Monday, 30 June 2008

At the baby signing class, Greg (Shaun Prendergast) attempts to throw himself into it and starts to relax and enjoy himself with Mel (Caroline Strong) and Arthur (Billy Harrower). However things take a turn for the worse when the instructor refers to Mel and Greg as Arthur’s parents and Mel fails to correct him – happily going along with the gaffe. Furious, Greg later confronts Mel insisting that she’s only making the situation worse.

Elsewhere Marlon (Mark Charnock) is nervous as he prepares to contact Phil at the Malt to take him up on his job offer. Having heard nothing from Val (Charlie Hardwick) and Diane (Elizabeth Estensen), Donna (Verity Rushworth) urges him to reconsider but Marlon insists that his future lies elsewhere.

Tuesday 1 July

As Ashley (John Middleton) remains deeply troubled, Doug (Duncan Preston) is fearful that he’ll do something he’ll regret – give Arthur (Billy Harrower) back to the Dolands. Later Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) expresses concern to Doug that Arthur’s wheezing, suggesting that he needs Mel (Caroline Strong). Doug dismisses it as nothing and insists that the baby needs Laurel, but realises that he’s running out of time to convince her and Ashley that Arthur’s place is with them.

Later, when Betty later comes round, Doug confides in her his worries. She suggests that with Laurel upstairs, they leave the house forcing her to be alone with the baby. Laurel is shocked when she realises that she's been left holding the baby. When Arthur doesn't immediately stir, Laurel is terrified that history is repeating. As she rushes Arthur with Mel to the hospital, will this scare stir Laurel's maternal feelings towards her son?

Meanwhile Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Viv (Deena Payne) call a family lunch, inviting Donna (Verity Rushworth), Marlon (Mark Charnock), Louise (Emily Symons) and Jamie (Alex Carter). While they speculate as to what news is about to be imparted, suggestions range from Viv and Bob splitting up to Viv pleading guilty.

Later all is revealed when the couple reveal that they’d like the four of them to have joint guardianship of the twins should the worst happen leaving them stunned. Louise later suggests to Jamie that it would be better all round if the businesses were signed over to them as well.

Wedneday 2 July

As Jamie (Alex Carter) and Louise (Emily Symons) prepare to visit Viv (Deena Payne) and Bob (Tony Audenshaw) with the proposition of taking over their businesses, Jamie is still unsure as to whether they’re doing the right thing. However Louise insists that they are and urges him to back her up.

Confirming Jamie’s fears, Viv and Bob are stunned into silence when Louise puts forward the suggestion and then Viv snaps, railing at Louise and calling her a leech. Jamie tries, unconvincingly, to talk the pair round producing figures that Louise has put together and pointing out that they’d resell them back, but Viv won’t hear any of it and orders them out. As Louise later reminds her that she could withdraw her false alibi at any time, will a desperate Viv give in to her demands?

Elsewhere, Gennie (Sian Reese-Williams) is upset when she’s dealt short shrift by Debbie (Charley Webb) in the café, and opens up to Paddy (Dominic Brunt) about her fears that she’ll never be accepted as a Dingle. Paddy sympathises and explains that he never really felt part of the family when he married both Mandy and Emily. Eager to impress her new family, Gennie shrewdly sees an opportunity when a rep from Yorkshire Textiles is hanging around the burnt out factory. Upon hearing that she had a huge order in the offing for Pollard, Gennie introduces herself as his assistant and takes her into the Dingles barn where she secures a deal for 15% than was originally put forward. Will this be enough to earn her the Dingle name?

Meanwhile Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) continues to make progress with Arthur (Billy Harrower), but Gabby (Annelise Manojlovic) is still troubled by recent events. When they try to involve her in choosing a colour for Arthur’s nursery, Gabby is unwilling and asks to play outside in the garden and rushes out.

Thursday 3 July

Debbie (Charley Webb) asks Eli (Joseph Gilgun) if he fancies going into Leeds with her for the day but is left secretly disappointed when he explains that he’s helping Gennie (Sian Reese-Williams) instead. When it’s quickly realised that there’s not enough room at the Dingles to set up a factory, Gennie remembers that the store room at the B&B is vacant. Stressed, Louise (Emily Symons) insists that she hasn’t time to discuss anything with her and tells her to speak to Terry (Billy Hartman) instead. Gennie works her magic and persuades him to agree and keep schtum. Later she and Eli go over to the café for lunch where Debbie jealously witnesses the closeness between them. Is Eli about to swap one Dingle belle for another?

Meanwhile, Jamie (Alex Carter) is still annoyed with Louise for upsetting Viv (Deena Payne) and urges her to apologise. Meanwhile a broken Viv sits upstairs in her dressing gown, refusing to get dressed. Louise heads over to the café and heads upstairs to speak with Viv. When Viv points out that she’s blackmailed her, Louise tries to explain that she didn’t mean it to come out quite like that.

However Viv reveals that Louise has won either way as she’s instructed Gray (Christopher Villiers) to draw up the contracts ready to sign the businesses over to her and Jamie. Suspicious that there’s something she isn’t telling her, Louise presses Viv further. Will Viv reveal her big secret?

When Chas (Lucy Pargeter) points out to Katie (Sammy Winward) that she’ll be in no fit state after giving birth to carry out her big plans to take the baby from Gray and Perdy (Georgia Slowe), Katie realises that she’s right. Informing Gray and Perdy that she plans to have an elective caesarean.

Friday 4 July

Determined to get the order done, the workers toil late into the night but are nearly discovered by Val (Charlie Hardwick) and Pollard (Chris Chittell) while taking a rest in the Dingle van parked in the pub car park. Meanwhile, Eli (Joseph Gilgun) winds Debbie (Charley Webb) up about how well he gets on with Gennie (Sian Reese-Williams) causing her to impulsively ask him to leave and have his bags packed by the end of the day. Later a jealous Debbie ‘lets slip’ to Pollard and Val that she thought he’d moved the factory to the B&B.

Elsewhere, Lexi (Sally Oliver) asks Donald (Michael Jayston) for another chance and eventually he agrees but only on a trial basis. With someone to mind the office, Donald suggests a round of golf to Rodney (Patrick Mower) and Carl (Tom Lister) where they can discuss his impending birthday party at Home Farm. Back at the office, Lexi shows how hard she’s been working on the RSVP list for the event. Later she cattily remarks to Carl how much Donald’s blowing on the day but Carl tells her to mind her own business.

Marlon (Mark Charnock) continues the pretence to Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) that he’s working happily at the Malt, Donna (Verity Rushworth) insists that he get himself down to the job centre to find employment after doing some household chores. Instead Marlon collars Paddy (Dominic Brunt)and makes him spend time food-tasting for his next newspaper recipe.