Karen's happiness at finding her son begins to fade when she discovers his dark secret. Beth tries to force Tom into proposing by making him jealous. Sally ruffles the feathers of the local hairdresser who she suspects is hiding a serious illness. Sally is upset to discover that her son wants to leave Skelthwaite.

Karen decides to concentrate all her efforts on helping Russell battle his heroin addiction - even at the risk of destroying her marriage - and arrives in London to find her troubled son living in a squalid bedsit. Meanwhile, Anna and Beth look after a pensioner they believe should be transferred to sheltered accommodation - but he's none too pleased with the proposal, and promptly escapes.