22/03/2012 EastEnders

It was about...six o'clock.

I came straight from here to find Jay, didn't I?

I'd left Shirley and went back to the Arches.

Jay was working on a motor.

I had nothing better to do so I stayed and helped him.

It was the carburettor.

Gear box.

Ben held the light.

I don't let him near the engine.

When I say "gear box"... you know, it could be anything.

Cars ain't really my thing.

Of course I was angry. The boy got me arrested, didn't he?

But at the end of the day, we're family. We stick together.

SHE SIGHS

How long does it take to get one bottle of sherry?

DOT CHUCKLES

Come on, let's get out there and see what all the fuss is about, eh?

Well, I suppose it is our civic duty.

What's the betting... it's something really grizzly?

Oh, Cora!

CORA LAUGHS

What're they doing with him in there?

We just have a few questions we need to ask your son.

-He hasn't done anything.

-It's standard procedure, Mrs Cotton.

But he was with me all afternoon. Playing Bridge.

We always play on Wednesdays.

415, I need DS Crisp. Over.

-Roxy left some clothes for you.

-Any word from Ben and Jay?

Getting a proper grilling, by the sound of it.

-I better get out of these.

-Yeah.

Miss Carter, we're ready for YOU now.

What about my two boys?

They're free to go, Mr Mitchell. They're just changing.

Should we wait for you here?

I was mugged once, outside the Co-op.

Oh, how terrible.

That kid needed 11 stitches in his head by the time I'd finished.

Guns. Happy flashing. It's a wonder anyone dare leave their own house.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's got something to do with that club.

Letting teenagers drink their own body weight? That's not right.

Anyone got any idea why there's all them police outside?

I'm going to get on to the Chief Constable as soon as I get home.

We are on speaking terms.

You know, ever since me and Ethel started the Neighbourhood Watch.

You'll never guess what I've just heard.

They've only gone and found a body. A woman, apparently.

-God rest her soul.

-Is she local?

-They wouldn't say.

Right, that's it. I'm going to take you girls home. Come on.

On our own doorstep. What's the world coming to?

You don't breathe a word of this to Beale, do you understand me?

One murder investigation wasn't enough for you, was it?

She a friend of yours?

Heather, she used to clean for us.

Sad business. Young mum. About to get married, I heard.

Still. Rest assured, we've got the best man for the job on it.

Has Ben told you his news?

It seems the CPS weren't too happy

about his recent memory lapse.

I'll be in touch shortly.

Shall I...get us a cab?

Come on, Jay.

Do you want me to wait for Shirl?

I don't want you... anywhere near her.

What was the first thing you noticed

-when you walked into Miss Trott's flat?

-It's Hev.

-How many times do I have to say it? It's Hev!

-Please,

Miss Carter.

The place was in a right state.

The drawers had been pulled out and there was papers everywhere.

That's when I first saw her.

I thought she was mucking about, didn't I?

So...

..I shook her a bit.

But she didn't move.

She just laid there.

I told her to get up. I said it wasn't funny any more.

Least she could do was make us a couple of WooWoos.

-VOICE CRACKS:

-But she's gone, hasn't she?

My beautiful Hev, gone and left me on my own.

You don't reckon it was a break-in, do you?

We can't rule anything out.

But if it wasn't some thief, then who in the flat?

Who'd want to hurt my Hev?

That's what we intend to find out.

According to her phone log, Miss Trott called you

at 6:20 this evening.

Yeah, she left a message.

Can you recall what the message said?

Just banging on about some row we had.

Why're you asking ME all these questions?

You should be out there finding the scum that did it!

-I shan't get a wink of sleep.

-Little nightcap will do the trick.

Well it might take the edge off the shock.

Rose Elizabeth! Whatever is it?

It's Heather.

What about her?

They, um... The police found her body earlier on this evening.

What happened?

They won't tell us anything at all.

Oh, Rose. I...I think probably we should head down

to the police station, huh?

See if they've finished with Andrew.

You two go.

I'll look after Dot.

Shirley.

-What's he doing here?

-Mr Cotton's just helping us with our enquiries.

Why?

You think he's got something to do with it?

Mr Cotton's here for the same reason you are, Miss Carter.

Would you like an officer to drive you home?

You ain't going to get a minute's peace from me.

I'm going to be here every day until you catch the scum that did this!

I'm sorry to have to kept you waiting, Mr Cotton.

As I'm sure you can imagine, it's been a busy night.

First of all, can I offer condolences on behalf of my team.

Thank you.

How long have you known your fiancee?

Since last August.

