10/11/2012 EastEnders Omnibus

DOOR SHUTS

-NEXT ROOM:

-I think I can manage.

Just make sure everyone knows, all right? OK. That's just your job.

-That's all I'm saying. Hey! Bonfire night...sorted.

-Fireworks?

Yeah. Best Jake on the market had to offer.

Going to let them go off in the gardens soon as it gets dark.

What did they cost?

I'm going to fix him up next week. Ooh!

-We can afford it.

-That's the mortgage money.

Well, actually, that's a long way off the mortgage money.

Did you know it was due this Wednesday?

£493.50 which we don't have.

I'm getting paid tomorrow so you can count on that.

I don't get paid for a while, unfortunately, but...

lucky coin.

-Hasn't failed me yet.

-OK. I think we might need a little more than that.

-Something'll turn up.

-No, AJ!

That's what people who don't pay bills think, "something will turn up."

People who sink £500 into a motorbike.

You know, the only reason that something turns up

is cos people like me do something about it.

I'm telling you, after this, you will not even know yourself.

You know I'm pretty happy with the instant.

I will ignore that remark because you are my best friend.

MOBILE RINGS

RINGING STOPS Christian, come on. You're going to have to talk to him sometime.

He's your husband. You've got a little girl to look after.

SHE SIGHS

Fine.

-Better, ain't it?

-Mmmmm.

It's amazing.

I guess you can stay a few more nights.

Coffee did it for you, didn't it?

You can stay as long as you like, actually.

MUSIC BLARES Oh, you're kidding me. Fat Boy!

Kim?

-Kim?

-Up here!

-Have you had the fridge looked at?

-What?

-Have you had the fridge looked at?

-Can't hear you!

-Have you had the fridge...

-Huh?

-QUIETLY:

-I know you can hear me.

What, Denise?

Doesn't matter.

Denise?

DOOR SHUTS

Dee?

SHE SIGHS

Mate...

That's it. I know you got more than that, babe. Come on. Come on.

Put some backbone into it. That's it. Knees...

All right. We'll leave it there. I'll put you in the beginners' class

-which starts tomorrow night. All right? OK. Who's next?

-Me.

All right. Off we go.

Um, will I be OK in this or shall I, um, take it off?

No, no. We're going to be working pretty hard.

See this?

What?

What a girl will do if she likes someone. It's tragic really.

It's not tragic.

You like someone, you do what you have to.

That's easy for you to say.

You've done what you have to do. You've got Syed.

Let's not talk about Sy.

Something wrong?

-Get on the bag.

-Christian...

Bag.

What sort of jobs?

Anything, really. Maintenance, shelves...

I can do electrics.

I can help with plumbing if you need it.

Not sure that we do. Oh, here she is.

-Thought you were off today?

-I knew it. I knew you were avoiding me.

Not avoiding you. You're not supposed to be here.

Well, Tamwar had to duck out with AJ. What have you got to say...

about this? It's practically growing in there.

How is that my fault?

-Because that fridge is dodgy and everything in it is past its date.

-I can have a look at it if you like.

This is the thing with Denise. Negativity.

You sniff that. Tell me it's not rotten.

-Tell me I'm being negative.

-Nothing but negativity!

Oh shut up, idiot.

Sorry. Is there anything else...?

-If she finds out that I sold you...

-Well, she's not here.

-Have you heard from her?

-No.

That's why you have such trouble with husbands.

Let me know if I can help with anything.

Because it's all criticisms with you all day, innit.

I mean, where's the love, Denise?

SHARON GIGGLES

Woo. That was a great weekend.

-I can hardly walk.

-Tell me about it.

-No hills like that in London, is there?

-Oh! Me bum!

-HE LAUGHS

-All right?

-Yeah.

-All right?

-Good weekend?

-Yeah. It was lovely.

I'm going to book you in a massage.

We've got the social worker coming tomorrow

to go through Lexi's care plan. Need to get our story straight.

Go on.

-You sure?

-Yeah. It's got to be done. Where you doing it? In the pub?

-You don't need to come, Jack. It's fine.

-No, I'll come.

I'll just pack the bags away. I'll be there, yeah?

So the plan is to get the local kids in here, teach them how to box.

Give them a bit of self-respect, you know. Teach them a bit of pride.

Sounds like an amazing programme.

Yeah, well, if it works, it will be.

OK. Let's have a crack at the bag, all right?

-Thanks, guys.

-Yeah, no worries.

She's not even subtle about it.

Some girls are so pathetic.

It's, er...

It's not just some girls.

"Please come home." What? Can't he go an hour without you?

Been a bit longer than that.

I've moved out.

What?! You've only been married, like, three weeks?

You do what you have to.

Christian...

It's for the best.

-You know you're always welcome at ours.

-Thanks.

What about Yasmin?

Hopefully, we'll amicably find a way I can have her in my life.

It's for the best, Luce.

She doesn't need unhappy parents.

You guys can survive him getting married to a woman

and having her baby and it's for the best?

-Yeah, well, some things are non-negotiable.

-Like what?

Like telling your husband you love him.

What? And he doesn't do that?

No.

Not for a while now.

You know I don't have it, Dad.

Well, I was hoping that you might be able to get it.

I mean...

a loan...

a job even. Anything. I wouldn't come to you if I...

-..if I didn't really, really need it.

-I'm sorry.

I've got the rent to find for next week. I don't know

-if Christian's going to pay his half.

-Why wouldn't he?

He's moved out.

What?

Couple of days ago.

Danny!

Dad, we... We just didn't think we could make it work.

After everything you two have been through, you didn't think you could

-make it work? Are you joking?!

-What do you want me to do?

What do I... I want you to try, Syed!

-I did try.

-Well, try harder!

