19/05/2014 EastEnders

Abs. You've got to eat, darling.

I think I know it, then my mind just goes blank.

You're just trying too hard.

Yeah. Dad's right. Just relax.

Yeah. Then when you get in the exam,

you know, take your time. Read through all the questions properly.

Abs, just eat, will you? Please.

I'm going to...iron my stuff for the...

..for tomorrow, if you want your shirt doing.

Yeah. I'll put one out, Lauren. Cheers.

When you lose someone close to you, it ain't ever easy.

But I'm here for you. You know that, don't you?

I've got to go.

Abs?

You sure you got everything?

Just take your time. We'll be thinking about you.

Right, everyone on the list's been informed and RSVP'd.

Except Jane and Christian.

Right. Someone needs to go over the details with Reverend Stevens. I'll do that.

-What about the order of service?

-Peter's typed it up.

-Peter, can you make sure that gets printed out?

-Yeah, I'll be right on it.

Listen. I'm sorry I didn't tell you...about Lucy.

I'm going to go over and check the food with Mick and Linda.

Is that Lucy's outfit?

-Why? What's wrong with it?

-Nothing, it's just...

Nothing.

And I'll meet you over at the Cokers' at 11.

You sure you're OK to bring the outfit?

Yeah. I'll see you there.

-I can come with you, if you like.

-No. It's fine.

No, I get it, mate. I get it.

You started the job - now you've got a better offer.

Well, you know where you can stick that better offer, don't you?

Eh? Hello? Hello?

Let me guess? The painters?

-Gaffer's pulled them off the job.

-Oh, Mick, I want it finishing!

Where are we going to find a load of decorators at this short notice?

-Don't worry. I'll sort something out.

-You going to sort your dad an' all?

He's looking more lively now he's lost his chair.

All right, I'm on it.

I hope so. Don't know how much more of this I can stand.

At least Tina and Tosh are back in the flat.

What now?

You all right there, Dad?

Need to wet my whistle. One in the pot, Linda?

Mick?

Shirley. She's um...she's back on the sauce.

I shouldn't have brought Dean here in front of everyone.

I thought I was doing the right thing but it didn't exactly work out, did it?

I can't just sit back and do nothing.

You can't rush things. He's hot-headed. Like I was at his age.

Best leave it for a while. Slice of white going?

# Da-da-da, da-da-da-da, da da...! #

She needs help.

# Da-da-da, da-da-da-da, da da! #

Ta-da!

-Right, listen.

-We start with mocktails, chez Pat's Bar.

Then the limo will roll up.

And it'll be drinks on tap all night.

Served by naked butlers.

Followed by a bungee jump off Tower Bridge(!)

-Ignore them.

-We're organising Carol's hen night.

Let me guess? An oiled-up stripper with a sock down his budgie smugglers?

-Last time she gets her hands on a six-pack.

-Oi.

-That's ripped under there. Ripped.

-Amazing what a red wine and chip butty diet can do(!)

'Course. I never even said I'm having a hen night.

Come on. Sonia's all excited. It's her big night out.

-Sonia's not getting married, is she? I am.

-Come on, it's about time we had a bit of fun round here.

Look, darling. If it's what your mum wants...

Wouldn't seem right with Lucy's funeral tomorrow.

I'll see you later.

See you.

You sure about this? This is a big job.

Walford's very own Land Army.

If this was the war, I'd be on the ack-ack.

On the take, more like. Am I even getting paid for this?

"Keep calm and carry on," eh, Shirl?

-Want to give us a hand?

-I'm working on it.

Well, you do what you've got to do and leave the painting to us.

Um, I just wanted to make sure everything's OK with the food?

If you need any help, or tips on presentation...

Everything's chilling in the fridge. We'll be up bright and early. Make everything fresh.

-Make sure you do plenty. I don't want people hungry.

-Everything's under control. Just try not to worry.

Laugh Out Loud comedy night at the Albert, Friday night.

Live comedy.

-All right, Johnny?

-Yeah. These came out all right, didn't they?

Yeah. They're good.

What's this?

Oh...nothing. We're cancelling.

Ian, I'm really sorry, it's terrible timing.

Sharon, you weren't to know the funeral was this week.

Please don't go cancelling anything on my behalf.

Life goes on.

(Sorry).

Looking for something?

Frightened the life out of me!

I can't just leave it.

Are you sure Shirley even wants to see him now?

