25/03/2014 EastEnders

CAR APPROACHES

-You all right, Linda?

-All right.

What's that doing here? The funeral's not till tomorrow.

I've not got my days wrong, have I?

No, no, it is tomorrow.

Erm... Is that Nick?

Yeah... Erm, Mrs B's having him lying in state.

I thought only Catholics did that.

It's what she wants.

Ronnie, hold on. She's the one who called the police...

It doesn't make any difference.

-Don't go and see her...

-I have to...

-Look, she's the one...

-I'm not going to leave Stacey to rot!

You can change your mind.

Mrs Branning.

Everything's as you requested. A solid Italian cherry coffin...

beautiful craftsmanship, I hope you agree.

Oh, and as instructed, the name plate.

Plain and simple - "Nicholas Cotton, 1959-2014."

He's here. He's come home.

Why don't you sit down?

Why is the lid still on?

Erm, we agreed a closed casket.

But I want to say goodbye to him.

Well, you can still say goodbye.

I want to see him.

I want to see his face. Unscrew it.

It's not a good idea, really...

he wasn't in a good way at the end.

Remember him how he was.

Mr Coker, I'd be very much obliged if you'd do as I wish.

I'll get some tools.

(You said this wouldn't happen!)

(I know, I'm trying to think!)

Mrs B's doing fine. It's me that's got the heebie-jeebies.

I'm going to be locking my door, sleeping with a crucifix,

garlic and a wooden stake. I ain't even joking.

A coffin in the house?

-Give Dot my love, will you?

-I will do, sweetheart.

Oh! Since when have you drunk fat free?

It's for Jane. She thinks she needs it. But she doesn't.

Oh, right? That's cos she's got the perfect figure?

Hmm! Yeah, she has, actually.

It's not like that.

No? But you want it to be, don't you?

-She's not interested.

-You sure?

Whose door was it she was knocking on for somewhere to live now? Eh?

-Hmm.

-Hmm.

I've done what she's asked. I've unscrewed the lid.

It's up to you now.

Oh, planning on cooking something nice tonight?

I don't think so. I'm just looking for some ideas for Ian.

He wants to reinvent the burger.

Bunless for the carb watchers with sweet potato fries.

You don't sound so sure.

Well, if you want a burger and chips, don't you just want

a burger and chips?

Any luck with the flat hunt, Jane?

Oh...no, not yet.

Well, there's no rush. You can stay as long as you like.

Mr Coker, he's usually very professional.

His wife's a bit of a gossip,

but then you can't hold that against him.

I want you to promise me that if you want to lift the lid

and see him you'll only do it with me there.

It's very upsetting and I'm not going to let you do it on your own.

Please...promise.

You're a good boy.

I am very grateful to you, you know, for arranging the funeral,

the coffin...

Watch what you're doing, that's my best china. You're like your father.

You're heavy-handed.

Am I like him in other ways?

Well, I don't really know you, do I?

You look more like your grandfather. My Charlie.

It's strange having you here. You, me...and your father.

But it's not the way I would've wanted.

I think I'd like some time alone with him.

KNOCK AT DOOR

I'll get that. Just... remember your promise, OK?

Thank you.

Oh...is Dot around?

-She's busy.

-Sorry, who are you?

-Her grandson.

-Grandson?

Well, I've known Dot all my life, she's never mentioned a grandson.

Charlie Cotton.

I'm afraid Dot didn't know I existed until a couple of weeks ago.

Give me the flowers, I'll tell her you called.

I'd really like to see her, let her know people care, you know.

She's in with my dad, she's saying her goodbyes.

Right. Well, tell her Sharon called and I'll call back later.

Sharon. Right, thank you.

I have missed you, Nick.

I left her some flowers, didn't know what else to do.

Why does she want the body in the house?

Well, maybe she wants people to pay their respects.

What, to Nick? Could be a long wait.

Come on, Ian, she's mourning.

