Tim is released having been held by the police overnight - the next stage will depend on Stephen. At home he tells Sally, Gail and Elaine that he stuck to "no comment" in the interviews and has said nothing.
Audrey arrives from the hospital having sat by Stephen's bedside (the operation was a success) and wades in, telling Elaine she should be at the hospital with her fiance and Tim tells Audrey she should watch her back - Stephen is the one who should be in prison. They show Audrey the signed joint life assurance policy - but this does little to change her mind and she turns it around - as it is a joint life policy Elaine must have set it up with Tim!
Back at the hospital Audrey updates Gail and Sarah when Stephen regains consciousness. The news that he is awake is regaled to Tim and family by DC Tinker (when you need a uniform copper why send a detective?) who is able to say that Stephen has confirmed that he slipped and the police are terminating their investigations. Tim remains convinced that Stephen is rotten.
Dev is all over Aadi who is about to commence his new job as Darren's assistant - which seems to being the hired driver for Darren's wife, Courtney. Dev just wants in on the "Freshco units" deal, but Aadi is driving to the shops and not attending the meeting with a Koi carp loving architect. Shopping done Courtney treats Aadi to a milk shake and listens to his business plans before revealing that the "arm candy" exterior hides an MBA trained brain!
A little later Courtney and Aadi go to Darren's office. She alleges that she has heard there is another party bidding for the Freshco units who are building a consortium with retailer input, Darren is dismissive until Aadi pipes that Dev has the knowledge and more importantly the money. Darren agrees to a meeting with Dev whilst Aadi and Courtney exchange smiles. The four foregather in the Rovers and it is clear that Courtney has primed Aadi with some back story on one of Darren's failures when he had a small unit - but no parking so it struggled. However Aadi has a solution - delivery lockers for parcels and the punters will spend. The deal is on.
Paul tells Billy he is going to go to the MND Support Group meeting later in the day, even though he knows it will be hard he does not want Billy to join him (well it might be better than Blanche at an AA meeting). At the meeting (in what looks like a new set) he is confronted by a stair lift and Shelly (Rossington - Natalie Amber) who is in a wheelchair and is also attending the MND group. Paul leans down to talk to her and she tells him not to curtsy, she rolls into the meeting room and Paul decides that it is not for him and does a runner. He admits as much to Billy and his embarrassment.
Isabella is not looking forward to being back in her builder infested flat in Italy - Sean and Mary pop along to bid her farewell. Brian sees that he is back to the "Life of Brian" as a mediocrity. Mary calls him kind, clever and decent which he interprets too positively - but she immediately dumps him back into the friend zone. Later in the Rovers Brian gives Mary a small present which she appreciates but his romantic suit cannot be pressed. Rita arrives and Brian admits his place in the friend zone. Rita clearly has some thinking to do.
Audrey returns to the Metcalfe's with Gail and they apologise for earlier. Elaine has gone to the hospital where Stephen explains that he lied because he wants them to stay together. She asks him about the assurance policy - he denies forging her signature and says she signed it on a day when she was not well. The lightbulb turns on at full megawattage and Elaine exclaims "Geoff Metcalfe". The wood has parted and she can see the trees - it is all off and Elaine can spot all the lies - including the truth about Gabrielle. She goes and Stephen cancels the life policy.
Aadi is about to celebrate his success (at least in Dev's eyes) when he gets a message and is apparently summoned to Darren's office. Arriving there he finds Courtney who has her own agenda. Apparently Darren grovels after straying and she has forgiven him twice. Aadi confirms he does not have a girlfriend and Courtney launches herself at him.
I suspect Paul will be seeing more of Shelly on his journey - and what looks like a new set to use! Talking of new sets and new uses Darren's office is getting a work out already. Ryan Early (who plays Darren Vance) has had a previous role in t'Street but most recently has been an insipid physical trainer and judo instructor on The Archers; frankly Dev I would not trust him with your money after listening to a background phone call he made on Wednesday. Stephanie Davis (playing Courtney Vance) has previously been part of Hollyoaks and I assume brought the costumes with her; frankly Aadi do you know whom you are bedding - she has already told you she has a brain as well her other assets!
And a short scene with Rita was played to perfection by both Barbara Knox and Peter Gunn. Additional plaudits to Sally, Gail and Audrey as apologies were made and we were gently reminded of the long term connection between Sally and Gail. Excellent.
Written by Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther. Directed by Judith Dine.
Kosmo
