03/03/2017 EastEnders

-She ain't going to school.

-Why, what's wrong with her?

It's her time of the month, she'll be fine.

-I'll ring them and tell them she ain't coming in.

-Yeah, all right.

-I've got to get to work, so...

-Right.

-See you in a bit.

-You have a good day.

Bex?

Yeah?

-Do you want anything?

-No, I'm fine.

OK.

PHONE BEEPS AND VIBRATES

Got that, yeah. No. No.

Why aren't you with Mum?

I've put her in front of a film.

-Oh, what, so she's on her own?

-She's fine, all right?

-Yeah. OK.

Has he told Linda about the roof yet?

No, he hasn't. And he won't be, not until it's sorted.

That was the bank geezer. He's going to be here about half past five.

-Right, so I'll put my best smile on then.

-We want money, not a date.

It'll be all right, won't it?

Aren't banks always looking to support small businesses?

Who made you Karren Brady all of a sudden?

Well, look, they wouldn't give me a loan for Lee's debts.

So if this don't work I will be selling me kidneys online.

That is if they've got Wi-Fi in the nick.

It'll be all right, OK?

We just have to make sure we've got everything ready he needs to see,

and be prepared for any questions that he has to ask us.

Yeah, yeah.

Well, I'd better get this gaff open, earn some readies, eh?

I swear she wags her tail whenever he calls.

Maybe you should spend less time making snide comments

and just be glad that she's helping him.

Kathy said to be there any time after half five.

All right. I'll just get there as soon as I can.

-I'll go straight from work.

-It's Ian's birthday drinks.

You've got to go home and put a clean shirt on at least.

You can't turn up smelling of cauliflower.

It's the Vic, Stace. I could go there smelling of sewers

-and no-one would know.

-Well,

-I'll

-know! Go home and shower first.

-Yes, boss.

-Michelle...

When were you going to tell me about this evening?

-What about it?

-Birthday drinks for Ian at the Vic.

-You're not going.

You going all strict teacher mode on me?

I mean it. You stay away from the pub and stop trying to worm

your way into my family.

I'm her sister,

what does she think I'm going to do if I find out who the dad is?

What, go and shout it out in the square?

Kim, she's had a very hard week.

Even more reason why she can't deal with it by herself.

She needs to tell the dad.

Perhaps she already has.

If it's someone that she sees every day.

Someone on the square.

Kim, if she wanted you to know who the father is,

she would have told you.

You do know it's ten to one, don't you, not half past nine at night.

I didn't want you getting confused.

Haven't you got a delivery to do?

Yep, my last one and then I'm jacking it in.

Oh, and all the pedestrians in Walford will sigh with relief.

You working tonight?

No, Tracey and Johnny are. I'm not needed.

Right, well, then seeing as you're free,

I want you to come home so we can talk about Mum's birthday.

-On the 7th.

-That's next week.

It's her 75th, Shirley. How can you not know that?

I don't know my own birthday, why would I bother with hers?

I'll be in all night.

Right, I'm going to get off work early,

make sure I'm there to buy my dad his first birthday drink. Um...

Yeah, I don't really fancy going out tonight.

-Since when? This was your idea.

-Yeah, but I've changed my mind.

I mean, my birthday's been and gone.

Oh, shut up, everyone's looking forward to it.

Oh, yeah, but it's just birthday drinks, isn't it?

I mean, it's no big deal.

People buying you birthday drinks all night?

-It's your kind of do.

-Since when have you turned down a free drink?

Um, Lauren. I mean, you haven't got a baby-sitter, have you?

She's already said she doesn't mind not coming, haven't you?

Yeah. Yeah, honestly you go, have an orange juice for me.

See? Right, so no more talk of not going, OK?

It's going to be a top night, I'll make sure of that.

So, how's Whitney doing, with Lee gone?

Good, yeah. She's just throwing herself into things at the Vic.

She's even got me making notes on this meeting we've got later

with the bank manager.

What, Whitney's head's back in the right place, is it?

Yeah, yeah, it is. Yeah.

-I'll see you later, yeah?

-See ya.

-Mick?

-Why not?

Well, I would, but...nah.

