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Previously on EastEnders:

• Alfie Moon returned to Walford and began to meddle with Phil and Kat’s relationship. Freddie also arrived onto the Square and quickly secured a friendship with Bobby and a secret romance with Dana. Kat and Alfie shared a night of passion after a huge row occurred between the newlyweds, Kat and Phil. Kat told Alfie that she’s pregnant with Phil’s baby to try and trick Alfie to believing that Kat and him will never be able to rekindle their own marriage.

• Mick and Linda grew closer when Mick accepted Linda’s proposal for her to move in. Mick and Linda were caught kissing by Janine but she kept it to herself and decided that instead of trying to win Mick, she was going to attempt to get the Vic. Janine’s secrets come spilling out at the Christmas table, where Linda revealed to the family that Janine was the one driving the car that resulted in Linda losing custody of Annie. Later on, a heated confrontation broke out between Janine and Mick before Janine pushed Mick through the living room window, leading Mick to pass away at the hospital with Shirley and Linda by his side. Certain that Janine was to blame for Mick’s death, Linda stormed over to Janine’s place before lashing out, blaming her for the death of her ex-husband.

• Whitney, Chelsea and the Baker brothers’ Halloween party ended with a drunken Whitney and Zack sleeping together, after Whitney spotted Finlay’s flirtations with a now departed Dotty. Whitney revealed to Zack and Chelsea that she was pregnant with his baby, and the pair promised to keep her pregnancy on the down-low until the time was right. Avery's will revealed a letter was meant to be handed to Mitch, but Finlay got to it first and kept the letter for himself. Sam and Zack grew ever closer and eventually decided to buy No.1 off of Chelsea and Whitney with Sam’s money from her ex-husband in Spain and move in together.

• Ravi Gulati continued to play a saint in the presence of Suki, helping her around the house and aiding her the opening of the restaurant. However, Christmas Day revealed that Ravi is in fact the estranged son of Nish Panesar and was the one that murdered Jags in his cell, leaving the family in shock. Suki kicked Ravi and his son out of the house and decided to sell the restaurant, leaving Ravi with nothing. It was also revealed at the end of Christmas Day that Ravi had been paying visits to Nish in prison, who is awaiting his release... Oh, and Suki and Eve have been growing closer but continue to remain a tight-lipped secret, for now.

• Jay and Lola decided it was time to give things another go, with Honey and Billy rekindling their relationship too – but how long until disaster strikes for the two pairs?

• DCI Keeble is still on her mission to bring down the Mitchell family – will Billy’s court date looming, and Phil’s running out of time...

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CURRENT CAST

Regular Characters:
Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) 1985–2000, 2015–
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) 1985–1995, 2001–2006, 2012–
Martin Fowler (James Bye) 1985–2007, 2014–
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) 1990–2003, 2005–
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) 1990-1993, 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2002-2005, 2009-2010, 2016, 2022-
Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) 1993–2007, 2010–2011, 2014–
Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) 1998–
Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace) 2000–2005, 2010–2016, 2018–
Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) 2001–
Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie) 2002–2005, 2010–2016, 2018–2019, 2022–
Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) 2003–2017, 2019–
Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) 2004– 2006, 2022–
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) 2004–2010, 2014–
Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) 2004–
Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) 2005–2008, 2014–
Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) 2006–2010, 2020–
Denise Fox (Diane Parish) 2006–
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) 2006–
Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) 2006–
Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) 2007–2013, 2015–
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) 2008–
Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) 2009–
Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) 2011–2015, 2019–
Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) 2013–
Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) 2013–
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) 2017–
Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) 2017–
Callum Highway (Tony Clay) 2018–
Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) 2018–
Ash Panesar (Gurlaine Kaur Garcha) 2019-
Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) 2019–
Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) 2019–
Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) 2020–
Zack Hudson (James Farrar) 2021–
Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith) 2021-
Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) 2021–
Tom Cotton (Brian Conley) 2021-
Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) 2021–
Felix Baker (Mathew Morrison) 2022–
Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) 2022–
Holly Unwin (Isabelle Smith) 2023–
Shelley Barnes (Fiona Wade) 2023-
Jude Ellis-Barnes (Malique Thompson-Dwyer) 2023-
Fin Ellis-Barnes (Max Murray) 2023-

Recurring Characters:
Janet Mitchell (Grace) 2006–2012, 2014–
Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips) 2007–2012, 2014–
Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) 2008–
Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) 2010, 2014–
Ricky Mitchell (Frankie Day) 2010, 2016–
Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) 2010–2016, 2018–
Scarlett Butcher (Tabitha Byron) 2012–2013, 2021–
Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) 2012–2015, 2019–
Lady Di (Uncredited) 2013–
Bert Moon (Elliot Briffett) 2014–2016, 2018–
Ernie Moon (Cody Briffett) 2014–2016, 2018–
Pearl Fox (Arayah Harris-Buckles) 2015–
Ollie Carter (Harry Farr) 2015–
Arthur Fowler Jr (Rocco Brenner) 2015–
Raymond Dawkins (Michael Jose Pomares Calixte) 2017, 2020–
Hope Fowler (Uncredited) 2017–
Mica Fox (Uncredited) 2018–
Bailey Baker (Kara-Leah Fernandes) 2019–
Mia Atkins (Mahalia Malcolm) 2019–
Mackenzie Atkins (Isaac Lemonius) 2019–
Albie Watts (Uncredited) 2020–
Annie Carter (Uncredited) 2021–
Jordan Atkins (Uncredited) 2021–
Davinder “Nugget” Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) 2022–

Named Extras:
Tracey (Jane Slaughter) 1985–
Winston (Ulric Browne) 1985–
Marie Evans (Elizabeth Sweet) 2003–
Shrimpy (Ben Champniss) 2014–

Chapter Text

Monday, December 26th 2022

Mick lays unconscious on the pavement of the Queen Vic. Janine stands by the shattered window with her mouth wide open, in shock. She looks down, trembling, to see Mick’s lifeless body on the ground. She slowly walks over to Mick’s mobile on the sofa and dials ‘999’. Janine hesitates, looking around the room for any potential incriminating evidence to suggest that she was the one to push Mick through the window. Janine chucks Mick’s phone back onto the sofa and enters the kitchen to find her own mobile. Janine makes a call to Ricky. However, the ringing of Janine’s call is drowned by the party held downstairs. Finlay and Whitney seem to be enjoying each other’s company and Felix lets Karen and Mitch in on Walford’s latest gossip. Linda sits patiently at the police station. A female officer calls out Linda’s name and asks for her to follow her into a spare interview room. Janine is forced to head downstairs to find her brother amongst the crowds. Frankie spots Janine on the stairs, asking Janine if she is okay. Janine assures that she is and fakes a smile as Frankie arrives back behind the bar. Shaken, she opens the doors and finds Ricky at the bar. Janine grabs his arm, telling him that she needs his help. Chelsea notices Janine’s odd behaviour before returning to sit with Whitney, Finlay and Felix. Ricky is horrified to see Mick’s body lying outside on the pavement. He begins to phone the ambulance, but is stopped by Janine who tells him that it was her that pushed Mick out through the window. Ricky is mortified. Janine says that she can’t go to prison, thinking of Scarlett left without her mother once more. At the same time, Chelsea, Whitney, Felix and Finlay exit the pub to see Mick on the ground. They all gasp. Whitney clamps her hand over her mouth begins to sob, desperately telling Ricky to call an ambulance. Chelsea looks up at the smashed window and looks back down at Janine. Chelsea draws in a deep breath and turns to comfort Whitney as she breaks down in Finlay’s arms. Ricky throws Janine a look of concern as he informs the ambulance of the horror incident. The locals catch on to the commotion outside and many begin to make their way from the pub. Lola, Jay and Callum are among the crowd. Felix rushes back inside to find Frankie. A look of dread spreads across her face as Felix informs her of the incident. Kat leaves the children with Stacey and Kheerat to visit Alfie at 5E, determined to convince Alfie to leave Walford for good. Kat notices the hustle outside the Vic but proceeds to make her way over to Alfie’s flat. Sharon peers through the window of her home to see an ambulance arriving at the scene. She asks Zack to look after Albie while she goes to investigate what’s happened. Sharon shuts the door of her home and is stunned to see Mick being escorted into the ambulance in a stretcher. She asks Frankie if she can jump into the ambulance with her so that they can both make contact with Linda and Shirley to tell them to meet them at the hospital. Frankie agrees. Linda is being interviewed at the station to inform the police that she is now certain that she was not the one that was driving the car back in June, causing it to crash with Annie inside. She reveals to the female officer that it was in fact Janine Butcher. The officer ponders why Linda is only now telling them about the revelation, aware that she has lost custody of her daughter following the crash. Linda says it’s because she wanted Janine to admit what she did. Before the officer is able to ask any more questions, Sharon rings Linda, demanding her to make her way to the hospital. Shirley sits alone next to Tina’s grave and sits a bundle of flowers down on the tombstone. Janine begins to panic when she sees the police cars turn up at the scene. Ricky takes her by the arm into the small alleyway next to the pub. Ricky asserts that it’s all going to be fine but demands that Janine stays where she is whilst he goes to talk to the police. Janine is left in the alleyway and she breaks down, clamping her hands over her mouth. At the Vic, Karen asks Felix what’s going on but is interrupted when three officers arrive inside the pub. They inform everyone that there has been an accident and one person is currently being rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Sharon gets into the ambulance with Mick and she lets the paramedics know that his wife is already at the hospital. She tells Mick to fight. Kat rings the buzzer for 5E and Alfie lets her in. Alfie sits at the kitchen and welcomes Kat inside. She tells him outright that she wants him gone from Walford by the New Year. Alfie says that’s not going to happen as he is insistent on re-building a relationship with his children. He asks whether she’s scared of the truth about him and Kat’s one-night stand resurfacing. She slaps Alfie. Shirley goes on to tell Tina all about her Christmas and how she left a seat for her sister, hoping that she would miraculously arrive at the table. Shirley breaks down before receiving a text message from Sharon: Mick being rushed to Walford General. Get here ASAP. Finlay takes Whitney back to the flat. Finlay supports Whitney by telling her that the paramedics are doing everything they can to save his life. More police officers arrive at the Vic and head upstairs. Kat warns Alfie that he’s the one who should be scared of the truth reaching Phil. She tells Alfie that the only way she is ever going to let him see his children is him he stops trying to break up her and Phil. Alfie says that it’s not like she’s committed to the relationship considering they both had it off the second Phil turned his back on her, leading Kat to blurt out the lie that she’s pregnant with Phil’s baby. Ricky goes back to see that Janine is gone from the alleyway. Mick is rushed from the ambulance and into the hospital, followed by Sharon and Frankie. They take a seat in the waiting room. Seconds later, Linda rushes in, out of breath. Sharon and Frankie lift from their seats. Linda asks the pair what happened and questions them on Mick’s whereabouts. Frankie informs Linda of Mick’s fall. Linda is in disbelief and is taken aback by the news. Sharon rests her hand of Linda’s shoulder. Linda raises her voice as she asks Frankie about how Mick fell. However, before Frankie is able to answer, Shirley rushes in. Linda informs Shirley about Mick, panicked, and the pair questioned where Mick is now. Sharon assures them that he’s in the best care. Frankie isn’t as convinced and breaks down in Linda’s arms as she tells her that it isn’t looking good for him. Shirley sheds a tear and begins to demand answers. Alfie follows Kat from his flat and back to the house, demanding answers. Kat tells him that now she has a lifetime commitment to Phil and won’t let anyone, especially Alfie ruin it for them. Kat tells Alfie that he’s got no chance of ever reuniting with her, and suggests that Alfie exits Walford before Phil finds out about what happened between them. Alfie asks Kat whether she’s told Phil about the baby, but Phil is watching on. A doctor comes in to visit Shirley, Linda, Sharon and Frankie to tell them about Mick’s deteriorating condition. Shirley demands to see her son, and Linda and Frankie follow behind. On the way to Mick’s room, the doctor informs the family that Mick is in a coma, and asserts that he has suffered severe brain damage meaning that his life does hang in the balance. The family enter the room and Linda breaks down as she sees Mick laying lifeless on the hospital bed. Shirley and Frankie move to the other side of the bed and sit by his side. Shirley grabs hold of his hand and kisses it softly. Mick’s finger twitches. Ricky arrives back to No.25 to see Janine at the kitchen table, in tears. Ricky berates that if someone saw Janine come back then who knows what could’ve happened. Janine puts her hands to her head and screams in frustration. Scarlett hears her from upstairs and moves to sit on the staircase, listening on. Mick’s eyes begin to open and a smile appears on his face when he sees his L, Shirley and Frankie by his side. Mick tells Linda that he’s sorry for not believing her over Janine. Shirley begins to put the pieces together and realises that Mick was pushed; by Janine. A tear streams down Mick’s face as he says that he’s sorry for not being a good husband, son or father in recent months, but Frankie assures him that he’s never been the problem. Mick and Linda draw closer and share a long, meaningful kiss. Linda tells Mick that she’s missed the old Mick, and that everything is going to be just fine. Mick asks her if they can try again, with Linda delighted at the suggestion and kisses Mick one more. Shirley and Frankie too express their undying love for Mick before Mick’s heart monitor slows down rapidly and Mick loses his consciousness. The Carter family begin to panic and Linda rushes out to find a nurse. Doctors and nurses arrive to help Mick, but it is too late. Linda, Shirley and Frankie all sit around Mick, in tears, as he takes in his final breaths and passes away.

DOOF DOOF (fade to black): Shirley, Mick, Frankie and Linda Carter

CAST (in order of appearance): Janine Butcher, Mick Carter, Ricky Butcher, Finlay Baker, Whitney Dean, Karen Taylor, Mitch Baker, Linda Carter, Frankie Carter, Chelsea Fox, Felix Baker, Lola Pearce, Jay Brown, Callum Highway, Kat Slater, Stacey Slater, Kheerat Panesar, Albie Watts, Sharon Watts, Zack Hudson, Shirley Carter, Alfie Moon, Phil Mitchell

Chapter Text

Sunday, January 1st – Part 1

Suki walks slowly through the Square gardens to the Queen Vic and stands underneath the hanging sign of the pub. She raises an eyebrow and walks inside. Freddie is busy clearing the glasses from the tables in preparation for the New Year celebrations. Suki asks Freddie if the party is still going ahead and Freddie admits that even though it will, no one will really be in the party spirit with everyone still in shock upon hearing the news of Mick’s death. Linda ends a call with someone and sits at the table with Zack, who is visiting Sharon. She places Annie in a highchair. Sharon walks in with a mug of coffee for Linda and questions her on the papers sitting in front of her. She informs Sharon that Jay dropped in some possible funeral plans with her yesterday. Sharon says that it’s still too early for her to put herself through the task of arranging the funeral and that when the time is right, they’ll sit down and look through the options together. Linda thanks Sharon. Kat tries her best to avoid Alfie on her way to the cab office but fails as he stops to invite Kat for a drink at the café, as friends. Kat says she’s busy at the moment. Sharon asks Linda what she’s planning to do with the pub. Linda tells Sharon that she can’t possibly go back to live there without Mick. She informs Sharon and Zack that she’s selling the pub. Shirley sits alone at Peggy’s, helping herself to the alcohol; a tear streams down her face. Sam enters the club and steps up to comfort Shirley. Sam suggests they go back to No.1 and Shirley agrees. A car pulls up outside No.45. Ravi exits the car and knocks on the front door; Ash answers. Linda reassures Sharon that she is making the right decision by selling the Vic. Zack asks how Frankie and Shirley are feeling about the decision, leading Linda to tell him that she’s hasn’t had the chance to tell them yet. Freddie heads upstairs to see Frankie, who is curled up on the sofa watching TV. Alfie pleads with Kat for one drink at the café, but Kat continues to tell him that she’s got a mountain of paperwork to be getting on with. Harvey and Mitch say that they’re certain they can handle the paperwork for a while and prompt Kat go for the drink. Kat makes it clear to the pair that they’re not helping the situation. Eventually, Kat gives in and tells Alfie that she’ll be over in a minute. Linda informs Sharon that she has to meet with the potential next owner of the Vic and asks that Sharon takes care of Annie while she’s away. Ravi demands to know of Suki’s whereabouts after discovering she sold the restaurant back to Kathy and kept the money for herself. Vinny arrives downstairs and berates that Ravi has no place in Walford any longer after what he did to Jags. Ash says that the family don’t want Ravi anywhere near them anymore and warns him to stay away before messing with the Panesar’s again. Shirley takes a seat next to Sam. She remarks that it’s still haunting, even now, to be in the same house that Tina was killed. Zack arrives home. Linda waits at the café for the mystery buyer. Suki walks in and orders a coffee before sitting down opposite Linda. Linda informs Suki that she is happy to sell the pub to Suki and suggests they finalise the agreement. Alfie listens in. Kat enters the café and Alfie is quick to remark that she’s put lipstick on. Alfie jokes that she clearly wanted to impress him, but Kat is not amused. Alfie wonders whether Kat has told Phil about the supposed baby yet, which Kat responds by saying she hasn’t been able to find the right time. Kat confronts Alfie by asking him why he’s really brought her here. Freddie and Frankie catch up. Frankie voices her grief having lost both her parents, in one way or another. Freddie suggests they go for a drink, but Frankie says she would rather stay at home. Shirley ponders why Sam invited her around, seeing as they are supposed to hate each other’s guts. Sam tells Shirley that even though they can both have their moments, she has just lost her son and believes that no one deserves to go through that alone. Shirley smiles. Suki leaves Linda at the café with the contract in her hands and arrives back at 5A. Inside, awaiting her arrival, is Ravi. He demands his half of the restaurant’s money, but Suki tells him that he’s getting none of it. Back at the café, Kat is sick of Alfie’s desperate attempts to win her back. Kat gets up and makes a hasty exit from the building. Alfie seizes the opportunity to talk to Linda about the pub and makes his way over to her. However, the conversation is cut short when Martin bursts in to inform Alfie that Kat’s collapsed. Martin rings a ambulance. Ravi warns Suki that if he doesn’t receive his half of the restaurant’s money, he’ll make sure that Suki and her children’s life becomes a living hell. Suki calls his bluff, but Ravi is keen to remind her about Ranveer’s murder, leaving her worried. Kat and Alfie arrive at the hospital. Kat has regained consciousness and tells Alfie to call Phil, but Alfie decides to ignore Kat’s command, wanting to be there for her himself. A nurse tells Kat that her “husband” has told her that she is pregnant. With Kat keen on putting the rumours to rest, she tells them that she only told Alfie she was pregnant so that he would stop trying to win her back. Zack lets slip to Shirley that Linda has decided to sell the Vic. Kat’s mortified when she is checked over by the nurses, who tell her that the baby seems to be doing fine. Alfie walks into the room as the nurses inform Kat that she is in fact nine weeks pregnant.

DOOF DOOF: Kat Mitchell

Ash: We don’t want you anywhere us, d’you understand me? You need to stay away before you even think about trying to mess with my family again!
Ravi: See that’s the thing, I am family. And your mum ain’t getting away that easily.

Nurse 1: Your partner tells me you’re pregnant, is that right?
Kat: Oh no, no. I ain’t. He’s my ex-husband. I told him I was pregnant so that he would stop trying to win me back. But, as you can see, it ain’t really workin’.

Nurse 2: So, the good news is that the baby seems to be doing just fine.
Kat: Oh no, sorry. I- I’m not pregnant. I told the other nurse, there is no baby.
Alfie: Eh?
Nurse 2: I’m sorry, I’m not quite sure I follow.
Kat: What?
Nurse 2: Mrs Mitchell, you’re nine weeks pregnant.

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Freddie Slater, Linda Carter, Zack Hudson, Annie Carter, Sharon Watts, Alfie Moon, Kat Mitchell, Shirley Carter, Sam Mitchell, Ravi Gulati, Frankie Carter, Ash Panesar, Harvey Monroe, Mitch Baker, Vinny Panesar, Martin Fowler

Chapter Text

Sunday, January 1st – Part 2

Kat reels from the fact that she is pregnant as she arrives back in the Square and rushes back into the house, leaving Alfie alone. Shirley enters the Vic to ask Frankie, who is with Freddie, whether she’s heard the news. Kheerat and Stacey return home from their Christmas getaway with the children and are taken aback when Jean, Eve, Harvey, Mo and Dana are all waiting at No.31 to welcome them back. Stacey and Kheerat are delighted when the family arrange to meet at the Vic later on to celebrate the New Year. Jean prompts Dana to text Bobby, asking to tag along with them. Shirley and Frankie storm over to Sharon’s house and Shirley barges in. The pair are furious with Linda after discovering that she’s selling the pub. Sharon attempts to calm Shirley down before Linda enters the hallway. Linda apologises to Frankie and Shirley for not informing them earlier but Shirley is taking none of it, telling Linda that if Mick knew what she had done, he would be just as infuriated. Frankie asks where they could possibly be able to stay in the long run. Phil checks in on Kat who has isolated herself upstairs following her shocking discovery. With Phil continuing to keep his discovery of Kat’s pregnancy a secret, Kat assures Phil that she’s fine and that she just needs to rest. Stacey is at a loss for words when Jean tells her of Mick’s death. Martin is overjoyed to see his children back in Walford and agrees to take them whilst Stacey and Kheerat go to welcome in the new year at the Vic later on. Shirley asks Linda who she’s decided to sell the Vic to and isn’t pleased in the slightest with her answer; Suki Panesar. Kheerat visits Suki at the Minute Mart, and is thrilled when she tells him of her latest business venture. Kathy encourages Bobby to go with Dana to the Vic, asserting that it could be the perfect opportunity for them to give things another go. Kat arrives downstairs to see the house has been cleaned spotless. On the kitchen table, Phil has left a note saying: ‘Gone to see Sam, hope you feel better soon. Call me if you need anything.’ Kat smiles at the note before she puts her hand to her stomach and sighs. Alfie knocks on the door, scaring Kat. Upon opening the door, Alfie asks how Kat is doing before confronting her on why she lied to him about being pregnant when she clearly only found out this morning. Kat says it’s because she wanted to create an excuse big enough for Alfie to get into his brain that she is not interested in him any longer. Feeling disappointed, Alfie asks her whether she’s told Phil, now that she is telling the truth about having a baby. Kat says she hasn’t had the time. Linda breaks down on the sofa next to Sharon, believing that Mick really would’ve been disappointed in her if he could see what she’s done to Shirley and Frankie. Sharon suggests that Linda talks to Suki. Linda agrees. Phil meets with Sam at Peggy’s. Sam asks about Billy and how he is feeling about his looming court hearing. Phil is curious when Sam tells him that Linda is selling the pub. At No.31, Stacey, Kheerat, Eve, Mo, Jean, Harvey and Dana are all getting ready for the night ahead. Stacey tells Jean that Kat has told her that she’s staying in with Phil for the new year. Dana answers the door to see Bobby standing with a bunch of flowers for her. Dana welcomes him in. Linda stops Suki on the way to her home to ask for a word. Suki invites her into the flat. Harvey and Jean pleased to see Bobby, though the atmosphere is tense between Bobby and Dana. Bobby asks Dana how things have been for her over Christmas. Mo and Eve aid each other in sneaking in some booze into the Vic. Linda tells Suki that she has changed her mind on selling the Vic and that she’ll return the deposit back into Suki’s account as soon as possible. However, Suki reaches for the contract on the kitchen countertop and hands it to Linda. Suki says that it’s too late for Linda to go back on her word and that she has already signed the contract. Reluctantly, Linda hands over the keys to the Vic to its next owner. Linda is taken aback when Suki says she’ll be starting as landlady tonight. Frankie sits at the kitchen, staring mindlessly on the photo of herself, with Janine in the background. A busy Freddie takes the time to talk with Frankie as she worries for her future on the Square now that Linda has sold the pub. Knowing that there is nothing more she can do to save the Vic, a saddened Linda walks through the Square gardens and is interrupted by Alfie. He asks Linda whether the pub is still for sale as he voices his interest. Linda informs him that it’s too late, leaving Alfie with no hope of ever winning Kat back. Sam and Zack get ready for the New Year and share a kiss before heading out. The Vic is filled with guests. Karen, Mitch and Bernie arrive and Karen is quick to prompt Bernie to talk to Molly, who is sat at the far side of the pub. Stacey, Kheerat, Jean, Harvey, Eve, Mo, Bobby and Dana enter the Vic and waste no time in ordering their drinks. Bobby orders Dana a drink, leaving Freddie confused. Martin catches up with his children at home while Sharon decides to show her face at the Vic, leaving Linda upstairs. Bernie and Molly catch up and Bernie plucks the courage to ask Molly out on a proper date in the new year. Molly agrees. Phil turns up and Stacey is worried after Kat told her that she and Phil were having a quiet night in. Eve suggests that Stacey checks in on Kat but Mo assures them that Kat probably just wanted some peace. At No.55, Kat sits on the sofa, crying. Suki gets ready for her first night behind the bar and Vinny and Ash turn up to support her. Freddie rings the bell and everyone raises their glass in memory of Mick Carter. As the new year countdown begins; Suki adjusts her make-up in the reflection of the kitchen sink. Nine. Linda sits on her bed looking through old photographs of her and Mick’s wedding day. Eight. Shirley breaks down into tears as she drinks the final drops of her bottle. Seven. Frankie sits alone in the Vic’s living room. Six. Kat wipes her tears away as she stares down onto her stomach. Five. Phil looks over at Sharon as she sips a glass of wine next to Zack. Four. Alfie peers over at Phil with a determined look. Three. Linda scrolls online looking through a selection of cheap wine. Two. Stacey and Kheerat and Jean and Harvey laugh amongst themselves, but Eve has her eyes on Suki as she slowly walks behind the bar. One. Ravi bursts in with ‘Nugget’, catching Suki’s attention. Ravi, Sam, Zack, Phil, Sharon, Karen and Eve all stand shocked on the opposite side of the bar. Alfie chuckles softly to himself as Suki is unveiled to the Square as the Vic’s latest landlady.

DOOF DOOF: Suki Panesar

Suki: Happy New Year, folks. Drinks on the house tonight, ‘cos I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a year to remember...

