17/02/2017 EastEnders

CAR HORN HONKS

MICK PANTS

Right, I'll be back about mid-afternoon to help out.

Good.

PHONE RINGS

Lee?

I've just seen a fox out there, right?

Broad daylight, cocky as you like, munching away, it was.

If they don't sort these bins out,

we'll have the lot of 'em round here.

-We'll have otters, we'll have ferrets, we'll have weasels...

-Mick.

I've just had Lee on the phone.

As soon as he heard my voice, he hung up,

so it's obviously not me he wants to talk to.

Well, it can't be that important, then, can it?

-Dad...

-Listen, have it on your toes and go to uni.

Mother, how you getting on with this Polish grub for tonight?

Konrad's bringing round the ingredients.

Kathy said she'll help out with the cooking -

she used to know some Polish girl called Magda.

Sweet. OK, good. We need all the help we can get.

We need to at least half pull this off tonight.

-Dad, are you going to call Lee?

-Why?

Look, I'm angry too, but he might be in trouble.

He's not, all right?

He's safe. I...

I spoke to him earlier, all right? He wanted to talk.

He'd done all his talking, though, didn't he, when he packed his

bags and slipped off, and left a little note for his missus?

-Yeah, I know, but...

-I don't want to waste my breath on him any more.

Get yourself to uni now.

DOOR OPENS

You might not like the way Lee's gone about this,

-but he's still your boy.

-DOOR SLAMS

-You can't abandon him.

-Oh? Says you.

Yeah, says me,

cos I know more than anyone what lies down the end of that road.

Everything all right?

Yeah, sorry, just an appointment I'd rather not think about.

Yeah, you and Dot and all.

I've got to take her for her eye injections.

Needles in the eye? I'd rather go blind.

Well, let's hope you don't have to make that choice, eh?

Cheers.

Well, Vincent's taken Pearl out for the day,

so what say you and me catch up?

I'm working.

Well, Helen will be here soon, right?

I will see you in the Vic.

The Vic!

SLAMMING ON BAR

MICK SIGHS

I said white over red for Poland.

I ain't changing it.

Well, it's Indonesia,

so we'll just have a pub full of geezers who don't drink.

I offered to take Ben shopping yesterday for the house -

-he didn't want to know.

-When are they moving in?

-Tomorrow.

-Oh, are they having a party?

No, I doubt it. It was a pigsty when I saw it.

But if you fancy a night out,

why don't you come across to the Vic tonight?

Polish Supper Club, and I'm cooking.

Mmm, do you know what? I think I might.

You'll come with me, won't you, Shaki?

No.

Hey, do you want to join me?

Hey, are you OK?

Yeah, sorry. That was my ex in there.

Like, the sumo hair guy?

Mmm.

Erm, I'm going to go to school.

OK, I'll see you later.

She was upset about her ex-boyfriend.

I was just making sure she was OK.

And you're telling me this because?

I didn't want you to get the wrong idea.

Well, you could do a lot worse than my niece.

Why would you say that?

I meant what I said yesterday - I need you to go.

You also said you'd buy me a plane ticket home.

I haven't got the money.

I'll try to find it, but in the meantime, let's keep our distance.

I know you don't want me to go.

Preston, please...

You know, I don't understand you.

It's like everything that happened between us,

you've just wiped it all away.

I still love you, and if you don't love me, just say.

I just want to know that you're OK.

You don't even have to talk to me, you can just leave me a message.

I know he ain't going to call me back...

I just can't stand not knowing.

I spoke to him last night.

It wasn't for long.

He's OK. He's in Dover.

He's with Beanbag.

I was going to tell you, but you was all happy...

I didn't want to upset you.

OK, so did he say anything about me?

I didn't really give him the chance to, to be honest.

Why won't he talk to me?

I don't know.

It's like he's punishing me,

only I don't know what I'm being punished for.

How am I supposed to live with that?

Is he really taking a breather, or is he gone for good?

He don't deserve your worry...

Yeah, well, it don't stop me feeling it, does it, Mick?!

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry. I'm just stressed.

It's the stress of it all,

and I know there's nothing that you can do about it.

If you're going to sit there like that, I might as well go.

What?

Your mood.

I thought it was the party, but it isn't, is it?

It's me. Hey...

Kim. Kim!

Come on, sit down.

Please.

I'm sorry, I have been a little bit...distracted,

but it's not you, or anything to do with how I feel about you.

No. You can say that, but after everything with Mum...

