there was no way he was returning to Laura. Mark walked out on his father and Alan and Elsie were reconciled. Unwittingly, Mark came between the Howards again just over a year later when Laura decide to spend Christmas 1971 in the Mediterranean. He invited Mark to stay with them and, predictably, Elsie went ballistic when she found out and the two spent the festive season apart. Mark's character didn't improve and when Alan saw Laura briefly in January 1972, she blamed him for their son's unstable nature and wayward ways. References External links Cast and characters at itv.com Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database , Coronation Street 1970 in British television 1970