On Monday, Zak has a bad feeling about the scheme they’ve got planned when Marlon and Eli turn up dressed as a vicar and chef respectively. While the two brothers go into the hospital to look around, Zak and Shadrach wait nervously in the van. Zak shows Shadrach that he’s brought a gun, insisting they’ll do whatever it takes if the main plan fails…

After finding Debbie and Danielle are heavily guarded, Eli attacks the prison officers with Danielle’s help. Marlon helps Eli to restrain and hide the guards, but Eli’s crushed when Debbie refuses to go with them; she’s sure the whole family will be locked up and Sarah will be left alone. Both are choking back tears as Debbie tells Eli not to let Sarah forget her. Has Debbie thrown away her last chance for freedom?

Meanwhile, Nicola’s warned off Mark by Katie who’s noticed Nicola’s attraction to the boss. Her plan seems to be thwarted thought when Natasha arranges a meeting and demands Nicola’s presence. Nicola deduces that Natasha suspects something and tells Laurel about Mark’s feelings.

When Natasha talks to Nicola about the meal, she becomes even more confused about what’s going on. By now, Nicola thinks Mark and Natasha are both interested in her! Is Nicola about to start mixing business with pleasure?

Elsewhere, Nathan agrees to help Natasha out by collecting Will from school, however, Nathan doesn’t show up so Sam and Belle agree to take Will home. Natasha isn’t impressed when she hears that Nathan was late to pick up Will and warns her son that anything might’ve happened to Will. Nathan quietly fumes when Sam’s pronounced the hero of the hour by the other Wyldes. He then follows Sam back to the Dingles and launches into a verbal attack on Sam for making a fool of him. Does Nathan have a darker side?

Tuesday is a one-hour episode in which the Dingles are beside themselves with worry as Debbie’s appearance in court is due and they prepare themselves for the worst. Outside the village, Sandy meets Jasmine to give her Natasha’s Explorers donation that he’s stolen and the two share a tearful goodbye.

At the same time, Eli sees Danielle off on a bus, unaware that Jasmine’s fleeing on the same one. When the police raid the bus, Jasmine thinks her luck has run out but is surprised to see them arrest Danielle.

At the court, Hawkins worries about Debbie’s state of mind before the hearing and tries to convince her to plead guilty to manslaughter in the hope of getting a shorter sentence. As the court room fills, Debbie puts on a brave face for her family.

The Dingles wait with baited breath as the judge asks for Debbie’s plea… Will Debbie go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit or will Jasmine turn up to save the woman she loves?

Meanwhile, Katie’s amused when Nicola discusses her fears that Mark and Natasha are interested in her and instead of dismissing Nicola’s suspicions, Katie plays along and worries Nicola further.

Concerned at what Natasha and Mark have planned for her, Nicola invites Jimmy along to the meal with her. Nicola desperately tries to deflect the Wyldes questions onto Jimmy, but he spends the night brooding about being a guest in his old home.

Later on, Natasha and Mark are astounded when Nicola drunkenly admits her suspicions so Jimmy – feeling sorry for her and embarrassed on her behalf – takes her home and they end up in bed once again. What’s next for the odd couple?

Elsewhere, Rodney urges Sam to make the most out of his hero status with Mark and Natasha so Sam goes to Home Farm and asks to be put on the waiting list for a gamekeeper’s job. Scheming Nathan though hears this and heads to the Woolpack to tell Lee that Sam’s after his job. Nathan then manipulates Natasha into giving Sam a job as gamekeeper. Sure that Lee is out of his depth, Nathan announces that some pheasants have gone missing.

On Wednesday, Nicola and Jimmy face the awkward ‘morning after’, especially when Carl and Lexi catch her making a hasty exit. Jimmy tells Nicola that he behaved like a gentleman, but an annoyed Nicola insists she’ll never sleep with him again, however, their liaison isn’t as secret as they hoped, which Nicola realises when she’s quizzed by Rodney.

When she tries to explain herself, Rodney tells her that Jimmy isn’t a bad catch and may not be as broke as everyone thinks. Nicola – mistakenly thinking that Jimmy’s still wealthy – heads over to make an apology for her earlier remarks to him and although Jimmy’s wary, as Nicola heads upstairs to his bedroom, he’s increasingly tempted…

After sleeping with him again, Nicola starts wondering how to get her hands on Jimmy’s money but how will she react when she finds out that Jimmy’s broke?

Meanwhile, the Thomas and Dingle families both have to deal with their own problems in the wake of the drama in court and Ashley berates Sandy for his deception regarding Jasmine. Sandy though is a broken man, but he’s glad of Betty’s support as he tries to come to terms with his actions. With court resuming tomorrow, what will the final verdict in the trail be?

Also, Brenda confides in Doug that Bob’s debts are such that he may have to sell the businesses. Terry tells her that Bob selling up needn’t be the end of the world and Brenda begins to hatch a plan…

When Bob returns from the cash and carry, he’s confronted by Terry and Brenda who suggest that she buys into the business and they become partners. The idea infuriates Bob and he accuses the pair of conspiring behind his back.

After instantly regretting his tirade, Bob apologises to Brenda who assures him that they’d be partners and he’d be able to buy her out at any point in the future. Convinced, Bob agrees to sell the flat and shop to Brenda. Are Bob’s financial troubles over?

On Thursday, the judge comes to a decision and the verdict brings a mixed bag of emotions and consequences for those involved…

As the villagers try to return to some semblance of normality, the events of the past few months prove to be soul destroying for some people while for others, their minds are filled with the prospect of challenges yet to come. Will the outcome of the murder investigation continue to cause problems for the residents of Emmerdale?

Meanwhile, Bob wonders if his partnership with Brenda is such a good idea when her plans for improvements look like getting out of hand. Later, Brenda agrees to go for a drink with Doug who’s in pieces because of Jasmine’s situation. A guilty Brenda takes the opportunity to tell Doug that she has to cut back on her participation with the explorers club due to her commitments with Bob.

Jealous, Doug questions whether Brenda still has feelings for Bob and if that’s why she’s buying the shop from him but Brenda insists that her feelings for Bob are over and later tells Terry that she’s in love with him. Brenda’s delighted to hear that Terry feels the same. Has Brenda now found her place in the village?

Elsewhere, Jimmy convinces himself that he’s a sex object when Carl questions Nicola’s interest in him. Jimmy’s adamant that Nicola is the real thing, but Carl warns his brother not to trust her.

Nicola arrives later and complains to Jimmy about the rough treatment she’s still receiving from the Wyldes, however, when Nicola delves for more clues as to the location of Jimmy’s ‘offshore nest egg’, she’s too literal and he realises what she’s up to.

Nicola’s delighted when Jimmy invites her to go to Switzerland with him, sure that she’s getting one step closer to his money however Jimmy tells Carl that nobody makes a fool of him and gets away with it. What does Jimmy have in store for money grabbing Nicola?

In Friday’s episode, Nicola’s amused when Scarlett warns her against messing Jimmy around. Annoyed by Nicola’s flippant reaction, Scarlett tells her that Jimmy will soon see her true colours. Later, Jimmy overhears Nicola bragging to Rodney about her trip and enjoys knowing the truth of the matter…

Gathering a group of villagers outside the Woolpack, including David, Jimmy collects Nicola in one of the trucks. Nicola finds out that her trip to a Swiss bank to withdraw Jimmy’s millions is actually a haulage trip and she shows her gold digging true colours.

Is this the end for Nicola and Jimmy?

Also, Doug makes a grovelling apology to Brenda following his outburst in the pub. Sensing that Bob has been avoiding her, Brenda makes it clear that any feelings she had for him are gone and that Doug needn’t spoil their working relationship.

A returning Jamie advises his dad to go ahead with the arrangement but, worried about village gossip and Viv’s feelings, Bob tells Brenda that he won’t be selling the shop to her after all. Furious and aware that Doug is to blame, Brenda pours a pint over him and calls off their working relationship. Will Brenda be able to change Bob’s mind?

Meanwhile, Nathan asks Katie for her opinion on Pollard as the Wyldes need to do business with him. Suitably forewarned, Nathan talks to Pollard about filling in the lake and hopes to cut corners with the help of the crafty Eric. Mark congratulates his son for securing Pollard’s assistance and a watching Maisie is put out at Nathan being given all the attention. Are the Wylde children set for a childish battle for their parents approval?