A couple of little bust-ups need attention today: Firstly, Mick and Sin are rather 'off' with each other. Mick because Sinbad's taken the news about him wanting to sell the chippy badly and Sinbad, because he's shortly going to become unemployed and also that his hearing isn't improving as fast as the doctors had hoped. They make up in the end though, despite Sinbad having felt it necessary to point out to Mick something which apparently, hadn't crossed Mick's mind. Namely, the question of: if he sells the chippy - what's he going to live on?
Actually (or maybe as a result of this conversation), Mick does start thinking about his future - he might go back into catering and make use of his qualifications. Sinbad, however, is more concerned about finding work for himself. Ditto for Tim and ditto for Leo. Mick assures him that whatever happens, he's "part of the family" and will always have a roof over his head.
The second and far more serious fall out was that between Margi and Nikki, especially with the latter having hit the former. At least they're talking (well, Nikki is):
"I might have expected some divvy to come out with that sort of crap, but not you."
Margi is very apologetic and obviously regrets what she said. Nikki too, is sorry for being a slapper (well, for slapping her mother) and it's not long before they've made up and are engaging in big hugs all round. Ahhh!
Margi's trying to get Greg's accounts up straight, but can't find his job book to know who to invoice and for what. She knows that he put in loads of hours at the club but without the book, she doesn't have the details. Nikki finds the book without Margi knowing, and notices that the page for the day of the explosion (when Greg was supposed to be working at the club) is blank. Nikki warns Jacqui that there's a big bill coming and not to let anything slip.
It's the day of Niamh's presentation and she returns from town brimming with pride and clutching her certificate. She even threatens to start reading bedtime stories to the kids!
Over in the hospital, Jacqui is doing the rounds, visiting first Lindsey and then Susannah. Jacqui has to somehow tell Susannah about Lindsey having been beaten up in her (Susannah's) house, when Susannah didn't even know that she was there (makes you wonder whether it would be easier to tell the truth, doesn't it?).
Lindsey is expecting to be discharged at the end of the week and is terrified by the thought. Well, the thought of what Callum might want to do to her once she's no longer protected by all the nurses, that is. She's also concerned about the impact some of her lies might have (e.g. to the police, to Jacqui and to Susannah, for starters). Oh, and the constant threat that Callum might do something to Kylie.
"Dad, will you tell me what to do?", she sobs.
Jimmy has obviously been pondering this question on his way back to the parade and seeing Callum, sitting casually outside Bar Brookie, drinking a coffee, he takes matters into his own (hamfisted) hands.
He grabs Callum and tries to put him straight.
"I want you to leave her alone. You told her to go and she was going. You've had your fun, now let her get on with the rest of her life."
"This isn't very bright, is it? I could snuff out you and your entire family with my little finger if you upset me. Is that what you want? Is it?"
"No."
"Your Lindsey has not been a very nice little girl, holding a gun to my head, arranging to have me killed. What was I supposed to do?"
"She's been stupid."
"It looks like it runs in the family."
"Will you leave her alone?"
"Well, I *was* going to, until you grabbed me by the throat. Now, I am traumatised and that is going to cost you."
Callum tells Jimmy that he wants Lindsey's share in the club. Actually, he wants the whole club, but Lindsey's share will do for starters.
"No. No. She wouldn't agree to that", says Jimmy.
Callum, starts getting irate: "Well, why don't you try to persuade her, Jimmy? It might just prevent your little girl becoming a permanent fixture in that hospital bed."
Alisdair had seen this little contretemps from the petrol station and gives his little brother quite a dressing down.
"Are you nuts? We don't go around beating people up."
"Don't we?", asks Callum, quizzically.
"No. Not in that way, any more", replies Alisdair. "You're trouble. You don't think", he adds. "In the car. Now."
Jacqui sees Jimmy moping about in Bar Brookie, nursing a pint. She'd already given him instructions to start looking for a job and is incensed that he's not made any effort. Notice I said 'incensed' and not 'surprised'!
Jimmy mutters about not being able to do anything to help Lindsey and therefore he must be an awful father.
Jacqui corrects him: "Jimmy, you're your not an awful father, you're just an awful husband. Now will you go and get Wills and get yourself home or you'll really have something to feel sorry about."
Back in the hospital, Lindsey obviously agrees with my earlier comment and has decided to tell Susannah the truth about Callum and how she really came by her injuries. Susannah is shocked. They're *both* terrified.
"Look at what he's done to me. He won't stop here. He won't stop until I'm dead", whines Lindsey.
Hmm, we'll see!
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001