CAST (in order of appearance): Kat Mitchell, Alfie Moon, Shirley Carter, Frankie Carter, Freddie Slater, Stacey Slater, Kheerat Panesar, Lily Slater, Arthur Fowler, Hope Fowler, Jean Slater, Harvey Monroe, Eve Unwin, ‘Big Mo’ Harris, Dana Monroe, Sharon Watts, Linda Carter, Annie Carter, Albie Watts, Phil Mitchell, Martin Fowler, Suki Panesar, Bobby Beale, Kathy Beale, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Karen Taylor, Bernie Taylor, Mitch Baker, Molly, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Ravi Gulati, Davinder Gulati

Chapter Text

Monday, January 2nd

Suki enters the Vic and wastes no time in disturbing the Carters as the family begin to move into the pub. Shirley heads downstairs and is keen to inform Suki that this isn’t the last she’s heard of this. Frankie enters the living room to see an empty bottle of wine on the table, leaving her concerned. Sharon is forced to try and get Linda out of bed as her continued grief takes a turn for the worse. Janine makes her and Ricky a cup of tea. Ricky suggests that Janine starts to show her face around the Square, now that life is beginning to return to normal. However, Janine immediately shuts down the idea, telling Ricky that everyone out there still thinks she killed Mick. Ricky bluntly reminds Janine that she actually did kill Mick but is cut off when Sonia enters the kitchen. Kheerat, Vinny and Ash help Suki move into the Vic. Eve spots Suki struggling with a box and rushes over to help her. Eve kindly offers to carry the rest of the boxes into the pub. Suki thanks Eve. Ravi watches on. Chelsea has been up half the night with Jordan, who is struggling with his sleeping patterns. Felix is up bright and early, ready for his shift at The Albert. Whitney and Finlay arrive in the room for breakfast and Whitney is quick to notice Chelsea’s evident tiredness, but Chelsea is determined to return to work and asks that Whitney takes care of Jordan. Whitney agrees, telling Chelsea that Jordan might even attract more people to her stall. Linda manages to make it downstairs and Sharon tells her that she has to pop over to the gym to begin sorting the memberships out, but will be back before she knows it. Martin reminds Linda to look after herself before setting off for the market stall. Linda receives a text message informing her that her order is on the way. Janine is feeling distant from Scarlett and asks Sonia for her advice. Sonia tells Janine that instead of locking herself up in the house, she should take Scarlett out for a meal or something, but Janine still isn’t convinced. Callum enters the café to see an upset Frankie at the table. Frankie says that Suki has told her and Shirley that they have the rest of today to pack their things and find somewhere else to stay. Without hesitation, Callum offers for Frankie to come and stay with him, Jay, Lola and Lexi for as long as she needs, but affirms that there’s only space for one. Frankie thanks Callum and agrees to move in with him. Linda’s delivery arrives as she opens the door to a large cardboard box on the doorstep. She picks it up and walks back inside. Janine heads to Scarlett’s room and offers to take her daughter to McKlunky’s for a meal. Scarlett is overjoyed and rushes downstairs to put her shoes on. Ricky throws Janine a supportive look; Janine takes a deep breath. Martin and Whitney catch up at Whitney’s market stall. Whitney asks Martin how Linda is doing. Linda stares longingly at the three bottles of cheap wine placed on the living room table. Linda places them back into the box and hides it under the sofa before Ollie arrives into the room, demanding his father. Frankie enters the living room and watches as Shirley looks at a picture of the Carters before putting it back into a cardboard box. Frankie tells Shirley that she’s found a place to stay at Callum’s for a while and wonders whether Shirley has found somewhere too. Shirley says that she’s sure she’ll find someone who wants her before getting up and pulling Frankie into a tight hug. Frankie questions Shirley on the empty bottle of vodka on the table and tells Shirley to promise her not to get carried away. Suki and Eve finish up at 5A and Suki locks up for the final time. Eve spots Suki’s sadness and affirms that it’s merely the beginning of a new chapter. Kheerat walks into the bar to see Ravi making himself at home. Kheerat lashes out at Ravi and punches him in the face, telling him that he has no right to be in Walford after everything he did to Suki and what he did to Jags. Ravi hits back as Shirley and Frankie rush downstairs to see what’s happening. Ravi says that half of the money that was used to buy the pub is his and until he gets it, he’s going nowhere. Eve and Suki arrive inside to break up the fight. Whitney and Jordan visit Chelsea at Peggy’s and Chelsea informs Whitney that Sam has asked if she can do a few more hours later tonight. Chelsea asks Whitney if she can take care of Jordan for a little while longer. Whitney tells her that she’s more than happy to do so. Frankie arrives at 29B and Lola is thrilled to have Frankie as her new housemate. She tells Frankie that they are all going to Peggy’s before returning to work tomorrow if she’s up to it. Frankie says that she’d rather stay at the flat to settle in. Janine is disappointed when Scarlett engages very little with her mother, despite Janine’s best efforts. Kheerat and Suki have a heart to heart at the Vic’s bar as Suki pleads with Kheerat to move in with her in the Vic, asserting that it’s vital the family stick together after Christmas’ revelations. Kheerat agrees. Ollie asks Linda about Mick, and Linda decides to finally tell Ollie the truth. However, the conversation is halted when Martin returns from his stall and makes himself comfortable on the sofa. He knocks his foot on a box under the sofa. Shirley sits in the Square gardens with her suitcase. Jean spots her friend on her way back from the Minute Mart. As Shirley begins to explain her situation, Jean is quick to invite Shirley to stay at No.31. Janine makes her way back from the café and knocks into Chelsea as she heads home from her shift at Peggy’s. Janine tries to make conversation with her supposed friend but is given the cold shoulder from Chelsea, leaving her confused. A taxi arrives outside Crunch Time; Sharon waits outside. Martin pulls the box out from under the sofa and opens it up in front of a guilty Linda. Martin questions Linda on the bottles of wine before Sharon enters the room, declaring that they’ve got some visitors. Nancy, Johnny and Lee stand next to her.

DOOF DOOF: Linda Carter

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Frankie Carter, Shirley Carter, Vinny Panesar, Linda Carter, Annie Carter, Sonia Fowler, Janine Butcher, Ricky Butcher, Kheerat Panesar, Ash Panesar, Eve Unwin, Ravi Gulati, Chelsea Fox, Jordan Atkins, Felix Baker, Whitney Dean, Finlay Baker, Sharon Watts, Martin Fowler, Callum Highway, Scarlett Butcher, Ollie Carter, Lola Pearce, Jean Slater, Nancy Carter, Johnny Carter, Lee Carter

This episode marks the guest stints of Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) and Lee Carter (Danny Boy-Hatchard) + the permanent return of Johnny Carter (Sam Strike).

Chapter Text

Tuesday, January 3rd 2023

Linda is shocked to see Nancy, Johnny and Lee back in Walford, however they are all quick to notice the tension brewing between Martin and Linda. Ollie walks over to meet his siblings. Sharon throws Martin a quizzing look after spotting the bottle of wine in his hand. Linda rushes over to hug each of her children. Lee tells her that they’ve returned to be with her following Mick’s death. Nancy questions her mother on why Martin is holding a bottle of wine, leaving an awkward moment unfold in the room. Janine voices her concerns of her and Scarlett’s relationship to Ricky. Janine feels like Scarlett can see right through her skin and isn’t entirely sure she can protect her daughter from the truth for much longer. Ricky tells Janine that no matter what, it would destroy Scarlett if she ever found out what she did to Mick; that it is vital that as a family, they need to make sure that her daughter never discovers what happened. Nancy, Johnny and Lee order an explanation from Linda about the bottles of wine. Linda assures them that she was never going to drink them and ordered them without thinking. Tired of her mother’s excuses, Nancy exits the house. Lee and Johnny stay with Linda and Sharon offers to make them all a cup of tea. Nancy enters the Vic and orders a shot from Tracey. She asks Tracey if there’s of her family around, leading Tracey to tell her that the Vic is now under new management; the Panesar’s. Chelsea arrives home to see Felix, Finlay and Whitney all cuddled up on the sofa watching TV, making Chelsea feel a little left out. Lee tells Linda that Nancy will be back before she knows it before talking all about his new life in Wales. Johnny informs Linda of his new boyfriend who he is thinking of buying a home with soon. As Sharon brings in the tea, Linda tells he sons how proud Mick and her were of them. Johnny begins to break down, saying how much he misses his dad. Lee and Linda both stay strong for Johnny, with the pair evidently holding back tears. Linda apologises for the bottles of wine and assures her children that she will do her best to stay well away from any booze, for Mick. Stacey is shocked when Kheerat tells her that he's moving back with his family at the Vic, following Suki’s request. Expecting to be berated by Stacey, Kheerat explains that after the Panesar’s eventful Christmas, he feels like he should be with them again until the dust has settled. However, Stacey is understanding and tells Kheerat that she’ll be right there waiting for when he feels the time is right to move back in. They share a kiss. Meanwhile, Jean has brought down a duvet and some pillows for Shirley to sleep on the sofa for the night whilst she sorts out a room for Shirley. Shirley is thankful. Janine finds her wedding dress that she’d bought in preparation for her and Mick’s wedding. She stares at the long, white dress before angrily stuffing it into a black bag. She wipes away a tear. Suki, Vinny, Ash and Kheerat finish up with their move to the Vic for the night and settle down for dinner. Suki places the picture of Jags on the mantelpiece. Whitney is taken aback when Chelsea loses her temper with her flatmates for leaving Jordan in a room on his own. Whitney calms Chelsea down and blames it on Chelsea’s lack of sleep. Whitney decides to take Chelsea to the Vic for a drink, asking the brothers to take care of Jordan while they’re away. Linda brings down a box filled with the best memories of time when the Carter’s were together, and as strong as ever. Ollie has some quality bonding time with his brothers as they reminisce over their fond memories of Mick. Linda makes a call to Nancy. Sharon enters behind her as Nancy declines the call. Linda asks Sharon whether she knew her children were coming back to Walford. Sharon says that Lee was the one that called her, informing her of their return. Suki lays the table and serves dinner for the family. As the family tuck in, Suki raises a glass; to a fresh start, a new beginning. Vinny raises his glass along with everyone else, but with a guilty look on his face. Nancy finishes another bottle of beer as Chelsea and Whitney arrive in the pub. They sit and order their drinks before Whitney confronts Chelsea about what’s been going on. Lee makes his way into the kitchen as Sharon heads to visit Zack, leaving Johnny with Ollie and a sleeping baby Annie. Lee asks Linda whether she has told Ollie the truth about Mick. Linda says that she can’t bring herself to do it because if she tells him, it’ll make the truth so much more real in her head. Chelsea lets Whitney in on why she is certain Janine killed Mick. Janine takes the black bag filled with old memories of her and Mick and dumps it outside. As Janine heads inside, Sonia questions her about what she’s chucking away. Despite Janine’s attempts to shut Sonia’s queries down, Sonia opens up the bag and pulls out Janine’s unused wedding dress. Janine tells Sonia that there’s no point keeping something that’s never going to be used again, but Sonia is quick to label Janine’s behaviour as a sign of her complicated grief and takes her into the living room. Whitney advises Chelsea to go to the police if she believes that what she witnessed could be important to putting a murderer behind bars. Unbeknownst to the pair, Nancy is listening. Janine voices the pain she felt when she discovered that Mick had died, hiding the truth about what happened from Sonia. Sonia comforts her and reminds Janine that she is not alone in her grief. Nancy rushes back to No.43 as Lee and Linda arrive back into the living room to ask her mum for a word. In the hallway, Nancy tells Linda that she knows who killed her father; Janine. Chelsea arrives outside the police station, draws in a deep breath, and heads inside.

DOOF DOOF: Chelsea Fox

Chelsea: I saw her come out from behind the bar. I remember her face, I- I went up to ask her if she was all right because, well...
Whitney: Well, what?
Chelsea: It looked like she’d just seen a ghost. Like she’s just seen someone murdered, in cold blood.

CAST (in order of appearance): Linda Carter, Martin Fowler, Sharon Watts, Nancy Carter, Lee Carter, Johnny Carter, Ollie Carter, Janine Butcher, Ricky Butcher, Tracey, Chelsea Fox, Felix Baker, Finlay Baker, Whitney Dean, Kheerat Panesar, Stacey Slater, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Suki Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Annie Carter, Sonia Fowler

Chapter Text

Wednesday, January 4th 2023

Chelsea is woken in the early hours of the morning to Jordan’s screams. She tries to shut out the noise by covering her ears with a pillow, but it fails. Chelsea is forced to get up. Stacey wakes up, alone in her bed. She reaches for her phone: nothing. She texts Kheerat a ‘good morning’ before heading back to sleep. Vinny arrives in the living room to see Ash beginning the paint job on the room. Vinny receives a text message from Ravi, demanding to meet. Nancy and Linda talk at the kitchen table, as Linda explains the situation. She tells Nancy that she knows Janine pushed Mick from that window, but that there’s no way anyone can prove what happened. Nancy reveals to her mum about what Chelsea witnessed and informs Linda that Chelsea was planning to go to the station that night. When Scarlett is running late for her first day back at school, Ricky notices that Sonia the one is preparing his niece for the day ahead, not Janine. Sonia tells Ricky that Janine needs some rest and lets him in on Janine’s supposed heart-to-heart with her last night. Ricky spots the wedding dress in the black bag, sat on the sofa. Suki opens up the doors to the bar as Vinny arrives downstairs. She tells Vinny that she’s going to need him at the Minute Mart as she can’t find anyone else to cover her shifts. Vinny tries to tell his mother that he has somewhere else to be, but Suki is adamant that Vinny needs to step up and do as he’s told. Vinny texts Ravi saying that he can’t meet today and heads to the Minute Mart. Chelsea and Whitney catch up at the café, where Chelsea informs her friend that the police are taking the evidence far more seriously than they ever did when Gray was around. As Whitney and Chelsea continue to talk, Linda walks into the café, wanting to talk with Chelsea. Stacey visits Kheerat at KJP, but doesn’t get the welcome she hoped for when Kheerat tells her that he’s busy at the moment. Stacey makes it clear that she is not amused with Kheerat’s attitude towards her and storms out. Johnny and Lee decide to visit Frankie; she is delighted to see them and welcomes them inside. The siblings catch up by sharing their fondest memories of their father and Frankie thanks them for calling to see her. Lee suggests that Frankie pops over to No.43 for a family meal later on. Frankie says she’ll think about it. Chelsea tells Linda about what she witnessed on Christmas Day and about her statement to the police about Janine, promising Linda that she will do whatever it takes to guarantee justice for Mick. Linda thanks Chelsea. Vinny is busy re-stocking the Minute Mart’s shelves when Ravi enters and shuts the door behind him, turning the shop’s sign to ‘closed’. Vinny turns to see Ravi standing behind the counter, making himself at home. A cold Vinny asks Ravi what he wants. Ravi tells Vinny that he knows Vinny’s secret and offers himself to be an accomplice to fulfil whatever Vinny is hiding. Outside the shop, Eve is watching on. Stacey stops Kat on her way to the cab office and asks for a word. Stacey quietly confronts Kat on why she’s bee distancing herself away from her family recently. Kat assumes Stacey is on about her missing out on NYE ad reiterates that she was at home with Phil. However, Stacey quickly shuts her down and informs Kat that she saw Phil at the Vic so she couldn’t have been with him. With Kat’s lies beginning to catch up with her, she asks Stacey to leave her alone. Ricky heads up to see Janine, who has been stuck in her bedroom all day. Ricky tells Janine that he knows she and Sonia had a ‘heart-to-heart’ and questions her on why her wedding dress is now in a bin bag downstairs. Janine says that she just wanted to get rid of anything that reminded her of Mick. Ricky reminds her that throwing her wedding dress into a bin bag is only going to make her look more guilty if the police come knocking. Janine agrees. Shirley pops around to visit Nancy is quick to tell her about Linda kicking her and Frankie out onto the streets on a day’s notice. Nancy is shocked. Lee and Johnny arrive home and are overjoyed to see Shirley. They inform Nancy and Shirley that Frankie’s coming over for a family meal. Nancy warns Shirley not to say anything, for today. Janine and Ricky head downstairs to see Sonia preparing food. She tells them that Scarlett’s taken her food upstairs after arriving home from school, upset. Eve bumps into Vinny on her way home and quizzes him on why he and Ravi were together at the Minute Mart earlier. Vinny bluntly tells her that it is none of her business and walks away, leaving Eve concerned. Linda returns home to see the whole family at the table, awaiting her arrival, even Shirley! Linda smiles, knowing how much this would mean to Mick if he was still around. Janine opens up the door to see two police officers and DCI Arthurs at the door who inform Janine that she is being arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mick Carter.

DOOF DOOF: Janine Butcher

CAST (in order of appearance): Chelsea Fox, Jordan Atkins, Stacey Slater, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Nancy Carter, Linda Carter, Sonia Fowler, Scarlett Butcher, Ricky Butcher, Suki Panesar, Whitney Dean, Kheerat Panesar, Frankie Lewis, Johnny Carter, Lee Carter, Ravi Gulati, Eve Unwin, Kat Mitchell, Shirley Carter, Ollie Carter, Annie Carter, DCI Arthurs

Chapter Text

Thursday, January 5th 2023

Ricky reels from his sister’s arrest and attempts to try and make contact with Janine by ringing the station, but fails. Sonia comforts him, unaware that Janine is guilty of the murder. Janine wakes in a cell as a police officer asks her to accompany her to be interviewed with DCI Arthurs. She reluctantly agrees. Kat prepares breakfast for her children, as well as Freddie. As Phil arrives downstairs, he notices Kat’s tiredness and questions her about it, but she shuts him down by blaming it on his snoring. When Phil looks away, Kat smile fades, catching Freddie’s attention. Stacey and Eve open up the van as Suki walks past. She smiles softly at Eve, which is reciprocated. Eve is reminded that she needs to talk to Suki about something and follows closely behind. Stacey watches on, smiling. Sam and Zack prepare to open up the club and share a tender moment before Sam heads off. Janine is being interviewed by DCI Arthurs and has been advised by her lawyer not to respond to any questions. Many questions are thrown in Janine’s direction, but she decides to follow her advice at responds with ‘no comment’ for every one. Scarlett has failed to get ready for school and after Sonia’s encouragement, Ricky heads up to see her. Knowing that her mother has been arrested, Scarlett confronts Ricky about why no one is telling her anything about what’s happening. Eve stops Suki on her way to the Minute Mart to tell her about Vinny and Ravi’s intimate conversation and Suki is shocked. DCI Arthurs continues to question Janine about the events leading up to Mick’s murder, but Janine is insistent on playing the long game and stays tight-lipped. Kat arrives at the cab office to see Alfie conversing with Karen, awaiting her arrival. Alfie wants to talk with Kat, but she continues to stay distant with anyone but herself and tries to send Alfie away, but it doesn’t work. Nancy enters Peggy’s for the first time and voices her positive impression of the place to Zack, trying her best to ignore the elephant in the room. Frankie meets with Freddie at The Albert for a catch-up. Frankie tells Freddie about her siblings’ return to Walford and admits she feels a bit better now that she has more family around her that are going through the same thing. They converse about Janine’s shock arrest, with Freddie beginning to sense something more between them that isn’t there. Suki arrives back in the Vic to see Vinny and Ash continuing with their refurbishment of the pub. A furious Suki asks Vinny for a word in private, but Vinny insists that whatever she has to say, she can say in front of Ash. With hesitation, Suki confronts Vinny on why he and Ravi were together in the shop yesterday, with Kheerat walking in at the wrong moment. Ricky talks with Sonia about Scarlett’s plea to know what’s going on and lets slip that he and Janine promises to keep the truth hidden to protect her. With her new information, Sonia asks Ricky for the truth. Kat and Alfie head back to Alfie’s flat, where Kat quizzes Alfie on whether he’s told anyone about the baby yet. Alfie says no, but agrees with Kat when she says that the truth is bound to come out soon if they’re not careful. Alfie asks Kat why she’s so insistent on keeping her and Phil’s baby a secret. Kat ignores the question and storms out. Vinny tries to explain himself to his family, but Suki isn’t convinced. She demands that Vinny comes out with the truth, and fast. Zack and Nancy have a civil conversation at the club and seem to be enjoying each other’s company once more. Zack apologises for cheating on Nancy and the pair share their anger upon Janine after Nancy tells Zack about who really stole their £50000 before in walks Sam, stunned to see Nancy back in Albert Square. Zack explains to Nancy about his new relationship with Sam, with Nancy hiding her jealousy and wishing the happy couple the best of luck, before she rushes off. Kat is sat at home, unable to tell anyone the truth about the baby out of fear of what she believes to be the truth, becoming the reality. Freddie returns home, spotting Kat on the sofa, in tears. Freddie comforts her. Ricky attempts to rid Sonia of the impression that he and Janine are hiding something from her but is saved by someone arriving back home; Janine. Alfie sits alone in the Square gardens and is accompanied by Linda and baby Annie. Linda asks Alfie whether he’s had any luck with Kat, with Alfie finally admitting defeat. Linda tries her best to cheer him up by saying that ‘there’s plenty more fish in the sea’, but Alfie tells Linda that he isn’t interested in any other fish, he just wants Kat. Trying her best to get the truth out of her son, Suki threatens to call Ravi over to see what he has to say, leading Vinny to blurt out that he’s been to see his father, Nish, behind his family’s back. Janine and Ricky talk. She tells Ricky that she’s been released on bail until further notice. Ricky informs Janine of Scarlett’s troubles. Janine demands that Ricky leaves Walford with Scarlett, for good. Freddie calls Stacey around to the house to be there for Kat. When Stacey arrives, Kat reveals to both Stacey and Freddie that she is pregnant, with what she believes to be Alfie’s baby.

DOOF DOOF: Kat Mitchell

CAST (in order of appearance): Ricky Butcher, Sonia Fowler, Janine Butcher, Kat Mitchell, Freddie Slater, Tommy Moon, Bert Moon, Ernie Moon, Phil Mitchell, Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin, Suki Panesar, Sam Mitchell, Zack Hudson, DCI Arthurs, Scarlett Butcher, Alfie Moon, Karen Taylor, Nancy Carter, Frankie Carter, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Linda Carter, Annie Carter

Chapter Text

Monday, January 9th 2023

The atmosphere is tense in the Queen Vic kitchen as Vinny, Suki, Ash and Kheerat eat their breakfast in silence. Unable to cope with the tension building, Ash exits the room, closely followed by Vinny. Leaving only Suki and Kheerat in the room, Suki asks Kheerat whether he knew about Vinny’s visits to see Nish. Kheerat assures her he had no idea. Nancy offers to help Sharon take care of Albie over at the gym to help take her mind off things, in which Sharon agrees. Lee, Johnny and Linda discuss the dreaded task of breaking the news to Ollie about his father’s death. Linda tells them that she’s going to need both her children with her if she’s going to do it at all. The pair agree to stay with Linda. Ricky has booked two tickets for a flight back to Germany in the early hours of tomorrow. Ricky suggests that Janine joins them, but Janine tells him that running away will only make things worse for her. Stacey pays Kat a visit to check up on her. Stacey asks Kat how’s feeling, sympathising with her cousin as she knows exactly what it’s like to be carrying someone else’s baby. She tells Kat to stay strong and that when Kat’s ready to make a decision on whether she wants to keep the baby, she and Freddie will be right by her side. However, Stacey is shocked when she is told that Alfie already knows about the baby. Ash sits at the Albert and talks to Felix about the latest Panesar drama. Upon hearing about Ravi’s actions and Vinny’s betrayal, Felix jumps from the bar and sits next to Ash, with the shots on him. Kat tells Freddie and Stacey about the one-night stand between her and Alfie, and how she regrets ever sleeping with him again. Freddie reassures Kat that her secret’s safe with them. Alfie walks into the café, spots Jean at the table and invites himself to sit next to her. The pair catch up and Jean asks Alfie how mission ‘win Kat back’ is going. Alfie tells her that his mission is now over, and has decided to focus solely on his kids. Jean reminds Alfie that she’s always there for him, if needs be. Vinny arrives at the laundrette and bumps into Zack, who is struggling to work the washing machine. Zack notices Vinny’s quiet behaviour and picks him up on it. After labelling his behaviour as ‘family stuff’, Zack suggests they begin heading to the gym together. Vinny agrees. Janine heads to see Scarlett, who continues to be glued to her room. Unsure of how to approach her daughter following her arrest, she enters the room and sits on Scarlett’s bed. After a moment of heartfelt silence between mother and daughter, Scarlett tells Janine that she knows her mother was arrested. Keeping the promise between herself and Ricky, Janine assures her daughter that everything’s going to be fine. However, Scarlett doesn’t seem so sure. Vinny and Zack arrive at the gym, and Zack is quick to spot Nancy at the office with Albie. He tells Vinny to begin training, asserting he’ll be there in a bit. Nancy isn’t pleased upon seeing Zack enter the office and remarks that Sam wouldn’t be happy that he’s come to see her. Zack suggests to Nancy that after he finishes at the gym, they head for a drink. Zack says that he needs to properly sit down with her and apologise. Nancy isn’t interested, and says that whatever Zack has to say, he says it now. Meanwhile, as Vinny gets ready for his session, he notices Ravi sat on the treadmill. In an act of panic, he drops his weights onto the floor and runs off. Linda, Lee and Johnny decide to sit Ollie down and tell him the truth about his father, Mick. Linda brings in a hot chocolate into the dining room and calls her son down. All three take a deep breath, throwing each other looks of their support. Kat sits at the kitchen while Stacey makes the pair a brew. Kat asks Stacey how long she thinks she’s going to have to keep her baby a secret from Phil, leading Stacey to tell her that it all boils down to whether she wants this baby or not. Kat is given food for thought. Zack tells Nancy that his biggest regret was not being there for her when she needed him the most, and that he was completely in the wrong for cheating on her with Sam. Nancy accepts his apology and gets up to give Zack a friendly hug. Sharon spots the pair and mistakes it for something more. Ollie, Linda, Lee and Johnny gather around the table as they tell Ollie the truth about Mick. However, unable to keep it in, Johnny is forced to excuse himself from the table and rushes out of the house. Outside, Ash accompanies Felix as she walks him home from his shift. The pair spot an upset Johnny and head over to comfort him. Ash suggests they head back to the Vic. Upstairs, Suki walks into the living room to see Vinny and sits next to him. The pair sit in silence before Suki tells Vinny that she forgives him and asserts that he had every right to search for answers following Christmas’ revelations. Suki pulls Vinny into a tight hug and a tear streams down Vinny’s face as he apologises to Suki for what he’s done, leaving Suki confused. Linda and Lee decide to carry on in Ollie know the truth about his father. Linda, in a wholesome moment, gives Ollie Mick’s infamous pink dressing gown before too excusing herself from the room and breaking down in the hallway. Lee stays strong for his brother and helps Ollie in wearing the gown. Alfie takes Tommy, Bert and Ernie back to Kat and Phil’s, bumping into Jean on the way. Jean reminds Alfie about being there for him, whatever. Alfie blows Jean a friendly kiss and Jean smiles, before walking back into No.31. Alfie arrives at No.55, returning the kids to an absent Kat. However, before attempting to make himself at home, Phil arrives into the kitchen. He reminds Alfie that he’s lucky that Kat’s even allowing him to have the kids at all. Kat waits next to the kitchen, listening on, avoiding Alfie at all costs. Ricky asks Janine if she’s told Scarlett about Germany. Janine says that she wanted to tell her together. Janine calls Scarlett downstairs. Janine tells Scarlett that they’ve got some news for her. Scarlett asks her mother if she’s finally going to tell her truth about why Janine got arrested. Johnny thanks Ash and Felix for their support as he gets ready to head back to Sharon’s and asks the pair for their numbers. However, to Johnny’s surprise, Linda enters the pub for the first time since Mick’s passing to find her son. Johnny and Linda embrace each other in a tight hug. Johnny asks Linda if they managed to tell Ollie about Mick. Linda nods. Moments later, a furious Ravi bursts into the pub and heads upstairs, with his phone in his hand. Ash shouts at Ravi, attempting to stop him. Felix, Johnny and Linda follow Ash and Ravi. Suki and Kheerat are stunned to discover that Vinny has agreed to let Nish return to Walford when he is released. Ravi storms into the living room with a temper, berating Vinny on telling the Panesar’s the truth, following Vinny’s text message to him. Ash is also in shock, but the family are now furious with Ravi’s entrance into the pub. Felix, Linda and Johnny are also confused by it all as they stand in the hallway, peering in. Linda asks Suki if she wants her to phone the police, but Suki tells her to leave it. Slowly, she walks in Ravi’s direction and stops, her face now parallel to his. A furious Suki, screams at Ravi to get outta her pub! Ravi follows her orders and walks slowly out of the room, and out of the Vic. The family, as well as Linda, Johnny and Felix, stand silent in the living room. Linda smiles to herself, now certain she chose the right person for the pub. Janine and Ricky sit Scarlett down and pass her the boarding pass to Germany. A shocked Scarlett questions Janine about why they’re heading to Germany, leading Janine to tell her that she’s moving there for good, with Ricky. Phil calls the family into the kitchen for dinner, but Freddie catches Kat in the living room to talk with her. He asks Kat if she’s made a decision about the baby. She tells him that she hasn’t as of yet, and that until she has, no one can know. Freddie agrees to keep tight-lipped as Kat enters the kitchen and catches Phil’s eye. She fakes a smile.

DOOF DOOF: Kat Mitchell

Ricky: And are you sure about this, Janine?
Janine: No, of course I’m not sure! But what other choice do we have here other than Scarlett finding out the truth. At least if you take her to Germany, she’ll be safe. She’ll be protected. And she can never know, Ricky, promise me?
Ricky: I promise.

Zack: You know, my biggest regret was not being there for you when you needed me the most. And sleeping with Sam, I-, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for hurting you. And it took me so long to move on knowing the pain I caused.
Nancy: You’re right. You really did hurt me. You made me feel like the loneliest person the world, but I do forgive you. I do. At least now we can both move on, without that pain.

