As Hayley’s funeral draws near, Roy listens dutifully as Fiz reads her list of preparations. Big
emphasis has been placed on polishing his best shoes, and we recall that this
was something Hayley stressed the importance of before her death. Roy evokes such pity as he tells Fiz he wants to wear his wedding suit, and obediently busies himself with
newspaper, polish and brushes. The reason for Hayley’s insistence that he
attend to his shoes becomes clear as Roy finds a book entitled “Memories” in
the box. However, he casts it aside and begins to polish furiously, becoming increasingly angry. Rather than constituting a wonderful
discovery, this book appears to have brought to the fore the painful feelings
invoked by the circumstances of Hayley’s death.
When Suzie arrives to discuss the
arrangements, an unravelling Roy strikes fear into Fiz that he will tell her the
truth. He advises that the situation is far from normal, hints that he may not completely
concur with Suzie’s image of Hayley as a selfless person, and that he is not
getting to say what he wants to in the aftermath of her passing. Sensing his
struggle, Suzie tells him it’s ok to be angry, that grief is incredibly
complicated and she is there to listen. Roy gets angry, declaring that absolutely
everything has been Hayley’s choice.
Fiz confides in Carla about Roy’s outburst
and tells her that Suzie may have deduced the truth, but that she doesn’t think
they have anything to worry about. Carla acknowledges that Roy has lost the
love of his life and will naturally struggle. Back at the
flat, he looks in solitude at the empty seat before which sits the "Memories" book.
As has been the case since Hayley’s death, the volume of outside noise from the
street overwhelms the flat, acting as a metaphor for the challenges facing Roy;
he can’t stop the outside world from coming in no more than he can shut off the
incessant thoughts that invade his mind; he can get no peace.
Carla and Fiz
find him cooking in the café and he offers them the "Memories" book, planning as
he is to dispose of it without reading it. Worried Carla tells him she knows he
nearly said something he shouldn’t have to Suzie, and tries to discourage him
from doing so as he may find himself in trouble. But tormented Roy observes, “You
talk as if I have something to lose.” It is as if because he had no control
over any of Hayley’s choices, he is determined to exert some now as he tells
them, “she doesn’t get to choose how I’m supposed to feel, not now.” While
Hayley has very much planned the funeral to be a celebration of her life, Carla
and Fiz are shocked to hear that Roy doesn’t intend going. “I have allowed my
wife to take her own life,” he tells them, “forgive me if I’m not in the mood
to celebrate.”
Still toying with Tim, a devious Sophie
tries to encourage Sally to go to the newspapers about his heroics. She feels
she has been subjected to a “mini-crimewave” as a result of Sophie’s volunteer
work, but it doesn’t stop her working at the shelter where she tells Maddie she
wants to help her. Maddie tells her the only way to help is with money. Sophie
refuses to pay her, but a show of affection results in Maddie confessing that
it’s not for her, but for her Mam who’s even more messed up than she is.
While Mary takes a trip to the
salon to look her best for Hayley’s funeral, Sean, Jenna and Sally discuss outfits
in the Rovers. They’ve been told to wear something colourful, but Sean warns
Sally against sporting her hot pink leather catsuit.
Tracy succeeds in getting Amy
home by bribing her for a computer game, and Steve warns her not to mess up the opportunity. He’s not the only one as Deirdre, happy to see them having fun, tells her “You
can make all the excuses you like, but remember, you only get one crack at
this.”
Dev gives the green light to Kal’s
business proposal for the gym, but it’s a flashing amber for his awkward lycra-themed
conversation with Stella. Kal tries to recruit
gym members at the Rovers, but faces a tough audience. Sean is concerned that a
kebab shop owner opening a gym is something of a conflict of interests, while
Deirdre is disappointed to hear Dev “won’t be giving chilli sauce rubdowns”. We thought that spark was doused long ago, but Deirdre clearly still has a thought to spare for her old flame.
By Emma Hynes
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