17/03/2017 Part One EastEnders

-What are you doing here?

-You still in isolation?

Meaning I'm meant to be left alone.

Look, Mr Pryce is going to be back any minute.

Oh, you too?

If you want me to find somewhere else, I can...

No. No, it's OK.

Ooh!

Haven't missed it, have we?

-Missed what?

-Watch...

So, what happened with you?

What do you mean?

What's your problem?

Sam, it's not a trick question, what are you doing here?

Just thought you might like some company.

OK. So, you haven't been sent here by Mrs Lund?

Is that right?

Is what right?

-What they said?

-Who?

They said all I'd have to do was ask.

You'd...you'd do anyone.

All right, Bex, how's Samuel?

SHE LAUGHS

Dad used to love your home-made hotpot.

But he hasn't had one for years.

Well, exactly. It'll be a nice treat for him.

And isn't Grandma Dot...?

She's got her church meeting tonight, so we could do it at hers.

Yeah, and I know he cooked for us at New Years, but...

Well, then, it is our turn, ain't it?

Take that as a yes?

What is?

We're cooking dinner for Dad tonight.

I am, you mean.

Well, I'll do my bit. I'll...

bring some bread or something.

Nice family meal.

Sounds good.

No, just me, Abi and Dad.

Oh, so I'm still not part of this little family, then?

Of course you are, babe.

-So how many am I cooking for, then?

-No, just us three.

So I am being frozen out...

again.

Dad just needs a little bit of time to get his head around

everything, doesn't he?

Look, me and Abi will work on him first

and then everyone can get involved.

Anyway, look, you've got bigger fish to fry.

Look at him.

His idea of a health kick

is sticking some cucumber in a sandwich.

You've got to get him out.

Take him on one of your runs or something.

He's started - don't let him stop.

OK.

Thank you.

This is how much we're going to save over the course of just one

single year, just by switching Lady Di's dog food.

OK, I know it's not a fortune... But it's going to be...

-It's great.

-Yeah?

-Really.

And we've saved this much already.

You know what they say. Every little helps.

What does your dad think?

Dunno. He went a bit quiet.

And then he was like, overly grateful.

Then he went off to make some phone call. Sounded business-y.

-Ooh. Karl, you all right?

-Yeah.

-Same again?

-Yes, please.

I've been doing some asking around.

Well, I like to know who I'm sharing a cell with.

You can get all sorts of moody cows in here.

Is that right?

Never had one like you, though.

Knocking out a couple of early pints?

And they banged you up for that?

Well I'm here, aren't I?

It's a bit Toytown isn't it?

Here's me, thinking you're some kind of real hard nut.

Turns out I'm sharing a cell with Minnie Mouse.

SHE CACKLES

I do that sometimes too.

I just sit here, you know?

Feel like I can hear his voice.

"Get back in that room, you little herbert, give it a tidy.

"Ain't that boy out of bed yet?"

How did he do it, eh?

What?

All them years, sending off all them applications for all them jobs,

I used to type some of them up for him.

Back they'd come, one by one.

No... No...

No wonder it got to him like that.

Yeah, but it ain't like that now.

It's still not easy, though.

No, no, not for people like me and Dad.

No, we was allergic to the pen and paper, weren't we?

But you... All those qualifications.

All that experience.

I have actually been meaning to ask you about that.

Oh?

Yeah, look, me and Stacey have been talking.

What with everything with Bex, and all that school she's missed...

And even when she has been there she's not, if you know what I mean.

So, yeah, we've been thinking getting a bit of private tuition...

No, no, I'm not taking money off my own brother.

I've got to pay someone, 'Chelle.

Why not someone that we know -

and someone that's going to go the extra mile?

Look, let me think about it, OK?

I'm not asking...

What the hell are you doing home?

It's the middle of the day, Bex.

You've got nothing to say?

What's the point? You're not going to listen to me anyway.

-Perfect.

-What is?

Footballer. 34. Caught in the sack with a 16-year-old.

Oh, that's disgusting.

Yep, Mum'll love it. Coffee?

Yeah, strong. Very strong.

Double espresso coming up.

How is she?

Well, she sleeps for about five minutes

and then she's awake for the next five hours.

A couple of Mickey Finns would come in very handy right now,

I can tell you.

Well, if you do get hold of any, keep some back for me, yeah?

-Is Dennis still giving you grief?

-He's just a boy, I suppose.

I bet you thought you was well past that.

Stroppy kids.

Someone's upset you, yeah?

Bex, this is probably exactly what they want,

you do realise that, don't you? You know, you running away...

Of course I realise it.

It's the only thing everyone's been saying to me.

Is there something I can do?

Maybe I can go to the school, talk to one of the teachers...

No, no, I don't want anyone talking to any teachers.

Look, I am only trying to help here.

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

You're not the only one, you know.

Everyone looking at you, talking about you,

feeling like you're the local freak,

all that happened to me, you know, when I was your age.

It's just one little mistake, stupid mistake,

you know, that's all it was.

I thought I'd never get over it.

Jamie, yeah? Mum's old boyfriend?

