Shelley turns up outside Number Nine and proceeds to let herself in, one assumes having Lindsey's permission. Jimmy, ever the vigilant and watchful neighbour/father, spots her and wonders what she might be up to. Or maybe that should read: Jimmy, bored, jobless, skint and staring through the window to pass the time, spots her. Whatever, Shelley tells him that she's come to give the place a "makeover". Jimmy thinks that he understands and offers "a lick of paint?" as his confirmatory question.
Shelley informs him that she's proposing something rather more adventurous than just a mere lick of paint - she is, after all, an interior designer, not a decorator. Jim gets her drift and brings up the subject of "Changing Rooms". Whilst discussing this programme, it transpires that they both get turned on by Carol Smillie.
What we don't know, is whether Shelley is charging Lindsey for her services (expecting payment in kind, perhaps?), as it seems likely that whatever this makeover turns out to be - it's going to cost rather more than the £500 it does on the telly. Can Lindsey afford that, now she's not earning and owes Rose £60,000? Or more bluntly, could Lindsey afford even a mere lick of paint?
Shelley and Jimmy get on well; they continue to chat whilst Shelley takes photographs of the inside of the house (with Jimmy invariably standing in the way) and later when Jim announces that he's going to Bar Brookie for a drink, Shelley agrees to follow on when she's finished.
In the flexi-flat, Vic is staring through tear-filled eyes at a television showing a video of her and Mark, obviously from more happier days.
Borrowing keys is clearly a popular occurrence today, as the peace is shattered by Jacqui clattering through the front door with a pushchair (having been talked into looking after Harry and Emma by Katrina).
Jacqui notices how upset Vic is and hears the truth about Mark's condition. Vic's adamant that she doesn't want Nathan to know until she has summoned up the courage to tell him herself. As Vic finishes saying this, Nathan walks through the door accompanied by Debs, his childhood sweetheart, whom we'd met at the barbecue.
Jerome tells Nikki that she should start getting on with her life and return to university. He reasons that this might make Margi accept that Greg and Jason have gone. They kiss but Jerome then backs off, much to Nikki's annoyance. It would seem that Nikki's rape is playing on his mind.
Over in Bar Brookie, Ron is concerned about Jacqui having to cover for both Susannah and Lindsey, whilst also 'volunteering' to look after Harry and Emma. He tells his daughter that Max should be minding the kids and that she should contact him. Jacqui, however, is insistent that Max is left out of it. Ron ponders contacting Max himself through Nathan, who is handling the divorce.
Jimmy's making his way to Bar Brookie via the garage (not to see Jackie - she's apparently doing jury service). He sees Josh and the gang hanging around the parade and egged on by Niamh, suggests that they move elsewhere before he calls the police. Josh wasn't impressed with Jimmy's interfering:
"You're a traitor to the white race, standing up for the likes of her [Niamh] against your own."
"Me own? Listen, sonny, if I thought I had anything in common with your lot, I'd top meself."
"You keep sticking your nose in and we might just save you the trouble."
Josh and his mates then drive off, whilst Jim finally makes it to Bar Brookie where he is joined after a while by Shelley.
At the bar, Ron is sitting, moaning. When Jim comes up to order a drink, Ron sees his chance to have a little dig.
"I don't know how he's got the brass neck to show his face in public," Ron says loudly, to Mike serving behind the bar.
"Why's that?"
"Well, you know, all that carry on at that school."
Jim also has a moan to Mike - about how he doesn't qualify for any dole money, just "fifty poxy quid a week family credit."
Ron hears this and can't resist sticking his beak in:
"You shouldn't be getting anything if you ask me," he opines.
"Oh? Right. Well, no-one *did* ask you, did they?" says Jim. "So, why don't you just do one?"
"Just leave it will you, Pops?" interjects Mike in a vain attempt to diffuse things.
"I'm sorry son, but I'm not gonna stand here and listen to some drug dealer going off on one about how hard done by he is."
"Hey, aye-aye, who are you calling a drug dealer?"
"Don't play the innocent with me, Corkhill. Everyone here knows that you got the push from that school because they found out what you really are. For all we know, it might have been you that sold that Susan Clarke kid the smack that killed her."
"*You* are *totally* out of order, Dixon."
"I don't hear you denying it."
"Are you saying that I got a job as a teacher so I could deal drugs to the kids? You are off your head."
"Okay, then. Why did they get rid of you?"
There's silence as Jim fails to answer Ron's question. Ron takes this as confirmation of his theory and continues to gloat: "So, how does it feel to know you're responsible for another kid's death?" he asks.
This is too much for Jimmy, who is by now, standing right in front of Ron. He gives his old adversary a good, hard headbut which knocks Ron to the ground.
Outside, Josh and his mates are back and spot Jerome walking along the parade. Shouting that they want revenge for their friend being confined to a wheelchair, Jerome is chased through the pathway which leads to the Close.
Outside the Mussies' house, they trip Jerome up and angry words continue to be exchanged. That is, until Niamh bursts out of her front door and demands "That's enough".
"Haven't even started yet," taunts Josh.
"And your not going to either," insists Niamh, firmly.
"It's going to take a bit more than some Irish slapper to stop us."
She tells him that she's called the police and sure enough, there's the sound of a siren in the distance.
Josh and his cohorts disappear back through the alleyway. "What this area needs is a good clean out," he declares.
Er... like a sort of makeover, eh?
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001