Try for ever. What's the point of getting married

if you're going to let it fall apart in three weeks?

What's the point of a wedding? All that money...

-Money? Is that all you can see?

-Well, it's really not a marriage, is it?

That's what it was supposed to be. With all you spent,

I thought at least you'd end up with a husband if nothing else.

Is there anything - anything - in your life, Syed,

anything at all that you haven't made a complete mess of?

I think you should probably leave.

I suppose I'll say something like...we share

a sense of responsibility towards Lexi.

And we want to make sure that she grows up

with plenty of opportunities that a lot of kids round here don't have.

-That's good stuff.

-And she's very gorgeous.

We're both very fond of her.

As we are of each other.

Been through a lot together, haven't we?

And obviously, we want Lexi to be a part of our lives together.

And you've got two kids already, that's right, isn't it, Phil?

What's your problem?

Well, they're going to ask that.

-Let's start with Ben. I mean, what's he been up to recently, eh?

-Jack!

Over here, mate.

Well, good luck with that one.

Sorry.

No, he's right.

What do I say? He's... He's banged up inside for manslaughter?

-They know all that.

-They're not going to buy it.

-Phil, they will.

-No, he's right. We've got to work harder.

-Well, how?

Come outside for a sec, will you?

Won't be a minute, babes.

What's all that about?

Don't really want to talk about it.

You're right. Probably nothing.

Nothing to worry about anyway. Don't have any history, do they?

-Are you having a laugh?

-Please.

No. No. Absolutely not.

No!

She's my granddaughter.

-This is the only way, Sharon.

-This is not the only way.

It's the best way I can think of.

-You don't have to wear it all the time.

-That's right, is it?

Just for the meeting.

Just for the meeting.

Try it on then, yeah?

It fits.

This is it, boys. Day one of a new beginning.

-You all right?

-Hey, babe.

Glass of cava for you?

-OK. Why not?

-Right, who's paying for this?

-He is.

So, listen, babe, you know the money I was trying to get for Fighting Fit,

-the new boxing programme?

-Yeah?

-It just came in.

Really?

Few quid in the bank, pay off the first set of invoices.

Then we got a couple of local kids that want to join the gym,

then we launch in a couple of weeks, right?

Yeah. Can't wait, can we, eh? Long as them cheques keep rolling in.

Sean was a terrible sleeper.

What a surprise.

I ended up sleeping on the floor of his bedroom,

flat on the carpet, and eventually he'd nod off.

With Stacey, I put teething gel on her dummy.

-So you drugged her?

-No!

Everyone used to do that.

-Why didn't you bring the mattress in?

-What?

-With Sean.

Why didn't you put the mattress on the floor and go to sleep on it?

No idea.

GLASS SHATTERS Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. It's all right, it's all right. Don't panic.

Kat. I got it, all right? Why don't you go upstairs,

-have a bit of a rest? Go on.

-I can't. What if Tommy wakes up?

-And it's bonfire night...

-Kat seriously, sweetheart.

We can't keep going on like this.

Look at you. You're exhausted. You've not smiled for weeks.

Just go upstairs and have a rest. Go on, yeah? Go on. That's my girl.

BABY CRIES

Listen. He's just tired, all right? Remember what we said.

-Yep. Stick to the plan.

-Yes.

-Let him cry if we have to.

Short-term pain...

-Long-term gain.

-Go on, go. That's my girl. Go on.

TELEPHONE RINGS

'This is Zainab. Hurry up and leave a message after the beep.'

HORN BEEPS

ENGINE REVS

HORN BEEPS AGAIN

KNOCKING ON DOOR

ENGINE REVS AND HORN BEEPS

Turn it off.

Turn it off!

I thought you were getting rid of that.

-I am. Comfy, Tam?

-No.

-He loves it.

Can you just tell him what this is all about cos I can't feel my bum?

Sold it. That's a chunk there for the mortgage. 500 quid. The rest

on delivery and that'll take care of expenses. I told you

something would turn up.

-I don't know what to say.

-Who cares what you say?

We've got a crate of fireworks and a car load of dancing girls.

And when it gets dark, they are both kicking off.

Sorry, a car load of...?

HORN BEEPS

Preeti, Dani, Sophie, and...

Dani. You can change in there, girls.

Are you mad? What do we need dancing girls for?! Hello.

Hi. Masood.

-Hello. Masood. Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi. Welcome.

Friends of mine.

Lovely girls. Sophie's got a PhD in...astrophysics.

I don't know what just happened there.

Or astronomy, maybe.

-WHISPERS:

-Turn it over. Other way. This way.

Kat, you promised, darling.

-He's wide awake. Look at him. What's wrong with us?

-Nothing.

He's not a baby any more. He should be sleeping.

He will.

You can't keep saying that. We've got to do something about this.

Come here. Come on. Right.

-I want you to get a duvet.

-Why?

-If we're going to be up all night,

-we might as well enjoy ourselves.

-No.

Yes. Kat, listen, this is a miserable room at the moment.

I can barely keep me eyes open. You're getting teary and grumpy.

We need to make this a happy room. Right?

Don't we? Yes. Happy room, eh, Tommy?

How are you?

I'm fine.

-You still staying at Roxy's?

-Not any more, no.

So where?

Doesn't matter.

Went to make coffee this morning...

The pot's gone.

Yeah, well, it does belong to me.

Yeah, I know, but...

..little things.

Busy day?

Just at the gym.

I was at the gym, you can ask Lucy, cos I'm not like you.

-You going to throw that into every conversation from now on?

-Yeah.

-Do you think that's fair?

-Yes, I do.

I want us to work.

I want us to try.

I think Daddy wants a cuddle.

You go give him a big cuddle.

Hey.

You know how easy it is to be with somebody else?