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Ash Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Sharon Watts, Nancy Carter, Lee Carter, Johnny Carter, Linda Carter, Ricky Butcher, Janine Butcher, Kat Mitchell, Stacey Slater, Felix Baker, Freddie Slater, Alfie Moon, Jean Slater, Zack Hudson, Scarlett Butcher, Ravi Gulati, Ollie Carter, Tommy Moon, Bert Moon, Ernie Moon, Phil Mitchell

Chapter Text

Tuesday, January 10th 2023 – 40 Minutes

Phil and Kat arrive in the living room following a raunchy night in the bedroom. With his pregnancy discovery still looming over the pair, Phil promises another cosy night in for them, as long as Kat can get Alfie to look after the kids. When Phil exits the room, Kat can’t help but to look back down at her stomach, with guilt written all over her face. Sharon and Linda catch up at the café as Sharon asks Linda how she’s feeling after telling Ollie about Mick. Linda says she’s glad that she doesn’t need to hide the truth from her son anymore, and is grateful to have her children back in Walford at this sad time. Sharon says that to keep Linda distracted, she is planning an event at the gym later on. Linda says she’ll think about it. Nancy and Zack bump into each other on the way to the café, catching Sharon’s glance once more. Sharon stops Zack in order to tell him that he’ll be needed at the gym event later. Zack agrees. Nancy and Linda have an awkward moment as Linda asks her to sit with her, but Nancy decides to decline the offer and orders a takeaway coffee instead. Linda ponders why Nancy is still distant with her mother, leading Sharon to tell Linda that Nancy has managed to forgive Zack as she caught them hugging at the gym yesterday. Linda is taken aback. Sam has arranged an event at the club and hands a bunch of leaflets to her son, Ricky to hand out to the Square. Inside, Finlay is busy behind the bar when Sam enters to inform him that he’ll be needed to work on tonight as she has a short-notice event planned. A reluctant Finlay agrees to do so. Janine brings Scarlett’s suitcase downstairs, and Ricky supports his niece as she voices her worries about leaving Walford. Sonia arrives downstairs after hearing the noise, and is shocked to discover that Scarlett and Ricky are leaving for Germany, today. Freddie pops into the cab office expecting to see Kat, but Harvey and Mitch inform him that she’s not been in at all. Frankie enters the laundrette with a huge bag of clothes, all belonging to Mick. When Frankie explains the situation to Karen, she assures Frankie that she’ll handle the clothes and get it back to her as soon as possible. Frankie is grateful and Freddie catches her eye as he exits the building on his mission to find Kat. Frankie is left uncomfortable. Karen spots the awkward moment and informs Frankie that if she doesn’t shut Freddie’s feelings down now, they’re only going to grow. As Ricky and Scarlett head out, Sonia tries put the pieces together on why Janine has decided to send her daughter away to Germany without her. Janine, who is beginning to run out of lies, assures Sonia that Scarlett deserves a better life than what she can give her in Walford. Sonia questions why Janine is not leaving the Square with Scarlett and Ricky. Janine snaps and yells at Sonia to keep out of it. Janine walks off, but is called back by Sonia, who decides it’s time to confront Janine. She asks if the police were right in their suspicions, if Janine was the one that killed Mick. Stacey invites Kat into the kitchen, asking Jean and Shirley for some space. Stacey offers Kat a drink but Kat declines, with Freddie barging into the room a second later. Freddie is relieved to see Kat, and admits he panicked when she wasn’t at the cab office. Kat tells Freddie to sit, and reveals that she’s made a decision about her baby. Janine assures Sonia that she wasn’t even at the Vic at the time of Mick’s murder, but Sonia tells Janine that she doesn’t believe a single word that comes out of her mouth and can tell when Janine’s lying. Raising her voice, Janine utters that none of what’s happened has anything to do with Sonia and that the world would be a much better place if people stopped putting their nose in people’s business. Sonia assures Janine that it is her business if all the secret conversations between her and Ricky are happening under her roof. Sonia tells Janine that she’s pleased she’s facing up to her crimes for once instead of running to Germany with Ricky and Scarlett. Janine bites back at Sonia, assuring she’s only staying in Walford to plead her innocence in which Sonia can’t help but chuckle at. Sonia tells Janine that there’s no way she’s getting away with what she’s done and that prison might just change her ways, for good. As Sonia leaves the room, Janine is left with food for thought. Linda finds Nancy at the Vic, and orders a drink from the bar. Ash tells Linda that Nancy’s been sat at the table a while and Linda makes her way over to her daughter. Linda sits and it’s an awkward atmosphere between the pair. Linda tells Nancy that she heard about her daughter managing to forgive Zack at the gym yesterday, and asks why she hasn’t found it in her to forgive Linda for her mistakes too. Nancy tells Linda that Shirley had informed her about Linda selling the pub under Shirley and Frankie’s nose and reiterates that Linda isn’t the only one struggling with Mick’s sudden passing, and that maybe she should start realising that before making decisions that only benefit her. However, Linda is unable to respond as DCI Arthurs enters the Vic looking for Linda, asking her to come down to the station to make an official statement about Janine’s crimes. Kat tells Stacey and Freddie that her loyalties lie with Phil, and only Phil, assuring them that she’s never been happier. She says that there’s no way she wants anything more to do with Alfie and that their one-night stand meant nothing to her. Kat tells the pair that she’s decided to terminate Alfie’s baby. As Kat breaks her decision to Stacey and Freddie, Ricky and Scarlett walk into the room, with Jean and Shirley behind them. He reveals to them that he and Scarlett will be departing back to Germany tonight, and that Scarlett wanted to say her goodbyes to Kat and the children before leaving. Sharon spots Finlay at Whitney’s stall and hands him a leaflet of her event at the gym later on and asks if she can trust him to be there. As Sharon walks away, Finlay tells her that he’s already promised to work a shift at Peggy’s later on. Sharon turns back to face Finlay and tells him that there’s only one place he can be at one time, and that’s Crunch Time. She assures him that she’ll sort it with Sam. At Peggy’s, Sam asks Zack to work a shift with Finlay at Peggy’s, but he tells her that he’s promised Sharon to be at the gym with her instead. Sharon walks in, and states that their employees clearly have a clashing schedule. Zack tells the pair to sort it themselves and walks out. Shirley asks Scarlett whether her mother is joining her to Germany, but Ricky steps in to inform Shirley that Janine is staying in Walford. Kat takes Scarlett in to see Tommy and two siblings catch-up before Scarlett tells Tommy that this might be the last time they will ever see each other. Tommy is taken aback. Sharon digs into Sam at the club, telling Sam that she thinks she owns everything and everyone around her and can do whatever she wants with people with the click of a finger. Sam tells Sharon that Zack and Finlay would much rather be making cocktails and serving drinks than sweating like mad at a run-down gym. Sharon tells Sam that they’ll see about that and says that she won’t let Sam take her brother for a fool and that soon, he’ll begin to see the real Sam Mitchell and break it off with her, before it’s too late. Sam asks Sharon whether she really thinks she cares about what Sharon believes about her, and that Zack should be embarrassed to have her as a sister. Sam tells Sharon that she’s got an event to prepare for and yells at Sharon to get out. Before Sharon makes her way out, she informs Sam that she saw Zack and Nancy looking very cosy at the gym yesterday, and says that maybe he’s bored of Sam already. Sam screams at Sharon to get out once more, and Sharon obeys with a grin on her face as she exits the building. Tommy asks Scarlett whether she actually wants to leave for Germany, or whether she’s only doing it because people are telling her to. Scarlett admits to Tommy that she wants to stay in Walford. Linda returns home to see her children, along with Frankie, together in the living room. Frankie tells Linda that she’s managed to wash all of Mick’s wardrobe, in order for the family to begin deciding on what Mick is to wear for his funeral. Nancy asks how the statement went, and Linda tells everyone that she’s certain that Janine’s going down for all that she’s done, for good. Sonia catches Janine in her room, packing a suitcase. She asks Janine what she’s doing and Janine berates her about sticking her nose in everything, again. Ricky and Scarlett arrive home, and rush upstairs to see the commotion. Sonia tells Ricky that she’s decided to run away after all before exiting the room in disgust. Janine looks Ricky in the eye before breaking down onto the floor. She says that all she’s ever wanted is a happy ending, but knows that Sonia’s right – that she is the devil, and that prison is where she’s always belonged, and that no one is ever going to love Janine for herself because her true colours are always, always her downfall. She begs Ricky to let her go with her back to Germany. Ricky is left confused, as he thought her sister was going to lead her guilt into making the right decision, and to finally face the music for her crimes, for once. Janine tells Ricky that she thought she would be able to plead her innocence in court, and change her ways for good, but now knows that it was all a fantasy and that if she stays in Walford for too much longer, prison will be what’s coming for her. Downstairs, Sonia calls Shirley, informing her that Janine is attempting to run away after all. Whitney arrives home to see Finlay and Zack together on the sofa, playing video games. She asks Zack for a word. Back at No.25, Janine, Ricky and Scarlett head downstairs and Janine is keen on escaping to the airport as soon as possible, but Ricky tells her that the taxi isn’t due for another hour yet. Janine suggests that Sonia could drive them instead, but Sonia shuts her down and takes Ricky into the kitchen. Sonia tells Ricky that she really doesn’t think he should this, and informs him that she’s called Shirley. A frantic Janine barges in and tells someone to call Mitch for an earlier cab but Ricky tells her that airport taxis don’t work like that. Scarlett walks in and tells Janine and Ricky that she doesn’t want to go to leave for Germany. Whitney asks Zack what he thinks he’s playing at. Zack tells Whitney that Finlay better start getting used to him being around when the baby arrives. Whitney asks Zack whether he’s told Sam yet. He says no, but tells Whitney that he can’t keep lying to her for much longer and that if starts to ask questions, he’s going to have to tell her the truth. Zack tells her that it’s up to her whether she wants Finlay to find out before the news starts to spread around the Square. Janine tries to reason with Scarlett, telling her that once arrive in Germany they can start a new life with Ricky, Tiffany, Liam and Keegan, but Scarlett isn’t convinced. She tells Janine that she could go back to living with Kat. Janine says that Kat won’t want Scarlett back, and that she’s much better off away from the curse that haunts Albert Square. Sonia answers the door to Shirley who barges in and pins Janine to the wall, telling her that if Janine thinks she’s going to let her leave the Square without paying what what she’s done to her family, she can think again. Shirley lets go and Janine rushes to grab Scarlett’s hand before looking Shirley dead in the eye: “Watch me…” A reluctant Scarlett pushes Janine away and rushes over to Sonia who tells Janine that she can’t do this. A helpless Janine looks over at Ricky, who tells her that she’s gone too far this time. Janine drops her bag onto the floor, and looks around. Shirley takes a look out the window and says that the police are on their way. The police knock on the door, ready to arrest Janine once more. At first, Janine resists the officers’ attempts to take her into the back of the police car. Ricky sends Sonia and Scarlett upstairs. Whitney, Zack and Finlay arrive outside to see the commotion as Janine taken into the car. Sam spots Zack next to Whitney and is left confused. The Carter family arrive outside as the police car makes a trip around the Square. Many of the residents watch on. Shirley wipes a tear away as Janine is whisked away and Scarlett watches Janine disappear from view from her bedroom window.

DOOF DOOF: Janine Butcher

Sonia: There’s no way you’re ever getting away with what you’ve done. You know, prison might just do you some good. And if that don’t work, then maybe there just is no way to cure the devil in disguise...

CAST (in order of appearance): Phil Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Sharon Watts, Linda Carter, Nancy Carter, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Ricky Mitchell, Finlay Baker, Janine Butcher, Ricky Butcher, Scarlett Butcher, Sonia Fowler, Freddie Slater, Harvey Monroe, Mitch Baker, Frankie Carter, Karen Taylor, Stacey Slater, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Ash Panesar, DCI Arthurs, Whitney Dean, Tommy Moon, Lee Carter, Johnny Carter

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Wednesday, January 11th 2023

Ricky, Scarlett and Sonia sit at the kitchen table in silence as they reel once more from Janine’s arrest. Scarlett asks Ricky whether her mother is coming home, but Ricky says it to be unlikely. Scarlett blames herself for Janine’s arrest. Sonia assures her that the only person to blame is Janine. Ricky advises Scarlett take the day off from school to avoid the local gossip, and asks Scarlett to leave Ricky and Sonia alone for a minute. When Scarlett leaves the room, Ricky informs Sonia that he's planning on rescheduling the flights for Germany for tonight, but isn’t sure if he is making the right choice by taking Scarlett with him as he promised Janine that he would protect Scarlett from the truth of Janine’s wrongdoings. Sonia tells him that whether Scarlett’s 10, 15 or 30, the truth isn’t going to be any easier for her to deal with and that, eventually, she’s going to have to find out what a monster her mother really is. Sonia asks Ricky to promise him that whatever happens, he lets Scarlett decide. Zack prepares breakfast in bed for Sam, but is taken aback when Sam arrives downstairs and exits the house, without a word. Kat and Stacey talk at the café. Kat informs Stacey that she’s booked an appointment for her abortion for the end of next week. Stacey offers to go with her and Kat thanks her, but voices her concern that she needs to distract both Phil and Alfie whilst she’s there. Jean and Alfie walk into the café, spotting Kat and Stacey. Alfie suggests they join them, much to the dismay of Kat. Insistent on avoiding Alfie at all costs, Kat makes a hasty exit, leaving Stacey alone with her mother and a particularly perky Alfie. Attempting to make conversation, Stacey asks Alfie whether he’s going with Kat to the children’s parents evening later on. Alfie says it’s the first he’s heard of it. Linda, Sharon, Johnny, Nancy and Lee gather at the kitchen. Linda declares that she has decided to begin on the funeral plans for Mick today, now that she has the support of her family. The tension continues to be frosty between Linda and Nancy as Linda asks Nancy to let Shirley and Frankie know. As Nancy exits the room, Lee affirms that whatever’s happened, Nancy will come around eventually. Sharon gives Linda a look of support from across the room. Linda smiles back. On the way back to No.31, Stacey spots Martin on his stall and reminds him about tonight’s parents evening. She warns Martin not to be late. Zack spots Chelsea outside Peggy’s and she tells him that the place is locked, even though her shift at the club started ten minutes ago. A curious Chelsea asks whether Zack’s told Sam about him and Whitney, and Zack assures her that he hasn’t said a word. Zack gets the keys from his pocket and opens the door. Chelsea follows him in. Inside, Sam sits in her office, catching up on paperwork. Zack asks why she’s so late in opening the club and Sam responds by saying she merely forgot, and has no intention of speaking with Zack after he stood her up at last night’s event. Zack argues by saying he can’t keep choosing between his girlfriend and his sister and that Sam needs to make it up to Sharon and put their differences aside. Sam ignores Zack and tells him that he and Finlay should be lucky they haven’t been sacked. Stacey arrives home to see Eve at the kitchen. She asks Eve if she can take care of the children whilst she and Martin go to the parents evening. Stacey says that she wasn’t going to go, but after the amount of phone calls from Walford High about Lily’s behaviour, thought it best. Eve agrees to do so. Stacey sits at the table and informs Eve that after the event, she’s planning on taking Kheerat out for dinner at Walford East. Eve tells Stacey to go for it, remarking it as teenage love. Stacey asks whether Eve had a teenage love. Eve stops to think, then tells Stacey that she was never in love with anyone and spent most of her childhood in complete denial about her sexuality. Eve reveals she used to go partying every night, kissing and making out with different boys to convince herself she was ‘normal’, when she knew deep down that she was different. A tear streams down Eve’s face as she thinks of Suki’s current situation. Stacey leans in to give Eve a hug and kisses her best friend on the head. Alfie knocks on the door to No.55 and Phil answers. Kat stands behind Phil, as the pair ask Alfie what he wants. He questions Kat on why she hasn’t told him about Tommy’s parents evening. Kat says it’s because Phil is going instead, but Alfie isn’t having any of it. Before Alfie is able to get a word in, Phil shuts the door in his face, leaving him furious. Ricky talks with Whitney at the café about his situation with Scarlett. Whitney pleads Ricky to stay, but Ricky insists that Walford just isn’t his home anymore. Whitney says that even though Scarlett is young, she is still old enough to decide whether she wants to stay where she feels she belongs, or move away to another life, and a new beginning. Ricky agrees. Shirley, Jean and Frankie arrive at Sharon and Linda’s as they all prepare to begin going through the plans for Mick’s final farewell. Johnny spots the continuing tension between Nancy and Linda and asks Nancy for a word. Johnny questions his sister on why she’s being so cold to Linda and asks about what’s happened. She tells Johnny about Linda failing to inform Shirley about her selling the pub to the Panesars. Stacey and Martin sit at Walford High, waiting their turn to talk to Lily’s form tutor. The pair catch up, and Martin voices his happiness to see Stacey smiling again with Kheerat. Stacey is grateful for Martin’s support and jokes that she’s going to set Martin up with Kim’s ‘fox-catcher’ company if he doesn’t find someone soon. The pair promise to still being friends, no matter what happens. Meanwhile, Kat and Phil also wait patiently in the corridors for turn, but are shocked when Alfie turns up as well. Sam finishes up at the Minute Mart when she bumps into Zack and Chelsea exiting the café. Zack says his goodbyes to Chelsea when spotting Sam. Sam tells him that she thought Sharon was bluffing when she told her about his and Nancy’s ‘friendly hug’ at the gym, but now isn’t so sure. Zack asks when Sharon told her about him and Nancy but Sam says it doesn’t matter. The pair begin to argue as they head back to No.1. Sam reveals that she saw Zack and Whitney together, watching Janine being carted off and now him and Chelsea enjoying each other’s company at the café. Sam says that maybe Zack was wrong, and that maybe he hasn’t changed at all. Ricky enters the living room to see Scarlett watching TV. He pauses what she’s watching and sits next to her. Ricky tells Scarlett that he’s booked two one-way flights to Germany for tonight, but assures her that it’s only if she wants to and understands completely if the life Scarlett wants is in Walford. Sam asks Zack if he’s over Nancy. Zack affirms that he doesn’t love Nancy anymore but still cares for her after what she’s going through. He assures Sam that what Sharon saw at the gym was nothing. Sam asks if she can be honest with Zack and tells him that she believes they’ve moved too fast into their relationship. Zack ensures that what he and Sam have got is real and that nothing could ever ruin it. Sam ponders that if nothing can ruin what they’ve got, what ruined what they had before? Zack hesitates; trust. Sam says that if they’re going to do this properly, they need to have each other’s trust asks if Zack is keeping anything from her. At first, Zack assures her that he’s got nothing to hide before revealing that there is one thing. Zack unveils to Sam that Whitney’s pregnant, and he’s the father.

DOOF DOOF: Sam Mitchell

CAST (in order of appearance): Ricky Butcher, Sonia Fowler, Scarlett Butcher, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Stacey Slater, Jean Slater, Alfie Moon, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Johnny Carter, Nancy Carter, Lee Carter, Martin Fowler, Chelsea Fox, Eve Unwin, Phil Mitchell, Whitney Dean

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Thursday, January 12th 2023

Sam reels from the discovery that Whitney is carrying Zack’s baby. Zack apologises for not telling Sam sooner, and says that he promised Whitney not to tell anyone until the time was right. Sam quizzes Zack about when the baby was conceived, leading Zack to tell her that it was a Halloween party and promises that it was at the stage where the pair were no longer together. Sam asks whether Whitney is planning on having Zack as a part of the baby’s life and sarcastically remarks that if she is, her and Zack would make a great team. Zack says that he’s keen to be a father, even if not by choice. Sam is at a loss for words and asks Zack to leave her alone. Zack slowly exits the house and makes his way to the Vic. Sam tries to hold back her tears and throws her phone across the room in frustration. Kat and Phil are furious to see Alfie show up at Tommy’s parents evening. Kat tells him that Phil has been more of a father to Tommy than he has been over the last few years. Alfie attests that he should have a right to be a part in Tommy’s life and know exactly how he is coping at school, especially with his dyslexia. Phil stands from his seat and walks closer to Alfie but before he is able to say anything, Tommy’s form tutor calls them into the classroom. Kat, Phil and Alfie all walk into the classroom. Eve sends the kids to bed and sends a text to Suki, asking her to come over. Suki pics up her phone from underneath the bar and opens the message. She smiles and asks Ash to take care of the bar with Tracey while she is away. Ash asks Suki where she’s off to, and Suki responds by telling Ash she has some business to take care of. Ash isn’t convinced by Suki’s excuse but puts her suspicions aside and resumes in serving the punters. Zack enters the Vic and slumps into a chair. Scarlett tells Ricky that after her conversation with Tommy, she realised that she’s got everything she’s ever wanted right here, in Walford. Sonia walks in and asks Scarlett how she would feel living with Sonia full time. Scarlett says she would be delighted and rushes over to give Sonia a hug. Sonia tells Ricky that he has his answer and Ricky smiles, confident that he’s making the right choice. Tommy’s teacher asks Alfie and Phil who Tommy’s father is, and Alfie is quick to step in and inform Ms Simmons that he’s is Tommy’s real father. Phil reminds Alfie that it isn’t strictly true and even if he was, Phil’s been the father figure in Tommy’s life for the last two years while Alfie was off caring more about a run-down boat. With Kat already sick of the pair of bickering adults, she shouts at Alfie and Phil to get out and affirms that they’ve both let her and Tommy down. Kat apologises to Ms Simmons as Alfie and Phil exit the room. Outside, Phil warns Alfie not to outstay his welcome in Walford and suggests that Alfie leave the Square before his children begin to realise what a sad life he’s leading, chasing the past. Alfie is given food for thought. Stacey and Martin return back to Albert Square and Stacey promises Martin that as soon as she gets home, Lily is grounded for a fortnight following her behaviour at school. Stacey heads over to Walford East, ready for her date with Kheerat. Jay enters Sharon and Linda’s house where the family are arranging Mick’s funeral. The family have chosen their preferred coffin and flower arrangement. Jay says that there’s a free space available at the church to hold the funeral for the following Monday. Lee worries it’s too soon but Linda and Shirley both agree that it should be just enough time to prepare everything ready. Sharon says she’ll ask Kathy to cater for the wake and Jean says she’ll ask the Panesar’s for the Vic for the wake to be held there. Jay assures them that he’ll make sure the funeral will be a worthy farewell to a Walford legend. Eve and Suki kiss on the sofa of No.31. Suki remarks how much she’s missed Eve over the Christmas period and tells Eve all about her family affairs with Ravi, and Vinny’s visit to Nish. Sharon talks with Jay in the kitchen while the Carters discuss what clothes to lay Mick to rest with. Ollie suggests that they bury him with Mick’s favourite item of clothing, his gown. Linda hesitates, assuring that Mick would want his youngest son to wear the gown himself when he grows into it, but Ollie is insistent on letting his father wear the pink gown as he is laid to rest. Shirley tells Ollie that his father would be so proud of him. Linda and Shirley smile at each other before Shirley gestures for a word in the hallway. Nancy spots the pair exiting the room, and Johnny remarks that if Shirley can find it in her to forgive Linda, then surely Nancy can too. Shirley tells Linda that she knows she never meant to sell the pub out of spite, and that Mick would want them to stick together and put their differences aside for the family, and for the day that lies ahead of them. Linda pulls Shirley into a tight hug and says that she isn’t sure she can do it before bursting into tears. Shirley affirms that they need to make it a day to remember, with the whole family present to say goodbye to Mick. Linda agrees. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door and Shirley opens it to see DCI Arthurs standing next to Jay. Felix makes his way into the pub to find Ash, and is furious when he spots her at the bar. Felix tells her that she promised to catch up on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Felix spots Zack drinking himself silly at the far side of the pub as Ash informs him that she was going to before her mother went AWOL. Ash notices that Felix has seen Zack and says that he’s been sat there, drinking non-stop for a good half hour. Felix makes his way over to Zack and Zack is taken aback when Felix correctly guesses that he’s cracked, and told Sam about the baby. Felix decides to call Whitney, telling her to make her way over to the Vic. Sam sits on the kitchen floor scrolling through the contacts on her cracked phone. A tear streams down her face as she reaches Phil’s number; but she can’t bring herself to call him. Linda and Shirley see both Arthurs and Jay out, a sad look on their faces. The pair enter the living room and Linda informs the rest of the family that due to a delay in the murder investigation, they can’t release Mick’s body until further notice. However, Shirley assures them that the funeral is still going ahead, merely without Mick’s body enclosed in his coffin. Ms Simmons says that Tommy has told her of his father’s recent return into his life, and how he’s glad that he finally has his family around him once more. The teacher voices how family must mean a lot to Tommy, and Kat is taken aback. Kheerat and Stacey enjoy each other’s company at Walford East and Kheerat apologies for being distant with his girlfriend recently. Stacey is understanding and remarks that the Panesars have had a busy few weeks with Ravi’s revelations and the takeover of the Vic. As Stacey heads to the toilet, Kheerat brings out a ring box from his pocket, and smiles to himself before putting it back. Kat wraps up her meeting with Tommy’s teacher and is confused when Alfie is nowhere to be seen. Phil tells her that he gave Alfie a few words of advice before he stormed off. Kat asks Phil, sternly, what he told Alfie. Whitney arrives at the Vic at spots Zack and Felix at the table. Zack tells Whitney that there was no way he could keep hiding the truth from Sam any longer and that Whitney needs to be honest with Finlay before it’s too late. Whitney understands the pressure Zack must’ve felt, and suggests that she and Zack to back to No.1 to talk to Sam. Zack reluctantly agrees. Stacey arrives back at the table as Bernie cleans the food off of their table. Kheerat retrieves the box from his pocket and opens it up for Stacey. Stacey is absolutely overjoyed by her gift and Stacey leans in as the pair share a long, passionate kiss at the table. Bernie is not amused and tells them to get a room. Kat and Phil arrive home and Kat lets Phil in on Ms Simmons’ comments on Tommy’s joy to have Alfie back in his life, for good. Kat warns Phil that the pair need to let Alfie stay in Walford, for Tommy and the boys. However, Phil isn’t convinced. Whitney and Zack arrive back at No.1 where Sam is sat on the sofa, a glass of wine in her hands. Sam admits she isn’t shocked that Zack’s back with Whitney to fight his corner. Whitney says that what happened between her and Zack was nothing but a one-night stand. Sam agrees when Zack assures that the pair had ended things when he and Whitney concieved the baby but Sam is keen to mention that it wasn’t just a one-night stand for Finlay. Linda sits between Johnny and Nancy as they put on a film. Johnny signals to Nancy to make it up properly with her mum, and Nancy pulls Linda into a tight hug and apologises. Johnny is relieved, now that his mother and sister are back on good terms. Ricky informs Sonia that the social services are happy to let Scarlett stay with her for the time being, and will come around for a few check-up visits in the future. Sonia and Scarlett head outside to wave goodbye to Ricky as he prepares to head to the airport. Ricky thanks Sonia for everything and tells Scarlett that he could never have asked for a better niece. The pair wave Ricky goodbye as the cab drives him away from Albert Square. Scarlett and Sonia head back inside. As Ricky’s cab disappears from view, another cab enters the Square and turns up next to No.31. Suki and Eve continue to make out on the sofa, before Eve suggests they take it to Eve’s room. However, as the pair make their way to the bedroom, there’s a knock on the door. Eve tells Suki to hide in the bedroom as she answers the front door of the house. Eve is shocked as, on the opposite side of the door is a young woman, going by the name of Holly Unwin.

DOOF DOOF: Eve Unwin

Holly: Alright, Mum?
Eve: Holly...

