'Footlights and Flounces'

Karen tells Jimmi she has given up on the cabbage soup diet. The healthy eating leaflets Jimmi gave her, have inspired her to start a healthy eating regime with plenty of fruit and veg. To his horror she announces she is on a mission to educate everyone else about it.

Archie arrives late for work at the Campus and Michelle has a go at him for being late for his review; he doesn’t seem to care.

Archie annoys Michelle further by appearing bored during the review. Michelle storms out when he brings up the subject of Ruth. Archie finds Michelle and wonders what has happened to them; they used to be a team. He says she is just feeling sorry for herself and Ruth was ill and couldn’t help it. Archie doesn’t understand why Michelle won’t let him help her. Michelle becomes venomous and personal in her attack on Archie. She wonders why he bothered coming back to Letherbridge. He pushes past her and leaves.

Daniel and Cherry look on in astonishment as Michelle catches up with him and tells Archie maybe he shouldn’t be working there at all; he agrees. He leaves with the parting words that Michelle should sort her head out.

Karen upsets Heston by having a go at him for eating biscuits. She continues her campaign and manages to upset just about everyone who cross her path.

Meanwhile, it’s early morning and a closed sign hangs in the door of Beaumont’s Theatrical Costumiers. Barry Beaumont (55) appears from the flat upstairs in a dressing gown. He looks gloomy as he puts up a sign for the Letherbridge players production of ‘A School for Scandal’. Barry opens a letter from a bailiff advising him of legal proceedings for the recovery of £12,326. Barry has to steady himself.

Lydia Bessington (52) asks her taxi to wait as she gets out and heads into the Mill. Heston comes into reception and greets Lydia. She informs him she will not be taking the lead in the production of ‘A School for Scandal’ as the part has gone to Eileen Furlong. Lydia then has an appointment with Cherry.

Barry struggles out of the shop carrying all the period costumes and gets in a taxi.

When Lydia sees Cherry she reveals she fears she has nits. Cherry examines her and writes down the name of a head lice treatment. Lydia is worried about opening night of the production and asks Cherry how she could have got nits. It dawns on Lydia that she must have got them from a wig; she leaves before Cherry can explain fully.

The cast members and director are all gathered in the Bridge Theatre for rehearsals. They are all in different stages of costume. Eileen Furlong (44) is in full costume and wig while Barry is on his knees making final adjustments. She complains about her wig as she scratches her head.

Eileen takes Lydia’s wig from the stand on her dressing table. Eileen’s husband is sponsoring the play and Lydia enters and comments it’s the only reason she got the part. The two women continue to bicker and Barry has a go at them and walks out, leaving them speechless. Backstage Barry struggles to calm himself.

The rehearsal is underway and Lydia, now in full costume, bitches to Barry about Eileen. Eileen forgets her words and scratches her head. Lydia interrupts the rehearsal to tell everyone Eileen has given everyone nits! Eileen denies the accusation and blames Lydia. Lydia reveals the nurse told her they were probably passed via the wigs. Everyone starts to scratch and Eileen blames Barry and his wigs. Barry is left humiliated.

An outraged Barry arrives in the Mill demanding to see Cherry. He is fuming that Cherry has blamed him for the lice and as a result he has been sacked by the players. He refuses to clam down and storms out. Barry is in his workshop about to drink some gin when Cherry arrives. She tells him she knows his wigs weren’t the source of the lice as they die without human blood. Cherry is amazed by all the fabulous outfits. Barry thinks his good name is ruined.

Cherry spots a photograph on the wall and Barry tells her it’s his partner who died the previous year. He was the practical one and he has been struggling without him. Cherry tells him there is no shame in asking for help Cherry compliments Barry’s dresses and makes him smile. She then tries on some of the dresses. Its gives Barry a much need tonic as they laugh when they both emerge from dressing rooms dressed as Cleopatra.

Barry shows Cherry the bailiffs letter. Cherry says it doesn’t mean he will lose the shop. She promises to take him to citizens’ advice and make him an appointment with the doctor. Barry wonders how the production will do without him. Cherry reminds him they still have his costumes.

Back at the theatre rehearsals are continuing. Lydia and Eileen are still trying to outdo each other. Barry arrives and asks for all the costumes back. Barry begins to pull at Eileen’s costume when she makes a snide comment to him. Cherry brings order and tells everyone that there is no way Barry’s wigs are the source of the nits.

Cherry makes a spirited defence of Barry which draws a round of applause from all. They plead with Barry to come back and he agrees. Lydia and Eileen recommence their bickering. Barry smiles at Cherry, happy that he is back where he belongs.