Maria Moves In With Tyrone

[pearly queen]

Part One.
Despite their apprehension about when Tyrone and Maria were together the last time, Jack and Vera have reluctantly allowed Maria to move in with then and live in sin in Tyrone's bedroom. They have taken pity on her because she can no longer share the flat above the cab office with Liz Macdonald who drags men back with her almost every night from the pub she works in. Most of them try it on with Maria, so in order to avoid temptation and not cheat on Tyrone, she has convinced him that she should move into the stone-clad paradise that is chez Duckworth.

The scene opens in the Duckworth's hallway, the front door is open and Maria is standing surrounded by boxes and bin liners. She goes to the front door and looks out up the street at Tyrone who is struggling with two bulging suitcases. Kevin is watching with great amusement from the garage.
'Oi! Don't do yourself an injury, Ty! He shouts, 'I want you back fit for work this afternoon!'
'Ha ha, Kev' Tyrone pants 'Very funny'.

Tyrone reaches the door and drops the cases in the hall. One of them bursts open. A load of Maria's hairdressing paraphernalia spills out over the floor: brushes, sprays, lotions, tongs, straighteners, not to mention various other strange pieces of machinery.
'What's all the noise?!' screeches Vera, running into the hallway from the kitchen, 'I hope this isn't how you're going to treat my home, missy? I'll not stand for disruption here!'
'No, Vera' sighs Maria. 'I really appreciate everything, really I do. I'll get this lot all sorted and out of your hallway straight away'.
'Mind you do an' all' says Vera, turning back towards the kitchen and stumbling over one of Maria's objects. She bends and picks up what is very obviously a Rampant Rabbit, holds it aloft, examining it closely, squinting.
'What's this here - does it make your hair curl?', she asks, as Maria buries her scarlet face in Tyrone's shoulder, numb with horror.

[pearly queen]

Part Two.
Tyrone and Maria enter Tyrone's bedroom, which looks very much like Kev's garage but with an old bed and flowery curtains. Posters of sports cars, pin-ups and greyhounds grace the walls. Tyrone shifts a heavy, clanking bag of tools off the armchair so that
Maria can sit down. She surveys the room in a resigned way.
'You've been in here before Maria' Tyrone says encouragingly, 'I know it's not much, but you can do what you want - glamourise it, like'.
Maria puts on a brave face and gives a liitle smile,'Yeah, OK, it's only temporary isn't it? We're gonna save up for our own place, aren't we?'

Tyrone bounces gleefully on the bed, grinning 'We've got everything we need right here, babes! He winked and patted the bed beside him, 'Come here and give us a cuddle!'

At that, Monica pokes her nose around the bedroom door and bounds in , leaping onto the bed and licking Tyrone's face.
'You've got everything YOU need in this room, you mean' mutters Maria, eyeing Monica and Tyrone frolicking, and also the poster of Jordan that is pouting down on them from the wall over the bed.

Then she added, slightly alarmed 'Are Jack and Vera in the next door bedroom? Are the walls thin?'
Tyrone laughs and stops playing with Monica.
'Don't worry about them - they're half deaf, they won't hear anything' he assures Maria.
'What about us?!' replies Maria, looking faintly sick, 'I thought I'd heard my last sounds of granny-passion from the next room when I moved out of Liz's!'
'Vera's only passionate about Bingo these days, and Jack is married to the Racing Post. Don't panic, they'll leave us alone - we can have all the privacy we want.'

Maria doesn't appear overjoyed at these words, and avoids Tyrone's attempts to manoeuvre her onto the bed.
In the distance the phone rings. They listen to Jack answer and then shout angrily
'Terry! No, no, no, no, whatever it is. No -your mam's not here. I'm warning you, Terry, keep your distance, you're not welcome round here' he slams the phone down.
Upstairs Tyrone and Maria exchange glances: Tyrone looks furious but Maria has a sudden glint in her eye.
'Terry? He was a real bad lad wasn't he?' She asks Tyrone, 'You reckon he's coming back?'
She glances almost expectantly at the bedroom door.

[Jade]

Thats brill! Pearly u ovbiously have a talent for this! Cant wait for the next part! So, Terry and Maria get 2gether do they?

[pearly queen]

Thanks, Bruno. Here's the next installment.

