Vinny gives Mandy an ultimatum: “Lay off Paul, or I’m leaving!”
VINNY’S SHOCK ULTIMATUM TO MANDY…
Furious Vinny reads Mandy the riot act this week – after she accuses his father Paul of stealing. Mandy is convinced that Paul is responsible when charity money goes missing, and she’s certain that he’s gambling again. However, once it turns out she’s wrong, Mandy is left with egg on her face, and Vinny doesn’t hold back. He leaves Mandy in no doubt that she’s pushing him away by blocking his chances of having a good relationship with his dad. “Paul’s managed to redeem himself with Vinny, and the lad wants to give his father a second shot at making a perfect, happy family with him and Mandy,” explains Bradley Johnson, who plays the youngster. “Vinny is a very forgiving character, but Mandy doesn’t know if she can really trust Paul…” Despite having a barn bunk-up with Paul, Mandy has since given him short shrift, and is irritated by how close he and their son have become. While Paul is doing precisely what she asked – focussing on being a good dad – Mandy just can’t shake her doubts about him. So, when David reveals that the charity money for his ‘Spot The Ball’ competition has gone walkabout, Mandy jumps to conclusions. After Vinny hears that Mandy is pointing the finger at Paul, he’s heartbroken. Either the father he’s started to bond with is a thief, or the mother he adores is deliberately sabotaging their relationship. Either
Vinny is forgiving, but Mandy doesn’t know if she can trust Paul”
way, it’s poor Vinny who finds himself torn in two. “Paul’s now one of Vinny’s best mates, a bloke he can have lad time with and open up to,” shares Bradley. “He can talk about certain things with Paul that he wouldn’t discuss with Mandy. Also, let’s face it, Mandy has done a lot of stuff in the past, and Vinny has forgiven her.” When David finds the money and realises it was just misplaced, Paul is exonerated, and Mandy is left reeling. The showdown between mother and son turns ugly, as Vinny stings Mandy with his harsh words and vows to go if she carries on. But would he really desert the woman who brought him up in favour of the father who abandoned them both? “If there’s a choice between Mandy and Paul, Vinny has to pick Mandy,” insists Bradley. “She stuck by him through childhood. Even though Paul’s back and Mandy is jealous, Vinny doesn’t want to choose sides. But if it came down to it, Mandy has his heart.” As the dust settles on Mandy’s outburst, emotional Paul swears to Vinny that he’ll never allow anything to tear them apart again. There’s no doubt that he adores his son, and still loves Mandy too – but is Paul to be trusted? When Vinny leaves, he makes a mysterious phone call that’s bound to start warning bells ringing for viewers. Could Mandy be right about her old flame, and is Vinny destined for more heartbreak?