Darren is released a few weeks later and meets old friend Luke again, who is back in the village. He discovers that Luke is homeless and gives him a place to stay. Darren attends Jade Albright's (Kassius Nelson) memorial at Hollyoaks High and walks in on Luke about to take a drink. Seconds later, a gas explosion rips through the school. They try and escape through an air vent but get trapped. Luke tells Darren that he is married and has a secret son. They manage to escape but Jack is injured when the roof collapses on him. Darren goes back into the school and tearfully wishes for Jack to be okay. Jack survives but Frankie dies from a stroke, devastating Darren. Luke accepts Mandy's marriage proposal, while trying to get a divorce from wife, Scarlett (Susie Amy). Darren takes the blame when Luke damages Mandy's dress, and he and Mandy share a kiss in a moment of passion. They agree to forget the kiss, leaving Darren to focus on fixing things with Nancy. Darren and Nancy break up at the wedding, and he sleeps with Mandy after she learns the truth about Luke's other family. Darren and Nancy reconcile the next day and Darren and Mandy agree to forget about their one night stand.