04/04/2014 EastEnders

PHONE BEEPS

-Someone's popular.

-It's just Whitney.

That's not the first time she's tried

to get hold of you in the last 24 hours.

Johnny?! Did you know about this? I could kill Sharon.

Where's your dad?

FRANTIC KNOCKING

Mick, answer me!

-Yeah, babe, what?

-What you doing in there?

I must have fallen asleep.

I was about to bust the door down.

I need you in the living room. Family conference, now.

All right.

You all right, Curtis?

Ooh - "Tonight, come celebrate the grand opening of The Albert

"with free cocktails and canapes."

-All I can say is the owner of this establishment must be very generous.

-She is.

Come on, let's go.

-Sharon, am I reading this right? "Free"?

-That's what it says.

-All night?

-Well, on selected cocktails.

I knew there'd be a catch. I'll think about it.

You do that.

Mum! You all right?

Oh, yeah. As if everyone wasn't looking at me already.

-No-one's looking at you. Don't be silly.

-Is that all right?

-You look beautiful.

-Thank you. I'm late for work, darling.

-Carol! I've got a full caff in there...

-Sorry, I got held up.

-Yeah, that's fine... Just take all the time you need, yeah?

Oh! So that's how you shut Ian Beale up.

Where's Dad?

I think he's already left.

Oh, but I didn't hear him come in last night.

Yeah, well, you know what you're like. Sleep through anything.

-Right, well, I'm going to go. I'll see you later.

-See you later.

PHONE BEEPS

You're not going, are you?

Why don't you just come back to bed?

I've got a really busy day.

I've got to go.

See you later.

Have you seen these? They're plastered all over the Square.

Free cocktails and canapes. She's doing a spread now. How can we compete?

If you're worried about a few vol au vents and a prawn ring, we ain't going to go out of business.

It's all we need, with the market maybe closing. If only we had the pool table!

-We could've started the tournament tonight.

-Relax, L. Nancy's on the case.

We're not competing with this mob. The Albert's a poncy bar. We're a boozer.

Yeah, but what else has she got up her sleeve? That's what I want to know.

I blame you for this. You were supposed to be my eyes and my ears.

-I've said I'm sorry, didn't I? I made one mistake. If it was Nancy that did it...

-Er...

OK, fine, fine. If it was Lee that had done it, then,

you would have shrugged it off and gone "Oh, that's Lee," and all would've been forgotten.

Don't you bring your brother into this. He's out fighting for his country. What are you doing?

-What is it you want from me?

-I want you round there kissing Sharon's backside and getting your job back.

Do you think you can do that?

< It's nice to see the family getting on(!)

And you can put that cigarette out, right now.

If I wanted my ceilings yellow, I'd have gone with the magnolia.

If you want to smoke, do it out the window, or outside, I don't care.

This house is getting very crowded

and you are in my bottom two, so be warned.

Outside? I can't manage the stairs in my condition.

Well, if it's the stairs you're worried about, I'm happy to give you a nudge.

Come on.

L. Go easy on Johnny. He said he was sorry.

Cheers. Thank you.

I like the scarf.

You don't have to say that.

-No, I actually do.

-Thanks. What can I get you?

Nothing. Actually, I'm just looking for my dad. Have you seen him?

No. Not since yesterday. Why?

What is it?

Well, he didn't come home last night... I don't know.

I know there's something's going on with him.

Listen, you'd better sit down, Lauren.

Mess.

Sharon?

If you've come here to help tidy up, you're a bit late.

If I was you, I wouldn't give him the time of day.

Just give us a few minutes, yeah.

I'll be upstairs.

I just wanted to say I'm sorry.

Well, I don't know what you do at the Vic - that's between you,

your mum and your dad, but you do not steal from my bar.

-I don't make a habit of stealing from anyone.

-So why did you do it?

To make friends.

I'll put back everything I took.

It's not about that.

You know, this place means a lot to me and I trusted you.

Look, Johnny, you've done the right thing. You've apologised.

So you can go.

What about my job?

Well, I'm not sure this is the right thing for you at the moment, Johnny.

