Season 4, Episode 40: "Do it for love" (original air date: April 18, 2003)

Helen and Eric's wedding looms. Kieran sees this as the opportunity for Nicky and him to go public about their relationship, but she feels wary. He predicts there will be a chorus of disapproval. Then a surprise visit from Alistair blows her secret. But Alistair has news. Having settled his dispute with his former colleague Gunther, he has bought a farm. Nicky suspects nefarious GE purposes, but is pleased for him.

William abandons final nursery preparations for Eric's last round on the golf course as a single man. William suffers the company of inferior golfers - and Ross. Then rescue comes in the form of Louise, who is in labour. But William is duty bound to inform his rival, who is also too drunk to drive. They make the journey to base together, sparring all the way, only to find that Louise has already had the baby, a healthy boy. This is when she drops the bombshell.

Louise is thinking of offering her baby to Jill, whose much-wanted daughter has died. William is incredulous, and finds that Louise assumes he will support her choice. He might have an ally in the furious Ross - but Ross, it seems, is reluctant to take the baby himself. Ross's anger turns on William, who he blames for the entire situation. William suffers this, and reveals his own interest in the baby, who he almost sees as a second chance. But he feels he is no position to over-ride Louise, especially when Jill wants to accept her offer. The deal is done, but William can't hide his regret. Louise is appalled to realise how little she has considered his interests - and it is this that threatens to drive a wedge between them.

Meanwhile, Cara-Lee returns to hospital. Her daughter Jasmine is very sick - and Nicky begins to suspect her condition is more serious than the flu. On hearing the news Cara-Lee makes a surprising turnaround. The thought of leaving her daughter when she is ill, causes her to accept the police deal. As Cara-Lee and Jasmine leave town, Ken is elated. A win for nice guys over the bastards. Nicky marvels over this, then realises she is neglecting bridesmaid's duties. She rushes home, only to find Helen is not in evidence. This is because Helen is hoping to celebrate her last night as a free woman with Alistair.

Even though this plan sadly came to nought, Nicky is still shocked to hear of it. Helen defends her position - and has formed her own theories. That the reason for Alistair's behaviour is Nicky. Why else did he leave Helen? Why else did he buy the farm? This pulls Nicky up. As wedding countdown continues, Nicky gets a visit from the distraught Quentin. Then, as she and Helen arrive at the church, there is a fire brigade callout, a car has gone into a lake. The victim of this crash turns out to be Quentin. Nicky feels as that this was no accident, but Ken is unrepentant. However, his blow for nice guys everywhere seems to backfire when Dana feels sympathy for Quentin's friend, Todd.

At the wedding, Nicky sees the new and confident Alistair in action, giving a speech on William's behalf. She also gets the chorus of disapproval about her relationship with Kieran. But she is entirely undeterred.