The final day of the court hearing and the whole of the Musgrove clan are massing. Not only has Auntie Rose turned up, but belatedly, Uncle Don too. In addition, the Mussies have brought along Alec (remember him?), whilst for their part, the Shadwick's additional support was achieved by wheeling out Jessie.
As viewers, we were treated to a number of nice group glares from each side to add to the many individual ones amassed over the past few months. These two families could turn seething into an Olympic sport. Or glaring. And the winner of the 800 metres freestyle glaring competition is. . .
Alec's and Jessie's paths crossed a couple of times but Jessie made it plain to a frustrated Alec that it wasn't a good time to be seen talking to each other. Good call, girl - best make do with a nice glare or two!
Joey was called as a witness and he described how Nikki had been regularly arriving home at odd hours clearly the worse for drink. Indeed, on one occasion he had brought her back in his cab, only to find that she promptly threw up over the back seat immediately upon arrival at the Close. Joey was also subjected to questioning about why he'd been seen emerging from the bedroom where the rape is alleged to have occurred whilst simultaneously doing up his trousers. He explained that he was drunk and had simply lost his way to the bathroom. This little snippet of information was news to Niamh - the look on her face was classic. Naturally, her own interrogation started immediately she got the chance.
Next up was Ryan, who was quizzed on just how far his loyalty to his brother would stretch. Ryan insisted that there was no way that Luke could be the rapist since they'd not left each other's sight for more than five minutes at a time. Pressed on the matter, Ryan admitted that this wasn't strictly true. Anyway, as far as Ryan was concerned Harvey was the rapist *and* he'd even heard Harvey admit to it. So, of course Ryan helpfully pointed this fact out to the court. Helpfully? No? Oh alright then, he shouted and had a near-tantrum. That's more like it, I hear you say!
With no more witnesses, the prosecution and defence both summed up their cases. Certainly the prosecution could proffer a motive (the earlier rebuff by Nikki causing Luke to spike the drink and bide his time), but as the defence counsel was so keen to point out, is there any evidence at all to link Luke to *either* crime?
It looks like we'll have to wait until Tuesday for the verdict. . .
Back on the Parade, Jacqui Dixon was trying to pluck up the courage to ask Nathan something seemingly momentous. When she did manage to ask the question, it was would he accompany her to Ron and Anthea's wedding next week? Would he? Of course, he would! He said he'd be delighted to!
Following this, the two of them toddled off to the Millennium Club for a bit of diving practice for Jacqui's benefit, in advance of the forthcoming holiday. One successful lesson later, Jacqui finally agreed to accept the holiday invitation.
Joining Nathan and Jacqui in the pool was Doctor Darren, who complained that Mark would not stop hassling him over Vic. Nathan suggested that Darren ought to take the 'cruel to be kind' route and tell Mark that he was onto a loser chasing after Vic given everything that has already happened. Apart from which, he suggested that the situation could be turned around in Darren's favour as "you've fancied Victoria for years, everyone knows that". Darren just stood there and looked thoughtful. . .
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001