Since Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) received her life-changing diagnosis of young-onset dementia in Coronation Street her life has been turned upside down.

She’d visited the doctor after experience forgetfulness, mood swings and blackouts, but was devastated to learn that these symptoms weren’t down to the menopause, as she’d assumed, but were much more serious – and the situation would only get worse as the illness progressed.

Her brother, Carl (Jonathan Howard), knows what the situation is as he found out by chance. To everyone else, however, Debbie is determined to keep her health status a secret.

One of the most upsetting side effects of this strategy has been that she dumped long-time partner Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), not wanting him to have the burden of dealing with her deteriorating health.

Since then, Debbie has realised that this was a mistake, but when she went to talk to Ronnie she found him in the bistro with Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and – wrongly – assumed the worst.

It’s clear that Debbie and Ronnie still both love each other very much, but until Debbie feels able to be honest about her health, they seem destined not to be together.

In upcoming episodes Ronnie introduces Debbie to an old flame of his called Fiona. Even though he assures Debbie that he and Fiona are just friends, Debbie is upset. In retaliation she lets him think she has a new boyfriend. Carl tells Ronnie that Debbie doesn’t want anything to do with him and he’s barred from the hotel.

Rejected once again by Debbie, Ronnie gets involved in a stolen car scam with Fiona. His role in the deal involves showing the car to a potential buyer and trying to get the best price.

He throws himself into the job, giving it his best sales pitch, and he soon has the buyer keen to make the purchase.

But when the man reveals that his wife recently died, Ronnie’s conscience kicks in and he realises he doesn’t want to compound the man’s misery by selling him a stolen car. He refuses to make the sale, leaving the potential buyer puzzled as to what just happened.

Ronnie calls Fiona and says he no longer wants to be involved in her illegal activities. But just as he’s finished the call, the car door opens and Carl gets in, wanting answers.

Will Ronnie’s chances with Debbie be destroyed forever when Carl realises what he was up to?