-There's no way Mick would ever cheat on Linda.

-Mm.

-What about Billy Mitchell?

-Oh, come on.

-Jack Branning?

-No.

-Yeah!

No, I don't see it. Ronnie was his life.

He had a kid with her sister.

And her cousin. Just saying.

You're clutching at straws.

It's someone local. Who could it be?

-Well, whoever it is, she's got a big reason for not telling.

-Hm.

I'll see you later, Carmel.

I had Sharon on the phone this morning,

she couldn't log in to see which school Dennis has been allocated.

-Oh, what, is that today?

-Yeah. I did it for her.

She weren't too happy. He's got Walford High.

First choice was King Edward.

Walford High's a good school.

It's been great for Bex, she's worked hard. I'm proud of her.

-Here you are.

-Cheers, Tina.

-Thank you.

I suppose it don't matter what school you go to, does it?

It's just all about who you get mixed up with.

I'm just not crazy about her hanging about with this Louise.

Louise who was a Fowler, brought up by Mark?

No, she's all right, she's had a lot to deal with.

Yeah.

I suppose with teenagers you get drama no matter what, don't you?

Yeah...

Preston was banging on this morning about some girl from home.

He sounded all, like, proper loved up with her,

but something went wrong. He didn't say what.

They can't be together, and they got ripped apart,

-all that sort of young love stuff.

-Yeah, it happens.

-Won't he already have looked at the accounts?

-Yeah.

I just... I want everything ready for him, you know?

I just want him to see this as a blip, you know,

like a cash-flow problem. Cos that's what this is.

-Yeah, and he's going to see that.

-Yeah, I know, it's just that Konrad,

he wants cash today.

You know, so I need the bank to sort this, you know?

That way I can give him some of the takings.

Because I'll know I got more coming in.

Do you think you'll get an answer today?

I hope so. I hope so.

I mean, I just don't want anything to mess this up.

Well, I'm hardly going to help, am I?

Look at the state of me. I look like someone's chucked up

-all over me.

-We can sort that, hold on.

-What are

-you

-wearing? A suit?

-Yeah, course I am.

Well, I can't look like this, can I? I don't want to let you down.

-Shut up. What's that?

-Look at the state of it!

-It's only a little... What is it?

-Soup.

-..soup.

-Stick this on.

-That's your mum's.

-So? She won't mind. She never wears it. Put it on.

-There you go.

-Really?

-Is that all right?

-Yeah, bang on.

So...

..are you going to let me buy you a drink then?

Oh, Kim, look, I don't want to fall out over this.

Me neither.

So we're OK?

Another one, please, Tracey.

Right, I'll get the drinks in. I tell you what,

-shall we pull those tables together there?

-Yeah, all right.

-Cool.

-Right, what are you having?

-Bottle of beer, please.

It's your birthday. You have to have something livelier

than a bottle of beer. How about whisky?

MOBILE PHONE BEEPS All right, make it a double.

Ben. He's stuck at the Arches. He says he'll be here for a late one.

Do you know what, he'll do anything to get out of buying me

-a drink.

-Happy belated birthday.

-Oh, thank you. Ooh, Denise...

I was thinking about you earlier.

Really, why?

Yeah, I was sorting a few things out. You know, will...

Your will?

Yeah, I was just putting things in order. And I was...

Well, you and me, and...

I'd really like you to have something.

I remembered that mug you really liked,

-the one that said "keep on smiling".

-OK...

So I was going to let you have that.

-I'll sort it all out..

-Yeah. Yeah, course.

A couple of beers, please. Bottles...

What was all that about?

-A bit random. Thinking of me in his will.

-Oh, yeah?

And I'm getting a mug.

Least it weren't the oven gloves.

Why don't you just go to Ian's thing?

-I'm not sure I want to go.

-Well, you can't stay cooped up for ever.

It's unfair, you having to stay here looking after the kids.

I honestly don't mind.

I've seen enough of Ian recently to last me a lifetime.

Go on, you go. Have fun. Spend some time with your dad.

TV BLARES

Am I having my tea?

You've had your tea, Mum.

It's that programme you like.

She can't even remember if she's eaten.