Part 3.
Vera is sitting at the kitchen table, Maria is standing behind Vera, styling her hair.
'So, will it be alright for you stopping here? Not too boring for you?' Vera asks. She seems more crotchety and sarcastic than usual.
'No, it's fine - thanks for having me' replies Maria, looking dolefully round the room. Her eyes fall on a rare framed photograph of a youngish-looking Terry Duckworth. Noticing Maria's interest in her wayward son Vera continues
'Nowt wrong with boring. Him, our Terry' (nodding at the photo) 'he was never satisfied, always wanting more and more excitement and trouble'.
'I haven't seen that photo before' observes Maria, taking the towel from Vera's shoulders and hanging it to dry on the back of a chair.
'No, I just found it in a drawer this morning' says Vera, who is now standing admiring her hairdo in the mirror. 'As soon as our Jack gets in he'll chuck it straight in the bin, so enjoy it while you can!'
'He's not that bad is he, your Terry?' Maria asks, trying to sound casual, but looking at Terry's photo brings a blush to her cheek.
'Liar, thief and rogue! That's our Terry! Much as it pains me to talk about me own flesh and blood like that - me own son, but it's all true - a no good scoundrel. Our Tyrone is more of a son to us than our Terry ever were. Why couldn't Terry be more like our Tyrone?'
'MY Tyrone you mean' Maria corrects Vera.
'YOUR Tyrone' echoes Vera 'make sure you treat him right, lady. He might be a bit dim and boring sometimes, but his heart's in the right place'. She is snappy and on edge.
'Where's Terry now' asks Maria.
'God knows, but he's up to summat. He rang here the other day and upset Jack. you don't know you're born, you, landing a belter like Tyrone.'
'Yeah, yeah, right' mutters Maria, rolling her eyes and packing away her hairdryer and brushes 'Don't worry, I've had enough excitement in my life'.
With another wistful glane at Terry's photo, she takes her bag of tricks out of the room towards the stairs.

There is a loud knock on the front door as she passes. Maria hesitates, not yet feeling entitiled to open Jack and Vera's door. Vera ignores the knocking as she is too busy fluffing her hair in front of the mirror, undecided about whether she likes it or not.
Maria puts down the bag on the bottom stair and opens the door.
A nervous-looking man in his early 30s is standing there, his fist raised to knock hard again. He has scruffy sandy hair, fat greasy lips and watery blue bulging eyes.
'Y..yes..?' says Maria.
'Where's Terry?' the man asks agressively, 'he's here in't he?'
'N..no..' stammers Maria, startled.
The man shoves past her into the hallway, slams the door behind him and takes a deep breath. Now he is inside he relaxes a bit and has a good hard look at Maria.
'You his bird?' he asks.
'No - who are you? Terry's not here, what do you want?' Maria looks wildly round, panic-stricken. In the kitchen Vera is bent over the sink pouring a jug of water over her hair, deafened by the running water.
'I'm Kit' says the man gruffly, now staring at Maria with undisguised lust 'and you...you will do just nicely...'
He puts the chain on the front door.

.

[Jade]

Oh my God! Poor Maria! What happens next! Pearly u just cnt leave me hanging like this!

[eithne]

WOW!!! Tyrone and Maria aren't my favourite characters in Corrie (far froma ctually!) but I still like this story. I wonder what will happen to Maria next? Please hurry up and reveal all!

[Jade]

Yeah I know! Hurry up please Pearly Im dyin here!

[pearly queen]

Part 4.
Meanwhile in Roy's Rolls, Jack is sitting with Tyrone. Jack burps contentedly and pushes away the large, greasy, empty plate that had recently played host to double steak pie, mash, beans and onion gravy. He gives a deep sigh of satisfaction,
'Ahh, lovely! Not a word to our Vera, mind' he taps his nose conspiratorially and Tyrone smirks.
Roy hovers in the background, drying a plate and frowning. He clears his throat and ventures
'Vera's only thinking about you, Jack. If the doctor advises against such unwise blow-outs...er..maybe you should...er heed medical advice...just a suggestion...'
Jack hrrumphs in disgust and drains his mug of tea. Leaning across the table towards Tyrone but in a voice loud enough for Roy to hear, he comments
'That's rich coming from the fella who earns a living out of selling these 'unwise blow-outs', eh lad?'
'We do have rather a varied selection' says Roy, indicating the menu board, 'salads, fruit, sandwiches, mineral water, vegetarian options...' he trails off, nobody is listening.

'Want the local paper? Jack offers waving it at Tyrone, who has also just drained a large mug of sugary tea.
'Nah, no point' says Tyrone, stretching languidly in his seat, 'Thanks anyway, but I've gotta go out on a breakdown for Kev.'
'Aren't you supposed to be having lunch with the lovely Maria?' Jack asks 'She's expecting you back at the house for a lettuce leaf and a sprig of cress.'
Tyrone grins and pats his stomach. 'I won't be back for hours - can't do a day's work on what she eats! Anyway, now she can have an 'unwise blow-out' and pig out on my share'
'You're too generous, son. Start as you mean to go on' says Jack, 'Anyway, I'll make your excuses for you - you get off and do your call-out. Sure you don't want this paper?'
'No, I'm good, see ya later' Tyrone stands and waves at Roy and Jack and leaves the cafe.
Jack picks up his racing paper and folds it carefully.
'Feeling lucky today, Roy - so if my tired old heart can take the pace I'm going over to the bookies to sponsor some fine beasts.'
He stands, takes his own paper, leaving the unread Gazette on the table, and waddles out the door.

