25/10/2016 EastEnders

TEXT ALERT

Morning, Jane.

Morning.

Morning...

Erm, there was only one sausage left. Jane should have that.

Yeah, well, I need the energy boost, I'm going for a run.

Steven!

I won't tell Jane if you don't...

I can't believe you did that!

There we go. You're never too old for a birthday banner, eh?

TEXT ALERT

Oh! Mum's spoiling Lily and Arthur rotten. She's let them have

ice cream for breakfast!

You didn't have to pack them off to Brighton.

A week with their nan, they'll love it. And now there's room for

your mates to stay after the party,

if they can bear the colour!

Right, Kyle is going to make you some food later.

And Belinda's offered to do your nails. She said she's got

loads of leftover stock.

I don't want you guys going to all this trouble.

It's not like it's my actual birthday.

Well, it will be at midnight.

And you're at your mum's tomorrow so we want to celebrate with

you an' all.

You took your time this morning.

No, I told you, didn't I? Kathy's covering my stall while I go

and pick something up.

You got something to tell me?

Like what?

Like why, erm, I caught your boyfriend

buying condoms in a pub toilet.

Look, if Shakil thinks I'm leaving him alone with you tonight,

well, he can think again.

Fine, fine, why don't I just cancel the whole thing?

Would that make you happy?

No, you can't cancel it! It's your 16th, it's a milestone.

I don't care, I'm not having a party.

-Oh, Bex...

-DOORBELL RINGS

That'll be Louise.

Are you not going to go after her?

A lot of effort has gone into this party.

It was her idea to cancel, weren't it? Not mine.

Look, I'll see you in a bit, yeah?

No, Martin, you can't just leave it, you've got to sort it out.

I've got to go and pick her present up, haven't I?

We'll talk about it later, yeah? See you in a bit.

I'm so sorry, Jane. Steven's got something to confess...

He's already filled me in... I'm so glad you've finally told her.

Told me what?

Morning, Dot.

Oh, pardon me...

I didn't get a wink of sleep last night, with all them youths

letting off fireworks.

Ain't got no consideration for their neighbours.

Not too tired for our matinee and dinner date, I hope?

Brief Encounter! I've been looking forward to it all week.

Great, great. I'll get a cab to take us over there, all right?

Oh, is it that time of the year already?

Yes, some lady brought it round yesterday.

I hope you and Claudette are going to audition.

Do we have a choice in the matter?

The more people involved, the better.

Yeah, well, she has a lot on her plate with Pam's stall...

got her a bit stressed out lately.

Oh.

Something community minded might give her some perspective

on things...

and Claudette does love to put on a show.

SHE LAUGHS

Your dad must have hit the roof! Poor Shaki!

Poor me! I've never been so mortified...

Well, there's been enough teenage pregnancies around here anyway.

Exactly!

So...what time's Shaki coming round later?

Right, I know this girl Scarlet...

Yes?

And she is still a virgin and she's in Upper Sixth!

Oh! How embarrassing...

I know.

But she told everyone that she lost it to this guy in her class

who's like a total player, and then he got wind of it and turns out she

made the whole thing up so everyone wouldn't think she was a loser.

That definitely backfired!

Erm, Shaki's not coming round later...

My dad... My dad cancelled the party.

What?! Why?!

He don't want me and Shaki in the same room together,

after yesterday, so...

Oh, that's so unfair!

Tell me about it.

Just going off to the shop, be back in a minute.

Wait a sec!

Right, I'm going to the hospital in a bit.

But Louise will be back soon so she can take you.

I don't need baby-sitting.

Well, I thought I might buy you a new video game on my way back,

-half-term treat.

-Seriously?

Well, seeing as we're agreed on King Edward's being your first choice...

-I didn't agree nothing!

-Yesterday, Denny, you said that you...

I meant I was sorry about going out without telling you.

I didn't mean I was going to that stupid school.

But King Edward's is the right school for you,

it's a good school.

Why does everything have to change all the time?!

Denny...

You going already?

Yeah. Well, there's no point me sticking around,

-now that Martin's cancelled the party...

-I'll call you later.

Have a fun time, staying in with your family...

Bex, you don't have to cancel the party.

I know you were looking forward to it.

Dad and Shaki under the same roof? Ain't going to happen.

Well, let me talk to your dad cos I still might be able

to get him over to The Vic.

No, he won't go, he'll just embarrass me.

