Debbie takes centre stage in this episode as we open with her in focus and the rest of the world out of focus as she stares through the blinds in the cafe and her "other worldliness" only comes to an end when Bernie touches her back points out that she has not paid for a coffee. Debbie hands over a £10 note and tells Bernie to keep the change. Debbie's phone goes and she hurries away to Speed Dahl where she arrives in a tizzy and finds Ronnie assisting Leanne prepare the food for the librarian awards at the Chariot Square Hotel (frankly this made about much sense as the stories around Millie). Debbie was told that the conference room is flooded and cannot be used after a bath was left running overnight. Leanne suggests that they simply bus everyone over from the hotel to Speed Dahl and hold the ceremony there rather than the food going the other way. A little later Ryan is getting the PA working and Debbie is struggling with the constant noise as she tries to work. Abi and Kev come in for a meal and Leanne says that is OK as the librarians are not arriving until 3pm. Ronnie tries to find out why Debbie was not herself yesterday and says that he is worried about her. Debbie is giving nothing away. Subsequently Carl has replanned events to allow for the additional bus journey but Debbie cannot understand it until he explains it and then she asks about the buffet which has gone missing but part of the change over was to move to table service. Then the room around Debbie goes out of focus and she collapses eventually into Kev's arms.
At number 11 Theo is snapping the bands on his wrist when Todd comes in and apologises for his behaviour the previous evening. They have reconciled when Millie materialises. Theo has said she can have the day off school, although she is reportedly "fine". Apparently Danielle is a helicopter mother monitoring her condition and it was Danielle's worrying that led to Millie going to the hospital. Theo suggests that Millie stay longer. Later in the day Millie is lazing around and tells Todd that Theo has had to go to site to sort a problem. Todd advises her that her mother knows far more about pregnancy than either he or Theo and her mother's support will be essential - so she might fare better at home. Millie seems to accept this and goes to pack. Once Theo returns Millie reappears and explains she has to go home because she is not welcome in this house (which is not quite what Todd said of course). Another argument ensues until Theo is forced to admit he has been hurting himself again. Millie simply observes that if her dad were at home all would be well. Theo moans on and on and Millie blames Todd - Theo would be fine at home. In a complete giveaway Millie, whilst on the phone to her brother Miles, then confirmed my beliefs and ordered herself a baby bump. I like her less than her father.
Talking of which in a scene which beggars belief and demonstrates to me that Theo needs to be given a bum's rush very urgently was his appalling comment to Summer above. Sorry but I think Danielle is a saint to have put up with him this long.
James is complaining that Laila gets through more costume changes than Lady Gaga to Dee Dee. James thought she did well in the radio interview and he did notice that she called Laila "my little girl". Dee Dee assures him that she does not mean anything by it - and James knows it is too easy to use the wrong words by accident. Dee Dee is off to spread the message at the church over the campaign and similar and all is well between them. Later Dee Dee returns and she has been doing some deep thinking and there need to be some changes. She does not want Laila back and she plans to focus on the future - she has joined a women's group at the church - some like minded mates. And so she now cannot wait to take Laila to church to see the colours and hear the music. James says that Dee Dee can spend as much time as she like with Laila but he cannot agree to this "church" thing. He does not want any of that for Laila. It is a line in the sand.
In the café Aadi is waxing lyrical about spreadsheets to a bored looking Summer and Amy. Bernie buts in and talks about finding out about herself and the world and inveighs against spreadsheets - the kids should be out on the town enjoying life. Bernie approaches Aadi in the shop later suggesting he should be doing more at his age - it is Friday - go out and paint the town red or any other colour. He says that there are no takers - and Bernie says they need encouragement. The three pensioners later re-group and Aadi says that changes are afoot. They are to plan a mega party. Aadi is serious - there is a need for some fun. The three of them are to become the "fun".
Debbie slowly recovers and has to admit to the diagnosis of vascular dementia she has been given and Carl gives away that he has known. Abi drives Debbie to hospital in Debbie's car whilst everyone else is annoyed with not knowing. After assessment Debbie is told she has had a TIA and amongst other things she should not drive for the next month. The medic goes away to make a referral to the TIA clinic and ensure that the surgery knows the situation so that her meds can be monitored. Carl and Kev arrive at the hospital, apologising about the earlier argument to Abi but then Debbie is nowhere to be found. Debbie is in the driver's seat of her car and after some looking in the mirror, drives away. Carl soon confirms that there is no car in the car park. She has done a runner and Kev blames Abi. Back on the Street Ronnie and Ryan commence a woman search. Abi wants to help Kev - but he remains concerned that Debbie did not tell him and yet she told the recently returned Carl. Abi points out that Kev has his own problems at present.
Later Abi visits the garage and tells Carl that she loves her husband and she cares for Carl as a brother in law and nothing more.
Written by Alasdair Morrison and Carmel Morgan. Directed by Matt Hilton.
Tonight was a Matt Hilton special as the directorial tricks were cranked up to 100% to deal with Debbie and we also had a different camera angle on some items such as this shot in the Rovers where it appears that Summer is as keen to show her legs as Sarah! Lauren by the way is not quite creating the right atmosphere in the Rovers.
In other news Daisy Midgeley will be appearing as "Amber Gordon" in Ambridge next week although it is not yet clear what she is doing; oddly although Harrison Burns has left Ambridge for a mystery undercover role as someone called Theo his dulcet tones will also return to the Ambridge airways. The soap crossovers get ever more complex.
Kosmo
