That sends her out the door, as intended.

Chesney and Joseph have a hot choc in the cafe. Sinead has obviously impressed Joseph because he tells his dad he misses Sinead. Daniel joins Ken in the pub later. He tells his father what he spoke about with Daniel and admits he couldn't make Joseph lose another mother figure. He knows what that's like too well.

Beth comes to find Sinead in tears. She thinks everything is ruined and there might not be a wedding.

There's an alarm going off. Roy tells Toyah it's the garage. Two men in masks jump into a black sports car and squeal around the corner. Roy jumps out and tries to interfere and is knocked head over heels to the side of the road just as Sophie, Luke and Alya are coming along. Kevin arrives as well and we can see that there is graffiti sprayed all over the inside of the garage and the car that's parked inside. Luke comments that "they" aren't playing games now.

In the next episode, the police have been and taken the details. Of course it will be difficult to prove who actually committed the crime even though we've all got a pretty good idea. Even if there is CCTV footage, they were wearing masks. Kevin says that Roy is ok, just shook up and Alya offers to buy everyone pizza after they clean up the place. Luke has to go to his first hearing.

Out of the blue seemingly, in the pub, Ken tells Sophie that Emily is back in the country and is looking after her niece, Frieda, who's poorly.

Eileen still hasn't heard from Todd. Seb is in the doldrums, too. Eileen sends him off to do some shopping for her. In the corner shop, Dev asks after Eileen. When Aidan comes in, Seb asks about the factory roof job that Phelan had given them an estimate for. That's obviously on hold at the moment. Aidan tells Seb they might as well look to any other job they have on the books at the moment. Gary is in the shop and overhears. Spying Faye come in the door and leave as soon as she claps eyes on Seb, Dev waxes lyrical on love.

Seb finds Faye in the cafe later and asks her to take him back. He professes his love but she tells him that unless he can agree that Anna's innocent, she can't have him back. He can't change what he knows and neither can she. Impasse. Gary buys Seb a hotpot and a beer in the pub. Phelan watches them from across the bar while Dev, Beth and Toyah chat about casts and fractures. Gary tells Seb that Faye's in an impossible position. He tells Seb he has an interview for work on a new development and asks Seb to come along but Seb turns him down, telling him he works for Phelan.

Phelan sees Aidan later in the cafe and he asks about the roofing job as well and is told the same thing, he should take one of his other job offers. Back home, Seb makes Eileen a sandwich. She tells him she thinks Billy is keeping a secret from her. Phelan arrives home to have a word with Seb for talking to Aidan about the roof job. He blames Seb for them losing the roof job. Not really fair since it's the lost business deal that did that. I don't suppose Phelan knew that, though, but Seb takes it badly. Eileen takes on the blame for trying to get Seb to be useful and gets an ear bashing for her admission.

Gary goes to see Anna. They make a bit of small talk but Anna then asks Gary to get back with Sarah and keep an eye on Faye for her. She doesn't think she's going to get out of prison. She knows that Phelan has won. Gary tells her he is getting closer to Seb but it scares Anna. Gary refuses to bow down to Phelan and thinks he can get Seb to change his story. He sees Seb in the cafe when he gets back. Seb is still metaphorically bruised from Phelan's verbal abuse. Seb asks Gary if the job will be hiring anyone else. Gary smiles and tells him he can come along with him as he goes to see the project managers again.

Later in the pub, though they haven't definitely got the job, Gary tells Seb there shouldn't be a problem. Gary tells Seb that Anna would never do anything to hurt him but Seb can't understand why Phelan would say he saw her going into the office. Gary tells Seb he has to decide who's more important to him, Faye or Pat Phelan. When Seb goes home, Phelan apologizes for putting Seb in a spot. Seb admits he might have a job with Gary on a mill conversion job. Pat keeps his cool when he sees the brochure Seb has, then plays the guilt card on Seb. He has to leave tomorrow, as well. Eileen looks pissed off and leaves the room to call Jason.

Phelan drives up to the mill, not much more than a fenced in yard and sees it's a new luxury development. It looks very like the one where he killed and buried two bodies of late.

Tvor


Thursday 4 January

Phelan sees Sally walking down the street and asks her if she knows anything about the development that's going on at the old mill. She says the last she heard it was all going ahead.

Tyrone meets Sinead who is also walking down the street, and says he heard she stayed at Maria's. She asks if he was told why, and tells Tyrone how Chesney hit himself over the head with a brick, he told her himself. Tyrone sticks up for Chesney, telling her that love makes people do crazy, stupid things, and she is everything to him, and if he lost her now, who knows what he'd do. Sinead then looks worried.

Steve goes into the Bistro and gives Michelle a cheque, saying that's what he owes her. Robert appears and wants to know what's going on, and isn't happy when he sees the cheque. Steve makes a hasty exit, and then Robert shouts at Michelle to explain why her ex is bailing him out. Michelle retorts that no one is bailing anyone out, the money is hers from the pub and is nothing to do with Robert. Robert wants to know what Steve expects in return, but Michelle just gives him a withering look and walks out.

A police woman goes into the taxi office and starts to ask Eileen about Todd. They've had a complaint that he's gone missing with a young child. Eileen says she doesn't know where he is, she's tearing her hair out.

In the cafe, Luke is trying yet again to phone Andy's friend Matt, and is leaving yet another voicemail. Tyrone comes in then, and wishes Andy luck for his court hearing later.

Seb comes in with a backpack and sits down with Faye, telling her that he's going back to live with his mum as Phelan has thrown him out because he's going to work with Gary. Faye says he could move in with them if she wants, and if things go well maybe they'll get back together, but he'd have to be on her side – trying to get Anna out of gaol, she's terrified, they have to do something to help her. Seb says he can't, he's made his statement. Faye wants him to change it, she thought that if he was working with Gary he would see things differently. Seb then realises that working with Gary is not a good idea, that they think he'll change his mind about what happened. He ends up telling Faye to tell Gary to stuff his job, and he walks out.

Michelle and Carla go into the pub, and tell Peter about the police talking to Eileen because Todd has gone missing. Carla wonders if Peter has heard anything, but Peter gets very defensive and asks why he would know anything. Just then Robert comes in and asks Michelle if he can have a word. "Does this word sound anything like 'Sorry'?" asks Michelle. He takes her to one side and says he knows he was out of order before. "Was it Steve's motives or mine?" she asks. He says that it was Steve's, but now he realises that it was money she was owed. Just then Steve and Tracy come in and so Robert goes over and starts to apologise. Steve brush it off but Robert goes on about it, so Tracy wants to know what's gone on. Robert explains that he wants to buy Steve a drink to say thank you for the money he gave Michelle. Tracy frowns.

Seb is in Eileen's living room when Pat comes in, and he tells Pat that he thinks he's made a stupid mistake, he shouldn't have asked Gary for a job and is going to quit, and he swears he won't let him down again. Pat is very forgiving and tells Seb it's his decision who he works for, and give Seb his job back on the condition that he joins him in a snifter of whisky.

Steve and a very angry Tracy get back to the taxi office, where she demands to know why he gave Michelle ten thousand pounds. (Why is it her business?) Steve tells her he found out he owed Michelle money from the divorce, so he thought it best to pay her off. Tracy wants to know if he's got feelings for Michelle. He tells her he hasn't. "Liar!" snaps Tracy.

Sinead arrives at Chesney's house and says they should talk. He thinks she's come to tell him that she and Daniel are back together, but she tells him they're not, Daniel told her he never loved her at all. Then tearfully, she tells him that every time she looks at Joseph she's reminded that she should have her own little baby by now, and if that's painful for him to hear, she can't keep hiding the truth.

Pat is plying Seb with whisky, and then tells him to go and fetch the good stuff from the cupboard under the stairs. When Seb comes back with a box, Phelan tells him to open it, and there inside is a gun!

Pat puts the lid back on the box and says they'll pretend he didn't see it, he can't be sure he won't blab to Faye. Seb assures him that he won't so Pat spins him a yarn that after all the business with the flats, and Vinny ripping everyone off, he started to get death threats and wanted to protect his family. Pat then urges him to pick it up, so he does, he turns it around in his hands. Pat then tells him to get the toolbox so they put it inside and Pat locks it.

The policewoman is at Billy's bedside, asking him questions about Todd, wondering why he disappeared with Summer. Billy says that wherever they are, Summer won't be in any danger. The policewoman says that Todd took Summer without Billy's knowledge or consent, that's a very serious issue.

Sinead is telling Chesney she never wanted to go through with the termination and now she's sad every day, but she knows that that is the only thing she and Daniel would have had in common. Now she knows what she wants, and that's to be there with him and Joseph, she wants to marry him more than anything.

Back in the taxi office, Tracy wants to know if Michelle is blackmailing Steve. He assures her she isn't, he just felt guilty because of Ruairi and of everything he put her through. Tracy wants to know if he still loves Michelle. He says no, because giving her the money is more likely to keep Michelle and Robert together. He warns Tracy not to go round telling people that Michelle and Robert are skint.

Carla goes into the back room where Steve is, and wonders why he had a long face in the bar. He says it's all down to Summer going missing. She wants to know if he's drinking again, but he assures he isn't, he says Toyah keeps him grounded. Just then Toyah comes in and is introduced to Carla, and the three of them exchange a few lighthearted remarks. Peter thinks it's a bit weird Carla moving in with Roy,

Alya and Luke get back from court. Alya says she knows how hard it is for him and she should have listened when he first tried to warn her, but now they've got to make sure the Parker brothers don't get away with doing it again. She's proud of him. As she leaves the room, Luke's eyes fall on the little wire house that Andy made.

Phelan has taken the gun out of the toolbox, wrapped it in a plastic carrier bag and put it back in the toolbox, which he puts in the cupboard under the stairs, while Seb is asleep on the sofa. Just then Eileen comes home, worried about Todd and the visit from the police, but she's glad Pat has given Seb a second chance. He tells her that one day Seb might do him a good turn, in fact he's banking on it.

Anne Logan.


Friday 5 January

Written by Joe Turner and directed by Alan Grint

You might think you'd inadvertently tuned into Dial M for Murder with the way the storylines are going at the moment and tonight's first episode is no exception. It opens with Pat Phelan examining his gun and carefully replacing it in a carrier bag without leaving any fingerprints. Pat tells Eileen he has to go out while Seb rushes back to the bathroom to tend to his almighty hangover.

Meanwhile Luke is staring at the model of a house made out of wire that he found. He knows for certain it's one of Andy's. He keeps leaving messages for his friend Matt but all his calls go unanswered.

Round at Norris's there's tension over the breakfast table. Sean has put himself on a raw food diet but he's already bored with it and tosses his bowl towards George, causing Angie and Jude to have a hissy fit. The baby can't let any fruit pass his lips on account of his allergy.

Out in the street, Yasmeen and Alex are helping Cathy to move her things into the new flat. The boxes are heavy but it's a small price to pay as Yasmeen clearly can't wait to have her house back.

A few doors down Adam is handing over a set of keys to Rana's brother Imran who is joining his law firm (a convenient replacement for Todd). Alya and Luke come along. She's spoken to the police but there's nothing concrete to link the Parker brothers to the attack on the garage. Imran asks Luke if he's received any threatening messages as the attack was clearly aimed at him. and what they need is some more evidence. Adam's phone rings. When he sees it's Geraldine he goes off to take the call in private. Luke also answers his phone as he watches Pat get into his van across the street.

Robert goes round to see Zeedan. He offers him his old job back and throws in a pay rise for good measure. But Zee turns him down – he wants to make a go of his new business. Rana comes in and hears what's happened. Robert catches her eye as he tells Zee that if circumstances change the offer still stands.

Over in the cafe Sean is having a rant to Eileen about Jude and Angie. To make matters worse Norris is away. He's gone to see Emily who's back from Peru and staying with Freda. Sean doesn't see Jude and Angie come in so he ploughs on, mentioning George's allergies and Angie's postnatal depression. Fortunately they don't seem unduly put out and Angie even apologises for snapping earlier. Sean finally stops going on about his own problems and ask Eileen if she's heard anything from Todd but there's still no news. She's fed up, what with Jason in Thailand, Nicola in Australia and Todd who knows where. Shona can't help overhearing and corrects Eileen on one point: Nicola isn't in Australia. But Eileen doesn't believe Shona and assumes Gail's been spreading rumours to wind her up.

In another part of town Luke is sending a text message to Alya. It says he's meeting a friend in a pub and his battery is low. He is indeed in a pub and the barmaid tells him Matt's on a break and he'll be back in ten minutes. As Luke goes round the corner with his drink he see Pat coming in. He watches as Pat goes over to the bar and Matt appears. We hear Pat talking to Matt. He tells him that Luke is a danger to Andy. He shows him the article in the paper that says Luke attacked the Parker Brothers. He convinces Matt he mustn't tell Luke anything that will help him find Andy. Luke watches as Pat leaves.

Back on the street Alya returns home. Yasmeen is with her and she hands Alya a note that's been posted through the door. Alya opens it and is horrified to read an anonymous threatening letter. It means they know where she and Luke live.

Back at the pub Luke gets a message on his phone just as his battery dies completely. But he still has time to read it. It's from Matt and it says sorry he's too busy to meet today, so Luke goes over to the bar and reveals himself. He tells Matt he saw him talking to Pat. Matt's nervous after what Pat has said but Luke discovers Matt doesn't know anything about Andy's whereabouts. Matt asks Luke what he's going to do. Luke says he's going to speak to a man who does know what's happened to Andy.

Rana and Zee arrive at Alya's flat. The van has broken down again. Alya shows them the note. We don't know what it says but everyone looks worried.

Luke is back. He goes round to see Pat but Seb tells him he's out. He reveals he's gone to the Legacy Reach development site.

Now that the wedding's back on, Sinead's in the cafe with Beth and Izzy trying to organise all the last minute arrangements. Keen to get back in their good books, Eva offers to throw a free nail party for all of them that evening round at the Rovers. Beth's not buying it although Sinead thinks it's a shame as she could do with a manicure.

Eileen goes into the cafe to speak to Gary. She asks if it's true that Nicola isn't in Australia. Gary claims to know nothing but says even if he did he wouldn't tell her.

Zee's at the garage to get his van fixed but Luke has somewhere he needs to be. He promises to do it as soon as he's back. He understands why Zee's anxious to get things sorted, he'd be the same with a baby on the way he tells Zee. Zee looks confused – who told him? Luke says it was Rana but Zee says she's not pregnant. Luke says he should speak to Rana before driving off in a hurry.

Eileen follows Gary out of the cafe. He's on the phone and she suspects he may be talking to Nicola. She says she just wants to know the truth. Gary tells Eileen she wouldn't know the truth if it smacked her in the face.

Zee calls round at the medical centre to ask Rana why Luke thought she was pregnant. She tries to brush it off as a misunderstanding but Zee is finding it all very confusing. He tells Rana they can go and see the new premises later but she claims she'll be too busy with work. Zee leaves and Sean comes in. Apparently the doctor wants a word with him and he asks if Rana knows why but she has no idea what it's about. Sean leaves and Rana calls Luke. She leaves him a message saying it's urgent and she needs to speak to him before he talks to Zee.

Sinead has managed to talk Beth round so they go into the Rovers to tell Eva they'd like to take her up on her offer after all. Eva's delighted and says she'll even throw in some free drinks and nibbles. She can't wait to tell Toyah that she's finally found a way to get back in with her old mates. Unfortunately there's a problem - Toyah has already arranged to hold a meeting in the back room that evening for the Weatherfield Vegan Association and she's not changing it for anything.

Eileen is at home with Seb. She's on the computer unsuccessfully trying to track down Nicola via social media. She doesn't understand why Nicola hasn't been in touch. Seb can't help as he says he knows nothing about Nicola.

The scene moves to a deserted spot surrounded by trees with a large pond. Pat is there. He has the gun in a carrier bag and he's about to bind it up with some gaffer tape when an old trainer bobs up to the surface of the water. Pat tries to fish it out with the aid of a stick.

Back on the Street Rana goes into the Rovers. She leaves another desperate voice message for Luke. She says all she needs is to get everything sorted out without anyone getting hurt.

As Pat retrieves the shoe, Luke appears. Pat tells him it's private land, he's there for work and he could have Luke arrested. But Luke has come for some answers and he tells Pat he's not going anywhere until he's got them.

Karen

We open with Luke and Phelan at a stand-off position. Phelan suggests walking and talking. Luke is very suspicious of him. He says whenever something occurs it leads back to him. Luke is questioning him about how things that belonged to Andy somehow appeared in Phelan's house. Phelan is obviously feeling very uncomfortable with the questions. He suggests to Luke that he may be asking the wrong person. Luke queries who he should ask, and Phelan suggests Andy. Luke says he would if he could. Phelan reminds him how Andy led a double life, and tricked Michael into believing he was his son. He suggests that if he has disappeared, he has left daft clues to put everyone off the scent.

Rana goes round to Kate that she is going to tell Zeedan everything, that she is leaving him to be with her. She says she is serious.

At the Rovers, Peter is about to go out when Sean asks him if there are any spare shifts. Peter says the shifts are sorted for the next couple of weeks, but Sean is insistent that he is available to cover any spare shifts. Eileen comes in and she is concerned about Todd as he is not answering his phone. Peter then asks about Billy. She says he is 'as well as can be expected'.

Toyah and Eva are arguing. Eva expected her to cancel a vegetarian party so that she can have use of the premises for a nail manicuring evening. Leanne comes over and intervenes and suggests that they should all be friends together. The row can be heard in the bar, and Sean tells Eileen that it is not a very happy ship.

Back at the flat, Kate says Zeedan will be devastated. Kate suggests that she can stay with her, and go to her dad's. Rana says that Zee and Yasmeen are going to hate her. Rana says this is the only way that they can be together.

