Template:16th January



16th January 2014: News of Sam's arrest reaches the Hotten Courier. Matthew Brooks, Sam's new solicitor, tells the Dingles he's looking at seven years. Rachel turns up at Pear Tree Cottage and tells Charity she'll take the rap for the fire and go on the run. Later, Rachel leaves Archie with a surprised Jai, stating that he needs to spend time with him. Charity and Declan crack open a bottle of champagne to toast the fact that they'll soon be back in the clear. Rachel visits Sam in prison for the final time. She tells a confused Sam that she loves him and slips him a card with a photo of them both with Samson and Archie, signed '2gether 4ever' on the back and leaves. Ali sees Rachel getting off the bus from Hotten and realises she's been to say goodbye to Sam. Rachel finishes packing her things as an oblivious Jai arrives back at Wishing Well Cottage to drop Archie off. She lets him keep a little teddy bear of his. Declan tells Rachel exactly what to say, giving her information that only the fire-starter would know. Ali catches Rachel staring in through the window of Tenant House at them and chases after her realising what she's about to do. She tries to talk Rachel out of doing it and gets rid of Ruby as she comes out to see what's going on. As Rachel says her goodbye to Ali, Declan and Charity wait in the car further up the street. Eric realises that Val doesn't want to go with him and demands that she tell him what is wrong, but she won't. Declan and Charity drop Rachel off outside Hotten Police Station and force her to hand over her phone. Ruby presses Ali to tell her what was wrong with Rachel but Ali won't. Rachel confesses to DC Morden and DS Reed about the fire, but they don't take her seriously until she starts to tell them about evidence only the fire-starter would know. She is arrested. Lisa receives a phone call in the pub, telling her that Sam is about to be released from prison and they leave to pick him up. Rachel is given bail and returns outside to Charity who sends a text to Sam from Rachel's phone saying she's dumping him. She destroys Rachel's phone and gives her a new one with names and numbers of people who'll set her up, along with money. Jai tells Priya that he thinks Rachel might be coming around to the idea of him having custody of Archie and explains about her letting him see him earlier on. A teary Rachel gets on a coach with Archie and leaves Emmerdale, whilst Declan congratulates Charity on a job well done as she looks forward to seeing Jai's face when he hears the news.


 * For more information see Episode 6768 (16th January 2014) and Episode 6769 (16th January 2014)