--- THE HEAT IS ON

Robbie's jealousy gets worse and a few days later Karl turns up to work sporting a black eye. He tells Todd that Robbie hit him while they were having a big argument because Robbie thinks he's been seeing someone else. Later the same day, Todd and Karl are drinking together in the Rovers, waiting to meet up with Sarah. Todd wants to know if Robbie was right about Karl seeing someone else and Karl admits: “He's half right. There is somebody else I fancy, somebody I see at work actually, oh and go out for a drink with sometimes.” Todd looks shocked: “You mean me? You're saying you fancy me?” Karl teases him: “Well, that's the question isn't it? You sure you want me to answer it?” At that moment, Sarah walks into the pub and starts asking Karl about his black eye. Todd goes up to the bar for some more drinks and Karl looks up at him and says cryptically: “Oh and Todd, I do yeah, like crazy.” Sarah looks at him questioningly so he makes out it's just something to do with work. Todd stands at the bar looking rather concerned as he watches Sarah and Karl chatting.

Karl finishes with Robbie and he needs somewhere to stay, so Sarah invites him to stop over at their flat for a while. Robbie is still convinced that Karl has been having an affair and, seeing Karl on Coronation Street with his new friends, he mistakenly suspects Martin and punches him. Sarah says to Todd: “There's never a dull moment when Karl's around!” Todd gets worried because he's been spending a lot of time with Karl and as it's actually him that Karl fancies, he thinks he might cop for it next! At this point, things have become far too uncomfortable for him so he asks Karl to move out and Karl takes a flat in the nurses' residential quarter at the hospital.

A few days later, Todd and Karl bump into each other at the hospital and stop to say hello. Karl says: “Not seen you these past few days.” Todd smiles: “No, you know how it is - always on the go.” Then Karl asks: “But since I have seen you, it's my birthday next week, the 12th Monday. Are you up for doing something?” Todd sounds keen until Karl fills him in on the details: “Well I thought I'd round up a few mates and go into Manchester, make a night of it in Canal Street.” Todd's face drops and he asks: “Canal Street? You ... mean the gay village?” Karl says: “Yeah, ever been?” Todd laughs nervously “Me? No ...”, hesitates, then says “... I dunno Karl.” Karl looks disappointed as he says: “That's okay, don't worry about it, I understand.” Then he forces a smile and walks off.

Todd is pleased when he bumps into Karl outside the Rovers the next day as it gives him the chance to accept the birthday invitation. He says: “Karl - just the man I want. Is your birthday bash invitation still open? 'Cos if it is, I'd like to be there.” Karl replies: “Yeah, course it is, that's great Todd. Oh and listen, bring Sarah.” Todd looks surprised and seems to be a little disappointed: “Sarah?” Karl finishes: “Yeah, she'll enjoy it and I know she doesn't get many nights out. Okay, gotta dash, see ya.” Then Karl walks off round the corner giving Todd no chance to question him any further.

In the Rovers, Sarah asks Todd if he thinks Karl will mind if they don't get him a birthday present because it's her mum's birthday next week too and they still have to buy their engagement ring. Todd says she's right but they should get Karl a card 'cos they don't want to be accused of being tight. Then, without telling Sarah, Todd goes to the trouble of buying Karl a shirt for his birthday anyway, just from him. He goes into the corner shop to show the shirt to Sunita. He pretends it's for himself and tells her he feels dead guilty about buying it. He says: “It's like I had no control, I was drawn to it, I just had to buy it.” When Sunita sees the shirt, she holds it up against Todd and says: “Ooh yes, very nice. Sarah's gonna love you in that, it's definitely your colour, you'll look lovely in it.” Todd is pleased and he replies: “Thanks, I still feel dead guilty buying it though ...” knowing full well exactly why he's feeling so guilty!

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