Deirdre hopes that Mike will give her a full-time job in his new factory. Sean Skinner grows interested in Liz when he hears that she's separated and Jim is in Ireland. He offers to take her on at his betting shop in Fallowfield. She refuses, telling him that she's not a pushover. Derek is furious when he negotiates a stationery deal with Mike only to have Mike back out after a row with Norris. Fred feels lonely without a partner to take to the Square Dealers' Ladies Night and asks Rita to accompany him. She declines. Derek forces Norris to apologise to Mike and the deal is re-established but Norris cuts the price, meaning that Derek will not receive any commission. Emily ponders the idea of working for Mike in his new factory. She is put out when he tells her that if she were younger he'd give her a job. Liz slaps Andy round the face when he challenges her over her feelings for Des.