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Private Notes
The men return at 7.00am after spending the night with fifteen women at 32 Bessie Street. They go for an early morning "hair of the dog" in the Rovers and decide to tell everyone Alf tripped and fell and they all took him to hospital. As soon as they see their wives they crack and tell the truth. Ken lectures Susan about bringing Roy Stevenson back home. Elsie runs short of money. Fred tells Annie about Alf going to hospital and is annoyed that the others have confessed. Annie finds out the truth when she rings the hospital and pleases the women by presenting their husbands with a bill for their wives' drinks and refuses Fred his request for a night off. Rita is tired of living in what she considers a dump. Elsie considers asking Mike for the supervisor's job now Steve Fisher has left. Susan asks Ken if he intends to marry Deirdre. Annie tells Ivy that Elsie intends to ask for her job back at the factory. Ivy is livid.
Rita tells Len she wants a decent home to live in. Len tells her to make a list of alterations. Jim Sedgewick tells Emily and Gail he's bought the cafe off Joe Dawson. Susan returns to Glasgow. Elsie asks Mike for her old job back, promising she'll be reliable. He tells her that he does need someone to help him at the factory. Gail fears Sedgewick will sack her. Rita gives Len her required alterations for No.9, which include knocking the two rooms into one and a fitted kitchen. She accuses him of not caring and rips the list up. She tells him that she's sick of the way they live. Ivy tells Mike she wants to be made supervisor as she's been doing the job in all but name. She warns him that the girls won't stand for Elsie being taken back on. Sedgewick tells Emily the jobs are safe. He intends to bring a jukebox in, telling her that he's turning the place into a transport cafe to take advantage of the new lorry park on Canal Street - Emily is horrified.
Len is furious that the porn salesman managed to leave stock at The Kabin. He tells Mavis to burn it all but she points out it's sale or return and they all cost £10. Mike lets Ivy believe she's going to be supervisor. Emily admits to Deirdre that she feels trapped in the house with Tracy. Deirdre realises she's been taking her for granted and won't take the job. Mavis is aghast when the porn salesman offers her a commission for selling his magazines. She throws him and the magazines out. She complains to the salesman's boss. Aspinall's offers Pauline £10 a week more to stay but Mike offers £15. The salesman is sacked as he was moonlighting with Teaser magazine. When he threatens Mavis, Len throws him out. Pauline Stringer agrees to start as supervisor at Baldwin's. Deirdre decides to give up the job at Weatherfield Rainwear. She and Emily contemplate starting their own secretarial agency when Alf suggests the idea. Ivy shocks Mike by telling him Pauline is a well known unionist.
Vera tells Alf and Renee that she is delighted that Pauline Stringer has been taken on by Mike as she's on the side of the workers. Len paints old radiators to look new to make up the central heating system at No.9 and pays Eddie to do some work for him. Pauline does a timekeeping assessment, interesting Mike who sees an opportunity to sack a few people. He is disturbed to find she reads Socialist Worker. Rita sees the old radiators and Len and Eddie cover for where they're intended for. Len gives her money to go shopping and get her out of the way. Deirdre reminds Alf to get some work for her from the Town Hall. Ivy decides to use Pauline to get concessions from Mike. The Community Centre frontage has been redesigned and the whole building is undergoing decoration. Ken expects Ena to return from St Annes next week but she arrives early and can't get in as it's a new door. Elsie tells her the decorators haven't finished and she storms over to the Corner Shop to demand answers from Alf but he denies it's his responsibility. She dumps herself on Albert. Mike is annoyed when Pauline gets on with the girls when she tells them what she got for the staff at Aspinall's. She finds out that Ivy is the shop steward but Ida lets slip there was no election. Eddie is disappointed when Len only pays him £5 and he's still owed £30 from what Belshaw's owe Len. Deirdre writes to them for him to demand the sum. Ken is annoyed that Albert didn't tell him about Ena's postcard advising of her early return and offers to put her up, giving up his bed. Ivy tells Pauline that the girls want a rest room and Pauline checks with the Garments Workers' Union to see if Ivy is the official shop steward. Mike is pleased. Annie sends Fred on an errand in Jubilee Terrace. He returns late, having called into The Flying Horse where he's discovered that they have started a barbershop quartet. Pauline discovers Ivy is not on the union books. Mike gleefully tells Ivy the news and that the girls will hav
Vera tells Alf and Renee that Ida is challenging Ivy for the stop steward job. Albert doesn't like Ena staying at No.1 and urges Ken to get her flat ready quickly. Belshaw's send Len a cheque. Eddie can now get his £30 owing but Len refuses him a bonus for getting the money for him. Ivy and Ida bicker over the sewing machines about the election. Mike is nervous about who will win. Deirdre is despondent that work is slow to come in. Flying Horse landlord Tony Hayes has challenged Fred to a barbershop competition with the Rovers and he tries to find a quartet. Renee pushes Alf to volunteer. The atmosphere in the sewing room is bad and Pauline suggests the vote is held at dinner time. Ida wants the election to be a secret ballot. Eddie agree to join Fred and Alf in the quartet but Len refuses. Albert is pleased with a potato pie that Ena bakes but they continue to argue. She makes him do the washing-up. Bert agrees to be the final member of the quartet. The ballot papers are filled in for the election. Ivy worries about the result. Annie reminds Fred that the good name of the Rovers is at stake. Fred sets up the competition for next Monday. The men are horrified. They practice, singing Sweet Adeline, amusing Elsie and the regulars with their poor performance. Ena points out that Fred is the one out of key. The others agree and drop him and they instantly improve. Pauline gives the results: Ida gets 14 votes but Ivy wins with 17. The two make up. Ken tells Albert that the decorators won't be starting on Ena's flat until after Easter. He breaks the news to her when she comes back from the pub. Ena angrily tells Ken that he and the committee have messed her about for long enough. She announces that she is going back to Henry Foster in St Annes and threatens not to return. Albert is delighted. Fred and Alf realise there's nothing in the rules which says the quartet must all be men and press gang Renee into joining them after Rita refuses.
Susan Barlow turns up unannounced with boyfriend Duncan Craig who she is on a cycling holiday with. Ken is delighted to see them but is shocked that they're holidaying together. Rita is annoyed that the radiators are old - she accuses Len of palming her off with rubbish. Renee dresses up as a man for the barbershop quartet contest. Rita is pleased when Len finishes the central heating. Tony Hayes complains about Renee being in the quartet but backs down when Ivy threatens a female boycott on The Flying Horse. Fred has to admit that The Flying Horse quartet are better singers and buys their team drinks as a prize. Emily organises a party for Mavis's birthday. Rita is delighted to walk into a warm house. Ken makes Susan and Duncan sleep in separate rooms. Albert tells Ken he can't allow Susan to go on holiday with Duncan as he's nineteen and she's only sixteen.
Rita is thrilled to wake up in the warmth for the first time in her life. Susan tells Ken that both she and Peter wish he'd marry again. She is angry that Ken doesn't trust her with Duncan Craig and makes him see that she isn't a child any more. Duncan and Susan leave for Wales. Ken is pleased at Susan's mature attitude but Albert sulks that he didn't stop them going off together. Ivy snoops round Len's alterations at No.9 and is surprised that it looks so nice after having been catty to Rita earlier. Mavis fears no one will come to her party. When Rita sees the poor turnout she sends Len to the Rovers to press gang the regulars into attending. Bet is pleased when Dan Johnson phones to say he'll be seeing her soon. Mavis is thrilled when the guests arrive. She is touched when Emily presents her with a birthday cake and her friends sing Happy Birthday.
Hilda gets the chance of a free lift to Chesterfield to visit son Trevor overnight and takes advantage of it. Gail buys a seascape picture and Ivy lets her hang it at No.5. Bet gets a night off to spend with Dan Johnson. Hilda gives Eddie permission to entertain a girl for the evening at No.13 in her absence as she thinks he means Lorna Ferguson, but he brings Pat Marshall round instead. She frightens Stan. Eddie is put out when she wants to hang round Stan instead of him. Dan assures Bet there was nothing between him and Elsie. Brian and Gail plan to throw their first dinner party for some friends on Friday but Ivy has invited the Duckworths round on the same evening to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Alf and Renee are upset when Dan spends the night with Bet. Hilda returns at 1.00am to find Eddie and Pat in her parlour. She throws them out. Stan hears noises downstairs, thinks Pat has gone to fetch one of her friends for him and expresses his glee to Eddie, but Hilda overhears him.
