Karen Barnes wants the reading lessons to continue and begs Ken not to give up on her. He agrees to continue. Len feels he needs Deirdre at the Yard but Rita feels they can't afford her. She accuses him of being too soft-hearted. Hilda takes up abstract painting as a hobby. Rita tells Deirdre there's no job for her at the Yard. Gail feels humiliated that she was stood up by Brian Tilsley. Karen kisses Ken on the cheek in gratitude. While Ken is out Dave Barnes forces his way into No.1.