"What do people want, most of all, at this point in history?" asked Matt, his train of thought (probably accidentally) coming across far deeper than he meant it to.
Deeper than Bosko expected anyway, judging by his response of "free money shops" (which would be a nice idea, I guess - anyone want to start one up?).
This wasn't quite what Matt in mind. No, Matt's idea was to launch "Millennium Bug Busters", a venture which later blundered into life burdened by a last minute change of name to "Brookie Bug Busters".
For a fiver, Matt and Bosko will examine and declare free from Millennium bugs, any household appliances such as washing machines, irons, toasters, microwaves (pagers perhaps?!) and even computers (although computers might cost more - twenty quid, say). Hmm, did I make it clear that it was a fiver *per* appliance?
Perhaps Matt's explanation was better: "take them apart, fiddle about a bit and tell 'em it's sorted". No, on second thoughts, maybe that's not clearer - just make sure they don't come round this way!
Jacqui, Nathan, Darren and Vic have gone to Nathan's parents' barbecue. Mysteriously, Nathan leaves his car in a country lane which, he explains, allows them to take a short cut across the fields to the house. Naturally Jacqui thinks that all of this is somewhat odd, especially when all she can see in the distance is a sprawling hotel, rather than any houses. Nathan then has to explain that the 'hotel', is in fact Cuddington Hall - his ancestral abode.
"Is this some sort of wind up?" asks Jacqui, looking particularly bewildered.
"No, this is home", replies Nathan.
At the barbecue (well, in the marquee, actually - oh, come on, you *have* to have a marquee, don't you?), Jacqui is left to make small talk with Nathan's parents, although it goes without saying that she finds herself somewhat out of her depth.
Nathan spends his time trying to avoid someone called Debs, who we discover is a former childhood sweetheart of his (much emphasis on the word 'former' as far as Nathan is concerned, although the same can not be said of his parents who seem intent on a spot of matchmaking by the look of things). Therefore, expect to see more of this Debs one shortly as she will, soon be working in the Liverpool area. Not only that, but she will also require somewhere to live in the vicinity. That news pleased Jacqui!
Darren had news too - he told Nathan that he wants to ask Vic to marry him. Nathan almost choked on his drink when he heard this - Vic isn't even divorced from Mark yet, as he hurriedly pointed out.
Back on the Close, the Shadwicks have arranged for Greg's body to come 'home' on Wednesday, prior to the funeral. This, together with Margi's and Nikki's decision to sell the van was the catalyst for yet more tears as the reality of their loss starts to sink in.
Emily is taking the latest developments particularly badly.
"You can't sell me dad's van. Why don't I get a say in this? I'm part of this family an' all."
Also, she doesn't agree with having the body in the bungalow. Margi's going to put it in the extension but Emily regards the whole idea as "spooky". (A dead body in the extension - *very* Brookie, that!). Nor is she comfortable with Margi disposing of Greg's tools. In fact, Emily wants to keep and look after his tools and takes a particular fancy to a saw.
Whether adopting said saw helped much, is rather doubtful - the loss of her father is hard for her to accept:
"Nikki, I don't think I can handle never seeing him alive again. I don't want him to come home, Nik, I really don't", Emily tearfully confessed to her sister.
Ahhh, and I don't think even a free money shop would be much consolation here, either.
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001