´óÏó´«Ã½

Charlie insists Carol’s mistaken, but she’s adamant she answered a call from Nick Cotton and threatens to go to Dot. In the café, Charlie tells Carol that Nick’s treated him and his mum like dirt for years, and went along with the charade so he’d leave them alone. Charlie pleads that he planned to walk away once he’d delivered the news of Nick’s death, but Dot treated him like family. Carol insists he must tell Dot the truth or she will. Later, Charlie takes Dot for tea in the café, and feels awful when she enthuses how proud she is of him for helping Carol; his interest is piqued when Dot mentions Bianca’s debt. In hospital, Carol’s unable to bear Sonia’s nervous chatter as she dons her hospital gown and claims she’s popping to the toilet; she’s heading for the exit, then instead ducks into the hospital chapel. Inside, the hospital chaplain, Chris Skinner, suggests she talk about her problems. Angry, Carol reflects that her step-mum goes to church every Sunday, yet her life is full of misery and deceit, and admits she’s about to have a mastectomy. The chaplain empathises, pulling up his shirt to reveal a badly scarred stomach. At the Butchers, Charlie pockets Bianca’s letter from the loan company. At the hospital, the chaplain tells Carol he had a motorbike accident, confiding he kept calm before his first operation by counting the ceiling strip lights. The chaplain wonders if Carol ever prays; Carol bitterly remarks she prayed when her son died, and isn’t interested in a God who takes her son and gives her cancer. Carol heads back to her hospital room. Once alone, Carol prays. She opens her eyes to find Charlie’s entered. Charlie informs Carol he’s paid off Bianca’s debt in full, pleading that they’re on the same side. Carol declares she’s telling Dot the truth and orders Charlie to leave. Terrified, Carol’s wheeled into surgery, counting the strip lights overhead as she’s wheeled towards the operating room... C/H

In the Vic, Tina’s moping about Tosh. Shirley plans to cheer her up with a DVD of The Breakfast Club. Aunt Babe confides in Dean she’s got a prospective buyer for the weed, but insists he stay with the family while she meets them. Mick declares he’s proud of this family for pulling together and offers Babe a job in the kitchen. Shirley’s suspicious when Babe declines the offer and later catches Babe red handed with the bags of weed in Blades. Aunt Babe protests she needs the money. Shirley’s worried for Dean – with his criminal record, he could go to prison. Dean coolly informs Shirley that he and Babe are partners. Shirley pleads that he’s risking everything by getting involved and knows he likes being part of a family - how Mick will react? Aunt Babe orders Dean to leave Shirley to her. Dean gone, Babe threatens Shirley – why must everyone but Shirley be honest with Mick? Later, Tina’s chuffed with the DVD night. A smug Dean remarks to Shirley that Babe’s told him everything’s sorted. Despairing, Shirley asks Phil to stage a break in and dump some stuff - she can’t or Aunt Babe will reveal her secret to Mick. When Phil refuses to help her, Shirley’s left with no choice; later, on the allotments, Shirley burns the bags of weed.

Whitney gets a text from Lee, ‘meet me’. Later, she lies she’s seeing a friend, but Bianca twigs she’s meeting Lee. Bianca doesn’t want Whitney hurt again, and thinks Lee will always choose his family over her – Whitney should do the same. Guilty, Whitney texts Lee, ‘sorry’, and curls up next to Bianca on the sofa to watch a film.

Downstairs in the Albert, Sharon finds Phil waiting; he’s worried after she sent Roxy home. Hearing a noise from upstairs, Sharon claims she’s just had a delivery and ushers Phil out. Upstairs, Marcus is worried that ripping Phil off won’t be easy if he’s keeping such a close eye on Sharon. Later, Phil reveals he’s booked a wedding date for 27th September. Sharon protests two months isn’t enough time to plan, and bristles when Phil informs her he’s told Roxy to start back at the Albert tomorrow. Later, Sharon tells Linda that Marcus is a solicitor who’s been helping her, reveals Phil was involved in Dennis (Senior)’s death and determines to stop him once and for all.