26/12/2012 EastEnders

MUSIC: "In The Bleak Midwinter"

CAROL SIGHS

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

Oh. Hey. You all right?

-Yeah, yeah. You?

-Yeah, I'm good. I'm good. I'm all right.

Er...

Sleep OK?

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Yeah...

Sleeping on the old couch is like sleeping on a big, fluffy cloud or something, you know.

-Give you that.

-Thank you.

-< AMY:

-Mummy!

Oh, OK, all right. No, no, no, it's all right.

-I'll go...

-No, no, no, no. No, no, you stay where you are.

She's in front of the telly with Tommy. She's fine.

< Mummy!

SHE CHUCKLES

Oh, darling, if you're looking for the Tube, what you want to do -

you want to go right onto Bridge Street, then follow the road round.

Suit yourself.

It's Christmas! Hey, D, put the buck's fizz on ice.

Time to open up presents!

It was yesterday.

-What?

-Oh, today's Boxing Day.

You do remember Christmas Eve? Mo's punch.

You dressed as a Christmas tree.

It rings a vague bell.

Yeah. Three times I come in to wake you up yesterday.

-Three times, and you pushed me away.

-Are you telling me that I've been sleeping since Monday?

Leaving me to play charades...

-with Shirley.

-So what happened to Christmas?

-It's been and gone. Get over it.

KNOCK ON DOOR

-I just wanted to check you were all right.

-I'm fine.

Just go, will you?

There's things we need to discuss.

-MAX SIGHS

-I thought we talked yesterday.

That pub across the road. I'll see you there, lunchtime.

-Will you just come away from the window?

-FRONT DOOR SLAMS

-What's she even doing here, anyway?

-Ask your dad.

Where are you going?

-To see Joey.

-No, there's no point. He never came home last night. Your nan said.

-Then I should go and find him.

-Lauren, just leave it.

-Aren't you angry with Dad?

-Yes!

Course I'm flamin' well angry! What can I do, Abs?

His brother's just died.

-How is she?

-She's just been sleeping.

Tan, please.

Bianca said she'd look after Oscar for a couple of hours.

Oh, Roxy! You couldn't cut these up for me, could you?

-Alfie's promised his regulars a Boxing Day buffet and it's the first I've heard of it.

-All right, OK, OK.

Not that I'm surprised.

The man rushes into things, doesn't he?

That's cos he thinks with his heart,

not with his head.

That's not the only thing he thinks with.

I've found that, er,

time is a good healer.

-Well, it has been in my experience.

-Oh, here we go.

What Jean here is trying to say is that Kat's bed ain't even cold yet.

What goes on between me and Alfie is none of your business.

-He's family.

-And he's vulnerable.

And I'm not going to hurt him.

-ALFIE:

-I need batteries and I need them fast!

Oh...

I've got a two-year-old in there having a major sugar rush.

So, how's my three favourite ladies getting on?

-Like a house on fire.

-Fantastic. Right, I won't be long.

He just keeled over?

They came and took his body away at 5.46.

-Not that my wife's been glued to the window or anything.

-Oi!

What you lot doing loitering? Shouldn't you be at home scoffing on your selection boxes?

You didn't hear the sirens last night, I take it.

What's the matter? Santa over the limit? Rudolph been involved in another hit and run?

You don't know about...Derek, then?

What about Derek?

Right, well, we might as well just pack all this lot away, mightn't we?

Yeah, I'll give you a hand.

That bust-up with Derek... Is that your wife?

-Just leave it, Jack, will you?

-What, and the baby?

-Please, just leave it.

I've just been telling Alice about the time Derek brought that dog home.

Right scrappy little thing. Turns out someone was trying to drown it,

so your dad jumped straight in after it -

despite the fact that he could barely swim.

Your granddad gave him a clout when he found out

and said he had to get rid of it.

He never did.

He was a stubborn so and so even back then.

Shouldn't you go and check on Sharon?

What was he called?

-What's that?

-That dog.

-Dunno. I don't remember.

-Of course you do. We had him for years.

Carol, just drop it, will ya? Please.

Come here.

-What is the matter with you?

-Who you even talking about? Don't sound like the brother I remember.

What would you rather say - that he was a villain or a crook?

Would that make you feel better?

Look, it's bad enough you ruin Christmas. I'm not going to let you upset Alice as well.

It was Biggles.

-FRONT DOOR SLAMS

-Yes, Biggles. That's right.

It's the only book Derek ever read.

We've, er... We've got some flowers.

We thought we could go over the Square and pay our respects.

No, no. It's not a good time.

-Why not?

-Just leave it for a bit, Abs.

The girl wants to say goodbye to her uncle. What's the problem?

