25/06/2013 EastEnders

Why haven't we heard any more? Been ages, hasn't it?

Feel like we've been forgotten.

PHONE RINGS

Any news?

I didn't sleep.

Been thinking about you. About Lauren.

They're doing tests, ain't they.

No, we don't know any more than that.

Call me if you hear anything.

Max, I...

DIAL TONE BEEPS

We've done all we can for her in A&E.

There's space on the liver ward now, so she'll be moved there shortly.

What's wrong with her?

The consultant there will be able to give you more details.

I'm sorry, that's all I know.

She's in good hands.

DOORBELL RINGS

DOORBELL RINGS

KNOCK AT DOOR

LETTERBOX RATTLES

Kirsty's just worried about her, that's all.

Poor Kirsty.

Maybe you should go home and comfort her.

-Don't.

-What?

I'm trying my best.

If we're going to be like that, there's plenty I could mention.

Oh, yeah? Like what?

There's got to be a reason Lauren wanted to come and live with me

and Kirsty in the first place, ain't there?

Lauren, darling. How're you feeling?

How's Abi?

She's fine. She's fine. It's you that we're worried about.

I ruined her party, I didn't even get her a present.

Ssh. That's not important now.

You won't leave me, will you?

I'm not going anywhere.

Neither am I.

Apparently she was completely yellow.

What? Like Homer Simpson?

AJ. That's Carol's niece we're talking about.

D'oh!

Makes you think, doesn't it, what you put in your body.

Yeah. Totally, man.

-What?

-Wow. Sorry, no, I just didn't realise

this was what a temple looks like.

Yeah, but everything in moderation, all right?

Tell me the last time you had a bit of salad.

And the bit of lettuce inside the kebab does not count.

You can talk. I'm surprised you don't have scurvy,

with the amount of fresh food that's passed your lips.

You're just jealous of my naturally-fast metabolism. Look at that.

It's what's inside that counts.

My heart is a sprightly pony.

Yeah, my heart is like a racehorse.

Your heart is like a carthorse! Let's have a bet -

I bet you can't run for ten minutes without keeling over.

Ten minutes? Don't make me laugh.

Yeah, give us a proper challenge.

A proper challenge? OK.

All right. You have to run for as long as it takes

to burn off that lot.

I'm game if you are, soldier?

Yeah, yeah, let's have this. To infinity and beyond.

What?

Buzz Lightyear. Never mind.

I got you a coffee.

Thought you could do with it this morning.

I found this on your doorstep.

Kirsty, I'm worried about you, you know, what with the Lauren thing.

How is she?

They're doing tests or something.

If you need a chat, just come to mine later.

What, so you can tell me how mad I am again?

This is my mess. I need to sort it out myself.

See you later.

Do you want some water or something, darling?

Are you hot, darling? You feel a bit cold?

-Lauren Branning?

-Yeah.

My name's Liz, I'm a consultant hepatologist.

A liver specialist.

Are you happy for your parents to stay while I talk to you?

Yeah, course she is.

Lauren?

You have acute hepatitis, which we think is caused by drinking.

And what's that mean, exactly?

Inflammation of the liver.

She's in a lot of pain. Is there something you can give her?

We're doing our best to control that for you, Lauren,

but when the liver's been damaged,

it can struggle to break down the painkillers.

Damaged?

What do you mean? She's going to get better, isn't she?

We'll know more once Lauren's had an ultrasound scan.

Andy here's going to take you. Don't worry, he's a safe driver.

Right, well, I'd better come with you.

I thought it would be an opportunity to talk to you both,

get an idea about Lauren's history. I'll be back in a minute.

She's my beautiful, clever, funny little girl.

How did she end up here?

I remember my Nick's eyes going that colour. That yellow.

She ain't a drug addict, Dot.

I ain't saying she is. Far from it.

I'm only saying it's brought it all back, that's all.

You know, it was such a shock.

Same as your Rainie, I suppose?

Well, it's an addiction, ain't it, alcohol?

Might be legal - don't mean it don't do no damage.