You only turn 16 once - you can't just stay in with your family.

We could go to that Chinese buffet Dad really likes...

just the three of us. They do that really nice sweet and sour chicken.

I thought you were vegan?!

-I can change my mind, can't I?

-A Chinese?

You ain't going to look back on that in years to come and think,

"Ooh, that was a great night."

Like you said, I only turn 16 once, so I can do what I want.

I was waiting for the right time to tell you.

All this time I thought... I thought he was OK, really.

Just on a binge or something, after Lucy.

I mean, yeah, maybe I did think he cared

a little bit more about drinking than he did about me and Louie...

But here we are...just getting on with our lives.

I've done everything I can for Peter.

Me and Ian will try to sort out some sort of allowance or something,

now we're aware of the situation.

-DOOR OPENS

-It's only me!

Hi.

Sorry I'm a bit early...

I've got to get to George St for 12.

Are you still seeing...Linda today?

Yeah. But I'll just be a minute...

No, go on.

I've got to get stuff sorted anyway...

Whitney and Stacey are coming over, aren't they?

OK, I'll give you some space...

Kacey, once you've come and picked me up at Linda's later,

can we do the shopping in the market then?

Yeah, course.

Steven, aren't you going for a run?

Yeah.

I'll take Louie round to Dot's then.

Yeah, please.

Right, well, I'll see you later.

I am so sick of everyone going on about these bins.

The council need to make sure they pick them up

when they're supposed to.

The rubbish is piling up. The foxes, they ripped open

our bin bags and there's food all over the street.

The recycling and the food waste is still being picked up.

If everyone separated out their rubbish properly,

like I do, then you'd have plenty of room in your bins.

Lou, do you know what time Bex wants us to come over later?

Ain't she told you?

Martin cancelled the party,

after what happened yesterday. Well done, Romeo.

Did you pick Bex's present up?

I certainly did. Certainly did.

That's cute... You do know she's not turning six?

She loves teddies...

she's still got that one I bought her at the end of her bed.

I got her that when Betty died.

Who's Betty?

Mum's old dog. Bex loved her.

Anyway, Sonia's buying her a load of charms, going to give her them

tomorrow. Take that one off if she don't like it, can't she?

No, I'm sure she'll like it. Right, about this party...

Bex just wants to go to that Chinese buffet - just the three of us.

That's a great idea!

I'm sure you'd enjoy yourself, but this is meant to be Bex's night.

I can't make her have a party, Stace!

Martin, I know you want to keep her your little girl for ever...

but she's a young woman, she deserves to celebrate

her birthday properly.

Why do you never clear up after yourself?

You always leave this pitch in a right state.

Because I'm not a street sweeper -

you have a problem with that, take it up with one of them.

You didn't even turn up to work last Friday!

I had a pressing engagement.

Look, is everything all right?

Carmel's just being a jobsworth.

I think the word you're looking for is "professional".

Some of us actually care about doing a good job.

You're right, because I couldn't care less...

I quit!

BEEPING

Erm, I could do with some help here.

I thought you weren't working today?

Sorry... Come on, then.

I'm going to go on one of them juice diets, you know.

I'll be a lot skinnier on the day.

You do not need to lose weight!

I do.

Sorry I'm late.

I was just trying to sort out the latest drama

in the Fowler household.

Is everything all right?

Yeah, it's Bex's 16th and Martin's having

a bit of trouble getting his head round it...

I would love to be 16 again...

Are you joking?! It was just one drama after the next.

Give me adulthood any day.

Do you think this looks too tight?

-No!

-No.

It looks great!

Kim K all the way.

Kim K in a good way though, yeah?

Yes! Come on, let's get you up on this stool.

-Ready?

-Ooh!

-There you go.

Is this from Bianca's dress?

Yeah, all the bits that weren't covered in mud.

I've got some diamantes coming this week, an' all...

I thought I should bling it up a bit more, you know?

They weren't exactly cheap

but Lee said I should go for it, so...

Think about all the money that you're saving -

you didn't buy a new dress.

How many sequins are we putting on this?

All of them!

Course we are!

Martin just said that Lee invited him to the stag -

I dread to think what state they'll be in on Saturday morning.

Oh, I know.

But, do you know, Lee deserves to let his hair down, don't he?

He's done so well.

We're going to give the boys a run for their money.

Be good to get out of London...

Yeah. I feel spoilt, having two hens!

Oh, rubbish!

