Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street’s Lou Michaelis does a runner from Weatherfield next week following a violent altercation with her evil husband Mick.

Scared for her safety, Lou leaves her kids and disappears – but has she gone for good?

The scales finally fall from Lou’s eyes after Mick lashes out, following the revelation that she once cheated on him with Kit Green – who could be Brody’s real father.

Horrified by Mick’s outburst, Lou tells daughters Shanice and Joanie that mummy is taking them away for a few days.

lou michaelis, mick michaelis, coronation street

ITV
Related: Coronation Street confirms full details of Craig’s devastating story

Hurrying into a cab to make a secret escape from her horrid husband, Lou is questioned by Tim over the very visible cut on her head, and he insists on taking her to A&E.

Despite her objections, Lou gets checked out at the hospital. She’s examined by a perceptive nurse, who figures out how she got her injuries and deduces that she’s in an abusive relationship.

Even though she’s urged to open up, loyal Lou can’t face speaking about the abuse and rejects the kind nurse’s offer of help.

tim metcalfe, lou michaelis, coronation street

ITV
Related: Coronation Street star Joe Layton breaks silence on Mick exit news

Instead, stressed Lou makes a spur of the moment decision and does a runner, leaving Shanice and Joanie with bemused Tim and Sally.

The police are soon on the case as they search for missing Lou, but there’s no sign.

Where has she gone, and will her kids ever see their mother again?

tim metcalfe, coronation street

ITV
tim metcalfe, shanice, joanie, coronation street

ITV
Related: Coronation Street confirms permanent Rovers change after 7 years

Farrel Hegarty, who plays Lou, recently told us: “Sometimes in relationships like that, it can be quite worrying that you do get taken over by a level of love for someone, rather than what’s actually good for yourself.

“It’s definitely an important issue to think about. For a lot of people, we can look at relationships on the outskirts and go: ‘Why is that happening? Should they be together? Is that healthy? Is that not toxic?’

“But actually when you’re in it, it’s a different thing. It’s not that easy for people in relationships that are unhealthy and at times unsafe.”

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women’s Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.

The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.