Well this is a surprise, not only am I back but it is not Friday either (well it may be now - but it was Thursday when this episode aired). Dev and Bernie are ideologically opposed on the subject of the hoax call made by Jospeh - Dev would have him strung up immediately whilst Bernie says kids always get up to high jinks. The police have given him a youth caution. Dev is then so impressed by Evelyn's desire to leave his service (he declares a day of national mourning) that he leaves his cake behind in the cafe which leads Bernie to deliver the forgotten package to the shop. They have a deep and meaningful discussion; Dev proposes and Bernie accepts despite the earlier ideological difference.
In developments which move faster than greased lightning Evelyn has strapped on her rocket shoes and in short order tells Dev she is leaving his employment NOW and not at the end of three weeks' notice period, takes on the rental of a room in a mature student accommodation (really - she is of an age where I would have thought relocation to Still Waters would be more likely), taken a little job in the college library, packed her bags and cannot even be bothered to explain why she is leaving Hope and Ruby who will probably never miss her. Dev complains about employee loyalty - but it works both ways and he was not particularly supportive to Ches when the kebab shop had to be closed down for a deep clean. Roy pops along to allow her to cuddle Freddie one last time and also explains "Beer Pong" to her - but by the end of the semester she will have converted them to "Brandy Pong". There is then a subdued farewell in the Rovers (obviously cast costs need to be kept down) before she heads off to her new life.
Over at
Sean talks Adam into taking on Dylan's case and whilst Adam believes the story Dylan recounts it is obvious that without some evidence it is likely that the Ratcliffe brothers will simply point their fingers at Dylan given his previous antipathy to Mason and his prints being on the knife. Abi spots Dylan talking to Adam and leaving Alfie to swing she decides to award Dylan a piece of her mind. When she turns back Alfie has decided to play hide and seek and is not found for about half an hour - until Toyah returns him. Abi dishes out some more of her mind to Toyah screaming at Toyah to leave her and her son alone.
Luckily Shona is in Freshco car park (avoiding David who is being a pillock says Sarah) when the Radcliffe brothers park up next to her as they need some shopping and she phones Kit who is trying to eat lunch on the Street. Sarah overhears the call and tells David that Shona phoned Kit - but not why. Kit leaves in high speed (his windscreen appears repaired) followed by David at even higher speed in Sarah's car. Kit is about to apprehend the Radcliffes when David shouts at him and they do a runner. Kit eventually traps Matty against the wall of Nuttall's brewery (arches in the background) and almost breaks his arm before securing him with handcuffs and invites him for a chat down at the station. Logan however is clean away. News of the arrest spreads like wildfire.
Following all this activity there are signs that mental 'elfs are on the loose. Sean has a breakdown in t'Rovers - he seems more upset than Dylan - and is comforted by George. Along at the Sebastian Memorial Garden Abi recalls her argument with Mason, her loss of Seb and she is slowly losing her mind.
I realise that she has not gone, even though she has and I ought to say a few words about Maureen Lipman - but what can I say? I believe it has been an incredible pleasure for us to see a National Treasure spend so long on the Street (7 years and over 500 episodes) and I hope she enjoys taking it a little easier in the future. No doubt her family will give her cause to pop back and provide us with commentary on Hope's and Ruby's activities in the future.
Written by Carmel Morgan and Ella Greenhill. Directed by Kodjo Tsakpo.
Kosmo