It's got nothing to do with that.

But you can see why I'm worried.

I don't need you drifting away from me, Denise.

I need my sister close.

Look, I'm not going to lie.

What Mum - Emerald - said, it...

it's played on my mind,

and I've felt lonely and just...just confused.

Course.

And then Libs, Chelsea... I don't even know where to start.

But that's not what's been keeping me up at nights.

My first big meeting with the social worker -

I mean, the first since the baby was born -

and they're going to want to talk through the adoption.

Why didn't you tell me?

Cos I knew what you'd say.

I might surprise you.

I might ask you, how do you feel about this meeting?

I'm scared, Kim.

I'm really scared.

-KONRAD:

-Shirley?

In here, Konrad.

I bring Polish football shirts for all of your staff,

friends, customers...

Everybody's excited.

It's such a positive step for the community relations

in these troubled times.

Well, we all need to do our bit.

And you will be rewarded.

The tills will be ringing tonight!

COOKING SIZZLES

Are you making borscht?

Well, we're making all sorts.

She don't really know what she's doing.

We could do with all the help we can get.

Of course, no problem.

Mother, I've got to slip out. I'll be a couple of hours.

Two hours?!

Just a minute...

Oh, no, don't.

What a nightmare. Careful, don't slip! Watch yourself.

Well, it says here you can find out how he's doing.

That's good, innit?

Is it?

I'm not sure that I want to know.

Well, maybe that's trying to tell you something.

Just say it.

Fine, I'll say it.

If you were 100% sure...

I am.

-I haven't said it yet.

-DENISE SCOFFS

You think I'm having second thoughts, and I ain't.

So why are you so scared about this meeting?

You can still think something's right and still, you know,

be worried about it.

But, look, think about what you've been through, yeah?

What Mum told you.

You're shaken up, and no-one would blame you,

but now you want to put this boy, your boy, in the same position.

Oh, Kim, you're talking rubbish.

He's going to know exactly who I am and where I am,

and if he ever wants to find me, then, you know, he can.

Listen, it is not too late, Dee.

You don't have to stay on this path

because it just seems like the easy option.

What did you...? What did you say?

Easy option?

Wow. You've got no idea.

-No, Denise, I didn't mean...

-This is the hardest -

the hardest - decision that I have ever had to make.

But you know what? I have made it,

because it's the right thing for him,

and it's the right thing for me.

You think this is an easy option? Easy?

This has split me wide open, Kim.

And you say that you want us to be close?

Well, I'll tell you, if you can't even support me on this,

then it makes me wonder if we were ever close in the first place.

DOOR CLOSES

Is the licensee available, please?

You're talking to one of them.

My name is Agnes Novak, Environmental Health.

I'm afraid we've had multiple reports of food poisoning -

the victims all ate here, at The Queen Victoria.

Walford's fried chicken may not be quite be up to

the Florida standard, granted.

It was our first meal together, you remember?

I just want you to remember all the amazing times we had together.

But why are you acting like it was nothing?

Like I'm nothing?!

It wasn't nothing...

..and I'll always care about you, Preston,

but I regret it.

Do you understand?

I regret it all.

What I did was wrong.

I wish it had never happened, but it did.

It's over.

We're done.

DOOR SLAMS

How'd it go?

I expect after this one I'll be 20-20, won't I, Ms Goldberg?

Well, this is my grandson.

Well, he's my great-grandson, really, ain't you?

Matthew, well, this is the clever lady what's going to

give me back my sight,

and then I shall be able to keep an eye on you.

Mr Branning, can I have a quiet word, please?

-I'll be back in a minute, Dot.

-Oh, right. Oh...

TRAIN RUMBLES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Thanks for coming, Dad.

Let's make one thing clear from the start -

I'm not here for you, OK?

Bex!

How's Whitney?

Maybe you should come back...

ask her for yourself.

I don't want to cause her any more upset.

I wouldn't know what to say.

Well, you could start by telling her what you're actually doing,

cos she don't know whether you've gone for good,

or whether you're just gone for a little while or...

I tried to make it clear.

What, by leaving a poxy little note?

I thought I was doing the right thing.

I don't think you know what that is any more, boy.

Dad, it was you who tried to convince me to

-leave her in the first place.

-I know.

I know, but not like this.

She deserves better.

Yeah, she does.

We both know that.

So I've made a decision -

I'm going to stay in Dover.

Dover?

That's a massive decision.

You need to have a clear head, like, you need to be focused...

I am.

