19/05/2017 EastEnders

How's Nancy?

Seriously, Whit, in me bed, yeah? What is he doing here?

Linda sent me to run the bar.

What you talking about?

Ring her yourself, ask her.

-It's true, Mick.

-OK.

Get him out of here.

What you doing?

What do you think I'm doing? I'm taking the rubbish out.

-What did you do that for?!

-Get that off.

-What? You want to me to stand here naked or something?

-I swear on my mother's life...

L must have seriously lost the plot to let that wretch in my boozer.

It's good to see you too, Mick.

-Oh, you want a clump, is that what it is, yeah?

-Shirl!

What's the matter, Mick?

Worried no-one missed you while you was away, eh?

-Mick!

-Get him out of here or you won't be the only one who's done a bit of bird.

-I think you better go.

-You wonder why Linda sent me?

Look at the mess you left behind.

You haven't even got a clue what's going on here, do you?

-What you talking about? What's he talking about?

-Just go, will you?

If I catch you in that dressing gown again, I'm going to iron you right out!

Denise, wait! What are you trying to do? Kill me?

Why did you run off like that?

I shouldn't be there.

Why not? Nothing to be ashamed of.

You think I was in there for food?

Weren't you?

No, no, no, I just wanted to see if they needed volunteers.

What you looking at me like that for? It's the truth!

So the voucher wasn't yours then?

Just... Please leave me alone. I just... I need to get home.

Denise, I'm not judging you. I want to help you.

You?! You, judge me?

It weren't so long ago you were sleeping on a park bench.

A lot can happen in 18 months.

Yeah.

Yeah, you're telling me.

If it weren't for the beehive, I'd barely recognise you.

Something had to change. I couldn't go on like I was.

Right, so... So what is this then?

The new, improved Cora?

I like to think so.

Well, go and find someone who needs your help cos I'm fine as I am.

Two months I slept in that allotment.

I hadn't had a shower for weeks.

People cross the road to avoid having to speak to me.

I know what it is to hit rock bottom.

What, you think I'm some sort of bag lady?

I think you need help

and I know how hard it is to admit it.

So why did you?

Because, if I hadn't, I'd be dead by now.

SHE SOBS

Everything is such a mess, Cora.

What about Kim? Patrick? Can't they help?

Kim?

I can't ask Kim for help. She's just going to...

She'll throw money at me. She'll tell me to sort my life out.

Patrick, he's got his own life.

He shouldn't be bailing me out.

I'm a proud woman, Cora.

I don't want to go begging them for help.

It's been months.

Months, people been judging me,

thinking I'm some sort of a...

monster.

You really think that I want to give them something else to talk about?

I know the feeling.

48 years old...

..and what have I got to show for it?

You've got more guts than all of them put together.

Why else would you be here?

Come on, let's get you some food.

You've got the hump with me, ain't ya,

for spending all that money?

No, it's not that. I'm just worried about Jack, that's all.

-Hi.

-Hello, Dot.

Look, look, look!

You all right?

Careful, careful.

Whoa, what's all this?

Well, Dot said we could upcycle her old chest.

Well, that's very kind of you, Dot.

Well, you know me, Billy - always one to help a friend,

though Jack wouldn't have you believe it.

Yeah, well, don't worry about him, eh, Dot?

Oh, Dot, sorry, erm, this is a non-smoking flat.

Well, it was all that shouting, you know.

I think I've got one of my migraines coming on.

-So this is your Minky Dreams then, is it?

-Yeah.

-Eh?

-Yeah, it's really nice.

It feels like we're walking on a cloud, doesn't it, Billy?

-Yeah.

-I've got wooden floors but I am thinking of getting a runner,

but a floral one, cos it's more soothing on the eye.

Er, I'm really sorry, Dot, but we've got a no-shoe policy

on our new carpet.

Oh, well, I'm just off anyway to see the vicar,

to put Jack on the prayer list.