'Course she wants to see him. She's just frightened.

What we need to do is let Dean know that despite what's happened,

the door's still open.

It's a bit battered. But it's still open.

Give it to me.

The minute he hears your voice, he's going to hang up.

If he does agree to meet, don't push him. Or he'll bolt.

I was just wondering... if you needed a hand with anything?

I need to fold these. I was going to ask Lola, but...

She looks so happy. Beautiful.

My dad's barely speaking to me.

I'm not sure he's going to forgive me.

It's going to be OK.

Selfish. That's what you are.

We don't need the fuss, mate. Not at our age.

You're denying me the chance to strip you naked

-and put you on the Eurostar.

-Is that right?

-Yeah, you're out of order.

Do you want me to er...look out for the girls tomorrow?

-It's going to be a tough old day, ain't it?

-It's all right. Look out for them myself.

You ain't going, are you?

Yeah. 'Course I am. Why shouldn't I?

Just thought you'd want to keep your distance, that's all, you know.

Lucy was Lauren's best mate and Abi's stressed about her exams.

They'll need me there, won't they? Anyway, Jake's inside now.

Yeah. Yeah, I suppose so.

I just want to pay my respects.

We did say 11, didn't we? I'm sure we did.

-Hi, Lauren.

-Hi.

I wonder what's happened to him?

Dunno.

Think he's avoiding me.

I'm sure he'll come round.

Ian!

Hi. Um...

Five minutes. Won't kill you.

Where's Grandad?

His ankle's playing up. Anyway, this is about you and me.

Um...I'm sorry about the...

Always imagined it'd be an handshake and a light ale.

But you disrespect my sister like that...

That'd been building up for a while. She deserved it.

If you'd told me six months ago I'd be living with my old man...

But I heard him out.

And I'll tell you, Dean, some of the things he told me.

You know, I was...taken aback.

I realise there's two sides to every story.

And I'll tell you this for nothing.

Having the old man back in my life, it means a lot.

You can have that with your mum.

You've come this far.

We'll take a step back.

Then the rest is down to you.

Syed all right?

Yeah, he's fine. He's at work.

Ian, what are you doing here?

Just fancied going for a drive.

Saw the signs for Birmingham...

Is um...

Is Jane in?

She's out and I'm...I'm not sure what time she'll be back.

Ian, I'm so sorry.

The funeral's...tomorrow.

Only we hadn't heard from you...

Yeah, I've been meaning to get back to you.

You will be there, won't you? You, Jane, and Bobby?

Yeah, of course we will.

Ian, of course we will.

We wouldn't let you down. Not at a time like this.

How...how is he? Bobby?

Yeah, he's good.

You know, we're just taking it at his pace.

They, um...they think the man that...

-They got him.

-Yeah, I heard.

Ian, I am so sorry.

I just...

..can't believe she's gone.

She used to call you her favourite gay uncle.

Just so you know. You meant a lot to her.

Yeah, well, she meant a lot to me, too.

Look, I'll just be a sec...

You remember Ian, don't you, Yas?

Is that Yasmin? I wouldn't have um... I wouldn't have recognised her.

Pretty soon it'll be universities.

Make-up everywhere and boyfriends.

Why don't I put the kettle on, make us a cup of tea?

No...I've got to get back.

There's things I've got to get organised.

Tell...tell Jane I called.

'Course.

She's beautiful.

Yeah, you're right. It is short notice.

Yeah. Maybe some other time, eh? Right. Ta.

-You winning?

-Yeah. Great(!)

One of my acts has dropped out, I've got no compere

and Sharon's left me in charge.

Chance to prove myself. Chance to mess up, more like.

Ah-ah. What do we always say?

There ain't no can't in Carter.

Come on. I think we can organise a little comedy night between us.

Right. What haven't you done?

I didn't know what to say.

I mean, what's he even doing here?

He wanted to know if we were going to Lucy's funeral.

And I told him that we'd be there.

Why don't you go and find me Lacey Lamb?

OK? Here you go.

I told you, I can't.

This is Lucy we're talking about.

Now don't you dare give me the "it wouldn't be fair to Denise" routine, all right?

So tell me.

-Why is Ian searching me out the day before his daughter's funeral?

-Does it matter?

Maybe Denise can't give him what he needs right now.

So what am I? First reserve?

You're jealous!

I'm scared.

Seeing Ian with his heart ripped out

and I'm expected to stand there and be the strong one tomorrow?

