Tonight’s episode opened with Debbie playing on the swings in the precinct, having recently been released from prison. In The Rovers, Kevin Webster confirmed that his sister had won her appeal that he was giving Debbie space to settle back in.

A frantic Ronnie Bailey entered the pub, asking if anyone had seen his wife, as she had gone shopping hours ago and wasn’t picking up her phone. Fortunately, Debbie was found by Carl who escorted her back to the flat.

At home, Debbie told Carl that she just needed a break as her dementia symptoms were getting worse, but added that she didn’t regret taking the fall for his crime.

“I thought you were dead after the crash. You weren’t moving. It’s the only reason I swapped seats with you,” an apologetic Carl explained. “I’m not trying to excuse it, I’m just telling you what happened.”

Debbie then revealed her fears about being released from prison, sharing that she didn’t want her loved ones to see her condition deteriorate. But Carl assured her that she wouldn’t be a burden as everyone – including him – loves her.

It didn’t take Carl long to exploit the emotional moment and he predictably shifted the conversation to his financial troubles, ‘letting it slip’ that he was £10,000 in debt.

“I don’t want to dump this on you… but, I owe that Fiona money again. And if I don’t come up with it, I’m gonna have to leave,” he said, knowing Debbie was desperate to keep him around.

Though Debbie wasn’t surprised by his latest money grab, she agreed to “sort it” for him. Carl grinned smugly, satisfied that his scheme had worked again, just as Ronnie returned home.

But how long will he get away with his shady actions before they come back to haunt him?