17/03/2017 Part Two EastEnders

That's the time that I'm going to be home, OK?

11 o'clock.

See? And then we'll make you a nice hot bath.

Oh, and I got you some magazines.

There's a piece in this one about a footballer,

he's been a really naughty boy, you'll love that.

RADIO ON

I love you, Mum.

Louise...

Lou. Don't ignore me. Louise!

What have you done? You promised you wouldn't grass me up.

-I haven't.

-So why does Mrs Lund want to see me?

Yeah, I told her about the photo

but I couldn't help it, it just came out.

She came in the toilets,

after Alex and Madison...

It's them two, that's what she wants to see you about.

We've got to stop them, Louise, you didn't see what they did to me.

But I told them that you weren't a part of that. OK?

So why did I get that text?

Because you've seen them. You've seen how they've been with me.

Just tell the truth.

Please, that is all I'm asking.

Did you assault Rebecca Fowler yesterday afternoon

in the G-block toilets?

Alexandra?

-No.

-She alleges you did.

Why would she say that if it's not true?

Ask her.

She also says that you and at least one other girl have been subjecting

her to systematic verbal and physical attacks for some weeks now.

She says.

What does that mean?

So that's it, is it?

All this is just on her say-so, no proof?

There's CCTV outside them toilets, isn't there?

There is, but the camera was deliberately turned away

from the door.

Suppose you don't know anything about that either?

I don't know what she's talking about.

I've had them before.

I can see from your records.

About this time last year?

Worked wonders, they did.

Two of them with my cocoa, next thing I knew it was the dawn chorus.

You've not had any of these sleeping pills since, though.

No.

So you've had no trouble sleeping between last year and now?

Apart from the cold, that's one thing you always forget when

you've been away, isn't it? Good old British winters.

Everything OK?

There's no particular reason you're not sleeping

at the moment, is there?

Nothing worrying you?

I just came in to get some pills, yeah?

Not the third degree.

PHONE VIBRATES

Oh, go on...

Yeah, I'll try.

Oh, Johnny'd really appreciate it. He's been pushing all this so hard.

Well, I am out all day though.

There's prizes for fancy dress and everything.

Bring Steven and Louie.

You could dress him up as a leprechaun.

Don't think Steven would look good as a leprechaun, do you?

Excuse me...

So, you're actually doing this, then? Checking up on Dad?

I'm not checking up on him, I'm just making sure everything's all right.

He's hiding something, Abi, I know he is.

I've had enough practice spotting the signs.

Yeah, but he's got to be working,

he's got business cards and everything.

You found one in his wallet.

You can get them printed up anywhere.

If I'm wrong, I'll apologise.

Yeah, you'll have to.

Wouldn't you rather know, though?

Look, say he is just putting on some big act, he's pretending that

he's working and all along he's been dossing down somewhere.

Do you know what I mean?

I just want to... I want to make sure he's OK.

-See ya.

-See ya.

Do you like Bex Fowler, Madison?

Never really thought about her.

That's surprising.

She's all most students in this school have been thinking about

and talking about for the last month, at least.

Then she shouldn't have had that disgusting photo on her phone

then, should she?

Maybe girls who do that sort of thing deserve to be taught a lesson.

-Maybe.

-Did you teach her a lesson, Madison?

Yesterday afternoon in G-block toilets?

Is that what Bex has been saying?

We're more interested in what you've got to say.

-Madison?

-I don't know what she's talking about.

I've got to do a shift in the chippy later on.

Yeah, but that closes at what? 11?

This'll go on way after that.

Maybe, OK? No promises.

-Kath...

-Can we have two teas and two bacon baps, please?

Yeah, coming up.

-Erm...can we join you?

-Yeah.

Here, everyone's been asking me about this community meeting

-on Monday.

-Really?

Yeah! Everyone out there's talking about it.

That's because it's all Denise has been talking about

for the last few days too.

And Kush. You know, he's done his bit.

And he's working, I'm not.