I'll bring me slippers next time.

I'm sure he'll appreciate that, Dot.

Poor bloke. I can't imagine what he's going through.

-And it's all my fault.

-No, it's not.

If he loses that boy, Billy, I'll never forgive myself.

DOOR CLOSES

The school called me,

said you weren't picking up your mobile.

I'm sorry. I lost track of time.

All right, go on. Put your bags upstairs.

-You know, that's not really good enough.

-It was one time.

Yeah, what's going on with Honey and Dot?

Y'know, Dot's practically in tears. What's the matter with you?

You can't chuck her out the house, Jack, all right? She's an old woman.

All right, I'll talk to her.

I'm just sick and tired of people taking his side.

It's no wonder, mate...

the way you're behaving.

I'm serious, if you don't pull yourself together,

people are going to start saying...

Saying what?

That maybe Matthew is better off with Charlie.

I, er, got your stuff for ya.

Cheers, Brains.

Where you going to go?

I don't know. Back to Watford, I suppose.

Tell Linda her fella's got a screw loose.

Oh, still here, is it?

He's just leaving.

I want to say goodbye to Whitney first before I leave.

Well...she don't want to see ya.

Do you know? If I didn't know better,

I'd think you're jealous, Mick.

You're off your nut.

The last thing Whitney needs is someone like you leading her astray.

Me leading her astray?

Do you know where I found her today?

-No, where?

-Shoplifting in some shopping centre.

Yeah.

Seems you don't know her as well as you thought.

Good luck, Mick...

..cos I think you're going to need it, mate.

Oh, and if you see Fi...

..tell her I said goodbye.

Ta-ra.

Who's Fi?

No-one important.

Anyway, you look great, Dad.

Why didn't you tell us you were coming back?

I did try calling, but me blower ran out of juice.

-How's Nance?

-Yeah, she's all discharged,

she's planning a holiday to Thailand with Tam.

-Oh, that's good news.

-Yeah, talking of news,

is someone going to tell me what's been going on around here or what?

-How do you mean?

-Well, there was a great big hole in the roof for a start.

Oh. I come into some money.

Oh, yeah? Where from?

That's not important.

The important thing is it's sorted.

So, no more surprises, eh?

Good. Good.

Maybe we can start getting this place back to normal, eh?

Is it always this busy?

Sometimes people just want someone to listen.

I shouldn't be here.

You've got as much right as anyone.

Right.

I swear, when I'm back on my feet, I'll...

Let's just get you through today first, shall we?

I'll fill in the voucher and get my colleagues to bring

the food bags over to you.

Cora.

What I said to you...

..about being a bag lady, I...

I'm so sorry.

You know the biggest thing I learnt?

Not to mistake kindness for pity.

Oh, darling.

Come on, let's get you sorted.

SOFTLY: Yeah.

Ian, are we going to talk about this?

Nothing to talk about.

What you doing?

What does it look like? I'm hungry.

But you did so well this week.

Yeah! And look where it got me?

So you're just going to eat yourself to death, is that it?

Well, it's going to kill me anyway, so why die starving?

You heard what the doctor said.

Yeah, said I was a bomb waiting to go off.

No, she said you just have to start looking after yourself, that's all.

And it's better they know now rather than later.

Why do you always have to see the positive in everything?

I'm trying to help you...

..because...

..because we both know this isn't just about food.

Right, so you're a psychiatrist now?

Ian, please, just talk to me.

There's nothing left to talk about, all right?

From now on...I do what I want.

Whit.

They'll fill your bags with essentials -

rice, pasta, tinned products,

milk, sugar and tea.

We've... We've got some toiletries as well.

No, no, no, that's fine. Honest, I'll be fine.

Maybe I'll just, like, pick up few bits.

Why did you end up volunteering?

Because this place saved my life.

You came here?

The council might've stumped up the rent for a bedsit,

but there was no money for anything else.

