Goodbye, Mum
Cain is at Faith’s side as she ends her life – while unaware Chas lies in bed with lover Al
It’s the end of the line this week for Faith Dingle, whose terminal cancer becomes too much to bear. Having decided that she will take her own life when the time feels right, Faith’s entrusted her secret to daughter-inlaw Moira, who’s now in turmoil, knowing it will break her husband Cain’s heart.
‘Faith is adamant that Cain and Chas know nothing. She believes they would do all they could to prevent her carrying out her plan… and that knowledge could land them in a lot of trouble. It is illegal to assist someone to hasten their own death in this country,’ says Sally Dexter, who plays Faith.
Wanting to make some happy final memories, fun-loving Faith rallies the Dingles for a trip to the coast. But her cancer has other ideas and, as her health takes a turn, she’s forced to stay home. Intent on giving his mum a dream day, Cain brings the seaside to the village! Faith is wowed and, to her joy, Diane flies in from Portugal. As the fun unfolds, gruff Cain even asks his mum to dance, leaving Faith elated to know he’s truly moved on from their painful past.
‘Faith realises she couldn’t be happier – and she determines to carry out her plan the very next day; to go out on a high!’ says Sally.
Faith starts bidding veiled goodbyes, causing Moira to panic. To spare her, Faith claims she’s not done yet. But she is.
After her grandson Nate helps her to bed, Faith takes a last look at her photos, switches off her phone and tackles the tragic task…
‘We do not see Faith taking the tablets, only calmly laying them out, when she has finally made sure everyone is out of the house,’ adds Sally.
But Faith hasn’t actually seen the last of her family, as Cain appears at her bedside and, realising what’s happening, raises the alarm to summon Chas.
His sister, however, can’t be reached. Chas is in a hotel bed with Al and they’re plotting to leave their partners. As Al urges Chas to forget about her beloved mum, if just for a night, he switches her phone to silent – meaning her frantic husband Paddy’s calls go unanswered… Back in Faith’s bedroom, Cain is tenderly holding her when she passes on. As the sad news spreads, how will Chas react to find she’s missed their mum’s last moments?