Storylines in the show

It is the anniversary of Viv Slater's death and Mo has got up early to visit her grave. She returns quietly, so as not to let the others know she has been out. In the kitchen, the girls are discussing what to do. Maureen wants to visit the grave but Kat doesn't want to do anything. Lynne decides to go to church to light a candle and Zoe offers to go with her. As Charlie gets up, he says he'll go and visit the grave in the afternoon as there would be a burial near by that morning. He apologizes for going over the top about setting him up with Pauline. "I don't want any bad feeling. Not today," he says.

Maureen asks Mo if dad would mind if she went to the cemetery with him.

"Don't start that again. You heard him, he wants to go on his own," says Kat

"He might not," says Mo, "I was thinking this morning perhaps we'd all go down together."
"Yeah great," says Kat, "It could be like a surprise party. We could all jump out from behind the grave at him."

"Shut up."

"Look I just reckon he'd be touched if we all turned up. What do you reckon Nan?"

"I think you're right," agrees Mo.

"Well I'm not going." Says Kat adamantly

"You are." replies Mo, and then turns back to Maureen. "You tell Lynne and Zoe and I'll ring Bel."

In the launderette, Mo is asking Pauline about Dot's case as Pat walks in. "I've worked out who your fancy man is. I saw Frank scuttling out of yours twice yesterday."

Back at Number 23, Maureen tells Mo that Lynne and Zoe are eager to go to the cemetery. She asks whether Bel would make it. "Her cleaner says they've gone away for a few days. Typical."

In the kitchen, Kat is still refusing to go. "How would you feel if you'd lost your daughter?" asks Mo, "You've got all year to think about yourself, but today is for your mother."

Mo and the girls, including Kat, decide to go to the Vic before visiting the cemetery. As they enter, Ian approaches Lynne asking her why she isn't working in the cafe. "We're going to the cemetery to pay our respects to our mum," Zoe tells him.

At the bar, Kat tries to wind Mel up by telling her she got her order wrong, but Maureen puts her right. As Steve walks in Kat notices an atmosphere between him and Mel. She takes the opportunity to introduce herself. "I'm Kat," she says, "and where have you been hiding?" {CLIP}

Steve buys her a drink and tries to excuse Mel's abruptness. "She's just got a bit of an attitude sometimes, you know what I mean."

Kat tells him she is going to her mums grave. "All you need to know is that I'm looking for someone to take my mind off things and you've just volunteered." Kat tells him, putting her arm in his, also reveling in the jealous looks coming from Mel. Mo is watching this, whilst also watching the nervous behaviour of Frank.

At the cemetery

At the grave, Charlie places some flowers down with a card.

" To Viv, the best wife a man could ask for. C."

He is glad to see the rest of the family as they approach and they pay their respects together.

"She used to hold this family together," says Charlie.

"She still does." Says Mo

"And you do Dad," Says Zoe, cling hold of Charlie.

Lynne produces a bottle of champagne. "I just thought we should be celebrating mum's life, not mourning her death." As they leave the grave, Kat stays behind, seemingly unmoved. After a while Lynne approaches her; she has been crying.

As the family return to the square, Pat catches up with Mo. "I want to put an end to all this rubbish about me and Frank," she says.

"Oh shut up," replies Mo, "Right now I don't want to hear about your tacky little sex life. O.K."

In the house Lynne tries to comfort Kat. "I always thought that she had something over me'" mourns Kat, " Like if I put one foot wrong she'd throw the past back in my face."

Back in the pub, Mo asks Charlie about his future. If he finds someone else, they won't want the mother-in-law hanging around. "Listen Mo," he says, " As far as women are concerned I'm quite happy living in the past. I've got enough happy memories to last me until I go so don't start packing just yet."

As a gesture, Frank offers the round of drinks on the house, but can't help but look guilty as Mo watches him.

Monday 16 October

Struggles

As Beppe and Jack fight in the street, it draws a crowd including Mo Harris, who calls out from the window,, "Get in there, my son!"

"Shall I call the police?" asks Laura.

"From what I heard, they are the police," replies Mo.

As the struggle continues in the square, Mark hurts his arm trying to break them up.

The following morning Mark is feeling bruised and is worried he might have a legion forming on his arm and after taking out his frustration on Lynne in the cafe, he informs Zoe that she would have to work alone on the stall as he visits the doctor. "I hope you've told that Mark Fowler you want double time working on your own," chimes in Mo.

Meanwhile Robbie manages to get a five minute date with Kat in the cafe, only because she wanted to get rid of Garry's attention. It almost looked as if Robbie was getting somewhere when Pauline chucked Jim out of the launderette complaining about fleas!

"Oh nice. That's really nice, that is!" she says, storming off.

In the cafe, Garry tells Jamie about the traffic light theory of girls. "When it comes to women there are three types of signals. Red : you don't stand a hope. Amber : Buy her a bunch of flowers and you might stand a chance, and you've got your green ; you are sorted." He informs Jamie, and continues to help him with his love life. Outside the cafe, Garry bumps into Kat. "Oh leave it out will you," says Kat, "If it's not Robbie Jackson boring the pants off me, then it's you. And believe me Garry that's the closest you're coming to my underwear."

Tuesday 17 October

Zoe manages the stall

It's early in the morning and Maureen has been woken up by Zoe's alarm. As she has breakfast, she takes the opportunity to moan to Charlie about the arrangements. "It's not where I sleep, it's who with," she complains.

Zoe has to set up the stall as Mark has disappeared. "Maybe he's not well again," she tells Pauline, "Well, he went to the doctors yesterday." This worries Pauline. Zoe takes the keys and sets up the stall with the help of Robbie.

In the cafe, Garry tells Robbie that he is in with a chance with Zoe, he just has to be persistent. "Have you ever wondered," he asks Robbie, "How some ugly blokes always seem to pull gorgeous birds?"

"Hang on, are you calling me ugly?" asks Robbie, cottoning on. Garry continues to give advice and suggests Robbie should have a party for his birthday.

Back at the house, the Thieves, Clive and Trace, are visiting Mo, but she is caught by Maureen. "You'd better not be buying anything off them, you know what dad said," warns Maureen.

At the stall, Robbie asks Zoe to come to his party. "Sounds like fun," she says, "Can I bring a mate?"

"OK, but you're only allowed to bring a single, unattached female," Robbie replies.

"Oh she's that alright." Zoe says, with a wicked smile.

In the cafe, Kat is on the phone, recalling the fun she had the previous night. "A bus driver. He was gorgeous," she says, "So I gave him an eyeful in his rear view mirror."

Maureen enters and tells Kat and Lynne that Mo has been buying stuff from the Thieves.

"She's gonna land herself in serious trouble one of these days." Says Lynne.

Steve enters and Kat heads straight for him.

In the pub, Mo is trying to sell her stolen gear. Frank pulls her up. "If Peggy finds out you're flogging that stuff in here she'll go raving mad, you know that?"

"Well don't tell her then," replies Mo, "You know how good you are at keeping secrets."

Back in the square, Mo is still trying to sell her dodgy gear, but is almost caught by Charlie. Luckily she manages to duck away as a van drives past.

Brushes with the Law

Later in the pub, Kat has managed to corner Steve again and, whilst Mel is away, suggests they have some fun. Then her phone rings - it is Mo, she has been arrested! The family go and collect her. "She's still got some fight in her, It took three men to restrain her," recalls Sergeant Walker and adds a friendly warning, "Stay out of trouble Mo."

Back at home Charlie tells her how disappointed he is.

"You're grounded," he tells her.

"You can't ground me," she yells, "I'm a pensioner1"

"You don't leave this house unless someone's with you!" Charlie commands.

Thursday 19 October

Birthday

Outside the cafe, Lynne catches Mo around the square. "I thought you were grounded?"

"He's at work," says Mo, "And I don't want you grassing me up, either."

"Well I like it here, so don't go upsetting everyone." Lynne tells Mo.

As the conversation moves on to Garry, Lynne reminds Mo that he is coming round for dinner.