She ain't going to worry about her birthday.

I just thought we could do something nice for her, like a tea party

with sandwiches and cakes.

A party?

Yeah, really make a fuss of her.

And play some old music that she'll remember.

-Where are you going to have it?

-I don't know. In the Vic?

Well, assuming Mick's still in there,

if Whitney don't mess up this bank meeting.

-I should be over there with him.

-Yeah, well, you're not,

you're here with me and I want to talk about Mum.

-It's her 75th birthday.

-Fine, tea party. Done.

What is your problem with this?

I don't have a problem with this. You're making such a fuss,

-you're wasting your time.

-I'm not wasting my time!

Fine, tell her it's her birthday today,

tell her again tomorrow, cos she won't have a clue.

-And what about the moment?

-What moment?

She might not remember what day it is exactly but she's still here,

she still smiles and enjoys things.

So who are we to say what stuff stays with her?

When she's in there now, watching telly,

how do we know what's going on in her head?

What little things she might be remembering.

But say if she's not remembering any little things.

And she's sitting in there and everything's blank?

Well, then that's just how it is.

But it doesn't change the fact that she's our mum and this might be

the last birthday we ever get to spend with her.

-You'll all have another drink?

-Oh, yes, please.

-Course we are.

-You feeling all right?

-I'm fine.

Remember when we took that vodka to that party in a lemonade bottle.

We got totally wrecked before we even got there.

What do they call it these days? Preloading?

Whose party was it?

As his mum, do I really want to hear this?

I don't know if I want to hear about this as his wife.

-Mandy Mills.

-Mandy Mills. That's it. Sharon was so drunk.

She was trying to get off with this boy and she ended up

-chucking up all over him.

-Oh!

Fingers crossed the birthday boy avoids that little treat

-for me tonight, please.

-Hey! Here he is. You joining us?

I don't want to gate-crash.

Oh, don't be stupid. Look, room for one more.

It's OK, I can stand.

No, no, no. There's plenty of room there between Bex and 'Chelle.

Come on, Michelle, budge up.

What about you then, Bex,

do you do this preloading thing before you go to parties?

I'm keeping out of this.

Yeah, Bex's too sensible. Plenty of time ahead of her for that.

Yeah, you want to listen to your father.

You don't want to go growing up too quick.

I mean, look at me and 'Chelle.

-We were young. I mean, we were stupid.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

We really appreciate you coming out to see us.

It's not a problem. It's always best to see the business first-hand.

You must be Mrs Carter.

-Oh! No, she is, but she's not

-the

-Mrs Carter.

-She's my daughter-in-law.

-Oh!

-I'm Whitney.

Justin Fairbrass. Hi.

-You want to go and have a little pot over there.

-Yeah. Thank you.

Yeah, er... My wife Linda's away at the moment.

Whitney's family - it's a family-run business - that's why she's here.

Yeah, it's OK.

So let's see what's what and how the bank can help, hm?

OK, yeah.

It's just a short-term cash-flow problem really.

It's easily sorted.

I mean, you see the boozer, it was rammo.

It's always like that, ain't it, Whit?

Oh, always. We do a lot of functions, promotions, parties,

-and stuff like that. So it's never quiet.

-No, no, no.

I've got all the paperwork out that you'd need, you know,

-sort of order books, annual accounts.

-Yeah, it's all on here...

..so this should be fairly swift and straightforward, really,

Oh.

TYPING ON LAPTOP

-Steven's round.

-That's personal.

Oh, come on, come on, it's his birthday,

you have to make allowances.

Come on, me and Mum thought it was funny, didn't we, Mum?

Mum, don't leave me hanging.

Oh! I didn't know it was party night.

We're going to be doing the conga line in a minute.

Can I get another glass, please, Trace?

Yeah, I'll bring it over.

-So one-night stand, you reckon?

-Oh, yeah.

How about somebody she's had a past with?

-I tried a chilli, curry, but nope, he did not want to budge.

-Mother...

No, no, go on. I haven't heard this.

So, I'm five days late and I'm out here with him.

Then he finally decides to make an appearance.

-Here we go again...

-But the trouble was,

we was in a block of flats and the lift was out of order...