CAST (in order of appearance): Sam Mitchell, Zack Hudson, Kat Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Alfie Moon, Ms Simmons, Eve Unwin, Suki Panesar, Ash Panesar, Tracey, Scarlett Butcher, Ricky Butcher, Sonia Fowler, Stacey Slater, Martin Fowler, Jay Brown, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Nancy Carter, Johnny Carter, Lee Carter, Shirley Carter, Jean Slater, Ollie Carter, Annie Carter, Albie Watts, Jay Brown, DCI Arthurs, Felix Baker, Kheerat Panesar, Bernadette Taylor, Whitney Dean, Holly Unwin

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Monday, January 16th 2023

Stacey opens the living room door to see Holly sleeping on the sofa, Eve stands behind her. Stacey shuts the door and is still taken aback that Eve never told her about having a daughter. Eve tells Stacey that she didn’t think Holly would ever reach out to her mother, and informs Stacey that she hasn’t been in contact with Holly in years. Jean arrives downstairs and is shocked when Stacey tells her that Eve’s daughter has turned up in Albert Square. Shirley and Linda talk with Jay at the cafe as they finalise the arrangements for Mick’s funeral tomorrow. Jay says that he’ll make sure to give Mick the best send-off, and the pair thank Jay for his service, although Shirley makes it clear to Linda that it won’t be much of a funeral without Mick’s body, leaving Linda disappointed with Shirley’s attitude. Billy and Honey sit on the opposite side of the café, with Billy awaiting a call from his lawyer about his looming court date. Honey tells Billy to calm down and that Phil is making sure all goes to plan. Billy suggests that after the court hearing, the family should take some time away from Walford, preferably somewhere hot. Honey questions where the money will be coming from, but Billy assures her that they’ll find a way. Bobby and Dana exit No.45 together and Bobby helps Dana with her coat. Freddie walks through the Square gardens on his way to the Vic for his shift and overhears Bobby helping Dana. An awkward Bobby asks Dana out for a drink at the Albert later. Dana is keen on the idea and notices Freddie’s jealousy as she walks back to 5D. Holly arrives in the kitchen where Stacey, Eve and Jean are all waiting for her. There’s an awkward tension in the room, before Jean asks Holly what brings her to Walford. Holly tells Jean that she simply wanted to see her mum; something she was forbidden to do until her 18th birthday, and only discovered that her mother had been released from prison in the final few weeks of last year. Holly asks Eve whether she ever remembered er own daughter’s birthday, or whether Eve had just tried to block her out of her memory, considering she never received any birthday cards, or Christmas gifts. Eve storms out. Zack bumps into Whitney and Finlay at the Minute Mart, and Whitney and Zack share tense looks between each other. Vinny notices the tension and questions Zack on the matter. Zack brushes Vinny’s queries under the carpet before asking his friend to accompany him to the gym later, seeing as they missed their chance earlier in the week. Vinny tells Zack that the family are struggling to find a cover for the shop following their recent move to the Vic. Whitney catches sight of Sam walking over to Peggy’s, and hands Finlay her shopping bag as she tells him she needs to talk to Sam. Finlay questions the matter but Whitney is gone before she is able to answer. Exiting the shop, Zack glances over at Finlay, guiltily. Johnny, Lee, Nancy and Frankie sit at Sharon and Linda’s, looking at Mick’s order of service. Nancy jokes that if Mick could see all this fuss being made about him, he wouldn’t have been all too pleased. Lee says that he’s not ready for the funeral and to say goodbye. The siblings gather around Lee and share a big hug. Lee brings out his failed attempts at writing an eulogy for his father’s funeral and everyone comes together to help Lee in writing it. Frankie receives a text from Freddie asking to meet at The Albert later. Frankie agrees, sceptically. Stacey finds Eve on the park’s swings, and takes the swing next to her friend. Eve tells Stacey that she never thought Holly would choose to find her mother, considering how bad of a mother she has been to her daughter since her birth. Eve says that as soon as she discovered she was pregnant after university, she had considered an abortion, but her controlling parents managed to convince her into keep the baby. Stacey asks Eve who she left Holly in the care of for all these years. Eve reveals that she left Holly on the doorstep of her brother’s home, before fleeing to London; something she will regret doing for the rest of her life. Jean comforts an upset Holly, remarking that Eve is such shocked by it all and that she’ll come around eventually. Jean asks where Holly is meant to be staying, leading Holly to tell her that she’s been kicked out of her uncle, Regan’s house and that she’s been sofa surfing over the festive period. Linda and Shirley arrive back at the house to see Mick’s obituary on the Walford Gazette, as well as Mick’s order of service. Shirley remarks the arrangements as pointless, and that there’s no point in going ahead with a funeral without a body. Linda argues back, affirming that the family still need some form of closure and that if she doesn’t get to say some sort of a final goodbye to Mick, she will never be able to move on, ever. Shirley, however, isn’t convinced. Linda blurts out that if Shirley is so against having this funeral, then maybe it would be a better idea that she didn’t go. Shirley storms out, upset. Whitney visits Sam at Peggy’s and Sam is not pleased to see her in the slightest. Whitney asks Sam to give her some time to tell Finlay about her baby and its paternity. Sam, condescendingly, says that it’s wrong, keeping a secret that big from him and that Finlay deserves to know who he’s going to have to share Whitney with, just like Sam’s going to have to share Zack with her. Whitney pleads that she needs a little more time in order to tell Finlay properly. Sam tells Whitney that she has until Finlay starts his shift at 6, before Sam reveals the truth for her. Bobby and Dana order their drinks at the Albert’s bar and Kim informs the pair that she can already sense a reunion on the cards for the pair. Outside, Freddie waits patiently for Frankie, peering in at both Bobby and Dana enjoying each other’s company. Frankie turns up, and they head inside. Dana spots the pair and asks Bobby whether they are in a relationship, but Bobby is quick to assure her that Freddie is a little old for Frankie and that they are merely friends. Billy hands over to Jay as he prepares to finish his shift at the funeral parlour, and reminds Jay that he needs to sort out the small leak in the roof of the flat above before it ends in disaster. As Billy exits the building, he receives a phone call from his solicitor, informing him that his court hearing has been brought forward to next week. Whitney knocks on No.1’s door and is welcomed inside by Zack. Whitney informs him that Sam has threatened to tell Finlay about the baby and pleads Zack to stop her. Zack tells Whitney that she’s not only angry at Whitney, and that the pair haven’t talked to each other since last night meaning that Sam isn’t going to listen to him even if he tried. Zack says that Whitney needs to try and tell Finlay herself before it’s too late. Frankie and Freddie too enjoy being in each other’s company, yet Freddie’s gaze seems to often linger over to Bobby and Dana’s table. Billy arrives back at home to see Honey preparing food for the family. Billy chucks his phone onto the sofa and reveals to his wife about the court’s decision to change the date. Frankie, noticing Freddie’s evident crush on Dana, gets up from her seat and asserts that Karen was right, berating Freddie. She tells him that she doesn’t want to play a part in Freddie’s scheme to make Dana jealous, and thought that Freddie actually wanted to be a good friend to her while she’s grieving her father’s death. Frankie storms out, followed by a regretful Freddie. Finlay is called by Sam into his office. Sam asks Finlay whether Whitney’s told him the news, but before she is able to tell him the truth, Whitney rushes in with Zack. Sam stops in her tracks as a saddened Shirley enters the club, tears streaming down her cheeks. Stacey, Eve, Jean and Holly sit in the living room as Jean tells both Eve and Stacey that Holly will be staying with them for the foreseeable future as Holly has been kicked out by her uncle. Eve is shocked. Sam takes Shirley outside as she breaks down in Sam’s arms, the rain pouring down. At the club, Finlay is confused by what Sam had to say. Whitney holds herself together as she tells Finlay that she’s pregnant, and Zack is the father. Sam offers to take Shirley home or to call Linda, seeing as they all have a funeral to be going to tomorrow, leading Shirley to tell Sam that she won’t be attending Mick’s funeral.

DOOF DOOF: Shirley Carter

CAST (in order of appearance): Stacey Slater, Holly Unwin, Eve Unwin, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Linda Carter, Jay Brown, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Dana Monroe, Bobby Beale, Freddie Slater, Whitney Dean, Finlay Baker, Zack Hudson, Vinny Panesar, Sam Mitchell, Johnny Carter, Nancy Carter, Lee Carter, Frankie Carter, Kim Fox

Chapter Text

Tuesday, January 17th 2023

Linda, Johnny, Nancy, Johnny and Frankie wait in the living room, patiently. Linda makes Lee’s tie for him, and he thanks her. Frankie walks over to Linda and leans into a long hug. She apologises for being distant from Linda recently and that the family need to be strong for today, for Mick. Sharon arrives inside and asks about Shirley’s whereabouts. Jean enters Shirley’s room and tells her that it’s time to get up. Shirley says that she’s not going to the funeral. Downstairs, Stacey, Eve and Holly prepare for the day and Holly asks about Mick, and why everyone in the Square seems to be going to his funeral. Stacey tells her about Mick, and the legacy he left behind. Ollie arrives in the living room, and Linda gives her youngest son a hug, a tear streaming down her face. Nancy exits the house, upset and knocks into Zack, who tells Nancy he was on his way to pay his condolences to the family. Nancy thanks Zack but assures him that now is not the right time. Zack asks Nancy where she’s off to, and Nancy tells him that she’s off for some fresh air, alone. Shirley arrives downstairs, closely followed by a frantic Jean who tries to convince her friend to go to her son’s funeral. Stacey, Eve and Holly give Shirley and Jean some space, and Stacey asks Jean what’s wrong with Shirley. Jean tells her that Shirley is refusing to go to the funeral. Stacey offers to call Linda, but Jean assures Stacey that she’s going to try her best to get Shirley to go. Stacey, Eve and Holly head to the café. Finlay has spent the night at Karen and Mitch’s flat and Mitch attempts to get to the bottom of why Finlay is sulking. Karen asks him whether he’s had a falling out with Whitney, leading Finlay to storm out of the flat, pushing into Bernie as he leaves. Mitch asks Bernie whether she’s accompanying them to Mick’s funeral, but Bernie says that she’s offered to cover the restaurant for Kathy instead. Callum and Lola meet at Honey and Billy’s home as they prepare for the funeral. Callum shares his fond memories of Mick, and how he helped Callum through some challenging times in his time on the Square. Billy reels from the discovery of his court date, and Honey comforts him, telling Billy that they’re going to do everything they can to keep him well away from a jail cell. Jean talks with Shirley at the table, and Shirley is adamant on staying well away. Jean tells Shirley that Linda would really appreciate having Shirley next to her as this is just as tough a day for her as it is for Linda. But Shirley tells Jean that after saying goodbye to both Heather and Tina, she doesn’t think she’ll be able to handle saying one final farewell to Mick and all. Shirley receives an incoming call; from Linda. Linda is worried as Shirley doesn’t answer her phone, and Sharon tries to calm her down. Linda tells Sharon that she’s heading over to the Slater’s house to find Shirley, but Frankie interrupts and offers to go over instead. Linda agrees, telling Frankie to try not to be long. Frankie notices a note on the floor of the hallway with her name on it. She opens the note as it reads: Good luck today. I’m sorry for yesterday, I was in the wrong. Fred x – Frankie opens the door, looking out for Freddie on the Square, but doesn’t spot him. As Frankie heads over to No.31, Freddie retreats from view, back into No.55. Stacey, Eve and Holly arrive into the café, and Holly introduces herself to Kathy, who welcomes her to Walford. Stacey spots Nancy at the table and asks her what’s wrong. Nancy says that she just needed a moment to gather herself. Stacey informs Nancy that Shirley is struggling too, and suggests that she comes back to No.31 to talk to her nan; Nancy agrees. Whitney is struggling to face the idea of going to Mick’s funeral, and Chelsea and Felix attempt to build her resilience up, asserting that the pair of them will be right by her side. Whitney looks out the window and spots Finlay heading into the Vic. Whitney says that she has to talk with Finlay before going to the funeral. Nancy, Stacey, Eve and Holly arrive back at the Slater household and Nancy enters the living room to see Frankie next to a saddened Shirley. Nancy sits opposite her nan, resting her hand on top of Shirley’s. Frankie assures Shirley that whatever happens, she has her whole family next to her at all times. Nancy adds that she knows Shirley is grieving just as much as the entire family, and that being there for the funeral will undoubtably help her come to terms with Mick’s death, and to celebrate the life of her son and the hole he left in Walford’s community. Nancy says that if Shirley feels like she absolutely cannot face it, then they’ll accept her decision, but affirms that Mick would’ve wanted his mother to be there. Frankie and Nancy leave the room together, leaving an upset Shirley with food for thought. Chelsea heads over to Denise and Jack’s to take care of Jordan, whilst Whitney and Felix head into the Vic to talk with Finlay. Inside, the Panesars are busy preparing the pub for Mick’s wake later on. Finlay spots Whitney and Felix and brushes them off, telling Whitney that she’s the last person he wants to see. Felix tells Finlay he needs to calm down and that Whitney only wants to talk things through civilly with him. Finlay walks up to Felix and asks his brother whether he knew of Whitney and Zack’s one night stand. The silence is all Finlay needs to make his mind up and he storms out of the pub, telling Felix that Avery would be very disappointed in him if he was alive. Felix is left upset. Linda, Sharon, Lee, Johnny, Nancy, Frankie, Ollie and Annie arrive outside as the hearse arrives into the Square. Billy, Honey, Callum and Lola stand outside their homes, along with Kat, Phil, Freddie and the rest of the Square’s residents.. With flowers reading ‘Father’, ‘Son’ and ‘Husband’, the hearse makes its way slowly around the Square and away from view, leaving Walford in a flood of tears. Eve glances over at Suki, Finlay over at Whitney, and Honey over at Phil. Linda receives a call from an unrecognised number and declines it. Shirley retreats from the bedroom window, tears flowing down her face. Honey makes her way over to Phil and confronts him about Billy’s court date. Phil tells Honey that he’s got it all under control but Honey begs to differ. Meanwhile, Kat hands Freddie £40 to take care of Tommy, Bert and Ernie while they’re away. Holly spots Freddie and Stacey catches her glare. She chuckles softly to herself and tells Holly that Freddie could do with some company and that he doesn’t bite. Eve tells Holly to head over to help him with the babysitting, and she does. Linda tells Frankie that she thought Shirley would’ve been here by now, but Frankie tells her that Shirley must not have been able to face the idea of saying goodbye. Linda takes Sharon and Ollie’s hand and head into the limousine waiting for them. Fading in, the residents of Walford gather in the church and take their seats. Linda, Sharon, Ollie, Annie, Nancy, Lee and Johnny arrive and sit at the front of the row. The first hymn is sang before the vicar arrives and begins his speech on the life of dedicated landlord of the Queen Vic, Mick Carter. However, halfway through his reading, the doors of the church open up and Shirley walks in with her head held low. Linda lets out a sigh of relief and the Carter’s make space for her next to them. Linda reaches out to hold Shirley’s hand and squeezes it tight. An in the back of the church, sits a familiar face too laying low; Aunt Babe. Holly and Freddie seem to be getting along quite well together and Freddie catches Holly up with what Walford has been up to over recent months. When asked by Freddie whether Holly will be staying around, Holly replies that she hopes she can get on the right side of her mother and stay with the Slaters permanently. The vicar continues to read his heartfelt words about Mick’s life and untimely death before Linda’s phone rings once and she is quick to decline the call. Lee is called up to the altar to read his eulogy. He heartbreakingly talks about all the unforgettable memories the Carter family have made with Mick by their side and that whatever happens, they will make sure Mick’s legacy will never be forgotten. Linda is forced to take a moment and rushes outside for some air. Chelsea and Felix comfort Whitney as tears form in her eyes, and Callum is comforted by Lola as he breaks down. Shirley follows Linda outside and the pair descend into each other’s arms for a hug. Linda voices her relief that Shirley managed to make it. Shirley admits that it did take some convincing. Kathy and Vinny enter the Vic with the food, prepared especially for Mick’s wake. Kheerat arrives downstairs and reveals that 5A is now successfully on the market, and that he is planning on keeping No.41 to rent out if needs be. In a car on the outskirts of Walford, Ravi shows his son an image of a familiar flat and tells Davinder that that’s where they’ll be calling home soon. Sharon offers to take Ollie and Annie home to leave the rest of the Carters to say one final goodbye to Mick at the church. One by one, they each say their farewells to the empty coffin and Shirley voices her hopes to bury her son properly, once justice is served. Linda, Shirley, Lee, Johnny, Nancy and Frankie leave the church’s grounds together, hand-in-hand, as the camera zooms slowly away.

DOOF DOOF (Julia’s Theme): Linda, Shirley, Lee, Johnny, Nancy and Frankie Carter

CAST (in order of appearance): Linda Carter, Johnny Carter, Nancy Carter, Johnny Carter, Frankie Carter, Sharon Watts, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin, Holly Unwin, Ollie Carter, Zack Hudson, Mitch Baker, Karen Taylor, Finlay Baker, Bernadette Taylor, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Lola Pearce, Callum Highway, Freddie Slater, Whitney Dean, Chelsea Fox, Felix Baker, Suki Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Jay Brown, Kat Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Kathy Beale, Tom Cotton, Zack Hudson, Babe Smith, Vinny Panesar, Ravi Gulati, Davinder Gulati

Chapter Text

Wednesday, January 18th 2023

Mick’s wake at the Vic begins as residents begin to arrive. Linda and the rest of the Carter family arrive back at Sharon and Linda’s and Sharon tells Linda that she thinks the funeral went well, and a perfect send-off to honour Mick’s life. Nancy, Johnny, Lee and Frankie are keen to head over to the pub for the wake, but Shirley isn’t convinced. Linda tells her that if she doesn’t feel up to it, she can head back to the Slaters. Billy and Honey sit with Lola, Callum and Jay as Honey raises her concerns over Phil’s lack of interest in getting Billy’s court case dropped. Billy warns Honey not to do anything stupid. Stacey and Eve worry about how Freddie and Holly are getting on at the Mitchell house but their concerned are brushed under the carpet when Holly and Freddie arrive into the pub together, both in one piece. Linda, Sharon, Frankie, Johnny, Lee and Nancy enter the Vic are glad to see so many locals there to pay their respects. Linda blows a kiss to a photo frame of Mick on the bar. Felix finds Finlay at the café and demands that the brothers talk about Whitney’s bombshell. Finlay, however, asserts that it’s obvious where Felix’s loyalty now lays. Felix tells him that he promised Whitney not to tell Finlay, and was going to let Whitney do it in her own time. Finlay shuts down Felix’s excuses and reminds him of the times where the pair used to tell each other everything, and never hide the truth from one another. With Felix lost for words with nothing but his guilt, Finlay storms out and over to the wake. Frankie and Nancy talk with Callum at the bar as Frankie reveals she is thinking of moving in with Nancy in her new flat in Edenborough and starting a career in teaching. Callum is delighted for his friend and the pair share a hug. Lee catches up with Whitney, who is pleased to reunite with her, though the moment is ruined when an annoyed Finlay enters the pub and takes a seat next to Karen and Mitch. Lee asks Whitney about Finlay and the evident tension between them, but Whitney brushes it off. Stacey pesters Freddie about Holly, but Freddie assures her that there’s nothing going on between them, and that Freddie has barely even met her yet. Eve, on the other hand, continues to struggle with her complicated relationship with Holly, with the silence between them causing Holly to walk off. Eve catches Suki’s eye behind the bar and they smile, but their gaze lingers. Chelsea exits the bathroom to see an upset Felix entering the Vic. Phil heads over to the bar and leaves his phone on the bar, which catches the attention of Honey, who stands next to him. A quick-thinking Honey asks Phil to take a selfie of the pair on his phone while they wait for their drinks. Reluctantly, Phil opens up his phone and puts in his password, where a pair of beady eyes watch on, and they take the photo. Kat and Billy watch the encounter in confusion. Johnny offers to buy Sharon and Linda the next round of drinks, in which they agree to before Linda’s phone rings in her bag. Aware that someone has been trying to get a hold of her all day, she thinks it best to answer. Johnny spots Felix and Chelsea at the end of the bar and heads over. Comforting a devastated Felix, Chelsea tells Johnny that now isn’t a good time. Johnny tells Felix that it looks like he’s going to be staying in Walford a little while longer and that he’s there if Felix needs a shoulder to cry on. Linda returns with the news that Janine’s plea hearing is coming up soon, and it isn’t looking good. Mitch decides to ask a now tipsy Finlay whether he’s going to tell him and Karen what happened between him and Whitney. Finlay sees Whitney with Lee and raises his voice so that the whole pub can hear what he has to say. Finlay reveals to everyone within earshot that Whitney is pregnant with a baby that isn’t his, but Zack’s, and says that the one person he thought he could trust didn’t have it in him to tell Finlay the truth. Karen and Mitch are taken aback, as well as Lee and Sharon. Finlay rushes out the pub and Whitney runs out after him. Whitney shouts at Finlay, asking why he just blurted to half the Square a secret that was only hers to tell. Finlay tells her that maybe she should’ve thought about that before getting pregnant with Zack. He storms back to the house, remarking his and Whitney’s relationship as over and leaving an upset Whitney alone outside the Vic. Whitney re-enters the pub and Mitch bluntly asks her where Finlay had gone before heading off behind her. She heads over to Felix and Chelsea as Billy questions Honey on why she decided to take a selfie with Phil Mitchell of all people. Honey says that it’s phase one of her ‘mission’, leaving Billy even more confused that before asking. Describing her next move as phase two, she abruptly storms over to Phil. Honey begins to rip into him with her words, calling Phil a disgrace to his own family and that she isn’t surprised that everyone has turned their backs on him as she isn’t going to let him just sit around while Billy’s future is on the line. Before storming back to her seat, she quietly nabs Phil’s phone from the table without a single person noticing. Holly and Freddie continue to talk at the bar as Eve voices her concerns about Holly, telling Stacey that she was never ready to be a mum and that she doesn’t know whether she can just play the reprise the role of Holly’s mother when she never even signed up to audition. The conversation is halted when Eve receives a call from her brother Regan, who informs her that he’s reported Holly as missing as he hasn’t seen her in five days. Mitch finds Finlay at No.1, packing his things into a suitcase. Mitch tells him that he’s still got a place in Walford, but Finlay doesn’t believe he can stay after Whitney, and Felix’s betrayal. Mitch asks Finlay where he is planning on going, and Finlay says that he’ll find somewhere as long as it’s well away from Walford. Suki rings the bell of the pub and orders a moment’s silence for Mick. Former landlord of the Queen Vic, a loving wife, son and father. A life that will never be forgotten. Everyone raises a glass in honour of Mick. Linda takes a deep breath and sips her orange juice with a tear forming in her eye. Honey passes a frantic Eve on the phone as she too finishes a call with a certain someone off of Phil’s phone. Honey places the phone back in a handbag, belonging to Kat. Honey tells Billy that she’s heading home for the night and leaves the pub. Felix, Whitney, Chelsea and Karen follow behind as Finlay and Mitch both exit the house and Finlay makes his way over to the station, a suitcase closely following him. Felix begs his brother to stay, and affirms that they can both work things out eventually. Finlay tells Felix that he’s sorry, before he retrieves a letter from his pocket and drops it onto the pavement as he exits the Square. Mitch picks up the letter from the floor and reveals to everyone that the letter is dedicated to him, but in Avery’s handwriting. Honey waits outside the Arches patiently, as a familiar face arrives behind her; DCI Keeble. Honey tells Keeble that she’s been left with no other option. Honey says that if Keeble drops Billy’s case before next week, both her and Billy will testify in court against Phil making sure he is sent down, for good.

DOOF DOOF: Honey Mitchell

Honey: I ain’t gonna let you just sit around doing nothing while my husband is due in court next week, in which he could be going down, Phil, for life. And it is all your fault! What happened to family, eh? What happened to looking out for your own? Look at you, Phil. You’re a disgrace...

Billy: Honey, leave it.

Honey: No! I’m right though, aren’t I? You’re a disgrace to your own family, Phil. Everyone’s turned their backs on you. Us, Grant, Ben, Sam. And it’s just a matter o’ time before Kat goes scurrying back to her own an’ all.

CAST (in order of appearance): Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Lola Pearce, Jay Brown, Callum Highway, Karen Taylor, Mitch Baker, Ash Panesar, Linda Carter, Nancy Carter, Frankie Carter, Johnny Carter, Shirley Carter, Lee Carter, Sharon Watts, Suki Panesar, Tracey, Phil Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Freddie Slater, Holly Unwin, Finlay Baker, Felix Baker, Whitney Dean, Chelsea Fox, DCI Samantha Keeble

Chapter Text

Thursday, January 19th 2023

Felix visits Mitch and Karen at the flat as they recover from the night before. Felix tells his uncle that he’s been calling Finlay all night but his calls have gone straight to voicemail. Felix questions Mitch on the letter that Finlay dropped onto the pavement in Avery’s handwriting, but Mitch tells him that he isn’t planning on opening it anytime soon. Karen asks Mitch why he won’t look to see what’s inside, but Mitch insists that if it was anything important, Finlay would’ve given it to him sooner, seeing as the envelope has clearly been opened before. Honey is distracted after her and Keeble’s meeting last night as she opens her phone contacts with Keeble’s number now added to the list. She contemplates deleting the number from her phone before Billy comes down the stairs and she realises how far she is willing to go to keep her husband safe. Linda walks into the café after dropping Ollie off for his first day back at school since Mick’s passing. She sits with Frankie and Nancy and begin discussing the idea of Frankie moving away with Nancy to Scotland. Linda supports Frankie’s decision and assures her that the family will be there to wave them off at the station later today. Frankie leaves the café to begin packing her things. Kat and Phil talk about Honey’s words to him at Mick’s wake yesterday. Kat asks Phil whether he’s actually doing anything to help drop Billy’s case, leading Phil to tell her that Ritchie is trying her best to uncover some dirt on Keeble in time for Billy’s hearing. Eve is furious at Holly for lying to everyone about her true situation and that she should’ve told Regan about her whereabouts as he’s been worried sick, and even reported her daughter missing. Holly argues back by saying she’s an adult now and doesn’t need to let anyone know where she’s off to at all times. Eve tells Holly that whether she’s an adult or not, people still care, and reminds her to stay in the Square as the police want to come and do a welfare check. Whitney is devastated after Finlay’s sudden exit from Walford and Chelsea steps up to support her once more. Whitney has been trying to reach her ex-boyfriend, but has had no luck in getting through to him. Chelsea tells Whitney to leave it, and that Felix hasn’t had any luck reaching Finlay either. Whitney blames herself for ruining yet another relationship, and tells Chelsea that she really thought she had found the one before messing it up for herself just like everyone before him, and probably everyone after him too. Linda and Nancy pass a memorial full of flowers next to the Queen Vic as they head from the café. Inside, Kat and Phil leave the café before coming face-to-face with Honey and Billy. Kat has a go at Honey, berating her on the things she said to Phil yesterday. Honey says that she only thing she’s going to apologise for is causing such a commotion at a wake, and that she stands by everything she said. Honey leaves Billy at his stall as she receives a text message from Samantha Keeble, demanding to meet. Karen and Mitch discuss Avery’s letter at the cab office, with Karen insistent on getting Mitch to open the letter. Mitch raises his voice and tells Karen that he’ll open it when he’s ready. Holly orders her chips from Beale’s Plaice, and Bobby wastes no time in introducing himself. Bobby informs Holly about Dana, and believes that the pair would be great friends. Freddie comes out from the back, and assures Holly that her portion of chips is on the house. The trio seem to be getting along before Holly receives a call from Eve, letting her know that the police have arrived, and want to speak to her. Honey arrives at the café on Victoria Road and sits opposite Keeble. Keeble asks Honey whether she’s thought about what she is going to do, and Honey sticks to her word that she will do whatever it takes to keep Billy out of prison. Keeble agrees to drop Billy’s court case, on the condition that both Honey and Billy make a statement against Phil, as well as to testify against him in court. Honey agrees. Lee and Johnny make a banner for Nancy and Frankie as they prepare to leave the Square together for Scotland. Frankie enters the house, and Shirley steps in to distract Frankie from the surprise banner in progress. Shirley voices her sadness in seeing Frankie leave Walford so soon, but the pair lean in for a hug and Shirley tells Frankie that she will always be on the opposite end of a screen if needs be. Frankie thanks Shirley for everything. Eve and Holly sit in the living room as the police finish their welfare check on Holly. The police take Eve to one side on their way out and inform her that Holly has been taking in for questioning at a police station in the past with a couple of incidents relating to drug dealing. Eve is shocked. Felix finds a photo of him, Finlay, Chelsea and Whitney on the shelf and sheds a tear, missing his brother. Whitney enters the room and sits next to Felix while Chelsea comes in with a bottle of wine and begins to pour a glass for herself and Felix. All three sit on the sofa and turn the TV on as Chelsea remarks that it’s only the three of them from now on. Whitney looks back at the photo on the shelf, a guilty look on her face. Bobby and Freddie finish a day’s work and head into the Vic. Mitch pulls the letter out of his pocket and leaves it next to him on the bar. Rocky questions him about it, causing Mitch to tell him all about Finlay’s departure, and the fallout. Rocky tells him that if the letter is bothering him that much, then he either opens it, or throws it giving Mitch a choice to make. Bobby asks Freddie about the incident with Frankie at the Albert. Keen on brushing the subject under the carpet, Freddie tells Bobby that it was a silly misunderstanding between them and that all is well, and putting a smile on Bobby’s face, Freddie tells his friend how much he means to him and how vital it is to have someone who understands you, who will encourage and counsel you, and who will also get in your face when you’re being disobedient or harmful. Freddie remarks Bobby as his ‘spirtual friend’ and kisses him on the cheek. Eve reaches boiling point at the kitchen with Holly and tells her that she knows about Holly’s drug dealing. Holly assures Eve that it’s all over now, but Eve isn’t so sure and asks her whether there’s anything else she’s keeping from her mother or lying about. Holly shouts back at Eve and tells her to stop treating Holly like a teenage girl. Mitch makes a piece of toast for himself back at the flat as the letter continues to circle his mind. He takes the letter back out from his pocket before throwing it in the bin, and watching on in the hallway is Karen. Honey serves dinner for Billy, Will and Janet and struggles to out with what she needs Billy to do in order to secure his safety. She takes Billy to one side and tells him that she’s found a way to drop Billy’s case, but he’s not going to like it. Holly storms into the living room, and continues arguing with Eve. Eve tells her that she just needs a minute to figure it all out, with Holly questioning what she could possibly need to “figure out”. Eve says that she is not the person Holly thinks she is, and that she can’t step up for her daughter. Holly reminds Eve that she is her mother and that her duty is to step up, but Eve shuts her down saying that she can’t possibly be Holly’s mum. Eve tells Holly that she needs to go, now. Johnny, Lee, Linda, Ollie and Shirley wait outside the station as Frankie and Nancy get ready to leave Walford for the Scottish life. Nancy hugs Linda and her mother thanks her for coming home, even if it only was for a little while. Ollie hugs his sisters and waves them goodbye as Lee and Johnny bring out their homemade banner. Frankie signs thank you to the pair and hugs them both, tears falling down her face. With their many bags and suitcases, Frankie and Nancy head up the stairs and away from view. Before heading off, Frankie pauses for a second, reminiscing the memories and the family she’s created on the Square with a smile on her face, as she bids Walford goodbye.

