08/02/2016 EastEnders

Hey, let me help you with that there.

Ah-ah-ah! Get your hands all over my smalls?

SHE TUTS

Oh, Gloria, it's Denise.

Um, I'm just wondering if you've heard anything back from Jordan?

If you do hear something, or anything at all,

can you please just give me a call back?

-Thank you.

-Denise...

Denise, look, now, if there's anything to tell, she'd call.

No need to go chasing her.

Chase...? I just want to know that he's OK.

Shouldn't you be back out on the stall?

Yeah, I was just going.

Have you heard from Shabnam?

Nope.

And why would I? She's gone.

Shall I make us something nice for tea later?

You don't have to stay, you know,

if you need to get back, or whatever.

I'll be fine, honestly.

I could do us fajitas.

Is that all you've done?

If you didn't keep coming in here every five minutes and checking up on me...

They're half empty. Fill 'em up. It's all pastry.

They look bang on to me, babe.

This place is going to be packed tonight,

with landladies from all over the East End

and I'm not having 'em making snide remarks about my pub.

Nobody's going to be making any Jekyll remarks.

This is the East London Lady Publicans' event, Mick - it's important!

It's about networking, sharing ideas, raising a bit for charity.

Trying to outdo each other, more like!

And that's exactly what's going to happen,

so stuff them vol-au-vents to the brim!

I'll be stuffing 'em where the sun don't shine if she don't keep out my way.

Oi! Tonight's about her, OK?

So let's all pull together and just sort your vol-au-vents out.

All right?

SHE CHUCKLES

I thought Jade took everything?

She must have left these in the wash.

Oh... D'you want me to run 'em round to Masood's?

I'm sure he'll be seeing Shabnam soon.

No, you're all right. You've got a stall to run.

No, it's no worry, it might help.

Well, we could take 'em together.

I've got a few bits to take across the road.

I'm sure I don't need you to hold me hand.

-SHE SIGHS

-I'm not going to be ready in time, I'm not!

And the one night I could do with Mum's help,

and she's busy at her place with a karaoke night.

Look, look, listen, it's fine, it's sortable.

I might as well serve them pork scratchings and be done with it.

And that blinking woman Thelma whatsit will be 'ere with her nose well and truly put out

cos the Vic's hosting it instead of her place. You know what happened at the last one.

-She kicked off with the Old Bill, didn't she?

-She's a nightmare,

she was so hammered she knocked out one of the coppers.

You've got to love her for that, really.

Well, I'm not giving her or any of 'em the chance to run me or this place down.

I thought you were supposed to be down the job centre signing on?

I got caught up seeing Whitney off at the train station. she's going to Bianca's.

-That's all right, then(!)

-Well, get on the blower and sort it.

-Yeah, all right, it's no big deal.

-Sort it out.

-He needs to stay on top of things.

-He will.

-And...so do you.

-Yeah, I'm OK, I-I just want it to go well.

Yeah, but it's a lot to cope with, you know, and...

after everything you had to deal with last week,

you know, I just want to...

You know, I just want to make sure everything, like...

-You're all right, innit? You know, if it's OK.

-Yeah, I am, I am.

-You... You're sure?

-I'm sure.

Because if there was anything,

you know, you would tell me, wouldn't you?

I promise you, I'm all right, OK? I just...

I've got a million and one things to do, that's all.

OK, so what you're going to do,

is you're going to write me up a list...

of things to do, and... we're going to show everyone

you're the best landlady in East London, ever.

SHE CHUCKLES

-All right?

-Yeah.

Thanks.

SHE SIGHS

It feels like a whole bar of chocolate day,

but muffins will have to do.

I, em... I saw Kush on his stall earlier today.

I'm sorry, things must be really tough between him and Shabnam,

taking their toll.

Is he OK?

Well, he's keeping busy, which is good.

What else can he do?

Well, I'm sure he appreciates having you around.

Not everyone's that lucky, are they?

Well, I'll stick around for as long as he needs me.

Yeah, when things get tough, sons need their mums.

If they can find them.

Are you still worrying about Jordan?

DENISE SIGHS

I saw his aunt and I've asked her to give me a call

if she hears anything, but I've heard nothing.

If he doesn't want to be found, then...

-..maybe it's best to just let it go.

-Best for who?

-I'm just saying...

-Yeah, but I'm all he's got.

-I know.

-And I just want him to know that I'm there for him if he needs me.

OK, but...

DENISE SIGHS

I just don't know what else I can do.

When I need to snoop on Shakki...

there's only one place I need to look.

What d'you mean, you-you check on him online?

Well, it's the only way.

