'Baby Bliss'

Ruth has stayed over at Michelle’s and is up early making breakfast. Michelle has a terrible hangover. They talk about last night’s events but Ruth doesn’t admit how much it affected her. She asks Michelle about going out tonight and is stung when Michelle replies that surely they have seen enough of each other for one day? Michelle sees how hurt Ruth is and backtracks and agrees to an evening out. Ruth is delighted.

On the way to work Ruth hears a shout from Dawn Eykyn (40) who is at a nearby bus stop. A man in his 60s is lying on the ground unconscious. Ruth takes control of the situation. She orders Dawn to call an ambulance, checks the man’s vital signs and begins CPR. The paramedics arrive. Dawn asks Ruth her name so she can tell the man who saved his life. She tells everyone her name is Michelle Corrigan.

An irritable Michelle arrives late for work - her patients are waiting and Vivien has had to apologise to them. Heston comes into reception looking for his glasses case. He gets in Michelle’s way and suffers her wrath. Ruth arrives at the Mill having found Heston’s glasses case at the Campus surgery. Ruth helps Vivien and revels in being needed.

Ruth overhears Daniel teasing Michelle about her hangover and spending too much time with Ruth. Michelle tries to be annoyed and defend Ruth but what he says clearly gets to her. A red-faced Ruth mumbles an excuse to a bemused Vivien as she leaves.

Ruth is at reception in the Campus when Lisa arrives looking for Daniel. She wanted to ask him to babysit Izzie. Ruth is so mad at Daniel she tells a horrified Lisa about his past. Lisa asks Ruth not to tell Daniel she was looking for him. Ruth has a grim look of satisfaction.

Meanwhile, A pretty house in the country – then the peace is shattered by baby Ruby Guillemot crying. Jacqui Guillemot (29) is trying to calm her. She is immaculate, business-like and late for work. Her husband, Paul Guillemot (40s), slobs in front of the television surrounded by dirty dishes and mess. Jacqui tries to get him to go to Ruby so she can leave - she tries to engage with him but he exits to see to Ruby without bothering to reply. Paul is trying in vain to get Ruby settled. He is about to get in the shower when the baby monitor crackles and a man’s voice calls out ‘baby bliss’ over the static. Paul freaks out thinking someone is in Ruby’s room but when he gets there it is just Ruby. It’s a one way monitor so he can’t reply - he’s stumped.

Paul has moved Ruby’s playpen to the sitting room so he can keep an eye on her. He calls the police but to his frustration they aren’t going to do anything about what’s happening.

Jacqui and Melody are old friends and they meet for lunch at the Icon bar. Jacqui is irritated as Paul has been texting her endlessly. Jacqui says it’s great being back at work but gets upset when she tells Melody that Paul has changed. He used to be fit and a real action man but now he seems to have lost his confidence and has turned into a slob.

Melody pops by to see Paul and has to hide her shock when he opens the door as she hardly recognises him. Melody goes to the sitting room to see Ruby. When she comes into the kitchen Paul is shouting at the baby monitor and shaking it violently as the mystery man’s voice has returned several times. Melody examines the monitor but it’s quiet. Paul confides he is having a hard time coping with the change baby Ruby has made to their lives. Melody thinks he may be depressed. Suddenly the voice comes over the baby monitor. Melody can’t believe her ears - it’s a distress call!

Paul springs into action determined to go out and find the man. They grab some maps and all three head out. Meanwhile Jacqui has tried to call Paul and is getting increasingly angry as it goes to voicemail.

Paul and Melody are driving along a country road trying to locate where the signal is coming from.
A small transit van has rolled off the road and is on its side at the bottom of a ravine. The mystery man Robert Duff (40) is trapped inside and is clutching a large plastic locket with a photo of his new baby. He is badly injured but is still trying to call from his CB radio.

Melody has noticed a gap in a fence. They can see skid marks leading down the bank. Paul goes to have a look and sees the van. Melody can’t get a signal on her mobile but Paul springs into action and gets ropes and climbing gear from his car. Melody thinks she should go to Robert as she is a doctor but Paul says he knows what he is doing and she can talk him though it. Melody grabs Ruby and her medical bag and heads for the ravine.

Melody puts Ruby in a safe position as Paul scrambles down the ravine. Paul relays that Robert is trapped and has possibly broken his leg - Melody tells Paul not to move him. Paul says they have to move him as petrol is leaking from the car. Robert strikes a chord with Paul when he tells him the thought of his baby son has kept him holding on. Paul rips a portion off his shirt to strap up Robert’s leg.

Paul then ties a rope around Robert and cuts him free from the seat belt. Melody manages to get hold of the emergency services. Paul has pulled Robert up the ravine just in time - as Melody rushes to help, the van explodes. Paul runs to Ruby in a panic, scoops her up and hugs her tight.

The day’s events have given him some perspective and he knows things will be better from now on. Jacqui arrives home and Paul has tidied the house. She wants to talk about their relationship. He tries to explain about his epiphany but she won’t listen so he sweeps her up and throws her over his shoulder and heads up the stairs. Melody is delighted when she gets a voicemail from Jacqui saying the old Paul is back.