Seasons & episodes

Bev is discharged from hospital, and Ron needs to borrow a car to bring her home. Marty burns everything he was wearing at the pond, but finds it difficult to remain calm. Sean wants Luke to have a normal Christmas, even though Alan is still missing and Debbie is refusing to get out of bed. Sammy encourages Katie to get back with Nic.

Ron sets up a new "Trading Post" on the Parade using Ray's caravan, but not everyone is impressed with his entrepreneurship or pricing. Josh doesn't want to leave Bev alone, and Rachel ends up being at their beck and call. Steve and Tim want revenge, Nikki has lunch with Matt, and an arrest is made at a funeral.

Marty is interviewed again, shown the evidence the police have found, and charged with Imelda's murder. Sean refuses to leave Luke with Dan. Ron tries to prevent Leanne and Christy setting themselves up in competition with him, and Tim and Margi are told that Emily is not doing as well as hoped.

When his workmate Kevin turns up with a pitiful collection for Alan, Kirsty throws him out. She assures Steve that she doesn't believe Marty is guilty, but Adele is wondering whether he really could have killed Imelda in order to protect Anthony. Leanne plans to set up a victims support group, and Katie tells Nic she is pregnant - but will he want to stand by her?

Tim tells Max he wants to buy "Trina's Tots"' premises for Emily, whatever it costs. But Nikki is not convinced that her sister will ever get better. Ruth discovers that her father's job is being advertised, Katie tells Jacqui of her plans to be a single mother, and Christy reveals his plan to keep Marty and Anthony out of prison - blame Diane.

Jimmy tries to flush Tim's nest-egg down the toilet, but Tim prevents him, and finds someone who reluctantly agrees to help him out. Ruth and Sean reach agreement on sharing Luke over Christmas, Anthony wants to go and visit Marty in prison, and Ron agrees to close his stall for a day - as long as Max compensates him.

Sean is frustrated when Debbie takes Luke out and doesn't return in time to give him the access Ruth had promised. Nisha is missing Gary - and when his plane home is delayed, she realises that she won't see him for another fortnight. Steve and Jan reluctantly feel that they must tell Marty that Anthony has gone missing.

Anthony is interviewed by the police, and confesses to killing Imelda. Jacqui discovers that Ron has invited Bev to join them for Christmas dinner. Ali and Stuart find one of Alan's secret stashes of cigarettes, Nikki wonders whether to go out with Matt, and there is a pair of brawling Santas on the Parade.

Marty is released, and joins the rest of the family taking Christmas presents to Anthony in the remand centre. At the Gordons', Debbie tries to put on a brave face, but breaks down when Luke wants to telephone his grandfather. Ron invites Brigid to join the family gathering at the Farnhams', and reflects on a year of tragedy and loss. Bev discovers the gifts she has bought from Christy are pornographic.

When Ruth takes Luke round to see Sean, she finds him drowning in his bath. Max opens his electricity bill, and discovers why it is so high. Adele blames Jan for breaking up the family, but can Marty persuade her to stay? Although others would prefer to watch telly, Ron insists on playing "Trivial Pursuit" - and no-one can answer the "Geography" question "Where is Alan Gordon?".

Tim tries to reassure Steve that things may not turn out too badly for Anthony, but Steve is appalled that Tim is planning to sell drugs. Lance turns up to invade Ron's privacy just as Brigid is searching for a toothbrush. Ruth has a go at Dan for going to a Christmas party without her, and Katie calls Nic out on Boxing Day - but not because her toilet is blocked.

Debbie is discovered peeling off the living-room wallpaper at four o'clock in the morning. Ron wants to increase his prices for the health club laundry, but loses the contract entirely when Jacqui admits to Max that she has been paying another firm to re-do it properly. Adele is convinced that Jan is trying to take Diane's place, and Ruth is annoyed when she sees Sean with Kirsty's friend Lizzie.

Mike and Rachel hope they will be babysitting at Jacqui's, but Jacqui brings the children round to theirs. Mike feels that he is failing Rachel, and resolves to do better in 2003. Ruth is reluctant to allow Sean access to Luke because he is seeing an attractive 18-year-old. Nic calls in reinforcements when he is surrounded by women, and Kirsty and Lizzie decide on their New Year's resolutions.