On the wasteland, Luke suggests to Phelan that he knows where Andy is. Phelan says that is probably what he wants him to think – it is probably one of his games. He secretly puts the gun in the back of the van. Luke thinks Phelan is covering something up, but he says he should keep his head down and not make any wild accusations. Luke says he hasn't accused him of anything, but giving him some questions, but he is not responding with any answers. Luke says he is going to report it to the police and they can find out what he is hiding. Phelan grabs a brick and hits Luke over the head with it. After a struggle, Phelan is lying on the ground and Luke makes for his car.

Sean is telling Eileen that the doctor called him to her office, and sacked him. Eileen questions this, and Sean said she "as good as" sacked him, and he walked out. He was discussing confidential patient information in the cafe. Then Jude and Angie walk into the pub. Sean accuses them to Eileen as having 'dobbed' him in. Sean is quite certain that it was their fault.

Luke staggers over to where Phelan lays. He takes a quick look and then gets into his car and drives off. Phelan starts to come round.

Eva and Toyah are still arguing. Eva suggests to Toyah that she takes her vegans elsewhere. Eva offers to clean the bogs for a week in return for the back room that evening. Leanne says there is an obvious solution. She suggests they could share the room. They seem to reluctantly come to the compromise.

Luke is driving off and then suddenly sees Phelan coming towards him in the opposite direction. Lots of swerving, manoeuvring, screeching of brakes as Phelan chases Luke. Luke crash stops as he hits a pile of rubbish. Phelan puts on a pair of gloves, as Luke tries to restart his engine to no avail. Phelan grabs his gun and Luke is panicking. Phelan then shoots at Luke in the car. Luke slumps to the floor. He opens his eyes, but meanwhile Phelan backs up his van so it is alongside Luke's car. He shouts "you came looking for Andy... it looks like you found him. Say 'hello' from me" and then shoots directly into the car and the petrol tank which then explodes.

Rana is alone in the flat, the door opens and it is Alya's brother. He says that Luke was going to check out some premises for the new restaurant. Rana confirms he is not back yet, but she would like time to themselves when he returns. He leaves as Zeedan comes in. She is about to say something to him, but he pulls out a piece of paper.

The girls in the backroom of the Rovers are admiring their nails. Sinead wants them done for her wedding. Eva thanks Toyah, and she thanks Leanne. Everything seems to be going okay.

Zeedan is telling Rana his plans for the cafe. He tells her that when Luke told him that she was pregnant, he knew it wasn't true, but got a pang in his stomach anyway. He wonders what it would have been like if it were true. Rana says she doesn't know what the future holds for them. He says he does, there will be kids, their families behind them, and the coolest cafe in the whole of Manchester. She becomes tearful, but he says they are "happy tears" and he hugs her.

At Phelan's workshop, he is jet-washing his car removing any traces of mud from it.

In the Rovers, Sophie comes in and goes over to Carla who is sitting there, and offers to join her.

Sean is collecting up the glasses from Angie and Jude. They accuse him of staring at them. He says he isn't, it is just their guilty conscience. He then accuses them of telling the medical centre about him behind his back. He accuses them of trying to get him sacked. The doctor (first time in the pub!) overhears the conversation and says they were not responsible. It was a patient in the cafe. Peter also overhears the conversation and says that Sean had a go at him and now this. He tells him to go home. Sean storms out.

Phelan wipes his head and face looking through his car's wing mirror.

In the solicitor's office Alya and her brother are there. He asks after Luke. She says the last she heard he was boozing in a pub and then his phone died. She asks about the hate mail. He says that it could have been written by a child. He says they are trying to scare her, and she says they are succeeding. He says only if she lets them. She should do like Luke and just relax. He says that it is good as it is helping Luke's case.

At the Rovers, the girls are discussing the vegetarian food. Eva and Toyah confirm that the evening was a success. Then Toyah asks Eva if the nail polish was vegan-friendly. A bit surprised Eva confirms it was. Toyah thinks Eva would have checked. Leanne comes over and says she thought that hostilities had been suspended. Toyah explains and Leanne thinks it is just tested on animals, but Toyah says she means made from animals. Toyah looks over at someone and says she hasn't eaten meat for seven years, she will be heartbroken. Eva says only if she tells them. Toyah says they won't be mixing their friends again. Rana comes in and makes a bee-line for Kate. She quickly says she hasn't done it (told Zeedan). Kate says she won't. Rana looks worries, as Sophie and Carla decide to go into town.

Phelan is sitting in his flat with a glass of whisky. Eileen comes in and asks where he had been all evening. She says he hasn't answered his phone. He explains he dropped it down one of his client's loo, and then banged his head on the cistern. He thinks the phone is working now. She says she is thinking about what Gail and Shona said about Nicola. He suggests she let it go like he has done. People make their decisions and you have to respect them. He suggests that the go to London and find some of Todd's old mates. She says she has contacted them all twice and nobody has heard from him. Eileen goes to have a bath, leaving Phelan pondering over his drink.

So another murder by Phelan, how long can he get away with it? Just when we think the storyline is coming to an end, it starts up all over again!

If you enjoyed reading this report, and you think you could do it yourself, probably better why not join us. We are struggling here keeping up. So even if you have never written a report before, it maybe worth a try! Do contact us if you think you could help. (Not all of our reporters are based in the UK!).

Martin Rosen


Monday 8 January

Part 1 and 2 written by Debbie Oates directed by Alan Grint

Part 1

Sophie and Kate roll up home in the wee hours of dawn. Sounds like they had a good night all around. Sophie leans in to kiss Kate and before Kate can react, Alya comes to the door, thinking the voice she heard might have been Luke. He's not come home, either. Kate gently tells Sophie it was a great night and goes inside.

Over at the Nazirs, Zeedan is trying to get hold of Luke, too, to service the van. This makes Rana uncomfortable but that call goes to voicemail as well. Rana and Imran's parents are taking them all out for a meal and Rana isn't looking forward to it. Imran is, he's no longer the golden boy since his marriage split up and Rana has taken his place, unusual location for her, apparently. She doesn't look too happy about that, either.

Phelan is burning stuff in the back yard. Seb comes out and is sent back in to tell Eileen she can't borrow the van. He tries to slip what looks like a denim jacket into the fire (Luke's?) and is startled when Tyrone pops his head over the wall, having smelled the smoke. He doesn't appear to have seen anything untoward. Phelan ascertains that Tyrone isn't at the garage yet because he has a dentist appointment.

Sean joins Carla at a table in the cafe and asks for a reference. He's got a large number of job ads circled, none of which are in his area of expertise in the least. She encourages him to draft a CV and she'll look at it. Craig and Bethany come in. She's tired, he accuses her of being hung over but she says it was only a late night and gets snappy at his "interrogation". At another table, Rosie is nagging Sophie to tell her who she copped off with because she knows Sophie dragged herself in at dawn. Sophie's looking fed up and frustrated and finally admits she snogged Kate. Rosie is excited for her sister but her sister is clearly experiencing a reality check.

Imran makes his way to the garage while on the phone to Adam to deliver some paperwork to do with Luke's case. Kevin tells Imran that Luke hasn't been seen and neither has Tyrone who then comes sauntering across the road, favouring his frozen mouth. Alya comes along asking after Luke. Turns out Luke borrowed a courtesy car the night before. Alya insists he wouldn't be out drinking if he was driving. Now she's worried. What if he went after the Parker brother? Phelan has come out of Number 11 and is listening from across the road. Alya wants to call the police.

Sean is using Jude's laptop at home, trying to create a CV. He gets some popup messages and doesn't know what to do with them. The last one has something to do with factory resetting and it has apparently deleted every document on the laptop, including the CV and all of the baby pictures of little George. I'm pretty sure that kind of message wouldn't normally just pop up after a few relatively harmless messages. You have to really work to reset a PC. But never mind. Sean closes the laptop as Mary, Jude and Angie return with the baby from a walk, Mary busy taking photos. Sean makes himself scarce.

Kate is tired at work and drops a dish of casserole. She lies to Robert and says she got in about 1 or 2. Ish. He's not fooled. She's still under the influence and he sends her home with a warning. Rana's family walks in the door, her parents less than pleased that Imran's estranged wife is not coming (they had hoped to re-match them).

Rosie and Sophie have come in, Sophie to see Kate and Rosie for moral support but they see that Kate is in her jacket and ready to leave.

Billy is looking thoughtful in his hospital bed. Phelan comes tapping on the door. He's brought some things for Billy, clean laundry etc. He admits he's missing Todd and Summer but if they did show up, he reckons the police would be there straight away to take Todd away again. Billy reckons Adam's claim to get Todd out of trouble might be a bit optimistic and he ought to be focusing on helping Luke at the moment. Phelan says he's not seen Luke today. (he's so cool and collected while lying through his teeth!) Phelan offers to help him with the physio who wants Billy up and in the wheel chair.

Back at the garage, Luke's name is again bandied about. A DC and a police constable come in and ask after the courtesy car. Kevin thinks they've found it abandoned. Tyrone mentions that Alya, Luke's girlfriend, reported him missing. The police mention that Luke's parents were unaware of a girlfriend. That confuses Kev and Ty, not sure why the police would have been speaking to Luke's parents. uh oh. They turn to talk to Alya who is walking by just then and ask to go somewhere private. This doesn't sound good and of course, we viewers know why.

After the break, inside the Nazir house, Kate and Alya have been told that Luke is dead and they're disbelieving. Luke was shot?? Alya tells them Luke's phone had died and they haven't been able to get hold of him. When she asks to see him, she's told no. The vehicle exploded and burned. Oh heck. Alya starts to shake and cry.

At the Bistro, Zeedan is telling his in-laws about the new business he wants to start. Robert walks by and brags Zeedan up as a good man and Rana's mother even compliments her on her dress. Rana gets up to go to the Ladies' and runs into Rosie and Sophie who are leaving. Sophie is clearly miffed. Rosie tells Rana that Sophie needs more confidence but getting a snog from Kate should have helped that. Rana reels.

Billy is working with the physio team, painfully on his feet trying to move with equipment. He lowers himself into a wheelchair, spent. Phelan remarks how difficult it is to see him suffer but Billy, ever the religious optimist, says suffering produces perseverance which creates character which leads to hope. Phelan seems to admire that though you can never tell with him whether what he says is genuine or if it's meant to produce an effect. They have a little religious discussion with Phelan wondering why someone like Billy ends up in the position he's in while people go around committing crimes with no music to face. Where's the bolt of lightening? None of this "mysterious ways" for Phelan, he wonders if some people just slip through God's nets and get to do whatever they like. (the arrogance!) Billy has to believe there's a plan somewhere.

Alya brings the threatening letter to the police as evidence. Kate brings them Luke's laptop. The police say his family have already been told about Luke's death. Alya is starting to blame herself because Luke was sticking up for her when he assaulted the Parkers. The police give her business cards and promise to keep her in the loop. After they leave, Alya asks Kate to go find Zeedan. She'll be ok on her own.

Jude is at the laptop and calls Angie over. There are no photos and no folders and no music. And no backups because Jude hasn't done it. We can see Sean lurking in the other room and then Mary has let Carla in. She's come to see how Sean was getting on with his CV. Jude realizes Sean was typing his CV on that laptop. Oh dear.

At the Bistro, a toast to Zeedan and Rana's business venture is underway when Kate arrives to break the news. Luke's been murdered. Zeedan grabs his coat and runs. Rana takes Kate to sit her down because she's clearly shaken to the core. Back at the flat, Alya is crying over photos on her phone of she and Luke.

Craig and Bethany walk down the road. She takes a text from someone verifying an 8 p.m. meet up or something and lies that it's from Sarah. There are police at the garage still asking questions. After they leave, Seb comes over and is told that it's true, Luke is dead and he was shot. The lad is shocked at that piece of information. He asks what kind of gun it was and Kevin shouts at him that it doesn't matter. Behind him, Imran runs to the police car and hands them a USB stick of the case work he's been gathering for Luke's case, there might be something useful on it. As this episode ends, Seb is looking mighty scared and suspicious.

Part 2

Zeedan is comforting Alya who is still berating herself. Yasmeen arrives on the scene and she and Zee take Alya home.

Seb wants to know about the gun knowing it's difficult to get your hands on one. Tyrone advises not to think about the scum that killed him, but to concentrate on Luke's memory instead. Eileen brings flowers to leave outside the garage.

Sean storms across the road. Apparently, Jude has kicked him out for what happened with the laptop. He's spoken to Fiz and informs Tyrone that she said he could move in with them for now. Phelan drives up just then and Eileen tells them about Luke, blaming it on the racist Parker brothers. Everyone decides to go to the pub to support each other but Seb prefers not to. Phelan watches Seb go off, giving him that evil eye look that he does so well.

Kate and Rana are in the Bistro office. Kate accuses Rana of playing games, promising to tell Zeedan and then retracting it when she wasn't putting pressure on Rana to do it in the first place. Rana defends herself. She said Luke was putting pressure on her to tell and she thought that's what Kate had come to the restaurant to tell them. Kate says that Luke was younger than her and now gone. She can't get her head around it. She decides she might go to Carla's home in Devon because it will be too difficult to stay in Weatherfield, needing Rana so much when Zeedan, having lost his best friend, will need her every bit as much. They hug closely.

The Nazirs watch the news, the burned out car on screen is horrific to see. They haven't released Luke's name to the press yet. Yasmeen shuts on the television. Zeedan wants to find the Parkers but his sister and grandmother forbid it, what if something happened to him, too? Aidan arrives, having heard the news. He came to be a support. Apparently, Aidan didn't notice a crowd of press that have now arrived directly behind him. We can hear the knocking and all the voices from inside the house!

Over to the pub, Phelan offers to buy a round. He finds Eva tearful behind the bar. There's a whip round mug on the bar.

Sinead comes out of the house as Chesney is coming in. She comes out and they make their way down to the pub but are instantly surrounded by reporters and photographers.

At Number11, Seb's mother Abi knocks. Seb lets her in.

Kate is still in the Bistro office with Rana now telling her what happened when the police had come to tell her and Alya about Luke. She wanted Rana at that moment. Rana asks Kate not to go. Robert pops in and tells them that Zeedan is going to speak to the press and wants everyone with him.

Seb tells Abi he wants to come live with her and the twins. Anywhere, miles away if they wanted to. She's been scouring the kitchen for biccies and finds them in a corner while he is talking. She tells him that the addictions support people have often said they can help people with fresh starts so maybe they can sort it, maybe. She's a bit on edge, is Abi, a bit hyper. Seb is sent to get a takeaway for them.

Aidan warns Zeedan that naming the Parkers in the press could go very wrong for him but Zeedan thinks that the Parkers shouldn't get away with treating Alya like they did and if they're the ones that killed Luke like he believes, then they should answer for it. He turns to the reporters. He describes them as an ordinary Muslim family and his sister was targeted by racists who then murdered her boyfriend. Yasmeen prevents him from naming names, saying they don't want retribution, they want people to stand up against hate. When Luke's assault charge is brought up, Yasmeen spits that anyone can be driven to anger but Luke was a good man and was loved, more than she reckons a callous reporter can claim. Alya speaks up, saying Luke knew she let the racists get to her and now he's dead because of it, blaming herself. From down the road, behind the reporters, Phelan starts applauding and the rest of the neighbours who were standing outside listening join in. Yasmeen leads the family inside, pleading for their privacy to be respected.

Seb and Abi have had their food, or at least she has eaten. He's too anxious to get away. He tells his mother he's scared. He tells her he thought she'd be back on drugs when he called. She looks uncomfortable and admits that she only spoke about the possibility of a cottage by the sea as a way of giving themselves a momentary break, a nice thing to imagine but she lied, her recent rehab session failed. She was thrown off the course. She gives him some money but he realizes that she stole it from a jar Eileen kept on the sideboard. He orders her out just as Phelan comes home. He closes the door behind her. Phelan notices Seb's packed rucksack. Seb tells Eileen who came in behind him that Abi was going to take him away but she's back on "the gear". Eileen is sympathetic then asks Phelan to help her set up the webcam so she can talk to Jason.

Kate is asking Carla over the phone about staying at hers. Yasmeen comes out to thank her for being a good friend to Alya and Luke both. Alya comes out and leads her family to the pub to be with Luke's friends.

In the pub, Tyrone is gutted and worried how he could explain racism to his daughter Ruby. Alya arrives and the pub goes quiet. Rosie and Sophie are in a booth and Rosie urges her sister to go to Kate's side. Yasmeen encourages people to talk about Luke. Rosie pushes Sophie who gets up but Kate, seeing her, scoots to the outside smoking area so Sophie sits back down again. Rana follows her in to talk to her. They don't get too far when Zeedan comes out and Kate tells him she needs to go away. Zee asks Rana to go to Alya. Kate feels she's being horrible and selfish but he understands she has to do what she needs to.

Tyrone gets home. Sean is in the kitchen. He's fed the girls already. Tyrone dreads having to tell them about Luke who was their lodger for awhile. Sean offers to help with the girls.

Aidan tells the Nazirs that the Parkers have been arrested. Alya says it doesn't change things. Aidan notices Maria at the bar and goes to see if she's ok. I wondered when someone would remember that Maria and Luke were a couple for quite awhile. She tells Aidan he should be careful as her exes all seem to come to a sticky end. Chesney and Sinead come to express their sympathies. Kate comes back into the pub with her rucksack, apologizing to Alya for leaving but Alya understands. She goes outside to get her cab. Rana goes outside and Kate tells her things are too difficult and tells Rana their relationship is over. Inside, Rosie insists that Sophie goes outside which she does, finding Rana and Kate in a hug. That's not so strange. Anyway, Sophie tells Kate she feels terrible about Luke, too, and assures her she'll be there to talk if Kate wants to. She hugs Kate as well. Kate is off in the taxi while Rana and Sophie watch.

Tyrone goes into the back yard, shaken and upset over the conversation he's just had with his little girls. Sean brings him a beer and a shoulder to lean on. He promises to look after all three of them while Fiz is away and Tyrone looks grateful for the support.

Seb is in the back yard and looking at some of the stuff in the (still?) burning bonfire that Phelan started earlier. Phelan watches from an upstairs window.

Tvor


Wednesday 10 January

A sleepy Seb comes downstairs to find Eileen putting on her make-up, she's going back to work today. Pat comes in, holding out a black bin bag to Seb, telling him to get rid of it, it's remains of the rubbish he was burning last night. Seb makes no attempt to take the bag. Eileen tells Pat not to burn stuff in the backyard again, she's surprised the neighbours didn't complain – but then adds that they were probably more concerned with what happened to poor Luke. Staring hard at Seb, Pat says he's going to stay around the house to get some jobs done. Seb asks if he can go to work with Eileen, help out in tea-breaks etc. Pat isn't happy about that, but Eileen says of course he can.

In the cafe, Alya and Rana are looking at videos on the phone of Luke, and Rana tells Shona that they're planning a vigil for Luke, playing music and showing pictures, trying to focus on the good stuff. Alya asks Sophie if they'll need permission from the council, and she tells her she'll ask her mum. Zeedan reckons it doesn't feel right that Kate isn't there, and wonders if she's ok, but Alya assures them all that Kate is fine. Kevin is at the council, and comments that it was just two stupid thugs causing all this grief. Zeedan has a meeting with the bank, and so he goes off.

Maria comes into the cafe, and asks Alya if she's ok. Alya doesn't answer, but Rana tells her they're going to be holding a vigil, they'll play songs he loved and his mates will talk about their memories. Maria reckons Luke would have liked that, but Alya then looks up and reminds her that she ditched Luke to sneak around with Aidan, so she shouldn't act like they were soul mates.

Gemma and her new, posh, boyfriend Henry, are walking along, he's on the phone telling his mate he can't meet him today. Gemma asks if she's ever going to meet his friends, but he says he wants her all to himself.

Robert is out running and meets Zeedan who tells him he's off to the bank with his business plan. Robert wishes him luck. As Zeedan walks off, Tracy comes along looking tearful. Robert asks if she's ok, but she just shakes her head and walks on.

Pat is hanging around outside the taxi office when Tim comes along. Pat tells him that Eileen has brought Seb to work with her.

Sitting round the breakfast table, Chesney is reading the local paper which has a report of Luke's murder on the front page. Sinead points out that Joseph knew Luke, and everyone is talking about it, she wonders if they should explain what happened to him first. Chesney doesn't think that's a good idea, it's too soon after Joseph's mum dying. Just then Tyrone arrives and tells them he didn't get much sleep, he broke the news about Luke to the girls. He then tells them that Fiz is away looking after Cilla and won't be able to make the wedding. (We know that in reality Jennie McAlpine was away in the Australian jungle when this was filmed.)

Tim is now in the taxi office with Eileen and Seb and tells them that Pat was hanging around outside acting all weird, talking in riddles. Eileen scoffs that Tim thinks the speaking clock is a riddle, but Tim tells her to give up the devoted little wifey thing, it's just not her. She snaps that Pat is the only thing that's kept her going for the last few weeks and anyway, Tim shouldn't be making things worse. Just then Bethany comes in and asks for a cab into town. Tim tells her that part of the route to town, by the mill, has been sealed off, because of Luke's murder. Seb then realises that was where the murder happened and is visibly shocked.

Alya and Rana are now back at the house, talking about Zeedan running his own business. Alya then looks at a photo of her and Luke and says she wishes she'd told him how she felt more, instead of talking about rubbish and bickering. Just then Zeedan comes back and takes Rana over to the kitchen and tells her that the bank turned him down, so he's going to ask Robert for his job back.

Chesney is 'face-timing' Fizz, he's sorry she can't be at the wedding and she's sad about Luke. She tells him it's all the more reason to grab life by the good bits, and she tells him to enjoy his big day.

Eileen has gone to lunch and Seb is alone in the taxi office when Pat comes in. Seb is obviously agitated and tells Pat that Tim is on his way back, but Pat tells him that Tim is currently in the middle of a meat and potato pie in the cafe. He wants to know why Seb shot out of the house quickly this morning, and why he's so jumpy today. Seb then asks him outright if he had anything to do with Luke's murder.

Seb tells him that Luke was looking for him the day he died, and he told Luke that Pat was at the mill. Pat tells him he was wrong, he was actually at the planning office. Seb insists that Pat told him he was at the mill. Pat then tells Seb that he's just feeling guilty because he sent Luke to his death. Just then they hear the door opening and Phelan jumps to his feet and makes out like they've been talking about Eileen. Tim looks at Seb and asks if he's ok. Seb says he is, and Pat leaves.

Gemma and Henry are in the cafe, she's upset about Luke. Chesney comes in and invites him to the wedding, as Gemma's plus one. He looks less than delighted, but agrees.

Craig is in the flower shop talking to Beth. The conversation is about Luke, until Tracy asks if they could change the subject. Craig is buying flowers for Bethany, and then Tracy makes a remark about Craig punching above his weight and Bethany being too good for him. Beth is really annoyed and then Craig has gone, Tracy apologises and says she's still struggling to get her head around what happened to Luke.

In the Bistro, Sophie, Rana and Zeedan are planning the vigil for Luke. Zeedan then gets into conversation with Robert which ends up with Zeedan getting his job back. Over at the table, Sophie asks Rana if she thinks she has a chance with Kate, she's rubbish at reading signals. Rana tells her to save her energy, she doesn't think Kate feels the same way.

Gemma and Henry are in the pub, and she remarks that he doesn't seem very keen on going to the wedding. He tells her that he doesn't like weddings in general, and anyway he barely knows them. She says he never wants to hang round with her mates, and doesn't seem to want her to meet his. He then cracks a joke and she laughs and says she loves him, and then gets all embarrassed and tries to say that she didn't mean 'love' love. He brushes it off, saying he knows what she meant.

Kevin and Tyrone come into the pub where Eileen is sitting with Seb, and tell them that the police have said it could be months before they can release the body. Seb asks why, he thought they had the killer, but is told there wasn't enough evidence to make an arrest. Eileen reckons they'll be free soon to do it again, and Tyrone remarks that if someone can pull a trigger in cold blood, they're capable of anything. A worried looking Seb makes an excuse about ringing the twins, and leaves.

Beth arrives to see Sinead, and Joseph is playing in the living room. Beth starts talking about Luke being murdered, and Joseph pricks up his ears and asks who? Beth continues on talking about Luke being shot, despite Chesney and Sinead trying to shut her up. In the end, looking upset, Joseph runs off upstairs.

Seb goes back to the house and gets the toolbox from the understairs cupboard. At that moment Pat appears behind him. "I thought you had a date with a hotpot?" says Pat as Seb jumps.

Craig arrives at Bethany's house with the bunch of flowers. As she goes off to the kitchen to put them in water, he peeks into her bag of shopping that's on the sofa, and pulls out some skimpy black and red lacy underwear. She calls through to ask him if he'd like to come round for his tea later, and, somewhat startled, he says he would.

Back at the house, Seb is telling Pat he was looking for his special whisky, but Pat thinks he's lying. Pat then goes on, in a menacing tone, to say that if Seb was looking for the gun he should own up to it, the more honest he is, the more Pat can protect him. Seb tells him he doesn't need protecting, he hasn't done anything wrong. Pat tells him they both know that, but put him in a court of law and there would be a different story, after all his fingerprints are now all over the gun. Then Seb realises that Pat really did kill Luke, and tells him so. "Not according to the murder weapon," says Phelan, "you did!"

Anne Logan.

Part 2

This update was originally published by the good folks at Corriepedia and reposted here with permission.

http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_9350_(10th_January_2018)

Writer Martin Allen Director Neil Alderton

Phelan advises Seb to forget about Luke's murder for his own sake.

Chesney decides to take Joseph to scatter Katy's ashes to help the boy understand death.

Alya, Zeedan, Rana and Yasmeen hold a vigil for Luke outside the garage. Audrey, Sally, Kevin, Tyrone, Eileen, Phelan, Seb, Maria, Tracy, Sophie, Amy, Beth, Sinead, Liz and Tim attend. Tracy makes a sincere apology to Luke for being such a cow. Zeedan receives news that the Parkers have been released without charge.

Gemma is relieved when Henry comes into The Kabin as she thought she'd scared him off. He tells her not to be silly.

Seb is terrified that he'll go down for murder now that the police are chasing other leads. He pretends to go to the toilet but slips out of the Rovers through the back instead when Phelan's attention is elsewhere.

Sinead is deflated when Chesney takes Joseph to the park without her.

Kevin, Tyrone and Liz lay on drinks and hotpots at the vigil.

Seb packs his bags and leaves. As he does so, he warns Eileen to watch her back and explains how Phelan killed Luke and covered his tracks. Eileen is incredulous.

Craig arrives at No.8 for his date and finds Bethany dressed up and covered in makeup. She changes before settling down for a night in front of the TV, much to Craig's confusion.

Eileen looks for Phelan's toolbox to confirm Seb's claim that it contains a handgun but is interrupted by Phelan. Phelan makes out that he had a row with Seb and he's gone to stay with a mate.

Chesney thinks no one is bothered about his wedding.

Rana tells Sophie to ignore what she said earlier and she should go for it with Kate.

Alya can't make sense of Luke's death.

Anna receives an urgent visitor request from Eileen and eagerly agrees to see her.


Friday 12 January

Written by Simon Crowther and directed by Neil Alderton

The big day has finally arrived for Sinead and Chesney and there are no prizes for guessing that things won't go according to plan. Ty and Gemma arrive on Ches's doorstep in celebratory mood but Ches looks more like he's about to attend a funeral than his own wedding.

Meanwhile round at Maria's where Sinead and Beth are getting ready, the mood is far more cheerful and the Champagne is flowing. The only person who seems worried is Kirk who's struggling with his speech.

Over at the Rovers Simon's about to leave for school but he needs his dinner money. He must be feeling hungry because first he gets some off Leanne, then he taps his auntie Toyah for some more cash and finally he fleeces Eva who goes upstairs to fetch her purse Š

Round at Eileen's she's reading a letter; it's the visiting order from the prison. She quickly hides it when Pat appears and claims she's going into town that day to do some shopping. Eileen stares anxiously at the cupboard under the stairs.

The scene moves to the prison where Anna has an encounter with another inmate called Karen. She tells her she's a friend of Seb's mother, Abby Franklin. Karen seems quite friendly and tells Anna if she needs any help to ask her. She even invites her to her cell later to watch a film. (Does that really happen in prison? Fortunately I don't have first-hand experience of these things but it seems a bit unlikely).

Sinead's mother and grandmother have arrived. Tracy watches with amusement as they totter down the street in their dubious-looking finery. Daniel comes along and Tracy tells him she's getting the flowers ready for the wedding. She can't resist having a dig and reminding Daniel that Sinead is about to marry someone who is very dependable. Carla comes along next. She tells Daniel she can't believe how he manages to listen to Tracy and stay so calm ­ she'd want to scratch Tracy's eyes out. Next to arrive is Simon; he tries his luck with Carla for some more dinner money but there are no flies on her and she sends him packing. Then Carla asks Daniel if he'd like to join her for a cup of tea over the road.

Craig goes round to see Bethany. He's all ready for the wedding but she's still in her dressing gown. Craig looks disappointed when she tells him she can't make it as she's promised to help Audrey out at the salon. She's also very tired for some reason. Craig's confused ­ he thought she'd just had an early night.

In the cafe Daniel's asking Carla for her views on women. Carla knows that Daniel still loves Sinead and, without telling him directly, implies that if he doesn't do something to stop her marrying Chesney in an hour's time he'll regret it. Daniel tells Carla she's a bad influence but he looks pleased with her advice.

Kirk is still working on his speech. Even he realises his jokes leave a lot to be desired.

Round at Chesney's everyone is dressed ready to go. Henry is now there to accompany Gemma but for some unknown reason he refuses to sit down. Joseph is happily drawing a picture of the family. He tells them the lady is his new mum which seems to upset Chesney. Ty whispers urgently to Ches to pull himself together, reminding him he's about to marry Sinead. Meanwhile, Joseph doesn't seem at all bothered and is quite matter of fact when he tells Henry that his real' mum died.

Seb's mother Abby is round at the builder's yard talking to Pat who, we discover, has asked her to come and see him. She says she doesn't know where her son's got to. Pat tells her Seb has nothing to worry about, all he needs to do is stand up in court and tell the truth. He adds that he doesn't want Anna Windass getting away with what she's done and he's sure Abby must feel the same. Pat hands Abby some cash, telling her it's Seb's wages and asking her to pass it on. Abby takes the money and promises if she hears anything she'll let Pat know.

Henry comes out of the house with Gemma. He claims to like her outfit but she scowls at him when he tells her to mind her bun on the roof, a less than subtle dig at the way she's dressed.

The others start to leave as well but as Craig goes past the salon he sees Audrey locking up. When he asks where Bethany is Audrey says she thought she was going to the wedding with Craig.

Sinead appears looking very floral. She's the one having to hold up Beth who's had one too many glasses of Prosecco. As Sinead is getting into the car she sees Daniel across the street. She stops for a moment as they look at each other. Meanwhile Chesney is watching the exchange from an upstairs window.

Kirk calls Chesney downstairs. They need to get him there before the bride but Ty says not to worry, he knows a shortcut. Daniel watches Sinead leave then calls Robert to tell him he's sorry he can't come into work as he's ill.

Eileen has arrived at the prison. Her meeting with Anna gets off to a rocky start. Eileen tells Anna that Seb now thinks Pat set Anna up but she wants to hear Anna's side of the story. Anna realises that Pat doesn't know Eileen's come to see her.

We now go to the wedding where the guests are making idle conversation as they wait for the bride and groom to arrive. There's a moment of panic when Kirk thinks he's lost the rings but he finds them. The only person who looks really nervous is Chesney.

As the wedding march plays, Sinead walks up the aisle with Beth staggering along beside her. Sinead has a beaming smile. Chesney looks as though he's about to pass out. Outside the room Daniel arrives. He reaches for the door but then hesitates with his hand above the handle.

Inside the room the registrar reminds everyone to switch off their phones. As they do this, Henry makes a joke which causes Gemma to accuse him of making sarcastic comments. Their row is interrupted by the door bursting open. Everyone turns to see Craig who's arrived late. Daniel waits in the hallway outside ­ he seems to be having an internal battle with his conscience.

Back on the street, Bethany is now up and about and she's talking to a friend on the phone. It sounds as though they've been doing something together and Bethany tells her friend she was so tired after whatever it was she had to miss the wedding. Bethany suggests they meet at the cafe later.

We return to the wedding where Sinead is making her vows. She finishes them by promising that she'll always love Chesney as her husband and her friend. Now it's Chesney's turn but he seems to be having trouble getting the words out. He turns and looks at Joseph. The registrar tries to help him along, then Sinead. But Chesney says he can't do it, he should have said something earlier but it's all a mistake ...

Karen

Hi everyone. I have had a bit of a gap since my last contribution and we have been off to the Manor at Castle Combe for an overnight and a fantastic dinner in the wonderful Bybrook Restaurant. Weather inclement so stayed in our cottage and had a nice warm open fire. Highly recommended.

This is episode 9352. The writer for this episode was Simon Crowther and the director was Neil Alderton. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

We open in the Rovers with sandwiches and refreshments all over the bar. David, now with added beard, is looking at the cup cakes (so last year cup cakes). The wedding cake arrives and crisps need putting out. Toyah asks Leanne to pay her back the dinner money Si had off of her earlier. Eva chimes in wanting her contribution back as well! He collected about £9 all told! David reckons he has taken them all for mugs!

At the Register Office Gemma enters the celebration room and tells Sinead and Chesney that the next couple on the conveyor belt will be here in 7 minutes and the room is needed; Gemma goes. Sinead tells Chesney she has never been so humiliated in her life. Chesney says sorry but that carries little weight. Sinead cannot believe he could not have told her sooner - but Chesney only worked out this morning that he will eventually lose her and that will only upset Joseph again and he cannot afford that - so the wedding could not happen. Sinead moans on - but Chesney has a point - everyone leaves him - his mum (Cilla), his brother (Billy or Greg?), Les, Katy and Schmeichel. Sinead cannot believe a dead dog is being included on this list! Chesney knows that Sinead is beautiful and one day someone better looking will come along - and she denies it is Daniel but Chesney saw the way they looked at each other earlier on. She tells him she desperately wanted to be Mrs Brown and he should not be accusing her of untruths. Chesney carries onto explain that he was worried for Joseph and how he cannot risk any more upheaval for his son. Sinead wanted to spend the rest of her life with Ches and Joseph as her family. She put her faith in Chesney and it has not been repaid well. She tells him to have a nice life and turns away, throws her flowers from her head into the corner and storms out.

In prison Eileen is talking to Anna about Pat Phelan. Anna says Vinny got blamed for the flats fraud - but was it just Vinny and anyway Vinny could be dead for all they know - like Michael. Eileen assures Pat did not lay a finger on Michael. Anna wants details of just what Seb has said to Eileen. Eileen is certain that Pat did not kill anyone and she does not know why Seb said he had killed Luke. Anna's case is being heard next week and she never pushed Seb's ladder. Pat has been trying to stitch her up for years. Eileen does not want to hear any more of this and she leaves with Anna calling after her, saying that she will not rest until Pat is in prison in her place.

