Phelan, meanwhile, is spying on Nicola but hasn't got the bottle to speak to her yet. He later goes to suck up to Sarah and takes the opportunity to summon Gary for a quiet word. He tells Gary he's found where Nicola is but he wants Gary to convince Nicola to come back and let him be a part of the baby's life and if he doesn't, Phelan will tell Sarah all about it.
Gary's managed to get hold of Nicola. Don't know how. She's been in hiding and Phelan only found her by using a Private Investigator yet she hasn't wondered how he found her? He did point out the Investigators spying on them from across the way, however. Gary suggests Nicola get signed off work and he'll do another job in the Ukraine and send her back money. He'll help her do a vanishing act. He wants her and the baby away from Phelan and she wants that too.
He told Sarah that it's a safer job and naturally she doesn't want him to do it but she doesn't realize why he has to. He tells Phelan Nicola isn't coming back and doesn't want either of them in their lives. This has hit a bit of a roadblock. But Gary says he'll go see Nicola when he gets back for one more try but there's not a lot he can do if she refuses. Sarah gives Gary a St. Christopher medal to keep him safe (actually I think St. C. has been struck off the patron saint list). He promises not to take it off.
Monday morning in the cafe, David, Sarah, Shona and Audrey natter about everyday stuff, taking kids to school, wanting to skive off for the day, that sort of thing. Gary is mentioned as having flown to the Ukraine but not checked in to say he's arrived. Later, at home, Sarah takes a call from Gary's boss, Joe. It's bad news. There was an explosion, a car. The man Gary was guarding was in it and there were no apparent survivors. They don't know for sure if Gary's dead. Audrey thinks they need to contact the Foreign Office before telling Gary's family. They gather Gary's id and paperwork so that David can make a call. Sarah doesn't know for sure if the security company is legit or a cover for something else as Gary didn't talk about it much. Sarah feels she'd know if Gary was dead. Don't they all say that?
David negotiates the red tape by phone. He was able to find out that at least one British national was involved in the explosion and managed to find out that a St. Christopher medal was found. Sarah had given Gary one for Christmas. This doesn't look good.
David goes to the cab office where Sophie is waxing Tim's eyebrows. Really. He has come to tell Tim about Gary so he can tell Faye. Next stop for Tim, Sophie and David is Eileen's since that's where Faye has been staying. Phelan gazes at Nicola's photo, realizing the connection. She'll want to know. Tim accuses Phelan of hating Gary but he protests, Anna, yes, but he's got nothing against Gary and is gutted for Faye. Faye isn't there, though, and they're asked to call Tim when she returns. He later goes to the Platt house to see if there's been any further news on the identification. Sarah feels sure it was Gary. Audrey wonders if he should delay telling Faye but he also has to tell Anna tomorrow when he visits and wanted Faye with him. Sarah volunteers to go. Nobody thinks that's a good idea but Sarah insists.
David talks to Shona about Gary. She worries that Sarah could head for another breakdown. David's had to deal with Sarah's solicitor regarding the flat she's trying to buy. Can't afford it on her own. David mentions that Phelan was odd, coming over all sympathetic when he's got a swinging brick for a heart. Phelan is deciding when to call Nicola in Australia. He decides to go for a walk, leaving Eileen to deal with Faye when she returns because, you see, he knows Nicola hasn't gone to Australia. He's already found her via a private investigator and turns up on her doorstep tell her something about Gary. Across the way we see David in his car. David's followed him apparently.
Phelan tells Nicola that it seems Gary's been killed in Ukraine. He thought she'd want to know and she blames him. She's angry and orders him away and out of her life. She slams the door on him. David observes all this with interest. After Phelan leaves, David knocks on the door and goes in to question her. Why is she so upset if she and Gary weren't as close as they both said. David wants the truth.
She isn't very good at lying, though she tries. David gives her chapter and verse on how to be a good liar, he's learned from experience. He keeps pushing and isn't going anywhere until she admits what really went on. So she does admit to a one night stand. When she tries to push him out of the house, her handbag is knocked over and some pregnancy vitamins fall out. David realizes what's really going on. She admits Gary knew about the baby but it wasn't ever going to be more than that. She doesn't want Sarah to know. David realizes Gary's last trip to the Ukraine was to send money to her for a fresh start. He's furious that Gary was deceiving Sarah in such a way.
When David gets home, he finds Bethany worried that Sarah might get ill again. Sarah has found a letter Gary wrote, a "just in case" letter, a letter full of love for her and her family. Sarah blames herself, that Gary was going away for their future. David tries to interrupt but Gail and Bethany's words about how much Gary loved her diverts him.
When Phelan gets back home, he says he's been in contact with Nicola who's upset. He's a bit surly about it all, reckoning Gary never would have known the baby anyway but really, he's upset that Nicola pushed him away again. Faye gets back just then, Seb having gone to a councilling session. She twigs that something's up as Eileen asks her to sit down. Tim has arrived and told Faye the bad news. She's devastated. Tim tells her she can come back to his if she wants but she can't think at the moment.
Mary feels pushed out of the little family circle but goes in all guns blazing when she realizes visitors are ok. That's only going to make things worse. Because Mary has been with George when he gets ill, Angie is suspectious and thinks Social Services should get involved, perhaps. Before that, though, Mary gets in to see George and her name is still on the visiting list. Oversight? Jude is firmly caught in the middle but during Mary's visit, George has a seizure and Angie confronts Mary. Did she do anything to the baby? Mary says not. I don't think she did either. Perhaps it's some sort of allergy? Mary works with flowers and plants all day, it could be related to that.
Mary is heartbroken and crushed that Angie thinks she's hurting George and Jude is doubting her as well. Norris is a comfort. I wonder if those two will ever become husband and wife for real? Mary is desperate. Beth overhears Rita and Norris discuss the situation and Mary's quirky personality and history in the cafe. Why do people keep having conversations like that in public? Of course, Beth leaves before she hears Norris tell Rita he believes in Mary's innocence so I'm waiting for the inevitable, Beth mouthing off and Mary feeling betrayed. It doesn't matter, Jude is confused and worries that the baby is ill around Mary and doesn't want her around his family. She's frantic that they find out what's wrong with George no matter what anyone thinks of her.
Beth gossips to Rita and the inevitable happens. She infers that Norris thinks Mary is guilty of all she's accused and Mary overhears it. Of course Beth has taken it all out of context but Mary is heartbroken.
Bethany's back but seems a bit out of sorts. I suppose it's all different now, and trying to get back to normal. She reaches out to Mary to find Mary in a state over the whole George problem. She hears all the problem from Mary including her disappointment in Norris and Bethany owes Mary her friendship and vows to help her sort it. She gets Mary to take her to the hospital and she goes in to ask after George for her friend, passing Angie on the way out. The florist van is spotted by Angie who calls 999 (911).
Jude sees Bethany and tells her George is doing ok but Angie's texted him to tell him Mary is outside and the police have been called. 2 + 2 = ? Mary gets an official warning even though she and Bethany swear Mary was taking Bethany to visit a friend which, of course, would fall apart if questioned since there was no friend. Angie wants Norris to reiterate the stay away notice to Mary but Mary isn't speaking to Norris at the moment. She tells Norris they're going back to South Africa when George is better.
Yasmeen is stroppy with Tracy for being 5 minutes late opening the shop. She wouldn't even be there but needs must and prefers to deal with Mary for holly decos. The Santa grotto will be hosted at the cafe because of a burst pipe at the community centre. Tracy had been late because Mary is deep in dramatics over her own personal crisis with her family and had to be dragged to work and she continues to go on about how she's a danger to children, etc. Tracy tells her that their regular customers miss her and like her, proven by her dealing with Yasmeen who asks for the holly at cost price, Mary agreeing since it's a community event. Tracy says nowt!
Mary is so down on herself that she even hides in the office if someone comes in with a child. Tracy thinks it's terrible that they had called the police on her and advises her to stay away from George, then the next time he gets ill, they'll know it isn't related to her. Mary's more concerned that someone's investigating why George is getting ill. Arguing adults aren't going to matter if they can't find out the problem.
Norris finally catches up to Mary in the pub in the evening, having left numerous messages through the day. He has to interrupt one of Mary's diatribes about not getting any support with the news that Jude and Angie are leaving to return to South Africa for good. Norris apologizes to her for doubting her. Mary worries what might happen on a long flight if George gets ill again. Tracy looks thoughtful. She goes to Number 3 and manages to get Sean out of the way so she can look through the cabinets where, luckily, Jude, Angie and George's passports are and she takes them.
Robert scrambles to try to get an extention on a loan. Not happening. Focus on the operation, priorities, Robert! The operation goes well but he's rambling as he wakes up about letting things go too far and apologizing. She doesn't know what he's talking about and soothes him, probably putting his vague upset down to the anasthetic.
Aidan is still sleeping on the Nazir sofa. He's frantic to get Johnny not to sell up but Alya thinks Aidan should be the one to talk to Kate, make the first move to making up with his family. She's still angry that he thumped Johnny and she's on her dad's side no matter what Aidan says. His heartfelt apology breaks through her defenses and she says she'll put his case to their father.
Johnny is trying to flog the factory to Matthew Singh but there's a homeless bloke living inside and Aidan seems quite smug over that. That doesn't make a very good impression on Matthew! Aidan is optimistic but Rana tells him that Kate is going to Spain with Johnny which takes the confident wind out of Aidan's sails.
Billy is not dealing with the bad news well in spite of Todd trying to remind him that he wasn't actually driving the car. Billy is so down on himself that it's going to be hard to find a way out for him. Will he tell the Barlows what he's done? He gets in touch with the man who did drive the car but he threatens Billy not to say a word. He doesn't want to lose his own family, especially since he finds out the only prints on the car are Billy's. Later he talks to Shona about how she managed to deal with what her son did. She says she can't really make peace with it but has managed to keep it behind her and move on.
Billy has kind of put things into perspective but now decides to see if he can help the Barlows, be their guardian angel maybe. He speaks to Ken about family and that spurs Ken on to try to gather some of them together for a nice family drink which looks about as friendly as war zone peace talks but Ken gets them all to agree to come for Christmas, watched over from the bar by Billy, the Barlow Guardian Angel.
But over in the solicitor's office, Adam is about to do a web search and a history suggestion that's similar to the terms he was going to enter comes up "Susan Barlow car crash". What??? He grills Todd on the "Voggle" search. Todd puts it down to curiosity and invites Adam to tea. At the other end of the road, Billy asks Eva to tea. This is going to look like a set up isn't it? It's a bit awkward but Eva and Adam agree. Still, dinner conversation doesn't exactly flow but Adam and Eva do get a chance to flirt a little. Billy later tells Todd he's seen his old mate who threatened him if he decided to turn himself in. Eva leaves before Adam does and Adam leaves in a good mood. Todd tries to impress on Billy that he and Summer need her but Billy isn't sure he can live with the guilt and pain.
Zeedan had got Kate to help in the food van with Rana but neither of them knew the other was going to be there since Zeedan had to work. This could be complicated. This food fair seems to be somewhere out in the country because the van seems to be breaking down out on a village road, but luckily in a parking lot of a country pub! Inside, Kate accuses Rana of messing her around. Seems like Kate doesn't think Rana is taking all this seriously. I don't think she realizes how deeply Rana feels and is conflicted until Rana pours her heart out.
Kate pours her heart out, too, and confesses about the voice mail. One thing leads to another and the two of them are making out in the back of the van and are caught by Luke who's come, with Alya, to rescue them from the broken down van. Oops! Everyone covers up and Alya is none the wiser. Back at the Street. Now what? Kate tells all the Friends that she's staying in Weatherfield after all. Zeedan has an announcement too. He wants to open a cafe with Rana with Kate as manager but Rana doesn't like that idea sprung on her out of the blue. Luke, Alya and Kate make themselves scarce and leave the couple on their own to work it out.
Kate later makes up with Aidan and tells him she's not leaving. Rana goes to see Luke to thank him for not saying anything. Luke is angry that he's stuck in the middle. He wants Rana to tell Zeedan. She says she will but you know soaps, it'll take ages and come out at the most inappropriate time.
Luke brings up the post and remarks over all the post that's been piling up for Andy. Why doesn't he just send it back "Not at this address"? Kate's buying new shoes which Luke thinks are to impress "someone". Kate gets the reference but it sails over Alya's head. After he leaves, Alya mentions having to help Rana and she's sure Rana has a secret because she's a rubbish liar, perhaps finances? She wonders if her attitude towards Zeedan and the new cafe has to do with debt. Kate has a different view but she's keeping it to herself. Alya takes a business call and leaves her to it.
Kate goes to see Rana at work, making an appointment and everything. She wants to know when Rana is going to tell Zeedan about them but Rana's still afraid to do it, to let him and her parents down. Kate promises she can make Rana happy.
Luke is still trying to track down Andy and has located one of Andy's friends on social media, asking Sophie's help to contact him. Alya and Aidan are trying to get ready for a meeting the next day but are having trouble sourcing some trim for their samples. Alya later tries to get Johnny to help. He's reluctant since he and Aidan are basically not speaking but he decides to help anyway.
Luke has managed to contact this Matt, Andy's friend, because he comes to the garage. He tells Luke Andy never came to Bristol which is where everyone thought he was and he hasn't heard from him all year. Luke later comes to see Phelan about Andy. Phelan makes out he spoke to Andy last week, Andy having called for a reference for a flat in Birmingham. Luke hands over a handful of post. Phelan says he'll send it on. Luke asks for the address and is put off until tomorrow. The post is put into a drawer to be forgotten. Nicola's photo is put in as well.
Roy is planning on a walking holiday for 3 weeks over Christmas as a break from tradition. All Brian can think of is Roy's Christmas dinner. Yasmeen tells Roy that their Santa is ill and she needs a replacement, giving Roy or Brian the eye. Brian doesn't want to be second choice after Ken (who is the one that's ill apparently) and Roy has a cafe to run. Liz donates some old decorations to Yasmeen for the grotto and Roy has apparently been railroaded into the role. Roy wonders if an obese Santa would be sending the right message. Typical Roy! He's researched the origins of the figure of Santa who traces back to a German figure. Sean has sewn up a traditional red Santa outfit but Roy wants a more traditional one. Sean does not approve.
Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter
1 comment:
I can't believe how ungratefull Faye is being! I sure hope it is just an allergy thing with Mary, anything 'dark' would be totally against her child friendly/motherly history. Angie calling the police is just ridiculous! And how much longer can Phelan go on? Enough already!!
Such doom and gloom for so long now. Used to be I could laugh at something every day on Corrie, now we're lucky if it's once a week. It would be really nice if the new year could include more laughs and less PSAs!!
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