25/02/2016 Part 1 EastEnders

I didn't hear you come back last night.

I thought you'd gone for good.

Abi.

Abi, please talk to me.

Babe, we can't ignore this.

All right?

I'm sorry.

"Sorry"?

You've had all night to think

and that's the best you can come up with?

-No...

-I need to know. Was it Paul?

No!

-I don't know them.

-You don't...?

Boy or girl?

Boy...or girl?

It was a random, all right? A one-night stand.

Abi, I promise, he doesn't mean...

IT doesn't mean anything.

It wasn't anything serious.

Abi!

No Martin?

I keep trying his mobile - all I get is a voicemail.

-Maybe he's with Stacey?

-No, he would have told me.

Maybe he slept in the car? Wouldn't be the first time, would it?

It's not even out there. I should never have let him take it.

I mean, what if he's had another accident?

I'm going to phone round the hospitals... KNOCK ON DOOR

-Is Sonia in?

-Yeah, she's in there.

I've just had a call from Michelle.

Martin's in New York. He's in a right old state.

He's at the airport. He's trying to get a connecting flight down to hers.

LILY: Hello, this is Martin's phone. He's too busy so...

LILY AND MARTIN: Leave a message!

BLEEP

Hi, it's, er, it's me again.

I just... I just need to know that you're coming today.

Arthur will be missing you when he wakes up. And...

..I miss you.

Please, Martin, just call me back.

Morning. Got your meds.

Everything all right?

Yeah, I was just trying to get hold of Martin

but he's probably on his way in.

You know, I might not even have anything.

I'm going to the clinic to get it checked out.

Abi, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.

It was before I knew you was pregnant.

Oh, Ben, please! Just stop.

Was it the night you didn't come home?

It was ages ago, all right?

My head was all over the place. I... I can't explain.

I hate lying to you.

Will you come with me?

To the clinic?

Why don't you get your little one-night stand to go

-if you want someone to hold your hand?

-Not for me.

For you.

You should get yourself tested as well.

For you and the baby.

I need more time.

I..I..I promise, I'll get it.

Morning!

Well, Pearl is dead to the world.

Probably dreaming about yesterday.

I know it cost a fortune but, like I told Vincent...

..you can't put a price on a Pearly smile.

PHONE VIBRATES

-How busy are we for lunch?

-Oh! It's rammo.

Got all the old girls in from the old people's home,

so don't serve up anything too hard.

Do you know what I mean? I don't want them cracking any old railings.

They'll be lucky if they get microwaved soup.

Abi's just cancelled her shift so I'm on my tod.

Who what?

Well, don't all volunteer at once, will you?

I've got to do a delivery for Buster.

I ain't going to miss lugging around all those jars of cockles!

-See you later.

-Ta-ta.

-Nance?

-Are you having a bubble? I'm not a kitchen lackey, am I?

What are you talking about, lackey?

-Whit?

-No, I can't cook.

Well, listen, anyone can put their hand to a bit of food.

What I'm saying is

when you've got help from the best in the business...

And you don't mind sharing that culinary wisdom, do you? Eh, Babe?

-Eh? Eh?

-Would be my pleasure.

Yeah, see! Sweet as.

Now, I've got to go and see a geezer in Dagenham about a dog.

All right? Beautiful. Ta-ta.

Any news?

Sonia didn't have a clue.

She stayed over with Lily thinking he'd be back.

Will you be all right carrying on with the stall?

-Yeah, sure.

-Have we got any polish?

I need to do my shoes for dorm inspection.

Yeah, yeah, under the sink.

No, it's all right, love - we'll clear that.

Well, you've all proved me wrong.

That school is doing him the world of good.

Oh, the estate agent rang while you were at Sonia's.

Someone's put an offer in on the restaurant.

Really?

That's good. I'll pop in after I've dropped him off.

Babe, if I've got something - if we've got something...

..maybe I can get the money to go private.

Get the best treatment, you know.

They'll probably just give you tablets or something so...

