20/03/2012

When Michael goes to the Health Centre to dispose of clothes stained with Cameron's blood he is interrupted by DC Grant who tells him that Nicole has handed herself in. Michael has an emotional reunion with Nicole at the station before returning home where Nicole is a little cold with Leyla. Nicole talks about her time on the streets. Michael is horrified to learn that Cameron was telling the truth when he said he hadn't seen her in a week. When he goes out to regain his composure, he is joined by DC Grant and Michael lets slip that Christina had told him that Cameron was threatening her too. Christina comes to see Nicole and she is nervous as she talks with Michael but tells Nicole she doesn't care who beat up Cameron. Michael has time alone with Nicole and apologises for making her run away and confesses that he has pushed the rest of the family away. Nicole goes downstairs and sees Leyla and Gabriel in an intimate clinch and realises that the affair is still on. When Michael comes down to dinner intent on getting everything out in the open, Nicole is furious at Gabriel and Leyla for watching Michael tear himself apart with guilt. She cracks and reveals their affair. Michael, initially incredulous, is devastated by the news. He kicks Gabriel out of the house and he and Leyla are talking about their shattered marriage when there is a knock on the door. It is DC Grant. Having spoken to Christina she has pieced together what happened. Michael asks if Tennant has woken up but the news is much worse. Tennant is dead. Michael confesses and is charged with murder.

Agnes forces the pace with Frances by arriving in Shieldinch. Her assets have been frozen and she wants Frances to steal the money from Lenny. Frances is reluctant to do it and meets DI Donald in a bid to get her mother's assets unfrozen, but he is caustic in his dismissal of her request. With nowhere else to turn, Frances tells Lenny her mother is still alive. Initially angered by the deceit, Lenny shows his love by giving Frances 5,000 pounds to help her mother. When Frances passes the money to Agnes, the old lady is unconcerned about the money and wants to focus on bringing Murdoch down. Frances tells her the plan is finished and confesses that she is in love with Lenny. A furious Agnes tells her to get out.

When Charlie receives a bound copy of his novel, 'Town of Zeros', from Annie for his 25th birthday, his dreams of writing are re-kindled. He tells Annie that he hasn't written since their visit to Thailand so Annie suggests that they go travelling together. Charlie visits his parents for a birthday lunch and comes back see Annie. He explains that his father offered him a loan of 15,000 pounds to put a deposit down on a house and wanted him to take over the chip shop business. Annie is horrified at the prospect and absolutely thrilled to learn Charlie has turned it down but convinced his father to still give him the money so that they can go travelling. But he is not done. He proposes to an overjoyed Annie who says yes.