Wednesday, 25th August 1999

It's definitely crux time for Greg and Susannah, and neither knows what they want to do about the affair. Both know that they *ought* to finish it, but will they be able to?

Greg wants to talk to Susannah, but she's determined to avoid him, so he ends up discussing his dilemma with Jessie. Susannah, on the other hand talks things through with Lindsey.

"Look, Susannah, you've got to stop dithering. You've got a family, a business and a love-sick fool, and something's got to give" she says.

Since Susannah is having difficulty seeing things for what they are, Lindsey decides to spell it out:

"Tell him it's finished" is her advice. "No ifs, no buts, just do it."

On another matter, Linds tells Susannah that she dislikes the name 'Millennium Club' because it's "dated". Susannah is inclined to agree, but both worry about raising the subject with Jacqui. Hmm, yeah, I can just see Miss Dixon putting her foot down over that one.

Greg's discussion with Jessie doesn't fare much better. Apparently he's made (another) decision.

"I'm finishing with Susannah" he blurts out with very little conviction. Jessie, for one, isn't convinced that he means it *now* any more than all the other times he's said it, but she goes along with the idea, of course.

"When are you going to tell her it's all over?" she wonders.

"I don't know whether I can" replies Greg. Ah, *now* we're getting somewhere.

Greg goes on to tell his mother that he's no longer convinced that he *wants* Susannah, but it's more about how he *doesn't* want Margi. This stems from something which Susannah had said, he explains. Jessie tells him that marriages have to be worked at and that he should give it another go for the sake of the kids (well, for Emily, at least).

Jessie also suggests that, in fact, he would be better off if he *didn't* say anything at all to Margi about the affair, and hearing that probably came as quite a relief to Greg.

Over at the petrol station, Luke is telling Joey how he doesn't see that he'll ever be able to get a job and that he's seriously thinking of going back to Ireland where he's certain that he could get work as a labourer. Joey doesn't want him to go and tries to dissuade him.

Jason's 'friend' Josh is hanging around the parade, waiting for Jerome to appear.

"Any sign of your sister's darkie?" he asks Jason.

Eventually Josh spots Jerome outside the Millennium Club. Excitedly, he whips out his mobile phone and makes a call. Shortly afterwards, a car pulls up from which a number of Josh's friends emerge. As Josh introduces them to Jason, Jason's concerns over Josh's intentions increase. Josh notices this and tries a spot of reassurance:

"Don't worry. All we're gonna do is have a word with the black lad. It seems he doesn't understand the word 'respect'. Maybe after a chat, he'll understand it a bit better."

Later, the chance for 'a chat' arises as Josh sees Nikki and Jerome walking along the parade. Jerome spots Josh with his mates, and darts together with Nikki, into the chippy. It's too late though, as Josh has noticed this and follows them into the shop. Luke and Jason also enter.

There's a bit of a stand-off whilst Mick and Sinbad try to diffuse the situation before anything happens.

Mick stands over Josh and requests that he leaves the premises. "If you won't go out the door, you might go through it. Now *move*" he says assertively.

Josh starts backing towards the door, reluctantly.

"Look at this as the first of a series of visits" he says. "And if nigger-lovers get in the way, well..."

This is too much for Jerome, who lunges at Josh. Luke joins in, causing Josh to remark:

"Get your filthy Paddy hands off."

Fortunately the scuffle dissolves before it's able to turn into anything more serious, and Josh departs together with his mates.

Nikki's obviously concerned that they'll be back and Luke casually comments that "things will be okay". Not very quickly for Nikki they won't, because hearing her alleged rapist say this is too much for her and she runs off.

So now what?