Episode 3245 (16th August 2002)

Plot
Diane is strangely unnerved as she finally hears what she’s been waiting for from Mack. Aware that he is implying a deepening of their relationship, she tentatively reminds him they’ve always been casual before. The couple have a heart to heart and he finds it hard to open up, but she teases out his true feelings. He admits he wants to stay around for the long term, stressing it is because of her. He admits he’s never settled in one place, been committed to a relationship or faithful to one woman before but wants to change for Diane. Diane is overwhelmed but uneasy at Mack’s declaration. Emily and Paddy are still bitter with freeloading Nicola, annoyed that she allowed them to play one off against each other, the couple can’t believe they were so naïve! Having betrayed her closest friends, Nicola attempts remorse, but Emily will not be taken in again. At the surgery Nicola is met by Paddy, aware that she is clearly not welcome anymore, she offers to clear her desk. Robert seems to be the only one left in the village that has any time for Nicola. He questions her why she lied to Paddy and Emily in the first place. Nicola insists she was lonely. When Robert offers his company for the evening her true colours show through and she reveals she’s not that desperate! Zak and Foggin are still competing to be top-dog at the Dingles'. Zak feels decidedly threatened by his old pal and his relationship history with Lisa. Tempers start to fray as they are all under the same roof! Reliving their old fighting days, things start to get a little rough as the men challenge each other to arm wrestling matches!