Alec's up and about again after resting his back. He's afraid that his age might be catching up with him, so he turns his thoughts to baseball caps, contact lenses and goatee beards. He also asks Jacqui about joining the New Millennium Club, but finds that it's somewhat out of his price range. Not to be deterred, he decides to take up jogging.
Darren sees Charlotte on the parade, and chances his luck by asking her out. Unfortunately for him, she's not interested and turns him down. Later he bumps into her into the garage. She says that she's going to the NMC for a workout. Darren pretends that he is too and that maybe they could get something to eat afterwards. Charlotte reminds him that she's already turned him down once today, so Darren changes tack and suggests "an after workout type of thing" rather than anything grander.
"Well, if that's all it is, how can I refuse?", grins Charlotte.
They do indeed have an "after workout type thing", which takes place in The Shelf (where else?) but it doesn't *quite* go according to plan. Well, not to Darren's plan anyway. Basically, Charlotte tells him to sort his feelings out and to stop deluding himself that he's over Vic. (Charlotte has Jacqui to thank for filling her in with some of the background to this wondrous little flexi-web.)
Nikki's moping around and pestering Lindsey about whether Jerome will get into trouble for the exhibition the other night. That'll be *Nikki's* little exhibition, then? Lindsey assures her that Jacqui knows the full story and that Jerome will be okay!
Also moping around is Sinbad, who is trying to pass the time by watching daytime telly with the sound turned up high. He's worried about his hearing, which doesn't seem to be improving. Not that he *just* watches daytime telly, of course, oh no. He's still getting dragged around museums and art galleries with Jimmy and Kylie. Not today, though. Today's different - he's got a visitor, today. Mr Moore's called round to see how he's getting on, and to help pass the time, the ever thoughtful Mr Moore has brought round a model kit of a boat (I say a 'boat', but to be accurate, it was the Ark Royal - a bit more than *just* a boat, of course!). Let's just say that Sinbad was rather less than enthusiastic!
Mick's also around during Mr Moore's visit. "Here to inspect the kitchen, are you?" he asks. LOL!
Not that that witty remark was the end of the banter. No, not at all...
Mick continued to give Mr Moore a tough time over the chip shop business and left Sin and Mr Moore slaving over a hot aircraft carrier whilst he started cooking the tea.
"That smells good, Mr Johnson," remarked Mr Moore, in his usual pompous way.
"Yeah, well I get plenty of time to cook these days, don't I?" is the reply from the direction of the kitchen.
"Well, hopefully it won't be too long before you're back doing it for a living," suggests Mr Optimistic.
"What, so you can come and close me down again?" LOL!
Mr Moore turns his attention to Sinbad, who's letting his frustration show. "You've got to pull yourself out of this malaise," he advises. His practical suggestion is that Sinbad should consider learning sign language. There's a shortage of sign language interpreters, he points out. Even so, Sin isn't convinced...
Over at the garage, Jackie's talking at nineteen to the dozen and as usual the main topic of conversation is Jimmy. Jackie's annoyed that he's not making enough of an effort to find a job, especially when she's gradually becoming more worried about her own employment prospects. Her concerns increase when Cassie phones to say that she's resigned from the manager's job and also confirms that Bing has sold up.
After work, Jacqui runs over to Lindsey in the club, where she pours her heart out: "Cassie's done the right thing, hasn't she? She got out while she could. What am I gonna do, eh? Wander round looking at paintings with your Dad?"
Lindsey tries to calm Jackie down by pointing out that whilst Bing may have sold the garage, no-one actually knows for certain that the garage will close down as a result. That seems to have done the trick for now, but Lindsey also rambled on about looking after Jackie and Jimmy if the worst did happen. What? How's she gonna do that, then? "Oh, sorry, Rose, I haven't got your fifty-seven grand, cos me parents are both out of work and I needed to put some food on the table and those bus fares into town so that they can ponce around the art galleries, soon add up an' all, don't they?" I don't think so. Mind you, with three weeks to go, poor Linds doesn't stand much of a chance, does she? Hehe, I'm looking forward to that, already!!!
In the bungalow, Nikki and Bernie are rueing their housing difficulties and Bernie's brought a gift for Nikki - something which Harvey has asked her to pass on - a framed photograph of a group of people, including the guy himself and Nikki. Nikki's upset by it:
"The last thing I need is him on me case again. What's up with him, eh? Why can't he just take the hint and leave me alone?"
Err, cos he's weird, Nikki. Nuff said.
Episode written by Roy Boulter
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001