Roy sighs and approaches their bomb-site of a table. As he clears the plates he glances at the abandoned local newspaper. On the front page a mug shot of a sandy-haired man with fat lips and bulging blue eyes glares up at him. Shuddering, Roy notices the headline:
'Escaped Convict - Kit Taylor. Police warn: Do not approach this man - he is violent and dangerous.'

.

[Jade]

Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Poor Maria... This is graet stuff Pearly you ovbiously have a talent for it. I cant wait to find out what happens to Maria keep up the good work!

[pearly queen]

Part 5.
'Don't lets make a fuss, sweetheart go through' says Kit, pushing the dumb-struck Maria into the sitting room where Vera is standing with wet hair in front of the mirror. She turns on seeing them in its reflection.
'Vera!' exclaims Maria, offended at Vera's hair, momentarily forgetting the psycho who is now expertly casing the joint.

'Sorry, love - you're just not as good as Audrey' says Vera 'Who's this?' nodding at the scruffy man beside Maria.
'I haven't got time to mess about, grandma, where's Terry Duckworth? The word is he's back round here with old folks' snaps Kit.
'We don't know a Terry, do we Vera?' Maria blurts out desperately, pleading Vera with her eyes to go along with it.
'Nice try, love - this is the one I'm after' says Kit, picking up Terry's picture, smiling softly and gazing at it fondly. He then smashes it suddenly down on the sideboard, breaking the glass. Maria and Vera both jump with fright and Monica's rubber bone flies through the air and rolls unnoticed under an armchair.
'So how come you lovely ladies never came to visit the bold Terence in the nick? I'd have especially remembered YOU, darling' Kit slips his arm around Maria's waist. She is shaking with fright, too terrified to move.
'How dare you barge in here? My Terry's not in the nick! Put Maria down...who the hell do you think..?' Vera gabbles.
'SIDDOWN AND SHURRUP!' Kit roars at Vera. She is practically blasted onto the couch by the force of his voice. He his holding Maria from behind, breathing heavily from the exertion of shouting.

'Terry owes me big - and for a start I'm gonna have some of his sister' Maria is trapped in his bear hug, tears running down her face, wimpering as he nuzzles her neck and ears.
'Hang on - I'm not his sister!' says Maria indignantly, suddenly finding the courage to struggle a bit, 'He's nowt to do with me. Vera's HIS mum, not mine.'
Kit loosens his grip slightly, seemingly disappointed at the parentage of his intended victim. He is sweating and wheezing a little, still pinning Maria's arms from behind.
'What's that smell?' he asks, sniffing the air.
'You!' says Vera, finding her tongue, wrinkling her nose and glaring at Kit.
'It's Tyrone's dinner' says Maria 'He'll be back any minute now' she adds glancing at the chained front door.
'Dinner - good idea! Don't mind if I do,' Kit licks his lips.

.

[eithne]

Wow! That story is seriously gripping. Can't wait for the next installment!

[pearly queen]

Part 6.
'You - Vera is it?' barks Kit 'Go get me some food, and don't try anything!' Maria squeals as Kit's large thumb strums her throat.
Vera edges towards the kitchen and comes back with a hot casserole dish held in her trembling oven-gloved hands. She puts it on the table, opens the lid and looks at Maria's long-forgotten almost burnt casserole.

'A large spoon!' demands Kit, slobbering 'No knives, you hear me? Don't try anything clever!'
When Vera returns with a large spoon, he drags Maria over to the couch and throws her hard towards it, toppling Vera at the same time. Maria is sprawled head first, feeling very vulnerable in her halter top and micro skirt. She can hear Kit growling as he sits himself down at the table.
'All in good time, darling. I can only satisfy one urge at a time - need something to gimme strength' he grunts, his mouth full.
Maria and Vera huddle together on the couch, watching as Kit devours the casserole. His face is glowing inches from the casserole dish.
'You look like you needed that' Vera comments, almost sympathetically.
'Been on the run for 2 days - have eaten hardly anything. This is good Maria - this Tyrone's a lucky man'
Maria looks away. Kit goes on 'Bet he doesn't satisfy you, though' leering..
Although there seems to be less malice in this statement than in his previous hints, Maria is mortified by the brutal truth. She painfully remembered the selection of 'marital aids' she had smuggled under Jack and Vera's roof to compensate for Tyrone's inadequacies.
'What do you want?' she snaps bitterly, surprising herself with her boldness.
'Told ya - Tezza abused some confidential information I gave him. He was released early and went round and took advantage of my missus - the poor, naive silly mare - in more ways than one.' Kit makes a 'money' gesture, rubbing his forefinger and thumb together, while looking lasciviously at Maria.
'I never knew our Terry were in prison' cries Vera, 'I thought he were in business.'
'Yeah - the business of ripping off gullible women. And I intend to get my own back.' He stares wildly around the room, seemingly delirious in his anger.