Anyway, Charlie said she was in with the coffin

-so I just left the flowers with him.

-Charlie?

Yeah. Her grandson...

Well, apparently Dot didn't know he existed until a couple of weeks ago.

Still, it's a blessing she's got him, I suppose, isn't it?

And he's just appeared out of nowhere?

Well, yeah. Nick's son.

Right. So you've left Dot in her house on her own with a dead body

-and someone claiming to be her grandson?

-No, he wasn't claiming...

Sharon, this is Nick Cotton we're talking about,

that bloke could be anyone.

I've been thinking.

Do you remember that children's service at the church?

I made your costume for you. It was Harvest Festival.

And you went as a carrot.

And Ethel, she came with us, and she smuggled Willy in in her

shopping bag and he kept growling at that bird on that woman's hat.

and I was cross with you cos you was giggling, and I told you off.

I wish I'd laughed. I mean, you can laugh in church.

You never went to Sunday School again.

I should have done more.

DOORBELL RINGS

I'm not looking at no-one in no open coffin. Never have done.

It makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.

Yeah, well, you don't want to tell her that.

I'm not stupid.

I'm here as a mark of respect to a very dear friend in

her hour of need.

Ah, you must be Charlie. Arthur told me all about you.

I'm Patrick, this is Cora. We're friends of Dorothy's.

Nice to meet you. I'm afraid she's a bit busy, she's in with...

Patrick, is that you? Come on in.

How are you doing, my dear?

Fine. I'm just in with my Nick.

Charlie, would you put the kettle on?

Course. is everything all right in there?

Yes.

This way.

There's people come to pay their respects

so I can't be too long.

I saw the hearse, man, it was a bit of a surprise.

Yeah. It's not normal nowadays, is it?

-Having the coffin in the house.

-It's what Dot wanted.

Do you live round here?

Yeah. Not far.

You don't sound like a Londoner.

I'm originally from Coventry but been here for the past ten years.

How comes she never knew you existed?

Just one of them family things.

Patrick tells me you're a cop.

Detective Constable.

KNOCK AT DOOR Excuse me.

Bit of a coincidence, ain't it?

Him rocking up just as Nick kicks the bucket.

What the devil are you talking about?

Has she got proof he is who he says he is?

You honestly think that somebody's going to pretend to be Nick's son?

You don't really know anyone.

What about Stacey? Look what she did.

There could be insurance involved in this.

The man was a junkie! And junkies don't insure their lives.

You can't let this happen to you. You've gotta fight it.

For Lily's sake. You don't deserve to be in here.

I killed him.

He raped you.

And he paid for it and now it's my turn to pay.

You can't think like that. You were the victim!

Why do you care so much?

I know what my dad was like...

I know the kind of monster that he was

and I know the kind of person you are.

I'm not Danielle.

I let her down. I'm not going to let you down.

He seems all right and he obviously cares about Dot.

He's still Nick Cotton's spawn.

If he is who he says he is.

Drop it now, man.

Have you, um, have you been in...?

No, not yet.

I'm not going in.

I've been thinking. Nick tried killing Dot in this house.

Oh, don't, Ian, it gives me the creeps.

I know it's not a nice thing to say, but thank God he's dead.

Hear, hear.

Wonder what kind of coffin she's got him? They're not cheap.

I hope it weren't an expensive one, or he'll rise from the dead

and try to sell it.

That's all he was interested in doing - nick stuff

and flog it to fund his habit.

Dot's asked if you'd all come through to the sitting room.

-I'll stay here and make the tea.

-It's what Dot wants.

Dot all right, is she?

As well as can be expected.

At least she's got her friends around her, eh?

You always was a lovely girl.

You were there for me when I lost my mum.

-Patrick.

-I'm so sorry.

It's a terrible thing, a parent burying a child. I know.

Yes, of course you do.

-Cora...

-Deepest condolences, Dot.

Thank you.

