Paddy lashes out at Aaron

Paddy attempts to enjoy his birthday despite Aaron taking every opportunity to stick the boot in. Chas sends him off to work so she can make plans for the party which he, unbeknown to her, already knows about.

Paddy tells Marlon that he bottled the proposal, but is encouraged when Marlon says that it's a chance for him to have everything he wants. Spurred on, Paddy decides to write a poem telling Chas exactly how he feels. However, Aaron overhears them talking about the poem and steals one of Paddy's draft copies. Paddy lays into Aaron when he ruins his birthday party by mocking his intended proposal.

Embarrassed, Paddy tells Chas that he'd planned on proposing but realised that he'd got carried away with himself on turning 40. Chas is relieved. They agree to never get married, but Paddy is tinged with sadness. Will Chas ever love him the way he loves her?

Meanwhile, Carl struggles to connect with Lexi as his guilty conscience lingers. Laurel pays Lexi a visit and witnesses firsthand the emotional turmoil that she's going through. Later, Carl has no choice but to reassure Lexi when she asks if they can pull through it all. However, the look in his eyes indicates that he's not entirely convinced. Is Carl about to give up on Lexi when she needs him most?

Over at Home Farm, Mark and Natasha maintain their peaceful façade in front of the children. Maisie and Nathan, meanwhile, are both worried that their behaviour has caused a rift between their parents. When Mark returns home late from work and is forced to eat dinner alone, it's obvious that all is not well in the Wylde household.