.

[Jade]

This is brill Pearly! I cant wait for the next bit! What happens?

[pearly queen]

Part 7
On finishing the casserole Kit wipes his mouth on his sleeve. He gives a little moan and lurches towards the table, resting his head on his arm, breathing peculiarly.
Monica, who has been fast asleep upstairs in Maria and Tyrone's bedroom, trots into the room and yawns.

'He don't look right, does he?' Vera observes, and then 'It's your cooking! You've done him in! 'She manages a triumphant cackle.
'It's not funny, Vera' says Maria 'We better do summat - like get away from him for a start - he's a right nutter!'
Both Vera and Maria tip toe around the table and Vera makes a bolt for the front door. She opens it and it bounces back on the security chain, slamming back shut in her face. Kit moans a little at the noise, lolls towards Maria and his arm flops off the table and touches her bare leg. She screams a blood-curdling scream and grabs the empty casserole dish off the table, lifting it above her head. Vera fumbles with the door chain, flings the door open and shouts 'Help!'

Martin is walking out of Gail's and looks up as Vera cries.
'Martin' shrieks Vera 'It's our Terry's friend..he don't seem right...don't think he's breathing. Come in, quick - and call the police too 'cos he's wanted an'all..he seems very sick...and he's frightened our Maria..help us! Martin!'

'Vera, calm down' says Martin in a commanding voice, striding across the street, 'One thing at at time.., now where is he?'
He pushes past her and walks into the living room. Kit is now lying on the floor. Maria is sitting in an arnchair, crying and rocking the empty casserole dish in her arms. Martin ignores her and shakes Kit's shoulder.
'Hello..can you hear me? Mate?' Then he spots a bracelet that had been covered by Kit's sleeve. He inspects it quickly, then
'Call an ambulance, Vera' he yells 'This is serious - this guy's allergic to just about everything!'
'Allergic? What to? asks Vera as she picks up the phone in the hall and stabs 999.
'Probably the dog - Monica. It can affect some people really bad...hold up, what's this?' Blood is seeping from behind Keith's ear and onto Martin's fingers.

'I didn't mean it...I'm sorry...it were self-defence...he t- t- touched me!. Vera, tell him what he were like!' Maria gibbers, hugging the casserole dish.
'They're on their way' says Vera coming back into the room, and then on seeing Kit's blood and Maria's guilty face
'Oh no! you never! Maria, tell me you never!'
'You know what he were gonna do to me, Vera' blubs Maria.
'But he was in a coma!' yells Martin
'He were on the verge of passing out - and YOU brained him anyroad?' You dozy cow' Says Vera, in disgust.

Maria weeps uncontrollably, barely noticing the paramedics who arrive shortly and take Kit away on a stretcher. Vera and Martin are speaking to two police officers who are taking details of names and addresses. One of them, a WPC, comes and sits next to Maria.
'Hi, I'm WPC White - you'll need to come with us to make a statement.'
Maria gives a strangled gurgle. The male police officer's radio crackles and he talks quietly into it. Clearing his throat, he approaches Maria.

'I've just had word from Weatherfield General that Kit Taylor passed away in the ambulance. Maria Sutherland - I am arresting you on suspicion of manslaughter. You do not have to say anything...'
She doesn't hear him reading her her rights, the sound of blood is pounding in her ears. Monica nuzzles her gently and sniffs at the gravy and blood-encrusted casserole dish, which WPC White prises from Maria's grasp and drops into the polythene bag held out by the male officer.
The handcuffs click.

THE END

.

[Jade]

Wot? You cant leave it like that?! Wot happens! God! Thats brill Pearly!

[eithne]

What an amazing end! Will there be a sequel or not pearly?

[pearly queen]

For now, Maria has been abandoned to the mercy of British (soap) justice....

[Jade]

pearly said:

For now, Maria has been abandoned to the mercy of British (soap) justice....

LOL! God! I really hope that there is going to be a sequel Pearly! Thats just brilliant!