06/05/2014 EastEnders

PHONE RINGS

LUCY: 'You've reached LB Lettings.

'If you'd like to leave a message for Lucy Beale or Lauren Branning,

'please speak after the tone.'

PHONE BEEPS

You've reached LB lettings.

If you'd like to leave a message for Lauren Branning,

please speak after the tone.

Happy birthday, beautiful.

Thank you!

I don't mind being ancient if this is the sort of treatment I get.

I've changed shifts, I've got the whole day off.

-I thought we'd go up West and see a show later.

-You're amazing.

Better than Shirley. She guzzled all the milk then sent me

out for more, the cheeky mare.

At least one of us knows how to treat you right.

How about I give you a proper thank you for them flowers?

What, here?

The others aren't up yet.

Surprise.

THEY CHEER AWKWARDLY

Eh! THEY LAUGH

You didn't really think I'd send you to the

shop for milk on your birthday for no reason, did you?

Aww. Come here, you.

How does it feel being 40? Your hip giving you gyp?

PLAYFUL SMACK, YELPING

40 was the beginning of the end for me, health wise.

Nice one, Grandad. Bundle of laughs as usual.

Dunno what all this talk about 40's about.

I'm 30, you bunch of planks. THEY LAUGH

We've got you a lovely big cake for later. Shop-bought.

Phew!

And...

-DRUM ROLL

-..this is from all of us.

From all of you?

-Yep, I love it. I love it.

-Go on, go on.

THEY LAUGH

A doggie bag! That's wicked!

And tonight, we're going to throw the best Russell

this gaff's ever seen. Only the best for my Tina. All right?

But we've already got plans for tonight.

Tina, we own a pub.

You don't think we're not going to throw a party for your 40th?!

Babe, a party here'll be the business.

We can go to the theatre any time.

THEY CHEER

-What time do you call this?

-Sorry, mate.

-I was at the hospital, getting the result of the gene test.

-And?

It's good. It's all negative.

You really are blessed with good fortune, ain't you, Max?

I'll sort everything out later.

-I'll go down the PC place, get us some new gear.

-Yeah.

You'll pay on your own credit card, won't you, so it'll be

really easy for the old bill to figure out what's been going on?

I called a mate. He's going to bring over some new machines.

-Untraceable.

-Oh, right. Saves a job, don't it?

-Hi, Lauren.

-Hiya.

-All right?

-Mum's just picked up Oscar.

-She said you can speak to him at the weekend.

-Lovely.

You look like a young lady who's aiming to be

businesswoman of the year.

I'm just trying to do something to keep Lucy's memory alive.

Yeah, good.

Well, now you're here I'm going to shoot off and collect Carol.

-I'm taking the Saab, all right, Max?

-Yeah, no worries.

-You sure you can manage on your own today?

-Yes.

Good. See you later.

Give her my love, yeah?

Yeah, will do.

I've just been to the hospital, Lauren.

I haven't got the cancer gene.

You, me, Oscar, Abi, we're all in the clear.

All right?

Nan. Nan, listen.

The letting agency just rang and said if they don't get

the deposit by the end of the week, we're going to lose the flat.

They said they'd give me a fortnight yesterday!

I mean, we can always go back to plan B.

You and me are getting that flat, come hell or high water.

All right? Can I have 12 doughnuts, please?

Yeah. That's £9, please, gorgeous.

12? Slow down, fatness.

Shut up, they're not all for me.

We're planning a party later for Tina at the pub,

-if you want to come.

-All right.

I couldn't let you spend the night all on your own, could I?

OK... I'll see you later. Thank you.

Bye.

Just tell me, tell me she didn't just invite me out as friends

and I just stroked up her arm like some weird lech?

HE CHUCKLES We've all been there, mate. Trust me.

Yeah, I'm just...I'm just a bit behind at the moment.

I haven't had a chance to go through my e-mails yet.

Well, I've got about 50 voice mails to get through as well.

Can I give you a call back when I find it?

Thank you. Bye.

PHONE RINGS

LB Lettings, Lauren speaking.

Yes. Hang on, let me just have a look.

Shall we do something when we get out of here?

Nothing too strenuous, just go for a walk, get some air.

No. No, I'd rather just get home.

See the kids and start getting back to normal.

Yeah, course you would. Sorry, daft idea.

DOOR OPENS

All set? The doctor will be along soon.

Good, good, good.

I hope it's not been too bad being with us the past few days.

No. You've been fantastic. Really. All of you.

Haven't they, Carol?

But don't be offended if we say we ain't planning on hurrying back.

I dunno. I dish out food, I clean, I stick a smile on my face.

Still no-one wants to be a repeat customer.

It's not that.

If it was just your smile on offer we'd be back like a shot.

Well, I would anyway.

SHE LAUGHS

What are you up to, Dot?

Just checking that the phone was functioning properly.

You know, cos we can't be unreachable,

not a busy establishment like this.

Trust me, the times you want the phone to ring the most, it don't.

You waiting on that grandson of yours?

You know what, when my nan was still alive,

I never visited her from one month to the next.

One day she rang me, said she'd gone down with the flu.

She sounded terrible.

I was round there like a shot.

-You and Mr Papadopoulos go back a long way, don't you?

-Mm-hmm.

Do you think he might be open to giving me an advance?

50-odd years I've worked here,

and not once have I asked for a penny before my wages was due.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a phone call to make.

Ah, no, no - secret party-planning meeting. And you're barred.

Orders of Shirley.

They won't be able to keep me in the dark all day.

No. Which is why Shirley already rang Jake

-and said you'd work a shift at the cafe this afternoon.

-On my birthday?!

Look, will you get off? Me and Fireman Sam have got this organised.

Aww, look at you two getting on in there.

I can't believe you're going to all this effort for me.

SHIRLEY AND JOHNNY CHUCKLE

So, um, does anybody actually know what we're going to do for food?

Yep. Mate of mine hires out chocolate fountains.

-Says he can have one here by six.

-Boom. Nice one.

Know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to phone Whit, tell her to get a cake.

No, you won't. I don't want any fuss.

Come on. It's your birthday. You're only 29 once.

Unless you're Kat - she was 29 until she was 40.

It's a nice thought but let's get Mummy settled. Yeah?

We're back!

-There you are. You all right?

-All right?

-Yeah.

-All right, Mum?

-Happy birthday, darling.

-Thank you.

What's all this?

We wanted to make it all cosy for you.

You don't want to listen to him snoring all night.

-I don't snore!

-So I've got to sleep down here, have I?

The girls want to make sure you take it easy from now on.

Kat's on the stall so I'll be here. You won't have to lift a finger.

Yeah, I spoke to Martin last night. All right? Told him everything.

We're going to go and see the gene person next week

so you haven't got to worry. All right?

I'm going to go to work. I'll see you later.

Hiya. Just really quickly, I'm just...

-I'll keep you posted.

-OK. Cheers, mate.

What did he want?

Danny Pennant's alibi's checked out - he's been in Marbella for weeks.

Just that and some other stuff.

I'm going to go get some air.

-Hang on...

-Peter, I am 45. OK?

If I want to leave the house on my own, I can. I'll see you later.

-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come...

-It's not you.

He won't talk to me or Denise.

He wouldn't even let us open the curtains yesterday.

I wouldn't normally barge in, it's just I've had clients

ringing me all morning and I can't find the contact list anywhere.

I just thought Lucy might've had one.

You're starting the business back up?

Listen, I'm going to go. There must be a contact list somewhere.

Does it help? Going back to work? Getting out there again?

I dunno.

I hope so.

Right. I'll take your chocolate fountain and I'll raise it.

-There's only one thing Tina loves more than a party.

-Oh, no.

You've not got a troupe of clowns and a bouncy castle coming, have ya?

A theme party.

She was born in the '70s, let's celebrate like it's the '70s.

You're in luck, John, there's about four of the Village People in here.

That's not really my thing. But this...

THEY LAUGH

Well, this is really classy, well done(!)

What? Tina's going to love this!

Yeah, she don't like all that snooty food.

They're called canapes!

She likes booze, she likes fun,

and she likes to celebrate with all her family round her.

Yeah, well, like it or not, I'm part of Tina's family now too.

SHIRLEY SCOFFS

So bring on the disco.

DOOR OPENS

All right, Lauren?

You haven't seen a set of car keys lying about, have you?

Dad, I've got my own business to worry about.

There's an e-mail here from a bloke

talking about the Walford Common flats.

I was meant to go and meet him on Good Friday but I never made it.

Yeah, so what?

Well, this e-mail says he's there, and he's asking where I am.

So what if Lucy saw this and she replied to it instead?

Yeah. And what if she didn't? You're only guessing.

Surely I need to go to the police about this?

I mean, this John Jones bloke could've been the last

person to see Lucy alive.

The police must have been all through her e-mails.

They're probably right across that.

Yeah, but what if they're not?

SHE COUGHS

CORA: What am I supposed to do, magic the dosh out of thin air?

Course I still want it.

I'm not going to bunk down in a cardboard box, am I?

Isn't that a blooming shame?

A beautiful girl like you with a face like a day-old kipper.

Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to listen in on other

people's conversations?

Don't be like that. I thought me and you hit it off.

