Gary Windass’ new secret could spell trouble for him and Maria Connor amid her feud with Lou Michaelis.

Tonight’s hour-long episode centred on Craig Tinker’s memorial. At the salon, Maria reminded Lou to hold the fort while she attended the service.

Out for a snack, despite having promised she’d stay put, Lou bumped into Gary and told him how sorry she was about what happened to Craig. Last month, Craig died of the injuries reported in Mick Michaelis’ attack.

Gary invited her to “pick a side” and told her Gary wasn’t “just a copper”.

“He was our friend,” Gary continued.

Before heading out, Gary agreed to buy Mick’s van off Lou.

“If the price is right, I’ll take it,” Gary told Lou, who lit up at the idea of having a bit more cash in the bank with Mick in prison.

At the Bistro, everyone was shocked when Lou turned up unexpectedly to pay her respects.

“I don’t want any trouble,” she told Maria after she tried to make her leave.

Unfazed, Lou headed for the bar and got a glass of wine, sitting at a table to enjoy it. When she ordered a second glass, Maria could barely contain herself and went over to Lou, snatching the wine from her hand.

“I don’t think so,” Maria said between her teeth, reminding Lou she wasn’t there to drink free wine while scrolling on her phone.

When Lou replied that people didn’t seem interested in talking to her, Maria raised her voice.

“Because you and your murdering husband aren’t welcome here!” she said.

“I’m not my husband. He’s gonna pay for what he did,” Lou replied calmly, proceeding to offer her condolences to Kirk Sutherland as Maria looked on in disgust.

On her way out, Lou thanked Gary for buying Mick’s van in front of Maria, knowing it would cause a stir.

“You bought Mick’s van? Without telling me?!” a disappointed Maria exclaimed.

After the memorial, Lou went to see Mick in prison. He was less than impressed about his wife showing her face at Craig’s memorial, but even more so when Lou mentioned Gary.

“You’ve left me with three mouths to feed, we can’t afford to move,” she told her husband, reminding him they all faced the consequences of his actions.

“You know the only person on the street who treats me like a human is Gary Windass,” she then added.

When Mick voiced his disapproval, she said she’d never “do t’dirty on [him]” — but her husband thought Gary could charm her.

At home with Maria, Gary insisted he bought the van to help Lou’s kids.

When she texted him to thank him, Gary lied to Maria and said he got a message from Ed.

“Thanks for having my back,” Lou’s text read, ending with kisses.

After reading it, Gary immediately deleted it.

Why is he deleting all proof of his friendship with Lou? Is he protecting Maria or is there an ulterior motive?