River City - 12/05/2010

Deek attacks his search for Stella with fresh vigour. Murray informs him that a girl fitting Stella's description has been seen at a homeless location in Glasgow. Deek drops everything, leaving Bob in the lurch in order to find Stella. Bob worries that Deek is getting too involved and that this search will inevitably lead to heartache. Raymond can't stop smiling - Eileen is moving in but for Eileen it's a straightforward practical decision. As the day wears on, Eileen's nerves get the better of her - she's worried about the visit by the social worker about their fostering application. From not being at all sure about wanting to foster children, now she's concerned that if this visit goes wrong, it's the end. She and Raymond aren't a couple - they live above a pub, they're no spring chickens, they've got a terrible history raising kids. But Gina assures her sister that she and Raymond have got what it takes. Raymond misinterprets Eileen's anxiety - he thinks she's worried about being under the same roof with him and having second thoughts. He assures Eileen everything will work out, sets some boundaries - this is purely kosher and above board. No ulterior motives... Inside he's in turmoil - his feelings for Eileen have resurfaced and he's struggling to keep a lid on it. Eileen's relieved he considers them to be just good friends. Or so she thinks... Meanwhile Jimmy urges Raymond to play the long game if he wants to win her round. When Deek and Murray do manage to track down Stella, who has been sleeping rough, things don't go as planned and Stella reads Deek the riot act. He has no right to tell her how to live her life. Deek and Stella row and Deek storms back home - stuff her! Bob urges his pal to let go of this battle - some people don't want to be helped. Deek is beginning to see the wisdom in Bob's words when a police officer arrives at Deek's flat. A woman's body has turned up - the last number called on her mobile was Deek's... Bob and Deek panic - Stella! Amber's struggling on her own. She tries to front it out despite concern from her friends but Amber is adamant - she's glad her parents are gone. But over the course of the day we see the cracks appear. In a moment of loneliness, Amber drunk dials Lee. But he doesn't answer. Raymond and Eileen decide how to guide the social worker round their dodgy familial history but when she arrives, the nerves get the better of them and they make a dog's dinner of everything - rambling and confessing all their sins. They reckon they've blown it. In a bid to help, Scarlett sings their praises and although her methods are a little rough around the edges, her heart is in the right place, and Scarlett helps convince the social worker what great parents Raymond and Eileen would be. Hayley, Robbie et al arrive unannounced at Amber's to try and cheer her up. It seems to be working for a while but when her parents are referenced she clams up again. Jen suggests Amber move into Innes's old room. Amber's grateful - she'll move in tomorrow. After they've gone Amber is left alone. When the door goes she suspects they've come back for her, but it's Lee. Deek returns from identifying the body. It isn't Stella. It's his mum, Alice. Bob worries for his friend when Deek refuses to tell Raymond his sister is dead - he doesn't want it to become reality... Bob suggests it might be too late to help Alice, but he could still help Stella... Deek's going to go back and find Stella - but not to 'help' her - Deek, blinded by grief, is putting the blame on Stella. Amber demands to know why Lee abandoned her. She can't trust anyone anymore - she needs to know he'll be honest with her. So Lee tells her everything. How he lied to the police at Lydia's behest. Amber is satisfied and they make up. Lee suggests she might be too emotional to think straight but Amber disagrees and leads to her bedroom. She can't be alone tonight... Eileen goes to lick her wounds but a chance meeting with Big Bob bolsters her - he was fostered once and maybe his life would be better if he'd stayed there rather than going back to a mum who couldn't cope. Eileen and Raymond decide what will be, will be. The social worker confirms that their honesty has gone in their favour - they're still in the running to become foster parents. At the homeless location, Deek is attacked by a violent thug. Stella comes to the rescue but Deek launches into another attack. If he hadn't been out looking for her he wouldn't have missed Alice's call and she might not be dead. Stella has had enough and holds a mirror up to him. She never wanted saving, if anyone needs saving he should look to himself. He needs to take responsibility for his own actions rather than blaming all his problems on his alky mum. Deek confesses he's struggling to cope and that Stella is right about him. Deek decides he needs to tell Raymond that his sister Alice is dead. Stella goes along for moral support.