I send him a dozen texts - I never hear from him.

-Yeah, well, I've got two daughters like that.

-Well, there you go then.

But if I "like" a picture of his online, he responds within seconds.

Oh, get you, Sherlock! CARMEL LAUGHS

Next you'll be telling me you've got that phone tracking thingy...

DENISE LAUGHS

Look, you got to use every trick in the book.

Luckily, most of them haven't realised

they've got privacy settings,

so they leave their profiles public for anyone to see.

Oh.

VENDOR HAWKS HIS WARES

Oh... I see you've whacked it up then.

-Yeah, thought we'd get shot, move on.

-Yeah.

-You look like you're a man on a mission.

-Oh, don't ask.

Linda, she's on one and me being the slice that I am,

I've said I'd help her out.

It's the East End landladies' cheese and wine do,

so I'm running round like one of the Chuckle Brothers.

So what can I do you for?

Well, there's rollmops, but I better go down the road, ain't I, since you was on the missing list.

Yeah...that's about the sum of it.

What d'you mean?

Oh, nothing, I... Sorry I couldn't help.

Don't worry about it. Geezer's cheaper anyway.

Er... If it was down to me, you know,

a bit of cheddar and some crackers, but you know what treacles are like,

you've...got to do as you're told, ain't ya?

Yeah, you have that. Nod, do what they say.

Yeah, well, that's what they say, don't they?

But...to be fair, I'm happy Linda, you know,

she's...getting her nut into something else.

Yeah.

Anyway, listen, I've got to crack on.

Why don't you come over... have a light ale with me later?

Uh... Pub full of brassy landladies?

-Nah, I think I'll give that a swerve, son.

-Yeah, yeah.

Well, if you see a flare go up...

liven yourself up, get over there and drag me out, all right?

-All right, boy.

-You all right?

-Yeah. Yeah.

-All right.

-Ta-ta.

-Ta-ta.

CAR BONNET BANGS

With an extra shot, as requested.

That's not all I REQUESTED...

Well, I should get back to my nan's stall,

otherwise she will fire me on my first day.

Ah! If I'd known you was getting a coffee delivery, you could have saved me a trip.

Sorry, Paul just came by.

Yeah, I wanted to see if Ben knew what time Abi was getting back.

-And do you?

-Well, she ain't text. Maybe she's on the flight.

-Ending it with her, mate, it's the best thing.

-Yeah, I know.

Yeah, I mean, none of us want Abi to get hurt.

Well, she will whatever, but she don't deserve to be strung along more than she already is.

Jay, Abi ain't been your girlfriend for a long time,

and neither has anyone else for that matter,

so thanks for the advice, but I'll deal with it, all right, pal?

There.

Oh, that's him, Carmel.

That's definitely him.

-Well, there are some recent posts.

-Really?

Yeah, here.

What's that say?

"Dump of a flat...

"but gotta love jackin' next door's Wi-Fi."

"Rats gnawing at my trainers."

Oh, that don't sound good.

Oh, Carmel, look.

"Need to get out of my head,

"pop some pills, smoke something,

"don't care which."

Oh, my... Can I... Can I message him on here?

Well, yeah, you can, but...

Are you sure you want to get in contact?

Oh, you sound like Kim and Patrick now.

They think I'm opening a door that-that should stay shut.

And what do you think?

I think...that with all that little boy's had to deal with...

His dad's...

The least I can do is look out for him.

You were as good as a mother to him.

Even when they're grown up, they still need us.

Yeah.

DENISE INHALES DEEPLY

It's going to be busy tonight, so I'm not having you working.

Mum, I'm fine!

I've been to the doctor's, I've got my dosage sorted.

What else d'you want me to do? It's been days now.

Mick, will you tell her? She needs to take things easy for a while.

Your mum's right, just...EASIER for a few days.

Look, right, I know I quit,

but you're going to be heaving in here later, you're going to need me.

It's because it's going to be so busy that I don't want you working.

You don't need to be rushing about.

All right, fine, I'll go upstairs, sit in a corner and strap some cushions to myself.

Come on, baby, that's not what we're saying, just...just sensible.

-Anyway, you will be helping me cos you'll be looking after Ollie.

-Oh, wicked, yeah(!)

It's not like I've got a boyfriend or anything else to do, is it?

I just want to give her a few more days to get back to her old self.

-I know.

-It's not like I don't need her help, but I can't be worrying about her tonight, I can't.

You ain't got to worry. You've got me and Lee behind the bar,

-you can bowl about and do your little thing, can't ya?

-No.

-What d'you mean, "No?"

I'm the landlady. I got to do it on me own. Besides, they'll all be here, judging.

