Oh dear, Peter - just what you didn't want- Absent Enemy winning at 40-1. £2000 for Steve plus the £50 stake - a dreadful drain on Peter's bookies' funds. 'For once in my miserable life,' declares Steve, 'I've actually come out on top.' He tells Peter he feels a bit sorry for him but that the pity is drowned out by the joy of winning. Earlier, of course, Michelle was talking to Carla about her fears for the bookies but she got very short shrift from Carla. Sticking up for Steve when he came up for criticism by Carla, Michelle points out that Steve runs a very successful taxi firm. Carla is not having this and describes Steve's Streetcars as a 'few knackered old bangers' that he co-owns with Lloyd, which is 'run from a broom cupboard.' She further points out that, 'he lives over a kebab shop with you and Ryan.' A further insult comes in the shape of Donald Trump, who Carla is certain will not be losing any sleep about Steve as a threat to his huge empire.
Peter is in trouble then and Deirdre is a shoulder to cry on. Before arriving at Deirdre's for a sympathetic ear, Carla asks him if he's closing early or just run out of money and if it's the first day of the sales tomorrow. Understandably she's cross and when it's her turn to sit at Deirdre's table, her anxieties come to the fore. She has 22 people depending on her for their livelihoods. It's not just that, she's a business woman after all. Still, it's good to know that she cares about her staff, despite her hard-nosed approach in the factory. Great line from Deirdre to end their conversation - she says she doesn't take sides - so that Carla should think of her 'as Switzerland with glasses.' You've got to hand it to Deirdre tonight, sending Rob and Tracy away, with a flea in their ears as she listens to Peter and tries to lend a sympathetic ear.
Norris had a bit of a rough time tonight, but he doesn't half bring it upon himself. Emily is giving him number 3 Coronation Street. In the Kabin, Norris, busily sweeping tells Rita all about Emily, 'She looks like butter won't melt, but she's a wily old bird,' and, just at that point, Emily enters the Kabin to hear Norris' every word. Much fun to follow though as Emily suggests that they go to the Bistro for a meal. Rita throws Norris a bone, only to snatch it away. She suggests that they have a meal at her place but then remembers that Dennis has been cleaning the oven and you have to leave the foam on for several hours, so it's back to the bistro and the threat of someone maybe ordering lobster.
And so to the race row. Well done Mandy for showing common sense, politeness and dignity. Mandy is behind the bar chatting to Jenna and Sophie when Paul and Eileen come into The Rovers. Eileen orders the drinks and Mandy, with such good grace, says, certainly, she will bring them over. As Jenna and Sophie give her a questioning, disgusted look, Mandy counters with a superb reply. 'What do you want me to do? Give them a black power salute and a chorus of We will Overcome.'
I wonder if the writers deliberately chose such an outdated phrase as 'Play the white man?' Asking round, most people in their twenties and thirties said that they had never heard it and very few in their forties and fifties had heard it, let alone used it. Admittedly, this little survey was not very scientific, but really, who uses it? If the phrase was selected in order to be the fuel for a racial exploration, and to demonstrate how careless and casual some people can be in the words they use, then it's a pity, because it just doesn't convince. In addition there is a danger of tedium inasmuch as each time Lloyd and family meet Paul and his crew, we will expect aloofness, standoffish behaviour and unpleasant comments. Resolve it quickly, please.
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