Albert celebrates his eighty-eighth birthday. Ken gives him the history of the Lancashire Fusiliers. Ivy is frightened that the neighbours will talk about Bert's mental illness. Albert blackmails Annie into buying him a drink on the house, reminding her that it's her birthday tomorrow and he knows how old she is. Ivy refuses to return to work, not being able to face the girls. The Barlows throw a surprise party for Albert. Old pals Tommy Shankley and Wilf Bottomley are guests but Beattie Pearson arrives unexpectedly with husband Norman and is put out that she wasn't invited. Bet agrees to move in with Des. Ken tells Pamela Mitchell that the council are planning to close youth clubs and fabricating figures to show the clubs aren't used. Alf tells Bet that Des didn't leave Edith; she threw him out.