Episode 3626 (4th January 2004)

Plot
Ashley is feeling sheepish. Louise is clear to go home, and he's agreed she can stay at the vicarage, but he still needs to set the record straight with Ethan. Ethan understands that Ashley's private life is his own, but their reconciliation is awkwardly interrupted by Louise. Meanwhile, Emily confronts Laurel about her obvious feelings for Ashley. Laurel says she needs to get over this crush before she ruins a friendship. Her head knows, but her heart won't listen. Jack is looking close to home, and isn't interested in taking calls from Zoe about the state of Home Farm. She needs someone to show the loss adjuster round, and calls Scott, letting him think he'll be babysitting Jean. With Viv's hopes up, Scott is after brownie points to get his daughter the following day. When he finds Jack helping Andy he sees a chance. He leaves the insurance man with a seething Jack and is straight back to Zoe to tell all. She reluctantly agrees he can take Jean to see Viv the following day. Marlon is still by Tricia's bed, talking to her about their future. He won't leave her, despite Alan and Steph's efforts. He's determined that more tests will prove the surgeon wrong. Steph's on an emotional rollercoaster - she doesn't know if Marlon's right or not, and is reevaluating her whole relationship with her daughter. Alan has to take the brunt of her anger. A second opinion comes, but there is no good news. In fact, the rest of the family are told that Marlon has 48 hours to come to terms with her death voluntarily before they switch off Tricia's life-support. But Marlon violently refuses. He returns to Tricia's bed to place the wedding ring back on her finger, while he waits for a sign she's coming back.