Tanya tosses in her bed and awakes confused. She looks at her clock, and it’s 3:08 a.m. Max is standing outside smoking as Jack walks up. Jack tells him he’s got it bad, doesn’t he? Max tells him that they are getting back together. Tanya comes downstairs and hears voices. Inside the family room, Sean is helping Abi with Marge. Tanya asks Abi what she’s doing up at this hour? Abi tells her mum she had a bad dream. Tanya sends her up to bed as she has school in a few hours. Tanya tells Sean he’s really good with her. Sean laughs and says that it’s his Dr. Doolittle touch. She tells him she meant with Abi. She asks if Abi questioned him being there. Sean says to Tanya that he told Abi he fell asleep on the couch but doesn’t think she believed him. Tanya notices Abi is standing in the doorway and sends her up to bed and shuts the door.
Tanya tells Sean that they can do this, and Max will have nothing when it is all over. Sean is not so sure that her plan will work. Sean tells her that he doesn’t want Max living there. Tanya tells Sean that there is no other way to get their hands on his money. Max has to believe she wants him back. Sean says, “you and him living here all nice and cozy! Will he be moving back in your bed, will he?” Tanya tells him no, Max won’t be! How could you even ask me that?
Jack says he doesn’t get it as right about now Tanya should be cutting your crotches out of your trousers. Max tells Jack that she loves him, always has. Jack nods towards Tanya’s and asks, “well, what about him?” as Sean walks out the front door of Tanya’s.
Stacey ignores Steven’s phone call. The house phone rings, and she answers and tells Steven she doesn’t want to talk to him and hangs up. Her mum comes in and wonders why she won’t talk to him. The phone rings again, and Jean answers. She tells Stacey it’s for her. Stacey shakes her head no. Jean tells the caller that Stacey is in-decapitated at the moment. She frantically says, “Oh!” and starts to write down a message for Stacey. Stacey’s interest is piqued. Jean tells the caller thank you! Jean looks at Stacey and wonders why she didn’t tell her?
Max shows up at Tanya’s. She asks him what he’s doing there? He asks if they can talk? She tells him she’s got to get the girls to school. She asks if they could meet for lunch later? Max tells Tanya he will book a table at Fargo’s. They agree to meet later.
Jean wonders why Stacey never told her about applying for a dress design course? Stacey tells Jean that she never mentioned it because she’s not going! Jean replies that they’ve rung her up! Jean tells her the time of the appointment, and she has nothing to lose by going. Stacey explains she is not going because Steven went and did this behind her back. Jean doesn’t understand and thinks it was nice of Steven. Stacey grabs his sketchbook and shows Jean all the sketches he’s drawn of Stacey. She tells her mum it’s one step off of stalking!
Jack and Bradly chat about him getting out and looking for a job again. Bradley says he’s calling some old mates and seeing what can happen.
Shirley comes in and brings in the magazine with the competition photos. Minty comes in behind Shirley. Heather is flipping through to their photo. She is excited to see their photo. Minty apologizes and thinks they are well stuffed. Heather is confused. He explains that Donna met him and Hazel. She will certainly call them out on their lie now. Heather blindly thinks no one will notice. Shirley reminds her that Heather and Minty are Donna’s competition. Too right, she’ll rat you out! Heather says they are not giving up. She offers to ring up the magazine. Shirley warns her off from calling.
Steven wonders where Jane is? Ian explains she’s shopping. Ian is caught up in being an entrepreneur and explains to Steven how to be one. Spot a gap in the market and go for it he tells Steven. Clare glances up at them. Stacey comes in and asks for a cup of tea. Steven smiles at her. He walks over and says, good morning. He wonders if the college called. Stacey tells Steven she is not going. He wonders why not? She explains she doesn’t want all those college types staring at her. She doesn’t have her GSCE’s, and she isn’t interested. He is confused by her. She tells him again she is not going.
Heather is on the phone with the competition coordinator. Heather says, “well, you can’t fake being in love, can you? Ok, I’ll tell Minty.” Shirley thinks she’s nuts for telling them. Minty thinks it’s all over. Heather explains she was trying to get Donna’s phone number. But it turns out Donna did a runner with her fiance’s brother! They are still in it; she tells them. Minty thinks they’ve won if their competition is out! Heather explains to him that the couple below them were bumped up, so the competition is still on! Shirley points out that Donna’s bloke could still call up and rat them out. Heather feels like this is like living on death row! Shirley tells her to cheer up as she is the one who is always saying never to give up!