That man-eater Thelma'll be on the prowl - I don't want you or Lee near her.

Hold up, hold up. So you ain't got Whitney working, you ain't got Nancy. What you going to do?

-I've got Tracey.

-You'll need more than Tracey.

Well, she's going to have to do because I ain't got time to find anyone else.

What d'you think, this one or this one?

-For what?

-Oh, the East End landladies' thing, in the Vic.

-Yeah, they're both good, yeah.

-Oh, don't be too bothered(!)

Hey! The builders called round, you know.

Seems they've more or less finished the upstairs and my room!

-That's good.

-Not far off being ready, they said.

Em... Maybe we could pop round there later and take a look, eh?

-Yeah, we should.

-You all right, Dee?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm good, I'm... That's great news about the house.

Nothing bad I hope? I mean, the phone.

I've managed to track down Jordan.

And I don't need you to say anything because I know what I'm doing.

Are you going to meet him?

All I know is that he read a message that I sent, but he hasn't replied.

-Well, maybe he won't.

-Well, I had to try.

You're still letting Lucas twist and manipulate you. The man is evil!

He killed Libby's father!

I don't need your approval

because I'm going to do it regardless of what you say...

because THIS is ABOUT Jordan.

Dee... You know what Chelsea and Libby said about him. He's trouble!

You know, all-all this has to stop, you know.

I mean, that is why I didn't want Gloria calling you.

What?

What d'you mean by that?

I told Gloria not to call you.

OK, I got the stuff for the fajitas.

-Oh, I dunno what I'm doing later, Mum.

-You've got to eat.

-Can I help you, um, pack away?

-No, no, no, you're good.

SHE SIGHS

I'm your mum.

You don't have to hide stuff from me.

I'm not hiding anything, all right?

It's all good. I'm not falling apart.

D'you know, I might even... I might even go for a couple of pints with the footy lads once I'm done.

OK.

Well, they'll be waiting later... if you change your mind.

Oh, Gloria, it's Denise...

I know you've been getting my messages

because Patrick told me what he said to you.

And he...had absolutely no right to say that to you.

So can you please call me, when you get this?

Look... Denise-Denise, you just can't ignore

what Libby and Chelsea told you, your own daughters.

Yeah, but what right do you have to judge him

before you've even seen him, before you know anything about him?

Yes, I might not know anything about him now, but I know exactly what his father was like, and so do you!

D'you know what? If he gets in touch, I WILL meet with him.

Then you're on your own.

I already am, ain't I?

Dee. Dee!

Actually, all I wanted was your support,

but if I can't have that, then...

You know, it's... it's actually fine because...

I'm going to move out, back to my own home,

where I can do what I want...

without being judged.

DOOR SHUTS

Hey! You get all the jobs on the list done?

-Nearly, um, that's why I'm here.

-Ah, good.

-Just got a text from Shabnam...

-Oh?

..saying thanks for taking the clothes over to Mas.

Ah.

She's asked me to go visit Jade.

Oh, that's nice...for you and her.

I think I should leave it a while.

Let 'em settle in first.

Yeah.

We did the right thing. She's better off without me.

Yeah.

There's a reason I'm here! Uh...

I need someone to work behind the jump tonight.

-Ooh!

-No, I don't know...

-Sounds good to me.

-Then why don't you do it then?

No, it's-it's treacles only.

So, Linda's got to do one

and the boozer's full of East End landladies and...

she needs a right mouthy old mare to help sort 'em out, so...

Come on, Mum, please, I need ya.

Yeah, come on, you got to do it, he said he needs you.

Probably do me a favour anyway.

I'll only be stuck in here another night, watching rubbish TV.

Mum, y-you're a life-saver. Thank you!

Right, I'll go and put some slap on.

And next time you want a favour, less of the mouthy old mare!

You ain't an old... You don't need old slap on... Go on!

HE MOUTHS

-HE EXHALES

-Thanks, son.

Well, no, she's helping me out, she's...

-Yeah?

-Yeah, but it'll give her something else to focus on.

Look... thanks for keeping an eye on her.

M-M-Means a lot to me.

-No, it's a... It's a given.

-Yeah.

-Ta-dah!

-Ooh!

Eh? Home, sweet home.

Wow! Seriously, though, Dee, you... you can't stay here.

DENISE CHUCKLES I CAN and I will.

The bedrooms are all done and the heating's on.

And if Patrick and Kim can't see that all I'm trying to do

is help that boy out, then, you know what? I don't need 'em.

They're just concerned for you.

It's like me with Kush, they... they just don't want you to be hurt.

