26/12/2016 EastEnders

-Oh, you're a star.

-Any news on the electric?

They're still saying it was a technical fault,

apologising for any inconvenience caused.

-What, on Christmas Day?

-Well, it turned out all right in the end though, didn't it?

-Well, I had a good time.

-I'd never have noticed!

Hey, get you. Look at that. That's wonderful.

I've been practising.

Up a bit on the right.

That's down?

Maybe I meant left. Yeah, I can't really see.

-Any news on Phil?

-I just tried again, but...

I'm sure Sharon will let us know, won't she?

Yeah, when there's any news.

All this for Steven. You're the star, Jane, not me.

I'm only interested in the future now, not the past.

-Aren't we, Ian?

-Oh. This is him!

-Hang on.

-Jane, take that.

-Light, light, light!

-Come on, come on, come on.

-One will have to do, won't it?

-He's here, he's here.

-Ahem!

-MANY:

-# Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you

# Happy Birthday, dear Steven Happy Birthday to you... #

I don't get it. Why are they keeping him in overnight?

-WHITNEY: Well, I'm sure it's a mistake.

-Yeah, but he's just...

He's just helping them with enquiries, ain't he?

It's Christmas, ain't it? They might be understaffed?

Something's up. I'm going to, erm... I'm going to go down the station.

-What about Johnny at the airport?

-No, this is more important.

-Are you sure?

-Just get yourself here and I'll deal with the rest of it.

-Morning.

-Who was that?

Nothing for you to concern yourself with, Babe.

Are you all right watching Ollie?

-You going to go and meet Johnny?

-I need to see a man about a dog.

-From Max Branning?

-Yeah, I saw him on the Square last night.

-What?

-You were in the pub - I told you.

-No, you didn't.

-Do you even remember getting home last night?

-Sort of.

Well, I did tell you. He saw that I put it online.

-So he follows your status now?

-Yeah, we're friends.

-He's a bit creepy.

-Oh, Martin, he hasn't poisoned it.

-Morning.

-Morning.

-Any news on Phil?

-I couldn't get through earlier. You seen my cell?

It was on the breadbin, there.

I'll try Sharon again.

You never brought that carcass back from the Vic?

-So?

-I know you like turkey, but it's a bit low-rent.

No, we can get a couple of meals out of that.

-Yeah, I wish I'd left it now.

-Shut up!

-Problem?

It was a gift from an old friend of mine.

-Friend?

-Lauren's dad.

-You know, Carol Jackson's brother.

-Right.

And what? You don't like this bloke?

-Just ask Sharon about Max Branning.

-Why?

This hot water's taking ages to heat up.

Sorry, was I too long in the shower?

-Don't worry about it. I'm sure it'll heat up soon.

-Sorry, Stace.

And what's Max going to want in return for his generosity then?

Nothing, Martin!

But now that you're up, you can watch the kids.

-I'm going to pop over and see Lauren.

-Why?

I'm sure she'll want to know that I've seen her dad.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Hello, you.

The doctor said everything went well.

looking better already.

Not so yellow any more.

Jay took Denny home, but Ben and Louise are outside.

They've been here all night.

-Time for another blood test, I'm afraid.

-Yeah, yeah, course.

Phil, I've got to go now.

But I'll be back when it's proper visiting hours, OK?

I did e-mail, I e-mailed on the 23rd. It's only five days till my wedding.

Can you get someone to check please? Thank you.

-You only just getting home?

-You look terrible.

We went to Patrick's last night for an after-party.

-I need coffee.

-Hair of the dog would be better.

-Something stronger.

-Hey. Did you get Sharon's text?

-What?

-Phil's OK. We can go and visit him.

-That's good news.

Yeah. Well, come on. You need to clean up first. Come on.

And don't forget, drinks at the Vic at lunchtime for Steven.

OK. As long as I'm allowed to stick to water.

Right, I'm going to go to the restaurant and make sure

everything's OK so we can open up. While you...