You see that guy sat opposite you on the tube, he gives you that look

and you could be off at the next stop. But I don't do that.

When I get that look, I don't do that.

Because I think about how much I love you

and how much it would hurt you. THAT is what trying is.

I made a mistake.

I'm trying to fix it.

And how you going to do that exactly?

By having you here.

By you coming home.

Please?

It hasn't been an easy time for me.

I know it's not been easy for you but...

-..we just want you home.

-Why?

Why would I do that?

Because...

..Yasmin loves you.

Look at her.

Daddy.

She misses her Daddy Christian, don't you?

Come home.

DOOR SHUTS

-Mmmm.

-Hey.

-Perfect. Just finishing. So this is what we're going to do...

-We're going to have a bit of dinner...

-Yeah.

-Then we're going

-to take Dennis to the fireworks.

-I don't fancy going all the way to Victoria Park.

-No, it ain't there. Masood's brother's got some, apparently.

-Oh!

Oh, and I booked a massage for Wednesday morning.

-So I'm going to powder my nose. Will you keep stirring that?

-'Course.

What's that?

I'm sorry.

What is it?

It's an engagement ring.

Yeah, I know that, but why are you wearing it?

It was Phil's idea.

Oh! I bet it flaming is!

No. We have to make it look like we're engaged

or they won't take us seriously.

Oh, Jack. Come on, he's desperate.

All right. Well, take it off.

I can't.

-What?

-It's stuck.

It was fine when he put it on but...

Oh, he put it on, did he?

Look, my fingers are swollen. I'll take it off in the morning.

No. Come here.

You're not going to bed with me wearing that.

Oh, will you shut up!

This is serious, Jack.

It's his granddaughter. Don't you understand that?

Lexi's Phil's family and if we don't get it right, they'll take her away.

If you don't get over all this "I'm bigger and stronger" rubbish

and act like a grown-up,

then you won't be having me in your bed for quite some time.

HE COUGHS

If this doesn't get it off, I'll cut that finger off, all right?

There you go. Enjoy. >

Here, Ray, do us a favour, mate.

Grab us a bottle of whisky? The good stuff under the pump.

What for?

Oh. Medicinal purposes only.

Listen, you and Trace all right to hold the fort for me?

On bonfire night?

You the man!

-Alfie!

-Yes, love!

Are you coming to see the fireworks?

Yes, I am, darling. Do us a favour.

Get out there, get us a good spot and I'll bring you out a glass, yeah?

Lovely.

Right.

The last you saw me, I was heading out looking for her.

All right. Later on.

You coming?

Yeah.

HE SIGHS

FIREWORKS EXPLODING

LAUGHTER AND TALKING IN BACKGROUND

ARABIAN MUSIC STARTS

INDISTINCT BUSTLE AND LAUGHTER

Are we ready?!

Everybody? Come on!

-CHEERING

-That's it!

Come on, hurry up!

Woah!

CHEERING

All right.

Ten, nine, eight, seven...

CROWD: Six, five, four, three...

Yeah, keep going, keep singing! Here we go now!

CROWD: ..two, one!

CHEERING AND WHISTLING

There you go, darling. Get this down your neck.

Whoa! Look at that one!

Fantastic. Unbelievable!

Better being up here than stuck out in the cold, eh?

Mmm. It's much better.

Guy Fawkes, eh?

Guy flaming Fawkes!

I mean, think about it, right, Kat,

why would anybody not want to be English?

OK, apart from the beaches, and the weather

and all that holiday stuff.

But we got it right here, ain't we? This is lovely.

Dark, cold...

and all cosied up here like this.

Yeah, it's like, we're a nation of writers and dreamers

and dragons, ain't we?

Yeah. From Shakespeare to the Jam. Bobby Moore to...

people who like to blow things up like that Guy Fawkes bloke.

Mental!

Oh, wow.

Kat, would you believe it? Tommy's fast asleep.

FIREWORKS SCREAM OUTSIDE

KNOCKS AT DOOR

All I can offer is killer coffee.

Pretty good, ain't it?

Pretty good? They're fantastic!

Kamil would go crazy. He loves fireworks!

Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, to all of you.

Syed, I was really out of line today.

You do whatever you have to do. I will support you, whatever.

AJ? You saved us!

You see that house? You saved it.

Tamwar. Tam. You're just the best boy!

I've been a nightmare, haven't I?

Yeah...

OK!

All right. Boys together. Masood boys. Yeah?

And that...belongs to you.

Turns out it WAS good luck.

Yeah!

Come on, bring it! >

MUSIC STOPS

People are trying to sleep here, you know?!

And put some clothes on!

DOORBELL RINGS PHIL: All right.

DOORBELL RINGS I said, all right, didn't I?

Phil. Lend us a tenner, will you?

I couldn't lug this all the way from the High Street on Shank's Pony.

-What is it?

-I'll explain later, just pay the man.

I've got that social worker coming. I've got to get the house straight.

What do you think this is all about, eh? Finishing touches.

Well, one of them anyway.

Yep. I'll have a couple of them, ta.

-And a couple of them ones.

-Yellow roses?

-Yellow, yeah.

-Listen, good luck today.

-Luck? I don't need no luck.

Not if me and Pops have anything to do with it, anyway.

Yeah. And one of them.

Breakfast?

Not that you've much in. What have you all been living on, air?

I'm going to go to work.

Work? Where do you work? And on an empty stomach?

Yeah, I got used to it.

I am sorry.

All right, Masood? I am sorry.

Everything just happened at the same time and...

..it was just a mess. I couldn't think straight.

-I shouldn't left like that...

-Or taken Kamil.

-You told me to go!

You said we were over.

You said it was over.

And do you think any of us were thinking clearly that day?

You didn't ask me to stay.

I was out there, missing the whole family...

