Episode Guide
Tuesday, 11 August, 2000-2100
Daniel was excited about the grand opening of his new boxing club at the Shieldinch Community Centre until Eileen revealed that Lenny bought the land the club was built on - and was applying for planning permission to build flats on it. Lenny also got a shock when he returned from his holiday with Lydia and asked to see a copy of the land report that Ewan sent on to the planning committee on his behalf. It turned out that the report contained details that could have damaged their chances of getting planning permission. Lenny was furious but decided he could sort out the problem by contacting Alex Judd, his man on the inside in the council. However, Ewan and Amber couldn't face telling Lenny that Alex lost the recent election to Eileen Donachie, who replaced Judd on the council and the planning committee.
Meanwhile, Lydia decided she was going to throw a surprise party for Amber's 18th birthday. Lenny wasn't impressed when he heard how much the party plans were likely to cost, but Lydia assured him she had it covered thanks to an account that they opened for Amber when she was born. Lydia'd been keeping up regular payments and it was now worth about £10,000 – more than enough to cover the cost of the party.
Ewan eventually mustered the courage to tell Lenny about Alex losing the election. An angry and frustrated Lenny realised this could be a major stumbling block in his plans for the land, and with all his money tied up in the venture, he couldn't afford his application to be denied. He knew he had no choice but to pay Eileen a visit. Never one to be intimidated, Eileen made it clear that she would not help Lenny in the way that Alex Judd would have. Even when he threatened to expose her family secrets, she would not budge. Lenny realised he was going to have to up his game and make Eileen an offer she couldn't refuse. But with all his money tied up in the land he had no funds to grease the wheels. Then he remembered Amber's secret account.Eileen was surprised when Lenny returned appealing to her sense of community, with an envelope full of money. She was speechless, but she didn't give it back. Meanwhile, Lydia continued planning the party, oblivious to the fact that Lenny has cleaned out Amber's account.
A shifty character called Gilchrist approached Lenny with a 'business' proposition, but with Lydia's wishes that he go straight ringing in his ears Lenny made it clear he was not interested, and was left feeling satisfied that he'd not given in to the temptation of getting involved in crime again. Apart from the small matter of attempted bribery.
Impatient to know the result Lenny tracked Eileen down after the meeting but she was reluctant to reveal the decision. The fact that she still had his money reaffirmed Lenny's confidence that she'd taken the bribe and swung the decision in his favour. Determined to get an answer out of her rather than wait for confirmation in the post, Lenny followed Eileen into the community centre where she was making a speech at the launch of Daniel's boxing club. Eileen thanked everyone for the time and effort they'd put into the club, then left Lenny stunned when she made a specific 'Thank you' to him, for donating £10K towards the venture!
And as the audience applaud his 'good deed' Lenny forced a smile, not sure if Eileen had stitched him up or found a very clever way of covering up the bribe.
Elsewhere in Shieldinch, Malcolm was troubled by a letter he received in the post, and then mysteriously headed out for the day, stopping off on the way to buy some roses. When Eileen saw him with the flowers she automatically assumed they were for Liz, but when she mentioned it later Liz knew nothing about them.
As Malcolm sat on a bench, contemplating the letter he received, he was approached by a woman. It's clear that they were bonded by the bad news they received. Was Malcolm having an affair? Liz certainly began to fear that he might have been and Gina and Eileen shared her suspicion when they saw Malcolm alighting from a taxi with a mystery woman, the woman from the graveyard. Unable to ask the question for fear of what the answer might be, Liz gave Malcolm the silent treatment until he demanded to know what her problem was. When she revealed her concern he told her she's being daft and reveals that he received a letter that morning, the local council were planning to move the cemetery where Rose was buried. He went to visit the grave, which was why he got dressed up and the flowers were for the headstone.
Malcolm asked a relieved Liz if she would to come to the cemetery with him, but she was not keen and this upset him. When she tried to explain her reasons the following morning – that it would make her feel too uncomfortable because she'd be intruding - he told her that he loved her. Liz was delighted at this revelation and decided to show her support for him by agreeing to visit Rose's grave with him.
Ruth realised that Robbie was interested in Scott, and, determined that Scott should get a life, invited Robbie to join them for a drink. She swiftly made her excuses and left Scott and Robbie alone in the pub. At the end of the night Scott and Robbie leave the pub together. Scott decided to seize the day, inviting Robbie back to his flat to make a dent in a bottle of tequila.
The next morning Scott woke up, and was slightly ill at ease to find Robbie in bed beside him. Robbie was keen for them to spend the day together, but Scott encouraged him to go to work. Later that day Scott called in to the salon and took Robbie for lunch where he explained to a hurt Robbie that he just wanted to be friends. Robbie felt used until Scott explained about his father passing away, and that he was not ready to jump into anything. A disappointed Robbie understood and agreed to remain friends. But never say never...
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