Dan and Bet have spent the night together. Hilda hurts Stan by telling him the idea of him having another woman is like expecting to find a whale in a tin of sardines. Gail is upset that the dinner party has to be put off. Renee is furious when Bet and Dan leave the flat in the morning through the shop in front of Annie. Eddie soft soaps Hilda and she tells him that he can bring Pat Marshall round again if he wants to; she'll throw water over Stan if needed. Ivy tells Gail that she understands her frustrations about not living in her own house. Bet promises to keep her private life more private but Renee isn't convinced. Hilda and Pat get on well together and have a moan about men, ruining Eddie's planned night of passion. Renee decides to throw Bet out if she lets Dan stay again.
Renee is furious when Dan Johnson spends another night with Bet. The Coronation Street Secretarial Bureau opens. Deirdre deals with typing whilst Emily book-keeps. Bet is besotted with Dan. Emily takes a call from a Mr Bateman who wants to use the Bureau's services. She thinks she recognises his voice . When he calls round it is Fangio who has set up his own light haulage service and gives Deirdre typing to do - she is attracted to him but Emily is not pleased. Alf and Renee tell Bet that if she doesn't stop letting Dan stay the night she'll have to leave the flat. She is furious but refuses to give Dan up. She packs and leaves the flat. Hilda sees "money" in Stan's teacup and after hearing from Ivy and Vera that the jackpot at the bingo has reached £1,000, she tells him that they're going there tomorrow night. Betty takes Bet in for the night. Bet tells her that she feels sure Dan will take care of her.
Bet assures Betty she won't bring Dan Johnson to her house. Arnold Swain gives his pet shop books to Emily to work on. Hilda drags Stan to the bingo. Ivy and Vera go together and pool their money. Bet is disappointed when Dan is caught up in Birmingham. Stan sneaks off to the Legion and leaves Hilda to mark his card as well as her own. She is upset when she doesn't win the jackpot. Jeff Bateman calls at No.3 for his work but Deirdre is out. He calls at the Rovers and finds out that she is separated. Vera wins a game but Hilda thinks it's with one of Stan's cards that he left behind. She wins a weekend for two in Blackpool. Jeff calls back for his work and asks Deirdre to go for a drink with him. She accepts. Vera threatens Hilda for slander when she insists it was Stan's card.
Mavis goes down with flu. She struggles at The Kabin, feeling Louise is too young to run it alone but Louise makes her go to bed. Ivy and Gail realise No.5 is too small for two wives. Dan Johnson returns and he is put out to find Bet has left the flat. Ivy is annoyed when Gail makes her feel guilty for doing things for Brian. Rita agrees to help out at The Kabin as Mavis is ill. Bet views a bedsitter on Ludlow Avenue. She is depressed that she's still living in grotty flats with shared bathrooms. Hilda and Vera row in the Street over the bingo prize. Hilda calls Vera a liar. Vera tells Hilda she'd compromise and take Stan on the holiday with her. Hilda tells her to stick the holiday. Ivy snaps at Gail when she cooks the wrong thing for tea. Gail tells her that she's had enough of living with her. Bert tells Brian there's a new estate of small houses being built. Dan helps Bet move into Ludlow Avenue. Annie is angry when Bet says she has a headache as she knows she wants to spend the evening with Dan. Brian agrees to look at the new houses for Gail's sake.
Bet enjoys having a love nest with Dan Johnson in her flat. Rita gets tired of looking after Mavis and gets Albert to sit with her. He makes her feel worse. When Bet is an hour late for work, Annie warns her not to let her love life upset her working life again. Rita decides she's missed working at The Kabin and tells Len she wants to return permanently. She plans to supervise Mavis and Louise. Bet is upset when Dan has to return to London. Gail and Brian visit the Willow Crescent Estate and put the deposit down on a plot for a £16,000 house. Gail longs to live there. Ivy feels they're taking on more than they can afford, but Bert thinks they're doing the right thing by taking the risk.
Deirdre is amused to type a manuscript from a local authoress of racy stories. Arnold is impressed by Emily's work and gives the bureau more jobs. He asks Emily out sometime. The building society gives the Tilsleys a 95% mortgage. Gail is delighted. Mavis is annoyed that Rita has returned to work as manageress. Rita tells her it'll only be part-time. Emily is touched by a poem Arnold has written which she finds in his typing. Brian discovers they'll need £1,000 cash to buy the house and they've only got £400. Louise can't face the idea of working under Rita and decides to give her job up. She walks out. Len is annoyed and tells Rita it's her fault and she'll have to do the morning papers. Brian asks Bert to loan him £500 but Bert hasn't got any money. Emily agrees to go out to a pub with Arnold.
Deirdre makes Emily excited about her date with Arnold. Rita offers Louise an extra £1 a week to return. When she refuses Rita gives her her cards. Deirdre makes Emily up and she goes for a French meal with Arnold. Bert and Ivy look forward to their holiday in Benidorm with the Duckworths. Brian sells his record player to help with the deposit. Louise's father, Jack Clayton, accuses Rita of sacking his daughter and argues with her. She sees him off. Annie tells Elsie she's worried that Bet is heading for a fall with Dan Johnson. Ivy gives Brian and Gail the £300 they need to make their deposit up.
Bert guesses that Ivy has given Brian their holiday money. He is furious; they need a holiday. Bet befriends neighbour Keith Sadler. Stan refuses to drink in the Rovers when Annie puts the prices up and instead he goes to the British Legion. Vera looks forward to holidaying in Benidorm. She is furious when the Tilsleys back out as she's paid a deposit on an apartment for four. Brian pays the deposit on the house. Stan pins the Labour Club's bar price list on the wall in the Rovers so everyone can see how much more expensive the Rovers is. Annie is furious and bars Stan from the pub. Albert demands to know why the prices are higher but Annie fobs him off. Hilda is furious that Annie has barred Stan for freedom of speech and tells Stan that she's declared war on her.
Vera refuses to speak to Ivy. Ida enjoys mixing things between them. Hilda accuses Annie of victimisation. Annie is annoyed when some of the customers take Stan's side against her. Ken accuses her of being biased against the Ogdens. Mike invites Pauline Stringer out for a drink, telling her to break her date. Stan puts the price of his window cleaning up. Three of his customers refuse to pay and tell him not to call again. Ken brings Stan into the Rovers for a drink and tells Annie if she doesn't serve him then her regulars will walk out. Annie tells Ken it was merely a misunderstanding and invites Stan back to the pub but is not pleased with Ken. Pauline puts off boyfriend Roy to go out with Mike. Bert tries to get the deposits back from the travel agents but it's non-returnable. Vera is livid to lose the £60.
Bert tells Ivy they'll have to pay the Duckworths' deposit back. Audrey arrives from Bury and Gail and Brian take her to see the house plot. Bet lets Keith Sadler use her board to iron his clothes. Dan Johnson turns up and catches him in her room alone. Bet returns from the shops and is pleased to see that Dan is jealous. Pauline Stringer accuses Mike of trying to corrupt her with the high life. He tells her that he knows she's not really a socialist. She storms out. Ivy tells Brian to watch Gail, otherwise she'll spend every penny they'll ever have, like her mother. He tells her that lending him money doesn't give her the right to run his life. Bert wants to tell Brian about their holiday sacrifice but Ivy refuses to let him. Dan threatens Keith if he doesn't stick to his own room on the other side of the landing.
