Friday, 15th October 1999

Margi is decorating the extension. You know... if you want something doing. Well, I suppose that might sound a bit heartless, but given the amount of nagging that Margi felt was necessary just to get the extension to the state in which is now, she probably knew *deep down* that she was going to end up finishing the thing off. Under different circumstances though, of course.

Anyway, wallpapering isn't exactly taking her mind off her troubles if *that* was her plan. She's puzzling over just why Greg was in the club on that fateful night. Hmm 'puzzling' mightn't be the right word; more accurately she's tormenting herself. Nikki tries to help by suggesting that Margi sees a bereavement counsellor. It doesn't - Margi won't hear of it.

Having stuck the lining paper up vertically instead of horizontally, Margi is frantically trying to strip it off again. Carelessly she cuts her hand and in desperation feels the need to shriek "GREEEEEGGG" at the top of her voice. That doesn't achieve whatever it was meant to, so she chucks a bucket of wallpaper paste at the patio doors. Followed by various tools, the last of which, a hammer, shatters them and Margi, who is by now leaning against the wall, gradually slides down it, sobbing.

Things aren't much calmer next door, where Lisa has brought Susannah home from hospital. Max, having palmed Harry off onto Niamh, is waiting for their arrival although Lisa isn't exactly pleased to see our wandering ex-restaurateur there. She suggests that he leaves.

"I'm not going anywhere," insists Max, firmly.

"We'll see," responds Lisa, equally firmly.

They continue to bicker in amongst a spot of flirting (on Max's behalf) with Niamh when she brings Harry back, and Lisa talks Susannah into sending him packing. Never one to make a scene, Max leaves. However, as soon is he out of the door, Susannah starts to wonder if she's just done the right thing.

Over on the Parade, Darren has met a young lady by the name of Charlotte, who I believe works at the surgery. They dine at The Shelf and Charlotte seems very keen to make sure that the good doctor is currently unattached.

Talking of The Shelf, it's now been rebuilt (and is being managed by... er no, I don't know either!). It seems to be doing a fair trade though, nonetheless. Jimmy and Lindsey arrive for R'Lindsey's appointment with Callum. Jimmy is aware of Lindsey's intentions but obviously isn't keen.

"This plan of yours, it's off it's 'ead," he advises her. "You've got to come up with something a bit more sophisticated than this." Er, excuse me, *sophisticated*? Jimmy wouldn't know sophisticated if it came up and bit him! As it happens, Lindsey's plan *is* rather sophisticated and involves Rose (who, you'll remember, Lindsey has also invited, albeit separately) listening in on her mobile phone via Lindsey's mobile which has been left switched on in Linds' handbag.

R'Linds manages to get Callum to admit that he arranged to have the bombs planted. But, he insists, he didn't plant them *himself*, oh no. Down beside the pool, Rose hears this and is shocked - especially when Callum is rather less than concerned that she and Alisdair might have been hurt in the blast.

Suddenly, an electronic beeping is heard from Lindsey's bag - the battery on her mobile has run down. In a flash, Callum reaches into the bag and grabs the phone. He holds it up in the air, as Lindsey looks on in horror.

"Why is this on?" he shouts. "Who is on the other end of this? Come on *bitch*?" Clearly very agitated, he impatiently asks again: "*Who* is on the other end of this?"

He grabs Lindsey's arm: "You and I are going for a walk". They're stopped in their tracks though, when Rose walks up.

She stares at him: "Hello Judas," she says and proceeds to tell him exactly what she thinks of him.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" demands Callum. "We had a good family business before you stepped in and softened him [Alisdair] up.

Rose suggests that Callum disappears for his own safety, or Alisdair might just finish him off. This is one threat that Callum seems to take seriously. When Lindsey asks where he intends to go, he offers the Algarve - for a spot of golf.

Lindsey has some difficulty hiding her pleasure at Callum's downfall. "I'll get over you", she promises.

"Oh, I don't think that you will. As long as I've got the strength to swing a golf club there's always a chance that it'll connect to the side of your head," he says. "Bye. Oh... love to Kylie."

Rose then wipes the smirk from Lindsey's face:

"Despite our growing friendship, just a reminder about that 57k."

Lindsey protests that Rose hasn't kept her side of the deal - the promise to keep Callum away, but it's no good. That deadline of 1st December is still there.

Josh and his gang are hanging around the parade once more. He's spotted by Jimmy who starts to round up members of the residents' association. Soon, Josh has made it to the Close. So have Mick, Jerome, Leo, Tin, Jimmy, Niamh and Mike (who is recording the whole thing with his video camera).

Jerome picks up one of the petrol bombs from the boot of his car.

"What do you think you're doing?" exclaims Mick. "Are you serious?"

"If they come any closer, then yes."

Tim also picks up a petrol bomb, but is forced by Mick to drop it. Josh manages to rescue it from the grass, lights it and lobs it over to the other side of the Close where it smashes in a blast of orange flame.

Jerome lights his and flings it in the other direction - towards the exit from the Close. It's enough to send Josh and his mates scurrying back to their car and they drive off.

Mick grabs Jerome and shoves/pushes him towards the house.

"You're leaving. Get your stuff and go now", he insists.

"You can't do that, Dad" cries Leo, but Mick's in no mood to calm down. "I've just done it, haven't I?" He looks at Jerome: "Now go".

Oooh... building up nicely, eh? Bonfire night could be coming early to Brookside Close...