Welcome. Apologies for my absence last week, apparently football was more important than Weatherfield. Tonight on t'Street we need to start with George who is in court for allegedly influencing the wills of those seeking his services. In a somewhat perfunctory summary the judge ruled against George and set aside the will and ordered George to pay all costs. [Inevitably this seems unfair - George did not ask for the court case and has to defend his good name, which he has lost, plus the proceeds of the will and also has to meet all the costs. How do you prove a negative (that he did not influence the will maker?) - essentially the Shuttleworth business is dead and buried].
Todd continues to assure the world (and himself) that all is well with him and his best beloved even if he did go a little far yesterday in telling them how strong the two of them were. Todd joins the depressed gang of George, Glenda and Christina for a recuperative drink following the case and then when he gets home Theo, upset at Todd not being home on time goes off on one. Theo demonstrates his control by telling Todd to leave in such a way that Todd cannot leave. Theo tells him to start acting likes he wants to be there.
At the Rovers Ben and Maggie are not talking to each other. Maggie corners Will who once again demands that Will sees the reality of the situation and Will once again re-iterates that it was a stupid crush and nothing happened and the refusal to take a DNA test was simply that Megan knew it was Daniel's as nothing happened. Maggie continues to press but Will admits nothing. Maggie then says that she knows what it is to fall in love with someone you should not fall in love with. [Hmmm]. However she implies it is all to do with the Buzzcocks which will mean nothing to Will who denies he is the victim and he sticks to his story. Ben comes in with Eva and tells Maggie to stop terrorising her grandson. Will and Eva leave and Maggie tells Ben she was close to Will confessing. Later Ben storms into the back room to have another go at Maggie. They repeat the Will story and argue with Maggie pointing out the many things she has done to protect the family - she had to raise Ben on her own because she had to. Ben voices the thought that perhaps the wrong parent died (referring to his late father); if his father was there Ben would be so much better off as his father, Alan, was such a good man. This sets Maggie off who ends up saying that Ben is taking Alan's side against his own flesh and blood. Even Ben is confused. Maggie tries to lie her way out of it. Maggie leaves again. Later Ben and Eva discuss the revelation - but Ben cannot get it out of his mind.
In prison Debbie is cheered by Lou's return from confinement away from the wing, she is even more surprised when told she has visitors. Kev and Jack are there. She asks Jack how is his father - and then tells Jack that he might not be honest with her. To be fair Kev looks a lot better than he has for ages. She tells them she is knitting a jumper for Carl and it looks more like a tank top. However it seems her appeal is on the horizon so she may soon be home. Debbie however cannot open some packaging - and although she says she is doing well we know she is declining. A little later Lou gives her a four leaf clover - well five leaf as it has 25% extra luck. Lou is sure she will be going home.
Bethany and Jodie visit the Bistro and David has given Jodie a voucher entitling her to a 15% discount or David will set the dog on Nick (it is a Yorkshire Terrier). Bethany tries to get some life history out of Jodie and fails (why was she tied up in Graham's van?). They have several drinks. Daniel emerges from the toilets and Bethany notes he is feeling depressed after his latest relationship disaster with all of his women since Sinead turning into crazy nutjobs he tells them so Bethany thanks him for the compliment. He reminds her of the Turkish cosmetic surgery. Jodie tells Daniel to do one. Adam intervenes as he thinks his uncle may have had one too many. Daniel apologises and leaves the girls. Jodie notes that Daniel is a decent looking fella. Bethany also changes her mind on Jodie unfortunately. In the corner however Daniel bemoans always picking women with issues and not someone who is normal - like Jodie. (Can we all see where this is going? Yes Daniel is going to have another nutjob girlfriend).
If Daniel and Adam are drinking in the Bistro and Ken, Tracy and Amy are drinking in the Rovers then who is minding Bertie given that no-one trusts Cassie or Steve and Aunty Emily is no longer on call? Enquiring minds need to know. Apparently in another soap far far away Graham is going to be at the receiving end of an individual interested in Jodie's whereabouts next week. I assume someone is about to be deadified as we term it in this house. My personal preference is the nasty witch who brought a court case against R'George, followed by R'Gary who has never paid for Rana. More likely Theo but killing an undercover policeman is pretty serious. I can't see it being Megan but who knows?
Oh and a final word for Debbie Webster or rather Sue Devaney. The good lady wife who has a little experience of those with dementia always remarks how well she is portraying the changes and decline. I can only sit there and enjoy the performance she gives every time she is on screen.
Written by Joe Turner and directed by Diana Patrick.
Kosmo
