In the latest episode of Coronation Street, we see Billy pleading with Paul to have more good days together. Paul is adamant that he wants to end his life today, while Billy is not ready. Will Billy keep his word to help him die tonight?
Here is everything you need to know.
Coronation Street tonight: Paul is ready to say goodbye to Billy
Billy is upset while saying, “We had a good day today, didn’t we? There could be more — plenty more!” but Paul says no.
Paul agrees it’s been a good day, but wonders why it has to be a bad day to be his last. Billy is struggling, he thinks since it’s been a good day that they should want more of them. Paul says via Eye Gaze that Billy promised to help him die and it’s Paul’s choice when that is. “It’s time,” Paul says.
Paul says he wants Billy to get over him and find someone else when he’s gone. “Meet someone else, not a friend,” Paul says. Billy cries that he’s not ready, he doesn’t want to wake up and have Paul gone.
Coronation Street tonight: Billy struggles to keep his promise to Paul
Paul laments that he said it all wrong, he can’t go to Billy and comfort him. Tearfully, Paul thinks about what he wanted to say, that he was sorry, and how he wanted to grow old with Billy and hates seeing him hurting like this.
Paul tells Billy that he is lucky to have been loved by him. He says he wishes it wasn’t how it is, but it is.
Billy tells Paul that after he’s gone, he’ll be wishing he could have just one more hour with him but he could have that right now if Paul just let him. “I don’t want to feel like this, wishing I’d fought more, tried harder, begged you just to let me love you for a little bit longer,” Billy pleads.
“What I ask…is love,” Paul says. Billy kisses him through their tears then goes to the cupboard to get the medication. Paul asks him to tell the others it was after midnight when he died because of Chesney's birthday. “If you want them to believe it was after midnight, then let’s wait until after midnight,” Billy says.
Coronation Street tonight: Billy prepares himself to let Paul go
Billy hugs Paul on the couch and rubs his chest. Paul thinks about Stiges and how they would have loved it there and wonders why they never went abroad together. Billy helps him envision walking hand-in-hand on a beach. Paul tells Billy he can’t imagine not being in the world.
Billy holds his bible and tells Paul he wants to tell him something that he’s read for so many others. He recites the Corinthians “Love is patient, love is kind” verse as there are flashbacks of their relationship.
The clock ticks closer to midnight. “I told you I am lucky,” Paul says. “I am so lucky to have had you in my life,” Billy says as he kisses Paul’s forehead.
With his bible in hand, Billy collects the medication. “I love you, you have been everything to me,” Billy cries to Paul before he prays, “Oh Lord, please look kindly upon what I do.”
“I’ve seen many deaths, I’ve seen the change. The moment the spirit is gone and they are no longer in the body they once were. Now I have to choose which minute is our last,” Billy cries. “I choose,” Paul says.
Billy is sobbing as he tells Paul, “Your hands are so warm. Look at you. My beautiful husband. I have to ask you this again, just so I don’t question myself after. Before I commit this act, Paul…my Paul…do you definitely, without doubt, want to go through with this? Because if you answer me yes, I will do it.”
Coronation Street tonight: An unexpected interruption changes Paul's decision
Just then, the door buzzes insistently. Chesney arrives and announces that Carys fell down the stairs and knocked herself out. She has a big lump and Gemma’s gone with her in the ambulance.
Chesney says he needs to go, but can’t leave the kids. Paul and Billy tell him to bring them to their place. While Chesney goes to get the children, Billy and Paul look at the syringe.
When Chesney comes in with the kids, Billy tells them they can stay in Summer’s room as she’s gone for the night. Billy takes the feeding tube and puts it away. Joseph comes back out and says he can’t sleep, he’s worried about Carys. Paul suggests he reads something so Billy gives him Paul’s tablet.
Aled comes out too and asks if they’re playing a game. Soon, they’re all up and Paul is enjoying their company.
Joseph chats with Paul and then apologizes for being horrible to him. “Billy understands you so I bet I can learn,” Joseph adds before giving Paul a goodnight hug. Paul tells him he loves him and Joseph notes he understood what he said.
When the kids leave with Chesney in the morning, Joseph tells Paul goodbye and says he hopes today is better. Paul tells Joseph, “See you soon.” Billy closes the door and looks at Paul. “See you soon?” he repeats and asks if that means Paul has changed his mind. Paul says he hasn’t, but it just won’t be today.
Billy tells Paul this is hard, but he will be there as long as he lets him. “Every moment is so precious,” Billy says.
Per DigitalSpy, Paul's storyline on Coronation Street has been written with support from the MND Association, which concentrates on improving care access, research, and campaigning for those affected by motor neurone disease.
Coronation Street airs on ITV and ITVX. Viewers from the US can catch Coronation Street on Britbox.
