[Valerie Barlow is angered at Ken, after the twins are almost killed when the house goes on fire]
KBKen Barlow
Well, what can I do after this lot?
VValerie
is still angered and does not reply
KenVal. What do you want me to say? That I made a stupid mistake? That I shouldn't have gone out and left them? [Tries to make out what he hopes is Val's reply] "Oh no, Ken! I agree!" Val, will you listen?
VValerie
Another five minutes, and this whole house could have gone up! Peter and Susan lying upstairs alone, what chance do you think they'd have had?
Ken
Val, please don't rub it in, how do you think I feel?
VVal
One night a week, I go out, one night! I don't know, maybe it's my fault, maybe I'm expecting too much! You're supposed to be the one with the brains, you're always telling me how stupid I am! There isn't a kid in this street who'd do what you did - go out leaving two babies alone, a fire half way up the chimney with a maiden of clothes drying, and for what? to go drinking at the Rovers?
Ken
That's not true and you know it, I went to get some cigarettes!
VVal
Then what took you so long? I was here five minutes before you even showed your face! Where were you?
Ken
I told you, I got involved in a stupid argument!
VVal
You think, you read about it in the papers and you think "This can never happen to me!", but it can and it very nearly did and all because of you!
Ken
Val...
[Ken prepares to light a cigarette as Val storms towards the door]
VVal
If I catch you with another cigarette, I'll take the twins and I'll leave you!
[Valerie is getting ready for a party, as the family are emigrating to Jamaica, when her hairdryer breaks, and she attempts to fix it]
VBValerie Barlow
Hello? Oh hi! Yes, I know, but you've no idea, when I got the dress out, the hemp had come unpicked, and... well... you'll just have to wait! I haven't got another dress and my hair is still wet!
Ken
[who is at the Rovers] Well, come as you are... wet hair, no dress - it's all the rage! Don't be so bashful! Oh come on, you've got to put your face on. Look, why not wear the one that god gave you, we both happen to like it!
VValerie
Look, give me about half an hour... well twenty minutes and I'll be fit to be seen. Yes, well you're my husband, so it's a bit different... that's a bit cheeky, even for you! Soon as I can! Bye.
[Ken is showing off his kimono at a dinner party to Deirdre, Liz, Lloyd and Blanche]
Ken Barlow (William Roache): Okay. Come on. Let's have it. You've got a problem with this, I should imagine?
A grown man, dressed as a Giesha? Have you gone stark staring mad?
Ken
It is no different to a dressing gown. I mean what. Is there a rule? Thou shalt wear terry towelling in the North West of England?
Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles): Oh come on, Blanche. If a man can't indulge his eccentricities at home, where can he indulge them?
Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride): I wouldn't mind if he didn't indulge them in front of guests.
Ken
Look it's not eccentric, it's Japanese and it makes me feel comfortable.
Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard): Well I'm with the boys. I mean Lloyd wears all manner of weird and wonderful things.
Well that's understandable. [Turns back to Ken) But Ken! Always got to be different. Always sniffing out controversy. Does Tennessee Williams wear kimono?]
Ken
Tennessee Williams is dead!
Coronation Street · 27 quotes