Stay here and practice my handbrake turns.

See you in a bit.

Ian, just before you go, I just wanted to say,

you know, the birthday breakfast, Steven's really made up.

It was our pleasure.

Not...not just Steven. Me as well.

I mean, you've made me...

-MOBILE PHONE ALERT

-This Christmas, you know...

All of you, you've made me feel so welcome.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in!

-Problem?

-It's only me!

-You all right, Stace?

-Yeah, yeah, I'm all right.

Actually, it's Lauren I've come to see.

Lee!

-Did you see your dad down the station?

-You told him?

Yes, I told him. You disappeared on Christmas Day!

-I had to say something!

-I asked you not to.

Well, he doesn't know you've been arrested.

He just thinks you're helping them with enquiries.

Well, come on, tell me what happened.

-And why didn't you call me?

-I need a shower.

What did they mean by robbery?

They thought I was involved and I wasn't.

-All right? So they let me go.

-Involved in what?

-Some boys at work did it.

-At work?

Lee, can you tell me, please? I'm your wife.

Look - they released me without charge. Can we just drop it now, please?

Lee, this weren't nothing to do with the Vic, was it?

I just told you. They got it wrong.

He's given up the fags. And he ain't drinking.

-You sure it was him?

-Yeah, he was different in other ways, too.

Like, he was quieter and he was really open.

Did he say where he's been living?

Yeah, he's got a bedsit in Shadwell, I think he said.

And he's got himself a little office job - nothing special,

but just to pay the rent.

What about Abi? Do you reckon he's text her as well?

No, she would have called me.

No, do you know what? I should probably see him first.

Well, yeah, he said he wants to try and move on.

And get things back to normal.

Maybe I could invite him to the Vic lunchtime.

For Steven's birthday?

If you don't mind?

Well, it's up to you.

Stace. Will you come?

I can't. I promised Lily I'd take her to the sales.

Jane?

-Me?

-Yeah. Yeah, you.

You and Ian? Please?

Carmel's stew, Jack's turkey, chicken,

-barbecue thighs, vegan nut roast.

-Bin that.

I'll save it for Mick. He's quite partial after last year!

Thought you weren't in till later.

-Mick asked me to come and help.

-Toilets need doing.

Great. Wish I'd stayed at home.

You get my text?

-Everything all right with Ollie?

-Yeah. Just a bit grisly, that's all.

-So I put him down for a nap.

-Yeah, he didn't sleep well last night.

A bit like his old man.

-A word?

-Everything all right with Lee?

-Yeah, why wouldn't it be?

-He disappeared quick last night.

-PANS CLATTER

-Keep it down, I can't hear.

-Shame!

So why did they pick him up?

Mistaken identity. It's nothing to worry about.

So the Old Bill pick him up Christmas Day,

they keep him in all night - you think that's nothing to worry about?

Well, he's home now, ain't he? That's all that matters.

-I'm going to go and see him.

-No, Mick, look, please.

Just let him sleep, all right?

I'll ask him to come over in a couple of hours?

No, you won't ask him, you'll tell him.

And, you'll tell him he needs to work tonight, yeah?

-Turkey sandwich?

-No, ta.

-Go on.

I'm going to go and see to Ollie.

-I can stay while you get some kip.

-Here, get a cab.

-We're fine on the tube.

-You've been in that canteen all night, sweetheart. Go on.

-Thanks, Sharon.

-Thank you.

See you later, girls.

-They sound like they've been amazing.

-Yeah.

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

-I better get this.

Hi, 'Chelle. Yeah, sorry I didn't pick up. He's awake.

Oh. Just say it.

You were out drinking all night Christmas Eve,

you were out drinking all of last night.

You are too old to be going on benders.

I'm young at heart.

Phil's getting a liver transplant and you're out getting hammered.

I'm a waste of space, Ron, yeah, like Jack keeps reminding me.

