Episode 3970 (5th February 1996)

Plot
Maxine has a wild night, with only twenty minutes sleep. She stays off work to sleep. Alma doesn't feel she's up to catering for Stephen but Mike presses her to do it. Maureen is tired of driving to and from Lowestoft and the grief Maud gives her for leaving her alone. Maxine arrives for work at 11.00am and is warned by Fiona that if it happens again she'll be fired. Liz returns from Southport. Jim is angry when she shows no sign of being pleased to be back. Maxine closes the Salon at lunchtime to go back to sleep so Fiona sacks her. Kevin is annoyed when he has to look after Daniel as Ken has a parent's meeting. He tells Ken he's taking advantage of Sally and she can't take anymore. Ken agrees to sort something out. Alma takes Stephen to the Wheatsheaf so he can sample her menus. She tells him she's not a very big caterer but she is up for the job. Des is surprised when Liz asks him to drink in a different pub so as to avoid Jim. Sally is furious with Kevin for telling Ken she won't mind Daniel anymore. Alma enjoys being in Stephen's company and is pleased when he likes her menus. Maxine tells Fiona that their lives are going to be unbearable if she remains sacked.