Ashley (John Middleton) and Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) venture out into the village but immediately regret it as they begin to attract knowing looks from other villagers. Seeing Greg (Shaun Prendergast) and Jake (James Baxter) in the pub, Ashley questions whether Mel (Caroline Strong) will be back before the hearing. Jake retorts angrily, blaming Ashley for her disappearance. On the morning of the hearing, Ashley fails to convince Laurel to attend. Instead, she bumps into Greg and spends the morning with him looking through pictures of Daniel. Ashley returns from the hearing and is instantly edgy to see them together. He explains that Mel and Arthur (Billy Harrower) will have to have a DNA test once they return. Later, Ashley attempts to smooth things over with his wife, but puts his foot in it by mentioning Arthur again. Laurel blasts that she needs more time and exits hurt. Can the troubled couple pull their marriage back from the brink?
Elsewhere, Donna (Verity Rushworth) tells Marlon (Mark Charnock) about Viv (Deena Payne) and Bob’s (Tony Audenshaw) arrest and struggles to hide her guilt from him. Viv and Bob are bailed at the magistrate’s court and ordered to attend a preliminary trial hearing next week. Viv is still angry with Donna and goes to the pub to escape her family’s questions. Bob urges Viv to be honest with him and Viv is gutted that he could even think that she may be involved. Later, Viv refuses to face the village gossips so Bob tries to reassure her that they’ll face the criticism together. However, Viv coops herself up in the stockroom and Bob is later sent home from the Woolpack, neither of them coping well. Donna arrives and in the midst of Viv’s ranting, tells them to try and seek the advice of a private investigator. Will a private dick get Viv's problems licked?
Meanwhile Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) continues to badger Paddy (Dominic Brunt) over her job but he is preoccupied ahead of his court appearance. When she lies to Ross (Samuel Anderson) that Paddy no longer needs a lift, Paddy is furious with his cousin’s no-show and is forced to accept a lift from Nicola. She is then forced to bite her tongue when David (Matthew Wolfenden) ribs her about losing her job at the vets. With Chas (Lucy Pargeter) again absent, Nicola takes the opportunity to lend an extra hand to Paddy. Pointing out that Paddy will be spending a great deal of money paying for taxi rides to his appointments; Nicola suggests that she become his chauffeur for a fair price. Will this last ditch attempt to get her feet back under the reception desk work?