-We needed you here.

-It didn't look like it last night.

Certainly didn't look like anyone was missing me last night.

You all seemed to be having a great old time.

Why don't you ask Syed how good a time he's been having lately?

Why? What's happened?

Masood, what's happened?

Never fails, does it?

The magic word?

Syed.

Just look at you.

-Well?

-Don't even ask.

Tam! Has she talked about what happened? What I did?

No, actually.

So far all we've had is, "You haven't much in.

"What have you been surviving on?"

It's like nothing's happened - it's like she's never been away.

That's what it feels like.

Does she ever actually think before she opens her mouth?

Syed?

Christian came round last night.

Right. Is he moving back in?

He asked me why he should.

And you said...?

I told him Yasmin was missing him.

Sorry, you said what?

I didn't mean it to come out like that.

What? You didn't think before you opened your mouth either?

You're both exactly the same as each other.

Maybe you should just move in together, both of you,

you and Mum, give the rest of us a break.

Three bacon sarnies to go. Quick as you can, yeah?

Got three builders back at the B&B with their tongues hanging out

and my cooker's gone and died, innit?

Not the only thing that's died, the way this lot's going on.

-Lucy?

-Environmental Health. They made a visit a few weeks back.

-Oh?

-Went through the place with a fine toothcomb.

And they didn't find anything.

But that doesn't stop them sending us all these guidelines and stuff.

So they didn't, um, give any warning at all?

No. They never do.

And if they don't like what they see, that's it,

you get the book thrown at you.

-All right, Kim?

-Where'd she go?

Dunno. She couldn't get out of here quick enough. Coffee, please.

-Steady, steady, where's the fire?

-Sorry. Emergency at home.

-What do you think of this, Phil?

-DOORBELL RINGS

Like Piccadilly Circus here this morning.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Phil?

All right, all right, I'm coming!

DOORBELL RINGS

-Hold these.

-Do what?

-Hold them, I dropped some.

First it's like Piccadilly Circus, now it's like Columbia Road market.

Oh, shush, go and get them in some water.

Who are they for?

Well, they ain't for you.

Well, come on then!

-Oh yeah, nice one, Pop.

-Lovely whiff, innit, eh? See, Phil.

Smell of baking bread, makes a house feel all welcoming.

-Lola read an article about it last night, didn't you, babe?

-Yep.

And with a few of them flowers dotted around the place...

It smells like the inside of a docks brothel in here.

We'll have to bow to your superior knowledge on that one.

Oi. Phil's been doing his bit.

Look at this place - wonder he ain't gone down with housemaid's knee.

Suppose it don't look like the usual pigsty in here.

-This is important, you know, Phil.

-Yes. Yeah I know it is.

Thought you might say that.

That's why me and Pops have billed everything to you.

Well, we can't afford it, can we?

Ooh. Oh look, Pops, he looks like a bullfrog, don't he?

The way his eyes just bulge out of his head

when he gets a little bit angry.

-Hope Lexi don't turn out like you.

-You finished?

Yes. But you ain't. Get yourself down the caff.

I know I'm the probably the last person he wants to see right now...

-Probably?

-But I really, really want to see him.

-Not here you won't.

-Don't be like this, Rox.

-Christian's not with me!

-He's not left the Square?

The mood he was in, I wouldn't bet against it, Syed.

DRUM 'N' BASS MUSIC BLARES

Much more of that and I might join him.

Look. I saw him this morning. He's with Lucy, all right?

-I've gotta go.

-Rox, I really, really am sorry.

Oh, for what? Or is the list too long?

Don't tell me, let's see - lying? Your stupid scams?

Or Danny perhaps? What do you want, Syed?

Because Christian doesn't know, and he doesn't reckon you do either.

So until you've worked that out, leave him alone.

-Give us half a dozen iced buns, will ya?

-What, no fairy cakes?

Just stick 'em in a bag, yeah?

-Sharon's on her way over.

-Right.

Yeah. Looking a million dollars she is too.

Hair's done, new clothes... nice new ring.

-I don't want no trouble.

-No, course not.

-Just one mate helping out another, right?

-Right.

A game.

Sort of.

Just like that ring, ain't it? Fake.

So is it final? You and Christian?

I've just heard all about it from your father.

Yes. He's moved out.

Well, you can't let him.

You have to fight for him. You have to refuse to let him go.

Syed, you cannot give up like this.

So that's it?

What?

After everything I've done. The business? Is all that forgotten?

No, of course not. Why do you think I left?

I was disappointed.

But that is all in the past, OK? Christian is the here and now, Syed.

I hate seeing you like this, I really do...

So that's it?

What?

This. It's all about you, it's how you feel.

-No, I am just trying to help.

-Interfere, you mean?

-Syed...

You don't know anything, Mum.

You weren't even here while it was all going on.

All what?

Just back off.

Do you think we've done enough?

-We couldn't have done any more, could we?

-What if it all goes wrong?

-It won't.

-What if they say...?

Lola, it won't. All right? Just gotta play the waiting game now.

Eh?

Look like you're off to meet the Queen.

Well, this place has scrubs up well, too.

-Not the usual pigsty? Lola.

-Charming.

Listen, there's been a slight change of plan.

I spoke to Social Services last night. They reckon there's more

chance with a fostering rather than a residency application.

What? Well, thanks for telling me, Phil.

I'm telling you now...Sharon, please, don't go into one of your moods.

This is my granddaughter we're talking about.

I mean, if this bloke says no...if I don't get this right...

-DOORBELL RINGS

-He won't. And you will.

Not if you don't let him in, though.

I thought I should come and say hello, properly.

Welcome home.

And to apologise for leaving you short-staffed like that. Tamwar,

why are you wearing that?

Why do you think?

-This is where you're working?

