24/06/2013 EastEnders

-That's gorgeous, Abi.

-Lola helped me choose it.

Yeah? Who helped you pay for it?

-Dad.

-THEY LAUGH

You don't think it's too much?

No, one thing about Branning women, never too much. Never.

-And Lauren's definitely coming over?

-Should be here in a bit.

-And she's invited everyone?

-Everyone.

-OK.

Definitely, except Beyonce, she's off the guest list.

I thought just close friends and family, really.

Probably best, isn't it? For Lauren. Still be fun though.

Go on, go and make yourself look even beautiful,

and I'll ferret out that sister of yours.

Lola... Yeah, it's me. It's arrived!

Oh, good! Can't wait to see it...

Yeah, I'm with 'em. I'll ask. One sec...

Abi wants to know if you two are dressing up?

Oh, yeah, boob tube and stilettos for me.

I think Jay's going to wear the all-in-one.

Makes his figure look nice. You know, bum and that?!

Ignore him, Abi. That's Dex, thinking he's funny...

Yeah, don't worry, I'll tell him. Laters!

-No booze, remember!

-You serious?

-Yes.

Orders from the birthday girl as well,

-you two are wearing shirt and shoes.

-Sorry?

As if sitting in Abi's front room, around a bunch of

geriatric relatives, sober as a judge, ain't bad enough!

Excuse me, I plan on hitting the town later on

and if I can't get in cos you two idiots are wearing trainers,

I ain't going to be happy. OK? Shoes.

Thank you... Get your stuff. Let's go.

I don't know who died and made her the Queen of Sheba...

CHATTERING FADES

What's this, a new Olympic sport, running away from the husband?

-I've got to get ready for work.

-You seen him?

-Who?

-Prince Charles(!) Who do you think?

Not since last night. And I told you,

he's not worth worrying about.

I might believe you, if you'd been straight with me from the off.

He hijacked me, I barely had time to process it before I saw you.

And anyway, he's history now.

I don't believe this.

Don't rise.

What does he want?

How should I know?

He's your ex, you must've had some sort of conversation with him.

You're acting as though I just invited him here.

Maybe it's you he's after,

you weren't exactly friendly with his brother.

Yes, Tan?

-Looking for Lauren.

-Right.

-Our daughter?

-Yeah. Come up.

-How did last night go?

-How should I know?

Didn't you see her this morning?

No, cos I left early. I didn't want to wake her up.

Run a tight ship, I see(!) KNOCKING

Lauren?

Did she even sleep here?

-Yeah, well, I thought she did.

-Didn't you hear her come in?

-No, cos I'm a heavy sleeper. You know that.

-What about you?

-I don't think so.

-Peter Beale. So much for just friends!

Do you think?

-I'll pop round.

-Go easy on him.

He's a nice lad, isn't he? Might be good for her.

Tell her to come and help me with the decorations.

Message for Abs - tell her I'll be there after my shift at 8:00.

Great. Dust off the red carpet, shall I?

-Have you checked your bank statement lately?

-No, why?

No reason.

We'll talk later.

-Tan!

-All right?

-Good. How you doing?

-OK.

-What time's it kicking off tonight?

-About six-ish.

-I'll bring a bottle, then.

Only if it's a bottle of pop. It's officially a booze-free zone.

-Oh, right. Whose idea was that?

-Lauren's.

-Very good.

-Mm.

-See you then.

-See you later.

-Tanya! Tanya!

-Joey.

Will you say happy birthday to Abi for me, yeah?

-You know you're not invited?

-Didn't say I was coming, did I?

-I don't want any drama.

-Fine by me. How is, erm, Lauren?

-Is she all right?

-She's not your concern any more.

-Where is she, Peter?

-Who?

-Lauren.

-I don't understand.

Yeah, yeah. Good one.

-Lauren!

-She's not here.

-Look, you ain't in trouble.

I just want to make sure she's OK.

I'm not lying to you. Last night didn't go so well.

What do you mean? She weren't drinking, was she?

Don't give him a hard time. It's not his fault Lauren isn't interested.

-Right, so where is she?

-Well, we all ended up in the R&R

and then she bailed early, went to go and meet some mates.

-Which mates?

-I don't know. Friends from college.

Which friends from college? She ain't been in ages.

She texted me and said she'd got there, so what's the big deal?

Right, and how come she ain't answering her phone now, then?

A 19 year old screening her dad's calls?

As far as mysteries go, that's right up there with Roswell(!)

That true?

-What really happened?

-I don't know, I wasn't keeping tabs.

Anyway, she's done this before, she's going to be fine.

-You don't know that.

-She's going to thank me

that I didn't land her in it with her dad.

Look, if you're that worried, I'll call her. OK?

Lauren, it's me.

Look, everyone's really worried about you,

so can you just call me when you get this?