I am, Dad.

But when I'm back at home, it's like I'm stuck in this fog...

like I can't even see my own hand in front of my face,

just trying to get through, one moment to the next.

But when I step away from it all -

from Whitney, from Walford -

I can see clearer what I've got to do.

THUNDER RUMBLES

So...

So, this is about Walford?

To be honest, Dad, I don't know what this is about.

I just know that I feel better when I'm not there.

-You know, what happened to Mum...

-MICK SIGHS

..that played a big part in it.

That was the start.

If I'd been you, then I would've been able to stop it.

-No, no, son. No.

-Because I've always wanted to be like you, ain't I?

I left the army, I married Whitney and I thought,

"Yeah, we're going to be just like my mum and dad.

"Yeah, we're going to be the life and soul of the community."

And I tried and I tried, but I kept coming up short.

Because I tried so hard to be like you,

I forgot what it was like to be like me.

And that's why I've got to go, Dad.

That's why I've got to go and do my own thing...

because I ain't been feeling right, and you know that.

Not for a long time.

Erm...

I saw a fox this morning.

It was mooching about in the bins and the rubbish,

and I just thought,

"This ain't right." You know what I mean? Like...

"You should be out in the woods chasing rabbits -

"you shouldn't be eating scraps and nappies, like."

There was just, like, something...

something not right, lad - something not right it its eyes.

I mean, you can live here,

and you can survive,

but you'll never flourish.

And I want you to flourish...

more than anything, son.

You've got issues, and I don't think we're the cure.

I just...

Maybe this is what it's going to take.

Will you talk to Mum, and explain it all?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'll do that in me own time, erm...

but I don't think it's your mother that you should just be

thinking about, though.

You know, you...you've got to talk to Whitney.

You've got to tell her. Just...

-Just tell her what you told me.

-I can't.

Why? What, cos you think you're going to upset her?

Because she's already upset.

Because I still love her, Dad!

I still love her more than anything in the world.

She'll cry, I'll cry...

..and I'll want to stay, even though I know it ain't good for us.

Please don't make this any harder than it already is.

Let me go.

MACHINE BEEPS

The person that reported us -

were they a bit dumpy with a basin haircut and a gilet?

You know I can't say.

Besides, you don't need to worry -

I've seen what I need to see, and everything's super.

Good luck with the Polish night.

Are you serving pierogi?

I adore pierogi.

Ah, pierogi. Come to my shop.

I have fresh pierogi every day.

I may just...

SHE GASPS

Honestly, I don't know where that's come from...

I don't need to know where it's come from -

it's where it is that's the problem.

CAR ENGINE RUMBLES

Ian.

CAR DOOR CLOSES

I like it. She sounds a bit like Cat Power.

Who?

You do not know your female singer-songwriters.

It's a blind spot. Maybe you can teach me...

It'd just be for a couple of weeks, until Tim pays the money he owes me.

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

We've got to pay for Jane's physio now.

Look, I would if I could, but...

Oh, you'll get a job, won't you?

Yeah, course I will...

Forget I even asked.

Oh, hello.

Mark's mate's got a...a new admirer.

I wonder what Martin's going to make of that one.

MUSIC: London Calling by The Clash

No... Are you sure this is the Polish stuff?

It tastes like normal lager to me.

Look, it's not our fault - it's the council's.

I mean, there's rubbish everywhere...

-I understand the problems, but I...

-Look, I'll close the kitchen.

I'll get an exterminator in,

deep clean, anything you say,

but I am begging you,

please don't do anything official.

I can't just turn a blind eye...

I'm not asking you to.

Look, this family has been through hell and back this past year.

If we close the kitchen, we'll lose the business as well.

Just give me 24 hours just to get things sorted,

and then you, you come back, and if it's not up to scratch,

then you do what you've got to do.

SHE SIGHS

24 hours.

SHIRLEY EXHALES

No food is to come out until I return,

and any food already made must be disposed of.

Is that understood?

Yeah.

Yeah, I promise.

Look, I'm really sorry, but we're going to have to

throw all this food away.

Cancel the supper club.

Cancel?

Polish people are nothing if not adaptable.

Just give me half an hour, OK? Half an hour.

DOOR OPENS

Where have you been?

To see Lee.

And what did he want?

He's leaving London...

for good...

and I've got to find a way to tell Whitney.

There's a red one, look.

Look, Grandma.

Oh, let's have a look.

Oh, that's lovely.

What is it?

It's an alien.

Oh...