Try not to worry, yeah?

Number 88.

Stacey? Someone's here to see you.

I know it's outside visiting hours

but Sonia said it was important.

-Is that OK?

-Yeah.

What are you doing here? Where's Martin?

-Have you spoken to him?

-No. He ain't answering my calls.

Has he told you?

Told me what?

No, nothing. Do you know what's happening?

Do you know where he is?

He's gone to Michelle's.

Florida?

Stace, has something happened?

I know you've had a rough time,

but I thought you were through the worst of it.

He fought so hard to get you here.

I mean, he was so excited!

Oh, Stace. Please don't worry, eh?

I'm sure he'll call you.

I bet he just needs a nice break,

now he knows that you and Arthur are safe.

Has he taken Lily?

No. No, Lily's with us and she's fine.

Will you look after her?

Of course I will.

Thank you.

Putting aside your symptoms,

is there any other reason why you think you might have an STI?

Have you had unprotected sex?

With someone who's infected?

How would I know that?

Ben, I'm here to help, not judge.

I've met blokes online.

And you don't use protection?

No, not always. But...

I haven't done it in months.

Then it should stay that way. It's a risk you don't need to take.

I can't help it.

I get carried away, I don't think about anything else.

Oh, but it doesn't last long, no!

I wake up the next morning and tell myself "never again".

You know, like a normal lad going out, getting hammered

and then saying they're never drinking again.

Until Friday night, and they're back on it.

Ben, listen to me. You are normal.

Everything's such a mess.

I've got a girlfriend with a baby on the way.

What does that make me?

I mean, I love her but I can't trust myself.

Let's do this one step at a time.

Because you've been taking risks,

I'm going to test you for all STIs and HIV.

-HIV?

-You'll get that result today, but you might need another test

in a couple of months, just to be absolutely sure.

And if you do test positive for anything, then your girlfriend

will need to be tested, right away.

Arthur's got very big ears!

Hey. Can I get a coffee, please?

-To take away?

-Yes, take away.

Hey, Lily, you all right? You on your own, are you?

Auntie Tina's looking after me.

Look! I've drawn a picture of Mummy, Martin and Arthur.

Oh, right. Well you've got to put yourself in there, ain't you?

Yeah, and take Martin out.

What do you mean?

Oh! I thought you would have known, being his best mate.

He's done the midnight flit.

What? Where's he gone?

America.

I know. I knew Super-Martin wouldn't last.

Two chances to be a decent dad and he goes and blows them both,

leaving his kid with his ex. Again.

Number 89.

They're going to text me the results in a couple of days.

All right, well let's try not to think about it, then.

Apart from the HIV.

I get that in 15 minutes.

-'Scuse...

-Watch it!

Well, it's not me taking up most of the space.

You're chopping them far too big.

And do them lengthways - we're not a transport caff.

-Whit?

-Yeah?

Buster over-ordered

so I thought you might want to make your fishy pie?

I'm not divulging the secrets of my fish pie.

I've tried it before, it's well nice.

Thanks. It's Carol's recipe, actually.

You want me to put Carol Jackson's slops on my menu?

This won't last another day, so you might as well try something new, eh?

-Don't blame me if there's an outbreak of salmonella.

-Right.

Thanks a lot, Lee(!)

As if she didn't have it in for me as it is, you've just made it worse.

Shut up, don't be paranoid. All right, you can handle her. I've got to go. Give us a kiss.

-See you later.

-See you later.

And you can peel all them before you even think of starting the pie.

Les!

Could I have a quick word?

Well, I'm just prepping these flowers for tomorrow's funeral with, er, Pam...

I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be here

but I've got no-one else to turn to.

Why, what's the matter?

I've got myself into a bit of a spot, financially.

I need to borrow some money.

Pam...

Claudette...

I was just telling Nan I was thinking about having

a little birthday thing tomorrow at the Vic.

That's great. I'll ask Mick to put on a bit of a spread.

I'll let you get on with it.

-What did she want?

