In the week after a horrifying attack, both Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Aaron (Danny Miller) are facing the consequences.
As Cain recovers in hospital, things remain worrying as he exhibits concerning signs – it leaves Moira (Natalie J Robb) understandably troubled as she tries to get to the bottom of it.
And Aaron is a pariah given he was the assailant, with the family turning their backs on him.
It comes at the same time that his mum Chas (Lucy Pargeter) confides her cancer diagnosis, but it looks like it’s the end of the line for her son as he has finally gone too far.
Making a decision about his future, Aaron drops some news.
Monday January 29
Moira sits by Cain’s bedside and is relieved when he awakes. Meanwhile, Chas’ contempt is clear when Aaron asks her about Cain’s condition.
And Mack can’t even look at Aaron at the moment telling him he deserves everything coming his way. The doctor finishes examining Cain and gives advice to stay in bed but Cain decides to leave the hospital.
Doctor Liam is shocked to hear Cain discharged himself and as the family rally behind Cain, isolated Aaron ponders his next move. He is definitely an outsider.
Liam and Chas furtively discuss her prognosis. Liam is concerned she’s keen to keep her cancer a secret. Liam tries to reassure Chas that telling her family is the best option and finally a galvanised Chas, makes the decision to tell them.
Later at the pub, as the family argue – everybody reels from Chas’ news. And he shocked yet supportive family gather around Chas except for an unreadable Aaron who keeps his distance. Chas’ heart breaks as Aaron walks away.
Jai pulls a sickie, anything to avoid being around Amit
Nicola’s full of gloom as she returns from resigning her post at the council. Jimmy and Nicola tell Angelica there’s a date for her hearing. All full of foreboding.
Tuesday January 30
Chas realises Aaron is leaving. Mackenzie rushes over to him determined to make him see sense.
Mackenzie tries to get through to Aaron who is irritated when Mackenzie continues to offer his support and follows him. Aaron tells him he doesn’t want to talk. Can Mackenzie get Aaron to change his tune?
Charity is struggling and doing her best to hide it. When she and Chas share some time and wine she fails to open up about her own struggles. Mackenzie is failing to get through to Charity.