-Doing well he is, too.

Taken to it like a duck to water.

I can see someone has a little something to learn.

I think you'll find those things there, they go on the middle shelf.

-Not any more.

-Since when?

Since Tamwar suggested it'd make a much more eye-catching

display over there and I agreed.

In fact, it's just one of the few improvements that

old Tamwar's made in here.

Yeah, but they've always gone there,

that's how the customer knows where to find them.

OK, Mum, and now they don't go there.

Now things have changed, things aren't how they used to be.

Ring any bells?

OK, just to explain what I'm sure you already know,

I'm Rick Gekowski, a Fostering Assessment Social Worker

appointed by Walford Local Authority.

And I'm here because you've agreed to be added to the care

plan for Lexi?

Yeah, well, we decided to follow Trish's advice.

We believe this has the potential to work out best for Lexi.

So any questions so far?

Cake?

To be honest, Phil, if I ate all the cake I'm offered on these

sort of house visits, I'd be the size of a house myself.

-Just trying to make an effort.

-Yeah. Yeah. I know.

Which is a lot better than not making any at all.

I see that too many times as well.

-They hate me. All of them.

-Of course they don't.

Don't patronise me, Denise.

Why shouldn't they?

It was wrong of me to run off like that, wasn't it?

It was selfish.

It was craven. It was cowardly.

Sorry, was I supposed to say, "No it wasn't?"

All I've done since I've come back,

is I've told everybody what they're doing is wrong.

-That's just you, though.

-Interfering. All the time.

But they know you don't mean anything by it.

Tamwar was right, you know? What he said.

I can't just come back and expect to pick up where I left off.

You can't change who you are, Zee.

Can't I?

OK, so the first item on the check-list -

why do you want to care for Lexi?

Cos she's my...

..flesh and blood - it's only natural, ain't it?

-She's not your flesh and blood though, Sharon.

-No.

But for richer or poorer, better or worse...

not that having Lexi would make things worse...

All part of marriage, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Taking on each other's burdens.

Lexi ain't a burden. You know, where we come from it's simple -

never turn your back on your own.

Sounds like a good place where you come from.

And the mother?

Lola?

She'll be involved in all this too, will she?

That depends.

On what?

On her.

On you. You say, involve her, we'll involve her.

You say don't, then we'll take your advice.

And what do you say?

I mean, forget us, forget our advice -

how do you feel about all that?

I say involve her.

Nice to know we're in total agreement.

OK, so next I'd like to ask about your other children.

Here we are. Look, there's a slide.

Go on, off you go.

Hey.

No Christian today?

No.

-Holding the fort, are you?

-It's no hardship, is it?

You know, it's weird.

What is?

You look at them sometimes and you think, "I'm in prison."

Then something happens and you think,

"That's exactly where I want to be."

Throw away the key.

You're bringing a child of your own into this marriage, Sharon?

Denny. Yeah.

And Denny's father?

He was killed. A few years ago.

He got on the wrong side of a nutter.

-That can't have been easy.

-No. It was hell.

Didn't think I'd ever get out from under it.

Well, maybe I wouldn't if it hadn't been for Denny.

Your son's older, of course, isn't he, Phil?

Yeah.

And how do you feel about him, Sharon?

Well, how do you mean?

Phil's son's up on a murder charge.

It's manslaughter.

A charge he's pleaded guilty to.

Your former husband was murdered.

Well, it's like you said, Ben's already pleaded guilty,

so he won't be around for a bit.

So let's not think about it then?

No. It's just not an issue with us, that's all.

It's going to become an issue though, isn't it?

I mean forgive me, Phil, if this sounds harsh,

but even if Ben goes down for ten years, she'll hardly be

a grown woman...

..and if there are any tensions in the house...

Of course it's something we're going to have to deal with, I know that.

But what happened to my husband

really was just down to a nutter, plain and simple.

Well, what Ben did, it wasn't the same.

Before you ask, it wasn't Phil's fault either.

Phil's only looked after him for the past couple of years.

When Ben came to this country he was

already a frightened, and confused kid...

a damaged kid.

But Phil did his best, didn't you, darling?

The damage had already been done?

Yeah.

And it couldn't be undone?

Let me try and explain it a bit better...

Actually, Phil, I'd rather you did. I mean, this is your son we're

talking about and you're really not saying very much at all.

Just going to get some more coffee.

Won't be a sec.

Phil?

You heard him. What's the point? He's already made his mind up.

-No, he hasn't.

-All them questions?

Look, he's asking the sort of questions he's paid to ask,

the sort of questions anyone has to ask in his position.

There's a lot at stake here. A little girl's whole future.

Could see it in his eyes.

Leave the kid with a chancer like that? Yeah, yeah, right.

He's just doing his job, Phil, like you should be doing right now.

You're a grandfather and you have rights.

Now, start acting like one and get in there and fight for them.

And what if he's right?

What?

What if I shouldn't be left to look after her?

You said it yourself, didn't you?

There's a kid's whole future at stake.

Look what happened to the last one.

Doesn't mean Lexi'll turn out the same.

Fair bet something bad is going to happen, ain't it?

Look at my track record. It's not just Ben, is it?

It's Lou as well.

So you don't even try.

What kind of future is she going to have, then?

Is everything OK?

Yeah, yeah, course, we were just coming back.

Is there anything that either of you two want to tell me?

Look - Phil, Sharon, this is only going to work

if you're both completely honest with me.

-Yeah, let's be honest, shall we?

-Yeah. Let's.

We're both feeling that we're not quite what you're looking for.

We're both feeling like you're expecting someone else.

So let's put this on the line, shall we?

What exactly are you expecting? Perfect parents?

Well, we ain't that.

What do you want? People who've never made a mistake?

We're not that either.

Who were you hoping to meet?

People who've never screwed up? Well, go somewhere else.

So that's what we're not.

But what we are, is us.

And as far as kids are concerned, we'd go to the ends of the earth for them.

Will we make mistakes? Yeah. Yeah.

Probably. Could we do things better from time to time?

Almost definitely.

Will we mess up now and again like every other parent in the world?

Then take us out and shoot us.

So who else were you hoping to meet?

Hallelujah, it speaks.

I thought you'd taken a vow of silence or something.

Someone who'd let you get a word in edgeways?

Cos you won't find that here either.

Oh, hark at him. The original motormouth most of the time.

See what I mean?

The only man who opens his big gob to put his size tens in it.

But listen, no-one will ever, ever harm our kids...

..and there's no parent in the world who could love them more.

Now if that's not enough, I suggest you take your files,

and your case notes, and your questions...

..and, well, you stick 'em where the sun don't shine.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Sure you don't want some cake?

Christian, I've been leaving messages all morning.

Please call me.

I've been doing some thinking - a lot of thinking

about me and you...

..and Yasmin...

BUZZER

Amira.

Hi.

How'd it go?

I don't know.

And what's this I'm hearing about fostering all of a sudden?

Yeah, Pops heard from the Social.

Lola, look, it's the best chance we've got,

it doesn't change anything, you know?

You're still Lexi's mum.

He hasn't said anything?

What's he doing now then?

He wanted to go through Phil's businesses.

-I know him.

-What?

Yeah. He worked on a couple of child protection cases I was involved in.

Oh. Is that right?

-Oh no...

-Jack, just a quick word?

-No.

-Please? And find out what he's thinking.

That won't be very professional, will it?

Yeah, but you're not a professional. Any more.

So are you working round here?

Yeah. Just been to see Phil Mitchell and Sharon Rickman.

Do you know them?

I've seen them around, yeah.

Phil owns this place, doesn't he?

Yeah. I don't really come in here that much.

-So you don't know much about them then?

-Such as?

You know? What they're like? are they well suited...?

Yeah, yeah, I think so...

Nice try, Jack.

I saw Sharon talking to you not five minutes ago.

-I can guess what about too.

-Ah.

-She's a resourceful lady.

-Yeah, she is.

Then again, sounds like she's had to be.

I can't give you any inside track, you know that.

That's fair enough.

But for what it's worth, I agree.

I think they're well suited too.

Thank you.

For...?

For agreeing to sit down with me and to listen to what I have to say.

I'm very grateful.

Great. So where's Mum?

-What?

-I think she's been abducted by aliens,

and they've sent an imposter in her place.

-Tamwar!

-That's more like it.

I have acted very badly.

Not just in going away, but also since I've come back.

But all of that is going to change...

..because from now on I am going to change.

Ah. And where've we heard that before?

From now on there will be no more...

meddling, interfering...

secrets...

nagging...

judging...

complaining and definitely no more taking sides.

That is my promise to you.

That is my pact.

Well, say something.

Masood?

Dream on.

All done?

Just getting Sharon a drink to say thanks.

That is OK, ain't it?

Wouldn't want you getting the wrong idea.

No chance.

Well, no need is there? It's like you said -

it's all fake.

You should have called.

You could have taken Yasmin out for the day, spent some time with her.

You know, proper family time.

Actually, it's family I wanted to talk to you about.

I'm, um...

..I'm getting married again.

I met someone whilst I was away. I know it's a bit of a whirlwind,

but...

-You're happy.

-Very.

Well, I'm pleased.

-The thing is, my fiance...

-He doesn't know about Yasmin?

No, he knows about her...

If it's difficult you can take things slowly,

build up contact gradually.

He lives in Birmingham.

He wants us to be a family, Syed.

A proper family. Right from the start and so do I.

We want to be together.

Him, me...

..and Yasmin.

MUSIC PLAYS

Yeah. This... Um, you can't do this.

Oh, yes, I can. Your mum promised, remember?

No more interfering, no more complaining, no more nagging.

How can we pass up a chance like this?

-But she will kill you.

-Exactly.

She'll break her word, snap it like a twig.

There's no way she can keep that mouth of hers shut.

Come on, we've probably only got till lunch time,

we may as well enjoy it while we can.

Eh?

Yeah.

Good morning.

Hello.

Daddy.

-HE LAUGHS

-Daddy.

Yeah.

SHE MOANS

OK, OK, OK.

There you go, two bacon butties, straight from the Palace kitchen.

Fit for royalty, no less.

-Excuse me?

-Oh, more milk?

OK. Just give me a minute.

Hiya!

-Ian!

-Kim... Um...

I saw you.

When?

Yesterday, with your dodgy bin bags.

There wasn't any dodgy bin bags.

Then why were you hiding them?

What, I can't even put out my rubbish without it being front page news?

Those bags were full of out-of-date food, OK.

Look, you've got to be careful.

Because if someone else sees you do what I saw you do,

they're going to jump to the wrong conclusions.

Ian, I run a very tight ship here, OK? So just don't worry.

Listen, the last thing you, or Lucy, or anybody else needs

-is to be under the spotlight for food hygiene, OK?

-OK.

MUSIC PLAYS

Oh, what...

Morning, Zainab.

-AJ.

-Sleep well?

Yes, slept very well, thank you.

If you need any breakfast, just help yourself.

No, I...

I seem to have lost my appetite.

Tamwar. Good morning.

Mum.

Have you run out of socks?

SHE CHUCKLES

No.

Good morning. Sleep well?

Hm.

Can I get you anything? Some tea, coffee?

Some coffee, if there is any...

Great. Coffee coming right up.

Oh... Zee Zee, I think some Kashmiri chai would go down much better.

Kashmiri chai?

