Good day. Tonight the on screen team were joined by Estelle Harrington (Ruthie Henshall) who currently franchises stage schools (a steal at just under £10k, called "Little Big Shotz") to local entrepreneurs but was for some time a cabin-mate of Glenda's aboard cruise ships travelling the world. Ostensibly in Weatherfield to say farewell to her late mother-in-law, Estelle and Glenda immediately burst into song and dance before heading to the Rovers to refresh shared memories. It will no doubt be a short but welcome visit and I look forward to seeing more of these two in action. Estelle had not realised that "Glenda La Salle" off the cruise ships was related to the Shuttleworth undertakers the family always used.
Paul is distraught but feels unable to share his news with Billy, or indeed Gemma who has found that her wedding venue has gone bust and she has lost the deposit and the date. Paul is further upset when he is accused on turning to drink by George - who later apprises Billy of Paul's liquid appetite. Paul however realises that he is not long for this world and he needs to put things right as well as putting aside £4k for his funeral.
He approaches Damon knowing that he is a bit of a wrong 'un and asks if he might have anything dodgy going on where he needs a hand (Paul's right hand is becoming more difficult). Damon knows a really dodgy character who needs a job doing, just don't cross him. Turns out it is a huge Range Rover which needs removing from one location to another for an insurance scam. Paul gets as far as the new precinct where he stops with a puncture. Luckily the local beat bobby is in the playground and asks Paul to move along please - but then undertakes the change in tyre to get him moving quickly. (Do Range Rovers have spare tyres or is it one of these spray things to get you home?). Paul later shares his payoff with Gemma and phones Niall offering to do anything else which needs doing, even though he has been warned. He also squares Billy and they share a chippy tea.
Amy is also unable to live with herself and the decision to change her story over the events with Aaron, so when collecting a Speed Daal takeaway and emerges from the toilet she is discombobulated to see him also ordering a takeaway (chicken boti paratha wrap) at the counter. She vanishes up the stairs and goes for a walk. Calmer, she picks up a chippy tea (big day at that chippy) and surprises Tracy who was expecting the Daal. Tracy is even more surprised when Alya hand delivers the takeaway Amy ordered earlier. Tracy tries to establish the events - but Amy is simply not willing to talk about it.
Roy has exchanged his smartphone for a retro "dumb" phone where is awaiting a message from Melvyn who feels that "Alfred the Great" was more important than Roy does; the latter believes "Alexander the Great" is entitled to the nomenclature but that Alfred only burnt some cakes - which overlooks his ability to defeat the Vikings, to introduce education in English as opposed to Latin and to improve the legal system, military resources and the quality of English life and promote Christianity. Alexander merely cut a knot! Stephen and Elaine listen to this and later Stephen observes that people in the Street need to wind their beaks in - Elaine gently points out he is confusing necks and beaks! In a similar vein Glenda later referred to having balls in pies and fingers in the air when Estelle asks what she is going these days.
Stephen has noted it is a bank holiday - but has to attend to paperwork in the Underworld office where we see him playing Solitaire! Michael is feeling undervalued and puts it to Stephen that he deserves more given the contribution to designs and capturing the US market agents at a better price. No sign of the hole punch but Stephen now appears to be locked into a deal which reminds me of Charlie Drake and the film Mister Ten Per Cent where he grants more than 100% of the cake to various associates. The outgoings are greater than incomings! Stephen sends Michael away with a flea in his ear. However his day is not improved when Carla returns from her recovery. She is back to help Ryan in lieu of the latter's mother and (at the moment anyway) is not intending to return to the factory as she needs to ensure her recovery is secure. Paul also gives Carla a huge hug and their differences are extinguished - as Peter knows she is not to blame for his neurological problems.
Adam also has to work - which upsets Sarah-Lou. She is later further upset when Adam joins her in the pub having missed the eggciting egg hunt at the Platts. However Sarah meetings Damon in the Street and asks him to try and put right relations between Leanne and Nick. Damon (who uses a 1983 wolf-whistle to make it clear that he fancies Sarah) pushes his way into Leanne's flat and Damon tells Sarah that he wants to put down roots and settle down - he says he is really not like his brother. Damon convinces Leanne that Sam would be better having a father figure in his life. Damon sees the Bistro as a second chance for him and Nick's family are safe. Leanne relents and takes Sam to join the Egg Hunt where Nick is pleased to be able to help Sam find eggs and he and Leanne are talking again and she admits to Sarah that Damon talked her round. Indeed Adam is so tired he goes off home by himself as he is not in the mood for a row. That marriage is not going well is it? Damon appears and Sarah thanks him for his efforts with Leanne - but that it will not get her into bed. Damon accepts it and says that he realises that chasing can become stalking and he accepts the telling off that Sarah gave him earlier - he got the message and leaves her to her solitary drink.
I felt a much better hour this time around. And a few puzzles for you. If Estelle has a gold card and a successful business why is she unhappy about £4k to see off her late ma-in-law in style? The factory was closed for Bank Holiday Friday - so why was Dirk in shot at one point? Why should Leanne believe Damon is about to go straight? When did you last have a flat tyre and a policeman offered to assist changing it? And is "Alfred the Great" worthy of the epithet? Few of these questions will be answered next week!
Written by Chris Fewtrell. Directed by Gary Williams.
Kosmo
1 comment:
I really don’t know why Gemma is always pleading poverty. She works in the pub and gets money for her ‘childminding’. Chesney works at the kebab shop and Bernie works at the cafe. I’m not saying they would be well off, but not as poor as they make out.
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