There is a major update in the investigation into youngster Lauren Bolton's disappearance next week. In the café, Roy Cropper (David Neilson) answers the phone to receive another volley of abuse and he quickly retreats upstairs. At No.8, Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and Shona Platt (Julia Goudling) discuss the dreadful abuse that Roy’s having to deal with as Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) wishes he could pay Roy a visit but Nick doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Sam later ies to Shona and tells her that he’s going round to see Hope Dobbs (Isabella Flanagan), but he instead calls at the café and suggests to Roy they have a game of chess. Roy's niece Nina Lucas (Mollie Gallagher) makes it clear to Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman) and Shona that despite all the crank calls, they must still answer the phone as Roy is hoping for a call from missing Lauren’s mother. After reading through comments online, Stu Carpenter (Bill Fellows) tells Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) that he intends to help Roy clear his name as he knows what it’s like to be wrongly accused. In the precinct, Stu talks to a homeless guy, hoping for information about Lauren and as he pulls out his wallet, he fails to notice the guy picking up a brick. Stu returns to Speed Daal with a bloodied face and explains to Yasmeen how he had his wallet stolen and was hit with a brick. Roy reels in shock as Evelyn reveals that Hayley’s son, Christian Gatley, has posted some hurtful things about him and Hayley online. Lauren’s Mum, Kerry, later arrives at the café and introduces herself to Roy and Nina. During the night, Kerry secretly films Roy’s living room and records a commentary making him out to be a murderer. Kelly leaps back onto the sofa and pretends to be asleep when Roy sleep walks into the room. After reading the horrible online comments Christian wrote about Roy, Nick and Sam call at the cafe flat where Nick apologises to Roy and assures him that when things are back to normal, he’d be happy for Sam to spend time with him. When Sam tells Roy that he’s his BFF, best friend forever, Kerry secretly takes note. A shaken Roy heads down to the cafe and explains to Shona and Nina that he’s just had a call from Lauren’s mum asking him not to contact her again. With all eyes on Alice, she admits she isn’t Kerry. As Roy and Evelyn head out with Freddie, they come face to face with Alice who starts filming them and as Roy tries to stop her, she stumbles and bangs her head. Accusing him of assault, Alice hurries away. Has Roy got himself into more trouble? Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) returns to the café and breaks the news to Carla Barlow (Alison King), Nina, Shona and Evelyn that Roy has been charged with the murder of Lauren (Cait Fitton). Roy sits alone in his
police cell, his mind completely numb with fear.