Out of order, so I was nearly born in the stairwell.

Poor Pete eventually gets me to the bottom of the stairs

and I can feel him pushing now, he really wants to come out.

That is too much information.

Mum, we really, really don't need the graphic details, all right?

Pete had this little van, and I can't get in the passenger seat

cos I'm like a whale, it's so cramped.

It was so cramped, all right, you had to get in the back

with the carrots and loads of potatoes, didn't you?

And that is when my waters broke.

LAUGHTER

Don't tell me, Uncle Pete still put the fruit and veg out on the stall?

It wouldn't surprise me.

I will have a double of whatever it was I was having.

-You've got a couple in, so...

-Have I? Go on, I'll have them as well.

-I mean, look at him. How could she?

-You don't know it's him yet.

It makes sense.

Someone from her past, someone that needs her to keep it quiet.

Denise, Denise, Denise, Denise...

-Do you know...

-Eh!

-Do you know, I'm 48 now, did you know?

-Yes...

-48.

I did know. You having a good time?

Yeah. Yeah, I am actually, yeah. I am. I am. You?

Lovely, thank you.

Bless him. He's going to have a seriously sore head in the morning.

Never was very good at hangovers.

You've hardly looked at any of this stuff.

-I can see from your accounts how the business operates.

-Oh.

-BEEP

-What does that mean?

Well... Yeah, the business itself isn't looking too unhealthy, yeah.

But I'm afraid it's you.

You yourself, Mr Carter,

you're too big a credit risk for us to lend against.

But... Well, you can see how busy we are.

I'm really sorry, but it's showing here that you were recently

turned down for a personal loan?

Yeah.

That was nothing to do with the pub.

We're not really asking for that much, are we?

You know, compared to what you throw at other businesses.

Yeah, but unfortunately, as I say, it's not the business, it's you.

It's your own personal credit rating that's causing the problem.

That's where the risk is.

What do you mean risk? What do you keep talking about a risk for?

-You can see what I'm trying to do here.

-Mick...

Mr Carter, all I can do is pass on the result of the application.

Right, so the computer says no, and that's it, yeah?

Why don't you just like, you know, go with what's in front of you.

You know, like, use your mince pies, like...

I am sorry, but all we can do is go with what the application tells us.

-OK. Mr... What is it, Fairbrass, is it?

-Yeah.

-Fairbrass.

The only reason I'm in this mess is cos I've got a family.

My wife, Linda...

Her mum, she had a stroke.

They were in Spain. I needed to fly them home.

That cost money, you know? I've got to cover them costs.

It's fine. My son Lee, he...

..gets himself in a mess, he runs up loads of debts again, you know.

I've got to pay for that, and then this place starts, you know,

it starts falling apart.

It's like everything's hitting me at once. So...

You know, this is it.

You.

This is everything...

and you've...you've turned me down.

You're free to appeal against anything I've said tonight.

It's all explained in here.

Take your soppy little leaflet...

..and get out my house.

-Er... You can find your way out, yeah?

-Yeah.

Look, I wish I could have given you better news. I'm really sorry.

DOOR SLAMS

And they threw him out the club!

Will you pack this in?

-What?

-All the touching and the games, enough.

Oh, like you're not loving it.

-Why haven't I got a drink?

-I think you need to slow down, Ian.

You know what the nurse said.

You might be ready for the old people's home, but I am not.

Right, I'm going to make a speech as well, while I'm up.

No! Oh, please...

-Speech.

-Speech!

-Speech.

-Sh. Thank you.

I just want to say how great it is to have my family and friends here.

To my wonderful wife Jane.

I love you so much, you are the world to me,

and I can't imagine not being here for you.

And Steven, my son. My children, they mean everything to me.

And to my kids who can't be here as well.

I can't bear this.

-Kim, don't!

-Kim?

-You two-faced, slimy hypocrite.

-What?

-What are you playing at?

You should be ashamed of yourself. How could you do that to my sister?

-Oh, Kim no...

-What, you get her pregnant and you don't want

-to take responsibility.

-I did what?

-I'm so sorry.

Don't you apologise, he's the snake.

He is also not the father.