DOOF DOOF: Frankie Carter

CAST (in order of appearance): Felix Baker, Mitch Baker, Karen Taylor, Honey Mitchell, Billy Mitchell, Frankie Carter, Linda Carter, Nancy Carter, Kat Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Eve Unwin, Holly Unwin, Whitney Dean, Chelsea Fox, Bobby Beale, Freddie Slater, DCI Samantha Keeble, Johnny Carter, Lee Carter, Shirley Carter, Tom Cotton, Will Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Ollie Carter

Chapter Text

Monday, January 23rd 2023

Kat strolls through the Square gardens on her way over to the cab office. She turns to look back at No.55 before turning the opposite direction, now looking up at Alfie’s flat. She sits on Dennis’ bench for a second and subtly puts her hand on her stomach before receiving a text message from the abortion clinic to confirm that she’ll be present for her abortion assessment later on. Phil sits in the Arches, and reads a text message from Ritchie reading: Still no luck with finding any dirt on Keeble. She’s too good at covering her tracks, Billy might have to wait it out in court after all. Billy has shut down Honey’s plan on making a statement to Keeble’s investigation against Phil and sits on the sofa of No.18, continuing to reel over Honey’s lengths to protect him from going to court. Honey enters the room and asks Billy whether he has changed his mind on the matter, but Billy is insistent that there’s no way he is involving himself in getting Phil sent down. Honey argues that Phil couldn’t care less about whether Billy heads to prison for the rest of his life or not, so why should he? She asks Billy to keep thinking about his decision, before leaving for the market. Stacey wonders whether Eve has heard from Holly over the past few days. Eve tells Stacey that Holly is old enough to take care of herself and thought that the Slaters would’ve been a bit more thankful now that the family don’t have to deal with a drug dealer living under their roof. Jean disagrees with Eve’s actions and tells her that just because Holly is legally an adult, it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve to have a safe place to stay and a secure group of people looking out for her. Eve fights back, reminding Jean that Holly lied about having nowhere to stay, but Jean isn’t convinced and walks out of the kitchen, with Shirley following behind. Eve asks Stacey for her opinion, but she refuses to comment on the matter and too walks from the room. Lee and Johnny sit at the café as Lee plans to head back to Wales within the next few days. Johnny tells Lee that since returning to Walford, he’s realised how much he has actually missed calling it home. Whitney walks in and orders a takeaway coffee, spotting both Lee and Johnny at the table. Lee invites her to sit, and congratulates her on her baby news. Whitney asks how the family are getting on since the funeral before Kathy comes over to the table and informs Whitney that her card has been declined. Lee insists on paying for her coffee but Whitney manages to find the few spare change in her pocket and hands it to Kathy. Whitney says that with the new baby on the way, she is contemplating putting her clothes stall to one side and focusing on getting a more secure job. Whitney asks Kathy whether there are any jobs going at the café, but Kathy shakes her head. Kat books a cab from a separate company for her appointment later on. Stacey visits Kat at the office and asks Kat whether she’s sure she wants to head for the appointment alone, and Kat is certain that she’ll be fine. Stacey says that she has conjured up a plan to keep Phil clueless, however Kat is more concerned on keeping Alfie in the dark as Phil already has enough distractions as it is. Stacey assures Kat that she has it all under control. Billy stops Phil in the street and asks whether he’s found a breakthrough in his attempts at keeping him out of court in time. Phil says that after Honey’s words at the wake last week, he shouldn’t be trying to help Billy out at all, but asserts that he’s trying his best. Billy says that he isn’t trying to come off as rushing Phil, but tells him that he really needs to speed up the process as the court hearing is only a few days away. Lee finishes up his shop at the Minute Mart and overhears Suki and Vinny arguing behind the counter. Vinny says that he has other priorities than being working in the shop all day, every day. Suki sternly reminds Vinny that with Ash at the surgery, Kheerat at the pest control centre and herself focusing on the Vic, Vinny needs to step up for the family and take the Minute Mart under his wing. Lee walks over the the pair and says that if Vinny is struggling in running the shop by himself, he knows a certain someone that will be interested in co-managing. Outside, Stacey heads back to No.31 and as part of her plan on keeping Alfie’s suspicions on the low, she gives Alfie a call asking for his help. Kat arrives at the abortion clinic and hesitates a moment before entering. At the office, she gives the receptionist the name of Kat Slater, before realising her mistake and correcting herself to Mitchell. Alfie arrives at the Slater household and tells Alfie that she had promised Bert, Ernie, Arthur and Hope a trip to the cinema after school, but has caught a nasty cold and can no longer take them. She asks Alfie whether he can take them instead, and Alfie is overjoyed to get to spend some more time with the children. Kat takes a seat opposite a nurse. Kat talks to the nurse about the possible termination options available for her and the nurse asks Kat whether she’s being forced into the abortion in which Kat asserts that it is her decision. Whitney arrives at the Minute Mart with Lee and offers herself to co-manage the shop with Vinny. Vinny attempts to talk to Whitney about the decision before Suki steps in and sets Whitney up for a few trial shifts at the Minute Mart. Whitney is delighted. The nurse finishes up with Kat’s tests and asks Kat to sign the consent form, and she agrees to being prescribed the ‘abortion pill’. Billy comes home to see Honey awaiting his arrival. She asks him whether he’s thought about Keeble’s offer, and Billy tells her that he’s not doing it, certain that Phil can sort it. Honey asks Billy what he’s going to do if Phil doesn’t ‘sort it’ in time, and whether he’s really going to risk everything to protect Phil. She asks Billy to think about Will and Janet, and whether he’s going to leave them with no father for the rest of his life. Billy leaves the room, without a word, leaving Honey in tears on the sofa. Phil meets with Ritchie at the house and Ritchie re-iterates what she told Phil in the message; that there doesn’t seem to be any dirt lurking on Keeble, and that Billy is just going to have to wait it out in court and hope for the best. She tells Phil that she wouldn’t want to be in his shoes when telling Billy the news. Eve drinks the last drop of her beer when Suki arrives back behind the bar. She asks Eve what’s wrong and wonders if she wants to talk about it. Eve says that she thinks she’s messed up, big time. Kat heads to No.31, and Stacey invites her inside. She asks Kat how the assessment went and Kat tells her that she needs to head back over there tomorrow to pick up the pills. Kat and Stacey share a hug, but the moment is interrupted when Jean asks about what pills Kat is on about. Stacey tells Jean that it’s nothing for her to worry about. Kat thanks Stacey for distracting Alfie while she was away and Stacey offers to make them both a cuppa while they wait for him to return from the cinema. Eve and Suki catch up at the bar and Suki encourages Eve to call Holly, as Suki confides in Eve that one of her biggest regrets was not accepting her responsibility as a mother when her children needed her the most, leaving Eve confused. Phil knocks on the door of No.18, and Honey answers. She tries to shut the door in his face but Phil insists that it’s important. Billy enters the room and Phil tells the pair to sit. He tells Billy that Ritchie has tried everything in her power to get some dirt on Keeble in order to blackmail her into dropping the case, but has reached a dead end. He apologises to Billy before informing him that there is nothing more he can do than to let him wait it out in court.

DOOF DOOF: Billy Mitchell

Billy: Phil is gonna sort it, alright!

Honey: And what if he doesn’t ‘sort it’ in time, Billy, what then? Are you really gonna go to court with nothing to back you up, and Will and Janet are gonna be left with no father for what, the rest of their lives? The only time you’ll be able to see them, through a visiting order? Do you really want to risk that? Do you?

CAST (in order of appearance): Kat Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin, Lee Carter, Johnny Carter, Kathy Beale, Whitney Dean, Suki Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Alfie Moon, Ritchie Scott

Chapter Text

Tuesday, January 24th 2023

Phil arrives downstairs and kisses Kat on the cheek as he sits at the table. He informs Kat about Billy’s case still going ahead after Ritchie had reached a dead end in the search for some dirt on Keeble. Kat is distracted and doesn’t pay attention to what Phil’s saying. She receives a text message from the clinic, notifying Kat that her prescription is ready to be collected. She tells Phil that she needs to head into town to collect some paperwork for the cab office, but will be back before long. At the café, Billy and Honey talk about the night before. Honey asks Billy what other option they have other than to work with Keeble to drop the case entirely in time, but Billy still isn’t sure. Kheerat arrives in the kitchen to see the family sat at the table. He reminds Suki that there are renovators arriving later on to begin renovation on the kitchen. He also informs the Panesars that that they’ve arranged a viewing with someone who is interested in 5A. Ash says that she’s fully booked with the surgery and Kheerat says that the paperwork is beginning to mount at the pest control office, leaving Suki and Vinny. Before Vinny can get a word in, Suki says that she’ll handle the viewer while Vinny waits with the renovators at the Vic. Zack enters the Minute Mart and is shocked to see Whitney is now working there. Zack tells her that he’s sorry to hear about what happened with Finlay and she thanks him. Whitney asks how Sam is doing, but Zack doesn’t give an answer and merely shrugs. She encourages Zack to talk with Sam and assures him that they’ll work things out. Zack walks out as Jean enters the shop and is pleased to see Whitney’s face behind the counter. Davinder arrives into the shop, spotting Whitney helping Jean with finding her shopping. He sneakily heads behind the counter and grabs the alcohol from the shelves. Whitney tries to stop Davinder from escaping the shop, but he makes a run for it, and Whitney runs out of breath. Zack tries to stop him but is more concerned about Whitney and the baby. Whitney shouts at Zack to run after him but Zack is too late and instead helps Whitney catch her breath back. Lurking near Walford East is Ravi, who congratulates his son on successfully taking the bottles before the pair rush into the car. Jean enters the café, orders her drink and sits next to Alfie, and informs him of the theft that just took place at the Minute Mart, assuring him that Suki won’t be happy. Honey repeats her words from last night, telling Billy to think of the kids and how she would have to raise them all on their own. However, Billy doesn’t think he can betray Phil that easily, seeing as Phil really did make an effort to try and get the case dropped. Jean is just about to inform Alfie about what she overheard from Kat and Stacey’s conversation last night before a perky Phil walks in, on the phone to Ben. Honey is disgusted to see Phil walk in without a worry in the world and shows Billy in plain sight that Phil doesn’t care whether Billy is sent down or not, which is why she was forced to take matters into her own hands in the first place. Billy is given food for thought. When Phil is given his coffee and exits the building, Jean reveals to Alfie that she believes Kat is pregnant, but is having an abortion. Suki is furious that some of her alcohol stock has been stolen and berates Whitney on the matter, telling her that she should’ve kept a closer eye on the counter. Sam walks past Zack comforting Whitney on her way to open Peggy’s and Whitney prompts him to take the time to talk things through with her now. Zack asks Whitney whether she’ll be fine on her own, and Whitney asserts that she’s not hurt. Suki asks Whitney whether she saw who it was, and Whitney tells Suki that it looked like a child, leaving her puzzled. Zack follows behind Sam as she opens up the club for the day ahead. Sam asks Zack about the incident outside the Minute Mart, but Zack wants to cut to the chase. He tells Sam that it’s about time they talked, properly. Honey and Billy arrive back at the house, and Billy finally agrees to accept Keeble’s deal, assuring him that he’s doing it for Honey and the kids. Honey wells up and leaps into Billy’s arms. Sam says that she’s not angry at Zack and supposes that maybe she’s just jealous that he’s experiencing fatherhood with someone other than her. Sam says that she’s angry at the fact that she’s going to have to ‘share’ Whitney with him, and as much as she wishes he weren’t, Zack has got to take responsibility for the baby and she has to respect that. Zack insists that he and Whitney will be co-parenting for this child and that’s all, but Sam voices her worries that she doesn’t know if she can do it. Kat arrives back home to see Freddie in the kitchen, preparing to begin his shift at the Queen Vic. He asks Kat whether she’s received the pills, and Kat brings them out of her bag and shows Freddie. He asks her when she’ll begin taking them, and Kat says that she’ll take her first pill tonight. Freddie wraps his arms around his aunt and hugs her before leaving the house. She smiles to herself before a knock on the door results in an unwelcome encounter with Alfie, who notices the pills on the table. Kat tells him that they’re for her headaches but Alfie says that Jean told him that she thought she’d heard you talking about having an abortion. Kat is mortified that Alfie has discovered the truth. He asks Kat whether Phil knows about the abortion, and Kat says that he doesn’t know a thing and wants to keep it that way. Alfie asks why she is keeping so many things from Phil and Kat asserts that it’s because she just want to be happy and won’t have Alfie or anything else get in the way of that. An angered Kat heads outside and spots Stacey heading back to No.31 with the shopping. Kat warns Stacey to tell Jean to start keeping what she overhears in other people’s conversations to herself next time. Alfie tries to stop Kat in order to talk with her, but Kat shouts at Alfie saying that the only reason her and Phil are even letting Alfie stay in the Square is because Tommy and the boys genuinely seem to like having him around, unlike everyone else. Alfie doesn’t need to reply and heads to sit on the bench in low spirits. Suki waits outside 5A for the mystery viewer. She calls Kheerat, asking him whether the viewing is coming at all before an all too familiar car parks up on the pavement. Ravi and Davinder step out of the car and head in Suki’s direction. Suki steps back before telling the Gulatis that they can think again if they think they’re coming to live anywhere near Walford again. Ravi tells Suki that that’s where she’s wrong, and that she knows exactly what will happen if he doesn’t get what he wants. Davinder passes Suki a half empty bottle of wine from the Minute Mart and offers her some. Suki is taken aback. Zack sits next to Alfie on the bench. Passing them is a frustrated Honey who can’t seem to get a hold of Keeble. Billy follows behind her. Outside the Vic, Keeble picks up. In her car, Keeble has a very simple instruction for Honey and Billy; to meet her outside Walford Police Station tomorrow morning. Suki tells Ravi that she can call the police on the pair what they’ve stolen, but Ravi tells Suki that she has stolen a lot more from him. Suki argues that Ravi took her son away from the world and has no right to threaten him. Ravi tells Suki that she’s got until tomorrow to confirm his offer, or they’ll be having a few more words. He whispers into her ear one name, a name that sends shivers down Suki’s back: Ranveer. Ravi and Davinder back into the car and speed off. Alfie asks Zack what’s on his mind and Zack tells him that he doesn’t know how to convince someone that you’re committed to them, and that you’re not going anywhere. Alfie advises him not to just buy a cheap gift or even a gift at all unless he’s planning to propose, but to show Sam that he loves her with more than just what he can buy. Suki arrives home to see the family sat at the living room. Ash asks how the viewing went at 5A and Suki says that Ravi was the viewer. Suki lies to the rest of the family by saying that they could do with the money Ravi’s offering. Kheerat, Ash and Vinny are shocked to hear that Suki’s contemplating Ravi as the potential buyer of the flat. Zack has bought Sam flowers from the flower stall and has decided to write her a letter to convince her that Zack’s staying for the long haul. Honey and Billy talk at the table opposite Alfie and Zack. Honey tells Billy that Keeble isn’t playing around and will want them to dig right into Phil if they want this case dropped. Alfie overhears them talking about their statement against Phil for Keeble’s investigation and is stunned. Kheerat tells Suki that there is no way they are accepting Ravi’s offer on the place after what he did to Jags. In order to keep Ravi quiet, she tells Kheerat that it is up to her what she does with the flat and has decided that the money is more important. The children storm out, leaving Suki alone in the living room. She looks at the picture of Jags on the shelf and tells him that she’s sorry. Sam spots Sam finishing up at the Minute Mart and heads inside. Sam shuts the door before telling Whitney that just because her boyfriend has now left her, it does not mean she can make a move on Zack and warns her to stay away, and that co-parenting is all that they will be. Whitney is left speechless as Sam makes a hasty exit from the shop, and back to No.1. Kat takes her first pill quietly in the bathroom of No.55 when there’s an aggressive knock on the door. Sam arrives home to see a bunch of flowers in a vase on the table and a letter beside it. She opens up the letter to see a page filled with Zack’s writing on how much Sam means to him. Sam chucks the letter onto the sofa as Zack walks into the kitchen. Sam smiles, takes his hand and they rush upstairs. Phil opens the door as Kat arrives downstairs and Alfie storms into the living room. Kat becomes panicked when Alfie arrives into the room after Alfie’s discovery that she’s having an abortion and asks him what he thinks he’s playing at. Phil isn’t pleased to see Alfie in the slightest but he insists that it’s important. Alfie says that he’s only telling Phil because he makes Kat happy, and Alfie cares very much about Kat. Alfie reveals to Phil that Honey and Billy are working with Keeble, and are planning to make a statement against him in the morning.

DOOF DOOF: Phil Mitchell

Sam: I’m not angry at you, Zack, I’m not. We weren’t together, we’d ended things. You’re not to blame.
Zack: Then why are you still acting like I cheated on you? Like I’m having Whitney’s baby just to spite you?
Sam: I suppose I’m just jealous. Jealous that you’re gonna be a dad with someone else’s baby. And angry at the fact that I’m gonna have to share you with Whitney because as I much as I wish you weren’t, you’re both responsible for that baby and I’ve got to respect that.
Zack: Sam, it ain’t gonna be like that. It’s just like you and Jack, you’re co-parenting and that is all it is.
Sam: It’s different with Ricky. He’s all grown up now. I love him more than anything in the world, but I ain’t been around for him and he’s adjusted to that. At least you’re gonna be around for yours. Look, I love you, Zack, I do. And I don’t wanna lose you, not again. But I just don’t know if I can do it.

Kat: Alfie, what d’you think you’re playing at?
Phil: Well, go on. What’s so important?
Alfie: Phil, I want to you know that I’m only doing this because I care very about Kat and the boys and I know that for some godforsaken reason you make ‘em happy. I heard Billy and Honey talking with Keeble earlier. They’re planning on a statement to the police against ya.
Phil: Eh?

CAST (in order of appearance): Phil Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Suki Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Whitney Dean, Zack Hudson, Jean Slater, Davinder Gulati, Ravi Gulati, Alfie Moon, Sam Mitchell, Freddie Slater, Stacey Slater, DCI Samantha Keeble

Chapter Text

Wednesday, January 25th 2023

Suki enters the living room with a bowl filled with cereal in her hands. Vinny tells her that he’s able to stay with the renovators as they continue their work with the new kitchen. He asks Suki whether she’s come to her senses about selling the flat to Ravi, but Suki is insistent that if they want to focus on the Vic, they’re going to need the money, which Ravi can deliver on. Kheerat reminds Suki that he’s the reason her son is dead. Suki is aware that Ravi’s actions are unforgivable, but knows that if she doesn’t act on what Ravi wants, home truths will be revealed. She tells Kheerat that there’s a lot of people to blame for Jags’ murder and heads from the room, leaving Kheerat and Vinny speechless. Phil is furious at what Honey and Billy are planning on, and Kat arrives into the living room to see her husband pacing from one corner to the other. She tells Phil that nothing is going to change if Phil just stays put, and prompts Phil to confront Honey and Billy before it’s too late. Phil is puzzled as to why Honey and Billy would want to work with Keeble against him, but Kat points out that’s their motive is obvious; to make Keeble drop Billy’s case. Honey and Billy finish their breakfast as Will and Janet make their way to school. Billy stares at the calendar on the wall to see that the court date is tomorrow. Honey reaches for her phone and sees that she’s received a text from Keeble, demanding that the pair meet in her car just outside the station in an hour. Billy is evidently nervous, but Honey reassures him by saying that once they have given their statements to the police, the court case will fall through and they will find the money for a holiday for the family. Billy asks about Phil, and what will happen to him. Honey can’t answer the question. Honey arrives outside as she heads to take her kids into school before spotting Phil on his way to No.18. He sees Honey and stops her in her tracks. Phil raises his voice and says that Alfie had overheard them talking about their little plan last night at the Vic. Honey is shocked and tells Phil not to say another word whilst Will and Janet are within earshot. She tells Phil to head into the house and will be back after dropping the children off, but warns him not to lay one finger on Billy while she is away, or else. Stacey checks in with Kat as she begins taking the second medicine prescribed to her at the clinic. She reveals to Stacey that Alfie now knows about her abortion, thanks to Jean. Stacey apologises on Jean’s behalf, but Kat says that as long as Alfie doesn’t find out about the baby’s paternity and keeps schtum about the abortion from Phil, she can live with him knowing. She tells Stacey that the misoprostol medicine will start to cause bleeding and cramping within a few hours, and will need to create an excuse to keep Phil well away from the bathroom. Suki passes Eve opening up the food van and they catch each other’s gaze. Eve asks whether she’s off to another business meeting, and Suki informs her that she’s got a meeting with a potential buyer for the flat. Eve says that she was hoping Suki would still have access to the keys for a little while longer so that maybe they could spend some more time together. Inside Peggy’s, Ravi chats to a flirtatious Chelsea. Chelsea says that when Ravi settles into the Square and if he plays his cards right, she might be seeing him for a drink. Suki enters the club and orders an orange juice. Honey arrives back to see Phil and Billy sitting in an awkward silence. Billy says that they’re supposed to be meeting with Keeble in half an hour, but Phil assures them that they won’t be going anywhere the station. Honey argues that she really didn’t want to stab Phil in the back like this, and resorted to Keeble as a final option. Phil says that Honey’s got no idea of who she’s dealing with, but Honey says that she really doesn’t care what Keeble is capable of, as long as she gets Billy of the hook. Honey shouts at Phil, telling him that Keeble is completely in her right to want her revenge on the family after what Eric did to her father, but finds it completely unfair that Phil of all people is going to let an innocent Billy take the blame instead, leaving Honey with two broken-hearted children. Phil asks Honey and Billy whether they thought about who Phil would be leaving behind if the pair give their statements against him to Keeble. Phil begs them not to make their statements, and reveals that Kat is pregnant. Suki sits with Ravi and discuss the flat arrangements. Suki reluctantly tells Ravi that the flat is hers as long as she gets the full deposit into her account by the end of the day. However, Ravi chuckles to himself and tells Suki that he’s not getting a penny from him, as half of the money used to buy the Vic is his. He demands the keys to the flat in his hands by tomorrow, or the truth will out. Suki quietly tells Ravi that Ranveer was not even his real father, but Ravi replies but telling her that he was more of a father to him that Nish ever was. He tells Suki that the clock is ticking before heading off, leaving Suki alone. Chelsea comes over to ask Suki whether she’s okay, but Suki brushes it off and makes a quick exit from the building. Outside, Eve calls Suki back as she speeds through the market, but Suki doesn’t respond. Billy and Honey are shocked to discover that Kat’s pregnant. But, Phil tells Honey that he thinks there is a way that Billy and Phil can both stay in Walford, without Keeble’s wrath. Phil tells her that now Honey has got Keeble on her side, they can work together to catch her out and report her to the police as corrupt. Honey says that Phil wasn’t the kind of person to be grassing coppers, but Phil says that it won’t be him doing it, it’ll be Honey. Honey is taken aback by Phil’s proposal, but realises that she has no other option. She tells Phil that she’s only doing this for Kat. Stacey arrives back at the van and informs Eve that Kat’s not feeling well and needed some support. She asks Eve whether she’s okay, and Eve says that one minute Suki is on the same page and the next, she’s on a completely different chapter. Stacey tells her that if Eve keeps feeling down about her relationship with Suki all the time, maybe she should give it a rest. However, Eve is convinced that something is wrong with Suki, and is determined to get to the bottom of it. Suki enters the KJP office and heads to talk to Kheerat. She says that she needs the keys for the flat, now that Ravi has settled the deposit for the flat. Kheerat says that he hasn’t seen any transaction go through the accounts, but Suki shuts him down and says that the deal is done, and that Kheerat doesn’t need to worry about it anymore. However, Kheerat is insistent that something is wrong, and will discover the truth. He asks if Ravi is blackmailing his mother, but Suki shuts him down and tells him that she’s got it all under control and to keep his nose out. He reluctantly gets the keys from the safe and hands it to her. In the Minute Mart, Ravi receives a text, reminding him that he’s got an appointment to visit an inmate at the prison later tomorrow. He makes a snarky remark to Whitney behind the counter that the alcohol in the shop is too expensive and walks off. Zack walks into the shop to talk with Whitney and he says that he and Sam have finally sorted things, and thanks her for her advice. Whitney tells him that their reconciliation would explain Sam’s threat to her last night, leaving him confused. Honey, Phil and Billy sit at the Vic. Honey receives a message from Keeble, asking to meet next to the Arches. Billy assures the pair that he will go, and Phil tells Billy not to mess it up. A stressed Honey kisses Billy and declares her love for him, before Billy exits the pub. Eve walks into the pub and asks Vinny whether he’s seen his mother around. He tells her that Suki’s just headed out. In the Square gardens, Suki holds the keys for 5A tightly in her hands. She looks over to where Ravi’s car is parked, and then looks towards No.31. Stumped on who to choose, she turns to head back to the Vic, but Eve walks up behind her. Eve asks Suki to talk. Suki offers to take the conversation into 5A, and Suki holds her hand. Lost for words, Eve lets Suki take the lead. Billy meets Keeble at the Arches and puts his recording phone into his pocket. Keeble is surprised to see Billy and asks whether he’s ready to make a statement. Billy refuses to make the statement, and tells Keeble that what she’s doing is corrupt. Keeble corrects him, by telling Billy that what she’s doing is revenge. Kheerat heads back to the Vic after a day’s work and sees the lights on at the flat. Believing Ravi to have already moved in, he heads over to get to the bottom of why Suki’s so keen to let Ravi have the flat. Inside, Suki rests on Eve’s chest, affirming that she’s happy and a tear streaming down her cheek. Phil arrives to see Kat finishing up at the kitchen. She asks him where on earth he has been, and says that she was worried. He tells her that he’s sorted things with Honey and Billy, and that Keeble is done, for good. Kat turns back to wash down the countertops, her smile fading slowly. Eve tells Suki that she’s called Holly and that her daughter is returning to Walford, attempting to start things afresh once more following her advice. Eve is about to ask about what’s been going on with Ravi and the flat, before she is interrupted by the door opening, and Kheerat standing there, stunned.