And I deserved that, don't get me wrong. All the looks.

All the talk.

But it passed, I deserved it, Bex, and it passed.

You don't deserve any of this. I mean, yeah, you made a mistake,

but nothing compared to what I did.

You remember that, whoever it is who's getting to you.

Whoever it is who's upsetting you...

..you don't deserve it.

Look, I know you're...

I know you're sorry for sending round that photo of Shakil.

Oi...oi.

You're probably feeling

like the loneliest person in the world right now, ain't you?

I understand that too.

Like no-one's on your side.

Well, there is, yeah? We all are.

And your mates are and all, probably.

Well, I mean, the ones that matter.

All you've got to do is just reach out to them, Bex.

Look, this is up to you. I ain't going to make you.

But your lessons start in what? 20 minutes?

Not interrupting anything, am I?

Nah. I'm just checking it out for Ricky, for later.

For Ricky?

Yeah. For when he gets home from school. You all right?

Got to make sure it's working, ain't I?

Do you remember you got one of them for Oscar, didn't you?

Yeah, couldn't keep you off it.

-I was a demon with the thing.

-Yeah, right.

Do you know what? I reckon I've still got it.

Let me have a go.

Oh.

Argh! Ooh!

Don't break it, Lauren.

I'm just... I'm just warming up.

There you go.

You heard from Uncle Jack?

Yeah, he's back tomorrow.

You can stop playing with all Ricky's toys, then, can't you?

Looks like it.

Ah, perfect timing.

Listen, me and Abi,

we want to cook you dinner tonight round Grandma Dot's.

Why?

Because it's what families do.

They sit down and they eat food together.

Bring Ricky and Amy as well, we'll put something on for them.

Lauren, I know we said we'd build bridges,

but we ain't got to go too fast, have we?

It's one meal. We're not exactly rushing things are we?

Snail's pace, if you ask me.

Just like you with that thing.

All right, we'll be there.

Cool. See you.

See you later.

Say, "Bye-bye, Grandad."

-Yeah, all right, I'll take 'em.

-Take what?

Just doing a bit of business, all right?

What sort of business?

My business.

It's...cut-price.

It's knock-off.

-I didn't ask.

-You didn't need to.

-I meant what I said about Johnny doing his bit.

-Mick...

Not just with Lady Di, the fact he's re-done all the flyers,

the fact he's having time off uni... Even my mother's put it in.

-So I think it's my turn...

-Mick.

Lou. We used to be mates.

Still are as far as I'm concerned.

This ain't you. None of it.

Whatever you've done before, sending that photo round,

you did that because you thought you were helping me.

You were thinking of me, Lou, I know you were.

-I've got to go.

-Or are you not a real mate at all?

Are you just a prize cow deep down, is that what it is?

-You watch your mouth.

-Watch my mouth?!

-Yes!

After what you've done?!

Look, we both know what the problem is.

It's not me and it's not you, it's them two evil, poisonous...

What?

Them two evil, poisonous what?

You don't have to do this.

Say that to the bank manager.

I'm saying it to you.

Have you seen our accounts lately?

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow.

St Patrick's Day, you said it yourself,

we're going to make a right killing.

Yeah. And we'll make even more if we sell that booze outside.

Mick, I understand, but you've got to think things through.

I have.

So you'd still do this if Linda was here, would you?

Well, she ain't, is she?

And to be fair, I don't even think she'd bat an eyelid.

Cos she's made it very clear

that this place is very low on her list of priorities.

Well, then, you don't want to make things worse.

How can they get any worse?

They could get a whole lot worse. For you.

What if the Old Bill start sniffing round again?

They ain't exactly been strangers round here lately, have they?

-(OK.)

-I mean, what if they start taking a special interest

in all the new stock we've had delivered all of a sudden?

So, what are you saying? Are you saying I do nothing?

Let you all run around lunatics, yeah, and I just sit on my jacksy?

You're trying to sort things out, you've been working your socks off

and it will pay off - this place will be rammed tomorrow night.

Look, you keep talking about Johnny and Shirley,

everything they're doing, and you're right.

What if they do all that and it just goes belly-up anyway?

What's that mean?

What if Shirley comes out of prison to find that you've gone in?

Just me and Johnny running the place?

Just don't do nothing stupid, Mick.

Keep your head down...

..and give Shirley the best homecoming she could have, yeah?

And get this place buzzing again - for the right reasons.

Do you know what I mean, like?

Here it is.

Don't cry.

Ooh!

So you think what I did was Toytown, do ya?

Well, maybe that means I get out of here sooner.

You want a bet?

I was in a mood, OK? I didn't mean anything.

I don't want to make any enemies.

It's a bit late for that.

THEY LAUGH

What?

You all right?

You heard from Bex?

No, not since lunch.

Did she ring you from school?

No, she came home from school.

I caught her back at the house.

And before you kick off, I didn't all right?

I just played it cool.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I wanted to, but I was sweet.

What happened? Why did she come home?

I don't know. She didn't say.

You didn't ask?

No, course I did, I just didn't push it.