Come here. Denise and the kids send their love.

I'm sorry about the other day, I was just stressed about everything

but it's all going to be perfect tomorrow, OK?

You OK?

Well, I'm better now he's home.

Cos I've spent so many years not knowing where he was.

At least now you can stop worrying about that.

Rest in peace, Nick.

Oh, Ian, I'd almost forgotten...

I'd like you to speak at the funeral.

What, like a reading?

No, a eulogy. You know, to say a few words about Nick.

Wouldn't you rather do that yourself?

Well, it would mean an awful lot if you did it.

Cos I remember how nicely you spoke after

the burial of your Auntie Pauline.

Yeah...I suppose so.

Were you one of my dad's mates?

Well, we kind of grew up together.

I mean, your dad was a bit older than us but...

Yes, well, your father, he didn't have many friends. Not close ones.

When he was a little boy he used to say that I was his best friend

and I used to say that he was mine.

I've got something that might help you, you know.

Could you come with me, Charlie?

Of course.

I have nightmares every night of Bradley falling...

I've got his blood on my hands.

That's never going to wash off.

He wouldn't want you in here.

Ronnie, I'm not Danielle. You don't owe me anything.

Just let me help you.

I don't want to be helped, OK?

Just get on with your life and forget about me.

At least the lid is closed.

Doesn't stop you thinking he's going to jump out at you.

Like father, like son.

How do you mean?

From what I can understand, Nick was evil.

Wouldn't surprise me if Charlie's not a chip off the old block.

It is weird how he's appeared out of nowhere.

Don't stop on my account.

Sorry. We're just looking out for Dot.

Nick didn't always treat her that well.

She'll be down in a minute.

Look... I hardly know anything about my dad, OK?

I only met him when I was a kid. I'm here to look after Dot.

-Like Nick did?!

-You clearly didn't like him.

I get it. But, for Dot's sake, I think the least you can do is...

Don't tell me what I should do for Dot's sake.

That woman has been part of my life since I was born.

Who are you? Some stranger she's just met?

All right, calm down...

You want to know who your dad was? I'll tell you. OK? He was scum.

He was a murdering, thieving... No, leave it, Patrick.

..lying con man who was only interested in number one.

Everybody else turned their back on him apart from Dot.

And do you know how he repaid her?

He tried to murder her. Yeah, that's right.

He tried to poison his own mother for her money.

People do desperate things when they're on drugs.

Yeah, he was filth. In fact, he wasn't interested in Dot.

He didn't care about Dot.

All he was interested in is was what she was worth to him dead.

So him being in that coffin is the best news I've had all year.

Have you finished?

-I think you should go.

-I'm sorry.

I think you should take your opinions and get out.

-Come on, Ian, let's go. We really are sorry for your loss.

-All of you. Just go.

-I'm just saying what you're all thinking, all right?

-Ian...

THEY GASP AND SCREAM

-I-It wasn't my fault.

-What's all that noise?

-Nick!

-Oh, Dot, don't...don't look!

Everybody out!

THEY ALL SHOUT AT ONCE

There's no harm done, it's just an accident.

Everything's all right, everything's all right. It'll be OK.

This one dead?

Yeah.

-Well? Did you get to see her, then?

-Yeah.

I don't know why you bothered going. It's done with.

She's locked up so I should just forget about her?

-Like you've done with Ben?

-She killed your dad.

I mean, I weren't a fan of the geezer but he was still your dad.

-She's suffered enough.

-This isn't about Stacey.

This is about you,

because you've got some sick obsession with Dad

-and it's going to eat you up.

-Is that right?

-That's right.

Ronnie, drop it...for me, please.

SHE SIGHS

-Hi. Are you off out?

-Yeah.

That's a really pretty scarf.

It's part of my faith.

Yeah, course.

I think it's great that you've got such a strong faith, Shabnam.

It's not just about my faith.

I don't have to wear it in front of Tam or my dad or you because...

