Spoilers 23 March 08

Monday 17 March 2008

Donald (Michael Jayston) tells Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) that he fancies a day up on the moors, the murderous minx immediately suggesting that they go alone without Cindy (Tiffany Chapman). Heavy hearted, Donald realises that his young wife has taken the bait all too readily. Later at the top of the cliff, Nicola surveys the terrain, steeling herself for what she needs to do. Donald asks her to wheel him closer to the edge stating that he wants to make things easier for her. Thrown, Nicola asks what he means and Donald reveals that he knows she’s been trying to kill him. Suggesting she’s not been very good at it, he points out that all she has to do is push him and her task will be accomplished. Will Nicola kill her golden goose?

Elsewhere Charlie (Michael Keogh) grows impatient and insists to Debbie (Charley Webb) that he needs a car today. Recruiting Chas (Lucy Pargeter) to the cause, Debbie fills her in and insists that she wants him well away from Sarah (Amber Sophia Moore). Chas refuses to do a job with Debbie to raise some cash, but agrees to help her come up with a plan. Later, Chas enlists the help of widow of the hotel corpse, Mrs McFarlane (Judy Holt), realising that she has the criminal connections that they need. They ask her permission to pretend to rob one of her nightclubs in order to fool Charlie. Will the girls be able to pull off their perilous plan?

Meanwhile Jimmy’s (Nick Miles) surprised to hear that Matthew (Matt Healy) still hasn’t sold the trucks to Carl (Tom Lister) as agreed. Matthew goes to see Carl and confirms that he’s decided not to sell him the trucks much to Carl's anger.

Tuesday 18 March

When Jo (Roxanne Pallett) tries to leave to attend Andy’s (Kelvin Fletcher) appeal, Charlie (Michael Keogh) insists she’s going nowhere – he needs her home in case anything goes wrong on the job. Debbie (Charley Webb) waits in the getaway car whilst Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Charlie enter the supposedly empty club. Suddenly she hears a scuffle and scream from the office and discovers Charlie with a gun to the bar manager’s head. He orders a shaking Chas to open the safe and grab the cash. Will the Dingle belles add armed robbery to their CVs?

Elsewhere, Sandy (Freddie Jones) worries about the widening gulf between Ashley (John Middleton) and Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy). Later Betty (Paula Tilbrook) inadvertently reveals to Ashley that Sandy’s decided not to visit Luke in India after all, knowing that he can’t leave his family now. Ashley is upset, knowing how much the trip meant to his father. Talking to Laurel, Ashley explains that Sandy is putting his life on hold because of them and suggests they try and get over things, if only for other people’s sake. Will Ashley's words resonate with Laurel?

Meanwhile Sam (James Hooton) is in a bind when Chas (Lucy Pargeter) isn’t around to babysit Samson (Ben Shooter) and a hungover Shadrach (Andy Devine) offers to look after him. Later Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) arrives home to see Samson playing, the house a mess, and an emotional Shadrach wiping away a tear. Is the grieving godfather more affected by Daniel's death than he's letting on?

Wednesday 19 March

Val (Charlie Hardwick) organises a surprise party for Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) at the pub and persuades Jo (Roxanne Pallett) that it will be a good idea. Meanwhile, Andy meets Jake (James Baxter) and says he will see what he can do about keeping him on at the farm. An innocent Val later asks Andy what’s happened to the other bloke who’s been helping round the farm, Charlie (Michael Keogh). Shock turns to anger and suspicion. Has Andy's happy homecoming just turned sour?

When Ashley (John Middleton) suggests that they move some of Daniel’s belongings into the loft, too tired to argue, Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) agrees. A relieved Ashley holds her close but she remains detached. As they pack his things, Gabby (Annelise Manojlovic) asks if she can have Daniel’s height chart and Ashley agrees causing Laurel to walk out abruptly.

Later, Ashley returns from the service and, seeing Laurel looking at the height chart on the table, suggests they use pencil marks on the door frame instead but Laurel accuses him of patronising her. As Gabby reaches for a biscuit, she knocks a glass of juice all over Daniel’s chart and Laurel explodes at her. Driven to defend his daughter, can Ashley's patience with Laurel hold out?

Thursday 20 March

As Ashley (John Middleton) pays a visit to Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) at Betty’s (Paula Tilbrook), she defiantly pours herself another sherry and refuses to go home. Driven to despair, Ashley tells Laurel that he feels like she’s blaming him for Daniel’s death, just as she blamed Hilary (Paula Wilcox), and accuses her of trying to drive him away. When Ashley explains that he’s not strong, but just trying not to wallow, a stunned and angry Laurel tells him to get out as she throws crockery after him in sheer frustration. Could Laurel be about to lose her husband as well as her son?

There’s a strained atmosphere at Butlers and Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) is less than receptive when Jo (Roxanne Pallett) attempts to apologise for the ill-advised surprise party. She tries to explain that the only reason she kept everything from him was so that their few days back together would be like a honeymoon – no cares or worries. When Andy brings up the subject of Sarah's adoption, can Jo get Debbie (Charley Webb) to sign the papers or is more trouble about to flare between the newlyweds?

Charlotte (Emma Hartley-Miller) apologises for accusing Donna (Verity Rushworth) of fancying Shane (Paul McEwan) at the party, and says she hopes she didn’t mind her staying over with Ross (Samuel Anderson) that night. Donna confides that Shane tried it on with her at the party. When Shane interrupts them, he apologises to Charlotte for leading her on and pointedly says to both that he hopes there won’t be any awkwardness at work. Whilst Charlotte is appeased by this, will Donna give him the benefit of the doubt?


Friday 21 March

Viv (Deena Payne) continues to call Freddie, but the number just rings out. Donna (Verity Rushworth) insists she call the police, but Viv remains in denial. Brandishing the flyer that Freddie gave her for the The Happy Playbarn, a Happy Smile funded venture, Viv suggests they check that out before jumping to wild conclusions. Once there, Viv explains she’s looking for Freddie. The manager doesn’t know who she’s talking about and explains that she’s wrong – it’s a business and he’s the owner. As the happy smile is wiped from her face, will Viv be able to track down fraudulent Freddie?

Meanwhile it’s Daz’s (Luke Tittensor) 17th birthday. Scarlett’s (Kelsey-Beth Crossley) bought him a gold chain that she’s having engraved and Debbie (Charley Webb) agrees to take her into town to collect it. When Debbie jokes that she’ll buy him condoms for his birthday, Scarlett is mortified and confesses that their relationship isn’t at that stage. Later Scarlett leaves the room, Debbie suggests to Daz that he’s on a promise that night, much to his surprise. Later she sets out to embarrass the pair of them further by secreting a leopard print pousing pouch on top of the chain in the box. When Daz opens his gift, will Scarlett turn as red as her name?

Elsewhere Perdy (Georgia Slowe) is rattled to hear that Gray (Christopher Villiers) is taking Katie (Sammy Winward) into Leeds to buy some maternity clothes. She later laments to Paul (Mathew Bose) how she stuffed all her maternity clothes into the wardrobe each time she lost a baby, and that they were all she was left with in the end. When Katie suggests they tell Perdy about tomorrow’s scan, Gray refuses and agrees to give her a copy of it later. Is Perdy losing yet another baby?