2396: Dom lashes out at Russ
Airs on Monday, September 29 2008 at 18:30 BST on Channel 4
Russ tries to come to terms with the massive changes in his life. As baby Max's father, Russ acknowledges to Tina that the situation is going to take a lot of getting used to. Tina's happy that Russ has accepted his fatherhood, but wonders where it leaves her. Russ suggests that before they make any decisions they need to reveal the truth to Tony, Jacqui and Dom.
Heading over to Il Gnosh, Dom's surprised to see Tina and Russ together. Mercedes wonders if they've been having an affair but Russ pushes Tina to speak. Jacqui fears what's about to happen and tries to prevent it but Tina caves and tells a stunned Tony and Dom that Russ is the father of baby Max.
A devastated Tony demands some answers and wonders if Jacqui knew anything about it. Tina covers for Jacqui, while Dom scurries away, unable to deal with the horrible truth. Finding Dom, Tony tries to comfort his brother but Dom sees red and lashes out at Russ.
Malachy is weighed down with guilt as he still dreads the thought of telling Mercedes he could have given her HIV. Arranging to meet for a drink, Malachy practices what he's going to say until Mercedes turns up, obviously distraught. Mercedes relays what's just happened with Tina and Russ and Malachy sees it's upset her more than she's letting on.
Unable to give her more bad news, Malachy just takes her in his arms and comforts her. Back in Mercedes' bedroom, Malachy tries to resist Mercedes' attempts to woo him in to bed, still trying to tell her the awful truth about the HIV. But Mercedes is persuasive and when she tells Malachy she loves him, Malachy is stunned. He tells Mercedes he loves her too, as they fall in to bed.
Amy tells Josh she's going to have an abortion. Josh is stunned when Amy further reveals that she's not told her dad. Josh tells her not to worry; he'll look after her, but is a little surprised when Amy asks him to go to the abortion clinic with her later in the week. Josh agrees to go.
Later, Mike begins extolling the virtues of being a grandfather again to a bewildered Josh. Smelling a rat, Mike notices Josh is behaving evasively and demands an explanation. Josh keeps quiet, but Mike guesses it's something to do with the baby. Amy returns to a barrage of questions from Mike and angry with Mike's assumption that she's doing this to get rid of Ste, and that he'll always be Leah's father whether she likes it or not, Amy lets slip that Ste was never Leah's dad in the first place. A stunned Josh heads off, fed up to hear another lie from Amy.
Feeling guilty over Cindy's behaviour last week, Darren tries to make it up to Newt. But Newt is in hiding, fearful that Eli has returned. Darren calls Cindy, concerned that Newt's behaviour has scared her off for good. Cindy acts blasé but is secretly glad that Darren has called and heads over to the Dog, only to find Darren cooking Newt's tea and pandering after him. Cindy's disturbed and advises Darren to call her when he's stopped playing nursemaid to Newt.
2397: Mercedes learns of Malachy's deceit
Airs on Tuesday, September 30 2008 at 18:30 BST on Channel 4
Mercedes is on cloud nine after her night of passion with Malachy. Malachy remains guilt-ridden after being unable to tell her the truth about his HIV status, but Mercedes is blissfully unaware as she heads off to work. Feeling slightly better after his course of treatment, Kris decides it's time to head back to The Dog for a shift. Malachy panics that Kris and Mercedes will soon meet and Kris will find out Mercedes hasn't been told the truth. Malachy rushes round to the McQueens' to find Mercedes has left, but Myra drags Malachy inside to help her with a bleaching disaster.
Mercedes arrives at the Dog and Kris is surprised at her light-hearted attitude, sure she must be covering her feelings about recent events. Mercedes becomes suspicious and pushes Kris to reveal what he is hinting at. Kris is shocked to realise Mercedes knows nothing about the HIV. Mercedes later finds Malachy on The Dog Patio and demands he tells her the truth. As a shocked crowd look on, a distraught Mercedes forces the truth out of Malachy - that he could have infected her with HIV.
Tina feels like an outcast in the village as Russ assures her that she and Max can stay as long as they want. Tina's grateful, but remains unsure what it means for their future. Meanwhile, Dom and Tony still reel from the revelation and an angry Tony advises Dom he's better off out of his relationship with Tina. Jacqui, secretly guilty and wanting an escape, pays a visit to Tina and thanks her for not telling Tony that she knew Russ was the father. Tina agrees to keep quiet, but feels awful about hurting Dom and decides she wants to explain to him properly.
Jacqui accompanies Tina to the patio where she meets Dom and Tony. Dom's ready to hear Tina's explanation, but when Tina cites her run-in with Pete Webster as the reason she slept with Russ, Dom is angered with her excuses and asserts that she has destroyed his life and will never forgive Tina for sleeping with Russ.
Amy reveals to Josh that Mike has forgiven her for lying, but Josh couldn't care less - he's too concerned that Amy's oblivious that she lied to him about Ste being Leah's father. Amy admits she's made mistakes but desperately wants Josh to understand why she did it. Josh heads off, unable to cope with more deceit from Amy. Amy finds Josh in the village and assures him she feels awful for lying, but she doesn't want to be with Ste anymore - she wants to be with Josh. Josh is shocked and wonders if she really means it. Amy reveals that she never loved Ste as much as she loved Josh and wants them to try again. Josh admits that's all he's ever wanted.
Darren decides to plan a special meal for Jack and Frankie to encourage them to leave for Spain together. Jack's not sure it will work, but Darren's convinced Frankie will go for it. Cindy suspiciously wonders what Darren is up to but he remains aloof. She heads round to The Dog and misinterprets Darren's attempts to sweet-talk Frankie as him flirting with her to get his hands on The Dog. Cindy's disgusted and flees as Darren's plans are thwarted once again.
