Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street‘s Bernie Winter-Alahan is left terrified for her safety next week, after Mal Roper declares his feelings for her and lashes out. But when Bernie is later arrested on suspicion of assaulting Mal, will she end up facing serious charges?
After Roy leaves the café to run an errand, Mal locks the door and declares his true feelings to Bernie. Knowing her worst fears have come true, Bernie tries to bat off his advances, but Mal’s dark side rears its ugly head…
This is just one of several frightening incidents ahead for Bernie in next week’s episodes. With Dev and Asha away on a dad and daughter trip, Bernie arrives home on her own. And it’s there that she notices that her head has been chopped out of her wedding picture.
Terrified, Bernie flees her house in a panic. She’s alarmed to realise that Mal has been in her house, but will she confide in anyone about her torment?
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Still petrified, Bernie bravely confronts Mal with her defaced wedding photo, before accusing him of breaking into her and Dev’s home. Mal vehemently denies the allegation, but Bernie demands that he returns to Inverness, or she will file a report with the police.
Later at No 7, Bernie is on high alert when she hears someone arrive at her door. Assuming that it could be Mal, Bernie reaches for a nearby golf club in case she needs to defend herself.
However, the unexpected guest turns out to be her son Kit Green. This gives Bernie the confidence to open up about her wild night with Mal, and also the misery that he’s put her through since.
Later, Mal bursts through the café doors and publicly lambasts Bernie, prompting Roy to chuck him out. Unaware of the chaos, Dev and Asha are on cloud nine when they return from their getaway – but Bernie prepares to burst their bubble and share all that’s happened while they’ve been gone.
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“She’s fully transparent finally,” explains Jane Hazlegrove, who plays Bernie. “It has taken weeks and weeks on end, but it is the only option to her. She knows that if Dev knows what Mal has been up to, it will all be okay. It takes away Mal’s power because that’s what he’s been blackmailing her with.”
That said, Bernie doesn’t feel totally safe just yet, and tells Mal that he better keep his distance, or she will kill him. Unfazed, Mal laughs in her face and promises that he’s not leaving Weatherfield anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Bernie fails to notice a passerby making their way down the cobbles. Who has overheard Bernie and Mal’s disturbing exchange?
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At Weatherfield Police Station, Lisa Swain brings Kit up to speed on a man who was found on the street with a head injury. Curious, Kit looks up the case file and discovers that the victim is none other than Mal.
Elsewhere, Bernie makes her way down the staircase with packed bags. Is she guilty of assaulting Mal?
Seeking answers, Kit visits the hospital, where the doctor explains that Mal is in critical condition. Over at the café, Bernie and Dev are busy cleaning up when they are approached by DC Browning, who arrests Bernie on suspicion of assault.
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Having heard about Bernie’s arrest, Kit visits his mum in her cell. There, Bernie vows that she never laid a finger on Mal. During her interview, Bernie sticks to her story and explains to DC Browning that she spent an evening with Mal as friends, and since then, she’s been a victim of stalking and harassment.
“Mal’s attack is not a good look for Bernie because she’s been heard threatening him,” Jane adds. “In the end, telling Dev has not made it go away. If anything, things have got worse…”
Will Mal survive the attack? Who was behind it? And what will become of Bernie?
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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