-Oh, nothing. She was just passing.

Right, you two had better finish these off, get them into the chapel of rest.

It's negative.

I thought you'd gone.

-I couldn't go.

-You don't have to get tested today.

It's not that. I, er...

..couldn't go because...

..because I love you.

How can you? I've cheated on you.

Yeah, you messed up,

but it doesn't stop me loving you.

You are my best friend.

I mean, ever since I moved to the Square, you've been there for me.

Even when I got my head stuck in the railings as a kid!

I mean, you've...

You've looked after me.

You call this looking after you?

Look where we are.

You've made mistakes but at least you told me the truth.

And I know that things aren't perfect,

and they may never be, but I cannot end up like my mum and dad.

Only interested in themselves.

I don't want that either.

Then what do you want?

I want...

I want to be a dad.

No matter what the results of the other tests,

I promise I'm going to be a proper, proper dad.

From now on, it's just the three of us.

Sonia told me about Martin.

I'm sure he'll be back soon.

He's due a feed, if you're up to it?

I'll go and get his milk from the kitchen.

Or you could have a go at breastfeeding?

No, I can't. Not on my own.

You're not on your own.

It might help you to feel closer to him.

I don't want to feel closer to him. I just want Martin!

Yeah, but he'll be fine once he gets with his new mates.

How was he, love? Was he upset having to leave?

No, he was fine. They've just emailed confirmation on the offer.

Wow, that's a good price. That's more than we were expecting.

Yeah. Look who the buyer is.

Costmart.

You said "no", right?

Oh, Ian, this is going to ruin the market.

Mum, without that money, we are back to square one.

Yeah, and what about the traders who'll lose money?

What's more important? Bobby's future or Pam's flower stall?

Well, maybe another offer will come in.

We can't take that risk.

You could get someone to invest.

Who? We don't know anyone with that sort of money, do we?

< She's had a rough day, so I need her to stay calm.

< Yeah, of course. Yeah.

Hey.

Tina told me Martin's gone.

Yeah, he knows, doesn't he?

-Why? Why now?

-Does it matter?

Of course it matters.

All the times I wanted to be honest and you stopped me.

It's done, Kush. We got what we deserved.

OK, maybe me and you, we deserved it, yeah. But not Martin.

I mean, not like this. I could have talked to him.

It's nothing to do with you.

He's my best mate. Arthur is my son!

Why are you even here?

-What? Are you trying to muscle in, now Martin's gone?

-No.

I just wanted to know you were all right.

Well, you've got your answer.

I know I...I could never be Martin.

He nearly killed himself getting you here.

Just don't let everything he has done be for nothing.

CLEARS HIS THROAT LOUDLY

Sorry, we were just...

This is Linzi.

Finally got hold of her, then?

Ben and Abi, right?

Yeah, Jay's told me all about you.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, not everything.

You all right?

-Yeah.

-Never been better, have we?

Right, who's for a drink?

Yeah, go on, I think there's a couple of cans in the fridge.

Oh, I'll have a tea.

I was beginning to think Jay had made you up.

Cos I hadn't heard from you for a while.

Yeah, thought he'd been brushed off.

We were just saying that we should go to Ibiza this summer.

Yeah, yeah, can't wait, you know. Sun, sea, sand and...

sangria.

Here, why don't we all go? Me, you, the boys?

The clubs are off the chain.

That's not really my thing.

See, Abi's pregnant.

Oh!

Oh! Congratulations!

Yeah, thanks.

Soon there'll be another little Mitchell running around the Square.

I can't get my head around babies.

-Too much fun to be had first.

-Yeah.

Sorry, you know -

absence makes the heart grow fonder, doesn't it?

-Oh, babe...

-Oh, stop it!

I found Doctor Death hanging outside.

He said he wants to talk to you.

Well, don't be too long.

Me and Pearl, we've got a film afternoon.

Annie in surround sound.

# The hills are alive

# With the sounds of music... #

Les, come in.

