17th January 2022

Audrey asks Jonny what he wants for dessert tonight. Jonny isn't fussed, until Audrey chooses apple strudel and pulls it out from the shop freezer. Audrey thinks that it's a great price. They chat about Amanda, and what would happen if she was in on it with Alvin. Jonny is off to the library. Jeff walks in and Audrey is delighted, and they chat. Audrey asks him if he's available to talk to later today. Jeff agrees. Audrey pulls out a photo of herself with her a mystery man, and stands pensively. Jeff chats to Jack at the café about Audrey and tells him that he reckons she is flirting. Jack tells him that Audrey flirts with every man with a pulse, even at her age. Jack heads off and Jeff remains confused and goes about his day. Candace and Lydia chat behind the bar, and Candace asks her if Becca has sussed anything, and complains about living in fear. Lydia tells her to forget about, but Candace reckons it's easy for her to say. Tracey pops by and asks Candace to look after the kids later as she is going to the cinema with Ian later. She agrees. Audrey makes coffee for Jonny as he gets ready to work behind the till. Audrey lies and tells him that she's meeting an old friend for coffee. Lydia can sense that Candace is tense and tells her to not think too much about. Candace reckons she should just tell Becca to get it over and done with. Lydia tells her to take her break now. Lydia finds Jeff and Audrey at the bar and brings them over their gins. Jeff cuts to the point, and asks what Audrey wants. Audrey is mildly offended and explains how she just wants more friends her age. The pair laugh and get on. Audrey asks about his ex Gloria, who was once with her ex Eric. Candace get back out and asks Lydia how long Audrey and Jeff have been chatting. Audrey reminisces about Eric. As the pair head off, they chat outside and Audrey vows to see him around.

Laura, on her way back from picking up Anthony and assuring a scared Anthony that all is okay, bumps into Tracey who urges her to come for a drink. Laura tells her it will have to wait. Tracey can see she is stressed and vows to take Anthony home and meet her at the RR later. Laura agrees, and Rick is shocked at Sam shows up at the RR again and explains how he is always made to feel like a child when he is in that house. Rick, who was about to leave, chooses to stay, and gets a double vodka lime for them both. Imelda is shocked to find Tracey at the door with Anthony. Imelda explains that Laura and Sam have been rowing and that Sam has probably gone to the RR to get drunk. Tracey reveals she has sent Laura there too. Sam feels the pressure ease, however, when Laura turns up, Sam thinks she is going after him and tells her to leave him alone. Laura is frustrated to learn he has spent all day at the RR, and turns the blame on Rick. Lydia warns the couple to calm down while Sam defends Rick not being to blame, leading Laura and Sam to have an almighty row, especially when he accidentally calls her Lucy, his ex. She grabs Rick's drink and throws it in his face and storms out. Tracey arrives to witness that. Sam reckons he's sleeping on Rick's couch tonight. Lydia apologises and cleans up the mess. Imelda asks Alicia how school was. Imelda tells her to go upstairs to do her homework as Laura and Tracey arrive. Laura, in tears, realises she has the bar to open and a family to feed. Tracey vows to help Imelda with the kids. Laura explains how she thinks that this family set-up is doomed to fail. Laura heads off to the bar. Rick is in his element as he gets tipsy and vows to get take away as they stroll down the street. Rick encourages Sam to finish his bottle of beer, which he downs. Tracey gets Antony to sleep and Imelda thanks her for being such a nice friend to Laura. As Tracey leaves, she finds Jack at the door. Imelda explains that she is too tired and they can meet up soon. Is Jack leaving? Rick plays his favourite music which Sam enjoys too. Rick complains about girls. Sam catches a glimpse of a photo of Alicia on the coffee table and realises that he should be at home, being a father to his kids, not leaving it to Laura and Karyn. Rick is devastated as Sam puts the kettle on, intending to make a coffee. Rick reckons that Laura needs the space but Sam realises that he needs to go the bar to help Laura.

Karyn is frustrated as Bobby is being annoying and puts him in her bedroom. She is tempted to take more codeine pills. Karyn wakes up from a nap and is awoken by car lights outside, realising that Karl and Piper are back. Immediately, she takes a few more pills and gets the door and hugs them both. Piper says that their honeymoon was a dream. As Karl and Karyn chat as Karyn makes tea, Piper heads upstairs and is curious to find Bobby crying. Piper puts Bobby back into bed, and Karyn comes upstairs mentions he is just tired. Piper questions her on getting help with the addiction. Karyn is mildly offended that she mentioned that, and lies claiming that she has been good while they have been away. Karl wants to go the bar, but Piper is tired. Piper is convinced by new husband Karl, and Karyn and Karl head to Laura's bar ,and finds Laura upset and stressed. Laura is happy to see Piper. Piper ushers Karyn to tend the bar while Piper consoles Laura, who admits that she's been struggling to manage. As Sam walks in, Karyn warns him that Laura is not in the right heads-space. Sam expresses how she has made a mistake and vows to stand by Laura through work and family. Laura comes out from the back, and the pair go back into the office. Karyn gets shots for her, Karl and Piper. Karyn and Karl cheers, feeling optimistic about life again. Piper asks Karyn what's been going on with Sam and Laura. Audrey serves up the strudel and Jonny asks how her friend is. Audrey mentions that she's doing okay was just int he area so they had to meet. Audrey asks him if Amanda will be joining them for dinner, and he doesn't know.