And you lived together?

-I moved in a few weeks ago.

-And you were due to get married tomorrow. Is that right?

Would you like us to continue with this in the morning?

No, I just want to get it over with.

When did you last see your fiancee?

About four o'clock this afternoon.

And how did she seem?

She was just, um...

Just Heather.

And did you part on good terms?

Mr Cotton?

I've got some ivory beads what I'd saved from an old dress...

I was going to make Dotty a little bag,

cos we've still got that hem to finish.

Yeah. Two pairs of hands are better than one.

Shirley, this is, um...

I'm Maria de Costa from Walford Children Services.

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

I need a drink.

I know it's been a difficult night for you,

but I'm afraid I do need to talk to you about George.

Provisions have been made to have him

-taken into temporary foster care...

-You ain't taking him anywhere!

George's wellbeing is paramount to us.

-As I'm sure it is for you.

-His mum is...

His mum was my best mate. I'm his godmother.

-You're also part of a murder investigation, Miss Carter.

-Get her out of here!

Shirley, she's just trying to do her job.

You're all going to stand there and let them do this?!

What about you, Roxy?

Remember the grief they gave you over Amy?

Please, can you just give her a few more hours?

I'm sorry. We just want to get George settled for the night.

You can't just take him! Phil, do something!

-SHE SOBS:

-He should be with his family!

Just let him go, Shirl. Let him go.

I really am sorry...

about your friend.

We'll put a plan of action together in the morning.

Sorry, I just can't do this.

You want me to go after him?

Yeah, just try and keep him calm,

yeah?

He's not as sussed as you are.

SHIRLEY SOBS

He should be with his dad.

He should be with Hev.

Phil!

Please stay with me.

DOOR OPENING

Dad's worried about you.

Look, if you carry on like this,

you'll mess it up for everyone, Jay.

-How can you act like nothing's happened?

-Someone's got to.

-You killed her, Ben.

-No, Jay. It was an accident.

I was there, remember?

Well, what do you want me to do?!

I mean, I can't change it now, can I?

Me and you. We're all right?

Brothers.

Yeah?

You ain't my brother!

-Don't say that.

-Seeing your face.

That look in your eyes.

There's something not right with you, Ben.

Look, in the next couple of weeks, everything will have calmed down.

-This don't change anything.

-It changes everything!

Nothing is ever going to be the same again.

We're in this together, remember!

-This is your mess and I want nothing to do with it.

-Ain't you forgetting something?

I've got your back, Jay.

I'm going to look after you.

I've just spoken to a Reverend Stevens of St Cuthbert's.

He seems to be under the impression that you called this afternoon

-to cancel your booking for tomorrow.

-That's right.

Did your fiancee know you were planning to call off the wedding?

We were, um... We were going to elope.

How romantic(!)

-Was anyone else aware of these plans?

-No.

Just Heather.

Seems rather drastic, considering everyone's already made arrangements.

It was the stress, weren't it?

Trying to please everyone.

Tell me. Do you often get stressed, Mr Cotton?

You don't know my old dear.

That would be Rose Cotton,

25 Albert Square.

Your mother claims you were playing cards with her all afternoon.

Yet the barmaid of the Queen Victoria claims you were

drinking in the pub from four till gone six.

So which is it?

My mum was mistaken.

She seemed so certain at the time.

Tell me, Mr Cotton.

Does your mother make a habit of lying for you?

She was just mistaken.

'Tell me, Mr Mitchell,'

how well do you know Andrew Cotton?

I was drinking with him this afternoon, funnily enough.

And how did he seem to you?

I think he'd had a bit of a bust up with Hev.

He reckoned that the wedding was off.

Was he drinking much?

Three or four pints while I was with him.

-Sorry, why do you want to know this?

-Roxy, just let him do his job!

Then he just stormed out.

Had a right face on him, he did.

I think, er...Hev mentioned something about it on her voicemail.

Shirl? Shirl, come in here a sec, will you?

That, er...

..that message from Hev.

She said something about Andrew, didn't she?

I can't remember, did she?

The message was deleted. Is that right, Miss Carter?

Well, I must have done it by accident.

But you can still retrieve it, can't you?

No, I'm afraid not.

Try and remember, yeah? It could be important.

She... She said that she had to go, didn't she?

Something about Andrew banging on the door and...

Do you...?

We've kept you up long enough. You've all been very helpful.

-You all right, love?

-He's just a bit tired. Ain't you, mate?

Cast your mind back to Friday 16th March.

-It was your stag do, wasn't it?

-If you could call it that.

