Thank you very much Susan on your debut here. Hope you enjoyed it, but
now you are back with an "old regular".

Warning:  Please don't sit too near the monitor as my wife has an awful
cold and cough and she may come by and pass it onto you. ;-)



We start part two as Janice is wandering around the hotel looking a bit
unsure.  The Concierge asks if everything is alright.  She confirms it
is and says she would like to take a drink at the bar.

Dev, Steve and Paul are still on the golf course.  Dev is cheering as he
tots up the scores.  Paul complains about the weight of the clubs, or it
could be that his new shoes are rubbing.

Cilla comes into the kebab shop and asks for a drink.  She is told she
is too late, that it has all gone.  Hayley then comes in.  Roy
introduces her, to which Jerry patronisingly says that she must be a
super-model (he obviously isn't aware of her history!).  He offers her a
kebab and a drink from a bottle that had put by.

Back on the golf course, Paul is still having getting the ball out of
the bunker.

In the hotel Janice finally meets up with Leanne.  She is surprised to
see Janice there.  She explains that she forgot to take her mobile
phone.  Janice tells Leanne that while she has been waiting she has
realised a couple of things.  She knows that Leanne is not a property
agent.  She also knows that she is a prostitute.  Leanne tries to defend
herself by saying she is an escort and works for an agency.  Janice just
tells her that it is cheap and seedy, to which Leanne remarks about the
posh hotel and the rooms upstairs are excellent.  Janice remarks that no
doubt the ceilings are probably very nice!   Leanne tells her that she
doesn't understand.  So Janice asks to be told what bit is wrong when
Leanne gets a phone call.  She meets a bloke in a hotel, she drink with
him, laughs at his jokes, and then goes to the room where she drops her
drawers for him and takes his money.  At this point the Concierge comes
over and tells "Rachel" that her taxi is here.  Of course that confirms
Janice's suspicions that despite Leanne's denials she is ashamed.

Paul finally manages to get the golf ball in the hole.  He says that he
is going to take the clubs back to the shop he bought them from.

In the Rovers, Hayley tells Roy that she thinks that Jerry is a nice
man.  Roy says that Jerry wants to dovetail their services.  Roy doesn't
look too convinced though.

Peter joins Maria for a drink.  They talk about her ex-boyfriend.  He
says that he met Charlie and he was a bully and psychopath.

While Rita is getting some drinks Norris is with Doreen and notes that
she is uncharacteristically quiet that evening.  She says that she is
saving herself for the final sprint.  Norris looks bemused and she
explains that she is going to race him home!   Rita having returned with
the drinks suggests to Norris not to take Doreen on for a race as she is
faster than she looks.

Jerry goes off to the Rovers.  On the way he passes Janice and tells her
that the kebabs are very good over there.  Then, Les sees Janice and
asks her if she caught up with Leanne at the property exhibition.  He
wonders if she was surprised to see her.  Janice replies she certainly
was surprised.

Jerry offers Gail and Sarah a drink.  Gail doesn't seem to pleased, but
he says the only way they will get to know each other is if they talk.

Steve and Dev are talking about their golf match with Paul to Leanne.
Janice comes into the pub and sees Leanne and turns round and walks
out.  Leanne goes out after her.  Leanne catches up with her at home and
finds Janice searching through her things.  She presumes that Leanne is
on drugs.  Leanne tells her that she is doing an honest day's work.  The
men know what they want and are willing to pay for it.  Sometimes they
just talk, Leanne confirms, and she can always say no.   So, Janice asks
if she could do it as well, but then gives Leanne her answer by saying
she is too old or too ugly.   Leanne just says she wants to better
herself.  She wants to move away from the dismal and pathetic place
where she lives.

Steve and Dev are still on a high about the golf.  Paul hands them their
winnings, but asks for a re-match. Steve says he may get himself some
clubs, or may borrow Paul's !

Jerry tells Gail and Sarah that he quite likes it in this
neighbourhood.  He says everybody is friendly.  Gail says that they try
to be considerate, especially not playing loud music.  Jerry tells her
that it is alright, David can turn his music up as loud as he wants !!

Deidre is discussing her concerns with Ken.  She just feels that Tracy
is not telling them everything.  Ken thinks that maybe she is winding
her up.  Deidre says she is trying to help her, and wonders why she
can't see it.

Jerry says he must go to Gail and Sarah.  After he has gone Sarah says
to her mother that she really "told" him.  Gail replies that everybody
must get on talking to each other.

Doreen tells Rita that there are going to be repairs done to her flat
and that she will have to get out.  She explains that they want to move
her to a really awful Estate.  Rita suggests that she moves in with her
as she has plenty of room.  Doreen feels embarassed as Rita doesn't want
payment, so they agree on 5 vodkas and tonic a week en lieu of rent.
Norris comes back over and looks somewhat surprised when Rita tells him
about Doreen moving in.

As Maria leaves the Rovers, Tracy comes in; she is worried that Peter
maybe talking to Maria.  Peter explains that he was giving Maria a hard
time, but was sticking up for her.  She wishes he would convince their
mother.  She is talking to people such as, Claire, Gail and Steve behind
her back.

Janice goes into Jerry's with Leanne in there. They begin to talk and
Les pops in.  He says he is so proud of Leanne.  He then goes off on a
job.  When he is gone Janice questions wherether he would be so pleased
if he knew what she was doing.  Leanne confirms she is still going to
carry on, everybody does it, not necessarily for cash, but for presents,
clothes, dinner etc.  She tells Janice, if she wants her to stay she'll
have go get used to it.


And now as I rush to my wife's aid with another box of tissues, I wish
you a fond farewell !

--

This e-mail has come from

Martin Rosen

All outgoing e-mails are checked
for viruses by ZoneAlarm

Hi everyone, here’s the update for Wednesday 21st March.

Vernon is in the back rooms of the pub, lavishly smothering his hands with
hand cream.  Liz saying she’s been looking all over for that, and demanding
to know what he’s doing with it.  He explains that he has to look after ‘the
tools of his trade’.  “And we’ve got a lot of work to do today,” he says,
looking at them lovingly.  Liz agrees, there’s a delivery coming.
“Actually,” says Vernon, “I was talking about drumming practice.”   Liz
points out that he is the cellarman, but he says he now has to be careful
lugging those crates about. Liz isn’t impressed.

In the Barlow residence, Tracy is very much on the defensive.  Deirdre
suggests they go into town for some shopping. “Oh yeah, I’m going to need a
whole new wardrobe in prison, aren’t I?” snaps Tracy.  She goes on to say
she doesn’t know why Deirdre doesn’t have her tagged like they do with
prisoners, so she will know exactly where she is.  Peter tells Tracy to give
it a rest. “Me give it a rest?” explodes Tracy, “what about her, questioning
me, cross examining me?”  Deirdre says that she can’t help worrying, she’s
her mother. “Are you?” says Tracy, “sometimes I wonder!”  She asks why
Deirdre can’t just believe her.  Deirdre says she just wants the whole
story.  “You know all a mother needs to know,” says Tracy.  Peter then leaps
up from the table, tells them all to put a sock in it, he’s sick of
listening to it every morning, it’s driving him mad.  He storms out of the
room.

Janice and Leanne are walking down the Street.  Janice wants to know how
Leanne got into the prostitution in the first place, it might help her to
understand.  Leanne tells her that when she was in Spain she did a bit of
escort work, nothing more than that, but one night she met a client who was
‘well fit’ she was going to go back to his room with him anyway, so the
money was just a bonus.  “So are they all like that?” questions Janice, “all
drop dead gorgeous?  Good company?”  Leanne tries to say that she has a
choice. “Do you?” asks Janice, sounding like the doesn’t believe a word of
it.  Leanne tells her that she’s sorry Janice doesn’t like what she does but
it’s her decision and she’s happy with it, and she’s earning more money than
she can ever hope to earn round there.

Roy is just putting a board up outside the café, giving details of the day’s
‘Specials’.  Fizz comes along and states that he’s pulling out all the
stops.  Roy looks puzzled and says he doesn’t understand. “All’s fair in
love and fast food!” laughs Fizz.  Roy says he’s not a purveyor of fast
food.  “Not when Vera’s behind the counter, that’s for sure!”  Fizz laughs
again. Roy says he can handle a little healthy competition. Fizz says that
is about the only thing that is healthy about the place next door.

She walks on and passes Jerry putting out his eye catching  board.  “Morning
Roy!” he calls.  Roy looks round, chalk in hand, and frowns.

Jerry goes inside and starts chatting to his family, saying he’s glad Roy
didn’t cut up rough about them opening up on his doorstep. He’s wants him to
stay friendly.  “You never used to say that about rival chip vans,” says
Jodie. Just then Tyrone comes in and orders a kebab and drink, confessing to
them that Molly wouldn’t really approve.

Over in the factory, Janice is sitting at her machine, lost in thought.  The
girls start to ask how Leanne got on at the property exhibition – did she
manage to sell anything?  Janice murmurs that she doesn’t know and then
jumps up from her seat and goes into the office, where she asks Liam if she
can have an advance on her wages. Liam turns her down, nicely.

Back at Jerry’s fast food place, Granddad is trying to get Jerry’s little
daughter (sorry don’t know her name) to help him work a scam.  Jerry
overhears and sends his daughter off out.  Then he turns to his father and
tells him that she won’t make any friends by conning people on her own
doorstep.  “I don’t want you teaching my kids con-tricks,” he says. The
Granddad points out that he was doing time when Jerry was conceived. “It’s
not an honest world we live in,” he says, “there’s no rights and there’s no
wrongs.”   “Yes there are!” says Jerry.  He admits there might be some grey
areas here and there, but he wants his kids to know where the line is.

In the factory, Janice approaches Fizz and asks if she can borrow some
money.  “How much?” asks Fizz reaching for her purse.  When Janice says she
wants a couple of hundred pounds Fizz looks at her in disbelief.  “You’re
kidding aren’t you?”  she says, and tells her she’s skint.  “Why don’t you
ask Leanne?” she suggests,  “she’s minted.”  Janice turns and puts on her
coat, saying there’s something she’s got to sort out, and to the amazement
of all the factory girls, she rushes out.

Vernon and Liz walk up to the delivery lorry. Vernon complains that Buddy
Rich was never seen lugging around barrels of brown ale. “Well, I doubt he
ever lived over a pub in Weatherfield,” says Liz.   As Vernon starts to
unload the barrels, the delivery driver comes round from the front.  It’s
Liz’s friend Derek. “Oh, hello!” she says, taking the clipboard from him.
She then turns to Vernon and says that as there’s not a lot there he might
as well go back to his drumming. As Vernon disappears, she turns to Derek.
“I was hoping it might be you,” she tells him, and goes on to say she wanted
to explain about the other night, she felt bad, blowing him out at the last
minute.  He tells her he understood and was fine about it. She asks him if
he’ll come in for a brew, or something stronger when he’s finished out
there.  He says he will.

Across the road, Janice is sitting at the bus stop, holding some packets
with jewellery in, and looking thoughtful.

In the factory, Liam and Paul are in the office.  Liam suddenly notices that
Janice is still not at her machine, after being told she was in the toilet
half an hour earlier. He goes out and asks the girls where she is.  Fizz
makes up a story about a dodgy kebab and says Janice had to rush off home
quickly.

Liz and Derek are in the back room enjoying a drink.  Above them comes the
sound of Venon, drumming.  The conversation turns to the running of the pub,
and Liz remarks that it’s not all sweetness and light, and sometimes she
wonders if she wasn’t just a little bit too old to take it all on.  He tells
her that there’s no other landlady that can hold a candle to her. She thanks
him for being understanding about the other night, and he tells her he was
hoping they might try again another night, if she can get away.  Just then
Vernon calls from the hallway. “Any chance of a brew,” he calls, “I’ve got a
tongue like a drumskin here!” Liz turns to Derek and thanks him, but says
that she feels that maybe things turned out for the best. He writes his
number on a piece of paper and tells her to ring him if she changes her
mind.

Maria is entertaining Peter in her flat.  She’s cooked him a meal.  The
conversation turns to the trial.  He thinks Tracy has got a strong case,
Charlie was a head case, he’s got the scars to prove it.  “But I haven’t,”
says Maria.  “Whatare you trying to say?” asks Peter.  Maria explains that
Charlie might have had rucks with blokes, but never laid a finger on her, or
Shelley or any other woman as far as she knows. “It was Tracy who took a
swing at me,” she says. Peter reasons that she was Charlie’s mistress, he’s
want to keep her sweet, and he was able to get to Shelley without resorting
to violence. “Most women get beaten up behind closed doors,” he says. Maria
comments that she’s never had Tracy pegged as a victim, she doesn’t seem the
type. “Still, you know her better than I do,” she adds. Peter looks
thoughtful.

In the pub, Steve, Dev and Paul are discussing golf clubs. They start
talking about a rematch, and Paul says he’ll fix it up.

Ken and Deirdre are sitting at a table, discussing Tracy. “She takes offence
whatever I say to her,” says Deirdre.  Ken thinks she’s under a lot of
stress. “Well if she thinks this is stressful, wait til the prosecution
start baiting her,” says Deirdre.  They decide to go home, and Ken goes over
to the bar where Tracy is drinking. “We’re off now,” he says. Tracy says
moodily that she doesn’t know what time she’ll be in. “Why must you be so
hostile?” asks Ken. “Because I feel so let down Dad,” says Tracy, “by the
one person I should be able to count on!”  She says this loudly, looking
over towards Deirdre. Ken tries to say that she can count on Deirdre, she
just needs a little more…..”Faith!” Tracy finishes for him, “the word is
faith!”  Ken assures her that they are right behind her, they love her.
“Come home Tracy and we’ll talk this through before more damage gets done,”
he says.  She nods.

Across the Street, Peter is taking his leave of Maria. “Thanks for that,” he
says, “I’d forgotten what normal life is like.”  They say they’ll have to do
it again soon. They stand in the road, and he kisses her, just as the  other
Barlows come out of the pub. “Oi!” shrieks Tracy, running across to them,
“what do you think you’re doing?”  Shouting and yelling, she runs at Peter,
as Maria runs back into her flat. Tracy starts hitting out at Peter, as Ken
tries to pull her back and get her to go home. Behind them, as all this
fracas is occurring, Deirdre starts to gasp as she struggles to get her
breath. She clutches her chest and leans against the wall.  Ken sees her and
rushes over.  Ken turns round and shouts to Peter and Tracy to shut up and
call an ambulance.

Jerry, his son and his father are in the pub.  The son asks Jerry for some
money and Jerry hands some notes over, telling him he’ll take it out of his
wages.  As the boy goes off, Granddad turns to Jerry and says that he
shouldn’t give him handouts he’ll make him soft.  Jerry says he’d rather
give him money than have him make it the way his father did.  “You never
went without,” says Graddad.  “You were always in stir,” says Jerry, “but
I’m always going to be here for my kids.”

Janice sits herself down next to Leanne.  She tells her she’s pawned some
jewellery.  She hands her 400 pounds and says that should keep her going
until she finds a proper job.  Leanne says she can make that in a night. “I
know you mean well,” she says.  “Of course I mean well,” says Janice, “I
might not be your mother, but you are the nearest thing to a daughter that
I’ve got.”  (What about Toyah, she is Janice’s real daughter?)   Janice
starts to get tearful, and Leanne tells her to save her tears. She says in a
couple of years she’ll be set up for life. She has no intention of stopping.

The paramedics are at the Barlow’s house.  They tell Deirdre she’s had a
panic attack as a result of increased stress.  They suggest she goes to her
GP, and in the meantime gets some rest.  “So it’s my fault!” says Tracy. Ken
says it’s no one’s fault and hustles her out of the room.  When he’s shut
the door, Deirdre starts to cry and turns to Ken. “You were wrong,” she
says, “it is her fault.  There are too many questions.”  She tells him she
knows that Tracy’s explanation about David Platt was a lie, she can tell by
the way she behaves when she tries to ask her about it. “There is something
not right here Ken,” she says. She’s also suspicious of Tracy’s friendship
with Claire, because Tracy has as good as said she is just stringing Claire
along, and she knows that Claire never saw Charlie harm Tracy. “Surely
you’re not suggesting that Tracy invented anything?” asks Ken. Deirdre says
she doesn’t know what she’s suggesting, but she knows that Tracy wanted the
barrister to coach her into what to say to make her story sound credible,
she wouldn’t need to do that if she was telling the truth. She also wonders
if Tracy should really have been as calm as Peter said she was at the plea
hearing.  “You know Tracy’s capable of anything,” says Ken, meaning to
reassure her.  “Oh I know that, Ken,” says Deirdre, “that’s why I’m scared
to death right now!”

Anne Logan.

_________________________________________________________________
Match.com - Click Here To Find Singles In Your Area Today!
http://msnuk.match.com/

Oh, things are getting very tense at the Barlows' as
we get closer to Tracy's trial. However, this Friday
we open in the back gardens of the "new" houses.

Jerry and Darryl are fiddling with the fence when
Claire comes out with a basket full of washing to hang
out. Jerry asks if she's lost weight. Claire goes all
coy and Jerry prompts her to invite them in for a cup
of tea. He and Darryl pop back into their own house
while Claire answers her phone. Of course, it's Casey
calling to make arrangements to meet. Gail is leaning
on the fence by her garden with a very strange look on
her face. They talk about Jerry (yes, with their
voices carrying past his back door) and Gail says his
deafness is selective. Claire tries it out by asking
quietly if Jerry fancies a custard cream with his
cuppa. "Make it a bourbon, love, and I'm yours for
life!" comes Jerry's voice from inside his house.

It's breakfast time in the Barlow household and
Blanche can't understand why Deirdre isn't down, if,
as Ken says, she's feeling better. Peter says it was
just a panic attack, not a full-blown nervous
breakdown, and Ken explains that Deirdre is just
tired. Blanche is determined to find out why Deirdre
had the panic attack. "Something must have triggered
it!" Tracy has prepared a tray for Deirdre and, of
course, that makes Blanche even more suspicious. "Name
me an occasion when you ever waited on your mother
from your own choice." Tracy accuses Blanche of
"sitting there like Paris Hilton" and says she won't
be talked to like that in her own house. "Strictly
speaking, it's the finance company's house," Peter
points out. They continue sniping at each other until
Ken loudly threatens to bang their heads together.

In the Kabin, Rita's remembered Sheila Frith who could
yodel and was double-jointed at the elbow. She and
Norris are interrupted by Doreen, who brings in a
bottle of bubbly, which she says is her rent. Doreen
asks if Rita minds if she "brings a few bits".

Tracy is outside the bookies when Peter comes out. She
snipes at him about Maria and he says Maria is just as
much a victim as Tracy is. "I'm free to see whoever I
want to see." Tracy tells him she hopes he's better at
picking horses than he is women.

Leanne is hunting for something. She picks up a mobile
phone and makes a call. "Janice, in case you're
checking MY messages on MY mobile, I'm onto you, and
you're in big trouble!"

Peter goes into the salon to apologise to Maria for
Tracy kicking off. He says Tracy's under a lot of
pressure, but Maria retaliates that Tracy's just a
right cow and she wishes people would stop making
excuses for her. Peter tells Maria he likes her -- in
fact he distracts her from the shampoo she's supposed
to be doing -- but she says that even though she likes
him too, it's just not worth it. Peter doesn't think
Maria should be swayed by Tracy stamping her foot. He
leaves Maria looking very thoughtful.

Dev and Steve are too busy discussing golf to pay any
attention to the customer in the shop. Grandad Morton
has to wait for Molly to come through from the back
before he gets served. He buys three lollipops, which
he says are for the grandkids. He tells Molly that
he's only got a £20 note. As she gives him his change,
he says he used to have a shop and he's got some
advice for her: "Kick him into the bunker." He points
at Dev.

Deirdre's going at the vacuuming like a woman
possessed. Ken points out she's supposed to be taking
it easy. Tracy comes in and starts to say how pleased
she is to see her mother up. "Don't!" snaps Deirdre.
Tracy says she was just . . . "Trying to be nice!"
interrupts Deirdre. "I know. Well, don't! You're
freaking me out."

Back in the corner shop, Dev and Steve are still
talking golf while Dev serves on auto-pilot. Kayleigh
Morton interrupts to point out that she gave him a
£20. Dev says he's sure it was a five. But Kayleigh
insists. "It's got a flower on, if you don't believe
me. My dad told me off -- said it's treason to doodle
on the Queen." Lo and behold, when Dev checks, the top
£20 in the cash drawer does indeed have a flower on
it. He apologises profusely and hands over another
£15.

Grandad Morton is waiting outside. Kayleigh gives him
the thumbs up and they high five!

Deirdre is worried about whether she can give evidence
in Tracy's favour. "You saw her with Maria last night
-- vicious!" Ken says the easy answer is not to take
the stand. Deirdre laughs, then realises he's serious.

[break]

Tracy goes into the Rovers and looks very pleased to
see Steve. Gail tells her she's counting the days
until the trial, but she doesn't expect Tracy feels
the same. "He'll do you justice, I know he will," Gail
says. Once Gail's gone, it takes Tracy two mouthfuls
to almost finish the glass of red wine that Steve's
put in front of her. "Can you sing Ten Green Bottles
at the same time?" he asks. Tracy tells him about
Deirdre's panic attacks, in a very unsympathetic way.
"All she has to do is say her name, not bump into the
furniture and go on about what a wonderful daughter I
am!" She thinks everyone is trying to get their own
piece of her tragedy. "I mean, how self-indulgent can
you get?"

Deirdre thinks there will be a second murder charge if
she tells Tracy she won't give evidence for her. Ken
says David's evidence will swing things in Tracy's
favour, but Deirdre isn't sure she can believe what
David says. "Ken, we have had a lifetime of Tracy
pushing kids around, from Bessie Street on..." Ken
says Claire is a grown woman with a mind of her own,
and doesn't even like Tracy. "Whereas David likes her
too much!" Deirdre says. She tells Ken she doesn't
want him to agree with her. She wants him to prove her
wrong. Ken says she's right in that she won't survive
on the stand. Two minutes with an opposition barrister
and she'll blurt out her feelings about Tracy. Either
than or have another panic attack.  "For Tracy's sake
as well as your own, you've got to pull out." Deirdre
agrees, but tells Ken, "This is huge. It's got to come
from me."

Next door, Tracy wants to go upstairs with Steve to
burn off some energy. Steve tells her that if she's
stressed, he'll make her some chamomile tea. He says
Deirdre is like his mum, like Eileen and like Janice
-- she'd rather cut her leg off than admit she had a
pain in it. If Deidre's collapsed and seen a doctor,
Tracy should listen. "You are no fun," she says.  In a
booth, a mobile phone goes off. Leanne scrabbles
towards the sound and finds her phone in Janice's bag.
There are three missed calls listed -- the one she
made and two from the agency. "Good!" says Janice.
Leanne is furious. "This isn't going to make me stop,
you know. This is just going to get me sacked." Janice
thinks Leanne's gone hard. "Yeah, 'cause I was like a
Barbie doll before," Leanne sneers. "Well, harder,
then," Janice says. Leanne tells her they're more
alike than Janice thinks.

Claire meets Casey by the canal again and starts
talking to her about the court case. Claire is worried
she'll do something wrong at the trial and let down
Tracy, but Casey reassures her she won't. She reckons
Tracy will be sleeping better just knowing she's got
Claire on her side.

Norris is amused to see that Doreen's "bits" take up
most of Jamie's taxi. "I'd hate to see the size of her
'bobs'," says Jamie, handing over yet another carrier
bag of stuff.

Casey suggests Claire pick one person in the court and
talk directly to them. And all the lawyers and judges
in their wigs, "they sit on the loo just like you and
me." She suggests Claire bring Josh next time.

Rita tells Jamie to just keep unloading. "There's a
good tip in it for you." Norris can't believe Doreen
is only staying a short time. Rita hushes him, saying
Doreen can stay as long as she needs and she needs to
know her treasured possessions are safe. "And have you
been to that estate lately?" Rita asks. Norris hasn't.
"Well, I wouldn't leave an Alsatian there unattended!"

Janice and Fizz are on a fag break when Leanne turns
up. She hands Janice a brown envelope. She says Danny
Baldwin gave her a cheque for £50,000, but it didn't
mean nearly as much as Janice pawning her jewellery
for £400. They apologise to each other. Leanne says
her job is a lonely one and she quite likes having
someone she can be honest with. Janice wants Leanne to
tell her names, places and times when she goes out.

