Jay and Lola’s hospital breakout

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside – especially when life becomes too dreary in Walford. The last time we went, it was to see Jean wading into the sea in a wedding dress; this time it’s Lola, when Jay breaks her out of hospital after she collapses outside the gym. It’s an emotional trip for the couple (right), as they share a heart-toheart. Finally. I know Jay’s having to be strong for Lola and Lexi, but half the time he makes the Mona Lisa look like The Laughing Cavalier. The seaside isn’t all Cornettos and cockles, though, when Lola spots a ruby necklace she’d like to buy Lexi for her 16th birthday and is accused by a police officer of stealing it.

It’s a veritable spilling of internal organs this week, when Stacey and Martin go on a picnic and also enjoy a heart-to-heart. With her money struggles, and Lily facing bullying problems at school, Stacey is at her wits’ end. Will she confess she’s been getting her kit off online to survive? Please, finish the sandwiches first; I’m not sure Martin’s stomach is quite ready for this. What’s this new obsession with foisting Kim’s voice upon us at every opportunity? Now she’s organising a karaoke party for Lola at the salon, but forgets to order the machine. Phew. We can all be grateful for that. But, oh no! Elaine saves the day by providing a swanky machine of her own. Look out for another musical item at the end of the week too – you’re really not going to want to miss this one. Kleenex at the ready.

So, how is Elaine working out as the new co-owner of the Vic? Well, she may be charming the local men with free drinks, but Linda is becoming irritated by her mother’s changes to the normal running of the place. What? You mean Elaine’s stopped fights, murders, comingsout, revelations of parentage, disastrous weddings, wakes, etc? That’s never going to work for us.