Uh-huh.

Coming right up.

I know what you're doing, AJ. It's not going to be that easy.

CLOCK TICKING

-Alfie, wake up.

-Mmm...

It's Tommy.

-Kat, he'll stop. I promise you he'll stop...

-No, he has!

-What?

HE SIGHS

Listen. Look at the time!

-No.

-Yeah!

-No, it isn't.

-It is.

THEY LAUGH

It is! Good boy, Tommy.

That's my boy! Well done, son.

-Come on, just another half an hour.

-Yeah.

-You want to make me a fry up.

-Yeah, right.

-Yeah, go on.

Sausage, egg, bacon, beans,

tomatoes, toast, fried bread.

-Oh!

-There you go.

I don't suppose you've got another?

-Another?

-Yeah.

What do you need so much ice for?

To keep my fresh food "on ice," as they say.

You know, chilled and preserved to perfection.

Right.

Well, just until my new fridge comes. It comes today, yeah.

Top of the range. No less.

Nice.

It's cold, innit?

KNOCKING ON DOOR

-There.

-Thanks.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Oh, I need to get that.

Do you think he's all right?

-Course he's all right. He's just out for the count, ain't he?

-He can't be.

-Yes, well, he is.

-He slept right through. We slept right through.

-Kat, I know. Shh, I know.

So what do we do now?

Come on.

Kat, Alfie, delivery!

Oh, there you are...

Jean, shh. It's Tommy!

Oh, I'm so sorry. I haven't woken him up, have I?

-He slept right through, eight hours.

-Brilliant!

I always knew he would, eventually.

-Well, me and Kat have got some catching up to do, OK?

-Anything I can help you with?

Uh... No, I think I can manage.

THEY CHUCKLE

So I'll tell the delivery men you'll be down in a tick then, yeah?

Yeah. Cheers, Jean.

Yeah, thanks, Jean(!)

KAT LAUGHS

Kim, is that you?

Yeah, just a sec.

Hey, babe.

-Hi.

-OK, so listen, your cooker's not working, you know the reason why?

Why?

You're going to need some of these.

-Mice?

-'Fraid so.

What, they'd switched it off?

No, they chewed through the cable.

-Oh.

-But, but, but I have replaced it.

Oh, thank you.

So what's going on?

Is there nothing that you can't do?

I think you deserve a little... A little...

Ah! Hey!

-Your hands are freezing, babe.

-What?

-What have you been doing?

-Nothing.

Babe, your hands are ice cold.

Well, you know what they say, the colder the hands,

the warmer everywhere else is.

Speaking of colder, what's going on with the fridge?

Oh, uh... Modernising. Nothing but the best for here.

So where's all the food?

-In the caff.

-The caff?

Lucy's letting me keep the stuff in their fridge.

OK, all right.

But listen anyway, yeah? If you need anything else...

Later.

Promises, promises.

SHE SIGHS

Finished?

Yeah. Oh, oh, just leave it. We've got a system.

No point washing up every time a couple of things get dirty.

That way, we only have to do it every couple of days.

Sounds like a good system.

Syed. Hello.

Mum.

Look, I'll get straight to the point.

Amira's getting married and she's asked if...

Well, if I would consider letting her take...

..have Yasmin.

As a bridesmaid? How lovely.

No, full time.

Well, that's Amira for you. As soon as she hears that you and Christian have split up...

She doesn't know.

-Would anyone like some more chai?

-You have said no, of course?

I haven't said anything right now.

But I think I've got to do what's best for Yasmin.

And right now, I can't hold a candle to what Amira has to offer.

Offer? What does she think...?

Syed, you can't, OK.

No, Zainab, this has nothing to do with us.

This is Syed's decision, and his alone.

-Dad's right.

-Right? How is he right?

How is it right that she should grow up away from us and from her family?

Tambo...

Mum? Can you just say something and stop this stupid pact thing?

OK, sweetheart. There is nothing to say.

Nothing to say? She's your grand-daughter. Both of you.

Look, I've got to go. Mum...

You can't just let this happen, OK.

Please, just don't make this any harder than it already is.

It should be hard, it should be impossible.

OK, enough, Tam.

Can you not see that he's in agony?

He doesn't know what to do.

OK, I don't care what he's done,

I just don't see why Yasmin should pay for it.

So you still ain't heard anything from the social worker?

-Well, he never said he'd call.

-Maybe we should call?

No, leave it. It's fine.

Are you sure? Are you sure the interview went all right?

Yeah.

Well, it was a bit of a rocky start, but once we got going...

Rocky start?

Well, it's only you sit there thinking one wrong word and...

But, Lola, it's fine, really. Nothing to worry about.

-Still, got a long way to go.

-Yeah.

She knows, she knows. Don't you?

Thanks, Sharon.

You don't have to thank me, it was my pleasure.

Maybe we should get Lexi something.

-Take it to the parenting class, you know, to celebrate.

-Yeah.

Here you are, let me.

No, no, no. Phil, it's all right, I've got it.

Come on, don't be silly. Take it, it's fine.

No, no, it's all right.

Cora's put a few bits away, only costs a couple of quid.

-It's all right, don't need it.

-You sure?

Yeah. I mean, she just said, we got it.

What are you doing?

I was looking for an earring. I lost it last week.

Where's all the milk gone from breakfast?

It's finished, finished.

The sooner that fridge gets here, the better.

Well, it's on its way as we speak.

You see now, that's the difference between me and you, Denise.

I waited for the sales. It's called savvy. Business savvy.

Yes. Let's hope that's not the only difference, then.

You know what, I could sell these rooms five times over.

Yes, I dare say, but you're not having mine.

You're not having mine.

-Oh!

-Hello, it's Matthew Grindlay.

-Yes, come in.