Bert is furious that Brian has taken the £300 for granted. Keith Sadler tells Bet that Dan Johnson has warned him off her. Pauline Stringer is annoyed when Mike is cool towards her. Bert tells Brian the £300 was their holiday money. Brian and Gail are stricken and give the money back. Pauline has to make the first move towards Mike before he asks her out for a meal. Gail and Brian ask Audrey to ask her rich fella for £300. Audrey confesses Alan has gone back to his wife. Bert tells Gail and Brian they can still have the money; the holiday wouldn't have been enjoyable anymore. The Ogdens go down with flu. Mike entertains Pauline at his hotel, the Brookhouse. Dan catches Bet talking to Keith and hits him. He tells Bet he doesn't want her talking to other men. She calls him a hypocrite, he packs and leaves, telling her that he can always find another woman like her.
Hilda and Stan stay in bed as the flu bug hits them. Mike and Pauline Stringer flirt together in the factory after their night together. Arnold gives Tracy a hamster which she calls "Conky". Emily breaks a date with Mavis to go out with Arnold. Bet is touched when Annie shows understanding over Dan Johnson's departure. Eddie discovers the Ogdens are ill and looks after them. Ivy wants the girls to have a shopping rota, Pauline agrees the idea without asking Mike. Eddie moves into No.13 to keep an eye on the Ogdens. Emily cooks Arnold a meal. They are both contented with each other.
Arnold advises Emily to invest her money in stocks and shares. Ivy works out a shopping rota for the machinists. Deirdre types up a letter for Arnold to his bank manager, asking for his overdraft to be extended. Emily wonders what his financial position is. Hilda gets bored, stuck in bed with Stan. Emily fears Arnold is after her money. Annie pays a sick visit to the Ogdens, to Hilda's shame. Mike refuses to let the girls have a shopping hour. He tells Pauline he's not running a charity. Pauline is furious and accuses him of destroying her authority with the workers. She tells him he's humiliated her and she's had enough. She quits and walks out.
Gail tells Brian she thinks that she's pregnant. He doesn't see how she can be as she's on the pill. Mike offers Ivy the supervisor's job on the condition that she mans the machines during sickness and holidays. He offers her an extra £10 a week to be a "working manager". Ivy takes it. Bert is delighted. Gail goes to the doctor's for tests. Arnold gives Emily his stockbroker's name and invites her to the theatre. She turns him down and makes it clear she doesn't want to go out with him in the future. Gail tells Brian she is definitely pregnant.
Brian and Gail are pleased that she's pregnant. Ida tells Ivy she shouldn't be shop steward as well as supervisor. Ivy agrees and tells her that she can be shop steward. Ida is furious when Ivy tells her that her work isn't up to standard. Gail and Brian tell the Tilsleys about the baby - they are delighted. Deirdre phones Arnold's stockbroker and discovers he has all his money well invested. Emily is pleased and relieved but thinks she's made a fool of herself. Deirdre advises her to make contact with Arnold. Arnold is pleased when Emily calls at the pet shop. He introduces her to his sister Flora. Mike tells Ivy that if she arranges the rota, the girls can have their shopping hour. She promises there won't be a fall in production. Arnold and Emily make a date to go out together. Gail can't get in contact with Audrey to tell her about the baby. Bert worries that Brian and Gail will have to let the house go.
Gail suffers from morning sickness. Eddie sells a hanging chair to Mavis for £20. Bert tells Brian he feels they won't be able to afford the mortgage. Brian doesn't want to lower his sights. Bert and Ivy urge them to back out of the mortgage as the debt will be crippling. Gail feels that she doesn't want a cheaper house and they'll manage. Brian tells her that he thinks his parents are right. Audrey arrives as soon as she hears about the baby. Eddie agrees to fix the chair up for Mavis. Emily takes Arnold to the Rovers. Annie gives him the once over and decides he is suitable. Audrey tells Brian he doesn't have to have the baby if he doesn't want it.
Brian is angry with Gail for forgetting to take the pill. Emily finds it difficult believing that a man is interested in her. Gail is sad that Brian isn't happy about having a baby. She is stunned when he suggests she has an abortion. Ivy is horrified and reminds him that she lost three babies before he was born. Gail is upset that it was Audrey who first suggested an abortion. Ivy slaps Brian across the face. Eddie fixes the hanging chair up in Mavis's flat. Deirdre makes excuses to be out of the way so Emily can entertain Arnold. Renee pushes Alf to take up tennis to help him lose weight. He isn't keen. Ivy accuses Audrey of putting vile ideas into Brian's head. Gail refuses to talk to Audrey. Audrey accuses Ivy of poisoning Gail against her and breaks down. Mavis loves the chair, although it is a bit high. Eddie sits in it and brings the ceiling down as the joists are rotten. Len is furious and Rita tells a distraught Mavis that she can move in with them while the flat is repaired. Gail tells the family she's having the baby no matter what else happens. Audrey begs her forgiveness. They make up.
Mavis stays with the Faircloughs. Len puts Eddie to work repairing the ceiling straight away as he wants rid of her. Mavis is jealous that Emily has got a man. Len catches Martin Cheveski climbing over the back wall at No.11. He grabs hold of his leg, thinking he's a thief. He is shocked to discover he is Elsie's grandson. Mavis's twittering gets to Len. Albert takes advantage of Martin and gets him to whitewash his yard. Emily enjoys her social life with Arnold. Martin tells Elsie he's fallen out with his dad and there's nothing for him in Birmingham. He asks Elsie if he can stay with her.
Elsie is concerned for Martin as he is despondent about getting a job. She tells him that he can stay with her if Linda agrees. Martin looks for a job in the building trade. Eddie puts him off talking to Len. Brian lets slip to Fred and Betty that Gail is pregnant. Gail isn't bothered and Ivy is pleased they can now talk about it to everyone. Elsie urges Martin to take no notice of Eddie and speak to Len himself. Arnold takes Emily and Tracy to the park. Rita is annoyed that Len is so impatient with Mavis. Martin tells Len he wants to be a plumber. Len takes him on as an apprentice. Len upsets Mavis by shouting at her when she prepares him a pineapple salad for his tea. He tells Rita he's not having the house turning into a health farm. She is angry to discover he's done Elsie a favour by taking Martin on but won't be nice to her best friend. Arnold tells Emily he loves her and wants to marry her.
Alf and Renee return from a week's holiday in Grange-over-Sands. Renee is fed up to be back with life in Weatherfield. Emily doesn't know whether or not to accept Arnold's proposal. Eddie bosses Martin around at the yard and makes him call him "Mr Yeats". He tells Martin he only got his job because Len fancies his gran. Eddie is annoyed when Len gives Martin good jobs whilst he has to continue labouring. Ken organises a raffle for the OAPs. It is to win a date with the mystery man - "Mr. Wonderful". Eddie tries to impress Len but he is only interested in Martin's work. Elsie tells Martin he'll hear a lot of gossip about her in the Street. Renee tells Alf she wants to move to the country. Emily tells Arnold she is fond of him but can't marry him.
Arnold tells Emily he realises he tried to rush her. He tells her that he'll keep trying. She is embarrassed and asks him to forget it. She tells him that she's made up her mind and will never want to marry him although she is flattered. Arnold tells Deirdre that Emily won't marry him. She tells him that she'll try and win Emily round for him. Martin tells Eddie that Len is planning to sack him. Arnold sends Emily roses. Len tells Eddie there isn't enough work for three. Eddie is upset that he's been cast aside. Renee wins Alf round to the idea of moving by saying they could take a sub-post office. Mavis moves back to her flat and is put out when Len makes her pay for the repairs. Betty tells Emily about her proposal from a friend called Frank after the death of Cyril and advises her to follow her heart.
Ken refuses to tell who the mystery man in the "Mr. Wonderful" competition is, although everyone thinks it's him. Renee is desperate to move and wants to view premises. Annie remembers Jack as it's ten years to the day since he died. Deirdre tells Emily she'd be silly to let Arnold go. Emily tells her that she is not marrying Arnold and is annoyed he has asked Deirdre to be on his side. Mavis is horrified that Emily has turned down Arnold's proposal. She thinks it's a miracle that someone has proposed to her. Emily agrees to be Arnold's friend so long as he realises she won't marry him. The Robertses return from Grange-over-Sands and tell Betty that they've found a sub-post office but someone else is interested. The vendors say they'll let them know if the others drop out. The women gather at the Rovers for the raffle draw. Mike is revealed to be the mystery man. Annie performs the draw, Hilda has the winning ticket. Mike isn't pleased.
