In a dramatic new turn on Coronation Street, Tracy Barlow is set to become a dangerously bad influence on a heartbroken Abi Webster, pushing her towards a life of crime once more.
A Complicated Alliance Forms
The iconic ITV soap is lining up explosive scenes where Abi Webster (Sally Carman), reeling from the discovery of her husband's infidelity, turns to an unlikely confidante: Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford). Their relationship has been famously rocky, particularly earlier this year when Tracy blackmailed Abi and Carl Webster after learning of their secret affair.
That blackmail plot came to a halt when Carl threatened Tracy's father, Ken Barlow. However, Tracy has never stopped needling Abi, even receiving a punch in the face for her troubles. Yet, in a surprising moment of humanity, Tracy recently offered Abi a shoulder to cry on.
Carl's Betrayal Sparks a Revenge Plot
The dynamic shifts again when Abi learns the full extent of her husband's betrayal. She discovers that Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) not only cheated on her but did so with James Bailey (Jason Callender). Tracy is utterly gobsmacked by the revelation, and her already low opinion of Carl plummets further.
Unfortunately for Carl, having Tracy Barlow as an enemy is a perilous position. This is, after all, the same woman who has a history of extreme revenge, from sabotaging a car and framing Abi, to lying about a pregnancy, and even a tragic incident involving a fatal ornament.
A Risky Path to Retribution
True to form, Tracy's advice to the devastated Abi is far from gentle. She dismisses Abi's initial idea of cutting up Carl's clothes as "too amateur". Instead, Tracy suggests a more financially damaging course: Abi should steal Carl's money and fleece him for all he's worth.
While this plan might seem tame on Tracy's personal scale of vengeance, it represents a huge risk for Abi. She already has an extensive criminal record, and returning to crime could have severe consequences for her future and her family.
The looming question for Coronation Street fans is whether Abi will follow Tracy's destructive guidance to make Carl pay, or if she will find a different path through her heartbreak. The drama unfolds on screens in the coming week.