The guests are back at the Rovers. Carla is surprised to hear that Daniel did not stop the wedding - Chesney did. Toyah says Carla cannot have any sandwiches! In a corner Maria and David are discussing why Bethany is giving Craig a hard time and if David can find out why. Meanwhile Gemma reckons that Henry jinxed it with his snarky comments. They argue. Dev at the bar is trying to get a refund on the food given that the wedding did not happen - not much chance. Gina, Sally and Sophie are all wearing fabulous Gina creations. Gemma lays into Henry and tells him to go and get off with his sister or whatever posh types do - she makes it clear he has to go now! Apparently it is over. Henry departs as Tyrone arrives and Gemma confirms she has dumped him.

Sinead returns to Maria's flat where Beth and Kirk are living. She looks out of the window over the Street to the Rovers where she should be. Beth gives her a hug and Kirk says there is a silver lining - he does not have to deliver the best man's speech!

After the break Anna goes to see Abi's friend Karen and asks if she can arrange a mobile because she wants to talk to Seb. Apparently it is simple so Karen agrees.

Eileen is home and has the toolbox out from under the stairs. It is not locked and it does not contain a gun. She does not know who or what to believe.

David goes home to find Bethany is going out. She is off to meet "Sam" at the cafe. She snaps at David when he asks a couple of nosy questions.

Gemma orders a snakebite. Henry returns and he denies jinxing the wedding. He asks Leanne if he and Gemma look good together and Leanne responds that it depends on Gemma wanting him in the picture. He tells Gemma he is starting to fall for her - she softens and it is all back on.

Chesney explains it all again to Tyrone. Chesney makes it all about Joseph because he knew one day Sinead would move on. Chesney knew that Sinead does not love him. Chesney does not get it. Chesney has no faith in anyone except Joseph. Chesney assures Ty that he will not regret it. In answer to a knock at the door Ty lets Roy in who does not want explanation.

Craig turns up at the Platt's looking for Bethany. David says she is with Sam at the cafe and Craig heads off to see if it is a man or a woman. Before he goes David explains to him that rule number one is that women are a mystery. David tells him to go home and let Bethany phone him - but Craig departs and does not take on board David's advice.

Simon enters the back room at the Rovers and the three witches are waiting for him. He has come home for some lunch he explains(!). Eva says Si can pay them all back for the money he had that morning. He snaps back at them and Leanne tells him to apologise - which he says but clearly does not mean. He then tells them he was saving the money for canceling headphones so that he does not have to listen to the witches giving him grief all day long. He hates the lack of privacy living at the Rovers and backs out into the hall. "Teenagers - who would have them?"

Craig see Bethany talking to someone through the cafe door as someone leaves. Sam spots him in return. She is female and Craig's worst fears are wiped away. Bethany introduces them when Craig enters. Bethany thinks quickly and alleges that she met Sam online at a victim's support forum and she did not want to say anything. They discuss the wedding and Bethany feels for Chesney - after all look at how gorgeous and blonde she is and Chesney is a pasty redhead. Craig departs before Bethany realises that there is another gorgeous blonde on the Street with a pasty readhead man! Craig's face sows almost heart break as she says it. Bethany then realises and Sam can no longer keep a straight face.

Gemma and Henry are getting along much better now. Excuses on both sides. Gemma's bun is giving her a headache. She then goes to get a round of drinks and Henry's phone goes. It is a mate and as the conversation progresses it becomes clear that he is only seeing Gemma to win a bet with his mate.

Simon comes downstairs to collect his bag to go back to school. However he equips the bag with two bottles of vodka which are in the hall waiting to be put away.

Maria returns to her flat. Beth is nursing a hangover. Sinead emerges and Maria assures her that the pub has not been talking about her. Beth assures Sinead that she is young, she will meet someone else, marry, have kids and live happily ever after. Kirk agrees "Probably". Sinead does not want to talk about it and they just watch TV.

Daniel is serving in the Bistro when Carla arrives and breaks the news that the wedding did not happen! In fact it was Chesney who bottled it - not Sinead. Carla tells him Sinead is single and therefore Daniel should swoop in. Daniel points out that he could not exploit this situation. Carla says he could Sinead's knight in shining armour. Daniel says that is not his style - he could not take advantage - he is not like Peter. Carla for once in her life is surprised.

Meanwhile Chesney is sort of re-assuring Joseph that their future together will be just them from now on.

Sam and Bethany are leaving the cafe and the latter agrees Craig is nice. Sam asks what she is working - apparently Bethany got in at three (this morning I assume) and is on again at nine (this evening). Sam is on the same apparently. Sam points out that Bethany is right out of Craig's league. Bethany admits she is running out of excuses but does not feel she can tell him the truth. And indeed the entire family would flip - especially Sarah. (We actually do not know what these two are doing). Sam's mum was apparently pretty cool about it (whatever "it" is). Bethany will not be telling anyone for a while anyway. And she sort of smiles with some trepidation.

Roll credits.

So Henry Newton is a nasty piece of work. Poor Gemma.

I do wish Chesney had done it sooner; I think I would have preferred Sinead not going back to him so quickly or indeed at all. It took him a long to get there but I think he is probably right. Will Daniel keep his hands off or will something else fill them up?

Bethany is obviously working in some form of late bar - but she is only 17 and therefore it must be illegal? Given her experiences why would she want to be out late?

And I fear the return of the bad side of Simon. He is now 14 and I would have thought his experiences with Peter would keep him away from alcohol.

Finally in the words of Mrs Dale I remain very worried about Emily Bishop or should that be Eileen Derbyshire?

KRW


Monday 15 January

Part 1 and 2 written by Julie Jones directed by Durno Johnston

Anna has managed to get an illegal mobile in prison and has wasted no time calling Eileen to hang onto that one thread of doubt she spied when she spoke with her last week but Phelan pops into the taxi office and she has to hang up quickly, pretending it was a robo-call. He's noticed she's been edgy and nervous and is trying to get to the bottom of it. She fobs him off. Doesn't look like he buys her excuses.

Tim and Faye make their way down the road. She reminds him to call the school to let them know she will be out of class when her mother's trial comes up. He doesn't think Anna wants her there but she's determined. She runs ahead, seeing Simon and joins him. Tim takes a call from Anna who's burning up her credit like gangbusters. She tells Tim that she found out Seb has done a runner. Tim didn't tell her because he thought Seb would be back. She tells him that Eileen came to see her and she needs to talk to Eileen again. She's sure Eileen has doubts.

Tim finds Eileen in the cafe and passes on Anna's message. Eileen passes one back. She got the apology she wanted and she's never going back to that prison. Later, Tim and Gary tell Fay that Seb's gone off. Faye thinks Seb is scared of someone or something. Eileen overhears them talking about Seb perhaps finding out something that scared him. It ruffles her guilt and she calls the prison for another visiting order. Phelan sees her get into her car and calls her but she doesn't take the call. Now he's really suspicious and baffled.

Anna realizes that Eileen hadn't told Phelan he was visiting her. Eileen wants to find out more about Seb, thinking that's where the problem lies. Anna tells him Seb wanted to live a better life than his mother. Anna points out all the things everyone has been saying about Phelan, not just her and she thinks Eileen is getting scared, herself, and the alarm bells are going off. Anna tells Eileen that her mother turned a blind eye to her father's criminal activities for years until she couldn't any longer and left him. She warns Eileen to watch out for herself in case Phelan turns on her, too.

Back in the pub, Eileen can hardly look her husband in the eye and makes excuses for going back home. Yep, his radar is definitely up and running. Eileen brings Alya some flowers and condolences. Alya is pretty shaky and tells Eileen she can't get rid of Luke's things yet, leaving his jacket on the back of a chair to make it feel like he might come out and put it on any minute. Everyone understands. Alya will have to move on but not yet. They've not even buried him yet. Eileen chats with Alya about Luke, and how Phelan liked Luke.

Alya says the police haven't been any help charging the racists so she and her grandmother are going to take a private case out against them. She says they know for a fact they were behind the prosecution but you know what? They know no such thing. There really is no evidence. Eileen goes home and cooks up a nice roast dinner for Pat.

Next, on that infinite unlimited calling plan, Anna calls Faye to tell her that maybe there's hope though she won't say why. Personally, I think Anna's being extremely naive. Anna calls Eileen again, begging her to do the right thing but Eileen has had a change of heart and threatens to report Anna if she calls again.

Maria's flat has lodgers stacked like cord wood, now that she's also got Sinead under her roof! Sinead is crying into her cocoa dinosaurs. No man, no home, no hope, weeps she. Kirk offers to help move her stuff out of Chesney's. Craig is getting a bit out of control when he can't find his watch and because he's narked that Liam was playing with it, launches into an attack on Maria for interfering with his love life. He freaks out a bit when Beth orders him to leave, almost as if he can't leave because it isn't time to leave. Or something. Later, Maria tells Beth that he's been getting mixed messages from Bethany.

Gary meets Sarah on the street but when he asks why she hasn't replied to his texts, she tells him she didn't get them. It's a mystery.

Bethany meets Craig in the cafe whereupon he asks for the time, from the mobile because it's more accurate and checks what she tells him against Roy's clock. Does he really think Roy would allow a clock to be wrong in his establishment? Bethany pretends her friend Sam was someone met in the victim support group and can't tell him many details. Craig returns to Maria's to get his watch and starts clicking power switches off and re-positions pots on the stove top. He's worked himself up into a state but can't tell his mother why. She understands he wants to keep Bethany safe but it's a difficult thing to do. He keeps checking his watch and runs out exactly on the minute he needed to in order to go to work. This might be the start of something.

Beth gives Bethany a lecture on safe, nice men. She says she's fond of Craig. Beth warns her to take it easy on Craig. She promises she'd never hurt Craig. Sarah tells Bethany about the un-received texts and finds out Bethany blocked Gary's number. She's doing it for her mother's own good.

Craig and his partner arrive at a club called Tassels, looks like a strip or lap dancing club. They had a client that was causing trouble. He's gone now but the dancer, Sam (yes, it's Bethany's friend Sam) needs questioning. Craig questions another male and we see Bethany dressed in a plunging cleavage baring top come through a door, spot Craig, look horrified, and flee back behind the door. But she's the one that witnessed the trouble in the club so the manager goes looking for her. She's using the name Madison and Craig is as horrified to see her as she was to see him!

Bethany was going to do a runner but decided to stay and help her friend. She's not going to let any man do that to her or any of her friends. I guess the therapy is working. Craig confronts Bethany and Jesse dismisses Craig because he's too close to the witness to be involved. He's sent away while she questions Bethany.

At home, Craig thinks someone is forcing Bethany to work in that club, especially underage. He doesn't think she could possibly be dancing there by choice. She loses her temper and tells him he's wrong. It's her choice. She likes it. Craig still sees lap dancing as being abused by men but Bethany corrects him. She has the right to say no, to say what men can and cannot do. This is her way to put the past behind him. He doesn't know if he can support her but she accuses him of trying to control her just like Nathan. He gives her an ultimatum. Job or relationship. She tells him if he can't accept her job, he knows what to do.

Chesney wasted no time packing up all Sinead's belongings. He's also taking Joseph to the caravan in Wales they had booked for the honeymoon. She thinks he has been damaged in his views of women by his awful mother and reminds him how he messed her around when they first met. She's not wrong, there. Chesney says nothing about that but asks for his key back. She warns him he is going to live a lonely life.

Sean is considering a job opening at the abattoir. Oh no, Sean, definitely not your job. Looks like he agrees. He'd end up wanting to set all the animals free. He's feeling the pinch and really needs to find something and get out of the house. Hope tells her daddy she's missing her mummy. Sounds like the separation is difficult for the children as you might expect. They're getting so cute, Hope and Ruby! Later we find out that Aidan has asked Sean to sew up some samples for a potential client, cash in hand.

He keeps himself busy all day. Tyrone has taken the kids to a soft play thing and offers to get a chippy tea when they return. Hope scolds Sean for using Fiz's sewing machine without asking. There's some really funny back and forth between Hope spouting out the house rules and Sean's philosophy "Needs must when the devil drives. So think on!" Loved the discussion about how each of the men always wanted the career they have (mechanic, machinist creating fabulous clothes). Hope tattles on Ruby for taking one of the samples which seems to be unharmed.

Eva seems to be feeling a bit under the weather but Adam is making plans for her tonight. Meanwhile, Summer's Gran, Geraldine is trying to get hold of Adam but the pub is not the place to take that call. Leanne decides she likes Adam, better than she used to back in the day. She gets a call from Simon's school and he's in trouble again. Turns out he was caught selling the booze that he'd stolen from the pub. He's been excluded (suspended). He's full of attitude and appeals to Leanne when Peter grounds him. Leanne is only upset that Peter lost his temper with Simon.

When Toyah comes back, she's shocked to hear what Simon did but when she brings up another missing bottle from Christmas, Peter has to admit he was the one that took that one. He didn't drink but he came close. Toyah is not happy that Peter was tempted and that Leanne helped him cover it up. Leanne does wonder, though, since she only saw him pour one glass of it down the sink. He promises he poured it all away (down Billy's throat, if you will recall)

Shona goes to the pub later and notices Eva is overly tired for no apparent reason like a late night. She looks up all the symptoms (fatigue, nausea, weird taste in mouth). Shona comes up with one diagnosis. Could she be pregnant? Eva bans Shona from saying anything until she knows for sure. A bit later, Shona returns to the pub to check Eva's feeling better. She is. Shona also brought her a pregnancy test. Eva doesn't think she's pregnant but Shona leaves the test with her anyway and Eva looks worried after all. She takes the test but hides it when Adam comes through to the back to pick her up for their date. She begs off and since she's going to be spending the evening in a bubble bath, Peter comes along and asks if he can stay on the couch to keep a low profile. Toyah's got big guns out for him tonight! After he leaves, she checks the test and bursts into tears. I shall assume that means it's positive and Eva's pregnant!

Tvor


Wednesday 17 January

Anna is in her cell, on the phone to Gary. She failed to get Eileen to see the truth about Phelan, her only hope is to find Seb. Gary says he'll see what he can do. Just as she finishes the call, a prison warder catches her with it and confiscates it.

Shona arrives at the taxi office with a cup of tea and a bacon butty for Eileen. Just then Eileen gets a phone call, it's Jason.

Craig sees Bethany and Sarah crossing the street and says hi, but the atmosphere between them is strained, which Sarah can't fail to notice. As they walk on, she asks Bethany what's up between them, but Bethany gets shirty and won't give any answers.

Eva and Toyah are leaving the pub, and Eva tells her that Leanne is sorry, she didn't know Peter took the booze. Toyah says it's not just that, Peter has been acting weird for weeks.

Peter is round at Adam's, he's thinking it might be time to tell Toyah the truth, but Adam puts him off the idea, saying Toyah will go mad if he comes clean, and it will all blow over soon. Peter's not so sure, but goes along with it.

Eva is talking to her doctor, who sees that she was sent for a pregnancy scan last year, but didn't turn up. Eva apologises and confesses that she wasn't really pregnant, but this time she is. She asks when she can have a scan and is told she'll get a letter in a few days. She begs for one sooner, she needs to know how far along she is. The doctor says she'll see what she can do, and picks up the phone.

Tim finds Gary in the cafe who tells him that finding Seb is their only hope.

Sarah and Bethany come in, but Bethany sees Gary and says she's changed her mind, she doesn't like the clientele. Sarah tells Gary that Bethany had blocked Gary's number on her mother's phone, that's why she wasn't getting his messages. Just then Gary's phone starts ringing, it's Nicola, and he says he's sorry but he has to take it, and he goes outside.

Adam is in the cafe talking to Shona about Billy. She tells him that Eileen has had some news that will cheer him up, but she won't tell him what it is.

Eva comes in and when he sees her, Adam arranges to meet her for breakfast tomorrow. Adam leaves, and Eva tells Shona she's got a scan later on. Shona says she'll go with her.

Toyah is still being frosty with Leanne, when Carla and Peter walk into the pub. Carla goes to sit down while Peter goes to the bar and tries to give Toyah a bouquet of flowers. She tells him to take them back where he got them, and refuses to talk to him until he learns how to tell the truth.

Carla has gone to sit with Aidan and Sean, who is about to show the two of them the samples he has sewn, but when they're pulled out of the box it is discovered that they're all damaged, they've had holes cut in them. Sean realises that it must have been Tyrone's little girls.

It would seem that Nicola told Gary would find Abby and Seb in a cafe, and has gone there. He sits down at Abby's table, telling her that he's Anna Windass's son. He says he needs to talk to Seb and asks where he is. Abby tells him she hasn't seen him for days, but just then Seb comes out of the gents. He tries to do a runner but Gary stops him and asks why he disappeared, he knows it must be something to do with Phelan.

Gary tells Seb that Anna might get a long sentence for something she didn't do, and he is the one who could stop it. Faye could lose her mum and Phelan is walking round like nothing's happened. Seb then tells him that Phelan is a murderer, he killed Luke, and if Seb says anything he'll do the same to him. He and Abby walk out then, with Abby telling Gary to leave them alone.

Leanne hands a sulky Simon a bucket and a dustpan and brush and tells him to clean out the cellar. He has to make himself useful. Toyah and Peter also tell him to go and get on with it. Leanne then goes off to check on Oliver, leaving Peter and Toyah alone. She then tells him that she knows something is up with him, he's been acting weird since Christmas, something more than him just nearly having a drink. He tells her there's nothing, but she isn't convinced and storms out.

Gary arrives at the police station saying he has new information on Luke Britten's murder.

In the hospital, Billy is trying to walk with a frame, and is in a lot of pain. The nurse asks if there is someone to support him at home if they were to let him go. He tells her there isn't, but he'll try and sort something out. Just then Eileen arrives and tells him that Jason rang her to say he's heard from Todd. He and Summer are fine, just lying low and she's sure it won't be long till they come home.

Sean is talking to Hope and Ruby asking them if they damaged his samples. They deny it of course, but as they leave the room, Hope turns round and tells him it was Ruby.

Pat and Eileen are sitting down drinking red wine. Just then there's a knock on the door, it's the police, they want to talk to him about the murder of Luke Britten.

Eva and Shona are back from her scan. Eva then tells Shona the baby must be Aidan's.

Back at Pat and Eileen's, the police officer wants Pat to go down to the police station to answer questions. As he gets in the car, Tim and Gary watch from across the road.

Craig arrives at the club where Bethany is working. She isn't pleased to see him, but he says he wants to talk to her in private. She won't go anywhere else with him, so in front of everyone he tells her he can't do this. She tells him that's ok, they're finished.

Tim and Gary have arrived to see Anna and tell her that Seb said that Phelan killed Luke and Gary has told the police, resulting in Phelan being taken away by the police. Anna is then worried about Seb's safety and tells them they have to go find Seb and keep him safe.

Anne Logan

This update was originally posted at Corriepedia and is posted here with permission. http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_9356_(17th_January_2018)

Writer John Kerr
Director Durno Johnston

Phelan is interviewed. He claims he had a good relationship with Luke and lies that he was home when he was shot. He also tries to get out of DC Yates who made the complaint.

Eva confides in Shona that she's not sure that she's ready for a baby.

Craig tries convince Bethany that she's making a mistake but Lulu steps in and gets her back to work. Bethany extracts a promise from him that he won't tell anyone before he leaves.

Tyrone finds out from Hope about Ruby's sabotage of Sean's samples. He's furious.

An unwitting Eileen tells Adam that Billy's moving in with her tomorrow when he comes out of hospital and gets him to agree to help look after him.

Sarah tries to find out from Craig what's wrong with Bethany but he covers for her.

Shona suggests to Eva that she speaks to Leanne and Toyah before she makes any decisions.

Phelan arrives home from the station to a series of questions from Eileen. He grows suspicious and draws out from her what Seb told her. She further confesses that she searched for the gun and visited Anna, making him furious. He storms out of the house. Across the street, Tim and Gary see him leave in a temper and ring Seb to come and see them quickly, lying that Faye is in trouble to bait him.

Tyrone confides in Sean that this is just the latest incident involving Ruby but angrily rejects the suggestion of professional help.

Simon accidentally breaks a whole crate of wine bottles in the cellar infuriating Toyah.

Seb is angry that Gary and Tim lied to him and that the police were told about his accusation. He tries to get away but Gary bundles him into Tim's taxi, determined that he's going to help Anna.

Craig comes to escort Bethany home from the club, saying he hates the thought of losing her more than the thought of her working there.

Leanne and Toyah's domestic matters mean they have no time to talk to Eva.

Smarting over Eileen's lack of trust, Phelan announces he's moving into Billy's flat while he convalesces.

Gary and Tim desperately try to convince a scared Seb to tell the truth to save Anna.


Friday 19 January

Written by Damon Alexis-Rochefort and directed by Matt Hilton

It's the day of Anna's trial and various people are wishing Anna good luck via Gary. Sally is sorry she can't be there in person but she has some important mayoral business to attend to – having her photo taken for a caravan magazine.

Meanwhile Anna's barrister is giving her a pep talk. He's worried she might let her emotions get the better of her and suggests singing a tune to herself as a distraction. "I Want to Break Free?" asks Anna, sarcastically.

Sarah bumps into Gary in the cafe. As she wishes him good luck for today it's clear she still has feelings for him. Bethany drags her away.

Gary sits down with Tim who tells him they have to stay positive for Anna. But it's all down to Seb now and whether he's decided to change his story.

Over in the kebab shop Gemma is excited when she gets a message on her phone telling her she's won a free night in a hotel. Cathy points out it's not much of a prize as you have to pay for lunch and dinner for two. And it's for tonight only. But Gemma won't have her enthusiasm dampened as she's only stayed in a hotel once and on that occasion she got thrown out when she was arrested. Apparently she tied up the chambermaid when she mistook her for a burglar. Gemma decides she's going to take Henry as it will be dead romantic.

Everyone has started arriving at the court. Mary takes Faye to the cafe to keep her mind off things while Tim tells Gary he's nervous about having to be a witness. Then Eileen arrives. She stands next to Pat but the atmosphere between them is frostier than the north pole. Pat's barrister arrives in a flurry and informs them that Seb went missing although it seems he's now turned up. Pat comments acidly that it will be an interesting couple of days with his loyal wife by his side. Eileen tells Pat she just wants the truth. He says it looks as though Anna's freedom isn't the only thing at stake.

Life at the Rovers is getting tense now that Leanne and Oliver have moved in and it's not helped when Toyah overhears Leanne talking to Peter about Janice. Leanne's decided to go and stay with her for a few days to give Peter and Toyah some space. Leanne asks Toyah to go to Roy's with her as she doesn't want to part on bad terms.

In the cafe Carla's chatting to Roy about Peter while she waits for Michelle to arrive. Michelle comes in and the two women pick up on the conversation about Peter. They don't see Toyah and Leanne coming in behind them. The four women confront each other and Toyah is decidedly hostile, finding herself surrounded by all three of Peter's exes. Roy steps in to pour oil on troubled waters and Carla offers to buy everyone a cup of tea and a Belgian bun. It appears that a truce has been agreed.

Out in the street Billy arrives home in a wheelchair with Adam and Eva. (As I write this, I can't believe I've only just spotted the significance of their two names when put together!). Peter catches Billy's eye from across the street. Beth comes along and recounts a story of how she once fell off a cliff in Torremolinos. Then Geraldine arrives on the scene wanting news of Summer. Adam takes her on one side and asks her to give him a couple of days and he'll do everything he can to find her.

In court, Anna looks at her family. She and Faye mouth "I love you" to each other. Then Phelan is called into the witness stand and takes the oath, swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. "Yeah, right," mutters Gary.

Phelan is questioned by the prosecution. He tells his version of events in which he covers the row in the cafe with Seb and then describes how he saw Anna going into the solicitors' office. He claims he didn't see Seb again until he returned from his holiday. He says that Seb told him that he clearly remembered seeing Anna's face just before he fell. Anna sits in the dock, shaking her head in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Eva and Adam are with Billy at Eileen's. Eva has to go to work and suggests that Adam should take Billy into the Rovers for a drink. Billy looks doubtful but Adam says everyone's keen to see him, especially Peter he adds, looking him in the eye.

Back in court, Kevin joins the others in the visitors' gallery. Anna smiles at him but Gary glowers. Phelan is now being cross-examined by the defense. The barrister starts questioning him about seeing Anna going into the solicitors' and how she got in. Did she have a key or ring the bell? Phelan doesn't know. He asks why he took so long to mention it to the police and then suggests that in fact he wanted to frame Anna, a woman with whom he has a long-standing grudge. With no further questions the court adjourns for lunch.

Gary gets a message on his phone from Sarah saying she hopes everything is going well. Then he turns to Kevin and asks what he's doing there. Kev says he still cares about Anna but Gary points out he abandoned her when she needed him most.

In the Rovers Shona is talking to Eva who admits she hasn't told anyone else about the pregnancy, especially not Aidan. When Adam comes over Eva gives Shona a quick pinch to get her to change the subject.

Peter is behind the bar and is taken aback when Carla, Michelle, Toyah and Leanne all come in together. He decides he must be having an hallucination. Toyah explains how they all got chatting together at Roy's. Peter doesn't look convinced that all it took was a cup of coffee together to become best friends.

Over in the kebab shop Gemma is delighted when Henry comes in. She can't wait to tell him about the free night in a hotel. Henry looks awkward. He can't make it. He tells Gemma it's his birthday and "Ma and Pops" are having a quiet celebration at home. And Gemma's not invited. She's understandably hurt – surely you'd tell your girlfriend that it's your birthday?

Bethany goes into the Rovers to see Sarah who's asked her to babysit. She doesn't look best pleased when Sarah tells her she's planning to go for a drink with Gary. But she can't do it anyway, she tells her mum as she's working. Sarah's surprised by this news. Bethany lies and says has a few shifts in a Mexican restaurant.

Shona watches Eva chatting to Adam and Billy then has another quiet word with her. She asks what Eva's going to do about the baby. Eva looks longingly at Adam and says it would be so much easier if it was his then wonders aloud whether it would be wrong if she told Adam it was.

Peter's four women appear to be getting on OK but when Leanne and Toyah go over to the bar, Toyah tells her sister what she really thinks of Carla. Unfortunately she doesn't know that Michelle has come up behind her. Michelle empties a glass of water over Toyah. Peter is powerless to stop the cat fight that breaks out. Insults are exchanged, most of them at Peter's expense, and several more drinks are thrown. Carla and Michelle are tossed out and Sarah is sent to fetch a mop.

Back in court a nervous Seb has now taken the stand. The prosecution ask him what he remembers when he regained consciousness following his fall. Everyone waits with bated breath for his reply. Finally Seb speaks. He says that he doesn't remember any of it. He's asked if he remembers seeing Anna in the office before he fell. "No, I don't," replies Seb as he looks across the courtroom at Phelan.

Karen

Good evening. Stories do develop quickly don't they? In case you were interested at the time of this being recorded Fiz was hiding in the Celebrity Jungle and at broadcast time Sean and Sophie have gone Ice Skating. Compared with earlier times the much larger cast allows some flexibility in individuals being released to take on other activities. No doubt a lot of warning has to be given but quite often there can be some large gaps between appearances without appearances elsewhere.

This is episode 9358. The writer for this episode was Damon Alexis-Rochefort and the director was Matt Hilton. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

We open at Anna's trial and Seb is being questioned - did Anna push him off the ladder? He tells the court that Pat had told him to say that. Eileen, Pat, Mary, Sophie, Faye and Gary are in the public gallery. Seb alleges that Pat has always had it in for Anna. (Eileen's mouth is wide open in shock. Pat is giving Seb a death stare. Anna turns round looking very smug!). Eileen leaves for some air and Pat asks if he should be packing the rest of his stuff. She does not answer him.

Zeedan is on the phone to a friend of Luke's who is going to front an appeal for information about the murder. Alya remains distressed.

In the Rovers Adam is working on being Billy's best friend and notes that Toyah is wearing different clothes after her unexpected beer throwing earlier. Billy takes another pill for pain - Adam of course has pain killer dependence experience so he reminds Billy he has another 30 minutes to go. Sarah is on her phone asking Bethany to phone her. Sarah is excited about meeting Gary later - she tells Eva and Shona. Sarah goes and Eva and Shona are left o talk about dates and the father of the baby - is it Adam or Aidan?

Toyah wants a night out with Peter but he tells her they are making no money on the pub. She says they never see each other (Peter is still taxi driving as well as the Rovers). He wants to know why Toyah and Carla were arguing. Toyah said it was partly to do with winding Peter up. Toyah accepts Peter is not having an affair with Carla but wants to know what has been messing him up since Christmas. Adam wheels Billy home.

At the kebab shop Cathy cannot wait for her shift to end she complains about cleaning chewing gum off the window and Gemma admits she put it there! Gemma cannot believe Henry did not tell her about his birthday. She wants to do something special for his birthday. They agree to put some thought into it. In the background we actually see someone leaving the flower shop carrying some flowers!

At "Tassels" the lap dancing club Bethany is awaiting her next dance. Bethany confides in Sam (her new bestie) that her mother has a waste of space as an ex-boyfriend. Apparently he is like all blokes and will do it again - lie after lie after lie. Bethany reckons that Sarah needs help seeing Gary for what he is.

Peter has no support group today so pops through the wall into number one to tell Ken about the events earlier. Ken wants to know why Toyah is so suspicious (oh come on - Peter does have history of two timing women). Peter puts it down to the lies he has to tell about events with Billy at Christmas; Toyah knows he is lying but not what about. He tells Ken that Billy is out of hospital and back on the Street. Neither of them can work out why Adam was minding Billy and bother are suspicious.

Alya is looking at photos of her true love on the floor of the flat. Zeedan enters - she is looking for the best photo of Luke to accompany the planned article in the Gazette. Zeedan suggests a trip to the cinema but Alya does not want her mind taken off her grief. Alya admits she is wallowing. She asks him to make something decent for tea as she has to eat whilst she wallows. She takes a picture of Luke and herself and is going to add it to the shrine.

Gary and Faye tell Tim (who will be giving evidence later - cannot remember why at the moment) how well Seb had convinced them that Anna was innocent. Burgers all round to celebrate. Gary and Tim know that the grim reaper, sorry Pat, will be after Seb and he will need looking after (can Abi move onto the Street as well please?). Pat passes them and he tells Gary to do one. Gary responds by telling Pat to enjoy his freedom whilst it lasts. Gary reckons Pat will be done for perverting the course of justice or perhaps perjury. Gary is certain that Pat lied so the police will be coming after him (unlikely based on what we heard). And Gary reckons that if the police dig they will find more to pin on Pat (draining the pond might reveal more than any digging). For once Pat is lacking a sharp riposte and walks away.

After the break we resume in the Rovers as Cathy and Gemma arrive to put their thinking caps on. Liz serves them. Liz volunteers to help their thinking. Eva wearing a very exposing top tells Shona she is going to get changed before gong out with Adam - no decision yet on what to tell Adam. Shona points out that Eva cannot wear her tight-fitting slinky outfits much longer - but she is not showing yet. Adam tells her she looks absolutely gorgeous as he enters (and that was from behind). She alleges she made some butties earlier which made her bloated. Eva goes to get changed. Gary comes in and passes Sam who is sitting at a table looking at her phone and makes a definitive identification compared to a photo which presumably Bethany gave her. Sam wanders up to Gary and asks if he is alone. He tells her he is waiting for someone. She tells him that everyone is waiting for someone. And getting very close to him tells him it is nice to have a bit of fun in the meantime. (Most men surely would tell any woman to move away at this point - but Gary says nothing). Luckily, depending on your point of view, Sarah comes into the Rovers and sees a woman draped over her ex. She turns on her heel rapidly and leaves, followed by Gary. He shouts at Sarah that he has no idea who she is (we see her walk out of the Rovers in the background). Sarah tells him to forget it - they are free agents and can chat up who they like! Sarah storms back into the Platt house. Alya is sitting by the cross and candles forming Luke's memorial. Gary wanders across to her. He apologises for kicking off with Sarah. He then gives her a report on his day in court saying it went well. Alya wishes Luke could see how well he had been regarded in the community.

Back at the Rovers looking far more demure Eva is ready for her might out. Adam confirms that Billy will be all right on his own for a short period and Eileen is on her way home (given Gary returned ages ago is Eileen coming home via Liverpool?). Eva is worried that Billy is overdoing the painkillers but Adam assures her that he needs them. Eva says that Adam of all people should know the risks of overdoing pain killers (can anyone remind me how Eva knows about Adam's addiction problems please?). Adam tells her to leave such matters to the professionals. [Given the flag waving, I reckon we can expect Billy to show us what Adam went through]. Sally and Tim arrive - the mayor wants a celebration but Tim is nervous about giving evidence tomorrow (not on Saturday though). Sally only wants a small drink as she has a lot of ironing to do. Gary returns to the Rovers but the girl has gone. Gary has found a billet for Seb on the other side of town with an old army mate. Gary tells Sally that Seb is scared. Sally does not believe Pat is dangerous; she thinks they believe they are in an episode of the Sopranos (I looked it up - apparently nothing to do with opera singers but a North American soap). Sally adds that with luck Anna will get off and that will be the end of it.

Alya's vigil outside the shuttered factory continues - observed by Billy and Eileen from across the Street. Billy rues not being around to support all people who loved Luke. Eileen tells him to concentrate on getting better. Billy has trouble believing Seb's story after all that Pat has done for him (Pat being such a good religious man of course). Eileen is wondering if perhaps Seb is telling the truth and that maybe Pat was lying about seeing Anna. And then if he has lied once perhaps Pat has lied about one or two other things? EIleen leaves Billy on his own as she has somewhere to go.

Bethany returns home to find Gail is comforting Sarah over Gary's behaviour. Bethany says that she hates to say I told you so! Anyway Bethany is dodging answering questions about her Mexican restaurant job in the Northern Quarter which neither of them would know. She is going to change as Craig is coming round. She emphasizes that Sarah is better off without the cheating Windass as a boyfriend.

Liz is suggesting to Toyah, Gemma and Cathy that Henry should be thrown a party in a pub with a theme - fancy dress maybe. Gemma has some ideas. Anyway it will be a small but better party than anything else he has had for his birthday. A list is made. Liz reckons such a party for a scion of the Newton family would Betty proud. Toyah asks Peter how Ken is. Toyah then goes into "counselor" mode and apologises for her earlier concern and that the stunt with Carla was stupid and childish. She accepts that parties should have some little secrets and tells Peter that she trusts him to tell her about it when it is right to do so. She kisses him to seal the deal.

Tim and Gary are sitting when Liz joins them - Tim admits he is not looking forward to giving evidence. he has never enjoyed public speaking. From her time in the medical centre Liz knows a speech therapist. Apparently the key to public speaking is "The top of the tongue, the teeth and the lips." Tim then diligently repeats this for the rest of the episode when on screen. Gary calls Sarah.

Sarah rejects the call. Bethany tells her that she cannot have anything to do with the cheat any more. All over girls he does not know. Sarah wants to know how Bethany knows that Gary does not know her. Bethany says she presumed it. Anyway Sarah makes it clear that she done with Gary. Gail goes a bath leaving Bethany and Craig on the sofa. Bethany admits to Craig that she got Sam to set Gary up and she nailed it. Bethany swears that if Gary even comes near Sarah again he will have her to answer to it.

Tim is still repeating it.

Pat is at Billy's flat packing a bag rapidly. He is also thinking of what he can do next.

And at the prison visiting hours and passes must be widely extended as Anna is telling Eileen that she was not expecting this. Anna asks Eileen how long have they been trying to tell her what Pat is really like? Eileen agrees - but Seb being so brave today. Anna says that Pat has terrorised poor Seb. Anna tells Eileen that Pat lying about this is just the tip of the iceberg. Eileen says that if Pat has really done all of this then she is so, so sorry. She knows she will never be able to make it up to Anna. Anna holds her hand and thanks her.

Roll credits.

Between transmission of the programme and sending this update it has been announced that Malcolm Hebden is taking an extended break (he is allegedly with Emily and Freda on holiday) with the programme commenting that Malcolm (Norris) is not getting any younger. Let us all wish him well and an early return to the Street.

The trial is not over. Roy has to confirm the way Anna hit Seb and Tim has to give evidence - and I doubt he will convince anyone.

When will Adam / Aidan find out one of them is about to be the daddy?

Will anything help Alya - obviously the funeral will be delayed for some time as the investigations continue. Could be many months.

And does Toyah mean what she said over allowing Peter to have secrets?

And poor Billy is going to need the pain killers when it becomes clear that Todd has departed permanently.

Finally in the words of Mrs Dale I remain very worried about Emily Bishop or should that be Eileen Derbyshire?

KRW


Monday 22 January
Part 1 written by Chris Fewtrell Directed by Matt Hilton

Anna's pleased at Seb's testimony but is warned that Seb has proven a bit flaky in the past, changing his statements so the prosecution could be hard on him. Anna is confident Roy's testimony will be to her benefit. Cautious optimism, that's where we are at the moment.

Even Roy worries about what to wear for important appearances and has settled on a conservative dark suit and tie. Gemma bursts in and invites Roy to a party in the Rovers this evening. Sarah and Bethany arrive. Gary tries to make amends but is given short shrift.

Billy worries about everyone but himself. Eva reckons she'll get into heaven since she's been helping out a vicar. Billy is going to spend time helping at the community center. Eva advises not to overdo it. He asks her to pick up his prescription for painkillers. She doesn't mind but nearly slips up by saying she has to go to the chemist herself but pretends she's only got a banging headache after drinking too much the night before.

Tim is scared, he's still got to give his testimony but feels a bit better since Seb told the truth. As they chat about the trial, Gary notices Bethany and Sam get in a posh car and drive off and he recognizes Sam as the woman that chatted him up the other night. Gary doesn't accompany Tim to the court, preferring to double back and investigate Bethany's friend.

In the pub, Toyah asks Peter if he's going to a meeting today. Peter confirms. He'll need all the strength he can get to cope with the wee hours baby feeds! He tells Toyah he's going for a walk with Steve who's still working with his step counter. Peter talks affectionately about things to do with his child. Toyah smiles fondly. Gemma bursts in to confirm last minute party arrangements.

We now get back to the courtroom where Royston Cropper is giving Anna a glowing reference. He does say that Anna is not a violent person at all. I wouldn't agree there. Her temper is legendary and he has to admit that Anna did slap Seb in the cafe earlier that day so she is capable of violence in the eyes of the court. That didn't help her case but Anna's always shooting herself in the foot.

Steve and Eileen sit in the cab office and chat. Steve is perusing the cctv around the outside of the office because a punter had lost something. He discovers footage of Tim and Gary harassing Seb. Eileen sees them as forcing Seb to testify making Phelan look the villain, stitching him up.

Anna is in the dock now. She tells the court about her relationship with Seb. She helped him when he discovered he was HIV positive. She helped with his younger brother and sister. Her solicitor is helping to make her look like a saint!

Gary arrives at Tassels and sees Sam who doesn't admit she tried to pick him up in the Rovers. He starts to get aggressive with her until Bethany walks in. Gary is appalled.

Billy is moving books around in the community centre and says the painkillers are working a bit. Eva takes a call from Toyah who's upset. She leaves Billy on his own, maneuvering his chair around with the books on his lap but he gets a strong pain.

The prosecution calls Anna on her earlier refusal to accept Seb as Faye's boyfriend and on the day of his accident, things were not good between them. Anna admits they hadn't made it up before the fall. She doesn't know how Seb fall and disputes Phelan's testimony, saying Phelan made it al up.

Gary questions Bethany. She refuses to explain and tells him she's old enough to make her own decisions. Gary tries to drag her out so she hollers for that lipless bouncer they have there.

Peter and Steve walk down the street with Rover on her leash. Steve describes his walking routine which also includes ice cream and the privilege of putting his feet up for the rest of the day! Each thinks the other has a great life though Peter points out to Steve that he's dating Tracy, any grass is going to look greener!

In the club, Bethany tells the bouncer that she doesn't know Gary and he grabbed her. Gary refuses to leave so the bouncer does his job and drags Gary out with the help of another very large gentleman who seems quite agile with his fists.

Eva finds Toyah crying on the back stairs of the pub. Turns out the surrogate, Jackie, miscarried. Sounds similar to what both Maria and Michelle went through, with the baby not moving and having died, then having to be delivered. Toyah is devastated and feeling very resentful. She has to tell Peter but doesn't know how she's going to find the words. Eva's heart breaks for her.

Anna is questioned on her story that Seb fell, Phelan took advantage to plant evidence and frame her for it and perjured himself in court. Anna starts to shake and shriek that Phelan has been obsessed with her for years. She's scolded by the judge and the jury will be told to disregard her outburst. An adjournment is asked for.

Eileen tells Phelan she made a mistake and shouldn't have doubted him and tells him about the CCTV footage. She and Steve took it to the police. She thinks the men bullied Seb into changing his story. It certainly looks that way. She asks for his forgiveness but he does. Or so he says.

Anna has found out about the footage, as well, and worries that Gary will be in trouble. It's a possibility but the way it is going to look is going to be damaging. Her lawyer says that the CCTV can't be used in court but Tim will definitely be questioned about it and Seb's story has been cut to shreds.

Part 2 Written by Jan McVerry Directed by Matt Hilton

Adam walks by the Community centre and sees an empty wheelchair through the window. He smirks then goes in to see if Billy's ok. Billy asks for help and Adam acts concerned, helping Billy up off the floor. He's in a lot of pain and needs his meds which are back at Eileen's.

Tim is testifying that it's not that difficult to fall off your ladder. But the prosecution grills him about whether he spoke to Seb or accost him. Tim goes quiet and you just know he's realizing that there's CCTV outside the cab office or someone must have seen them. He immediately blames it as Gary's idea. It doesn't sound good, not at all. Two grown men practically keelhaul a boy to change his statement which he does.

Craig and another officer have been called to Tassels again. His usual, Jess, isn't working today. As they approach the building, Craig sees a bloody nosed Gary slumped against the wall.

Peter is at an AA meeting and is speaking just as Toyah peeks in the door behind him. He talks about he and Toyah running a business together and having a baby and he's found the pressure difficult. He's hoping his meetings will keep him on the straight and narrow. But he's looking forward to being a dad again, hoping for a girl that he'd like to call Suzy. He wants Suzy to be his lifebelt along with her lovely mum. Awww. Toyah is tearful as she listens. How can she tell Peter his lifebelt has sunk? What will it do to him? She slips back out the door, unseen.

Inside Tassels, Bethany and Sam are answering the officer's questions while Craig listens in, appalled at the lies they're telling. They make out that Gary was touching them and wouldn't stop, clearly against the rules and they pretend he's a stranger. The lipless manager asks the police to the back so the punters don't get put off. Bethany's angry that she might lose her job.

We're in the kebab shop now. Cathy, Brian, Gemma are going over the schedule for Henry's party. Cathy can't work out what to wear. Should it be slutty-stylish or full on ridiculous?

The judge is making a statement to the jury. Anna has presented herself as a kind and generous person, well thought of but she's got a volatile streak. She speaks about Gary and Tim coercing Seb to change his statement so Seb is an unreliable witness. The jury moves out of the courtroom. Anna asks her lawyer to find Gary. Fay calls to her mother to say she loves her.

Craig has brought Bethany home and she confesses all to Sarah about working in a lapdancing club and how Gary tried to drag her out and kept "pawing" at her so the security had their way and he's on his way to hospital. Sarah gets David's car keys and promises Bethany they will have *that talk* when she gets back.

The pub is decorated and Henry's name is spelled out in big, blue balloons, sort of. There's no "H"! Gemma, covered in white balloons with black dots on them (eyes?) is frantic about this. Queen Elizabeth is behind the bar (Liz), Brian is dressed like a chicken or rooster, Cathy appears to be in something that isn't slutty-stylish or ridiculous. Henry's on his way. Henry comes through the door and he is indeed surprised by the shouting guests. He even manages to guess what most of the costumes are representing - Newton and Ridley pubs. Gemma picks up a blue bucket and hers has something to do with that, I think she said Frog and Bucket so perhaps she's meant to be covered in little pollywogs? You know, that grow up to be frogs?

Anyway, Henry is handed a costume in a bag to change into even though he protests that he can't stay long. Gemma assures him they'll have great evening. Will he get out of this one? Will he want to?

The friends and neighbours sit and wait while the jury deliberates and none of them are looking too optimistic. Faye is hopeful that the jury will believe Anna. Phelan and Eileen come in and are given the cold shoulder. They get a notice that the jury is back after a quick session.

Adam later finds Billy dozing in his wheelchair, now that the painkillers have kicked in. Adam offers Billy some tablets that he had, stronger stuff. Billy says he'll call if he needs them. Adam goes to see what they are, in the kitchen, and takes a photo of them quietly while telling Billy they don't look much stronger than paracetamol. Billy thanks him for dropping by.

Anna can barely manage to drag herself up the steps into the courtroom. She's terrified, shaking and has been crying. And here it comes... She is found guilty of harming Seb! And there's the obligatory outburst from the gallery as Faye stands up and screams "She didn't do it!!!!!!" at the top of her voice while Anna shrieks in agreement, "I didn't do it!" It's a great performance but not quite the "Deirdre" effect. Anna screams and accuses Phelan of being pure evil and he kind of proves it when he leans over and harasses her with lines like "unanimous verdict, Anna!" and "It's called Justice, Anna" It's quite chaotic as Faye sobs in her father's arms.

Henry comes out of the back dressed in a white Naval uniform looking very dashing. Gemma launches herself into his arms but his phone rings. She snatches it from him and turns it off. Behind the bar, Liz had had a text from Sally about the verdict.

In the hospital Gary tells Sarah that Bethany set him up, both with Sam in the pub and that evening at the club. Sarah says that Bethany wasn't sorry at all but she apologizes for her. He mentions that Anna can't even get in touch because his new phone is broken already. Sarah is broken hearted, she'd thought she got her daughter back but again, she had no clue what Bethany has been up to. The counseling and the talking, none of it seems to have done a thing to help.

Back home, Bethany pointed out that Kylie was a cage dancer. David reminds her that Kylie didn't go back to it. Bethany isn't repentant, it's maximum money, minimum hours and she calls the shots. She set up Gary because of what he'd done with Nicola but David rightly points out the first thing Sarah did was run to his side so what Bethany did probably got them back together. Oh she didn't think of that.

Toyah is talking to Eva and Eva, in her vast recent experience is trying to talk Toyah into telling Peter the truth but Toyah thinks it will do more harm than good. She's buying time and promises to tell him.

Henry seems to be enjoying himself and doesn't take the call when his mate Hugo rings. Rosie finally arrives, dressed in white with a red strip down her face and front. She's representing the most popular pub name in the country, the Red Line. Ha! Everyone choruses 'Red LION'! Henry takes a call from Hugo who wants him to show up now. No can do, Henry has a better offer, clearly enjoying himself.

Eileen and Phelan return to a smiling Billy. Todd has rung and Billy's going to meet him and Summer tomorrow and they'll all go away somewhere. Eileen is shocked, how is Billy going to manage? Eileen insists on going with him to talk Todd into facing the music.

Sarah and Bethany are having it out back at home. Bethany insists she's not being forced to dance there, she's in total control. She reminds Sarah that Gary disrespected her and got another woman pregnant. You can't argue with that. Bethany threatens to get her own apartment if Sarah gets back together with Gary.

The musical montage to Human by Rag'n'Bone Man kicks in.
I'm only human
I make mistakes
I'm only human
That's all it takes
To put the blame on me
Don't put the blame on me.

Sarah, looking pained. Gary in hospital, still bloody. Phelan laughing at something on television, Seb walking through the shadows, Anna at the holding cell window.

Tvor


Wednesday 24 January

Aidan sees Pat in the street, talking on the phone to someone about work. When the call is finished he remarks to Pat that he hopes he's not one of those builders who starts a job and then slopes off to finish another. Pat assures him that he knows how important the factory is to him and will get on with it, adding that the call was about the mill conversion, they're looking for a site manager.

Sarah is on the phone, apparently to the hospital, asking about Gary, but it seems he has left already. Just then a stroppy Bethany comes downstairs and Sarah tries to talk to her but Bethany is not in any mood to be reasoned with and tells her mother that she is going to go on working at the club and Sarah will just have to deal with it. "I like it," she says, "I like being a lap dancer!" Just then Gail walks in and hears this last bit, and is shocked.

Billy is in the car, while Eileen is loading bags into the boot. She tells him it's mad, he can barely sit up, let alone go on the run, and is sure Todd wouldn't have asked him to do it if he'd known the extent of Billy's injuries. Just then Adam comes along and asks where they're going. Billy thinks quickly and says he's seeing a new physio on the other side of Manchester.

Tyrone and Kevin are in the garage, mulling over recent events. Kevin says they'll have to take on someone else, business won't stop because Luke isn't there, and they can't afford to turn it away because they're a man down. Unfortunately, Alya is just outside the door, laying flowers down, and she hears this and is very upset. "A man down? He's not even in the ground yet and you're talking about replacing him!" She adds that they're heartless and turns away, bumping into Maria as she goes. She gives her a torrent of abuse and rushes off, sobbing.

In Tim and Sally's house, Faye is trying to phone Seb, leaving messages asking him to phone her. Just then Gary comes back, and Faye wants to know where he's been. She looks at the cuts and bruises on his face and asks if it was Phelan who did it, but Gary says he didn't know the guy. Faye is really worried about Seb, and think they should go to the police. She's angry with Tim for what they did to Seb, and although Tim tells her they only did what they thought was best, she tells them that because of that her mum is in prison and Seb is missing. Tim gets Sophie to take Faye over to the cafe for something to eat, and then they talk about what could have happened to Seb. Gary says he'll try another of Seb's mates, and then try and get hold of Nicola.

Toyah and Eva are talking about the miscarriage of the baby with the surrogate. Eva thinks Toyah should tell Peter, it's his baby too, but Toyah isn't keen. Just then Peter comes in and starts talking about names for the baby. Toyah just smiles and still doesn't tell him. When he's gone out again, she tells Eva that she wants to tell him, but she just can't.

Carla and Aidan are in the cafe, talking about the business, he gets a message on his phone from Eva, asking if they can meet, and so he leaves.

Steve, Tracy and Amy come into the pub. It's Tracy's birthday and she is carrying a large bunch of flowers, which it seems that Steve has bought her. She asks if he's never heard the expression 'taking coals to Newcastle'. She's not happy with her present until she opens the card he gives her and finds tickets for a trip to Paris, and she's delighted. Amy asks if that means she can get the phone she wants for her birthday, but Steve says it does not.

Maria comes into the cafe and sits down, obviously hurting from the tirade of abuse she got from Alya. Aidan comes back in and sees her, and sits down and gives her a hug. This doesn't go unnoticed by Peter who is at the counter.

Eileen and Billy have arrived at a children's playground, where presumably they've arranged to meet Todd and Summer. He's in pain, but has forgotten to bring his painkillers. Eileen is appalled, how is he going to manage on the run with no painkillers? He says they'll stop off at an A&E or something, and they will all come back when they've worked out what they're going to do. Just then Summer turns up, looking upset. Billy gives her a hug and Eileen asks where Todd is. "He's not coming," says Summer.

Adam is in Dev's shop, where he tries to buy 4 packs of paracetamol tablets. Dev, however, tells him he can only sell him 2, it's the law, to stop people doing anything stupid. As he leaves the shop, Adam puts the packets in his bag, and we see that there are already several packs already in there.

Back in the Rovers, Amy is still in a huff about not getting a new phone. As she heads off to school, she purposely drops her phone, and then knocks a glass of beer over on top of it. Steve, however, is fully aware of what she did, and sends her off with a flea in her ear.

Peter comes into the pub and Eva remarks that Aidan was going to come in for a chat. Peter tells her he's just seen Aidan all over Maria.

Back in the park, Summer is telling Billy and Eileen how Todd took them to a little B&B by the sea, but it was horrible because they didn't have much money. They told people he was her dad. Then, when she was waiting outside for him, the police came so she hid. The police took Todd away, and he told them he didn't know where Summer was, they'd got it wrong. When they didn't find Summer, the police started looking for her. One was headed in her direction, so to cause a distraction, Todd punched one of them and ran away. The police car chased him but he ran into some woods and that's the last Summer saw of him. They already had a pre-arranged plan that if anything happened she was to contact Billy, he would know what to do. Summer reckons that now Todd is in trouble because of her.

In the Platt household, Sarah is trying to reason with Bethany who is putting on her make up and getting ready to go to work in the club. Bethany tells Sarah that no one touches her, no one hassles her, she would be in more danger on a night out in town, and anyway, most of the men are married so they're not likely to cause trouble in a lap dancing club. She then get up, pushes Sarah aside, and heads out of the door.

Sophie is sitting with Faye on the bench in the street, when Gary comes along. Sophie tells him Faye would be better off going to school, it would take her mind off Seb. Faye doesn't want to take her mind off Seb, anything could have happened to him. Gary tells then promises her that nothing will happen to Seb, and hugs her.

Adam has arrived at Eileen and Pat's house, with a tale about needing to find a reference book from the office, he thought Billy had it. Pat is just on his way out, and can't wait, but tells him to have a look round for it and make sure he closes the door when he leaves. Adam then finds the box of Billy's pills in the kitchen and replaces them with the paracetamol he just bought, which, coincidentally, just happens to be red and white capsules, exactly the same as Billy's strong medication.

Gina and Shona are walking along, Gina is excitedly telling Shona about all her orders for hats that she's got to sew throughout the night. When she gets to her front door, she gets a text from the medical centre, reminding her to pick up her medication. She just stuffs the phone back in her pocket and goes indoors.

Aidan comes out of the factory door to be met by Eva who demands to know if he and Maria are back on. He wonders why she cares, she's now with Adam. He's confused about what she wanted to talk to him about, and as she turns away he pulls her arm back, causing her to lose her balance and fall down the steps. He rushes to pick her up, joined by Shona, who takes a very upset Eva home.

Gary arrives at Sarah's and tells her that he won't say anything about the incident with Bethany at the club to anyone. He tells Sarah that she's got every right to hate him, but she says she doesn't, she never could. He says everyone he cares about gets hurt and he can't fix it. She reaches up and kisses him.......

In the back room of the pub, Toyah is sadly looking at scan pictures, and then goes into the kitchen. Just then, Eva and Shona come in to the room, talking about her pregnancy and how she should have told Aidan. Toyah comes out from the kitchen. "You're pregnant?" she asks.

Anne Logan

Wednesday's second episode was written by David the Wavid and originally posted at Corriepedia. Reproduced with permission. http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_9362_(24th_January_2018)

Writer Susan Oudo
Director Judith Dine

Toyah isn't upset that Eva is pregnant and offers herself as a confidante.

Tim accuses Phelan of harming Seb. Eileen and Billy return to the Street with Summer.

Sarah and Gary are happy that they slept together.

Toyah drags Eva to hospital to make sure the baby is okay after her stumble.

Faye is angry with Tim for not protecting Seb and decides to move in with Gary but backs down when Tim promises to find him.

Eileen is afraid that Todd will never come back.

Amy is lost without her phone. Steve promises to buy her a new one if she can go without her tablet and laptop until her birthday. She accepts the challenge.

Tyrone and Kevin decide to hold a fundraiser in Luke's memory.

Gina ropes Brian into modeling for her.

Eva is checked over - she only has bruised ribs and the baby is fine. Toyah has to prompt Eva to inquire about the baby's sex. They're told she's having a girl. Eva doesn't feel anything towards the baby.

Billy and Summer move back into the flat and promise to look after each other.

Brian is surprised by Gina's exuberance and wonders if she's all there.

Steve and Tracy rub Amy's nose in it by constantly being on their phones. Amy thinks they're worse than her so Steve agrees to go without his phone for two weeks, buying her a new one right away if he fails.

Sarah tells Gary she has to talk to Bethany before she takes him back.

Eva is afraid that the baby will be a constant reminder of what Aidan did to her.

Billy hides the extent of his pain from Summer.

Aidan apologises to Eva for his clumsiness and assures her that he and Maria aren't an item. She spurns his offer of friendship and tells Toyah that she's considering a termination.


Friday 26 January
Written by Damon Alexis-Rochefort and directed by Judith Dine

Tim and Gary have been out searching for Seb but he's nowhere to be found. Sally thinks Tim's being melodramatic, besides which she's more worried that their bathroom is like Piccadilly Station at the moment with all the people living in their house.

Round at Platt Towers, Sarah has a lot on her mind. Should she go and support Gary at Anna's trial today? Bethany makes her feelings felt – if Sarah takes up with him again she'll be off. With that, Bethany announces she's going into town. Meanwhile, Gail is worried about this lap dance club where Bethany's working and she doesn't like the idea of all those dirty old men drooling over her granddaughter. Sarah's not happy about it either but what can she do? Audrey comes up with a plan. They know Bethany's not working today so the three of them should pay a visit to the club to see what they're dealing with.

In the cafe Gary's meeting with a man to talk about a job when Pat comes in. We discover the man's called Bill and he knows Pat. They shake hands and Bill tells Pat he and Gary were discussing the Legacy Reach project. Gary and Roy have to go to the trial so they leave Shona in charge of the cafe and Pat talking to Bill. It's clear he has the measure of Pat and knows him of old. After Bill leaves, Pat rings a man called George. He tells him he needs some dirt on Bill Thornhill.

Round at the Rovers, Leanne's back and she leaves Eva holding Oliver while she goes off to do something. Toyah can't help noticing that Eva's a natural with the baby. She asks whether Eva's spoken to Aidan and whether she'll tell Leanne but Eva wishes she hadn't said anything to anyone. Just because she loves Oliver doesn't mean she wants a baby of her own.

Over at the garage Zee's talking to Ty. He tells him that Alya's still in a bad way. She'd never even met Luke's family so she isn't involved with the funeral arrangements. Ty tells Zee he and Kevin were thinking of arranging an event to raise money in Luke's name for an anti-racism charity. Zee suggests they should involve Alya to give her something to focus on.

Eva has gone round to see Billy who is taking more of his painkillers but they don't seem to be working as he's clearly suffering. He tells Eva there's still no news of Todd.

Audrey, Sarah and Gail arrive at the club. Despite looking more than a little out of place, Lulu the hostess takes it in her stride and shows them to a table. Audrey asks for the wine menu and Gail reels in shock when Lulu says she'll send over one of the girls. "We don't want a lap dance!" she squeals in horror. As the women settle down we see Bethany come in. One of the girls was ill and she's been asked to cover. She doesn't spot her family and they also don't notice her arrive.

Back on the street Phelan is on the phone to his mate George who's come up with the dirt on Bill. But he cuts short the call when, to his amazement, Nicola walks into his office.

It seems that Nicola has had a complete change of heart. She tells Pat she heard that Anna was found guilty and realises she was wrong about him and has come to apologise for everything she said. She's even been back to see Lydia who admitted she may have misinterpreted some of the things Nicola's mother said. Nicola tells her father she's been taken for a fool. Faye watches from down in the street as Nicola and Pat stand on the balcony of the builder's yard and chat companionably together.

Round at Sally's, Faye is upset with the news that Anna's been given five years. And there's still no news of Seb. Faye lashes out at everyone, including Roy.

Over at the garage they're recruiting for Luke's replacement. A young man turns up and doesn't get off to a good start as he thinks they're joking when they tell him his predecessor died. Despite this, Ty says he'll meet him in the pub later.

Eva's off to the medical centre to talk through her options and Toyah's offered to go with her. On the way they meet Adam. Toyah pretends she's the one who needs to see the doctor.

We now go to the club where Sarah informs her mum and gran that the girl working the bar is studying for a law degree. Perhaps it's not as seedy as they first feared. Audrey's beginning to enjoy herself and decides to get another bottle of wine but Gail is still horrified at the thought of how the girls are being treated and voices her concerns to Lulu who wonders what exactly they're doing there. Audrey tells her that Gail's writing a book about lap dancers and she's doing some research. Meanwhile Sarah's mortified with embarrassment and just wants to go back home to her little boy - which is probably a good idea since, if David's at work in the salon, who is looking after him?

Eva and Toyah are back home and Toyah asks if she's made a decision. Eva tells her she needs more time but as soon as Toyah leaves the room, Eva makes a phone call and books an appointment for a termination.

Back at the club the second bottle of wine's having its effect and all three women are now enjoying themselves. That is until they look up to see Bethany appear, dressed for work. As Bethany starts to gyrate they all try to duck down in their seats.

We return to the street where Adam's in his office talking to Geraldine on the phone. He tells her Summer's back but not Todd. Eva swans in and cuts short his call. She's in a really happy mood and apologises for being weird the last few days. Eva tells Adam life's too short and they should go away on holiday together, the moment Billy is better. She blows Adam a kiss and tells him they can meet in the pub at lunchtime to decide where they're going.

Nicola is on her way out of the builder's yard with Pat when Gary comes along. He's understandably furious to see them together. Nicola tells Gary that his mother is guilty and a jury of twelve people felt the same. She then adds they all need to move forward and now's the time to build bridges, not burn them. Gary storms off then Pat tells Nicola she can always go and stay with him and Eileen if she'd like to.

Across the street, Geraldine sees Summer and hurries across to speak to her. Summer tells her grandmother she has to get to school. Geraldine says she just wants a quick word.

Back in the club Bethany is horrified when she spots her family. Lulu is not impressed and tells them to leave. They try to explain but Lulu orders "Madison" to go to her office at once. A furious Bethany tells Sarah that if they've ruined this for her she'll never forgive them.

Karen

Here I am again to round the week off. I am off on holiday again soon - does anyone fancy sitting in for a couple of weeks to provide update to our many readers around the globe? Please get in touch.

This is episode 9364. The writer for this episode was Damon Alexis-Rochefort and the director was Judith Dine. Copyright remains the property of ITV to whom many thanks.

We open inside Eileen's house where Pat and Eileen are warmly greeting Nicola on her return from Australia (Eileen is ignoring all the rumours that she never left the UK,a s well as Nicola's lack of a tan). Apparently she heard about Anna getting convicted and should never have believed a word she said. Eileen wants to break out the wine - Nicola can't and Pat is off to get work at the Mill. Pat is very pleased his girl is home.

Over at Roy's Rolls Summer is seeing Granny Spellman and telling her that Todd looked after her well. Todd is still on the run we are reminded but Granny says Summer needs to keep away from him. Summer has to get back to school. Summer says the reason Todd left was because Granny Spellman threatened him at Christmas - which she denies. Summer reminds Granny that Billy is her legal guardian and needs her following his accident. (And luckily the flat has a stair lift fitted for Izzy!). Summer makes her point strongly appealing to Granny's Christian convictions and goes off to school.

The three Platt witches (Audrey, Gail and Bethany) are having a brew and reckon that Bethany will get the sack. Audrey observes that you cannot be beholden to the whims of your children. Bethany storms in and as predicted and hopes that Sarah is happy that her interfering has had the result that Bethany has been sacked (I suspect Bethany is under age - anyone know?). Apparently two bottles of wine and a tip were £150 - so the club did well out them! Bethany says she had Craig on her case, then Gary causing a ruckus and now the three of them causing a scene! Audrey is surprised Lulu kept Bethany on so long (frankly given her dancing skills I am surprised as well). Bethany says she will find somewhere else to dance and it will be so well hidden that the family witches will not be able to find it. All three shake their heads.

Tim comes downstairs from Faye who is still crying as he tells Sally who has to go and open a Tattoo Parlour at 3pm as part of the council's inclusivity drive; soon she will have to officially open a crack den. Gary arrives. Visiting order requests have to be done online and he needs Faye's help. He also reports that Nicola is around being pally with Pat. Faye comes downstairs and agrees to help. Faye is not just upset about Anna but also that Pat is still there just across the Street. Gary promises to protect her.

Lulu is keeping an eye on the books when Sarah turns up at Tassels. Sarah apologises for earlier events and offers to buy Lulu a drink. Lulu responds by giving her five minutes. Sarah wants to talk about Bethany / Madison.

Nicola is leaving as Pat returns with the news that he has got the job at the Mill (what about the factory roof?) and Gary is out of a job. Nicola says that if she is sticking around then she needs to broker some form of peace deal with Gary. Eileen says they will be taking a non-judgmental stance - like Switzerland, but Pat says that Gary will not change. She drives off towards the Bistro. Pat in jolly mood invites Eileen to the pub.

At the flat Billy and Summer are bidding farewell to a police officer who has come to see if they have any news of Todd. Summer has confirmed that she was never in any danger from Todd. Billy is just concerned about the ammunition that Todd has handed Geraldine (Granny Spellman) to wrest Summer away.

Nicola has found Gary in the Cafe and drags him off in the car for a chat. As they get in the car Sarah gets off the bus as she has returned from Tassels and sees them "together".

In the Rovers Ty arrives with some papers to interview Josh. Ty gets the drinks and they go to the yard for a chat. Billy is updating Pat and Eileen on the police visit. Summer is holding up well and made Billy breakfast before going to school. Peter is keeping an eye on Billy. Adam arrives and Eva dashes to the bar to serve him. Adam confirms that Todd is unlikely to return soon as the police are after him. Eva observes that Billy needs him mates around him. Peter glowers. Adam wants a favour from his favourite uncle. Could Eva have the night off? Initially Peter refuses as he is by himself but they talk him around - Adam wants to chat holidays in the Bistro with Eva who promises to be ready in 20 minutes - something which both men doubt. Eileen is worrying about Todd but is pleased that Summer is safe plus Pat and Nicola have made up.

Nicola has taken Gary back to where she is living. He finds Seb is in the kitchen.

After the break, Seb asks after Faye and then explains that he went to Nicola as being the only safe place as he could not contact Gary (in hospital at the time). Nicola listened about Anna as Seb explained his story and she believes every word. Gary is pleased Seb is safe.

Bethany bounces downstairs and is ordered to sit down by Sarah. Sarah says she will not apologise for caring about her daughter but does show this by explaining that she has had Bethany / Madison re-instated at the dancing club. Gail cannot believe her ears. Sarah like most mothers would prefer knowing where her daughter was working than not knowing and Tassels is possibly the least worst option! She also credits Bethany with knowing her own mind. (Can we call her Madison from now on - it saves confusion with Beth?). There is a condition to being given the job back - Sarah cannot bring Gail and Audrey back to the club. Audrey has heard enough and is going home. She also tells Bethany that she should be grateful Sarah puts Madison (Audrey's word) first. Bethany apologises for being antagonistic over Gary and Sarah says it is over - she saw him with Nicola so that's that. They have both moved on. Sarah does ask Bethany that the next fella is given half a chance. Bethany agrees.

Ty conducts a strange job interview. It seems to depend on Josh's underwear and the fact that he supports County. He also changes jobs a lot - I wonder why? When they return to the bar they are talking about the fundraiser for Luke's memory. Apparently Josh did a charity boxing match at his gym last year. Ty seems interested in the idea. Josh is willing to help sort it out.

Billy is talking to Adam - it all seems to be under control at the moment. Anyway Billy admits that he could do with some stronger painkillers and we know Adam has some stored away at the flat. Billy wants them and asks Adam to drop them round later as his current supply are like a placebo and he does not want Eileen knowing. Adam agrees. Peter wants to know why Adam is being friends with Billy. But Adam does not say. Then an eye catching Eva appears having just bobbed something on! It is shimmery silver (if you want better than that and can do fashion descriptions then please join the update team!). Even Peter reckons she should be accepting an Oscar dressed like that.

No mobile phones at Sal's dinner table and Faye does not stop scrolling. She does not like her lamb burger so leaves it and goes to her room. Sally observes that whilst she feels for Faye if she is stopping then Tim needs to do more of his fair share. She thought the girls would be grown up and gone, no younger children. Now she has three! The washing machine is permanently on, the conservatory is like a laundrette and she can only spend 5 minutes in the bath before someone needs to use the toilet. Sally knows she sounds like a real cow. To placate her Tim suggests they share the spare lamb burger and it is cut in half!

Seb knows that Phelan will come after him and Nicola knew she had to help. Faye phones Gary - Nicola tells him to be careful - no-one can know where Seb is hiding. Gary tells Faye he has gone after a job. He will see her later. Gary needs to know what the plan is. Nicola is Pat's weakest link - he wants to trust her more than anyone else. She is playing the prodigal daughter, she is totally on his side, so she will have access to his home, his office, his phone, his computer and she is the only one who will be able to do that. And she is sure Pat would never hurt her or the grandchild.

Adam and Eva are talking about Italy and she tries to order a drink "Encore prosecco, por favor" - well almost! David and Shona are eating at an adjacent table and when Adam goes to the toilet Shona asks why pregnant Eva is drinking. Eva tells Adam a story about Stella loving Italy so Eva booked her a holiday to Tripoli as it sounds Italian. When they got there she found it was in Libya with a civil war going on - which explained the cheap flights. They found out at the airport desk - wearing heels, hot pants and halter neck tops. The guy on the desk asked if they were going to the right place? She says the name sounds very Italian! Eva is all booked in for the termination tomorrow (that will be Monday then).

Gail is eating a corned beef sandwich. She says she did not fancy cooking for one. Sarah tells Gail she saw Gary with Nicola earlier and Gail is sure there is an innocent explanation concerning the baby. Sarah says she is not bothered - she just wants to put her two children first and so must Gary. Gail: "If it wasn't for those pesky kids eh?". Sarah: "Here I am pouring my heart out to you - and you are quoting Scooby Doo?". (Well it made me laugh). And Gail admits she was trying to bring a smile to Sarah's pretty face. Sarah dumps the corned beef sandwich and a pasty and she is going to get the ingredients for a lasagne which she will make for them. Sarah is putting her family first!

At Dev's Sarah runs into Gary. He was going to come and see her and he greets her with a kiss. She asks about Nicola. He answers it was about the baby and Sarah says he does not need to explain. Sarah says that perhaps it does change things. They say they love each other but Sarah says it is too difficult - and that would appear to be that.

Nicola returns to the Street and sees Gary emerging from the shop. They nod at each other. Pat opens the front door when Nicola knocks and she is better now she has spoken to Gary as she has managed to smooth things over with him. There will be no more trouble from Gary. Pat smiles and then follows her inside number 11.

Roll credits.

Not sure how Seb was able to find Nicola - I thought she had moved several times and changed her phone number. Will the three of them be able to maintain the facade and bring Pat down? Somehow I doubt it.

Billy, Adam and drugs looks like being a bit nasty. Adam has too many dodgy contacts if you ask me.

And some nice comedy from Eva over Tripoli and Gail over those pesky children.

Not sure I like the ease with which Josh arrived and got a job on the Street - but obvious the garage is doing well!

Finally in the words of Mrs Dale I remain very worried about Emily Bishop or should that be Eileen Derbyshire? And I will add Malcolm Hebden to that thought.

