How stressed is Debbie and how big is the problem?
She doesn't realise how big it is until she starts looking at the books and it becomes evident that there are huge issues. Covid has really affected the business, she has had less bookings and has lost lots of staff and she has been trying to cut corners which does not work in business, she has cut back to the point that jobs are not getting done properly and the business is in a bad way. She found a lot that was wrong with one of the hotels and she thought she would get Ed in to fix it but there was a lot more to it and of course it ended badly.
Does she feel particularly bad about Ed as he is a neighbour and friend?
It is very close to home and he is also her boyfriend’s brother and she ends up electrocuting him! She tries to do the right thing, she wants to make amends and that is when she discovers the real truth about the business.
That must have been a real shock for her?
Yes she wanted to get some money to help Ed so that he could relax and recover before getting back to work. She didn't really want it going through the courts so she thought she could give them a lump sum. But she goes to see a solicitor and he tells her that there is no money and then when she starts to go through the books she is shocked at how bad things have got.
How are things with her and Ronnie?
They are like minded people, he is a businessman as well, it is a slow burner, she really enjoys his company. Time will tell but I do think she is opening herself up more than she has ever done.
Do you know much about her dating history?
She has had a few bad relationships and obviously she saw Ray for a while back in the day and he really messed her about. She is just very wary of men when it comes to relationships. She is right to be wary but you can’t help who you fall in love with and that had been her problem in the past.She has fallen for charmers, bad lads, men who excite her and bring drama. In business it is all about doing deals and getting the high from doing a good deal and I think that sometimes spills over into her relationship life.
Does she trust Ronnie?
I think she is learning to trust him. I don't think she trusts a lot of people at all but he says look I’m here for you, I’m going to stand by you and support you and that blows her away.
Is she still enjoying being in Weatherfield or do you think she is starting to regret coming back with everything that has happened?
She really wanted to come back, she wanted to be with her family, yes she has had a great life living in different places, but you can go all over the world just to find that what you want is happening back home right on your doorstep. She has had her adventures, I was like that always travelling always away and I have settled down now back at home so I can understand how she feels. She is at that age, she has never had children and she wants her loved ones around her.
What are her thoughts on Kevin and Abi and him taking on Abi and Alfie?
She feels that as long as Kevin is happy and as long as Abi keeps on the straight and narrow she is ok with it. She is still worried about what other trouble Abi can bring to the family and the stress that Kevin is under with it all, but she knows that Abi is a good person underneath so she is just hoping it will all work out for them.
How does she feel having to ask Kevin for help?
She is just mortified, she is embarrassed, she has built this empire and is a business woman who has always been there to help her family and now it is all crashing down around her and she is facing bankruptcy. Asking Kevin for help was the last thing she would have wanted to do.
She starts off this week trying to build up business in a legitimate way, does she think that will work?
Ronnie gives her the idea as he used to have a restaurant and he says he used to bring in new trade with themed nights. She comes up with the casino night and the psychic night with the wonderful Madam Sienna. She has no idea if it will do enough but she is willing to give it a try.
How are her and Leanne getting on through all of this as they are invested in the Bistro too?
She has kept the extent of the problems from them, she hasn’t told anyone really how bad things are, she confides in Ronnie and although the themed nights do well it doesn't even scratch the surface or give her enough for Ed so she confides in Ronnie and decides on something really drastic.
How does it all start?
She overhears Ryan telling the psychic he is skint and she comes uo with this plan which is going to take her down the sort of road Ray would have gone down. It is sheer desperation and she has decided criminality is the only way forward. As a business woman she is used to having to tread on people's toes sometimes but this is extreme and can only end badly for them all. In her mind it is not hurting anyone, it is a victimless crime.
Were you surprised when you found out she was going to break the law?
No I wasn't , she has got that in her she has got that little bit of determination, if there is a problem she will sort it out, she regrets it once she has gone down that road but she doesn't see a way out.
Does Ronnie know what she is up to?
Ronnie knows and he is not impressed with her. And that is what makes her realise she has gone too far, and think that was a mistake, she has a chat with Kevin and he tells her how proud he is of her and how she turned everything around and after the business with Ray and she feels guilty because of what she has now stooped to doing. It was a spur of the moment plan, not calculated. I know that in the past she has probably sailed close to the wind before and got away with it but she might not do this time.
Glenda Young
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2 comments:
Oh I hope this doesn’t mean she’s going to have Ryan burn down the bistro just like Leanne did with her boytoy years ago.
I think you might be onto something C in Canada! I am hoping that she is smarter than that, but sometimes people get desperate. I imagine there have been a lot of fires all over the past few years.
Too bad, because I like that she is a saavy businesswoman..unlike Audrey, Rita, or even Claudia...and even more so than Carla( who is a shell of her former self)
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