Monday 25 February
The Bishop (Peter Cartwright) visits Ashley (John Middleton) and tells him that he must take as much time off as he needs. Ashley insists he’ll be back next week, but the Bishop puts his foot down and explains that his family needs him. As he and tearful Ashley pray, Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) comes into the room and listens with anger and contempt to the prayer. Will Laurel be able to comprehend her husband's need to speak to the God she believes took her baby away?
Playing into Katie’s (Sammy Winward) hands, Perdy (Georgia Slowe) reveals all about Gray (Christopher Villiers) framing Matthew (Matt Healy) for Rosemary’s murder. Katie feigns shock then anger, leading Perdy to admit that she’s blackmailing Gray. Katie tries to reason with her, but Perdy reminds her that Gray was about to have an innocent man sent down for murder. When Katie probes as to the location of the cardigan, Perdy reveals that it’s locked away. Will Katie risk her own safety to emancipate the man she loves?
Meanwhile, Pollard (Chris Chittell) is anxious when Val (Charlie Hardwick) suggests dipping into their wedding fund to help with Paul (Mathew Bose) and Jonny's (Richard Grieve) arrangements. Suspicious, Val later takes a look at the account and is furious to find that it only contains a penny. Later she joins Pollard for a drink and launches into a tirade of abuse at his deception, ending with a warning for him to stay out of her life. Refusing defeat, Pollard confronts Val later and begs her to marry him, insisting that the wedding fund will be brimming in time.
Tuesday 25 February
Katie (Sammy Winward) locates Perdy's (Georgia Slowe) key and searches Home Farm for the cardigan. Finding it, she turns to see that Perdy has caught her in the act. Katie desperately tries to talk her way out of it, urging Perdy to burn the cardigan for everyone's sake. Perdy makes Katie swear to give her the baby but, twisting her words, Katie promises to give the baby to the best parent. Satisfied, Perdy destroys the cardigan, prompting Katie to show her true colours. As Katie makes a run for it, proclaiming her love for Gray (Christopher Villiers), Perdy attacks her with a poker. Katie falls on her stomach and is immediately in pain. Have the warring women put their child's life at risk?
Later, Matthew (Matt Healy) is suspicious when Gray turns up at Home Farm, accusing Perdy of hurting Katie. Perdy urges Matthew to discuss the matter privately, but Gray warns him that she will lie. A troubled Matthew decides to talk to Gray, who tells him everything about Perdy's blackmail and the importance of the cardigan. Matthew is fuming that Perdy has brought her own problems into Home Farm and wastes no time in throwing her out. Who will Perdy turn to for support now?
Also, Ashley (John Middleton) still can't break through to Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) and she bluntly tells him that the mother/baby bond was much stronger than he can possibly understand. Storming out, Laurel heads to the café and is outraged by the condolence book and collection tin Viv (Deena Payne) has set up. Laurel leaves with Greg (Shaun Prendergast) in pursuit and she opens up to him about her grief.
Wednesday 27 February
Katie (Sammy Winward) gets the all clear and returns from hospital with Gray (Christopher Villiers). Perdy (Georgia Slowe) barges in and is stunned to hear from Katie that the baby is now hers and Gray's. Taking Perdy outside, Gray is caught off-guard when his wife yells to Katie that he is gay. Gray instantly goes on the defensive and tries to convince Katie that Perdy is a compulsive liar. Katie is appalled and insists that Perdy leaves. Later when they are alone, Gray admits to sleeping with men when he was young but has left it in his past. Will Katie's love for Gray blind her to the truth?
Meanwhile, a hungover Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) misses the bus to her counselling appointment, only for Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) to offer her a lift. After the appointment, Victoria praises the affects of the sessions and tells Diane she was bullied at school after the fire. Have the pair at last begun to heal their rift?
Elsewhere, there is no let up in Rodney (Patrick Mower) and Val's (Charlie Hardwick) arguments over Paul (Mathew Bose) and Jonny's (Richard Grieve) wedding. Val's nose is put out of joint when Rodney is scathing of her new wedding cocktail: P&J's Civil Ceremony Slammer. Interrupting, Paul demands that the pair work together and end the squabbling.
Thursday 28 February
Jo (Roxanne Pallett) struggles to control Sam (James Hooton) and Jake (James Baxter) at the farm due to Jack's absence in Spain. Over at the Woolpack, Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) decides to head over to the farm and offer her services to Jo. Arriving, Diane finds Sam and Jake in a fight and goes over Jo's head to rebuke them. Taking things further, Diane suggests she moves in until Jack's return but Jo is enraged and warns her not to try and meddle in the family she destroyed. With Diane's pride wounded, Jo finishes things off by insisting that none of the Sugdens will ever forgive her.
Following Donald's (Michael Jayston) offer of a big promotion to stop seeing Nicola (Nicola Wheeler), David (Matthew Wolfenden) is distracted at work. Nicola picks up on his mood and David admits that he's doubting their plan to murder Donald. Nicola is indignant and decides to give Donald an overdose and frame Cindy (Tiffany Chapman) for the crime. Discovering her plan, David is horrified that Nicola would implicate an innocent woman. Will he stand by and let Nicola go through with her scheme?
At Pear Tree, Matthew (Matt Healy) reminds Carl (Tom Lister) to be accurate and prompt with the council waste contract. With the issue still very much on his mind, Matthew is ruffled when Donald later admits to putting a bid in himself. When Matthew argues that experience will tell when the decision is made, Miles (Ayden Callaghan) defends his father's company.
Friday 29 February
Jo (Roxanne Pallett) expresses regret to Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) over her attack on Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) but is caught off guard when the youngster speaks in favour of her stepmum. Going further, Victoria opens up about their chat the previous day and how Diane is more important to her with Jack away. After the moving endorsement, Jo talks to Diane and smooths things over, accepting the prior offer of help. With issues patched up, does this pave the way for Diane's marriage to heal?
Elsewhere, under pressure from Donald (Michael Jayston), Matthew (Matt Healy) is none too impressed when Carl (Tom Lister) blames him for the council tender being unfinished. After Matthew's failed attempt to coax some information from Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) about the De Souza bid, Donald decides to visit Carl. Asking why the most capable member of King & Sons is living in his brother's shadow, Donald shocks Carl by wondering aloud whether he would benefit by joining De Souzas. Is Carl ready to jump ship?
Also, Nicola's heart is in her mouth when Cindy (Tiffany Chapman) downs the pills meant for Donald. She orders David (Matthew Wolfenden) to come around, convinced that they're about to have the wrong corpse on their hands. After an anxious wait outside Cindy's bedroom, the nurse emerges proclaiming her headache is cured. Later, David rebukes Nicola for her actions, but she vows to get the job done next time. A stunned David ends their relationship and reveals all about Donald's job offer.