What is the right thing for me, then?

-Go on, please tell me cos everybody else seems to know but me.

-Johnny...

I knew you were going to waste my breath. No-one listens to me anyway, do they?

You all right? What's the matter?

I can't believe you've been hiding something like that from me.

What do you mean? What are you talking about?

-What, were you just not going to tell me?

-Can you just tell me what you're talking about?

Don't you get it? If you could have that gene then I could have it too, Dad.

Yeah, well, I just didn't want you to worry, Lauren, not till I got the results back.

And Abi, she's got her exams to focus on.

I don't want to stress her out, do I?

Right, well, I'm coming with you... to your appointment. Carol told me it was today.

Lauren, it's only a blood test. I don't get the results for weeks.

I don't care. I'm coming with you.

You shouldn't have to go through this on your own.

All right, fine, I'll go and get changed and then we'll go, yeah?

Dad?

You don't have to keep secrets from me.

Yeah, I know.

You said nobody listens to you.

Well, go on, I'm listening.

What you said back there wasn't just about the job, was it, Johnny?

No, I'm just angry at myself for messing things up. Just as I was getting somewhere.

-Things ain't exactly been great at home since...

-Since?

Since I came out.

Dad's been brilliant, but it's Mum.

She thinks she's open-minded

cos she bought a Joe McElderry Christmas album but the truth is

she can barely even look at me.

Which is weird, cos she's the one person

I thought would stand by me the most...

Yeah. Yeah, course.

But she just shut down on me

and I spend every day trying to win her back and I can't do it any more...

I'm at uni. I'm the first one in our family that did that.

You gave me the job at The Albert

and I really felt like I was winning her round.

She even called me "sausage" again the other day,

which I know sounds completely ridiculous, but that means I'm on her good side.

You know, when I was your age,

I was a nightmare trying to get my parents to notice me.

I was always playing up.

I wasn't trying to get a job and go to uni.

if I did, it would probably have been a different story.

We all make mistakes.

Learn from it, move on and don't steal from other people's bars.

-I really am sorry.

-Yeah, I know you are.

-Which is why I want you behind my bar tonight.

-Really?

Really. I can't be doing without my best-looking barman, can I?

I thought Curtis was your best-looking barman.

He's not a patch on you, sweetheart.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

PHONE BEEPS

Cheers.

Dad? Something happened last night

and I don't want you to freak out about it.

But you know I went out with my mates?

Yeah.

I almost had a drink.

I didn't.

I had the chance to and I didn't.

But it got me thinking maybe I can.

Maybe I can have just one drink.

Lauren, it don't work like that. You can't just "have one".

It don't matter if you feel like you're in control.

Yeah, I know, but what? Am I just never going to drink again?

Well, maybe, yeah.

You've done really well up to now.

Why are you just going to throw that away?

I dunno. Moment of weakness, I guess.

Come here.

Right. I'm going to go see what's taking them so long.

PHONE BEEPS

Mum?

You've got a visitor.

Sorry for just turning up like this.

But you haven't replied to any of my texts so...

Johnny, I was really drunk last night, OK?

Yeah, yeah, they say the truth comes out when you're drunk, don't they?

I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Sorry that I opened up to you.

-Don't be like that.

-I told you things.

I told you things I'd never told anybody before.

-I said things that I hadn't even said out loud.

-Yeah.

-And all along you was just trying to get in my pants.

-No, Johnny...

What if it was the other way around? What if a boy did that to a girl?

He'd be accused of taking advantage.

I don't know. I don't know, Whit. I don't know where we are any more.

-I thought we were mates.

-We are, Johnny.

Yeah, and that's all.

-Yeah, I know.

-Do you?

Yeah. I promise.

Come here.

Come here.

-Did we just have our first fight?

-Yeah.

I'm going to go back to work and get some lunch.

-I'll see you later?

-Sharon gave me my job back at The Albert.

It's the big opening tonight if you want to come.

-Cool.

-All right.

-So! How did it go?

-Great. I got my job back.

No, I meant with Whitney!

