10th December 2021

Tracey insists that David stays for a bit to give her company, and the pair reminisce how he used to stay with them and all the good time they had. Tracey promises that once Jim goes back inside, she's have nothing to do with him. Tracey's face is saddened when David mentions Ian. David comforts Tracey just as Natasha comes through the door and tells them that Ian said it would be a good idea for her to impart some advice. David claims that he has just tried and Natasha makes a point of Jim's unhinged side. Tracey thanks them both and Natasha had a surprise for him. Tracey takes no notice, while Ian arrives home shortly and Tracey confronts him over Natasha knowing about the phone. Tracey has enough of the conversation after Ian vows to give the phone to Jim himself. Tracey confides in Cilla, who can see she is troubled, while Ian goes to see Jim the next day in prison. That following morning. Natasha, Marc and David have coffee at the cafe and discuss Tracey who brings them coffee to say thanks. David and Tracey lock eyes and Tracey sits away from them. Natasha mentions their sex quite loud leaving Marc to move away too. Natasha, as she leaves, apologises for Tracey for being too forward last night and Tracey forgives her. Ian arrives at hospital and asks nurse Patel where Jim is as he claims to be David. Jim is surprised to see Ian and thanks him, being too unlike himself and polite. Ian wants to know what he is up to, while Candace and Matt look after the kids. Natasha wants to go out for drinks and David agrees. Natasha makes an effort which David likes. Tracey returns home and learns that Ian isn't back yet. He arrives shortly and wants to know why that took him so long. Ian winds up Tracey, who decides to go see Jim herself. Jim lies to Tracey and accuses Ian of abusing him. Natasha seduces David at the bar and mentions how she understands why him and Tracey are so close. She understands, throwing David off.

Stella chats about her love life to Audrey. Stella thinks she will be bumping into Jack everywhere she goes. Jonny joins breakfast and suggests that Stella deserves better than the local ones. Audrey is annoyed that Jonny suggests she leaves. Nick compliments Eileen's dress and asks about the fund raising. Eileen tells Eric to join her as she heads to work at the charity shop, where Samantha finds her and opens up about giving Bill false hope over a reunion, sharing that Bill tried to kiss her on the fight of the fire. Stella minds the shop and Jack arrives. She mentions how Michael was never her type anyway, as the pair seem to get on. Stella tells Audrey she fears she is giving Jack false hope and vows to leave today for France. Audrey is taken aback, and calls Candace to help change her mind. The girls enjoy a final meal in the backroom while Jonny covers the shop floor. Eileen and Paula chat at the shop and get on. Paula notices Eric and tells Eileen to look after him. Eric manages to sneak out with a teddy bear, and quickly drops it home without Eileen noticing. Paula is alarmed as Eric comes back and tells Eileen, who vows that he is harmless. Nick pops by Jeff's and on the way on, asks Piper how she is doing. Stella tells Candace and Audrey that she has booked her flight and will leave this evening. Stella says her goodbyes, and gets into a taxi and leave the valley. Paula reckons that the donated toys are going missing. Eileen asks to leave early and meets Nick. Eileen shares the idea that they should all spend Christmas together. Jeff, clearly not interested, vows to pop out to get more wine, and insists. Nick and Eileen laugh. Jeff complains about Eileen to Audrey and the pair hit it off. Audrey tells Jeff about Stella leaving and the pair flirt.

Charlene knocks at Carla's flat, and tries to call her, but to no avail. Jane asks Charlene what she's up to. Carla, wakes up late and has been crying and reaches for the wine. She quickly decides not to drink it after hearing Charlene at the door. Dan joins Micheal for breakfast at his house, and enlightens him about his new venture in marketing. Micheal thinks its a bad industry and tells him to stick to bars and clubs. Dan asks Micheal if he's heard anything from the police regarding the explosion at the Bistro. Charlene finds Dan at the door of Underworld and he asks for Carla. Dan takes a fancy to Charlene and allows her to show him around the place, while Charlene gets a text from Carla that she won't be in. Charlene continues to entertain Dan. Carla visits Barry in hospital and talks to him, while he is asleep, over her drinking and how she needs him. Samantha and Bill are in a good mood and Samantha asks Clare how Stacey has been. Samantha notices that Bill is in a better mood and asks him why. Dan heads to the RR and flirts with Lydia. Lydia teases him and learns he's waiting for his date, as Clare walks in. Jane finds Carla at Barry's bedside, and finds her crying claiming she needs him. Jane asks if she is okay. A tipsy Carla explains how Barry had been there for her all these months, leaving Jane to confront how Barry used a fake name instead of Carla, sparking her curiosity. Jane wants her to explain the secrecy and Carla denies having an affair, only to open up how she wanted it to happen because Jane was seeing Bill. A furious Jane follows Carla outside, where they take their argument. Carla calls Jane a hypocrite and how she doesn't deserve Barry. Jane clocks that Carla is drunk and slaps her across her face. Meanwhile Samantha and Bill wait in the hospital to see Chris. Chris can see how close Bill and Samantha are getting. Samantha learns from Chris that the police want to see him. Clare and Dan hit it off. Bill pops by to ask how the date is going and tells Clare how he intends to make it work with Samantha. Dan talks to Charlene at the bar, who notices Clare. Micheal tells Dan to introduce him to Charlene. Samantha asks Bill how Clare's date is going, and Chris tells Samantha to call in Bill. Bill tells Chris how happy he is that Chris is getting better. Chris' tone changes as he exposes how he tried to kill him before the explosion. Bill insists that the explosion took them both out. Chris makes it clear that he is going to pay one way or another.