OUT IN THE COLD!
Leanne’s reaction to Oliver’s illness leaves adopted son Simon in pieces…
Simon eavesdrops on a devastating confession from Leanne this week, that sends his world crashing down around him. The teen is deeply hurt after he overhears Leanne telling Steve that Oliver, her biological child, is all she ever wanted and when he dies, she’ll have nothing. Leanne might not be Simon’s birth mum, yet she’s everything to him, and he feels utterly rejected by her words. “Simon feels as if he’s worthless to Leanne, and the fact he’s not her blood family makes him irrelevant compared with Oliver,” says our cobbles spy. “Of course, that’s not true, and Leanne doesn’t think when she says what she says. But her words send Simon spiralling and, since he’s in the middle of his exams, it’s the worst possible time for him.” When dad Peter finally finds out why Simon’s gone rogue, he vows to be there for his lad. Leanne’s mortified to realise that Simon listened in on her conversation and desperately tries to make amends. Still wounded, Simon announces he’s going to stay with Peter – which prompts protective Nick to square up to his Barlow nemesis. However, truth is that Peter, like Nick, is merely trying to provide love and support to those who need it the most. “Simon adores his brother and is distraught about the diagnosis too,” sighs our mole. “No one can blame Simon for wanting to stay with Peter, even though it is tough on Leanne that he’s made this decision. Nick just needs to let off steam, but his clash with Peter fizzles out. In fact, by the end of the week, Nick apologises to Peter and even finds himself being comforted by him over the situation.” Realising they have to put petty squabbles aside, can the pair find a way to reunite Leanne and Simon at the time they need each other most?