So last week introduced two new characters, both portrayed by actors who've played other parts on t'cobbles in the past, both with secret intentions. I loved Demi (in the expert hands of Jonathan Harvey), Denny not so much. I mean, I thought he was there to nick the crowdfunding money but his sights are set lower, much lower. He's going to steal Paul's electric wheelchair. Mate, have a bit of ambition if you're going to cruelly steal from a dying man, (your dying son!). At least filch his disability allowance or painkillers. A wheelchair! Come on! Fortunately, Bernie stops him but doesn't dob him in to the police because she doesn't want to hang out in the cop shop when she could be spending time with her son.
Someone else stealing from Paul is Liam. He goes over to Billy and Paul's to watch a film with Joseph but has a panic attack when he talks about Mason's mates at school. Liam searches the cupboards for sweets, doesn't find any but does find Paul's bottle of diazepam and pockets it. Maria has to do an emergency choppy bob at the salon and Gary has gone to make sure Sarah hasn't descended into alcoholism, leaving Liam home alone having an asthma attack. He takes one of Paul's benzos and collapses onto the floor. This is just grist to Maria's mill in terms of never leaving Liam alone. Billy realises the drugs have gone and he eventually gets hold of Maria and they find Liam and take him to hospital. Gary lies as to where he's been as Maria blames herself.
That snog between Alya and Adam came out of nowhere, didn't' it? I thought she hated him? I can understand Adam wanting to pash with Alya, she's a hot babe, but Alya is pretty fussy and usually pretty self-righteous about everything. Maybe her pregnancy hormones were all over the place. Anyway, Rich confirms the placement is still on - I think she could just have left for Dublin without all this palaver, non?
George is feeling guilty about "stealing" the undertakers from Glenda and offers to help her apply for a loan for LBS but her credit score is too low and she hasn't paid her tax bill. This year's or last? Because last year's was due in December. Perhaps he can take a loan out against the funeral parlour?
Finally, Deedee has heard from the police that they are following up Lauren's necklace as a major lead. So Deedee doesn't remember Joel's purchase of something expensive from a jewellers last autumn? Unforch, the police can't trace the necklace and Deedee goes to see Roy to break it to him. Meanwhile, Daniel tells Ken that he's going to meet up with Naughty Nicki to see if her contacts in the sex industry might have some news about Lauren. Do they have a WhatsApp group, or something?
Rachel Stevenson - on twitter