Sean comes into the pub. Max asks Sean if he’s received his marching papers yet? Sean says he hasn’t. Sean asks Max if he even knows what Tanya wants? Max says she’s only using Sean to get at him. Sean says she hasn’t complained about what he’s been giving her. Max tells him to get on his bike and go.
Heather, Shirley, and Minty come into the pub. Shirley tells everyone that Heather has an announcement to make at 2:00 p.m. She tells everyone to be there. Shirley tells them all that Heather will even toss in some crisp. Phil tells her he doesn’t have the staff to cover. Shirley wonders where Peggy is. Phil explains that Sal has sprung her ankle. Shirley reminds him that he is Minty’s mate. Phil tells her they should get out of this scam competition.
Steven works on Stacey to try to convince her to take the chance. He tells her she has talent. She tells him to knock in on the head. Stacey tells him that she’s seen the drawings. Steven asks if she’s gone through his drawings. She tells him she has. She says he’s just like the rest. Make out that you care, but you are all only after one thing. Steven walks away. Stacey seems to have second thoughts.
Max and Tanya cheer to a better future. He tells her he’s never going to let her down again. She tells him he said that the last time. He sighs heavily. Tanya tells Max that she has been thinking about it, and she doesn’t think she can trust him again. He swears on his life he will never look at anyone else again. She says, “every time you’re late, or you say you’ve been held up or a cold caller just hangs up, I will be knotted up. I’ll be going through your things, hating myself for doing it, and even if I don’t find anything, it won’t matter. Because once trust is gone, it’s gone for good.” He wonders why she is there with him now? Mex replies, “I know exactly why you are here now, and so do you. You are here because you want it to work.” Tanya says it can’t work. Tanya makes a move to leave. Max stops her. He tells her he will do anything to make her trust him. He’ll buy her a bigger house, a house in Spain. Whatever it takes. She says what use is a beautiful house if I can’t trust you? Tanya tells him she can think of something. He can sign over everything he owns to her so that if he ever does this again, her and the kids won’t be left out. Max is not sure about this. Tanya explains that if he means what he says, that he will never look at another, then he won’t be left penniless. So you are sitting there swearing you’ll never cheat on me again and you can’t do it.
Sean is sitting at the pub. Clare comes in and speaks with Ian. Phil wonders what she’s drinking? She orders a red wine compliments of Ian. Minty opens crisp, and Shirley calls attention. Heather starts to explain what is happening; only she confuses everyone. Shirley takes over and tells the patrons that Minty and Heather are getting married to win this competition. When they win, Minty will go after Hazel, and Heather will have some plastic surgery. So they all need to play along if anyone from the magazine starts sniffing about.
Max asks Tanya if she’s told the girls about him coming home? She replies that she needs to prepare them. Max wants to know that she is genuine about this. Tanya tells him she is and wonders if he is. He says, of course, he is but wants to know if Sean is still in the picture? She tells him of course not. He wonders if that is the truth? She asks him what he is accusing her of? She asks him when did she ever look at another man? And you’re accusing me? She tells him she trusted him. All that time, she was carrying his child, and he doesn’t trust her? He asks her when she plans on telling Sean to push off? She says that she hasn’t had the chance. Max asks her, really? Tanya tells Max she hasn’t seen him. Max says that the lying can’t be done. Trust has to work both ways. He tells Tanya that he saw Sean leave hers last night. She tells Max that she wanted to tell him last night, but she’s been putting it off. Max wonders why she hasn’t told Sean then? Tanya explains that she’s put it off because she knows he will take it badly. Max sighs, picks up her phone and calls Sean.
Sean answers, and it’s Max telling him that his wife wants to talk to him. Tanya takes the phone from Max. Sean says, “so he’s swallowed the bait then?” Tanya says to Sean that she and Max are getting back together. Sean starts to tear up. She says that he’s just going to have to accept it. Sean says, “so I’m just supposed to sit back and watch him put his hands all over you?” Tanya tells him that she loves Max, and he’s just going to have to move on. Sean says I can’t, and maybe I’ll tell him what you’re really after. Tanya says, “you wouldn’t!” Max tries to take the phone from her. She hangs up and tells Max he’s gone. Max asks, “he wouldn’t what?” She tells him that Sean threatens to beat him up. Max says he can handle it. She tells him that Sean is dangerous. Max appreciates that she cares. She asks him if he cares enough to do what she’s asked? He tells her that he will once he’s back home. He swears on his life.
