Template:12th November



12th November 2009: Laurel turns at the church to deal with the parish paperwork, only to find that Sally's already there. Fuming, Laurel demands to know if Sally's deliberately trying to wind her up. Playing the innocent, Sally suggests they stay there until they resolve their apparent differences. When Laurel insults Sally's failed marriage, Sally finds it hard to contain her anger and goes to leave. Before she leaves, though, she menacingly positions the heater closer to the vestry curtain. Pleased with her actions, Sally locks the door, leaving an unassuming Laurel alone inside the church. Unaware that smoke is beginning to fill the room, Laurel's on the phone to Ashley and reassures him that she'll soon be home. Just as she's about to leave, Laurel sees the vestry curtain go up in flames. Horrified, she tries to escape through the back door but discovers that it's locked. With that, she races through the flames to the front door, which is also locked. Panicking she sees her phone is on the desk on the other side of the increasing flames. The heater suddenly explodes, leaving Laurel banging on the front door desperately hoping someone will hear her cries. Quickly becoming weak, Laurel crawls to the bell ropes and struggles to ring the bell in a bid to draw attention to the church. With all her strength, she eventually manages to tug the ropes and the bells ring out. Hearing the bells and spotting the smoke, Zak races towards the church. Sally sends Zak to call 999 while she sneakily unlocks the door. Zak alerts Ashley to the burning church and he quickly run toward it. On seeing Ashley, Sally increases her panic. As the bells stop ringing, Ashley realises that it only means one thing and he barges the door. On hearing Ashley's cries, Laurel tries to call back but is too weak and suddenly loses consciousness. An alarmed Bob runs to the cottage to alert the others and it's not long before the whole village race to the terrible scene. Desperately trying to get inside, Ashley's beaten back by the flames and smoke. Zak and Sally, meanwhile, try to convince him to wait for the fire brigade but frantic he rushes in with Zak in tow. They struggle to find Laurel but when they finally reach her, Ashley's unable to rouse her. Realising they can't leave the same way they entered, they battle to find another way out. Ashley and Zak eventually emerge from the blazing church with Laurel and the paramedics are quick to try and save Laurel. The villagers look on as the fire brigade fight with the flames, shocked by the scenes that are unfolding in front of their eyes.


 * For more information see Episode 5451 (12th November 2009) and Episode 5452 (12th November 2009)