Episode 3658 (10th February 2004)

Plot
After a turbulent couple of months, Alan takes Shelley aside and thanks her for her support. They agree they have been through a lot with Tricia’s death and the devastation from the storm. Very fond of his daughter’s friend, Alan admits that if he was a couple of years younger he would ask her out and can’t believe his ears when Shelley interrupts saying she would love to go on a date with him. Alan is delighted and Shelley looks him in the eye before kissing him just as the front door opens and Steph bursts in. Shocked to see her best friend kissing her dad, a row ensues and Steph once again shows her true colours as she accuses Shelley of gold-digging. Infuriated by her childish behaviour Alan throws Steph out. Elsewhere in the village, Ashley is relieved when he brings Gabby back from the doctors having been assured she does not have meningitis but a bout of chicken pox. Having been told to keep an eye on her, Ashley is grateful when Laurel offers to lend a hand. Tentatively nursing the tot, single parent Ashley is impressed by the way Gabby responds to Laurel and begins to wonder what he’d do without her. Meanwhile, there is trouble at the top for Zoe as she begins to lose faith in Scott. She is far from impressed when he tries to hide the black eye Zak gave him.