The vendors tell the Robertses that the sub-post office in Grange-over-Sands is theirs if they want it - Renee can't believe it. Eddie forms his own company, and tries to sell shares in it for £10 a time. Mike chauffeurs Hilda around. She has her hair done for their night out at the Ristorante Roma. Stan is jealous. Mavis feels she's on her way to becoming an old maid and is upset. No one is interested in Eddie's company. Emily drags Mavis along when Arnold takes her out. Mavis feels sick in his car. Mike offers Hilda the £40 the meal will cost as he doesn't want to spend the evening with her. She tells him she's not stupid, but she wants the meal - she wants to spend an evening in style. He agrees. Renee decides to learn to drive. Mike ends up enjoying Hilda's company at the meal and the obvious pleasure she has during the evening. Emily tells Arnold she's become more fond of him. He proposes again and she accepts.
Deirdre is delighted that Emily and Arnold are engaged. Arnold buys Emily an engagement ring and drinks all round. Deirdre persuades Emily to throw a party. Renee starts driving lessons with Jim Lorimer. Alf is jealous. The Robertses put the shop up for sale. Mavis is shattered by the news of Emily's engagement and she gets depressed at the party. The Ogdens are annoyed not to be invited. Betty thinks Flora Swain is frosty. Deirdre remembers that it's her fifth wedding anniversary but she tells Ken that she doesn't feel depressed. With Martin out at a disco, Elsie falls asleep on the sofa with her cigarette still alight.
Hilda calls round to Elsie to borrow a cup of sugar. She finds the sofa ablaze and tries to drag Elsie clear but she has to call for Stan to help. Ken and Deirdre talk to each other at the party for the first time since they split. He tries to be close to her but she isn't interested. Stan and Hilda drag Elsie out of the smoke-filled house. Hilda breaks up Arnold and Emily's party for help. The fire brigade arrive but Ken and Stan have already put the fire out. Elsie is full of smoke but refuses to go to hospital. Dr Crawford advises her to give up smoking. Emily takes her in. Elsie has convulsions when she hears she owes her life to Hilda. Renee shows the Bannisters around the Corner Shop. Hilda is proclaimed a heroine. She makes the most of the situation and over-dramatises the events.
Elsie can't settle at No.3. She has a chesty cough from the smoke and she refuses to stop smoking. Hilda makes a nuisance of herself by checking up on Elsie all the time, pushing home the point that she saved her. Eddie turns himself into a decorating business but no one wants his services. Alf is annoyed when Renee dresses up for her driving lessons. Elsie has difficulty referring to Hilda as her friend and feels obliged to buy her drinks. Hilda tells Stan and Eddie that they're now best friends but Elsie rages to Martin that she can't stand much more of it.
Eddie has been thrown out of his room at Monkey Gibbons's house and he looks for fresh digs. Hilda refuses to take him in until he has a job. Elsie refuses to buy any more drinks for Hilda. Ken gives Eddie a reference as he goes job-hunting. Ivy is annoyed to discover Gail has been looking into employing a childminder. Eddie gets a job and Hilda agrees to him becoming their lodger before discovering he's a binman. She tells him that she's not having rubbish in the house. Elsie buys Hilda a noticeboard so she can note down when she's out of things and won't keep borrowing off her. When Hilda refers to the fact that she saved her again, Elsie explodes and tells her that next time her house is on fire to walk past. The Bannisters call on the Robertses and tell them they want to buy the shop but only offer them £15,000 - £1,000 below the asking price. Hilda discovers Eddie could be earning up to £80 a week on the bins. Betty is concerned for Wayne and Sharon Fletcher, two latchkey children near her home. When Wayne falls whilst his mother is out drinking, Betty takes them in. Ivy resolves to tell Gail that she's not happy about her plans.
Alf tells Renee he doesn't like her driving with another man but she refuses to stop her lessons. Bert works out for Brian how much his weekly outgoings will be. Stan and Hilda decide to invite Eddie to move in as they feel they're the nearest to family he's got. Betty worries about the Fletchers. Ken advises her to report their mother to the NSPCC. Brian discovers they'll have £17 a week left to live on. Gail is sure they'll cope. When Renee spends all morning out on a driving lesson, Alf storms out of the shop and drinks in the Rovers. He worries about money; he wanted £16,000 for the shop and is having to find £28,000 for the new shop. Hilda offers Eddie her front bedroom for £20 a week. He agrees. She makes sure he pays the rent to her and not Stan. Renee tells Alf he's pathetic being jealous of Jim Lorimer. He forces her to make a decision over accepting the Bannisters' offer. She does and they are reconciled. Brian and Gail decide not to buy the house. The Fletchers' "uncle" - Reg Sudworth - tells Betty to keep her nose out of the family's affairs.
Eddie starts on the bins. Alf and Renee quarrel when he refuses to give her driving lessons as his insurance doesn't cover her. Len advises them as they are having to change their cover for their new address, they might as well add Renee to the policy. Annie advises Betty to take care in her interest over the Fletcher children. Brian goes to the building society and cancels the mortgage. They get the deposit back but not the plot fee or the survey so they are £80 down. Eddie moves into No.13 and Hilda enjoys being a landlady to him. Brian gives the £300 back to Bert and Ivy. Gail can't face living with Ivy when the baby is born. Betty tells the regulars that she took the Fletcher children in and fed them herself. Ken advises her to report the matter to the NSPCC. Alf gives Renee a driving lesson after she pressures him. She scares him with her dangerous driving. Brian and Gail try to see possibilities in 15 Peterloo Place, valued at £7,250.
Alf refuses to take Renee out in the car again. Betty worries that if she alerts the authorities over the Fletchers their 'uncle' will take it out on them. Gail isn't keen on Peterloo Place. The Post Master tells Alf he can have the sub-post office. The Robertses celebrate. They go to a country pub. As he's been drinking, Alf lets Renee drive home. Betty phones the NSPCC about the Fletchers. Bert and Ivy look at 15 Peterloo Place and think the house is a bargain. Gail tells Brian to make an offer on the house. The Robertses get lost in the country, Renee stalls the car at some roadworks in a narrow lane. Alf gets out to take over but suddenly a lorry comes down the lane and hits the car head on. After the crash, Alf looks into the car and sees Renee lying across the seat, eyes fixed open.
Police and ambulancemen arrive at the crash site. Renee is rushed to hospital. Alf goes with her and is breathalysed. The crystals turn green. Renee undergoes emergency surgery but she dies in the theatre. Her spleen and her liver were both ruptured. The next morning, the news of Renee's death shocks the residents. Alf doesn't know what to do about anything. P.C. White makes him go over the accident for their report. The driver of the lorry has a broken leg and concussion and Renee's post-mortem is set for this morning. The NSPCC make an appointment to see Betty. The salesman of the houses on Willow Crescent Estate calls on the Tilsleys and tells them he has a cheaper house to offer them for £13,000 with repayments at under £100 a month. Brian doesn't want to know but Gail is keen. The house is vacant but only has the one bedroom. Alf begins to break down. Ken tries to comfort him.
Alf blames himself for letting Renee drive. He is upset as he can't remember what she looked like when she smiled. Hilda buys a new hat for Renee's funeral and tells Stan and Eddie one of them will have to accompany her. Betty controls her grief by looking after the shop for Alf. Daisy Hibbert arrives and puts a strain on Alf by demanding all the grief for herself. Inspector Vaughn - an NSPCC official - visits Betty. She tells him about the Fletchers' neglect and her fears for the children. She is assured her name will be kept out of the investigation. Daisy discovers Alf was breathalysed and had a blood test. She believes he killed Renee.
Stan refuses to go to the funeral so Eddie has to. Annie, Elsie, Ivy, Betty, Ken, Mike, Hilda and Eddie attend, along with Alf and Renee's family. Renee is cremated. The Fletchers' "uncle", Reg Sudworth turns on Betty, realising she reported him. He calls her interfering and threatens her. Mike and Eddie walk in on them in the Corner Shop and scare Sudworth off. Ivy takes care of the catering at the funeral tea. P.C. White calls and tells Alf that his blood test was negative. Alf gives Daisy Hibbert a photograph of Renee and him. She tears him off the picture and accuses him of murdering her baby.
Bert is tired of working nights. Annie tries to keep her birthday a secret. Deirdre agrees to be Emily's matron of honour, with Tracy as a bridesmaid. Ivy goes with Brian and Gail to view the new house. Mrs Fletcher calls on Betty and tells her that Reg Sudworth has left her and she accuses Betty of ruining her life. Annie assures her she did the right thing. Emily is surprised that Arnold wants to marry in the Weatherfield Register Office. She agrees but is upset that he is not a religious person. The Tilsleys look at 5 Buxton Close. Gail thinks it's perfect. Mavis is put out that Emily hasn't asked her to be her bridesmaid. Annie is furious when Hilda sings "Happy Birthday" to her in the middle of the pub. Ivy is against the new house because it is two bus rides away. Gail tells Brian she wants the house and if she doesn't get it she'll leave and live with Audrey.
Brian accuses Gail of emotional blackmail. He refuses to be pressured. Emily decides she would really like a church wedding. Deirdre tells her to stick up for herself. The NSPCC's Inspector Vaughn tells Betty that she should be proud of what she did. Gail worries when Mr Newton, salesman of the houses on Willow Crescent Estate needs an answer on 5 Buxton Close by the end of the day but she can't get hold of Brian. Alf finds it hard coping with the shop on his own. Arnold tosses a coin to see where they should marry. Gail is furious to find Brian has been drinking in the Rovers. Alf tells Mr. Bannister that he's no longer selling the shop. Emily and Arnold agree on the Register Office. Deirdre steps down to allow Mavis to be bridesmaid with Tracy. Brian signs for the house to Gail's delight.
Gail and Brian move into 5 Buxton Close helped by Brian's friend Andy Rowlands. They haven't a bed and don't know if they can take the one at Ivy's house with them. With Annie and Betty away, Fred is instructed to take on a relief barmaid. The brewery sends Arlene Jones. Fred fancies her. Bet kids her that Fred has something mentally wrong with him. When some machinists fall ill, Mike mans a machine himself to get an important order out - the girls are amazed. The Faircloughs return from a motoring holiday to the news of Renee's death. The Tilsleys have a new sofa delivered. Gail is glad to be away from Ivy. Fred feels certain Arlene fancies him. Bert and Ivy give the bed to Brian and Gail as a house-warming present. Ivy starts to cry at the thought of Brian leaving home.
Ivy uses her machine at the factory to make curtains for Gail in her spare time. Eddie is given a table on his rounds. Arlene Jones realises Fred fancies her and plays him along. Eddie sells the table to Gail and Brian for £5. He feels guilty as they're broke so gives them £2 back. Ivy is forced to tell Mike his machine work is not up to standard. He tells her that he's been waiting for her to spot that - he just wants to keep the girls on their toes. He withdraws from the sewing room and gives the girls overtime. Brian carries Gail over the threshold. Fred gets Arlene to work late "tidying up". The girls finish the big order. Ivy tells Gail the first sensible thing Brian ever did was marry her. Fred is shocked to meet Arlene's husband, Arthur who warns him off her and tells him that Arlene won't be returning.
Hilda worries about being short of money with rates due. Mavis decides she doesn't want to be another bridesmaid and decides to be away on holiday during the wedding. Deirdre and Emily agree to finish the secretarial bureau after Emily's wedding. Karen Oldfield applies for a job as machinist at Baldwin's Casuals. Mike makes her wait two hours before seeing her. Hilda asks Annie for next month's wages in advance but she refuses. Mike tells Karen there are no jobs going. She tells him that she'd be a good worker and he'd be a fool not to take her on. She impresses him and he takes her on as a trainee. Deirdre starts looking for somewhere else to live. Emily assures her that she will never throw her out. Martin repairs the water boiler at the factory and takes a fancy to Karen. Vera refuses to accept Hilda's money for the pools syndicate as she missed paying a week. She tells her that she's out of the syndicate. Hilda is annoyed when Stan only gives her £15 house-keeping. She tells him she's tired of making ends meet. Arnold tells Emily there is no way the Langtons can stay in the house after the wedding.
Mavis tells Emily that she can't be a bridesmaid as she's going to be in London. Hilda is adamant she paid Vera her pools money but Vera is equally adamant she didn't. Deirdre asks Alf if she and Tracy can have the shop flat. He is taken aback. He worries what people will say if he takes a woman in so soon after Renee's death. Annie invites him for his Sunday lunch. Emily braces herself and tells Deirdre that she'll have to move out. Deirdre tells her it's alright; she's arranged to take on the shop flat. As an act of revenge Hilda copies the winning pools numbers onto the factory girls' copy.
Emily and Deirdre close the Coronation Street Secretarial Bureau. Hilda has copied eight score draws onto the factory coupon to let Vera think she's won a little bit of money but Stan tells her there were only ten score draws that week and Vera would have won thousands - suddenly the joke doesn't seem so funny. Hilda tries to get to the coupon but is too late as Vera has checked it. Ivy, Ida, Vera, Karen and the other girls celebrate, thinking they've won a fortune. Mike fears they'll pack up working in the middle of his orders. Vera buys drinks all round at the Rovers. Ivy sends a telegram to the pools company. Hilda and Stan agree to keep quiet about fixing the coupon. Emily buys bridesmaids' dresses for Deirdre and Tracy. Alf tells Deirdre he's hanging on to the shop flat as he wants a resident assistant. Hilda is forced to accept champagne from the factory girls. Vera buys a £60 fur coat, spending her mortgage, electricity and Christmas club money in the process.
Vera celebrates her birthday with the knowledge she's won £12,000. Mike is furious that production has stopped because of the girls' excitement. The pools company rejects the girls' claim as their coupon did not include a winning line. The girls accuse Vera of copying down the wrong numbers. She makes them see not even she could copy down all the wrong numbers. Alf attends the inquest on Renee. The verdict is accidental death. Deirdre tells Alf she'd like the job as his assistant. He gives it to her and agrees to her having the flat as well. Vera and Ivy accuse Martin of fixing the coupon. Elsie defends him. Hilda overhears and feels awful but Stan tells her to say nothing.
Martin swears he never touched the coupon. Hilda refuses to stand by and let Martin be blamed, but she can't find the courage to tell the girls she is to blame. She confesses to Mike and he agrees to tell the girls. Mike gets the girls to drop their ideas of a lynching mob before telling them it was Hilda. When Ivy and Vera threaten her, Mike tells them that he'll sack them if they touch her; Hilda only meant it as a joke. Annie throws a hen party for Emily. Rita toasts Emily. Arnold has his stag night in the Rovers. His best man George Turner gets him drunk. The factory girls send Hilda to Coventry and refuse to work with her. Mike is forced to sack her. Arnold falls into a drunken sleep in the Snug.
Vera tries to get everyone in the Street to ignore Hilda. She is put out when Bet tells her she's pathetic. Arnold and Emily go to the registry office. George Turner and Deirdre act as witnesses as Annie and Betty watch. Karen falls for Martin and shares her barm cake with him. Arnold and Emily are married. Martin arranges to go to a dance with Karen after they establish they are both unattached. Hilda tells Stan she can't stand being snubbed and goes to stay with Trevor in Chesterfield. The Swains hold a small reception at No.3. Emily is touched when Leonard Swindley sends a telegram of congratulation.
Audrey visits Gail and is envious of her nest-building. Ivy misses seeing Brian all the time. She is annoyed to discover that Audrey has seen them since she has. Deirdre and Tracy settle into the flat. Deirdre hates the smallness of it but is content. Mike's London sales manager Alan Skidmore pays him a visit. He sees Deirdre and falls for her. She lets him help her move into the flat. With Hilda away, Eddie refuses to give his rent money to Stan. Alan asks Deirdre for a date but she makes excuses about not having a babysitter. Brian invites his parents to Sunday dinner. Deirdre talks Alf into babysitting so she can go out with Alan in Wilmslow. Alf worries that this might be a taste of the future.
Eddie pinches Albert's Sunday newspaper from his letterbox to save him buying one for himself. Alf tells Deirdre that he can't babysit as he's got council business. Gail lays on a beef dinner to impress Ivy. Deirdre starts work at the Corner Shop. Audrey and her new boyfriend, Les Boden, plan to visit Gail and Brian so Ivy tells them that they're out for the day as she doesn't want the lunch spoilt. Deirdre takes Tracy on her date with Alan Skidmore. He is disappointed. Albert is furious to discover his newspaper crossword has been completed before being delivered. He realises that someone took it from his letterbox. Deirdre refuses to let Alan get too close to her. He tells her that he'll see her again when he's next in town. Ivy and Bert enjoy their lunch at Brian and Gail's house. Audrey and Les call round on the off-chance only to find Bert and Ivy there. Audrey is annoyed that Ivy lied to her. Gail is furious that Ivy told Audrey to keep away. Audrey and Ivy start rowing which upsets Gail. Gail tells Brian that Ivy is no longer welcome in her house.
Bert tells Brian how difficult Ivy is making his life. Brian agrees to bring Gail round to No.5. Mavis returns from her break in London. Bet and Rita go to the sales. They return to her flat only to find she has lost her handbag and is locked out. Brian tries to make the peace between Ivy and Gail but Gail refuses to see Ivy, having had enough of her constant interference. Ivy breaks down when she realises they're not coming round. Bert is angry. After hours, Len manages to break the lock to Bet's flat so she can get in. Elsie meets Karen. They get on well together. Rita is furious when Len returns, having spent more time than is necessary with Bet.
Ivy hears that her sister Sheila in Canada has become a grandmother. She refuses to make the peace with Brian and Gail. Bet assures Rita nothing happened between her and Len. Marshall's phone Bet and tell her they have her bag. Bet goes to the store to collect it but Eddie fears it may be a put-up job to get her out of the way whilst someone raids the flat. He and Len rush to the flat and find it ransacked. Bet returns to find everything has been taken and she breaks down. Bert and Brian plot to get Ivy and Gail together. Bet isn't insured. She refuses to stay in the flat until the lock is changed so Betty takes her in. Martin gets Elsie out of the way so he can entertain Karen; he wants to neck with Karen but she wants intellectual conversation. He plies her with gin. Bert and Brian get Ivy and Gail together for a drink in the Rovers and they make peace. Gin makes Karen sick. Elsie returns to find Karen in a drunken heap.
Elsie rows with Martin for getting Karen drunk. Bet is distraught that her only picture of Martin Downes has been taken. The Swains return from their honeymoon at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Arnold carries Emily over the threshold at Eddie's prompting. He tells Emily he'd like to sell No.3 and buy a country cottage. Annie offers Bet some of her clothes. Karen has her first hangover. She tells Elsie that her father has told her not to see Martin again. Bet is horrified when Annie gives her her old gowns. Elsie rows with Deirdre for selling Martin cider as he's underage. Deirdre tells her he told her it was for Elsie. Arnold starts to show signs of impatience with Emily's neighbours. Ken organises a whip-round at the Rovers for Bet. Bet wears Annie's dress back to front, the plunging back is turned into V-neckline to her waist. Elsie tells Martin what Karen told her and he vows not to let Oldfield stop him.
Bet feels as though her flat is dirty. Mr Oldfield calls at the Corner Shop and tells Alf he'll have him prosecuted if he hears that he's sold drink to minors again. Betty organises a party at Bet's flat to drive away all presence of the intruders. Martin asks Karen out but she tells him she can't see him. Mike gives Bet some denim outfits from his factory. Mavis spends the evening with Arnold and Emily. He can't wait to get rid of her. Ken gives Bet £56 from the regulars and Annie gives her a brooch - she is touched. Martin gets Karen to meet him behind her father's back. Oldfield arrives instead and accuses him of pestering Karen. He tells Martin and Elsie that he's a police sergeant and warns him to stay away from his daughter.
Elsie tells Martin to stick to his guns and keep seeing Karen. Emily is alarmed to discover that Arnold has been telling people they're buying a bungalow in Derbyshire. She feels she doesn't want to live in the country but he tells her that she will. Fellow binman Johnny Webb needs somewhere to live for a couple of days as he and his wife have split up. Eddie suggests he asks Stan who agrees when he offers money but specifies that Johnny must leave before Hilda returns. Johnny pays £25 and Stan has to sleep on the sofa. Arnold asks Len to fit a new front door at No.3. He wants the house looking perfect for selling. Arnold shows Emily brochures of cottages in Bakewell but she doesn't want to leave the Street. Martin and Karen plan to continue seeing each other in secret at No.11. Fred scares Elsie with tales of the new police superintendent who is cracking down on shops selling alcohol and putting the owners out of business. Thinking of the trouble that Sgt Oldfield could cause Alf, she refuses to let Martin get into trouble and tells Karen she can't visit No.11. Martin accuses Elsie of being rotten.
Stan doesn't want to sleep on the sofa again and tells Johnny to leave by Friday. At Eddie's suggestion, Johnny bribes Stan with more money. Martin and Karen continue to see each other in secret. Len puts a new glass front door on at No.3. Emily finds the new door sticks - she pushes on the glass panel, her hand goes through and she is cut. Arnold takes her to hospital. An angry Arnold confronts Len in the Rovers, telling him that Emily has had six stitches in her hand and the door doesn't fit properly. Arnold tells Len he may sue him, calling him incompetent. The residents see another side to Arnold in his anger. Martin uses his key to the yard and entertains Karen there at night. He swears to Karen that he loves her. Arnold decides not to sue Len but swears not to pay him for the door. Vera decides to make mischief for Hilda and she tells Ida that she'll tell Maureen Webb that husband Johnny is staying with his fancy woman - Hilda.
Martin persuades Len to give him a key for the yard office. Len refuses to repair the Swains' door until he's paid for putting it in. Johnny Webb plans to move in with his girlfriend Sandra. Hilda returns from Chesterfield. She is annoyed to discover Stan has taken Johnny in but is impressed at his £25 a week rent. Johnny is now sharing Eddie's room. Vera tells Maureen Webb that Johnny is living at No.13. Karen has her ears pierced. Martin goes with her and has his done. Len offers to repair the door for Emily so long as Arnold will pay his £80 bill. Maureen Webb arrives at No.13 to have it out with Hilda.
Eddie tries to convince Maureen Webb that Hilda is happily married but she is certain that Hilda and Johnny are living in sin. Martin and Karen have their ears pierced. Elsie and Mr Oldfield think they're stupid. Karen tells her dad that she's with a girlfriend but really she sees Martin at the yard. Maureen confronts Hilda and accuses her of being Johnny's mistress. Hilda is indignant and convinces her that she isn't by introducing her to Stan. Hilda throws Johnny out of the house. Len offers to knock £5 off the door bill as a goodwill gesture but Arnold sees it as an admission of guilt. Len tells him if the bill isn't paid in full in two weeks he'll take the door off its hinges. Audrey phones up Gail and asks if she can stay.
Audrey arrives at Gail's house with her suitcase. Les Boden has thrown her out and she has nowhere to stay and she has given up her job. Gail lets her stay on the sofa. Deirdre panics when Tracy disappears. Ken and Alf search for her. Alf finds her locked in the bathroom. Tracy doesn't like it in there and starts to cry. Albert's old pal from the Somme, Monty Shawcross, visits him. Deirdre reads to Tracy through the keyhole. Alf gets a ladder up to the bathroom window but is too high up for Tracy to pass the key to him. Albert is jealous as Monty is marching with their old regiment to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. Audrey swears she's never going to get herself in trouble with men again. Tracy lets herself out of the bathroom after Alf has spent an hour trying to climb through the window. Jim Sedgewick decides that he doesn't want a pregnant waitress and tells Gail it's time she left the cafe.
Gail tries to let everyone think that the cafe doesn't tire her out. Fred celebrates his fifty-first birthday. He is annoyed that Annie has gone away without acknowledging the event. Albert helps Monty Shawcross train for walking in Whitehall. Gail refuses to rest or stop work for another month as they need the money. She breaks down and Brian realises that she can't cope. He tells her that she must stop work immediately and she agrees. Audrey offers to take them for a meal. She persuades Brian to use a customer's car to take them out for the night. Betty gives in to Fred's whining and agrees to let him hold a party at the Rovers. No one wants to go to Fred's party but Mike, Bert, Ken and Alf feel sorry for him and attend. Alf and Mike have a contest to see if Alf can eat cheese quicker than Mike drink a pint with a spoon. Mike wins. Monty asks Albert to go to London with the regiment. Albert refuses, saying he's too old. Alf and Fred have a contest, this time with Alf drinking the pint. Fred beats him by cutting the cheese into bits first. Fred discovers his "mates" set him up and a tumble ensues. Fred, Alf and Bert fall over, scratching Annie's sideboard. Tony Newall spots Brian, Gail and Audrey out in his car.
Tony Newall makes Ron Sykes, Brian's boss, knock £50 off his bill as Brian used the car. Ron is furious as Tony involved the police, thinking the car had been stolen. He sacks Brian on the spot. Gail breaks down when Brian tells her that he's been fired. The Swains' door sticks more and more but Arnold still refuses to pay the bill so Len still refuses to mend it. Annie returns from visiting Joan. Fred tries to draw her attention away from the sideboard. Emily arranges for Len to repair the door, saying that she'll pay him as she can't stand it going on any longer. Martin's ear goes septic so he takes the earring out. Ivy can't believe that Brian has lost his job and blames Audrey. She plans to see Ron about getting his job back.
Gail can't stop crying as she fears Brian won't be able to get another job. She blames Audrey and tells her to leave the house. She calls Audrey selfish and says she's ruined their lives. Annie finds her sideboard has been scratched. Len repairs Emily's door. Annie assumes Hilda made the scratch but Bet tells her it was Fred. Brian searches for work but no one will employ him without a reference. Emily allows Arnold to believe Len weakened and repaired the door without being asked. Ivy tells Ron Sykes that he sacked Brian illegally and threatens him with a tribunal. Ron tells her to get lost. Fred tells Annie the sideboard door was an accident, she tells him to pay for a French polisher to mend the scratch. Audrey finds a flat and leaves the Tilsleys' house. Gail apologises to her for shouting at her. Arnold makes a big deal about paying Len not knowing Emily has already paid him. He is furious when Len tears his cheque up. He is furious that Emily went behind his back. Ivy offers the Tilsleys her £200 savings if they need it. PC Maskall catches Martin and Karen at the yard at night. Len is called for and clears the matter up but Karen gives her surname as "Smith".
Martin assures Karen that everything will be alright. Brian wants to take Ivy's £200 but Gail wants to wait until they're desperate. Elsie buys a new sideboard. Len tells Elsie that the police found Martin and Karen in the yard. She can't believe his stupidity. Johnny and Maureen Webb are reconciled. Annie is furious when Eddie and Johnny discuss the contents of her bins over the bar, especially the soup tins she throws out - after telling Albert that her bar soups are homemade. She tells Eddie and Johnny that her bins are her own affair. Mr Oldfield warns Elsie that he'll take Martin to court if he speaks to Karen again. Brian feels they should forget Christmas but Gail wants to carry on as usual. Elsie tells Mr Oldfield that Karen is scared of him. She asks him to guide the kids, not drive them apart. Oldfield refuses as he thinks Martin is a bad influence. Eddie returns a can of hair colouring to Annie from his bin round as it's still half-full. Annie is furious. Bert agrees to Brian having the £200. Gail refuses the money as it's charity. Annie phones the cleansing department and tells the manager she wants new binmen. Gail tells Brian their baby is not going to be born on the dole; she's going to beg Ron Sykes to take him back.
Annie refuses to let Eddie and Johnny touch her bins. Martin tells Karen that he's going back to Birmingham as he's not allowed to see her anymore. He couldn't stand bumping into her all the time. Mr Oldfield catches them together and is surprised that Martin loves Karen so much he is leaving the area. Monty Shawcross gets Albert a place on the Remembrance coach but he still refuses to go. He feels no one cares about the old soldiers anymore. Gail asks Ron Sykes to take Brian back, but when he refuses she breaks down and tells him they can't cope. Ron takes pity on her and the baby and agrees to take Brian back. Mr Oldfield agrees to let Karen see Martin but threatens him with violence if he gets her drunk again. Brian is pleased that he's back in employment but feels that Ron will think he's a coward having women acting on his behalf. Eddie tells Annie that no other crew will touch her bins if he and Johnny aren't allowed to. He tells her that the Rovers has been blacklisted.
Annie's bins are not emptied. The mess and smell upsets her. Sam Littlewood invites the Faircloughs for Christmas in Blackpool but Rita isn't keen on the idea of having another man to feed. She tells Len that she'd like to spend Christmas in a hotel. The smell from the Rovers' bins starts to infiltrate the bar. The accountant tells Rita that The Kabin makes 30% more profit than the yard. Albert hears that Monty Shawcross died of a heart attack before setting out to London. Albert is now upset that he missed the parade. Annie gives Stan £3 to move the rubbish on his cart. Eddie and Johnny accuse him of strikebreaking and threaten to blacklist his bins. Stan leaves the rubbish alone. Albert feels he wants to make a tribute to Monty by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London. He plans to sell his Military Medal to raise the money. Alf asks Annie to apologise to the binmen as he's frightened the Street will become rat-infested. Rita is angry when Len refuses to share the housework. She points out that she is the main breadwinner. The Coin Dealer offers Albert £21 for his Military Medal - Albert can't believe it's worth so little but sells it to him. He decides to buy a wreath and lay it at the Cenotaph in Manchester. Rita takes Hilda on as a daily for two hours a day for £1.50 an hour. She decides to make Len pay for her.
Annie tells Fred to take the rubbish to the tip in the Rover. Hilda starts cleaning at No.9. Albert puts on his medals and takes the bus to Manchester where he lays a wreath for Monty Shawcross. The binmen at the tip recognise Fred and refuse to let him dump the rubbish. Eddie longs to heal the breach but Annie refuses to budge. Annie goes to visit Joan, unable to cope with the smell any longer. Len is annoyed that Rita is paying Hilda out of The Kabin's takings. He tells her that she should try running the yard if she's so clever.
Len thinks working in The Kabin is easy. Rita challenges him to swap jobs and he agrees. As a result, Martin finds it hard working for Rita, and Mavis doesn't enjoy sharing the shop with Len. Bet phones the Gazette and tells them about the rubbish row. Sandy Lester, a reporter, investigates the bin story. The residents complain to them about the smell. Photographer Tony Watkins takes a fancy to Bet and takes her photograph sitting on the dustbins. Mavis has to run The Kabin as Len spends his time in the Rovers. She threatens to resign if he doesn't pull his weight in future.
Martin smuggles Len's tool bag out of the yard so he can do plumbing jobs behind Rita's back to keep the company going. Bet's picture is on the front page of the Gazette along with the bin boycott story. She worries when the article quotes her as criticising Annie. Betty begs Eddie to take the rubbish away as Annie is away but the binmen still refuse to touch it. Ken can't bear to see Albert depressed over no longer having his medal and buys it back for him. Albert is annoyed but accepts it back in remembrance of his dead friends. Len is adamant that marriage is not a partnership, there has to be a boss - the man. Bob Atkinson offers the yard some work and asks Rita out for a drink to discuss the contract. The brewery sees the paper and demand to see Annie. Nellie Harvey phones Annie and tells her about the article. Annie phones Betty and says she's coming home, blaming the staff for betraying her to the gutter press. Bet panics.
Rita is willing to return to The Kabin if she can land Len a big contract to prove she is a good businesswoman. Arnold starts a petition about the rubbish. Mavis tells Len to stop joking about with Rita and dominate her as she's tired of running the shop on her own. Bet begs Eddie to move the rubbish, telling him she could be sacked but he refuses to budge. Annie returns. Bet takes the blame for the paper but Annie also blames Betty as she was in charge. She makes them both apologise. Stan develops an itch. Bob Atkinson tells Rita about an extension he wants building on his business garage. He gives her the contract. He makes it clear that he fancies her and arranges to show her the site. Alf tells Annie that the bin situation is getting out of hand and could spread nationally unless one of the involved parties acts with wisdom and intelligence. Annie decides to apologise to the binmen for the sake of the country. Rita tells Len she's got him the contract and she'll return to The Kabin. He is annoyed that Atkinson is showing such an interest in her.
Rita dresses up to impress Bob Atkinson. She is pleased when Len shows his jealousy and she agrees to return to The Kabin, leaving him to visit Atkinson on the site. Atkinson tells Len he's planning to get Rita into a motel. Len tells him that he's Rita's husband and sees him off; no contract is worth his price. Annie lays on sherry for Eddie and Johnny Webb and withdraws the remarks that started the dispute. Stan's itching drives him frantic. Len accuses Rita of encouraging Atkinson. Mike hears that his father is coming from London to visit him.
Stan's scratching upsets his customers. He is covered with spots, Hilda insists he sees a doctor. Frankie Baldwin arrives from London to see Mike who is sure he's after something. Frankie tells Mike he wants him to invest £2000 in a deal. Mike tells him that he's got no money. Frankie tells him that he's lying. Hilda borrows a home medicine book to look up Stan's itching. She gets engrossed reading about strange illnesses. Mike wants to get rid of Frankie but he decides to stay over. Hilda feels certain she's ill and tells Stan she's going to die. Eddie convinces Stan to see the doctor, saying he could be in line for some compensation. Frankie convinces Fred to invest in his wedding video recording scheme. Fred gives him £70.
Derek sends Mavis a Christmas card with his new address. She wonders if it's a hint. Mike refuses to back Frankie, he tells him he doesn't think he'll be successful with videos. Frankie is hurt. Dr. Crawford tells Stan he's overweight and he may have an allergy to beer. He tells him not to drink anymore beer until he sees him again. Bert worries that Fosters' may be laying off workers. He fears he'll lose his job. Ivy begins to worry that they won't be able to pay the mortgage. Arnold goes to Birmingham on business to pick up a load of parrots for Christmas. Emily takes over the pet shop. Mavis phones Derek. She hopes they'll get together for Christmas but he's visiting relatives. Stan is devastated that he can't drink anymore although everyone else thinks it's hilarious. Mike tells Fred that Frankie is a dodgy character. Fred asks for his money back but Frankie dodges him. Rita persuades Len to have Mavis with them for Christmas. An insurance man, Mr. Emery, calls at the pet shop telling a stunned Emily that Arnold's wife, Mrs Margaret Swain wants to finish her policy.
Emily is stunned and waits for Arnold to return from Birmingham. She hides herself at No.3 and asks Flora Swain to call. Flora tells Emily she has always thought that Margaret was alive. Emily doesn't understand why Arnold told her Margaret was dead. Stan finds it hard to cope without beer. Len tries to get out of having Mavis for Christmas. To his horror, Rita invites Mavis to Boxing Day tea as well. Flora is horrified that Arnold could be a bigamist. Arnold returns from Birmingham. Emily gives him the insurance form and he breaks down.
Arnold tells Emily that Margaret has been dead to him for fifteen years. Margaret left him after three weeks and they never divorced. He was so humiliated that he couldn't tell anyone Margaret had left him. He told his family that Margaret was dead. He started to believe she was dead himself. Emily tells him that she's not his wife but he feels it shouldn't matter to them. She doesn't understand how anyone could be a bigamist and tells him not to touch her. Emily tells Arnold to leave her; he's not her husband. She tells him that he lied to her when he married her. All she can think of is that he's a bigamist. He breaks down when she gives him back her wedding ring. Arnold packs and leaves. Bert is made redundant from Fosters' Foundry as it's shutting down. Dr Crawford does tests on Stan. Bert goes to the Job Centre but finds that there are no jobs going. He breaks down, telling Ivy he's finished. Stan discovers he's allergic to eggs and not beer and he celebrates. Emily keeps herself occupied, cleaning the house. She tells a shocked Deirdre that Arnold is a bigamist.
Emily refuses to answer the door to anyone but Deirdre. Deirdre tries to comfort her. Emily doesn't know if she's legally married or not. Bert hunts for a job. Ivy tells him there'll be nothing until New Year. Bet tries to get out of Boxing Day lunch with Annie but fails. Emily puts Ernie's ring back on her finger. Flora asks Emily to take Arnold back, she refuses. She tells Flora that she's getting on with her life. She gathers Arnold's things together and gets Flora to take them away. Hilda employs Mrs Palin as a cleaner as a Christmas treat for herself, at £1.75 an hour. Hilda spots Emily getting rid of all Arnold's things and wonders what's going on.
Hilda starts to investigate Arnold's whereabouts. Eddie suggests that the Ogdens throw a Christmas party. Hilda doesn't like the idea. Mrs Palin starts work at No.13. Stan is shocked to discover that Hilda has hired Mrs Palin as a cleaner. Bert spends his time doing housework and cooking. Hilda agrees to hold a party when Eddie agrees to pay half. Deirdre urges Emily to come out of her shell as the Street is full of rumours.
Emily returns her wedding presents with covering notes explaining her marriage wasn't legal. Hilda delights in telling Annie that she has her own daily. Audrey asks Gail if she can stay for Christmas. Gail is glad to have her near. Eddie gives out invites to the Ogdens' party. He gives Fred a special one, telling him that he's not invited. Emily tells Annie and Mavis about Arnold. Martin is invited to spend Christmas Day with the Oldfields but Elsie tells him that he's got to spend Christmas in Birmingham as his mother will be expecting him. Annie helps Emily by putting the regulars straight about Arnold. Audrey arrives at the Tilsleys' house and tells them she's got a job and things are looking up. They tell her that she can stay as long as she wants to. Martin is torn between letting Karen or his mum down. Karen is upset and tells him if she doesn't see him at Christmas she doesn't want to see him again.
Karen wants to apologise to Martin but he has gone to Birmingham. She decides to give his Jam record to one of her friends, Paul Sidall. Emily realises she has to contact the police but doesn't want to get Arnold in trouble. Hilda dons a new wig and dress for the party. Emily goes to the police and finds herself being interrogated by Det Sgt Simms. She has to force them to believe she is not stupid. Karen goes out with Paul. Eddie's binmen friends turn up for the party. Hilda is annoyed when no one wants her food. Martin returns from Birmingham in order to spend Christmas with Karen. He finds her with Paul and shoves him across a table at the Rovers. Karen tells Martin he doesn't own her. Binman Barney Holt chats Hilda up - she is upset when Stan doesn't see him off. Fred makes a big play for Audrey at No.13, but she escapes from his clutches. Barney pesters Audrey so she says that Fred is taking her home. Barney and Fred fight, ruining Hilda's party.
Ken considers buying a car so he can go to Glasgow more often. Gail has stomach pains. Ivy makes Bert call for an ambulance. Martin apologises to Karen for creating a scene. Gail goes to hospital in an ambulance. Brian rushes to hospital to be with her. Hilda tells Mrs Palin that she can't afford her any more and reluctantly lets her go. Gail's contractions stop and she is discharged. She feels embarrassed that it was a false alarm. Martin asks Karen out for the night but she has made other arrangements with Paul Sidall. She assures Martin that she loves him but she had arranged to see Paul. Martin is jealous. She tells Martin she doesn't want him running her life for her. Elsie tells Martin it's not as if he was engaged to Karen.
