her wealthy father, who distrusts Ian because of his narcissism and bankruptcy. In 2001, Ian and Laura get married. She later discovers that Ian has found out about an inheritance she received and wonders if Ian only wants her money. Ian convinces her this is not true. Laura is jealous when Ian goes into business with Mel. She catches them kissing and moves out, but Ian wins her round again. When Mel is arrested for money laundering and drug dealing, having been falsely implicated by her late husband Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) for his criminal activities, she signs her business over to Laura - worried about them being seized by the authorities. Laura refuses to give them back and Mel is left being remanded in custody, until she is later released on bail; Mel later departs the Square after informing Ian of Laura's spiteful deed, as well as telling Laura that she was Ian's first choice. Laura delights in belittling Ian and decides she wants a baby. Ian refuses and Laura is heartbroken when she discovers Ian has been paying fellow resident Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) to sleep with him. Janine goes to Laura's house because she feels guilty; they argue and Laura throws a pan of boiling milk at Janine, putting her in hospital and sparking a feud between them. Laura reconciles with Ian on the promise that they will have a baby, but he has a secret vasectomy. Laura gets pregnant and, believing that he cannot be the father, Ian cons her into signing her share of the businesses over to him and throws her out. Laura tells Garry he is the father, following a drunken night together. Garry's wife Lynne Hobbs (Elaine Lordan) throws him out so they move into a bedsit together. Laura soon gives birth to a baby, whom she names Bobby (Kevin Curran), but he needs a blood transfusion and Laura learns that Garry is not Bobby's father; however, given Ian's lack of interest and wanting her son to have a father, Laura doesn't tell Garry about this. Ian's estranged stepfather Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) later appoints Laura as the manager of the café Ian used to own and she names it "Laura's", but Phil's sister, Sam (Kim Medcalf), sells the café to Ian and he sacks Laura. Laura's conflict with Janine continues after an argument outside the Queen Vic. Laura flies into a