PHONE BEEPS

Excuse me, can we do something about this rubbish, please?

The market's open late this week and, weirdly,

rats aren't a big selling point!

Busy, then?

How's that brother of yours?

-He's well, thanks. And yours?

-Yeah, he's good. Fighting fit.

-Got a lot of family round here?

-Yeah. It's my manor, innit?

Plus your ex-wife, kids. Must get complicated.

It's funny, innit? Exes don't worry me and Kirsty.

She's got better at it, then?

She used to be a terrible liar.

Anyway, nice speaking to you.

Cheers.

-So, um, your ex, what does he want?

-How should I know?

-You all right?

-Oh, yeah, totally flippin' marvellous(!)

You know I'm a love machine, Peroxide!

I'm a love machine, all right, girl? And I could get used to that.

-Yeah, well, I hope you're up for round two later!

-Oh, yes.

They should wear a sign - at it like rabbits.

Sickening, innit?

You and Max ain't, then?

Due on. The one thing my body knows how to do like flamin' clockwork.

-Saw you were empty.

-Is it the way I look?

What?

My face, is it gullible? Or is it my voice?

Or is it just my general doormatty sort of attitude?

You're funny.

Why did you say you'd met me before?

-Truth is, that girl with the red hair and the attitude...

-Kat?

Yeah. She frightened the life out of me.

There she was, yapping in my face, so I did what any bloke would do,

trapped in a corner, I threw her a bone.

Plus, Alice, I wanted to meet you.

You never actually told me how you and my dad became friends.

Mind if I...?

You're going to laugh at this.

Your dad gave me a black eye.

-I said "friends".

-I deserved it.

I was cheating on a game of black jack. He called me up on it.

After that, we set up a scam together.

Took 200 quid off one of the screws.

He didn't have a clue.

Truth is, behind all the dodgy deals and scams,

your dad had a heart of gold.

He used to look out for me.

There was one guy, scary fella, he had it in for me.

Must've looked at him funny or something,

but your dad weren't scared of him.

He stuck his neck out for me, stopped me from getting a hiding.

I said after that, to thank him, I'd bring him something

from the outside world, you know, cigarettes, booze...

You'll never guess what he asked for!

-Pickled herring?

-THEY LAUGH

What college mates? She hasn't got any college mates.

Well, why isn't she answering her phone, then?

She checks it every five minutes normally, doesn't she?

I wish you'd rung me, actually, sooner...

OK. I've got to go, then. All right, bye. Bye.

-There we are, look.

-Where's Lauren?

She's just running a few last-minute errands.

-How did it go with Peter?

-I don't know.

You know what your sister's like!

Yeah, I remember when I was little, wishing she was...different.

That she'd suddenly wake up one morning and be, like,

let's talk about animals and dresses and plait each other's hair.

Me and Rainie never had much in common, actually.

But I still love her, though.

I mean, she'll be all right, won't she?

-Yes, of course she will.

-Yeah.

I've got to nip out, darlin'.

OK? I won't be long, so...you carry on.

-I'm jealous. I'd love to have a big family round me.

-Yeah, it is nice.

-Most of the time.

-You know your Uncle Max is with an ex of mine?

Kirsty, really?

There's no hard feelings. It's just funny,

Derek said he was a bit of a player. I don't mean anything by that.

I'm just still a bit protective of her.

He's got a whole other family, hasn't he?

And from what I've seen, it ain't all peace and love.

-Hardly surprising.

-Oh, yeah? Why's that?

Sorry, it's none of my business.

No, it's fine. It's common knowledge, really.

Uncle Max and Tanya were going to get married, for the second time,

and then Kirsty showed up.

Alice?

This is my infamous brother, Joey. Joey, this is Carl. He knew Dad.

Oh, right. Speaks volumes.

Yeah. I've heard a lot about you.

-Mm.

-Listen, I need to get going. I've been here ages.

-That's for the tea.

-Hey, don't insult me.

-Thank you. See you soon!

-See ya.

I don't know what your game is, mate,

but make sure you leave my sister out of it. Do you understand me?

Your dad was right about you.

Yeah? Meaning?

He said you'd be a good-looking lad. He was very proud.

You remind me of him. Looks aside.

Hmm!

What?

Nothing. I was just wondering how long, you know,

-it took you to get pregnant?

-Oh, I dunno. It just happened.

So it wasn't planned?

Typical, innit? It's always the way.

You don't want to get pregnant,

all you've got to do is look at a bloke and, hey presto.

And then you do and it's the right guy, and it's the right time,

and suddenly, it's like it's going to take a miracle.

Not that I'm worried. I mean, me and Alfie have barely even started.

-All right?

-Yeah. All right? Just looking for Lauren.

-She ain't answering her phone.

-It's probably on silent.

Nah, Tanya's right. She's always got it glued to her hand.

I'll see you later.

