Ashley and Laurel receive devastating news when Bishop George informs them that he's decided he cannot allow them to marry. Ashley refuses to accept the situation and makes matters worse by flippantly suggesting that he believes Ethan was sent by the church to keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, Val and Eric are as thick as thieves as they excitedly realise that they are going to make a fortune from auctioning off the widow's goods. They show no remorse for deceiving the unsuspecting lady and the pair agree that they make a winning team. Elsewhere, Charity tries to splash her cash on Debbie in order to get her on side. Cain interrupts and is horrified when Charity announces that she plans to leave Emmerdale and take Debbie with her.