Leanne returns eight months later, secretly working as an escort. Her stepmother, Janice, is disgusted. When Leanne starts dating Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier), Janice insists she choose between a loving relationship and her new career. Leanne is shocked to find her new client is Liam's brother, Paul (Sean Gallagher) and he threatens to tell Liam so she threatens to tell his wife, Carla Connor (Alison King). Following the incident with Paul, Leanne chooses to buy a restaurant with Carla, who pulls out after learning that Leanne is an escort and met Paul once. Refusing to believe that they did not sleep together, Carla leaves Leanne £10,000 in debt and dumps Paul. An angry Paul kidnaps Leanne, putting her in the boot of his car before accidentally crashing into a truck. Leanne suffers minor injuries but Paul is killed. Carla tells Liam about Leanne's escorting so he ends their relationship. Leanne borrows £10,000 she needs from Janice's plumber boyfriend Roger Stiles (Andrew Dunn), and pays him back throughout the year.