You just have to wear it in front of other men to preserve your modesty.

-Yes.

-Yeah, I know.

You know, it's a shame modesty is something most women

don't seem to consider any more.

I've been thinking about Dad, and you being here.

He's very lonely. I don't think you being here is helping.

-Really?

-Hmm.

-Having a good friend around the house is...?

Shabnam, your dad is one of the kindest people I know.

-He's always there, he's always reliable.

-Yeah.

Easy for people to take advantage.

I hope you're not talking about me.

He's vulnerable, Jane.

I know he pretends to be all right

but my mum leaving him really knocked him.

He's not over her,

and on top of that, what Carol did to him...

They were together. We are just friends.

SHE SCOFFS

Is that what you tell yourself?

DOOR CLOSES

I don't care, I need you here now!

DOOR BELL RINGS

Look, before you say anything, I've just come to apologise, OK?

I shouldn't have said what I said.

He was your dad and it wasn't right.

You obviously think a lot of Dot and I'm sorry I doubted you.

I'll, um... I'll try and do your dad proud tomorrow.

I'm glad Dot's got you.

Does it help, reading the Bible?

It's always helped me,

but your father,

he weren't a believer.

And Sharon, she said to me that I could stop worrying about him,

on account of knowing where he is at last...

But I don't, do I?

He's here, Dot.

No, that's just his body.

"And fear not them which can kill the body,

"but are not able to kill the soul

"but rather fear him which can destroy both soul and body in hell."

That's Matthew 10, verse 28.

You see, hell isn't fire and brimstone.

It's being apart from God.

And if I am saved and he ain't...

then I shall be apart from him...

..unless he came to Jesus in the end and confessed his sins.

Maybe he did.

I should've saved him.

The one son that God blessed me with

and I let him die without Jesus in his heart.

What sort of mother does that make me?

-No-one thinks you could have done any better, Dot.

-Don't they?

Jesus knows.

You see, I thought there'd be time for him to change his ways,

and then with the coffin falling and his hand coming out...

I mean, what does that all mean?

I've been thinking.

Would you, um... Would you mind if I called you Grandma?

-Well, you're just saying that.

-No, no, no. I'd really like to.

You're a good boy, you've been very good to me.

Your father should've been proud of you.

Don't worry about him now. He's at peace.

Well, how do we know that?

The one time he needed me, I had cut him out of my life...

..and now it's too late.

I failed him.

I failed him.

SHE SOBS

DOOR CLOSES

And is that inclusive of bills?

Oh. And what band council tax is it, please?

Right. I'll call you back. Thank you.

Hi.

Has, um... Has Shabnam said something?

I need a place of my own.

You can't. I like having you here, I thought you liked being here.

I don't want to outstay my welcome.

You couldn't! I mean, there's plenty of room here,

and you wouldn't find anywhere near Bobby.

Look, Mas, you know I think so much of you.

You are a dear, dear friend.

I could be more.

I want to be more.

Mas...

No... I don't want that!

Um...

-I'm sorry.

-No, I'm sorry. I, um...

We're just friends, Mas. That's all we are.

Jesus, you know how I'm feeling,

how tormented I am about my Nick,

that he died without his sins being forgiven.

I mean, I brought him up to believe in you, to love you,

but he changed when he was led astray by those wicked drugs.

He laughed in my face.

He jeered at my faith.

I mean, I know that you hung upon the Cross

to take our sins upon yourself,

but was it for everybody, or was it just for them what believed?

I don't know

and I've got no-one to talk to.

I mean, even the Rev Mr Stevens is away.

And I know I ain't praying in the right way.

I know I should be trusting you -

ask and ye shall receive -

but I can't.

I keep worrying that it's too late.

I'm putting my reputation on the line here.

99 years my family have been in business.

Word gets out about this, I'm ruined.

Well, screw it down tight.

I can't afford the risk of anyone looking inside.