Ray arrives at local nightclub E20 as Mel is about to respond to Jack Branning's (Scott Maslen) marriage proposal. Ray tells Mel he came because Hunter told him she was in trouble, but Mel says it was a lie. Ray leaves, but Mel later calls him. They meet and talk about their past, and he says he left his job in the police because he made mistakes after she left him and that letting her go was a mistake. She says it is too late and pushes him away when he goes to kiss her, but she then kisses him. Ray spends the night with Mel and makes sure Hunter finds out, and Hunter reveals to Jack that Mel and Ray had sex. Mel tells Jack that Ray is her soulmate and he has changed, but Jack does not believe it and meets a former police colleague to find out anything bad about Ray. Ray does not turn up to a meal and makes calls in secret. After a man, Jeff, calls Ray "Simon", Hunter discovers Ray has passports in the name Simon Wright. Ray tells Hunter he is an undercover police officer but Mel cannot know about it; he gives 15-year-old Hunter alcohol without his knowledge and him drunk and in agony. Ray then cheats on Mel with a woman called Gina. Jeff tells Ray he is thinking of moving to Albert Square; Ray fails to put him off so beats him up, saying if he ever returns he will knock out his teeth. Jack and Ray agree to call a truce but after a bruised Jeff tells Jack he is pulling out of renting a flat from him and sees that he is scared of Ray, Jack tells Mel that Ray assaulted his tenant. Ray visits Jack and threatens to harm his children if he continues to talk about him to Mel. Mel soon discovers Ray is visiting a boy in hospital called Jake Wright (River Archer), and speaks to his mother, Maddie Wright (Robyn Page). Mel then asks Ray to marry her again and move in with her. Ray later claims he does not have enough money in his bank account to pay for Mel's engagement ring but she sees a receipt showing a balance of £142,878.04. Ray realises Mel saw his bank balance so tells her that he is saving up to buy E20 for her. Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper) develops a crush on Ray when he calls her a "beautiful woman". Ray gets a call and tells Mel he has to deal with a woman named Maddie at the police station. Mel contacts Maddie but Ray is not with her, so they meet and Mel finds out where Ray's regular pub is.