Heartbroken that Karen has left Skelthwaite to take care of her heroin-addicted son in London, a dejected David yearns to leave the village, taking Jess with him - but soon discovers his daughter has made a happy life with new boyfriend Joe. Meanwhile, Sally catches truant schoolboy Nathan in a compromising situation with Candida, and Anna fears for the health of elderly farm owner Essie Crayford.

Unable to put the tragic loss of her baby behind her, a heartbroken Beth calls off the wedding, while the Scorpions decide to pose for a nude calendar to raise funds for the club's floodlights. Meanwhile, new parents Susan and Steve eagerly await Elaine's departure so they can be on their own with their baby - little suspecting the houseguest has a surprise in store.