Frank dies of a heart attack when his estranged former wife Kim Tate (Claire King) returns, though it was alleged that she was dead; Frank was implicated in her "death." Kim finds solace with Steve after the funeral, and they form a romantic bond. They become engaged, but Steve is hesitant to marry when Kim proceeds to establish a business partnership with Lord Alex Oakwell (Rupam Maxwell). On the night of Kim and Steve's engagement party, Alex ends up causing the death of Zoe's best-friend Linda Fowler (Tonicha Jeronimo). The follow-up to Linda's death sparks a feud between her husband Biff Fowler (Stuart Wade) and father Ned Glover (Johnny Leeze), as well as Alex's trophy-wife Tara Cockburn (Anna Brecon). Despite this, Steve continues to support Kim and later comforts her when she is mysteriously blackmailed. On Christmas Day, Kim's son James Tate is kidnapped. Steve manages to sort out her troubles by confronting her blackmailer. James is soon rescued and the police arrest his kidnapper, who turns out to be Linda's grieving mother Jan Glover (Roberta Kerr).