We join the show with the scene where we left, yesterday...
"I'm sorry, I don't think we should be doing this," says Max releasing Niamh from his embrace.
Niamh reluctantly agrees and hurriedly fumbles to button up her blouse (which she'd had no objection to Max undoing in the first place) before scurrying back to her own house.
Just a thought, but where's Susannah, anyway? Do we know? Do we care?
Joey's over at Jackie's, pleading for his job back. She appears to quite enjoy his begging and eventually agrees to a week's trial, providing that he agrees to cover all the difficult shifts over the Christmas period. He's only to pleased to oblige. Hmm, I wonder how long that will last?
"You've made our Christmas. You really have," exclaims Joey excitedly as he skips out of the door.
Things aren't going quite so well for Mike and Rachel. Having loaded the car up in readiness for the move to Anthea's they're dismayed to find the police turn up and take it away saying that it's been reported stolen. In the end they get a cab only to find that the Lady in Beige isn't even expecting them. Ron, bless him, has forgotten to tell her! Anthea says that she's not surprised since his head's "so full of millennium nonsense". Apparently, Megan's room is chock-a-block with pasta and the box room is stuffed with candles. Blimey, I hope they're not expecting to cook one with the other! I bet Ron hasn't thought about matches, either!
Back on the Close, Lindsey asks Jackie if Shelley could come for Christmas since she's fallen out with her mother. Jackie has to agree when Lindsey admits that she's already asked Shelley anyway. Jimmy spends all of his time making barbed comments for Lindsey's benefit and lectures again her about the dangers of getting involved with drugs via her "mate" Dave.
Joey and Niamh have made up following the spat in yesterday's episode. Joey even spots that Niamh's blouse is buttoned up incorrectly, but doesn't think to wonder why! They ponder over whether or not to ask Katie for Christmas dinner, especially since Niamh fears that she might be a bit "loose". Ha! *That* was supposed to refer to Niamh's view of Katie, not to Niamh herself but after today's antics with Max, I'm not so sure. LOL!
Joey gets carried away and tells Niamh that Katie had only taken up with Luke after she'd found out that Ryan was seeing someone else up in Scotland (i.e. all the things which Luke had told him in confidence). Niamh decides that they should ask Katie over and that Ryan will have to like it or lump it.
Nikki is on a high. Bernie has obtained tickets to a party ("I'm really in the mood for a party" is Nikki's rather unsurprising comment!), but Jerome's attempts to inject an element of caution into the conversation goes more or less unheeded.
"This time, I won't let me drink out of me sight - ever," she promises, rather half-heartedly. Too right, she won't - Nikki's drinks don't last long enough to have to put the glasses down, let alone allow them to leave her sight!
Nikki's also looking forward to working in Bar Brookie and in an effort to hurry things along, she decides to wander over and ask Mike when he might want her. Surprisingly, Mike tells her that she can start immediately and Nikki immediately starts eyeing up the spirit bottles behind the bar. Obviously, it's not long before she helping herself to a quick tincture or two.
Jerome spots her and kicks off but Nikki dismisses his concern. "You're off your head, you," Nikki tells him.
"Yeah, well, at least I'm not off me face."
Nikki then walks out saying that she's going to meet Bernie at the party and refuses to tell Jerome exactly where this party is. Why?
"Cos I don't want you there. You or your constant nagging," she declares.
Nathan and Darren are in the Bar, gradually getting rowdier and rowdier. Darren wants to organise a "sesh" for Nathan's imminent "big 3-0", but Nathan indicates that he'd prefer a quiet evening in with Jacqui. Darren tells him that he's suffering from terminal old age. Nathan later explains his reasoning:
"I'm gonna ask Jacqui to marry me", he announces.
To who? Oh, sorry, I see what he means!
Episode written by Peter Cox
Summary © 1999 Graeme Selway
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001