Yeah? Well, you thought wrong.

Look, I know you're busy. I just want to have a quick word.

I already gave your pitch away.

What, to some stranger who doesn't even know the market?

How do you think that's going to go down with the punters?

Look, Peter, I know you're going through a tough time

but this is business.

Look, I'll give you an extra tenner in pitch fees

if you kick them off and take me back.

A bribe?

It's not a bribe. Just business.

You can start tomorrow morning. Just don't make me regret this, yeah?

INDISTINCT SPEECH

-Hey. How about some lunch up the West End?

-Eh?

Mum, you can't go out, you're not well.

I can do whatever I choose, thank you, Bianca.

Are you going to get your coat or what?

Excuse me.

I'm Lauren Branning. Lucy Beale's business partner?

Right, of course.

I think I might've found something that could be useful.

It's an e-mail.

There's a chance that Lucy might've been meeting

a client before she went missing.

We've already been through all of Lucy's correspondence, don't worry.

I know, but this one was addressed to me, not her.

I might know this bloke, I could help you.

Well, how about I send one of my officers round tomorrow?

And you can make sure we get everything down.

I'm telling you that I might know who saw Lucy last.

What, do you know about this e-mail already?

Why aren't you saying nothing?

I promise you we follow up every lead we get,

you just have to leave it to us.

Thanks for coming in. You did the right thing.

What if this bloke done something to her?

What if this is the bloke you're looking for?

Are you going to get in the car or what?

Or do I need to head for the bus stop?

No. Not until you tell me what this is all about.

This is about me having choice.

I can be the old lady with the rug on my lap

watching you flirt with nurses...

Oh, come on, Carol. That was banter, weren't it?

..or I can do what I can, when I can for as long as I can.

I don't want to be a victim, David. I want to be the person that I am.

Come on then. Any fancy restaurant in particular?

I take it I'm paying.

It doesn't matter. And we'll eat after.

After what, dare I ask?

After you put this ring on my finger and take me

down the registry office.

The mood you're in, I'm not about to say no, am I?

Come on.

Cora Cross, what do you think you're doing?

Nance, listen...

-SHE LAUGHS

-Whoa!

I genuinely don't know what to say about that.

Look. Listen, earlier on in the cafe, I didn't mean to...

Nah! Look, I'm going to go and change the barrel.

You go in there and get yourself a drink on me.

I'm proud of you. Telling Martin. Can't have been easy.

No. What with that and Mum, it's not been the best birthday ever.

-Bianca!

-They ain't going to miss it, are they? Come on.

Oi. Mitts off my birthday balloons.

It's Sonia's birthday and all.

We haven't had time to do anything cos of our mum.

It's your birthday today? Seriously?!

It's like we're twins or something!

-I'm a little bit younger than you.

-You had to go and ruin it.

Listen, Tina, sorry, I know I've got a bit of a big mouth and that.

But I only do it to protect my family.

Is that an apology?

Oh, come on, B, let's go. Sorry. And happy birthday.

Buy me a drink.

If you really want to apologise, come inside and buy me a drink.

Come on, it's your birthday.

INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER

The coins keep getting jammed.

I was trying to help them get through.

Get hold of Charlie? Feed him a line to come round, did ya?

Just a little white lie, that's all.

You don't have to tell me.

We do whatever we have to, to keep those we love close.

If it was all just a misunderstanding

then we'll say no more about it.

I shall take my gloves and I shall go home.

Though from now on, I shall be counting every penny

what comes over this threshold.

Just to keep us both on the straight and narrow.

Thank you, Dot.

I think Lucy met a client the night she died.

I mean, I've just been to the police about it

but they didn't really seem that interested.

Actually, they've already questioned him. Holt told us before.

Did they say who it was?

No, and I couldn't tell you even if they did.

The police are handling it.

Is that not bothering you? I mean, I could know this person.

I might be able to help them find out who did this.

The police found this man before we even knew he existed.

Just let them do their job.

Well, it doesn't look like they're doing much to me.

RUSTLING, FOOTSTEPS

Oi, this is private property, you know!

HE GRUNTS

Nance! Are you taking the...?!

What, again?!

SHE LAUGHS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Quiet down, quiet down! Sh, she's coming.

-Johnny...

-No peeking.

SHE SQUEALS

-Ready?

-Yeah.

-And...ta-da!

CROWD CHEER

You lot look wicked! Dunno what this theme is though.

I'm a child of the '80s, aren't I? THEY LAUGH

Happy birthday, Teen.

Shirley! Health and safety!

You trying to get us shut down or what?!

Oh, don't take the cherry!

Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses to my beautiful Tina Carter.