DOOF DOOF: Suki Panesar

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Phil Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Billy Mitchell, Will Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin, Ravi Gulati, Chelsea Fox, Whitney Dean, DCI Samantha Keeble

Chapter Text

Thursday, January 26th 2023

Suki wakes abruptly in her bed, recovering from a nightmare. She gets out of bed and heads into the bathroom. She leans down into the toilet and vomits. She flushes before standing to look at herself in the mirror. I am not a killer. Ash knocks on the bathroom door and asks Suki whether she’s alright. Opening the door, she asks Ash whether she’s seen Kheerat around. Ash said that he left for work hours ago. Eve arrives downstairs and Stacey is quick to notice Eve’s strange behaviour. She asks Eve what’s wrong, and she tells Stacey that Kheerat walked in on her and Suki at the flat last night, in bed. Stacey is stunned. There is a knock on the door, and Stacey is met with a familiar face, Holly. It's the day of Billy’s court case, and with Keeble not receiving her part of the deal she and Honey had made, the case is still going ahead. Billy opens up the recording of the conversation between him and Keeble to Phil and Honey. Phil says that by reporting Keeble with that evidence to the police, she won’t be making it to court. However, Billy is still nervous. Lee meets Shirley at the café, and informs her that Linda isn’t doing too great following Lee’s news. He sits next to Shirley and tells her that he’s leaving Walford, today. Stacey walks in to find Kheerat sulking at the far side of the café. She orders a takeaway coffee for three before sitting down next to him. She pretends to be oblivious as t why he’s upset, and asks him on the matter. Kheerat says that it’s best she talks to Eve about it, leading Stacey to tell him that she already knew about Eve and Suki’s relationship. Kheerat is shocked by the revelation, and asks Stacey why she didn’t say anything. Stacey says that it wasn’t her secret to tell, but Kheerat storms off, puzzled as to how Stacey could keep this from him. Eve apologises to Holly for kicking her out of the house, and asks whether they could try things afresh. Holly agrees to. Eve asks Holly whether her association with drugs is done, and Holly assures her that she hasn’t been near it in years. Eve receives a message from Suki, saying that they desperately need to talk. Eve asks whether Holly will be okay on her own for a bit, while she goes to sort something out. She tells Holly to help herself to some food if she’s hungry. Suki is distracted on her phone behind the bar, and doesn’t notice Ravi entering the pub. Eve texts her, informing Suki that she’ll be over in a minute. Ravi makes Suki jump as he orders himself a beer, and Suki says that he can’t be here and that if any of her kids see him around, they’ll rip him to shreds. Ravi asks for the keys to the flat and Suki tells him to head into the kitchen, and that she’ll be right up. Kat has a check-up appointment with the abortion clinic to affirm that everything has gone smoothly. Phil arrives home to see Kat preparing to head off. He asks Kat where she’s off to, and she says that she needs to head into town for some new football boots for Tommy, and some new uniforms for the twins. Phil brings out his wallet and hands her some money to take care of the cost. She thanks Phil and exits the house. Suki and Ravi arrive in the kitchen and Suki goes to get the keys from her handbag. Ravi remarks on how modern the new kitchen looks with his money. Suki hands the flat keys to Ravi and he thanks her, affirming that they’re now even. Suki says that they’ll never be even, after what Ravi did to Jags. Ravi says that he did what he had to, and exits the pub. Eve spots Ravi walking from the Vic and heads upstairs to find Suki crying by the kitchen table. Billy has dressed ready for his court case and sits Will and Janet down on the sofa. He tells them that he is heading to court to plead his innocence, and that he’ll be back before they know it. Lola and Jay arrive at the house as Will asks Billy what will happen to them if he’s sent down. Lola assures Will that that won’t happen, and that with a bit of luck, the case will be dropped before it even begins. Honey arrives back at the house. She tells them that she’s handed the report against Keeble into the police and that they’re looking into it as they speak. Kat sits opposite the nurse, who has just received the results from her scan. Ash is surprised to see Kheerat waiting for her at her desk in the surgery. She asks Kheerat whether he wants to talk, but Kheerat is at a loss for words. He is about to tell her about what he knows, but swallows his tongue and tells Ash that he thinks something darker is going on between Suki and Ravi. Shirley arrives at No.43 to visit Linda. Johnny helps Lee to pack his suitcase at the table, and Lee is grateful. Linda is pleased to see Shirley. Shirley tells her that she will always have her by her side. Linda spots the cab outside for Lee and the family head outside to wave him goodbye. Lee hugs his mother, and pleads her to call him if she needs anything. Shirley, Linda and Johnny wave Lee goodbye, before Linda heads back inside upset. Johnny asks her what’s wrong and Linda says that she’s only just gotten her family back, and now they’ve all gone again. However, Linda is taken aback when Johnny reveals that he’s not going anywhere, and wants to stay in the Square with Linda and Shirley, for good. Linda and Shirley are overjoyed by the news and Linda kisses her son on the cheek. Honey gives Billy one last kiss before Jay and Lola take Jay to court. Will and Janet wave him goodbye from the window. Outside, Ravi and ‘Nugget’ unload the boxes from Ravi’s car and into the flat. Kheerat and Ash exit the surgery and spot Ravi at the flat. Ash is stunned that her mum really did sell the flat to him, but Kheerat voices his concern that he doesn’t think she did. Suki and Eve have a heart-to-heart at the Vic. Eve said that she enjoyed spending last night with Eve, but Suki is insistent that it can never happen again, and that no one else can ever find out about the pair. Suki says that she’ll have a word with Kheerat to assure that he won’t tell a soul. Suki makes it clear to Eve that they can be friends, but nothing more. She tells Eve to leave the Vic, and she does, visibly upset. Kheerat barges into 5A and demands that Ravi admits to why Suki has decided to hand him the flat at no cost. Ravi tells Kheerat that it’s up to Suki to tell him, and Ash tells Kheerat to leave it. Kheerat warns Ravi that once he finds out what he’s up to, he’s going to make sure he pays. Kheerat and Ash leave Ravi alone and Ravi looks on the clock in his hands. He tells ‘Nugget’ to finish unpacking and hands him some cash to grab some food, asserting that he needs to be somewhere. Honey, panicked, arrives at No.55, telling Phil that Billy still isn’t back. Kat calms Honey down and sits her down on the sofa. Phil begins to become worried. Kheerat is back at the Vic and he finally decides to sit down with Suki in the living room. Suki tells him that she’s sorry he had to see her like that, but Kheerat says that he isn’t worried about that, merely confused. He reminds her that she turned her back on Ash, and didn’t speak to her for years. She says that she’s now ended things with Eve and that no-one else needs to know about it. Kheerat asks what she’s going to do once Nish is back on the scene, but doesn’t receive an answer from his mother. Suki says that she’s absolutely terrified. Holly and Stacey and relieved to see Eve arrive home. Stacey asks her what happened, but Eve merely puts her hands to her face and begins to cry on the sofa. Holly comforts her as Stacey figures out what must’ve upset Eve; Suki. Phil tells Honey and Kat that Keeble must be aware of what’s happened by now. And as if summoned, Keeble storms into No.55, and is infuriated having discovered that the Mitchells have set her up. Phil, Kat and Honey attempt to calm Keeble down, but she isn’t having any of it. She asks Phil how many times he’s gotten away with ruining families, and Phil says that the only reason he’s ruined anyone’s lives is to protect his own. A cunning Keeble warns him that he’s not getting away with it this time. She brings out a gun, sending Honey and Kat into panic. Kat pleads Keeble not to pull the trigger as the children are upstairs, but Keeble argues that she has to do this to avenge her father’s name. Just as Keeble is about to pull the trigger on Phil, police barge into the house to arrest Keeble. She drops the gun onto the floor, and Phil picks it up, hiding it from view. Keeble is dragged out of the house and is escorted into a police car. Tommy, Bert and Ernie wait on the stairs, terrified. Outside, Keeble tells Phil that if she can’t make it happen, she’ll make damn well sure that this year is Phil’s last year on the Square. Kat, Honey and Phil wait outside along with Billy, Lola and Jay who have returned from the dropped court case, as Keeble is driven away from view. Billy runs over to Honey and the pair are relieved to have Billy’s freedom returned. Phil and Kat walk back into the house, but Honey stops Kat in her tracks. She congratulates Kat on the news that she is pregnant. Kat is taken aback and asks Honey how she knew. She informs Kat that Phil told her, and says that she can keep it to herself if that’s what Kat prefers. Honey tells Billy that they need to start planning that holiday they talked about as the pair along with Lola and Jay head back to No.18 . Kat stands frozen, mortified that Phil knew about her pregnancy. Ravi enters a prison visiting room and sits opposite his father; Nish. Ravi opens his mouth to speak, but Nish speaks over him. He asks if everything is ready for his release next week, and Ravi tells him that since Vinny had been too much of a baby to do it himself, he’s secured Nish’s address with Suki at the Vic. Nish thanks his son, and Ravi tells him that he can’t wait to have his father back in his life.

DOOF DOOF: Ravi Gulati

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Ash Panesar, Eve Unwin, Stacey Slater, Holly Unwin, Billy Mitchell, Phil Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Lee Carter, Shirley Carter, Kheerat Panesar, Ravi Gulati, Kat Mitchell, Will Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Lola Pearce, Jay Brown, Linda Carter, Johnny Carter, Davinder Gulati, DCI Samantha Keeble, Tommy Moon, Bert Moon, Ernie Moon

Chapter Text

Monday, January 30th 2023

Kheerat is surprised to see Suki sat at the kitchen table, staring mindlessly at the wall before awakening from her daydream. Kheerat asks if she’s alright, and a tired Suki assures him that everything’s fine. When he leaves the room, Suki looks down and notices that the coffee in her hands has gone cold. She walks to the sink to empty her mug, feeling drained from her lack of sleep. Eve doesn’t feel up to heading for work, following Suki’s decision. Stacey is insistent on opening the van, and Holly offers to help Stacey out. Holly asks Eve whether what’s wrong, but Eve isn’t up for talking and Stacey takes her away, leaving Eve in peace. Outside, Kim meets Kathy in the Square gardens and Kim voices her glee that her new personalised ‘Kimfluencer’ pin badges have arrived in the post. Kim tells Kathy that she is planning on handing them out to customers at the Albert later on. Kathy tells Kim that she’ll be over at the bar later on before heading for the café. Sharon sits by the kitchen table with a picture frame of her late mum, Angie, in her hands. Martin’s toast is ready and he attempts to spread butter over it before dropping the knife onto the floor in a hurry for the market. Sharon leaves the frame to help Martin and he sees the photo of Angie on the table. He asks her why she’s taken the frame of her mother off the wall and she reveals that Angie would’ve been 73 years old today. Martin says that he’s sure Sharon really misses her, and Sharon nods. However, Sharon tells Martin that there are other people in the house that are grieving a lot more than she is at the moment and they both need to be focusing on making sure that Linda and Johnny are both doing okay. As Martin leaves No.43, Stacey spots Kat on the way to the cab office and asks how she’s feeling after hearing about Keeble’s gun threat. Kat says that the children are still recovering and are at home with Phil for the day. Alfie listens in on the conversation as he covers Billy’s stall until he returns from his holiday. Kat is annoyed when Alfie questions her on the matter, but he affirms that he has every right to know what is going on with his children. Vinny opens up the pub and Ash begins mopping the floor before Suki arrives downstairs and dirties the wet floor once more with her shoes. Annoyed, Ash asks Suki whether she managed to get any sleep last night and Suki tells her to stop worrying about how many hours her mother’s asleep for and to actually start making progress on mopping the floor. When Suki exits the building, Ash asks Vinny whether he’s noticed a shift in Suki’s behaviour. Vinny argues that she’s always been a mean, authoritative person and that nothing will ever change that, but Ash affirms that since Ravi’s been sniffing around the place, Suki’s been losing sleep and vomiting on a nightly basis. She says that Kheerat’s noticed it and all, and that they need to figure out exactly what’s happening. Bernie and Dana open up Walford East and Dana finishes a call with a customer before catching up with her friend. Bernie asks Dana how things are going between her and Bobby, and Dana tells her that even though nothing’s official yet, she has a feeling that a reunion is on the cards. Bernie shows Dana a message from Molly, who has asked Bernie to meet up for a drink at the Vic later on. Dana prompts Bernie to go for it, and Bernie agrees to. A distraught Eve finds the courage to text Suki asking to talk. Suki walks out of the café, leaving Eve’s message on opened and walks past Stacey’s bap van. Stacey is quick to call her back for a quick word. She takes Suki to the back of the van, and informs her that Eve is devastated following their conversation last week. Suki says that she had to end things with Eve before the secret spiralled out of their control. Stacey says that she understands that Suki is struggling to come to terms with her sexuality, but can’t use it as an excuse to break Eve’s heart over and over again. Suki says that it’s exactly why she told Eve it was over, and that Stacey has no idea how scared she is, leaving Stacey concerned. Holly overhears the conversation but is still left confused by why her mother is upset. Stacey asks Holly to take care of the van while she is away. Meanwhile, Vinny, Ash and Kheerat congregate at the living room. The siblings decide that they, as a family, need to get to the bottom of what’s going on between Ravi and Suki. Vinny suggests that maybe Suki is being blackmailed by Ravi, meaning she was forced to hand the flat to Ravi and Davinder on a plate. Kheerat, however, voices his belief that something darker has occurred. He asks Vinny to call Ravi, asking him to visit the Vic for a talk. Ash calls Suki. Alfie is horrified that a gun nearly went off during Keeble’s final threat against Phil and reiterates his argument that Tommy, Bert and Ernie are not safe at Phil’s. He questions Kat on whether she really loves all the hostages, and gangsters and gun threats around the boys and even around herself. Kat shouts at Alfie that she is not having this conversation at the laundrette and tells him to get out. Alfie pauses for a moment before patronising Kat, saying that he has worked it all out and that the reason she aborted Phil’s baby without telling him is because she doesn’t want another child to experience what she’s putting the boys through. Kat tells Alfie to shut it before he gets another slap and warns that if he breathes one more word about her abortion to anyone, she’ll throttle him. Sharon arrives to see Kathy and Kim at the Albert. Kim hands Sharon her new ‘Kimfluencer’ badge before asking her to put it on and the pair take a selfie on Kim’s stick. Kathy tells Kim to tone it down a tad before taking a seat next to Sharon. Sharon asks Kathy whether she knows who’s birthday it would’ve been today and Kathy nods; Angie. Sharon brings out a card from her bag and tells Kathy that she doesn’t know why she bought and signed a card for someone who will never receive it. Nevertheless, Kathy takes a pen from Sharon and signs it: Dear Ange, Happy 73rd birthday! Miss you, K. Kathy offers to rest the card on the bar and Sharon agrees to. The moment, however, is interrupted when Kim becomes horrified upon discovering that her most recent view count has lowered nearly double the amount. Dana tries to find Bobby at the Beales’ house and is met with Rocky, who tells her that Bobby is upstairs. Dana knocks on Bobby’s bedroom door and upon entering, remarks that she hasn’t been up there in a long time. She asks Bobby whether he fancies heading for a drink with her, Bernie and Molly. Bobby is delighted and tells her that he’ll ask Freddie if he fancies tagging along as well. Dana is left disappointed. Bernadette asks Karen for some advice on which dress to wear for the Vic later on. Karen picks a dress for Bernie and wonders whether a proper reunion is on the cards for her and Molly. Bernie lies to Karen that it’s looking promising as Bernie takes a look at her messages with Molly to reveal that she has left four messages for Molly, and none have been opened. Stacey sits with an upset Eve who breaks down into Stacey’s arms. Stacey tells her that she has spoken to Suki and that she’s made it clear that she won’t let Suki break her heart again. Kim tearfully begins livestreaming from the bar of the Albert and advertises her new badges to the customers. Kathy becomes sick of comforting Kim and decides to call it a day. She takes the birthday card with her, bidding Kim goodnight. Suki asks Kheerat, Vinny and Ash why they’ve called her back so urgently to the Vic. Waiting on Ravi’s arrival, Ash tells Suki that they all know something is going between her and Ravi, and demands to know what. Suki assures her children once more that there is absolutely nothing going on and tells them that if they’re so sure, they should ask Ravi. And at the right moment, Ravi appears into the room. Bobby, Freddie, Bernie and Dana sit at the Vic with their drinks. Dana asks about Bernie’s whereabouts, and Bernie assures her that she’s just running late. Tensions run high between Freddie and Dana. Kathy returns home to Rocky, and she sits next to him on the sofa. Kathy hands Rocky the card for Angie, signed by Sharon and herself. Kathy asks Rocky whether she ever told him in detail about her old best mate, Angie Watts. The name sends shivers down Rocky’s spine. In an attempt to escape the walls closing in on Suki, she insists that Tracey needs someone down at the bar with her. A cab appears outside the Queen Vic, a man dressed in a smart suit and tie exits the car. Kheerat confronts Ravi on why Suki was so up for giving him the keys for the flat, and Ravi jokes that Suki was just being a good Samaritan. Kheerat looses his temper and pushes Ravi into the wall by his neck, forcing him to blurt out that Suki is carrying a dark, dark secret that is completely wrecking her life. Kheerat lets go of Ravi and turns back to Suki, alongside Vinny and Ash. Suki is just abut to reveal the truth about Ranveer’s murder when a familiar voice is heard by the doorframe. The Panesars and Ravi look into the voice’s direction to see Nish standing in the doorframe.

DOOF DOOF: Nish Panesar

CAST (in order of appearance): Suki Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Eve Unwin, Holly Unwin, Stacey Slater, Kim Fox, Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts, Martin Fowler, Alfie Moon, Kat Mitchell, Vinny Panesar, Ash Panesar, Bernie Taylor, Dana Monroe, Tom Cotton, Bobby Beale, Karen Taylor, Ravi Gulati, Freddie Slater, Nish Panesar

Chapter Text

Tuesday, January 31st 2023

Suki, Kheerat, Ash and Vinny are shocked to see that Nish has been released from prison. Nish walks in Suki’s direction and pecks her on the cheek, voicing how great it is to be reunited with his family. Nish tells Suki that he’s always dreamed of living above a pub. Suki looks over at Vinny, believing him to be the one to secure Nish’s address at the Vic. Nish hugs his children, and pretends to be taken aback to see Ravi at the Vic with the rest of the Panesars. He asks Suki why Ravi is present in the room after what he did to Jags in his cell. Nish raises his voice and demands that he leaves the pub before he does something he’ll regret. Ravi walks out, a smirk on his face. Downstairs, Bobby moves to the bar to get his round of drinks for the table. Bernie continues to pretend that Molly is on her way to the Vic as Dana remarks that the double date they had planned has gone down the drain, glancing at Freddie. Freddie argues that no one told him that she had planned the night to be a double date, and that Bobby told him it was a just a normal night out. Dana asks Freddie why he’s so keen on meddling in her and Bobby’s relationship constantly, but Freddie says that he doesn’t know what she’s on about. Bernie is distracted on her phone as Molly has continued to ignore Bernie’s messages. Kat finishes up at the cab office and finds Alfie sat on Arthur’s bench. She asks him what he’s doing sat all alone. Alfie tells Kat that it’s not like he’s got anything to keep him entertained at 5E and says that he’s been half-tempted all day to storm back into No.55 and taking the kids back to where they feel safe. Kat reluctantly tells Alfie that she understands and offers to talk to him back at his flat. Nish is impressed with the newly renovated kitchen and Suki offers for Vinny and Ash to take them to visit both the new surgery and the Minute Mart while she and Kheerat prepare a lovely family to celebrate Nish’s arrival home. Nish agrees to, though Vinny and Ash look back at Suki and Kheerat in confusion as to why no one was aware that their father would be returning so soon. When they hear the door shutting, Kheerat asks Suki whether she knew anything about Nish’s release, but Suki is insistent that she had no idea. Kheerat says that someone in the family must’ve known something about it for Nish’s address to have been secured at the pub. Suki says that the only person who has been to visit Nish is Vinny, and so he must’ve gone through with securing his address without realising. Kheerat asks his mother why she was so keen on making Nish stay away from Walford. Suki says that it was because she knows exactly what he’s capable of and that Kheerat doesn’t know the full story about the events of what lead up to Nish murdering a man in cold blood. Naturally, Kheerat demands to know exactly what went down and why Suki is so worried that history will repeat itself. Suki says that if Kheerat or Vinny and Ash ever found out the truth, it would ruin their lives and she doesn’t want that. Kheerat says that half his life is already ruined because he was left with a father locked up in a cell and demands once again for Suki to tell the truth. There is a pause between the pair before Suki tells Kheerat that they need to prepare food, and she walks from the room and into the kitchen. Kat and Alfie arrive at 5E, where Alfie brings out two wine glasses and Kat begins pouring the wine into them. Alfie tells Kat that he takes it that Phil is still none the wiser about her abortion and Kat says that she isn’t interested in talking about the situation any longer. Annoyed, Alfie asks Kat whether she truly believes her children are safe with her back at Phil’s. Kat says that what happened with Keeble could’ve happened with anyone, leading Alfie to question whether Kat is putting their children before her relationship with Phil. Ash and Vinny take their father to the surgery and Nish remarks that Suki really has been making sure that the Panesar empire continues to thrive. He tells Ash and Vinny how proud he is of the people they’ve become in the time they have been away. Nish knocks into the fire extinguisher on the way out and jokes that the last thing he wants to be seeing is the place bursting into flames and tells Ash that she’s done good with the place. Freddie waits to be served at the bar and Dana gets up from her seat and walks over to him. Dana warns Freddie to leave her and Bobby alone, and to stop trying to win her over as it's not working. Dana admits that her and Bobby both messed up the first time around but that they are both making an effort to rekindle the flame, and says that she won’t let Freddie blow it out for them and that their secret romance earlier last year means nothing to her anymore. Dana tells Freddie that it’s about time he moves on from her. Freddie returns to the table with his round of drinks with Dana and informs the rest of the group that he’s heading home. Bobby and Bernie are disappointed to see him go but bid him goodbye. When Freddie leaves the pub, Bobby asks Dana whether she said anything to Freddie at the bar. Dana denies saying anything. Nish, Vinny and Ash return to the Vic to see that Kheerat and Suki have prepared food for the family. Kat argues that she has always prioritised her kids and put them first. Alfie says that she will only put Tommy, Bert and Ernie when she feels like it, angering Kat. She raises her voice and berates that Alfie doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Alfie calls Kat a joke by saying she loves Phil, and that she loves him so much that she’ll put their boys’ lives on the line just to keep him. Kat says that he knows it’s much more complicated than that and he knows it. Alfie sarcastically tells kat that she loves Phil so much that she aborted his baby and that he’s still oblivious to the fact that she was even pregnant in the first place. Kat says that he’s wrong, and reveals that Phil knew all along that she was pregnant, so much so that he used it as an excuse to get Keeble off his back for good using Honey. The Panesars finish their meal and Nish takes Suki into the living room for a word. Nish pulls Suki into a hug and Suki is forced to embrace a long, passionate kiss. Nish tells Suki that they’ve got a lot to catch up on. Kheerat, Vinny and Ash continue to reel from their father’s shock return. Kheerat says that he’s not the same man that they all created in their heads in the time he was behind bars, and that they need to be careful in how much they let Nish back into their hearts. Kat breaks down and remarks that everything is such a mess. Alfie goes to comfort her. Kat says that to think all this could have been avoided if Alfie had just excepted that she had moved on in the first place, leaving Alfie confused. A moment of realisation leads Alfie to question whether the baby Kat aborted was his. Kat doesn’t answer the question and quickly storms from the flat. Alfie follows Kat outside but Kat screams and tells him to forget he says anything and to head back inside. Nish is impressed with what Suki’s achieved in the time he’s been away and applauds her on her Walford empires. He talks about how sorry he was after hearing about Jags and promises to deal with Ravi. Kheerat says that there are things both Nish and Suki are keeping from them all, secrets that the pair will most likely take to their graves. Nish asks Suki whether she stuck to her promise of making sure their children never find out the truth about why their father went to prison. Suki says that they know nothing. Kheerat asks Vinny and Ash to promise him to stay aware of what Nish is capable of, and to make sure that whatever happens from now on, they stick together. Kheerat tells his siblings that he needs to clear his head, and walks from the room. Kat arrives back home to see Freddie at the table. She asks him whether he’s okay and he assures her he’s fine. However, on the way up the stairs, Freddie’s lip begins to wobble and a tear streams down his face. Kheerat walks over to No.31 and knocks on the door. Nish is keen on heading down to the pub to announce he’s the new landlord of the Vic. Suki encourages him to do so. Downstairs, Karen arrives to see how Bernie is getting along with her date, and Kathy and Rocky arrive inside to order their drinks, in memory of Angie. Nish, Suki, Ash and Vinny arrive into the bar. Ash throws Suki a look of support and she smiles. However, Suki’s smile slowly fades when Nish announces to the crowded pub that the head of the Panesar family, and the new landlord of the Queen Vic is back.

DOOF DOOF: Suki Panesar

CAST (in order of appearance): Nish Panesar, Suki Panesar, Kheerat Panesar, Ash Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Ravi Gulati, Bobby Beale, Bernie Taylor, Dana Monroe, Freddie Slater, Kat Mitchell, Alfie Moon, Karen Taylor, Tom Cotton, Kathy Beale

Chapter Text

Wednesday, February 1st 2023

Kheerat and Stacey wake up in bed together. Kheerat reminds Stacey that everything he said last night, he meant it. He says he’s sorry for being so cold upon discovering Stacey knew about Suki with Eve. Stacey moves closer to Kheerat, kisses him on the lips and rests her head on his chest. Alfie exits 5E on his way to cover Billy’s stall. He passes Ravi and ‘Nugget’ on the way and spots Phil and Kat sharing a kiss as they walk through the busy market together. Ravi wishes his son good luck as Nugget prepares for his first day at Walford High. Ravi warns him not to cause to much trouble, and to come back to the flat as soon as the school day is finished. Kat and Phil enter the Minute Mart to see Suki working behind the counter. Phil tells Suki that he heard her husband’s been released from prison and Suki confirms the rumour, but affirms that it’s not like it’s any of his business. Phil says that if Nish is his new competition, it’s his business to find out who he’s dealing with. Suki tells Phil that Nish is at the laundrette with Vinny, if he’s so keen on making a new friend. When Kat finishes grabbing what she needs, Phil pays with his card and leaves the shop. Kat stays back for a second and remarks to Suki that she doesn’t look too pleased to have her husband home. Suki tells Kat to stay out of things that don’t concern her. Kat takes her things and walks out to find Phil. Kheerat and Stacey catch up at the bap van. Stacey can’t believe that Nish has just returned to the Panesars’ lives so suddenly, but is forced to keep quiet when Eve comes back into the van. Kheerat isn’t aware that Eve has returned to the van and blurts out that Nish just isn’t the same person he remembers. Eve is taken aback when she realises that Nish has been released from prison. Bobby and Dana open up the restaurant and Dana begins sweeping the floor. Dana thanks Bobby for a great night last night. However, Bobby is still concerned for Freddie after his sudden exit from the Vic. Dana tells him to leave it, and that Freddie was just probably not up for a late night. Bobby asks Dana once more whether she’s sure she didn’t say anything to upset him, and Dana denies the allegation. Kim talks to Kathy at the café about her plans for the future of her ‘Kimfluencer’ journey. She proposes the idea of a karaoke night at the bar where she can livestream the night and her followers can request for specific songs to be sung. Kathy isn’t sure and reminds Kim that money is tight already for the business. Kim tells Kathy that she needs to do something about her lowering follower count. Kathy says that she’ll think about it, but in the meantime, Kim is going to have to find another way of keeping her followers entertained. Denise walks into the café, and a cunning smile appears on Kim’s face. Phil visits the laundrette and sees Vinny helping Nish set up his new mobile phone. Nish stands and greets Phil, but Phil dodges Nish’s hand. He tells Nish that Suki’s done good for herself by running all the business herself, with the help of her children of course. Vinny is taken aback when Nish tells Phil that he’ll be taking control from now on. Phil says he’s sure they can both be successful on the Square, as long as Nish doesn’t cross the line. Freddie is still feeling down after Dana’s harsh words to him at the Vic. Bobby finds Freddie sitting on a bench next to the war memorial and asks him if he’s okay. Freddie apologises to Bobby for interfering in his and Dana’s relationship and assures Bobby that he’ll stay out of their way from now on. Bobby insists that Freddie is not interfering with anything, as he and Dana aren’t even together yet anyway. Bobby asks Freddie where all this is coming from, but when Freddie doesn’t answer, Bobby puts the pieces together himself. Eve storms into the Minute Mart and questions Suki on why she is only finding out that Nish has been released. Suki closes the door of the shop and sternly tells Eve that she can’t be here and that Nish is coming back to the shop any second with Vinny. Eve tells Suki that she’s allowed to be worried for her friend and asks her if she’s okay, after hearing about all the horrible things Nish did in the time before he was sent down. Nish exits the laundrette and walks over to Kheerat, who continues to catch up with Stacey at the van. Kheerat introduces Nish to Stacey and Nish is evidently impressed by Kheerat’s taste. Nish suggests that Stacey joins them for a meal sometime, and Stacey agrees. Nish begins to walk back towards the shop before Stacey calls him back, knowing that Eve is still inside with Suki. Stacey offers Nish a bap but Nish tells her that he’s full. Suki tells Eve that she can’t just leave Nish with a click of a finger, and that Eve only knows half of the things her husband is capable of if he doesn’t get his way. Eve offers to call the police to make sure Suki is safe, but Suki is forced to raise her voice and change the subject as she spots Nish on his way back into the Minute Mart. Suki pretends to refuse to serve Eve after she tries to flirt with her and drags Eve out of the shop by her arm. Pushing Eve out of the shop, with Nish watching on, Suki says that if she thinks she’s ever serving Eve in the shop again, she can think again. Eve is shaken after Suki’s sudden change in attitude before noticing that who Eve assumes is Nish is standing next to Suki. Eve storms off, visibly humiliated as the market traders watch on in confusion. Stacey and Kheerat are shocked. Nish asks Suki what all that was about, and Suki lies by saying Eve had started to flirt with her at the counter. Ravi walks past the shop, and Suki asks Nish what she’s planning to do to Ravi. Nish tells her to leave it in his hands. Kim takes Denise to the Albert where Amy is accompanying her, after insisting that she was ill. Kim brings out a whiteboard and an easel where she places the whiteboard onto it. She asks Denise and Amy to begin brainstorming ideas to increase her fanbase online. Denise suggests a baking competition but Kim isn’t keen on the idea. Amy tells Kim that maybe she should start looking at performing some viral dances that are trending online which peaks Kim’s interest. Bobby confronts Dana about what she told Freddie at the Vic, causing him to leave. Bobby tells Dana that she really upset Freddie and questions her on why she thought she needed to scare Freddie away. Dana reveals that she and Freddie kissed, long before she and Bobby began to talk again. Bobby is shocked. Nish knocks on the door of 5A and Ravi opens the door. Ravi is pleased to see his father and welcomes him inside. Nish tells Ravi that he’s about to teach Ravi a lesson he couldn’t teach him whilst in prison. Nish punches Ravi in the face several times before pushing him onto the floor. Ravi tries to fight back but Nish’s punches render Ravi almost unconscious. Nish shouts at Ravi by saying how this is for what he did to Jags. Nish punches Ravi once more before leaving him go. Stacey comforts Eve after the shop incident. Stacey says that under no circumstances should Suki have said the things she said just to cover her own tracks. Eve tries to defend Suki by saying that Nish is a dangerous man but Stacey continues to tell Eve that only a fool would let Suki get away with what she did. Eve is given food for thought. Kim has learnt the choreography for her dance video with the help of Amy. Denise arrives back into the bar to pick her step-daughter up and is concerned when Kim’s moves prove to be an interesting take on the genre. Denise and Amy leave Kim to it and head out from the bar. Denise realises she’s forgotten something at the salon and tells Amy to walk back. Nugget spots Amy on his way back from school and ponders why Amy wasn’t at school. When Amy tells Nugget she was ill, he asks her whether she’s feeling any better and offers to take her to McKlunky’s. Amy declines the offer but when Nugget introduces himself, he brings out a stash of £50 notes from his pocket and asks Amy the same question again. Amy becomes scared of Nugget’s efforts and walks briskly away. Kathy walks into the Albert to close up when she sees Kim. Kim is about to finish the dance video when she trips over her own foot and tumbles to the floor; everything is captured on video. Kathy goes in to help Kim. When Kim raises back to her feet, Kathy asks her how many customers have they had in today. Kim says they haven’t had any, and Kathy is angered when it is clear that Kim has scared them all away. She raises her voice, telling Kim to get out, but Kim reminds her that she owns just as much of the Albert as Kathy does. Kathy tells Kim that selling half of it to Kim was one the biggest mistake of her life and that the last thing Kathy needs is another business to come crashing down. Kathy screams at Kim to get out. Kim takes her phone and tries to delete the video, but it accidently posts. Kim is upset by Kathy’s words and she throws her copy of the bar’s keys to Kathy before walking out. Ravi tells Nish that he of all people should know that prison changes people and makes them do things that they regret. Ravi says that he regrets doing what he did to Jags every second of every day. Nugget arrives back from school to see his father battered and bruised. Alfie arrives at the Mitchell household to pick the boys up from Kat. Kat opens the door and Alfie asks whether Phil is in. When Kat shakes her head, Alfie storms into the kitchen. He asks Kat what she meant by what she said last night. Kat tells Alfie that she had had too much to drink and pleads him to forget everything. Alfie asks her once again whether the baby she was carrying was his, but Kat denies it. Alfie warns Kat that if he finds out that Kat is lying to him, he’s going straight to Phil, to tell him everything. Suki and Eve talk upstairs. Suki tells Eve that she only said those things because Nish was about to enter the shop. Eve is angry at Eve for humiliating her in the street like that, and says that even if they’re friends or anything more, she will not tolerate being made a fool just because Suki feels threatened. Eve calls it over between them, for good, and remarks that she still has that little bit of self-respect to realise that she doesn’t deserve to be treated like that by anyone, under no circumstances. Eve exits the building, tears forming in her eyes. Suki watches Eve walk back to No.31, a regretful look on her face. Ravi cleans up his face after Nish’s beating and he goes to check on Nugget. Nugget asks Ravi what happened to his face, and Ravi says that he just got into a bit of an argument with his father and that it’s all sorted now. Nish awaits for Ravi to return and when he does, he tells his son to take a seat. Nish says that hopes Ravi has now learnt his lesson, and warns him to never pull a stunt like that again. Nish says to Ravi that he needs him to do something for him. He tells Ravi that Suki has clearly given Kheerat a false sense of importance in the time that he’s been away, and that someone needs to show him who’s really at the top of the litter pile. Nish says that he can deal with Vinny and Ash, but needs Kheerat out of their lives. He tells Ravi not to give Kheerat any reason to be suspicious, but to make sure he’s living on borrowed time.

