Season 5, Episode 43: "For better, for worse" (original air date: August 15, 2003)

There's tension in the Masefield household: Kieran's former wife, Amanda, is coming to visit. But when she drops in, Amanda also drops the bomb that she'll be staying in town for a few days. Feeling ousted, Nicky flees, unaware Amanda is delivering divorce papers. When Kieran is reluctant to sign on the spot, Amanda feels she still has a shred of power.

Kieran disturbs Nicky when he warns her to stay away from Amanda. And things get stranger when Amanda issues a cordial lunch invitation. Nicky expects a coffee pot to the head, but instead finds Amanda sincere. However, Nicky also finds Kieran has neglected to mention the divorce papers. She decides to take matters in hand, and invites Amanda to dinner - but not before she stumbles on the knowledge that Amanda has been having an affair with Alistair. Nicky takes this betrayal well, but as punishment invites him to join the party. Amanda is chagrined to find that her affair with Alistair has been outed and Nicky has gained the upper hand. When the dinner goes surprisingly well, Nicky makes a decision about her relationship with Kieran.

Meanwhile, Ken is dealing with a break in at Tole's Pharmacy, where the safe has been cleaned out. It quickly appears to be an inside job, and suspicion falls on the missing husband of fellow pharmacist Wendy Tole. Wendy refuses to believe her husband would do this, but Ken has proof when he is caught on camera, selling goods to a second hand dealer. Since it's joint property, it may not actually be theft, leaving Wendy deeply distressed. The good folk of Bassett make light of Wendy's tragedy - until now, the pair were seen as the most boring couple in the world. Ken takes this personally, feeling that the accusations of being dull could equally be levelled at him.

Ken tracks the man down and confronts him, only to learn the errant husband has a chronic gambling addiction. But Jason Tole's pose as a broken and broke man may in fact be a ruse...