Good evening. I have a plane to catch so this will be quite a short update this evening. First up we get the inevitable break up between George and Eileen. It has been on the cards for some time and George eventually realises that his future is, at least for now, in Weatherfield and he accepts that he cannot trail off to Thailand in Eileen's wake. She admits she loves him - but as a friend - and so George has to say it is over. Eileen is definitely going - she also decides she hates her clothes and will buy new ones when she arrives. Jason explains that you simply have to leave Thailand every three months - Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, or somewhere else and do some travelling before returning and carrying on as before. There is a gathering in the Rovers - Sean and Steve both refer to Eileen as a mother figure and there is a brief recall of Jason with Becky before she married Steve. Todd assures Eileen he will soon be on a plane to Thailand as well and Julie's money looks like it will be buying a share of a bar.
Dee Dee had arranged lunch with Alya in the Bistro and is unable to make it. Daniel in contrast was expecting to meet a friend in the Bistro for lunch - the friend has cancelled the table booking but forgot to cancel Daniel. So Daniel and Dee Dee have a drink together and appear to be getting on well, explaining how things are going at the moment. Daniel has just witnessed Brody and Dylan squaring up to each other on his way into the Bistro and can see both of them will be behind bars in next to no time. Dee Dee sympathises as she knows people need support and no doubt seeds are being sown for some community activity for youngsters. Daniel sees Dylan and Betsy on the swings later and tries some wise words to effectively remember that they both have supportive parents rooting for them whilst Brody doesn't and perhaps they could find a way of cutting him some slack (which immediately put me in mind of Kit (and family) helping the young Mick and look where that led).
Leaving the Bistro with Daniel (not quite hand in hand yet) Dee Dee gets the shock of her life - James is back with the baby Laila as apparently Danny has been finding other interests when getting his restorative physio and the relationship is over. Dee Dee considers that she cannot face having her baby in her face and throws an inevitable strop. Later Ed sits her down in their rather attractively laid out back yard and Dee Dee regrets her earlier intemperance. If James does not stay with Ed he will be sofa surfing with football friends and quite simply that is not suitable for a baby. Dee Dee gives her consent for the two to live on the Street.
Ronnie has helpfully provided Leanne with a drill so she can put a shelf up. Walking past them Tim and Sally jump to the inevitably wrong conclusion that they have been sharing some afternoon delight and Debbie jumps to exactly the same wrong conclusion - she is getting nowhere with trying to put things right. The Bailey boys - Ed, Ronnie, James and Michael all gather to celebrate all being single again.
Kev offers Carl some regular work in the garage as he is going part time for a while - Abi really wants Carl gone but he inevitably accepts the offer and so will be around for a while.
Millie (Theo's eldest daughter) spent last night on Eileen's sofa as, fortuitously, Jason was elsewhere with his mates. Millie refuses to go home and apologise to her mother unless Theo comes home permanently with her. Theo is not prepared to do that. Millie hangs around like a bad smell most of the day and then decides the protest has gone on long enough and goes back to Danielle. Can we have more of Danielle please? Anyway with Eileen and George listening we hear Theo saying he wished he had been honest with Danielle much sooner - being honest is important. That has a huge impact on the two of them but before they can talk Eileen is summoned to the police station where it is confirmed that she will face no charges in connection with Julie's death.
For Eileen's final departure the StreetCars cabs are parked up along the Street and the drivers all sound their horns as Steve drives Eileen to the airport. Steve cannot imagine the cab office without her. George gives Eileen a present - a neck pillow and they hug each other before she goes.
And before I go let us celebrate Eileen. Sue Cleaver wants to do something different. I hope she enjoys it and has a great time entertaining the public from a stage. In the theatre the audience can directly show our appreciation of the cast on stage. Only a week or so ago we went to see a play and my wife on reading the plot beforehand had convinced herself she would not enjoy it. However the story had some great writing and the acting performances were superb - no it was not to be enjoyed but it proved to be enthralling and kept our rapt attention throughout - which is still great entertainment. If Sue can deliver on stage then she can feel the direct appreciation for her efforts - something which is simply not possible with television and I hope that will be important to her in the future. I wish her well.
I may not be here next week - but I will definitely be back in two weeks time.
Written by Susan Oudot and Damon Alexis-Rochefort. Directed by Reece Dinsdale.
Kosmo