Environmental Health Inspector.

Are you Kimberley Fox?

-No. I mean, yes.

-Well, I think I'd better stay, then.

No, no. It's all right. Thanks a lot for everything, yeah. See you later. Have a good day, see you later.

So, are you looking for a room?

No. I'm sorry to report, but there's been a complaint.

A complaint?

One of your guests at breakfast

said there were mouse droppings on her plate.

SHE LAUGHS

-No, no...

-I'm afraid so.

No. Well, no-one complained to me.

That is often the case.

Well, no. No, sorry, no.

Whatever the mouse is said to have done, it didn't do it here.

-No?

-No.

Because... For starters... my cooker is not working.

And I can prove it.

Then, who did cook the breakfast?

Well, that's easy.

Across the Square, round the corner is a caff called Cindy's.

They cooked it.

Right.

Right.

Yes.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

She's finding it really tough.

Most of the time she gets to spend with Lexi is in a parenting class.

Listen to me, anyone who can give birth on McKlunkys' floor

can overcome anything.

HE CHUCKLES

Yeah, I suppose.

-She'll get there.

-Pops!

Hey, there she is.

-All right?

-All right.

Look, do you think she'll like that?

-Ah, she's going to love it.

-What time we got to be there?

Oh, sorry, Pops, I promised Sharon.

She really wanted to come and after everything she's done, I...

Oh, yeah, yeah, that's, that's fine. No worries.

You sure?

Yeah, that's cool.

-Cool?

-Yeah, cool.

-See ya.

-See ya.

-How much for the...?

-Forget it.

-Are you sure?

-Give it to me when you've got a job.

And if I hear of anything, I'll let you know.

Thanks, Cora.

-That must've been hard.

-No, what?

Not saying anything to Syed.

Well, it is important that I keep my promise.

And I've said that I will change, and I am trying to change.

You can speak, you know.

Of all the times that I wished that Christian was not with Syed

and it happens to be now.

I mean, how much bad luck can one person stand?

This didn't just happen, Zee, this is not kismet.

This is a result of the choices he's made.

He's made, no-one else. And it's time for him to take responsibility for them.

Everyone makes mistakes.

No, this isn't a mistake, this is Syed for the first time in his life

having to put somebody else's best interests before his own.

I'm not blind.

I can see he's in a bad way, I can see how painful this is

but, you know what, Zee, I'm glad.

Finally, he has to take responsibility for his own actions.

If he's to mature, if he's to grow up,

-then he has to deal with this himself.

-Masood...

Zee, no, it would be wrong, it would be very wrong

if he was to pass off his daughter's future onto you, me or anyone else.

He's her father, he's the only one that can make this decision.

Either he steps up to the plate, or...

Or?

We're not going to lose Yasmin.

That is not going to happen, not with Amira.

Given the chance, she'd make a wonderful mother.

And if I didn't think that,

then I'd be fighting for Yasmin with every last breath in my body.

I've got a couple of things to do...

..before my shift.

Masood...

I'm sorry about you and Christian.

You know?

I was in the Minute Mart this morning.

The timing of my visit couldn't have been much worse, could it?

-I can come back in a week, a couple of weeks?

-No, no, no. It wouldn't make a difference, would it?

My life would still be a mess, my relationship a disaster,

-and my prospects nonexistent.

-Don't say that.

-Why not?

It's true.

I take it you haven't spoken to Christian, then?

There's no point.

Look, Syed, I know you, remember?

I also know what it's like to love someone and lose them.

Think of everything you gave up, everything it cost you,

you'd do it all again, wouldn't you?

You know it's true.

Why are you doing this?

Because taking Yasmin away is going to be difficult.

It's got to be the right decisions for the right reasons,

not because I've caught you at a bad time.

Look, for our daughter's sake, yours and mine,

please don't do anything until you've spoken to Christian.

My beautiful, adorable, wide-awake goddess of love.

I'm talking to you, Kat, all right.

THEY LAUGH

I'm just thinking, right, the bar's not too busy

and Roxy's holding the fort, maybe we could...

-We could...?

-We could maybe have a little siesta

without the siesta, eh?

Oi, any chance of getting a drink round here, or what?

Ah, spoke too soon, didn't I?

What can I get you, girls?

-Three large scotches, please. At last.

-Right.

Oh, my head... It's like living in a drum machine.

-Lucky girl.

-What I don't understand is why would anyone pay Fat Boy to listen to that?

That says you're getting old, Rox.

Oh, thank you. What have you done with Scarlett this time anyway?

She's up there with Tommy and Aunty Jean.

Oh, yeah? See you later.

Kat, can you and Alfie take over this afternoon?

-I've got a headache.

-Yeah, sure.

You got a problem with that?

-No, we had plans, but I'll make it up to him later.

-Good.

Here, lads. I tell you, forget your waterboarding,

you want proper torture, yeah?

Try getting up with Tommy five times in the night.

But you know that lovely moment you go to sleep, it's like... Ahhhh!

And you hear that little snoring... And it just feels so good!

THEY CHUCKLE

Now you're back in the land of the living,

-there's a poker game tomorrow night, you in?

-You try keeping me out, mate.

-Good.

Listen, I thought you said

-Lucy was going to put all your stuff in her fridge?

-No, no, I said she offered.

Ah, that's lucky.

Health inspector's been in there all morning.

-Really?

-Uh-huh.

Ian looked pretty worried.

You know, I'll be back in a minute.

-OK.

-Yeah.

Sleep, sleep, perchance to dream...

You know what, I preferred it when you didn't sleep.

-He's in a good mood, don't spoil it.

-Sounds like he's on a promise.

HE CHUCKLES

-He is, actually.

-Oh, yeah? Lucky boy.

I think she smiled at me.

No, she definitely did.