Jerry goes home, having spilt pickled onions down his
trousers. His family is sitting watching telly and he
asks Grandad what he's doing there. Darryl sees
Kayleigh texting and asks where she got credit.
"You've been crying poverty all week." Jerry, on his
way, trouserless, upstairs, rushes back and turns off
the TV and snatches Kayleigh's phone. "Rule number
one, don't dump on your own doorstep," he says. "You
look shifty, the pair of you. How much." Kayleigh
confesses to the scam. Jerry says he wants her to work
three shifts in the shop for nothing and she'll get
her phone back when he's bought £15 worth of drinks
for Dev, Kayleigh can have her phone back. Grandad
points out that it wasn't all Kayleigh's doing, but
Jerry says Grandad is past saving. "She isn't." He
thinks feeling guilty have a good effect on Grandad.

Leanne swans into the Rovers and hands Janice a list
before telling Fizz and Jamie and Steve that she's off
to see a client. Fizz goes to sit with Janice and
congratulates her on making up with Leanne.

Tracy is showing off something Amy did at nursery.
Deirdre sits her down and tells her she's not up to
giving evidence. Ken's found out more about panic
attacks. "If I get on the stand, the pressure will get
  to me and I won't be able to go through with it."
Tracy is indignant. She wants to know how it will look
if Deirdre's name is removed from the list of
witnesses, after the opposition has researched her and
planned their questions. "We haven't done this
lightly," Ken says. Tracy accuses them of taking
advice from Peter and Maria, "before coming to the
most selfish decision of your lives! She rants that
she's undermined and criticised every day in her own
home, "though why I should be surprised, I don't know.
I should have expected it from the last time I lived
here." She's ignoring Deirdre, who is clearly in
distress and gasping for air. "Oh, give the woman an
Oscar!" Tracy shouts. She says sarcastically that, of
course, Deirdre's breathing problems are nothing to do
with the hundreds of fags she's puffed on today. "This
is great. If you can pull off a performance like this
in front of an audience of two then why can't you do
the same for me in court? Why can't you show people
how much you believe in me? "GET OUT!" screams Ken.
"Get out before I throw you out!" Deirdre gets enough
breath back to say: "Why? That's a very good
question." She clutches her chest again.

The End
Margaret Carr

And so it all comes round.  Corrie and other lesser soaps originally
existed to entertain and divert viewers between the advertisements to
enable products to be sold to the masses who saw television as a new way
of publicising their wares.  This worked for many years until (careful
now - abusive words included) EastEnders appeared.  With no products to
sell the writers and directors and production team could look to
introduce "art" into their offering and so we got a new form "the
two-hander" where the writers took two long running characters and
effectively wrote a playlet for a single episode, with no-one else being
allowed to speak; I believe the first was Den and Angie (sorry) but I
remember two which have since followed with affection - Dot and Ethel
was an excellent example and I had the sincere pleasure of writing the
update for Norman (Curly) Watts and Raquel when she returned late one
night to explain why she left and how she had borne Curly a child.  Even
The Archers (famed for always having 7 characters in every episode) has
done the two hander - the night Kathy discovered that boring old Sid had
been bedding Jolene (in showers as well as elsewhere) - luckily they are
all good friends now.

And these days I sometimes think that the production team reach for the
two hander a little too easily and perhaps the story needs and perhaps
not.  As you dear readers know I have not believed the Tracy / Charlie
story as appropriate to the Street and I am deeply unhappy that I now
have to write an update on something I almost see as a travesty to the
greatness of The Street and the history it represents as well as its
contribution to the development of television and the attraction it
represents to even famous names.  In defence of the cast this is only
the second time The Street has turned to the two hander and so I can
claim that I am the only update writer ever to have written the updates!

But before starting the update can I just commend the late Valerie
Barlow (nee Tatlock) on her second stunning contribution to Doctor Who.
Whilst Valerie might have had 15 million viewers at her funeral her
performance as a murderous alien last night almost had us hiding behind
the sofa, especially as she almost killed the Doctor - deserves much
wider viewing.  Those who have not seen should make sure they do so, so
much evil with a straw.  The Barlow girls represent a formidable
collection of actresses!

It is the night before the court hearing and Deirdre (hereafter D) hands
Tracy (T) a glass of wine and tells her only the one - no hangover
tomorrow.

T starts with an apology for causing the stress - but as D observes that
is nothing new.  T wants to know that she is still loved and D responds
- T is her daughter and of course she is loved - she is not upstairs
sleeping with Rod Stewart (watch out Rod - do not volunteer to appear in
The Street - you will end up bedding D) rather than going out of her
mind downstairs.  T can see this is not a fun evening!!

They start arguing over nothing snapping at each other.  D picks up a
leaflet on panic attacks - essentially we are all animals and it is
either fight or flight and which route did T take when Charlie attacked
her - "Fight of course - hence the statue" (talking of which prior to
its pivotal involvement in the action had you ever seen it in the Stubbs
living room - someone should find out when it was bought).  Again the
argue.

D having wound up T says she wants to know the truth - D knows her
better than anyone, carried her for nine months (why do mothers always
say that?), she hears the words saying one thing and the eyes saying
something completely different.  D "knows" that there is something wrong
and she wants to really "know"!  T decides again on Fight rather than
Flight and tells her mother that the only problem is her (D).  Her own
mother does not believe that Charlie beat her within an inch of her life
(as if) and when she lashes out in self defence her own mother (the one
who carried her for nine months) turns her back on her (T).  {By the way
if you are not following this I am sorry - essentially it is back and
forth and relentless, the whole thing appears to have been shot in the
dark and knowing who is talking is not always easy).

D denies turning her back on T (but come on D - this girl hardly earns
your support).  As mother she has fed her, clothed her - but she always
wanted more, better stuff, better treatment, always forgiven for her
mistakes - even Date Raping Roy Cropper (T claims she never laid a
finger on him), selling Amy (well the little girl knew nothing about it
T claims), taking Ecstasy and ending up on life support.  T thinks she
might have ended up getting her wrists slapped over that one - but as D
observes it is always about T - she is completely selfish, by this time
D is in tears, saying that she was only rescued because her beloved
Samir, the only man she has loved had lost his life - although T can
hardly be blamed for his death as T states - and anyway what about the
man upstairs - T snickers was Samir the real "love" of your life?

D tells us what we know - that she was feeling down and Samir came along
and made her feel special again as a woman - and now she is stood there,
mocking her mother and the kidney inside her is the only good part of
her.  She opens T's handbag and finds the tablets she has to take daily
- but never in public - is she ashamed of the kidney?  So if she hides
the drugs what else does she hide?

T comes back in full flow - she only took drugs to get away from her
mother, the little house, the geriatric furniture, kitsch wallpaper,
your glasses, your necklines, your moaning, your coughing and everything
always stinks of fags.  Stunned at the outburst D pours herself another
glass of merlot (me I am surprised that she did not just swig the
bottle).  T continues - another drink.  I remember your tacky perm, your
loose morals (T is really going for the jugular now).  "Oy Tracy Barlow
your mum's a slag" was all I heard at school - I never knew who was
going to wake up in your bed next.

The next bit was replayed on Harry Hill last night.  Deirdre throws off
the Dreary tag and socks it to Tracy with a slap around the face.  Turns
round and grabs not only her glass of wine - but also the entire bottle
- before dashing out to the back yard.  Most of us wonder why she only
got a smack for that outburst - attacking a known killer is not a good
way of staying alive.

In near pitch black in the yard D is smoking.  T tries to recover the
situation - the perm was not that bad and it was the eighties when they
were common.  D says that T must not show that vicious side to the judge
and jury.  T says that the only thing she really resents is that T was
brought up hating Ray and she does not blame her mother for hating her.
D denies she hates her mother but she does not love her very much,
indeed she will lie for her daughter - providing she knows what she is
lying about and she needs to know what really happens.  In the dark T's
eyes widen - her "Get out of Jail Free" card has just been delivered.
You will go on the stand and lie?  D nods.  T hisses she cannot say it
outdoors and D will come indoors when she has finished the fag.

T knows that if she tells the truth her mother will hate her - but D
"knows" that T was suffering abuse, she was even burned with an iron.  T
smiles - "What if I said he never laid a finer on me?".  D is puzzled -
what does she mean - after all she saw it.  But as T points out no-one
ever saw any actual event and T gets up and picks up an iron and places
it against her arm.  D gasps - but as T points out this time the iron is
cold - it has been off for half an hour.  T has one of her wild grins on
her face and D has a cold shock of realisation that they have all been
played for fool.

T says that she planned it all.  She had planned the perfect murder from
the time that she found about Maria's affair and that Fatty Arbuckle
(come back Shelley we all miss you lots and lots) was pregnant by him.
So what did she expect - D responds that she could have left him - Oh
really mother - I stayed with him.  Because you loved him says D.  Oh
pur-lease says T exasperatedly.  D is starting to get the point - "You
went back to him because you were planning to kill him?  I can handle
this" she says as re-assurance "I promised I would you are my daughter
and you are breaking my heart.  T cries "I know what I did was
unforgivable, I have let you down [not for the first time is it
either?].  But D points out that Claire saw it - locked in her room, she
heard screams".

The T smile widens.  She saw diddly squat. Just because I scream now
does that mean you hit me?  D - "But David did see it - the attack, your
defence".  Tracy smiles more and shakes her head.  "That boy will do
anything for me!".  D finally grasps that D is lying - but why?  T nods
- she does not care so long as he takes the stand and lies convincingly.
But what does David stand to gain?  T knows "The fellas are putty in her
hands - it is one of those things she has inherited from her mother -
Sexy Specs.

D asks if she has slept with David.  T does not answer.  "You burnt
yourself with an iron?"  "Are you out of your mind?"  T grins again - it
was all worth it. And finally D asks - and that night - did he really
attack you?

The T grin is out of control - she is manic now - she answers that
Charlie was in a really foul mood that evening and he played his part
brilliantly.

D breaks down crying and yet laughing at that last comment.  T asks why
- D responds that she is so pathetic, T would say anything to make it
all look better for her - has it all got to her so much - being a
battered wife so that she could take her revenge on Charlie's
infidelities?  T tells D to get a grip - as if she would let a man hit
her ever!

Jackpot - D has finally worked it all out.  She needs nicotine!  T
follows up "Charlie was an evil evil man who deserved to die and (usual
selfish bleating from T follows) I do not deserve to do time for it."
Then she realises that her mother is about to crumple (she cannot light
her fag).  "Don't desert me now mother, talk to me."  D goes through the
kitchen and into the yard.

D says that often standing in the yard she can hear police sirens, the
police helicopter and the wave of crime in the world - but always
someone else's child.  And now this makes her such a hypocrite.  T says
that none of this is D's fault.  D thanks T for the words of support but
they are hollow in view of the mouth they come from.

Back indoors emotions calm just a little.  T picks up the leaflet.  T
says D has two options - Fight or Flight - fight for me or run away -
which will it be?  D is exhausted and asks T to leave her alone.  T
fears that she has blown it completely and says quietly "Night then".
She walks into the hallway and sits on the stairs and starts to cry. Are
they real or for her mother's benefit?  Given the lighting we will never
know but being the updater I go for the second option.

So will Tracy go down?  Will she miss Amy growing up?  Either way of
course she is leaving the Street and it will be much quieter without her
and Steve having regular set-tos.

No doubt she will re-appear in a few years to nurse Dreary in her
Blanche years and the intervening time will seem almost as nothing.

I now return you to normal updates.
--
K Richard W

This week it is me that has a bit of a cold, so once again I urge you
not to sit too close to your monitor!


The trial begins.  The prosecution present the opening arguments.  They
put forward that the law recognises it is justified for someone to fight
off an attacker; a desperate woman using self-defence.  The fatal blow
to the head; well he had it coming.  Then the prosecutor explains that
it was none of this, in fact Tracy was making a cynical attempt to get
off.   It is an insult to the genuine women who live in fear of their
partner.   The prosecution calls its first witness, Jason Grimshaw.
Tracy doesn't look happy at that.

Over at Jerry's house, his daughter, Kayleigh wants to go back to live
with her mother so she can be with her friends.

In the courtroom Jason explains about Charlie's affair with Maria.  When
asked how Charlie reacted when Tracy found out and went back to her
mother's.  He responded that he thought it was a "fair cop".  Asked how
he was when Tracy returned to him, he said "surprised".    Jason goes on
to say that Charlie always thought that Tracy was playing some sort of
game to get her own back.  She would have arguments for no reason, and
lock herself in her bedroom.  The prosecution sums up Jason's evidence
by saying that he thought Charlie was fed up and going to chuck Tracy out.

Back home at the Barlow's, Deidre is in the backyard lighting up a
cigarette.  Ken is watching from an upstairs window.

It is the defence turn to question Jason.  He is asked whether, when
Tracy went back to her mother, did she take her clothes and other
belongings with her.  He doesn't know.  He also questions Jason why did
Charlie say to him that it was "one of those things" .  He wonders if
Charlie used him as a confident, a sort of sounding board while he was
mixing cement?!!    Jason responds that he did all the mixing !!!!!
The defence wonders whether Charlie was hiding  his true feelings for
Tracy.  Was his pride hurt?   Could Charlie have been lying to him?  The
prosecution calls to the Judge that the defence is going too far.  The
defence then says that he has no further questions.

[You maybe interested to note that, in real life, the Judge is Mrs
William Roache]

At the Barlow's, Deidre wonders if she was too easy with Tracy when she
was growing up.  She was punished when she did things wrong, and was
kept in for a week.  However, normally after a few days she would get
under her feet, so Deidre would suggest that she has learnt her lesson
and could go out.  She realises that she should punish a child.  Ken
asks whether she is going to testify against her.  Deidre realises it is
a balancing act.  If she does testify against her, then she won't be
sent to prison for 20 years and then get time off for good behaviour, it
would be forever.  She feels she would be dead by the time she would
want to speak to her again.  Ken says at the rate she is smoking you are
likely to be anyway.   She feels she can't do it, Tracy is her daughter
and it would be like punishing herself.

Liam tells Jamie that there is one rule for the house.  The rule is
there are no rules,  except that the fridge must be stocked up at all
times, but not necessarily with food.  Leanne comes to the house.  She
is surprised that Liam is there.  She tells Jamie that someone put in a
higher offer for the house.  Liam smiles and says it was too good an
offer to turn down, to which Leanne replies that she didn't really want
it anyway.

Claire is getting nervous about her court appearance tomorrow.  She goes
round to the butcher shop to see Ashley, who says that he is too busy to
talk.  She says she will go and see Casey, who will listen to her.

Liz goes into Jerry's fast food outlet.  Jerry smarms that she has lost
weight.  She orders a child's portion of chicken nuggets.  Jerry says
that isn't enough for her, but Liz explains it is for her
granddaughter.  He also gives her a pot of bubbles.  (I don't know what
they are called, we used to have them as a kid, it consists of soapy
liquid and a small wand with a hole at the top, and you blow through it
and create bubbles!).

Over in the courtroom, Maria is next on the stand.  She is asked by the
prosecution if she ever felt threatened by Charlie.  She says she
wasn't, but was threatened by Tracy when she found out that he had been
sleeping with her.  Tracy attacked her in the street.

Deidre is in the back garden, smoking away again.  She hears voices from
the Rovers yard next door.  She looks over and it is Liz playing with
the bubbles with Amy.  Liz says that she thought that Deidre would be in
court, but Deidre confirms she is not due in until later in the week.
Liz then suggests to Deidre that she joins in, but she declines saying
it wouldn't be fair to give Amy a lungful of smoke.

Tracy's defence barrister asks Maria if she knows if Charlie was ever
violent to anyone else.  She says he once tried to drown David Platt.
He asks how old David was at the time, and Maria says fifteen.  The
barrister confirms that he was never violent towards her, but he was
against a fifteen year old boy.  Maria confirms that it is correct.

Next into the witness box is Peter.  The prosecution confirms that he
went round on the night of the murder.  He is asked how long it was
before Tracy opened the door.  He says he was knocking for several
minutes and he couldn't hear anything inside. Eventually, Peter confirms
Tracy opened the door and she was on the phone to the police.  He tells
the prosecutor that the place was in a mess.  Charlie was on the floor
with a knife in his hand.  He said he then went upstairs and picked up
Amy.  The prosecutor confirms that Amy was upstairs and out of the way.

The defence takes over questioning Peter.  He reminds Peter of the fight
that he had with Charlie a few days previously.  Peter says that Charlie
came at him from behind and punched him.  He was knocked unconscious
before he had a chance to defend himself.  He says Charlie was a psycho.

In the park Claire and Casey are talking.  Claire is worried she may say
the wrong thing at the trial and it could end up with Tracy being sent
to jail.  Casey offers therapy - a bar of chocolate.   Josh is taking
pictures around and Claire suggests that he takes a picture of the two
of them eating the chocolate.

Back at the court room, the forensic expert is called by the
prosecution.    He claims that after receiving two blows to the head,
Charlie would drop the knife.  The prosecutor were there any other
wounds on Charlie that could have possibly led to his death.  The expert
says that he found various marks and bruises on him, but they were a day
or two old.  There was nothing, he confirmed that were inflicted that
day. He is then asked if he examined Tracy.  He confirms he did and that
there were cuts on the back and front of her left hand.   He says they
were not deep, but enough to inflict pain and bleeding.  He is asked if
she would have been able to pick up the murder weapon.  He says that she
could have done with a bit of difficulty, and would have left some blood
on it.

Blanche whispers to Emily who are observing the case, that he hopes the
defence barrister earns his money.

The barrister asks the forensic expert whether it would be medically
impossible for Charlie to keep hold of the knife even though he had
fallen unconscious.  The expert confirms that it would not be
impossible.   He also asks whether in the midst of the struggle she
could have found the strength to use her other hand to lift the murder
weapon, and therefore there would be no blood on it.    Again, he
confirms it is a possibility.

Jerry is on the phone to Kayleigh's mother and asks her to speak to her
daughter.  Kayleigh tells her that it is unfair of her father to expect
her to go to school on the final week of term.  (We always did!).  Then
she sees Jerry setting fire to her school tie.  She then runs over to
Jerry and thanks him for allowing her to go back to her mother's.

Over in the Rovers, Sarah tells Jason that she has had a text message
from Candice.  She is getting married in Greece, and she wants her to be
a bridesmaid, and she is paying for the tickets for both of their tickets.

Back at the Barlows, everyone arrives home from court.  Deidre asks how
it went.  Peter says it was a bit of swings and roundabouts.  He says
that some of the evidence looked bad but Tracy's barrister came
through.  They were arguing, according to Peter about the angle of
impact, and blood stains.  Tracy looks at her parents and rushes
upstairs saying she has had enough for one day.  They were worried at
one point about the forensic expert, but Blanche continues that the
barrister ripped him to shreds.  Blanche continues that the defence
barrister got the expert to confirm that it was possible for Charlie to
be standing at the time and then fell back into his chair.  Deidre grabs
a cigarette and goes into the backyard.

Ken follows her out and Deidre tells Ken that he was sitting down when
she murdered him.  Ken says that they don't know that definitely.
Deidre is unconvinced by Ken.  She realises the type of person Tracy is
and asks how she could possibly testify for her.

The trial continues.


As you know there have been two endings filmed.  We won't find out for
definite until next Monday whether she is guilty or not guilty (in the
eyes of the law).   Your next court reporter is Anne.

--

This e-mail has come from

Martin Rosen

All outgoing e-mails are checked
for viruses by ZoneAlarm

Hi everyone – here’s the update for Wednesday 28th March – another thrilling
instalment as Tracy’s trial continues!

In the Barlow household, Tracy is preparing for her day in court, carefully
applying her make up.  Deirdre wanders in from upstairs, looking gaunt and
worried. “Do you think I’ve got too much eye make up on?” Tracy asks her,
checking her appearance in her mirror.  “Anyone would think you were going
on the stage,” remarks Ken, dryly.  “Well, in a way I am,” replies Tracy. “A
lot rests on how I come across.”  “Worried you might fluff your lines?  Or
miss your cue?” asks Ken with more than a hint of sarcasm. Tracy mutters
that she has to stay focused. “Even though you’re just going to stand up and
say a load of lies?” Deirdre asks her.  She goes on to say that not everyone
finds it as easy to lie as Tracy does, and in fact, she doesn’t think she
can.

Leanne marches purposefully up to Janice who is waiting to go into the
factory.  One of the other girls mutters that Janice must be really proud of
her.  “Oh I am,” murmurs Janice.  Leanne tells Janice her plans for the day
– starting with a ‘client’ in Bolton, then lunch at an Italian restaurant,
she might be gone all night, but Janice isn’t to worry about her.  Her taxi
then arrives and she rushes off.    As she drives off Janice looks down and
sees that Leanne has left her handbag on the factory steps.  She runs after
the taxi shouting, but isn’t heard.

Back in the Barlow’s, Tracy turns on Ken. “It’s you that’s behind all this,
isn’t it,” she snarls, “you with your moralising and your hand-wringing!”
Ken tells her there is another way, she could tell the truth. Tracy shouts
that she can’t change her story now, they would throw the book at her.
“They would see you as a woman who knows the difference between right and
wrong,” says Deirdre. “Rather than a cold, calculated murderer,” says Ken.
“And what? So I get a warning?  Community service maybe?” scoffs Tracy.
Deirdre tells her that whatever way she looks at it she’s in serious
trouble. Tracy is adamant that her way there is a chance that she might walk
free, but Ken says there’s a chance she might get twenty years.  Deirdre
thinks they’ll be more lenient with Tracy if she tells the truth.  Tracy
then turns on the emotional blackmail and tells Deirdre that she thinks more
of Charlie than she does of her. “If you’re not on my side then you’re on
his,” she tells Deirdre. “It’s dead simple – I lose, then he wins!” Deirdre
looks tormented.

Time has obviously passed, because we then see the Barlows arriving at the
court.  Jane, Tracy’s lawyer greets them and tells that that they may all be
called today, but it depends on how long Tracy’s testimony last.  Deirdre
needs to go outside for a cigarette and Ken tells her that even he doesn’t
begrudge her one today.  As she turns to go, Tracy goes after her.  “Not
more emotional blackmail Tracy, please,” says Deirdre, rushing through the
doors.

Outside on the steps, Tracy catches up with her and apologises for being so
horrible.  “You must do what you think is right,” she says, “it’s just that
I am so scared.”  They hug.

In the factory, Liam discovers that one of his workers may have left, and
Karla tells him that she can get him another worker, from the same source as
Vicky.  Liam says he doesn’t think that’s a good idea, as hardly anyone
speaks to her.  “Exactly,” says Karla, “she keeps her head down, all my lot
do.”

In the court, Tracy’s barrister calls her to the stand, and she takes the
oath.  Ken rolls his eyes!  Her counsel begins by ascertaining that she
lived with Charlie at No. 6 for about six months, prior to the night that
Mr. Stubbs died. “I killed him,” says Tracy, “I’m not going to lie to you, I
killed him!”  She goes on to say that she deserves to go to prison for what
she did. Her barrister says that the fact that she struck the blow that
killed Mr. Stubbs is not in dispute, but they have to find out whether it
was an act of self defence. Tracy starts to cry, “He was good man and I
loved him and he loved me!”  Ken looks at her with disapproval, and shakes
his head.

Back in the Street, Kayleigh Morton is waiting for her mother to come and
pick her up.  She’s going back to live with her. Jerry tells her she can
clean her room before she goes, and her brother and sister start arguing
about who is going to have her room. Jerry mentions that he’s going to be
starting on an extension soon.

Tracy’s barrister says he wants to take her through the sequence of events
after Mr. Stubbs discovered that she was planning to leave him. Tracy
mutters that she should never have packed her bag. In a broken voice she
tells the court that Charlie had a dark side.  Most of the time he was a
really nice bloke, but when you’ve got a two-year old……  She then says that
she could have handled him better.  Packing her bag was like a red rag to a
bull. She tells them that he threatened her, she was afraid for her safety.
Laying it on really thickly, Tracy says she pushed him too far, she should
have tried to calm the situation. The barrister reminds her that Charlie
burnt her arm with an iron.  Tracy says he never meant to hurt her, she just
wasn’t a good enough girl friend. She tells them that on the night he died
he went into the kitchen and got a knife and slashed at her with it and cut
her hand on the front and the back. She says she just grabbed the nearest
thing to hand, closed her eyes and took a swipe at him, meaning only to
catch him off balance.  “I wasn’t aiming for his head,” she sobs, “I just
wanted him to drop the knife, I wanted him to stop!”  She weeps, very
convincingly!

Outside the court room, David, Claire and Deirdre are waiting to be called.
Claire is doing her Sudoku puzzles and urges the other two to do them too,
it might take their minds off things.  Deirdre snaps that she doesn’t want
to take her mind off it all, she just wants to get her head straight. Claire
apologises and tells her to remember it’s not just Tracy they are fighting
for, it’s victims of domestic abuse everywhere.

Tracy is describing what happened after she had bludgeoned Charlie to death.
   How she rang the police and wanted to get an ambulance to him. “Hoping he
would still be alive,” she cries, “and he was, but not for long.”

