A short while ago we announced with regret that after many years we were no longer able to continue with these updates due to a lack of volunteers to write them.  We had no idea when the decision was made that we were about to receive the devastating news about the loss of one of our number.   There have been some wonderful tributes written about Tvor over the past few days and clearly her loss will be felt by many people, particularly those who knew her in person but also by a wide circle of us who got to know her through her pithy writing on a subject close to all our hearts: Coronation Street.  And so I bring you my final update which was written by Mark Wadlow and directed by Tony Prescott

Out on the cobbles Carla sends the gang of lads packing while across the street Steve has broken the news to Tracy that Leanne doesn’t want her anywhere near Oliver. Needless to say, this does not go down well and, as usual, Steve has to take the flack.

Carla takes Simon into the factory for a bit of straight talking.  She calls his bluff and makes out she’s about to call the police to report him.  Simon begs her not to do it.

In the Rovers, Eileen tells Liz that she’s going away with Pat for a few days. She asks her to keep an eye out for Summer.  Meanwhile Tracy comes storming in to have it out with Leanne.  The two of them square up to each other over the bar while Steve tries in vain to keep the peace.  When Leanne refuses to apologise, Tracy storms back out again. 

A new character then walks into the Rovers. His arrival sends Steve diving for cover under the bar. It’s none other than his old language teacher “Puddles” Thornbury, so named for his apparent underarm perspiration problem. As Steve hides he’s forced to listen to his mother in full flirting mode while Mr Thornbury confesses to deliberately giving Steve a hard time at school so he’d have an excuse to keep calling Liz in for meetings.  It seems the admiration is mutual.

Back in the factory Carla is trying to get to the bottom of Simon’s problem.  He’s feeling ignored and pushed out by his family who are all more interested in babies than him.  Carla mentions in passing she has a problem with her computer and, with no more than a couple of deft clicks on the mouse button, Simon solves it for her.

Over at the hospital Rita’s visiting Audrey who is fed up.  When Rita spots a doctor visiting the patient in the next bed she decides to take him to task and demands to know why he can’t send Audrey home. That’s not really in his remit he explains, and introduces himself as Geoff Metcalfe, the hospital radio DJ.

We return to the Rovers where Leanne and Peter are wondering what’s happened to Simon and Steve is still hiding under the bar.  Mr Thornbury and Liz have been joined by Jenny who’s chatting to him about Spain.  Mr. Thornbury mentions he’s looking for a job as a cab driver and wonders if they know of any local firms.  At this, Steve leaps up from his hiding place and pretends he’s been unblocking the beer pipes.  Mr Thornbury chuckles to himself as he recognises his former pupil.

Carla comes in with Simon but before Leanne and Peter have a chance to lay into him, Carla explains he’s been with her and that she’s offered him a job at Underworld.

Back at the hospital things are looking up for Audrey.  Geoff the DJ has fixed her headphones and he persuades her to listen to his show later.  He offers to play her a request so Audrey opts for “Crazy” by Patsy Klein.

Gary and Seb arrive at the building site but it’s locked up for the night.  Gary says it’s no problem as the security guard is an old mate of his.  Unfortunately, when the guard emerges from the Portaloo it turns out he’s been replaced by someone else and he refuses to let them in.

BREAK

Eileen has taken Summer round to the corner shop. She gives Dev a slip of paper with the address where she and Pat will be staying.  Dev puts it on the counter but as he and the girls go outside to wave them goodbye, Pat picks it up and puts it in his pocket.

In the Rovers Carla is explaining to Leanne and Peter about Simon’s job at the factor.  Leanne is furious, if Simon needs a job why can’t he work for them?  But Peter can see the advantage in giving Simon a distraction and a very petulant Leanne has no option but to agree.

Liz turns up at the cab office with Mike Thornbury in tow.   Steve is horrified at the thought of Mr Thornbury working for him and says there are no jobs going.  It’s only after Liz has taken Mike back to the Rovers for another drink that Tim points out his mistake. It could be a great way to get his own back on the teacher that gave him such a hard time at school.

Over at the building site the guard is patrolling up and down.  Meanwhile Gary has something hidden in his bag and it looks as though he’s come up with a plan.

Mike and Liz have only just made it back to the Rovers before Steve gives his mother a call.  She hands her phone over to Mike who learns that there’s a driver’s job going after all.

Jenny comes over for a word with Liz and she’s looking for a favour.  Johnny seems to have gone off the idea of moving to Spain and she wants Liz to put in a good word.  Jenny’s found the perfect house for them and she’s desperate to put down a deposit so if Liz could just try and persuade him …

Back at the hospital Audrey settles down to listen to the radio. Her face lights up when Geoff announces her request but it falls just as quickly when he says that he’s decided to play a different song that sums up what he wanted to say to her and Rita.  It’s hardly surprising she looks cross when “Shaddap You Face” comes over the airways.

We return to the Rovers where Leanne is talking to Eva about her problems with Simon.  Tracy decides to wade in with her opinion and manages to insult Leanne along with both of her children.  The two of them have to be pulled apart and, in her fury, Leanne tells her she’s barred.  Tracy says it’s not her pub, it’s his, pointing at Peter.  He simply shrugs and Eva sits there in silence.  Leanne is even more upset that neither Peter nor Eva jumped in to defend her.

Many miles away Pat and Eileen have arrived at their cottage.  It’s near the water’s edge with a harbour in the distance.  Pat thinks the seclusion is ideal but Eileen is concerned that she barely has a phone signal and she tells him that it’s going to take more than a week away to sort out their problems.

Back at the building site, Gary puts his plan into action. When the guard goes back into the toilet they use bolt-cutters to cut the chain on the gate then throw it around the door of the Portaloo and lock it shut.  He and Seb pick up a pair of sledgehammers.  As they attack the concrete pillar Gary tells Seb to imagine that each time he swings the hammer he’s hitting Pat over the head with it.

Karen