Steve took the fake accounts to his probation officer and satisfied her that he was legit. (Incidentally her office had a great view down Quay Street, almost as they'd used one of the production offices at Granada Studios). His luck was in elsewhere, as not only did he cop off with Fiona, but he also won big on the fruit machine at the Legion. However, this annoyed an old biddy on the committee, who reckoned Liz was fixing it so her family cashed in, so Liz resigned in a huff. Maureen was stressed at running the corner shop, not least because Maud sloped off to the pub. When she complained, her mother pointed out she was getting her labour for free and asked for wages. Raquel agreed to go to Curly's Christmas party and pretend to be his fiance. He bought her a dress to wear as thanks. Mavis was jealous of Rita's closeness with Roger the painter, who offered to paint her portrait, while Denise told Ken she didn't want him at the baby's birth. Meanwhile Gail said she had a really good feeling about this Christmas. So that's cursed then.
TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 5th and 7th December 1994
Brian the chauffeur went to visit Audrey and her pink velour pantsuit. She let slip that Alf was getting rid of the limo and promised to do her best to change his mind. She told him she'd resign from her public duties if he didn't get it back, but Alf called her bluff and installed Betty as his new Mayoress. Denise was sick of Ken interfering in her life and considered selling the salon to get away from him, which worried Fiona as it'd put her out of a job. On the plus side, Steve asked her to move in with him. Samir tried to patch things up between Emily and Deirdre, because he's a very sweet young man, but his new position as a tax-paying British citizen went down badly at his cash-in-hand employers and they sacked him.
WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 9th and 12th December 1994
Weatherfield was in the grip of a social whirl. Betty started work as the Mayoress, attending functions across the town and leaving Bet short staffed. She had to take on Liz to cover. Rita went to the Newsagents' Ball with Roger, enraging Mavis. Curly took Raquel to the Superscooper Christmas do, and she overcame her nerves at pretending to be his fiance and enjoyed herself. Curly enjoyed it so much he proposed marriage; Raquel confessed to Bet that she didn't love him, but he was a very nice guy. Jon refused to buy the salon off Denise because he didn't want his wife to get any of his money. Samir got another job at a restaurant, but he received a visit from the Immigration Authorities; he and Deirdre had to go in for an interview. Maureen was overworked and overemotional and she told Reg she couldn't cope any more. She said they'd have to sell the shop. And Jack's brother Cliff showed up at number 9 unexpectedly.
THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 14th and 16th December 1994
Reg swept Maureen off to a hotel for some afternoon delight, leaving Maud and Percy to hold the fort. When Maud found out what Maureen had been up to she threatened to resign but Reg told her it made no difference - they were going to sell the shop anyway. Jack's brother flirted with Vera and told Jack he had a heart condition and would be dead within the year. She invited him to stay for Christmas. Deirdre and Samir went to the airport to be interviewed, but he became enraged at the questioning and got taken away by the police. Deirdre returned home on her own and burst into tears. Ken went to the staff party at the school with another teacher, but she lost her temper when he took her to the Rovers and they ran into Denise. She thought he was using her, and let's be honest, he probably was. Raquel finally said yes to Curly's proposal. He told Des his news, and admitted he knew Raquel would never love him like she'd loved Des. Curly hoped that after a while she'd learn to love him as much as he loved her, which is heartbreaking on every level.
FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 19th and 21st December 1994
Vera went to Deirdre to accompany her to work and was sent out on her ear. She deduced that Samir had left her and wasted no time telling Percy. Deirdre went desperately round the Street trying to get help but it fell on deaf ears. Alf didn't want to get involved, Ken said it was none of his business, and Liz advised her to move on. Desperate, she went to Emily to ask for some money, but Emily refused. The only person who helped her was Mike Baldwin, who took her to the airport and gave her the name of a solicitor. Samir was released and told her this would never have happened in Morocco. Well no, of course it wouldn't mate, you're Moroccan. Maureen apologised to Maud for selling the shop out from under her but explained how stressed she was. Maud took on Sally in the evenings to try and alleviate the pressure and, incidentally, persuade them to change their minds about flogging the shop.
It might be spring in 2020, but it'll be Christmas in Weatherfield next week. Send your festive greetings to the author via Twitter @merseytart.
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