DOOF DOOF: Nish Panesar

CAST (in order of appearance): Kheerat Panesar, Stacey Slater, Alfie Moon, Ravi Gulati, Davinder Gulati, Phil Mitchell, Kat Mitchell, Suki Panesar, Eve Unwin, Bobby Beale, Dana Monroe, Kim Fox, Kathy Beale, Denise Fox, Freddie Slater, Vinny Panesar, Nish Panesar, Amy Mitchell

Chapter Text

Thursday, February 2nd 2023

A saddened Freddie walks through the market and over to Stacey’s bap van. Holly is covering the van and spots Freddie on his way for his shift at the chippy. Holly asks him how he’s feeling and Freddie masks his true feelings by assuring that he’s better than ever. Harvey orders a bap from the van and asks Holly whether she saw Jean had woken before leaving for work. Holly tells Harvey that Jean’s always the first one up, and acts as Holly’s alarm when she hears footsteps coming down the stairs in the morning. Freddie is confused when Bobby hasn’t opened up the chippy. Bobby is sulking after Dana blurted out that she and Freddie had kissed back before Christmas. Kathy comforts Bobby and affirms that Freddie won’t have intentionally gone out of his way to hurt Bobby and suggests that he opens up the chippy and talks things through with his friend there. Stacey, Eve, Jean and Shirley sit at the kitchen of No.31. Stacey remarks that she is beginning to feel claustrophobic in the house once again, and when Stacey takes Eve to one side, she tells Eve that she doesn’t think she can have Holly staying in the living room for much longer as the house is crammed as it is. Eve says that she’s only just got Holly back, but Stacey tells her that No.31 just isn’t built to fit all of them full time. Jean and Shirley listen on, and Shirley asks Jean whether it would benefit the family if she found somewhere else to stay, giving Holly her bed. Jean assures her that she’s not going anywhere without her. There is a knock on the door, and Stacey answers to see Harvey. Harvey asks whether Jean is in and Jean calls Harvey into the kitchen. Harvey brings Jean a bacon bap and asks whether she fancies spending some time with him. Shirley prompts Jean to go and she agrees. Kim is upset after Kathy’s harsh words at the Albert earlier in the week. She sulks at the salon, and Denise isn’t happy that Kim stands in the way of Fox and Hair’s customers. Denise asks Kim whether she’s going to be spending the duration of the day taking up space at the salon and Kim makes it clear that she isn’t impressed with Denise’s sympathy towards her. A confused Denise asks Kim what’s wrong and Kim shows her sister the phone in her hands. Denise tries to suppress her laughter at a video of Kim tripping over her own feet whilst dancing at the Albert. Kim shows Denise that the video has gone viral with over 200,000 likes, with the comments filled with the hashtag #KimFoxUpsideDown. Lola enters the salon and is eager to show Kim the hashtag before realising that Kim is already aware, and isn’t at all amused. Freddie walks into the café and sits at a table all alone. Jean and Harvey arrive for a drink and Jean spots Freddie, joining him at the table. Harvey orders three coffees and a full English and sits next to the pair. Jean ponders why Freddie isn’t at the chippy and Freddie tells her that he and Bobby have had a falling out. Freddie tells Harvey and Jean that he kissed Dana. Harvey is taken aback. Whitney and Chelsea talk at the flat where Whitney reveals that she’s booked in for her baby scan on Monday. Chelsea worries that Sam won’t let her miss her shift at Peggy’s, but tells Whitney that she’ll head over to Peggy’s to ask her. Whitney tries to reach out to Zack with the hope that he’ll pick up, but he doesn’t. She drops the phone onto the sofa and places her hands onto her stomach. Freddie assures Harvey that it was only one kiss, before Bobby and Dana decided to reunite. Jean tells Harvey to calm down, but Harvey is furious that Freddie has now meddled in his daughter’s relationship with Bobby. Freddie gets up from his seat and shouts that everyone seems to be against him recently before storming out. Jean isn’t pleased with Harvey’s behaviour and follows after Freddie. Holly spots Freddie walking from the café with Jean following closely behind. Holly affirms that she can handle it before asking Jean to cover the van for a while, passing her the apron. Holly runs over to Freddie and offers to take him to McKlunky’s. Freddie agrees. Lola and Denise comfort Kim after her viral video and Denise asks Kim if she wants her sister to have a word with Kathy. Kim says that she’ll talk with Kathy again once the time is right, but right now needs to focus on rebuilding her crumbling reputation. Lola tells Kim that she needs to stand up and own the situation, and advises Kim to laugh along with everyone else. Kim thanks Lola. Chelsea finds Zack and Sam at Peggy’s and Sam is confused upon seeing Chelsea, as she isn’t assigned for a shift until Monday. Chelsea asks Sam whether she can swap her Monday shift for another time as she has somewhere important to be. Sam asks Chelsea what the big occasion is, and Chelsea informs Sam and Zack that Whitney has her second baby scan to attend. Zack is outraged that this is the first time he has heard of the scan and Chelsea remarks that maybe if he checked his phone now once in a while, maybe he would’ve seen that Whitney has tried her hardest to contact him. Zack apologises to Sam as he needs to talk to Whitney. Chelsea notices Sam’s jealousy and tells Sam to get over herself. Sam agrees to letting Chelsea have her shift postponed, but affirms that she’s going to need her to work twice as much to make up for it. Holly asks Freddie what’s wrong and he explains the situation. Freddie’s order arrives at the table, and Freddie asks whether Holly has ordered anything. Holly says that she isn’t hungry and tells Freddie that talking to Bobby is the only way they’re going to rekindle the friendship. Holly says that she can see that Bobby is a special friend, and a friend that Freddie can’t afford to lose. Freddie nods his head. Harvey and Jean sit on Arthur’s bench, and Harvey feels the need to apologise to Freddie. Jean asks Harvey whether he’s got any room for two more people at 5D, and Harvey asks Jean what she’s trying to imply. Jean tells Harvey that the Slaters are struggling to function with so many people living in the house. She asks whether Harvey would take in her and Shirley. Harvey is overjoyed and agrees for the pair to move in together. They share a kiss. Shirley arrives back from picking Arthur and Hope up from school and Stacey thanks her for doing so. Jean and Harvey walk into No.31 and informs Shirley that she has found a secure place for them at Harvey’s flat. Stacey is also grateful over the decision, making space for Holly to move from the living room sofa. Zack is welcomed inside 3C and he apologises to Whitney for ignoring her calls. Whitney asks Zack whether he’s really going to be there for the baby or only when it suits him. Zack assures Whitney that he’s dedicated to giving the baby the best life possible. Whitney asks what Sam might think about Zack’s decision, but Zack says that he doesn’t care. The Vic is bustling with locals. Suki is busy serving the punters, whilst Nish struggles to work the card machine. Vinny helps his father out, but Nish is left embarrassed. Kim, Denise and Lola find their seats and Kathy and Bobby arrive inside to order their drinks. Kathy asks Bobby how talking to Freddie went, but Bobby says that he hasn’t seen him today. Freddie and Holly walk inside and sit on a table; Kathy prompts Bobby to head over, but Freddie makes the first move. Harvey, Jean and Shirley too make their way into the Vic. Freddie apologises to Bobby for everything, but reassures his friend that he doesn’t have any intentions on taking Dana away from him. At the same moment, Dana enters the pub to find her father. Bobby raises his voice and tells Freddie that he thought he was his friend, but turns out that it’s obvious Freddie was only friendly with him to get to Dana. Freddie says that he doesn’t even fancy Dana anymore and that she was just a one-night stupid, reckless decision. Harvey stands and tells Freddie to watch his mouth. Freddie tells Bobby that he has really helped him through some tough times, and that he doesn’t want this misunderstanding to ruin things between them. However, Bobby says that it’s too late. Kathy tells Bobby to leave it and Bobby turns back to sit with Kathy. Freddie is mortified by the confrontation and runs out of the pub, upset. Outside, Holly rushes over to Freddie but he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He tells Holly to leave him alone and he heads back to No.55. Dana walks over to Bobby and apologises that all this has ruined his and Freddie’s relationship. Bobby tells Dana that she doesn’t need to apologise and she assures Bobby that whatever happened between her and Freddie really is dead, gone and buried. Freddie takes his laptop from his desk and jumps onto his bed. He opens the laptop and presses on the search engine. He begins to type: ‘Am I...’ After a few moments, he taps the enter button and it is revealed that Freddie is questioning his sexuality: ‘Am I gay?’ He presses on the first quiz, and begins answering the questions at hand. Freddie finishes the quiz and taps to find out the answer that has been eating him up for months. A tear streams down his face as the quiz tells Freddie that he is ‘83%’ gay. He shuts the laptop and pulls the bed covers over himself.

DOOF DOOF: Freddie Slater

CAST (in order of appearance): Freddie Slater, Holly Unwin, Harvey Monroe, Bobby Beale, Kathy Beale, Stacey Slater, Eve Unwin, Jean Slater, Shirley Carter, Kim Fox, Denise Fox, Lola Pearce, Whitney Dean, Chelsea Fox, Sam Mitchell, Zack Hudson, Hope Fowler, Arthur Fowler, Suki Panesar, Nish Panesar, Vinny Panesar, Dana Monroe

Chapter Text

Monday, February 6th 2023

Holly arrives downstairs to see Stacey, Eve, Lily, Arthur and Hope surprising her with a birthday-filled living room. They wish Holly a happy 21st birthday and Eve leans into a tight hug with her daughter. Holly voices her glee at having her mother present for her birthday after all these years, and Eve is glad to put a smile on Holly’s face for her birthday. Stacey passes Holly a present from the Slaters and she is thankful, too reaching out to Stacey for a hug. Eve spots a present from Regan on the floor and picks it up: To Holly, From Regan, Nan & Grandad. Eve is left feeling left out, even with her newfound family surrounding her. There is a knock on the door, and Freddie waits on the opposite side. Holly opens the door and overjoyed to see Freddie before welcoming inside. He hands her a present and he wishes her a happy birthday. Eve and Stacey share a teasing look. Rocky prepares Kathy a piece of toast before the day ahead, but Kathy tells her partner that she has places to be and many things to be getting on with. Rocky offers to take Kathy out for a drink later on to give Kathy a well-earned break, but Kathy declines by insisting that she won’t be able to make it due to her businesses taking up her schedule. Kim is unsure if whether to return to work after Kathy kicked her from the Albert last week. Patrick tells Kim that if she wants to provide the best for Pearl and Mica, then she is going to have to fight for it. Vinny takes over the shop from Whitney who is eager to head for her scan. Zack arrives into the shop and asks Whitney whether she’s ready. Whitney says she needs to get Chelsea and Felix from the flat and asks Zack to join him. Sam walks out of the café to see Whitney and Zack walking back together, and she is unable to hide her jealousy. She walks back to No.1 and is almost run over by a ‘house moving’ lorry which arrives outside No.41. A car follows closely behind which startles Sam and makes her drop her coffee. Angered, she storms over to the car and knocks on the window. A woman in her late forties, and a tall man in his late twenties step out of the car. The woman asks Sam if she’s got a problem and Sam points to her coffee, now spilt all over the floor. The dark-haired woman opens up her purse and hands a five-pound note to Sam, and tells her to buy another coffee with it. Sam insists that she doesn’t need any money from her and asks the woman what business she has in Albert Square. The woman introduces herself as Shelley Barnes and gestures over to the tall man, now opening the car boot, as her son, Jude. A younger boy gets out of the backseat of the car to help Jude with the suitcases, who Shelley introduces as her youngest, Fin. She informs Sam that the family are moving into No.41. Shelley patronisingly offers to make a coffee for Sam inside instead, but Sam declines and walks away. Shelley lets out a soft chuckle and grabs the house keys from her handbag before opening the door. Kathy isn’t too amused to see Kim entering the café to talk to her. Kathy tells Kim that she’s rushed off her feet and doesn’t have time for a conversation at the moment. Kim tells Kathy that she’s ready to step up to her responsibilities as the co-owner of the bar. Kathy hands Kim her keys back and warns Kim to make sure she doesn’t lose any more customers as she can’t afford for another business to begin making losses. Kim gives Kathy her word that she’s got it all under control. Eve chases Kathy up to book a table for Holly’s birthday later in the day. Kathy admits she had completely forgotten about it. In a continued frenzy, she asks Eve look after the café whilst she confirms everything with Bernie and Dana at the restaurant. On the way to Walford East, Kathy is overcome with a headache and is forced to lean on Stacey’s bap van for support. Stacey asks Kathy whether she’s alright, and Kathy assures her that she’s fine. Jean and Harvey are stopped by Stacey as she invites them and Shirley to Walford East to celebrate Holly’s birthday. Jean tells Stacey that it’s doubtful Shirley will be up for the celebrations but affirms that she and Harvey will be there. Kathy arrives at the restaurant and informs Dana that there will need to be a big table made for the Slater/Unwin family by tonight. In an excuse to sit, Kathy asks Dana about her and Freddie’s kiss, and whether she’s going to mess with Bobby like that again. Dana tells Kathy that all she needs to know is that she loves Bobby, and no else comes close. Kathy smiles, knowing her grandson is in good hands. Realising Eve is still back at the café, she gets up from her seat and rushes out. Outside, she takes a look at her surroundings; the restaurant, the Albert, the chippy, the café. She draws in a deep breath and heads back to the café. Stacey notices Kathy’s stress and decides to talk to someone about it; Rocky. Whitney, Zack, Chelsea and Felix arrive at the hospital and wait patiently for Whitney’s name to be called. Felix makes it clear that he is ecstatic at the thought of seeing Whitney’s baby for the first time and Chelsea jokes that you would think that Felix is the father with how he’s behaving. Shelley, Jude and Fin finish bringing in their belongings as they place their new sofa into the living room. Fin puts his gaming console in place and Jude berates his brother on his priorities. Shelley is pleased with the house and decides to head out to the Vic for a drink. Jude decides to join her, leaving Fin alone to his video games. Whitney’s name is called out by the nurse and they all head into the hospital room for the scan. Inside, the nurse insists that only two people can be present for the ultrasound, but Whitney pleads with the nurse that they are her family. After consideration, the nurse allows them all to stay and Whitney takes Zack’s hand. At the Vic, Freddie serves Mitch and Rocky as they catch up on recent events. Rocky asks Mitch what he did with Avery’s letter in the end, and Mitch reveals that he chucked it in the rubbish. Sam is present in the pub and she lets out a sigh when Shelley and Jude enter the Vic for the first time. Shelley spots Sam and orders her a drink, as an apology for the spilt coffee. Sam thanks Shelley, but assures her that it doesn’t make them friends. Stacey walks into the pub to find Rocky. She sits next to him and asks whether he’s noticed anything wrong with Kathy. Rocky stops to think before telling Stacey that it’s clear she has no time for anything other than her businesses. Stacey informs him of Kathy’s wobble earlier and that it’s obvious she can’t keep all the businesses afloat on her own. Holly thanks Eve for making her birthday feel so special. Eve asks what Regan and her grandparents bought for her and Holly brings out a beautiful, floral dress. She asks Eve whether she should wear it out for tonight. Eve tells Holly to go for it. Whitney, Felix, Chelsea, and Zack return to the Square and Whitney is thrilled with her new twenty-week scan. They head into the Albert to celebrate and Kim is excited to see them, adoring over Whitney’s scan. Chelsea notices Zack’s phone ringing on the table. She turns it on silent. At the Vic, Sam is trying to get a hold of Zack, but he doesn’t pick up. Disappointed, Sam thanks Shelley for the drink and heads out. Shelley and Jude agree that really isn’t the hell they thought it would be after all. Back at No.41, Fin finishes his game and receives a message on his phone: a video of a man being stabbed. He likes the message from the anonymous number and turns back to start a new game. Holly, Stacey, Eve, Freddie, Harvey and Jean arrive at the restaurant with balloons in place for Holly’s birthday. Dana arrives to serve them and the tension is high between Dana and Freddie. The family take their seats and order their fool. After Eve tells Holly to get whatever she wants, but Holly says that she’s not that hungry,, leaving Eve confused. Eventually. Holly decides to go for the Walford East signature burger. Rocky arrives back home to see Kathy fast asleep on the sofa. He decides it best not to wake her. Rocky turns the television off and puts a warm blanket over Kathy before shutting off the lights and heading upstairs. Holly purposefully spills some of her food onto her dress as an excuse to leave for the bathroom. Freddie has clearly had a little too much to drink and Stacey offers him some water, in which Freddie declines. Downstairs in the bathroom, the sound of vomiting is heard from a cubicle before the toilet is flushed and Holly steps out. She heads to the sink, wiping her mouth with the stain on her dress still present.

DOOF DOOF: Holly Unwin

CAST (in order of appearance): Holly Unwin, Eve Unwin, Stacey Slater, Lily Slater, Arthur Fowler, Hope Fowler, Freddie Slater, Kim Fox, Patrick Trueman, Whitney Dean, Vinny Panesar, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Shelley Ellis, Jude Ellis-Barnes, Fin Ellis-Barnes, Jean Slater, Harvey Monroe, Dana Monroe, Chelsea Fox, Felix Baker, Mitch Baker, Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton

Chapter Text

Tuesday, February 7th 2023

Kathy finishes her breakfast and Rocky seems glad to see Kathy taking the time to eat. He leans in for a kiss, but Kathy inadvertently dodges him as she heads to the kitchen to wash her plate. She calls Bobby downstairs but Bobby tells his grandmother that he’s caught a nasty cold and can’t make it to the chippy. Rocky immediately offers to help out at the chippy and Kathy hands him the keys. Bobby lays in his bed and opens his phone to message Dana: Told Nan I’m ill today, fancy doing the same? Dana sits on the sofa of 5D, with Jean eager on making breakfast for both Dana and Shirley. Shirley asks Dana whether she’s heading for work, but Dana tells her that she’s not feeling up for it. Shelley does Fin’s tie up for him, ready for his first day at Walford High. Fin isn’t impressed that his mother is forcing him to go to school, considering he only has a few months left of sixth form Shelley tells him that there’s no way she’s letting him drop out after everything. She wishes him good luck and Fin heads out of the door. Jude enters the room and hands Shelley a mug of tea. Shelley prompts Jude to begin finding himself a job. She takes the tea from his hand and throws it down the sink. She tells her son that there’s a reason they moved, and that it’s not an excuse for Jude to rest your feet. Jude asks Shelley what she’s going to be doing, and Shelley assures Jude that she’s got enough work to be getting on with. Fin passes Dana on his way to school, but Dana walks right past him as she knocks on the door of the Beale’s home. Bobby answers the door and welcomes Dana inside. Kathy rushes into Walford East to inform Bernie that Dana has called in sick. Kathy is visibly stressed and Bernie asks her whether she needs to sit down for a moment. Kathy says she’s fine and asks Bernie to find anyone that can cover with her. Shirley and Jean eat breakfast together at the table. Shirley admits that she’s starting to find the same four walls of the flat boring and Jean suggests that Shirley heads out to take her mind off things. Shirley wonders what people are going to say, and that she hasn’t really been out by herself since Mick. She assures Jean that the last thing she wants is people feeling sorry for her. Zack looks longingly at the photo of his baby scan from his phone as Sam arrives back to No.1 for her lunch break. Zack quickly shuts his phone but Sam is keen to know what Zack was looking at. Zack shows Sam Whitney’s scan and Sam fakes a smile. Awkwardly, Zack gestures over to the table to a letter redirected to the house for Sam. She picks up the letter and notices that the letter is from Spain. She puts the letter down, affirming that it can wait. Felix informs Mitch all about a karaoke in drag night that he and Kim are planning for the Albert for next week. Mitch asks whether Kathy has given the event a green light, leading Felix to reveal that Kathy doesn’t need to know, seeing as Kim owns half the bar. Kathy enters, on-queue, and is annoyed when Kim has seemingly left Felix alone at the bar. However, after Kim returns from the loo, she puts on a show to throw Kathy off the scent of what she and Felix are in deep planning for. Kathy leaves them to it, and has another wobble on the way out, se she brushes off and returns to the café. Passing Kathy, Shirley spots Rocky at the chippy. She takes a deep breath and heads inside. Rocky is pleased to see her and when Shirley offers to help him behind the counter, Rocky agrees and hands her the apron and hat, which Shirley wears, reluctantly. Dana and Bobby arrive downstairs, flushed. Bobby hands Dana the remote control for the TV, but Dana assures him that she would rather just cuddle with her boyfriend on the sofa; no distractions. The pair share another kiss. Shelley introduces herself to a stressed Kathy, who orders a takeaway coffee from the café. Kathy discovers that she is low on change and tells Shelley that she’ll be right back. Kathy leaves the café and heads back to the house for money. Jude asks Whitney at the Minute Mart if there are any jobs going at the moment. Whitney immediately takes an interest in Jude, but informs the hunk that he’s going to have to check with the Panesar’s to be certain, but that she doesn’t think the shop is urgent for any new staff. Jude thanks Whitney and heads out of the shop, with Whitney swept off of her feet. Shirley seems to be enjoying Rocky’s company as the pair mess about at the chippy. Rocky admits that he’s been missing being able to have a laugh with someone recently, and that Kathy’s not been much of a sport with running all the businesses. Mitch arrives into the chippy and orders a portion of chips for the Taylor/Baker family. Shirley thanks Rocky for putting a smile on her face after a few tough months. Kathy enters No.45 to see Bobby and Dana together on the sofa. Kathy immediately loses her temper with the pair and berates them for lying to her, saying that they have no idea how much pressure she has been under to try and keep all of her businesses afloat. She tells Bobby and Dana that they are on thin ice and that if she had enough staff working for her, she would have fired them both in a heartbeat. A furious Kathy takes Dana by the arm and throws her out of the house, affirming that she is going to tell Harvey exactly what she’s been up to. Dana argues that she isn’t a child anymore, but Kathy shuts the door in her face. Bobby tells Kathy that she has no right to talk to Dana like that. When left alone in the living room of the Beale’s, she is overcome with a headache and is forced to sit down, putting her head in her hands. Kathy heads back into the kitchen as Bobby storms upstairs into his room. She fills a glass of water up for herself and drinks it, with the weight of the world resting on her shoulders. Jude enters Walford East and is met with a tired Bernie. Jude asks Bernie whether there are any jobs available at the restaurant. Bernie is relieved that someone has finally offered to help, mistaking Jude as a cover for Dana. Bernie voices that if only Jude had arrived earlier, her day would’ve been much easier. Zack finds Whitney at the shop and asks after the baby. Whitney tells Zack that all is well. Felix comes in behind Zack and hands the pair a leaflet for the drag & karaoke night at the Albert next Monday. Zack and Whitney assure Felix that they’ll be there. When Felix leaves to advertise the event in the market, Whitney asks if Zack wants to go together, merely as friends and co-parents. Zack hesitates, but agrees to. At Peggy’s, Sam is surprised to see Shelley enter with her work laptop. Shelley asks Sam whether it’s okay for her to work quietly in the corner. Sam nods, and asks Shelley what she does for a living. Shelley pauses to think before informing Sam that she runs two highly successful businesses over in America. Sam is taken aback and demands to know more. Kathy shuts the café for the day and decides to head over to visit Rocky at the chippy. Kathy notices a leaflet on the floor of Bridge Street for the karaoke & drag night and is fuming that no one had thought to talk things through with her first. She storms over to the Albert but stops, confused, to see Shirley and Rocky messing about at Beale’s Plaice. Kathy begins to make her way over, but she collapses to the ground. Jude arrives outside the restaurant to serve meals to the customers sitting outside and notices Kathy unconscious on the street. Dana also spots Kathy on the ground and rushes over to the chippy to get Rocky and Shirley. Rocky rushes over to Kathy before Jude calls an ambulance as Kathy continues to lay motionless on the floor.

