Steve Baker asks the regulars when Bet will be coming in. Annie is annoyed that she is late for work and aims to have it out with her. Albert bores Steve with war talk while he waits. He is bitter about his work in Northern Ireland and annoys Ernie when he blames religion for the conflict. He apologises to him when he hears that he's a preacher and asks him for his experiences of breaking bad news to people. Betty and Alf recognise Steve from the last time he came into the Rovers. Bet arrives for work to hard words from Annie. Steve asks for a word with her and takes her to a side table. As the regulars chat, Steve breaks shocking news to her and she flees into the back room where Betty finds her in a state. Steve reveals to Annie, Betty and Billy that Martin Downes, the lad he was with on his last visit, has died and he was Bet's son. Stunned, Annie and Betty go to comfort Bet but she has gone to seek refuge in her flat.