As a precursor to the storyline, Alma had begun a romance with a security guard Frank O'Connor (Eamon Boland) and both had decided to leave Weatherfield to begin a new life together.
Tracy visits Weatherfield three times over the next few years: she comes to Deirdre and Jon Lindsay (Owen Aaronovitch)'s engagement party in 1997 and approves of airline pilot Jon (who is really a con man), and then two years later, seeks refuge in Weatherfield after falling out with Robert, who accused Tracy of having an affair with her friend Dan after he saw them kissing.
Vernon was prepared to leave Weatherfield, but returned after Liz made a Motown compilation tape which she gave to Lloyd Mullaney to play in his cab en route to the airport.