Martin is away but passed this to me before he departed:

Well tonight we have an extra episode, so they have dusted off my cobwebs for one last time to bring you this report.

However, before I start I just wish to express my condolences to all Diane's family and friends.  It was such a shock for me, and I am sure most of you when the news came through.   She had been a stalwart writer of these reports for many years, and I know she contributed to many other forums as well as well as writing her own blog.  Thank you Diane.

We open with Phelan checking his phone outside of the cottage.

Next we hear the security guard banging away at the toilet that he has been locked in.  Meanwhile Gary and Seb are banging away at the concrete pillar, not making much progress. 

In the cottage, Phelan brings in a couple of bottles of (presumably) alcohol.   He surprises Eileen by telling her that he has rented a boat and that she can put her feet up and drink while he is fishing.   He then suggests that they should go to Ireland.  Eileen has no interest in going there and is annoyed at him for even suggesting it.

Outside the Rovers, Peter is putting up a banner announcing it has become 'family friendly' and details of a special launch night promotion.   Toyah, Eva and Simon are watching him.  It is mentioned the sign is a bit wonky!  Peter wants everybody to be more family friendly, which gives Simon the opportunity to have a dig at Leanne.   Gemma walks by.and Toyah asks if she is coming, to which she replied that it looks boring.  Toyah then announces that everybody that brings a kid with them, will get a free half (a pint).  

Fiz comes downstairs, to see Sean making breakfast for Hope.   She sends Hope upstairs to brush her teeth and asks Sean whether he thinks she is unwell.  He thinks she is okay, and wonders when she is seeing the therapist.  Fiz says it is next week, and wonders if that is the reason why she is low.    Sean says she is very lively, and suggests that Fiz takes her to the Family Day at the Rovers.  .

At the garage, Kev suggests to Tyrone that he gets a babysitter in and they can go out for a meal and drink.   Tyrone says he wants to spend some quality time with Ruby, but Kev suggests they go to the family friendly day at the Rovers.   Tyrone thinks it is a good idea. 

Meanwhile on the building site Gary and Seb are still banging away at the pillar, when the foreman comes rushing over.  He shouts at them to stop, ignoring the banging from the security guard.  When Gary says he won't stop the foreman threatens them with the police.

Over in the hospital, Audrey has persuaded a porter to wheel her to the hospital radio station.  She looks through the window and sees nobody there.   Then Geoff Metcalf, the dj then comes by, and they joke about the request he played for her.  He suggests she should come back later and she can then choose the music to be played.  

Liz is walking down the street just as her new friend, Mike is driving by.  She jokes with him about how much it would be to Mauritius.   He says he would want cash in advance!  She suggests half now and half later!   Jenny comes running over and overhearing the conversation asks if he would kidnap Johnny to Spain.  She asks when Liz is going to speak to Johnny about it.  However, Liz, much to the annoyance of Jenny tells her she is going to go.  She tries to persuade Liz to change her mind as she has put the deposit down for the villa.

On the building site they are still chipping away at the pillar, when the foreman returns with the police.   The security guard has been let out of the toilet!   They try to explain the reason they are chipping away, is to find the gun that Phelan used.   The police officer tells her colleagues to put them in the van.  Then one of the other police officers calls over, to show her what he has just discovered.  The heel of a boot buried in the concrete.

Back at the Rovers, Toyah has brought in some kids games to play.   Peter is over the moon at seeing them again!   Meanwhile Eva goes out the back, and holds her stomach.  

Over at Johnny's flat, he is talking to Carla.  He says he has to go to an urgent board meeting, while he was looking forward to relaxing over the allotment.   Carla tells him to tell Aidan that Alya is not up to the job.  Johnny says she will be needed to help Aidan once he goes.  Then Aidan walks in and Johnny tells him they were discussing Alya.   Aidan says he has every confidence in her, and anyway she is already doing the job.   They begin to argue about it, but Johnny comes up with a compromise of giving her a month's trail. 

Audrey is in the radio studio with Geoff, and he tells her to wish another patient a happy birthday.   He then says he will pop out to get them a coffee, but as he goes out he drops his pass and key.   Audrey is unable to reach it from her wheelchair.  He calls through the window to tell her that he will get security to let  him back in.  She wonders what to do when the record finishes.  He tells her to talk about whatever comes into her head.  She will be a natural!

Liz arrives at Johnny's flat.   He is relived that it gives him a break from the other two.   She queries with him that she thought he should have been winding down.  He says he has to keep things going while the other two are arguing.   Liz says she saw Jenny earlier and she was in a bit of a tizzy. Johnny wonders when she is not in a tizzy!!   Then he checks his online bank account and notes that some money has gone over to Spain.  He is about to ring the bank and then Liz explains what she knows.

It is very quiet at the Rovers for the launch.  Then Gemma comes in with a boy that looks like a teenager.  She wants to claim her free half.  Toyah asks how old he is, and Gemma interjects and says he is 12.  Toyah asks why he can't speak for himself so Gemma says he has a condition that doesn't allow him to speak.   Sean remarks that he looks like he is at least 16.    Eva comes out of the back and says she has to go to the Post Office.  Leanne accuses her of just being lazy. 

The police are discussing the case.  They have found bodies, but no sign of the gun. 

Fiz tries to start an argument with Gemma.  Peter tells them to calm down because there are kids there.   As Sean leaves he calls out that if Gemma's boy is a child, he is Shirley Temple!   Tyrone and Kev come in.  Fiz cannot resist suggesting he goes to sit with his 'girlfriend' Gemma.   Gemma gets up and goes.  Then Tyrone and Fiz start arguing.   Peter asks them all to try and get on. 

Eva has gone to the hospital.  She is concerned that she hasn't felt her baby move all day. 

Police officer goes into Gary's cell.  He informs him that he is re-arresting him on the charge of murder.  Gary is convinced that all they have found is the gun.  

Phelan is putting the last few things in his bag and tells Eileen they are off to the high seas.  He apologises to her for springing the suggestion of going to Ireland onto her.  Phelan gets a message on his phone from his friend on the building site.  He listens while Eileen goes to get another layer of clothes.   He confirms that the police have shut down the whole site, saying it is a murder scene.  Phelan is contemplating what this means.

Well, this really is the end as far as I am concerned for writing these reports.  I have not done as many as most of my colleagues, but those that I have done, I hope you have enjoyed.

I thank the current team starting of course with the late Diane, Anne, Karen and Richard.  Some names from the past that you may remember, Margaret Carr who was writing these reports until recently.  Stella McLoughlin, Janice Gaffney, Christine Warren, Duncan Richards and Amanda Souter.   I hope I haven't missed anybody out.

I hope to keep in touch through the chat groups, but as for the reports, as I said, it is goodbye.  Two more episodes to go, and I can assure they are really exciting you won't want to miss the reports or watching them! 

Martin