Hmm. Regular little double act, these two, aren't they?

Two bacon sandwiches. The tea's coming.

Hey, man, that smells good.

Tina, Tina, knock me up one of those, please?

Sure.

Louise.

Max Branning?

Mm-hmm. He works here.

Is he not in today?

Is Mr Branning expecting you?

Erm, no, it's not for work or anything.

I'm his daughter. Lauren. Just a passing visit.

I'll tell him you're here.

Thank you.

Sorry.

BEEPING

There you go.

Thanks.

-Can probably try it now.

-Erm, yeah.

There. I'd like to say that I'm brilliant.

But, well, we've got this photocopier

where I work...in Shoreditch.

It's always getting jammed and that.

Got a presentation in 20 minutes.

You... Sorry, you might want to, erm, wipe the ink off your shirt.

Louise, do you know why you're here?

There are two issues we want to talk to you about.

One is the photo sent from Bex Fowler's phone.

But right now, I'm more concerned about how she ended up

in the sort of state I found her in last night.

I didn't see Bex last night.

She says you played no part in the attack on her.

Tell us what happened after school.

Start with what you did just after the bell rang.

If what we're being told is true,

you are mixing with some seriously nasty individuals,

girls who could be leading you down a very dangerous path.

So I'll ask you again...

..how did Bex Fowler end up in the sort of state

I found her in last night?

Oh, wow!

So what's all this about, Lauren?

I was just passing through. Thought I'd say hello.

Passing?

Yeah.

-To where?

-Work.

You work in Shoreditch.

All right, fine, I just fancied a trip out, shoot me.

All right, so we'll start again. What's the real reason?

I just wanted to make sure everything was OK.

What's that mean?

Last night, when we was asking you about your work,

you gave it all, "Same old, same old."

Just made me wonder, that's all.

What, whether I was actually working at all?

Yeah.

Why? Cos I've always been such a liar, Lauren?

Yeah.

I was just worried about you, that's all.

I didn't like the thought of you being in some sort of trouble.

Too proud to let anyone know or ask for help.

You were really weird, Dad.

Just when I was in prison, Lauren.

The only way I got through it was by keeping my cards close to my chest.

I got used to it, that's all.

But you can see, can't you? I'm doing all right.

More than all right.

You got your own office and that?

Yeah.

Bet that ain't too shabby either.

Yeah, I've got to keep it like that, Lauren.

It's just...

you know, when family turn up at work.

Yeah - bet the boss ain't too happy.

Yeah. Better get on.

Yeah. Dad, I'm really sorry.

I just... I really want this to work, you know?

Me, you, Abs, the family.

There's nothing to be sorry for.

Honestly, it's nice of you to worry.

I'm really proud of you.

See you later.

See you later.

This is so cool!

Lauren...

Someone left this for you.

For me?

You knocked out them new flyers yet, or what?

Nearly. Put them all down the market and houses on the Square.

-Put a load in the cafe and the Minute Mart too.

-No, Johnny!

What? I just want to check it's all right.

Your dad already has. Three times.

I've got the bruises to prove it, an' all.

So how have the raffle tickets gone?

All gone. All gone.

No wonder, there's a whole night's free booze -

most of the market boys had to pick their tongues off the floor.

Not that they're going to win it, mind you.

How do you know? You ain't drawn the ticket yet.

Yeah. Dot's going to win.

Yeah, your dad's going to make sure of that.

Ain't much of a prize,

she only drinks about one small sherry a week...

Right.

We've spoken to all three girls.

All three deny any involvement in, or knowledge of, any attack on you.

Louise Mitchell also denies sending that photo from your phone.

So what happens now?

Well, if all three stick to their story,

there's not a lot the school can do.

So I've said all this, I've done all this, for nothing?

No. I am not giving up on this. Or on you.

But you still can't do anything?

Now these three know that the school's on to them.

Maybe this is what they needed. Maybe this is a wake-up call.

And maybe from now on they'll back off.

