- Mary appears unwell. Angie and Den talk about the Vic's bottom line, but can't agree on how to boost business. Angie eventually sends Den off to check out a strip act. Pauline leads Naima astray, Debbie upsets Mary and Ian finally snaps.
- The episode opens with Mary in a towel, coughing coming into her flat. Sue comes in and complains about Mary taking up the shower and having her wet nappies in the way. At first Sue is yelling but she settles down and becomes a bit more sympathetic. Ali comes in shirtless and is sympathetic straight away and puts his arm around Mary which obviously bothers Sue. They leave when Annie cries and Mary says that she has to feed her. On the way out Sue comments that she doesn't know why Mary doesn't bottle feed and Mary tells her that she likes breastfeeding as it makes her feel closer to Annie.
Den and Angie discuss how the pub isn't going so well and Den suggests "dolly barmaids with ..." and makes a gesture meaning large breasts. Angie doesn't agree with that idea. Later Den tries to bring up the idea of strippers for The Vic but Angie tells him to forget it, only later she appears to have a change of heart and sends Den to check out a strip act that night that she has heard about, much to Den's surprise and pleasure.
At the launderette, Kath and Pauline are talking about their kids and Pauline's pregnancy when Ian comes in to borrow money for a surprise. The surprise turns out to be a big meal he is making with different cuisines from different countries and he asks Tony if he can get some tips off him. Later he drops around to Tony's flat and talks about his parents differing ideas for his future.
In the cafe Ali tells Sue that his brother saw Nick Cotton, but that he didn't tell the cops because he is a family man too and values his health. Sue has a go at him for perving on Mary that morning. Ali tells her he is just worried about her and that she is obviously ill and not eating properly. He placates Sue and they get a bit snugly just as Pete walks in and jokingly threatens to call the vice squad.
At the launderette Naima tells Pauline that she is still angry at Saeed for getting drunk and that everyone is laughing at them because of it. Pauline tells her that actually it is the opposite and that "a lot more think more of him because of it". Mary comes in with the pram to dry her nappies there. Pauline notices that she isn't looking well and Mary says she feels faint so Pauline takes the nappies from her and says she will fix them up. Pauline suggests that they go halves on a bottle of 'plonk' and Naima agrees to come back at lunchtime. Pauline invites Mary to come in too, and says she will cover Mary's share 'cos Mary is broke.
Kelvin is at Tony's flat and they talk about the flat and Kelvin expresses his problems with being in the middle of Tony and his mum. Tony kids him about playing the field with Sharon and Michelle and Kelvin kids back that he is following in his dads footsteps. This sobers Tony's mood though and tells Kelvin that he is probably better off without any advice from him.
Pete drops a bottle of wine around to Naima. He is friendly towards Saeed and makes a joke about Saeed getting drunk the day before. Next we see Pauline and Naima having a drink and Pete playing some music on the radio. Then Den comes in and joins them and Mary too. Pauline tells Pete that she thinks Kathy might be broody (wanting to have another baby) but this idea is knocked on the head later on when Pete puts it to Kathy. She denies it and they argue more about Ian, and Ian comes along and hears them. He leaves without telling them what he was going to say.
The party keeps going in the launderette when Ali, Tony and Angie join in. Michelle comes in and asks if she can do some shifts at the launderette since Dot, Nicks mother is away. Ali tells Mary she should go to the doctor, but she claims to only be tired.
At The Vic Angie threatens to close the pub and take a holiday herself if Den doesn't find someone to fill in while Den is away. Debbie, Andy, Ali and Sue discuss how Mary isn't looking well. Sue thinks it is none of their business but Ali thinks that Andy should talk to her and tell her to see the doctor, but Andy doesn't want to interfere.
Kelvin visits his dad again and complains a lot about his mother and tells Tony that from now on he is going to do what he wants to do and wants to leave school, and not even go back next term.
Debbie visits Mary and after noticing a new patch of damp on the wall she upsets Mary by being judgemental. She apologises for that but then switches to a patronising tone and tries to tell Mary to write things down and plan with regards to getting something done about the state of her flat. She tells Mary that she will go with her to get pamphlets etc so that she knows her rights and entitlements. Mary tells her to mind her own business and clear off.
Den returns early from the strip show, and is not happy and goes upstairs. Angie laughingly tells Sue how she sent him off to see a male stripper.
Ian is at the Fowler's preparing his surprise meal for the family. Pete, Kath and Pauline arrive and Pete hassles him again about being into cooking and keeps trying to play fight with him. Ian ends up telling him to "naf off" and when Kathy tells him not to talk to his father like that he tells her off too and tells them to "stuff the meal, stuff the lot of ya" and storms out, slamming the front door.
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