After rounding people up to look for Ashley, Marlon puts his feelings for Laurel aside and reassures her they will find him. In Hotten, Ashley sees the homeless pair who stole his phone. He begs desperately for them to give it back, but they refuse and mock him. Suddenly, Marlon appears and steps in to defend Ashley. The homeless pair leave and Ashley breaks down, grateful to Marlon but devastated at what has become of him. Realising how low Ashley is, Marlon makes a surprising offer when he says that he can return to the village to stay with him. Back in Emmerdale, Ashley is grateful, but Marlon makes it clear that he has only given him this chance as a long time ago Ashley did him a favour over Tricia's funeral. Ashley understands, but cannot manage to pluck up the courage to phone Laure