Sounds like a lot of maybes.

We're putting new cameras in the toilet blocks and the corridors,

cameras that can't be interfered with.

There's more than 50 teachers in the school.

That's more than 50 pairs of eyes watching them

from this moment onwards, waiting for them to trip up again.

They're cowards, Bex. And they won't win.

So from now on, I want you to come to school,

do your work and go home again.

And leave us to worry about the likes of those three. All right?

-Johnny!

-What? What is it?

We just found Lady Di's hooter in the stew.

I only put it down for a minute to get the proper oven gloves.

What are we going to do about it now?

Well, you know, why do we have to do anything?

-What?

-She only had a mouthful, do you know what I mean?

You're not serious?

You are, ain't you? It's written... Do you know what?

Mick, we cannot serve Irish stew when

a bulldog's had first dibs on it, right?

We've had enough trouble with the Environmental Health as it is.

That has got to go in the bin.

I'll ask you again. What are you going to do about it?

Me?

Yes, you. You've been starving her.

I ain't been starving her, I just put her on a new diet, that's all.

Well, she never nicked our food on the old one.

RADIO ON: # You really got me now... #

Mum?

RADIO OFF

SOBBING

Mum!

Hey, hey.

Oh, Mum.

OK. I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I don't believe you.

You've seen what they've been doing to me and you said nothing.

We are through. Have you got that?

And whatever you've got in mind, forget about it.

Because Mrs Lund knows all about you now.

Yeah. She does.

And what's she done?

Nothing.

Bring it on.

Ah-ha! Are you...you still coming over later, yeah?

Friday. Fowler's fish and chip night.

Might even stretch to a bit of bubbly.

Something happened?

Me and Stace went to see a psychiatrist today.

And that's a reason to break open the bubbly, is it?

No, erm...

We're trying for another baby.

After everything that happened last time?

That's why we went to see her.

You know, do things properly,

make sure everything's set right from the off.

And?

Everything was really positive.

I mean, there's risks, of course there is,

but there's procedures, things they can do, things we can do.

They've already put Stacey on new meds.

Right.

So six o'clock, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Magic.

Oh, is Preston still away?

-Yeah.

-Oh.

There's a new sci-fi film out today.

I just thought if he was back - well, it's not much of

a night for Bex, is it? You know, sat in with us oldies.

Even with a bit of fizz to wash it down with.

How is she?

Quiet.

We're all walking around on eggshells, to be honest with you.

I just thought maybe Preston might have some more luck.

Maybe.

Martin, can we just...?

I'm busy, mate.

Fine.

Hey. He'll come round.

You know, just give him some time.

The whole thing's just hit him like a bolt out of the blue.

Once he's over the shock, everything'll be back to normal.

Making a habit of this, aren't you?

Picking me up off the floor.

Any time.

Dee, you know what Mum was saying earlier on?

Me and you - proper little double act...

Denise?

We really need some Irish stew.

We don't do Irish stew.

It don't have to be stew, it can be anything -

beefburgers.

Not very Emerald Isle.

We can say it's Irish beef or something.

Come on, Ian, we're desperate here.

Of course we'll help out.

Just remember, every punter in their place, one less in ours.

How many do you need?

Number of punters we're hoping for, a lorry load.

Right, best get started then.

Come on, mate, I'll give you a hand.

Thank you.

How is she?

She's sleeping.

That's not what I asked.

Here, I made up some soup.

Thank you.

She just gave herself a bit of a shock, that's all.

Well, you sounded pretty shocked on the phone yourself.

Yeah, well, no harm done - that's what matters, yeah?

But it could have been...

And I'm sorry, yeah? I'm sorry for leaving you in the lurch.

I'll come in early tomorrow to make up for it, how's that?

Meaning Sylvie'll be on her own even longer.

No.

I can get Johnny to come over tomorrow, he's not at uni.

Teen, what if you hadn't got back when you did?

What if we'd had another rush on and you hadn't got back for

another hour, two hours?

