When Paddy bans Thomas Miller's son from his pub he finds himself on the wrong side of the local gangster.

Dee falls in love with a local plumber after she moves to the street so that she can get her children into a better school. Their happiness is threatened though when she meets his father.

Shay Ryan talks to his AA group about the time he became he was an alcoholic following a robbery at the betting shop that he managed. Shay finds out from a woman called Madeleine that he has not seen for 16 years that he has a son. Shay is surprised when he finds out that his son, Otto, suffers with Down's syndrome. Shay decides that he cant face his son and continues to drink. Shay realises he has failed his son and tries to stop drinking. Six months later without a drink, Shay hopes that Madeleine and Otto will forgive him.

Nick Calshaw attempts to call his family from Afghanistan where he is serving in the army and ends up leaving leaving a message which leaves his family worried. Later they learn from two army officers that he has been involved in an accident. Nick's family throw a surprise party for him on his return home but are shocked by the extent of his injuries. Nick attempts to seek sanctuary with girlfriend Gemma but soon becomes increasingly depressed and withdrawn.

Margie moves back in with her father for a while following his stroke. Eddie and David are left home alone when Leanne goes back home too. Eddie tries to convince Margie not to go. Eddie's new work college Sandra sets her sights on him. Things don't go to plan when Eddie takes Margie out to dinner to talk about recent events.

Kieran is a bit of a loner who was raised by grandfather. He believes that the Polish community is to blame for his granddad's missed chance of playing football for Manchester City. Kieran and his friend Duffy are out one night and Duffy ends up rescuing a Polish girl from a burning building. Duffy gets Kieran to take the credit as he is on invalidity benefit and Kieran becomes a local hero but things soon become complicated.