If you love him, you'll do it.

And to be quite honest, sis, I don't think he can do it without you.

Carol, they're only trying to make you happy, aren't they? Come on, have a bit of fun.

It doesn't seem right, having a hen night, does it? Partying.

Catch you later, yeah? See you later.

-Hello, stranger.

-Dean!

I heard you was around. Let's have a look at you.

Look at you, gorgeous as ever.

What are you doing? You visiting your mum?

No. I'm visiting my two favourite women.

Now I've seen you, I'm going to go see Auntie Pat.

Pat?

What...so didn't no-one let you know?

Know what?

Well, Pat died, darling.

Sorry. It was a while ago now.

-Guess I've been away longer than I thought.

-Yeah.

Look, why don't you come and see me sometime?

We'll have a cup of tea. We'll have a little catch up.

You haven't seen Ian, have you, Carol?

No, he's not been in. Listen, about this party...

No, look, Carol,

you go ahead and have your hen night if you want one.

Life...

It needs celebrating, don't it?

The Albert, where Johnny's working. That's right.

Great, I'll tell him. Thanks, Mum. Bye.

Can he do it?

Jack Macrae's his name.

And Grandma Elaine says to tell you he's the best.

Mum. You've saved my life.

Those poor girls'll be gasping. Where's that tea?

And Tamwar said he can pull in one of his mates to fill that vacant slot.

Tamwar and comedy?!

There's two words you wouldn't think of putting in the same sentence.

-This Jack Macrae. He's bound to have a website.

-Mum!

None of my business.

-It's not like I've even...

-Your life. I'll take that.

'Message one.'

'Mr Beale, it's Mr Coker here.

'If you'd prefer us to collect Lucy's outfit from the house, that's absolutely fine.

'If you could just let us know.'

'Message two.'

'It's Tim Stevens from St Cuthbert's, Mr Beale.

-'I wonder if you'd give me a call...'

-You all right, Ian?

-'..so we can discuss some final arrangements.'

I'm sorry I wasn't there, Auntie Pat.

Dean heard you out, did he?

He listened. Whether he heard...

At least we tried.

And I appreciate you helping me out.

-You missed a bit.

-Oi! Watch it, or I'll paint your bald spot!

If I weren't such a useless old man, I'd be up there giving you a hand.

Yeah, right(!)

I just want you to know that you can stay for as...

long as it takes for you to get up and running.

Thanks, son.

Don't worry. I'll get someone to finish this.

I'm proud of you for trying.

Er, excuse me? We done all this.

She slipped off to get a cup of tea and never came back.

I was helping Johnny. Get in there, you.

Free food. Free bed.

He's got your number all right.

-Give him a break. The geezer can barely walk.

-He's playing you, Mick!

When he told me about Mum...

and the bath...you know, I realised...

He's been carrying that about for years and...

he was wrong to keep that from me.

But I think he was just trying to do the right thing.

-By inviting Dean over?

-He just wants you both talking.

Fat chance of that now, ain't it?

I'm not so sure. I've had a meet with him.

Dean? You've spoken to Dean?

Yeah. He didn't say much.

I just want you to know that me and the old man won't rest

until you've had it out with him.

I'm just going round in circles.

Well, you've got a lot on your mind, ain't you, Ian?

Just driving round and round.

Peter and Denise, they're just getting on with things.

I know I should. But...I can't.

Cheers.

Guess that's why I went to Birmingham.

-Why'd you go to Birmingham?

-To see Jane.

I had to tell her. I had to...

tell someone.

There's no-one round here I can tell.

I just...

I just can't deal with...

all this.

I just can't deal with it, Max.

I'm sure it weren't that bad.

Jay, it was a disaster!

Dad?

I've messed up my exam. Probably the worst...

Ab, er...could you just make us both a coffee, please?

All I had to do today was...

..was take Lucy's outfit to Coker's.

I couldn't.

Cos then...

..that'd be it, wouldn't it?

I'll never see her again.

Yeah, but Ian, it's a chance for you to say goodbye.

-You know, just the two of you.

-Max, you don't get it!

I didn't want to. All right? I don't want to say goodbye.

I'm burying my little girl tomorrow and I don't know what to do.

As if Dad was ever going to lift a finger.

Couldn't move away from his crossword, more like.

To be fair, he can hardly stand on that ankle, can he, eh?

He's got you wrapped right round his little pinkie these days, ain't he?

