Nikki and Jerome lie in bed the next morning, as seen via the lens of the director's overhead camera. This is a fauourite shot regarding the pair in bed, probably because Nikki's pre-Raphaelite curls are studiously arranged spread out across her pillow. Nikki lies on her back, Jerome on his side in a semi-foetal position, away from Nikki. She looks happy. He does not.
She asks him if he meant what he told her the previous day, that he wanted to marry her. Without moving, Jerome assures her that of course he did. She asks him to look at her and say it. Jerome turns to face her, with a forced smile on his face and reiterates his conviction. Nikki's smile becomes more secure and she begins to babble - they have to tell Emily, phone her mum, tell her Nan (no mention of Vonnie, Jerome's mum). She jumps from the bed and insists that Jerome get up too.
Meanwhile at the Murrays', the sitcom-in-a-soap is about to begin. Blessed Mother is frying a hearty breakfast. On the table lies an evil wicked piece of paper. It's the lecky bill, destined to bring strife, difficulty and discord into the household. Marty Murray appears, removing his coat, to sit at the table. He's been called out early to the school. There was a break-in the night before and vandals damaged the boiler. He had to repair it. He's not happy at all, he works so hard to keep that school nice (big guffaw from the viewers - Marty is the world's biggest skiver). Then some toerags have to vandalise it. As he sits down, Blessed Mother deftly removes the offending bill and serves him a unhealthily large portion of greasy fry-up.
Standing behind him, she hesitantly gives him the lecky bill, saying that this will make him feel bad too. It's £187.00. Marty goes ballistic. It's the kids' fault - Adele always leaving lights on everywhere and Plank having endless showers and baths, using up the immersion. Panic sets in. They are skint. Blessed Mother has no money either. Well, that's it, says Marty. It's time they started charging Plank more than his £10.00 a week board and housekeeping. He was earning a regular wage now. He could contribute more. Ten quid was a piss-take.
At that moment, Plank plonks down the stairs and into the kitchen. Blessed Mother asks Marty if he will tell Plank the news and hastily leaves for work, kissing both him and the plank. When she's gone, Marty shows Plank the lecky bill and informs him that henceforth, Plank will be expected to pay more for his keep - £20-£25 weekly or £100 per month. Oh yes, and he'll have the money now, please. Plank, needless to say, is put out and sees no reason why his £10 weekly should be increased. He eventually agrees but asks Marty if he can begin paying £100 monthly from next month. He's skint at the moment too, having just taxed his car. Marty reluctantly allows him this leeway. He notices that Plank is late for work, but Plank says that he has to sort something out with TWB first.
Nikki tells a surprised Emily, who appears to be wearing one of Emma Farnham's teeshirts, her news. Emily is delighted, but quickly asks Nikki if she's pregnant. Nikki denies this and Emily asks when Jerome proposed to her and if he were drunk at the time. Nikki said SHE proposed to him and Emily is wary of this. Nikki immediately goes on the defensive - after all, Emily proposed to Tim. Well, replies Emily, assuming the air of the more experienced, married sister, that was different. That was because everyone was against her and Tim getting together.
But Emily is concerned that Nikki is rushing things - after all, she and Jerome haven't finished uni and neither have proper jobs. Nikki says that they won't be getting married for years, but Jerome's desire to get engaged showed his commitment. Jerome appears, looking less than happy about his current situation, and Emily congratulates him with a kiss, asking if her were bevvied when he said yes to the proposal. Nikki, meantime, is anxious to tell her Nan the news and forces Jerome to accompany her to Jessie and Ray's, but Jerome is more anxious to have something to eat. He even suggests that Nikki tell her grandmother on her own; but Nikki insists that they do the deed together and literally frog-marches him across the Close.
Ray has his 'handyman' overalls on, having just tried to get an unseen Kitty to take a cup of tea. He informs Jessie that Kitty doesn't feel up to getting out of bed today. Jessie, ever compassionate, remarks that Kitty is only back from visiting Bernard for a day before she takes to her bed. Jessie reckons Kitty's swinging the lead; but Ray isn't so sure. Nikki and Jerome arrive and share their news. The older couple are delighted, Jessie remarking that Jerome's making an honest woman of Nikki. Jerome hastens to explain that they won't be getting married for awhile, but Nikki pipes up and says not unless she gets anxious and forces him down the aisle at the register office next week. Jerome looks like a man condemned to death.
Ray proposes that they celebrate with champagne at Bev's.