Several eye witnesses tell me

there was a bit of bother at R&R.

Is that right?

Either you can tell me or I can get one my officers to check the CCTV.

It's entirely up to you, Mr Cotton.

I had a bust-up with the missus, didn't I?

Another one? What about this time?

-Something and nothing.

-There was a stripper, wasn't there?

No man wants to walk in and find his wife writhing around with

-a half-naked stranger, does he?

-Heather ain't like that.

The night culminated with you punching a wall. Is that right?

Hardly what you'd call something and nothing, is it?

Can you tell me who Ron Butler is?

-He's my Mum's ex.

-Get on well, did you?

Not really.

You put him in hospital, didn't you?

Fractured his skull.

Ended up doing a stint at Her Majesty's pleasure.

-Isn't that right?

-Yeah.

You got a bit of a temper, Mr Cotton?

-(When I'm provoked.)

-Sorry?

I said, when I'm provoked.

What about earlier this evening, Mr Cotton?

Were you provoked then?

No...

Shirley, are you in there?

She won't talk to me.

Maybe you'll have more luck.

I'll put the kettle on.

Where's Ben?

-Phil, what've you done with him?

-Ian?

-If he's hurt you...

-I haven't touched him.

What... I... What's happened?

The Old Bill saw sense, didn't they?

Well I don't... I don't...

Ian, Dad knows.

It's all right.

And everything's OK between you two?

Look, Ben...

I did this for you.

I knew if it went to trial, it was going to be too late, so...

What're you talking about?

-Ian?

-I told the police, OK?

I told them that you'd lied to them.

But Ben, I only did it to protect you, OK?

-You've got to believe me.

-It was you?

Yeah. Well, it's all came good in the end, ain't it?

-Mrs B, why don't you give that a rest?

-What are you doing here?

I've got a wedding dress to finish. All I want is a bit of peace.

-SHE SHOUTS:

-Is that too much to ask?

Well, I ain't going nowhere.

I don't want you here. I don't want nobody here.

-Well, you know, I just want to help, Mrs B.

-It ain't right!

A young boy spending his time with pensioners.

Well, I see you more as family. You're good company.

I am NOT good company! I ain't good company to no-one.

This used to be my house, you know. Before Jim, before the Jacksons.

And I took a young girl in, a troubled young girl.

And she died. She died right here in this room.

Poor, troubled Donna. With her whole life before her.

Every time I care for someone,

they get taken from me.

So you go! Get out!

-Before something happens to you. Go on!

-No, Mrs...

-No, get out!

-Mrs B...

-Go! Will you go? Get out!

-Do you know a William Mitchell, Mr Cotton?

-Yeah.

You were drinking with him in the Queen Victoria earlier today?

-Yeah.

-He said you were rather down in the dumps.

Does that sound fair to you?

I told you. I'd had a bust-up with the missus, didn't I?

That would explain why you told him the wedding was off.

He said that you just downed your drink and then you upped and left.

Where were you going, Mr Cotton?

I thought Heather might be waiting for me at the station.

There's no evidence she packed a bag, let alone planned to elope.

What can you tell me about this envelope, Mr Cotton?

-It was the money for our wedding.

-How much are we talking about?

A grand.

This was a gift for the two of you. Is that right?

Auntie Dot gave it to Heather.

So how did it end up in your possession?

Heather gave it to me to look after.

Did anyone witness this exchange?

No.

Tell me, Mr Cotton...

..where is the money now?

Some tramp went and nicked it.

How convenient for you(!)

I'll tell you what I think happened, shall I?

You left the pub before going back to the flat

with the sole intention of stealing this money.

-You make out it was a burglary...

-I never went back there.

We have a witness who claims there was a voicemail from your fiancee

which states that you were at the door moments before her death.

I'd say that was more than just a coincidence, wouldn't you?

You got cold feet.

You made out that you were eloping,

whereas all along you were intending to do a runner.

-No.

-Rather a high price to pay, don't you think?

A thousand pounds.

I loved her!

Andrew Cotton, I'm arresting you on suspicion

of the murder of Heather Trott.

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned

something which you later rely on in court.

Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

You never said...how you got on at the station.

It's all a jumble.

Did they...ask about the boys?

Why would they?

I feel like I'm in a bad dream, Phil.

And all I want is someone to come along and wake me up.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Phil, it's me! Open the door!

Billy, what're you doing, eh?

I've only just managed to get her to sleep.

I just thought Shirley might want to pay her respects.

They're moving Hev's body.

What're you all standing there for?

PHIL BREATHES HEAVILY

It's over.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd