Puff of Smoke (24th June 2008)

Plot
Eric is forced to break the news to the workers that he has no orders and no wages and so the factory will have to close. Sam follows Eric outside and sympathises with his predicament but offers to work for free until he’s back on his feet. Touched, Eric explains that it will make no difference and makes an off the cuff remark that it would have been better if the factory had just gone up in smoke. Sam, eager to help out, takes his words literally and confides in Eli who immediately gets on board. Going into the factory, he talks Sam into helping him rid the place of anything he may be able to sell after the fire. Spying the electric heater, Eli decides that together with all the fabric around, he has the winning combination. Putting the finishing touches to the fire, Eli and Sam flee the factory. How will Eric react when he hears his factory has gone up in flames? Meanwhile, Jake and Jasmine continue their flirtation, an act that doesn’t go unnoticed by Daz. When he sees Jake staring at Jasmine as she works, Daz points this out. Will Jake admit his feelings to his friend? Elsewhere, Ashley and Laurel take Gabby to the psychologist. They are relieved to hear that the psychologist is satisfied with the love shared between the three of them, but reveals that Gabby thinks that she too will be swapped. He urges them just to be honest with her but will they be able to convince their little girl that she is safe and secure?

Regular cast

 * Val Pollard  - Charlie Hardwick
 * Matthew King - Matt Healy
 * Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
 * Jake Doland - James Baxter
 * Jasmine Thomas - Jenna-Louise Coleman
 * David Metcalfe - Matthew Wolfenden
 * Laurel Thomas - Charlotte Bellamy
 * Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
 * Donald De Souza - Michael Jayston
 * Carl King - Tom Lister
 * Lisa Dingle - Jane Cox
 * Pearl Ladderbanks - Meg Johnson
 * Douglas Potts - Duncan Preston
 * Sam Dingle - James Hooton
 * Darren Eden - Luke Tittensor
 * Diane Sugden - Elizabeth Estensen
 * Eli Dingle - Joseph Gilgun
 * Chas Dingle - Lucy Pargeter
 * Genesis Walker - Sian Reese-Williams
 * Jimmy King - Nick Miles

Guest cast

 * Melanie Doland - Caroline Strong
 * Greg Doland - Shaun Prendergast
 * Dr Roger Elliot - Sam Hazeldine
 * Investigating Officer - Scott Ryan Vickers