Here, we might have to keep Tommy with us.

Why? What's the matter? Has something happened?

I don't even know why we're doing this. You hated Derek.

It's not like I wanted him dead, is it?

I, er... I know Derek didn't like flowers but...

No, no, he'd love them, darling. He'd love them.

CORA: It's no age, is it?

52.

It's enough to make me want to give up the fags.

Come on.

Lauren...

-Old Bill are due any minute.

-What's it got to do with them?

It's standard procedure when there's a sudden death.

-Let's all make sure we get our stories straight, yeah?

-Then what?

Go back to playing happy families - is that it?

-Joey, come on, it ain't helping anyone.

-We watched him die, Jack.

Have you forgotten what he done to you and Alice?

Or to her marriage? Or to Tanya, the kids?

You're the one who decided to spring a surprise wife on 'em, ain't you?

-Mm? What are you saying?

-You heard me.

-Big man.

-Oi, listen to me.

-This ain't the time or the place, is it?

-Jack...

You see anything yet?

Well, the police have just turned up.

-Maybe I should get them round here afterwards.

-For what?

Christmas Eve, innit? It's obvious I was rohyp...n... Sedated.

Oh, it had nothing to do with those two jugs of cocktails Mo made, eh?

I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, here she is.

-The Grinch that stole Christmas.

-You won't be wanting your special delivery, then, will you?

-SHE SHRIEKS PATRICK:

-Hey-hey!

You all right?

-Mr T!

-Hey! How are you?

Hey, er, where is Jay?

He escaped to Billy and Lola's. Some people have all the luck.

-Right, I shall do the honours then, shall I?

-You're kidding.

And that tub of body butter's going straight back to the shop.

How is this my fault?

Mr T, pull up a chair, man. Wallace and Gromit's about to start.

No, no, no, no. I don't think so. We've got guests coming.

-Who?

-The Masoods.

-FRONT DOOR OPENS

-ZAINAB:

-Hello?

->

Hey!

Come in.

-Hello.

-Hi!

-We brought Ludo.

Oh!

JACK: Only he overdid it, didn't he? HE SIGHS

He always does.

You say Mr Branning had been drinking?

Yeah, and the rest. He was getting himself worked up.

It's no wonder his heart packed in.

Worked up?

He means over-excited. He was always a big kid at Christmas.

You went over to assist your father. Is that right?

Yeah, but it was too late. He'd already gone.

Joey...

Joey!

You can't just run off. Alice needs you.

DOOR SLAMS

-Was that Joey?

-Yeah. I'd give him a few minutes if I were you.

Why don't you girls get some money out my purse, see if you can pick something nice up in the sale?

Not until you tell us what's happening.

The police just want to take some statements.

She's talking about you and Dad.

I told you. I don't even know myself yet.

Is this really all necessary?

I mean, it's bad enough that we've lost our brother.

The last thing anybody wants to do is go over what's happened.

-You've been more than generous with your time, Mrs Jackson.

-I'm going to go and collect Tommy.

Yeah, I'll show you out.

Why don't you go and sit with Alice?

Well, go on. I'll bring you a sandwich through.

I'm not hungry.

-You've got to eat.

-I just told you, didn't I? I'm not hungry.

-I'll make some for later, then.

-Carol, what's wrong with you?

Bustling about making tea, shoving toast under everyone's noses.

Can't you just sit still for a minute?

I'll tell you why I keep busy, shall I?

Cos if I stop, I remember.

That not only have I buried my son - I'm going to be doing the same for my big brother.

So apologies for not wanting to wallow, Max.

But I'd rather do anything right now than think.

Come snuggle up next to me, Mas.

-It's the only action I'm going to get this Christmas.

-No Ray today?

-No. He's spending it with Sasha.

-Yeah, bit of a sore point, bro.

Since when was Christmas about kids?

You've got the right idea, Mas - palming that kid of yours on somebody else.

Er, I think you'll find that Kamil is on a play date with his friend Rehan.

Denise, are you all right? You look a bit flustered.

Yeah. Oh, it's just... hot in the kitchen is all.

You know what, bruv? Your plate's empty. Let me sort that out for you.

-Who are you?

-Oh, Ayesha's my ward. She's come all the way from Newcastle.

-I don't do North.

-H-Have you and Aunty-ji been friends for long?

I wouldn't exactly say friends.

Yeah! We're like sisters, me and Zab-nab. Ain't that right?

You'll find, Ayesha, that people are very friendly in Walford.

In fact, I look upon Denise and her collection of...

ragtags as an extension of my own family.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was D's plan all along.

She can be very spiteful, my sister.

OK, all right. Let me tell you about my Christmas.

My sister here has offered to make the Christmas dinner.

-Oh!

-Oh, yes, Mas, I was as surprised as you are.

-Oh, here we go.

-Yeah. 'Cept that she went upstairs to bed

-without so much as taking it out of the freezer.

-You're boring me now.

Come on, girls, let's enjoy the day together now, man.

Mas, three hours - three hours - I've sat there with the hairdryer

-whilst she was upstairs hibernating.

-I don't believe this.

-What happened now?

-We've only run out of booze.

You know, darling, it is quite possible to enjoy a meal

with family and friends without getting completely annihilated.

-Yeah. Look at ME.

-SHIRLEY AND FAT BOY CHUCKLE

Yeah. Good one, D.

Er, where you going?

You've ruined Christmas.

I'm not about to let you ruin Boxing Day as well.

Go on. Go, go.

And I tell you what - stay away.

-Anything's better than sitting here watching you sulking.

-Oh, shut it!

We can use the funeral people that we had at Pat's.

It makes sense. They know the family.

Can, er, someone drive me to the mortuary later?

What's the point, Carol? You're only going to upset yourself, aren't you?

-Come on. Carol, he's right, ain't he?

-Fine.

-I'll ask Bianca to come with me, then.

-Max'll take you. Won't you?

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

-I am going to sort this out, you know.

-How, exactly?

I'll get rid of her.

She's your wife. Or had you forgotten?

Wouldn't be the first time, would it?

Excuse me.

That was, er... That was dad's home. They wanted to know where Derek was.

He was going to pop in on his way to the dogs.

Dad was dressed and everything.

What are we going to tell him?

You'd have thought we'd have got used to this by now, wouldn't you?

Burying our children is second nature to this family.

I need some air.

-There we go.

-Cheers, Rox.

-KIM SIGHS

-Cheer up. It's Christmas.

Not for me, it's not.

364 days before there's anything else to look forward to.

Large G&T, please.

Yeah. So, come on. Spill.

I saw you leaving this morning.

What is it? DSS, pleasure?

My husband lives here.

-Had a bust-up, have you?

-It's complicated.

Say no more...

Kirsty.

Well, 'complicated' is my middle name. Kim's my first.

-Hey, Roxy, what's going on upstairs?

-How d'you mean?

-Kat and Alfie.

Well, it's over. She...she's gone, ain't she?

-Yeah, I know THAT. But them two, they've got a connection though, innit?

-I-I'll take them. Thank you.

So, how was, er, Max and Jack?

Bearing up.

Were you there? When he died, I mean.

Looks like Father Christmas has spoilt him rotten.

-I'll just go up and get him.

-OK.

If you'll excuse me, ladies, I need to talk to my husband.

Next year, I'm not even going to bother with a turkey.

It's dry. It doesn't taste of anything.

Might as well chew on a bit of polystyrene.

This is Max, I take it.

SHE SOBS

I don't know what to do, Mum.

One bit of me wants to just hug him

and the other bit wants to just rip his face off.

Not unless I get to him first.

I just thought...

You know, I thought yesterday was just going to be about us.

You know, no dramas, nobody kicking off. And what do I get?

I get Derek drops dead in the Square and Max's wife...

Max's wife turns up to pull a cracker.

I just hoped it might be different this time, you know?

No more secrets and... And no more lies.

Turns out he was saving the best till last, didn't he?

So that's it, is it?

You're going to strip that bird to within an inch of its life

while that tart out there is getting her claws into Max?

I can't do it, Mum. I can't do it.

Not today.

I don't believe I'm hearing this.

This is the girl who took on cancer and won.

Are you seriously telling me you're going to let her walk all over you?

I don't think so.

Not if I have anything to do with it.

Nice little boozer.

-What do they think happened?

-I don't know. His heart, probably.

Mad, isn't it? How it came on all of a sudden like that.

Come on, Max. It's not like you could've done anything, is it?

-How d'you know?

-Know what?

Well, that I couldn't have done anything?

What are you talking about?

HE SIGHS

I shouldn't even be here.

It's me, remember.

You can tell me anything.

I get you, Max.

Whatever it is, we'll sort it out together.

HUBBUB OF CONVERSATION

The thing about Kim, you know, is she's selfish. Always has been.

If I'm not dragging her out of skips, she's nicking my Tiny Tears. I tell you what - it ends today.

-Oh, come on. You don't mean that.

-Damn right I do.

You think we should make up a plate for Alice?

Poor kid.

Losing your father at that age, even if it was Derek Branning,

it makes you want to cling to the people closest to you, no?

-You know what? Tamwar, give me your mobile.

-What for?

Because I want to call Shabnam, see if she's OK.

-Do you have any idea what a peak call to Pakistan costs?

-Tamwar!

I'm just going to give Carly a ring. Make sure Jimmy liked his present.

You want me to take some food over to Alice?

No, I'll go tomorrow. I reckon they just want to be left alone today.

Yeah. Hearing those sirens...

Can't help but think back to this time last year.

-Dad...

-No, I'm not getting maudlin. I'm just saying -

you've really got to make the most of days like today, don't you?

He's like a walking, talking fortune cookie.

Oh, isn't he so cuddly? You just want him to stop breathing.

-Denise, why don't you call Libby and Chelsea?

-Really disturbing. REALLY disturbing!

Yeah. There's something I want to do first.

-Mas...

-Eh?

-Tam...

I need a favour.

-Right, no more trouble. You hear me?

-Yeah, just give us a minute, yeah?

Alice...

Alice...

Come on, say something, will you?

Eh?

Dad wouldn't want you sitting around here getting upset, would he?

Come on, how about... How about I take you home, eh?

-Why... Why are you talking like that?

-Like what?

Like you and Dad were friends. You hated him.

-I bet you're pleased he's dead, aren't you?

-No, Alice, please don't say that. Please.

Why not?

It's your fault he's gone.

Every time he reached out to you, you pushed him away.

It's no wonder his heart packed up.

You broke it enough times.

Get out. Get away from me.

You got what you wanted. Get out!

-I said GET OUT! Get away from me.

-Oi, oi, oi!

-Don't come anywhere near me again.

-Sh-sh-sh. Joey, get out. Go on.

Sit down, sit down.

I've got you. I've got you. Come on, sit down.

Come on.

-I shouldn't be here.

-FRONT DOOR SLAMS

Listen, you can stay here as long as you want.

This isn't my home. I don't have a home any more.

-I don't have anyone.

-FRONT DOOR OPENS

Yes, you do, all right?

You've got me, you've got Auntie Carol, you've got Uncle Max.

We're going to take care of you, all right?

We're going to take care of you.

SHE SOBS

They're all making out like they're upset.

Why can't they just be honest with themselves for once in their lives?

Listen, a couple of weeks from now and everything...

Everything can just go back to the way it was.

Everything's just so black and white for you, innit, eh?

My dad's dead, Lauren.

Come on!

Ah, I know your game.

Getting me down here under false pretences, Peroxide.

-I can't unhook the line.

-I love it when you talk dirty.

Alfie, Alfie, don't. Don't, OK?

I'm sorry. What... Wh-what's the matter?

Erm...

-This thing. Whatever this is - us - is the matter.

-Right.

Hey, Alfie, listen to me.

I know you're still hurting, I know you are.

I know you're not thinking straight and I know you're not ready for this.

I told you, Rox,

me and Kat, it's finished. It's over.

I've seen the way you look at her.

Alfie, I can't go through this all again, OK?

Not after last time.

Please don't make me second best.

No, Rox. Oi, oi, come on.

No.

You're...You're not... You're not second best. Promise. OK?

So what am I, then?

You're keeping me sane right now.

That's what you are.

-You all right?

-I think I might just go to bed.

-It's not even four!

-Well, with any luck, I won't wake up till New Year's, innit?

-Come and have a drink with me.

-No, you're all right.

Kimberley Fox!

Just get in here, will you?

-ALL:

-It's CHRISTMAS!

# So here it is, merry Christmas

# Everybody's having fun... #

You know, I think it's high time that we showed Denise how to throw a real party.

-It's not a competition, Zee.

-Do you even know me?

OK, so everyone, New Year's at our house.

And we'll even cook you a PROPER meal. Ah!

ALL EXCLAIM

THEY CHEER, KIM SHRIEKS EXCITEDLY

I love you, sis!

I know what this is about, Max.

Derek wouldn't want you stewing over some stupid fight.

You were his baby brother. He loved the bones off you.

Both of you.

We're ready for you now.

We shouldn't have to do this.

We shouldn't have to say goodbye.

It's all right.

Come on, let's go and do this.

Yeah.

Come on, Max.

I'm sorry.

I can't do this.

Oi! Yes, you can.

We can do this together.

You're the vet, right?

Proper little brainbox, your dad said.

CORA: Oi!

You going to see Lola and Lexi or not?

We were just talking.

Let's get one thing straight.

This house is grieving.

If it wasn't, I'd tear those cheap extensions of yours by the root.

-TANYA:

-All right, Mum. I can handle it.

-I don't want a fight, Tanya.

-No. Nor do I.

-So what do we do?

-Well...

The way I see it, you've got a choice.

You can either clear off now or I can get rid of you myself.

Let me know what you decide.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd