Jenny’s gone; taking little Jack, so speed is of the essence. Clearly Jenny is deluded into semi-believing that Jack could take the place of Tom, her own son. As everyone who is a parent knows, losing a child is the worst possible thing that could happen to you in this world. It has happened to Jenny and there may well be a degree of guilt concerning Tom’s death. We learn that Jenny had got out the paddling pool and left Tom alone while she intended to buy ice cream from the van playing Greensleeves. Realising she couldn’t leave him, it was still too late. Adding further confusion to our own feelings as viewers, watching the drama unfold, we discover that today would have been Tom’s 7th birthday.
None of this is Jack’s fault. Coincidentally, there is a real life situation, mirroring more or less, this story, in that a little boy was taken from his father who had custody, by his mother and who then went on the run. The real life mother had the sense to realize eventually that what she was doing was madness and unfair to the child. And that’s just it. Jack has been snatched away from what he is used to, even though Jenny had been looking after him for some time now; but his dad, his sister, his home, his bed – those things which give a child security and stability have been removed.
The police are at Kevin’s and anxiety is sky high understandably. But Jenny loves Jack doesn’t she? She surely will not hurt him, reassures Rita, who manages to get the address from Jenny when Jenny rings Rita, sobbing. Rita promises that she will come alone. But of course, the family plus honorary grandmother, Rita, head off.
Rita talks to Jenny who feels that she has been betrayed, because Rita didn’t come alone. Jenny is clearly suffering devastating grief and her efforts with the birthday tea is a symbol of that. Kevin cannot stand waiting and enters the flat. Close to the edge, literally and metaphorically, Kevin pleads with Jenny. Could this be Kevin Webster’s finest hour? Sophie though barges into the flat inadvertently causing Jenny with little Jack in her arms to move further to the edge. Finally, after much pleading, she gives Jack back to Kevin. The police arrive and Jenny is taken away, sobbing. There is a tender moment for Kevin and Sophie as he recognizes she was right all along.
As yet, Julie has not understood the significance of Talisa’s arrival and it seems somewhat unfair to Julie for Dev not to show her the lie of the land. Talisa is certainly making herself at home, wearing Julie’s dressing gown and making smoothies. As Talisa nips upstairs Dev can barely take his eyes off her. ‘Don’t drool Dev – it’s very unbecoming,’ says Mary. Mary then expresses her own feeling about Talisa in an amusing phrase, ‘Vegetable bothering interloper.’
Julie asks Talisa how long she will be staying. Talisa tells Julie how kind Dev has been to her. ‘I can see I’m a cuckoo in the nest. As soon as I get back on my feet I’ll be out of your hair.’ Dev and Talisa do look very cosy in the pub, though.
And then Brian turns up! He declares his passion for Julie and has packed in his job in Wales. He tells Julie that their limerick won a competition, but nothing is enough to persuade her. Julie is in love with Dev and so she tells Brian. Like a burst balloon, Brian has to take the news and digest it. Luckily Brian won’t have to stay in the Vegas anymore as Ken offers him a room.
There is, at least for me, an uncomfortable moment when Ken tells Brian that Deirdre will be back soon to celebrate her 60thbirthday. I realize the scriptwriters have to say something but nevertheless…
The Nazirs, in their grief for Kal, have shown themselves at their best so far. Though Kal’s death has affected them all profoundly, they have conducted themselves in a dignified, strong and united fashion. Alya, who I am beginning to consider as a superb actor is sent on her own to deal with a client. Jason is there to help her when the client behaves like an ignorant idiot, making suggestive remarks about Bespoke Basques, which are actually Alya’s designs. ‘Go on pal, do one,’ Jason tells him.
Beth is clearly as proud as a mother can possibly be when she shows Craig’s fabulous artwork as a tribute to those who died. Or was it just for Maddie? As Eileen, Alya, Gary and then Carla gaze upon the work, Beth declares it, ‘Done by a genius.’ She speaks of a newfound appreciation of contemporary art. In the café, Talisa tells Beth that her hair is lovely and that Beth reminds her of Sonia, the singer from Liverpool who hit the charts in the 1980s. A good day for Beth!?
Alya asks Carla if she’s having trouble sleeping. ‘Look at her – business as usual.’ Mary ticks Alya off and seems to have taken on a bit moral crusade in these 2 episodes.
Kylie is doing her best but things aren’t good chez the Platts. Understandably, Max is a little ill at ease around Kylie. He doesn’t want her to brush his hair and tells her, ‘You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not even a proper mum. Callum cannot resist launching an attack on Kylie, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child. Callum suggests that Max’s ADHD medication should be kept in a safe, away from Kylie as she would be unable to resist taking them. It cannot be easy for Kylie, who Gail refers to as a Stepford Wife, ‘Aggressively cheerful.’
Kylie and Maria meet in the street. Kylie tells Maria that everything is pointless. Maria tells Kylie that her kids are a reason to keep going. And proving the Platts wrong.That is reason enough for anyone.
Admirably, Kylie visits the doctor and is honest about the drug habit she’s had. She points out that keeping drug free is the hardest part, which Kylie more than likely knows only too well. She is given leaflets and takes them home. Gail and David are reading them and Kylie tells them that that she cannot get clean without their help.
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