The Rovers remained closed, apart from lock-ins for friends and neighbours, and the local press started sniffing around. While Alec was interviewed, Tina posed for photos with the lecherous photographer, who practically asked her to take her top off. It was causing problems for Tracy at school, as the McDonald twins took the mickey out of her and called her the "brewery heiress". For some reason Tracy pronounced the H in Heiress; I couldn't decide if this was a joke or if she's just a bit thick. She should've bullied them back over their insistence on wearing their school jumper tucked in their trousers. The article appeared in the paper, with "Bet Gilroy, 39" causing much hilarity, as well as her claim that she'd ride naked through the streets to protest. The Gazette advised them that the national press were interested too, but when Alec let in a visitor, he turned out to be a bailiff rather than a reporter, and he served them with eviction notices. The best bit was an uncharacteristically arty black and white wash into the end of part one with Bet's choppers on full display.
TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 18th and 20th June 1990
Alec and Bet sadly cleaned the bar, sure it was their last day at the Rovers. A coterie of execs turned up to claim the pub, but they were joined by Cecil Ridley in his Rolls. He told his nephew Nigel that the plans for Yankees were daft, and that the pub should remain a neighbourhood boozer. They threw a party to celebrate, though Deirdre was not quite so cheery, as she'd lost her offer for number 1. Bet went round to suggest they bury the hatchet, and she eventually agreed. Vera came back early from the second honeymoon, but without Jack; it seemed she'd been flirting with the camp's singer and Jack lost his rag. He was forced to hitchhike back from North Wales. Elsewhere, Mike casually mentioned new tax laws for married couples, and Audrey's ears pricked up at the prospect of a bit more cash floating around.
WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 22nd and 25th June 1990
Deirdre and Tracy were horrified to learn Ken had a new job: supply teacher at Weatherfield Comp. Combined with the bullying over her plans to leave, it left Tracy feeling particularly down, so the headmistress suggested Deirdre take her away on holiday. Audrey continued to sniff around the taxman, until Alf finally admitted that he had her down as a salaried member of staff for accountancy purposes. Audrey was delighted to learn she should've been paid £2000 a year, and demanded he hand over her ten grand for five years of service. Vera and Jack continued to war, which was bad news for Curly, as his fiance Kimberley's parents had invited themselves round for tea. At first they managed to hold it together, until the Duckworths cracked under the pressure of a question about Wales and they started bellowing abuse at one another across the table.
THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 27th and 29th June 1990
Steve came down with a dicky tummy, and Andy joked to Ken that he'd got food poisoning from the cafe. Because he has no sense of humour, Ken assumed he was serious, and told Percy, who told the world. Alma and Gail found themselves with no customers, though a visit from a health inspector reassured them everything was alright. Vera worried that she was common, and suggested to Jack that they try being classy and not shouting all the time. Fat chance. Kimberley's parents, meanwhile, were horrified at the awful people Curly was forced to live with, and offered him their spare room. He managed to get out of it by suggesting to Kimberley he would be an uncontrollable sex pest if he was under the same roof as her. Feel free to shudder. Kimberley realised he was just not keen on getting wed and broke off the engagement. Derek was banging on about his garden, and ordered a load of topsoil from the garden centre. They dumped it on his front step, instead of in the yard.
FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 2nd and 4th July 1990
The Wiltons enlisted the McDonald twins to shift the soil from the front to the back of the house for a hefty reward; Derek then complained that they'd just piled it up out there instead of spreading it out, like he'd employed Percy Thrower and not a pair of teenagers. Steph meanwhile outlined her own plans for the garden: solarium, conservatory, floodlit dance floor. Makes Yasmeen's orangery look a bit wet. Gail had a fall at the cafe and was rushed into hospital. Because of the baby, she was kept in for observation, so Martin went round and informed Audrey and Alf. Human wasp sting Ivy then sanctimoniously monologued to Alf about "God's will" and how you brought these things on yourself when you defied His teachings; Alma overheard and had a go, then passed it on to Martin. He was understandably disgusted to then find Ivy and Don at Gail's bedside, and threw the hypocritical witch out of the ward.
If you can think of a single reason why anyone would think Vera Duckworth was common, let me know on Twitter @merseytart.
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