Coronation Street’s resident femme fatale Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) has been collecting cash from Carl (Jonathan Howard) and Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine) ever since discovering their illicit affair, though the arrangement looks set to come to an end – one way or another.
Tracy set her sights on Carl and he flirted back, determined to keep all eyes away from his sordid affair with his brother’s wife.
Though tangling with toxic Tracey has never been advisable, and this soon came back to bite him on the behind.
Taking full advantage of Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Jack Webster (Kyran Bowes) being away on holiday, Abi and Carl hooked up for a steamy session, though they were interrupted by the surprise appearance of Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney). As Abi was out fetching some alcohol, Carl hid away until Debbie suffered a shocking collapse.
As Debbie was sent to hospital in an ambulance and Carl and Abi shared a relieved embrace, they were spotted by Tracy through the kitchen window.
Now armed with potentially life-destroying information, Tracy did a Tracy and, following a failed seduction attempt, set about blackmailing the couple for cash in exchange for her silence.
While Abi considered fleeing the country with Carl, he’s ploughed his efforts into expanding his car-theft racket, recruiting Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) and Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) to help meet Tracy’s financial demands.
Patience, however, is hardly Tracy’s forte, and it begins to wear thin next week as she makes it clear to Abi that she’s fed up of being paid in instalments, she demands the full amount – and she wants it today.
Abi, panicked, tells Carl of the ultimatum, who resolves to give Tracy a further £500 and call an end to the arrangement.
Tracy balks at this suggestion and is quick to remind them that she is the one in charge, they’ll pay until she’s satisfied or else Kevin finds out what they’ve been up to.
While a terrified Abi frets and floats the idea of coming clean to Kevin, Carl has had more than enough and determines to call Tracy’s bluff.
Soon after, when Preston’s Petals is invaded by a masked man and utterly trashed, Tracy’s taken aback.
Has she poked the bear too hard and finally met her match? And further…will she spill the beans to Kevin?