All I'm worrying about for now is getting this place sorted.

I want to chase them builders up...

Oh. ..get it liveable...

It's time for me to move on, Carmel!

Hm. I know. Can't keep looking back.

Exactly. If Jordan gets in touch, that's great, but if not, pfff!

What I need is a fresh start and that's exactly what this place is.

A coat of paint, it'll be as good as new.

-The past is the past.

-Exactly.

Mm. Doesn't mean you have to push away the ones you love.

DENISE SIGHS

-There's a kettle here.

-Yeah.

Oi!

Uh, get your grubby mitts off my food!

Here she is, bouncer-cum-barmaid.

Yeah, and you'll be the first one out the door if you don't wind your neck in.

-Uh, what's this?

-You said you didn't want any geezers working,

so I thought I'd bring in the heavy mob.

-Oh, thanks, Shirl.

-It's all right, it's what families do, ain't it?

Ah, now the fun begins!

Yes, please, Shirl, I'll have, um, one for you

and one for old Trace-Face as well, please.

You're doing well, considering it's so early.

Yeah, well, it's got to be done, innit?

-It's not a race.

-Mm!

All right, what's your problem?

It's not like I've got anyone to get back to, is it?

Right, I'm getting these.

We need to celebrate your first day on the stall.

-Aw, thanks, Nan!

-PAM LAUGHS

-What's he here for, moral support?

-Shut up!

-Oh, there you are!

-Abi!

So glad to see you... Oh.

Yeah, um, what happened to your neck?

Oh, don't. You won't believe how much it hurts.

-How'd you do it?

-Oh, put it this way, I should have stuck to the nursery slopes.

Ooh, I'm bursting, will you get me an orange juice?

I need to take my painkillers.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah? Thanks.

-What's happened to her neck? Is she OK?

-I can't tell her now.

-Here we go, with all the excuses...

-You heard her, she's in pain.

-So we have to wait?

-There's always something with you, ain't there?

She thinks you're the one, mate - kids, living together, the lot.

And it's because I feel what I do for her

that I've got to at least wait until she's better.

-Look at her neck!

-Right.

If you care anything for her, you'll end it.

I will, but not now, all right?

So stop butting in on MY relationship

and go and find your own!

Right, well, if BEING in a relationship is as complicated as what YOU make it,

-I'm better off on me own.

-Mm-hm. Good.

Oi, Oi, handsome, bit young for a doorman, ain't ya?

SHE CACKLES

SIREN BLARES

HE SIGHS

-Oop! Sorry.

-It's all right, don't be.

DOG BARKS

Here you are, let me get that for you.

Uh... I thought you were going the other way?

No, I was going in here for a coffee, actually.

Right.

Oh, great, here we go, Godzilla's in early.

Oh, Thelma... Every joyous inch of her. Look at her.

Oi, smiley chops, large gin and no half measures.

Brilliant, and she's already on it.

Hey! It's the gorgeous Mickey. You all right, treacle?

-Sweet as, baby, sweet as.

-And there she is, "Landlady Lisa".

-It's Linda!

-Of course it is.

Nice gaff. Very posh.

-You've probably got inside toilets and everything.

-Mm!

MICK LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

Thank you.

Kush?

Are you here?

SHE SIGHS

SHE SIGHS

A fresh start.

DOOR SLAMS

Look, I-I understand if you want me to go, but...

You've come back for your stuff?

I should never have spoken to you that way that I did.

Uh, Denise, you are a grown woman, you make your own choices.

That's just the thing, I don't want to lose ya.

So...you're not moving out then?

No, I am, I am... I need to.

DENISE SIGHS

Look, it's for all our sakes and...

This was just a temporary thing and now it's just time for us to...

get on with things, stop getting under each other's feet.

And me and Claudette having a little bit of space,

that's not a bad thing, is it?

SHE CHUCKLES

Are you sure you're going to be OK over there?

Yeah. Yeah, it's fine, it's fine, it's more or less done.

Just a swift kick up a few builders' backsides and that'll get it sorted.

-PATRICK CHUCKLES

-I pity the poor builders.

KIM TITTERS

And I'm not going to chase Jordan any more.

It's time for me to just focus on myself, get sorted.

Yeah, I think that's for the best, Dee.

Yeah, well...

Just-Just keep me posted how things go over there, all right?

I will.

-Um, Dee...

-Mm?

You don't fancy being my wing-woman at the do in the Vic, do you?

Uh... Mm, I don't know, it's... it's not really my thing, is it?

Oh, come on, it'd be a giggle!

You know, the Fox sisters en masse, representing the Albert, you know?

