Peggy was a friend of Steph Britton's who called to see her one night in January 2017 to offload on her after a boyfriend had dumped her. Robert Preston snapped at Steph that he didn't pay her to sit around and gas. Peggy, oblivious to his manner, was taken with his looks and asked Steph if he was single. Steph initially wasn't impressed with the thought of her friend hooking up with her boss but then changed her mind and persuaded the two to go on a date together. Robert was reluctant as, unknown to the lady herself, he had fallen with love with Michelle Connor but he nevertheless went along with the idea.