Shirley finds Ben on the steps. He tells her that his Dad can’t go to parents’ night as he’s too busy. Shirley goes to speak with Phil about it. He tells her she’s the one that decided to pack half of Walford in there. Shirley tells Phil that it sounds like Ben already knew he wouldn’t go. He tells her that Ben is fine, and he doesn’t need to go for a teacher to tell him how to raise his own kid. Shirley asks what makes him say that? Phil says nothing, but he’s had a lot of things to deal with as a kid. Shirley looks at him and says she’s going to get her coat. She tells Phil and says this is a really big favor she’s doing him as she swore she’d never step foot in school again.
Steven comes into the caff and finds Stacey. She wonders what he wants. He shows her his sketchbook and reminds her that they are mates, nothing more. He wonders if she’s considered doing that course? He offers to bring chips round. She tells him if he keeps feeding her chips, she’s going to be a size 20.
Lucy is sitting over at the next table, and Lauren comes in. Lucy shows Lauren two youth identity cards and exclaims they can now get in wherever they want. Peter comes in and asks if he is late? Lucy wonders why he’s there? Lauren tells Lucy she invited him along. Lucy says she’s not bothered, but Peter won’t get into the film as he doesn’t look old enough. Peter says he’d rather go bowling anyway. Lauren points out that they can all do that together. Lucy says no thanks as she’d just be the one to keep score. She says she’d rather not see them dribble all over one another. Lauren passes her back the card and says if she changes her mind. Lucy says, no, thanks. A boy moves over to the seat in front of Lucy. She looks at him and says, “did I say that chair was free?” He tells Lucy that he’s not moving until she lets him buy her a coffee.
Jack runs into Bradley. He asks if the fish aren’t biting? Bradley tells Jack no, they aren’t as most of his mates and old boss have left the company. Bradley says he thought he’d walk back in and just get a job. Jack tells him to keep his head up.
Shirley sets her cigarettes down on the desk. The teacher tells her, “You can’t smoke in here, Mrs. Mitchell.” Phil leans in and says they aren’t married. She replies she’s still waiting on him to make an honest woman of her. Ben’s teacher says he shouldn’t have assumed. Shirley says he’d be surprised what people assume about her. Ben’s teacher gets on with the report on Ben. Phil is ready to hear the worst, and he is corrected. The teacher tells him that Ben is a wonderful student with a great sense of humor. He shares some of Ben’s poetry. Phil asks if his mates are pushing him around? His teacher tells him he’s not and is actually very popular with his mates. Phil is happy to hear that Ben is a very bright student. Shirley chides Phil about where Ben got all that from as it wasn’t from him.
Sean shows up at Tanya’s doorstep. Max is watching from his car as Tanya lets Sean in. Tanya wants to know what Sean is playing at? She tells Sean that Max was sitting right across from her and could have heard everything! Sean doesn’t care, and he doesn’t want Max gloating about being back with her. Sean wonders what is going to happen when he tries to crawl back in her bed? Tanya says she can’t stand the thought of him touching her. Sean says they should just go. Tanya insists that he has to pay, and she’s going to hurt him where it hurts the most. She tells Sean that Max is not like him. She asks Sean if he’s going to help her. Max knocks and comes in the back door. He asks Tanya what Sean is doing there.
Ben wonders if Shirley fancies his teacher? She tells him No, he’s not my type. He asks if she got his Dad to go? She said that she gave him a little nudge. Phil comes in, and Shirley teases him that she had to hold his Dad’s hand. Shirley goes downstairs to check on the bar. Ben asks his Dad if Shirley has a boyfriend? Phil wonders if he’s thinking about his teacher? Ben tells his Dad that his teacher wouldn’t be right for Shirley. Phil smiles a large happy smile.
Max tells Sean that Tanya has already told him he’s moving back in. Sean begs Tanya not to do this. Tanya tells Sean she’s already told him. Max tells Sean that Tanya doesn’t want him. Sean tells Max he’ll hear it from Tanya. Tanya looks at Sean and tells him that she wants Max to come back. Max tells Sean that the only reason Tanya was ever with him was to get at him. Tanya shakes her head no behind Max’s back. Max tells Sean that if he ever finds him sniffing around her. Sean pushes back and says he’ll what? Tanya tells them to stop it. Sean says he gets no choice in all of this? Max says she’s made up her mind. Tanya tells Sean she wants Max. Sean says fine and goes to leave. Max grabs him and says if I ever. Sean puffs up at Max and Tanya steps in again. Sean leaves. Tanya tells Max he should not provoke him. Max heads back to work. Tanya assures him she will be ok.
Heather puts an envelope in the post box and sighs a heavy sigh.
Tanya grabs a glass and drinks when Sean comes in the back door. She looks at him nervously. Sean looks at her and says, “He deserves whatever is coming to him.” Tanya grabs Sean into a kiss.