I tell you what,

once we get them diamantes on this dress, it is going to look gorgeous.

Oh, Whit, you're going to look gorgeous!

-Really?!

-Yes.

Aw, Lauren...you're so sweet.

Hey.

Lauren? You all right?

Why don't you take some time to think about this?

I mean, you've had a stressful few weeks.

And you can't just pack up in the middle of the day!

You know something?

This whole thing was a mistake.

I wasn't born to work on a market stall.

My Eliza Doolittle days are over!

Fine - but there's some paperwork you'll need to fill out.

So, what are we going to do tonight to celebrate my freedom?

I'm taking Dot to see Brief Encounter, remember?

Can't you go another time?

Come on, now, I can't disappoint her, she's looking forward to it...

and so am I.

So you'd still rather spend the evening with her?

Baby, you're welcome to come too...

Oh, and she suggested that we audition for the Christmas show...

What?

Running around on stage,

dressed like an idiot - that's not my idea of a good time, Patrick.

But you love the salsa...

That's hardly the same thing!

And anyway, I don't know if I'll still be in Walford

around Christmas...

Where else would you be?

Well, my boy Linford's moved to Liverpool...

and it might have a bit more to offer me

than am-dram pantomime...

This time last year I was engaged to Peter...

I never thought I was the type of person to want

the big fancy wedding...

but I used to imagine it all the time.

You'd be my maid of honour...

..my dad would walk me down the aisle...

..I'd be wearing this beautiful white dress - it would have been

really classy...

Unlike mine, you mean!

No. You look amazing!

Maybe Peter wasn't the right guy for you,

otherwise it would have worked out...

I thought...

I thought that I would spend the rest of my life with him...

We'd raise Louie together... and be a family.

Peter ain't a good dad...

I know.

I sent him that video of Louie and he didn't even reply.

Steven told me... He said he wished he was Louie's dad...

that's how much he loves him.

I guess Steven's a bit like Martin...

in the sense that they step up to the plate when you need them.

And he's crazy about you...

I mean, think about how lucky you are to have

a bloke who wants to take care of you and Louie.

Kathy... I was hoping to bump into you.

Well, that must be a first.

Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. Maybe you were right...

I didn't ask the right questions.

Yeah, well, it's different when it's your own son, ain't it?

You realise there's a difference between what they say they want,

and what they actually need.

Are you sulking cos I made you come back on the stall...

or is it cos of condom-gate?

Yes, yes, Martin told me!

It ain't funny!

It's hilarious! What are you getting so touchy for anyway?

You're about to become a man, man.

Let me give you a little bit of advice...

Please don't.

The first time is never going to be perfect.

I had no idea what I was doing! I was... I was...

You know, I was way too enthusiastic.

-Kush, man...

-Then you realise there is

no shame in asking a woman for a little bit of...

..bit of guidance, yeah. It works, all right!

I ain't had any complaints in a long, long time...

Well, it ain't happening.

Martin cancelled the party and Bex didn't even tell me.

I had to find out from Louise.

And you believed her? Come on, you know what that girl's like.

You've got to find out exactly what's going on, from Bex.

She won't even answer my messages!

And I know she's read them cos they've got blue double ticks.

Just go over and talk to her! The old-fashioned way...yeah?

Hello?

KNOCK ON DOOR

I've booked the table for seven.

But it's not too late to have the party if you've changed your mind...

Just cancelled the event. But there is...

I need to talk to...

There's... I don't know what to tell Shaki.

Cos we talked about turning 16 and...

..and stuff.

Look, Bex, you don't have to do anything until you're ready.

But he's going to be so annoyed. What if he dumps me?!

Well, then he's a prat and you're better off without him.

But... But I just like him so much.

He's... He's sweet...

he's kind...

and he's so hot.

I do... I do want to...

with him, eventually.

I just don't want things to change.

Well, look, do you want my advice?

You do what you want, when you want, right?

You shouldn't care what everyone else thinks.

And if you don't want the party then that's fair enough...

but I do think that you need to just talk to Shaki.

Just tell him what's going on in your head. Cos believe me,

he ain't going to guess...

And that never changes, by the way, no matter how old they get.

How was the market?

Oh, just two pitying looks and one condescending comment.

They'll get over it - you just got to get out as much as possible.

Well, that's easy for you to say. I'm exhausted!

But, erm, thanks for dropping me back, Kacey.

No problem.

I best be off. Bye, Jane.

