On Monday, Natasha grows ever more concerned when she overhears Mark on the phone to someone, but he claims not to know what she’s talking about when questioned. When Mark also refuses to support Nathan at the protest walk – giving the excuse that he has a golf lesson – Natasha decides enough is enough. She visits Debbie and asks for her help in following Mark, believing him to be having an affair.

His car stops in an urban area but when Natasha and Debbie try and follow him, they soon lose him altogether. Debbie says that they should go home, but by chance, Natasha spots Mark in a café. After some time, Mark exits the café and drives towards the driving range to play golf. Natasha then thinks she was wrong about the affair and asks Debbie to take her home….

Mark watches the car pulling away and is relieved Natasha hasn’t uncovered his secret. Will Mark continue to outsmart Natasha?

Meanwhile, David gathers his supporters and heads for the Home Farm grounds. The protesters are confronted by Nathan who announces that the public footpath is closed until the legal dispute has been resolved. Pollard steals David’s thunder when he turns up at the protest walk and announces that he’s already cleared it with the council to keep the path open. Nathan’s aghast but Pollard privately assures him that once he’s elected, he can do anything he wants.

Leyla overhears part of their conversation and warns David that Pollard isn’t playing fair so in protest, David announces he’s moving out of Farrer’s. Can David match wits with Pollard and win the election?

Elsewhere, Nicola makes Jimmy sleep on the sofa after finding out that Sandy was actually responsible for writing the love letter. She’s outraged when Jimmy suggests that she’s overreacting, but he rescues the situation by explaining he needed help as he was never good with words. Nicola softens at this but challenges Jimmy to write another letter in his own words. So, Jimmy decides to write a poem, but his lyrical skills leave a lot to be desired and Nicola demands he writes another, better one. Jimmy’s incredulous and tells her that he didn’t even know about the love letter until after Nicola had moved in so a fuming Nicola kicks Jimmy and storms out. Can Jimmy salvage his relationship?

In Tuesday’s episode, Leyla’s angered when Val tells her that continuing to support David could mean she’ll lose her job at the factory. Leyla then tells David that she thinks Pollard is in cahoots with Nathan to close the footpath once the elections are over. Later, after accepting an offer from Edna to move in temporarily, David talks with her and Leyla to discuss strategy. David’s grateful to have Leyla back in his corner, even though she’s hiding her true feelings.

Later, David confronts his dad about Leyla’s theory, and Val suggests they stage a debate in the village hall tomorrow so each candidate can present their case. Is David up to a political battle with his dad?

Meanwhile, Debbie receives notice that Andy’s challenging her sole custody claim of Sarah. Natasha offers any financial support Debbie requires but Cain’s wary of her motives so he tells Debbie he’ll call his solicitor and assures her he can afford it. Can Cain and Debbie successfully defeat Andy?

Also, as the day of the auction grows closer, the thoughts of Bob, Brenda and Terry turn to what the future holds. With Brenda seemingly intent on moving back to Hotten, Terry considers asking her to move in with him but worries that he’ll have to kick Bob and Jamie out. However, when Bob tells him that he couldn’t manage without Terry’s help, he’s stuck with the dilema. Will Terry tell Bob the truth and get what he really wants?

On Wednesday, David’s indebted to Leyla when she presents him with some preparatory notes ahead of the debate. Pollard’s unhappy that his battle with David has become personal, but with Val calling the shots, there’s little he can do about it. As the debate begins, Pollard gives a professional speech about his years of service to the council but David’s response about his own qualities fails to arouse any excitement from the villagers.

Leyla helps David out by giving a passionate speech encouraging the villagers to support his honest values. David’s buoyed by her vote of confidence and begins to turn a tide of voter hatred in Pollard’s direction. As the meeting disperses David pulls Leyla in for a lingering kiss, leaving Pollard and Nathan wary of their growing partnership. Is David’s campaign building momentum?

Elsewhere, Bob’s angry with Brenda when she deliberately attempts to put off potential buyers for the café and shop and he’s gutted when Terry tells him that things will have to change at Connelton. Finally addressing the issue with Brenda, Terry gets it all wrong when she assumes he’s kicking Bob and the twins out in order to move her in as an act of charity. Brenda’s upset, but can she find a way to compromise with Terry and stay in the village?