I was too ill to get a job and too old.

You didn't think to ask Tanya for help?

She's got enough to deal with without worrying about me.

I turned up here, drunk, shouting abuse.

Told 'em to stick their charity where the sun don't shine.

So why did you come back here?

Because...

for the first time in months, I walked out of here knowing

I had food in the cupboard

and a place where there was someone to talk to.

It might not sound like much,

but to me it made all the difference in the world.

Trace, leave the door open, we're open.

-You all right?

-Yeah. What are you doing here?

Well, Vincent asked me to come over and help out Tracey.

Not cramping your style, am I?

Not at all. No.

Just pretend I'm not here, innit?

-You all right, Trace?

-Yeah.

It's nice outside.

Are you Kush?

Yes. You must be Sarah. Hi.

Yeah, take a seat.

Erm, can I get you a drink?

-A glass of white wine, please.

-Right.

Could I get a bottle of beer, please, and a glass of white wine?

Can I see some ID?

I'm sorry?

We don't serve minors.

I'm 26.

SHE CHUCKLES

Is there something wrong?

I thought my photo was bad.

You look like you've been caught in a wind tunnel.

Kim...

One glass of white wine and a bottle of beer coming up, please, Tracey.

Is she always that rude?

Most of the time, yeah, she is.

Tell me a little bit about you.

-Well...

-CRUNCHING AND BANGING

Don't mind me.

What do I do now?

That's you done, unless you want to talk to someone.

I've got everything I need right here.

I just need a few things to tide me over.

-Is everything all right?

-I don't have a voucher, do I?

-We have a toaster at your disposal. I'm sure we can...

-What is a toaster going to do...?

-..sort something

-for you and the kids.

-I just need to feed...!

What am I supposed to...?!

Is she going to be all right?

Hopefully they'll sort something out.

We're all in the same situation. It's desperate, I know, it's awful.

Why don't I give the Citizens Advice Bureau a ring,

see what they can arrange for you?

Please don't get upset. Come on. Come on.

My kids are just... It's so hard for us.

I know they are. If you just sit down, OK?

-Just sit down, it will be all right.

-I'm try... I'm trying.

I know, it's really difficult.

Listen...

I'm going to need you to do me a little favour, all right?

I'm going to need you to take these bags, all right...

..and give them to your mummy?

She needs them more than I do.

I don't need a toaster, I need food.

-You're not listening to me, are you?

-I'm just doing my best, OK?

Denise...

-You didn't have to do that.

-Yes, I did.

-Here, here, take it.

Take it.

It's not much... Get you through the weekend.

Cora, please, just keep your money.

Someone was good to me once.

Yeah, anyway, you said it yourself, I've got Kim.

And Patrick's coming back soon.

I should never have come here.

We both know you're not going to tell 'em.

How do you know what I'm going to do?

Because you're stubborn and proud,

and because you'd rather go hungry than ask for help.

And who are you to lecture me on families, eh?

When did you last go and see Abi and Lauren anyway?

They know where I live.

Yeah, seems like I'm not the only stubborn one, eh?

You...

You do know that Max is back on the Square, don't you?

-What?

-Changed man.

He's been a rock to Jack and his kids, you know.

I find that hard to believe.

You should see it for yourself.

I don't want anything to do with that man.

I should never have helped him. I was ill.

I see that fire's still there then.

Max is only out for himself.

The sooner people realise that, the better.

People can change, can't they?

-Look at you.

-He's rotten, inside and out.

Right.

I guess that's my cue to go then.

What will you do?

I'll survive.

That's all I can do, innit?

Goodbye, Cora.

You had a chance to talk to Linda?

Yeah, we had a bit of bunny...

when we could get five minutes.

-Why?

-No reason.

I just can't get me nut around how the profits are up this month.

Just been busier than usual, that's all.

Sweet.

How much do I owe you for the roof?

Oh, don't worry about it.

