Episode 4945 (8th December 2000)

Plot
The demonstrators arrive early in the morning to find that Les is the only representative of the tarmacking team. Vera is still unconscious but is described as critical but stable, so Tyrone and Maria convince Jack to go home and rest. Audrey is all set for her lunch date with Prince Charles. Hayley is still desperate to talk with Roy about their differing views on her sexuality, but Roy is only keen to help with the demo. Tyrone and Maria panic about Vera's worsening state and phone Curly while he is in the Kabin. Norris eaves-drops in on Curly's telephone call and thinks Vera has died. Natalie spends the day with the brewery who want to buy the Rovers to transform it into a theme pub. She also overhears Liz and Geena pity her situation as a single mother with a pub to run. Jack reads Vera's letter aloud to Curly, which is a confession about an affair casting doubt on Terry's father. Jack confesses that he knew all along about the affair, but is confident that he is the father. They are joined by a devastated Emily who announces that Vera has died. They rush to the hospital to find out that she is alive, but still unconscious. Norris breaks the news of Vera's death to the rest of the Rovers, before Curly arrives back to reassure everyone that she is still alive. The demo takes a turn for the worse when Audrey announces that the council has an injunction to stop the protesters. Ken and Duggie create a fake preservation order. Terry arrives at the hospital but is told to leave by Jack. He stays to see Vera wake from her coma. The police break up the demo but Eileen and Dennis lead a convoy of taxis down the Street to form a blockade. Peter Barlow turns up and isn't surprised to find that his dad Ken is leading the demonstration. He announces that he's left the navy and has split up with his wife. Hayley is devastated to hear that Roy doesn't see her as a real woman. She realises that she can't live with someone who doesn't accept her as a woman, packs her bags and leaves. Roy is shattered. The ruckus in the street convinces Natalie that a pub is no place to bring up a child, and she tells Geena that she is moving on. Duggie's fake preservation order arrives. The dubious police force the tarmackers to go. Ken makes a speech to the celebrating residents about tradition, community and leads everyone in a toast to the Street.