Wednesday, 4th August 1999

It's Saturday (but of course, I hear you say!) and the Shadwicks are having a family barbecue. Interestingly, the main topic of conversation is Susannah; a discussion from which Greg, for some reason, decides to abstain. The subjects debated include:

- her ability (or not) to cope with two kids on her own - the fact that Margi feels sorry for her - how Katrina has to run around after her like a "lunatic" - how unfairly she treats Katrina - whether she sees or hears anything from Max - the fact that she's not Jessie's favourite person

Quite a bit then! Following which, the subject matter changes and Jessie convinces Margi and Greg that they ought to have a break and take a few days away (Margi, then casually mentions that she just happens to have some time off imminently - hmm, that's convenient!).

In a brief encounter in the kitchen (and away from other ears) Margi tells Jessie that she fears that Greg doesn't fancy her anymore - he's always tired and isn't as attentive as he used to be. On the subject of sex: "It's all wham, bam, thank you, Mam" she complains. Jessie tries to reassure her that they've both been working hard and that things will improve.

Katrina mentions that Susannah has exactly the same nightie as the one Margi's got hanging up in the bathroom, so it ought to be good quality, eh Margi? Margi comments that it was a present from Greg, so it had better be! During this conversation, Jessie's mouth opens and remains wide open for some time. Later, Jessie asks Greg, straight, whether he's still seeing Susannah. He denies that he is, but Jessie doesn't believe him.

Nikki says that she is planning to get a flat with her mate from Uni, Bernie. You know her - the one who looks like she's stuck her head out of a moving train window in order to dry her hair.

Next door, Jerome and Leo appear and Mick tackles them about the incident with Ryan's car and why they seem to have kept a low profile for a few days. For how long exactly, I can't quite work out - eight days by my calculation *if* (and that's a big *if*) last Friday's episode was set on the day of broadcast. Anyway, Mick asks Jerome outright if he did reverse into Ryan's car and he categorically denies it. Leo backs him up, and lying through his teeth, says:

"He is telling the truth, Dad. Honest."

Mick, however, is still suspicious, especially when he notices that Jerome's car is no longer dark blue, but green! Where the money for a respray came from, is *not* explained, though!

Over on the parade, Rachel and Katie spend the day talking about Ryan and his daughter. Katie is trying to decide whether Ryan might dump her in the same way that he walked out on Abby whilst she was pregnant, or whether he really has changed (as he claims). Rachel suggests giving him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Later on, Jerome is washing his car, which is parked on Mick's drive (for once). There is music blaring from the radio. Mick shouts at him from an upstairs window to turn the volume down. Jerome takes umbrage and, predictably, turns it *up*.

The loud music, clearly audible in the Shadwick's back garden, incenses Jason who declares that he is off to tell Jerome to turn down the volume. Having noticed how few people Jason seems to get on with these days, in his current 'twenty-going-on-sixty' mode, Nikki asks "Is there anyone you *do* like?"

Jason strides across to Mick's, just as Ryan is driving into the Close. Seeing the developing fracas, Ryan quickly jumps out of his car, storms over to Jerome and accuses him of being responsible for the hit and run. Once again, Jerome denies that he knows anything about it and some shoving and pushing ensues before Ryan marches off, threatening to involve the police.

Mick then takes Jerome aside and asks him why he insists on "going out of his way to wind people up". Jerome puts the blame on Jason, declaring him to be a racist.

Jerome: "The first thing these people see is the colour of me skin and assume that I'm trouble."

Mick: "So why are you so eager to live up to their stereotypes?"

Jerome: "Coz I might as well give them what they expect."

Mick: "And where's that gonna get you?"

Jerome: "Nowhere. But at least I have the last laugh."

Realising that Mick is onto him, regarding the damage to Ryan's car, Jerome, pays a visit to Nikki and pleads with her not to grass him up to the police if Ryan carries out his threat to get them involved. Nikki isn't sure that she can do as he asks and suggests that he comes clean. Jerome says that he can't - things have gone too far for that.

Of course, if Nikki wants lessons in dishonesty, there's plenty of people around to give her some tips. Other than Jerome, there's Leo, Greg, Susannah...