Pick of the Plots: Monday March 13th

Mel seeks out Bethany, telling her Nathan’s been wrongly arrested for assault and needs an alibi. Worried Nathan won’t make Sarah’s dinner, Bethany heads to the police station to help him. Later, Nathan goes on the charm offensive with Sarah but Gary’s less easily impressed. Meanwhile, Gary and Sarah have some news for Bethany – they’re planning to buy a house together.

Aidan confides in Johnny that Maria is due out of prison and he’s worried she’s going to tell Eva about their affair. Later, Johnny offers to pay for a holiday for Maria and Liam in return for her silence. How will Maria react to this, has Johnny made matters worse?

Leanne promises Steve she’ll talk to Nick about access arrangements. As he and Liz cuddle Oli, Leanne takes a picture of the three of them on Steve’s phone. Meanwhile, Michelle hacks into Steve’s email account.

Elsewhere, Chloe lies to Peter that her ex is stalking her; Toyah suggests to Tracy that she should consider buying the flower shop premises herself; and Gail spots burn marks on Shona’s shoulder. Also, Kevin is unimpressed when Anna gives a £100 bonus from Roy to Faye for her birthday. Later, Anna’s horrified to discover Seb’s been excluded from school and is working for Phelan.

Laurel and Gabby worry Ashley’s not eating properly. Laurel becomes resigned to the fact that Ashley’s happy spending time with Maggie and it soon becomes clear why he is putting food in his pockets. However, Gabby is struggling with the situation and decides to bunk off school.

Rhona and Vanessa continue to argue over the tape and Paddy gets caught in the middle. Rhona’s touched when Pierce says he wants Leo to be their best man but is Pierce really as genuine as he appears?

Elsewhere, Rakesh lets Jai know he’s aware of his struggle but says he’ll keep it secret; Lydia quashes Rishi’s hopes of further dates; and Faith returns from Prague.

Emma attempts to avoid Valerie and her inane questions about Lena but she is cornered in the Mill staff room. Valerie asks if Emma is actually a lesbian now. Zara jumps to her defence claiming Emma is allowed to ‘dabble’. Emma takes offence at this and tells Valerie and Zara that she would rather her personal life not be brought into work. Valerie soon changes her focus to Al, claiming he needs to open up.

She approaches him and tells him she understands how hard it is for him at the moment, adding that he needs to share his pain. Al snaps that he isn’t interested in sharing with her and this is nothing like her cancer. Hurt, Valerie reveals she was talking about her parents; she lost them both a while back. Al is discomforted and tells her he is sorry for her loss. Mrs Tembe soon perks Valerie up with praise for her minutes and she asks Valerie to type up the minutes of previous meetings. Valerie revels in the power this knowledge gives her and she tells Sid his name is mentioned a lot in these notes too, obliquely mentioning patient complaints.

Sid looks panicked and later starts looking at job vacancies. Meanwhile Heston is desperate to know how Mrs Tembe’s date with Charles went at the literary festival. She coyly just mentions the marvellous speakers. Later she overhears Heston and Ruhma discussing her and Charles. He thinks they make a charming couple and Ruhma claims Charles is smitten. Mrs Tembe is pleased to hear this. Later Heston suggests Mrs Tembe and Charles join him and Ruhma at a concert soon. Mrs Tembe is thrilled.