So luckily for you, you'll be in Ongar soon and shot of me.

Max? What's he doing back here?

Look, Michelle, I can't deal with this at the moment.

I'll call you back, OK?

Max Branning's turned up.

-Look, Phil mustn't know anything about this.

-No, definitely not.

You ready?

Roxy?

-Give him my love, OK?

-Why? Are you not coming?

-No, it's only two visitors at a time, so...

-See you soon.

-Yeah.

You all right?

You're looking good, Phil.

You've got some colour back in your cheeks, haven't you?

Hasn't he, Rox?

Yeah! Yeah! You look great.

This rate you'll be dancing Ronnie down that aisle.

-Wow!

-Sorry. Once I got started I couldn't...

-Hope you don't mind?

-No, no.

The only thing I mind is Martin letting you do it.

-He's watching...

-Sport. There's a surprise.

And he's not too good at being vertical right now.

Anyway. I've enjoyed myself.

Given me something else to think about apart from how weird it is to be back in Walford.

Well, me and Lily are hitting the sales later, if you fancy it?

-Don't think I'd be able to keep my eyes open.

-Jet lag?

-Yeah, I guess.

-Well, will a coffee help?

I don't suppose you've got any real stuff?

Well, no, this ain't cheap rubbish.

Actually, what I really fancy is a proper cup of tea.

-Well, I've only got teabags.

-I'm good with teabags.

So, what do you lot do on Boxing Day at home then?

Call out for pizza, nod off in front of the telly.

-Same as here then?

-They won't have woken up yet.

I bet they're missing you.

Just pleased I'm not there nagging them out of bed.

-You missing them?

-Of course.

So, this Max bloke, Martin said you and him were close.

-What's he like?

-Well, he's...

He's complicated.

I'm back, all the fridges were OK.

-Ian, did you get my text?

-Not got a single soggy lettuce.

-Did you get the text?

-So now I'm going to pour myself a wee dram and fall asleep watching Licence To Kill.

-Ian!

What?

My text? About Max.

What about him?

He's been in touch with Lauren.

-He's coming to the Vic at lunchtime and she wants us all there.

-No.

Stacey's spoken to him - she says he's changed and he wants to move on.

-No!

-And we need to move on, too.

-Love, we can't go.

Look, Ian, think about it. It's not just about Lauren. There's Louie.

-Max is his grandad, too.

-No.

-No, we need to pack.

-What you talking about?

Love, we can't stay here.

We always knew he was going to turn up sometime!

Listen - Lauren is part of our family now.

And she's asked us to go for a drink with her and her father.

We have to say yes.

I think the Christmas pudding...

I think it was from Max.

Don't be silly, Ian. What would he be doing sending us a Christmas pudding?

There was a note with it.

It said, "Merry Christmas, from Lucy."

That could be from anyone. Someone's idea of a sick joke.

There was another note. Straight after he got out of prison.

-You never said.

-Love, you were in hospital. I threw it away.

Well, what did it say?

"I will never forget."

2017. I hadn't dared think about it.

You know, we can start making some plans. A holiday?

-Do you want something?

-Yeah.

-Ph...

-Your phone? Yeah I've got it, hang on.

There you go, darling.

-Best let him sleep. Maybe get yourself some lunch?

-OK.

He wouldn't have been thinking straight. Fresh out of prison.

Lashing out. He'll have been angry.

What? And you think he's not angry now?

When Stacey saw him last night, she said he seemed different.

-Quieter. Thoughtful.

-We can't go for a drink with him.

All right? We let him go down for murder.

-He saw me lie for him in court.

-Love, we let him go down for murder.

Because...because...because Phil bribed the jury!

No, because we didn't tell the truth.

50 or 60 years ago, he would have got a death sentence.

-How can we face him?

-We have to face him sometime, Ian.

And even if that Christmas pudding was from him -

which I'm sure it wasn't - we can't leave.

Our life is here.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Hello?