TWB, who's supposed to run a creche, is looking out of the window of her business premises when she spies Plank on The Parade. She forgets her unseen charges (actually, the creche appears to be empty) and dashes out, greeting Plank with an excited hug and rabbiting on about there being so much to do. Her dad wants them to have a swank engagement party at some posh hotel yadda yadda yadda and they have to get a ring yadda yadda.
Plank hushes her. He's come by to tell her that he doesn't feel right about taking the £1000 cheque from her dad. He feels as if he's being PAID to get engaged to her. He wants to be with her and to get engaged, but HE doesn't want all the fuss and bother about a big engagement party, wedding etc. HE wants to pay for a small do to celebrate their engagement. And he DOESN'T want to use the cheque to buy an engagement ring. He wants to use his own money. As a matter of fact, he's meeting Geoff later to return the cheque. TWB illustrates her ignorance by totally misconstuing what Plank has said (in words of one syllable or less). She thinks he wants to finish with her. As Plank leaves, she looks like a spoiled kid who didn't get her way as she screws up her face and makes crying noises (complete with dry tears) and stamps her foot.
Down the Parade, Jacqui Dixon emerges to bump into Max. She smiles with pleasure, but Max is embarrassed. Jacqui tells him she'll be over later, as they have to talk. Max wants to know about what. Jacqui reminds him that they kissed, kissed passionately and this will have to be discussed. Max feigns that he'd forgotten all about that, but says that he'll see her later.
The Hiltons have adjourned to the bar, where they are seated with Nikki, Emily and a reluctant Jerome. Honestly, the other four must be blind, because Jerome isn't doing too good a job at acting enthusiastic about being engaged. Ray and Jessie are toasting the happy couple, with Jessie saying that this all reminds her of when she and Ray had their marriage blessing (oh, all of a month ago). Ray is mildly worried about the absent Kitty, because even the offer of champers couldn't induce her to leave her bed. About this time, Bev enters the bar, carrying about five shopping bags (a prop to hide the fact that Sarah White was about 6 months pregnant at the time of filming). Nikki calls out to her and at the same time, suggests to the others that Bev have a bevvie with them.
Bev, standing at the bar, eyes the party and asks Nikki the ubiquitous 'What's going on' question. Nikki says that congratulations are in order as Jerome has agreed to marry her. Bev is astounded. Surely, Nikki can't be serious. Again, Nikki reiterates that Jerome CHOSE to marry her, she didn't force him. Bev bluntly points out that Jerome is a cheat. He cheated on her before and he'll do so again. Men like that never change. But in the end, Bev dubiously accepts a drink and tells Nikki she hopes she knows what she's doing.
Jacqui is visiting Anthea and stands looking out the front window while Anthea speaks on the phone to Ron's new solicitor. The solicitor is explaining to Anthea that she has arranged an in-chambers bail hearing with herself, the judge and Ron on Friday. While Anthea speaks, Jacqui gazes at Max who comes out of his house and gets in his car. She waves at him and he briefly waves back. As she hangs up the telephone, Anthea attempts to explain to Jacqui the repercussions of the bail hearing and that Ron, hopefully, could be home on Friday.
Jacqui, however, is disconsolate. Anthea mentions that Jacqui must be going through a rough time of things as well, with everything that happened between her and Robbie. But Jacqui remarks that she's really missing Katie as well. Anthea asks if she's seen Katie. Jacqui says no, but Katie blames her for Clint's death anyway. Anthea tries to offer some comfort to Jacqui, saying that she mustn't blame herself for introducing Robbie to the family - Anthea had thought him a nice boy, to begin with. But Jacqui mustn't fret. She's certain to find the right fella someday, if she'll just wait and be patient.
Jacqui turns from the window and tells Anthea that she thinks she HAS found the right fella. Anthea's face brightens and she asks his identity. Jacqui reveals that it's Max.
Anthea's face changes from hope to horror, as Jacqui relates her version of the kiss. Anthea is worried Jacqui is misinterpreting the situation; after all, Max Farnham is almost twice her age. Jacqui says that the age difference doesn't bother her. Anthea points out that Max's WIFE hasn't been dead a year, but Jacqui reminds her that he and Susannah were divorced. (Fair point). Anthea still says that Max isn't over grieving for Susannah yet, even Jacqui admitted that. But now Jacqui reiterates that he's GETTING over the death of Susannah. Anyway, it's only natural that she and Max get together - the are Harry's natural parents. Anthea is deeply worried about this and doesn't hesitate to remind Jacqui that if she pursues this line of thought, she might just lose access to Harry. Jacqui refuses to believe that, saying that Max would never do that. Anyway, she's going over to the Farnhams later that day, to discuss the situation with Max.
