Sinbad goes for his interview at EasyLec, but the meeting doesn't go quite according to plan. The interviewer is appallingly bad - he mumbles and wanders around looking at the wall more than he does at Sinbad.
More than once Sinbad has to ask him to speak up and is annoyed that the interviewer makes a greater issue of his hearing problems than Sin would have wished. Whilst he's clearly in denial, the comments made by the interviewer (who, in his own ineffective way, was probably only trying to be sympathetic, albeit failing miserably), got Sinbad's back up. The final straw comes when the interviewer refers to him as "disabled". Sinbad takes offence and walks out telling the guy to stuff his job.
Back home and feeling sorry for himself, Sin gets a visit from Niamh. She's also had her interview today and wanted Sin to know that she'd put in a word for him. Unfortunately, this was before she knew that he'd stormed out.
Tinhead also has a go at him. He reminds Sinbad that he failed to get into the army because of a hearing disorder and also makes him recall what Ben has had to go through during the last couple of years.
"My brother's in a wheelchair. He's disabled but he gets on with it. Isn't it about time you did? There's a lot more people in the world worse off than you, you know."
That gave Sinbad something to think about.
Outside in the Close, Harvey is sitting in a parked car, watching the bungalow...
Outside Bar Brookie, Mike is celebrating taking over the licence from Jacqui but still takes the opportunity (along with Rachel) to tease his sister about being after Nathan's money. Jacqui replies by saying that she loves him and isn't interested in the money. She also reminds them that no-one is supposed to know about Nathan's finances, least of all Ron.
Mike asks Jacqui to talk to Rachel about giving up work as he's concerned for her health with the baby due in just five weeks. Jacqui tries but manages only to upset her. It's clear though, that Rachel simply isn't coping with the demands of the job and Jacqui resorts to *ordering* her to stop work or else be sacked!
"Look Rach, this is ridiculous. You should be at home resting or eating coal or something."
Eventually Rachel agrees, but admits that she's worried about money and also where they're going to live while the flat is redeveloped.
Katie warns Luke that Ryan knows that he told her about him sleeping with Abby. Luke assures Katie that he can deal with his brother's temper.
It's not long before Luke and Ryan's paths cross and they have a set to in the middle of the Close. Fortunately, the quarrel is broken up by Niamh before it has a chance to go too far.
Back at Bar Brookie, Lindsey and Shelley are knocking back a few, chatting and generally getting on like a house on fire.
Nikki and Bernie have also settled in the Bar (and Harvey, still spying on them has moved his car to the Parade). Bernie has her sights set on one of the barmen (Paul) and goes to elaborate lengths to attract his attention. It works though and she kops off. She hangs around waiting for his shift to end and Nikki decides that because of the torrential rain, she'll have to get a cab back to the Close.
Luke goes to see Katie. She asks him *why* he told her about Abby. Was it to split her and Ryan up, she wonders. Luke says that it was to stop her getting hurt, but this cuts little ice with Katie. She's upset and feels like a toy being fought over by two brothers. Luke tries to reassure her, and they end up kissing. Actually that's not true, they start off by kissing, but things move on.
Meanwhile downstairs, Ryan has also decided to visit Katie. No doubt as apart of an effort to make amends, he's carrying a large bunch of flowers. It also looks like he's going to have the element of surprise because he arrives just as Rachel has finished work and is letting herself in...
Nikki's waiting in the rain for her cab. She has to let the first one go as it's taking Shelley and Lindsey into town. Another car pulls up immediately afterwards, Nikki runs over and jumps in the back.
"Hiya Nikki," says the driver.
"I've been trying to get you on your own all day."
A terrified Nikki finds that she's unable to open the doors - she's trapped. As the car drives off, the driver is revealed as... Harvey.
Episode written by John Fay
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001