I'm sorry about earlier.

It's OK, I understand.

I've been thinking about what you said and, erm...

I'm afraid I can't help.

That's OK.

-I shouldn't have asked.

-No, it's not the money,

you understand, it's...

well, the thing is, I'd like us to keep

our distance from now on.

I have to put Pam first.

It's OK. Like I said, I understand.

The egg was a bad idea

and how much paprika did you put in?

Still, if Mick's prepared to let his standards drop.

For your information, Chef,

that first lot's gone down well with the old wrinkly mob.

That's the rationing generation for you.

Palates as sophisticated as a tramp on hot chips.

Babe, don't get me wrong, yours is legendary, but

Whit's fishy pie... It's definitely up there!

You're embarrassing yourself mooning over him.

I ain't mooning over no one.

Kissing your boyfriend's dad is normal, is it?

I told you, it was a mistake.

I was messed up over Ryan.

So, it wasn't just their wedding day?

Time Linda knew about this.

She already does. I told her.

I'm surprised Lee didn't kick off.

He's got Stan's temper on him, that boy.

Yeah, well you leave Lee out of this, yeah?

You may think you've wheedled your way in

but you don't get to play footsie under this family's table.

I ain't trying to.

Better women than you have wanted to be a Carter.

You're jealous.

You mess with my apron strings,

I'll mess with you.

Don't you dare tell Lee.

I won't have to, if you do it yourself.

Make a start on the washing up.

How are you doing?

I wouldn't have let him in if I knew he was going to upset you.

He's just trying to help. He's worried.

He's a good friend of Martin's.

And mine.

I didn't mean what I said before

about not wanting to be close to Arthur.

It's OK.

Martin going is bound to upset you.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I can't...

Look, if you're not comfortable breastfeeding,

then there are other ways for you and Arthur to bond.

Maybe he could come in and have his afternoon nap with you tomorrow?

Yeah, maybe.

I know it feels like a big step

but it will get easier, the more contact you have.

I'll leave this with you.

Do you think that I'd be able to have him in with me tonight?

I think he'd like that.

Sharon.

Thanks for coming.

You're doing me a favour. A friendly face is just what I need.

Problems?

Look, you may as well know.

It'll be all over the Square soon enough.

I've signed the divorce papers.

Serious?

-Yeah.

-I'm sorry.

It's all right, you don't have to pretend.

No, I am sorry. I mean...

I know how much you loved him.

Anyway, you didn't bring me here to bang on about Phil, did you?

Yeah. I'm, er, putting the restaurant on the market.

Really? Yeah, it's weird how things turn out sometimes.

I'm selling my share of The Albert.

Why?

Well, I need the money.

What? For Phil?

What? Is he forcing you? Because that place is yours.

You made it out of nothing.

Look, Phil's not my problem for once.

And I'm not the only one who's made something out of nothing, am I?

Going to turn the spark into a flame?

-Can't believe you still remember the words!

-Neither can I!

Anyway, you were saying about the restaurant.

Yeah. Look, it doesn't matter.

I'm sorry, Arthur.

I've been scared.

I'm still scared,

but I'm going to be brave.

Your daddy has done his bit. Now it's my turn.

It's just me and you.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

Hiya.

I had to suffer Whitney, thanks to you blowing out lunchtime.

Sorry. I had to do something with Ben.

Tucked up making babies, were you?

No.

You haven't told him the truth, have you?

No. Of course not.

Well?

Well, I mean, we talked it all out

and it's the closest we have been in ages.

You know, we're really committed to each other.

Ben really wants to be a dad.

Ben's not going to be a dad without doing the deed.

-That's not happening for a while.

-Then you need to make it happen.

You should be starting to show soon.

We will. Just next week.

Next week never comes.

He'll fob you off with another excuse.

No, he won't. I just, I just can't rush him.

You know, there's more than one way to get a bun in the oven.

Ben doesn't have to be the father.

Are you serious?

A baby's a baby and without one...

..you're going to lose him anyway.