Of course he is, and he's made a fool out of everybody.

How low can you go? Cheating on your disabled wife.

-I...I didn't.

-You are so out of order.

-He's the one that got you pregnant.

-I didn't. I...couldn't.

Oh, what, you forgot? What, you were too drunk?

Ian had a vasectomy years ago.

Kim, home.

Now.

Listen...

I am so sorry.

I really am.

-Happy birthday.

-Happy birthday!

Thank you.

I was just trying to figure it out.

By putting two and two together and coming up with five?

Look, I need to know. Everyone else seems to.

How would you feel if I was shutting you out

like what you're doing to me?

Well?

It's Phil Mitchell.

Look, please, just tell me the truth.

Phil? Drunk, bald, crazy, Phil Mitchell?

OK, OK.

Now I've told you,

you have got to swear you will not say anything to him

or anyone else.

-I didn't, love. I swear.

-No, I had gathered that, love.

-Dad, just get your head in.

-Come on. Come on.

-I'm in.

Yeah, come on, Casanova.

All right, let's do that pouty thing, Bex. How does it go?

-Cringe, please don't.

-You ready?

-ALL:

-Cheese.

Can you send me a copy of that?

I'll tag everyone in it online, Gran.

-Happy birthday.

-What? Sausage?

-Sausage.

-Thank you.

Would you like a birthday drink?

Yeah, go on, then. I'll have one with you, thank you.

Come on then, let's have a look.

Ah, mate it's rubbish. I've got to do another one.

Oh, let's have a look.

Someone's just tagged me in it. I haven't seen it before, I swear.

Did you know about this?

Have you seen this?

Bex, who did this? Who done it?

Bex!

-Bex?

-Bex, wait.

Maybe let her be. It's not her fault. She didn't do this.

Well...

..now you know why I didn't tell you.

But shutting him out?

Giving the baby up?

I still think you're going to regret not reading the letter

from the new parents.

You don't have to do anything about it, but just to read that he's OK.

What if he turns up one day?

He comes looking for you, and then he realises that you didn't want

to know anything what his adoptive parents had to say to you.

Hm?

Oi, what happened over there? She's in a right state.

She just ran straight upstairs, she wouldn't even talk to me.

This is online, and everyone's seen it.

I've ripped it into loads of pieces. We're never going to find it.

Hold this. Hold this.

What did he say?

-Ah, Konrad.

-Mick...

Yeah, before you go there, um...

it's looking a little bit iffy, like me giving you the dough today.

No, come on, we agreed. Today.

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

It's just I'm waiting on a few things. I've got it,

I just ain't got it in my hand.

When?

Soon.

Soon tomorrow? Soon next week? When?

Soon, soon, soon.

I'll tell you what, look. Why don't you take this, right?

This is a couple of hundred shots. You know, just to take the edge off.

I just want the bill paid.

I know, I know. It's not a problem, it's all good.

-Soon.

-Soon. Soon. I will. I promise.

TILL SLAMS SHUT

OK.

"We wanted to let you know...

"..that your son...

"..has been with us since you gave birth.

"He's such a character already, with the sweetest of smiles.

"He has a little yellow lion called Leo that he loves...

"..and he always falls straight to sleep when we take him out

"in the car..."

-SHE LAUGHS

-"..but he's not so keen on the buggy.

"His big sister adores him

"..and he raises his head a tiny bit whenever she kisses him.

"We wanted to say that we love him

"..and treasure him, and we will...

"we will keep him safe.

"Thank you."

I did the right thing.

-You did.

-Yeah.

They love him, don't they?

Yeah.

Now, just... I've got to look to the future.

I ain't got a clue what that is...

It's got to be better than being a shop girl though, ain't it?

I've tried everything.

Usually I'm sweet.

You know, usually I'd be able to sort it.

You know...

I can usually, like, fix this...

..but I can't.

It's like everything's coming towards me a hundred mile an hour

and I just can't stop it.

I'm drowning, Whit.

Hey.

Something will turn up. Like you say, it always does.

It won't.

Not this time it won't.

I can't pay Konrad.

I'm never going to be able to pay that fine.

I'm going to prison.