2398: Amy affirms her relationship with Josh
Airs on Wednesday, October 1 2008 at 18:30 BST on Channel 4
Mercedes is in self-destruct mode after finding out she could have HIV. Myra finally gets the truth out of her and is horrified at the situation Mercedes has got herself in. Mercedes lashes out and blames Myra for being a terrible mother. As mother and daughter come to terms with the reality of the situation, Myra decides to find Jacqui and pay Malachy a visit. Jacqui's furious with Malachy and Myra accuses him of ruining Mercedes' life. But Kris sticks up for his brother and orders the women to leave.
Meanwhile, Mercedes crosses Tina and Russ in the village and becomes angered by their seemingly-perfect family. Tony manages to calm her down and takes her upstairs, but it soon becomes apparent that Tony's concerned that she could have infected him with HIV when they slept together. Mercedes is horrified at Tony's selfishness, and assures him he's got nothing to worry about. Tony feels awful and consoles a distraught Mercedes just as Jacqui arrives back and thanks a guilty Tony for being the perfect boyfriend.
It's the day of Amy's abortion. Spending time with Leah, Amy begins to have second thoughts about going through with it, but Josh reminds her about not wanting Ste in her life anymore. Secretly hoping that Amy doesn't change her mind, Josh heads off to buy her some flowers when he stumbles across Ste and Justin. Ste can't help winding Josh up but Josh warns Ste off revealing that not only is he back with Amy, but he's taking her to have an abortion today. Ste is horrified and rushes off to find Amy.
Amy's furious that Josh betrayed her, while Ste begs her not to go through with the abortion. Amy explains to Ste that she's already decided not to have the abortion. Ste is grateful and tells Amy he's changed and still loves her, but Amy is adamant that this doesn't change a thing - she's with Josh now, and doesn't want him in her life. Ste's furious and heads home to trash the flat, violently threatening a shocked Justin.
Tina begins to ease in to family life with Russ, still unsure of the set-up but enjoying the familiar day to day routine. Similarly, Russ is becoming comfortable with Max and enjoys spending time with him. Crossing with Mercedes in the village, Tina becomes upset when Mercedes directs her anger towards her. Russ defends Tina, and can't help wondering if his relationship would have worked out if Mercedes was more like Tina. Tina ponders on Russ's statement and wonders if he's hinting at a relationship. Later, as Russ is poring over a lad's mag, Tina dolls herself up and flirts with a bemused Russ, but Russ pushes a mortified Tina away insisting he doesn't see her like that.
Darren reveals to Cindy that he was planning on getting rid of Frankie and Jack to get his hands on the Dog yesterday, until Cindy ruined everything. Cindy realises she has to encourage Darren to try again, and rushes round to the pub to convince him. Darren's unmoved until Cindy suggests they discuss things in the bedroom. Easily swayed, Darren locks up the pub and agrees to give it another go.
2399: Mercedes breaks down
Airs on Thursday, October 2 2008 at 18:30 BST on Channel 4
Jacqui persuades Mercedes to go for an HIV test. Mercedes agrees to go but wants to do it alone. Meanwhile, Malachy wallows in self-pity, sure that his own life is over. Kris becomes fed up with his attitude and decides it's time for him to sort his future out. Malachy is angered, but Kris reminds him that he's scared too and wants to know exactly how he can help Malachy with his HIV. Malachy relents and agrees to accept Kris' help. Mercedes heads to the SU bar for a drink after her HIV test. Angry with the world, she begins flirting with a bemused Zak, who gently lets her down.
Later, as Mercedes flirts dangerously with some random men, Jacqui arrives and pulls her away. Mercedes storms off while Jacqui follows, allowing Mercedes to vent her anger and distress. Eventually, Mercedes breaks down in her sister's arms, finally giving in to her grief.
Darren suggests Frankie and Jack spend the day with each other. Darren assures Jack it's just what Frankie needs. Frankie, however, thinks the idea is ridiculous but agrees when Jack pleads with her to give him a chance. Darren's pleased when Frankie agrees to find out about Newt's adoption today and if all goes according to plan, she'll tell him about the move to Spain.
Meanwhile, Newt's concerned that the Osbornes are keeping secrets again and worries that he'll be sent back into care. Steph's furious that Newt's been driving himself mad with worry and charges over to The Dog only to find Frankie and Jack seemingly enjoying themselves. Steph is horrified and reveals Newt's fears prompting Frankie to tell Newt about Spain straight away. Newt's happy and Darren is relieved but after a phone call from Social Services, Frankie reveals that the adoption has fallen through, Darren's plan is thwarted again as Frankie confirms that if Newt can't come with her, there's no way she's moving to Spain.
Ste attempts to apologise to Justin for his behaviour yesterday but Justin remains unconcerned but challenges Ste to a game of football. Ste agrees, wondering what Justin has got planned. Justin suggests Ste should vent his anger on the football rather than other people and assures him that the only way to win Amy back is through behaving like a man. Ste agrees and laughs off his childish behaviour, but Justin warns him against being violent towards him again - he will regret it. Ste gets the message and when Justin has an idea about anger management classes, Ste agrees to give it a go.
Russ feels embarrassed about rejecting Tina yesterday and spends most of the day avoiding her. Meeting Zak in the SU Bar, Russ finds himself defending Tina against Zak's criticism of her dullness. Zak wonders if Russ is being a little too defensive, but Russ has had enough and after witnessing how upset Tina is over Mercedes, decides that Tina needs his support. Heading home, Russ enjoys being with Tina and as they become closer he leans in for a kiss.
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