Hm. Let them see what they're up against. Know what I mean?

OK, let me go and grab something to put on and I'll come back and find ya.

All right, then. Oh, and don't wear anything over the top, yeah?

It's a classy do.

I've... I've printed off the agenda I was sent.

It covers all the usual things!

Come on, there's got to be a reason a hunk like you is on his own.

Well, that is for me to know and for you to find out, darling.

Oh! Is that a challenge, eh? Cos I love a challenge, me!

-SHE LAUGHS

-Ahem, are you going to come and join this meeting?

-Um, decisions, decisions.

-BOTH LAUGH

Nance, I've already told you, you're not working the bar.

-And what about Ollie?

-I've got a monitor.

-Mick! Will you tell her?

-THELMA:

-Oh!

Baby... Get yourself upstairs. We're just looking out for you, all right?

That's all it is.

Come on, I've been in wetter deserts than this. I just want a drink!

-Dad, we off or what?

-Yes.

Uh, baby, you don't mind me and the boy going to see Buster,

-I will stay...

-No, no, no, we'll be fine, all right?

You ain't going, Mickey, are you, treacle? Come on, it's just getting started!

-I'm just the husband, it's her boozer.

-Uh!

Ah! Please help yourself to food, there's plenty of it.

And it's all home-made!

-How's about you put that down...

-Hey!

..and you focus on me?

-Eh, look.

-SHE CACKLES

-Now you're hands-free!

-Yeah. Yeah, all right.

-Whoo!

-Oh, hello, doll!

-Aah!

-How about we call it a day, yeah?

-What?

-I ain't even started yet.

How's about I stuff this poxy meeting and me and you get a bit friendly, what d'you say?

-Yeah, why not, girl, why not? Come on, sit on my...

-Ooh!

-Come on, up you get.

-Aah!

-Come on, girl, look at it!

-Can you take me...

-Look at those pins, look at that!

-Check them!

PHONE RINGS

Kush?

Oh.

Right.

I'm on my way.

POP MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

I don't bite, you know.

That is, in case you did actually want to speak to me...

instead of us both sitting here in silence.

I just didn't want to disturb you.

It's not exactly buzzing in here, is it?

No, but at least it's not full of idiots.

Can I grab another coffee, please, mate? Ta.

Do you often hang about on your own in a cafe?

Only when my mate... well, my brother,

only when he's being an idiot.

Yeah...

Tell me about it!

I'm actually waiting to pick someone up

who'll soon be too plastered to walk...

then I've got to try and get him on a bus.

-A fun night, eh? Hm!

-Yeah.

Can I get you another drink while you're waiting?

-Are you hitting on me?

-No, I was just asking.

-I'll have another one of them.

-Yeah, sure?

-Yeah.

-And a chocolate milkshake, please.

With, uh, loads of cream.

TRAIN RATTLES BY OUTSIDE

THELMA AND KUSH LAUGH

-What d'you reckon?

-Nurse Betty...

Sorry. I wouldn't normally do this, but...

I'm worried about him drinking.

(Thank you.)

Kush?

-Oh, what, you want a piece of him too, do you, darling?

-No...

-HE SNORTS

-Get off my son.

Oh! I usually get hacked off wives, not mums!

-Come on, big boy... Mummy's here!

-No...

-Come on, Kush. Time to go home, get your jacket.

No, I've got to go. I miss you already, though.

Oh, no, no. If you go, I'll have to go back to the boring meeting.

-Come on, how about a goodbye kiss?

-Yeah...

Find someone your own age! I hear the morgue stays open late.

-THELMA LAUGHS

-That's it. Go home.

Get you home...

Well, worth... Worth a shot.

THELMA CACKLES

Yeah, come up.

BUZZER RINGS

Yeah, we thought, as you're on your jack

and we've been thrown out the Vic,

me and the boy would come round and keep you company.

-This ain't the best time, to be honest.

-What are you talking about?

-It's always the best time to have a drink.

-Thought we'd have a couple of lagers, see what's occurring.

What, you going somewhere?

I'm leaving.

HE ZIPS UP BAG

Come on. It's time for fajitas!

-Right, look, we need to get you sobered up first.

-HE LAUGHS

Oh, come on.

What were you doing?

You need to start looking forward.

We can do it together.

A fresh start.

What...W-What's next? Eh?

So, what, y-you going to take Shabnam's and Zaair's fridge magnets off?

You just... You want to wipe everything away?

D'you...

I don't... I don't need you messing with my life, all right?

YELLS: When are you going to get it?! I don't need you!

SIREN BLARES

TRAIN RATTLES PAST

You need to leave me alone.

Jordan?