Coronation Street fans could be about to learn there is much more to Lucy Parkinson's family nightmare than first meets the eye, with the youngster seemingly being urged to keep quiet about what really happened to her mum.
Lucy has only recently arrived in Weatherfield after her mum Rachel was found dead, with her dad Richie Parkinson subsequently charged with her murder. But as the youngster continues to struggle in the aftermath, questions are beginning to emerge about whether viewers have been told the full story.
Richie's arrival and the murder
Tim Metcalfe's (Joe Duttine) cousin Richie was introduced earlier this month, initially turning up at Tim's house while going through a difficult time with his wife Rachel. Tim encouraged him to try and patch things up with her, unaware of the horror that was about to unfold.
Richie headed home, but accidentally left his wallet behind. When Tim later returned to the house, he was horrified to find Richie's shirt covered in blood and Rachel lying lifeless on the floor. Richie was subsequently arrested and charged with his wife's murder, while his daughter Lucy was placed into temporary foster care.
However, after her original placement fell through, Tim made the decision to step in. Without telling Sally (Sally Dynevor) first, he arranged a meeting with social worker Ruth and offered to take Lucy in. The couple had already opened their home to Brody, Joanie and Shanice Michaelis, but Lucy has proved to be a very different challenge.
Lucy's struggles and secret phone call
Since arriving at No.4, the youngster has struggled to settle and has repeatedly lashed out. She even ended up in a physical fight with Lily Platt, with Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) stepping in after Lucy left a nasty scratch across her arm.
Now, next week's episodes look set to give viewers an even closer look at what Lucy is really going through. After Sally and Tim hear screams coming from the garden, they rush outside to find Lucy pointing at Jodie and accusing her of spying on her. Lucy asks him to take her to see her mum at the undertakers. Although she's keen to go, she suddenly panics when they reach the door.
The visit clearly brings up painful memories, and later Tim admits that he feels guilty over Rachel's death. Sally then tries a different approach when she reveals that she has booked Lucy a counselling session. Lucy is horrified by the idea, but eventually agrees to attend. However, rather than using the opportunity to talk through what has happened, she vents her anger at Sally and Tim.
Back at No.4, things reach another breaking point when Lucy throws a bowl of popcorn over Joanie before branding the family a bunch of liars and running upstairs. Yet it is what happens next that could prove particularly important. Once she is alone, Lucy secretly takes a call from Richie. Despite being behind bars and accused of killing his wife, he is still able to influence his daughter, and he tells her to stick to their story.
Questions about the murder mystery
That instruction raises some serious questions. If Richie really is responsible for Rachel's death, why is he so concerned about making sure Lucy keeps their story straight? And if Lucy knows something that could potentially change the course of the investigation, could she be protecting her dad, or herself?
Corrie fans have already been speculating that Lucy could have played a much bigger role in Rachel's death than anyone realises, with some convinced there is another side to the murder mystery still waiting to be exposed. For now, though, Lucy appears determined to keep her secrets.
Meanwhile, Sally is beginning to wonder whether taking Lucy in was the right decision. She admits to Tim that she isn't sure she can cope with Lucy's issues, leaving the couple facing an uncertain future at No.4. Then Ruth, the social worker, arrives and gently questions Lucy about whether she is happy in her foster home. It gives Lucy another opportunity to finally tell someone what is really happening. But with Richie urging her to stick to their story, will she actually tell Ruth the truth? Or will Lucy continue to protect her dad, leaving Tim and Sally with even more unanswered questions?