We're... We're going to go over now. You coming?

Yeah. I am.

-Cheers. Oh, no, no, the orange is for me.

-Right.

Thanks, Whit.

All those machines, keeping him going. Because he liked a drink.

He's alive, that's what matters. And he's going to get better.

-Yeah.

-Ronnie still with him?

No, no, she had to get back for the kids.

Well, at least we've got her hen to look forward to.

-You still think that's a good idea?

-Of course it is, Rox!

It's your sister's wedding!

It's only when I thought about Abi, I really thought, you know...

I put Peter before my own dad.

He wants to see you, Lauren, yeah? So just focus on that.

And he'll want to meet Louie properly, won't he?

Look. Whatever's happened, you're still his daughter,

and it's Christmas. Yeah?

-And magic happens at Christmas.

-What?

Steven reckons magic happens at Christmas.

Yeah, course. He's right.

-To the Master of Ceremonies.

-You what?

Yesterday. You did us proud.

You hold that thought, Patrick. Oi, oi.

-What was that about last night?

-Just a mistake, all right?

They took me for someone else.

A mistake? So it was completely nothing, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Mick. When you've got a minute please, mate.

-All right, mate.

Lee. I want to know about last night.

I told you, it was a mistake, all right?

Dad wants me behind the bar.

He won't miss you for five minutes. Come on.

I spent the night in the nick, right?

I didn't get any kip, they release me without charge.

But do I get any sympathy? No. No, I don't.

No, I get suspicion, I get questioned, I get dirty looks.

You're supposed to be on my side, Whit.

Bit of a coincidence though, ain't it? What happened here?

And the blokes that you work with, they get done for robbery.

They told the Old Bill that I'd told them that there was cash in the premises overnight.

I didn't.

Look at me.

Will you look at me?!

I want the truth, Lee.

Maybe I... Maybe, I don't know, maybe I dropped it into

a conversation over coffee, or something...

So you told... You told them that there was cash here?

-I didn't mean to.

-Why would you do that?

Tell me, Lee, cos I don't understand.

Why?

-I wanted them to like me.

-What?

I wanted them to accept me.

Have you got any idea how pathetic you sound right now?

-I'm sorry.

-No, you ain't.

No, you ain't, Lee, because they came in here, didn't they? Remember?

They came in here and they grabbed Ollie.

You disgust me.

I'm home!

My boy!

-How's your nan?

-Not good.

-And your mother?

-Coping. Look, she sends her love.

-I ought to be with her.

No, she wants you here, keeping things going.

It just don't feel right. Give me your bag.

Whit, can you look after the bar for me, please?

-Yeah, course.

-Thank you.

-She can't feed herself.

-She can't even say her name.

-All right?

-Not really, mate.

-Whit? Whit?

-What?

You ain't going to tell him, are you?

He deserves to know.

But he's had enough to deal with.

Without knowing what sort of...

How could you? Who are you?

We can do this, Ian. We can.

-Ian!

-What?

You OK?

No.

-Max.

-Jane.

I heard about what happened.

Bad business.

It's nothing...compared...

I'm so sorry.

You were just looking out for your kid.

Honestly, I get it.

Thanks.

I can't believe that we...

Bobby...

Sorry doesn't even start.

But I am, Max. I am sorry.

Why did you come back?

Well, it's just Christmas.

Makes you think about what you really want.

And what I want is a quiet life.

Let go of the past.

Just concentrate on the future.

So...

-Let me buy you a drink, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

-First one's on me.

GENERAL CHATTER

-Dad!

-CHATTER STOPS ABRUPTLY

You OK?

This is... This is Louie.

Hello, mate. Remember me?

Your grandad. What's that?

Right, I'm going to get a drink in. Do you want one?

No, no, I've got one.

-Red wine?

-Yeah. Thank you.

And - don't tell me - dry white wine.

-You remember?

-Course.

So, you're back, then?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm back.