My granddaughter is seriously ill in hospital.

We don't need a lecture to boot.

Besides, everybody likes a drink. Even you.

Oh, but mine is medicinal.

Not the same as you Cross women.

What exactly is it you're trying to say? Because you're upsetting Abi.

I was just saying.

I wasn't judging, Abi.

What I mean is that Lauren will need all our support,

the love of her family round her to help her to fight it.

Oh!

Oh, my Lord.

Now look what you've done.

DOOR CLOSES

I tried to stay away,

but I couldn't just sit at home doing nothing, could I?

How is she?

Joey, if you really cared about her, you wouldn't let her get smashed

out of her head in R&Rs, would you?

She's having an ultrasound.

We'll let you know if we hear anything.

I know it's hard, but...

..the best thing you can do is wait at home.

Well, if anything happens...

Yeah.

Right, according to this chart, your breakfast consisted of 700 calories.

What?

You're having a giraffe, ain't ya?

No, I'm not. Right.

Bread, toasted with butter, 150 calories.

Baked beans, 150 calories. Two fried eggs, 150.

Two sausages, 200.

-Tea...

-Tea? There's no calories in tea!

There are if you put two sugars in.

Thank you. Sugar. Shall I go on?

Come on, Peroxide, listen, what's the damage? How long we got to do?

OK. Hold on. You ready?

Hour and a half.

No!

All right, fine. Look, just admit that you're not that fit

and you can start a gradual training programme.

Nah, bruv, that's for old folks like you.

Us younger, leaner machines, we can go any distance, any time.

-Right, Alfie?

-Absolutely.

What was that thing about infinity?

Infinity and beyond. Beyond! Let's go, let's go!

-Woo!

-Come on! All right, girls?

Do you reckon they're going to do it?

Well, they could say anything. How would we know?

This is a very good point.

BOTH: Unless...

Before we start, can I just ask you something?

Should Lauren even be on this ward?

Excuse me?

Well, it's just clearly for people who've been drinking for years,

isn't it?

The woman in her room looks the same age as my mum.

Lauren is an alcoholic with serious liver damage.

This is the best place for her.

So, Lauren's drinking. How long would you say it's been a problem?

A year?

Two?

Ain't been that long.

She's been clubbing for longer, hasn't she?

Just normal teenage stuff.

Did Lauren consider binge drinking normal?

No.

Maybe.

Um, I don't know.

She just liked going out with her mates and having a laugh.

Drinking to extremes is rarely about having fun.

No. I... Yeah, I didn't mean that. I just mean that's when it started,

and then it was when I got my diagnosis - I had cancer...

That's when it started to get worse.

Did it?

You weren't aware of her drinking?

No. I wasn't living at home at that point.

But I did think it'd started to get better, you know?

But then, recently...

Yeah.

That's when it got really out of hand.

Recently?

Last couple of months.

Yeah. January?

Just after you left.

You left?

Yeah. Me and Max separated. And I needed a bit of time away.

So Lauren doesn't live with you both?

No, she lives with me.

Well, no, wouldn't call it living, really...

Well, it's where she sleeps.

On a mattress, in the room you're decorating for your unborn baby?

Max has married someone else, and they're expecting a baby...

We haven't actually finalised living arrangements.

She'll be coming home with me.

We ain't discussed that.

We don't need to.

Can we get back to Lauren's drinking?

When you said it got out of hand, what level are you talking about?

She was drunk a lot.

In the mornings?

Maybe.

Has she ever had any violent episodes?

Yeah.

Lucy.

I know we must seem a little bit chaotic,

but obviously we both just want what's best for our daughter.

Of course you do.

Which is why we should think about all the options

for Lauren's recovery.

What's that mean?

Lauren is going to need a stable, supportive environment

to have the best chance of getting better.

Perhaps it's worth considering if either of your homes can offer that.

We done?

-Yes.

-Cheers.

Thank you.

Where does she get off, saying we can't look after her?

She's just trying to make us understand how serious this is.

