Nathan's in the nick again, but this time Bethany agrees to lie for him. Reluctant at first, she seems to give in to Mel just so Nathan can come 'round for his tea (and therefore shut her mum up). Lying badly to the police, she nonetheless springs Nasty Nathan from prison in time for Sarah's shepherd's pie and Gary's sarcastic remarks. Keen not to alienate Bethany and keep her where she can see her, Sarah suggests that she, her daughter, Gary and Harry all move in together, although Bethany doesn't think much of the idea. Chillingly, Nathan announces to Mel that tomorrow they will be showing off his "new asset".
And Gail is now besties with Shona, whose ears prick up when Gail mentions that the boyfriend Sarah is meeting is called Nathan. Shona describes her last, unhealthy relationship, where he got her into debt and physically abused her. I think we know who this is, don't we, gang?
Another person just out of chokey is "how do you solve a problem like" Maria. Aidan is distracted, worrying that she will reveal all to Eva, so Johnny takes things in hand by picking Maria up from the big house and asks her to keep the beans unspilled in return for some "treats", a suggestion that Maria treats with the contempt it deserves. She goes home to find she's now got a flatmate, Michelle, whose determination to seek vengeance inspires the crimper, but Maria holds fire by lulling Johnny and Aidan into a false sense of security. Revenge is a dish served icy.
It's Fay(e)'s birthday but Anna can only afford to buy her a bottle of nail varnish. Roy overhears and gives Anna a £100 bonus, which goes straight to Fay(e), to Kevin's displeasure. I'm with Kev, what about something practical, like a savings account or a job lot of contraceptive pills? The other groomer on the street, Phelan slips Seb a twenty to buy her a present, which he more sensibly spends on flowers. This is not enough to convince Anna that he is a suitable match for her daughter, especially when he reveals that he has been excluded from school and he's working for Evil Phelan and then (unbeknownst to Anna), persuades Fay(e) to spend her birthday cash on matching tattoos.
Steve and Peter shake hands on a deal to sell the Rovers but Liz is more circumspect, saying that if they get a cash offer, they'll take that instead. She is concerned that Leanne's sister is inadvertently funding the McDonald's legal fight for access to Oliver Battersby-Tilsley. However, Leanne is prepared to give Steve unofficial access to the baby and even takes a photo of him, Steve and Liz, which will probably come back to bite her on the bottom at some point.
Meanwhile, Toyah persuades Tracy to buy the florists 'n' flat from Peter, using the oldest trick in the book - extreme flattery. The brother in question is now being tracked and followed by sexpot Chloe, who sells him a story about her ex stalking her. Pot calling, Chloe! By the flamingo flock wallpaper, she spins a tale about how scared she is of her ex. Chloe has more front than Blackpool and more leather than the average dairy cow.
Rachel Stevenson - on twitter
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