DOOF DOOF: Kathy Beale

CAST (in order of appearance): Kathy Beale, Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton, Bobby Beale, Dana Monroe, Shirley Carter, Jean Slater, Shelley Barnes, Fin Ellis-Barnes, Jude Ellis-Barnes, Bernie Taylor, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Felix Baker, Mitch Baker, Kim Fox, Whitney Dean

Chapter Text

Wednesday, February 8th 2023

The paramedics arrive outside Walford East as Rocky, Shirley, Dana and Jude stand back as Kathy is put in the back of the ambulance. Kim notices the commotion at the Albert and is shocked to see what is happening outside. Shirley heads over to No.45 to alert Bobby of Kathy’s collapse. Meanwhile, Kathy regains consciousness in the back of the ambulance. Rocky grabs a distressed Kathy’s hand tightly and assures her that everything will be fine. The paramedic tells Rocky that they need to get Kathy to the hospital to discover why Kathy lost consciousness. Dana tells Rocky that she’ll get her father to drive Bobby to the hospital instead so that the ambulance can take off. Rocky thanks Dana. Shirley opens the unlocked door of No.45 and calls Bobby downstairs to inform him of Kathy’s fall, a feeling of guilt instantly descends onto his face. Sam is impressed by Shelley as she informs Sam of her businesses and jokes that she would take Shelley on to help run the bar in a heartbeat if she could. Shelley finishes her wine and shuts her laptop and thanks Sam for her time by saying that it would be a pleasure to head into business with a Mitchell. Sam is given food for thought. Suki is busy serving the locals behind the bar when Nish arrives downstairs and Suki reluctantly leans in for a kiss with her husband. Nish tells Suki that he has somewhere to be, but refuses to tell Suki where he’s off to. Bobby and Shirley wait in the corridor for any news on Kathy. Rocky sits next to a now conscious Kathy. He kisses her forehead and Kathy asks Rocky when she is free to go home. Rocky says that they’re going to have to get the results back from the tests to see what caused her to collapse. Kathy asks to see Bobby and Rocky gets up to find him. Rocky is surprised to see Shirley sat with Bobby in the corridor. He informs them that Kathy is awake, and that she wants to see Bobby. Rocky takes a seat next to Shirley and thanks her for staying with Bobby. Shirley says that even though it probably shouldn’t have, today is the first time she has felt normal in a long time. Rocky leans in to hug Shirley and assures her that he will always be there for her if she needs him. Shirley remarks that she should probably get back home as she gets up from her seat, smiles back at Rocky, and turns for the exit. Felix arrives into the Vic and orders a pint of beer before noticing a lonely Johnny sat at the bar. Felix heads over and asks him how Linda is coping. Johnny tells Felix that the family is taking every day as it comes and that Frankie has settled in wonderfully with Nancy in Birmingham. Felix proceeds to ask Johnny how he is coping with his father’s sudden death and Johnny admits that he regrets not being able to say his goodbyes unlike Shirley, Linda and Frankie. Felix informs Johnny that he too lost his father last year after a battle with cancer. Johnny says that he’s sorry to hear about Avery and asks Felix about how he’s managing to cope with it all. Felix tells Johnny that there is no set way of dealing with grief, you just have to adjust your life to fit around the pain, and that Johnny will undoubtedly have good days and bad days of where his grief will overcome him. Johnny thanks Felix for the advice and the pair sense a spark forming between them. Kathy apologies to Bobby for losing her temper with him and Dana earlier, but Bobby insists that he is the one that should be apologising for not stepping up for his grandmother when it mattered the most. Bobby blames himself for Kathy’s collapse, but Kathy begs Bobby not to, and that the only person to blame for this is herself. Kathy says that she should’ve taken the signs her body was giving her instead of prioritising the businesses. Bobby suggest that Kathy takes a long, well-earned break from work, leaving him in charge. Kathy affirms that Bobby won’t be able to cope, but Bobby insists that it’s time he does his bit for the family empire. Kathy ponders why Ian had to go, and why Peter had to leave the family in ruins, but Bobby cannot pledge an answer. Nish enters the café and orders a coffee from Marie at the counter. He notices Ravi sat on his laptop in the far corner and he takes a seat opposite him. Nish asks Ravi that he can’t stay for long, in case any other of the Panesar’s spot him with Ravi. Ravi asks whether that would be such a bad thing, but Nish warns Ravi that no one can know. Nish asks Ravi whether he’s made any progress in ensuring Kheerat’s time on the Square is limited. Ravi shakes his head and questions what his father expects of Ravi to do Kheerat. Nish harshly reminds Ravi that if he has it in him to kill his own brother in Jags, then he's sure Ravi will find a way. Nish takes his coffee and exits the café, leaving Ravi desperate for his father’s approval. Ravi rushes out behind Nish to assure him that whatever his father needs from him, he’ll do it. Nish nods and heads over to the shop. Watching on, Kheerat’s suspicions raise on what Nish is planning with Ravi. Shelley arrives home to see Jude cooking a meal for the family. A confused Shelley asks Jude what he is doing, and Jude responds by informing her that she is looking at the new waiter for Walford East. Shelley congratulates Jude and asks her son why Fin isn’t home yet. Jude says he hasn’t seen him since he left for school. A bus pulls up at the bus station and a high Fin stumbles out. A group of hooded teens wave him off and Jude waves back before heading back to the house. Fin takes a long, judgmental look at the Albert before checking whether the rest of the drugs are kept safe in his pocket. A cab takes Shirley back to 5D and upon opening the door, a frantic Jean asks Shirley where the hell she has been. Shirley informs Jean of her day with Rocky and Kathy’s collapse and Jean is pleased that Shirley has had a day where she hasn’t had to think about Mick all day long. A guilty Kim arrives into the hospital and Rocky asks what she is doing here. Kim hands Rocky the karaoke night leaflet and says that she needs to apologise to Kathy for not consulting her about the night at all. Rocky shows her the way. Bobby continues to keep Kathy company by her side and when Kim enters the room, Kathy politely asks Bobby to give them some space to talk. Bobby exits the room and Kim is quick to express her apologises on behalf of herself and Felix. Kim assures Kathy that they will cancel the night. However, Kathy begins to apologise to Kim for being so hard on her recently as she admits that she hasn’t been herself at all. Kathy prompts Kim to keep the drag & karaoke night going ahead. Suki calls last orders at the pub and Johnny and Felix decide to head off. Outside, Johnny tells Felix that he is eager to see the mysterious Tara Misu in action. Felix hands Johnny a leaflet for the drag & karaoke night and offers for him to come along to see his alter-ego perform live. Johnny thanks Felix for a lovely catch-up and he heads back to Sharon’s place and Felix walks back to 3C with a big smile on his face. Sam arrives back at the house and notices a leaflet for Thursday night’s event at the Albert. She picks it up and chucks it harmlessly into the bin before spotting the letter from earlier on, staring at her on the table. She plucks the courage to open it and her face drops when she sees the content of the letter. She hastily puts it back into the envelope and throws it into a drawer. Ravi enters an unlocked KJP office to try and find anything he can pin on his brother, Kheerat. He begins opening drawers and searching through papers before Kheerat makes his presence known as he stands behind Ravi, furious. He asks Ravi what the hell he thinks he’s doing at the office. Ravi chuckles to himself as Kheerat tries his hardest to intimidate his brother, but it doesn’t work. Ravi slowly makes his way out of the building, purposely bumping into Kheerat on his way out – mimicking the sound of a ticking clock, leaving Kheerat confused. Shelley sets the table for food and asks Fin to sit with them for once. Fin says he’s not hungry and he heads upstairs. Jude arrives into the dining area with three plates and Shelley tells him to leave the third plate on the table, in case Fin wants some later. Shelley pours a glass of wine for herself and Jude and the mother and son cheers to a fresh start. Kheerat gestures Suki into the living room and he shuts the door behind him. Kheerat tells his mother that Nish is up to something, and that it has something to do with Ravi. Suki tells Kheerat that she doesn’t want to get involved with anything to do with Ravi and shuts him down. Suki says that she’s tired and that she just wants to finish her food and head to bed. Kheerat remarks that Suki still isn’t sleeping and asks her once again whether she’s hiding something from him. Suki tells Kheerat that although she knows he is only looking out for her, he needs to stop worrying about her and focus on his own life. Kheerat tells Suki that he knows she’s not happy. Kheerat is hesitant, but gives into his mother. He tells her that if she needs a shoulder to cry on, he’s more than willing to be there for her. Suki thanks Kheerat and he leaves the room. Suki slumps onto the sofa and breaks down into tears. She’s tired. She’s trapped. A doctor comes in to see Kathy who is talking with Rocky and Bobby. Kathy asks Bobby to leave the room as she doesn’t want him worrying. Bobby heads out to get some coffees. The doctor informs Kathy that they’re not going to discharge her just yet as they need to wait for some results to confirm what exactly has lead to her collapse. However, when asked about whether Kathy has been feeling under pressure lately, the doctor tells Kathy that it is likely she collapsed due to the stress she has been under and asks that when she is discharged, she takes some time to rest and to think of ways to begin reducing the main causes of her stress. When the doctor exits the room, Kathy becomes upset, thinking that she has let the whole family down. Rocky comforts Kathy, saying that she shouldn’t have to feel like she is the one to leave anyone down as she and Bobby are the only ones still running the businesses in Walford by now. Rocky affirms that he is going to make sure the businesses will stay afloat as long as Kathy promises to take some time to rest once they arrive back in the Square. Kathy nods her head and asks Rocky to leave her alone for a moment. Rocky does as he is told and leaves Kathy to herself. Kathy breaks down into tears and puts her head in her hands, believing to have ruined everything.

DOOF DOOF: Kathy Beale

CAST (in order of appearance): Kathy Beale, Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton, Shirley Carter, Jude Barnes, Dana Monroe, Kim Fox, Bobby Beale, Shelley Barnes, Sam Mitchell, Suki Panesar, Nish Panesar, Felix Baker, Johnny Carter, Ravi Gulati, Kheerat Panesar, Fin Barnes, Jean Slater

Chapter Text

Thursday, February 9th 2023

A burst of loud music wakes a tiresome Whitney and Chelsea, who berate Felix for waking them up. Felix is busy making a late breakfast for the trio and Whitney asks Felix why he’s in such high spirits. Felix is keen to remind her that it’s his time to shine at the Albert tonight at the drag & karaoke night. Felix asks Chelsea if she’s going, but Chelsea isn’t sure if she can find a babysitter for Jordan in time as she feels guilty for dropping him with Denise constantly. Whitney says that it’s what grandmothers are for, and that she’s sure Denise would be delighted to have Jordan for the night. Chelsea agrees and turns on her mobile to ask her mother. Felix ponders if Zack is still up for the occasion, and Whitney says that she hasn’t heard any different. Whitney takes a look outside as a storm is making its way to Walford. Johnny informs Linda of the drag and karaoke night taking place at the Albert later on and asks his mother whether she would be interested in tagging along. Linda isn’t so sure, but Johnny pleads with his mother to spend some time with him. Linda warily agrees. Kathy and Rocky step out of the cab from the hospital as the rain begins to pour. Bobby welcomes his gran home and Shirley watches on as Kathy heads into the house. Jean steps out from the flat and frightens Shirley. She asks Shirley if Kathy would enjoy Jean comments on Kathy’s fragile state and asks Shirley whether she thinks Kathy would appreciate a fishy basket to save her from cooking. Shirley is about to shut down Jean’s idea, but when Jean asks Shirley to take it over to them, she changes her mind and Shirley tells Jean to go for it. Kathy sits on the sofa where Bobby has placed her duvet and a selection of her favourite biscuits out on the table. Kathy thanks Bobby but immediately jumps to question Bobby on who is at the chippy. Rocky tells Kathy not to start worrying, and they’ve got it all under control. Rocky and Bobby decide to leave Kathy to rest. Rocky tells Bobby to try and forgive Freddie so that he can continue his shifts at the chippy, but Bobby isn’t convinced. Rocky says that if he won’t do it for himself, to do it for Kathy. Denise prepares to take Amy and Ricky to school and reminds Jack that she is taking the children to the Albert’s drag & karaoke event later on. However, Jack shuts the idea down, saying that there is no way he is allowing the children to head to a drag show of all places during a school night. This embarrasses Ricky, who then decides to give the show a miss following his father’s comment. Amy, however, is still up for going and tells Jack that she is going, whether he likes it or not. Denise isn’t pleased with Jack’s remark and tells her husband that he can stuff his bigoted attitude where the sun doesn’t shine. There is a knock on the door and Chelsea walks in, asking Denise if she is free to take care of Jordan tonight. Denise says that she’s taking Amy to the drag night, but that Jack is free and is already taking care of Raymond. Jack says that it’s his first night home after a few weeks away in America for work, which Denise responds by stating it’s the perfect opportunity to get back into the swing of things. Chelsea thanks Jack and says that she’ll be back later. Jack is left furious. Martin visits Kathy at the hospital and asks her how she’s coping. Kathy confides in Martin by admitting that she’s struggling to keep the businesses afloat. Martin hugs Kathy and assures her that it’s vital she takes the time to rest. He asks Kathy whether he can do anything to help her. She asks Martin to keep an eye on the businesses and to make sure Rocky doesn’t mess anything up. Martin agrees to and Kathy thanks him for looking out for her, stating that his mother would be proud. Mitch and Karen arrive at the flat to wish Felix good luck. Felix asks the pair whether they are coming to support him and Mitch assures him that they’ll be there all the way. Felix admits that he wishes Finlay was still around, but Karen says that it was Finlay’s decision to cut all ties with the family, and there’s nothing they can do. Quickly changing the subject, Felix tells Mitch and Karen that it’s about time he starts his transformation into Tara Misu. Whitney arrives into Peggy’s to see Zack and asks him why he hasn’t been answering her messages. Zack says that he’s been flat out with sorting out deliveries for the bar. Whitney asks Zack if he’s still up for the Albert later to support Felix. Zack says yes and that he’s in desperate need of a night out. Lola receives a text from Billy, informing her that the family is on the way back to the Square from their holiday in Portugal. She asks Denise to leave a little earlier in order to welcome them home. Denise agrees to and hands Lola her umbrella before Lola heads off. Felix arrives at the Albert to see Johnny already present, helping Kim with the preparations. Kim tells Felix that Johnny has been here since midday, and Felix thanks Johnny for his help. Johnny says that he can’t wait to see Felix perform. Kim asks Johnny whether Linda is coming and Johnny says that with a bit of convincing, he managed to convince his mother to come along. Kim is thrilled and Felix heads behind the bar to make both Johnny and Kim a drink before the big event. Bobby walks into the Vic to visit Freddie, who is busy serving behind the counter. Bobby asks Freddie for a word in private. Freddie takes Bobby into the hall and asks him what he could possibly want. Bobby tells Freddie that he wants to apologises for stepping out of line and humiliating him in front of everyone a couple of weeks ago. Freddie is about to accept Bobby’s proposal to move on before Bobby asks Freddie if he can think about starting back at the chippy. Freddie says that if Bobby only wants to clear the air with him because he can’t find anyone else to cover Beale’s Plaice then he can think again. Bobby asks Freddie whether he wants to at least tag along with him and Dana to the Albert later on, but Freddie sarcastically says that he doesn’t really want to meddle with their relationship more than he allegedly has, leaving Bobby disheartened. Lola, Jay and Lexi welcome Billy, Honey, Will and Janet back from their holidays and Honey remarks that the oncoming storm is just the welcome she was dreading. Billy asks Jay whether he’s sorted the leak at the funeral parlour’s flat. Having forgotten, Jay lies by telling Billy that he has called for someone to come and fix it, but they haven’t started on it just yet. Lexi is thrilled to see Janet and is desperate to show Janet her latest art project. Honey asks Lola whether she fancies going out to the Albert and to Peggy’s later on. Honey says she’ll think about it and heads inside to unpack. Martin arrives back after a rainy day at the market stall and notices Linda getting ready for a night out. Linda tells him that Johnny’s invited her out with him to the drag & karaoke night and wonders if Martin wants to come. Martin says that it’s not really his kind of thing but asks Linda to promise him that she will enjoy herself. People begin to flow into the Albert and backstage, Felix’s nerves begin to kick in. Kim is overrun with punters and Denise arrives with Amy to help her. Kim is grateful. Linda enters to find Johnny, who has already bought his mother a drink. Linda remarks how happy she is to finally be back in Johnny’s company. Bobby and Dana show up, as well as Whitney, Zack and Chelsea. Zack heads to the bar to get the drinks. Jean and Harvey arrive and take their seats in the front row. Karen and Mitch enter to support Felix. The lights dim and Tara Misu steps out onto the stage. Kim asks Denise where Jack is, and Denise tells her sister that she’s left him alone with Ricky to take of Jordan seeing as he didn’t approve of her taking the children to a drag event. At No.27, Jack sits alone with baby Jordan with the curtains closed. Honey and Lola arrive into the Albert as Tara finishes her show. She receives an outstanding applause by the audience, with Johnny on his feet. They share a smile. A tipsy Karen decides it’s her turn for the karaoke and she gets up onto the stage. Linda notices a group of hooded teens stood hidden outside the bar in the storm, but brushes it off. Karen finishes her song and Chelsea prompts Whitney and Zack to get onto the stage as a duo. After consideration, they agree to and Zack lets Whitney pick a song. Shirley knocks on Kathy’s door and Rocky answers, welcoming her inside. Shirley hands Rocky a fishy basket, made by Jean. Rocky tells Shirley to thank Jean for him and thanks Shirley for her support over the last few days. Shirley says that if he or Kathy ever need anything, she’s a phone call away. Rocky reciprocates the gesture and Shirley heads off. Kim calls last orders and many locals begin to migrate over to Peggy’s, including Whitney, Chelsea, Zack, Honey and Lola. Felix tells Johnny that he’ll be over at Peggy’s later on after dropping some things off back at the flat. Johnny and Linda make their way over to the wine bar and Linda spots the hooded teens again, lingering next to the bar. She points them out to Johnny, but Johnny tells Linda to leave them to it. Denise and Amy help Kim finish up and Felix tells them to head off, and that he can lock up for them. Kim thanks Felix and hands him the keys. Kathy wakes from a long nap on the sofa. Rocky enters the room and informs her that Jean has made them a fishy basket, if she fancies. Kathy admits that she can’t think of anything worse and suggests they order a Chinese takeaway instead. Rocky agrees and kisses Kathy on the forehead before leaving to call the restaurant. Felix locks up behind him and uses Tara’s outfit to cover him from the rain. Felix notices the group of hooded teenagers walking slowly behind him. Felix begins to walk faster back to the flat, but the gang circle Felix, leaving him trapped. Felix finds the courage to stand up for himself, telling the group that he’s been bullied all his life for living his true, authentic self and that poor, insecure children like them don’t scare him. He tries to escape the circle of people stood around him, but he is pushed and pushed from one side of the circle to the other before eventually falling to the ground. The hooded teens start to kick Felix, one by one, and Felix is eventually knocked unconscious. After a few seconds, the gang decide to run off, leaving a lifeless Felix on the ground.

DOOF DOOF: Felix Baker

CAST (in order of appearance): Felix Baker, Whitney Dean, Chelsea Fox, Johnny Carter, Linda Carter, Kathy Beale, Rocky Cotton, Bobby Beale, Shirley Carter, Jean Slater, Denise Fox, Amy Mitchell, Ricky Mitchell, Jack Branning, Martin Fowler, Mitch Baker, Karen Taylor, Zack Hudson, Lola Pearce, Kim Fox, Freddie Slater, Jay Brown, Lexi Pearce, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Will Mitchell, Janet Mitchell, Dana Monroe, Harvey Monroe, Jordan Atkins

Chapter Text

Monday, February 13th 2023

Felix lays motionless on the ground, as the rain grows heavier and heavier. At Peggy’s, Johnny tries calling Felix, but he doesn’t receive an answer. Johnny asks Whitney and Chelsea whether they’ve heard from him, but they haven’t. Linda says that she can tell Johnny likes Felix from the way he was looking at him during the night. Johnny asks Linda whether it’s that obvious and Linda nods. Linda suggests they head out from the club to find him and Johnny agrees. Sam has asked Zack to help her cover the bar as she is short staffed. Zack asks Sam why can’t she just hire some more reliable people. Sam hints that she might well be having some help with the bar soon. Linda and Johnny step outside the bar and turn a corner to see Felix lying unconscious on the floor. Johnny rushes to Felix’s side and Linda brings out her phone and throws it to Johnny. Linda runs back into the bar. Inside, Mitch is about to take an intoxicated Karen home when Linda bolts back inside, informing everyone that it looks like Felix has been attacked. Mitch leaves Karen under Zack’s supervision as he rushes out the building for his nephew. Mitch rushes over to Felix with Johnny at his side, who continues to be unresponsive. Johnny informs Mitch that the paramedics are on their way and Mitch places his fingers on the side of Felix’s neck to confirm that Felix is still fighting for his life. Mitch pleads with Felix to stay fighting as he says he wouldn’t be able to cope with losing anymore of his family. Karen arrives outside with Zack and is shocked to see Felix motionless on the ground. She hurriedly makes her way over to Mitch. Whitney and Chelsea follow closely behind, horrified at the scene before them. Honey and Lola catch up at Peggy’s, leaving Lexi with Callum. Honey lets Lola in on how their holiday went and shows Lola of a drunk Billy dancing at the club, with the children behind him, embarrassed. Lola says that she seems so much happier now that’s she’s reunited with Billy. Honey says that the love that she and Billy have always had for is what brought them back to each other after so long, though it was always there, even if it was not shown. Honey says it’s what happens when you’ve met the right person. Lola asks Honey whether she felt the same with Jay while they were together. Honey shakes her head and says that she and Jay would both agree that they never truly loved each other, even though Jay remains to be one of the kindest, most caring man she has ever met. Lola asks whether she thinks her and Jay will last and Honey says that if there’s anyone Jay deserves as his other half, it’s Lola. An unconvincing look descends onto Lola’s face and Honey notices before asking her what’s wrong. Billy and Jay exit the house and decide to make their way over to the Vic as an ambulance arrives outside Peggy’s and paramedics rush to Felix. Whitney, Chelsea, Karen, Mitch, Linda and Johnny stand back as Felix is rushed into the ambulance. Chelsea asks Johnny whether he was the one to find Felix and Johnny nods, still in shock. Whitney moves closer to Chelsea as they comfort each other. The paramedics tell them that they can hold two people in the back of the ambulance to be with Felix. Mitch affirms that he and Karen will drive behind the ambulance himself in his cab and suggests that Linda and Johnny head in with Felix as they’re the ones to find him, but Linda turns back to Whitney and Chelsea and offers them a place with Felix; they agree and jump inside, drenched from the storm. Mitch offers Linda and Johnny a place in his cab and Johnny immediately accepts, though Linda is hesitant as she knows a trip to the hospital will only bring the traumatic memories flowing back. Billy orders a round of drinks for himself and Jay from Nish, who is running the bar. Nish introduces himself to Billy and Jay makes small talk with Billy as he arrives back at the table, and asks Billy about the holiday. Billy remarks that though he very much enjoyed his time away, he’s had some time to reflect on what really matters, with Jay being someone he really cares about. Billy says that he hasn’t treated Jay right over the last few years and that he’s sorry for all of the things he said while he and Honey were an item. Jay apologises for everything to do with Honey and that what they had wasn’t anything real. Jay admits he’s really happy Honey has rekindled her relationship with Billy and Billy thanks him. Denise bids Amy goodnight as she tucks her into bed and thanks her for a lovely night at the Albert. She heads downstairs, and Kim is waiting by the door, ready to head to Peggy’s. However, Denise says that she’s all worn out from the drag and karaoke night and tells Kim to enjoy herself. Denise heads into the living room to see Jack, who is evidently annoyed with Denise for leaving him alone with Jordan for hours. Denise argues that he was the one that was so against going to the Albert in the first place. Kim pleads with Denise to come with her to Peggy’s. Jack says that she might as well head out again with Kim as she’s clearly having more fun galivanting than with her own husband. Taken aback, Denise nods and berates that he shouldn’t be surprised before turning to Kim and agreeing to head back out clubbing. Kim takes Denise’s arm and they exit the house into the pouring rain, leaving Jack furious. Whitney, Chelsea and Felix arrive at the hospital and Felix is rushed inside. Whitney takes out her phone and decides to call Finlay, but Chelsea is confident that Finlay won’t answer and is certain that he has most probably blocked everyone’s number. Chelsea says that what they should be focusing on is making sure Felix is going to be okay and they both head into the hospital, hand in hand. Mitch, Karen, Johnny and Linda pull up in the hospital’s car park. Linda aids Karen in getting out and passes her a bottle of water from her handbag to sober up. Mitch locks the cab and runs in with Johnny to see what’s going on. Drinking the water, Karen notices Linda is hesitant in entering the hospital and says some say a hospital is the most haunting place to be. Walking in with Karen on her arm, Linda says that the last time she was here was when she was forced to say goodbye to Mick; the hardest thing she has ever had to do. Karen nods her head in agreement, affirming that there’s nothing worse that having to leave someone you love with every fibre of your being, forever. Mitch and Johnny meet with Whitney and Chelsea as they are told by a doctor to wait in the waiting area while they make sure Felix becomes stable so they can run scans and the necessary tests. Mitch worries he is about to lose another member of his family, comforted by Johnny who tells him that that’s not going to happen. Kim and Denise enter Peggy’s as Lola confides in Honey about her feelings. Lola says that she isn’t sure how to know if Jay’s the right person for her. Honey asks Lola whether she loves him, and Lola nods her head. Lola goes on to express her fears of losing Jay, knowing that every person she has been with has moved on, and says that her and Jay have called it quits multiple times before. Lola asks Honey how she’s supposed to know that this time, it’s forever; that Jay’s really the one. Kim asks Denise what the hell is going on between her and Jack. Denise remarks that even she doesn’t know, and that she’d rather not dwell on it. Chelsea gets up from her seat and decides to call Denise to inform her of her whereabouts. Whitney heads from the room to grab coffees. Karen and Mitch sit next to each other, with Johnny sat opposite. Karen voices how unfair it is that someone can do this to Felix, questioning the motive. Mitch interrupts by saying he knows exactly the reasons why Felix was attacked: for the colour of his skin, and who happens to love. Mitch turns to look at Johnny. Linda returns from the toilet, clearly shaken, and asks Johnny for a word in private. In the corridor, Linda tells Johnny that she can’t be at the hospital for any longer as everywhere she looks, she is taken back to Christmas Day. Johnny says that it’s completely normal to feel that way and promises that he is not offended if she wants to grab a cab back to the Square. Linda decides it’s for the best and tells Johnny to inform her of any developments in Felix’s state. Johnny thanks Linda for her support and they share a hug before Linda leaves. Billy says that he can see why Honey saw Jay in the light she did in the past, because when Jay was there for her, he wasn’t. Billy voices how lucky Lola is now that they’ve reunited and that she’s got the best person he can think for there for her, by her side. Jay thanks Billy for his support and jokes that it’s definitely his turn to buy in the drinks. When Jay arrives at the bar, Nish notes that he and Billy seem like they’ve got a close bond. Jay tells Nish that they’re family. Amy enters the living room to sit with her father and Jordan on the couch. Amy asks why she heard him and Denise arguing earlier and Jack assures her that it just a small disagreement and it’ll all forgotten about by the morning. Amy suggests that Jack heads over to the club to apologise, but Jack isn’t so sure. Ricky walks into the room and Amy says that she and Ricky will look after Jordan while he’s gone. After a while, his children manage to convince him to put things right with his wife and assures them that he won’t be long, as long as Denise and Kim are where they said they’ll be. A now drunken Honey and Lola decide to leave the club. The storm outside has worsened and beginning to get soaked in the heavy rain, the pair decide to take shelter in the funeral parlour. Honey brings out the set of keys buried deep in her handbag and unlocks the door. Lola notices the damp on the ceiling above her, but brushes it off as Honey and Lola head up to the flat, drenched from the rain. The ceiling is unstable and leaking heavily from the storm. Asserting how unsafe it is inside, Lola decides to call Jay before Honey advises that the pair make their way out. However, before they are able to exit the flat, the floor collapses beneath them.

DOOF DOOF: Honey Mitchell and Lola Pearce

CAST (in order of appearance): Felix Baker, Johnny Carter, Linda Carter, Chelsea Fox, Whitney Dean, Zack Hudson, Sam Mitchell, Karen Taylor, Mitch Baker, Honey Mitchell, Lola Pearce, Billy Mitchell, Jay Brown, Nish Panesar, Amy Mitchell, Denise Fox, Kim Fox, Jack Branning, Jordan Atkins, Ricky Mitchell