Well, we ain't stupid, though, are we? Supportive environment?

As if we can't provide that?

I mean, I know we've had our problems,

-but we can always put them to one side, can't we?

-Can we?

Yeah. Course.

Tan, when Lauren went missing yesterday,

I know exactly what you were feeling.

Sick to your stomach, like you were looking into a big black hole,

cos I was feeling exactly the same.

It don't matter, Tan.

It don't matter what happens between us,

we'll always share that love of our kids.

That is exactly why we're going to do everything we can

to make sure she gets better.

OK?

Come here.

How long?

15 minutes.

15 minutes? OK. That's good. Pit stop?

Or is that cheating or something?

If it's all right for Jenson Button, right?

-Right.

-Although...

OK. Let's go, then.

Wait. Wait there.

Where're you going?

All right, guys?

I'm doing the right thing, I'm trying to look good for my woman,

all right, but I just need five minutes, please, just two of them,

and I promise I'll be back on it tomorrow. OK?

What d'you reckon? Chant my name. AJ, AJ, AJ...

Oh, stop right there. We can't.

I reckon we've got an hour to kill. Here you go.

Oops!

Oh!

You is naughty.

Cheers.

Taste good? Go on, then.

Argh!

Argh!

To infinity and before!

Before! Way before!

How're you feeling?

Tired.

Yeah. Close your eyes, then.

Why don't you go home, get her some stuff?

Let Abi and Mum know how she's getting on.

Babe, it's fine, I'll call Jack. He can bring some stuff.

I'm worried about Abi. She was so excited about her party.

I'll call her.

Please.

Just make sure she's all right. I'll call you if I hear anything.

-Promise?

-Yeah. Course.

See you later, Lauren.

Sweet dreams, baby.

Sweet dreams.

What're you doing?

Oh, hello, sweetheart. How's your sister?

You're disgusting, you know that?

Is everything OK?

It's not even, what, 1:00, and you're getting wasted.

Just a beer.

Is that right?

Just a beer?

Why does everyone in this world think that it's OK

to drink themselves silly?

What good has ever come out of anyone being drunk?

Why, why, why do you need booze to get through the day?

That is pathetic! You are pathetic!

Abi?

Abi!

-Forget the ice cream.

-Yeah.

You pleased with yourself, are you? Yeah?

How could you lie to Max about Lauren texting you, eh?

I didn't know how bad she was.

As if that would've made a difference, Luce. You're sick.

-You know that.

-Don't talk to her like that.

You're no better, are you?

Sitting, watching her drink, were you?

-She didn't touch a drop till you turned up.

-You what?

Yeah. So if anyone's to blame, mate, it's you.

Want to say that again? Do you want to say that again?

Joey! Stop it!

Stop it!

What is wrong with you? Stop it! These were meant to be for Lauren.

Our friend. Our cousin. You were in love with her once.

She might be dying, and all you can do is fight.

If we weren't all wrapped up in our own pathetic rubbish, then maybe

we could've been there for her and prevented it from happening.

Come here.

Come here. It's going to be all right.

OK?

Where's Dad?

He went home to get you some stuff.

Lauren.

When you went off with this bloke the other night, what happened?

Nothing.

Nothing like that. We was just drinking.

Why do you do it, Lauren? Why do you drink?

It can't be to have a good time, can it?

Are you running away from something?

Are you hurting?

I don't know.

Because you can talk to me, you know.

You can tell me anything, and I will listen. I won't judge.

We get on well, don't we, you and me, on the whole?

I mean, all mothers and daughters have their problems, don't they?

But we're close, aren't we?

Mum, please...

We can talk. Can't we?

I mean, when I had my cancer,

you were the only person that I could confide in.

And I want to do the same for you.

I want to be there for you, I want to help you get better, protect you...

Just stop.

Stop.

Sorry. Wh-What did I say?

I'm tired.

I've got the results of the ultrasound scan.

Are you happy to hear them now, Lauren,

or would you like to wait for your dad to get back?

Mum?

Yeah, yeah. Now.

You do still want this baby, don't you?

It's all I want.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

Drinking, and the Carl thing.

I just didn't want him to come between us.

Cos he means nothing to me.

I promise you.

I should get back.

So, it is what you expected, then?

Acute alcoholic hepatitis, yes.

So, what are we looking at for recovery here?

Days, weeks?

We expect to keep her in hospital for a few more days

while we keep her on a vitamin drip,

the Chlordiazepoxide for the withdrawal,

and carry out more liver function tests.

An alcohol liaison nurse will also want to speak to Lauren

about stopping drinking.

That's the biggest challenge.

Lauren's liver may naturally regenerate itself,

but if an attack like this happens again,

she could get liver cirrhosis.

And that, I'm afraid, is irreversible.

What do you mean? What do you mean, irreversible?

It's impossible to say what would be the tipping point.

It could be ten drinks, or it could be one.

There is no longer a safe amount for you to drink.

Jay. We didn't mean to upset her. I think she's a little bit teary.

What's the matter? Sit down.

What's happened?

I'm a horrible person.

Don't be daft.

I have bad thoughts. All the time.

Like what?

Like, why did she have to ruin my birthday?

Like, I wish I never had a sister.

Like, I wish my mum and dad would just walk away and forget about her.

See? You're shocked.

You thought I was nice. But I'm not.

I'm so angry and selfish.

Now you can't even stand to be around me.

Listen. Meet me in the Arches in 20 minutes, all right?

I can't believe you were spying on us!

Why? Because I caught you out?

It wasn't my idea, Rox.

Judas!

If AJ told you to jump off a cliff, would you?

No.

-No? Right, that's it, you're grounded for two weeks.

-What?

I can make it three if I want.

OK. You know when you say grounded,

-do you mean in the bedroom?

-Yeah.

How did this turn into that?

I don't know, but I think we should leave.

Yeah, me too.

Quickly.

MOBILE RINGS

Hello?

Course I can.

Where?

What if I can't stop her from drinking?

I can't just stand by, can I, and watch my daughter kill herself?

No-one expects you to have all the answers.

Addiction is extremely hard to break.

So what do I do?

You're a mum. You must know how desperate I am.

There are several options.

Most people detox at home with the help of their families,

their GP, or perhaps a support group.

What are the other options?

There is residential care.

I know how shocking this must be for you.

It's not an easy decision, and it's certainly not cheap,

but you and Mr Branning must discuss it

and decide what's best for Lauren.

For all of you.

And I didn't mean to sound judgmental earlier.

I just know how acrimonious a marriage breakdown can be.

I got divorced last year.

If it was your daughter, what would you do?

It's quite far away, but it's the best place I know.

Glad you called.

Been worried about you.

Can I get you something? Cup of tea?

Can't stay long.

I just wanted to explain about yesterday. Lost my head a bit.

It's being pregnant, you know, hormones,

it's like being on a rollercoaster.

But anyway, I feel better today, more myself.

So I don't need you calling round,

slipping notes through my door, trying to get in here.

Cos you ain't got the key anymore.

I've changed the locks.

Permanently.

Understood?

Jay?

Jay?

ALL: Happy birthday!

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Abi

# Happy birthday to you! #

Wish.

Ahh!

What did you wish for?

What do you think?

I think that you haven't got a bad bone in your body.

That's what I think.

Aww! So cute!

Such a sweet boy.

Shut up!

All right, Trace, have you got change?

Can you keep a secret?

Not another one.

I'm a day late.

Are you saying what I think you're saying?

All right, Tan?

Couldn't get hold of Abi. Left her a message.

She's probably out with Jay or something.

What's the matter? Have you heard something?

Babe, why didn't you call me?

I was just about to...

Her liver is damaged.

Seriously damaged.

So that if...

..if she... Even if...

It's bad, Max.

What do you mean, Tan? How bad?

One more drink could kill her.

Well, then, it's simple. We don't let her drink.

We watch her. We sit with her. Every night if we have to.

We're a team, aren't we?

Tan?

Course we are.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd