Susannah fears for her life when Margi, furious that Nikki didn't tell her about Greg's affair, confronts her in her bedroom. But for once she is grateful for Max returning home and rescuing her.
While they move into number 9, Nathan and Darren are entertained by the goings-on outside, as Jessie tries to convince Margi that having Greg's underpants strewn all over the Close isn't really going to help matters.
Jacqui discovers that Deborah is moving in with Nathan and Darren. Ryan tells Luke that he accidentally slept with Abby again while visiting her. Mark irritates Victoria by going on and on about his incurable disease at a dinner party, and troublemaker Josh returns to the Close.......
Emily tells Margi that she doesn't want to go to Belgium because she won't be able to watch "Dawson's Creek" any more. Tim gets a new job, but there's a snag. Mick and Leo can't believe Jerome's casual approach to what happened to Josh. Lindsey wants to be honest with Shelley, but Shelley isn't prepared for what she hears.
Alec puts his back out while clearing up some leaves. Darren tries unsuccessfully to persuade Victoria to reconsider her decision to go back to Mark when he slips on the leaves. And, looking forward to her new job in Brussels, Margi.......leaves.
When Ryan has to go back to Scotland, Luke fills in for him on a dinner date with Katie at "The Shelf", where Susannah's first night back at work is ruined by an outburst from a drunken Nikki. Leo and Kelly go out on a first proper date, but Charlotte tells Darren they should cool things between them for a while.
Alec is determined to prove he still has a lot to offer, and to take steps to improve his appearance. Nikki is alarmed to receive a gift from Harvey, and is fearful of what he will do next. Mr Moore brings Sinbad a construction kit, and encourages him to learn sign-language and to find a suitable job.
Jessie is not impressed to hear that Tim is Emily's new boyfriend. Jackie is amazed when she is promoted to manageress of the petrol station. Lindsey and Shelley's relationship looks shaky, and Jacqui isn't much help when Katie becomes fed up with Ryan.
When Jessie finds Nikki and Jerome in bed together and interrupts Emily kissing Tim, she feels that her granddaughters' moral standards are slipping, and decides to move in to the bungalow with them. Alec receives something in the post that causes more hilarity than he anticipated.
Nikki and Bernie confront Harvey about his obsession. Jacqui walks in on Deborah and Nathan, and gives him an ultimatum. Katie persuades Luke to tell her what he knows about Ryan.
Mick worries about Leo's prospects. and Mike is concerned when he realises that Rachel will be working right up until the baby's birth. Deborah plans to break up Nathan and Jacqui, and Ryan discovers that Luke has revealed something he didn't want anybody to know.
Sinbad and Niamh both have interviews at EasyLec, but at least one of them is going to be disappointed. Nikki drunkenly stumbles into a taxi without realising who is at the wheel.......
Harvey is arrested for abduction. Ryan is not impressed when Katie reveals the identity of her new boyfriend. Max becomes Susannah's knight in shining armour, and time is running out for Lindsey as Rose's deadline approaches.
Jessie is unconvinced when Nikki remains sure that Luke was her rapist, despite the evidence now pointing to Harvey. Leo finds it hard to deal with the responsibilities of adult life, Max shows interest in Niamh, and Mike has something to say to Rachel.
Sinbad makes a decision, Jerome confronts Ryan when Nikki gets drunk again, Nathan has a surprise for Jacqui, Jimmy turns over a new leaf, and Max has some news for Susannah.
Mick is surprised when Leo goes out early, and even more so when he finds that it was to get a job. Darren wonders why Jimmy is building a shed that doesn't look like a shed. Jerome asks Jessie if he can move in with Nikki, and Lindsey steals money from the safe at "Bar Brookie" in an attempt to get closer to repaying her debt to Rose.
Mike tries to convince Rachel that they can afford to buy a car. Alasdair is furious when Lindsey cannot repay her debt to Rose in full, and comes up with an offer she cannot refuse. Max spoils the mood at a dinner with Susannah by reflecting on his past misdemeanours. Jessie insists that Nikki, Emily and Jerome join her when Ray comes to tea - and he brings wine.......
Nikki is convinced that Harvey doesn't deserve to go to prison, and tells the police that she wants to drop the charges against him. Niamh flirts with Max, Lindsey's trouble worsens, Leo is suspended from work when he falls asleep on the job, and Mike buys a car.
Lindsey is not pleased about Dave's plans, and can't believe it when Jimmy suggests she goes to the police. Nathan has a tempting offer for Jacqui, and Jessie is shocked by Ray's revelations about his marriage.
Jacqui finds the safe is empty, and dissolves her partnership with Lindsey. Tim and Emily work out how to get their hands on some cash. Jerome offers Nikki his full support, as she resolves to put the past behind her, and Leo despairs when Mick and Sinbad abandon their attempts at decorating and return to the comfort of their couch.
As her week goes from bad to worse, Lindsey worries that she has wrecked her friendship with Shelley, and fears that Jacqui will go to the police if she doesn't replace the money she took. Joey strains Jackie's patience, and Nikki spends the day in Bar Brookie instead of going to her lectures.
Mark sees what the future is likely to hold for him in his mother. Mike proposes to Rachel, and she turns him down. Max kisses Niamh, and Shelley must decide how to respond to Lindsey's advances.
Nathan makes his mind up about Jacqui. Nikki risks losing Jerome by going on drinking. Rachel and Mike's new car is stolen, and Ron forgets to tell Anthea that he has invited them to stay over Christmas. Niamh and Max have a decision to make.
Nathan's proposal makes Ron and Mike suspect that he is to blame for Jacqui's decision to sell up. Ryan introduces Niamh and Joey to the granddaughter they never knew they had. Jerome walks out on Nikki as she tries to remember what she did at a party the previous night.
In a special 77-minute episode, Ron's disapproval may spoil a double celebration in the Dixon household, the Musgroves are in for a major shock, and Nikki finally discovers the identity of her rapist.
The death of Mark's mother makes Victoria reconsider her future with him. Mick is told that Gemma is being sent home from her holiday in Barbados for smoking pot. Nikki starts to rebuild her life, but will Jerome stand by her?
Rachel shows off her engagement ring, Gemma has some explaining to do when she returns home, and an unusual Christmas party takes place at Mick and Sinbad's, as Max, Jimmy and Ray help them with their decorating.
A confession devastates Joey, Katie turns to Rachel for comfort, and Jackie finds herself warming to Shelley when she is left alone with her after Christmas dinner at the Corkhills'.
Joey is determined that one member of his family is no longer welcome. Ray is delighted when Jessie returns from her holiday early to be with him. Jacqui is eager to tell everyone about her wonderful Christmas at Cuddington Hall, but Victoria and Mark's party ends in tragedy.
Jimmy and Ray work around the clock to finish their millennium arch so that it can be unveiled in time. Gemma makes a disastrous purchase from Dave, there is a nasty New Year surprise for Niamh, and Mike and Rachel celebrate a very special arrival.
Mick is distraught when Gemma is rushed to hospital, and blames Leo. Jackie watches in amazement as Jimmy loses his temper and slaps Lindsey, and Niamh struggles to keep what remains of her family together.
Jackie is furious that Lindsey is involved with drugs and orders her to leave. Victoria tries to drown her sorrows by drinking. Jessie prays for forgiveness, and the Musgroves disappear forever from the Close in the middle of the night.