-Here is to the next 40 years...

-30!

-30 years. All right.

-Tina!

-And listen, hold up.

Ladies and gentlemen, do yourselves a favour - blame it on the boogie!

MUSIC: "Blame It On The Boogie" by Jackson 5

I know how you feel.

These parties always have this way of making me

want to lay down in a dark room.

-Here y'are.

-Another glass of wine would've done me.

You're in the last year of your 20s, you want to cheer up a little bit.

-What is in this, rocket fuel?!

-Oh, Sonia.

It's strong, innit?

Oi! I saw that!

What you on about, you mad cow?

She's been trying to sabotage me all day.

Yeah, and you've been getting on my wick.

You just can't stand it.

You can't stand the fact that you're not the most important

-woman in Tina's life any more.

-Is that right?

Will you both just shut up?!

I'd rather have no party at all than watch the two of you

knocking lumps out of each other.

You all right, girl?

Let me go, eh?

It's not my fault you've got a glass jaw, is it?

Look, if you don't like me, you don't like me, innit?

Just tell me. You ain't got to keep hitting me to make your point.

All right. I don't know if I like you or not.

I haven't really thought about it.

And to be honest, I don't really want to.

-Me and Wayne used to be proper friends.

-Yeah.

And now obviously we're not.

And it was exactly the same with my boyfriend before that

-and my boyfriend before that.

-All right. So what?

Can we not just stay as we are?

Yeah, course we can. If that's what you want.

That's just so you know what you're missing out on.

Right, I'm going to go and get changed

so I'm not the only one who looks like a doughnut.

Oi, birthday twin!

They're never going to get on, are they?

Probably not. But they both love you to pieces.

They wouldn't be fighting otherwise.

Well, go on, then.

You know why I'm not in the birthday spirit. What about you?

Nothing. You concentrate on yourself.

You always say that. About me, about your mum.

Go on, what about you?

I went home last night to tell Martin about the cancer gene.

But all I kept thinking was...

he'll leave me, he don't love me enough.

So I went to bed without saying anything

and then I lied to Bianca and Mum about it.

-What about seeing the geneti...?

-Geneticist?

I really can't think about all that any more.

There's a good chance I could be healthy my whole life.

And cancer doesn't mean much at Rebecca's age.

Her mum and dad splitting up will.

Why didn't you say any of this?

I wouldn't have gone on about my problems if I'd known.

You've got two people in there who'd do anything for you.

They'll stand by you through thick and thin.

Yeah? From where I'm sitting, that ain't half bad, is it?

Ian?

Are you all right?

You look freezing.

Denise and Peter keep calling.

I should go home but...

..I can't face it.

I really miss her.

You know what, she had 60 more years in front of her.

Why not me?

Why not someone who's had a life?

I don't know.

The police keep coming round. "Keeping us informed."

I just wish they'd admit they're looking for a needle in a haystack.

They'll find him, they'll have to. Won't they?

I mean, all it could take is just one little piece of information

and that'll be that.

MUSIC: "You Should Be Dancing" by Bee Gees

I see your face-ache hasn't subsided.

Stay out of my business and have a bath.

I gather it's money problems, judging by that phone call recently.

Are you hard of hearing?

We could buddy up, you know? For a reasonable interest, of course.

-If you're pulling my leg...

-Two things I never joke about.

Money, and helping out a beautiful lady.

In that case, you'd better get the drinks in.

I'll have a gin.

-Oh...

-HE LAUGHS

Right. I'll leave you to it.

Come on, you. We're off.

Where've you been, you dozy mare?

I can't keep getting pulled between the two of you. OK?

And I'll have gone nuts long before either of you decide to give it up.

-So...I've decided I think it's best if I move in with Tosh.

-Yes!

Give us a bit of breathing space.

Has that tequila pickled your brain?

We can't be Bill and Ben for ever.

If that's all right with you?

But in the meantime, I need you to understand that this lot are my

family and I'm not going to stop hanging round here like a bad smell.

I love you both, right? It's no competition.

Tina. Me and her are never going to get on.

Finally something we agree on.

Aww, I love it when everyone's friends.

-DAVID:

-They're here, they're here, they're here...

DOOR OPENS, CLOSES

-Happy birthday!

-Happy birthday, Sonia.

-Sorry it isn't much.

-Oh, it's lovely.

-Happy birthday, Son.

-Thank you, David.

-There you are.

Make a wish.

What did you wish for?

Well, we've got some news. Ain't we?

Yeah. We went down the registry office today...

Eloping, at your age!

No, we've booked a date. 27th May. Put it in your diaries.

Yeah. About time we had something to celebrate round here, isn't it?

Come on, let's get this cake cut.