6th January 2022

Alvin wakes up to find a letter stating 'time's up' at his door. Micheal asks what the letter is about. Amanda and Audrey chat that morning, and Audrey mentions some weird guy asking for Alvin. Amanda vows to talk to him about it. Marc lies unconscious on the floor of Alvin's office. Amanda is at the salon when the police arrive. Alvin approaches the salon and bumps into Dan, who tells him that he has a business meeting. Alvin doesn't mock him as he usually does, concerning Dan, who also watches the officer enter the salon. Dan knows that Alvin is in some kind of trouble. Alvin turns around and briskly walks back. Dan calls him, but Alvin's paranoia has clearly got the better of him. Amanda learns that the bottle supported evidence that Alvin drunk he scotch. Amanda tells them that the attacker was female, but questions why Alvin would lie about it. What is he hiding? Dan arrives and Amanda asks him what Alvin is up to. Amanda interrogates him as she knows that Dan and Alvin know each other well enough to know either of them are in trouble. Dan tells Amanda that he knows nothing. Amanda realises that she may be overreacting and lets him go. Alvin arrives home and realises that Micheal isn't in, and starts packing a bag. He's annoyed as he hasn't got Aaron's number anymore and he was going to call. Marya arrives for work at Leighton Locks, and Amanda tells her that she thought that she had the day off, and questions her about the attacker. Marya tells Amanda that she can't get hold of Marc, while Amanda is panicked as Alvin won't answer his phone either. She heads over to his office, where he ought to be. Alvin doesn't know what to do. Amanda realises the door to his office has been broken into and slowly walks in. She panics as she finds Marc on the floor, and just as she heads out, Aaron grabs Amanda, who puts up a fight and pushes him back. Aaron tackles her to the floor and ties her up and tapes her mouth. Aaron is shocked and delighted he has found Marc unconscious on the floor. Marya tells Elle, who arrives at the salon, that Alvin and Marc have go AWOL. Marya tells Elle she has to pop out to ask around, and asks her to call if she hears from Amanda. Strangely, Elle realises that Amanda's phone is off. Amanda is terrified seeing Marc on the floor. Aaron pulls out a gun, and tells Amanda that this is going to be a fun ride.

Paul is presented with the partial truth of what happened to Amy over New Years, as Matt dresses the lie. Paul is lead to believe that Amy was simply at the party and was neglected. Paul cannot believe that Candace accepted the babysitting money and Candace vows to return it to Becca, but Paul is annoyed as that would make it look suspicious. Paul mentions how bad Lydia feels. Paul heads out and Matt frets about Lydia telling the truth. Again, Candace is repulsed that he doesn't seem to care that much about his half sister, and leaves. Liz is in the shop downstairs and thought she could hear Paul. Liz wants a cosy night in having sorted though Andrea's old things in the morning, and Paul suggests the same thing. Jonny, whose behind the cash register, tells her to take care. Lydia heads to the backroom and finds Amy there, and asks about her and Matt's secret. Amy, and quite righteously, assures Lydia that it is indeed a secret. Lydia asks if her head hurts and gets some medication for her in the kitchen. Becca comes in and asks Lydia if she has a headache. Lydia lies and claims that she does. Becca tells her to stay in the room for a while as she and Steve are behind the bar. Candace arrives at the RR and asks Clare if Lydia is in. Lydia gives Amy some medication as Candace walks in and asks about Amy's welfare. Lydia is annoyed as the medication will end up being another lie. Candace tells her that the story has changed to Amy was at the party, but was just neglected. Lydia tells her that Matt is crazy. Candace insists that the decision was made because Paul smelt a rat. Lydia doesn't want to know anymore and walks out, as she reminds her that Matt did this for her. Lydia serves Ricky behind the bar and asks how Elsie is. She can see that he is upset, and vows to bring the drinks over, while Candace gets back just as she does. Tracey tells her that she must have been relaxed what with the empty house. Ian goes inside and asks how the party was. Matt tells him that they are the talk of the valley. Candace ushers Beth and Adam inside. Ricky drinks half of his drink and is annoyed at himself for being at a bar while Elsie probably needs his company. Lydia agrees. Liz and Paul chat about Andrea's favourite TV shows. Liz mentions how she's thinking of moving into the RR as she doesn't find the rent worth it for just her. Paul suggests he moves in. Liz happily agrees. The pair kiss.

Carla walks past Jane on her way to work, and says hi. Carla wants to talk to her, but Jane clearly doesn't and tells her to stay away from her. Charlene notices as she arrives for work. Carla tells her it's nothing important. Barry tells Jane that he feels useless. Jane assures him that it will take him time to recover. Barry expresses how lucky he was. Charlene wants to go for drinks after work, and tells her to invite Jane. Carla ignores her, and is forced to reveal that she grew feelings for Barry last year and that Jane found out. Carla expresses how she wants to check on Barry as she hasn't seen him lately. Dan, feeling inspired, gets his dad and Imelda coffee at the cafe. Micheal and Imelda chat. Jack walks in and is put off to stay as he finds Micheal and Imelda enjoying a lovely conversation. Dan arrives at Underworld and tells Carla that he is the important meeting. Carla wants to know what he has to offer. Carla learns that Dan is opening a marketing company locally and that he has a list of client leads that could require Underworld's help. Dan reckons that he could be an asset to her business, but keeps it to himself, and tells Carla to meet him later for drinks at the RR. Charlene gets him a coffee and it's clear that Carla is happy with Dan . Jane wants to leave the RR as Carla, Charlene and Dan arrive. Clare stays and vows to talk to Clare later. Clare realises Dan is talking business with Carla. Dan and Charlene gets the drinks in from Lydia, as Carla asks Clare how Barry is. Clare tells her that he is struggling a bit. Micheal laughs as Imelda buys a load of toffees that are on sale at the shop. Audrey is happy, until Micheal points out some are out of date. Imelda is put off and leaves. Micheal and Imelda laugh outside about how they fell out last year over the blind date situation, and Jack sees them again. Jack feels insecure and accuses Micheal of laughing at him. Imelda tells Jack to calm down. Dan and Carla chat about how much they've grown in business terms, and wishes him luck with the new business. Dan leaves, and Carla opens up about how she thought Dan could be useful at her company. Carla insists that she would rather be close with him to leech clients off him rather than him being more of substantial role at Underworld.