Arthur tells Michelle that Lofty has no prospects but Pauline agrees to stand by Michelle's decision to marry him. Tomy employs Arthur to help with the shops refurbishment. Debbie changes the living arrangements, putting Naima in the master bedroom, so Andy sarcastically calls it the "bridal suite" and he and Debbie end up shouting at each other. DS Quick tells Debbie he would have a better chance of promotion if he were married. Mary is back to her punk look and tells Andy she was never interested in him. Kathy tells Dot that her smoking is antisocial, which upsets her. Ethel later reads Dot's fortune and sees a lot of love and marriage, but as Dot is already married, Dot assumes it means Charlie will come back.

Tony receives a letter from Cassie's school saying she is bullying another girl. After Sharon tells Den she is fed up of him and the Vic, Simon gives Den some home truths. Pauline calls a family meeting. DS Quick asks Debbie for an answer to his proposal but she says she needs more time. Mary thanks Andy because she got the canteen job. Ethel is mugged for her handbag.

Michelle brings Vicki home and Arthur is annoyed when Lofty takes charge of hosting visitors, leading to an argument. Den is also annoyed when Lofty makes comments about wanting to be Vicki's real father and Den having no children of his own. Debbie tells Andy they need to show they are not cohabiting as partners and she finally answers DS Quick's proposal by ending their relationship.

Angie gets test results from Doctor Legg - she has liver damage but it is reversible if she stops drinking, otherwise in six months it could be permanent. He recommends seeing a counsellor. Angie tells Den she needs more tests from a specialist. Michelle and Lofty finally talk - she says she was ready to marry him but when she arrived she realised she does not want to marry anyone and needs her independence.

Pete and Arthur have a fight. Charlie flirts with Pat. Ethel is upset that her room has gone. Den tells Angie she will get a big Christmas surprise and tells Colin he is divorcing Angie. Kelvin tells Hannah that he loves Carmel and wants her to move in with him. Barry unexpectedly tells Colin that he is moving in with him.

Den hears Sharon's screams and comes to her rescue. He insists on driving her over to the Estate. Over at No. 45, Pauline is waiting up for Arthur to come home.

Kathy and Michelle are working hard to try to complete Mehmet's knitting order - aided and supported by Ian, Pete and Lofty.

Trade is down in the Vic so Lofty suggests a party and Barry suggests making it a cross-dressing party, which Den agrees to. Ian comes up with an idea to prank Pete. Simon talks to Lou about who his father is -

Lofty asks Den for time off work whilst he and Michelle are interviewed by Social Services over Vicki's adoption. Pat flirts with Ali and asks if he wants company - Ali says he will think about it and leaves.

Ali and Sue are happy and in love again causing them to open the café late and close it early. Farrukh and Naima say they will miss each other when he goes back to Bangladesh. Den agrees to Pete's suggestion of a country and western night in the Vic.

Dot has been stung by a wasp. Mary returns from Stockport. Den announces to Arthur that he is taking over as manager and coach of the Queen Vic five-a-side football team. Ian and Pete are disgusted and resign out of loyalty to Arthur. Wicksy also tells Den to stick it, so Den recruits Kelvin, Ali, and himself as replacements.

Michelle finds out from Doctor Legg that she isn't pregnant, and dreads telling Lofty. She spends the whole day talking it through with Kathy, Naima, Den and Magda before eventually telling him. She explains she doesn't want another baby, she wants to get on with her life, get a job, and if he wants a baby so badly he'll have to stay at home and be the mum. Rod is busy painting at the surgery, without Darren. They meet in the Dagmar at lunchtime and get drunk, much to the doctors' disgust. Donna talks to Kathy in the Vic and asks if she can get some work with her making jumpers, saying her dad was a tailor and her mum a dressmaker. Kathy looks unconvinced.

Colin finishes his portfolio and goes off to present his work. Naima is excited when she receives a letter announcing an imminent visit by her cousin Farrukh. Ethel reads Dot and Tom's fortunes from playing cards. She sees a dark man coming in to Dot's life, but says it's not Charlie or Nick, and she sees Tom surrounded by beseeching women.