"He takes you for granted. And that's what winds me up." says Mo.

In the cafe, Robbie reminds everyone it is his birthday, including Zoe, who tells Robbie that the mate she is bringing loves parties. "You just have to be careful she don't have too much to drink though, or she'll be dragging you up to the bedroom." warns Zoe, laughing.

Also in the cafe, Kat tries to make an arrangement with Steve. "I'll be in the Vic tonight," she says, "If you're about."

In the pub, Lynne is daydreaming over a wedding magazine, which gives Peggy the idea to renew her vows with Frank, much to his dismay.

At the Slaters' house, Kat is annoyed that Zoe has stolen a top she wants to wear to the pub, whilst Charlie is babysitting Mo. "If my Viv could see how her poor mum was being treated."

"Alright, I'll take you to the pub." sighs Charlie, giving in.

In the cafe Kat has a slagging match with Zoe over the missing top. As Kat storms out, Zoe quickly moves the top to a different bag, smiling. Janine is also amused by this scene.

Drunk and Disorderly

In the pub, Mo is getting more and more drunk as Kat waits impatiently for Steve. As Steve enters, Kat goes to him as Garry watches, jealously. "It's because his bird's away." he mumbles, "It'll be a different story when she gets back."

Robbie's party is not going well when Zoe turns up. Both Robbie and Jamie make a play for her, whilst Asif throws up in the pot plant. Then Zoe's mate, Kerry turns up and Zoe introduces her to Robbie, "Alright gorgeous." she says to him, C'mon then, let's party!"

Mo is now so drunk, Charlie decides to take her home. Outside the pub they meet Pat.

"Oh look," yells Mo, "There's the old slapper. You won't find much business round here darling. You want to try down by the canal. Do you want to stay here Chaz and have a go on the old tart, everyone else has."

"Oi you," yells Pat, "Hang on a minute."

"What? Off to see your boyfriend?" Continues Mo, "Do you know she told my old man I was having an affair. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.."

"That was a long time ago," says Charlie, trying to calm her down.

"I never understood what my Jimmy saw in you."

"Get lost you old tart." Mo continues, "Do you know she nearly broke my marriage up."

"I wish I had." comments Pat.

"You do, do you?" Mo, says lunging at her. Pat pushes her away saying "Get off of me you cow," and Mo collapses to the ground. Frank comes out of the pub and tries to calm things down. As the family carry Mo away, she calls back, "You've got your fancy man to help you now, have you? Slapper!"

Back at the party, Kerry is making a play for Robbie, and Martin tries it on again with Zoe, without success. "You're just a kid," she informs him, "And I've got my image to think about."

Monday 23 October 2000

Business as usual

At the Slaters, Mo is sporting a black eye after her set-to with Pat and Kat is making a very special effort on her appearance.

In the cafe, Lynne is making Janine work hard and her life hell. And she tries very hard to let everyone know

On Mark's stall, Zoe loses thirty quid after a punter gives her a fiver instead of a twenty - twice. Jamie comes to her rescue, by giving her the money to balance her books - this makes Sonia jealous.

The thieves try to sell Mo a steak for her eye as Pat walks up and asks to see her later.

In the pub, Kat tries to flirt with Steve, but he is still resisting her charms.

Confrontations

Later at the Slaters house, Kat has dolled herself up for a seductive evening.

"Here, what does this do for me?" she asks.

"It looks like it's struggling to cope," laughs Lynne

Little Mo phones up to tell everyone that Trevor is back on the road gangs so she will be staying with them next week.

Pat comes over to have a quiet word with Mo.

"Look," says Mo, "I shouldn't have said them things last night. I was out of order. I know I'm a thieving old bitch, but unlike you I'm no grass."

"So you won't say anything to Roy then." Pat asks.

"No. Mind you I won't have to. It didn't take me long to figure it out. So it ain't gonna take him long either."

"I told you, nothing is going on." lies Pat.

"You're not fooling anyone, live a lie and you'll trip up eventually. Frank. Roy. Choose between them girl, while it is still your decision to make."

