Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) was keeping a lonely vigil over her seriously ill baby son Frankie in Monday’s Coronation Street, but she soon had some company when kindly Roy Cropper (David Neilson) came to the hospital to see her.
Lauren was forced into early labour after evil Joel Deering (Calum Lill) gave her some drugs to induce miscarriage in a bid to harm both Lauren and the baby, who Joel is the father of. The baby survived his birth but remains very ill.
When Roy arrived at the hospital a desperately worried Lauren told him that the baby had been taken for a CT scan because of bleeding on his brain. ‘There could be long-term damage,’ she told Roy, and went to him for a hug. Roy is not really a hugger but he knew that Lauren desperately needed his reassurance and he put his arms around her.
Roy had been on his way to a train fair, which he’d been really excited about, but he knew that Lauren needed him and stayed with her, distracting her as she waited for Frankie’s test results by talking about trains.
She couldn’t pretend to be that interested, although she was intrigued by how much train sets could be worth. Despite the subject matter, she appreciated what Roy was trying to do and thanked him for not ‘mithering me about my feelings.’
She tried to get him to go to his train fair but he said they’d both be ‘more at ease’ if he stayed. Lauren tried to be casual about it but she was clearly so pleased and relieved that he was staying – especially when the doctor arrived with an update.
It was cautious good news. The bleed hadn’t worsened and there were signs of improvement – but they would still have to monitor Frankie’s condition closely as he remains very fragile.
Lauren thanked Roy for his support and said she’d be lost without him. Then she sent him off to his train fair.
It wasn’t long before he returned, admitting his thoughts hadn’t been very focused on the train fair. He found Lauren feeling more relaxed, but saying she couldn’t wait to hold Frankie again, ‘To let him know I’m here for him and everything’s going to be all right.’
In a hugely touching gesture, Roy had brought a gift for Frankie – his first model train. He said he’d be happy to show the little boy how it all works and help him with his own collection when he’s ready.
Once again he’d managed to strike the right note with Lauren as she could finally start to think of a future for Frankie – and with his uncle Roy doubtless on hand whenever he’s needed.
