'The Long and Short of It'

It's the day of Rob's hearing and Karen tells him no matter what the out come she is proud of him for what he did. On her way out Imogen kisses him and says thanks. Rob thinks Immie is just going through a phase.

At work, Karen tells Julia about Imogen, Julia tries to reassure her but makes matters worse by sating the hardest thing would be not having grandchildren. Karen spends the morning researching lesbians on the internet and bugs Rob with calls and texts as he waits for his hearing. Karen can't help oversharing to Cherry and Michelle about a Sapphic crush she had as a schoolgirl and both Cherry and Michelle try to reassure her that most lesbians have happy fulfilled lives.

So that evening, when Karen gets home she's genned up on all the current terminology, has spoken to a gay parent support group and she's ready to give her daughter the speech that she loves her no matter what and her sexuality is her own business only to be firmly put down.

Michelle, Cherry and Ruth have a giggle about what they did to Charlie and revel in telling Daniel and Jimmi.

Immie is full of nervous anticipation as she gets ready for school. She meets Elise mid morning and there is a bubbly atmosphere. The girls plot to meet up at lunch time. However, circumstances are against them. Elise and Immie are beside themselves with anticipation and desire.

Finally, they slip away after school holding hands and feeling perfectly at ease in one another's company. They chat easily and Immie self consciously mentions how much her life has changed since she met Elise, how much she's helped her come to terms with the week of hell for her and her family.

Immie is getting increasingly nervous and it's up to Elise as the more experienced of the two to make the first move. She goes in for a gentle, tender and romantic kiss, then it starts to get more passionate, but for Immie, something just isn't right and she pulls away. Elise apologises, she's pushing her, Imogen just nods, agrees, this is all so new to her. Elise says maybe she's just not ready. Imogen unaccountably sad.

When she gets home she finds her mum, dad and brother celebrating – Rob has been given an official warning, but is allowed back to work and is remaining a Sergeant, though Rob reckons he's not got much chance of making Inspector any time soon. Nevertheless, it's a good day and a new start for all of them! Karen has bought a cake and Jack is already digging into it.

Karen gives a little speech about them all coming together and getting through a really bad time, it shows what a great family they are. And then Karen starts banging on about how she'll support Imogen in her new lifestyle, how she's been doing some research. Jack takes the mick. Imogen, not wanting to talk about it, rudely tells her mother to shut up. Rob is angry with her behaviour and tells her off and so what was a happy family celebration turns into a lot of shouting and banged doors. Jack left alone with the cake. "Always good when the family pulls together".

Julia pays a visit to a subdued Charlie, still reeling after Friday's events. She politely but firmly tells him that sexist and intimidating behaviour is not tolerated at the Mill. She asks if he feels he can improve his working relationships and continue with them? Charlie shamefaced, admits he does.

That's all Julia needed to hear and she's off. Later Charlie fills in Heston, who agrees that times have changed and they're working with a lot of very strong minded women. Charlie says he gets enough of that at home with Marji! Charlie's going to have to pull his socks up.

Meanwhile, Michelle bumps into a big guy at the coach station when she gets back from a trip to Manchester. Eugene Prudente a tracksuited little person arrives home to his luxury apartment coughing and in a filthy state. Michelle is late for work; she was delayed at the station as some jewellery had been stolen from her case.
Eugene is seeing Jimmi about his cough and Jimmi describes antibiotics but bruising on his torso leads Jimmi to suspect some one has hurt him. Eugene's evasive.

Jimmi asks Michelle if she remembers Eugene as she treated him a few months ago. She referred him to hospital for a dislocated shoulder. Jimmi explains his worries and Michelle offers Dwarf Throwing as a possible reason. Jimmi goes Eugene's flat and recognises a small time fence Alfie Horton exiting his building.

He finds Eugene doing ironing and Jimmi chastises him for not resting. Jimmi raises his concerns about the bruises and Eugene scoffs at his implication of dwarf throwing. As Jimmi is leaving he spots a large suitcase, Eugene is going on a holiday. His cab driver 'Big Dave' arrives as Jimmi leave.

Jimmi's suspicions are aroused when Eugene and Big Dave exit the building mid argument and get into a car which doesn't look like a taxi. Jimmi follows them to the Coach station, there's no sign of Eugene as Big Dave hands the car keys to Horton and heads towards the coach with the large suitcase.

Puzzled, Jimmi heads back to the Mill were he gets a flash of inspiration. Eugene is inside the suitcase in the coaches' hold. He opens the case, climbs out and starts delving into the other passengers luggage looking for valuables. The coach has pulled into a lay by and Jimmi and the police arrive and uncover a breathless Eugene on the floor. Big Dave makes a run for it and is chased by the police.

At the hospital Jimmi is shocked to discover Eugene is the brains behind the scam. Eugene claims he was just putting his size to good use in a world that stigmatises him for being small. He plays on the stereotype, if people think he is a victim he uses that to his advantage. Jimmi asks him to try and get Michelle's jewellery back and hopes he will find something less dangerous to do in the future.