Back at Bev's, the Shadwick-Johnson celebrations continue. In the midst of their high spirits, the Naughty Nurse enters the bar, noticed silently by Jerome and hailed by Nikki. Nikki asks Jerome if he thinks they should invite Nisha to join them, but she has made her way to the bar, where Bev has sourly informed her of the reason behind the Shadwick Hiltons' presence at the table. Nikki greets Nisha by assuming that Bev has already told her the news and Nisha congratulates her. Nikki asks her to join them for a glass of champers, but Nisha is reluctant. However, Bev has anticipated Nikki's request and provided a spare glass for Nisha, who reluctantly joins the party. Everyone is topping up everyone else's glasses, but Jerome declines, saying he has a lecture in 40 minutes. 'Can't you miss it?' Asks Raymundo. 'After all, it isn't every day a fella gets engaged.' Jerome looks sick.
Outside, a sobbing, yet curiously dry-eyed TWB comes from the direction of the garage to run smack dab into the arms of a concerned Blessed Mother, who seemed to be emerging from her Salon. (How she manages to be on hand to comfort the oppressed and distressed is, indeed, a credit to the real Madonna - and I don't mean Mrs Ritchie). Blessed Mother folds TWB in her arms as TWB sobs the story about wicked, evil Plank who wants to return the nice little £1000 cheque that her Dad has given him as a bonus. Now they won't be able to buy an engagement ring. As all of this is going on, Marty Murray silently leaves the Salon (where he appears to spend more time than at his caretaking job), mouthing to Blessed Mother that he would forego his cup of tea.
Later, Marty returns home to find Plank in the kitchen. Without another word, he demands the £100 from him immediately. Plank is bewildered. Since when does he owe that money now. Well, says Marty, since he learned Plank was walking around with a cheque for £1000 in his pocket. Plank hastens to explain. Yes, it's true he got the cheque from Geoff, supposedly as a bonus. But he's giving it back to Geoff, this very afternoon. Why? Asks Marty. Plank explains that he feels that Geoff gave him the 'bonus' because he knew that TWB was keen to get engaged. When Plank explained to Geoff that he wanted to wait until he could afford to live comfortably with TWB, Geoff congratulated him on his wisdom and followed the congratulations with the cheque. But Plank felt that the cheque was an inducement.
Marty asks him if he really wants to marry TWB. Plank confesses that he wasn't ready for an engagement, much less marriage. He felt that he wanted to wait a bit and get to know TWB better. Marty is relieved and pleased that Plank's shown such uncommon good sense.
Jerome's lecture in Advanced Deception has ended and he's again taken up his favourite pastime - waiting outside the Walk-In Clinic. Nisha emerges, at the end of the day, to await her bus. When she spies Jerome, she immediately turns on her heels and starts to go back into the clinic, but Jerome pleads for her to stay. Nisha wants to know why he continues to haunt her. He's agreed to marry Nikki. Jerome is desperate. He tells Nisha he doesn't want to wed Nikki. In fact, he's ready to call the whole thing off, tomorrow, right now if he thought he could get back with Nisha. Nisha curtly reminds him that she's got a bus to catch and dashes off, leaving a forlorn Jerome.
There's a brief interlude at the Farnham household, where Jacqui is playing with Harry. Harry has drawn a picture of two blobs. Jacqui asks who the blobs are. Harry says something like: 'Oghepwwenmeoneritheim-dhofwm!'
'That's Daddy?' Interprets Jacqui. 'And who is this?' (points to the second blob).
Harry: 'Wewohw orheirjweoriheo!' Jacqui: ' Is that Auntie Jacqui?'
Harry nods. Jacqui is touched. She asks Harry if he likes Auntie Jacqui coming to visit him and Harry nods. Jacqui then tells Harry that she's going to put the picture or Daddy Blob and Auntie Jacqui Blob on the fridge, so Harry can look at it whenever Auntie Jacqui isn't there and think of her.
Plank arrives at another pub-cum-bar, where Geoff sits waiting for him. Without waiting for Geoff to arise, Plank plonks the cheque down on the table in front of Geoff. Geoff is bemused, wanting to know why he's returning it. Plank says he doesn't feel comfortable taking this money. He feels as though Geoff is paying him to get engaged to TWB. Geoff is mildly offended, telling Plank that he gave him the bonus because he felt that Plank had been working really hard and deserved it. He told him he could use it as he wished.
Sitting down, Plank explains to Geoff that he's only known TWB for a year. He feels that they need more time to get to know each other before they settle down to marriage. Surprisingly, Geoff agrees. In fact, he thinks they are too young to be thinking about marriage. He married young and lived to regret it. In this day and age, they should be out having a good time, not tying themselves down. He, too, would rather see the pair of them take the time to really get to know each other well.
Plank is glad that Geoff sees sense, but he isn't so sure TWB will see things that way. Geoff tells him not to worry. He'll handle TWB. In fact, she's due to arrive any moment. (And sure enough, she does). Geoff tells Plank to plonk to the loo and he'll talk with TWB. So Plank plonks off to pee.
TWB is surprised that Geoff was talking to Plank as she's very upset that Plank doesn't want to get engaged. Geoff tells her Plank thinks they are too young to get married and frankly, he agrees with him. TWB looks miffed. Geoff says the pair of them are just babies, but TWB remembers that Geoff and her mother were younger than she when they were married. Geoff reminds her that he was her mum's only boyfriend and they married literally when they were just out of school. That was a mistake, he says. He spent all their early married years working all hours just to keep body and soul together. The result was that he failed to get to know what sort of person his wife really was. Then 24 years later, he gets a note on the table, telling him she's left.
Geoff tells TWB that he'd rather see the pair of them shacked up for a few years and then make a lasting marriage before rushing into this thing blindly. As Plank returns, we see TWB smile at him, her one brain cell working overtime and making a whirring noise.
Subtly Diguised Party Political Broadcast for the Labour Party on the Eve of Election 2001: Jess Hilton is playing solitaire, seated at a table. In the background, we hear the sounds of Ray seeing off a political candidate. He enters the room and announces to Jessie that another candidate has been around. He's more confused than usual. With the election tomorrow, he can't make up his mind for whom to vote, although that young lady, he says, was very fetching. Jess scoffs at the idea of Ray voting for someone on the basis of looks. But at least he's going to vote. Ray asks Jessie for whom she's voting. Jessie announces coyly that that's between her and her conscience.
Later, back at the Murrays, the Blessed Mother and Marty are tidying up in the kitchen. Marty is relating to the Blessed Mother the circumstances surrounding his last conversation with Plank and how proud he is of him. Blessed Mother agrees, but ruefully admits that they could have used the £1000. She then asks Marty if he thinks this will be the end of Plank and TWB. Marty hopes so. Blessed Mother is shocked, but Marty reminds her that she hasn't always been so keen on TWB. Blessed Mother agrees that she never thought TWB was right for Plank, basically because she was his first real girlfriend; but she wouldn't want to wish for them to break up.
At that moment, Plank enters. He announces that he tried to give the cheque back to Geoff, but Geoff actually talked sense. In fact, he had got TWB to agree to giving up talk of the engagement. Marty is pleased for two reasons - that Plank is showing sense and that he also still has the £1000 cheque. Plank tells Marty that as soon as he cashes the cheque, Marty can have £100.
Max Farnham returns home to find Jacqui tidying up. Without meeting her eyes, he asks the whereabouts of Emma and Harry. Jacqui says they've been bathed and put to bed. Max thinks it's a trifle early, but Jacqui says they were tired. She's also cleaned up and put his dinner on. Max is impressed, but says that he reckons Jacqui wants to leave. Jacqui says she has nothing planned for the evening and would like to stay, if that's ok. Max pours them a drink. As he does so, Jacqui puts her hands around his waist. Max is shocked and turns to face her, asking her what she's doing.
Jacqui says she's giving him a hug. Max tells her that she'd be better off forgetting about the kiss of the previous night. Perhaps they had both had too much to drink. He doesn't want to spoil their friendship. Jacqui reminds him of Harry, but Max is insisting that there was nothing to the kiss. Jacqui asked him to kiss her and he did so. Jacqui is left stunned.
Observation: The character of Geoff Evans is slowly beginning to intrigue me. I hope we see more of him and that Brookside let his darker side develop. Shame about his daughter and her boyfriend, though.
Summary © 2001 Marion Watts
Brookside and all related materials are © Mersey Television 1982-2001