In the wilds of Glastonbury, the lads have survived a night squeezed into the recently acquired tent - just. Their nearest neighbours camping in the almost deserted field are two young girls by the name of Eva and Hannah. All of Jerome, Leo, Tinhead, Matt and Bosko fancy their chances and expect *not* to be sleeping in *their* crappy second-hand tent or Jerome's car this coming night.
The lads woo the girls with assorted Shad merchandise. Matt and Jerome are triumphant much to the chagrin of the others.
Back in Liverpool, Katrina and Nikki arrive at the garden shed photo shoot, only for Katrina to discover, to her horror, that she's expected to pose in a skimpy bikini. This amuses Nikki, but by the end of the session, Katrina's actually enjoying herself.
Jimmy's trying his best to make amends with Jackie. His first attempt, over the garden fence, was interrupted by Sinbad. Later, he tried again, but Jackie made it plain that mere apologies were not going to be enough: "You'll never change, Jim" she told him.
For his third attempt, Jim tried a different tactic. Jackie had to pop round to number ten for some more clothes and Jimmy made sure that he was there ready - flowers on the table, lunch prepared. Jackie was taken aback. I won't say she looked impressed - bemused maybe!
"Where did those flowers come from?"
"The garage, half-price."
"I can see that." LOL!
Jimmy was trying (well, by Jimmy's standards he was making a major effort), he even told Jackie that he'd decided against doing the Open University course so that he can spend more time with her and William. Jackie was touched by this - perhaps they were finally getting somewhere?
They talk about William - "He really misses you" admitted Jackie. Pleased that he was making progress, Jimmy continued on this theme by raising the subject of Little Ruthie's recent accident: "Ron Dixon should be done for negligence, I'm telling you" he ventured. "He was supposed to be looking after her." Jackie was a tad more realistic: "Accidents happen, Jim", she said very matter of factly, but Jimmy wasn't going to be moved on this one:
"Not to our kids, they don't", he continued. "All it takes is a bit of care, Jack."
With this, they glance around for William but he's not to be seen. Suddenly, Jimmy spots him - lying face down in the garden pond.
"Oh my God. WILLIAM" shouts Jimmy, starting to panic. "Get an ambulance. GET AN AMBULANCE. He's not breathing." He lifts Wills from the water. "Jackie, get an ambulance."
The next morning sees Jackie and Jimmy beside William's hospital bed.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" asks Jackie.
"Course he will, love" replies Jimmy confidently. "Won't you Wills, eh?"
"Oh, I 'ope so Jim. I'll never forgive meself if anything 'appens to 'im."
The following morning, and back on the Close, the yuppie clan are preparing to set off for work. It seems that Nathan, Darren and Vic are planning a diving trip, next month, to the Red Sea. There's a spare ticket and Nathan tries to interest Jacqui in joining them. She's quite taken with the idea but says that it will have to depend on work.
Vic was distressed to find Mark turning up out of the blue and pleading once again for her to go back to him. He's desperate to talk: "Just a few minutes, Vickybelle, please" he whines. Vic doesn't want to know and walks off, while Mark is getting more and more distraught. He turns to Darren in the hope that the good doctor will offer to talk to Vic for him. Finding himself in a bit of a corner, Darren reluctantly agrees.
In Glastonbury, Tin, Leo and Bosko awake from their night spent in the car, to see Matt and Jerome each lying on their own in the open air. They had groundsheets, but no tents and *definitely* no girls. Looking around, they find that it's not just the tents and girls which have disappeared.
"The thieving little tarts" exclaims Tinhead.
"The stones, the T-shirts, all me profits" mourns Bosko.
Later, mooching around the high street, the lads start noticing the people around them. "They're wearing our T-shirts" cries Matt.
Ha! Keep looking, boys, you never know, you might find people wearing the tents too - they'd make good druid robes. Why didn't *you* think of that?
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001