Tuesday October 28th 2003

It's breakfast time in the Gordons house, and Ruth is insisting that Ali tidy his bedroom in readiness for a visit from the estate agent. Ali is more interested in borrowing some money for the weekend, but when Ruth refuses, Ali persuades Sean to lend him some after promising it wont be spent on drugs.

Meanwhile over at the Dixon's as Bev is preparing for her wedding, Josh is excitedly chatting about the important part he will play, by standing in as father of the bride. He makes Ron laugh when he says that he might need to help carry Bev over the threshold. Jacqui arrives with Bev's wedding bouquet, which looks rather expensive. Ron is worried about the cost of it all, as Jacqui tells Bev all about the Flamingos champagne and special security arrangements at Bar Brookie, where the reception is being held.

Adele arrives back from University with Marty, and receives a warm welcome from Jan, who is pleased to see her daughter, despite the amount of laundry Adele has brought home with her. Jimmy also welcomes Adele back to the close, but has some disturbing news for Marty when he reveals that their new neighbour Jack Michaelson, has been in prison on drug offences. After listening to what he has to say, Marty warns Tony not to let Suzie persuade him to try taking drugs.

Stuart has noticed how stressed Ruth has been lately, and so offers to look after Luke so that Sean can take Ruth out somewhere for the day. However when he later discovers his birthday money is missing, Stuart confronts Ali, who admits he took the money but promises to pay it back. Stuart is furious and storms out, leaving Ali to look after Luke instead.

After Nikki tried unsuccessfully to persuade Jimmy to report Jack Michaelson to the police, she takes matters into her own hands and asks the police to call round. Although Jimmy talks to them, he refuses to press charges, as he believes there is very little they could do without witnesses. Meanwhile after Jack discovers cannabis in Suzies room, and she admits to smoking with Tony he calls on the Murray's in a furious mood. When Jan answers the door, Jack barges his way in and threatens Tony with violence, blaming him for encouraging Suzie to try drugs. Jan tries to protect him by telling Jack it was his own fault for being a drug dealer, and that Suzie probably got the cannabis from him. Jack doesn't agree though, and hits Jan across her face before warning her not to go to the police.

Ali is fed up after being left on his own to look after Luke, and so invites his mate Tommo over. He is keen to try out some LSD tablets, and although a little reluctant at first, Ali agrees to sample them. At first the effects are not too noticeable, but when they take more, both Ali and Tommo end up hallucinating before collapsing on the sofa. Disaster strikes when Luke finds an LSD tablet, and swallows it. Ruth and Sean are horrified when they return home and find Luke laying unconscious on the floor, and have to call an ambulance.

Ron has another surprise when he sees Bev has arranged to use Tim and Steve's Limousine to take them to the wedding, although when there is no sign of Steve, who is supposed to be their driver. Despite this they arrive at the Registry Office, and the wedding goes ahead without any problems.
Back on the close though there is more drama, as Marty, Steve and Christy decide to deal out some rough justice, after making sure Adele, Jan and Tony have gone on ahead to the wedding. Christy lures Jack out of his house by telling him someone has been in his back garden. When Jack goes to investigate, he is set upon by the three Murray men, who give him a vicious beating.

On the Parade Ron and Bev arrive at Bar Brookie, where Bev continues to tease him about the Flamingos. Before they go in Bev blindfolds him with her garter, and when the blindfold is removed Ron is relieved to discover Bev was only joking about the birds. Most of the guests arrive including Christy, who is wearing a Santa Claus costume, but Jacqui is annoyed that Max has stayed at the restaurant to sort out staff problems. As the celebrations get underway, Ron gives an emotional speech, while Jacqui and Bev agree to put the past behind them and make a fresh start. Josh is a little confused about what to call Ron, now he is married to Bev, but decides to call him dad, although Mike feels put out when Josh says he will be like a brother to him now.

It's not all bad news for Mike, for when Rachel joins in during the photo session at the reception, she slips on some spilt beer and the resulting fall makes her go into labour. A short time later in hospital Rachel gives birth to their son, and although Mike is delighted, his joy is tempered by the fact Rachel is still adamant their marriage is over.

Also in hospital are Ruth and Sean who are at Luke's bedside. Although he is under sedation to reduce the effects of the drugs, Ruth is concerned about any long term effects. When Ali arrives at the hospital he is devastated by what has happened to Luke, but Ruth finds it very difficult to forgive, him and insists he speak to the doctors about the type of drug Luke had taken.

The Murray's are confident that Jack Michaelson wont be causing any more trouble, but when Christy returns to the close to change his clothes, Jack attacks him with a pickaxe handle. Ron tries to intervene but is struck on the arm, and when Bev and Josh try to help, they are pushed to the ground. Ron and Bev watch helplessly as Jack continues to batter Christy before returning to his house. After carrying Christy inside their house, Bev tells Ron she doesn't want to live on the close with Jack living next door. Ron pleads with her not to be so hasty, and blames Max for selling his house to a drug dealer.

When Marty and Steve arrive after being summoned by phone, they are shocked to see that Christy so badly beaten and immediately call an ambulance. Later when they see Jack apparently leaving with the police, they believe he has been arrested, but their hopes are dashed when he tells them that he called the police himself, after being attacked by someone in a Santa Clause costume.

After learning that the social services have been notified about Luke, and that his name will be put on the child protection register, Ruth is distraught while Sean vows revenge on Jack Michaelson.

Steve meets Kirsty just as she is leaving the hospital, and returns home with her to the Gordons house. Steve is hoping to spend the night with her, but Kirsty says she wants to wait a while longer before they sleep together. Steve reluctantly agrees to Kirsty's request, but they still end up arguing when he suggests they go to a Halloween party. Kirsty is furious that he could even think about going to a Halloween party, after what happened a year ago on Halloween night.

When Bev and Ron decide not to return to Bar Brookie in the evening, Jimmy sets off from the Dixon house to tell everyone there what's happened. He doesn't get very far, before he is forcibly bundled into a car by two men and driven off at high speed.