Are you going blind, Grandma?

Oh, goodness me, no.

That nice lady doctor, she's fixing my eyes -

they'll soon be right as rain.

Right, you two, get your stuff. Nearly home time. Go on.

I'd only just got the hang of it, Jack.

-JACK LAUGHS

-Off you go.

-Go on, you.

Oh, dear.

The consultant pulled me aside earlier.

Oh, yes?

Yeah. She was worried you might have unrealistic expectations

about these injections.

Can she see through my eyes?

No,

and she did say there is a chance that your eyesight will improve,

but there is a possibility that it might just stop it

getting any worse.

Now you listen to me, Jack -

I don't care what that doctor said,

my eyes are getting better,

and there's nothing no-one can say that's going to

make me think no different,

so there.

-SHIRLEY:

-Get stuck in!

Thank you.

Here you go.

I was going to say, I'll get a couple of these in.

That's all right.

I thought you were doing the Polish cooking tonight.

Yeah, I was, but they closed the kitchen.

Why?

Um, nothing dramatic - something to do with the cookers.

Oh...

Everybody seems to be enjoying the Polish Snack Club, yes?

Yeah, you did us proud. How much do we owe you?

Nothing. Can you keep a secret?

It's all a little bit out-of-date...

CHEERING

These Polish lot love a drink - best night since Christmas.

-Whit, erm...

-Yeah?

Me and you should have a little chat later, when it eases off...

-DOOR SLAMS

-..cos earlier on, I went to see, erm...

Ah... Look, Kim, if you've come to start...

No. Dee, I've got a speech,

and if I don't say it now, I'll forget it.

I'm sorry.

OK.

-No, look, I'm sorry, Kim...

-No, no, let me finish.

I'm sorry,

and I didn't mean to get you upset earlier.

I understand how hard it's been for you,

-but I can't pretend that I agree with your decision...

-Pretend?

But you're still my sister,

and that means more to me than any differences we've got.

I love you, Dee,

and you don't have to do this alone.

I want to be with you at this meeting next week.

That's it. Speech over.

Thank you.

Hmm...

Security work?

At the port?

-LEE COUGHS

-Yeah, yeah. It's at...

-HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH

-It's at some warehouse nearby.

When's the interview?

Monday.

So, what is it that you want me to do?

Do you want me to wish you luck?

No...

Right.

Cos, you know, a big part of me, Lee,

really hopes that you don't get it.

I've missed you.

HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH I know it's been hard, but I have missed you.

I've missed you too.

So why did you say you don't love me, then?

-HE SIGHS AND COUGHS

-Because...

Because I thought if I wrote that, you'd hate me

and it'd make this all a lot easier...

I'd hate you?

How can I ever hate you?

Don't you know anything?

I love you.

And I love you...

..so much.

But I don't love me, Whit...

and that's why I've got to go.

This place, I've...

I mean, I've tried, I've really tried...

..but I can't make it work here.

HE EXHALES

And even if I don't get this job,

I'm going to stay there, in Dover,

and see what else comes up.

I just don't know if I'm ready to...

I mean, Dover?

The only thing I know about Dover is that they've got white cliffs.

SHE LAUGHS SOFTLY

This is just you, innit?

I'm not part of the plan, am I?

Oh.

When I see you first thing...

and when I come home to you at night...

..I'm always going to be looking for it on your face.

SHE WHIMPERS For what?

For signs that the penny's finally dropped...

SHE SOBS

..that you've seen me for who I really am

and don't love me any more.

SHE SOBS

It's only a matter of time...

Just go.

SHE WHIMPERS Please.

Just go.

LEE SNIFFLES

HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH

Whit...

Just go, I said!

WHITNEY SNIFFLES

DISTANT SINGING IN POLISH

SINGING IN POLISH

So it's true, then?

You're leaving London?

I'm sorry, mate.

Don't apologise.

Come stay with me, though, eh, when I'm settled in?

Do me a favour -

keep an eye on Whitney for me, eh?

See if she's OK.

LEE SNIFFLES

Lee!

Son!

Are you happy now?

Don't be ridiculous.

What good did that do, eh?

I just broke that girl's heart, Dad.

I don't know if I'm doing the right thing.

You knew this afternoon. I saw it.

I trust you.

Trust yourself.

So, go...

Go and find your place.

Go and find your people.

This place, these people...

we'll always be here for you if you need us.

All right?

LEE EXHALES

ENGINE RUMBLES

ENGINE ROARS