Wednesday, 2nd June 1999

It's first thing in the morning, and Jacqui's and Katie's paths crossed in their kitchen. Katie couldn't resist telling Jacqui that she found it difficult to understand how anyone could stomach a lunch date with the "bain of her life", Nathan Cuddington.

"He's got all kinds of women on the go. And you wouldn't believe how he treats some of his clients."

Unfortunately for Katie, Jacqui had failed to tell Katie that the lunch appointment had led to a dinner date which led to. . . well, suffice it to say, that Nathan is standing leaning against the door frame having heard every word. Katie, naturally, wants the ground to swallow her up. She doesn't know what to say and hesitantly manages to mumble: "I was just...<pause>...I'll just go and kill myself, now, eh?"

LOL. Okay Katie, nice one. Do you want a hand?

Nathan told Jacqui that Katie had mentioned the day before that there was an empty flat on the Parade. How about letting it to Doctor Darren, he ventured.

Katrina's and Susannah's truce didn't last very long. Susannah asked Katrina to work on and although Katrina had an appointment booked with the modelling agency, she reluctantly agreed and called the agency to cancel.

Things went from bad to worse when Harry fell out of his cot. He was okay, but Susannah put the blame squarely at Katrina's door (even though it was probably Susannah's fault) and screamed at Katrina to get out of the house. In a huff, Katrina headed for Bar Brookie.

Later, as Katrina leaves the bar, she walks past Nathan who gives her a very odd look - almost as if he recognised her but couldn't remember from where.

Margi now has the chance of a new job with the. . . . wait for it . . . . "European Liaison Group", which will mean a lot of working away and trips to Brussels. Greg's convinced himself that she's already got it, but really can't seem to decide whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing. He's still thinking about Susannah.

Ryan returned from Carlisle (if that's where he's actually been) and Matt brought him up to date. He heard all about Luke turning up on the Close and then giving himself up, so he went straight over to the jail to visit him. Hang on, though - don't you need a visiting order, first?

There's obviously something very fishy about this trip to "Carlisle". Ryan has been ultra-cagey about it with everyone who's asked.

Matt and Bosco went to school. Nothing odd about that, you may think. Except that it's half-term! Probably the first time that *either* of those two went to school through choice. They had intended to try to use a computer to set-up a web-site from which to sell various Shad-related items, but their attention was diverted when they found a corridor lined with mannequins dressed in a selection of historical costumes. Some of which just happened (to Matt and Bosco, at least) to pass for 'Robes of Shad'. You'd have to be desperate though, very desperate. Anyway, they nabbed them and once back on the Close, couldn't resist trying a couple out. For some reason, they then ventured outside and in the process locked themselves out of the house. Pity the Stones of Shad hadn't warned them about that!

The Corkhill's are off to Spain. Lindsey and Kylie are going too, plus a big cuddly bear (no, I don't mean Jimmy) and R'William. Five of them in total. Eventually they got to the airport where Jimmy decided that they all need a drink or two to steady their nerves. All of them that is, except for Jimmy who needed sixteen or seventeen.

Predictably, the result is that he is unable to stand up. "They must have washed the floor or something" - LOL! He's banned from boarding the plane (the airline's fearful of 'air rage', which would have a fairly likely event if Jim had been allowed to fly) and he's escorted from the terminal building (yes, we did get to see some 'airport rage' - or should that be 'terminal rage'?), whilst Jackie, Lindsey, the kids and the cuddly bear are ushered through the departure gate. I was going to say that's a lucky break for Spain, but considering Lindsey's still going, that's probably not the case! Still, at least the bear gets his own seat on the plane.