Bye.

Are you OK?

I've been trying to get hold of Peter.

Of course, he isn't picking up.

There's not much more you can do.

There is... I could go back to New Zealand.

DOOR OPENS

Hey, Mum.

Where's Louise?

Oh, just upstairs...

I thought I heard the front door go.

I didn't.

You'll be in a lot less trouble if you just come straight out with it.

I ain't done nothing.

Could you get up, please?

Why?

Because you've got form...

Care to elaborate?

No. No, I didn't think so. Come on, up.

Up!

They're not mine.

Look, Lauren, you can't just drop everything and jump on a plane.

Look, Peter needs his family. We could help him get through this.

Peter clearly wants to be on his own...

and do you think it's a good idea to have Louie around him,

in his current state?

And what about you? You've got a life here, with Steven.

I know Steven loves me, and he loves Louie...

but he's lied to me for months.

Because he knew you'd react like this.

Lauren, he was trying to protect you.

Look, Steven should have been honest, with all of us...

But I really do believe he lied for the right reasons.

Look, I've gotta go pick up Louie...

MUSIC: Seaside by The Kooks

Oh, that's Lily's...

I thought I'd give you this now,

cos you're going to be at your mum's tomorrow...

It's not much... Sorry, the wrapping's really rubbish.

My mum usually does it.

Aww, look at us!

Is it too cheesy?

No, it's lovely.

Thank you.

So you're thinking of going back?

Babe, Peter's all on his own...

Peter is an adult - he can take care of himself.

Besides, you know, he's probably been out partying all the time, OK?

He's not been short of girls.

Charming(!)

When we moved in together - me, you and Louie -

we felt like a little family...

and one mention of Peter and you want to throw all that away?

You can't go taking the moral high ground,

you're the one that's been keeping your little secrets!

Because I was trying to protect you!

I don't need protecting, OK?

I just wanted you to be straight with me.

I've had enough lies to last me a lifetime -

I just wanted someone that I could trust.

I'm sorry, I should have told you.

But everything that I have done has been for you and Louie...

I know you're always going to care about Peter...

..he was your first love.

But do you love him more than you love me?

-You look beautiful.

-Thank you.

I thought we could go for a drink at The Albert on the way there.

Sounds good - I'll just go and change my shirt. Bex upstairs?

Erm, yeah...

She's with Shaki.

-She's what?

-Don't get mad. She cancelled the party and now

she's doing the decent thing and telling him in person.

I can't believe you've left her with him!

-They're just talking!

-Yeah, course they are!

Martin, just give them a minute!

What would you, erm... What would you like me to do?

What do you mean?

Like...when we...

Stacey's downstairs.

-It's fine...

-Well, she'll hear!

I'll be really quiet...

Is this how you imagined our first time?

I don't know.

I just want it to be with you, nothing else matters.

I can't... I can't...

What? I thought you wanted to.

I do! I do!

Just not like this... Not now.

It's me, isn't it?

No! No, no, I really like you, Shakil...you know that.

Please, please don't go. Please...

I know what the problem is...

You're frigid.

Bex is handling this like a mature adult...unlike you.

I am not sorry for wanting to protect my little girl from...

Shakil.

Mr Fowler...Mrs Fowler.

I, erm, hope you have a nice evening.

See you later...

See? I told you everything would be fine.

Did you enjoy the film?

Oh, yes, it's lovely... Very sad, though.

You know, with Laura and Alec never going to see each other again.

Maybe.

Maybe what?

Maybe when they get to our age...

and there's nothing standing in their way.

Maybe not.

Were the seats too far back?

No, not at all...

It's just that you were squinting at the screen.

Perhaps I've got a bit of grit in my eye...

you know, like Celia Johnson!

I'll wash it out with warm water when I get home.

Or maybe you need glasses...

Nonsense! Never been nothing wrong with my eyes.

Dot...

Well, maybe I'll go and see the optician, just to make sure...

Good, good, good. Right, where shall we have dinner?

I ain't very hungry, Patrick.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Can I come in?

Sure...

How did it go?

Yeah, yeah, fine...

I knew you two would sort things out.

Right, your dad's home so we're ready when you are.

Great... I'll be down in a sec.

All right.

It's...

Steven, it's not as easy as that...

If you're still in love with Peter...

..then I won't try to stop you from going back.

But if you're doing this because you feel guilty or sorry for him...

then you're making a huge mistake.