The counsel for the prosecution stands up.  She checks that Tracy’s hand was
bleeding after being cut with the knife. Tracy says that it was. “So it was
bleeding when you grabbed the ornament?” says the barrister, “then how do
you account for the lack of your blood on the ornament?”  Tracy stammers
that she doesn’t know, she must have grabbed it with one hand. The barrister
asks her to show them, and puts the ornament in front of Tracy. “Show me
how, please,” she says, “show us as best you can.”  Tracy clasps the
statuette with one hand, but it’s large and obviously heavy.  “Now show us
exactly how you struck Mr. Stubbs,” says the barrister.  Tracy tries, but
it’s obviously too heavy to hold with one hand and she almost drops it.
“Struggling, Miss Barlow?” says the lawyer.  “Well, I wasn’t at the time,”
snaps Tracy.

Leanne is having a meal in a restaurant with her ‘client’, who looks like a
nervous businessman. Just then Janice rushes in. “You left your bag behind,”
she tells her, “you can’t work without your whip and balaclava!”  Leanne
looks furious and the businessman looks terrified. “What are you playing at,
Leanne?” Janice says to her.  “Shove off,” says Leanne. Janice turns to the
man. “Let me guess, your wife doesn’t understand you?”  she quips.  “I knew
it would go wrong,” says the man, and leaves hurriedly.

Back at the court, Claire is in the stand, but she’s using it as a soapbox.
“There are too many men like Charlie Stubbs out there, and too many women
like Tracy,” she says.  The prosecution barrister asks the judge if Claire
can be kept to just giving the relevant facts and not provide biased
opinion. Claire ignores her and tells the court about Shelley, who was
afraid to go out of the house. The judge tells Claire she cannot be allowed
to continue like this, and orders the jury to disregard what they have just
heard. Tracy’s barrister asks Claire if she kept a diary of events. Claire
says that she did, and was prompted to keep it after she found that Tracy
had been locked inside her bedroom. “By whom?” asks the lawyer. “Who do you
think?” says Claire.  She says that Tracy tried to cover for Charlie then,
and also when he burnt her arm. “You were present when that happened?” asks
the barrister. Claire admits that she wasn’t.  “She was under his spell, you
see,” she says.

In the restaurant, Leanne is still furious with Janice. “You pull a stunt
like this again and I will go,” she tells her. “I mean it, Janice.”

The prosecution counsel stands to question Claire. She asks Claire if she
ever voiced her concerns to Charlie over his relationship with Tracy. Claire
says he was the last person she would have spoken to. “So you never saw the
need to get the other side of the story?”  Claire is adamant that she knew
what was going on. “Besides, he could charm the birds off the trees, could
Charlie Stubbs.”  The lawyer asks how he behaved with her.  Claire says he
was civilised, but she thinks he knew she was on to him. The lawyer then
asks Claire if she was on any medication at the time she was keeping the
diary. “What’s that got to do with anything?” asks Claire, immediately
flustered. She’s told to answer the question so she admits that she was on
anti depressants, because she was recovering from postnatal depression. “Is
it true that you were sectioned under the Mental Health Act?” asks the
lawyer. Claire tells the barrister she is trying to blacken her name.  The
lawyer then asks Claire if she ever, at any point, witnessed Mr. Stubbs
abusing Miss Barlow.  “No,” says Claire.  The judge adjourns the court.

Back in Coronation Street, Kayleigh’s mum has come to pick her up.  Jerry
asks his ex wife where Finlay is.  She says he’s out with his mates
somewhere, she doesn’t know where. “Devoted as ever?” says Jerry. Kayleigh’s
mum then asks him for money, “I can’t afford to keep her,” she says, so
Jerry hands her over a wad of notes. “Money for her, not you,” he says.

The Barlows have arrived at home. “Bravo!” says Ken to Tracy, “a masterly
performance!”  And tells her that her picture of blind devotion was very
compelling, utterly convincing. Tracy says she has to fight her corner,
seeing as they are all dropping like flies. Tracy is worried though, that
she has not convinced the jury, and now they have made Claire out to be a
looney.  She turns to Deirdre, “Mum, I am really desperate, I am staring
down a barrel here.”  Deirdre says she knows what she has to do. “She’s
still my daughter,” she tells Ken, “Charlie was an evil man,” she turns to
Tracy, “and if I’m not on your side, I’m on his.”  Tracy, much relieved,
hugs her. “Thank you!” she says.

Anne Logan.

_________________________________________________________________
Solve the Conspiracy and win fantastic prizes.
http://www.theconspiracygame.co.uk/

It's Friday and the trial continues.

As the opening music fades, Ken spots Deirdre coming
around the corner by the salon. He's been looking for
her everywhere. She's been walking and thinking and
has decided she's Tracy's mother and she'll do
anything to stop her going to prison. Hayley (no, I
have no idea why she's out on this part of the street
so early) stops to wish Deirdre well.

At the Tilsley-Platt-Hillman household, David assures
Gail that he's looking forward to giving evidence. She
tells him there's no need for bravado and everyone
would understand if he decided not to do it.

At Number One, Adam and Peter are hoeing into their
breakfast, much to Blanche's disgust. Tracy comes in
and everyone leaps to their feet, ready to go off to
the court. Tracy asks if Deirdre is OK and tells her
that she really needs her today. "It's not often a
grown-up girl can say that to her mother and really
mean it," she says, gripping Deirdre's arm.

Kasia (pronounced Kasha) and Judie (no idea if this is
really her name -- she wasn't listed in the credits)
are introduced to the factory girls. When Wiki
(pronounced Vicki) greets them in Polish, Janice says
she gets it. "More job thieves from the night shift,
gunning for our wages." Wiki tells them in English
that there is a downside to the day shift and it's
Janice.

There are photographers outside the court, but they
don't seem to worry Tracy too much as she tells her
parents she's staying with them rather than going to
find her solicitor. Deirdre assures her she's all
right. Gail and David arrive and David tells Tracy:
"You're so not going down for this one -- not after
they've heard a couple of this home boyo's home
truths!" and he winks at Tracy.

WikipronouncedVicky has made the teas and is handing
them around. Janice says she can't get round her with
a brew. WikipronouncedVicky says she's not trying to.
"Oh, sings are zo ard een my contry," mocks Janice in
a mock Polish accent. WpVicky leans towards her and
says something in Polish. I don't know if any of you
out there speak Polish, but it sounded something like
"Mash more ma yak now pass". Let us all know what it
probably was, if you can work it out.

In the court corridors, David is being called.
Outside, Ken brings Deirdre some more cigarettes,
saying he feels like her drug dealer.  Ken wants her
to try to stay calm. "I wish you'd stop saying that,"
she says even more agitatedly. "I'm as calm as I can
be!" That's about as calm as Cook Strait or the
Pentland Firth, then.

In the courtroom, any member of the jury would look at
David Platt and sum him up quickly -- smarta**e! Asked
if he believed Tracy was in imminent danger, he
replies, "Yeah, deffo." He's smirking. He hasn't
allowed for the prosecutor, who has a smirk of her
own. She asks him about his behaviour after witnessing
the killing. He went into the front street and watched
the police and ambulance arrive, like everyone else.
He didn't tell anyone else about what he'd seen until
a fortnight after Charlie was dead. "As if you hadn't
seen anything at all," she sneers. She points out that
he says he didn't speak up because he was scared of
Charlie, "yet you could stand, peeping, through his
window." David says it was dark and he thought there
would be more chance of being seen if he moved. She
asks him to demonstrate Charlie holding the knife.
David demonstrates, using his right hand, making a
prodding movement, wrist upturned. He assures the
court this is exactly what he saw. When he says
Charlie "approached the defendant with malicious
intent," the judge (Ken Barlow's wife in real life!)
warns him against sarcasm. David carries on, saying he
saw Charlie cut Tracy's hand, then the back of her
hand, then shout, "I'm going to kill you." Snap! The
prosecutor's trap springs shut. She asks how he could
have heard that above the music and David says Tracy
had turned down the music as Charlie approached her.
Tracy suddenly looks very worried. The prosecutor
tells David that Charlie was left-handed and when
found was holding the knife as if in a stabbing
movement. Now it's Gail who suddenly looks very
worried. David now thinks he must have got the hands
muddled up. He admits he's not positive. The
prosecutor tells him he's made it up. "None of your
evidence is supported by forensic testimony, but it is
the same as Miss Barlow's." Miss Barlow looks even
more worried.

[break]

In the court corridors, Deirdre is hyperventilating
already. Ken tries to get her to take a deep breath
and tells her to give evidence as if she didn't know
the truth. "I know what I have to do, I just can't
breathe," she says. Her name is called and she
suddenly says she can't do it and flees the building.

In the courtroom, David asks Gail how he looked.
"Cocky and deceitful," she says. There are some
mutterings about where Deirdre is and the solicitor
tells Tracy her mother has left the building. Emily
arrives, complete with packed lunch.

Outside, Deirdre lights yet another cigarette and sobs
to Ken that she can't go in there.

Tracy asks the solicitor if they can ask for a recess.
"Adjournment," solicitor Jane corrects her. Tracy
suddenly turns nasty, hissing, "Go find her and tell
her to get on that stand! Tell her I need her!"

Ken tells Deirdre that she's running away, not making
a decision. Jane comes to find Deirdre. "I know you're
under a lot of pressure, but the defence case will be
compromised if you don't take the witness stand."

The judge is just getting tetchy about losing valuable
court time when Jane escorts Deirdre into the
courtroom. She barely gets through the oath without
collapsing. Tracy mouths "thank you" and the solicitor
tells her barrister to keep it short. He asks Deirdre
why Tracy didn't tell her about Charlie hitting her.
"You knew it was going on?" he asks. "Well, I thought
I did," Deirdre says. "I mean, yes." Jane sits up
straighter. Deirdre says Tracy is stubborn and felt
trapped because there was no room at her parents'
place. "She loved him." The prosecutor asks straight
out whether Deirdre ever saw Charlie hit Tracy. "No,
but I knew it was going on," Deirdre insists. She
explains what made her believe Charlie was violent.
"You're her mother, a good mother," coos the
prosecutor. "Of course you believed her." Deirdre
explains she begged Tracy to come home. The solicitor
points out that she's just said there was no room at
home. "You're contradicting yourself, aren't you." Up
in the cheap seats, Blanche mutters, "Deirdre,
Deirdre" and shakes her head as Deirdre goes into
another panic attack. The judge agrees to a short
adjournment. As the usher leads Deirdre away, Tracy
leaps to her feet and screeches, "What you doing,
Mum?"

In the factory, Kasia's pile of completed garments is
enormous, so Janice has a word with her, saying nobody
likes a crawler and that pile is just showing off.
Wiki comes over to point out that if Janice had
bothered to introduce herself she'd know Kasia did not
have good English. She says something in Polish that
makes Kasia giggle. It's too long to write out
phonetically.

Jane tells Deirdre that the judge has given them two
minutes. Deirdre tells Jane that she's lying. "She's
pretending that he beat her up. She did it." She says
she can't go back in here. Jane says she has to or
she'll be found in contempt of court. And if she
doesn't tell the truth she'll be committing perjury.

In the courtroom, the judge says the break is going on
far too long. Tracy wants to know if Deirdre is all
right but before she gets an answer, her mother is
back. The prosecutor hooks straight in with a question
about Tracy's bad temper. Deirdre says the attack on
Maria was out of character. The prosecutor suggests
that if Tracy does not have a quick temper, maybe
she's a brooder -- someone who makes long-term plans
for a murder. The prosecutor says Deirdre is Tracy's
mother and knows her better than anyone. "Are you
finding it hard to stick up for her? Do you have any
reason to doubt her version of events? "No," says
Deirdre. "No, I haven't. She's my daughter. She
wouldn't. . ." She stops. That's the end of the
questions and the end of the defence case. The judge
says they'll hear closing speeches on Monday, when
everyone is refreshed.

Once the judge is gone, Blanche is very scathing of
Deirdre's evidence, even though Ken says she was doing
her best. "If that's her best, I'd hate to see her
worst." Tracy asks Jane why they didn't question
Deirdre some more. "She's just rubbished the whole
case!"  Jane has finally seen through Tracy. "I
represent women who have suffered years of abuse," she
says. They have suffered terrible beatings from truly
violent men. "You are using the pain of those women to
cover up your crime!" "Two hundred pounds an hour and
morally superior!" sneer Tracy. "If only everyone
could be in your shoes." Jane glares at her. "You
disgust me." "And I employ you," says Tracy, "so shut
up and do your job."

Blanche's hip might mean she doesn't get down stairs
easily, but she does manage to whinge all the way.
When the whole family, plus Emily, get to the ground
floor, Tracy arrives. Deirdre says they were waiting
for her. "I don't need you now, mam. I needed you in
the witness box." Her voice is rising. "It's not good
enough that you had a little word with my lawyer, but
you... you've stuffed my case! They think I did it.
I'm going to be found guilty. I'm going to rot in jail
and miss my daughter growing up and for what? For
Charlie Stubbs, that pig. . . I asked you to do one
thing for me, one thing. If I get sent down for this,
this is going to be your fault. Your fault. Thanks a
lot." She rushes away, leaving Deirdre in tears.

The End.
Margaret Carr

After last week's extravaganza involving a huge cast of wine bottles and
cigarettes as well as a starring appearance by an iron (which reminds me
- in a very early part of the episode we saw Tracy ironing some clothes,
which I forgot to mention largely because it was so dark until I saw the
omnibus edition on Sunday - this of course is a precursor to where she
picks up the iron and sticks it on her arm again - with absolutely no
results) and only two cast members this week we are almost back to
normality and in the very near future we will know the outcome of the
court case.

The episode starts at the Barlows, where Deirdre has been unable to
sleep and has been up for hours and cleaning in an attempt to take her
mind off the events.  Tracy, unusually these days is in a foul mood, and
notes that whilst her mother can see her reflection in the sink she
probably cannot stand to look at herself.  Ken tells her that it is not
the right time, but Tracy argues back - it is exactly the right time -
it is the only time she has got and she is going to live for the moment.
Ken seeks to reason with her - but Tracy accuses her mother of being the
prosecution's star witness and then says she is going out to make the
best of the time she has left.  Later walking by the canal she receives
a text message "I need to see you D.x".  Tracy does not look happy and
heads back towards the Street.

Dev is showing Molly his new golf shoes - his secret weapon, top of the
range, high tech, performance enhancing footwear, with waterproof lining
and graphite cleats (whatever they might be).  Molly reckons they are
normally worn by pimps and no woman will fancy him wearing those.  Would
he rather play golf than you know what?  Dev responds he can play a
round whenever he likes and will not end up in trouble at the end of it.
Much later Amber goes in the back room at the shop where she finds Dev
playing golf on the PC.  Anyway he reckons the 'puter is cheating - but
she just wants to see the pimp shoes.  Dev shows them off - £150
apparently - and he got a set of clubs 60% off online.  She asks if he
knows that golf is the most boring game in the world and a substitute
for sex in her opinion.

Dreary is moaning to Ken that Tracy hates her - and if she goes to
prison it will all be her fault.  Ken being reason personified points
out that Tracy should start taking responsibility - she asked Deirdre to
commit perjury.  They argue.  Ken says that Tracy has sunk so low that
he barely recognises her.  She may be his daughter but Deirdre is his
wife and he is not going to let Tracy drag her down.  She collapses
saying that they are going to take her baby away.  {Oh grow up - with a
daughter like that you should be drowning bottles of champagne}.

Elsewhere on the Street Ashley is off at the football and Claire has
invited (head)Casey around when there is suddenly a loud bang from
upstairs.  Claire rushes upstairs and returns with Joshua who had been
jumping on the bed and fallen off.  Casey says he must be taken to A&E
so Claire asks her to look after baby Fred as she dashes off.

David meets his true love Tracy on the corner.  He said he had not
expected her to come.  She asks what he will do if she is sent down for
20 years.  He says he will wait for her (after all his brain long ago
descended into his underpants).  Tracy smiles - I know you think you
love me but you don't, not really.  You don't even know me.  David asks
if she was just using him.  She answers yes - just survival - she turns
to leave and then turns back.  "Oh David - Stay away from girls like me
alright?".  So David did not get his desserts.  He retreats to his car
and turns up the music.  Later Gail says that Martin is on the phone but
he refuses to leave the car.  She stomps back indoors and tells Martin
that David will call him back later.  And then we all fall off our
chairs as there is a hint that Jason might have a sensitive side caused
by being a father by saying that they should leave David alone.

Claire returns from the hospital and finds the house empty.  She checks
upstairs and the garden and then calls Casey's mobile.  The phone is
off.  Absolute panic ensues.  She runs to the shop - but Molly has not
seen anyone with Freddy.  So Claire rings the police.

Peter has suggested the Barlows eat out this evening and Tracy is asked
to join them by Deirdre when they meet in the Rovers which surprises
Dreary.  Tracy snaps that she is not going to miss her last supper. They
argue and Tracy tells her mother to get lost at high volume and the rest
of the pub falls silent.  Steve says that is enough and tells Tracy to
go into the back of the pub.  Rita tries to comfort Deirdre but the
latter flees.  As Betty observes - who would be a mother?

A ring on a front door bell, the door opens to reveal Claire - who grabs
Freddy from Casey and rushes back inside.  Claire wants to know where
she has been.  Casey said that Freddy was fretting so she had taken him
for a drive - he was perfectly safe - but her phone was flat.  Claire
tries to explain how worried she had been, how she called the police.
Casey is upset that she was not trusted and rushes out of the house.
Claire follows her to try to calm her down - but the police arrive and
Claire has to stay and explain.

In the back room Steve says Tracy needs to apologise to her mother.
Tracy asks if he thinks she is going to jail.  He doesn't know but knows
that she will need her family to support her.  She asks if she and Amy
can stay the night - but Steve cannot bring himself to say no but does
not agree.  So she asks if she can just sit there for a while for old
times' sake.  And she accepts a hug - chapter closed.

Claire is unhappy with the events of the afternoon.  She was worried and
her lack of trust has ruined the relationship with Casey.  Ashley
reckons that she did the same as any other mother.  Anyway it has
happened and cannot be undone.

Tracy walks out side the Rovers and looks up and down the Street -
possibly for the last time - where she spent much of her growing up
(well upstairs listening to her music) and then she heads for home.

As last Sunday she shares a bottle of wine with her mother, downing a
glass of wine almost immediately.  Tracy refuses to forgive Deirdre for
failure to support her adequately on the witness stand.  Deirdre reckons
she has always done her best for her daughter.  Tracy tells her to come
off it - she does not need this hassle now.  Deirdre asks what she does
want.  Tracy replies nothing - they are quits.  This is her way of
saying goodbye.  Deirdre wants to make it up to her but Tracy is not
interested.  Whatever happens tomorrow she will not see her again. Tracy
either goes down for life or she takes Amy away for good.  Tracy
concludes that either way she is going to be free of her mother.

And my colleagues will bring you the outcome of the trial shortly.
--
K Richard W

First Part Of Monday

This episode of Coronation Street is
Written by Stephen Bennett,
Directed by Neil Alderton
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys

Outside Deirdre is banging on the Rovers door saying its not early. Steve
finally opens the door. Deirdre says that Tracy told her what ever happens
in court she is going. Steve asks about Amy and is told she will be going
with Tracy. Steve says she better come in. Jamie is helping Liam unload a
van with his stuff. Jamie asks if this is coming off his rent. Leanne tells
Carla she pulled out from buying the house and got a proper survey done.
Liam didn’t as he is laughing. Claire says Kasei’s phone is still off.
Ashley says, if she is a true friend she will come round.

Rovers Steve thinks Tracy is going off on one. Deirdre says this is
different and will do it. She then says he is Amy dad and if any one is
going to stop Tracy going its going to be him and not her and Ken. Ken just
comes in saying Deirdre is right. Steve says so if Tracy get off we all have
to suffer. Ken says that would be Tracy happy ending. Steve says he will
talk to her.

Platt’s Sarah is having a go at David, as he is treating this like it’s a
world cup final. Gail says all Sarah is trying to say it’s not a time to get
over excited. David says you all want to know what happens. Gail says yes as
David asks why Sarah is going. She says she is going to support Jason. David
says he is going to support Tracy as he has been doing all along.

Factory, Liam sees the Polish lot have done a lot of work. Janice’s says
they will be slaves soon. Liam says shed get more work done if she shut her
mouth. Sally then says they must been feeling it doing all those hours.
Vickie says she does not want their jobs, just the job she has been offered.
   Sean says it’s the same as him working in the Rovers. In the office Liam
asks Carla what Leanne was saying. She asks if he got a survey done on the
house. He says yes a basic job and asks why. She tells him Leanne pulled
out, as there is some thing wrong with the house. Liam says she is just
saying that. Carla says he is hoping she is just saying that.

Barlow’s Peter says some of them should go so it does not look as if they
are ganging up on her. Adam takes Amy out. Tracy just comes in saying she is
going. Steve asks if she was going to tell him she was taking his daughter
away. Tracy says she was going to get if she was going down for murder out
of the way first. As she goes Ken stops her and says everyone has helped her
and asked for nothing in return. Tracy asks him to remind her to say thank
you on the way out.

Outside Steve asks if she has just decided to do this. Tracy says yes and
she didn’t plan this. Ken says that makes a change. Claire says they will
all be rutting for her. David knocks on the car door saying he knows she
didn’t mean what she said the other day. Jason tells David they are going
now. David asks if its pick on David day today.

Factory Janice is collecting money from everyone and says Vickie can put
twice as much in as she does twice as much hours. Vickie says she will put
in what everyone else has put in. Hayley says for Janice to leave them alone
and says to Vickie a couple of quid she do it. She puts in and says she is
not one of us and never will be. Carla comes out the office and asks who
that would be. Mouthy people shouting the odds. Janice says there was not
need for that and Carla reminds her that she is the boss.

Court Deirdre says to Tracy they can sort this out when she gets home. Tracy
says if she gets home and if she does get home it will be to collect Amy and
get a bigger bag.

Baldwin’s Liam is looking under something. Jamie says, if he is hiding his
stash that’s the first place they will look. Liam says there is a damp patch
outside. Jamie says if he is going to blow on it. Liam then asks if he knows
if there is any thing wrong with this house. Jamie says no and asks why.
Liam tells him Leanne has pulled out because there was something wrong with
the house and asks if she would stick him up. Jamie says that the thing with
Leanne, you never find out until it’s too late.

Court the production says David had a score to settle with Charlie. They
also says his evidence goes again everything forensic science says and he is
tensioning seeking and is confused and holding on to this statement. Liz
tells Steve she has got David worked out. She then says Tracy has fooled
everyone, her family and friends and tells the jury not to let her fool them
and find her guilt of killing Charlie Stubbs.

Outside Liam is looking at the top of the house. He asks Sean if that’s a
crack. Sean says no. Liam then asks why he is not at work. He says he was
sent to get cakes. Liam says that could be the start of a crack. Leanne
pulls up and says you should be looking worried. Liam asks if he is still
here and Sean says he is going now. Liam asks Leanne what she knows and why
she is glad its him and not her. She says paying the mortgage. He says she
should be at work and Leanne says she should and goes.

Court the defendant says the prosecuting council has attempted to undermine
testimonies of defense witnesses. He says, if one witness stumbled or
another became confused in this highly pressurised environment, the fact is
they have not head accurate and reliable evidence today. He says the burden
of proof has weighed the prosecution down and crushed its case and that they
should find Tracy Barlow not guilty.

Rover’s Liam comes in and tells Michelle that he thinks there is something
wrong with the house. She asks who has been saying this and he tells her
Leanne. Michelle tells him just to talk to her and ask what is going on.
Just then Hayley comes in saying Carla is asking if he is going to be
joining them but not in that words. Liam says yes and tells her to tell
Carla to rearrange these two words into but she cuts him off and says she
knows what to say. Michelle asks if he wants a drink before he goes. Liam
says yes.

Court the Judge tells the jury they have heard all the evidence from both
sides and are to use only the evidence heard in this courtroom. Blanch says
Tracy looks as white as a sheet. Peter says she will be home by lunchtime.
They are all told to stand. Tracy looks back at her family looking really
worried.

Outside Liam sees Leanne and asks what is up with the house. She says it
looks good on the outside. He asks what her survey said that his didn’t. She
says she does not know, as she has not seen his. He asks to see hers and
also says he will take her out for lunch. Leanne says he gets to see her
survey and spend time with her but she does not want to do that. Factory lot
come out and Leanne walks with Janice who asks what he wanted. She says to
take her out for lunch. Janice tells her to do what she wants. Leanne is
amazed she is not going off on one.