Yeah, fine. It's all sorted.

Good.

-So, have you not got anything to say about me getting my job back?

-What do you want? A gold star?

You're lucky, after what you did.

Sorry, what is wrong with you?

-Excuse me?

-I'm over it. I'm over it, Mum.

I'm over trying to impress you. If nothing I do is good enough for you which clearly it's not,

then don't bother coming tonight. I ain't doing it for you anyway. I'm doing it for Sharon.

At least she cares about me.

Wasn't that bad today, was it?

And who knew Max Branning was scared of needles?

No-one, Lauren. And it's going to stay that way, all right?

KNOCK ON DOOR

I'll get it.

-Are you expecting anyone?

-No.

One second.

-You all right?

-Yeah. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

-No, no, not at all.

-OK, I've got some really good news that you might want to hear.

-What is it?

-I got us a meeting about running the lettings campaign on Walford Common.

What? That is amazing!

-I know!

-Come in. Come in. We're just having dinner.

-Oh, no, really, it's fine...

-No. No, it's all right. Dad, you don't mind if Lucy comes in, do you?

Er...no, no. It's fine.

You'll show Sharon up, looking like that.

I don't think so.

Course you will. You look gorgeous.

I mean because I'm not going.

I thought you wanted to check out the competition?

Allegedly, Ian Beale's on nibbles

so I can imagine how pretentious it's going to be.

-You two coming?

-Won't be a minute, girls. I'll meet you downstairs.

All right. Hurry up.

Johnny needs you there.

Rubbish. Did I tell you what he said?

He's not doing it for me.

He's doing it for his best friend Sharon.

And you believe that, do you, L?

That's a real shame.

Cos I remember when his best friend used to be his mum.

Mum, why don't you come tonight?

-Just for a bit.

-What? Let my hair down?

Honestly, darling, I'm tired.

-Just come and have one.

-No, honestly, I'm shattered. You go.

Have fun... be young!

Ready?

-Yeah. See you later, then.

-See you.

DANCE MUSIC THUMPS

Where did you find these people?

I told you I was after a new crowd, didn't I?

Sharon's certainly wearing the trousers tonight.

How's it feel to be the woman in the operation?

I don't know. Why don't you tell me?

You're the one she's had in the kitchen all day preparing finger food.

Oh, here she is!

Thanks for coming. No Linda?

No, no. She sends her apologies. She's run off her feet at The Vic.

Oh. Go and get a drink, yeah?

You know, if you was my wife,

I wouldn't want to go off and leave you at home.

If I was your wife I wouldn't be at home.

I'd be diving head first off the nearest bridge.

That's what I mean. You're a feisty one.

Not going to down to watch your little Nancy

taking her turn behind the bar tonight?

-You mean Johnny.

-That's who I'm talking about.

-Just pulling your leg!

-I don't like you talking about him like that.

Like what? Like the way you do?

Do us all a favour, and drink yourself to sleep.

Whoa, whoa, slow down. No-one's going to take it off you.

They will in a minute when it's empty, won't they?

Can I have a Sex on the Beach please, Senor?

-Yeah, and three Zam-brucas.

-No probs.

-Sambuca.

What's with you two? Are you on a mission or something?

Terry, you have gotta live each day as if it's your last,

cos you don't know when it's going to be, do you?!

Here we go, get that down your gregory, girl!

-Cin cin.

-Cheers.

So basically, the developers on Walford Common are looking

for a lettings company to manage their properties.

And it's really competitive.

Yeah, but Lucy told them that we could offer them

-a reduced commission and they said that they'd meet us.

-Smart move.

Yeah, what did your dad say?

He didn't bat an eyelid. But that's not surprising.

Well, no offence, Lucy, but your dad's an idiot.

They can't all be like you, Max.

Well, to us!

To us!

Check her out. Su Pollard called. She wants her glasses back.

Who's Su Pollard?

I thought you said Linda weren't coming?

Don't say a word.

I've already re-applied my mascara once this evening.

-I'm trying, Mick. I am trying.

-I know you are.

Linda, you made it.

Shirley insisted she could hold the fort, so...

Oh...come here!

The place looks...

I love what you've done with the dolls.

And thanks for giving Johnny another chance.

It's not hard. He's a good kid.

I know.

I think twerking girl over there has had enough.

Let it go, will you? You're barking up the wrong gay tree.

That's why there's so many single women in London.

They hag it up for as long as they're young enough to dance

and then they get spat out on the wrong side of 40 with no man,

no dignity and wearing their boobies as an ankle skirt.

You're a nice girl. You don't want that.

-B, I'm going to go now.

-Don't go! Stay!

-I don't feel like it.

-Oh, come on, Whit, Come and dance!

-Sorry!

-Well done!

-What's happened, what's happened?

-Bianca's drunk.

-I'm not drunk.

-Yes, you are.

-I'm amazing!

-No, you ain't. You're leaving. Come on. Come on, out.

Come on, Phil - it's only a spilt drink, innit.

Look at the state of your woman. You need to control her.

I don't "control" my woman, Phil, I ain't that kind of a bloke.

-Come on, we don't want any trouble.

-You know she's going through?

I don't care what she's going through. She don't bring it in here.

Bianca!

Sharon, can I get five minutes? Please?

Four. Chuck us a cloth.

Ease up.

Bianca!

-What are you getting upset about a spilt drink for?

-I'm not upset about the drink, am I?

I'm not upset about the drink... It's just me.

It's just everything...

It's just every time I think about my mum I just feel horrible, don't I?

Come on, don't be silly.

You're doing everything you can, aren't you?

You just don't get it, do you? It's just...

Every time I think about her, I just feel horrible.

And every time I look at her I just think that could be me.

And then I feel even more horrible because I'm just

thinking about myself when I should be looking after my mum.

She's so strong and I don't know if I can be -

I just don't know if I could cope.

I do.

Bianca, you're one of the strongest women I know.

Albeit outspoken, loud-mouthed and sometimes a liability...

But that's the reason I love you so much.

Look, worst case scenario, you've got this gene

and you get sick from it, you'd be stronger than you realise.

I know it.

And on the days you can't be strong, I'll be strong for you.

How does that sound?

Do you think I'm a silly cow?

Yeah.

But I wouldn't change you for the world.

Come here.

PHONE RINGS

Oh, get lost!

What you done?

I don't know what I'm doing any more.

-Let me help.

-No. Don't bother!

-It's all right.

-Don't bother with me, Johnny! I mean it!

Just don't bother with me. Or this. Or anything any more, OK?

I don't want to be your mate no more.

I can't.

SIREN BLARES

Dad! Dad!

-There's a fire at The Vic.

-What?

-There is a fire at the Vic.

-Oh my... Quick!

Dad, we're just going to go outside and see what's happening. You coming?

No. No, you girls go. I need to clear up the kitchen.

I'll help if you like.

-I'll catch you in a bit.

-All right.

Right. Dishes.

-Tosh!

-What's happened?

It was a small fire in the living room.

Luckily we got it before it caused too much damage.

How? What started it?

-Looks like it could have been a cigarette.

-Stan!

Where's Dad? And Shirl?

They went in the ambulance. They're fine.

It was only Stan up there. Luckily some lad saved him.

-Who?

-What lad?

I don't know - a punter, I think. He went with 'em in the ambulance.

You all right?

I'll get the motor.

I didn't mean to make things awkward tonight.

It's all right. Don't worry about it.

I was just really excited about the news.

Well, you should be. You did well.

Really?

Yeah, I said as much, didn't I?

It's nice to know that someone appreciates me.

Look, Luce, if your dad found out about this... Or the girls...

Found out what?

Shirley!

-Thank God you're OK.

-I'm fine, I'm fine.

-What about Dad?

-Old iron lung? Yeah, he's fine.

Apparently if you smoke 180 fags a day, you don't die of smoke inhalation.

Tosh said some bloke rescued him?

Some bloke?

Right.

-What you on about?

-Who is it?

Lee?

Mum, Dad.