KRW


Monday 29 January

Part 1 and 2 written by Chris Fewtrell directed by Audrey Cooke

Peter discusses how obsessed with mobile phones the kids are. Toyah's distracted. Eva comes in after a night out on the town and asking for some time off today. Toyah apologizes for putting pressure on Eva yesterday, agreeing that she's got a choice and it's *her* choice not Toyah's.

Nicola encounters Gary outside the Kabin. There is some small talk about a sports magazine she's bought for her father.

Faye doesn't want to go to school because she'll be the center of a lot of negative attention. Noticing Eileen come out of her house, Faye reckons her life isn't worth anything and wants to move away.

Carla's having a lie in and doesn't wake when Roy knocks on the door. He looks concerned.

Kate is back from Devon dressed in something I think she found in a Muppet Museum (long blue shaggy jacket). Aidan greets her and they chat about Alya not coping and having a hard time dealing with the garage having to hire someone in Luke's place. Kate sees Rana coming out of the cafe but blanks her.

Kate and Aidan enter the flat to find Alya wrapped in a duvet with a video game loudly running on the telly. She is not communicative at all.

Zeedan arranges to get change at the Rovers. Tyrone and the new mechanic, Josh arrive for a brew much to the interest of Maria who's there with David. They talk about the charity boxing match. Maria is interested. David doesn't think she could do it and gets all sexist on her so she's even more determined to join up and kick someone's backside. In memory of Luke, of course.

Later that morning, Shona notices that Carla still hasn't come downstairs. Eve comes wandering in. Turns out the night out also involved much alcohol since she's going to have a termination. She tells Shona she has to get on with things. She doesn't see any choice and is having the termination today. Shona offers to go with her.

Peter is enjoying converting the attic as a room for Simon. Toyah still hasn't told him about the baby. AT a booth, Nicola, Eileen and Phelan are having a drink and talking about the Mill project. He'll have to take on a few more bodies but it'll be financially worth it.

Elsewhere in the pub, Peter and Brian recall the old days of boxing. Sarah comes out to the bar from the back room. She and Shona give each other cautionary looks.

Carla is sitting at the table putting her face on when Roy comes in to check on her. He points out her condition is responsible for her being extra tired and he urges her to tell her family. He doesn't understand why she doesn't. She leaves with him trying to follow her out the door. Downstairs, Shona sees Carla and says she looks good but Carla counters with "appearances can be deceptive" Yes. Well. Toyah comes through the door and she apologizes, telling Carla she's forgiven and is unbanned.

Over at the counter, Shona lets slip exactly where and When Evan's having the termination.

Alya apologizes to Kate. Zeedan and Rana arrive. Alya admits to Kate that it still not sunk in some days. Zeedan tells Alya about the fundraiser and hopes she'll help organize as she would be good at that but Kate is unsure. He urges her to pitch in, it would be good for all.

Toyah arrives with at the clinic with Eva. No strings, just coffee.

David arrives at the salon with a cup of hot chocolate in a takeaway cup that isn't from Roy's. They chat about the boxing match, Maria telling them she fancied the challenge. David is sarcastic, a jumped up grease monkey is all he was. He accuses Maria of doing the match only because she fancies Josh which she denies. Shona isn't pleased with is attitude.

Phelan chats with Aidan and Carla about the new factory roof. He explains the two options he has, one being far more expensive, of course. He leaves the ideas with them to discuss. Carla confirms that Aidan still wants to run the factory. He does but feels awkward asking such things in return.

Eva and Toyah wait in the clinic. Toyah subtly keeps the pressure on and Eva admits that having the termination is the most difficult think she's had to do. Eva doesn't want to give the baby up but things would be too awkward if she had it. She couldn't cop if Aidan knew about the baby.

We're in the cab office now where Faye comes in after school. She thinks she could always move close to the prison where her mother is. Anywhere but there on the Street. Eileen returns with a bag of shopping. Faye is stroppy with Eileen over Phelan and Tim backs her up. He reckons if she's supporting her husband, knowing what he's like then that's it. She's sacked.

At Nicola's house, she and Gary and Seb discuss Phelan's extreme reluctance to have Eileen go to look at the Mill project site. Gary doesn't know why Phelan would take on a huge job if he's cut costs so much that he isn't going to make any money. Nicola reckons he's hiding something. Gary points out that it would be difficult to look around. Unless, she says, Gary got a job on the site.

The nurse comes out to fetch Eva. Toyah tries one last thing. One of them wants a baby and can't have one and one is pregnant and can't have one.

Part 2

Toyah is proposing that Eva have the baby and give it to Toyah and she would pretend the baby was Jacquie's. They'd have to come up with a reason for Eva to leave town until the baby was born. Eva isn't sure but cancels the termination while they figure things out.

Gary isn't sure working with Phelan on a building site is the safest and sanest thing to do. Nicola thinks Phelan will give him a job if she asks. He agrees but Sarah and Faye have to know. He thinks they can keep quiet about it but Nicola points out that if he's wrong and they can't, then Phelan will come for them too.

Dev tries to sell Kate one of those pizzas he's had stored on an unchilled unfrozen shelf which doesn't seem to be very hygienic or safe! But he's good at his job, she doesn't question it and buys two! Sophie comes in and is pleased to see Kate who tells her she's going to try to keep Alya's mind off things for a little bit. Sophie asks Kate out for a drink sometime after the funeral. Kate is surprised to hear that Rana thought it a good idea. Kate gently says she's got to focus on Alya though she's not against the idea.

Leanne comes in to pick Peter up for a meal with Simon. They encounter Eva and Toyah. Eva has to bluff about the beauty course she was supposed to be taking and Toyah backs her up. Toyah tells Eva they have to be 100% certain about this.

Roy mentions a friend with kidney problems to Rana who assumes Roy is the patient. He says he isn't, it really is a friend but Rana can't do much really. They need to see a doctor. Kate comes into the cafe and sees Rana. Kate is annoyed that Rana pushed Sophie her way and hisses that she'll start dating again when she's good and ready. They have a hushed argument with the end result that it's still off between them.

Eileen brings Steve in to the cab office to fight her corner after Tim sacked her. And he does fight her corner, pointing out you can't sack someone because you don't like their spouse. He'd take them to a tribunal and wipe the floor with them. She defends her husband and tells them they're daft to swallow Anna's lies. Faye takes umbrage and shouts at Eileen.

Shona is with David in the pub and she's been quiet. He pushes and she wonders why it matters to him who Maria fancies. He rightly says that this new crush, Josh, is the latest in a long line of "meat heads". He realizes she's jealous of Maria and doesn't need to be. Shona spots Eva and hurries over to her. Eva pretends there was a mix up at the clinic and she didn't have the procedure. Eva then tells Toyah she'll have to lie low one day soon so it looks like she's had it. Just then Jacquie comes in to see if Peter and Toyah are all right after hearing the sad news about the miscarriage. Toyah tells Eva not to let Peter go through to the back if he returns.

Kate returns Carla's keys to her and tells her that Sophie asked her out. She turned her down because she still has feelings for Rana and it wouldn't be fair. Carla encourages it. Might be fun!

After the break, Toyah is serving up tea. She tells Jacquie she doesn't know if she'll try again after all the disappointment she's been through. Jacquie encourages her. It would be a shame because she'd be such a good parent. Eva watches Toyah usher Jacquie out the back door.

Out in the bar, Rana has come in for a drink, looking down and out pretending work was rough today. Josh comes in and gets permission to put up a poster about the charity boxing match. Sophie asks about it and he tells her there will be some training and then she'd be matched against someone with a similar ability. The punters get into a discussion with Josh and David metaphorically circling each other. David doesn't think it makes sense, non-professionals doing something like that. A regular charity box would gather as much money and nobody would get hurt. Shona thinks it's a great idea and is going to do it. She might even get to fight Maria!

Alya tells Kate that Steph is arriving late that night. Kate promises to read the poem at the funeral that Alya sent her. Alya is really in a bad place, she's lost so many important people, her mother, father and now Luke. She tells Kate it feels like she's just waiting for the next disaster.

Dev tells Steve and Eileen he mis-ordered pizzas and ended up with 200 which he's been storing all over the neighbourhood. He tells her that Steve even took 8 of them which looks bad but Steve, looking embarrassed, says he did put them in the freezer.

Peter returns and tells Toyah he saw Jacquie getting on the bus. Toyah spins a lie that Jacquie and her family are moving to Dubai for her husband's new job. Peter isn't sure about it but Toyah thinks it wills till work out fine.

Nicola has Gary in hand when she's trying to persuade Phelan to hire him. She will need the money for maintenance after all. Phelan offers to pay for what she needs but she insists she should get what she's entitled to, no handouts. She needs to keep her independence. He gives in. She scolds them, telling them she doesn't want the baby's father and grandfather at war and if they can't deal with it, they won't see the baby at all. Gary makes out that he's been persuaded as well, gives Nicola a knowing look and leaves.

Carla still hasn't told her family about her kidney problems. She doesn't want Aidan to feel obliged to donate a kidney since she bailed out the factory. Roy reckons Aidan would be far more eager to help than he would be worried about the factory. She doesn't want to put them on the spot. She wants to wait a bit first and then tell them. He bluntly tells her she'll be dead by then and she's got a chance, a chance Hayley didn't have. If she squanders her life out of pride, he will find it hard to forgive. Ouch. You can tell that strikes home.

David doesn't want Shona to be in the boxing match but she insists and Josh teases David about not being fit enough. David changes his mind and decides to do it. If she can do it, so can he but she doesn't like that idea because of his epilepsy. She drags him off to one side, insisting that the fitness training is ok but the fighting is not on, not if it could lead to a seizure. Josh goads David, teasing him as a henpecked partner so David signs up after all.

Gary tells Faye that he's been in touch with Seb and he's ok. Gary pretends not to know where he is because Seb was too scared to say. Faye is not best pleased that he called Gary and not her. Tim has decided they should move, maybe to his dad's to get away from day to day exposure to Phelan. He reckons Sally will go with him, as wife trumps Mayoress. Maybe.

Sophie has been to the chippie and sees Kate on the street. Kate has left Alya on her own as per Alya's instructions. Sophie talks about how hard it was when Maddy died and that the funeral did help make it more real. Kate then tells Sophie she would like to go out once the funeral is over.

Eva comes into the back where Toyah is having a drink. Toyah admits she doesn't want to stop trying to be a mother and the two women agree they're going ahead with their plan. Now they have to figure what that plan is other than Eva will have to go away, too.

Tvor


Wednesday 31 January

Yasmeen tries to persuade a very sad Alya to have some breakfast, but Alya doesn't want anything, then she looks out of the window and hurries outside.

Across the Street, Steph is staring at the shrine of flowers and candles put up for Luke outside the garage. Alya goes over to her, and gives her a hug. Pat Phelan, all dressed for the funeral in his black suit and tie, then comes out of Eileen's house and sees them. He stops and stares.

Aidan goes over to the pillar box and, after a brief hesitation, posts a letter.

In Sally's house, Tim is saying to her that it's not safe there any more and he's going to take Faye to his dad's for a bit, he'd like her to go with them. She tells him he's being silly, but he says he'd rather be silly and still breathing. She thinks he's being dramatic, Phelan might be dodgy but he's no murderer. Tim remarks that she should try saying that to Luke. He's adamant, he's going and he's taking Faye with him, it's up to her if she wants to come.

Steve is in the taxi office with Eileen. He asks for a go with her phone, but she refuses, she's waiting for a call from Jason to see if he's heard from Todd. Then she gets up, she's off to the funeral. As she goes out, Tracy comes in with Amy, apparently the pipes at school are frozen so Steve can look after her for the day. Steve protests that he's working, but Tracy says she can't take her to the funeral.

At the crematorium, Alya sits with Steph and then Tracy comes in and sits down next to Maria, wondering out loud how many of Luke's exes are there. Just then music plays, the doors open, and the coffin is carried in. Pat and Eileen come in behind and sit at the back. Tim mutters that he's got a nerve, and Eileen wonders if they should be there.

Back in the cafe, Eva and Toyah are talking about their plan. Eva has to go somewhere where nobody knows her until the baby is born. Toyah asks what she's going to tell Adam, but Eva doesn't know yet.

Behind the counter, Roy has made Carla a cup of tea, but before he can take it up to her she comes downstairs and rushes out past him.

Kate is reading a poem at the funeral, which is very emotional.

Carla is in the bistro with Michelle, who is wondering why she's not at the factory with Aidan. Carla says he's a big lad and she's leaving him to get on with it. Just then Daniel comes in late and full of apologies. He's been writing a novel late at night. He gets chatting to Carla who points out that the girl he loves is now free and single so he should go after her.

Steph is now speaking at the funeral, tearfully telling the congregation about their childhood and what a great brother he was. Then his favourite song plays and the curtains close on the coffin.

The funeral is over and Alya is outside, looking and the flowers and crying. Yasmeen, Zeedan and Rana go over to her, and she sobs that Luke died because of her, she brought the Parker brothers into their lives, it's her fault they killed Luke. Yasmeen tells her that she must not blame herself for one second. Alya doesn't want to go to the wake, she can't face everyone, so Zeedan suggests they go to the bistro and have a quiet drink.

Eva is sitting in the cafe on her own. Shona clears the table and tells her that if she needs to talk, she'll listen. As she moves away Eva's phone buzzes with a message from Adam. She doesn't respond to it.

Gary is sitting in the pub when Bethany comes over and gets all stroppy with him. Gary tells her he came to the club because he was worried about her. Pat and Eileen come in and stand at the bar, Pat looks over to Gary, glaring.

Sally and Kevin are sitting at the table, and she's talking about Tim's plan to take Faye away. She asks Kevin if he thinks Pat is dangerous. Kevin admits that he hates Pat, but doesn't think he's capable of murder. Eileen guesses what they're talking about and turns around and accuses them of talking about her and Pat. Just then Tim comes in and says that as long as she's knocking about with Pat they don't want anything to do with her. Then he sits down with Kevin and Sally, telling her that's why they have to leave. Pat turn to look at Gary again and tells Eileen it's all down to the Windasses, liars every one of them, and her so-called mates are too stupid to realise it. Eileen turns and walks out.

Sophie and Kate into the bistro, followed by Rana's brother, who tells her that their dad has promised some cash for her and Zeedan to set up the business. Steph comes in and Michelle gives her a hug and says she's sorry. Steph tells Alya she made Luke happy, she mustn't forget that. They raise a glass to Luke, and Sophie gives Kate a hug, something which isn't missed by Rana.

Tracy gets home to find Steve and Amy playing Monopoly. She asks Amy if it's been the worst day ever because she didn't have her phone. Steve goes off into the hall and pulls his phone out of his coat pocket and has a crafty look at it.

Back at the bistro, Steph remarks that she was surprised to see Pat Phelan at the funeral. She thinks Andy might have got in touch, but he didn't. She thought Andy was 'the one' but now she doesn't believe in that any more. Daniel, behind the bar, says that he believes everyone has a soulmate. Rana and Kate look at each other.

Michelle goes and sits down next to Carla, and comments that she looks terrible and wonders if she's going down with something.

Kate is having a cry and Rana goes over and tells her they can still be mates. Kate tells her they can't, and tells her to stay away from her.

Carla steps out of the bistro and starts to stagger, she then collapses against a wall.

Back in the Rovers, Phelan starts to goad Gary into a fight by making remarks about Bethany and the club.

Zeedan goes home and finds Rana crying. He tries to comfort her but she starts to tell him she's a bad person, and then says she's sorry, she never wanted to hurt him, but she's in love with someone else.

Anne Logan

This update is brought to you by the good folks at Corriepedia, reposted here with permission.
http://coronationstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_9368_(31st_January_2018)

Writer John Kerr
Director Audrey Cooke

Zeedan demands to know who the other man is and if she has slept with him. Admitting it's gone on for months, Rana goes to pack her bags while Zeedan tries to cope with the shock.

Phelan pushes Gary past breaking point and he goes for him. Tim pulls him away while Phelan laughs off the incident.

Tim overhears Sally telling Gina that she thinks her husband is losing it.

Brian finds the unconscious Carla and waves down Roy as he passes in his car. Roy gets his help putting her in the car to take her to hospital.

Rana leaves No. 6 as Zeedan tells her never to return.

Daniel tries to woo Sinead with the gift of a plastic Venus flytrap but she tells him it's too soon.

Phelan tries to give Steph his sympathies but she tells him she knows that he's an evil blackmailer. He retorts by asking her where Andy is on the day of his friend's funeral. She tells him she's sticking round for a while.

Zeedan goes through Rana's things and finds a handwritten love note on bistro notepaper.

Amy almost catches Steve with his phone.

Zeedan rushes into the bistro and goes for Robert. Michelle orders him into the kitchen where a shocked Kate confesses that she's the "other woman". Rana walks in on the conversation along with Robert and Michelle and Zeedan realises from their faces they all knew about the affair.

Sally returns home and finds Tim packing to leave. She's contemptuous of his fears but he walks out, advising her to lock the door behind her to keep Phelan out.

After tests, Carla is told she needs a course of dialysis and a transplant. She realises she needs to tell her family of her condition.

Adam offers Eva a two-week holiday in Portugal but she gives him a series of excuses.

Carla returns home and Roy swears Brian to silence.

Kate is puzzled when Aidan apologises for not being a better brother. She tells him about her affair. Carla summons them to see her.

Amy finds recent texts on Steve's phone.

Gary asks Phelan if they can put up a pretense of getting along for Nicola's sake and as Eileen is present, he is forced to agree.

Aidan and Kate offer to get tested to see if they are a match for Carla.

Rana calls on Zeedan to ask for his forgiveness but his only response is to demand his wedding ring back, saying she's nothing to him anymore.



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