I just did what you said, you know, I talked to her.

You know, calmly and reasonably.

Then I suggested that she went back to her lessons.

You suggested?

Left it up to her.

And she went back.

Has Martin Fowler been abducted by aliens, or something?

Maybe.

No, I'm proud of you.

Still worried sick about her, though.

She's a teenager, they ain't easy. I know I weren't.

No, nor me. I told her that and all.

Exactly. Every parent has problems.

Pornographic selfies and having the police round

is a little more than just growing pains, though, ain't it?

We don't need this, do we?

You know, all this on top of us

going to see the psychiatrist tomorrow.

-We don't need to tell her about that.

-Don't we?

What's happening with Bex at school is nothing to do

with me and you trying for a baby.

Yeah. No, no, you're right, you're right.

It's about how we cope as a family, Martin. Like today.

There was a problem and you and Bex talked it through.

Give her a few weeks and she'll be back

to that lovely, sweet girl we know.

Don't worry.

VOICES ARGUING

Who do you think you are? Are you dumb?

Are you actually stupid?

Who did you think you are?!

ARGUMENT CONTINUES

Do something!

You know what? You are a dirty little...!

Grab her.

Shut up, you.

Don't move!

Still.

Please...

Daddy's little princess, yeah(?)

Ha-ha!

Dirty, yeah?

Let's go.

What happened?

-We told her it was rude.

-Calling people names.

So we taught her some manners.

THEY GIGGLE

SHE SOBS

Oi! Much healthier for you.

Though it doesn't taste anywhere near as good.

You could have warned me. I would have dug out my sunglasses.

Don't you start, I've got enough with that lot out there.

I told you it's going to be worth it.

You're not the one they're taking the mickey out of.

Tell him, 'Chelle.

It doesn't matter what anyone else says, you do what's best for you.

That's all that matters.

He's right.

You OK?

Yeah.

'Chelle?

Just not sleeping too well, that's all.

-OK, any reason?

-No.

Come on, there must be.

Hark at Dr Beale.

If there is a problem, take my advice and go and see one.

Worked wonders for me.

-CHEERING

-Go on, Ian!

I caught him red-handed, giving it a test drive.

Uncle Jack will be back tomorrow, won't he?

-Mm-hm.

-That's your fun over, then.

It means you'll be back to work?

Yeah, well, I've got to get back in the saddle sometime.

In the city, ain't it?

-What's that?

-Where you work.

Yeah. Canary Wharf.

Ooh, posh!

Not really.

You enjoying it?

Yeah, it's all right. It's nothing special.

What is it that you do?

Just the same old, same old.

Same old, same old what?

Just the same old stuff I've always done, Lauren.

Selling cars in Canary Wharf?

That's all Bentleys and Rollers over there, isn't it?

No, rickshaws and mopeds more like.

It's a mug's game, that is.

If you ain't selling cars,

what are you doing?

I'm just doing a bit of property, that's all.

Is there any more of this?

Makes sense actually, I suppose.

Still got a few of your contacts, people you used to know.

Or are you saving it all for Dot?

What?

The hotpot.

Oh. Yeah, let me get you some.

What's happened?

So you don't think he seemed a bit odd?

It's Dad. He's always seems odd.

I'm being serious, Abi.

He seemed fine to me.

I think he was being shifty.

When we started asking him about his work and that.

Then he goes, "Same old, same old,"

all of a sudden he's working in property.

Well, yeah, probably because he is.

Yeah, well, what if he's not?

What does that mean?

He has been house-sitting for Uncle Jack for quite a while now.

So?

So he must have a pretty nice boss.

Giving him all that time off.

What, so you don't think he's working at all?

-What's happened?

-Who did this to you, Bex?

Mr Pryce has already told me that you were upset earlier on.

Look, just tell us what's happening.

I don't want to make things worse.

How much worse can things get?

How long has this been going on?

Has it got something to do with this photo?

Is this more retaliation?

Somebody doesn't like you for sending it around?

-I didn't send it round.

-So who did?

I just want to go home.

Bex, you do that and whoever did this gets away with it.

So tomorrow and the next day, they just do it all over again.

This isn't her fault.

Not really.

Who?

They've been behind it...

those so-called friends of hers.

Alexandra and Madison.

They did this.

And did they send round that photo too?

Did they get hold of your phone or something?

They weren't the first ones to send it round.

So who was?

Bex, we really can only help if we know everything.

Louise.

Louise Mitchell.

Run, fat boy, run.

THEY GIGGLE

Come on.

So, when's he back?

I don't know.

Tomorrow, next week?

Fancy Preston, do ya?

After Bex Fowler's been there?

You saying Alex is into sloppy seconds?

I don't think so.

Go and get another one of these, yeah?

Yeah, and me.

So I'm the waitress all of a sudden?

We'll get the next ones.

(I am not getting the next ones.)

Still like to see him in a T-shirt and shorts, though.

Not that they will be on him for long.

THEY LAUGH

TEXT TONES

What?

I've got to go and see Mrs Lund tomorrow morning.

So have I.

Alex?

So she's blabbed, has she?