Seasons & episodes

Laurel remains wary of Ashley, not wanting him around the kids or Sandy. Ashley takes the hint to leave as Laurel heads out, promising Sandy that she won't be long. Ashley goes to the café to work, but Edna arrives and is in no mood to talk to him. Laurel is awkward as she tells Bob that Sandy is unwell, and Rachel is suspicious when she overhears the conversation. Rachel visits Sandy and when she sees his bruise, she accuses Laurel of covering things up.

Laurel struggles to cope as she tells Ashley that they need to start acting normally to stop people talking, but she explains that she still can't leave him alone with his dad.

Diane is shocked to see Sandy's injury, and Laurel knows Diane is right when she insists that they can't make it go away themselves and the situation has to be dealt with properly. Later, Ashley is dressed for church but is worried about who'll be there.

Ashley arrives at the pub, announcing to everyone that he's done something terrible and they all need to know. Ashley then openly admits to hitting Sandy. Nicola takes Gabby out and heads off to warn Laurel about what Ashley is doing. Soon afterwards, back at the cottage, Ashley is devastated as he tries to talk to Gabby and sees that she's scared of him after what she heard in the pub.

Ashley has spent the night in the church but receives some support from Rodney, who offers to cook him breakfast. Soon afterwards, Laurel returns to work and is dismayed to discover that everyone knows about her and Marlon following Ashley's announcement. Marlon visits her at work to see if she's okay and they both blame themselves for the situation.

Laurel is stressed as she is on the phone to the police, trying to find out what is happening with Ashley. Sandy is annoyed that Edna got the police involved, insisting that he won't testify against Ashley. Later, Rodney is surprised when he sees that Ashley is back in the village. Ashley explains that he received a caution, but is clearly terrified by what the future holds.

Chas shows Cameron through to the back room at The Woolpack, and he is desperate to hear her thoughts on leaving Debbie. Chas is terrified over the prospect, questioning how it would work in reality. Although it's clear she is tempted, Chas tells Cameron that her answer is no at the moment.

Zak warns Lisa that he doesn't want her with him for his hospital appointment. Lisa is worried as Zak seems more preoccupied by the health of his chickens than his own. Soon afterwards, Sam is annoyed when Zak hasn't turned up at Home Farm and grumbles to Lisa.

Zak heads to the hospital alone, where Doctor Maude tells him the test results are all fine and there's nothing to worry about. Zak insists that he must be sick, and Dr Maude calls security when he becomes aggressive. The doctor suggests that Zak would benefit from some counselling, but he leaves in turmoil.

Zak is defensive as Lisa questions him about what the consultant said. He knows that he's gone too far with the deception to back out now, so he lies that the cancer has spread to his glands. Zak is relieved to escape more questions when Paddy comes to look at the chickens. Zak heads out, leaving Lisa to tell Paddy the bad news about his cancer.

The guilt begins to get too much for Chas as Debbie asks her to take some clothes to the hospital for Sarah. As Debbie goes to speak to the doctor, Chas battles her emotions as Sarah reveals that Cameron has promised to take her to Disney World when she is better. At the same time, Cain asks Cameron why he wasn't with Debbie and Sarah yesterday.

Declan meets his private investigator and is intrigued to be told of Robbie's whereabouts. The investigator goes on to explain that Robbie's 'mother' died five months ago, and Declan wonders what to do next.

Zak has headed out alone to Seth's hide to gather his thoughts. At the same time, Lisa breaks down as she tells Belle and Debbie that Zak has cancer and she doesn't know where he is. Soon afterwards, Sam finds Zak but struggles to convince him to come home. Sam explains that Belle now knows about the cancer, but Zak lashes out at him - shoving him to the ground before running away. Soon afterwards, Zak arrives at Belle's school.

Zak is bewildered and delirious as he stumbles across the moor, arguing out loud with Ned about Butch. At the same time, Debbie is disgusted with Cain as he refuses to help look for Zak, while Declan allows Sam some time off work given the circumstances. Soon afterwards, Zak wakes up alone on the moor and calls for his family. He finds a wad of cash in his pocket, but panics about others getting hold of it and hurries away.

There is still no news on Zak, and Lisa is angry that he lied about the cancer. At the same time, Zak is still on the moors having an imaginary conversation with Butch and Shadrach. Back in the village, Cameron and Debbie are disgusted with Cain's attitude towards Zak when Cain thinks that Debbie should be resting rather than helping the family.

On the moors, Zak is frantic as he continues to talk to an imaginary Butch and Shadrach. He is dangerously close to falling as Cain watches. Cain plays along with Zak's imaginary conversations and manages to get him to step away.

With Zak being cared for, Debbie and Lisa attempt to find out more from Cain about what happened up on the moors. When Cain is evasive, Debbie thinks he's hiding something. As Cain leaves, Debbie is angry and confused until Lisa is forced to confess that it was Zak who attacked Cain before Christmas.

Lizzie visits Lisa, but Lisa is quick to get her out of the house and lies about Zak, telling her that he could have concussion. Later at the factory, Lisa makes a scene when she thinks that everybody is gossiping about Zak's condition.

Ali is fuming when she discovers that Dan has got a job at the factory. After speaking to Jai and Nikhil, she's even more annoyed when they refuse to get rid of him. Later, Ali finds Dan in the café with Sean and the former couple begin to argue as the teenager is meant to be at school.

Ruby tries to sort things out with Sean, but Dan notices that he is upset and leads his son away. Ruby is annoyed at being misjudged, but Sean cannot see a way out of this situation - so he blurts out that Ruby tried to kiss him. Furious, Dan then marches Sean over to Ali and the teenager continues to lie.

Katie and Declan are taken aback when Megan tells them that she posted a letter through Robbie's door. Declan attempts to reassure Megan that she has done the right thing. Later in a meeting, Nicola interrupts to tell Megan that she has a visitor - it's Robbie.

Megan tells Robbie that she wants more time to talk with him, so he agrees as he is curious. Robbie questions Megan about her reasons for not keeping him, and once he has the information from her, he attempts to leave until Declan stops him.

Declan decides to take time out to see Robbie behind Megan's back, even though Katie fears it will make things worse. Declan turns up at Robbie's house and explains how he pushed Megan into meeting him. Declan tries to convince Robbie that Megan cares and confides how he felt about losing Mia.

Megan is annoyed when Declan doesn't show up for a meeting and Katie reluctantly offers to help out. At the same time, Declan is at Robbie's when the landlord arrives. Robbie argues with the landlord as he has been seeing the man's girlfriend behind his back.