Bex. Everything OK?

You've had no more problems?

Everything's been fine.

-Hey.

-Hey.

-I heard about what happened.

That was bang out of order.

If you ever want anyone to talk to, then just give me a call, OK?

-Want to get the bus together?

-Yeah, sure. Catch you later.

Look, I know I've said all this before,

but you can't keep on like this, you really can't. I mean, dashing

between here and the cafe, hoping everything's going to be OK.

So what are you saying? Are you getting rid of me?

I'm saying all this to you as your friend, not your boss.

Look, Tina...

Shirley will be back soon, yeah? She can help look after her.

Today...

Today was a one-off.

No, today you got lucky.

Lucky?

Yes, Sylvie just had a cold bath.

Look, I'm doing the best I can, Kath.

What more do you want me to do?

You can't do any more, that's what I'm trying to say.

You need help.

Yeah, I told you, I will get Johnny to come in.

No, proper help.

-I can cope.

-But your mum can't though, can she?

Not left here all by herself.

So what are you saying? I kick her out?

-No.

-Leave her to rot in some home somewhere?

Tina, what you're doing is amazing.

But you are not a miracle worker.

And Sylvie needs care, proper care, and before long she's going

to need full-time care to keep her safe, and you can't do that.

So what are you saying?

That I get strangers to look after her when her own daughter is around?

I hate that, Kath.

So that really is what all this is about?

What?

You just hate the idea of someone else stepping in.

Yeah, of course I do.

This isn't about you, though, is it?

It's about Sylvie.

Steven, thank you so much - you are a life-saver.

Just in time, Johnny said you'd be needing a lorry load.

Can you price these up please, Johnny?

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

And this secretary didn't say what they wanted?

All she said was I had to go to the Minute Mart Head Office on Monday.

She couldn't have been nicer, though.

She said I could bring a receipt for my travel.

What? Do you know something?

No.

Patrick?

I... I did mention you're suspended to Yolande.

Oh, by the way, she's going to be in the meeting.

And maybe she mentioned it to some other people.

Maybe Mr Beckett's been told to eat humble pie.

-Hi, babe.

-All right?

-Got you a burger.

-Oh, lovely, thank you.

Listen, I'll get you a drink.

Oh, cool.

Hiya.

Hiya! So what happened?

Yeah, it was good, it was fine.

So he has got a job, then?

Yeah.

So today was a complete waste of time?

Yeah.

Right, ladies and gentlemen, I shall be drawing the raffle soon,

get your tickets out, cos someone's about to get very, very lucky.

That's a bit dodgy, isn't it?

-What?

-Raffle. It's illegal, Mick. You know that, right?

I'm going to take a wild guess, I reckon the Old Bill have got

more important things to worry about than a raffle, don't you?

Oh, strong hat, by the way, young man. Strong hat.

Beautiful, in fact.

And the winning ticket...

Get on with it.

Yeah, all right, busy, I'm giving it a shake, all right?

The winning ticket is...green.

It's 97, ladies and gentlemen.

Oh, I say, Patrick, I think that's mine!

Well, it was mine.

But it's mine now.

What?

Well, I bought it for Patrick.

As a thank-you for helping me sell my car.

I mean, it wouldn't be much use to me, would it?

You know, seeing as I never touch alcohol.

Except the occasional sherry.

Dad, I don't think that stew's agreed with Lady Di.

She's just chucked it up, both ends.

Go and sort it out!

-Yeah, man!

-Yeah!

Thanks, Kath.

Well?

I can't do it.

I just can't send her away, I...I just can't.

I know you think I'm wrong, but...

Come here.

Whoa, where you going? Where you going?

There's some beefburgers here.

All the way from Dublin's fair city.

We've got the fancy dress competition coming up...

and Johnny's doing a Riverdance...

-'Hello, how can I help?'

-Erm, yeah, I'd like to speak to someone.

'Can I ask what it's concerning?'

It's about putting my mum in a home.

SHE SOBS