Shut your mouth, don't you start.

The only other time I remember Dad decorating,

we all ended up in A&E, cos of you.

Oh, yeah? When was that?

You was a baby. You slipped in the bath or something.

There's me, Shirl, Dad covered in emulsion. It's snowing.

You're bawling your eyes out.

-And Mum?

-What?

Mum. She must've been there?

I don't remember her.

I was just a little girl though, weren't I?

-Do you mind if I go and get changed?

-No, babe, go on.

I can't see a way through this. There must be one.

People find one.

Thanks.

I mean, you did.

How did you do it, after Bradley died?

I mean, not just the funeral - I mean beyond that.

Dunno. Didn't sleep enough.

Probably drank too much.

I remember watching the world go by and not thinking I'd ever be part of it again.

Then what?

Well, then one day, you realise... a whole day's gone by.

It weren't great. But it was OK.

You had an OK day.

So I've got to go through all this, just to get an OK day in the future.

Ain't just about you, Ian, is it? It's about your kids.

I got through for mine.

You have...you've got to do this for Bobby, for Peter.

I know Peter's a young man, but...he was Lucy's twin.

It's got to be hitting him hard.

Ian, if you can't find a way through this,

how do you expect them to?

I should, um...go home, yeah.

Sorry about the coffee. Max... Thank you.

I can peel a few carrots.

No, you can't. You sit there. You've been working hard.

-Right. Who's having a drink?

-Thought you were having Mondays off?

-Yeah, starting next week...

Oh, that was quick. The exercise regime's gone out the window, then?

Ha-ha. It's called muscle memory, darling.

My body contains the memory of many a tough

and strenuous work-out from my youth. That's why I can take it easy now.

You've got an answer for everything, you have.

I was thinking, if I just kept it low-key,

we could have a small hen night.

No! Low-key. I don't want any of them naked butlers.

What do you want them for when you got me? Eh?

-You smell nice.

-Yeah! It's called Irresistible.

He hasn't called. No-one's seen him.

Tell you what, phone him again. If he doesn't answer this time...

DOOR OPENS

Ian? Where've you been?

I, um...

just needed some head space.

-I didn't mean to worry you or anything.

-Well, you did.

-Peter, I'm sorry.

-Mr Coker's been on the phone.

He wants to know when you're going round with Lucy's outfit.

If you want to come down with me, we can take Lucy's outfit together.

Yeah. Sure.

Or if you want to choose a different one?

It's just it's...

Why don't you go and get some? We'll choose together.

Hey, whatever you want to do, it's fine by me.

Right. Food for my little workers.

-Is there any prawn crackers? I'm Marvin.

-Anything covered in satay sauce has my name on it.

All right, we're not animals.

Oh, Shirley. Go downstairs and get us some serviettes.

So Tina was telling me painting ain't your strong point, Dad.

Like that time when you painted our room red when we were kids.

Who paints a kid's bedroom red?

I got a job lot from a mate in Soho, didn't I?

Paint from a strip club? Charming.

Bet Mum was thrilled with that, wasn't she?

Your mum wasn't there. She'd been gone a few weeks by then.

That's why I did it. Take your mind off it.

Yeah. That and the paint was cheap.

-Stan? Do you want rice?

-Yeah.

We used to get a lot of rice during the war.

Pudding rice, mainly. Always wondered where it came from.

I was ten before I saw a banana.

Didn't know what to do with it. Whether to peel it or eat it whole.

THEY LAUGH

PHONE RINGS

Christian? No, it's Denise.

Ian's not here.

Yeah, he got home all right. Why?

TEXT MESSAGE

That's a result. Lauren's going to pick us all up a takeaway.

Ian's in a terrible old state, ain't he?

Yeah. It's a tough time.

Well, come on, tell us about this exam.

I said I failed, all right?

You've probably done better than you think.

That's what I said.

I said I failed. Why don't either of you two get that?

We get it. Even if you have, Abs, it ain't the end of the world, is it?

It is to me! You know, some parents actually came to the school to meet their kids.

-But I suppose that was too much to ask...

-Sorry, did you not see Ian Beale sitting here?

-The bloke who's burying his daughter tomorrow?

-Quite the performance.

-You want me to chuck him out?

-Like you care about Ian Beale(!)

Abs, his daughter has been murdered, all right?

-She weren't much older than Lauren.

-That didn't stop you sleeping with her, did it?