Kevin was still disgusted at the idea of Sally working for a living (I'd like to see him try to make Abi into a little woman) and came up with a sneaky ploy to keep her at home: he'd buy into the garage after all. However, because of the state of the equipment, he told Don he'd only become a partner if he put in an extra ten grand. Don went to the bank but, rather than getting the extra money, they demanded he repay the original loan. He told Kevin he couldn't raise the cash and so he backed out of the partnership - but that made Kev worry he was going to lose his job altogether. At Andy's birthday party, Maxine and Tony flirted, and she confessed she'd always fancied him. They slept together but Maxine wanted to hide it from Fiona. The Malletts got an unexpected delivery: a conservatory. Gary was convinced Judy had gone mad with the catalogue but it turned out Joyce had won it. It was still a fat load of good for people who live in a two up two down. Audrey was still a little put out that they were going to name a manky back street after Alf, though she was slightly placated by him telling her the street would be named Alfred Roberts Place. The residents were less amused.
TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 17th and 19th July 1996
Gary made the best of the conservatory situation and decided to squeeze it in the yard. Roy turned up and told him that it'd be damp and there'd be no sunshine, so he decided to flog it instead. Des hinted to Derek and Mavis that he might buy it, and they panicked they'd lose all the light in their garden. Don hit a new low, taking Nicky on at the garage as a replacement for Tony, and suggesting that he buy into the business. Nicky was excited by the idea but Martin and Gail were horrified; Kevin told him it was a terrible business and Martin exploded at Don. He pointed out Nicky couldn't get the money until he was 18 anyway. With no cash coming in the receivers arrived, made Kev redundant and closed the garage. Don got roaring drunk and ended up being kicked out of the Rovers after he took a swing at Mike. Alec went to Jack with the idea of putting on a talent night at the pub so he could wheel out some of his old turns; Jack agreed when he realised he'd be able to break out his white suit and resurrect his singing career. I just want to see more of the elderly woman who auditioned in Alec's flat by tearing paper dolls while tapdancing. And there was a new arrival behind the bar: leather-clad saucepot Samantha Failsworth.
WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 22nd and 24th July 1996
Jim got his inheritance from his mother's death, and decided to make Liz an offer to buy the house. She refused because she didn't want him to get one over her. She also had to worry about Steve, who'd got in a fight at the prison and ended up with a cracked rib. Tricia went to Des for help - it turned out she was pregnant with Terry's baby and she needed to find him. He drove her to Sheffield but all they found was his angry ex-girlfriend. The Platts went on holiday and agreed to leave Nicky behind now he was all grown up, though Audrey still fussed as she kept an eye on him. Mavis and Derek bought the conservatory to stop Des from getting it and Gary helped them erect it in their garden. Sadly in the process his prize turnip was crushed. Maxine and Tony went public with their relationship, which angered Fiona, though he begged Fi not to fire her.
THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 26th and 29th July 1996
Nicky was sick of Audrey popping round and checking up on him and they ended up arguing. He decided to make his own fortune, packing a bag and leaving number 8 forever. Audrey and Alf were annoyed to realise he'd disappeared and they'd have to clear up after him - then they started to wonder where he'd vanished to. Alec wheeled out his talent at the Rovers: terrible singers, a woman who tore a Yellow Pages in half, and a camp mother-daughter psychic team. Maxine popped up to sing Shout, with Tracy Shaw demonstrating all the singing talent that powered her cover of Happenin' All Over Again to number 46 in the charts. Tricia interrupted the night to tell Vera about the baby, but she didn't believe her, so Tricia said she'd get an abortion. Jack found out about the baby from Tricia, and became furious that he'd have clear up after his boy again.
FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 31st July and 2nd August 1996
Alf and Audrey were worried about the missing Nicky. They called Martin and he returned from Prestatyn, furious that they waited four days before calling him. He went searching for him across the city while Gail came back and called the police. Don stuck his nose in and told the police Martin wasn't Nicky's real dad and they'd had a lot of family problems because he's horrible. Gail broke down, worried she'd never see Nicky again, though personally I'd let him stay missing because he's always been hopeless. Kevin and Andy got jobs; Kev at the same exhaust place as Tony, and Andy at Firman's, which meant he'd be working under his girlfriend Anne. Not like that. Vera asked around to try and find out if Terry and Tricia really had been at it. She didn't want to lose another grandchild the way she'd lost Tommy (and Paul Clayton for that matter) but Jack didn't want to get involved because he knew they'd end up lumbered. He offered to pay for Tricia to have an abortion but didn't tell Vera; she only found out when she went round to see Tricia and they argued, with her telling Vera she was going to have the baby. Unfortunately, Jamie overheard them, and realised he could have a little brother on the way...
The most exciting part of this week's episodes for @merseytart was Audrey looking at a map of Weatherfield that bore absolutely no relation to how the area looks today. He's exciting like that.
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