Elsa struggled to adapt to life as a mother and so on Christmas Eve 1991, she left Nick, taking Alice with her.
The court didn't agree and Nick was awarded custody and Elsa left the area.
Alice went to live with Nick's sister, Kathy, who desperately tried to contact Elsa but was shocked to discover she'd moved to Australia without telling anyone.
Jack was able to save Alice and returned her to the village while Karen is arrested for child abduction and perverting the course of justice.
The owner of the dog, Doug Hamilton seemed quite taken with Kathy and asked her out to dinner as a way of compensation for frightening Alice.
Elsa later angered Kathy by showing Alice pictures of Australia and told her she had a step-brother, Shane.
Elsa later told Alan Turner that she was beginning to wonder if fighting for custody was the right thing to do as Alice seemed perfectly happy where she was.
Elsa was considering going home until she heard Betty gossiping about Kathy's recent troubles, causing her to change her mind.
A welfare officer came to speak to Kathy and Elsa about Alice's future and told them that if they could not agree, then a judge would decide.
Meanwhile, Elsa told Alan that she thought it was only a matter of time before Alice agreed to go and live with her.
She brings Alice home with her and Kathy tells her boyfriend, Andrew, that she was concerned for her niece's safety and brought her back without Elsa's knowledge.
The following day, the seriousness of her actions hit Kathy and she was forced to contact a solicitor to find out her legal position.
The following day, Alan heard the Sugden children talking in the shop and realised that Kathy and Alice were at the farm.
Although Kathy initially insisted it wasn't practical, she eventually realised that there was little keeping her in Emmerdale and decided to make the move to Australia, much to Alice's delight.
Kathy tied up loose ends in the village and on 20 December 2001, left to join Alice in Sydney.
When Rachel Hughes' arrives to survey her student accommodation ahead of the Academic Year, she is surprised to see him there as she only expected to find her schoolfriend, Alison Nelson there.
Alison explains that Ric lives in the flat next door and only shares the communal kitchen and is blind, much to Rachel's embarrassment.
Rick introduces Joe and Rachel to his guide dog, Vaughn and all agree to go to the pub.
Rick meets Rachel's friend Elsa Feldmann who visits the city on day trip and they get along well.
Alan Turner asks Rick to take Vaughn outside unaware that he is a guide dog but apologises and offers free drinks.
Carol was a good barmaid, but frequently overstepped the mark - for example, taking over the food service without landlord Alan Turner's (Richard Thorp) permission whilst he was away - and was rather too fond of gossiping.
Carol left Beckindale on 25 November 1993, with Alan even giving her a good reference to help her find a new job in a local pub.
As part of Alex's best man duties, he takes Chris off for a bachelor party and attends the wedding.
The final straw comes when Alex sides with Kathy who refuses to go out for a meal with Chris because she is tired.