Sally and Tim Metcalfe’s (Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine) quiet life on the cobbles is about to get a whole lot darker in Coronation Street soon, as they discover Tim’s cousin has potentially killed his wife.
This week, new face Richie (Nathan Sussex) makes his arrival. While out working, Tim is surprised to pick his relative up, who he hasn’t seen in years.
With Sally away, Tim invites Richie over and gets the lads round as well. Over some drinks, Tim and Richie chat about their childhood, but Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) feels a bit excluded from the conversation.
Sounds innocent enough, right?
Things begin to take a turn when Richie gets a text from his wife, Rachel, who makes it clear that he’s in trouble for staying out all night.
Richie heads off, but returns to Weatherfield a few hours later with a holdall. He explains that Rachel has thrown him out, and Sally’s forced to agree to Tim’s idea of letting Richie stay.
Sally quickly grows annoyed at Richie’s presence in her home and tells Tim that he needs to leave. Richie packs up his bag and jumps in a cab, telling Tim that he’ll go and stay with a mate in Liverpool.
Once Richie has left, Tim finds his wallet down the sofa. He heads to his home, hoping that he’s there talking things through with Rachel.
Tim knocks on the door, and it’s those few seconds that will ultimately change everything. When Richie answers, Tim discovers he is covered in blood. Looking inside, Tim quickly calls the police.
The next day, DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) arrives and shares the news that Richie has been charged with killing his wife.
Lisa also shares that Richie is claiming that he acted in self-defence, and that his daughter Lucy has been taken into care.
Ruth the social worker then calls Sally, who informs Tim and Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) that Lucy’s foster placement has fallen through and they’re struggling to find another suitable family.
Desperate to help, Tim arranges for Lucy to move in with them, but fails to ask Sal first.
Lucy enters, and Ruth explains that she needs reassurance because of the grief and trauma she is experiencing.
Just as Sally heads upstairs to fetch Lucy for tea, she discovers the youngster has legged it out of the house.
Fortunately, Sally and Tim find Lucy at the bus stop and attempt to bring her back home.
This is an awful lot.
How will Sally and Tim navigate the next few weeks?