At the E20 office, Kat does her best to seduce Steve, who eventually gives in to her. As Kat goes for a bottle of bubbly, Mel returns. She is ready to commit to him. Unfortunately, Kat returns and Mel storms out. {See : The seduction of Steve Owen.}

Tuesday 24 October

Assumptions

In the cafe, Kat tells Lynne that she had a wild night, implying that she slept with Steve, even though she didn't. When she finally catches up with Steve she tells him, "You don't know what you're missing."

Jamie tries to get Kerry to go out with Robbie, so he can have some time alone with Sonia. Kerry declines, so Zoe agrees to go with him.

When Lynne tells Zoe about Kat's night out, Mel overhears and assumes that Kat has slept with Steve.

Thursday 26 October

The Nature of Life

In the Slater house, Mo, Lynne and Garry are watching a nature programme. As the girls complain about the brutality of it, Garry explains the difference between men and women, when it comes to nature. "Women! You are priceless. You just can't handle it can you? Nature. The Nature of life."

"The what?" asks Lynne.

"That is what life's like girl, so get used to it. It's dog eat dog bloody and brutal."

"Put a sock in it." Mo orders.

"Men are built for it you lot just want everything to be dollies and daisies."

"That ain't true." says Lynne. At that moment Little Mo walks in with the dinner.

"EURGH. What's this?" she screams, seeing the programme, "Turn it over someone. I can't watch this, it's gonna give me nightmares."

"I rest my case," says Garry.

Little Mo then tells everyone that she heard screams coming from next door. "I think there's something funny going on next door."

In the pub, Kat continues to wind Mel up. "You know you've got lovely eyes," says Mel, "I wonder what they'll look like outside your head."

As Steve walks in, he and Mel have an argument.

"You've been feeding her some right filth." He says to Kat

"I stayed at Zuki's last night and I ain't told her no different," says Kat, "Mind you, if she thinks we've slept together, It would be a shame to disappoint her."

Midwife Mo

At the Slaters home, the screams from Sonia are getting worse. Thinking that Jamie is hitting her, they all rush round to see what is going on. "I'm dying." screams Sonia.

"You're not dying sweetheart," says Mo, "You're having a baby."

"I can't be."

"Look. I've seen a few births in my time. I help my Viv deliver Lynne on the changing room floor on the Clacton Lido and believe me girl, you're giving birth."

Little Mo enters, carrying towels and hot water.

"What am I gonna do with that?" asks Mo, "Give her a sauna?"

Sonia gives birth to a baby girl, and Garry faints!

Charlie takes Sonia to the hospital, with Mo and Robbie, who has just returned with Zoe.

"I didn't think she was stupid enough to get up the duff at her age," comments Zoe.

At the hospital, Mo, Lynne and Charlie leave Robbie and Sonia alone as she rests after the birth. Sonia cries, "Please Robbie. Get it out. GET IT OUT!"

Monday 30 October

Maureen looks for work

After Zoe had a go at her for not pulling her weight, Maureen decided to look for work. First she asks Pauline who suggests she speak to Ian. She then asks Lynne and Phil who also suggest she speak to Ian. Eventually she decides to ask Ian for a job.

Ian, who is drunk and under a lot of pressure, turns Little Mo down and is very rude to her.

"So basically you have got no discernable ability whatsoever, so why on earth would anyone give you a job?" he tells her.

Frank takes pity on Little Mo and offers her a part time cleaning job at the Vic.

Meanwhile, Mo goes to visit Sonia at hospital and tries to convince Sonia to feed the baby. Sonia tells her that she doesn't want the baby.

Tuesday 31 October

Halloween

Lynne, Zoe and Kat decide to take Maureen out for a drink to celebrate her new job so they take her to the Halloween party at the E20. Whilst there, Billy Mitchell takes a shine to her and tries chatting her up. When he invites her back to look at his goldfish she turns him down. "I don't think my Trevor would like that though," she says, "even if it is just for tea."

The following day Maureen starts her job at the Vic and cleans it from top to bottom.