Tuesday, 6th July 1999

Well, in real life, Tuesday's finally here and we await details of the verdict from last week's trial. In Brookie-land that probably means it's currently somewhere around Thursday 1 July and rapidly falling behind - maybe we needed a five-nighter?

Anyway, in the court, Judge Cooke completed her summing up and asked the jury to retire to consider their verdict. Outside in the corridor, the Mussies fret anxiously whilst Jason attempts to wind them up. He actually succeeds in goading Ryan, who has to be restrained by his father. Greg, on the other hand, is struggling to keep his mind on the proceedings and away from thoughts of dirty nights with Susannah. In the end, he has to sneak away to call her.

When the jury return, the verdict, predictably, is 'not guilty' on both counts. The Mussies breathe a collective sigh of relief and show their delight.

The Shaddies, however, are devastated and take turns to exclaim in protestation:

Greg (shouting and pointing): "This is a joke. You've got it all wrong."

Jason (shouting and snarling): "But he *did* it for God's sake."

Nikki (to her mother as the penny is dropping): "Who did it if it wasn't him?" [Surprisingly perhaps, it didn't take her as long as I'd expected, to think of that!]

Margi (in disbelief and to anyone who might be listening): "He did it, this is all wrong."

The judge, very firmly, told them all to be quiet. It worked (!) and the court moved on to address Luke's escape from the hospital. Now it's the turn of the Mussies to feel hard done by and Niamh exclaims quietly (that's if one *can* exclaim quietly, but Niamh seemed to manage it!): "But he's been found not guilty - that doesn't count now." No, dear - it still counts very much. Oh, you're *so* naive!

Judge Cooke, having considered the matter, declares that Luke should be sentenced to six months in custody. With remission, that still leaves six weeks to serve. That moves Niamh to exclaim quietly once more: "No, please. Not prison..."

Greg's still not pleased and shouts: "He should have got twenty years for what he did."

Niamh is still going: "...He's innocent. I want him home."

Once again, Judge Cooke has to stop the rancour: "Silence in court. Take him down."

As he's manhandled from the dock, Luke pleads: "I *can't* go back there. It's not fair. I'm innocent."

But it's all to no avail.

Back on the Close, Jimmy and Jackie have been to the hospital and brought back little William who has finally been discharged. They returned to Number Ten where Jimmy, tries yet again to persuade Jackie to stop and not to take William back to Lindsey's.

"Love, I've been thinking about what you said and it's sinking in. I haven't been a decent husband. <pause> I haven't been a decent father, but I'm prepared to try again."

"How many times have you said that?" asks Jackie. [How many times have *you* said *that*, Jackie, eh?] Eventually though, she admits to herself that she's really needed Jimmy whilst Will has been recovering from the accident and that despite everything, they *do* make a good team. She agrees to try again.

Later, Jimmy returns from school, and in between frequent trips to the bathroom (he's been eating one of Sinbad's pies, apparently, not that Jimmy's made the connection, yet), he confides to Jackie that he fears that he's not going to make it as a teacher. The head wants to see him tomorrow to discuss the poor exam results. Jimmy is full of foreboding.

"I think he's just setting himself up to give me the bullet."

"Oh, he wouldn't do that, Jimmy, surely."

"Love, me exam results were crap. Why keep me on?"

Bizarrely, it's now Jackie's turn to provide the reassurance as to Jimmy's teaching ability, but Jimmy's doubts are serious ones and even Jackie's suggestion that he reconsider the Open University course is dismissed due to "not being up to it".

Elsewhere on the Close, the Mussies (with the exception of Luke, of course) assemble in Number Eight to celebrate the verdict. Niamh, though, is not happy - she still doesn't see why Luke should be sent down for absconding.

In the bungalow, there are no celebrations. In fact, they're all just as convinced of Luke's guilt now as they were before the trial. All, that is, except Nikki. She doesn't know what to think and is tormenting herself over who else the rapist might be.

Emily came home from school early to find out the verdict and quickly became fed up with Greg, Margi and Jason continuing to insist that Luke was guilty. She promptly announced that she was going out to meet Kelly Musgrove and that they'd been friends for ages, so there. Oh yeah, *and* Nan's been going out with Grandpa Mussie for months too, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it. Bye.

Both of these revelations were news to Margi and Greg. Greg accused Margi of knowing about these goings-on and keeping quiet. According to Greg's logic, she *must* have known, or if she didn't, then she *should* have known, except that she's never there, and that's why she didn't know what she ought to have known (or something like that!). Margi, in response, told Greg that *he* should have noticed but couldn't since "you're always walking round with your head up your backside". Naturally, these exchanges led to a full-scale bust-up which resulted in Greg storming out. (I *knew* that living near the Corkhills would have a copy-cat effect!)

Greg doesn't storm far - just to next door, but then you've probably guessed that already! He asks Susannah if he can stay over. Susannah doesn't need asking twice. She's started undressing before Greg's even finished asking the question.

Margi is left to console Nikki, whilst at the same time, asking her if she'd mind her going to Brussels on Friday since it's already arranged and since she really, really wants this job. "You'll be alright, won't you Nikki?" is the gist of it, and I *don't* think that's supposed to be a question.

A better question might be "are we talking about Friday *this* week (i.e last week, in real life), or Friday *next* week?" And, no. I'm not even going to *attempt* to answer that one!!