Is Whitney back yet?

Er, I just think she needs to let off a bit of steam.

DOG SNORTS

-Oh, here she is, Her Highness.

-DOG WHINES

Where are you, gal?

You know she always gets the hump when I go away, don't ya?

-How's she doing?

-The vet sorted her out.

Oh, yeah, I bet that was a few quid.

Don't worry, it's all covered.

That was a lovely little windfall you got, weren't it, eh?

DOG WHINES

What's she doing?

What you got, a bit of grub under there?

Come here. What you doing?

What's this?

Whit, what have you been doing?

You finished with that, yeah? Thanks.

I'm starting to think she doesn't like me.

So...you come from far today?

Oh, sorry, that's...

-That is lame, ain't it?

-Stratford.

Stratford. Right, so...

That's Central Line to Mile End, Mile End - District Line...

Listen, I'm sorry. Sorry.

I'm...

I'm not in the right kind of head space for this at the moment.

Well, maybe you should start by deleting your profile.

Yeah. Look, let me call you a cab.

-Don't put yourself out.

-No, no, no. It's the least I can do.

SHE LAUGHS

See ya later.

Max, you ain't seen Whitney knocking about, have you?

No, sorry, mate.

How's it going over at the pub?

Yeah, it's cushty. Seems like we're all finally coming up for air.

PHONE RINGS Good. That's what I like to hear.

Sorry. Mate, I'm on my way.

Mick! Why didn't you tell me you were back?

I'm so sorry. I've had all sorts going on.

-I've missed you.

-I've missed you, too.

We gave Mum a good send-off.

Yeah, of course you did.

I wish you'd been there.

So do I, Teen.

So do I.

Oh, someone's started early.

Save me the lecture, will ya?

Oh, I'm not here to lecture you, love.

What's all that for?

If you can't beat 'em...

What are you doing?

I'm hungry.

Please don't.

Jane, please.

All right, I get it, OK? I get it.

I'm scared, love, all right?

I don't want to die.

You're not.

Cos we're going to do this together.

All right?

Is it all right if I have a little plot?

I'm sorry if I embarrassed you earlier.

It's fine.

It's just you can do so much better than him.

The geezer's ten a penny.

I heard about what happened at the shopping centre.

I don't want to talk about it, Mick.

Was it the first time?

So what's all that gear under your bed?

You ain't got no right snooping.

I know.

I was worried about ya.

If you were worried, you wouldn't have left us, Mick.

Have you got any idea what we've all been through since you've been away?

-Nancy needed me.

-And what about us?

We needed you, too.

All right?

Been anywhere nice?

You heard from the police?

-Not yet.

-Hopefully you won't have to bother with them.

-What you talking about?

-Jack - he's all over the place.

I reckon another couple of days, he'll be putty in your hands.

I don't know what kind of twisted game you're playing here,

but I don't want any part of it, you understand me?

I'll be in touch.

VOICES APPROACH

Oh, bruv, there's one in three minutes. Come on, three minutes.

You know what happened, don't ya?

Lee's solicitor got in his earhole.

Made him spout all that rubbish.

It's true though, ain't it?

What you talking about?

I was unreasonable.

-Nah, nah, you weren't.

-I never should have married him.

Girls like me...

-..we don't get happy ever after.

-What do you mean, girls like you?

I'm damaged, Mick.

Once a dirty scrubber, always a dirty scrubber.

What?

I don't want to hear you talking like that.

Why do you think I slept with Woody?

-That's all I'm good for.

-Stop it.

Do you want to know why I nicked all that stuff?

Cos in that shopping centre...

..I could be anyone I wanted to be.

I didn't have to be that girl any more.

Whit, you're not that girl.

You're kind.

You're beautiful.

You got a big heart, Whit.

I don't know what's happening to me, Mick.

Come here, come here.

You've had a rough couple of months, that's all it is.

Please don't leave me again.

I ain't going nowhere.