Pauline is about to retire and she’s disappointed to find out that hardly anyone’s noticed or really cares. The only person who does notice is Peter Bachman, who gives her a present. After her dad, Frank, has an accident, she turns to comfort from Ken who dismisses her. This is the final straw for Pauline who thinks about starting a whole new life. Kevin’s finding it hard to make ends meet and takes some desperate measures in order to do so.
Pauline is enjoying her new lease of life and gets a new haircut, and even goes so far as to go on a date with Peter. Heather is not impressed and attempts to keep Ken updated on Pauline’s new love life. She also continues to let her paranoia over Charlie get to her.
Kevin’s desperate efforts to get his hands on some money sees him end up stealing from an old lady who has just died in a fire. He pretends hat he won the money and after the police get involved he sticks to the story. After a night in the cells though he finally admits the truth but Sarah’s already seen the CCTV footage of Kevin returning the stolen rugby club money and is shocked by his betrayal. Pauline continues to date Peter and in an effort to win her back Ken pretends to be ill. Pauline assumes that her family are lying to her about Ken’s tribulations and Kevin’s arrest, and agrees to go to a hotel with Peter.
Scarlett learns that Rowan called Emma having promised she wouldn’t. Scarlett goes to find Emma and Rowan turns to Tommy in her hour of need, only to be abandoned after Tommy’s wife demands that he comes home. Heather tells Ashley that he’s definitely the father of her baby but refuses to discuss it any further. Having made that decision she watches sadly as Charlie starts showing signs that he can’t be the dad he’s always promised to be.
Martin and Michelle begin on their new life with him as a househusband and her as a working woman. Martin discovers a way to enjoy his part of the deal due to 19-yr-old au pair Alice. After Alice shows a strange closeness with Lucy and Martin, Michelle jumps to the wrong conclusion and a fight ensues. Martin ends up admitting he can’t stand being at home all the time and feels railroaded into it. Kevin believes that Ken and Pauline should to go to couples therapy. Kevin’s hearing at the Fire Service is coming up and at the at the hearing, Sarah stands up and makes a speech about him. It looks to be having a positive impact until she mentions Kevin stealing the rugby club money.