Court Peter says they soon will be home like as if nothing has happened.
Blanch says not before time. Deirdre thanks Claire for all she has does.
Claire says its what anyone would of done and the jury are going to do the
same thing. Steve asks Jane what Tracy’s chances are. Jane says it can
depend on whom the jury believe as much as the evidences and says Tracy is
every conniving. Steve asks if that’s a good thing. Jane says the jury seems
to think so. Deirdre says she needs to go for a fag.

Outside as Deirdre comes out David approaches her and asks if she has spoke
to Tracy. Deirdre says she would rather not speak to him. Ken has come out
and tells David to wait some where else. Sarah tells David people are
getting nervous and to stay with her and Jason. Ken asks Deirdre how much
she has smoked today. She says not enough. Ken says he is tempted to join
her. She hold out the packet but Ken says no.

Rovers the factory lot are in getting drinks. Joanne and Janice don’t sit
with them. Hayley tells Sean to get her a bitter lemon and goes over to
Janice and Joann. She says they should treat them the same and asks what it
would be like for them to be in a different country and having to work.
Joann says they don’t know if they are legal or not. Janice says that what
she been saying. Hayley says until they know they should be treated the
same. Then she says she is not surprised by Janice but is Joanne as she is
not from here and is doing that Vickie is doing.

Court Blanch says this is killing her and god knows what its doing to Tracy.
Peters says he can’t have any more coffee from the machine and ask Deirdre
and Ken if they want. Both say no. Someone says something to Jane and she
starts to come over to them. As she does she says the jury have reached a
verdict. They say that was fast and ask if that’s a good thing. Jane says it
could mean any thing. Tracy heads for the courtroom. Her head is held high.
Deirdre sobbing calls her daughter but Tracy tells her to say nothing and
continues on with her head high into the courtroom.

Will Tracy get away with Murder? Find out in the next update.

This report is copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

_________________________________________________________________
Solve the Conspiracy and win fantastic prizes.
http://www.theconspiracygame.co.uk/

Well here is the episode you have been waiting for!  The verdict on
Tracy Barlow.  If you think I am giving it away in the first paragraph,
you are mistaken!!!!


So, while proceedings are happening at Wetherfield Crown Court, Betty
and Steve are taking it turns to look after Amy in the back room of the
pub.

Jerry comes downstairs for breakfast after smelling bacon.

In the Court House, everybody is filing back into the court.  The public
gallery is filling up, and the jury get seated.  Blanche remarks she
doesn't like the look on the faces of the jurors.  The official calls
out "Court Rise", which signifies that the judge is entering.  She nods
for everybody to sit down.   Another official asks the defendant to
stand.  He then asks the foreman of the jury to stand.  He asks the
foreman whether they have reached a verdict with which they all agree.
She confirms that they have.  She is asked whether they find the
defendant, Tracy Lynette Barlow guilty or not guilty of murder.  The
foreman says (hang on, I have forgotten, oh yes, I remember now!)
guilty.   Tracy has a look of horror and shock.  Deidre is sobbing and
crying saying "sorry", because she believes it was her fault that she
didn't support Tracy strongly enough.

The judge now pronounces sentence.  She tells Tracy that the mandatory
sentence for murder is life imprisonment.  She recommends that she
serves a minimum of fifteen years before being considered for parole.
(Now we all know the actress decided to leave the programme, so will she
return in fifteen years, or will they find a new actress - watch this
space - for fifteen years  ;-)   -    remind me to follow this up in
April 2022 !.

The judge orders her to be taken down to the cells, with Tracy yelling
and screaming all the way.

In the Rovers, Vicky asks Sean why Janice doesn't like her.  He tells
her not to worry, because Janice is always argumentative.  Meanwhile
Hayley is trying to persuade Janice and Joanne, who has sided with
Janice, that Vicky is a nice person.  Janice says that Vicky and her
friends would takeover their jobs.

After the verdict, Blanche is moaning and thinks the verdict is
disgraceful.  Claire rushes over to Ken and Deidre as they are about to
get into a car, saying she can start a campaign for her release.
Obviously not wishing to discuss the verdict, Ken says they are going
home.  Ashley takes her away saying that they need space now.  Deidre
thinks she has just sent her daughter to prison.

Kevin goes into Jerry's fast food shop and Jerry offers him a free
kebab, because he missed the official opening.  Jerry then asks him if
he could look out for a car for his son.

Leanne sees Carla and tells her that Liam could have had her surveyor's
report about the house, but he didn't ask.

Deidre and Ken return home.  Liz goes over to offer to help if they
needed anything.  Steve offers to look after baby Amy.

Gail returns home from work and Sarah tells her the news that Tracy is
guilty.  Gail is visibly shocked at the news.  Sarah adds that the jury
agreed that Tracy killed him.  She turns to David and says the jury
didn't believe him.  David replies that Tracy admitted killing him, but
it was in self defence.  Gail tells Sarah to leave him as he is clearly
upset.  Sarah adds that she doesn't believe a word that David has said.
However, David believes it was Deidre that did it for Tracy.

Over in the Rovers, Steve rings the bell (that is usually associated
with "last orders" or "closing time").  He announces that they have just
got back from court where Tracy was found guilty.  Liz adds that she was
given a minimum of 15 years sentence.

Maria asks Peter about Deidre and how she is coping.  She says she is
around if needed.

In the back room of the pub, Tracy is drawing a picture of her Mum for
Betty.  Steve sees the picture and tells Tracy that she is very clever.
Betty,meanwhile, says she has no need to ask about the trial, his face
showed it all.

Liam catches up with Leanne.  He desperately wants wants the results of
her survey.  He offers her £50 (approx C$114.5,  nearly USA$99, NZ$137,
almost 74 euros - everybody happy?!), but she wants £150 (which is
........no you can multiply by 3 yourselves!!)   Despite Liam trying to
negotiate her down he agreed to pay her the full amount.

Vicky is on her way to the toilet and hears Janice muttering about her
being trouble.  Vicky, near to tears asks what did she ever do to upset
her.  Janice responds that she has come here to take the jobs.  Vicky
said that it wasn't true, but Joanne buts in and tells her to go home.

Liam and Leanne meet up in the Rovers and he gives her the money and she
gives him the report.

At Jerry Morton's house, Kayleigh rings up.  Jerry tells Jodie that he
was concerned that Kayleigh's mother is always going out leaving her to
babysit. Asked if she was alright, Jerry says that she was, but with no
thanks to her mother.

Over at the Barlows, Deidre is puffing away at a cigarette.  Ken comes
into the room disapproving of her smoking indoors.  He tells her that he
is as upset as her.  However Deidre snaps back that he ought to show it.
She is annoyed that he never shows any emotion.  She then goes off to
the backyard to continue her cigarette.

Gail wonders whether the Court believed David's evidence.  Sarah says he
was lying, he always does.  Gail (who obviously can't see beyond her
fringe) defends her son. saying that he wouldn't lie in court.  Then
Gail asks Jason to explain about the CCTV tape that he found of Tracy
and David together.  She wonders what they were doing.  Sarah responds
with that what we were wondering.

Liam tells Carla that Leanne's survey was virtually identical to his.
Carla thinks she is rather clever to hoodwink him.  However, Liam is
willing to forgive Leanne by asking her to dinner.  However, she turns
him down.

Back at the Platts, Gail asks David whether Tracy ever put any pressure
on him to give his evidence; she wonders if Tracy ever promised him
anything.  Then Gail asks him if he did tell the truth in court.  David
is rather annoyed and says that is why he never told her or anybody else
about what he saw because nobody would believe him.  He was hoping his
mother would be proud of him and not the reverse.  Gail apologises to him.

Ken tries to console Deidre in the backyard.  He tells her that it
wasn't her fault that Tracy got sent down, he says it was her own
fault.   Deidre manages to sob that if she did something about Charlie
Stubbs then this may not have happpened.   However, Ken adds that he
knows Tracy and she is very determined, nobody can ever stop her doing
something she wants to do.

Liz asks Steve if he has got Amy off to sleep.  As Liz asks whether Amy
asked about her mother, Steve says that she believes that Tracy is next
door with Deidre.  Steve then wonders, out loud, how he is going to
break the news to Amy.  He shows Liz a picture Amy drew of her mum.

At the court, the prison van is waiting to take Tracy off to jail.  (did
she never play monopoly?!).   As she is taken into the van, in handcuffs
she is still screaming and protesting her innocence, but the guards have
nothing to say, they have obviously heard it all before.


The aftermath of the verdict spreads around the Street.  Anne will give
you the storylines.

However, what would the reaction have been had Tracy been found not
guilty?  ITV have kindly revealed the alternative ending they filmed.
You can view it here  http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=4222


--

This e-mail has come from

Martin Rosen

All outgoing e-mails are checked
for viruses by ZoneAlarm

Hi everyone, here’s the update for Wednesday 4th April.

It’s first thing in the morning, and the factory workers are ooh-ing and
ahh-ing over the headlines in the local paper.  Liam approaches and they ask
if he’s seen it.  He says he had a quick look whilst he was on the
treadmill.  Sally and the others say how sorry they feel for poor little
Amy, and for Ken and Deirdre.  Liam asks if they have any sympathy for
Charlie, after all he was the one bludgeoned to death.  His question is met
by silence. “Obviously not,” he says, and they all file past him into work.
“Good morning Mr Connor,” chorus the Polish girls as they pass. “See that?”
he asks a rather sullen looking Joanne and Janice, “polite, cheerful and
hardworking.  No wonder you’re jealous.”

In the back room of the Rovers, Steve has Amy on his knee, telling her about
the day ahead, how he’s going to make her breakfast and then take her to
nursery and after that pick her up and take her to the park for an ice
cream.  Amy sits in her pink dressing gown, looking solemn.

Over at the Barlow’s, Ken tells the family they should keep off the land
line in case Tracy rings.  “What would she be doing, ringing here?” asks
Deirdre, puffing on a cigarette. “New house rule, by the way,” she says to
Ken, waving the ciggie about. He says he’s not going to be drawn into petty
arguments. Peter comes in with the papers at that moment. “Here you are,” he
says, saying she’d have had more coverage if she’d won a reality TV show.
“Let’s be grateful for small mercies,” says Ken. “Let’s!” says Deirdre,
glaring at him.  Adam grabs the paper, but has it snatched out of his hands
by Blanche. She says that they know Tracy acted in self-defence, but all
they’ll get from the papers are lies and embellishments. Peter asks why the
jury didn’t think it was self-defence, and Deirdre says that her
‘half-baked’ testimony may have had something to do with it.  Peter says
that Claire Peacock is talking about an appeal and wonders why Ken and
Deirdre aren’t.  “Unless you think the jury…..” he begins, but Ken stops
him. “Enough, Peter,” he says sharply.  “I see,” says Peter.  Deirdre tells
him that he doesn’t see anything, Charlie was an evil man who made Tracy’s
life hell. Blanche agrees, and tells Deirdre it’s a shame there was no fire
in her belly when she was on the witness stand.  “Don’t you think I don’t
know that?” cries Deirdre, anguished.  Ken suggests Peter takes Blanche for
a drive.  “Oh that’s right,” says Blanche, “sling the old girl into the car
and stop her calling a spade a spade!”

Over at the Rovers, Liz, Vernon, Steve and Amy are tucking into breakfast,
as Vernon studies the picture of Charlie in the paper, and says that butter
wouldn’t melt. “If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s media bias,” he
says. “Do you mind,” says Steve, indicating Amy’s presence, and takes the
paper off him. Liz points out that whether it was self defence or cold
blooded ‘you know what’ – little Amy is still looking at 15 years without a
m-u-m-m-y. “Thank you mother,” says Steve, but Liz promises him that they
will all help.  Steve asks Vernon to take his drum kit out of Amy’s room.
“Whassat?” says Vernon, and then tries to say that it’s not doing any harm.
Liz tells him they don’t want Amy’s bedroom to be a dumping ground, she has
to sleep there now.

In the factory, Liam is praising Vicky’s work, which doesn’t go down too
well with Janice. It’s approaching tea break time, but Janice points out
they’ll soon have plenty of time to sup tea when they’ve all been priced out
of the job market. Sally tells Janice to shut up and Joanne sniggers.  Kelly
turns on her, “Since when have you found racism funny?” she wants to know.
“It’s not about race,” says Joanne, but Kelly isn’t convinced. Vicky, fed up
with Janice’s attitude, tells her that she’s a hypocrite, her boyfriend
earns money in a foreign country, her daughter sells houses in Spain.
Janice leaps up and starts shouting and within moments a full scale row has
erupted. “English people can go and work in Spain,” shouts Vicky, “but
Polish people cannot come and work here. You are a hypocrite Janice!”  Liam
comes rushing out and orders them both into his office.

Jerry Morton’s two teenage children are planning a party to celebrate their
eighteenth birthday. Jerry comes in and says that his friend Tommy can get
them a marquee.  Melanie isn’t keen on the idea and asks if, for once, they
can’t hire a proper venue, but Jerry reckons this is a much better idea,
free ale all night and no curfew, they can bop till they drop. He wiggles
his hips.  “Did he really just say that?” asks Melanie, dismayed.

In the office, with Hayley as referee, Liam tells Vicky and Janice to do the
job he pays them for. Vicky says she doesn’t want any trouble. “No,” says
Janice, “you don’t want immigration getting wind of trouble.”  Vicky insists
she’s allowed to be there, but Janice doesn’t believe her.  Liam sends them
back to work.

Ken and Deirdre arrive in the back room of the pub to see Amy. Deirdre says
they needed to see her, and Ken tells Steve she’s their only link to Tracy.
Steve says he hasn’t worked out what to tell her yet, so he would gratefully
accept any of their ideas. “It’s tough, isn’t it,” says Ken.  “It’s
heartbreaking,” admits Steve.

Leanne finds Carla loading stock into the back of the van. Carla asks if
she’s on a half-day, and Leanne tells her she’s sold two villas this week,
so reckons she’s earned some down time.  Liam comes out and says hello.
Carla tells him Leanne was asking if he was having a house warming. He says
the survey says ‘no’.  “What kind of survey was that?” asks Leanne. “An
expensive one,” he says. He turns to Carla, telling her to get back before
the end of the day, “It’s horrible in there,” he says. After he’s gone
inside, Carla and Leanne arrange to meet for a drink at the end of the day.

Back in the factory, Janice continues to try and annoy Vicky, but she
ignores her.  Janice tells Joanne they are being blanked. “Devastated!” says
Joanne, sarcastically. Hayley takes Joanne aside and quietly remarks that
this is so unlike her. “You don’t know the first thing about me,” says
Joanne, and adds that the Polish workers are trouble. Hayley says that they
work hard, round the clock to earn a decent life for their families, and
she’s sure Joanne’s parents or grandparents were the same. “Janice reckons
they’re illegals,” says Joanne.  Hayley thinks that’s rubbish. “How do you
know?” says Joanne, walking off.

Peter, Adam and Blanche are sitting in the pub.  “Well this is fun,” says
Peter.  Blanche thinks they’re better off close to home, if Ken and Deirdre
start scrapping. Adam wonders why Deirdre blew it in court. “Nerves,” says
Blanche, “she’s useless in court, even managed to get herself put away when
she was perfectly innocent.”  She goes on to say that Ken and Deirdre have
got to adjust to life without Tracy, and then thinks she’ll ring a friend to
see if she can go and stay for a couple of weeks.

Steve tells Michelle that in the car on the way to nursery, Amy was asking
about Tracy. He told her she was with Edie McReadie from Ballemory. Michelle
looks doubtful but says it beats telling her that mummy is on the naughty
step for the next fifteen years.

Hayley has followed Joanne into the toilets at work. Joanne has been crying
and Hayley urges her to tell her what’s wrong. Joanne confesses that the
Polish workers might have the right to be there, but she doesn’t. She came
over to England from Liberia when she was eight.

Michelle comes into the back room to find Steve with Amy, who has drawn a
picture to send to Mummy in Scotland. Steve whispers to Michelle that he has
dug himself into the mother of all holes. Michelle says he just needs
something as close to the truth as possible, he’ll find the right words.

Back at the factory, Joanne explains to Hayley that there was a civil war
and her dad wanted her and her mother and grandma to come to England to live
with his sister in Leeds.  But her mother and father were killed. Her
grandma brought her over to live with her aunt and Jessie, her cousin. Then
they moved to Manchester and her auntie told everyone that she and Jessie
were twins.  Eventually Joanne started to believe that she and Jessie were
sisters. She knows she’s been a cow to Vicky, but she’s worried their
presence is drawing attention to the factory, it’s self preservation.

The Morton twins are discussing a forthcoming night out.  Darryl has made up
a fake ID card so they can get served in the pub.

Ken, Deirdre and Blanche are discussing what to tell Amy. Deirdre is taking
all her guilt and frustration  out on Ken. “I would have thought Ken would
be all for telling Amy the truth,” she says, bitterly, “has a special
relationship with the truth, does Ken. They’ve thrown away the key, Amy!”
Ken gets up and leaves the room.

Liz approaches Jerry and the twins in the pub, and Jerry tells her they’ve
got their 18th birthday coming up.  They have got alcohol in front of them
and Liz points out they could lose her her licence, she thought they were 19
or 20.  Jerry says they’re only one weeks off their big birthday, but she
says he will have to drink their drinks or she’ll have to pour them down the
sink.

Peter arrives back at the Barlows with fish and chips for all. Ken asks if
there’s any chance Deirdre could put her cigarette out while they’re eating.
She says she doesn’t know how they can get it down.  Blanche tells her that
starvation never solved anything. Deirdre asks how Tracy can possibly have a
relationship with Amy when all she has is two visits a month. Ken says he
thought she would have phoned by now. Deirdre says she’s punishing her.
“And you’re punishing him!” says Blanche. “We’re all serving the sentence,
time to cut each other a bit of slack or we’ll go under and where will that
leave Amy?  Pass the HP!”

Over in the pub, Steve is singing to Amy. Outside the door, Michelle hears
him and smiles.

In the bar, the factory workers are having a drink. Joanne is now sitting
with all the rest, including Vicky.  Janice comes in and as she approaches
the bar, Michelle puts a pint in front of her. “This is from Vicky,” she
says, “bitter.”  Over at the table, Hayley says that Vicky shouldn’t provoke
her.  Janice storms over and plonks the pint down on the table. “You’re
right,” she says, “I am bitter!” and marches out.

Michelle takes Steve a drink through to the back room, and says she’s paid
for it.  “Your gorgeous little girl is safely tucked up and she knows she’s
got her daddy downstairs,” she says. “Well done,” she says, and advises him
to take it one day at a time. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this single
parent malarkey,” says Steve, but Michelle reminds him that he doesn’t have
much choice. She says she knew she couldn’t hack it when Dean was killed,
but she and Ryan have lived to tell the tale. Steve says she’s a great mum.
She tells him her family helped her and his family will help him. He tells
Michelle he’s not broken hearted about Tracy, he’s gutted for Amy but he and
Tracy weren’t serious, not this time round anyway, it was very casual. “If
and when you’re ready for a new relationship,” she tells him, “I’ll be happy
to babysit.”  This doesn’t seem to be what Steve was hoping to hear, but he
thanks her anyway.  Then he tells her that he might even drag her out for a
drink. “I might even say yeah,” she smiles. Just then Liz calls her back to
the bar. “You’re a lovely dad,” Michelle tells him.

Anne Logan.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Hotmail is evolving - check out the new Windows Live Mail.
http://ideas.live.co.uk/

Put down that chocolate and pay attention as we swing
into Friday's update.

The workers are headed for the factory, with Sally
muttering about them working on Good Friday and Kelly
telling her she should think of the double time. "Did
we say double, or did we say time and a half?" asks
Liam, waiting at the factory door. Wiki suggests it
was triple time. Joanne talks to Janice and discovers
she's really hung over. She might have left the pub
sober, but she opened some cans when she got home,
apparently.

Steve is trying to do Amy's hair and not succeeding.
Liz and Michelle come in and Liz decides she'd better
take over. Steve points out that hairdos are a girl
thing, so they quote famous male hairdressers at him.

I still can't get my head round the names of most of
the Mortons, but Kayleigh is home and eating bread and
demanding tea, though her father and big sister think
it's early for her to be up and visiting. She says
everyone at her mum's place is "sound".

At the Barlows' there's no sound. Ken's reading the
paper and as soon as he puts it down, Adam and Peter
both lunge for it. Their childish squabbling actually
brings a small smile to Deirdre's lips. "Kids!" she
says. The phone goes and Peter answers it. It's Tracy,
but she wants to talk to Ken, not her mother. As he
goes to talk on the phone, an obviously rattled
Deirdre starts to clear away the dishes -- while
Adam's still trying to eat his breakfast. Peter tells
him he'll buy him a top-up at the cafe and they leave.
Ken finishes the call and tells Deirdre Tracy wants to
see him. And just him. "That'll be cosy," Deirdre says
bitterly.

Steve is still with Amy when there's a knock at the
door and Vernon lets in a young woman whose face
furniture would set off security alarms at any
airport. She's a new student. Steve starts to protest
that it's a bank holiday and Vernon points out "The
rhythm never sleeps." Steve points out that it does
for him and Amy. "I think we're entitled to a bit of
peace and quiet in our own home. Vernon gets quite
agitated (for one with so little energy generally!).
He tells Steve the pub regulars make noise. Plus
Steve's always the first one to complain that Vernon's
sponging off Liz, "So don't diss me now when I'm
showing some initiative."

At the Barlows', Deirdre is fuming. Ken tells her not
to shoot the messenger. He points out that Tracy knows
Deirdre didn't deliberately mess up in court. "She's
just lashing out. It's her last bit of power." Deirdre
thinks that in another fortnight Tracy will be heading
up a posse. Ken tells her that Tracy is well aware of
his own opinion and that he won't be visiting without
a visiting order for Deirdre.

In the street, Steve and Amy are walking off in search
of some peace and quiet. They are passed by two police
cars and an unmarked car, which all pull up outside
the factory.

Inside, an immigration officer tells Liam she's got a
warrant to search the premises. "We have reason to
believe some of your workers are in the UK illegally."
Nearby, Janice mutters that she vaguely remembers a
phone call. Joanne is horrified. In the office, Liam
tries to get the immigration officer to tell him who
gave them the tip-off. He's quite convinced it's a
rival firm. He points out that they probably won't
want to start with Janice, from Accrington, so they
might as well interview the obvious candidates first
-- the Poles. "Cause let's face it, none of them are
legit, are they?" Immigration calls in Kasia first.

Outside, we see Wiki sneaking out a side door (No, I
didn't know they had one, either), only to be turned
around by a WPC stationed outside.

Work has come to a standstill as Wiki is hustled back
in for her interview, protesting the whole time that
she was just going home to get her passport, which has
the correct stamp in it.

In the takeaway, dad Morton asks Jody if Kayleigh has
been trying to get more money than usual. Jody is sure
everything is fine and tells him Kayleigh's probably
just had an argument with her mother. He should ring
her mum if he's bothered, she says, but it seems he's
not that bothered!

"Ciao!" Vernon calls after the departing pierced one,
telling her that next time she can try with both
sticks! Liz puts him straight. It's not "ciao" or even
"au revoir", but "goodbye". She's putting her foot
down now that Amy's living with them. The drum kit has
to go. Vernon wants to know if it's just the kit that
she wants rid of. She reassures him that he's still
her rock star, but he doesn't look any more cheerful.

Back in the factory, Wiki signs some sort of form as
the immigration officer calls for the "young lady in
the gold jacket." It's Joanne. Janice is incensed.
"'Ang on! You mean you're going to let Olga from the
Volga waltz off without a word?" A furious Wiki
shouts, "How many times? I am legal!"

In the office, the immigration officer explains to
Joanne that they're checking the status of all the
workers. She asks Joanne her name, nationality . .
."British" she says, and we know she's lying.

[break]

Kayleigh's dad goes to phone her mum, but she takes
the phone off him, saying he knows they'll just end up
shouting at each other. It's answered by a wee poppet
with his face covered in chocolate. but Kayleigh
skilfully holds a conversation as if she's talking to
her mother.  "You know that chocolate bunny in the
back room . . ." says Finlay. "Yeah, he's here with
me," says Kayleigh. "He thinks we've had a falling
out." "It fell of the shelf," says Finlay. And so it
goes on. Finlay says she hasn't left him any dinner
and Kayleigh replies that her mother should tell
Finlay that if he touches her Easter eggs he's dead.
And she'll be back for dinner.

In the pub, Liz tells Steve that Vernon is "seeing a
man about a van", which is shame, because Amy's drawn
him a picture of his drum kit. "Ouch," says Liz. "Talk
about rubbing salt in the wound." Peter and Adam are
at a table, talking about the future. Adam points out
that Peter is going back home, but he's stuck there.
"This is my home." He says he can't just take off now.


In the factory office, Joanne's telling the
immigration woman that she doesn't have a passport.
She's always been afraid of flying. Carla and Paul
come in, obviously discussing the police cars outside.
"Well, it won't have been Agent Provocateur breaking
in to rob your designs, will it?" Carla is saying.
When they hear what's really going on, Carla assures
the brothers that all her machinists are kosher.

Steve goes into the bar and asks Michelle if the
naughty step existed when her Ryan was a lad. He's
exhausted and Michelle asks if Amy's missing her mum.
She says they're not used to spending this much time
with each other. "You've never played 'bad cop'
before," she points out. Now Steve has to be
everything to Amy. He says he's realised that this is
it for the next 15 years -- and that's if Tracy
behaves herself, which he can't see happening. He
suddenly realises Michelle's Ryan will be without his
dad for a lot longer and apologises. But Michelle says
it must be like somebody dying, all his plans and his
freedom gone. "But, you're lucky. You've got a good
family and you've got friends on hand to help. And,
keep this to yourself, but single parents do have
lives."

At the factory, Liam's dug out a whole lot of
paperwork and Hayley has all Joanne's paperwork, tax
code, national insurance number etc. The immigration
woman still wants something to confirm Joanne's
nationality. Joanne explains she lives with her aunt
and has done since she was a kid. The woman wants to
go round but Joanne says it'll panic her aunt. "What's
the truth, Joanne?" the official demands.

Liz brings Amy back to the pub just as Steve tells
Michelle he'll have to buy Amy her first bra. And
there's no way she'll be able to have a sleepover
because no-one will send their kids to stay in a
household run by a single father. And imagine Amy
going to her friend's for tea. "So, what do your mum
and dad do? Well, me dad runs a pub and me mum runs
the wing in the Styal women's prison." He mimics a
little-girl voice. Michelle says Amy will have to
learn to fight her own battles, but Steve says there's
been enough fighting since the day she was conceived.
"Not any more," Michelle points out. "That's the one
thing you can give her -- a stable home."

"Look, Joanne. We need to see some documentation. Is
there any reason you don't want us to?" Joanne tells
the woman she doesn't have a passport  because she
came to the UK from Liberia when she was eight. Her
aunty May flew out and brought her back. The
immigration officer arrests her as a suspected illegal
entrant to the UK. She gives Joanne the standard
warning on arrest, as Joanne gasps, "Will they send me
back?" She's got no family there and doesn't know
anyone.

The Mortons take Kayleigh back to her mum's. Finlay
opens the door and Kayleigh rushes inside.

As they bring Joanne through the main office, Kelly
can't believe someone she went to school with is
illegal. Janice is horrified. "She's more Manc than
you are." Joanne says it's a bit late for Janice to
start fighting in her corner. She glares at Janice as
the car takes her away.

Steve is sitting with Amy, who wants the same old
book, again. She asks when Mummy's coming back. It's
time to tell her that mum's not in Balamory with Edie
McCready. Steve says that Mummy won't be coming back
until Amy is at school and is a big girl. "You see,
your Mummy's done something wrong. She's been a bit
naughty and she's not allowed home till she's put it
right. That doesn't mean she doesn't love you. She
still wants to see all your paintings, and she wants
to hear about all your friends. And she's asked Daddy
and Grandma Liz, and Grandad and Grandma Deirdre to
look after you while she is away." Michelle comes in
and apologises. "I wasn't listening." "No," says
Steve. "I don't think she was, either."

The End.
Margaret Carr
(with thanks to the Kiwifruits shop in London for
getting in a supply of proper NZ marshmallow Easter
eggs!)

Sarah wants Jason to go to Greece with her (for Candice's wedding) and
points out to him that it is 22 degrees there at the moment.  However he
does not want to tell Bill he wants time off, so her pointed comments
are lost on everyone.  Where on earth will Sarah and Jason find the
money needed to go to Greece - they both have children to support and
neither of them can earn very much!

One of the Morton kids - Kayleigh  - is caught by Molly removing some
toothpaste from Dev's shop.  Dev and Molly initially threaten to
prosecute (shop policy) but Dev decides to go and see old Jelly Roll and
tell him about his daughter.  Cilla was watching all this having been
complaining about the prices and in the light of the shoplifting says
that she blames the parents.  A waiting Ken rolls his eyes theatrically
at this.

Janice wants to repent for her evil ways in reporting the illegals in
the factory and the others (Sean, Sally and Hayley) hope that it might
make her think twice before doing something horrible in the future.
Janice, if possible, looks even more miserable and wants to get Joanne
back to where she should be - but that is not going to be easy.

All is sweetness and light in the Barlow household.  Ken is threatening
to take up cooking - the Weatherfield answer to the Galloping Gourmet
(and who remembers him I wonder - Graham Kerr - the original series
ended in 1971 - and he is still alive and working!!).  Deirdre is
smoking (indoors - but not for much longer) and she is a far from happy
bunny.

Dev confronts Jelly Roll who gives Dev some Easter Eggs and gets him out
of the shop.  Jelly Roll then tells Mel he wants to see the errant
Kayleigh now, if not sooner.  Later Kayleigh arrives at the takeaway and
gets a severe telling off for the theft.  Jelly Roll wants to know if
her mother is providing enough for her needs.  Kayleigh just wants to
get home before her mother goes mad.  Jelly Roll insists on taking her
in the car.  When they arrive Kayleigh tries to stop him coming inside -
but no luck.  Inside the place is littered with empty home delivery
pizza boxes and Finlay has been left on his own.  The mother has gone on
holiday.  Jerry tells her and Finlay to pack - they are moving in with
him and the rest of the family.

Chesney is caught reading a book in the cafe by Cilla; turns out the
school are doing Bugsy Malone and the concept that Chesney might be
interested in musicals means only one thing to Cilla - he must be gay
and she starts asking him about his other interests.  Chesney does not
have the faintest idea what she is mithering on about but Cilla
re-assures him that she is open minded and they are good at shopping and
looking after their mums, before departing.  Later Chesney confides in
Sophie that he wants a part - but is not sure he has what it takes.
Apparently Sally said that not everyone has the charisma to be a
performer.  Charisma asks Chesney - what's that?  Sophie responds that
if he has to ask that question it means you so haven't got it!

Eileen answers a knock at the door to find Emma in smart clothes
standing there asking after Chloe, better known to you and me as Holly-
the abandoned daughter.  What clothes Emma is wearing (and to be honest
there is not much of them) look smart.  Holly starts crying disturbed by
the noise.  Anyway Emma has been reading about the death of Charlie
Stubbs and the murdering Tracy and shows Eileen the paper with his
picture.  Eileen confirms the picture is of the late Charlie.  Emma says
it is also the person who said he was Jason Grimshaw during the night on
which Holly was conceived.  Eileen in exchange shows her a picture of
Jason.  It means nothing to Emma - to whom Charlie clearly lied.  She
definitely went with the man in the paper - Charlie, not Jason.

Eileen starts feeding the baby and Emma wants to help.  Emma thought she
had left the baby with its father - turns out that she is with people
who are completely unrelated - total strangers.  Eventually Eileen hands
the baby over and Emma tells the baby that her mother is here again.
Eileen insists that she will keep the baby - she loves the mite and
nothing has changed.  Emma responds that everything has changed as far
as she is concerned.

Eileen and Emma start arguing.  Eileen says that the baby was dumped on
them without any form of check that Emma had the right people - what
sort of mother does that?  Emma says Eileen has no rights - but as the
latter points out who has actually been looking after Holly for the last
three months or so.  Emma claims she almost came back the next day and
has thought about the baby most days since.  Emma asks if Eileen has
ever made a mistake and our heroine admits that she did once - she dyed
her hair black - it put years on her - certainly a mistake but not quite
in the same league as dumping the baby with unrelated people.  Emma
shouts back that she is grateful but that she is the baby's mother and
she is taking the baby back.

And that is that for this week.
--
K Richard W

Apologies everyone.

The update headed Sunday was actually Monday part 1.

The missing Sunday update will follow later today and we will get back
in sequence.

Apologies for the error.
--
K Richard W

Right.  Here we go again.  The last update sent out was Monday part 1.
Here is the real Sunday update.  Tracy has been convicted.

Deirdre is smoking indoors having not slept when Ken comes downstairs.
He reassures her that all will be well once they have this first visit
to Tracy out of the way.  Deirdre reckons that Tracy blames her for the
sentence - but Tracy has only one person to blame - herself.  Ken
believes Tracy will have changed her mind now that she has had time to
reflect.  Ken says she has nothing to upset herself - but as Deirdre
says she is Tracy's mother and should have protected her.  The
atmosphere is so bad that Blanche has decided she will move out and stay
with a friend - and if they want to phone her then let the phone ring -
the friend is half deaf and Blanche herself is slow these days on her
pins.  She presents the unhappy couple with an anniversary card as it is
two years since they remarried.  Both of them have forgotten it, but it
reminds them that they need each other more than ever.

The Croppers have not slept either as they are worrying about Joanne and
the fate she is suffering.  Roy believes she will be comfortable but
Hayley is less certain.  Hayley also has a good idea who was
responsible.

Leanne is trying to make a joke about it to Janice but she fails to see
the funny side pointing out that it is Liberia where Joanne will be
sent.  Kasia and Judy arrive at the factory and Leanne makes a joke
about Eastern Europeans working ten days a week if they could - which is
much the same in your "profession" too? responds Janice.

Bill has decided that he wants to buy Charlie's yard and tells Jason not
to go looking for any new jobs.  He pops into the Webster household to
deliver Easter Eggs and Sophie is wailing away for her part in Bugsy
Malone.  Bill offers to replaster the ceiling but Kev feels they need
complete soundproofing.  Sal is unhappy and tells them both they should
support Sophie in whatever she wants to do.

Along at the Barlows Deirdre retires to the yard, lights yet another
cigarette and holding her head in hand bursts into tears once again.

Inside Blanche has gone and Peter needs to return to Portsmouth. Perhaps
Adam should leave as well - he was always welcome to visit Portsmouth.
Deirdre returns and she and Ken get ready to leave for the visit, taking
Adam's and Peter's best wishes.

In the Rovers Bill has decided that buying the yard will need money and
turns to Kev to invest.  Kev is not sure where they would find the money
and he does not want to think what Sally would say.  Anyway after a few
more drinks Kev is staring to think it would be a good idea when Sally
and Audrey join them.  Bill says he is sealing the deal and Sally wants
to know what the deal is.  Kev tries to get her to leave before all is
revealed but Sal won't move, listens to the proposal; then tells Bill to
go elsewhere, drags Kev off (presumably to give him a telling off on his
own) and tells Bill they are well and truly skint (and one daughter at
private school - that's rich).

Also in the Rovers Peter tells Adam that he wants him to do more than
visit.  Business is going well and he wants to open a chain of betting
shops - Adam could come and help him develop the business - and it might
well be more fun than living at No1 at the moment.  And if it does not
work out then nothing lost.

Ken and his wife arrive at the prison - the latter is reliving her own
time inside and is clearly unsettled by the smells, the noises, even the
laughter.  Ken observes it is only for an hour - but as Deirdre says she
will then walk away leaving her daughter behind.  And talking of Tracy
she arrives wearing a rather fetching red over top (not quite her usual
fashion sense).  Hello luv says her mum.

In the Rovers the main subject of conversation is the immigration raid.
Paul is not going to rest until he finds out who reported them.
Elsewhere Sean, Leanne, Janice and Hayley are worrying about Joanne.
Janice says she is up for a fight but Hayley reckons she has done enough
damage.  Leanne wants to know what she means and Hayley reveals that
Janice was the one who reported the immigrants.  She also tells Janice
to own up to the Connors - or else they are all under suspicion.

Tracy says she has a new solicitor handling the appeal but wants to use
the same barrister - he is very reliable, although expensive.  It is
important for her to get out of prison asap.  Deirdre apologises again
but Tracy says to forget it and to concentrate on paying for the
barrister.  Ken reasonably points out that she will get legal aid this
time.  But Tracy is having none of it - you will have to fork out again.
At this point I think Ken finally snapped.  Are you asking us for money?
Ken says he has kept quiet for weeks but he has had enough, they have no
more money, she has bled them dry and they have sacrificed everything
because of Tracy's lies.  Tracy does not give up easily and keeps asking
for more money.  But Ken will not be moved and even Deirdre knows that
they cannot find what is being asked of them.  So Tracy turns on her
mother and blames her for being in prison.  But Ken tells Tracy that
there is only person Tracy can blame - herself.  She killed Charlie and
built an extensive web of lies and deceit and until Tracy comes to terms
with what she has done they cannot help her (and about time too).  Tracy
ain't giving up yet and the determined cow plays what she thinks is the
trump card - the appeal is for Amy so that she can have he mother back
for the next 15 years.  But Ken stands firm - Amy will be well looked
after.  Ken says that Tracy will get legal aid and that is the end of
it.  Anyway visiting time is over and Tracy is led back to her cell -
telling them to give Amy a kiss.  Dreary is in tears.

At the Websters Kevin takes his telling off from Sally like a man and
they sit down to dinner.  Anyway Sophie has a crush on the teacher
responsible - Mr Stape and she also reveals that when Rosie did a Comedy
of Errors Kev fell asleep (I have been to performances like that).

Along at the Rovers Bill is explaining the situation to R'Audrey.
Needless to say she falls for it and offers to lend him the money and he
was not to consider it as anything other than a commercial arrangement
with a proper rate of interest.

Janice admits to the Connors what she has done and she is immediately
sacked by Paul.  However it is not a sackable offence and they will lose
at an industrial tribunal points out Leanne.  Carla confirms the point.
Janice promises that from now on she will be on best behaviour and there
will be no more aggro.  Paul is very angry but has to accept the
position.  However he warns her that even a toenail out of line in the
future and she will be history - she has used her get out of jail free
card - understood?  Janice nods miserably.

Tracy is back in her cell looking at a picture of Amy.  The cellmate
says she looks just like Tracy - will she be like her?  Tracy suddenly
realises what that means and says that she hopes not oh God I hope not.
Tracy finally perhaps realises that she has to pay the price for her
actions and we can all say "goodbye" to the departure of a character who
has certainly had some wonderful storylines over recent years and for
once we might accept that there really is nowhere else that the
scriptwriters could take her.

Will she be back in 15 years time - or sooner?  Who knows but Kate Ford
should give thanks for such wonderful scripts and stories and she will
find it hard to shake off the character of the evil Tracy Barlow.

And having already sent out Monday part 1 then Monday part 2 should be
along shortly.
--
K Richard W

As u know this report was out before sun, but Richard and i have both done
this one so we are giving them both to u. So you can read from diffrent
views or something : )

Part 1

This episode of coronation street is
Written by Julie Jones
Directed by Kay Patrick

Jason asks Eileen if she is ok looking after Holly as he has to tidy the
Yard. Eileen says she is taking Holly to the zoo. Jason remembers about his
hamster that was lonely and Eileen let him go. Eileen says he went under the
hover. Jason says his day is ruined and goes.

Kayleigh has turned up unexpectedly. Mel says there is no food in the house
but Kayleigh says her mum made her breakfast. Jerry laughs about her mum
giving her a whole slice of toast. Mel says they are all going out but
Kayleigh says its ok she will just hang out.

Sarah says Candice is having the full works for the wedding and asks Jason
if he has asked Bill. He says no and Sarah asks if he was going to tell him
on the way to the airport. Jason says he is getting some brownie points.
Bill just comes and Sarah says its 22 degrees in Greece. Bill looks puzzled.

Ken looks at a plant that is not doing well and says its probably has to
much smoke. Deirdre says she does not care and says Amy needs her mum. Ken
says Amy will adjust and has her, Liz and Blanch as a female figure while
she grows up. She says he sound like someone from start trek.

Sarah says she could fry an egg on her belly as Bill passes. He asks what
she means and she tells him about Greece. Jason says he wont want him going
but Bill says he can then says they have to tidy the Yard before Audrey
comes and says how she is investing in it. Sarah says her Gran is a salve
driver and they better get a move on.

Molly asks Keyleigh if she can help her. Cilla says she can get 4 cans of
beans for the price of one. Dev says she is paying for the conveniences but
is told that wont fill her child’s belly. Keyleigh puts toothpaste in her
pocket but is stopped by Molly. She says she was going to pay for it but Dev
says he is going to tell her dad. Ken listens as Cilla says thieves and she
blames the parents.

Janice comes in the Roves to find Hayley, Sean and Sally talking about her.
Janice says she is so sorry and says she wishes she could change places.
Sean says he would trade her for Joanne any day. Hayley says next time she
hopes she will think first before doing something nasty to someone again.
Janice says they need to get her back but Hayley says it’s not the simple.

Ken tells Deirdre they would cook someone they have not done before. Deirdre
does not answer and continues to smoke. She then says she was thinking of
going to give Amy her Easter egg. Ken says, now that he has more time on his
hands he would be Weatherfield's answer to The Galloping Gourmet. Deirdre
glares and says that lovely for him.

Dev has come to see Jerry. He tells him about Keyleigh steeling toothpaste.
Jerry says, at least it was not fags and drink, what would be worse. He
gives Dev the money and tells him to keep the change and also gives him
Easter Eggs. Dev says he has got lots of them. Jerry tells him to give it to
the twins and also one for Amber. Dev goes and Jerry wants Keyleigh over
here now.

Sarah says her gran is spending all her money on a business for Jason to
play in. Jason says she is only moaning because her Gran is spending her
inheritance. Jason says there will be nothing left for her as Audrey spends
a lot in the Rovers. Sarah laughs saying he better not let her gran hear him
saying that. Sarah then says he will have to be nice to her, as she will be
his boss. Jason laughs saying he will also have to be nice to her as well,
as she is the bosses granddaughter. Cilla comes in and sees Chez with a
book. She thinks it’s a mucky book but sees it’s a music book. He says the
school is doing Bugsy Malone. She tells him if he ever needs to talk she is
here for him.

Eileen opens the door to Emma, Holly’s mum. She says she wants to know what
is going on. She asks for Chloe. Eileen says they call her Holly. Emma shows
her a newspaper with Charlie on it. Eileen says it was a bit of a shock.
Holly cries. Emma says they have his name wrong. Eileen says she has to see
to Holly. Emma says this is who she thought Jason was. Eileen shows her a
picture of him and Emma says he was at the club but she went with the one in
the paper.

Keyliegh is at the shop and Jerry asks if her mum is not giving her enough
money. Keyleigh says she has to get home. Jerry says he will take her. She
says she will get the bus but Jerry says get in the car. Keyleigh says he is
not coming in, as she does not want him to argue with her mum.

Paul says Steve has big golf clubs. Steve says it’s not the size that’s
counts, it’s what you do with them. Paul says it was an off day for him and
says a fiver a hole. Dev says its like taking candy from a baby. Steve says
he would just burn his money now. Paul says fiver a hold it is.

Emma asks to hold Chloe. Eileen says she looks like Jason and people have
said that and that she thought she was her grandmother. Emma asks to hold
Chloe but Eileen says let her milk settle and says Charlie is dead and still
causing trouble. Emma says she tried to make sense of it. Then says Eileen
is nothing but a stranger.

Jerry has arrived and says he will walk her in. Keyleigh says he can go, as
she does not want him to tell her mum she tired to rob. He sees Finely and
Keyleigh waves to go away. Jerry says he is going in. When he goes in he
sees Pizza boxes and asks for their mum. Keyleigh says she has maybe gone to
next door. Jerry says he is not going till he sees her.

Emma holding Holly says she is a beautiful girl and she is her mum. Emma
asks what she is going to go now. Eileen says put her for a nap but is told
she meant about Charlie. Eileen says it does not change any thing, she still
loves the child. Emma says it does for her and changes everything.

Chesney tells Sophie he wants to be in the school play. She says he could do
backstage stuff. He says he want a go at acting. Sophie tells him you have
to have charisma. Chez asks what that is and she tells him if he has to ask
he has not got it.

Keyleigh finally admits her mum is away. Jerry is not amused saying she is
only 13 and Finely is only 6 years old. Keyleigh says her mum is not away
abroad and only been gone a few days. He tells her to pack a few things for
her and Finely as they are leaving.

Eileen shouts saying she just dumped the baby on them and asks what kind of
a person does that. Emma says she was desperate and also says she carried
her for 9 months but Eileen says gave her away and she has done all the
mothering. Emma says she was going to come back next day. Eileen says but
something came up and says that night she looked as if she was going
clubbing. Emma asks if she has made a mistake. Eileen says dying her hair
black and forgetting to lock back door was a mistake but dumping your baby
is another league. Eileen tells her to go but Emma shouts saying she wants
her baby back.

Amanda Souter

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Hotmail is evolving - check out the new Windows Live Mail.
http://ideas.live.co.uk/

Hi everyone, here’s the update for Wednesday 11th April.

We open in the Morton household.  It’s the morning after the twins’ 18th
birthday party.  Jerry takes them outside to show them the car he’s bought
them, all covered in banners and balloons.  Jodie reminds her dad that when
it was her 18th birthday all she got was a Boots voucher.  He tells her it’s
all he could afford then. The twins can’t take it for a spin as Jerry hasn’t
sorted out the insurance yet.

The social worker has arrived to see Eileen and Holly. She knows that Eileen
threw Emma out the day before, but assures her that she’s not there to take
Holly away, she just wants to talk. Eileen tells her that Charlie Stubbs was
Jason’s boss.  “Could Holly be his?” she asks.  “Course not,” says Eileen,
“you don’t actually believe her do you?”  The social worker points out that
whoever Holly’s father is, Emma is still her mother, and she’s saying she
wants her back. Eileen tells her that Emma is only after Charlie’s home and
business.  “Holly is her lottery ticket,” she tells her.

Joanne appears in the factory, to a warm welcome from the workers. Liam asks
her if it’s all sorted.  She admits that it isn’t yet, it’s still being
looked into, but they reckon she’s got a good case.  Janice stands a few
yards away, looking uncomfortable. Hayley asks if there’s anything they can
do, and Joanne tells them all that it would help her case if she could have
some letters of support.  They all promise to provide these, and Liam tells
her she’ll get a glowing reference from him.

Eileen has shown the social worker the newspaper showing Charlie’s photo.
The social worker says it still doesn’t prove that Emma isn’t genuine, but
Eileen feels it does, it’s something of a coincidence.  Emma never rang once
to see if Holly was all right, but now the money has come out she’s suddenly
become all maternal. The social worker says she’ll speak to her supervisor
about it, but for now will recommend that Holly stays with Eileen until a
decision is made. “Let’s hope it’s the right one,” mutters Eileen. As she’s
leaving, the social worker turns to Eileen and reminds her that Emma is
still Holly’s mum. “Try not to get too attached,” she says.  “Bit late for
that,” says Eileen, quietly.

Back at the factory, Liam hands Joanne her wages, telling her he’s put a bit
extra in, and promising that her job will still be there for her when things
are sorted.  As she’s leaving, Janice calls out to her that she’s sorry, and
she never meant for any of it to happen. “Not to you anyway,” mutters Wiki.
Joanne tells her it doesn’t matter now, what’s done is done, and she goes
off to see her solicitor.

Eileen goes into the bar and tells an astounded Violet (who we haven’t seen
for ages) that Emma is asking for Holly back, claiming that it’s Charlie,
not Jason who is her father.   Vernon is standing at the bar, and starts
drumming with his fingers.  An irritated Betty tells him not to start that
again.  Vernon explains that his hands have a life of their own, they’re
reaching out for drumsticks.  Liz comes along and tells him she’s not giving
them back.  He protests that drumming is in his blood. “So find yourself
another band then,” says Liz and persuades him to go and see one of his old
contacts, someone called Manny.

Eileen tells Violet she’s going to see a solicitor. Violet is aghast to
learn that Eileen hasn’t told Jason yet. “It might come to nothing,” says
Eileen, and tells Violet that Emma is lying. She tells Violet that Jason has
worn himself into the ground trying to look after Holly. “So have you,” says
Violet.  “This isn’t about me,” says Eileen. “Isn’t it?” ask Violet.

Vernon comes back to the pub, and tells Liz that he’s been networking –
hanging out with mates over a drink.  “Did these mates know of anything at
all?” asks Liz. Vernon confesses that they didn’t. “But they said they’d put
feelers out,” he says.

Claire and Gail are watching anxiously as crate loads of beer is taken into
Jerry’s house. As Gail mutters that it looks like they’re in for a quiet
night, and Claire wonders how many are coming, Jerry calls over and invites
them.  Claire replies that a few years ago they would have, but now they
have kids….  Jerry says that she can bring them, he loves kids, that’s why
he has five.  “Five?” Gail says, puzzled, “I thought last week you told me
you had four?”   Jerry smiles and tells her they’ve had another one since
then.

Jason arrives home, and Eileen prepares herself to tell him about Holly, but
before she can say anything he asks if she’ll babysit that evening so that
he can go to the party.  Then he goes off upstairs for a shower.

Across the Street, the party is underway and the Websters and Peacocks
arrive. Sally has brought a bottle of wine but Jerry is less than impressed
and says they can help themselves to anything they like except his money.

David tries his best to chat up Mel, but only succeeds in looking really
sleazy.  “Nice motor you’ve got there,” he says, “you’ll have to take me for
a spin in it sometime.”  Mel glances at her brother and makes a getawaty.

Vernon comes back, having spent the afternoon ‘networking’ with some mates,
(in other words, drinking!) He says he’ll go tomorrow to see the guy she
wanted him to see.

Gail, Sally and Claire are discussing Jerry’s comment that he now has five
children instead of four.  Claire wonders where they all sleep. (Shouldn’t
be a problem, most Coronation St. houses seem to take on all the qualities
of the Tardis and seem able to house the largest of families!)  Sally
decides to go for a snoop round, on the pretext of going to the loo. She’s
soon back, followed by Kayleigh and Finlay who’s half asleep. When Sally
says she was looking for the bathroom, Kayleigh says she was just having a
good nose.  Sally looks at Finlay and asks Kayleigh who her little friend
is. “His name is Finlay, and he’s not my friend he’s my brother!” snaps
Kayleigh, to everyone’s amazement.

Jason is all set to go to the party and meet Sarah, but Eileen tells him to
wait a bit and to settle Holly down. Jason however, doesn’t want to wait and
is heading for the door when Eileen cries out, “All right, what’s more
important to you?  Your own daughter or some flaming party?”  He stops in
his tracks, then says he’ll phone Sarah and tell her he may be a few more
hours.

Gail and Sally are getting more and more tipsy with every passing moment.
Gail then tells David she hopes he’s behaving himself. He looks at her and
Sally and says, “Yeah, well, at least I’m not drunk like you two!”  He
wanders over to Mel who asks if he’s seen her friend Ange.  He tells her he
saw her with Darryl, and she looks over and sees them kissing. “Not a bad
way to pass the time, is it?” says David, hopefully. Mel moves away,
rapidly, as David turns to Sarah, who’s laughing. “Just shut up!” he says.

Jerry tells his eldest, Jodie, that he doesn’t know what he would have done
without her, she stayed in and looked after the twins when she could have
been out enjoying herself. He suggests that now they are grown up she could
put herself first and start to live a little.  Just then Finlay appears at
the top of the stairs. Jodie smiles, “You were saying?” she says.

Darryl tells Liz McDonald that he thinks her fella is cool.  She goes
straight over to Vernon and tells him. “What do you think?” he asks her. “I
think you’re pretty cool too,” she replies.

Gail, Sally and Claire are by now extremely drunk.  Loudly they talk about
the new neighbours, and Sally sniffs that they don’t appreciate a good
Chardonnay.  They then roar with laughter, and take another drink from their
glasses.  Just then the fence panel they’re leaning on collapses!  David is
disgusted, as Jerry helps them to their feet.

Liz tells Vernon that she wasn’t having a go at him, it’s just that she
hates to see his talent wasted. She tells him he’s got to grab at every
opportunity.  “I will babe!” he says, “you are my rock!”  She replies, “And
you are my roll!”

Back in the Grimshaw house, Jason is rocking Holly off to sleep.  Eileen
asks him if Charlie ever used a false name when they went out together. He
says that Charlie did, it make it harder for the girls to track him down.
She asks if Charlie ever used Jason’s name, but Jason says he doesn’t know,
Charlie was hardly likely to tell him if he did. Jason asks why she’s
asking, and she tells him about Emma coming and saying that Holly’s father
was Charlie.  “She’s not mine?” Jason explodes, “I knew it, I knew it all
along but you wouldn’t listen would you?”  Eileen tries to bluster that they
don’t know if Emma is telling the truth, but Jason storms out, leaving
Eileen close to tears.

Annie Logan

_________________________________________________________________
Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile.
https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/

Grovelling apologies for the delay, people. Long
story. Long week. But Friday the 13th's update is here
now!

We open in the Grimshaws' front room. Eileen comes
down in the morning to find Jason there with Holly on
his knee. They've been up for ages. Eileen still
thinks that Emma only wants the baby so she can claim
some of Charlie's money, but Jason seems doubtful.
"Nothing's changed," Eileen says. "She's still our
baby." But Jason, with Holly sitting about as far away
from a cuddle as she can and still be on his knee, is
staring at the baby quite dispassionately, as if
trying to find some trace of Charlie in her.

Over at the Mortons', it's The Day After The Party,
with all that that means – bodies and stains all over
the carpet! Mel, however, has been out for a run
(coming storyline: How the real Mel was swapped with
an alien child 18 years ago!), claiming it's the best
way to detox, along with plenty of water. Her brother
just groans at the thought of going for a run. Their
dad's hangover cure, however, sounds even worse – a
raw egg, milk, salt, pepper and vinegar. Darryl won't
go near it. "I've just spent half the night trying not
to be sick!"

Back at the Grimshaws', Jason tells Violet that if
Emma wants Holly back then it's only a matter of time
before she gets her. Eileen protests loudly that they
have no proof the baby is Charlie's and she's still
going to apply to be Holly's guardian. An annoyed
Jason grabs his jacket and heads off to work.

Very strange things are happening at the Rovers. I
think Vernon has been replaced by an alien, too. He's
not only up early, but up early enough to make Liz
breakfast. And when Steve queries this, Vernon bustles
about, starting to cook Steve's breakfast as well!
Aaarrgghh!! Steve thinks Vernon must be after
something, but Vernon claims he's just turned over a
new leaf. He now has a woman who believes in him and
so he believes in himself. "From now on, things are
going to be very different." He goes off on some
mysterious errand, which Liz is quite sure means he's
actually going down to the jobcentre.

Gail, for some reason, has a headache. She's got no
idea why. After all, she just had one or two glasses
of wine to be neighbourly. David looks very smug as
Gail discovers the state of the garden. And the fence
is down! She's horrified. "I'll be getting an Asbo on
that lot before long!" (Asbo: Anti-social behaviour
order) David chuckles evilly. "Yeah, go for it, Mam."

Bill arrives at work with the good news that the offer
he and Audrey made on the yard has gone through. Jason
doesn't seem very cheerful and Bill thinks it's
because he's been worried about the yard and how to
earn money for Holly's keep. Bill goes off singing
without really noticing that Jason is no more
cheerful.

Later, Jason pours it all out to Sarah. He says Emma
turned up at the house and Sarah seems to take that
quite matter-of-factly.  Jason explains that Emma saw
Charlie's picture in the paper and recognised it as
the man who called himself "Jason Grimshaw".

David is out in the street, peering into Mel and
Darryl's new car. Darryl arrives, inviting him to sit
inside. David says, in the way of teenage petrolheads
everywhere, that he can't understand why "old blokes"
in cars that could do 150mph and which have good sound
systems, don't. "What's he doing? Twenty miles an hour
and listening to the news!"  David sees Betty coming,
calling her "that old bat from the Rovers". He tells
Darryl to rev it up again and Darryl does. Betty's
more angry than startled! "Can't you go and do that
somewhere else?" she shouts. "With pleasure,
sweetheart!" says Darryl and with a screech they're
off down the street.

In the cafe, Sarah and Jason are still talking about
Holly and Emma. Sarah assumes Emma will come to get
the baby. Jason says Eileen wants to hang on to Holly
and is convinced Emma is just after some money.
"Never mind her. What do you want?" Sarah asks. Jason
almost seems embarrassed to admit that he's got used
to having Holly around. "I even started to feel
different, and now I'm told she's not mine," he says.
Sarah says she'll support him whatever he decides.
"You'd want me to keep her?" he asks. "Even if she's
not mine?" Sarah tells him patiently: "That's not my
decision, Jason. Or your mum's. It's yours." Jason
looks as if this is a new concept to him.

Derek arrives in the Rovers. Liz isn't expecting a
delivery and comes over all girly. She tells him
Vernon's out and she'll give Steve a shout. He says
he'll go and make a start unloading. Is that a
euphemism? I have no idea. But Michelle noticed the
difference in Liz when Derek came in and she tells
Betty. "You must have noticed," she says. Betty isn't
at all excited by this bit of gossip. "There are some
things it's best not to notice," she says. "How do you
think I've kept my job these 38 years?"

Violet watches Eileen kiss and coo over Holly. Violet
says it's a shame Jason doesn't feel the same as
Eileen does about Holly. "Who's to say he doesn't?"
asks Eileen. And, after Jason admitting to Sarah that
he'd started to feel something for Holly, this sounds
possible.

Derek has finished the delivery and Liz offers him a
half pint. He says he'd better not. "Are you sure I
can't tempt you?" she asks. "Oh, you could temp me all
right," he says. He reminds Liz that he once asked her
out for a drink. "That offer still stands." She says
she'll let him know and he asks her not to keep him
hanging on for too long. He winks.

Gail arrives home, still with her hangover, to find
the Mortons' music blaring and the sound of drilling
coming from out the back. It's the last straw at the
end of a long day and she storms outside to confront
them, David, still smirking, following. "Do you have
to do that?" she demands. Jerry, always pleasant,
smiles at her. "Yes, sorry. It goes right through you,
doesn't it?" See. A soft answer turns away wrath. How
can Gail stay angry when he's being nice to her? She
stammers that it's very good of him to fix the fence.
"Your fence," says his father, pointedly. Gail asks
what he means. "It's your fence. Check the deeds. This
one is yours and that," he says, pointing at the fence
between the Mortons' and the Peacocks' gardens, "is
ours." There's a note of antagonism in his voice and
Jerry quickly asks what a fence is between friends.
"We both have to look at it." Gail agrees, but then
Grandad Morton points out that she's got a cheek
considering it was she who broke it. Gail almost
chokes. "I beg your pardon!" "See," says Grandad. "She
doesn't even remember." David watches his mother
gleefully as Grandad tells her she fell through it
when drunk. "We've all done things we can't remember,"
says Jerry, trying to smooth things over. It doesn't
help. Gail looks around for a hole to hide in, or
maybe a magic lamp to make her vanish on the spot.

Over in the Rovers, Bill tells Kevin about the offer
on the yard being accepted. "It won't be Webster and
Son, though." Kevin tells him it was a nice idea while
it lasted. Jason's in the pub now, telling Sean he's
having second thoughts about keeping Holly. He says
Sarah will support him whatever he wants. Sean reminds
him that he'll be taking on a second child, with Sarah
having Bethany, without having had any of his own.
Jason still hasn't worked out what he wants to do. He
wonders if he loves Holly. Sean says he has to love
her enough to be willing to fight Emma for custody.
Jason says again that Eileen wants to keep Holly. But
Sean, like Sarah, tells him it's not Eileen's
decision. It's his.

Vernon is back from his mysterious errand and still
seems very upbeat. He hustles Liz through to the back.
"I take it you've got some news I'm longing to hear,"
Liz tells him. Vernon is worried that she's sussed
him. She says they've been together long enough for
her to be able to read him. Vernon, thinking she knows
what's coming, fumbles in his back pocket and brings
out a jeweller's box, opening it up to reveal a
diamond ring. A very small diamond ring, but still a
ring. "Will you marry me?" he asks. He admits it's not
enormous, but it's all her can afford until he gets a
decent job. "You said you wanted more commitment from
me," he says. That's true. She did. He goes down on
one knee and starts to sing to her. "Darling you can
count on me, till the sun dries up the sea. Until then
I'll always be devoted to you." He pauses. "James
Taylor, Carly Simon." Well, they might have done it,
but in my head it's the Everly Brothers (
http://namsain.com.ne.kr/flash6/DevotedToYou.swf ),
though Linda Ronstadt also did a version. Anyway, it's
easy to see why Vernon was the band's drummer and not
the vocalist. Something in Liz's face must give her
away. "You do still love me, don't you?" Vernon asks.
She says she does. "Then make me the happiest man in
the world and you will not regret it," he urges her.
"Oh, all right then!" says Liz. Vernon is on his feet
and embracing her, but we can see from Liz's face that
"oh, all right then" sums up how she feels – not
exactly enthusiastic!

Jason goes home to find Eileen folding baby clothes.
She starts to chat about Bill and Audrey buying the
yard, but Jason's not in the mood for chat. "Mam, you
best sit down," he tells her.

Whether Liz likes it or not, she's now officially
engaged to Vernon. He's announced it to everyone in
the pub. "Show us the ring," calls Leanne. Liz does,
and Leanne's "Oh, lovely," has the same tone as "oh,
all right then"! Vernon even announces that it's
champagne on the house, as Liz catches Steve's eye,
almost saying "sorry". Vernon will be sorry soon. He
says to Steve: "Don't worry, I won't be asking you to
call me Dad!" Steve turns away.

At the Grimshaws', Jason tells his mother than he has
no right to Holly. That doesn't mean he doesn't like
her, but it's the truth. Eileen angrily says they've
got as much right to Holly as Emma has. Jason, with
remarkable intelligence for one who tends not to have
that reputation, tells her that with DNA tests, Holly
can easily prove that she's the mother and Jason's not
the father. Eileen is still convinced that Emma's a
gold-digger. Jason obviously wanted to have a calm,
reasoned conversation, but that's not happening.
"Think about it," he tells Eileen, anger in his voice
now. "Holly is the result of a drunken fumble between
Charlie and some woman I don't know. I'm not going to
give 20 years of my life because of that. And if you
want to fight for her, that's fine. But you'll be
doing it on your own!" He storms out of the room,
leaving Eileen looking thoughtful.

The End
Margaret Carr

Good evening.  I do realise updates are a little behind at the moment -
various reasons, not least of which was my error last week.  I am sure
my colleagues and I will be seeking to recover lost ground quickly.

We start chez Platt / Tilsley / Hillman where Gail is apparently stunned
to find out that Holly or as she should perhaps be known Chloe is not
Jason's child, merely the child of an individual calling himself Jason
for the evening concerned - one C. Stubbs Esq, very late of this parish.
And surprise, surprise Eileen wants to keep the baby - although Jason
(Charlie's only mate you may recall) has no interest in the baby any
longer.  David (demon child and clearly with a new hairdresser thank
goodness) finds it all very amusing - Charlie has left a sprog behind?
And he would have to give out a false name seeing as how he was the
devil incarnate!

In the Street Eileen has taken Holly/Cholie for a walk as Violet tells
her to give Jason some time and space {odd I know that Todd has been
seen with Dr Who but I did not realise Jason had crossed over to the
other side} - but Eileen is less understanding - she has had two shocks,
one over the baby and the other over Jason.

Along at the Rovers Vernon seems to be getting a grip on life and his
future and tells Liz that he has booked a meal out for them to celebrate
their engagement.  Liz replies that she is going to the cinema with
Deirdre (now come on Liz - either a night in the dark with Dreary crying
her eyes out or a nice slap up meal with deadbeat Vernon - ah I think I
can see which way this one is going).  She asks the time - 7:30 says
Vernon and Liz has the solution (nuts got that wrong) - the film is at
five and she can make it.  Vernon promises to have the champagne on ice.
Liz disappears and Steve is grabbed by Vernon who wants to make a good
impression on Liz and asks Steve for a hundred quid to pay for the
evening.  Steve hands it over reluctantly.

Maria wants to know when Peter will be visiting the Street again - this
last break has been three years and she rather hopes it will be much
sooner than that (by the way are we taking bets on Maria being pregnant
after this visit?).  He assures her he will be back sooner.  Adam
arrives and offers to buy a drink - which Maria declines and departs and
Peter is mucho mucho relieved.

Underworld is now officially a sweat shop the like of which we have not
seen for many years.  The "Carla" workforce (and Paul is trying to keep
the businesses separate) have to work long hours to get the current kids
dungaree order finished and delivered.  Vicky on behalf of the Polish
team ask for a proper break - but they will come back at 9 that evening
to work until it is all finished.

Does anyone want to know that Sophie and Chesney are rehearsing (no not
that - oohh you readers are awful!!!) for Bugsy Malone?  No nor do I -
we will skip that story for the moment.  I suppose that they are better
than most!

And so Jason gets another shock when he finds a strange girl on the
doorstep.  We already know Emma as the baby's mother and she has been
talking to people, all of whom says she has rights to the poor wee
bairn.  Jason answers by saying that they did not want the baby when she
dumped it on them and as far as he is concerned she can have him - but
the baby is not there.  Emma tries to push her way in and David observes
from across the Street, calling Gail out to watch the entertainment,
which improves when Eileen and Violet and baby return.  However Eileen
is probably in a heavier class than Emma who gets pushed to one side as
Eileen goes indoors.  They trade comments and then Eileen shoves Emma
who ends up lying in the Street and she is told to "Get Lost" (although
why she has to go and get that particular Sky One programme is not clear
to me).  Emma bangs on the front door demanding to be given the baby but
it gets her nowhere.  Once indoors Jason points out that Eileen cannot
keep the baby forever - and as Emma seems to have gone Jason regrets
that he is unable to tell her that he is on her side in this.

Vernon is at the bar of the Rovers celebrating his good fortune with
various other regulars and consuming quite a bit of alcohol.  He seems
quite merry.  Steve suggests he stops drinking and Lloyd suggests that
Vernon should get his son-in-law-to-be under control by giving him a
smack across his knee.  A little later Steve reminds Vernon he is
supposed to be at the restaurant in 30 minutes - which restaurant asks
Vernon who stands and then sways unsteadily through the bar to the back
room.  Michelle tells him to tidy himself - he looks drunk, but as Steve
says he not looks drunk - he is.

Peter and Ken are having a chat in the Rovers - Peter has to put the
events behind him - Ken will look after Deirdre but there is little
chance of it being let behind at No1.  Maria also returns and chides
Peter for being in the pub so long - but he has been home and back
again.  Maria wants to know when she will see Peter again - but he does
not want to discuss it and suggests they have a chat in the morning
before he goes.

The phone goes in the Rovers and Steve answers it.  It is Liz asking
when Vernon left. Steve thought he let about 30 minutes earlier - but
checking the back room proves otherwise - Vernon is lying on the sofa
fast asleep.  Steve is at a loss for words and asks Michelle what he
should do - she answers by saying he should tell the truth for once and
to his credit he tells Liz that Vernon is asleep, in newt like deep
sleep.  Liz sighs resignedly.  Then she has a thought and rings another
number - obviously she has decided to ask Dreary to join her, although
we only hear one side of the conversation.

Violet wants to know what Eileen is going to do about work the following
day.  Eileen knows she cannot go in - turning down the offer of
assistance she says she has to guard Holly and she does not expect
Violet and Sean to fight off a demented mother, she will do it for as
long as is necessary.

Derek has arrived at the restaurant - so it was not Deirdre after all.
He is married and has told his wife that he has gone to meet a mate to
play snooker at a club.  Luckily the said mate is away on holiday.  And
Vernon - asleep, blind drunk on the sofa.  Neither seems to care that
they are cheating on their partners.  Derek and his wife are content in
their marriage - but you can still want something else.  Liz can be
content engaged to a drunk but still want something else.  She assures
Derek that tomorrow she will lie to Vernon and say she ate a meal on her
own - she can lie with the best of them.

At 9pm the Poles return to work and Carla says she will be staying all
night to ensure all runs smoothly.  Paul starts to wind her up but then
admits he is going home to watch telly.  They have been together long
enough that any other answer would be a waste of breath.

At the Rovers Steve looks at the sleeping form of Vernon and tells
Michelle that if he calls him son one more time he will smack him one.
Michelle demurs and says that will not happen to which Steve agrees -
although he will threaten it.

Back at the restaurant Liz and Derek seem to be getting on very well. He
walks her back to the Rovers and they stop outside where LIz giggles and
reckons they are like sixteen year olds.  Then they pause, and look into
each other's eyes and then yuck they start snogging - I mean wrinklies
snogging and well really.  Oh hang on Liz is not 50 until later this
year, which means she is younger than me - well at least I don't do it
in public with a woman who is not my wife, oddly I don't do it in
private wither with a woman who is not my wife, well not if I want to
retain all my bodily parts and retain my life.

See you all soon.


--
K Richard W

First episode for tonight - Part 1

This episode of coronation street is
Written by Chris Fewtrell
Directed by Stuart Davids
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys

The opening scene ended a bit different with the street being in the dark
and a milk float driving long.

Out in the street the milkman gets out of the float and grabs some milk from
the float.

At the Factory everyone is round Kasha’s machine as she is sorting one of
the dungarees. She tells them she thinks that sorted and everyone cheers.
Carla takes the dungaree and says they have finished and even with a few
hours to spare. Everyone gets their coats and goes. Vickie and Kasha are
about to go but Carla asks if they will help her load the stuff into the
van. The don’t seem to keen but she says she has a bottle of bubble with
there name on it and they can have a champing breakfast.  Kasha nodes and
says ok. Carla is delighted and says this order is going to be the making of
them.

Grimshaw’s Eileen is playing with Holly. Jason comes in and Eileen is
shocked to see him up and asks why he is up. She tells him Holly has been up
six times last night and by five thirty she just had to get up. Eileen says
she appreciates him getting up early. Jason who is putting on his shoes says
he is only up early to take Sarah to the airport. He then goes out the door.
Eileen looks fed up as she looks back at Holly.

In the Rovers back room Steve is asleep on the sofa. Amy is wake watching
the tv. Some one comes down the stairs and opens the door. It’s Liz who says
hi to Amy. She hits Steve on the leg and asks what he is doing. Steve wakes
up and asks what is going on. Liz asks if he is trying to hothouse Amy. He
says no and says she was watching pengui and the tape must have stopped. Liz
says watching that people with breads and talking gogglie do will scare any
one. Steve says its all Vernon’s fault staggering up the stairs at half four
in the morning waking Amy up and was not ever sorry. Liz tells Steve he will
be.

Outside the back of the Rovers Derek is knocking on the door. Liz is shocked
when she opens it to see him. He says he has to come and see her before he
started his shift. She asks if he is ok. He says he is and had to come. He
says he had a good time last night and didn’t want her to think he was
taking advantage. Liz says he has a good time as well and they will have to
do it again. He says yeah. She tells him to go before Steve sees him and
tells him she will give him a buzz. She closed the door.

Over at the Factory Carla tells them they are almost there. Kasha is up the
stairs and picks up three boxes.  She can’t see over them. She comes to the
stairs. Vickie is looking at her. Kasha just as she is at the edge of the
first step falls down the stairs. Vickie watches as she does and shouts
Kasha. Kasha with the boxes falls to the bottom. Vickie goes over to her and
shouts Kasha then some thing in polish. Carla pulls Vickie back at bit and
says she will call am ambulance and for her to keep taking to Kasha. Vickie
talks to her in polish. Then shouts to Carla she is not breathing. Carla has
come back with her mobile and dials a number.

At the flat where Paul stays he is in bed. His mobile starts ringing. He
comes out the bedroom and picks it up. On the phone he says slow down. Paul
tells Carla who is on the phone when this happened. He then asks if she has
phoned any one else. He tells her not to and lock the door. He then tells
her not to argue and hold tight till he gets there. Paul hangs up the phone.

Back at the Factory Vickie is sobbing over Kasha’s body. Vickie says to
Carla who is coming back over that’s its too late. She gets up and goes to
Carla and hugs her. Vickie cry’s in her arms, as Carla says nothing and
looks over at Kasha.

Over at the Grimshaws Jason is just about to go out the door when Eileen
asks him if he will just look after Holly for ten minutes when she was a
wash. Jason says he is in a hurry and has to get over the road. Eileen asks
what time the flight is. He says at ten and she tells him that’s ages away.
Jason says you know what the air ports are like and you have to book in
early. He says sorry and she asks if he is. Eileen tells him ignoring Holly
will not change anything. Jason says him looking after Holly will not make
Holly his or hers and says she does not belong here and she must know that
deep down. Eileen says she thought he was in a hurry and is need over the
road. Jason sorta shacks his head and goes out the door.

Outside Jason just comes out his door. As he goes to cross the road a car
horn beeps and is nearly run down by Paul who is speeding in his car to get
to the factory. He pulls up. Jason knocks on the Platt’s door and waits.
Paul gets out his car and runs up to the factory. He opens the door and goes
in.

At the Factory Paul comes in. Carla comes up to him and says thanks god you
are here. Paul says its ok and hugs her. He asks were she is. Carla says
over there. Paul asks how it happened again. Carla tells him it was an
accident, she was up the top with boxes, lost her footing and fell. Carla
says she can’t believe this has happed. Paul asks where Vickie is. She says
she is in the toilet, as she felt queasy. Carla tells him she keeps going on
about am ambulance and says they can phone it in now as he is here to handle
things. Paul says no. Carla asks why and is told it won’t just be an
ambulance, it will be police. He says they will have to think how they are
going to play this. Carla looks and says it was an accident. He tells her
she just done two shifts on the trot. Carla says and that’s why she fell.
She then says she was worse out before she was tired and has no proper
insurance for her family. Carla then says they are going to throw the book
at her.