If you're going to have another go, Tanya, I ain't got time.

-I've got to get ready for work.

-No, wait, this is important.

Earlier, you were asking me about Lauren. Why was that?

Were you out with her last night?

Yeah. I might have seen her. Why?

Well, talk to me... Look, she's not answering her phone,

I'm starting to get a bit worried here. Did something happen, or...?

Yeah, she was drinking.

PHONE RINGS It's not mine, it's not mine.

-Hello?

-Who's that?

-It's the Assistant Market Inspector.

-Who?

'I just found this phone in a bag'

outside a club called R&R in Walford.

Right. Where's Lauren?

Is that the owner of the phone?

Yeah, Lauren. Lauren Branning.

Is that Max?

Who's that, Tamwar?

-He was no Bobby Moore, was he?

-One word, mate - Hoddle!

Hoddle! No, this is a house pub. There you go.

Good timing. What you having?

A drink. On my own.

Very sensible. Something tells me that ain't your style.

Let me guess, V and T?

-Something tells me you're trouble.

-Double? Get the lady a double.

No, mate, that's not what she said.

I can speak for myself, thank you, Alfie.

I'll have a white wine, large.

And one drink doesn't make us friends.

Large wine for the lady.

-You should've been looking out for her!

-I thought I was

making things worse. I can't get involved with her no more, Tanya,

-you know that.

-Max! Max! She was drunk.

Apparently, she was drinking she's just disappeared...

-What are you doing with that?

-Tamwar found it.

-Where?

-Just outside R&R.

Look, it's got her phone in it and everything.

But Lucy said, she said she texted her.

Whoa, sweetheart, someone pregnant shouldn't be carrying this load.

-Here, come on.

-I'm fine.

I'm sorry, it's just...

No, you look great. You don't look like you're pregnant.

You've got the old abs of steel going on there.

Let's talk about YOUR anatomy, shall we, Alfie?

-What are you, six months gone?

-Let me tell you something, Kathleen,

there's a six pack trying to fight its way out here. All right?

SHE LAUGHS

All right!

It's fine. Steak and kidney?

Oh... I'm... I'm sorry.

Are you OK?

Erm... Can I take my break now?

Yeah, of course you can, sweetheart.

-KNOCKING

-Peter! Lucy!

-Just go home.

-No, I'll help find her.

I'll just sack off work. Just tell me what to do.

Do what she said - go home!

Come on, Lucy, it's only us! Please, we just want to talk to you!

You shouldn't have lied.

Well, you could've told him about her drinking.

KNOCKING CONTINUES

Look, it is not our fault Lauren's gone off on a bender.

Text you, did she? Funny that, innit?

Cos we founds her phone outside R&R.

You were having a go at Peter and it wasn't his fault.

What you talking about, ain't his fault?

He was meant to look after her! What did I tell you

-about letting her have a drink?

-What did you expect?

-Lauren's out of control, no-one could stop her.

-He's right.

If she wants to act like a slapper, that's her choice, she's not a kid!

-What are you talking about? She ain't a slapper!

-All right.

Calm down! Listen to me, Lucy.

My daughter - that's my little girl -

she doesn't know what she's doing. She's ill. She's vulnerable.

That's why she needed her friends.

So what are we saying here, she went off with someone?

-I don't know.

-Lucy, what happened?

Yes, she met a bloke, but I didn't even see him properly, I swear.

-Right, that's it. Come on, come on.

-What?! What're you doing?

-Hey, come on.

-Get your hands off me!

We're going to the police station. You can tell them

-everything you know.

-All right.

I thought Lauren said she was going to be here at six.

-She did.

-Always first at a party, me.

Mind you, I shan't stop late. I've got to get up early,

what, with me work, I've got me church warden duties,

-and the vicar, he relies on me.

-DOOR OPENS

Mum?

Not really going to make me drink this, are you?

Wait there, all right? By that motor.

-Let me get my car keys.

-Tan, is Abi at yours?

Yeah. Yeah, she is.

Go on, go home, no need to worry Abi, is there?

-No, I want to come.

-Babe, there's nothing you can do, is there?

I've got it under control.

Max, what if something's happened to her?

-That man, he could be anyone, couldn't he?

-Tan, she'll be fine.

She'll be fine. Probably on her way back here now.

I'm just covering all the angles, ain't I?

If I get any news, I'll call you, OK?

Trust me. She'll turn up, she'll be hung-over.

She'll be wondering what all the fuss was about... I promise.

Take that.

-All right, babe? Lauren's gone missing.

-What?

She went off with some geezer, left her bag in the street,

-no-one's heard from her since. Have you seen my car keys?

-No.

I'm so sorry, Max.

-I've got to go to the police station, report her missing.

-Mm-hm.

You been drinking?

-What? No...

-Come here.

-HE SNIFFS

-Yes, you have. Smells like whisky.

-It was just a sip.

-What're you talking about?

A sip, babe? You're pregnant!

-I'm sorry, it was just a moment of madness.

-What's the matter with you?

My daughter's got a drink problem, she's gone missing,

and you're sitting around here drinking whisky?! You're not giving

any thought to our baby, are you? It's unbelievable!

-I'm sorry, Max.

-Seriously, Kirsty, what chance is

that kid going to have?

LOUD MUSIC AND CHATTER

-ABI:

-Mum, is that you?

Yes, love!

Where have you been?

You look gorgeous!

-Jay said that he saw Lucy getting into Dad's car.

-Yeah?

Yeah, he needed to go and pick up some paperwork.

-Lucy wanted a lift or something, so...

-Where's Lauren?

She's on her way. She's on her way. ..Hello, Dot.

What aren't you telling me?

KNOCK ON DOOR Nothing.

-Hello.

-You all right?

Here she is, the birthday girl, looking like a film star, no less.

Now, I remember when she used to play Pass The Parcel, don't you?

Go and get Jack a drink, I'll go and get changed.

What is it? What's happened?

He was so angry, the way he looked at me...

Max, you told him?

No, he caught me drinking. He said the baby don't stand a chance.

-There is no baby!

-I know! I ain't completely losing it.

Well, I might be, the amount of times I've told you

to just come clean! Yes, he'll be angry, and you might split up,

but you stand more chance of making it if you tell him the truth.

I know... I will. Once I'm pregnant.

Right. So what're you going to tell him?

Maybe that... Maybe that I lost it. The first one.

Maybe I was too cut up about it... I dunno.

You need to sort this out,

because you're going to come seriously unstuck!

-What's wrong?

-Nothing.

You can't fool me, Kirst, I know you inside out.

Yeah, but not any more.

-Tanya, isn't it, his ex?

-So?

That's the thing with chemistry, innit? Never goes away, that spark.

No-one else stands a chance.

You don't know what you're talking about.

You're hurting. I can see it in your eyes.

You're wrong.

All right. Fair enough.

Hey, you're enjoying this for now, but I'm a patient man,

and you will come back to me, eventually. We both know that.

-She's not coming, is she?

-Yes, of course she is.

-Then why are you acting so weird?

-I'm not.

-Mum!

-Abi, she will be here. All right?

-Have you spoken to her?

Shall I get the cake ready? You know, light the candles?

-Yes, great. Good idea, Dot.

-Mum, I asked you a question.

-Don't tell me, Lauren again?

-Not now, Mum.

Oh, right. Is she drunk? Is she over at Dad's?

-Has something happened?

-Shall we open the presents?

No, no, no. Why did Dad go off with Lucy? Has something happened?

-No, nothing has happened.

-Is she OK? Mum, where is she?

I don't know. All right? I don't...

I don't know where she is.

What do you mean, you don't know? How...

DOOR SLAMS

Oh, Lauren! Oh, thank God!

I've been worried sick. Oh, thank God!

Are you all right? Where have you been?

What's wrong with your eyes?

Where is she?

What's happened, Lauren? Lauren...

Happy Birthday, Abi.

What's happened, Lauren?

I haven't got you a present, but I'm going to get you one.

-She don't look right, man.

-Shh!

-Why is your skin that colour?

She needs to see a doctor.

Mum, call an ambulance, please.

No, I don't need an ambulance, I need a drink!

It's all right, Oscar. Just thirsty.

Excuse me.

- Where's all the drink gone? - Come and sit down.

-No, I don't need to sit down!

-SHE MOANS IN PAIN

It's all right. It's all right, darlin'.

Do you need to be sick? Do you want some water?

-Sit her down.

-Come and sit down.

-What's happening to her?

I don't know... Just take deep breaths.

Call your dad. Call your dad.

-Ambulance is on its way.

-How long? How long?

-How long?

I don't need an ambulance, I need a drink, Mum!

-They'll be here as soon as they can.

-We can't just wait.

-We've got to do something!

-Lauren, come on.

We'll take you in the car.

-Up you get.

-I don't think that's a good idea.

Them paramedics, they know what they're doing.

Dot, look at her! Look at the state of her!

-We can't just wait.

-Come on.

-All right, darlin', I've got you.

They're only joking. Good boy.

-Let's go and have a nice biscuit or something.

-Dex...

There you go. Keys.

LAUREN CRIES OUT

You OK? All right.

Just go forward. Nice and slowly. Nice and slowly.

Nice and slow... That's it.

-Oh! Have you got her? She's going.

-I've got her.

Just sit there. You wait there, I'll get the car.

What's happened, Tan?

Is she all right?

Mum... Mum...

SHE MOANS

Mum, I'm scared!

OK.

I've got you.

Mummy's got you. Shh...

SIRENS APPROACH

It's all right.

It's all right.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd