27th January 2022

Rick wakes up and makes a coffee for himself, and gets call regarding a job enquiry that he made, and learns that he didn't make it to the next stage of the interview process. Rick, now in an angry mood, dumps the rest of his coffee down the sink, and heads out. Laura takes the bins out, while Sam asks Imelda if she's heard from Jack. Imelda reckons that he may have left. Alicia wants her babysitting money and Sam hands it to her. Claudia, outside her house, spots Rick and asks if he has found a job yet. Rick has a smoke and states he will find one soon. Claudia wishes him luck. Laura spots Rick in the distance as she brings the empty bags in. At the bar, Laura asks Sam what Rick was telling him about his sister, and Sam fills her in. Imelda learns from a call to Stella that Jack hasn't been in touch, and orders a cab to his house. Sam and Laura reckon they could do with more help from behind the bar. Laura covers her ears as Sam mentions Rick. Laura pops out and bumps into Tracey and asks if she needs a job at the bar, and Tracey politely declines. Laura tells her that her and Sam are getting on really well since Rick hasn't been around. Sam pops out and complains about needing a new office kettle. Tracey reckons the charity shop may have a cheap one, and Laura insists on checking it out. Imelda asks Candace at the corner-shop if she's seen Jack, and she says that she's seen him. Imelda is happy to hear that he hasn't left. Laura finds Jack at the charity shop giving a way a handful of things. Laura wants to know why he hasn't got back to a worried Imelda. Eileen, examining the good, exclaims to Laura how he's planning on moving away. Jack talks about selling his large home, and that prompts Laura to ask him for coffee. Laura trusts Eileen to look after Jack's boxes of goods. Imelda is shocked to find Laura and Jack chatting for a coffee at the café, after he had explained to Laura that he wants to stay because he has made friends, but can't afford to keep the house. Jack keeps his greeting brief explaining that he needs to go. Claudia pops by the charity shop on Paula's behalf, and asks Eileen if she ever found out about what happened to the Xmas toy thief.

Laura tells Imelda not to worry. Later. Sam, Imelda and Laura chat at the dinner table about Jack and his reasons to move away. Laura has to head out, and tells Sam she will be an hour tops.

Ryan confession, Barry feels low. Jane and Natahsa,

Des and Piper enjoy a coffee in the café, and Piper tells her about the stash of pills. Des suggests that Piper throws them away, but Piper reminds Des of how stubborn her daughter can be. Nikki comes to the café, and Piper asks her how her talk with Karyn went. Nikki reveals to her that Karyn cancelled the appointment. Piper looks at Des, annoyed by Karyn's actions. Karl and Claudia chat outside the charity shop as they discuss the honeymoon. Tracey walks by and approaches Karl. Claudia has to leave. Karl tells Tracey to 'spare her thoughts', ignoring her and walks off. Piper and Des are walking outside, livid over Karyn's lie that she claimed to have been seen to by a doctor, Des has to go, while Piper catches Karyn back from the gym. Cilla praises Karyn's work ethic. Piper needs a word with Karyn, who ignores her and goes to the corner shop. Piper complains to Karl at the RR that Karyn isn't doing anything about her pill popping addiction.

Later, Karyn comes home and Karl tells her that Piper is out grocery shopping. As Karyn reaches for more pills, Karl grabs her arm and tells questions 'how she could be so stupid and selfish?'. Karl reveals that Tracey is now on his case. Karyn is angry that Karl is taking the one night stand so lightly. Karl, looking for a solution, insists that she moves out. Karyn laughs and goes upstairs, ignoring Karl. Piper, at work, informs Sam of Karyn's ill-mannered approach. Sam reckons that there must have been a trigger. Cilla walks in, and Piper tells Cilla to keep an eye on Karyn at the gym. Cilla agrees to it.