Les is worried Pam’s been uncharacteristically quiet all weekend. Alone, Pam searches Les’ suit pockets. She’s frantically going through Les’ address book and papers when Billy returns home from Canada. Billy gives Pam a photo frame souvenir. He clocks Pam’s on edge and is surprised at the state of the office. Pam asks perplexed Billy if he knows who Christine is, claiming there’s an outstanding invoice. Later, Billy wonders if Pam’s alright; Les pales to learn she mentioned Christine. Back home, Les casually mentions that Christine is from the Rotary club but Pam won’t have it, reveals Claudette told her to ask him and demands the truth – who is Christine? Les despairs that he can’t tell her but begs Pam to believe he’s not having an affair. Pam’s heading for the door when Les blurts that he is Christine. Pam’s stunned. Les haltingly explains that when he gets stressed he needs to be softer - he needs not to be a man.
Reeling, Pam’s sure she’d know if Les dressed in women’s clothes. Les reveals it’s been going on since he was 7 - he didn’t feel the need when they first married but when Lawrie died he needed a way to express his pain and that’s when Christine came into his life. Pam scoffs that Les talks as if she was real. Les is adamant that she is. Struggling, Pam needs to know if Les ever wore her clothes. Les admits he once tried on a cardigan and that he speaks differently when he’s Christine. Pam tearfully thinks the worse thing is that Les would’ve let her carry on thinking he’d had an affair, and won’t let Les touch her. After Ben rejects his offer of friendship in the Vic, Paul arrives home to find Pam in tears. Paul assumes Les is still having an affair and berates him. Pam interrupts and claims she just had bad news. Alone, Les thanks Pam for not saying anything. Pam insists no-one can find out and she doesn’t know Les anymore; heartbroken, Pam tells Les he disgusts her.
After deciding not to sell the café, Ian heads to the bank, determined to find the money for Kathy’s flat deposit. Guilty Kathy frets to Ben, who insists Ian would want to help if he knew the truth. Kathy’s uncomfortable when Ian invites Dot and Martin for dinner. Dot wants to know if Kathy’s sticking around. Kathy claims she’s not abandoning her sons again. Ian remarks he went to see the old block of flats he, Kathy and Dot used to live in. Martin invites Kathy to meet Stacey. Bobby pipes up that Sonia’s a lesbian. Ian tells Kathy he’ll have her money in a few days. Dot wants to talk to Kathy about Ian; she remarks how losing Nick for a second time nearly broke her, and warns that one more blow could break Ian for good.
Kim seethes as oblivious Vincent heads to work. Kim tells Denise that Vincent’s been seeing someone else but claims not to know who. Denise orders her not to let him get away with it. Vincent spots Ronnie on the Square, surprised she’s not working at the Albert. Ronnie reveals Kim knows they slept together. Vincent’s horrified and fearful that Kim’s not said anything. Ronnie suggests she’s plotting revenge. Back home, Vincent nervously suggests a night on the town. Kim states she’s not in the mood but can’t help smiling when Vincent suggests a kebab instead. Later in the Vic, Vincent reminisces about their time on the cruise ship and hopes Kim knows that he loves her. Denise witnesses the intimate moment, unimpressed that Kim’s still not said anything. Kim snaps she’s dealing with it.
Elaine’s full of ideas for the Vic Halloween celebrations and criticises Linda’s Lily Munster costume. Fed up, Linda fishes how Elaine’s pub is running without her, then backtracks that they love having her when Elaine asks if she’s outstayed her welcome. Elaine gushes she’s in no rush to leave as she has more plans for the Vic. Linda forces a smile as Mick smirks. Later, Nancy reports Elaine’s going to pay for her landlord licence course. Linda’s annoyed as they were going to for Christmas. Elaine tells a horrified Linda she won’t be leaving before New Year. Show less