Clare In The Community

Clare's mother piles pressure onto her already faltering relationship with Brian.

Christmas has just passed and everyone seems to have had a good Christmas (like Ray, who has met a new boyfriend: Troy). Clare for once admits she too has had a good time, and has got on well with Brian. Clare had been arguing so much with her family that had not spoken to Brian for most of the day. Brian agrees he had a good Christmas.

During break duty, Brian talks to Simon about his trying for a baby with Clare, but that he is worried that Clare no longer finds him physically attractive. Simon admits he is more than happy to have sex with Clare if Brian isn't up to it.

Megan is the only person at the family centre who has been told about Clare and Brian's trying for a baby, as Clare wants to keep it a secret from everyone else. However when Clare phones the office to say she is late, Megan jumps to the conclusion that Clare is pregnant and celebrates, telling everyone about her and Brian trying for a baby. Clare finishes her sentence by saying she is going to be late for a meeting - but it's too late, the secret has been revealed. As such, the office begin coming up with ideas to help stimulate Clare and Brian's sex life. Clare though is unsure if Brian is at all interested. Ray suggests Clare massage Brian with aromatherapy oils but Clare is put off by Brian's body hair.

Later that evening Clare does give Brian a massage but with cod liver oil, as the massage oils were too expensive. During the massage, oils spilling on the floor and the cod liver platts and sticks to Brian's body hair. Clare's mother Celia walks in on them saying she has left Malcolm, her husband, after having another affair. Celia gives herself permission to stay at Clare and Brian's until she feels ready to leave.

Brian quietly admits to Simon that he may be impotent and Simon suggests Viagra, bought by Simon's mate Lee down the pub. Simon later plays a game of 'the top five sexiest older women'. Simon says Clare's mother is one of them and Brian is quite disturbed by this.

Some days later, Clare and Brian have decided they have had enough and want Celia out. Just before they tell her, Celia enters dressed sleazily, announcing that she has a date. Clare is repulsed until her father Malcolm arrives. Clare is relived for only a few seconds... as she then hears that her date is Simon. Malcolm says he has come around to sort things out, but Simon's date with Celia is just a ploy to get Malcolm jealous. The plan works and Celia leaves with Malcolm. But, seconds later, she comes back because she has realised that she doesn't want to be with Malcolm and does want to go upstairs with Simon! Simon actually wants to as well and for a while has a small relationship with Celia, just not under Clare and Brian's roof as Clare forbids it.

That evening, Clare and Brian are left alone at home. Brian suggests a film but Clare wants to make their own entertainment. Brian asks her to confirm what she means, to make sure they're thinking the same thing. Clare quite fancies an omelette.