Episode 2683 (25th April 2000)

==Plot==
Ashley is mortified about the fight, but Cain declares that fighting is the only way to show the Tates who's boss. Ashley feels he's let the whole village down, and that he wanted to set an example to them. Cain tells him not to worry about it - the love of a good woman should see him through. Chris is feeling smug after the meeting. Laura suggests that they produce a press release, indicating the company's dismay over the fight and adding that they won't be pressing charges against the perpetrators. Back in the village, everyone is shocked about the previous night's events. Betty and Viv are gossiping away in the shop about Ashley's involvement, while Kathy expresses her disappointment in him and how it set the campaign back. Bernice overhears all of this and berates the trio for kicking Ashley when he's down. When Betty points out that he could get into a lot of trouble with the clergy, Bernice defends Ashley, saying that he is a kind and decent man, and she won’t allow him to be pilloried for standing up for people's rights. Betty and Viv are unconvinced. At the Dingles, Nellie continues on about how it's all Lisa's fault. Zak asks Sam how Lisa was following the meeting, but Sam tells him that Lisa just thanked him for looking after Belle and went straight to bed. Zak says that he’ll go and see Lisa, but Nellie vehemently tells him, Sam and Emily to stay away. Richie tries to persuade Sarah to leave Jack and come away with him, but she's blowing hot and cold and tells him to leave her alone. Mandy spits on about how the Tates should be punished and expresses her annoyance at Kelly, not just for not turning up at the meeting but also for working for the Tates. Roy suggests to Mandy that she and Paddy come round for dinner tomorrow and talk to her then. Bernice dashes down to the police station but finds that Ashley has already left. Ashley returns to the village, only to be shunned by the majority of villagers. Viv bars him from the shop and Emily tells him that fighting never solved anything, even though she knows he was trying to defend her. At the diner, Diane points out that the death of Councillor Simmons in the crash means that a by-election is looming and suggests that a candidate could come from the village. Ashley arrives, but Kathy refuses to serve him. When he arrives at the Woolpack, Bernice tells him that she's proud of him for what he's done. Ashley is due to hold an active service that evening; only two parishioners agree to attend. Bernice says she will attend. Later, Bernice gets ready for the service – she's been having a long think since he declared his love for her and tells Diane that he could be “the one”. Having burst with excitement at Diane’s idea, Kathy approaches Jack about standing as councillor, after his stirring speech last week. Jack is flattered but declines because of the family. He suggests Alan, who is pleased, while Kathy bursts with excitement again at another brilliant idea. After the service, Bernice comes round to the vicarage. She persuades Ashley to open a bottle of wine and talk about recent events. She reiterates how proud of him she is after hearing what happened and is finally over Gavin. What she wants to do now is to get intimate - with him. Ashley is stunned, and Bernice leans in with a passionate kiss.
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
*Cain Dingle - Jeff Hordley
*Zoe Tate - Leah Bracknell
*Christopher Tate - Peter Amory
*Laura Johnstone - Louise Beattie
*Viv Windsor - Deena Payne
*Betty Eagleton - Paula Tilbrook
*Bernice Blackstock - Samantha Giles
*Kathy Glover - Malandra Burrows
*Zak Dingle - Steve Halliwell
*Sam Dingle - James Hooton
*Emily Dingle - Kate McGregor
*Richie Carter - Glenn Lamont
*Sarah Sugden - Alyson Spiro
*Jack Sugden - Clive Hornby
*Mandy Dingle - Lisa Riley
*Lisa Dingle - Jane Cox
*Roy Glover - Nicky Evans
*Alan Turner - Richard Thorp
*Diane Blackstock - Elizabeth Estensen
*Tricia Stokes - Sheree Murphy
===Guest cast===
*Nellie Dingle - Maggie Tagney
*Custody Sergeant - Mark Wadsworth
==Locations==
*Hotten Police Station - Cell and reception
*Home Farm - Kitchen
*Village Store, Post Office & Off-Licence - Shop floor and exterior
*Wishing Well Cottage - Living room/kitchen
*Melby Farm - Farmhouse (kitchen)
*Kathy's Diner - Diner
*The Woolpack - Public bar and back room
*The Vicarage - Hallway and living room
==Notes==
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 11,290,000 viewers (9th place - combined figure including repeat).
Category:2000 episodes
Category:Emmerdale episodes