At Mill cottage Jimmy and Nicola’s relationship is back to its fiery normality. Carl and Scarlett are pleased that Jimmy’s happy again but Lexi secretly hopes for Nicola’s downfall. Meanwhile, Jimmy makes another attempt to write a poem for Nicola but only ends up offending her. At a loss as to what to do next, Jimmy tells Nicola that he won’t be making an effort any more. He moves out of Mill cottage and Carl and Lexi are stunned to realise Nicola doesn’t intend on going anywhere. Can Lexi rid her home of the unwanted guest?

In Thursday’s episode, upset to see the shop up for sale and fearing it’s the end of an era and Bob, Brenda’s suddenly comes up with an idea and she speeds off from the village leaving Gennie wondering what she’s up to…

Back at the café, Bob makes an attempt to put on a brave face before the auction but he doesn’t fool anybody. As they sit down in the Village Hall, Bob laments the impending loss of his livelihood and questions why Brenda hasn’t shown up; he’s hurt that she hasn’t bothered to attend, however, just as the lot comes up, Brenda arrives and whispers to Bob that she’s found the money to cover his debts.

Bob refuses to take her money as an act of charity but is more open to the idea of Brenda becoming a junior partner in the businesses. Bob brings the auction to a halt at the last minute and announces that the businesses are no longer for sale, however, Gennie gets the truth out of Brenda that the money she’s borrowed is from a loan shark. Has Brenda replaced Bob’s problems with some of her own?

After her performance at yesterday’s debate, Val tries to fire Leyla but is overruled by Pollard. Val takes umbrage with his decision but Pollard explains that it would damage his campaign to act so harshly towards Leyla but he assures his wife that there’s another way to deal with Leyla…

He tells Nathan that Leyla has a weak spot – money. Leyla is like a lamb to the slaughter when she agrees to meet Nathan to discuss job opportunities at Home Farm. Will Nathan succeed in causing a rift between David and Leyla?

Meanwhile, Jimmy’s reluctant to face Nicola when Carl asks him to resolve the lodging issue at Mill cottage. Realising that Jimmy has no intention of facing his responsibilities, Carl gives Lexi carte blanche to do his dirty work for him. Lexi happily approaches Nicola in the pub and bluntly states that she’s throwing her out because Jimmy’s dumped her. Lexi starts to leave but does an about turn when she discovers Nicola’s in tears. Not knowing what to do and feeling sorry for Nicola for once, Lexi has no choice but to take Nicola home. Are Carl and Lexi stuck with Nicola forever?

On Friday, Lexi realises that Nicola was crying crocodile tears and resolves to get rid of her once and for all so she decides to speak to Laurel who’s concerned to hear about Nicola’s up and down emotions.

Later, while speaking to Laurel, Nicola bursts into tears once more and reveals that she thinks she’s pregnant with Jimmy’s child. Laurel tells her to take a pregnancy test and they get confirmation that Nicola is indeed pregnant. Nicola’s horrified and starts listing the reasons why she’d be a terrible mother and why she can’t face telling Jimmy. Laurel insists she must but, when Jimmy insults her in the Woolpack, Nicola determines to deal with the baby on her own. Can she keep her pregnancy a secret?

Also, confident that Laurel can deal with Nicola, Lexi confronts Carl and tells him that she wants to try for a baby. Carl tries to put her off by explaining the business isn’t stable enough to provide for a family, but Lexi’s upset and leaves with the impression he’ll never want children. Carl later apologises and tells her he does want children, but prefers that they have some fun first. Will Lexi change her mind when she finds out about Nicola’s bun in the oven?

Elsewhere, buoyed by the saving of his businesses, Bob turns his attention to other people’s problems, namely Brenda and Terry. Terry confesses that Brenda’s ignoring him because of his suggestion that she move in instead of Bob. Deciding to speak with Brenda, Bob offers to move into the flat with Jamie and the twins and tells her to grasp her chance of happiness with Terry. Realising she’s been a fool, Brenda apologises to Terry and asks if she can still move in with him. He accepts and tells her it can’t come soon enough for him!