At Liam and Jamie’s place both of them are sneaking down the stairs. Jamie
says he should of left him sleeping as he was having a good dream about him
and girls aloud. Liam tells him to be quiet. Jamie says he was the drive of
the tour bus. Just then there is a noise. Liam asks if he heard that. Jamie
says no. Jamie then says one of the girls just asked him to pull over into
the lay by. Liam asks if he heard that. Jamie says he thinks so. Liam picks
up a whiskey bottle. Jamie asks if they should not phone the police. Liam
says, if the guy is still trying to break in by the afternoon they might
just get him. Liam says ready. Jamie says ready and they both are about to
go out the back door.

In the back garden Outside Jack is feeding his pigeons. Liam comes running
out screaming about to hit him over the head. Jack also gets a fright. Jamie
shouts Jack and asks what he is doing here at seven in the morning. He says
he is feeding his pigeons and asks what it looks like. They ask why now and
he says someone in a car pasted the house and woke Vera and she gets ideas
in her head. He used to ignore her but cant now. Liam says he could have
bashed his head in. Jack says not a bad way to go drink and pigeons. He says
he could do with some of that in a glass to calm his nerves.  Jamie says he
will get breakfast on. All three of them go inside the house.

At the Factory Vickie has come back from being in the toilets. She says it’s
been over half and hour and the ambulance should be here by now. Paul tells
her its ok and it’s all in hand. He tells her she looks tired and says there
is a cab outside waiting for her. She says they might need her and to talk
to her about what happened. He says it does not take three of them and Carla
can tell them everything they need to know. Vickie says if he is sure and
Paul gives her money for the fair and that she is best not to tell any one
about this not until Kasha’s family has been told. After she goes Carla says
it does not make any difference they are still stuffed. Paul tells her it
could have happened to any one ever the day shift. Carla says it didn’t
thou. Paul thinking says Kasha was on his payroll and they can phone just
after eight and say she died on the day shift. He says a few hours that will
make all the different to them but won’t matter to Kasha. Carla looks at
Kasha and says she is not sure.

In the Rover’s Backroom Vernon comes in and says he feels terrible. Steve
says that unusual after eight drinks. He says no terrible about last night.
He says he got wasted and is so sorry. He says he was happy and really was
looking forward to the meal. He says people offered him drinks for the
engagement. Steve says that’s a good way to get free drinks. Vernon says it
was not about the free drinks and thought it was rude to say no. Liz says
but it was ok to leave her in a pub with everyone looking at her on her own.
He says he messed up and Liz does not need to tell him. She says she does.
Liz tells him he if every embarrass her again he will regret it.

Liam’s and Jamie’s place Jack is having a full English breakfast. He says
this is nice and that Vera’s is always like charcoal. He says he will have
to come and see his pigeons more often. Liam says when he got his place it
had curtains, wallpaper and didn’t say nothing about pigeons. He says he
wants them out. Jack says that’s all he got. Jamie says he still have Vera.
Liam says his granddad had pigeons. Jack says he bets he misses them. Liam
says he does. Jamie says he could pay rent. Jack says he is only a
pensioner. Jamie says nothing over the top and says a few pints. Jack agrees
and Liam says ok and says he better go to the factory. After he is gone Jack
looks at his place that not finished. Jamie says he can have it.

Back at the Factory again Carla is walking back and forth. She asks if they
can’t cover her up. Paul says they are best to leave her as she is. He tells
her to go have a sleep in the office. She says she can’t. Carla says they
can’t just leave her there. Liam comes in but Carla and Paul don’t notice.
Paul says they can. Carla says and lying to the police. She says its all her
fault as she worked twenty hours and she will be to blame when they are
found out. He says it will be him as there is nothing he won’t do for her.
Liam finally says something and says what the hell happened here.

Over at the Grimshaw’s again Eileen is telling Violet she saw in Jason’s
eyes that he still loves Holly even though he is making out they should give
her back. Violet says, maybe they should. Eileen asks if she is saying she
is selfish. Eileen says she is not as there is nothing selfish about getting
up six times a night and looking after her. Violet says she never said that
and knows she is doing what is best for Holly. Eileen says she knows what
she is doing is right.

At the Factory Liam asks why they have not called am ambulance. Carla says
she is dead. Liam asks when she qualified as a doctor. Carla says it was
obvious. Liam then asks what they say about not calling it in. Paul says
that’s easy, she has not fallen down the stairs yet and it happens just
after eight. Liam can’t believe they are going to lie and says it’s not like
fiddling about with his expenses and someone has died. Carla says it won’t
be the first time. Liam says the woman is not even cold and she is using
what happed to his brother in law as black mail. Paul says for him to leave
her alone as she has had enough upset for one day. Liam says he is putting
his head in a noose just for her. Paul tells him he is involved and says he
can’t pretend he didn’t know about the night shift. Paul says he has about
ten minutes to get his head round about it and then he is going to clock
Kasha in.

Rover’s Vernon is cleaning the thing that pulls the pints. Liz comes through
and says, if he scrubs any herder he will take the varnish off. Vernon says
he does not know what else to do. He says sorry seams to be the hardest word
but in his opinion it is rhythm. He tells her he broke lots of drums trying
to get rhythm rascals on it. He tells her there is no other person he wants
to call him last name but her and his mum. Liz smiles and tells him to come
on as there is a bitter in the back for him.

Webster’s Sophie says she really wants this part in the school play. Sally
says she will get it. Kevin says she can try for other parts. Sophie does
not want another part and ask Sally to tewll Kevin. Sally says her heart is
set on it. Sally then says she needs something that is going to help her and
stand out from everyone else so she gets the part. She says the girl wore a
shall and says there is material at the factory that would go perfect. Sally
says she will go now and ask as she has seen Mr. Conner’s car. Sally goes
out the door.

Factory Liam is standing at the clocking in machine. Paul gives him a nod
just as the clock hits eight. Liam clocks her in. Carla is still shocked and
looking worried. Paul says they should wait ten minutes to make it look
better. Liam goes over to Carla and says he is not doing this for her. Carla
says if there was another way. Liam tells her there was and for her to hold
her hands up and take her punishment. Carla says she will get what’s coming
to her and says she keeps seeing it happening and has a sickening feeling
and nothing can make it wore, and he should know. Paul says he will do all
the talking and if asked Carla is here early as they have a big order and
Kasha came in early to help, she tripped and fell. Liam being sarcastic says
couldn’t be better. Just then they hear the door open and Paul says to Liam,
you didn’t lock it. Sally comes in asking if she can take come material but
stops as she sees Kasha on the floor.

Will the ambulance believe Kasha died on a day shift? What will Sally do or
say? Find out in the next episode.

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

_________________________________________________________________
Could you be the guest MSN Movies presenter? Click Here to Audition
http://www.lightscameraaudition.co.uk

Sally is stood looking over the dead body of Kashia, Paul is trying
to explain what happened...."Is she dead?" Sally queries,
"Er...Yeah" Paul answers and leads her out of the factory. She asks
whether she should tell everyone and Paul says that would be a good
idea.
Sallys gone and Paul re-enters the factory looking annoyed at Liam
for leaving the door unlocked.
Carla suggests she should move the dungerees away from the body. Liam
isn't happy at the suggestion though as he thinks they've done enough
damage without tampering with the body.
Paul can see things are getting heated and tries to keep everything
calm "Lets just keep our heads" He walks away leaving a nervous
looking Liam and Carla.

The ambulance is speeding across the cobbles- siren blaring. Into the
Morton house and the siren has got Kayleigh and Finley running to the
window and Darryl up out of his pit (The sofa which has doubled up as
his bed) Jodie joins the spectators at the window while Jerry and Mel
watches on.
Darryl complains he didn't want to get up this early but the siren
has woke him- He was on late at the kebab shop but Jerry has no
sympathy and tells him he has to take Finley to school and then do
some shopping. "I'll write you a list" Jerry helpingly offers and
goes to grab a notebook out of Mels College bag. "Er...No Dad use
this one" Mel, for some reason, doesn't want her dad to use that
particular notebook and passes him another. Jodie looks on obviously
concerned about whats in this other book and why Mel is guarding it.

David is observing the scenes at the factory when Gail joins him in
the garden- He won't go to school as he doesn't want to miss the
great excitement over at the factory! Gail doesn't put too much of an
arguament up as David sends her to get the fold-up chairs out of the
garage so they can watch the scenes in leisure.

Paul is speaking to the police- they seem to accept his explanation
of events as they ask him to send Carla in next. Paul asks them to go
easy on her; "She's taken it quite hard" he tells the officer.
Carla goes in to see them and Paul tells Liam he needs to stick to
the plan and it will all go away.

The Underworld staff are outside the building as the police are
informing Paul, Carla and Liam there are some formalities to go
through but everything looks pretty straight forward and there should
be no worries.
The talk amongst the staff is why was Kashia offered the overtime
that morning and none of them even knew there was any available.
Kevin has joined them and says its probably because she would work
for alot less money than the rest of them. Sally suddenly realises
that Wicki hasn't turned up yet. Talk then turns to whether or not
they will be getting paid while Underworld is closed when Carla, Liam
and Paul spill out of the factory doors.
Paul announces to the workers that naturally they are devastated
about what has happened and says he will speak to Wicki when she
turns up. He confirms they will re-open when Health and Safety gives
the all-clear and confirms they will get paid.

Wicki appears round the corner and Liam, Paul and Carla stop her
before she can get to the other girls. They tell her she shouldn't
make a statement to the police until she has had some sleep and Carla
leads her off to Liam's house for a cup of tea and a lie down.

Liam and Paul are off to Roys Rolls, as they are entering, Leanne
jumps out of a taxi, smiles plastered all over her face she shouts
over to Liam "Hey, just seen the police all over the factory, not
been naughty boys have we?" Liam just glares at her and Leanne's
smile drops.

Carla is sitting in Liam's house with Wicki. "why didn't you phone
the police as soon as Kashia fell" Wicki asks her. Carla explains to
Wicki it was the only way they could help Kashia's relatives. Because
Carla wasn't insured there would have been no money to send to her
family, because Pauls business is insured there will be a payout to
send to Kashia's family back home- Wicki is wiser than what Carla
realises though and says another reason is that Kashia had worked two
long shifts in a row.
Carla tells Wicki to pretend she wasn't there- Carla minipulates her
into thinking that the police will think she had something to do with
the death if she turns up now saying she was there when the Connors
haven't mentioned her involvement.
Wicki caves in and says she won't say anything.

The girls have moved from the factory steps into the comfort of the
Rovers. They are discussing the recent death and Hayley says she
wishes she could have spoken to Wicki- but as Sally points out, there
was no chance of that as the Connors whisked her away quickly. Sally
thinks theres more to it than the Connors are letting on and she
thinks it was unusual for Wicki to be late- by two hours.
The body is being brought out of the factory, Wicki see's the scene
and breaks down crying. Carla confirms to Paul and Liam that
everything is ok where Wicki is concerned.

Hayley approaches Wicki and asks her if she is ok, Sean asks her
whether she wants to join them in the Rovers for a drink. But Carla
ushers her into the factory and says she will order her a taxi home.
As Sally is walking away from the factory she asks Kelly whether she
noticed how Wicki looked at Carla- none of the workers can understand
why the Connors are taking such care of Wicki.

Jerry's ex-wife enters the kebab shop "wheres my 38 inch?" she
shouts "You should know we were married long enough" Jerry answers
back. She's talking about her flat screen tv. She wants all the stuff
they took back. She is too bothered about her electrical stuff and
doesn't even mention the two kids she left on their own. She tells
Jerry he had no right taking all her stuff and she has a good mind to
phone the police, to which Jerry replies she had no right leaving her
kids to fend for themselves and he will phone to social services.
The ex-wife then says she has been out of her mind with worry for the
kids, and how she brings them up is nothing to do with Jerry. She
says he can keep the kids and she'll sit back and watch him snap
under the pressure.

The Connors are in the office- Paul tells Carla she's done a good job
with Wicki and Liam says he can't see a good job which ever way he
looks at it. Paul grabs a cup and opens a bottle of wine- Liam can't
believe they are going to have a drink when someone has died and the
factory is closed. Paul offers him the phone and tells him to phone
to police- Liam can't and Paul tells him they've lived with worse
than what has happened today.

Hi to one and all, here’s the update for Wednesday 18th April.

We open in the factory, where the Health and Safety Officer is checking
everything, and Carla is getting increasingly anxious.  Paul assures her he
won’t be much longer, it’s nearly 5.30pm and he’ll want to go home.  Carla
reminds him there’s still some of the order to get out.  Just then Liam
comes in.  “Where’ve you been?” Paul wants to know. “Out!” says Liam, but
before any more can be said, the Health and Safety Officer comes in asking
to see a locked storage area out the back.  Paul takes the keys and goes off
to show him. As soon as they’re out of the office, Liam congratulates Carla.
“Don’t start,” she tells him.  “No,” he tells her, “it’s no more than a
month since you had Immigration swarming all over the place, now it’s Health
and Safety, well done.”  Carla reminds him that a woman died. “Yeah,” says
Liam, “on your watch, doing your work.”

Over at the Salon, Bill is holding up a sheet that’s been painted to say
“Happy 50th Birthday” – Gail’s birthday is approaching and Audrey is getting
ready.  She tells Bill to put it in the boot of her car, but then Maria
spots Gail coming out of the medical centre, there’s panic for a few
moments, but then it’s obvious that she’s going straight home.  Bill rushes
off with the banner while the coast is clear.  When he’s gone, Maria
comments that Audrey is looking happy at the moment, and she replies that
Maria too is looking happy – presumably down to a certain Peter Barlow.
Maria coyly admits that it might be.

Jason arrives home and finds Eileen taking care of Freddie and Holly. He
says he’s not playing ‘happy families’ and turns to walk straight out again.
   At the front door he bumps into Claire, who’s come to pick Freddie up, but
just barges past her.

Leanne is getting herself dressed up and ready for a night’s ‘work’.
Janice, somewhat desperately, suggests she comes with her to Bingo, she
might win.  Leanne tells her she’s already winning.  Janice looks worried
and sad, and tells her to be careful.  “Be lucky!” chirps Leanne in reply,
and off she goes.

Claire remarks to Eileen that Holly is getting to look more and more like
Jason, so Eileen breaks the news that Jason isn’t Holly’s dad, it was
Charlie Stubbs. Claire is horrified, but Eileen is adamant she’s going to
keep her.  Claire tries to protest, saying she’s not Holly’s mum, but Eileen
says no one else wants her, she’s all Holly’s got and no one is going to
take her away from her.

In a hotel lounge bar, Leanne checks her phone and sighs.  Just then  the
manager approaches and asks Leanne to go with him.  “Is there a problem?”
asks Leanne, innocently, and stays put.  “I’m asking you politely to leave
the bar,” he says, but Leanne continues to stay put, saying that she hasn’t
done anything wrong and she’s going to finish her drink. He tells her if she
doesn’t leave with him now, he’ll call security.

At the factory the Health and Safety Officer is finishing off.  He tells
Paul that in future the area up the stairs can no longer be used for storage
unless they are prepared to install a lift.  He says there are a few other
issues too and when they’re resolved they can reopen the factory.  He tells
Paul that he has infringed Health and Safety guidelines and could well be
fined, but he is satisfied that the death was an accident.  He’ll be sending
a copy of his report.

Leanne has been hustled out of the back door of the hotel, and told if she’s
seen there again she’ll be arrested for soliciting. “The clientele of this
hotel do not want your sordid trade plied under their noses,” he tells her.
He leaves her standing in the street looking stunned.

The Health and Safety officer leave the factory, and passes several of the
workers who are waiting outside.  “What happens now?” they ask Paul and
Liam.  Paul explains that the factory will remain closed for the rest of the
week as a mark of respect and so they can make a few changes inside. Kelly
says she doesn’t understand why Kasia was inside so early.  “She was
working,” says Liam. Kelly isn’t satisfied, she says that none of them knew
about it, besides which she was on her own, and none of them ever go into
the factory on their own. Paul hurriedly says it was a tragic accident,
there are lessons to be learnt so they can make sure that something like it
never happens again. “Trust me,” he says, “we are every bit as upset as you
are.”  The girls don’t look like they trust him one little bit, but go off
to the pub.  As they walk off, Paul turns to Liam and thanks him for backing
him up. Liam says he didn’t have a choice, but he wants Carla out of the
factory.  “She’s had her last chance,” he says, “I want her out.”

Leanne arrives back at Janice’s flat and, taking off her shoes, sits down in
the armchair looking very fed up.  Janice wonders why she’s back so quickly,
but Leanne won’t say.  So Janice draws her own conclusions. “You’ve been
turned down!” she says. Leanne won’t talk about it.  Like a dog with bone,
Janice won’t leave it.  “You’ve been rejected!” she goads her. “What did he
say?  Did you see that look of disappointment on his face?”  Leanne tells
her she’s not in the mood.  “You’re always in the mood!” says Janice, “but
he just didn’t want to buy what you were selling!”  She goes on to say she’s
glad that Leanne got the elbow.  “Maybe now you’ll realise it won’t always
be posh hotels, soon it’ll be streets and kerb crawlers.  You’ll be selling
yourself for loose change.”

In the Barlow’s house, as Peter and Adam discuss Adam’s move to Portsmouth
with Peter, Ken is opening letters of support.  He finds one from Denise,
his ex.  “Do you want to have a look?” he asks Deirdre, but she declines.
“What can they say that we haven’t said to each other a million times?  What
do these people know?  They don’t know anything!”  Just then there’s a knock
on the door and Peter goes to open it.  It’s Maria, “Can Peter come out to
play?” she asks.  He said he’ll go and ask his dad and they laugh.

In the pub, the factory workers are discussing their concerns over Kasia.
There is speculation over whether she was having an affair with Paul, and
she was going to tell his wife so he killed her.  Sally points out that
Carla was in the factory when it happened. Fizz says that she was working
both shifts, she wouldn’t have had time to have an affair. They then decide
that she was exhausted, so that may have been why she fell down the stairs.
“There must be some legal thing about overworking people,” murmurs Sally,
and Sean tells her there is, it’s not allowed.

Just then Liam comes into the bar, and asks Sean for a pint.  He rushes out
the back, saying he’s promised to record something for Liz. While Liam is
waiting, Leanne comes into the bar somewhat subdued.  She apologises for her
wisecracks the other afternoon, telling him she didn’t know what had
happened. He tells her it wasn’t her fault.  They stand there in silence for
a few moments, and then she asks if anyone’s serving.  He tells her that
Sean is out the back setting the video to record something for Liz. Leanne
suddenly blurts out, “Do you want to get something to eat?  I thought we
could go for an Italian.”  Surprised, but pleased, Liam accepts.

Bill is talking to Kevin and the conversation comes round to Audrey. Kevin
thinks as Bill is living at Audrey’s house and she’s investing in his
business, she might be looking for some kind of commitment from him. Bill
asks him what kind of commitment.  Kevin thinks Audrey might be thinking of
a summer wedding.

Carla is thanking her husband for his support over the last day or two.  He
tells her that Liam isn’t happy and wants her out of the factory.  She
replies that it’s only to be expected.  Paul tells her it would obviously be
better if she had her own place. She tells him to wait till they get over
this and then they can sit down and talk about it.

Over their meal, Leanne asks Liam if there’s been any trouble over the
accident. He tells her he’d rather not talk about it and asks if she’s done
any big property deals. She suggests they call a truce and don’t talk about
work.  He asks if she’d like more wine and she says she shouldn’t. “Why,
early start tomorrow?” he smiles. She shakes her head so he calls the
waiter.  “Me neither,” he says, “shall we risk it?”

Paul tells the factory workers that Kasia’s death was an accident and Health
and Safety have given them a clean bill of health.  There’s a few changes to
be made but the factory will be open as usual next week. As he walks away,
they mutter that they don’t believe a word of it and think that Wiki must
know something. “There’s only one way to find out,” says Sally.

Audrey has joined Bill in the pub and wonders why he’s so quiet.  Eventually
he says, “I’ve been thinking, if that’s what you want that’s what we’ll do.”
   Audrey doesn’t know what on earth he’s on about, so he tells her, “Getting
married. If that’s what you want.”  He explains that he’s living in her
house and she’s invested in his business.  She laughs and says she could
sell the business tomorrow and put all his clothes in bin bags on the lawn.
She says she’s quite happy with things that way they are.

Liam walks Leanne home, but outside her door asks her if she’d like a quick
drink in the Rovers. She says no, so he then tries to persuade her to go
back to his house for a drink. She points out that Jamie will be there. He
says Jamie will be tucked up in bed, but she says it would be too awkward.
He goes to give her a good night kiss on the cheek when she gives him a big
kiss on the lips. Then she guides him in through the doorway of Janice’s
flat.

Annie Logan

_________________________________________________________________
Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile.
https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/

Hello,

Just a note: "We've managed to recover all your data"
does not mean you will be able to find your files when
you get your computer back from the repairers.

Now, cracking on with a delayed and apologetic Friday
update...

Janice wakes up to find clues: A man's jacket, wine
glasses and an empty bottle. She knocks on Leanne's
door and tells her she needs her for a mo'. Before
Leanne can get out of her room, a happy, whistling
Liam comes from the bathroom, apparently refreshed
after a shower. He goes into the bedroom to get
dressed and Leanne comes out to talk to Janice. "It's
not what you think," Leanne tells her. Janice wants to
know if Liam is "still on the meter".

At Eileen's, Sean is looking forward to going to Sal's
house. He's never been there before. "I feel like I've
been anointed," he says. Eileen is cheerfully full of
details about Holly being visited by the "pooh fairy"
but Jason just sits grumpily on the sofa. Eileen
mentions taking Holly to the Red Rec and Violet, in
return, mentions a mums' group doing power walking
round the park. It must be this mention of mums that
causes Jason to stalk from the room.

Liam's ready to go home and he and Leanne say goodbye
in front of Janice, who sits crouched at the table
like some malevolent indoor gnome. Once the door
closes behind Liam, Janice says: "Thought you weren't
supposed to kiss 'em." Leanne protests that it wasn't
like that, and Janice knows it. It's also none of her
business. Janice points out that when she finds her
boss half naked in her flat, she tends to take an
interest. Leanne tells her stepmother that she really
likes Liam. Janice wants to know if he knows what
Leanne does for a living and Leanne pleads with her
not to tell Liam.

Liam bounces into work only to find Carla settled in
the office, using the office phone. Paul hastily says
that Carla has just popped in to tie up some loose
ends. "I want her out!" Liam says. "I'm not kidding.
Don't test us on this one!" He storms off.

Sally, Hayley discuss their meeting later and the fact
that they've seen the Connors go into work as if
nothing has happened.

Jason tries to get some information out of Kevin over
the "secret meeting". Kev says that whatever is going
on at the factory, Sal will find out. She's like a
bloodhound.

Emma meets Jason in the street and pleads to be
allowed to see Holly, whose real name is Chloe,
apparently.

"What the hell is she doing here?" demands Eileen.
Jason explains, but Eileen says Holly is asleep and
refuses to disturb her. Jason says Emma will be quiet
and asks Eileen if she'll fetch Holly, "or will I?" He
looks so determined that Eileen grudgingly leaves to
fetch the baby. Emma thanks Jason. When Eileen
returns, Emma asks for Eileen to hear her out. "You've
got five minutes," mutters Eileen.

Adam and Peter are ready to leave and ask Ken if he'll
come to the Rovers for a last pint with them. They go,
leaving Deirdre a seething mound of repressed
resentment -- though she didn't say a word, so I can't
be sure that's what it was).

Emma is explaining how difficult it was with
Holly/Chloe crying all the time and how she just
wanted a life. Eileen in very unsympathetic. "I'm
still her mother," Emma says. Eileen tells her that
being a mother is more than just a word. "When it
comes to kids, it's actions that count." A tearful
Emma asks, "Don't kids like me get a second chance?"

[break]

Liam greets Leanne in the street and asks if she'd
like to buy him lunch to thank him. They go into the
cafe.

Emma and Jason are outside talking. Emma says she
would probably behave like Eileen in the same
situation. "The longer it goes on, the worse it gets,"
says Jason. "Just remember, my mum loves that baby,
ok?" Emma understands. Eileen, watching them, turns
and slams her front door behind her.

Liam and Leanne are still in the cafe. Liam says he
thought Janice was going to belt him one, but it was
worth it to see the look on her face. "Talk about a
cobbler's thumb*. Don't worry. It won't happen again."
Leanne says he's right, it won't happen again. She
says last night was really great, but it's not him,
honest. He looks very hurt and Leanne just gets up and
leaves.

[*At least, I think that's what he said, but it was
indistinct]

At Sally's, the meeting is being delayed by Sean
gushing on about everything from Sally's ornaments to
the excellent serving hatch and the cleanliness of the
upstairs porcelain. Wiki comes in, looking very
worried. She thanks Sally for lunch. She says she
hasn't been sleeping. When the others comment on the
long hours Wiki and Kasia worked, Wiki defends Carla.
They're interrupted by Kevin waltzing in and snatching
food from the table. Sally tells him off and they
return to discussing Kasia's death. Wiki tells them
they didn't work too late and no-one put pressure on
them to work extra hours. Kasia came in early because
she needed the work. "My friend is dead!" she says. "I
don't know why. Please, I don't know anything." As she
gets more and more distraught, Kevin sticks his head
back in the door and asks, "Any chance of a brew?"
Wiki takes the opportunity to tell them she wants to
be alone. She gets up and leaves.

Maria meets Peter outside the Rovers and he
embarrassedly says he was coming to see her next. He
says he's got a stack of work to do when he gets back
and the next few months will be difficult for him.
Maria can't work out what he means. He can't give her
a date for when he'll be back in Weatherfield. Maria,
obviously upset, jokes and makes out she doesn't care.
She walks away as Adam comes out of the Rovers. "I
can't do long-distance," Peter says. "Still, plenty
more where that came from, eh?" "You've got
competition now," Adam points out.

At Sally's, they're wondering whether they pushed Wiki
too hard. They agree there must be something going on.
Sally says Carla probably had them doing double
shifts. Hayley agrees and points out that Wiki turned
up late the morning Kasia died. They agree it's about
time they started getting some proper answers.

There are hugs all round as Adam and Peter take their
leave, with Ken and Deirdre waving them off. Ken
watches as first Maria, then Deirdre, turn and go
inside. He follows Deirdre resignedly.

Les is trying to paint Cilla's toenails. He wonders if
a bit of primer would help. Ches comes in with Kirk
and tells them he's got a part in the play. His
excitement is squashed, though, when Cilla laughs at
the thought of him playing a gangster and having two
songs. She would only be impressed if he was Bugsy
Malone. Poor Chesney trudges upstairs and Kirk tells
the others off for not being encouraging. "Who are
you? His agent?" sneers Cilla. She wants to know why
he's not at work. Kirk says the place is dead. Cilla
and Les say he should drum up some business. "Take a
lead," laughs Les.

Eileen takes the baby to the yard. She tells Jason
that Emma's putting on an act. She asks if Emma
fluttered her eyes at him. Jason shouts that no-one is
perfect. Eileen used to shoplift food when the boys
were kids. Eileen says Jason is naive. She's going to
keep fighting, with or without him.

Ches and Kirk are walking in the street, eating chips.
Chesney is explaining emotional project to Kirk.
Apparently, because Les and Cilla feel bad about
themselves, they're projecting those feelings on to
those around them, and making other people feel bad
about themselves. Fizz meets them and asks how the
audition went. She's heard of Ches's character and is
very enthusiastic when she hears he has two songs.
Ches is much happier. Fizz agrees to make him a
costume.

Ken is walking Eccles in the ginnel. He knows Deirdre
is in the yard because he can see the smoke. She knows
he's there, because she hears the dog. They don't
speak to each other.

Leanne tells Janice she's right about the problems
involved in not telling Liam. "You can't mix business
with pleasure. If you want anything in this life, you
just have to make sacrifices," she says. "Yeah," says
Janice. "You're probably right. I mean, why give it
away when you can sell it." Leanne says she just wants
more of a life -- enough money to make a start. Janice
says she didn't need to give up Liam. She thought
Leanne's feelings were returned. Leanne thinks Janice
must wonder what Liam sees in her. "Well, whatever it
is, it won't be there much longer," Janice says. "No
matter how much money you earn, you'll never be able
to buy it back.

Eileen puts the tea on the table (black sludge and
mash). Jason comes in with his pack on his back and
says he's leaving. He doesn't know where he's going.
But anywhere is better than spending any time at home
with Eileen and that baby. He turns and leaves.

The End
Margaret Carr

And as we are little late I plan to keep this update a little short so
that it can go out quickly.

Much of the episode tonight centres around Gail's birthday.  Throughout
more or less we have to endure a smirk on David's face - after all what
else does he do?

Anyway we start with Violet and Sean looking for Jason, but the yard is
locked up and he is not there (well obviously - he went for the soft
option round at Sarah's!).  David borrows a tenner to get his mother a
present (usual forward thinking there).  Eileen is of course worried
that her grown son did not come home last night (about time she grew out
of that).  She does not understand why Jason wants to give the baby
back.

Anyway David eventually delivers a box of chocolates to Gail and a card,
Jason merely wants to know where his change is - David refuses to hand
it over.  Anyway Audrey arrives and asks David if he will help Bill with
the banners for the big five oh.  David looks lost for a moment and then
says that they must do nothing to spoil the special day.

Paul and Liam meet Janice and Leanne in the Street.  The latter is still
not giving Liam the time of day and refuses a drink in the Rovers.
Janice says she will never crack this one and they depart.  Paul finds
it hard to believe that Liam is still failing.  They meet Carla and
starting laughing at Paul, watched with open mouthed astonishment by
Sally, Hayley and Fiz - they are behaving as if Kasia had never lived.
They are still moaning later in the Rovers about this and reckon the new
lot are worse than Baldwin.  Liam arrives and offers to buy a drink but
the girls are not prepared to accept it and tell him to put his money
away.  When Paul arrives he tells Michelle that Liam has joined a select
group containing root canal work, tripe and flu - things you only want
once!  Liam tells them to watch his moves and he sets off to talk to
Leanne.  The latter was not born yesterday and seeing Paul watching asks
if they have a bet on.  Liam says no - it is about pride and self
respect.  She says that he sounds just like Janice and holding up her
empty beer bottle he has won this round and heads to the bar to buy the
drinks.

Vernon is suffering from a lack of drumming practice, but eventually the
ever wonderful Liz suggests a solution - the cellar, lots of room there!
Steve's comments that perhaps the beer might go off are not heard except
by the watching audience.

Jason, David and Bill are erecting banners stating "Gail is 50!" in
multiple colours.  Bill reckons that Gail will not mind everyone knowing
her age and asks David to confirm it.  He agrees saying she love every
minute of it!  Eileen observes the activities and asks Jason what he is
doing - well as David adds - he is only repaying the favour after having
been allowed to stay overnight.  Not surprisingly Eileen delivers a
piece of her mind about her son preferring another roof to his own.
Jason responds that the baby is really called Chloe and should be with
her natural mother.

Another banner is hung outside the Rovers.  Cilla watches and snipes.
David wants to know what she did on her fiftieth birthday - her response
is that she is nowhere near that age and she stomps inside the Rovers.

Gail returns with Audrey and is told to close here eyes.  Eventually
they arrive on the Street and get out of the cab, Gail opens her eyes,
Audrey cries "Happy Birthday, the champagne is waiting inside" and goes
into the Rovers, followed by Gail who starts saying " This is a
nightmare, it's embarrassing."  Bill tells her it is only a laugh but
Gail responds - does he see her laughing.  And she is not laughing
because she is not 50 - although the champagne is being circulated.
"When was I born Mother?  Come on you must know - after all you were
there!"  Audrey cogitates and then decides nineteen fifty um .... um
eight.  Oops.  Gail goes for the kill - You are so busy with any man
that is passing married or not, going to the altar or not that minor
details like my age do not matter.  She departs.  Deirdre observes it is
only a number and Liz adds - quite as I will find out in November.

Derek arrives and tells Liz that he needs to sort out these delivery
problems.  She asks Vernon to watch the bar and she and Derek go through
to the back.

Gail arrives home and sees the other banner.  She tells David to remove
and whilst he suggests putting it away safely for twelve months she
tells him that will not be necessary.

Eileen and Claire have various discussions.  Claire suggests that Emma
(mother to Holly/Chloe) might have post natal depression and eventually
Claire lets slip that on the whole perhaps Jason does have a point and
the baby should go back.  Claire thinks the current situation is unfair
- but Eileen merely asks what has fair go to do with it?

Liam asks Leanne to join him for a meal, but he is not in luck and she
was sorry but no and departs.  Carla has been shopping to take her mind
off things - and shows off the results to Paul in The Rovers in front of
the workforce - have I told you that the entire family use a lot of hair
dye and that they have very very black hair, I only think I ought to
mention this because Carla is behaving rather like an airhead dtizy
blonde.  Fiz sneers that it is hardly the thing to wear to a funeral.
Paul suggests a minute's silence on Monday - but gets little sympathy.
Sally suggests that they refuse to work - they are too upset - but they
all need the money unlike Sally who can live off Kev.

Derek departs and Dreary asks Liz what is going on.  Nothing much -
after all she is with Vernon and Derek is married.  Just a bit of fun -
nothing serious.

Audrey, Bill and Sally arrive at Gail's house, full of apologies and a
bottle of champers.  Gail has mellowed now and agrees to a drink, so the
gurlies go to the kitchen and Bill corners David - you knew all along
didn't you?  David smirks and agrees.  Bill asks if he did not think to
say anything - but as it is the best laugh David has had in a long time
he did not want it spoilt.  Methinks Bill is onto our laddo.

Janice and Leanne discuss the Connors and particularly Liam.  Leanne
does not want a relationship with Liam because he will want to know
where she is when on business - and they can only find out about her
activities if Janice tells on her.  She takes a call and has to go.

Eileen and Claire are still talking about Holly but I have lost the will
to write.  Anyway Eileen is close to realising that she has little
choice - either she hands the baby over or the authorities will remove
her.

See you next week.


--
K Richard W

PART 1

This episode of Coronation Street is
Written by Jan McVerry
Directed by Pip Short
Produced by Steve Frost
Sponsored by Cadburys
CORONATION STREET is copyright ITV productions

Outside the Café Becky is having a smoke. Hayley comes out and says it the
first day back since Kasha died. Becky says she was looking in the job
center. Hayley laughs. Roy says six months ago she would off never said
that. Hayley says as likely as Roy finishing his cryptic crossword. Roy says
like Hayley finishing her sodoku at all. Becky then says likely as her
finding out anything from the Conner’s. Becky then puts her fag out and goes
in. Roy picks it up.

Grimshaw’s Eileen comes in with Holly. Eileen says then need to make the
most of her as she wont be theirs forever. Sean says you are going to give
her back and has finally come to her senses. Eileen tells him to shut up and
goes out the room. Violet says Eileen is bound to be upset. Sean says she is
going to do it though.

Outside the Webster’s Rose says her skirt is too short. Sally says she is
not going to get another one so near the end of term. Sophie says she is
hoping this girl gets gladiola fever from snogging this guy and she will get
the part and it will be Broadway for her. Rosie says she will suck up to the
teacher and the girl is snogging the guy and she’s not. At the Factory there
is flowers at the door. Paul comes and the girls shout telling him to watch
the flowers. Liam asks who is going to make tea. Kelly says she feels weird.

Inside the Factory Liam sees they only have a small pot and asks how
normally does the tea. Paul says when the machine’s is up and running he
wants him to tidy the area so there is not more accidents and reminds him
they have clines coming all week. Liam says he knows were the brush is.

Platt’s Violet asks if Jason had listened to anything they have said. Violet
says Eileen is going to give Holly back. Sean says they have to make the
most of her while they have her. Jason just nah. Gail comes home in her
dressing gown and Sean says they are just going. Jason says sorry. Gail
tells him just to be useful and get David out of bed.

Factory the gang see the place has been cleared of clutter. Vickie comes in
and they all say morning. Kelly says it’s like she never existed. Sean says
like Jo Jo and says she might as well be dead as they are never going to see
her again.

Barlows and Ken comes with two cups and places them on the table. He sees
Deirdre with a letter and asks to have a look. He sees there is a ten-pound
note inside and says for phone calls. She says he does not know what it’s
like inside prison. Just then there is a knock at the door. Ken goes to get
it. Claire asks to come in and Ken tells her to come in.

Jerry’s shop and Kevin sees Darryl looking tired and says make me jealous
and asks what he was up to last night. Just then Jerry comes in and Kevin
asks if he can say in front of his dad. Darryl tells him the truth is far
from acceptable. Jerry says they are still playing musical beds at their
house and Darryl is sleeping on the sofa. Kevin says he won’t keep his good
looks with only three hours kip. Kevin goes and Jerry asks Darryl to put on
the chips as he is going out for a bit.

Barlows Claire is upset as she thinks the jury thought she was making it all
up and says she is an honest person. Ken says she is too honest. Claire says
she thinks the best of people till proved otherwise. Ken says weren’t you
proved when the verdict was read out. Claire says it that was the correct
verdict what was Tracy case, a lie. Deirdre says this is not fair, as Tracy
is not here. Ken asks why. Claire says she keep the diary. Ken says things
you witnessed personally. Deirdre tells him to stop and not involve innocent
people. Ken says innocent people are involved. Deirdre says they risked
everything on the case. Claire then says Deirdre knew and didn’t tell her.
Claire storms out the house.

Outside in the back garden of the Morton’s Jerry sees Claire from the
window. Gail comes out with washing. Jerry throws a stone at the Peacock
household to get Claire’s attention. She comes out in rage and tells him he
could have broken the window. He says he is getting a shed to both of them.
Claire still angry tells him to do that he wants but not to involve her.
Jerry looks at Gail who says a shed cant do any harm.

Factory everyone is talking about Kasha saying she was not the fastest
worker and not even Carlas mate. Sean wonders if she was staying at the
factory and got kicked out her flat. Janice says not with out the Conner’s
knowing. Sally says they know she died on their premises. They wonder what
happed to her body and Vickie says flown home by the Conner’s. Janice says
what does that tell you. Fiz says guilty consents. Hayley says or a good one
then asks how the family was after Vickie says she knows for sure as she
phoned and says everyone was upset. Liam asks Paul if his ears are burning.
Paul says he will talk to them after he beats his top score on the game he
is playing on the Nintendo Ds.

Cab office Lloyd tells Claire she phoned and is not coming in. Claire asks
if Eileen is handing back Holly. He asks if he looks like Darren Brown who
does tricks. He says it was a ten-second-phone call but Claire says that’s
long enough to know. Just then Deirdre comes in and Claire goes. Deirdre
says she wants a taxi to anywhere.

Grimshaws Eileen talking to her self says she does not know how someone so
young can get so much stuff. She goes to get the door. Claire comes in. She
sees Eileen has washed and ironed and got Holly clothes. Claire says she
does not want to hand Holly back empty handed and gives her a hug. She says
she came round for a moan but is not going to now. Eileen tells her to and
Claire says how she has been hurt. Claire says she sees her doing this even
though it must be breaking her heart. Eileen says she is not saint. Claire
says no but she took her seriously. Claire says what she said yesterday must
of hit home and everyone thinks she is a joke. Eileen says she doesn’t.

Factory Paul says every time they pass the stairs or her locker they are
thinking about Kasha. Sally says they want to talk to him about that. Paul
says in a minute and says they were thinking flowers and rives are not
appropriate so they have started a collection. He says the family was not
well off. Kelly says du that’s why she was working here. Paul says they can
put something in if they want and they will have it converted and sent over.
As they go Janice looks and says they have put two hundred in. Sean says
that’s the price for are silence. Sally says she tired to say something and
they could off backed her up.

Café Jason says he only get half an hour. Becky gives him his butty and says
she only gets fifteen minutes. Jason bumps into Gail who says he should make
up with his mum. He says she wants him out form under her feet. Gail says he
will be when he fly’s to Grease on Wednesday. Jason says his mum wont even
notice. Becky says they should do text service so they can have orders
ready.  Roy has put on the board 4getit. Becky says he would off never done
that six months ago. Roy rubs it off.

Outside Gail knocks on Eileen’s door. She says she wants to come in and talk
about Jason. Eileen says she is busy. Gail says she is busy as well so they
need to get this sorted.

Factory Janice says Sally has won the vote. She says she gets the feeling
she is not going to like this. Janice says she has been picked as she stood
up to the Conner’s before. Hayley asks what they do. Janice says they will
tell her the questions to ask and all she has to do it say them.

Grimshaw’s Gail says if she holds on to Holly, she will lose her own kids.
Eileen says she won’t. Gail says Jason has moved out. Gail then sees a
ticket that’s is for today. Eileen grabs it. Gail then looks in the bag and
sees it’s Eileen’s clothes. Gail says she is not taking Holly back but is
running away. Gail says she is stupid if she thinks she will get away and is
selfish.

This report is Copyright M@nda

Amanda Souter

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Hotmail is evolving - check out the new Windows Live Hotmail
http://get.live.com/betas/mail_betas

Hi everyone, here’s the update for Wednesday 25th April.

Sean and Violet are eating breakfast when Jason comes in bearing a bunch of
flowers.  They assume they’re for his mum but he tells them they’re for
Gail, if it wasn’t for her Eileen would have run off with baby Holly by now,
and would be on the news, for kidnapping. Violet comments that it’s going to
be weird without Holly, but Jason says philosophically that they were all
right before she came, so they’ll be all right after. Just then Eileen comes
in, saying that Holly is spark out.  She had a restless night, she tells
them, probably picked it up from her.  “What time’s she….erm…..” Sean starts
to say.  Eileen says she doesn’t know, she’s fast asleep up there with no
idea that her little life is about to change all over again.

The Connor brothers are driving in to work.  Paul assures Liam that he has
now got everything sorted, now that he’s got Sally on side, and it will all
be ok now.  As they approach they see the girls waiting on the factory
steps.  “Look at them,” says Paul, “sheep!  That’s all they are, sheep!”
Liam says he hopes they can’t lip read or Paul’s dead.  “What are they going
to do?” queries Paul, “baaa me to death?”  Liam replies that they might gang
up and trample on him.  Paul reminds him they haven’t got a leader, Sally’s
now on their side.

Jason arrives at Gail’s with the flowers.  He tells her they’re for letting
him stay there and for talking some sense into his mother.  Gail asks how
she is and he says she’s putting a brave face on.  “A bit like you?” asks
Gail, saying she knows how men don’t like to show their feelings.  She
invites him to stay for a cup of tea, and as he sits down says that she
knows it’s a difficult day.  Jason tries to change the subject, “Sarah text
me before, letting me know how blue the sea is in Greece,” he says.  Gail
says that this time tomorrow he’ll be out there too, but Jason says he’s had
a change of plan, what with his mam and everything. “You’re a good lad,
Jason,” says Gail, and Jason gets really embarrassed at such praise coming
from one who is usually so critical.  “Is the kettle on? I’ve got to be
somewhere soon,” he says.

Back at the Grimshaw’s Eileen is coo-ing over the baby.  Violet takes a
photo with her mobile phone, and then suggests that Eileen goes out and gets
some fresh air. “Do you want me to come with you?” she asks her.  “What, in
case I do a runner?” says Eileen, but Violet tells her not to be daft, she’s
just going to keep her company.  Eileen says she’ll be fine on her own.

Steve goes into the back room of the pub where Vernon is looking at wedding
magazines, and Liz is showing Amy how to glue sparkly things onto her finger
nails. “What are you doing to her?” he asks his mother. “It’s Nail Art,
Steve,” says Liz, “it’s a girl thing, you wouldn’t understand.” Steve is
worried that one of them may come off and choke her, but Liz reckons he is
spending far too much time with Sean – the drama queen. Vernon, with a
twinkle in his eye, asks Liz if he’s on a promise, but Liz hurriedly reminds
him that she’s got a brewery do to go to. (A brewery do called Derek, I
believe!)  Steve starts to say that he wasn’t told about it, and as
proprietor…..”You,” Liz interrupts, “are a full time dad, you haven’t got
time to go swanning off.”  Vernon asks if he can come instead of Steve, and
Liz says he can, but it’s about VAT and Customs and Excise….  Vernon changes
his mind, and says she can rely on him to stay there and hold the fort. Liz
then quickly leaves before either of them can come up with any other reasons
why they ought to go with her.
Liam tells Paul that while the factory workers might smile at him, really
they’re cold towards him. Paul dismisses this, but Liam wants a happy,
productive workforce again. He tells Paul, “At least your lovely wife’s not
around, eh?” and tips the contents of Carla’s desk into a box.

Jason and Gail meet Eileen out with the baby in the pushchair.  Jason is
shocked that the baby hasn’t been collected yet.  Gail tries to reassure
Eileen that she’s doing the right thing, but Eileen isn’t in the mood to be
encouraged, and says they don’t know what kind of home Holly is going to.
Jason says that now at least Emma has the social services to help her.
Eileen asks Jason if he’s going to say goodbye to Holly and he tells her
that he has.  “Not properly you haven’t!” says Eileen, and starts to get
really upset. Gail tries to tell her she’s given Holly a good start, but
Eileen is not in the mood to listen. “Enough!” she cries, “I don’t want to
hear any more, especially from you.”

In the Barlow household, Ken is walking on eggshells and gingerly asks
Deirdre if he can make her a cup of tea. “I’ve told you a hundred times, I
don’t want anything!” snaps Deirdre. Just then the door opens and in walks
Blanche. Ken seems to be unusually delighted to see her. “Welcome home!
Good to see you!” he cries, jumping up. Blanche wants to know why he’s being
so nice, “Planning to put me in a home?” she queries. Ken tells her he’s
just pleased to see her, and then, after looking at Deirdre’s face, Blanche
tells him she can understand why.

Liz meets up with Derek in the out of the way pub they had arranged. She
confesses to him that she’s feeling nervous, and they sit down and order
drinks.

Claire meets Eileen in the street and asks if she’d like to go ‘mummy and
baby swimming’ tomorrow. Eileen snaps that she’s not a mummy and there won’t
be a tomorrow as Holly is going back to Emma this afternoon. Claire says she
didn’t realise it would be so soon and tries to give Eileen a hug, but
Eileen pushes her away and says she’ll only make it worse.  She then takes
Holly inside for a last bath and to get her ready. When she’s all ready
Violet takes more photos, and then there’s a knock on the door and Shirley
from Social Services has arrived to collect Holly.

Liz and Derek are getting on very well, and Derek confesses that he’s taken
the liberty of booking a room. “Champagne on ice, chocolates on your pillow,
trouser press,” he tells her.  Liz giggles and tells him to lead the way,
and they go upstairs.

Back at the Rovers, Vernon is still looking at wedding magazines.  He says
he can just see Liz in white leather.  Steve sees Kevin and Sally come in,
and goes and asks Sally how he can get the sparkly things off Amy’s
fingernails. “Don’t put it on there in the first place,” says Sally, “she’s
only three. All those chemicals can’t be good for her.”

Sally tells Kevin that Paul has mentioned the personal assistant job to her
again.  She knows it’s a form of bribery, but Kevin thinks she should just
take the money and run. Sally smiles and tells him he just wants her to keep
him in lager and takeaways. Kevin agrees, but says that Sally could do the
job and Paul Connor must agree.

Shirley tells Eileen how well Holly looks. Eileen tells Shirley that it’s
time for Holly’s feed, she’ll have to give it to her before she goes.
Shirley, however, says firmly that that will all be taken care of when she
reaches her destination.

Ken has been looking at Blanche’s room and wonders aloud whether she would
like to swap rooms and move upstairs. He’d like her room for a study.
Blanche is not at all keen as the front room is her window on the world but
she’d consider it if Ken got a stair lift. Deirdre gets very cross and says
that it’s not up for discussion as it’s Tracy’s room that Blanche would be
moving into. Ken tells Deirdre she can’t make the room a shrine to Tracy.
Deirdre says she wants Tracy to feel she has somewhere to come home to.
“Typical,” says Ken, “I don’t even have a say about what goes on in my own
home.”  “Strictly speaking this is not your house any more,” chips in
Blanche.  “No!” shouts Ken, “and who’s fault’s that?”

Liz arrives back at the pub and tells Vernon that the brewery do was one big
yawn from start to finish.  Vernon tells her that he’s been planning the
wedding and can picture her from top to toe in white leather. “And for me,
think John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever,” he says.

Holly is leaving, and Sean and Violet say their goodbyes. “I can’t believe
it, she’s not coming back. It’s too final!” cries Eileen, “you can’t expect
me to hand her over and that’s that.  Surely I can see her again – not all
the time?”  Shirley says she’ll have a word with Emma, as her mum it’s her
right to choose. Eileen hands Holly over, and Shirley thanks her and tells
her she’s been wonderful. As Shirley puts Holly in the car, the baby starts
to cry, then as the car drives away Eileen turns to Sean and starts to sob.
Jason, standing in the doorway, has one solitary tear running down his
cheek.

Anne Logan.

_________________________________________________________________
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.
http://www.msn.txt4content.com/